Drowning in Freedom
Chapter 11: The Petal's Truth
A/N: Sorry for the delay in this chapter... had horrible writers block, and then I was so sick I was practically bedridden... Anyway, this chapter is almost 11,000 words long... So hopefully you enjoy this long chapter. Also, anyone who is traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday I wish you safe times and a wonderful holiday! And those that don't celebrate I wish you a happy Holiday season as well :)
P.S. sorry if there are more typos than usual... this was a long chapter and I kinda just wanted to get it up and posted...
PrismRootStarlight: Thank you and I am so happy that you liked the last chapter! Yeah... this part 2 is very much into Amaya and her kekkei genkai... that is for sure. Oh don't worry you will have plenty more moments to love on Mizuchi's sass as well. That I can promise you!
moonlight46: Thank you! I am happy that you liked the imagery and new writing style I tired to use! Every so often I like to try my hand at new things so thank you for noticing! Yeah, you can really tell that Amaya isn't doing very well mentally, but she is still trying to deal with things in the best way that she knows how, especially in the situation that she is in. I am so glad that you liked the introduction of Mizuchi's character and I never realized that the relationship is like Gaara and the one-tails, but now that you mention it, I can see the resemblance to it! Yeah, I don't think the meaning of Yamato was told in the anime nor the manga, so I had do do a little digging on the internet for that one, but I am happy with the results and what his name really means. I thought that it would be a cool like little hidden easter egg that not many fans probably paid much attention to. And dude, this series is about to get much darker before it gets lighter-that I can promise. Anywya, I hope you like this next, very long, chapter update!
Tsunade took a deep breath, trying to contain the animosity and rage she felt for the two elders seated in front of her. Homura and Koharu were knowledgeable about the village, just with their age, it was hard to ask them to do something about change. Change was not in their bones. With them pushing their later years, what they thought and who they were, that wasn't going to change now. In their time as children all the way up, Tsunade knew that they carried with them words of wisdom and she was thankful that they were on the same team. She knew that they just wanted what was best for Konoha, and she could appreciate that. However, it didn't mean with them discussing what they were, didn't put Tsunade on edge. It more made her feel like ripping out her own teeth with a pair of pliers.
The silver lining about the whole situation was that Danzo wasn't invited to this little meeting. If he was, Tsunade was sure she would have lost her temper by now. She just about had enough with that man and her patience was running thin. She was a strong woman who didn't receive the title of Hokage, lightly. She would be damned if someone, like Danzo, tried to undermine her and her efforts with this village. If she had to, she would raise all hell to protect her family and the people of the village. It is the least she could do, especially for her late lover. He wanted this position, and now that she was here, she was bound and determined to become someone, a Hokage that not only the village could look up to, but one that her lover, Dan, would respect and appreciate. She wanted to make him proud when she saw him again.
"Tsunade it just isn't plausible—"
"We have no way of knowing what she will do to us—"
The pair of elders started to argue at the same time, directing their thoughts in a harsher manner towards Tsunade than she was used to.
"We can't keep her holed up expecting her not to retaliate—"
"It just isn't feasible to keep here, she is a part of the Akatsuki!"
"She also took out one of the best shinobi teams we have—"
"Which is going to be hard to replace with the limited man-power we have now—"
The two elders couldn't let the other finish what the other was saying, instead both had prevalent opinions on Tsunade's decisions. Tsunade guessed that she should be happy that they cared enough that they were trying to help, and that for once their formalities and manners seemed to wavier. However, it really was just starting to get on her nerves if she was being honest. They had no clue who Amaya truly was, and what she was capable of. Even now, Tsuande had no doubt in her mind that Amaya would stand up and fight for this village and risk her life for it. The hokage just didn't know why that no one else seemed to realize that. Without Yamato's pact that he made with the blue-haired kunoichi, Tsunade would have felt all alone in her attitude and feelings and probably start to ask herself if she was correct—something that she rarely did.
"This conversation will not be going anywhere anytime soon if both of you insist in voicing your opinions at the same time here," Tsunade remarked before the two elders could speak again.
"I think I can speak for the both of us that it goes against Konoha's beliefs to house such a traitor like Amaya," Koharu spoke clearly and without fault, taking the lead on the charge, "Especially allowing them outside of the proper holding facilities, and without dispatching them on sight… in the first place."
Tsunade couldn't help but scoff at the comment.
"Amaya used to be one of the best Anbu captains this village has ever seen, maybe even the best to rival Itachi."
"Used to be. Not only that, but you already compared her to another famous traitor to this village as well," Koharu muttered.
The hokage clenched her jaw and turned her attention to the male elder in the room, who simply was sitting back in the chair as if he was un-bothered by the whole thing. She figured that he may have something more sensical to add instead of just trying to disagree with her own decisions about Amaya.
"I know that you two may not agree with my decision about Amaya, however, if anything to happen it would be my fault."
"Yes, because we tasked you with the position and title of Hokage and the two of us won't let you sit back and throw away the prestige of that title," Homaru finally spoke up.
"Homura is correct. I don't want to see the downfall of Konoha for some petty and stupid reason such as rescuing someone who isn't even your friend anymore, and a severe threat to this village, if you need a gal-pal that badly, I'm sure some other kunoichi in the village would do just fine. We already lost the Uchiha heir to Orochimaru under your watch, we don't need something horrible like that to happen again."
Tsunade balled her hands into her fists and could feel her finger nails dig into her palms. She was about to retort that she had full faith in Amaya but she never got the chance to say anything in defense because Homura spoke before she could.
"Amaya is probably lying in wait for us to slip up, for something to happen and the village's defenses to be weakened. That's when she will attack and the first thing she will be going after is the host of the nine-tails."
"First off, the host of the nine-tails, has a name and its Naruto. Secondly, if Amaya wanted to harm Naruto, she would have already done that. From the jonin that were on the call, alongside their mission report, it was determined that Amaya had helped Kakashi calm Naruto down when the nine-tails chakra started to seep out. Not only that, but she refused to hurt anyone from Konoha and actually helped save them."
"It has to all be some sick ploy from her and that Akatsuki member she was with. He, to my knowledge still detonated that clay bomb he made," Homura pointed out.
"Amaya was the one who reacted quickly and got our people out of the way. She threw herself in the line of fire and made sure that Naruto and Kakashi got out of the situation alive."
"I'm sorry Tsunade, but it just isn't safe in the village for Naruto and the rest of the villagers for that matter if we continue to house Amaya within our boundaries," the female elder sighed, trying to turn down her own selfish tone.
"Plus, with a traitor such as Amaya within the heart of our nation, what sort of message does that give to the other nations around us? We want our image to prosper, not crash and burn. We need to simply end all of this back and forth and give Amaya a proper execution for a traitor."
Everyone, after Homura's words, was silent in the room. Tsunade was placed in a horrible position. She needed to be a leader to her nation, but she wasn't about to execute her friend when she knew that the kunoichi did everything to save this village in the first place. She couldn't kill her friend and the Hokage knew from experience never to ask someone to do what one wouldn't be willing to do themselves. If someone was going to execute Amaya, Tsunade would be the one to do it. However, she couldn't do that to one of her closest friends. So, Tsunade was going to do what she did best. Fight, drink, and gamble.
"I refuse to let Amaya face execution especially when she saved our own out on the battle field when she easily could have taken each and every one of our shinobi out. We, together, need to come up with a plan for this village to keep all of its citizen's safe."
"She isn't a citizen of this village anymore, Tsunade—" Koharu jutted out, her voice holding the same malice as a teenage girl who wasn't getting their way.
"I agree with Homura and Koharu on this matter, Tsunade-sama. However, I would like to hear what you propose we do," a gruff voice sounded from the doorway.
The trio looked to see who was barging in on their discussion about Amaya, and low and behold, it was the person that Tsunade didn't want to see today. Danzo had decided to invite himself to their meeting, even though he wasn't welcome. She shouldn't be surprised that he found out about the meeting, but here she was still in shock that the man had the audacity to barge in on a meeting like this.
"Amaya, as much as you may think she is still your friend, I can assure you that she can't be trusted anymore. She deferred from Konoha and has been under the influence of the Akatsuki for a while now."
Tsunade shook her head, not believing a word that Danzo was saying to them, even though it seemed like the two elders in the room with her were eating up each and every single one of the crap filled words that were floating from his mouth. The hokage couldn't believe that Danzo had the audacity to show up to this meeting, uninvited no less. Actually, when she thought about it, she could believe that he would do something like this. He loved to undermine her, push her buttons and see how far he could push her before she would make a quip at him… and it was time for it to stop.
"Danzo, I didn't realize that I invited you to this meeting, so I must ask, what are you doing here right now?"
"I can answer that. I am the one who invited him. I thought he may have some insight on Amaya's character since she worked under him in the foundation for all of those years before transferring over to the black ops." Koharu spoke up, trying to give justification as to why Danzo was here.
Danzo made eye contact with Tusnade and gave her a sly smile, as if everything was playing out in his hands, just as he predicted. It took everything in Tsunad's beings not to rise up from the couch she was sitting on and punch Danzo's smile right off of his face. However, she knew that would only make matters much worse, and Amaya's fate would be doomed. She hated with the elders sprung shit like this on her. Sometimes she liked having another opinion besides the two elders that she sought out for guidance, but she had plenty of people she could turn to for advice. Danzo, was and never would be one of those people. It was good to hear about the stories of the past, but that was the thing. Konoha wasn't living in the past anymore. Times have changed; so has the political climate.
"Even so, I ask you Danzo, why are you here?"
Danzo nodded his head and held up his hand as if he was thinking for a good response to give Tsunade, all the while he crossed the room and made himself comfortable on the chair across from Tsunade. He leaned back into it and let himself get settled before speaking again.
"I have a simple proposition for everyone in this room. Quite frankly I think it really would be the answer to all of our problems here—and Tsunade-sama will still be able to keep whatever so-called loyalty she has in friendship with Amaya."
"Well, don't hold back now, I'm listening," Koharu turned in her chair and gave Danzo her full attention.
Tsunade couldn't help but roll her eyes. She knew that the action probably wasn't befitting to someone of her title and position, but at this point she couldn't help herself. Everything about the man in front of her irked her, and she wished there was something she could do about it.
"I think that Tsunade should remake Kakashi's old team."
"They are a little out of commission right now, especially since Kakashi is recuperating at the hospital right now."
Shaking his head slightly, Danzo spoke: "Yes, that may be true, but someone being holed up in the hospital, doesn't mean that we should hold the other back from going on missions. I propose putting someone in to fill out their team as Kakashi gets better, someone that we can all trust. Someone, that we can say, if things get out of hand with Naruto, would hesitate to act and save the village if the host of the nine-tails decides to do something reckless and stupid like he did when it came to the Kazekage…"
"Things wouldn't get out of hand with Naruto—"
"Can you really say that he could help it? He isn't strong enough to take on the nine-tails around him and the boy is a good shinobi. I don't want to hold him back more than he already is," Danzo interjected cutting Tsunade off.
"I would prefer a four man cell with Naruto then, if you are insisting on this. I have been trying it out with some of the other teams at my disposal and it seems like it has been working well."
Tsunade watched as Danzo furrowed his eyebrows at her, not understanding what game she was trying to play. All Tsunade knew was that if Danzo tried coming in here, trying to beat her at her own game, she had no problem hitting back. She knew all about his chess games, and they may be long and calculated, but she was never one to back away from a challenge. Both elders returned their attention back to Tsunade and wanted to hear more about this four-man cell idea that she proposed.
"With the arrival of more attacks with the Akatsuki members, it would be safer to place Naruto in a stronger four man cell. I have a new up and coming captain from the Anbu who I think would fit the place of Kakashi well enough to send the team out on a few missions together, just until Kakashi has time enough to recover from his fatigue."
"I think that your new captain is a little too young, and is probably too inexperienced to be ordering underlings arounds yet. If you insist on this four-man cell, I can find another person to fit the role of captain."
Tsunade squinted her eyes knowing that if she folded now, she could kiss any authority she had goodbye.
"I am sure you could, however, I have full faith in my men and I will assign to the leadership role as I see fit."
"Well, I guess that is decided then. The new team seven, or team Kakashi, whichever you prefer, will have Danzo's new recruit and Tsunade's new Anbu captain on the team so we don't have to waste a cell down as Kakashi recovers," Koharu spoke up, trying to find the middle ground here.
"However," the older lady started to speak again, "We still have to address the issue of Amaya. She is too unpredictable to be left alone."
Koharu then, turned to Danzo to see if he had any ideas on the matter, instead of the hokage. It would have made Tsunade's blood boil at the sudden dismissal, but that was when she noticed how Koharu looked at Danzo. Almost as there was lust in her eyes and she had something, boarder-line of a crush on him, and that was when everything made sense. It gave Tsunade a chill that went down her spine. She didn't have a problem with older people partaking in promiscuous activities, studies actually found that elders who did, lived a longer, healthier life in the end. Both sexes. However, she knew that Danzo was just using Koharu for his gain and Tsunade couldn't help but look at the female elder in a different light.
Tsunade pushed her thoughts out and decided to tell Shizune about her findings later. She would probably be just as weirded out as the blonde is. However, now was not the time to dwell on any of this because she knew that their next conversation was about to determine Amaya's fate.
"If Amaya is still fit to do battle, especially make split second judgements like she did which resulted in saving Konoha lives, I think we should give her the benefit of the doubt. Even when she was away from the village, we never had any reports of Amaya giving up sensitive information that would have harmed the village."
Tsunade could tell that Homura wanted to jump in and say something on the defensive, but surprising everyone, it was Danzo who held up his hand to silence his peer. Danzo let an uneasy feeling fill up the room as she took his time, letting his hand fall back into his lap.
"Amaya is a ticking time bomb that needs to be dealt with accordingly—"
"You have no right to say—" Tsunade butted in, her distress clearly written in her voice.
"If you would let me finish, Hokage-sama, then you would know that I agree that we should give Amaya the benefit of the doubt here."
"You can't actually be agreeing with this preposterous thing?" Homura threatened Danzo, not liked being cut off before.
"As much as this is a turn of events I can get behind, with us coming to an agreement, which I must put out there we never do, it was not in your place to cut me off and you and I will have to remind you of your place. I am the hokage and I will not tolerate being interrupted like that again."
"My apologies, Tsunade-sama, I just wanted to make sure everyone remained civil in this time of hardship. I am sure you can look past this discretion."
"Then, what do you suggest we do, just keep her in the dungeons then?" Koharu asked, oblivious to the mood of the room.
"Maybe, but all I know is that I agree with Tsunade, but I have other plans on top of just keeping her in the village. We already invested time into training Amaya since she was a child, lets not waste that. I propose we keep her here and use her when we have to, for large threats that we know the mission failure rate is high, and the rate of returning is low. It would be a win for everyone. We get to deal with our problems head on and not expend valuable shinobi who would fight to the death for this village. And instead, send out a traitor we just plan on killing anyway."
"So, your plan is to keep her around and just send her to an early grave?"
"Well, if she is as strong as you believe, then I am sure that she will have no problem fending off the threats we send her after. Amaya is a fine shinobi that can help this village do even finer work. Amaya was made to fight for this village down to her very core. There may be other teachings in her head, but I know, without a doubt in my mind, that at her core, she fights for Konoha."
"Honestly, please explain what you are trying to get at here, Danzo…"
"My pleasure, Tsunade-sama. I am just trying to say that, simply, we should use Amaya as she was intended to be used for."
Silence once again filled the room as Danzo finished his remark. No one wanting to take the bullet and ask the question that was on the tip of everyone's tongue.
"What is her so intended use?" Homura asked, quietly, just barely breaking the deepened silence.
"Amaya has, and always will be one of Konoha's greatest and treasured weapons. In my younger years I invested a lot of time training her and would hate to see not only all of my heard work, but hers as well go to waste. I mean the worst case and best case for us here is that we send Amaya out on a suicide mission. She would simply take out the people that were a big threat to this village, and in turn, our enemies would take our problem off of our hands for us. It really is a two bird one stone solution here."
"How can you be so sure that a situation like this would arise? Koharu asked.
"I can be sure because it is only a matter of time before someone comes for the nine-tails and sending out Amaya will at least buy the village, and Naruto, some time to think of a plan and stay safe."
'Well, I think we can take a vote here then. I think that's a solid plan if you think you can get Amaya to work on our side long enough not to realize we sent her out on a suicide mission," Koharu spoke as if her sentence made it a done deal as to what they were going to do.
"As much, from a getting our skeletons back in the closet, point of view it is a good idea. It is just that an idea. I am not comfortable with sending Amaya out to die like this."
"I agree with the Hokage. Traitor or not, we still have some missing details about the timeline that the kunoichi has yet to divulge. I feel as if there is something big missing that she isn't telling us," Homura spoke up and nodded his head at Tsunade indicating that at least he, was trying to see all angles and give her advice filled on logic instead fueled by his own emotions.
"Homura, you are just trying to make things difficult—"
"No, Koharu, I am not. I have known Amaya since she was a little girl and I have also known her though the third hokage's eyes. I know the danger that she poses but, if we go through with this plan, there needs to be a contingency plan in place that is not detrimental to the village's health."
Both Dano and Koharu were caught off guard. They thought that Homura would be the easier one to win in this conversation, to bring to their side and isolate Tsunade, but it only seemed to backfire. Taking this as her chance, Tsunade knew that she needed to act now—and fast.
"If we send Amaya out on one of these so called suicide missions and she makes it back, then what? Say she does her tasks and fights for the village, without bringing harm upon Konoha?"
"That is why the contingency plan needs to be here."
"What chances would she have to make it back here if we send her out on a mission where we know she won't return from?" Koharu scoffed, not believing that they were still talking about this.
"I propose that if we do send Amaya out on one of these missions, if she does come back and she herself doesn't threaten the village, we could work something out where she could have immunity from the charges against her. That the charges of being in the bingo book, and the ones of her being a traitor to this village could be redacted and she could go on to be a part of this community again."
"We can't do that, there wouldn't be enough trust left if she came back. What happens if she goes up against the Akatsuki and lets them go? Or acts like she did something to help us which just in turn comes around to bite us all in the ass later?"
"I agree with Tsunade-sama."
"Thank you I—wait what?" Koharu jaw dropped slightly, not believing what Danzo just said.
Tsunade couldn't believe it either. It was almost too good to be true, so she too closed her mouth and focused her attention on Danzo while he spoke.
"I think that that is fair to ask for your friend, and I am willing to agree that if she were to come back, and all criteria was met, we could pardon her from her sins towards this village. However, Tsunade-sama, in my mind, you have to know that the mission we elect for Amaya, there isn't a doubt in my mind that she isn't going to be coming back from it. She will die on the battle field as a weapon, just as she was raised to do."
Tsunade watched as Homura and Koharu said their goodbyes after the awkwardness and pissing fight that Danzo and Tsunade were trying to have. Even though the hokage was annoyed with the female elder she couldn't help but understand her side of things. She was just trying to voice her opinions as to what would be the best for this village, even if she was thinking with her lady parts for some of the conversation. However, what really surprised her was that Homura came to her defense on the end. The neutral and well-mannered elderly male was and has always been set in his ways and for him to get her back, and say something decently positive about Amaya, was astonishing.
She waited for a moment to raise from her own chair, and when she did, she wasn't the least bit surprised to see Danzo standing over by her desk, waiting to talk to her about something. There was nothing more that she wanted to do than to put Danzo in his place, but she never wanted to play into his hand. She was going to act like they were playing Danzo's game, but she knew to beat him at it, she was going to have to switch to a version of her own in order to win. She was a little taken aback by how Danzo agreed so easily about Amaya and giving her immunity from her charges. However, unlike Danzo, Tsunade knew how much of a fighter Amaya was. Tsunade just hope that the kunoichi never lost her hope and the the fire that burned hot inside of her.
"You are starting to get in choppy waters with those two, you know?"
"Well, I may have disagreements on what is best for this village from time to time, but I know that as long as they are willing to work with me, a few disagreements should harm our relationships. Its kind of you to try and point that out, however."
"Heh, if I was in your position, I would never in my years let anything like this happen to this village. All of this chaos over a stupid kunoichi."
"Good thing that you aren't in charge of Konoha. If you were I am sure we would have plenty of other things to worry about."
"I definitely wouldn't want to inherit this mess that you made," Danzo retorted with his sly remark.
Tsunade smiled and pressed her hands to her back and held them there, turning to get Danzo's full attention on her.
"The only reason why you are here right now, standing in this office without cuffs on, is because I allow it. One of your subordinates may be used on this new team, but you should never, ever forget, that I have the final say on everything that goes on in this village. That includes your silly little foundation."
"Are you threatening me?"
"No, I'm doing you a favor and reminding you of the insignificant role you play in this community. That when the new generation beings a fresh air of life in the new coming spring of next year, you will be one to slowly rot in a grave and be forgotten. I will make sure of that."
"I'm sure your grandfather wouldn't approve. I heard he never did like you trying to punch your way through things."
"I have learned that sometimes, a heavy fist is all that takes to make someone listen to you. I mean, we can test the theory out right now if you would like? And if not, my doors are always open for you."
"Thank you, but I doubt you will be around long enough in this position to really waste my times on such remarks."
"Don't worry, both of us may come to surprise the other. Now, please, you know where the door is, and I hope you can see yourself out without an aid. You have been looking for frail these days, Danzo-san, and I wouldn't want any extraneous activity to hinder your health even more than it is already deteriorating."
Danzo snorted air through his nose but did leave the Hokage's office without another remark. Tsunade didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad one, but she was going to take it that she won this round. It was the only thing she really could do. Plus, she had to get on top of setting some other things in motion. Sitting down in her chair behind her desk, she started to shift through some paper work, waiting for someone to appear in front of her, one that she summoned before her meetings with the elders took place.
"Hokage-sama?"
Tsunade looked up at the man in front of her, dressed in tradition captain wear from the Anbu complete with mask.
"I have a new mission for you Tenzo…."
"May I ask what this is about?"
"All in good time. However, I wanted you to hear this as soon as possible, but you will be taking over Kakashi's role in team seven while he is recuperating at the hospital. The elders and I have decided that it is best to place Naruto into a four-man celled team."
"If I may ask, Tsuande-sama, who is the other person joining myself, Naruto, and Sakura?"
"Someone of Danzo's choosing from the foundation."
Tenzo didn't say anything more, he didn't have to. The silence spoke for itself.
"I think it is best that you assimilate back into the civilian world and to do that, I need to change your name. I have been thinking about it for a while, and have decided on the name Yamato."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
"You will find more information about everything this later in a detailed mission report, but for now, please get ready for your new role as Yamato."
Yamato nodded his head once at Tsunade and she nodded back, dismissing the man. When all was quiet once more, Tsunade could feel a feeling of unease wash over her body. Sighing, she pulled open the bottom of her desk drawer and reached towards the back. And old, expensive, half-gone bottle of sake was there, the contents inside swishing around. The blonde pulled the cork from the bottle and pressed the rim to her lips, letting the warm liquid rush down the back of her throat. She turned around and looked at the window and hoped that what was coming wasn't as bad as what she feared.
Gai was in one of the more forest-like parts of the village trying to work on his energy of youth. To him, it was always time to practice, and there was nothing that would get in the way of his rivalry with Kakashi. He knew that his friend was recovering in the hospital, so Gai took it upon himself to work even harder on his normal routine. Thank way, some of the energy that he managed to create can go to Kakashi and speed up his recovery time and process. Gai had always been a true believer of hard work and the karma that went with it. It always paid to be positive. Even when everything else seemed dark, there was always a light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how hopeless things seemed.
This just translated to him showing this in more eccentric ways, but it made the black-haired male the person he was today. Gai was about to make his 1087th lap around the village on his hands, and he was still going strong. He figured that after this lap, he needed to push himself harder and do the rest on his fingertips. Instead of just his hands. If that wasn't enough he would use his two index fingers and use that strength to carry him around the village. Some of the other shinobi, he knew, thought that he was insane for pushing himself to such extremes, but his rival, Kakashi, was one to always support him. Even in the white-haired nin's depressive past, he at least humored Gai with his youthful spirit and that was all Gai needed to determine how Kakashi was truly a great person and friend.
That was why, as he worked out, after every other step, he sent a silent wave-length to his friend hoping that his positive energy will give Kakashi a speedy recovery. Gai knew that after taking with the hokage that Kakashi just over-worked himself, but Gai knew that he needed to do something. He wasn't the type to just sit around and wait. He wanted to get after it, be the person who worked hard and put his best foot forward. He just hoped that others, like his friend Kakashi, could see that. Even now, as it seemed since a blue-haired kunoichi not only came back into his life' but his friend's life as well, it seemed to throw everything Kakashi thought upside-down. Gai knew his friend well enough that he wouldn't show his emotions on his sleeve, but deep down Gai knew that it troubled Kakashi to see a face again that he thought was gone from his life forever.
That, and having the responsibility to choose, in the battle-field no less, whether his former lover was to die by his hand or not, could not have been an easy choice to make on anyone. No matter the past between the two. Gai looked at the sweat that fell in little droplets on the ground right under his nose and he continued to walk on his hands. If anyone needed his youthful energy in a time like this—it was Kakashi. As Gai made a turn and came to one of the more secluded training areas of Konoha, one famously visited by Sasuke when he was practicing his shuriken throwing and his sharingan's abilities, Gai heard someone taking out their aggression on an innocent tree. That, and the sound of electricity and birds kept ringing through the air.
Gai pushed himself off of his hands and landed on his feet, brushing himself off. He looked around the field, getting an upright view of the scenery in front of him. He knew who he was looking for, and he wasn't going to stop him from training with the engery of youth on his side, he just didn't know, from the hokage's instructions, if training this intensely was a good thing. However, like with his favorite student, Lee, Gai had a soft spot for people wanting to get better quickly, and get back into training. So, he would do everything in his power to help out and be there for someone, watching over them too, just to make sure that they don't do anything to crazy in their recovery time.
Training should help someone get better, to get healthier, but over doing it could lead to devastating consequences, and even more delayed time back into the field. Gai had to rub his nose at his own thought, knowing that he should probably take head of his own advice, especially in his younger years when he had thought he had something to prove to the nin and people around him. Gai watched his rival take out his emotions on the innocent trees around him, not caring in the slightest, or maybe not realizing that Gai was even there. Looking around there was jagged pieces of wood all over the place and some trees had even been toppled over with their cores missing from them.
The smell of burnt wood was lingering through the air as Kakashi's chidori did a number on the bark of the wood around them. Sweat ran down Kakashi's face and soaked his collar and the back of his shirt. Even with his shirt being black and the trees providing shade, Gai could still see the stress and strain Kakashi was placing on his already fatigued body. There were also shuriken and kunai scattered all around. Most fallen off of the targets that were around, but it still created a messy atmosphere around the white-haired nin. Kakashi took a deep breath and looked up towards the sky, closing his eyes and Gai took this as his chance to approach his rival. It was obvious that the closer he got to his friend, the ore overworked Kakashi seemed to be that.
Gai stopped when he saw that Kakashi's hands still held a spark, almost as if he was getting ready to discharge another chidori unconsciously. Sighing, Gai's attitude started to turn into melancholy and he debated whether to say anything to his friend at all. However, in that swift thought, Kakashi's legs buckled and he landed hard on his knees. This action pushed Gai towards his friend without even thinking. Gai slung one of Kakashi's arms around his shoulder and lifted the white-haired nin upwards and walked him over to one of the trees to lean against.
When they were close enough to the tree, Kakashi slapped away Gai's help, and Gai let him. Kakashi leaned up against the tree, out of breath looking miserable. Gai scratched the back of his neck, words failing him. He wasn't one to get stumped by words in these situations, but there was a first time for everything. So, Gai decided to do what he always did and follow his heart—he couldn't go wrong with that.
"As much as I enjoy a good training with a spirit of you, Kakashi, my rival, I also respect when the spirit tells me that I have to have a rest."
Kakashi wiped his mouth and at first, he didn't say anything to Gai, making the situation seem awkward, but Gai didn't let it phase him.
"I'm fine Gai. I don't have time to sit around and waste it."
"I can understand that. At least let me help you recharge your youthful spirit before you go back out there charging full speed ahead!" Gai grinned at Kakashi, and Kakashi just nodded his head at the man, letting the tree bear most of the white-haired nin's weight.
The two waited for Kakashi to catch his breath, and Gai took to looking at the cloudy sky up above. Lately the sun had a hard time peeking out through the clouds in Konoha, and even though the clouds turned dark and threatened to rain, it hardly did. For that, the village should be thankful, but it was as if the world around them was holding in its pain and suffering, instead of letting it go. Just like Gai's rival seemed to be doing it now.
"I apologize for interrupting your training, Gai."
"You can never interrupt the spirit of youth! Training always happens for me at every given moment of every given day. Even when I sleep I practice my youthfulness! I will just make up for it by pushing myself twice as hard… I have to keep up with your progress as well… Kakashi… my eternal rival!"
Kakashi nodded his head in response and ran his hand through his hair. The two of them kept talking about different training routines and things to try to improve stamina. The two never broaching the subject of the elephant in the room between them. Gai was the one that was there when Kakashi was debating whether to take Amaya's life out of her eyes or not. The white-hair nin couldn't determine if it was a blessing that Gai wasn't prying and was keeping things positive and light, or if he wished his rival and closest friend would ask the question that was lingering unanswered between the two of them. Instead, Gai asked Kakashi about his hospitalization.
"I heard that your hospitalization process will be coming to an end shortly. That is goof that the spirit of youth is working on your side!" Gai gave Kakashi a thumbs up.
"I guess so. I've just had enough of that place and needed an escape and a different change of scenery."
Gai didn't argue with Kakashi, understanding that feeling perfectly. However, he noticed that I was something more than that, Kakashi's harsh tone a dead giveaway that he was trying to work through some things on his own. Gai moved to walk in front of Kakashi and Kakashi thought that this was Gai parting with him, but instead, Gai pulled Kakashi into a hug. The white-haired nin straightened his back, and gave Gai a quick pat of the back reciprocating the affection. Kakashi just wasn't expecting a true hug like that. He didn't have a problem with hugs especially from other guys, it just seemed to come out of nowhere from his rival. Especially one that seemed serious and not in a joking manner.
When Gai pulled away from Kakashi, he placed his hands on his hips and even with his jumpsuit on, he tried to act as serious as he possibly could. Kakashi hadn't seen a Gai like this outside of battle in a long time, and it almost made Kakashi want to brace himself for being the butt of a prank or put his guard up knowing that whatever Gai was about to say to him, he probably wasn't going to like it—even if his rival was right.
"Kakashi, my rival, no, my friend," Gai gripped Kakashi's shoulders and shook him a little bit trying to get emphasis with his words, "I must ask… were you really going to kill Amaya in cold blood like that out there in the battle field?"
Kakashi stopped breathing and looked away, but his words didn't fail him. Instead, Kakashi brushed Gai's hands off of his shoulders and gave Gai a clear and resounding answer.
"Yes, I would have."
Gai looked up at the sky once more, not letting Kakashi's actions of brushing him off affect his demeanor. Kakashi looked at his rival, expecting him to shout at him something in relation to the fact that youthful spirit wouldn't allow Kakashi to make such a decision like that, but Gai surprisingly never did. Instead, Gai turned his gaze back to Kakashi and calmly spoke to him.
"Well, all in all, I am happy that we brought Amaya back to the village and you didn't kill her."
"Gai, you shouldn't say that… she is a traitor that—"
Gai just casted Kakashi a sideways glance as if he knew something that Kakashi didn't. Almost as Gai was trying to hint to Kakashi that he had yet to get the whole story from Amaya and he was happy that there may come a time in the future where the white-haired nin and kunoichi could place down their kunais and have a conversation with the other again.
"All I know is that she was shoved into a corner by Danzo the night that she left and refused any help from me."
"Everything I know about Amaya, seems like there is more to this story than you know Kakashi. Maybe she refused your help because she thought it was the best thing to do to protect you from whatever was going on. Whatever made her break away from the village, had to be something big. Something that you don't know about."
"Which side are you on here, Gai? Mine or that traitor?" Kakashi asked with venom in his voice.
Gai simply held up his hands, not trying to start something with Kakashi. Shrugging his shoulders, Gai responded to Kakashi's remark.
"I'm not trying to take anyone's side. If at all, I am taking Konoha's side, trying to see both faces of the coin. All I am saying is that it is something to think about, and with Amaya alive, you can finally understand what made her leave. I know that when she left, she had to be put in the bingo book and marked accordingly, especially with the people she came to hang out with in her time away from the village, but I can't help but wonder that there is more to this story than meets the eye. The Amaya I know loved this village, and even more than that, she loved you. I know that she wouldn't do anything to jeopardize that."
Kakashi scoffed at Gai's heartfelt remark and wanted to roll his eyes at his words. Instead, Kakashi just shoved Gai out of the way, and refused to play along to his rival's game. Kakashi turned back to the tree he had been leaning against, and started putting his fists to the bark, feeling the wood through the skin of his knuckles. Kakashi hoped that Gai would get the memo and his friend did. As Gai turned around and started to walk back to the dirt path with his hands in his pockets, Kakashi made a final remark towards him.
"I don't think we knew Amaya as well as we thought."
That's when Kakashi heard Gai throw back his head and laugh.
"I don't think we knew her as well as we thought, either, but I do know you, Kakashi, my rival. I know that you won't stop until you uncover the truth. To that, I am certain."
Kakashi laid on the ground, huffing, trying to catch his breath. He watched as the clouds reflected dark oranges and blues and the sun started to set out of sight. There was a crisp wind blowing through the forest in this early spring, and it took all of Kakashi's mindset not to shiver against it. Kakashi placed his forearm over his eyes, trying to block the world out around him. Ever since Gai left him with those parting words, Kakashi couldn't seem to stop thinking about them. Maybe it was karma, or mother nature's way of bringing new life into the world with the season change of spring, but with everything that happened lately, with both Naruto and Amaya coming back into his life, Kakashi was having a hard time processing it all.
The white-haired nin took a deep breath and tried to relax until he felt a familiar chakra behind him. It wasn't unusual that he was getting visited by his old pupil, it was just nowadays, they didn't have much to talk about. Kakashi had tried to avoid Tenzo ever since Amaya had come back to Konoha. He just wasn't in the mood to answer questions from other people yet, when he could barely get a grip on his own.
"I thought the hokage would have assigned you a new mission by now, Tenzo."
"It's good to see you too, Kakashi-sensei. Always trying to overwork yourself I see," Tenzo said in a dry and humorless voice.
Kakashi removed his arm from his face and stood up, brushing himself off in the process.
"Well, I guess I do have some information for you on that front, that is actually why I am here. Tsunade-sama actually gave me a new name for the mission, so if it is all the same to you, I would like you to call me Yamato from now on."
"Yamato… I like it. What, it stands for harmony and peace, or something like that?"
"Yeah, something like that."
"It suits you."
"Thanks."
"I mean, I know you are moving up in the world, but to me, I think you will always be Tenzo to me," Kakashi teased at Yamato.
There was nothing more the brunet wanted to do than to stick his tongue out at his old teacher and childishly reply with something to make Kakashi stop teasing it.
"You better not call me Tenzo in the future."
"Old habits die hard, what can I say?"
"Well, you seem to be in a better mood since your workout…" Yamato treaded lightly, seeing what mood Kakashi really was in.
Instead of taking notice of it, Kakashi decided to let the comment slip of his shoulder. He didn't want another random conversation like the one that was still rattling around in his head from Gai. Usually Gai was the happy-go-lucky one and it still unnerved Kakashi how serious the man could get sometimes. It was almost comical with how little people know about Gai's true personality. Yes, he is happy and eccentric, working hard with everything that he does, but Gai had always been more than just the funny background character.
"So, what is this mission about then, that you wanted to get my advice on it or something?" Kakashi sniffled and ran a hand through his sweaty hair.
Yamato tried not to notice the destruction around the training ground, but it was a little hard to do when everything seemed to be thrown about and in burnt shards all around them.
"No, I just figured that you should hear it from me first, before it coming out to you. I will be the one in charge of leading Naruto, Sakura, and another chunin into a location that Orochimaru may be hiding out at… and the kicker is, is that Sasuke has been spotted living there as well."
Kakashi's eyes widen at the mention of Sasuke and started to ramble, telling Yamato to be safe on the mission and not let Orochimaru get under his skin too much. Especially, if Orochimaru's old pupil Kabuto is there at the hideout too. Yamato listened to Kakashi intently, soaking up all the information that Kakashi was giving out. Yamato almost wanted to pull out a small notebook he kept in his back pocket and take notes on what his former teacher was telling him.
"Who is this new chunin that will be the last member of the cell?" Kakashi asked in a pleasant enough manner without trying to overstep.
"I know that his name is Sai…"
"And?"
"And the kicker is, is that apparently he is being brought up from the foundation. He is apparently around Naruto and Sakura's age, but besides that, I know nothing else about the kid."
Kakashi nodded his head as he felt his mouth go dry with the mention of Danzo's pet project. He knew how those people, that were brain washed in the foundation, acted, and he was happy that Yamato was able to get out of it when he could—that and Kakashi was thankful that the third pulled some strings for him. Kakashi knew that if he had ever belonged to the foundation for longer than he had, it would have ended his life at a young age. The two then fall in a comfortable silence, and Yamato, not wanting to poke Kakashi any further, when he seemed clearly agitated, enough to escape from the hospital and work himself ragged, thought that he should take his leave. Yamato nodded his head and said a quick thanks to Kakashi and just as he was about to turn around, Yamato heard Kakashi ask him a question he never thought would ever come from the white-haired nin's lips again.
"How is she doing?"
Yamato opened his mouth to reply, but with the shock of Kakashi asking the question, it seemed as if no words wanted to come out of his mouth and form an answer.
That's when Kakashi catches himself and quickly covers, "I know that you have been assigned to take care of her, especially since you have been paying for an extra apartment all this time in case she ever got back."
Yamato scratched the back of his neck as he felt like Kakashi was setting him up and baiting him for a trap. He knew that nothing like this would have gotten passed Kakashi, Yamato just assumed that after everything happened, everything regarding Amaya, Kakashi never wanted to hear about again.
"There hasn't been much change… but I can say that I caught the tail end of the hokage, the elder council, and Danzo having a discussion about her."
At the sound of this, Kakashi's ears seemed to perk up and all his undivided attention was now focused on Yamato. Yamato tried to look away from the intensity of Kakashi's gaze, not liking being the center of attention. Shaking his hands out in front of him, the brunet didn't have much to say on the matter and confessed that he didn't know much about what they talked about in regard to her, or the conditions of Amaya staying in the village.
"I do have a guess though, was that whatever they were talking about, not many positive things will probably come out of it…"
"Why do you say that?"
"I did hear the last bit of Danzo's part in the conversation… and it seems that if Amaya is to stay here, the council and Tsunade are going to send Amaya to fight our enemies—"
"That's not a bad thing—"
"On a suicide mission. They want to use her as Konoha's secret weapon of sorts… and if Danzo has it his way… Amaya isn't going to be coming back from it either."
Kakashi clenched and unclenched his fists, not knowing what to think about that. On one hand he was ready to kill Amaya, to be done with her forever, as his hatred boiled out and was ready to consume him. On the other, Gai's words echoed through his mind. That Kakashi didn't know the whole story and before he passed judgement, he should learn everything he could before it was too late. But, Kakashi didn't even know if he wanted that. Hell, he didn't even know if he ever wanted to see Amaya's face again, and if he did he didn't know how he would react. Personally, he would probably tell her to go to hell, and whatever came her way in the future, she probably deserved it for putting him through as much suffering as he did.
"Kakashi, can I ask or rather tell you something?"
Kakashi never replied to Yamato, so the good-natured brunet decided that it was now or never. Yamato licked his lips and braced himself for the worst.
"Amaya asked me if I was still interested in marrying her…"
The white-haired nin's nostrils flared and he shot daggers at the brunet. Fury, with a hint of envy, washed over Kakashi's features instead of biting Yamato's head off, he just growled a question at him.
"What do you mean she asked you if you were still interested in marrying her? She is a traitor, Tenzo. You best never forget that."
"It was all in good fun, we laughed about it really. I know she doesn't feel that way about me and instead still feels—"
"Don't you dare say it, I really can't take any more of this shit coming from Gai, and now you?"
"Kakashi, I wasn't thinking—"
"No, no you weren't because you never do Tenzo. Don't get close to her or—"
"Or what? Or what, Kakashi? I am sorry that she broke your heart and you are too stubborn to go over there and work things out between the two of you. I happen to know that she is my best friend. My best friend Kakashi and to me, it is plain as day how she still feels about you. That girl still loves you. Every. Single. Day. She has loved you for every single day since meeting you, and can you honestly say the same? No. Because you are too wound up in your own pity party to see much of anything else. Grow a pair and man up. And to top it all off, get my name right, you ass."
"Don't start saying that bullshit—"
"Well it is that bullshit that you need to hear right now to get your own head out of your ass. Plus, you shouldn't even be out here! Do you want to get even more sick and have an even longer stay in the hospital because you are really starting to become a pain in my ass, Kakashi!"
Without thinking, Kakashi pulled back his arm and clocked Yamato on the side of the jaw, making Yamato take a step back with the force. Kakashi was seething in anger, and all Yamato could do was spit out some of the blood from the punch. When Yamato turned his expression back to Kakashi, he wasn't going to take a lunge at the man, and instead Yamato couldn't help but chuckle.
"Finally, I got some emotion out of you."
"You did all of this to stir me up?" Kakashi said breathlessly.
"Yes. At least now I know that things can still get to you, and you just aren't wasting your life away in a depressive party you are throwing for yourself inside of your head, dealing with things in a non-appropriate manner…" Yamato said, gesturing to the landscape around them.
"You never make things easy, do you?"
"No. Plus, the hokage wants you back and I figured I could come get you and bring you back to the hospital and tell you about my mission. One of these two birds one stone things."
"I'm not going back to the hospital."
"You are either going to walk next to me as we walk there together, or I will knock you out and carry your stubborn, old ass there myself. Your choice."
"Why are you being such a pain in my ass today?"
"Why are being so difficult today."
"I have a lot on my mind."
"Then man up and deal with your issues like the rest of us."
Kakashi sighed and stopped walking. Instead he lowered his voice and directed his comment towards his old pupil.
"Everyone is looking their freaking minds today. Amaya is a traitor and I am apparently the only one that can see that. I shouldn't be the one getting their head out of their ass, it should be you, Gai, and the hokage. Amaya has you three wrapped around her fingers, and I am not going to be manipulated by her any longer."
Kakashi spit towards the ground and that was the last straw for Yamato. Yamato marched over to Kakashi and grabbed his collar with one hand, forcing Kakashi to place his hands over Yamato's to brace himself.
"If you think that Amaya deserves to be punished, to be killed, for protecting this village even after she left… than you are no better than Danzo… the man who is not only trying to get rid of Amaya but destroy the village in the process."
"What do you know about any of this, huh? You act all high and mighty… but you have no proof about any of this!"
"Neither do you! You weren't there when they tortured her Kakashi! You didn't see how run down she was, ready to give up on life itself. I even cloned myself as you, trying to get her to talk to us. The shit that she had to go through while she was away from the village… it would make even the most veteran shinobi puke inside of their mouth. You don't even know the first thing that kunoichi had to go through to save your ass, and here you are, thinking that the world is about you. That you were the only one who got hurt. What happened to the man that I used to look up to?"
Yamato let go of Kakashi, looking at him as if this conversation wasn't worth it anymore. That no amount of talking would fix the emotional strain that Kakashi had been placed under. It was up to Kakashi. It was his choice whether he wanted to keep feeling sorry for himself or find out the answers to the questions he had.
"If she had to deal with so much, then why didn't she say anything?"
"You never gave her the chance to. And with her how she is now, it's going to have to take a long time and someone special to bring her back from the darkness she is in, Kakashi."
"I didn't know—"
"No, you didn't. That's why you need to get your shit together. I'm not the only one tired of you not dealing with your problems head on, like you used to. It's out of character for you to be like this and you need to get it together. Decide what you need to do. Whether it is to man up and face Amaya, or place a dagger in her chest like she did to you. You need to get your shit together and get everything in your head answered. If you don't, all this hatred is going to consume you and eat you alive. I'll much rather deal with a Kakashi who has their mind made up about hating someone than being an emotional mess who doesn't know where they stand. Get your shit together, because I don't want you to be the reason someone out there dies in the battlefield because you are too stubborn to deal with your own shit."
And with that, Yamato left Kakashi alone, saying no formal goodbyes, as the night sky took its place above. Leaving Kakashi to once again, think about the words of his friends and how he really did have to work through his problems and decide how he really felt about his former lover.