Previously...

He made sure Naruto and Sasuke were holding onto him before he teleported the three of them out of the house onto the front lawn where a crowd had gathered and there were several ninjas using water jutsus to protect the houses around the burning one.

"Is everyone out?" one of them asked.

Kakashi shook his head frantically, "No! Kireina is still in there!"

The ninja frowned, "She needs to get out of there quickly! The house is going to burn down!"

Kakashi, Sasuke, and Naruto gaped at him before Sasuke started to run towards the house. Kakashi quickly grabbed his arm.

"Let me go!" Sasuke cried, struggling against Kakashi's hold, "I have to save my nee-chan!"

"No! It's too dangerous," Kakashi commanded softly.

Sasuke sagged against his sensei's hold and actually started crying. Naruto clung onto Sasuke and Kakashi and cried as well. Kakashi gently put the two boys on the ground then stood up.

He quickly performed a series of seals and yelled, "Suiton: Suiryuudan no Jutsu!"

A large dragon made of water appeared and spit balls of water that swept over the burning house, but only put out some of the flames. Kakashi performed more seals yelling, "Suiton: Tatsumaki no Jutsu!" Water spouted out of the ground putting out more flames. Sasuke did some seals as well performing a "Suiton: Mizu-gan no Jutsu" to help put out the fire. However, no matter how many flames they put out, more seemed to take its place. Until finally they were both out of chakra and exhausted. Sasuke watched in horror as the left side of the house collapsed.

"That's not the side she was in was it?" he asked frantically.

Kakashi shook his head sadly, "I don't know where she was going to go."

Sasuke gripped Kakashi's arm tightly and Naruto gripped Kakashi's other arm nearly cutting off his circulation. Kakashi didn't notice though. He was too worried about Kireina still trapped inside.

Naruto screamed when the remaining of the house collapsed and the fire tried to spread. More ninjas had arrived though as well as the Hokage and several citizens were using hoses to put out the fire. When the fire was out, Tsunade hurried to Kakashi, Sasuke, and Naruto who were staring in shock at the burned down house.

Continue..

"Where's Kireina?" Tsunade asked urgently.

Sasuke turned empty eyes to Tsunade and mumbled, "She was still in the house."

Tsunade reeled back in shock, "But..."

"But she got out in time," a tired voice joined them.

Sasuke's head snapped up and he turned around. Kireina was walking towards them, leaning on Yuki. In Yuki's mouth was a duffel bag.

"Nee-chan!" Sasuke breathed.

He launched himself toward Kireina and hugged her tightly, soon joined by Naruto who was still wailing. When Sasuke and Naruto let go of her, she swayed slightly. Kakashi was by her side in an instant picking her up bridal style. Kireina gratefully leaned her head against Kakashi's chest.

"Your clothes are in the duffel bag," she mumbled.

"My clothes?" Kakashi asked.

"From when you changed for Sakura's party."

Kakashi sighed, "You almost killed yourself just so you could get me my clothes?"

Kireina laughed softly, "No silly. I had to get other things too."

Kakashi frowned, "Why are you so tired? Teleportation doesn't take too much chakra and considering your chakra reserves, it shouldn't even have made a dent.

Kireina yawned and closed her eyes, "Controlling fire is hard work you know."

Kakashi's one visible eye widened in surprise, 'Controlling fire? I thought she had been using some of kind barrier to push back the flames. She was using chakra?'

He looked down at the tiny young woman in his arms and carried her to Tsunade to inspect for injuries. When Tsunade said she was fine, just exhausted, Kakashi nodded and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Sasuke! Naruto! Come on. You'll stay at my house for tonight. It'll be crowded but it will do for now," Kakashi called to Kireina's two boys.

The two of them obediently followed him to his house where they settled in for the night. Kireina taking the room and the three guys sprawled out in the living room. Kakashi somehow managed to produce enough blankets and pillows for everyone. It was a good thing it was still fall and winter hadn't hit yet.

The next day...

Kireina woke to the smell of breakfast. She blinked the sleep out of her eyes and looked around her noticing she was in Kakashi's room. She stumbled out of bed and headed to where she remembered his bathroom to be. After knocking, she entered and quickly washed her face. She left the bathroom only to find the duffel bag she had brought last night resting against the door. She smiled and picked it up, rummaging through it to find her, Naruto, and Sasuke's toothbrushes. After she was done with her morning business she wandered into the kitchen to find Kakashi at the stove cooking breakfast.

"Morning Kashi-kun!" she chirped.

Kakashi turned at her voice and replied, "Morning! Why are you up so early?"

Kireina shrugged, "My chakra has always replenished itself fast. Are Sasuke and Naruto still sleeping?"
Kakashi nodded, "They're passed out in the living room."

Kireina nodded, "Thanks for all your help Kashi-kun. I'm sorry to bother you so much."

"It's no bother," Kakashi said. He turned from the stove with a pan in his hand, "How does burnt pancakes sound for breakfast?"

Kireina beamed, "They're my favorite."

Kakashi's eye curved into what could only be a cheerful smile. He took the pancakes out of the pan and put them on a plate which he set before Kireina. He seated himself next to her with his own plate of equally burnt pancakes.

"So, what's this about controlling fire?" Kakashi asked.

Kireina was eating with her back turned like she had when she lived with him and paused to answer.

"It's another bloodline."

Kakashi blinked, "Another one? I thought you only had four."

Kireina sighed, "I only have four that are actually mine. My other bloodline limits are ones I copied from other ninjas that I've fought."

Kireina turned back towards Kakashi who had already finished eating.

Kakashi furrowed his brow in confusion, "That's impossible. You can't copy bloodlines."

Kireina smiled sadly, "I gained that ability during my stay at Yukigakure (Hidden Village of Snow). I was around 17 years old. The ninjas there were highly skilled but none of them had any bloodline limits. The old lady who became my teacher tried to protect me but in the end, the others still managed to get me."

At this point, Kireina pulled down the collar of her pajama top revealing the small silver star to Kakashi, "My first year there, some ninjas got jealous of my bloodline limits and kidnapped me. They took me to a very, very small village that no one knows about called Hoshigakure (Hidden Village of Star). Hoshigakure specializes in bloodline limits and seals. The ninjas that kidnapped me wanted to use me for their advantage so they asked Hoshigakure to place this seal on me. The seal acts as an enhancer to my original bloodline limits and it acts as a bloodline limit in itself. The seal copies all bloodline limits that are used against me so they become ineffective and I learn how to use them. That's why I'm usually sent on what would be suicide missions, but they aren't for me, because it's nearly impossible for me to die unless I'm outnumbered by over 25 veteran ANBU. However, the worst part about this seal is the fact that it activates on its own and I have no control over it. Once it's activated, I become a mechanical killer and I don't stop until every single person around me is dead. When I returned to Yukigakure, the ninjas there trained me to be an emotionless killing machine. My teacher however had instilled good morals in me before the seal had been placed on me, so I didn't become entirely hopeless. It wasn't until I escaped to Sunagakure that I was able to completely get rid of the training that had been instilled in me at Yukigakure. Gaara and Temari were the ones who helped me most."

Kakashi stared at Kireina in shock before managing to stutter out a "wow". Kireina glanced at Kakashi and noticed his star struck expression.

"Please don't tell anyone," she pleaded, "And please don't act any different around me. I'm still me."

Kakashi snapped out of his daze and to Kireina's surprise he drew her into his arms, "Of course you are. I'm just sorry you had to go through all that."

Kireina relaxed and wrapped her arms around Kakashi's neck. The two of them stayed like that for a short while before Kireina began to get uncomfortable leaning across Kakashi's knees.

"So," Kakashi drawled, "How did you and Temari become best friends? You two are almost 7 years apart!"

Kireina giggled like a schoolgirl, "When Gaara became Kazekage he would often become so stressed out he would become psychotically homicidal again. So every once in awhile I would pull pranks on him to loosen him up a little. When Temari found out it was me who had been helping Gaara keep sane, she immediately wanted to help. So the two of us became friends like that. Whenever she had problems she would always come to me and if Kankuro needed beating up, I would help her. I guess I was more of an older sister to her, demo (but), she always returned the favor. So, the two of us became best friends like that."

"Did you know she and Shikamaru have a long distance fling going on?" Kakashi asked.

Kireina snickered, "Who do you think got her to ask him out?"

Kakashi laughed lightly, "How long do you think that's going to last?"

Kireina smiled peacefully, "I think they're going to get married before I do."

Kakashi looked at her in surprise, "Really? But Shikamaru's only 16."

"17," Kireina corrected, "His birthday just passed a few months ago. Temari told me he's only 10 months younger than her and Temari's eighteenth birthday was just last month."

"So why do you think they're going to get married before you?" Kakashi asked.

Kireina shrugged, "I'm too busy for a boyfriend. I've never had time for one before because of all the stupid missions Gaara liked to send me on."

"Did you ever get mad at Gaara for putting you in positions like that?" Kakashi wondered.

"No," Kireina shook her head, "Gaara knows my limits and although every time I go out on super suicidal missions, he always sends a team of ANBU with me as back up just in case. Occasionally, he himself will follow me. He doesn't know I know though. So I let him think that I think he wants to kill me even though I know he tries his hardest to take care of me."

Kakashi smiled, "Someone should."

Kireina glanced at him, "What do you mean? I can take care of myself perfectly fine."

"I think you do a great job caring for yourself and Sasuke and Naruto, demo (but), everyone needs a little pampering and caring every now and then."

"So I guess you're the one to do it?" Kireina huffed.

Kakashi's curved into its cheerful grin again, "That's right!"

Before Kireina could come up with a retort, a sleepy eyed Sasuke wandered into the kitchen. He made a beeline for Kireina who kissed him on the forehead.

"Good morning Suke-chan," Kireina teased, "How's my otouto (little brother) today? Have you brushed your teeth and washed your face?"

Sasuke scowled a little at the nickname, "Reina-nee-chan, I'm sixteen-years-old. I don't think I'm a "chan" anymore and yes I did."

Kireina wrapped an arm around Sasuke's waist, "You'll always be Suke-chan to me! The older you get, the older I get. So the age difference between us will always be the same, therefore, you will always be my Suke-chan."

Sasuke couldn't argue with that kind of logic so he just scowled a little more and then settled in the seat across the kitchen table. Kireina pushed a plate of pancakes at him.

"Kashi-kun burnt some pancakes for our breakfast."

Sasuke picked up the fork, "Domo arigatou gozaimasu(Thank you very much) Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi merely nodded before turning back to Kireina and starting a conversation about Team 7's training. Before long, Naruto joined them in the kitchen looking like he was still asleep.

"Morning sleepy head," Kireina greeted, "Use your brother's plate and fork. Pancakes are on the stove."

Naruto did as Kireina directed and seated himself next to Sasuke.

"How come his pancakes aren't as burnt?" Sasuke asked mildly.

Kireina laughed, "Because those were the ones Kashi-kun was cooking when I came in and stopped him from doing any further damage.

Kakashi made a face at this comment, "They weren't done yet! The middle was still liquidy!"

Kireina raised an eyebrow at this, "Liquidy? I don't think that's a word."

"Mou, it's a word now! Naruto's done with his breakfast. It's time for us to go see our beautiful, pseudo-young Hokage!"

Kireina rolled her eyes before clearing the table. She started to wash the dishes before Kakashi stopped her.

"You guys are my guests. I'll do them when we get back. Besides, Hokage-sama's waiting for us."

Kireina reluctantly left the dishes in the sink before going to her room and changing. She came out wearing her usual black skirt but instead of her usual top, she wore a shirt that was a blue version of Ten Ten's shirt.

"What happened to your shirt Reina-nee-chan?" Naruto asked.

Kireina sighed, "I couldn't get my shirts off the hangers fast enough so I just grabbed some from my drawers."

The five of them left Kakashi's house and headed towards the Hokage tower. When they got to the Hokage's office, Sakura was waiting for them outside the door.

"Ohayo Kakashi-sensei, Kireina-sensei! Ohayo Sasuke-kun, Naruto!" Sakura greeted cheerfully.

"Ohayo Sakura-chan," Kireina replied for all of them.

She knocked on the door of Tsunade's office and was welcomed with a simple "haite (come in)". Team 7 walked in to see Tsunade with her head buried in a bunch of paperwork. She looked up and greeted the group with a tired smile.

"I'm sorry Kireina, we're looking for another residency for you right now, but for now, if Kakashi doesn't mind, his place will be your temporary residence until we find a more permanent place," Tsunade apologized.

Kireina waved Tsunade's apology aside, "It's fine Tsunade-sama. But I was wondering, I don't want to put Kakashi out anymore than he already has been, so are there any long term missions that Team 7 can take at the moment?"

Tsunade looked through a stack of files, "Actually there is a mission. It's considered S-rank, but it's really a D-rank. I'm sure your team will have no trouble with it."

Kireina raised an eyebrow.

Tsunade explained, "For a long time, there has been a standing mission for the retrieval of Uchiha Itachi in case of emergencies. The village advisors labeled it as an S-class, but they know it's actually a D-class. We keep it labeled S-class for the sake of helping Itachi keep up his facade. If you guys want, you can go look for him. We recently had a reconnaissance mission to Cloud and we received information of their battle plans. It doesn't look good, so we figured now would be as good a time as any for Akatsuki to become helpful."

Kireina nodded, "All right. We'll take it. Itachi-san would probably like a chance to see his little brother again."

Kakashi took the mission file form Tsunade and briefly glanced at it before handing it back to her.

"We'll leave right away," Kakashi informed Tsunade.

Tsunade nodded, "Thanks you guys. Please tell Itachi that we really need his help. Sakura, why don't you stay behind? I want to further your training before war actually hits us."

Kireina nodded, "Okay guys! Let's go. We have to go buy new clothes."

Kireina and Kakashi herded Team 7 out the door and they spent the next two hours buying clothes to replace the ones Kireina and her boys had lost in the fire. After dropping off their stuff at Kakashi's house and packing the bare essentials, Team 7 minus Sakura headed toward Konoha's East Gate. Sakura met them there and gave Kireina the medical kit she had received for her birthday from Sasuke and Naruto.

"I've already filled it with everything you'll need. I figured this would come in handy when dealing with 'S-class' criminals," Sakura informed Kireina.

Kireina smiled, "Thanks Sakura-chan. When we come back, I hope you'll be a magnificent medic nin!"

Sakura gave Kireina a hug, "I promise."

Kireina turned towards the guys, "All right then. Time to head out!"

Sakura watched them leave Konoha and disappear into the forest before turning back to the Hokage's office.