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Yuhi jumped a bit when Mai-lin spoke. "Anekio, can I have your number and I'll call you back? I think she got scared again...not good with the thunder." He turned around. "I'll be with you in a moment. You can have a seat if you want." He said to her while waiting for Anekio's answer.

Damn, this can be my chance at getting her number but...Yuhi sighed. "You know what, why don't you just call me back if you still want to talk. I'm going to help out one of you genin. Sorry." He then hung up the phone and tossed it into the chair before going over and sitting beside Mai-lin on the bed. "You can't really help what you're afraid of." He pulled a blanket up from the foot of his bed and draped it over Mai-lins shoulders before pulling her into his lap and cradling her like he used to his brother when he got scared. "I'll stay up with you until the storm stops or until you fall asleep, whichever comes first."

"Huh? What is it?" Yuhi asked and looked down at the girl in his arms.

Yuhi laughed, "After talking with my father, I was beginning to suspect that myself. I'm not great with genjutsu but I could tell enough there was one around you. I didn't know it was you but I figured if someone had to hid there identity that they had to be underage. Why do you think I suggested we leave? Normally I would have stayed much longer before going out. The club across the street has a kids night once a week. If you want to go dance and have fun, you should go then. You could have gotten hurt tonight, Mai-lin."

As Tori sat in the window watching the lightning, her mind going blank for a moment as she remembered a night much like this one...

"You know it's not very safe to stand outside during a thunderstorm. I thought you didn't like them anyway?" A female voice called to someone standing in the street.

He turned around and grinned, his brunet hair clinging to him as were his clothes. "I don't, which is why I'm out here."

"You don't make any sense." She replied. When another flash of lightning was followed by a long roll of thunder, she could see him shaking visibly. With a roll of her eyes, she left the safety of the porch and went out to get him. "C'mon, let's go in."

"I want to stay out a bit longer." He turned his face up to the sky, eyes closed. "This...isn't so bad."

She reached out and grabbed his arm. "Then why are you shaking, Li?" she gave him a bit of a smile. "I know you work with dogs, but acting like them too is just weird."

"You're one to talk, Koneko. You have some pretty odd behaviors yourself."

"Whatever, let's just go back in, I need to get into some warm clothes." An instant later she was picked up off her feet and slung over his shoulder. "Put me down, d*mmit!"

A loud roll of thunder jarred Tori from her thoughts. "Koneko?" Do I have a sister? She reached into her glove and pulled out a warn picture of an attractive male. She traced her finger over his brunet hair and down to the red triangles on his face. She knew him to be Inuzuka but had never gone to speak with the family to find out more. Not after the things she kept seeing in her nightmares. She was too afraid of what she'd learn, not only about him but about herself.

((another long one sweatdrop By the way, Koneko means Kitten)).

((No, i had to go do something but I shall be on now! So we haven't missed each other. I like Tori's post.))

"One of them is my new teacher, right? Do you know which one?" She moved slightly so shse could look up at him better. She blinked as she thought of something. "Hey, Yuhi-san...Did you know Li-wu?"

Mai-lin nodded. "He went to the Mist...on a so-called peace treaty between the two villages. He was killed while he was over there." She looked over to the window and saw the storm had stopped She stood up and gave Yuhi the blanket back. "Thank you for helping me again, Yuhi-san. I'm gonna try to get some sleep now. Good night." She bowed and started towards the door. she ut her hand in her pocket and held onto the picture there.

I remember that now. Yuhi thought. Even then it didn't make much sense to me why Konoha would attempt a peace treaty with the Bloody Mist Village. They only succeeded in losing some good ninja on both sides. "Good night, Mai-lin-chan." He said as she left. He looked out the window and decided to just get changed into fresh clothes. He'd gone without sleep before and he wasn't even tired. I wonder if Anekio is mad at me for hanging up on her? I hope not...

Kei had gotten up to use the bathroom and as he came out he saw Mai-lin coming out of his brothers room. He stood and stared at her, saying nothing. She must be crazy or something.