Hey guys. I've got yet another story up when I haven't finished the others. Yes I like doing that. This one origionally wasn't ever going to be put up but my friend convinced me to put it up so here it is.

I hope you enjoy this chapter. It may be holidays but expect the story to stay at a slow pace for the rest of the year. My life is really not in a good place at the moment and this story is one thing that I have at the back my mind. I'll still update whenever I can.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters. They belong to Masashi Kishimoto. The only characters that I own are Rina Kamaya and Kameko.

Kameko's POV

"SHE WHAT?"

I glanced at the door to the Hokage's office as I passed it. I'd been searching the entire village for Rina. It was close to nightfall and I still hadn't found her.

Scratching on the door to announce that I was coming in, I pushed the door open and padded in.

"Lady Tsunade. Is everything okay?" I asked as I came to the middle of the room.

"Not really Kameko. But seeing as you're here, you may as well hear what Gai has just informed me." She answered with a sigh.

I turned my head to look at Gai in confusion. He had a sad look on his face.

"What is it Gai?"

"It's Rina, Kameko. She's left the village."

My brain didn't really register what he meant by that.

"Like, for a mission herself or something?" I asked, unprepared for Gai's next reply.

"No. To become a rogue ninja. She's left Konoha for good."

"WHAT?"

Tsunade sighed and looked at me.

"While Rina didn't tell Gai this in so many words, we can conclude it from what she yelled at him and from her past." Tsunade answered.

"What did she yell?" I asked, not sure I really wanted to know.

"She first told me…"

"…"

I just stared at Gai as he finished, my brain unable to remember how to speak.

"Rina's life as a kid wasn't the best, and she spent most of her genin years on the road with you. She was only accepted back into the village when the two of you helped defeat the nine tailed fox. However, by then, it was easy to see that the mutterings that the village had been saying about her before she left had been etched into her brain, and that it would only take a few bad things to happen to those around her before she believed that they were right." Tsunade commented.

"So you really think…" I asked.

"You're the best judge of that Kameko. You've spent your entire life with her. You know her thoughts and the way she feels better then anyone else. If we've misinterpreted this, then please tell us."

I sighed as I slowly shook my head.

"Your not wrong. From what she told Gai, and her actions, it is obvious that Rina has left the village for good."

Kakashi's POV

I'd been in the hospital for three weeks now. Tsunade had said that I'd be free to leave tomorrow. But that isn't what I was thinking about. The only thing on my mind was Kameko's dodgy behaviour around the subject of Rina.

The night she came back from looking for Rina, she looked pretty upset. When I asked her what was wrong, the only thing she said was that Rina had gone on a mission without her. At the time, I believed that she'd given me the truth, but Kameko just got quieter as each day went by. Any mention of Rina made her go even quieter and she'd avoid anything that was asked of her. She also became noticeably thinner and undernourished.

"You leaving tomorrow?" Kameko spoke up.

Her dull eyes were looking at me but not really focusing.

"Yup. By the way, do you know when Rina's coming back?" I asked, mentally cursing myself as soon as that came out of my mouth.

To my surprise Kameko gave a sigh and padded over, sitting down to the side of my bed.

"She isn't coming back." Kameko finally muttered after staring at the ground for a while.

"W-why not? Was she captured? Was she…?"

Kameko shook her head before I could finish my sentence.

"She never went on a mission three weeks ago Kakashi." Kameko sighed, lifting her dull eyes to look at me.

"Three weeks ago, Rina fled the village. She's a rogue ninja now. She's abandoned Konoha. She's not coming back here."

I stared at her as the full extent of her words sank in.

"S-She's gone?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Kameko nodded, her eyes flashing with pain.

I stared at Kameko's thin frame, not really seeing her.

That's why Kameko's lost so much weight and why she's been so quiet and her eyes are so dull. Rina fled the village and left her behind. Its probably eating Kameko inside, but she's kept herself as strong as she could…so that I wouldn't find out the truth.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Tsunade said I should have…but I couldn't. I know how much you love her. I-I was scared that you'd react worse then what I have. Rina would kill me herself if she found out that I failed to protect you. That would be why she left me behind. She wants me to protect you with my life. And if that is her last wish of me…then I'll do it." She replied, heaving another sigh.

"Kameko…"

I really didn't know what I could say. It hurt deeply that Rina had just left like that, without even bothering to say goodbye to Kameko or me first. But I got where she came from, slightly.

Rina. Do you really care so little about us?

20th Chapter is up and ready. I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter and please don't forget to R & R

I have a LOT of chapters done now (up to about 61 I believe o.O) So this story isn't gonna go on a MAJOR pause anytime soon.

I have proof-read this chapter so feel free to point out as many mistakes as you want. I don't mind.

Preview:

I glanced at where Kameko lay, her food untouched.

"Kameko, I know your upset, but if you don't eat then you won't be strong enough to fight." I commented, although I wasn't that better off then what she was.

"Your one to talk Kakashi. As a shinobi, your no help if you're weak or hungry." She answered lifting her head to glance at me.

"We both need to stop moping. Rina's made her choice. Its about time we accepted that." I answered, walking over and placing a hand on her head.

"Right. You've got Naruto to continue training with Yamato, and I'm to provide my skills for missions. But…My skills only go so far without Rina."

I sighed and stood up.

"Asuma and Kurenai have set up squads that are searching for Rina as we speak. Tsunade wants her captured and brought in. Not to kill her of course. Only to find out her reasoning for leaving." I said and turned away.

Kameko rose and swiftly ate the food next to her before she padded over.

"I promised I'd protect the life of you and everyone in this village Kakashi, and I intend to keep that promise." She said, glancing at the night sky outside.

"Right. We both have a promise to fulfill."