Author's Note: Because so many people have asked for a post-Massacre chapter in Kakashi's POV for the original timeline, I decided to go ahead and let you know what the plans are there. Once Symphonies is finished, there will be a semi-sequel (titled "Dead Air") with Kakashi as the MC. In that fic, Kyoko dies quickly and doesn't activate her mangekyo, so the story follows Kakashi and everything that happens in the aftermath.

Chapter 25 — Can't Teach a Old Soul

"How is she?"

Tsunade jerked awake, snapping up from where she'd been slumped against the tent pole. She forced back a yawn and squinted up at Shinku. "Hmm? Oh, uh." She cleared her throat and shifted forward, leaning over the bedroll. She took a moment to check her student over for the dozenth time before answering. "I can't do anything for how tired she'll be or the headache she'll have when she wakes up, but she'll be alright." She sat back again, dragging a hand down her face. "Any luck?"

"No."

She huffed. "Seriously? There's not a single Uchiha in the entire encampment?"

"Other than yours? No."

"Great. That's just— It's fine. I'll just have to wait until we get back, then. Can't have a five year old lecturing me about her eyes."

"You didn't learn more about the sharingan when you got her as a student?" Shinku clicked his tongue. "I excepted better."

"Oh, shut up. I asked Sensei, and he said most Uchiha never unlock it until they're nine at least. I thought I had time."

Shinku hummed at that, sitting down. He didn't say anything for a bit. When he did, he asked, "Did you know she could do that?"

Tsunade snorted, looking sideways at him. "Right now, I'm just assuming it's a prodigy thing. Like Orochimaru. Or Jiraiya's brat. Or Jiraiya's brat's brat, whatever his name is."

Shinku frowned. "Hatake?"

"That's the one. I'll probably talk to the brat about it. Jiraiya's brat. Not the brat's brat." She groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I told her to stay put."

He snorted. "You're definitely new to being a sensei. They never listen. Although, I might have lost one of mine without her, so I'm sure you can excuse her disobedience. Just this once, right?"

"We'll see. Yours ready to head out in the morning?"

"They will be."

When Tsunade woke again, the bedroll was packed neatly away, and Kyoko was gone. She burst out of the tent in a panic, already calling her student's name. She stopped short, heart pounding.

Kyoko looked up from where she was sitting lotus in front of the fire, cradling a bowl in her lap. She frowned. "Shisho?"

"Oh, good, you're alive," Tsunade said, heaving a sigh. "You're not eating anything too heavy, right?"

Kyoko shook her head and lifted her bowl. "Asuma warmed some stock for us."

Tsunade knelt down with the group and glanced towards Shinku's oldest student. "I'll take another look at you before you go to sleep. I need to make sure you don't get an infection."

Raidou nodded and rubbed at the bandages on his face. He winced and jerked his hand down. "Okay. Thank you, Tsunade-sama."

"We're heading back to the Village in the morning, right?" Kyoko asked. "Or do we need to stay longer to care for the wounded?"

"We've delivered our supplies, and I've done what I can. This division has its own medic-nin. They'll be fine. You, however, need proper rest and recuperation back in the Village. And then a good handful of D-ranks to make sure you know how to actually follow orders."

She frowned. "I know how to—"

"Eat up." Tsunade got to her feet with a groan. "You need to get plenty of rest tonight because I won't be carrying you the whole way home."

"And you're sure about this?"

Tsunade frowned. "I didn't see them, but I believe Suzaku when he says that's what he saw."

"You didn't have her show you?"

"She's recovering from chakra exhaustion. I don't want her to hurt herself."

"Hmm. Of course," Hiruzen murmured. "Four enemy shinobi. That's . . . impressive. For her age and experience. Impressive for a genin at all, really. I'd like to speak with her personally when she brings her report in tomorrow." He looked up from his notes and nodded. "Dismissed."

Tsunade and Shinku bowed and backed from the room. When they opened the doors, their students looked up, and Kyoko was immediately on her feet. "Shisho," she greeted. "Obito and my father are both out of the Village. Shisui is staying with our Obasan."

"Your Obasan," Tsunade echoed. Well, as long as she could speak to an Uchiha. "Alright. Let's get moving, then." She turned and crouched down. "Up you go."

A beat of silence. "I can walk."

"Uh-huh. Up." She grinned when she heard her student's petulant sigh. Once Kyoko was on her back, Tsunade stood and cut a stare to Raidou. "Go easy on your injuries for a bit. Remember to get a check-up at the hospital in a couple days."

"Hai, Tsunade-sama," Raidou mumbled, glancing away.

"Good. Off we go, Tiny."

Kyoko didn't talk as they walked, but when they reached the Compound, she started giving directions. Tsunade faltered as they approached the house, staring at the woman out on the engawa. She swallowed. "Mikoto-hime," she greeted, trying her best to keep the surprise out of her voice.

Mikoto smiled. "Tsunade-san, it's nice to get to finally meet my favorite niece's sensei."

"I'm your only niece." Kyoko started wriggling in an attempt to get down. "Shisho."

Tsunade knelt to let Kyoko down. "Why don't you go inside for a moment?"

Kyoko frowned at her, cutting her with that same sharp look she always did when Tsunade explained something the girl insisted she already knew. When she opened her mouth, clearly to protest, Mikoto cut in. "Shisui is inside having a snack. Itachi is napping, but he's due to wake soon. Go on in." She tilted her head to the side and lifted her tea, smiling through the steam. "He's walking, now. I'm sure you'd love to see that."

And just like that, Kyoko rushed inside.

"Smooth."

"She's very fond of Itachi," Mikoto murmured, sipping at her tea. "Now, what is it that you needed to say to me without her hearing?"

"Right." Tsunade cleared her throat. "I know very little about the sharingan, and I understand, of course, that you wouldn't want to share too many details with someone outside the clan. But given her placement as my student, I thought it best if—"

"Kyoko doesn't have the sharingan, so it shouldn't matter yet," Mikoto cut in sharply. "And you're right. We don't share many details about it."

"She does. Have it, I mean. I haven't seen it yet myself. She's recovering from chakra exhaustion, and I don't know how much strain the dojutsu would put on her. But she has it."

Mikoto frowned. "I see." she sighed and got to her feet. "I'll speak with her. Thank you for bringing her home safe."