About to launch a barrage of kunai at whoever was stupid enough to break into his apartment, he stopped, a familiar voice calling out with an amused laugh.

"Sasuke, I'm disappointed. You didn't even realize it was me."

Sasuke dropped the kunai and switched on the light. His face became stony. "Kakashi."

The older man laughed again, "Is that all the greeting I get, dear former student?"

Why were people so intent on harassing him today. He ignored the quip and continued, "Is there any good reason why you're lurking in my living room. I have to say I rather doubt it's because you miss me."

Kakashi was the same as he had been when they were children. He was still clever. And still dangerous. The silver haired man sat nonchalantly upon the sofa in Sasuke's sparsely furnished apartment. He shuffled four manila files in his hands and whistled.

"Out with it. What do you want, old man?" Sasuke sneered, he saw the folders and then realized why Kakashi was there, he had copies of the genin brats' file.

"You forgot these with the Hokage," he continued, an amused look visible even under his mask, "I thought you would want them."

Sasuke reached out and grabbed the files, "Why is there a file on me here?" he grunted.

"I thought you'd want it for reference. It's your old genin file,"

He didn't say anything, turning away from the older man, an unimpressed look upon his face. He hadn't noticed him walk toward the window, until the silver haired man was calling over his shoulder, "Don't forget, Sasuke, my son is on your team."

He nodded.

The smile was back. "If anything happens to him. I will hold you personally responsible."

And then he was gone.

Sasuke awoke before dawn, unperturbed by the earliness of the hour or the chat last night he diligently returned to the training fields. Expecting them to be empty.

The form of a slight Anbu training in his training grounds again made him grit his teeth. All of these disruptions to his routine were becoming much too bothersome. He continued on and ignored her presence entirely. Ignoring people was something Sasuke could do.

A few hours later Sasuke finished his morning workout and began to walk away, not a word exchanged between the two parties. He heard the swift steps of someone pursuing him. It was the Anbu.

She caught up easily, standing beside him she started, "Uchiha-san, I'm sorry I was rude to you. I have-," she stopped, almost giving something personal away. Starting again, in a tone of composure that belied years of practice. "I would only like to fulfill my mission as the Hokage orders."

He ignored her except for the slightest nod of his head and the two went their separate ways. No doubt he would be seeing her again soon.

Gin stared up at the ceiling of the small bedroom he had shared with his sister since birth. The light of the day filtering through the window panes. He wondered about his newly assigned teacher. Uchiha Sasuke. One time traitor one time savior of the Hidden Leaf. He knew his father had been his sensei and that he possessed powerful eyes but aside from that his knowledge of the man was limited. His father refused to tell him anything about the man and most other people regarded him as someone to be feared and also resented.

The fear he felt the day before still lingered. The shock of those swirling red eyes boring into his own after releasing the genjutsu stayed with him. The image of his sister, a limp mass centered on a pool of crimson blood haunted his memory. He glanced over at her, she slept peacefully, breathing steady and even.

He thought about the dead look on his teammates eyes. The feeling of helplessness that permeated the air between him and Yuu. It was a feeling he never wanted to experience again. He needed to be stronger. Someone like that man could do it. He could feel it.

A new sense of determination permeated his being, clouding over the fear the still trickled deep within him, and he walked to the Hokage tower, looking for his mother.

Entering with the grace of someone practically born in the Hokage's office he lacked the feelings of tension and intimidation many people felt when summoned to her edifice.

He could walk to her office blindfolded and walked quickly waving and saying good morning to the resident workers who were familiar with his frequent presence. Catching the two Anbu posted outside her door he slowed around the corner, hoping they wouldn't see him. Suddenly the door to opened, the elite masked guards tensing ever so slightly as a stranger exited the room accompanied by another elite masked shinobi. Though this mask was different than those of Konoha, instead the porcelain took the shape of an oni, sharp horns and pointed teeth meant to instill fear. Gin remained frozen as the strange pair passed him on the stairs, without a look in his direction.

AN: I've updated. Hoorah. Eh I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter, it's just eh. Let me know what you think? Also I slightly altered the ending of chapter 3, which will effect the next coming chapter (I think) so do have a look. You nice people who read are wonderful and I hope you all have great days.