Chapter Two

It had been almost a year since Iruka had seen or heard from Hirako. He was making his way home after a long day of teaching. The warm air swirled around him, it was very hot that day but now that it was evening it was starting to cool down a bit.

He walked to his apartment and he noticed a piece of paper on the door waving in the breeze. He picked it up and quickly scanned through it. His eyes widened as he read more and more, "Hirako…"

The letter had in it some pretty devastating news. He wasn't sure what to do at first; the only person he could think to tell was Sandaime. He was sure he'd understand.

- - - -

He knocked on the large decorative wooden door of Sandaime's office. He was getting a bit nervous about going inside. He heard a muffled "come in" and did so.

"Ah, Iruka. What a pleasant surprise." He motioned for him to sit down and he did, "Now, what did you need to see me about?"

Iruka didn't know where to start, so he just handed the letter over to him.

My Dearest Iruka,

I know it's been awhile, but I have some news. We have a child. A little girl as a matter of fact. She was born just 2 days ago. I've named her Haruko. I need to meet with you around midnight tonight at the border of your village, I have a request.

That's all I can write for now,

Haruko

Sandaime was speechless. He had crumpled up the paper in the process of reading it, "You know…I never expected something like this," His voice was strangely calm, "but it happened…so we have no choice but to meet up with her."

"We…sir?"

"Yes, I'll go with you just in case."

"Yes sir.."

- - - -

Iruka and Sandaime had made it to the appointed meeting place a bit early. The full moon lit all of the surrounding trees in an eerie blue light. The air was hot, thick with no breeze. It was almost frightening just to stand there.

A sudden rustling in the bushes made them both jump as Hirako stepped into the moonlight. In her arms she held a small bundle, "It's nice to see you again, Iruka." Her hair was messy, and her eyes were puffy and red, as if she'd been crying. She walked over to him and handed over the bundle.

He looked down at the baby. The moonlight lit up her pale skin so it looked as if it were glowing. Wisps of dark blue hair poked out of her head. She slowly opened her emerald green eyes. Sandaime looked at her over Iruka's shoulder, "Yep, she's yours alright." He patted him on the back, a proud grin on his face. Iruka handed Haruko to him, then turned back to Hirako, "You had a request?"

"Yes…" She said wiping her eyes, "They found out at the hospital that she's not a full blooded Mist Shinobi…" She looked at the ground, "I'm afraid that if she stays with me…she might be killed."

"You want us to take her?" Sandaime piped up.

"Only if you're able to…I'd protect her with my life, I just don't know if that would be enough.."

Sandaime handed Haruko back to Iruka, "We'll take her…and we'll do our best to keep her safe."

More tears welled up in her eyes, "Thank you…" She bowed deeply, "I will find some way to thank you…someday." She kissed Haruko on the forehead and Iruka on the cheek, then turned, "I must go now, they probably followed me here. Farewell Iruka, until we meet again."

And she was gone into the night.

- - - -

She walked through the Mist village gates just shortly before sunrise. The fog was thick and the air was heavy and cold. She had gotten just past the gate when she was restrained from behind, "Wha!"

The Mizukage walked out of the fog, "Where's the child?"

"She's gone, somewhere safe from you."

He pushed her back into the stone wall, "She was ours! She was going to be a very important test subject!"

"What!"

He took out a large vial, it was full of a swirling, bubbling black and purple material. It looked almost as if it were trying to free itself.

"That's…"

"Right, the Jinchuuriki. The one that's been in our village for generations. She was the perfect medium, now we have to take extra steps to get her back." He choked her, digging his nails into her throat until it bled, "You are a traitor, you'll never see the light of day again." He let go and she fell, but was caught by a blonde haired hunter nin, "Jin…" He said to the blonde boy, "I want her taken care of."

He took his mask off, his eyes were the same as Hirako's, "But Sir!"

"I don't want to hear your excuses! What better way to test your loyalty than to kill your own sister?"

Jin hesitated for a moment, then tossed Hirako over his shoulder and took her away. The Mizukage looked into the vial, "Worry not, you'll have a body soon enough."