Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Girl Named Yama ❯ Chapter 14 - What now? ( Chapter 14 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

A Girl Named Yama

Author: XoXSilverDragonXoX

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from `Naruto'. The only thing I own is my main character, Umari Yama, and maybe some unrecognizable characters that you may see.

Brief Summary: A girl finds herself dumped into Hatake's bed one day in a different world to deal with an emotional Sasuke, a hyperactive Naruto, a flirty Genma and lazy Kakashi. And of course, to deal with all the glory of life in Konoha to boot.

Last Chapter:

After being kidnapped by Itachi, gaining another little brother, testing out a new jutsu against Akatsuki members (that didn't know she was in their village because Itachi had neglected to share her), getting dumped into a forest by Itachi and finally arriving home to find out she lost her vision for at least a week, she finds out Kakashi wasn't able to hunt her down because he was in a freaking coma. What a great week it turned out to be. At least the snow was still nice an fluffy.

Warnings:

Hints of Shounen Ai. So small you need to squint to see it. Seeing as this story is rated `M' be expecting a bit of language now and then.

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

Chapter 14 - What now?

I could hear other people in the room I was currently in and I woke up, feeling warm. The first thing I noticed was that I was currently on a bed. Alarmed, I jerked to a sitting position. Where the fuck was I now? I think I've had enough of waking up in unknown places.

"Awake, now are we?"

I jumped. That's when I heard laughter. I glared at nowhere. “Okay, who's laughing at the blind girl now?” I didn't recognize the laugh at all. It obviously wasn't Team 7, because if it were I would have recognized it.

“It's me.” The amused voice said. “Are you so out of it that you do not recognize your own teacher's voice? I think I've yelled at you enough for that, Yama.” Oh… it was Iruka.

"What time is it?" I asked groggily, "Shouldn't you be at work?" I held my left hand to my temple. At least I wasn't dizzy anymore. And my fingers and toes had finally stopped tingling.

Iruka's amused voice answered, "It's half past 4 in the afternoon."

I stared at where I thought he was. Was he serious? I slept the whole day away? I flexed my right arm slightly. Still wasn't up to par quite yet. I was still getting twinges of pain up my pinky and index finger. Well, the doctor had said there wouldn't be any immediate effects.

Whatever. I want to sleep some more. Dropping back down on the bed, I twitched suddenly. I felt like I was forgetting something.

“Yama-hime?” I didn't have to recognize that voice to know who it was. Only one person called me that. “How're you doing?”

I nuzzled my pillow. “Fine.” I mumbled. “Sleepy, tired and sore.”

“Sounds like you had great sex to me.”

Twitch. Ahh, I was waiting for that. The world just wasn't round without our favorite Copy-nin. I sat up again. “Kakashi?”

“The one and only.”

“So you're not childish Kakashi anymore are you?” I asked curiously. I heard a snigger from the right corner of the room, followed by a thwack! That was followed by a crash and a groan. Then the whole room burst out into laughter. Except me. Simply because I had no idea what had just occurred.

I raised my hand slowly. “Please enlighten the blind one.”

As the laughter died down, I heard someone sit on the bed I was currently resting on. Who was it? “That sound was Naruto getting hit with a pillow and falling against a vase of flowers.” Oh. Iruka. I touched the bandage on my eyes slightly. I wondered when those bandages were getting removed?

I felt someone settle their hand on top of my head. I immediately tensed. The darkness was really starting to unnerve me. I don't think I've ever been this paranoid. “You're overreacting, Yama.” It was Kakashi. I shook my head at him, his hand ruffling my hair. “I don't think so. After the past few days… I'd be more worried if I wasn't edgy.”

“I think you need to enlighten us as to what happened in the past week.” Kakashi's voice said tensely. Ah, so he hadn't forgotten. But of course, who could forget something like Uchiha Itachi attacking you one night? “But not now.” Kakashi added. “When you're released from the hospital, Hokage-sama needs a debriefing with us.”

Us. Who all as us?

A new voice joined the fray of noises the room held. I still didn't know who was all in the room. All I knew who were in the room from what I'd recognized so far was Naruto's, Iruka's, Genma's and Kakashi's voices.

“Umari-san.” Ah, that voice I recognized. It was the doctor from last night. “I'm going to give you a once over, all right?” I nodded. Might as well let the good doctor do his work. “I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask the rest of you to leave the room while I do my work. Your chakra may interfere.”

There were a mumble of voices and I heard the door slide open and slide shut. Someone else was still in the room though, besides the doctor. I could feel someone to my left. The doctor must've notices my look because he merely said, “The one you sense is Hatake-san. He's in the bed near the door.”

Oh.

“You feel asleep here last night and we didn't want to move you, so we placed you in the empty bed the room had.”

I nodded. “Now then. I'm going to give you a quick chakra scan. You'll feel a tingling feeling but other than that, nothing else. Tell me if something bothers you, all right?” I nodded again. I felt a hum of chakra in front of me, which made me tense slightly but I forced myself to relax. It's only the doctor, I told myself.

True to his word, all I felt was a slight tingling feeling as his chakra prodded mine slightly.

A few seconds later, he spoke again. “Well, it seems like your nervous system has recovered quite nicely. Your hand is almost healed as well. We'll change the bandages and get you a sling so you don't injure you arm by excessive movement. Your ribs, like I sad, were broken but they should be as good as new in a few days.” He paused. I knew he was going to talk about my eyes next. “Umari-san, your eyes are healed completely, but do you remember what I told you last night?”

“Hai.” I said. “The vision might not be there.”

“Would you like to try now?”

Why not? Now was as good as a time as ever. After my consent, I felt the doctor's hands on the back of my head. After a few brief twists, the bandages fell from my eyes. Damn. I don't think it's going to work. My eyes were still closed, but if there was light in the room I should be able to see it and… I don't see it.

I opened my eyes. Nothing.

Just black.

I tried not to feel so disappointed and kind of just sat there, feeling sorry for myself. The doctor had said that it wouldn't return for at least a few days.

“Sensei?” I asked hesitantly. “You said it would take at least a few days, right?”

No answer. What? Where was he? I sent a light chakra wave through the room. Well, he was still standing there. What was wrong with him? “Um… Hello?”

“You… your eyes…”

Uh… please tell me what's wrong with my eyes now. I felt someone tug my arm and I turned my head in that direction. I think it was Kakashi. “Your sharingan's on.” He said quietly. “Turn it off.” What?! But… I'm not running any chakra up there buddy. I didn't turn it on.

“Um… I didn't turn it on, Kakashi. There's no chakra running up there right now. I don't feel any.”

“But that's impossible.” The doctor's voice protested. “Hold on. I'm going to run some chakra through your eyes. If there's any chakra it will be neutralized. If there isn't… my chakra shouldn't harm you in any way.” I tensed again when I felt his hands lightly touching my eyelids. You better hope they do nothing, buddy.

I felt it then. His chakra, that is.

“Well?” I asked impatiently.

“No change.”

“That's strange…” the doctor murmured. “I've never seen anything like this before. You can't see, am I right, Umari-san?”

“Not a thing.”

“Hmmm…”

I blinked. “So… uh… what're you going to do about it?

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

About a week later…

I was now sitting in the Hokage's office. Or at least I think I was. After the little scenario at the hospital, the doctor had tried all he could… but to no avail. There was no change. And now, a week later, I had clearance to actually leave the damnable place, since there was really nothing else wrong with me. All I had to do was take it easy for a couple of days.

“Yama-san.”

“Hokage-sama.” I responded. I had my eyes opened. It was probably a little unnerving to him. Unnerving to anyone sitting in the room, anyway. Kakashi, Sasuke, and Gai were in the room as well. I wasn't sure if Kakashi had gotten clearance to leave the hospital, but seeing as he was sitting there, I assumed he had done so already. He hadn't really been injured physically, after all.

“All right then. Since it seems like we've all assembled, I believe this story starts with you Yama-san.” I felt myself sigh. Why did everything have to start with me? I think the Hokage even sounded exasperated because of that too.

“Well it started when Itachi came into the clearing and attacked Kakashi and I.” I said tiredly. Sasuke grunted from his position behind me. “I knew he had something to do with this.” He growled. I gave him a pinch, since his hand was on the back of my chair.

“Anyway, he managed to knock out Kakashi and then came after me.” I paused. “Obviously I didn't win my fight because I disappeared for like… four days.”

“Hmmm…” I heard the Hokage shift. I blinked again. You'd think that a blind person wouldn't need to blink as much, but… it's the same as having eyes that can see normally. I still needed to blink now and then… I just couldn't see anything.

“Where did he take you?”

I frowned slightly. “To a place called `Amegakure.'” I heard someone let out a cough at that. “Why? Does that sound familiar? How far is it?” I asked curiously.

Kakakshi's presence shifted from across the room. “It's on the border of the fire country, west from Konoha.” Ah, so in the opposite direction as the Wave country then. Who knew it was so close?

“Can you describe the place as best as you can, Yama?” Kakashi asked hesitantly. “What you remember.” I paused and rolled my eyes. “I didn't hit my head; I can remember just fine, Kakashi.” I heard him sigh. “Well anyway, there wasn't that much to see. The place was actually quite industrialized. The buildings there are quite tall and well worked on. Lots of metal tubs and twists and stuff like that. I think there was a statue of a man's face too… really creepy. I was in a tower.” I blinked. “A tower that was apparently protected by several barriers.”

“Did you sense them?”

“No, Itachi told me.”

Silence.

I sighed again. “Just let me tell my story and you'll understand later on, all right?”

“Oi.” Sasuke prodded my back. “What's that?” I turned my head. What was what? I can't see anything, you baka. I felt his hand circling my right shoulder. There was a clink and I felt him remove something from underneath my sleeve. There was a collective silence around the room.

When I heard the Hokage's voice again, it was stern. “Yama.” I blinked. He hadn't added the honorific. Oh crap, what did I do now? “Do you know where your forehead protector is?”

I answered immediately. “Good question. I think I lost it during the conflict at the Memorial.” I heard a light sigh from someone.

“This isn't hers.” Sasuke's voice said coldly. “I found her forehead protector. It's in my room at home.”

I reached back and touched Sasuke's hand. So he had taken a forehead protector from my arm then? How did it get there? I don't remember putting one on at all. I touched the metal. Well it was a Leaf forehead protector… with a… I frowned when I felt a horizontal slash running down the middle.

What the…

I hadn't noticed, but the group had continued talking without me.

“Are you saying he somehow got back into the village between the time Yama arrived back here and now?” Kakashi demanded.

“That is exactly what I am saying.” The Hokage's voice said simply. “We also found this on her bed when the nurses checked in on Yama-san during the night shift.” I felt myself brighten. Did that mean someone… Itachi? Had he visited? Did that mean he was okay? I had been worrying about him now and then. Despite his actions, he was still my brother. He had still helped me escape and he had risked his life for it.

“Why that's—” Gai's voice sounded startled.

“… an Akatsuki cloak.” Kakashi's voice ended harshly. “Yes.” Sarutobi said wearily. “He came in and out without us even knowing. Yama-san, I believe you need to keep us out of the dark and continue your report.”

“Hai.” I responded. “Um… It turns out Itachi took me the Amegakure without informing the rest of his… group.” I hesitated. “I was unconscious for four days. When I woke I was in one of the rooms in the towers. When I tried to explore…” I winced at my next sentence. “I met someone called Orochimaru.”

I think this startled three of the four people in the room. Sasuke wouldn't know who that was yet. I'm pretty sure the others knew though.

When the Hokage spoke again, his voice was strained. “Did you find out why he was there?”

I shook my head. “Iie. All I found out that he isn't allied with them. Itachi's reaction about Orochimaru being there wasn't all that… friendly.” I shifted in my chair. “When… we returned into the tower Itachi said I had to leave. He teleported me out of the tower and we met a pair of Akatsuki members.”

“Is that where you got your injuries from?” Kakashi asked curiously. I tilted my head slightly. “Yes. Although I was injured mostly due to my own fault. I don't know how he did it, but Itachi managed to transport me to a forest. That's where Gai's team found me.”

“Hai, we were patrolling the east border when we came across Umari-san, who was soaked to the bone.” I heard Gai confirm. “We brought her back immediately.”

“Hmm. Thank you Gai.” The Hokage said. “Gai, it may be too late already, but perhaps you should go see if your team will keep quiet about the matter about Umari-san and her… eyes.”

“Immediately, Hokage-sama.” Gai's chakra disappeared.

I heard Sarutobi clear his throat noisily. “Now then. Yama-san. Anything else you need to tell us?” I winced. I knew they would notice. It may be a few things… but I thought it would be better if I had hid it.

“Well…” I started slowly. “The incident when I used my sharingan while Kakashi had used his, causing me to black out and see… things happened again. This time with Itachi.” I felt Sasuke tighten his grip on my shoulder.

“Ma…” Kakashi started. “We haven't had time to go through the scrolls yet. Perhaps now, when things have started to settle down would be a good time.”

“Good idea, Kakashi. I think that all the matters then are therefore discussed?” If anything, I think the Hokage sounded like he couldn't wait for us to get done.

Oh wait. No, we're not done yet. What about my eyes!? I raised my hand patiently.

“Ah, yes, the matter about your eyes…”

Yes? I leaned forwards on my chair expectantly.

“… is unknown.”

…

What.

“Sasuke, have you found about anything that could cause her eyes to be activated without usage of chakra?”

“Iie, Hokage-sama. There has never been a case like this when I checked through our clan's medical files.” Sasuke said slowly. Oh, and when had he done that? Then what was I supposed to do? Well actually it didn't actually affect me or anything—I couldn't see my eyes anyway. I think I was more worried about the rest of the villagers' reactions.

“Should I—?” I made a covering up motion with my hands towards my eyes.

“No. I'm pretty sure that by now the news of the lone traveler turning out to be a Uchiha has long been spread.” Sarutobi said wryly. “The elders will have found out by now as well…” he murmured quietly. I frowned. He said that like it was a bad thing. Was there something I should know? “Sasuke? I would like for you to leave the room please. I have something I need to discuss with your sister alone. You leave too, Kakashi.” I distinctly smelt smoke. Was the Hokage smoking his pipe again?

“Hai.” I felt Kakashi's chakra signature move towards the door. Sasuke did not follow. I twisted my arm back and gave him a push. “Get going, I'll be there in a few seconds.”

When the door closed behind then, I turned my unseeing gaze towards where the Hokage's chakra was originating from. “Yama.” He paused. “You have heard of the Uchiha massacre that occurred some years ago, yes?” Who didn't? “I did not want to tell you this unless absolutely necessary. Sasuke will probably never know…” he ended quietly.

Oh god… no more bad news… please.

“I need to tell you because you may be subjected to… certain behaviors once you being known as a Uchiha travels throughout the nation.” I tensed. What did he mean? What difference did it make, since there were already Uchiha's alive?

“The annihilation of the Uchiha clan was no mistake.”

Silence.

“… what?” I whispered. Hadn't Itachi said something similar? Hadn't he said it was… a mission?

I bit my lip. What was the Hokage trying to tell me?

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

“You're lying.” I said bluntly. That wasn't possible. There was no way that… no way that Konoha would do something so horrible. It was absolutely impossible. I clenched my fists when I heard Sarutobi sigh. “Yama. I would not lie about such a matter.”

Somewhere, deep inside I knew the old man was telling the truth. But I didn't want to accept it. What would have happened if I would have never known? What if Sasuke actually managed to go and—

I stared blankly at nothing in horror. “Sasuke… you won't tell him, will you?” I said quietly. It wasn't really a question. It was more of a statement. Oh my god. Sasuke would never know… and he would go and…

The Uchiha Clan had been destroyed because the elders had feared the destruction of Konoha. Somehow it had leaked that the nine-tailed fox demon had been controlled by a Uchiha. And if something like the Kyuubi was released onto Konoha once again… would it be destroyed? One thing leading to another and…

I rubbed my temple in irritation. Civil wars… Uchiha's holding a coup d'état… Annihilation. Fuck. I think this was too much to take in.

“So…” I said emotionlessly. “You're saying that the elders may want to take my life?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” I demanded. I clapped my hands over my mouth. Up until then we had been talking pretty damn quietly. What if someone had been eavesdropping?

“You have no need to worry about eavesdroppers, Yama.” Sarutobi's kind voice cut through my paranoid thoughts. “I've used a specialty team to construct a sound barrier around this room. No one will hear anything.”

“Okay… then why? Why should it matter now? Why wouldn't they be worrying about Sasuke or Itachi?”

“Sasuke they do worry about. But at the moment he is under my protection. They will not touch him while I hold control of Konoha.” He sounded so tired. “But you… you I may not be able to protect as much. Do you know anything about your clan, Yama?”

I shook my head. “We haven't had time to get through many scrolls yet… and Sasuke hasn't told me all that much.”

“The sharingan is inherited through maternal genes.” I blinked. “Only the females pass on the sharingan, Yama. You are the last female of the Uchiha clan.”

Well goodie. This just fucks up my life now.

I said no more bad news, damn it!

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

Okay… let's see. We'll start from the top, shall we? I need to get my thoughts into order… I decided to settle into a bench, a little ways away from where Sasuke and Naruto had decided to spar. I could already hear them starting to argue. Sakura sat quietly beside me. I assumed that she was reading a book, because she had requested to stop at the library before we headed towards the training grounds. Technically I could've been at home. But I didn't want to be alone. There was no training with Iruka—for obvious reasons, and the house was too… quiet.

Kakashi was in a meet with the Hokage. I didn't know what. All I knew was that they didn't want me to know. Sasuke was a little sore after being kicked out of the room too. I wanted to tell him. But I couldn't. It would change him a lot, I think. I don't know if it would be a change for the good or the better. Which is why I wasn't telling him. That and because the Hokage made me swear not to tell him.

`Taka.' I thought tiredly. `You there?'

`Yes.'

`Is it true? What he said?'

I heard Taka sigh. `Yes. All of it.' I let myself tumble sideways and lay back against the bench, ignoring Sakura's concerned voice. Closing my eyes and covering them with my arm, I hooked one leg under the other.

What a fucked up universe.

And it all started because of stupid revenge. It was a little unnerving, for the Hokage to reveal such history to me. I've never actually learned anything about history of this world. I had merely assumed that the villages had always been like this. That was not the case.

About 80 years ago there hadn't been hidden villages like this. It had been merely clans fighting for land and power. The two strongest… were the Uchiha and the Senju clan. The warring slowed after the two clans signed a truce. But the leader of the Uchiha did not want that truce— he merely gave his clan what they wanted. The first Hokage had been a Senju person as well. That was as to no surprise, since the clan was one of the strongest.

I shifted my arm and tried to ignore the clashing of metal and explosions.

And of course, the damn Uchiha being a Uchiha decided he wanted revenge. He came back and challenged Konohagakure. It was evident that he had lost, since everything returned to normal and a second Hokage emerged—the first Hokage's little brother.

Then shit just went downhill from there. The Uchiha clan had been given the position as the village's police force. That seemed pretty good to me until Sarutobi revealed that the position was merely so the higher ranks of Konoha could keep an eye on them. So no new traitors would appear.

But the Uchiha clan had noticed.

And then the nine-tailed fox demon attacked Konoha. The beast that could only be controlled by the sharingan. Guess who the old farts that controlled Konoha suspected? A Uchiha.

Some people may say the Uchiha clan brought about their own destruction. But I disagree. After the Kyuubi attacks the Uchiha clan was segregated from the village and discriminated. Wasn't it obvious that they were going to fight back soon or later? Didn't Konoha cause it after all? And you know what's funny? It turns out the Kyuubi wasn't even controlled. It was merely a natural disaster. No Uchiha had been involved after all.

And when the Coup d'état was planned… Itachi acted as a spy… for both sides. I wish I would've acted more considerate to Itachi now. How must that have been? To choose between the village he loved and his clan? I think I could cry.

Why was he subjected to make such a choice? His mission… was to annihilate the whole clan. And that's what he did. Sarutobi told me it was a necessary sacrifice. I don't know what to think. He had also told me that if the Coup d'état had gone on as planned… there would be another war.

I want to see Itachi. Was he okay? Did he… get away all right? Maybe Taka would know.

`Taka?' No answer. Damn. Where was he now?

“Yama-san?” I jerked my arm off of my eyes. “Are you all right?” I managed a smile. “Yeah, I'm fine. Why?”

“You're… crying.”

My hand came up to touch my eyes. I was. I turned away from Sakura and attempted to wipe the tears away. I hadn't even noticed. Well now I know the answer to whether or not blind people can cry. I think all this is too much for me to handle.

I stood up. “I'm… going to go for a walk.” I said quietly. I heard Sakura jump up. “I'll come with you.” I held up my hands and managed to smile. “No, its okay, I'll be fine on my own.”

Sakura gripped my left hand. “But your eyes…” At her sentence, I raised my hand to touch my right eyelid. “I'll be fine. Iruka-sensei has been directing me on moving without my eyesight.” I said quietly. “Really, I will. Tell the two brats I'm going for a bit, all right?”

“Okay…” she still sounded a little bit hesitant, but let my arm go.

It's true though. Iruka had shown me. Detecting chakra signatures was one way— but that was only if I was trying not to walk into living things that actually let off chakra. I also learned how to send out a small wave (or pulse, if you want to refer to it as such) of chakra to detect other objects. I was a little confused on how it worked, but I kind of got it down pat… Even if chakra leaves your body, it's still your chakra. You will feel it. When chakra hits something away from your body, you can feel that collision.

Hearing my feet crunching against the hard snow, I sent out another wave of chakra. I think I've found a path. Well… I think. I sensed the trees on either side but nothing in front of me, so I assumed that it was a path.

The Hokage had also told me that my blind state may help me. I was a little skeptical at first but now that I think about it, if my sharingan is damaged, I can't pass it on through my genes now, can I? And since the advisors might be after the fact that I can pass it on… but since I'm blind and I can't— hopefully they wouldn't worry about it. Sarutobi had said he would keep the fact that it could be temporary under wraps, since it was considered `patient confidentiality.'

I kicked the snow on the ground a bit, feeling frustrated and extremely bored. Nothing to do. Hum. Nothing to do...

Well, Konoha certainly seemed different after the week I had been gone. Sakura had told me the trees had lost their leaves and snow covered virtually everything. It was a little strange, because I never imagined that Konoha would get a snow season. It was a little sad that I couldn't see anything actually, since I wanted to see the place. How did people dress? How many people were actually out? That kind of thing.

I, myself, had on a one-layer casual kimono, but also a parka over top. I had no idea what color. Sasuke had shoved it into my hands earlier this morning. Don't ask me where he got it.

I turned my head back slightly, knowing that there were Anbu following me. I couldn't sense where they were, but I had the distinct feeling that I was being watched. I don't know if it was under the Hokage's orders or if it was under other people's orders that I was being watched. Sarutobi had warned me it would happen though.

Besides, wouldn't it suck to be an Anbu? Well, not in rank-wise, but more... stamina wise. Imagine how much time and energy they had to put in for their job...

I stilled when I heard shouting behind me.

Tensing I sent out a wave of chakra behind me. It was Sasuke. Well, it was his chakra signature anyway. I frowned. Hadn't he been sparring like… two seconds ago? When I turned my head back to the front, I froze and jerked to a full tilt stop. Something was even more wrong.

Wha-?

I could sense more chakra signatures in front of me. And… it made me very uneasy. It was Naruto's… and Sasuke's. What the fuck? Weren't they both like sparring 2 seconds ago?

Wait a second...

If Sasuke was in front...

Then who behind me. I closed my eyes and concentrated. Something was either very wrong with the situation or my senses, because both signatures felt like Sasuke's. Was that even possible? Shadow clone maybe?

Could it be the Akatsuki? Already on my tail? Or... was it that the Sasuke behind me the real one and the Sasuke in front fake?

As they both neared, I braced myself for a barrage of voices.

And like I thought, at the same time I heard them burst into a unison of sentences, "Who are you?! You're a fake!"

I heard the Sasuke in front speak. "Yama... come over here." I hesitantly took a step, before I was stopped by the other one. He was gripping my arm tightly.

"No... Stay here..."

Wha...? Which one was real?! There had to be some way to figure this out.

That's when someone teleported beside me. A foreign signature.

"Yama-san... would you like for us to step in?" I frowned. Who was it? “I am a part of the Anbu division that Hokage-sama has assigned to watch you.” Ahh. So the Anbu trailing me were sent by the Hokage then? Or under the `pretense' that it was the Hokage?

I offered a small smile."It doesn't really matter. It's not like… it's life-threatening or anything, right?” I finished hesitantly, rather unsure. I heard the Anbu snort, "We are already informed of who it is," My eyebrows rose in surprise.

"Really?"

"I assure you, Yama-san, if it was someone that would be a danger to you, we wouldn't have allowed them to come so close to you," I let out a small sigh of relief. Well, I'm glad that was over. It was a little strange, since both of them had the same chakra signature.

"Well then," I admitted, "Why don't we just see how it turns out?" The Anbu's presence disappeared again.

I merely crossed my arms. "Well? You heard him... work it out."

The Sasuke who had been behind me (let's just call him Sasuke 1 for the sake of lowering the confusion, shall we?) spoke. "Hn. I don't need to deal with a fake like him." I frowned.

Sasuke 2 (the one in front) replied with another, "Hn." Remember when I said I didn't have the dictionary to Sasuke's Hn's? Perhaps they were communicating by Sasuke's Hn's.

"Che..." Sasuke 1 snorted.

"Yama-nee-chan..." Sasuke 2 mumbled, "You sort it out."

"Are you the fake one?" I responded in a bored tone. Really. I could be halfway on my walk by now. Damn stupid Sasukes'.

I heard him sputter, "W... what?!" I shrugged in reply.

"What makes you think that??" he grumbled. Sasuke 1 laughed. I stopped. Sasuke doesn't laugh. Sasuke will occasionally `snicker.' But he will never laugh.

"Okay... maybe you're the fake one..." I muttered. Silence. And then I heard a low growl and exasperated sigh.

"Make up your mind!" Sasuke 2 growled.

I threw up my hands helplessly, "Well, one minute you're calling me 'Yama-nee-chan', which you hardly... wait... yea, hardly ever call me! Whenever you call me, it's usually Yama-nee. And then the next minute this guy over here is laughing! Since when does the real Sasuke laugh?" I demanded.

"Since he met you," Naruto's voice blurted out suddenly. I jerked my head up. “That reminds me, weren't you and Sasuke sparring earlier?” I asked suspiciously. I heard Naruto shuffle his feet. “Eto…”

“We were.” Sasuke 1 snapped behind me. “But Sakura told me you went for a walk and I followed. The dobe's still training back there.” Oh. Oh. Well then, that would mean—

"Well—" I started. The next few things happened in like three seconds. I felt a Sasuke 2's chakra alter slightly. Immediately suspicious, I took a step back and prepared to— “Wahh!” I yelped as I felt an a hand grab my shoulder and—

POOF!

I began to cough, where had all this fucking smoke come from? The hand that had gripped me was gone and I was left to flounder around blindly. Where the hell was I? I blinked again and hesitantly took a step forwards...

... only to have someone grasp my waist firmly and pull me back.

"You want to get yourself killed?" A voice hissed softly. Startled, I sent a roundabout wave of chakra out. In front of me was ground… and then nothing. I gaped. Had I been about to walk off a cliff?! On another note, who the fuck just accosted me?

Impulsively, I spun and slammed a handful of chakra into his shoulder. He went stumbling back and I heard him curse. As I prepared myself to throw out another jutsu and escape I heard him call at me. “Oi! Wait!” I stopped.

Cocking my head, I hesitantly called back. “Kakashi?”

“Yes.” I heard him wince in pain. “Did you have to hit to hard?” I glared at his chakra signature. “You should know very well what happens when you kidnap someone who's just undergone an entire week of life-threatening scenarios.”

“Hai, hai. Gomen nasai.”

There was a moment of silence before I realized that maybe now would be a good time to settle our little dispute we'd had before it was interrupted.

"I-"

"You-"

Unfortunately, it looked like he had something to say as well.

"You first..." he mumbled. I raised my hands, shaking my head.

"No! No, you first, I insist," I insisted, placing a nervous smile on my face, "Yours is probably more important."

"What I wanted to say was... eh... ahem..." he floundered as I continued to wait patiently. I couldn't see his reactions, but his voice told it all. "Uh..." I heard him hesitate again. "Nice view, isn't it?" he covered lamely.

I rolled my unseeing eyes. “Probably. I can't see it.”

Kakashi cleared his throat carefully and laughed sheepishy. “I suppose not… Too bad you can't see it.” His voice turned wistful. "A friend showed it to me..." He said quietly. Carefully letting out a wave of chakra, I found that there were trees behind us. I made my way over and sat down, leaning against one of the tree trunks. The cliff ledge wasn't that small at all, now that I actually calmed down and used my chakra to probe around a bit.

“You've gotten used to moving around without your eyes.” I heard Kakashi comment.

I nodded in respond. “Kind of. It's still a little… unnerving to see nothing but black…” I broke off. It hadn't been easy the first few days. I don't think this little detour to this world was helping my emotional state. Before I arrived I could count the number of times I had cried on one hand (not including when I was a baby—that doesn't count). But now… there were an unbelievable amount of times I've damn near broken down.

There were times when I hid from everyone in the hospital in some dark closet somewhere just to brood. Despite the doctor's reasoning's and reassurances that my vision would come back, I think somewhere along the way I was starting to lose hope. I remember the first few days I had flat out refused to learn how to move without my eyes. I didn't want to learn it. I guess learning how to would only promote the fact that, yes, I no longer had my sight.

Makes me wish I had actually appreciated those damn eyes earlier.

I think I'm all right now. There were times when I slamming my head against the wall in hopes that the stupid hit would jar my vision back… but I think all I would end up with was a headache. Maybe even a concussion.

"... This friend?" I whispered hesitantly. I didn't really want to ask, but it seemed... like something I wanted to know. I pulled my knees closer to my body and wrapped my arms around them. My butt was getting cold but whatever.

"… he's gone." Kakashi muttered. I felt his signature step out further away from me. The atmosphere dampened slightly.

"I'm sorry." I apologized quickly, "It was wrong of me to pry..." We all had our dark pasts. Now I had a new damn one too. I scowled at nothing. I don't even think Kakashi knew the truth about the Uchiha clan.

"No..." Kakashi spoke softly. "It's okay. You didn't know," I swallowed. For a few seconds, I contemplated on whether or not to pursue the matter. Curiosity won over.

"What happened?" I asked softly, tensely. "You don't have to answer that," I added quickly.

"But I want to tell you," My eyebrows rose at his quick reply.

He wanted to tell me? So now he trusted me enough to tell me about his past... I wonder how many people in this village knew about this past of his.

"But..." I said hesitantly.

I heard him snort at me. "I'm only offering this once." he said grimly. I winced at his snippy tone and nodded.

I heard him approach and sink into the snow beside me.

"It was a long time ago actually - but I can still remember it as clearly as if it only just happened yesterday..." He paused. “His name was Obito.”

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

"But... Obito!" Kakashi growled, "We need to keep moving!!"

Obito gaped, pushing his forehead protector up, "What?!! What about Rin? You'd give up a companion who's been with you through thick and thin for a mere assumption?! When you or I get hurt, Rin is always there to cure us and sometimes save our lives! Without her, both you and I would have died a long time ago!"

Kakashi quietly replied, "That... that was just her duty,"

"I hate you!"

Kakashi showed no signs of retaliation, "Whether you hate me or not, I am your team leader, you have to listen to my commands, that is a rule. It is your duty."

Obito snorted. "Fuck duty! So! You're not going to rescue her? Even after all she's done for you? Even though we've been to hell and back together?!"

"You can't let emotions get ahead of your duty; on a mission like this," Kakashi muttered, "The only thing that can help Shinobi in their missions are tools... Emotions are unnecessary."

Obito snorted, "That's it! You don't like me and I don't like you, I'm glad we got that clear now. We were two complete mixtures that ran together, like oil and water. If you aren't going to go rescue her, I will!"

"You don't understand!" Kakashi snarled, "You don't know what happens to shinobi who break the rules!" He glared at a rock, refusing to look at his 'comrade,' his partner.

"I thought White Fang was a great hero..." Obito muttered. Kakashi's eyes widened.

Obito growled in reply, "I don't care. I know, it's true that Shinobi who break the rules are regarded and known as trash... but you know what?"

"..."

"... Those who don't cherish their comrades are worse than trash! Since either way I'm going to be considered trash, I'd rather break all the rules! Rules are made to be broken!" Obito snapped, "If that's not the right way of the Shinobi, then I'll smash the right way and make my own way!”

Kakashi watched in disbelief was his teammate disappeared over the rocks, hot on the trail of the people who had kidnapped Rin, their third and last teammate.

Kakashi felt his fists clench as his eyes wrenched closed. Yondaime had left him in charge this time and all he did was let them down...

'I thought White Fang was a great hero...'

'Those who don't cherish theircomrades are worse than trash!'

Eyes whipping open, he leapt forwards without hesitation, and sped after Obito.

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

Obito crawled carefully to the edge of the clearing. He could see his teammate against a tree, being interrogated by two enemy ninjas.

"Okay!" He rubbed his hands together, "Let's go!!"

A voice beside him spoke up, "Let's go where?"

Obito whipped his head to the side, "?!!!?!" He gaped, "Ka-"

Kakashi snorted, "Well? I couldn't let a crybaby like you do it alone, could I? Let's go!"

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

"Obito!!!" Rin cried out as Kakashi just managed to pull her out in time. Both ninjas watched in absolute horror as the enemy's jutsu rained huge boulders over their fallen teammate.

"Damnit!" Kakashi swore, surging forwards when the rocks had finally stopped.

They were both now staring at a half covered Obito. He was covered in blood, and he coughed weakly.

Rin dropped to his side, sobbing softly, "Obito!!"

"Rin," Obito offered a small smile, fighting back a series of coughs, "... don't worry about me anymore... Go with Kakashi... go back to -" He let out a dry cough, "Ko... Konoha..."

"Obito-kun!" Rin cried again, "It's okay! We can get you out! You'll be fine; please... please... don't talk like -"

"Sh... Rin. I need... to... talk to Ka... Kakashi..."

Kakashi edged closer and Obito laid his left eye on him. "Kakashi."

"Obito..." Kakashi whispered softly. He couldn't believe it. They had made it! They had rescued Rin… and now... this... He slammed his fist against the side of the boulder that crushed Obito, cursing wildly. It was his fault! He had caused Obito to get in the way of the technique. If Kakashi hadn't...

"Don't fret about this, Hatake... Just remember... remember what I told you..." Suddenly Obito let out a small sigh, "I never did give you your birthday present, did I?"

Kakashi blanched. At a time like this he was thinking of something like that?

"Obito... I -" Obito glanced one at Rin then returned his gaze to Kakashi.

"Here... I offer you this, Hatake Kakashi. My gift to you,"

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

"Kakashi.." I whispered softly. I could only imagine what he had been through. In a way, he kind of reminded me of Itachi. I don't know how, but he did.

"It's okay..." Kakashi said gruffly, "It's been a long time now. I should really forget about the past."

I let out a small laugh, "The past isn't meant to be forgotten, Kakashi. The past is like memories. Memories are past-times, too, aren't they? What would you do without memories?"

"I've never really looked at it that way before..." he answered quietly.

"Well!" I grinned "That's call looking on the brighter side of things. I see the cup as half-full, not half-empty," I gave him a deadpanned look, "... unlike some people."

There was a moment of silence. "Are you implying that I am a very negative person?"

I shrugged coyly, "... Maybe." I let out a shriek when I felt him jab his finger into my side. Coughing, I let out a laugh. “Hey! Ribs!” I let out another cough. I stopped, smirking, "Wait... in that story of yours... your father was nicknamed White Fang? Does that mean he had white hair?" I stared conspicuously in his direction. "Does that mean you have white hair too? Ehh... how old are you?" Well, that obviously shot my observations down. I had always thought that he had silver hair. Or maybe I just said that because 'silver' sounds cooler.

I paused, I knew from experience (in my own world), that Kakashi was 26 but hey, who knows?

I felt his glare. "Are you now implying that I'm old??"

"Well... it is white hair... right?" Allowing my face to twist into an impish smile, I reached over his shoulder and fiddled with a lock of his hair. Damn. What girls wouldn't give for this kind of texture! His hair was soft!

"No. It's silver hair," his voice retorted.

"Then why is it called 'White Fang'?"

“Hmm.”

"Anyway," I said, leaning forwards slightly. "Just how far are we from where we were?"

Kakashi let out a chuckle, "We're on a cliff right above where we just were. Your little brother's still wandering around helplessly down below.” I managed a snort. Sasuke? Wandering around hopelessly? I sure as hell hope not. Although it would be a funny scenario… one that I cannot witness at this time.

"I feel sorry for Naruto." I tilted my head at his comment. "And the poor butterfly Sasuke's glaring at.” Kakashi added. I laughed. Not a chuckle, a real laugh. It feels like I haven't actually laughed for a very long time. I guess it's been a horrible week… after all. I had kept telling myself it wasn't so bad… because I had met Itachi. And I had learned that he wasn't the cold-blooded murderer everyone made him out to be. I sighed. If only Sasuke knew that. But I didn't know how he would accept it. He's only hated him for… years.

"You know - Naruto is right." I stopped, and waited patiently for the rest of Kakashi's explanation, "About Sasuke smiling and being more social - I mean," Kakashi corrected, "He's not brooding as much anymore."

"Yes, I realize that." I replied. I frowned. Why were they telling me all of this? Were they trying to tell me something? "And when Uchiha Itachi took you away..."

Oh. Oh.

So that was what this was about.

"It's okay, Kakashi. Itachi's not going to hurt me." I said in amusement. In an attempt to lighten the mood, I joked, "And I bet you're just saying this because you yourself was worried, weren't you?"

Silence. I frowned.

"I was worried." I felt myself flush. Opps. Of course he was worried. Why wouldn't he be?

“I know you were.” I said finally. I leaned my head back against the tree. Something inside of me was happy that he had worried. Another part was a little angry that I had made him worried for me. I wished that I could see him. I missed looking into his eye. Or watching his back. Do you know what I've realized? Kakashi has one hot back. I don't know why I think that. Maybe it's his hair… maybe it's his back… hell I don't know. I'm just fascinated with it. Perhaps I'll tell you the rest someday.

"Why were you dressed up as Sasuke... er... let me rephrase that. Why were you disguised as Sasuke?"

"Nothing better to do," Kakashi replied.

"The Anbu that were following me knew it was you."

Kakashi chuckled. "Of course. They are Anbu, after all... However, if I didn't want them to know it was me, they wouldn't have known anyway," I snorted. Arrogant ass.

"I thought you once were one, too." Oh crap. I shouldn't have said that. They don't know about me knowing the events of their world. I quickly made up an excuse. “Itachi told me.”

I heard Kakashi shift. “I see.” I couldn't tell if he believed me or not. I decided a change in subject would be good.

"At least things aren't so awkward between us anymore..." I muttered softly. To my utter surprise, he had heard me.

"You were the one that made it awkward," I stared at where he was. Maybe he'll get unnerved by my eyes. Muahahaha! I don't ever remember making it awkward!

"What?!"

"You were! If you didn't always become all… weird around me, I wouldn't have to... well... you know..." he stuttered, breaking off, "... Forget it."

…

What?

"No, no, no," I sat up straight, interested in what he had to say, "What? What wouldn't you have to do?" He shook his head, refusing to answer. "Answer me!"

Silence.

"Please?!"

"... No."

"..." I deadpanned, "Why not?" I sighed, but brightened when I thought of a bribe, "What if I tell you what's going on between Genma and I?" I added mischievously.

Kakashi perked up, "What? What's going between you and Shiranui?"

Ha. Got you now. "... Nothing. Forget it."

"What? Tell me!" Kakashi grumbled, "Fine! If I tell you something that I'll know you want to know, will you tell me?" Something I'd want to know?

"... What is that something?"

"Something you want to know..." Mmm... What do I have to lose?

I nodded. Inwardly... Hook, line and sinker.

"What I wanted to say was -"

"Kakashi-san!" I shot up when an unfamiliar chakra popped out of nowhere. Anbu? I think.

"Hai?" I heard Kakashi stand up, "What is it?"

"Something's… happened. Hokage-sama requires all the Jounins to be present immediately," the Anbu said sternly. "I will escort Umari-san to her home."

"But-" I was cut off.

"Yama-chan," Kakashi patted me on the head, "We'll have to pick up on this another time," Without as much as another good bye, his chakra disappeared. Disappointed, I inwardly cursed the Anbu and his bad timing. I was about to find out something I wanted to know!

"Yama-san?"

"Yes..." I grounded out. He sounded rather amused.

"I will escort you back now."

"Fine, fine..."

To be continued…

[.a.g.i.r.l.n.a.m.e.d.y.a.m.a.]

XoXSilverDragonXoX

Revised August 16, 2008