A/N: I know I am late with this week's update, but I hope you enjoy it regardless! :)
Again I want to thank Be-Mindful for being the best beta I could possibly imagine! Seriously you're amazing!
Music: "Shot In The Back Of The Head" by Moby
- Chapter 6 -
The Traveler
About three weeks later
The canes of the bamboo grove weighed themselves to sleep in the soft light of the moon; undisturbed by the two shadows passing by. Their swift movements were blurs of thick darkness, marked only by the swirls of fallen leaves where their feet touched the ground.
Since their light amor was designed for travel and not fierce combat, they had chosen the shortest path to Konoha. It wasn't that their information was all too sensitive, but to abide by protocol, they would avoid unnecessary encounters of any kind.
Except that it seemed like unnecessary encounters were quite fond of them.
"Runjaah."
They stopped when the bird called for the second time — one of them clinging to a bamboo cane, whilst the other went flat in a pit on the ground with a camouflage cloak to merge with his surroundings.
Overly cautious one might think — however, those who recognized that the call belonged to a peacock should grow suspicious. This animal was hardly a habitant of the region. Hence its call might as well indicate that the two of them were up against someone — or perhaps even multiple opponents if it was a signal. Bird calls were a medium, which may have run out of fashion since its overuse during the last war, but who could say for sure?
Yet again the fake peacock cried and the forlorn sound towered to the silvery rustling of leaves.
The man hidden in the swaying green reached for a kunai from the weapon's pouch at his waist. His animal mask shone eerily in the moon glow and he lowered his head to watch the ground. Judging by the flicker close to him, the other hidden shinobi had armed himself too.
How long had they been onto them? Was it when they had entered the Wind Country or had they picked up their trail in the Land of Rivers? How high was the possibility that they had crossed bandit's territory?
Whatever applied in this case, they needed to tread carefully.
Slowly the ninja turned his attention back to the source of the bird call; the red of his single Sharingan eye piercing through the canes surrounding them.
Someone was out there, and it was not merely the fake bird calls. There was this incredibly strong killing intent that wafted in their direction. It enclosed the hidden duo and probed their defenses with a patience so contrary to the bottomless ki. Though it would have been quicker to send out a couple of shadow clones, Kakashi waited and his patience was finally rewarded when a figure entered the glade before him.
The man walking in their line of view moved with an almost somnambulistic grace; his hands interlocked behind his back as if in pursuit of a trail of thoughts displayed in front of his feet.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. He suddenly was overcome with the realization that this man had no chakra signature, in fact he had no chakra at all.
Now that was rather interesting as it reminded him of his ward. But knowing this, Kakashi still found himself hesitating whether to take action or not.
Attack, address or ignore?
First Kakashi discarded the last option of those three.
With the opportunity to find out about Fuu's mysterious lack of chakra, he could hardly go on and pretend this meeting had never happened. It was not only important to allay suspicions on Fuu but to ensure the safety of Konoha hosting her right now. And this man definitely could subserve as another piece to the sparse puzzle of his little ward.
The copy ninja watched the stranger drifting towards the other side of the clearing, continuing on his way with no apparent sign of having noticed them at all.
Regardless of everything else, this surely was a curious place for such an individual to appear. Never before in his life had Kakashi met a person without a trace of chakra, he did not even know that they existed at all until Fuu's sudden appearance.
Wasn't it a bit too much of a coincidence that he would encounter the next one so soon?
Without a sound Kakashi slipped down the bamboo cane and joined with Yamato who had stowed away the cloak. Though the silver haired ANBU could not see his teammates face, he knew that he too was wondering about that man. His gestures asked Kakashi what had happened to the killing intent oozing out of the shadows just moments ago. Since the only other noteworthy organisms around them were too small to pass as a threat, this left the musing stranger to be the only explanation — the only possible source.
Yamato turned to look at Kakashi, questioning him what to do with his silence what to do next and with a few short signs the squad leader communicated his plan.
"Ah" the man uttered as he was forced to look up, a kunai hitting the ground two feet in front of him.
His eyes travelled from the sharp weapon to the person within stone's throw of him. Just as the man lifted his head, he showed Yamato a mildly surprised yet undeniably amused expression. "Quite the night for such an encounter, I suppose?"
The stranger was wearing comfortable traveling clothes which showed a slender yet well trained body. He looked as if he was in his twenties and anything but hostile. His hands were at his sides but he opened them slightly under the demanding eyes of Yamato. No weapons, not even a sign that he felt bare without them. Unnerved, Yamato decided that he didn't look anything like an ordinary traveler either.
Kakashi surveyed the situation from above, again attached to a bamboo cane. His Sharingan went over the man again and again, trying to find a clue… any hint whatsoever. Although the dark hair covered most of his face something about him felt distantly familiar…
"Are you traveling alone?" Yamato asked, not moving an inch while the man stopped the movement of his hands to incline his head instead.
Regardless of the setting, he offered the ANBU a smile that did not involve his eyes. He just closed them and Yamato couldn't help with the frown forming below his mask. No shinobi would actually dare to willingly loose sight of his opponent.
"Same applies to you, mask-san. Makes me wonder what you've got to hide below that ghastly animal face."
"Are you going to answer my question?"
"Seems kind of unfair, but I'll humor you, mask-san. I do indeed travel alone" said the man and stretched the 'I' in his last sentence as if that did not apply to everyone around him.
This man could sense Kakashi despite the cover. Quite a feat for an ordinary traveler who just happened to have strayed from the made roads. Apparently Yamato's team leader had come up with the same conclusion because he appeared without a word behind the man.
The move seemed to please the stranger although he was now between them, "Well, now that we're all present, how may I be of service to you? Because I would actually like to move on."
"What's your destination?" Yamato asked picking up the conversation since he had started it and received a short nod in return from Kakashi.
"The Fire Country" the man responded readily as he hooked his thumbs in the pockets of his pants. It almost seemed as if this situation left him completely unfazed; his willing answers indicating that he either wanted to hide something or that his words were truthful and he indeed just wanted to move on.
"State your name and purpose for traveling to the Fire Country" Kakashi now demanded and the man turned to him, studying him with his still closed eyes — now paired with that dangerously innocent grin of his.
"Oh my, it can't be that I've encountered two shinobi of the infamous ANBU squad? Though that would hardly explain why you're currently traveling in the Land of Rivers? Maybe some top secret mission to ensure the safety of your much beloved village? Bet you're from the Leaf." His dark hair curled around his smile that stretched with his every word, although he spoke softly and with unchanging awe.
"Our origin or business are none of your concern. We were just wondering… why is it that you have no chakra traveler?" Kakashi still clutched the kunai in his hand.
"My I wonder!" the man exclaimed suddenly and burst out laughing mockingly in their faces. Something about Kakashi's question must have entertained him greatly and it took some time before it faded to deep chuckles. They quickly sounded like a threat.
'So much about answering willingly' Yamato thought as he made a slight adjustment in his stance. It was so small a movement that the man shouldn't have been able to spot it, but he shifted his body accordingly — without actually giving it much thought. His profile still showed that his eyes were closed with a decided smile.
Kakashi was all too familiar with this zigzag course of the conversation. It was however highly unlikely, he thought, that someone who seemed to be actually inferior would put up such a front with such carefully chosen words. This was the game of to and fro that Kakashi had familiarized himself with during the interrogations of trained enemy shinobi. A quiet voice in his head warned him not to underestimate that creepily smiling individual.
His suspicions proved true only a second later.
Kakashi suddenly tensed to the feeling of something touching his chakra. The feeling, almost violating in its unreservedness, made the ANBU captain flinch visibly. What kind of sensor technique was this?
"Lightning and … " the stranger mused, his tongue clicking as if savoring something rather delicious. Kakashi noticed the tremble in Yamato's body as his teammate instinctively guarded himself with his arms. Who in the name of the nine tailed beast was this man? " … earth. What a shame, now I really wish that I had more time to play!"
With a dramatic sigh the traveler raised his brows and finally opened his eyes. Kakashi had expected that there was some kind of trick — given that he himself possessed a doujutsu. Yet the surprise was not that obvious — instead it was much more unsettling and hit him from quite a different angle.
In the moonlight, which still illuminated their little scene, his eyes were ordinary. So much that it took the ANBU captain a few seconds to actually notice it.
"Could that be recognition?" the man wondered and his eyes widened at finding the disbelief in Kakashi's own dark orbs behind the mask. He easily held the gaze that the silver haired ANBU send his way. For Kakashi it was unbelievable enough to slow his reaction.
Yet again this encounter proved to be a remarkable coincidence, maybe too remarkable in its own way.
Kakashi's Sharingan verified that this man's eyes had exactly the same shape and shade as Fuu's. That and the lack of chakra somehow left only one conclusion.
Raising his hand in a thoughtful manner to his pursed lips, the stranger gingerly touched them with his index finger. "Ah, so you've met that lovely child of mine? Still playing her little games I see … "
"Who are you talking about?" Kakashi balked at the suggestion, raising both his hands with every intention to knock this freak out. It was hard to anticipate what this chakraless man would do next and Kakashi felt slightly out of his element.
"Since Futaba is hiding, it should be Fuu you're currently dealing with. About this height—" marking a point somewhere above his knee, "— and so very adorable. She got my good looks, though I believe that her delicious mother included some of her nice traits as well." At this point the man stopped to sigh softly at the memory before he turned to take in the tremble that had befallen Kakashi. His smirk grew.
'Who is Futaba?'
'My guardian spirit.'
Kakashi could not ignore the memory surfacing upon hearing him mention that name. Maybe this was the point when he finally lost the upper hand of the situation. His mind was reeling, trying to find something to contradict his growing suspicions.
"Let me guess … she addresses you with sama, whatever your name may be, and pays great attention not to annoy anyone — to not to be a burden" the man mused and reminisced with that unnerving playful manner. It alarmed Yamato just as much as Kakashi's reactions.
This was getting completely out of hand.
Nonetheless the stranger continued to walk down memory lane undisturbed. "Oh, she's a gem! Never failed to amuse me with her futile attempts at playing the game of trust and loyalty. Though considering that my baby girl now returned to your hidden village, she was betrayed yet again! First her mother, then her brother, followed by one half of her clan who ignored her misery and then there was yet again her brother, trying to regain her loyalty and messing up biiig time. Like, seriously! Should have been there to witness that, definitely would have been worth a few more spectators. And finally her sensei. He locked her up and — oh at some point she lost her only friend! Sorry, forgot about that one! I do always mess up the order of her little adventures, ah…"
"What's your point?" Kakashi's voice was calm, but his eyes were hollow and dwelling in its depth with contempt and disgust. "Besides proving that you are a failure of a parent, that is?"
"Oh please! Don't jump to conclusions, dear ANBU-san. I warned her, but kids nowadays rarely listen to their parents now, do they?"
Before Yamato finished his seals Kakashi charged towards the man between them and flung the kunai in his hand with cold blood rushing through his veins. But the man — Kakashi refused to refer to him as Fuu's father — was dodging him with bored ease.
He danced around him with fleet-footed grace rivaling any technique Kakashi had ever seen. Yamato relocated, watched their feet before making bamboo canes spring up — sharpening their ends with the same contempt that fueled Kakashi's decision to set this man straight.
However his head was still leveled enough to register the transformation happening to his oppponents's body. How the traveler aged with every turn he made — and finally, the sudden rise in chakra. It was almost blazing.
"Watch out!"
But it was already too late.
The hand hit Kakashi the second he managed to fling the kunai at the man.
Pain exploded in his chest, ripping him apart and making his blood boil furiously through his veins. It was as if that man had cracked his chest open to tear his heart right out. Kakashi gradually felt his senses fade, lost control over his limbs. The last thing he heard was the satisfying thud, when his kunai hit, just before his sight all but vanished.
Kakashi collided with something. He couldn't tell what it was. Probably the ground.
How? How was someone able to keep up with him, without using any chakra? Up against his Sharingan?
It occurred to him just seconds before entering the unconscious state that this man now knew about the whereabouts of Fuu. She was currently house-sitting in Konoha — waiting for his return…
Did he fail again in protecting someone?
"It's kind of unfair" Kurenai complained and considering her age, the pout on her face was hardly appropriate. "Whenever he returns, she's all about 'Hatake-sama this', 'Hatake-sama that'. It doesn't even bother him!"
Propped against the front facade of the building closest to the gate, Kurenai folded her arms. Her red eyes never left the frame of the small girl standing a few feet away from them. On her other side Asuma was wise enough not to respond to her continuous ramblings and instead took a drag of his cigarette. He did however extend his hand and squeezed hers gently before releasing it. He quite enjoyed the slight blush that now spread on her face.
'Something to miss' Asuma thought and felt yet again the lump in his throat.
Since the last fight, he had not found the time to talk things over with his father.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was undeniably a great Hokage and the people of Konoha had every reason to be proud to be led by such an outstanding individual. It was still the time of unrest, the dust settling after the war and the attack of the Nine-Tails. Especially after their long-awaited peace had yet again been disturbed by one of their own — a prodigy of his generation.
Now the leaves of the hidden village rustled with suspicion and irritation, giving their Hokage a hard time to keep them all in line. But in the course of ensuring safety for everyone, the Third was unable to meet the demands of his son. Long ago Asuma had accepted the fact that his father would always continue down his way — only halting ever so briefly to bemoan the loss of his dear wife before carrying on.
Between the lips of the shinobi the cigarette stopped its anxious little dance.
Asuma could no longer deny the feelings lingering inside of him and although he knew that Kakashi, and even Guy, would definitely support his plan, he feared that Kurenai might not understand.
With his father always going on about the great honor of bearing the name Sarutobi, Asuma could no longer shake off the feeling of never having belied these expectations. What Asuma wanted was his own name to live up to, not the shadow of his old man to live in. And who knew? Maybe he would finally muster up the courage and tell the woman to his right, how he felt about her…
"What?" Kurenai inquired, having picked up on him scrutinizing her out of the corners of his eyes.
The blush, which had already faded to a soft pink, once again darkened and jarred beautifully with her red eyes. He was the only one to make her blush and Asuma hoped that this would never change. Even when he would leave her behind.
Finally he discreetly blew the smoke in the other direction, before mumbling, "I think that parenting suits you."
Whatever it was that Kurenai had expected, it were definitely not those words. Asuma savored that flabbergasted expression of hers; storing it in his mind along with her smiles and the sound of her rare but wholehearted laugh. Just too soon her elbow hit his side and the pout from earlier was replaced by an embarrassed sulk.
With a low chuckle Asuma turned back to Fuu who balanced on a nearby bench glancing at ten-second intervals towards the gates of Konoha.
She was indeed a strange child and for a brief second their eyes met. The serene green of her almond shapes always seemed to press in his mind and as his senses perked up, a strange calmness soothed his worry. This always happened when he was around her.
Asuma inclined his head and she sent a sheepish smile his way holding her hands behind her back before clumsily spinning on one foot.
The sun was about to set and gold light flooded the great doors bathing the little girl and blinding the shinobi and kunoichi behind her.
"Kurenai, Asuma — there he is!" Fuu called suddenly and everything about her could barely contain her joy.
Kneading the new dress Kurenai had just bought for her earlier that day, she waited for a sign and Kurenai finally waved her off with a deep and long sigh.
"I still believe that he does not deserve to be admired so much" the kunoichi decided as she watched Asuma grind his cigarette butt under his heel before they both followed the little girl.
"Well, I'd agree if it was only Fuu being crazy about him but it seems that Kakashi is quite fond of her as well." Asuma bumped her slightly with his shoulder, earning himself a stern gaze.
"Before he started having her cook for him, clean his house and run errands I thought this was the best that could possibly happen — to both of them. But now that he's picked up this weird habit of playing pranks on her I am not so sure about that anymore. She is a civilian after all."
"Though the time he encouraged her to walk on the water … " acknowledged Asuma as he chuckled at the memory of it, slowly following the happily bouncing child.
"At least Kakashi ended up taking a swim as will."
"Took care of that yourself, huh?"
"Now that's-" but Kurenai never got to finish that sentence as her eye caught sight of the group gathering around the new arrivals.
Upon approaching they noted that one person was on the ground, wounded, and while Kurenai instantly grabbed a kunai Asuma slipped on his chakra blades. So close to the gate it was not unthinkable that someone had entered without permission, though they soon realized that it was quite the contrary.
The group consisted of curious passerby and the guards of the gate, Hagane Kotetsu and Kamizuki Izumo. They tried to clear the scene and shield the crouching person from the questioning glances.
"Everything is alright, please move on and give them some space. That includes you too mister" Kotetsu remarked sourly, walking the old man away who started ranting about some old stories.
Fuu stood silently behind Izumo, hiding behind him as the grumbling group broke up and walked past her. Kurenai checked if she was okay before the little gasp parting Fuu's lips redirected her attention to the person on the ground. Between Asuma and an ANBU member was another animal masked person on all fours. The silver hair and build was unmistakable. It was Kakashi.
His ANBU teammate, probably Yamato, must have carried him here because now he could barely stand on his own feet, his limbs shaking. Kurenai swallowed hard and felt something uncomfortably cold drop in her stomach. Whoever they had encountered, Kakashi was still recovering and although she could see no blood, it was evident that he was barely conscious. His breath shallow, forcing him to gasp more than once for much needed air.
In between pants he was mumbling something inaudible.
"Quickly get him off the street" urged Izumo not sure if they could transport him to the hospital without causing further damage. At least that would give him some privacy.
But Kakashi shook off the helping hands and behind the slits of the ANBU mask he opened his eyes scanning his surroundings quickly before finally settling onto the shaking frame of the girl to his left.
"Fuu" he wheezed and his fingers twitched as if he meant for her to come closer. Stumbling forward the little girl was caught by Kakashi's arm and with what sounded like the burden of a mountain being lifted from his shoulders, the ANBU sank to the ground. He sighed deeply in relief strangling his ward in a tight embrace.
"What the hell happened?" It was Asuma who finally gave voice to the question they all had in mind and after seeing that Kakashi was still recuperating, they turned their questioning eyes on Yamato.
The ANBU moved his head discreetly while checking for unsolicited listeners. He crossed his arms in front his chest, hesitating for a second. Kakashi had asked him not to mention anything about the possible relation between Fuu and that stranger. At least not to Yuhi or the younger Sarutobi.
Yamato regarded the girl warily. She was carefully kneeling in the crook of Kakashi's arm, allowing him to simply hold her while his breathing calmed. The expression on her face showed her worry quite openly and yet… Yamato only knew very little about the girl but it sure was strange just how familiar the man seemed to be with her.
Finally remembering the others, Yamato looked up. "We were attacked."
"Do tell!" Asuma retorted but realized that this was hardly the right place nor time to discuss this. Especially since Kakashi needed immediate attention. He cleared his throat, "You should report to the Third we'll get him to the hospital."
Yamato accepted the offer with a short nod and took off with just a glance to his team leader who still cradled Fuu close to him. He did not mind meeting the Hokage on his own, but Kakashi's condition worried him. Not to mention that his reaction upon facing Fuu showed that he was clearly biased.
It was still a mystery to the young ANBU, how Kakashi had foreseen the intention of the stranger in advance to the attack. His kunai had naturally found its way to the heart of the man, exposing him to the fact that they had been dealing with a clone all along. Oddly enough, this one was neither made of shadow, nor water or sand — but blood.
"I'll be fine" Kakashi muttered once he had set up and glanced down at Fuu's silent worry. "It'll be fine."
As always Kakashi found it very tiring when people made a fuss about him — be it because he preferred solitude to group activities, or for the lack of control he had in these kinds of situations. Since Kurenai had taken it upon herself to watch over him during their visit at the hospital, his control was practically nonexistent. Well, it was in her hands.
While muttering something about 'hurting one of her boys' the kunoichi half dragged him through the administration at the hospital and off to the medical-nin. The poor apprentice had been considerably nervous under her red glare. She only left for a short while so he could take off his mask.
Kakashi felt somehow as sorry for medical staff as for himself — his sympathy lasted however only so long. They did leave him alone with her after all — the cowards.
"Thank you for watching Fuu, Kurenai" Kakashi finally managed and his head tilted to the side so that he could glance towards the seat she had claimed for herself upon entering the room.
"You're welcome."
Her face was now drained of her anger, fear and irritation. Otherwise she would have surely pondered over his reaction to Fuu earlier.
Sometimes Kakashi wondered why Kurenai would still waste her precious time on him — considering that he only made her worry.
It was a first for a very long time that he actually thought about her efforts. In truth Kakashi didn't want her so close. Pushing her away, however, had never really worked with her. Too close to be indifferent, too distant to actually talk her out of it. If something were to happen to her, it would probably taint Kakashi's conscious to the point of no return.
On their way back Kakashi had realized that the man did not only pose a danger for Fuu but Kurenai as well — not to mention Asuma and lastly Guy, who would run head first into battle as long as his friends were involved. After all the three of them had watched over his ward in his absence.
'Idiots' Kakashi thought but smiled nevertheless.
"I can tell that you're smiling. That's creepy. You shouldn't be smiling. Are you sure that you're alright?" Kurenai asked clearly questioning his previous statement as she found herself on the receiving end of his eye crinkling smile for the very first time.
"No. I just remembered how annoying you all are. Though I appreciate it in my own way."
"Sure… " agreed Kurenai with the beginnings of a snarl and her brows showed clearly that she had no idea what exactly he was on about. Seeing him flinch she grabbed the buzzer to call someone. "That's it! I am calling for an Iryo."
"No need. They have yet to find a cure for stupidity and recklessness" interrupted a voice with a deep rumble and Asuma entered the room through the open door, closely followed by Fuu who was carrying a little basket.
Since Kakashi had left for the mission with Yamato, there were some visible changes in Fuu's appearance. Her curls were still a bit messy but someone, surely Kurenai, had helped her taming them. Now there were only strands on either side of her face, the rest fell down the small of her back. The light blue dress was new as well and although Kakashi could tell that she liked it, he was sure that she had tried to refuse it a handful of times before finally giving in.
It was proof enough that it now hardly ever showed on her face anymore. Fuu was incredibly fast in adapting to them as well as to her new life. Her ability to blend in was simply astonishing and left Kakashi wondering if he would ever master it as well as this little girl apparently had.
'Since Futaba is hiding, it should be Fuu you're currently dealing with.'
"How is Futaba?" Kakashi asked and watched as Fuu's head shot up as well as Kurenai's. "That guardian spirit of yours. Has she been looking after you, Fuu?"
On the side of Kakashi's vision he noticed Kurenai slowly turning towards him, a silent question in her intense red gaze. Apparently Fuu had mentioned her little guardian spirit to her as well. Deciding to later ask her, he focused on the sunny smile on the girls face. If anything, it definitely betrayed any ill intention.
"Of course. But I have to ask her to watch out for you during your next mission, Hatake-sama. If you'll be with Futaba she'll surely defend you with all she's got."
"So strong, huh?"
"She's been protecting me all this time!" Fuu proclaimed proudly and placed the basket on his nightstand, unwrapping some fresh fruits that she knew he liked.
Kakashi looked deep into her green eyes and somehow the spinning in his head calmed considerably. Seeing her alive and unharmed was such a relief. The sigh forming in his chest caused some more pain, but he raised his arm regardless to dump it on top of her head. He was too tired to ruffle her hair but Fuu rewarded his effort with a gentle smile as she leaned into the touch.
'Alive' he reassured himself and sat up a little straighter although his whole body screamed at him to lie down and sleep.
'… considering that my baby girl now returned to your hidden village, she was betrayed yet again.'
If that freak and his words were not as fake as his creepy smile, Kakashi couldn't help but question what he knew about Fuu. What was the connection between the girl and her guardian spirit? Why did the stranger refer to them as if they were two different people — yet belonged together?
And that man had used the term 'returned'. This would imply that Fuu had lied when she had vowed to never have left the Uchiha district before. Lastly, there was this thing about her being betrayed and he himself could only imagine how much pain such a chain of events could cause. But betrayal could also call for vengeance…
' … oh at some point she lost her only friend … '
These words closed the case in his mind. If only that was true he simply could not abandon her.
When Kakashi woke after a short and dreamless slumber, the voices in the hospital room had reduced to whispers and hushed words.
Now that he glanced around he saw that Asuma had probably left for a smoke and found Fuu standing close to Kurenai leaning on one of the armrests. They both chatted comfortably and he could tell that they were talking about him.
The kunoichi tried to calm Fuu with some old stories on the rare times Kakashi had messed up and Fuu wrinkled her nose whenever Kurenai exaggerated a bit too much. It seemed to calm both of them considerably and so Kakashi half listened while deciding not to interrupt them.
It wasn't until the door opened again that he looked up. Asuma stopped at the end of his bed and looked over the injured shinobi. "Dope."
"Not the word I would use but oh well." They were all startled by the calm voice from the door that Asuma had left ajar.
"Lord Hokage" they greeted in unison with a wide range of intonations.
Kurenai stood up quickly and ushered Fuu out of the room sensing that the visit was about Kakashi. Smiling at the passing girls the Third tipped his hat as a silent thank you. Asuma cocked his head a little before shooting a quick glance towards Kakashi. The silver haired shinobi seemed fine but he was no longer able to hide his exhaustion. "Don't strain yourself too much. We'll watch over Fuu."
The Hokage closed the door behind them and walked towards the little nightstand. Pulling out the animal mask that Kakashi recognized as his own, the Third opened the second drawer and placed the porcelain mask carefully inside, before closing it.
"Yamato reported on your mission. I am glad that it was successful though I am sorry that you ended up in the hospital. He informed me about your encounter and the flow of events. It's a shame that we can't question that man. Yamato mentioned that you rushed back because that man might come after his own daughter." The old man's voice sounded strangely distant and Kakashi was surprised further when the Third took off the Hokage's hat. "You probably know why I am here?"
"Fuu needs to be interrogated."
"Indeed" sighed the old man and it was clearly shown on his wrinkled face that he wished for a different solution. "I appointed you as her guardian and therefore I now need your consent."
'At some point she lost her only friend.'
"That I am going to deny to you, my Lord."
Hiruzen turned to look at Kakashi, finding him almost immobile and in great pain. The ANBU returned his gaze with his left eye open and although the black mask hid half of his face the Third guessed that the paleness could be traced back to his exhaustion. He had read the results of the medical examination previous to his visit.
There weren't any serious injuries, but the blood analysis had shown that Kakashi was anemic and his body deprived of oxygen. The latter had been easily cured with breathing mask. All of his cuts had been checked for poison.
The other symptoms he had mentioned before, had now disappeared and unsurprisingly Kakashi seemed content enough with that. Hiruzen on the other hand couldn't help but question the rapid recovery that had taken place between the gate and the hospital — transforming his condition from half dead to a minor exhaustion.
"Of course you would not agree" Hiruzen muttered as he lifted his hat. Somehow, behind the worried expression, it seemed as if he was… a bit relieved. "I take it that you will provide the evidence of that girl's innocence within the next week. As soon as you are discharged Cat will watch your house as reinforcement. Get some rest… and good luck."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
"Oh, and Kakashi… I was wondering whether Fuu came into contact with you after your return?" He received a frown and finally a slight nod. Kakashi was used to the peculiar patterns of the old man's question but that one did strike even him as rather odd. "That would be all."
The Third closed the door behind him and walked off, pulling his hat down to cover his face. Was it unintentionally that Fuu had helped her guardian recover or simple calculation on her part? And just how was a chakraless child able to cure a gravely wounded man?
He too wanted to believe in Fuu. It was obvious that she cared deeply for her guardian since her reactions were too honest for a child her age to be fake. It would serve her however nicely to cover up the traces before they could gather evidence against her… and her father, if what Yamato had told him was indeed true.
Stopping for a second in front of the hospital entrance, the Hokage noticed a small figure further away in the corridor, picking up drinks from a soda machine. When he met her green eyes, there was actually a notion that caught his attention.
Fuu knew that something was going on. And she was worried. But she bowed to him nevertheless before wandering out of his sight.
He could only hope that she wouldn't betray Kakashi. If she did, Sarutobi Hiruzen would never able to forgive himself for this little selfishness plan of his.
Thanks to NoBirdWithintheCage, your review and feedback have been so great, made my day (as well)!
/... / Well that's it! I hope you enjoy reading it, as much as I loved writing it. Eccentric, sadistic characters are so easy and enjoyable to write - definitely looking forward to the future bits with Orochimaru. Thanks for reading and hugs to anyone who takes the time to leave a review!