A/N: Phew. I think I spent a total of about 8 hours on this chapter. I worked my ass of to upload it as soon as possible for you guys. Still, it practically wrote itself, but there were a few parts that had me stuck for quite a while.

Still, I didn't want to bug you with that mean cliffie longer than necessary. Let's move on! :D

"Kaede…" whispered Kakashi.

Once he had caught the first glimpse of her long, golden hair, his heart jumped. She was alive. She was alive!

But as soon as she'd turned to face him and Naruto, he knew this was not the Kaede he knew and had recently grown to have deep feelings for.

No. This was the other Kaede. The one he had seen before in the village; the one who had spoken up to him on the training fields. This was the side of Kaede who had expressed her confusion over her own identity, even if she had shown herself for less than one minute.

And here she was, standing a few metres away from him. He could no longer deny it: Kaede's personality was split.

But this…

There was blood on her cheek and clothes, and it was not hers. Moreover, she tried to flee, to escape before he and Naruto could find her. Apparently she knew it was pointless to run any further once they caught up to her. She stood, unmoved, giving the two shinobi a look that could kill.

Kakashi loved her. He loved her so much. But he wasn't blind; all the facts now suddenly pointed towards her. He didn't want it to be true, but even in this insane turn of events he had to be rational. It wasn't like he hadn't considered the possibility at all. In fact, the thought had crossed his mind for only a moment. But then he thought that Kaede was neither emotionally nor physically able to kill.

Was her other self really capable of killing people, let alone to this sadistic extend? Was that really possible? Kaede?

But there was no longer denying it. Kaede was responsible for this and most likely all the others in the chain of identical murders… which had started when she was merely five years old.

She's been killing since she was only five…

"Kaede-neechan…"

Naruto's voice caught part of his attention as he still focussed on every movement Kaede made.

"Don't tell me… Don't tell me you killed…"

It seemed like Naruto figured it out, as well.

"Do you know what it's like not to know who you really are?" The memory of the last time he met this other side of Kaede kept rewinding in the back of his head.

"Naruto," he spoke up, straightening, trying to sound as calm as possible. "Listen to me. This woman standing in front of us is not the Kaede you know."

The icy cold eyes were now aimed at Kakashi. Her eyebrows twitched into a light frown. Kakashi tried to ignore the aching feeling in his chest the look in her eyes gave him.

"What do you mean, Kakashi-sensei?" asked Naruto.

"Now I'm positive," said Kakashi. "Kaede's personality is split."

Naruto turned his head to look at him. "Split personality? And you've seen her like this before?"

"Yes, but back then, I wasn't sure," said Kakashi. He sighed. "I was hoping I was wrong." He took a few steps closer towards Kaede. "I never thought you'd be capable of doing something like killing. And in such a brutal way."

Kaede remained unmoved as the rain was washing off the blood on her face. When had it started to rain?

"Why do you do it?" asked Kakashi quietly.

He took another step forwards. Kaede took a step backward in response.

Are you scared of me, as well? Just like your other self was in the beginning?

"If you're not going to answer that question, then answer this one: who are you?"

The frown on her face deepened as her eyes widened and she gritted her teeth.

Kakashi felt danger approaching. Instinctively, he took a giant leap backward, landing back beside Naruto. It seemed like he'd dodged just in time. Where he stood just a second ago, leaves and twigs were getting completely torn up by what seemed like millions of needles, so thin that they were almost invisible. He reached for his forehead protector, uncovering his Sharingan eye. Now he could see the small blades perfectly, but there was an uncountable lot of them.

It can't be… the Air Blade Jutsu? But how does she know how to use it? It's a Bloodline Technique that hasn't been used for decades!

"Kakashi-sensei… That chakra… It looks just like my Rasen Shuuriken."

"Yeah." Kakashi never took his eyes off of Kaede. This was getting dangerous. "Your mother's clan specialized in techniques based on wind chakra. They created powerful moves that could be fatal to their every opponent. Your Rasen Shuuriken is a combination of spatial and elemental recomposition. Your wind chakra makes it pretty much an ideal attack, because of its destructive power, yet you have perfect control over the shape and the chakra flow."

Kaede seemed to be interested as well in what Kakashi was telling Naruto. As Kakashi explained further, he wasn't just talking to Naruto; he wanted Kaede to listen as well.

"Kaede just used a Bloodline Technique called Air Blade. It does the same thing to air as your Rasen Shuuriken does: manipulate pieces of air to into thin needles, or in this case, blades. The difference is that Rasen Shuuriken requires full control of your chakra. Air Blade is a pure elementally recomposed technique that can't be controlled. That's why it became a Forbidden Technique a few decades ago. The Uzumaki clan stopped using the technique, agreeing that it was too dangerous. Your mother never learned to perform it."

"Then how can Kaede-neechan perform a Bloodline Technique that runs in my clan?" asked Naruto.

He still hasn't figured it out? Kakashi sighed quietly.

Kaede's ever-cold gaze was aimed at Naruto now, triggering an instinctive reaction from Kakashi, who stood in front of Naruto in a flash, taking a defensive stance.

"Kaede… Stop this. You're not seriously going to attack Naruto?"

The look in her eyes sharpened.

"Look out!"

Kakashi pushed Naruto backwards, dodging a new wave of sharp air blades. This time, Kaede didn't stop here. She aimed the blades like missiles towards both Kakashi and Naruto, even after they'd split up.

"Naruto! Get back!"

Naruto dodged the blades as skilfully as the Fourth Hokage would have done.

As Kakashi kept dodging as well, he was puzzled about how well she could control the direction of the blades.

The Air Blade Technique was said to be an uncontrollable technique. Then how come she can aim them so well? Unless…

Another glimpse of her eyes made him realize: Of course! It's not the technique itself that's uncontrollable! It's the person using it who gets out of control!

"Naruto," he instructed, "let's get out of her sight!"

"Got it," replied Naruto, dodging his way up into a tree. Kakashi did the same and jumped from tree to tree until the blades no longer reached him. He saw Naruto a little further away. When he looked his way, Kakashi gestured for him to get to the top of a tree further ahead. Naruto nodded and jumped ahead, while Kakashi looked back to see if Kaede was still in sight. He heard the rustling sounds of running footsteps on the ground behind him.

She's trying to chase after us. As long as we're up here, she won't find us. Thank goodness these woods are thick and she's not a shinobi.

He jumped on top of the highest branch of the tree, where Naruto was waiting for him.

"What should we do, Kakashi-sensei?" whispered Naruto. "We can't attack her."

"No, we can't," replied Kakashi. "Naruto, listen carefully. We're going back and try to make her go back to her normal self. That's the only way to stop her."

"How are we gonna do that?"

"I'll try and restrain her. I want you to back me up in case… in case something goes wrong." He knew the risks pretty well. If this plan failed, he might not be able to dodge her next attack… and that would be the end.

"I believe you."

That was her response when he made the promise not to let her get harmed ever again just last afternoon. Now, less than 24 hours later, she was a completely different person. She must have gotten hurt for her to become like this. She had wandered so far from her true self, that her alter ego was out of control in a way so extreme that she couldn't even speak anymore.

I'm the worst…

But still… Kaede had to be in there somewhere. The real Kaede. The one who truly, deeply cares for her brother; the Kaede who shyly left his apartment after kissing him.

He had never before felt this strongly for anyone. Even in the short time that Kaede had been back in his life, he loved her. He wasn't just in love with her, no, he really loved her. He was certain that this girl, despite their previous relation as surrogate brother and sister, despite their age difference, despite everything that had happened, belonged to him. They belonged to each other.

"Kakashi-sensei…"

He could hear in the way Naruto said his name that he was surprised at his willingness to risk his life for Kaede.

This will work. I won't let you lose your family again, Naruto.

"Ready? Let's move."

Careful not to make any sound, the two rushed down the tree, standing still on just a few thick branches above the lowest branches of the tree. Kakashi had already spotted her. She was looking bewilderedly around her, destroying every little spot where there was the slightest movement.

Shit… If she keeps this up, she'll end up using too much chakra. And she doesn't have that much to begin with.

Kakashi looked over to Naruto, who was waiting for his signal. Kakashi nodded. Naruto nodded back and they made their way down.

Kakashi sped to Kaede's back, grabbing her upper arms and pulling them against her back, careful not to make it too painful for her. Kaede gasped, but did no more than moan and struggle to get out of his grip. Kakashi held her in his grip with ease.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "Stop struggling. You'll only make it more painful for yourself."

Kaede's struggles only became stronger. Her moans turned into loud screams.

This other personality really can't talk… Maybe back on the training fields, she was somehow floating between two personalities.

Naruto stood further away, standing ready to dodge if necessary.

"Kaede," said Kakashi as calmly as possible. "Come back to us. This isn't the real you."

Kaede stopped screaming, but kept struggling in his grip.

"Back on the training fields, you told me how confused and upset you were, not knowing who you really are."

His heart jumped a little when his Sharingan picked up another wave of thin blades destroying everything around them. It seemed that she couldn't aim behind her.

This time he forced her down onto her knees. "Stop it. You're gonna get yourself killed if you keep this up."

"Kakashi-sensei, are you ok?" yelled Naruto, running closer by.

"Stay there," instructed Kakashi.

"But—"

"I'm fine. Keep your distance."

Naruto stood for a few seconds, then nodded and went back a little.

Kakashi looked back at Kaede. He couldn't see her face. He wasn't even sure he wanted to see it as it was. It hurt him to see her like this.

But he had to keep trying.

"Kaede. I'm not saying I understand how you feel. There's no way I could. But I can tell you that this isn't the real you. The real Kaede is a kind young woman, a precious friend…" He looked at Naruto. "… and a loving sister."

Naruto's eyes went wide.

"Sister?"

Kakashi looked back at Kaede, whose struggles started to weaken. "Uzumaki Kaede. Please go back to your normal self. You're not a murderer. You'd never harm anyone."

Naruto watched, speechless.

I'm sorry you had to find out this way, thought Kakashi.

Suddenly, Kaede stopped struggling.

"Kaede?" asked Kakashi, staying alert just in case.

"I… I just wanted to destroy everyone who made me miserable."

The owner of that voice was Kaede, but it still wasn't her normal voice.

Could this mean she's reverting back?

"Killing isn't the answer," said Kakashi softly.

"My other self… is so gullible and weak," continued Kaede. "She can't do anything, she's clumsy and has no courage."

"Having the power to kill doesn't make anyone better than others," said Kakashi. "That's not what real strength is about. It's ok not to be strong."

"It's not ok to be weak," retorted Kaede. "The weakness in this very heart is what created me. And it's what allows me to come out." She shifted under his grip. "I hate my other self. But at the same time, I want to protect her. If it weren't for me, she probably would have lost it and get herself killed." She tried to turn her head and look at Kakashi, but could only look at him from the corner of her eye.

"I know I'm not the actual me." Tears were staring to well up in her eyes. "But I can't just disappear like I never existed."

"Then, do you want to go on living to hate and kill, like you do now?" Kakashi spoke up. "If you can't enjoy living, why bother living in the first place?"

Kaede looked away. "She needs me…"

"I'm here for her now," said Kakashi. "She doesn't need you anymore."

He could hear her soft sobs, masked by the sound of the rain tapping on every leaf, every rock around them.

Naruto finally came closer, standing beside Kaede. She looked up at him.

"Naruto—" started Kakashi, but Naruto spoke up.

"Nee-chan…" Kakashi felt Kaede tense under the way he addressed her. Naruto continued. "Bring my sister back. This is all really weird, but if she really is my sister," he glanced at Kakashi for a second before looking back to her, "then this means she's the only family I have left. And I'm the only family she has left. And if you take my family away from me, I won't forgive you."

Kaede looked from him to Kakashi, who nodded slowly. Then she frowned and looked at the ground.

Kakashi reacted instantly as he suddenly felt her weaken. She collapsed in his arms. Kakashi turned her around, holding her against his chest.

"Kaede?"

Her eyes were closed and all facial expression was gone.

Kakashi pressed his fingertips against the upper side of her neck. Her heartbeat was shallow and slightly irregular.

She used up too much chakra.

"Nee-chan!" Naruto crouched by her side. "Nee-chan, wake up! Kakashi-sensei…"

"We have to get her to a hospital," said Kakashi. He carried her and stood up. Naruto stood up as well, not taking his eyes off of Kaede. Then they took off, rushing back to Konoha. Neither of them spoke a word as they ran as fast as they could to the hospital.

The hospital room was dark and quiet. Naruto sat in a chair beside the bed. Kakashi stood at the end of the bed, watching Kaede breathe slowly and quietly.

"… Kakashi-sensei," whispered Naruto, breaking the silence. "I don't want you to talk about what happened back there. To anyone."

Kakashi looked at him. Naruto had never taken his eyes off of Kaede since she got out of the operation room.

"I want to protect her, too," said Kakashi softly. "You have to believe me, I want nothing more than for her to be safe and happy. But I think you know as well as I do that we can't keep this a secret from the Fifth Hokage. As shinobi, we can't dishonour ourselves by lying to our superior."

"What'll happen to her?" asked Naruto, sounding more than anxious.

"… I don't know," admitted Kakashi. "It's not like we haven't had any cases like this before. We've seen people with homicidal alter egos. But they were locked up, sealed away from the outer world, so that they could never harm anyone again. But Kaede…" He sighed. "She's the daughter of the Fourth Hokage… and your sister. And her real personality is the gentle young woman who understands other people's feelings, and always says the right things. But it doesn't take her – no, her alter ego's actions away. She committed several murders. Even though it wasn't Kaede's fault."

"I won't allow Granny Tsunade to have her locked away," said Naruto. "I won't let her do that. I promise. I promise you that, Nee-chan. And I don't go back on my word. That's my way of the ninja."

Right after he said it, the door opened and Iruka stepped into the room.

"Naruto, Kakashi," he said. "The Hokage wants to see you in her office immediately."

Naruto stood up. "Iruka-sensei… But Nee-chan hasn't woken up yet! I won't leave her!"

"She needs a familiar face when she wakes up, Iruka," said Kakashi. "She'll probably be disoriented when she wakes up to find herself in a hospital bed. Not to mention what she's been through for the past couple hours."

"I'll stay here in your stead," said Iruka. "Tsunade wants to see both of you. It's an order."

Kakashi stood, silent for a moment, but then nodded. "Ok then. Naruto, let's go."

"It's ok, Naruto," said Iruka soothingly. "She knows me. I'll make sure she won't wake up alone. She'll be ok."

Naruto looked from Iruka to Kakashi, who nodded in response.

"Alright," he then muttered. "Let's get this over with quickly."

"Thanks, Iruka," said Kakashi. He took one more look at Kaede before he and Naruto both reluctantly left the room and made their way to Tsunade's office.

A/N: *Rubs own shoulder* Ain't nothin' as satisfyin' as solving a cliffhanger. :) Please do let me know what you think of how things turned out. :3