So sorry it took so long, but I it's finals week! I have been studying non stop. So hopefully I'll get good grades in my classes. So, I haven't been on this site in awhile. But, I got a chapter out as quickly as I could, so here you go! I'd like to thank everyone who is reviewing! It means a lot, and I hope you continue to do so! I really appreciate it! It lets me know who is reading it and what they think! Since I won't be able to post anything over Christmas break, I might put up another chapter if I get reviews.

So, here is the next chapter. Please review! I love feedback! Enjoy!

Chapter 21 The Meeting

***Kira's POV***

I awoke the next morning to the sun shining in on my cheek, caressing me with its warmth. I stirred, finding myself in Sasuke's arms. He was holding me so tight, it felt like a vice grip. I had to wake him up in order for me to get up.

"Protective much?" I teased as I sat up, smiling down at him.

"Sorry," he mumbled sheepishly.

"Don't worry. I'm glad you care so much," I grinned, leaning down to kiss him.

"Wow, had I known this was how you were going to act when I was overprotective, I would have done it more often," he joked.

"Wow, he does have a comical side," I smiled before getting up and changing. I walked down into the kitchen while Sasuke changed and made breakfast

Fast Forward to that night when they meet Shinju

Sasuke and I walked to my house in silence for neither of us knew exactly what to say. The crickets chirping played a melody inside my head as I tried to calm the nerves. It would be the first time that I'd get to meet up with Shinju is so long. How would he be different? How would he be the same? I couldn't believe that I had forgotten about him when we had been so close.

When Sasuke and I reached the gates to my compound, I noticed that Shinju was already there. He had changed since we were little. He had grown much cuter with his shaggy brown hair and golden colored eyes. He wore a blue muscle shirt that showed off the lean muscles in his arms. Sitting atop the steps of my old house, he waited.

"Shinju!" I cried as I rushed to great him, leaving Sasuke to catch up.

"I knew you would figure out who I was," he said as he took my hands. "I knew I wasn't that forgettable."

Sasuke came up behind me and stood protectively at my side. He was sending off an aura that said I was his and his alone. Shinju seemed to sense this and dropped my hands. "I see you are doing exactly as your parents had wanted. You two seem to be getting along nicely."

"Yes we are," I nodded as Sasuke and I smiled at each other. But, I got serious. "But, we need to get down to business."

But before Shinju had a chance to say anything, Naruto and the gang showed up. Everyone was here, well, all the Genin anyway. Neji, Ten Ten, Lee, Ino, Choji, Shikamaru, Hinata, Shino, Kiba, Sakura, and Naruto. This shouldn't have come as any surprise, but I was surprised nonetheless

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked with a smile on my face.

"Well, Neji told us about this guy, and we all wanted to come and support you," Naruto explained. "Believe it!"

"There is nothing you need to worry about," I assured them. I was with Shinju. He was a good guy; someone I missed terribly.

"Wrong, Kira. We have a lot to worry about," Shinju cut in. His face was all business. Nothing about his posture suggested anything but serious.

"Ok, then why don't you start at the beginning," Sakura suggested so that we are all on the same page here."

"Ok," Shinju walked into the compound and sat in the grass in front of the porch. We all followed suit. "Kira and I knew each other when we were little- when she was taken away from the Leaf Village. I was assigned to be her protector. When we tried to run away, we got caught and her grandmother had me erased from her memory, and I was banished from the region for as long as the grandmother was alive. I wandered around the land, seeking a place to stay, to call my own. It was then that I caught up with Kara and Itachi, not knowing what they had become. I thought they had escaped and were living peacefully away from the village. I was wrong. They were horrible beasts. I pretended to join them in the hopes that one day I would find you. Well, my plan worked, however, Kara and Itachi are plotting something evil. She is plotting the ultimate revenge. She is hoping to kill you for good, Kira. She and Itachi have rounded up the best rogue ninja around and are planning on attacking the village in a week. Their only mission is to kill you and anyone who gets in the way. And if they destroy the village on the way, it doesn't matter to them."

I shook my head. All this to kill me? "Why are you just now coming to me?" I asked Shinju.

"I couldn't before. Kara didn't tell me where you were, and then when she did finally confide in me, she had someone follow me to see if I was loy or if I would betray her by coming to find you," he explained. "I've been biding my time patiently.

"Then how did you finally get away?" Sasuke asked.

"I put a sleeping drug in the guards drink and slipped away. I only have about ten minutes left," Shinju answered.

"What do you propose we do?" I asked him.

"Evacuate the city. Keep your best ninja and ambush Kara," Shinju stood to leave. "I must go. I cannot be late getting back, or they will kill me."

I got up as well, "Thank you for coming!" I pulled him into a hug. He had gotten so much bigger and taller than I. I relished his scent as I had not seen nor heard from him in so many years. I knew not when I would see him again. When I let go, he was gone.

"So, we need to go tell Lady Tsunade right away," Sasuke said, standing up as well and moving to my side.

"Yes, we can do that now, and let her decide what would be the best course of action," Neji agreed.

"I'm staying behind no matter what," I informed them all.

"Then I am too," Sasuke took my hand in his.

"I wouldn't miss this for the world!" Naruto exclaimed, "Believe it!"

"All for one and one for all," Sakura said and slowly the rest of the Genin were with me as well.

I smiled. How had I become so lucky to have all these good friends on my side? If someone had told me that they would all be on my side a few months ago, I would have laughed in their face. It was remarkable how much each of us had grown up.

We raced to Tsunade's.

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