Authors Note-

Well this is the new second chapter. The basic plot of it is the same but I've added and taken away a few things. Tell me if you like it, or if there is anything I should change.

Kakashi kneeled down in his usual spot in front of the memorial stone. He looked at all the names, searching for three in particular. First, he found Obito Uchiha, his best friend. Then he found his old sensei's name, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage. Last, and certainly not least, he found the name that meant the most today. Rin. Today was the anniversary of the day she died, in an ANBU mission shortly after the Fourth Hokage's death. He had already been at the stone for more than two hours, thinking. It was the only way to escape the hectic scene that was Konoha.

He looked up at the sky. It was already past ten; he was late, again.

Slowly, he sighed and got up. Tsunade had told him to be in her office at exactly ten o'clock. She had another mission for him, of course. "Most likely another solo mission, just like the ten others she has sent me on since I got out of the hospital." He thought to himself while taking out his book.

He walked through the village and finally arrived at the Hokage place. His masked face still buried in his book, he climbed the stairs and reached the large door, knocking on it quietly.

"Kakashi, please tell me that is you!" Tsunade yelled from inside.

Kakashi grimaced, knowing that he had made a mistake to make Tsunade angry. He had seen what she did to Jiraiya when she was angry. Slowly, he opened the door and peeked inside. "I'm sorry, Tsunade Sama. I'm afraid I just got lost on the path of life."

She looked at him skeptically as he walked in. "As if I haven't heard that one before from you."

"You sent for me?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Yes, I did. I've assigned you and Kaori Yagami to a mission together." Kakashi looked beside him to the other Shinobi standing in the room. She was a tall, black haired shinobi, who wielded a large sword with writing etched on the blade. She turned to look at him and her eyes grew wide.

"Kakashi sempai! It's good to see you again." She practically squeaked, bowing her head.

Kakashi looked up from his book. He knew that he recognized this girl from somewhere, but he had no idea where he knew her from. He knew he had also seen that unique sword. He decided, after a second of awkward silence, that he would pretend like he knew her.

"Yes…um…nice to see you too…um…" He tried to remember what Tsunade had said the girl's name was, "Kaori." Then he smiled with his one showing eye and looked down at his book.

"So what's our mission, Hokage sama?" The girl asked, standing up straight.

"You two are going to be guarding a family of four on their way back home to their village in the Land of Earth. Their father, Benjiro Ishikawa, has been on a rouge band of rouge shinobi's hit list for quite some time, so be wary. Do not underestimate them. They recently killed one of Iwagakure's best shinobi while he was on a mission. Normally, I would assign more shinobi to this mission, but considering our circumstances right now... two jonin and former ANBU should be able to handle it.

Something clicked inside of Kakashi. THAT was why he recognized the girl; she was on his old ANBU team before he left after Rin died. Rin. The name and what day it was burst through his memory, he had been trying to forget, causing him to tense and clench his fists tight on his book.

Tsunade and Kaori looked at Kakashi, confused by his odd reaction. "Kakashi?" Tsunade said.

He looked up, coming back into reality, and scratched the back of his neck, somewhat embarrassed. He hadn't realized that they were staring at him. "Sorry, I just realized that I promised to help rebuild the academy and I'm late again." He smiled at his on the spot excuse.

"Well then, we shouldn't make this any longer than it should be. Let's wrap this up, okay? You both will meet the family by the North gate at six o'clock sharp tonight. DO NOT BE LATE!" she practically yelled the last part at Kakashi.

Him and Kaori both said "Hai!" and started to walk out of the office. Kaori slowed her walking to walk at Kakashi's pace.

"I can't believe this happened to Konoha…" she said, looking at all the destruction that had occurred.

Kakashi looked up from his book at the ruined village. "I know. You are lucky you weren't here when it happened. I don't know how in the world Naruto defeated that man."

"Naruto… is that the boy with the spiky blonde hair? He walked me over here yesterday. HE defeated Pein? All by himself?"

Kakashi nodded, realizing the Kaori had not heard the full story. "Yes, mostly. He had his toad summons, of course, but he did defeat him. If it wasn't for him and the medical ninja, many more of us, including myself, would be dead."

Kaori looked at the masked ninja. "Then thank goodness for them!"

Kakashi let himself smile. "Yes. Well, I better be off. I actually did promise to help rebuild the academy and I can't let them down."

He walked away from her with a wave, leaving her standing on the steps.

Review Please! That would be awfully kind of you! Compliments, constructive criticism, advice, predictions, anything is welcome!!