This chapter will involve Kai's backstory. I hope you all enjoy this new chapter. Like before if someone would review this story I would really love it. I appreciate any feedback so please review.

Chapter 6

Kai's Past

"Where are Naruto and Sakura?" Ino asked the group.

"Naruto is tending to her, I figure that once we know our next move we'll let them know," Kakashi said, with this unknown enemy knowing where Sakura lived, this was the best course. Tsunade gathered up everyone who was involved with what happened earlier to decide what was the next step.

"Alright, we have our most elite Anbu patrolling around the village so these 2 women cannot enter. So what is our next step?" She asked, looking at Kai.

"The best bet, Lady Hokage, is if we find someone who's a damn good seal master. If we can find out what type of seal he used on Sakura years ago, maybe that would be the logical next move."

"Do you know anyone like that?" Ino asked.

"I may, there is someone in particular that I can try to get a hold of. The problem is that it could take less than a week to get an answer."

"Maybe Lord Jiraiya could help us out?" Kakashi asked.

"I can try to get a hold of him, but like Kai's contact, it could take a bit," Tsunade responded. "Kai, do you think you could send the person a message at once?"

"I can do it at once." He said as they were dismissed.

As soon as Kai exited the Hokage's office, his thoughts were fixated on one thing, he wanted to apologize to Sakura. Ino saw Kai standing in the hallway, she walked up to him and put her hand on his shoulder. He jumped a bit, causing her to giggle.

"Oh hey Ino, you scared the jeepers out of me."

"Sorry Kai-Kun, I had to do that at least once." He chuckled, she noticed that something was on his mind. "What's the problem? Were you thinking of Sakura?"

"You can read me like a book, can't you." He said, with her winking at him. "Yeah, I feel like I owe her an apology for what happened."

"I'll be honest with you Kai-Kun, Sakura won't be angry with you." Ino said to him.

"I know, but I feel better if I do."

"Alright Kai-Kun if you insist, let's go to Naruto's apartment then." She said, grabbing his hand. Smiling at him with a tint of blush on his face.

Sakura lay in Naruto's bed, still processing the information that was given to her earlier. She was trembling with fear, fear of the unknown of what was to come. She looked at her hands, they were shaking. She didn't know what to do, she feels like there is nothing she could do. Suddenly the knocking on the bedroom door soon breaks her thought process.

"You can come in."

It was Naruto, he walked in and sat on the bed. The two of them shared a hug. Naruto was still so happy she was alright, but he could see how scared she was.

"Hey Sakura, are you going to be alright?" He said, rubbing her back to relax her.

"It's still really hard to process this like we knew that it would have been one of us. But I never would have thought it would be me." She said to her boyfriend. "But I guess we can look on the bright side of this, at least we know where the bird is now." She would say with a laugh.

Naruto smiled, he was afraid of her being too scared over this revelation, but he was relieved how she was handling it.

"How are your legs? Are they still weak?"

She thought about it for a moment, she gave a devious smile.

"Why are you asking Naruto-Kun?

"Ahh no reason Sakura-Hime? I was just inquiring?"

She moved the blankets to reveal her legs. She then looked at Naruto, she knew where this was going.

"Well if you're gonna offer like I know you are, I would love a good leg massage, and maybe a foot rub as well."

Naruto jumped at the chance to cheer her up with this, normally he would get clobbered because of it. But they were boyfriend and girlfriend now, it was the perfect way to show how much he loved her. He cracked his fingers and would begin the massage treatment for his Cherry Blossom.

After Kai sent the message out to his intended target, he and Ino soon made their way to Naruto's apartment, Kai was still worried. Ino looked at him, she would see how worried he was. She put a hand on his shoulder. He looked at her and she gave him a warm smile.

"Kai-Kun, don't worry about it. Sakura isn't one who would get mad at you… maybe." She joked with him.

"Yeah, but I still feel really bad about it."

"Don't be, you couldn't help it, Kai. You tried your best. Trust me, I've known Sakura for so many years, she's not one to hold grudges." She said, trying to relax him.

Kai relaxed, maybe Ino was right. Sakura is one of the nicest people he's met. She doesn't seem like a person to be angry… he hopes."

They soon arrived at Naruto's apartment. He knocks at the door, however, both Kai and Ino heard screaming coming from the other side of the door. Ino and Kai panicked, maybe those two came back for Sakura. Kai and Ino soon burst through the door and heard it coming from Naruto's bedroom. Kai ran to the door, with Ino grabbing him.

"Ino what are you doing?"

"Umm Kai-Kun, maybe you should knock on his bedroom door before bursting in like some hero in some sort of action movie." She said to Kai. He composed himself and did what she recommended.

Kai knocked at Naruto's bedroom door, and he opened up the door and saw Naruto on the other side.

"Hey guys, you know I was just about to get the door," Naruto said, with a bit of frustration.

"Sorry but I heard screaming from the other side of the door, so we thought they came back for Sakura."

"Oh no, I was just giving Sakura a foot massage." He said, with a blush. "It's part of her massage therapy."

Kai and Ino both blushed as well. They both apologized for intruding on their personal time. Sakura came out of the bedroom.

"Hey guys, awesome to see you both." She said, with a dreamy look on her face.

Ino saw her expression, thinking to herself "That must have been one hell of a massage."

"So what's up, why did you come here?" Sakura said, sitting on Naruto's couch.

"It's about what has just been revealed, it's more of what I didn't do. I feel responsible for what happened to you Sakura. If I could have found out sooner, then you wouldn't have been attacked by those two. I apologize and hope you can forgive me." Kai said, looking away from them.

Ino feels bad for him, he didn't know that this was gonna happen. Naruto didn't hold any ill will toward Kai, he was in the same boat as Ino. Sakura got up from the couch and approached Kai and punched him in the gut. Kai bent over before getting caught by Sakura, as she hugged him.

"Kai, listen to me. It's not your fault that Ashimaru was given to me. And it's not your fault that you couldn't find it before I was kidnapped. I don't ever want to hear you blame yourself for what happened to me, alright?"

Kai started to tear up, her hug was warm and nurturing. It felt calming to him. He hugged her back.

"Alright Sakura, I promise you I will."

Ino and Naruto watched on with a smile on their faces. Kai then broke the hug with Sakura. She kissed him on the cheek.

"Cause if you blame yourself again, I'll punch you so hard you'll get sent to Hokage Mountain." She said, holding up her fist.

"All right, right, no problem." He said, nervously laughing, thinking about what she could do.

Kai and Ino would tell Naruto and Sakura what the next steps were gonna be. Naruto's ears perked up when he heard about Jiriaya coming to the village.

"You guys are enlisting Pervy Sage to help?"

"Where did he say he was going the last time you talked to him Naruto?" Sakura asked.

"He said he had some intel in the Iron Country he was gonna investigate. But other than that, I don't know?" Naruto said, with a sigh. "But hopefully he can help us figure this one out, I mean he helped remove the seal Orochimaru placed on me in the forest of death."

"Kai-Kun, didn't you say that you had someone who could help us as well?" Ino asked.

"Yeah, she's one of the best seal experts in the entire ninja world. She taught me some advanced seals during my travels. She's damn good."

"Didn't you mention her to Ten Ten at the party?" Sakura asked.

"Yeah, but it's gonna be at least a week before I can get any answer from her. Once I do, we'll depart and meet up with her."

Kai and Ino got up and started to make their way to the door, Ino and Kai helped put the door back on its frame and fixed it.

"All right guys, we'll keep you posted on any updates," Kai said, as both he and Ino bid their friends a fond farewell.

Sakura grabbed Naruto's hand, he blushed and looked at her.

"Sakura-hime?"

"Do you think you would give me another round of therapy?" She said with a blush.

He picked her up and would bring her into his room. He spent the rest of the night pampering his cherry blossom princess.

Kai and Ino walked the streets back to his temporary home. Ino noticed the quiet and tried to break the silence.

"Hey Kai-Kun, I have a question?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I know it's not right for me to pry, I wouldn't want to intrude on your past or anything like that. But I was just curious, what was your life like before you were placed in the cave? I know you said that you had a girlfriend. But if you wouldn't mind telling me about your past life, I would love to know."

Kai looked at the beautiful blonde, he thought for a moment. He would then smile at her.

"Sure, let's just get to a more private place. If you don't mind."

She grabbed his hand and lead her to a peaceful park in Konoha. It was dark, so there would be no kids around them. The both of them would sit and gaze at the stars. Kai didn't double-think this decision, he would try to remember to the best of his abilities. He would begin to tell his tale to her. "Many, many years ago…"

Blossom Country, many years ago…

While Kai already told the story of the formation of Ashimaru, About how Kai's father, Kaito sacrificed his life sealing the demonic bird into the stone. But before that Kaito, was what you may call a celebrity in the village where he came from. Kai would start to mention how his village was located to the north of Blossom Country.

A very beautiful country, surrounded by every type of flower you could ever imagine. The town itself had a very big population, it had your standard shops, restaurants, schools, and homes. In the center of the town is the Village council.

His father was very strict in teaching Kai about how seals work and the fundamentals to take the next step in surpassing him in learning and mastering the most advanced versions of seals he created. Even some of the more infamous and banned seals.

Kai didn't want to be part of it, while his village was known for selling various seals to various countries. From the basic storage to ones that enhanced Jutsu. This village was your go-to. But Kai didn't care, he would just ignore the studies his father forced him to learn. Because his mind was on another person in particular. It was a girl in his village that he had feelings for… Her name was Sena Hiraken.

"Was she beautiful?" Ino asked.

"At the time, she was the most beautiful girl I ever laid eyes on." He said, with her pondering him saying 'At the time.'

He would describe her as a young girl around his age at the time, both were around 14. Her hair was bright red that went to her shoulders, she had white skin and ocean blue eyes, she wore a light blue tank top, a white scarf, white pants, and straw sandals.

One day Kai was sleeping outside, enjoying the warm sun when she came and stomped on his sleeping form.

"Hey Kai, wakey wakey." She said, waking him from his nap.

"You know, you could have just tapped on my shoulder?"

"Yeah, but I just found that to be a lot more fun." She said, with a smile.

Kai got up and dusted himself off, and both of them walked through the village. He would help her get buckets of water. And soon both would arrive at her home.

"Thanks, Kai, I appreciate it." She said, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

They both sat and soaked up the sun, eating some watermelon. Kai stared into the sky, this would catch Sena's attention.

"Hey Kai, hello, earth to Kai?" She said, tapping on his head. This would snap him out of his trance, he would look at her direction. "I was just curious to know if you were gonna help your father out, isn't he setting out to meet with the Kages?"

Kai thought of his training with his father, how he just didn't get it, he felt like a completely useless fool.

"To be honest Sena, I wouldn't be able to be of any assistance during his trip. It was his idea for me to stay here." Kai said, looking down. "I feel like it was a good choice. I'm nowhere at any level equal to even the most basic seal user. He's made that perfectly clear."

She put her hand on his shoulder. She would then give Kai a smile of confidence.

"Kai Komoto, we've known each other for the past 6 years, and never in my life have I seen you so depressed, I know you can be a seal master one day." She said, delivering a fiery speech. She then said something to him that could have been equal to a reward. "Kai, I'll make a deal with you, if you learn the most basic seal, I will marry you." She flipped through a book and found one seal that he could learn. "Here, this is known as a petrification seal. I'll give you a week to learn it and you must perform it in front of me. Is that a deal?"

"Deal!" Kai said, giving her a thumbs up.

While his father left for the conference, Kai would get to work. Endless sleepless nights, and wearing himself out, mounds and mounds of thrown-away scraps of paper, and constant dry bottles of ink lead to his potential mastery of the petrification seal. One week later, Kai would stand in front of Sena, and Kai would toss the seal, he would channel his chakra and she would freeze on site. A huge satisfaction filled both of their faces.

"So Sena, did it do it?" He said. Sena didn't say a word but gave him a kiss on the lips.

"You sure did, now I'll honor my half of the agreement… I will become your wife."

However, a year later. His father sadly passed away. Due to the battle with the demon bird Ashimaru. All they would be able to recover was the egg and his father's body. Kai was devastated. For over a week he didn't want to see anyone. Only one person would find a way to break through though, it was Sena, she was there as soon as he was ready to talk. They would bond even further and soon they would wed.

"It must have been so hard for you when your father passed," Ino said.

"You could say that, I wish he would have been able to see me evolve my skill."

"So what happened next?"

One year later, the council would meet. His uncle soon took over as the head of the council. He came up with an idea to make sure that Ashimaru would never fall into the wrong hands. So they would ask Wave Country if they would be able to use any island that was available. With the agreement, preparations would begin to take place.

The cave was fitted with a bed, and a constant flow of water, the best seal masters in the world would carve unique runes on the walls to fit the chosen one with an anti-hunger field. So the tenant would only have to drink water to sustain himself. And some of the best medicine specialists would use a forbidden elixir that would be fused with some of Ashimaru's Chakra to create a forever youth elixir. Everything was ready for the chosen one.

Kai and Sena were relaxing, holding each other when Kai got a message from the elders of the council. The both of them soon arrived and Kai sat down in front of the elders and his uncle would give him his mission.

"My nephew, as you know your father sacrificed his life to keep this world safe, his death had us worried about the future of our village. The evolving threats from enemies like the nine-tailed fox and rogue ninjas seeking huge amounts of power have cause for concern. So we have decided that since you are the only child of Kaito Komoto, you will be the guardian of the stone."

Kai stood puzzled by what his uncle just told him. He would raise his hand to ask the question.

"What do you mean guardian? what does that entail?"

"We're glad you asked, what we're gonna do is seal you with the egg. We know that you are not there yet in terms of skill, so we're giving you a few months where you will train your body and learn some of the stronger ninjutsu and taijutsu to help you defend the stone."

"No!" Kai said in defiance. "I am set to wed the love of my life. There is no way in hell I'm gonna watch any rock for… how long exactly?"

The elders talked it over, they knew that he wasn't gonna like what they had to say.

"For an undetermined amount of time. But don't worry Kai, once the council finds a replacement we will send them in your way. Think of it as a temporary job."

Kai knew how evil and heartless his uncle could be. And didn't like this, but he had no choice in the matter did he?

"You have one night to rest up because you will be sent to some of the best to learn the basics and some advanced skills."

Kai would tell Sena about what was placed on his shoulders. She didn't take it too well, she crumbled to her knees and was sobbing uncontrollably. Kai was right by her side. She held to Kai as her life depended on it.

"Hey don't cry Sena, but we at least get one more night together."

She looked at him, the both of them kissed and Kai picked up Sena and they would go into the next room.

Ino blushed, assuming what was gonna happen next.

"So, did you and her…" She said, before seeing Kai blushing like a madman. Ino got the general idea about the two of them sleeping together. Much to Kai, blushing over the memory

Kai would then say the next few months were a bit fuzzy, it was days of relentless training, sleepless nights, and exhausting days, but it was all part of Kai's preparation to become a guardian of this stone. After everything was said as done, he was ready to fulfill his destiny. Kai took a ferry to the island. Sena and the elders followed suit, they would watch Kai enter the cave and see that it is locked into place.

As soon as they got there, Sena had to admit the island was beautiful. His uncle had the container full of elixir. He would have to drink it before he entered the cave.

"Attention everyone, we all know why we're here, to say farewell to the guardian who will protect us all from Ashimaru's wrath. While his sacrifice shall not be in vain, we know how hard it will be. Let us all bid young Kai a grand farewell." Kai's uncle said, with everyone clapping.

Kai didn't say a word. He approached the cave opening. He soon drank the elixir, and his body slowly began to glow, his body then began to shimmer and a rush of chakra flooded his system and a golden aura soon consumed him.

"Is this normal?" Sena said, running up to him. "Kai please calm down."

Kai began to thrash on the ground, the elixir was literally changing his genetic structure. Sena found a way to hold him and calm him down. He slowly began to calm down. Her holding him calmed him down. She held him tight, knowing this might be the last time she would ever see him. Kai soon got back to his feet, he felt better than before.

"Kai, are you alright?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine now." He responded, looking over his body. "Alright, I'm ready to be locked in. But can I say goodbye to Sena?"

His uncle gave his thumbs up, as he and Sena held each other so tight. She took in his scent as he did as well. The two lovers gazed into each other's eyes, possibly for the last time.

"Well, this is it, I hope that soon I'll return to you," Kai said, looking into her beautiful eyes.

"You better Kai Komoto, or I swear to god I will kill you." She said as the two of them kissed for the last time.

He soon entered the cave, he looked over the land one more time, his eyes locked on to her. He saw her sobbing uncontrollably, he wanted to run to her and hug her one last time, but he couldn't leave. The rock soon fit into position and thus began Kai's new life.

Silence hung over the two after Kai told that part of the story. Ino was digesting what Kai just told her. She couldn't believe that he was forced into doing this, especially the fact he was gonna marry Sena.

"Is there anything more Kai-Kun?"

After Kai left the cave to find Ashimaru, he realized that this was the first time he's left the cave after so many years. Sure he was aware of the days due to some light would seep into the cave. So he knew it was a long time after being locked in that cave. Kai then took the boat to land and soon would make his way to his home. He figured that the village would be able to give him more books to aid in his quest. But this was to see his Sena.

As soon as he ran down the hill, he saw something that shook him to the core… The village he grew up in, where he found the love of his life, was burnt to the ground. It was like a fireball destroyed everything. He could still smell the smoke from the damaged buildings. He knew just by the feel of the burnt wood that this has happened a long time ago.

He looked around at some of the buildings he frequented in his youth. Gone and burnt to the ground, he saw the mighty building that housed the village's elders was reduced to rubble. But the thing that terrified him was his home. It was blown to bits, he knew Sena moved into his home shortly after his father left.

"SENA… SENA!" He would call out her name to no effect, he ran all around the village, trying to find anything, any sign of life that would give him hope. He looked in all of the destroyed villages but to no avail. He soon came to a makeshift graveyard. He saw all of the gravesites that littered this certain area. Kai ran all around the resting place that someone or something made to honor the fallen.

He looked around and saw names that he was familiar with, shopkeeps, friends, family, and loved ones. But his feet screeched to a hault. He came to a tombstone that had a name on it that left him speechless… Here lies Sena Komoto. The year on the grave looks like she died 5 years after being placed in the cave. He dropped to his knees and placed his hand on her stone.

"Oh Sena, why did it have to be you? Sena, please let this be just a cruel joke." He said, choking back his tears. Kai's eyes then gravitated to a smaller tombstone that would break him. Placed right next to her grave was a name… Kira Komoto. Kai thought back to a discussion he and Sena had before he was given the job of guardian.

"Hey Kai, I was just curious about something?"

"Yeah Sena, what is it?"

"When it comes to names, if we have children in the future, what would you like?"

Kai thought for a moment, he would itch his chin. "Well, if we had a girl I would name her Hikari, but if we had a boy let's name him Kira."

Kai was looking at the gravesite of his son, Kai didn't want to believe something like that. He didn't want to assume but it seems like it would add up to that. The years he lived fit someone who lived a few years after he was locked into the cave. Kai also didn't have any relatives that fit the name and it was a name he would have given his son. Sena must have gotten pregnant shortly after their last night together. She probably didn't know it at the time they said farewell.

Kai starred at both of the tombstones. The clouds began to share his sorrow by starting to rain. Kai didn't care about the rain, he welcomed the rain. It would shield his tears. He would stay there, his hand on Sena's grave. The next morning, he would begin the long journey that would lead him to Konoha. He tried to salvage anything he could from the destroyed library, but the few scrolls he could find didn't seem like it would help.

Ino covered her mouth with her hand, tears began to run like an uncontrollable river. Kai lost not only Sena but he also lost his son. She couldn't believe what she heard. But her eyes saw the man standing in front of her trying to hold back tears of his own.

"I'm sorry Ino, I didn't mean to go that far. I just felt like telling everything I could remember." Kai said, staring up at the clouds. "Each day I think of her, I think of what it would have been like to raise a child with the woman I love, what it would have been like to meet my son, but in the end, this loss is something I feel I must carry with me. To be honest, it makes me feel alive." Kai got up from his seat. "I'm sorry Ino, but I'll see you later."

Ino thought about the story, how at the end of it all he was alone. He lost the most important person he's ever known. She couldn't just sit by and let him walk away.

"WAIT KAI-KUN, STOP RIGHT THERE!" She screamed at him.

He turned around and saw the beautiful blonde looking in her direction, tears running down her eyes. She walked up to him and held him.

"Don't walk away Kai, please don't walk away. The loss of Sena and your son must have been so horrible. But know this Kai, don't you ever feel like your loss is a cross you have to carry. You have Naruto, you have Sakura, and you have me. We are here for you damn it, So please, don't feel like you're alone. Because as long as I'm still breathing, I will never be alone."

Kai smiled, he walked over to the blonde and hugged her tight. Kai began to cry like a newborn baby. Ino sat the both of them down and she shared in the moment, crying as well. She rubbed his back trying to calm him down. For the first time, Kai let out all of his emotions, the memories brought back by him telling Ino the story flooded in and he never once let out his emotions.

"Thank you Ino-Chan, thank you for being there for me. You are one of a kind." Kai thought to himself.