Prologue
A boy, no older than sixteen, stood under a tree in the cool night. He waited patiently for someone very special in the spot that they claimed their own. The air seemed colder tonight then the days that passed. The boy couldn't help but feel a little anxious. She is late. She never arrived late to their only time alone. But despite his anxiousness, he stood in the same spot he always did. After five more minutes, he heard footsteps coming closer. Feeling a bit relived when he saw her coming his way, he realized his tense muscles relax. He hadn't noticed that he had even been tense.
"Hello, Kakashi," the girl greeted as she closed the rest of the distance between them. Kakashi became concerned when he heard the uncertainty come from her tone of voice. Almost immediately he took her hands in his and searched her face.
"What is it? What is wrong?" he asked promptly. Tears formed in her eyes as she tried to speak, but choked on her words. He wrapped his arms around her and held her in a warm embrace. The chill of the night seemed to vanish while snug in his arms. She let her tears fall as she gazed into Kakashi's eyes. She didn't want this to happen, but she can't fight it.
""Kakashi, I am leaving the village with my family to a place far from here. I don't know what the village is called, my parents won't tell me. They won't even let me stay here with you. They fought with me and won't allow it. They don't even know I am here now. They think I am asleep in bed, but I couldn't leave without telling you," she explained as her tears flowed down her face. Kakashi's embrace tightened. He didn't want to let her go.
"Hana, when are you leaving exactly?" he asked.
"In the morning, after everyone is assigned their missions for the day," she answered, "I want to stay here with you. I don't want to leave. I... I love you Kakashi!" He stood there for a moment, thinking. He then nodded and smiled under his mask before pulling it down and landing a passionate kiss on her lips. She instantly melted at the sensation of his lips, pressing against her own. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer.
"Well I think that we should make the last night we have together meaningful, don't you?" he asked playfully when the kiss broke. She couldn't help but laugh. She nodded and followed him to where he lived. Once they arrived at his house, they took a seat on the couch. Kakashi did not wait to let her know his intentions.
"Are you sure we should be doing this? I mean…" she began.
"Not really, but I know I want it. If you are uncomfortable I will stop," Kakashi interrupted. Hana smiled and kissed her lover sweetly. She whispered in his ear and his grin grew. He quickly got to work, not wanting to waste a second of their last night together. Surely that magical night, neither one of them would ever forget.
The next morning she managed to get back into her bed before her parents realized she was gone. She helped her family pack the last of their belongings before heading out. At the gates she trailed a little behind to see if she could spot the man she spent her night with. She caught sight of him waving goodbye. She waved quickly and smiled, even though her heart felt like tearing. She turned and joined her family so they wouldn't notice her delay. When she moved out of his sight, he began to weep. He wouldn't see her again in a long time, if ever.
Chapter One: The Long Journey
The night started like any other night. A little girl with long, beautiful silver hair lay in her bed, waiting for her mother to tuck her in. She grew impatient as the seconds passed into minutes. She sat up and stared at her bedroom door, watching for shadows in the hallway light that would signify her mother's arrival. But as she watched, nothing stirred. She jumped out of bed and crept to the open door. She looked both ways down the hallway and saw no one. She continued her way down the hall where she last saw her mother. The little girl came to the kitchen and her mother was not there. Becoming frightened a little, the girl slowly proceeded through the kitchen to the living room and with delight, spotted her mother, talking to some strange men at the front door. Her mother looked concerned and worried.
"Yes, I understand. But you know that it won't be that easy," her mother smirked in response. The two men smiled in return and nodded. Just then her mother caught sight of her, standing in the kitchen entrance. She quickly ended the conversation with the two men and turned to her daughter.
"Mom, who are those men?" the girl asked.
"I am sorry sweetheart; I haven't tucked you in yet. Those men are just people who don't care about anybody but themselves. They aren't important. Now, let's get to bed," her mother responded, but the girl could tell that they were important. Her mother tucked her in and kissed her forehead before walking out and closing the door.
The mother stood outside her daughter's door. She took a deep breath and thought about the next few days. She needed to think and think fast or it could mean the worst for her and her daughter. The thought of her daughter almost made her worries fade away. She wanted to make the best for her. Just then the thought she was looking for hit her. She felt like a fool for not thinking of it sooner. Instead of going to her bed, she went straight to the closet. She packed little, but everything necessary. Not wanting to disturb her daughter's sleep she would wait until the morning to pack her things. So she got to work on a letter explaining her situation.
"This note will be with you, Kyana. If I don't make it, you will have to continue the journey and all you will need is this note. Oh I hope it won't come to that, but if it does, at least you will have some explanation and identification," she whispered to herself as she wrote. She folded up the letter and sealed it in an envelope and wrote in big print: Read If She Is Alone.
The next morning she greeted her daughter with chocolate chip and banana pancakes with maple syrup. While her daughter ate, she went to her room and packed the necessary items she will need to make the trip. In the little front pocket she stuck the envelope. She sat on her daughter's bed for a moment, thinking of leaving her home. So many memories played through her head. Then the memory of that night made her smile and blush. She couldn't believe that after all this time she finally made the decision to return to her true home.
"Mom, I am finished! I ate all of my breakfast and made a happy plate," Kyana cheered as she entered the room, "Um, what are you doing?" Her mother stood up and walked to her daughter. She kneeled to get down to her level and hugged her tightly.
"We are moving. I have a backpack here for you to fill with the things you want to take, but you cannot take too much. I have already packed your clothes and such, so don't worry about that. Just focus on the things you don't want to miss. We leave as soon as you are ready," her mother explained. Kyana nodded and grabbed the bag and began to think about the things she wanted to take.
"Are we ever coming back for the things I leave?" Kyana asked. Her mother almost shed tears.
"No baby. We are making a one way trip. Everything that stays will forever be lost to us," she answered. She left her daughter to pack her things and grabbed her own bag. She got some supplies from the kitchen. She saw the dirty plate in the sink that her daughter had ate off of. That is the last plate she will eat off of until they reach the next village. That thought made a single tear trickle down. She quickly wiped it away after hearing her daughter's voice saying she was done and ready.
She met her daughter at the front door. Her daughter seemed happy and excited. A smile crept onto her face. She took one more last glance at the home she was abandoning. She whispered a brief farewell and walked down the road with her daughter. She did not stop for anything else. She wanted out of that place and fast. The more distance she puts between her and the village, the better; and the greater the distance, the better chance she has of fulfilling their journey.
They walked for days. They came to their last bits of food and water. Hana knew they needed to get to another village soon or they would be in trouble. She tried to recall her journey to the village with her parents so long ago. If she remembered correctly, the next village had to be no more than two miles. She just wished it wasn't up hill. Her daughter started feeling the tug of exhaustion when they began their assent of the massive hill. She took a look at her daughter and realized that they needed a rest stop.
Hana and her daughter sat under a tall oak tree. Kyana drank the last of the water and her mother ate half an apple before surrendering the rest to her daughter. After the apple was tossed to the ground, Kyana laid her head on her mother's lap and took a much needed nap. Hana wanted so much to join her daughter's sleep, but knew she couldn't risk it. She had to make sure they were safe. Once in the village she could get a good night's sleep.
Thankfully nothing suspicious occurred and after her nap, Kyana felt reenergized. They set off again on their journey. The day didn't get as hot as the days before and Hana was grateful. She already knew she stunk. She wanted a nice hot shower and a warm, cozy bed. She used these desires as her push to hurry and get to the village. Kyana, well ahead of her mother, wanted the same and some steaming ramen to fill her belly. She kept turning back and urging her mother with encouraging words. Hana couldn't help but feel happy at her daughter's positive attitude through all of this.
Finally, after they began to feel worn out again, they reached the village. Kyana jumped up with joy at the sight of buildings and other people. Hana felt overjoyed that the hardest part of their journey came to an end. They should have little trouble from here on out. Plenty of villages line the roads to the Leaf Village from here. The first thing they did when they entered the village was rent a room and let their shoulders take a break from carrying the bags. Hana couldn't take it any longer and took a long shower. Kyana had glasses and glasses of water.
When they came outside to venture through the village, they searched for eating places. Kyana saw a small shop that, in big letters, read: Ramen. She argued with her mother and refused to eat at any other place. Hana gave in to her daughter, because she was too hungry to go on arguing. They took a seat near the window and ordered a bowl of shrimp and beef ramen. Kyana entertained herself with the napkins and crayons that were left on the table. Her mother stared out of the window. She observed the streets. Villagers walked through the streets everywhere. There seemed to be no place that did not have anyone in them.
"Ma'am, here is your ramen bowl," a voice broke her train of thought. She grabbed the bowl and thanked the woman. She looked into her bowl and nearly drooled. Quickly, she dug in. Soon both of their bellies were filled. They sat there for a while, rubbing their overstuffed bellies. Kyana decided since they were relaxing that she could ask her questions without stressing her mother.
"Mom?" she questioned.
"Yes dear?" Hana answered.
"Those men, are they the reason we left?" she asked. Hana paused to think of a response.
"I am not going to lie to you. Yes they are. They want something from me that I don't have. And if they don't get it, then they will punish me. Now we are headed to the Leaf Village. That is where I was born. I have many good friends there that will help us. You don't have to worry your little head. Everything is going to be okay," she explained. Kyana seemed happy with that answer, because she began to draw on the napkins again with the crayons. Hana sighed with relief that she didn't have to go any further with the explanation.
They left the shop and Kyana took the crayons with her. She added them to her collection that she brought in her backpack. That night the both of them got the sleep desperately needed. Hana wished that in the morning, they could stay one more day. She knew it couldn't happen. Today is the day that they would find out she had left. If she stalled for any reason, for sure they would capture her and take her back. She thought that for the rest of the way, only stopping to rest in a village every two villages. So the next one they come to, they will buy needed supplies and move on to the next where they can stay for the night. They actually made great progress already, but she didn't want any chances of being caught up with.
They set off on their journey again after getting some supplies and a good, fulfilling breakfast. With more enthusiasm to get to their destination, they sing songs and skip together until they got tired of skipping and began walking again. Kyana made her mother happy by just talking to her. She is such a sweet and caring girl. If anyone were to guess at why they were traveling so far, they might just think it was all for fun and laughs other than the real reason.
It took about a month to get two thirds of the way behind them. So far no troubles have found them. And Hana had every reason to be overjoyed at these reasons. She thought that the both of them would be able to finish the journey together. She almost had the urge to take the envelope out of her daughter's bag and throwing it away, but she knew that she couldn't do that. She had no idea of what could happen in the near future. She didn't want to risk taking it out.
They came to another village. This village would be one of the ones to stop and rest. Hana felt relieved to be able to rest. The last road they took was longer than expected. But they put up with it and managed through it. They rented a room and spent most of their time in it. They didn't want to go out anymore. They just wanted to sleep. Hana and Kyana took their showers and ate their meals that they brought back from a food store. They sat together and Hana told her daughter of stories that she used to hear when she was a child.
"Mom, can you tell me about the Leaf Village? You lived there for a long time. Longer than you did where we lived," Kyana asked curiously. Hana hesitated. She thought about her memories. Most of them were of Kakashi. Ever since he came back from that mission that changed his whole outlook on life, they have been good friends.
"Well, when I was about your age, I met a boy that became a very good friend. We did everything together. Well almost everything. We would train together, play together, and go to group events together. We were almost inseparable. But Gramps and Granny didn't like me being with him so much. It had something to do with his father, but I didn't care about that. I liked him for who he was," Hana began.
"Is that boy my dad?" Kyana asked. Hana didn't know how to respond to that question. She tried to think of something to say, but was lost for words. And as if to save the day, a knock sounded at the door. Hana hurried to the door and looked out the glass hole. An old woman that they bought the food from stood on the other side. Hana looked around for anyone else, but nobody was with her. She opened the door and greeted the woman.
"Hello!" she beamed, trying to be happy about it.
"You don't have much time. You must leave now. Two men in black clothing came to our shop, asking for a young woman traveling with a little girl. I hushed everyone up, but I don't know if they bought it. I can tell that they are up to no good. I don't understand why they would be picking on such nice people such as you. But you have to leave right now," the old woman stated without a single breath between sentences. She took a deep breath after she finished speaking and looked at Hana with a face saying, "Well? What are you going to do?"
"Kyana, get your stuff now! Everything, pack up now!" Hana finally responded to the old woman's warning. Kyana rushed to get everything in the bags. Hana helped get their things together. She just couldn't believe it. How could they have made it this far already? Unless… Unless they decided to check up on her earlier than they said and discovered that she had left. She knew this was going to happen.
"You two better hurry now. I will pay the Inn Keeper. Don't worry about them," the old woman reassured Hana.
"Thank you so much. You are truly kind. If I ever come back this way to this village, I will be sure to buy everything you have," Hana thanked quickly before heading out the door with Kyana. The old woman watched them run in the night until she couldn't see them anymore. She turned to go back home and got a surprise. One of the men from before stood right behind her. He had a huge smile across his face.
"Why, thank you for leading us to them. I knew you saw them earlier today. I could see it in your face. You are lucky that I am going to let you live. My orders are strictly on her. Goodbye you old hag," the man sneered. The old woman held a stern face until the man vanished. Strangely, instead of following the girls, he went back in the village, probably to inform his partner. The old woman relaxed and continued on her way.
Hana and her daughter ran, struggling with their bags. They made it out of the village safely, but they didn't stop. They kept going and didn't even look back. Hana feared that Kyana would have to continue on her own very soon. She began to feel a pounding in the back of her head. Her legs felt heavy and she fell on the ground with tears in her eyes. Kyana stopped and rushed to her mother. She knew her mother was scared. She looked around for a place to hide. A little way into the forest that lined the road they were on, was a huge tree with a hollow opening in the bottom. Kyana helped her mother inside, after making sure no animal lived in there.
Hana propped herself up on the wall of the tree while Kyana looked for some branches to cover the hole. She learned these skills from her mother while playing an extreme game of hide-and-seek. Some branches she found could not have been big enough to hide them, but she used them in the meantime. They covered half the space. Hana called for her daughter. Kyana entered the tree and sat next to her mother.
"This is okay for now. They won't be able to see us this far in. You are very smart to remember how to do this," Hana stated. Kyana smiled and snuggled closer to her mother. They fell asleep like that and rested well.
Hana woke first in the morning, later than usual. She searched around; making sure nothing had come in or gone out through the night. Everything seemed to be the same from when they fell asleep. She looked at Kyana's sleeping face. She looked peaceful and snug. Hana couldn't believe how strong she was being through all of this. Not once has she expressed the slightest bit of fear, even when they ran from the village that night. She looked more determined to get away than scared. Kyana not being scared was a good sign. Hana began believing that she would make it just fine on her own.
"Mom," Kyana mumbled, waking up, "What are we going to do now?"
Hana smiled, "We are going to try to get as far as we can. We still have to make it to the Leaf Village." Kyana smiled.
"You didn't answer my question about my dad. But you don't have to. I can tell," Kyana stated. Hana shook her head and stood up to stretch.
"Whatever you say. I don't know how you could even begin to tell, but that's fine," Hana yawned, "Yes, he is your father." Kyana seemed happy at the answer she was given. They set off again, but this time they increased their pace. Hana had no idea if they were following or if they had even caught on that they had been there. All she knew is that they came to the same village that her and her daughter stayed. They obviously were leaving a trail for the men to sniff out. Hana came to the decision to only rest on the road. They would gather up the needed supplies in the upcoming villages and pass right on through. No more sleeping in warm, cozy beds and no more eating at restaurants.
It took one week, at their pace, to get to the three fourths mark of their journey. So far they hadn't come across the two men since that day. It seemed as though they had lost their trail. Good news, but not all was well. They forgot to stock up on water at the last village and only had half a bottle left. It would be another three days before they reached the next village. Hana had to make a decision. She knew all too well that those men would eventually catch up to them before they reached their destination. She also knew that the two of them could not go on together with the limited supplies and money they still possessed. If Hana was right, the next village is the last in the line of the journey. The next after this one would be the Leaf Village. Her decision was made.
"Kyana," she began, "We don't have much left. You need to take it." Hana gave her daughter the supply bag and the money pouch. For the first time during the whole journey, Kyana showed fear.
"I am not leaving you. I need you and you need me. We can go together," Kyana muttered. Hana looked into her daughter's eyes and stared. Kyana began to get tears in her eyes.
"Baby, you need to listen to me carefully. The next village is the last. After that one will be the Leaf Village. It should take you six or seven days to make it there. In the first village buy food and water. Don't stop and stay the night, keep going. If you stay with me then those men will hurt you too," Hana explained.
"But what do I do when I get there?" her daughter asked, trying to hold her tears.
"There is a note in your bag. Give it to the first adult you see. It explains everything. Once they get it, they can come and save me, okay? I need you to do this. And you need to be safe. I know you can do this without me. You are very strong and smart. I love you sweetheart. Now go." Hana responded.
"Okay, I will not fail. I love you too mommy," Kyana tried to smile. Hana kissed her daughter's forehead and turned to face the way they had come. She began to walk back to the village. She only turned around once to watch the silhouette of her daughter, running to complete the rest of the trip.
Hana made it to the village and rented one room with the little money she had kept. She waited for the men to come. She knew she could try and fight them. She had a good chance of defeating them in battle. But she couldn't risk there being more men. Her father and mother made that mistake. Three more men watched and followed what they did. When their guard was down, the men killed them. She hoped that if she would surrender, they would only capture her and take her back to torture her into getting what they want.
She thought about those people as she hopped in the shower. They showed up to her door one day, asking for the Pure Heart. She had no clue as to what they were talking about. They pestered her about it for months. They would not believe her when she told them that she didn't have it. Then the night before her and her daughter left, they threatened her. They said to her that if she didn't give them what they wanted that they will take it by force with any means necessary. After her shower, Hana ate an apple that she picked off of a tree on her way back and laid down to get some sleep.
She got maybe two hours of sleep before a loud knock sounded at the door. Hana walked to the entrance and took a deep breath, readying herself for the confrontation. She opened the door to reveal the two men she had talked to that night. They had huge grins on their faces. Hana showed no fear as they grabbed her with hard grips and began to take her back.