Chapter Two:

~3rd POV

Hiruzen stood at the foot of the hospital bed, looking down at the young girl Team Gai had saved. His mind was troubled, and the two others in the room with him noticed.

"Well, Lord Hokage?" Gai asked, breaking the silence.

Hiruzen hummed as he closed his eyes in thought. "It is as Neji says," he confirmed. "This girl is the heir to the Senjo Clan, Tsuki Senjo."

"That clan went into hiding after the massacre five years ago." Kakashi, who stood next to Gai, furrowed his brow in confusion. "Most of them were killed, others were taken. The rest vanished in fear of suffering the same fate."

"We never labeled them as rogues because of that reason," Hiruzen said. "Someone was after their clan, and it remains to be seen who that is to this day."

"Not one suspect since the start of the investigation?" Gai said.

Hiruzen stared ahead thoughtfully. "…There was one. But no solid leads came up."

"Perhaps Tsuki can fill in the blanks," Kakashi said, looking at said girl. "We'll need to figure out a plan, for when she recovers."

Nodding, Hiruzen walked to the door and stopped next to the jonin. "Let us return to my office and speak in private. I need to call for Iruka."


Hiruzen sat his desk, facing the three ninja in front of him. Gai, Kakashi, and Iruka stood side by side, waiting for their Hokage to speak. They told Iruka of Tsuki's unexpected rescue, and now they waited for their orders regarding the matter.

"When Tsuki recovers, I wish for her to take part in the academy," Hiruzen said. "If memory serves, the Senjo Clan made it a point to train their members from a young age."

"So you think she has training already?" Kakashi asked.

Hiruzen nodded. "Regardless of that, we can't assume she'll be safe now that she's here. She and several others were taken for a reason, and she was kept alive for a reason."

"You think the one who took her will come back for her," Gai said.

"It is a possibility." Hiruzen looked at Iruka. "When she is able, I want you and the other instructors to make sure she keeps up with your class. With any luck she'll catch on and be able to graduate with her age group next year and officially be put on a team."

"It may be her age group, but she'll be a year old than the rest," Iruka informed. "If she does manage to graduate, her two teammates will be younger."

"It's not unheard of," Kakashi reminded him. "It can't be helped. No matter what happens, Tsuki's experience as a ninja will be a special case. She's disappeared for five years, so her ties with anyone her age have been severed. The students at the academy all know each other and more or less grew up together. Tsuki will be treated differently from the start."

"Kakashi is right," Hiruzen agreed. "No matter how much we try to help her, Tsuki's life here may be challenging. I can only hope that the students are accepting of her."

"I may have someone in mind," Kakashi said. "She recently lost one of her students, so she only has a two-man squad."

"You mean Nanako?" Gai asked. Kakashi nodded.

"I'll make sure she receives the proper training so she may graduate within the year, Lord Hokage," Iruka promised. "If necessary, I will take extra steps and train her outside of the classroom as well."

"Very well. You will receive notice when Tsuki is ready to attend the academy."

"Yes, sir."

"Lord Hokage, sir, if I may." Gai took a step forward. "On the matter of Tsuki. When she recovers, she will be released from the hospital. Where will she go then?"

"I will be taking care of that."

As Hiruzen said this, there came a knock at the door.

"Come in."

The three ninja turned around to see the door open, and in walked Hiashi Hyuga.

"Lord Hyuga?" Iruka voiced.

"You called for me, Lord Hokage?" Hiashi asked, ignoring the three others.

"Thank you for coming, Hiashi," Hiruzen greeted. "There are some things I need to discuss with you." He looked at the three ninja, who all stood there wondering what business their leader had with the head of the Hyuga family. "You three may go. I will send further word to you all about the matter soon."

They nodded and filed out of the room, Gai taking one last look back. Once the door was closed and the two older folk were left alone, Hiruzen offered Hiashi a seat.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage." Hiashi sat and held his cane in front of him. "Now, if I'm not being too forward, for what purpose was I summoned here?"

Hiruzen folded his hands in front of his face. "Something unexpected has occurred. Have you spoken with Neji recently?"

Hiashi raised a brow. "Neji? Not for some time. Is he in trouble?"

"I pray not." Hiruzen leaned back a bit. "I must ask you, Hiashi. Do you remember the agreement you and your brother made many years ago with Mizu and Ishi Senjo?"

"Of course," Hiashi answered immediately. "I pray they have found peace."

"The Hyuga Clan and the Senjo had close ties many years ago," Hiruzen said, half to himself. "More so with each other than with the Uchiha Clan. The massacre left many of us devastated."

Hiruzen stood and went to stand by his window. "I must tell you, my friend. Tsuki Senjo is alive."

Hiashi rushed to his feet in shock. "Are you certain?"

"She was rescued this morning from a group of rogue ninja. By Neji and his team."

Hiashi furrowed his brows. "He's seen her? Are you sure it's her?"

Hiruzen nodded and faced him. "She is in the hospital recovering. I have seen her myself. It is most certainly Tsuki Senjo."

"I'm sure we can say this is nothing short of a miracle," Hiashi said.

"Perhaps. However the matter at hand is that she has no place to call home. After the massacre, the Senjo compound was knocked down. We never expected any survivors to return. So it was never rebuilt."

"You think she should stay in the Hyuga compound?" Hiashi guessed.

"Are you opposed to it?"

"Nonsense. She can stay in the main household with my family."

"And Neji? If I recall, the agreement you made with Tsuki's parents was never terminated, even after the incident. Do you intend to keep it?"

"Of course. Neji and Tsuki have known each other since they were children. I don't expect them to go against it."

Hiruzen watched Hiashi carefully. "Very well. However, now that they are of a decent age, and considering the circumstances, I think the two of them should have some say in regards to it."

"As you wish, Lord Hokage." By the tone in his voice, Hiashi wasn't too thrilled about giving the kids a choice in the matter.

"Then it's settled," Hiruzen said. "When Tsuki recovers, I will call a meeting with the three of you and we shall discuss the engagement thoroughly."

Hiashi didn't protest.

"There is one more thing, Hiashi," Hiruzen began. "About Tsuki's kidnapping-"

"Lord Hokage!"

A nurse from the hospital burst through the door, panting heavily.

"What happened?" Hiruzen demanded.

"The girl that was rescued from the rogues," the nurse said. He swallowed. "She's disappeared!"

A chunin ran in the door, having heard the commotion. Hiruzen turned his attention to him.

"I want all of our able ninja out on the streets," he was told. "We must find her."

"She has blue hair," the nurse provided. "She's probably panicked right now."

The chunin nodded. "Yes, sir!"

He ran off, leaving the rest of them in the office.

"For her to run off in such a panic," Hiashi mused. "What could have happened to her all those years?"

Hiruzen hummed. "I'm hoping she can tell us just that."