Chapter Seven

Time Skip: Two Weeks

"Woohoo! When we get back Lord Third will make us Chunin!" Shizuma cheered as she jumped over a fallen log. The girls all laughed at Shizuma's energetic actions as they neared the village. The ninja who joined them on their mission gave them the results and said that they have passed with flying colours, meaning they will be Chunin pretty soon. After another hour, the girls soon were outside the village; however all of the ninja's were frozen when they saw there was several buildings being rebuilt and many tears coming from civilians.

"You're finally back. Thank Goodness." A voice spoke, making all of the ninjas to turn their heads. They saw Kakashi walking towards them with a sad look in his eyes. Kireina had raised an eyebrow as she looked at Kakashi.

"Kakashi? What happened here while we were gone?" Kireina asked as she soon frowned. Kakashi released a sigh as he scratched the back of his neck while looking away.

"The sand and sound ninjas who entered the Chunin exams attacked us." Kakashi spoke, making the girls all go wide eyed. They stared at Kakashi in disbelief. "And Lord third... is dead." Kireina's eyes widened further as tears formed in her brown eyes. She dropped all of her bags that were on her shoulders at the words Kakashi just said. Kakashi turned his head to the female and saw the tears fall down her face. He also saw tears falling down the girls' faces as well as the ninja who supervised them.

A small Kireina was crying near the memorial for the fallen ninja's. She was wearing black clothes and had her hair up. She was hiding there after her mother's funeral. No one knew she was there. No her remaining family members nor Kakashi. She ran off while no one was looking.

"It's a sad day for you, isn't it Kireina?" Kireina looked up, her pale cheeks stained with her tears. Her brown eyes were puffy and her messy purple hair was messier than usual. Standing in front of her was the third Hokage, who wore a soft expression. Kireina looked away, tears falling down her face cautiously. "It's ok to cry Kireina. You don't have to hide it." Kireina didn't speak as the Hokage spoke to her. She just gritted her teeth. All of a sudden she felt a pair of arms wrap around her. She looked forward to see it was the Hokage who was holding her. "It's ok Kireina. No one else will see you cry..." Kireina's eyes filled up with tears as they continued to fall down her face once again. She then cried out, crying out for her mother and begging her to come back to her.

. . .

Kireina was being taken through the hospital, her wrists bleeding from the cuts she made. Kakashi was holding her hand and trying to help stop the bleeding as the medical ninja's tried to stop the bleeding as well. Kireina stared at the ceiling, hoping for death.

Why would she want to be in a world where people pretend to care out of sympathy?

"Lord Third!" She heard the doctors all gasp.

"Hurry and stop the bleeding! Do not let this ninja die!" Kireina looked to her right and saw a blurry version of the third Hokage standing at the door in panic. Everything then went black as she closed her eyes.

"Kireina? Kireina!"

Kireina came out of her flashbacks of the Hokage as she felt a pair of arms wrap around her. She shook her head to realise that the girls were leaving with their families who had come to collect them, and the one who had wrapped their arms around her was Kakashi.

"It's ok Kireina... He's still watching over us." Kakashi spoke calmly as he closed his eyes. Kireina then closed her eyes, allowing the tears to fall down her face. She wrapped her arms around Kakashi and hid her face in his chest as she continued to cry over the loss of the Hokage.

Time Skip: The Hokage's Funeral

Everyone was gathered to mourn over the Hokage's funeral. Tears fell down everyone's faces as they all remembered the good and happy times they had with the man who treated everyone like they were his children. The usually bright blue sky was darkened by thick grey clouds that released rain over the village.

"We are gathered here today to honour not only the Third Hokage, but all those who sacrificed themselves in this battle, so that our village would survive..."

One by one, the ninja's walked up to the memorial with the Hokage's picture and placed down a white flower each, all remembering a special memory in the process. Everyone who was close with the Hokage broke down completely, tears falling down their faces like fountains.

Soon, after everyone had given a flower to the memorial and gave their prayers, the rain slowed down and the sun broke through the dark sky. When the sun began to break through, everyone began to leave, trying to be cheerful. Everyone was trying to celebrate the Hokage's life, instead of mourning his death. Kakashi was looking around the crowds of people, soon spotting the girls from Team One, without Kireina. Kakashi walked over to them and greeted them with a smile.

"Have you seen your sensei?" Kakashi asked softly. The girls all looked at each other, before looking back at the sharingan user.

"Kireina-Sensei went home." Shizuma responded, looking up at Kakashi. Kakashi released a sigh before smiling at the girls.

"Thank you." He said before walking off. The girls all watched the male leave, making them look at each other with worried expressions. Kakashi walked through the streets, his hands in his pockets as he passed many people. They were all feeling mixed emotions. Many were still tearful over the Hokage's death while others were trying to celebrate his life.

After walking for another 10 minutes, Kakashi arrived outside Kireina's house. He knocked on the front door gently, but had no answer. He jumped up onto Kireina's balcony and saw that the curtains were closed, making the male sigh. He jumped back down and checked to see if the door was open. After turning the handle, the door clicked and opened. Kakashi called out for Kireina as he walked through. The halls were dark and felt cold. He closed the door behind him and walked through to the living room.

In the living room there was a small coffee table in the middle with two two-seater sofas, one three-seater and an arm chair. There was also a fire place as well as many bookshelves. On the walls there were many photographs. There were at least 20 of Kireina and her squad. The rest were of Kireina growing up and many of them consisted of Kakashi as well.

Kakashi walked over to the sofa and leaned over to see Kireina lying down, her eyes closed with tears slipping out of her eyes. The male released a sad sigh before walking around the sofa and kneeling down. He gently placed his hand on Kireina's arm and called out her name. After a few minutes, Kireina finally opened her eyes and looked at Kakashi. Her eyes were puffy and he could see dark circles under Kireina's eyes, showing she has lost sleep. Her lips were also dry, showing she wasn't drinking either, which meant she also wasn't eating. The male sighed sadly before helping her sit up.

"The Hokage wouldn't be happy if he knew you weren't drinking, eating and sleeping because of his death, Kireina." Kakashi spoke in a stern tone of voice. Kireina looked away, her eyes slowly becoming dry. "I know... He was like a father to everyone... Try to think celebrating his life... Instead of mourning his death..." Kakashi said. Kireina nodded her sad, still looking down. Kakashi knew it was going to take some time, but he was determined to try and get Kireina to her old, cheerful self.

A few days later...

It did take a while, but soon Kireina was back to her old self, as were everyone else in the village. They were all working together in order to rebuild the destroyed buildings and streets. Kireina and her squad were walking around the streets when they suddenly saw someone running at hide speed towards them. Their eyes went wide as they all jumped out of the way as they saw it was Guy. Guy soon stopped however as he reached the group.

"Guy? What are you doing?" Kireina asked with sweat running down her face. The girls all had lines under their eyes as they looked at the male with thick eyebrows. Guy suddenly grabbed Kireina's wrist, making her raise an eyebrow.

"Come on! Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma are in need of our help!" Guy said, making Kireina go wide eyed. Suddenly Guy began to run again, taking Kireina with him. The girls all just blinked in confusion as they looked at each other before looking at where Guy was taking Kireina.

"I hope everything is ok..." Setsuka said as she watched the two jounin run off.

. . .

Standing on the river was none other than Itachi Uchiha and Kisame. They were facing off with Kurenai, Asuma and Kakashi. Kakashi was on his knees, panting after he broke out of Itachi's Gen-jutsu while Asuma and Kurenai stood there with their eyes closed so they didn't get caught in the Gen-Jutsu. Kisame was already running towards the three jounin, ready to slice them with his sword, however...

"Leaf Hurricane!" Guy shouted as he appeared in front of the Jounin, attacking Kisame. The shark man was kicked back and he flipped as well, trying to get onto his feet as he landed beside Itachi. Just then Itachi pulled Kisame back as Kireina suddenly punched the area they were standing in, causing a large splash to go into the air. As Kireina landed, she jumped back so she was standing beside Guy.

"Well. Who have we here?" Kisame asked as he looked at Guy and Kireina. Guy stood in fighting position while Kireina had a hand behind her back as she held a kunai.

"The Leaf Village's fiercest beast of battle; I'm Might Guy." Guy said as he grinned, a sparkle coming from his teeth. Kireina coughed, catching Guy's attention. "And this is the Leaf Village's jounin, Kireina Senju." Guy then added as he looked back at the two males standing in front of them.

"What a sight. Shouldn't you be called a strange beast?" Kisame asked, sniggering at his own insult. Itachi frowned as he looked at the two jounin who had just joined in on the battle.

"Don't underestimate them, especially the woman. Ex-Anbu Kireina Senju or you may have heard her as 'Dark Rose." Itachi explained, not breaking eye contact with the two as he spoke. Kireina and Guy frowned as they saw Itachi standing there.

"That man is Itachi!" Guy thought, not lowering his guard down.

"Itachi Uchiha... The man who slaughtered his own Clan... Sasuke's older brother... And Setsuka's cousin..." Kireina thought as she glared coldly at the male.

"Ah yes. Your title is known even in the land of water Dark Rose. Your beauty is greater than what those who lived to tell the tale spoke of." Kisame explained as he looked at the female, who raised her head, showing superiority.

"Is that true? Too bad you won't be able to live to tell the tale." Kireina said, smirking confidently as she looked at the shark man, who gritted his teeth. All of a sudden, Kakashi gave in and fell forward, falling slowly underwater. Kireina's eyes widened, however Guy stayed calm as he walked towards Kakashi and picked him up.

"Open your eyes, both of you!" Guy ordered as he looked at Asuma and Kurenai, who stood still.

"B...But..." Kurenai spoke nervous, sweat falling down her face.

"When it comes to fighting the Sharingan, you will be fine as long as you don't look into his eyes. Stare at his feet. You can tell his next move by his feet." Guy explained as he stood up with Kakashi over his shoulder.

"Easier said than done." Asuma said, his eyes still closed tightly. Kireina gritted her teeth as she looked at the two jounin.

"Just open your eyes and stare at his feet! You will be fine, trust me!" Kireina explained as she turned her full body around so she was looking at the jounin, putting her hands by her side as she held her kunai's and star shuriken in her hands. The two jounin sighed before eventually opening their eyes. Guy then passed Kakashi to Kurenai.

"Get Kakashi to the hospital Kurenai. Asuma, Kireina, I need you two as my back up." Guy said as he turned around to look at the Uchiha and shark man. Asuma and Kireina nodded their heads to Guy as they turned to face the two males.

"Interesting... That's some nerve you have there." Kisame said as he rested his sword on the water, getting ready for battle once more, however Itachi stopped him.

"Kisame, enough. We didn't come here to fight. Your attacks will draw more and more ninja towards us. Let's go." Itachi spoke. Kisame sighed as the two suddenly disappeared. The jounin all gritted their teeth as they stared at the spot the intruders once were.

Later on that day...

The jounin were all in Kakashi's room, waiting for the male to wake up... Well Kireina was the only one who wasn't gathered with them. Kurenai, Asuma and Guy were all waiting worriedly as Kakashi slept in his bed, not making a single movement.

"They're trouble... But from the looks of things they haven't found Naruto yet." Guy spoke as he sat on a chair with his arms resting on his knees as he looked on the ground, thinking about the encounter he just had with Itachi and Kisame. A look of concern was resting on his face as he thought more and more about the two rogue ninja's objective.

"That's what crazy." Asuma spoke as he sat on the desk behind him, placing his foot on the desk as he rested his arm on his knee. "I mean it doesn't add up." Asuma added as he searched his pockets for his cigarettes while speaking. "They already infiltrated the Village. It should be easy for them to find Naruto around here." Asuma said as he pulled out a cigarette from his box. "Besides Itachi knows Naruto's face already."

"Shh." Guy suddenly said and just then the door opened.

"Kakashi." Sasuke called out as he walked through, looking around. He was confused on why the Jounin were in Kakashi's room, but then his eyes widened when he saw his teacher in bed, unconscious. "Why is Kakashi asleep? And why is this room full of Jounin?" Sasuke asked as he walked forward, looking at the unconscious man. "What are you doing? What the hell is going on here?!" Sasuke asked, his voice getting louder and louder as he looked at the other jounin who were in Kakashi's room.

"Err... Not... Much...really..." Guy said, looking away from the genin who was frowning as he looked around. "Hey! Is it true that Itachi has returned?! And that he's come here to get Naruto?!" A ninja suddenly asked as he ran through, making all the ninja's turn their heads. Guy frowned at the ninja who spoke. Guy then face palmed when Sasuke turned his head to look at the male ninja who spoke. The ninja finally noticed Sasuke, which instantly made him regret everything he said.

"Idiot..." Kurenai spoke, sighing as she looked down. Sasuke's eyes widened with anger, rage and revenge as he looked at the wooden flooring. He then suddenly ran pass the ninja with a shadow forming over his eyes, shoving the ninja out of the way.

"Why does this always have to happen?!" Guy exclaimed as he suddenly rose from his seat while clenching his fists. Sasuke suddenly began to run from roof top to roof top, searching for Naruto. He suddenly felt a presence behind him and turned around, seeing Setsuka and Yuuki.

"Sasuke? Is everything ok? You look like you're in a hurry!" Setsuka spoke. Sasuke sighed as he continued to go from roof to roof, Setsuka eventually catching up to him.

"Itachi was seen in the village." Sasuke said, making Setsuka go wide eyed and Yuuki gulp. "He's after Naruto for some reason. We have to get to Naruto before Itachi or Naruto is as good as dead!" Sasuke exclaimed and Setsuka nodded her head in agreement. Yes, she left the village at a young age... But she still knew what her older cousin was capable of. The two ran to Naruto's apartment and as soon as Sasuke opened the door, Sakura came running out.

"Sasuke, Setsuka." Sakura suddenly gasped as she saw the Uchiha's.

"Sakura, where is Naruto?" Sasuke asked as he stared at the pinkett, who looked at him with admiration.

"I don't know, I just got here myself." Sakura said. Sasuke and Setsuka nodded to each other before running off while Sakura was still talking. She watched them leave as she stop mid sentence on explaining why she was in Naruto's apartment. Then, the two ran to the ramen shop Naruto eats at all the time. Sasuke began to ask questions, and once finding out he left the village with Jiriya, the two Uchiha's began running out of the village at full speed.

. . .

"That outpost town isn't that far off!" Sasuke said as he and Setsuka continued to run through the forest at full speed, determined to find the blonde before Itachi does.

"We should get there soon then if we keep up at this speed." Setsuka said as she continued to run at the same speed as Sasuke with Yuuki holding onto her for dear life.

. . .

Soon, after reaching the town, Sasuke and Setsuka stopped running as they stood at the top of a stair case. They scanned the area for Naruto and Jiriya, trying to find a blonde haired male with an orange jump suit, or a large male with a head full of white hair. They were also listening out for Naruto's loud, booming voice.

"Can you see anything?" Sasuke asked as he looked at Setsuka, who had much better eye sight thanks to her gift. Setsuka looked at Sasuke and shook her head with her eyes closed for a few seconds.

"No...nothing..." The female spoke as she continued to look around. Yuuki panted as he climbed up onto Setsuka's shoulder, tired from holding onto the female. He ended up losing his breath because of how fast Setsuka and Sasuke were running in order to beat Itachi to finding Naruto. As Yuuki finally got his breath back, the two Uchiha's began moving once again, making the white rabbit groan.

"I should have stayed home today." Yuuki groaned as he held onto Setsuka for dear life once again. The two Uchiha's ran through the crowd, desperately trying to find their loud blonde hair. The two stopped while looking around the centre and looked at each other.

"We'll have to go door to door!" Sasuke said and Setsuka nodded in agreement. The two then ran in different directions, going to the buildings opposite of each other while trying to find their blonde friend. They ran through the streets, knocking at every door and asking if anyone has seen Naruto. They explained what Naruto looked like as well as what Jiriya looked like to every Inn receptionist and every civilian they spoke to, however they continued to get knocked down as they said that Naruto had not been there.

Finally in the last Inn in the city, both cousins ran in and asked if they had seen Naruto. After thinking for a few minutes, the receptionist gave a room name and the cousins went running through the hallways to find the room they gave. They both up the stairs and then down the hall, going all the way to the end before reaching the door. Sasuke then knocked on the door continuously, waiting for Naruto to open, however when the door opened, it wasn't Naruto who opened it, it was a complete stranger, making the two cousins look in disbelief.

"You're not..."

"Come on! We have to find him!" Setsuka exclaimed as she suddenly began to run off. Sasuke then followed her, both in panic. What if Itachi had found him first? What if Itachi already has Naruto? They needed to find him first.

. . .

After running around for another few minutes, the two Uchiha's finally found Naruto, but not with whom they wanted him to be with. Setsuka gulped as Yuuki jumped onto her shoulder while Sasuke frowned.

"It's been a long time..." Itachi spoke, his back to the two younger Uchiha's. "Sasuke..."

"Itachi... Uchiha..." Sasuke spoke, making Naruto look up in disbelief as he stared at the man in front of him. Fear ran through his eyes as he repeated the name Sasuke said. Both Sasuke and Setsuka were glaring at Itachi with their Sharingan's activated. Kisame looked back at them, his shark-like teeth showing as he smirked.

"The sharingan... And that boy looks a lot like you. Itachi who are these kids?" Kisame asked as he examined the two Uchiha's standing at the end of the hall. Itachi didn't turn around as he kept a calm composure while staring at Naruto still.

"The boy is my younger brother." Itachi spoke calmly, making Naruto go wide eyed. He stared in shock with his mouth open. Kisame turned his body so he was facing Itachi.

"That's strange because from what I heard the entire Uchiha Clan was wiped out." Kisame spoke as he looked at the two Uchiha's standing further away from them. "By you... So who would this girl be? She also holds the sharingan."

"That would be my cousin... Setsuka Uchiha..." Itachi said, still not looking at the two standing behind him.

"Itachi... I hope you're ready to die!" Sasuke said in a voice full of hatred as he clenched his fists while glaring at the man who claimed to be his older brother. Itachi finally turned around to face the last two surviving Uchiha's who he has not yet murdered. Tension was built in the air as the two younger Uchiha's stared at the older one in hatred.

All of a sudden, lightning emerged from Sasuke's hand as he spoke his words of hatred to his brother, swearing that his life purpose is to see Itachi die. Sasuke began running towards Itachi, his chidori colliding with the walls of the inn, leaving marks in them.

"Sasuke! Wait!" Setsuka shouted out, however Sasuke did not listen as the person he wanted dead more than anything in the world, was right in front of him. Sasuke went to strike through Itachi's body, however a sudden explosion occurred. Everyone's eyes widened as they saw Itachi was holding Sasuke's hand and his chidori was fading. Sasuke gritted his teeth as he glared at his elder brother, who stayed calm. "No... Itachi is still too strong." Setsuka suddenly began to do hand signs as she attempted to user her fireball jutsu, but nothing worked. Setsuka's eyes widened. She then looked at Naruto and saw his shadow clone jutsu wasn't working.

"Sorry kids. My blade cuts through chakra...and devours it." Kisame stated, however that didn't stop Naruto from trying. Setsuka gritted her teeth as she saw Kisame getting ready to harm Naruto. Setsuka placed Yuuki down and suddenly ran towards the two. Kisame turned his head to Setsuka and smirked.

What could a little genin do to him?

His eyes widened as Setsuka jumped at the wall and then used it as a spring board. She punched the ground near Kisame, causing a hole to appear, however luckily the male had dodged her. Setsuka looked up at Itachi and went to attack him while he was focused on Sasuke, but the male grabbed her fist. Setsuka and Sasuke went wide eyed. He had them both in his lock now.

Itachi then suddenly threw both the Uchiha's on the ground and kept Setsuka down by putting his foot on her. Sasuke had used a lot of his chakra and harmed his body using chidori, however Setsuka had quite a bit of Chakra left, therefore she was more of a threat. As Naruto continued to try and summon his clones, Kisame raised his sword and went to hit the male, however instead of hitting Naruto... He hit an armoured frog. Smoke then appeared from behind Naruto as a voice spoke.

"You two don't know me at all, do ya? You should have done your homework." An over confident voice said. Everyone looked at the smoke and saw Jiriya. Naruto and Setsuka were pleased to see him, but then Setsuka had lines under her eyes as she saw a woman on Jiriya's shoulders. "Jiriya the Toad Sage falls victim to no woman's charm. It isn't in my nature to be duke by the natures of women." Naruto looked back at Jiriya with a happy look, pleased to see the sage had come to his rescue. Sweat then ran down Setsuka's face as everyone continued to listen to Jiriya. After finishing and no one gave a reaction, Jiriya had sweat fall down his face as everyone stared at him blankly.

"Don't give me that! You fell for it completely Pervy Sage!" Naruto exclaimed as he pointed his finger at Jiriya disapprovingly. Jiriya then began to scratch the back of his head.

"I really wish you wouldn't call me that in front of other people." Jiriya said as he laughed awkwardly.

"Are you kidding me?! We've got worse things to worry about than what these guys think of you! Get with it Pervy Sage!" Naruto exclaimed in anger as he pointed at Itachi and Kisame. Just then the two began to go back and forth between the two, until Kisame chuckled, insulting Jiriya. Naruto then flinched back, shocked that Kisame knew who he was.

"So... you somehow managed to release the genjutsu we cast on her, ay?" Kisame asked as he looked at the woman that was laying unconscious on Jiriya's shoulders. Jiriya frowned as he looked at the two with a more serious expression than when he and Naruto were going at it. Jiriya then placed the female down as he spoke in a darker tone.

"What kind of coward would do something like that? Using his sharingan to inflict a jutsu on an innocent woman... All in order to separate Naruto from me." Jiriya said as he stood up, making Naruto look at Jiriya in shock at what he just said.

"T...To separate us? But why?"

"I know that he's the one you're really after." Jiriya said as he looked at Itachi and Kisame. Naruto's eyes widened once again, mouth open slightly as several questions ran through his head. Sasuke turned his head weakly to his older brother, who was looking Jiriya.

"So that explains how Kakashi knew... Now I understand..." Itachi spoke calmly as he looked at Jiriya, showing no sort of emotion on his face as he looked at the male. "He learned it... From you." As Itachi continued to talk, Jiriya frowned. The frog in front of Kisame suddenly disappeared into smoke.

"There is no way you're getting Naruto." Jiriya claimed confidently.

"We'll see about that." Itachi responded.

"This is good timing. I can eliminate you both at the same time." Jiriya threatened, but then Sasuke rose from his spot as he warned Jiriya to stay away from Itachi.

"The only one... Who's going to eliminate him... Is me!"

Tbc...