A/N: Chapter 5 is here! I promised myself that I will finish one more chapter before the school starts, and I am right on time!

Beta'd by Alice J, my beautiful friend ^_^ Enjoy!

Chapter 5 - Hollow

Third Person POV - The Hound

He was sure that they could catch up to the Kiri-nins in just a few minutes. There were only four Anbu, but five Kiri-nins, who were injured and battered. It would take a few minutes, but they would definitely be able to eliminate them once they caught up to them.

That's why it was so unexpected when he sensed four more presences in front of the Kiri-nins. The outpost patrol? But it's over an hour of traveling inland from the outpost, they should only be patrolling the border. More enemy? Maybe, if that's the case, then their mission would be more troublesome than he imagined.

His team was fully expected to fight nine enemies, but instead, he saw a kid falling down from the branches. A kid, a Konoha genin most likely. That was a situation he did not predict. The kid was free falling into the ground with a stab wound in his chest… the Kiri-nin… He saw the Kiri-nin engaged in battle with another elder Shinobi, he was a jōnin, most likely the genin team leader. With a dreadful thought, he realized what that meant: there were two more genins around in the area.

Without hesitation, he signaled his team to accelerate to the best of the abilities to catch up to the remaining four Kiri-nins, hoping that they could make it on time.

Just like he suspected, he saw a boy running furiously to catch the fallen boy in his arm. Then he saw a girl, younger than both boys, locked in a battle with one of the Kiri-nins. That's not good, she won't be able to last again a jonin level shinobi. Immediately, he dashed toward the battle.

He must admit, the girl was very good for her age. Her movements were fast and smart, she used her small size to maneuver around the target, and her handling of tantō was fluid, especially the exchange between two hands. However, her size and age put her at such a huge disadvantage, even her speed won't save her. Suddenly he saw a familiar flash of red eyes with black tomoes. No wonder, she was an Uchiha.

He rushed to the scene and chose to strike at the exact moment when the Kiri-nin was fixated on the girl. He pierced the Kiri-nin's side just as he was about to struck his sword down. The sword halted the impending danger for the girl, but it let a gush of red out of the wound. Hound let the familiar red liquid smeared his body, it was a common occurrence after all. He was fully expecting the girl to scream in fear or run away the moment the blood smeared her face. He was mistaken.

The blood didn't even faze the girl, instead, Hound saw a flash of anger and hatred so common in the Uchiha Sharingan. He was stunned as he watched the girl brutally dislocate the Kiri-nin's arm and then ruthlessly stabbed the back of his neck. That, was a killing blow; the Kiri-nin would never be able to survive a strike that so accurately destroyed his brain stem.

Hound didn't have time to lose, his team was engaged in battles along with the jōnin team leader, and as a mission leader, he had to be there. He quickly rushed to other battles as the Uchiha girl ran frantically toward her teammates. As he fought, he could still hear the girl yelling for help, any kind of help. He didn't move, he couldn't, his mission clearly stated that the elimination of Kiri-nin targets was their objective, but that was not the main point. The problem was, there were no one specialized in healing on his team. They were assassination and combat based team, even if he wanted to help, they wouldn't know. But if they were distracted for a second in battle, it could mean someone's life. As much as it pains him to ignore the crying help, he had to.

The battle was already in their favor, all he needed was a few more minutes. The boy, however, did not have any time left. He heard the cursing from the girl at the mention of the boy's stopped heartbeat, and he saw their jōnin instructor was frantically trying to finish the battle so he could rush to their sides. He signed his teammates to hurry up and use all they got. With one last struggle, all the targets perished. Even without the signal, all his teammates returned to the genins immediately. They were ruthless shinobis, but they were not heartless people.

It's painful to watch the small frail girl pressing down on the boy's chest with all she's got, trying to save a comrade's life and watch all your hope faded to black. He experienced that twice, and he never wanted anyone to experience that.

He wasn't sure how long he was standing there watching, the girl kept trying for a long time, counting down the beats in a sixty interval. He wanted to tell her to stop, to pull her away, but he couldn't interfere. If only he could have caught the targets earlier and eliminated them faster.

Eventually, their jōnin instructor sorrowfully stopped her from wrecking her own health. He heard her scream, and he knew his teammates were all listening to her cry couldn't say anything, they were not even the bystander, they were one of the instigators. Hound thought the girl would make a good Anbu, but now, he's not so sure she could ever get over her hate for them. Uchihas were awfully determined in that matter.

He wanted to stay and send the genins home, but they had to report to the Hokage, after all, unexpected tragedies happened on this mission. Quickly, he exchanged information with the jōnin instructor, the famous kenjutsu master, Shinbara Akira. He learned the deceased genin was called Tokugawa Daichi, as well as the rest of team six, Yamanaka Shun and Uchiha Maiko. They took Daichi's body as they left, it would be too cruel to leave it behind with the children.

Everyone who walked the Shinobi path would experience the pain of loss in some way, shape or form, he could only hope that the living wouldn't be broken by the dead.

o((*^▽^*))o

The moment I returned to the village, I ran for home. We were supposed to go for debriefing after a mission, but I didn't care and Akira-sensei didn't stop me.

I ran past mom and Sasuke in the living room and I closed my door before she got a chance to ask what's wrong. I couldn't lie to her, but I couldn't retell the story so soon.

Trauma, it was a trauma, I kept telling myself. Trauma, trauma, trauma, trauma… My eyes hurt, they stung and they automatically turned into sharingan even if I didn't wish for it. Oh, Kami, it hurts in the heart, not the eyes.

I was wrong, I did hate Anbu, it was irrational but I hated them for messing up everything. They reminded me so much of OLYMPUS, everything was about the mission, and everyone was expendable. But who was I to judge, I used to be one of them.

I hate that I couldn't break down in sorrow, no, not couldn't, but wouldn't. I had people I needed to protect, Itachi, Sasuke, Shisui, mom and even my teammates (but I failed him…I failed him). If I broke down, I would become weak and I everything I'd worked for would be gone. Gosh, my eyes hurt, why are they hurting, it should be my heart! Why do they hurt more than my heart! Why does the pain in my heart fade? Is it because I'm just heartless?

I cried. I cried miserably about Daichi's death. I waited until there were no more tears running out of my irritated eyes, and I stopped. This would be the last time I cry for Daichi, the last tear that fell for him. From now on, no more.

I'm so sorry Daichi. I need you to become one of the traumas, a standard obstacle I need to get past. I need you to fade, I need you to become a manageable memory. Confront and accept, confront and accept. I need to confront and accept your death so that I can move past you. I'm so sorry, really really sorry, but I couldn't honour your death the way I should, I couldn't let my heart bleed for you like I should. I am the worst…

Eventually, nothing happened to my eyes. the pain in my eyes subsided, so did my pain for Daichi. His courageous words, his confident smile, his passionate speech… his limping body, his red blood, his stopped heartbeats. Confront and accept, they were all in the shadow now.

(◕ω◕✿)

We were called to the Hokage's office the next morning. The death of a teammate, standard procedures, the fate for team six needed to be discussed. I dressed up in black; after all, it was the last thing I could do for him. Daichi's parents banned any shinobi to attend his funeral, which was reasonable. After all, it was the shinobis who directly and indirectly caused his death.

Now that I accepted the trauma, dealt with the emotion and calmed down a bit, I noticed the dreaded atmosphere in the village. Something must have happened during our mission, but what? Well, there was the Fire Daimyo's visit, and… Kami, I hope I'm wrong.

I walked into Hokage's tower and waited. Shun was already there, his eyes unfocused, he was probably still mourning. I couldn't help him with that, my method was for the heartless, but Shun was not heartless, he needed to find a way for himself.

Eventually, Akira-sensei's gentle hands pushed us through the Hokage's door, and for the first time, we met the Sandaime Hokage face to face. If it was another situation, it would be an honour.

"Welcome, team six. I am deeply sorry for the tragedy that happened on your last mission. It always pains my heart to see one so young lost in the world." Sandaime said sincerely. He seemed like a genuine old man, the kind that would care for his people. But it's too early to judge, after all, in my world, all the politicians seemed so.

"However, the fate of team six must be determined. You may not know it, but recently, a major event involving the Fire Daimyo occurred in the village, and… due to some unforeseen circumstances, one of the team was recently dissolved as one genin member quit and the other… left us permanently." Sandaime said it regretfully. Beside me, Shun's eyes widened in pain. We all knew what 'left permanently' meant, no amount of euphemism could erase the pain of hearing that.

"As a result, right now, we have one genin needing a team, and team six needs a member. I've decided to let him join team six." Sandaime said, and Shun tightened his fist.

"So what, you are just going to replace Daichi?" Shun asked angrily, a rather rude but completely reasonable behaviour in the presence of Hokage, the highest power in the village. However, Sandaime did not reprimand him or show any sign of displeasure. Instead, he explained in a sorrowful voice.

"That was not my intention at all, Shun-kun. No one can replace Daichi-kun and his bravery. However, all of you lost someone dearly to you, and it was my hope that you can help each other to cope with the losses. As shinobi, we have to deal with losses, and it's our comrades that help us get by. Right now, you have Maiko-chan to share your pain, but what about him? He was the only genin left." Sandaime said calmly, and Shun's angry expression relaxed a bit.

As soon as the Hokage saw Shun's expression softened, he turned to the door and said: "Itachi-kun, you can come in now!" I probably showed more surprise than I actually felt. The door opened silently, and the familiar stoic face came into my view. As much as I guessed earlier that something had happened to Itachi's team, since it was their mission to be the escort guard, my heart still clenched for him. I suddenly understood why Sandaime decided to put us together. We might not be able to mend each other's wounds, but we at least understood each other.

"Jōnin Shinbara, they are all yours." Sandaime said as he looked at us all benevolently.

Itachi nodded at Shun, Shun stared at him and I sighed at the team dynamic. Akira-sensei seemed to notice this as well, so he said: "Come on, kids, let's get some team bonding done."

~(◡﹏◕✿)

Time Skip: [One and a Half Years Later]

Itachi is the worst, I thought as I was soaked in water. I moved along the branches quickly, if he didn't know my position earlier from Shun's sensing, then he was sure to know it now from the chakra infused wave.

I didn't even know why I bothered to hide with a sensor after me, should have gotten rid of him the first chance I got, but then I'd have to get past Itachi… right, and that's why I was hiding.

Well, no matter, I had no chance if I chose to keep hiding, maybe it's time to try that ninjutsu. I ran to the clearing in the middle of the forest, and I yelled to the surrounding, "Itachi! Get your butt down here, and let's have a fight!" Yep, all my lady-like mannerism out of the window, mom would be so proud.

What greeted me was a wave of Phoenix Sage Fire. The little fireballs followed me as I jumped around and dodged. I flung myself around the air and body flickered, letting the fire bullets crash into surrounding trees. Come on, Shun, if you want to do it, this is the time. Maybe Itachi's fire wasn't enough, so I did the hand seals for the Phoenix Sage Fire as well, and a flurry of fireballs shot out of my mouth, I was careful so that they'd spread out and crash into trees aimlessly.

Finally, I felt a familiar wave of chakra, heading toward me. Getting impatient, Shun. I thought as I let the foreign chakra wrap around me. It was Shun's Mind Body Disturbance Technique, it allowed Shun to take control of enemies' bodies. However, for some reason, he told me that my mind was especially strong, like a foreign body he couldn't penetrate. Itachi suspect that it may have something to do with my unusual Sharingan awaken time, but only I knew what's the real reason for that. It's because I am a foreign object.

However, it did have an effect on me, like its name suggested, it disturbed my mind for a while until my own 'extra strong foreign mind' fought it off. When my mind was clear again, Itachi kneed me in the stomach, and before I could retaliate, he already grabbed me hands and pinned me on the ground facing down. His knee was on top of my neck and he held my hands down on the ground. I was sure this was a payback from before, all those good times where I cranked his spine and neck onto the hard, harsh floor.

"You are slacking, Maiko, you never should have let my technique touch you." Shun laughed in the background. Finally, they are all out of hiding.

"We'll see about that." I smirked as Itachi eyed me suspiciously. "Itachi-nii, next time, remember that I have four limbs." I kicked my right leg up from the back, in between my toes, was a small piece of blade, but sharp and fast enough to carve a hole in his neck. Itachi moved just in time to avoid the kunai as he jumped off of me in a hurry. So instead, I raised my leg in a scorpion position and used the kunai to cut off the ninja wire Itachi placed on my hands.

I quickly jumped away from Itachi and surveyed the field. Itachi and Shun were standing about 20 meters away, looking warily at me. "Finally, I got you two out of your hiding. I am practicing something, so be good boys, and let me practice it on you." I said as I form the strings of hand seals for the ninjutsu I've been working on ever since Sasuke's attempted kidnapping.

"Raiton: Rairyu no Mai (Dance of Lightning Dragon)!" I said quietly as I extended my palm. Two surges of icy blue chakra shot out of each of my palms, they were long and slim like the shape of dragons, and they fizzled and shimmered like electricity. Itachi and Shun's faces widened in shock as two surges of lightning dragon shot for each of them.

The lightning really danced around in the arena, but as I tried to control the direction, the longer they were moving around, the harder it was to move them, especially since I was trying to control four lightning dragons. I accelerated one lightning dragon and willed it to crash into the ground near Shun. The lightning blasted a one-meter hole on the ground. It's not like I was trying to kill him.I dropped another one near his feet, and the blast sent him flying. He wouldn't be up for a while, especially since my lightning dragon contained paralysis effect.

Now moving on to Itachi, and he was a pain. My lightning dragons were fast, enough to catch up to most genin's or even lower chunin's body flicker, but then again, Itachi learned from Shisui, and he kept on changing directions as if he knew that willing the dragons to change directions in fast speed would cost me more chakra. Right, he had sharingan that could see chakra.

My chakra supply was closer and closer to being depleted. The ninjutsu was already costing me a lot of chakras to use, and it was only because of my Sharingans that I was able to control four at a time, which meant that my chakra was being drained at an even faster rate. I dropped one lightning dragon on him, knowing full well that he could dodge it. That lightning dragon punched a hole into the tree he was standing on a fraction of a second ago. I focused my remaining chakra into the last lightning dragon. I willed it to follow Itachi as best as I could, and in the end, I could feel keenly that my chakra store was close to empty. I bit my lips in frustration, the speed of my lightning were getting slower and there was no way it could catch him. Finally, I accelerated the lightning one more time and sent it right at Itachi.

After the smoke cleared, it revealed a one-meter crater on the training ground, but Itachi was nowhere in sight. I sighed as my sharingan deactivated because of lack of chakra and I threw my hands in the air and said, "I give, my chakra is depleted. And Itachi is still here somewhere."

Akira-sensei, who only reappeared recently, blew the whistle. A second later, Itachi appeared behind a tree and Shun walked toward us awkwardly as he tried to shake off the paralysis effect.

"What the hell was that? Are you trying to kill me!" Shun complained. But I just gave him a passive look.

"I set the damage to low, I think, so I can have better control. It's not going to kill you, I think." Shun face palmed at my careless words.

"Now now, Maiko, can you please explain the ninjutsu, I'm sure all of us are curious." Akira-sensei suggested and I nodded.

"That is Raiton: Rairyu no Mai, Dance of Lightning Dragon. I started developing it about one and a half years ago, and I've only recently succeeded in it without blowing myself up." I explained, "It's basically lightning 'whips' that have high speed and high piercing power. It contains paralysis effect if the target is either struck by it directly or was within its basting range, although the effect will be weaker if it's an indirect hit. However, it does contain some problems that I need to work on."

"First of all, it costs a lot of chakras for me to use it. Secondly, the more lightning dragons I need to control, the harder it is. Right now, my limit is four without it going crazy, and that's only accomplishable with the help of sharingan. Of course, activating sharingan didn't really help with the chakra either." I paused for a second before continuing.

"Thirdly, the longer I need to control it, the harder it is to move it around, especially if I need to change direction or accelerating it rapidly. In order to keep up the ninjutsu, my chakra was depleted even more, as Itachi kindly took advantage of." I gave Itachi a glare but he just pretended that he didn't saw it.

There was a moment of silence before Itachi spoke up, "I believe those problems you can solve by constant practicing. But in the meantime, working as a team could temporarily solve those issues. From what I gathered, if the target is slowed or immobile, then the jutsu would have caused great damage. Shun's mind-body techniques are perfect for that. Normally, I would recommend you casting a genjutsu before using the lightning ninjutsu, however seeing that you need sharingan for the control, I should cast the genjutsu for you." Itachi calmly analyzed, and I listened carefully. I smiled at the mention of teamwork, it seemed that he was really incorporated into the team.

"Amazing, the great Itachi decide to play support for me, I must be getting lucky." I couldn't help but tease at my brother's serious face.

"Hey, I'm amazing and great as well, so be honoured that you get support from the great Shun!" Shun yelled angrily, but I could hear the playfulness in his voice.

"Of course, Shun-sama, although you may want to get that twitching in your hand looked at." I chuckled as he rapidly shook his hand trying to get the paralysis off faster.

"It's not my fault that the two of your are monsters, think about how normal people feel with the two for you around, I should have a medal for that!" Shun said exasperatedly, and I continued to laugh while Itachi just stared at us both emotionlessly.

"I believe you guys are finally ready for this." Akira-sensei spoke up as he handed us three pieces of paper. I looked at the paper and realized that it was an application for Chūnin Exam.

"The only reason I didn't let you guys took the previous exams was because I initially thought the team was too new for that. But after this practice, I could honestly say that you guys are ready as a team. The next Chūnin Exam is at Sunagakure in a month, I wish all of you good luck!" Akira-sensei explained. It was true that at the beginning, there was discord among the three of us, however, after the team training, we were able to work very well as a team. Itachi was most skilled at long range projectiles and ninjutsu as well as genjutsus, I was most formidable at close ranged combat with my own taijutsu style and kenjutsu, and Shun was the prime support and sensor of the group with his mind based attacks and sensory abilities, he even went out his ways to learn basic medical jutsus after Daichi's demise.

"Bring the filled out application to me tomorrow and that's it for today!" That's the last thing he said before he disappeared.

"So this is it, we are going to become Chūnins." Shun said wishfully.

"Only if we pass." Itachi, being Itachi, just had to state the unpleasant fact.

"Then we just have to pass then. Any objections?" I asked. Of course, there weren't any, we were ready for this, to advance to the next step of our lives.

(づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ

Itachi and I went home together after the practice. The moment we stepped into the door, Sasuke crashed into us and gave us a hug.

"Nee-chan, Nii-chan, you are back!" Sasuke said excitedly. He will be four soon, seeing that I've just turned nine, meaning his birthday will be a little more than a month away. By the time we were back from Chūnin exam, he will be four.

"Play with me! Please!" I had no idea when did Sasuke learn the puppy eyes, but he was good at it.

"Okay, Sasuke, whatever you want." I said to him with a smile, the little brother I tried so hard to protect. A moment later, Father walked into the living room.

"Father, Maiko and I have been nominated for the Chūnin exam in Sunagakure next month." Itachi informed our father who showed a pleased smile.

"It's about time, go pass with flying colours. Itachi, Maiko, you are both the pride of our family. You need to do some extra preparation for the exam. Meet me at the training ground in five minutes." Father told us and left quickly.

"Aww, does that mean you and Nii-chan can't play with me?" Sasuke looked at me with his sad round eyes, staring at me and Itachi with betrayal.

"Sorry, Sasuke, but Mai and I have training sessions with Father." Itachi answered, "but next time for sure." he poked Sasuke's forehead as he pouted. Suddenly, Sasuke seemed flustered and he quickly ran off.

I sighed at Sasuke's little temper tantrum, as we grew older, we rarely had time to play with him as we juggle our team training and the Uchiha family training. It's no wonder he's mad at us.

Suddenly I felt mother's hand on my shoulder, she said to me sweetly: " Don't worry too much, he will understand when he gets older. Now, remember our little promises about Chūnin, so go work hard, mom believes in you!"

I nodded and gave her a smile before I went to gather my supplies for the training.

The next day, all three of turned in the Chūnin exam applications and we were told by Akira-sensei to meet at the village two weeks from now for the journey to Sunagakure.

(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Third Person POV - The Hound

Hound arrived in the Hokage's office in a flash immediately after being summoned. He knelt down before the Hokage and reported "Hokage-sama, Anbu Hound reporting."

"Ah, Anbu Hound, I have a mission for you, but first, please take off the mask, Hatake-kun." The Hokage ordered, and Hound obeyed. He took off his mask and revealed a face that was covered with the mask from the nose and down. One of his eyes was closed with a scar over it, and the wild silver hair completed the picture.

"Hatake Kakashi-kun, I want you to escort the genins to the Sunagakure and oversee their safety for the chunin exam" Hound - or rather Kakashi - twitched at the mission assignment. Anbu escort for genins to the Chunin exam? Didn't they have jonins for that? Besides, sending Anbu to another village often meant intentions of conflict.

"I know you must be thinking of why would I send an Anbu to a simple escort? But I don't plan to send you as Anbu, but rather, as Jonin Hatake." The Hokage explained as Kakashi's eye widened. When was the last time he used his real name on a mission? When was the last time he walked in the light?

"I know you want to know why the genins need an Anbu escort of your level. Take a look at this." The Hokage handed him two pieces of reports. Kakashi opened the first one, it's a report on one of the genin participants.

The first thing that surprised him was the overall stats, at the age of ten, he already gained the total stats of 25 out of 40, with an overwhelming 3.5 for both genjutsu and ninjutsu, a 3 for taijutsu and a surprising 4 for intelligence. He paused for a second before opening the second file, his eyes widened again after seeing the name: Uchiha Maiko, the girl who's teammate was killed by the Kiri-nin. He looked again, age: nine, even younger than Uchiha Itachi, but her total stats was 23 out of 40, Taijutsu: 3.5, Ninjutsu: 3, Genjutsu: 2, Intelligence: 4, Speed: 3.5. Those are the data of genius, to think that they would appear in this time of peace.

"As you can see, their talents rivals yours, and maybe even more talented than you. Itachi-kun was dubbed as the most talented Uchiha in the century, Maiko-chan, she was said to awaken her sharingan at birth, a legendary feat that has never happened before. Together, they are said to be the two prodigies of the century." The Hokage narrated, and Kakashi was again in shock at the revelation. Sharingan at birth? Is that even possible? The sharingan feeds on emotional trauma to awaken, so how was a newborn child, with no life experience or cognition, able to awaken it?

"Impossible as it might seem, there's no question that they are valuable assets for the village, their future could secure the strength of our village. Besides, they are the children of Uchiha Fugaku, the current Uchiha head. The current relation with Uchiha is tense, if something were to happen to their most prized children, then I have no idea how the situation will worsen. Sunagakure had never been on the best terms with Konoha, so there's no guarantee that they won't try something to weaken Konoha's power. I need you, Kakashi of the Sharingan, to use your reputation to intimidate them, and also to protect those two at all costs. Konoha cannot endure another civil war." Hokage-sama explained in details, and Kakashi listened closely. Even though he worked in the dark, he more or less understood the tension in the village.

"Will you accept the mission? Konoha will be sending two teams this time, and you will be following Team six as a second instructor along with Jōnin Shinbara Akira if you choose to accept it." Hokage-sama asked.

"Of course, Hokage-sama, I will surely complete the mission." Kakashi bowed again. The order came from Sandaime Hokage, there was no way he could refuse. He wondered if that girl still hated the Anbu. Of course, she does, one just doesn't simply forget the loss of their first teammate.

Kakashi is here! Chunin Exam is here! So get excited dattebayo! (yeah, that was totally me stealing Naruto's catch phrase, but some one has to say it since Naruto is currently around three to four, a wee little toddler just like the pre-revengeful-teenager Sasuke)

Anyway, please leave a review if you feel like it!