A/N: To all my fans, thank you for making this story so much fun to write. I love all the feedback I get. I just wanted to give you one more chapter before I go on vacation. The next chapter will likely be after the Fourth of July. I'm going to an anime convention, cosplaying as Squall Leonhart, for five days. That said and now that I've digressed, this chapter may be my finest yet. I've really put a lot of time and effort into this story, and I want it to be my best work. This chapter will put a little more emphasis on the budding relationship we've seen between Rise and Kaze, followed by a big shock at the very end. But it won't be all fluff. This chapter is the lead in to the end of their Academy days. Soon these children will be Genin in less than two more chapters. So, let's get it going.

Chapter Twenty-One: Injuries of the Mind and Body

Two months has passed since Rise and Kaze had met Tsukigetsu Hozuki up in the mountain lake. Rise and Kaze had told no one about it. July had arrived in Konoha with a heat wave. Kaze awoke late in the afternoon of July twenty-third in his room. Kaze had grown accustomed to the heat easily, having lived in the Land of Wind's desert village, Sunagakure. Kaze swung out of his bed and he slammed his head into the bar by mistake. Kaze swore loudly and Syaoran Uzumaki hung his head upside-down from his perch on the top bunk. Syao grinned and he laughed.

"Since when do you curse like Rise? And you know its already past noon right?"

Kaze grinned and he brushed his hair out of his face before answering.

"She said I've changed a lot since I first started to live here. Maybe this is just another change in me. And I had a long night last night."

Syao flipped off his bed and onto the floor.

"You really have changed Kaze. You're not a shy little boy anymore."

Kaze smiled and he hugged Syao.

"Thanks. You've always been like a brother to me you know. And happy birthday Syao. Fifteen."

Syao returned the embrace and he pushed Kaze away playfully.

"Stop that. You're making me feel old."

Syao laughed and he dressed quickly before heading out into the hallway. Kaze followed suit, dressing quickly. Kaze smiled as he saw Lyn emerge from her room.

"Happy birthday Lyn!"

Lyn smiled and she hugged Kaze.

"Thank you Kaze. I think Rise wanted to talk to you. She's in her room."

Kaze nodded and he pecked Lyn on the cheek and he knocked on Rise's door. He waited for her to open it, and when she did, Kaze smiled.

"Morning love."

Rise was still half asleep, and her hair was still messy. She took Kaze's hand and pulled him into the room. Rise rubbed her eyes sleepily and she kissed him.

"We need to talk about something."

Kaze nodded and she smiled.

"What would you say to us going to the roof tonight? I want to do something there."

Kaze grinned and he held Rise's hand.

"What was it you wanted to do?"

Rise felt the heat rise in her face, and Kaze grinned in response. Rise pushed him playfully and she stood up.

"I... I want to see you."

Kaze smiled and he watched as she stood by her window. Kaze hugged her from behind, his arms resting around her thighs. Rise let a soft gasp escape her lips, and she kissed him.

"You naughty boy."

She whispered and she rested her hand on his lap. Kaze smiled.

"Wait until tonight."

He said and he stepped back. Rise pouted and she nodded.

"We better get out there before Mom has a fit that we're in here alone."

Kaze nodded and he stepped out into the hallway unnoticed. Rise came out a few seconds later, her hair draped over her left shoulder. She was wearing her usual clothes, save for her her shirt, which was a revealing halter top. She grinned at Kaze and he smiled. Hinata smiled at her daughter and she hugged her.

"My little Rise is growing up."

Rise laughed internally. Maybe she finally realizes I'm old enough to wear what I want. I'm almost fourteen after all. Rise chuckled and she hugged her mother in return. Rise entered the living room where everyone sat on the floor. Sasuke had arrived with Serah and Sakura, since the Uzumaki twins and their godfather Sasuke shared a birthday. Serah sat with Rise and the girls talked about many things until Naruto spoke.

"Sorry we can't have a big party this year, Syao, Lyn. We have to go away right now for a mission; for just one day. We've been alerted to the location of a potential Akatsuki member, and the four of us are going to be a squad to bring her in. And besides, you have your mission tomorrow. So let's just enjoy today as a family."

Lyn and Syao nodded and they ate and drank in peace. Naruto eventually brought the gathering to an end. The twins had received plenty of Ryo to spend on what they needed, now that they were fifteen. Syao and Lyn excused themselves. Sasuke and Sakura left as well, leaving Serah with Rise and Kaze. Serah had waited until they were alone to talk.

"I need to go see Hiro. He and I have plans. Rise, you and I need to talk about girl stuff soon."

Rise grinned and she whispered into Serah's ear.

"We really do. I have a lot to tell you."

Serah stood and she left. Hiro had been waiting for Serah just outside the gate to the Uzumaki Manor. Rise and Kaze watched as Hiro placed his hand on Serah's rear and squeezed. They both stifled a laugh and when Serah and Hiro were out of sight, they burst out laughing together.

"Uncle Sasuke would kill Neji and Hiro if he saw that."

Rise said and she turned to look at Kaze. Kaze chuckled.

"We're really not much different are we?"

Rise said and she nodded with a smirk.

"We're not. And we're home alone too. Let's go up to the roof now."

Kaze laughed.

"Or we could go into your room and lock the door."

Rise chuckled.

"You're such a bad boy. You really have changed a lot Kaze."

They embraced and Kaze kissed the nape of Rise's neck.

"Its because I've been around you. Not that its a bad thing. I like the new me."

Rise laid her head on Kaze's chest.

"I do too. You're just how I always wanted you to be."

Kaze picked Rise up and he carried her to her room. Rise made sure no one was home before they locked the door. Kaze sat Rise down and Rise sat on her bed. Kaze sat next to her, and they sat there in silence. Their eyes met and they laughed.

"I'm not sure what we should do."

Kaze said and Rise smiled.

"Me neither. I'm kind of nervous."

Rise moved her body closed to Kaze's and she hugged him.

"I love you."

She whispered and Kaze hugged her back.

"I love you too."

Kaze put his hand on Rise's cheek and he kissed her softly. Rise's hands traced Kaze's strong arms and down his body. Rise's hands stopped at his waist and she looked into Kaze's kind eyes. He nodded and Rise traced his lower body. Kaze closed his eyes as she did what she pleased. Kaze felt his shorts being removed, and Rise stopped once she had done what she wanted. Kaze felt the heat build in his face and he opened his eyes.

"No good?"

He whispered and Rise shook her head.

"Its perfect."

She said and she kissed his lips softly. Kaze nervously dressed and he held Rise close to him.

"My heart is racing, Kaze."

Rise said and Kaze nodded.

"As is mine."

He whispered and Rise kissed his cheek.

"Want to listen to my heart? The sound of your beating heart calms me."

Kaze nodded and Rise removed her shirt and Kaze pressed his ear to her chest. Kaze listened to her heart beating in her chest. Rise stroked his hair and Kaze purred softly.

"We need to do this more often. This is wonderful."

Rise smiled and she nodded. She reached for Kaze's hand.

"It really is. I belong to you."

Rise said and she unsnapped her bra, tossing it aside.

"Better for you?"

Kaze felt his face burn, but he nodded. He swallowed hard and he snuggled under them.

"They're... big."

He said and he immediately regretted it. Rise just laughed.

"Nowhere near as big as Lyn's."

She said and she smiled. Kaze looked down at her and he smiled.

"Beautiful."

Their peace was interrupted by a loud knock on the front door. Rise sat up quickly and she put her shirt and bra back on. Kaze rolled off the bed and they opened the door. Izumo had a very grave look on his face.

"Come to the hospital, both of you. Lady Hinata has been gravely injured."

Rise grabbed Kaze's hand and they ran for the hospital. When they entered the building, Rise saw Sakura and Sasuke consoling Naruto.

"Dad! What happened to Mom?"

Rise asked and she hugged her father.

"She miscarried after being struck in the stomach. We met our target just outside the village's perimeter. Sasuke, what do you know about Tsukigetsu Hozuki?"

Sasuke, Rise and Kaze all flinched. Sasuke sighed.

"She's an Akatsuki. All we know is that she's Suigetsu's daughter, and we have no clue how or why she joined Akatsuki. Maybe these two can tell you."

Sasuke looked down at Rise and Kaze. Something just hit Rise's mind.

"You've had us being spied on haven't you?"

Naruto opened his mouth to speak but Rise took Kaze's hand and they ran out of the lobby and into the village. Sasuke looked down.

"She's a sharp kid."

Naruto nodded.

"She is Hinata's daughter after all. I'll have to apologize to her later. For now, let her be with Kaze."

Sasuke nodded and he whispered to Naruto.

"Hinata was pregnant with a fourth child?"

Naruto nodded.

"Fourth and fifth. We had just found out a day ago from Sakura."

Sasuke nodded.

"Sakura's here."

Naruto stood up.

"How is she?"

Sakura led him to Hinata's room, and let him alone with his wife. Hinata waited until Sakura had gone to break down. Hinata cried into her husband's arms for a long time. Naruto consoled her the best he could. Hinata eventually regained her composure and she whispered.

"Where is Rise?"

Naruto flinched.

"She found out our secret. She knows she's been being watched. She's not happy."

Hinata nodded and she rubbed her broken right leg.

"I wouldn't expect her to be. She is your daughter after all."

Naruto sighed heavily.

"Will you be ok while I go look for her?"

Hinata nodded and she hugged him one last time before he left.

Rise and Kaze had fled to her room. Rise had pieced together the pieces.

"The presence we felt during that storm, the time we were at the mountains... We've been being watched for months! I can't believe my parents would do this to us!"

Kaze, who was usually very respectful, was pacing the room swearing.

"I cannot believe we've been watched like fucking animals!"

Rise and Kaze eventually sat on the bed and sighed heavily.

"What do we do now? They probably know what we've been doing alone."

Rise shrugged.

"Let them do whatever the fuck they want. They're NOT tearing us apart."

Kaze nodded and he grinned through his anger.

"Its kind of sexy when you're mad Rise."

Rise couldn't help but chuckle.

"I'm not in the mood."

Kaze kissed her cheek and she grinned. A knock came at her door. She used her Byakugan and she shook her head.

"Go away Dad!"

Naruto's voice came through the door.

"Rise, please. I can explain."

Rise shook her head.

"We'll talk tomorrow, once we've had time to sort out our emotions. That's what you taught me, so that's how it will be. Now go away!"

Naruto sighed and he nodded.

"Very well. Until tomorrow. Kaze, make sure she doesn't lose control."

Rise heard her father's footsteps fade away and she sighed.

"Let's just get some sleep. You mind staying with me tonight?"

Kaze smiled.

"Of course not, but let's get washed up first."

Rise nodded and they headed into the bathroom together. They washed each other and went to sleep. They were just too confused about how to act, for the time being.

TO BE CONTINUED...