A/N: I realized I just updated yesterday, but I can't wait to show what I have planned next. I'm glad everyone enjoys this tale. I do have an advance apology to make however. As I stated before, a central theme to this story is that we're dealing with teenagers. They're impulsive and they make hasty decisions. Rise and Kaze are both about fourteen at this point. They're not always going to be lovey dovey, and they WILL break up more than once. This story will likely go for at least two years. This is my best story yet, and I want to showcase real emotions and real pain. They're going to fall in love with other people, and people WILL die in this story. Don't get too attached to everyone. That said, here comes the actual chapter.

Chapter Twenty-Five: A New Friend

The six weeks had gone by since Kaze had left for Sunagakure. He was due to return the following evening. Rise awoke to the sun bearing down into her eyes. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and she closed her blinds. Rise flopped back onto her bed and she put a pillow over her face.

"Its been six weeks since I last saw him."

She muttered softly. Her training had ended, and she was now somewhat proficient with the Gentle Fist. She still was nowhere near Syao and Lyn's level of the fighting style, but she could surely hold her own. Rise dressed quickly and she stepped out into the hallway that connected the bedrooms to the rest of the house. Rise ate a rushed meal and she hurried out into the village. Rise had plans with Serah and Yukiko today. Rise stood outside the Uchiha Manor's gate, which was drawn closed. Rise heard Sasuke and Sakura talking in low voices.

"He's becoming a force to be reckoned with."

Rise heard Sasuke say to his wife. Sakura whispered back, but Rise caught only a piece of what was being said.

"...Kenshu's comes?"

Rise was snapped back to attention by Serah's voice behind her.

"Rise!"

Serah waved at her best friend cheerfully.

Rise smiled at Serah and looked her over. Serah was a beautiful young woman with her long hair covering her right eye. Serah was dressed in a short vest that showed her stomach and right shoulder, with a mesh shirt underneath. Her headband was tied to her left arm, and she wore a skirt over her mesh leggings. The two girls embraced and walked through the village talking. Serah had a particular topic in mind.

"Hiro dumped me."

She whispered. Rise's eyes went wide and she stopped walking.

"Why?"

Serah smiled sadly and she shrugged.

"No clue. He said that we just weren't working."

Rise hugged her best friend and she stroked her hair.

"That's a stupid reason. Want me to talk to him? You know he listens to me."

Serah chuckled.

"That he does. But no, its... ok. I'm happier like this."

Serah smiled into Rise's eyes and they laughed. Rise felt a strange sensation in her heart, but she pushed it aside. The Two girls walked through the streets of the village until the reached the Hyuga Manor. Yukiko was waiting for them outside. Hiro waved at Serah, and she merely smiled as the three girls walked off into the village. Rise grinned once the trio had formed.

"So, what first?"

Rise asked. Serah closed her eyes and she thought out loud.

"We could always go down to the training field and watch the boys."

Yukiko giggled and she whispered.

"I'm not sure if you want to watch the boys. I think you want to train, Serah."

Serah put a look of mock disgust on her face and she shoved Yukiko playfully.

"I think its both, since your brother just broke up with me."

Yukiko sighed.

"Not now Serah..."

Serah looked down and she looked at Rise. Rise drew a coin from her pocket and she sighed.

"Coin toss. Heads, we go to the training field, tails, we go get food. Deal?"

The two girls nodded and Rise flipped the coin. She caught it and flipped it onto her hand.

"God dammit."

She said and her stomach growled in protest.

"Training field."

She whispered and she started to walk with her friends. Rise had been at the training field recently and she hated it. The boys always stared at her. She was a beautiful young woman of fourteen, but the only man she wanted was Kaze. When they reached the training field, there were only three other people there. Rise sat on a bench while Serah and Yukiko sparred. Rise watched them intensely for a while, until she grew bored and closed her eyes. She opened them when she felt a presence nearby. A boy her age had sat on the bench with her, but not next to her. Rise knew him from the Academy. He whispered to her and he smiled.

"Rise, its been a while. How have you been?"

Rise knew his name, but not much else.

"I've been fine, just kind of bored. How about you, Jaden?"

Jaden smiled with his eyes closed and he shook his head.

"Busy. I've been training with Nanjo a lot. Since we're both orphans, we've been friends since day one. He's really strong. His Ninjutsus are incredible. He manipulates plants even better than Ashari, and she has Yamanaka blood."

Rise couldn't help but smile. She remembered the time that he had restrained Kaze, and she'd heard that when Tsumi attacked the village, Nanjo tied him down. She felt a little down just then. I need to get stronger. Right now, I'm just a liability. Rise sighed and she looked over at Jaden, who was smiling serenely. Rise saw Kaze's spirit in him: a gentle, kind young man. She felt her eyes welling up with tears and she looked away so he wouldn't see. Jaden, being an empath, noticed.

"Rise?"

He said and he placed a tender hand on her shoulder. Rise leaned back and she looked at him through tear stained eyes.

"I'm so sorry. I was just thinking about Kaze."

Jaden offered her a handkerchief and Rise dried her eyes.

"I know you love Kaze. You always have. If you ever need a friend though, I'll be here for you."

Rise smiled softly and she nodded. Before she could speak, Serah came running up.

"Kaze's back! I just got a message from my dad and Lady Tsunade!"

Rise stood immediately and she hugged Jaden without even thinking. Rise ran off after that with her friends. Jaden sighed to himself and he mumbled.

"Girl like that and a guy like me. Funny to even think I had a chance."

Jaden stood up and he returned to his home.

Rise had arrived home shortly after she had received the news that Kaze had returned. Gaara, Matsuri and Kaze were talking with Naruto and Hinata when she arrived. Rise threw herself at Kaze and she kissed him hard, hugging him to her. Gaara and Matsuri laughed.

"Well, she missed you son."

Kaze laughed.

"I missed her too. Now that she's here, can we start the discussion?"

Gaara nodded and he stood up.

"There's some news, Rise, Kaze. It seems that you're going to be on the same team. We made a request to a certain man to be your Jounin instructor. He's going to be watching over you two and Serah. You're going to meet up with him tomorrow. Be respectful, and remember: there's a good chance Akatsuki is waiting for you both. So be extra careful, and be vigilant. Rise, I've a gift for you, to use when you think the time is right."

Rise was handed a scroll marked with the characters for falcon on it. Naruto immediately stood.

"A summoning contract?"

Gaara nodded and he spoke.

"Kaze has formed a contract with the falcons, although he still can't use it. I wanted Rise to also have the ability, in case the need should arise."

Naruto's expression softened and he patted Rise on the head.

"I'll teach her. Thank you, Gaara."

Gaara smiled and he nodded.

"I think its time for Matsuri and I to leave. Kaze, we wish you well my son, and we'll see you again at Christmas. Just another month."

Kaze nodded and he hugged his father and kissed his mother's cheek. Gaara and Matsuri then departed Kaze turned to Rise and he hugged her close to him.

"I missed you."

He whispered. Rise nipped his neck and she smiled.

"I'm just glad you're back."

Rise led Kaze back to her room and she shut the door. Hinata waved and smiled.

Once they were behind closed doors, Kaze kissed her hard and he ran his hand along her neck and chest. Rise laughed and she grinned.

"You missed me that much?"

Kaze laughed and he nodded.

"I did a lot of thinking while we were apart. I want to start becoming a little more... involved."

Rise nuzzled his neck and she smiled.

"That would be nice. For now, let's just get cleaned up."

Rise said with a wink. She led Kaze to the bathroom and they bathed together. Kaze explored her as they bathed, and he grinned. Rise laughed.

"Do I meet your approval?"

Kaze kissed her and he laughed.

"Do you really need to ask?"

Rise snuggled close to him and she kissed his strong chest. When they finished, Kaze went to his own room quietly, and they fell asleep. Their first mission began tomorrow.

TO BE CONTINUED...