Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Aneko ❯ Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter Three

 

Aneko woke up with a start, immediately she grabbed her chest. Memories of what had happened to her before she passed out washed over her. She remembered jumping in front of Sakura and letting the kunai hit her instead. The last thing she remembered seeing was Zabuza trying to dodge her belt and reluctantly letting Kakashi out of the hydro prison. After that she felt herself drift off as the wound continued to bleed. She thought she was dead, she should have been dead. But here she was, lying on a bed with her shoulder bandaged and any cuts or other bruises cleaned. She looked around and found clean clothes draped over a chair. Still remaining in bed she saw that it was a blue long sleeved dress hoodie and black capri pants. She looked over the blue dress, she remembered the days when blue was her favorite color. It wasn't until what happened to her that she started wearing mostly black. As a little girl almost all her clothes were blue. Jarring her eyes from the dress she turned her head to find the door slowly opening. Soon a patch of pink peeked in and she realized that it was the young girl named Sakura. She stared at her for a moment not really sure how to react, it was because of her that she was in bed. Or was it? Perhaps Aneko wasn't as cold hearted as she wanted to be or maybe she just couldn't stand by and let Zabuza kill a little girl that had nothing to do with Tazuna.

 

“ You're awake.” Sakura suddenly commented, Aneko never even blinked at her as she was caught between the line of getting up and snapping her neck and just smiling at Sakura's obvious concern. Sakura could feel the tension rising between them. But she wanted to see how Aneko was doing; a part of her felt that she owed her her life. She saved her, if she hadn't have jumped in front of her who knows what could have happened, “ I know your not sure about this, but despite everything, I wanted to tell you thank you. You saved my life, I don't know how to repay you, but I'll try my hardest to show my gratitude.” Aneko was taken back, did she just thank her? No one had ever thanked her for anything. Then again you can't really thank someone for slitting your throat. She didn't know how to react, so she didn't. She just watched her until Sakura eventually left and closed the door behind her. That's when Aneko decided to get out of bed and try to figure out what her next move was going to be. She couldn't just lay in bed and wait for Zabuza to punish her for her betrayal. Aneko had no doubt in her mind that he was going to try and kill her, she practically handed him to Kakashi. He had everything going for him and the mission would be completed easily, Kakashi's students could never kill Zabuza, that's why she had to interfere. She couldn't just stand there and let him kill them. She could careless about Tazuna, but Kakashi and his students, they were the problem. Aneko let her conscious get the better of her, no matter how hard she tried to block it out it always defeated her. Rising up she winched as pain shot through her shoulder, she still was injured and it would be a while before she was fully healed. Gritting her teeth she stood up and braced herself next to the chair. Taking a moment she walked over to the door and opened it. The sun hit her eyes causing her to close them. When she opened them her face went blank. Standing right in front of her was none other than Kakashi, now on crutches and looking worn out.

 

“ Aneko.” she heard him say, she only looked at him and narrowed her eyes at him……

 

Back at Zabuza's hide out, the Hunter-Nin that took Zabuza to be killed was removing the bandages from Zabuza's face. Suddenly Zabuza's arm snapped up and grabbed his arm to stop him. He would rather do it himself, the Hunter-Nin watched as he unwrapped the bandages and revealed his mouth. Sharp shark like teeth were hidden within Zabuza's mouth. Slowly Zabuza pulled out the two long needles from his neck.

 

“ Are you alright Zabuza?”

 

“ Yes Haku, thanks to you I am.” Zabuza replied, the Hunter-Nin was really none other than Haku. He was watching the whole battle from the side lines and waited to make sure that nothing would happen to Zabuza. When Kakashi was about to kill Zabuza he intervened as a Hunter-Nin so no one would suspect his true means to help Zabuza escape.

 

“ You sustained great injuries.” Haku pointed out, “ You will need to rest for a few weeks.”

“ Yes. I underestimated the Sharingan greatly, but next time it won't happen again. I also underestimated Aneko.” Zabuza stated as his temper flared to Haku's delight.. Deep down Zabuza was saddened by her treachery; she has great potential. But she let her “human” feelings take her over. There was no excusing what she did, and she would have to pay for it. She attempted to kill him with the same blade that he had shown her how to use. The blade was now back in his possession and he intended to burry it in her chest the next time that he saw her.

 

“ She betrayed you, I beg for you to let me kill her Zabuza.” Haku replied

 

“ Death will only be one of Aneko's punishments, I know her weaknesses and fears. And I plan on using every one of them against her.” Zabuza commented with an evil gleam in his eyes.

 

Aneko stared darkly at Kakashi as she didn't know what to do, but something in her felt anger build up. She didn't know why but she needed to hurt him, how dare he come back into her life and become a monkey wrench in everything that she was doing. She knew better than to be angry for something like that, perhaps it was faith that Kakashi and the rest of his team was chosen to escort Tazuna. But she still had a fire burning in her. Aneko held her shoulder as she attempted to walk past him, but he balanced himself and pushed out a hand to touch her arm. Defensively she swung his hand away and glared at him.

 

“ Don't touch me!” Aneko warned

 

“ Don't act like this, I need to talk to you.” Kakashi replied

 

“ Talk to your shadow Kakashi, I thank you for bringing me here and helping me. I saved your student, you saved me, and we're even.” she stated

 

“ Why are you acting like this? I have a good feeling that Zabuza isn't dead, so we both know that he won't take your betrayal lightly.” he replied

 

“ I can handle that myself.” Aneko declared but should have known better, there was no way Kakashi was letting her out of his sight. He just found her and he knew Zabuza was still out there and wouldn't rest until he had her head as a prize. Just as she tried to push past him again, he grabbed her arm more forcefully as he could tell Aneko was determined to leave.

“ No you can't. You can't fight Zabuza, your Capoeira is no match for him.” Kakashi commented as Aneko remembered what happened back in the forest, he used the Sharingan on her. He copied her technique and analyzed it. He knew everything about her fighting skills now, from what her strengths were down to all of her weaknesses. He knew that the only other technique that she knew was the Muon Satsujin Jutsu; silent killing technique, but he copied that from Zabuza while they were fighting. And even so she wasn't a master of it, she only used it to aid her when moving through the trees or moving through enemy lines.

 

“ You should really stop copying what doesn't belong to you. Now out of my way!” she yelled trying to brake out of his grip. But it was no use, he too strong even in his weakened state. She used her free hand and tried to hit him, but he dropped one of the crutches and caught her fist before it connected with his jaw. Angered, Aneko allowed him to hold both her hands, but to the dismay to her shoulder and his worn down body, she brought her legs up and dropkicked him. He fell a few feet away from her but caught himself and landed on his feet. Aneko felt good when she hit him, she didn't understand why, the last person that she would want to hurt was Kakashi. Yet she also knew that he copied her fighting style, so if he really didn't want her to hit him he could easily stop her. Unknown to her he had reasons for letting her attack him, he knew she was angry and needed to release that rage. That would be the only way that her mind would be clear enough for him to talk to her. Before he could even rise up from the ground she was preparing herself for Au Batido; an evasive cartwheel which turned into a kick. Aneko was right he had her skills down and knew she was about to strike him. He crossed his arms and blocked the blow, pushing forward he caused her to stumble back. Aneko screamed in anger and charged at him knocking him down to the ground. Straddling his waist she began to furiously hit his face, Kakashi brought his hands up and shielded his face as much as he could. From the sudden commotion Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke ran out to see what was happening. Sakura was about to interfere but Sasuke held his arm out to stop her.

 

“ He knows what he's doing. Aneko has to release whatever is inside her, or it will consume her.” Sasuke stated as the three continue to watch Kakashi play the defense role and never even tried to fight back. Aneko however only continued to attack him, her shoulder was becoming harder and harder to move but she ignored it. Her mind told her to stop, but her body wouldn't give up. The somewhat fight lasted for ten more minutes before Kakashi pushed her off when she was becoming tired. She rolled up from the ground kicking dirt up with her, once again charging at him, but he stood his ground and didn't fall over. Aneko pounded on his chest as he held her tightly.

 

“ Let me go you bastard!” Aneko screamed as she finally broke, “ Let me go!”

 

“ That's it Aneko, don't hold anything inside. Let it out.” Kakashi soothed as he only held her tighter when she fought against him. Soon he felt the intensity of he strikes become lighter and he could hear her screams become sobs.

 

“ You left me! I needed you and you weren't there. I hate you, I hate you!” Aneko wrapped her fingers around his vest as she broke down. There was too much that she was holding inside and he wanted her t release it. Even if it meant him being her punching bag, she had to let everything out. Sakura and the others watched as Kakashi and Aneko stood embraced for a few more moments. Kakashi wasn't going to let Aneko go until he knew she was okay,

 

“ I'm sorry Aneko, I'm so sorry.” Kakashi whispered as she continued to cry

 

A few hours had passed since Aneko broke down and let out her feelings that had built up inside of her for so many years. Kakashi was happy that she expressed herself, but he was also disappointed with himself as he felt the effects of how she felt inside. She was angry with him, she felt that he failed her. Maybe he did, he started to mentally beat on himself as he believed that he had failed her. Even through what she said could have been because she was hurt, it still bothered him. Now they all were waiting to eat inside of Tazuna's home, Aneko had changed into the clothes that was laid out for her on the chair. Kakashi secretly smiled as she looked like a normal teenaged girl, but he knew better, there was nothing normal about Aneko. He just wondered how Tazuna was going to act with her so close to him. He was apart of her mission to kill, but he didn't throw her out. And it was he who cleaned her wounds and bandaged her up when Kakashi was unconscious. It was quiet as they all just looked around the small house, not really knowing what to say. But, Naruto couldn't take it anymore. He hated uncomfortable situations and needed the others to start talking.

 

“ What is a Hunter-Nin? And what do they do?” he asked, Kakashi didn't even move, he seemed focused in his thoughts. But he answered Naruto none the less

 

“ Hunter-Nins are assigned by each village; they wear masks with designs painted on them. Their job is too look for Missing-Nins who leave the village taking the villages secrets with them. When they are found by the Hunter-Nins they kill them and destroy their bodies so the village's secrets are kept safe.” Kakashi replied, soon Tazuna walked in with dinner and Naruto became overexcited by the sight of food. Once the plates were put down, it was every man or woman for themselves, or really every hand. Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi knew Naruto by now so they waited until he grabbed all he wanted from the table. But there was a new challenger at the table, Aneko was just as bad as Naruto. She devoured the table along with him like they were rabid animals. Occasionally they clashed and lighting struck between them, but Aneko wasn't the type to back down. During the battle, Kakashi and Sasuke managed to grab some bread without having any fingers bitten off. Kakashi gave Sakura some food and watched as there was only one cookie left. And so the battle began, Naruto and Aneko locked eyes, both knowing that the cookie in the center of the table. Kakashi swore he heard old western music as their eyes never left each other; they tried summing up the other's next move. However, before anyone of them could claim it, Sakura came out of nowhere and grabbed the last cookie. Both Aneko and Naruto's mouths dropped.

 

“ Overcoming the face of suppression and achieving the prize, well done Sakura.” Kakashi declared as she smiled, Naruto and Aneko weren't as happy though. Sakura laughed and ate her cookie in peace. As Tazuna came back in he and Aneko locked eyes, she knew he probably wasn't that trusting of her, but he did feed her.

 

“ You have no reason to feel uncomfortable in my home young lady. If you're a friend of Hatake Kakashi and his students then you are welcome in my home.” Tazuna reassured her,

 

“ Aneko, why did Zabuza want to kill Tazuna?” Sakura asked

 

“ Because, he can destroy Gatou's business just by building the bridge. If it is built Gatoh loses everything.” Aneko replied they all sat quiet for a moment until Kakashi spoke up,

 

“ The sun is setting, time settle down outside and make camp. Tomorrow we start training again.” Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke all sighed as they knew Kakashi wasn't going to let them enjoy the good warm home that Tazuna would offer them just yet. He wanted them outside and alert, when he was training them, there would be no luxury. Aneko was about to say something but Kakashi walked out on his crutches. Something was wrong, he didn't even ask her to join them. She didn't want to sleep in the house, she wanted to be outside with them. It wasn't like she wasn't used to it. When they left, Aneko turned to Tazuna and realized that she needed to apologize to him.

 

“ Tazuna, I'm…..”

 

“ In life we make a lot of decisions based on what has happened to us. We're only human, so you really can't judge someone until we're in the same predicament as them. You don't have to apologize, you basically sacrificed your life for Sakura as well as all of us. Your actions helped break Kakashi free of Zabuza, and I am grateful for that.” Tazuna interrupted

 

“ Thank you.” Aneko replied, just as she stood up from her chair could have swore she say someone pass by the door. She glanced at Tazuna and he smiled,

 

“ That's my grandson, Inari.” he commented as she nodded. Standing up, Aneko walked out of the kitchen and looked around before leaving. Walking through the forest she soon found them gathered in an opened arena just like Dai used to play in. Kakashi already had a fire started and was sitting on a tree stomp, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke were trying to get comfortable when they noticed Aneko. She walked over to the opposing side of Kakashi and sat down on the ground. Kakashi's eye never looked look up from the fire, that's when Sakura took notice. Something was up between them, ever since the fight before dinner they hadn't really spoken. Even as they sat by the fire it was almost like they were in too separate worlds. Suddenly she decided leave them alone in hopes that they would talk to each other. Naruto was of course hard headed as he wanted to roast marshmallows with Aneko, but Sakura slapped him a few times so he eventually gave in and the three students made their own fire by the lake. Aneko and Kakashi still didn't make any effort to even look at each other, what was wrong? She wondered, suddenly she shivered as a cold breeze passed her by. Trying to stay warm by the fire, she never even noticed when Kakashi stood up and wrapped a blanket around her. He made sure she was warm then went back to his side of the fire. Once again the silence came between them. Despite the lack of talking, the fire was actually peaceful; Aneko couldn't remember the last time that she sat by a fire and just took in the night air. But she knew why things probably were uncomfortable between them, it was because of what happened earlier. Plus there was more than ten years between them, both of them had experienced so many things that separated them. She knew that the friendship they shared before was shattered and they would have to start over and build it back. The love she had for Kakashi never died though, that's why no matter how much anger she had in herself she could never kill him. Deep down she hoped Kakashi still had whatever feelings for her, Aneko really didn't have anyone else but Kakashi right now. But that bridge between them was killing her.

 

“ Kakashi….” Aneko spoke as the silence was bothering her

 

“ What's wrong?” Kakashi never even looked away from the fire

 

“ Nothing, I just think we really need to talk.” she replied

 

“ About?” he continued as he raised an eyebrow,

 

“ Us…it's been years Kakashi since I saw you. Despite what is going on, I don't want you to hate me, because I could never hate you. If having me here is a problem, I'll been gone come morning.” she replied

 

“ …..I could never hate you Aneko. I'm not angry at you, I'm angry at myself.” Kakashi stated as she looked at him carefully

 

“ Why?” Aneko asked

 

“ Because I failed you, I abandoned you, and I should have known better.” he replied, she watched as he his eye never left the fire. Then she thought back to what happened earlier, when she told him out of anger that he walked out on her. But she was angry, there was so much pain built up in her she didn't know what she was saying.

 

“ No you didn't Kakashi. I'm sorry for what I said, I didn't mean it. You didn't know what happened, but I know if you did you would have helped me.” she said, but she knew better, when Kakashi had his mind set on something there was no changing it

 

“ I don't understand why you would seek the help of Zabuza and not try to find me. I would have done everything beyond my power to help you Aneko. I knew your father was a Missing Nin, but I didn't know what would happen. I kept track of you and Dai when you went to Sound country, but after that I….lost you. I wished that one day I would find Dai as a Jounin and all of us would be reunited. You would be happy, in love and free to do whatever made you happy. But I was so wrong.” Kakashi admitted

 

“ I realized that, I know that the only way that you wouldn't have came and helped me would have to have been because you didn't know.” Aneko said

 

“ Why would you learn from Zabuza of all people? He's a demon Aneko.” he stated

 

“ Revenge isn't a motto taught to a ninja Kakashi, and at that time that was the only thing on my mind. He knew that and used it to his advantage. Zabuza knew I wanted blood and I knew he could help me find it. I was young and hurt Kakashi, Dai died when I was nine from illness and my father never took it well. We went from Sound country to Grass country, to….I didn't know what my father was so afraid of. I guess he thought by running it would make things easier on all of us. We had finally decided to settle down in Rain country and I think that was the biggest mistake that my father made. Once you start to run, there is no stopping.” she replied

 

“ I wish I was there.” Kakashi commented looking at her

 

“ I wish you were too.” Aneko replied, “ But neither of us can change the past. I hurt every time I think about it, something in me burns and it's so hard to not want revenge. I can't say that I will ever be over it and learn to be a different person, because I may have lived through being hanged by the barbed wire but the loving child in me died.”

 

“ I want to help you Aneko, help you find the peace that was taken from you.” he said, “ I can't let you live like this; hating, angry, and hurting all the time. I would be no better if I just stood back and did nothing to help you.”

 

“ I came clean with you Kakashi, tell me what happened while I was gone. Why is there a scar on your left eye? When did you become a Jounin? Why is the Sharingan in your eye? I really want to know. It bothers me that there is this bridge between us that I can't get through. I knew part of it is because of me, but talk to me.” she stated as Kakashi's eye returned to the fire. Where was he supposed to start? It had been more than ten years, there was so much that she didn't know, there was even so much she didn't even know before she met him. Several minutes passed in more silence until Kakashi finally spoke

 

“ My father was the late Hatake Sakumo; a ninja with extreme skill which earned himself the nickname of Konoha's White Fang, as he emitted a white chakra. My father's reputation was comparable with that of The Legendary Three but his attitude proved to be his undoing. He aborted a mission that cost the village dearly, with the reason for the abortion being the safety of his comrades. Shamed, my father took his own life. This is why I grew up with a very cold attitude, basing efficiency in carrying out the mission as my number one priority.” Kakashi started as Aneko stared at him closely, “ After his death I became a student of the man who went on to become the Fourth Hokage, and I took over his role as commander of his team.”

 

“ Is that when you started acting like a team player? I may have been two but I remember my brother saying that you weren't exactly team captain material.” Aneko stated letting her thoughts get the better of her, she didn't mean to say that out loud, but she did remember that Kakashi was the only fourteen year old that could care less about what you thought about him and was strictly about work. Looking at his eye, she tried to figure out his expression. Breathing easy she relaxed when she heard him snicker

 

“ Your right, I wasn't a team player. I was all about the mission, those with me where only in the way. But on my first mission as a Jounin, my objective was to destroy a bridge that aided the enemy Rock ninja forces during a war. In an encounter with them, the team's medic was kidnapped and interrogated by the enemy. I thought she as a burden to the team, and made the decision to leave her. But Obito refused and rejected my orders. Until that day I lived by the motto of those who don't follow the rules and regulations are trash. But Obito believed that those who don't care about their companions are worse than trash... Obito had set off on his own to rescue the medic, and despite my own opinion, I followed him of course. I saved him from an ambush, which cost me my left eye. That day Obito revealed his Sharingan; it lit up in both of his eyes. His enhanced vision penetrated the enemy's defenses and achieve a better attack.” he replied

“ Obito had the Sharingan in both his eyes?” Aneko asked as Kakashi nodded his head, Aneko remember Obito from when she was younger. He, Kakashi, and her brother were the best of friends.

      “ Obito was amazing, we found the medic with out any problem. But, we ran into another enemy; they tried to kill all three us by crushing us with falling rocks. As one was about to strike me, Obito pushed me aside and took the hit instead.” Aneko gasped at the sudden truth, Kakashi didn't want to tell her, but this was one time that they were telling each other everything. He watched her closely as he could see tears swelling up in her eyes. But she looked at him and gestured for him to continue, “ Obito knew his death was near and made the decision to have his left eye removed and implanted into mine. I accepted it and wanted revenge on the Rock ninja. During by battle with him, I learned how to do Chidori. And also leaned that after I do it I blank out from exhaustion. But ever since the loss of Obito, I took on several of his personality traits. I started to relax, stopped being so strict, and through punctuality out the door.”

 

“ That's why Sakura says you're always late?” Aneko asked

 

“ I'm always late because I visit the grave marker of Obito everyday. And because of him I came to the conclusion that the mission was no longer the number one priority.
” Kakashi replied, “ Few years back I joined the ANBU, an elite of masked ninjas who worked directly under the Hokage. This is why the Third Hokage put me in charge of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, Team Seven.”

 

“ I still find it weird that you're a Sensei. Kakashi Sensei, sounds weird to me, even through you're a great one, they really look up to you.” Aneko commented

 

“ My first impression of them wasn't much, especially when Naruto decided to wedge a dusty chalk eraser in the door to come down on me when I came through it. But they were the first Genins to impress me enough to pass my bell test. None of the former Genins sent to me in the past had been worth anything and needed to go back to the Academy. In time I learned a new motto, that teamwork, with the strength of a solid team coming together will accomplish the mission.” Kakashi replied

 

“ You turned into a good man Kakashi, honorable and great. Everyone would be as proud as I am of you.” she stated

 

“ I'm proud of you too Aneko; despite everything, you surpassed the worst, anyone else would have died. But you, you have no idea the power I see in you and the respect that I have for you.” that broke her, Aneko put her head down and looked away from him. To know that he was proud of her, made her feel something that she thought only revenge could bring her. She felt happy, wanted, loved.

 

“ Thank you,” Aneko replied wiping her tears with the blanket, “ Hoki.” Kakashi widened his eye at her, he wanted to laugh but it actually brought back good memories. Which was something that they both needed right now.

 

“ You're the only person who lives that can call me Hoki. To this day I still can't understand why you would call me Hoki.” he laughed

 

“ I was two, your lucky I didn't call you dooky or cookie. Maybe I should have called you Kookie.” Aneko replied

 

“ Your not two anymore.” Kakashi commented

 

“ Glad you noticed.” she stated as they stared at each other for a moment, things became silent for a moment but Aneko didn't want them to be silent again, not after so much was said, “ I missed you. There wasn't a day that I didn't think of looking for you, I just wish that I did find you sooner.

“ I missed you too Aneko, and won't loose you again. No one will hurt you ever again, I rest my life on that promise.” he replied as the glow from the fire illuminated their surroundings in the dark of the night. She smiled at him but sighed as she saw him shiver a bit. She suddenly stood up and walked around the fire to him, Kakashi watched her slowly as he wasn't sure how to react. She opened the blanket and plopped herself down next to him, throwing the other end over his shoulder and scooting herself next to him. Because of the cold air that was picking up he moved closer to her so she could cover the both of them with the blanket. Unconsciously Kakashi found himself putting his arm around Aneko's shoulder so she could lean her head on his chest. She felt warm and safe, a feeling that she hadn't felt in a long time.

 

“ This reminds me of when you used to take me by the lake and keep me company.” Aneko commented

 

“ Except your fingers aren't shoved up my nose.” Kakashi replied as she laughed. Soon she was yawning, the night and the warmth of Kakashi's body next to her was breaking her usual defenses. He felt her body relax and knew that she had to be tired. He moved a little and let them slid down to the ground, now his body was leaned against the stomp and she was fully laying on his body. He fixed the blanket over them and tilted his head to look at her, “ Comfortable?”

 

“ Yeah, thank you Hoki,” Aneko replied as he chuckled, he found his fingers brushing against her face to pull loose strands of hair behind her ear. That's when he realized something, in some way he wasn't sure anymore about his feelings for Aneko. He was turning back into a big brother to her; protective, caring, loving, and would do anything for her. But deep down he was starting to have different feelings, feelings of attraction. He knew he was wrong for it, but he couldn't help it, she was beautiful. But there was so many things that made him rethink the reality that he might actually be falling for her. She was sixteen, he was twenty eight, it was illegal, he knew her from since she was practically a baby, and she probably only saw him as a brother anyway. One side of him still looked at her as that bouncy little dark kid that poked around in his nose, while the other side saw a desirable young girl. Damnit, too much Icha Icha Paradise, he thought.

 

“ Kakashi?” Aneko suddenly spoke taking him out of his thoughts

 

“ Thought you were asleep, what's wrong?” Kakashi replied

 

“ Why is your face always hidden? From he first time that I meet you, your face has been covered. What girl are you trying to impress?” she teased

 

“ No girl, it's just been the way that I am. But, get some sleep Aneko.” he replied, she yawned again and snuggled up next to him. Soon she drifted off and Kakashi cold hear her soft snores. She's so cute when she sleeps, he thought. He raised his hand and brushed his finger against her eyebrow, “ No one will hurt you again, and I promise you that.”