Path Of Radiance

Chapter 11

Kakashi lied down on the snowy ground, more than exhausted. The sunset was beautiful; everything with snow no longer looked pristine and fragile but now decked with outstanding orange. As Kakashi lay there, he noticed something. He sprang upwards, and looked at Deidara.

"What?" Deidara snapped. "You're freaking me out."

"Today is just ending?"

"Yeah." He said in a matter-of-factly.

"Which means that everything happened all in one day?!" Kakashi rose to his feet in disbelief. "Going to Konoha, cutting your hairs, searching for my lost ring, learning the spells, taming the Fallen, saving you from Orcohimaru, sparring, busting you out of jail…damn."

"That's what you call a hectic day." Itachi said with a chuckle.

"That was more than hectic." Kakuzu said sounding miserable. He hated the fact that the Copy Nin was now their leader, and he hated the fact that Kakashi had changed their physical appearance. He hated everything that has been happening lately and he wished that he had escaped with Kisame that time. Kakashi gazed at the horizon, looking like he was sick. His eyes were baggy, and his skin looked paler than the usual. And all of that was due to over-exhaustion. He even seemed a bit distant, not moving, just gazing aimlessly. After a while, his eye lids slowly closed and he fell into sleep.

"I can't believe it's nightfall and we haven't found them yet." Sakura cursed. "I don't understand why they kept changing locations."

"They were fighting." Hinata answered, sounding annoyed. "I told you guys that."

"But for what though?"

"That's not for us to find out." Shino joined in. "We're only to find out the leader's true identity." The shinobi continued their search for the Akatsuki, hoping that they'll be successful before the next day begins. Soon, they neared a clearing. Shino sent out his bugs to investigate if any danger was lurking. He didn't want Hinata to use her byakugan because she has already used it extensively. When the bugs returned, Shino nodded and the two girls followed him into the open area. They're feet landed with a soft tap, and not even a second later, Kakashi knew that they were there.

"Why are you here?" he asked without moving out of his position, nor did he open his eyes. "You better explain."

"We're here because we want to be part of the Akatsuki." Hinata answered. Kakashi sprang up so fast as he couldn't believe his ears. He looked at them and a smile appeared on his face. He knew who they were because of their chakra signatures. He cocked his head to one side, after examining their outfits. Shino was clothed in dark blue jeans with his hooded shirt matching his pants. He had on a white shirt beneath it and of course he couldn't ditch his sunglasses. As for Hinata, she was in black shorts with a lavender blouse. Kakashi shook his head as Sakura's outfit was nothing surprising. She wore a fiery red mini-skirt and a bubble-gum coloured top. Kakashi walked over to them, and stood before Hinata.

"We have to can trust you." He walked in a circle around her, hoping that she might crack. "I want you to assassinate the Hokage of Konoha." He saw all three stiffen with shock, but he knew they wouldn't ―couldn't ―do that. It's just impossible.

"Ok, we'll do it." Shino pivoted on his heel, beckoned to Sakura and Hinata to follow him. Kakashi was awestruck as he didn't expect them to say that. Hopefully they're just bluffing. After they were long gone, Kakashi moved off to follow them. The other Akatsuki members only stared on with shock, finding it hard to believe their eyes and ears. No one moved, after all, they were tired.

"What are we going to do?!" Sakura panicked. "Kill Tsunade?"

"No, I'm going to tell her what he told us to do and hopefully, she comes up with a plan to fake her death to him."

"Good thinking,"

"I've already sent my bugs out to her." Shino sighed miserably, not wanting to do this any at all. He hated that he had to change his comfortable casual wear and he hated that he had to join the Akatsuki. So far they've reached halfway the distance, not wanting to reach Konoha too quick and have to really fight her. That would just be wrong. However, they were moving much faster than they thought. Konoha was in the eye-shot, and feelings of dread overcome them all. They stopped short on a branch, looking at the prestigious village.

"I see you've reached here relatively quickly." Kakashi said, leaning on a tree. "Surprising,"

"We just want to show you that we are capable of becoming part of the Akatsuki."

Kakashi laughed. "There's no need to do that."

"Huh?" all three said in unison.

"There's no way I'd make you kill Tsunade-sama." He bit the inside of his lip realizing his mistake. "She's the best there is, and plus I couldn't let you take a good life. That's wrong." The shinobi exchanged glances as this was astonishing. The leader of the Akatuski saying that something is wrong? "Let's go back now shall we?" Kakashi stretched forth his hand and they each took it. Within a whisk, they were back to where they were via the lightning transport. Kakashi walked to the Akatsuki who were basically asleep. He rolled his eyes and then he tapped the ground with his feet. The earth responded, at first came upwards as a wall but then arched over the Akatsuki to form something resembling a cave. But it was massive though. The three shinobi looked on with amazement, as they have never seen anyone do something like that.

"What are you guys waiting for?" Kakashi said while walking towards it, "it's basically night-time and we need rest."

"Oh sure." Sakura said quickly, following the Akatsuki leader. Once inside, the opening closed ensuring that nothing and no one could enter. Then Kakashi created small openings like windows on each side of the cave. However, he ensured that the one on the left was directly facing so that they could use the moon's light. After all is done, Kakashi sat down and began asking questions.

"So why exactly do you want to join Akatsuki?"

"It's because well, I hate how the village is being managed," Hinata spoke first, not really sure if that answer seems believable. "That's my problem, really."

"Then why don't you aim to be Hokage so you could change that?" Kakashi countered. "Hn?"

"I don't think I can do that."

"But you can at least try. Never doubt yourself, when you do that you'll never reach anywhere and you'll never know your full potential. Just give it a shot." Kakashi sounded very motivational, and he himself couldn't believe it. "So how about you Pink Lady?" He looked at Sakura intently, wanting to laugh at her outfit.

"I just want to fit in somewhere." She replied, not looking at Kakashi. "I want to feel like I'm actually useful and worth something."

"I still don't see your point." Kakashi yawned. "If you want to feel useful it's not up to them. When you get missions don't they realize your strength? Don't they see how much your worth? I'm sure that you're a medic, shouldn't that be enough?"

"I don't ―"

"Look, if you keep watching what people say, girl, you're going to be miserable and lonely." Kakashi stretched going into a position lying down. "Don't listen to what people say. Ever." Sakura and Hinata looked at each other then back at Kakashi. Both were stunned as they didn't expect that kind of reaction and answer. As for Shino, he really didn't care. He just wanted this mission to be over with. But it seems that it'll take a long time.

"So what about you, glasses?"

"I don't want to leave them."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"Ok, goodnight." Kakashi rolled over on his side, and closed his eyes. But just before he dozed off, he whispered, "Botan, watch over us while we sleep." After that, Kakashi was out cold.