Maki often allowed her mind to go free when she ran. She loved to run, just to let out all that held in energy. Much like her baby sisters she was full of energy and had to just let herself run to be able to sit still. The feeling of the sand her face, through her dark green locks, was a rush indeed. Besides letting out energy, she ran when she needed to think about things. Situations that got her family all excited and into their usual arguments and so on. She was the peacemaker, much like her father. If it wasn't for the two of them Ayame and Akari would have killed each other long ago.

Akari, strong sweet, but very angry Akari.

Where was all that hate coming from? The hate that she had for everyone who ever tried to show any love for her. There were so many mystery's that Maki would never understand about her older sister. She was so angry at the world, yet no one could ever understand why. Was it the war?

Was it the death of her late sister Dai that she never got to meet? No.

She had small stories about the death of Dai, but that was a secret that Ayame always kept to herself and no one ever knew what really happened that day on the battle field. Maki was an 8 month seed that was about ready to pop from her mother's womb when that event occurred. She never got answers. Akari never knew, and her mother would brush it off as something that is not talked about.

Was it the constant secrets between her family that torn them apart?

Maki could understand why Akari would be angered at it. She had seen her father take her into the desert to battle out all that held in anger. They would sometimes be out there for hours and come back way into the night. That was when Akari started to wear her hair short.

Had all that anger finally driven her elder sister Ayame away from good?

Maki had always looked up to Ayame, and was pleased to earn her praise during her medical studies. Perhaps jealous rage was involved between the bad blood within her two eldest sisters. Ayame was the strongest women in the village, and Maki was on the road to be the best medical ninja in the village. Her two littlest sisters were being raised by her mother and that left Akari alone.

Of course no one desired that for her but it was never easy to fix the situation.

She had once confronted her; with a loving sister hug and that resulted in lashes of more of that anger. She often reminded Maki of the legendary nine tailed fox, the beast who was known for having the most hate stored up.

"Oh my dear sister I love you" Maki whispered to herself as she wiped a single tear from her eyes.

Maki didn't know where she was going, but she soon found herself leaving the desert and heading back into the village. Before she knew it she found herself in front of the Kazekage palace.

"Greetings Lady Maki" a guard said bowing to her as she walked past.

She gave him a sad smile, and soon found herself walking down the dark hallway toward the large staircase and soon was in front of a large door.

She pressed her forehead against the wood, her headband coming in contact with the wood with a thud. She stood there, her fingers on the door knob unable to turn the knob. She just stood there in silence.

"You may enter Maki-Chan. Please don't be shy."

The voice awoke her from her thoughts.

She still hesitated.

"Or shall I open the door for you?" the voice chuckled.

She still hesitated, but finally opened the door with a creak. The warmth of the room hit her face and the light blinded her. She squinted, before opening her eyes to come face to face with her grandfather lord Kazekage.

"Old man…." She whispered, looking into the dark eyes that reminded her so much of her father. His eyes were filled with concern, and he welcomed her against his chest as she ran to him crying.

"Baby Maki it's alright." He whispered as he pulled his granddaughter close letting her pour herself out. He was unsure of what was troubling her but he didn't care as long as he could be of some comfort to her.

"Old man I hate myself so much!" She cried as she clutched his robe with her little knuckles. "Why does life have to be hard, so damn hard?!"

He said nothing but only listened to her cry. It was anger and she needed to let it all out. He rubbed circles around her armored back and buried his long fingers in her curly bob as he held her tighter.

"Baby girl what on earth would trouble you so much that you would hate yourself?" he asked, clutched her shoulders to face him. Maki was calm but her eyes showed a lot of emotional pain.

"I-Ju-gah I can't even say it!" She cried frustrated as she pushed away from him. She hated to show such weakness but at the same time she wanted the comfort she was desperately desired but didn't know how to ask for it.

"Take your time dear Maki," he replied folding his hands in his lap, "Letting out ones emotion is hard. Please tell me why you are so troubled?"

"I feel like my world is falling apart," Maki replied, "and having a sister like Akari doesn't make anyone's life any easier!"

Her grandfather leaned back in his chair, eyes keen upon her.

"It's alright a war at my house, Ayame and Mother fighting or worse Ayame and Akari going at it, on top of 2 crying babies. Are you aware that we have to fix a window?" Maki did not cry, she could only let out frustration. "The fact that you sent Ayame helped the house quiet down but…"

"But what, Maki Chan?" He asked.

"Why am I getting this strange feeling? Something in my heart is telling me that something really bad is going to happen..." The first could see deep within her eyes that they were pleaded for answers.

"Maki, May I ask why you feel this way?"

"I am not sure, but something is telling me that something very bad is going to happen, I can't explain it…"

The first closed his eyes and let out a sad sigh,

"Well Takewaki? Do you feel this way as well? Do tell…"

Maki gasped as a figured jumped through the open window from the warm darkness. When he stepped into the light she could see it was none other than Ayame's tall, dark and handsome lover. His bright eyes were not the same as she remembered. He walked over, getting on one knee in front of their master.

"Tell me young man why do you choose to spy on me?"

"Forgive me Sir, but I share the same concerns as dear Maki-Chan," He stated bowing his head. "Please, you must call Ayame back right away!"

That took them both by surprise.

"Call Ayame back…." He repeated, "Why on earth would I do that?"

"I feel that Ayame is in grave danger, please sir call her back or at least send me in to check on her!"

"Now kiddo," The first got up from his chair and walk around side, "I am sorry but the both of you are making little sense, First it's a bad feeling and now it's something about agent Ayame?"

"Gramps, He's right. Maybe it's my own gut feeling but I don't think that Ayame is really that safe out there in the stone all alone."

Despite being middle aged the first Kazekage stood very tall, much taller than Tatewaki.

The first looked the younger man in the eyes, and could see the will of the clan of his late wife, the clan of Tatewaki's origins.

"Please my Lord, Ayame is not safe out there." He had never resorted to begging in his life, but he knew he would have too. If it meant on his knees he would beg for his master to bring her home.