Chapter 19 blizzard.

Two days later.

Sara is stood under the warm water of the shower, she still felt lightheaded. And feverish, but she is determent to go to work today.

What Kakashi didn't know won't hurt him. Besides the chakra pills where working. Just her body is tired and struggling to keep up. Seems the nightmares are back, though, she is better than she has been thanks to Inoichi's help.

She got out dried and dressed, headed downstairs.

She had asked for toast, rather than pancakes.

She was hoping to eat and run.

Kakashi had just placed the Toste on the table, she thanked him.

"Feeling better Pakkun" she asked the pug who was sat on the counter watching his master.

"Mmm, much better."

"That's good" she sips at the tea, and eats the last slice, even though she didn't want it, she needed him to think she was well enough for work.

She stood, grabbed her bag that was by the door and went to grab her coat.

"Where are you going?" Kakashi asked suddenly behind her, she jumped, turning around to face him she said with the straightest face she could muster. "I'm going to work."

He frowned, braced his arm on the wall behind her and lent in just a tiny bit,

"Your still ill."

"I'm fine" she countered "I'm going to work!" he stared at her; his dark onyx eye boring into her violet ones. Some of her resolve crumbled. Then she thought about her desk piling up with scrolls, it had already been two days, she probably had a weeks' worth of scrolls to get through.

"I'm going" she said firmly "You are my protector not my mother!"

He took his hand off the wall and stood up straight one hand in his pocket. She relaxed a bit thinking she had won; he couldn't keep her here.

"Your protector as you put it, sees a risk, to your physical health, if you return to work before you are ready." He stated.

"I'm fine, I think I know how I feel" she snapped

"You are not fine, you smell ill."

She blinked. "Y-You can….?"

"Yes, you still smell sick."

She felt her cheeks flush, still he couldn't keep her here.

"I'm going." She turned to the door.

"Sara," there is a hint of warning in his voice, but she ignored it, she pushed open the door, cool air greeted her hot skin, it felt nice. A wave of dizziness swept in, she held tight to the door, she's determined to go to work damnit.

She's worked through worst fevers, hasn't she?

She walks out of the house, she's too afraid to look back, so she relishes the cold wind on her flushed face.

She sees two figures approaching, she hadn't noticed them before.

Is that why Kakashi hasn't followed her out? She wondered.

When the two came into view, she realised it was Shikaku and his wife.

They both frowned at her, worry on both of their faces.

"Sara! What in Kami's name are you doing out here with no shoes on!" Yoshino exclaimed.

"Huh?" she looked down and indeed she didn't have any shoes on, maybe she is too ill to go to work.

"I-I um." She blinked when Yoshino placed a hand on her forehead.

"Oh dear your burning up"

"I'm ok, just a small fever,"

"Small, you left the house with no shoes on." Yoshino turned to her husband "Dear pick her up and bring her inside."

"No, I'm fine, really, I've gotta get to work."

"With no shoe's on" Shikaku pointed out, he didn't give her time to answer and swept her off her feet.

"Hey!" Sara flailed her arms "Put me down, I have to go to work!" he is already walking. Sara is tempted to pull on the Nara's ponytail. "Damnit I'm fine."

"Sara you're not fine, work can wait I stopped by Nina-sama said not to return until your fever has gone." Shikaku says.

Sara huffed.

The door to Kakashi's house was still open. Kakashi moved aside to allow them in. Shikaku shuffles out of his sandals awkwardly, and deposits Sara on the sofa.

She glares at him. But maybe there right, she holds her head as a wave of dizziness takes her.

"Work huh?" Shikaku says standing over her hands in his pockets.

"Yea, well I don't like taking time off."

The Nara snorted. "You're not getting better."

"I know," she laid down on the sofa, "And I don't know why, usually after chakra drain the fever lasts a few days."

"Mmm, I have a theory on that, I think you need to do some chakra exercises, whilst you feel ill, with Kakashi's supervision. I think your chakra needs to move and your body should settle down."

"My chakra moves fine at work!" she snapped.

"No, there you will push too hard exhausting your chakra again." She rolled her eyes but couldn't really argue with him, he was right.

"I brought you both some food." Yoshino says, coming into Sara's view.

"Thanks," Sara mumbles out. "Hey, Shikaku do you know how Miya is?"

"No, sorry not heard anything."

Sara sighed, that had also been bothering her, no one including Kakashi wouldn't say how Miya is. She didn't know if her friend is ok, if she's now a prisoner?

Add that Miya had attacked her, ok not of her own free will, but still….

"I do have a little good news" Shikaku says "Shin Is on his last warning, the council have had enough of his…drinking. He compromised a mission."

"Well, that's something I suppose." she mused.

"We'll be going now." Shikaku says.

"Ok, thanks both of you, I'll be good promise." She smiles.

The Nara's left, with soft spoken words to Kakashi that she couldn't here.

Bull had jumped up and was sat on her feet, warming them up.

Kakashi popped in to view.

"Yea, yea, no need to say I told you so,"

He eye smiled, "Wouldn't dream of it" he says humour lacing his voice. "How about you rest for a while, then later we can do some chakra exercises."

"ok,"

Bisuke jumps up bringing her blanket with him.

"Awe thanks," she says patting the dogs head, he snuggled down next to her and Sara dozes, at least she thinks she does, she can here the crackle of the fire, here the howling of the wind. Had it picked up? She wondered, but she couldn't open her eyes. The sound of the fire and the wind got further away as she drifts off to sleep. Not a dreamless sleep though, thing is she knows she's dreaming, knows it's not real, yet the fear feels the same, she can smell the blood, smell the rot and decaying flesh, smell the pee, and sick.

It's raining inside, again, so, she knew it was a dream yet couldn't wake up from it.

Kakashi, potters about the kitchen, checks his supplies of firewood, and his food stock. He's thankful Shikaku and his wife had brought some. The blizzard is already here a day early. The Hokage had already ordered everyone to stay home. it was why Sara couldn't go to work, not that he would have let her go anyway, he saw Shikaku and Yoshino approaching, which is why he didn't give chase.

Since the scenting, he's become more aware of her. Her scent lingered in the air; he's overwhelmed by it. His instincts are taking a lot to keep under control, but he's not willing to damage the trust she has in him. Not after it has taken so long to gain that trust.

He sniffed and found a hint of fear, at the same time Bisuke yapped alerting him, to the sudden change in Sara.

Whirling around he found the dogs all stood looking concerned as Sara tossed and turned on the sofa.

If she keeps that up, she's going to fall off it.

Bull seemed to think the same thing as he nudged her, keeping her in place.

He made his way over intent on waking her from her nightmare. As he drew closer the smell of fear became stronger.

He walked around the sofa Bull moved out of the way, Kakashi reached down a gloved hand and shook her shoulder, her skin was hot, he could even feel it through the black jumper she wore.

"Sara!" he called; she didn't wake. "Sara!" he tried again and shook her harder. Still nothing, he pinched her arm slightly, often pain would wake someone, his pack did it with him, when he suffered a nightmare. She shot up, eyes wide, filled with fear, and pain.

She lashed out, fighting, kicking, punching, he captured her arms and sat on the sofa half leaning over her so her legs couldn't reach him.

"Sara!" his voice firm, yet soft. "Easy your safe." Her struggles lesson, she's breathing heavily, recognition registers.

"Kakashi?"

He nods and loosens his grip,

"I-I was dreaming b-but I couldn't wake up,"

"Shh, it's ok." He soothes, he let's go of her wrist she brings her arm up to her chest, he sees the pain in her violet eyes.

"You're burning up, how are you feeling?"

"Um not so great, cold, and Shakey."

He nodded and stood "I'll bring you some medicine" he left to do just that.

When he returned, she was sat up still rubbing her arm, the pain still in her eyes.

"If you don't' improve soon I'll take you to the hospital."

She took the medicine, laid back down his concern grew.

She wasn't getting better.

Genma, sat in his kitchen watching the blizzard outside. In his bedroom lay Miya. She for now sleeps, he had taken time off, and signed off on been her guard. She wasn't allowed to leave his apartment. She is under house arrest, on Inochi's orders.

The Mind-walker said he would help when she was off the drug Sato had given her. for now, he was told to watch her, Inoichi had said she feels very guilty about Sara, but she also feels ashamed.

He ran his hand through his hair, and sighed, Miya lit something in him he hadn't felt since his sister had passed away, the need to protect. Yes, he felt the will of firer to protect the villige and its people, but this was different. Miya meant something to him, his sister had been family.

Hearing a noise from the bedroom, he left his spot and opened the door.

Miya is, sat up with wide green eyes, her hand is scratching at the scar around her neck. He shot forward, sitting on the bed and taking her hand away. "Miya" he says softly.

"Genma?" he nods. "He's still here, I know he is."

"He's not here, darling, I promise we have people out looking for him, he won't get to you."

"Why won't he just leave me alone!"

"I know, darling," he pulled her in for a hug, he felt the tears stain his shirt. "A-And Sara, I've ruined out friendship, she'll probably never want to see me again."

"I doubt that."

She pulled away from him "Then why hasn't she visited?"

"Ah, well, she can't not until Inoichi has undone whatever Saito has done to you."

"So, so I'm a risk to Sara?"

"Yes, for now." He reaches across and tucks a strand of copper hair behind her ear. "I know she's worried about you and has asked how you are doing."

Miya stayed silent. He could see she's struggling with all of this.

"I'm so tired of this, I never wanted him back in my life again" she huffed. "Look what he's done, I hurt my best friend, I hurt you."

"You're forgetting someone"

She tilted her head to the side.

"You, darling he's hurt you too." Genma says softly.

"I'm used to it."

"That's not the point tell me what you are feeling…. Really"

"What, I don't know upset angry" He raised an eyebrow "And, and I'm scared, he took me in the middle of a street filled with people. He said one word and I gave up; I didn't even attempt to fight."

"That's part of the brain washing, darling, look, I'm here, I'll protect you, don't shut me out, been worried over Sara is admirable, but I want to know how you really are, talk to me." He cupped her chin and tilted her head up; he saw the unshed tears brimming in her green eyes.

"Fine." She told him what had happened, what she had felt. Sato had once more taken her, as his own little toy, that angered him to no end. He masked it. He wouldn't allow himself to show how angry he is in front of her. she felt like she had betrayed him, that she didn't deserve him. She couldn't be more wrong, and he told her so. She had cried he laid down on the bed next to her and held her. together they would pick up the pieces.

"How do I deserve you." She whispered.

"Darling you are the best thing that has happened to me in a long while." He stroked her forehead, despite the anger swirling around inside of him at Sato, he felt content lying next to her. he vowed to make that man pay, and to make her happy.

Kushina, is tired, she's been run down for months, despite the Sanin's best efforts, she isn't getting any better. Not that she would tell her husband that. She's too proud too, she doesn't like relying on Minato like that, not when he has so much to do as Hokage.

So, when the kids, started to argue and fight her temper is shorter than normal. Alright so she never had patience. That's what Minto is good at. She had already told them off twice already, and well it wasn't working.

Feeling rather low on energy and patience, she snapped.

"Aoi, go to your room now!"

"But-But" the little girl stuttered out.

"No but's I saw you swipe that Toy."

"He stole it from me" the girl whined.

"I don't care, go to your room now!" Kushina pointed upstairs.

Aoi throw the toy down and stomped upstairs "I hate this place, and I hate you!"

"Don't come back down until you apologise." Kushina put her hand to her head.

"Mom you, ok?" Naruto asked.

"Yes, I just need to lie down for a bit."

"Sure, thing mom, I'll watch the house."

Kushina ruffled her son's hair, and went into the living room where a fire is going, she swore she would just rest her eyes.

When she woke up, she found that the fire had gone out, and the house is, silent.

She got up and went to look for the kids, she found the front door open, snow coming into the house. She frowns and closes it.

"Naruto? Aoi?" she calls, after a search of the house, she found them both gone.

Aoi had took some of her things with her. Naruto must have gone after her.

Kushina looked out of the window, it is a whiteout.

Hurrying back down stairs she puts on her coat and leaves, intent on looking for the kids.

She shouldn't' have yelled at Aoi like that. She had just been so tired. She berated herself for dismissing the Anbu Minato had sent.

She called out for them, but found no sign of them after about half hour of searching she realised it is impossible, she needed her husband. The snow and winds are Icey and bitterly cold.

she trekked to the Hokage tower. By the time she had gotten there she's freezing, and exhausted. She burst in to his office doors panting.

"Kushina?" Minato is at her side, in an instant, "What's wrong? What are you doing out in this blizzard?"

She grabbed his flak jacket and pulled him close to her.

"Minato the kids ran away! At least Aoi did, I think Naruto went after her, I can't find them!" she whaled

"Alright, it will be alright." He said steering his wife to his chair.

"Bore bring a blanket."

"Minto it's my fault ya'know! I yelled a at Aoi." She's aware of a blanket been put around her.

"It will be alright, I can feel Naruto's seal, I'll grab him now."

In a flash he's gone. Kushina blinked and he was back, he had a very cold Naruto in his arms. Kushina stood, the blanket fell to the floor.

"He's alright, the Nine tales is keeping him worm."

The boy cracked his eyes open. "Mom, dad." He whispered out.

"Do you know where Aoi is?" Minato asked.

Naruto shook his head, "I went after her, it was my fault, I did steel the toy from her. I'm sorry."

Kushina stroked his hair, "its ok well talk later" she looked up at Minato. "You marked her didn't you?"

"Yes, but I had to remove it, since she could here my seal."

"What! You mean we have no idea where she is? Minato it's a white out. She won't survive" Kushina gasped, and swayed on her feet, Minato steadied her.

"I'm aware. Bore I want a search party in my office in five minutes." He looked concerned "I'm taking you and Naruto home."

"No, I want to help look for my daughter" she says taking a step back, and out of his grip.

"Kushina. I know you feel responsible, but you can't help."

"Why!?"

"Because" he says cutting her off "I know, Kushina despite you not telling me I know how tired you are and rundown, your chakra has dipped just coming here." His eyes are hard, Normally Kushina could bully her husband, into letting her do as she pleases, but not when his eyes are like that, she knows, no arguing will help.

She nods, Minato reached out and they flashed home. the house is cold.

"I let the fire go out." Kushina says quietly, she takes Naruto from Minato. "I'll get him changed and warmed up." She took Naruto upstairs and stripped him putting him in a warm shower with herself. She sighed as the heat warmed her skin up, she missed the Nine tails chakra it always kept her worm no matter what.

She dressed Naruto in his fluffy frog pyjamas, herself in a red woolly jumper. Thick maroon trousers. She told him to snuggle up in bed for a little while.

When she came down stairs, the fire is going again and Minato is waiting.

"I'm sorry, ya'know…" she hugged her husband.

"It will be fine; I'll ask Sara if she knows of any more places she would hide." He rubbed his wife's back, "Rest, if you can until I get back." Gently he pulls away, "I have to go time is off the essence." She nods he let go of her in a flash he's gone.

Kakashi helped Sara sit on the floor with a blanket wrapped around her. he then sat opposite her; legs crossed.

"I need to see your chakra when you meditate." He says, she shifted to get comfortable, the light from the fire place, illuminated her face and her violet eyes. Casting a worm glow.

He lifted up his head band, she blinked, and tilted her head slightly, she had only seen it when he scented her. her eyes are filled with curiousness, she bites her lip, probably from asking questions. He's grateful for that.

"Interesting," she says moving her gaze away from his eye, "You're quite the mystery." She smiles, he can see the burning desire to ask about it.

"I know a lot about the Uchiha history, but that… there's no … record of someone else possessing a Sharingan"

"You're not afraid?" he asked, most people are, a Sharingan is one of the most dangerous Shinobi weapon's around, the Uchiha are feared for that reason.

She shook her head, "No, I would be if it where anyone but you, Kakashi, you have showed and proved that I can trust you."

Something inside of him shifted, he didn't quite know what it was, but he felt it.

He cleared his throat, "Thank you, for the trust."

She smiled.

"Now, focus on meditating," he instructed, she inhaled and closed her eyes. It takes a while, but he sees her chakra settle and begin to trickle slowly around her body.

"Good," he says, "Now, I'm going to stick a piece of paper to your forehead. Keep it there." He reaches across moves some of her hair out of the way, and places the paper on her head, he waits until he can feel the buzz of chakra underneath before letting go. The paper sticks, he sses her chakra move accordingly.

"Wonderful, this time your arm." He reaches across and holding her left arm and pushes her sleeve up, and layes the paper on it, her chakra keeps it there.

"Great job," he praises, "Your chakra is flowing better, let it go."

She did, and the paper fell to the floor.

"Just holding the paper lowered your chakra, but it is replenishing, on its own."

"Then why do I still feel so ill?"

"Perhaps it's not chakra related, or it could be because you are a civilian." He shrugged; he wasn't a medic.

The lights flickered before, they went out, the pack stood, and sniffed.

"Power cut?" he mused. He glanced outside, the snow is really coming down now. "I'll get some candles." He stood, found them and lit them with the fame from the fire, and set them around the living room and kitchen.

The pack had gathered around Sara on the floor. Without power the heat would soon leave the house.

Kakashi lit the last candle, just has his Sensi flashed into the room. Sara jumped.

He knew something is wrong with the look upon his sensei's face.

"What's wrong Sensei?"

"It's Aoi, she's missing."

Sara stood, though unsteadily, "What!?"

"Kushina yelled at her, and she ran away, Naruto went after her, I found him but I didn't find her, I had to remove my tracking seal because she could hear it." He explained, as he moved towards Sara, "Is there anywhere you can think of that she might have gone? I tried all of the spots that she hid in before."

Sara's eyes where wide in fear, Kakashi could see her trying to think.

"No, no there's nowhere, the Orphanage?"

"I Sent an Anbu, she's not there."

Sara bit her lip, "We have to find her, she won't survive out there." She moves past the Hokage, he grabbed her arm stopping her,

"We will find her." He glanced up to Kakashi, "I need you and the pack to search."

"I'm going"

"No! I can't risk you out there, you are to stay here!" he glances at Kakashi "Meat me at in Shikaku's office." He let go of her arm and flashed away, Sara flinched, before turning to him.

"I'm going!"

"No, you're not I'm leaving Bull here, leave and he will bite you." It was a threat and she knew it.

"Kakashi, I know her, I know how to find her"

"Your ill, you are close to passing out again, you can't help, I'll send word if I find her." he retrieved his cloak, and whistled for the dogs.

"All right time is not on our side, you know who were looking for go, I'll meat up with you when I find out what areas have been searched." All the dogs but Bull vanishes.

"Bull, she is not to leave, you have permission to use force. Don't' draw blood." The dog gave a soft whine.

"Kakashi please, I can find her."

Kakashi sighed, he strode towards her, using his hight to tower over her, "Stay here." His voice is stern commanding. He could see her fear, smell it, he wasn't sure if she were afraid of him or Aoi being missing. Either way, she wasn't going with him.

She lowered her eyes, licked her lips, "Fine!" she stormed off upstairs.

"Bull watch her." he says he ruffled the dog's hair and left.

Sara lay on her bed, it was dark, and getting colder she knew she should probably go back down stairs where the fire is. she didn't instead she laid there and felt utter fear for her missing sibling.

To her Aoi had always been her sister no matter what others thought, even now, even if she is Minato and Kushina's, she was still her sister.

She bit her lip and went over in her head; of any place she might go and came up empty.

So, she tried to get inside Aoi's head, The Hokage had said that Kushina had yelled at her. suddenly it hit her, a place where she might go, she sat up panic in her chest, it was outside of the village. Surely she….. but the more she thought about it, the more it made more sense.

Aoi had been curious about her real mother one day, she had told the small girl that her mother had died. For all Sara knew that could be true. But Aoi was upset by that thought, so she had made a grave, it was just a rock with the word mother carved into it. It was a place for Aoi to go and talk to her.

She shot out of the bed, calling for Bull. The big dog was outside her door.

"I-I know where she is. or-or at least where she might be,"

The Bull dog blocked her path.

"But I know!" the dog gave a gruff growl shaking his big head.

"Can't you at least tell Kakashi?" he repeated the movement of shaking his head., Sara knew she wasn't getting past him, every second counted. She eyed the dog. He's big and very intimidating She would need to subdue the dog or distract him.

Question was how?

She closed the door again, she had to think, she knew the bedroom window was a no go, her chakra wouldn't hold her on the roof, maybe she could trick his sense of smell? No, no she hadn't done enough reading on dogs to know what could evade them.

Time is running out, what could she do?

going to her backpack, she rummaged through it, finding her note book, ripping out some pages she scrunched them up and put them in the corner of the room.

She knew nin dogs are smart, Bull is no exception to this, she saw the intelligence in his eyes.

She just hoped Kakashi would forgive her for vandalising his home.

But she wasn't about to let Aoi die out there, not when she knew where she is.

She stood and headed for the door opened it found Bull sat waiting.

"I'm going to get a candle, it's dark in here."

She went down stairs Bull followed her, she grabbed one and headed back upstairs. Where she left him on the landing.

"Sorry Bull, I'm still mad." She closed the door and went to the corner of the room, she made sure it wasn't near any other furniture. She was hoping the dog is smart enough to put it out.

So, she lit the papers and waited a few moments then dropped the candle on it. She gasped and ran to the door

The dog is already scratching at the door.

"Bull!" she opened the door "I-I dropped it there's a fire." She says, Bull runs in, and she runs out. She really did feel bad, for deceiving him like this. But Aoi came first.

She raced down the stairs put on her shoes and coat. She could hear the dog doing something, but she can't afford to stop.

She bounded out of the door an into the cold winter night, thankful Kakashi hadn't sealed the house up.

The snow is so deep already, her feet are instantly freezing, the wind and snow whips her face, but she doesn't stop, she can't, she had to find Aoi.

Her lungs stung from the cold. But she didn't stop, she knew where she was, she just had to get there.

The wind howled., her ears are so cold that they ached.

Finally she had to stop, she bent over hands resting on her knees, and gulping in lungful's of cold chilled air. Her hands are red from the cold.

She stands and looks behind her to see if Bull followed her, she couldn't see much, because of how heavy the snow is. So far there's no sign of him.

She ran again ignoring the cold the snow, she didn't need to see she knew where the spot, is and Kakashi property is pretty nearby. Not that she had known that before she stayed with him.

She hoped she isn't too late Aoi is small for her age, there's not a lot of fat on the girl to keep her worm.

That thought spared her on. It isn't far now.

Suddenly her foot slipped a deep snow driffed had hidden a steep drop.

With a yelp she tumbled down, rolling in the soft white snow, it clung to her as she went. She reached out her arms to stop her descent and snagged her wrist on something sharp. She barely felt it, as adrenaline flooded her veins, pushing chakra, her sluggish limited chakra to her feet, she was able to stop her decent.

She took a deep shuddering breath, and slowly turned around, she used her chakra to climb back up, it took a bit longer then she would have liked, the snow still falling fast.

When she reached the top, she sat for a moment.

Her hands are so numb she blew into them, but it seemed to do very little.

She should have thought about bringing her gloves hat and scarf. Too late now, she thought.

She got up, once more headed in the direction she knew Aoi to be.

Though she's a little more careful where she's putting her feet.

As she drew near, she called out Aoi's Name, but all she could here is the sound of the wind and snow.

Sara stomach dropped when she saw Aoi not moving over the stone she had carved out.

"Aoi!" she ran to the child and turned her over, she's so cold, Sara put her face to the girl's mouth and could feel her warm breath on her cheek.

She's alive. She stands and unzips her coat putting Aoi inside of her coat.

Sara carefully, makes her way back. Only it's harder because she's carrying a dead weight.

She is feeling the cold now, her own body is starting to go numb.

The adrenalin is waring off. She slips, her numb feet not holding her up, she twists to land on her back so Aoi is ok.

The storm is getting worse.

She can hardly see in front of her. she rolls over on to her knees and supports Aoi with one hand as she tries to stand,

She had to keep moving, if they stopped, they would both die.

Hypothermia would set in, if it already hadn't.

Sara, tried to stand, found she could not.

With a hiss she sunk to her knees.

This isn't good, she needed to get Aoi warm and soon, she could feel the girl shivering, or was that herself?

She grits her teeth and tried again, this time she managed to get up on to her feet, she swayed the wind threatened to send her back on her butt.

She pushed forward, she had to keep moving each step was taking its toll, her legs, feet are freezing, she can barely feel them., her hands are turning purple, not a good sign frost bite is setting in.

Her own foot prints from earlier have disappeared, the snow is falling much heavier then before.

Her breath fogged out Infront of her, she staggered forward,

She became disorientated, with no foot prints to follow back, the cold making her sluggish and her senses unaware.

She's tired, she want's nothing more then to lay down on the floor and fall asleep.

She knew she couldn't.

She took another step and fell, once more, to her surprise and stupidity, she would realise it was exactly the same spot she had fallen before.

She rolled, and wrapped her arms protectively around Aoi, as she tumbled, she tried to use her chakra to stop herself like before, but it wouldn't' work, she's too cold, her body most likely, trying to preserve heat.

Finally, she stopped, she lay breathing heavily, she tried to move, but couldn't, her eyes are closing, she turns on her side and curls up in a ball, giving Aoi all her heat. It's the only thing she can do. Even if she didn't survive perhaps Aoi will.

Kakashi can't decide if he's incredibly angry with her or impressed.

She tricked Bull, that in itself is not an easy task, the Bull dog had found him, and was very destressed, it had taken Pakkun and the others to calm him down and tell him what had happened. She had set a fire to distract him so she could go after Aoi. Bull had managed to deal with the fire, but the dog was upset, he had let Sara go, against his orders, Kakashi couldn't be angry at the dog, he had the fire to deal with, besides, it should be Sara who he should be angry with.

Bull had reversed summoned himself, to Kakashi.

Now Kakashi stood in the middle of a blizzard, just outside of his home, her foot prints have gone, her scent is barely there. Still, it gave him a place to start.

He sent Bisuke to alert Minato sensei. Kakashi would summon him with the Kunai he had given him once he had found the girls.

He pulled his mask down, the cold biting at his face, he let his Hatake sense come forward, he closed his eyes and used his nose.

He could smell her; it was faint but at least it was something.

He follows. He sent the dogs on a head,

Urshi came back "Blood, small, but it's Sara's"

He followed the dog and sure enough a hint of blood mingled in with her scent. Something was wrong her scent crossed, like she had walked this way before.

He knelt down, swiped some snow away found a droplet of blood.

His concern grew.

"Where are you?" he asked aloud he wasn't sure how much time she had been out. Bull had to put out the fire first before alerting him.

"Fan out, she's here somewhere" he called to the dogs over the wind and snow.

The dogs spread out it's Shibi who finds her at the bottom of a steep drop.

She must have rolled down, he thought, he jumped down as the dogs started digging, he got on his knees and berried its hands in the snow shovelling it away, he finds a coat.

Moving quickly, he and the dogs uncover her body.

His breath caught in his lungs, she's stiff, he rolled her over and tried to feel for a Paulse, but his hands are too cold. He leans his head in close, to her mouth and puts his ear against it. He waits. He's never felt so much relief before, when he feels her breath on his ear.

He moves her arms and finds Aoi.

Kakashi throws the kunai, Minato gave him, within a second the Yondaime is stood over him. Kakashi pull's Aoi from Sara's coat, he can feel her breathing she's alive.

Minato, pulls the girl to him. Kakashi can see Minato is using his chakra to heat up his own body to warm up the girl.

"Thank you Kakashi, take her home, get her warm." In a flash he's gone.

Kakashi scoops Sara up into his arms.

"Go, I'll meat you guys at home, get warm she's going to need our body heat."

The dogs disappear. Kakashi takes to the trees, he holds Sara close to him. She's cold, colder then Aoi was, no doubt the child had been sucking Sara's warmth from her. though he knew it wasn't of her own doing, it was just her body's way of surviving.

Once, home, he realised there's still no power, he was hoping to warm her up in the shower first.

The dogs where waiting for him.

"Upstairs." He called. The pack rushed up the staris ahead of him.

He entered his room, he laid her on the bed.

As a shinobi he wasn't modest, you couldn't afford to be. Yes he would admit he didn't like people seeing his face, it wasn't' the fact that he felt ugly, he was just reminded too much of his father when he looked in the mirror.

At the moment she was out cold, so he wouldn't' have to worry about that.

He stripped, tossing his cold wet clothes on the floor by the fire.

"Err, boss, I know you don't have a problem with being naked and all but she will, hell, she doesn't like me in the bathroom with her when she changes." The pug paused "Civilians are funny like that."

He had a point. He frowned looking at Sara and realised she might not be so happy about being stripped naked, and then laid next to a naked man.

Kakashi coughed to cover up his blush.

She needed to be warm though.

"Maybe leave her in her underwear or something around her boss, just don't peek, and I'll vouch for ya."

"Thanks," he eyed the pug's all too amused stare.

He sighed, "Lets get this over with." He moved, he unzipped her coat, removing it carefully. He could still smell the hint of blood, he didn't know where she was hurt, or if there is any more injury's.

He knew the hospital would be busy treating those that had succumb to the cold. Such as the infirm and elderly.

No, he could do this. If he didn't, she could die of hypothermia.

He removed the soggy wet heavy coat, tossing it near the fire, once the power was back on, he would dry both of their clothes.

She didn't stair once, if it weren't for the rising and falling of her chest the only indication, she's alive.

The dogs sniff her

"Here boss" Pauken points to her right arm with his nose.

Kakashi gently pushes up the sleave, to reveal a small thin line of blood. "Looks like she snagged it on something," he says.

Shibi had already brought up the first aid kit. he patted the dogs head in approval.

He cleaned it with an alcohol wipe and put a band aid over it.

Setting the first aid kit aside for now. He removed her cold jumper, next her T-Shirt, he swallowed, without the thick lairs of clothing he could see her figure. Her curves, her bosom.

He noted he could see her ribs, given how she eats around him he's not all that surprised. Still the sight stairs a fierce need to protect her.

Next, he takes off her socks and shoes, then pull's her trousers down, he can see a few bruises forming on her legs, he guessed it was from when she fell and rolled down the embankment. Her ankle is swollen. He carefully wrapped it. He was still miffed that she had gone out into a blizzard and nearly gotten herself killed.

He shifted her on the bed, and she begun to stair, he walked around the bed getting in it as well, he pulled her to him, she's shivering so much. He wrapped himself around her. her hands, her very cold hands touch his chest, and tries to push him away, but there's little strength behind the effort.

"Shh," he murmurs "Your safe."

It did little to ease her fears, as her struggles increased, her knee managed to hit his balls, he curst. Rolling over pushing her on to her back he pinned her with his weight. Trapping her cold hand between them both.

He ignored how this would look, she is cold and needs to be warm the Anbu in him would not allow for modesty to get in the way.

She soon settles back down again, still he does not move, he lays just inches away from her face, Sharingan spinning lazily, he took in how pale she is, how blue her lips are.

He lowers his head, and rest it in the cruck of her neck, inhaling her sweet scent, she's alive, he can feel her breathing here her heart beating.

He braced his arms, so he wasn't putting all of his weight upon her. he felt the blanket being pulled up to his head, he mummer a thank you, to the dogs and let sleep claim him.

Minato lay in his bed, with his wife and the two children, Naruto next to him then Aoi, and Kushina.

His wife had been incredibly relieved to see Aoi alive. As soon as he arrived Home, Kushina taking Aoi from him and undressing her changing her into warm clothes, she then placed the child next to Naruto and snuggled up warm, he smiled.

Kushina had used a lot of her energy when she searched for Aoi, he was worried for her, but at the moment his wife didn't' seem to be in any danger. Despite her using a small amount of Chakra to keep herself and Aoi warm.

The Nine tails chose that moment to speak to him, Minato closed his eyes and went to his mind-scape.

The giant fox swished his tails menacingly.

"That girl, is trouble." The Fox bellowed.

"She is my daughter!"

The fox growled lowly, "She's draining your wife!"

"How so?"

The fox remained quiet, "She needs more rest, when I was pulled from her, I took a lot of her chakra." Kurama says.

Minato detected guilt from the fox but saying that out loud would anger him.

"I am aware" he says that night he nearly lost his own life as well. "There's nothing we can do she seems better then she was. She laches on to mine and Naruto's chakra I'm assuming because of you?"

The fox nodded.

"I know, I'm worried too, if only we knew of a way to repair the damage the seal did, when it tore you out of her." add in finding the masked man. Despite him marking him, he had disappeared.

"The girl is waking" the fox rumbled and promptly shoved Minato out.

He opened his eyes and found Aoi sat up looking rather confused, he couldn't blame the girl, the last thing she knew was being out in the cold.

Kushina still slept soundly.

"Aoi" he called gently.

She turned her head her big eyes looking owlishly at him.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I need the bathroom" she whispered.

Minato hummed and got up out of the bed. He walked around and lifted Aoi up and sat her on his hip, she was still shivering, he warmed his body up, andshe snuggled into him.

He placed her down, waited outside the door.

He didn't have to wait long, the girl, came out, Minato picked her up.

"I'm-I'm sworry," she stutters out.

"For what?"

"Leaving…... again…... I went to go see my real mommy, Big sis said she had died." The girl said sadly.

Minato thought that Sara hadn't known what had happened to her mother, unless it was just away to appease Aoi. "Big sis, made a grave, now, now I have a new Mommy, I wanted to say goodbye." Minato stopped just outside their room.

Ah, so that's why she had left, it wasn't because Kushina yelled at her, he mused.

"T-there's a rule, that some of the other kids made up" Aoi said "a lot of the kids sometimes come back to us, Gran said it was because they haven't found the right home. Big sis never got one, she didn't even get picked once." The child seemed rather miffed about that fact. "So, anyway, there was this one boy, and he always came back, and he said, if they don't yell at you and send you to your room there not really your mommy and daddy."

Minato laughed, he couldn't help it, to her it made perfect sense once Kushina had yelled at her did this home become a real one to her.

"Oh, I see, still that was very reckless of you." He says lightly scolding her, Aoi looked very guilty, "Aoi I nearly didn't find you in time" he says placing the girl on the floor he knelt down to be eye level with her. "We were very worried about you and thought you had run away."

"B-But I didn't I was just going to say goodbye…." She was tearing up.

"Yes, I understand that, but at the time, it looked like you had gone. Naruto had gone after you and he was also very cold when I found him." Minato says gently. Aoi became upset. She wiped her eyes "I'm sowrry, I-I didn't mean too…. Are. Are you going to send me back?" she walled.

Minato's eye's widened in shocked, he gently pulled the sobbing child into his chest-and hugged her "Of cause not, Aoi your ours now."

She sniffed and pulled away to look up at him "Really?"

"Yes, your Aoi Uzumaki Namikaze. Daughter of the Yellow flash, Yondaime Hokage and the Red-Hot-Blooded-Habanero." He smiled. The girl returned it wiping at her eyes.

"Now come on your still cold." He says picking her up and heading into the bedroom, seeing That Naruto had somehow snuggled up to Kushina, Minato put Aoi next to him. The girl turned around and hugged him "Night Daddy" she says giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Minato hart swells, it's the first time she had called him that. Kushina will be so jealous. He watches as she falls to sleep glad that the girl just might be settling in. he hasn't missed the pain in Sara's eyes though whenever she sees Aoi with them. Perhaps he could include her more since she is Aoi sister.

An, well dam…. Its' been a while huh? I'm sorry I have no excuses other then life is rally, shit at the moment….

So, the next chapter may be a while, I have started it, but…. Not got very far, to give you guys something to look forward too I'm going to give you the title of the nex chapter…..

Kakashi brakes Sara's trust…

So, yea. You might want to stick around for that.

Thank you all who are still with me…. I'll try and do better. Till next time.