I refuse to put a disclaimer here cause everyone should be bright enough to know that I don't own Naruto. I'm pretty sure that's why this is called FANfiction.

├Part Thirty-Four┤

"Yes, of course," her mother said with her eyebrows raised dramatically, "We'll be there immediately; please let us get ready first."

The ANBU member only gave a short nod and left in a flash.

When she closed the door, she leaned against it biting her bottom lip worried, "It couldn't be…no, it couldn't have…" she muttered to herself and pulled the mask off.

"Are you ok mom?" Midori asked with a tilt of her head, "What couldn't have?"

Her mother inhaled deeply and turned to her daughter with a smile, "It's nothing. But if you want to find out what's so important then go get ready. And I mean get dressed," she said giving her a stern look.

"Yes mom," Midori said while rolling her dark blue eyes, "Come on squirt. You can tell me all about your Sasuke Uchiha on the way."

Miya glared at her older sister, "Don't call me squirt! And why'd you say he's mine?" she asked looking completely confused.

She only smirked and said, "You're still way too young…"

Her mother smacked her lightly upside the head, "Don't make your sister understand your perverted mind this young," she said and raised an eyebrow.

"Heh," Midori said and took off running, Miya right behind her.

"Don't fidget."

"I know."

"Then cut it out," their mother said, staring at Midori who had been acting like a smart-ass.

"Fine," she said while sighing deeply and trying not to scratch at her mask.

Miya was staring at her glove covered hands with wide eyes. She'd occasionally rub her hands together just to see if it did anything and her mother would take her arm and look at her.

"May I help you?" a strict looking lady asked, taking in the odd looking group analyzingly.

"Yes, we were told to come to the Hokage's office," their mother answered, "Where might that be?"

"Upstairs, third floor," she said, "But he's having a meeting right now, maybe another ti-"

"They're with me," came a familiar voice behind her. It was the person who had come to their door, the man in the ANBU mask, "Come with me, the Hokage's waiting."

Their mom nodded and walked after him, holding onto Miya's hand with Midori walking beside her.

They walked up multiple flights of stairs until they reached a pair of double doors, the ANBU member not speaking a word on the way.

He knocked twice before walking in. "I've brought them," he said in an emotionless tone and then left.

"Come in," said the Hokage. So they came in. They stayed relatively close together as the two younger girls surveyed the room with wide eyes.

"I have a suspicion, if I may, about what this is all about," their mother said, looking at the Hokage with saddened eyes.

"I wouldn't be surprised," he said, "After all, you should be used to these sort of notices, Miyoko," he leaned back in his chair and sighed, "Do you want me to just say it?"

Their mother felt her throat tighten as she nodded. Her daughters looked up at her curiously.

"Your brother, Tomi, has deceased," he said, "He died protecting this village using the way you know all too well."

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them, tears starting to form in the corner of her eyes.

"Mom?" Miya asked, looking up at her mother worriedly, "What happened? Why are you sad?"

"Mom?" Midori asked, "Is what he saying true? Is Uncle Tomi…?"

Unable to speak, she only nodded and finally crumpled to the ground.

Miya was still confused as ever, "What happened? What about Uncle Tomi?" she asked, her innocent black eyes wide with worry, "What happened?"

Midori frowned at her little sister, "Uncle is dead," she said and then looked at the Hokage sharply, "How?! How did he die?!" she asked, anger evident in her voice.

"Dead?" Miya asked, her eyes only getting wider, "Uncle's dead?!" she asked getting hysterical. Her mother nodded silently and pulled her youngest daughter into a hug.

"But how did he die?!" Midori asked, turning her head back and forth from the Hokage to her mother, "How?!"

The Hokage sighed deeply and said, "I think your mother would like to explain it to you. Even I don't understand all of it."

She then looked at her mother expectantly.

Her mother only shook her head, "Later," she said, her voice sounding strained, "I'll tell you later."

Read and Review, please! Anything extremely negative will be ignored, any real good advice will be appreciated and considered seriously

-Jen-