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The funeral was quick, or at least to Kami it was. Waves of black clothed ninja and Anbu gathered to remember the fallen. No words were spoken and no tears were shed. The silence was deafening and Kami wondered if this was what it was like to grieve. If it was she wanted no part in it and would rather walk around numb for the rest of her life. This was almost unbearable and the only thing keeping her put was her Rin. Her friend had given her so much that Kami knew this was the only thing she could do to even begin to repay her.
A troth of red roses were placed on a dark wood casket, the picture of baby Rin and her mother that Kami had looked at too many nights ago in the center of them all. Rin's face so stoic and hard scared Kami. She wondered if now her friend was just as broken as she was and part of her was already thinking about how much she missed her smile. Too many faces gave their condolences, faces Kami probably wouldn't recognize if she ever saw them again. It wasn't until it was all over that Kami could notice a quiver set in to Rin's body. Kami pursed her lips into a thin line as her eyes carefully watched the girl. This was what Kami was waiting for.
Rin's hand wrapped around Kami's and pulled her along toward the training ground. They followed a thin dirt path. The girl didn't know where to but at that moment she would follow her friend to the end of the earth if that was what she wanted. Kami's hand dropped back down to her side when they entered a small clearing, only a black stone in front of them, glistening whenever a ray of sun peaked through the dark clouds above them. Frozen, Kami watched Rin walk up to it and fall to her knees. Her forehead smacked against the stone and her body heaved. The center of Kami's chested ached. She didn't know what to do, she understood the pain but she didn't know how to take it away. She would take it all if it meant Rin didn't have to feel it.
Walking next to Rin, she let herself sit beside her; at least she didn't have to be alone. The emotionless shell from the funeral slipped off and exposed the heart break underneath. Tears trickled like crystals down onto the floor. Some catching light and pulled harder at the strings of Kami's heart, an anchor dipping deeper and deeper into an ocean of sorrow. Instinctively she reached out and grabbed Rin's hand squeezing it, letting her know she didn't have to do this all by herself. Something she often did for her mother and brother many moons ago. "Im sorry." She whispered trying to add even an ounce of comfort. Kami remembered how much those words affected her that day Minato said it to her in the hospital.
Rin's eyes shifted over to Kami's and she shook her head, locks smacking her cheeks, "She died for her village. An honorable death. Im not sad. Im proud." Her voice cracked and Kami knew she was trying her best to truly believe the words. Is this what Rin and her team wanted, an honorable death? Kami's lips turned down into a frown. Was this what they worked hard for, to die for their village; is that what they were asking her to eventually do? The question bubbled to the surface and time slipped away as they sat and Kami let Rin mourn the loss of her mom.
The sky had started to clear up as the sun dipped into the late afternoon. Neither Rin nor Kami shifted from their spot. The numbness of sleepy feet and legs didn't bother either of the girls. Rin finally laid her head in Kami's lap and like her mother once did for her, Kami smoothed the grieving girls hair over and over again till a sense of calamity washed over her and her shaking stopped. Kami's eyes looked hard at the freshly engraved name in the stone. Now joining so many other names of ninja that died in action. It left a sour taste in her mouth.
Pursing her lips for a moment, Kami's gaze shifting toward the right to the Anbu she sensed was watching her. "Are you alright?" Sitting up Rin looked at her. Kami was completely shocked that even after everything she was still asking if she was alright. Nodding, but still looking at the place she sensed the Anbu she ran her fingers through her hair. "Anbu?" Kami nodded again. It was more annoying as the days went on. She never had a moment to herself because she could always feel them close. Like they were waiting for her to mess up, even on a day like today.
"You don't have to stay here you know." Truth was there was nowhere Kami wanted to be. "I want to." Rin cracked a small broken smile. Her cheeks littered with dried tears. Her eyes dark, damaged. "Obito." Kami whispered, eyes meeting the tree line from where they had immerged hours ago. The boy was still dressed in his black clothes. It was typical of a village to mourn together till sundown; at least that was what Rin had said this morning while they were getting dressed.
Obito rocked on his feet when he reached the girls, but only for a moment before he sat with them. "I've been looking for you guy. I should have known you would be here." He frowned when his eyes glossed over the new name on the rock. "Im sorry about your mother." Kami watched the exchange like an outsider. It was so foreign to her because her village never mourned death. Never even bothered to think about it. It was always about the fight. "Also wanted to let you know you weren't alone." Obito glanced over at Kami before looking back at Rin. A faint smile. Rin nodded a thank you before looking back at the stone. A soft sigh escaping her lips.
The last two days had been quiet. Kami had tried her best to help her friend though these trying times. Rin was sure that everything would be alright and constantly reminded Kami. It was only when she caught Rin's eyes losing focus and her mind drifted to a far off place that Kami knew her friend wasn't alright and she wouldn't be for a long time.
"You sure you'll be alright?" Nodding with vigor Kami wasn't sure how her friend had the room to worry about her with so many things on her plate. "I think we are only going to be gone for a few days." She pushed a grin to her mouth but it wasn't one that reached her eyes like Kami was used to. "Be safe." She said grateful when her friend engulfed her in a tight hug. Glancing at the village gates a sigh passed through her pale lips. She knew this was an important mission for the team and Kami wished it would have come at a later time.
"You ready Rin?" Nodding at her sensei she tightened the straps to her backpacks, "If only Obito wasn't late." As if on que the boy came running, grin on his face as he met up with his team. "Sorry im late. I was helping an older woman with her bags." He started to ramble and Rin just rolled her eyes. Kami chewed the inside of her cheek. She was going to be training later today but she hated doing anything when Rin was gone. Mostly because she wouldn't concentrate, her mind always drifting.
"Don't worry too much we will be back before you know it." Minato let his hand rest on the young ninja's head. A small tussle, he saw her worried eyes, even more so since Rin's mother's death. Kami glanced up at the man and nodded. She knew that he would protect them with his life if he had to. "And if this goes well Kakashi will get promoted to Jounin." Rin clasped her hands together. Kakashi glanced over at the group. He let a soft sigh escape his lips. "Can I get a high five, something?" Obito put his hand up, a small pout on his lips.
"Just leave her be." Rin said. Kami felt bad, her hand rose slightly before she tapped it against the boys open palm. "Alright!" He yelled fist pumping the air. "Oh come on." Rin grabbed the collar of Obito's shirt and started dragging it toward the gates of the village. "Bye Kami!" She waved back watching as her friend practically shoved the Uchiha forward, Minato chuckling before giving Kami a two finger salute and following behind them.
There was a tingling feeling setting in and when she glanced to her right Kami made the mistake of looking at Kakashi. The girl knew it was stupid but the boy was intimidating. She knew for Rin's sake she needed to overcome that fear. Rin was completely infatuated with the prodigy and Kami was sure it wasn't easy having to pick between the two of them sometimes and she promised herself she would make a better effort. "G-good luck." She whispered softly as he started to walk toward his team. He stopped for a hairline of a second and air clogged the Kaguya's throat before he left with his team.
Kami watched the gates for a long time after Rin and her team where gone from sight. A light breeze tossed her hair softly and her eyes looked around the trees to her left. Anbu. Sighing she closed her eyes, the chakra wasn't the usual ones but it was one she had felt whenever she was standing by the gates. It pulled at the girl's curiosity and so she let herself walk closer to it. Shoving her hands in her pockets she stopped at the tree line and was a bit surprised the Anbu's chakra hadn't re adjusted itself, usually keeping within 75 feet from her unless they needed to talk to her.
Glancing around she saw nothing but they couldn't hide from what she felt in the pit of her stomach. "Hello?" She whispered, feeling dumb talking to the air. Blinking she jumped back at the presence that seemed to just appear out of thin air. The porcelain mask with black holes staring at her. Kami tried to regain her composer and cleared her throat. She didn't know what to say and part of her didn't want to say anything, she instantly regretted this endeavor. Glancing back up the ninja hadn't moved or uttered a word. "Sorry I -." She realized now she didn't know what to say. Why hadn't the Anbu just stayed hidden, eventually she would have lost interest. "You're different." She crossed her arms over her chest in an attempt to hold in her anxiety.
The Anbu's faces tilted to the side almost in an inquisitive gesture. She realized now they probably had no idea what she was talking about because besides the masks they dressed almost the same and nine times out of ten they never showed themselves to her. " Umm. Chakra?" Her lips pressed into a thin line. She was ready to turn around and leave. "Is there anything you need Kaminari?" She was shocked to hear the male voice behind the mask. They rarely ever spoke and her name sounds strange coming from him. She hesitated but shook her head no. Of course she had questions but she had spoken enough for a lifetime already.
He hesitated a moment longer, almost willing her to speak but she didn't and just as he came he was gone. Breathing out deeply she could sense his chakra making its way a safe distance from her. Her brows furrowed together. Kami wasn't sure why she even came over. Shaking her head she started to walk back to the path that led to town. She still had an hour or so to waste before she was to meet with Gai and Chōza-sensei for training. Not wanting to sit around in one place she chose to walk the village. Something she found herself doing a lot when Rin was on a mission.
It had come to the point that Kami was comfortable with its layout and almost certain she would never get lost. The market was one of her favorite places not because of the shops or restaurants but it was the perfect place to people watch. When she had first arrived she was so confused about the village dynamic, no one was scared or cowering. Most people had smiles on their faces and laughed with their fellow comrades.
The idea of it was memorizing and she couldn't get enough, just walking around listening to the idle chit chat about the weather and what someone was going to make for dinner was enough to make Kami almost feel as though she belonged. Once and a while she would catch people staring or children rushing to ask their parents questions, pointing in her direction. It was almost as though everyone knew everyone and not being from this village, Kami stuck out like a sore thumb but the girl didn't mind. The people watching was interesting enough. She didn't want anyone coming up to her because honestly what would they say?
"Kaminari over here!" Looking up the street she noticed Gai and his teammate Genma who was waving a little too enthusiastically. Catching up to them she bowed down at the two and Gai gave her a smile. Genma flipped his sebon for a moment, a grin still plastered on his face. "What brings you to the market little lady?" Kami shrugged her shoulders and she caught Gai sigh for a moment. "Whenever team Minato leaves for a mission Kami walks the village." Trying to hide her surprise she nodded in agreement with Gai. She wondered how he would have noticed such a thing. Rin's team had only been on a handful of missions since she had come to the village but he was right, every time she went to walk the village before they came home.
Genma raised his eyebrow and then shrugged his own shoulders, "So when are you going to be put on a team? I hear training is going well." Kami shrugged her shoulders again but this time Gai didn't answer, probably because he didn't know the answer. "Such a chatterbox." He said with a chuckle earning him a two finger jag to the side from Gai. The truth was Kami didn't know if she wanted to be put on a team even if she were to ever be ready. "Not sure if I'll stay around." She mumbled but was sure the two ninja heard her. Gai was quick to wipe the frown from his face but not quick enough that Kami didn't see it. Genma's confused look told Kami he wasn't aware of her situation and she was sure when he was alone with Gai again that he would find out.
"We should probably head to the training grounds; Chōza-sensei will be waiting." He was right, the sun was dipping past high noon and it was almost time. "I'll walk with you two." The two sandwiched themselves on either side of the green eyed girl but were only silent for a moment before they start discussing whether or not Kakashi would be able to beat Gai in an all-out spare. Kami was not going to weigh in on the argument, mortified that if she said anything negative about the ninja he would find out and hate her even more, "Im just saying Gai he looked like he had you during the Chunin exams." Gai looked offended that Genma would have even brought that up, "That was then and this is now. I'm stronger and more youthful than ever. I even have my own student now!" Genma chuckled and before she knew it they were at the grounds.
"Have fun guys, catch you later." She got a wink from the boy before he was gone and Gai clasped his hands together. "Alright my rose! Are you ready to run?"
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto © just my OC
