---19---

I opened one eye lazily and stretched out. I listened to the birds outside for a while and felt the warm heat of sun rays on my back as I lay in bed. It must be about eleven or something, oh man, I'd slept in late, and I couldn't go out with the others and help protect Tazuna. I was gonna miss out on a lot of fun today. I dragged myself out of bed and felt around for my clothes. I pulled on what I think was my white zippy t-shirt and my blue ninja pants. I pulled on Dad's old hoodie that he'd given me a while back and headed down the stairs, clutching onto the railings for dear life.

'Kasumi, you're up?' she asked as I walked into the kitchen.

'Oh, yeah, morning! Morning Inari!' I grinned, giving them a peace sign. I noticed that the house seemed quieter this morning...

'Hey, Tsunami-San? Where's Naruto? I thought Sensei wanted him to have a day off,' I asked.

'Oh, he left about ten minutes ago actually, he didn't want to get left behind. It's a lot quieter round here without him!' Tsunami chuckle. I smiled weakly.

'I wish I could've gone,' I mumbled.

'Awww, Kasumi dear. There are plenty things that you can do here! Why don't we go out for a walk when I've finished the chores? Sound good Inari?' She asked. Inari huffed and walked out.

'Is he okay?' I asked. Tsunami sighed and said that she didn't know anymore. Suddenly, there was a loud smash and some concrete fell onto the wooden floor, creating a loud BAAMM!

Tsunami and I gasped, unable to believe what was happening.

'Old man Tazuna's daughter, eh? You're coming with us lady,' a voice sneered.

'What about the Tomato?' another voice asked.

'I AM NOT A TOMATO, DAMNIT!' I roared, standing up and facing the sound of the voices, ,y fists clenched so tight that my knuckles cracked.

'Mama!?' Inari asked, oh no! He must've come back.

'Run Inari, run! Don't come in here!' Tsunami-San and I yelled. He stood frozen, and I heard the two bad guys trying to figure out how to rid of him. I ran at the sound of their voices.

'You leave him ALONE!' I growled. Suddenly a pair of arms grasped me around my neck and I claws caught in a headlock. I struggled and kicked hard but it only made the bad guy tighten his grip.

'Kasumi!' Tsunami cried.

'Lemme get rid of Tomato here, but make sure that Tazuna's daughter doesn't get away, Gato wants her alive,'

'I TOLD YOU I'M NOT A DAMN TOMATO!' I yelled. I threw aimless punches at thin air.

Shut it, Tomato,' he snapped, putting his hand over my mouth so I couldn't answer back.

'After we kill him, we'll kill her, we only need the one hostage...' the main bad guy sneered. I heard the sounds of swords being unsheathed.

'Wait!'

They stopped.

'If you dare touch my son, I'll bite through my tongue and drown in my own blood, then what will you do for a live hostage?' They paused for a second, thinking about what to do.

'Heh, be greatfull to your Ma, kiddo,'

'Aww but I'm dying to cut someone up,'

'Relax man, you gave your blade a good enough workout before we got here!' the leader said again. 'Now lets go,'

I felt myself being dragged along and the guy who had his hand over my mouth, removed his hand.

'Kasumi, I-I'm so sorry, please forgive me, dear,' Tsunami apologised sadly. I gave her a weak smile.

'I don't blame you Tsunami-San, I'll find a way out of this, just give me some time,' I whispered, thinking desperately.

'Kasumi, you're blind, you won't stand a chance against them!' Tsunami argued. I chuckled.

'I may be blind but that doesn't mean I can't fight!' I whispered. 'I'll protect you and Inari no matter what, it's my duty!!' I grinned.

'Hmmm, such lovely skin, shame I can't cut it,' the other guy sulked.

'Just shut up!' The leader snapped.

'WAIT!' We all turned around, Tsunami gasped and began to sniffle.

'Inari!' She cried.

'You stay away from my MAMA!' He roared. He began running toward us, his footsteps were heavy and he was nervous.

'This kid's getting really annoying. Cut him down!'

'Yeah!'

They let ho of Tsunami and I, then I heard them unsheathe their swords.

'INARI!' Tsunami screamed. The next thing I heard was the sounds of swords slicing through...wood?

'The art of substitution?' The thugs asked surprised.

'Hehe! Sorry I'm late! It's all that being a hero and in the nick of time stuff, you know?'

'NARUTO!' I cheered.

'Hehe, way to go Inari!'

'Well if we don't get to kill that one, we can kill Tomato here...'

'I'm not a TOMATO!' I yelled shaking my fists. I heard the swords being drawn and I looked straight ahead of me into the darkness. I listened to the swords and their masters, waiting for the right time to leg it.

'Kasumi! No!' Naruto yelled.

I didn't let him put me off, I shut everyone out. SWOOSH! Time to go! I leapt forward but tripped, so instead of looking like a badass ninja escaping what could've been certain death, I ended up on the floor, ready to meet my certain death.

I bit my lip and closed my eyes tight, preparing myself for the pain that would follow. I heard a thud and I felt no pain. I opened my eyes and stopped biting my lip, and someone pulled me to my feet, their arm around my shoulder, holding me up.

'Nobody, and I mean nobody, lays a finger on my little sister!' Naruto roared.

Inari and Tsunami gasped.

'K-Kasumi, is your...sister, Naruto?' He asked, shocked. Naruto laughed nervously.

'Yeah, but I just found out, so the others don't know either. Hehehe!' He laughed, straightening me up. 'Anyway, I owe you an apology, for yesterday, Inari,'

'Huh?'

'Well I called you a baby and you know I kinda got angry too, but I'm really sorry and what you just did, was really heroic. Your dad would've been proud, '

I heard Inari crying again, trying to fight against the sobs and the tears.

'I-I promised myself that I wouldn't cry, now you're going to laugh at me!' He sobbed, my heart went out to him.

'Theres nothing wrong with crying...when you're happy!' Naruto said after a long pause. 'Well...come on Kasumi, we have to catch up with the others! We don't wanna miss out on all the fun, right?' Naruto said, taking my hand.

'Wait! Kasumi, if you're going, wear this, you've still not recovered from your hypothermia yet, and it's cold enough as it is. Naruto, you take very good care of her,' Tsunami warned, put the bright yellow coat on me. 'Both of you, stay safe,' she pleaded before Naruto gave me a piggy back through the darkness.

----------------------------

'Hey Kasumi! Look down there!' Naruto whispered when we'd stopped. I rolled my eyes and sighed at him.

'What is it?' He asked puzzled. I plastered a fake grin across my face and widened my eyes as I waved my hand up and down in front of my eyes.

'Oooohhh! Yeah, right, um sorry about that Kasumi-chan,' he laughed nervously. I smiled and nudged him.

'It's okay brother. Now how are we supposed to get down there without getting killed?' I asked.

'I've already planned it out! Here Kasumi, hold on!' Naruto said, grabbing my arm. I didn't have time to argue for the next thing I knew, we were on the battle field.

'Eh? What's going on? Who is that?' Sakura cried.

'Hehe! Naruto Uzumaki, has arrived!' He yelled, all cocky like. I put my hand up weakly.

'And me!' I said, quieter than Naruto.

'Phew! It's chaos round here! But don't worry! Everything's gonna be fine now that I'm here! The hero always shows up at times like this!' Naruto laughed. I smiled and laughed too.

'Kasumi? What are you doing here?' Kakashi demanded.

'Oh yeah, a little accident kinda happened. Yeah it's a long story Sensei!' I called.

'Damn!' Sensei cursed. I heard the sounds of weapons flying towards us, then I heard his laugh. Argh! That damn butcher was still alive?! Why'd nobody tell me?

'Here it comes, Kasumi, stay behind me!' Naruto ordered. I was reluctant but i did he said. I performed a quick set of hand signs and waited for the right time. NOW!

I flicked my wrist and summoned a large slab of rock to come out of the ground. The weapons wedged themselves into my defensive wall. I slowly raises my hand up and again, flicked my wrist, aiming to remove the slab of rock from the ground and fling it at the crazy butcher. Naruto and the others gasped, not just because of the awesome skill I'd just used, maybe because it crumbled to dust when two needles pierced through it. I clenched my fists in anger. That had cost me a lot of chakra! I was so weak from the lack of training, after that short demonstration of earth style, I could barely stand!

'Master Zabuza, please, let me deal with these kids, let me fight them my way,' a new voice asked.

'Very well Haku, make it quick,' the crazy butcher sighed.

Uh oh, that didn't sound too good...