Arc One: Hitomi's Childhood

Chapter Five

Summary: Hitomi wasn't a people pleaser. But at the same time she wanted them to be happy. Hard thing to balance. Never bothered her though.

Probably going to post Chapter Six today or Thursday.

DarkDust27- I like your idea! Definitely going to have to come up with some scenes for that. Jealous Kakashi is going to be so fun! Thanks for the review!

Guest- You read all of it in one day? That's crazy! I'm so glad you like it!

Guest #2(who left 6 reviews of info)- thank you for all the information, I didn't know some of that.

Mimisaki- why was Minato a vote? I don't remember. I guess its because I hadn't planned to make her so young at first. (Le shrug) lol, thanks for the review!

Leofrick- thank you for pointing that out, I fixed it! Thank you!

Marissa- thank you for your vote!

A- Hitomi is such a troublemaker. I agree. And I love it! Lol thank you for your review.

Kirika o7- thanks for the vote, the review and those kind words!

Harlz97- my first review on chapter one, from July 19 and I never responded! How rude of me! You want more Jiraiya, more Jiraiya you get! Maybe not this chapter or the next but just you wait! I'll give you more Jiraiya interactions! Thank you!

Half an hour later the game was over. Shikaku won of course and Hitomi thanked him for the game and the tips she received before she helped him reset the board.

Not wanting to get caught in another round of that, she scrambles over Hamatsu's lap, then over Minato's and crawls up Kushina. Firmly pressing her back to Kushina's chest, and holding onto the arms that wrapped around her waist. Kushina didn't even bat an eye, continuing her conversation with the Uchiha matriarch.

"Well aren't you just cute?"

Hitomi turns her dark gaze past the Uchiha woman and to the dog that sat on the other side of her.

"Not as cute as you," Hitomi retorts, "tell me, how do you get your fur so soft?"

The dog huffs, giving a weak glare.

Tsume smirks, whacking a hand onto the dogs back harshly, as she laughs.

Hitomi turns her eyes down to her hands. Swirling little abstract designs on the smooth tanned skin of Kushina's arm, Hitomi ignores the glances from the adults. Instead she focused on the fact that outside, the snow had stuck to the ground. There was heaping piles everywhere. The streets were covered, the workers of the shops lined up the street had to go shovel snow in the morning to make a path not only for people to get down that specific street but also small path ways to get to the doorways.

In front of Hoshi, there were a few snowmen that her and her mother made with Obito and Shisui. And then there is a lake that her mother showed her last year, up past the Hokage monument. Hidden deep in the forest, where her mother taught her how to ice skate. It had frozen - Hitomi had made numerous trips up there to check it's progress - in the last few days and Hitomi and her friends were planning a trip up there- today in fact.. before Sakumo had stolen her away.

Hitomi lets out a long suffering sigh. If only she had taken Hamatsu's warning earlier and scrammed. Slowly, she glances past Minato to her golden eyed sensei who was in a conversation with the Hyuuga twins, Minato inputting here and there.

Both of them were smiling, and way to colorful compared to the Hyuuga twins. Hamatsu was colorful, but Minato was even more bright. It radiated from him. She watches as he laughs at something Hamatsu just said, and places one hand over his stomach and claps the other onto his teammates shoulder. Her lips twitched up at the comical sight. The Hyuuga twins were frowning deeply, arms crossed looking away from each other, and Hamatsu smirking victoriously as Minato laughs deeply.

Minato turns, his blue eyes meeting her dark ones and she tenses, her eyes widen and she pulls Kushina's arms up and buries her face in the woman's hands.

"Hita-hime?" Kushina questions, tugging at her hands. Hitomi shakes her head, not letting her new hiding place go. Hitomi feels Kushina and Minato exchange looks. And suddenly new hands reached around and grabbed her sides, lifting her into the air and into another lap.

Hitomi refused to look and make eye contact with Minato. Instead, much like she had done with Sakumo, she buries her face into his neck. He wasn't wearing his flak jacket so she had to find another way to deal with the exposure,

Wiggling so he would lift her up more, she curls her arms into her chest, tucking her forehead against the edges of his hair and closing her eyes. She nids, feeling secured in her hiding place.

She felt Kushina pat her back, "I'll be back, Hita-hime," she says, "behave for Minato-kun okay?" The hand leaves and she wiggles a bit more, missing the comfort of someone she trusted. Not that she didn't trust Minato, she just really did not know him. Hitomi had pulled pranks and had hung out with Kushina plenty of times since they met. She always avoided Minato and Hamatsu when she could- even though he was her sensei and she had the feeling he would protect her.

Feeling her discomfort, Minato places his hand in the same spot Kushina patted. Hitomi's back muscles immediately tense, and she ignores the red flags in her brain. If Kushina trusted him, Hitomi could to. It would take effort, but her mother said that was alright. She just had to give him the chance.

Breathing in deeply, she started to let herself relax. Her muscles untensing with every breath she took. Minato smelt like the fresh Konoha breeze, it had a cold twinge to it because of all of the snow he had to trek through to get here. And there was a faint scent of some kind of herb, then there was a kinder smell she couldn't place. It fit nicely with Kushina's scent.. she noted. She wondered if that was because of how long they'd been together. Kushina had said they had been close for four years.. but do scents really change like that? Hitomi considered asking the scent expert of the room but decided against it. She didn't want to get involved with that. Or them. She had enough people to deal with as it was.

Eventually she found herself relaxed in Minato's arms, that was when Kakashi came in. He didn't even knock. She tucked her chin up on Minato's shoulder when he walked in, bowed to the room in whole before passing them - giving Hitomi a heated glare - and going to Sakumo.

"Obito won't leave me alone." He nods his head in Hitomi's direction. "He says you stole her when they had plans today. Her whole stupid fan club is out there- demanding you release her immediately or they will be forced to take action."

Hitomi rolls her eyes as half the room chuckles and the other half exchange glances.

As the room went quiet again there were multiple faint, 'Hitomi-chan!'s that was no doubt coming from her fan club. Followed by what sounded like, 'I'm coming to rescue you, my eternal love!'

Hitomi let out an annoyed sound and hit her forehead against in Minato's shoulder.

"I'm not going out there." She announces to the younger Hatake.

Kakashi swivels, and points a finger at her, with venom he says, "yes. you. are."

Hitomi shrugs, "I'd say make me, but we both already know that you can't." She taunts with a raise of her brows, settling her expression to a calculated emotionless state.

Kakashi's glare was absolutely loathing. And he pinned it on her. She couldn't care less though. He couldn't do ninjutsu in here and while he had more physical strength, she was quicker and had better reflexes in taijutsu.

Just as Sakumo started to raise placating hands, the door hit the wall. Obito and Shisui fell in and slammed the door behind them. Shisui examined the room quickly, bowing deeply and dragging the stunned older Uchiha into a bow as well.

"Sorry for interrupting." Shisui says immediately as he comes up from his bow, his eyes find Hitomi, "don't go out there." He warns.

"She needs to go out there because I'm not dealing with them for any of you." Kakashi turns his glare to the younger Uchiha who stares back apathetically.

"I'd like to see you make her teme!" Obito shouts, dramatically sticking his finger towards Kakashi.

Shisui sighs, placing a single hand on Obito's arm and forcing it back to his side.

"Well this is an interesting turn of events." Inoichi smiles, earning a 'hn' and a nod of agreement from his Nara teammate.

"You got that right." Choza replies.

The door opens yet again, Kushina and Mikoto returning.

The door pushes both Uchiha kids out of the way, sending them flying at best. And Mikoto analyzes the room quickly, taking the door from the fuming Uzumaki's hand and shutting it softly. Before taking her seat again.

"Hitomi." Kakashi pronounced her name by syllable.

"Don't be a hypocrite, Kakashi." Hitomi glares, sliding out of Minato's arms to sit in his lap, "if that was your fan club out there, you'd be hiding too."

"Oh, his fan club is out there." Shisui nods thoughtfully. "They gathered and mixed with your group Hitomi. They just aren't as loud." He shrugs.

"That's it." Kakashi throws up his hands and plunks down on the empty seat beside his father, "I give up." He says.

Hitomi rolls her eyes, "you're such a baby."

"That coming from the actual baby." He retorts testily.

Hitomi stands, untangling herself from Minato and taking a few steps towards Shisui and Obito, "why do I always have to get us out of these situations?" She questions to herself, "and why do I feel like this is going to be the norm the rest of my life." She forms a hand sign.

Obito smiles widely, "cause it is."

Four Hitomi clones poof into existence. Then with another poof, three of them henged into Shisui, Obito and Kakashi - the Kakashi one had a constipated look on his masked face.

"I do not look like that." Kakashi growls.

"Could've fooled me." Hitomi shrugs.

"That's so accurate Mi-chan!" Obito exclaims in laughter.

"Just be grateful." Shisui retorts, giving Kakashi a look.

Hitomi felt the adults eyes on her, some shocked some not surprised at all.

"Fan club?" Hitomi-clone raises a brow.

Hitomi nods, "take them towards the gates then disappear. Don't take them to far, the weather could pick up at anytime and they might need to get home quick."

The clones nod and rush out the door. Before the door could close again they heard the fan clubs screams and then the loudness fades and Hitomi turns back to the group. Her eyes landing on Hamatsu.

"I hope you got the information you were looking for." She says and Hamatsu smirks. "Because we have to go now." She turns to look at Obito and Shisui, "go gather the group and start making your way there. We will catch up."

The boys both nod, bowing to their clan head before bowing to the room and leaving quickly.

She gives Kushina a smile, "You'll have to show me next time, how to deal with them. For now, this trick will work."

Kushina nods, a wide smirk mixed with a giddy smile on her face.

"Kakashi, you owe me." She glances at the stoic boy, "so you have to come as well."

"Why should I?" He frowns.

Hitomi smiles, "because my clone is fully capable of telling your those girls that you are still here." Then she shrugs, "even if I don't rat you out, they will come back here looking for you once the clones cancel out."

Hitomi watches Kakashi think it through logically before grunting and standing, Sakumo pats him on the back as his son leaves. Hitomi turns body so Kakashi can't bump her shoulder as he passes.

"It was nice to meet you all." Hitomi bows to the room, getting an interesting amount of nods back and she turns and grabs the door, shutting it on her way out.

Hitomi passes Kakashi in the dining area, grabbing her coat from the counter and shoving her hat on, throwing her scarf over her shoulder she exits, Kakashi hot on her heels.

"Where are we going?" Kakashi asks, falling in step with her.

Hitomi smiles a genuinely happy smile, "you'll see." She giggles as Kakashi makes a face, "don't worry it will be fun."

"Three henges on top of four solid clones?" Tsume grins wickedly, her fingers absentmindly curling into navy colored fur.

"With a single hand sign." Mikoto adds on much more docile.

Kushina smirks, reaching over to twine her fingers with Minato. "She's getting good with sealing as well."

"And her Taijutsu is exceptional." Fugaku crosses his arms, "even Obito's grades have picked up. Shisui was quick to begin with, being related to Kagami. But now he's even better, when his sharingan activates he will be able to make his Body Flicker Images solid."

"She saw an opportunity to put me in check mate and did the exact opposite." Shikaku nods thoughtfully.

Inoichi chuckles, "she has intellect hidden in her eyes."

"She shows real potential as sensor as well." Fumiko smiles gracefully.

"Her stealth and espionage are remarkable." Hiashi inputs.

His twin nodding in agreement, "if I had not met this girl today I would not have believed that it was her who snuck through our compound nearly undetected."

"No father?" Mikoto asks, glancing towards Minato, "she looked almost fearful in his arms."

Minato nods, "first time I've held her. And no, no father or male figure in her life. Well, other than Sakumo the last few months."

"It's easier for her to hide it when she has a clear exit strategy." Hamtsu says in agreement, "otherwise she can be very closed off and quiet." He eyed the line of men, "like today, you all threw her off kilter."

"Just where did you find this girl?" Tsunade smirks, bemused, honey eyes flashed to meet the dark eyes of her Hatake friend.

"Here actually." Sakumo nods proudly, "her mother is the founder of this restaurant."

"Shinobi?" Tsume questions, having never come in here personally. Many members of her clan had told her about the place where ninken were accepted graciously.

Hamatsu shakes his head, "civilian created, civilian owned, civilian ran."

"Name?" Choza asks, his hand in a chip bag despite the table laden with snacks. Names were everything in the ninja world.

"Aiko Midori." Sakumo supplies, "she is from the Midori clan but has no ties to it."

"Midori clan huh?" Shikaku ponders. His clan was allies with them before Konoha was founded. They still loosely associated, but the Midori clan was close with Sarutobi and Hatake clans respectably. They had been even closer with the Senju clan before Hashirama disbanded and integrated his clan into the village. The Midori clan had been getting along with the Uchiha clan ever since the Second Hokage had taken the hat. Shikaku's eyes turned to Fugaku who was also deep into thought.

"No ties you say?.." Fugaku exchanges a look with his wife. "We know a lot about the Midori clan, but if what you say about her obtaining shoton is true. Then we know nothing about it. I've never met a Midori able to use such jutsu."

"The Midori clan use a lot of poisons, traps and espionage." Mikoto nods, "they fight long distance, preferably behind the scenes or in the shadows."

"That explains half of the childs' abilities." Tsunade says, rolling her shoulders, the trek back to the village had been exhausting. She almost thought it wasn't worth it, after she gave up being a Konoha nin. But when someone like her old friend and comrade, Sakumo Hatake messaged her and asked her to visit how could she say no. Especially when half his message was coded saying he had found something rather interesting she needed to look at. "The only other shinobi (that I know of and could name) so well balanced in skills would have to be my grandfather and Madara Uchiha."

"What will you do with her?" Inoichi questions, near giddy at the amount of options that could be considered.

Hamatsu shrugs, "It's to early. I'll wait and see what her aptitudes are and what she likes to do and what could help the village," he trails off, "but the decision will be hers once she's old enough to decide."

Some of the others didn't agree with his decision. But didn't comment. Once again they launched back into the topic called Hitomi Midori and started comparing her to other students and ninja alike.

"See this isn't to bad." Hitomi giggles, happily skating past Kakashi who was having trouble moving to quickly.

Hitomi was sliding backwards, Obito had a death grip on her hands and refused to lift his feet to make any attempt to skate for himself.

Shisui flew past them, causing Obito to stumble and start shouting at his cousin. Rin followed Shisui, the two looking as if they were racing.

Genma, Ebisu and Anko were throwing kunai and senbon at the frozen rock wall. They balanced on the ice, at the bottom of a small cut off, that during the rest of the year, was a waterfall, pouring down beautifully, now the water fall was frozen in place and being used as target practice.

Asuma was helping Kurenai keep balance as they slowly went in large circles around the entirety of the large frozen lake. Hitomi knew the two had crushes on each other, no matter how secretive they tried to be. It was like Rin liking Kakashi and Obito liking Rin.

Hitomi pushed that from her mind as she unwound from Obito and shot out of his reach earning a yell. Taunting him easily, she was able to force him into moving for himself, always staying just out of reach of his outstretched fingers. Obito would be a pro by the time they had to leave.

Which would be soon, she thought glumly. It had taken longer than she thought it would to get everyone up the mountain and laced up safely. And then proving to them that the lake was completely frozen had taken a good fifteen minutes and then getting every single person out on the ice and comfortable.

And before she knew it two hours had passed.

Then another two were lost in the fun games of ninja tag they played, along with Hokage Says, and Copy Kata.

And before Hitomi or any of them knew it, there were two men standing on the top of the frozen water fall, looking down the twenty foot drop with cocky smiles.

"Well, well," one says, "look what we've got here."

His dark haired friend chuckles, "looks like a couple of clan brats. Our lucky day."

Shisui was suddenly by her side, Obito's arm clenched in his death grip. Hitomi and Shisui held an unspoken conversation as Kakashi moved next to Hitomi on her left.

The rest of her friends, circled closer and flanked them.

Hitomi spreads her senses, searching for others, hoping to find none before inwardly cursing.

"One more behind!" Hitomi calls, and there was a loud swish of ice being sliced as the back rows turned to face the others.

Ebisu and Rin, who had proven to have the best balance, took Obito from Shisui. Leaving Kakashi, Hitomi and Shisui facing the first two enemy nin. Obito stood back to back with Hitomi, Ebisu behind Kakashi and Rin behind Shisui- both of them held one of Obito's trembling arms. Then there was Anko and Kurenai who stood on either side of Ebisu and Rin- Kurenai being beside Rin and Anko beside Ebisu. That left Asuma and Genma facing the third enemy nin. Asuma closer to Kurenai and Rin, and Genma closer to Ebisu and Anko.

It was an interesting formation considering the circumstances.

"We need a plan." Kakashi whispers to her left.

"Looks like that's the Hokage's brat.." the newest man grins wickedly.

"They stand no chance on the ice." Shisui agrees almost angrily, no doubt thinking of his cousins wobbly form behind them.

"I know." Hitomi says through unmoving lips, "we need to get them off the ice, so they can ditch the skates and run.." she glances around.

"Then we will have to give them time," Hitomi shakes her head, then looks over her right shoulder, "Genma. You hear me?"

"And two Uchiha." The first man licks his top lip, "our lucky day."

"Loud and clear." Genma grimaces, his favorite senbon rolling between his teeth.

"You, Asuma engage the single standing enemy. That will give Ebisu and Rin time to get Obito off the ice."

"Hai." Genma nods, "I can't promise holding him for long."

"But we can promise giving it our best." Asuma smirks, deepening his stance.

"Aw, look," the second man said, "they look like angry puppies."

"Kurenai, Anko."

"We hear you." Kurenai answers, tilting her head in.

"You two stay close to them while they move." Hitomi orders, "just in case that guy slips passed Asuma and Genma. Protect them while they get their skates off. Then you four switch. Got it?"

There was a collective, "hai!" from all four of the ones she just addressed.

"Okay then, Kakashi, Shisui," Hitomi smirks, "we'll take the these two. I know both of your styles and should be able to add my own simultaneously, so I'll bounce between the both of your fights."

"What do we do once the skates are out of the picture?" Anko questions, a kunai, that Hitomi had not seen the girl grab, twitching in her fingers.

"Once that is done you all get out of here." Hitomi grimaces, at the thought. "Get down the mountain and get some jounin- at least find one. If you don't happen to find any.. spilt up and go to the Hokage tower or academy- there should be a few lingering. If you have to go to Hoshi- there are always jounin there."

Hitomi kept her expression as neutral as possible, not knowing what she was up against was terrifying. Knowing her friends would die if she couldn't protect them was scarier. Even though she didn't know these men's strengths. She didn't know if Shisui, Kakashi, Genma and Asuma could keep the men distracted long enough for the others to get away.

But she knew she had to try. And she would try hard. Even if it cost her her life. That's what she vowed to do, right then and there.

No turning back.

"What about you?" Genma glances towards her.

No matter what.

"Don't worry about that," she smirks. "I'll catch up."

Rin was scared. She had never been in real combat- none of them had. Their taijutsu practice was always in a controlled environment. Always a chunin watching them to make sure they didn't get hurt.

But she knew she couldn't focus on that. As Kakashi, Shisui and Hitomi leapt forward towards the two enemy nin, and Asuma and Genma leapt towards the one lone enemy nin, she felt herself facing her fight or flight instinct.

In this case I have to choose both, she thought as Kurenai led her, Ebisu, and Obito. She might have to fight if flight didn't work. And flight didn't work unless she got Obito out of there like she was told.

Anko fell into step behind her immediately and that made her feel a little safer. Anko was good at fighting- maybe not as good as the others who were currently in actual fights, but she could hold her own.

Breaking some sort of record, they practically flew across the seventy feet from where they had stood to the snow ring that symbolizes solid ground. They hit the snow and the three rolled, Rin was up first yanking at Obito's laces and throwing his boots at him at the same time. In the corner of her eyes she saw Ebisu pulling at his. As soon as Obito's came off she flipped onto her bottom, pulling at her own laces, Ebisu- who was finished putting on his own boots started her second one and she shot thankful look.

"Alright!" She exclaims jumping to her feet.

Kurenai and Anko plunked down and immediately started on theirs, Obito finished with his and stood. That gave her time to look back and check on the three fights.

Asuma and Genma were the closest, and the two were assaulting the man high and low, sending simultaneous kicks at the mans legs and head sending him skidding back on the ice. But they were keeping up and that's what mattered.

Twenty feet away from that fight, Shisui attacked his enemy with lightning speed, sending rapid punches and the occasional kick at the man who seemed to dodge or block but never got his own hit in. When Hitomi - a flash of pink - appears behind him, tripping him and letting Shisui get in a good punch to the older mans jaw. Rin smirks in awe.

The third battle, Kakashi had a kunai- a pink kunai in hand, she raised a brow at that but didn't bother questioning it out loud. Kakashi sliced up the mans cheek bone, kicking off his chest and landing on the ice, shifting forwad, he had one hand on the ice to keep him from sliding and the other held the kunai in front of his face.

Then another pink kunai flew across the ice field, and Rin stared at Hitomi who she knew it came from, when another kunai literally materialized in the palm of her hand and she sent it flying at Genma and Asuma's enemy. Tripping him up again.

"Alright! Let go!" Kurenai exclaims behind her, they all stood and Rin reached out to grab Obito's arm, not willing to take the chance of seperating.

"And just where do you think you're going?" A voice tsk's.

Rin let out a startled yelp and fell backwards towards her friends as Asuma's enemy flashed in front of her.

"Hey!" Asuma yells from behind them. "We're your enemy!"

"This isn't good." She heard Ebisu say.

And just as Genma and Asuma reaches them, ten pink kunai slam into the ground in a circle around her and her friends. Causing the enemy to leap back to avoid being hit, and thus seperating them all.

"Guys!" Hitomi shouts from behind, Rin glances over her shoulder to see Hitomi making numerous fast hand seals. "Brace your selves!" She screams.

And then they were flying! Literally flying through the air so quick, she couldn't make out a single thing!

Then it was over, and they were slamming into the ground, trying to roll like they were taught to break their fall.

Sakumo and Tsunade walk out of the hall, both glancing over the kitchen as they passed.

"Sakumo!"

Sakumo turns to the owner of Hoshi.

"Yes, Aiko?" He asks with a smile as he and Tsunade pause.

"Hitomi and the other kids haven't come back yet." She says, wringing her fingers together in obvious worry.

"Minato, Hamatsu, hold up!" He calls over his shoulder immediately. Before turning back to Aiko, "alright, we will find them and bring them home." He turns and meets Hamatsu half way.

"What's up?" Hamatsu questions glancing between him and Tsunade. Fumiko and Minato on either side of him and Kushina on Minato's other side.

"The kids haven't returned." He grimaces quietly, not that Aiko couldn't see and worry more.

"Still?" Minato frowns, Kushina's grip on his arm tightens.

"Are you sure?" Fumiko asks softly, glancing over his shoulder to the civilian.

Sakumo nods solemnly, "Hitomi would've returned immediately to tell Aiko she was back." He looks off to his side to see Fugaku, Mikoto approaching.

"Is there a problem?" Fugaku questions.

"The children haven't returned." Hamatsu's golden eyes hardened.

Fugaku's narrowed, "Where did they go?"

"Up the Hokage monument." Sakumo supplies, "there's a lake up there that froze and the kids went to skate."

Fugaku nods, "I can send people up there immediately."

There was a feeling, then chakra buzzing in the air and suddenly all of the Jounin in the circle leap back, as ten kunai thunk into the ground in a wide circle.

Pink kunai.

Pure Crystal kunai.

Hamatsu felt his eyes widening in the split second he had to analyze the crystal with the seals on it, he glances to Minato.

"My seals." His blonde teammate nods gravely.

Then snow fell - only in the the circle - followed by academy students. Seven academy students specifically.

"Obito!" Mikoto gasps, pulling the boy up, "are you okay? Where is Shisui and the others?"

Minato, Kushina, Fumiko started helping up the other students. Sakumo and Tsunade calmed the other shinobi who had startled at the drop in.

Hamatsu goes to his younger brother, "Asuma, you okay?" He asks, dusting snow off the younger boys hair.

"Hamatsu!" Asuma exclaims, gripping his older brothers wrists tightly, "we were attacked! Shisui, Hitomi and Kakashi are still out there!" He yells.

"Minato!" Hamatsu pulls away from Asuma, pushing him into Fumiko's hands and stepping away with his teammate, who was preparing to move them quickly. But they paused, feeling another tingle like the one they got before the kunai hit and suddenly there were two more bodies flinging onto the ground- two enemy bodies.

The killing intent that was emitted from the shinobi who had children involved almost swallows the whole room before they reign it in to spare the children and civilian staff.

Fugaku was signaling to two of the Uchiha police force to apprehend the men.

Then another body fell, this one landing just over suspiciously over Fugaku, who catches the child easily.

It was Shisui. And that's why it is suspicious. Hamatsu let out an angry breath, there was no other explanation other than Hitomi.

Shisui chokes up water, and Tsunade places a healing hand on the boys throat and back as Fugaku sets him down.

As soon as Shisui had oxygen in his lungs he was sputtering and stuttering.

"H-hitomi!-" He's coughs, "water!"

"Slow down and wait a few seconds kid. Don't waste your breath." Tsunade orders.

Aiko had the staff handing out blankets to wrap around the children.

"There's one more!" Shisui gasps, "he took Kakashi under the ice! Hitomi went after them, throwing me here at the same time!"

"What?" Aiko exclaims, brokenly.

Sakumo had placed a hand in front of the woman, keeping her from getting close to the drop zone. His eyes hardened at the news, his heart throbbing at the mention of his son.

No one could speak before yet another body dropped. A man, incapacitated. No doubt he the last one Shisui was talking about. So where was Hitomi and Kakashi?

Not two seconds after this man is taken does the niggling feeling return.

And before anyone could move, Kakashi hit the cold floor, and Hitomi's back slammed into the table, glass shattered loudly, and blood flew from her mouth at the impact.

And their parents were on them, Sakumo was pulling his on up, Fumiko pressing her hands to his chest as he chokes out water.

Hitomi went to roll painfully off the table, the glass digging into her back. But the floor didn't hit, instead, two arms caught her- her sensei.

Her mother knelt beside her, gently grabbing one hand as Tsunade pressed chakra into her lungs.

"That is a lot of chakra pooling around your heart kiddo." Tsunade murmers, Hitomi nods, her fingers digging into Hamatsu's arm.

"Kakashi you good?" She calls shakily once she could breath again- even though it was extremely painful.

"Me?!" Kakashi exclaims with heat, "You're the one who's hurt!"

"Nah, I'm good." She waves her hand, leaning her forehead onto Hamatsu's bicep.

"Take a deep breath." Tsunade orders.

As Hitomi pulls in the precious oxygen, she coughs violently, bringing up more blood.

"Stay awake, Hita-hime." Kushina says softly to the left of Hamatsu. "Your chakra is very low. If you sleep now it could hurt you."

"Pray tell, why is your chakra so low?" Tsunade questions, honey eyes examining.

Hitomi doesn't answer, prompting Kakashi to instead

"She used Minato-sensei's jutsu." He says, earning answer glare.

"Which jutsu?" Hamatsu tenses.

"The one he created." Kakashi informs weakly, looking to his sensei.

"And how does she know the rasengan Kakashi?!" Minato says steely, frowning immensely.

"I only showed her once!" Kakashi explains, "months ago before you warned me against it. And when I showed her it, it was only the size of a coin. Hers was the size of yours!"

"Shut up Kakashi!" Hitomi grits her teeth, already feeling the punishment she would no doubt fave for that.

"Hitomi!" Hamatsu says slowly, "have you practiced using that jutsu before?"

Hitomi gulps. "No." She answers honestly, "it was my first time. And I only used it to save Kakashi! I wouldn't have used it if I had any other choice! I swear!" She looked up to meet her senses hard golden eyes with wide dark ones. Begging him to believe her.

Behind them, Minato sighs seeing the look. "We can talk about this later. Let's just get everything cleaned up and get the kids to the hospital for a check up."

Hitomi looks down again, biting her lip. The feeling that pooled inside her gut as she held eye contact was to much, to painful.

The look in her sensei's eyes was one she hadn't really had any experience with.

Disappointment.

And that left a bitter taste in her mouth, and a large sum of regret hung over her.

Vote Ended!

Hitomi will be paired with Kakashi!