Two Days Later

The village as abustle, again, as usual. The same people were sprinting to the same shops, and the same kids were playing in the same street, and the same dogs were still barking and lurking in the same hidden doorways. But today Kiza couldn't seem to muster the same smile she'd had two days ago. This was only natural, seeing as how she was morbidly depressed this time. Kaze had left about an hour ago on a top secret mission that Kiza couldn't be a part of anymore. She was agitated that she wasn't allowed to leave the village, but what really pulled on her heart and caused her foul mood was the fear she had for her brother's safety. Since birth, they'd never been seperated. They'd always slept in the same bed, played with the same toys; they'd even shared the same plate during dinner. And now Tsunade was splitting them in two and Kiza didn't like it one bit.

She didn't like not knowing where he was and not being able to sense his chakra signature close by. What if something happened to him? She had always been there to watch his back, and vice versa. Now who was going to do that for him? A couple of undertrained Jounin? Or even smart aleck Chunin? Tsch, as if.

"Um, Kiza-sensei? Sensei?" Kiza whipped her head around at the female voice behind her. Sakura Haruno was standing there, looking a little annoyed. Kiza realized then that she must have been trying to attract her attention for some time now while she'd been too busy venting inside her mind. Kiza blushed and rubbed the back of her head with one hand.

"Oh, Sakura. Sorry, I didn't hear you. What was it that you said?"

Sakura rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. "I said, Kakashi-sensei wanted to see you for a minute. He's over at the gravesite right now."

"Oh, ok then. Hey, have you seen Sasuke?"

Sakura blushed a deep crimson at the question and rubbed a circle in the dirt with the toe of her ninja tabi. "Well, actually, I was just on my way to see him. I was wondering if he would eat lunch with me today..." she trailed off and her blush deepened.

Kiza smiled encouragingly. "Well, then, I guess you'd better get on over then, shouldn't you?"

Sakura quickly nodded her head and mumbled "M-hmm!" before spinning around and taking off towards the apartment the Third Hokage had given to Sasuke after his clan was destroyed and his house was put off limits. Kiza's smile slipped. Thoughts of Sasuke inevitably brought thoughts of Itachi. Kiza thought back to the fight two days previous. She remembered everything about him. From the way he held himself with his head slightly cocked to the side, to the way his hair ruffled in the breeze. But one thing had been bothering her...

Why hadn't he attacked? He could have. Especially while Kaze and I argued. He had all the time in the world to call forth jutsu...yet he didn't. From his reputation, I had expected him to waste no time in taking us down and subdoing us. So...why hadn't he?

Kiza had caught him staring at her, whether he was concious of the fact or not. At first, she merely believed that he was just looking for a weak spot or an opening from which to attack. But now she wondered...Could he have just been...looking at me? Like I had been looking at him?

This thought nearly brought her to her knees. The weight of it all threatened to crush her. So does this mean...? That he...?

"Kiza, I kinda hoped you would at least show up." Kiza whirled around to face Kakashi. Inwardly she snarled. Not only was this a bad time, but too many people were getting the drop on her these days, and that simply wouldn't do. But, as she gazed into his friendly eyes, she relaxed and had the grace to look abashed.

"I-I'm sorry, Kakashi, I guess I just got...a little sidetracked."

He cocked his head to the side and said gently, "Yes, I can see that. You were off in your own little world. In fact, I bet you didn't know that you've walked all the way to the edge of the training grounds."

"What! Really?" Kiza glanced around and finally noticed all the trees surrounding her. She spun to the left and heard as much as saw the swiftly moving stream. She spun to the left again and took in the sight of the three log posts stuck into the ground. This drew her up short. "Well, would you look at that. I sure am at the training grounds...I hadn't even noticed."

Kakashi chuffed. "Obviously." Kiza glared at him and he put his hands up in surrender. "But, I still have something I want to ask you...sort of as a favour."

Kiza's endless curiousity was piqued. "Oh, yeah? And that would be...?"

"Well, I was wondering if you would like to help me train my squad. I heard about what Lady Tsunade said, about keeping you inside the village, and I thought that this would take your mind off of things. And," he held up a single finger, "you can still keep in shape for when the time comes that you face Itachi again."

Kiza froze. Itachi...the mere mention of his name still sent flutters through her body. She brought a hand up and fisted it against her heart. Just thinking about facing him again, of killing him, made her want to vomit. Kakashi, seeing the effect his words had taken on her, quickly moved to throw an arm around her slim shoulders.

"Hey, look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned him...but my offer still stands. If you want it, anyway." Kiza looked up into his kind face and saw compassion swirling in his misty eyes. This solidified her resolve and she placed her hand atop the one he'd slung around her shoulders.

"I'd be happy to. Plus, I'd be able to be near Sasuke all the time. I couldn't ask for something so precious as this."

Kakashi nodded, satisfied. "Well ok, then. Shall we go collect them?"

Kaze was tired and he wanted to go home. Everything ached. His split lip began to throb again as he grimaced. He'd let his guard down while leaping through the trees and hadn't seen the kunai until it had nearly taken his face off; hence the split lip. A few unruly Sound ninja left over from Orochimaru's invasion had sprung out of hiding and ambushed him. Luckily, they hadn't realized who he was, so it was no big problem to take them down. But not before they'd left their mark. He'd sustained minimal injuries, only the split lip and a few bruises on his biceps and thighs from multiple punches and kicks blocked at once. Yet, leaping back through the forest on his way home, it felt like he'd been run over by a herd of elephants. It had been quite a while since he'd been on a mission and he was sorely out of shape.

He frowned. If Kiza had been with him, she would have seen the kunai and it would not have taken him quite as long to defeat them and complete the mission. But of course, he knew she couldn't be here. He didn't blame Tsunade for wanting to keep her locked up and away from Itachi. If he knew his sister, she would have taken the first chance she was offered to seek him out, whether she knew it herself or not. He wasn't angry at Tsunade for protecting his sister, but he was angry at her for taking away his partner. She was the other half of him, the one person he could trust to watch his back. And now she'd been ripped from him and sentenced to what she referred to as 'jail time.' He smiled, remembering how she'd blown up in Tsunade's face earlier in the day.

Kiza went with him, naturally, to see the Lady Hokage about his upcoming mission. Because even though she couldn't physically be a part of it, she could at least govern who Tsunade sent with him as backup. As they approached the tower, Kiza huffed. Kaze glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

"What?"

She simply pursed her lips and looked away. "I'm not happy about this. What if she decides to send some stupid kid in with you? What then? You'll end up returning with a missing arm or something..." she trailed off and crossed her arms over her chest like a child.

Kaze chuckled, then grimaced. "You know, this could all have been avoided if you had let me take the pair of those Rogues on. Then we would still be going on mission together and I wouldn't have to worry about who's got my back. And you wouldn't be so mad at the Hokage."

"Yeah, well...she doesn't have to be so dictatorial. I'm not a child anymore and I refuse to be treated as such!"

"Kiza, you're acting like one now," Kaze pointed out.

She huffed again and sped up her pace until she was two steps ahead of him. Then she looked back and declared, "I am not!" With that, she stuck her tongue out at him and continued onward up the stairs to the Hokage's chambers.

Kaze chuckled again and silently followed his beloved sister. He didn't know what he would do without her spunk and childlike mannerisms.

Everything became serious, however, as they stood before Tsunade. She was explaining the mission in detail to Kaze when Kiza suddenly broke in. "You'd better send someone good, Tsunade, or I'm going in after him to do the job myself!"

Tsunade's eye twitched and she flicked her eyes at Kiza contemptuously. "I don't think you have the authority to declare something like that anymore, Kiza. If I remember right, you're supposed to be keeping a low profile and staying inside the village."

Kiza slapped a hand down atop the Hokage's desk. "Shut the hell up! He's my brother and I'm responsible for what happens to him! If I say he needs better backup, then he's gonna get better backup, whether it be someone I choose or me, myself!"

"Be silent!" Tsunade thundered. "You're lucky I haven't thrown you in jail for your treason with that stunt you pulled in letting Itachi go free!" This brought Kiza up short, and she dropped her head in shame. Even Kaze winced at the harsh words. Kiza slowly stepped back from the desk and folded her hands behind her back.

"Yes, my lady." She went to one knee and placed a closed fist onto the floor. "Please, forgive me."

Tsunade nodded. She looked back to Kaze. "This mission is actually a simple one. It will not recquire extra assisstance. You'll be on your own, but in minimal danger."

Kaze bowed his head. "Yes, my lady."

Kaze smiled. Oh, yes. His sister was definitely one of a kind. To stand up to the frightening Lade Tsunade was a huge feat...and to be able to hold her own was impressive.

A beam of bright light ahead signaled his nearness to the village. He sighed. It was good to finally be back. He stopped short, however, when he sensed his sister's chakra inside the training grounds. He widened his range and used his superb sense of smell to identify the four other chakra signatures around her. His eyes widened and then he broke out in a huge, all tooth smile. His sister was training with Kakashi and his team.