Kakashi waited by the waterfall that Ayame told Pakkun about, for thirty minutes and still no Ayame. He paced around while the other members grew nervous and anxious. Kakashi was about to lash out at Pakkun when two figures walked slowly towards them. Kakashi drew to a defensive position and the others followed his suit. When the figures came closer Kakashi relax and rushed toward Ayame. Ayame saw Kakashi and dropped Itachi's hand to rush towards her adoptive dad. He hugged her tightly, while relaxing. She was safe and no harm had fallen upon her, he would sleep well tonight. Itachi continue to walk towards them, out of the corner of his eye he saw Naruto lunge at him but Sakura held him back. She tried to talk some reason into Naruto and Itachi saw Naruto relax so he took his attention off of him and onto Ayame. Kakashi glared intently at Itachi as he approached Ayame's side. Itachi positioned himself so that no one else but Kakashi saw Ayame grab his hand. Kakashi continue to glare at Itachi as he saw this. Itachi seem to notice Kakashi's hostility for he let go of Ayame's hand and Kakashi lighten up, only a little though.
"How are you?" Kakashi asked Ayame.
"I'm fine, Itachi took good care of me." Ayame smiled at Itachi.
"Really, well we must be going now. I'll have the medical ninja's take a look at you, just to make sure." Kakashi said.
"Fine, but first. I have an arrangement to make with you." Ayame looked from Itachi to Kakashi.
"What, type of arrangement." Kakashi asked slowly. He saw how Ayame looked at Itachi and was expecting the worst.
"Itachi has agreed to help us get Sasuke. Well to lure him towards us that is." Ayame took Itachi's hand despite Itachi's protest.
"Really, now why would HE want to help us bring back Sasuke? Since it he is the reason that Sasuke left in the first place." Kakashi said.
"Kakashi!" Ayame shouted.
"It's alright, Ayame." Itachi calmed her down and then stared at Kakashi. "Ayame needs my help and the sooner that she completes this mission the sooner that she is out of harms way."
"What are your terms?" Kakashi asked.
"That no one goes after Akatsuki while I help." Itachi demanded.
"Well you'll have to ask the Hokage about that. There's nothing that I can do, but I can promise that no one under my leadership will attempt to, unless you give me a reason to." Kakashi looked at Ayame while he said these last words.
"Kakashi you can be so protective some times," Ayame laughed at Kakashi's remark
"Don't worry, there won't be a reason to." Itachi replied. "Do we have a deal?"
"Yeah, but I have a condition as well, while you are helping us, you are not to even attempt at kidnapping Naruto. That means no tipping off Akatsuki." Kakashi stated.
"I wouldn't even dream of it, you're not the only person that made me promise such a thing." Itachi squeezed Ayame's hand and Ayame beamed proudly.
"Fine, I'll let you work the details out. You have ten minutes before we leave." Kakashi left them to join the others and fill them in on the details.
"You said he was only a little protective," Itachi told Ayame.
"I might have exaggerated on that one just a bit. So I'll leave word at your place telling you where to be and all that good stuff." Ayame quickly said.
"It seems that Kakashi only meant two minutes, he's waving you down. I would kiss you but I don't like an audience." Itachi smirked at her.
"It's ok, so I'll see you later." Ayame winked at him as she went towards Kakashi and Itachi vanished as soon as she turned her back.
Kakashi would hardly talk to her on their way back to Konoha. Naruto and Sai kept on bombarding her with questions about what happened. After she told them that he just helped her to get better, but that was the wrong response. They just asked more questions and Ayame said that she would tell them another time. That seem to quiet them down until Naruto asked if she was romantically involved with Itachi and remarked on how horrible that would be. Ayame drew silent for a while but then laughed it off and Sakura knocked Naruto on the head for that remark, telling him it was rude. But that only made Ayame laugh for real, seeing Naruto shrink under Sakura. Kiba was the other one that appeared to be moody and unhappy on their way back.
When they reached Konoha where Guy's team greeted them, but Kakashi excused himself from the group and took Ayame with him. He dragged her to Tsunade's office and sure enough she sat there looking over papers. She seemed relieved to take a break from paper work.
"If they told me how much paper work the Hokage has I would never have agreed to the job." Tsunade rubbed her eyes. "What did you find?"
"Well I have a trail on Sasuke and I have a recruit to help us." Ayame reported.
"Really, who?" Tsunade perked up.
"Itachi," Ayame replied.
"What? How?" Tsunade asked.
"Um…" Ayame was at lost for words. How could she tell Tsunade what happened, in front of Kakashi.
"It seems that Itachi has a fascination for Ayame," Kakashi chirped in.
"Really," Tsunade twirled a pen.
"However, he said he would help only if we stopped our attempts to find Akatsuki, at least while he is helping us." Kakashi said.
"That's too bad, considering it would be easy find them. But it's really not a problem since your other mission is to killing Itachi, Ayame. This only helps you to complete your goal." Tsunade said. Ayame's eyes grew and she stumbled backwards. "Is that a problem?"
"Um…" Ayame's heart raced as she tried to come up with an answer. Kill Itachi, the man who she gave herself to. The man who she has loved for so long, they want her to kill him. Could she even do it? They were always on the same level, while growing up. Could it be done? Wait, she couldn't kill him. Is this what tore Itachi apart, duty to yourself and duty to Konoha? "No it's not a problem." Ayame finally replied. She knew that she wouldn't do it, well not now. At least this means that Tsunade wouldn't give the mission to anybody else and she could figure out what to do.
"Good. I expect you to be in charge of assembling a team together, in order to bring Sasuke back for good. Dismissed." Tsunade said. Kakashi and Ayame left the room without another word to each other until they went to his place. Kakashi let out a sigh and asked her to sit down.
"Ayame, what happened while you were with Itachi?"
"Nothing, he just took care of me!" Ayame said defensively.
"That's all, are you sure? Because I know something happened. Itachi isn't nice to anybody and here he goes helping you." Kakashi glanced at her questioningly.
"All we did was discuss old times and old feelings. That's all." Ayame replied calmly.
"Look, I just don't want you to get hurt. Because if something did happen then you two are in a difficult position, actually an impossible one."
"What do you mean?"
"He's part of Akatsuki, a missing nin, killed his whole family, and he is the reason we are in this mess. Not to mention that his mission is to get all the tailed beasts, meaning you and Naruto as well. And you, are the daughter of the fourth, swore to keep Konoha's most dangerous secret. Not to mention that Tsunade gave you a mission to kill Itachi."
"I know, trust me, I do. It's just that, he's a different person when with me. It's like the time has rewound and we are kids again on the same team. He was smiling and laughing around me. I don't expect you to understand." Ayame turned her face away from him expecting him to raise his voice and through demands around.
"You love him?"
Ayame's mouth dropped she didn't expect Kakashi to say this."Yeah, I always have. I know it's impossible but haven't I proven that the impossible can happen?" Ayame looked hopefully at Kakashi.
"Yes you have, but if he hurts you or tries to take Gobi away from you I will kill him no matter what it takes." Kakashi stated.
"I know. If he tries anything on me, trust me I will severe every bond that we have and I will kill him. I promise, but he deserves a second chance." Ayame said.
"You're like your father and Naruto. Always believing in people, it's a good thing but it can get you killed. Just be careful." Kakashi hugged her, "Oh by the way I think Kiba has a crush on you."
"What! Is this your way of changing the subject," Ayame asked.
"Yep, and I don't think he's the only one too," Kakashi winked at her and they sat on his couch watching some TV, while discussing their plan of attack.
At night, Ayame sat alone on the couch fingering the necklace that Itachi gave to her. Then a knock on the door made her get up and walk around. Sakura stood outside fiddling with her fingers; she didn't even bring her head up. Ayame went aside and lead Sakura to the kitchen. "Did you want something to drink?" Ayame grabbed two glasses.
"Water," Sakura mumbled as she sat on a stool.
"Kakashi isn't here, at the moment."
"I know… I came to talk to you about something." Sakura spoke so softly that Ayame had to stop what she was doing in order to hear.
"Sure, shoot." Ayame placed the glass in front of Sakura.
"It's about Sasuke."
Ayame sighed as she picked up a plate of cookies that she and Kakashi had made earlier that day. Well just her, Kakashi was never any good at baking. "I see,"
"Are you really going to bring him back?" Sakura griped tightly onto her clothes, squeezing them.
"I won't give up until Sasuke is back in this village, safely. I promise." Ayame sat across from Sakura.
"Because," Sakura finally lifted her head up and tears streamed down her face. She wiped them with her arm and continued. "It just seems that no matter what we do, he's never going to come back. Even Naruto can't bring him back and he's been getting extremely strong. I'm just afraid… that…" Sakura cried and Ayame left her chair pulling Sakura close to her. Sakura reminded her of herself when Itachi left the village. She saw it in Sakura's emotions, her words and her expression that she cared about Sasuke the way that Ayame cared about Itachi.
"Look, I understand the pain, Sakura. It's not a pleasant feeling, but you can't give up. Sakura, my promises always come true, no matter what I have to do to make them come true. Believe me I have a great plan to get Sasuke back and things will be back to normal soon. They're almost normal for me, so they will be normal for you to. Sasuke just is lost and he needs to be alone for a while to figure out things. The best thing that we can do is support him and be there for him if he needs us." Ayame grabbed a box of tissues for Sakura and she took them gratefully. "When I was very little, my mom use to make me hot chocolate, at times like this did you want some?" Sakura nodded her head and Ayame put a kettle on the stove. She mixed in some instant mix, once the water was boiling and poured it into to two mugs. Ayame led Sakura to the couch and handed her a cup with mini marshmallows.
"Thank you," Sakura sipped her cup.
"It's no problem, really if you ever need someone I'll listen." Ayame told Sakura and she smiled, slightly.
"Ayame, do you mind if I ask you question?"
"Sure."
"Why didn't Itachi turn you to Akatsuki?"
Ayame grew silent and recalled his words, "He loves me."
"Itachi loves you!"
"Yeah, he does. He promised me that he would never let anything happen to me." Ayame calmly said.
"Is it nice?"
"What?"
"Is it nice to be loved, like Itachi seems to love you."
"It's one of the best feelings a person could ever have." Ayame replied but she saw Sakura's sullen face and quickly added. "But remember I did say Itachi's and my situation is very similar to yours and Sasuke's. It's not over until you give up."
Naruto sprinted towards the forest, where Ayame told him to meet her. He was excited for his training to really take off. So far all they did was meditate, which was boring for Naruto. Ayame always scolded him for his lack of discipline but yesterday Naruto managed a whole two hours of mediation without Ayame guiding him.
She was sitting on the grass waiting for Naruto, looking at her clock every few minutes. Naruto arrive five minutes late. Ayame just looked at him and with formal tone said, "You're late."
"I know I'm sorry, but-"
"Sit down," Ayame point to a spot across from her.
"Are we mediating, is this punishment for me being late!" Naruto groaned.
"No, we're going to talk."
"Talk?" Naruto puzzled at her suggestion but happy that for once they weren't mediating. He sat down pretzel style on the grass, waiting for Ayame to speak. She was very serious this morning; her face was paler than usual. Dark circles began to form under her eyes; she looked troubled.
"Naruto, I've been informed by Yamato and Kakashi about your lack of control with Kyuubi."
"Oh," Naruto hung his head low; remember when he hurt Sakura by trying to destroy Orochimaru.
"From what they tell me, I personally think that your doing great for holding a demon like Kyuubi inside of you."
"But I hurt people… people that I care about. I lose control of the transforming." Naruto dismissed what Ayame said. He personally thought that he hasn't done a very good job, since he's been able to reach the four-tail stage.
"That is why I insist you mediate. It helps to clear your mind and helps you to focus on your chakra better. With my help I'll teach you how to tap into Kyuubi's chakra supply without losing yourself." Ayame tried to cheer Naruto up.
"I doubt it," Naruto sulked.
Ayame remembered how long it took her to control her chakra, for a while it was leaking out of her whenever she would use the tiniest amount. She would get into the same mood that Naruto was in. However Kakashi always reassured her that she could control it and she believed him. "Naruto, I know you can. You have the same strength and heart that your father had."
"You knew my father?" Naruto's ear's perked up slightly
"Yes, and your a lot like him." Ayame closed her eyes picturing the fourth in her mind. Naruto's mood lifted and he grinned trying to imagine the type of person that his father was.
"Tell me about him!" he stood up leaning towards Ayame.
"Are you sure that you want to know?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Naruto jumped and Ayame was surprised by how quickly he came over his slump.
"Sit down, I'll tell you." Naruto sat back down and was completely quiet. Ayame paused for a moment to enjoy the sudden silence. "I don't know how to tell you this."
"Start from the beginning," Naruto replied.
"Well your father was an important man to Konoha-"
"As important as the Kage!"
"Yes-"
"Wow!"
"I'll tell you the rest if you will just be silent." Ayame raised her voice only a little so that Naruto understood that she meant it. "I can remember his face once you were born, he was so happy to have a child that finally resembled him. You see his first child, your older sister, took after his mother and barely had any of his physical traits."
"I have a sister! Is she still alive!" Naruto covered his mouth.
"Yes, she is quite alive."
"Who is she? How come I don't know about her?" Naruto once again covered his mouth but Ayame let him ask questions. It was making the information come out easier than Ayame had planned.
"Me," Ayame said after a couple of seconds.
"What!" Naruto yelled. Many thoughts passed threw his head, more than normal. They both just sat there in silence. However, Naruto was finally able to put two and two together. He realized that Kakashi had adopted her and not him. She left him alone, for so many years while she was cared for and loved he was abandoned. "If what you're saying is true then why was I abandoned!"
"I thought you were dead… I was told that you were dead. When Kyuubi attacked the village I was with Gobi at the time, well until father rescued me. Then when father sealed the nine-tailed inside of you, I didn't know that he chose you. After the fight I was told that dad had sacrificed himself for the village and that you were killed. Mom died after giving birth you to… she lost a lot of blood and none of the medicine… could save her." Ayame's eyes grew watery and she fought back the tears, taking a moment to recompose herself before finishing the tale. "I didn't just find out until recently that you were alive. When I found out I grew angry at the Third for not telling me this until I found his old notes. The reason that Kakashi took me and not you was because he was named my godfather, so I was under his protection. However, dad didn't get to name anyone your godfather before he passed. Kakashi offered to take you in to, but he was still only a child and a nanny would raise me until he became eighteen.
"Also it would be difficult for a person to raise two children that were Jinchuuriki, especially the five and nine tailed demon. I still don't know why the third held that information from me. Anyways, he tried to find someone to adopt you but everyone was frightened and hated you because of Kyuubi. I'm so sorry that you had to deal with that and trust me I wish it were me that didn't have the home. Don't be made at me Naruto."
Ayame didn't even try to hold back her tears. They dropped from her cheek onto her pants, hands and shirt anything that intercepted its way to the ground. Naruto stood across from her with his back turned. She couldn't see his face and more tears plummeted from her face onto the ground. Ayame never thought it would be this painful to tell him. Yet she could sense all the anger and frustration that he held within.
"You're lying," Naruto clutched his hands while slightly peering over his shoulder. "You're not my family… I don't have any family left, only friends…. and right now right I'm losing that to." Naruto rushed away from Ayame leaving her kneeling on the ground. All that time alone, during his childhood, he could have had someone to laugh with, to care for him, and to love him. She couldn't be his sister, because family doesn't leave another alone like he was left alone.