DISCLAIMER: Some of the text and characters are from Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto, which I do not own. Only the characters & text that were not in the original manga/anime series are mine.

Recap: The finals have started and no one has seen Kakashi or Sasuke for at least two weeks! Naruto won his match against Neji, Kankuro forfeited to Shino, and Temari won against Shikamaru since he gave up after some spectacular strategy moves. Sasuke's match is the next scheduled and Sara has yet to fight.

About Time!

Shikamaru released the Shadow Possession Jutsu that held Temari. "Aw man, I'm beat," he said as he rubbed his left shoulder. Temari just glared at him.

Sara smiled as she said, "I think Shikamaru has a pretty good shot at Chûnin, what do you guys think?"

"I think so," Shino said.

Naruto was oblivious as he leaped down, "Why'd he give up? Is he stupid or something? That really ticks me off! I'm gonna go give him a lecture he'll never forget!"

Sara sighed, Naruto, I really can't blame Shikamaru for giving up if he used up most of his chakra… Dang that Kakashi! I'm starting to sound like him now!

Shino commented as Naruto landed on the ground, "Lecturing is difficult. One must not anger the audience."

"Then Naruto's screwed," Sara said in a joking tone.

Shikamaru was stretching out his back, when he turned to look at Naruto.

Naruto shouted, "Stupid head!"

"Shut it, mega dork!" Shikamaru snapped.

"Why'd you give up?" Naruto asked as he ran towards him.

"At this point, what does it matter?" Shikamaru asked. "Let's go watch the next match, okay?"

"Oh!" Naruto said as realization struck him. "Next is…" Sasuke!

Sara glanced around the arena, still no sign of Kakashi or Sasuke…what the heck is taking them so long?

Sara wasn't the only one who was looking around. Sakura was looking everywhere. She was slowly starting to panic. He's still not here…Sasuke…

The crowd was getting rowdy again. They shouted, "What's up with the next match? Where's Uchiha?"

The same ninja from before appeared next to the proctor and whispered in his ear, the proctor said, "Quiet down! We will go to the next match while we wait for Sasuke Uchiha to arrive. The next combatants are Shino Aburame and Sara Uchiha."

The crowd was suddenly muttering as Shino and Sara leapt down into the arena. Sara could hear them clear as day, "Uchiha? Did he just say Uchiha? That girl is an Uchiha? Look at her! Who would have thought there was another?"

Sara sighed, I think I know how Shikamaru must have felt down here.

Naruto and Shikamaru walked past as they headed towards the stairs, both of them gave her thumbs up.

Shino suddenly said, "I'm glad you're not afraid to fight me."

"Why should I be?" Sara countered.

The proctor said, "Begin!"

Everyone in the arena was startled when a whirlwind of leaves came between the two combatants. Sara wasn't sure whether she was angry, relieved, or overjoyed to see Kakashi and Sasuke.

Kakashi said, "Ahh…so sorry we're late…"

The proctor sighed and asked Sasuke, "You're name?"

"Sasuke…Uchiha," Sasuke replied.

Sara sighed, maybe our match will be pushed off now that the main attraction,s here!

Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck showing he was uncomfortable, "Well, uh…flashy entrance notwithstanding…don't tell me… Sasuke lost by forfeit?" He glanced at Sasuke, "See, I told you we'd be late, Sasuke."

Sara couldn't stay quiet any longer as she muttered sarcastically, "Yeah, it was all Sasuke's fault!"

Kakashi glanced at her, but his attention went straight back to the proctor as he said, "Maybe your tardiness is contagious. Don't worry, you're safe! Sasuke's match has been postponed till we get done with this one that you interrupted!"

Kakashi laughed nervously, the last part hadn't sunk in yet, "Oh good! Good!" It finally dawned on him, "Whoops! Come on Sasuke, we're in the way." They both walked off towards where Shikamaru and Naruto were standing. Kakashi called over his shoulder to Sara, "Good luck!"

Sara sighed, there are days when he can be annoying… She watched Kakashi and Sasuke as Naruto made his thoughts known.

"You're really late!" Naruto said. "I was wondering if you chickened out!"

Sasuke said, "Chill out…you big dork." He added, "From that loud mouth attitude of yours I take it you won your match?"

"Of course," Naruto replied. Naruto looked at Sara and shouted, "Why are you just standing there? Get going already!"

Sara laughed as she turned to face Shino, "Thanks for not attacking my exposed back."

"I want to face an opponent who's paying attention," Shino replied.

Sara focused on Shino even as the crowd booed saying that they wanted Sasuke's match to start. Sara and Shino glanced at the proctor. He nodded his head, signaling they should continue with their match.

Shino moved his arms, and bugs began to pour out of his sleeves. Sara made some hand signs, Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu! The flames incinerated most of the bugs, but more kept coming. Damn! Think! Think! Think! Got it! She made some quick hand signs, Fire Style: Dancing Fire Leaves! The flames surrounded her, protecting her from the bugs.

All right…now that I'm surrounded by bugs, which are being held at bay by the flames…what the blazes do I do to get rid of them? I guess I could incinerate them…let's go with that! She began making hand signs, Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu! The bugs within reaching distance of the fireball were destroyed. She glanced behind her. Okay, I need a better plan, there's no way I can get rid of all these bugs! She tried using her Dancing Fire Leaves against the bugs, making sure it still surrounded her when she attacked.

Kakashi watched with interest, this isn't the opponent she was supposed to face… I hope she can adapt to the situation. She's doing well…for the moment.

Several minutes later, Sara was still surrounded by bugs, which were still being kept at bay by her flames. This is ridiculous! How many bugs does Shino have? If this keeps up like this…wait a minute. She took a cautious step forward, the flames moving with her, the bugs retreated. Perfect! Sara rushed forward at Shino as the flames moved with her. Shino's insects retreated quickly as she advanced.

Shino dodged to the side as Sara made to punch him. Sara came to a skidding halt. She tried to kick Shino's legs out from under him, with no success, since Shino dodged once again. Dang it! She thought. Hold still!

After several more minutes of this, Sara felt her leg twinge, for the fourth time, in pain. Drat! My chakra's low, my leg is killing me, and Shino is barely breaking a sweat… I really don't want to do this! Sara raised her right hand up into the air and said, as she allowed her jutsu to slowly fall, "I give up."

Shino glanced at her, before he gave his insects a silent signal to come back. The proctor said, "You're sure?"

"My chakra's pretty much gone, and my leg is killing me," Sara responded.

The proctor rolled his eyes, "The winner is Shino Aburame."

Shino walked up to Sara, since she had released the jutsu and shook her hand. "At least you actually fought against me." Sara watched as he turned slightly to look at Kankuro.

Sara watched as Shino teleported back up to the area where the Sand ninja were standing. She smiled as Naruto jogged out to her, not looking to happy.

"What were you thinking?" Naruto shouted. "Why'd you give up?"

"Relax," Sara said. "Weren't you listening? My leg is throbbing and I'm running low on chakra!"

Naruto still looked sulky as he followed Sara to the stairs. Kakashi smiled as she approached. "Well done," he said enthusiastically. Sara smiled back at him.

Shikamaru looked at Naruto, "Why don't we go back up the stairs?"

Naruto nodded and gave one last look to Sasuke and Sara.

"Should we teleport up?" Kakashi asked as he grabbed Sara's left shoulder.

Sara sighed, "If you insist."

Kakashi teleported up into the stands, landing just behind Guy and Lee, Kakashi said, "Hello, Guy, and you to Lee… Are you all right now?"

Guy turned around slightly, "Kakashi!"

Sara said, "Hey, Lee. Sakura. Ino. Choji. How've you guys been?"

Sakura ignored Sara, "Kakashi-sensei!"

"Oh! Sorry, sorry!" Kakashi said looking embarrassed. "You were worried, weren't you? Sorry I didn't keep in touch…"

Sara sighed, of course she would pay more attention to Master Kakashi since he was with Sasuke. A little recognition between teammates would be nice though.

Sakura said, "It's all right, Kakashi-sensei." Kakashi looked at her, hearing an unspoken question in her voice. "Kakashi-sensei…that mark…on Sasuke's neck…it's still…"

Kakashi smiled in understanding, "It's nothing to worry about."

Sakura smiled at him gratefully, she than noticed Sara, "Hi Sara!"

Sara sighed as she said, "Hi." She asked Kakashi, silently, "How did I do?"

"You did fine, Kakashi answered as he looked at her. I wouldn't be surprised if you were made a chûnin."

Sara gave him a skeptical look, "Shikamaru did better than I did! He showed way more strategy!"

Kakashi sighed, "YOU showed a composed face to an opponent that you had not been prepared to fight! You also demonstrated some qualities of a leader."

"Like what?" Sara questioned.

Kakashi sighed again, "as I said, you were composed, you did use strategy-don't give me that skeptical look! And you came up with a very creative way of attacking."

"How so?" Sara still looked skeptical.

"You attacked Shino while surrounded by the Dancing Fire Leaves jutsu, that's no easy feat. That takes immense chakra control." Kakashi stated.

It was now Sara's turn to sigh; "I still say I shouldn't be a chûnin."

Kakashi wrapped one arm around her and pulled her to his side, "believe what you want. I still say that you're a sure thing for chûnin."

Sara didn't bother arguing with him, she figured he would never agree with her anyway.

Kakashi glanced around the stands, he said to Guy, as he removed his arm from Sara's shoulder, "Only eight Black Ops for this big of a crowd? Two squads aren't enough…what is Lord Hokage thinking?"

"Not knowing how the enemy is going to act," Guy said. "The Black Ops have probably also been dispersed around the key parts of the village."

"Yeah," Kakashi said.

Sara asked quietly, "What are the Anbu Black Ops doing here?"

"It's too long of an explanation for here," Kakashi responded. "If nothing happens here today, I'll tell you at home." Sara nodded.

Everyone in the arena turned their attention to Gaara and Sasuke as the proctor said, "Begin!"

Sasuke vs. Gaara

Gaara's sand reared out of the gourd on his back and hovered above him, poised like a serpent ready to strike. Sasuke leaped backward quickly thinking, so this is the sand Kakashi was talking about!

He was startled as Gaara flinched as he grabbed his head, as if it was hurting him. Gaara muttered to himself, "Please don't be so angry…Mother…"

Sasuke stared at him, what is he talking about...? Weird…

The sand poised above Gaara now resembled a clawed hand waiting to drag its victim to their doom. Gaara continued to mutter to himself, "I gave you bad tasting blood earlier, didn't I? I'm sorry…but don't worry…this time I'm sure it'll be really tasty…" He flinched again and seemed to calm down. He said, "Come."

Sasuke didn't need any other invitation as he said, "Here I come." He whipped out some shuriken and threw them at Gaara. Gaara's sand easily blocked the shuriken. The sand began to form itself into Gaara. Sasuke didn't hesitate. He leaped into the air, hoping to fool the sand clone. The sand clone threw the shuriken that Sasuke had thrown originally. Sasuke quickly pulled out some more shuriken and threw them to block the others. He kicked the sand clone as he landed and quickly whipped around to deal around blow with his left fist. The sand began to pour around his hand, making it impossible for him to pull it out. Sasuke punched with his right hand striking the sand clone in the face. The sand clone dissolved, leaving Sasuke room to strike Gaara.

Just as Sasuke's hand was about to collide with Gaara's face, the sand created a wall in front of him. Sasuke quickly moved to the side, looking very similar to another ninja. His fist collided with Gaara's face sending him flying.

As Gaara stood up again, Sasuke asked, "Is that your sand armor?" Gaara's face was cracked where Sasuke had punched. Sasuke gestured for Gaara to come at him as he said, "Come!" Gaara only glared at him. "If you're not going to come to me, I'll go to you!"

In the blink of an eye, Sasuke was behind a startled Gaara. Just as Gaara turned around, Sasuke was in front of him. Sasuke kicked him hard, sending him flying once more. "What's the matter?" Sasuke taunted, "Is that all you can do?" He thought as he watched more pieces of Gaara's sand armor fall off, that armor of yours… I'll rip it right off.

Sasuke dashed in and began running circles around Gaara, waiting for his moment to strike. The sand kept trying to reach him in vain.

Up in the stands, Sakura whispered as she watched Sasuke, "Wow!" It looks exactly like Lee's Taijutsu. His speed is a lot greater than before!

Sasuke found an opening and kicked Gaara up into the air, but before he could go far, Sasuke grabbed the straps that kept his gourd on his back and kneed him in the gut. He stood panting as he waited for Gaara to make his next move.

Back up in the stands, Guy asked Kakashi, "Exactly what kind of training did you put him through to hone him to that extent in one month?"

Sara looked up at Kakashi; pretty sure she knew the answer to Guy's question before Kakashi opened his mouth. "Sasuke mimicked Lee's Taijutsu with his Sharingan once before. So during his Taijutsu training, I just had him visualize Lee's movements. Since Sasuke knew Lee he was able to master those moves. Of course it was still extremely difficult." Guy still looked thoughtful.

Gaara stood up very quickly and began to make a circular shell around him. Sasuke rushed in trying to stop the shell from closing completely. He was forced to stop as sharp spikes of sand came out of the shell, cutting his fist, arm, and right cheek. He jumped back and the spikes receded.

He stared at the sand shell thoughtfully, he's mobilized his sand into defensive mode…because of the sand's density, I didn't think he could create something as solid as that. So this is the meaning of an absolute defense, huh?

Back to the stands, everyone turned around as they heard Naruto shout, "Kakashi-sensei!"

"Naruto!" Lee said, happy to see him.

Naruto stood panting, while Shikamaru was on one knee, panting as well.

"What's up?" Kakashi asked.

Naruto said, "Sensei! Please stop this match! He's completely different from the rest of us! He's not normal!"

Ino asked, "What are you talking about?"

Naruto shot an anxious look at Sara. Sara turned to look at the sand shell that contained Gaara, she then glanced back at Naruto. Are you telling me this guy is like us, Naruto?

Naruto answered Ino, "He lives to kill others! And if this match keeps going, Sasuke'll die!"

Kakashi turned back to the match and said, "Well! Don't worry about it! There was a reason; Sasuke and I were so late!"

Sasuke tried one last time to break the shell by giving it a good kick, to no avail. Just as I figured… He's shut himself in that thing, and I don't know what he's up to…it's fine by me. This thing of mine is going to take time too…

Sakura asked Kakashi, "What do you mean by 'there was a reason Sasuke and I were so late'?"

"You really want to know?" Kakashi asked.

Naruto was losing his patience, "I'm telling you this isn't the time to be chatting!"

"You're right," Kakashi said. "So shut up and watch. You'll be surprised."

Sasuke leaped onto the arena wall, and stayed perched up there using chakra. He made some hand signs and began to concentrate.

Everyone's attention went to Sara as she stated, "He's not as quick as I am."

Kakashi smiled and answered her silently, no, he's nowhere near as quick. It takes him more time. With practice, he'll have it though, but you'll probably be as fast as I am with Chidori by then!

Sara grinned, while the others tried to figure out what they had missed.

Sasuke's hand was now slightly covered with chakra.

Guy looked surprised, "Don't tell me that's…"

Kakashi smiled, "The reason I took Sasuke under my wing is because he's very similar to me."

Sasuke now had a full Chidori and he rushed forward.

"Flesh activation?" Guy said. "I see…so that's why you had him focus on Taijutsu and increase his speed so much…!"

"Yup," Kakashi said happily.

Guy looked at Sara, remembering her earlier comment, "She can do it too? And faster?"

Kakashi smiled, "Yup!"

Sara was listening to Sakura as she exclaimed, "Wow! I can see his chakra… What in the world is that about?"

Sasuke was halfway to the shell of sand as Naruto shouted, "Wh-what the…? What is that move?"

"What move is that? And that incredible noise…" Sakura asked, standing up, as Sasuke neared his target.

"It's just a hand chop…" Guy said as if chakra could be made visible any day of the week. "However…it's a unique original move crafted by the Leaf Village's top jutsu master, Kakashi, the Copy Ninja. It's a move reserved for assassination. The secret is in the speed of the thrust and the immense chakra produced by super activating one's flesh. By narrowly focusing massive amounts of chakra from the dominant hand, a pulsing fluctuation forms in the thrust resulting in a unique attack sound that resembles the crying of a thousand birds." Sasuke was seconds away from piercing the shell as Guy continued, "Accordingly, that move is called…" Sasuke's attack ripped through the shell. "Chidori: One Thousand Birds!"

Everyone listening was shocked, apart from Guy, Kakashi, and Sara, as Sasuke's left arm reached deep into the shell.

Violent Assault!

Guy seemed to be satisfied with the power of Sasuke's attack as he said, "Chidori. Also known as Rakiri or Lightning Blade."

"Lightning Blade?" Sakura asked.

"Lightning Blade," Guy said. "Is its nickname because Kakashi once sliced lightning using this jutsu."

Sara gave Kakashi an accusing stare, you never told me that!

I didn't feel it was relevant, it's more relevant that it sounds like static instead of chirping when it can be called Lightning Blade! Kakashi told her silently.

Sara rolled her eyes, turning her attention back to Guy as he continued, "It's formal jutsu name is Chidori, and its secrets lie in the almost impossible speed of its stroke and the immense chakra focused in the arm that transforms it into a blade that can cut through anything." Guy asked in a superior tone, "But how could you have taught two students such a reckless move?"

"Like you're one to talk," Kakashi said. He moved to block Guy as he asked, "Right, Lee?"

Naruto finally heard the words "two students". He asked in a hurt tone, "You know the move too, Bright Eyes?"

"Yeah, trust me Naruto, it's not all it's cracked up to be!" Sara said trying to make him think it was a crappy move so he wouldn't feel bad. She had no such luck.

Naruto said, "Yeah right, and I'm a monkey!"

"Gotcha!" Sasuke said, his Sharingan eyes staring at the shell of sand.

It was quiet from Gaara's end, but suddenly he let out a scream, "Blood! It's my blood!"

Sasuke felt something grab his arm, and he tried to pull it out. He finally had to use another Chidori to wrench it free of the shell. He pulled it out, but it had a blue veined sand arm attached to it. Sasuke managed to break its grip as he leaped backwards.

"What is that?" Guy asked no one in particular.

Sasuke gazed at the hole and he felt a shudder go through him.

What was that? Sara wondered as she gazed at the hole. I could have sworn I just saw an eye. And it wasn't Gaara's either! Was that his monster…?

The shell dissolved, revealing Gaara as he clutched his right shoulder.

Sara felt something at tickle her mind, similar to feathers, what the-? She looked around. Nothing in the air so it must be Genjutsu!

Guy said, "Kakashi! This is…"

"Yeah, Genjutsu," Kakashi said, confirming Sara's thoughts. They both made hand signs and focused as they said, "Kai! Release!"

"Release!" Sara said. Sakura quickly followed suit. While Naruto and Shikamaru hit the floor, fast asleep.

Kakashi, Sara, Guy, and Sakura all turned towards where the Hokage was sitting as smoke hid it from view.

Sara turned her attention back to the arena as more Sand ninja converged on Gaara. She recognized them as his teammates.

Sasuke was bewildered as the Sand ninja appeared. He was even more bewildered when the proctor stepped in front of him and said, "Is the host of this little party Orochimaru?"

The Sand ninja, who appeared to be Gaara's teacher said, "Who knows? Let's just amp things up a bit, shall we?"

Sasuke asked, "Hey! What's going on?"

"Sorry," the proctor said. "But the Chûnin Exam is over. You go after Gaara and the others, right now!" Sasuke didn't move. "You're already at the Chûnin level. If you consider yourself a Leaf Shinobi, do something useful."

Sasuke looked around for Gaara, sheesh! What the heck's going on? He soon found where Gaara and his teammates had fled from and he leapt after them.

Kakashi noticed Sasuke leave, Sasuke…! He turned his attention to the Sound ninja that had appeared in front of them. "It's quite a crowd…"

Guy said, "That's not all there's something even worse. Look over toward the roof of the central viewing tower."

"That's a barrier ninjutsu!" Kakashi exclaimed. Sara and Sakura glanced that way and saw a barrier around where Lord Hokage was.

Guy said, "Kakashi, look closely inside the barrier!"

Kakashi squinted, trying to make out the figures. "Orochimaru!" He exclaimed.

Sara looked up at the viewing tower and barely managed to find Orochimaru.

Sakura was now frantic, she shouted, "Sasuke!" She was shocked to find that he was no longer in the arena. Oh…where's Sasuke? "Huh?" Two Sound ninja were trying to attack her. Sakura covered her head.

Kakashi saw the ninja, seconds before Sakura and quickly maneuvered himself so he was balanced on the backs of the seats in front of her. He whipped out two kunai knives and stabbed the two Sound ninja, hitting each one in the side of the head.

Sakura opened her eyes and saw Kakashi standing in front of her. He said, "Sakura, stay there while I go thin the enemy ranks."

A few minutes later, he and Guy were back to back. "Darn it!" Guy said. "I'm concerned about Lord Hokage but…"

"Leave that to the Anbu Black Ops," Kakashi said. "Besides, Lord Hokage isn't some Genin fresh from the Academy."

"But…" Guy tried to interrupt.

Kakashi ignored him, "For he is the Leaf Village's Hokage." He moved closer to Sakura and gestured for Sara to follow him. "Sakura! I knew it would pay off to teach you Genjutsu during the Genin Survival Exercises. You really do have a talent for it." Sakura and Sara were both confused. "Undo the Genjutsu on Naruto and Shikamaru and wake them up! I've got another mission for you."

Sara said, "Naruto will be ecstatic."

"Wh-what kind of mission?" Sakura asked.

"It's an A-rank assignment, the likes of which you haven't seen since the Land of Waves!"

What? Sakura thought.

Something suddenly dawned on Sara; I haven't been mentioned yet…

Sakura shouted, "Sensei! An A-rank mission! Under these conditions, what do you want us to do?"

"Sasuke is pursuing Gaara," Kakashi answered. "Sakura…undo the genjutsu on Naruto and Shikamaru and chase after Sasuke." He remembered the arm that had reached out of the shell. It worries me…that weird chakra…

Sakura asked, "Sara's coming too, right?"

"No," Kakashi stated. "She'll be staying here, helping me."

"Like you need help," Sara grumbled.

Kakashi continued, "I want as small of a group as possible to go after Sasuke, since we are under attack. A larger group will draw attention. While a small group can maneuver more easily through hostile situations. Didn't they teach you that at the Academy?"

"Right," Sakura said, embarrassed. "Wait, shouldn't we have a fourth member though?"

Kakashi sliced his thumb with his kunai knife and made some hand signs, "Summoning Jutsu!" His summoning summoned Pug-like brown dog wearing a Leaf Village headband and Kakashi's family crest, "Pakkun will track Sasuke for you!"

"D-don't tell me!" Sakura exclaimed. "Our fourth member is this little doggie?"

Pakkun hopped from unconscious back to unconscious back, till he was in front of Sakura. "Listen, little girl! Don't you dare call me 'a cute little doggie'!"

Sakura thought, I didn't say cute!

"Sakura," Kakashi said, drawing her attention back to him. "Undo the genjutsu on Shikamaru and Naruto!"

"O-okay!" Sakura said as she began to crawl out of her row of seats.

Kakashi turned to Sara, "Help me keep an eye out for enemy ninja that might harm her."

"Right!" Sara said, focusing on the battling shinobi of Leaf, Sound, and Sand.

A few minutes later Sara heard Shikamaru cry out in pain from behind her. Followed shortly by Sakura shouting, "You knew how to reverse genjutsu too! Why were you pretending to be asleep!"

Sara sighed, leave it to Shikamaru to try and get out of doing a job. Kakashi motioned for her to follow him as he leapt up to where Sakura was squatting next to Naruto and Shikamaru. Guy had plowed a hole in the wall using an enemy ninja.

"Okay, here's your mission," Kakashi stated as he and Sara kept an eye out for more enemy ninja. "Once you've heard it, head out through that hole! Chase after Sasuke, converge on him, and stop him! And then watch and wait somewhere safe until you receive new orders!"

Naruto asked, "Did something happen to Sasuke?"

"I'll explain on the way," Sakura said standing up. She tackled Naruto, "Let's go!" She leapt out the hole.

Shikamaru muttered, "Sheesh, why me?" He followed Sakura out the hole.

Guy asked Kakashi, "Do you think the three of them will be enough?"

"Pakkun's with them. They'll be all right," Kakashi said. "As long as they don't push too much." He turned to Sara, "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be," Sara answered.

…Shinobi's Reason for Fighting…

Kakashi and Guy leapt back into the fray, Guy easily knocking the enemy aside with his Taijutsu. Kakashi was using kunai and dispatching the enemy easily. Sara felt slightly ill as they kept falling to the ground, most of them dead.

Kakashi glanced her way, and saw that she hadn't moved. He also noticed that she didn't look too good. He turned towards her and asked, concern in his voice, "Sara, are you all right?"

Sara didn't answer, she saw an enemy shinobi come up behind Kakashi. Without thinking, her hand automatically whipped out a kunai and sent it flying towards the enemy. It hit him square in the face as Kakashi moved to the side.

Kakashi watched the enemy fall, he turned back to Sara and saw her sickened expression. What was I thinking? She's never killed before and I'm forcing her to do just that… I'll send her into the village, she'll be safer there.

"Sara," he called out. "I've got a mission for you…" She looked at him, but avoided his gaze. "Go into the village and make sure there are no enemy shinobi there, do you understand me?" She nodded, and left through the same hole Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru, and Pakkun had left through.

Guy came over to Kakashi and asked, "Was it wise to send her into the village?"

"She'll be safer there," Kakashi stated as he dispatched another enemy shinobi.

Kurenai appeared beside him suddenly. She had apparently heard what he had said. "There coming in through the village you idiot!"

Kakashi felt exactly like one too. Great! I've sent her into a more dangerous place then this and she's on her own… Brilliant, Kakashi…!

Sara was leaping from one rooftop to another, keeping a lookout for enemy ninja. Her mind was in turmoil as she remembered how easily Kakashi had killed. The look in his eyes…he just slaughtered them! Not a moment's hesitation!

Phoenix asked, didn't you do the same?

I had no choice there! Sara snapped.

Do you really think the enemy is going to wonder whether Kakashi has any family he cares about? Phoenix asked, hearing Sara's unspoken thought.

No, but-!

Act like a shinobi! Phoenix screeched. You learned all this; it's all here in the back of your mind! You have killed, yes. Get over it! What you should focus on is protecting those you love!

You're right, Sara thought. I'm not acting like a shinobi, I'm acting like a genin fresh out of the Academy. Thanks, Phoenix.

It suddenly dawned on Phoenix that he had been helpful, without any benefit to himself, don't get used to it! He screeched.

Sara laughed aloud as she continued to look for enemy shinobi, I have to remember that I'm a ninja. I'm protecting my home and those who are precious to me! She felt a fiery strength surge through her. Her gaze rested on enemy ninja that were in a dead end alley, or at least that's how it should have appeared. Sara's eyes widened in panic as she saw a door that led to where the villagers and Academy students would be hiding, since it was an emergency, was open a crack. It was a big enough crack to attract someone's attention, and the enemy hadn't noticed it yet.

Sara landed softly on rooftop that bordered the alley and was close to the door. Phoenix…are you up to having some fun?

Phoenix knew where her mind was heading, what's in it for me, if I do as you say?
You get to incinerate the enemy shinobi, Sara answered. But not until I tell you to, you're actually going to hide first…

A few minutes later, as the enemy ninja neared the end of the alleyway, Sara leapt off the rooftop and blocked the door.

All of the enemy ninja were startled, there was at least eighty in the group. One of looked her over more carefully and laughed, "This is just a genin, we won't have any problem reaching that door behind her."

"Over my dead body," Sara said in a deadly quiet voice.

"How are you going to stop us, genin?"

"You'll see," Sara said glancing up at the rooftop she had jumped down from. The enemy ninja followed her gaze. Phoenix swooped over the rooftop and screeched in, what sounded like, fury. He unleashed a jet of flames that hit those in back and blocked the others escape.

Phoenix questioned, do I get to do all the dirty work by chance? He alighted in front of her, he gazed at her quizzically.

No. I need to prove that I'm a Leaf Village ninja!

The enemy turned towards her now, seeing as they had no escape from the flames. "Looks like we do have to go through your dead body…"

Sara made some quick hand signs, she gripped her right hand with her left and said, "Ho Chidori!" She rushed forward, and hit two of the enemy ninja, who crumpled to the ground. Phoenix released another ear splitting shriek, before he took to the skies, and hovered, menacingly above the alley.

On the other side of the door, as Sara fought using her Fire Style jutsu, having used the only Chidori she could, three village women were trying to shut the door, which was stuck.

"Great," one woman with gray hair snapped. "If those enemy ninja don't kill us, she will!"

The woman next to her, with blonde hair, said, "How dare you say such a thing about a Leaf Village ninja?"

The other, a woman with black hair tied into a braid snapped, "Quit talking about Sara that way!"

"Why should we, Tiégra? She's a monster!" The gray haired woman snapped.

The blond haired woman said, "I see a girl and a fire bird. I don't think the girl is the monster!" Her attention turned to two children, both with blond hair as they tried to take a peek out the door. "Akira! Akane! What are you doing?"

"We want to see the fight!" The boy, Akira, said.

The girl, Akane, added, "Yes, we want to see a real ninja in battle!"

Tiégra said to the gray haired woman, "The children are obviously smarter than you are!"

On the flip side, a ninja darted towards the door; Sara whipped around and said, "Oh, no you don't!"

Back on the others side, as the ninja reached the door, Akira and Akane had just peeked through to see the battle better, since their mother had given up trying to restrain them. Akira squeaked with fright as the ninja stuck one hand through the crack.

The mother dashed forward, but before she got to her two children, a jean blue, colored blur knocked the ninja aside. They all heard Sara say, "You bastard-!"

Small sparks danced through the doorway, no one had any doubts about the fate of the enemy ninja.

Sara stared down at the body of the ninja for a brief second, she glanced at the doorway and was startled to see two pairs of eyes watching her, both an emerald green.

Back at the arena, all of the jônin that had been there gazed around the arena, which was now littered with bodies.

Guy said, "I'm shocked that not just Sound but so many sand jônin would try to infiltrate our village!"

"Well," Kakashi said. "Think about it… That's why they call it war." Kakashi's mind wandered to Sara, please be safe! And please forgive me for forcing you to grow up so quickly… I didn't want to force the shinobi way upon you…

Sara gazed at the two pairs of emerald eyes, before she glanced up at the sky, Phoenix was finished off the few stragglers that thought they could escape somehow.

She heard him in her head saying, yes! Flee before me! Flee before my flames!

Pathetic, Sara thought. He needs to get out more often… She quickly amended that thought, correction, no he doesn't!

Three ninja faced her as she stepped in front of the door, she wasn't sure if she had the energy to finish them off. But she was hoping she could produce one more Chidori, since they were all standing in a nice little row.

Sara shook her head back and forth as the phrase, "nice little row" hit her mind. I've been listening to Phoenix too much!

On the others side of the door, Akane said happily to her mother, "She looked at us! And her eyes are sooo cool! They're like a cat's eyes! I want to be a kunoichi like her!"

Akira stayed by the door, he wanted to see how she dealt with the three remaining ninja. He said to his twin sister, "You could never be as good as she is! She's in a class all her own, even if she is a genin!"

Tiégra walked up to the door, behind Akane, who wanted to see the action as well. Tiégra peeked through the crack and thought, you've changed since the first day I met you. You're protecting the very village that shunned you…I was afraid I would never see this day. I figured you be much older when something like this happened… Kakashi has taught you well…

Back at the arena, the barrier around the roof of the viewing tower disappeared, and several ninja leapt away from the roof. Guy said, "Kakashi! They're on the move. Should we chase them?"

"No, wait, Guy!" Kakashi cautioned.

Kakashi, Guy, and the proctor, who were all standing in the arena, turned around as a voice said, "Let's not be hasty. If we rush in we'll only get snared in the enemy's traps."

Guy snapped, "I'm well aware of that. But whether there are traps waiting or not, I can't let enemies get away… It's just my nature as a Leaf ninja."

Kakashi questioned the Anbu who had spoken, "so, all you ended up doing was watching…Kabuto."

Kabuto removed the Anbu mask he was wearing, "So you knew."

The sand jônin that was Gaara's teacher asked, "Hey…so what's the plan?"

"I think we should retreat," Kabuto said.

Kakashi taunted, "Running away from me again?"

"For now, yes," Kabuto answered, not taking the bait. "I no longer wish to show you my jutsu so you can just copy it. Although it does seem like you haven't mastered that eye as completely as a member of the Uchiha clan could have."

Kakashi glared at him, his rage ready to spill over at the insult.

"Well then, "Kabuto said as he and the ninja disappeared. Kakashi continued to glare at the spot he had been at.

Sara made some hand signs and gripped her right hand with her left, I hope I have enough chakra for this!

Let me lend you MY chakra, Phoenix said.

A new unique feeling flooded through her. She had always felt the presence of Phoenix's chakra, but never like this. Her whole body tingled with the power that surged through her. Her Chidori roared to life, larger than she could have ever produced on her own.

She rushed forward and just before her hand struck the first ninja's chest she shouted, "Ho Chidori!" She rushed straight through all three ninja without feeling any sort of pull that would have normally accompanied such a move.

Phoenix cleaned the alley with his flames as Sara staggered towards the door to lean against it. She was exhausted. Phoenix finished incinerating the bodies and returned to her own. She leaned heavily against the doorway, and she closed her eyes.

A familiar voice said, "So you're defending one of the secret entrances to the village's hiding hole."

Sara opened her eyes and saw Kabuto poised in front of her, only a few yards away. She pulled out a kunai and said, "Don't come any closer."

Kabuto asked, "You really think you can defend that door against me?" Sara stared at him, her Devil's Eyes still up. "Very well… It will be fun to break Kakashi's spirit. I'm surprised he let you out of his sight." Sara stood up and faced him ready for the worst. Kabuto laughed, "You can barely stand!"

Sara was ready for him to lunge when a shadow fell across her from the cliff-like pile of earth behind her.

Kabuto paled slightly. He said to her, "Our fight's another time." He disappeared.

Sara sighed as she closed her eyes and leaned against the door. A line from one of the many ninja books she read came to her mind, I'm a shinobi…I protect my village with all I've got to give, be it my life, or my existence… I'm a shinobi…I protect the weak… I'm a shinobi…I protect those who are precious to me and the village they live in…my strength comes from that single thought…

Stars…

As Sara leaned against the door, it finally decided to close…and then it fell off its rusty hinges. Sara lay sprawled across the door, unconscious. Akira and Akane rushed forward and asked their mother, who was behind them, "Is she okay? Will she make it?"

The gray haired woman stared at Sara. She turned to Tiégra, "I must apologize, you were right, she's not a monster."

Tiégra nodded and walked forward as a shinobi blocked the light that was coming through the doorway.

Akira tried to tackle the ninja along with Akane, "You leave her alone, you…you…BULLY!"

"Easy," said the Anbu who stepped carefully around Sara, while trying to not trip over Akira and Akane. "I'm a Leaf Village Anbu!" Akira and Akane didn't believe him. "Tiégra!" The Anbu called. "A little assistance?"

Tiégra laughed as she said to the two children, "Enough, that's my husband, and I'd appreciate it if you didn't injure him severely."

Enaki gave her a skeptical look from behind his mask. Akane asked him, "Is she okay?" She pointed at Sara.

Enaki smiled down her, "Yes, she's just exhausted. I saw the whole fight, from where I was stationed."

The mother of Akira and Akane finally managed to drag them out of Enaki's way. No sooner had she moved them aside when Tiégra slapped Enaki. She snapped, "You were near here the whole time and you didn't help her?"

Enaki rubbed his sore cheek, "Relax, Tiégra! I figured I'd let her do her own thing, I would have been next to her in a heartbeat if I thought she was in trouble, and as you probably guessed, I was the one who scared off that other idiot… Kabuto I think his name was."

Tiégra continued to glare at him, "You should have helped her!"

"Tiégra…" Enaki said gazing at her through his mask. "I wouldn't have allowed any harm to come to her…you know that."

Tiégra sighed. "I do know that, it's just…"

"I know," Enaki said smiling behind his mask, his voice seeming to project his smile.

The mother said briskly, after she had assured Akira and Akane that Enaki was indeed a Leaf Village ninja, "I'm so sorry, sir! It's just-!"

"Relax," Enaki said, raising up his hand to stop her from talking. "I like kids and I have a pretty good scope as to how they can act sometimes."

The blond haired mother smiled at him grateful for his understanding. Akira asked, "She will be okay, right?" He pointed at Sara.

"Yes," Enaki said as he scooped Sara up into his arms. "Like I said…she just needs rest." He addressed the adults, "I'm taking her to the hospital. You should know, the threat has passed, but much of the village needs to be rebuilt." He walked towards the entrance.

Akane asked him, "What's her name? We want to know who we should thank!"

Akane's mother nodded in approval, and the gray haired woman leaned in also wanting to know Sara's name.

Enaki glanced down at Sara, "This brave genin's name is Sara Uchiha." He leapt up into the air and onto the nearest roof.

Several minutes later, Enaki heard Sara ask him, "Where am I?"

"In the Hidden Leaf Village," Enaki reassured her.

"Okay…" she seemed to doze off. She suddenly asked, "Who are you?"

"An Anbu Black Op," Enaki stated.

"Okay…" She then asked, "Whose side?"

"The Leaf Villages," Enaki said, fighting back a smile.

"My guardian is Kakashi…" she murmured as she fell into a sound sleep.

Enaki smiled, well I'll be danged! That young pup actually adopted her! He dropped Sara off at the hospital and teleported to the arena.

On the roof of the viewing tower, Kakashi and all the shinobi who had fought at the arena gazed down at Lord Hokage's motionless body. Kakashi glanced away from Lord Hokage's body when an Anbu Black Op appeared next to the Head Anbu, Hanashi, who was wearing a white overcoat, squatting next to Lord Jiraiya, who towered above all of them.

He watched with interest as the Anbu that had just appeared whispered something in Hanashi's ear. Hanashi suddenly snapped, "Why do I have to tell him?" The other Anbu disappeared. Hanashi grumbled, "That's why!"

He stood up and walked over to Kakashi. Kakashi felt his heart fly up into his throat, it's about Sara. That's the only reason he'd be walking towards me! Don't tell me she's…!

Hanashi seemed to read Kakashi's mind as he said quietly, "Kakashi, calm down. She's fine. She's at the hospital resting; she just overdid things a bit." He moved his mask slightly to the side, so Kakashi could meet his gaze, "I'm glad you adopted her, Kakashi…" Hanashi walked back to his original spot.

Kakashi knew he needed to be at the hospital, he cast one more sad glance at Lord Hokage's body before he teleported to the hospital.

Sara opened her eyes, just as Kakashi walked in. "Good, you're awake," he said as he walked towards her. "I was worried about you." He sat on the edge of her bed. He looked towards the door, "The doctors would like you to stay here for the night." She nodded; a feeling that wasn't her own made her feel like something was bothering her. She glanced at Kakashi's face, seeing his eye focused on something else. Realization struck her. "It's your emotions I've been feeling," she blurted out.

Kakashi seemed to be jolted back to reality, "Huh? Oh-yes, I can sense yours as well." Sara gave him a perplexed look. Kakashi sighed, "We have a bond." Sara still looked confused. Kakashi tried to figure out a way to explain it, "Every person you get to know, be they friends, or something more then friends, family, etc. Some bonds are stronger then others though, like yours and mine. Ours allows the other to sense how the other feels…when it was at its peak I could actually feel your pain…"

Sara tried to digest all that, "So…basically, we have a really strong bond…and it could go back to being as strong as it was?"

"Exactly," Kakashi said, he allowed his gaze to drift back to the wall.

Sara said, "Something's bothering you…can you tell me?"

Kakashi smiled, "I'm sorry for forcing you to fight those enemy ninja…I should have…"

"I'm fine," Sara said. "It helped me remember what it means to be a shinobi and what we fight for."

Kakashi smiled down at her, "I don't want to tell you this now, but you should hear it from me…" Sara gazed up at him, concerned, since he sounded upset. "Lord Hokage is dead…"

It took a few seconds for those words to sink in, Lord Hokage is dead… She felt tears sting the corners of her eyes. She tried to wipe them away so Kakashi wouldn't see, but he pulled her close to his chest and whispered, "It's okay to cry in front of me. I can guess what he meant to you. It's okay…"

She cried like a little kid, she couldn't help it. Lord Hokage, the closest thing she had had to a grandfather was gone. Lord Hokage had seemed like the Stone Faces, something that would never disappear. It hurt to know that he was gone.

As her tears began to subside, Kakashi said, "Before you even ask why such good people have to die, I don't know. What I can tell you is this, Lord Hokage's spirit lives on in all the people who knew him, including you. He passed on something to you and the other genin, that some of the older ninja and myself will eventually pass on to you." She looked up at him. "I can't explain it tonight. Right now you need to rest." He released her from his arms and allowed her to lay down her head on her pillow. He pulled the blankets up. "Sleep…I promise that one day I will explain in more detail what I said tonight, when I feel you're ready to hear it, okay?"

Her eyes were beginning to close, but she whispered, "Okay."

Kakashi looked around the room and pulled up a chair, close to her bedside, he watched Sara sleep for a bit before he closed his own eyes, she won't want to talk to me for a few days after hearing about Lord Hokage's death…I'm okay with that though, she needs time to grieve…

Kakashi was jolted awake, as Naruto was carried in by two medics, he could tell Naruto had already heard the news, just by the look in his eyes. The medics set him down on the bed on Sara's right and left the room. Naruto stared up at the ceiling for a few minutes before he looked at Sara. His eyes suddenly turned frantic as he looked at Kakashi. Kakashi gave him a reassuring smile.

The next time Kakashi awoke, it was early morning; both Naruto and Sara were still asleep. Kakashi stood up and stretched; he found a notepad on the bedside table next to Sara and quickly jotted down a message so she wouldn't wonder where he was. It read: Dear Sara,

I don't want you to worry if I'm not here when you wake up. As you probably could have guessed, the village is in ruins in some places, I've gone to help with the repairs, I would like you to stay in the hospital till I got back, keep Naruto company, he already knows about Lord Hokage. I'll be back sometime after noon.

Love,

Kakashi

Sara woke up and looked around groggily. She was sore from her fights the day before, and she still felt sad knowing that Lord Hokage was gone. Glancing at the table beside her bed she noticed Kakashi's note and read it quickly. She sighed, I'll listen to him. I have a feeling that he's worried about me… She glanced at Naruto who was still asleep. I'll wait till he wakes up before I go to the bathroom and change into my other clothes.

Naruto woke up a few minutes later, he said, wiping sleep from his eyes, "How're you doing, Bright Eyes?"

"Pretty good, you?" She questioned.

"I feel like hell," Naruto said, wincing as he tried to stretch. "I fought Gaara and…"

Sara interrupted, "Let me change into my clothes first, okay?"

Naruto nodded and waited for her to get back. Once she was back wearing her normal outfit, Naruto began to tell her first, how he, Sakura, and Shikamaru had tracked down Sasuke. Shikamaru had to lead some tracking ninja off their trail. He then told her how he realized that a ninja's true strength comes from protecting something precious to them and not from being alone and how he summoned a Chief Toad to do battle against Gaara's demon, Shukaku, and how he had managed to beat Gaara, even make a bit of a friend of him.

Sara smiled as Naruto came to the end of his story. He looked at her expectantly, "Well, are you going to tell me what happened on your end or what?"

She smiled as she explained everything that had happened to her, even talking to the Anbu that had brought her to the hospital. Naruto sighed, "It's a shame old man Third's gone…"

The room became quiet as both of them were lost in their memories of Lord Hokage.

Naruto broke the silence, "Hey, Bright Eyes?" Sara looked at him. "Do you remember when we tried to pull a prank on him?"

Sara smiled, "Yeah, he wasn't too thrilled with us. Especially with the way you painted his face!"

"We weren't even done with that prank either!" Naruto said laughing. "Remember, we were trying to make him look like a clown?"

They both laughed as they remembered Lord Hokage's furious look when he had heard the full extent of what they had been trying to do.

Kakashi entered the room and was surprised to see them laughing, they stopped a few seconds after he entered, both of them, sniggering every now and then as they both shared in some joke of their own.

Kakashi sighed and said, "I hate to break up the fun you two are having, but Sara and I need to go home."

Naruto looked startled, "Bright Eyes…you live with…!"

"Yeah," Sara said. "I was going to tell you, there's just never been a good time."

Naruto smiled, "Cool! I'm happy for you, Bright Eyes!"

Sara smiled back at him, I could have never asked for a better friend. As she walked out the door she gave one last wave to Naruto.

As they walked home Kakashi said, "Tomorrow is the funeral service for Lord Hokage…"

She nodded, glancing quickly up at Kakashi as she did so. He's worried about how I'm taking this… I hope he doesn't try to pry any answers out of me…

It was a quiet evening back at the house. The only words spoken were when they both decided that they needed rest. As she lay awake in bed, Sara thought, I don't think I could have asked for a better guardian. He's not one to pry… She glanced at her nightstand and glared at the new alarm clock that was sitting there. Did he really have to get me a new one?

Dark and early the next morning, before the sun had risen, Kakashi got out of bed. He glanced around his dark room and listened to the rain that was pouring outside. Even the heavens cry…I guess I should go to the Memorial Stone now; otherwise I'm going to be late for the funeral service… He tried to be as quiet as possible as he dressed, and made a quick breakfast. As he made his way to the door he decided he should check on Sara before he left. He backtracked upstairs to her room where she was sound asleep. Kakashi smiled warmly down at her as he pulled up her blankets slightly. He gave her a quick kiss then left.

Sara wasn't sure what woke her up so early in the morning, it was four, and she had at least another hour till she needed to get up. She sat up in bed and glanced around her room listening to the heavens cry. I'm not going to be able to fall back asleep. I might as well get ready… She dressed quickly and skipped breakfast, she didn't feel like eating, and headed outside. She glanced up at the rain and sighed. I guess I could go pay my respects now… I know it's not tradition to do so, but…

Her feet were on autopilot as she walked towards the Hokage's Mansion where the service would be held. She grabbed a flower from the basket that was inside the building and walked out onto the rooftop and stood there lost in her memories of Lord Hokage. She glanced up at the Stone Faces and stared at the fissure that had opened over the Third's face during the battle.

She had no idea how long she had stood there, holding her flower in her right hand, but she finally placed it in front of Lord Hokage's picture and began to walk back. She slowed when she saw the two elders, who were glaring at her, as usual. I've done nothing wrong! She thought angrily as she passed them.

She stopped halfway down the stairs and stared up at the sky again, wondering, will I ever be accepted in this village? Or will the hatred of what's inside me blind them…only some people can see past Phoenix and see who I am…why do people make things so difficult? Her legs carried her the rest of the way down the stairs as she headed towards the area where she had had her first mission as a genin, once again lost in the memories of Lord Hokage.

Kakashi stood at the Memorial Stone, completely soaked from the rain that continued to fall. He asked as he heard someone approach, "That for Hayate?" The woman behind him remained silent. Kakashi moved away from the Memorial Stone as he said, "The Third Lord's funeral service has already started…you better hurry…"

The woman began to pay her respects, she said, "And you, Kakashi? Paying respects to Obito…? Instead of constantly inventing new excuses for why you're late, why don't you just come here earlier?"

Kakashi was silent for a few seconds. He finally said, "I do…first thing in the morning… It's just that once I get here I can't stop thinking about what an idiot I used to be…

Kakashi managed to hide that he had been late to the funeral service as he maneuvered around some people to stand a row behind Naruto. He listened as Naruto said, "But…it's painful to die too."

Kakashi said, knowing full well he hadn't heard the entire conversation, "Well, the Third Hokage did not die in vain. He did leave all of us something important…" Naruto turned around and gave him a quizzical look. "Well, don't worry…you'll understand eventually."

"Hey! Give me some credit—I understand now," Naruto said.

After the service, the rain finally stopping, Kakashi watched Naruto run over to where he, Sakura, and Sasuke were standing. Kakashi strained to see where Sara was, since he hadn't been able to spot her during the service. As the last few people trickled out of the mansion, Kakashi asked, "Have any of you seen, Sara?"

Naruto and the others looked thoughtful. Sakura and Sasuke finally shook their heads back and forth while Naruto said, "Now that you mention it…I didn't see Bright Eyes at all…!"

Kakashi was about to say something, when one of the elders said, "She was here before the service started."

Kakashi sighed; he didn't like what the female elder had implied with that one sentence. He turned to his squad and said, "You can have the rest of the day to yourselves, try to help the village with the rebuilding if you can." They nodded and walked off. Kakashi turned his attention to the elders and said quietly, "Everyone grieves differently, she did nothing wrong by arriving early, I can imagine she paid her respects."

The elders stood flabbergasted as Kakashi walked off to find Sara. She had indeed paid her respects to Lord Hokage, they had just ignored it.

Kakashi looked all around the village for Sara, but he couldn't find her in any of, what he thought, were her usual places. He finally gave up and walked to the Memorial Stone, as he entered the training area the Memorial Stone was in, he was startled to see Sara up in a tree near the Memorial Stone. Kakashi sighed as he teleported onto the same branch she was on.

Sara didn't even jump as Kakashi appeared in front of her. Kakashi asked her, "May I join you?" She nodded dully and he sat down next to her. Kakashi decided to not beat around the bush, "The elders told me that you were there early." Her eyes sparked angrily as she opened her mouth to argue. He said quickly, "I know you paid your respects. I know you did nothing wrong… But…in the future, could you please be at the service?"

Sara sighed and nodded reluctantly. They were both quiet for a few minutes, Sara finally said, "I didn't really plan to be there so early…it just…kind of…happened. I didn't even plan to leave early either…but…"

"I know," Kakashi said smiling slightly.

Sara asked, "How did you know I was here? I didn't even know I'd end up here."

"I didn't. I just came here," Kakashi answered. He glanced at the Memorial Stone. "Sara?" He asked to draw her attention. "Have you ever wondered why I'm always late?"

"Yeah, the whole squad has," Sara answered.

Kakashi laughed, "I'm late because I come here and pay my respects to my best friend…" Kakashi suddenly propelled himself off the branch and down onto the ground. Sara quickly followed him. He walked to the Memorial Stone and stopped just in front of it.

Kakashi continued, "Every time I come here, I can't help but think how stupid I used to be." He saw Sara's confused expression. "I wasn't always so carefree and team oriented. I used to be all about rules and regulations…"

"You," Sara said jokingly trying to lighten Kakashi's mood. "No way!"

Kakashi met her gaze, "I used to be. My teammate Obito was always late and he came up with excuses that always involved old ladies." He laughed half-heartedly. "I was always getting on his case about how late he was, or how he was the most pathetic of the Uchiha clan." Sara stared at him, shocked to here that. "One day…the same day I had just become a jônin…my teacher gave us a mission that I was to lead…we were to destroy a bridge so the enemy would have a harder time sending in reinforcements and supplies…on that mission our other teammate…Rin was captured. I wanted to continue the mission without her…as shinobi rule dictated…Obito wanted to go after Rin…which he did while I went on my own to complete the mission…I soon changed my mind though…" Sara wasn't sure she liked how this was going. She had a bad feeling she knew how the story ended.

Kakashi continued, "I arrived to help Obito fight one of Rin's kidnappers…during the fight I lost my left eye…" Sara stared up at him, utterly confused now. "During that same fight…Obito finally awakened his Sharingan, and beat our opponent, protecting me… We did find Rin, and we released the genjutsu that they had been using to try and get information out of her, but we had forgotten about the other ninja… He started an earthquake that made the cave collapse… I was hit in the head on my left side, by a rock…" Sara leaned against him, feeling his chaotic emotions. "Obito…that idiot…threw me out of the way of a boulder, which crushed his entire right side… I was stupid and admitted it to him, and of course he didn't argue with me…he gave me his Sharingan, so he could help me see what the future would hold…Rin, who was a medic ninja, transplanted Obito's left eye to me…Rin and I survived the mission…" Kakashi sighed, "Rin disappeared on a mission soon after…" Kakashi shook his head back and forth. "Then I tried to drown my sorrows in missions…which the Fourth Lord tried to detour me from doing…and then…he gave me a very interesting mission…" Kakashi sounded wistful as he talked, "I found a little baby that completely changed my world…" He laughed again, "Soon after I found that child the Fourth was killed by the Nine-Tailed Fox…I didn't take care of that child for a whole week…granted there were nurses who were there to help…the Third kind of knocked some sense back into me then…"

Sara didn't look up at Kakashi as he stopped talking, she figured he was lost in his own memories. She wondered, did he find another child? One before me? She was startled when she felt his side move, as if he were sobbing. She pulled away from his side, which startled him, she looked up into his eyes and saw that he was hurt by her moving away. She said, "Master Kakashi, if you wanted to adopt that…that child instead of me…I wouldn't…"

Kakashi laughed and said, "You have spent far too much time with Naruto. You were the child I was talking about."

Sara felt thoroughly embarrassed, she said, as Kakashi tried to hide his tears, "You know what a ninja once told me?" He shook his head back and forth. "That it's okay to cry in front of those who care about you."

Kakashi asked, having given up trying to hide his tears, "What idiot told you that?"

Sara hugged him and began to shed her own tears as she said, "You, you big idiot."

Kakashi wrapped her in a hug and they stood like that, both letting out pain that they couldn't hold in any longer. They didn't talk until the sun began to set.

Kakashi pulled away from her hug as Sara did the same. He said, "We should get home." Sara nodded and followed him as he began to walk away from the Memorial Stone. Kakashi suddenly stopped and turned around. He looked down at her and said, "Would you humor me again?"

"Sure. Why?" Sara replied.

Kakashi said, "Perhaps, I'm crazy or something worse, but at one point in time I promised Obito I'd bring you here and introduce you."

"I don't think you're crazy," Sara said as she stood in front of the Memorial Stone, Kakashi standing behind her.

Kakashi said, "Well, Obito, this is Sara, the one I go on and on about sometimes… All right, let's go."

Sara laughed as she followed Kakashi. Once they were halfway home, night had fallen, revealing the billions of stars that helped to illuminate the night. She paused and looked up at the sky, "Master Kakashi?" Kakashi stopped and turned to look at her. "Do you ever wonder if those stars are really stars?"

Kakashi looked up at the sky, "No, I can't say I have."

"Lord Hokage once told me that maybe they're not stars, but our loved ones looking down on us, letting us know they're okay," Sara said gazing at a star that was particularly bright.

Kakashi followed her gaze and let it rest on the star as he said, "I think that sounds better then what I've been told." He gazed down at her, "Come on. We really do need to get home."

Unexpected Surprise

Sara was rudely awakened the next morning by being tossed out of bed. She glared up at Kakashi and asked, "Why did you do that?"

"I tried everything else!" Kakashi said exasperated. "Get dressed and meet me outside, we're doing to do some training." He exited her room.

Sara did as she was told and got dressed wondering, what kind of training is he going to put me through? She quickly went outside and saw Kakashi waiting for her.

Kakashi smiled at her, "Today, before we meet with the rest of the squad to help with the rebuilding, I'm going to teach you the Summoning Jutsu, along with the Fanged Pursuit Jutsu."

Sara's eyes sparked with happiness, "Well, get started already!"

"First," Kakashi said, trying to hide the laughter in his voice at her eagerness. "You need to sign a contract…" Kakashi made some hand signs and summoned a dog that held a scroll between its teeth. Kakashi eased the scroll out of the dog's mouth and unrolled it, revealing several signatures and fingerprints. "You will need to slice your finger on the hand that will be used to summon your dogs, sign your name in blood, and your fingerprints will also be needed."

Sara quickly did as she was told. Kakashi rolled the scroll back up and handed it to the dog, who promptly disappeared.

Kakashi said, "Okay, now that that's done. Place the hand you signed the contract palm-down on the ground and make the following signs: Boar, Dog, Rooster, Monkey Sheep."

"Can you demonstrate?" Sara asked.

Kakashi nodded. He did his hand signs quickly, and placed his palm on the ground, "Summoning Jutsu!" Smoke hid Kakashi for awhile, but it cleared revealing, Pakkun. He looked at Sara.

Pakkun said, "So, you're teaching her the Summoning Jutsu?"

"Yes," Kakashi said. Pakkun snorted before he leapt up onto Kakashi's shoulder. Kakashi looked at Sara, "Try it."

Sara made the required hand signs and placed her palm on the ground, "Summoning Jutsu!" Smoke surrounded her.

Pakkun leapt into Kakashi's vest and stayed there. Kakashi was utterly bewildered, "Pakkun? What's wrong?"

Kakashi heard a faint growling that rose in volume. The smoke cleared to reveal two white Great Danes, whose ears were cropped. Kakashi was flabbergasted; those aren't the dogs I trained for her! What the hell is going on?

Sara stared in loving awe at the dogs before her. They were perfect examples of their breed, they were almost identical, except for the differences in personality that sparkled in their eyes. She shushed the two as they continued to growl at Kakashi and Pakkun. They flattened their ears against their heads, and looked at her with pathetic expressions. "He's my guardian." They both snorted.

She walked up to the one on the left and pulled one of two notes that were tied to his headband.

Sara read aloud, "Dear Kakashi. If you don't know who we are, were never going to tell you, if you do, well then you do. We didn't think it was fair for Sara to already have trained dogs, we figured she'd enjoy the experience of training some two year olds and up. Yes, some are older then two! The dogs that you had trained are now all in happy homes, most with Inuzuka's now. We did leave two in your kennel, since they were so young, and very cute. Hope your doing well. E & Y."

"E and Y?" Kakashi said, confused. "Who the hell are E and Y?"

Sara shrugged. She pulled off the other letter and read, "From E. This dog's name is Alpine, he and his brother cannot be separated, so I wouldn't be surprised, if you can summon them together. Alpine is distinguishable from his brother by his more composed personality. He also has a habit of growling at people he doesn't like."

As if on cue Alpine began to growl at Kakashi, Sara scolded him. He began to growl and fake a sneeze to hide the growl.

She grabbed the note on the other dog and read, "From Y. This is Streak, he's easily insulted, he has a…unique…way of payback."

Streak looked up at her and grinned a grin only a dog could grin.

Kakashi released Pakkun from his vest, and Pakkun cautiously approached the two Great Danes. Alpine was the first to lower his head to get a good sniff of Pakkun. Streak soon followed suit. Each of the dogs' tails slowly began to wag as they got to know each other.

Kakashi said, eyeing Alpine and Streak, "Let's have you learn the Fanged Pursuit Jutsu." He demonstrated how the jutsu was to be done and what hand signs she was to make.

Sara copied him exactly and summoned six more dogs, Kakashi stared at each of them. He finally snapped, "None of these are the dogs I trained for you!"

Sara walked up to the first dog, a gray Beagle and read the note, "From E. This is Smokey, you won't find a better tracker then this little guy. He's also the oldest of the bunch, being five, but he can still learn a thing or two."

Kakashi gazed at the Beagle and sighed, "Well, at least one of them can do something useful."

Sara ignored him and went up to the next dog; a liver spotted Dalmatian, she read, "From Y. This is Two-Tone, he's a pretty bright dog that will learn quickly." She commented, "That note was short."

Kakashi was really beginning to hate whoever E and Y were.

"This is Lucky," Sara said as she skimmed the note that had been attached to a gray Irish Wolfhound's collar, "He's from Y and it says I'll have no better guard dog." She went up to the next dog, which was a brown Shar Pai, "From Y, this one's name is Wrinkles, he came with that name! He's one loyal pooch." Sara bent down and pulled the note off the dog beside Wrinkles, "From Y. This one is Happy; he's a bit of a clown." The last dog was a black greyhound; Sara pulled the note off its collar, "From E. This one is Quick Silver. She's very fast, and she's very obedient, and she can keep the boys in line." Sara laughed at the last part, even Kakashi chuckled.

"I wonder…" Kakashi muttered as he walked towards the side of the house, he made a hand sign and placed his hand on the ground. Sara was shocked when the grass disappeared and two doors took its place. Kakashi pulled open the doors and walked down the steps that had been concealed. Sara followed him.

At the bottom of the stairs, Sara's mouth fell open, there were two rows of kennels, at least ten in each row, but only eight held any dogs. Seven of which, were Kakashi's. Kakashi walked up to one kennel that had two squirming puppies in it. Kakashi grabbed the note that was attached to the kennel door, "We didn't have the heart to take these two away, we noticed that they are nowhere near old enough to be used for summoning. We hope you or Sara can train them. E and Y."

Sara asked, "Were these two of the dogs you were going to give me?"

"Yes," Kakashi said as he opened the kennel door and one puppy went straight to him. Kakashi sighed, "I think I'll be taking this pretty little girl." He scooped up the white puppy with black spots.

Sara scooped up the other, "What are their names?"

Kakashi answered, "This one here…" He pushed the puppy's muzzle away, since it had been trying to nibble on his mask, "Is named Princess, and yours is named Duchess." Sara gave him a skeptical look. "They came with the names from the breeder! They're Great Danes," Kakashi added, guessing at Sara's next question.

"Cool," she said as she set Duchess down. She turned around and saw her eight dogs looking expectantly at her. "What do they want?"

Kakashi laughed as he opened one kennel that held a massive brown dog, "They want to know what kennel they each go in." Kakashi set Princess next to the massive brown dog, which instantly took to licking her and making sure she was comfy.

Sara glanced at each of her dogs; she had no idea who got along with whom. She glanced at Alpine and Streak, "You two are probably going to share a kennel." She pointed at one at the end of the row. Alpine and Streak refused to move.

Kakashi said, "They will be staying with you for the rest of the week, it's how the contract works, the first dog, or in your case dogs stay with you for five days."

Sara nodded to show she understood as she opened six more doors, setting Duchess in her original kennel. She was still debating who should be next to who when Smoky walked into Duchess' kennel and promptly lay down. Smoky glanced up at her with his brown eyes and wagged his tail as Duchess laid down next to him. "Fine," Sara said as she shut the door. She noticed that their food and water dishes had automatically filled up with what they needed. She shot a questioning glance at Kakashi.

"It's a jutsu," Kakashi stated. "I set it up so that if I went on long missions and couldn't care for them, they'd still get the care they need. The doors even open to let them stretch their legs periodically."

"Cool," Sara said as she went back to the task of picking kennels for her dogs. Eventually, she placed them (starting from the back of the kennel) as follows: Kennel 1: Alpine and Streak, Kennel 2: Quick Silver, Kennel 3: Happy, Kennel 4: Lucky, Kennel 5: Wrinkles, Kennel 6: Two-Tone, and Kennel 7: Smokey and Duchess. Sara decided that once Duchess was a little bigger, she'd get a kennel to herself, since she would probably be as big as Alpine and Streak. She also learned that Alpine and Streak hated to be apart.

Once that task had been completed, Kakashi showed her how to access the kennels before they both went to the main part of the village, to help with the rebuilding.

As they arrived in the village, where Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were waiting, (only eight o'clock in the morning) they all shouted at Kakashi, "You're late!"

Kakashi ignored them and said, "We need to help someone with their roof today, so let's get going."

They all followed Kakashi. As they were walking, Sakura asked, "Whose dogs are those?" She pointed at Alpine and Streak.

Sara said, "Mine." Alpine and Streak were so delighted that she had claimed them that they nearly knocked her over with their excitement.

Kakashi glanced back at the ruckus the dogs were making before he leapt up onto a roof and set to work. Sara glanced at Alpine and Streak, before she ruffled their ears fondly and leapt up onto the roof along with the others.

Within a few minutes, when it became apparent to Alpine and Streak, that Sara would not be coming down any time soon, they began to whine. Soon after, they were leaping up at the roof and removing tiles as they slipped back onto the ground.

After a few minutes of this, Kakashi snapped, "Control your dogs or I'll be giving them singed tails!"

Sara knew he wouldn't really singe their tails, but she quickly said, "Alpine. Streak. Knock it off!"

Alpine and Streak stopped leaping at the roof and sat down, waiting expectantly for her to come down.

Around noon, Kakashi said to them, "You guys can call it a quits for today. You've done plenty."

Sara, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke exchanged perplexed looks. All they had done so far was helping Kakashi with the roof.

"Kakashi-sensei," Sakura questioned. "What about you?"

Kakashi smiled, "I'll be fine, I have Pakkun here to keep me company." None of them showed any sign of moving, "Go on, you guys have done enough."

They all jumped down to the ground, to the delight of Alpine and Streak. As they walked away from where Kakashi was, Naruto asked, "Bright Eyes, were we doing something wrong?"

"Not that I know of," Sara said uncertainly, as she glanced down the street where Kakashi was.

Sakura suggested, "Maybe he thought we…had done a great job and that we deserved a break…?"

"I don't think so," Sara said.

Sasuke shrugged, "Whatever the reason, we have the rest of today off."

A voice behind them said, "You guys have the day off too?"

They turned around and saw Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji. Ino added to Shikamaru's statement, "Our sensei just let us have the rest of today off."

"Weird," Sara said as they all walked together. "I wonder why they're letting us have some free time…?"

Shikamaru shrugged, "Maybe they think since most of us did well in the Chûnin Exam that we deserved a break."

No one else said anything, since that made the most sense.

Sara went home after a quick lunch with her teammates and Shikamaru's squad. She was hoping that Kakashi would be there already, but she had no such luck.

Kakashi came home sometime after six, looking thoroughly exhausted. He smiled at Sara as she held out a plate with a sandwich of salami and cheese. (She hadn't dared to use any appliances since cooking was still foreign to her.) Kakashi gratefully took the plate and inhaled it.

"Thank you," he said as he stuck the plate in the sink and took hers. "Looks like I'm doing dishes tonight…" Sara dried, while Kakashi put the plates away.

Once they were done, Kakashi said, "I hate to say it, but I need to get some rest." He kissed her forehead and whispered to her before he went upstairs, "I love you."

Sara glanced up the stairs after him, hoping that tomorrow he would let them help him.

The next two days passed by exactly the same as the first. At the end of the second though, Sara found Kakashi asleep on the couch. She could have easily pulled off his mask and he would never have notice, not with how exhausted he was.

The next morning, Kakashi opened his eyes and glanced down at the floor and smiled. Sara was sound asleep with Alpine and Streak next to her. Kakashi glanced at Pakkun, who was on his chest, and nudged him. Pakkun got up and jumped off of him, avoiding Alpine and Streak.

Kakashi sat up and stretched, before he gently shook Sara's shoulder. Sara opened her eyes, while Alpine and Streak growled at him. Kakashi snapped, "Shut up, I'm her guardian!"

Sara laughed. She said, "Morning, Master Kakashi."

Kakashi smiled, "You didn't have to sleep down there."

"I wanted to keep you company," she said as she stood up, Alpine and Streak, were already standing next to their bowls, Pakkun was standing next to his. "What are we doing today, Master Kakashi?"

Kakashi stood up, "We're going to help Tiégra and Enaki."

"What happened?" Sara asked, worry showing in her voice.

"Tiégra's stand was destroyed, and since she owns quite a bit of land, she wants a restaurant instead of a stand…Enaki kind of begged me for help yesterday," Kakashi said trying to hide his smile.

They fed their dogs and ate a quick breakfast before they met the others. Naruto asked, "What are we doing today?"

Sara answered, "Helping Tiégra."

"Cool!" Naruto said as they followed Kakashi to where Tiégra's stand used to be.

Enaki met them a few feet away from where Tiégra's stand used to be. He said to Kakashi in a low voice, "You need to somehow convince her that her plans for a restaurant are out of your squad's capabilities otherwise we'll be working till next year!"

"Let me look at the plans," Kakashi said as he approached Tiégra. Tiégra handed him the plans and Kakashi's mouth visibly fell open under his mask. "T-Tiégra! I don't think all the jônin and carpenters in the village could do this, much less myself, Enaki, and my squad!"

Tiégra sighed, "Fine, do as you please…"

Enaki sighed in relief. He addressed Kakashi, "As you can see, I've gotten the frame up, now I just need you and your squad to help with the rest."

"You heard him," Kakashi said turning to his squad. "Unless you want to be here all day, I suggest you guys use Shadow Clones."

All of them made Shadow Clones, confusing Alpine and Streak, who kept following different clones of Sara as they worked, trying to figure out which one was the real one.

By noon, all that needed to be done was the roof, and then they'd be done. Kakashi said, "You guys can call it a quits today. Enaki and I can finish up here."

Enaki shot Kakashi an incredulous look, as he continued to work. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke jumped down from the roof, but Kakashi said before Sara could leave, "Sara, I want to ask you something."

Naruto and the others gave Sara quizzical looks, Sara motioned to them, signaling she would catch up.

Kakashi asked, "I know I should know this but…when's your birthday?"

"September ninth," Sara said. Realization struck her, "I'm already thirteen."

Kakashi sighed, "I had a feeling I missed your birthday…How about I make it up to you tonight? We can go out to eat, okay?"

"Sure…can I ask you something, Master Kakashi?" Sara asked. Kakashi nodded. "When's your birthday?"

"September fifteenth," Kakashi replied. "Yes, I'm twenty-seven."

Sara nodded and was about to jump off the roof, when Kakashi said, "Don't get any bright ideas…" He added in a teasing tone, "Bright Eyes."

Sara stuck out her tongue at him, before she leapt onto the ground and dashed after the others, Alpine and Streak hot on her heels.

She nearly collided with Naruto and the others as they waited around the corner.

Naruto asked, "What did he want?"

"None of your business," Sara said. Naruto looked hurt. "It was something between Kakashi and I," Sara amended. Naruto seemed to be happier.

Naruto suddenly gave Sara a suspicious look, "You have a plan for something, and I'm not going to like it!"

"Yeah," Sara said smiling. "And I need you guys to help me…"

Sakura said once Sara had finished explaining, "So basically, we're going to throw a party for all the ninja in the village who can come, however, Kakashi-sensei will be the only one who doesn't know about it till he gets there, because you want it to be, so to speak, like a surprise party?"

Sara said, "Close enough, no one's going to jump out and yell, surprise, though."

Two days later, as Sara woke up before Kakashi, she crept up to Kakashi's bedroom door and cautiously opened the door. She whispered, "Psst! Pakkun!"

Pakkun lifted up his head and looked groggily around. His gaze rested on her. He got up and trotted over to her. Once Sara had closed the door, Pakkun asked, "What do you want, kid?"

"Can you shut off Master Kakashi's alarm clock, and could you get me his address book?" Sara asked.

"What's in it for me if I do something like that?" Pakkun asked.

"Two treats and a belly rub," Sara said.

Pakkun trotted back into the room and emerged a moment later with a small, black book. "Here it is, and his alarm is turned off, so what are you doing?"

Sara sighed, "The rest of the squad and I are throwing a party for all of the ninja in the village, but I kind of want it to be a surprise for Master Kakashi…I guess you could say it's my belated birthday gift to him." Pakkun looked apprehensive. Sara answered his unspoken question, "I need you to keep him in the house until I get back."

Pakkun looked around, "Where are Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dumb?"

"They're outside…" Sara said, "In case Master Kakashi tries to leave the house, I told them to tackle him… I'm hoping you can keep Master Kakashi in the house though…"

Pakkun sighed, "He's not going to like this one bit…and how am I going to explain why his clock didn't go off? Or why those two are outside?"

Sara patted Pakkun on the head, "You'll think of something."

Pakkun watched her go down the stairs and waited to hear the front door close before he went back into Kakashi's room.

Pakkun nearly leapt out of his fur as Kakashi asked, sleepily, "What was that about, Pakkun?"

"Uh…she just wanted to let you know that she was going into the Village and that she didn't want to wake you…" Pakkun said, thinking quickly, speaking to Kakashi's back.

Kakashi murmured as Pakkun leapt up onto the bed, "That's thoughtful of her…" Pakkun sighed in relief. "What time is it?" Kakashi asked suddenly.

Pakkun glanced at the clock and said, "Three o'clock."

"She's up pretty early," Kakashi said as he drifted off.

Pakkun curled up on his master's pillow and eyes him apprehensively. He didn't like lying to Kakashi, but he thought Sara had a point. Kakashi definitely needed rest if he would believe that it was three in the morning. Who knows…maybe he'll enjoy himself at that party…

Sara was trying to read Kakashi's handwriting in his address book, but to no avail. "This is chicken scratch!" She exclaimed. I need someone to decipher this…maybe Master Asuma could help, I know where he lives.

She dashed to where most of the jônin resided and knocked on Asuma's door.

Asuma opened the door, no cigarette in his mouth, no vest, and his hair was untidy. He said, "Do you realize how early it is? This better be important."

"It is," Sara assured him. "First, you're invited to a party for all of the ninja in the village as a thank you for all you've done." Asuma looked ready to shut the door in her face so, she quickly added, "Second, I need you to help me decipher this address book, and finally, I need you to help me find those addresses."

Asuma glanced at the book, "That's Kakashi's address book…he doesn't know that you have that, does he?"

"Well…no," Sara said. "But the party is kind of my belated gift to him."

Asuma sighed, "I'll be out in five minutes."

Five minutes later, Asuma walked out of his residence and locked the door behind him. Sara exclaimed, "You actually only took five minutes!"

"Not all jônin are late, you know," Asuma said as he lighted a cigarette. "Unlike Kakashi." He grabbed the address book from her. "This first one's…"

Sometime in the afternoon, after they had visited almost every place in the Hidden Leaf Village, Asuma asked, "Want to take a break for lunch, I'll buy."

Back at Kakashi's house, Kakashi stirred and asked Pakkun groggily, "What time is it?"

Pakkun glanced at the clock which read 2:30, and Pakkun said, "Four."

Kakashi opened his eyes and practically snarled, "The sun's not up at four in the morning, Pakkun!"

Pakkun leapt off the bed to escape Kakashi's wrath. Kakashi sat up and stared incredulously at the clock, "Two thirty? Two thirty! Pakkun I should have been up hours ago! Why did you lie to me?"

Pakkun looked guilty, "Sara thought you needed rest and I went along with it."

"Did she now?" Kakashi said looking thoughtful, "Remind me to thank her later." He got out of bed and patted Pakkun on the head, "And thank you for going along with her idea. I did need rest."

Pakkun watched as Kakashi exited the bedroom and walked downstairs. Pakkun followed him cautiously, Kakashi glanced back at him and said, "I'm really not angry, Pakkun, no need to give me that look." Kakashi reached the kitchen, and grabbed some cereal, a spoon, and a bowl from a cupboard. As he grabbed some milk from the fridge he asked, "Where did you say Sara went this morning?"

Pakkun answered, "She said that she and the others were going to help with the rebuilding, and since she woke up early she didn't want to disturb you."

Kakashi nodded as he amazingly ate his cereal slowly. He finally said, "I'm very proud of her. She's picking up on things quickly including that not all of the villagers hate her."

Pakkun nodded as he avoided Kakashi's gaze. Kakashi smiled, "I'm also glad that I can always count on you Pakkun." Pakkun whimpered. "What's wrong?"

"You know I'm sensitive," Pakkun said covering his guilty conscious.

Kakashi laughed and patted his head as he walked upstairs to take a shower.

Back in the streets of the Hidden Leaf Village, Asuma and Sara were walking up to the Anbu area.

Sara asked for the fifth time, "Can you please ask them?"

"No," Asuma replied. "You're idea, you ask."

Sara sighed. She walked up to the Anbu at the gate and said, "I'm Sara Uchiha and I'd like to speak with…" She racked her brain for an Anbu's name. "Yusuke."

The Anbu turned to her and said, "That's me."

Sara was struck dumb for a brief second but she recovered, "Umm…yeah…would some Anbus be able to come to a party that is a…thank you to the ninja who've been helping with the rebuilding."

Yusuke didn't answer at first as he seemed to stare right through her, "I'll see who I can round up. Maybe I can even convince Enaki to come along."

"Thanks," Sara said as she began to walk away with Asuma as Yusuke turned away.

Yusuke said without looking at her, "You should come around more often. We miss seeing you here."

Sara blushed as Asuma held back a laugh. Once they were down a completely different street, Asuma laughed. Sara glared at him and glanced back towards the Anbu area. She grinned; I might just go back there to visit.

She dashed back home as fast as her legs would carry her. She stumbled through the doorway.

Kakashi smiled as he said, "Did you rush home?"

"Yeah," Sara gasped as she closed the door. Alpine and Streak were still outside.

Kakashi asked as he stood up, "What would you like for dinner tonight?"

"I thought we could go out to eat," Sara suggested casually.

Kakashi asked in a teasing tone, "Is my cooking that bad?"

"No," Sara said. "I just thought that maybe you wouldn't want to cook, and a new place opened up and I'd like to check it out."

"All right," Kakashi said. "We'll check out this new place." Kakashi opened the door and looked at Alpine and Streak and shrugged, "Let's go," he called over his shoulder.

Sara dashed after him, while Pakkun led the way with Alpine and Streak behind him.

Kakashi laughed as Pakkun, Alpine, and Streak all began to bob their heads as one. Sara was soon laughing with him.

Once they were in the main part of the village, Sara took the lead and led Kakashi to an old looking building.

Kakashi said, "Sara, this building isn't a new restaurant."

"Yes, it is," Sara said as she opened the door. Pakkun, Alpine, and Streak shot through the door and began climbing the stairs.

Kakashi followed Sara up the stairs and commented, "If this is what I think it is you're one doomed genin."

Sara tried not to let her fear of her guardian's anger show as she reached the door at the top of the stairs and darted inside, and hid amongst the crowd.

Kakashi was shocked to see so many people he knew in one room, he was relieved they all hadn't shouted surprise, but he still knew that he was probably the only one who hadn't known about the party. "Sara Uchiha…" he snarled under his breath as he looked for her. He saw two white tails wagging happily behind Asuma. Kakashi made his way over there.

Sara saw Kakashi coming and quickly hid behind an Anbu. She watched in disbelief as Kakashi changed his course toward her. The Anbu said, "Look behind you."

She stared at Alpine and Streak in disbelief. She said exasperated as they followed her, "You idiotic dogs!"

Sara made her way towards the table that had food on it and tied up Alpine and Streak underneath it, who were joined by Pakkun.

Kakashi looked at the dogs and scanned the crowd, a voice behind him said, "Give her a break, Kakashi. Enjoy the night."

Kakashi turned around to see Enaki, "I really need to talk to her."

"Let her be, who cares if she didn't tell you," Enaki said. "If someone did this for me I'd be thrilled."

Kakashi continued to scan the crowd, Enaki grabbed his shoulder, "Come sit with the rest of us and enjoy yourself for once, you can worry about punishing her later, if you still feel the same way."

Kakashi reluctantly followed Enaki to where the other Anbus were sitting. He recognized Hanashi, Shi', and Yusuke. He sat down and was soon talking animatedly with them.

Sara and the other rookie ten stood apart from the crowd, they felt out of place amongst all the adults.

Shikamaru asked, "Who's up for going home?"

Everyone nodded in agreement and headed for the door. As Sara left the room, she heard a scraping sound. Sara whipped around and saw Alpine and Streak, suck in the doorway, since they couldn't drag the table through the door. Sara untied the two dogs while Naruto and Shikamaru carried the table back to its original position.

Kakashi and the others stopped talking as they watched Alpine and Streak drag the table across the floor. Pakkun soon sat next to him.

Kakashi said, "Follow her and make sure she goes home."

Pakkun nodded and trotted off. He quickly caught up with Sara.

Sara glanced down at him and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Kakashi wanted to be sure you were going home," Pakkun replied.

"He doesn't trust me now?" Sara said exasperated.

"No," Pakkun said. "He just wants to make sure you're safe."

Sara nodded. She believed Pakkun. They entered the house and Sara glanced at the time. She said to the dogs, "I don't know about you three, but I'm going to bed. She changed into her pajamas and tried to get comfy. Pakkun took up part of her pillow; While Streak stretched out on her right side, and Alpine hung his legs off the bed while she was squished in the middle. She was soon fast asleep.

Back at the building where the party had been held, only Kakashi and the Anbus were there. Enaki suddenly asked Kakashi, "How's life been since you adopted her?"

"I've been enjoying it," Kakashi said. "My mood has definitely improved…"

Shi' asked, "No problems then?"

Kakashi laughed, "Apart from getting her up in the morning? No, she's never given me any problems."

"Sounds like you should have adopted her long ago…" Yusuke said as he took a sip from his drink.

Kakashi snapped, "I would have if I hadn't been told to step back!"

"Calm down," Yusuke said. "I'm just saying it would have done good for both of you."

Kakashi couldn't argue with that, instead he stood up and said, "I need to get home."

Shi' asked in a teasing tone, "Why? Don't want us to get on the topic of your weight?"

Kakashi laughed, "No. I have lost some weight, since I now have something precious to me that I need to protect."

"Care to show us?" Shi' asked.

"I really don't think that would be a good idea…" Kakashi said thinking of Alpine and Streak.

Yusuke pulled off his Anbu mask and said holding it out, "Betting has now opened as to whether Kakashi actually can fit in his old uniform!"

Kakashi glowered at him, "All right, you guys can come along too. You're going to have to be quiet, since it's late and Sara will be asleep."

They all nodded as they placed their bets against Kakashi. Kakashi threw in his own money in his favor.

Once they were inside the house, Kakashi said as he walked up the stairs, "If someone could just check on Sara for me, it'd be appreciated."

Hanashi moved up the stairs behind Kakashi and peeked inside Sara's room. He saw that she was asleep and closed it silently.

Alpine, Streak, and Pakkun all looked up and growled low in their throats as they watched an unknown person shut it. Or so the person thought. Alpine leapt off the bed with a soft, "Huff!" Followed closely by his brother, Streak, and Pakkun, as he softly padded down the stairs not making a single noise, he and his brother were bound and determined to protect the human that treated them kindly, and who showed her affection for them.

Alpine stopped on the last step and sniffed the air. He counted at least four people who were unfamiliar, then there was the man that took care of his human. He ignored the man, he thought he was called Kakashi, he knew he was not to bite him.

Streak stood right behind his sibling, his hackles raised, he would wait for his brother's signal to move before he lunged into the room.

Pakkun pricked his ears, he hadn't heard Kakashi's voice yet, which he thought was odd. He wondered if his master was okay.

Alpine growled low in his throat, and he heard some of them talking. Fear was evident in their voices.

Hanashi glanced at the stairs and asked, as he stared at two white masses, "What was that? And what are those?"

Kakashi glanced toward the staircase and swore under his breath, as Alpine and Streak leapt off the stairs and headed towards where Shi', Hanashi, Enaki, and Yusuke were standing.

Hanashi let out a scream like a little girl as Alpine and Streak circled the Anbus. Yusuke and Enaki watched the pair with well trained eyes. Shi' looked frightened, but not as badly as Hanashi.

Kakashi sighed, I knew those two dogs would act up…Is that Pakkun there? I'll worry about him later. I'm glad Enaki and Yusuke have had experience with dogs…I'm never going to let Hanashi forget this!

Sara sat up in bed as she heard a girl-like scream from downstairs. She looked around for Alpine and Streak. "Shit!" She said as she got out of bed and headed downstairs. I can't believe those dogs! Who are they tormenting downstairs?

She reached the bottom of the stairs and almost laughed, as she gazed upon four Anbus being circled by Alpine, Streak, and Pakkun. One Anbu was up on a chair.

Sara whispered, "Alpine! Streak! Enough!"

Alpine stopped growling and walked over to her. Streak gave the Anbus a nasty look before he began to lift his leg.

A fifth Anbu darted in and said, "Oh no you don't!" He shoved Streak towards the stairs, followed shortly by Pakkun.

Sara shoved Alpine and Streak up the stairs, while she led them into her room. She sat down on her bed and patted each dog on the head, "You're such good boys aren't you?"

She lay down again, squished once again as the dogs laid down in their original positions. Sara had barely closed her eyes when her door opened. Alpine growled menacingly at the intruder.

"Oh, get off," the person said as he shoved Alpine off the bed. Streak leapt off and lay on the floor by his sibling. Pakkun snapped his jaws at the person. "Pakkun!" The voice exclaimed, shocked.

Pakkun quickly leapt off the bed and sat looking ashamed in a corner.

Sara moved to slug the person, who caught her fist and said, "Hey! Easy! It's me!" Kakashi said as he removed his Anbu mask.

"Why are you wearing that?" Sara questioned.

Kakashi answered, "The others made a bet that I wouldn't be able to wear my old uniform…I'm now two-hundred dollars richer!"

Sara laughed. She then asked, "Are they still here?"

"No," Kakashi said. "They left since I wouldn't let Hanashi live down that girly scream!"

Sara said through her laughter, "That was him!"

"Yes," Kakashi replied. "Now, you need to get some sleep." He placed a kiss on her forehead.

Sara thought, something's wrong here…that didn't feel right. "Master Kakashi?"

"Hmmm," he looked at her from the doorway.

"Something didn't feel quite right just now when you gave me a kiss," she said.

Kakashi walked back over to her and said, "Well, maybe this one will be…normal." He kissed her forehead again.

"Something's different," Sara said, her groggy mind not quite computing what was going on.

Kakashi laughed, "This is the last one. If you can't figure it out, I'm going to bed." He kissed her forehead again.

Sara exclaimed, "You're not wearing your mask!"

Kakashi flipped on the light and smiled at her. Sara couldn't help blushing. Kakashi was one good looking jônin. She said, "You're really handsome, Master Kakashi."

Kakashi blushed and yanked up his mask, and stated, "One of the many reasons I where my mask." He pulled it back down when he thought he was no longer blushing.

Sara asked, "Why don't you take off your mask more often?"

"Can you really picture me teaching you guys without my mask?" Kakashi asked.

Sara thought about it, "No, you look like you're still a teenager."

"Thanks," Kakashi said smiling. "One other reason I wear it. It does make me look older."

Sara nodded in agreement, she questioned, "Could you not wear your mask around the house?"

"I could," Kakashi said looking thoughtful. "If…when your hair grows out, you'd wear it down every once in a while."

"Deal," Sara said smiling.

Kakashi smiled back, "Now, this really is the last kiss I'm going to give you for tonight." He kissed her forehead and said, "Good night."

Sara kissed his cheek and said, "Good night."

Kakashi moved towards the door and said as he walked out of her room, "I love you."

"I love you too," Sara called after him as he closed her door. Alpine, Streak, and Pakkun leapt back onto her bed and were soon sound asleep in their original positions.