Chapter 26: Unforeseen

KAKASHI'S POV

After a little rest Akemi looked better. She actually wanted me to sleep near her (not next to), but I think it was because I told her a creepy story after the movie. Man, that movie was so great… I loved it. Akemi kinda slept through it though…

"Bye guys, I hope we meet again!" said Yukie, waving to us.

We were going back to the ship (Sakura, Sasuke, Naruto, Yukie, and I had to drag Akemi to the boat) that was headed for Konoha. Strangely enough, those ninja that attacked our boat before didn't come back. I had a feeling something was… wrong.

"Kakashi-chan," said Akemi, accidentally slamming into a pole while reading one of my books. "You'll be late…"

"You okay Icha-chan?" I laughed, seeing Akemi moan and rub her forehead.

"Icha-chan?"

"Yeah well, Akemi-chan is too obvious," I said. "You call me Whitey so… yeah, and besides, you're reading that book."

"… You make me sound like a perv."

"So?" I said. "As long as you have a nickname, don't you feel accepted?"

"…"

"Meaning, I'm doing it because you're a very close friend," I explained quickly.

I saw Akemi grin.

"Fine… as long as that's the last nickname I'll get…" she murmured.

I glimpsed at the necklace I gave her that hung around her neck, which she quickly hid away. The other necklace that related to our mission was being kept by me. Akemi had told me before that I should hold the necklace for her, in case people were going after her, they would never suspect me of carrying it.

"What?" she said dully.

"Nothing," I said happily.

We finally got on the ship; it would take a least half a day to go back to Konoha. Akemi didn't seem to mind this time because she was reading the "Make Out Paradise." We were the only ones on board, including Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto. We were coming a day early than expected.

"It's good, neh?" I asked, coming up to her.

"Yeah, whatever…" she mumbled.

We sailed for about an hour. Akemi still wasn't done with the book. I decided to read it with her.

"Too close…" she said, as I stood right next to her.

I breathed into her ear.

"Is this okay?"

I saw her blush and she immediately punched my arm.

"Ow…" I said playfully.

"Shut up, brat."

"Look who's talking," I joked.

"What?!"

"Heheh…"

I smelled something… burning? Sulfur? And at once—.

"Everyone get down!" I yelled.

I forced Akemi's face on the floor as we ducked. Her chin smashed against the floor.

"WHITEY!" she said angrily.

"Heheh, sorry…" I said.

As the people on the boat took cover, hundreds of kunai with explosive tags on them had open fire. They immediately struck the boat and the explosions started. Ah, another attack so soon!

I saw two black cloaked figures rush past me.

Itachi and Kisame?

I saw the same ninja distracting Naruto and Akemi. Sasuke didn't see Itachi, be was busy helping Sakura help the boatmen into lifeboats.

"Kakashi-chan!"

I saw Kisame run straight at me and I immediately activated my Sharingan. He tried to pierce me with his sword but I countered it with my kunai.

"Are you after Akemi?" I said angrily. "You won't take her."

"Such a shame," said Kisame. "That you're being distracted."

"What?"

I heard the chip of birds and crackles of lightning.

I saw Akemi trying to use her Raikiri but Itachi dodged and used a jutsu to paralyze her. At once I heard the wolf howl again. Akemi stabbed Itachi's arm with her kunai unexpectedly, but it seemed it was the only move she can give. She lied limp on the ground.

"Kisame…" said Itachi, clutching his bloody arm. "It really is her."

I saw Kisame try to stab me again, but this time I dodged and used my Raikiri. It blasted through Kisame's sword; however, some of the razors of the sword drove into my hand. I held the sword in my hand and managed to slash Kisame's chest.

"Agh!" he said.

He tried to punch me, but I used my shadow clone to disguise myself. I was on the other side of Kisame and tried to use Raikiri once more. However, Kisame dodged again and this time I managed to knock him back.

I saw Itachi doing something odd to Akemi. He was… extracting the demon? She has something coming out from her mouth and eyes. Akemi was screaming and the demon in her was roaring.

"Akemi!" I said, trying to run after her.

"Too late!" said Kisame, slashing my chest. He then slammed me hard on the ground, preventing me from moving. He also placed a paralyzing seal on me. I still haven't recovered form the last attack on the boat.

"Agh!"

"Kisame," said Itachi, holding Akemi's body. "We have her, let's go."

No… dammit…

I saw another body on the ground. Two bodies?

"Wait!" I said, coughing.

Naruto was trying to go after her.

"ONEE-CHAN!"

Naruto used his Rasengan, but they turned out to be shadow clones. From the opposite side of our boat was another boat. Kisame and Itachi safely traveled there with Akemi. Our boat was sinking.

"Akemi…"

I passed out.

Or… I thought so.

At once I felt something prodding on my arm. Sorta annoying… I wanted to slap it away. But… maybe it was better to wake up.

I woke up and saw Akemi next to me. Except this time she looked a little different. Her hair wasn't in its usually ponytail and she didn't wear her glasses. Her hair wasn't black, but kinda grey, like mines (COUGH, I mean silver). I was lying on the bed at Konoha Hospital. It seems like… we came back.

"H-hey…" I said. "How did you get in here? I thought—."

"I'm not Akemi," said, er, person who claims she isn't Akemi. "My name is Sai."

I stared at her for a long time.

"Hatake Kakashi, am I right?" asked Sai. "There is something I need to inform you about."

Inform me?

"Stop joking around," I said. "But I saw you taken away by Itachi and Kisame and—."

"Akemi did get taken away," said Sai. "I am not Akemi."

I couldn't believe it. No… it can't be true.

"Seriously stop Akemi, it's not—" I started.

"I TOLD YOU I'M SAI, I'M NOT FREAKING AKEMI!" she snapped.

I gave her a long hard stare. She didn't sweat, blink, or do anything suspicious of lying. Her voice did seem a little deeper. She did look… a little different.

"You…"

"You really want proof?" asked Sai.

"Uh…"

She lifted up her shirt.

"ACK, don't—!" I said, shielding my uncovered eye.

"Grow up," muttered Sai. "I'm just showing you my stomach."

Stomach?

I looked to see she was only showing her lower abdomen. It was as clear as any other people's stomach, with a belly button too. But…

"Your—."

"My seal," said Sai. "Or you can say Akemi's seal, isn't there."

"How did you…?"

"Like I said for the millionth time, my name is Sai," said Sai, getting frustrated. "You can really get annoying sometimes..."

"Ah…"

This body I am in," said Sai. "Is only temporary. If I am not back in Akemi's true body, I will fade."

"…"

"And if Akemi does not come unite with me, she will die also… and I'm saying this because you weren't too concerned that I would fade," said Sai. "And the demon within her will be taken away."

"But…"

"Those two took her away," said Sai. "It won't be long before—."

"How did you part with Akemi?" I asked, finally.

"Ah… a seal they used to split the demon within her," said Sai. "However, they failed to see that they must remove me first. It seemed like they accomplished it."

"Sai-san…"

Sai gave me a grim look but sighed afterwards.

"I suppose… you want to know more."

SAI'S POV

It was awkward enough, as I was sitting near Kakashi on his bed. I don't know why Akemi even told me she was against the whole thing about liking Kakashi. His spiky white hair somehow surprises me. He really does look like a scarecrow, freaks me out if you ask me.

"Well… you can say that Akemi does have a demon in her," I said. "The problem is her lack of control of it. She cannot willingly control it because her seal is half broken."

"I've heard of the Jinchuuriki like Naruto," said Kakashi. "If the demon is forced from the body—."

"You are right," I said. "Akemi will die if the demon is forced out of her."

"…"

"Akemi does not have control," I said. "I might control it, but at times it comes to her in need of depression, anger, or anxiety. She cannot ask for power, nor can she repel it. It comes to her in difficult times. Not even I can control it at those times."

"That wolf howling," said Kakashi. "She touched Naruto… and both of them seemed to… connect in a way."

"It is the stage when the Gin Urufu, as you may know, is consuming the power of the demon," I said. "It will only happen if the wolf is controlling Akemi and if the fox demon is released from Naruto temporarily."

"Did she take Naruto's demon?"

"No, their contact with each other did not last long enough for it to happen," I said. "But it did, somehow, consume some of the Nine Tail's power."

"I see…"

"You must have a million questions, but this is none of your concern," I interrupted. "I know you care about her, Kakashi, but if the involvement is too much there might be more danger to Akemi."

"I need to know all about her!" said Kakashi. "She's probably out there, having the demon sucked out—."

"It is not possible."

"But you said—."

"The mission you have come across with Akemi," I said. "With the pendant… that pendant is the "Takusen" or "Oracle" and is the only gateway to the Gin Urufu's release."

"Takusen…"

"You need that pendant to reach across my sacred village," I said. "There is a sealed temple and once Akemi touches the pendant she will go back."

"Go back?"

"It's complicated," I said. "But… all she needs is your protection."

"Sai-san, if she really does 'go back' or something," said Kakashi. "She'll be alright?"

"Yes… and one thing is for sure," I said. "You cannot be with her."

"Even though I can't…"

I saw his sad expression, though I hate to admit it, I was kind of happy to see him that way. It is better for Akemi.

"I still want to protect her."

I smiled.

"Of course, I do too," I said.

"…"

"Right now Akemi is probably not her usual self," I said.

"What do you mean?"

"Her "soul" is sealed, tied to the Gin Urufu," I explained. "Since I was ripped from her body all that remains is a hollow puppet."

"The wolf in her—."

"It is still there, along with Akemi," I said. "But… her mind is broken."

"If we find Akemi's body, we can send you back?"

"I'm not sure about that," I said. "But… if we don't make it in time—."

"She will die, I know."

"So… the problem is how do we find her?"

"Good question," I joked.

"Are you serious?"

"They're probably trying their best to take the Gin Urufu out of Akemi's body," I said. "But they're wasting their time."

"They'll find out about Akemi's seal," said Kakashi. "I believe the Akatsuki have information of all the demons, including Naruto."

"Indeed I am concerned," I said. "They found out about the Gin Urufu quicker than I thought."

"We need to leave by today," said Kakashi. "As long as Akemi-chan is safe..."

"Don't worry, Whitey."

Kakashi gave me a grim look as I smiled nervously.

"Just joking…"

KAKASHI'S POV

Sai reminded me of Akemi. Even though they don't look the same, somehow how they joke around and stuff. It kind of makes me feel like they're twin sisters. But the whole "I am her and I'm not her" thing is what I don't get.

Sai turned herself into a Labrador puppy to hide her identity. Naruto and the others eventually came across me and wanted to join in on Akemi's search. I denied it but… they like bothering and begging. Well, maybe just Naruto, so I decided to let them come (Sai growled, but had no choice).

Tsunade let us go, but warned us about our conditions. I still had heavy burns and aches on my body.

"This is involving the Akatsuki, so be careful," I said, as we were approaching the main gate. "And don't think about it Sasuke…"

I saw Sasuke's glare turn slightly calm. He must've been thinking about his brother again.

"Split at the next stop," I said. "You three will go to the west point with Pakkun."

As I summoned Pakkun the rest of the kids were staring at Sai.

"Who is…?"

"Hurry," I said, grabbing Sai before they said anything. "Remember, if you find any of the members or Akemi… summon your toad, there are marshes around here, Naruto, or do anything that would get my attention."

"R-right…" said Naruto.

As the three sped off I settled Sai on the ground.

"I left a tracer in Akemi's pendant, in case she was in trouble," I said. "Unfortunately, something's blocking the sender."

"It won't matter, they will come after us anyways," said Sai. "Knowing that you have the Takusen they will come."

"I see."

"Do you have it with you?"

"The Takusen?"

"Yes."

"Yeah," I replied.

"Akemi herself will be lured by the pendant," said Sai. "She will come to us… if they were smart enough they would use Akemi's soulless body to track us."

"How would they…?"

"Like I said before, Akemi is a mindless puppet," said Sai. "They can make her do anything they wish."

"But just can't take the demon from her."

"Exactly."

I summoned more dogs for better aid.

"In case I'll just have them help search, the tracer isn't working anyway," I said. "I have a feeling she'll be found quicker this way."

"Hmm…" said Sai. "I think she'll find us before we find her."

"How will they make her track us?" I asked. "I thought she lost contact to her mind or something."

"She's like, you can say, lured to the pendant," said Sai. "Where the pendant is, she will follow, just like a predator that hunts its prey."

"Are you serious?" I asked.

"I'm always serious," said Sai.

"Not really…"

"Humph…"

"We should at least have some kind of lead," I said. "At least a small hint on where she is."

"Hello?" said Sai. "I'm a dog, remember?"

She started sniffing the ground as I watched in amazement.

"Oh, yeah, I kind of forgot about that."

"Akemi never had the knack to wear perfume or deodorant," said Sai. "She didn't smell bad, although she didn't smell like anything either."

"Yeah, kinda…"

"So, have you been checking out her smell?"

"I… eh, n—."

"Sure."

"No, seriously, I was just—."

"Shh!"

Sai perked her ears and nose up. Was Akemi nearby?

My nose picked up a scent.

"Sai-san!" I said, grabbing her.

We both collided on the ground while kunai and shikuren were thrown across from us. This lasted for a while; about ten minutes.

"This isn't from Akemi," I said. "I don't sense her."

"Well, duh," said Sai. "I never said it was Akemi!"

"But you didn't sense any weapons that were going to hit us, did you?" I asked, grinning.

"Yes I did."

"Sure."

"Immature, just like Akemi," snapped Sai.

She was eventually free from my arms and grabbed the pendant from my pocket.

"They probably think I'm just some regular dog," said Sai. "If it's possible they'll remain thinking you have the pendant, I'll run away and you should distract them."

"Eh…"

"Gotta run—."

"Raikiri."

I dodged a massive attack from some lightning strike, grabbing Sai again.

"Akemi-chan?"

I saw Akemi trying to cut me with her kunai; I blocked it with my own. It was her Raikiri that tried to kill me. Akemi really did follow me.

"Don't be fooled!" said Sai, transforming into her human form and blocking Akemi's other kunai attack. "I told you, she's just a puppet!"

I suddenly felt something hard in my pocket. The pendant? I thought I gave it to Sai.

"Run away Kakashi!" said Sai. "I'll distract her long enough so you can get reinforcements."

Akemi turned towards me and started running to me. I saw her eyes were colored silver. I could tell… it wasn't Akemi at all.

I gritted my teeth but soon ran away to the forest towards Konoha.

If only I saved you… that time…

SAI'S POV

Akemi was trying to go after Kakashi, but I stopped her just in time, tackling her before she can run after him.

"You're not going anywhere Akemi," I said.

Akemi tried to punch me, kick me, and stab me with her kunai. Obviously someone's using a type of jutsu to control her movements; she doesn't know any fighting styles. But I couldn't tell who was controlling her.

Akemi tried going after Kakashi again, but this time I stabbed a kunai through her shoulder.

"Someone's using you to get through me," I whispered. "Akemi, if only you can control the demon in you."

She looked into my eyes and smiled.

"Kakashi…" she said.

My eyes grew wide.

"What?"

She grabbed my vested shoulder and threw me away from her with surprising strength. I flew against a tree, hearing one of my bones crack.

"Argh…"

Akemi walked to me and stopped as I struggled to get up. She wasn't even showing any pain for her bloody arm.

"Kakashi…" she said, her tone was emotionless.

She grabbed my hair, but this time I took her hand and swung her across the floor.

Akemi collided against the ground with a sickening crash. It seemed like her arm broke, but she just caressed it for a minute and immediately ran towards me again.

"Agh… I have no choice…"

As Akemi was preparing for another Raikiri attack I bit my finger until blood was streaming out.

"Kakashi…" she whispered.

She ran to me, with a fully prepared Raikiri attack in her right hand.

I immediately formed another jutsu, from my own blood village.

"Akemi, forgive me," I said.

At once she tried to withdraw but it was too late.

"Toki no Takusen," I whispered. (Oracle of Time)

To be continued…