Chapter 6
The mission progressed smoothly. The group made it to the meeting spot with plenty of time to spare as the four of them kept a solid look out. Keiko stood still, surveying the area. She also watched Guy, he carried himself differently when on a mission, he was much more serious.
The area chosen as the meeting spot was in the bottom of a ravine. There was hardly any vegetation and plenty of rocks around. Keiko thought it was an odd spot for a meeting for an alliance, especially when they knew their potential enemy were skilled in earth release. They would have plenty to manipulate and play with in this area. Keiko was confident that Guy had come to that realization much sooner than she had. If he were confident that the meeting would go smoothly, he would not have been so adamant on getting proper rest and nutrition. She thought back to the previous night when they were all enjoying a rather flavorful meal prepared by Kosuke. Guy made mention that this mission seemed to be more a test of trust than anything else, so they were right to be on guard.
Keiko and the rest of her team stood waiting for quite some time before three figures cloaked in black made their appearance. Their faces hidden with white demon-esque masks. For a few long moments the two groups stood looking at one another before the party of three moved closer. When they were within a few feet of Guy, Guy questioned, "You're with the Hannya Black Ops of the Land of Woods, correct?" Keiko took note of his no-nonsense tone.
"Indeed we are." Said a female voice, "Now hand over the scroll."
Guy nodded, "All right then, at the same time-"
"You first." She cut him off.
Guy did well to hide his suspicions, "Very well." He did as they asked and handed over the scroll to her.
The masked Kunoichi unraveled the scroll and studied its contents, "There's no mistake."
"And your scroll?" Guy questioned.
"Here it is."
Keiko felt her hair stand on end as she heard the small gasp before Guy swiftly kicked the scroll out of her hand and rocketed it into the air. As the scroll unraveled a large explosion went off above them. Keiko shielded her eyes with one hand as the other snaked around the hilt of her wakizashi.
Guy swiftly got in the face of the masked kunoichi, "We're supposed to exchange scrolls, not fire!" He told her.
The opposing side retreated onto a rocky ledge above them. The leader announced, "The Hidden Leaf reneged on our agreement and attacked up. We will seek retribution."
"What a bold-faced lie." Guy pointed a finger at them and continued, "You're the ones who broke the agreement!"
The enemy paid them no mind as numerous others sprang up from the shadows, hugely outnumbering them. Keiko went into her stance as she could sense the situation getting serious. She stood between the other two members of their team. The younger of the two seemed to be stuck in place, fear written plainly on his face. She was surprised to see Kosuke, the elder among them, show no fear at all. In that moment she could tell there was something more to the old man than she had first thought. "Seems you were right about them, Guy." Keiko said, moving forward to stand beside her team leader.
"They planned to betray us from the start." Guy stated.
Keiko was about to leap into battle when two figures appeared before them. She was stunned when she realized who they were, the Anbu boy and the one with the silver hair. What a small world they lived in.
"We'll take it from here," the silver haired man said.
"You guys get away from here," stated the boy.
Guy was shocked, "You guys?!"
With little time left, the enemy started their attack, causing the rocks to crumble down in an attempt to crush them. Guy told them to run but the silver haired Anbu worked his own jutsu, forming a large rock wall to protect them all.
Guy turned to his team, "Get out of here!" The two men ran but Keiko stood her ground, not willing to run. "You too, Keiko." He didn't know how nasty this was going to get and the less they had around the better. He knew one of the two Anbu, and was confident everything would be fine.
Keiko grinned, "With respect, I'm not running on my first mission back."
After a mere moment Guy only nodded, satiated with the resolve and confidence in her gaze.
"Rumor has it you would kill your comrades for the sake of a mission." She overheard the boy say. Keiko didn't have time to dwell on it, but she couldn't shake how familiar the voice sounded.
"I'll never let my friends get killed. That's why I was entrusted with this Sharingan."
A Sharingan? Keiko was surprised. She had never gone up against a Uchiha before, though she took note of how he didn't resemble a Uchiha at all. She had never seen a member of their clan with silver hair. 'Entrusted' was the word he had used...
The silver haired man stood, turning slightly toward her and Guy, "You two get out of here as well."
"No way," Keiko stated.
"Like I'd turn my back on a mission!" Guy proclaimed.
Just then another avalanche of rocks was headed their way. Before Keiko or the Anbu could react Guy suddenly emitted raw power from out of nowhere, "Fifth Gate of Closing!"
She watched in astonishment as his skin turned red and a green aura enveloped him. He easily propelled himself upward, jumping on the rocks as they fell to get closer to their enemy. "Holy shit." Keiko whispered to herself, eyes wide.
The boy seemed to share her emotions, "He did all of that using only taijutsu?!"
"Save the admiration for later."
The three of them moved out of the way as the rocks moved to crush them were they stood. Keiko was able to keep up with the two Anbu, maneuvering her way through the debris to arrive at the top of the ravine wall. There were a good ten to fifteen shinobi there, a handful already having been taking out by Guy.
Keiko was faced with three shinobi herself. Their enemy was in a state of surprise and she wasn't going to let them regain their wits. Switching her grip to her Katana she kept her body low to the ground and moved in close to the three shinobi. Quickly, she drew her sword and attacked in one fluid stroke, slashing them all across the chest. She gave a quick thanks to her uncle for teaching her in Iaido.
The three men didn't have time to respond and fell to the ground. Just as quickly as the fight began, it was over. Keiko stood just in time to see the silver haired man pull his hand from the chest of the enemy leader. She knew instantly the woman was dead. Keiko spared a glance at the three men at her feet. Blood was seeping from their wounds, but it wasn't enough to kill them immediately. They would either wake up and tend to their wounds, or stay unconscious and bleed out. Keiko took notice of the jutsu the silver haired man used. It was like a blade of lightning in his hand.
She made her way toward Guy who delivered one last punch to one of the enemy ninja. Keiko was about to speak when the silver haired man came up to the two of them and handed them the scroll, "Your mission's complete. Return to the village."
Guy took the scroll from him and she shared his feeling of accomplishment but was taken aback by the unmistakable sound of a dying gasp. They turned their heads and witnessed the boy going from person to person as they lay prone, delivering a final killing blow.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Guy shouted.
The boy stopped, "This is the mission we were assigned." Before continuing.
Guy turned toward the other older Anbu, "Even so! Stop, Kakashi!"
Keiko was taken aback yet again. This, was Kakashi? The man Guy said she reminded him of?
"Hey," The man said, his voice deadly, "What kind of idiot calls someone by their name while they're on and Anbu mission?" His words were sharp.
Guy stopped, fists clenched. With one last person crying out, the boy came to them. "Not to worry, Captain. No enemy survivors remain." He said apathetically, holding a bloody wakizashi in his hand.
In that moment, Guy looked like he had seen a ghost. Keiko noticed this and placed a hand on his shoulder but was unsuccessful in bringing the man out of his shock. The ominous and deadly nature of the Anbu was not lost on Keiko. The two in front of them were certainly deadly, neither of them seemed to have broken a sweat, not even their breathing was abnormal.
"Return to the village." Kakashi said, eyeing the two of them intently.
Keiko nodded, pulling the still shocked and dazed Guy with her. "Yes, we will find our way." She gave them both one last look before turning and dragging Guy with her. As they walked she reached up and snapped her fingers in front of his face, "Guy, snap out of it!" She whispered harshly.
Guy shook his head and rubbed his face, "Y-yeah, of course." They walked in silence for several long minutes before he finally spoke again. "We should find Kosuke and Udeno."
Keiko gave the man a worried glance before looking behind them. The two Anbu were gone. She still was not certain of the identity of the boy, but it was odd to have a name for the silver haired man. Kakashi, Guy's rival. She reminded Guy of him? Keiko was almost offended, he was so cold. Her mind wondered back to what he had said to the boy, 'I'll never let my friends get killed.' She had to wonder what rumors there were about Kakashi to make the boy think Kakashi would kill them or let them be killed.
They found Udeno and Kosuke, the reunion wasn't as flamboyant as Keiko was expecting. In fact, the entire trip back to the village was quiet and it didn't sit well with her. Being serious and brooding for so long just wasn't like Guy. The night before they were to reach the village, she confronted him.
Their team mates were asleep and Guy was on watch. Keiko laid on her bedroll and closed her eyes until she was certain the two men were asleep. She sat up and moved to where Guy stood against a tree, arms folded and legs crossed, his head down in thought. "You should be resting, Keiko."
"Perhaps," She began, "I know I haven't known you for very long, but I can tell easily that what happened with Kakashi has gotten to you. You're not very good at hiding it." Guy didn't really respond to her, "Guess you don't need to introduce me anymore." She said to try and lighten the mood.
"Heh, I guess not." Guy studied her. He saw genuine concern etched on her face. After a moment he sighed, "He's just so different than what he used to be."
"What's different about him?" She inquired, maybe if he talked about it he would be able to process and handle the situation better.
"There is a coldness to him now. A coldness that was never there before. The Kakashi I know would not allow already incapacitated people to be slaughtered." He allowed that boy to kill all of them. And, even the boy, he's only a preteen and so willing to kill.
Keiko nodded, "Something had to have changed, what happened?" She was talking him through it, trying to ask questions that would hopefully cause a revelation of some kind.
"He joined the Anbu." Guy said but then shook his head, "No, it started before that. Since he lost his team he's never quite been the same."
"What happened to his team?"
Guy looked at her and shook his head again, "Kakashi is a private person, he wouldn't like it if I went into much detail with someone he doesn't know." Keiko only nodded in understanding. "He has seen far too much death. In times of war, it is common to loose your comrades..." Keiko took in the wistful look in his eyes before he continued, "Kakashi has lost people close to him, I chalked his change of demeanor up to grief and I did my best to help him, but then he joined the Anbu."
Keiko had many questions rolling around in her mind but she knew none of them would be appropriate to ask. She could tell from the look on his face that Kakashi had had a rough time in the past. She wondered who those people had been, what roll they had played in his life, and how they had died.
"I had asked Lord Third to allow me into the Anbu so I could help Kakashi overcome some of his demons, but I was refused. Even Danzo turned me down, and now I know why." Danzo had told Guy that he lacked it. Now he knew what it as, darkness. "The Anbu is not for soft hearted people, and that is why I must request that Kakashi be relieved of his Anbu rank."
She pondered what he had said and thought of Danzo. He must be the leader of the Anbu in some capacity, "But, would they allow that?"
Guy's gaze met her own, a fire of determination igniting in his dark eyes, "They have to, or else I fear what other changes are on the horizon. Kakashi needs his friends now more than ever, but we cannot be there when he consistently pushes us away."
Keiko only nodded, sensing that that was the end of the conversation. She saw the determination in his eyes and it was plain to see how much he cared for his rival. Perhaps, it would all work out in the end and Guy would get his way. Maybe Kakashi would loose some of the darkness that had overshadowed his heart, only time would tell. While curiosity ate away at her, she forced herself not to think about it, either she would know more eventually, or she would not.
As soon as the four of them arrived at the village and checked in, Guy said his farewell and ran at full speed to the Hokage's office to give his report. Keiko blinked at the speed he used, but respected his determination and his loyalty to Kakashi. Silently wishing him the best of luck she began the walk back to her apartment.
When Keiko entered her apartment she was immediately tackled in a hug, "Kei, you're back!"
Keiko laughed and ruffled the boys hair. It was like he lived there now. "Yes I am! Did you get taller? How long was I gone?" She asked playfully.
Naruto released her and let her take off her weapons and unload her bag. The whole time she smiled and listened to him ramble on about the last week. About how he met a girl named Hinata who was being bullied and he had stepped in. Keiko reassured him that even though he had been given a few bumps and bruises by the boys she was sure it was something Hinata would never forget.
"How about this, I'll take you to Ichiraku Ramen. My treat for being so good while I was gone."
Naruto grinned and put his hands behind his head in triumph, a goofy grin spread across his face. On their way there Keiko told him about her mission to the Land of Woods, keeping all of the major details out of the story. Naruto didn't need to know about the Anbu being there, or any names. The boy was happy enough, wanting to know more about what she did and sheepishly she told him not too much. It was a fairly simple mission, had Kakashi and his partner not been there then perhaps she would have done more.
"Hey, Keiko?"
"Yes?" She asked him curiously. Recently he only used her full name when he had a really important question.
He jumped in front of her excitedly, fire burning in his eyes, "Can you train me? I'll be going to the academy and I want to show everyone just how strong I am! Believe it!"
Keiko looked down at him in surprise but it quickly morphed into a smile. She reached down and ruffled his hair, "Of course, I can show you a thing or two." She chuckled at his giddy expression before using her hand on his head to turn him around, "For now, how about you go grab us a seat." Ichiraku Ramen was a short distance away and Naruto ran ahead.
She smiled warmly as she could hear Naruto talk excitedly with Ayame and Teuchi. She walked leisurely, ignoring the hushed talk that happened among the few people looking her way. By now she was used to it, it was like being ten years old all over again. When everyone was suspicious of the foreign girl. Ignoring the strangers, she continued walking, but was caught off guard when something caught her eye.
Keiko turned her head at the man who walked passed her. Silver hair, and a mask. He had on the regular ninja attire, flak jacket and all. Keiko was a little shocked to see him there. All of their interactions had been while he was on the job, it was the first time she had seen him without the Anbu mask and she was slightly perplexed that he would wear another mask.
"Kakashi?" She called out. A part of her still wasn't completely convinced it was him, though how many people in the village had silver hair?
The man stopped and turned toward her, hands in his pockets and his posture was lazy. The only part of his face she could see was his right eye, for the briefest moment she glanced at his covered eye and remembered what the Anbu boy said. Sharingan.
In the moment she made eye contact with him she knew instantly what Guy was talking about. He did seem to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, that one eye told a story all its own. Just as soon as she saw that look, it was gone. Replaced with a cold hard gaze as he watched her patiently.
Keiko could feel her skin crawl from embarrassment, maybe she shouldn't have said anything. Keeping a pleasant expression she smiled, "Since I saw you I just wanted to say thank you for your help on the mission."
Kakashi regarded her for a moment, processing her words. He nodded, "It was nothing."
And just like that he turned and kept walking. Keiko watched him go, curiosity growing. Maybe there really was more to Kakashi like Guy said. She didn't dwell on the thought for too long before turning and joining Naruto for a long awaited bowl of ramen.
Well, they finally meet. Until next time!
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Posted - 5/16/2021