The Jinchuuriki Guardian

Chapter 2

Kimiko groaned and slowly opened her eyes. Her left eye had been covered up whilst the vision in her right eye blurred into a white room and a strong sterilised smell hit her nostrils. She tried to sit up only for pain to shoot through her body. Letting out a low hiss, she realised she had been restrained to the bed, the leather buckles digging into her shoulders, wrists and ankles.

'I bet this is Kakashi's doing' she thought, before concentrating a small amount of chakra into her index finger, slowly turning it into a claw. Within minutes, she'd successfully freed herself from the evil belts before sitting up. Glancing at the many bandages covering the majority of her body, she sighed. She already felt herself healing fast so she knew they wouldn't be on for long.

'Not as fast as the Kyuubi but still better than being stuck in a bed for Kami knows how long' she mused as swung her legs off the side of the bed and disconnecting the IV drip that was attached to her left arm. Carefully lifting up the bandage that was over her left eye, she activated a Sharingan. She was annoyed that she could only have the Sharingan in one eye, but she figured she was lucky to even have the technique at all considering who she was.

'I sense two ANBU outside the door yet none outside my window, heh they mustn't have thought I'd have come too so soon, too bad for them' she grinned as she did a quick hand sign and created a clone of herself.

"You stay here in the bed and distract them, I'll go home 'kay?" she ordered in a whisper, the clone nodded before jumping into the hospital bed and pulling the covers up to the way it remembered Kimiko waking up in. The real Kimiko ran over to the window and opened it up wincing slightly as her shoulder seared in pain. Allowing the breeze to hit her in the face, she leapt out the window into a nearby tree. Taking in her surroundings, she began to work out the easiest route to her home without getting caught. Happy with a route, she took off onto the rooftops in the direction she needed.

Meanwhile back at the hospital, Kakashi had just finished explaining the whole situation to Tsunade. Sakura, who just stood quietly by her mistress, bit her lip in thought. The copy Nin had left out the majority of the information but explained how Kimiko's family worked with the Fourth Hokage when she was a Genin.

"We should get back, if she's anything like her old self, she won't stay out cold for long," Kakashi urged, letting out a sigh, Tsunade simply shook her head and turned her gaze towards the nearest window.

"No need, my guess is she's fine now. I do however wonder how she's able to move so quickly since those injuries should have a shinobi bedridden for at least three days," she stated frowning, Kakashi narrowed is eyes as he caught sight of the disappearing figure, his hand balled into a fist in anger as he focused his gaze on Tsunade.

"Great, you want me to go after her?" he asked, the Blonde Sanin grinned.

"That's right, try and get her back to the hospital, if not just try and keep her still long enough for an ANBU team to arrive, can you handle this?" she ordered sounding like her professional self now. Kakashi bowed his head.

"Hai," he replied then disappeared outside.

Naruto had just stepped out of his favourite ramen shop. He'd not long finished his extended training session when he realised there was no food in his apartment. Deciding to just head to Ichiraku Ramen instead, he'd just finished devouring ten delicious bowls of Miso Ramen. Stepping out into the now moonlit street, he stretched his back preparing to take off back home when he spotted the brown haired stranger from earlier jumping the rooftops in silence.

"Hey!" he called waving to her, Kimiko stopped on the rooftop she had just landed on, which was about two buildings away from the ramen shop and stared down at the blonde. "I see you're all better now, that's good," he added, leaping onto the rooftop next to her.

"You clearly don't know who I am?" she asked in a hurt voice, the pain clear in her eyes, Naruto scratched the back of his head before shaking his head slowly.

"No, don't say I do. Am I meant to know about you?" he asked, wondering why she was so upset that he didn't know who she was; was she important to him somehow? He'd never seen her before and didn't even know she existed until earlier on that evening. Kimiko let out a low sigh before glancing behind her, scowling.

"It would have been nice of them to yes, but then again I'm now classed as a traitor to the Fourth. I don't want to get you into trouble so I'll try and find you once I've spoken to my parents. You'd best go home before Kakashi sees us talking; I'm not allowed to see you apparently. Kami! Minato Sempai would be so annoyed at this right now, it's down right ridiculous! I'll see you around Naruto, you've grown so well considering how you were treated," she stated before taking off again. She'd just vanished into the darkness when the blonde haired footsteps approaching him. He turned around to see Kakashi, looking furious.

"I told you to go home Naruto!" he yelled landing next to him. Naruto simply glared at his sensei, getting more frustrated by all the secrecy.

"No! Not until you tell me who the hell she is and why she can't talk to me or see me. What is going on here?" he snapped back, Kakashi started to growl.

"What did she say to you?" he demanded, Naruto continued to glare heatedly at the grey haired Jounin before taking off. He had only gotten two rooftops further when he was pulled back by the collar of his jumpsuit.

"I'm not joking here Naruto, go home. She could be dangerous and I don't want you getting involved with this," he ordered firmly, Naruto growled as he struggled to get out of the older mans grip. He didn't understand why they were so determined to keep him away from her and he was going to find out. Naruto sighed and stopped his attempt to escape his teachers' clutches.

"Fine, but I want to know what's going on later alright?" he demanded. Shocked by the sudden change of Naruto's attitude; Kakashi let him go. He wanted to march the blonde back to his apartment and make sure he stayed put but he didn't have the time, now that she had gotten so far ahead.

"Naruto, you have to understand, she's not been back to the village in fifteen years. Who knows what's happened to her since. She seems nice enough but she could be getting used by the Akatsuki to get to you. I know you want answers and believe me, I want to tell you but we have to speak to her then report to the Hokage. If I get permission from Lady Tsunade then I'll stop by and see you later ok?" he bargained, Naruto groaned but nodded as he took off into the direction of his apartment.

'I have a pretty good idea where you've gone to Kimiko, please don't do anything stupid' he thought before continuing onwards.

Kimiko finally landed in front of her childhood home, the Mahatori estate. The large beige house brought back memories of her family. Smiling, she ran over to the front door and flung it over.

"Mom, Dad, Semika, I'm home!" she cried before gasping. The house was deserted, as if no one had live in there for years. The hallway she was standing in was blackened as if it had survived a big fire.

"What the hell happened? Mom! Dad!" she yelled again, running into the living room, the kitchen and then the dining room. There were no sign of her family anywhere. She ran back to the living room performing a couple of hand signs as she went. Where there was an alcove in the room, the laminate flooring opened up to reveal a trapdoor which slid along underneath the actual wooden panels. Looking around her to make sure no one had approached, she quickly leapt in.

This room hasn't been touched. This is where he would have stayed… she thought, glancing around the room. The white carpet that had orange spirals on stretched the floor, a cot sat in the corner with plenty of photographs of happy smiling people. Kimiko picked up the nearest frame, tears forming in her eyes.

"Were your parents expecting another baby?" A voice called from above, Kimiko jumped at the sudden sound and fell back into the cot, knocking it over as she stared up, seemingly frightened, at Kakashi, who held his arms as if he was offering peace.

"Easy now, I just want to talk. I wasn't aware your mother was pregnant again," the Copy Nin stated calmly, landing into the room next to her. The brown haired woman shook her head.

"She wasn't… Where are they Kakashi?" she demanded, backing away from him. Kakashi sighed and sat down, not wanting to be the bearer of bad news but felt he had no choice now.

"They died Kimi. There was a fire," said sadly, using her academy nickname, "They're gone. It happened not long after you were forced out," Kimiko, for the first time, dropped to her knees shaking.

"No. You're lying! Where the hell are they!?" she screamed as Kakashi made his way over to her and pulled her into a hug. Kimiko sobbed loudly into his Jounin vest whilst Kakashi just stared at the tipped cot. Finally after he thought she had calmed down, he let her go.

"Who is this room for Kimi? For as long as I've known your family I've not seen this," he asked, Kimiko pushed away from him and stared at the photo on the wall directly behind him. It was a picture of her as a Genin with a baby Naruto.

"Can't you guess? He asked us to take him in after he'd sealed the Kyuubi in Naruto. This would have been where he'd have stayed, away from the danger that he actually did grow up in. I should have been stronger…" she trailed off, looking at the floor in shame.

"Why didn't you get Naruto?" Kakashi prodded, he had to ask. It seemed perfect after all Kimiko's family was close to the Fourth Hokage. In fact Kakashi often thought his sensei even considered Kimiko as the daughter he never had.

"There was no proof he had asked us. Plus with him being the new Jinchuuriki it was in his best interest to go through hell apparently than be with a family that would love him to bits," she replied bitterly before remembering the state of the house.

"How did my parents manage to die in a stupid house fire? Did the villagers attack them? I asked them to continue to watch out for Naruto even after I'd gone. Did I condemn them? Minato Sempai must be so ashamed of me right now. I didn't even have the strength to stay strong for him. I failed him so much," tears ran down her face as she walked over to the knocked over cot and stood it back up, her trembling hand breaking one of the wooden bars. Kakashi picked up a picture of his sensei and Kushina, Minato's very pregnant wife.

"If Minato Sensei is disappointed in anyone it would be this village the way they treated him. I think he would be very proud of what you done for him. You tried and that was more than what anyone else did. Look Kimiko, I'm going to be blunt here. I'm curious at what you said earlier. Both the Hokage and I want to hear what you have to say. Come to the Hokage Tower and we'll have a chat with Lady Tsunade," he said, trying not to make it sound like a threat. Also changing the subject as there was no proof that the villagers were behind the house fire. She simply nodded.

"Alright, I've caused enough trouble as it is," she sighed as Kakashi put the picture down. The pair leapt out the room then Kimiko sealed it back up again. They soon left the ruined house and took off towards the Hokage Tower.

By the time they got there, several ANBU had joined them. Although Kimiko was jumpy at first, she ignored them when she realised they weren't going to attack her. When they arrived, Kakashi lead her up the stairs to Tsunade's office and stopped at a door, knocking on it. After a rather loud "come in" was heard, Kakashi opened the door. Stepping inside, the Copy Nin grabbed Kimiko's hand and gently pulled her in too. The brunette bowed instantly at the blonde Hokage.

"It's good to see you again Lady Tsunade. I'm sorry for any trouble I have caused," she declared. Tsunade simply stared at the young woman with her brown eyes before a smile stretched on her face, instantly recognising her old friend.

"It's nice to see you too Kimiko. I would love to welcome you back with open arms and forget the whole incident but as the Hokage I must think of my village and its people," she stated, Kimiko sighed and stared at the floor.

"I understand," she said softly, Tsunade groaned and stood up, walking over to the pair, lifting the young woman's head up.

"I'll have to meet with the Elders on what to do. Go to the hospital and stay there, my assistant Shizune will carry out the rest of the medical exams. If they come out alright, it'll be on their good side. After I've spoken to them, I'll swing by and we can have a long hard chat over your fifteen years of adventures alright?" Kimiko grinned and bowed again.

"Thank you so much Hokage-Sama," she said before she could turn around to leave the office, the door burst open and a very irate Naruto stormed in followed by a stressed out Yamato. In the blonde's hands were two familiar picture frames.

"Ok who are you lady? Why the hell do you have these in your house? And when were you planning on telling me the Fourth was my father?" he yelled pointing at Kimiko.

"I told you to go home Naruto!" Kakashi hissed whilst Kimiko kept silent. Tsunade growled and walked over to the teenage Genin.

"Calm down Naruto-"

"Calm down? Calm down? The man who sealed the damn fox into me, ruined my life and abandoned me is my own flesh and blood and you're telling me…" Naruto trailed off, tears running down his face as he dropped to his knees. Kakashi looked to his left to see Kimiko staring at the floor again, tears dripping onto the carpet and sighed.

"I was going to tell you about the Fourth when you were eighteen years old Naruto. The Yondaime had many enemies which is why you were given your mothers last name. Please understand, it wasn't something I wanted to keep from you, I had to," Tsunade objected, staring sadly at him.

"So where does she fit into this?" he demanded, glaring at Kimiko. The brunette raised her tear stained face to the blonde Hokage who nodded her head.

"You might as well tell him. Cat's out of the bag now," she stated, Kimiko took a deep breath as her brown eyes met his angry blue ones.

"My family were asked to take you in and protect you. Unfortunately, before I could do anything, I was thrown out of the village. Maybe if I was stronger, I could have made a difference. I was a weak Genin back then and I didn't have many friends. So that's what I did for fifteen years. I found enough strength to come back and protect you like I should have done from when you were a baby; especially when I found out about the Akatsuki. I'm so sorry for what you went through, Naruto. I swear if you let me, no matter what it takes, I'll make it up to you," she sobbed, trembling now. Naruto stared at her before turning to Tsunade and Kakashi.

"Is it true?" he asked, Tsunade shrugged her shoulders and turned to sit on her desk.

"I don't know Naruto, nothing was recorded but it would make sense. Kimiko's family was very close to ours," she replied.

"If you were able to retrieve those pictures, then you would have seen the layout of the room. It was obviously designed for you," Kakashi interjected. He couldn't believe that his sensei had left Naruto without anyone to look after him.

"Speaking of pictures, how did you manage to get them? I'm the only one who knows about that room and I'm defiantly the only one able to open it?" Kimiko asked, Naruto chuckled nervously and scratched behind his head before approaching the newcomer and his sensei.

"I kinda overheard your conversation with Kakashi Sensei. I snuck in before you closed the door on me and there's a switch to open it up from the inside. There's something on the back of this picture," he explained, passing her the photo of herself holding him as a baby. Kimiko widened her eyes as she noticed an envelope taped to the back of the frame, oddly addressed to her. She pulled the envelope off and opened it to reveal a letter. Reading it, she dropped the frame causing it to fall to the floor smashing. Her hands began trembling.

"Kimi, what is it?" Kakashi asked staring at her.

"Th Thank you Minato Sempai…" she whispered before collapsing to the floor. Kakashi took the letter from her hand and scanned it.

"Well it looks like we've found all the proof we need," he stated, passing the note to Tsunade. The blonde grinned as she read the note.

"I think I've just won the fight. Kakashi, Naruto, Please take Kimiko back to the hospital. I will join you as soon as I've met with the Elders. Thank you Yamato, you may go home now," she ordered before leaving quite quickly out of the office. Yamato scowled as Kakashi scooped up the unconscious form.

"I take it we've got the day off tomorrow," he said sourly, Kakashi sighed.

"It depends. I'll stop by your place tomorrow at ten and let you know what's happening. I'd prefer if Naruto's training was not interrupted. Either way I'll update you tomorrow," he replied before nodding to Naruto then the pair vanished. Yamato simply groaned before leaving for home himself.