Chapter 11*
* Updated on August 31st, 2016 *
Misaki opened her eyes briefly, the light hurt her eyes. The smell… I must be in the hospital. Her eyes opened again, looking around she realised that she was indeed in one of the hospital's rooms. She alone, there were no other beds there, only a white chair and a small table with flowers.
A movement outside the window caught her attention but by the time she managed to turn her head, she couldn't see anything.
When she awoke again, she found Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke in the room, all dressed in black and looking desolate. However, she felt immense relief seeing the team back in one piece. "Lord Third…," she said hoarsely.
"Misaki sensei!" Sakura announced. "You're awake!" Naruto screamed, seeming a bit more cheerful.
"How are you feeling? Are you in pain sensei?" he asked. "I'm ok, Naruto. A bit sore, but it was just a little cut so you don't have to worry," she lied.
"A little cut?" Sasuke questioned arching one eyebrow.
"But Guy sensei said you saved Kakashi sensei's life, that you jumped in front of the guy that was going to kill him from behind, and then he stabbed you! Misaki sensei, we're so grateful for saving our sensei's life," Naruto continued.
"Kakashi has been very worried about you, Misaki," Sasuke interrupted, "I'm sure he'll be happy to know that you're awake and well, if he doesn't know already…," he continued looking at her and making her uncomfortable somehow.
"There was nothing to worry about, guys. I was just doing my job. Now tell me, at what time is the Third's funeral?" she asked standing up.
"We're on our way there now, sensei," Sakura responded.
"I see. Then let me get ready and we can all go." As all three made a movement to avoid her from getting up, she gave them a look that stop them in their tracks. "I don't care if the wound opens up. There is no way I would miss Lord Third's funeral, guys. So quit with the fussing." They glanced at each other before helping her get dressed and ready to go.
They arrived at the funeral as it was about to start, quickly noticing that Kakashi wasn't there. Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura went to stand close to Konohamaru, the Hokage's grandson, as he wept next to Iruka. She stayed at the back, where she could lean on one of the trees, making the pain more bearable.
Misaki paid her respects to the Hokage, the man who had helped and supported in every step of the way. He had helped her become the kunoichi she had always dreamed of against her father's wishes, and even become a father figure after her father passed away.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kohona's third Hokage, had loved all of Konoha, always protecting the village and treating every single person as family. He had died under the hands of Orochimaru, his former student along Jiraiya and Tsunade. They had been known as the Three Legendary Sannin, it represented how strong the Hokage had been since he had been their sensei.
When the funeral finished she took a wooden tub which she filled with water on her way to visit Shisui's grave, the boy she considered like a brother when growing up. Arriving at the grave, she cleaned it up, brushing the stains and weeds off it. She placed a candle on the gravestone and poured water over the gravestone from the tub.
"Hello brother," Misaki started. "I'm sorry it's been so long since I last came to visit, but you know you're always on my thoughts. It was my birthday a few months ago and I really missed you. You always gave me something on my birthday and it made me so happy.
Even though I thought I understood and accepted your death, I've only come to realise what it's like to feel the need to give up your life for those you love? Well, who am I kidding? I guess it is what it is. You were always able to see through the emotional nature of others so I know you've probably realised long before I did.
It was your Body Flicker Technique that let me save Kakashi's life. I'm so thankful to you, for not stopping until I learnt it. I don't know what I would've done if… if-," she stopped as she sensed a familiar presence to her left.
When she looked up, she saw Kakashi approaching. Panic took over from her, wondering if Kakashi had heard her conversation with Shisui, then more alarmed when he didn't stop until she stood right in front of her, grabbed her neck, bringing his forehead against hers, his eye closed.
Her eyes wide as saucers, she could only stand there frozen. He had heard.
"I made your life hell," he started saying without moving, "trying to stop you from crawling over my defenses and under my skin and failing miserably. Yet you jumped to save my life.
When I saw the enemy's kunai deep into your abdomen, I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. I've never been so scared in my life."
"B-but… you hate me," Misaki said, moving her head back a bit since Kakashi was still holding her.
"I've been acting like a fool. I was scared with what I was starting to feel and treated you poorly. I didn't want to care for you so much and risk losing you like I've lost the people I loved in the past. Forgive me?"
Love? Does that mean…? Is he…? Misaki reached for this mask the way she did back in that night, but this time Kakashi didn't stop her. She pulled it down and gasped at the sight of his handsome face. She had fantasised about this moment, imaging good looking features but never something so breathtaking.
Kakashi closed the distance and inch, looking at her expectantly. When her lips slightly parted, Kakashi's mouth came crashing down on her. His lips were full and warm against hers as they moved in a hungry kiss.
She moaned and he took the opportunity to slide his tongue into her warm mouth, it felt like heaven. Her hands slid up his chest. He'd dreamed of her touching him. A shiver run through his whole body.
A rush of air reminded them where they were. With one last deep kiss he moved his mouth down along her jaw until he reached her ear. "Let's go get something to eat," he whispered.
Feeling suddenly embarrassed, she look down but Kakashi lift her face with his index finger under her chin and placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. She smiled and Kakashi hold her hand in hers before heading out to grab some food with his team.
