Pulling my knees to my chest, I gazed into the clear waters of the river before me. It flowed slowly enough that the towering trees surrounding were reflected almost perfectly. Shifting around till I was on my knees, sitting on my bare feet, I peered into the river barely recognizing the face I know held. A mess of silver curls tumbled down my shoulders. It reached my mid-back when I stood. I had a reddish-brown complexion, spattered with freckles across the bridge of my nose. Cheeks, still with childhood chubbiness, made it difficult to see what the end result of this face would be. But most drastic change was the, my, eyes. The irises almost sparked a deep purple, and in the large eyes you really couldn't miss them.
Two years ago, I wouldn't have batted an eye at my appearance, I had my Kaachan's hair, my Tousan's eyes. I looked like a girl version of Onii-san. We were a farming family, and my first three years of life were filled with hard work, and lots of love. Tou-san taught me about chakra, and how to check on the health of the sprouts; while Kaa-chan and Onii-san could do basic healing, saying I needed better chakra control and could attempt it when I was older. Our Ninkin our lasting companions and friends. It was a simple life, really. We raised crops and traveled to local town to sell at the market. I had been happy. That is, until the bandits attacked.
They came out of the trees with barely any warning. Tou-san barked at us to stay in the wagon as he and Onii-san pulled short swords from near their feet. The bandits had laughed, and before I could blink, their leader vanished. Tou-san made a gurgling cough, falling face first into the dirt, a pool of blood spreading quickly from the gaping slash in his neck. Onii-san had screamed in fury, and everything happened in a blur. I don't know whether Kaa-chan or Onii-san had summoned the Ninkin, but blood was flying everywhere. Kaa-chan held me tightly, as I shook in absolute terror.
The next thing I knew, the wagon had been overturned by an explosive burst, sending chunks of earth flying in every direction. Kaa-chan screamed, reaching for me as we were sent flying. I hit a nearby tree trunk with a sickening crack, and quickly lost consciousness. In that instant, images assaulted my mind. Flashes, thirty-two years of memories. Of a tall curly haired brunette's smile as he called me Alice. Of catching an uncoordinated toddler as he attempted to take his first steps, then glancing up and giggling 'Mama'. Of a career as a chef in the downtown restaurants. Of spending countless hours in front of a computer screen losing myself in an anime of a orange suited, ball of sunshine who just wanted to be loved.
Waking up was difficult, my personalities clashed, fighting for dominance. It felt like hours of struggle but was probably only a few seconds. The ending outcome wasn't what I expected. they almost seemed to cancel each other out, meshing into a chaotic mess of anime memories and childhood innocents. I wasn't 'Alice', but I wasn't fully Nanako anymore either. At the time all I could do was lie there, bleeding from a head injury, practically dead to the world around me as my family was slaughtered. Soon only Onii-san was the only one standing, though the Ninkin had taken many of the bandits out, he was heavily injured. I'm told he turned to our Ninkin and told them to get me someplace safe, to protect me. They had resisted at first, demanding to fight with their contracted summoner. However, in the end, Onii-san hadn't had long.
The Ninkin had reverse summoned me here, to this wooded clearing, not far from their den. It was always sunset here; birds could be heard in the trees. It had taken me months before my mental state stabilized enough to actively participate in any selfcare. Then I grieved, for Nanako's family, for Alice's husband and son, and for whatever ignorant bliss I had lost in the revelation that now I was living in a world Alice had only known as the Naruto universe. The Pack had been a source of strength and comfort these past two years. Our Alpha was a Samoyed named Tadaaki. He was an extremely large dog, at five, my head just barely reached his shoulders. His thick, pure white, coat made him seem even larger. The pack was made of lots of breeds of dogs, most of which I recognized from Alice's world definitions. Tadaaki's mate was a mostly black Akita named Danuja. She herself was a still a head taller than me, but she was very gentle with me. She did what she could to teach me basics in chakra control. Exercises and meditations that helped both calm my mind and increase my reserves. Tadaaki would lead hunts through the woods, and I ran with them, learning to use the trees to keep up with my four-legged packmates.
Two years had passed in a blink, and while I had accepted by now the irrationality of anime being reality I was happy with the pack. They had me sign the summoning contract almost as soon as I had the chakra control, and reserves for it. I had a long way to go before I could do anything substantial, but it was a starting point. Unfortunately, Danuja grew concerned for my development. 'Emotionally and socially' as she'd put it. She'd sent our scouts back to the human's realm to track down Kaachan's family, if there where any. As far as I was aware it had always just been the four of us. But after a few weeks of searching the scouts had returned and Tadaaki had sent one to arrange a meeting. I had thrown a fit, and then I had gotten on my knees, pleading, with them to let me stay. Not to send me away. Tadaaki had huffed and laid his forehead on mine. I was pack, he had said. I would always have the pack and could call on them for anything and they would come. Danuja had explained that I had to be with my people, the pack could only teach me so much.
It had taken me a week of grumbling and whining, a habit I had picked up from the pups before I had come to understand the validity of their argument. The scouts had soon returned to inform the Alpha's of the meeting and I spend the remaining days surrounded by the love that was the pack. The day of the meeting had fast approached until finally I sat, practically curled in a sulking ball at the river in trepidation.
"Nanako."
Blinking back to the present I lifted my head and glanced over my shoulder. "Alpha" I responded warmly, and he grinned, sharp canines flashing for a brief moment before trotting up and puffing air from his nose to blow my bangs from my eyes.
"Its time pup." Swallowing I nodded and stood, brushing dirt from my clothes, I wore a simple dark purple, sleeveless, turtleneck that I could pull up to cover my face up to my nose. Since signing the summoning contract my senses had heightened somewhat, making certain scents unbearable. Simple black pants with several pockets tapered off at my ankles. I'd gone barefoot for as long as I had been in the Pack's realm and my feet had grown used to the rough ground. A simple pendant lay under my shirt, the symbol my Kaachan often wore etched into the simple pendant at the end of the chain fell almost perfectly above my heart.
"We will always be her for you Nanako." Glancing around as the Pack surrounded me, noses brushing exposed skin, affectionate licks and nips causing me to giggle, my large canine teeth bared teasingly. Tadaaki pulled his head back and a howl pierced through the calm air, soon taken up by all the members of the pack creating a harmony that had warmth spreading through my chest. I howled with my pack, trying to memories this one beautiful harmony. Tadaaki stepped up beside me and brushed his nose affectionately in my hair.
I reached up and threaded my fingers through his soft fur and nodded. A tugging sensation in my stomach was the only warning I got before Tadaaki summoned us back, into Nanako's….my realm.
**********************************NH***************************
Standing by Tadaaki in the shadows of the tree line outside the clearing I felt sick. In the clearing was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the third Hokage. He had three Anbu with him, who's masks I recognized. A dog, a cat, and a weasel.
Sarutobi stepped forward and I glanced down as a flash of brown caught my eye. My mouth fell open slightly at the pug trotting forward to meet our scout in the clearing. The Anbu stood back, but at attention. Their chakra felt…tense.
The pug, 'Pakun', Alice's memories supplied helpfully, came to a stop a few paces from the scout, Kimi our only German Shepard of the Pack.
"Kimi" the pug called in greeting, stopping to scratch behind his ear. "Its been a while, how are the pups?"
Kimi chuffed fondly, "they grow stronger and faster every day." He raised his head in greeting. "You are the human Alpha. I greet you on behalf of our pack, did you bring your hound?"
Sarutobi smiled tipping his overly large kage hat back. "Yes, I must admit I was surprised, its not often the summons ask to meet outside their chosen summoners." I flick of his hand had the dog mask Anbu stepping forward, stance disarmingly relaxed, despite his chakra coiled in tense anticipation.
He tipped his head toward Pakun, before turning to address Kami. "I was told you wished to speak with me. Pakun tells me its not common for the packs to be in communication. What can I do for you."
My fingers fisted in Tadaaki's fur, and he leaned into me, leading me strength with his presence alone. Kami inclined his head. "You are Kakashi Hatake correct?"
The Anbu turned his head to his Hokage, who nodded, before he turned back and reaching up to pull the mask down. I frowned, he looked haggard. Like the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. He looked much like he did in the anime, if a little more closed off. He didn't have his headband on, clearly showing the scar over his closed eye.
"Mah, its not much of a secret identity from sent I suppose. What can I do for you Kimi-san?"
Kimi shifted into an alert sitting position. "You are the last of your clan in your village, the Hatake's fractured and only some settled in hidden leaf. Did your clan keep in any contact with the other Hatake?"
Kakashi blinked, once, twice. "No, my…..Father never mentioned other clan members outside the village."
Kimi nodded. "We suspected as much but you are the only other Hatake we have been able to locate."
The Anbu's brows rose as he crossed his arms. "Other?"
Kimi dove into the logistics of the Pack's contract with the farming family of Hatake, I tried not to listen burying my face into Tadaaki's coat as he recounted the attack and slaughter of my family.
Sarutobi stepped forward alongside Kakashi. "We apologize for your loss Kimi-san, but if this attack was two years ago what help could Kakashi-san be to you now?"
Kimi glanced back and Tadaaki stepped forward, my death grip on his fur had me trailing along after him. As I peeked around his frame, my heart pounding in near terror, I saw the shock hit the leaf shinobi. Sarutobi blinked, the two other Anbu froze and Kakashi took a step back, eye open wide.
"Alpah" Kimi lowered his head in greeting and Tadaaki inclined his head, eyes never leaving Kakashi, as he stepped to the side leaving me in full view of the shinobi
"Hokage-sama" Tadaaki greeted, and after a whisper from Pakun, Sarutobi inclined his head
"Alpha, its an honor."
Tadaaki nodded before tipping his large head toward me. "This is Nanako Hatake, the sole surviving member of our Pack's summoner family. Her brother begged us to take her somewhere safe with his dying breath. And we reverse summoned her to our forests. She is Pack, but my mate fears she will not learn what she needs from us." He leveled a look at the frozen man before him. "You were the only Hatake we could track and believe me we were very through."
I was shaking as Sarutobi stepped forward and crouched to look me in the eye. His movement causing Kakashi to stumble after him I met his eyes, deep purple meeting black and blinked rapidly, fighting back the mist building in my eyes. I whine keened out of my throat unbidden, Tadaaki nosing my cheek as Kakashi floundered before glancing at his Kage. An unspoken conversation passed between them before he extended a hand to me.
Looking back, I'm not sure what caused the longing that pulled at my heart. But as I reached out and met his outstretched hand with my own, I reached and pulled my mask from my nose. His sent surrounded me. The smelt of fur, and static, and…pack. He smelt like home. I could feel his chakra swirling with shock, fear, but under it all was curiosity and awe.
"My name is Kakashi" he said in a soft voice
A small smile graced my face, flashing my pointed canines playfully, "Nanako…..my name is Nanako."