Okay, so I waited two days to post this because I wasn't sure if updating everyday was to much. So here is the next chapter and to answer some questions: this is a small war from the akatsuki invading. The 4th Shinobi war is also going to be including in this but not right now. Im not totally in plot line with the show. So I hope everyone enjoys!
Chapter 13:
Itachis POV:
*same day Hinata comes crashing into Tsunade's office*
Today was the day, the day Sasuke and I no longer had to do d-rank missions. It had only been a little over a year but because of good behavior and almost complete restoration of our district, Tsunade revoked our punishment. I was waiting for Sasuke in my garden to pass the time until he came over.
I looked over everything I had planted a while go, everything had bloomed wonderfully. I smiled knowing I had picked up our mothers hobby. I was sitting closest to the rose bush and I gently touched a petal on one of the flowers, it was so delicate and soft. I kept looking around and my eyes landed on the white lilies I had planted, a reminder of Hinata.
I wish she was here for this, she would've been so proud but unfortunately she hasn't written in a while to Tsunade and we have feared the worse. I still kept a little hope but I didn't keep my hopes up, it didn't make sense but kept me calm.
I knew if she ever did come back, I would just hug her and be there for her. My love for her would be eternal but I would never let her know that, I longed for her friendship more than anything. I was partially scared to openly love her like that again.
I closed my eyes and suddenly that day came to mind again, one that'll never leave.
(if anything about suicide upsets you or triggers you, you can skip this italicized part)
"I just want to go to bed, this entire gardening thing in the summer heat is killing me" I complained to Neji as we were leaving the woman's house. He laughed at me a bit and we continued walking back towards my district.
"How are you feeling today?" Neji asked, switching the subject. He had been completely on top of Kakashi and I since she left, more so Kakashi lately but I have Sasuke.
"I'm still trying to move past here but it's hard, so I'm still pretty blah" I answered truthfully.
"Well as I've said it one-hundred times before, I'm here if you need anything" he told me.
"I know you are and I'm thankful, it's still weird to have people care about me so much sometimes" I rubbed the back of my head nervously, smiling while I said it.
We reached the gates to my district and said our goodbyes, I continued my walk towards my house, the sunburn on my back was only thing on my mind for once and it was kind of nice.
After a nice long shower and some tea, I decided to go for a walk before the sun completely set. I've been doing this every night since she left and it's been a little more than six months since she's been gone.
I walked passed the dock and small lake, continued walking up the hill to the cliff so I could really see the sunset. Once I reached the top of the hill, I looked all around me. Everything looked so nice, even with the orange hue from the sun. I closed my eyes for a minute, just to breathe. I inhaled deeply and that's when the scent hit me. It smelled like lavender so strongly, my mind went straight to Hinata and the tears started. I haven't cried since she left and I'm not going to start now. I tried my hardest to stop them but it wasn't working. My mind went to a dark place and every thought possible about her came to mind. Then every bad thing I had ever done came to mind too. The tears and the thoughts wouldn't stop. I looked at the cliff while I was crying, realizing if I just stepped off of it, everything would stop. I wouldn't have deal with my feelings anymore. No one would have to deal with me anymore.
I took a few more steps stand on the very edge, I looked down and it was enough of a drop to kill me. This was the same place Shisui ended his life too, the tears became harder now remembering my cousin. He was like a brother to me. Maybe it's just the fate of the Uchihas, we all just die in a horrible way.
I wiped my eyes a little bit and continued to look at the bottom of the drop. I was ready for everything to end. I didn't want this anymore. I took the last step I needed, all I had to do now was close my eyes and lean forward.
I lifted my arms back and started to lean forward but I was pulled backward and forcefully thrown to the ground. I opened my eyes and a very angry Sasuke was sitting on my stomach.
"What is wrong with you?!" he screamed in my face, a few more tears came out of my eyes, following the same path the rest of them did.
"Everything" I choked out and he punched me in the face. As hard as he could.
"Get up! You're not dying on me. The only way you're leaving this earth is from old age or I kill you" he shook me and pulled me to my feet.
"Where are we going?" I whispered, still somewhat crying.
"The hospital, it'll be good for you" he said softly as he draped my arm over his shoulder and began our walk to the hospital.
After being in the hospital for three weeks from my suicide attempt, I promised Sasuke I was going to get better, work on my mental health and be happier. I've been going to all of my follow up appointments with Shizune. Today was my last follow up with her after we visit Tsunade, today was all around just good.
I haven't let him down yet, I've really been trying and I feel good. I never asked Sasuke how he knew where I was that day, we haven't talked about it but I'm glad he was there. Its terrifying when your mind gets that dark.
"Itachi, where are you?" I heard Sasuke call out from inside my home. I got up and walked in through the back door, closing it behind me.
"I'm right here, let's get going" I said happily and we walked out the front door, making our way towards Tsunade's office.
We walked in silence for fifteen minutes until we reached the main door to the building.
"I'm actually a little nervous" I said truthfully, pulling the door open.
"It's a good thing we're here but who knows what she's going to make us do after this" I looked at him and he rolled his eyes while he spoke, I smirked at him.
His attitude was getting better, to say the least. He actually wanted to spend time with Naruto and Sakura.. sometimes. But it was nice to see them all together, he'll never admit it but he did enjoy them. Even if he did threaten to hurt Naruto once a day.
We had reached the floor her office was on and Sasuke knocked on the door, she yelled for us to come in and that's what we did.
"Good morning, Lady Tsunade" I said kindly, bowing a little bit.
"You know, you don't have to bow when you greet me, Itachi" she said amused.
"You're still my Hokage and it's respectful" I said back.
"Fair enough. Now, I know you must both be excited for today but that doesn't mean you're out of the clearing yet. If you both would sit" she gestured to the couch to our left. We took our seats and waited for her to continue speaking.
"I've had Shizune speak to numerous people, we've come to another agreement. If you're interested, if not you may continue doing what you're doing" she spoke, we remained silent. I was willing to do anything but what we were doing now. I feel like I was wasting my skills away.
"Sasuke, we've all agreed if you would like to rejoin your team again, you may. Leaving you completely free to do what you'd like" she told him his news first. I glanced at him and I saw excitement flash in his eyes, even if he didn't smile.
"Absolutely" he spoke quickly.
"Now Itachi, you're still not out of the water yet. You've built up enough trust but not enough to leave the village yet. We've discussed a lot about you and we believe what is best suited for you at this time is to teach at the academy. Passing down your knowledge and skills, if you will" she spoke freely and looked at me.
A teacher? This was going to be interesting..
"Well, it's better then what I'm doing" I openly said.
"Now before I give you guys your headbands back, you both need to sign this paper. It's stating you're both leaf citizens again" she said, looking at a paper. Before either of us could get up from our seats, her office door flew open.
"Lady Tsunade!" the girl yelled as she fell to her knees to catch her breath.
"Hinata?" Tsunade asked, she sounded confused. That's Hinata? I couldn't help but stare at her, she looked like a train wreck and she looked different. Something came over me, she was alive.
"Yes?" she answered as she finally looked up towards Tsunade.
"We thought you were dead. We haven't heard from you in two months" she said seriously. She wasn't kidding. In the ninja world when you don't hear from someone on a mission, especially the type she went on you can only assume the worst.
"I'm so sorry.. I was tracking them. Like you asked" she spoe, taking her water bottle from her bag, taking a sip. My attention was focused on her now, I was curious as to what the akatsuki were up since I left. More like kidnapped thanks to Hinata but it worked out for the better. I'm still surprised they just let it happen.
"We have a problem, a serious one" she spoke again, finally getting off the floor. That's when she finally looked over towards my brother and I. Did she really just notice their were people in here? She made eye contact with me for a second and a shiver went down my spine. Something about her had changed and I couldn't figure out what.
"What's the matter?" Tsunade asked her, my attention went back to their conversation.
"A war is coming and a big one. The rest of the Akatsuki, aside from Kisame are coming. They're coming to burn the village to the ground. The loud blond hair one Deidara, said it himself. I ran all the way here deliver the message. I left isame behind to fight with him so I could get here. I was in the land of sound" she spoke with no amusement in her voice what-so-ever.
She left Kisame behind? Did he leave the Akatsuki? So many questions entered my mind.
"That is a problem. How much time do we have to prepare?" Tsunade got up from her seat at this point.
"It could be tomorrow or it could be the end of the week. He didn't think I would live until tomorrow so he blabbed about it" Hinata said, she moved some of her hair off of her face. She looked paler than normal now that I could see her completely.
"Did he say anything else?" Tsunade asked.
"No, I ran off before he could. He tried to kill me with his detonation clay while I was running but failed. I'm not sure how long Kisame will hold him off for" Hinata spoke again. Ah, that explains the giant hole in her shirt.
"Lady Tsunade, can you do me a favor before you start your preparations?" she asked her.
"You haven't been back for ten minutes and you already need a favor?" Tsunade rolled her eyes and I with held a small laugh. Hinata fell to one knee and looked terrible.
"Can you heal my leg?" was what she asked and then she fainted. I looked her leg, she had blood running down the back of it. I moved quickly to her side and started lifting her up.
"Go to the hospital with her, Shizune go with them. Sasuke stay here, I need your help. We have to get ready to go into a state of emergency incase this threat is real" Tsunade sighed. I had Hinata full wrapped in my arms, she felt lighter than normal.
"She'll be okay" Shizune spoke to me when we were in the hallway making our way to the hospital.
"I know she will" I smiled while I spoke, I couldn't stop looking at her. I think it was more shock then anything.
"Are you okay? I think now would be the best time to talk" Shizune spoke softly.
"I think I am. It's just.. I don't know.. She's finally back and I'm not sure what I'm feeling" I had to admit. I was a little confused with my feelings.
"I still love her with all of my being but I've been doing so good without her around and I'm not sure if having her back is going to make me relapse into sadness again" I told Shizune.
"I think feeling an array of emotions right now is normal and I promise you won't go back to the mental state you were in. You've come a long way and I can just tell by talking to you right now, you'll be okay. Now I know this is your final checkup but if ever need to talk, I'm here" she said to me. I nodded my head and she was right, I had come a long way.
Four days after being admitted to the hospital, I had finally stopped crying. I didn't think I had anymore tears left. Every piece of my soul was just broken and sad. Sasuke hadn't been back to see me since he dropped me off, he was probably still angry with me for trying what I did.
Shizune had been here every single day, making sure I knew someone cared and also trying to get me to take some pills to help with the trauma. I agreed to take them but only because she saved my life all those months ago.
We were talking about all my problems and somewhere in the middle of talking about them, my anger rose. A deep rage that I had hidden away. I flipped a switch and Shizune looked terrified. My bloodline activated and I started throwing things around my room.
She was trying to calm me down while I was raging but it wasn't working. I didn't want to hear it. While I was mad I realized something, ever since my skills as a ninja were developed and noticed, someone always tried to use me for some unknown reason.
I was anyone's toy to play with, I was still human but I was never treated as such, just a killing monster. Only a few people treated me well, one of them being Hinata and now she's gone. She left me here to deal with my own feelings when she couldn't even deal with her own.
Just thinking about her made me punch the wall in front of me and I screamed in rage. Then right when I went to punch the wall again, I dropped to the floor. I was paralyzed.
"Until you calm down, I'm not giving you mobility back" I heard Neji say from behind me. I sighed loudly.
"Let me up, I won't be destructive" I said calmly as possible.
"No, I know you're lying" he said and he shuffled around my room for a bit. He was right but that didn't mean I wanted to be stuck on the floor.
"Thank you for everything, for helping me through every single emotional break I had. I didn't realize I had so much buried away" I told her as we turned down another street. The street the hospital was on.
"It's what I'm here for" was all she said and the remainder of our walk was pretty quiet. I tried not to stare at Hinata to much but it wasn't working to well. Thinking back on those three weeks of healing, I knew once she was awake and this war was over. We were having a long discussion.
The hospital door made a beeping noise when we opened it, alerting the front desk woman that we had arrived. Shizune just walked around and grabbed a chart, probably to see what room was empty for us to take her in.
Shizune pointed to the right and started walking, I followed her, gripping Hinata a little tighter as we walked. Shizune opened a door to the right, I moved her carefully through the doorway and placed her on the bed.
"You can go home now if you'd like" she told me as she placed the chart next to the night stand near the bed.
"I'm going to stay until she wake's" I told her and took a seat in the room. I might not be a face she wants to see when she opens her eyes but a familiar face is better then no one.
Shizune had left the room for a minute but came back with gloves on and a bucket of water. She started cleaning the dirt and blood off of Hinata and then rolled her to the side to start healing the wound on the back of her leg. Once she was finished with her leg, she healed the giant bruise on her side a little bit so it didn't look at badly.
It didn't take her very long to get her looking better then she had when she entered Tsunades office. She looked peaceful, she didn't look like a nervous mess like she had when she left my house that morning a year ago.
"Are you sure you want to stay? It might be a while" Shizune asked me as she took her gloves off.
"I'm sure. She stayed in my room until I woke up the first day I was here, I can do the same for her" I gave her a small smile, she nodded and left. I moved the chair closer to her bed so I could hold her hand.
"I know you can't hear me but I'm glad you're back. You were missed terribly" I whispered to her, giving her a small kiss on the hand. Now to wait..
Kakashis POV:
I was unlocking my front door and my mood was still sour. It had only been ten hours since I found out Hinata left the village last night, I was hoping work would help me forget but it didn't. I closed the door behind me and just leaned against my front door. I took my headband off and gently threw it at my kitchen table, I heard it hit the table and then make a tink noise. It hit something and then my mind quickly remembered the flower in the vase, the white lily.
My mind went blank and my body moved on its own. I picked the vase up and hummed it across my living room, shattering it on the wall. How could she not say goodbye? I was walking in circles at this point, hitting things and throwing stuff.
"Why do you always find a way to hurt me?" I yelled out loud as I put my first through the wall.
"I've been nothing but their for you and you didn't even have the decency to talk to me before you left? I would have understood" I continued talking to myself as I started walking back to my kitchen.
I forcefully pulled the kitchen cupboard open, grabbing my bottle of sake, taking the cap off and just taking a shot directly from the bottle. I slammed the bottle down on the table, growling in the process.
"You might not even come back from your suicide mission!" I slammed my fists on the counter, picking up the bottle again. I turned around so I could slide down the closest wall and sat on the floor. I scanned my apartment, I destroyed it. I shrugged my shoulders, taking another shot.
The more I drank, my temper was fading into nothing, my chest was burning and my sadness was making a comeback. Why couldn't she just talk? She always just runs from her emotions and problems. I was there for her when she was like this, now she left only to make me life this. I don't even have anyone.
"I bet you're laughing at me now, Obito, huh?" I looked up while I talked to my friends. I missed them. I took another shot, closing my eyes this time. I must of looked like a mess, I was sitting in a dark destroyed apartment, getting drunk over a girl who probably didn't even care.
"Kakashi!" a voice boomed from my front door and then it opened. I slowly looked over to see Neji walk into my house. He turned the lights on and just looked around at the mess I made. Then looked at me becoming a mess.
"Give me that" he said, sounding angry. He walked over to me, ripping the bottle out of my hand. Pouring the contents down the drain then placing the empty bottle on the counter.
"This isn't happening, you're not becoming what you once were when she first broke up with you" he spat at me, getting me off the ground.
"It doesn't matter this time, she's not gonna come back" I mumbled.
"Take a shower and go to bed. I'll clean up in here" he pushed me toward the bathroom, I walked in their slowly. Stripping on the way.
"I knew this was going to happen.." was the last thing I heard him say before I shut the bathroom door.
**six months later. Still a flashback**
That morning I woke up to loud banging on my door, I stumbled out of bed to answer it. Nothing had changed since that first night, except I was doing s-rank missions now. When I wasn't working, I would drink all day, making myself black out drunk to go to sleep so I wouldn't have to deal with my emotions. It was working and I didn't think of her. I didn't want to. Her leaving made me angry and that's not what I wanted to be.
"Kakashi, open the damn door!" Neji yelled, I sighed. It's to early for him. I know he was being a good friend by checking on me every day but he didn't have to be loud about it.
"What do you want? The damn sun isn't even up yet" I said as I opened the door, he walked past me, coming into my house.
"Please, come in" I said sarcastically as he leaned against my kitchen counter.
"I'm just going to get right to it. I went to pick up Itachi this morning only to find out he's in the hospital" he said to me as I walked next to him to drink some water and take headache medicine.
"Your point, Hyuga?" I asked him as I took a drink from my cup.
"He tried to kill himself last night, if Sasuke didn't catch him, well you know.." he spoke softly. I stopped moving for a second, nearly dropping the glass I was holding. He tried to take his life? A small flashback of my father struck my mind and I got shivers around my body. I hadn't even talked to him since this all happened, what kind of friend was I? I gently put my glass on the counter then looked at Neji.
"Are you sure?" I asked with seriousness.
"Why would I lie about something like that? I heard it straight from Sasuke, who by the way is a wreck and you should check on your student" Neji gave me an attitude. I had shut myself off from everyone, the only person I saw was Tsunade when she was giving me missions.
"Well today's my day off, I'll go do that" I said blankly and headed towards my room to get dressed.
"I'll walk you there, I don't trust you" Neji said bluntly, I didn't even argue with him, he was right. I've been on edge every day and if I left the house, I might not even end up in the Uchiha district.
I got dressed quickly, leaving my vest behind, wearing just my normal black attire so I would at least be comfortable. I would be there for a while, Sasuke isn't one to talk but I new he needed someone. I've been through it and who better to talk to.
"Do you need me to help you find him?" Neji asked when we got to the entrance.
"It's been a while but I can find him, I can probably guess where he is" I said truthfully. Neji nodded and left me there. I took a deep breath and headed towards the lake in the very back of the district. He had always come here when he was little to practice his jutsus or when he was thinking about something.
As I got closer, I could feel more than one chakra signature, he wasn't alone. I was only emotionally prepared to see one person today, not multiple.
When I could finally see the lake, I saw him sitting on the docks. Along with two other people, my other two students. I raised an eyebrow at what I saw. He must be really in a mood to have both Naruto and Sakura near him right now and not trying to get away from them. I kept my pace and the first person to see me was Naruto. He didn't even yell, just silently waved at me. I waved back and finally got to the back of the dock where I tried to keep silent while I walked.
"Kakashi sensei, I'm glad you're here. Naruto and I were just about to get lunch for the three of us and come back with it" Sakura told me as she stood up. Naruto followed her moves.
"I'll see you guys in a little bit then" I said back and then walked past me. I took a seat next to Sasuke and glanced over at him. His eyes were closed and his face had tear stains on them.
"If you would like to talk, I know what you're feeling.. I'm sure you've heard the stories about my father" I said softly, he nodded his head but didn't speak.
"Why do people do what Itachi tried to do?" he asked me, his voice cracked.
"When people suffer great pain, they feel alone and that's the only thing they think will make it better" I spoke truthfully from experience of watching my father.
"I don't get it. I can always tell when he's home, everything seemed normal and I felt a flare in his chakra. I ran around looking for him and I almost missed him, Kakashi" he choked a little bit while he was talking.
"I know when I left the village all I wanted to do was kill him. But since we've come back, since I saw him almost do what he did. I realized that's not what I wanted. I almost lost my brother.." a tear came down his face. I wasn't sure what to say, Sasuke never showed anything but anger and my heart bled for him a little bit.
"You're both lucky you're fast and you found him, truly" I told him. He nodded his head and we sat in silence again for a few minutes.
"I know you're not handling this well either and I don't get it. Why would you want someone who does nothing but hurt you guys" Sasuke sounded confused while he talked.
"I don't know how to answer your question right now but when you fall in love someday, you'll understand. Sometimes your love is so deep for someone, their your every star in the sky. That's all I can really say" I spoke softly. His question floated around in my head a bit more even though I was mad at her, I still wanted to give her the world.
"After seeing what she's put you guys through, I'd rather not fall in love" he said seriously. I chuckled a little bit.
"It doesn't work like that, it hits you out of the blue sometimes" I told him.
"Kakashi! Get up!" a male voice yelled at me, shaking my leg to wake me up. I was sleeping on my living room floor.
"I don't want to" I groaned, I hadn't even opened my eyes yet.
"We're being summoned, it's an emergency" he said, kicking my leg this time.
"Stop hitting me" I gave him an attitude.
"Move faster than" he gave me the attitude right back. I rolled over to my stomach and pushed myself up off the floor. Neji handed me water and headache medicine immediately.
"Since when do you care about my hangovers?" I asked and took the pills.
"Since I'm the only one who knows you have a drinking problem. Everyone just thinks you're staying busy and isolating yourself" he told me. He kept this a secret from everyone? He was stressing over me by himself.. I didn't know that.
My drinking had stopped for a while after I found out about Itachi, I had only seen him a handful of times since he did what he did, I was trying to be a better friend but then we both got busy and it had been a month since I'd see him.
We last saw each other in Tsunades office, when she told a few of us that Hinata hadn't written her in a month and it wasn't looking promising because of her last letter. She had written every two weeks prior to this. When you're a Shinobi, you don't always come back home alive. Especially when you were doing a free lance tracking mission like she was doing.
My heart broke again that day, only I didn't cry. No one cried. We knew it was a risk when you leave the village. I did however go home after that and my drinking began again. I had lost hope, everyone I ever loved, I'd never see again. Just another grave marker, if they made one.
"What's the emergency anyways?" I asked Neji as we left my apartment.
"Theres a potential war coming and it's not going to be pretty so we have to be prepared" he spoke and we too the the roofs, jumping quickly. My mind became serious and I focused.
"A war? Who's the threat?" I asked.
"The Akatsuki" he spat and my blood ran cold.
We spoke nothing more but gathered in the meeting spot on top of the hokages manor for events like this. I looked around to see every clan head present, a majority of the anbu, all the rookie nine, every jonin, chunin and genin imaginable.
"You are gathered here because we have a serious threat coming for the village. The Akatsuki. I've had a very reliable source tracking them for a year now. They have come back this morning to let me know that we need to be on guard for the next couple of days. I'm not sure what or who is coming" Tsunade yelled at all of us, making sure everyone heard her. Neji and I looked at each other, Hinata was alive?
"We're going to keep rotation of the barrier team and all earth jutsu users on the perimeter out of the village, you all need to keep eyes in the sky. Once you see the barrier team making their wall, you will know it's time. All genin and chunin, you will find all villagers and lead them underground to safety. Once you've gathered all the villages, chunin. You will all run quickly back to help with the fight. I need the Hyuga, Inuzuka and Abrume clans to be the back line with your blood lines, covering all blind spots but helping fight. Each and everyone of my medics, watch over everyone, heal who you can back to fighting health" Tsunade took a breathe before continuing to talk.
"I have sent word to our surrounding villages, incase the Akatsuki change their minds. I will also be fighting alongside you, we all need to keep on high guard for the next couple of days. Our village is our home and we will not be letting people come burn it to the ground" Tsunade yelled once more, she went on with her plan with some smaller details. Everyone eventually left the roof of the Hokage manor, only leaving a few of us left. I walked to the edge of the building and looked over the village. It looked so peaceful and no one knew what might be happening. It saddened me knowing some lives were going to be lost.
"You alright?" Tsunade asked, appearing next to me.
"This fight might lead to another war and that's not something I'm looking forward to" I spoke truthfully.
"I'm not either but things happen and at least we're prepared for whatever is coming for us" she placed her hand on my shoulder, giving me a reassuring squeeze.
"So I guess Hinata isn't dead after all then" I said, she removed her hand from my shoulder.
"Yeah, she is. She's in the hospital, she fainted from minor blood loss and exhaustion. Shizune took care of her while Sasuke and I gathered and summoned everyone" she told me.
"Did you want to go see her?" Tsunade asked me and I stayed silent for a minute.
"No" I bluntly said continuing to look over the village. I wasn't ready to see her, I would probably yell at her if I did.
"You can't stay mad at her forever you know, she was only trying to protect you both" she said gently.
"She didn't do a very good job at it. Until she apologizes to both of us, I don't want to see her. Itachi nearly killed himself over her and I haven't stopped drinking in a year" I said flatly looking at Tsunade.
"You've been drinking?" she asked, surprised.
"For the first six months, I would drink myself to sleep. I stopped for a while when I found out about Itachi because I wanted to be there for my friend but a month ago when you told us you didn't think Hinata would be coming home, I started again" I explained to her.
"Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped you. Is this why you suddenly took s-rank missions?" she sounded sorry when she spoke.
"You're the leader of this village, I wasn't going to burden you with my problems.I needed a distracting and if my distractions got me killed, so be it. Anyways, Neji knew and has been trying his best to help me" I told her.
"I wish you were to talk to me. We're friends you know. I'm always here for you. But yes, Neji.. that boy has done nothing but help everyone. He's a great kid, I was thinking about asking him to become Anbu captain" she was just talking openly now.
"He probably wouldn't deem himself worthy, I think he forgets sometimes of what a great ninja and person he is" I said.
"You're right... Even though I want to strangle Hiashi sometimes, he did raise some wonderful kids even if they have their issues, which we all do" she said.
"Agreed. I guess it worked out then that he ignored them a lot, it gave them backbone" I said and she nodded her head and we both looked off into the sunset casting over. It was giving everything a beautiful purple and pink colored hue.
"So I was thinking about something a few days ago and now that you've told me you've been having a hard time for a year, I guess this is a good time" Tsunade spoke again, I made a 'hmm' notion so she knew to talk.
"I've been leading this village for over three years now and we both know I never wanted to be but I keep on pushing. After the news Hinata delivered this morning, I realized that after this is all done, I would like to retire" she said to me and I looked at her in surprise. She was a great leader, even if she did have anger issues..
"I would like you to be my successor until you deem Naruto fit to lead the village" she quickly said before I opened my mouth and now I couldn't speak. She wanted me to be the sixth Hokage? I was surprised.
"You want me to lead this village? I can't do that" I said honestly.
"You're a great ninja, an excellent leader and you've always been ahead of everyone from a young age. Everyone in the village loves you, you're trusted and looked up to. If I did it, you can. You would be great at this" she said pleasantly.
"I don't know what to say" I told her.
"Just think about it, okay? Let's make it thru this fight first" she said and then started to walk away, leaving me by myself to think. Would I really be a great leader though? I couldn't even take care of myself currently and she wants me to lead a nation.
Kisame POV:
Fighting Deidara was more tiring than I thought it would be, he had the advantage of flying but I had the advantage of my water. When his clay creations hit the water, they would be instantly void.
"Say goodbye, shark boy!" Deidara yelled as he dropped a giant clay creature down from the sky. That was going to explode before it hit the water, I panicked for a second. I scanned quickly to figure out what I could do. Deidara was busy laughing with his closed so I took the opportunity to throw a couple of kunai at him, aiming for his legs so he would fall off his stupid flying bird.
I got him right where I wanted him, he was falling to the ground at a fast speed. I got so distracted with watching him fall to the ground, I barely had time to hide underwater and hope the blast wasn't to bad. I quickly made the hand signs, wrapping myself in layers of water.
All sounds from the surface were muffled but I knew when the explosion went off because everything around me shook like an earthquake. I waited a few moments before I broke from my own protection barrier, popping up to the surface of water I was underneath. I bobbed in the water for a second, looking around.
The bomb that went off cause at least two miles worth of damage and I didn't see Deidara anywhere, did he get killed? I made quick hands signs, releasing the water I made. It had vanished almost instantly, I searched for Deidara some more. I just wanted to find some piece of evidence so I could let Hinata and her village know he was no longer a threat.
I moved slowly around, everything was burnt and dried up from his bomb, a small shiver went down my spine knowing full well if I didn't protect myself, I wouldn't have survived this. I always thought he was annoying and weak but after the fight he just put up, my mind had changed. He wasn't one with reckon with, especially when you're me with the disadvantage I had.
I continued to walk, heading towards her village anyways. I might get killed on contact as soon as they see me but I had to let them know they probably shouldn't worry about it.
I was lost in thought when I kicked something, it sounded like metal. I looked down and found his crossed out Iwagakure headband. I picked it up, the ends of it weren't burnt to a crisp. Was there more of him in pieces everywhere? I guess this good enough evidence at the moment and I focused on my destination.
Hinatas POV:
I quickly sat up, waking from my sleep. Then I remembered where I was and why I was here, a wave of relief had washed over me. I looked around my room to see it was dark outside and Itachi was sleeping on a chair in the corner. I needed to get out of here and go prepare for whatever lies ahead of us.
I silently got out of my bed and made my move toward the door to my hospital room, right when I touched the handle a hand had touched my shoulder. Damn it, I turned to face Itachi.
"Where are you going?" he questioned me.
"I need to go home and get ready for whatever lies ahead" I told him, removing his hand from my shoulder.
"I might be one of the last people you want to see right now but I'm coming with you. You're probably still exhausted" he said, opening the door of my room. I didn't bother arguing with him, I knew it would be pointless. He was just at stubborn as I was when he wanted to be, we walked to the front of the hospital, the receptionist saw me, she nodded her head. She more than likely was told when I got up I could leave.
"So.. how have you been?" I asked Itachi as we made our way to my home. I was curious to know what the past year had been like. Being away all this time made me realize the way I handled the situation was childish.
"Well, for starters. As of today, Sasuke is a free man and I'm to be an academy teacher" he said, I giggled a little bit. Itachi, a teacher? He would do great but I never thought of him doing it.
"I know, it's weird" he said back and I nodded my head.
"Is that it? It's been a year" I pushed a little bit, I wanted to know how he was emotionally. I know how I felt but I needed to know.
"To be honest with you, if Sasuke wasn't here, I wouldn't be" he said kind of riddling.
"I'm not understanding?" I was generally confused.
"About six months after you left, I was still having a hard time dealing with you leaving. I tried to take my own life and Sasuke saved me. I've been working on my mental health since then" he said pretty bluntly, I stopped walking and just looked at him. My eyes welled with tears a little bit and I just jumped on him to hug him. It took a second but he did hug me back. I didn't think me leaving would of done that, I just thought they would forget about me.
I didn't want to let go of him, I wanted to just hold him.
"We should really get going to your house" he spoke but didn't let me go. I nodded my head and still, neither of us moved. I would've came back here and he wouldn't of been here if not for his little brother. I needed to find Sasuke, thank him then apologize. I inhaled deeply before moving myself away from him a little bit, I still had my arms around his neck and I just looked him in the eyes.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't of handled things the way I did. I should of just talked to you, I did a lot of thinking while I was away and realized some things. But that's not important right now, what's important is that you are here and well" I spoke from the bottom of my heart and then touched his face. He grabbed my hand, smiling back at me.
"I accept your apology. I went to hell and back, I would really just appreciate your friendship, the bond we had before I left the village. I need it and I think you do too" he spoke, dropping our hands down to our sides.
"Agreed." I said sweetly, I gave him a kiss on the cheek and we continued our journey to my home. Friendship, is exactly what I needed.
As we walked my mind began to wonder again and it landed on Kakashi. The guilt in my stomach rose again, he needed to be my next conversation but would it be easy like it was with Itachi a minute ago? I didn't think it would be.. The pit in my stomach grew and felt like I was going to be sick. I guess tomorrow is a new day and hopefully a good one.