Ok, I just read chapter 671. I'm like, so excited that I'm going crazy. XD

Anyway, as always, thanks for the reviews, etc.

Kisame rushed at the three Jonin, aiming for Kakashi first. However, before he could get close enough to attack, he suddenly flew backwards with great force.

"Severe Leaf Hurricane!" Kaiya's eyes widened as Guy's foot collided with the former Mist ninja, knocking him back with incredible power.

Kaiya's vision was getting hazy, and her hearing was going in and out. She'd lost a lot of blood and chakra, and her leg was basically torn to ribbons. She wasn't able to see or hear the rest of what was going on, because she was losing consciousness.

Ronin suddenly appeared, catching her as she fell backwards. His eyes lowered as he saw the damage done to her leg.

"Damn it, Kaiya," he muttered, picking her up carefully. "You really messed up this time." He turned to Itachi sternly, and the Uchiha glared at him briefly before Ronin disappeared to take his student to the hospital. Itachi, you bastard…of all the people who could've shown up here…

Kaiya woke up to excruciating pain in her right leg, like several knives were digging deep into it at the same time, all over. "Damn…" She gritted her teeth, sweating profusely as she tried to block out the pain. She knew by now that she was in a hospital bed, surrounded by four white walls and covered in white sheets—a place she was all too familiar with. After a while, a woman dressed in white walked into her room, approaching her bed swiftly after turning on the light.

"You're awake, I see," she said with a sympathized smile. "You seem to be in great pain, so I'll administer the medicine right away." She took Kaiya's IV and inserted some kind of murky, green liquid into the tube. Kaiya looked down, seeing that her leg was bandaged and elevated on a few cushions. She winced as the medicine entered her body.

"So, I guess you guys were able to fix my leg after all," she guessed, sounding hopeful. The nurse nodded stiffly.

"Well, yes…for the most part. It took a while, but we were finally able to repair your leg to the point you could walk. However, we barely saved it." Kaiya nodded, closing her eyes. After a few moments, the intensity of the pain lessened. She took a deep breath.

"Well, 'barely' is more comforting to hear than 'couldn't'. Thanks." The nurse smiled with a nod.

"You'll be able to leave as soon as the medicine has taken its full effect," she explained. "Someone is already here to take you home."

Ten minutes passed by, and the pain left Kaiya completely. When the nurse left, Asuma walked in, a nervous and relieved smile appearing on his face.

"Kaiya, thank goodness!" He wrapped his arms around her tightly. She let out a breath of relief as she did the same.

"So you guys are all ok?" she asked eagerly. "What about Kakashi?" Her godfather pulled away, averting his eyes to the floor.

"We're all alive," he answered. "But Kakashi is…" Kaiya's eyebrows furrowed.

"Kakashi is what?"

"Itachi used his Mangekyo Sharingan against him, and he's unconsciousness now. There's no telling how long it'll be before he wakes up. Those are pretty powerful eyes that kid's got." Kaiya balled her hands into fists.

"Damn it! Who the hell does that bastard think he is, showing up here after all this time, coming after Naruto and hurting Kakashi…?" She shuddered angrily, cursing Itachi silently. Asuma gave her a worried look.

"Let's not worry about that right now," he decided, helping her out of bed. "Let's just take you back to the apartment so you can rest."

"Where is he? Where is Itachi?" Kaiya stopped at the door, gripping the handle tightly. "I want to know." Asuma's eyebrows knit together as he looked down at her firmly.

"We don't know exactly," he admitted. "But even if we did, I wouldn't tell you."

"Why not?" she asked angrily. Asuma closed his eyes as he opened the door for her.

"Because I know you'd go after him," he answered matter-of-factly. "You're in no position to fight someone like him, especially with that injury. It'll probably be weeks before you'll be able to train again. You're not even supposed to be walking on it for the next few days. The doctor said you were lucky not to have lost your leg, and since it hasn't healed completely yet, there's still a chance you could. So take it easy for a while."

"How the hell can I take it easy when Itachi is after Naruto? And what will Sasuke say when he finds out?" Kaiya stalked into Kakashi's room. Asuma sighed and shook his head, closing the door behind him. Kurenai, Ronin, and Guy were already there.

"He's not going to." Ronin crossed his arm as they came in. "If he knew that Itachi was here in the village, and that he was after Naruto, he'd go berserk and do something crazy…just like you. Especially if he saw that injury of yours." Kaiya's eyes lowered.

"…" Ronin stood to his feet, approaching his student slowly, lowering himself to look her in the eyes. He placed his hands on her shoulders.

"Kaiya, I know you're confused and upset, and no one blames you for that," he assured her. "But if Kakashi couldn't even handle Itachi, there's no way you'll be able to—especially with the severity of your wound. What you need to do now is put your trust in Master Jiraiya to take care of Naruto. Also, you're going to have to take care of Kakashi, and make sure Sasuke doesn't find out about his brother coming to the village. It's for his own protection."

Kaiya averted her eyes to her guardian, lying unconscious on his bed. Her eyes shimmered as tears slipped down her cheeks. Ronin took a step back, lifting his hands off of her shoulders and placing them by his side. He turned back to Asuma, Guy, and Kurenai.

"Now that I know Kaiya's alright, I'm leaving," he told them. "I sent Kioko and Usagi ahead to complete our mission. I figured something was wrong since Kaiya was late, and I guess I was right. But I guess I'll relay the news to them; I know they're worried."

"Thanks…Ronin-sensei." He looked back and nodded to his student before leaving.

Kaiya, still weak from losing so much blood, walked over to Kakashi's bed and sat on the edge. She stared at him sadly, resting her hand on top of his. Sorry, Kakashi. This is my fault.

Asuma, Kurenai, and Guy shared a look with each other, turning back to the other two. Asuma was about to say something, when Guy put his finger to his mouth, telling him to stop. At that moment, Sasuke walked through the door. "Kakashi—" Kaiya and the three Jonin turned to him as he stopped, seeing his unconscious sensei and a pale and injured Kaiya.

Sasuke's eyes widened as he stared at her heavily bandaged leg. "Kaiya…what happened to you? And why is Kakashi asleep? And why are they here while he's resting?" He turned to Guy, Kurenai, and Asuma. Kaiya looked away guiltily, afraid to open her mouth.

"No, this isn't anything to worry about. It's just that—" Before Guy could make up an excuse, Aoba, another Jonin, burst through the door.

"Hey! Is it true that Itachi has returned to the village? And that he's after Naruto?" he questioned loudly. Sweat slid down Kaiya's face as Sasuke's eyes broadened. Some elite shinobi he is.

"Tch." Sasuke trembled as his fists clenched.

"Idiot," Kurenai muttered.

"Ah—oh," Aoba said embarrassingly, noticing Sasuke.

"Ugh…" Guy shook his head. Sasuke briefly turned to Kaiya for the answer. The distress on her face was enough confirmation for him, and without a word he ran out of the room. She stood up, reaching out her arm.

"Wait, Sasuke—"

"Kaiya, stop!" Asuma demanded, standing to his feet, just in case he had to go after her. "You know you can't." Balling her hands into fists, she punched the door as she returned to her seat.

"Damn it!" Sasuke… She turned to Asuma frantically. "Well what the hell do you suggest I do?" she shouted. "He's going after Itachi. He's going to get himself killed! And Naruto…what about him?! I can't just sit here and wait for something to happen to them!"

"You can't do anything in the condition you're in now," Kurenai told her calmly. "You'd just get in the way. Besides, Master Jiraiya is with Naruto. He should be able to keep those two safe." Kaiya regretfully turned back to Kakashi, staring at him. Her hard expression lifted slowly, and tears once again stained her cheeks. She bowed her head on his chest, staying in that position for several minutes.

When she was sure Sasuke had exited the village, she looked up at her godfather. Asuma lowered his eyes, prepared for her to try and run out. "What is it?" he finally asked. Her expression was hard to read.

"I…" She turned back to Kakashi, wiping his bangs out of his face before continuing. "I need to go to the bathroom." Asuma blinked, turning to Kurenai. The latter looked back at Kaiya.

"Well…I'll walk with you then." Kaiya frowned, rolling her eyes, but she didn't protest as she stood to her feet and led Kurenai down the hall. She walked in, closing and locking the door before looking up at the window above the shower. Hopefully I can pull this off… She closed her eyes and made hand signs. Clone Jutsu. A clone of Kaiya appeared beside her, and the real one was hoisted up to the window sill, quietly opening it. It was just big enough for her to slip through. As soon as she was outside, she jumped down from the second floor and wasted no time chasing after Sasuke.

Itachi…I won't let you hurt Naruto or Sasuke.

…

"Hey, Kaiya, are you alright in there?" Kurenai asked, knocking on the door softly. Kaiya called back on the other side.

"Yeah." She opened the door a short time later, letting out a slow breath. "I got a little dizzy, so I sat down for a minute. Sorry about that."

"Don't worry about it." Kurenai smiled as they walked back to the room. Kaiya laid down on the bed beside Kakashi, staring at him for a few moments before closing her eyes. Asuma and Kurenai grinned warmly.

Until she poofed away.

They jumped from their seats. It took a few seconds to realize what had happened among their confusion. Asuma shook his head, slapping his forehead.

"Kaiya…" He closed his eyes and tried to calm down. "Damn…now what do we do?" he wondered. Kurenai blushed, embarrassed to be tricked so easily. She and Asuma went back to the bathroom to see the window wide open. Kurenai sighed.

"How could I be such an idiot?" she asked herself. Asuma rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't blame yourself, Kurenai," he told her. "Kaiya's pulled the same trick on Kakashi and Ringo before. Even the ANBU were fooled—all except one. And she hadn't even entered the Academy yet. Not to mention she escapes from the hospital all the time. She's good at this." Kurenai raised an eyebrow. Asuma shook his head, waving it off as they went back to Kakashi's room. "It's not important right now…let's just hope Guy can beat her and Sasuke both to Itachi."

…

Kaiya winced as her leg throbbed. A stinging sensation shot through it with every step she took, but she wasn't going to give in to the pain and stop running. She had to reach Sasuke. At this point, she only knew that Jiraiya had taken Naruto on a trip to train while they searched for the new Hokage: the third of the Legendary Sannin, an esteemed medical ninja and student of the Third Hokage. However, she didn't know where they'd be. But she figured if Itachi and Kisame had just left the village about an hour beforehand, they shouldn't be too far. She should at least be able to find Sasuke.

Perspiration covered Kaiya's face, and sweat mixed with her tears, trailing behind her as she forced herself to pick up speed. She felt that if she went any faster, her leg would completely detach from her body. She didn't know how the medics were even able to repair such a smashed limb, but they might be doing it again shortly. She soon arrived at a hotel-town not too far from the village and ran straight through. She was frustrated at how crowded it was, but she figured as much. How the hell was she supposed to find Naruto or Sasuke in this place?

She decided it would be best to search each hotel until she found them. She wasted no time to rest, or else the pain would overtake her. Instead, she ran to the first hotel she saw. Approaching the desk, she asked the lady, "Is there a blonde kid and a large older guy with long, white hair staying here?" she wondered, breathing heavily. The lady, an elderly woman with grey hair that was once black, nodded. Kaiya flinched as the pain from her continuous running shot through her leg like needles. No…I won't…give in… The woman told her the room number, then Kaiya jetted up to find them.

She stopped at the end of the hall, gaining her composure before glancing around the corner. She stifled a gasp as she saw Itachi and Kisame face-to-face with Naruto. Kaiya gritted her teeth. So Sasuke's not here? Guess I'm on my own then.

"Stop, Itachi." Kaiya stepped from behind the wall, glaring at the two Akatsuki members. The older Uchiha glanced back at her without interest.

"Kaiya…I'm surprised you're still alive. You might want to stay off of that leg for a while. You could lose it." Kaiya frowned, slowly approaching them. Naruto looked between her and the two rogue ninjas.

"Your leg… What are you doing here, Kaiya?" he asked, staring at her wound. Her expression softened as she turned to the blonde.

"I came to stop Itachi from hurting you," she replied. "Looks like I got lucky…this is the first hotel I came to. And just in time." Naruto's eyes widened slightly as he once again surveyed the criminal duo. Wait…does she know them? Could they have been the ones that hurt her?

Itachi turned his back on Kaiya, staring at Naruto once again. "Come with us, Naruto Uzumaki," he ordered. Kaiya growled, making a fist.

"Over my dead body," she snarled. Kisame chuckled, turning to her with excitement.

"That can easily be arranged." He started to approach her, but Itachi stopped him.

"Kisame, we don't have time for her," he told him. "She won't get in our way with an injury like that." Kisame's lip curled into a sneer as he turned back to his partner.

"She is quite annoying though." He scoffed. "Oh well. I guess it'll have to wait until we have the nine-tails."

Kaiya's eyes lowered as a frown settled on her face. "Are you still just gonna stand there and ignore me after all this time? I'm not even good enough for you to kill?! You've already turned your back on me once, damn it! I'm not an ignorant child anymore. I want you to look at me, Itachi-sensei!"

Naruto, Kisame, and Itachi turned to her in surprise.

"Sensei?" Naruto repeated in confusion. "Kaiya, so you do know this guy?" She avoided Naruto guiltily. Instead, she stared at Itachi with bitterness that had been festering inside of her for five years.

"Hmm…Itachi, you didn't tell me you had a student. No wonder she's so fixated on you." Kisame chuckled. "You don't seem to like her very much, though. Shall I kill her for you?" Itachi closed his eyes, indicating his answer.

Kisame's grin widened as he started to take a step towards Kaiya, but stopped when Itachi said, "It's been a while…Sasuke." Kaiya's eyes widened, and she pivoted on her heel to see him standing at the end of the hall. The grimace on his face could only be described as pure hate and resentment. When his gaze shifted to Kaiya, disbelief appeared.

"Kaiya…what the hell are you doing here?" He glowered at Itachi once more, then looked back at her. "I thought you were with Kakashi." She lowered her eyes as she shifted her gaze to the older Uchiha, as well as her blonde friend.

"I came after you," she admitted quietly. "I didn't want you to have to see Itachi again. Not now." Sasuke gritted his teeth, his eyes turning to her leg.

"Did he hurt you?" he questioned. Kaiya looked up at Itachi, then to Sasuke. She shook her head.

"No! Not my leg, anyway." She lightly touched her neck, where two small bandages had been placed. "Besides…it's not the first time he's hurt me," she said quieter. Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

"I know how you feel about Itachi, because…he hurt me too."

"Let's stop the chatter, shall we? We're on a tight schedule." Kisame swung Samehada around. Sasuke's frown returned, and his Sharingan glared at the two missing nins with boiling animosity.

"Kaiya, you and Naruto stay out of this," he instructed. "This is my fight." Kaiya's eyes widened.

"Are you crazy? Kakashi couldn't even—" But Sasuke had already activated his Chidori, and was charging toward his older brother.

"Brother…today, you die!" he shouted.