It common knowledge that the Akatsuki was a great danger, especially for Jinchuriki. With some Jinchuriki still kept well safe by their villages, it was to be expected that the grouping would raise their stakes. That's what Kaiya supposed.

For one reason or another, the Akatsuki's been on her mind all morning. They're as dangerous as some enemies from the Third Great War. Can tell ya tha first handedly, Mr Takahata, Kaiya's long since dead neighbour, would tell her. She didn't want to admit it to most people, but the thoughts of their actual abilities did scare her to the point where she might as well hesitate in a fight with them, ANBU level or not.

That day, her captain dismissed her until afternoon, and Kaiya tried to enjoy the last bits of her day off by looking at what improvements were made in town.

'Oi, Kaiya!' An urgent voice screamed in the distance. 'Wait a minute!'

Hearing her name, Kaiya's head spun around immediately, to see a boy hurrying down the busy street, followed by a rather large, white dog.

'What's the hurry, Kiba?' Kaiya asked as the boy arrived in front of her, panting heavily.

'I... I have something for you. Eh... Happy Birthday!'

The gesture couldn't do anything but bring a smile on Kaiya's face. He remembered. After some moments of intensive panting, Kiba began to regain composure. He dug his hand into his pocket and searched, eventually pulling out a rectangular red box with a blue stripe.

'Thank you.' Kaiya said as she took the box, analysing it in detail.

It wasn't very big, just a little bigger than the average palm. Opening it carefully, Kaiya's jaw dropped a little. Inside the box could be found, two white fangs that were longer than most fangs of a canine, being as long as an index finger.

'Fangs?' She asked. 'They're huge, man! Where'd you get them?'

'Oh, it's, um... something from the Inuzuka,' Kiba said with a smile, as he awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck. 'It's a typical gift for someone close.'

Kaiya puffed in amusement. She didn't really feel like they were close in any way and their personalities didn't necessarily match, but he was always reliable, especially for something serious.

'They're awesome, I love them.' She thanked the boy.

'So, what are your plans for today? Mum said you should come to dinner at our place. If you want, of course.'

'I don't really have any plans, to be honest. I have to be at the ANBU headquarters at three pm, and I'll see from there. 'Bout the dinner, I'll do my best to be there, but I don't promise anything.'

Kiba sighed. Ever since Kaiya began going up the ranks as a ninja in such a short time, he couldn't help but feel a sentiment of injustice growing inside him. Of course, there was a bit jealousy, but he learned not to let it take control. It was just that... ever since Kaiya started ranking up, especially after becoming Jonin, she wasn't the same Kaiya he knew. She was colder and indifferent and well, less lively. Whatever techniques that the ANBU used, they seemed to work. It sucked Kaiya's life out of her. Of course, he couldn't tell her all this. Not now, not today. Hell, he wouldn't even know how to approach the discussion, anyway.

'Well, I'm glad you like the fangs,' he said, 'Hopefully, you'll make it to dinner.'

'Hopefully.' Kaiya nodded.

When the following two hours came and left, Kaiya couldn't tell. Next thing she knew, she was on her way to the headquarters, in her ANBU clothing and her mask resting on her head. As she walked through the Main Building's halls, she stopped in her tracks as a cold hand laid itself on her shoulder. Kaiya turned her head around, to see an old man in a long robe and a stick, with bandages covering one of his eyes. It was clear who he was- one of the elders, Danzo Shimura. What wasn't clear, however, were his intentions.

Kaiya heard of him many times and, as far as she could tell, she never really took a liking in the man. His ideals could still be considered sane, and the man was determined to keep them, but the only toxic thing was his way of acting.

'Kaiya-san, was it? Or do you prefer Wolf?' Danzo asked, calmly.

'Either of those are fine, Danzo-sama. How can I help you?'

'With only so much, but it's also what I can do for you. I have an offer for you.'

Kaiya's eyes widened. An offer...?

'I would like you to join the Root. I'm sure you must've heard of my ANBU faction.'

Kaiya paused for a few moments, in thought. It was a big, unexpected offer.

'You have the skills to be in the ANBU, just like your father and grandfather. I watched your progress closely lately- it was like you built for the Root. Hopefully, you'll last longer than your ancestors.'

Kaiya couldn't lie, it was a tempting offer. A very tempting offer, alas the cold man. Yet, it was the last comment that made her change her mind immediately.

'Even so, Danzo-sama, without a will, a shinobi is useless as a twig, no matter the skills or resistance. It wouldn't be a loss if such a shinobi refused the offered position.'

Danzo paused for a moment, raising his eyebrows. He wasn't a fool, he foresaw this coming, but in his calculations, the chances of this were rather slim.

'So you choose to remain as you are? Please be aware such an offer won't appear again in your way.' He warned.

'I hope not, sir.'

'So be it.' Danzo said pursing his lips, taking a step back. 'Then I'm afraid you landed a curse on your life just by refusing your fate.'

'Then so be it. My fate is no one's responsibility but mine.'

Kaiya turned around and walked away quietly. It was a disturbing conversation, but just what wasn't disturbing as an ANBU? She couldn't let a fool stand in her way like that. Nobody stood in her way, deciding what she will and will not do. She soon entered the ANBU room, which appeared to be fuller than usual.

'Hey, Kaiya!' A male voice called. It didn't take long for the voice's owner to appear- Tora made himself present in front of Kaiya with a large grin. 'Happy birthday.'

'Thank you, Tora,' Kaiya said, returning the smile. 'How are you? How was the mission?'

'Oh, I'm fine. Some bruises and cramps, but I'll make it. The mission was hard as hell, man! I thought it was a simple assassination, but hell if he didn't put a fight.'

'Well, it was a SS rank, so I suppose it was to be expected. You should probably get some rest and healing, anyhow. You know they give you a day or two off if you go on an SS.'

Tora chuckled, as he rubbed the back of his head.

'Anyway,' he said, 'I was wondering if I could take you out somewhere this evening?'

Kaiya sighed. 'I already promised my aunt and cousins that I'll have dinner with them if I'm not on patrol tonight. Maybe tomorrow?'

'Sure, no problem. Oh yeah, do you know Uchiha Fukagu?'

'I think I've heard of him. Why?'

'He's Sasuke's father. You must have heard of Sasuke Uchiha. You did, right?'

'The boy who became a rogue and works with Orochimaru? Heard of him.'

'Well, you won't believe what I read about his father. Let me show you!'

Tora grabbed Kaiya by her wrist and dragged her up until his locker, excitement flowing within him. Recently, Tora developed a particular curiosity to learn as much as he can about various elite and legend shinobi, especially from Konoha. That kind of stuff never really intrigued Kaiya, but Tora was so passionate about it, Kaiya couldn't help but pay attention when Tora would tell her things on the topic.

The boy opened his locker and pulled a thin file. It had a photo of a person, a name, age, and status on the cover. The name confirmed itself to be Uchiha Fukagu, a name that didn't spark any interest in Kaiya's mind, but when she looked at the photo, she felt her stomach turn around. The man in the picture was too familiar- shoulder-length brown hair, cold eyes, tall, facial expressions, there was no mistake in Kaiya's mind as she made a connection. He was the one who killed her brother.

The room suddenly turned small as it ran out of air, replacing it with people. It was like every free space was filling. Kaiya felt how she lost balance.

'I'm... I'm sorry.' Kaiya said as she covered her mouth, rushing to escape.

Next thing she knew, she was in the hallway, breathing heavily mid-way through a panic attack, with Tora next to her.

'Kaiya, hey Kaiya,' Tora said, trying to get the girl's attention, 'it's alright. Here's some water.'

He pulled out a small bottle of water from his backpack and handed it to Kaiya, who took it with a trembling hand. A few gulps and deep breaths later, Kaiya calmed down to the point where she was comprehensible again.

'Do you want to talk about it?' Tora asked, carefully.

Kaiya hesitated for a few moments. Did she want to talk about it?

'That man, um, he killed my younger brother.' Kaiya said, eventually. 'I... I don't really want to go into detail if you don't mind.'

'It's... It's ok! You don't have to.'

Tora fiddled his fingers. She never told him anything about it. In fact, she never entered in detail about her past. When he asked if she had any siblings, all she told him was that she had two younger brothers, and they were both fine, thank you very much. It was alright by him- if she didn't want to talk about something, he had no right to force her to do otherwise.

'Sorry for making a scene, though.' Kaiya apologised.

'Don't apologise. You're not the one to do something for attention out of the blue, and well... it's understandable you reacted the way you did. That's what I think.'

Kaiya cracked a smile. 'Thank you.'

Eventually, she regained enough composure to return to her duty. While Tora had to leave on a short patrol, Kaiya had no choice but to return inside the ANBU headquarters.

The patrol was almost always the same, Tora could tell that from experience. One must patrol with another two or three people on a radius that ranged from five to fifteen kilometres outside Konoha. There were hardly any people outside villages, except for eventual merchants, various feudal lords, or Konoha shinobi.

Sometimes, if you were lucky, you would run into an ANBU member from a neighbouring country. It was an unspoken rule that the two would just nod and continue each their own way, without saying anything. For all he could hope, Tora wanted his shift to finish so he could return home.

This time, though, things seemed that they would be different. He was making his way to Konoha's exit when a Root member stopped him.

'Owl-san,' the member addressed, 'Danzo-sama wants you in his office immediately. Please follow me.'

Even though his face remained emotionless, he was still a human with feelings- and there were lots of feelings. Anxiety, panic, curiosity... whatever Danzo-sama wanted, he had to be precocious.

'So you're here.' Danzo greeted quietly, pouring tea in a cup. 'It's good to see you at last... Yoshitsune Tora.'

Tora couldn't help but gulp.

'How can I help you, Danzo-sama?'

'You're a smart boy, I know that for sure. I need you to do something for the greater good. Something, sacrificial. You could even name it religion. Would you be able to do it?'

'Of... Of course!'

'Good, good. Then let me tell you the following. In Konoha, we have and have had quite a few masterpiece shinobi. If any of them would turn against Konoha, well... You remember what happened with Madara Uchiha. That's why the leaders, me especially, mustn't allow defiances of rebellion.'

There was a short pause when Danzo took a sip from his tea. Tora didn't like how any of this sounded. Did Danzo-sama ask him for an assassination? More importantly, whose?

'Kaiya Kobayashi is one of those masterpieces. Taking her bloodline, of course, she is. However, she also carries the burden of being a risky rebellion.'

Tora felt his heart stop, as his face coldened. No... No, no, no. Please, God, no.

'She has plenty of skill and has a whole clan to back her up. Here's how you come into the picture. Although perhaps not imminent, it would make a significant mark on Konoha if Kaiya were to turn against us. You're a very important pawn, as you're close to Kaiya Kobayashi. To put it short and clear, I need you to get rid of Konoha's risks. I need you to get rid of Kaiya. Kill her.'

Tora felt something build up inside his throat, as his eyes stung. He barely could hold an emotionless composure.

'Let me ask you something, Tora-kun.' Danzo said, leaning over the table. 'Who are you loyal to? Konoha, or the wild?'

'K... Konoha.'

A/N

Ayyee, welcome back to chapter 15! I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. I have some tea to spill, so prepare.

First of all, what did you think of this chapter? Your opinion matters, and constructive criticism is always more than welcome.

Second of all, I decided to let the rest of the most interesting parts for the next chapter. Why? I couldn't resist the cliffhanger. That's it. That's my excuse.

Third and last of all, I'mma do it. I'mma fricking do it. I'll write a side story with Kaiya in the time skip while she returned to her family. I think it's a good idea because I'll be able to show y'all more of the Kobayashi clan, and I'll be able to bring to light various info about Spirit Seering that I never got the chance to show properly and idk if I ever will.

See you in the next chapter!

-Averyloves2write