Chapter Eight

Life wonders still beyond the hope of attaining mere happiness. The more I stay by this peaceful village of the Leaf, the more I learn about myself and the innate fear of someone noticing the limp in my stride of confidence. My laughter masks not the underlining dark insecurity that bellies the heart within. It frightens me. It sits heavy upon my chest and gets heavier each day as I face the new dawn of day. It is not to say that I am a stranger to stones in the path of life. I mean, since when life is that smooth sailing anyway?

Today was just like the days that passed. There was the usual lovely warm sun that creeps in a gentle revelation that I am still alive. An interesting contrast, considering the fact that I used to work day and night, to the extent that there was a stage when I couldn't tell the time from day or night from inside my tent. All forms of deduction led only to a bloody migraine.

I lay down on my usual spot of grass under the tree that was within the compound of the academy. The swing swung low at the suggestion of the breeze that blew by. It was the weekend and hence, the peace that comes without the kids around. It was also a quieter place to be since no one would be there on weekends. Only lurkers like me.

And hardworking senseis as it seems. I spied Iruka coming out of the academy, with a scroll in his hand. The blur one must have forgotten something from before.

"Enjoying some peace, Rayn-san?" He asked as he sat down beside me.

"I was just pondering about some things in life."

"Is there a real world out there, or what we see is but a product of our constructed senses?"

He's joking, right?

"No, I can't be bothered too much about that. Rather, I was wondering how hen-pecked you are going to be when I leave."

He laughed nervously.

I offered a smile and he relaxed some.

"Genious is a loud, tone-deaf, easily irritated by minor things kind of person. But she still is a part of our family."

"Yes, I agree about the tone-deaf part and don't forget that she can't multi-task!"

I laughed.

"Yes! She is so bad at multi-tasking! We're always making fun of her that it's because of that she never talks to us when she is busy doing something else at the same time. She can't answer you!"

We laughed.

"But for all the flaws, she is still one very loveable person." He said.

I sat up and looked at him.

"You're all right." And patted him on the shoulder. "I confer blessings on behalf of the family."

And he smiled. Darn, the scar on his nose added cuteness to his already boyish demeanour. That girl had better treasure this one.

"Rayn-san, would you mind if I ask you a question?"

"Is there anything going on between you and Kakashi-sensei?"

I choked.

"Erm…. No. At least from the last time I checked with myself."

"Sigh. I thought that perhaps then you would stay here indefinitely and that would polish everything off with a happy ending."

"Ha-ha! Unfortunately, there isn't anything between us. We're…erm…. Friends."

"Sometimes, we need to give the other a chance, as well as a chance for ourselves."

I blinked.

"Don't get me wrong, it's just that maybe something good might come out of it, if chance is permitted."

"Iruka-san?"

"Yes?"

"How much did you bet?"

"Say what? What bet? I didn't mention anything about a bet!"

He looked utterly guilty. It was as good as branding the word on his forehead.

"What are the stakes like?"

"100 to 1 - that there is something going on."

"Here's some and place a bet for me with Tsunade-sama that nothing is going on."

His eyes popped right open as I handed some cash over.

"You're betting on yourself?"

"Why not? Is there a rule against it?"

"But -"

I winked and stretched some before waving goodbye and starting back on a walk to the apartments. With every step, I was trying very hard to suppress a laugh from erupting before I disappeared from Iruka's sight.

Only to bump into a human wall.

"Kakashi-san?"

He looked at me quietly before inviting me to join him for an early dinner. I had wanted to decline, except the growling from within the stomach walls ensured that I couldn't, so I went.

We sat opposite to each other in one of the small eating places.

It felt so weird since this is like the first time since that night that we are talking again.

"How have you been? Wounds all recovered?" He asked.

I replied that I was fine.

I feel like running.

My body is tensed. It's ready for flight, not fight.

"Kakashi…"

He looked up from the food in front of us.

I managed a smile to accompany the following words.

"Can we be just friends?"

He said nothing.

"I understand your feelings but my heart refuses to forget an old face. I wish I could return some affect back to you but I can't. It still hurts and I am not ready. Above it all, I really treasure your company and friendship, so please, let's just be friends."

"Is that what you really feel?"

No.

"Yes"

I am such a liar, good one though most of the time. I truly want to believe in second chances and that life moves on when someone passes on. I do.

"All right." He was expressionless. There was nothing to be read from the eye. The dinner carried one and the night dragged out in full course.

And it seemed all right. We talked and hung out a little while before we headed back. Along the journey, he traded stories about his past as I traded some more. (Nothing more than what you guys know though.)

We finally arrived at the apartment block. It was late and a little chilly. By now, it had gotten very awkward as we stood there without saying a word.

It was uncomfortable.

Kakashi is really quite a catch, I mused as I stood there checking out his profile. Aside from the pervert bit and that thing about never taking the mask off, he was relatively a good catch for any girl. Someday, when I turn back time I am so going to regret ever saying that we should remain friends. Period. But for now, it's fine because it'll be easier to go if I don't get emotionally tied down.

"I'll get going. You have a goodnight. Ja!" And he was about to go 'poof', when my body moved in rebellious fashion against the executive functions of my brain. And the next thing I knew I was hugging him.

"Thank you for everything." I whispered.

And then I made the fastest disappearing act from view and ran into the complex. Ahh! What just happened?

I came to my apartment door only to find myself running down the stairs again. You see, there was a note attached to the door. It had read:

Come to forest where 3 poles stands, Genious and the rest of us will wait for you.

My heart raced. I ran fast and swift out the door and towards the place. My legs moved silently and as fast as they could carry me. I know I shouldn't go by myself. I know a lot of things except my body is not listening. It's running on instinct. It's running on fear, the fear that that someone else close to me will die because of me.

It took some time but I reached the place and true enough, they were there. Itachi and Kisame (yeah, I think I should call him by his name) were relatively pleased.

"What do you really want?"

"Oh don't worry. We're not planning to kill your beloved friend. She may be useless to us now but don't worry, no blood will be shed." Kisame said.

"But we thought that it would be fun torturing you though."

I drew out the sword and faced them. Genious was being held by Kisame and was gagged, which was a good thing. Otherwise, her loudmouth would have distracted me.

Itachi moved.

He's fast. Too fast. How did he get this fast? He wasn't as fast the last time I met him, I thought as I now laid facedown on the ground, arms bound.

"What are you saying? Speak up! I can't hear you!" I yelled as confusion set in from hearing him utter weird stuff. He was murmuring a lot of unintelligible words. I struggled to reach for my sword.

And then, I realised what he was doing. A jutsu. He's sending us back!

"Let them go!" A familiar voice sounded. It was Gai. Freaky brows came to save us! A pity though, they dismissed his presence and the jutsu was still in procession.

"Da Jie!"

Her gag got loose and she was yelling to warn me about something…..

The last thing I remembered was Itachi's arrogant face and the empty sounds of cries from random people.

The silence was deafening.

"Rrrring!"

A hand rose up to slam down hard on the cold mechanism that could wake the dead. Sleepily, the eyes opened and realised that it was morning. I breathed deep as the body slowly woke up.

Again, I dreamt of then.

I stretched some before getting off to face the damp cool air that was coming in. Pulling up the cleanest suit (ok, it's not that clean but there isn't any washing machines around here), I shivered as the cold material ran over my skin, raising Goosebumps as I pulled the shirt over the tank top. And onto the boots, the most troublesome part of the uniform.

To be honest, I don't remember the rest of what really happened. There are just so many gaps that I wish someone could fill. To top it off, a headache strikes whenever I try to remember things beyond that point. It still feels like a dream, as if it never happened. Except it must have because Genious's not here….

I raised a hand to pull aside the cover for the tent's window. Sigh. Looks like work's started, a bloodied private was running my way.

"Lieutenant Rayn! The enemies have crossed the borders! We must retreat!" He yelled.

Damn it!

"Gather all the men, we must hold base! All injured to be evacuated to the north by the medics! The rest will follow me and hold off the east side!..."

Well, one thing's for sure. Life back at home hasn't changed one bit.

Author's note:

Hi everyone,

Just a short update. A bit abrupt but the next chapter will explain what happened. Thanks for all the reviews!

Cheers,

Arte