"What do you want to do?" Shiro asked Aki.
"Leave him to me. I'll finish this." Aki said, never moving from her place.
"Leave it to you? Are you planning on going out there and not returning? What about Kakashi?" Asuma burst in.
"I have nothing here."
"You don't understand. He cares about you." Hayate tried to explain.
Aki ignored the pleas of the two. Returning her attention to Shiro, she asked: "You know where he is?"
"Ah, every minute. He is my rival, after all."
"Take me there."
"Aki-san. I cannot allow you to go," the Hokage stated. "We do not know all the facts yet, and, frankly, it isn't safe for you to go in that condition."
"As you heard from Kakashi-san…I am quite capable. There is no need for you to worry about me. You have your village to worry about. If I am not back within 3 hours, expect that I am dead, and start thinking of how to save yourselves."
Aki quickly turned and started for the door. Three Ninja, however, stood in her way.
"Aki-san. You must not go."
"You have heard enough about what had happened. However, you heard nothing about how to defeat him. Why do you think this is?" Aki demanded the Hokage to answer, not turning to face him.
"…"
"No one here knows how to defeat him. Only I know, and Shiro knows. You think he is dangerous? Isn't it true that you find him more dangerous not knowing how he attacks or how to deflect his attacks? You want the truth about his strength?" Aki said, finally turning to face the room. Her eyes looked like polished gold, the opposite of Shiro's completely black eyes.
"He is nothing compared to me. Trust me. You do not want to piss me off, and you are bordering on that thin line right now. You have no right to tell me what I can and cannot do. I do not belong to this village, or any village for that matter. You ask for help and then demand that I stay? Get out of my way…or I will remove you…myself." Everyone stared at her in shock. They never thought that the sweet Aki could be so…bitchy.
"Ah, I haven't seen those eyes in quite some time." Shiro stated, smiling. "Welcome back."
"Welcome back?" Asuma said staring at Aki in disbelief.
Aki just stared at the Hokage. She wasn't acting like herself, obviously, and she was showing no signs of backing down.
"Ah, don't worry," Shiro continued. "As soon as her adrenaline calms, so will her attitude." Shiro stated, while standing up. "If we don't return in the 3 hours that Aki stated…which is highly unlikely…use water. Remember, that is his greatest weakness." Before anyone could ask any more questions or to even attempt to stop them, Aki and Shiro, both, disappeared from the room.