Author's Notes: I have no good excuse for not updating this story for such a long time, except that I had no idea how I wanted this chapter to go… I'm still not happy with the end result, but I figured that if I put it off for much longer, you guys won't ever be getting an update XD With that said, next chapter will probably be the final chapter, and I might include a short epilogue after! Enjoy! :D
Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING!
Chapter 14
Kakashi sighs and runs a hand through his hair. He doesn't call for ANBU, not when he knows he can, has, to take care of this himself on his own. Kakashi can only blame himself for the current situation after all.
Kakashi was, and still is, one of the best trackers Konoha had to offer. He already has his pack of eight dogs summoned and sniffing around. Age has not affected his pack's skills, something Kakashi will be eternally grateful for.
His serious expression lightens a bit when his gaze falls on Mirai. The little Sarutobi has an expression of utmost concentration on her face, a combination between her biological father's and mother's, and thinking of either one of them makes a pang of guilt and sadness wash over Kakashi.
Beneath the sorrow and the remorse and the I-should-have-seen-it-coming, Kakashi's heart feels lighter as he watches Mirai, who, in turn, is studying his dogs as they sniff around the apartment with awe and wonder hidden beneath the focus. At least I haven't completely failed everyone yet… He thinks to himself, although he knows that even Mirai would have been kidnapped if it weren't for Kurenai and her quick thinking.
"Boss," Pakuun's voice has turned even scratchier as he became older. The familiarity of Pakuun's voice puts Kakashi more at ease, "We can track them," Pakuun reassures, "Whoever has done this was sloppy. Scents are all over the place. We were able to pick out the scent of the ones who took her," Kakashi nods in understanding. This might be a trap… They might be trying to lure me there… When Kakashi remembers that he was fully prepared to take care of this on his own just a few moments ago, he knows that the abductors would have been successful in getting him out of the village, unaccompanied, for Kurenai's sake.
For someone who stresses so much on teamwork, Kakashi knows he doesn't practice what he preaches when things become personal.
Kakashi motions for his ANBU guards to check the scene out as well.
"We'll move out in an hour," Kakashi whispers to his dogs as he takes Mirai's hand and exits the apartment. His ANBU are too busy with analyzing the scene to hear him, and the one who he can sense shadowing him is too far away, and his chakra is very familiar. It'll take about that long to fully prepare and escape my ANBU friends… The Hokage can't exactly waltz out of the village whenever he pleases. He gives Mirai a reassuring smile and takes her to his house.
-oOo-
There's a lot of ways in which this situation could be worse… She thinks to herself. Her enemies have tried to make sure she can't escape, at least not on her own. Her hands and feet are bound, her chakra is shut off and she can barely feel anything as her consciousness slowly creeps back and her surroundings gradually become less foggy.
She doesn't know where she is nor does she recognize the people who took her, but she's grateful for one thing. It doesn't seem like they took Mirai too. Kurenai's heart feels that much lighter just thinking about her daughter, who is safe and sound back in the village.
What would happen to Mirai if I don't make it back? But Kurenai quickly dismisses that thought. She can't afford to be pessimistic now, but her shinobi mind has always been logical. Her chances of surviving alone are slim to none. I have to go back. Who would take care of Mirai if I'm gone? Kakashi is the first that comes to mind, and Shikamaru is a close second, but even Kurenai's shinobi mind doesn't want to accept the possibility of her never making it back, never seeing her daughter again, never saying something important to someone who has become a precious person.
For those reasons alone, Kurenai will never stop fighting, and she will never give up.
-oOo-
Mirai pouts for all she's worth. She wants to stomp her feet and yell and cry to show just how angry she is.
"Not fair!" She argues when Papa sighs again and shakes his head.
"I think it's plenty fair," Papa says as he rubs his forehead, "It's much, much safer… and you'll have a lot of fun!" Kakashi tries to convince her. Mirai stubbornly sets her jaw, "What? Don't tell me you don't trust Masky to save Mama?" Kakashi asks, only partially feigning his curiosity. Mirai shakes her head.
"No!" The look of hurt on Kakashi's face isn't all an act, "Papa save Mama," Mirai continues matter-of-factly, nodding to emphasize her point. Kakashi is sure he looks stupid with such a startled look on his face. He's quick to catch himself, however, and he smiles as he ruffles Mirai's hair, chuckling a bit, "Pwomise?"
"Yeah, I promise," Kakashi says without hesitation. Mirai's worried, crimson eyes search him over for something Kakashi can't quite pinpoint. Kakashi finds himself mildly nervous under the surprisingly steady gaze of the two-year-old. She must have found what she was looking for, however, as a minute later, she's grinning brightly and nodding in what seems to be acceptance. Okay… now to get rid of my ANBU…
He motions for his ANBU to appear by a quick signal he hides from Mirai behind his back. The single ANBU member guarding him now appears not a moment later. Kakashi stands up to give the ANBU an eye-smile. The ANBU seems to give him an unimpressed look, somehow perceptible even with the cat mask firmly in place.
"Tenzo," Kakashi starts lightly. ANBU Cat sighs, having long given up on Kakashi ever using his code name, which is Cat in this case.
"With all due respect, Hokage-sama, as your ANBU guard, I cannot allow you to leave the village for whatever purpose," Tenzo says, his voice slightly muffled by the mask. Tenzo already knows what Kakashi wants from him, and he doesn't like it, not one bit.
"Maa, maa… then it's a good thing I'm not asking you as the Hokage, but as a friend," Kakashi gives Tenzo a pleading look that is visible even with the black cloth covering most of his face, "Please, Tenzo… can you babysit Mirai?" Tenzo blanches. He expected Kakashi to ask him to let him go, to go with him, or distract the ANBU as he made a run for it. But babysitting… never really crossed his mind.
"Then, Kakashi-senpai… I'm saying this as a friend… Not even in your dreams," The ANBU refuses in a very un-ANBU-like manner.
"But, Tenzo-!" Kakashi starts to protest. Tenzo mutes the Hokage's voice with an ease gained by long practice.
-oOo-
Three in total. Kurenai's mind supplies as she watches her captors. They haven't done anything worthwhile yet. No plans were discussed, not in her presence at least. Only two out of the three ever stayed with her. One of them is always outside, presumably keeping an eye out for anyone approaching them. Occasionally, they would switch.
"No one has come yet..." The one who whined the most up until now says in a tone that suggests his annoyance and boredom.
"It's been less than a day, Kai. He might not have even noticed yet," The stone-faced one replies automatically, "Or she's not that important and we made a mistake," The whiny one, Kai, complains in a loud ramble. Kurenai can hear her heart beat and the world seems to still. So… the reason I'm here is… She only suspected it before, but now… Kurenai doesn't know what to think about the proved revelation.
"Don't worry, Kai, Tao. We won't stay here for long. If no one comes by tomorrow morning, we kill her and leave. End of story. We'll find something else to use next time," The cool-headed one says as he enters the cave at which they were keeping her. Kurenai doesn't know if she's grateful that they talk to each other without looking her way or angry that they don't view her as a threat and only use her as a disposable item.
"You're the boss, Lin!" Kai leaves the cave and heads outside with a noticeable spring in his step.
Kurenai feels her stomach churning and her heart dropping. Maybe… maybe I was just being ridiculous… There's no way someone like me would mean anything to someone like that anyways… The thought of Kakashi hurts Kurenai more than it should.
-oOo-
Mirai does not understand why the ANBU kept telling her to call him Cat when his name is so obviously Tenzo. Papa just called him that right in front of her. Papa would never lie, which means that this Tenzo/Cat person is obviously lying. She glares at the man. Tenzo sighs.
"Tenzo-san?" She says politely because Mama has always stressed on the importance of being a well-mannered and respectable little girl, "Stowy? Pwease?" Tenzo sighs and decides to ignore Mirai for the time being, even when the Sarutobi starts poking him and becomes plain annoying.
One thing is for sure… Kakashi-senpai owes me big time! And it's not even fair! Tenzo sulks as Mirai keeps bombarding him with requests he doesn't pay any heed to, I had a feeling it was a bad idea for him to become Hokage, and now I remember why… Because Kakashi was a jerk who could talk anyone into anything (his thin wallet remembers all the times he paid for Kakashi's and Naruto's ramen), and the position of Hokage only helped him perfect the naturally born talent (like how he turned his request into an order Tenzo couldn't refuse).
Tenzo sighs and looks at Mirai, who has stopped poking him and is looking at him quite intently. Tenzo meets Mirai's bright crimson eyes with his dull black ones.
The two sigh as one a moment later. Mirai does not understand why the ANBU kept sighing. Papa said she'd have fun right to her face. Papa was obviously lying. Maybe Tenzo-san's name really is Cat?
-oOo-
Kakashi and his companions head to where the scents of Kurenai's abductors lead to; an area that isn't that far away from the village that has Kakashi scratching his head. It's like they want me to find them… Kakashi follows his dogs without a word, internally getting ready for whatever his enemies have planned. How exactly do they plan to take me down? Kakashi knows that he isn't an easy opponent to beat, even if he were outnumbered.
"Up ahead," Pakuun informs with a grunt. Kakashi sees a man of average build leaning against a tree's trunk before his eyes sweep the area and he makes out a cave close by. His companions scatter after he gives a faint hand signal. When the man suddenly stands up and looks in his general direction, Kakashi safely assumes that he was seen.
-oOo-
Kurenai can say with a hundred percent certainty that it is her who is most surprised when Kai comes back with a smirk firmly planted on his features and news she never imagined she would hear.
"He's here," Kai says, barely able to conceal his excitement. The other two nod. The three can already taste the delicious sweetness of revenge. They are one step closer to achieve their goal and fulfill what they've dreamed of for so long.
Now, Hatake… you pay for what you've done…
Author's Notes: Sorry for including OCs, and I absolutely had to give them a story… XD But I promise they won't stay in the story for too long (considering Chapter 15 might be the last chapter)!
A Response to the Reviews on Chapter 13:
DeruMaru: Sorry that I had to elongate the process, but it didn't make sense to me for Kakashi to suddenly appear out of nowhere XD Thanks for your kind words, and I hope you enjoyed this (very badly written, in my opinion) chapter.
Prescripto13: I find it kind of cute :3 Thanks for the review!
okami amaterasu: Thanks! Did you like this chapter? And sure, I take requests, so go ahead and suggest what you want :D
alucard77: Thank you for reviewing. Next chapter will have more Kaka/Kure, so look forward to that!
Ephemeral Solitude: Hopefully, I'll be able to live up to your expectations. XD Kaka/Kure will be included in the next chapter… no promises as to how good it'll be though!
Until next time!