I do not own Naruto as a game, Manga, Anime series or a character. All original characters are mine though :P

Hi no Ishi (The will of Fire) - The Countdown

Teams are being formed, but how will this affect the freshly minted genin? And what are we counting down to? Well, regardless the action is getting kicked up a notch!

All underlined terms are explained at the end of the chapter.
All #Signed# terms are being said in one form of sign language or another.

~Yuun'a POV~

Hi-chan's been acting weird these past few days. Naruto-nii as well. Maybe this has to do with Sasuke? I don't know, and no one will tell me anything. That's fine in and of itself, but their tense postures and Nii-san staring at a wall with an intensity that should melt it doesn't comfort me.
"Nii-san, is this about Sasuke?" I decided to just get to the core of the issue if at all possible. I noticed he tensed, but no words left his lips. "Or maybe about Hinata-chan?" His eyes. Kami-sama, it looks like he's about to cry, but wills himself not to. Sasuke is trying to get Hinata-chan as well as me. That must be it.
That means Nee-chan knows about it. She'll deal with it. I know she will. So why is everyone so worried? I know! "Hey, Nii-san, why don't we go to the store to get some groceries later. Then I'll cook up something nice for you and Hi-chan?" With all their nervous energy, Hi-chan and Nii-san managed to clean up the entire district in two days. We've essentially had nothing to do but train every since. Which was nice to be honest.
I still have to plan that picnic to meet Shikamaru-kun and Chouji-kun's families. But I'll worry about that after I take care of the guys. They can be such worrywarts when they want to be.
"Thanks, Imouto-chan, but I'm not hungry." I didn't just hear that? Nii-san's not hungry? I think the world's about to end!

WAIT! I got it! He's worried about Hinata-chan... so why not... Hmm, I need to talk to the senseis and Hokage-chan!
"Don't worry about it. I'll be back soon then okay? I'll take Hi-chan with me so you don't have to worry." I told him. I really didn't want to have to fend off any Sasuke-scenes again. I really don't know why he keeps bothering me. I left my poor Nii-san there, wallowing in his worries... It won't be for long. I promise, Nii-san. Yuuna-chan will take care of eeeeeverything!

It wasn't hard to get the right people in the same place at the same time. People tend to listen when I talk, for some reason. I don't mind, it makes things move smoother.
"So, Yuuna-chan, what seems to be bothering you so?" Hokage-chan asked me.
"Well, I don't really know all the details, Hokage-chan, but the way I understand it is that Sasuke is pestering Hinata-chan in some way that is bothering Naruto-nii and Hi-chan." I explained simply. Hi-chan's eyes went wide, obviously not expecting me to know that. "I know that Nee-chan is already doing something about that, so that will work itself out, but Nii-san and Hi-chan need to get away for a bit. And since we finished our mission a full week early..."
"You think that joining Team 9 on their training mission will help relieve the stress." Hokage-chan finished for me.
"Exactly!" I smiled broadly. He really does know me so well.

He was stroking his goatee... he's thinking about risks vs rewards – at least that's what I think he's thinking. Who knows what these super smart people think half the time. "I see no problem with that. What do you think?" He turned to the senseis. One of the reason I asked them to tag along for this little chat.
"Well, I see no real difference either way. Yuuna-chan's been helping me get Shikamaru and Chouji into shape. A change of location won't help or hurt that." Asuma-sensei said. Actually I've kinda been bugging sensei to get into shape himself. Sure I tend to do that by whacking him a few times during a spar, but he gets the point on a subconscious level. I think.
"Well, I'd have to mostly agree with Asuma. A change of location won't help or hinder my team. Although I think Ino could use some time away from Konoha right now." Kakashi-sensei explained.
"Why is something up with Ino-chan?" I asked, worry already evident in my tone.
"Nothing worth worrying about. She just seems down lately. Maybe a change of scenery will do her some good." Came the explanation. Hmm, that is probably because of Sakura. Those two were always close. Too close in my opinion. I usually felt a bit weird going to the sentou with them for some reason. Nothing bad... just weird. I can't really explain it beyond that.
"So can we?" I pleaded, giving him the puppy eyes. "Pleeeeeeeeez."
"I've lived through three great wars, stared death in the eyes daily and faced my fair share of shinobi on the battlefield... Yet somehow the eyes get me every time." He sighed dramatically.
"Thank you, oji-chan." I hugged him, and kissed him on the forehead. Already rushing to the door to pack.
"Yuuna-chan. Think you can get word to the two teams to meet by the gate in two hours?" Asuma-sensei was smiling ear to ear.
"Haaaai!"

Hi-chan made sure to send a crow ahead to give Nee-san the heads up about us coming. I don't blame him, she's not one for surprises. In fact, I think she stabbed our last surprise before it even came to life. And it was a party!
How someone manages to cancel their own surprise birthday party is something I'll never understand. Anyway, everyone was ready and waiting at the appointed time. We were just waiting for Kakashi-sensei. Is he always late? I hope not. I really wanted to get to wherever we're going before the sun sets, and we have about two hours before that happens.
"Jeez, old lazy strikes again." Nii-san laughed at Hi-chan's complaint. Oh boy, it sounds like a regular thing. "Just wait here, I know where to find him." Hi-chan winked at me, and was gone in the blink of an eye. No seriously. He winked, I blinked... then no sign of Hi-chan. That boy's getting fast!
"Sugoi! Hi-chan is getting fast!" I gushed. I could already see Nii-san rolling his eyes, trying his best not to say something.
"You really like him, don't you?" Ino-chan wondered. We she was facing away from the group, so that no one would read her lips.
I blushed. "no... i used to like him... i love him." I spoke as loud as I dared, but even then I knew it was barely above a whisper.
Ino blushed a bit too. "how do you know?" She spoke just as softly, hoping to keep the conversation as private as possible – given that we live in a shinobi village, complete privacy will never exist.
"you never really know... it's just this feeling bubbling up inside you... but this isn't the high you get from the butterflies, or the walking on the clouds feeling... no this is deeper... it's like i can feel him." I explained as best I could. It's hard to explain what the sun feels like when it shines on your skin. You just know.
Ino blushed a little deeper. She must be sorting out her own feelings for someone – I wonder who that could be. "how can you be sure what you feel?" Well that's kind of vague...
"because that special person will be enough." I smiled, thinking about the look on Hi-chan's face a few days ago when I caught him staring at me – I was busy washing the dishes at the time, he kinda just snuck into the house and was staring at me for a while. It wasn't a look that made me blush, or nervous. No, it was a look that makes me glow. I saw the love in his eyes, even as the worries weighed him down.
"huh...?" Okay... how best to explain that then?
"how do you feel when you look at him? is it sad, happy, energized? when I look at hi-chan, I just feel calm... no matter how bad the storm gets, he's at the center waiting for me, protecting me..."
That seemed to strike a chord within her: she blushed a little deeper. "even when you fight?"
"always." I said. "always..."

Somehow we managed to arrive at Team 9's camp just as the sun was setting. Hi-chan already knew the way, so that saved a lot of time. Though to be honest, the first thing I noticed when we arrived was the look in Nii-san's eyes. His eyes were so lost since we moved into Kikyo Castle... but he found something...
I follow his gaze, finding Hinata-chan tending to a pot on the campfire. She seemed preoccupied, and not just with what she was doing. Looking back at Nii-san... I think he can tell and he feels guilty about that. Oh no, those two are worrying about each other! I don't know how I know, I just know.
I have to do something to help them. Poor Nii-san hasn't eaten in days – he's starting to look malnourished. And from the looks of it, Hinata-chan isn't far behind him.
Hi-chan walked right up to Nee-chan and pulled her aside. Not sure what he has to say that's so important, or so private, but it's not entirely out of character for him. Those two are always whispering things to each other.
Well, I think I should do something about the two lovesick puppies, ne?

I walked up to Hinata-chan, sitting beside her. "How's dinner coming?" I asked.
She almost jumped out of her skin, obviously she was just in her own world. "y-y-yuuna-ch-chan..." Poor thing didn't even hear me coming.
"Hiya!" I beamed. I took the spoon out of her hand and stirred the stew she had going. I smelled potatoes, carrots, I think that's hare meat (Nee-san would never allow someone to harm a rabbit)... could be deer too. Ooh, and that is mint! Yummy! There were also a few other leaves in there I couldn't identify, but it didn't matter too much. There was enough for the whole group, so that wouldn't be a problem either. "Deer stew?"
"Iie. K-kiba-kun found some h-hares, and w-w-we have some f-fish as well." She managed. I just smiled at her and stirred a little more.
"i kinda have a favor to ask." I said, making sure no one else would hear us. Well, Nii-san at least. I'm sure Nee-chan can hear everything I'm saying. She might even be checking my heartbeat just to be sure. "can you help me keep an eye on him to make sure he eats properly? nii-san hasn't eaten anything in days, something's bothering him..."
Her eyes widened, like they were going to fall out of her head. Then they softened, tears collecting in the corners. She nodded, clearly making up her mind about something. I smiled, thanking her wordlessly and dashed off to stir up the camp a bit – it wasn't lively enough for my tastes.

"Ki-ba-kuuuuun have you been taking care of my Nee-chan?" I asked, successfully sneaking up on the boy-dog duo.
"Yuuna! Are you trying to give me a heart attack!" Kiba groused.
"Well, have you?"
"Of course! Between trainings of course." He shrugged. No one can protect you from Aoba-sensei in training mode!
"Fair enough! I'd better not hear about any hanky-panky though!" I winked at him, giggling at the sputtering reply.
"Oooi, Yuuna-chan! It's been way too quiet without you!" Aoba-sensei greeted me.
"I can tell, there aren't even any party hats here!" I laughed, deciding to grab a few really large leaves and got to work. "We're having a party tonight!" I announced, laughing at Kakashi-sensei and Asuma-sensei. Neither was used to me as yet, but time reveals many things, ne? "Does anyone know the words to Kumbaya?" What's a campfire without a guitar and some campfire songs? Well, I know Nee-san has her flute... that'll have to do.

"Itatakimasu!" We all chorused, digging into the stew.
"Sugoi! Hinata-chan this is yummy!" I announced, and everyone agreed with me. "You've so gotta teach me to make this!" I giggled when Hi-chan nodded a little too enthusiastically. That boy could eat you out of house and home if you're not careful. It'd probably be cheaper to clothe him.
Everyone was enjoying their meal... but Nii-san. He was just staring at his bowl like it was going to just up and eat him instead. "Nii-san, don't you want to taste Hinata-chan's stew?" Loaded questions 101, never argue with a female. "It's really good."
"i'm not hungry." He groused, looking away.
"So you think her stew's not good enough?" I noticed Hinata-chan staring off into the distance too, obviously trying to her reaction. "Nii-san, you're hurting her feelings! She thinks her stew isn't good enough for you! Do you really want her to be upset because you're not hungry?" That hit him. He stole a glance at Hinata-chan, noticing her doing the same to him.
He mumbled something and sipped some of the stew. It's kinda hard to eat stew with chopsticks, but he'll manage. Just think of it like ramen :D
"Wow, this is..." He sipped at the stew again, his stomach growling for more. "Heh heh, uh... this is good, Hinata-chan." Both of them blushed, but I was smiling like I won the lottery. Never underestimate the power of a girl that wants something done. We never give up till we get it!
In seconds his bowl was empty, and Hinata-chan took it to fill it again. He didn't have the heart to tell her no – which is exactly what I wanted. "Hinata-chan, don't you want some too?" I asked her, nodding at her still full bowl. She blushed, sipping some to not be obvious.

It took a while, but I bugged Hinata-chan until she finished the whole thing. I didn't complain when she stopped to refill Naruto's bowl though – I was doing the same thing for Hi-chan too. "Nii-san, aren't you going to offer her a refill? She's been serving you all night!" I pointed out, knowing exactly how that would play out. He wouldn't want to make Hinata-chan feel unappreciated, and she'd sooner chew on stones than turn him down.
I felt proud of myself, having successfully gotten both of them to eat twice what they normally would. And judging from the jounins' reactions, I suspect they were happy about that too. I think I'll start bugging Ino-chan tomorrow, because she barely finished one bowl – offering the rest to Akamaru.
Still, helping two people in one night is good enough. Especially those two. I need to talk to Nee-san about what I can do to help her with them.

"Hinata-chan, it's time for our training." Nee-san annouced, smiling at me for some reason. Ooh, she must be happy with how I got Hinata-chan and Naruto to eat :D Yay me!
Hinata-chan just nodded, patting her belly a bit before trying – and failing – to stand up. I immediately nudged Nii-san to go give her a hand. I smiled when Hinata-chan blushed, but couldn't refuse him. I smiled a lot wider when she fell forward into his arms. Their eyes met, their noses were rubbing against each other.
A kiss under the stars... kawaiiiiiiiii! Maybe I should go bug Hi-chan a bit, I certainly wouldn't complain if he did that to me!
Mou! I blushed. I wonder if that's why Hinata-chan blushes so much around Naruto-nii... probably, but that's just what makes them such a cute couple!
I went and dragged Hi-chan away from the crowd, hoping for a little... alone time. Hopefully he won't leave hickey this time, but I don't complain too much when he does :-3

The next morning I was on breakfast duty. I don't mind, besides I love cooking! I noticed everyone was staring at a certain spot on my neck. Yup, Hi-chan struck again. Hi-chan was in charge of lunch, but I already traded with him so he was in charge of getting the stuff I needed to cook.
Hi-chan can eat like there's no tomorrow, but he cooks like he doesn't plan on seeing it. I'm not sure what that oozing monster was the last time he tried, but it wasn't any form of rice I recognize.
I noticed Hinata-chan and Nii-san were a lot more lively this morning. I smiled, hoping that my little plan was the cause. Well, truth be told I wouldn't care if it wasn't so long as they were happy – and preferably together. "Good morning!" I greeted everyone in turn, smiling brighter than the sun.
Their reactions were all the same. One look at my neck, a smile, shaking their heads and saying good morning back to me the walking off still shaking their heads.
I did notice that Kakashi-sensei was reading a small orange book, looking at me with what I could only identify as a quirky curiosity. What is in that book? Doesn't matter, so long as he thinks it's funny – I assume he does, because he keeps giggling while he's reading.
Well, my food might not compare to Hinata-chan's, but a traditional – and practical – riceball, pickles and fish are just the ticket to start a day right. I made sure to make more than strictly needed, and went out of my way to bug Naru-Hina until they both ate enough – in my opinion, not theirs.

Well after the dishes were washed and put away, it was time to get down to some serious training. I suggested to the senseis that it would be wisest for the girls to train together, with Aoba-sensei watching us and the boys to train separately. They didn't have any real reason why it wouldn't work, and they suspected I had my reasons – which I do.
So Ino-chan, Hinata-chan, Nee-san and me went with Aoba-sensei down to to river to train. Aoba-sensei tossed me the scroll of a new Katon jutsu – the Hell's Rain jutsu, I really like the sound of that. And I noticed Nee-san was running Hinata-chan through the basics of Suiton!
"Sugoi! Hinata's a Suiton user too?" I smiled, knowing that she would learn so much from Nee-san.
"Hai, she's a quick study too." Nee-san praised, causing Hinata-chan to blush.
"Wait a minute, how-" Ino-chan was obviously not used to the idea.
"She's already passed tree climbing and water walking, so we bumped her up to elemental manipulation." Aoba-sensei announced. Jeez, they've only been here for four days! "She's a natural at chakra control, so it comes pretty easy for her." Hinata blushed a little deeper at all the praise.
"That's soo cool! But... I hope you didn't do the same water walking we went through!" I blanched, thinking about that 'lobster training' exercise.
"Yup. She only fell in five times." Nee-san smiled like the Yukikami she is. I shivered, offering a sympathetic smile to the poor girl.
"I feel your pain." I said, earning a smile from Aoba-sensei and Nee-san, but a confused look from Ino.
"What am I missing?" She asked, unsure she really wanted to hear the answer.
"Well, you dig a hole, fill it with water then heat it up to about sixty or seventy degrees centigrade. Then you try to walk on it without falling in." I explained. "It's not the most comfortable way to train, but it's effective."
Well, she was right... she didn't want to know. "Don't worry, you won't be doing that today." Aoba-sensei placated. "Today is tree climbing for you. Depending on how well you do, I can suggest that training to Asuma-san for tomorrow."
Ino-chan looked like she was about to run for cover. "Yay?"
"Anyway, I'll give you girls three hours. After that it's taijutsu, then a game of blind-man's tag, and no jutsus this time, it isn't fair to Ino."
"Aww come on! Marco-Polo is the most fun when you have no idea what Nee-san's got up her sleeve!" I groused. Ino really started looking like a fish out of water now. What has she been doing to train then? Arranging flowers?

Well, that was rather uneventful. I'm nowhere close to using that new jutsu, but I bet it'll make Nee-chan's mouth water when she sees me use it. She might be more a Suiton user, but I can tell she likes learning a good Katon from time to time.
"Alright, time for taijutsu." Aoba-sensei announced. I already knew it was about that time, because he told Ino-chan to take a rest like ten minutes ago. The poor thing was doing okay with the tree walking, but her chakra reserves were... well, she needed to work on that.
"Okay, Hinata-chan, I want you and Ino to spar first." He instructed. This was going to get ugly, fast. Sure Hinata-chan wouldn't hurt too badly, but I doubt Hinata-chan would even realize how much training with Aoba-sensei and Nee-san affects your abilities.
Hinata-chan and Ino-chan stood ready, waiting for some sort of sign to start. Hinata-chan wasn't even in her family's Jyuuken stance, but a modified stance that I had seen Nee-chan use on occasion. It was an odd combination of kickboxing and some animal based kung fu.
Basically you start in the same kickboxing stance, but you don't ball your fists all the way. Ever tried balling your fist one step at a time? Start by curling your fingers, so that the tips of your fingers are against that soft pad thing at the top of your palm. Then place the your thumb against the side of your index finger's tip. That is how she's holding her hands right now.
Nee-chan and Hi-chan call it the Rabbit's Palm. A secret style used only by the Yukikami, it would seem. Apparently Nee-san's been training Hinata-chan in a lot of things... things they won't even teach me. Not sure how I feel about that.
Once they started, it became more apparent that Hinata-chan wasn't very good at the new stance. She was walking, and I never remember Nee-san or Hi-chan walking, they would hop around if they needed to move.

It's a weird style to see and even weirder to face, but it works well once mastered. Ino threw a punch at Hinata's gut, bad move...
Hinata countered by launching her right knee at the left handed punch, knocking the girl's hand off it's trajectory. A very painful way to miss. Then came the counter attack... mid swing, Hinata's leg extended and the tip of her sandal clipped Ino's Adam's apple.
The combined inertia of the two hits sent Ino-chan into a barrel roll, landing on her side. She started getting up, already coughing to breathe. Ino was shocked, but not more than Hinata-chan, who was nearly in tears.
"I'm so sorry! Are you alright?" She didn't even stutter, she was that rattled!
"What was *cough* that?" Ino asked. Not just winded, but actually finding it difficult to breathe properly at all. Nee-san walked over to the girl, and tapped her on her neck. A loud-ish click wwas heard, and Ino-chan actually screamed.
"aaaoooOOOOWWWW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?" Ino was not a happy camper.
"Well, if I didn't do that, your throat would swell and make it even harder to breathe. You might want to avoid her attacks." Nee-san explained, chuckling at her own words. Leave it to a Yukikami to find humor in there somewhere. "Hinata-chan, good job, but please be careful when fighting anyone but me. Most people won't know how to react to this style."
"G-g-go-go-... … gomen..."
"Hinata-chan, none of that. You reacted as you were taught to react. Do no feel bad for that." Here Nee-san turned to Ino. "It is actually a sign that Ino needs to train harder to keep up. Certainly her team will need her to be at her best at all times, ne?"
Said Yamanaka nodded, suddenly realizing something. She got into the academy taijutsu stance once again, this time much more wary of her opponent. Hinata never once attacked, that was not what the Rabbit Palm was about, it was a counterattack style. Ino was just smarter about attacking now.
She would throw a single punch, or kick, check the reaction and back off if Hinata-chan got too close. It sucked for Ino-chan, because as open as the stance was, there were very few actual weak points to it.
Well, let's just say that Ino got her behind handed to her – as Hi-chan would put it.

After that, it was Nee-chan and Hinata-chan's turn to spar. They both assumed the same stance... This is going to be epic!
Nee-chan started the match by jumping at Hinata, closing the gap in a single hop. Right knee and both hands extended and her feet curled against her behind. Nee-chan swiped at Hina with her left knee, twirling around obviously preparing the next attack.
Hina ducked back – actually bending over backwards, balling her left fist completely and balancing on said fist. Then she launched both knees at her opponent and flicked out her foot like they were part of a switch blade.
Somehow the attack missed. Don't ask me, but Nee-chan did some mid air twist, magically maneuvering herself between the two strikes. What was worse is that she placed her foot flat against Hina's spine and moved her a good five meters with a single shove.
Hina landed on her feet, though I can't say from who's skill. Before Hina could even catch her bearings, Nee-chan hopped at her again. This time her left knee was leading.
Hina rolled to her left, trying to step outside the attack radius. She was still rewarded with another shove – just not as far this time. Hina actually skidded for a meter, managing to not fall. Wow! She must be used to this kind of sparring! I would have fallen for sure...
This time Hinata was on the attack, dashing forward at Nee-chan. There was a flurry of blows being exchanged. I'm not sure who took which one though. All I can say for sure is that there was another shove, and Hina flow right at Aoba-sensei.
Hina twisted mid air, folding in on herself, then shot a burst of chakra around her. Somehow that acted as a parachute of sorts, slowing her down. She landed on her fists, and started walking to Nee-chan like that? Okay... Why would Hina want to learn to walk on your fists? Why would Nee-chan teach her that?
Well, at any rate, the last leg of the distance was closed when Hina jumped (?) knees first at Nee-chan. There were kicks, knees, elbows, punches... jeez those two are nuts! That is the most up close and personal fighting I've ever seen!
After a while I really couldn't even tell who was throwing the blow, just that it was always deflected and counterattacked, which was then deflected and counterattacked. It just went on and on.
I'm pretty sure that most people would just see a blur of movement. Not that I'm much better off right now, I can barely tell who's who!

"Alright break!" Aoba announced after heaven only knows how much time. Both girls were smiling at each other, but Hina's smile was a bit more worn down. She was panting. Nee-san, looked like she was just stretching for nice morning jog! Jeez, scary!
"Yuuna, I want you and Tatsuko to spar this time." Oh poopie! I really don't like sparring against Nee-chan. Trying to hit her is like trying to catch water with a fishing net! Or raking leaves on a windy day. Or telling Nii-san to give up on ramen...

Time for a game of tag and I'm it. Nee-chan put on my blindfold herself, so you know I couldn't see even if I tried. The point of this training is to completely negate your eyes and use your other sense. Strangely, when you completely shut off your sense of sight, your other senses become so much more acute.
I remember Nee-chan saying that your eyes take up more than thirty percent of your subconscious concentration, which is why most people will close their eyes when they're thinking really hard. Well, she does at least.
The thing about being an Uzumaki is that our sense of smell rivals the Inuzuka clan's. I can smell cinnamon buns over to one side... that must be Hinata-chan. Umm, flowers in a field over there... that must be Ino-chan. And a rabbit, that's Nee-san. Aoba-sensei isn't playing, he's the one making sure we don't hurt ourselves by accident. And since we all have blindfolds on, it wouldn't be hard to do – theoretically at least.
Alright, now to get a good feel of my surroundings. It sucks if you're running after the right one, then run right into a tree. Hmm, there's a bush right behind me. Ooh, are those blueberries? I have to remember that!
Tree, tree. I can hear the wind rustling through the leaves. The river's that way, over to my right and slightly behind me.
Alright, that's everything I can sense that's important for now. I think I better give Ino-chan a chance to get used to this, so I'll go after Nee-chan first.
Let's see, Nee-chan was over this way... she's always the sneakiest one in the bunch. So I'll have to be alert.
I snuck over in the direction I smelled her, keeping my ears peeled for any noise she might make. Even without enhancements, Nee-chan knew how to move quietly. Still, she can't cover her scent without the aid of a jutsu – which sensei says she can't use. So I stand a chance at catching her.
Umm, this way. I felt around, trying to catch any part of her. All I have to do is touch her... which isn't the easiest thing to do to someone who can hear a pin drop fifty meters away! But the challenge of it is the most fun!
Maybe she went this way? Sniff sniff, nope this way.

"Dinner tiiiiiime." Ino droned, dead on her feet. She was barely able to keep up with us at all, and she looks like she's been run over by a truck. Truth be told, Hinata-chan looks a bit run down too. But in much better shape than Ino-chan!
"You know, Ino-chan, you really need to eat more! With the high levels of activity, you will need the extra calories!" I pointed out, finally seeing the opportunity to get on her case. I had been waiting on it all day!
"but i'll get..." She looked at Chouji, shivering at some stupid thought she was having.
"Chouji needs those extra pounds for his clan's taijutsu. You need extra food to not starve." Nee-chan clarified.
Anyway, long story short, we got on the emaciated blonde's case about her stupid 'diet' that would only get her – and likely her team as well – killed in the long run. A diet getting you killed, talk about irony. Or maybe the first three letters are the dangerous part? DIEt... could be a clue.
I'm sure I'm going to have to keep bugging for for some time to come...

It was Kiba-kun's turn to cook. He went for the basic fish and roasted potato routine that every camper has had to suffer through at least once. Well, once per day if he had to cook regularly.
Once dinner was over, Nee-chan once again dragged Hinata-chan away from the group to go practice something. I was starting to get curious what she was teaching Hinata-chan... but it really was none of my business.
"Hi-chan, wanna thumb wrestle?" When in doubt, pester your other half, right?
"Nah, I actually wanted to go spar with 'Ruto." He smiled, earning a confused look from Nii-san.
"No you don't, you just wanna tease me, Hi-hi!" I smacked him on the shoulder. He seems to like me doing that.
"Feel better?" He was just playing me? I pouted, smacking him again. He just kissed me on the cheek and tickled both my sides.
"WAAHHH!" I shouted, a bit high pitched. "Hi-chan!" I tried smacking him again, which he side stepped and just poked my side, earning another half laugh, half shriek.
"Wow, you really are a screamer." Hi-chan whispered in my ear.
"Okay, whoa!" I swung at him again. This time stepping towards him to make sure he couldn't get away. "You wouldn't know." He deflected my hands.
"Not yet, but I will some day." He had that perverted smile on his face.
"Ecchi." I tried to swinging at him again. He just grabbed my wrists and kissed me, right in front of everyone! I couldn't decide if I was blushing from embarrassment or... something else...
"Ecchi I may be, but I'm still yours." He whispered in my ear. Feeling his breath kissing my skin at around my ear and on my neck... I'm certain I'm not blushing from embarrassment this time...
And that warm feeling in the pit of my belly isn't helping much either...
Wait... it's a bit lower...

"No, Hi-chan, I really needed to talk to you." I explained after we were all alone. "Something's up with Nee-chan."
"Yeah, like what?" He was still kissing my neck, trying to entice me to play along.
"She taught Hinata-chan the Rabbit Palm." He stopped dead in his tracks.
"She... what...?" He still had his lips against my neck, so that tickled a bit.
"She was even sparring using the Rabbit Palm in front of Aoba-sensei, Ino and me." I explained. He back off, clearly the mood was dead. Something's wrong. The look in his eyes confirmed it.
"The last time she used that that style was..." His eyes... he's about five seconds from freaking out as far as I can tell. "She's been teaching Hinata to use her flute as well..."
"But why would she be teaching Hinata-chan the secrets of both the Senju and the Yukikami? Doesn't Hinata-chan have the Hyuuga's secret techniques already?" Hi-chan has a haunted look about him.
"Could it be...?" Is that a tear? Hi-chan's crying?
"Hi... chan... what is it? What's wrong? What's going on?" The last time he cried was just as we got back to the Yukikami compound after the massacre. That was the only time he ever she a tear that I know of. And only Nee-chan knows him better than me.
"Tsu... you wouldn't..." No one has called Nee-chan 'Tsu' in years... no one's dared to. I think she even broke a chuunin's arm for calling her that by mistake. She'd always just say that 'Tsu' is dead. It's freaky if you ask me. Freaky and... spooky. Hearing someone refer to oneself as dead...
"Hi-chan... you're scaring me." My voice was wavering. Really, Hi-chan is the bravest person I know, so if something scares him then it's pretty... well... scary!
He shook his head, smiled his smile and just told me not to worry. "I'll handle it." He said, but there is doubt in his eyes.

What could possibly be going on? I don't know. But I know I don't like it.

That night I cuddled into my sheets. Tossing and turning, trying as hard as I could to be wrapped in sleep's sweet embrace... but I was utterly failing.
The look on Hi-chan's face, his tone of voice... the tears he was refusing to shed... I just know something's wrong. Wrong on a cosmic scale. Whatever it is, I just know that I'm not going to like it.
It's been bugging me so much that I never got around to finishing those hats, or reminding anyone about the camp songs before we called it a night. Aoba-sensei was actually so freaked out that he checked my temperature before letting me crawl into bed.
I think that Shikamaru is more than a little worried too, since I didn't even fluff his hair once since the spar with Nee-chan. I've always been the bubbly one, I bring life to any gathering I find myself in, but right now... I feel like the walls are closing in on me.
How did that guy put it... don't let the sun go down on me? I finally understand what he means, because I can feel my whole world being put on hold by someone. Permanently on hold, if the uneasy feeling in my gut was anything to go by.
What was happening with Nee-chan? She wouldn't forget how much I need her, would she? I mean sure, I am learning to get by on my own, more or less... but I still need to know my Nee-chan is right there just in case.
No, my left side won't work tonight, maybe my right? I wonder if Nee-chan remembers how I clung to her when I moved in with her and her family. A family that I quickly became part of. Even with the others treating me unkindly, I didn't care. Nee-chan was there to protect me. She would just say that they are like that to everyone and would teach me how to deal with it.
She taught me a lot really, more than she could know. Even after figuring out that she has a thing for Kiba, she continued to teach me things. Like how to win a boy's heart. She started bringing too much food to class, making sure to sit close enough for him or Akamaru to smell it. One of them would come over and the other would always follow. She would smile and ask if they wanted some, because she brought way too much with her.
That was just a few weeks after we entered Iruka-sensei's class. If something happens to Nee-chan, I'm sure it would kill Kiba-kun. Akamaru too!
Nee-chan... Don't you see how badly we need you, how much we love you? I've gotta think of a way to show her, to prove beyond any shadow of a doubt... that we can't live without her... it's time for me to be her hero, for me to save her from whatever it is that is troubling her...

With that thought cemented into my mind, I lay on my back waiting for sleep to claim me.

"What are you doing?" I could hear Hi-chan's voice. He's not even trying to keep quiet.
"What? Can't I admire the sunrise?" Nee-chan? Admiring the sunrise? Actually, that doesn't sound so bad.
"I was meant with Hinata. First Ototon, then I hear you're teaching the Rabbit Palm?" He's not angry, or curious. He's... I don't know... something.
"Is there something-" Nee-chan never got a chance to finish.
"You refused to teach Yuuna Ototon because it was a Senju secret. You refuse to even use taijutsu because it reminds you of Tou-san. And now you're teaching both to someone that can legally take your place. Who the fuck do you think you're trying to kid?"
"Yukikami Hi-"
"Shove it Tsu! You don't have sway over my tongue with you plotting suicide right under my nose!" what...? no... no... NO! I can't lose her!
"What makes you-"
"I follow orders, but I have brain too. You taught me well to question everything and make up my own mind. Now tell me I'm wrong! Cause there is nothing I'd rather be more wrong about!"
"Keep your-"
"FUCK SILENCE TSU!" And yet silence followed. A tense silence. I kept waiting for one or both of them to laugh, then come and tell me they were joking. Or maybe that this weird dream would just end. "Now answer me. Is that what you are planning?" Tears were streaming down my face. It's not just the thought of losing Nee-chan... but hearing those two fighting? They've never once fought in all the time I've known them. Ever.
"I don't know-"
"You're a poor liar. No matter what you think. How long have you been thinking about this?" Silence again.
"MONTHS!" Well at least I don't have to worry about missing anything. Though I honestly don't know how much more I can stand to hear. "You've been planning your own death for months and never once have you considered what that would do to Naruto? To Yuuna? To Hinata? Yukie, Gan and the guys? … TO ME!" Something was struck. Hard. A tree I think, since the sound of a tree falling and hitting the ground followed.
I... I... Nee-chan...

I cried. I just lay in my tent, hugging myself... crying. How could Nee-chan think about leaving us.

"Who's supposed to pick up the pieces then, huh? Me, right? Me and Naruto are supposed to hold our own against the world while you go chickenshit on your family! IS THAT IT?"
Something was being mumbled. "No you do not know how I feel. So stop telling yourself lies to make it easier. And you sure as hell don't know how the others feel either!"
"NO. I. WILL. NOT! CALM. THE. FUCK! DOWN!"
"No I remember exactly how Tou-san died! I WAS THERE TSU! I know your hands were used, but that was not you! GET THAT THROUGH YOUR SKULL! FUGAKU KILLED HIM USING YOU!"
"No, Tsu, you listen! You don't remember jack shit about that day because you rewrote your own fucking memories so often. I was there, in a tree watching. I saw the three tomoe in your eyes, I saw the moves you never learned being used. You did not kill him, and he knew that! He told you that!"
"No YOU WILL HEAR THIS! Tou-san told you with his dying breath that he would never be mad at you, that he loves you! So don't go using him as your easy way out!"
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND? Oh that's rich." Why am I only hearing Hi-chan? Why isn't Nee-chan telling him that she was joking?
"Look, fuck you! You think I'm just going give on you? You think I'm just going to walk away and make it easy for you?" There was a clicking sound. "Oh, no. I'm going to fight you tooth and nail. I'll figure out a way to make you see how badly we need you! how badly i need you."
That was it... that was all I could take. I held out longer than I thought I could, but hearing that tone on Hi-chan... I broke down. I knew they would hear me crying, but I couldn't keep quiet. No matter how I tried, no matter how hard I fought... sob after sob, hiccup after hiccup...
"No, my voice just told her your intentions. You go and piece together Yuuna's heart. 'Cause we both know no one else could."

Life is so cruel. Even with Nee-chan here rubbing my back and scratching my scalp... there is just no meaning in it. Is she thinking about how badly I need her? How much I love her?
Or is she thinking about being with her Tou-chan again? I sorta understand how she feels. It's hard being daddy's little girl, when daddy's not there.
"do you love me, nee-chan?" I finally asked after... I don't know... years of silence.
"Of course I-"
"No, I mean really love me. The way I love Hi-chan. The way I love Nii-san." I said. Sure the tears stopped, the hiccuping stopped. But the pain didn't – I don't think it ever will.
"What do you mean... exactly?" She sounds exactly like my Nee-chan, but somehow I can't imagine my Nee-chan giving up on anything. Let alone giving up on me.
"Remember when Hi-chan wanted that kodachi? I wanted that super rare copy of 'S-class Seals' by Uzumaki Kenji, but he was talking about that blade like it was a wet dream. I came to you and begged for him to get the kodachi, sacrificing the book I wanted so bad." I reminded her.
"Karu felt so bad when he found out that he was willing to give up being head of the Yukikami clan so that I would buy the book for you anyway." She sounded like she was going laugh and cry at the same time. "Did I ever tell you that I caught him trying to break into that store to steal the book just so you could have it?"
"He told me the next day. Right after I told him that you had bought it before he had the chance." She actually did laugh that time. So did I – the look on Hikaru's face was priceless. Not even a picture would do him justice.
"I gave up something for him, and he gave up something for me. That's what I mean with love." I sat up, studying Nee-chan's face. "Do you love me like that?"
"Yes, and much more." She cupped my face, kissing my forehead. She used to do that every night when she tucked me in bed – a habit she picked up just after the Kitsunaga were slaughtered.
"Then how could you think about leaving me?" The tears were threatening to come back full force, maybe even worse than the first round...
"You don't understand, Imouto-chan. You don't understand because you've never been given the chance to see what it's truly like for us."
"What do you mean?" I asked her, but she never answered me. She would just hug me closer each time, retreating a little further into her own little world.

She didn't utter another word all day. Or the days that followed. Either she lost her voice, or I was just so completely lost in my own little world that I didn't notice whether she actually did or not...

A/N: This chapter is actually a little short (about 3000 words short of the 10K standard now being applied). Still it say everything I want it to say, so to balance things out I am actually going to make the next chapter slightly longer.
As always, lots of Love being showered on Kiravu! Wouldn't know what I'd do with her support and suggestions!

Yare yare – Sigh. It's Kakashi's version of Mendokusei.
Itatakimasu – Thanks for the food! It's something of a prayer before eating.
Sugoi! - Awesome! Cool! Whoa! Some interjection along those lines.Ecchi – Technically it just means the letter 'H' but that then stands for Henai, or pervert. Girls have a tendency to not want to actually want to say the word, seeing it as embarrassing. For example, girls would never actually say they have to pee, but instead say they have to 'go'. Same principal applies.

"The difference between becomes clear, the second you open your mouth." -Yukikami Tatsuhi.