Chapter 15. Civilians don't have Chakra for a reason .

An long AN at the bottom. disclaimer Naruto dose not belong to me Sara and Miya do.

Kakashi wakes, to the screams of Sara. Instantly shunshin to her room. She's sat up in bed panting, eyes wide, she holds her right arm. Beads of sweat roll down her pale face. Her violet eyes wide like a dear. Her hair clung to her scalp and face.

"Dream boss, no threat." Pauken says, Kakashi lowers the kunai, takes a deep breath, mentally thankful that he decides to sleep in his mask. He tries not to cringe as the smell of Urine hits his nostrils. The mask serves as extra protection.

Both his eyes are homed in on Sara, he noticed her chakra shifting, erratically, but on her right arm there was a significant build up, of Chakra.

He frowned, he knew she could use chakra, whatever she did it was throw her fingers. There shouldn't be a build-up of Chakra in her arm.

perhaps there's more to her phantom pain, he silently mused.

He closed his left eye, relaxed his stance,

"You alright?" he asks. Her face heats up as embarrassment hits her.

"Y-yea…s-sorry-d-didn't mean to wake you u-up as well." She stuttered out.

"Its fine," he says rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll leave you to get cleaned up" he leaves, heads down stirs. he puts on the kettle.

He can hear her moving, the rest of the pack stay asleep on his bed.

Pakkun comes down a few moments later.

"Go rest with the pack, I'll stay up." Kakashi orders.

The pug didn't argue, and went back upstairs.

Kakashi hears the shower running, he lights a fire, to worm up the livening room a bit. He goes back to making the tea.

He hears her get out of the shower, the district crinkle of a bag, then he hears her footsteps going across the hall to her room.

After a few moments he hers her come down the stairs Kakashi lowers his book.

She has bag in her hand he holds his breath, even from here he can smell it.

"I'm just…. going to empty this." She says quietly.

Kakashi stands and walks over to the door unsealing it, he opens it for her.

She puts her feet in her shoes and quickly runs to the bins , he can see her breath fogg out Infront of her.

Once back inside she washes her hands and Kakashi reseals the door.

"I made some tea." He says "Do you want some?"

"Err, sure." She dry's her hands on a towel, he hands her the cup he made sure his hand would brush hers, she smiles hesitantly before switching hands, she doesn't drop her rightarm completely, she has it across her chest. For now, he doesn't comment on it.

She sips the tea.

"I'll, err get out of your hair." She says,

"What do you normally do if you were at home and had woken from a nightmare?" he asked.

"Read or work, but I have nether here, and I'm imposing enough."

"You're not imposing,"

"I woke you up? How is that not imposing?"

"I was already up." He lied.

"No, you weren't if you were you wouldn't have puffed into my room."

She had him there.

He sighed. "At least get worm, whilst you drink your tea."

She eyed the fire and nodded. He sat in the chair beside the fire, she on the sofa.

The fire casting a worm glow, over her delicate features. Her violet eyes seem to glow in the fire light. He was once again captivated by her eyes.

"What?"

Kakashi averted his lone eye. "Dose your arm still hurt?" he asked.

"A little, it takes a while to go away."

He hums, he wasn't convinced it was a phantom pain, he'll bring it up in his report.

"It's your day off, do you have anything planned?"

"Um, not really, I usually go visit Gran at the orphanage, and play with the kids. But there at school anyway so…. probably go for a walk,"

"School?"

"Gran teaches them and teacher Gran is worse than caretaker gran." She says her mouth twitches upwards slightly.

"Why did you go to the academy?" he asked.

"I had a talent and no amount of me saying no would stop the council from enrolling me." she says bitterly. "Even when I flunked the entrance exam."

"On purpose?"

"Yeas, I didn't want to become a shinobi, but I was force to participate in the academy, until there was an accident." She sips her tea Kakashi sees the sadness in her eyes.

"You lost someone" it wasn't a question; he knew that kind of pain.

She glanced at him before her gaze returned to the fire. "I killed someone." She whispers out, biting her lip.

His lone eye widened, no wonder he recognised the loss, she carries the guilt the same way he does.

"Eight years old and I had made my fist kill." She says softly, "It was deemed an accident." She bits her lip again, "I'm sure yours was around the same age?"

"Six,"

She rose an eyebrow.

"I graduated at five."

"Huh, you must have talent, that and wasn't it the start of the war?" she frowned trying to guess his age.

Kakashi nodded. Relived when she didn't ask more questions.

"Anyway, I didn't handle it so well…. Gran demanded that I be let out of the academy. There was a big fuss, and hoohar about it. Eventually Lord third intervened, though I think Lord froth was there too, can't remember, he asked me himself what I would like to do. I said I didn't want to kill people, I told him I had blood on my hands already, that I didn't like it. That I never wanted to be a shinobi in the first place. He allowed it."

She drank her tea but he didn't miss the slight trembling of her hand.

He didn't ask what the accident had been it was clear; it had been traumatising. she took a deep shuddering breath "So, ended my Shinobi career I don't get why they won't leave me alone; I can't use my chakra to do jutsu, or enhance my speed and strength in anyway. Yet yearly I have to have an assessment."

"You did the basic academy training correct?" She nodded "you know more about chakra them most civilians and can manipulate it. Even if you can't do a jutsu, to the council that's a security risk. You have knowledge on how to make a jutsu, to them you having that knowledge is a threat to the safety of the village."

"Like I would put the village at risk? This is my home."

Kakashi shrugged, "It happened before."

She was quiet mulling over his words.

"Still they don't have to be mean to me whenever they get the chance too," she says sulkily, "I mean look at this whole thing with Shin, they know he's wrong, yet to spite me there keeping him out of jail!"

"Sensei will put them in their place, just give him time to do it."

She nodded and throughout their convention he noticed her relax more.

He had an idea.

"How's your fitness level?" he asked.

"Um…I can run six laps around a training ground?" she answered looking at him uncertainty.

"Good" he stood, "The pack need some exorcize." He smiled under his face mask.

Sara hadn't liked the gleam in his lone eye, no wonder why.

She was panting heavily the pack of dogs at her heels, barking loudly.

"Come on missy, move it." She wasn't sure which one had spoken, but she increases her speed, despite her muscle's protests.

The dogs didn't let up, and was still on her heals. Despite her telling him, her limit was six laps she was on her eighth.

"Shiro, will need exorcize. Simply throwing a ball isn't going to be enough." He had said, so she gritted her teeth and carried on. Her breath fogged out in front of her, the dark night sky was starting to change as daylight approached. The ground was clear of Snow and ice, some kind of jutsu or seal he had used, several torches lit the area they were running in.

Here vision faded, for a split second, her dead heavy feet stumbled, one of the smaller dogs got under her foot, she stumbles, or would have done, instead she lands on a hard chest.

"This is becoming quite the habit." He sounded amused. She half laughed, he had a point, he did always seem to catch her.

She could feel his hand around her waist, his touch worm, though she was glad for it at the moment. Her legs felt like Jell-O.

"Let's get back to the house." He murmurs, he effetely turns her around walks with his hand still around her waist. She places her hand on his back, it's only a short distance. Onceinside she greeted with the delicious smell, of food. Pancakes to be exact. Her stomach gave a louder rumble. She felt the heat rise to her face.

"Good." He says "You're hungry."

Sara mangiest to kick off her shoes, Kakashi still has a hold of her and leads her to a chair at the kitchen table. She sighs with relief with been able to sit down.

As he lets go of her, she feels sleepy, and closes her eyes.

"Why have you encased her in a genjutsu boss?" Pakkun asked.

"Because she uses chakra whilst running" he says bending down and taking her foot.

"Huh?" the pug trotted over "How's that possible?"

Kakashi lifted up his headband and examined her foot closely. The flow was normal now as he suspected it would be.

He stood placing his his head band back over his eye, "it's subconscious, she doesn't know she's doing it." He says. "Not a word." He warns the pug as he releases her from the genjutsu."

Sara blinks.

"If you're tired you can go rest?"

"No, no I'm fine." She half smiled.

"Good, then you can eat." He says walking around the table grabbing a plate of pancakes off the clone he had left to make them. And placed the plate down in front of her.

She looked up at him. "You had this planned, didn't you?"

"No, you do need to be fitter to have Shiro."

"Huh-huh"

She ate the food and he sat down opposite her, he watched her closely, she didn't once lift her eyes up to his, he realised she was giving him the privacy he wanted to eat. He was thankful for it, he didn't feel like rushing his food.

She ate most of what was on her plate. Drank the orange juice.

"That was yummy. Thank you" she glances up he had his mask in place.

"Your welcome." He stands to clear the plat's

"Well, I'll go shower again." He nods.

He feels her gaze on him for a moment before he hers her go up the stairs

"Ok, spill it boss what's up?" Pakkun askes as he jumps up to be level with his master.

"She used chakra whilst running, except she didn't enhance her speed with it. It just sorts of flows around her system faster rate."

"But how she's a civilian?"

"Who went to the academy, I'm theorising that she was taught to access her chakra and didn't forget how to do it. It's been drilled into her. She can't use it to run fast that's too much for her small reserves to handle."

"Okay, will this be a problem for her? I mean the council don't like her very much."

"I'll inform sensei but I doubt he will see fit to inform the council, as I said she can't run faster with it."

The pug nodded and sat.

"Why are you up?" the copy-Nin inquired. "I told you to rest"

"She'll be going out soon."

Kakashi bent down so that he was eye level with the pug. "And?"

"Well…..err…..shouldn't I go with her?"

He eye smiled at his little dog. "Bisuke can go, you need rest. And it will be good experience for him to learn to interact with civilians a little more."

Pakkun scratched at his ear "Fine, fine. Your still having rest of pack watch her, though right?"

"Of cause" he smiled under his mask and stroked the dog under his chin, "I have training of my own to do, and give sensei a verbal report. You" he moved his hand to the dog's ears and scratched behind them "Are to stay here and rest. She'll be awake again tonight no doubt."

Pakkun yawned, pushed his head in to his master's hand, Kakashi laughed with amusement.

"That's enough the others will get jealous." He stood.

"K-k-Kakashi?" Sara calls.

Kakashi rases an eyebrow before heading upstairs.

He found Sara stood on the landing with nothing but a towel on, he felt something pull inside of him, for a moment. Before the flicker of fear in her violet eyes grounded him.

She looked down and he followed her gaze, she was stood in the middle of a blue seal.

"That's…..odd…." he says coming further towards her.

Water dripped from her wet hair, down her pale skin, leaving a small puddle on the wooden floor.

"That shouldn't react to you" he says as he kneels down, on the floor. Inspecting the seal. He glances up sees her fear-stricken face. He smiles reassuringly. "Stay still a moment."

He places his hand on the seal uses his chakra to see what the seal is reacting too.

"Strange it only reacts to your chakra now," he mused deactivating the seal.

He stands shoves his hands into his pockets.

"Um, should I ask what that was supposed to do?" she asked nervously

"A security seal, but it reacts to the level of chakra not an individual person." He cocked his head to the side. "What were you doing?"

"Nothing! I was just walking back to the bedroom."

Kakashi puts his hand on his chin, in thought. "Do you mediate? Do chakra exercises?"

"Um yea sometimes." She says holding the towel tightly so it didn't fall.

"I wonder if your chakra level goes up with physical stimulation. As if your body is preparing for a jutsu, even if you're not going to use one." He looks at her again, "If that's the case then perhaps I had better work you in to my seal's."

"If you think is necessary."

"Mmmm, I do. When your done before you go out I'll take some of your blood and begin right away,..err….some of my seals are quite deadly." He eye smiled and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"T-the bedroom ok though right?"

"Hum….oh…Yes"

He watched as she walked away the towel did little to hide the curves underneath it.

Sara had been unnerved by the whole seal experience the whole time she was in nothing but a towel, though the man had kept his lone eye on her face. It didn't stop her from feeling a little venerable.

That and what he said about her chakra. Was her chakra changing or has it always been this way?

She dressed, worm woolly light purple jumper dark plum colour trousers, tied her hair into a pony tail.

she headed downstairs, the man was sat at the table mixing and ink pot.

"Sorry you have to go to all this trouble."

"Meh, it's fine." He eye smiled at her "Sit" he gestured to the chair next to him.

She sat held out her hand knowing what he wanted. She couldn't help the small flinch when he took her hand. Heat rose to her cheeks but he didn't react to it. He swiped the kunai across her finger held her hand over the pot and squeezed blood out. The cut was no bigger than a paper cut. Still she was surprised when he stuck a plaster over it.

"Do you want a wollypop too?" he smiled amusingly.

She laughed shook her head.

"In all seriousness though, I'd like to have a medic check your chakra at a later date. I don't think it will show anything significant but it's best if you have someone look at it."

"Um…I guess that would be ok,…"

"Your medical records are sealed because you had a all be it a short one a shinobi career, the council cannot access them without the Yondaime's authorisation."

"Ok, then."

Kakashi whistled and the small biscuit coloured dog jumped up on to her lap.

"Bisuke will be going out with you, the rest of the pack will stay hidden."

"Hi there"

"Hi, hi, can't wait to go-go."

"Bisuke now remember, no getting to curious you are to stay with Sara."

"Yes. Yes. Boss I got it. I be a good guard dog."

"Sure, you will." He smiled petted the dog.

"Well, then shall we go?" she says smiling down at the dog.

The small dog jumps off her knee and bounced around excitedly.

Sara laughed, as she put on her pink coat and wrapped a red scarf around her neck.

She then put her shoes on, grabbed her bag.

She turned to Kakashi who now stood, his hands in his pockets, "I should be back around tea time or so." She says giving him a small smile.

Bisuke jumps up on to her shoulder, they set off.

The weather was still cold the sky was overcast as if more snow would fall. She hoped not, snow meant less people turning up for work, which meant her workload increases.

"So…were we go?" Bisuke asked excitedly.

She laughed "Well, the book store I guess. I need something to read. When I wake up at night."

"Oh…why not go to library?"

"I'll be tempted to work if I went there."

Her feet crunched on the fresh snow; fewer people mulled about. Sara didn't miss the stars and whispers. The dog on her shoulder looked at each person with confusion.

"Why, they mean to you?" he asked.

"Well, they just are, I'm not bothered by it and nether should you be. They'll get bored and find someone else to gossip about."

She found the small book shop she liked, the woman that owned it didn't judge her and often recommended book to her and Miya.

"Oh, Sara! No Miya ta day?"

"Ah no, haven't seen her today."

"All the new books are over there."

"Thanks."

She spent an hour browsing the book store found three books to her liking, paid for them and put them in her bag.

She walked around a bit more, until something yellow running past caught her eye.

"Go that way hurry, man you don't like is coming."

She quickly headed in to the alleyway that led to another street behind it.

The street was derelict old houses that were roped off and falling apart and lined the street.

Properly from an old attack on the villige. They haven't gotten around to knocking them down or repairing them.

Sara hid behind the building and peaked out watched as Shin walked past, she breathed a sigh of relief when he didn't appear to notice her. She did see that the man appeared to have a Saki bottle dangling from his hands.

She hers Bisuke sniffing the air whist he was on her shoulder next to her.

"That cent….." he sniffs again jumping down from her shoulder. "I know that cent" heads to one of the empty houses. Or perhaps it had been a shop once?

"Hey, wait up what's wrong?" Sara asked and hurried after the little dog.

"Something is wrong…..I smell…. I smell blood…..I smell Bosses sensei wife blood."

Sara frowned "Kushina?"

"Yes…..in…..there"

She followed the dog in to the building, stepping over debris. It was dark inside, but from the bits of light that shorn thought the broken celling, Sara saw swirls of fresh dust as if something had fallen recently.

She could hear the creak of the building new it wasn't going to last much longer.

"This, way, this way."

She followed the little dog. who jump easily over fallen beams. Sara had to climb over them or duck underneath.

"There, there, there." He jumped down a hole.

Sara hurried over and was shocked to find Kushina laying at the bottom with a thick beam across her, golden chains were taking most of the beams weight.

Kushina coughed. Sara realised something was very wrong with her, she was an Uzumaki she should be able to move that beam with her chains with very little effort.

When she meant eyes with the redheaded woman, she saw pain and fatigue behind them.

"Hold on I'm coming down!" Sara says assessing the best way to get down. Jumping was not a good idea, so she lowered herself down and swung until her feet connected to a wall, just as they did the floor, she was holding on to give way. Sending bits of wood and dust down on to Kushina who coughed again.

Sara made her way down the wall quickly. When she got to Kushina's side she saw a small head wound, she was covered in dirt and dust.

She eyed the golden chains it was clearly taking effort to keep the beam off of her.

"Something tells me I'm not going to be able to pull you out of there am I?"

She coughed "No, it-it has me pinned, if-if I let the-the chains go I'll be crushed."

Sara bit her lip.

"Bisuke go get help."

"But…but I'm not supposed to leave you!"

"Send for the other dogs then."

"Right. Right." he yapped within a few minutes one of the other dogs landed.

"Go, get help." The large Gray dog leaped off.

Sara pulled her back pack off. She learnt long ago not to go anywhere without a mine first aid kit. Looking after kids makes you pretty prepared for anything.

"Where are you hurt?" then she frowned as she saw Kusina's eyes roll in the back of her head.

Acting quickly, she pinched Kuishina's cheek hard.

The Uzumaki's eyes flow open glaring up at Sara.

"Sorry, but you were about to pass out."

The other members of Kakashi's pack flickered in to the room.

"Don't worry Kushina-san well get that off of you" the one in bandages says err Urushi says. Placing his head under the beam and Bull doing the same on the other side.

"Missy need you to pull her out." The one waring sunglasses says Akino

The other dogs Grunko and Urshi Bisuke helps

Sara grabs Kushina under her arms. "Ready"

"Okay boys on three…" Grunko instructs "Two,….THREE" the beam is lifted up off her and flipped up a few inches in the air it lands heavily on the floor in front of the dogs. Sara had dragged Kushina out. But the moment she was free she released the chakra chains which whipped in to the air, the dogs managed to dodge and evade them Sara wasn't so lucky and got struck by one on the shoulder, as they returned to Kushina. She winces. Notices Kushina is out cold.

"Kushina?" she shook the woman who remind unconscious

Sara took off her jacket and laid it over the woman it was cold down here.

The building creaked and shuddered as more dust fell….

She began to look for another way out. But to her dismay there wasn't one.

"This building isn't going to last much longer" Grunko says matter of fact

When Sara was about to reply Kakashi drops down the hole. Crouching, he glances at Sara at Kushina then back at Sara.

He stands "Can't leave you alone huh?"

Sara frowned "Ah, this is not my fault and Kushina hurt" gestured to her "And something is wrong with her, she…..I don't know struggled to use her chakra chains?"

Kakashi hummed. Walked towards Kushina knelt down, he felt her pulse.

"She's low on chakra."

Sara forward "But she's a Uzumaki?!"

"Mmm that topic is for another time, we need to get out of here."

He stood "Out" he order the dogs who all vanished. Kakashi lifted Kushina up into his arms.

"Hurry climb on to my back."

Sara grabbed her back pack, and did as he told. She hung on for dear life as he jumped not just out of the hole on the floor but out of the hole in the roof as well. Just as the building collapsed. A big cloud of dust swallowed them, she felt something slam into Kakashi mid-air and guide them away from the cloud, she could feel a hand on her back below her injured shoulder, Sara's eyes were watering but she could see a mop of blond hair.

They landed the hand had disappeared and Sara dropped from the man's back coughing, taking in lungful of cold air.

When she regained control over herself, she saw Kakashi handing Kushina over to the Hokage. Who looked worried and alarmed that his wife was injured.

"They were groves in the wood sensei, Kushina used her chains."

Minato nodded. "I'll take her to the hospital." He glanced up at Sara "Are you injured?"

"No," she lied. "She was coughing before she passed out though I don't know if that was down to the dust or not."

"Thank you" he says sincerely she could see it in his eyes he was grateful for her help. Sara swallowed.

"Ah, it was Busiek who found her cent I just followed him in to the building."

"in any case, I owe you one for this. Though it can wait I need you to sign a none disclosure form, I'll have Kakashi bring it. What you saw of Kushina must not be spoke about is that clear?"

Gone was his caring gaze, his eyes had turned ice the threat was clear. "Yes-yes Hokage-sama. I understand."

With a nod of his head he vanished.

Sara breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth. To calm herself.

"You have a knack for getting into trouble" Kakashi drawled out.

"I didn't do it on purpose. What was I mean to do just leave her there?"

Kakashi hummed put his hands in pockets. He gave a board look but there was a gleam to his lone eye that told Sara he was assessing her. There was still dust in the air, she was hoping his sense of smell was blocked by the dust.

Kushina had been chasing Naruto, that much was clear, she wanted to go and find him.

Kakashi stares at her, she averts her gaze "Problem?" she asks timidly.

"No…" he whistled Bisuke landed in front of him. "continue to guard her" He said "You did a good job well done." Kakashi puffed away.

It was after he left that she realised the Hokage had taken he coat.

"Great" she muttered running her hand through her pony tale.

"Bisuke do you think you could find Naruto for me?" she asked the dog, who was still wagging his tale happy that his master had parsed him.

"Err sure, sure, need to get away from all this dust first."

Sara agreed and followed the little dog. Once back in to the busier parts of the street, Buske stopped and turned to face Sara his ears went flat and his tale stop wagging. He looked like someone had just kicked him.

"You-you lied to-to Hokage-sama"

"lied?"

"Your hurt"

"It's not that bad, I'll get it looked at, but first I need to find Naruto."

The dog shook his head. "Boss left me in charge and your hurt. I need to tell the boss."

Sara knelt down "As, soon as I have found Naruto you can go and tell Kakashi." She says stroking the dogs head in a reassuring manner.

"Fine, fine" he put his nose to the ground "Lets fined Naruto."

She stood and followed the dog. she shivered in the cold, her shoulder stung but she didn't know how bad it was.

There were few people on the streets because of the cold weather.

The dog led her out of the less populated part of Konoha. And into training grounds though she remembered from her academy days that theses once were used for students. It was empty save for Naruto.

The boy looked angry and upset, as he kicked a rock, he had no outlet for his anger. He had no weapons for training. Only his fist. He spun and hit a training dummy which swung back and forth after he hit it.

"Arrrgg I'm so, stupide!" he shouted "Why, why, why am I so stupid?!" he hit the dummy over and over again.

Sara took a step closer and her feet crunched the snow, alerting the boy to her presence.

Sara held her hands up in a surrender gesture, she noticed Bisuke had gone, she knew she didn't have much time.

"Easy Naruto" She put her hands by her side. She cooked her head to the side. "Why as you put it are you stupid?"

"None of your business you-"

"Oh, but it is my business" she cut him off and begun to walk towards him "See. I just left your mother, who was Ill and shouldn't be chasing after you." She saw a guilty look cross his face. "And I got rid of your abuser sensei. So, tell me Naruto why are you still skipping out of the academy?"

She saw a look of frustration, then anger cross his face. His fist was balled at his sides.

"I can't do anything right." He hissed out, she stood in front of him looked down at him, his blue eyes were blazing with anger. He wore a bright orange coat with white fur around his hood.

"What things can't you do right?" she asked kneeling down so she was eye level with him, the cold snow instantly soaked her trousers.

"Everyone else finds it soo, easy, they just look at it and do it." He says "There-there must be something wrong with me because I'm the only one in my class who can't do it." His frustration was clear. Tears angry tears threatened to spill but he kept them back.

"What can't you do?"

He looked away ashamed.

"I-I can't…. I can't…. I can't…. Read"

Sara blinked; off all the things she was expecting that wasn't one of them.

"Well, that's…ok,…" she thought for a moment "Tell me Naruto…..when you say you can't what do the words look like?" she asked pulling her backpack off her left shoulder and pulling a book out. She flipped it to the first page.

"Now I know this is a grownups book but I want to know what you see?"

He came around to stand by her left side. She watched as he stared at the page his scrunched his eyes up. And growled in frustration "No, don't try to read it, explain what you are sensing?"

"I donno. The-the words are all jumbled up,….Nothing makes sense, arugh. Why am I stupide!"

She placed the book beside her and grabbed his face gently "You are not stupid you have dyslexia"

"Dysl-what?"

"It's quite common, and can be managed sometimes cured if the medic and Yamanaka work together."

Naruto blinked. "You-you mean I'm not stupid?"

"No, you're not. honey though asking for help sooner probably would have helped"

Naruto begun to cry and sunk to his knees he placed his head on her chest and wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm not stupid." He sobbed out she stroked his blond hair. "It's not going to be easy Naruto, they'll be lots of test been prodded and poked, but with your determination I bet you can overcome this. Your dream to be Hokage is not over"

"I'm not and idiot like the term said I was."

"No, you're not, you're a very bright boy."

He pulled back "How come you know what it is? do you have it?"

"No, but I lived in an orphanage and help Gran out when I can, I've seen kids struggle and lash out and think that there dumb because they can't read."

she looks up when she hers snow crunching under sandaled feet., she was expecting to see Kakashi, but found Azure blue concerned eyes staring at her and Naruto.

Sara bit her lip, was remined of the continues throb of her shoulder

"It seems" he said "That I owe you for a second time in one day."

"Dad" Naruto runs to his farther Sara uses the distraction to place her book back in her bag and stand.

"I heard Naruto. We'll have you tested, and go from there. But we will be having a talk about leaving your mother." He says sternly.

"Awe, but dad…."

"Your mum had it, when she was your age ask her, we should have realised and had you tested before now. but you should have come to us and not hidden it." Minato bent down to speak to his son. Sara watched the convention.

"You lied" Kakashi says inches from her ear, she feels his hot breath tickle her ear, she jumps spinning around, to find him stood so close, his lone eye has a hard gleam to it. She swallows. "I don't appreciate been lied too, then having my dogs go against my orders." His tone was as sharp as a kunai blade.

"I urm…" she stammered looking down and away from his gaze.

Kakashi saw flicks of fear in her violet eyes, he noticed the tremor of fear run through her. His gaze flicked to his sensei and his son.

"Dad she's hurt!" Naruto exclaimed worriedly. "She didn't say she was hurt."

"She lied to both of us then." The displeasure could be here in his sensei voice.

Sara's face was bright red with shame.

"Bring her here Kakashi, were heading to the hospital, I need to see Kushina and set up test for Naruto."

Kakashi looked down she would not rase her head. The wound what he saw of it wasn't deep, but it was still bleeding. He didn't like the fact that his dogs disregarded his orders in favour of her finding Naruto first.

He was going to have a talk with his pack.

Taking her arm, he spun her around, and led her to where Minato stood.

"Have you eaten?" Kakashi asked.

"N-No."

"Good."

Minato placed his hand on Kakashi shoulder and in a flash, they were gone, when they landed, Kakashi caught Sara as her eyes rolled in the back of her head.

"Get her seen to, I'll be with Kushina be along shortly."

Kakashi did he flagged down a medic, who showed them to a room. He laid Sara on the bed on her side placed her bag on the floor. The medic said she would be back in a moment with a hospital gown for her.

She was already beginning to wake. He knew the effects of Minato jutsu, in his early days he didn't enjoy the ride ether.

She ground placing her hand on her head.

Kakashi stood with his book out. Gave off a I'm bored so I'm reading look.

She glances at him before averting her eyes. She sat up dangling her legs of the bed.

The awkward silence hung in the room. Until the medic entered.

"Please excuse Shinobi san" the medic says as she draws the curtain around the bed.

Kakashi hears cloths been shad a few questions asked. the standard "Are you allergic to anything, how did you get this?" He didn't bother to listen too.

He hears it every time he's in here. Well every time Minato forces him to be in here.

"Ow"

"Sorry Ma'am" the medic says "But I'm having difficult…healing it."

Kakashi hers the intake of pained breath he sees Sara's feet land on the floor.

"Ow, no, you're not touching it again" Sara hissed.

"I don't understand why…. how did you say you got this?"

"Um, something struck me"

"Whatever it was had a high chakra density"

That got Kakashi attention. He drew the curtain back. Sara stood holding the gown in place. She still had her trousers on underneath the gown.

"Out" he ordered the medic. She bowed and left.

"How did you get it?" Kakashi asked, as he walked around her to take a look for himself. She followed his movements until he was stood directly behind her.

The wound was red and angry, still bleeding.

"K-Kushina one-one of her chains struck me when she lost consciousness. I-I didn't know if I was allowed to mention it or not?"

Kakashi hummed "No, you did the right thing, it's going to need Tsunade attention though."

Sara frowned "Can't it just be left to heal on its own?"

"Possibly. I'll be back in a moment." He opened the door the medic was still waiting in the hall.

"We'll need Tsunade"

"Yes, I'll get her at once."

Closing the door, he turned to see her sat on the bed, back to him. The wound stood out on her pale skin. he moved to stand in front of her. Her expression one of pain but also fearfulness.

He wondered if maybe he had undone some of the progress, he has made with her. even though it was small progress. Perhaps, he could let her off with lying to him, but his pack disregarding his orders to follow hers he couldn't let that go. If that happened on a mission or saving her life, things could go south fast.

"Are you in pain?" he found himself asking.

She glances up at him pulls the gown tighter around herself. Then again this is the second time in one day he has seen her half naked.

"It stings. But it's not too bad." She answers honestly.

The door opened to revel Tsunade and Minato trilling after Her.

"I'll set the test up for him, don't know why I didn't think to test him before now ever. We both failed him Minato not just you."

She stood in front of Sara "Now, let's see what can be done," she walked around to Sara's back placed a glowing green hand over the wound.

Sara hissed,

"What did this?"

"Kushina's chakra chains, she reframed from telling the other medic" Kakashi says.

Tsunade hums,

"Kushina chakra his high not to mention…"

"Yes. Minato, I know." The honey eyed woman snapped.

"I'm afraid there's no way around it. It's going to hurt, to heal it and I don't want to leave it."

"W-why? "she stuttered out "Why can't you leave it?"

"It's like a chakra burn, it goes deep in to the muscle and the soft tissue, if I leave it, it will take weeks to heal and become more painful with each passing day."

Sara sighed, in defeat.

"Sorry kid, you're going to have to grin and bear it a moment." She eyed Kakashi and Minato. "Since I have two strapping men here, I won't need the restraints."

Sara stiffened and paled "Re-Restraints.?"

"its ever that or I knock you out and keep you in for the night."

She appeared to think it over and nodded reluctantly.

"Alright then, lay down on the bed on your stomach." Tsunade instructed

Sara did so, Kakashi averted his gaze whist she got comfortable. He knew Minato had as well.

"Kakashi round here Minato there." The Honey eyed woman instructed. "Alright, Sara, I'm not going to lie this is going to hurt." She let that sink in. "But it should only last a few moments." She glances at Kakashi and Minato, who place. Their hands-on Sara. Minato holds her left shoulder and leg, Kakashi holds her right arm, and leg he brushes shoulders with Tsunade who was ready to heal the wound.

Kakashi feels how coiled Sara is.

"Alright on three, one two three."

Sara gasped as Tsunade began to heal the wound, Kakashi held her firmly to keep her still.

"Five more seconds."

Sara whimpered and tried to move, but he and Minato didn't allow it.

Kakashi saw steam rising up out of the wound, as Tsunade drew out the heat of the chakra.

"And done"

Sara sagged, her breathing hard.

"there's shouldn't be any lasting scarring, though as with any healing proses the new skin will itch a bit, try not to scratch it."

Sara nodded.

"Once your dressed you can go" she looked at Kakashi and Minato "Waite behind the curtain."

"Ah, Tsunade whilst I have you" Kakashi says as he drew the curtain around the bed. "Her chakra spikes up after physical exorcize. it was enough that it set one of my seals off."

"That's abnormal."

"What as your theory Kakashi?" Minato asked.

"That her chakra is trying to get ready to use a jutsu. But since she doesn't her chakra just ends up spiking up a bit. I suspect its' from when she was in the academy."

"That makes sense." Minato says thoughtfully. "We assume as they go back to civilian life, that their chakra becomes dormant."

"Except I continued to use my chakra for work" Sara says from behind the curtain, Kakashi here's the tiredness in her voice. "

"Right. So, your body never stopped using chakra. I wonder? Tsunade, do you think it's a problem?"

"Well, no she can't use a jutsu I'm a hundred percent sure on that. But still it can't hurt to run some test. I'll schedule her in and let you know."

The curtain was pulled back Kakashi saw how pale she looked. That little procedure had taken a lot out of her.

He saw the flicker of worry in her eyes though.

"Ho-Hokage-sama what-what would happen if it was a problem?"

"Well, I'd have to supress your chakra."

Sara fear grew he could smell it.

"But it shouldn't come to that, for now were a head of the council finding out about this, and if all the test says it's fine, then you have nothing to worry about." Minato smiled at her. it was meant to ease her worry, but Kakashi new it hadn't.

"Kakashi, Tsunade please excuses us for a moment."

Kakashi glances at his sensei, wondering what he could want with her alone. His face revealed nothing. Kakashi glances at Sara who sat rigidly on the bed. She meets his gaze and silently pleads with him not to leave her alone with him.

But he has no choice.

He and Tsunade leave the room.

Minato, waits until the door closes. Sara's eyes were on the door for a long while. He hadn't missed the pleading look she had given Kakashi, though he would admit he was a little hurt, he wondered what she thought he was going to do?

He cleared his throat, to drew her attention, her violet eyes snapped to his before lowing. He decided to give her some good news.

"I released Seth, back in to the Orphanages care." He says her eyes once again snap to his "I'm confident he's not bran washed or under Danzo influence, he acted out of fear and love for the Orphanage."

He saw the relief on her face, it seemed to ease the tension she was feeling.

"T-That's great thank you Hokage-sama" she smiled briefly.

He took a cupel of steps towards her, so that he was directly in front of her. she stiffened at his sudden close proximity.

He tried to keep the harshness out of his voice whilst, been stern with her. "Now, we need to talk, about Kushina." He said, "She is ill, Tsunade assures me it just a cold, though, she has been run down just of late." He let the worry seep in to his voice. "However if word got out that the only Uzumaki was ill… she would be in danger….. other villages may attempt to kidnap her. and force her to share her knowledge of seals….."

Sara was silent for a long moment; he could see she wanted to ask something. He could guess what it was, but she nodded her head, in understanding.

"I'll send the none disclosure from with Kakashi" he says "But do I have your solemn word that you will not mention Kushina's illness to anyone outside of this room?"

"Y-yes Hokage-sama." She stutters out.

"Good." he gently reaches forward, placing index finger under her chin, she filched at his touch but he paid it no mind. he gently forced her head up, to look at him. Her eyes were wide with fear. But she stayed still he could feel her trembling.

Here fearful eyes locked on to his. He was sure she was holding her breath.

"Thank you. Sara for finding her." he said sincerely "My wife is an independent woman that she refuses a guard and if she finds that I have sent one she sends them back battered and there pried bruised." His moth twitched up a little at the edges. He let his hand drop from her chin.

"I will not forget what you have done for me and Naruto. "

"I-I just did what anyone should have done Hokage-sama."

"Maybe so. But it's not very often I owe favours to someone especially a civilian someone."

"T-there no need to owe me anything."

He waved her off. "It will be beneficial to have me owe you a favour especially were the council is concerned."

She nodded her head.

He smiled, his dazzling sunshine smile. The one that made everyone feel at ease.

"I'll be going now. be sure, to rest up and take care of yourself." He said as he headed for the door.

Once he exited Tsunade was no were in sight and his student was lent up against the door. Book in hand.

"Go easy on her Kakashi. She did my son and wife a grate favour today."

Kakashi didn't reply and watched his sensei walk away. He entered the room found Sara pulling her back pack over her left shoulder. She wouldn't look him in the eyes. Or rather eye.

"Ready to go?" he asked.

"Yea."

He held the door open for her. She made her way out.

"Are you done with your errands?" he asked brushing her arm as he walked beside her.

"Err…." She appeared to think it over, quickly glancing up at him, he didn't miss the flicker of fear that was in her eyes. "Yes…." She says defeatedly. "I have no were to go now Shinobi-san" Kakashi twitched.

He glanced down at her but she carried on walking.

"Then how about we eat? You said you didn't haven't eaten since this morning?"

"I'm not that hunger nor am I keen on Shinobi restaurant."

"That's fine" he said "Nether am I." she looked up at him he eye smiled at her.

"Hey. Sara wait up!" Naruto called from behind them.

They turned to see the blond running up to them, he had Sara coat in his hands. He stopped just in front of Sara.

"Dad said to give you this back."

"Thank you, Naruto," she smiled excepting the coat.

"And….um" he stood scraping his foot on the floor with his hands behind his back "I wanna thank you…..you helped me out a whole lot….and if you ever need my help just ask and I'll do my best to help you." He says his eyes shorn with determination.

Sara giggled she patted his head "Thank you Naruto, I'll remember that." She winked at the boy. Who grinned a goofy grin back up at her.

"Well I gotta go…..se ya around." He bounced of waving as he went. Before disappearing in to a door father along the corridor.

Sara took of her bag and put on her coat zipping it up.

"Or we could get take out?" he offered.

"That sounds fine." She says picking up her bag. They continued to walk.

Once outside Kakashi noticed Sara shiver.

"What take out would you prefer?"

"Um, something fast?" she asked glancing up at him.

"Mmmmm Ramon, ok?"

"Yea sure."

"Great." He headed in the general direction of Itchiraku Ramon shop.

The sky was beginning to darken, the temporiser drop a few degree.

They walked through the empty street, snow crunching under their feet.

She remand silent, and very now and then he caught her glancing up at him.

He sighed. She was afraid, but of what? Him, or of the consequences she faces for talking his pack into following her instead of carrying out his orders.

he knew there had been no threat. But it irked him all the same. His pack should know better, no matter how much they like a person.

She stayed back whilst he ordered the Ramon, she had told him her order and offered to pay for it. He politely declined her offer. Bag in hand they continued there walk home.

He glances a head of them when he hears running foot stopes approaching, he sniffs the air. He recognised the cent approaching. He could also smell tears.

"Miya!" Sara called, she glanced at Kakashi then back at Miya. "Stop her, something wrong."

Kakashi would have to agree. He could smell fear now she was getting closer, and the slightest hint of blood.

He handed her the bag of takeout and planted himself in her path, when she tried to doge to go around him he moved to intercept.

"Woe, there" he says as she collided with him with such force she bounced backwards, he grabbed her shoulders to steady her. she was shaking.

Sara moved to Miya side "Miya what's wrong?" she asked worriedly.

Miya looked at Sara her big green eyes were wide and fearful "He-he's here….Sara" she sobbed "He-he's in the dam village." There was a mixture of fear and anger in her voice.

Her hand went up to her throat, she clawed at her neck.

"Woe, Miya! Calm down." Sara says pulling her hand away, but she had drawn blood not just now, Kakashi could sea dried blood too, tears flowed down her face but if Kakashi had to guess those were tears of anger.

"Who your ex? "Sara asked.

Miya nodded, "He's here, I know I sound crazy but I swear he's here. There's…. things he used to-to do to let me know he was around…. like. draw all my curtains closed….. and l-leave the toilet lid up…and…..and my…bed looks like it's been slept in when I know I made it this morning…." Throughout her voice trembled.

"Kakashi?" Sara asked "We can't leave her"

He nodded in agreement. "I'll take you girls home; the pack can watch you I'll nab Genma we can scout out your home."

They both nodded and Sara wrapped an arm around Miya as they walked home.

Kakashi felt something nag at his senses. He sniffed the air and found that they were being followed. Obviously by a civilian, one who smelled of sex and drugs.

He doubted it would be her ex- himself more like a lacky of his. In any case he couldn't allow, him to follow him, and the girls home. So, he created a clone simultaneously shunshined to were the man was hiding.

Releasing his battle spirit arura or otherwise known as killing intent, the man froze in fear. And slowly turned around. Kakashi saw that the man was high on something.

"I'm going to say this once so listen up, she's under Konoha's protection, tell your boss to back off, or else he'll have Shinobi poking their noses in to his business." Kakashi says. The aura around him darkens "if I catch anyone following her again, I won't be so nice next time."

With that the man scurried off. He sighed. Genma was going to want to know about this. He took to the roofs checked. that the clone had everything under control. The girls were unaware he had switched with a clone.

Satisfied. He headed to Genma's place. He leaped through his bedroom window dodging the trap placing his hand on the seal that was on the frame, channelled his chakra into it before it blew him up.

Genma shot into his room wearing his boxers, Kakashi sat crouched on the window sill and gave a cheery "Yo"

"What the hell Kakashi! Use the dam door like everyone else!"

"Before you get all mad with me, I thought you might like to know your girlfriend is at my house, smelling of fear. And blood."

Genma straightened. "What happened?" he asked already pulling on cloths.

"Eh, she said that her ex had been in her apartment, the curtains were drawn the toilet seat was up and her bed looked like it had been slept in, also, she was been followed. I told him to tell his boss to back off or else."

"And the blood?" Genma asked tying the bandana round his head.

"She must have started to scratch the scar she has on her neck, she opened it, not deep Sara stop her from doing it again, when she ran into us."

"let's go?"

"I left a clone with them, meat me at my house." He says before puffing away.

He headed back to his house, racing across the roof tops.

He peeked in thought the window and made the switch with his clone.

They were sat at the kitchen table Sara had obviously made Miya a cup of tea.

He absorbs the clone's memory's and convention between the girls.

It had been mostly Sara talking Miya been quiet. He realised he had the first aid kit in his hands and Sara was waiting for him to hand it over. He eye smiled at her before doing so.

"Gemma will be here in a few minutes." He announced as he left to speak with his pack. There was a hum of acknowledgement from Sara and a confused look from Miya.

"Don't ask, Ninja have many, many ways of been in two places at once." Sara told Miya.

Kakashi called his pack and knelt down so he could speak in hushed tones.

"Threat," the dogs tensed "Civilian, no cent to link it to anyone yet, how ever stay on guard, protocol two, do not leave them unprotected."

The dogs nodded.

"Good I'll speak to you all later about today, but I expect my orders to be followed is that clear?"

They all barked an alternative.

He stood just as there was a nock at the door. Genma new better then to just barge in, he was far more paranoid the average shinobi.

He opened the door, Genma nodded in greeting before rushing over to Miya.

"Awe sweetheart, you alright?" he asked tilting her chin up to get a better look at the scar.

"Y-yea. I-I didn't expect him to come here, and start messing with my life."

"he won't for much longer," he says dropping her chin. "Well go check your place out. Stay here and don't go outside. When I come back, I'll be staying at your place for a wile see if we can't catch him."

She nodded.

"That goes for you as well stay inside."

Sara nodded and the two Shinobi left.

They both entered Miya apartment cautiously.

They made no sound as they moved inside. The apartment was empty save for them.

"Smell anything?" Genma askes

"There's a cent other than Miy's here" he confirmed "Same smell as before only more…." He sniffed "Sex, this Sato? Has multiple sleeping partners his cent is entwined with three different women"

"Creep" Genma says checking the windows, "There's no forced entry so…..he used a key. I'll speak to the land lord in the morning and ask if he gave another key out."

Kakashi hummed. The woman was tidy most of her living room had book shelves, lining the walls.

"Well at least you won't get bord here" he said as he scanned the books. "Mmm she has a thing for damsels in dresses, though" he cocked his head to the side "Most of these start out as damsels and end up been a kick ass hero."

"you read them?"

"Well…..they had the promise of been porn…..but they weren't, have to say they were engaging enough that I didn't fake reading."

"Huh" Genma flicks the seaborn in his mouth "We'd better get back"

With a nod the two left.

Sara sat with Miya, she had cleaned the scar on her neck and stuck a plaster over it. Her friend was nervous that much was obvious.

"They'll be back soon," she says Miya nods.

"You haven't registered what he said yet have you?" Sara asked amused.

"What?"

"He said he would stay with you for a few days…in your apartment with you, ya'know just you and him….."

Miya's face heated up "Oh, sweet kami he did say that didn't he….."

"Huh-huh"

"Well, it doesn't mean anything….he…he's taking time out to stay with me…..oh he taking time out…..it does mean something."

Sara laughed. "You'll be fine, besides you're a lot more comfortable around shinobi then I am."

"Yea, I guess that's true." Miya eyed her friend "Things still tense between you two?"

"Yea…. I'm not making It easy though, he seems naturally awkward." Sara shrugged.

It wasn't long before the two men returned.

"Your apartment is secure, come on darling, I'll stay with you to night." Genma says helping her stand. Miya's face turns beat red.

"Meh Genma perhaps you had better rephrase that." Kakashi says amusingly.

"I mean I'll stay on the sofa, and keep watch…." He says sheepishly.

Sara wanted to laugh, but she kept it in.

Once out side she saw Genma pick her up and take off. Sara sighed, that just left her and Kakashi, alone….

She went to the takeout food that she had left on the counter.

"Do you still want this?" she asked turning her head towards him.

"Yes."

She nodded and set about reheating it.

She could see him talking to his pack all but Pakkun, were laid on the floor, on their fronts, ears flat. As he lectured them. Though she couldn't here what he was saying. She bit her lip. She had gotten them in to trouble and no doubt he was going to give her a lecture too.

she had just plated the food, when, he finished talking to his pack.

"Food ready." She says. Though her appetite has suddenly gone.

Kakashi joined her at the table, as she set the plates down.

She wondered if he was going to wait till after they had eaten, she really didn't feel hungry any more.

Dam her anxiety, as it settled in the pit her stomach. It would sit there until whatever was making her anxious went away or she did something about it.

She glanced at him and sighed resigned herself to feeling this way all the time around him.

She realised he must have been watching her. or she had given off some type of body language because he spoke,

"Sara, before we eat, and you work yourself up enough that you won't want to eat. I'll admit. I'm a little mad, I'm not used to my pack disregarding my orders. Although there was not threat, other than you been hurt. I can't have you swaying them into doing what you want." He paused. "So, I'm warning you not to do that again, your life may depend on it next time. Do you understand?!"

"Y-yes." She says barely looking at him.

"Good, as long as you understand the implications, these dogs are trained killers, I can't have them disregarding my orders in favour of a clients, they know this…and now so do you."

She nodded.

"Good, lets eat, its been a long day and you look dead on your feet."

They sat she couldn't argue with him on that she was beat, everything ached. Her shoulder itched. She could only hope that she would get some sleep tonight.

An, hey gays so sorry that took so looonnngggg, but with everything that happened with Covid-19 my bunny's went on strike and I was unable to write due to stress and anxiety. I hope you are all safe and well.

I'm kinda back in the groove to write and apparently something has changed with my writing (Not sure what casue I don't see it) anyway it shouldn't be too long for the next chapter. A month at least. (Kids are home still, and it's the summer Holiday's. Spend time with them and have Safe days out with them. ) so a month, my bunnies have returned and there willing to work. Thank you to the wonderful reviews seriously, I cried (With happiness) made my day no my whole THANK YOU.

Oh, I'll update my profile too because I've left Love leaves you scared readers hanging for so, so long…. I haven't forgotten or given up on it. Just be patient.