Kakashi's POV

It had been only a few days with the anbu helping me move my arms and I could almost lift them to read my book without straining my neck. A little more and it would finally be at proper reading level. A slight breeze and the sound of light steps told me she was back again.

"Coming for another visit?" I asked looking up.

She nodded rising a soda can to where her lips would usually be; she stopped and stared at the can contemplatively. She raised it again and stopped. She turned her head hoping to hide her face and tried again but gave up after realizing she didn't have the patience. She sighed, and then glanced around the room. Her eyes landed on me and she hopped from her perch, setting the half full can in my hand.

"I'm not allowed this you know." She shrugged and went back to her seat. Technically I would be starting a liquid diet soon…what could be the harm? I looked over to the anbu. "I suppose I could finish this for you, if you don't mind looking away for a minute."

"Can you even lift your arms?"

"Probably not, no." I admitted setting my book carefully in my lap.

She stepped closer and I decided it would be a bad idea to get her help. "I can handle it. I'm not so thirsty after all."

"Liar. If it helps I've seen you without a mask before."

"You have?"

She nodded, staring out the window again as I tried in vain to raise the soda to my lips. I sighed. "Alright, looks like I'll need some help."

Finally something to taste, and with sugar. She lowered the can again. "Thank you." I said as she returned to her seat. I still held the can in my hand. "Do you think next time you could bring me some Ichiraku's ramen? I'll give you the money."

"You're on a liquid diet aren't you? But… in about a week I should be back and you'll probably be able to eat real food by then."

"You're leaving? Do you have a mission?"

"No." Her head shifted as she tracked someone across the field. "You have a visitor."

"Who...and you're gone. I should have expected as much."

Tsunade walked in moments later, took one look at the window and sighed. Walking over she closed it before turning to lecture me. "Why do you have a pop can in your hand?" Her temper was looking rather radiant today.

"Ah this? My friend dropped by and I'm just holding onto this."

"Of course, how could I forget about your imaginary friend…"

I rolled my eyes, "Just because you never see her doesn't mean she doesn't visit. Explain my window opening and the drink."

"The building is slanting into the ground, thus your window opens, as for the pop… I guess I'd have to agree with your theory. So any idea who she is?"

"I do have one theory but it's a bit unorthodox."

"It's Akira isn't it?"

"…I believe so."

"Well that would explain how children were getting their hands on paint bombs."

"It would also explain some aspects of her disguise."

"Such as?"

"Her preference to remain silent, wearing an anbu mask to hide her face, along with only appearing in front of certain people. Anbu's are known for secrecy and most won't bother them if they're seen wearing a mask in the village and if she were to get caught she wouldn't be held up long as she is a high ranking nin."

Tsunade sighed, "That would explain a lot. But Kakashi I'm not here to discuss Akira or your friend. I'm here about Team Kakashi's mission."

"What about it?"

"Well it would seem that one of Danzo's men was assigned on the mission." She paused, watching for my reaction. "His name's Sai."

"Lady Hokage, are you saying that the boy who may or may not be dating my daughter is on a mission with my team?"

"That would be exactly what I'm saying."

"You are aware that Naruto holds a certain amount of feelings for Akira right?"

"Yes and I'm also aware that you don't approve of it. Either way I'm telling you this so when you do get out of the hospital it's not a shock. Now I have other patients to look after but before I go, I'm going to set this up." She took out a small security camera and opened the window. "This is just for reassurance."

"She won't like that." I mused flipping to a new page in my book. "You'll be lucky if it lasts through today."

"We'll see about that." She dropped a wooden dowel into the window's track, further stopping any attempts to get in. "While she figures this out we'll get a good look at who she really is."

I stared at the window, and looked across the courtyard to the tree. She really wasn't going to like this. If she is Akira, this would just give her an excuse to plant a bomb in a hospital… "Lady Tsunade before you go, can you move me further away from the window?"

She rolled her eyes, "Why?"

"I feel my life is in danger."

She scoffed, before turning on her heel and leaving. I stared apprehensively at the window counting the seconds as they became minutes. Maybe she wouldn't come back? Now who will I talk to? I've finished the books Jiraiya gave me a few times already. I sighed, staring blankly at the pages, resigning myself to another week or two of this. My recovery progress had been anything but swift.

The sound of the door sliding open and someone entering the room shocked me at first. Nurses made sure to knock along with all my visitors. Not to mention I didn't even feel this person's chakra yet there she was, standing in the doorway with her Anbu mask still covering her face.

"You snuck past the front desk?"

She shook her head, "Camera's blind spot is the window leading next door."

"Ah, so it was useless."

She nodded sitting on the edge of my bed. We sat in silence as she fiddled with the wire connecting the camera to the recording device.

"I wouldn't tamper with that, Akira."

Her fingers froze on the wire. I held my breath, had I been wrong? "Took you long enough." She said sliding the mask off her face and flashing me a smile. "Did you just figure it out? Or were you to scared to ask?"

"I had to gather the evidence that my hunch was right is all." I casually glanced down as all the stress left my body. She's alive, and she's not angry with me.

"Sure, dad. Whatever you say."

"I'm surprised you'd go to the trouble of showing yourself after planting such a convincing body double in Iwa."

"What?"

"There was a misidentified body found on the border in Iwa."

"…Ohhh! Sai must have planted it. I just told him to tell Danzo I was dead, I never thought he'd go to so much trouble as planting a body double."

"I see…Akira."

"Hm?"

"Who is Sai?"

"Sai is my teammate slash boyfriend slash guard."

"I think I misheard. Did you really start dating a boy while you were away?"

"Yeah? I read somewhere that girls my age usually start dating. Plus Sai was the obvious pick to test out different social situations with as he needed the experience as well."

"Akira that's not really what dating is about."

"Alright define dating."

"Alright… Dating is when you like someone romantically and wish to spend time with them. Dating is the first step in long lasting relationships."

"Well to Sai and I it's more of a way to establish trust or something. We both knew that in the future some missions may lead us into different relationships with people. We're pretty comfortable with each other so we thought it'd be okay to date until we understood emotions better. It also kept other guys away from me while we were gone."

"So this relationship is based on...what exactly?"

"Hm… I guess it's based on… how advantageous it can be."

"So you don't even like him?"

"I like him well enough that I'd be disgusted if he died."

"You mean upset."

"No disgusted. We work well together and if he suddenly dies because of his own stupidity I'm going to be mad."

"I'm beginning to think delving into this topic is something I should let Kurenai or Sakura do."

"No way, they'd probably yell at me. You handle this way better than Evelyeen, who's practically a girl."

"Yes I read about him in your letters." Her expression darkened and I knew I regretted mentioning them.

"You got them?"

"Not until recently."

"How recently?"

"A little before Naruto arrived home."

"Why didn't you get them before?"

"Danzo had held them from us; we never knew you were trying to contact us." I reached out to her hand, giving her my best closed eyed grin. "If we had known, we would have stormed the office and written back."

"Really?"

"Of course. You're still my daughter, even if I didn't raise you."

She smiled lightly. "Thanks dad. Well I suppose I should get going."

"You just got here."

"True but I can sense Gai's chakra from half a village away and he's closing in fast. But before I go, I need to tell you. You won't be seeing me for a little bit."

"Why is that?"

"It'll only be for a week, I need to train for some stuff. I'll be back soon; I'll still be sleeping at home so you don't have to worry about where I'll be staying."

"Well that's good." Hold on I sealed her room. "Akira… How'd you get back into your room?"

"I haven't." She spat angrily. "Somebody, and I'm not going to point fingers here but, somebody sealed my room. Do you know why?"

"To protect the manuscripts from enemy hands." I said uneasily.

"Seriously that's why I can't go in my room?"

"Pretty much, yeah."

"I hate this village…"

Well, that's worrisome. "Akira, as soon as I get home I'll undo the seal."

"You better. Now I really do have to leave. Gai is in the lobby."

A rush of worry overcame me, "Be safe, don't get caught, get enough sleep, don't push yourself too far. Um, just don't make me worry." I tilted my head offering a closed eye smile as she eyed me carefully.

"I think whatever meds they put in your IV are really messing with you." She stepped over to me, leaning down for a hug. "Get well soon, we miss you at home and don't worry, I'll be fine. Catch ya later dad." She replaced her mask and removed the doweling before smacking the camera off the wall. She snickered.

I shook my head, being a criminal for three years has not helped her mentally. "…be safe…" I murmured.

"Kakashi! My forever friend and rival. I'm here to spread the power of youth to help in your recovery!"

"Hello to you too Gai."

Akira's POV

"Alright, I'm here." I called into the empty clearing. "Evelyeen?"

This was where we were supposed to meet right? Did I get the day wrong? The time? Maybe he's just running behind… I am so screwed. I tensed reaching back for my sword, taking hesitant steps back out of the clearing. With my back to a tree I scanned my surroundings again.

"Evelyeen?" I called warily. No answer. "Evelyeen, I know for a fact that you're there. Now come out and train me properly."

I waited with only the wind rustling in the leaves for company. Alright, maybe he's really not here. I relaxed my grip on my sword, and let it hang at my side. I lightly dragged it across the ground in front of me, slowly and carefully moving forward, repeating the motion.

I stood in the center of the clearing when my sword scrapped along a piece of hidden wire, the sound made me cringe as I slowly pulled my sword away, thanking whoever made me lazy, that my sword hadn't been sharpened in a while. I knelt down in the grass, touching the wire and coursing my chakra through it. I drew my hand back, more than suspicious. It led to nothing. No traps, bombs, people, it was just tied to some trees on the edge of the clearing.

I stepped over it and continued sweeping the clearing. It was the only 'trap' out here and it wasn't even that good of a trap… I was never one for being hesitant so I sliced through the wire; the metallic tang of metal retracting covered his footsteps. He was on me in an instant.

Spinning on the balls of my feet, I met his sword with my own. "Not bad, though it took you a while to muster the guts to cut the wire, no?"

"Shut up, I've learned to become more cautious in recent years."

"That's a pity. I remember when you would throw caution to the wind; mind you, it got us into more sticky situations than out of them."

"Yeah so I noticed."

"Shall we begin training?" He asked using his taller frame to overpower my own.

I widened my stance, pushing back against his sword. "This wasn't the first step?"

"Ohh you haven't seen anything yet." He laughed, disappearing back into the shadows of the trees.

"Why did I agree to this?"

It was another 24 hours of physical bombardment as Evelyeen would strike, lay traps, and disappear periodically before returning just to attack out of nowhere. After 6 hours I had thought I was at my limit. Constantly being on edge was something I wasn't used to. Normally Sai, Evelyeen and I would take shifts, allowing some relaxation time when we could spare it. Even then, being on the run used up the nervous energy that buzzed through my system, but whenever Evelyeen disappeared I couldn't relax. I was constantly waiting for him to strike, and unlike my dull sword his was razor sharp.

By the 8th hour, I had gotten my second wind. I felt more alert, more alive even as Evelyeen jumped from behind a bush to my left. Swiveling I followed his sword, bringing mine up to clash with it. My hand felt jarred from the brutal strength he wielded.

"Is that all you've got? Oh you'll never pass like this."

Sweat dripped from my hairline, "We'll see about that." I swung my leg towards him, clipping his side briefly before he jumped back.

"Ah, that wasn't very honorable."

"Whoever said you had to fight with honor?"

"Many ninja in this village won't like your style, it would remind them too much of the criminals they have to kill."

"Whoever said I cared about what they think. So what if they don't like it, it's my style. I can't change it now, not after the years I've spent training with you to perfect it."

"It's not exactly perfect dear, a little above average but not perfect."

"Are you gonna fight or what?"

He smiled before disappearing again. I clenched my teeth before allowing a tight-lipped smile to slowly work its way across. I wonder how long he'll hide for this time. Sometimes its seconds other times it'll be up to an hour, just another way to keep me on my toes.

It was up to the 17th hour, when my reflexes slowed down. He hadn't ceased fighting for a few hours now. He'd been pushing me back with ever blow, the dirt was giving out beneath my feet as I slid back again. I tried to turn the tables, switch to offense even once but it was no use. He would easily counter and send me on the defense again.

"Out of breath already?" He teased.

"Sh-shut up. I'm just getting started." I pushed back against his blade, before ducking below and gliding my sword towards his legs.

He jumped easily over it, his eyes gleaming as he aimed his sword down on my head. I rolled under his legs before he landed, I jumped to my feet sweeping my blade up and almost catching his back. He gracefully turned on one foot, knocking my blade away and forcing me to block with the guard of the handle.

"Not bad, ingenious really. I never expected you to go straight under me. But, you're still not fast enough." He pushed back on my blade, sending me reeling back, nearly losing my balance as he was on me again.

Switching his sword to his other hand, he grabbed my sword hand and pulling it over his shoulder as he turned his back to me. He struck my gut with his elbow before sending his hilt into my nose. He let go of me and I jumped back having to breathe through my mouth. I tasted blood on my lips but Evelyeen gave me no time to wipe it on my sleeve.

He rushed at me again, sword sweeping towards my hip. I blocked and he struck again but higher, I moved back a half step, turning us towards some trees behind my back.

He smiled before ducking down and sweeping at my legs, that was-! That was my move. I thought quickly on what he would do. Should I jump and do what he did? My brain yelled at me to move. I flipped over him, spinning slightly as he struck above himself to hit me. I blocked and landed behind him.

He laughed, "Maybe you are getting this after all."

I licked my lip, tasting copper, but at least it had stopped now. "Maybe by the end of this, I'll have you beat."

He pursed his lips, an amused glint in his eye. "Ooh I really don't think so."

It wasn't until the 24th hour that I almost proved him wrong. Evelyeen came at me again but this time I was more than ready, my body was using up the last of its adrenaline. He swung just as I charged forward, his eyes widened as my blade scrapped along the surface of his leading up to the hilt. He quickly back flipped out of harm's way.

"Not half bad… I see you're throwing caution to the wind again though. What if I had moved faster than you? You'd be dead."

I breathed heavily, "That's nice."

"What no more snippy comments, no more back talking attitude? Are you really that tired?"

"Would you shut up? We both know you've got more experience at this."

"Hm, this is true." He said basking in the inadvertent flattery.

I rolled my eyes, "Are we gonna fight again or are you just going to live in your little fantasy over there?"

"Oh I have every intention of fighting again. I was waiting for you. After all, this last hour will be the worst."

The rest of that hour was a living Hell for me, I spent the majority of it running for my life and blocking his shots. His moves weren't normal at all. When we trained while on the run he used to teach me the basics, the usual traditional forms, some newer forms but they were all normal. His moves were beyond human, he moved like the grass in a high wind or maybe like the wind itself during a storm. He was everywhere at once yet nowhere when I attacked. One second he's in front of me charging, the next he's behind me forcing me to block at an obscure angle.

He's insane, but a genius with a sword. What was he like as a kid? Was he always like this? Who trained him?

I ducked below his sword racing past his side and into some dense trees. He was on me almost at once, his sword aimed at eye level, I moved my head feeling the sharp sting of metal cut into my cheek. I spun around him, almost catching his side again.

"I'm getting so bored of this game, Akira. Please at least try to kill me."

I gritted my teeth, what does he think I've been doing all this time? I swung at him again, and he blocked with his usual smile but his eyes hesitated. I pushed against his blade until I was hovering near his face.

"Do you know how much torture you've put me through with all your training the past few years?" he shook his head. "Too much. You want me to come at you with the intention to kill? Fine, let's hope you won't be disappointed."

Evelyeen's POV

Something's changed, I smiled. Now the real fun begins. Akira rushed at me performing a frontal attack, I raised my sword. She should know better. Suddenly she vanished from my sights. Chakra flared behind me and I just managed to block her with my back still facing her. What I didn't expect was her full weight to be pressed against her sword. We both fell forward, her weight tumbling off me as we struck the ground. Winded I rolled to the side as her sword buried into the ground cm's from where I presently laid.

I stood swiftly, gathering my sword once more as I tried to press her back. Her blows were stronger now that there was no hesitation in her eyes. If I had been an enemy, I might have been scared, that is if I weren't me. I smiled slyly at her before tripping her legs from underneath her. I watched as she fell back and aimed my sword at her chest. She used the flat of her blade to block me at the last moment. But I had the advantage and she knew it.

Her lip pulled back in a snarl as she batted my sword away with hers. We stood apart from each other. Her eyes were killer, her clothes were tattered and dirty, her breathing was ragged, sweat covered her in a thin sheen, she was sprinkled in her own blood even and yet despite that she still stood at the ready. I couldn't be prouder.

I ran at her again, batting her sword across the clearing before pricking her neck slightly. "I think that's enough. Any more of this and I'll probably kill you by accident."

She looked bewildered between her sword and mine. Ah her childish innocence never ceases to amaze me. "You- you were just toying with me?"

"Did you really think you had a chance?" I asked her, sheathing my sword and calmly walking to hers. "Look at you, you're a mess." She glanced down, wiping her nose on her sleeve finally ridding herself of some of the blood. "Now look at me. What do you see?"

"A dusty dress, uncombed hair and…" She kicked some dirt, her eyes dimming. "And that's it. You're not sweating, you're not out of breath. You're clothes are fine aside from some light dirt, and you're hair is fine too."

"Exactly." I smiled triumphantly, my eyes softening only once I returned her sword and raised her chin to look at me. "But, I'll have a nice bruise on my side for the first time in years."

She smiled as I let her chin drop. "Now," I said. "Shall we get some food? You'll need to work up your energy after all it's only 5 more days until the exams."

"We won't be training like this every day will we?" She asked as we exited the forest and entered the clearing.

"No no. You're swordsmanship is good enough to pass. Tomorrow, if you can move, we'll work on some ninjutsu. And if you can't move we'll work on your genjutsu."

"So either way I'm training…"

"Pretty much."

She sighed heavily. "Hanabi is going to kill me, speaking of which I still need to find her two more teammates."

"Why don't you just wait until she gets put on a team like normal jounin instructors?"

"Did you know Jounin have some say in who ends up on their team? I intend to make the best team there is, no more of this terrible teamwork. No more favoritism. I want all my students to work together like family. I don't need them trying to kill each other like my team seems to do."

"Ahh, I see where you're coming from." I admitted. "Then I wish you luck on creating this golden team, I'll help if you want."

"No, it has to be created by me."

I sighed. "Well, if you insist. I suppose I'll find other things to amuse myself with."

"Hiroka will always need a babysitter soon."

"This is true but I believe she wanted you to do that."

"Ah. I don't know how to take care of a baby."

"Neither does she, yet she's having one. Now then, what do you feel like eating?"

"Anything. I'm starved." Her stomach grumbled as she groaned in pain. "Are you even allowed in the village?"

I laughed, parting some low branches as we stepped onto the path. "We'll find out now won't we?"

She cringed, glancing furtively back into the trees. I grabbed her arm, "Ah ah ah. We are going to have a nice talk over a nice dinner am I understood?"

She nodded, pulling on her anbu mask once again as we dragged ourselves through town to find some nice warm meals.