THis is getting better and better as it goes along.
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Chapter 6 - I Spy
Keiko-Mei sighed as she tossed back another apple to the whining Naruto.
Man, this kid eats a lot. I wonder where he puts it all?
"That should hold you until tonight. No more whining." She spoke in a way that was just short of a demand, gaining a sheepish grin and a salute from the blonde genin.
"Yes, Ma'am!" She sighed again before looking up at the sky.
"It's clear today." Sakura stated from beside her, Keiko-Mei nodded.
Yes, it's very clear today. I take it as a bad omen. Nothing good lasts long. I better be on my toes.
"Kakashi Sensei, exactly how far is it to the Mountain Country?" Sakura asked.
Kakashi turned the page of his book.
"Walking speed, it should be twelve days to get to the outskirts alone. Tama City is located in the center of the Mountain Country, so the journey to our destination alone should be seventeen days." Naruto groaned.
"Seventeen days for a simple delivery mission?! That's ridiculous!" Sakura whacked him in the head.
"Stop complaining! We get to see a different country! Be happy for that!"
"Owww, Sakura!" Sasuke grunted in annoyance and Kakashi took this chance to catch up with Keiko-Mei.
He walked beside her, still reading his little orange novel. He then spoke with his voice just loud enough for her to hear.
"You seem uneasy. Care to share?"
"That item must be important if the client needs two jonin to escort it." She replied with her usual distant tone.
Kakashi nodded.
"Concerned?"
"I'm sure that our journey won't go smooth for long. So, yes. I'm concerned. Very concerned. I'm quite sure that you and I can handle several opponents at once, however, what about your students?" Kakashi chuckled.
"I wouldn't worry about them, Keiko. They might not be the most mature genin, but they can hold their ground."
"Your assurance is all I need, I suppose. If you have confidence in them, then so should I." She glanced back to Naruto, who was still nursing the lump forming on his skull.
I really hope nothing happens, because despite Kakashi's confidence in those genin, I can't really say that I have nearly as much as he does.
--
Keiko-Mei stared into the flames, her amethyst eyes dull from exhaustion.
It being the sixth night of their journey, it was her turn to keep watch. Of course, Kakashi had tried to get her to sleep instead, but she had completely ignored him and countered with the fact that he had kept watch the night before and was more exhausted than she was.
She closed her eyes and let out a quiet sigh.
It's safe to say that I am now officially bored and exhausted.
Her eyes flickered to the three genin who were fast asleep in their sleeping bags and then she let out another sigh.
But, better safe than sorry. I'd rather be bored than let these children die.
Keiko-Mei reached into the fire and grasped her hand around a small flame, soon pulling out her fist and staring at the tiny flame flickering in her bandaged palm.
"Show me what it's like to be the last one standing, little flame. Tell me that what I'm feeling is only the aftermath of a great trauma that shook me oh so long ago. Tell me that I'm losing my mind, for even that would be much better than this empty feeling inside. This coldness inside. Show me, little flame, the truth about myself. Help me understand that I am not alone and help me become warm once again before I choose what day shall be my end." Her voice hinted pain, but spoke with such coldness that even the flame, that somehow managed to not to harm her as it burned in her palm, extinguished itself.
Her eyes widened before they narrowed. Then, she clenched her fist tightly before exhaling her frustrations quietly.
What I'd give to not be afraid for just one short hour. Then, I'd laugh as I used to. Love as I used to. Smile as I used to. Cry as I used to. Instead, I'm nothing more than an empty shell that people fear.
Keiko-Mei glanced towards Kakashi, who was slumped up against a tree, seemingly asleep. She would believe that, if she didn't know better. No, she knew he was still very much awake, just waiting for her to turn to him to ask him to take over while she took a quick nap.
She had memorized his breathing pattern. It was nowhere near as shallow or as slow as it would've been if he was truly asleep.
Well, most people fear it. Kakashi doesn't fear it. He's trying to help me, despite the fact that it's pretty much a lost cause. I guess that's why our friendship has lasted as long as this, despite all the years I've kept silent.
Keiko-Mei gave a tiny, weak smile as this thought crossed her mind.
If it weren't for Kakashi always being there for me, I don't know where I'd be right dead by my own hand.
She turned her attention back to the glowing fire, not so much as flinching when she felt a blanket cover her shoulders. But, not just any blanket. Kakashi's blanket. The one he was just recently wearing over his lap.
"Why are you giving me this, Kakashi?"
"You said you were cold." Her eyelids drooped slightly in self-pity.
"Yes, but not in the physical sense. You know that."
"I just figured that a little kindness would help. Unless, you want me to take it back?"
"Do what you wish. I hold no power over you. But, you are right. A little kindness does help, not much, but it does." Keiko-Mei reluctantly pulled her eyes from the fire to look at the eldest of her companions.
"Thank you." They then returned to the flames.
Kakashi watched her carefully before leaning himself against the tree she had chosen for herself. One of his arms was draped lazily over the opposite knee, but his eye kept focused on her emotionless expression.
He sighed quietly.
Again, those eyes are so dead. Really, Keiko, you need a new way to channel all that negative energy.
"And I don't mean for the blanket." Kakashi was slightly confused by what she was talking about and Keiko-Mei immediately caught this.
So, she decided to add more to her word of thanks.
"I thank you for not giving up on me, even though the prospect of me returning to who I was is long gone by now. You're twelve years too late to save me, Kakashi. The Keiko you knew is long gone and will most likely never to return."
"I don't believe that for a minute." He replied quickly, surprising her to a great extent, which was very difficult to do.
Wh- what does he mean?
"Elaborate, please. I fail to see how you would come to that conclusion."
"Of course you would, Keiko-Mei. You don't see it." He murmured.
You really don't see how vulnerable you seem by attempting to conceal who you are.
That much, however, he kept to himself.
Keiko-Mei raised her head, but kept her eyes to the burning fire.
"You should return to sleep. I'll be fine on my own."
"That's just your way of saying that you want me to keep going."
"Yeah, that's exactly what I'm trying to say." She spoke sarcastically and laughed and pushed him in a playful manner, so much unlike her usual emotionless demeanor.
He rubbed his shoulder in mock pain, smirking under his mask as he did so.
And, there she is. I guess I'll enjoy this for as long as she stays.
--
A shadowed figure smirked from the darkness of the forest as its eyes scanned the five ninja in their makeshift camp. Three out of five were asleep, obviously the weakest of them. The two which were awake, two jonin leveled ninja, were very much awake for the most part.
The woman doesn't seem that strong, but her chakra concentration is obviously no laughing manner. The man seems the same, but he doesn't seem to have much chakra as the girl. Of course, he could just be suppressing it, but if that's the case, why isn't she doing it as well? Is it merely to confuse all potential attackers? I guess I'll just have to take that risk. Especially if there's even the slightest chance of me getting a hold of that scroll. Hmm, this is going to be interesting.
Eyes glowed silver and a sinister chuckle was sounded, but it was nearly inaudible. The figure then disappeared in a swirl of opaque smoke.
--
Keiko-Mei's chin rested on her knees before she closed her eyes.
"Tired?" Kakashi questioned.
"I've felt more exhausted than this. I'll be okay."
"I know that, but if you're tired, just get some sleep. I'll take over."
It's nice to know that he cares, but frankly, I'd feel better if he just left me alone tonight.
"Kakashi, don't be chivalrous. I'm no damsel. I can handle a little distress, if that's even what you call this."
"I know you can. I'm not trying to demean you."
"Then leave me be."
"Ah, but if I did that, are you sure you'd get any sleep whatsoever?"
"Not tonight, but tomorrow night." Kakashi pressed his index finger to her forehead and her eyes widened in surprise before her lids became heavy with sudden exhaustion.
"Go to sleep." Kakashi pressed his hand to the space at the base of her neck and the start of her shoulder, pressing down.
"Y- you a- asshole." The jonin then slumped forwards and he caught her gently in his arms.
Her long ponytail shifted slightly due to a slightly breeze and the fire flickered. Kakashi then let out a small sigh of relief before shifting her body up so that she was merely leaning against his shoulder.
I'll take that as a compliment.