A/N:

Other than Makiko Haki (an original character), none of the characters in this story belong to me.

This fanfic is written after I've read Ch.160. I tried to correspond with the actual story up to that point, so please forgive me if this fanfic contradicts with anything that happens after Ch.160. This story takes place some time after Sasuke left to chase after Itachi, when Kakashi is still unconscious.

[revision notes]: I made some changes to dialogs and fixed some grammars/typos. But overall, it's the same story. I have another story of Kakashi & girl in mind, not sure when I'll start though.

CHAPTER 1

I look up at the once tall main gate of the Leaf Village. It looks like it'll collapse any minute now. The village has just been attacked by Orochimaru and the Sand Village. As I enter the village, the familiar town I once knew of is now nothing but ruins. What puts a smile on my face, however, is the sight of villagers rebuilding their home enthusiastically. The invaders might have destroyed the village, but they can never extinguish the villagers' love for it.

I suppose I rushed back for nothing. The war has already ended. When I first heard that the Leaf Village was under attack, I packed immediately, hoping that I could … well, not help for sure. I probably couldn't have done much help anyway. I probably would've been a burden to the other ninjas, just like five years ago. Ha. Perhaps I was meant to arrive late.

I sit down at a teahouse and order my favourite Konoha Tea. This special kind of tealeaves exists only in this village. As I am waiting, I pick up an old newspaper someone left behind on the table. The headline reads: "Final Chuunin Exam Begins Today". As I read on, I am surprised that several rookies made it to the final exam. It must've been a great show.

"First match: Uzumaki Naruto v.s. Hyuga Neji," I read to myself. Uzumaki Naruto?! The fox baby with the seal? He's taking the Chunnin Exam already? How old is that kid? Let's see. The disaster took place when I was twelve. Now, I'm twenty-four. So, he's twelve years old already? Time sure files.

"Here's your tea, miss," the waitress brings the hot tea to the table. The smell of it alone makes me remember so much of this village.

"Thank you," I take a small sip from the cup. This familiar taste hasn't reached my tongue for years.

Tracing my finger down the chart with information on all the candidates, it reaches Naruto's name. I trace my finger across the row – it reads Leaf Village under the origin column. As my finger moves to the next column, I see a name that causes my heart to skip a beat– Hatake Kakashi, Naruto's sensei.

It hurts. It hurts as all the memories from the past flood my mind. I shouldn't have come back. Wasn't that the reason that I left this place five years ago? To forget everything? To escape from my guilt?

"Kakashi, NOO!!!"

He hesitated.

"Do not break the formation!!"

He came anyway. He didn't listen to me.

SLAASH~~~

Someone screamed. In pain.

Kakashi turned his head, eyes wide.

I yelled something.

Tears filled my eyes. I couldn't see anymore. It was all red.

"Miss? Are you alright?" I look up at the waitress. I didn't realize that I had my face buried in my hands.

"Yes," I assure her with a smile, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. "Don't worry."

Out of the corner of my eyes, something catches my attention. Three Jounins are sitting at the table against the far wall of the teahouse. I recognize two of them: Thick-Brows and Smokey. Otherwise known as Gai and Asuma – people from my past. They are accompanied by a red-eyed female ninja, which I assume is Smokey's girlfriend.