Spies and Family Bonds Part 1

At the village gate sat Izumo and Kotetsu. They learned from past experience not to judge a book by its cover. However, when a dust cloud and a white blur come speeding towards your village, you get to be a little skeptical. Guy with Kakashi and a white wolf with Einjeru got in front of them. They ran out of the booth to see Kakashi and Einjeru out of it. Another dust cloud comes up behind them and they see Rock Lee.

Einjeru gave an off laughter and the look in her eyes was blank. "Kami needs to take away your powers for day Shiro. I told you to slow down…" Kakashi was out of it all together. Neji, Tenten, Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto come up. Rock Lee is crying about how he came in 5th place while everyone is trying to catch their breath. Einjeru cried anime tears wanting to go to the hospital. "Sakura! Please, oh please take me to the hospital!"

Sakura was surprised and did an exceptional job of hiding it. Guy in his overly boisterous manner started walking towards the hokage tower. "Let's go check in with Lady Tsunade." Einjeru was ready to cry anime tears of misery until Sakura intervened. "Uh…Guy sensei? I think Einjeru and Kakashi should go to the hospital first." Guy looked on his back and sweat-dropped in embarrassment.

"That's right! First stop: the hospital. Then the hokage!" He starts walking towards the hospital, and Shirobuki stayed with Sakura upon Einjeru's request. Einjeru starts talking with Sakura saying "I only want you, Lady Shizune or Lady Tsunade checking on me… Reasons you already know of." Sakura nods in understanding. "I'm sure, Lady Tsunade is already aware of that; but don't you think it would be better if someone else was watching as well?"

Einjeru shook her head. "No. No one else knows the Hatake clan traits or my particular disposition. Lord Third made sure that Lady Tsunade got the rundown on it. For my safety, it can't be divulged in the open. The village would treat me just as badly as Naruto." She gripped Shirobuki's fur so tight that he yelped in pain. "Einjeru, I know it hurts thinking about the pains you and Naruto went through, but you're hurting me."

Einjeru released her grip and leaned on Shirobuki's neck in an exhausted fashion. Sakura looks at Einjeru curiously due to the fact that she had never seen her so vulnerable before. "I see. I'll make sure that no one else checks on you." Einjeru breathes heavily and says "You'd think I'd have learned my lesson about charging in carelessly after my arms and legs were broken. Nope. I had to get caught in an explosion… Even though I have been resting for over three days, everything still hurts."

Sakura nods and smiles deciding to play with Einjeru a little bit. "It seems like you and Naruto switched brains." Einjeru was slightly appalled by that but due to her condition, she didn't act on it. "You're so mean…" She yawns, her eyes drooping. Sasuke and Naruto smile, seeing their teammate act so wacky.

Sakura checked Einjeru and Kakashi's vital signs to make sure that they wouldn't go into shock while the mission de-brief went on. As she laid in the bed, Einjeru felt around for the purple book that Jiriaya graced her with. "The Lonely Demons huh? Looks interesting Master Jiriaya."

Kakashi's lone eye drifted over to Einjeru who wanted to read but yawned again. "As much as I want to read this, I'm too tired to do so. I'm sorry that I can't do so sooner." Kakashi gave a smile, saying, "Rest Einjeru. You'll recover faster if you do." By the time the statement was out of his mouth, Einjeru was snoring.

In the hokage office, Lord Third sat with Tsunade hearing the remainder of the two squads out about the recent mission. Sasuke explained about what happened with Einjeru and the explosion. Sakura explained about Chiyo and some of Sasori. Naruto mentioned the death and revival of Gaara. Team Guy explained the depths of how everything was dealt with.

Tsunade sighed in resignation. "Well some of the holes I'll have to fill by asking Einjeru and Kakashi their selves. The mission is technically a success because Gaara was returned to the Sand and they haven't complained. I was surprised when the Kazekage was recommending a field promotion for the members of Team Kakashi. However, I need you guys to perform in the chunin exams. I've been hearing some things from Jiriaya and his spy network."

Naruto nods and says "Besides the Akatsuki right?" Tsunade nods saying "The Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud are considering an invasion into the land of fire. We need to show them that our ninja can fight. I'm also pretty sure the Hidden Cloud might try and go after you guys and Einjeru because of the fact that you guys are strong. Particular reasons you guys already know of."

Naruto nods and asks if he could be excused to train. Tsunade then says "You don't want to sit with Einjeru?" Naruto shook his head. "She's probably sleeping right now and Kakashi sensei is also my landlord so I see him regardless." Tsunade nods and looks at Sakura for any more information. Sakura nods and says "I need to tell you this without the squads in here, aside from Neji."

Naruto was the first one out of the office, followed by Sasuke, Lee, Tenten and Guy. Tsunade looks at Sakura and Neji, who asked "Is this about the information regarding the spy?" Sakura nods and says "Sasori told us about a spy he had in Orochimaru's ranks and how he's supposed to meet him in 4 days." Neji then said "It could be a trap for Naruto and/or a possibility that the spy would betray Sasori."

Tsunade nods in acknowledgement. "That is true, but I will be sending Team Kakashi with 2 substitutes for Einjeru and Kakashi. Part of the reason is because the council is afraid of Naruto going berserk on a mission. The second is because the two won't recover in time. You guys will be leaving as soon as I can get the two replacements."

Lord Third then says "You two can go now. I need to discuss something with Tsunade." Sakura and Neji gave curt bows and left the office post haste. Lord Third looks at Tsunade and says "Are you sure about the second replacement? I know Koharu and Homura were insistent." Tsunade gripped her fist tightly and said "I only did this to pacify them. I intend to have Einjeru's guardian go and keep an eye on the second one as well as on Naruto."

Lord Third acknowledged this with a smile. "I see, with the wood style, he would be able to restrain Naruto if something would go wrong. We should see what those two think about their replacements, though. Einjeru might not like hers." Tsunade smirks. "I'm willing to bet she'd growl at him the moment she smells him." They laughed thinking that it would be true.

Tenzo appeared in front of them, in ANBU uniform. "You requested me milady?" Lady Tsunade steeled her face immediately. "Team Kakashi is down their captain and one member. You are to be the captain in Kakashi's stead." Tenzo nodded. "Who's the down member if I may ask?" Lord Third fronted this one. "It's Einjeru. She was caught in an explosion created by one the enemies jutsu."

Even if it couldn't be seen, Tenzo's mouth dropped. "I see. Who's the second member?" Tsunade raised her hand and said "He was one of Danzo's devout followers. I want you to keep an eye on him and if he does something to jeopardize the mission or the leaf, detain or eliminate him!" Tenzo acknowledged it and said "Are you going to see Kakashi and Einjeru now?"

Tsunade shook her head saying "I have to debrief our other replacement, but you can go meet your team or see them on your own. I'm not going to stop you from seeing your little sister." Tenzo immediately got on the defensive saying "Sister? I don't see Einjeru like that!" Lord Third and Tsunade laughed at him. Tsunade finally got ahold of herself saying "I was kidding. Although I do know that Einjeru is precious to you. You've done a good job of looking over her while she was just starting out and while she was training. She looks up to you."

Tenzo nods while Tsunade says "Remove your mask. You're not going to need it for this mission. You can use your chosen name of Yamato as you've already met Naruto under that name." Lord Third smiles and says "I think I'll go visit the father-daughter duo. Whether they acknowledge it or not, they're very much alike."

Even though asleep, Einjeru sneezed. Kakashi let out a painful laugh saying in a labored tone, "Someone must be talking about you kid." He then sneezed himself. "Hmmm… Me as well huh?" Sakura came and noticed Einjeru asleep. "How are you two? Are you feeling anything? Any pain?"

Kakashi's eye went over to Sakura as he replied. "Obviously Einjeru is fine. She was just exhausted and still recovering from her burns. I'm the same as when we got here. Everything feels stiff, it hurts just to talk and I can't move."

In the village, Naruto and Sasuke parted ways to head to their homes and relax. Naruto however ran into Shikamaru and Choji. They walked through the village, and Naruto ran through the latest mission exploits. Shikamaru nods and Choji is all into the details. "One question, where's Einjeru now?" Shikamaru sighs in a failed attempt of boredom. "What a drag. She's in the hospital. She's probably covered in scar tissue."

Naruto gives a grin saying "Knowing her, she's probably resting. She's had some serious bags under her eyes lately. I'd assume she's had some serious insomnia or something." Shikamaru agrees with Naruto on that. "That is true. She's known to act weird without rest."

Choji was munching away on some chips. "Om nom nom nom nom nom! We can go sit with her and see if she wakes, right?" Shikamaru, in his ultimate wisdom replied, "We can, but we have a mission…" At that moment, an ink tiger started attacking them. "What the?!" Shikamaru immediately grabbed a kunai and slashed at them. With the splattering of ink, a male about their age could be spotted on the roof in front of them.

Naruto immediately charged towards the boy for him to draw two more tigers and having them attack. Shikamaru held the tigers in place, allowing Choji to squish them back into ink. "Go get 'em Naruto! We'll handle these ink things." Two more tigers had already moved into Shikamaru's shadows. The shadows holding those tigers in place squeezed them, making them explode into ink.

Naruto jumped up on the roof with a kunai sliding out of his sleeve. "Why'd you attack us like that?!" The male in question pulled out a standard ANBU katana and parried Naruto's kunai saying "You'll see soon enough Naruto." He disappeared in an ink shunshin. Naruto stood there confused.

Shikamaru and Choji came up with confused expressions on their faces. Shikamaru was ready to go into his thinking pose. "Do you know that guy Naruto? He seemed to have known your name and face well." Naruto shook his head saying "Everyone in this village knows me… I hate the reason why though." He rubbed his stomach thinking "Kurama, I don't blame you one bit. It's the villagers."

Choji nods and says "I understand Naruto. You have friends and loved ones don't forget. Einjeru risks herself for you all the time." Shikamaru smiles saying "Exactly. She will risk everything for you." Naruto gives a chuckle and starts toward the hospital. "You guys want to see if she's awake before you head out?" Shikamaru nods with Choji already following.

At the same time, at a certain ramen stand that has been serving the Hidden Leaf for 2 generations already; a certain ANBU was ordering some ramen to bring to a certain bed-ridden kunoichi. Teuchi brings out the to-go order with a smile. "Thanks for waiting! Is this for Einjeru? I've heard she was bed-ridden." He got a nod in return. Yamato sighed as well. "It looks like I've done a poor job of adjusting her decisions on missions."

Ayame smiles saying "Naruto and Einjeru are woven from the same cloth. Hard-headed, never giving up. She has her fathers' brains for jutsu, but her mothers' impulses. What's your name? I've never seen you around." In reply, he said "My name is Yamato. By the way, how'd you guess this was for Einjeru?" Teuchi fronted that saying "That is her usual order to specs. I know all my regulars' favorites."

Yamato smiles saying "She'll probably be complaining that she's hungry soon. I better take this to her." Ayame nods. "Come again soon!" He immediately comes over to the hospital and signs in. The nurse gives the usual spiel about food for patients and Yamato sighs, knowing that this argument was going to end in an angry hokage due to the fact that they know Einjeru doesn't need the hospital food and refuses to eat it anyway.

30 minutes later, Yamato's prediction came true. Tsunade bit the nurses head off and allowed Yamato to go upstairs. He came in the room to see Kakashi laying in the bed closest to the door and Einjeru closer to the window. Her nose twitched, telling Yamato that she smelled the ramen. Her eyes twitched, showing the signs of waking up. "I smell… Ramen…" Her eyes open and zoom over to him. "Senpai! Gimme! Gimme the ramen!"

Kakashi looks over at Yamato and then over to the hyper person in the bed. "You had to bring her favorite food, didn't you?" Yamato chuckled sheepishly saying "You know she starves herself in here. I had to bring her something." Kakashi let out a slow exhale. "You couldn't break that habit?" Yamato shook his head saying that she refused to eat bland food.

Einjeru started whining just before her stomach gave a big growl. "Hungry… so hungry…" Yamato brings over the side table and sets the ramen down on it. She tore into it like she hadn't eaten in days. Kakashi's eye drifted over to her as he said "You wanted to talk about something?"

Yamato immediately closed the door and put silencing seals on the room. Einjeru propped her pillow up saying "It has to do with why I freaked out. I can only tell you some things because my memory is a little broken when I try to remember it." Kakashi nodded and Yamato asked "Is this the time you lost control due to being kidnapped within that cave?" Einjeru nodded and explained things from her point of view that she remembered. Yamato filled in holes and gaps from where he came in.

Kakashi listened, but wondered what it had to do with the freak out. Einjeru stretched a little saying "The same demon that kidnapped me was the same presence that we felt at the Hidden Sand hospital. He… Wants me to use my unstable powers for some odd reason." His visible eye narrowed, as if planning to destroy the creep who attempts to harm his pup.

Yamato hears someone coming and takes down the seals with lightning precision. Three people come in and look at the ANBU parading around as a jonin, and the shinobi that lay in the two beds. Kakashi's eye drifted over to the three people as Yamato stands at attention.

One of the three looks at the two intently, his black hair framed around his face as if it his hiding his true intentions. 'So these two are Kakashi and Einjeru. They don't really look alike or act the same…' Einjeru who happened to be slurping her ramen heard his thought and looked at him intently. 'So? Who's the pale creep with the bangs. Kinda makes me think that he is actually a she with that frame.'

Tsunade comes out and breaks the ice. "Well, you've already met your replacement captain for Team Kakashi; now meet your replacement Einjeru." Upon that being said, the air in the room got cold and a low growl started to build. 'This creep is my replacement?!'

Kakashi felt the flare and used a trick he learned over the last two years to force Einjeru to calm down. Einjeru looked around feeling an impending feeling descend upon her. She felt the need for a hard swallow as her eyes drifted to Kakashi. 'Dad's chakra is freaking me out!' He smirked under his mask, knowing that the trick worked.

"Now that I've calmed you, will you please listen to what Lady Tsunade says. You can voice your dissent afterwards." Einjeru nodded almost immediately. 'Sure, whatever you say…' Tsunade continued saying "I anticipated her growling and snarling at him. To be honest, he's a terrible replacement for Einjeru, but I needed to pacify our council."

Einjeru grabs her pillow and places it on her legs to rest her head on. "Those retards wouldn't know teamwork if it hit them in their faces. They don't understand that different people create different chemistry, and our team has the best chemistry… even if it didn't look like it at first." Yamato intervened saying "Unfortunately Team Kakashi had to be sent on a mission because of a possible lead that was found by Sakura on your last mission. The deadline was well before you two are due to recover."

Yamato got nothing but silence out of her as he saw her cuddling a pillow like a kid. "I know you're not just sitting here quietly and accepting this." As soon as that rung out, the swirling of water came from another room and the faint patter of footsteps came into the room. The Einjeru that sat in the bed disappeared leaving the other one to say, "I may have burns and scars on my face, but it doesn't mean I'm an invalid. I'm perfectly capable of walking around, running and performing the physically demanding activities that is required of us as shinobi."

Tsunade looks at her and says "Your healing factor is almost as strong as Naruto's, but it doesn't do anything for your scarring. You need to remain here while I remove the scar tissue." Einjeru climbs back on the bed after taking a look at the boy. "What's your name?" The boy gave the fakest smile known to shinobi and demon kind. "My name is Sai. It'll be wonderful to get to know your team."

Einjeru wanted to cringe at how hard Sai was trying. "First of all, lose the fake smile… You're not fooling anyone. Second, I can practically tell from your body language that you're not being sincere, so let's be honest, shall we?" Sai smirked at her. 'She's impressive. Lord Danzo wasn't kidding when he said she inherited her fathers' abilities, deductive or not.'

Lord Third finally said something, his voice gruff with an authoritative nature, "That is enough Einjeru. He is your replacement whether you like it or not." She immediately flinched at the tone. "Yes Lord Third. I apologize." Tsunade then said "Yamato and Sai, the rest of Team Kakashi will meet you at the main gate in one hour. I suggest you two start making your way there."

Kakashi ended up looking at the ceiling. 'I'm good at calming her, but not keeping her in her place.' Tsunade smiled saying "I guess I lost my bet Sarutobi sensei, but we expected her to react someway." Lord Third nods and says to her "I can see she's getting a little stir crazy. Can't we let her out?"

Tsunade gave a firm shake of her head. "I'm being lenient as is. She should be on the other side of the hospital in the burn unit. However, due to our circumstances I'm keeping her in the ICU with Kakashi." Einjeru groans, putting her hands to the bandaged part of her face. "I swear, I'll be tempted to paint these walls with how frequently I visit the hospital."

The sliding door opened revealing a blonde haired, blue eyed knucklehead with a pineapple shaped ponytail wearing lazy bum and a chubby guy with spiky hair. The resident blonde yelled out saying "Granny Tsunade! We were just attacked by a weirdo!" Einjeru looked at the three of them with a weird look. "Shikamaru? Choji? Naruto?"

They waved at her before Sai turned and smiled at them saying, "Hello. It's wonderful to officially meet. My name is Sai." Naruto immediately glared at him saying "How dare you greet us so casually after attacking us the way you did?!" The air in the room went cold again and everyone felt like blood was running down their backs.

As some words were spoken by the resident bed-ridden kunoichi, a hiss and growl were heard under them. Her head twisted in Sai's direction, body poised to strike him in the possibility of the answer being what she was expecting. "You attacked my friends?" Yamato snapped out of the fear from her Killing Intent and restrained her.

"Let me go!" She struggled against the wood as Sai immediately got a smirk on his face. "Yes, I did. I wanted to test myself against those in my age group." Immediately a snarl was heard and two tails were visible. Kakashi forced himself into a sitting position, not caring that the sheet fell off. "Einjeru! Relax!"

Their chakras bounced off of each other and Einjeru looked at him. Upon seeing his face, she went stupid. "F-f-f-face." Kakashi looked at her weird and looked at everyone. Everyone gawked at him. Naruto had the same reaction as Einjeru. "K-K-Kakashi sensei's f-f-face." Sakura walked in and became stupefied.

The constriction of the wood slacked slightly, allowing Einjeru to jump at Sai while everyone's guard was down. Before anyone noticed, Sai was through a wall and Einjeru stood, her fist still extended. Everyone looked at her and sighed. Sakura then pulled Einjeru by the ear and slammed her on her bed. Everyone flinched upon hearing the slam. "You're supposed to be resting Einjeru!"

Einjeru cowered in fear, crawling under the sheets, facing the window. Yamato and Kakashi look at the two thinking the exact same thing. 'What crazy strength.' Sasuke came in and didn't notice Kakashi at all. "Don't we have a mission to start on?" Yamato looked at the time and nods. "Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke and Sai follow me." They followed without question, leaving the two hokage and two Hatake in the room.

Lord Third sighed saying to Tsunade, "I guess nothing has changed. Einjeru has gotten stronger, sure, but her people skills are sorely lacking." Tsunade's fist tightened. "If I had been allowed to finish, I would have been able to say my piece, but it doesn't look like Einjeru is listening to anyone now." They leave the room, leaving the father-daughter duo in peace.

"Damn it Einjeru. Do you always have to beat on people that you don't like?" Kakashi got a huff of annoyance in return from the only other person in the room. "No one harms my mate and gets off scratch-free. He ought to be lucky I didn't break any of his bones, or let Akuma out."

His eye drifted over to her as if asking who Akuma is. She looked at him and got a sheepish look on her face. "Oh! Akuma is who you refer to as my dark side." Kakashi's eye narrowed slightly as she continued. "She's like a second personality that takes over when I'm injured, but actually she's a lot more. We communicate in my mind."

Kakashi lays back and in moment of fatherly pride, gave a smile, not hidden behind his mask. "I'm glad that you can control that ability. What is she like, if it's safe to ask?" Einjeru didn't say anything as a person poofed into existence wearing a pink shirt with a black stripe and white pants. "Yo. Why'd you bring me out here?"

A faint hint of a smirk appeared on Einjeru's face as the lone male of the room looks at the Einjeru look alike, seeing numerous differences. Not only was the greeting and clothes different, but instead of black spiky hair with silver streaks, she has long, flowing silver hair with black streaks. The girl felt like Kakashi was looking through her clothes for some odd reason. "Would you stop looking at me like that? I kind of feel violated by my own father while you do that…"

Kakashi instantly averted his eye with that awkward thought stuck in his mind. Einjeru chuckled saying "She's quite self-conscious. Also… We're twins." Akuma grabbed a chair, knowing that explanations were in order. "Ever heard of vanishing twin syndrome? It's like the one twin dying and the other kind of 'eats' the remains. In our case, our souls merged into one and gave Einjeru: the 'dominant' twin the extra chakra reserves."

Kakashi acknowledges the information, and tries to digest it. "Ok then question. What would happen if you guys remained separated, via the Shadow Clone Jutsu? Will you go down to having average reserves?" Akuma shrugged, for they never considered it. Einjeru stretched, having thought about it for the last six months of training. "I've been thinking about that myself. In all honesty, with how much you had trained me to build up my reserves due to the fact that I was a girl, I had thought that the excess chakra was natural. I never considered the fact that I had reserves of two people until I looked into this."

Akuma shrugged in an uncaring fashion. Her mind had no interest on the conversation at all, and was running on auto-pilot. "It's not like it's impossible to rebuild the reserve, and if it came down to it, we already have some of the nine-tails chakra lying dormant inside of us. If we really wanted to, we could capitalize on it and integrate it into our reserves."

Kakashi didn't like the idea of the nine-tails influence on his children, but there wasn't a way to just purge the chakra from them. "I would appreciate if we didn't rely on that." Einjeru's eyes drifted around in a lazy fashion, a nonverbal tick to show her annoyance at something. "This chakra is purified. You wouldn't have to worry about Kurama's influence. If you really want to see how, you should try to train with Naruto sometime…"

The inflection of the words really hurt Kakashi, even if he didn't show it. Akuma, having known from the moment that the eyes drifted that something like that would come out. "Einjeru, you know better than anyone how dad feels regarding that topic. That event shook the village to its knees and you're talking so nonchalantly about it, as if it didn't affect dad."

"Shut up. You don't think that I don't know?! He drilled it into my head how traumatizing it was and how he didn't want to lose me! However, no one knew that I would be the one who'd have to watch over any and all demons including Kurama! Of course, I'm talking nonchalantly about because I have no choice! The last two years, I have had no break from hearing it and you know it, so don't try and preach because you went through the same pain I did! The beatings from mom. From Grandpa. From Tenzo! You know I endured through them just so I could come back stronger. Every time I tried to seclude myself into my head, you never let me! Call me inhumane for being nonchalant about something like this, but I can't pretend that my role in life isn't important. I can't pretend that all those comments made about Naruto and Kurama don't affect me… They hurt… Worse than a kunai or a shuriken, but I endure it, just to see Naruto and my other teammates smiling and alive. All my rash decisions, were just a farce that I hide behind. I must have done a hell of a job if not even you couldn't see it…"

Akuma instantly averted her eyes in shame. She knew that Einjeru was hiding herself in herself, but didn't want to think she was right. Over the last two years, Akuma wanted to think they were bonding. Slowly, but surely bonding. "I saw… I just didn't want to think that you'd hide inside yourself like that. I didn't want you to push me away and lock me back the way you had when we first came into contact with each other, so I kept my distance when it came to your farces. Hoping that you would open up like mom and grandpa forced you to. We hoped you'd come out on your own instead of it getting to this point where you'd throw yourself all in like dad back in the past."

Kakashi laid under his sheets quietly, not showing the effect of Einjeru's words. 'You're right Einjeru… I don't know. The pains of living with a burden like yours. Protecting the village from a world that most of anyone knows nothing about. The times that you needed me most, I wasn't around. The least I could do is be there now, but you have to let me. Don't push away those close to you just because of me. I did that and I felt the truest of despairs. Had I not pushed away your mother, she'd probably still be here, and you wouldn't feel this pain… Maybe Minato sensei and Kushina sensei would be here to give guidance too…'

Akuma finished her spiel, somehow emotionally exhausted. She looks over at Kakashi, seeing an emotionless look in his eye. With the lack of emotion, Akuma feared the worst and a shiver made its' way up her spinal cord to the brain which then sent electrical impulses with the same shiver to the rest of her body while inadvertently causing goosebumps. 'Dad… What are you thinking?'

Einjeru, also exhausted, had crawled under her covers to try and warm herself up. "You can stay out if you want Akuma... I won't force you..." Her words as she said them started to slur and mush together as her eyes dropped, signifying sleep. 'I'm sorry, but maybe I need to be selfish for now. I can't keep going around saying that I'm okay and a perfect kunoichi all the time. In all honesty… I was broken within the last couple of years, my mask was shattered into a billion pieces. I scrounge up a new one to see it's cracking. I need time.'

Akuma nods and sits with Kakashi. "Say dad. I'm sure Einjeru didn't mean it. I think it's just cabin fever talking. Either way… Can we just talk?" Kakashi's eye went over to Akuma as if wanting to ask something desperately. "Were you like her voice of reason inside of her head?" He got a chuckle in return as Akuma sheepishly scratched her head. "Kind of, but sometimes she doesn't listen. She does know, but she chooses not to act on it." Kakashi decides that when he's strong enough that he'd test their limits while separated.

Shizune comes in the room to see Akuma, wondering how she got in and where she came from. The silence in the room made tensions so thick that it could be cut with kunai. Akuma finally decided to break the tension. "You're Shizune right? Is there any way you could summon Lady Tsunade so we could discuss this?" Kakashi nods as if silently saying there's no threat.

As if a signal was set off, three ANBU rushed to the hokages office and let her know that her presence was needed at the hospital. Shizune started to ask questions, but Akuma shook her head. "When Lady Hokage is here, I'll answer everything. I don't want to have to repeat myself."

Meanwhile, Team Kakashi under the leadership of Yamato was taking a detour to get to know each other. Yamato started off with the traditional greeting and explained everything. "Hello. I'm your substitute captain. My name is Yamato. You guys may know each other in some fashion, but I want to know you while I lead, so introduce yourselves."

Naruto, albeit grudgingly, started the introductions. "Naruto Uzumaki. I like ramen and hanging out with my friends. I don't like being attacked by people for random reasons." Sasuke shrugs without a grunt, continuing the introductions. "I'm Sasuke Uchiha. I don't really care for sweets, but I like tomatoes." The introduction torch was passed to Sakura who wanted to pummel Sai for an inappropriate comment that he made when they just got outside the village. "Sakura Haruno. I don't really care for anything except my friends. I enjoy my role as a medic and will make sure that nothing happens to my teammates… Even if they deserve it."

Sai gave his traditional smile saying "My name is Sai. I like drawing. I hope we can get along as a team." Yamato gives a smile thinking some progress had been made with breaking the ice. Naruto groans saying "Captain Yamato why did I have to introduce myself? I met you before when we were walking back to the leaf and Sai already knew me." Yamato gave a creepy look saying "It's sign of respect even though we've met informally. Besides, I never met Sakura or Sasuke."

Naruto jumped seeing the creepy look, thinking 'Boy… I see how he keeps Einjeru in check.' Yamato goes back to his cherry demeanor saying "We'll go to a hot springs town to solidify our bond as a team. After we get there can we talk about our intel and create a game plan." Sakura nods while Sai gets another inappropriate thought.

Back in the Leaf, more specifically the hospital, filled with the scent of antiseptic and bacitracin-like substances, the female medical ninja in charge of the village was walking to the Intensive Care Unit to see what the ANBU were flipping out about. The sliding door opened, allowing her to see an apprehensive Shizune, a girl dressed in pink; sitting in a chair, Kakashi laying there as if nothing was happening and Einjeru sleeping.

The girl then said "Now that Lady Hokage is here, I can explain what I am and why I'm here. First things first, my name is Akuma. I'm Einjeru's twin more or less." Kakashi sat up saying "These two are a case of vanishing twin syndrome if I heard them right. Akuma's the reason that Einjeru's chakra reserve was that of two people." Tsunade stood there thinking 'Vanishing Twin Syndrome? Einjeru ate this girl in the womb?' Akuma, being blessed with the same abilities as Einjeru (obviously,) nodded. "I guess you could say that she ate me, but our souls' kind of merged into one being. However, if we wanted to, we could remain separated and rebuild the reserves that were lost from the separation."

Tsunade sighed as the Hatake duo that gave her problems before just became a trio. 'Well this would make assigning teams easier because with Shirobuki around, I could just make a team out of him, Einjeru and Akuma if she decides to stick around with Tenzo as their captain.' A smile starts to appear on her face as she looks at Akuma. "Have you thought about sticking around?"

Akuma shook her head. "I never thought about it, I was mostly in Einjeru's head to keep her sane, especially during the training. Why do you ask?" Shizune's head turns to Tsunade. Tsunade smiles bigger, knowing this might work in her favor. "Well I've been trying to think of a way to ween Team Kakashi into the three-man team they were supposed to be. I think you and Shirobuki are keys in that. That's why I'm asking."

Akuma became the one with the apprehensive look. "I'm willing to play ball, but don't need permission from the captain and team member of the team you're breaking apart?" Tsunade gave a chuckle. "I assign the teams Akuma, and where they go. The two in the beds technically have no say in the matter." Kakashi leans on the propped pillow. "She's right. The only reason that Einjeru remained under me is for her safety."

Everyone got a headshake from Akuma. "That's why she lashes out. Why she gets huffy and puffy. Why she argues. No one seems to ask her how she feels. She bottles it up because she feels she has no say in the decisions made about her or in front of her. Even if she's sleep, she can hear everything we say. She's sixteen and capable of handling herself, as demonstrated when she put Sai through the wall earlier."

Kakashi sighs, wondering how Akuma was such a debater considering she was just poofed into existence. "Even if she's strong enough to put someone through a wall, she still got him by surprise." Akuma smirked, knowing what Kakashi was doing. "You're going to lose this debate dad; just from this one statement. A shinobi is supposed to get their opponent by surprise. You're supposed to keep your opponent guessing."

Tsunade chuckled under her breath, looking at the two trying to debate whether or not the argument is valid. Shizune looked at the silver and black haired girl. "She definitely has the wits." Tsunade nods and looks at the time. "It's almost time for Einjeru's treatment."