A/N: Phew, sorry for the wait, guys. This chapter had me stuck for a moment. I got a lot of reactions from you guys about not wanting Kaede to leave. Well... I hope I'm not disappointing you with the outcome of that plot point. xD Enjoy!

Kakashi stood on the hospital roof, looking over the village.

She has to be somewhere here, he thought. She shouldn't be able to move at all, let alone run away from the village. It's a wonder she got out of the hospital.

Naruto and Iruka had spread out throughout the village. The only times Kakashi had seen Naruto chase after someone so determinedly was when… Sasuke showed up.

"I won't lose my family again! I won't allow it!"

Those were the words he had left Kakashi with before he took off into the village.

A golden flash in the west district had him moving.

Kaede!

He rushed towards the source, hoping that it was really her.

As he rushed into an abandoned alley, he knew for sure.

"Kaede!"

Kaede, who was walking slowly, brushing her arm against a wall for support, stopped abruptly and turned around. As soon as she saw Kakashi, she gasped and turned around completely.

Both of them were panting. They stood, staring at each other until Kakashi caught his breath again. He straightened, but stayed at a distance.

"You're back to normal," he said softly.

Kaede blushed in response and looked away.

"What are you doing, Kaede?" asked Kakashi calmly. "What are you running away from?"

Kaede was still panting. She was really pushing herself to keep herself standing.

"I'm sorry," she said breathlessly.

"Stop apologizing," said Kakashi. "You have nothing to apologize about."

"I've killed!" retorted Kaede, her tear-filled eyes looking straight at him. "I killed another man! Another!"

Kakashi took a step closer, careful not to frighten her in her confused state.

Tears were streaming down Kaede's face. "How could I possibly live with myself? After all I've done… I disgust myself!

"Kaede!" Kakashi found himself grasping her shoulders. The way Kaede's eyes widened with surprise told him he'd startled her. But for now, he didn't care. He wanted his words to get through to her. "It wasn't your fault! It wasn't you! I don't know what that other personality of yours is, but it definitely isn't you!"

Suddenly, he felt her weaken under his grip. He caught her in his arms before she could collapse.

"Kaede!"

Her eyes were still half-open. She was really pushing herself.

"Hang on," he whispered. "I'll get you back to the hospital. We'll figure out something. But you need to recover first."

A frail hand reached up to his chest, grasping his shirt. A pair of blue eyes met his, pleading.

"I want to see what I've done," panted Kaede. "I want to see Iwao."

"What?"

Kakashi froze. Was she serious? Was she really planning to see the despicable sight of what had remained of Ishii's body? She'd never get over it. And in her current weakened state, she might even suffer a terrible mental shock.

"No."

Kaede held her breath after that one short word. She stared at him in confusion.

"W-what?"

"No," repeated Kakashi. "You're not going to see him."

"Kakashi—"

"I won't let you go there. I'll make sure you won't go there."

Kaede made a weak attempt to push herself away from Kakashi, but he held on. She would collapse if he let go of her, anyway.

"Kakashi, I did something terrible and I can't even remember!" protested Kaede.

"You're not going," said Kakashi again. "You won't be able to handle it if you see it, anyway."

Kaede froze, looking him straight in the eye.

"You saw it…" Her eyes went wide and her face went pale. "You saw me in… in that state?"

Kakashi kept silent. There was no use denying it. She would have found out sooner or later.

"Did… Did I… attack you?" she asked carefully.

Again, Kakashi didn't say a word. He just couldn't lie to her.

Kaede squirmed again.

"I'm so… ashamed," she whispered between sobs. "How can I ever… face you and Naruto again… after this?"

"I'm not blaming you," said Kakashi calmly. "Look at me."

She looked at him, seemingly reluctantly.

"I'm not blaming you for anything," he said while locking her gaze into his. "And that's the truth. Naruto and I will do everything we can to help you get through this. You're not alone."

Kaede looked down, allowing her bangs to shade her eyes. She leaned her forehead against his chest. He could feel her warm breath, and the warm tears staining his shirt.

"I don't want this," she whispered. "I want to be normal. I've killed so many… I should be locked up. Or better yet—"

"Stop right there," said Kakashi. He let his hands slide down her upper arms, grabbing them firmly, and knelt down in front of her. "Don't say that. I don't know what I'd do if you were…"

Kaede blinked, a blush staining her cheeks.

"We'll get through this," said Kakashi. "You, me… and Naruto. You're not alone."

After a long silence, Kaede nodded weakly.

"Kakashi?" she whispered, looking away shyly.

"Hm?"

"Did Naruto… see me as well?" she asked carefully. "When I was… like that? Did I attack him as well?"

But before Kakashi could answer, he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"No."

Kaede looked up. Kakashi looked behind him, as well.

Naruto stood at the corner of the alley. He looked at Kaede without blinking.

"You haven't attacked me," he said. It took a few seconds before he added: "… Nee-chan."

Kaede gasped quietly. Kakashi looked back at her, meeting a pair of ocean blue eyes, questioning. Then he stood up, releasing one arm, but keeping his other hand on the other arm to support her currently frail being.

Naruto approached the two quietly and stopped in front of Kaede. He stared at her face for a long time. Kakashi felt Kaede trembling lightly. He didn't know whether it was because of her being exhausted, or because of her suspicion of Naruto knowing the secret she had kept from him since the discovery she had made about him.

Finally, Naruto slowly raised his hands, reaching out to her. Kaede flinched a little, but stayed where she stood. Kakashi noticed how she leaned just a little more towards him. Was it for support? Or was she anxious?

In a sudden movement, Naruto wrapped his arms around her shoulders, holding her in a tight embrace. Kakashi let go of her arm and took a step back. At that same moment, he heard Iruka approaching behind him. He stopped next to Kakashi and looked at the two blondes embracing each other.

Kaede's eyes were wide at first, but then she reached up to Naruto's upper back, allowing herself to lean against him. Despite their age difference, Naruto was slightly taller than Kaede.

Naruto tightened his embrace.

"Why didn't you tell me, Nee-chan?" Kakashi heard him whisper.

"I'm sorry," replied Kaede. "I only found out when I learned your last name. I didn't want to tell you when we weren't getting along well."

Naruto chuckled and leaned back, supporting her by keeping his hands against her shoulders. "I thought it was suspicious for you to be so nice to me, all of a sudden," he said with a smirk.

Kaede smiled weakly at him. "We did get off the wrong foot, didn't we?"

"Yeah," said Naruto. "But don't worry. I'll remodel my Sexy Jutsu."

N-Naruto… Kakashi felt ashamed for his former student. Of all the things he could've said in response…

Kakashi saw Iruka move beside him from the corner of his eye, pressing his palm against his forehead and shaking his head.

Kaede frowned, raising her arm slowly and bumping her fist against the top of his head weakly.

"Don't ever use that technique again!" she scolded. "Idiot." But then she smiled again.

Then suddenly, her eyes fell closed and her body tilted forward. Naruto caught her as she collapsed. Kakashi and Iruka rushed over to help.

"Kaede!"

"She's ok," said Naruto. And after taking a good look at her, Kakashi saw that she was breathing steadily and her face looked peaceful. He saw Naruto smiling down at her as she was sleeping in her brother's arms.

This had been one night they would never forget.

A/N: Oh hey, an attempt at being funny, long time no see...! Heh. At least it's not another cliffie. But what will happen to Kaede from here? You'll find out soon. *write, write*