Kiri sighed as she looked down at the empty hospital bed as the weak early morning light streamed in through the window.

"Natsumi... where did you go?"

A man cleared his throat behind her and she turned to see the Hokage stepping through the doorway to look around at the room.

Kiri rubbed her head awkwardly and smiled sheepishly. "So... it seems you've already heard about her going off on her own."

The Old Man chewed on the end of his unlit pipe and clasped his hands behind his back.

"Should I be questioning why you're here so early?"

Kiri laughed and put a hand on her hip. "You think I busted her out, don't you?" She paused to watch him raise an eyebrow in suspicion, then she sighed. "I wouldn't believe me, either."

She turned to look back at the empty bed and crossed her arms and explained.

"I slipped my number to one of the nurses last night before I went home. I had a feeling she might try something, and it turns out I was right."

Hiruzen sighed and held his pipe away from his mouth.

"She's more troublesome than I expected."

Kiri laughed. "Natsumi, troublesome?" She laughed again. "She's a restless sort of person... not one to sit around idly. She inherited that trait from her parents."

"It seems that is the case." He returned the pipe to his mouth and stepped closer to look at the assorted cards and vases of flowers on the nightstand. "However, in the current situation... it's a problem."

Kiri let out a sigh and made a face. "I'm sure if your guy is so good, he's got his eyes on her right now. Tailing a young girl sneaking out of the hospital isn't that hard."

"Not ordinarily," The Old Man looked over at her. "However, Natsumi's natural skill of evasion is another thing altogether."

Kiri shrugged. "Maybe so, but she's out of Chakra still since she hasn't fully recovered. She'll just be on foot."

He raised his brow again.

"You seem to be fairly well-informed, considering you were not a conspirator in her escape."

"First off," She held up a finger. "Calling it an 'escape' is exactly the problem here. She should have never been seen as or treated as a prisoner at all." She held up a second finger. "And two, I just happen to know Natsumi better than you do."

Hiruzen sighed under his breath. "Yes, you've made your opinion on this clear." He paused. "The question is, will you obey and bring her back, or should I send a team out to retrieve her?"

Kiri frowned.

"Why can't she just be out and about? If he's watching her, everything's fine, right? You said he was perfect for the job."

"That I did, and—"

"Well, then just let her be." Kiri met his eyes. "It's only going to cause more trouble and suspicion if you bring her back and lock her in here by force."

She paused again, waiting for him to contradict her, but there was nothing.

"Look," She lowered her tone and stepped closer so that her voice wouldn't carry. "I know why you're concerned... and I understand. I really do. But, what is best for her right now is to not be cooped up, especially if you don't want her to suspicious. She may be ANBU, but she's also still just a kid who misses her brother and has a lot on her mind right now as she processes the trauma of the mission. Some alone time is just what she needs."

"And," she added. "With him monitoring her discreetly, everything will still be under control."

He stood quiet for several moments before reclasping his hands together behind him as he looked at the empty bed once more.

"Very well... you've made valid points, and as long as he's watching her, all should be well."

Kiri grinned. "Yes!"

"You're to also monitor her as well, to ensure she doesn't strain herself. Until we know more about what caused the incident before, she shouldn't be allowed to become too weakened, as a precaution."

Kiri nodded and smiled. "You know, for an old man, you're a really cool guy sometimes, Hiruzen." She looked away momentarily. "Sorry for losing my cool yesterday and snapping at you. I really do respect you and know that you care about the people of this village as if they were your own flesh and blood."

"I suppose that I come off as too callous at times..." He shook his head slowly and turned toward the door with his back to her, gathering his thoughts and standing there quietly for a long time.

"Yuuta was more than just one of my best men." Hiruzen said quietly. "He, above all else, was guided by his heart, which was pure and honorable. He was as skilled as he was a truly compassionate boy, capable of making the right choice very quickly. He was wise beyond his years, and we were all better for knowing him... His death was a tragedy for the village."

Kiri bit her lip and pulled her arms closer to herself, nodding silently to herself.

"He was the best."

The Hokage nodded as he watched her from the corner of his eye and continued toward the doorway.

"You were always his beloved sister, whom he passed down his own Will of Fire to... I see a lot of his best traits in you."

He left the room and Kiri let out the breath she had been holding and covered her mouth. A slow tear rolled down her cheek and over her hand before falling to the floor.

"Yuuta..."

Natsumi looked up at the snap of a twig. Kiri emerged from behind a tree and Natsumi sighed as she drew nearer.

"So... you found me already."

"Yep." Kiri smiled and put her hand on her hip. "Did you tell me to go home just so you had a better opportunity to sneak out?"

Natsumi laughed quietly and then pressed her lips together as she looked away. "Even if I said no, you wouldn't believe me."

"Damn right I wouldn't." Kiri laughed and sat beside her on the fallen log.

Natsumi sighed again and looked out into the meadow in the early morning light, watching a rabbit snuffling around at the far edge and nibbling clovers.

"Still, I was hoping it would at least take a little while longer for anyone to notice I was gone and then find me."

"I did try to delay it." The corner of Kiri's mouth twitched in a slight smile. "However, once word got to the Hokage that you were missing, he was going to immediately send people to search for you."

Natsumi bit her lower lip and leaned forward, resting her forearms against her lap as she laced her fingers together. "Great..."

"But." Kiri's smile broadened. "I talked him out of it, and volunteered myself to go."

Natsumi met her eyes briefly and cracked a smile before looking away again. "So... how did you find me, anyway? This isn't somewhere that I usually go."

Kiri glanced around until her eyes rested on the shadow behind one tree, then averted her eyes before the girl could see and shrugged.

"Oh, I ran into a magical talking tree and he told me where you'd gone."

"Right." Natsumi laughed softly under her breath and gently shook her head. "Keep your secrets, then."

Kiri leaned back and looked at a pair of twittering birds as they flew overhead. "So, why'd you come out here to the middle of nowhere?"

Natsumi shrugged. "Well, I was trying to avoid being found. But, it's just so... open and peaceful here. I like all the sounds outside, and there are no walls like in the hospital. Only openness." Natsumi unlaced her fingers and looked over at Kiri. "I just hated feeling like a prisoner. I know I was there for my health, but I couldn't help but feel trapped."

Kiri nodded. "That's one of the reasons I hate hospitals so much." She smiled faintly. "It's much nicer out here, instead of being surrounded by gloom and mortality." The corners of her mouth pulled upward. "This also happens to be a nice, secluded spot to train in, right?"

Natsumi blinked quickly and made a face, her cheeks warming. "I... I hadn't thought of that."

Kiri laughed and put an arm around her shoulders. "I figured that's why you came here."

Natsumi sighed heavily and then nodded. "I know you're probably to tell me that I haven't recovered fully and that I shouldn't push myself, or I might make everything worse."

Kiri nodded to herself. "Yeah, a lot of people would agree with that."

"But... Naruto will be back soon and I can't let him see me like this." She bit her lip and flexed her fingers. "I tried doing some stretching and basic exercises already, and my body can't even handle a few pushups now. All my strength from before is gone, and I look skinny and pathetic."

"Well, to be fair, your body did try to cannibalize itself in order to create extra Chakra." Kiri poked her cheek. "Which is both impressive and pretty scary. It's no wonder it took a toll on your body."

Natsumi pressed her lips together and lowered her head slightly. "I know. And, I know that I should be resting, but I just can't sit around anymore doing nothing. Even if I have to start all over again, I'll do it. I just can't lay around and be useless anymore."

Kiri held up her finger. "Natsumi—"

"I'm sure you were sent to bring me back..." Natsumi interrupted. "but please... I can't go back there and just sit around. This is something that I have to do, and I know that you'll probably try to stop me, but—"

"Natsumi!"

She blinked and looked up at Kiri, who smiled and put her hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Natsumi, I'm not going to stop you. I want to help with your training."

Natsumi's eyes widened slightly. "W-What? You're not? But... why?"

Kiri rested her hand on the log beside her and her mouth twitched upward in a smirk as she looked at her from the corner of her eyes.

"Well, no matter what anyone would say or do, you'd still go out and do it anyway. Instead of having an annoying back-and-forth argument about it, I'd rather just help you and be here in case you need someone to help you not exceed your limit."

Natsumi crossed her arms and made a face. "Thanks, but I don't need a babysitter. I know what my own limits are, and I'm not so stubborn that I'd go beyond them."

Kiri leaned in closer and crossed her own arms. "Oh, really?"

Natsumi turned her face away as it reddened and she pursed her lips. "...Fine. I go overboard all the time. Happy, now?"

Kiri laughed loudly and ruffled the girl's hair. "It's a Team Yoru trait... all of us seem to be the same way, so don't feel like I'm picking on you." She winked and after some time, rested her forearms on her legs, leaning forward as her smile softened. "So... when do you want to start training?"

Natsumi smoothed down her hair and smiled as she lowered her hands. "Right now? Is that alright?"

"Now?" Kiri stood and placed her hands on her hips, leaning back slightly to stretch. "Sure. I don't see why not."

Natsumi stood and stretched her arms, and then their stomachs growled simultaneously.

Kiri patted her stomach and scratched her head with her other hand as she laughed. "Uh... how about breakfast, first?"

Natsumi touched her own stomach and then nodded slowly. "Sounds good."

"Natsumi, I think we should take a break." Kiri sighed and crossed her arms. "You've been training for hours now. You're supposed to ease back into it first."

Natsumi bit her lip and sucked in a strained breath as sweat poured from her face and fell onto the ground below.

I'm not quitting just yet.

She lowered herself to the ground and gritted her teeth as her arms trembled.

Not yet...

She willed herself upward slowly until her arms locked and she laughed quietly under her breath.

One hundred and ninety-nine...

"Seriously, Natsumi, just stop." Kiri sighed again and watched the girl struggle to hold herself up. "You look like you're going to pass out."

"One... more." Natsumi panted and lowered herself again. I'm almost there... Back up again and Natsumi let out the breath she'd been holding in.

Two hundred...

Her arms gave out and she fell onto the ground, laughing to herself as her body turned heavy.

I did it...

Kiri shook her head slowly and knelt beside her, gently poking her shoulder. "You're one of the most stubborn people I've ever met, you know that, right?"

Natsumi laughed again and closed her eyes momentarily. "Thanks."

She rolled over onto her back as she caught her breath and wiped the sweat off her brow.

If I keep this up, I'll be back to normal before Naruto even gets back!

"Alright, break time." Kiri held out a hand and pulled Natsumi to her feet once she took it. "You go sit for a while, and I'll go grab us some drinks and snacks."

Natsumi crossed her arms and sat on her log, pursing her lips as she muttered. "I don't need a break..."

"Yeah, you do." Kiri patted her head, then made a face at the sweat on her palm, and wiped her hand onto her pants. "At least for a little while. Your Chakra levels are still recovering, but if you don't push too hard, you should be fine in a week."

Natsumi let out a sigh. "Fine, I'll take it easy."

"Good." Kiri smiled and nodded to herself. "Now, don't go anywhere. I'll bring us back something good."

Natsumi nodded and gripped the hem of her shirt.

So... what should I practice once she's gone? I've already done plenty for physical strength for one day... so, what to do now?

Kiri raised her brow at the girl, lost in thought, and then bit her thumb. Forming hand signs, she placed her palm to the grass and the form of an elegant, dark red fox emerged from the puff of smoke.

Natsumi blinked. "Kiri? What are you doing?"

Kiri laughed and put a hand on her hip. "Making sure you take a break."

The fox stretched and yawned, then looked up at Kiri. "I was napping..."

"Sorry." Kiri stroked his head. "Mori, could you keep an eye on Natsumi for a little while for me? I'll be back, but I need you to make sure she doesn't do any Chakra training."

The fox turned its head to Natsumi. "Ah. The teleportation girl." He nodded at Kiri. "Alright."

"Thanks." Kiri straightened and put a hand in her pocket. "I'll be sure to bring you something, too."

She formed a hand sign and flickered away, leaving Natsumi to sigh deeply and cross her arms.

"It's impressive for someone so young to have mastered a technique like teleportation like that." The fox flicked it's fluffy tail and sat beside her. "Especially since you were able to teleport others, rather than yourself."

"Thanks..." Natsumi pressed her lips together and looked at the animal sideways.

I'm having a conversation with... a fox.

"Ahem." Mori straightened and met her eyes directly. "You're not familiar with Ninja Animals, are you?"

Natsumi shook her head.

"We briefly learned a little about Summoning Jutsu at the Academy, but nothing really in depth." She scratched cheek and laughed under her breath. "And, it was never mentioned that you could... uh..."

"Speak?" The Fox watched her carefully and then turned its face away. "Not all Ninja Animals speak. However, it's not uncommon."

This is so weird.

"Um... Mori?" Natsumi looked up. "How exactly do animals become Ninja companions?"

"There are several Shinobi clans that raise and train Ninja Animals." The fox answered. "In Konoha, the Inuzuka raise Ninja Hounds and Nekobaa raises Ninja Cats. The Aburame have contracts from birth to become insect users, although one could argue that their method doesn't qualify as utilizing a Ninja Animal, as there is no summoning involved."

The fox paused. "In other nations, there are other clans that raise Ninja animals as well, ranging from Falcons to Tortoise, and even giant Leeches or sea creatures. However, most of those do not speak. To conclude, there are also the three Legendary-class Ninja Summoning Animals— the sages Serpent, Slug, and Toad."

Natsumi made a face. Slugs? Toads? Snakes? Gross. Who would want to make contracts with creatures like that?

"Yes, I also find those to be unappealing." The fox chuckled and watched her from the corner of his eye, then licked his lips. "Except as meals, perhaps. Snakes and Toads are delectable. Although slugs are vile no matter how you look at them."

"What about you?"

"Hm?" He flicked his tail once more.

"Were you raised by a clan, then, too?"

The fox shook his head. "I was born an ordinary kit, in the woods near the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Tea."

Natsumi blinked. "You were... a normal animal before? But then—"

"How did I become a Ninja?" Mori seemed to shrug and he curled his tail around his legs. "As a Kit, at only a few months old, Kiri found me while on a mission as an adolescent. I would have been killed easily by wolves had she not interfered, despite the fact that saving me delayed her ANBU mission."

Mori watched perfectly still as a small hare across the meadow ate a cluster of clover and licked his lips before he allowed it to hop away with a sigh.

"Until that point, I had viewed you humans to be the most lethal predator, however, I became interested in learning more of human behavior, and I followed Kiri without her noticing me."

His voice lowered and his tone shifted, matching his darkening eyes. "Her mission did not go as planned. She was captured by the enemy before she could alert her team of her position. The enemy did not care that she was young, and they attacked her brutally. Though young, I attempted to return the favor, and I rushed in and started to bite the ankle of one man. It did nothing more than aggravate him, and I was left with this scar."

Mori titled his chin upward and moved a section of fur aside with his paw to reveal a long, jagged scar that stretched from his chin, down to his chest. Natsumi's eyes widened.

"In the end, I was unable to help her, however, her team arrived— her father, sister, and Aito— and they were able to kill the enemies and save her. They brought me along with them back to Konoha, after deducing that I had tried to assist, I suppose. Since that day, Kiri and I drew close and trained together. After only one year, I had taught myself how to speak the human tongue in short sentences. After two years, I was fluent, and Kiri and I became a highly effective team."

Natsumi opened her mouth, and then shut it again. Could that be... maybe... the same mission Kiri had mentioned before?

"So..." Natsumi started slowly. "Having a Ninja Animal as a companion... it makes you stronger?"

The fox nodded. "For those with the affinity for it, though anyone too closed-minded can't properly synchronize with animals on a deep enough level to be effective. For those who can, both the Ninja Animal and Ninja become one in battle, as extensions of the other."

Natsumi stared down at her hands.

Yet again, I need to get stronger. She bit her lip. I was blind before, thinking that I was strong enough. But I underestimated the real world. I need to do anything I can to get more powerful... no matter the cost. That's what I decided before.

"Um... how does a Ninja choose their animal?" Her eyes rose again. "Is it always by accident?"

Mori shook his head and yawned slightly. "Usually, a Ninja has a natural affinity for one type of animal. The selection is more profound than simply shopping in a store— a Ninja Animal Companion depends on who you are, and which creature you are inexplicably drawn to. It's difficult to explain with words. The bond is something that must be felt. Words aren't necessary."

That sounds extremely complicated. Isn't there a straight answer?

After a moment, Natsumi sighed and crossed her arms. "...Don't take this the wrong way... but... how exactly do you help in battle? You don't have hands, so you can't form Hand Seals."

"Hmph." Mori stuck his nose up indignantly and leapt off of the log. "For one, we Foxes have a sense of smell as good as some dogs, so we make excellent trackers. I'm also skilled at strategy and proficient in my own Fox-Style Taijutsu." He puffed out his chest proudly. "And, I'd like to believe that I am skilled enough with Kunai to rival the average Shinobi."

"Kunai, too?" Natsumi pursed her lips and looked at him. "But... you have no hands."

"Ha!" He puffed out his chest. "You don't need hands to utilize a Kunai Knife!" His eyes rested on the pouch on her thigh. "Hand me one and I'll show you."

Natsumi retrieved a Kunai and held it out to him. He grasped the handle between his teeth with a smirk.

"Watch this." Leaping straight into the air, he whipped his head quickly to the side and the Kunai struck the tree hard, sticking into its bark several centimeters.

Natsumi's eyes widened and watched him land gracefully on all fours, then stared back at the tree.

"That was amazing!"

"Of course." Mori lifted his nose upward. "I'm very proud of my skills."

Natsumi wrenched the knife from the tree after a moment of difficulty, and then carved a target there. "How's your aim?"

"Hmph." Mori flicked his tail back and forth mischievously and narrowed his eyes. "Better than yours I'd wager."

Natsumi laughed. "Oh, really?" She retrieved a handful of Kunai from her pouch and tossed them at the Fox, striking the ground in a circle around him.

"Really." He bit at another handle, deftly throwing the blade at the target. He threw the rest of the Kunai, one after the other at the target nimbly and Natsumi smirked faintly.

Let's see if he can keep up with this.

She threw several Shuriken at him, which he dodged without looking. With the tip of his tail, he caught each one midair and redirected them at the target.

He landed once more and puffed out his chest. "There we go. I think I've proven my point."

Natsumi looked at the target, now covered expertly in Kunai and Shuriken to write a Hiragana symbol.

"Ha." Natsumi read, mumbling under her breath, then looked at the fox. "Wow!" She dropped to her knees in front of him and lifted him into the air. "Mori-san, you're amazing! You're better than most everyone I know!"

He looked away, as if embarrassed, and hung limply as she held him. He cleared his throat softly. "Erm... well, yes. As I said."

"Aw, Mori, you never let me hold you like that." Kiri laughed and stepped back into the clearing, holding a shopping bag in one hand. "It reminds me of when you were a cute little baby."

Mori huffed and Natsumi set him down with a smile.

"I'm an elegant, sentient creature— not some toy." He looked at Kiri and then flicked his tail. "Cute is not a word applicable to me."

"Whatever you say." Kiri rubbed the top of his head and held out the bag for Natsumi to take. "Have a nice break?"

Natsumi stood, taking the bag as she nodded, and gestured over to the tree. "Just having a little fun."

Kiri laughed and put a hand on her hip. "Ah, the old 'Ha' routine, eh, Mori?"

The Fox ignored her and she laughed again.

"You know he spent ages trying to do that. It was so cute to look out my window at night and see him training."

Natsumi giggled and dug around through the bag's contents until she pulled out a sandwich and a bottle of juice.

After a moment, Mori glanced over his shoulder at Kiri, who had sat to eat.

"You didn't... happen to bring me anything, did you?"

Kiri stuffed a chip into her mouth with a chuckle and reached into the bag. "Hm... I don't know. How do sardines, boiled eggs, some mushrooms, and fresh strawberries sound?"

Mori's eyes widened and he hopped over to look at the spread. "Strawberries?!"

"Yup." She opened the container and set it on the ground. "All yours, big guy."

"He really is just an overgrown housecat." Kiri leaned close to Natsumi to whisper.

Natsumi laughed at watched the fox happily as he purred and licked the berry from his lower lip before digging in again.

"He's wonderful."