Lost To Sight

Chapter 7

Tight Lipped Warning


Sakura was no longer crying, but Kakashi's keen hearing picked up on the occasional sniffle. They still clung to each other in a tight hug. He could scarcely believe that she was in his arms.

He'd searched for four years, and never found a single trace of her. To finally see her again after so long—and after so many failed efforts—was overwhelming. The lump in his throat had made its presence known as soon as he'd put his arms around her. It was still there. They must have been standing there for minutes, neither really keeping track of time, nor particularly caring to.

"I was afraid you'd be your cautious self and not activate the seal," Sakura whispered against his shoulder. She finally loosened her tight grip on him and stepped away. She wiped her eyes and smiled softly. "I'm glad that, just this once, you behaved a little more like Naruto."

Kakashi looked at her. Really looked at her. He knew she was twenty years old now, but knowing that she would have grown did not prepare him for the level of change she went through. She was quite a bit taller than he remembered, with the top of her head easily reaching up to his brow line. Her eyes looked a bit sharper, and her face a little less rounded. Her high cheekbones were beautifully defined against the backdrop of her soft pink locks. The light dusting of tiny freckles across her nose was still there.

He was caught off guard by how toned her arms were. Sakura had always had strong arms, especially once her training with Tsunade started. Yet now, as Kakashi watched her wring her hands—was she nervous?—he noticed that the limbs had gained the wiry strength rarely seen on kunoichi who weren't among the ranks of Anbu. What was she up to over the past four years that required such relentless training?

"I don't think I was in my right mind," Kakashi said. "I had a suspicion that you would be on the other side. It also occured to me that it could just as easily be a trap, and that I could be walking willingly to my death."

"I apologise for the subterfuge," Sakura said, eyes downcast.

"Was it really necessary?" Kakashi asked. He finally took his eyes off her to survey their surroundings. The walls were made of wood, old by the looks of it, the paint faded and chipped. He could see rot on the corner panels. The windows had no shutters, but it was a warm night and the breeze was welcome. Kakashi couldn't see anything beyond the borders of the window frame, it was too dark out. The smell of mold permeated the small cabin.

The only light came from the candles set up on the lone piece of furniture. A large desk stood in the middle of the room, and on top of it lay a scroll holding the same seal he activated only minutes before.

"Yes, it was," Sakura sat down with her back resting against the wall, her knees pulled up, and her hands resting on the floor.

"Why?" Kakashi walked over and sat down on Sakura's right side, their shoulders touching. "Where have you been all this time?"

"In places you can't reach."

"Sakura," Kakashi sighed. "Please, no more cryptic answers. I've spent the last four years looking for you. Tsunade's benched me twice because of it. Everyone is convinced you're dead. I'm the onl—"

"Good."

Kakashi's eyebrows rose to his headband, and his eyes widened. "Why is that good?"

Sakura ran her hand through her hair, squinted her eyes, and shook her head. She sighed. "Bringing you here was selfish of me. I shouldn't have done it. I'm sorry."

"I have no idea what's going on here, Sakura," Kakashi spoke with some iritation. "But I am not sorry that you brought me here. I want to know what's going on. I want to help you with whatever mess you're in."

Sakura turned her head to look at Kakashi. Her eyes were wet with tears again, but they did not fall.

"This mess is my responsibility. And mine alone."

"Ok," Kakashi conceded. "I can't force you to tell me what's going on, but you brought me here. At least tell me why. Do you plan on ever returning to Konoha, or will you let your friends and family keep on believing that you are dead?

"You should have seen your mother's face at the funeral."

Sakura's eyes widened, her eyebrows raising and pinching as her lips parted slightly. She brought a hand to her mouth and, just before she bowed her head, Kakashi saw the tears gather in her eyes again. He knew he was being cruel, but he was too tired and too frustrated with the lack of information to tiptoe around her feelings. She wiped at her eyes and a stab of regret hit him.

They didn't say anything for a long time. Sakura was trying to scrape together her composure, and Kakashi was trying not to think about how one of the first things he did upon finally seeing her again, was make her cry.

"I didn't want this," Sakura said, so softly that Kakashi barely heard her. "But it happened, and now I have to deal with it."

"Deal with what?" Kakashi asked, trying to keep his tone kind.

"Something. . ." She seemed to hesitate, as though looking for the right words. "Something happened after I left you with Naruto and Sasuke on the battlefield."

"I gathered as much," Kakashi couldn't keep the smile or the exasperation out of his voice. He almost regretted interrupting her, but the small smile he received in return made up for it.

"I want to give you details, but I really can't. Not yet," she said. "Please believe me, Kakashi."

Kakashi took a deep breath. All he could make of the situation was that Sakura had been forced into some terrible situation. She couldn't talk about it, but she did seek him out. He would simply have to be patient with her.

"Ok," He said. "Tell me whatever you can."

"Tell me about Konoha instead," Sakura looked at him, her face conveying hope and longing. "Tell me about home."

Kakashi couldn't deny her that. He could tell her absence had worn her down, probably as much as it had him—if not more.

"Naruto married Hinata," he started.

"Really?" Sakura smiled brightly. It reached all the way to her eyes and Kakashi could tell she was genuinely happy to hear it.

"Yes, and that's not all," he said. "They're expecting their first child, a boy."

"Oh, that's wonderful!"

Kakashi saw her tear up again, so he raised his left arm and put it around her shoulders.

"A few days ago Naruto asked me if I would be the godfather."

She turned to face him, her face was a mold of surprise, "Did you accept?"

"I did."

"That's wonderful, Kakashi," she said. A thoughtful look crossed her face, "I am curious though. . ."

"About what?"

"Don't take this the wrong way," Sakura said. "But why didn't he ask Iruka-sensei?"

"I thought about that after I said yes. Why not Iruka? All I could think was that Naruto is trying to keep me from going off the deep end. I don't know why I was so certain that you still lived. . . Sometimes, I considered the possibility that I wasgoing crazy. But I couldn't stop searching. I think Naruto saw what was happeneing to me and wanted to reign me back into the present by asking me to be his son's godfather."

"Naruto has always had a unique way of taking care of people," Sakura said.

"Yes, he has."

"So, what else can you tell me?"

Kakashi thought for a moment. "Everyone is doing well. All your peers have made Jounin. Well, except for Sasuke. For some reason he refuses to take the examinations. Says it's pointless."

"So, he did return to Konoha after the war," Sakura rubbed her hands over her legs as the evening chill swept through the small cabin.

"Yes, he did," Kakashi saw a flash of light in his peripheral vision. He looked out the window and saw that lightning danced in the distance. It wasn't long before they started hearing the roaring thunder as well.

"Does he have someone in his life?"

Kakashi wondered how she would react when he told her about Sasuke's wife. Even after he tried to kill her—more than once—and after putting her under that terrible genjutsu, she still wanted to help him. She was a better person than he could ever hope to be.

"Sasuke came back for a while, left again for a few years, and then returned with a woman by his side," Kakashi turned his head to watch her. "His wife."

Kakashi expected a frown, a pinched brow, a downturn of her lips. Tears even. But not a smile. Was she hiding her feelings behind that smile? No, Sakura had never been the best actress, and her eyes were shining with true mirth.

"Does he love her?" She asked.

"I believe so," Kakashi said. "I've seen them around the village. He's gentle with her. I dare say Sasuke is even friendly when she's around."

"That's good," she said. And Kakashi could see she really meant it. "I'm happy for him. He deserves to have some joy in his life."

"And you?" Kakashi asked as he briefly tightened his hold on her shoulder. She turned her head towards him, her slight frown conveying her confusion. "Something tells me you haven't had many joyful moments in recent years. Am I wrong?"

Sakura looked off to the side. "You're not wrong."

"Then tell me what's going on. Tell me how to help you, so I can take you back to Konoha with me, and see you happy again."

She clenched her jaw and wrung her hands. The movement drew Kakashi's attention, and he studied her hands. They were callussed and strong. Again, he wondered what she had been up to.

"I. . ." She trailed off. Kakashi nearly had to force himself to hold his breath so he wouldn't interrupt her. "I have to kill someone," she finally said.

Kakashi sighed and his shoulders slumped. It sounded like Sakura was on a Sasuke-like path. The difference being, Kakashi could see the conflict and reluctance in Sakura. She did not want to do it, but felt that she had to.

"Who?" He gently squeezed her shoulder, encouraging her to answer.

Sakura looked him in the eyes. It frightened him to see the vacant determination in her gaze. Her mind was made up, he realised. She looked down briefly, sighed, and met his eyes again.

"The woman with the lavender hair and Rinnegan eyes," she said.

Kakashi was sure his surprise and disbelief showed on his face, but what he also couldn't hide, was the recognision. He'd seen a purple blur that very night. Naruto said he couldn't be sure about the hair colour, because it was dark. Yet, what if—

"You've seen her," Sakura said. Her face took on a look of alarm.

"I can't be sure," Kakashi said. "It was dark and she fled. All I caught a glimpse of was her hair. I certainly didn't see any Rinnegan. Not since the war. Naruto did get a closer look at her. He said she wore a mask in the shape of a demon's face."

He watched Sakura's eyes close slowly in something akin to dismayed acceptance.

"When did you see her?" Sakura asked.

"Tonight, before you brought me here," Kakashi said.

"What were you doing? What was the situation you mentioned on the scroll?" There was an urgency in Sakura's tone that had Kakashi worried.

"There was an explosion at the Hokage offices. Tsunade's fine now, but she was kinapped by someone without a readable chakra signature. Naruto couldn't track them," Kakashi said. "Do you think it could have been this woman with the lavender hair and Rinnegan eyes? Where did she even get the Rinnegan?"

"She stole them," Sakura said. "And yes, if Naruto couldn't track her, then it most likely was her."

Sakura sprang to her feet, grabbed Kakashi by the hands and hauled him to a standing position as well. She dragged him over to the table and grabbed him by the arms.

"You have to go back, right now. Keep an eye on Tsunade for any suspicious behaviour."

"Why, what do you think the woman did?"

"You're alive and unharmed, so I'm assuming she released Tsunade-shishou without a fight. Which means, she wanted her back in Konoha."

"What are you implying?" Kakashi didn't like the sound of Sakura's warning.

"I'm implying that, maybe, the woman placed a juinjutsu curse seal on Tsunade. I've encountered it only once before. But I saw the devastating effect it can have."

"What is it called, and what does it do?"

"I don't know what it's called," Sakura said. "But it gave the woman complete control over the person's body and mind. Like a Yamanaka mind transfer, except she remains in control of her own body as well. And once the seal is placed, distance is not a factor. She can be in Suna, and still be able to see through Tsunade's eyes, hear through her ears, and take over control of her mind and body."

"I've never heard of a curse seal such as that," Kakashi said.

"She may well have invented it," Sakura sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "You should go."

"Sakura," Kakashi said as she pulled the scroll closer. "Who is this woman to you? Why do you have to be the one to kill her?"

Sakura's eyes softened with the resigned sigh that escaped her parted lips. In that moment she looked much older than her twenty years.

"Another story, for another time," she said.

"Sakura," Kakashi said, his voice laced with a sharp tone of warning.

"If I tell you, your life will be forfeit. And I will not have that on my conscience as well."

"Please, Sakura," Kakashi was almost pleading with her. "I don't understand. I want to help you."

"All I need is for you to believe in me," she said.

"I do," Kakashi whispered.

"Then I'll be ok," she said, a single tear tracking its way down her left cheek. She wiped it away quickly. "Keep an eye on Tsunade-shishou for me? And let me know if she does anything suspicious."

Kakashi sighed, "I will."

She gently pushed him towards the scroll. "Thank you for coming. You have no idea what seeing you again means to me."

"I think I might have an idea," Kakashi said as he pulled her into a last hug. "You be careful. Remember, you'll always have my help. All you need to do is ask."

"I know," she said. "Thank you."

"See you soon?" Kakashi asked, and he received a short nod and a teary smile in response.

Kakashi looked down at the intricate transportation seal on the scroll. He really didn't want to go back and leave Sakura by herself again. He still had so many unanswered questions. What bothered him most was that she seemed to be under the impression that he would die if she told him any of her secrets.

He'd seen much throughout his life, and much more during the Fourth War. He'd seen enough to know that he would be unwise to discount the possibility.

Kakashi placed a hand down on the scroll and locked eyes with Sakura once more. "Stay safe," he said before activating the seal. She disappeared in a nauseating blur of light and colour, replaced by the walls of his father's house. He was back where he started that evening, staring at the scroll lying innocently on the floor.

Kakashi watched as the transportation seal disappeared. It would be up to Sakura when next they would meet. It saddened him to know that there was so very little he could do to help her.

The delayed rolling of his stomach had Kakashi rushing out through the window. He came to a stop underneath a tree in the yard and pulled down his mask. Bile rose up in his throat and he expelled the little that was left in a few unpleasant heaves.

He stood, leaning with one hand against the tree, bowed at the waist. A cold sweat started on his face and under his arms, and he felt shaky from the evening's exertions. He placed his back against the tree, and slowly sunk down. Kakashi took deep breaths to get the nausea under control. That was a wicked transportation jutsu. He much preferred Hiraishin.

Hiraishin.

Kakashi cursed himself. He just had the perfect opportunity to mark Sakura with the seal, but he was so overwhelmed with seeing her—and the dangerous mystery surrounding her disappearance—that he completely forgot about his newest technique's ability to keep tabs on her.

He shook his head at his own absent mindedness. You better remember to do it next time you see her, he scolded himself.

Kakashi's only hope was that there would be a next time.


Scattered voices filled the hallways of Konoha's hospital. Some were panicked, others commanding, and even more conveyed confusion. Nurses were scurrying from one patient to the next as they were brought in from ground zero. The medics at the blast site were performing thorough triage, marking each victim with a coloured tag. Those with green tags were given a quick examination, and asked to wait patiently. The orange tags were tended by nurses and medics in training. The red tags were rushed to operating rooms where the most experienced medics would be working hard to save lives until after the sun rose, most likely.

Genma and Iwashi sat in a hallway in the west wing of the hospital. It was where the recovering patients were put once they were given the necessary treatments. Shizune and Raidou were in rooms on opposite sides of the hallway.

"I hate this night," Genma said.

"I'm sorry," Iwashi said, feeling as drained as Genma looked. His hands had been treated and bandaged properly once he and Genma returned to the hospital. Iwashi only wanted to know Raidou's status, but a medic in training had seen the state of his hands and forced him to sit down while she sped up the healing process.

"You're a shinobi!" She had almost yelled at him. "Improperly treated burns can lead to a number of complications, especially if there is nerve damage. How are you going to weave signs if your hands become stiff as boards?"

Iwashi could only sigh and obey. He was grateful to that medic, though. She was cute too, with pretty brown eyes and auburn hair. Maybe he would ask her out on a date when the dust settled.

Genma's voice broke into his thoughts. "There's nothing you need to apologise for, Iwashi."

"I know," Iwashi said. "Just seemed like the only thing to say, you know?"

"Yeah," Genma grimaced. "No words can really describe this shit."

"Shizune's strong," Iwashi turned to Genma and put a hand on his friend's hunched shoulder. "She'll make it."

"Yeah, she'll make it," Genma glanced through the door and saw Shizune laying under hospital sheets, with wires attched to her head. "But will she wake up. . ."

Iwashi didn't know what to say to that.

A sudden chakra spike had both men on their feet with kunai drawn. Adrenalin pumped through their veins once more, revitalzing their senses. Both paused midway through their strikes when they caught sight of who it was.

"Good god, Kakashi," Iwashi said with forced calm. "As if we're not wired enough already."

Kakashi took note of his surroundings, shook his head and grabbed Genma and Iwashi by their arms before vanishing again.

They reappeared inside the old Hatake home.

"Kakashi, what the hell," Genma said, his whole body tensed as he scowled at the younger man. He was pissed and about ready to pick a fight with the soon to be Hokage.

"How's Shizune?"

Genma seemed to deflate at Kakashi's sincere query. The fight left him and Genma's legs would no longer support his weight. He leaned back against the wall and slid down to the floor. He was so tired. Kakashi knelt next to him and put a hand on his shoulder to try and steady him.

"Genma?" Kakashi asked.

"Raidou is going to make a full recovery," Genma said.

"I didn't ask about Raidou," Kakashi said with a gentle tone.

"Shizune is. . ." Genma trailed off. He was struggling to keep his composure.

"Physically she'll recover," Iwashi said, so Genma didn't need to. "But she had significant swelling in her brain. The medics said that if she hadn't been brought to them so soon, she would have died. As it stands. . . They're not sure if she'll wake up."

Kakashi studied his friend, trying to think of what to say. Words would not make her heal, but having hope was never a bad thing. "She'll wake, Genma," Kakashi said. "You hear me? She'll wake up. It may not be today, tomorrow, next week, or next month, but she will wake."

"How—" Genma's voice broke, and he took a few seconds to swallow back the lump in his throat. "How can you be so sure?"

"Because I saw Sakura tonight."

Both Genma and Iwashi looked at him with wide eyes and open mouths. They could see no lie in Kakashi's eyes.

"Are you serious?" Iwashi said.

"Yes," Kakashi smiled. "And if Sakura could turn up alive after all this time, then Shizune can wake up. Just don't lose hope, Genma."

"You seriously saw her?" Iwashi's doubt was plain. "Where?"

"I'm not sure. . . A cabin somewhere," Kakashi said and stood. Genma and Iwashi shared a look, but didn't speak to convey their confusion. Kakashi walked over to the bookcase and undid a series of genjutsu and protection seals. The scroll sat nestled between two old history volumes. Kakashi retrieved it and turned back towards the two men.

"What I am about to tell you does not leave this room," Kakashi said, his tone doing well to convey the severity of what he was about to reveal. "Consider it my first act as Hokage, understood?"

"I think you have to be sworn in first before you can give commands as Hokage," Genma drawled.

Kakashi grinned at seeing a glimpse of the cheeky, laid back persona the man was so famous for.

"Yes, that's usually how it works," Kakashi sassed back before turning serious again. "But this involves a potential threat from Tsunade-sama herself."

"No way," Iwashi said. "Tsunade-sama would never harm Konoha."

"Not willingly, no," Kakashi agreed.

"What are you suggesting?" Genma said, the dark circles under his eyes looked even worse in the dim lantern light. He looked around and took in his environment for the first time since being ripped from the brightly lit hospital hallway. "And where the hell are we?"

Kakashi sighed. "I couldn't discuss this in a public space, so I brought you to my house."

"You moved?" Genma laughed.

"Genma," Kakashi sighed. "I know you're tired, distraught, ready for a nine hour nap, but please, I need you focussed for a moment."

"Yeah, sorry," Genma sobered. "Continue."

"I suppose I'll start at the beginning," Kakashi took a moment to order his thoughts. He spun the scroll between his fingers. "This scroll was sent to me some weeks ago. At first I thought it was nothing, just a blank scroll. But then someone started to communicate with me via the scroll."

"Communicate how?" Iwashi asked.

"There is a sister scroll. What is written on one scroll will appear on the other."

"Fascinating," Iwashi said. "I didn't know such a jutsu existed."

"Neither did I," Kakashi said. "It turns out the person who sent it to me was Sakura. I saw her tonight. She is alive, and by the looks of it she's been training non-stop for the past four years. I don't know all the details myself. There was so much she simply couldn't tell me. I think she wanted to, though, and I believe she has a legitimate reason for being tight lipped. What she did tell me, was that she knows who Tsunade-sama's kidnapper was."

"I don't suppose she gave you a name," Genma said.

"No, she couldn't."

"For all we know it could have been Sakura," Iwashi said, playing devil's advocate.

"No," Kakashi said. "I was communicating with her when the kidnapping took place."

"So how does Tsunade-sama factor into this? Other than being kidnapped, of course," Iwashi rubbed at his bandaged hands. Kakashi did not envy him. He knew how itchy burn wounds could get.

"Sakura says the woman uses juinjutsu, and that she likely placed a curse seal on Tsunade at some point during the kidnapping," Kakashi said. "Her juinjutsu allows her to see through the eyes of the cursed, hear through their ears, and to take control of their body and mind. Apparently, distance does not factor into the success of the technique."

"Damn," Genma muttered.

"You see why this is so dire?" Kakashi asked.

"Yeah," Iwashi said. "This could have devasting consequences, not only for Konoha, but for the entire Fire Country."

"How do we proceed?" Genma asked. He rubbed a hand across his face and tried to blink the fatigue away.

"With extreme caution," Kakashi said. "We can't reveal this to anyone else, except Raidou. Once he's fully recovered we'll bring him on board. For now, we need to keep constant surveilance on Tsunade-sama. And we need to try and limit any sensitive information crossing her path."

"She's Hokage," Genma said. "For a few more weeks at least. How the hell are we going to limit the information she has access to? She has access to everything."

Kakashi took off his headband and ran a hand through his hair as he thought. Genma brought up a good point. Tsunade did have access to everything. Which meant that if she truly had been cursed, that the woman with the lavender hair and the rinnegan eyes would also have access to everything.

"I'll ask her if I can take over her duties now already, before I am sworn in," Kakashi said. "If she agrees, that could help somewhat."

"It's worth a shot," Iwashi sighed. "What do you need us to do?"

"I want you two to rotate surveilance, on the pretence that you are guarding her more closely in light of the recent attack. She should also have an extra Anbu guard for the next few weeks while the attack is being investigated. Since you're both part of the Hokage Guard Platoon, your presence will not be questioned. Keep an eye out for any suspicious behaviour."

"So," Genma said, "Twelve hour shifts until Raidou can join us."

"Yes," Kakashi said. "But I will take this shift. You two need to rest up first."

Genma straightened a bit and gave him an incredulous look. "Have you looked in the mirror lately?"

"He looks better than you, Genma," Iwashi teased.

Kakashi shook his head and smiled. It was time to wrap things up. "I'm heading over to Tsunade-sama now. I expect one of you to relieve me in ten hours' time. Now, go rest."

They left through the open window. Kakashi walked back to the bookcase, and placed the scroll between the two history volumes once more. He shrowded it in the most powerful concealing and protection seals he knew. Kakashi didn't want to part with the scroll, but he recognised it would be too risky to keep on him during his surveilance.

His mission pack still lay in the empty bedroom. He opened one of the side pouches and took out a soldier pill and ate it. The effect was almost instantaneous. New energy flowed through his veins and he left at a sprint towards Tsunade's location. She appeared to still be in the Council chambers.

Their discussion was no doubt important. Kakashi wondered if this new villain was listening in.

Three patrols ran by Kakashi as he made his way towards his destination. On a normal day they would not be so visisble during the small hours of the morning. With the unexpected and aggressive nature of the attack, Konoha's ninja were awake and making themselves useful.

Most civilians probably also stood vigil in their own homes. Kakashi remembered what it was like during the ninetails attack. He did not stand by idly back then either. At fourteen, he'd been commanded to keep out of the fight. That did not mean that he had to sit on his hands. He'd run patrols to ensure that the civilians did not panic.

The sharp flash of a lightning nature attack drew Kakashi's attention away from his thoughts. It came from near Ichiraku Ramen. He glanced around him, but did not see any patrols nearby. Kakashi changed his course to investigate.

Silent as an owl in flight he glided across the last few rooftops and came to a stop in the branches of a nearby tree. Ichiraku Ramen stood undisturbed, but across the street a genin was surrounded by three chuunin.

A three on one never was a fair fight—even when the one had a ninken on his side—but it was something everyone in the shinobi profession encountered at multiple points in their careers. Real fights are hardly ever fair. Kakashi knew this well. He'd overcome many such situations to get where he was.

Kakashi recognised the genin. It was Jirou, the boy he'd met outside Konoha on the way back home from his last mission. His ninken was a fierce, dark brown pup. Its movement was riddled with spasms, and its fur stood on end unnaturally. It appeared that the ninken took the brunt of the raiton that drew Kakashi's attention. The other three seemed intent on getting into the weapons shop behind Jirou. The window glass was already broken, and the door had a huge crack down the middle.

"Stand aside, little genin," one of them said.

"No," Jirou shook his head fiercely, his bleeding lip raising to reveal the sharp fangs the Inuzuka were known for. "You can't just break into a store and steal stuff!"

"No one asked your opinion," one of the others sneered. "Now move, before we put you and your dog down."

Kakashi shook his head. These chuunin did not deserve to wear the Konoha headband if they were willing to harm their own people. The weapon shop they were trying to loot was a new addition to Konoha's ninja tools stores. And it's owner. . . Well, these boys must not have a clue.

"A fiery Jounin owns this store," Kakashi spoke from the shadows. "Are you sure you want to steal from her?"

"Who's there?" The third thug yelled as he spun towards the direction of Kakashi's voice.

There was no sound as Kakashi's feet touched down on the concrete sidewalk. Had he not been lit by the street light they would not have seen him. But Kakashi wanted them to see him. He stood with his hands in his pockets, his eyes drooping in put on boredom.

"Tenten owns this store," he said.

"Y-you're Hatake Kakashi," one of the chuunin realised, his eyes wide with panic.

"And you're breaking the law," Kakashi's face turned stern. "This is not how a Konoha shinobi should behave. Why are you doing this?"

They did not answer him. Instead, they shared a look among themselves that seemed to say "Every man for himself" and scattered, each heading in a different direction.

Kakashi shook his head in disappointment.

"Jirou."

"Yes, Hatake-san?" The boy was crouching next to his ninken, gently cradling the pup as he picked him up.

"How is Tobimaru doing?"

"He's ok, I think," Jirou said. "What about those chuunin? They're getting away."

"Oh, I don't think they'll get very far," Kakashi said as he ruffled the boys hair.

"But no one's chasing them!"

Jirou looked angry. His eyes carried a glimmer a disillusionment. Kakashi had experienced it himself. He recognised the bitter resentment the boy felt.

Once, he had to step in and stop the looting of a home goods store. The owner, an older man nearing his seventies couldn't stop the four men. He'd yelled at them, started hitting them with his walking stick when they ignored him, but the looters had simply knocked him down and continued their theft. Kakashi had taken care of the situation.

It was an unpleasant memory. He'd felt dismayed when he realised what people of his own village were willing to do to appease their own greed.

"Jirou," Kakashi knelt down next to the boy. "I am only a shadow clone. My maker is chasing them down as we speak. He's probably already caught them."

"Oh," Jirou's shoulders relaxed, but his brow still pinched between his eyes. "Why would they do this?"

"People have different reasons, Jirou. Some steal to survive, others for the thrill. Some steal because they think they are entitled to the things they want. And others simply want to create chaos in the world. Why? I cannot say. We're all made different.

"And it's people like us who carry the burden of disappointment, because we are honored to serve Konoha. We defend her, we would die for her. And because we try to be selfless we're uniquely tuned to understand when something is wrong or unfair. We stand up for what we believe is just. It's not an easy thing to do.

"You did a brave thing here tonight, Jirou. You're going to make a fine jounin someday."

Jirou scratched the back of his head and gave Kakashi a shy grin. The praise left the boy mute. It made Kakashi like the kid even more. He would have to keep an eye on Jirou's shinobi development.

"Come on, I'll walk you home," the Kakashi clone said.

Kilometers away the real Kakashi stood over the unconscious forms of the three chuunin. By luck he'd run into Choji's patrol.

"Please take it from here, Choji," Kakashi said. "There is something else I need to take care of."

"Leave it to me," Choji said.

Kakashi sensed Tsunade move away from the Council chambers. She was already outside. He had no more time to waste. After molding some chakra and performing another hiraishin he was by her side. His sudden appearance did not startle her.

"Hatake," she said.

"Tsunade-sama," he greeted. "I'm just here to make sure you follow through on your promise to have another medic look you over."

"Do not treat me like a child, Hatake," Tsunade warned.

"I wouldn't dream of it," he said with a bowed head. "But your kidnapping was unorthodox, and I simply want to make certain no damage goes undiscovered."

Something flashed through her eyes. Kakashi could only describe it as hate. Sakura was right then, he thought. Tsunade would never direct such negativity towards an ally, and so the logical conclusion was that that woman was controlling Tsunade right in front of him.

"Fine," she said. Kakashi was barely able to keep his surprise in check. He did not expect her to give in without a fight. Was she so sure of her juinjutsu remaining undiscovered?

He knew he was playing a dangerous game.

"Shall I use hiraishin to get us there quicker?" Kakashi asked.

"No," she said without hesitation. "I'd rather travel by foot and see the damage done to the village."

It was reasonable, Kakashi thought. He turned to lead the way. Kakashi didn't like turning his back on a potential threat, but he did not want to draw suspicion to the fact that he knew something was wrong with Tsunade. His senses remained on high alert as they walked. Kakashi felt as though he could see, hear, and smell ten times better than normal. He had to work hard at appearing relaxed, but serious and alert. Too much tension would give him away.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and a slight shift in the air flow near his neck was the only warning he had. Kakashi ducked down and leapt forward. He turned towards Tsunade who stood near him with an outstretched hand. He was pretty sure she'd just tried to behead him with a chakra scalpel.

"Sorry, Tsunade-sama. My neck is very ticklish. The reaction is reflex by now," Kakashi laughed it off as a way to explain his sudden—death avoiding— movement.

She grinned in response, an immitation of the true Tsunade's grin. This did not sit well with Kakashi. This was a terrifyingly disturbing situation.

"We're almost there," Kakashi said as they kept walking. He was beside her now, his peripheral vision on her at all times.

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes. Kakashi saw the hate again.

This was bad.

She knew that he knew.

The question was; did she know about his meeting with Sakura. Or did she simply see him as an unusually observant shinobi that needed to be taken care of.

This woman certainly was beyond perceptive. He would have to warn Genma and Iwashi before they started their surveilance shifts.

She clearly would not hesitate to kill any of them.


A/N: This chapter did not come as easily as the previous ones. Was a rough week lol. Real life is picking up now, so my updates might take two weeks now instead of the usual one week. I'm going to try really hard to not go over a two week gap, but it might happen. Hopefully not. . .

(I'm really excited about how this story is going to unfold. . . I hope it lives up to my own, as well as you readers' expectations.)

See you next time!

-Murph