OK OK, PLEASE DON'T BE ANGRY! I know its been a while. Life got in the way, but I hope you all enjoy it anyway. Here we go!

The twins were never the same after their mother's funeral. For about a month, Kenya would rarely leave her room, and when she did she would only walk around lifelessly. Her dazzling smile was hidden beneath a bitter frown. Her eyes lost their curious shimmer. This change in behavior did not go unnoticed, especially not by her brother. Though he was sad himself, Makaro could not bear to leave her alone. She rarely left his sight for very long. She didn't seem to mind, though it was more like she didn't care. Her every movement seemed ignorant of the world around her, and that worried Makaro more than anything.

With his son acting as a bodyguard to his sister, Rasame's work became more stressful than usual. Dark circles formed under his eyes, his skin was drained of healthy color; the king was an absolute. He still had a kingdom to rule, regardless of losing his beloved wife and his children not being able to turn to him for comfort. Defeated, he folded his arms on his desk, laid his weary head down and let go of his hold on the tears he was holding back.

"Mira….I am so lost…." he muttered to himself, choking on sobs.

One year later, the king decided to have his children trained in the ninja arts. He was able to get in contact with his friend and former pupil, Might Guy. While the royal twins were to stay in the Leaf, it would be Guy's duty to look after them in their father's place. He was more than happy to agree to this; the last time he saw the twins was on the day of their birth, so it would be nice to see how those cute babies have grown over the years.

Guy anxiously waited at the village gate for Rasame and the twins. Along the horizon he could see the form of a carriage surrounded by horse-mounted guards gradually get closer.

"Must be them," he said to himself.

When the carriage reached the gates, the closest guard opened the side door. The king was the first to step out. Makaro followed him and stopped near the door to help his lethargic sister out of the wagon. Her eyes were glazed over and dark circles laid heavily underneath them. Concern for the girl welled up inside Guy's breast.

"Guy, I am glad to see you again," Rasame said as he clasped Guy's extended hand in his own, then reached his opposite arm around his friend's shoulder. The ninja returned the gesture. "I only wish this meeting had a happier purpose."

"Don't worry about it. This is what is best for the children's safety. You're doing the right thing."

"I hope you're right."

"Besides, its been so long since I've seen them. They've gotten so big! Speaking of which, is Kenya all right? She seems...unwell..."

"Lately, Sister hasn't been able to get much sleep. She doesn't eat much, either," Makaro answered. "It's probably stress."

"I'll be ok….don't worry about me..," Kenya muttered softly, still in a zombie-like state.

Their father breathed deeply before speaking. "All right, from this day on, you two will be under Guy-sensei's care. Behave yourselves and do as you are told."

"Yes, Father," they replied.

"You will also have my most trusted guard to watch over you: Junkuro." He gestured to the man upon a large black horse. He had brown hair, green eyes, and tan skin adorned with burns and scars that stretched along his arms, chest, and face.

"Oh, and before I forget..." Rasame moved over to a covered compartment of the wagon. Makaro looked at him in wonder, since before the journey they were told not to snoop around the compartment. What his father pulled out from the secret box made his eyes widen with wonder. Two large felines were curled up in his father's arm, one pure black and the other orange with black stripes. A panther and a tiger cub?!

"These are yours to train as your ninja companions. The tiger is yours, son, and the panther is for your sister. It won't be easy, but I trust you two capable of earning their trust. Big cats have been companion animals of our clan for generations."

Kenya finally turned her head to look at her father. As she did, she locked gazes with the black panther cub. A glimmer of life finally appeared in her once lifeless eyes. The cub jumped out of the kings arm and moved to her, purring and rubbing against her leg.

"Looks like he's taken a liking to you," her father chuckled. He and his son were glad to see a smile form on her lips as she bent over to pet the cub at her feet.

A month later, the twins entered the ninja academy. Of course, as new students, they received attention both good and bad. Boys were too intimidated to talk to her and girls were too jealous so they ignored her. Once it was time for flower arranging, Kenya could hear the other girls talking about her. Most of it was about just about how they perceived her.

"Who does she think she is?"

"I don't get why the boys are all gaga over her."

"She wouldn't last out in the battlefield!"

"Her parents are complete morons enrolling her. She will never be a ninja."

At that, she got to her feet and ran away, tears in her eyes. The teachers called for her, but she paid them no attention; she simply continued to run, hoping to outrun the pain in her heart. Her blind wandering lead her to a patch of forest just passed the training grounds, where an exposed tree root caused her to trip and fall face-first in the dirt. Holding back the flood of tears was futile. She rose until she was on all fours, crawled to the nearest tree, and sat against it, her crying face hidden behind her knees as she hugged her legs.

She was completely unaware that she was followed into the forest. In her attempt to escape the persecution she faced earlier, she passed the training field, which was vacant save for one person. A boy, about her age, with shiny black hair that was tied in a long braid down his back, round eyes with pronounced lashes and very prominent, thick eyebrows. He was hesitant at first, but he was filled with worry over the poor girl crying in the woods alone, so he walked over until he was facing her.

"Um...are you okay?" The sound of another person's voice made Kenya flinch in surprize. She lifted her head to look at the boy standing before her. Her eyes were red, still heavy with tears. She said nothing.

"S-sorry! I-I...I did not mean to follow you here, b-but I saw you run this way a-and you looked so upset and I could not just leave a girl alone here in the forest and, and…" He nervously mumbled. But he quickly fell silent at the sight of her face. She was definitely the cutest girl he had ever seen. Though they were red and puffy, her brown eyes radiated a warm tenderness, and they entranced him for a moment. She wiped her face, he regained his composure and he opened his mouth to speak again.

"My name is Rock Lee. Are you alright?" he asked with a gentle tone.

"Y-yes...I'm okay…," Kenya finally said. She dusted off her clothes and ran her fingers through her hair. A sharp twinge of pain pierced her forehead, she felt a bump. "I guess I hit my head harder than I thought." Her nose hurt as well.

Lee offered his hand to her to help her to her feet. She took it and she was soon on her feet.

"Thank you...I guess it was a good thing you followed me out here. My name is Kenya," she told him. She was wanting to leave it at just that, but there was a sense of comfort she received just from holding this boy's hand. She let a few tears escape and she told him everything.

The two sat together against the tree. Kenya held Lee's hand tightly as she told the entire story; the attack, her mother's death, the other girl's teasing, everything. Lee's eyes were in wide with shock. The sorrow this poor, sweet girl had to endure, it was no surprise she wanted to run away from the group.

"I...I do not know what to say. I am so sorry," he said to her.

"It's fine," she said with a sniff. "It happened some time ago. Though, talking about it with someone...I feel so much better. Thank you, Lee, and I'm sorry for telling you so much, especially after we've just met."

"Do not worry about it," he replied with a confident grin. "I am glad I could help. It is a hero's duty to come to the aid of a damsel in distress!" He clutched his hand into a fist and puffed out his chest. She giggled at his display.

"But more important than that: a shinobi should be there to help a fallen comrade."

"True, true," she replied. Her face flushed pink as a thought came to her head. "Hey, Lee...I was wondering….does this mean we're….friends?"

His face took on the same pink hue. "Oh, um….if you would like to be friends...I have no problems with that."

They looked at each other for a while, and they smiled. Those smiles soon turned into laughter. Kenya's troubled heart was somehow lightened now that she had someone to count on, someone she could call a friend. They both finally rose to their feet, for it was getting dark, and they went their separate ways. Silent as death, Makaro glared at the scene from the trees, where he was lurking the entire time.

SOOO glad to finally have this done. I'm sorry you guys. I got distracted with visiting family and college starting back up. I can't promise when the next chapter will be up, but I will do my best. Wish me luck!