A DETONATING DANCE
Chapter I: Kunoichi of the Ketsuekigan
"It's true that we don't know what we've got before we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives."
-Anonymous
The soothing breeze swept through the bristling trees of Konohagakure as the sun hovered above the outlying mountains. Alluring scents of flowers tainted the senses as the birds chirped quietly, singing a forlorn tune.
Gentle fingers belonging to the wind stroked the land, arousing the inhabitants of the world. They extended to a young girl resting upon the bough of a tree, caressing her pale cheeks untouched by any human being. Her alert, shining emerald orbs stared dreamily into the distance, absorbed in thought. Her name, as many had come to know her, was Aiko.
Aiko, the Kunoichi of the Ketsuekigan.
She sat in the tree tops gazing above the innumerous hills and valleys, her cobalt blue hair swaying in the wind. Her azure pupils refocused upon a lonely little lilac below the tree she sat in, watching with a hint of interest as the flower danced its solo dance.
Smiling, Aiko hopped out of the tree, appearing in a matter of seconds beside the graceful lilac. She shook her head, murmuring, "What's a pretty little flower like you doing in a place like this?"
No sooner had Aiko said this, then the flower halted. Her senses perked up as she heard footsteps dragging through the ground behind her. Her eyes flashed.
"I don't know, maybe we should ask you the same."
Blinking with a hint of playful innocence, Aiko tilted back her head to see three unfamiliar Shinobi glowering at her. She nonchalantly got to her feet and cast them all a friendly smile, "Good morning. I was wondering when you were all going to come out." She glanced behind them, easily picking up on traces of other enemy ninja near the vicinity. "Your other friends are more than welcome to join us."
"Look girl," the head of the three present growled, "we came here to abduct you."
Observing their headbands and attire, Aiko noticed that they were ninja from a foreign country; though their uniforms were entirely alien to her. They've come to abduct me? She focused her chakra to her ears. Let's see then; there are one, two three, four and- she paused- five in all. It appears although I have my work cut out for me.
"Who are you?" Aiko asked calmly. "I assume that you know who I am, but I don't ever remember learning about the existence of your village. If I weren't so close to the border, then your presence would have already been detected by other Konoha Shinobi and you would be dead at my feet." The trio shuffled uncomfortably, recieving a deadly glare from Aiko.
"Arrogant brat," one of the ninja spat. He looked at his boss for permission to continue, who nodded promptly. "We hail from the Village Hidden in the Meadows." Aiko stifled a giggle at the ridiculous sound of the name. The apparent leader of the trio shot her a nasty glare while his comrade continued. "Our village is a newly created one, founded by the honorable Hitoshi-sama."
Aiko exhaled a deep sigh. This is definately going to come down to a fight. I won't go willingly.
"And why would you want me?" Aiko lowered her hand to her shuriken holster. It's probably too late for negotiations. This thought was confirmed as the leader gave the concealed ninja somewhere behind him a signal. Aiko tensed as he stepped towards her.
"You are a renowned medical ninja who they say is almost more powerful than the legendary healer and only female Sannin, Tsunade herself," the leader spoke again, his gaze hardening. From the look of it, he was trying to negotiate with Aiko too. "We can promise you many things if you join us."
A smirk landed upon Aiko's lips. "And if I refuse?"
The leader's voice hardened to match his stare. "Then we will use force to make you ours."
Behind Aiko and her opponents, the sun was just barely peeking over the horizon, casting beams of colored light across the heavens. Looking at the portentous display of crimson light, Aiko was caught off guard for a moment by the nostalgic feeling that overcame her just as the first sword glinted in the sunlight…
In Sunagakure the sun began to rise, the coiling sands tangoing with the merciless, wrathful winds. The harsh desert weather drove many insane just standing in it; the intense, ever-changing temperatures were almost too much to bear.
However, the beauty of the desolate desert was only made even more stunning by the blooming daylight.
Jingle. Jingle.
Four figures led the captivating sunrise, each donning black coats adorned with crimson clouds. Though their faces were hidden by bamboo hats with chiming, dangling bells, their identical attire deemed them all to be members of the infamous organization; the Akatsuki.
Vermillion eyes glinted from beneath one of the hats, and a composed voice murmured, "Konohagakure is less than a day away." He cast his comrades momentary glances before continuing, "Remember that we didn't come here to start a war; if we do, our mission might not be a success."
The tallest of the four chuckled to himself, "So we're staying inconspicuous?"
"Yes."
Icy blue eyes flashed underneath another hat, "Why must we keep our movements so discreet, hmm?" A smirk parted his lips. "It isn't any fun that way."
"Keep in mind," the final, hunched over figure muttered, "we have but one target."
Closing his vivid, Sharingan eyes, the first person to speak spoke once again, "Yes; Leader-sama sent us to retrieve a medical ninja for the Akatsuki organization to become the official medic nin." The light in his eyes flickered as he reopened them, whispering, "Aiko; Kunoichi of the Ketsuekigan; the imminent Akatsuki medic nin…"
Whomp! Thump! Thump! Thump!
"There we go, that's all taken care of."
"Aiko-san! Aiko-san! Aiko-san! Are you all right?"
A backup squad consisting of Kotetsu Hagane, Izumo Kamizuki, and Genma Shirunai arrived minutes after Aiko's battle with the foreign Shinobi had begun. The scent of death lingered on the air, and the backup squad stopped short upon seeing the five bloodied enemy Shinobi drowning in a scarlet sea at Aiko's feet.
Grinning, Aiko greeted them all amiably, wiping the blood specks off of her cheeks with her arm. "Sorry about not giving you all a heads up earlier; but I was able to take care of these five easily enough." She motioned to the carnage surrounding her; proof that she had been fine on her own.
Stepping away so that Genma could examine the corpses, Aiko strolled over to Izumo and Kotetsu. They made small talk while the wry brunette moved the toothpick around his mouth, judging the infiltrators to be dead. He shook his head. What a bunch of fools. I can't believe anyone would be pig-headed enough to take on someone like Aiko. Well, they got their just-desserts. He turned to Aiko, finishing his thoughts.
"What did they want anyway?" Genma asked, standing over the pools of blood.
"Oh, they wanted me to change my alliances to their village," Aiko shrugged.
Gazing over at the bloodied vests the enemy wore, Genma narrowed his light brown eyes seeing a sword wedged in between one of the men's chests; similar gauges in each of the other four. Aiko doesn't fight with a sword…she must have turned their own weapons against them…she's a formidable opponent…
"It looks like they got hell to pay for their idiocy," Izumo chuckled to himself. Aiko nodded.
"Yeah," Kotetsu agreed as he looked at Aiko. How could such a gentle, loving thing like her be a ninja? He knew that if he were ever to say something like that aloud he would regret it. "They didn't hurt you though, did they?" Kotetsu murmured. Sensing Kotetsu's seriousness, Aiko decided that it would be worth a try to lighten up the overbearing mood. She smiled.
Laughing, Aiko exclaimed, "Of course not! They were inexperienced, conceited men with unattainable ambitions." She shook her head. "They should've known better than to take on someone that they couldn't handle." She winked. "Don't forget, I may not look like it, but I am capable of leading an ANBU squad. You know that." Kotetsu smirked, an amusing comment entering his mind and leaving his lips in a split second.
Muttering to Izumo, Kotetsu murmured, "Well, of course no one can handle Aiko… not with her and her monster strength…" Izumo snickered. Aiko twitched.
"Me and my what?" Aiko folded her arms, giving the two men a cynical smile. Genma glanced up.
"Monster strength," Genma voiced from the dead bodies.
Giving both Izumo and Kotetsu unimpressed glares, Aiko was unable to admit that in a way, it was kind of funny, and she could no longer suppress the grin pulling on the edges of her mouth. She sighed. "You two are just something else, you know that? You're lucky that I'm in such a wonderful mood today."
"You're usually in a wonderful mood every day," Kotetsu muttered, grinning slyly at Aiko.
Izumo laughed, and Aiko looked up just in time to see Genma standing next to her; he clapped his hand over her shoulder. Izumo and Kotetsu immediately quieted down. Genma hesitated, inhaling deeply, "Actually Aiko, we came because Hokage-sama sent us; he wants to meet with you as soon as possible. There's something important that he needs to discuss with you."
Shk. Shk.
"And we came along to escort you."
Startled, Aiko recognized the only too-familiar voices of Kakashi Hatake and Tenzo (later known as Yamato by Sakura and Naruto). Her face lit up as she greeted Kakashi and Tenzo before giving Izumo, Kotetsu and Genma a quick goodbye-wave. Genma shot Kakashi a concerned glare as Aiko joined him and Tenzo.
"Don't worry," Kakashi reassured the anxious faces, "we'll deliver her to the Hokage safe and sound." He ran his gloved fingers through his wavy hair flowing off to the side. His only visible eye, left uncovered by the mask stretching up the bridge of his nose, seemed to crinkle as he smiled beneath his mask. Aiko looked up at him, remaining quiet. "We'll see you back in the village."
"And if you three could get any I.D. from those ninja that would be great too," Tenzo added as Aiko locked eyes with him for a brief moment. A smile escaped her lips as Tenzo winked at her. Tenzo's half-grin made her feel safer, dismissing any worried thoughts about meeting up with the Hokage.
Exchanging brief good-byes, Aiko, Tenzo and Kakashi were off in an instant, darting to the Hokage's.
Casting the corpses behind him an annoyed glare, Kotetsu muttered, "So who wants to do that job?" There was no reply from his teammates, who instead shot Kotetsu expectant looks. "I don't think so! There is no way in hell that I'm taking care of this mess! Genma, why don't you take care of it? You're better at this stuff than I am anyways."
"'Tough luck'", was all that Genma said. Kotetsu heaved out a sigh and got to work, cursing his group leader beneath his breath. He looked to the sky. Three blue jays flew over, flapping their feathery wings, and chortling a calming song. Kotetsu shrugged; hell, maybe this isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.
Looking up at the sky, Aiko could already see the potential that the day had in store.
The sun was shining, the wind was gentle, the birds were chirping; it somehow reminded her of how nasty the weather had been when she fled to Konohagakure a little over a year ago. Thinking of this made her stomach coil, bringing back bitter-sweet memories of why she was in Konohagakure in the first place.
When Aiko arrived in Konohagakure for the first time in her entire life, it was raining; down pouring. Aiko remembered that dreadful night so well. But it was also the first time that she had met Kakashi and Tenzo, which made it a 'bitter-sweet' memory rather than a horrible one.
It was, as Aiko recalled, the night when she fled to Konohagakure from Otogakure. She had been found by a paranoid ANBU Black Op, who believed her to be a demon, due to the incessant bleeding hole gaping through her stomach. The ANBU then proceeded to drag her to the Hokage's office, reaming her out and questioning her relentlessly the entire way.
But, she remained stoic.
Upon arriving in the Hokage's warm, dry office, Aiko was handed off to the elderly Hokage. Due to Aiko's injuries, her memory was hazy, but she remembered fragmented pieces of the Hokage taking her in and talking to her, trying to find out what happened; however, Aiko was taciturn. She refused to speak.
What could she say?
She remembered why she was there, but she didn't want to tell.
She wanted to be left alone.
She wanted to die.
But that was when Tenzo and Kakashi came.
For some odd reason, whatever it was, Aiko could recall her running into Tenzo's arms first. Why? She couldn't quite say. She just felt some sort of natural attraction to him, and when he spoke to her, his voice was comforting. Ah, it seemed so long ago. A piece of nostalgia meant to be forgotten in time.
Even so, Aiko could still vaguely remember Tenzo holding her in his arms; her eyes were swollen from crying. Yes, she had been crying, hadn't she? On that cold, dark night when she thought that she would be alone forever. When she was convinced that her world was over. But, she managed to prove herself wrong...
"Aiko! Are you still awake?"
Glancing up, Aiko was startled to find the Hokage staring at her, wearing a concerned expression. She snapped together, exclaiming, "Oh! I'm sorry Hokage-sama, please continue, I was just lost in my thoughts for a moment there."
"Indeed."
Looking to her left and right, Aiko found both Kakashi and Tenzo mirroring each of her sides as they stood before the aged Hokage. She looked around the room and could still pinpoint the spot where she sat a little more than a year ago; crying in Tenzo's arms. Remembering that night had completely distracted her from the current conversation, and seemed to drown out the existance of the rest of the world. She refocused her luminous eyes to the Hokage.
"So, you said that you needed to speak with me about something important?" Aiko smiled, standing in front of his desk. The Hokage bowed his hat over his eyes, leaving a little space so that he could peer at his guests from beneath the rim of his scarlet hat. He was about to reply, when his response was interrupted by the door closing.
Clack.
"Yes, we do need to talk about something very important," an unfamiliar voice said from the shadows.
Gasping, Aiko whirled around, seeing someone that she didn't recognize lurking in the shadows. Who is that? How did I not recognize his presence? The man separated himself from the blackness, stepping forth into the light. Aiko cast the invader a cautious, wary gaze, but she remained serene. Who is this man?
The man standing before her towered over everyone else in the room, his long, spiky white hair reached his ankles, which were heightened by the traditional sandals he wore. The paint running from his eyes to the bottom of his face disturbed Aiko, reminding her of her former lord's makeup. She could no longer restrain the prying question nagging at her as it escaped from her lips.
"Who are you?" Aiko asked, tensing.
Glaring at Aiko in a way which made her stomach squirm, the man solemnly replied, "I am Jiraiya, one of the three legendary Sannin." Aiko curled up her fist; so this was Jiraiya, the man that she had heard so much about from her former lord. "I was once a member of your former lord's squad."
"Orochimaru-sama!" Aiko's eyes glinted, her blood boiling. The Hokage winced at the abrupt change in Aiko's mood; sensing an uncontrollable bloodlust stirring within her.
"Yes." Jiraiya murmured. "Orochimaru."
Aiko quickly placated herself. I've got to calm down; I can't get riled up now. Clearly they want to talk to me about something other than my connection to Orochimaru. Aiko exhaled a sigh. She turned to the seemingly implacable man before her, "Tell me, Jiraiya-sama, what is it that you and Hokage-sama need to speak with me about? I have other duties that I was supposed to attend to today."
Before answering, Jiraiya looked agitatedly at Tenzo and Kakashi, but the Hokage waved his wrinkled hand, saying, "No Jiraiya, they can stay." He motioned to the cushioned seats positioned in the far corners of the room. "Feel free to pull those up and sit down. I would prefer it if you were all more comfortable for this particular conversation."
Doing as the old man bid, everyone seized a chair and situated themselves around his cluttered desk; Aiko sat between Kakashi and Tenzo, readily facing Jiraiya and the Hokage. She gazed seriously at the Hokage, but kept a certain gentleness to the tone of her softening voice.
"All right," Aiko breathed, "now please just tell me what's going on."
Clearing his throat and bending forward, answering for the Hokage, Jiraiya murmured, "There's an organization called the Akatsuki; if you were close to Orochimaru then I'm sure that you must've heard about them."
"I have," Aiko replied. "He defected from that organization just a day before we met." She fidgeted in her seat; the conversation regarding Orochimaru was making her slightly uncomfortable. Tenzo gently nudged Aiko's foot with his own as a comforting gesture. The room became quiet. Talk of Orochimaru had been forbidden ever since he betrayed Konoha.
Breaking the silence, Kakashi nonchalantly asked, "What does the Akatsuki have to do with Aiko? What would they want from her?"
Jiraiya's voice lowered to a barely audible monotone. "They want her as a medic nin."
Aiko caught her breath, her heart skipped a beat as she uttered the scared words, "A medic nin?" The Third Hokage bowed his hat over his face, veiling it entirely from view. Tenzo narrowed his eyes.
"As a medic nin," Jiraiya continued, despite the discomforted faces, "you would work exclusively for them, and from what I hear your skills are unsurpassed. If people say that your strength and expertise in medical ninjutsu rivals Tsunade's, then damn, I don't even think that you're human anymore. You're a formidable kunoichi, Aiko, and not only that but you possess the Ketsuekigan. You are the perfect ninja."
"Thank you, but," Aiko closed her eyes, "you shouldn't overestimate me. I'm not 'perfect'."
"Quite the contrary, I rather think that I'm underestimating you." Jiraiya hardened his gaze, but it was no longer as threatening to Aiko as it had been before; now, it seemed a little more concerned on her behalf. Aiko smiled calmly.
"Again, thank you," Aiko bowed her head respectably in thanks.
A small grin tugged at the corners of Jiraiya's mouth, and even he, the aged toad sage, managed a warm smile. She really isn't such a bad kid.
"Back to the matter of the Akatsuki," the Hokage lifted his hat back up, ready to continue, "Aiko, I don't know what to do with you. I fear for both your sake and the village's sake. This Akatsuki organization is a fearful group with unparalleled powers. I cannot begin to express my concern over this one situation. Aiko, I am worried for you."
Placing a comforting hand atop the wrinkled hand of the Hokage's, Aiko whispered, "I promise, that I will not put this village in danger. If they want me to join, then they can do so over my dead body. If necessary, I will die for this village; after all, I am a Shinobi. Such is my fate."
WHAM!
"No!" Tenzo interjected. He leapt to his feet, throwing his fist onto the table. The paperwork scattered onto the floor, pens rolling off. The Hokage straightened up, Jiraiya jumping to his feet. Aiko went wide-eyed. "Aiko, I won't allow you to throw your life away so recklessly!"
"Tenzo!" Kakashi placed a steady hand on his friend's shoulder. "Calm down!"
Shaking his head, Tenzo slammed his fists onto the table again; they trembled with such a powerful rage, such an intense emotion, that Aiko felt herself sinking into her own chair, embarrassed at what she had roused within Tenzo.
"Aiko, I can't let you give up your life like this; it isn't right!" Tenzo tried to calm himself, but was already suffering from trying not to shout at Aiko. Why couldn't she understand that she was more than a killing tool to so many people in the village? Why? Everyone loved seeing her; it wasn't fair that she should have to exchange her life for the sake of the village, just because some organization had targeted her.
Shk.
"Tenzo?" Aiko bit her lip.
Scraping his chair across the floor, Tenzo murmured, "I've had enough. I'm sorry, Aiko, but I can't sit here and listen any longer. It's too much." He began walking towards the door and stopped just as he placed his hand on the handle, seeing his distorted reflected in the rounded glass.
"Tenzo?" Aiko's voice shrunk to a scared murmur.
Turning around, Tenzo forced himself to give Aiko an apologetic smile; one big, compassionate smile, as he said, "I am so sorry Aiko, for walking out on you like this. I hope that you can forgive me, someday." Aiko held her breath. "I'll see you later." He twisted the wobbly handle, opening the door and departing.
Clack.
The door closed, and Tenzo was gone.
Aiko immediately stood to pursue him, but Kakashi weighed his hand down on her arm, saying, "It wouldn't do either of you any good. Don't worry, I know Tenzo and he'll cool off in a little while. He's had a rough week." Aiko stared long and hard into Kakashi's only visible eye. She tightened her fist, casting the door a forlorn glance. She reluctantly looked back at Kakashi.
Nodding understandingly, Aiko seated herself and turned back to the Hokage and Jiraiya, "What do you want me to do? I'm ready to do anything to keep this village safe. It's my home. It's my country. Ever since the day that I fled here, I made a silent vow to protect this village and all the people in it. Send me away if you see fit, I don't care. You've all done more for me than I deserve."
"Thank you Aiko, for your understanding," the Hokage smiled. "But I don't plan on sending you away for too long. I already have a plan for your safety."
"Then tell me what to do," Aiko beamed.
Jiraiya looked at Hokage, nodding his head.
"If you'd like, we have a couple different options," the Hokage lay out a couple pieces of blank paper, "you may, if you'd like, travel with Jiraiya and gather information on Orochimaru and the Akatsuki."
Aiko suddenly didn't like the way Jiraiya was eyeing her and she shrank next to Kakashi, wondering what she had gotten herself into. The Third Lord brought out his pipe.
"Or," the Hokage smiled, lighting his pipe, "we received an urgent message yesterday from the sand ambassador, Captain Yura, concerning a mission. He wants to meet with a Konohagakure Shinobi today to speak about training Sunagakure's medical corps, which has been slowly declining these past few years, and he requested you specifically."
Pointing to herself, Aiko clarified, "Me?" The Hokage nodded. "What an honor! Not to mention, I can stay subtle without the Akatsuki knowing my whereabouts and I can work as an ordinary medic. I can also stay in Sunagakure for a while and still travel back here for visits and such."
"Than I assume that you have made your decision?" the Hokage stood up, puffing interlocking clouds of smoke from his pipe.
"Yes!" Aiko exclaimed, smiling happily. "This way I won't put the village in any danger, and I can be happy, and Tenzo can," she paused sadly, "I don't know what Tenzo will do. I'll miss him a lot." She then caught Kakashi's eye and instantly brightened up. "Oh, and you too, of course, Kakashi."
Chuckling, Kakashi murmured, "Well, it isn't like we're going to allow our little Aiko to never see us again. I think that I can make some arrangements to see you, at the very least, once a month."
Throwing her arms around Kakashi, Aiko cried, "Thank you Kakashi! Thank you, thank you, thank you; you're the best friend that I could ever ask for!" Aiko let go and her radiance seemed to fill the entire room with warmth. Kakashi's cheeks reddened beneath his mask.
"I couldn't have asked for a better kunoichi," the Third Lord glanced over at Jiraiya and then politely requested, "now, would you mind escorting Aiko to the border? Captain Yura is supposed to meet with her by noon at Hiroshi Pass between the Konohagakure Forest and Sunagakure." Jiraiya nodded.
"Thank you very much Jiraiya-sama," Aiko bowed to show her gratitude.
The Hokage then sent Aiko away to pack her belongings and prepare for the journey ahead of her. Kakashi escorted her to her house while Jiraiya got some private words in with the Hokage before he took off with Aiko.
"Be very careful with her," the Hokage warned, "the Akatsuki may already be active in their search; and if they are I don't want any harm to come to either of you. If you do, however, run into them, I want you to flee to Sunagakure. Do not come back to Konoha. Do you understand?"
"Of course I do, sensei," Jiraiya lowered his voice. "I really am worried about her though. She's so young! How old is she anyway?"
Hesitating, the Hokage replied, "Fifteen." Jiraiya's jaw dropped.
"She's so young…" Jiraiya sighed. "The Akatsuki is a sickening organization. Taking advantage of a girl like her. It isn't right." He looked down at the floor, shaking his head, "They received another member about half a year ago; a ninja from Iwagakure; a terrorist bomber named Deidara."
Nodding, the Hokage responded, "Yes, I have heard of him. He's young too, isn't he? And Uchiha Itachi, a ninja from our own village… I am ashamed at the situation that took place with the Uchiha clan, and even now I feel bad about it." He turned away from Jiraiya, pulling the rim of his hat down over his face.
Glaring at his former sensei, Jiraiya growled, "That wasn't your fault. Don't blame yourself for that horrific situation. Itachi knew that it was coming."
Closing his wise eyes, the Hokage murmured, "I know, I know."
"I'm ready to head out!" Aiko declared as she threw her backpack on over her shoulders. Jiraiya grinned, enjoying Aiko's enthusiasm. Aiko waved good-bye to the Hokage and Kakashi, who stood at the gates of Konohagakure, wishing their friends safe travel. Aiko was excited to be beginning a new life in a new place, although she would miss her friends dearly.
"I'll be back some time soon," Jiraiya nodded his head at the Hokage.
As the Third Lord exchanged some final parting words with Jiraiya, Aiko slinked back over to Kakashi to bid him a final farewell. She thanked him many times for his kindness to her during her stay and mentioned that he would make a wonderful sensei while she was gone. The parting was hard for Aiko, but she knew that she would be all right.
"About Tenzo," Aiko's cheeks flushed, "I wanted him to know how sorry I am, about everything. Could you give him this for me?" Aiko held out a note to Kakashi, who took it without asking. "Thank you."
"When did you write this?" Kakashi asked, genuinely curious.
"Last night," Aiko replied, putting her finger to her lip. "It's for Tenzo's eyes only though, okay? You must promise that you will not read it unless he lets you." Kakashi promised and Aiko thanked him again.
Interrupting Aiko and Kakashi's conversation, Jiraiya boomed, "Okay kiddo, are you ready to go yet? We need to get you out of here and at Hiroshi Pass within the next three hours." Aiko nodded and pressed her hand to Kakashi's in parting.
"I'll miss you very much, Kakashi," Aiko smiled sadly for a moment, but then her lips widened into the kind, tender smile that Kakashi had grown to love. Aiko reached into her pocket and withdrew an envelope.
"Mm? What's that for?" Kakashi asked, as Aiko handed it to him. On the front, Kakashi's name was scrawled in Aiko's handwriting. He went to open it, but Aiko clasped her hands over his and shook her head.
"You can open it in about three more years, okay?" Aiko winked, trying to remain as composed as possible.
Cocking his head to the side, Kakashi asked, "What is it?"
"A surprise," Aiko averted her eyes to the impatient toad sage who had begun to tap his foot behind her. "I have to go now, but I'll see you very soon." Aiko walked one step away from Kakashi before flying back into his arms in their last farewell hug. She buried her head into his chest, whispering, "I'm really going to miss you!" Aiko blinked back tears, hiding her face.
Oh God! I feel like I'm going to cry! Aiko stifled her muffled sniffle, ashamed at what had so suddenly come over her. Damn it! I'm a Shinobi! I can't cry!
Jiraiya watched the two friends, exasperated, as he sighed and looked away.
"Uh, I really don't want to break you two up, but we really need to get going Aiko," Jiraiya insisted, checking the time.
"Yes sir," Aiko nodded, embarrassed as her cheeks reddened.
Pulling herself away from the Copy Cat ninja, the one man who had accepted her with all her faults and quirks, her closest friend in her time of need, with all the strength that she could muster, Aiko nodded, slowly walking away. Her heart screamed at her to stay, but she didn't. She couldn't. She had to leave for the sake of the village.
Peeking behind her long eyelashes, gazing solemnly at Kakashi as she walked away, Aiko could only think of how much she was going to miss him. Kakashi raised his hand in parting, waving and grinning at her, his calm, collected smile masked. Tears stung at Aiko's eyes as she watched Kakashi wink at her.
For Kakashi, Aiko managed one, final smile.
The rest was all a blurred memory as Aiko departed the village with a saddened smile; knowing that she would regret the memory she bore of Kakashi waving his hand, with the withered old man standing next to him and smoking his pipe; such a nostalgic memory that Aiko knew would haunt her forever.
Thinking back on it, Aiko asked herself, Why does it matter anyways? I mean, it's not like Kakashi and I have any sort of special relationship, right? We're just friends. After all, I made a promise to myself as soon as I entered the Hidden Leaf Village.
I cannot break that promise.
If I do, I will no longer be nearly as strong as I am now.
It's my nindo, my ninja way.
I will not give my heart to anyone.
I can't because I don't have a heart to give.
After all, the one man who owns my heart, my soul, my entire life…
…is dead…
"Whoa! Hold on Aiko you're going too fast!"
Glancing behind her as she whizzed through the trees, Aiko laughed, "I'm sorry Jiraiya-sama." She skidded to a halt. "You should've told me to stop earlier; I can slow down a bit if you want."
"Thank you," Jiraiya wheezed, appearing at Aiko's side, breathing heavily. Aiko peered ahead of them through the innumerous rows of trees, calculating that they only had a little longer to go before they reached their parting destination. Her senses prickled.
Crunch.
Aiko gasped. What was that? Her spine tingled ominously. There's someone else here! I can sense their presence. She narrowed her eyes. An enemy?
"Can you sense it?" Jiraiya had now regained his breath, and stood protectively next to Aiko. He grinned weakly, "It looks like we're being ambushed."
Carefully scrutinizing the surrounding area, Aiko gasped again, realizing what was going on. She cursed herself silently for not noticing it before. She turned to Jiraiya and smiled bitterly, "No, we were lured out here. This is all a trap."
BOOM!
A bomb went off.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The first bomb sent off a chain reaction of explosives around the perimeter that Aiko and Jiraiya stood in. A circle, a deadly ring of fire, had been made around them.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Aiko leapt out of the circle, an extending flame reaching out and scorching her arm as she escaped; hoping that Jiraiya had been able to do the same. Behind her, the entire area around which she had stood in less than a second ago, burst into flames.
BOOM!
Thrown from the area, the explosion sent Aiko flying, as she reached out to grab an incoming tree branch. She caught the branch and then swung herself onto it. She snatched a kunai from her holster, analyzing the area carefully. The sound of burning wood crackled behind her.
What a well-timed trap! Aiko smiled. Incredible. I almost failed to notice it.
Then, a chilling feeling crept up her spine, as Aiko looked up, meeting a pair of vivid Sharingan eyes.
"We've found you at last."