Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Kakashi and Raye ❯ Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto does.

 

A/N Again, I'm sorry that the chapters are so long. I wrote this story for my friend a few years ago, and she doesn't know that I've posted it Hehehe. Umm, there is a lightly suggestive but brief passage in this chapter, nothing to worry about. It's nothing, just letting you know that I don't like to write those sorts of things in. It's just there, implying things lol. I babble a lot.

 

I think I have a couple more chapters that I still have saved; I'll have to re-write the rest. I'll post the rest of what I've got though, and I hope that someone likes this!!!!

 

 

 

Every morning for the last two and a half weeks, Kakashi had visited Raye. He always showed up in her hospital room just as the sun was rising, and was always gone when she woke up. All of the ninja had been very busy since Tsunade had taken over. She had to deal with the losses from the Sound and Sand ninja's attack, get settled in properly as the Fifth Hokage and keep the village running through ninja missions.

Sakura had starting accompanying Kakashi to visit Raye, and bought her a flower each time. The nurse told Kakashi that Raye would be able to go as soon as she had a secure place to live.

 

`She just needs to come back once a week to make sure that she's alright. If she goes and talks to Lady Hokage, she should be able to get back into the ninja system. Of course she'll need to prove that she still has the same skill level and endurance.'

`So as long as she agrees to weekly check-ups she can go?' Kakashi had calmed down over Raye being stuck in the hospital, and had a bored look on his face. This conversation, however, was striking some interest. Sakura had already left for the morning.

`Yes, Kakashi. Although I don't want to release her until I'm certain she has somewhere to go. Her home was cleared out years ago after her father died and she was captured. And everyone knows what happened to her little brother after she wasn't there to stand up for him.'

`So, if Raye had somewhere to go…'

`She could leave. But it would have to be permanent or somewhere she was welcome until she had a place of her own.'

`My place.'

`Kakashi. This isn't like adopting a puppy.'

`I know perfectly well that Raye is not a puppy. But she's lived with me once before. Only for a while, but I have plenty of room, and I'm hardly ever home anyway. I have to go now, but tell her I'll meet her at Ichiraku's ramen for lunch. Make sure she brings whatever belongings she still has.'

`But Kakashi!'

`Tell her, or I'll tell Lady Hokage.' The nurse slumped in a chair, clearly not willing to argue with such a powerful and respected jonin.

`Have a nice day.' Kakashi called over his shoulder as he left, and he gave a small wave of thanks. The nurse just laughed to herself.

 

How could I ever expect to keep Raye Uzumaki here when Kakashi Hatake is waiting for her? I must be out of my mind.

 

Kakashi walked slowly to Ichiraku's ramen stand. He had his hands in his pockets, and was trying to prepare himself for Ayame's questions. They always came.

`Look! Look! It's Kakashi, he's SO hot! I wonder if he and Raye are back together. What do you think, Dad?' Ichiraku sighed in disappointment.

`Ayame, it doesn't matter. Kakashi just doesn't seem interested in you.' Ayame looked shocked, and then gave her father the biggest eyes she could muster.

`But Daddy! Why won't you support me in my quest for Kakashi's love?' Ichiraku slapped himself in the forehead.

Now I feel like I do when Naruto does something stupid. Where did I go wrong with this girl!?

 

Raye was walking to Ichiraku's. The hospital nurse had told her to take what she had and meet Kakashi here for lunch. Raye's injuries had all healed, and she had started stretching her muscles, getting back her amazing flexibility and the formidable strength she possessed without the use of chakra. She felt as confident as ever, and tomorrow she would consult Tsunade about the ANBU black-ops.

She saw Kakashi hovering around Ichiraku's, as if contemplating whether he should wait for her, or face Ayame alone. She giggled to herself and ran up behind him. Her stealth was unmatched by any shinobi. She jumped on his back and hugged his neck. He laughed at her light-heartedness and pulled out a stool for her. She let herself fall from his back and sat on the stool with charm. Her sense of etiquette was impeccable, as she had been brought up with manners like that of a princess; being the Hokage's daughter.

Ayame looked sullen as the two ordered and ate in silence. She knew that these two were truly meant to be together. She looked up to the sky for guidance as she realized the hopelessness of following Kakashi. As she lowered her eyes to the ground slowly, something caught her attention. It was glowing in the sunlight, almost like it was calling to her. Guy smiled at Ayame, and his tooth shone with blinding light.

`Well hello there, Ayame.' Ayame blushed and her head screamed at her to say something, but all she could do was smile. Guy gave Raye a sideways glance, and Kakashi traced a fake tear down his face and made to reach for a kunai. Guy looked dead ahead at Ayame, trying to ignore Kakashi's piercing stare.

`So, Ayame.' Guy acted as cool as possible, and Kakashi continued eating. Ayame nodded slightly.

`When do you get off work here?' Ayame could've fainted; she threw off her apron and bandana, jumped the bench and stood next to Guy.

`You wanna go and get some, ramen?'

`I love ramen! You're so sweet Guy.' Guy smiled again, and his tooth reflected the light once more.

`I know. It's just a part of who I am inside.' Guy offered Ayame his hand, and she took it eagerly. As the two walked off together, Ichiraku smiled, and went to find something to kill himself with.

Kakashi took Raye's hand, left some money on the bench just in case Ichiraku was unsuccessful in his suicide attempt, and took her through the village.

 

`Where are you taking me, Kakashi? And why did the nurse tell me to bring my stuff to lunch?' Kakashi smiled.

`It's a secret,' he laughed to himself, `I want you to be blindfolded.'

`Okay, but if you run me into any walls I'm prepared to hurt you.'

`I promise I'll be careful.' She nodded, and allowed Kakashi to blindfold her.

 

`Okay, here we go, you can take the blindfold off now.' Raye fiddled with the intricate knot momentarily, and then pulled the material off.

`Where are we Kakashi? It looks familiar.'

`This is my place. I've done a little re-decorating since the last time you were here. If you don't like it you can change it, but this is where you'll be living unless you want your own place, in which case you can stay with me until you find one.'

`You mean to tell me that you're going to let me live with you?'

`I couldn't leave you in that hospital forever now, could I?' Raye threw her arms around him.

`Thank-you so much, Kakashi!' He returned her hug.

`You're welcome, Raye. I have to go and handle a few more minor missions with Team 7 today, so make yourself at home. You don't have to stay in here if you feel like going for a walk or something. There are spare keys in the kitchen cupboard. Raye nodded happily and hugged Kakashi as he left.

She didn't have many clothes still, just what the Cloud ninja had dressed her in. She had no-idea where she was going to get the money to buy another ninja outfit like her old one. It was cold in Kakashi's apartment, so she went to find his bedroom.

Dressed in her dirty shorts and singlet, and wrapped up in one of Kakashi's massive jumpers, Raye curled up on his couch and read one of his books on the village's history.

 

Kakashi got home late that night. The missions had taken longer than necessary, and the fact that Naruto had fallen into a puddle of mud and ruined the brick wall that they had to paint white, things hadn't gone as fast as originally planned. He didn't expect Raye to be up.

`Raye? Are you still awake? Raye?' He didn't want to wake her up if she was asleep, so he called softly and checked the bedrooms. She wasn't there. He found her on his couch, curled up, asleep, a history book in her hands. She was wearing one of his blue jumpers with the red swirl on the sleeve. Very gently, he lifted her up off the couch and carried her to the spare bedroom. No-one had ever slept in this room except for Raye, and Kakashi felt strange tucking her into the bed after so long. He silently left, closing the door behind him. He closed his own door, stripped off, pulled on some shorts and went to sleep almost instantaneously.

 

It was mainly dark outside. A few beams of light shone through the clouds here and there, but the atmosphere was calm and undisturbed. The air was almost dusty with the faint sunlight, and the village appeared strong and comforting. Only one person was dumb enough to have only just fallen asleep. After training all night, Naruto lay in the grass, in a world of dreams. His had pushed his body to its limit, and then collapsed in exhaustion.

Raye awoke with a start. She didn't know why she had woken up, but she felt the need to get up.

 

Kakashi must have carried me here last night. I wonder if he's awake yet. He usually gets up around dawn, so I guess he might be.

 

Raye opened Kakashi's door. She had only cracked it slightly, and her now healthy frame was able to slide through and shut the door behind her. Kakashi had the blankets folded down to his waist, just staring at the ceiling.

Raye tip-toed across his room and slipped herself under the half folded covers. She laid her head on his chest, and he put his hand on her head protectively. She looked up at his expressionless face.

`What are you thinking about?' she said in an almost whisper. He closed his eyes and he placed an arm around her.

`What they did to you.' Raye hugged his chest.

`Don't worry, Kakashi. I'm fine now. They got what they deserved, and like it or not they're blood is on my hands.' Kakashi looked at her.

`Oh. I'm sorry, Kakashi. I shouldn't just jump into your bed and wear your clothes like I own the place! It was stupid I know but it was cold and you were awake.'

`Raye, just…'

`I mean, I did only just escape about a month ago after ten years of torture. I never talked, I never screamed, I never cried! But I also never resisted being taken away, and even though you say no-one could've handled that I still feel ashamed of it! My father died to save this village, and in a way my brother is now responsible for keeping the village safe from that threat and they just treat him like a piece of trash! Before the war I always stood up for him, and the people accepted it because I was still there, but after I left they took his home, his belongings and left him on the streets to be alone and cold! I come back and get thrown in a hospital. We get back together, you let me live here and now I'm being a fool and humiliating myself right now and just act like I can do whatever I want! So I'm sorry, okay!?' she said all in a rush. She started crying for the first time in years. Since her father had died, in fact. She threw herself over Kakashi and he tried to comfort her, restraining her sobbing body.

`I was going to say that just because you've been gone for a long time, doesn't mean that you can't treat this place like your home. You're welcome to use anything that you want or need. This is your home now, for as long as you like.' This just made Raye cry harder, unleashing all of the painful tears that she had bravely kept inside.

 

When Raye awoke again, Kakashi was gone, and she was still in his bed. Raye stretched and got up. She searched his kitchen and found some breakfast before finding a note from Kakashi.

 

Raye, I'm sorry that I had to go before you woke up. I've left some money under this note, you can buy yourself some clothes if you like, or anything else you want. The Hokage will be in the same place as always if you want to speak with her about resuming your ninja status here in the village and beginning missions again.

 

Kakashi

 

Raye found the money and hid it away in her green frog purse. Finding some clothes. That was her first goal for the day. Then she would go and talk to Tsunade.

 

By the time Raye was on her way to see Tsunade, she was fully equipped with her ninja apparatus. She had managed to locate where her family's things had been placed after she was deemed dead, and had convinced a kindly old man to let her have her clothes back. He said that he couldn't refuse such a beautiful and honest young girl her modesty, and she was the Fourth Hokage's daughter, after all. Unfortunately, all of her weaponry had been sold, except for her unique kunai knife, which was kept along with her clothing.

So she had her old attire, her personal kunai with a red rope wound around its handle instead of white and her green frog purse from her father. She still had her weapon pouches with her clothing, so she simply went out and bought more kunai, shuriken and some other little ninja toys; like smoke bombs and a few explosives.

 

Shizune greeted her at Tsunade's door, bowing.

`Honorable daughter, Raye! It's a pleasure to see you again.' Raye inclined her head.

`Thank-you, Shizune. Please tell me, is it possible to see Lady Tsunade now?'

`Of course you can, Miss Raye. You are always welcome as the Fourth Hokage's daughter! I'll just announce you to Lady Hokage.' Shizune ran inside the large doors. Raye could just make out the muffled conversation.

 

`Please, Miss Raye, go right in.'

`Thank-you, Shizune.' Inside the room, Tsunade sat lazily in a large chair. She stood as Raye entered. Everyone in the village, even the legendary sannin and the Hokage, respected Raye. It was one of the unspoken laws.

`Miss Raye. How may I help you?'

`I'd like to speak with you about regaining a position in the ANBU black-ops. Naturally I do not expect to simply get what I want, but you must consider my previous position in this village and my rank as a highly advanced jonin of S-Class.'

`Of course, I'm aware of this. I don't think that you'll know this, but since I took over as Hokage after the Third Hokage's death, there has been no head of the ANBU. As far as I know, after you were captured, the ANBU did not replace you, the team captains answering directly to the Hokage instead of a leader. I believe it is due to no-one commanding the same amount of great power as you, or as much respect. The captains did not change, although as members sadly died or left, they have been succeeded by others worthy of their position. We've tried to keep the ANBU members as they were during your reign, well rounded and highly skilled in all styles of combat and jutsu as much as possible.'

`You're telling me that there is no head of the ANBU black-ops?'

`That's precisely what I'm telling you.'

`There is now. I shall prove my worth against Jiraiya, the only rival to my strength other than you in this village. I would not wish to disrespect you through battle.'

`I understand. You will fight Jiraiya for your position in a week's time, to allow both of you to prepare. There will be pressure, as you know. The village will be alerted, and you will fight in the battle arena, where the people can see who wishes to lead their special forces.'

`Very well, Tsunade. Thank-you.' Raye left grinning. One week, and she would have her position as head of the ANBU black-ops back.

 

The next morning, Kakashi woke up to find Raye already in the kitchen, cooking.

`What's all this?' Kakashi wanted to know. Raye's hair was stretching to her waist, with her messy fringe almost completely covering her eyes, her body wrapped in one of his unused large robes.

`A simple was of saying thank-you.'

`Raye, you don't need to thank me, although I'm not complaining about the food. Raye smiled, glad that she had made Kakashi happy, or his stomach as least.

 

Before proving herself to the village and Tsunade, she needed to test herself. She had asked three Jonin; Might Guy, Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi to assist her. They had agreed to attack her individually. Raye needed to know how much of her strength had been lost to years of physical torture and unchanging positioning.

`Whenever you guys are ready you can attack me. I don't care who goes first.' They had already discussed the rules, and the fight would be to the point of death only. The aim was not to kill. No serious harm or permanent damage would be intentionally inflicted. If it did accidentally occur, Raye had recovered fully now; and had the ability to heal the problem within minutes, even seconds.

Guy attacked first. He had been planning on asking Ayame out on a date today, but Raye had gotten to him first. He couldn't refuse such an opportunity, so he'd invited Ayame along. She was watching from a safe distance with a pair of binoculars. Guy wanted to show off.

Raye in turn hadn't wanted Kakashi to worry, so she had let him bring Team 7 out to see what the Fourth Hokage's daughter could really do. Sasuke thought that Raye would get hurt; not thinking that such a woman was good enough to defeat 3 jonin. Sakura was worried that she was still too mentally ill too fight them, and Naruto was all for Raye to beat them all.

`C'mon Raye! Take him out! Wooooooo!' Raye smiled at Naruto's enthusiasm, and then concentrated on Guy. Raye had distinctive battle strategies, only she shook them up every time she fought, so you never knew what she was going to do next. Her strengths and weaknesses were also unknown, and only Kakashi and a group of dead Cloud ninja knew her weakness for the handsome jonin. Guy didn't know what he was getting into. Especially because he was trying to impress Ayame with his incredible taijutsu. Raye quickly leapt into the trees and cloned herself. It was her own trick clone, however, and when damage occurred, it replaced itself at the exact moment that it would disappear, and instead of becoming a puff of smoke, it would dissolve unnoticed. It was the perfect way to decipher someone's attack pattern without using up all of your chakra or energy.

The clone and Guy battled. Raye could help the clone in battle when necessary, and also control its voice, hearing everything that the clone heard and making it say whatever she wanted. It truly was a shadow clone with a twist. Raye had her clone provoke Guy, constantly giving him easy opportunities before darting away quicker than he could see. Raye eyes were sharp and well accustomed to quick movements. Even without the advantages of things such as sharingan, she could keep track of the fast paced battle. The clone let Guy strike, and the dissolving and replacing method happened instantaneously. Raye grinned, not even the byakugan could have picked that up. Raye was getting used to Guy attacks. She allowed him to pound down two more shadow clones, and then she had him. She manipulated the clone's voice.

`I've got you now, Guy. You're next move will be your last for this battle.' Guy looked confused. He struck the clone. Then the familiar “pop” of a shadow clone could be heard as the real Raye jumped through the cloud of smoke, making it look like she had used some kind of smoke bomb. She had Guy down on the ground in one fluid movement.

`Next!'

Sasuke sighed with boredom. Sakura looked amazed, and Naruto's jaw dropped. He gathered himself quickly.

`That was awesome, Raye! Keep it up; these other two don't stand a chance against you! Believe it!' Ayame ran over to Guy, carefully helping him move out of the way. Guy milked it for a while, and then his superman act came back into play as he leapt from the ground and grinned.

 

Meanwhile, it was Kurenai's turn. She wordlessly took a bracing stance and locked in a serious face. Asuma watched happily as Kurenai got ready to fight the powerful opponent. Raye thought for a moment, and then her genius mind thought of a new battle plan. Raye studied her opponent carefully. Even though these matches were only a test for her own strength, she needed to keep her mind open and ready. It had been a long time since she had fought properly, and now was her chance to practice before Jiraiya in a weeks time; there was no way she was going against a sannin without refreshing her skills and technique.

Kurenai was observant, and even though Raye's self-replacing shadow clone jutsu was virtually undetectable, that was not the way to beat her. Kurenai's head was rushing with thoughts, trying to come up with a way to win, or at least lose more gracefully than Guy. Nothing came to mind. Raye made the first move, by casting a strong genjutsu. Everyone outside the genjutsu's range, which Raye could decide on and alter at her discretion, saw a fight of Ninja Academy standard. Inside the genjutsu was just an endless, white space. It had walls, and limits, but no shadows. No echoes. The space was completely impenetrable. It also sent you swimming into your own thoughts, spiraling into despair. Only Raye could see things clearly. She used the bright light of the genjutsu to her advantage, and used her incredible speed to confuse Kurenai even more. She was in one place, and then another.

 

What on earth is going on here? Why is this place so bright? And where did the others go? This must be genjutsu, but how do I break it? Releasing it won't work, it'd be a waste of energy and time. Look, Raye is coming at me! I wonder if Asuma can see this. Maybe he's cheering for me!? But wait, I have to focus on Raye! There's no way I'm going down without a fight!

 

Raye released the mind boggling effect of the genjutsu, and let Kurenai adjust to the space as she jumped around as fast as possible. When Kurenai looked more comfortable, Raye threw a shuriken, lodging a single spike into her shoulder. Raye had immense knowledge of the human body, and knew exactly where to strike effectively without causing serious harm. Kurenai moaned in pain as blood seeped from her wound. Raye was in front of Kurenai, a kunai slashing at her leg, and then gone again.

Raye had already won. She released the genjutsu. Kurenai looked up from kneeling over her leg to see everyone in shock. They had seen the two of them throwing kunai 10 feet away from their targets and tripping over as they tried to set simple traps. Asuma spat out his cigarette when he saw that Kurenai was bleeding badly. Raye wiped the bloody kunai on the grass and tucked it away in her pouch.

`Get ready to fight, Asuma. You're up next.' She knelt next to Kurenai, and gently moved her hand from her wound.

`I'm sorry, Kurenai, I didn't mean to get your leg so badly.' She held up her palm, and visible blue chakra encased it. Raye waved it like a wave, and Kurenai's leg looked like nothing had ever happened, as did her shoulder once covered by the healing jutsu.

Asuma stepped forward. He knew it was his turn to get beaten by the formidable kunoichi, but he had to try.

 

Team 7 was completing their last small mission for the day. Raye had nearly made Asuma cry in pain earlier, and it had taken everything Kakashi had in him not to burst out laughing. Naruto, however, was not nearly as disciplined, and ran off to tell Ino, Shikamaru and Choji that their sensei just lost to a girl.

`So, they were pretty good fights today, weren't they sensei? I mean, I didn't think that Raye would be well enough to fight three jonin like that.' Sakura sounded extremely interested as she wrestled with chunks of hard soil.

`Raye has completely recovered now, Sakura. Three jonin shouldn't be a problem for someone like her. Other than being the Fourth Hokage's daughter, Raye is quite accomplished on her own. She graduated the ninja academy at the age of 4, and passed the chunin exams later that same year. On her fifth birthday she completed her first A-rank mission, quite successfully too. She was elevated to jonin just a week before she turned six, and was highly skilled. By the end of that year, she was a part of the ANBU black-ops.'

`At six years of age she was in the ANBU black-ops!?' Sasuke said incredulously.

`Yes Sasuke. She has more credits than Itachi in that respect. She was a captain in the ANBU when she was 7, and by the time she hit 8 she was the head of the entire ANBU black-ops, and was until the day she was deemed a lost cause, and the ANBU was ordered to stop searching. That was the day that I quit the ANBU.'

`Wait, I didn't know that you were in the ANBU black-ops Kakashi sensei.' Sakura looked amazed to know that she was talking to an ex-ANBU.

`That was a long time ago, Sakura.'

`So sensei, it sounds as if you like this girl.' Naruto was clearly trying to get some juicy info out of his sensei.

`Hey, Kakashi sensei? Raye's a really nice lady. I like her. She's so strong and proud and confident. How do you feel about her?' Sakura asked sincerely

`Well Sakura, if you must know…'

`Yeah sensei, you like her don't you? Don't you.' Kakashi redirected his attention to Naruto.

`Oh come off it Naruto. Of course he likes her, that's the only reason he's bragging about how good she is. Why else would a grown man talk about a woman like that? So tell us Kakashi sensei, when are you going to ask her out?'

`Actually Sasuke, if you would let me speak…'

`C'mon sensei!' Naruto pleaded.

`Shut-up you guys! Kakashi sensei is trying to tell you and you won't listen, so you don't deserve to know. Please sensei?'

`Thank-you, Sakura. Back before the war…'

`Hey, how come you'll tell Sakura when she asks and not us?'

`Because, Sasuke, Sakura said please and she gave me plenty of room to refuse the question and plenty of time to consider an answer and tell her how I feel about Raye.' Sasuke shut-up quickly and kept working. Kakashi was crouched on top of a fence post, perfectly balanced. He didn't have his novel with him.

`Before the war Raye and I were together. The Cloud ninja used that weakness to make Raye feel like she had absolutely nothing left through a transformation jutsu. Raye's capture was partly my fault; I was too shocked at the sight of Cloud ninja rushing out of battle overhead with her unconscious body to do anything about it. But in answer to your real question, no; I do not like Raye.' The squad stopped working and looked at him suspiciously. He sighed and continued.

`The feelings that a man has for the woman he planned to one day marry are a lot stronger than like. I love her. I did then, and I do now.

 

Raye was walking through the village, slowly winding her way back to Kakashi's apartment. Ino Yamanaka's mother had given her a rose as a welcome home present. It was just about to bloom and the scent was almost as beautiful as the flower itself. She looked up suddenly, and the red rose fell from her fingers. Her long black hair blew from the direction of the forest. She felt happy and energized, and ran back to Kakashi's place as fast as she could, blowing up clouds of dust in her wake.

 

When Kakashi got home that night, he was exhausted from a long day of ceaseless little mission that had no meaning. He opened the door to his apartment and threw his ninja headband onto the floor, not caring where it went until he needed it the next morning. Raye heard the door open, and she ran through the apartment to meet him. As she approached him, she jumped, throwing her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. He held her with ease. She spoke in an almost whisper.

`Do you love me?'

`Always.' That was his only reply. She felt warm inside, and a strange sensation washed over her. She put her hands over his ears and kissed his forehead.

`Back at you.' She slipped her hands down to his mask, pushing it down to his neck. He kissed her briefly, and carried her swiftly to the bedroom.

 

Raye woke up in Kakashi's arms, and smiled at he thought of the last night. She held his sleeping body tighter, and fell back into blissful sleep.