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Legacy
kakashi(underscore)lvr(at)yahoo(dot)com
doesn't allow underlines/underscores for some awful reason.

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Chapter 6

Tsunade stared at the report on her desk, her hands folded in front of her as she rested her chin on them. Shizune stood quietly at her side as the masked jounin before them, waited for an answer.

"The document was delivered in tact?"

Kakashi was a little more than irritated with that question. After being followed to Grass, and nearly killed by two hired assassins, he found it quite odd that the only thing the Godaime would ask was about the damn document.

"The Kage of Grass thanks you for your timely response," Kakashi answered.

Meeting his solitary gaze, Tsunade slowly closed her eyes before standing. "I will read over your report and respond within the week," she stated. "Be sure that Sakura, Neji and Kie do the same."

Knowing that he was not going to get an explanation from the Hokage, Kakashi shoved his hands into his pockets before turning to leave.

"Hatake-san."

As he reached the door, he turned when she called him.

"In due time, I will explain to you what is going on," Tsunade stated. "But until then, I ask that you be patient." She then turned to face him and with a smile she added. "You should go and see Naruto. His team has just completed the 2nd task of the Chuunin Exams. 5 teams survived, including his. It will now be the practice month for them, and Im sure he is excited to put in as much training time as possible before he enters the third exam."

Kakashi slowly nodded before leaving the Hokage's office. Seating herself at her desk, Tsunade quickly flipped through the pages of Kakashi's report, noting their confrontation with the two hired assassins.

"Seems that even Kie is not willing to divulge what she knows," Tsunade stated.

"Will you be assigning her to a new mission?" Shizune asked.

Tsunade slowly shook her head. "Not until we commence with the third part of the Chuunin Exams," she said. "Whoever hired those assassins, now know that she is here within Konoha. The third task will bring shinobi from countries far and wide, and of course the high lords from those countries as well. Maybe, whoever hired those assassins will come here, either to lure her out..."

"Or take her forcefully?"

Tsunade nodded. "Until then, she will remain here," Tsunade said. "I'll have Sakura assigned under her so they can work closely together."

"What if whoever hired those assassins come before the third chuunin exam starts?"

Tsunade slowly shook her head. "To try something now, would only bring attention to their actions," she stated. "During the third part of the Chuunin exams, there would be enough distraction to accomplish what they want and need."

"Should we assign extra protection around Kie?"

"Not at this time," Tsunade stated. "I believe she isn't in any immediate danger. Please see that Neji Hyuuga reports to me as soon as he is able to."

"I'll go ahead and send your request."

Tsunade dismissed Shizune as she rested her arms on the desk before her, closing her eyes as she thought over the new problems she was now having to face in light of their recent recruit.

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It had been nearly two weeks since the mission, and Kakashi had not heard from the Hokage since he delivered his report. He couldn't dwell on it for too long since Naruto was now training for the third task of the Chuunin exam, and despite him doing well against Neji Hyuuga 3 years ago, his opponents would be different this time around, and would probably be against those he's never faced before.

He did find it odd that he had not seen Kie during this time. Happening by the hospital on more than one occassion to speak with Sakura or to gather her to help Naruto's in training, even the young kunoichi had not seen the blind shinobi.

Naruto however, was doing fine in his training for the upcoming trials. Confident as ever, Kakashi knew that Naruto was ready to face any fight that he would have to pass. Against whom, he did not know, but the young boy did improve his skills over the last few years with Jiraiya.

It was only on the day of the third Chuunin Exam, that Kakashi happened upon the young woman. As customary every morning since Obito's death, he was heading toward the Memorial stone when he saw that two figures were standing in front of the dark structure.

Shizune and Kie.

He didn't make any attempt to approach the small area, and watched as Shizune led Kie toward the stone, and kneeled before it. He couldn't hear anything they were saying, but watched as Kie reached out her hand to touch the stone's surface.

Not before long, the two women stood, offered a prayer and turned. It was then he decided to approach them.

"Ah, Hatake-kun," Shizune said with a smile. "How is Naruto's training coming along?"

Eyeing the two, Kakashi shrugged a bit, but was aware that Kie was holding onto her staff tighter than normal.

"As well as he can do," he stated. "Im sure that he will pass this time around."

Shizune slowly nodded.

"What brings you two here this early in the morning?"

"Kie wanted to see the memorial stone," Shizune quickly answered. She then smiled. "I meant, she wanted to know where we honor those who have given their life to the protection of Konoha."

Kakashi slowly nodded. "Honoring those who came before us, is special to our village."

Kie only nodded. "We have nothing like this back in Rain," she said, as Kakashi noticed her grip loosened on the staff she held. "Its good to know that you honor those that have given their lives."

"Some more than others," Kakashi stated.

Kie was silent for a moment. "Shizune, if you dont mind, I would like to visit with Naruto for a bit," Kie stated. "Im sure Hatake-san will be able to show me where he is."

Shizune slowly nodded. "The Chuunin Exams will start later today," she stated.

"I'll be sure to be there early," Kie stated.

Shizune slowly nodded as she released Kie's hold on her. She then nodded toward Kakashi before making her leave.

An uncomfortable silence then fell on the two shinobi left behind, but it was Kie's deep breath that broke it as she moved her staff from one hand to the other.

"Where would Naruto be today?" she asked simply.

Kakashi smiled to himself as he placed his hands in his pockets. "Im sure he's filling himself up at his favorite Ramen shop," he commented. "We may catch him there if we go now."

Kie smiled to herself before adjusting her staff. "Yes, we should,"

Kakashi watched as she pulled apart her staff and placed them into their respective holders. She then turned away from him and started her walk toward the village. He breathed in deeply, turning toward the memorial stone before following her. He wondered what the memorial stone would mean to her.

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Kakashi watched as Kie kneeled before Naruto, as they stood about 15 feet away from where he was. They were at the entrance to the arena, where they could already hear the cheers of visitors from various outlying countries to view the competition. Tsunade had yet to make her appearance, and he knew that two other kages were also visiting. He studied Naruto has he nodded several times as Kie spoke with him. About what, he did not know; but it seeme to give Naruto the support he needed to hear.

With a kiss to Naruto's forehead, Kie then stood and Naruto gave her his thanks before heading off toward the large complex. Pulling out her staff, Kie breathed in deeply as she listened as Naruto's footfalls faded into the cheering crowd.

"What did you tell him?"

Kie turned slightly, as she felt Kakashi approach her. "I just wanted to reassure him that he will do fine," she said with a smile. "And that the new techqniques he's learned will give him the needed assurance to win."

Kakashi slowly nodded.

"Kie-sensei!"

Kakashi turned to see Shizune and Genma approaching them. Kie turned in her direction and smiled as she felt them approach. Shizune breathed in deeply as she came to stand before Kie, and they were joined by Genma.

"Kie-sensei, Tsunade-sama wants you to join her in her viewing box," Shizune stated. "Your father, has made it from the Village of Rain to oversee the competition today."

Kie smiled. "Im surprised he made the journey," Kie stated. "He would always grumble that it was a long journey." She paused for a moment. "Ahh, Shiranui-san, I see that you were able to get out and about?"

Genma looked to Kakashi before the copy nin shrugged in an answer. "I think I've worn out my welcome at the hospital," he simply stated.

Kie smiled. "Yes, you were driving many of the nurses a little crazy," she said.

"So this is Naruto's big day?" Genma posed the question to Kakashi. "Seeing as all his other classmates are chuunin now."

Kakashi nodded. "And we have no doubt he will be able to achieve it this time around."

Genma breathed in deeply. "Seems there are a lot of visitors and dignitaries today," he commented. "I heard that your father is here as well, Hashiba-san."

Kie slowly nodded as she turned her head toward the direction of the cheers. "Im sure that he is here to check up on my status," she said with a smile. "This is the longest I've been away from my home in a long time."

"Kie, we should meet up with the Hokage," Shizune stated as she approached her. "I'll take you to see her."

Kie turned to her, positioning her staff in front of her. "Shizune," she said simply. "I dont think I'll be joining her anytime soon."

Kakashi quickly turned to her then noticed that a part of the ground had unearthed and a rock formation had formed around the blind kunoichi's right ankle.

"Kie," Genma nearly yelled as he noticed her predicament, reaching into the pouch he wore to pull out three senbon needles.

"They're underground," Kie stated.

And before they knew it, she was pulled underground.

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Kakashi ran as fast as he could, followed closely by Genma and Shizune. Taking to the rooftops over Konoha, they were on the tail of Pakkun, Kakashi's summoned dog, as he tracked down the path that whomever had kidnapped Kie had taken.

"What in all of Konoha is going on?" Genma yelled as he caught up with Kakashi, noticing that they were now hitting the edge of their village. "Why on this day?"

Kakashi turned to him. "They were waiting for a time when everyone would be gathered at the Arena, including much of the ANBU and elite Jounins," Kakashi stated. "Shizune!"

The young woman turned toward Kakashi as he stared at her.

"Now isn't the time to keep any more secrets on who Kie really is," he said. "Why is she being hunted by for hire ninjas?"

Shizune closed her eyes for a moment before opening them to meet his own. "I promise that if we can get her back, all will be revealed, Hatake-san," she said. "Until then, I am not at liberty to say."

Kakashi stared at her for a moment as the followed his summoned dog Pakkun. He didn't like the situation they were in, and after being involved in the first abduction of Kie Hashiba, he knew that there was more to here than Tsunade was letting on. What, he did not know, but if they were able to rescue the strange kunoichi, he was definitely going to get the answers he needed.

"This way!" Pakkun yelled as they came to a stop. "She's putting up a fight, judging by the pace they are taking."

Kakashi nodded and the three Jounins followed the small dog into the forest that bordered Konoha. Genma was quick to join him in the lead as they jumped from tree top to tree top, then taking a turn toward the high cliffs that were on the border of their country. They then took the graveled pathway as their trek brought them to a large waterfall.

"Did they cross?" Kakashi asked of Pakkun.

The little dog-nin sniffed the air for a moment then turned to him. "They're here."

With that, Shizune and Genma jumped out of the way as a rain of shuriken showered down on their location, quickly taking stances around each other as they stood in the small glade. Kakashi quickly turned around two see two ninja's sporting the Grass Village headbands emerge from the shrubs that bordered the treeline. Then finally, a third emerged from behind them, Kie draped over his shoulder, unconscious.

"It would be wise of you to leave us to our mission, Hatake-san," the ninja holding Kie stated. "This is of no concern to any of the ninja within Konoha."

Slowly pulling a kunai from his pouch, Kakashi stared down the young ninja. "It does concern us if you are kidnapping one of our citizens," he stated. "It would be wise of you to let her go and leave without incident."

The grass ninja laughed. "We are on a mission to bring this woman to justice, Hatake-san," he said. "Would you deny us to bring a murderer back to our village to pay for her crimes?"

"Murderer?"

The Grass Ninja slowly lowered Kie to the ground beside him. "Do you realize who she is?" the ninja asked.

"At this point, we only have your word on what she did," Kakashi said. "I suggest that we take this up with our Hokage until all is settled. She is after all, now a Konoha citizen."

The Grass Ninja only laughed. "She's always been a citizen of Konoha, Hatake-san," he said and then stared at him. Silence came over him. "Oh, how laughable. She hasn't told you has she?"

A slight moan came from Kie as she slowly shook her head and sit up. It was then the Grass Ninja who held her, grabbed her by her arm and pulled her to her feet, pulling out a kunai as he held it to her neck.

"She may be blind, and helpless looking to many other ninja," the Grass Ninja stated as he held the kunai closer to her neck. "But dont be fooled. She's responsible for the death of 12 of my clansmen."

Kie breathed in deeply as the metal tip of the kunai dug into her neck. She swallowed deeply as he pulled her head back.

"I would have loved to have taken your whole clan out for what your brother did to me, Kayui," Kie said.

"Kie, what is going on?" Kakashi yelled as he stepped toward them.

Kie let out a hiss as the Grass Ninja held the kunai close to her throat.

"Yes, tell them," he stated. "Tell them how this is all a facade; that you only act weak. Tell them who you really are; what kind of monster you can be."

Kie closed her eyes. "Kayui, I will only give you this chance. Take your men and leave," she said quietly. "Turn around and go back to your home country. You will not avenge your brother or your clansmen now or ever."

"If that be the case."

Shizune let out a loud gasp as the man holding her used his kunai and cut her throat. Kie's hands immediately went to her neck as he threw her down to the ground beside him, as she curled up into a fetal position.

Genma was quick to react as he threw three senbon toward the ninja, which the grass nin quickly dodged. The other two then started their attack toward Shizune and Kakashi, throwing a barrage of shuriken, needles and kunai.

Kakashi was quick to dodge one of the attacks as he eyed the ninja who hurt Kie. Slipping an exploding note to one of the other ninja's legs, he quickly pulled Shizune away, as the note exploded, causing the Grass Ninja to yell out in pain.

"You have to get to Kie," Kakashi stated as he pulled Shizune to her feet. "See if the cut wasn't deep."

"What about him?"

"I'll take care of him," he said. "I'll buy you sometime."

Genma and Kakashi then started to take on the remaning two Grass Ninjas, as Shizune made her way toward the fallen Kie. She was unmoving as she approached the down ninja.

Kneeling over her, Shizune quickly removed the young woman's hands from her throat, and nearly gasped when she saw that there was no injury. Did Kie heal herself? Before Shizune could answer herself, Kie slowly began to move, kneeling before bracing herself on all fours, her breathing became ragged, and hard.

"Kie?" Shizune stated.

"Im alright, Shizune," the young woman said as she held her eyes tightly closed. Reaching up, she pulled away her head protector, letting her hair fall loosely around her. "Where are they?"

"There are only two of the Grass Ninja's left," Shizune said.

"No, I mean Kakashi and Genma."

"In a stand off," Shizune stated. "About 10 meters to your left."

"Tell them to turn away."

"Turn away?"

"Now, Shizune!"

Shizune watched as Kie struggled to get to her feet. Her head hanging low, Shizune quickly stood.

"Kakashi! Genma! turn around, now!"

The Grass Ninjas and the two Konoha Jounins quickly turned to see Kie standing, her stance weak, as she held her head bowed.

"Kie?"

"Turn around now!" Shizune yelled.

Kie slowly stood upright, breathing in deeply as she slowly opened her eyes. Kakashi gasped, as he grabbed ahold of Genma and pushed him to the ground, blocking the jounin's view as he pulled up his own head protector and watched Kie through his Sharingan eye, closing his regular eye.

Then in a move he hadn't seen since his own sensei's death, he watched as Kie attacked the two Grass Ninja, catching them unawares, by such speed, hitting them in spots that only a Hyuuga clan member would know by heart. Sealing off their Chakra points, causing them to lose the energy needed to call up their own ninjustu techniques.

The two Grass Ninjas were now unmatched, as she attacked and snapped the neck of the younger one of the two, then proceeded toward the man who had kidnapped her; Kayui.

"Is this what you want, Kayui?" she asked anger in her voice. "After all, it was your father who attacked my family, all those years ago. Killing my mother; my father, and trying to rip out my eyes! It was your brother and your clansmen who tried to attack my village to try and take me when I was a child! All for what! To try and steal the secrets to my bloodlines? Was it worth it!"

Kayui could only stare at her as she approached him, backing up as her gaze met his. He then closed his eyes when she started her attack against him, quickly falling to the ground below him.

But it didn't come.

He slowly opened them to see Kakashi standing over him, as he held the young girl at bay. The copy ninja then met his gaze.

"Leave!" he yelled.

Kayui quickly got to his feet, running back into the forest.

Kie let out a scream, fighting against Kakashi's hold on her as her eyes flashed red with anger. Meeting her gaze, Kakashi almost felt his resolve weaken as she focused her gaze on him; but he held her as best as he could. He never thought he would ever see it in another individual, but here she was; standing before him, anger in eyes, as the unmistakened swirls of the Mangekyou met his own Sharingan eye.

"Today is not the day, Kie," he said calmly. "You've already done enough."

He then noticed that as she calmed, her breathing became long, the veins around her eyes smoothed out and soon, her eyes returned to their normal pale lavender selves. Then with a deep breath, she closed her eyes and fell to the ground before him.

Kakashi slowly looked toward Shizune and Genma as they approached him.

"Now you know," Shizune stated.

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TBC

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Author's Note:
Sorry for the long wait for the update. Real life got in the way and Im starting on my new cosplay costume that is taking much of my free time. Hopefully the next update wont be as long. Enjoy.