Temari watched the Konoha shinobi train. The sun beat down on them though not nearly as unbearable as in the desert. Nevertheless, she sat high in a tree in the shadow, fanning herself. Her brothers were out on their own, probably causing trouble and deaths.

She watched as the trio with the lazy boy went up against their teacher one by one. The teacher, a tall and broad man with the name Asuma Sarutobi, went easy on them. Her teacher would have broken a few bones to teach them to strengthen their defense.

She was pretty sure that Asuma knew she was here. He had his back turned towards her the whole time, blocking most of the Genin's moves. She also knew that a battle with him would not end as well as she would have wanted. Still, Temari watched intently.

I wonder what they'll do when Orochimaru gets Konoha.

She leaned back against the warm trunk. Despite the many interrogations and tests her team had ran on her, Temari had not told a single soul about what had happened during her battle with Chi. She barely remembered it. The fear was the only thing she could recall, like the pain of an old injury. It shot through her at night. It was childish but even this morning she had seen the sunrise and the colors had send her in a frenzy.

She could not tell her team that. She would not survive it. Gaara had no mercy for anyone. She already felt bad for Kabuto, wherever he was. When he showed up again, Gaara would turn him into one of Kankuro's puppets.

There was a shout and a thump. When she looked down, the lazy boy was standing over his teacher. He had the audacity to yawn and scratch his head as he stepped aside. Asuma got up and laughed at his student.

They are all so happy all the time. Why?

The cheap fan she got as a souvenir, broke in her hand. Temari got up and left as the teacher started to chase his students off the field. She never looked back to see Asuma look at her spot in the tree. The older man's eyes were dark as he lit a cigarette. Then he turned away and went after his students again.

Near the hotsprings~

"I told you I could do it."

Jiraiya raised his eyebrow at Naruto. True enough, the kid held out his arms full of lacy underwear. The Sannin nodded approvingly but quickly squashed the hope in Naruto's eyes. Picking up a deep red bra, he sighed dramatically.

"The cup sizes aren't big enough."

Naruto's eyes bugged "Whaaaa-?"

Jiraiya waved his hand. "Yep. Not big enough for me. These are tiny, like plums. I need big ones, like a watermelon, to gain inspiration." he demonstrated the sizes with his hands in front of his chest.

"You're gross." Naruto said, crinkling his nose.

Jiraiya wacked him with the bra. "Watch it boy. I am one of the Legendary Sannin-"

Naruto huffed "Whatever. I don't care if you were the Third's grandfather. You are gross."

"Am not!" Jiraiya towered over him. Though a large part of his brain was laughing at the boy's words, a more prideful part was insulted.

"What do you even need inspiration for?" Naruto interrupted him again.

"I have a writers' block." Jiraiya said in a clipped tone, shaking his notebook. "I need inspiration to write."

"Go find it yourself then!" Naruto argued.

"Oh," the respectable Sannin said with a raised eyebrow, "I thought that you wanted me to train you? I guess not." He got up to leave and was fully prepared to be stopped by a crying Naruto. Instead the boy scoffed and turned away.

"Fine! Go away. I'll tell Kakashi sensei that you were lame and a pervert."

"How dare you?!" Jiraiya burst. "Who are you to call me a pervert?!"

Naruto huffed, puffing his chest and pointing his finger "I am Naruto Uzumaki, the future Hokage with or without you! Believe it!"

Then he left, clearly expecting Jiraiya to follow him. The elderly instead remained frozen on his spot as the dots finally connected. The eyes, the hair, the temperament, the brashness and the name. He looked at the abandoned lingerie on the ground and then back at the retreating orange jumpsuit.

Naruto, huh...

Memories rushed back to him, taking his breath away. Jiraiya looked at the sky, a nostalgic smile around his lips. A fine name. I'm honored, Minato and Kushina.

He looked back at the boy who was no more than a speck in the distance. Jiraiya nodded to himself. Then he took off, wondering how hard it could be to train the son of one of the most talented shinobi pair in the world.

In the hospital for shinobi~

"So this is Lady Tsunade." The kind nurse named Aiki smiled and pointed at the portrait. Sakura gaped at the picture.

Melons... She has freaking watermelons...

"Lady Tsunade is the most powerful medic I have ever met, not only that, she is also one of the Sannin, the legendary team. She retired some years ago and has fallen off the grid, but I'm sure she is still very capable." There was a vein in Aiki's forehead and the amount of strain evident on her face suggested that her smile was totally fake. Sakura was to busy gawking to notice.

In a different city a lady sneezed loudly, scattering her cards and losing yet another card game. In Konoha they were blissfully unaware. Sakura tore her eyes away from Tsunade's chest and looked at Aiki. "She sounds amazing."

Aiki nodded "Yes, she is."

She stepped aside and gestured at another room. "Come, I'll give you the papers to sign. We'll send a copy to your Genin teacher."

"...Alright." Sakura smiled and hoped that it didn't look too painful. The chances that her teacher would check his mail, read it and sign it were next to zero. Kakashi was too paranoid to give his real address to anyone. Not even his Genin knew where he lived.

Naruto had stated multiple times that he probably lived in an underground cave behind the waterfall. Sakura had reasons to believe that Sasuke thought the same. For one, she had found Sasuke squatting in the water and glaring at the waterfall with his Sharingan, during one of her Genjutsu lessons. Neither Kurenai or Sakura had known how to react and they decided to continue their lessons further in the forest where the weirdest creatures were the squirrels.

They entered a small office near the exit. Aiki hurried over to a closet with a dozen drawers and pulled one open. She retrieved some papers and handed them to Sakura.

"This is it. Please read them thoroughly and sign using your fingerprint." Aiki gestured at a small desk in a corner. Then she left Sakura to her own devices.

Sakura read the documents once, then twice and finally a third time. Then she made a small cut on her finger and pressed it on the paper. If sensei doesn't sign these papers, I will destroy every one of his books.

She cast a longing glance at the old, yellowed posters on the wall. Medic ninjas were necessary, they were needed and she was going to become the very best of them all.

T&I office~

Ibiki leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms above his head. In front of him stood three smaller desks where his team worked on their assignments. He had given them the option of either writing out their battle tactics or doing a workout with one of Gai's distant uncles. Shinji had never been so quiet.

His eyes flitted over Chi, who sat hunched in her chair. She had forgone her usual attire for long sleeves and leggings, but every now and then, she shivered. Ibiki hoped it was just a cold. He needed her to be fit enough for the final round of exams. He turned his attention back to his desk, eye catching on the corner of a note sticking out from beneath his mug.

He had found the letter on his desk this morning and hid it before Shinji could get her hands on it. She wouldn't understand the content and then tell Chi, who would understand, and then they would all get killed. Ibiki could recognize the handwriting on the paper from his latest nightmare. Danzo was applying more and more pressure. The Hokage had warned him, but that was all he could do.

Ibiki looked up sharpy when Chi gasped for breath and then suffered through another bout of hacking, dry coughs. She had been pale since the second round. Perhaps it was the jutsu she did. The mind prison. Or just the combination of the forest and the battle. Or something Ketsueki-related. He hoped it wasn't the latter.

Ibiki looked at the other two girls. Shinji kept sending worried glances whenever Chi shivered and coughed. She had offered some tea in the beginning but didn't insist when Chi refused. Ibiki could understand, Shinji could barely boil an egg. Ryuya's looked as if she wanted to help Chi, but then decided against it. During the break, he had been approached by Anko who wondered if the girls were fighting again. Ibiki was sure it was nothing and didn't really give it more thought. He had a more pressing matter at hand.

Ibiki quietly pulled the note from underneath his desk. It wasn't big. It wasn't even folded. It was as if Danzo wanted someone else to find it. Ibiki read it quickly and then excused himself from the room, stalking quickly to the nearest bathroom. He could feel three pairs of eyes following him.

He stormed in a cabin and locked it. Then he rested his fist against the door and exhaled through his teeth. The note crumpled in his fist. The words danced in front of his eyes and Ibiki rubbed his knuckles against them.

I spoke to the Hokage. Ketsueki Chi will become my student.

D.

Ibiki gritted his teeth and seethed in silence. When the red haze in front of his eyes had finally cleared he exited and left the bathroom.

Hokage Tower, evening~

Hiruzen had had a great day. Not even the return of his dumbest student could stop that. He had a nice breakfast, great lunch and was looking forward to a nice dinner with his son. He just needed to finish his paperwork for the day and then find clothes that made him look approachable, yet respectable. It was their chance to become close again and he was going to take it. He had heard from a reliable source (Ino through her father) that Asuma had spent most of the day preparing as well and it made his old heart flutter.

Then the door slammed open and Ibiki marched in with murder in his eyes.

"Oh boy." Hiruzen muttered under his breath.

Ibiki, despite his rage, put a note on his desk and said, with a poorly controlled voice:

"What. The. Hell?"

"Ibiki-" Hiruzen tried, but the teacher burst.

"What does he mean with this? When was it decided for Chi to join him?" Ibiki's chakra spiked high enough to send the papers on the desk flying. "These things have to be discussed with me first, I'm her teacher!"

"Enough, Ibiki." The Third snapped.

With obvious effort, Ibiki wrangled his expression to neutral but his chakra levels remained high.

Hiruzen sighed and leaned back in his chair and took the note. He read it quickly and felt a headache start behind his eyes. He really should have seen this coming.

"Danzo and I... We spoke." he said carefully. Then he gestured towards the chair opposite his. "Sit, please."

Grudgingly, Ibiki did so. His expression betrayed his impatience. Hiruzen suddenly remembered seeing that same expression on a ten year old Ibiki. Times had changed. Ibiki had hair back then. Clearing his mind, Hiruzen began.

"Danzo cares for this village in his own way. He wants to protect it and the secrets." Hiruzen nodded at Ibiki's disbelief. "From a very young age, Danzo has been interested in bloodlines. He does not have one himself and he always felt like that stopped him from from reaching his ultimate potential."

"So he wants to use Chi's abilities?" Ibiki blurted. The Hokage fixed him with a stern glare. Ibiki shrunk.

"No, I wasn't finished yet." This was going to be the hardest part. "Danzo also hates the Uchiha. He fears them, thinks of them as the world's greatest threat. The massacre..." Was his plan. "did not help at all. He now wants to preserve the only loyal Sharingan and make sure that Sasuke won't go rogue. He wants to control the Sharingan because he fears it."

"What does any of that have to do with Chi?" Ibiki could pull his hair out if he had any.

The Third choose his words carefully "According to the village, the Ketsueki are the greatest threat to the village. Danzo disagreed since the clan has an almost obsessive loyalty to the Hokage. He sees their actions as just and forgivable as long as they are loyal."

"Every year, from the day the Ketsueki are born, they pledge their undying fidelity to the Hokage. Chi did the same when she was younger but since the death of her family, there is no one to teach her how. She simply forgot the vows and rituals. It has put Danzo on edge."

"Both Chi and Sasuke have a very rare bloodline. Sasuke also has an immense hatred towards his brother and will do anything for power. Chi has abilities she can't quite control and no teacher to help her with them. Both of them are the last known of their clan and both have disturbed personalities. So now Danzo believes that they will eventually betray the village and use their bloodline against us." Hiruzen waited for the information to catch up with Ibiki.

"He wants Chi and Sasuke." Ibiki breathed as the blood drained from his face. "He will brainwash them!"

Hiruzen lifted his hand "I am very aware. That is why I bargained and put Sasuke under Kakashi's tutelage and Chi with you. I figured at least one of you would manage to keep your student sane. That way only one of them would have to go to Danzo. That was the deal we made."

It was actually because I thought your kids would kick the bucket sooner than later. Chi would die and Sasuke would grow up to be a loyal shinobi and Danzo would have no power. I can only protect Sasuke and even that is only because of Itachi.

Hiruzen remembered a conversation with Iruka. The Chuunin teacher had entered his office a few days after the teams had formed, white as a sheet and with red eyes. Hiruzen should have known that the teacher would figure it out. He just hadn't counted on how deep his words would cut.

"How can I teach them to be loyal to us when we have already planned their deaths? How can I look them in the eye and smile at them when I know I send them to their deaths. When I know that we all want them to die?!"

Iruka's words still echoed in his head from time to time. They left a bad taste in his mouth.

"Why Chi then?" Ibiki said, even though he could name over ten reasons why.

"Because the Sharingan needs to be protected." Because I promised Itachi. Because the Ketsueki once vowed to destroy Konoha before it would destroy itself.

Silence stretched between them. Ibiki cleared his throat. "But Chi would never go to him."

Hiruzen opened his drawer and took out a little note. He held it out. "I'm guessing that you don't know about this?"

Ibiki frowned and reached out. The Third pulled back slightly, making the Jonin pause.

"You won't like it." The Hokage warned.

Ibiki took the note and opened it. Hiruzen turned his chair and looked outside, into the evening sun. As he spoke, he was careful not to look at Ibiki's frozen figure. "Chi carried this note with her when she tried to enter the Espionage wing in T&I. It seems like she has had contact with him."

Ibiki tried to form words, but they all died in his throat. His mind was reeling.

"Ibiki," Hiruzen's voice was low and steady, "as much as it pains me to say this, Danzo is right. We cannot control both students and Danzo will not stop until he gets at least one of them. The Sharingan is too valuable for us. If Itachi ever returns, Sasuke will be his target and he needs to be ready."

"Chi's abilities are limited and will only expand as much as she is willing to teach herself. And we both know how dangerous that would be. With Danzo, she won't be able to learn anything new about her clan." Hiruzen paused and then forced himself to continue. "She won't become like her mother."

Ibiki closed his eyes as the Hokage's words brought forth a memory he had tried to bury for so long.

Chi's mother, Hanako Ketsueki, had been a beautiful women. Truly. From her long hair, to her smooth skin and wide eyes. She moved like an angel and her voice sounded like one as well. She wore kimono's and braided flowers in her hair.

Ibiki's most vivid memory of her was when he found her behind the waterfall, as a young man. She had been naked, her back towards him. Her thick black hair laid over her shoulder, leaving her skin bare. Her kimono was near the water, partly drifting on the surface like a large red lily.

"Do you know why everyone fears us, Ibiki-kun?" she had asked him.

He could only shake his head numbly, mouth dry as sandpaper. She knew why he was silent, of course she did. Hanako laughed, a sound like marbles falling down. At her feet was a dark boulder, hidden in the shadows. Then she turned towards him, and said

"It's because not even we can deny that we're monsters. We even enjoy it."

There had been blood around her full lips. Her pearly white teeth were bared in a wide smile. Blood dripped down her chin, on top of her pale breasts and drew thin lines over her skin. She was beautiful even in that moment. Part of him still wanted to nod and take her into his arms, but a larger part of him begged him to take his kunai and kill the monster beneath the breathtaking mask.

Hanako looked like she was about to take the reigns in her own hands, but the twilight caught her eye. She never stayed after dusk. Golden rays of light beckoned her and she smiled, hips swinging as she walked passed him. Ibiki squeezed his eyes shut as her slender hand ran over his shoulder. The scent of blood and flowers overwhelmed him. He could perfectly imagine her bending over to pick up her kimono and pull the soaked garment on. He heard her go under the waterfall and heard her laugh one more time before she was gone.

All he did do was cry and vomit when he was alone. Even from his position, in the falling darkness and through his tearing eyes he could see it. The boulder had been a blanket, covering the torn apart bodies of the three children they were sent out to find.

Konoha's Shinobi hospital~

"Well, it's good to see you awake." Kakashi reached out and patted Hayate's shoulder. The man in the hospital bed look far from healthy but he always looked like that. As a matter of fact, Kakashi was sure he had never looked better. Hayate smiled weakly and sipped his orange juice.

Kakashi wanted to say something else, but his ears picked up the sound of some rapid footsteps nearing the door. Sure enough the door opened and Anko stormed in. She held out a large bottle and threw it at Hayate. Kakashi caught it before it could cause any further damage to the fragile man. Anko paused in front of the bed and leaned on her knees, panting.

"Thanks cyclops!" Anko told him between breaths. Hayate smiled at her and Kakashi inspected the bottle. It was wine, a quite expensive bottle at that. Anko saw where he was looking and grinned. "Don't tell the Hokage."

Hayate choked on his juice. Absently, Kakashi patted his back while he turned the bottle around to read the label. It was indeed something the Hokage would enjoy. He was also the only one who could afford to enjoy it.

Anko meanwhile had meandered over to the poor patient and slapped his thigh. "Glad to see you look like usual again."

Kakashi grinned. Hayate didn't take any offense and smiled at Anko. "Thanks for coming by."

"Of course!" Anko replied cheekily, "Where else could I hide this stolen bottle?"

Then she turned around and waved, "Don't tell Ibiki I was here, I'm supposed to be on patrol. See ya!"

She was gone before any of them could process it. Only after her footsteps had receded did Hayate turn to Kakashi. "Did she just say 'stolen'?"

Kakashi shrugged, tucking the bottle underneath Hayate's blanket. "Who knows. I wasn't paying attention."

Whatever lesson Hayate wanted to explain to the Jonin, was interrupted by the door being opened again. The Hokage walked in, closely followed by Ibiki and Asuma, though the latter only waved and remained outside of the room. Ibiki closed the door. Kakashi could feel the tension rise. Ibiki looked weary despite his stern expression.

Hayate tried to sit up, but Hiruzen lifted a hand to stop him. Ibiki shot a glance at Kakashi, who only reacted after he realized the conversation wasn't about to start until the leader was seated. He looked around and then mournfully gave up his own chair. Ibiki rolled his eyes, though it was not with the same humor as usual.

"You're doing well then?" The Hokage noted. Hayate nodded, setting his juice box aside.

"Yes, Sir. The nurses said I could leave in two days."

"That's soon." The Hokage seemed surprised. Ibiki shrunk a little, decidedly not looking at Hayate. Kakashi noted that neither one had looked at each other. He set the thought aside and focused.

"Yes... It seems that she is a good healer." Hayate winced at his words. Out loud they sounded even more clumsy.

Kakashi kept his expression neutral but he could sense Ibiki's chakra rise. Ibiki sure has his hands full with Chi. Kakashi thought, pointedly ignoring his own predicament. Not only does no one really know how to train her abilities, her personality is difficult too. She's secretive, single minded and harsh. I don't even know how Naruto managed to befriend her.

"So our information is correct." The tap of Hiruzen's staff got him out of his musings." The Sand is planning an attack."

Hayate nodded, pressing his lips tight. "Yes, but they didn't speak of Orochimaru."

The Hokage shook his head dismissively, "We know he's here and he's working with Sand and that's enough reason for us to be on our highest level of alertness."

Kakashi's mind raced ahead, showing him a future where he would be speaking about Sasuke the way the Hokage did. He bit his tongue hard enough to taste blood. With all his might he tried to concentrate on the conversation going on, but he could barely hear anything over the surging of chakra and blood through his veins. His chest tightened and he forcibly exhaled through his nose.

"I do need to ask." Hiruzen said distantly. "When did she arrive on the scene? She just told me that she found you injured."

Focus, Kakashi. He told himself and clenched both fists. The fabric of his mask was restricting him. He tried to get his lips away from it. His heart pounded in his chest.

Hayate was a bit blurry but his voice was clear. "I don't really remember. All I know is that I was laying on the ground, because I fell down the roof. That probably stopped them from finding me and finishing the job. I was so sure that I would die... She found me just before I passed out. Next thing I know, she is hovering over me and then the ANBU arrived."

There was a pregnant pause. Hayate looked uncomfortable. "I don't know if it's important, but I remember her eyes being red. Very red and then the second time they were yellow."

Ibiki shifted, trying to ease the tension in his shoulders. "We still don't know what the colors mean. It could be anything really."

Hayate nodded and didn't speak anymore until it the Third stood up and announced that it was time to go. They all bid Hayate a good evening and filed out the room where Asuma greeted them again. Outside of the hospital, father and son left and the two Jonin remained.

Kakashi felt the remaining rays of sunlight scorch his skin. Sweat dripped down his neck. Ibiki's gaze felt like needles. They silently walked to the neighboring park where the shadows brought some cool relief. Just when Kakashi was about to give up and leave, Ibiki spoke.

"Take care of your kid, Kakashi." His voice was grave.

"Which one?" Kakashi replied, though it didn't came out as light as he had intended.

There was ice in Kakashi's veins when Ibiki stood still in the shadow of a large oak tree. The wind picked up and send some fallen leafs flying. His lips moved silently in a code only taught to high level ANBU. Kakashi felt his pulse speed up again. Then Ibiki lifted his head and breathed in. "It's a lovely evening, isn't it. I should take the kids out for dinner."

With some effort, Kakashi smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I should probably check up on them. Besides, " The two continued to walk, "did you hear about the arrival of Jiraiya?"

Ibiki choked on air and faced him with wide eyes "Jiraiya? Of the Legendary Sannin? That Jiraiya?"

Kakashi nodded slowly. "Yup. I send Naruto after him."

He walked away, fully aware of Ibiki gaping after him. Then the latter rushed to his side again. "You mean you that your kid is training with a Sannin?"

"Yup." Kakashi grinned.

"Oi, that's not fair!" Ibiki exclaimed, showing far more emotion than Kakashi had ever thought him capable of. He also punched Kakashi's arm which Kakashi thought deserved a punch back and so he did.

The two respectable Jonin argued all the way to the bar, where Ibiki got distracted by Anko who was talking about a bottle of wine. Kakashi made his way to the bar and order a large bottle of whiskey. Gai joined him and chattered about some race or another. Kakashi let his words wash over him, his mind thinking of the message Ibiki had given him.

Danzo is after Sasuke too.