Ripped Apart

Kimi hummed quietly as she braided Kerica's hair. "So how was your training while I was gone?

Kerica smiled happily, "It went well! I kept good watch over Oneesan, too," she grinned. She glanced outside and saw Kei had just returned from the post office, and he was glancing through many letters while Kuro was perched on his shoulder.

Kei shuffled through the letters looking for any that maybe addressed to him or his family. Some times the mail got misplaced in theirs. Upon finding one addressed to his family send from the Hokage, Kei pulled it from the stack, and tucked them into his back pocket.

"Ooi! Kimi! Weeeeee gOoOoOoOt MAIL!!!!!" Kei sung called with a grin.

Kimi rolled her eyes at her brother as she finished fixing Kerica's hair, "Well I am glad to know that someone looks after her when we're not here."

Kerica smiled as she cuddled back against Kimi. She had a small idea as to what might've happened to her to make her more possessive and protective of her, especially when it came to beating up the boys that harmed Sarrina while at school. She had always made sure to stay from Sarrina's sight, though.

Keri watched as Kei sliced open the letter, happily pulling it out. She frowned however, when she saw his expression suddenly go from happy to pale and horrified, "Kei-kun?"

Kei dropped to his knees still holding the letter. "…They're……They're all gone……"

Kimi frowned, gently pushing away from Kerica to go to her brother's side. "Kei? Whose gone?"

"……The Uchiha clan in Konoha…" he voice cracked.

"G-gone where?"

"They're dead, Kimi! All of them! All but Sasuke and Itachi! Itachi killed them all!" Kei shouted, shoving the paper into Kimi's shaking hands.

Kerica watched as Kimi read the paper as well, and her friend streamed tears, "Sasuke, is he alright?" she had heard plenty of the boy from both of them, and felt concerned. She reached up and tried wiping Kimi's tears to no avail.

Kei punched the floor, the wood splintering from the force of the chakra leakage in the hit, "He's fine, but we're no long allowed to see him, and he's no longer allowed to see us. We've been forced to stay away from Konoha! Even dad!" he punched the ground again; "We're his family! Why?!"

Keri caught his hand and nuzzled her cheek against it, "Kei-kun…please…" she felt herself pulled into a tight embrace, and she endured it, hugging him back.

Mejiro had come in at the commotion. He took the note from the stunned fingers of Kimi and read it, "It says the council has ruled that this must be so," he said thoughtfully, "The Hokage himself would've had Sasuke sent here in any other matter, but the three others on the council are a tricky bunch. There must've been a sick and twisted reason behind all of this…"

Mejiro saw Kimi had hung her shoulders and head. He hummed to himself and smiled, "Kimi, the Kage is sending me over to negotiate a three-way bridge contract between both Suna and Konoha, for those like your brother who get seasick but have family. He said I may take one assistant," he looked at her with a smile, hoping she would get the hint.

Kimi slowly turned her head towards Mejiro, "…W-what about my mother? H-how can we tell her about this…?"

Kei shook against Kerica's tiny body. How? How could this happen to his family he saw not but a few days ago.

Kimi swallowed and brushed the tears away. "I'll go with you, Mejiro…"

Mejiro smiled softly and fingered her hair, "I'll go with you now to help with the news, and then tell them my plan. Who knows who might be working for the council undercover, so we'll have to be quick. Only pack a few days worth of clothes, Kimi, and we'll leave before dawn." He looked at Kei who held Kerica like she was his lifeline. He sighed softly and folded the letter, placing it in his pocket.

Kerica rocked Kei back and forth gently, "I'm here…"

Mejiro looked at Kimi sadly, "Let's go, Kimi, now."

Kimi cast a last glance at Kei before following Mejiro. Her head down, and silent…

Kei stayed in the state he was until later when he fell asleep.

Mejiro waited until Hiroki had calmed Rosemary down. He smiled sadly, "I know how much Sasuke means for everyone in this family, and Kimi and Kei have told Keri plenty of him. I've heard Kimi also has a special connection with Sasuke."

Mejiro watched as Kimi passed from her room to the bathroom to get hygiene items and then she travelled back to her room, "I am going to Konoha and Suna to discuss a three-way bridge. The Kage has promised me a single assistant. I doubt she'll be stopped from going with me anyway, but I wanted to ask your permission to take Kimi."

Rose shook against her husband as Hiroki sighed. "Yes...it's fine...."

"H-how could this happen? My sister…my brother-in-law…my nephews…how?" Rose sobbed into her Hiroki's shoulder.

"Shhh, it's going to be alright, love." Hiroki soothed.

Mejiro bowed respectfully before going to see how Kimi was doing.. He noted the expression of determination, "Pack your darkest colored clothes, and all your weapons. We'll be doing a lot of travelling as well," he explained.

Kimi smiled slightly up at Mejiro. "Hai, I understand…how do you think he's doing?"

Mejiro shook his head, "I do not know, but we'll find out," he promised, "We'll help him best we can."

----------

Mejiro and Kimi were just arriving in Konoha after confirming bridge connection with Suna. He booked an apartment for himself and Kimi and took her up to the room, "Wash up, Kimi, eat and go ahead and walk around if you wish. I suggest the Academy," he grinned at her with a big wink.

Kimi nodded with a small smile before she took off to find her dear Sasuke.

Sasuke watched all the other kids, annoyed with their wooing and gushing, and their words of pity. He felt it unimportant to lash out, just no reason for it. So, instead, he just pretended to be aloof and focused on anything other than their faces. He'd heard plenty of bullies try and gain a reaction from him by speaking badly of his family. The Uchiha had still been emotional that first day, so he had punched one prick and the other jerks he had pinned to the wall with shuriken. After that mishap, hard, lifeless stares and glares did the trick, and hardly anyone except girls approached him after that.

Sasuke now was walking aimlessly during their playtime, girls following him everywhere he walked, giggling and doing a horrible job at concealing themselves. He sighed and heard the girls scream. Glancing up at the tree he jumped up and hooked his hands around a low branch before swinging upwards. The girls awed and he rolled his eyes, looking out over the fence.

What he saw made his heart stop and speed up again. The figure was covered in black, but her concerned amethyst eyes told him everything, "KIMI!" He screamed in desperation. Jumping down he ignored the scraped on his knees, and shoved passed the fangirls. The unforgotten tears streamed passed his cheeks and he easily avoided Iruka even as the Chunin opened the gate door for him and followed after.

Sasuke stumbled as he kept running, but eventually he collapsed into his beloved's arms, "Kimi! Kimi, Kimi, Kimi…" he sobbed and buried his face in her shoulder.

Kimi held Sasuke in her arms as tight as she could without hurting. One single night ruined their lives forever. "It's okay Sasuke-kun…I'm here now…I'm here…"

Upon hearing whispers that sounded more like hisses, Kimi looked up only to find the fangirls glaring at her. She shifted uncomfortably and pulled back from Sasuke.

"I don't have much time to spend with you, Sasuke. I'm not really supposed to see you right now. Let's go somewhere else." Kimi suggested.

Sasuke nodded and heard Iruka call play hour over and he ushered all the kids inside. He smiled at her weakly, "A little time is better than none," he murmured, "Lead me to somewhere safe..." he kissed her cheek and fixed her hood back over her head.

Kimi took Sasuke's hand and lead him out the gate. She turned down a street that lead to the park. Once there she stopped, "I'm really glad you're alright, Sasuke. I don't know what I would have done if you had been killed too." she said with tears in her eyes.

Sasuke hugged her close, "I'm so glad you're here...Arigato for coming. Are you here alone?" he asked softly.

"Hai, I think so. I'm here with a friend whose building a three way bridge. I'm not really supposed to be here to talk to you, but...well I'm here anyway." Kimi said with a wiry smile.

Sasuke hugged her, "Arigato," he sighed and nuzzled her neck, "We…should both get back, or bad things might happen. I'm happy I got to see you again," he caressed her cheek.

Kimi nodded, "Hai, me too. Maybe we will see each other again…"

Sasuke smiled weakly, "Hopefully, but there were plenty who saw you…I'll most likely be secretly guarded," he whispered in her ear, "The tree house, meet me there," he smiled, "I'll take different paths each time so they don't suspect, but if I don't come, don't panic. Though, use your flute to let me know if you there," he pulled out a black flute of his own, but it was half the size of an actual flute, only six inches long, "I'll do likewise, 'kay?"

Kimi nodded firmly, taking the flute and holding as if it were to break. "I will……promise you'll stay safe." the young ninja asked with pledging eyes.

"Of course, you do the same," Sasuke kissed her cheek just as he heard Iruka-sensei call his name, "I've got to go…" he bit his lip, but then forced his feet to move, looking back at Kimi until his body turned the corner. He looked forward at his sensei who was smiling in an understanding manner, and for a strange reason Sasuke knew he could trust Iruka.

The nights passed and time ran short. Kimi had been suspected of keeping contact with Sasuke and the council had AMBU keep watch over both of them. Mejiro watched Kimi sadly as she stared hopelessly out into the night, the flute in her hands and softly playing. Another flute in the distance answered her, and Mejiro couldn't help but notice how sad and lonely both melodies were.

Mejiro turned when he heard a knock on a nearby pole and gasped softly, "Hokage-sama!" he bowed quickly. Kimi's flute stopped abruptly and she stood as well. The flute that had been playing with Kimi's melody noticed this and shot out an alarmed note and then stopped.

All was silent.

Then the Hokage smiled ruefully and tipped Mejiro's chin up and then ruffled Kimi's hair, "I am sorry for all the sadness you have been through, Kimi-chan. I know you will be leaving tomorrow, and I wanted to help you."

"Help with what, Hokage-sama?" Kimi asked innocently, hoping that he did not know about Sasuke's and hers meetings. She was already suspected and not allowed to leave the house without an escort, she can only fool those men so many times.

"Allowing you to see Sasuke again," the Hokage smiled at her, "I know you two are a special case. I sent my own trustworthy AMBU out to distract the Council's AMBU. It won't be for long, but long enough you two may say goodbye," he tapped her flute, "Go, Kimi-chan, quickly now."

Kimi burst into tears as she hugged the much older man. "Thank you!" she pulled away and raced off to Sasuke. She wanted to make sure she wasn't caught if she ran out of time, "Sasuke-kun! Phssss!" she whispered from the window. Sure it was raining, but she didn't care.

Sasuke was laying on his bed, his feet dangling off the side. He heard her and shot up, "Kimi!" he whispered back excitedly and went to the window, unlatching it and helping her inside. He hugged her, "I thought I wouldn't be able to see you again…"

"Hokage-sama is giving me some time to say...goodbye. Oh Sasuke I don't want to leave! I want to stay with you!" Kimi cried, hugging Sasuke closer.

"I want you to stay, too," Sasuke said softly hugging her back just as fiercely, "I don't know…how long this will last…but you'll always be with me," he promised, "They like considering me the last Uchiha. If you were around that would ruin their plans…they'd probably hurt you."

There was a pounding at the door.

Kimi jumped at the sound, clinging to Sasuke's arm. "I'm scared…" she whispered shakily.

Sasuke gripped her close, "Yes, what do you want?" he replied to the pounding in his usual annoyed tone.

"Open the door, Uchiha Sasuke. We have reason to believe there's another there with you without permission," the AMBU officer growled back.

"Why should I?" Sasuke snapped, "Leave me be!"

To their horror, the door was broken down instead of being shoved aside. "So you ARE here, you little brat!" the officers barged in and one grabbed Kimi while the other snatched Sasuke.

Though they tried tearing them apart, Sasuke latched his hands on Kimi's wrists and Kimi did the same, "Kimi!" Sasuke shouted. He winced as the AMBU dug his fingers into his sides, but he did not falter. He saw the other officer pull out a Kunai and aim it at Kimi's neck.

Both stilled.

"Don't…" Sasuke choked, images of that night and his brother flashing by, "Don't hurt her!" he sobbed.

"Let her go, and she'll be fine," the officer purred.

Sasuke locked onyx with amethyst but his vision was quickly blurred. He let his grip lessen even as Kimi tightened hers, "Kimi…Gomenasai…I can't…let them hurt you…" He did not let her go completely, but his grip was lose enough all they had to do was yank her away.

So they did.

She screamed for him, he screamed for her. They held out pleading hands in each other's direction…

Yet, they were ripped apart. So, Sasuke's hatred began.