Amane stood behind Sakura as she fixed her hair up in a bun with chopsticks sticking through of it. The festival, for the kuniochis, was a way to show their beauty beneath their brawn as ninjas. Amane's hair was in a messy bun with senbon sticking through it to make it more decorative. She pulled the pink strands of Sakura's hair firm so that it wouldn't fall out of the bun while they were out at the festival. Amane smiled as she leaned into Sakura's ear.
"How's that?" she asked softly. "It looks great! Thank you Amane-sama!" she said standing up gazing over her kimono as well as her hair. Sakura's kimono was a black with cherry blossom petals scattered about with a yellow tie. She was thrilled that Amane allowed her to use one of the kimonos that she grew out of. She turned her gaze to Amane and snickered thinking of her sensei's reaction to her.
Amane was adorn in a white kimono that had light purple detailed flowers covering the fabric. A thick red tie was around her waist with a smaller white tie the same material as her kimono. She truly looked like royalty as she stood in front of the mirror fixing a loose strand of her hair.
"I'm going downstairs Amane-sama.." Sakura said sliding off the stool that was in front of a large mirror. Amane nodded, "I'll be down in a little." Sakura nodded as she walked out the door and down the hallway.
The boys were in Kakashi's room as Kakashi attempted to get them looking somewhat nice for the festival. Sasuke was outside leaning against the wall a few inches away from the doorway. He was in a dark blue with light blue trim kimono with a black robe over top for a layered look. Kakashi's shouts from inside the room and the roughhousing made it obvious that Naruto wasn't happy with the looking nice idea.
Finally Naruto was pushed out of Kakashi's room, he was adorn in an orange kimono with a blue robe beneath that showed along the collar and some in the sleeves. Kakashi came out with a plain silver colored robe with a matching tie. A simple robe, but since it was open a bit showing his bare chest. Sasuke and Naruto both looked at him and raised an eyebrow. He seemed to be trying to catch Amane's eye.
The group of males headed downstairs to see the two females of the group. They were standing together, near the doors. Ninjas that worked for the Raikage were filtering in and out. All of them were dressed in kimonos as well. Amane looked up at the stairwell as Sasuke and Kakashi calmly walked down the steps, whereas Naruto tumbled down the steps, full force. Kakashi rolled his eyes and made his way to Amane.
Amane linked arms with Kakashi as she gazed up at him. "You look beautiful," Kakashi muttered. Amane laughed, "And you look very handsome. You clean up well," her eyes wandered to what chest was showing. Her face splashed pink and she turned away.
Kakashi caught her blushing and pulled her towards him so that she looking straight into his face, "What is so embarrassing?" he muttered.
Amane shifted uncomfortably, "Not a thing..." she whispered, her breath hot against his skin, even through his mask. She turned away from him, and slipped from his grasp. She ran ahead, turned back looking at him. She bent at her waist and giggled, as if to egg him on.
The center of the Cloud Village was decorated with festive booths selling fans and masks. Banners and streamers were strung about the houses and buildings creating a colored facade upon the village. Music was being played in the center on a platform. People were in front either talking near the back of the clearing or in the middle and front dancing to the rhythm of the music.
Sakura was by the fans, picking up a few of the fans and fluttering them in front of her face. Naruto was by the masks, trying a few on before settling with one that resembled the ANBU masks. Sasuke was at the booth where decorative swords and kunai were displayed. He looked like he was concentrating on the objects. He did smirk every once and awhile at a nicely made sword to show that he was indeed enjoying himself.
Amane and Kakashi were in the back of the festival. Kakashi's arms around Amane's waist. Her back against his chest, he had caught her when she ran away. Amane was a deep crimson as she struggled against Kakashi's embrace.
"Kakashi.." Amane whispered, "W-What are you doing?"
"Making up for lost time," Kakashi whispered as he rested his head on her shoulder, "I've ignored you for almost ten years."
"You had ANBU missions and students. Besides, the less time I spent with you," Amane broke away from his embrace, "the happier my father was."
Kakashi looked at the ground, "I see."
Amane turned around and grabbed Kakashi's face gently in her hands. Her gaze into his eyes was that of the love-struck teenager she was years ago, she still loved him. "Things have changed over the years Kakashi, just give us a little time to get to know each other again. I-I don't want to commit to something, if we have changed that much."
Kakashi nodded, "You're right. Let's just enjoy tonight," he said as he began to walk away.
Amane ran up and looped her arm in Kakashi's, "But there's no harm in acting like the teenagers we used to," she snickered and leaned her head against Kakashi's sinewy arm. She could feel him chuckle and his soft answer of, "No harm, no foul."
Night fell quickly upon the festival and by the time the Raikage made his way up and interrupted the music, everyone was on the dance floor, whether it be dancing or just watching. Once the Raikage got attention of his villagers, Amane hurried to his side. The opposite side of her father where her sister stood, smiling. Amane watched her sister out of the corner of her eye. Her sister was up to something, she could see it in her eyes.
"I see everyone is enjoying themselves! Please, enjoy this night. Relax. You have all worked hard in making sure the construction is almost complete and keeping the village safe. Have a good night! " he cried as he began to head back. He stepped down the steps carefully, but slipped a little. Amane caught his arm to help steady him, "Are you okay, Papa?" she asked.
He looked up at his daughter and gave her a weak smile, "Yes. I'm a little tired tonight. My age must be catching up with me. I'll head up to bed. Behave, watch over those miscreant friends of yours," there was complete seriousness in his voice, but a tinge of light humor. He kissed her gently on her cheek and left.
Kakashi placed his hand on her shoulder, "Come on," he said leading her back to Naruto and the others. Naruto cheered her up quickly as he attempted to dance to the music, only to fall on his face.
"Shall we begin?" "Yes, let's start.."
A kunai flew across the crowd embedding itself into a ninja within the group that was on the dance floor. It hit his shoulder, but he fell down in pain from the impact. The whole village went into turmoil as people ran about trying to escape the Missing-nins that began to attack.
"Everyone head for the shelter!" Amane cried trying to force them into the Cloud Village's shelter which was a couple of the residents' cellar doors that lead into a large hideaway for the entire village. It was hard though, because as groups headed for the shelter they were caught by one of the Missing-nins. Luckily amongst the crowds were the jounin and chunnin of the Cloud Village who fought off the enemies along the innocents to get to safety. "Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun, Sakura-chan, please go to the shelter," Amane said as she looked at Kakashi's group. They all shook their heads,
"No Amane-sama, we're going to stay here, you need the help.." Sakura said.
Amane nodded, "Thank you," she said, "Find Kakashi then, I lost him in the chaos. Stay with him please.." she said as she ran off. The group quickly ran about trying to find their sensei.
Amane looked around finding a Missing-nin terrorizing a group of women. Amane threaded her fingers around the senbon in her hair, pulling the three needles out. She tossed them, hitting the man in the shoulder allowing the women to flee. Amane grabbed the man by the neck and pulled him down to her eye level, "What's your motive?" she yelled. "What's that?" he asked innocently. "What the hell are you doing here!?" Amane cried as she pulled out a kunai and held it to his throat.
"The Raikage..." the man said. Amane's eyes widen, "Bastard..." she hissed as she slit the man's throat with no mercy, he was wanted dead anyway. "I have to find my father..." she muttered as she tried to get around the chaos.
Kakashi had already figured out what the reason was for the attack. He ran up the stairs trying to find the Raikage's bedroom. 'Dammit, If they got to him--' Kakashi thought as he ran opening all the doors. He heard a thumping around in a room up ahead and ran up to the door and opened it.
The Raikage was against the wall, his blood splattered against the wall. A sword was in his chest and went through him and into the wall. His head shifted lightly to look at Kakashi, he didn't have much time left. He coughed up a mouth full of blood as it cascaded down from his lips down his chin and into his lap.
"K-Kakashi-kun..." the man whispered weakly. Kakashi ran up to his side, his breath was taken away at the sight. He kneeled down, his robe soaking up what blood was on the ground. A shaking hand settled on Kakashi's shoulder as the Raikage spoke, "I'm sorry," he whispered, "To set things straight, I don't hate you. But, Amane, she loves you. I was afraid that you were going to take her away from me. But, I guess that's a father's fear, for their daughter to be swept off their feet by their Prince Charming. I-I'm sorry for everything. Please, tell Amane, I love her. I only wanted the best for her, and it wasn't enough. I-I was a failure as a father."
"No," Kakashi said, "You're not. You raised Amane perfectly."
The Raikage looked at Kakashi with glazed eyes. His lips chapped and the blood in his mouth coated his teeth as he spoke, "She's not the one I was talking about. My Amane, she will always be my p-pride and joy. But, p-please, don't let her become Raikage. I d-don't want this fate for her..."
He coughed up another mouthful of blood and his head rolled to the side. Kakashi felt his hand slid off his shoulder. He was dead. Kakashi reached up gently and ran his hand over the Kage's open eyes to close them. He bowed his head, respectfully, but quickly snapped up his head.
"PAPA!!"
Kakashi turned to see his team and Amane at the door, "Get her out of here!" he yelled. His team stood there in shock for a moment until their sensei yelled again, "Naruto! Get her out of here!" he hissed.
Naruto pulled Amane out of the door with the assistance of Sasuke. They settled her outside the door where Amane fell down to her knees sobbing. Sakura wrapped her arms around Amane, holding her gently as she sobbed. Kakashi's eyes were sober as he pulled the sword out that tarnished the old man's regal corpse. He could do nothing for the man now. What he had to do was help carry out his last will.
