Danger

Jiriaya called down the hawk and saw a note attached to its leg from Lord Third. He read the note and had a grim look on his face. Naruto saw it and said "Pervy Sage?" Jiriaya says back "Orochimaru escaped." Einjeru froze midstep and said "What?" Jiriaya replied "You heard me brat." Einjeru's mind starts racing and Kakashi says "Calm down. He's not going to try anything yet." Einjeru bites her lip and says "I can't... My mind is racing a 100 miles an hour trying to think of a positive thing and nothing is calming me down."

Tsunade then says "You guys had him?!" Einjeru bit her lip, Naruto was silent and Kakashi faced Tsunade saying "We had him and his assistant in custody. We were supposed to seal their chakra away, but with all the commotion we weren't able to and now they escaped again." Tsunade was pissed and she punched a tree thinking "That bastard!" Jiriaya sighed and said "We have to get back to the leaf immediately. Lord Third wishes to see Einjeru."

Kakashi nods and says "You're right Master Jiriaya." Naruto says "Let's get back to the leaf!" Einjeru nods and gets ready to walk when they all hear a sinister laughter. Kakashi yells to Einjeru and Naruto to stand back to back with each other. Einjeru does so and closes her eyes to focus. Naruto feels a calm wash over and Einjeru glows purple. Einjeru opens her eyes and says "Jump away Naruto!" Orochimaru's head pops out the ground as Naruto and Einjeru separates.

Kakashi sees this and pulls a kunai knife out. Einjeru puts her hand on the White Light Chakra Saber, but Kakashi yells to her "We need to get back to the Leaf. Lady Tsunade and Master Jiriaya can handle Orochimaru. Let's go!" Einjeru nods and gets up to see Naruto unconscious. Einjeru thinks to herself "Damn it! Nice time to be unconscious." She picks up Naruto and makes a run for it.

Orochimaru laughs and says "How cute. She thinks she can get away." Einjeru runs as fast as she can. Kakashi growls and says "You won't touch my subordinates!" Orochimaru laughs again and says "I know she's your brat Kakashi. She may be your underling, but I know she's more to you than that." His visible eye widens and he reveals the sharingan saying "I'll make this quick then."

Einjeru in the meanwhile is close to the village gates when Kabuto appears in front of her saying "You are really lucky kid." The wind blows and Einjeru said "I was wondering when I'd see you, you double-crossing bastard! I knew from the moment I saw you at the first part of the chunin exam that you were a rat!" Kabuto said "Yet you didn't say anything until I went after Sasuke." Einjeru replied "I needed evidence to back it up and you gave it to me."

Einjeru shifts her weight to support Naruto and Kabuto laughs saying "What Lord Orochimaru sees in you is something else." A clone of Einjeru uses the wolf style on Kabuto and a log appears. The clone thinks "Shit! How did he know?" Kabuto reappears saying "It was clever, but not clever enough. It was when you shifted your weight. You were actually weaving a hand sign behind your back. However, Naruto started slipping so you made it look like you were re-supporting him. Like I said; clever."

Kakashi meanwhile is facing Orochimaru and Orochimaru says "Looks like Kabuto did his job and I did mine." He laughs and disappears. Kakashi thinks to himself "Damn it!" Jiriaya then says "What happened?" Kakashi growls and says "Orochimaru was the decoy, and succeeded in separating us from Einjeru and Naruto. They're cornered."

Kabuto takes a step near Einjeru, and she steps back and gets on the defensive. She thinks to herself "Come on Naruto, wake up already." Orochimaru appears next to Kabuto saying "The Hatake brat was so easy to fool." Einjeru growls and says "Which one?" Orochimaru laughs and says "So it's true. You are his brat." Einjeru tries to back up subtly and try to get away.

Orochimaru to Einjeru's dismay grabbed her and Naruto from behind. Einjeru howls as loud as possible and Kakashi hears it thinking "Damn it!" The howl managed to make it to the leaf, but very few people knew what it was. A villager says "How is there a wolf near the village and why is it howling at this time of day?" A certain ANBU heard that howl and left the village to track it.

Kakashi at this point was flashing through the forest to close the gap between him and Einjeru. Jiriaya, Tsunade and Shizune weren't far behind. Kakashi thinks to himself "Be okay." He starts to move faster and Jiriaya says "I know Einjeru and Naruto are in danger, but charging in there without a plan will put them more at risk. You need to calm down some. She is a chunin right? That means that she knows to make the right judgment call."

Einjeru was struggling against the grip that she was being held in. Orochimaru says "We can't risk you moving, now can we?" Einjeru struggles again and Kabuto laughs saying "You had quite a bit of luck, but now there isn't anyone to help and you're stuck." She howled again hoping that someone would hear. Orochimaru looks at her and says "Don't mutts howl?"

Einjeru snarls and says "Obviously you don't know of the genetics that the Hatake carry." Orochimaru laughs and says "The only thing that makes Kakashi special is that sharingan implanted in his eye." Einjeru laughs at his ignorance and says "Nope! I'm not going to say anymore because I have more than just my father's genetics in me. I'm going to show you why you shouldn't mess with me."

Einjeru closes her eyes and enters her mindscape. Orochimaru tries to use her lowered guard to his advantage, however some wood gets in his way. Tenzo sat in a tree looking at Orochimaru from behind his mask. Kabuto looks and says "We should probably go." Orochimaru laughs and says "So, someone did survive. No matter. I still have a prize to claim. Kabuto, why don't you play with him while I do this."

Einjeru is walking in her mindscape and sees her dark half sitting there. Her dark half looks at her and says "Back so soon?" Einjeru replies "I need your help. I need to show someone why they shouldn't mess with me or my family, friends and home." Her dark half grins sadistically saying "I would love to help with that." Einjeru says "I'm not sure how my marking works per se, but I think it allows us to merge."

Kabuto says "So you were a guinea pig for one of Lord Orochimaru's experiments. I must say, to be able to control the wood style of the first hokage is a remarkable feat." Tenzo remains quiet and tries to think of how to end this fight quickly and check on Einjeru. Kakashi feels Tenzo's chakra and calms slightly. Jiriaya sees Kakashi's rigidness ease down.

Einjeru's eyes flash open and she breaks the grip on her. Orochimaru starts to see a shadow and says "Hmmm... You seem to embrace the darkness well." Einjeru closes her eyes and focuses saying "You have no idea what I embrace." Kakashi felt a flare in chakra and thought "She didn't!" Jiriaya said "I don't like that look in your eye brat!" Kakashi then said "Einjeru went to her dark side..."

Naruto starts to wake up and sees Einjeru. He tries to move, but notices the movement restricted. He calls out to Einjeru who responds with a small smile. Orochimaru tries to use this to his advantage and Einjeru sighs saying "You really don't understand do you?" Her ears and tail pop out, and her hands turn into claws. Inside Einjeru's head, her dark half says "We don't have long until we have to split again. Too long and the body can't take it."

Einjeru acknowledges it and faces Orochimaru saying "Come on! Come and get me!" Naruto looks at Einjeru like she's crazy and says "Einjeru, you're nuts!" Einjeru nods and says "But it's keeping you safe!" Orochimaru charges in with his neck extended. Einjeru uses the long neck to her advantage and grabs it. Orochimaru grins and says "Now what?"

Einjeru yells out "This!" and throws Orochimaru into a tree. She hears the sound of bones cracking and Orochimaru laughs saying "That won't keep me down for long." His mouth opens wide and he comes out unscathed. Naruto and Einjeru are both grossed out by this. Einjeru holds her ground and Naruto tries to break his restraints. He pulls out the Grass Longsword from his mouth, and Einjeru pulls out the White Light Chakra Saber from the holster.

Kakashi, Jiriaya, Tsunade and Shizune get there in time to see it. Kakashi gets nervous, and Einjeru senses it. She thinks to herself "This sword... This will leave a nasty mark if I don't watch it." Tenzo sees it and thinks "Crap!" Kabuto says "Your opponent is right here!" Tenzo uses the wood style to keep Kabuto occupied and yells to Einjeru "Run! If you get struck by that sword the pain will be too much!"

Einjeru replies "You worry too much and Kabuto's behind you." Kabuto slashes through the wood style and Tenzo substitutes himself for a log. Einjeru charges in with the White Light Chakra Saber. Tenzo facepalms and Orochimaru says "Quite the speedy one." He swings his sword to be blocked by a blinding chakra. Einjeru thinks "What is this?" Her dark half says "It must be the white chakra."

Sakumo's voice pops in her head saying "It's that necklace that I gave you. Its connected to the white light chakra saber." Einjeru then says "But why now?" Sakumo then says "You're threatened. So it awakened the reserves." Her dark half separates from her saying "Our limit has been reached." Einjeru starts to feel the after effects. She thinks "I have to stay strong." Kakashi notices her tensing. Jiriaya looks to Tsunade and Shizune. They nod back and Kakashi says "Extraction?" Jiriaya nods and says "Wait just a little more."

Einjeru dodges Orochimaru's sword and jumps over to Naruto. She winces in pain and Naruto hears it. Orochimaru charges in and Einjeru goes to block, but gets pierced in the stomach. She screams out and Jiriaya gives the cue. Kakashi grabs Naruto and Einjeru. He brings them to Shizune and she gently pulls the longsword out of Einjeru. Einjeru convulses in pain.

Shizune asks Naruto to hold Einjeru down. Naruto grabs her and Shizune starts to heal her. Einjeru whimpers thinking "That was stupid... Some chunin I am." Naruto looks at her with his deep blue eyes and says "I'm sorry..." Einjeru jerks up and whines saying "For what?" Naruto forces her to lay back and says "For letting you get injured like this." Shizune then says "Don't blame yourself." Einjeru says "I did what I did on my own accord. It was never your fault."

Kakashi is sitting near and says "Not to mention reckless." Einjeru snorts at that and says "Don't act like you weren't reckless at my age. You were the one throwing yourself into missions after mom died." Kakashi replied "If you weren't injured right now I would smack you." Einjeru replies "Why don't you?" Naruto's eyes widen and Kakashi bites his lip saying "I can't... You're still my pup."

Einjeru looks away and Shizune says "You're healed but you shouldn't move or your wound will open back up." Einjeru replies "I understand. Thank you Shizune." She tries to sit up some and stand. However a wave of pain washed over and she almost fell out of the tree. Kakashi grabs her and says "You're going straight to Hidden Leaf Hospital when we get back. Also, your chakra is being sealed while you're recovering. No training either."

Einjeru whines and says "This is the worst punishment you've ever given me." Naruto says "No training a punishment? I'd love it!" Kakashi says "Hatake thrive on training, so this is a terrible punishment from her standpoint. Not to mention she won't be able to utilize her chakra." Naruto winces at that thought as Kakashi gets Einjeru on his back.

Naruto, Kakashi with Einjeru on his back, and Shizune start running toward the village. Kabuto notices, and Tenzo stops Kabuto from moving with the wood style and catches up. Meanwhile, Jiriaya and Tsunade are fighting Orochimaru. Kabuto goes to assist Orochimaru, and Tsunade takes on Kabuto.

On the way back to the village, Kakashi said to Tenzo "Einjeru is to be kept on a tight leash." Tenzo replies "So what do you need from me senpai?" Kakashi replies "You have a jutsu that suppresses chakra. If she gets out the hospital, she'll go training which I'm forbidding until she is healed. I want you to use it on her in a way she won't notice." Tenzo nods and says "I'll wait until she's asleep."

They get her to the hospital where she was admitted and fell asleep. Tenzo made a chakra suppression bracelet with a trace amount of his chakra in it to be able track her. Kakashi notices the bracelet and says "Nice." Tenzo replies "Yeah, she's probably berating herself." Kakashi sighs and says "Maybe I am being a little hypocritical." Tenzo smiles and says "Senpai, you're only doing what's best. She is starting to bloom into her teenage years." Kakashi replies "That's what I'm worried about."

Meanwhile, Tsunade, Orochimaru and Jiriaya are in the legendary three-way deadlock with their summonings. Orochimaru's Manda wrapped itself around Tsunade's Katsuyu and Jiriaya's Gamabunta went for a slash at Manda. Katsuyu broke down into miniature clones of herself and started to reassemble. Manda grabs Gamabunta's sword. Gamabunta lets go, and he and Jiriaya use Fire style: Flame Oil Toad Bullet.

Orochimaru and Kabuto got out of dodge and Manda got the blunt of the attack. Tsunade used Gamabunta's sword and put it through the top of Manda's head. Manda disappeared saying "I'm going to kill you next time Orochimaru." Gamabunta and Katsuyu disappeared due to the exhaustion. Orochimaru and Kabuto decided to scram. Tsunade wanted to go after them, but Jiriaya said "We need to get to the village." Tsunade nods and says "Einjeru was reckless, but I'll give her props. No mere chunin faces off against Orochimaru and survives."

Einjeru starts having a night terror and Kakashi tries to wake her. Einjeru jolts up and throws the blanket off. She's breathing heavy and tries to calm down. Kakashi thinks to himself "What was she dreaming about?" She mutters "Naruto..." Kakashi looks at her and says "That was more than a nightmare." Einjeru's breathing settles and she looks at Kakashi. He looks at her and sees something he hadn't seen in her eyes in years, fear. He's seen happiness, sadness, nervousness, but hasn't seen total fear since Einjeru was 6.

Einjeru gripped Kakashi's hand so hard that he almost squeaked. He then snapped Einjeru out of it saying "What's wrong?" Einjeru shook her head and ran to the bathroom. Tenzo came in and said "Do I have to restrain her?" Kakashi shook his head and said "She's scared. We can't afford to make it worse." Tenzo said "Scared? Einjeru? Is this the same girl that we know?"

In the bathroom, Einjeru was looking in the mirror thinking to herself "What am I? Who am I? Do I let my friends, family and village suffer because of my actions?" She looks at her black and silver hair and says "I am of royal blood and a Hatake... I know that much, but who am I? Am I a danger to my friends, family and home?" She sniffles and blinks away her tears.

Einjeru splashes her face with some water and dries her face. She starts walking back to the room and overhears Kakashi and Tenzo talking. Kakashi says to him "You only just met her. I know her expressions better than anyone else. The look in her eyes when she woke up was unlike any nightmare she had. It was beyond anything I saw in her since she was 6. She's scared of something and she's not going to budge on it."

Einjeru balled up her fist and figured a way out of the hospital. Tenzo then says "It sounds like she heard us." Outside the hospital Einjeru was thinking of what Jiriaya had said regarding the letter. Kakashi replied "Knowing Einjeru she's going to go to Lord Third." Einjeru remembers that Lord Third wanted to see her and ran towards the Hokage office.

Lord Third sees her coming from his crystal ball and chuckles. Einjeru comes to the door and knocks. Lord Third tells her to come in and Einjeru walks in still wearing her hospital clothes. He chuckles and says "Snuck out the hospital?" Einjeru looked down and Lord Third smiles and says "Well at least you're okay." Einjeru looked down again and said "I was reckless sir... I encountered Orochimaru on the way back to the village." He nods and says "I see by your injury that he used the Grass Longsword."

Einjeru nods and says "Master Jiriaya said that you wanted to see me?" Lord Third nods and says "I was just trying to see how your visit was going." Einjeru nods and says "I learned a lot about myself but I still have doubts... I feel as though I'm doomed to failure..." Lord Third gets a disconcerted look on his face. Einjeru shifts uncomfortably and said "I don't know what to say... I need to talk about it before I burst but I don't know how to start it and I don't know how to talk to dad... I'm scared and I don't know what to do!"

Lord Third smiles and says "Well, you are right in trying to figure out what to do." Einjeru sniffs and says "It's been the same dream, but it's gotten more vivid. I can't keep going on like this..." Lord Third summons Kakashi to his office and says "You're going to talk about this." Einjeru was quiet at first, but started off saying "I've been having the same nightmare since I graduated from the academy..."

Dream (prior to chunin exams):

Einjeru gets to the academy for the mission assignment and hears that it was supposed to be done solo. The mission was to infiltrate a village and grab a scroll, and bring it back to the leaf. However, while on the mission she ran into some complications. It started off as something simple, but ended up turning into something complicated...

Present:

Kakashi says "That doesn't sound too bad. It doesn't explain why you are in this much shock." Lord Third then said "You said the dream had gotten more vivid. What does it mean?" Einjeru replies "It becomes to the point where I could describe every single detail, but the latest edition ends up with the village destroyed and everyone close to me stacked up in front of me dead and a voice saying 'This happened because you're a danger to everyone and everything around you...' and I was holding Naruto in my hands."

Kakashi looked bewildered that Einjeru was capable of having such nightmares. Einjeru falls to her knees saying "I can't go on like this... It was never that bad until I faced off against Orochimaru and was injured. That last dream was what happened when I was sleep in the hospital." Kakashi comes over and says "You're not a danger to anyone except your enemies. Just because someone is injured under your watch doesn't make you a terrible person."

Einjeru cried into his chest yelling "I'm scared! I don't know what to do!" Kakashi stroked her hair in a calming fashion saying "We will pull through. You have to remain strong." Einjeru just cried saying "Why couldn't I have just been born normal?! Why do I have to maintain such expectations from my peers? Everyone knows me in the village as the daughter of the copy ninja, yet I have a secret that no one else can know. It's tearing me apart and I can't hold it in anymore."

Lord Third says "She hasn't been resting much lately, has she?" Kakashi shrugs his shoulders and says "I don't think so." Einjeru looked so worn that she was ready to throw in the towel before she started. Kakashi looked at her, heart breaking because Einjeru looked the most fragile in all of the years of him raising her. Einjeru then hunched over in pain. She lifted her shirt to see that the wound opened up again.

Einjeru thought to herself "I'd rather bleed out then continue like this..." Kakashi's eye widened and he smacked her. Einjeru looked at Kakashi wide-eyed and he looked at his hand thinking "What the fuck did I just do?" Einjeru sat there in shock, bleeding through her bandages with a red hand-mark on her face. She growls and tries to get up, but gets dizzy and falls over.

Kakashi looks at her and lays her straight. In his head he's scolding himself for hitting her like that. Einjeru's vision starts to blur and eventually goes black. Jiriaya and Tsunade come to the office and see Einjeru on the floor bleeding out. Tsunade immediately shoos the men out of the office and completely removes Einjeru's hospital shirt and the bandages to re-heal the wound.

Kakashi stands outside thinking "I'm such an idiot! I shouldn't have hit her like that. A Hatake protects their kin, not hurt them." Jiriaya says "I saw that handprint on her face... You hit her pretty hard huh?" Kakashi looked feral for a moment and thought "Anjera would kill me if she found I struck our daughter like that." He goes outside and sniffs.

Sakumo's voice pops in Kakashi's head saying "We saw everything. Anjera wants to rip you apart limb by limb right now for smacking her like that, but we also heard her thoughts. Both of you are in doubt." Kakashi says "Dad... I don't know what to do. Something's eating her from the inside out and I can't do anything." Sakumo replies "She's still not acknowledging herself. She only sees herself as your shadow and not as a shinobi in her own right. She also sees herself making the same mistakes that we both made. That's why she's afraid and she's hiding behind her temper."

Einjeru woke up and her vision was blurred. She saw blonde pigtails and said weakly "L-lady Tsunade?" Tsunade smiled and said "Stay still, I'm almost done." Einjeru's vision returned to normal. Tsunade re-bandaged Einjeru's abdomen and sits her up. Einjeru was too weak to support herself. "I just want to sleep." Einjeru says before her eyes close. Tsunade lays her down near the wall and puts her shirt back on gently.

She calls the guys back in and they see Einjeru next to the wall sleeping. Kakashi remained quiet and Jiriaya asks about her condition. Tsunade replied "She lost quite a bit of blood, but she'll pull through after some rest which I can see she hasn't been getting." Kakashi replies "She keeps having nightmares and finds herself unable to sleep."

Lord Third smiles and says "She looks peaceful. I don't want to disturb that by moving her. However, I'm glad you decided to return to the village Tsunade." Tsunade smiles and says "I never thought I would come back to the leaf in all honesty, Sarutobi sensei. These next generation kids are the future and they have shown me that I have a chance to influence them." She gestures to Einjeru and says "She kind of reminds me of myself with her tough-girl act." Lord Third smiles and says "Well, you have yet to meet the other genin. Kakashi is in charge of squad 7 which Einjeru and Naruto are a part of. They are the only genin squad with 5 members in the whole village."

Someone bangs on the door yelling "Kakashi sensei! I know you're in there!" Lord Third chuckles and "Come in Naruto." Naruto comes in and sees Jiriaya, Tsunade, Lord Third and Kakashi standing next to each other and notices a hint of black and silver from the corner of his eye. Sasuke and Sakura come behind him saying "It's rude to barge in." Lord Third chuckles and says "It's fine. I told him to come in." Sasuke and Sakura notice Einjeru in the corner sleeping.

Sakura then says "Is she okay?" Tsunade smiles "Just a little wound to the stomach, but she'll be just fine. Sasuke smiles and says "I'm anxious for a new mission soon." Naruto gets fired up saying "So am I! I'm raring to put my new skills to the test!" Sakura says "I won't be left in the dust by the three of you anymore." Kakashi smiled thinking "These guys are starting to act more like a team after being apart for a short amount of time."

A wolf tail popped out from Einjeru signaling that she sleeping peacefully. Kakashi decided to mess with Einjeru using Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke. He told them to go pet her not touching her stomach. Naruto already understood why and didn't want to put it to chance. He goes for her neck and she giggled in her sleep muttering "Stop it..." Sakura rubs Einjeru's head and gets a sigh in return. Sasuke accidentally touched her stomach which caused Einjeru to wake up and scream in pain.

They jumped back and Einjeru curled up in pain. Kakashi told them to back up as he walked forward. Kakashi walks up to Einjeru and strokes her head to calm her. She winces in pain and starts to relax. Sasuke apologizes and Einjeru shrugs it off saying "It was an accident." She starts to fall asleep again. Kakashi lays her back down and tucks her hair back.

Jiriaya, Tsunade and Lord Third watched as Kakashi relaxed Einjeru. Lord Third smiles and says "You've really grown in seven years Kakashi." Naruto smiles, Sakura giggles and Sasuke grins. Jiriaya adds in "The brat oughta buy you some new books." Naruto then says "I'm glad she hid those books from him! That trash is so boring." Jiriaya then says "Why you little brat! You'll never understand good literature!" Tsunade then says "I agree with him."

Jiriaya whines and Sakura thinks to herself "What a pervert." Sasuke then thinks "I feel bad for Naruto." Tsunade then looks at Sakura thinking "She probably is behind the rest of them physically but has excellent chakra control." Sakura looks at Tsunade and says "Milady?" Tsunade smiles and says "Have you considered training in medical ninjutsu?"

Sakura says "I never thought about it." Tsunade smiles and says "You have the chakra control for it. You'll be a valuable asset to your teammates." Sasuke says "We all have to become stronger and be able to watch each others backs." Jiriaya, Tsunade, Kakashi and Lord Third looked at them smiling. Naruto grins and says "I know it! I'm going to be hokage!"

Einjeru wakes up a few hours later in the hokage's office. She thinks to herself "I thought someone would've moved me out of here." Lord Third smiles and says "You're finally awake." She sits up with no problem and says "Why am I still here?" Lord Third replies "You'll see in a few. How's your stomach?" Einjeru touches it and says "It's not sensitive to touch. I guess I just needed proper sleep."

Lord Third nods and Itachi comes in saying "Lord Third..." Einjeru's fight or flight response kicked in and Lord Third said "Calm down Einjeru. He's an ally." She gulps and says "Itachi Uchiha... How?" Lord Third replies "You have a right to know since this pertains to Naruto." Her fist balls up and shakes. Itachi says "I assume you only heard what the rumors around the village are." Einjeru growls lowly and says "My dad told me..."

Itachi looks at her funny and Lord Third said "Say your last name Einjeru." Einjeru said in return "It's Hatake." Itachi looks at her and says "I wouldn't have expected my former captain to have had a kid." Lord Third then said "She's also Anjera's daughter." Itachi replies "You mean?" Einjeru sighs and says "Yes, I have royal blood in me." Lord Third smiles and says "That's part of the reason that you were left here."

Einjeru sighs and leans against the wall saying "Why is it important that Itachi knows what I am?" Lord Third smiles and says "You have something to tell him about his brother." Einjeru got uneasy and thought "Oh shit... I never thought I'd have to tell Itachi about Sasuke's amnesia." Itachi looks at her and says "No need to be nervous." Einjeru explained what happened when Sasuke tried to ditch the village and her hand in him losing his memory.

Itachi nods and says "I understand. You tried to hold back. At least you told me the truth." Einjeru bit her lip and said "He's regaining some of his more recent memories... His memories from the academy days haven't come back." Itachi gives a gentle smile and asks "How much stronger has he become?" Einjeru replies "He has a second chakra nature and his sharingan is awake."

Itachi smiles even more and says "I can see why he was assigned to Kakashi." Einjeru looks down silent. Itachi gives a critical look and Lord Third says "Orochimaru invaded the village and left a curse seal on Sasuke." Einjeru bites her lip and says "He went totally psycho on us, and he left us no choice but to use our most brutal methods to bring him back."

Itachi looks at her and says "But you brought him back. That's what's important. I don't mind that he doesn't remember the clan slaughter. I'd rather him get strong and be around friends like you." Einjeru looked at him and said "Really?" Itachi says "If you're Kakashi's kid you're naturally gifted and probably bested Sasuke on more than one occasion."

Einjeru shrugs and says "He's getting stronger, and is learning to rely on his friends, which is something I need to do." Itachi gives a warm smile like he would to Sasuke and says "Watch over my brother." Einjeru looks at him and says "But I'm younger than him..." Itachi gives another smile saying "And the whole village watches over the next generation. Never forget we all carry the will of fire in us, and that unites us all." He disappears in a flock of ravens and Lord Third smiles saying "He's right. The will of fire burns bright in your generation." He gestures for Einjeru to come over to him and gives her a scroll detailing what Itachi reported about the Akatsuki's actions.

Einjeru looks at it and says "But why tell me? Isn't my dad supposed to be the one to know? He's technically his sensei." Lord Third replies "The way you work, you'd protect him with your life." Einjeru nods and feels the shaking of an explosion. Lord Third says "Go see what that is. Avoid conflict if possible." Einjeru nods and runs towards the explosion.

Einjeru gets to the location and sees Kisame Hoshigaki fighting Kakashi, Asuma and Kurenai. She hides behind a tree and then Itachi appears. All of the jonin sensei freeze when they see his sharingan. Kakashi yells out "Whatever you do don't look into his eyes! I'm the only one who can fight him!" Einjeru thought to herself "Lord Third told me not to get involved, but to just see what's going on."

Kisame heard some movement in the bushes and Einjeru thought to herself "Crap!I was discovered." She was about to start moving towards the hokage tower when Kisame appeared behind her and grabbed her. She screamed out and the jonin all thought "That was Einjeru!" Kisame appears in front of Kurenai and Asuma holding Einjeru and saying "How unfortunate that this brat saw everything."

Kakashi appeared behind Kisame with a kunai to his throat saying "Drop her." Einjeru remained quiet and Kisame smiles saying "What is she to you?" Kakashi replies "She's my chunin subordinate." Kisame laughs and says "Chunin? She looks like she's ready for bed." Einjeru wriggles to try and get out of his grip, and decides to use lightning chakra.

Itachi was looking and said "Drop her or you'll get shocked." Einjeru yelled out "Too late!" and let the lightning surge. She ended up shocking Kisame and the Kakashi clone. While the clone popped, Kisame dropped Einjeru and she fell on her knees. Guy appeared on the scene and saw Einjeru on her knees. She thinks to herself "That was smart... Using chakra when it's suppressed."

Einjeru was unable to move and Guy tells Kurenai and Asuma to grab Einjeru. Einjeru groans and feels sluggish. Asuma and Kurenai grab her and get out of dodge. Einjeru finally manages to snap out of it and says "You can put me down now, Asuma sensei, Kurenai sensei." Asuma then asks "What were you doing there?" Einjeru replies "Lord Third sent me to observe. I guess I was a mole in a sense. I wasn't supposed to get involved, but I got discovered."

They go to the office and Lord Third sighs saying "I said not to get involved." Asuma replied "It wasn't her fault dad. She was hidden." Lord Third "Got snuck up on huh?" Einjeru nodded and said "All of the jonin sensei were facing off against Kisame and Itachi showed... My dad took on Itachi and Kisame got me from behind when I was getting ready to report back here..."

Kurenai adds "Guy showed up and told us to get her out of there." Einjeru sighs and says "I should probably go back to the hospital to rest... I literally forced my chakra out and I'm tired because of it." Lord Third sees the wooden bracelet on her wrist and nods. Asuma and Kurenai take her to the hospital and go to check on Kakashi and Guy. They get back to where they were fighting and see Itachi and Kisame escaping.

Kakashi collapses and Guy carries him back to land. Asuma and Kurenai tell Guy that Einjeru is in the hospital recovering. Guy says "Kakashi ended up getting placed under a nasty genjutsu and fell unconscious. It's a good thing she wasn't here for that. Well, better get Kakashi to the hospital." They get him checked in and ironically they put him in the same room as Einjeru.

A week later, Einjeru woke up and says "I must have been out for a while... It was a good sleep though." A voice comes from behind the curtain saying "I'll bet." Einjeru pulls the curtain back and sees Kakashi reading a parenting book. She smiles and says "How long have you been awake?" Kakashi smiles back saying "Tsunade revived me in no time, but said that the time you'd wake up was unknown."

A voice came from the window saying "It looks like that bracelet did it's job, huh senpai?" Kakashi nods and says "Being in a comatose state for a week has it's perks. I still can't move though." Einjeru looks at the window and says "Yeah, thanks..." She crawls back under the covers and tries to rest some more. Kakashi then says "Lady Tsunade said your stomach healed up quite fast while you were in your deep sleep."

Tenzo walks up to her and removes the bracelet. Einjeru just ignored him and laid there. He says "Not very talkative right now are you?" Einjeru shrugs and says "I'm tired, but not tired... I'm gonna try and sleep some more." Tsunade comes in and says "So, you're awake after a week-long sleep." Einjeru nods and says "Still tired though." Tsunade smiles and says "I'll bet. Your bodily functions are restarting after a week of non-use. Also, you and Kakashi have some visitors."

Kuroko and Shirobuki come in and Einjeru smiles big. Kuroko smiles and says "I was going to smack you if you weren't awake." Einjeru looks down saying "I kinda forced my chakra out." Shirobuki smiles and says "Well at least you aren't dead." Kuroko sighs and says "Can we be alone?" Tsunade nods and she and Tenzo leave the room.

Einjeru didn't like this, but didn't show it. Kakashi then said "What's so important Anjera that you had to bring dad out to the village." Einjeru thought to herself "Yup, this was not a good thing." Anjera under the name Kuroko said "I want to take Einjeru under my wing for a couple years." Both Kakashi and Einjeru's eyes widened. Sakumo under Shirobuki then said "I'm with Anjera on this one."

Kakashi sighs and says "You'll have to ask Einjeru. This is her decision to make." Einjeru gulps and says "Why now?" Anjera sighs and says "There are some things you can't learn here in the village that being outside allows you to." Einjeru sighs and says "Only on one condition. I can bring someone with me." Shirobuki says "Who is it?" Kakashi smiled and said "Someone from the ANBU Black Ops. who was under my command."

Anjera looks at Kakashi and says "I don't like that idea." Einjeru then said "This ANBU is loyal only to the hokage and one of the few that I trust. Besides Lord Third wouldn't let me leave without him anyway. He was in the room with us." Anjera sighs and says "But why? You act like your grandfather and I can't protect you." Einjeru replies "Call it a shinobi's hunch." Kakashi says "That's not the only reason is it?" Einjeru replies "No, another one is because I need someone to keep me from getting homesick."

Tsunade knocks on the door and Einjeru says "Come in Lady Tsunade." Tsunade comes in with squad 7 in tow. She says "You two are the popular ones today aren't you?" Naruto runs up to Einjeru and scoops her up in a big hug. Einjeru smiles and says "Yo! It's been a week." Kuroko looks at Naruto and Einjeru saying "You two are so cute!" Einjeru gags and says "Kuroko! Not even dad says that!"

Kakashi says "You're embarrassing her..." Naruto blushes and sets Einjeru down. Sasuke smiles and says "When are you two going to get married?" Sakura smiles and says "Come on, you two were meant for each other. Now kiss!" Einjeru turns 50 shades of red and says "I wouldn't mind..." Naruto smiles and says "You wouldn't?" Kakashi says "Of course not, now kiss so people can have something to gossip about."

Einjeru looks at Kakashi and says "When I return, you're the first person I'm going to kill." Naruto gets nervous and Einjeru kisses him straight on the lips for three seconds. Einjeru smiles and Naruto turns red. She blushes and Naruto says "My first kiss... Wow." Kakashi said "Now if only we had a picture." Kuroko smirks and says "Got it!" Einjeru huffs and says "I swear if that picture gets spread, the village is going to be minus one jonin."

Tsunade then says "Calm down now." Einjeru nods and sits on the bed. Naruto stands with Sakura and Sasuke. Kakashi lies in his bed and Tsunade checks Einjeru over for any injuries and see if she's safe for release. Einjeru sits there while being checked out. Tsunade smiles and says "You're clear for discharge." Einjeru stretches saying "Finally! I really hate the hospital!" Kuroko says "Just like your father."

Einjeru gets ready to leave the hospital and Kakashi whispers in her ear "Give him the mark before you leave." Einjeru groans and Kuroko says "Don't worry about it. Give it to him on the back of his neck. That's where your father put mine." Einjeru gets a picture in her head and shakes it away saying "I'll do it my own way thanks..." She walks out of the room and gets dressed.

Upon leaving the hospital, Einjeru ran around the village feeling free. She flashes through the trees. Squad 7 followed behind her. She stops at the stone faces and take a breath of air. Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke landed behind her smiling. Sakura starts off saying "Lady Tsunade asked me if I felt up to taking up medical ninjutsu." Einjeru turns to her and says "Do it! If Lady Tsunade is asking you, do it! That means you must have an aptitude for it."

Naruto then said "Pervy Sage wants to take me out the village for a couple years to make me stronger." Einjeru thought to herself "So Naruto will be Master Jiriaya's apprentice and Sakura will be under Lady Tsunade. That's great." Sasuke says "Lord Third wants me to train with Kakashi in the use of my sharingan." Einjeru nods and the three of them looked at her and said "What are you going to do?" Einjeru smiles and says "I'm going on a training journey with some of my distant relatives."

Sakura smiles and Sasuke says "Lets get some ramen before we part ways for the next two years." Naruto seconds the motion along with Sakura third-ing. Einjeru shrugs and follows them. They get to Ichiraku and the owner says to Naruto "So you got that first kiss huh?" The four of them looked at each other thinking the same thing: "Who spread that around?" Einjeru gets really angry and yells "DAD!"

Back at the hospital the elder Hatake had his ears covered saying "Looks like the Einjeru and Naruto rumor has been spread. I'm dead later." An angry young Hatake went through the hospital to Kakashi's room and said "Give me one reason I shouldn't kick your ass before I leave dad!" Kakashi smiles and says "Come on. I have more tact than that and besides a Hatake keeps their love life private for the most part." Einjeru sighs and says "If that's true then why did you spread the rumor? You're supposed to be the clan head remember?"

Kakashi smiles and says "That's true Einjeru, but even I'm allowed to have a little fun." Einjeru smiles and says "You? Fun? I must've stepped into another realm." Kakashi chuckles and says "Your mom said you can bring Tenzo. She wants to leave after Lady Tsunade is inaugurated." Einjeru nods and says "Naruto says Master Jiriaya is taking him out of the village at the same time. Sakura is going to be working under Lady Tsunade and I heard Sasuke is going to under you for the next couple years."

Kakashi nods and says "The shinobi council requested that I trained Sasuke one on one. I figured since you're going to be training on taming your other side, it was a good opportunity." Einjeru sighs and says "Just don't spoil him, or even consider going easy." Kakashi smiles and says "I'm pretty sure he'll give you a hard time when you return." Einjeru smiles and hugs Kakashi.

Tsunade comes in and says "You're starting to regain your normal functions. You should be ready for release tomorrow." Einjeru smiles and says "That's a relief dad." Tsunade added "Squad 7 will be relieved of normal shinobi duty for now." Einjeru smiles and says "So you're aware of the training journeys then." Tsunade nods and says "I'll be testing you four upon your return to see if you can work with each other." Einjeru nods and says "Understood. Well I have a knuckle-headed blonde to find. See you later!"

Meanwhile, Naruto was on top of the stone face overlooking the whole village. Einjeru walked up and said "I figured you'd be here." Naruto says "This is the best place in the whole village." A breeze flows in and Einjeru's hair flapped in the breeze as she said "This is the best vantage point of the whole village and the most romantic spot." Naruto looks at Einjeru and says "Nervous about leaving?"

Einjeru chuckles and sits down with Naruto. Naruto nudges her saying "One day my face is going to be up here." Einjeru then says "I finally realized my dream." Naruto looks at her excitedly and says "What is it?" She looks at him and says "It's you. My dream is to make yours come to light." Naruto blushes and Einjeru thinks to herself "It's time."

Einjeru starts off saying "Naruto? Remember when I told you about my love bite?" Naruto nods and says "I thought you weren't ready." Einjeru smiles and says "When I told you that, I wasn't. However, when I kissed you earlier in the room, I felt something." Einjeru blushes and Naruto thinks "She's known the secret since we've met, but has never shown me any disdain or anything. She was like a sister, but now..."

Einjeru takes a deep breath. Naruto smiles and says "Still hesitant?" Einjeru laughs and says "Pull your collar down." Her canine teeth got slightly longer and she says "This might sting a little." Naruto pulls his collar down and Einjeru bites down on his neck hard enough to draw blood. She releases and sees a little blood. Naruto smiles and says "That didn't hurt in the slightest." She grabs some bandages from her pouch and wraps them around Naruto's neck.

Naruto was confused until Einjeru said "I drew a little blood." Naruto smiles and said "It's okay. We better head home soon." Einjeru nods and says "I'm gonna go see dad one more time before I call it a day. See ya Naruto!" Naruto heads back to the apartment and Einjeru goes to the hospital. Kakashi was walking around the room as Einjeru appeared in the window.

A little blood dripped from her mouth to her ignorance. Kakashi said "You have the sloppy bite don't you?" Einjeru looked at him confused and made the gesture of wiping the corner of her mouth. She wiped the corner of her mouth and paled in embarrassment. Kakashi chuckles and says "So you bit him... About time." Einjeru smiles and says "I felt something when I kissed him." Kakashi smiles and says "Go get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow."

The following week, Tsunade underwent her inauguration and the whole village was gathered in front of the hokage tower. Squad 7 was in the front while Jiriaya was up with Tsunade and Lord Third. Lord Third said "This was the second time that I give this hat up. Let's hope it will be the last." Tsunade nods and goes in front of the village saying "As your fifth hokage I will do my best to lead and protect our village."

Everyone cheered and Jiriaya appeared behind squad 7 saying "Hey brats!" Naruto turned around and said "Pervy Sage! Are we heading out soon?!" Jiriaya smiles and says "Let's all get some ramen to celebrate!" Einjeru smiles and follows behind them with Sakura and Sasuke next to her, and Shirobuki, Kuroko and Kakashi behind them. After their ramen enjoyment they went to village gate for their two year farewell.

Squad 7 gave each other hugs and vowed to re-unite stronger than ever. Kuroko and Shirobuki stood behind Einjeru and Kakashi said "Take care of her." Tenzo appeared next to Einjeru saying "You have little faith in us senpai." Kakashi smiles and says "I have a young Uchiha to whip into shape." Sasuke smirks and Sakura says "I have to go meet Lady Tsunade." She heads off and Einjeru smiles saying "I'm gonna miss the village while I'm away."

Both Naruto and Einjeru walked out the village together and split ways for two years. How much stronger will they become?