Chapter 33: Training With Guilt

It would be a fools mission to go home now, Kira knew this but the guilt slowly started to eat her alive. Kakashi got hurt because of her and now Sasuke in this comatose state was like this because Itachi wanted to get to them.

She didn't know if if he was trying to protect her or if it was mostly his will to kill his brother that made him come. Perhaps it was both but she still felt guilty. She just stood there and didn't help. She couldn't even heal him properly.

Jiraiya, Naruto, and Kira all agreed that it would be best to leave the small little town and continue on their journey. The guilty feeling pushed her further into needing to find this woman. She could help Kakashi and Sasuke. If she wouldn't come back willingly she'd make her fix them. She'd make her help. Having the knowledge and skill to help those in need and not lifting a finger to help? It disgusted her.

Sasuke was slung on Guy's back, he still had some dried blood stained on his pale face. Just seeing him in this state made her upset. She could have done something, why hadn't she?

"Lord Jiraiya. Please do find and bring back Lady Tsunade." Guy spoke softly still probably grieving over Lee. He had his own needs for Lady Tsunade. If anyone could fix Lee she could.

"I promise we'll find her and bring her back right away! So take good care of Sasuke until then! Master Uber brows!" Jiraiya chuckled at Naruto's promise before placing his hand on Naruto's head and giving it a few pats.

"Guy-sensei! Please take care of Kakashi as well...i-if anything changes…" Guy nodded giving her an encouraging grin.

"Not to worry. If anything changes you will be my first call." she nodded she still felt bad but at least Guy-sensei would let her know if Kakashi woke up before she returned.

"Thank you sensei...and could you please water Mr. Ukki? Kashi has him labeled on his desk..." it was an odd request but Kakashi loves that plant, she figured he loved it more than her sometimes.

Guy snickered nodding his head in understanding.

"Well then, Guy. I'm leaving Sasuke in your hands." it was amazing that sparkles started to appear when Guy smiled.

"Nothing intrigues me more than guts, kid! Let me give you this!" He spoke enthusiastically by digging in his bag. Naruto grinned excitedly about to start jumping in place. "This helped Lee get stronger." Guy explained.

"Oh! What is it? What is it?"

"This!" It was a bright green jumpsuit, exactly the same as Lee's and Guy's. Naruto got so excited that Kira was having trouble containing her laughter. Jiraiya looked so annoyed right now at Naruto's behavior.

Squeaks and coughs were heard from Kira, her face getting bright red as she held her breath, biting her tongue the more Guy went on about the jumpsuit. "It's breathable, retains moisture, and offers complete freedom of movement all in one sweet package! If you wear it while you train, you'll notice the difference immediately! Soon, you'll start wanting to wear it all the time, just like Lee! I've got a bit of a thing for it myself!"

"WOW!"

It was getting harder and harder to contain her giggles. "I brought one for you too Kira!" She threw her hand to her mouth, biting her knuckle. Breathing was getting harder when he produced another suit! Oh my god this was getting too good.

Lee gave the two kids the training suits before walking off with Sasuke on his back, waving at the three as he left.

"Don't tell me you're planning to wear that thing?" Jiraiya groaned watching Guy leave.

"Whaddya think?" Naruto grinned about ready to put it on.

"Put it on, put it on!" Kira chanted letting her laughter escape finally.

"No don't!"

"Do it! Do it! Do it!" Kira chanted wanting nothing more than a picture of Naruto in that Green suit! Naruto grinned practically stripping out of his clothes and shoving the suit on much to Jiraiya's annoyance. Holding his face in a 'why is this happening' groan escaping him.

"Yes!" Kira exclaimed digging through her backpack to find a camera. Naruto posed in all sorts of ways like Lee and Guy do. She snapped ten pictures max because Jiraiya snapped saying he wouldn't teach Naruto any new amazing jutsu until he took the jumpsuit off.

"Aw man! Buzzkill." The kids laughed for a moment before getting serious again. They couldn't waste time laughing and joking around. They needed to find this Tsunade lady. Kakashi, Sasuke, and Lee needed her.

So after a few miles down the road Naruto lost his spunky self and was staring at the road thinking back to what had just happened only a few hours ago. He couldn't get Itachi's face out of his head. His words were on repeat.

"Whats the matter?" Jiraiya asked noticing the displeased looks on both kids faces.

"Naruto keeps thinking about Itachi. Or more importantly what Itachi said about us…" Kira explained holding her head in pain. He was thinking too loud. It was hard to concentrate on anything to block it out.

"Why do they want us?" Naruto sighed staring up at the older man. Jiraiya frowned not wanting to say. "You know too, don't you?! Whats going on?" Naruto practically begged when he noticed the old man wasn't speaking. "Whats he thinking?" He directed to Kira. Wanting answers and now.

'What does he mean what's he thinking? Aiko what should I do?'

"Who's Aiko?" His eyes narrowed a bit, now Kakashi's warning made sense. Her seal was breaking, she could easily converse with her demon. She's learned the secret to Dragon's Tongue. Jiraiya knew he had to tell them one way or another.

"It's not you they want. It's what's inside you." Naruto's hand instinctively went to his stomach. The seal stained into his flesh. Kira's hand instinctively went to her head feeling the hard horns.

"What is this thing? Some horrible demon that attacked Konohagakure? That's why everyone feared him...so why do these guys want it so bad?"

"Indeed the nine tailed fox has appeared in times of consequence all through the ages. It's a ghastly spirit destroying everything in its path. That's why people in ancient times feared it as one of the divine retributions."

Naruto processed when he said. "And why they want such things I honestly don't have a clue yet, they might be thinking of placing its power under their control. While the Nine-Tailed Fox spirit is still sealed inside of you. They'll never stop coming for you. It is your destiny. But, I'll be around to protect you, so don't worry."

"They're also after Kira though." Naruto spoke up staring at his friend. She was rubbing her head feeling the horns as they spoke. Completely lost in her own little world. "What would they want with a dragon?" Naruto asked, maybe Jiraiya would know more about her case than his.

"Do you know anything about Dragon Holders?" Kira asked. "Kakashi doesn't know much but he's told me that with age I'll start taking more qualities of a dragon…" she removed her bandana letting him see the black horns for himself. He didn't look surprised though.

"I know some. Dragon holders aren't as common. The information I have is scarce there hasn't been a dragon in centuries. They're not as powerful as the Tailed Beasts but can be difficult to contain. But about the holders all I know is that you will have to train harder to control your urges…"

"Urges?" Naruto muttered confused. Kira froze hearing those words. "What're you talking about?" Jiraiya stared her down.

"You must ignore the urges before you lose yourself completely." Kira started to shake scared. "Dragons are known for being free. They will do anything and everything to compel the holders to use their powers more and more. You cannot trust it at all."

"What're you talking about Pervy Sage? Kira doesn't have any weird urges." He tried to defend her but she knew what he was talking about. The urge to use her power, the blood lust that would take over if she wasn't careful with her emotions. "Right Kira?" Naruto called staring at her. He knew she was stronger than the old man gave her credit.

"R-Right…"she muttered staring at the ground.

Jiraiya nodded reaching out and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Just don't let it tempt you. Always keep your emotions in check and train hard. You'll be okay." she nodded staring up at him. Kira didn't like how Jiraiya kept calling Kaida, It. But was what he said true? Could she really not trust Kaida?

"Then we've got to hurry up and get stronger." Naruto spoke determined practically beaming. "The two of us combined no one will be able to stop us!" He directed to Kira extending his fist for the handshake. He saw her nervousness. "I swear I won't let any of the Akatsuki get either of us!" she nodded looking determined. They'd be okay.

Kira's fist collided with Naruto's in a fist bump, they moved to a normal handshake, then a hand hug and finally pulled each other closer with sheer strength till their heads collided in an epic head bump. The two hissed in pain while Jiraiya laughed at the childish behavior of the two. He could practically hear Aiko scold the two for hurting themselves in the first place no matter how cute it was.

"All right! So lets find this Tsunade lady!" Naruto grinned pumped with energy.

"Have her save Sasuke, Kakashi, and Lee" Kira added grinning. A determined look in her eyes. She'd either bring Tsunade back or she'd make the woman train her to help those three.

"And start training again!"

Jiraiya had a soft smile on his face seeing himself more and more every day.

"So this lady you're looking for is Tsunade right?" Kira suddenly asked she needed any kind of information on this woman before demanding her help.

"Yes, what of it?" It wasn't a defensive tone as he asked. He was actually curious those two acted very much like Aiko and him when they were younger. He hoped they'd turn out differently.

"You two were both part of the Three Great Shinobi, weren't you?" Naruto called staring at the man quizzically.

"Yeah, so?"

"...How old is she?" Naruto muttered staring at the man.

"Same as me." Jiraiya grinned.

'She's ancient!' Kira started to snicker behind her hand at Naruto.

"What? What's so funny?" Jiraiya yelled at the girl for answers.

"Nothing," Why hurt the old man anymore than he already was. She grinned with Naruto as they started to walk down the road again. Jiraiya grumbled to himself for a moment or two. "So, what's Tsunade like?"

Jiraiya caught both sets of eyes staring up at him expecting answers. "You interested in her?" he saw both heads nod in answer. "Hmmm, lets see in one sentence she's kinda unpleasant."

"Sounds like Sakura…" Kira muttered.

"No way, Sakura's awesome." Naruto argued.

"And she's addicting to gambling and her face is well known in numerous lands." Jiraiya continued like the two didn't interrupt.

"Then she'll be easy to find! If she's so famous…" Naruto grinned. This would be easy!

"She's quite infamous, she's the Legendary Loser." Legendary Loser? That's a crappy title for people to know you by. "But no matter how famous or infamous she is, she probably won't be found so easily. She's not the type to grow old gracefully, so she's probably using jutsu to mask her appearance. Even though she's actually fifty, she probably looks like she's still in her twenties…"

Jiraiya didn't look like he liked that she was doing that, hiding behind her younger looks. "And thats not all. The word I hear on the wind os late is she started transforming on the fly. Going from her teens to her thirties or forties, all so she can cut out on moneylenders she's in too deep with."

"Thats horrible!"

"Thats terrible, yeesh."

Both kids shook their heads at such a behavior, was this lady even worth finding? "Tsunade's loved gambling since she was a kid. But both her luck and her skill are totally abysmal, because she kept getting marked by everyone around her, that nickname stuck. And so she's always in debt and on the run...wow."

"This is no time for trips down memory lane, old man!" Naruto grumbled glaring up at the old man annoyed.

"So, how do we find her?" Kira asked staring up at Jiraiya expecting he knew where she would be.

"Who knows, our only choice is to do it by the book. But there are plenty of ways."

"What? Are you saying you don't even know how long this is going to take?" Naruto grumbled completely shocked this was insane! How were they going to find her now then?

"The time spent won't be a complete waste. 'Cus the whole time we're on the road, I'm going to focus on you two." Jiraiya was going to train her? Train her in what?

"Us?"

"It'll be time spent making you both stronger, training time!" Naruto threw his backpack on the ground and fished out the one green jumpsuit. Kira squealed watching him get ready to put it on. Fishing for her camera again.

"No, no, I told you not that thing. I don't want to walk next to someone wearing That." Naruto and Kira snickered again. After a ten minute convincing the jumpsuit wasn't as funny anymore.

"Come on Naru, it's not really that cool of a jumpsuit." Kira called shoulders slumped staring at the blond trying to put it on.

"Fine...I'll wear you one day." He spoke to the jumpsuit making her giggle again.

Aiko. Who was Aiko. Now that they had some time to think the name kept ringing. "Master Jiraiya...Who's Aiko?" She saw how he froze for a moment or two. His mind was racing of a million different thoughts at once.

His shoulders slumped, she watched him puff out a sigh before speaking. "She was my best friend…" Naruto and Kira glance at one another.

"Was?" Naruto finally asked staring at the man confused. "Did something happen to her?" Jiraiya nodded staring at the road ahead.

"Yeah." Kira frowned knowing it must have been bad for him to have that kind of face. His eyes were practically broken. He's seen some horrible things in his days. "We were on a mission and she didn't make it."

Both teens eyes widen surprised. Being a shinobi was dangerous and everyone had to come to terms that they might die in battle...but no one expect to actually die in the heat of battle. "It's not something I like to talk about...I've seen a lot of death in my time but hers is the one I still can't get over."

Naruto and Kira stared at one another. The idea of losing the other hurt each other in more ways than one. They couldn't imagine life without the other...but that wouldn't happen to them.

There was a quick pit stop in the next town over, Jiraiya had let Naruto and Kira run around and have some fun before training. After they left not finding any information on Tsunade, Jiraiya had explained he would be teaching Naruto how to do this jutsu he used to protect us from two thugs at the festival. The Rasengan.

Kira was in the middle working on her Taijutsu. She wasn't fast or strong enough to learn her new jutsu. Since she was more accustomed with water style she would have to work on her fire. If she used the polar opposites and upped her speed she'd be able to control the new jutsu.

Unfortunately since Naruto had a better grasp of Air Style (most likely from his last training with Jiraiya) he didn't have to start at the very beginning. Even though he was having trouble he wouldn't give up. He figured out how to make the water swirl around inside a water balloon towards the right.

Jiraiya easily blocked her attacks with every jap and hit. You could see her hair flying up and down or side to side if you paid attention. A layer of sweat was making its way over her body. Jiraiya was faster than he appeared to be. He practically used one hand to block her attacks!

"You're doing much better." Kira panted hunching her shoulders over she pulled the loose strands sticking to her face back as she stared up at the man. He looked completely fine. Damn she really was weak.

"Thanks...Kakashi was helping me before he trained Sasuke…"

"Watch closely, the Katon: Ichi is the first jutsu you learn when doing fire style." She watched as he held out his index finger and walked over to a tree. Nothing seemed to be different, that is until he burned his way through the bark of the tree. Just a simple horizontal line.

"You're going to focus your chakra in the tip of your index finger to form a heat. Once you do that I want you to do that. Then we'll move onto the next technique." She nodded her head staring at the burnt tree bark.

It shouldn't be that hard to figure it out, concentrating chakra into your finger seemed to be easy, only problem was instead of feeling heat in her index finger, she felt it feel cold. 'Damn! How am I supposed to do fire jutsu's when all I can do is water?'

'How do you do your water jutsu's?' Naruto's voice echoed through her head. She glanced over at her friend and saw him staring at her his hand extended and clutching onto the water balloon.

She shrugged, she honestly hadn't thought about it. She's always just used water jutsu's. 'Would you like my assistance?' Kaida. She hasn't heard from her in so long. Her gravel voice echoed through her skull. She wasn't supposed to talk to her.

'I need to learn this on my own...thank you though.' She couldn't be mean to her. She might not be able to talk to Kaida but...Kaida has helped her. 'The humans want us to speak less.' She didn't need to answer, Kaida already knew. 'Not all they speak is true. So many facts about holders of dragons are gone with time.'

'So is it true that you want to take over completely?' She didn't know why she was asking. She was scared to know the answer. What if everything she said was a lie? What if she was trying to take over one day?

'Your form is too small for my liking.' She didn't like how small she was? 'If I were to be free I would choose my original form. I do not wish to take over. You would know if I was lying.' Would she? Kira could practically feel the annoyance building up inside her from Kaida. 'You can feel my emotions like I can feel yours. You know I speak the truth. Our emotions link us through everything.'

She couldn't remember if Kaida had ever told her if she had another holder before. She didn't sound like she was lying. Maybe she was right. But maybe her brother and Jiraiya was right. Maybe she shouldn't trust her.

Kira shook her head. She needed to focus on the task at hand. If she was going to help Kakashi she needed to get stronger. And if that meant learning basic fire jutsu then she would.

Naruto and Kira grumbled having trouble with their jutsu's. It shouldn't be that hard! Basic jutsu's are meant to be easy! They practiced way into the night. Jiraiya shook his head at her. The dragon had too strong of a hold on her. At least her Taijutsu was improving. Jiraiya let out a sigh, Kira needed to learn to not rely on her beast.

They went to an inn for food and rest. After a belly full of delicious food Jiraiya was first to pass out. Naruto grumbled trying again. No matter what he did the balloon wouldn't pop. He couldn't understand it. He was doing everything Jiraiya had said to do. But the water in the balloon just wouldn't pop.

"You wanna try?" He tossed her a water balloon upset. Kira caught the balloon with ease smiling at the small object. She remembered when they were kids they'd throw them back and forth getting father and farther apart until one of them was covered in water. It's been so long since they had a day where they just goofed off and acted like kids.

Sure they saw each other all the time but being a ninja got in the way of them acting like idiots. They had a lot more burden's on their shoulders. Everything was different.

"So how do I do this?" Naruto plopped down beside her and showed her how he's been doing it. Move the water in a circle then try to pop it. After the first few tries she got the water to move in a circle. Though she believed it was because she was a water type, not because she was actually getting the hang of it.

Naruto was massaging his hand. Holding the water balloon and concentrating his chakra in his hand for long periods of time made his hand tremble. He just couldn't figure it out. How was he supposed to master this jutsu if he couldn't even break the rubber balloon.

"Let me see," Kira placed the balloon on the ground extending her hand towards his. Naruto shrugged before giving her his right hand. "I'd honestly love to learn new healing jutsu's but I don't think the old man know's any."

"I doubt he would." He sighed feeling the muscles in his hands start to relax. The normal feeling returning to his fingers. "Why can't I get this?"

"I think you just need some time. You'll get it eventually." He knew this answer and he didn't want to hear it. He hated hearing the answer he already knew. "Do you think they made it back to the village?" He needed to change the subject for a while.

"Yeah, Guy is pretty fast so I wouldn't be surprised if they were already home." Naruto nodded again staring at the ground taking his hand back. Slumping his shoulders.

"Do you think she'll help them?" She froze at his answer. She hoped Tsunade would help. She needed Tsunade to help. Kakashi needed her to help.

"If she won't...I'll make her. I won't leave her alone until she helps Kashi." It was a promise. Naruto could see she was going crazy with nerves but was putting on a brave face. It didn't take a genius to know how scared she was. She was good at acting sometimes but he knew. He could see.

"Kakashi sensei will be okay, he's incredible." She nodded staring at the ground. He wondered though, why she didn't go back with Guy. "You should get some rest, we can train together in the morning." a sad smile crept it's way to her face. He was trying to be strong for the both of them. Trying to make it so she wouldn't worry. "We'll bring Tsunade back."

They curled up on the mat. Kira laid on her side staring at Naruto watching him get ready for bed. "Change of subject?" Naruto nodded. His last subject change was a disaster. "I'm pretty sure after you master this Jutsu you'll have an army of fangirls at the ready."

Naruto snickered shaking his head staring at the ceiling a goofy grin on his lips. "It would be nice if Sakura would want to go out after she finds out how strong I've gotten but she likes Sasuke for some reason."

"I don't see it." Naruto rolled onto his side staring at her again not believing her. "Everyone likes Sasuke."

She raised a brow staring at him "Oh does that mean you included? You know now I could totally see it, the bickering and constant one up match going on between you two is actually flirting!" Naruto sputtered making a series of noises from disgust. With his sputtering noises and Kira's laughter the two woke up Jiraiya from his light sleep.

"Whats going on here?" He spoke groggily. Staring at the two kids he saw Naruto trying to throw a pillow over Kira's face and her pushing on Naruto's face.

"You like Sasuke! You like Sasuke!" She squealed with her laughter feeling a pillow

"I do not!" Naruto yelled everytime she spoke, Naruto ended up using his pillow and hitting her in the face in a one sided pillow fight.

"Ugh." Jiraiya rolled his eyes plopping back down onto his side exhaustion taking him over once more. The two kids slowly calmed down once again. "You really are a pain sometimes." Naruto grinned rolling onto his side to stare at her face.

"Yeah but you love me anyways." She teased closing her eyes to fall asleep.

"Yeah thats true. I couldn't ask for a better best friend." Friend. Thats all Naruto would ever see her as. No matter what he'd just see her as a friend. She knew this, she's always known this but why does it hurt now? Why does it hurt so much thinking of Naruto as something more and knowing she'll never have him?

"Night Kira,"

"Night…" She whispered watching him fall asleep. She frowned to herself she would never get Naruto go be anything more than a friend. It was high time she realized this. She waited till she heard their breathing level out, she waited till she knew they were both asleep.

Quietly sneaking out of bed and out of the room, Kira made her way down the stairs. There were a few adults still awake lounging about some were even drinking some Sake. She quickly made her way to the front desk to speak to the manager in her long light blue pj's. Actually very similar to Naruto's.

The man pulled out a phone and watched as Kira dialed a number he didn't know. "Hey Guy sensei

'Kira! Shouldn't you be asleep? It's late.' Guy sounded concerned. She honestly was surprised he was still at her house, she figured he'd be at the hospital with Lee.

"I just can't sleep...How's Kakashi doing?"

'He's still out of it. He hasn't moved much, not to worry though, I've made sure he is moving his joint!' He got so loud she could practically see the sparkles from within the phone.

"Thank you…"

'You youth today, worrying yourself over. Not to worry though, Kakashi is in great hands!' Kira cringed hearing his voice get louder. 'Oh Kira, you had a few messages from someone named Temari.'

Temari? Why did Temari call her? "What did she want?" She muttered confused last she heard Temari and her hadn't talked much, and when they did it wasn't good.

'She said something about her brother calling and hanging up after no one answered so she gave me their number.'

Gaara called her? Her heart fluttered in her chest. Gaara had called her. Yet even more guilt overtook her when she wasn't there to answer. "Can I get that number?" The manager was nice enough to lend her a pencil and paper. Guy was nice enough to give her the number and then spouted something about youth needing their rest.

"Alright, thank you for everything Guy sensei."

She hung the phone up and stared at the number. Gaara had called her. She'd call him tomorrow. He must be sleeping. Holding the paper to her chest she made her way back up the steps petting the cat when she got near. Naruto and JIraiya were still fast asleep when she returned.

She sat in her bed hugging the number. Almost as if he was actually there. Gaara thought about her too. She started to draw a heart, an imaginary heart into the wood on the ground. Her heart hammering in her chest.

Who knew having a crush on the boy with seafoam green eyes would help her master the jutsu. Maybe her emotions were the key to unlocking fire style.