REVIVAL
But nothing makes a room feel emptier than wanting someone in it.
Calla Quinn
Author's Notes: This is going to be so juicy! I took some liberties with the events and only kept in the moments that I felt were most significant. Hope you guys enjoy this.
Chapter XXX: So It Begins
"I love you," leaves smiling heart-shaped lips, glassy dark eyes look back at him.
He jolts up from his dream, cold sweat covering his forehead. Turning to his side, the space remains cold. Even until now, muscle memory refuses to let his body shift too much, scared to wake the person that slept next to it. Or at least, used to.
Has it really been almost three years?
More importantly, why is he being sentimental on the day before a Great War breaks out?
It's still dark outside his army green tent, the breeze slaps against the canvas. The weather in the Hidden Cloud a little less brutal than usual. Definitely much calmer than when they last came.
Ever since the Pain attack, Konoha has been rebuilding from ground up. It's not like he lost anything too significant in the damage anyway. Tenshi's presence was almost ghostlike. Nothing to prove that she was even there. But at the same time, she is there. Fragments of the small but significant changes she's made on their village ever apparent.
His colleagues still mention her once in a while as they go over some coping practices she's taught them. Especially Kurenai. Their smiles and lighter dispositions are because of her. Tenshi.
The clinic has also been bustling more than ever with Aoi and Sakura at the helm of it. They all still get together sometimes, memories they shared with her a topic they share once in a while. Sad smiles make it on their faces as they talk. Especially Naruto's.
Picking up the blue pendant between his fingers, his index runs over its rectangular body to its pointed bottom. One day it will light up. It will.
His lids grow heavy once again, a pair of dark almond eyes look back at him from behind them. A small smile grows on his lips. He dreams once again of the warm arms that pull him close.
The sunlight peeking through his tent is enough to stir him awake. He shifts, he sighs. Time to get up.
After getting ready, he sets his lone blue toothbrush on the glass and exits his tent. Men and women pass by him. Some with papers in hand, some deep in conversation, and he stands in his lonesome. Even Gai is far away with Naruto as Killer B keeps him busy on Genbu, the Island Turtle.
The boy has no clue that this entire war is even happening.
Another day of nonstop work. If she were here, she'd probably tell him to remember to take a break every once in a while. Maybe will remind him to eat. And he still hears her voice on those times when he's burnt out. In fact, her little nags would push him to take better care of himself.
"Why the long face, Kakashi-san?" a gentle voice calls out to him. It's Aoi's. The petite blonde has been keeping herself busy.
"A lot of things to do." He sighs. "You?"
The woman smiles but it doesn't reach her eyes like it used to. "Same old, same old. I've been up all day from helping set up the Med Tents." Something's bothering her and he's been too busy to even notice. Has she always been like this?
Just as he's about to ask her, their conversation is cut short.
"Kakashi-san," Darui from the Hidden Cloud approaches him. The boy looks to be in his mid-twenties with tanned skin and pale blond hair. "Hokage-sama has summoned you."
"I'll be there."
And so it begins. He internally sighs.
The residents of the Land of Frost and the Land of Hot Water have already been evacuated down south to Konoha.
The roars and cheers coming from the Allied Shinobi Forces are nothing he's ever heard nor seen before. It's almost overwhelming. Perched atop the cliff, the sheer number of people makes his knees weak. He's in charge of these lives. One wrong move and they're gone. Third Division Commander, how did he even get here?
Not to mention, he was almost Hokage once too. Thank goodness Tsunade woke up that day. But it won't be long until he has to step up. It's drawing nearer. And he isn't looking forward to it at all.
Kakashi speeds through, leading his division up north to the Land of Frost. Now isn't the time to think too far into the future. Right now, he has to make sure that the lives in his hands stay alive and they defeat Madara.
Speeding through the vast land, Kakashi can only point out how ironic the weather is. Beautiful and sunny, he would probably be appreciating it had he been back home. Maybe read Psycho Killer: The Book for the thousandth time, and one day tell Tenshi about it in great detail. She would be thrilled, wouldn't she?
The air starts to become cooler as the border of the Land of Frost comes nearer.
Bam!
A red flare shoots up the sky. It's from the Surprise Attack Division!
All eyes are on him, awaiting his final decision. With no second thought, he guides them towards the Land of Hot Water.
"…no." He utters as the figures standing in front of him show themselves. Familiar figures. Zabuza and Haku look back at him.
It's not fair. They don't deserve to be removed from their peace for this godforsaken war. As they fight, they exchange a few words.
"I bet that brat is all grown-up now, isn't he, Kakashi?"
The words tug at his chest. It seems almost yesterday when he accompanied Team 7 into the Land of Waves, the kids wide-eyed and afraid. Naruto used to be the shortest, he even could barely raise a fist at those ninjas that attacked them on the way.
Now, he's all grown-up, with his strong ideals and values intact.
Standing behind him, Sakura has also grown into her own self. The training under Tsunade mustn't have been easy. But with her strong will and inner strength, she pressed on. Tenshi also had an effect on the kunoichi, her interest in mental health she poured out into the clinic.
He couldn't be more proud of his three students. Even Sasuke who's grown considerably stronger, despite the dark path he has taken. After all, Naruto will bring him back one of these days. He will.
"Yes, he is."
Zabuza chuckles. The aura around the previously fallen ninjas begins to change. Their personalities are being suppressed.
"Kakashi," the large man calls out, "Stop us."
He nods.
Thick mist begins to flood the area, the visibility of their surroundings grows shrouded. His comrades begin to shudder.
"Quick, into Manji Formation," he orders. "Protect the sensors."
Amidst their fear, the ninjas follow his command. He has to find a way to finish their opponents.
And he has to do it fast.
A scream echoes in the air, the hairs on the back of his neck stand at the shrill sound. It didn't take long until the smell of rust fills the air. His men are being depleted and he can barely see.
With his impressive kekkei genkai, Haku goes through his men at a rapid rate. Slashes and stabbing sounds reverberate around them. He has to keep up.
Dammit! I have to come up with a plan soon or else everyone will be wiped out.
"I don't want to die," one cries.
"I-I'm scared. I can't see anything!"
But Gai steps in, his usually chipper attitude dropped for a more stoic expression. "Stop it. Remember that as ninja, this is our duty. We have a responsibility to protect the innocent and defeat the looming threat. Don't you ever forget it!"
The Green Beast's little speech was enough to give him some clarity of thought.
That's it! "Everybody, listen in. I have a plan."
But before they could execute it, the reincarnated Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist appear. They just can't seem to catch a break with these enemies.
"Attack them with all you've got, everyone. I need to come up with a plan." He says. Ending Zabuza will be good enough to at least clear the mist and can possibly tip the scales to their favor. After all, they do outnumber them.
But they're the undead too.
"Santa," he says as he turns to the Yamanaka, "you will have to use my body to get close to Zabuza and once we locate him, Ensui you have to restrain him with Shadow Possession. And then Maki, you will capture him at once."
"Hai!"
The plan goes smoothly as he slowly approaches the swordsman, the lightning chakra on his hand begins to spark up. With swift motions, he aims for Zabuza's chest. But in a snap moment, somebody swooshes in between them therefore receiving the fatal blow.
It was Haku.
The scene unfolding before him all too familiar.
With the Executioner's Blade, Zabuza uses the opportunity to swing at him. The metal barely misses him as he backs away. Had he been a few more seconds too late, he would be dead.
Zabuza would have never done that in his right mind. His blood boils at the absolute treachery of the Reincarnation Jutsu.
Once again, he conjures up another Lightning Cutter, heading straight for his fallen opponent.
Zap!
He got him. "Now, Ensui!"
The shinobi is quick to seal them away. The thick mist begins to lift, the visibility of their surroundings immediately clear. He instructs Sai to assist in the sealing of the other reincarnated shinobi.
Around him, the stench of blood and fear surrounds them. Frightened faces, last breaths, wails and cries enter his system burning into his memory. He shudders, but this isn't out of fear. It's something much more sinister, darker.
Curling his fists, he says, "Look, it takes a lot to get me worked up, but this time my boiling point's as low as it's ever been. The 'Copy Ninja' Kakashi, the man who copied one thousand techniques, is about to go on a rampage!"
And he means it.
After battling it out for a few hours, nighttime rolls in. And the swordsmen seem to retreat for the day. He stays behind as the people retreat back to rest for the evening. Gai stands with him as he does a final scan of the area.
From far inside the forest, dancing light approaches them. It must be his eyes playing tricks on him. After all, it has been a long day. He rubs them to get a clearer view, the colors don't disappear.
"Kakashi, are you seeing the same thing I'm seeing?"
"Yes."
As it closes in, the silhouette of one man and four other women emerge. An almost blinding white light surrounds them making them look ethereal against the pitch black of the evening.
Their eyes are black.
Reincarnations.
"Stop there," he barks out, "who are you?"
The group stands before them, they pause on their steps. Kakashi spins the Executioner's Blade in his hand, Gai already in fighting position.
"Don't worry, we are Prism shinobi. We are no longer under the control of the jutsu," the man says, a small smile on his face.
Prism shinobi? Gai is already staring back at him, round eyes wide. They're thinking the same thing.
"How?" His friend croaks.
"Read a book lately? We're the best at defensive jutsus," a youngest girl says. The teenager has short dark brown hair and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on her nose.
"Kuma-chan, that's not very polite. Apologize immediately." The girl next to her reprimands. This one is slightly taller with long black hair like her mother's, her button nose familiar.
The eldest among the sisters barks out a laugh, slapping the second oldest on the back with her muscular arms, almost making her topple over. "Stop trying to act like an adult, Sara. You're already dead. Might as well act your age." This one has black hair as well but in intricate braids.
The woman, who Kakashi can only guess is probably the mother, sighs at her daughters' behavior. "Forgive them, my daughters are very…strong-willed." She elbows the lady beside her. "Yuki-chan, stop it."
Walking up to them, the large bulky man grins back at them, stretching out a large hand. "Nice to meet you both, gentlemen. I'm Lord Aka of the Land of Prism."
With careful motions, he takes the gigantic hand of the man in his. "Hatake Kakashi. I'm from Konohagakure. It's…an honor to meet you, Aka-sama."
The family members exchange looks upon his introduction, glum expressions on their faces but they speak no further.
Kakashi continues, "Are you Ten — I mean — Kairi's father?"
Aka's face lights up at the name. "Do you know her? How is she?"
"Kairi's alive?" Kuma exclaims.
"Tenshi-chan is currently the Lady of the Land of Prism. She has been sailing around the world helping where she can." The man beside him chirps. "A truly admirable woman, she is."
"Tenshi?" the Lady asks.
Kakashi catches them up on Tenshi's life. How Gato and Anzu saved her and sealed her memories and identity to protect her. How the Group took her in and Kenji and Yuhi raised her.
"I can't believe she actually survived all that after all this time," Yuki says, a disbelieving smile on her face. "And to have the Royal Power Prism at that."
"And she was terrible in her classes." Sara chuckles. "Never listened to her senseis."
Gai walks up to the ladies, his signature grin on his face. "She's also Kakashi's girlfriend."
"Gai!"
All eyes are now on him, burning holes into his body. He shrinks at the sensation. "N-nice to meet you all." He bows at a ninety-degree angle, face burning. "I-I'm sorry I didn't wear something more presentable." Gai, you are dead!
Asa closes in on him, staring him down. Soon after, her sisters join in. Tenshi definitely has his sharp almond eyes, his lips, and hair color.
"The silver hair is an odd choice," Yuki comments. "How old are you?"
"I guess he's kinda cute." Kuma says.
"Kairi can do better." Sara nods.
Gai steps in. "I'll have you know that my Eternal Rival is one of the most feared ninjas among nations. He is one of Konoha's best! Also…"
For a good five minutes, the green-clad ninja goes on with his speech defending Kakashi. And for once, he's grateful. As much as it makes him cringe, at least he isn't alone.
A gentle hand pats him on the shoulder, gaining his attention. "Do you love her, Kakashi-kun?" Lady Aki asks, a smile on her face.
The Lord, on the other hand, stares him down with furrowed brows. His bulging arms crossed.
Kakashi gulps, cold sweat forming on his temples. This is more terrifying than the actual war. But he stands his ground. "Yes." He clears his throat, resolve stronger. "Yes, I do, Aki-sama."
"Then that's all I need to hear."
Asa grins and grabs him, picks him up with ease and pulls him into a tight hug. The man pulls him to examine his face, all air in his lungs is pushed out. "Look at him all shy, Yuki."
The young woman slaps at her knee as she laughs at his flustered face. She locks his head in her arm as she kneads the crown of it with a fist. "You're a funny one, Hatake. You're blushing like a schoolboy. Aren't you cute?"
"He's older than you." Sara says.
"Physically. Technically, I am." She stares him down. He immediately cowers at the sight of her. "Right, Kakashi-kun?"
Gai chuckles from beside him, the sight of his adult friend being bullied by a young 20's woman probably hilarious to him.
"Yes, absolutely."
Interacting with all of them up close, Tenshi has no idea that she's the combination of all her family members. Pieces of them are ever present in her.
"Since you will be a part of our family, Kakashi, we will lend a hand in this war." Asa declares.
Yuki jumps for joy. "Yes! A battle is exactly what I needed after all these years." She unsheathes double swords, the blades are fluorescent.
Sara and Kuma bump fists as they share knowing smiles. "For the baby sis," the younger one says.
"For the baby sis."
The next day arrives. And with the help of the Prism shinobi, their opponents are sealed a lot more easily. Gai has also been his partner in several battles especially with the more formidable ones.
Just when they almost finished off the remaining reincarnated shinobi, a group of White Zetsus arrive. Kakashi sighs, his body almost giving in from the nonstop action.
Yuki goes berserk at their enemies. Gato's stories about her are true. She is absolutely fearless and absolutely terrifying. With a few slashes from her sword, it's almost effortless how she can decapitate their enemies.
Sara, the one who seems to have the best control of her prismatic chakra, assists the sensors with her yellow chakra similar to the one Tenshi had.
Kuma sets traps and has a quick mind to analyze the enemies' next moves. She's the prankster, for sure.
Her parents fight alongside each other in easy and coordinated motions. The Lady being especially amazing at taijutsu, rivaling Gai's speed.
"Kakashi-sensei!" A raspy voice calls from behind him. It's Naruto. "I've come to help."
He can tell this one's a clone.
"Kakashi, once you've finished up there, assist Naruto and Killer B with the Ten Tails." Shikaku instructs, his voice fills his mind.
"Hai."
Glowing a bright orange, Naruto's chakra is stronger than ever before. "Kakashi-sensei, who are those glowing people?"
They battle alongside each other, the Executioner's Blade in his hand. He swings at a nearby Zetsu. "They're…Tenshi's family."
The boy's eyes widen. "I thought they were…"
"It's alright." He smiles. "They're on our side."
The boy grins. "Yosh!"
He walks up to Lord Asa, the towering man looks at him in inquiry. How he wishes he has the boy's simplemindedness.
"Hello Giant Jii-chan, I'm Uzumaki Naruto, future Hokage. Your daughter, Tenshi Nee-chan is the bes-."
He doesn't even get to finish his sentence but the man immediately pulls him into one of his bone-crushing hugs. And he returns it back. Both of them cracking each others' backs. They laugh afterwards as if they're old friends.
"I already like your spirit, Naruto-kun."
As they make their way to the actual Naruto, Kakashi's heart races. Facing the Ten Tails will be no east feat. Countless lives have already been spent. No doubt countless more will be lost.
The prism pendant slaps against his chest from under his vest. He lays a hand on it. I'll keep you safe, Tenshi. Even if you're far away.
"What does my Kairi-chan look like now, huh, Kakashi?" Asa inquires.
The question catches him by surprise. "She's strong and kind. She never thinks twice when it comes to helping others and sometimes it gets her in trouble but she always means well."
"That's my baby." Aki smiles.
Now standing before them, is the towering body of the Ten Tails. Multiple eyes dot its head, a lifeless look on its face. The sight alone is enough to make his knees grow weak. Shivers run down his spine at the sounds it emits. Pure evil.
After learning of Kabuto's defeat, Tobi grows impatient. So, he prematurely awakens the Ten Tails. But the Mikadzuki family is still intact.
"How are you still here?" Gai asks.
"It's not easy but we are using our chakra to keep us around. I'm afraid our abilities are quite limited than before." Sara explains. "As long as there is light, we can survive."
The battle with the reincarnated jinchuriki was almost traumatizing at how much power they have. Even the Prism family had a rough time. After all, prismatic jutsus are mostly defensive ones.
But with their combined effort, they defeated them.
Tobi is left alone to stand between them and the Ten Tails. They all try to come at him at once. But it's of no use. They could barely get an attack in and instead just pass through him. It's like he's an apparition.
Until he sees the scratch on the man's mask after his Kamui. A theory begins to form in his mind.
"Where did you get that eye?" He asks the masked man.
"It was from the same mission in Kannabi Bridge where you got yours."
His knees almost give in. It can't be…can it? Our kamuis share the same dimension.
"Kakashi, I know what you're thinking." Gai says, "But right now, you have to pick yourself up together. Naruto needs you."
A strong hand nudges him, a grinning Kuma stands behind him. "We've got your back, Hatake. You're going to be fine."
His eyes widen at their gesture, he can't help but let the corners of his lips tug upwards. "Th-thank you…"
The words resound in his ears, and he tries to gather himself together. With one final blow from Naruto's clone, and with the help of his Kamui, the white mask cracks. Breaking apart, the pieces fall bit by bit.
No…
Standing before him, alive and well, is Obito. The Obito that he's mourned for years, whose grave he visited for so long. His chest starts to tighten, his vision spins.
"...Obito."
"You can call me by that name if that's what you want...but it means nothing to me."
His knees shake.
"Kakashi!" Gai tries to pick him up but it's no use. His chakra is almost depleted. His energy is low. His will to fight, although intact, is shaken.
Standing in front of him, bright and gleaming, is Naruto. "Kakashi-sensei," he says, a grin on his face as he looks back at him, "I think it's time we have a reunion."
"What do you mean?"
A loud roar in the air rips through the sky. Powerful and domineering. Everyone's eyes roam about trying to find its source. The battlefield grows silent, as if pausing. Even Obito pauses to check. But Kakashi can only stare at the lone pebble in front of him.
The ground begins to shake, the pebble begins to bounce. Tenshi's family stands behind them, but smiles are on their faces. Why are they smiling? And why is Naruto smiling too?
A glint catches his eye. Laying before him broken on the ground is Naruto's orange prism pendant.
Gai pats him on the shoulder and points his head to the direction behind them. Emerging from the darkness, the Prism shinobi march in neat files. Above them, the entire island of the Land of Prism floats, a number of the shinobi below using their chakra to hold it up.
"Why are they bringing it around?" He asks.
Lady Aki turns to him. "The Land of Prism itself is a weapon of mass destruction, Kakashi-kun. With the right amount of chakra, it's able to magnify it to almost a hundred times its strength. But it can only be used once."
"No one's attempted this before," Lord Asa says, eyes glued on the floating island.
As they draw closer, familiar faces come into view. Tears almost flood his eyes.
Kaida is at the helm, leading the Prism shinobi. Adorned in fluorescent garb and sky blue hair up in a loose bun, she marches on.
"Kaida-chan," Gai cries from beside him, his voice shaking. Almost as if he can't believe it. From under his arm, he can feel the man shiver. He's never witnessed Gai like this before.
Standing behind her, Hari and Mira are also decked out in similar attires. Gato and Anzu as well.
Where is she?
A strong gust of wind blows from above them, everyone braces for the impact. A flash of bright ruby descends from the sky, sapphire glints here and there.
"Sorry we're late."
That voice. No doubt about it, it's the voice he hears in his dreams.
Skree!
That sound used to be so tiny and cracked. But now, it's anything but.
A blue glow emerges from inside his vest. His eyes widen. He tilts his neck upwards, he needs to see it to believe all of this is real. That his eyes are not tricking him.
Looking back at him are those dark almond eyes, flowing brown hair in the wind. It's much longer now, reaching her waist. A small smile on her lips.
"Long time no see, Kakashi."
Perched atop the now fully-grown Rubichan, strong and poised, head-to-toe in beautiful skin-tight fluorescent armor, is her.
He can't help the grin making its way up his features. "It's been a while, Tenshi."