KAKASHI'S P.O.V

I yawned as I walked to Rin's apartment down the street from mine. Even though she got her own place, she still can't get up on time. I knocked on her door and yawned again as I heard movement coming from the other side.

"Rin! Come on, Sarutobi wants us to report to him before sunrise."

I said through the door and heard her groan.

"Don't make me come in there and drag you out of the bed like last time."

I said and heard her huff before I heard the rustling of clothes and the door opened to reveal a black pants clad, dark red off the shoulder halter top over fishnet undershirt wearing half asleep Rin.

"Why in the world does he want us to wake up this early?"

She asked as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. I couldn't help but smile at her as I ruffled her hair.

"I don't know, but how bout this. First one to the Hokage building gets treated lunch by the other one."

I said and she instantly perked up.

'I swear, sometimes she's worse than Naruto and ramen.'

She pulled on a pair of calf high black combat boots and closed the door behind her.

"On your mark….get set….."

I said with a smile that Rin returned.

"GO!"

She yelled before taking off. I shook my head at her before running after her.

RIN'S P.O.V

I couldn't help but smile at the feel of the wind blowing my hair back as I ran across the rooftops in the village. I could sense Kakashi behind me, and though he was going all out I was still beating him easily and I wasn't even using half my power. I jumped from the top of the hospital and grabbed hold of the outside ledge of the window on the eastern side of the Hokage building before slipping inside. I landed in a crouch and waited for Kakashi to catch up.

"Ah Rin, I see you won again today."

Sarutobi said as he looked up from his desk. I stood up just as Kakashi came in through the western window, hair wind blown and out of breath.

"When will you ever learn Kakashi, you can't beat her."

Sarutobi said and Kakashi just smiled as he rubbed the back of his head.

"You owe me another thing of lunch Kashi."
I said and he sighed.

"Yeah, yeah."

He said and I smiled as I turned towards Sarutobi.

"So, Sabi, what'd you want us here so early for?"

I asked and he smiled as he sat down behind his desk.

"As you know, Konoha is in alliance with Suna."

He said and we both nodded.

"Well, a couple of Chunin ninjas will be arriving shortly to report to me on a mission similar to the one we sent you on Rin."

He said and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Okay, who are these ninja?"
I asked warily and Sarutobi's smile faltered.

"The Kazekage and his siblings."

He said and I groaned. I could already feel their auras coming this way. I walked towards the window I'd come in and stopped with one foot out.

"Kashi you stay here and talk to them, I'm going to go train. It's been a while since Kitsana and I had some fun together. Later Sabi."

I said before jumping out the window and heading for the training grounds the ANBU had specially reserved for my training purposes.

KAKASHI'S P.O.V

"What was her problem?"

Sarutobi asked and I sighed.

"Sorry Sarutobi, she's just a little…..moody in the mornings."

I said and he nodded. I could tell he knew I wasn't telling the truth, but he let it go anyways.

"In that case, you will have to be here to meet with the Sand Chunin. Be civil during the meeting Kakashi, we don't need to upset the new Kazekage."

He said and I nodded. I felt the chakras of the Sand Chunin coming our way and it didn't take long for them to walk through the door.

"Ah, Gaara, how nice to see you again."

Sarutobi said and the red haired boy nodded, though he didn't seem to be too focused on the Hokage.

"I take it your mission with the Akatsuki was a success then?"

Sarutobi asked and Gaara turned his attention to me.

"We took out the Akatsuki, but an ANBU destroyed the machine before we got a chance to."

Kankuro said and I thought I heard a hint of hurt in his voice, like he wanted to be the one to destroy the machine.

"Well it's destroyed right? That's all that matters."

Sarutobi said and Kankuro and Temari nodded, though Gaara never took his eyes off me.

"The ANBU who destroyed the machine, where are they?"

Gaara asked and I narrowed my eyes at him. No one else noticed except him and I thought I saw a smile on his face, but it was gone just as quickly as it was there.

"Why do you want to know?"

I asked, keeping my emotions in check.

"She left something behind the last time we…..met."

Gaara said and I glared at him.

"What makes you so sure it was a female ANBU?"

Sarutobi asked and Gaara turned to look at him.

"Just a lucky guess."

He said and I clenched my fists together to keep from doing anything rash. Sarutobi said to be civil and I will, but there's just something about this sand Chunin that I don't trust.

GAARA'S P.O.V

I almost smiled at the so called 'copy ninja' as he tried to hold back his emotions. I could tell he was trying to protect the girl from me, but no matter what I'd find her. I had some questions I wanted answered and I had a feeling only she'd have the answers I was looking for.

'Do you feel that? It's the same chakra that girl had back at the Chunin Exams.'

Shukaku said and I searched for what he was talking about. I smirked as I realized he was right.

"Temari, Kankuro, you two take if from here."

I said and left before anyone could say anything. I followed the feel of the chakra till I came to a secluded training ground. I was shocked at what I saw and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't tear my eyes away from the girl below.

RIN'S P.O.V

'Calm down little one. Fighting with your anger is the surest way to allow your enemy to get the best of you.'

Kitsana said and I took a deep breath trying to reign in my emotions.

'I don't even know why I'm so angry, I just know I am.'

I said as I let my aura flare out. I heard Kitsana whimper and I reigned it back in.

"I'm sorry."

I said and she shook her head.

"Don't be little one. This is what our training is for, so you can gain control over your emotions."

Kitsana said and I nodded.

"Now draw your weapon little one."

She said and I did as she said. I drew my katana first. I crouched low and started circling Kitsana like I did every time we started our training sessions. She got up and mimicked my movements. Her tail twitched, signaling the beginning of our fight.

She suddenly disappeared and I stayed still as I listened for her. I heard the soft thud of paws hitting the ground and swung around just as her claws were inches from my face. I smiled and pushed off from her.

"Good, you've improved. Now, try attacking me."

She said and I nodded before charging my power into my blade running towards her. She dodged me easily the first few times, but I used my genko to my advantage and eventually pinned her down. She yipped in submission and I jumped off her and resheathed my katana.

"One down, two to go. You ready for round two Kitsana?"

I asked and she nodded as she stood back up and increased her size. Her red and black fur lengthened as she grew to the size of a small hut. I drew my dagger from it's sheath on my boot and held it up in the defensive. Kitsana swiped at me with her tail and I dodged it easily, landing on a branch in a tree. She jumped from her place on the ground and the next thing I know her claws are cutting through the tree limb I was standing on. I jumped from branch to branch until I landed back on the ground. Kitsana was nowhere to be found, but I knew she was still here. I fanned out my aura and found her running through the woods coming towards me from the east.

I hid my aura and jumped into a tree just as she came out of the foliage. I jumped down onto her back and pressed my dagger to her throat. She tried to throw me off, but I growled warningly at her and she stopped. She reverted back to her normal size as I jumped off her back and sheathed my dagger.

"Not bad little one. That's two down, now only one to go. You've improved greatly since we started."

Kitsana said and I couldn't help but smile at her. I thought about pulling my sai, but then thought against it.

"Hey Kitsana."

I said and she cocked her head to the side, indicating she was listening.

"I want to try fighting against you in my true form."

I said and felt her aura flare with worry.

"Don't worry about it, I promise if I start to lose it I'll transform back."

I said and she dipped her head, giving me permission and access to our joined power.

I took a deep breath before I felt my aura wrap around me. I felt my nails and teeth lengthen and felt one of the two tails Kitsana and I possessed in our true form sway behind me.

'That's enough for now, let's see how long I can keep it up.'

I said and she dipped her head before charging at me. I didn't move, but brought my claws up and blocked against her. She tried to bite me, but I grabbed her muzzle and threw her over my shoulder. She whimpered and I let up on the pressure only to have her kick me away. I slid across the ground and gasped as the air was knocked from my lungs as my back hit a tree. Suddenly I had the feeling of being watched. I looked around, but didn't see anyone. I fanned out with my aura and my eyes widened when I realized that the red haired Kazekage was watching me from across the field.

I quickly reigned in my power and felt myself return to normal. Kitsana ran up to me and asked me what was wrong.

'We're being watched. How could I not have sensed him!'

I thought to her as I looked up at him. He was looking straight at me with his hands crossed in front of him.

"How long have you been standing there kid?"

I asked and he disappeared only to appear right in front of me.

"So, we meet again."

He said and I rolled my eyes at him.

"What do you want kid?"

I asked walking past him, but stopped when his sand wrapped around my wrist. I suppressed a growl and broke free, but turned around to face him.

"Stop calling me kid."

He said and I couldn't help but smile.

"Sorry, no can do kid. Unless you know my name that's what I'm gonna call you."

I said before turning to walk away. I heard a growl, but ignored it until I was forced forward. I instantly tucked inward and rolled only to end up with my back on the ground and Gaara straddling my waist with a kunai pressed to my throat.

"Oh, so you do use weapons other than your sand. Good to know, now get off me kid."

I said and he pressed the dagger against my throat until a small bead of blood showed up. I saw the malice behind his eyes and knew he'd have no trouble killing me and for some reason that only made me want to smile.

"Okay then, how 'bout this. We'll have a battle. I win and you gotta do whatever I say for a full hour."

I said and he loosened the pressure he put behind the kunai to my throat.

"And if I win?"

He asked and I thought about it for a moment before smiling up at him.

"If you win, I'll stop calling you kid."

I said, purposely making it so he still didn't learn my name. And even though he didn't voice it I could tell it was driving him insane.

"So what do you say kid? You up for a little fun?"

I asked and he glared at me before letting me to my feet.

'Little one, are you sure about this?'

Kitsana asked and I nodded.

'Yes. Do me a favor though, and put a barrier around this place. I don't want anyone to get hurt.'

I said and she nodded before disappearing. I saw Gaara's eyes follow her as she left and couldn't help but laugh.

"She's just going on an errand of mine. Now come on, it's just you and me. Oh, and just some friendly advice…."

I said with a smile before drawing my katana.

"Don't hold back."