Crimson Thread [Book 1] [editing/revising certain chapters!]

The female Uzumaki covered her puffy eyes with her sweaty hands. She wasn't able to sleep at all, she spent all those hours thinking about nothing but Sasuke's safety and what Orochimaru's plans were. Her eyes were puffy from crying and the darkness under them gave more compliments to her now dull blue eyes. She needed someone now. Her alone time was over- even with Yoshiaki staying in the same room.

Yes, she needed someone... that's what Sasuke wanted. For to rely on someone else if either he or Naruto wasn't around.

"Where's Sasuke's room?!" The unnaturally loud voice Kohana learned to know and love echoed through the lobby as he placed his hands on the front desk.

"Sasuke-sama is not being allowed any visitors."

"What the h-"

"Naruto," Kohana weakly called, immediately catching her brother's attention. She missed him already, even if it was hardly two days since they last saw each other.

"Nee-chan!" Naruto exclaimed too loudly. But Kohana couldn't find itself in her to scold Naruto. It wasn't like there were any other dangerous people in the hospital. Kabuto seemed to be the only threat around for now. It wouldn't make sense if Orochimaru himself came to the place. It might ruin whatever plans they had... plus, it was hard to imagine Orochimaru doing some more work himself.

'Considering he had already done that,' Kohana thought with powerful bitterness.

"What?! You look-"

Kohana held up a hand to stop her brother as she gave out a very much half-hearted chuckle. Though, that half genuine part was only because of Naruto's presence. At least she had someone that also made her feel at ease.

"Save it, Naruto."

"Okay... But are you sure you're fine?! Have you seen Sasuke?!"

Kohana's free hand clenchd itself as she forced out an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Naruto... I haven't been able to see Sasuke in a while."

"Oh... then... how about that Yoshi-something guy?! Did he hurt you or something?!"

"Naruto, be quiet inside the hospital."

The Uzumaki siblings' heads whipped to the left (the opposite for Naruto), where Kakashi was walking towards them.

"OH! Kakashi-sensei!!" Naruto exclaimed and ran over to him. Kohana followed after and caught Kakashi's eye. That one eye flashed with worry but Kohana shook it off with a simple nod of greeting- which Kakashi awkwardly returned.

"Hey! I have a request!!"

"No need to tell me, well, I know what you're going to ask..." Kakashi told Naruto calmly. "I found someone who will look after your training."

"WHY?!" Naruto cried, pointing up at the tall man. "I want you, Kakashi-sensei!"

"I've got some business to take care of, so... I don't have time to look after you..."

'Harsh," Kohana thought with a mental snicker.

Naruto crossed his arms with a pout.

"I KNOW YOU'RE PLANNING TO TRAIN SASUKE!!"

"Now, now! Don't say that... because I've found a teacher for you who's much more reliable than me!"

"Like who is it?!"

"It's me!!"

Kohana groaned at the annoying voice as she turned her head, along with her brother, who immediately screamed: "THE CLOSET PERVERT!!"

"How rude!" Ebisu exclaimed and pushed up his dark sunglasses.

Kohana whipped around to face Kakashi with a disbelieving look. "Really, Kakashi-sensei, really?! You're going to leave my brother in the hands of a closet perv with the stick up his ass?"

"Ebisu-sensei's a... closet pervert?"

"Why the hell does my training teacher have to be him! I mean, this guy is weaker than me in the first place! Because! Because! Before, this guy, with my Harem no Jutsu..." Before Naruto could even continue, Ebisu caught him, covering his whole mouth with an arm and appearing to have been caught in something supposed to look like a headlock of some sort.

"Harem no Jutsu?" Kakashi asked, shoulders slumped.

"Oh well, it's nothing really, hahah-"

"It's the Oiroke no Jutsu plus the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu." Kohana whispered to Kakashi as Ebisu continued to bribe Naruto.

"I-I see..." Kakashi muttered before returning back to normal, so as to not draw in suspicions.

"Wow, who'd have thought that you knew each other..."

"Hahaha... yes, well, we go way back, right?" Ebisu said uneasily, patting Naruto's head.

"But why is it this guy? I really don't like this..."

"Same goes here. If it weren't for Kakashi-kun's request, who'd want to take the likes of you!"