Taylor

テイラー

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Chapter Ten
Questions

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After she took off her sandals and she closed the door behind her, she stepped inside. "Tadaima!" she called happily.

Something fell in the kitchen as Taylor undid her scarf and took it off. Without warning, Sakumo stumbled out of the kitchen and past the wall so Taylor could see him. He watched her take her backpack off and unzip her jacket. He smiled once he made the connection that his granddaughter was home. As soon as he made that connection, he threw his towel at the sink and walked towards her. Taylor took her heavy jacket off and looked up at Sakumo. She grinned and hugged him.

"Grandpa!" she cried, hugging him.

He wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

"Teirā," he whispered.

They hugged and Taylor ignored how much her abdomen hurt.

"I missed you and Daddy," she told him.

"I know you did," Sakumo said. "You always miss us."

"This time was different though. I really wish you guys were there to help sort me out..." Taylor looked down.

"Sort you out?" came a low voice from the hallway. "Why?"

Taylor looked and saw Kakashi walking towards them.

"Dad!" she let go of Sakumo and ran at Kakashi and hugged him. He hugged her back and held her in his arms. "Gosh, I missed you guys!"

Kakashi smiled, glad his daughter was home.

"I missed you more," he told her.

Taylor rubbed her eyes, keeping her arms around her otousan. Her eyes were heavy with emotion, but she stayed calm. No tear made it past her eyes.

"You okay?" Kakashi asked, noticing her clutching him tightly.

"Yeah," she murmured. "I'm perfectly fine," she sniffled but she smiled. "Just glad to be home. Hey, is Yuugao coming over?" Taylor admitted she missed Yuugao too. Yuu was always kind to her and, in her opinion, was a mother figure to her. Yuugao was Kakashi's girlfriend, she'd been his girlfriend for a few years now but she started visiting them a little more before she went on her mission. It was then that she began getting close with Yuugao.

"Yeah, she should be over tonight," Kakashi said. "There's renovation going on at her house and she doesn't want to deal with the noise so she's staying a few days."

"Okay," Taylor smiled.

She let go and sat down on the couch, unconsciously hugging her sides now. Kakashi raised an eyebrow and Taylor noticed her father's questioning look.

"Uh..." Taylor laughed nervously. "That look..."

"Stomach ache?" he asked.

"No, surprisingly not..." Taylor scratched the back of her head nervously. "A Hyūga hit me with gentle fist two nights ago..."

"What? A Hyūga? None of your teammates were Hyūga, right?"

Taylor shook her head, "None of them."

"Then why —"

"I'll tell you in the morning," Taylor said, rubbing her forehead. "I was walking all day, trying to deal with the pain."

"Oh..." Kakashi nodded. "I'll ask you again in the morning, then."

Taylor smiled and thought with a feeling of fatigue falling over her, That's normal...

"Okay," she said.

Kakashi helped her up and lead her to her room. Taylor clung to his arm and rested her eyes as he lead her forward. She opened her eyes when they walked into her room and she went and sat down on her bed.

"I'll bring you a glass of water," he told her.

"Okay," Taylor answered in a quiet voice, rubbing her eyes.

Kakashi smiled and left. He left for what he thought would only be five minutes, turned into ten because Yuugao had finally come over with her stuff to evade the loud noises of renovation.

"Hey there, Senpai," Yuugao kissed Kakashi on his cheek.

"Oh hey, I was just getting Taylor some water," Kakashi blushed.

"Oh? She finally came back?"

"Yeah, but she's not feeling 100 percent," Kakashi shrugged. "I guess a Hyuuga had attacked her with the gentle fist technique?"

"What?" Yuugao walked in and dropped her sandals by Kakashi's. "Why would a Hyuuga attack her? Is she okay?" She expressed a motherly concern for Taylor.

"I don't know, but she said she's okay...but her insides hurt a lot from it," Kakashi walked to the kitchen and got a glass for Taylor. "She's in her bed if you want to see her."

"I'll follow you in," Yuugao smiled. "I don't want to disturb her without you."

"Alright," Kakashi grabbed ice and then went to the sink to fill up the cup.

Yuugao held her bag in front of her patiently and she looked at Sakumo, "Oh hey, Sakumo-Sama. How's it going?"

"Uhhh," Sakumo looked. "Oh! Man, I was in my own world. I didn't even realize you were here. I'm doing fine, I suppose. You?"

"I'm great," Yuugao nodded.

Kakashi spun around and walked towards the hall, "Come on, Yuu."

She followed and they stopped by Taylor's room. As soon as he entered, he saw that she was knocked out cold on her bed. The father was surprised, but then he smiled and sat the glass of water down on her nightstand. Yuugao set her bag down and walked inside to join Kakashi.

"She was awake when I took her in here," Kakashi whispered.

"She must've been exhausted!" Yuugao whispered back. "She gets tired quickly doesn't she? And with her walking around with that injury like she did today, I'm assuming she walked around a lot today, she prolly wore herself out."

"Probably," Kakashi nodded and he took the extra blanket at the end of her bed and draped it over her, careful to not suddenly wake her somehow. He was amazed that she fell asleep so fast. Then again, she looked exhausted from walking so much. Yuu was right. Taylor must've wore herself out just by walking. The damage done from a Gentle Fist move usually took a week to heal, even with the help of a medic ninja. I wonder why it happened, he thought. Why would a Hyūga would want to hurt her like that? Surely, it's a mistake... He bent down and swept her hair behind her ear and he planted a kiss on her cheek. But, I am glad you're home, sweetheart, he thought. He stood up and allowed Yuu to kiss Taylor too and then they left to Kakashi's room. Yuu set her stuff down there and she stretched her arms.

"Taylor looks so sweet when she's asleep," she smiled. "She reminds me of you!"

"You've watched me sleep?" Kakashi asked.

"Yeah...once or twice...or three times..."

Kakashi chuckled, "Alrighty then. Well, let's go back out to the kitchen and chat for a bit. Shall we?"

Yuugao smiled and took Kakashi's hand. Together, they walked out of his room and headed down to the kitchen.

Sakumo was back in the kitchen, washing dishes still.

"She fell asleep in the ten minutes I was gone," Kakashi told him.

"Aw..."

"But...I'm curious..." Kakashi wondered. "What would a Hyūga, out village, be doing following her on a top secret mission."

"I don't know. It's a good question," Sakumo glanced over his shoulder. That was a damn good question.

Kakashi looked away in thought, "Something doesn't seem right..."

"She'll explain in the morning," Sakumo assured.

Once Kakashi and Yuugao had their tiny bit of sake for the night, they bowed to Sakumo and left, heading to bed. Kakashi peeked into Taylor's room and wondered what in the world was going on. He had to wait till morning, but curiosity still bit at him. He shook his head, and headed to bed.

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Taylor woke up the next morning and took a shower. Once she was out, she dressed in her casual outfit and walked out into the living room. It was all quiet, but she knew they were in the kitchen, making breakfast. She breathed in the scent of miso and rice and she smiled. Home sweet home, she thought as she stretched her arms behind her head.

"Ohayo," she greeted.

Sakumo and Kakashi turned around.

"Ohayo!" they returned her greeting.

"You feeling any better?" Kakashi asked.

Taylor shrugged, "It's better, but not by much..."

"That's...good, I think." She looked around sleepily, "Where's Yuugao? I thought you said she was supposed to be here."

"She left early for work," Kakashi said. "She's doing something at ANBU. Sorry..."

"Oh," Taylor nodded. "Right..."

She sat down at the table and glanced out the window. The fields looked like a winter wonderland with five to six inches of snow on the ground. Her stomach growled at her to eat, but she already knew she was hungry. She hadn't eaten the previous night, so she knew she was hungry. She rested her chin on her fist and stared out at the snow.

"So, what is it that you need to tell me?" Kakashi asked.

Taylor glanced up at him.

"Huh?"

"You said that you needed to tell me something? What is it?"

Taylor looked down and thought for a couple of moments. She knew full well Kakashi would think she was crazy when she told him but decided he had to know about it, even if he thought she was crazy or concussed.

"I...saw mom...on the island were at," she stated in a cautious voice. "She..." Taylor shook her head and pulled down the collar of her shirt, revealing a scar on her throat. "I was killed on the mission two months ago, and I was found and brought back from the dead. Mom was the one to find us and heal us..."

"You don't even know your mother. She's been dead all of your life," Kakashi pointed out.

"Not really," Taylor said. "She...went into hiding after I was born because of this... 'Gōmon' group going after her — and now me — because she thought they wouldn't go after me if I was with only you and Grandpa. She also brought Grandpa back from the dead, to protect me and you."

Kakashi looked at her funny.

"She was hiding in the Ocean Country," Taylor said. "She told me everything...while she was dying of lead poisoning...she died on my birthday."

Kakashi shook his head.

"Okay, are you sure you didn't get a concussion on your mission?" he asked.

"She...speaks the truth," Sakumo admitted. "Your late fiancé resurrected me from the dead (with no strings attached, obviously) to protect you both while she hid. She planned on coming back when she thought it was safe."

Kakashi spun around.

"She died before she could," Taylor told him quickly. "But she made Grandpa promise to not tell anyone that she was alive."

"You knew she was alive, Dad?" Kakashi asked in an angry voice.

"Yes..." Sakumo hung his head.

Kakashi drew his arm back, ready to hit Sakumo when, like a ghost, Taylor appeared behind him and stopped him from hitting her grandfather.

"Don't hurt Grandpa," she pleaded. "He did it to protect her for you. He never meant to hurt you, but she made him promise to not tell. He was confused at the time but he did what he thought was right."

"I"m sorry," Sakumo rubbed his eyes, feeling upset at himself. "I-I-I honestly thought I knew what I was doing was right...but then I realized she took advantage of me and then I began to regret the decision."

Kakashi took in a deep breath.

"Right," he breathed out, putting his arm around Taylor and pulling her in front of him. She let go and allowed him to do so. "Well," he sighed. "I'm glad you guys told me the truth, even if it waited 18 years to be told."

"Well, I didn't know until two months ago..." Taylor grumbled.

"Oh..." Kakashi nodded.

Taylor sighed, "So why did neither of you mention that I had a brother?"

Kakashi and Sakumo looked at each other.

"Uhm," they shrugged. "Never thought about it."

"That's nice," Taylor shook her head and sat back down at the table.

"Sorry!" Kakashi apologized.

Taylor waved him off and sat down. Silence fell upon them for a few moments while Kakashi thought.

"So, since you and Grandpa have birthdays close to each other, and you weren't here on yours, we're just going to celebrate your birthdays today," Kakashi mentioned.

"But it's the sixth," Taylor pointed out to her father.

"You get your birthday stuff late and he gets his early," Kakashi grinned.

"Alright..." Taylor sighed.

Kakashi smiled.

"So, I'm gonna get your present. The one I got you," Kakashi grinned and dashed off. Sakumo brought Taylor a bowl of hot miso and sat it down in front of her.

"Careful, it's hot," he warned.

"Okay," Taylor nodded, then commented, "Daddy is a lunatic."

"That's a given," Sakumo grinned.

Taylor giggled and watched as he came back.

"Close your eyes and hold out both of your hands," he teased her.

"Alright," Taylor sighed, doing as she was told. She closed her eyes and held out both her hands.

Kakashi put something a little on the heavy side into her hands and she opened her eyes. It was a book titled, "Blade of the Samurai". She clutched it and smiled.

"Thank you!" she thanked.

"It's nothing," Kakashi said. "I knew you were drooling over this book."

Taylor giggled, "Yes. Yes I was. I even thought about picking it up while I was there by the coast, waiting for the ship to come."

"Well, looks like you don't have to worry about buying it now," Kakashi grinned.

"Yeah really," Taylor nodded. "Arigatou!"

Kakashi nodded.

"I didn't get you much," Sakumo said, walking out to get his wallet. He came back and pulled out ¥9837 and handed it to his granddaughter. "Your father stole my idea, so have some cash...Happy birthday, sweetheart."

"Thank you," Taylor smiled and inclined her head. "I have something for you as well."

She stood up and dashed to her room and dashed back out after a few moments. She grinned and handed Sakumo a necklace He took it and studied it. It was a pentacle just like hers, but instead of a moonstone in the middle of it, there was an amethyst. He smiled with a soft expression.

"Thank you, sweetheart, " he smiled.

Taylor smiled back, "Of course, Ojiisan." She sat back down and ate her soup.

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Later that day, Kakashi put in their Mushi-Shi movie and he and Taylor watched it together while drinking hot cocoa. Taylor laid her head against Kakashi's chest and snuggled with him.

"I'm...confused," he stated. "Why would your mother hide from us?"

"I don't entire understand it myself, Daddy," Taylor admitted.

"I would've been glad to protect her and you," he said.

"I know..." Taylor looked at him. "I wish I truly understood her motives, but all I got out of it was that she was scared for me and felt I'd be much safer with you and Grandpa alone," she clutched the mug of hot cocoa. "But part of me still says that she was being a coward."

"Now, don't call her a coward, Taylor," Kakashi started.

"But she was. You know you want to say it too. I mean, she ran from us without saying anything. And she took advantage of Grandpa and made him promise to not tell."

Kakashi remembered five years back when she was thrown into the past, his father had told him, "The White Fang never breaks a promise." Sakumo was certainly right, he didn't break his promise to him and Taylor and Setsuna. His father felt that he had to keep his promise. After all, Sakumo Hatake was the Legendary White Fang of Konoha and he did his damndest to keep his promises. Taylor was the same way, now that Kakashi thought about it. In someways, she was the Legendary Second White Fang of Konoha.

"Yeah..." Kakashi felt conflicting emotions, but he kept quiet.

Taylor sipped on her hot cocoa and glanced back at the TV as they watched the 45-minute 'Mushishi' special episode.

"That's a cool mushi," she said. "Well...sorta."

"Yeah, sorta," Kakashi nodded in agreement. "It is a little scary though. Not sure if I'd want that here..."

Taylor nodded in agreement. Maybe a mushi that came out during a total solar eclipse and tried to hide the sun was a little on the scary side, she had to admit. But it was still interesting. She finished her hot cocoa and set the empty mug on the coffee table and kept watching the movie.

Kakashi put his arm around his daughter and held her close to him, thinking about his late fiancé. In a way, he was glad to know his fiancé lived a little longer, but at the same time he had wished she was there with him to help with Taylor. And also at the same time, he was glad his father was there with him and alive. Sakumo was definitely helpful, and he was glad to have his father back.

Taylor noticed him clutching her shoulder, but she smiled with a content expression, resting her head on Kakashi's chest.

She loved spending time with Kakashi and she especially loved snuggling with him. No matter how old she got, that would be her favorite thing to do. And she'd be damned if she had to give up snuggling with her otousan.

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A day later, Taylor went out with Sakumo to run a couple of errands. Both dressed in layers. Sakumo wore a long, grey coat over top a black sweater, over top a blue turtle neck shirt. Taylor wore pretty much the same outfit but instead of the grey long coat, she wore a green heavy winter coat. Both wore snow boots that fitted over their regular sandals.

They walked to the grocery store together and Taylor held his hand, like she'd always done. Sakumo glanced at her but shrugged it off. While being quiet, they walked into the store and gathered foods that they needed. After they had what they needed from the grocery store, they headed back home to get the groceries put away and then to get a few more things. They went home, put up the groceries, and headed back out to get a few more things. They were half-way through the village when Jakobe walked up to Taylor.

"Jakobe?" she wondered in a quiet voice.

"Captain," he smiled. "Remember when I was upset about my sister dying?"

"Y-Yeah?"

"I'd come home from the mission and found my sister alive and well..." he smiled.

"H-How? I thought it was terminal?" Taylor was surprised.

"Supposedly, a few weeks in December, your brother came and healed my sister and saved her live."

"What?" Taylor gasped. "He did?"

"Yeah," Jakobe grinned. "So my sister is okay now."

"Th-That's good, Jakobe," Taylor smiled.

"Thank your brother for me, please," he asked.

"I-I don't know where he lives though," Taylor stammered.

"He doesn't live with you?"

"No, he doesn't," Taylor answered.

"That's odd. Alright, I suppose I'll find him," Jakobe shrugged.

"Go spend time with your sister," Taylor ordered. "Show her the love she deserves."

"I will," Jakobe grinned, bowed and then left.

Sakumo looked at her.

"Teammate," she said.

"Oh..."

"Yeah..."

Taylor sighed and they continued towards the art store. They were quiet for the rest of the time they were out.

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