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A Nameless Fear
Chapter 2: Secrets
Kakashi hadn't been able to let go of Sakura, even as she began to explain what had happened that night, almost a year to the day previously;
"Shizune had saved me, we were both knocked flat, but had survived enough to heal my more serious wounds, she told me to escape, her dying wish was for me to avenge whoever had done this. I just ran, at first, I'd believed the whole of Konoha had been overrun and I knew I'd need to get somewhere quiet and safe enough for me to heal myself before I could have the slightest hope in helping anyone else; I waited for days for any other escaping shinobi, but none came. I watched and I waited for days upon days, but nothing happened; eventually I found my way to Tanzaku Gai and listened for news, before long I'd heard of Sasuke's attack and what he'd done…
"I was in shock for a long time, trying to hide, I wasn't sure if you were even alive — last I knew you were still in the tower, but… I can't forgive Sasuke for what he's done, I don't know how many have died because of his actions, but I can't return to Konoha until he is dead," Her words were venom, though Kakashi could easily hear her undertone of great sadness, he squeezed her tighter to him for a moment, unable to get over the fact the love of his life was alive and safely within his arms.
"I'm sorry for what I must have put you through," She leant down to kiss him again, which he eagerly accepted whilst his brain finally began to catch up to the situation, he pulled back, returned his mask and turned to Shion,
"You said you were expecting me? How did you know I'd come here?"
"Well, we weren't certain, but Sakura-san has been finding out a lot of what Konoha has been doing over the past year, we both agreed it wouldn't take too long for at least some of your shinobi to be sent here to try and steal our unique techniques, though of course for you to be personally assigned to this mission was just good fortune," The priestess replied in an even tone,
"You're not kidding," Kakashi replied his eyes falling back onto Sakura, Pakkun had wandered over and nuzzled at her hand, he too, pleased to find her alive;
"Kakashi, I really wish we could have the time to talk fully, so I could explain my plans and hear everything about Konoha from you, but we can't take too long,"
"No, I have a ROOT ANBU on my team, Sasuke won't let anyone out of the village without some of his own allies watching, she's outside the temple, but, I don't care how long it takes. I'd almost rather not return to Konoha at all,"
"You must! If we're going to defeat Sasuke we'll need someone on the inside of the village to attack on two fronts," Sakura rebutted as Kakashi tightened his grip slightly,
"I've just got you back… how can I—"
"I know, but you can't just leave Konoha now, Sasuke would hunt you down and then we'd never get the chance to defeat him, besides the village loved you as the Rokudaime, if you rally them, they will follow you. You know this Kakashi, where's that level head of yours that I love so much?"
"It got all bent out of shape when Sasuke attacked and I'd thought he'd killed you," He whispered,
"I'm alive, Kakashi and with your help, Sasuke will be the one whose lost everything."
"Kakashi-san, I will give you the scroll to take back to Konoha and I will report it as having been stolen by unknown shinobi," Shion's lilting voice reached him again and drew him back to the present,
"Hai," He sighed, knowing it was time for him to leave, though he clung on to the fleeting second where he was almost prepared to stay forever in the dank temple cavern,
"If I write down what I need to tell you and affix it to Pakkun's haitai-ate, will it reappear with him when you next summon him?" She asked quickly,
"Hai, I'll make sure it reaches him." The little dog cut across, still stood by Sakura's ankles,
"Good, then may I keep him for a little bit?"
"Of course," Kakashi eagerly agreed, as he pulled away from Sakura and turned to take the scroll off Shion,
"You will need to be leaving now Kakashi-san, any further delay may bring your teammates to come looking for you and the lack of a retaliation on our part will be telling. I hope that you and Sakura will find a way to restore Konoha to it's former glory, I and many others know that this has been Sasuke's doing and that the current situation has your hands tied, once he is gone, I am certain many of your former allies would be pleased to reform ties with you,"
"…Thank you, Shion-sama," Over the past year Kakashi had felt very alone and very responsible for Konoha, he was powerless to directly counter Sasuke — or stop any of his more dictatorial schemes — and the shape the village had prevented him from making any effective plans of attack; he had suffered with the loss of village and Sakura and Konoha had suffered without a mature and wise leader.
He slipped the scroll into his pouch, "Please tell me everything that you can, I'll destroy it after I've read it; I might not be able to get a message back to you all that quickly, though and I can't risk Sasuke becoming suspicious of anything,"
"I know, I plan on remaining in Demon Country for a little while longer, but I'll find a way to inform you if and when I move," She answered, a last slow smile spreading over her face before she leaned in to wrap her arms once more around his shoulders,
"I'm so happy to see you again… I sorry we don't have more time, but hopefully soon we can make thing better for everybody,"
"Hai, I know Sakura; stay safe. I'll think of a means for us to communicate regularly," He whispered to her, they shared one last look before Kakashi darted away, unsure if the weight in his chest that had become a constant companion over the past year was now any lighter.
"Kakashi! What took you so long?" Kurenai snapped as soon as he'd slipped back through the door,
"Nothing, I have the scroll, let's move," He ordered before he moved past them and hurried back down the passageway, they followed him, cautious for any guards, though Kakashi knew there was no danger to be found there now. In less than half the time it took them to scale it, they were back to the ground, outside of the shrine and preparing to climb back up to the observation post, it was still dark but the faintest light could just about be seen on the horizon; nights were short on this island, surrounded by so much water there was no cover to mask the light, but even so Kakashi knew he had taken far too long a time.
"What took so long? Did anyone spot you?" The ANBU demanded as soon as Kakashi slipped inside the shelter,
"Everything is under control and I might remind you that I am this mission's team leader," Kakashi barked as he stepped aside to allow the final two teammates in, "Report,"
"The guards acted as normal, their change over times were exactly as predicted," The ANBU responded flatly.
"Well then, looks like we can get out of here without any trouble; does everyone have all of their equipment?" He waited for nods of confirmation, "You destroy this observation post and make sure it appears as if no one has set foot here in several years," He pointed to the ANBU, "We'll head on to the top of the cliff face and wait for you in the foliage there," Kakashi darted on, scaling the cliff with ease, closely followed by Kurenai and Lee, the ANBU staring impassively up at them for a moment or two.
Kurenai offered Lee a hand as she pulled him over the edge of the cliff, she looked quickly around to Kakashi, intent on asking him what was wrong when something caught the growing light. She inched closer to him as her brain clicked as to what she was seeing,
"Kakashi," She whispered as her hand extended out to grab a hold of the long, thin strand of pink hair that had been stuck to the collar of Copy Nin's vest. "Wh-what..?" The man himself turned slightly to see what the fuss was about before his eyes locked onto the offending strand of tell-tale hair. He snatched it out of Kurenai's grasp as he heard the sounds of the final teammate climbing up the cliff,
"Keep this quiet," He ordered in his whisper the epitome of authority,
"What happened? I don't under—" Lee began but he was cut off by a sharp 'shh' from Kurenai and a downright evil glare from Kakashi; his mouth almost clicked closed.
The ROOT was upon them and Kakashi led them away, back to Konoha his mind already working to formulate any and all plans that would help to dislodge Sasuke from his stolen position of power.
..
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