---3---

*This chapter is in the form of a flash back and will provide crucial information on the story ahead...

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"Kakashi, once Naruto has returned with Jiraya, you will regain control over Team 7," the Hokage said. Kakashi nodded, a smile under his mask, yet a slight lump in his throat and a tug in his chest. Or whatever's left of it...he thought to himself.

"However there is a catch," the Hokage said, her eyes dark and her tone serious. Kakashi swallowed. What catch?

"You and I know both know all too well that Kasumi, however far she has come along, however strong she has gotten, still shares a very close bond with Sasuke Uchiha. And we both know that sooner or later she will venture out to search for him,"

Kakashi hadn't thought much about it, or at least he'd tried not to. He'd always pushed it to the back of his mind, though he saw it in Kasumi's scarred eyes, what she was really training for. Not for herself but for others, the ones she cared so deeply for, and the one who left her, breaking her heart although she wouldn't show the brokenness. She hid it, along with all her true reasons for her future. But what future for a boy who wouldn't ever come home? It seemed wasted, but not for Kasumi, for Kasumi, it was a possibility.

"Yes," he said. "What exactly are you saying?" he asked, pushing the Hokage for an answer.

"If and when she does find him, because it's only a matter of time, we both know that, Sasuke will tempt her into joining him, and when she realises she can't bring him back, her of all people, I fear that she may even consider joining him. And if that does happen, we won't be able to bring Kasumi back. She will not only endanger herself but the whole of the Land of Fire as we know it," the Hokage muttered. Kakashi blinked, shocked. He wasn't believing what she was saying. It wasn't right.

"Kasumi is a powerful ally, but would be a much more powerful enemy, especially with Sasuke as her drive...Kakashi, Kasumi is a very high but at current, a potential threat to the Leaf, if we don't contain her, I know that she will venture down the same dark path as Sasuke,"

"But we can't keep her locked away, that would be inhumane," Kakashi protested. The Hokage narrowed her eyes.

"Very true. But we can't leave her out of the village,"

There was a long silence between the two, both minds were doing backflips, trying to figure out what they could possibly do to limit the chances of Kasumi joining Sasuke. Finally, Tsunade looked up, her eyes sad.

"As harsh as this may seem, I forbid Kasumi to leave the Leaf Village for any mission, unless she is accompanied by yourself, as well as two other ANBU agents and most importantly, if I have set you the mission. She is not to join Team 7 on any missions outside of Konoha, and whilst you and your squad are away, she will be held and supervised at all times, to make sure that she make no attempt to follow you. Kasumi will not leave these gates unless in exceptional circumstances!" the Hokage slammed her fist down on to the table. Splinters of wood jutted out of the dent that she had just made in the thought-to-be sturdy, woodwork.

Kakashi nodded and bowed. He knew that this was no joke anymore. Like it or not, Kasumi was a threat to the ones that she was fighting to protect, as well as herself...

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A/N - updates have been really slow as I've been on crutches, but yeah here is an update! Pic of Kasumi on the side by Konoha's Gates!(obviously this photo was taken/drawn before this chapter, but it seemed appropriate)