Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Just a few OC's.
Fate of Fire
Chapter 1
And if I never held you
I would never have a clue
How at last I'd find in you
The missing part of me.
"Why do you insist on reading that smut?" A girl's voice asked.
Kakashi looked up from his book and saw a tall, red-headed girl looking down at him with her hands on her hips. He surveyed her intently, but only for a second. She was wearing her customary black, ANBU tank top covered by a large, white knit sweater that only had three buttons at the bottom and a pair of formfitting black Jounin pants. Her mane of fiery crimson hair was hanging over her right shoulder in a loose braid. She was younger than him by a few years, but that didn't stop him from seeing her natural beauty. Her skin was tan. Exotically tan. Her light chocolate brown eyes were sharp, she narrowed them slightly at him.
He sighed, looking back down at his little, orange book and said, "I've told you a hundred times, Asane, it isn't smut."
"Whatever." She muttered, plopping down next to him in the grass. She looked over the training field, and saw large craters in the ground. "Practicing?" She asked, laying her head on the tree Kakashi was laying against. He nodded his head and flipped a page. Asane sighed and stretched her long legs over Kakashi's. He turned his head slightly in question to her action, but instead saw her head tilted toward the bright sun. He watched as the sun bathed her smooth dark face and a hint of a smile touched his lips from underneath his mask. A small breeze picked up, caressing her vermilion locks.
"So," Asane murmured, her eyes still closed, "Your 18th birthday is tomorrow. What're you planning?"
Kakashi heaved a big sigh, "Oh, you know, the usual. Visit the Memorial, do a mission or two, get drunk at the bar."
He heard her click her tongue in annoyance, "That is no way to celebrate officially becoming an adult."
"I think I became an adult a long time ago." He said quietly.
Asane kicked his shins hard and rose to her feet, "Don't be a lazy-ass," She ground out, "We're going to throw you a huge birthday in the bar."
"Hn, I have no incentive to attend." He grunted painfully rubbing now-bruised shins.
"Alright, how about a bet?" She asked slyly.
Kakashi looked up at her, "What kind?"
"We'll spar. If I beat you, you have to promise to celebrate your birthday properly with me and the rest of our friends. If I lose, well, I'll treat you to breakfast, lunch, dinner, the whole shebang." She flashed him a toothy smile.
Kakashi rubbed his clothed chin in thought. He did like to get decent food once in a while, and since she would be paying...
"Deal." He held his hand out in agreement. Smirking, Asane gripped his gloved hand and wrenched him to his feet. He made a small 'oomph' sound as he stood up, pocketing his orange book.
"What are the rules?" He asked smoothly, cracking his neck from side-to-side and stretching out his arms.
Asane tapped her chin, "You can't use your Sharingan, and I won't use my monstrous strength."
Kakashi cocked a silver brow, "Fine." As long as she kept her insane strength to a minimum, it would be a fairly even match. They were both ANBU Captains, though she attained the rank earlier than he did. Both worked in Tactical Planning and Intelligence, but occasionally assisted the Hunter-nins and Assault teams. Kakashi smirked, this would be a fun fight.
He watched her prepare herself, unstrapping her twin black blades and tossing aside her white sweater. She swung the deadly blades in circles and crouched low. Her actions were very feline-like, while his own mirrored that of a canine. At this thought, he noticed they complimented each other well, attitude-wise and combat-wise. Asane bared her teeth, a feral grin touched her smooth lips. Kakashi sighed whipping out his father's white blade from its sheath.
"First one to draw blood." He called out, crouching into an attack stance.
The moment the words left his lips, Asane vanished. He remained calm as he searched the training grounds with a swift eye. The whistle of a blade caught his attention. Above! Kakashi spun around and whipped his blade up to parry Asane's two blades that were crossed like an 'X' over his own. She landed on her feet and kicked out at Kakashi's side sending him skidding 10 feet backwards. He grunted in pain and put a hand on his ribs. Great, cracked rib.
Asane disappeared in a flurry of dust once again. Kakashi sighed inwardly, he knew she would fight until she got what she wanted. And she always got what she wanted. Kakashi heard small movement behind him and slashed his blade out accompanied by a few shuriken and kunai. Asane dodged the incoming weapons and met Kakashi's blade with one of her own. A screech of metal resounded from the two weapons causing a fierce shiver down Kakashi's spine. He shot his hand out and gripped her wrist that held the other blade ready to strike his stomach. Using his strength, Kakashi flung Asane away from him and began weaving hand signs at a ferocious speed. Asane's eyes widened as she realized what he was about to do and whipped her blades out in front her.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!" Kakashi held his hand to his mouth and shot out a great blazing fire to where Asane stood.
As the flames died down he found Asane standing at perfect ease with her blades in front of her. She had put up a chakra barrier using her blades as mediums. He should have suspected she would do that, she was the most talented ninja in the ANBU who could manipulate chakra perfectly. Asane grinned at him.
"You beat me once before, but don't get too cocky!" Asane yelled, breaking down the chakra shield and swinging her blades again. With that, she became a red blur and bore down on him with her blades once again. Kakashi blocked her with his white blade, gritting his teeth as she inched closer and closer to him. He swung his leg out and swept her ankles.
A small O formed on her lips as she crashed to the ground. Kakashi took this opportunity to subdue her by pinning her arms down and slamming his knees on her legs. She struggled for a bit but then came to a stop. He smirked from underneath his mask, "I win." He breathed softly into her ear. He felt her stiffen at the close contact.
"I wouldn't say so." Asane said from behind him. He turned around in surprise and saw her standing behind him, her brow arched in amusement. Kakashi heard the 'poof' of her clone disappear under him. One of her black blades rested on her shoulder while the other was pointed directly at his throat. Sighing, she leaned forward and nicked his throat, light enough so he wouldn't die of blood loss, but deep enough for it to sting pretty bad. He glared at her through one eye, obviously not amused. She rolled her pale, brown eyes and grabbed his arm to pull him to his feet.
"C'mon, Kakashi," She encouragingly as they walked back to the tree to retrieve their stuff, "Tomorrow won't be bad. You'll still be able to get drunk like you wanted."
Kakashi rolled his dark eye, "But now I have to endure your story-telling of how you made me submit to this at the party."
Asane giggled, "You should be used to it by now."
"We should head back," He grumbled, rubbing his sore body, "It's getting dark." Indeed, the sun was setting over the village.
Tiredly, they gathered their stuff and started heading back to the main streets of the village. Every now and then they would forcefully bump into each other's shoulders, earning a laugh or two from both ninja. Kakashi wasn't at all fazed that he had lost the spar to her. He was actually glad that she was the one to beat him, rather than some loud-mouthed, green-clad, bowl-haired idiot. They walked in silence, as per normal. They were both ninja of very little words and wouldn't speak unless absolutely necessary. It was another one of those reasons why he enjoyed her company. She understood when to talk, and when to leave matters alone.
Everything was pleasant until a masked ANBU dropped in front of them on the dirt road.
"Captain Hatake, Captain Asane," the ANBU greeted curtly, "The Hokage requests you both immediately." With that, the ANBU disappeared in a flurry of smoke.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow at Asane questioningly, she just shrugged and shouldered her pack. "Let's see what the old fart wants then head to the bar." Kakashi chuckled at her blatant disrespect for the Sandaime, but followed in suit as she leapt to the rooftops toward the Hokage Tower.
"Finally, we've been looking for you two everywhere," The wizened old man spoke gravelly, eyeing the two ANBU captains that stepped into the office.
Asane looked around and saw the other captains standing against the walls of the Hokage office, some in their ANBU uniform, some in regular clothing. It was obviously an emergency meeting.
"We were sparring," Asane told the Hokage. The sly looks from the other Captains said they knew who the victor of that fight was. Kakashi was dirtied and clutching his side, while Asane stood pristine and uninjured.
Kakashi grumbled and dragged Asane to the remaining spots along the wall, gripping a little harder than usual. The old Hokage chuckled and shook his head. "Shikaku, explain the situation." At the Hokage's request, an older Jounin with a spiky ponytail emerged from the group of captains and stood facing them, his lined face hard and serious.
"The war is coming to a close, but now more and more syndicates and trouble-makers are making its way to the surface. They're extremely minute, but a large threat nonetheless. If they aren't disposed of, this war will continue to rage on." The atmosphere in the room quickly became tense, "They need to be disposed of quickly. This mission only requires one Jounin because it has to be done in extreme stealth. It is a very dangerous mission and will only be a volunteer mission among the ANBU captains. You will be gone for an unknown amount of time and unable to return to Konoha until the mission is finished." Shikaku finished speaking and nodded to the Hokage to indicate he was done.
The Hokage rose to his feet looking each Captain in the eye, "I don't expect any of you to accept it. It is a laborious and dangerous mission. Suna has declined the mission to rid these threats because their own ANBU are unable to do the task. I, too, can pass the mission on to our other allies unless anyone wants to volunteer." The Sandaime turned around and faced the looming mirror of his office. He hoped that a certain Captain wouldn't accept, he truly hoped.
Silence reigned the small office.
Kakashi steeled his will and lifted his hand to accept the mission, but froze as he saw Asane had stepped forward.
"I will carry out the mission." Her tone was emotionless, as a good ANBU Captain should be.
The Hokage let out a drawn breath. He hoped she wouldn't accept. But he knew Asane, she was the type of ninja to accept missions that others would not do for the sake of her village. He commended her dedication, but also admonished her quick, rash decisions.
The other captains looked at each other in shock and uncertainty.
"Captain Asane?" The Hokage asked in assurance, "You are sure?"
"Yes." Came her curt reply.
Kakashi just stared, plainly in shock, but fear clouded his dark eye. Asane did not glance or look at him once. He knew that when it came to missions or ANBU Asane's will could never waver. Numerous times he had seen her slaughter an entire village for the sake of a mission, and not once did he see her cry or regret what she did. When it came to Konoha, she became a cold, killing machine.
"We'll start planning as soon as possible then." Shikaku said, his voice also held shock.
"Everyone's dismissed," The Hokage waved the captains away with his waving hands, "But Captain Asane and Shikaku, you stay." The captains filed out quickly, but Kakashi remained in the office. The Sandaime turned to Kakashi, "You don't need to be here, Kakashi."
"Are you seriously letting Asane take this mission?" Kakashi gasped in disbelief.
"She is an adept and capable kunoichi who has proven herself time and time again. She volunteered for this mission, so I am obliged to give it to her." Though there was a hint of regret in the Hokage's words.
Kakashi wheeled around to the red-headed girl who still hadn't looked at him, "What are you trying to prove? You don't need to take this mission, it's too dangerous!"
"Hold your tongue, Captain." Asane's cold tone lashed out. Kakashi flinched at her frigid words that were so unlike her, yet so like her. "Don't let your emotions get the better of you, Captain Hatake. Konoha needs this mission completed for the war to finally end. Don't you want that? Don't you want the war that killed our friends to finally be over?" She scoffed, "Every mission we go on is dangerous. Every time we set foot outside this village we are prone to danger. This is just another escort mission. But this time, I'll be escorting Konoha to safety."
Kakashi held his tongue in retort when he saw the Hokage shake his head slightly. He knew Asane would take the mission whether he like it or not, and though he hated the thought of her words being right, he hated the thought of her dying on this mission even more.
Shikaku shifted uncomfortably, clearing his throat, indicating that they had to start planning.
Kakashi bowed his head stiffly to the Hokage and turned on his heel without a glance at Asane and left the office, slamming the door behind him. Asane sucked in huge breath, and let it out with a quivering sigh. The Hokage said nothing as the silver-haired captain left and waited for Asane to speak.
"Let's start planning." Asane murmured, turning her back from the door.
A loud hum surrounded the crowded bar, mostly Jounin and occasionally Chuunin drank there to drown there sorrows away. Kakashi sat at a table surrounded by a number of his friends though not particularly in the mood to join in their cheerful and raucous behavior. He watched through hooded lids as Asuma and Anko had a drinking contest. He picked up his drink and downed it through his mask feeling the warm amber liquid slide to the back of his throat. It burned, but it was a damn good feeling. He felt a hand slap his back and turned to see a handsome, grinning Jounin holding a drink for him.
"Genma." He greeted, accepting the shot and tossing it back before slamming it on the wooden table in front of him.
The caramel haired Jounin raised a curious eyebrow and sat down next to the brooding Copy-nin.
"What's eating at you, Hatake?" Genma asked smoothly, gesturing to one of the waitresses for another drink. Kakashi said nothing as he poured himself a cup of sake and threw that back, too. Genma learned not to pry into Kakashi's personal life, unless absolutely necessary.
And he decided that now was absolutely necessary.
"So where's Asane?" Genma sighed, stretching his arms and grabbing a drink from a passing waitress, "I'm pretty jealous of you, Hatake, you got one fine friend."
Kakashi grunted in response.
Genma lips quirked in amusement. He had been friends with Kakashi ever since the Academy days and he knew something was definitely wrong, especially if he only grunted when Asane was mentioned. Genma had noticed the closeness between Kakashi and Asane for a while. He had wondered when they were going to finally confess their undying love for each other, but he knew that wasn't Kakashi's style nor Asane's for that matter. He would repeatedly badger the both of them about their close-knit relationship but was met with the same icy glare and punch to the kidneys. And for fun, just to tease Kakashi, Genma would mention how he would like to take Asane out on a date every time they were out at the bar. Oh how Genma had never felt such sweet pain.
But really, Asane was a very beautiful girl. Genma couldn't understand how Kakashi could handle being that close to her and just being friends. It was insane really. A poll was taken among the male Jounin on which female kunoichi was the sexiest, best bodied, and probably the best in bed, and Asane hit number one. Seriously. She beat all the other chicks by a landslide. It pained Genma's loins to see that Kakashi had such potential with her, yet did nothing to pursue it.
"You two had a falling out?" Genma asked hopefully, "Cause if she's on the market I'd like to take her on a date and ravage her with my-"
"Don't finish that sentence." Kakashi snarled.
A-ha, Genma thought smirking, So he isn't all cool and calm.
"I'm gonna keep prying whether you like it or not, so you might as well tell me before I start strip-teasing."
Kakashi choked on his sake and spluttered out a string of curse words hoarsely. Genma laughed good-naturedly and whacked his friend's back. Kakashi glared at the brown-eyed Jounin wishing that he would choke on a senbon that he normally has in his mouth.
"She's going on a mission." Kakashi ground out, glaring at the wooden table.
Genma cocked an eyebrow, "That's never bothered you before."
"It's an unranked mission. Extremely dangerous. And she has to go alone." Kakashi spat the words out slowly, sipping his sake.
Genma's eyes widened, "Wait, seriously? Old man Hokage actually allowed it?"
"Yeah."
"Shit."
"Tell me about it."
"And she's...?"
"She basically told me to fuck off."
"Ah."
Genma said nothing and watched the Copy-nin warily. The door to the bar opened. Kakashi glanced over and felt his hands grip the sake bottle he was holding. Genma followed his friend's line of sight and saw a very pretty and familiar red-head enter with Shikaku. They were talking quickly and softly as they made their way to the bar, Kakashi grit his teeth.
"She's being stupid," Kakashi muttered through clenched teeth, "She doesn't have to take this mission, but she does anyways. She doesn't have to prove herself to anyone, she's already an ANBU captain and a Jounin. Her name is in every bingo book. What more could she want?"
Genma remained silent.
Kakashi knew he was being irrational, letting his emotions get the better of him. But dammit, Asane was biting off more than she could chew. Or are you afraid you might actually feel something for her, a nasty, but truthful voice commented in the back of his mind, You're afraid to let go of someone you love. Kakashi scoffed inwardly. He cared for her, that's for sure, they've been through so much and experienced the same heart ache the day the Kyuubi attacked. Both loss loved ones that day. Though he wouldn't admit it, she was his other half. They grew up as orphans together at a young age, she had been brought to Konoha by ANBU, her village had been decimated by the war. They went on missions together, and sometimes were the only ones that survived on those missions. When Obito died, they both lost a best friend. They mourned together when Rin and Minato gave their lives for the village. She was his last tie to his childhood.
"Hatake has been staring at you the entire time we've been here." Shikaku commented, lifting a beer bottle to his lips, "You ought to talk to him."
Asane rolled her eyes, "He was being unprofessional. I have on reason to speak to him at the moment."
Shikaku shrugged, "I'm just suggesting you talk to him about the mission, ease his worry. You both have been through too much to let this get in the way. Especially since this mission might not bring you back alive."
"Hn." Asane rolled her shoulders and glanced behind her. Kakashi looked away.
She rubbed her forehead tiredly, "I didn't make a mistake accepting this mission, right?"
"Hm," Shikaku hummed thoughtfully, "Depends in what context."
Asane raised her eyebrows curiously. Shikaku chuckled, "Alright well, professionally speaking, you made no mistake. You'll be doing a great service to Konoha and helping the war effort immensely. But personally, I think you should have thought about the pros and cons of this mission. You definitely should have taken Kakashi into consideration as well. Think about if he volunteered for this mission. How would you feel?"
"He was about to volunteer! That's why I took the mission." Asane argued indignantly.
"Well then you're both one in the same," Shikaku sighed, "It was either you or him, and you decided that it should be you. So, go explain that to him. I'm damn sure if you were in his position you would be more than pissed."
"Shit," Asane grumbled, her stern face softening. She guzzled down another bottle of sake and got up from her seat. Shikaku was more than impressed to see the young, lithe girl hold her drink like that. She glanced back at Shikaku and he nodded his head in acknowledgment. Sucking a huge breath, she made her way to the Copy-nin's table.
"Thirty three!" Asuma roared, slamming his empty shot on the wooden table. He swayed slightly in on his stool but stood his ground. Cheers erupted from the small table. The young Sarutobi's face was flushed a dull crimson, but he grinned drunkenly at his opponent. Said opponent glared at him through red, watery eyes and picked up her glass of amber liquid. Pushing back a plum lock, she leveled her dark brown eyes with his. She flashed a cocky grin then threw back the shot.
"Thirty four!" Anko yelled. She whooped excitedly, throwing the shot glass at Asuma who caught it easily, though stumbled a bit. Another cheer went around the table.
Kakashi watched amusedly at his two friends and then he felt a light tap at his shoulder. He turned and saw a flash of scarlet hair whip out the door. He looked at Genma tiredly who jerked his head as if saying 'Go get her, you dumbfuck.' Kakashi sighed and heaved himself from his table and walked out the door. The summer night felt warm against his skin.
He lazily looked for the red-headed girl that called him out there. He found her leaning against a lamp post, arms crossed over her chest.
"We need to talk." She said, plucking a cigarette box out of her pocket.
Kakashi stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked over to her. He watched as she perched a cigarette between her full lips and light it with a slim, silver lighter. "I jacked Asuma's lighter," Asane smirked, "He won't mind."
"I told you to quit that," Kakashi murmured, watching the smoke curl around her young face, "It's bad for you." Asane shrugged and inhaled the Konoha Leaf Tobacco deeply, enjoying the feel of the nicotine hitting her system. Her posture became relaxed as she eyed the Copy-nin.
"I'm doing the mission, Kakashi. I need you to understand that."
Kakashi closed his eye and rubbed his face tiredly, "I understand. I just wish you didn't volunteer."
She laughed softly, "Well, I couldn't let you volunteer either. And between the both of us, we'd be the only captains volunteering anyways."
Kakashi gripped her shoulders lightly, "Why wouldn't you let me? I always return from missions like these intact."
"So do I," Asane whispered inhaling the crumpled cigarette, "But this mission is different. I can't let you die on this mission, it might as well be me."
"Who let you decide that, hm?" Kakashi lashed out angrily, releasing his grip and clenching his fists, "You can't decide that for me, Asane." She smiled softly, "I have nothing of importance that Konoha would need. You, on the other hand, have Obito's gift. The Sharingan. I can't let that go to waste, not yet."
Kakashi froze.
"You need to understand that in order for me to protect Konoha, I must protect you, too. You are a valuable asset with that eye, it can't disappear while Konoha is still in need of it." Asane flicked the burnt out cigarette on the ground and crushed it with her sandal. Kakashi's shoulders sagged at her words. She was right.
"When will you leave?" He asked calmly, though pain laced his words. Asane bit her lip, "Tomorrow at the break of dawn." The sentence came out in a soft whisper.
The world went silent for Kakashi. They stood under the light of the lamp post for what seemed like hours. His brow furrowed and his jaw worked to say something, but he could think of nothing to say. Nothing that would make this moment any easier on the both of them.
"Let's go home." Asane whispered after what seemed like an eternity. She was afraid of him, afraid of his reaction, afraid of what he was feeling. Hatake Kakashi was not one to show his emotions and twice in one day he had shown them. He nodded his head to her suggestion, his mouth was dry. They walked in silence.
They reached an old apartment building and stepped inside. Normally they would shunpo up the tall buidling, but time was short for them so they trudged up the winding staircase. Their rooms were right across from each other's on the fourth floor. Kakashi remembered the day he moved in, he was a mere 10 years old. To his surprise and delight, he found that Asane lived right across from him and had been living there ever since she came to Konoha.
He opened the door to his apartment and looked back at Asane as she opened the door to hers. He wanted to tell her to stay with him, to keep him company like she had so many nights, but his throat could not form the words to say it. She looked back up at him as she stood in her doorway and smiled.
"Goodnight, Kakashi." She whispered as she slowly closed the door.
"Goodnight." He managed to utter upon hearing the door close with a click.
Kakashi woke many times that night, checking his small window to make sure day had not broken yet. But it was still dark outside. The moon shone brightly and created a small square of light on his bedroom floor. He rubbed his silver head in frustration, throwing his head back on his pillow. Try as he might, he couldn't sleep. He heard a faint sound. Kakashi sat up quickly listening very carefully with his sensitive ears. They pricked again upon hearing a faint, but distinguishable whimper. It came from outside his apartment room. Silently, he slipped out of his bedroom and made his way to his door. He pressed his ear to it and listened once more. He was certain someone was crying, but he felt no presence beyond his door.
He stealthily opened his door and realized that the sobbing was coming from the room across from his. Asane's room. Kakashi fought the urge to return to his bed and leave her be, but he knew he couldn't. It was her last night, he needed to see her. Going against his better judgment Kakashi gripped the door knob to Asane's room and pushed it open.
I should tell her to start locking her room, Kakashi mused inwardly.
Kakashi stealthily made his way to her bedroom and stood for a moment listening.
Asane was curled up in a ball on her bed, sobbing into her pillow. "Kakashi." She whimpered, feeling her chest heave with unbridled emotion. "I'm sorry for leaving you." Little did she know, Kakashi was at her door listening. "I'm afraid," she whispered to herself, "I'm so afraid."
Kakashi could hold back no longer, he felt as though a knife cut through him upon hearing her call out his name. He appeared by her bedside and touched her shoulder gently. Asane jerked up, wiping her face hurriedly and pointing a kunai at the intruder. But then she saw silver hair shining in the moonlight and knew he heard her calling his name.
Without saying a word, Kakashi plucked the kunai from her shaking hands and placed it on her bedside table. He smoothed the flaming red hair around her face and wiped the stray tears from her dark cheek. Her red-rimmed eyes told him that she had not slept a wink for the past few hours. He pushed aside the sheets on her bed and climbed in sliding his arms around the girl's shoulders. Wordlessly, Asane sunk into Kakashi's warm arms and laid her head on his chest. She wrapped her arms around his waist and closed her eyes.
He was happy, he was in total bliss. This was his last night with the girl who had been his best friend for years, and this was exactly how he wanted to spend it.
Asane snuggled into his chest and whispered a faint, "Thank you."
Kakashi nodded his head and held her tighter to his body.
A few hours passed before Asane heard Kakashi's heavy breathing telling her that he had fallen asleep. She looked up at his bare face and mused how vulnerable he looked. He was so handsome it hurt her to look at him. She remembered the first time she had seen his face and was left in shock. He was the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on, even as a boy he was unbearably cute. Asane blushed inwardly.
She had fallen in love with her best friend that moment. Asane felt her pulse quicken at the thought. She was in love with Kakashi. She felt tears seep from her eyes and her body begin to respond to the ache in her chest. She didn't want to love him, it was a burden and a hindrance. But she could do nothing about it, she had already admitted it to herself. So, she dried her tears and continued to watch her silver-haired ninja sleep.
But as she watched Kakashi sleep she felt a pang of regret. When Kakashi wakes up, she won't be there. Even as she thought about it, her eyes drifted to her clock. Red numbers blared 4:00.
It was time to leave.
As quick and silent as an ANBU Captain should, she slid from the warmth of her bed and put her things together. She threw in her packs of ANBU clothes and weapons. She would not need any personal items, it would only cause trouble. She withdrew her special ANBU uniform worn only for missions like these. It was a svelte all-black uniform only captains wore on special missions. Asane slipped on a tight, black long sleeves that had a mask like Kakashi's and her form-fitting black pants. She forgone the white sweater and threw on a rough black vest that held her most dangerous scrolls. She never liked the arm guards or black traction boots that went with the uniform, but it was necessary. She looked at her long, crimson hair and contemplated what to do with it. She tied it back in a ponytail and slid her black cloak with a hood on. The hood would cover the bright red locks.
She was ready to go, and as she shouldered her light black pack on her back, she looked back at the sleeping Copy-nin. She had no personal items, only a necklace she had ever since she could remember. Asane bit her lip and kneeled by Kakashi's sleeping form, running a gloved hand through his silver locks. Silently, she removed the necklace from around her neck and place it around his neck. She also removed the hitae-ate from her pack and laid it next to Kakashi on her pillow.
Wiping a stray tear from her eye, Asane stood and walked toward the door. Kakashi stirred in his sleep.
"I love you." She whispered, and with a fleeting glance, she left.
"Asane!" Kakashi yelled, waking up with a start.
He heard the clatter of metal falling to the floor and he looked around the sunlit room. It was morning.
Kakashi looked around wildly, but his hope fluttered out the window. He could not smell Asane's scent, it was faint but suggested she had left hours ago. He rubbed his face tiredly, falling back on her bed. He felt something cold around his neck and looked to see a necklace. It was Asane's necklace. He clutched the silver pendant tightly, trying to rid himself of the pain in his chest. A glint caught his eye and he looked down to see a Leaf hitae-ate on the hardwood floor. He picked it up and brought it near his nose. It smelled of Asane too.
He closed his eyes and sighed painfully. She would return, he knew she would.
"Outpost 1 to ANBU Base, Outpost 1 to ANBU Base. Over."
"Go Outpost 1. Over."
"We've received word from Captain Asane and her mission. Over."
"Is her mission done? It's been 2 years. Over."
"We need to speak with the Hokage. He needs to hear this first. Over."
"Godammit, you'll tell me. It's Captain Hatake."
"Oh, Captain. Um, well, we received news that Captain Asane has finished her mission."
"That's good news, where is she and when will she return."
"Um, we don't know."
"What do you mean 'you don't know?'"
"Well, what we mean is, we don't know where she is."
"..."
"We lost contact with her a few days ago. We sent some of our men to find her, her last transmission was somewhere in Kiri, but she was nowhere to be found."
"..."
"They found her pack near the border of Kiri."
"..."
"And Captain?"
"...Yes?"
"There was a lot of blood on it. And it was her blood."
"..."
"Captain?"
"..."
"Captain Hatake?"
End Chapter.