Disclaimer: I own nothing about Naruto.
A/N: Okay, so, this is my first attempt at a Naruto fic. It is KakashiXOC as stated in the summary, so if you don't like OCs don't read this and complain please. For now it is mostly memories and reflections and the "present" bits take place right after the joint shinobi forces are created and before the battles start, just so you have a time placing, since that's when I started to write this...enjoy and review please? Oh, and I like to use Japanese words in my fics, so translations are at the bottom of the page.
OFUSHICHO NO MIKO
Prologue
"Genkai*," came the hoarse whisper.
"Nani*?" Kakashi turned his ear to better hear the woman he carried on his back.
"I'm at my limit,"
"How so?" he kept up his steady pace, doing his best not to jolt his injured charge.
"Kakashi…I don't think I'm going to make it this time."
"Don't be a baka*. I'm carrying you, there's no way you won't make it," he spoke cheerfully, as if he didn't have a care in the world, but his stomach was tying itself into knots.
She had to make it; she was all he had left.
"I've had wounds before; you know that better than anyone…but this is different…I've never felt this weak before; I've never felt this cold," she whispered, her words halting and laboured. "I can't move my body…I can't feel any pain. Everything's gone so dark…"
"What do you mean dark?" sick panic was forming and Kakashi sped up his pace.
"The world faded so quickly…there's no light or colour or shadows…there's only black…"
"Just hold on Mi-chan, we're almost there, I can see the village just up ahead."
"That's good," he felt her smile on his neck even through his mask and she left a light kiss.
"Tell Tora-nii that I'm sorry,"
"Don't talk like that," Kakashi was running now.
"–tell him that I love him," she went on, as if she couldn't hear him anymore; her voice seeming to be losing the calm strength he was used to hearing in it. "Despite everything."
"Mi-chan," the main gate was just up ahead.
"Shi-kun…I've always loved you," she whispered.
His heart leapt.
It was the first time he'd heard her say it directed at him; but he had wanted so long to hear it from her.
She was already unconscious as he placed her on a gurney, the medical-nin moving in to examine her.
She had never heard those three precious words from him either.
…and he never got the chance.
A/N: next chapter is not far off...review please?
*Genkai = limit
*Nani = what?
*Baka = idiot