I do not own Naruto, but I do own the character Akamizu Juri.
When her last breath neared
The blood was everywhere. Her blood, some of his, but mostly hers. She was on the ground, panting hard and clutching her side where too much blood was gushing from. She wouldn't last very long, he estimated.
It's funny how, after years and years of fighting each other, the prospect of her dying made him feel surprisingly depressed. She wasn't just some enemy after all.
He had known her for ages, ever since they both became members of the special forces. He in the hidden village of the Leaf and she in Cloud. Years and years had gone by and they'd fought battle after battle against each other.
And in a few moments, all of that would end for them.
A weak and bloodied smile appeared on her face. "Why looking so grim, Hatake..." she panted, "you finally did it."
Kakashi wasn't sure what he should say, or do for that matter. He felt emotions raging through him he hadn't felt in two decades.
"Are you going to finish it, or are you just going to stand there and watch me die?"
Her smile hadn't faded yet. How she managed that was beyond him. Many worthy shinobi would've been lying flat on their faces by now. But he knew she was more than just a worthy shinobi. She was his rival and enemy and therefore supposed to last.
"I'm going to miss you."
Her eyes widened at this statment. "wh...what?" He watched her blush madly, once again surprised that she had any blood left to do so. The forest floor was getting soaked in the red, sticky liquid.
"What do you mean, you'll miss me?"
Kakashi thought his answer through before he spoke. "I will miss our battles," he said, tapping his chin with his index finger without letting his eyes leave hers. "I will miss your brilliant battle quips," he slowly approached her.
Juri's mouth began to form a watery smile again. "We've had a good time, I guess."
"Shush, I'm not done yet." Kakashi replied. Her smile got a little wider. "I'm going to miss the way your legs feel around me when you get to pin me to the ground."
Then, the smile turned into a mischievous one.
"Perv."
Kakashi grinned at this accusation. "Coming from you, that means something." he said, crinkling his eyes at her.
Juri knew exactly what he was hinting about. She shared Kakashi's passion for the Icha Icha-series after all. "Yeah, you're right," She grinned evilly, "You should be exhilarated by the fact that, when I die, you'll be Jiraiya's number one fan."
"Don't think that just because you happened to be dying that I'm acknowledging you as my superior in pervertedness." Kakashi said with a fake strict voice.
Juri pouted as much as she could muster. It would be her last pout after all.
"You should know by now puppy-eyes nor pouts will work on me."
The pout was gone in a nano-second and replaced by a bored look. "Yes, we all know you can't be swayed, oh mighty copy-ninja of the Hidden Leaf village."
Kakashi chuckled at that, but stopped when he realized he had almost forgotten about the fact that Akamizu Juri was dying at his feet. His mood sobered instantly.
"I'm going to miss you trying though," he said while kneeling in front of her. "I was planning on giving in someday."
She looked like a kid who just won a prize. "You mean you were planning to tell Jiraiya to dedicate his next novel to me?" she even managed to clap her hands together in joy.
Kakashi took a moment to take in the scene he saw before him.
There she was, his favourite rival Akamizu Juri, dropped to the ground, bleeding all over the place, her chest heaving with irregular breaths, but still laughing like it all was going to be just fine.
Things were going to be fine for her. She wouldn't be feeling anything soon. He was going to live on, as always trying to fill that gap in his heart and soul his family and teammates left when they died.
The gap she will leave behind when she goes...
While realising that, Kakashi decided he wouldn't let her get away from this life so easily. He picked a flabbergasted Juri from the ground and made way to the nearest medical post.
I'm trying to get myself back on track in fanfiction world, so some real feedback would be welcome. Please do not try to be nice because you're scared you'll hurt my feelings; I assure you I can handle it. Tell me what you think and what you would've done different. In return, I will review one of yours if you wish me to.
Thanks loads!
~RL&CE
