A Different World

Chapter Four

The Goodbye Scene?

"She's going to be upset in the morning, when she wakes up

and you're gone."

"I know that."

"Are you sure about this? This could take longer than a few years."

Kakashi was looking at Aoshi intently. The Sharingan user was determined to find a change in Aoshi's face, but found no change at all.

"Did you at least say good bye?" Kakashi folded his arms as he leaned against the wall.

"You know that I can't do that." Aoshi placed on his ANBU mask and went ahead of him.

"All right you're the boss." Kakashi slide his mask in place. "Aoshi-sama." He added finally.

"Don't call me that." Aoshi said neutrally to the other ninja.

Aoshi remembered the two years he had helped raised her. She had recently been made a Chuunin at such a young age. Maybe cute little Misao was a genius after all. To Aoshi Misao would always be that hyper active little girl that he helped get ready in the morning.

"Hey Aoshi-sama do you know where my tactics book is?" Misao would ask him all the time. They would look for the book and Aoshi would find it in the usual place, in his study room as usual.

When Aoshi walked her home it was no different. Although she was probably at a Genin level she didn't pass the exam just yet. She was probably capable of walking home by herself she was already nine years old. Two years had passed since that time she had cried for him.

"Aoshi-sama!" She would squeal happily as she jumped on top of him. Of course Aoshi was never truly off guard but he let her have her fun. Aoshi would act surprised and marvel in her growth.

"Misao so there you are. I was looking for you." Aoshi helped her to the floor.

"Aoshi-sama was looking for me? Hey don't you think I'm getting better?" She smiled at him.

"Of course you are getting better." He almost smiled and he patted her head affectionately.

Aoshi would always say to Misao, "You will be a very strong ninja when you grow up." And Misao would answer in return, "But I'm already grown up!"

To the present Kakashi just looked at Aoshi trying to analyze his body language. As expected from ANBU captain he was completely unreadable.

Aoshi didn't notice that he was being watched carefully because he was occupied with other memories. The events of earlier that day flooded his mind.

"Misao?" The little girl perked up as she heard her name. "Aoshi-sama? You're home earlier."

"Misao…do you want to go play today?" It was unlike him to suggest to play, but she didn't notice and just nodded her head happily.

"Yes, Aoshi-sama let's go. But we're not playing this is training." She looked determined at him and his eyes smiled for her. "Yes, it's training."

They played a few games. Misao tried to catch a few butterflies with her bare hands. Aoshi watched amused but feeling sad that this might be the last time that he saw her. He was drafted by the Hokage himself to become an ANBU captain with Kakashi. Both of them would be going off on top secret missions and would not return to the village for a long time.

When Misao was finished trying to catch the butterflies, she noticed that Aoshi was being more quiet then usual. "Hey Aoshi-sama is something wrong?" She looked into his face. They were at the same level because Aoshi was sitting down and she stood up looking at him.

"Are you feeling sick?" She touched his forehead. Aoshi couldn't help but be touched. "No I'm fine Misao." He gentle moved her hand away from his face. "I'm fine." He said again.

"Are you sure? Aoshi-sama has been acting weird all day." She folded her arms at him.

"Oh? How have I been acting weird?" He was very amused. Maybe he shouldn't join ANBU after all.

"Aoshi-sama is acting like he's never going to see me again." Misao was an expert at reading emotion. It must be a child's innocence being able to read people so easily.

Aoshi hid his surprise at her correct answer. "Misao you're the one acting strangely. I'll be here." She hugged him tightly. "Misao? What's wrong?"

"I love you, Aoshi-sama." She looked up at him. "We'll always be together."

He just looked at her plainly. "I feel the same way as well Misao." Aoshi was surprised to realize that his words were true.

She sat in his lap like she always did when she was being a nine year old kid. Misao would blab on about her missions and how dangerous they seemed to be getting. The dangerous missions always worried him and he would always listen to her stories.

"Misao do you ever get scared?" It was unlike him to ask anything.

"Well of course I get scared but I know that I'll be fine because there's someone waiting for me back at home." Her finger pushed at his cheek gently. "Are you scared?"

Aoshi moved her to his back. "It's getting late. I'll carry you back." She just nodded slightly. It was very unlike her to be an elite ninja but be such a child at all times.

"Aoshi-sama you'll always be waiting for me right?" She closed her eyes and didn't hear his response.

"I'll always be waiting."

After a late dinner and he helped her get ready for bed, Kakashi appeared before him.

"Yo, Aoshi sorry I'm late, but this time I don't think you'll mind I was late." Kakashi and his usual remarks.

"Not now Kakashi." Aoshi slid the door closed.

"She's going to be upset in the morning, when she wakes up…

Aoshi and Kakashi finally made it to the clearing. The other ANBU were waiting for them.

Kakashi was the first one to speak. "Sorry to make you wait, but my colleague had to say good bye to the love of his life if you know what I mean." Some of the ninjas just chuckled which was what they needed because it was going to be a tense night as usual.

"That's enough now." Aoshi was prepared for what was to come next. "Everyone studied the layout plans right?" All he could think about was the mission and any thoughts about the 'love of his life' were out of his mind.

Misao rubbed her eyes slightly. She didn't want to get up but something was nagging her. It was still quite early in the morning. She didn't like getting up early. There was no mission so there was no reason to get up.

Maybe Aoshi-sama wants to go out and play again.

Deciding on using a sneak attack on him she walked quietly across the floorboards. She swung open the door and found the room completely empty. Every trace of him was gone. It was as if someone deliberately went out of their way to erase a person out of existence.

So that's what it was all this time.

End of story arc

AN: I hope to write another story continuing this story arc. As always please leave a review anything is greatly appreciated.

Meryl Lee