Here is chapter 27 for you! Enjoy!

Chapter 27, Eaves Dropping.

Yukio cried softly within his Aunts arms on the couch, his uncle sitting next to the two of them. Gaara sits at his desk with his face in both hands. Tsunade stared out the window in silence.

How could this have happened?

She took my baby.

That stupid bitch took my baby.

All I remember after I was kicked in the head was waking up in the marsh with Sakura healing my head injury. Had my brain swelled more before she got to me, I would be dead right now. I don't know what kept Gaara from protecting my baby. All I know is he was still unconscious when Sakura finished healing me. And I had no idea if the blood I saw on him was from what I healed or whether it was from something new.

All I know is he did not protect my daughter.

I swallowed hard.

Why is Anne here? I hate this. I can't stand this. She is always the bad guy. Always. What happened to her baby? She should look very pregnant by now. But she hadn't. She looked the same as the day I left that world. She will pay. She will pay dearly. This isn't the first time she has attacked my babies, but it will be the last. I will make sure of it. No one hurts my babies and gets away with it.

I heard Yukio run from his aunt over to his father and climb in Gaara's lap, his sobs muffled by Gaara's shirt. "We have to get her back, dad," I heard him say. "We have to get my sister back!"

I looked over at Gaara. His eyes met mine. Behind the redness I see anger. Anger and hurt. I swallowed hard again. "We will," I whispered to him. Yukio looked over at me with tears in his eyes. "We will get her back no matter what, Yukio."

He sniffled and nodded, scrubbing at his cheeks with the back of his hand.

When I returned home that night I found Ryuu asleep on the couch. With everything that had been going on, I can honestly say I forgot about him. I walked over and lifted him into my arms, carrying him to his bed. I tucked him in and shut his light out. I stood in the living room staring out the glass door at the rising moon. Anne wouldn't kill her. I know she wont. She must have lost her baby and that is why she took Jessica. To replace what she had lost.

I blinked back my tears. I need to be strong. For Yukio. For Gaara. For myself.

My eyes met Gaara's as he materialized on the balcony. His eyes stayed on mine as he entered my apartment, walking over to me in a steady pace, his steps sure. I was once again wrapped in his arms.

And this time I clung to him, holding him tightly.

Despite knowing what I know, I cried, "She is going to kill her, she's going to kill her."

Gaara ran his hand over my short hair and down my neck. "We will get her, Kira," he whispered. "I will not let her be harmed." I choked on a sob, then why is she not here? Gaara's arms tightened around me. "We will save our daughter."

I ran my hand over his neck and across his cheek. His cheek is rough with stubble. I have never seen him with hair on his face. He has always shaved. Then I felt the small wet mark. I looked up at him. A single tear had fallen from his red rimmed eyes. I closed my own and rested my face against his. "We will save our daughter," I whispered in agreement.

– –

I woke up to the sun shining brightly in my window. I don't know when I had gone to bed, but it was early this morning. Ryuu was no where to be seen, most likely already gone to school. I showered and dressed then stood staring at what I have become.

I smirked at the image that is not mine.

How long has it been since I came back into this world? I have lost track. I don't even know how many nights ago it was that Gaara and I hugged in my living room. Weeks? A month maybe? There is no way for me to tell. My grief over my daughter has blurred the days and nights. The light hours I spend outside training. Getting ready for what I know lies ahead. We've tried three different bunkers that spies have said they are holding my daughter in. Gaara and I tore each apart.

Jessica was no where to be found.

I struck the mirror with my fist, ignoring the stinging pain of the glass cutting into my knuckles. I looked down at all of the misshapen images of myself, distorted by the broken pieces. I frowned as I watched them start to shake. It was then that I felt it, the whole building shaking. There was an obnoxiously loud bang and I was thrown to the floor with the force of it.

And then the screaming started.

My half of the building started to crumble. I shot out of the bathroom towards the door. The balcony is gone, and half of the living room floor. I jumped towards the door, reaching for the handle, but the ground under me crumbled, letting me fall into the darkness beyond. But sand caught me, grabbing at me roughly and pulling me to safety. Ryuu dropped me feet from where he stood, huffing and puffing.

I locked my arms around him, kissing his forehead. This child just saved my life. "You need to go somewhere safe," I breathed out.

I took his hand in mine and we started running, away from the walls where I could hear battle cries. I need to protect him. I ran into Ino, who had a few other kids tagging along with her. "Doe! You are needed at the walls. Ryuu, come with me," she said. "Don't worry, I will keep him safe."

I nodded, kissing Ryuu's head once more. "Be safe," I whispered in his ear. "Protect the others."

He nodded, frowning as he watched me run off.

I sprinted towards the walls. How can we be attacked without notice? Had I slept through all of the warnings? I flipped over a fallen street light and continued my sprint. There had to have been some warning. All of the work we did on the marsh was for nothing. I met up with Kankuro and Temari. Temari shoved armor into my arms without really glancing at me.

"Strap up, Kira. This is going to be a good fight," she said.

I'm over realizing people know who I am. I slipped my chest plate over my head and Kankuro helped me tighten it. Then the leg and arm protectors were on. "Gaara is at the east wall, trying to keep the flow from entering. He has your weapons." Kankuro handed me a spare kunai. I briefly touched his face before I was running off. He better stay safe.

I found Gaara struggling to keep himself protected as well as keep them from entering the village. Large gusts of wind blew all of the men surrounding him away. Temari fell in step with me. We worked as a team in backing the enemy lines up past the ruins of the walls. As soon as we were on the other side, still pushing them back, Gaara rebuilt the wall and then was atop it, taking lives with his sand.

I felt a weight on my back and realized he had sent me my twin katana's, similar to the ones I vow never to touch again after what Mika did. I pulled them from their sheaths and started slicing into the enemy with my blades. They are going to wish they never took their first breath. I stamped my foot and pillars of earth shot up on the other side of Temari, throwing and smashing people. She threw me a grateful glance then her back was to me.

There was a yellow flash, then I could hear Naruto's laughter as he moved from one area to the other, surprising everyone that missed his movement. I smiled and kicked someone away from me. That idiot. This is a serious moment, he shouldn't make me laugh! But I couldn't help it, soon I was laughing along with him, trying to out do everything he does. He caught on quickly, and we began an unspoken game.

Is that sick? Playing a game to see how many people one can kill with so many movements?

It wasn't long before they started their retreat, now barely half of what they started with. One man fell at my feet, his eyes wide with fright. "What the hell are you?" He gasped as he tried to scramble away from me.

I stabbed my katana deep into his calf, going through the other side. I smirked at his screams. "Why, don't you know? I'm the blood thirsty bitch, back from her grave. None other than Kira Lorenzo." I laughed wickedly as I sliced his head off. I let out a grunt of effort as I pulled my katana from his calf. I wiped the blood off both of my blades onto his shirt.

When I turned around I was met with a bunch of frowns. Naruto's was the worst. "That was cruel, Kira," he whispered.

I smirked, walking up to him. "Fight fire with fire," I said slowly, inches from his face.

He didn't move, just stared back. Then he lowered his eyes.

I smirked again and walked past him. They deserved everything they got.

They took my daughter.

– –

Great. Now I'm in trouble. I trudged up the stairs to the Hokage's office, answering a summon. When I reached the top step I could hear yelling voices from within the office. I crept over, placing an ear to the thick wood.

"She is out of control!" That's Naruto's voice.

"Calm down, Naruto." Tsunade.

There was a bang. "You weren't out there, Granny. You didn't see the madness in her eyes!" There was a moment of silence, and I felt my curiosity grow by the second.

"She fought bravely," came a soft voice. Who is that?

There was a sigh, and another bang. "Naruto, you hit my desk one more time and you will forever regret it."

Moment of silence, probably Naruto pouting.

"Something needs to be done about her. Maybe it is time to tell her. She needs to know." This time Naruto's voice was soft. I bit my lip, pressing my ear closer.

"We can't keep hiding it from her," the soft voice agreed.

There was a creak sound, probably Tsunade sitting back in her chair. "They are correct, Hokage-sama," Gaara's voice.

Just what are they talking about? Who are they talking about? Surely not me.

There was a clink and another squeak from the chair. "I know, I know. But I feel we need to get Jessica back first."

Gaara, again. "I want my daughter back. We all do. There is no doubt about that. But Hokage-sama, just think of how much harder she will fight. She is giving it everything she has right now. With this information in her pocket, she will be unstoppable. There is still much she does not understand."

Okay, so they are talking about me.

I swung the door open and looked at all of the shocked faces pointed at me. My eyes fell on the one person I have never seen before. No, wait. I have seen him. He was at the tea shop where I went to meet with Kankuro to talk about Matsuri before I killed her. My eyes moved to Naruto, probably the only one who would answer me. "Who's he?" I motioned to the old man with my chin. And why is he here, I did not voice that question. One at a time, I told myself.

Tsunade cleared her throat as she stood from her chair. "I hope you hadn't been eaves dropping-"

I repeated myself a little stronger, cutting her off.

Tsunade glared at me, and was about to say something when Gaara stood and moved quickly to stand in front of me. "Let's go for a walk," he said softly. "We can talk about our new plan to get Jessica back." His hand came up and touched my arm gently. What was he saying? Was he trying to distract me?

No. I want to know who this guy is and what gives him the right to talk about me like he knows me. I stepped around Gaara, smacking away his hand when he reached to hold me still. "Who are you?" I asked, stepping right up to his face. "And how do you know of my daughters capture?" It is supposed to be a secret. The more people that know it the more chances of the information leaking and getting to the enemy. We can't have them thinking Gaara is weak right now. Our walls can't withstand another attack just yet.

Tsunade sighed and sat down heavily. "Watch your tone, Kira," she mumbled. I shot her a glance. She had just used my name. Does that mean he knows who I truly am?

I stared into his aged brown eyes. I've seen these eyes before. And it wasn't in the tea shop with Kankuro. No, it was before then. A long time ago. I tried searching the eyes for the answer, raking through my memories to place these eyes. Where have I seen them before?

Then it all came to me, rushing back.

I was a little girl. It was when Mom was pregnant with Savannah. Daddy had taken us to a place in Central Maine where he and Mom met. It was the very town Mother grew up in. Kaleb and I met our grandparents for the very first time that winter. I remember sitting on his lap, staring into his brown eyes. I remember thinking they were so full of knowledge, so knowing.

My memory faded and I was back in Tsunade's office, staring into my grandfathers eyes. He gave me a sad knowing smile. "It's been a long time, Granddaughter," he whispered.

I took in a breath and opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. All thoughts had left my head. What is going on? How... how is he here!

He gave me another knowing smile. "Did you think you were the only one to ever jump between our worlds? The gene runs in our family, Kira. Though it does skip generations. I am the first for a hundred years, then you."

I shook my head, glancing over at Tsunade. I'm so confused. My grandpa? I looked back at him, seeing all of the similarities in him that I see in mother and Savannah. That I see in myself. I swallowed hard. He's dead. He died years ago. Before all of this happened to me he was dead. I went to his funeral. I remember Mom crying and crying and Daddy not being able to do anything about it. I remember having to hold Savannah because Daddy and Kaleb had to lead Mom back to the car.

I should know better. Of course he isn't dead.

He came here.

I couldn't help myself, "what's going on?" I looked over at Gaara. "How long have you known about this?"

His eyes lowered to the floor.

Awhile, then. I spun on Naruto. "And you?" He, too, dropped his eyes. "Great. So everyone knew my grandfather was here, except me. And no one felt the need to inform me? Dammit!" I yelled and slammed my fist down on the corner of Tsunade's desk and stormed out of the room. No one followed me.

I made it all the way to the training grounds before Gaara caught up with me. Nice of him to decide he should make sure I'm not tearing the village apart in my anger. I spun around ready to start my rant, but instead, I choked on a sob and tears started pouring down my cheeks. I covered my face with my hands and bit my tongue to try to stop crying.

Arms wrapped around me and I was pulled into Gaara's chest. I shook my head, trying to back away, but he held me tightly. My feet left the ground for only a brief second and then I was standing on a branch high up in a tree. I looked up at Gaara.

"Why?"

He lifted a hand and wiped tears off my cheeks. "I don't know. I'm sorry," he whispered. "We should have told you." With his forehead resting against mine and his breath swirling over my face I felt myself starting to calm down. "I haven't known about it long. Only a month or two."

I scoffed. That's a month or two too long. I closed my eyes and fisted my hands in the front of his vest. "What is he doing here?" I whispered. "Why is he here?"

Gaara's hand settled on the back of my neck, kneading small circles in my skin. "He is here to help you. Hokage-sama contacted him after they took Jessica. He has been here for a week, watching you. He is here to help, Kira." His other hand moved to my lower back, holding me firmly against him. "He is going to help us get her back."

I took a shaky breath and took a step back, breaking his hold on me. We have come closer since my Daughters capture. But not that close. I looked up at him, the warmth of his hand still lingering on my skin. I swallowed hard. If Grandpa is here then he must have the same powers as I. I looked down at my hands and watched as my muscles bulged and went back down. Maybe there is a way to track Jessica. If we all have the same powers, then there has to be some way. I closed my eyes once more, trying to search for Grandpa, trying to feel his powers.

"That won't work, darling."

I glanced down to the ground, where Grandpa stood, one hand up shielding his eyes. I frowned. "Why not?"

He chuckled and waved me down. Gaara slipped an arm around my waist and the sand carried us down, setting us directly in front of Grandpa. "It wont work," he continued ignoring Gaara, "because I have my powers hidden. Much like you had yours hidden thanks to Tsunade." Wind whipped my hair and he smiled. "Now, try again."

I did so, and I could feel him. The strength he holds is astonishing. I felt my eyes widen and his smile got bigger. "The only way we will be able to find her using this method is if they haven't shielded her powers. Which I am almost certain they have. But unfortunately I am not able to look for her. I have never met Jessica. I do not know her signature."

"Signature?" I shifted my weight, anxious to find my baby.

He nodded. "Everyone has a signature. You have felt mine. You have felt Gaara's, and you have felt everyone's around you. You just don't know it. But because you have felt them before, it is easier for you to find them. But Jessica is your daughter. Just as you are my granddaughter. It is much easier to find those who share your blood." He came over to me and set both of his hands on my shoulders. "You will not need to try hard to find her. I'm sure you can find her easily, Kira. Just concentrate."

I nodded and closed my eyes, letting out a breath. I tried to feel for her, tried to place her somewhere on this planet. I concentrated hard, my jaw locking together. Grandpa's hands lifted, and a different hand lifted my chin, making me open my eyes.

"Breathe," Gaara whispered. He stepped closer, placing both hands on my hips as he rested his forehead against mine. "Breathe and together we will search for her." I nodded and cupped both of his cheeks with my hands, taking a deep breath and letting it out.

I raced my powers through the ground, looking for any trace of my daughter. Gaara followed, pointing out things in my head that I missed, and giving me his thoughts on it. Each and every bunker we had raided had a trace of my daughter in them. So she had been in each. My heart calmed at knowing she is alive. I spread my search further, going beyond my normal limits. Tapping into Gaara's strength gave me a wider range. I felt sweat forming on Gaara's skin as we both gave it our all.

With a shock, like someone through cold water on me, I found her. I found my baby girl!

I centered all of our energy in viewing the image from the wood around her, using the water still within the planks as tiny screens to display her image. Kind of what I did with the snow flakes when Gaara came to get us from Mika all those years ago. As the picture formed I felt Gaara's hands stiffen and his breath quicken. He is just as anxious to see her as I am.

When the picture cleared, I saw her.

Jessica sat on a ratty mat glaring at the floor. One tattered blanket is wrapped around her shoulder, and she is picking at dried blood on her arm. Her ankle is shackled to the wall. More dried blood covers her, a large amount on her face. I tried to calm myself. Dried blood is better than fresh blood. It means the bleeding has stopped. She looks cold. I could hear the footsteps echoing from outside the room she was in. I saw her look up with panic and fear in her eyes. I saw the door open and I saw Anne enter the room. I saw Anne walk over to her and back hand her hard across the face. I felt my fingers tighten on Gaara.

"Worthless little twit. No better than your stupid mother." Anne spat at her.

Jessica didn't look up, she kept her glare at Anne's shoes. What has she put my daughter through? I felt my anger rise. "You know nothing about my Mom," Jessica whispered.

Anne laughed loudly. "I know nothing, hm? Nope, not a damn thing. I don't know that your mom is a lier. I don't know that your mom left behind her life to return to this hell hole. I don't know that she hates you. Do you remember anything of when you were in her womb?" Oh no... please don't! I thought. But Anne continued, "You hurt her. She hated you, Jess. She still hates you. Why do you think she let me take you? She didn't fight with everything she had to keep you. Why do you think she put you in harms way in the first place? She doesn't love you. She never has."

"You lie," Jessica growled. Her hands fisted in the tiny blanket.

Anne smirked, bending down to her level. "Do I? You know what I say is true. Your own father doesn't even like you. He just puts up with you. They only love your brother. Yukio is the star. He is the good boy. He is just like his father. He looks like his mother, Gaara's love. Why would he want you? You are nothing to him. You are nothing to Kira. If they loved you, they would have told you she was back." She chuckled again. "You know I am right. There is no denying it."

Jessica shook her head, tears forming in her eyes. "But-but... Doe-sensei told me my mother loved me. And Doe-sensei is my mom, so she's not lying! And Daddy loves me! He tells me all the time he loves me! You lie!" Jessica screamed at her. Anne frowned and back handed her again.

Anne stood back up, glaring down at the girl at her feet. "You are pathetic, just like Kira. You will believe anything someone tells you. Pathetic." With that Anne left the room, slamming the door shut.

Jessica broke down into tears, sobbing loudly.

What do you think their next move will be? Let me know in a review!