Kotori slowly opened her eyes. Her green eyes slowly moved around the room until she spotted the clock, and blinking curiously as she studied the hands. Her brow furrowed as she tried to work out the time, but a noise in the kitchen distracted her. The Jounin shot up, snapping her head round to look at the kitchen area, just to twitch and realise that she was no longer the only one in this house.

And not only that.

They were touching her stuff.

"Hey!" Kotori grabbed the back of the sofa and hopped over, stumbling into the breakfast counter and leaning over, hair falling over her shoulders as she glared at the two plates on the table. A daffodil was in a small vase, and she blinked, suddenly realising that the room felt more festive. Tinsel rested along the walls of the room, and Kotori looked over her shoulder to see a small tree set up in a corner, small lights and bobbles adorning the fake Christmas tree. Kotori clenched her fist, looking back round when she heard singing in the bathroom. This was ridiculous! This-this stranger was taking her food and cooking! Decorating her home! Using her bathroom! Sure, it was part of the job, but hell! Kotori was pissed. No, no, no, no. This was Christmas. She had to calm down, Letting out a long breath she walked over to the counter and began to take out the breakfast that Nariko had started, and grit her teeth at how delicious it looked. She set it out on the two plates, and Kotori looked up when Nariko walked in, wearing a mere towel wrapped around her body and another keeping her hair up. Kotori looked her up and down quickly, gritting her teeth and then looked down at the food.

"Merry Christmas, Kotori-san!" she chimed, "I found Christmas presents hidden in your room, so I got your tree out and put everything up for you while you slept!"

"Merry Christmas to you too." Kotori put her hair behind her ear, looking down at the food as she sat down. Nariko sat down opposite her, Kotori raising an eyebrow, "Can't you get dressed?"

"Oh, I will, but I'm starving! In the morning I went out to help Guy with his training." Nariko explained cheerily, and Kotori nodded slowly, staring at the food.

"I need to have a shower." she got up, "You can have my food, or give it to some orphans on your way out if you must." she waved a hand at Nariko, who smiled, oblivious to the sarcasm. Kotori stormed down the hallway and walked into her bedroom, looking at the wardrobe. Every year, the Hokage allowed people to celebrate Christmas and go on break, but Kotori wasn't in the mood to get caught up in an emergency mission while wearing casual clothes. She took out her usual outfit and walked into the bathroom and quickly took off her clothes and put on the shower. She really needed this. Stepping in, she put a hand through her hair and closed her eyes, letting her head fall back. She could feel loose hairs fall against her body and to the wet tiles below. The water against her hard skin felt soothing, and she opened her eyes before getting soap.

Nariko glanced round curiously, staring at the presents under the tree, but suddenly there was a knock at the door. She jumped up, boobs bouncing, and skipped over.

"Hi! Welcome to Kotori-san's residence!" she greeted with a wide grin, her eyes meeting Guy's. She looked at who else was with her, seeing Iruka, Kakashi, Anko and a woman she didn't recognise, but she looked like Kotori. Jin huffed, crossing her arms.

"What the hell are you wearing? And who are you?" she asked, while Guy and Iruka felt their cheeks grow a bright red. Iruka tried to find somewhere else to look, wandering in with a small big of presents.

"Ah, uh, where's Kotori?" Guy asked, changing the subject and Nariko closed the door after they all came in. She sat down on the arm of a couch, looking at them eagerly. Iruka continued to look anywhere but Nariko, putting the presents by the tree.

"She's having a shower!" Nariko answered, "Merry Christmas, by the way!"

"Merry Christmas to you too!" Anko grinned, sitting down on the couch, "I can't wait to get the drinks out!"

"That's what I'm talking about!" Jin called, then sniffed the air, "oh! Kotori's been cooking!"

"Oh no, that was me." Nariko piped up once more, "She was asleep, so I thought I'd let her get as much rest as possible!"

"She needs it." Kakashi nodded, "She's been working non stop with her team, making things for her family and getting presents. She's been all over Konoha lately."

"That's a bit of an exaggeration!" Kotori smiled, her wet hair up in a bobble. She walked over to the coffee table and picked up the firefly hair piece, putting it into her hair and glanced at Nariko, making a face.

"Get dressed, for god's sake!" she snapped, and Nariko jumped before getting to her feet, bowing, a hand holding the top of her towel. Guy and Iruka twitched as her chest was almost completely exposed, but the medic-ninja didn't notice and skipped off to Kotori's room to change. Kotori rubbed her forehead, letting out a long sigh and Anko let out a bark of laughter.

"I like her! She has no shame!" the woman proclaimed, and Jin laughed a little and nodded, leaning on the back of the closest couch. Iruka rubbed the back of his head.

"There's a difference between having no shame and being clueless." he protested shyly, and Kotori smirked.

"If you've got it, flaunt it!" Anko argued, and Iruka looked away, his cheeks getting even redder. Jin snickered and then looked at the tree.

"So Kotori!" Jin changed the subject easily, "Where are my presents, huuuh?" she teased and Kotori huffed loudly, crossing her arms over her stomach and looked round at the tree.

"Only until you give me mine first!" she teased, but was already strolling over to the small tree. She would never admit it, but it looked pretty good. Nariko seemed to have a small talent for everything… But, again, Kotori would never say that to anyone, let alone to her face. She picked up the first one she found, reading the tag.

"Ha! Kakashi's." she stuck her tongue out at Jin, who looked away with a childish pout, and Kotori handed her gift to Kakashi, who had kept to the back by the window, arms crossed. She smirked at him, and Kakashi handed a small gift back to her. They were of similar sizes, and Kotori raised an eyebrow before looking down and ripping the paper off.

"Whoa!" Kotori blinked, staring at the small book. The Tale of the Gutsy Ninja: Limited Edition.

"There's only one in the world, and you've got it." Kakashi explained calmly, smiling behind his mask. Kotori grinned, opening it to reveal the inside of the cover, and she read a small note from Jiraiya himself.

To Kotori! I'm glad you liked this book, at least someone did. And hey, if you ever need a bit more money, you're free to come find me to model for my book! I always need pretty ladies for research!

- Jiraiya

Kotori giggled and looked at Kakashi, whom opened his book and raised an eyebrow slowly.

"This! This is…!" he exclaimed, holding up the first Icha Icha book.

"Editor's edition! Has more details, it's signed and a bit about him at the back!" Kotori explained, giggling again at how similar their gifts were. Kotori moved to sit on the back of the other couch facing the kitchen, and Iruka began to pass out presents to the people that were there. Kakashi kept his book close to him, as if someone would steal it the first chance they got. Unable to hold himself back for long though, he peeked in and the first thing he saw was a cheeky red lipstick mark on the inside of the front cover, left affectionately by Kotori.

"YES! Aunty Kotori's home made cookies, suck it!" Anko made a rude gesture at Jin, who huffed and Kotori rolled her eyes, opening a present from Iruka. She smiled at the sight of a small firefly statue and looked at him, her smile forming into a grin. He smiled back, looking away bashfully and Nariko quickly returned, thankfully fully clothed.

"Nariko, I am ashamed to say I do not have a present for you!" Guy said, tears in his eyes almost, and Nariko gasped a little. She laughed softly, waving a hand in front of him and he looked at her, pursing his lips.

"That's fine, really! I'm not fussed! I prefer giving than receiving!" she stated cheerily, and Kotori mumbled something under her breath as she picked up another present. She threw it in Jin's direction, and Nariko took a seat quietly.

"KOTORI! Do you, ah, have mine?" Guy asked, now carefree thanks to Nariko's kind words. She laughed a little, handing it to him. It was a small red box with a gold ribbon around it. The man eagerly tore the ribbon off, and Kotori handed her present to Iruka before being forced to sit down, Jin taking over because she was 'moving too god damn slow!'.

"What is it?" Guy asked after a moment of hesitation, and Kotori snickered and crossed her arms over her stomach.

"A year-long coupon for your jumpsuit, Guy, at the Laundromat. They'll wash, dry and make it the softest you'll ever feel." she explained, and Guy threw his arms in the air in success.

"This is the best present I have received so far! Well it's the only present, but still the best!" he exclaimed, and Kotori smirked. Soon the presents were gone, and Kotori got to her feet and stretched.

"We're going to Asuma's next. Would you like to come?" Iruka offered, and Kotori smiled.

"I'll catch up with you guys." she nodded, inspecting her presents on the coffee table excitedly, then glanced at Nariko and hesitated. She smirked and got to her feet.

"Nariko, why don't you go with them?"

"Oh no! I couldn't leave you to clean up this all by yours-"

"I insist!" Kotori pushed her out a little harshly, waving at her as Nariko had no choice but to catch up with the group of Jounin heading down the stairs, "I'm a grown woman, I can take care of a few bits of paper!"

As she slammed the door, Kotori sighed a little and looked over at the pile of wrapping paper. Her friends sure knew how to make a mess, although part of her wondered if it was her that created most of the monstrosity. She strolled over, circling the living room area and picking up paper as she went along, humming a tune loudly. Kneeling over, she picked up the rest of the pile and carried it over to the bin, letting it all fall slowly, but something made her stop.

A thunk, as if she had dropped something heavy. Curious(and feeling rather greedy) she quickly dug out the long box and tilted her head to the right. It was white with a beautiful circular decoration. She slowly took out the ice blue ribbon and took off the lid, something in her stomach telling her this gift was precious. Tilting her head to the side, Kotori stared at her reflection of the blade. A kunai rested comfortably in the midst of blue ripped paper. The handle was carved with what seemed like ice, and the middle of the blade also had ice incrusted in a straight line. Gently picking it up, Kotori looked outside and walked towards the closest window, staring at the sky. The kunai was freezing against her fingers, but she ignored the sensation to gaze at a white dove that circled the air twice before gliding gracefully away towards the mountains.

"Grandma." Kotori smiled to herself, quickly putting the kunai into her holster and leaving the apartment, rushing down the stairs.

As she paced through the streets, feeling the friendliness Konoha was known for in the atmosphere, Kotori greeted as many people as she knew and could as she passed them.

"Merry Christmas, Kotori-sensei!"

"Merry Christmas, Mrs Yamanaka! Ino!"

"Hey Kotori, have a good Christmas!"

"You too!"

It was on days like these Kotori was thankful to be part of such a fabulous village. She walked along to Asuma's home, just to find them leaving.

"Oh, Kotori-san!" Nariko waved, bouncing slightly in excitement, "We were just going to a bar! Come with us!"

"Yeah, more the merrier." Asuma agreed, lighting a cigarette. She nodded, keeping to the back and glanced at Kakashi, hands on her pockets casually before smiling.

"Kakashi, I got a present from Grandma Sayuri!" she said quietly, and he glanced at her, blinking in surprise.

"Really? So did I. Was it a kunai?" he asked, and as if to prove it, he showed her the impressively decorated kunai that was identical to hers. She nodded, showing hers before putting it back in her weapons pouch, "Hm, odd."

"You don't get many shops up in the mountains." Kotori joked, "She didn't have much choice."

Kakashi smirked behind his mask. They were joined by a group of hyped up Jounin and Chuunin, and Kotori snickered and looked down a passing street in time to see Akinobu and Akiha racing down together, laughing. She stopped, waving a good bye to her friends and put her hands on her hips, smirking.

"Hey, you two!" she called, "Where's Akimitsu?"

"With his family." Akinobu snorted, skidding to a halt, "He says Christmas is family time! Blegh!"

"I'd rather spend it with friends!" Akiha giggled, and Akinobu grinned, offering a high five. Kotori shook her head, holding a finger knowingly in the air as she spoke.

"But your family should be your friends! Christmas is an important time for everyone, you should spread the love and joy!"

"That is the cheesiest thing I have ever heard!" Akinobu yelled, and Akiha burst into a fit of giggles, but attempted to hide them by covering her mouth. Kotori twitched, and looked away, crossing her arms and huffing.

"Ah stop being so childish! Merry Christmas." she snapped, smirking as they ran down the opposite way, and she watched them go before turning and running to catch up with her friends, although it was surprisingly easy, as they were stopped in the middle of the street. Kotori tilted her head, squeezing to the front to see Etsuko Hyuuga speaking with Guy and Kakashi.

"And so the Hokage wants to send a group to check it out. I know it's Christmas, and I'm sorry, but real life doesn't stop for holidays…" Etsuko explained, furrowing her brow, "Oh, well, you know what I mean!"

"Right." Kakashi turned, "Kotori, Nariko. You'll come with Guy and I to check it out."

"What? But, I have no-"

"Great, a mission!" Nariko said cheerily, "Finally, I can get back in action and put my skills up to par again!"

"That's the spirit! Come on, Kotori!" Guy exclaimed, leaping onto a roof and jumping towards the East Gate. Nariko giggled and followed, sending a sweet smile to Kotori beforehand. Kakashi smirked and jumped after, leaving Kotori to gasp and cry out for them to wait as she zoomed after them.

"So, what exactly is going on?"

There's been some odd eruptions of the ground around here." Kakashi explained, "And suddenly a group of ANBU have disappeared, we've been sent to look for them. We need to be on our guard for enemy traps."

"But it's so close to Konoha, why would they attack like this? And only at this area?" Guy said, looking puzzled, and Nariko frowned.

"And on Christmas Day, too! I hope we don't find any dead bodies." she claimed, "It would be awful for the families!"

"Agreed, let's hope for the best!" Guy nodded, and Kotori glanced at Nariko before nodding quietly all the same. The four finally stopped and jumped to the ground, Kakashi looking around.

"This is where the patrol were last seen." Kakashi explained, "Keep an eye out for anything."

Kotori glanced around, keeping in a long sigh. She could be having warm food, cold drinks and lots of hugs from drunk men by now. Frowning, she narrowed her eyes and straightened her back, attempting to get herself ready for the mission and walked around, peeking behind a tree.

"Guy, Kotori. You're both the quickest, so you should check the area to see if you find anything. There aren't even any bodies here." Kakashi said thoughtfully, and Nariko frowned, looking over at him.

"Assuming there are dead people." she stated, "They could have been kidnapped."

"Anyone that can kidnap ANBU, let alone will, are bad news." Guy said pessimistically before disappearing to search the surrounding area, and Kotori made a face before leaping in the opposite direction. Almost immediately her nose was met with a repulsive stench, and she stopped on a low branch to cover her nose.

"Eugh, what the hell is that?" she looked around, narrowing her eyes suspiciously before moving on. She skidded to a halt, eyeing the area ahead of her carefully. The sun was high in the sky, sending rays of light down upon the area, and she slowly smirked, taking out a kunai. She made sure it was her regular kunai before throwing it through the air, and she heard the twang of wires snapping as the point shot straight through them. She snickered, waiting carefully and eyed her surroundings for any more traps.

"Kakashi." she stated, and she heard his voice through the radio, but barely. The woman winced as static attacked the radios, and she ripped the earpiece away from her and threw it to the ground.

"Kotori? Guy?" Kakashi grit his teeth, groaning at the sound of static and took the earpiece out, looking at Nariko, "Something's not right. I think we just walked into a trap."

Kotori glared, flipping another regular kunai in her hand and waited carefully, staying as still as possible.

"Well, well, well." a sly, yet quite high pitched voice spoke. Kotori tensed, feeling the hair on the back of her neck raise, "You're quite smart, aren't you?"

"I'm not a Jounin for nothing. Show yourself!" she demanded, and the voice laughed. She snapped her head round, looking for the source, but the size of the forest made it impossible. Gritting her teeth, Kotori snarled and flipped the kunai in her hand, "Only a coward hides in the shadows!"

"And only an idiot stands without cover!" the voice yelled harshly, and the man seemed to appear from no where, launching himself at Kotori with sharp nails. She spun round, throwing her kunai at him, but it missed in her panic, and he slammed her to the ground. His hair was bleach blonde and ended past his shoulders, but most of it was tied back. A few spiked strands fall over his shoulder, and a spiked fringe ended just above his eyes. His nose was pierced with what looked liker bone, as well as both eyebrows. Kotori grabbed his neck and he gasped for air, and she collided her knee with his stomach in an attempt to get him away. She didn't seem to know her own strength, as she sent him flying into the air and she flipped backwards onto her feet, but he was gone.

"Where are you?" she demanded, and he laughed.

"I'm everywhere!" he taunted, and Kotori turned, eyes widening in realisation that he was right. She watched him literally step out of the bark of a tree, his body like oil sticking to a surface as it slowly turned from the brown of the tree to his skin, his hair, his clothing. His dark brown sandals ended to his knees, with a moss green heel and sole. His trousers were a matching moss green, quite baggy, with a slanted brown belt that seemed to hold more than just weapons lay across his waist. The side of his thighs were decorated with an brown oval shape, and as a top he wore a loose fitting moss green short shirt kimono that showed his chest. The sleeves ended to his elbows, with brown rims and he had bandaged wrists. Many leather necklaces were strewn around his neck, as well as multiple black beaded bracelets. Something she also noticed was his teeth; they were razor sharp.

"How the hell did you do that?"

"Are you really that clueless?" he cackled, "My siblings and I have a great kekkei genkai. It's like a really advanced chameleon! The Kamofuraju clan! And I am your enemy for today, Kuromura."

"How do you know my name?" Kotori snapped, and he made a face, growling.

"Don't you want to know my name?"

"NO!" Kotori yelled, frustrated with this man's ramblings, and raced at him. She leapt in the air and spun, aiming to hit him in the jaw with her heel, but he grabbed her ankle and threw her into the clearing. She flipped and bounced off of a tree, aiming for him again, but he was disappearing into a tree. She snarled, removing shuriken from her pouch and launching them at the man, but he was already gone. She skidded to a halt, looking round.

"Kotori! Kotori, are you there?" Guy demanded, the radio crackling, and Kotori turned to look at the earpiece. She made a run for it, but a kunai skimmed past her thigh from behind and she turned, barely blocking a hit with her arm and grabbed his wrist, throwing him over her shoulder and into a tree. He cackled, rolling out of the way of another flurry of shuriken, and grabbed the earpiece.

"Hello?" he asked curiously, putting it into his ear, smirking at Kotori.

"Who the hell are you? What have you done to Kotori?"

"Nothing! Who's this? Where's my brother?" he demanded, and Kotori snarled, making hand seals, "Oh, I hear him! That's alright then. Tell him to hurry it up, boss doesn't like waiting."

"WAIT, where is-" the man laughed, interrupting Guy and he threw the earpiece to the ground. Kotori finished her hand seals and the ground rumbled beneath them. Looking down, the man smirked and leapt into the air, flipping and making a hand seal of his own, and Kotori watched him carefully, her eyes widening. Fire shot from his mouth, and Kotori leapt backwards to dodge, bumping into a branch and groaned, snapping her head round. That was never there before. No. Something was wrong.

"Confused? My kekkei genkai allows me to change whatever I change into." he cackled, landing on a branch above her, "We have one of the most powerful and useful kekkei genkai, if I do say so myself."

"Tch." Kotori snapped, "It can't beat the Sharingan."

"Hmph, shut up!" he warned, flipping down to kick her, but she dodged and smirked.

"What, nervous? We have a Sharingan user on our team." she warned, and the man rolled his eyes, crouching carefully. Kotori glared, getting into a quick Taijutsu stance, shoulders tensed.

"We can take him on. My siblings and I are unstoppable!" he snapped, and Kotori stared, but then both were distracted by a large explosion. He saw his chance and raced at her, making a hand seal and digging his two first fingers into her stomach, and she gasped and coughed, looking down.

"I learned this very special technique from someone close to me. I've been warming it up ever since I got here! It'll take good care of you." he smirked and Kotori winced, clinging to her stomach with one hand.

"What did you do to me?"

"Kinjutsu is a wonderful thing." he mumbled sadistically, crouching in front of her, "It's not common for Hiden to be classed as Kinjutsu as well, is it? You're lucky to come across this. Your muscles and organs are freezing up!"

"That symbol… On your arm…" she whispered, eyeing his right arm. He turned to show Kotaro's army's symbol proudly and grinned, looking back down at her.

"You finally noticed, eh? Kotaro's a great leader, you should have joined him while you had the chance!" he exclaimed, and Kotori grit her teeth. She could feel her stomach muscles seizing up, and the man sighed and waved a hand at her, "Are you even listening?"

"To be honest, I feel sick." she answered, and he chuckled before racing at her, making the same seal before. Kotori's eyes widened, quickly spinning out of the way in time to dodge, but his fingers hit her wrist and she winced, glaring as her wrist immediately seized up. He cackled, getting into a Taijutsu stance, taking in a few breaths. The jutsu was wearing him out. Kotori moved her working wrist slowly, narrowing her green eyes with determination, but heard a loud explosion. Birds flew into the sky and he snickered.

"Your friends must be taken care of by now."

"They're stronger than you think!" she ran at him, and he blocked an attack, glaring and flipped back, moving to meld with a tree, but Kotori grabbed him and clenched her fist, although it was position awkwardly thanks to the frozen wrist, and smashed it against his jaw. His head collided with the tree, which then cracked and he groaned loudly.

"Shit, you broke my jaw!" he exclaimed in agony, although Kotori doubted it, and she leapt back. But both were caught off guard as someone was thrown through the trees, bark and blood flying everywhere.

"Ah! Horota!" the man yelled angrily, and Kotori saw a young man, no older than seventeen, on the ground. He had bleach blonde hair as well, and Kotori could only assume the two tanned men were brothers. Horota leapt to his feet, his eyes a surprisingly clear blue, and he wore an almost identical outfit to her foe's, but the loose sleeves ended to his wrists, and he wore geta instead of sandals.

"Izo, this isn't going according to plan. Yuri says the best plan is to retreat." the young man coughed, leaping back to dodge another kick from Guy, and Kotori smirked. Izo cursed loudly, making hand seals and charging at Kotori.

"NO!"

"This wasn't the plan! We were only here to get Hatake or a group of four subjects! We can't handle him with a group!" Horota argued weakly, flipping away from Guy. Kotori leapt back, leaping off of a tree and over Izo, but Izo caught on and leapt up, reaching out his middle and first finger to tap Kotori on the foot, but he was yanked and thrown away by someone. Kotori landed a few feet away from him, stumbling and coughing. Guy skid to a halt, and Nariko ran into the clearing.

"Kotori, let me help you!" she urged, and Kakashi glared down at Izo, who was lying on his back. Kakashi's Sharingan was activated, and Izo cackled as he looked straight at it.

"Well. You really are the clone of your father." he taunted, coughing as he slowly got to his feet. Horota raced over and attempted to help, but Izo shoved him back and stretched slowly. Kotori glared.

"Where's the last one? Yuri?" she demanded, holding her paralysed wrist, and Izo cackled before pointing at Horota. Horota looked away, his diagonal fringe hiding his right eye. His hair styled so it hung over his shoulders, ending past his collar bone.

"There he is." Izo said threateningly, and Kakashi narrowed his eyes before leaping back to be closer to his team mates, and Kotori snapped.

"Stop being dumb, where the hell are your siblings? You acted like there are a whole bunch of them!"

"There are two more. Yuri and Doko." he chuckled, still jabbing his finger at Horota, "And they're there."

"Split personalities." Kakashi explained quietly, and Horota looked up at Izo sadly, but his eyes were narrowed dangerously.

"Izo, Yuri says we can't beat them. Even with our jutsu." he explained quietly, and Izo wiped some blood off of his face, snorting, "Also, I'm heavily wounded. It would help if we retreated to the land of Rivers…"

"DUMB ASS!" Izo snarled, smacking his brother over the head, but he kept his eyes on Kakashi, "Don't say shit like that, they'll come and find us!"

"Sorry."

"Looks like he's right though. We'll be back. You deserve to die for what your father did to my clan, Hatake." he warned, pointing accusingly, "You'll pay for your father's mistakes!"

"I don't know who you are!" Kakashi claimed, and Izo snorted before crouching, ready to leap off into the distance.

"Kamofuraju. Izo Kamofuraju. Remember that name." he seethed, and Kotori snarled.

"Wait, you can't just leave me with-" but they were gone. Horota stayed behind for a moment, eyeing them before letting a quick laugh escape him and he jumped after his brother, arms flailing by his sides as if he were a rag doll.

"With what, Kotori-san?" Nariko whispered, but Kotori was watching them disappear.

"We need to report this to…" she hesitated, eyes widening and she attempted to cough, but there was an odd sensation in her chest that stopped her from doing so. She grit her teeth, feeling constricted.

"What? Kotori, what's wrong with you?"

"Kinjutsu… He used it… On my wrist and stomach." Kotori muttered, "It's paralyzed my muscles and… Now my organs…"

"Guy, get her back as fast as possible." Kakashi ordered, "Nariko and I will stay behind to see if there's any more about those missing ANBU. As far as we know, it seems they want them as test subjects…"

"Horrible." Nariko commented under her breath. Guy nodded, quickly picking Kotori up and zooming off towards Konohagakure, glaring.

Kotori glanced up at him, hesitating, then looked back down.

"I feel sick." she said idly, and Guy glanced at her before attempting a small smile and looking back ahead.

"All part of the job." he answered, "Those Shinobi seemed sloppy."

"They weren't expecting Hata-Kakashi to be with people." Kotori mused, "But they already got the test subjects… And used it as bait. Two birds with one stone. What happened to you, anyway?"

"I don't know… It's a Hiden, too." she answered, feeling useless. The rest of the run was silent, and as Guy dropped her off at the hospital, the idea of a Kinjutsu being used like this caused panic throughout the medical nin at work. Kotori winced as she was put on a bed, and looked up as Manabu raced in. Kotori stared at him for a moment, wondering what was off about him. He seemed different. His dark brown hair seemed the same, although a bit longer at the sides, and that's when she noticed it! He turned, and his hair was tied in a tight ponytail. It reached just past his shoulder blades.

"You grew your hair? When did that happen?" Kotori asked quickly, and Manabu glanced at her.

"Kotori, please keep still." he requested, and her face fell at his professional demeanour. She did as told though, frowning and looking away. He made a hand sign and pressed a finger just above her left breast, near the heart. He sent a pulse of chakra through her, and Kotori took in a sharp breath. It was like a heavy weight was being lifted from her wrist and stomach.

"How did you know to do that?"

"I've been studying Kinjutsu since I was little." he answered simply, "I would be a Tokubetsu Jounin if it weren't for my medical skills."

"So what kind of Kinjutsu is this, then?" a kind voice demanded at the door, and Manabu turned to see the Third Hokage.

"Oh, Lord Hokage." Manabu bowed his head respectfully, "It's known as Heaven's Touch. It stops muscles and organs from working, and can kill someone if powerful enough. But it can be released just like Genjutsu. Only one clan know how to use it."

"The Kamofuraju Clan." Kotori added, and Manabu nodded. The Third's face fell, but he nodded and Kotori got up. He said his quick good byes and left the room, Kotori racing after him.

"Kotori, wait-"

"Later, Manabu. Excuse me, Third Hokage?" she asked, closing the door behind them.

"Yes, Kotori?"

"What did Sakumo Hatake do to the Kamofuraju clan?" she requested after a pause, and he sighed before looking back ahead as they walked.

"He showed the village for what they really were. Liars, heartless scoundrels." he explained, "They didn't deserve to be a Clan of Konoha, and it was mutually decided that they either give up their kekkei genkai and Hiden, or leave Konohagakure. They chose the latter. I didn't know there were any left."

"They don't have the best mental health conditions, if I'm honest." Kotori said quietly, and Hiruzen nodded before offering her a smile.

"Try not to think about it! It's Christmas, remember. Go celebrate with family and friends. As for me, I'm off to have dinner with my family. Happy Christmas, Kotori."

Kotori smiled a little and waved him away, and then remembered that… She didn't have anywhere to go. She hadn't talked to her mother since their argument, and that was even before her battle with Kotaro. She scratched her cheek before leaving the hospital, knowing exactly where to go.

Sitting atop the Kage Summit was, for the most part, extremely relaxing. She crossed her legs as she sat on Minato's head, breathing in deeply and closing her eyes. A small smile crept onto her lips, but she heard footsteps behind her. They were slow and relaxed, so she let her shoulders sag as she eased her body completely. She felt stiff and sore, especially her stomach and wrist.

"I thought I'd find you here." Kakashi said softly, sitting down next to her. She opened one eye and peeked at him, then looked back over at the village, "Avoiding Nariko?"

"Avoiding everyone." she answered plainly, "This wasn't how I wanted Christmas to go."

"Even the presents?" Kakashi questioned, and Kotori looked at him before smirking. He seemed to smile behind his mask and looked down, but something touched his ear that made him look up. It was cold and surprising. Kotori looked up too, holding out a hand and stared as a snowflake glided down and landed on her palm.

"Snow?" she questioned, and Kakashi stared as snow soon overtook the whole sky, "It's never snowed in Konoha like this before!"

Kakashi nodded in agreement, watching the village run in excitement at the fact it was snowing. How perfect! Kotori could feel her mood lifting already, and she smiled a little, seeing a small dove flying through the snow. A note fell onto her lap and the dove circled before leaving.

"Dear Kotori. I hope you're enjoying the weather, it is Tsue's Christmas gift to you. He was very eager. I hope all is going well! Merry Christmas… Love Grandma Sayuri."

"I can't believe he can make it snow." Kakashi mused, and Kotori rolled up the letter and put it down, nodding. She crossed her arms, feeling the cold, and slowly leaned on Kakashi's arm. He glanced down at her, smirking.

"Hoping for something?"

"Just shut up and enjoy the moment."