Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Girl Named Yama ❯ Chapter 26 - Naivety ( Chapter 26 )

Notes: A new year awaits us! This chapter's shorter as compared to the rest but it has a lot of meaning and sh** packed into it. It's more of a… emotional chapter than an action chapter. No worries, the next chapter will be packed with enough action to make up for his one, ha. Enjoy.

 

Disclaimer: I figured I'd shoot this out there, just in case no one's really noticed the, uh, below where it says Naruto © Kishimoto Masashi that's been in every chapter, lol. I don't own Naruto! It's copyrighted by Kishimoto and other higher ups. I only own Yama. That is iall.

 

Warnings: The usual, of course language. That's it for this chapter, though.

 

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

 

A Girl Named Yama

… A Naruto fan fiction

 

A Girl Named Yama © SilverDragon

Naruto © Kishimoto Masashi

 

Chapter 26 -

“Naivety”

 

The door slammed open, smacking into the wall with a crack. I jumped at the noise, and yelped, stumbling backwards into the bathroom and jerking the door shut. Breathing hard, I stared at the closed door in shock. When he said he would find me, I didn't think he meant so soon! And no, I didn't mind, it was just a little startling.

 

I leaned my head against the closed door and took a deep breath. When I heard no sounds beyond the door, I frowned. No one had died, right?

 

Straightening, I quickly secured the towel around my torso and opened the door a crack— enough to kind of just poke my head out.

 

Itachi was standing at the open door, his eyes flashing red. My father figure was nowhere to be seen. When my eyes finally rolled over towards the balcony; there stood— no leaned Kakashi. He was leaning against the door frame, giving me an amused look. The wet towel I had thrown at him was lying beside his feet.

 

He was no longer in his earlier Anbu getup. I stared at his choice of clothing. How count he not get cold in that? Kakashi was dressed in civilian clothing— casual black pants and a long sleeved navy turtleneck that looked like it was attached with his mask. He wore no forehead protector. All that covered his left eye was an eye patch.

 

Kakashi raised his right hand in a lazy wave to greet me. I felt a warm tingling feeling start from my belly and spread towards my fingers. Although I was glad to see him, I was more worried about why and how he was here. Where were the rest of his Anbu friends? I'm pretty sure that one who had mowed me down earlier was a part of the same squad Kakashi was in. Just a guess— but what were the chances that two Konoha Anbu squads would be in the same vicinity anyway? Yeah, I know— not very high.

 

Wait. Itachi and Kakashi being in the same room and weapons haven't starting flying yet?

 

I gave each of them an alarmed look.

 

Itachi— who was now dressed, by the way— seemed to roll his eyes before pulling the hood of his jacket up and turned to walk out of the room. The door slammed noisily shut behind him.

 

I blinked in confusion. O…kay. What was with that reaction? The Itachi I knew from about a week ago would've stayed in the room, sharingan blazing while keeping a close eye on Kakashi. He would not have left me alone in a room with a Konoha ninja when it was apparent Konoha had plastered my face up on a missing-persons wall and wanted me captured. Oh wait, I think a wanted poster wall would make more sense.

 

When I shot Kakashi a bewildered look he merely raised his eyebrow and shrugged. Before I could do anything, the door opened again.

 

“Hey, what's going on Ya-ya? Half the tavern downstairs heard your yell—” Minato started, freezing when he realized who was standing just a mere four meters from him.

 

The first thing I thought was, `I yelled?' Well that's news. I must've not noticed it due to my, ahem, rush of revenge. Then I thought, `Wait a second. Does Kakashi know Minato's not… uh… dead?'

 

Judging by Kakashi's rigid stature and now wide-eyes, I'll take that as a no. After a few minutes, I started to grow concerned. Kakashi had not moved once. It was as if he had frozen. When I turned my gaze towards Minato, my `dad' was staring helplessly at me. His eyes had a wide pleading look in them. It only took me a few seconds to understand. Pressing my lips into a thin line I firmed shook my head.

 

No way was I going to explain this one for him. In fact, Minato probably should've seen this one coming. It was his responsibility now, not mine.

 

When I turned to look back at Kakashi and saw that he still had not moved, I finally blew out a short breath and rolled my eyes. “Well you should probably explain before Kakashi gets a brain aneurism or something from you hammering on his brain.” Making sure that the towel was firmly wrapped around me, I started to ease my way across the room towards Minato's bag, like I had been doing earlier. There had to be something I could wear in there.

 

Kakashi's eyes weren't following me, though, when I glanced over at him to check. He was still staring somewhere over my head— probably Minato, since that was about where Minato was standing in the doorway.

 

“Ya-ma…” the fourth's pleading voice went sailing over to me. I had started to dig through his pack, but every second of standing there in a towel in front of… well, my step-dad and Kakashi was starting to get a bit unnerving. I opted for grabbing the pack and stood before making a beeline for the bathroom again.

 

Just as I had entered and was about to close the door, Minato's voice came again. This time it sounded as if he were whining— just a bit. I peered back out through the crack in the door. “Really, dad you haven't changed at all!”

 

Minato stared at me in shock.

 

“Wait, well maybe you have, a bit. I think I remember you trying to pawn responsibilities onto me when I was a kid…” I mused, quirking my lip slightly. I focused my eyes on the blonde's face again. “But that doesn't matter now. You are going to explain to Kakashi. I'm going to find some clothes to wear. Good day.”

 

I slammed the door shut. Or at least slammed the final couple of inches it was open shut anyway.

 

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

 

It only took me a short little while, but I managed to find some clothes that I could kind of wear. The pants would be too long (rolling it up fixed that problem) and a little too wide at the waist, but the adjustable elastic waistband made it so I could tighten it. The sleeves on the shirt would also long but it didn't really bother me all that much. After I had pulled on the black pants and tightened them at the waist, I heard some loud crashes beyond the door. Eyes wide, I stared at it. What was going on now?

 

Quickly shrugging on the brown turtleneck and tying up Minato's pack, I tossed it beside me and quickly glanced around the bathroom quickly. I need some sort of weapon… what if the Anbu had found us?

 

Okay… soap, bottle of shampoo, toothbrush, comb… towel. I yanked open the drawer beside the sink. Well… that could work, I guess. I thought wryly. It's certainly sharp enough to be a weapon.

 

Now armed with my trusty nail file, I took a silent step towards the door and slowly turned the knob. Thankfully, it made no noise. Opening it a crack, my eyebrows rose slightly at the overturned mattress, smashed chair, and broken dresser.

 

I opened the door fully, staring at the tear in the mattress.

 

My hand lowered and I tossed the nail file back into the washroom over my shoulder.

 

Okay… so the mess is accounted for. Where were the `messer-uppers?' The room can't just mess itself, you know. No sign of Anbu, no Kakashi— or Minato, for that matter. The balcony door was still open, so maybe they had gone out? I couldn't sense any chakra presences, though I did sense some of the residue in the room. It was likely they had fought. Growing worried, I scanned the room once more but found no trace of blood anywhere. That meant no injuries… right? I hoped so.

 

That's when I noticed a part of a leg outside the door. I tiptoed towards the entrance and while leaning against the doorframe, saw Minato sitting on the floor and resting against the wall beside the door. His head was back and his eyes were closed. At first I thought he was maybe injured badly but nothing seemed to be out of place. His chakra wasn't low but virtually non-detectable— understandable seeing as we were trying to keep a low profile.

 

“Hey…” I asked quietly. “What was all that commotion about earlier? Didn't you tell us to keep a low profile?”

 

Minato's eyes opened a slit to stare up at me.

 

He sighed heavily. “It shouldn't be a problem… it was only a little… over reaction with taijutusu.” My eyebrows gave a little jump. Huh, a little over reaction? I kind of stared down at Minato's eyes for a few seconds.

 

“What did you tell him?” I asked quietly.

 

Minato stayed silent. I thought about asking him again, but he looked… tired. As I turned to go back into the room and perhaps try to straighten the place out a bit, my step-dad spoke.

 

“I had to tell him everything, Yama.” I froze. Everything? I didn't turn around, but continued to listen. “I started off with what happened thirteen years ago and went from there.” Minato paused. “And then he kind of went ballistic. Kakashi… he kind of acts backwards sometimes— most people would have went ballistic first.” The blond added wryly.

 

I barely heard him. Everything? But that would mean…

 

“Everything?” I squeaked. I clapped my hand over my mouth, eyes widening. I hadn't heard something that high pitched come out of my mouth since I was a kid. To my relief, Minato hadn't seemed to notice.

 

“I had to, Yama.” He said tiredly. “It isn't easy to fool over a decade of observant attitude from Kakashi. Besides, if you hadn't called me dad, I wouldn't have had to reveal you in my story. You asked for it.” Minato ended smugly. I managed to give me a light glare but did not say anything.

 

Then I felt myself turn red. I hadn't meant to—

 

A hand touched my side. “It's okay. I haven't had someone call me that in a long time. It was… nice.”

 

There was an awkward silence. Or at least it felt like an awkward silence to me. Maybe it didn't to him, but it did to me. I cleared my throat quickly. “So… where is he?”

 

Minato's hand lifted up and he pointed his index finger towards the ceiling. “Up there.”

 

I gave a few impatient taps at my hips and did a little head-bob. “Oh… Okay, well I'm just going to— uh… check up on him I guess.” When I turned and took a few steps back into the room, my dad's voice stopped me.

 

“Maybe you should let him be, Yama.”

 

I half-turned to face him and saw one eye looking at me beyond the doorframe. I continued to walk. “I just want to check on him.” I repeated.

 

Minato started to protest again but by then I was outside, beyond the balcony door. There were large rackets of noise coming up from below. I peered down in time to see a couple of drunks singing off-tune through a window. Well, that explains why no one heard the noises made earlier.

 

I turned around, leaning lightly against the railing to look up. True to Minato's word, Kakashi was sitting on the roof. I had almost missed him, seeing as he was virtually hidden by the chimney.

 

Okay, so target found. I paused. Exactly what was I going to say when I got there? Hi, I'm sorry for lying to you about where I'm really from? Or, yeah I'm from another world and your old teacher's not dead! Jokes on you today! I love him, really but I have no idea how he was going to react. Not well, if sitting up there alone was anything to go by.

 

I guess maybe I don't even know him all that well. But there's really no surprise there. He doesn't even know me that well either. All we have to go on for our relationship is… what we know of from when we met. Actually, I have an unfair advantage— I have had exposure from the mastermind Kishimoto Masashi. Or at least the exposure from his fans, anyway. Maybe I haven't watched that far or read that much, but the fans and spoilers do tell stories.

 

But if I had to guess, I'd say Kakashi had drawn back into a ball to try and get a grip on things. The most I would be able to do right now is to… to stay by his side? Maybe. If he would allow me to be, that is.

 

But never mind that. I can't talk to him if I can't get to him. How was I going to get to said person?

 

I eyed the flat, wooden sides of the tavern skeptically. I didn't think I had any other choice besides using a bit of chakra to get up there. I don't trust my balance that much. After applying a light layer of chakra on my hands and feet, I proceeded to scale the wall. It wasn't that far up actually. The tavern was only three floors and the room Minato and Itachi had gotten was already on the third floor.

 

Woo! Spiderman!

 

Once I made it to the smooth shingled roof, I started to pick my way across.

 

Kakashi's spoke when I was about half of the way towards him. “You should go back inside, Yama.” I frowned immediately. I hadn't heard that kind of tone since I'd first met him. After a few seconds of debating whether I wanted to obey him or not, I made my way across the last few meters and plopped down beside him.

 

Then I stared at him sideways expectantly. I couldn't see his face— it was hidden in the shadows made by the moon and chimney.

 

I heard him sigh heavily. “You really should go back in Yama— you could get sick.” I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

 

“Trust me; I think I can handle a cold if it comes to that.”

 

Kakashi didn't respond. Pulling my legs together I rested my chin on my kneecap and peered at Kakashi's figure, hoping to see some signs of movement. And of course, I saw nothing. There were too many shadows.

 

I wanted to know what he was thinking. If Minato said everything, then he probably meant everything. That meant Kakashi knew where I was from, what happened and so on and so forth. `Everything' covered a lot of ground. Hesitantly, I reached out a hand towards his leg. “Kakas-?” I tried. He cut me off.

 

His harsh voice that came back startled me. “Yama… you knew?”

 

I blinked, retracting my arm quickly. That was a little abrupt… Exactly what was wrong with him? Yeah, so he knew I was from another world but that didn't really change anything. He knew I wasn't from here, anyway— he had received my `other time' theory. So… maybe it was the Minato thing then?

 

“Look,” I started slowly. “I realize you're probably pissed off about the, uh, Minato being `not dead' thing but I just wanted you to know that—”

 

“It's not that.” He interrupted. Okay, so it's not that then. Then what is it that's rubbing you the wrong way?

 

“Then what—”

 

“It's just… you knew and you didn't tell me!” Kakashi snapped again. “You knew Minato was still— I've told you about him! You knew that he had been my teacher.”

 

Okay… I think you're misunderstanding things around here Kakashi. Did Minato not tell you that I didn't find out he was alive until about a week ago? “Kakashi, I think you're—”

 

“Look… I just want to think… for awhile okay?” Kakashi interrupted, again.

 

Fine, I'll give him time, if that's what he wants. It's understandable, seeing as he just had a freakin' mountain dropped on him— no pun intended, but I still need to clear one fact up with you! “I just need to—”

 

“Alone.”

 

This time, I felt myself bristle slightly. After a few seconds of staring into his dark shadow, I let out a sigh. Kakashi was a stubborn man— it wasn't likely he was going to listen to anything I had to say in with him in that kind of mood. “Fine, I'll march myself back inside. Find me when you feel like talking again.” I said wearily, “Or when you actually feel like listening to what I have to say.” I added snappishly.

 

By the time I had made it back inside, I was starting to feel like a kicked puppy. I mean, after seeing him again after being separated for over a month? Yes, I missed him. I didn't want him to snap or yell at me, I'd rather he took me in his arms and never let go. No, I didn't expect him to tell me everything and let me in; but I figured he would at least trust me enough to know that I wouldn't keep something like that from him… would I? I suddenly felt uneasy. Would I have kept it from him if I knew?

 

I suddenly felt guilty. Yes. Yes, I would have. But only because I had no idea how he would have reacted. But then again, I've kept lots of things from him, right?

 

“You know he doesn't mean to act like that.”

 

I looked up in surprise. The former hokage was looking at me wryly from the far wall. The room had been relatively cleaned up. The torn mattress had been flipped over— so it looked like you could at least still sleep on it. In a corner were parts of the broken chair and shards of glass. The dresser, unfortunately, looked like it was going to be unfixable.

 

“You heard everything?” I asked wryly. Minato managed to adopt a sheepish look. “You really need to stop eavesdropping, Minato.” I added, falling against the bed. I stared at the ceiling. The distance between this ceiling and the roof wasn't that small so it must've meant that Minato had deliberately been listening.

 

“You didn't call me dad this time.”

 

I felt myself flush. “Yeah… uh… still trying to get used to the whole—” I made a little wavy movement with my hands in midair, “—hokage thing and stuff. That was a slip of the tongue earlier.”

 

“I don't mind.” Minato quipped. “I'd rather you called me dad.”

 

There was a lengthy silence.

 

I made myself not look at him and focused on the wooden ceiling when I spoke again. “It's… hard.” I managed. “The only reason I'd call you dad is because of your voice… it's the same as it was before. But your looks… and everything else seems different.” I paused. “You look too young to be a dad.”

 

When I heard barking laughter, I rolled my eyes towards where Minato was sitting on the ground.

 

“Yama…” he gasped out. “That's a good one— are you forgetting that I'm already in my thirties?” When he said that, I flipped around on my bed expectantly and looked at him with bright eyes.

 

“How far in the thirties?” I asked eagerly. A well-asked question of the Naruto fan world— at my fingertips! If Minato told me his age now… I could calculate it backwards and find out how old he was he `died!' All I need to do was subtract approximately thirteen years off his present age (twelve years since the Kyuubi appeared plus the one year that I've been here now).

 

I saw the blonde roll his eyes. “That— I'm not telling you.”

 

I couldn't help the whine that came out but I didn't press anymore. I let my head drop against the mattress. For a torn mattress it sure was comfortable. “Anyway, you look too young to be my dad from before.” I muttered. Minato may be around his thirties now, but he certainly didn't look like it. Whereas Keito; the `my world' dad version actually looked like he was hitting his late thirties. “And too different.” I added. From brown hair to blonde hair? Definitely two ends of a spectrum.

 

This time, there was a more comfortable pause between us.

 

“I don't think I've ever seen Kakashi this taken before.”

 

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

 

Minato straightened slightly and looked me dead in the eyes. “You've never realized, Yama?” The question must've shown on my face because the blonde rolled his eyes. “Of course you haven't realized.”

 

I glare at him, but it dissipated when he continued. “Relationships in a ninja community… are very hard to keep.” Minato remarked. “It's always mission this, mission that. The death rate is always hits sky high, and losing people you love over and over again starts to takes its toll you know.” At that sentence, he gave me a look.

 

I made the connections rather easily.

 

Kakashi.

 

“I've never actually… thought about that before,” I confessed.

 

Minato let out a snort. “Of course not— you didn't grow up in a ninja-like community. You were… brought up in a safe era of peace. No ninjas. No obvious threat to your life every day. And then here…” Minato trailed off and didn't finish his sentence. He didn't need to. I could finish it myself, really.

 

“It wasn't that peaceful,” I argued quietly. “There were kidnappings, homicide, genocide, robberies.” I gave Minato a slight smile. “And war.” He should be very well acquainted to that. He had, after all, been enlisted to go to war. Well, not a large scale war, but certainly a war nonetheless.

 

My step-dad sighed. “The human species is a horrible race.” He gave me a significant look. “But think about it, Yama. Maintaining a relationship back in the other world is a lot easier than maintaining one in this world.”

 

I couldn't argue with him there.

 

“Children… are brought up like warriors. By twelve, they're already doing missions and serving their village. If all goes well, by fifteen they may very well be fully-fledged ninjas. What were you doing at fifteen, Yama?”

 

I closed my eyes. “Sitting in a school, bumming around in front of the television…” I murmured quietly. And there had been lots of time to go out with friends and mingle with boys, of course.

 

When Minato spoke again, I sat up. “Kakashi… has been through a lot.” I saw his blonde eyes soften. “He's lost a lot of people. I'm actually surprised that… he was able to find a relationship in his life.” Minato confessed. I didn't reply to his statement. No surprise there. Although I knew that he loved me, I had no idea why. But that wasn't new, was it? Do you ever know why it is that someone actually puts up with you enough to love you? I sure as hell don't. Besides, does anyone ever need a reason to love?

 

I felt the bed dip slightly and I glanced over to see Minato settling himself beside me.

 

He stared at me, studying me carefully. I casually fidgeted with the edge of the bed. After a while, Minato finally spoke, “I can see why,”

 

I glanced up at him in surprise. What? My step-dad gave me a wry smile, and then he started talking.

 

“You may remind him… of something he's lost a long time ago.” Minato started softly. His hand landed on the edge of my hand, giving it a careful stroke. “At four, he lost his father. Then he lost his teammate. And thirteen years ago… he lost a teacher.” I felt Minato's hand tighten around my fingertips. “I think that before he found a place in Sarutobi's rankings, he was a man that didn't have all that much to live for.”

 

Flopping down onto my side, I let out a deep breath. “You know… in those high school psychology classes, the teacher always said people who've lost a lot of people they love tend to push away others later in life… to protect themselves.”

 

Minato gave me an appraising look. “So you did pay attention in classes while I was gone. But you're right. By all means, that is exactly what Kakashi would've done.”

 

I glared at him from where I was lying down but asked the question that had been bugging me for a while now. “So why was I allowed in?”

 

“Were you not listening to what I said two minutes ago? Maybe you don't pay attention after all.” Minato gave me an amused— almost sad look. “How old are you now, Yama?”

 

“Um… twenty now.”

 

“And how many twenty year olds in this world are as selfish, childish and naïve as you are? How many twenty year olds haven't even matured to the degree that most twenty year olds would've done so already?”

 

“Hey!” I protested. “I am mature!” Minato released my hand and sighed.

 

“That's not what I meant. Think about it; how do most twenty year old here act? What kind of experiences have they already been through?

 

Frowning, I tried to run through most of the people I've met so far. If they were ninjas… they'd would've gone through several life or death mission, been through nearly a decade of training (assuming they had gone to the Academy) and be relatively to die any time. They were ninjas, they died for their village.

 

If they weren't ninjas but civilians… most of them would probably be married by now. They'd have to take care of the household — maybe even kids. They'd have to be prepared for an attack at any time. They may live a more peaceful life than a ninja would, but they'd certainly be exposed to death that could happen at a fairly constant rate. They could be preparing for the day when a sibling, son, daughter, husband or wife died.

 

When I met Minato's eyes again, I saw that he knew what I had been thinking.

 

“What does that have to do with Kakashi and me?” I finally managed to whisper.

 

The bed shook slightly with Minato's chuckles. “YOU— seem to be a child in an adult body. A more… innocent way of thinking and acting. Although you would've been considered an adult at eighteen back there; the kids here are considered adults the second they graduate from the Academy— which can be as early as six.” The former hokage's eyes glazed over slightly. “They may be still kids in some people's eyes but once they're ninjas… they make decisions themselves.”

 

“You remind him of what he has lost. You're like a… embodiment of innocence and curiosity that should've been lost years ago, if you had lived here.” Minato said softly. “But then again, you probably remind everyone you meet of what has been lost.” He added wryly. I scoffed. Yes, little old me that was from different place reminding everyone of something that was like a second nature to me.

 

I shuffled around to face the windows. “I just find it hard to believe, sometimes.” That wasn't a lie. I may have accepted it a little… too readily and easily, but hey— can you blame me for not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth? Besides… it's not like `dating' was a rare thing back in Japan.

 

“You're thinking about that `dating' thing, aren't you?”

 

I felt myself start in surprise and when I glanced over my shoulder, Minato was giving me an amused look. Rolling my eyes, I shrugged. Figures that he would put it like so. So maybe I was a little too flattered in the beginning, but that wasn't the case as time went on.

 

“You should know how I am.” I said, rolling my eyes and settling back so I was facing the windows again.

 

“Well, no actually I don't. I left before you hit your mean teenage streak.” Minato's voice said wryly. He didn't talk after that, but I had a feeling he was waiting for me to talk.

 

Sighing, I finally gave in and rolled back to face him. Minato was giving me an expectant look. “He kind of reminds me of you… back then.” I held out one hand when Minato's face twisted into one to something akin to horror. “Not like that!”

 

Minato laughed. “I sure as hell hope it's not like that, as you put it. You've probably done things with him that you would not do to a father figure.” I turned slightly red, which only caused him to laugh harder.

 

I glowered at him. “Anyway, what I meant is that he's really… always just there, you know? No one's really been there; kind of behind me every time I turn around… not since you left.” I ended quietly.

 

When Minato opened his mouth to say something, I cut in. “Uh uh! It's fine. I know you didn't mean to leave. Anyway,” I was in a desperate need to change the subject. I don't want to talk about Kakashi anymore. Just thinking about it depresses me. What was Kakashi thinking? How was he going to react? What was going—

 

Okay! I mentally slapped myself. I need to stop thinking about this… or worrying about this— same thing. “Where are we going now?”

 

“Right now, you are going to bed. In the morning we're going to continue travelling. I'll fill you in on things then.”

 

Oh goodie. So you're finally going to tell me exactly what happened to Ari (besides dying) and everything? Yes, I've been kept in the dark. I don't know anything yet. “What about Kakashi?”

 

Minato suddenly looked sheepish. “Actually that part's up to him to reveal. He'll talk to you about it, probably tomorrow.” I nearly groaned out loud. Yeah… fun.

 

A hand mussed my hair and shoved my face into the pillow, causing me to flail my arms unexpectedly. By the time he released me, my hair was thoroughly roughed up and sticking up all over the place since it had been damp. I was not amused.

 

“He'll come around, Yama.” My step-dad gave me a small grin. “He loves you, after all.”

 

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

 

Morning came and we were on the road again. This time, we were no longer the same group as before.

 

Well we were and we weren`t. Let me explain.

 

We had a new addition to our group. Yep, you`ve guessed it— Kakashi. He`d explained to us that morning that he`d been sent on two missions, originally. The first was the mission I had caught him on, a team mission. He was supposed to bring back Ari; either by force or will. If that failed, there was only one choice left; elimination. Kakashi didn`t elaborate much. In fact, he didn`t even have to because he didn`t tell us anything besides the fact that he had two missions. It wasn`t that hard to piece things together:

 

Fact one; they had been after Ari— I had witnessed that myself.

 

Fact two; Akatsuki was also after Ari.

 

Fact three; Ari was dead.

 

And there we have it. I kind of figured it out myself, since no one was really keen on filling me in.

 

So it meant that if something like Akatsuki getting their hands on Ari happened, they needed to kill him. But to this moment, I still wasn`t sure who had dealt the final strike, Konoha or Akatsuki. I had figured at first that since Akatsuki was the big bad group of missing-nins and all, it would be them. But I had single-handedly witnessed one of their members carry Ari away— alive. He was unconscious; but still very much alive nonetheless. Why bother knocking him out if you were going to kill him anyway?

 

Unless they had planned to interrogate Ari and then kill him afterwards… But there simply hadn't been enough time for all of that to occur. Boom, Akatsuki moves in, Ari gets carried off and then chaos hits. I meet up later with Minato to find out that Ari's dead. There hadn't been enough time for Akatsuki to stop and interrogate the man. Plus, having Anbu on your trail doesn't exactly give you much time, anyway.

 

I've been throwing ideas left and right for a while now, and I really wanted to slap the blame onto the `evil' organization. But everything I've thought of so far has been ruled out. It just simply didn't make sense for them to kill Ari when they obviously needed the man alive.

 

There was a very simple explanation. If Akatsuki hadn't killed him, then it meant the other group had. I just didn't want to believe it, or think about it. I mean, from what I know of Konoha so far I suppose I just couldn't wrap my head around the fact that a ninja from Konoha had did it. I've met a lot of people in Konoha, most of which were ninja. I just couldn't imagine that any of them would do such a thing. To do something like killing an old man just like that.

 

The Anbu.

 

They were an assassination unit and tactics squad. Killing was what they did. I'm starting to think that Kakashi had maybe been subtly sheltering me from several things. I've never really witnessed anything over the top during my stay in the village (I'm sure things must go on) and Kakashi tended to steer me away from any suspicious ninja (such as distracting the shit out of me while discreetly moving me away). I'm pretty sure that somewhere in my head I knew what the Anbu did. They may have never really touched on the topic in the manga or anime, but it wasn't hard to hazard a guess. It wasn't all just guarding and protecting the village. It wasn't all just missions that made sense to a regular civilian. And it probably had to have made sense to someone, if the mission had made it to the missions' paper, after all.

 

Maybe I just thought in a naïve sense, believing that all missions given out were to do some greater good. Greater good like killing the bad guys, saving the day and so on and so forth. No, it was really more along the lines of `doing things for the greater good of Konoha.'

 

But really, could I blame them? This world wasn't exactly a playground for villages and leaders. It was filled with countries lead by people who fully intended on expanding and taking over the world. I could almost laugh. It was like world war one or something all the time. You had allies, and then you had enemies. You'd make new allies, or even make new enemies. Everything was a strategy; every move had a good reason.

Even if the move included killing someone to ensure that no information could get out that would make the opposing parties stronger.

 

You know, I think Minato was right. About my way of thinking, that is. I am naïve; for this world anyway. And maybe Kakashi sensed that and tried to hide things and protect me.

 

Like a child.

 

Like a child. I hoped he didn't refer to me as such… wouldn't that make him a pedophile?

 

As for Kakashi's second mission… that still remains a mystery. All I know is that he's going to be travelling with us— apparently it's a solo mission and his previous Anbu team had left for home.

 

I was a little unsure of that.

 

If his Anbu team had indeed left for Konoha then who had attacked me yesterday? That mystery ninja hadn't acted like he was on his way home. I haven't told Kakashi yet, or Itachi, for that matter. Minato, on the other hand, seems to have forgotten about it since Kakashi's appearance and I have yet to bring it up again. In fact, I've decided not to mention it at all since it would bring a lot of questions. But that didn't mean I wouldn't keep a cautious eye on the surroundings.

 

We were also no longer blondes, blackettes or silverette anymore; courtesy of genjutsu of course. Well except for me. I'd finally managed to locate a barber shop as we were leaving town (by asking the tavern owner) and got my long black hair cut and dyed brown. I figured it was time for a new change.

 

Minato was disguised as an older looking farmer with graying hair. Itachi had opted to go for a younger teenager with blonde hair and Kakashi had decided to go with long black hair. Add the facial changes (nose, eyes, cheekbones, etc) and voila! We have a new group.

 

And me?

 

A pregnant woman. Yep.

 

I'm not kidding around. Minato said it would be easier to get around, and it kind of made sense. It got me thinking that since the death rate was so high, children were usually treasured… right? Therefore people were more likely to help a pregnant woman than a non-pregnant woman.

 

The only bad thing about our disguises was that we were unable to move at a fast pace.

 

I was still kind of avoiding Kakashi. He's hadn't spoken to me since last night, though he had thrown me a few glances since this morning. I wanted to speak with him, but after what had happened last night I kind of figured it would be better for him to approach me when he was ready.

 

We were following a well-worn dirt path. I definitely wasn't going to be tiring out anytime soon. Minato had set a pace that was a little bit face for civilians, but well below normal for a ninja. After all those months of getting used to travelling as if I had no time to lose? This was definitely a nice change.

 

I glanced conspicuously towards Minato, who was still leading a few paces ahead of us. I had talked to him a bit earlier this morning, but he had told me he would answer any questions I had when we got to our destination in the north. Apparently we were headed back towards Konoha. Towards, not to. It made me a little uneasy, but I was also a little bit anxious. Maybe I would hear of some news about Sasuke?

 

I was worried for him. After Kakashi's letter of Sasuke's missing, there had been no other news of him for over a month now. Death may be common around here, but I, personally, was not ready for it. I don't think I'll ever be.

 

A hand brushed mine, startling me. Eyes wide, my gaze followed the hand to their owner; Kakashi. Well, not Kakashi but the genjutsu'ed Kakashi. His disguised blue eyes were watching me carefully. My pace broke for a few seconds but a hand at the small of my back gently pushed me forwards and I continued to walk.

 

Although I wanted to be a little mad at him for not trusting me, I couldn't help the tiny quirk my lips took on as I looked towards the horizon.

 

To be continued…

 

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

 

XoXSilverDragonXoX

 

Completed January 27, 2009