As promised, here is the next chapter! I also have one mooooore to post, then I have nothing else O_o Well, enjoy!

Chapter 23, Renjiro.

When I entered the city, I noted all of the festival decorations and the light atmosphere. I sighed. That's right, the Chunin exams. They had been postponed because of what happened with the Black Plague. And this also means Gaara and the others will have to come here. I hope Tsunade keeps me busy.

As I thought, Tsunade ordered me to follow her to the Hokage tower with her. The rest of the Jounin split up, only Kuranai-senpai following after us. Tsunade made me sign a few documents, then she handed me a forehead protector that had Konoha's symbol. I held it in my hand and stared at it for a few minutes. Then I took it and tied it around my neck. No longer will I wear one on my face.

Tsunade dismissed me after watching me put it on.

When I left her office and entered the hall, I saw Kuranai-senpai standing against a wall, holding the little baby fox. She looked up and smiled at me. "This little baby was clawing at the door. Poor thing wanted to get to you." She handed him over to me. I took him in my arms and scratched his belly. "You are very strong," Kuranai said. "To be able to do what you did in front of everyone like that... I don't think I would be able to do what you did."

I smiled down at the baby fox, trying to hold it on my face without showing my anger through it. "I did what I had to." With that, I turned and walked away. Might as well get settled in my new apartment. I'll be living there from now on after all.

– –

The apartment Tsunade got me wasn't to small. It had a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room. The kitchen and living room were only separated by a marble topped bar that could sit at least four people. In the bedroom I found a queen sized bed, along with a dresser and lamp. I set the baby fox down on the bed and pulled open one of the drawers. Empty.

"Looks like I need to go shopping..." I sighed. I probably won't be getting any of my stuff that I had in Suna. A noise came from the bed, and when I looked over, the little fox' hair was raised and it was hissing. I followed its eyes towards the window. I screamed and jumped backwards, ramming into the dresser. The pain was intense. I have a large bruise from when Kankuro pushed me backwards into the door knob. The pain took away my breath, making me bend over to try to get air.

Gaara took another step forward, his sand capturing me in a tight grip.

Tears leaked from my eyes from the pain I felt. The sand squeezed harder, lifting me off my feet. "Gaara!" I gasped out, still trying to get air in my lungs.

He took another few steps closer, his hand raised and lashed out at me. My head whipped to the side from the force of his backhanded slap. My lip split, and a drop of blood trickled down my chin. His large hand grabbed a hold of my face and forced me to look in his eyes. I stopped trying to breathe and stared into the jade depths. "How dare you do this," he growled, his voice filled with hate and anger. I flinched at the force of his hand. "How dare you betray me like this." He reached forward with his other hand and tore the band from around my neck, tossing it away. Then, all at once he let me go. I fell to the ground in a heap of pain.

My window shattered as his sand struck it.

"You will regret this." Then he was gone.

I pulled my legs closer to my chest and laid on the floor, shaking in fear. The little fox hopped down and curled up next to my face, licking away the blood from my chin.

– –

When I next opened my eyes, the room had turned an orange color from the setting sun. I moved to sit up, but pain all over my body stopped me from doing so. My arms were covered in bruises from the sand. As were my legs. My back hurt from slamming into the dresser, then from being squeezed by the sand. I was lucky that he hadn't killed me.

I won't make that mistake again.

I will never let my guard down.

The baby fox sat on the floor staring at me. His fur had gone back to its soft and fluffy look. I reached for him and picked him up, holding him close to my chest as I stood, holding my breath against the pain I felt. I stumbled out of the room and to the kitchen sink. I turned on the water and leaned heavily against the counter. I set him down next to me.

With just a thought the water lifted towards me and surrounded my whole body. I set to healing the most painful injuries first. My back lost some of the tenseness as I healed the bruise, along with the small cuts the sand had given me. I healed my face, taking away the mark his slap had left, and closing up my lip. I healed the bruises on my arms and legs, as well as the burn I had got on my neck when he tore Konoha's symbol from my neck.

Just as I was in need for air, I finished. I returned all of the water, now tinted red from my blood, back to the sink and turned off the faucet. "Well, what now?" I asked the little fox. His head tilted to the side in a very cute way. I smiled and picked him up once more. "I know, we need to give you a name, then go shopping for some new clothes for me. And, I'm going to by you a collar."

As promised, I got him a collar. I also bought him a food and water dish. Then we went shopping for some new clothes for me. I bought only enough to last me one week, I would buy more after I get payed. I brought him to a ramen shop that Naruto had brought me to once before. I passed though the flap and greeted the old man, ordering miso soup as I sat on one of the stools. I set the baby fox on the counter in front of me.

We stared at each other for a long few minutes.

The only think that broke our stare was when the old mans daughter, Ayame, set my food down next to the fox. "Aw! How cute," she smiled. She reached over and scratched behind his ear. "What's his name?" she asked.

I sighed. "That's what I'm trying to decide. I can't think of one... What do you think?" I asked, taking a bite of my food.

Ayame put her finger to her chin as she thought. "Well... he has an honest face... How about Renjiro?"

I thought about the name as I watched the baby fox lick his paw. "Well, what do you think? Do you like it?" The fox looked up at me with an innocent face. Then he jumped up and gave a small yip. I laughed. "Renjiro it is!" Ayame laughed with me and we chatted for a little while.

After serving a few other customers, her father came over and leaned against the counter. "It's good to see you again, Kira," He smiled. "We heard about what happened. Thank Kami all of you made it alive!" He shook his head slowly. "But I am surprised to see you sitting here with that around your neck."

I lifted my hand and fingered the Konoha symbol. I looked back up the two of them with a bright smile. "I forgot to tell you, I am a part of Konoha now. This is my home." I gave a brighter smile then gulped down the last of my soup. "Well, I must be going now. It's getting late. Thanks for the meal!" I put money on the counter and scooped up Renjiro as I walked out.

Renjiro decided to explore the smaller places of my apartment when we got back. I had things to put away. I set a mat on the floor and put his water and food dish on it, filling them both. Then I put away bowls and cups, plates, pots and pans that I had got today. I left the kitchen, stepping over and rolling Renjiro, and went to my room. I stood in the doorway looking at the mess on the floor. Sand was everywhere, mixed in with my blood. I sighed and grabbed a new wash cloth I had bought, along with a bucket filled with warm water, and set to cleaning up the floor.

After that was done, I put away all of my new clothes. Then I took out my new bedding and made my bed, tucking in the maroon comforter under the mattress. I fluffed up the extra pillows I bought and arranged them at the top of the bed. I put up the curtains over the window, closing them tightly against the night. I changed into my pajamas and tossed the clothes I had been wearing in a corner of the room. I still need to buy a basket.

Renjiro was a small lump under the carpet when I came back out into the living room. I laughed and lifted the edge of the round carpet. He glanced at me, the light catching his eyes just right to make them that glowing green color. His bottom wagged back and forth, then he jumped out at me. I laughed and picked him up, rubbing my nose against his.

"You are such a silly boy, Renjiro!" I laughed. I cradled him in my arms and started back towards the bedroom, but was stopped when there was a banging at my door. I looked at it with a worried expression. Who could that be? Who did Tsunade tell where I live? I set Renjiro down on the carpet and walked towards the door. I opened it a crack. "Naruto!" I flung the door all the way open, putting my foot in front of Renjiro just before he ran out. "What are you doing here?" I asked in surprise.

"I could ask you the same." His words were heavy with emotion. He doesn't like the decision I made. If only he knew why I did what I did.

"If you have come here just to lecture me, you can save it and go home." I went to shut the door, but Sakura's hand stopped me.

"Kira, we're not here to yell at you," she said softly. "Can we come in for a minute?"

I looked between the two of them. "Is it just you two?" I didn't dare see who else was out in the hall. Sakura nodded. I sighed and moved out of the way. "Only for awhile. I want to go to bed."

Naruto walked in first, watching me the whole time. Sakura gave me a small smile and shut the door behind her. I picked up Renjiro and set him on the bar as I walked into the kitchen. I took out some meat and cut it up. I tossed some in the fox' dish, he jumped down and started chewing on it. I returned the rest to the fridge.

"What is it you guys want? I really just want to go to bed." I lifted myself up onto the bar and sat there, watching the two who stood in the center of my empty living room. "Sorry I don't have any where to sit, I don't exactly have much money right now."

Naruto snorted, looking down as he crossed his arms. I glared at him.

Sakura took a small step forward. "Kira... We don't know why you did what you did... But just remember that we are your friends. You can tell us anything." She gave me a small smile. "Hinata feels the same as I do. Her Father wanted her home though, so she couldn't come here with us. Kira, you saved all of our lives. We are very grateful to you for that. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask any one of us. We'll do everything we can to help you." Sakura gave me another smile. "Right, Naruto?"

Naruto looked up at me from glaring at the floor. He looked me over for a moment then sighed. "Right." His expression changed to one of helplessness. "Come to me if you need to talk, Kira," he said, looking at me with his blue eyes. "I will listen." We both stared at each other for a few seconds, then he looked away, taking Sakura by the arm. "Come on, lets let her go to bed."

Just before they shut the door, I whispered. "Thank you." Naruto threw me a soft smile, then closed the door all the way.

I sat on the bar as I thought. I wonder who else will visit me in this apartment. I sighed and jumped down to the floor. Renjiro jumped, staring at me with big eyes. I smiled at him and waved him to follow as I went into the bedroom. I waited till be came in before I shut the door. I laughed when I saw him trying, unsuccessfully trying to jump up onto my bed. I helped him up then crawled in under the covers, letting him curl up next to me.

I gently stroked his soft fur as he fell asleep. I watched him with a small smile. This one little creature gives me a purpose to live. I probably would have killed myself from the pain in my heart if it wasn't for him.

I pulled him closer and fell asleep.

– –

Tsunade had a lot for me to do. I was running here and there, delivering messages and items. Helping with documents, helping with decorations, and helping people find places they were looking for. Today the Chunin exams would officially start, and the village is full with many tourists as well as ninja from other villages to compete in the exams.

I have not rest once since the sun has come up, and it is well past noon. I have also missed the first two events of the exams. I had wanted to watch them, to know what it is exactly they have to do. But Tsunade has kept me to busy to be able to take even a glance.

"Genma-san!" I called. The man turned and walked over to me. "Tsunade-sama wanted me to have you sign these." I handed him a clipboard of papers. "You are to bring them back to her when you are finished." I left him and went on to my next task.

"Look out!" Some one yelled.

I looked up just in time to dodge something falling from the sky. "Be careful with that stuff!" I snapped at the person who had dropped it. I huffed and walked off towards the Hokage tower. Before I reached it, however, someone called my name. I turned around to see Ino jogging over. "Hi, Ino," I smiled at her.

"Hey, Kira," she smiled back. "Kakashi-sensei has requested your help. He's over at the Academy, where they are having the fights. I'll let Tsunade-sama know."

"Thanks!" I waved over my head to her as I jogged off towards the Academy. I can finally see the fights!

Renjiro caught my sight, he was trying to pounce on a butterfly at the playground near the academy. I laughed and lifted him just as he was about to catch it. He wiggled in my arms, but I didn't let go. I walked into the academy holding him with one arm. A Jounin told me where to go, and I followed his directions. I opened a door and went up onto the balcony on the side that Kakashi was standing on. He gave me an eye crinkle as a greeting. Naruto and Sakura stood on the other side of him.

"I thought I'd give you a break from Hokage-sama's tasks for awhile, Kira," he chuckled.

"Thanks," I laughed. I put Renjiro up on my shoulder and leaned against the bar, looking down at the two kids fighting. I noticed one right off, she is a girl from Suna.

My heart skipped a beat and I froze. If the Suna ninja's are fighting today... I glanced up at the other side of the room, where the other balcony sat. Temari and Kankuro stood staring at me, their faces unreadable. Gaara stood between the two, but he was watching the fight. I met Temari's stare with a blank stare of my own. I guess I will be forced to talk with her at some point tonight. Her hard eyes say so, loud and clear.

I looked back at the fight before she came over here.

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