"Ummmm, so the denser the chakra the harder it is to mold it?"

"Well yes and no, if you have desner chakra then it just means it takes a longer time to mold. But if your chakra control is good then you wouldn't be able to feel a difference."

Naruto said as he adjusted the smaller girl that rested on his back, he suppressed a grin as the girl hummed in understanding and rested her head on the back of his shoulder. Kise looked straight ahead as she asked yet another question about the basics of chakra while she held her index finger outward, controlling a kuani floating in the air as Naruto carried her and walked down a path towards a small village in Sound Country.

They had been on their journey for a month now, still deep inside the Sound Country and slowly making their way towards Kumo. Naruto really underestimated how big Sound Country really was, there were a lot of towns scattered around and it helped for shelter so they didn't have to make camp in the middle of the forest and risk more attacks on them.

Naruto had originally planned for the journey to take just a month, but now he just didn't know how long it would take to even step into Lightning Country.

And after a month in, he and Kise were slowly growing closer to one another. His original goal was just to strengthen her up so she could run with chakra and hopefully get to Kumo faster. And it would have worked, if they hadn't stopped at a small carnival that a large village was having a few days after he had helped Kise control her magnet release. Kise's smile that day almost threatened to break her face as she ran around happily. Trying all the new exoctic food and playing carnival games as Naruto watched her, and partaken in games that Kise begged him to play.

Naruto didn't want to admit it that day, and if anyone had made a comment on how his smile never left his face he would probably call it a lie. But watching Kise just run around being a kid was a breath of fresh air for both of them. They both hadn't shared their pasts with one another, but there was no need too. He knew Kise just by her attitude that something jarring must have scarred the girl mentally, but seeing her golden eyes sparkle during the carnival was enough to ignite a warmth in his chest he didn't know he was capable of.

It was the best birthday present he could have asked for, and he didn't even know it was his birthday.

"But if my magnet release is a combination of wind and earth chakra, could I still use wind and earth jutsu's?"

"Of course. The natures just mixed together to allow you to use magnet release, it was a mutation of your DNA when you were born."

"Ooooh~!"

Naruto grinned as he watched Kise's eyes sparkle again with joy. The kunai she was controlling in front of him started to rapidly increase in speed as she moved it side to side in excitement. Naruto almost laughed when Kise jumped up and down with a smile on her face, the girl was definitely turning into a bundle of joy, a real sharp contrast then how she was the first time they met.

Finally noticing that they entered the small town he gently slid Kise off of his back much to the girls silent protest. Back on to her feet she grabbed the kunai she was controlling and placed it back into the back on her bag. Standing close to the taller male Kise looked around, holding a gold stuffed rabbit close to her body, a prize that Naruto had won for her back at the carnival. Naruto noticed her sudden shift and attitude and his features softened, reaching out and patted her growing brown hair and was happy to see her not flinch in fear, but look up at him expectantly.

"Come on, let's go find a hotel and relax for the night. And if we have some spare time we could go shopping." he said making Kise's eyes sparkle once again. She nodded her head enthusiastically, holding the stuffed animal closer to her.

The town they were in was small and there weren't many people walking down the streets. Naruto decided before they entered the village to remove his headband and place it back into his pouch for safe keeping. The further and further they traveled he didn't know what to expect with his 'family', he was certain he wasn't officially labeled a missing nin yet, so it seemed like an easy choice for Naruto to just not wear the headband.

Several of the people passing by offered the two kids a nod of greeting as they walked by. Naruto returned them wholeheartedly but Kise was far more hesitant, scooting closer to Naruto subconsciously as she gripped a few of his fingers for comfort. Naruto didn't mind and would periodically offer a smile towards her in hopes to calm her down. It conjured the desired effect and Kise could feel the nerves in her body slowly melt away as they walked into a pretty worn down hotel building.

As they walked into the building they were greeted with a friendly smile from the man working behind the desk. Naruto ignored the confusion and shock in the man's eyes as he asked for a singular room with two beds. He didn't have much money on him, only the amount the masked man had given him and a few looting trips from the bandits that kise had taken out for her training. The man nodded his head, quickly excusing himself and walked into the back room.

Seconds later he walked back out with a singular room key, handing it to Naruto telling them to enjoy their stay. Naruto smiled and paid for the room and motioned Kise to follow him, thankfully their room was on the first floor only about 40 feet away from the front desk. Unlocking the door Naruto and Kise were faced with a very small room, or more so like a closet. There were two single beds in the centre of the room, the walls were beginning to chip from years of damage as the paint started to peel away. Directly to their right was their bathroom, baely hidden behind a broken wooden door that was hanging onto their hinges for dear life.

Naruto had to suppress a groan as the unpleasant atmosphere and smell of the room, but it sure as hell beats sleeping in the forest again. Kise didn't seem to mind as she let go of Naruto's fingers and walked over to sit on the bed furthest away, she pulled her knees up into her chest as she sunk down slightly into the shocking soft mattress. Naruto watched her with interest as the gold rabbit looked like he was suffocating under Kise's harsh grip.

Walking over to the opposite bed across from Kise, Naruto took a seat on the edge and silently marveled at the softness. That was definitely a surprise. He had sunken in a few inches and couldn't believe that such a dingy hotel would have such soft mattresses, it was definitely the softest he had ever been on before.

Naruto stayed silent for a few minutes as he watched Kise sit atop her bed. He noticed her shoulders start to tremble slightly and a frown appeared on his face. Her sudden shift in attitude was sudden, she often did this when they entered hotel rooms. She would often enclose herself and fall asleep quickly leaving Naruto to his own devices. But this time the change was much more noticeable, it was impossible not to see. Scooting a little closer to the edge he reached out slowly and patting her on the shoulder. His frown grew deeper as he watched her flinch away again, her head snapping up to look at him in a mixture of shock and fear. Silent tears streamed down her face as Naruto looked at her in worry, getting up from his spot on the end to claim the seat next to her.

He was glad she didn't subconsciously send a kunai his way while he did so.

Kise visibility relaxed as Naruto took the seat next to her, her shoulders slumped down and she could feel her body unwinding itself. She gasped slightly as more and more tears cascaded down her cheeks from her now desolate golden eyes. She threw herself around the shocked blonde boy, burying her face into his chest as she cried loudly.

Naruto instinctively wrapped his arms around the petite girl, his blue eyes growing deeper with concern. Using his free hand he cradled his head close to him, giving her support so she didn't fall as she mumbled inaudible into his shirt.

"She's in pain."

"Kise, what's wrong?"

Naruto asked softly, making sure to make his voice as calm as possible but couldn't stop a trickle of worry to lace into his words. Kise said nothing as she buried her face deeper, her whole body now shaking. He asked again, his voice barely above a whisper as he tightened his grip around her, fighting back the lone tear that formed in his eye. He really felt for Kise, no young girl should ever feel the amount of pain and grief as she was experiencing right now. And thankfully she seemed to hear his words this time as she slowly pulled away from Naruto, refusing to look him in the eye as she started to speak. Her voice was shaky, barely hanging on as her nails dug into the soft fur of her stuffed animal.

"I-it happened a few y-y-years a-ago."

Naruto gave her his full attention, his eyes never breaking away from the young girl as she furiously wiped her eyes with her arm trying to erase any evidence of her crying. Kise hated crying, she will forever hate crying after what happened to her. But she couldn't help it, she tried for so long to stop the tears from falling but they never have. They were taunting her, reminding her of a time she wished would forcefully purge itself from her mind forever.

Flashback

- 2 Years Ago -

"Come on Kise hurry up."

"I'm coming , I'm coming!"

Kise yelled happily as she bounced over to the familiar voice. Backpack strapped around her six year old shoulders almost falling off her body from her excited jumping. She laughed happily as she stopped her run and hugged the tall man that had just spoken to her, looking up at the identical golden eyes she grinned. Her teeth glistened in the morning sun.

"Isn't it great nii-chan?! A whole adventure just to see kaa-san!"

The taller man looked down at his younger sister and smiled, reaching down he rubbed the girls head affectionately. Kise giggled happily at the attention as she leaned into his touch still bouncing in place. The man adjusted the backpack over his shoulder with his free arm, enjoying the soft breeze of Iron country. The weather was especially beautiful during springtime in the country, cherry blossoms had already sprouted from the ground, the wind carrying the beautiful pink leaves across the land.

"Now Kise remember, stay close to your nii-chan. Big brother Ren will be here to protect you okay?"

Kise nodded her head enthusiastically, "Of course you will nii-chan! You'll always protect me!"

Ren laughed slightly as he patted her head again. Not long after Ren grabbed his remaining bags from his large patio and slung it over his shoulder. For the longest time Ren and Kise had lived in a small wooden cabin just outside the border of Iwagakure. The land they lived on was very desolate, not much wildlife roamed the areas or even bothered to get close to the house. It was the perfect place for a small family who didn't like the attention or the large crowds of other villages. Which was exactly what the Nakahara family had liked. There were towns close by where they bought all their necessities, like food, water, and clothes. But their father was usually the one to go out and do all the shopping, he would often come back late at night struggling to carry the large amount of bags around his arms and back making thor mother worried sick.

Sadly their father had passed away before Kise had been born.

"How far is kaa-san nii-chan?"

Kise asked loudly, tilting her head to the side cutely as she looked up at him. Ren smiled down at the girl as they walked down an empty trail ignoring the soft crunch of sakura leaves under his feet.

"Oh she isn't very far at all. Were about less than a day away, Kaa-san should be in our other cabin that tou-san had bought."

"EEEEH? Another cabin!"

Kise yelled again, her eyes glinting with joy making Ren grin. Ren nodded as he pulled out his map in his back pocket, opening it up and handing it to Kise. Kise grabbed on eagerly as Ren pointed to the small black circle that wasn't very far away from their current house.

"Tou-san had bought this for kaa-san right before you were born, and that's where she has been all these years."

"If she was so close why couldn't she come and visit? Or we go over there?"

Kise said sadly as she looked down to the ground. Her frown sagged deeply on her young face as she handed the map back to Ren without looking at him. Ren's eyes softened considerably, taking a few long steps forward he got right in front of his little sister, making Kise bump into him in surprise. Ren bent down till he was at her level and gave her the biggest smile he could muster as he ruffled her brown hair. Kise couldn't stop the smile from growing on her face replacing her previous frown.

"Now Kise you know how kaa-san is. She's a shinobi, remember? She's been sent on a long term mission and can't tell us about it."

"I know nii-chan...but she could have at least said hello sometime."

"Which is exactly why we're going to her this time!

Kise's previous sadness melted away at her brother's enthusiasm. Nodding happily she felt all the doubt go away. Ren, seeing his sister's mood brighten smiled happily. Getting back up to his feet he offered his hand to Kise which she took happily with no hesitation. As they walked down the beautiful pathway to their second home Kise couldn't help but jump around in happiness. She had her nii-chan with her and she was going to go see her kaa-san again! She couldn't contain her happiness as she swung from her brother's hand laughing loudly while doing so, she felt like she was on top of the world. Completely unaware of the smile falling off of Ren's face with his eyes glazing over darkly.

Night had just fallen over the Elemental Nations, the large crescent moon trying it's best to offer it's light to the darkened earth as it reflected off the glowing sakura leaves. Ren and Kise's journey was incredibly peaceful, they hadn't run into a single person during their walk and even had time to eat at a small food stand in one of the passing towns. Kise's excitement seemed to grow larger and larger the longer they walked. She was so excited to see her kaa-san that Ren had to scold her multiple times that she was being too loud or running too far ahead of him. Ren had stayed silent for the majority of the trip, taking in the peaceful ambiance and the calming feeling that nature had always provided him. It was the only way to ease his always beating heart.

Their walk only lasted for about nine hours, finally getting to the deserted cabin in the middle of a cherry blossom clearing. Kise audibly awed in amazement at the scenery, it was so pretty! She yelled at her brother and why he hadn't taken her here before. Ren laughed loudly at Kise's explosion on him, he didn't answer her question as he just rubbed her head again. And just like that her anger was gone in a flash.

Once they had reached the front door Kise just couldn't even hold it anymore. The second her brother had unlocked the door she had already pushed passed him, almost breaking the door off its hinges as it flew back and hit the back of the wall with a loud bang.

"Kaa-san!"

Kise yelled as she jumped into the center of the room. Her eyes frantically glancing across the inside of the cabin. Directly to her left she could see a broken wooden door, barely hanging on the hinges as polished white bathroom tile shined brightly in her eyes. The living room was large, much larger than the one she was used to back at her original home. Couches and rugs lined the back, circling a nice polished wooden coffee table that was balanced on a nice bearskin rug, placed directly in front of a large fireplace. On the other side was a large dining table with four chairs balanced upside down on top with a dusty, and no doubt rusted lamp that looked like it hadn't been used in ages. Behind the table were two identical doors next to one other, most likely leading to the bedrooms.

Straight ahead of her was the kitchen, she could see a stove that looked to be just as rusted as the lamp. A nice tall refrigerator stood next to it with several cabinets placed next to it with a sink directly below it. On the counter tops were several plates already placed out with an assortment of kitchen knives chopsticks still placed in their respective holders. Kise felt a bubble of confusion pop within her as she watched her brother walk directly pass her and into the dark kitchen. Ren didn't say a word as he opened the fridge and pulled out an old sake bottle, opening it up and taking a long drawn out swig of the beverage.

"Nii-chan where's kaa-san?"

Ren remained silent as he grabbed a stool that was behind the kitchen counter and sat atop of it. He took another swig of the booze before placing it down. Running his hands through his dark black hair in the process. Kise frowned at her brother for acting so strange. She looked at the unfamiliar drink and walked to the doors behind the dining room table in hopes to find her mother. She didn't get very far as she heard her brother stand up from his stool and walk over to her. Kise turned to face her brother as he towered over her, she couldn't see his face due to the heavy darkness of the room. She took a hesitant step back as she felt herself collide with the large dinner table. Ren placed the bottle of sake down on the table, taking in a deep breath as he patted his younger sister on the head again. Kise felt herself start to smile again before Ren spoke.

"You know, you were actually born here." he said, using his free hand and drawing Kise's attention to one of the large wooden doors. Kise looked surprised for a moment but didn't have a chance to respond as Ren's large hands slowly gripped tighter around her brown locks. She yelped slightly in pain at the sensation, she asked for Ren to stop, he ignored her as she yelped again.

"Yeah, I would never forget. tou-san had just died and kaa-san was doing everything she could to take care of me." he said growling slightly at the memory. Taking another drink from the sake Kise begged for Ren to let go of her hair. Ren ignored her again and Kise felt tears start to spill from her eyes. At the sight of her, Ren felt a big burst of anger course through him. He scowled deeply, his grip tightening once again.

"And that one night where I woke up to a loud scream in this very cabin." he said, his voice dripping with venom, "Where I found my kaa-san, getting taken advantage by some fucking stranger, she screamed for him to stop but he didn't. After he saw me he forced me to watch, he pinned me down and I was forced to watch my own mother get raped." he growled again. His eyes flashing with anger as he pushed Kise forcefully into the table. Kise yelped again in pain as more and more tears fall down her cheeks. Her head hit the back of the chair as she forcefully tried to pry her bothered hand away from her hair.

"N-n-nii-chan stop i-it hurts!"

"And you look just fucking like him!"

Ren yelled angrily, spit flying from his mouth as he grabbed as much hair as he could from Kise before throwing her across the room. Kise yelled again as she was thrown through a wooden chair before feeling her back smash up against one of the kitchen counters. She gasped in agony at the sensation, blood flew from her mouth and didn't have time to react as she felt large hands once again grip both her arms and pin them above her. She whimpered in pain and looked up in fear to see her brother looking down at her with disdain. His golden eyes were now a dull copper, shining with anger as a crazed expression morphed onto his face.

"I've always hated you, you were the reason kaa-san had died. If it wasn't for you she wouldn't have died giving birth to you!"

He screamed at her, his eyes shining with unshed tears as he used his free hand to reach and pin her body to the cabinet. He felt out a crazed laugh, as Kise looked at Ren in horror. This wasn't the brother she had grown up with, the brother who had taken care of her since she could remember. She tried to get her fright under control as she looked at his hysterical expression. The room felt like it dropped several degrees from the tension, she whimpered out again, trying to break her arms free from his grasp.

"Ni-nii-chan-"

"Shut up!"

Kise screamed in pain again as a fresh batch of tears formed from her now terror filled eyes. Ren had struck her, slapping her across the face making her head slam back into the counter. Kise cried and felt something sharp get placed on her chest.

"Just shut up! I tried...I tried for so long to raise you for kaa-san, but every time I look at you I see him, the man who ruined everything!"

Kise's eyes widened as she squirmed in his grasp. Her golden orbs tracing the kitchen knife he had grabbed at it pierced through her shirt right above her heart. She pleaded and begged, her high pitched voice echoing through the barren cabin and disappearing into the endless air. Ren seemed to get even angrily at her fearful expression, his very core was burning with pure animosity as his body started to shake.

"And stop crying, stop that fucking crying. You look exactly like kaa-san did that day!"

Kise screamed again as she watched him raise the blade upwards, time seemed to slow down for the young girl as she watched helplessly under her brother's grip. She cried out, pathetically screaming for him to stop, hoping that her brother would hear her. She sobbed as the blade grew closer to her, tears never stopped flying from her eye sockets and she couldn't even look at Ren anymore. Every time she did she felt like a piece of her was breaking along with his words that had cut deeper into her than any blade could. She forcefully shut her eyes, clenching them closed as she trembled in fear. She yelled again, her voice was hoarse with pain as she did so. Subconsciously opening her hands wide as she shook her head rapidly trying to erase her brother's words from her mind as the blade was inches away from her.

"S-stay a-away!"

….Squish!

...Squelch

…

…

….

Kise waited for a moment, her eyes fluttering open slowly as no pain entered her system. She looked down, the knife was mere centimeters away from piercing her body.

"G-guh-"

Kise looked up hesitantly as she felt something wet fall on top of her. The sensation came again and her eyes went wide once she finally raised her. All the color drained from her face as she felt the death grip on her wrists finally give away. She watched as Ren's arms fell limp to his side. Kise screamed again as she crawled away from him, her hand accidentally coming into contact with the holder that was keeping the knives safely on the counter. The pained cry echoed once again as Ren felt his body grow weak.

Kise felt her blood run cold as she looked at her brother, the brother she loved more than anything as a silent gasp escaped from his lips, his mind not having enough time to register the knife that flew right in between his eyes. His eyes were wide with shock as his head wobbled, blood leaked down from the wound in his skull mixing together with the knife that had stuck itself right next to his heart. The crimson liquid pooled over the wooden floor as the knife fell from his limp hands and clattered onto the floor.

"N-n-nii-ch-chan."

Kise whispered, her words had no effect on the already lifeless man as his body fell to the floor. Kise tried to crawl to her brother but she ended up slipping on the massive amount of blood that pooled itself around him. She reached out frantically to Ren's corpse, her body trembling again as his words refused to leave her head. Her crimson soaked hands rose to her ears, covering half her face in her brother's life force as she tried to stop the never ending voices. Her head was still throbbing with pain as she gazed upon the corpse. Another strained sob tore its way from her throat as she stayed in the now empty room alone, her crying being the only sound that played in the room.

Flashback End

Naruto found it almost impossible to form any words as the sobbing Kise cried into his chest. His face was pale as he looked down at the crying girl in shock. He knew something bad had happened to her, but this wasn't what he was expecting. It felt like a wrench was thrown in his heart as he tried to calm Kise down. She had been talking for well over two hours and the sun had officially set for the night. Only a small sliver of moonlight shined through their lone window illuminating the room with its white light. Naruto found himself gazing down at the young girl. He could feel the demon in his gut react to her story, his chakra started to feel heavy for Kise.

"This poor girl."

Naruto shared the feelings with the Sanbi, nodding internally as he brushed his hand through the rough brown locks. He never understood it. How was this her fault? This girl was grieving and going through pain that most shinobi don't have to deal with in their lifetime. She deserved so much better, not some shitty family that betrayed her in the worst possible way. Isobu grumbled in his chest, his own golden eye glowing bright, swinging his three tails around ruthlessly.

"Hold onto her tighter Naruto."

Naruto was slightly surprised by the demon's tone but did as he was told. He adjusted her tiny body in his arms and moved her head from his chest to his shoulder. Naruto felt a very familiar warming sensation stir within his body, his skin started to glow a faint blue as a thin layer of chakra outlined his body. Kise looked alarmed for a moment at the chakra until it shrouded itself over the two kids completely. Sitting within Naruto's arms she felt an immense calmness thread itself into her body. Her tears had stopped falling and the phantom pain she had been reliving for the past few hours dissipated completely. She blinked in surprise, tilting her head to look in the glowing golden right eye of Naruto.

The blonde boy felt sweat bead down his brow from Isobu's dense chakra as he projected it outwards, masking the immense pain he was feeling at the moment and ignoring the burning in his chakra coils he gave Kise the biggest smile he could. Kise fell mesmerized as she stared into his golden eye, her nerves were gone and she felt more calmer than she had ever felt in her life.

"Don't worry Kise-chan, we have each other now. And I'll protect you, I swear it. That's a promise."

Kise felt her stomach bubble up with a strong sense of warmth that she hadn't felt in the two long years on her own. The familiar feeling that she used to feel with her brother when she lived with him. Kise looked into his warm determination filled eyes and felt more tears well themselves upwards, but this time not out of sadness, but pure happiness. She nodded with a huff, her lips forming the biggest smile he had ever seen as she buried her head back into his chest. The chakra aura stayed around them, neither moving an inch as they stayed in the embrace and smiled into his shirt, her voice purging any sadness she felt before as for the first time in a truly long time, she fell in a nightmare-less sleep within Naruto's embrace.

"Okay."