Itachi had better things to worry about. He didn't spend his time looking for Katsu. After all, Itachi barely knew the girl. For all he knew, she was off on a vacation without telling anyone. Maybe she just had a some personal issues.

Itachi wasn't about to barge into her life and demand to know everything that happens to Katsu. If she ever needed help, Itachi was sure she would ask for it.

While Itachi didn't worry, both Fujio and Shisui had different thoughts...

"Do you know where she lives?"

"Why the hell would I know where she lives?!"

"You're her freaking mentor!"

Fujio was fidgeting more and more as time passed. The more he thought, the more panicked he became. Maybe they were both overreacting. Maybe it wasn't anything big. Yet, Fujio couldn't get the thought out of his mind.

"Okay… Did you notice anything different before she disappeared?" Shisui asked.

Fujio shook his head, "Heck! I haven't seen the kid for a few weeks!"

Shisui shot a look towards at the metal worker and Fujio raised his arms in his defense.

"Hey! It's not like I know everything about the kid!"

Fujio was cautious around Katsu. He never wanted to force the kid into anything and didn't want to pressure her. Now, because of this, Fujio knew barely anything about her. Maybe it was his fault that Katsu was so closed off. Maybe if he was a bit more pushy, Katsu would be here right now.

"You know what! I'm going to look for her!" Shisui huffed. He turned around and stomped out of the store. However, before he could leave, he ran into another person.

"What the hell Shisui…"

"KATSU!"

Katsu was tired. She was tired and hurt. But either way, she made her way down the streets of Konoha. Her father had recently just had left a note. Off he went, on another mission. Oh boy how relieved Katsu was.

Now, Katsu had been avoiding going out while her father was home. Currently, her father now gone, she was now confident enough to go out. She was quite eager to get back to the shop, a skip in her step.

For now, Katsu needed an excuse for her injuries.

Upon entering the shop, her body collided with another person. Looking up, she was not impressed.

"What the hell Shisui…"

"KATSU!"

She winced at the loud sounds coming out of his mouth, "Jeez… Calm down…"

Shisui grabbed a hold of Katsu's shoulders, look straight at her. "Where have you been!"

Katsu pauses for a moment before responding, "...home…"

Shisui nearly deflated right there, "Nothing bad? Right?" He kept his firm hold on Katsu shoulders as he leaned closer.

"I'm fine!" She kicked Shisui's knees, causing him to crumple to the floor, "If knew you'd worry this much, I'd probably visit more."

"We were worried for ya kid."

Katsu looked up as she met eye to eye with her mentor. Fujio's panicked stance and voice disappeared as he greeted his apprentice, "Nice to see ya back."

Katsu let out a small grin, "Glad to be back."

Working again became a bit difficult. Katsu's hands were bruised from training so it was harder to use them for any small projects. She also had to catch up in class work for the academy. Katsu wasn't actually planning on doing the work though.

Nobody really noticed when she was gone and when she came back. In fact, it surprised her a bit. The teacher didn't even realize she was gone. Maybe Katsu was a bit bitter about this. Why did they forget I was even in this class?

The academy was boring once again and the only thing she looked forward to was the shop. Katsu had begun learning how to mold iron. She had multiple burns from practice but it was worth it for her.

Now the last problem.

Itachi.

In all honesty, Katsu didn't know what to do with him. The kid seemed like a robot to her. She was confused what their relationship was even. Were they friends? Acquaintances? Rivals? Strangers?

She didn't have a clear definition unlike for Fujio and Shisui. Shisui was that annoying friend that became friends with you by never leaving. Fujio was that mentor who respected personal and private things.

Itachi was a whole different world.

And it confused her even more when he began ignoring her. Did she do something wrong? Maybe he was bitter about her being gone without telling him.

Katsu would be lying if she said it didn't hurt. She barely knew this shell of a person yet here she was.

She slumped in her seat as she blocked out the noise from the teacher. Her eyes were closed shut as a headache began to form.

Sighing, she buried her head in her arms. She really was going crazy.

A/N: Eyyyy Looks like it's summer now! I mean, I still have summer school but it shouldn't be as time consuming. Now that school is over, I've began to write more. Expect chapter 12 to come out later today.