1 Month later - On the border of Yugakure and Shimogakure...

"Do you sense anything yet, Kurama?" Miyu asked, scouring the ravine alongside them.

''No, my nose cannot pick up anything remotely metallic.'' The fox grumbled back, annoyed at being used as some sort of tracking hound. ''The only thing I smell is some almost carrion.''

"Almost carrion?" His partnered echoed curiously, "Are you saying there's someone dying around here?"

''Maybe, but worrying about them is pointless,'' the fox responded, ''you should focus your attention elsewhere if you wish to find this sword. The month Namikaze had allowed you is almost over.''

"So be it," She shrugged of his concern, "If I we can't find it, maybe it wasn't meant to be found. Instead, why don't you lead me to the person in trouble?" The fox huffed but did as told, carefully leading her into the ravine and pointing her towards a small, hollowed out cavern. It was dark, making it hard for her to see, but inside she definitely saw what looked like a childlike body, curled up in the corner, trying to keep away from the cold. Slowly, she reached out for him, gently lifting him out of the cavern and into her arms.

"He's burning up." She uttered allowed, feeling the feverish heat of the child's forehead.

''There is some water nearby.'' Kurama commented helpfully, knowing his partner would feel better if she managed to save the human child. ''That way.''

"Thanks Kurama." Miyu replied, as they descended deeper into the ravine. It seemed an odd place to find water but she trusted the demon's senses. Soon enough a rushing sound met her ears and she knew exactly what she'd be looking for. The further they walked the louder the roar got until the sound of falling water was almost deafening. The blonde looked up where the ice and snow from the mountains in Shimo had fallen to meet the warm lands of Yugakure, melting to form a narrow waterfall. Swiftly, she put the child down, soaking some cloth in the shallow edges of the pool, before returning to tend to him. "I wonder why he looks so familiar." Miyu voiced, sweeping away his pale hair. It seemed without using her Sharingan, she would have to wait for daylight to see if it was truly someone she knew.

''Kit.'' Kurama's voice caught her attention, as he stood standing, gazing into the falls.

"What is it?" She asked, peering into the haze, "What is that?" A faint glint caught her gaze from within the waterfall. She hadn't noticed it before, most likely due to the blatant distraction of the water body, but the air around it shimmered with some sort of hidden power, one that made the earth and stones thrum with energy. "It's here," She breathed,

"Who would have thought...?"

''I assume you will be alright going in alone?'' The fox stated, sitting himself by the water's edge.

"Of course," She paused and gave him a quizzical look, "Is there a particular reason why you aren't coming?"

''The chakra it emits, repulses me. It taste far too pure and sharp for my liking.'' He hid his snout under his paws to emphasise the fact, scrunching his nose up disdainfully.

"I see, well at least take care of the kid while I'm gone." Soundlessly, she stepped into the pool, walking towards the falling torrent of water, leaving a small trail of ripples behind her. Pushing the air around her, the blonde tore open a doorway, parting the waterfall with ease, before stepping into the cave. The stone walls glowed an eerie blue and the surrounding area was lit with gentle chakra giving her and easy view of the item she had been hunting. There on a raised stone slab, in the centre of the hidden cavern, was a single blade, its black sheath lying beside it. "Is this it?" Miyu wondered, studying the masterful work of the katana. Oddly enough, the edge seemed to be on the back of the sword. Tentatively, she reached out for it, only to be repelled by a painful zap of chakra. "What's was that?"

"That,"a deep voice resonated, "Was me." The blonde's head snapped up in an instant, quickly jumping back a safe distance as she scanned the area. There looming behind the sword, was a strange creature she had never seen before. One that she knew can't have been there a moment ago. "Who are you, human?"

"I am Miyu." Miyu responded, observing the metallic scales of the reptilian beast. She would have called it a serpent if not for the four dangerous claws it wielded. "And you?"

"I am, Goro Masamune," the beast answered proudly, "Have you come for me?"

"Come for you?" She looked back to the sword and noticed the odd creature carved onto both the blade and its sheath, only now realizing that they were one and the same with the beast before her, "I suppose so."

"What is your purpose?" The beast question, making her wonder if there was some sort of test she had to pass.

"My purpose?" She echoed in thought, "I'm simply searching for a weapon strong enough for me. I heard rumours of you and it fascinated me."

"For power then." The beast simplified, "I can accept that, but I cannot allow a tainted child to wield me."

"Tainted?" Miyu was mildly offended.

"Tainted, as you have a connection with the nine-tailed demon." Its low voice rang loud and clear, "You will not be able to touch the sword."

"Is that a challenge?"

''You fool.'' Kurama snarled, ''I do not know what happened in there, but why have you come back so injured.''

"Haha..."Miyu awkwardly rubbed the back of her head with her left hand, her right arm hanging limply by her side, roughly bandaged from her shoulder down, "It seemed it was a little harder to take the sword that I thought. You didn't hear anything?"

''Inside that waterfall, your very presence disappeared,'' He looked at the second by her waist in disdain, ''I feel like it was not worth the trouble.''

"Don't be such a worry," His former container, shrugged in a carefree manner, "My arm will heal soon enough."

''I understand that,'' the fox growled. ''What bothers me is the amount of damage you took that was so great it has not already healed.'' Miyu just smiled at him stupidly.

"How's the child been?" She asked, changing the topic. With the sun slowly rising, the area was lighting up, meaning it would be easier for her to find any distinguishing features.

She was surprised to see the long white hair, finding it an uncommon hair colour, but what shocked her most, were the two red dots above his brow.

''He will wake soon.'' As if on cue, the small body stirred, and the boy slowly opened his vivid green eyes.

"Hello," Miyu crouched down and spoke softly, not wanting to frighten the kid, "My name's Miyu, what's yours?"

When he first opened his eyes, he questioned whether or not he had finally died. A quiet, soothing voice caught his attention and he turned his gaze to where a pretty stranger was learning over him, her eyes reminding him of the ocean. He realized he had been asked a question and made to respond but his parched throat protested, pushing him into a painful coughing fit. almost instantly, he was lead into a sitting position where a simple water canister was placed against his lips. Slowly, the stranger gave him water, pacifying his throat, though his stomach now reminded him of his starvation. Miyu, as she had introduced also offered him a ration bar which he devoured in an instant, the nutritious, tasteless meal settling in his stomach. Feeling a lot better he took the chance to look around, noting his back was leaning against a very large fox. The animal seemed far too intelligent for its species and he felt quite nervous under its gaze. Remembering Miyu's earlier question, he made a second attempt at answering it.

"Arigatou," His voice was still a bit hoarse, "My name in Kaguya Kimimaro... Is there, any way I can repay you?" He watched as an odd expression flittered on her face for a brief moment, soon hidden by a warm smile.

"Kimimaro-kun," She stood up and he wondered if she was going to leave him after hearing his name, "Would you like to come with me?" He was startled by the question, confusion settling in his mind. Why would she want a rogue orphan like him? Her blonde hair moved in the breeze and he marvelled at how pretty the strands looked.

"I-," he had no idea what he wanted to do or say, "Why?"

"You look like someone with nowhere else to go," Miyu answered, wondering if she was making the right choice, "It must be tough, being so young yet having gone through so much." Kimimaro got the odd feeling that she knew a lot about him, maybe even more than he himself. At the same time, he wanted to be with such a kind person, he wanted to stay with his saviour. She stretched out her good hand in offering and tentatively, he accepted it.

"Kawashi," Miyu called as she entered the demure room of the inn she was currently staying at. Kimimaro jumped by her side as he was startled by a swooping bird that landed before them. It was rather large and looked very intelligent.

"Hai, Miyu-san." The bird squawked, bring a wing up in mock salute, "What can I do for you?"

"Mind sending a message back to Minato?" Miyu said writing a hasty note, "Tell him I'll be returning to the village. I'll be moving fast so I should only be a couple days behind you."

"No problem," He allowed the message to be tied to his legs, "all the while staring at her arm and the boy curiously, "I feel like a lot has happened, Iruka will not be happy to hear you've been injured." Leaving on that final note, the summons took flight, gliding out of the window before she could retort.

"... the bird...talked." Kimimaro muttered, slightly shocked.

"That was a summons." Miyu explained with a shrug. It was also one of the few reasons Minato allowed her to leave the village. By borrowing Iruka's summons she could contact the easily, sending one or two status reports back every few days.

"Where are you going?" He asked tentatively, realizing his saviour seemed to be a shinobi, a young one at that.

"We," Miyu corrected, "Are going home."

"It's nice to see you're looking better today!" Gai shouted loudly, slapping his rival on the back, "What's put you in such a good mood?"

"Good mood?" Kakashi asked curiously, he hadn't had a reason to feel particularly bad, but then again Gai could be surprisingly insightful, "I can't think of anything in particular..."

"Oh," The jumpsuit wearing male put on a thoughtful look, "I heard Miyu's on her way back. It's been a while since we last spared, I hope she's gotten stronger." The taijutsu expert didn't miss the way Kakashi's expression lightened. If he was a betting man he would say that there would be a smile under his mask.

"One of Iruka's eagles returned with her note just the other day, she could be arriving in the village any time now." He idly wondered how she was doing. The last time he saw her was during a brief mission escorting the foolish Kumo nin back to their disappointed leader, before they split paths at Yugakure. Somehow the trip back, without her soothing presence, had seemed unreasonably long and...lonely. He wasn't afraid to admit that something like that, but if one were to ask him why he felt such a way, he would have no answer.

"I'm guessing you two don't know yet, then?" Genma asked as he walked by the duo, intending to visit the bar after standing at gate duty for the majority of the day.

"Know what?" Gai asked, his teammate pausing with a raised brow.

"That Miyu's back, I met her at the end of my shift," the bandanna wearing shinobi recounted, "It looked like she was injured, and there was a weird kid with her..." By the time he had finished Kakashi had already vanished, much to their amusement. "You don't think he..." Genma whispered dramatically to Gai, despite the fact the street they were on was near empty.

"I do," Gai nodded wisely, "Though if it continues like this he will be the last to know." He felt bad for his ignorant rival, and hoped it wouldn't be too late before he realized his feelings.

"Hokage-sama." Kakashi called as he knocked on the solid wooden doors.

"Oh, Kakashi, you have great timing," Minato called within, "Come right in!" His former student didn't hesitate, entering with a confident stride as he surveyed the area. Kakashi noticed three things straight off, one being an odd white haired kid standing by Miyu's side, the second being her bandaged right arm, and finally the new sword that hung by her waist.

"Kakashi, it's nice to see you after this long." Miyu greeted warmly, the child making an effort to hide himself behind her.

"Same here." He smiled under his mask, looking at the white haired boy with curiosity.

"Let me introduce you," Miyu stated as Kakashi sent her a questioning look, "Kakashi, this is Kaguya Kimimaro. Kimimaro, this is one of my friends and another ninja of Konohagakure, Hatake Kakashi." The young boy gave a polite bow before returning to his hiding place.

"As it is, Kakashi, Kimimaro-kun will be joining our village," Minato explained, "Under the charge of Miyu." Kakashi merely raised his brow.

"He's going to be my apprentice," Miyu admitted with some embarrassment, "I'm planning to teach him to become a swordsman as well as a shinobi."

"I see," Kakashi commented, "But I feel like there's something more..."

"Aren't you perceptive?" Minato laughed, "Actually Miyu was thinking about moving out of the compound. Seeing as the elders aren't very welcome to those that aren't of Uchiha blood, and Kimimaro is a little too young to be on his own."

"And?" Kakashi pressed, feeling suspicious at where this was going.

"Well, say hello to your new neighbours."

"Hn." Fugaku was more than a little upset his daughter would be moving out. In fact, in his ideal future, she would be staying within the compound and her husband, should she choose to wed, would move in. From the sighing in the kitchen it seemed he wasn't the only one upset. As far as he understood, Mikoto hadn't quite got the daughter she had wanted, one she could spoil and dress up, but the two females were close none the less. His brow furrowed further as he wondered how he would tell his sons, glaring at the harbinger that had the gall to yip at him. And to add to his despair, the elders wouldn't stop pestering him about plans to further the clan...the whole thing was giving him a migraine.

"Fugaku," Mikoto halted her activities to call out to her husband who was lost in his own thoughts, "Sasuke is back from the academy." With another heavy sigh, the clan head stood and left to greet his youngest. At least, he reminded himself, Itachi was still on a mission.

"Miyu-sensei..." Kimimaro tentatively entered the sparsely furnished room where his saviour sat crossed-legged on the floor, her new katana laid out in front of her.

"Yes, Kimimaro-kun?" The blonde perked up, beaming at the term of address. She winced a little as she got up, the force on her injured arm enough to remind her of her reckless actions.

"I finished the work you set." He showed her a stack of papers, each of them marked with childish handwriting.

"You finished earlier than expected," Miyu praised with a smile. She had decided instead of getting his battle skills up, it would first be best to work with the fundamentals. "Here I have a gift for you," She handed over a stack of books that ranged from basic history to theoretical studies to nature, "Well I guess it's not really a gift, but more work." She finished with a sheepish smile.

"Thank you..." The white haired boy hugged the stack close to his chest, smiling into the leather bound pages. Miyu refrained from cooing at the adorable sight. Whilst her body was that of a 12 year old she was still, mentally much older, and Kimimaro was quickly awakening her maternal side.

''How typical of you,'' Kurama, grunted as he walked into the room, thumping his tail against the boy's leg. It amused him the way the child jumped, not hearing his soundless footsteps. ''It seems like you continually find ways of saving more and more people.''

"He won't hurt you," Miyu assured, wondering if the fox really appeared that intimidating, "Kurama is just teasing you." The last Kaguya relaxed ever so slightly, but still gave the animal a wary look.

''He is very perceptive,'' the fox almost purred in approval, ''you will be working with fine materials... He will not tarnish your name.'' Of course not, Miyu huffed mentally, slightly offended at the demon's words. She chose to ignore any further comments and decided to leave the room she had claimed as the study, giving one final glance back at her newest sword. She hadn't heard it voice since the time it had accepted her as its master, in fact she wondered if the whole event had been real at all. It was quite possible it could have all been an illusion.

"What do you want for dinner?" Miyu decided to think about it at another time, distracting herself with the present. Kimimaro stood, completely still, blinking owlishly at her. For a moment the jinchuriki stopped to wonder what he had eaten in his time with his clan. "Do you like meat?"

"..." He stayed silent, contemplating her question, "I don't dislike it." He finally answered.

"It looks like you'll get to try a lot of different foods while you're here," The blonde noted, "For now, I think I'll just bring you over to one of my personal favourites..."