Kakashi was in disbelief. He was in shock. There was no way that Takamori's explanation could be true. No way! Yet Aki kept sitting there, listening intently…as if believing.
Jin, too. He was standing next to him, which was behind Aki. Jin kept nodding, agreeing with things that Takamori was stating. Jin was naïve and innocent, but by far, NOT stupid. He was practically a genius when it came to putting the pieces together in a puzzle.
Was that all this was? A puzzle? Did Jin find some missing piece and figure something out about all this that he, nor Aki, was letting on about? Curiously, he looked down at Aki, searching for answers from her emotionless face.
"Do it," she stated to Takamori, who was watching her.
"Are you sure?" he finally asked.
"Ah."
Kakashi was about to stop her when Jin grabbed his arm. "If you want her back…let her do this."
Kakashi thought about what he said. He didn't like it, but it was true. Aki needed to do this, whether or not Takamori was telling the truth. This, right now, would be the truth. There was no denying what was about to happen.
Back in the Hokage's office
"It's been over an hour. Should we go in and see if everything is alright?" Asuma asked.
"I think we should give them some time. She's been through a lot and he probably isn't being cooperative." Hayate said.
"No. She said she needed only an hour. Go and see if everything is going smoothly." The Hokage ordered.
Hayate, Nevins and Asuma made their way back to the training center. They were about to open the door when a huge explosion occurred inside. A second later, the door blew off its hinges and splintered from a wave of Chakra that was thrust in all directions. The three were tight up against the outside wall avoiding flying debris.
After a few moments the dust and smoke settled. They heard footsteps coming toward the door. They drew out their Kunai, ready to attack. They were relieved when they saw that it was Aki emerging through the doorway.
"What happened? Where are Kakashi and the kid?" Asuma asked. "Where's Takamori" he added bitterly.
"We're here." voices said from behind her. Takamori, too, was standing behind her, silent.
"Why is he free? You need to restrain him. He's going to hurt you!" Nevins burst out immediately after seeing Takamori.
Aki started to tremble. She was afraid, however, not from fear of Takamori. Something else. Kakashi, noticing that she was about to lose control, quickly scooped her up in his arms and turned to Jin.
"I know, we'll take care of everything," Jin said before Kakashi got a chance to open his mouth.
Kakashi didn't need to hear anything else. He quickly left, with Aki clutching his vest, face buried, shaking, and crying.