It's been about a week since Kakashi let me into his home, and I haven't been made to smile once. He's tried, too, cracking jokes and all the works. But my spirits refuse to lift.

With the Village still reeling from the Sand and Sound attack, many of the Ninja remain in the Village as guards of a sort, protecting us from rumor that we are weak in numbers. People are afraid that we'll be attacked for a second time, with other Villages thinking we're weak. We aren't, but it's still not a happy thought.

And I know all about unhappy thoughts.

Since we haven't been going on any missions, I've taken to sleeping more and more. I know this is a sign of depression, and Kakashi knows it too. But I just can't make myself get up, even though I understand what depression can cause people to do. I want to fight, and at the same time... I don't.

When the light hitting my face becomes unbearable, I finally roll out of bed and onto the floor. "Ow," I mutter, my voice muffled due to the fact that my face is pressed against the wood floor. It's mid afternoon now; I've slept much longer than I should have. Ugh. If I don't do something about this soon, I'm going to have to stop being a Ninja because I sleep all damn day.

I dress quickly, then pop into Kakashi's room. He's not here, and I can't say I'm very surprised. Like most good Ninja, he's an early riser. He's probably been out of the apartment for hours.

I'm such a mess.

I grab a quick breakfast--lunch... whatever. Then I head out the door, locking it behind me. I've noticed Kakashi doesn't often lock his door, but I'm slightly more paranoid than he is, so I've taken the liberty of doing it. Yes, sadly, paranoia is one emotion I have regained.

As I walk through the Village, I pass a number of people I recognize, who smile at me and wave, or call out greetings. I simply nod my head in return, hunching my shoulders and keeping my eyes trained on the ground in front of me.

After a while, people stop calling out.

Reconstruction work is being done on the building toppled by Orochimaru's snakes. I've heard it took one of the Legendary Sannin to take them down. That Sannin is, apparently, the same Pervy Sage Naruto was complaining about before the end of the Chunin Exams. Whoop dee doo. We've got a pervert as one of the most powerful Ninja in existence. The Leaf must be so proud.

...And now I'm a bi--

"Akari! Hey, over here!"

My head snaps up to stare at Kiba and Akamaru. Kiba's waving his arms in a frantic manner to grab my attention. He and Akamaru are sitting in a restauraunt I've never been to, along with Hinata, and three people I can't see very well. I wave to them, but don't move any closer. "Hey! Get your ass over here!" Kiba shouts, gaining the attention of several passersby. I sigh and walk into the restauraunt, mainly because I don't want to cause a scene.

"Hi, Kiba," I say. The most I can muster is politeness, instead of my usual cheery greeting upon seeing him. He frowns at me, then drags me into the open seat beside him.

"Have you met all of Team Guy?" he asks, gesturing to the three people across the table from us. I raise a hand in greeting to Lee, who smiles at me gleefully. I nod my head to the girl, Tenten, I think, then scowl at the third one, Neji Hyuga.

"Neji Hyuga," I say, my voice taking on a dark tone I don't like in the least. He blinks at me coolly, his pale eyes betraying nothing. "Akari... Yuki," he says, adding in my last name after a pause. "How nice to finally make your acquaintance." He sticks out his hand, expecting me to shake it. I don't lift a finger.

"A-Akari," Hinata squeaks, and I wince. She hasn't stuttered around me in so long. Have I changed that much? "I-It's alright," she says softly, on Kiba's other side. "Neji is d-different. I-I've f-forgiven him."

I sigh, and shake the older Hyuga's hand. "You've changed," I say, making it a statement. "That's good, I suppose."

He lifts an eyebrow, but doesn't say anything.

Damn Hyuga arrogance. He's like his damn uncle.

"I'm Tenten!" the girl with the two buns in her hair announces, shaking my hand before I can pull it back into my lap. I nod again. "Akari," I say, and she smiles. "I saw your fight during the prelim rounds," she says. "I can't believe how well you did for a rookie Genin! And against your brother too!"

She realizes, too late, what's she said. Neji clamps a hand over her mouth while surprise dawns in her pretty brown eyes and she covers his hand with both of hers.

A blade of anguish pierces my raw heart at her words, and I nearly double over in the resulting agony. Kiba tries to wrap his arms around me, but I push my chair away from the table and jump to my feet. I mutter a weak, "Sorry" before rushing out the door, needing fresh air.

I can't even hear someone talk about him without my pain, regret and anger flaring up inside me. How am I going to survive this?

I stagger away from the restauraunt, feeling sick, my insides churning with held-in emotions. I recieve a few stares, a few "Hey, you ok"-s. But no one physically stops me as I dash blindly in a direction I can't name.

***

It's a while before I realize what I'm doing. And that is walking around blindly in the hopes of somehow easing the pain.

Obviously, that pain hasn't gone away, or else I'd have stopped by now.

I look around, trying to get my bearings. I think I recognize this place; it's another, unguarded entrance to the Village. I've been here maybe twice, for some errand or another, or just by chance. No one really comes this way; it's difficult to make it to this entrance, and it's far from anything important in the Village.

I clutch a hand over my heart, as though I can physically force back the emotional wound. I wish. I walk down the road that comes from the entrance, trailing a hand over the railing. The water below me is smooth and clear, pretty, I would have said a few weeks ago. Now, all it is is dull and lifeless.

"Don't look him in the eyes! Keep your eyes closed!"

I stop walking.

Kakashi?

I lean over the railing, squinting at the figures in the distance. I looks like... Kakashi Sensei, standing in front of Kurenai and Asuma. And in front of them, there are two strange-looking people in black cloaks with red clouds running along the fabric.

I creep closer, remaining silent, watching the scene unfold before me.

The man with jet-black hair looks at Kakashi, who I can tell is using his Sharingan. The man, whose own eyes are blazing red, says something to Kakashi I don't catch. Then, Kakashi stiffens, and falls, sinking slowly into the water.

"KakashI! What's happened?" Asuma demands, his eyes still shut tightly. Kakashi doesn't answer; he looks unconscious.

I'm trembling, now, hysterical tears in my eyes. I don't know what just happened, but the black-haired man, whoever the hell he is, just looked at Kakashi, and he passed out.

I'm going to murder this guy!

I gather my chakra into the soles of my feet and leap over the railing, running lightly across the water towards the others. Asuma and Kurenai turn their heads at my approach, eyes shut but ears open. I crouch next to Kakashi Sensei, grabbing onto his flak jacket and pulling him from the water. Ugh. Man, he's heavy for such a thin guy.

"Kakashi Sensei," I say softly, urgently. Both of his eyes are closed, hiding his one Sharingan. "Akari?" Kurenai Sensei gasps. "Yes, it's me," I inform her quietly, trying to keep Kakashi from sinking further into the clear water. I glare up at the dark-haired man, whose eyes are still a demented red.

"Sharingan?" I say to myself, narrowing my eyes. "Don't look into his eyes, Akari!" Kurenai tells me frantically. "He'll catch you a Genjutsu!"

If Kurenai Sensei is worried about a Genjutsu... How good is this guy?

"Who're you?" I demand, shifitng my focus to one of the red clouds on the man's cloak. "Itachi Uchiha," he says, in a flat voice that greatly resembles Shino's. I tense quickly. Uchiha? Then this is... Sasuke's brother. The infamous traitor, Itachi. The one who murdered almost an entire Clan.

Perfect.

"Hey, Itachi, why're you giving your name to a little girl?" his partner demands, adjusting his grip on the bandage-wrapped sword on his shoulder. I can hear sounds, animalistic sounds, coming from the sword, and it's squirming around like some sort of possessed worm.

Who the hell are these guys?!

The blue-skinned man looks over at his sword, smiling like the demon he resembles. "Samehada's excited," he says, his voice low and as excited as he claims his sword to be. "Chick must have some kind of chakra. Hasn't even made a move yet, and my sword's going into a frenzy."

Itachi regards me with his stern eyes while I stare blankly at his shoes, having dropped my gaze when the blue man started talking to his sword. "We're not here to kill anyone, Kisame," he says, addressing his partner but keeping his red eyes on me. "As I've said, we don't need to cause a commotion."

"Aw, c'mon!" Kisame complains, grinning at me. "Just let me test the girl out! Samehada hasn't been this hungry for a while now!"

"No," Itachi admonishes.

"Killjoy."

"What did you do to Kakashi?" I speak up, suddenly feeling enough anger and foolish courage to look into the elder Uchiha's eyes. "Why's he like this?"

"I simply showed him that he is inferior to one who has inherited the kekkei genkai of the Uchiha," comes the band reply.

"Inferior?" I growl. "Kakashi Sensei is ten times the man you are, you lying, murderous bastard!"

"I like this girl," Kisame says, nudging his partner. "She's got spirit."

"Shut it, Shark," I snarl at him. "No one was talking to your ugly mug."

He only chuckles and shakes his head. "That kinda talk is a good way to get yourself killed, little girl," he tells me. "Go ahead and try it, Fish Face." His grin widens and he looks pleadingly at Itachi. "Think the Akatsuki could use a kid like this?"

Itachi briefly closes his eyes, looking almost pained for having to deal with his incompetant partner.

"Kisame, once again, we've come here for one purpose. And that is not to recruit a new member for our orginization, nor is it to pick pointless fights."

I tilt my head back to look at Kurenai Sensei. She's biting her lip, scrunching her eyes closed and clutching a kunai in her right hand. "Kurenai Sensei," I whisper, and she cocks her head towards me. "Do you know why they're here?"

It's Asuma who answers. "Kakashi thought they were here for Sasuke, but Itachi said that wasn't it. Then Kakashi said something about Naruto..."

"Naruto? Why would they be after him?"

"I don't know for sure, but you know what he keeps locked inside, don't you? That kind of power will attract a lot of interested parties."

I swallow thickly, thinking about the hyperactive blonde. We haven't always gotten along, but I would never willing hand him over to people like this. Especially not to a man who killed such a respected Clan so easily.

"Get the hell out of Konoha," I growl at Itachi and Kisame. "You're not succeeding in whatever your damn plans are, so just get lost."

"You cannot stop us, Akari," Itachi says in his annoyingly emotionless voice. "And if you insist on interfering, I'll have to deal with you the same way I dealt with your precious Kakashi."

"Don't touch her!" Kurenai threatens. Itachi ignores her outburst.

"Are you brave enough to endure the power of my Tsukuyomi?" he inquires. "I don't know what that is," I growl. "And I don't give a damn."

"Foolish ignorance like this is a Ninja's undoing, Akari," he says, like he's a Sensei trying to impart some age-old wisdom on me. Too bad the part of me that might actually care is dead at the moment.

"If you're going to do something," I taunt, looking directly into his eyes, even while a voice in the back of my head is crying out for me to turn away, "then hurry up and get it over with!"

"Very well."

Before anything can happen, however, the water is thrown up around the four of us in a gust of wind. Waves break against the splash, and I hug Kakashi Sensei closer to me, afraid of letting go in the resulting torrent of water.

"Are the three of you doing alright?"

I blink up at the back of a man in a green jumpsuit with a shiny bowl haircut. "Guy Sensei!" I exclaim, wondering where he's come from. "Akari, is Kakashi ok?" he asks me, keeping his eyes on Itachi and Kisame. I shake my head. "I really don't know," I say miserably. "When I got here, Itachi just looked at him, and he collapsed. Kurenai Sensei mentioned some sort of Genjutsu."

"It's caused by Itachi's Sharingan," Guy Sensei says. "You only have to look him in the eye, and he'll catch you in one of the most powerful Genjutsu out there."

I shoot another glare at the elder Uchiha. If Kakashi... if something happens to him, I don't care how strong this guy is. Just like what I promised Kankuro, if he hurts my friends, no matter his strength, I'm going to kill him. And I will have no regrets whatsoever about it.

"Kurenai, Asuma," Guy says. "You can open your eyes now."

"But Kakashi told us to keep them closed!" Kurenai reasons, sounding slightly panicked. "Just don't look him in the eye," Guy says. "But how will you fight if you can't watch his face?"

"I've developed a way to fight Sharingan users in an attempt to beat Kakashi," Guy says, moving into his signature fighting stance. "I can discern their intentions by watching their feet."

"That's insane!" I murmur appreciatively. I can't feel joy, but I can still recognize when someone's made an impressive breakthrough.

"We can't fight like that, Guy," Asuma says, his voice betraying his slight jealousy. "I know that," Guy says. "So I want you to help Akari get Kakashi out of here. Take him to the hospital."

"No wait," I say. "Two things are very wrong with that plan. One, Kakashi Sensei hates the hospital. He's complained to me about enough times in the last week. And two, I'm not leaving this fight!"

"Akari," Kurenai Sensei begins, but I cut her off. "I've already lost my brother," I say bitterly, clenching my hands into fists, catching onto Kakashi's jacket in the process. "And I can't do anything to the person responsible for it. But the guy who took down Kakashi, who has been an amazingly kind person to me since Masaki's death, is right here. I won't be able to forgive myself if I let him go."

"Kisame," Itachi says, turning to his partner. He completely ignores me, and it's only making my anger grow. "Let us retreat. Though the silly look on your face suggests you believe Guy to be an easy opponent, you cannot take him lightly. It would be the right decision to leave now."

"Aw, I got excited too," Kisame says with a pout.

Then they both disappear.

I grit my teeth in frustration, furious at myself for allowing Itachi to escape. I still can't protect the people I care about...

"Akari, don't beat yourself up over this," Kurenai says, crouching down so that we're face to face. "Kakashi wouldn't want you to. And he'd be flattered that you care for him this much."

I release a soft sigh, nodding my head. "Yeah, I know, it's just... People I love keep getting hurt, and I wasn't there to help them either time. I just feel so pathetic."

"You've got the Power of Youth, Akari!" Guy announces, kicking the air madly. "You are certainly not pathetic."

"Thank you, Guy Sensei," I say softly.

He then turns around and scoops up Kakashi, throwing him over his shoulder. "No hospital, eh?" he says, reaching down and pulling me to my feet. I nod. "He says he spends too much time there," I say, and Guy grins. "We'll take him back to his apartment then, and leave chasing Itachi and that fish man to the ANBU I called in for backup."

"You were very brave, Akari," Kurenai tells me as we jump back onto solid ground. "I was an idiot," i correct her, and she smiles. "At least you can admit that," she says.

"Akari Yuki, right?" Asuma asks. I nod. "Shikamaru's told me a lot about you," he says, and I blink, indicating he should go on. "You seem like a good kid, good Ninja too. How're you holding up?"

Kurenai looks at him sharply, but I wave away her fierce expression. "As well as you might expect," I say truthfully and he nods. "Hang in there, kid." He pulls a cigarette out and lights it, after placing it in his mouth. Shikamaru's often complained to me about his Sensei's smoking habits, and I find myself agreeing with him; it's a really unhealthy, and unattractive, habit of his.

The five of us make our way to Kakashi's apartment, and I lead them into his sparsely furnished room. Guy places Kakashi on his bed, and Kurenai pulls the covers over him. I stand by the door, finding it hard to look at Kakashi while he's in such a vulnerable state. I've never seen him like this, not even when we were invaded. It makes the ache in my chest blossom into full-on anguish.

"Do you think he'll be alright?" I ask Guy Sensei, and he flashes a "charming" smile at me. "Most people wouldn't have survived an encounter with Itachi Uchiha," he says. "Kakashi's strong. I should know. I've been his rival for years, I know how strong his spirit is!" He ruffles my hair. "Don't worry about Kakashi Hatake," he adds. "He doesn't let his friends down."

I nod, wanting to smile at Guy for reassuring me, but unable to. It hurts, to not smile, but it hurts me to try and force feelings that aren't there. But I try not to show my pain as I cross the room and sit on the edge of Kakashi's bed. I train my eyes on the wood floor, clasping my hands in my lap.

Please, please let Kakashi be ok again.

I jerk my head up when the door is suddenly thrown open, and Sasuke Uchiha, his hair flying, skids into the room. His dark eyes rest on Kakashi's still form. "Why's Kakashi sleeping?" he demands, glaring at all of in turn. "With three Jonin and a girl gathered in his room?"

I huff in annoyance. I have a name, you arrogant bastard.

"He's just... tired," I offer, not looking up. The others nod their agreement, when another Ninja I don't recognize burts into the room. "Is it true that Itachi has returned? And that he's chasing Naruto?" the Ninja puffs out, sounding out of breath.

"Arrgh," Guy mutters, slapping a hand to his forehead.

"Idiot," Kurenai agrees as the Ninja takes in Sasuke's presence in the room. "Ah," he says, rubbing the back of his head nervously. I sigh, and drop my head into my hands. For a Ninja, that was a really bone-headed move.

Sasuke whips around and sprints from the room, with Guy Sensei shouting after him, "Hey! Where are you going?!"

"Where do you think?" Asuma grumbles, biting down on his cigarette. Ash falls slowly to the ground, forming a tiny, insignificant pile on the wood. The Ninja who rushed in here apologizes swiftly before taking his leave, and running out nearly as fast as Sasuke.

"Should we go after him?" Kurenai questions, glancing at the open door. "No," Guy decides. "It wouldn't do any good. And besides, I saw Naruto leaving the Village with Jiraiya. I'm sure he'll be fine."

"As long as Master Jiraiya doesn't get sidetracked by any beautiful women," Asuma adds, biting back a smile.

"Ah, yeah, that could be a problem," Guy agrees, casting an uncertain glance out the window, like he can see the Sannin from here.

"What do we do about Kakashi Sensei?" I ask, breaking into their conversation. I care about Naruto, not so much about Sasuke, but they make it seem like he's in good hands. And really, I think Kakashi is in the worse state.

Kurenai walks over to me and places a hand on my shoulder. "I don't know right now," she admits, and I cringe. "But we'll help him, you can count on that." She offers me a bright smile, her red eyes flahsing with confidence. I blink up at her gratefully, glad these Jonin who, except for Kurenai Sensei, have no reason to try any comfort me, are doing so. Well, not glad, but slightly less depressed.

"You know," Asuma muses, blowing out a cloud of smoke, "Kakashi is really lucky to have a kid like you looking out for him."

"Isn't it the other way around?" I ask, frowning at the tanned man. He smiles around his smoke. "I think it's a mutual thing," he says, with a wink at me.

Another thing to tell Shikamaru: Asuma Sensei is really strange.