God, it's been ages since I've updated this story, and I truly am sorry.

Here's a long awaited chapter, so enjoy and tell me what you think!

. . .

"When the hell can I leave?" I muttered, sitting Indian style on by bed.

Kazuki, who was sitting on a chair beside said bed, merely raised an eyebrow and grinned at me rather wickedly, "That depends on exactly when they decide to let you leave," she drawled, sounding vastly entertained.

I sighed, "Why do I get the feeling that you take immense amusement whenever something horrible happens to me?" I asked rhetorically.

Kazuki shot me a mock-pain look, her lips curling into a pout, "Why ever would you think that, Yūmaru-chan?"

I shot my sensei a glare, "Why are you so immature?" I wondered, then I paused, for the answer was right in front of me, "You're only immature because my brother's a bad influence on you!" Then something else occurred to me, and it was with startling clarity, too, "How many times have I told you to call me Yū and not Yūmaru?!" I shouted, pointing an accusing finger at her chest.

When my sensei merely rolled her eyes in exasperation, I glared at her, and when I spoke, my tone was dripping with venom, "Do you even know why I ask you to call me Yū instead of by my full name?" I asked softly, and I didn't give Kazuki a chance to answer, for I said, "It makes me feel like a child. Calling me by my full name makes me sound too mature, too… old." The somewhat depressing air around me was disrupted when I announced, "Besides the fact that Yūmaru sounds like a man's name!"

Kazuki stared at me for a few seconds, her dark eyes huge and wide against her pale face, than she shook her head in silent amusement.

I didn't have to be an idiot to notice that she was taking great amusement from my outburst, and as I glowered up at her, her shoulders shook with silent laughter.

"How you even got to the rank of Jōnin is beyond me," I muttered, snickering when Kazuki glared at me.

"Takashi-kun was right," my sensei murmured, her death-glare still firmly fixed on my face, "you really are a brat."

I shrugged, "It runs in the family, I guess," I said, and I smirked as I said, "Onii-chan's got it the worst, though. I don't know who he inherited his girlyness from, but it definitely wasn't from Tou-san. Not that I know considering that he's dead and all." The smirk faded from my face as I said this to be replaced with a calmer, more neutral look, but it wasn't as I blank as I wanted it to be.

"Yūmaru-chan," Kazuki began, her eyes soft. She took my hands in hers, murmuring, "You'll never be able to hide the emotions on your face at this rate. You're far too emotional, even for a ninja, I'd say."

"It doesn't really matter much," I muttered, voice bitter, "I guess that it came from Kaa-chan- my being too emotional, I mean. When she was pregnant with Akito, her emotions were over the roof. It drove Tou-san crazy," I chuckled at the memory, and my eyes warmed a little.

Kazuki didn't say anything, and this prompted me to talk more, "You know the funny thing about everything that happened that day?" And I knew in my heart that it definitely was not funny, but my mind thought so. Again, my sensei didn't say anything, and this encouraged me to talk more than was accustomed to me, "When Akito was born, he just would not stop crying. He was a screaming, bloody little thing and it would just not shut up. He was really wrinkly, too," I added, the humour in my voice returning somewhat.

"Every baby is wrinkly at first, Honey," Kazuki said softly. She released my hands, leaning back into her chair, "My baby sister was wrinkly when she was born, as well. It's just how the world works."

"You have a sister?" I asked eagerly, curious to know about my sensei's home life.

"Had," Kazuki's voice was clipped, "she was still-born. I never met her, only got to see her sleeping, frozen face before she was taken away forever."

I slumped on the bed, disappointed and a little saddened, "Oh." Then I realised that Akito could have been still-born, or even worse, Mum could have miscarried him.

Thoughts of what if's and different happenings flooded my mind, and I was alarmed to think about life without Akito.

Without my three year old brother, it just wouldn't be normal.

I never wanted to know what Kazuki had felt when her little sister had been still-born.

Ever.

"I never want to know what it feels like," I murmured, and at my sensei's questioning look, I quickly elaborated: "To have a sibling still-born. I just realised that on the day Akito was born, there was a huge chance that he could have been still-born or Kaa-chan could have miscarried. It was all in the stress and depression," I whispered, "Anything could have gone wrong that day, anything."

"Your little brother lived as your father died," Kazuki said, and I squeezed my eyes shut in confirmation.

"Yes," I whispered, eyes blurring with tears, "you're exactly right. Akito lived when Tou-san died."

Kazuki looked sympathetic, but I harshly cut in, "Let's stop talking about depressing stuff like this," I muttered, wiping away my tears, "The only thing I want to do now is get out of this fucking hospital."

My sensei smirked, and her voice was filled with mirth as she said, "I think that can be arranged."

I smirked back, "Perfect."

. . .

"So," I began, glancing at my sensei, "Just when we are going on this mission?"

Kazuki shrugged, "I wouldn't know," she responded dryly, "Whenever Kazekage-sama demands it, I guess."

"Where are Yashamaru and Sasori then?" I asked, glaring down at my injured arm.

Kazuki noticed my movement, and she followed my gaze to the sling that my arm was now nestled in, "Nice sling, Yūmaru-chan," she said, smirking wickedly. She ignored my exasperated glare and answered my question: "And as for the rest of our wayward team, I told them to meet me at the Kazekage's tower at eight tomorrow morning."

I frowned deeply, making a motion of tugging at the cloth binding around my neck- it was far too itchy for my tastes, "What I do right now then?" I ventured.

My sensei shrugged, "I don't know," she smirked then, "Does it look like I control your life, Yūmaru-chan? Do whatever you want. Catch up with your friends from the academy or something if you run out of ideas."

I rolled my eyes, "Thanks a lot for the suggestion, Sensei," I said dryly.

Kazuki smirked good naturedly, "Have fun, kid," was all she said.

And then she was gone.

I stared at the empty space where she had just been, and as people passed by on their daily business, they began to shoot me odd looks.

I shook my head.

It was about time I returned home.

I had a mission to prepare for.

. . .

"Do you even know what mission you will be taking?!" Mum pressed, her voice near hysterical.

I stared up at her; noting her pale face, her, thin quivering shoulders, "Don't worry, Kaa-chan," I answered calmly, "While I have no idea what our mission will be, I know that Kazekage-sama won't send us into a death trap. He's too good for that sort of stuff."

"Death trap…" Mum slumped to her knees, looking utterly defeated as she whispered, "But, Yūmaru, don't you know the state that the five nations are in?"

I couldn't help but feel guilty as I she looked up at me with those bright, beseeching eyes of hers. I knew that she was worried about me- hell the way she addressed mepractically gave it all away.

Mum truly was scared for my life.

"Kaa-chan…" I hesitated, biting my lip. But something inside me tightened, whether it was my resolve, I knew not. But what did know was that I wouldn't die.

I just couldn't.

"Kaa-chan," I said, voice firm, "I won't die. Do you hear me? Nothing will happen to me! I know the state that the five nations are in, but that won't stop me!"

It was true, too.

About the five great nations, I mean.

Something was truly off, there were disagreements left and right, and there weren't even Chūnin exams being held in different countries. No, with the state that the different lands were in, I don't even think that I'll become a Chūnin anytime soon.

Not with matters as it was.

Not with the five great nations preparing to go to war.

And nothing was definite, either. But I knew, just knew that the Third Great Shinobi World War was coming.

And it looked to be in a few years' time.

"So," I said, my firm, hard voice becoming gentle, "Just know that I'll be back, 'kay?"

Mum just about burst into tears right then and there.

I felt something prick the corners of my eyes, but I hurriedly wiped them away before they could fall.

"I'll be back later to pack," I whispered.

And before Mum could react, I was gone.

When the world stopped spinning around me, I realised that I was on the roof.

Huh?

I looked at my feet to confirm that, yes, I really was on the roof.

"How the hell did I come up here so fast?" I whispered, my tone varying from awe to wonder and then back again.

Nobody answered me, and I was content with the silence.

And then I remembered where I was supposed to be.

The Kazekage's Tower.

Shit.

I was late.

Which meant that my team would already be there.

Fuck.

I'd best get going then, I thought in amusement.

I directed the slightest stream of chakra to the bottom of my feet, and not a second later, it burst outwards, propelling me into the air.

A huge smile threatened to split my face apart, and I savoured the feeling of the somewhat dry wind slapping at my head and caressing my face.

I felt like I was free.

Like, literally.

Much too soon, the ground beneath me disappeared and I was forced to jump. It didn't really bother me, though, and soon, I was on track to the Kazekage's Tower.

It was easy enough to spot, too.

It was, reasonably, the largest building in the entire village, and really, really easy to see even if it was dusty brown.

Well, the entire village was dusty brown, I guess.

Meh, I guess I'll skip the entire trip.

The only thing I'll tell you was that it felt amazing to be jumping through the air like some crazy ninja.

Wait, I am a ninja.

Anyway, onto the part where I meet with my team.

It should be way more interesting than the flight here.

I found my team waiting for me in the reception area, and when I entered the room, their eyes instantly went to me.

When I reached them, Yashamaru shot me a glare of mild irritation, while Sasori merely stared at me.

"What?" I snapped, then abruptly shut my mouth.

Sasori didn't seem to be affected by my rudeness one bit and, like Yashamaru, there was irritation in his guarded eyes, "You took too long," he finally murmured, glaring down at me, "And I hate to keep others waiting."

I know that, Sasori, was what I wanted to say, but I didn't dare say it out loud.

Why?

Because it was ruder than my snapped comment at him earlier.

And with the way he was glaring at me right now, I didn't really want to risk a potential argument breaking out.

Yeah, it was the coward's way out, and I knew it.

But I didn't really care at that time, I was just itching to find out what our mission was.

So, with that thought in mind, I asked, "Where's Sensei at?"

To my surprise, it was Sasori who answered, "She still hasn't come yet," he muttered, his voice heavy with irritation, "And I'm beginning to feel restless."

I found myself agreeing with the red head- even I was getting restless, and I had only just arrived!

Kazuki had better come soon, because Sasori wasn't the most patient of people- it had been that way for all the time that I had known him.

Which wasn't very long, mind you.

"Hey, Yashamaru-san," I said, "When do you think Sensei's going to arrive?"

Yashamaru levelled me with a long look, before saying shortly, "She will come when she comes."

I raised an eyebrow at him, "Jeez," I said, crossing my arms, "What's your problem today?"

Yashamaru glared at me before pinching the bridge of his nose tiredly, "Nothing," he murmured, "It's just that Karura kept me up nearly all night with her insufferable questions."

I smirked, "About?" I pressed.

My team-mate looked annoyed, but I could tell that he didn't really care much for the question, "The mission," he answered tiredly, "And everything that it entailed."

My smirk widened, "Did you tell her everything, Yashamaru-san?"

"Did you tell your family everything?" Yashamaru shot back, seemingly more annoyed than before, and I knew that it had to do with the question I'd just asked.

The atmosphere around us tightened, becoming stiff and strained, "As much as I could," I answered stiffly.

Yashamaru and I didn't talk after that, and I found myself to be bored after more than a few minutes of continued silence, so I glanced over at my other team-mate.

Sasori was staring into space, his hands at his sides and the expression on his face bored.

I wondered then if he was just as restless as I was.

I decided to find out.

I casually approached him, and his head turned the slightest bit.

He was the same height as I was, I noticed- probably a hair taller than I was. But I knew that we were pretty short for seven year olds, not that I particularly cared at that moment.

I stood beside him for a time, both of us stiff with formality and politeness, but eventually, it became too much and we both relaxed, though our faces remained staring stubbornly in the other direction.

Sometime later, I decided to break the silence, "You feel it too, huh?" I asked softly.

And I knew that Sasori knew what I was speaking of.

That is, the heavy, strained feeling in the air that had nothing to do with my and Yashamaru's fight.

He glanced at me then, and when he spoke, his voice was a bored drawl, "I can feel it everywhere. But it doesn't weigh me down like the rest of you."

I frowned, but I didn't retort as I wanted to. Instead, I said, "So… you like puppets then?"

After that, I felt hot embarrassment wash over me, and at that moment, I just wanted to sink into the ground and disappear forever.

Sasori turned to face me fully then, a tiny smirk curling at his lips, "Yes," he answered softly, "I suppose I do."

He didn't say anything to me after that, and I was glad- I didn't know how I would have continued that conversation knowing how much he was amused by me. Or at least that's what I thought.

Eventually, Kazuki did end up coming, but it was only after an hour of waiting.

I was bored out of my mind at that time, but my spirits brightened somewhat when we were ushered into the Kazekage's office.

Sunako himself was seated behind a desk, dressed in his Kazekage robes.

I then remembered that he and Hiroshi were cousins, and I had met a few times when I was four.

He had struck me as a firm and stubborn person- a leader, I guess.

Sunako looked graver than I remembered him ever being, but I guess being Kazekage did that to a person.

He greeted us with warmth, though, and began to speak.

He detailed our mission in great length, finishing by summing it up into a sentence easy enough for us seven year olds to understand.

"You will be delivering a package to the client in River Country," Sunako murmured, lacing his hands together and leaning forward in his sea, "The risk is great, though it's only ranked as a C. You may encounter bandits on your way, but the chance of encountering trained ninja is low. I trust that you can fulfil this?"

All of us nodded quite wearily, but I, for one, was feeling a little excited.

This would be my first time out of the village.

I was ready.

. . .

I went home to pack for the journey, and I packed for about a week.

When I came out of my room, Mum was waiting at the door, her face looking tired and haggard.

When I came into her sight, her eyes lit up and she hurriedly moved forward, her arms spread wide. She immediately pulled me close when I was in touching distance, her fingers coming to rest in my hair and her other at my back.

"Stay safe," she sobbed, her voice trembling.

I hugged her tightly before pulling back, "I'll be fine, Kaa-chan," I said, fixing her with a tremulous smile, "Really."

Mum sighed, "Just come home in one piece," she pleaded.

I just stared at her until she ordered, "Go and find Akito-chan and say goodbye."

That was exactly what I did, and it didn't take me long to find him, either.

Akito was in the kitchen sitting on his favourite cushion. He looked up when I entered, directing me a bright smile as he reached out his arms to picked up.

I shook my hands, coming to a stop beside him and crouching next to him, "No, Akito-chan," I murmured, "I have to be at the gates in ten minutes. So I have to make this quick."

"Where are you going, Yūyū?" he chirped.

"I'm going on a mission," I responded, and when he only looked excited, I said, "I'm going to be gone for a while, though. A week, two weeks max. So you'll have to take care of Kaa-chan when I'm gone, 'kay?"

"'Kay!" Akito answered excitedly.

I smiled down at him before brushing his hair from his face and pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"See you later, Akito-chan!" I called, my pack already on my back.

Mum waved goodbye as I exited the house, and I waved back as I took to the air.

Soon enough, I was at the gates, and to my surprise, I found not one but two teams there.

I frowned, taking note that it was my brother's team who was the extra one.

I approached them and, with dread, saw that it was Kame-chan who looked up.

She smiled devilishly, "Hey, Aka-chan," she greeted smugly, her gaze zeroing in on my healed arm.

I stiffened, but nonetheless greeted her, "Hello, Kame-chan," I murmured.

Cho was there, too, and so was Hiroshi.

I walked up to him in delight, and after taking in his slouched, relaxed form, I pulled him in for a quick hug. The boy stiffened at first, as if unused to physical contact, but then he accepted me, his arms wrapping around me in turn.

"Good luck," Hiroshi murmured into my ear, "And be careful."

I smiled, pulling back, "Yeah," I said, "You, too."

Hiroshi looked amused, but he still smiled with me, nonetheless.

"Hey," I turned when a new voice addressed me, "You're going on that C-rank with those other two boys, right?"

It was Cho, and he was smiling down at me shyly, his blue eyes bright under his unruly orange hair. His form had filled out a bit since the first time I'd met him, and he seemed to resemble a ten or nine year old more than a seven year old.

Once again, I wondered if I'd met him before.

He just seemed really, really, really familiar.

I didn't know where I'd seen him.

"Yeah," I answered, glancing toward my team distractedly, "I am. And I'm really excited, too."

If it were possible, Cho's smile turned even shyer as he murmured, "May I ask why?"

I stared at him for a second, "Yeah," I said a little hesitantly, "It's the first time I've been out of the village, and so that's why I'm excited."

"That's… good," Cho muttered, his voice bright with something I couldn't recognise.

"Uh, thanks, I guess," I responded awkwardly.

Just as Cho opened his mouth, the call of my sensei made me turn my head.

"Yūmaru-chan!" Kazuki yelled, "Get over here, will you?!"

I sighed, muttering, "Yeah, yeah, I'm coming."

Before I could move any further, though, a pair of strong arms grabbed hold of me and pulled me into a chest.

"Be careful, Yūmaru," Takashi breathed into my ear, his arms tightening around me, "And please, for the love of god, be safe."

My cheek was squashed against his chest, so my voice came out muffled when I spoke, "'Course I will, Onii-chan."

Takashi released me with a quiet sigh, and leaning down, he pressed a kiss to my forehead, ruffling my hair as he went.

I rolled my eyes in exasperation, then went to join my team.

"See you when we come back," I called over my shoulder as we departed.

Oh, yes, it was going to be a long mission.

. . .

My team and I had been travelling for about two days, and by then, we had completely traversed the desert and wondered into the forest.

"Really," I said to Yashamaru as we stopped to rest, "It's a complete miracle that we haven't run into any ninja considering the state of the five nations."

"The Kazekage said that there would be a very low chance of us encountering other ninja," Yashamaru replied in slight annoyance, "Bandits yes, but not ninja."

"Uh, huh," I replied, yawning deeply, slouching against the tree that I was leaning against, "So, who's taking the first watch?"

"You can take the first watch, Yūmaru-chan," Kazuki informed me, "Sasori-kun will take the second, Yashamaru-kun will take the third, and I will keep watch for the rest of the night."

I groaned in annoyance, and this served to get a smirk out of Yashamaru, and when I only glowered at him, his smirk grew even wider.

"Why do you always seem to take pleasure out of my suffering?" I complained.

Yashamaru didn't answer, and I thought that he was being a smart ass for not replying to my comment.

I voiced this, and was dismayed when he shushed me quietly, his eyes darting frantically in the trees above us.

"Yashamaru-san," I frowned, "What-"

"Get down!" he suddenly shouted.

At his command, every instinct kkn my body drove me to obey, and I dove out of the way just as dozens of kunai and shuriken rained down on us.

My side collided heavily with a tree, and I laid there, stunned, staring up at the tree tops with wide eyes.

Well… shit.