So finally a new chapter... Sorry for the wait. I really had no idea how to continue this part since it's annoying yet important. Writer's block and all, but I'm back and for a while. For those of you who haven't noticed, I just posted a new story called Mysterious Shadow. It's a Harry Potter, Draco/OC fanfiction. Well, it's going to be anyway, when we get there. I hope that those who are fans of Harry Potter will take a look and maybe review... That's about it. Sorry for how disgusted you might have felt in the last chapter, but you had to kind of understand that. There will be another scene in the story, somewhat similar to that one... just less intense. This arc is mostly concentrated on the character's psychological battles and development. So yup, enjoy!

Chapter Three

(Hinata's POV)

The state Arisu was in was simply terrible. I couldn't believe that there were people in this world who are sick enough to do something like this. I knew that most of us shared the same feelings about this. How am I going to tell Shinju? Though Arisu was like a good friend to me, she was like a sister to her. How can I tell her what happened today?

When we arrived at the village, the group split into two. Daisuke-kun and Asuma-sensei will report to the Hokage Tower whereas the rest of us will be heading straight towards the hospital. Once we got there, a doctor was summoned.

"Sensei, this girl is currently in a critical condition. We must proceed to the ER immediately." My voice was firm and unwavering as I described Arisu's wounds.

My elder cousin was put on a bed and two nurses pushed it to a room as the doctor called for Shizune-san and other people to help us out. Meanwhile, I tried to comfort Shuhei before telling them that I need to go help the team to heal Arisu.

(Sakura's POV)

Nine days passed since Ino left on a mission. I'm actually surprised at how peaceful the hospital was in her absence. Sure, there was still a lot of patients and many nurses and doctors were working, but without her presence, it's so strange. Never thought that her presence would impact the atmosphere this much. She was always loud and brash but there was no denying that she got better after the exams.

I was taking care of a patient when a nurse came in the room suddenly, telling me to follow her. We hurried down the hall and as we approached our destination, I saw many other doctors and nurses going about hurriedly.

"Hyuuga Arisu is in room R-594 right now, we need more medic-nin!" A nurse was telling a doctor.

"It'll be fine," I told them. "I'm heading that way. "Ikimono-san, please follow me."

When I entered the room, Hinata and two nurses and a doctor were working on Arisu. Shizune-san entered right after. "Come on, everyone, we must stabilize her quickly! Sakura, I need you and Hinata to help me with this. Ikimono-san, please had over the surgery tools. Fujihara-san, please tell the others that no one is allowed to enter. Now hurry!"

We didn't speak as we went about our tasks. Despite the stress and worry, we were able to act rationally and perfectly calm thanks to our training. Seeing all the wounds on Arisu-san's body, I pushed all worries of Ino and the others aside, concentrating on saving my patient.

(Kita's POV)

We were eating out with Kakashi-sensei after another long and horrid day of hellish training. Sasuke didn't say much, but I could tell that he was glad for the break, however ephemeral it was. Kakashi-sensei was still reading his book as usual. It makes me want to hit him and just release all of my frustrations on him, but I knew that it was a bad idea. Why? I did that once, and when you're exhausted and trying to beat up a Jounin who's at top shape… You end up with even more training.

Actually, that day, both of us went to try to beat him up, but we weren't even close before we dropped of exhaustion. Seriously, what kind of teacher acts like that? And the way he acts all innocent about it too! Even Kouji is fed up with him, and that's saying something since he's the most patient dog I've ever seen.

Suddenly, Asuma-sensei appeared, all bloody inside the restaurant. I can tell you that the sight wasn't really appreciated… Even if there wasn't that much blood.

"Oh. Asuma, are you all back?" Kakashi-sensei asked, looking up from his book. "Shouldn't you change before coming here though?"

"Not even half of us are back, Kakashi," Asuma-sensei replied. "Hyuuga Arisu was heavily injured and barely holding on. The whole team is at the hospital right now and I think that they're nearing their breaking point. I just came from reporting to Tsunade-sama."

Kakashi-sensei closed his book stiffly and stood up. "Maa, it looks like that I have to go now. We'll be training again tomorrow, same time, same place."

I stood up as well, and paid for my meal. "I'm going to tell Shinju about Arisu. She should know." Sasuke agreed and followed me, us, including Kouji, as we headed to Shinju's flat.

(Kakashi'S POV)

I went to the hospital with Asuma as soon as he said that the whole team was reaching its breaking point. That meant that Kasumi was taking it badly and there could only be one explanation. What she feared has come to pass.

She's undoubtedly reliving her most traumatic experience right now. Knowing her, she'd want to be there for her son and stay strong for everyone, but she's crumbling. And I had to get to her before anything bad happens to her as well. Asuma went to change and warn the Hyuuga clan of the matter so I headed to the hospital alone.

When I got to where the trio were, it was like something hit me in the face. Their wary expressions, I've seen countless times before, having been a prodigy and ANBU captain in the past. I've worn a similar expression once, when Obito then Rin died. When sensei died too, I had that expression. But then, it wasn't just me, but the whole village.

Daisuke nodded at me and I returned his greeting. Meanwhile, the other boy, Shuhei, was the worse off. He literally looked like the living dead. How one'S skin could become so pale and the rings under one's eyes so pronounced within a few hours has always been beyond me. Finally, I looked at Kasumi. She had a glazed looked and she trembled, though not noticeable under untrained eyes.

"Kasumi, daijobou ka?" I asked her, but no response. "Kasumi? Kasumi!"

She looked at me, a tear running down her cheek as she lost her balance and fell. I managed to hold her in time, but as I shook her, she was no longer conscious. "Daisuke! Go get a nurse or a doctor!" He hurried off as I put Kasumi in a more comfortable position. She groaned, shivered and whimpered. Moments later, she began tossing and turning around on the bench. I tried to wake her up, but to no avail.

"Kasumi, wake up! It'S already over! You got over it years ago! Kasumi!"

"No… Don't… Someone help… Help… me…."

From the next chapter, we'll be delving into Kasumi and Kakashi's past and how Daisuke came to be. You probably have a good idea of what happened already with the hints and all. First, I'll begin with a background check with Kasumi and then, skip to when the event that changed her life happened. The whole thing will take around four five chapters or more, I guess.

Anyway, please review (I'm running low over here!)