*Kakashi's POV*

"I don't understand," Veena started, her voice cracking, "Why would an 'us' not be able to exist..."

Even when I said that, she still wasn't looking at me. When we heard Itachi's story she became like this. She closed herself off completely, and didn't even open herself up to me. I told her that she should lean on me at all times, but she doesn't quite understand that.

"Not forever." I told her. "You have some unresolved feelings that you need to take care of, and I understand that. I want you to be able to share these things with me but I know that right now you need your space, and I want to give that to you."

She nodded, "Kakashi. Thank you. Thank you for understanding. I want to be with you, I really do, but I don't know what to do right now. And you're right. Until I get everything sorted out, I can't be with you. I could never hurt you. In this world, you mean the most to me, which is why I can't let you bare this burden with me."

I paused for a second, "Us, you and I being together, means that we share each other's each and every burden. This doesn't have to happen. You can just say the word and I will stay. But then again, maybe if you can't share your burdens with me, we aren't ready to be together." I told her.

She shook her head, "No. I can't do this to you. This is about my past, and there's still so much I don't know, and that I don't understand. My mind is running at a million miles a second, and until I know how I feel I can't even begin to face you." She said. "I'm…I'm going to head back first. I'll report what happened and I should go home. Is there anywhere you want me to put your stuff?"

So this was it, it was really over. "Just find Yamato and give him my things." I told her. She nodded, and her eyes were finally back to black as she jumped onto a tree branch and started leaping towards the village.

"You're an idiot you know." I heard the hostage say, "Don't give her the choice to leave. She might need you more than you think. She won't tell you that she needs you."

"That might be true…but I need time alone too. I need time to think." I told the hostage.

Kiba, Lee, Sai, and Naruto finally came to and we started walking back as a group. "Kakashi sensei?" Sakura asked, "Where did Veena sensei go?" She asked me.

"She needed to be alone for a while. I know that she had an equally difficult time. It wasn't only Naruto and you who saw something that they didn't want to see. Veena has heard some things that she never knew before. Things about her past, about Itachi. She needs time to herself." I told her.

"You aren't going after her?" Sakura asked me.

"No. She needs to be alone for now. I understand." I told her.

Sakura frowned, "Kakashi sensei…nobody ever wants to be alone, she has nobody. She needs you. She'll never admit it to you though, because for some reason that's just how girls are." She smiled.

I nodded, "Thanks Sakura, when we get back to the village I'll make sure to talk to her." I confirmed. We walked for a little while longer, and then I made them stop. "I just remembered. I have to do something." I told them.

I walked off a little farther into the distance and summoned my ninja hounds, "I need you to report what happened to every Land." I wrote down what happened and I scattered them all into different directions.

We continued our walk to the village, and we finally made it. We were greeted by Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji. "You're back." They said. Naruto briefly explained what happened and then he told them to gather everyone so that he could explain what happened to Sasuke in detail.

"You all stay here. I have some urgent business that I need to attend to." I told them entering into the village.

"You're taking me to get interrogated aren't you?" The hostage asked.

I nodded, "We do need to get information out of you." I tried to give her a reassuring smile through my mask, "Don't worry though. If you cooperate, everything will be fine. It won't be that bad." I reassured her.

"How do you know?" She asked me. "Have you ever been interrogated before?"

"No, but I have a feeling that you'll cooperate." I told her. We finally got to the interrogation room and two people were waiting, one of them was Ibiki and they were clealy expecting her.

I began talking immediately, "She originally worked for Orochimaru before joining up with Sasuke as a shinobi of the Akatsuki." She was on her feet now.

"If that's the case she must have a lot of intel." Ibiki said. He glared at her and she grabbed my shoulder and his behind me.

"Hey be nice now!" She warned him.

"Also, from what she tells me she was present when Sasuke and Danzo battled." I told him.

"So you actually witnessed them fighting?" Ibiki continued glaring.

She clung onto me even more, "Is he really interrogating me right here?!" She whined.

"Take her in." Ibiki said to his assistant who was grabbed the girl. She struggled and fought against him, and eventually he just let go and she requested something to drink as she sat down calmly, so to speak.

"Oh by the way," I started, "How is Lady Tsunade doing?" I asked him

"Still unconscious." He told me.

"Oh I see…Well if you'll excuse me, I need to go report to the elders."

"Kakashi. Our command is in shambles. Somebody has to restore order as soon as possible."

"Yes I know that." Was all I said before walking to the elders. I wondered if I should go see Veena, to see how she was doing. Veena…I thought, and memories of her came flying. Every inch of her. Of her body and every crevice of her. I blushed at the thought and I could feel my face becoming red.

I finally reached the elders and explained what happened to them. "Now even Danzo…" Lady Elder said.

"What a shame. The more gifted they are the sooner they pass." Lord Elder added.

"We must determine the next Hokage." Lady elder said, "The forming of the allied shinobi forces will be delayed if there is no Hokage."

"We will recommend you for the position." Lord elder said, "Even our friends at the sand were saying that it should be you or the girl from the Ezahiya clan, Veena, I believe."

"I am prepared." I said to them. "Of course, it is a bit out of character for me to be Hokage."

"It'll be fine. I'll go request an audience with the feudal lords. Return home and prepare 'til you are called." Lady Elder said.

"I don't have a home to return to…and there isn't anything that I could prepare for." I responded.

Lord Elder spoke again, "Kakashi let me just say something to the next Hokage. Danzo was ambitious, but all he did was for the sake of this village. Hiruzen in the light and Danzo in the dark. Back then everything went so smoothly."

"Is that meant to be an excuse?" I asked them.

"Only advice," Lady elder responded, "Don't take on everything by yourself. You would do well to find a confident to stand beside you."

I started walking out the door and I shut it behind me. I started walking to wherever my feet took me. I saw the village being rebuilt and the faces of the past Hokages. Sensei…they say I'm going to be the next Hokage-

My thoughts were caught off by Guy, who of course was searching for a rematch for our eternal rivalry. I of course agreed.

*Veena's POV*

Lord Elder told me, "You have a very strong power within you Veena. You also have a strong will, I'm going to tell you this now. It will either be you or Kakashi who gets the position of Hokage."

I couldn't take the position and I rejected it immediately. "Kakashi Hatake deserves to be Hokage. He is much more experienced and I know he will cast aside his personal feelings and do what is best for the village, unlike me that is." I told them.

"Very well then." Was all he said and I was walking around. My mind was spinning and on top of that. A man that I gave everything to left me. Well it wasn't his fault, I guess he was right. I should never have taken him up on that. He's my boyfriend…I should have told him the truth, and I should have shared my burden with him, but I'm an idiot.

I was walking along and I looked up at the stone Hokage faces. I saw someone standing up there so I activated my ryakugan and I saw Lee with a finish line doing push-ups. I decided to jump up there and see what was going on.

"Hi Lee!" I waved to him.

"Veena sensei. I have no time to talk right now. I must train to become better. Even Guy sensei is out there fighting Kakashi sensei." He explained.

"I see." I turned my attention to the village where I saw Guy and Kakashi both running at full speed. "Well here they come now."

Lee stood up quickly and cheered Guy on. Once they crossed the finish line, Guy was very eager to find out who the winner was. Lee teared up and Guy started smiling. "THE WINNER IS KAKASHI SENSEI!" Lee yelled.

Guy looked disappointed but in a funny way and Kakashi didn't seem bothered. "Here you go. Congratulations." Guy blushed looking away.

I tilted my head and smiled softly, "Guy, there was no need for you to get me flowers. We always compete with each other. It isn't a big deal." Kakashi said to him.

"This isn't for the competition." Guy told him, "Congratulations on becoming Hokage. As Hokage I know that you're going to be very busy, so this was our last race. Even though it was, we will always be eternal rivals."

Guy's speech to Kakashi was bringing tears to my eyes. I loved their friendship. I thought it was so sweet and I thought it was very cute as well. "Forever." Kakashi told him. Kakashi was then swept away by a man who said he needed his face measures for the statue that was to be built.

"Guy." I smiled at him, "Thank you for always being there for Kakashi. He will always need you in his life. You are a true friend to him. I'm really glad that he has you." I said to him.

Guy nodded at me, "Veena, you too. More than me. Kakashi needs you in his life. I know that he sometimes has a hard time getting his feelings across and he may not be as handsome as I am, but more than me and more than anyone else, he needs you."

I blushed, "What are you saying Guy, Kakashi is just a comrade."

He shook his head, "For these past few days, I've seen the way Kakashi looks at you. His eye lights up when he sees you, and it is the best thing to see, I've never seen Kakashi happy, and I'm glad that you are the one that makes him happy."

I nodded my head, "I see. So that's how it is. Guy, I want to go see the Hishikawa clan." I told him.

Guy looked at me almost afraid, "The Hishikawa? They are enemies of the Ezahiya. I don't think that's a very good idea. What kind of trouble are you trying to stir up?" He asked me.

I laughed, "I'm not trying to stir up any trouble. After all, I'm also a Hishikawa."

Guy's mouth dropped open. "An Ezahiya and a Hishikawa…they had…you…both clans…WHAT?" he was shocked.

I giggled, "Let's just go." I urged him, "But tomorrow. It has been a long two days and I need to sleep it off."

The next day we walked to the Hishikawa clan. I had never been there before but I had always heard they were close with the Uchihas so they might have an answer to what I wanted to know.

Guy took me to the houses where the Hishikawa clan was staying. "The elder of the clan should be here." He told me. "Lady Shiori Hishikawa married to Izaya." He told me.

"I see; this is my grandmother then." There was a nervous feeling in my stomach and I couldn't bare going alone. "Guy, will you please come with me? I can't do this. I'm scared." I told him.

He put his hand on my shoulder, "You got it. Though I think it would be better if Kakashi went with you." He said to me.

"No!" I snapped. "You absolutely cannot tell Kakashi about this. We are going to pretend that it did not happen. This is the first time I am visiting the Hishikawa clan." I told him.

Guy hesitated at first but then he nodded. I knocked on the door nervously and someone said "Come in."

I looked at her nervously. She was old, maybe 60, but she didn't have gray hair or anything. It was a fading black, but she was pretty. "Hello, my name is Veena, this is Guy." I told her.

She nodded, "I am familiar with you Guy, but Veena, I have not met you before. Tell me, what is your full name."

I hesitated to answer, "It's Veena Ezahiya…Lady Shiori." She got up immediately and held a kunai up.

"An Ezahiya dare comes in here. What do you want?" She hissed at me.

I held my hands up in surrender, "I promise you, I am not here to fight. My name is Veena Ezahiya but, I am also a Hishikawa. I am 25 years old. My father was Izaya Hishikawa and Myra Ezahiya."

She dropped the kunai and she started trembling. She took 1 step towards me, "You said your father was Izaya…Izaya was my first born son, he was supposed to succeed his father when the time came. Are you really his daughter?" She said almost running up to me and she tripped. Her face was stricken with tears.

I nodded, not knowing what to do in this situation. I felt a pair of arms wrap around me and she wept, "You are my granddaughter, Veena. Your face looks just like that of your father." I didn't know what to do but I just wrapped my arms around her as well.

"Why have you come now though?" She asked me wiping away her tears. "I'm so sorry, please come. Please sit." She told me.

"Actually Lady Shiori,"

"Call me Grandma." She corrected me.

"Well Grandma," I smiled, "I wanted to know a little about my past, with my mother and father, and if you knew anything at all." I told her, "I also wanted to know more about the ryakugan. There's still so much I want to know about it that I don't. I need to know how to properly use it."

"She waved her hand. Start with one thing at a time. Give me a name." She said to me.

I nodded at her and breathed in deeply, "Itachi Uchiha." I said to her.

She paused for a second and smiled, "The Uchihas and the Hishikawas were very close actually. Our clans would commonly marry into each other, if you were not a leader of the clan, it would be very common for you to be of mixed. When your father was younger, he was best friends with Fugaku Uchiha. They were both to be leaders of the clan. They also both promised each other when they were a little bit older that their children would marry. Fugaku had a son Itachi Uchiha. When your father married your mother, that promise was still kept, even though your father was marked as a traitor."

I was red at this point. Itachi was my fiancé? I was destined to be with him? "Your parents died and there was nobody to see it through. You were so young. Oh so young. You poor child. Veena, I am so sorry for the mistakes of the past."

"Could you please explain to me why the Ezahiyas and Hishikawas hate each other?" I asked her.

"That is a long story. You see, once in the past there was a group of people within the Ezahiya clan. They snuck into the grounds and tried stealing our sacred scrolls which had custom jutsus that were very powerful. Even with a kekkei genkai, nobody was able to access it. Those shinobi put up a big fight, and on both ends people were killed. The Ezahiya clan was mad, and our clan was mad. In the end, a feud broke out forever. It was never resolved." She said.

I nodded my head. "Grandma, I also wanted to know…the secret of the ryakugan." I said to her. "But first, I need to know. Why did my father keep me a secret from you? From the entire clan? You are all so nice unlike the Ezahiya clan. They pretend I don't exist." I told her.

She paused for a moment, "When you father first married your mother, we said some very awful things, and he didn't want anything to do with us. The whole clan."

I nodded my head, "I understand, but that is all in the past now. But now on to the ryakugan. It's amazing. It lets me blink to different areas, and enhances my vision. I can see chakra, and it is very helpful. But I know that these are the basics, I wanted to know…isn't there anything else that I am supposed to do with it?" I asked.

"The secret of the ryakugan…" She activated her own ryakugan and her eyes started to glow, and he hair floated up. In a few seconds Guy fell asleep next to me.

"It…it makes people fall asleep?" I asked her.

She shook her head and her eyes stopped glowing and her hair fell to her shoulders. "The ryakugan manipulates time and space, which is why you are able to blink. You blink into different dimensions. You must have a summons right?" She asked me.

I nodded at her, "I have a summons with a lion named Regulus." I confirmed.

"You must transport to his dimension when you blink. You can also speed up time but not for everything, well not yet anyways. The basic secrets of the ryakugan is to speed up time for individuals or even objects. Like you can revert ice back to water, and certain jutsus back to chakra. So the next time an enemy attacks, you will be able to stop their attack and revert it back to chakra and take it in for yourself." She told me.

"How did you make Guy fall asleep with the ryakugan?" I asked her.

"Simple. I sped up time to when Guy would have fallen asleep. I can't have him knowing about the ryakugan, now can I?" she smiled at me. "For our clan, it is very common to speed up the process when having a baby."

I was shocked, "Why would people want to do that?" I asked her.

"It is often due to missions. The Hishikawa women are not known for waiting around and doing nothing for 9 months, so that's what they do." She chuckled, "Speaking of pregnancy, are you and Guy…?" She asked.

I looked at Guy and I laughed, "No, Guy is just a very good friend of mine. After all, the man that I loved is dead now. Itachi…he was the only person I ever loved, and I don't think that I'll find someone that I will ever love as much as I did Itachi." I told her. "I think we only fall in love once, and of course I had to fall in love with the worst man."

My grandmother looked at me with sympathetic eyes, "Veena, your first love will not be your only love. I understand that what you felt for Itachi was strong and that it was real, but you need to move on. I know that there is somebody else who has your heart." She said to me. I looked at her, "Grandmothers always know best." She winked at me.

I took a deep breath in, "Kakashi Hatake." I said to her.

"Kakashi? Hatake? The man with the mask?" She asked me. I nodded, "Have you ever seen him without his mask?" She asked me. I nodded again. "Well, tell me. How is he?" She asked.

"Kakashi…he's perfect. He is everything you would expect him to be. He's soft and warm. His face is well structured, and he has the brightest smile. He has a beauty mark, and when he smiles my heart pounds so fast, that I don't know if I can breathe. In one word, magnificent." I told her.

She laughed, "Veena, it sounds to me that Itachi isn't the one that you are in love with." She smiled. "Kakashi Hatake must be the one."

"I've never even thought about loving Kakashi, it's just a like!" I told her.

"You can lie to me girl, but you can't lie to yourself." She said. "Well, it's almost time for me to do my daily rounds of the construction, so I'm afraid our meeting will have to be cut short." She activated the ryakugan again, and reversed the effects on Guy and he was back to normal and he didn't even notice.

"Guy let's go." I said getting up. "Thank you so much grandma. I won't hug you this time…" I told her, "Because this time, I'll come back more frequently to visit." I smiled at her.

She nodded her head and Guy asked me if I wanted to get some sushi. Before I could respond, my grandma yelled out, "Veena! Don't eat raw fish. Don't eat spicy or salty food either in your condition!" She called out to me.

"Yes grandma!" I responded closing the door behind me. "She's such a typical grandmother." I giggled to Guy, "They never want you to have fun. But I guess I'll listen to her just this once." I smiled because I had never experienced orders from parents, and I was glad to oblige to what my grandma was saying.

I got serious suddenly. "What's with that face?" Guy asked me.

"I think I could save Lady Tsunade." I told him. "I have to try anyways, not that I unlocked the secret of the ryakugan, I think I could do it."

He flashed me his pearly white smile, "Then let's get to Lady Tsunade." He said giving me a thumbs up. I nodded as we raced to the office of the Hokage. "We are here to see Lady Tsunade." Guy told Shizune.

"I think I can save her." I told Shizune.

"Medical jutsu cannot help her, trust me Veena, I have tried everything!" Shizune told me.

"It's not medical jutsu. It's the secret of the ryakugan. Just give me a few minutes with her. I need to be alone for this. I cannot let you all know what is happening." I told them. Shizune nodded and I went into the room. "Oh Lady Tsunade…" I whispered as I sat on the floor and held her hand.

I activated the ryakugan and looked at her chakra flow. It was flowing steadily everywhere except to the brain. There was nothing I could do about that, but with what was being pumped into her body, I think that I would be able to speed up the recovery process. I put my palms over her forehead. My grandma was able to do it to Guy freely without touching him, but I knew that it would be a bit different with me.

I focused all my chakra to her forehead and I focused on only Lady Tsunade, and it was weird but I could see the flow of time. It was always there but I never paid much attention to it, and now it seemed more important. I then started pushing forward mentally and pushing forward her mind timewise until it reached the level of healing.

I stopped and I collapsed. How long did I speed up her recovery for? It roughly felt like a month and I immediately fell on to Lady Tsunade. I couldn't move, but I heard her mutter. "Someone come quick!" I yelled, "She's waking up!"

Shizune busted through the door and held onto Lady Tsunade's hand from the other side. "Lady Tsunade! Please wake up!"

"Sh…shizune." I heard her murmur. This shocked me and I got up and Shizune hugged Lady Tsunade extremely tightly. "Shizune, you're hurting me." Lady Tsunade gasped struggling for air.

"Somebody needs to go stop the feudal lords from announcing the new Hokage!" Shizune said quickly. "Veena, will you please do it?" She asked me.

I nodded my head, "Welcome back Lady Tsunade." I told her. She just smiled as Shizune still cried on her. I ran out, "Lady Tsunade is awake! We need to get to the council meeting before Kakashi is given the tile of Hokage Guy!" I yelled. "Also, I really cannot walk, so I need you to carry me there." I told him.

"You got it!" Guy said giving me a thumbs up as he raced towards the meeting and I jumped on his back.

"I hope we aren't too late." I told him. He ran as fast as he could and it probably took us about 5 minutes to get there. Guy kicked the door powerfully and everyone looked shocked. I hopped off of Guy's back, "Stop!" I shouted, "Lady Tsunade is awake!" I told everybody.

There was a mixture of reactions. Some people looked shocked but the majority of people looked relieved, and Kakashi was one of them. He was the first person I had my eyes on, and also the last as I started to fall losing my balance.

I felt a pair of arms around me immediately and I looked up but my vision was blurry, "Kakashi…" was all I could mutter before I faded into darkness.