Tsunade – Konoha's newest Hokage, after Sarutobi retired and passed the title down to his student – slammed her palms against the hard wood of her desk.
"They did what?" she hissed, amber eyes flashing. Asuma smirked around his cigarette.
"The Inuzuka family has left Konoha."
/\/\
Tsume shifted Kasumi in her arms. She wasn't taking any chances – if they were unable to go back to the village, Kakashi would be devastated if Kasumi was left behind.
Besides, she had gotten attached to the little dog. She couldn't abandon her.
"Sakura," she called. "Be careful of weak branches. We can't afford to stop."
"Got it, Mom!"
Tsume sighed. So far they had found no trace of Kakashi, and time was slowly slipping away from them. Soon the Hokage would send shinobi after them, and they would have no choice but to fight comrades.
They needed to hurry.
"Kuromaru," she said. Her dog looked up at her. "Use your nose to search for any sign of Kakashi or Itachi."
"Got it," the dog barked.
"Good." Tsume raised her voice. "Kids, stay on guard. The Hokage will send shinobi after us. Tell your dogs to sniff for any sign of enemies, Kakashi, or Itachi."
"Okay, Mom!"
/\/\
Tsunade glared at the door, daring anyone to walk through and test her patience.
"Send everyone we can afford to spare after them, Shizune," the blonde ordered angrily. "We cannot lose one of the best clans in Konoha."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade."
"Also, Shizune, order them to look for Itachi Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake. Both need to be brought back to Konoha."
"Yes, Lady Tsunade. Anything else?"
"Send notices to all the lands participating in the Chuunin Exams. Tell them what has happened, ask them to look out for our missing shinobi, and apologize for our need to delay the Exams."
"Is that all, Lady Tsuande?"
"Bring me some more sake."
/\/\
Kakashi crept forward, Pakkun at his feet. The pug sniffed the ground and followed Itachi's scent, picking up speed as they got closer.
They burst into a clearing, where Kakashi promptly scanned the area for any sign of Itachi. He was surprised to see the Uchiha standing in the middle of the field.
"Itachi!" he shouted, and the raven whipped around, Sharingan activated.
"Kakashi?" Itachi blinked and his eyes faded to black. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm not letting you leave Konoha," Kakashi stated. "We can help you!"
"No you can't." Itachi shuddered. "You don't know what I saw."
"Just because you killed—"
Itachi barked out a laugh. "You think I killed the Uchiha clan?"
Kakashi blinked. "Didn't you?"
"Hell no!" Itachi laughed harshly. "I never could have done that. No, that was Madara Uchiha."
/\/\
Tsume growled as she smelled a familiar presence. She skidded to a stop, whipping around to stare at the Hyuga.
"What are you doing here, Hiashi?"
Hiashi narrowed Byakugan eyes, gazing at her. "To bring you back, of course."
"You can't bring us back." Tsume shook her head. "Not until I find my husband and son."
Hiashi arched an eyebrow but did not reply to her choice of words. "I know, Tsume. That's why, as your friend, I will help you bring them back."
"Really?" Tsume stared at him doubtfully.
"Yes." Hiashi smiled. "You're like my sister. Besides, I will never be disobeying the Hokage's orders."
"Thank you, Hiashi," Tsume said, before turning back to her kids. She gestured for them to keep moving.
She also thanked her luck that it had been Hiashi to find her, not another shinobi.
/\/\
"What the hell are you talking about?" Kakashi said. "Madara Uchiha died years ago."
"Obviously, he didn't." Itachi shrugged. "I know what I saw, and what I saw was Madara Uchiha kill the Uchiha's."
"That's not possible."
"It's possible."
"But even if that's true – which I am not saying it is – that doesn't explain why you left the village."
"I left because there was nothing left for me there." Itachi sighed.
"What are you talking about? Your entire family is there!" Kakashi exclaimed.
"What family? The Uchiha's were murdered."
"I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about us. Tsume, the kids, Hana. We're your family."
"Really?" Itachi stared at him like he was crazy. "Last time I checked, Tsume thought I should continue living out in the forest."
"Tsume was worried for Hana's safety. She doesn't hate you, or else she wouldn't have been in tears when she learned you left." Kakashi shook his head. "Itachi, you have to come back. We miss you."
"Kakashi…" Itachi trailed off, his gaze trained behind Kakashi. "Look out!"
Kakashi ducked and just barely missed the kunai aimed at his head. He whipped around, his own kunai in his hand. He stared at the figure that emerged from the trees.
"Bravo, Itachi." Madara Uchiha clapped slowly. "You figured it out."
/\/\
The Kazekage read the scroll in front of him with a scowl. The Chuunin Exams was postponed?
"Temari, Kankuro, Gaara, get in here!" he called.
His three children shuffled into the room, although Gaara looked like he was going to bolt at any minute, if it weren't for Temari's careful hand on his shoulder.
"Yes, Father?" the blonde said quietly.
"The Chuunin Exams have been pushed back," the Kazekage said. "They have requested help in retrieving six of their missing ninja. The details are here in this scroll. Read it, and pack for your mission. You must find them and bring them back."
He handed an advisor the scroll, who in turn gave it to Kankuro. The brunette opened it, eyes widening when he saw the names.
"Father…" he trailed off.
"You can do it. Now leave. And make sure to bring your brother."
The clear dismissal chilled Temari and Kankuro's blood. It left Gaara even more empty then he already was.
The three left the room, and the Kazekage sighed. His children were strange, no doubt, but he deeply wished that they would be more outgoing. He had never once heard of them having a single friend.
Not that he listened that much, anyways…
A/N: The sequel to Love Comes in All Shapes and Sizes! I'm excited for this, because it's going to focus on the kids and their relationships. This is going to be fun! Yay! Review please?