Okay two reasons for this update. One, I want to tell you I have published a one shot called Fallen Shadow, which covers the part right after the prologue of this story. Two, this is the last completed chapter I have, but after this one the plot should speed up.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Naruto.


The Uchiha clan did something like that? I knew they had a few bad eggs, but to kill of a whole clan of distant relatives is unthinkable!

Kakashi's visible eye widened at the very thought of such betrayal while Tsunade clenched her fists and her desk cracked under the pressure.

"How did they manage it with getting caught or having any casualties?" Kakashi asked.

"And why didn't any of the clan beside the two manage to escape?" Tsunade added as she pulled out a scroll and started writing down everything that had been explained so far.

Katsumi sighed and massaged her temples. "I spoke with a few of the Uchiha clan that felt truly guilty for what happened. After the first two attacks the Uchihas decided that they had the opportunity to take out one if the clans that rivaled them for being the most feared and respected; the other clan being the Hyūga. A few members of the clan hypnotized the gate guards and snuck in several Uchihas that had been sent on solo missions. The Uchiha that organized the whole thing used his Sharingan to copy the Hokage's hand writing and seal and made a fake scroll that said the Uchihas were to be the guards for the Shisous and it was a direct order they could not dispute. Tired from the recent fight, the Shisous went to sleep with two of their own assisting as guards."

"Once everyone was sound asleep the Uchiha guards all attacked at the same time, placing a genjutsu over everyone and killing them before they could dispel it and raise the alarm. They used water and earth elemental attacks to maul the bodies and cover the clean death blows made from kunai. The grandmother was an expert genjutsu user and sensed it as soon as it was placed, so she was able to dispel and fight back, but her stiff joints took their toll and she was fatally injured before she could stop the attack with a shadow. She managed to kill her attacker, grab Natsumi, and shadow travel to the Hokage before dying. The Uchiha that was killed was snuck out of the village and then brought back, claimed to be killed during the mission," she finished up the explanation and sank back into the chair.

"So that was how a whole clan was wiped out in one night. It was a well thought through plan," Kakashi said with a nod and then glanced at Tsunade. "I'm guessing Natsumi was put under ANBU protection after that?"

Tsunade nodded and laid her pen down and rolled up the scroll. "Hai, Natsumi had a guard at all times until she was a high Jōnin. After that she married and had you, Katsumi, before being killed five years later while infiltrating the Kiri village." She sealed the scroll before placing it in a drawer. "That is all for now. You both are dismissed."

Kakashi nodded and stood up while Katsumi removed the chakra from the chairs. They both bowed before walking out of Tsunade's office.

Kakashi grinned under his mask as he could almost sense Tsunade's shock.

She always wants to know why anyone doesn't use the door, so it's fun to shock her every now and then.

Kakashi awoke the next morning to the feeling of being lightly poked in the side.

Katsumi… I'm surprised my body still recognizes her presence, otherwise I would have woken up the moment she entered the room.

He opened his right eye and sat up to see Katsumi sitting on the edge of his bed with an amused grin. "Rise and shine, Kashi. We need to go speak to Tsunade-sama," she told him and Kakashi suddenly felt a shadow solidify under him and throw him off the bed.

The elite Jōnin flipped in midair and landed gracefully near the doorway. "That was a rude wakeup call," Kakashi said as he stepped forward to his closet to grab some clothes besides the sleep pants and shirt/mask he was wearing.

"I just wanted to make sure you're not turning soft," Katsumi said, her gold eyes watching his every move.

Kakashi sent her an eye smile. "I was just Hokage a day ago. Do you really expect me to go downhill that quickly?" he asked, while his mind followed another train of thought.

It's almost like she's watching me because… nah. That can't be it.

"Not likely," she replied and stood up, moving out of the room so that Kakashi could get dressed.

Kakashi pulled off his sleep clothes and started switching into his shinobi gear.

"Why do you want to see Tsunade-sama?" he asked, knowing Katsumi would hear him even over the sound of whatever she was doing in the kitchen.

"I'm going to get Tsunade-sama's permission to examine and attempt to remove Anko's curse seal," his friend replied and Kakashi stepped out of the room after he finished dressing.

He looked around the kitchen to see Katsumi standing in front of the stove, placing some scrambled eggs onto a plate along with some bacon.

She sent him a smile as Kakashi walked to the refrigerator and pulled out some milk to go with it. He sat down at the table as Katsumi set the plate in front of him.

I could get used to this; I just hope she doesn't feel like she has to do it. Nah, Katsumi may dislike the arrangement, but she wouldn't consider fixing breakfast a way of returning the favor.

"Arigato, Katsumi. How are you feeling?" Kakashi asked and pulled his mask down to start eating, having automatically put it on when he woke up out if habit.

Katsumi immediately knew what he was referring to and shrugged as she sat down and leaned back in her chair. "You read the scroll, so I'll be fine for three more days yet," she replied and turned her gold eyes to stare at the table a moment as he noticed shadows forming multiple seals that she studied intently.

I wonder what level she is at with seals. Most likely she's surpassed me after trained that long under Sensei and Kushina-san.

"Do you have an idea of how to remove Anko's seal?" Kakashi asked curiously after a few minutes of silence.

Katsumi nodded and allowed the shadows to disperse. "Hai, I have several ideas, but I need to examine the seal before I can decide on a method of removal," she replied as he finished eating.

"Let's go then," he said and put the dishes away after washing them off with a convenient water jutsu.

Standing up, Katsumi followed him out of the apartment before the two quickly headed towards the Hokage tower.

Tsunade gazed intently at Katsumi, her golden brown eyes assessing the last Shisou clan member critically. "Jiraiya tried and was unable to remove the curse seal from Anko. What makes you think you would have a better chance?"

"I've been training under Minato-sensei, Kushina-sensei, and more recently Jiraiya-sama. Between the three of them I think I have a good chance in succeeding," Katsumi replied with a determined expression that Kakashi knew rather well.

Apparently from Tsunade's exasperated expression, she recognized the look too.

Whenever Katsumi had that expression there was no talking her out of what she had planned. It would seem Tsunade-sama has seen the same expression from Orochimaru.

Tsunade sighed. "Very well, but I want Kakashi to be nearby and supervise in case something goes wrong," the blond Hokage agreed reluctantly before waving her hand. "Go on now; I've got to finish getting ready to leave for the Summit meeting in the morning," she dismissed the two Jōnin, who flickered out of the office a second later.

"Anko should be at the dango stand, if she's not there she'll be training in the Forest of Death," Kakashi said as he and Katsumi weaved through the crowds.

Katsumi flashed him a grin, her gold eyes lit up with amusement. "Ah the good old Forest of Death. I take it the genins still freak out when they learn they have to survive in it for five days?"

Eye-smiling, Kakashi replied with a chuckle. "Of course, you should have seen their expression when Anko was the proctor for that part of the exam. More than half the genins ended up failing."

Katsumi nodded sadly before narrowing her eyes and looking through the crowd. "There she is," she said and then moved quickly towards the dango both with Kakashi right behind her.

I guess she just remembered that was the same exam Orochimaru attacked and killed Sandaime in. I have a feeling he is still going to cause problems even while dead.

Anko turned her light brown eyes on them as she finished off her seventh stick of dango. "Yo, Kakashi, Katsumi. What brings you here?" she asked curiously and flicked the dango stick so that it joined the others in the wall.

"Tsunade-sama has given me permission to attempt to remove your curse seal," Katsumi explained cheerfully and Kakashi realized she had shoved down any negative emotions that had started to pop up.

Anko raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Really? Right now?"

Kakashi nodded. "Yep. It's Katsumi show, but I'm going to be there in case anything goes wrong," he said and then narrowed his eye a moment. "I think training ground twenty-six would be a good place to attempt the removal seeing as it's the furthest from the village."

Anko gulped down her last stick of dango and jumped off the stool. "Let's go then!"

Katsumi grinned and all three of them Shunshined out of the area.

Kakashi stood up as he finished the last symbols on the protective barrier seal. Katsumi did not seem too concerned about the seal reacting badly to being removed, but he insisted on the barrier seal and had worked on it himself while Anko sat in the middle with her shoulder bared to Katsumi.

My instincts are telling me something is going to go wrong, but I have no clue how bad it will be and both of them will dismiss any warnings I give them.

"Are you finished, Kashi?" Katsumi asked and he looked at her to see that she had pulled her hair up and was watching him with an impatient expression.

"Hai. I'll just be lounging in the tree, not reading my precious books," he said mournfully, causing both kunoichi to snort unsympathetically.

Kakashi jumped into the tree and did indeed stretch out, but then he lifted his headband up so he could study the chakra emitting from the curse mark.

Katsumi's hands started glowing green as she placed them over Anko's curse seal. "I'm using healing chakra to see how integrated the seal is to your chakra system," she explained, causing Anko to nod slightly.

Kakashi watched closely as his friend closed her eyes in concentration and about ten minutes passed before her expression changed to a smirk.

"I know how to remove it," Katsumi said confidently and them reached into her pouch and pulled out a scroll along with a sealing brush and ink.

She really is a seal expert if she knows how to remove it that quickly, though she probably had help from the others who had discussed it for a while.

Anko looked hopefully at the golden eyed Jōnin. "How? Jiraiya-sama said it was too integrated into my chakra system to remove," she said while Katsumi started drawing out a seal.

"Jiraiya was trying to remove the whole seal, but the seal is powered by Orochimaru's chakra. All I have to do is drain the chakra from the seal and it will be useless," she said and then straightened up from where she had finished the seal.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Such a simple solution that no one had considered. Maybe figuring out how to remove it required both seal knowledge and medical jutsu.

Anko seemed to echo his thoughts. "That simple, huh? Then let's get to it. I'll be glad to get rid of this thing," she said with a smirk.

Katsumi nodded and looked over at Kakashi. "Does that sound reasonable to you?" she questioned.

It's obvious she's only asking to keep Tsunade happy.

"Hai. Just be careful," the silver haired Jōnin replied.

Katsumi nodded and flashed through hand seals before touching her hands to Anko's shoulder again.

Kakashi watched closely as Katsumi's chakra reached into the cures seal and wrapped around the dark chakra he could see residing in it thanks to his Sharingan. It was a few minutes after she had started that Kakashi noticed something was happening and his eyes widened.

Orochimaru's chakra is starting to activate! It's moving towards her hand; I have to warn her.

Just as he opened his mouth to shout a warning; Katsumi's expression changed from one of focus to extreme shock, and then to his surprise, her face softened to an awestruck look as she stared at her hands.

"What's happening, Katsumi?" Kakashi asked, worriedly, causing Anko to tilt her head to check the other kunoichi's expression.

Katsumi looked up at her teammate with a tearful expression. "Ochi-san's chakra… it recognizes mine; it's not fighting me at all," she said, much to Anko and Kakashi's shock.

I knew she and the Snake sannin were close, but I never expected that. Only very close family members' chakra can recognize each other. Perhaps if Katsumi had come back sooner she could have changed him.

"You have got to be kidding me! That ruthless bastard that tried to ruin my life was that close to you?" Anko said with dangerously narrowed eyes.

Katsumi sighed at the reminder of the dark path her cousin took before nodded. Kakashi was still sitting on the edge of the branch as he noticed that Orochimaru's chakra was going towards Katsumi's hand without her chakra pulling on it.

"Katsumi…" Kakashi said in warning tone, but did not finish because of Katsumi's nod, which meant she knew what he was going to warn her about.

Hopefully she can stop it, because I can't enter the area without breaking the seal jutsu and causing anything from a mild zap to an explosion.

He noticed Katsumi's jaw clenched as he watched the dark chakra pull out of Anko and start to center around his teammate's right hand.

Kuso! The curse seal is transferring to Katsumi!

"I know, Kashi," she muttered, knowing he was about to say something.

"Can you fight it off?" Kakashi asked her, wondering how he could help her.

Katsumi narrowed her eyes a moment before smiling a bit. "I'm not going to."

"What? Are you crazy?" Anko shouted as Kakashi's Sharingan watched Katsumi's chakra stop fighting it and back off.

I'm not sure what she is thinking allowing that seal to transfer to her. It's dangerous even if his chakra recognizes her.

Kakashi jumped out of the tree and walked over to a certain part of the seal. He squatted down and dipped his finger in ink before drawing another symbol next to the largest one on the seal. The whole seal glowed blue for a moment before fading away, allowing Kakashi to walk over to Anko and Katsumi.

"You really should try to stop it, Kat" Kakashi said, but knew it was futile as he saw the seal slowly form on the back of Katsumi's hand.

Katsumi gritted her teeth against the pain the seal was causing her, but shook her head.

Anko looked at the golden eyed Jōnin with narrowed eyes. "You're officially crazy to want this thing, especially considering how much pain it has caused me."

"My sanity has always been up for debate," Katsumi replied in a tight voice.

She pulled her hand away from Anko's shoulder just as the curse seal turned solid black, signifying that the transfer was complete.

Well, that turned out better than what I expected… I think.

Kakashi looked over at Anko, who was rubbing her shoulder in amazement. "You should go to the hospital and have one of the medic nin do a full body scan to make sure the removal didn't damage anything," he told her; his tone of voice made it an order.

Anko shot him a glance and nodded. "Hai, but first I want to ask Katsumi something," she replied and turned her light brown eyes to the kunoichi. "The pain from the seal knocked me out for hours, how are you standing it?"

Kakashi looked at his friend, noticing she was a bit paler than usual and also gripping her right hand tightly, but had a look of concentration in her eyes. A quick glance with his Sharingan showed that her whole arm was incased in a faint green aura.

It probably has something to do with the fact she is using healing chakra to combat the pain.

"I'm numbing the nerve ends with healing chakra," she told Anko with a slight shrug. "The pain is starting to fade quickly since I've manage to stop it from spreading any further than my arm."

Looking slightly impressed, the purple haired kunoichi nodded. "Well that's a relief. Arigato, Katsumi. I never thought I would get rid of that thing," Anko said and then flickered out of the clearing.

Kakashi stepped into front of Katsumi and held his hand out. "May I take a look at it?" he asked her quietly, not wanting to break her concentration on keeping the pain away.

She nodded and lifted her hand with a slight wince and placed it in his. Kakashi lifted it up to look closely at the seal while noticing he could feel a bit of a tingle coming from her arm, but decided it must be from the mix of Orochimaru's chakra and her own healing chakra.

After inspecting it a few minutes, Kakashi released her hand, trying to ignore the way he liked holding it.

What am I; a teenager with his first crush? I really need to get over this.

"We need to inform Tsunade-sama about this," he told her and then pulled off his right glove and handed it to her. "You'll want to cover it up for now or people might get the wrong idea."

Katsumi nodded and accepted the glove, sliding it on and effectively covering up the seal. "It's almost finished setting in," she said and clenched her fist before letting her arm hang next to her as usual.

"Do you really think it was a good idea to let it transfer to you? You know that it can affect the mind," Kakashi said, frowning slightly under his mask as the Jōnins turned and started heading back to the village.

Katsumi turned her slitted gold eyes towards him with a calm expression. "I kept it from spreading any further than my shoulder, so I won't be getting any crazier thoughts than usual," she told him and then looked down at her arm a moment. "Besides, we are getting ready to go to war and any extra power helps. I won't use it if I don't have to, but it's nice to have a backup plan if needed."

I just need to trust her judgment. She has been right most of the time and this is something within her knowledge.

Kakashi held her gaze a few moments before nodding. "You're already kage level. Do you really need any more power?" he said with an eye smile.

Rolling her eyes, Katsumi punched his shoulder none too lightly. "Suck up. Race you to the Hokage tower," she said and then suddenly took off.

Kakashi sighed and quickly took off after her, glad to see that she still had not changed on the inside.

Katsumi had always been a bit faster than Kakashi, so she ended up reaching the door to Tsunade's office first. They, of course, startled the shinobi working at the desk with their rapid entrance, but one would think they would be used to it by now.

Katsumi knocked on the door and both Jōnin entered after hearing Tsunade's 'come in'.

Oh great… this should be an interesting meeting.

Standing tall and intimidating next to Tsunade's desk was Morino Ibiki, head of Torture and Interrogation. He was dressed in his usual black uniform, trench coat, and black bandana hiding the scars on top of his head.

He raised an eyebrow at Katsumi and grinned, stretching the two scars across his face, which usually freaked out younger shinobi. "Shisou Katsumi, I'd heard that you had returned, which was quite surprising, but not entirely unexpected of you."

Katsumi evilly grinned at him, using one of the expressions she had learned from Orochimaru. "Ibiki-kun! Why the last time I saw you, you were a wee little genin who was afraid of my cousin," she said, causing him to frown.

"'Kun'?" the tokubetsu Jōnin repeated in disbelief.

Kakashi was very thankful for his mask at that moment as he grinned at Ibiki's expression.

Not many people have the guts to talk to Ibiki like that. I guess hanging around Orochimaru did have its advantages. Well Gai can talk that way too, but his sanity has never been proven.

"Just because you graduated first doesn't mean you shouldn't show me the proper respect," Ibiki said in his most stern voice, which had no effect on Katsumi.

She just grinned and stepped past him to stand in front of Tsunade. "I'll show you the proper respect when you beat me in a spar," Katsumi told him over her shoulder before addressing Tsunade. "I've succeeded in remove the curse seal from Anko with only one minor complication, Tsunade-sama."

Kakashi rolled his eyes and stepped forward as well. "I think 'minor' is a bit of an understatement," he said and then motioned for his friend to take the glove off, which she handed back to him.

Tsunade immediately narrowed her eyes at the curse seal while Ibiki showed his surprise by raising an eyebrow at the fact it had been removed at all.

"How did this happen?" Tsunade asked the two Jōnins.

Katsumi grinned sheepishly and lightly rubbed the mark with her left hand. "It tried to transfer to me when I was removing it, so I decided to just let it," she said earning looks that questioned her sanity.

Kakashi sighed and quickly explained the event in detail before Ibiki or Tsunade could jump to conclusions.

Hopefully they'll see her point in this; because if they decide to make her remove the seal… I can't see it going over well.

Tsunade stared at Katsumi a few minutes after the reveal of the chakra recognition before looking sharply at Ibiki. "Contact Inoichi and have him meet you at Headquarters. I want him to scan Katsumi mind and make sure there is no influence from the curse seal," she ordered before turning back to Katsumi. "If everything is as it should be, then the seal can stay where it is."

Ibiki and Katsumi nodded before the golden eyed Jōnin grinned and grabbed Ibiki's hand. "Come on; I can search for Inoichi from the shadows," she said and dragged him into the shadows, both of them disappearing before he had a chance to protest.

Kakashi chuckled at his friend antics and noticed Tsunade smirk in amusement before addressing him.

"Kakashi," she said in a serious tone, "what do you think of the situation?"

The previous Hokage sighed and relaxed his stance as he stuck his hands in his pockets. "If I didn't know Katsumi as well as I do; I would say that it was an insane idea, but since I do know her…" Kakashi trailed off and stared out the window. "My advice is to trust Katsumi's judgment. She knew Orochimaru better than you ever did, you have to admit that. That fact, plus the training she has puts her ahead of us in many fields of knowledge."

Tsunade nodded and chewed thoughtfully on her nail a moment. "I agree with you, Kakashi. Katsumi is smart, but she lack experience in real battles, no matter how much training she has. She is also missing the real world effects of decision making, but I expect that to come with time."

I hold her abilities a bit higher than that, but that isn't the point at the moment.

"I assume she is still accompanying us to the Kage meeting," Kakashi stated, knowing they needed her to be able to travel that distance in time for the meeting to resume.

"Of course; Katsumi is a valuable asset to our side of the war. I just hope we can keep her hidden from Madara until the time comes for her to strike," Tsunade replied and then pulled out a drawer to grab a bottle of sake. "You're dismissed. I suggest you go do whatever and Katsumi will find you once the mind scan is over."

Kakashi nodded and bowed, disappearing out the window a second later.

….

Kakashi ended up wandering off to the area of the village that was still in construction. He could spot several shadow clones of Naruto in the distance and decided to head that way.

I know Sakura will still be at the hospital making sure medical equipment is properly set up, but I expect to rest of the team to be together.

As Kakashi neared the mass shadow clones, he felt the earth shake and saw a wooden building rise from the ground not too far ahead of him.

Ah, Tenzō's still busy at work I see.

Kakashi continued walking until the ANBU came into view. "Yo, Tenzō," he called, flicking his hand up in greeting along with his typical eye-smile.

"Kakashi-sempai, you know by now to call me Yamato," the shinobi said, looking over at him with an exasperated glance.

"Old habits die hard," Kakashi replied with a chuckle. "How much work do you still have left to do?"

Yamato shrugged and wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Given how many breaks I need to take; I'd say about five more days. Naruto and his shadow clones are a big help, but even he can only keep going for so long. Luckily I can just mention ramen and he'll get a second wind, but unfortunately I'm more limited on chakra than he is, so such bribes would have no effect on me," he said with wary grin.

Kakashi smirked under his mask. "Yes, but at least you'll be finished soon. I've noticed most of the other shinobi have started taking missions again or started preparing for the war. I heard that Team Gai was put on weapons detail, which isn't surprising considering that Tenten is on the team."

Nodding in agreement, Yamato turned and flashed through hand signs, causing another wooden structure to appear next to the previous one. "The next generation of shinobi is certainly strong. Team Kurenai has been training a lot, but I do see Naruto talking to Hinata quite often now, which isn't surprising."

I never imagined Hinata would be able to speak to Naruto without passing out, but her declaration during Pain's evasion changed her.

"I guess I've been too busy with being temporary Hokage and then Katsumi's return to pay much attention to such things. I have noticed that Shikamaru has been spending a lot of time at Kurenai's though, but that's only because when I needed him for something I could always find him there," Kakashi said, smiling a bit under his mask, though still saddened by the loss of Asuma; he had learned a long time ago that such losses could be expected.

Yamato looked at Kakashi with a smirk. "Ah yes, Katsumi. That was quite an interesting spar you two had yesterday. I haven't seen you lose that badly in a spar since… ever," he teased, causing the silver haired Jōnin to roll his eye.

I knew I was going to regret that.

Kakashi waved his hand dismissively. "If it was a real fight I probably could've won if I used my Mangekyō Sharingan. Besides, I think you should have sparred her. It would have been interesting given that you both have the same elemental affinities and a kekkei genkai."

Which is very true, though Katsumi would still win since Tenzō's kekkei genkai isn't nearly as strong as the first Hokage's.

Yamato quickly shook his head. "If you were beaten then I wouldn't stand much of a chance," he replied, sweat dropping a bit at the thought.

A shadow suddenly passed over them and Kakashi looked up to see one of Sai's ink birds. It circled a moment before dropping one of the small baskets it was carrying into Yamato's hand.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the fruit basket and looked at the bird again to see it carrying the other one in Naruto's direction. "I take it Sai has been reading his books again?"

Yamato nodded and set the basket down after grabbing an apple. "Hai. I think it's the same one he was reading during Naruto's elemental training." He ran his hand through his short, brown hair before looking curiously at Kakashi. "Regarding the war situation; does Katsumi know what Kabuto has been up to? Because I really don't trust him after he implanted Orochimaru's DNA into his own body."

That is an interesting question, for all we know it could have taken him over completely and there be another snake sannin out there.

"She hasn't mentioned anything about it, but I'll be sure to ask her. I wouldn't be surprised if he got involved in the war somehow," Kakashi replied, narrowing his eye at the thought.

"Or he probably already is. I just wonder what Kabuto can do for Madara's side of the war," Yamato replied with a frown.

Before either of them could discuss the idea further, Kakashi could hear footstep approaching rapidly from behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to see Katsumi running towards them with a pleased expression.

"I got the all clear," Katsumi said as she slid to a stop beside him. "Inoichi said my mind was pretty unique, but free of any outside influences," she added with a grin as her gold eyes sparked with amusement.

"Well we always knew that. It would have to be considering all the people you end up being friends with," Kakashi to her with an eye-smile and then glanced down at her hands, noticing that she was wearing black, fingerless gloves on both hands.

Which isn't surprising; it helps her blend into the shadows better anyway.

Kakashi tried to ignore the tightening in his chest that seemed to occur more and more when she was around.

Yamato bowed to Katsumi before addressing her. "Katsumi-san, it's an honor to meet you."

"The honor's all mine," she replied with a grin and jabbed her thumb in Kakashi's direction. "It takes a lot of tolerance to deal with Kakashi, so congrats for putting up with him for so long."

"I actually consider it the other way around," Kakashi said, smiling under his mask at their amused expressions.

Yamato shook his head at his former ANBU team captain and then look at Katsumi. "May I ask why you were being examined by Inoichi-san?" he asked her curiously.

She nodded and quickly explained the situation, causing Yamato's eyes to go wide with shock.

Kakashi knew his friend well enough that she would start apologizing for Orochimaru again if she knew that Yamato was one of his experiments, so he tried the diversion tactic before she had a chance to start.

"Katsumi, we were discussing Kabuto just before you arrived. Do you know what he has been up to?" he asked, only for Katsumi's expression to darken to the point he had to force himself to not take a step back.

"Kabuto," Katsumi said with a slight hiss that was reminiscent of Orochimaru, "has desecrated the memory and souls of many decent shinobi."

This is one of those times when I feel that she and Orochimaru could have been more closely related than cousins.

"What has he done?" Yamato asked, having actually taken a step back, but had quickly regained control of himself.

Katsumi evidently noticed their wary expressions and took a deep breath to calm down. "The part of Ochi-san that Kabuto had transplanted into himself has completely changed his physical appearance now and also increased his chakra level. He has used one of Ochi-san's techniques to an extent that I didn't expect," she told them while pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration.

Kakashi eyed her carefully as he narrowed his eye in thought.

A technique of Orochimaru's that she never expected to be used to such extent. It also affects the souls and… Oh Kami

"What is it, Kakashi-sempai?" Yamato asked, noticing the small amount of facial skin he could see of Kakashi go pale as he eye looked at Katsumi in shock.

Katsumi simply nodded, confirming Kakashi's suspicions. "Kabuto has mastered the Summoning: Impure World Resurrection."

"That will be a serious problem," Yamato said, his expression starting to match Kakashi's. He had witnessed the battle between the First, Second and Third Hokages and knew just how hard the two resurrected shinobi were to defeat.

"Why didn't you mention this to Tsunade-sama or at the Kage meeting?" Kakashi asked, taking charge of the situation again.

Katsumi sighed and turned her slitted eyes towards the Hokage monument. "Honestly? I decided it was more important to concentrate on stopping Madara first."

"That isn't your decision to make, Katsumi," he told her firmly, the many years of ANBU squad leader and temporary Hokage kicking into effect. "We need to report this right away."

This is serious. Withholding critical information from the Hokage; what was she thinking?

Katsumi closed her eyes and sighed. "Whatever you say, Kashi," she agreed and then looked at the Mokuton user. "It was good to meet you, Yamato."

Kakashi turned and jumped onto a nearby roof and took off towards the Hokage tower, knowing Katsumi would follow him. A second later he heard her footsteps behind him and she started running beside him with a resigned expression.

He glanced at her and suppressed a sigh as they landed in front of the Hokage tower.

Hopefully her explanation will shed some clues to this; because I would hate for her to be sent to T&I for more forceful measures.

"What is it now, Kakashi, Katsumi?" Tsunade asked, not bothering to look at them as she searched through papers on her desk.

Kakashi sent his friend a meaningful glance; it would be better for her to explain so any punishment might be reduced.

Sighing, Katsumi took a step forward. "It has been brought to my attention that I've been withholding critical information regarding the war," she stated, causing the Hokage's head to snap up and focus her eyes on Konoha's newest Jōnin.

"What is this information?" Tsunade asked in a demanding tone.

Katsumi knew the dangerous tone rather well and rushed to explain. "Kabuto has teamed up with Madara and has resurrected many shinobi using the same jutsu Ochi-san used against the Sandaime."

"Why didn't you say anything before?" Tsunade shouted, standing up and slamming her hands on the desk.

To her credit, Katsumi kept a neutral expression. "Because it's more important to focus on stopping Madara, and I have a plan on dealing with Kabuto," she replied calmly.

So she does have a plan. I really hope it's something good, because otherwise this will turn ugly.

Kakashi eyed the fuming Hokage a moment before addressing Katsumi. "What kind of plan do you have that wouldn't involve the rest of us?"

Seeing their expressions, Katsumi must have realized it would be good for her health to explain. "I know enough about Impure World Resurrection that the only way to stop it is to seal the souls of the resurrected shinobi, or have Kabuto release them himself."

"It's possible to come up with a non-lethal sealing jutsu… and I don't see Kabuto really being cooperative about it," Tsunade said with forced calmness.

"True, but some of them really don't deserve that, plus there are really too many to stop like that along with fighting Madara and his army of Zetsu clones,"

A vein bulged on Tsunade's temple. "You've known what the number of his forces are, and haven't told us?"

This is worse than I thought. You need to tell us everything Kat.

Katsumi gulped and grinned sheepishly. "I guess I forgot to mention that too, huh? His has one hundred thousand white Zetsu clones. They are not that strong, but the numbers along can overwhelm our forces easily."

"Tell me how many shinobi Kabuto has resurrected before I decide to punch you through the wall!"

Knowing the threat to be true, Katsumi replied quickly. "Thirty-six. That includes several past Kages, Jinchūriki, the previous Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, and the Akatsuki members that have been killed, besides that immortal Jashinist, Hidan."

Kakashi and Tsunade stared at her with wide eyes.

Kami. That many skilled, almost immortal, shinobi? No wonder she wanted us to focus on Madara; it would be difficult coming up with a strategy against both of those forces.

"What plan do you have to stop them?" Kakashi asked her.

Katsumi looked over at him with a small smile. "It all depends of Sasuke's choice. He has the power to make Kabuto release the resurrected."

"So to stop all those powerful shinobi, you're relying on the decision of a rogue shinobi that has betrayed his village and attacked his teammates several times?" the blonde Hokage asked in a slightly disbelieving voice.

"Well when you put it that way…" Katsumi shook her head as her eyes got a determined glint in them that was recognizable, but Kakashi was not sure it would work in this situation.

Tread carefully, Katsumi, one wrong word at this point could get you thrown in a holding cell, and I really don't want that to happen.

"Just tell me why I shouldn't turn the full force of T&I on you," Tsunade ordered, her limited patience obviously drawing to an end.

"Because I'm ninety-five percent sure Sasuke will say yes; plus I'm the only one who has a chance of getting the anti-teleporting seal on Madara," Katsumi replied calmly and then awaited the Hokage's decision.

"She does have a point and her fighting with us really increases the odds of winning with fewer losses," Kakashi said, trying to think strategically and not just defending his friend.

Tsunade held her hand up in a signal for silence, to which both shinobi immediately complied as Tsunade closed her eyes in thought.

Several minutes passed before the Hokage snapped her eyes open and narrowed her eyes seriously at Katsumi. "Alright, here's what I'm going to do. You are going back to Inoichi and having your mind scanned again, but this time there won't be hiding any secrets. If you haven't told me anymore information that is crucial to the war effort, you will be handed over to Ibiki for further questioning. If all does go well, you will accompany Kakashi and I back to the Kage meeting, where we will inform the others of the information by saying you used your kekkei genkai to spy on Madara without his knowledge," Tsunade told him and then looked over at Kakashi, "You can escort her and stay for the mind scan. If Katsumi is still holding things back I want you to report back to me immediately."

Katsumi nodded, showing she understood the situation and would comply. "I swear I've told you everything relevant now, but I understand the need to be cautious."

Tsunade must really need her for the war if the punishment is going to be nothing at all, except maybe not as quick to trust.

Kakashi placed his hand on the golden eyed Jōnin's shoulder. "Let go get this cleared up," he said causing her to nod and allowed him to steer her out of the room.

….

Katsumi and Kakashi returned to his apartment later that evening after another all clear scan from Inoichi and the reporting it to Tsunade. The blond Yamanaka had been surprised and a bit amused by Katsumi's hidden secrets, but after a quiet talk between the two of them; Inoichi had agreed to keep quiet about things that did not affect the village.

Katsumi had stepped out to the balcony in Kakashi's bedroom and was leaning on the rail; her eyes closed as the gentle breeze stirred her hair.

Kakashi had been watching her a few minutes from inside his room while his mind followed two trains of thought at the same time. One was trying to work out his feelings towards her, while the other questioned her actions earlier that seemed so out of character.

Well, the easiest way to find out is just to ask. Unless she's had a complete personality change, Katsumi won't be vague or try to deny it.

Moving through the sliding glass door to join her outside, the copy nin stepped beside Katsumi and turned to lean his back against the rail. "Katsumi, can you tell me why you were hiding the information? I could tell the excuse you gave about focusing on Madara wasn't the whole truth," Kakashi said, focusing his single black eye on his friend to watch her reaction.

Katsumi lowered her head and sighed before turning her slitted gold eyes towards Kakashi. "I'm not a leader, Kashi; you know it as well as I do. That added to the fact the past nineteen years I never had to lead any missions or make decisions that would risk lives; can you really see me giving advice about fighting the war to the other Kages?" she asked him seriously.

Frowning under his mask, Kakashi considered the idea and then shook his head. "No, but you were giving advice before about Madara and the seal. Also how is it connected to withholding information?" he replied.

Katsumi is right though, she was never a leader when we were teamed together. Co-leadership was always easy to do with her, but she rarely made decisions on her own without having someone agree with her. Katsumi was never suited to be a leader, a frontline fighter, or assassin. Joining a fight as reinforcement was always her best skill.

Katsumi started to speak again, drawing him out of his thoughts. "I gave advice about the seal because it was something I'd studied and knew like the back of my hand," she said.

Glancing at her gloved hands and Kakashi could not help but to think of the irony of that statement.

"Being dead for nineteen years, being able to get information on pretty much anything I wanted to... If everyone knew that kind of thing was possible, do you think I would get a second of peace? Everybody would want information one everyone else," Katsumi told him.

Kakashi nodded slowly, starting to understand where she was coming from. "But you don't know everything. You didn't even know about my books until Sakura mentioned them."

Something flashed in her gold eyes and she glanced away with an amused expression.

Kakashi reached towards her and placed a finger on her jaw, turning her to look at him again. "You knew about my books previously, didn't you? I assume you enjoyed that furious act a bit too much," he said with a narrowed eye, though it did not escape his notice how much he enjoyed that little contact, or the slight blush she gained from it.

Though the blush could be from the fact I found out the reaction to the books was an act.

"Yeah, but you have to admit you were freaking out for a bit though," Kasumi replied with her usual grin.

"You were pretty convincing, but I knew you wouldn't have seriously hurt me," Kakashi said with a slight shrug and dropped his hand away from her face with slight reluctance.

She just flashed him a smile and then turned to head back inside. "We should get some sleep. I have a feeling the rest of the Kage meeting will be quite the headache," Katsumi said and he followed her back inside after a nod of agreement.


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