Chapter One

The Night of the Storm

A/N: Why would I update the stories I already when I could start a new story?

One of the most anticipated fanfics I have wanted to write is finally here. This will be a massive project because I want to cover both the original arcs and Shippuden. Kiba doesn't get enough love, and I am saddened by the lack of work related to him, especially KibaxOC. So, I finally decided to write mine!

This is a warning that I will be taking creative liberty regarding Jutsu, kekkei genkai, and anything related to the world of Naruto.

Comments are always appreciated, so let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me but to Masashi Kishimoto. I only own Mitsuki and other OCs. The story picture does not belong to me; I hold no Copyright and found it through Google Images.

~ oOo ~

In the dark of the night, a ninja fled.

The moon was high in the sky but had become hidden by the darkest clouds imaginable within the last hour. Rain was due to fall, destined to blanket the land's beauty as a single individual ran through the night. Only a little could be seen. Amongst the large village, the filtering of bright lights bounced off the clouds. Sounds echoed across the streets as the last remaining citizens scoured the streets.

Couples were walking about, and people were leaving restaurants and ramen booths. Most were headed home, and some were headed to obtain one last drink before having sleep consume them. But these people - nothing could dampen their spirit. They claimed this night; they lived for this night. Nothing else mattered. Stores were closing, the owners leaving the day behind to spend the last few hours of the night with their loved ones. Some held sleeping children in their arms. Some held the arms of their significant other.

But there was one individual who jumped above the citizens. Zooming through the buildings and residential apartments, their shadow could barely be seen. Hurtling through the buildings, they fell, dropping from the top story to the ground, tripping over a roof tile, and barely noticing the contraption in their blurred vision. But that didn't deter this individual. It only pushed them further to reach their destination.

Falling once more, this individual - a young girl - nearly screamed.

She fell, her skin became scratched, and her injuries increased as she flew across the village. Nothing could stop her. This young girl was on a top-secret mission to find the only person she could count on. The only issue was whether this new person would be home. Seeing as the person she sought was a top Jōnin, the female didn't know if he was out of the village on a mission. Still…she had to try. She had to try and seek sanctuary from this special Jōnin in her life.

It was then thunder clapped above her head.

Between the alley of two buildings, the girl stopped. Clutching her body, she leaned into the wall. Blood was dripping past her lips and pooled against her clenched hands. Just as she glanced upward, the sky opened, its version of tears raining down upon her. And with the onslaught of the rain, the thunder, and the lightning, the young girl released her first wail. Falling into herself, she curled into a ball against the concrete floor. With no one looking for her, the female cried, exhaling the built-up tension coursing across her small frame. The weather silenced her cries.

No one would be looking for her. For all she knew, everyone assumed she would be at home, most likely curled in her bed, waiting for sleep to claim her small frame.

But not this night.

On this night, the girl had made a rash decision. Between fight or flight, she decided to flee, not knowing what else to do.

Bleeding and on the last stand before she would collapse, the girl grits her teeth and stands. Biting down on her teeth hard enough to draw blood, she coughed. She had to continue. She had to leave her house behind and get away from that man. There were probably other places she could go to, but at that moment, she wanted the only other family member she had remaining to hold her tight, to say everything would be alright.

A clap of thunder left the girl shuddering. A flash of lightning had the girl running.

Careless of how she was running, her footing slipped against the rain, causing the female to skid against the roof, tripping over the edge of the building and falling to the ground. Head slamming into the side of the building, the girl dropped to her knees, blackness coating her vision as she knew no one was coming for her. Just as her vision vividly flashed one last time, she could imagine the fluffy silver hair of her Jōnin right before her eyes. But she knew he was nowhere to be seen.

~ oOo ~

MITSUKI

Earlier that day…

Just as a typical day, it was warm and sunny. The sun was bright on this ordinary day, with barely any clouds in sight,ł. It had rained several days prior. It was a wonderful spring storm where puddles still littered the streets here and there.

I glanced around and smiled.

It was a beautiful day, yet I had to enjoy it from the confines of my academy classroom. Sighing, I stared out the window. In the background, I could hear Iruka-sensei lecture us on the importance of being a shinobi and the pride we would have once we obtained our hitai-ate headband. However, I could not test to become a Genin for another year, so I allowed sensei's lecture to enter one ear and out the other. The blood of shinobi coursed in my veins. My grandparents, as had my parents and uncle, had been shinobi. My uncle was a top Jōnin known throughout the Village Hidden in the Leaf.

As I sat there, I contemplated what my life would look like once I obtained my headband. Would I be successful as a Genin? What about a Chūnin or even a Jōnin? There was much to ponder. Again, it's not like I would suddenly become a Genin overnight. The test to do so was almost one year from now, which gave me more than enough time to strengthen my abilities. I trained nearly daily, which didn't include my time at the academy. Most days, I spent time at the training grounds working on my ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu.

Not only was I determined to become a shinobi to help protect my village, but I also wanted to make my parents proud. They would never see me wear my hatai-ate, so I would wear it for them.

Oh, and for my uncle, too.

It was then my head jerked upward. The afternoon bell rang across the academy, signaling that classes were done for the rest of the day.

Just before my classmates could leave, Iruka-sensei called their attention. "Now! Don't forget everything we have worked on today. Your homework this weekend is to practice the Shadow Clone Jutsu. Memorize it. Master it!"

"Yes, Iruka-sensei!" The class cried as one.

"Very good, you guys are dismissed." All the boys and girls surrounding me jumped at the opportunity to leave. I stayed behind a moment before standing from my seat; I didn't want to get crushed by the crowd. "Have a good weekend, Mitsuki."

Looking back, I smiled, "Thanks! You too, Iruka-sensei!" He smiled and waved as I shut the door.

As I walked through the academy, I contemplated what to do with my afternoon. I did not want to go home. The question that remained was: where should I go? A bowl of ramen after class was always delicious. Or, I could head to the training grounds and practice the new jutsu. I'd tried it several times before but couldn't get it right. A thought suddenly entered my mind.

I'll ask Uncle!

My uncle had just returned from a two-week mission, and I had yet to see him. Over the past year, we had created this tradition of him taking me out to eat whenever he returned home. He stopped by my house two days ago, but…I was unavailable. My stepfather had stopped my uncle at the door, giving him the excuse that I had been sick.

In reality, my stepfather didn't like my uncle. Well, my uncle, from what I could gather, didn't like my stepfather, which was something we had in common.

I wouldn't say I liked Daisuke. He wasn't very nice, and the only reason he was my guardian was because my mom passed away the year prior. At the time of my mother's death, I wanted nothing more than to live with my uncle, but…he was a Jōnin tied to Konohagakure, which meant he was swamped. I didn't understand why I still couldn't live with him, but at the same time, I got it. I understood my uncle would have difficulty juggling his responsibilities as a shinobi and taking care of an eleven-year-old girl.

Then again, any alternative would have been better than living with my stepfather.

I never liked the man. I didn't like him when he married my mom, I didn't like him after her death, and I certainly couldn't stand him now.

He just…treated me differently.

I mean, last time, he -

"Mitsuki!"

Blinking, my eyes danced around, wondering where I was and who was calling me. Glancing up, I smiled, forgetting all the thoughts plaguing my mind. Standing before me was my best friend. "Kiba!"

Kiba smiled, and his ninken and partner, Akamaru, appeared inside his jacket. "Woof!"

I giggled. "And Akamaru, too! As usual," I petted the small dog, giggling even more as he licked my finger.

"So, uh…whatcha doing out here?"

"Hm? What do you mean?"

He chuckled. "Class ended ten minutes ago, and you're just sitting here."

After checking my surroundings, I found Kiba was correct. I was sitting in the swing outside the academy, dangling my legs, absentminded of all around me. "Huh, I didn't notice."

"Didn't notice? Ha! What were ya thinking about then?"

I didn't want to go into specifics, so I gave the most straightforward answer.

"Oh, um…I was wondering what to do with my afternoon."

Kiba's face fell into a sympathetic smile. "You don't want to deal with your stepfather, huh?"

I shook my head, still bewildered that Kiba just knew. He wasn't just my best friend in name only. Kiba and I grew up together. His mother, Tsume, was like my aunt if anything, and I loved her like one. She and my mother, Tsukina, had been best friends growing up, which led to Kiba and I always being together. Hence, we have been best friends since birth.

"You know me so well," I pointed out.

Kiba snorted. "I know you better than I think you know yourself sometimes." He grabbed my arm and pulled me from the swing. "Let's go back to my house, and you can join us for dinner."

"Dinner?" I did love Tsume's cooking. "I could go for that! What's your mom cooking?"

He shrugged, answering, "Katsudon, your favorite meal she makes."

"Oh, yummy! Then hell yeah, I'm joining you! But first…" Reaching forward, I snagged Akamaru from Kiba's jacket, his tail wagging the entire time. "It's my turn to hold this guy."

"Why am I not surprised?" he turned away slightly, scratching his cheek. "He's missed you."

I held the precious dog against my chest. "Aw, and I have missed him too." Curling Akamaru in my arms, I stepped forward, glancing back when I realized Kiba wasn't following me. "Hey! You coming?"

Kiba's face was screaming, something I could not ascertain. It looked like he had a faraway look but was also dreamy. And why was he staring at me?

He must've noticed because he shook his head, and that look was gone.

Crossing through the village, we reached the Inuzuka compound in record time. On the way there, we stopped for dango, enjoying the simple treat on the bench outside the establishment. We then meandered through the village before going to Kiba's house. Outside stood Hana, Kiba's older sister, with her triplet ninken, the three Haimaru brothers. Upon seeing us, she waved, her ninken running to tackle me. Falling to the ground, I was caught underneath three giant dogs, all licking my face simultaneously.

"Gurē! Shiro! Chairo!" Screaming their names through my laughter, they halted their assault just enough for me to sit up. Scratching behind their ears, I continued to laugh. "Geez, boys! It hasn't even been that long since I last saw you!"

Hana stepped forward as she loved her ninken. "I mean…it has been a week since you were last here. That's a long time for them." Reaching her hand out to help me stand, I grasped it. "How've you been, kiddo?"

"Eh," I shrugged. "I've been ok. Spending most of my time training."

Kiba groaned beside me. "That's all she ever does."

I cowered slightly. "Well, I'd rather train than…"

Hana seemed to catch on as she clapped her hands. "Well, at least she trains! Unlike some younger brother, I know." She gave the stink eye to Kiba, who raised his hands in defense.

"Woah, woah! Akamaru and I train! Isn't that right, buddy?"

"Woof!"

He stared at his sister. "See?!" She rolled her eyes and then proceeded to ruffle her brother's hair. "H-Hey! Knock that off!"

She chuckled. "Anyway…what're your plans, you two?"

"I really wanna practice the new jutsu Iruka-sensei is teaching us!"

"Oh? And what would that be?"

"The Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Hana smiled. "Ah, yes, that one is really important!"

My eyes glimmered with interest. "Why?"

She held a finger to her lips. "It's a secret; I can't speak about it!"

"Aw, c'mon, sis! You can't share it with us?!"

"What, so you can blab the secret to your friends? Ha! I don't think so."

"…damn."

"What was that?" She narrowed her vision at her brother.

"N-Nothing!"

"Oh, geez…" She knocked a fist against his shoulder. "Then I'll let you guys be; I've got some business to take care of before dinner."

"Mom not home?"

"No, she's at a meeting." Gathering her triplets, she walked off, waving a hand behind her as she yelled back, "Don't get into too much trouble!"

As she walked away, I turned to Kiba. "Trouble? Us?"

"As if!" Kiba snickered. "C'mon! Let's figure out something to do!"

Holding my chin, I thought momentarily, then snapped my fingers. "I got it! Remember when your mom got mad at you about not training with Akamaru?" He stared blankly at me. "No, just hear me out! She said that you can combine ninjutsu with Akamaru."

He tilted his head, arms crossed. "…yeah?"

"Let's work on that. Let's combine the Shadow Clone Jutsu with Akamaru!"

Considering my statement momentarily, Kiba glanced down at Akamaru, who waited patiently for us. "Clone with Akamaru…would that work?"

I smiled brightly, shrugging because I honestly didn't know. "I have no idea. But it's worth a shot, right? If anything, it gets us training and working with Akamaru simultaneously."

He stared blankly at me before shaking his head. "I will never understand your need to train all the damn time."

"What? I just want to be a good shinobi. I want to become a Jōnin like everyone in my family."

At my words, Kiba's face fell into a soft smile. Kiba knew everything I had ever been through. He was there when I learned my dad had died, he was there when my mother remarried, and he was there when my mother passed away. We've been through thick and thin, and Kiba has stuck by my side since day one. My friend wasn't kidding when he said he knew me better than I knew myself because it was true.

Kiba knocked a fist against my head, and as I glanced up, I could faintly see a redness coating my friend's cheeks.

That's odd.

"Alright, we'll try your idea," he said with a small smile. "Don't know if it'll work, but we can certainly try."

"It'll work. Trust me."

And that's how we spent the rest of our afternoon.

We trained in front of Kiba's house. At first, we spent roughly one hour trying the new jutsu ourselves, leaving me slightly more successful than Kiba. He could create a sloppy clone, whereas I could make two. However, my clones were also sloppy and discolored. But we could still produce something, and this was the end goal. I didn't expect to perfect this jutsu on the first day; we still had a lot more training to do.

Despite our work, we still pushed ourselves as best we could. We laughed, we shed several tears, but most importantly, we had fun. The sun flew across the sky, landing on the horizon as it set in its beautiful place. The time had passed by without us even realizing it had done so. We were about to call it quits for the day, but I wanted to try one last time. I took a deep breath and summoned the correct amount of chakra for the trick. Maneuvering my hands into the right symbols, the chakra coursed strongly through my limbs. Thinking of my target in my head, I released the jutsu. Beside me now stood a perfect clone of Kiba! Except…

…my clone wasn't perfect.

It was the opposite.

Laying beside me was a pathetic excuse for a clone, though I could tell it looked like my friend. It had the same bushy brown hair and red claw marks on its cheeks. And yet, my clone, overall, just looked dead.

"Ahahahaha!" Falling to the ground, Kiba rolled with ginormous laughter, tears streaming down his face. "Oh my god! Did you try to create a clone of me?! It looks terrible!"

My friend erupted with laughter to the point he began to cough from lack of oxygen. My eyebrows rose in frustration when the sudden POOF beside me was the clone disappearing in a puff of smoke. Once it was gone, I pounced on my best friend. Kiba gasped, not expecting me to tackle him, his arms circling around my waist as we rolled in the grass. Turning over several times, we landed with my back against the ground while Kiba lay above me.

As my friend smirked, one of his growing fangs protruded past his upper lip.

And I don't know why, but the way he was smirking and that one tiny tooth burned my cheeks. That, and my heart wouldn't stop racing. Why wouldn't it slow down?!

"What the heck, Tsuki?" He called me by my nickname, further increasing the beat of my heart. "You tackle me out of nowhere? And for what?"

"Because you laughed at me!" I cried.

"We laugh at each other all the time! What made this time any different?"

He was right.

What made this time so different? And why was I so bothered that he had laughed? My mouth fell and closed several times; I could only stare. It was then that my sudden anger grew. Latching my hands to Kiba's biceps, I tightened my grip before flipping us over. Now that Kiba was on his back, I could stare down at him. But even though I was angry - I still didn't understand why - I wanted to smirk.

So I did.

Grinning as evil as I could, I stared down at the male. "Ha! Who's laughing now?!"

It wasn't Kiba. He…wasn't saying anything; he was just…staring at me.

Why was he staring at me like that again? Was there something on my face?

"Um…Kiba?" Only calling his name after awkward silence was enough to pull the man from his thoughts.

"Oh, um…Sorry, I…" He suddenly froze, glancing down to look at his hands. It was then he realized his hands were grasping my waist, and at that realization, he froze, slowly removing his hands. "S-Sorry!" He stuttered again.

Rolling my eyes, I maneuvered off my best friend, landing in the grass beside him. In the waning sun, we remained silent. My boiling anger slowly faded, settling with the same sense of security I felt around Kiba. He was my rock, and despite the times he tested my rage, he was my best friend for a reason. I could never hold my anger for long at him. Just one look at his face, and I was reminded of the wonderful moments we've had together over the past years. I didn't want to ruin that over something silly as him laughing at me.

And when I thought back on it, watching my sad excuse of a Kiba-clone was hilarious.

"I'm sorry for tackling you," I said honestly.

But Kiba was ready with his answer as he waved a hand. "Psh, don't even worry about that; I had it coming."

"Yeah, but…I can see why it was funny."

"Not just funny, but super funny." We both chuckled at his words, staring at the fading sun. "Hey, Tsuki?"

Rolling my head to glance at him, I found he was already staring at me. "Yes, Kiba?"

The redness from earlier was back on his cheeks. "Don't ever stop being my friend."

"Woof!" Akamaru appeared between us, his tail wagging back and forth happily as he sat down.

Kiba rolled his eyes and huffed. "And, of course, you obviously can't stop being Akamaru's friend."

Quickly, I took hold of his hand. Smiling, I whispered, "As long as you always remain my friend, I'll always stick by your side."

"Yo! Kiba, Akamaru, and Mitsuki! Dinner's ready!"

For some reason, we pulled apart quickly, standing to our feet in the blink of an eye. Kiba's mother called to us through the kitchen window, and I could smell the deliciousness of her evening meal through the air. Suddenly shy, I stole a peek at my friend doing the same. "Well?" he asked. "You ready for dinner?" I immediately nodded, and we made our way into his house.

The sun was fully set by the time we entered Kiba's house. Tsume had crafted a wonderful dinner, and the moment we sat at the table, Hana appeared in the doorway, having finished her errand in the village. And just like a family, the four of us, including Akamaru, Gurē, Shiro, Chairo, and Tsume's ninken Kuromaru, all ate together. We enjoyed a wonderful meal of Tsume's katsudon, and I asked for seconds and then thirds. Tsume humored me by filling my plate every time, often commenting that I ate like I had never eaten. It's not that it wasn't true, per se, but…sometimes…

There were times when my stepfather refused to feed me. It wasn't often, but it did happen.

Regardless, I didn't let that deter me from having a good time. After consuming the entire meal, I helped Kiba with the dishes. Tsume made it clear that I didn't have to help but merely shrugged. She didn't have to cook an additional meal to feed me, so I paid her back the best way I knew how. Once the dishes were clean and dry, the four of us sat at the table again and played several rounds of cards, ending the evening by giving all the ninken their nightly treats of delicious bone marrow.

I'd become lost in our card match. We played back and forth, and we each earned one win at some point. Once we had played our sixth round, I realized the time. Time had passed without me being aware, and when I glanced at the clock to see that it was almost nine, I freaked out. My stepfather was going to kill me - literally.

But Tsume, Hana, and Kiba didn't need to know that.

They didn't need to know the specifics of what Daisuke would do if I were late - again.

With haste, I expressed my concerns to Tsume that I was late returning home; she scoffed and said I was more than welcome to spend the night. As much as I would love to enjoy the evening with Kiba, I needed to get home. Again, I expressed the urgency that I needed to head back that I had a curfew and would get in trouble for breaking it. Tsume must have sensed something when she turned to take in my expression. I don't know what she found, but the woman sighed, agreeing to walk me home, seeing that it was later than she would like me to walk alone. Kiba offered to walk with me, but Tsume was adamant that he needed to stay.

As we crossed the compound into the village, I profusely apologized to my aunt. Tsume smiled the whole time as she held my hand lovingly. She reassured me that I wouldn't be in trouble and that she would talk with my stepfather. I knew it wouldn't work. Daisuke was strict, and there were consequences if you went against his rules.

It was a ten, fifteen-minute walk to my apartment. And when we knocked on the door, I shivered, knowing that, despite what Tsume would say, I was in trouble.

Daisuke opened the door, peering between me and Tsume.

"Tsume, Mitsuki!"

My aunt spoke first. "Sorry, Daisuke, I didn't mean to keep Mitsuki long tonight. She helped with the dishes, and then we started playing some games. Next thing I knew, it was past her curfew."

The faker held a hand against his heart. "I'm so glad you're here! I was going to wait a bit longer before heading out myself!" He smiled down at me, but even I could tell it was a hoax. "You had me scared, young lady. Now, thank Tsume for walking you home, and let's get you to bed."

My body shook. It wasn't from the sudden breeze but from Daisuke's words. I knew those words; I knew what was to happen once the door was closed. Hugging Tsume as tightly as I could, I felt the woman leave a kiss atop my head. "Thank you, Auntie Tsume."

"You are more than welcome, kiddo. We love having you over for dinner, especially Kiba." Before she left, she ruffled my hair and said, "Get some sleep," before disappearing into a puff of smoke. Stepping inside, my body tensed as Daisuke slammed the door so hard it rattled the pictures hanging on the wall. My back was to him so I couldn't see his expression, but I felt it wasn't good.

"Would you please explain…why you're nearly an hour late?"

Here it comes.

Gulping, my vice was meek and cowardly as I whispered, "W-What Tsume said was true. We lost track of time!"

"Bullshit!" He screamed, slamming his hand against the wall.

Jumping, I turned slightly to watch him, wondering what he would do next. Whenever he caused an injury, it was always something that could be hidden, sometimes tiny. A bruise here, a scratch there, but always in places where my clothes would cover it up and questions would never be asked.

He screamed again, this time grasping my arm so tightly I could feel his nails digging into my flesh, biting the skin until it bled. I knew not to speak. Never speak aloud unless you want the pain to be worse. I bit my tongue when he increased the pressure. Forget the blood; there would be a bruise within the hour.

"You know better than to break my rules. Are you that incompetent? Have you learned nothing?!"

"I-I'm sorry, Daisuke! I promise I'll be better!"

"Better doesn't matter to me anymore." Flung into the wall, I screeched, my palms shattering a glass case, the shards digging into my skin and cutting it. Having fallen to the floor, I was shocked at his force. Never before had he flung me. He usually just hit me once, maybe twice, and then sent me to my room. Muttering to himself, her said, "I've had enough of this shit; I'm tired of waiting."

I had no idea what he was talking about, but I needed to get away.

I needed to find my uncle.

Quickly standing, I made my way to the door when I was grasped from behind in a chokehold. Daisuke grabbed my neck and was effectively clenching my breathing. Leaning down to my ear, he cruelly whispered, "I've been waiting for your change to happen. It's taking too long, and it's pissing me off; I'm going to take what is rightfully mine."

Change? What was rightfully mine? What the hell did he…?! Oh.

Oh.

I just knew my stepfather was going to hurt me. He was going to hurt me in a way I didn't even want to cross my mind. Kicking the man from behind, the heel of my foot landed against his shin, his hands instantly dropping from my neck, and I dashed toward the door. I had barely turned the handle when my ankle was pulled from underneath me. My face slammed into the floor, and he dragged me backward; Daisuke appeared before me, his right hand glowing black.

"Oh, how I've been waiting for this moment, my dear Mitsuki."

"No…" I tried speaking with courage, but it came out weakly.

"No? Oh, you poor, poor thing. You don't even know what's going to happen to you! Well, tonight is my night." Reaching inside the pouch on his backside, he pulled out an elongated kunai knife and, without warning, jammed the sharpened tool into my abdomen. Whatever reaction I should have had didn't happen. I merely squeaked as all the air from my lungs was trapped. No scream could escape. All I could do was stare as he kept the blade in place, twirling it slightly for emphasis.

"This is for your own good, Mitsuki. I've waited nearly three years to take what should be mine. Your father couldn't give it to me, and your mother was merely in the way. So I'm left to think that the youngest member of the legendary Ryū clan can give me what I desire most."

My parents. Did he just mention my parents? Why did he mention my mom and dad?! It was then blood began pooling in the corner of my mouth, leaking past my lips. "What you…desire?"

"Yes, Mitsuki, I want your - wait." The man evilly smirked though his eyebrows were raised. "You mean to tell me you do not know?" All I could do was stare blankly at the man; confusion was most likely evident. I was still focused on the idea that he had mentioned my parents. "Hm, I guess I can humor you, little Mitsuki. See, you possess an extremely rare dōjutsu, the Ketsuryūgan. And from my research, you and your father are the only other holders of the sacred eye."

What the hell was he even talking about?! There was no way I possessed something like that! For sure, my dad would have explained something to me; if not him, then definitely my mom would have spoken to me about it. "I have no idea what you're talking about!" Shoving the man caused the blade to sink further into my stomach. Crying out, I tried moving, but I was locked into place.

Run.

I needed to get away!

Grasping my chin, Daisuke moved me until we were facing one another. "Don't even think about it, little Mitsuki. You're my prey now. And soon, those eyes will be mine once I'm done with you."

~ oOo ~

KAKASHI

"Oh, to be young, my friend! We must enjoy this night!"

"I can enjoy my night just fine, Guy."

"True, very true, but have you lived this night?"

Leaving the ramen shop, I placed my money onto the countertop above the bill, waiting for my longtime friend, Might Guy, to finish the remainder of his evening meal. Guy had suddenly appeared at my doorstep earlier and dragged me to dinner, saying we needed our brotherly time to "catch up." I had simply rolled my eyes and complied with my friend's wishes. Though it was on the latter side, I didn't mind whatsoever. Some nights, I went to bed late anyway, so what was the difference between being alone versus being with a friend?

Thinking of my relationship with Guy, I sighed. It had been a rollercoaster of friendship for years since we graduated from the Academy. Though Guy continued to say we were rivals, even I had to admit we were best friends.

"Kakashi, my friend! Are you even listening to me?!"

Chuckling softly beneath my mask, I nodded, but the words that left my lips were, "No."

Face falling, Guy sighed. Clasping his arm across my shoulder, the bowl-cut, jumpsuit-wearing ninja smiled. "No worries! I forgive you! You have had a long last couple of days."

I felt a meek smile cover my face, though the lifting of my lips could barely be seen. "Sorry, Guy…"

"Don't be, my friend!" With his cocky smile and a lifting of his trademark thumbs-up, he smiled brightly. If there was anything I could count on from our friendship, it was the fact that Guy quickly understood me as his friend. Guy knew I was a complicated individual, but he was right because I'd had a lot on his mind the last few weeks. Seeing the fall of my face, Guy dropped his arm. "Have you…heard anything from Mitsuki?"

Quiet for several moments, I could only answer by shaking my head.

"But…weren't you supposed to have dinner not that long ago? Isn't it your tradition to take her out to eat when you come home from a mission?"

"…it is."

"Then…what happened?"

"I was told she was unavailable."

Guy lifted a mighty brow. "…unavailable?"

"Yeah. This last time, Daisuke said she wasn't feeling well, and the time before that, he said she was over with the Inuzuka family."

"So she's just been busy."

His words had me shrugging. "Maybe, but it's…not like Mitsuki. Something just seems off."

Guy cupped his chin in thought. "I mean…what if what he said is true? She is good friends with the Inuzukas, and maybe she got sick."

I shrugged again. "I could understand if she was with Kiba, but…even if she were sick, Daisuke wouldn't even let me enter the house, let alone see her."

"When was the last time you were there?"

"Two days ago, when I came back from my mission. The moment I stepped through the gates, I ran to her house."

"And what about the time before that?"

"Almost three weeks ago." Sighing, Guy suddenly stopped walking. I, who had taken several more steps forward, turned back to see my friend deeply in thought. "Guy?" I called out.

"Kakashi…" Guy's voice suddenly dropped as he filled the gap between himself and me. "What is your gut telling you?"

My only visible eye suddenly widened enough for Guy to see the difference. "…what're you getting at?"

"This isn't the first time Daisuke has not allowed you to see Mitsuki. That, to me, speaks volumes." Clasping my shoulder in one hand, Guy squeezed. "Let's be honest - you've never liked Daisuke. Is your gut saying that Mitsuki is safe?"

Brushing off Guy's hand, I stared off into the distance. Around us were couples and other individuals roaming the streets of Konohagakure. Guy and I were ignored as we stood in the street. All the others walked around us, not even understanding the depth of our conversation.

It wouldn't have been a lie if I were to admit I had considered Guy's words before. It was true; I had never been fond of Mitsuki's stepfather. Daisuke had entered my life several years ago, and even though he had been a nice man when he first met my sister and Mitsuki, he had done nothing but try to separate me from my niece. Thinking back on these last two attempts to see my niece and all the other times before that, I finally had to admit what I had feared all along but had the nerve to ignore. I bit my lip as I stared back at Guy, who eagerly awaited my response.

"My gut says something's wrong; that something's been wrong."

"Then why haven't you said anything?" Guy pushed, eyebrows narrowed in annoyance.

"What would I have done? I can't go off the notion that my sixth sense is telling me one thing when I have no evidence to support my assumptions."

"Then take this to the Hokage!"

My only visible eye rolled, despite knowing that's exactly what I wanted to do. "And what would that accomplish? The Hokage would ask me the same thing: where is my evidence?"

"Then let's go find some evidence!" I stared hard at my friend. "Kakashi…I care for Mitsuki in my own way, and I know you care for her more than you admit to others. If you're even this bit worried, we must do something!"

I rubbed my tired brow before muttering, "What do you suggest we do?"

That one question faltered Guy's subsequent response. His mouth opened to say something, and he immediately closed his lips just as quickly. Caught in a loop, the ninja repeated this motion several times, words suddenly failing him. A lightbulb appeared above the man's head as he held a finger up. "I say we randomly show up tomorrow and state we want to take Mitsuki to lunch. If he refuses…barge in!"

"…Guy." I shook my head.

"I don't care what you think, my friend. This is what we are going to do!" Guy wrapped an arm around my shoulders as we continued walking, and I followed along with my friend's antics.

"I just want to make sure she's safe." In a deadly whisper, I shocked myself by stating, "…I promised Tsukina and Isamu I would look after my niece."

"Considering what the village expects of you, Kakashi of the Sharingan, you're doing your best. Never forget that. You care. That's more than what she needs."

Breathing a deep sigh, I couldn't help but wonder what was happening. Maybe it was just a simple coincidence that I couldn't see my niece the last two times I visited because she was with her best friend or because she was sick.

But there was the fact that there was a track record.

I could count the times I had been denied access to visit my niece, let alone see her in her home.

Shaking off the dread enveloping his heart, I allowed Guy to walk us to our usual spot, where we eventually separated, agreeing to meet each other in the late morning to commence the plan. A part of me screamed that we should enact our plan in this instance, but…what if I was wrong? What if Mitsuki's stepfather, Daisuke, did everything he should as a parental figure? What if I had everything wrong and unintentionally blamed the man simply because I hadn't seen my niece in weeks? But, there was the opposite to consider.

What if Daisuke was mistreating Mitsuki?

The thought ate my stomach alive as I made my way home. Taking the back streets, I stared forward, even forgoing removing my Icha Icha book to read on the way home. I saw no point. Not only would I not enjoy my favorite book, but there was a better time to do so. I didn't care to read. At that moment, I only cared about the well-being of my niece.

Mitsuki Ryū was the only family member I had remaining, and I was her last family as well. All we had was each other, yet…we didn't even live together. I wouldn't know the first thing about taking care of an eleven-year-old. It wouldn't be fair to Mitsuki, considering how much time I spent away from the village on top-secret missions for Konoha and ANBU. I had left my niece in the care of her stepfather because the man, at least, could provide a home for the girl when I felt I could not.

The crack of thunder broke me from my mental spell.

Stopping in my tracks, I glanced upward as droplets fell from the sky. Rain quickly fell in sheets, the heaviness of the weather pulling me down as I slowly walked the rest of the way to my apartment. Around me, others ran for cover, seeking shelter from the weather, hoping for it to pass. I was the opposite. I felt I deserved this.

Before they passed, I had promised my sister, Tsukina, and my brother-in-law, Isamu, that I would protect their daughter. And, to this day, I felt I had been doing a shitty job. Not only did I barely see my niece, but we only came together for our traditional dinner when I returned from a mission. Even then, that had been lacking as of late, but not because I hadn't tried.

But I knew I could have tried harder.

I knew I could have tried visiting her on my days off. I could have offered to help her train with what she was learning from the academy. I could show her some new moves and teach her some ninjutsu I learned at her age. Secretly, I wanted those moments with my niece. Because even though I may never show it, I dearly loved my niece and would move heaven and earth to keep her safe.

With a shake of my bushy silver hair, I arrived at my apartment. Unlocking the door, I entered, eyes cast around the tiny space that was my home. Closing the door, I removed my shoes, immediately seeking the solace of the shower to warm my icy bones. Dropping my soppy clothing to the floor, I grabbed a towel and entered the shower, hissing at how the steamy water burned my skin. But that hiss eventually turned into a sigh as I dunked my head beneath the water stream, enjoying how my tense muscles relaxed.

Even if I didn't feel relaxed, I could lie to myself in the moment and forget all that plagued my heart.

Closing my eyes, I stood beneath the water for some time. The entire conversation I shared with Guy reentered my mind, replaying repeatedly until I could see the words whenever I opened my eyes.

At that moment, I hated myself. I had known for some time that there was much I could have done differently in Mitsuki's life, and there was so much I could still do.

With a last shake of his head, I made a decision.

Come morning, I would enact that difference. I would step up and take action to ensure that Mitsuki was safe and well cared for. I…didn't know exactly what to do, but I knew I would do something.

This was out of my comfort zone. In the field, I could maneuver my way around enemies until their throats had been sufficiently slit. But here, I was out of my element.

From the moment Mitsuki had been laid in my arms when she was just minutes old, I knew I would die for her. Mitsuki was - is - everything to me. And Guy was right. Even though I wouldn't admit it to others, everyone else knew of my love for my niece. And in doing so, I would protect her in any way she needed.

Stepping out of the shower to find my tiny bathroom covered in steam, I sighed. Drying off, I fluffed the towel over my head, drying the mesh of hair as best I could. Dressing in pajama pants and a loose t-shirt, I stood beside the bed, eyeing the framed photos I kept along the windowsill.

There was one of me and my sister, Tsukina, several years before she died.

There was another of me holding a baby Mitsuki, love and wonder covering my half-hidden face.

Then there was the last photo, taken on Mitsuki's eleventh birthday months prior. I had taken her out for whatever she wanted to do, ending the night at the Inuzukas for her birthday party, which was filled with cake, presents, and friends. Tsume had taken the picture of the two of us with giant smiles as Mitsuki held up her new stuffed dog, specifically from me.

Smiling sadly at the photos, I wished I had done more for the little girl. I didn't know what that "more" consisted of, but I wished I had done more.

Plopping onto the bed, I sighed heavily. Retrieving my novel, I spent the remainder of the night reading, wanting to see how many chapters I could finish before heading off to sleep.

It had barely been an hour when an unexpected rapture of knocks against the door drew my attention. Checking the time, I found it was almost eleven. I wasn't expecting anyone this late, and as I set his book aside, I slowly approached the door. As I grew closer, the knocking grew louder and rough, the person on the other side almost pounding their fist against the wood, one right after the other.

Shaking my head, I opened the door slowly to peer through the crack. My mouth opened to bear any complaints, but I found I couldn't speak. The door flew open from my grasp as someone rushed inside, seeking shelter from the still-raging weather.

"What the hell…?!" I lowly cursed, turning, ready to criticize the individual who dared enter my living establishment. But it wasn't that I didn't say anything; it was that I couldn't.

Before me, curled in a tight ball against the corner of the room, was Mitsuki. Watching her shaking and drenched form, I first noticed two things.

One: she was hysterically crying.

Two: she was covered in blood.

Blood dripped from her head, blood fell from her lips, and blood clung to her hands at her side.

Instantly closing the door, the sound caused my niece to jump as she shrieked. Holding my hands before me, I slowly stepped toward her, keeping my voice quiet as I tried calming the girl down. In the softest voice I could muster, I said, "Mitsuki, shhh…Mitsuki, it's just me."

The girl peered over her arm at me. Her eyes were reddened from crying, and it was then I realized that not only was she covered in blood but black bruises as well.

"Mitsuki…it's me, Uncle Kakashi…I'm right here. Can I…step forward?" I was trying to stay calm, but the fury deep within was clawing its way forward. Seeing my beloved niece in such a state sent me into an unknown frenzy. I had seen her injured from sparing at the academy and from typical, normal injuries such as scrapes and bruises, but nothing like this. Never had I seen my niece in such a state as she was currently.

Stepping as close as I could, I knelt, not knowing whether to leave her be or place my hand forward. "Mitsuki, I, what…kiddo, what happened?"

Whimpering, Mitsuki curled tighter, tears falling past her closed eyes. In the blink of an eye, I was suddenly thrown against the floor, and Mitsuki fell into me. Catching the two of us before we fell backward, I wrapped my arms around the girl, careful about where I placed my hands, unsure of her injuries.

"K-Kakashi!" Her voice was weak yet fierce. Her cry was painful yet powerful.

"Shhh, shhh, kiddo, I'm right here…" Carefully, I moved soaked hair strands away from her face. At least, I tried. Curling herself deeper against my side, Mitsuki cried, her wails echoing across the small apartment, leaving me in utter shock. Taking the risk, I wrapped his arms around the girl and held her close, wanting her to know I would never let go.

Nearly twenty minutes had flown by as Mitsuki's tears somewhat faded, her whimpers still evident as her breathing started to even itself out.

Swallowing, I carefully grasped the girl's shoulder to take a glance over her injuries when she cried out unexpectedly. "OWWW!"

Gasping, the girl fell apart as she shoved herself away. It was then I was given a full view of her injuries. The first one I noticed was the open fracture of her broken arm; the bone had pierced through her skin at an uneven angle, and blood was still pouring from the wound. Nicks and gashes littered all visible skin, including the two different gashes across her face. She was bloodied and bruised, and as I gingerly moved her right hand, I could see the making of a stab wound against her abdomen.

I gasped. "Mitsuki!" Rushing into the bathroom, I pulled several towels, placed one against her stomach, and instructed Mitsuki to hold it against herself. Too weak to refuse, she complied. Carefully taking her broken hand into mine, I inspected the injury as best I could. Despite not being a medical ninja, I knew when surgery was needed, having seen similar injuries. The open fracture must be taken care of immediately to prevent further injury. Taking the second towel, I tenderly wrapped the material around her arm, wincing as Mitsuki cried out. Ignoring her pleas, I stared at her, saying, "I know, kiddo, but we need to keep you from bleeding out. Can you push through?"

She sniffled and bit her lip in pain. "O-Ok…" she mumbled.

I stepped back and observed my niece the moment I had wrapped her arm. Trembling, she sat there staring up at me. Taking a smaller cloth, I dabbed against her head. A nasty gash appeared from the middle of her forehead down to her ear, and her lip was split. There was also a nasty laceration across her nose and down her cheek. The rag grew red the more I dabbed, but I knew I had to do something before she was taken to the hospital.

A lump entered my throat. Dropping the rag, I cupped Mitsuki's cheek, causing her vision to stare into his. "Mitsuki…what has happened to you?"

Staring wide-eyed at me, the girl tried opening her mouth. Instead of speaking, she shook her head. Additional tears fell as she pleaded with the man, "Y-You wouldn't b-believe me…"

My stomach dropped at her words. Me? Not believing my own niece? Utter bullshit!

"Nonsense!" I spoke, trying not to squeeze her against me in a tight hug. "Mitsuki, this is serious. Please tell me what happened to you. Who did this? Who hurt you?!"

"Please don't make me say it!" She cried, her voice echoing throughout the small room.

Shoving herself out of my grasp, Mitsuki pushed herself back into the corner, one hand grabbing her broken arm as she screamed. Reaching a hand to her, I barely brushed against her shoulder as the female recoiled. Eyes enlarging, Mitsuki screamed and shoved herself further into the corner. Retracting my hand, I knew.

I just knew something unspeakable had happened to my niece.

Swallowing the bile climbing up my throat, I retraced my steps. Moving as close as I could, I held my hands before Mitsuki so she could see. "Mitsuki, you have nothing to be afraid of. It's just you and me. No one else is here besides the two of us." When she didn't do or say anything, I continued. "Can I ask you some questions?"

She slowly nodded, biting her split lip.

"The person who did this, were they a stranger?"

She quickly shook her head no.

"Was this person…someone who you know?"

Though she nodded, it took her a moment of silence to do so.

Breathing deeply, I created a mental list of everyone she could know. "Ok, so, someone you know." I wouldn't say I liked the thought of this. "This person…do I know them?"

Her crying continued as more tears started to fall. I felt I was getting closer to my answer; I didn't want my assumption to be correct. I was about to ask my last question when she started speaking. "…please…" she pleaded. "Don't make me say it."

"Mitsuki…why?" I slowly reached forward and took her hand, squeezing her tiny fingers. "Why don't you want me to know?"

"…y-you wouldn't believe m-me…"

"Why do you…?!" I calmed, breathing deeply as my niece shrank slightly from my voice. Composed, I asked, "Why do you keep saying I won't believe you? Do you not trust me?"

She shook her head and sniffled more. "It's…it's not that! Please just…" Swallowing, I felt her fingers tighten beneath mine. In a whisper so quiet, she asked, "…don't make me go back." Lifting her head, she stared into my lone eye, pleading without further words.

In that gaze, a thousand words were shared.

It was then I immediately knew.

Daisuke.

Cursing the man, I reeled back. Forgoing the torture I wanted to inflict on the man, I needed to remain in the present. My niece, crying and shaking, needed me right now. Despite what I wanted, there was only one thing I should do. My grip on Mitsuki's hand tightened as I softened my hardened glare.

"Listen to me, kiddo. I promise you…I will take care of whoever hurt you. But first, I need to get you to the hospital. Do you trust me?"

She instantly nodded. "I've always trusted you, Kashi," she whispered. My nickname fell past her lips, pulling me back to the past. When she learned to speak, Mitsuki could never say my name correctly. For the longest time, she could only call me "Kashi," and she still calls me that to this day. She's the only individual with a nickname for me, and I held it close to my heart.

Nodding, I assessed what needed to be done. First, I knew I was going to need some help. Quickly biting a small part of my thumb until it bled, I placed the digit against the ground, instantly summoning one of my ninken. Pakkun, appearing before me as his shinobi partner in a puff of smoke, stared upward with a blasé expression.

"What can I do for ya, boss?"

Blinking, I spoke carefully, staring hard at my summoned ninken. "Pakkun, I need you to find Might Guy and deliver a message ASAP."

Pakkun stared on with a seemingly bored look. "Guy? What for?"

Stealing a peek at Mitsuki, Kakashi said, "I'm going to need some help at the hospital."

"Hospital? What the - " It was then Pakkun peered around his shinobi partner. Upon seeing my niece, the small ninken walked toward the female, gingerly licking her fingers. His nose abruptly caught the scent of blood, and looking at the young girl, the ninken could see it was coming from her. "Mitsuki! What happened, girl?"

Despite her current state, Mitsuki smiled at the small ninken; the hand not holding the towel to her stomach reached forward and scratched Pakkun behind the ears. Still, she remained silent on the matter. When Pakkun realized she wouldn't say anything, he turned back toward me.

"Alright, Might Guy is to meet you at the hospital to help. Anything else?"

I nodded. "Once you meet Guy, head to the Inuzuka compound and find Tsume. She needs to know what has happened to Mitsuki."

Pakkun didn't even miss a beat. "And what of her son, Kiba?"

"…Tell Tsume it is her discretion whether she wants to mention anything to her son."

Turning to give a saddened stare to Mitsuki, Pakkun nodded his head. "Roger!" And with a puff of smoke, the ninken was gone.

Sighing, I looked at my niece, who was staring wildly at me. "You understand what will happen once we reach the hospital, right?"

"Kiba," she whispered her best friend's name. Ignoring my previous statement, she rebutted, saying, "I don't want Kiba to know!"

Sighing again, I shook my head in slight frustration. "Mitsuki, now is not the time - "

"But, but Uncle Kakashi!"

My head continued to shake, snatching the girl beneath her legs to hold her in my arms. "You are going to the hospital first. We'll talk about this there." She was about to say something else when my only eye stared down at her. Shutting her mouth, she whimpered, curling into my neck.

Leaping out the front door, I only spent one second locking the contraption before rushing through the still-raging storm. As I ran, ice water pelted against my skin. All other citizens were locked in their warm establishments, whereas I ran without protection, not caring until Mitsuki was safe within the confines of the hospital. Knowing I would need the guidance of my friends, I felt reassured by sending Pakkun out to find Guy and Tsume. The questions running through my head were: what was he to do now, and how could he best take care of Mitsuki? If the person who hurt my niece was her stepfather, I didn't know what action should take place.

Should I head to her home on my own? Should I contact the Hokage? Which authorities were appropriate in such a situation?

"Kakashi?"

I could vaguely hear the soft voice of Mitsuki through the rain. Quickly glancing down at her, I returned my sight to the path before us, ensuring I wouldn't cause more issues to her injuries in this storm. "What's wrong, kiddo?"

She curled tighter against my neck. "E-Everything hurts."

Her words snagged at my heart. I wanted nothing more than to take away all her pain. "We're almost to the hospital."

I was running through the glass doors within the next minute.

Late at night, the waiting room was bare of visitors; all other citizens were now home, waiting to visit their loved ones the following day. Sopping wet, I didn't care about the mess, beelining toward the front desk; the lady behind the counter was smiling, but the moment she saw the girl in my arms, her eyes widened.

"Oh, sweet goodness! What happened here?!" Turning, she called out to someone behind the nearest wall. "Doctor?! We need a doctor out here!"

A doctor appeared from behind the door. Making eye contact with the situation, he ran back and returned with several other nurses. Just as a gurney was wheeled out to the front, I had barely placed Mitsuki onto the hardened cushion before she was immediately removed. Eye blinking at the fact my niece was being carted away before me, I blanched, hand reaching forward to grasp the gurney before it left.

"Wait, no! Don't take her back just yet!"

The male nurse pushing the gurney called back, not missing a beat, "She needs immediate medical attention, sir!"

Head whipping back around, Mitsuki sought my eye. "Kakashi! Don't leave me, Kakashi!"

"It'll be ok, Mitsuki. I'm right here!" She was gone from my sight within a second. Left to stand there, soaking wet and dripping water in the waiting room, the nurse from behind the counter grasped my attention.

"Sir? Sir…" My expression was blank as I stared at the woman, wondering what the hell she wanted when I could be by my niece's side. "The girl will be fine; they will care for her." But I still hadn't said anything, his gaze dropping from her to stare at the counter. Sensing my disengagement, the nurse stepped from the counter and stood before me, snapping her fingers to gain my attention. After three snaps, I blinked, gaze filtering toward the woman. "Good, you can still hear me."

I pleaded, whispering so quietly I wondered if it was even my voice speaking. "Please…" I never pleaded. "I need to be with my niece."

The nurse's face softened. "I understand that sir, but there's not much you can do for her in the state she was in. Right now, it would be best if you waited out here; the doctors will do everything in their power to help your niece. Do you understand?"

I felt myself nod. Never in my life had I felt so helpless as I did at the moment. I've made hundreds of in-the-moment decisions to determine whether someone would live or die, what the next move should be, or how I should finish a mission. Currently, all that knowledge has left my memory. Standing there, I could only stare at the doors Mitsuki was taken through. Beside me, the nurse gently took hold of my elbow, leading me to the nearest chair. Guiding me to sit, I followed the simple instructions, falling onto the cushion as I could only stare at the wall straight ahead.

As the nurse walked away, my mind wandered. What was to happen next? Where should I go, and who should I seek? If my assumptions are correct and Mitsuki's stepfather is behind her injuries, this needed to be handled relatively quickly.

With a flick of my head, I shook as water droplets rained against the tiled flooring. Feeling faintly relaxed, I rested my elbows against my knees. But having done so, I stopped. I shook even more as I uncurled my fingers to stare at them.

Blood coated my hands. It stained my fingers and clothing, and the once blue shirt was nearly black. The sight alone made me sick, casting my eyes away. I did not want to assume Daisuke was behind this incident, but the more I thought about the matter, the more I knew the truth. At that moment, all I could feel was agonizing fear for Mitsuki. There was fear of what she had experienced, what had happened, and what was to come.

"Kakashi!"

Two different voices entered my ears. I slightly turned toward the doors as two people quickly moved their way inside. Glancing upward, my one eye caught sight of Guy and Tsume. Guy's eyes were large, and Tsume looked lost and confused.

Guy was the first to speak. He dropped to one knee, hand placed on my shoulder. "Kakashi! What on earth has happened?!"

Tsume jumped in. "Pakkun didn't give us much information. Only that you needed us here? What the hell?"

Breathing heavily, I stared hard into the woman's eyes. My first words to her were, "Did you tell Kiba?"

"No," Tsume answered. "He was already asleep. Besides, I didn't want him here until I knew what was happening."

The ninja was silent for a moment. At that point, Guy had dropped his hand, claiming the seat beside his longtime friend. "Your guess is as good as mine," I eventually whispered.

I didn't recognize myself. I was usually a calm, cool, and collected individual. There were times I could admit I had moments of aloofness, especially around Guy, but never was I to express my emotions outwardly.

Mitsuki, however, was the exception.

I was willing to do anything and everything for her. In the past year, I felt I had failed as her uncle. Since her mother's death, I have accepted more high-ranking missions than usual. Thinking about it, I had to admit that it was my way of coping with my sister's death. In the end, however, it meant leaving my niece in the hands of her stepfather. It was a decision I was beginning to regret.

I was returned to the present when another pair of snapping fingers echoed in front of my face.

"Kakashi," Tsume said sternly. "You need to tell us what happened."

Taking a deep breath, I nodded in the direction the doctors had taken her ten minutes prior. "Mitsuki, she…she was…" I looked back down at my hands. Inhaling and exhaling, my mind relived the last hour and explained everything to my friends. Guy and Tsume were sympathetic, remaining silent so I could provide them with everything they needed to know. My voice was soft and gentle as if examining what had happened would force me to relive what I just experienced. By the time I was done, my shoulders fell.

"Hell, I…I don't even know what to say," Tsume admitted.

"Neither do I. But…she's alive." Guy tilted his head forward to stare at me. "She's alive, Kakashi. We must celebrate the positive." We stared at each other before Tsume interrupted.

"He's right, Kakashi. The doctors haven't come back out. So…no news is sometimes good news."

"Sometimes," I pointed out. "The keyword from your statement is 'sometimes.'"

She rolled her eyes. "Dammit, Kakashi, not the fucking point!" Knocking her fist against my shoulder, she took the free seat on the opposite side, staring at the doors across the room. "So…Do you have any idea who it could be? I mean, she told you that you both know this person. You must have some idea who it could be."

"But…that's a long list of people. She knows a lot of Jōnin because of Kakashi. And she has all her friends at the academy."

"Yeah, but does Kakashi know all her friends? I highly doubt that."

"Then, who the hell could it be?"

"…Daisuke."

Guy immediately shook his head as Tsume cursed. "You…honestly think it could be her stepfather?" The latter asked.

"I don't think. I know," I admitted in a deadly whisper.

"Wait, is this about the discussion we had earlier?" Guy questioned. My mouth opened to answer when the female beat him.

"Kakashi, you have to be careful. You're a very respected ninja in the village, and if you go around accusing her stepfather of this, that could only make things look worse for you."

I closed my eye. "I'm very aware of the consequences. For my niece, I'll risk everything." Clenching then unclenching both hands, I added, "I just want to make right by my niece."

To the left, Guy glanced toward Tsume. "Kakashi…does this have anything to do with what we've discussed previously?" Tsume raised an eyebrow, pushing Guy to continue. "You shouldn't hold yourself responsible for her living with her stepfather. You felt you had no choice in the matter."

"I…I could have tried harder," I forced myself to say the truth. Because to me, that was the truth. I could have reduced my rank and completely removed myself from ANBU. I could've moved to a bigger apartment and become Mitsuki's guardian, having her live with me instead. In my mind, I felt I could have always done more.

"But, Kakashi…you don't seem to understand how hard you have tried this past year." I tilted my head toward Tsume. She weakly smiled, thinking through her words first before responding. "I've seen the way you are around the girl. You're there for her when you can. You always check on her, and I've seen you walking her home from the academy. Hell, you treat her to dinner whenever you're able to. You must realize that most of your free time is spent with her." If her words didn't first convince me, she added, "If anything, take my words as truth. Mitsuki adores you and loves you. She's told me several times that she loves the time you two spend together. And!" Tsume held her finger up as I was about to speak, effectively silencing me. "Trust me when I say she understands. She understands your responsibilities to the village and knows that your job as a shinobi comes first sometimes. She respects that part of you, you knucklehead."

My visible eye widened at her words. "She…said all that?" Tsume nodded, her weak smile growing more confident. I fell silent, taking in her words.

Then I found myself saying, "Where do I go from here?" I could see my two friends share a look; one shook their head while the other hung their head.

Guy was the first to speak after a moment of silence. "…I say it's time to talk to the Hokage. You just told me earlier that you think her stepfather is mistreating her. Well, I say it's high time to do something about it!"

"Wait, wait, wait…What were you talking about earlier? You think Daisuke's been mistreating her?" Tsume eyed me. She suddenly grasped my shoulder and shook me wildly. "Why the hell haven't you said anything?!"

"I had no proof Tsume!" I raised my voice to match hers. Beside me, Guy shushed us. Despite being the only three people in the waiting room, we still had an audience with the nurse at the counter. Lowering my voice, I stared hard at my female friend. "It's mostly my gut. I don't have definitive proof that he is or isn't harming Mitsuki in some way, but…something hasn't been right for a while."

She shook her head wildly. "I don't believe this," she muttered. Exasperated, she returned my hardened stare. "So, we go to the Hokage. Should I get him now? If Daisuke is behind this, we need to move quickly."

"I say we - "

The doors from the opposite side suddenly opened, and a doctor appeared from the other side. Our eyes connected as I immediately stood, crossing the room in seconds. The doctor wore medical scrubs and seemed clean, but I could tell he had just washed his hands. Maybe it was from what was coating mine, but I could still smell the blood.

The man seemed to recognize me in an instant. "Oh, Kakashi! I-I didn't think it was you who brought the girl in!"

"Mitsuki! Is she - how is she - what's going on?"

The doctor raised his hand. "She's still in surgery. We performed a quick inspection to determine the capacity of her injuries. You're aware of her condition?"

"Only of the injuries I saw. Were there more?"

"Well…" The doctor's eyes glanced back to Guy and Tsume, who also stood several feet behind me. "She's bruised more than I would like to see on a girl her age. Her left ulna bone is fractured, but it's the radius bone I'm more concerned with. The open fracture is what she's in surgery for, which should only take another hour or so to complete. The break is pretty bad, but as long as it heals the way we want, her arm should be as good as new." Wiping his brow, the doctor sighed. "She also has a deep stab wound in her abdomen, leaving her to have lost more than enough blood. Honestly…you brought her in before things could have worsened."

Hearing the doctor's words did little to calm my nerves. Just an hour prior, I had been reading my book in the comfort of my bed. And now, I was currently waiting in the hospital before I could visit my niece because of her injuries.

Feeling an arm grasp mine, I blinked.

"She's alive," the doctor commented, reminding me how Guy had stated the exact words several minutes before. "She's been through enough from what I can tell, but she should make a quick recovery."

I nodded, needing to keep my head held high. "When can I see her?"

"She'll be placed in her own room once she is removed from surgery. I'll come find you when that happens."

I nodded again, feeling my energy seep from my body. "Thank you," I muttered.

Leaving us behind, I turned to the other two, who heard the conversation. Their eyes stared into mine as there was only one sentence I was prepared to say.

"I need to speak with the Hokage."

~ oOo ~

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