A/N: Oh, my, goodness. It's been WAY too long since my last update! I've been so terribly busy, and after the busy stuff came the travel through the south of Japan, and now I'm finally back home!

In an attempt to compensate for the extremely long wait, I've made this chapter extra long, and I'm working on the next one right now.

So everyone, I'm very sorry, and I hope you'll like this chapter. ^^

Naruto hated it. He hated that he couldn't do anything for Kaede. He hated that he hadn't realized sooner that she was his sister. He hated that they had to part when they had only just come to know of each other's existence.

He wanted to get to know her. To get to know what it was like to have a family. He had grown up alone without knowing the warmth and care of a mother, the fun and support of a father, heck, what he would have given to know the bossiness and guidance of an older sibling.

Why did it have to turn out like this? He didn't blame Kaede, himself, his parents or Kakashi. It was no one's fault. Yet he was angry.

He took another glance at Kaede as they were packing the few belongings she had out of her apartment, and a survival kit for the next few days. Kaede was smiling a non-genuine smile as she picked up some clothes out of a drawer.

Naruto didn't feel like smiling at all.

"I'll do anything to get to live peacefully in Konoha again," Kaede had said to the Hokage.

"You can't be serious!" Naruto had exclaimed. "Nee-chan! They're locking you away like some sort of nutcase!"

But Kaede had merely looked at him with a smile.

"I am," she had said half jokingly. "I am a nutcase. As long as I don't do anything about this, it could happen again any time. It's really for the best. For all of us."

Naruto had seen the tears that had welled up in her eyes. She really wanted to stay here. But he also knew she was right.

And he didn't want the people of Konoha to treat her the same way they had treated him all his life.

"I think that's all," Kaede's voice woke him up from his thoughts. "Luckily, I don't have that much stuff to begin with."

"Nee-chan…"

Kaede zipped her small backpack closed and swung it on to her back.

"Kind of weird to move out when I've just moved in," she said with a smirk.

He could hear she was acting. She'd settled here because she wanted to stay in the first place.

But if she wants to keep positive, then so will I. We're from the Uzumaki clan. We can make it through anything.

"I'll make sure no one takes this place 'till you get back," said Naruto with the same smirk.

Kaede chuckled briefly. Then she stepped towards him and wrapped her arms around him. Naruto, surprised at first, returned the hug with a chuckle.

"Nee-chan… That's like the 10th time you're hugging me," he said.

"I'm gonna miss you," said Kaede, holding him a little tighter.

"We still have a few days," said Naruto. "Kakashi-sensei and I are taking you there, remember?"

"I know," replied Kaede. Her voice was a bit shaky and her embrace loosened a little. "But I want to hold you while I still can. We're already leaving tomorrow morning."

Naruto tightened his embrace.

"I want you to stay," he whispered.

Kaede gave him one more squeeze before she let go and placed her hands on his shoulders.

"You look so much like our father," she said. One tear was hanging aimlessly from the corner of her left eye, waiting to be shed, but being held back by forced courage. The kind of tears Naruto knew very well. "And you talk like our mother. They would've been proud of what you've grown up to be, Naruto. I know I am. I'm glad that I finally got to meet you. And we'll have a lot of catching up to do when I get back. I'll be fine," she added suddenly as her voice started to shake again.

"Nee-chan…" Naruto wasn't sure what to say.

"Really, I will," continued Kaede. "I'll be back before you know it. You'd better be stronger by then. You'll have to be pretty damn good in order to surpass Father."

Naruto felt a smirk tug at the corners of his mouth again. He watched as Kaede rubbed her left eye before turning towards the door.

"Ok, let's go," she said.

The two of them went outside, and Kaede locked the front door as if she was just going out for groceries. As they started walking, Kaede stared at the keys for a brief moment before she held them in front of Naruto's face.

"I can trust you won't lose these?" she asked with a smile.

Naruto smiled back and took the keys. "I'll guard them with my life," he said.

Kaede's smile widened into a smirk that could have been his own.

You say I'm taking after Mom and Dad, he told her mentally. But Nee-chan, I think I'm a lot like you, as well.

They could see the apartment building at the end of the street when Naruto spoke up.

"Tell me why you're staying at Kakashi-sensei's tonight again?" he asked, a kind of suspicious undertone in his voice.

Kaede sighed softly. "Because you two are assigned not to leave me out of your sight. Kakashi has a sofa that I can sleep on tonight; you don't."

"I still find it suspicious," muttered Naruto.

"Trust me, you don't need to be," replied Kaede half-honestly. Truthfully, she was a bit anxious herself. To be alone in Kakashi's apartment with him… during the night…

No.

Kakashi wouldn't try anything. He was still her dearest friend, and this time it was genuine.

As for the… kiss… they had shared before all of this happened…

Kaede tried to suppress the blush she felt creeping up her cheeks.

What was she to do now with these new feelings? She might be gone for years. She couldn't make him wait that long for her. What was worse was that she wasn't sure he'd still be around by the time she…

She shivered slightly at the thought, but Naruto didn't seem to have noticed.

Kakashi was still waiting for her answer. Should she lie about it? So that he could move on with his life after she would say goodbye to them in a few days?

It hurt, but it seemed the best option for both of them.

Her anxiety grew with every step. How was he going to react? Would he fall for it? Would he accept it? Or would he be as stubborn as he had been since she came back to Konoha?

They went up the stairs. Just one more bit.

She was afraid to face him. Afraid that he wasn't going to believe her. He was a ninja, and he was in possession of Obito's Sharingan eye.

She forced herself to believe her own lie.

I don't love him.

She tried to ignore the twist in her stomach with that lie.

I don't love him.

She kept mentally repeating it over and over again.

I don't love him. I don't love him. I don't love him.

They stood in front of his front door, and Naruto knocked.

I don't love him. I don't—

In one swift movement, the door opened and Kakashi stood in the doorway, wearing his sleeveless shirt with the mask attached to it, and his usual trousers. His hair was messy as always. He looked exactly as he always did, except for the sleeveless shirt. Kaede stared at his uncovered arms for a split second, then she quickly looked at his face, hoping he didn't see that.

He was looking at her as well. There was always something in that open eye of his that made her feel a pleasant shiver run through her body. He looked as though he wanted to protect her, but his gaze was always even deeper than just that. She just couldn't quite put her finger on it.

… love him, the thought finally finished itself.

"Good, you're here," Kakashi spoke up. He slowly placed a gentle hand on Kaede's shoulder to guide her inside. Kaede felt her shoulder tingle under his touch. A part of her was telling her to get away from his touch, but she liked this touch. The kind that wasn't dangerous.

"You packed your stuff yet, Naruto?" asked Kakashi.

Naruto, who was still standing outside, shook his head.

"No, I'm gonna prepare for tomorrow," he said.

Kakashi nodded slowly. "Make sure you go to sleep early," he reminded him. "We're leaving early tomorrow."

"I know," replied Naruto. He glanced at Kaede, then looked back at Kakashi in suspicion. "You sure I can leave you two—"

Kakashi closed the door while Naruto was in mid-sentence, exhaling an annoyed sigh.

"HEY!" Naruto's voice sounded from outside.

Kaede looked at Kakashi. "Umm…"

"He'll be fine," said Kakashi.

Kaede frowned. "At least let me tell him good night," she said. "Geez."

She passed Kakashi in her motion to open the front door. She half-opened it, and Naruto was still there.

"It's ok, Naruto," she said. "Honest. Go home. Get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow, ok?"

Naruto glared at her for a while, but then finally nodded.

"Ok," he said. "Kakashi-sensei! You better not try anything!"

"Naruto…" Kaede sighed.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Nee-chan," said Naruto with a weak smile.

"… Yeah," replied Kaede. "Good night."

"G'night."

With that, Naruto walked off, and Kaede closed the door.

We're alone now…

She slowly turned around to find that Kakashi was looking at her.

It's ok, she told herself. As long as I convince him that I… don't… love him, he won't kiss me again.

… Why did she find that a sad thing?

She took a breath and forced a smile. "Umm… sorry for intruding," she spoke up the greeting used whenever entering another person's home. She slid her feet out of her shoes and stepped out of the threshold. Kakashi didn't make a move. Kaede looked up, into his onyx black eye, and felt her heart thump.

Stop it, stop it, she mentally scolded herself.

"Nervous?" asked Kakashi.

Tha-dump. Her heart again. It was beating so loudly, she was afraid he could hear it.

"… 'Nervous'?" she repeated. What did he mean by that?

Kakashi placed his right hand on top of her head.

Tha-dump.

Kaede flinched lightly. Her body started to shiver on its own. When she felt his hand move to the side of her head, sliding towards her cheek, she couldn't help a gasp. She didn't mean to do that.

Kakashi looked at her seriously. "About tomorrow and the next couple days," he elaborated. "About going to that clinic."

A feeling of relief took over her.

"Oh… Yes. Well, a little," she answered.

"You're gonna be ok," said Kakashi. After a short silence, he asked: "What did you think I meant?" His hand moved against her cheek, his palm brushing over her skin. She felt heat rise up her cheeks.

When she heard a muffled chuckle and saw the amusement in his open eye, she shrugged his hand off her cheek in irritation. "That's not funny," she said.

Kakashi stopped laughing and immediately looked serious again.

"Sorry," he said. "I was just kidding." He then turned around, walking to the small kitchen counter. "You want something to drink?" he asked without looking at Kaede.

Kaede cautiously walked further into the living space of the apartment. "I'm fine with anything," she answered.

"I'll make you some tea that'll help you sleep well tonight," said Kakashi.

Kaede couldn't hold back a nervous chuckle.

Kakashi turned his head around. "Did I say something funny?" he asked. She could hear the smile in his voice.

"Eh? Ah… No," said Kaede quickly. You made it sound like you're going to drug me or something, though…

"Go ahead and sit down," said Kakashi. "Make yourself comfortable."

Kaede sat down slowly on the sofa. Comfortable as it was, she still couldn't feel at ease. She could feel Kakashi was watching her, but somehow she was afraid to look back. Kakashi could probably feel her anxiety.

Kakashi put the kettle on and sat down next to Kaede, but at a proper distance. He leaned with his elbows on his lap and looked at her.

"It's kind of ironic, don't you think?" he asked.

Kaede carefully looked at him, and found a somewhat painful smile in his open eye.

"What is?" she asked.

"That we met each other again a few weeks ago after a good 15 years, and now you have to leave again," elaborated Kakashi. He chuckled, even that sounded forced and painful. "It's like it's fate's cruel irony."

Kaede looked away again, a twist in her stomach making her feel nauseous.

Don't do this…

"'Cruel', you say?" she replied without thinking. "Is it that bad?"

A short silence made her realize she shouldn't have said that. She looked back at Kakashi from the corner of her eye. He was looking at her in shock.

A pang of regret took over.

"I'm sorry," she said quickly.

"Why?" asked Kakashi.

"I-I shouldn't have… said that," Kaede's voice trailed off as the gaze in his open eye almost pierced into hers.

"No, why did you say it?" asked Kakashi.

"Nothing," said Kaede, her voice sounding weird with something like panic. "I just… didn't think I ever meant that… much…" She trailed off again as Kakashi's eyebrows turned into a deep frown. Now she actually felt panic take over. "I, I'm sorry! I wasn't, I mean…"

Kakashi took her shoulders with both hands, holding them in a slightly tight grip.

"You've always been important to me," said Kakashi firmly while locking her gaze into his. "When I found out you were alive, and even back in Konoha… I've never felt so incredibly happy, Kaede. And it only took me a few days to actually realize that I love you. I've always loved you. The very thought of losing you again…" He shook his head. "When I saw that body, and thought it was you… I lost it. I was furious. Kaede…"

His hands went up and down her arms, feeling them, as if he was making sure she was really here.

Kaede felt tears well up in her eyes as her breathing sped up. Her heart was pounding so hard she thought it was going to tear out of her chest any moment now.

Don't do this, Kakashi…

"You're changing me, Kaede," continued Kakashi. "Up 'till now, I've always been rational and calm. But since you've returned, I think about you, I want to protect you, I want to…" He broke off, making Kaede wonder what he was going to say. His eye widened with what seemed like realization, and he let go of her shoulders. A split second later, his face went back to its usual calm expression.

"Sorry," he said softly. "I'm scaring you."

As the kettle started to whistle, he stood up and walked towards the kitchen counter. On the way, he petted Kaede on the head as he walked past her. "I got ahead of myself," he said softly without looking at her. "I'm sorry."

Don't do this, she begged him repeatedly.

She heard him pouring the hot water into two cups. Her body was petrified – it even took effort to blink. What should she say to him after all that? What did he expect her to say? Or to do? He was making this so hard for her.

Her thoughts stopped along with all the other sounds around her. Why was it so quiet, all of a sudden?

"I'm sorry."

Two whispered words that interrupted the silence for only a second.

Kaede was still afraid to move.

"I didn't mean to frighten you," continued Kakashi, his voice low. "You know I wouldn't take advantage of your being here, right?"

Why are you always apologizing to me?

A large hand holding a cup of herb tea came closer to her. She slowly looked up to his face, the rest of her body still refusing to move.

Kakashi stared at her, and when Kaede didn't take the cup, he put it down on top of the table, along with his own cup and sat back down next to her on the couch. This time, he was a little closer to her.

Kaede felt her heart go like crazy as the rest of her body felt numb.

"I…" Her mouth started speaking up against her will, but her voice was hoarse. She cleared her throat at tried again, against her better judgement: "I know. I trust you."

She could see the relief in Kakashi's open eye as it relaxed back to its usual half-open state. "That's good," he whispered.

This conversation had become strangely intimate.

Kaede could feel every nerve in her body urging her body to get away from him as his hand slowly got closer, reaching out to her face.

Finally, Kaede's body started working again, and her hand automatically pushed his reached-out hand away. She gasped at her own motion.

Kakashi seemed surprised as well as he withdrew his hand.

"I'm sorry," she said immediately.

"What's the matter?" asked Kakashi.

Kaede felt her body tremble and her heart racing.

I have to say it. There's no going back now.

"I, I don't want you to touch me anymore," she blurted out. There. It was finally out.

Kakashi did nothing but stare at her in surprise.

"I'm sorry!" said Kaede more loudly than she had planned to speak. But now, everything just came rolling out and she couldn't seem to stop it anymore. "You're my closest friend and I know I can trust you! I feel safe around you, I feel happy when I'm with you, I feel loved! But I…" She took a gasp of air before she finally finished: "… I don't love you…" That didn't sound convincing at all. "N-not like that…" Her voice died away.

You idiot, she scolded herself. Kakashi didn't seem convinced at all. Kaede felt heat rising up to her cheeks. He's not buying it…! He doesn't believe me! What should I do? What should I do?

Kakashi caught her completely off-guard with what he did next.

Eh…?

A/N: Again, sorry for the long wait. I promise the next chapter will be up soon! I hope I haven't disappointed you guys with this chapter. Thanks for sticking with me and for being so patient and awesome!