When I woke up in the middle of the forest, I got up, my hand on my right side. How did I end up here anyway? I looked around. This forest is the forest around Konoha. What happened to me for some time came back to my mind. I had been defeated by that masked man and kidnapped. But, I couldn't remember anything else. I felt someone's chakra near me, on one of the branches of the tree. It was a dark blue one.

'' You can come out.'' A gush of wind near me told me that person had appeared just behind me. I turned around to see a kid, thirteen years old at most. Beige short, marine t-shirt and jet black eyes. An Uchiha. I sent a smirk his way. '' Who are you, little Uchiha?'' His eyes narrowed as I tried to walk before falling to my knees. '' How do you know about my family?'' He said, as he held a kunai in front of him. '' I had a friend who was also an Uchiha. Uchiha Obito.'' As I stood up, my legs felt weak and I fell, only to be supported by the kid's shoulders.'' Eh, I really am pitiful. Being helped by a kid.''He sneered. Great, an arrogant kid.

'' First, we will go see the Hokage.'' I said, as we walked.

He transported me towards the Hokage tower and made me sat on a bench near the Hokage's Anbu were looking at me. The door opened. Hokage-sama says you can come in. My heart beat accelerated. I entered, the office was just like before and I stared down at the old man sitting on the Hokage's chair and my brows furrowed.

''It's been a long while, Akane.'' I didn't know what to say and I kneeled.'' Pardon me for being rude, Sandaime-sama, but where is Minato? '' I said, as I looked up, only to see uneasiness over his face as he looked away. He looked back at me. I felt my chest tighten.

'' He died protecting the village from the Nine-tailed fox.'' He said calmly as I lowered my head. Tears welled up in my eyes but I fought them. I closed my eyes as I remembered Minato's smile and Kushina's. '' Kushina?'' He looked down.'' Dead at the same time.'' '' I failed her. I was supposed to keep her alive and she isn't. And yet, here I am.''

I looked up only to see concern written on his wrinkled face.'' Where were you?''

'' Even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to answer, Hokage-sama.'' I whispered as I got up.

Sarutobi turned towards the ANBU man near him and gave him a little piece of paper; the cloaked man nodded and disappeared.

KAKASHI'S POV

Kakashi was in his apartment, lying on the bed, one arm behind his head while the other held a book in front of his face. He was reading the Make out Paradise series. His sleeveless turtleneck could show how muscular his body was. He didn't flinch when an Anbu irrupted in his apartment. He only looked up with his one eye, staring at the form.

'' Hokage-sama wishes to see you, now.'' He said and left.

Kakashi stood up as he sighed at the same time, stretched himself. He looked over at a picture frame on his nightstand. He was young, eighteen years old, wearing an ANBU armor. To his side was a young girl, the same age as him. She was smaller than him, with big green eyes. Beautiful green eyes. She had long brown wavy hair. She wore a Jounin armor. She had delicate features. Big eyes in almond shape, thin and straight nose and beautiful full lips. A really beautiful young woman He brushed his fingertips against the picture of her face as he felt sorrow flow in his veins. Already twelve years,he thought as he closed his eye. He missed her, the ninja called as Midnight Blossom. ''You shouldn't have died, Akane'' He whispered, sadness filling his closed his eye, remembering the last time he saw his… first and only love.

Akane, with her green eyes looking around relentlessly, was swaying on her feet, Kakashi at her side. The village was almost completely destroyed. From where they were, they could see the Nine-Tailed Fox. She had her hand on her sword at her back. She wore the ANBU Armor, even though she hated it. She lowered her turtleneck and looked towards the silver-haired young man.

''Ugh! It's as hot as Hell under that mask.'' She said, joking around, to relieve the tension. Kakashi gazed at her from the corner of his eye. So pure, so beautiful. Like snow in winter. No matter how dark the situation, she never once got tainted. So innocent no matter what. So beautiful and fearsome. He knew she felt lost, unable to do anything. He wanted to hold her hand and tell her everything will be alright. But she wasn't the type to believe in comfort. Only in harsh truth.

Then, they heard a growl with screaming. Akane's eyes shot wide open.'' It's Kushina's voice.'' Her voice shook in anger and concern. She then took his hand in his, her eyes closed. She wanted to feel his hand, his skin against hers and it calmed her almost immediately. He didn't reject her hand and she holds it tighter than ever. She peered into Kakashi's eye and smiled.'' Everything will be alright.'' His eyes narrowed, she never made promises like that. Unless… he shook his head, he didn't want to think about what she meant.

To his surprise, she lowered his turtle neck and kissed him as she grabbed his face between her small and soft hands. He looked at her closed eyes in utter shock.

She wanted to show him, just once how much he meant for her. She reveled in the kiss as his hot lips were against hers. She felt tears welling up in her eyes, falling on her cheeks. She distanced herself from him as she gave him a watery smile. ''I love you'' She said, as she turned around.

He looked at her turning her back to him and he reached out, grabbing her wrist. ''Don't go! Sarutobi told us, the young, to stay behind!'' He said that, but in truth, he didn't want her to leave him alone. She turned around, her eyes calm as they reflected she had accepted her fate. She knew it and she gave him a reassuring smile.'' My place is near Kushina. Do not worry, I won't go down without a fight.''

She knew. She knew she probably wouldn't make it. He could see it in her eyes. He remembered what she had told him once. 'I vowed to protect the Uzumaki's life with my own, years ago.'She took his hand in hers one last time and she brushed it off, as she turned around and ran towards her one and only goal. Protecting Minato and Kushina's with her tried to hurry after her but someone caught both of his shoulders back. He turned around to see Gai looking at him sorrowfully.''Don't. If you go, both of you will die. And she probably doesn't want you to chase after her.''

He looked as he saw the girl's back getting smaller and smaller each seconds.

He opened his eye as he left his room. He couldn't forget about it. He couldn't keep his promise to Obito. For the second time. He left his apartment with clouded thoughts. He jumped over the roof of houses, as he remembered the races he would have with Gai and Akane. She would always win, no matter what, even if she fell flat on her face twice in the race. She was always so clumsy. He saw the Hokage tower getting nearer at each passing seconds and he jumped in front of the entrance. He opened the door, making his way towards Sarutobi's office. He pondered over why did Sarutobi wanted to meet him. Maybe to give him tips about his next students.

Two cloaked ANBU stood at each side of the door. One of them knocked three times. The door opened and he entered, his eye closed into a fake smile.'' What is it that you need, Hokage-sama? Please don't tell me my team is a bunch of idiots.'' He said with a little laugh.

'' Open you eye, Kakashi.'' The silver-haired man did as he was told and opened his eye. The first thing that caught his attention was the little boy with dark-hair leaning against the wall. Sasuke Uchiha. He was staring at something and he turned his head towards the object of his fascination.

It's at that moment he saw that familiar auburn hair, that thin yet strong body. His chest tighten at that vision. It couldn't be her. The woman turned around. He was breathless but didn't show any sign of it. She hadn't changed at all. Didn't even get older. Or at least she doesn't appear have. He stared into her endless green eyes as he frowned. Her eyes were wide open with shock before a smile spread across her full lips.

'' Hello, Kakashi, you seem like you got older when I was away.'' She said in a teasing voice.

It couldn't be true. Must be an illusion.

I couldn't believe it. Kakashi was standing in front of me, and he was furrowing his brows. I didn't know what to do. Should I greet him formally? As a friend, as a colleague? My heart was beating fast. I calmed myself down and opted with a friendly greeting.

'' Hello, Kakashi, you seem like you got older when I was away.'' He only stared at me, expressionless.

I turned towards Sandaime.''And the baby?!'' I asked, panicked. '' He isn't a baby anymore, he got older.''

Older. I frowned.'' How many years has it been?'' Kakashi didn't say anything, he only stared at me. I could feel him almost being… bored and it hurts.I grabbed Kakashi by the collar and pushed him against the wall.'' How many years has it been?!'' I asked, urgency filling my voice.

''Twelve years, Akane.'' It as if ice filled my veins. I stepped backwards and looked towards Sandaime who had been kind enough to tell me how long I was gone.

'' Twelve years…'' I trailed off and looked towards the dark-haired kid.I lowered my head to meet his gaze. ''You must be Sasuke, then.''I said with a smile and he frowned even more.''How do you know about me?'' He asked curious. ''Mikoto-chan was a friend of mine.''I said with a giggle.'' How is she, by the way?'' His face darken at my question.''Dead.'' My eyes were wide opened with shock. I ruffled the kid's hair and he flinched away.'' I am sorry.''

'' You must be tired, you can go back to your old apartment.'' I raised an eyebrow to him.

'' I still have my own apartment?'' I asked, truly surprised. I thought that after twelve years, I would have nowhere to go back home to. It made me feel relieved. '' Now that I think about it, I do feel a little tired. Tomorrow morning, I assume you will want to see me.'' I said as I scratched the back of my head. '' Yeah. It's good to have you back, Akane. This town missed you.'' I felt my face grew bitter.'' If you say so, I am sure they miss Minato much more...'' I said into a whisper.

I didn't even have time to turn around that someone made a remarkable entrance. ''The jade beast of Konoha is here!'' That person was wearing a ridiculous green suit with orange leg-warmers. He had a bowl hairstyle and thick brows. Oh my gosh. '' It's been a while, Gai.'' He looked at me, and his eyes opened wide with shock and he threw his arms around me, hugging me really tight as he turned around on himself.'' My good little Akane, still as beautiful as a sunset in winter!'' He said with laughter. '' And you still say cheesy lines, Gai. '' I said, as I began to feel dizzy. ''Gai, I think you are making her sick.'' Sandaime said while laughing. Gai peered into my face and he must have seen me grew pale since he finally put me down.

'' My head IS spinning, just a little'' I said, as I brushed my temples with my hands. ''Hey, do you wanna go drink tonight? After all, you are so young!'' ''Exactly, I am too young to drink, Gai.'' I said, with a chuckle, my hand over my mouth. ''Well, you are not exactly in the middle of your youth anymore, you are thirty years old now.'' I felt my face fell at that.'' Great, I am well preserved!'' I said as I rolled my eyes. ''Well, since it's been so long, I don't mind drinking'' I saw a smile spread across his face.

''BUT… if you get me drunk , I WILL kick your ass… when I will feel better, that is.''I said, as I put my hands on my hips.

He laughed as he put his hand on my shoulder.'' It's good to see you back. Are you going to kick some ass in the spirit of youth?''

''All you talk about is the spirit of you EVER say something else?''

''No.''

''Thought so'' I said, as I sighed and crack my knuckles together. ''Oh, well, I'll be going.''I turned towards the door.''Oh, who will be following my trail like a dog?''I asked as I turned sideways to frowned. ''I may be a threat for all we know. I know you will make someone keep an eye on me. Just choose someone who won't piss me off the first minutes, please.'' I pleaded, my hands joined and I bowed.

'' are going to keep an eye on her. And I want her to stay with you, no matter what.''

'' Will I be able to have some privacy? Like sleeping in my house, ALONE.'' I said, with a chuckle. I am sure Sandaime's mind ran wild as I saw a tint of red on his wrinkled cheeks. Well… men are men, right?

Eh. First day back in Konoha will be exhausting.