The morning after the fight proved to be a tough one. Kakashi liked to compare it to a hangover only he had never been this bruised after a night out, not even with Anko.
It all started when they woke up at seven in the morning to the angry face of a short kid. Later on, they learned that that kid was Tazuna's grandson Inari and things did not improve.
Naruto and Sakura both exploded in rage after the kid decided to douse them in ice water and Naruto almost punched him after he claimed that hero's didn't exist. After a truly inspiring (and a tad heartbreaking to Kakashi) speech from the blond, Sasuke privately- and dramatically- announced that he had gained his clan's prized dojutsu (and had probably already formulated five different ways to kill his brother) and Kakashi just wanted to return to his bed.
It took him a staggering five minutes of talking and veiled threatening to convince the Uchiha not to use it without supervision. Sasuke had then wandered off to sulk and glare. Feeling like she needed to step in, Sakura informed her sensei that they had already made that clear the previous night. The Sharingan hadn't worked that well for them and Chi had given him a scolding.
She conveniently left out the fact that they had both whacked his head because he was being arrogant again. Not that Kakashi would have minded if he knew. Tough love, as they say.
"Alright," Kakashi stood straight despite the lack of caffeine, alcohol or chakra in his system "we (you) need to continue building this bridge. Gather up and meet me outside in five."
Some grunts were his reply. It was more than he had expected, he realized. How sad.
The four students went in search of their weapons and right toothbrushes. Kakashi looked at the skinny back of Inari. I guess I should clear things up.
In true fashion, he flickered right beside him and gave a salute "Yo." That might not have been the best decision given that I have crutches and zero chakra.
Nevertheless, Inari gave the perfect response and fell in the water.
After the Jonin hoisted him back on the wooden plateau, he sat him down and explained. "Naruto believes in hero's because it is his dream to become one. He grew up alone, no one in the village accepted him. He acts out, wears orange and pulls pranks to get attention, even if it is negative attention. He wants to be a hero because he needs one."
Or something along those lines, he wasn't sure anymore.
"But hero's don't exist. They are just stupid people who are trying to get killed!" The fight had left the boy. Inari's shoulders were slumped. Kakashi smiled.
"I believe that Naruto will change that view." Whoops, I said it. Kakashi's eye-smile hid the fact that he started sweating. I said it out loud, now I have to make it come true. Darn it.
"Sensei!"
He turned to see Sakura waving at him. Ever since he woke up to his students' great relief, and announced that Zabuza was probably still alive, she had been fidgeting. According to Tazuna, Sakura had researched herbs on her own to try and get his chakra levels up. She had plowed through scrolls and books from her teammate and from the incredibly small library in town.
In the end she concocted a brown, grass scented liquid that tasted like hazelnuts. Kakashi had been wary and he would have attempted to throw it away, but even the slightest signal of hesitation had put a damper on her mood.
So when she looked away, he yanked his masks down and gulped it all down. He was pleased (and mostly relieved) to find out that it had a warming effect on his body, though it did not help with his chakra. He told her that and patted her head. She hadn't stopped beaming since, nor had she stopped experimenting with potions. Kakashi feared for his life.
"We are waiting for you!"
"Yeah," Naruto chimed in "you're late again!"
Kakashi smiled "Alright, alright. Have some mercy on this old man."
"That is an old man," Naruto pointed at the sleeping figure of Tazuna "You are barely thirty."
Kakashi sighed and got up, purposefully leaning in to Inari. "Let's get going then, we are already behind schedule."
"Yeah and whose fault is that?"
Kids... Aren't they lovely?
Three days of work later, Naruto luckily seemed to have forgotten about the fox nearly escaping his abdomen and was distracted by the argument with Inari. That was the only good thing that had come out of it. Another bad thing was that Kakashi's body was so drained of overusing the Sharingan, that he was walking with a crutch and had a massive headache.
During this mess, no one noticed how Chi covered her nose and mouth. She leaned against the frame of the door, rubbing her wrists and watching the scene. Her body felt like someone had injected fire into her veins. At the same time she had never felt this strong before.
It was as if a fog had cleared before her eyes even though they were drooping. The braces were tight and uncomfortable. The humid and hot air made her skin itchy and raw because of her scratching.
She had dreamed about Konoha those past nights. Konoha with empty streets and destroyed houses. Red paint decorated the ruins, dripping slowly on heaps of limps peaking out from corners. She was above it all, flew over the remains.
Chi had wandered all over the town, discovering every body, every house. She woke peacefully, as if she hadn't had a nightmare, with the taste of blood on her tongue.
If anything, that had disturbed her the most.
At the working site~
Sasuke decided that he had seen enough Naruto's for the rest of his life. They were everywhere, along with multiple Chi's, running about in that hideous orange suit. He grunted as he lifted another load of bricks on the cart.
If only I could use that Shadow Clone jutsu. Damn Kakashi. The Jonin had flat out forbidden him to attempt it, never mind teaching him. Apparently it was a kinjutsu you could only perform with enough chakra, something only those two had.
It was true, that was the worst part. Neither Naruto nor Chi seemed bothered by the large amounts of clones they had summoned. If one popped, it was replaced with another one. They transformed themselves, performed jutsu's and lifted heavy objects.
It was infuriating. Especially since he was still feeling a bit sore from the fight, but those two acted like they had been resting for weeks. Top it off, he wasn't even allowed to use his Sharingan.
Soon. I'll master the eyes and then I'll show them. Once I reach Konoha, I am going to the Hokage and find out how Kakashi got the Sharingan. If he stole them... Sasuke stopped working, the thought alone was enough to make his blood boil. He felt his chakra rushing to his eyes.
I'll kill him.
"Oi kid, watch it!"
He ducked in time to avoid a large wooden balk hitting his head. Sasuke scowled and resumed his work.
Chi watched him from afar. She could still feel the burning in her veins, the longing for blood. She needed to remind herself to bring a flask with her on future missions. She turned and lifted the buckets with plaster to bring to the group working on reinforcing the bridge.
It would have probably taken weeks to complete it, but now that there were so many extra hands, it would only take another day. She swayed as she reached the group, the buckets weren't filled equally.
Give me...
She stopped for a moment, tilting her head to the side before continuing. The voice paused for heartbeat before continuing.
Give me...
Chi clenched her jaw. Shut up!
Blood...
Her head pounded as the bodies came closer. She was parched and had been for the past days. Fresh blood surrounded her day and night. She could have gotten anyone. Instead she endured and requested for to go and catch her own meals. Kakashi had made some excuses and gave a roundabout explanation about her 'condition' to prevent an insult to the hosts.
So she went out and killed small rodents and caught fish, just like she used to do after losing her clan. The animals had blood but no chakra flowing through them. She drank merely for the taste and to soothe her throat. It wasn't enough either, there were hardly any animals here and the fish were too quick and experienced in escaping hunters.
I can see their veins.
She averted her eyes.
They are good for nothing. You did all the work!
They also relied on her for protection. Chi gulped and winced when she realized how dry her throat was.
How can you protect them like this?
No one would see her if she took one man aside, she reasoned. The roles had switched, how frustrating.
No, you can't.
It wasn't as if there weren't enough workers.
You cannot.
It was hot, the braces were burning on her skin. Memories of the cave played out in her head.
You were able to drink there. No one minded. The roles switched back.
Chi grunted as she took another step. Her mouth was dry, her stomach empty. They had been working for the entire day. She was vaguely aware of her clones nearing her. The thirst and desire was radiating from their bodies.
The men were so close to her. Just one step and she could slit a throat, stab someone's artery or twist a limp off. The one in front of her was a big guy, with bulging muscles. His veins were swollen against his arms and neck. It looked so appetizing.
One of them noticed her and told his friends, including the big guy. No one had noticed the blood lust in her eyes yet. The buckets slipped from her hand, planting themselves in the soil.
Go!
Their veins pulsed. One of them complained about a headache, the other was dizzy. A small cut on the cheek of another man started bleeding, much more than it should have.
Almost there. I can almost use that-
"Hey, can you give me a hand."
Chi froze. Sakura was standing at her side, smiling innocently. "I have to get these bricks to where Sasuke-kun is, but there are too many of them."
She was tired, Chi noted. She saw the stacks of red brick behind the other girl. That is a lot to carry, even for us.
There was a pressure behind Chi's eyes, the edges of her view started to blur. "Suree..."
Sakura frowned "What? Are you oka- Oi, Chi!"
Chi fell down like a puppet cut loose of its strings. Sakura managed to catch her and slowly lowered her to the ground.
"Sensei!"
Sakura carefully turned her around, supporting Chi's upper body with her own. The girl was unconscious and pale, her lips dry and cracked. She reached to get a pulse but Kakashi beat her to it. He had looked up in alarm when he heard the cries from all around him. The Chi-clones all popped, leaving various tools and material to drop on the ground and some toes.
He crouched down next to the pair to grab her wrist and simultaneously check her temperature.
"She fainted." Kakashi concluded. What happened? "Sakura!"
"Yes?" The pinkette's expression was tight.
"What did Chi do against Zabuza's friend?"
Sakura tried to recall the events. "Nothing special, she couldn't get a hit at him. She did get close once though."
Nothing huh. I doubt that this is nothing. "I guess she is just exhausted then. I'll take her back-she will be fine, Naruto!"
He lifted the girl away from the blond with his prying hands. "Keep working, you are now down on men."
Naruto waved it away "No worries sensei, I'll just make twice as many clones!"
Yeah, you would. Kakashi shook his head and took off as an army of blond ninja's started appearing. The nightmares would follow him for days.
"I'll get Chi back to the house. I'll be back soon and I expect to see some improvement!" Kakashi called out. Chi was slung over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes as he hobbled down the muddy road. Sakura's plea to carry her properly fell on to deaf ears.
His crutch sank deep in the soft ground and he was beyond happy when they finally reached solid ground. The girl hadn't stirred for a moment so she couldn't have been that uncomfortable.
Tazuna's daughter rushed out of the door when she looked up from her cleaning to see the Jonin carrying a limp figure. Kakashi allowed her to take Chi in her arms and watched her struggle with the weight of the tall Genin.
Once they all got inside, Kakashi helped tucking her in and decided to examine Chi using his limited medical knowledge. Their hostess left beforehand to continue with her work, confident that the shinobi would survive.
Kakashi frowned and folded the blanket back. Chi laid still, chest rising with every breath. He started by lifting her eyelids and examining the color of her eye. I have never seen that before. He twisted above her to get a better view. I need some sort of guide for her eyes. What the heck does orange mean?
With a sigh he released her eye. Time for the rest. He took her pulse again, listened to any irregularities in her breath and searched her for any form of injury. There was nothing. And yet she collapsed.
He sniffed the air and concluded that the scent was indeed different. He peeked at his pseudo-student. How creepy would it be to smell her?
Very creepy, he decided. Good thing she's sleeping. He leaned forward until he could feel her breath on his cheekbone. He pulled his masks below his nose and inhaled the scent. The air in the country was humid and hot, it smelled mostly like salt, sweat and fish. Konoha's scent was like freshly mowed grass, with hints of tobacco and gunpowder. Chi smelled like a very specific type of rose that only grew near the Ketsueki clan.
It was a beautiful flower, large and elegant. The petals did not have that special red color. They were nearly black, with the color of rust near the edges. It was said that the clan did not use water, they actually used the blood of their heroes.
Kakashi had heard countless stories of how the Ketsueki would drain the bodies of a clan hero, and preserve the blood in special barrels kept in an underground cellar. By giving the roses blood instead of water, they believed that their heroes' spirit would remain forever.
I believe they called that rose a 'Chi'.
A fitting name for the Genin. Chi smelled exactly like a rose fed with so much blood that it would bleed when cut off its stem. The scent brought him back to those countless battlefields, ground red with the blood of his foes.
Back to the many missions as an ANBU, when his white mask would change its color. Most of all, like blood always did, it brought him back to when his entire hand was dripping with the blood of his teammate.
Kakashi pulled away and covered his nose again. He may have always dismissed the rumors about the Ketsueki clan as simple urban legends from fearful peasants, even he couldn't deny that when one was near, it became nearly impossible to keep the bad memories out. They had that kind of effect on anyone.
I'd best get going.
He did not have enough chakra to summon one of his ninken to stand on guard. Whatever she has, it'll have to wait until we reach Konoha. Hopefully she will be recovered by then.
His eye caught a faint glint on her neck. He reached out and pulled her haori aside. Chi wore a fitting top underneath, he already knew that from when she had offered Sakura her haori to cover herself after a heavy rain yesterday. The heavy belt and chains linked to her neck-brace and legs were new. He held his hand above them, reaching out with his senses.
The metal is chakra-conducting.
When he had heard of the situation of Team 11, he actually contemplated sending one of his ninken after them. Just to be sure they would survive. He didn't do it. His own team was too much of a burden already, he couldn't take on another one. Besides, it seemed that Ibiki had warmed up to the girls and vice versa.
Was I selfish?
He knew very well that he should have been given Chi in his team instead of Sakura. It would only make sense to have such a strong fighter on a heavy assault team. Still, he was glad it turned out like this. He doubted that the darkness following the girl would have any positive effect on the already angst-ridden boys, never mind his own sanity. Whatever is left of it anyway.
Kakashi sighed and fixed the girl's clothes and blanket. He couldn't wait to go home.
"I'll be off then. Take care."
He walked past the young mother, who had moved to the backyard for some more cleaning, and stepped outside without waiting for a reply. The air wasn't fresh, it didn't do anything to improve his mood. Kakashi planted his crutch in front of him. He could handle it.
It was late in the afternoon when he returned to the site and continued supervising the team. Naruto had outdone himself with his work and even looked tired. The bridge looked nearly done. When the clock turned seven in the evening, they called it a day and returned.
Naruto bounded up ahead and the prospect of food but came to a sudden halt just a few steps away from the garden. Kakashi felt his heart skip and expanded his senses.
"What's wrong Naruto?" Sakura looked around, clutching a kunai. The wariness Iruka spent so much time beating it them, had ingrained itself after just one encounter with the Demon of the Mist.
"Something smells strange." The boy squinted and went to sniff the trees nearby.
Kakashi made a mental note to train that out of him. There could be an enemy hiding there and Naruto was standing so close! Sasuke was staring at the woods with an intensity that made him wonder if he was using the Sharingan. He stepped closer and watched the boy flinch and relax his posture.
"Come here. There is nothing." Nothing to worry about yet.
Naruto send one more suspicious glance at the woods but obeyed. The team entered the house and only Kakashi waited for a moment outside the door, staring at the trees.
Someone had been here.
He made sure to lock the door.
"Sensei?" Sakura padded up to him, looking worried. "Chi hasn't woken up yet."
Damn. "Don't worry Sakura. Chi will recover." He smiled.
"If you say so sensei." She turned to launch herself in another argument with Naruto about healthy food.
Sometimes this blind trust they have in me really hurts.
Dinner was spent in relative peace. Inari made a point of sitting next to Naruto and the whole house was delighted to see Genin acknowledge the boy with a smile. Kakashi and Sakura went up later on to try and get some fluids in Chi. The girl hadn't moved at all and he managed to lift her in his lap, her head lolling to his shoulder. Her body was cold and stiff.
Almost like the dead.
It was only his prior knowledge of the clan's peculiarities that kept him from racing back to Konoha with the girl on his back.
When they collapse, whether from exhaustion or injury, the body will turn to a state similar to rigour mortis. In simpler terms: they turn rigid and their body temperature will lower. Do not give up on the (medical) treatment for this is only a state of preservation to them.
Of course, Sakura did not know this- just like she had no clue of what her teammate's favorite drink was. Kakashi wasn't planning on revealing it any time soon either. He helped forcing Chi's jaw open and nudged her head towards the waiting spoonful of gray liquid.
He had personally supervised Sakura as she made it and he had absolutely no idea how it turned out like this. It was supposed to be the liquid version of a food-pill.
Sakura slowly fed her the potion and made her swallow it by lifting her chin. A shudder went through Chi's body, the biggest sign of live yet, but nothing else happened.
"Well then. Let's go downstairs again. We need to discuss our plan for when Zabuza reappears."
Sakura bit her lip "Will be alright without Chi? Most of our advantage came from her-"
"Because Zabuza had never dealt with someone like her before." Kakashi tucked the blanket around the said girl. "We will be fine, Sakura. I will protect you with my life."
Her eyes widened and a rosy blush appeared on her cheeks. She seemed to struggle with replying and so Kakashi send her off with a gentle push. The kids could sleep in his room, he wanted to keep an eye on Chi.
Night fell soon enough and soon the noise of the day reduced to a soft hum. The residents of the house shifted, breathed deeply and sighed. Tazuna snored on occasion and then turned again, as if someone had conditioned him over the years. Kakashi laid on his back, hands folded behind his head.
Chi was on her side, facing him. The stiffness of her body had subsided sometime during the night and Kakashi was able to give her a natural position before the kids came in to look at her one more time. She still hadn't woken. The uneasiness on Naruto's face looked foreign and out of place.
The only one who didn't visit her was Sasuke. Kakashi didn't lower his opinion of him, he had seen the boy walk by the room more than enough. Despite his obvious dislike of her, he couldn't help but catch some of the nervousness from his teammates.
Tsundere... Kakashi smiled despite himself. He had to try and sleep but he was afraid that none of his dreams would be pleasant. He distracted himself by going over tactics and making up new training schedules. He had to get his team ready for the Chuunin Exams.
Sometime during his brainstorm session, sleep caught up with him and he didn't wake until the first rays of sunlight hit him.
The next day, around noon~
"So, we have a plan right?" Pakkun growled, baring his tiny teeth in his cute little maw.
Kakashi felt like bashing his head in. The mist packed around them like a blanket. He heard Naruto groaning from somewhere. This was not going the way he liked it. His Sharingan was useless in this environment and he was sure that he could guess Sasuke's train of thought.
Nothing was more frustrating than having an amazing weapon, and not being able to use it. His ninken were already dispersed to keep civilians out of the fight and to keep an eye on his students.
He thought back of Sakura's words. They could really use Chi now. He gritted her teeth when Zabuza's laugh resounded. Naruto shouted something about those stupid mirrors again and neither Sasuke or Sakura countered him. Kakashi narrowed his eyes, feeling his heart calm down. He was going to protect them no matter the price.
At the house, same time~
When Chi woke, it was because a very high pitched scream pierced through the silence. Her eyes snapped open and her hands grabbed the edges of her futon. There was another scream and this one made her jump up. She looked around, she was in their bedroom. There was no sign of everyone else except for the very distressed woman.
Chi moved to the door, clutching the frame when a dizzy spell came over her. Her thirst was still there and the scent of blood called her. She checked her weapons sealed in her armor and chose her trusted kyoketsu-shoge.
She padded to the staircase and listened to the soft, muffled sobbing and the clutter of wood. A male voice spoke up, startling her. He was young and had an injury. Chi was pretty sure they didn't belong here.
She walked up the walls and carefully looked in the living room. Three thugs were scouring the house in a manner that broke everything in sight. Inari and his mother were tied and gagged, laying under the table. Chi looked at the thugs, no one had noticed her yet.
I need to get them away from them. Out of sight so I can- She shook her head and clutched the blade. Two of the thugs left the living room, probably going to check the kitchen and garden. It was almost too easy.
The blade shot out, the chain wrapped itself around the neck of the man and Chi stabbed her kunai in his back before he could shout. She paused when she landed, the sudden weight and extortion of energy nearly overwhelming her.
Inari and his mother were frozen in shock. Chi dragged the man to the hallway and kicked the door open. After tossing the thug down on his stomach, she took her weapons back. The blood pooled around him but she had enough in the kunai.
It was a special one, specifically designed for her clan. The entire blade was hollow and the tip had a small hole. The blood filled the kunai upon entering the body and the user could drink it, like Chi did. It warmed her body, send energy down to her legs and lifted her spirits instantly. She could have stood there forever, drinking until she was full but there was more to do.
She shot through the living room, cut the family loose, and entered the kitchen. Without waiting, she swung her blade, let the chain twist around his neck and buried the blade in the neck of the startled man. The Genin then pulled him outside and let him bleed out in the stream in the garden.
The last man was standing there, gawking. Chi was still high on the blood from the first man, so she grinned and stabbed her kunai in chest of the second one. Holding eye-contact, she pulled the weapon out and started sucking the blood out. The last man turned pale, then red and ran at her with a battle-cry.
The blade flickered in the light and a fountain of blood erupted from his neck. Chi watched the head fly through the air and hit a tree. Somewhere in her mind she hoped that mother and son had hidden themselves for the rest of the day.
She staggered, looked at the red blood spilled over the grass, glistering in the sunlight. Her mind didn't process the events that had preceded. Chi didn't care to wait for them to do. She neared the body and decided that she needed to gather all of them in one spot, hidden from civilian eyes and make good use of them.
All three bodies were gathered and dumped behind a big oak where she continued to drain them. The flora would look absolutely gorgeous next summer, she was sure of it. She drank as much as she could handle and then got up.
Her team was probably working on the bridge and if she was right then they could definitely use her help. She just hoped that there weren't going to be any more interruptions. The blood here didn't taste that nice and did not have enough chakra. Perhaps if it was Zabuza's blood. Or his companion's.
That would be nice.
