(Zak)

"She temporarily lost her mind." I said, helping Kakashi sit up, "I don't know why she did it, but that wasn't her." Sakura started checking him for any internal injuries Jade might have caused. I prayed silently that the idiot hadn't already gotten herself killed. Oh, whatever! Telling Black Star and Sid would be tough, though. Pirin popped into my head, and immediately I felt guilty.

"Why are you telling us this?" he asked, understandably still angry about being jerked around like that. Hell, I was still annoyed.

"She's gonna punish herself enough for this. Please, you know how she's usually like. A little unorthodox and prone to doing stupid stuff, but she wouldn't hurt someone who doesn't deserve it. That... side of her, she's usually got a lid on it. She's actually scared of it. Scared she'll lose to it and become like them."

"So, why would she let her guard down now?" Sasuke asked, "If she knows she might not come back."

"Would you be able to kill a family member? Even if they are everything you stand against?"

He was unmoved, "Yes."

Well... Not the way that was supposed to go. "So would I. Anyways, she's one of those people who'd give anything for their families; I have to tell her brother he can't do things. If you're going to punish her for this, please just keep it in mind that she wasn't in her right mind."

Naruto was scratching like crazy, "Where do you think they might've gone?"

I shrugged, "We can't follow anyways, what's it matter? She'll come back."

Kakashi groaned as he stood up, "You're sure about that?"

"Naruto, get away! I don't want your fleas!" Sakura yelled, running behind Sasuke. Sasuke rolled his eyes at them and moved away.

"Yes. Naruto brought her back. She'll come back, even if it's just to die here." I replied quietly, hoping it wouldn't have to come to that.

"But I'm so itchy! Help me scratch!" Naruto whined, following her.

"Get away!"

(Jade)

"We have the cub, now take me back." I demanded uncomfortably, holding the sleeping cub like a baby. We stood outside of their home-base, an abandoned warehouse bearing our star. How they'd managed to find it, I had no idea. No outsider was supposed to know of their locations. He held me by the shoulders, trying to convince me that he wasn't evil. Right...

"Have you been listening to me? We can run away together, Grey Star! We can get Black Star and start our own clan. Not all prophecies have to come true."

I pushed him away, shaking my head emphatically, "It's Jade Star. And I'm not leaving the Academy, Agi. Ever." Okay, I lied, but I was gonna go back someday! It counts...

He frowned, still not understanding, "Why not? They're the bad guys!"

"You're a kishin!" I exploded, "You kill innocent people, not them! If you were anyone else, I wouldn't even hesitate in stopping you. But you're... you're my... kin. If I left with you, I'd hate us both. If I killed you, I'd hate me for both of us. I'm sorry, but we have to go back."

He sighed, letting go of me, "Then I'll have to kill you. I'm not going to die tonight, not even for you."

I readjusted my hold on the cub and glanced around the building, hoping to see if anyone had followed. "I'm not asking you to die for me. It's not even me that you want. You're using me to be what your mother wants, Usagi. I want to be wrong about that, but I know I'm not. Go back with me and I'll make sure he gives you a painless death." Why did I say that? What possessed me to say that?

"Why do you want him to kill me? Is he your guy? Because I swear to the gods, I'll kill him before he even has a chance to!" he snarled, shaking me like I was a James Bond martini. He had a grip like a vise! And why did the world want to see us together?

"Let go!" I screamed, headbutting him in the forehead. He reeled back, then socked me right on the cut. I gritted my teeth against the pain and regretted it. So, as payback, I kicked him in the 'nads and again in the stomach, giving him a nice amount of voltage for good measure. He shuddered and groaned, going down on one knee.

I took off immediately towards the forest, inwardly hating myself for never trying very hard to get better at controlling that ability. I should've known I'd need it sooner or later. I almost screamed when I heard Usagi's voice, "C.O.M.E. B.A.C.K. , G.R.E.Y. ! C.O.M.E. B.A.C.K. T.O. U.S.S.S.S. ! L.E.T. G.O. O.F. T.H.E.I.R. L.I.E.S.S.S.S. A.N.D. C.O.M.E. H.O.M.E. ! Y.O.U. W.I.L.L. F.E.E.L. T.H.E. L.I.F.E. I.N. D.E.A.T.H. A.G.A.I.N. !"

I glanced back and immediately wished I hadn't. He had truly become a monster. His eyes were snake-like and unblinking and just... gleaming with excitement at the thought of possibly spilling blood. And he was drooling. Maybe he just couldn't control where the water was going, 'cause it was kinda reminiscent of Niagara Falls. Stupid brain, not staying focused on staying alive!

Finally, I heard Naruto and Sakura shouting about... parasites? Not my problem! I headed towards their voices, promising myself to have Zak bake them a gigantic cake for being my salvation, "Zak! Kakashi! Someone get this freak away from me!" I shouted, covering the cub's ears. It yawned, shifting slightly in its sleep. Life. I had to get it back to its mother safe and sound.

I ran smack into Teddiursa Sr., who thankfully, was still asleep. I barely had time to put her baby down next to her before everyone rushed me. They bombarded me with questions, making it impossible for me to understand what who was saying. The next thing I knew, I was on my face and my back hurt from the shoulders down. The air rushed out of me and my face started bleeding again. Zak yelled something I am not repeating on pain of death and then the weight on me disappeared. I flipped over, getting up with Sakura's... help? Was I still insane and hallucinating all this?

She healed the gash while I watched Zak, Kakashi, and Sasuke battle Usagi, who was shrieking with laughter at their attempts to kill him. Did I really sound like that? Shinigami, please kill me... Anyways, I launched myself at my psychotic cousin, knocking him back a few feet. I grabbed him by the collar and started bashing him with the full force of my soul behind each blow.

He smiled sadistically, grabbing my throat and punching me. The corners of my mouth twitched when he missed me, but then, I felt it. He squeezed my throat in one hand and my heart in the other. I clawed frantically at him, trying to get free. "I. C.H.H.H.A.N.G.E.D. M.Y. M.I.N.D., G.R.E.Y.Y.Y. H.E.'S.S.S. G.O.N.N.A. W.A.T.C.H.H.H. Y.O.U. D.I.E. F.I.R.S.S.S.T.!" he giggled, squeezing my heart again. I focused everything I had into changing my heart to water. I'd never done internal organs before, just getting out of handcuffs and ropes.

Everything started going blurry and I heard birds chattering somewhere close by. Dimly I realized that the pressure was gone and that I was on the floor again.

I saw white hair hovering over me, "Dad?"