Author's Note:
So I'm really in the mood to write so here's the 2nd chapter.
I love imagining fics as actual parts of Naruto verse, so I'll do my best to stick to Kakashi and Hanare canon traits and personalities.
For me Kakashi almost always displays a laid back attitude. And whenever he smiles, it is only to compliment, pet his students, mock someone or when he's reading Icha icha. And speaking of Icha-Icha, his nose might often stuck in the series but I don't believe he's a pervert, a normal man with sexual fantasies instead, because duh… hormones. I feel like most of his smiles were forced though but maybe it's just me hehe! He is a matter-of-fact person and is not afraid to speak bluntly when he thinks he is right. The only thing that can snap him out of his stoic demeanor is when someone's life is on the line, or when he is about to make a difficult decision.
Whereas Hanare appeared to be modest, silent and observant. Although she had shown a cocky side of her when she called Kakashi a 'fool' when he toured her around the village despite knowing she was a spy. Oh, and I think she loves to smile, especially around the people she's comfortable with.
Rated M for adult themes that might appear in the upcoming chapters such as sex and violence.
Anyway, here you go :)
—-
Chapter 2 – To protect a missing-nin
Kakashi's eyes briefly widened at the document in front of him. "Why is she in Konoha?" He said in a calm but stern voice, shifting his gaze from the document back to Sakura whose both hands were on his desk.
"And this person is…" Shikamaru, who was standing behind Kakashi, tilted his head to the side, trying to get a good look at the piece of paper that was making everyone anxious except him.
"She is a missing-nin of Jōmae village who had infiltrated Konoha a few years ago." Kakashi gave his advisor, Shikamaru, a brief background of the subject.
"According to the rescuers who brought her to the hospital, she was found badly wounded and unconscious near the entrance gates." Sakura stated.
Kakashi held his chin between his bent forefinger and thumb as he began to think of the possible reasons why Hanare was in the village. And why of all time in the midst of war?
Perhaps she was finally caught, or she finally decided to surrender, and was given another chance to redeem herself so she took advantage of the on-going conflict. These were the only rationale he could think of behind her return. But then, he remembered what Hanare said before jumping off the cliff. She told him she had erased the intel she had about Konoha from her mind because Konoha was just how she imagined her real home would be like.
Kakashi's jaw clenched. Regardless of what her true intentions were, she was now considered a rogue ninja, someone who had to be killed on-sight. Taking a deep breath, he laced his fingers in front of his masked mouth. "Is she awake now?" He finally spoke.
"She is but is still in critical condition." Sakura finally stepped back, letting her shoulders drop.
"Are her wounds the result of a fight she had between leaf shinobis?" Kakashi looked at Sakura, waiting for an answer.
"My investigation hasn't gone that far yet." Sakura said with downcast eyes. Did Hanare-san really come to infiltrate the village once again?
"That's fine, Sakura. Leave the investigation to the Anbu." Kakashi was deep in thoughts once again. "That must be why she was found at the entrance. Our shinobis might have been able to stop her before she could get in the village." He said but he sounded like he was talking to himself as he analyzed the situation.
"B-but why? Why did she need to infiltrate the village when the whole world was at war?"
"I don't know, Sakura and that's what we need to find out. But I'm afraid she might have seen it as a chance to find valuable information while almost all our entire forces were on the battlefield. Maybe she had hoped her village would absolve her of her crime."
Sakura balled her fists at her side. As much as she didn't want to believe that his sensei was right, the scars all over her body were proof of what she had endured in the past years.
"It's not safe for her to be in the hospital with our own people. No matter what angle I look at it, she is a threat to our village. Say she didn't come here with ill intentions, the Jōmae shinobis must be still looking for her. Worst, they might have already sought Kinigakure's hunter-nin's assistance to eliminate her."
"Are you saying that we should just abandon her then?" Sakura snapped, her eyes glaring at Kakashi. This was not what he expected to hear from her sensei. She had actually thought he'd offer her sanctuary. "She has wounds all over her body. The tendons on her ankles are broken. She had no way of standing up on her own anytime soon. Her intestines were punctured, resulting in an operation to cut the damaged part." She paused, biting her lips. "M-my medical ninjutsu can't even heal her." Sakura stared at her shaking hands. "If you want to abandon her in her current state, you might as well kill her with your own hands, Kakashi. Wasn't it the mission you've failed to do before?" She gazed back at him sharply.
Kakashi was completely taken aback, his mouth dropped open behind his mask. Sakura never raised her tone at him ever since he became Hokage. And out of her three former students, she was the one who always paid him respect and called him sensei. But of course, she would realize that he had intentionally let her go before, now that she saw her alive.
As his former student, who had been with him in countless battles, she knew he wouldn't break a sweat in killing someone like Hanare. And all he could do was to look away to avoid her mocking gaze. Sakura was right, she should have killed her back then. Letting her live only prolonged her agony.
"Calm down, Sakura." Shikamaru broke the tension in the air, massaging the back of his neck. "What do you mean when you say your medical ninjutsu can't heal her?"
Kakashi glanced back up to Sakura. His interest was piqued by Shikamaru's curiosity. He didn't fully comprehend what Sakura stated because he was too fixated on his past poor judgment that led to this problem.
"Hanare-san told me that their village practices a secret jutsu that could alter a shinobi's medical chakra receptors. Because of that, her body blocks any sorts of medical ninjutsus."
Kakashi and Shikamaru exchanged looks. Being both perceptive, Kakashi knew they were thinking the same thing. That this jutsu can be a big threat to the shinobis.
Sakura didn't notice the silent understanding between Shikamaru and her sensei. "Also, I think we didn't fully understand everything about Hanare-san's ability."
"What do you mean?" Kakashi asked. Now eager to find out more.
"Despite her nasty wounds, she said she couldn't feel any pain. She has the ability to turn off her pain receptors. I-I just think her ability is more complex than we initially thought."
Kakashi remembered that she didn't mutter a single word when the master manipulator of human psyce, Ibiki, tortured her. Ibiki and the Third thought she just developed an immensely strong will as a battle-hardened spy. That was the reason why they tasked him to spend a day with her instead, hoping he could get further into her psyche with his Sharingan.
"Hokage-sama, I think her abilities were the first we had heard of. It might be some kind of an unknown kekkei genkai, and if it is, we cannot let it fall into the wrong hands."
"Good observation, Shikamaru. But if it is indeed a Kekkei Genkai, the more she becomes a danger to our people because more powerful ninjas might be after her."
"We need to remove her from the public hospital and place her somewhere safe until she recovers. Then, we can interrogate her and find out more of her abilities and their village's secret jutsu." Shikamaru suggested.
"I agree." Kakashi nodded. "Sakura, once she gets back to her shape, you and Ino must physically and mentally examine her. She must trust you enough for her to give you insight into her abilities."
Although Sakura felt happy where their conversation was heading, she felt guilty thinking they'd have to examine her body and probe into her mind. But she knew this was the only option Hanare-san had. Either she'd be taken as a prisoner or she'd be left out to die somewhere. "Yes, Hokage-sama. Although, I'm worried that we currently don't have a place where we could keep her safe. Almost the entire village is still in shambles."
"Right." Shikamaru's hand flew to his forehead. "It would take at least 6 months to rebuild Konoha."
"Have her transferred to my residence instead." Kakashi said nonchalantly.
"Kakashi-sensei…" Sakura narrowed her eyes at Kakashi, eyeing him suspiciously. " I said, a safe place where she could stay. I think your residence is far from that, knowing she'll be around someone who's a big fan of Master Jiraiya's works."
Shikamaru smirked, silently agreeing with Sakura's statement.
Kakashi scratched the back of his head, smiling at his former student with eyes fully closed. She tended to forget addressing him as the Hokage whenever she thought he was acting silly. "Now, now, Sakura-chan, you're talking as if your sensei is some kind of a pervert."
"Well, aren't you?" Sakura folded her arms over her chest.
Kakashi heaved, slumping in his seat with his palms placed at the back of his head. "If you're worried about Hanare staying at my residence. Would you have her in your house instead?
"Oh, Y-you know I'm still living with my parents." Sakura scratched the side of her cheek nervously with her forefinger.
Satisfied with Sakura's answer, Kakashi then turned to Shikamaru. "Well, will Temari allow a rogue ninja to stay at your love nest?"
Shikamaru groaned in embarrassment, blushing. "Hokage-sama, don't call our apartment like that. That makes you really sound like a pervert."
"I guess, it was settled then." Kakashi intertwined his fingers with a satisfied smile beneath his mask as he nodded. Not long after, his expression turned serious, dropping his arms on the swivel chair's arm rests. "Don't be mistaken, Sakura. Hanare is not here as a guest. She's under house arrest until her innocence is proven, and until we confirm she's not in any way a threat to our village. Then, we'll let her leave."
Although Sakura didn't like the part where Kakashi said 'They will let her leave', she knew it wasn't the right time to argue about it. One problem at a time. "I understand, Hokage-sama." Sakura nodded.
"Yugao." Kakashi called out, then a purple-haired kunoichi wearing a porcelain mask resembling a cat appeared in front of him, down on one knee.
"Ahhh… I told you, you don't have to kneel everytime I summon you, Yugao." Kakashi sighed and was relieved when Yugao slowly stood up. "You heard everything, right?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Once she's settled in my residence. Have a two-man squad guard her, the strongest if possible. We don't know who else is interested in her abilities aside from being hunted down by Jōmae shinobis. Unfortunately, I can only spare two Anbus. We don't have enough manpower as of the moment, considering that all shinobis are still looking for survivors and restoring the village. Also, conduct an investigation. Find out the leaf shinobis she had battled against. It might help us find out more about her skills."
"Understood, Hokage-sama."
"Sakura, fill Yugao and Shikamaru with the rest of the details of Hanare's infiltration and what else you've found out. You may include Shizune as your assistant. You'll be in a tough situation as you have to juggle this mission and your role as the head medical-nin. Only include Ino once Hanare is ready for interrogation. I think Ino is more suitable than Ibiki in this mission since Hanare had already been tortured by him in the past. We'll be doing a more lenient approach to convince her to trust us. Aside from the three of you and the people I mentioned, no one else should know of her presence in the village. Understood?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama" The three chorused.
"Shikamaru, do you think we should involve the council?"
"I'm afraid it's best to keep them in the dark until we find more tangible information to present to them."
Kakashi motioned his head in a nod, letting Shikamaru know that he agreed. "You're all dismissed."
"Except me, Hokage-sama. We still have urban planning to finish." Shikamaru declared.
Kakashi sank into his seat to convey that he was already tired or bored.
"Hokage-sama." Shikamaru repeated in a firm tone, gesturing to Kakashi to turn his attention back to the blueprint they were reviewing before Sakura came.
"Hai, Hai, Shikamaru." Kakashi said as he idly pulled his seat towards the desk.
.
.
.
.
.
All Hanare could hear was the squeak of the wheels as Sakura maneuvered the wheelchair she was in. Sakura told her they'd be transferring her somewhere safe as instructed by Kakashi. As a precaution, they'd have to blindfold her so she wouldn't know the current situation in Konoha. Another loud squeak echoed in what looked like to be a hallway before they finally stopped. She heard keys jingling then a door creak. "Where here Hanare-san." She heard Sakura speak then the chair was moving again but not for long. She felt Sakura's fingers at the back of her head, untying the blindfold. When the cloth fell down her nape, a blinding light welcomed her sight.
"You'll be staying here temporarily." She heard Sakura say while she squinted her eyes as it slowly adjusted to the light. When it finally did, her eyes wandered in what appeared to be an apartment. It was small but clean. The kitchen was on her left side, behind it was a wall and on the adjacent side was a door facing the hospital bed Sakura's team must have set up. They left a space between the bed and the restroom to create a narrow hallway that led to another door which might be the bedroom where either Sakura or Shizune, the woman Sakura mentioned, would be staying at times.
"What do you think?" Sakura stood to her side.
"I think it's comfortable." Hanare smiled.
"Sorry I didn't put your bed next to the window like what you've requested. Kakashi was too stubborn to allow it." Sakura pouted her lips in annoyance.
Hanare let out a chuckle. "Don't worry. As expected from Kakashi. He wouldn't let me have a glimpse of what's going on outside."
Hanare continued her surveillance. On the right side of the hospital bed was a loveseat couch, above it was two layers of shelf attached to the wall, holding colorful small books. To the farthest right side of the room was where a medium-sized window was. She couldn't see nearby houses, just the plain view of the sky, so she must be on a higher floor. She didn't give a damn about the houses so long as she could have a glimpse of the clouds.
"Is it okay if I put you to bed, Hanare-san?"
Hanare turned her attention back to Sakura and gave her a soft nod. Sakura bent her knees and carried her into a bridal style without breaking a sweat. "Sakura, you really are strong." She complimented.
"I am." Sakura chuckled as she gently laid Hanare on bed. "Comfortable?"
"Yes."
Sakura pulled the blanket over Hanare's petite body. "Let's just wait for Shizune then we'll clean you up."
"Alright." Hanare attempted to sit but Sakura stopped her.
"You should just lie back, Hanare-san." Sakura quickly cranked the back of the bed so it was tilted. "Transferring you here in a wheelchair wasn't even good for your surgery. I can't have you put your body's weight on your abdomen any longer."
Hanare didn't protest and rested her back on the inclined mattress, facing Sakura.
"As much as I want to stay here with you, Hanare-san, I have a hospital to run so I can only check on you twice a day. I hope that's fine with you."
"Oh don't feel burdened, Sakura. I can't thank you enough already. I'm sure you convinced Kakashi to let me stay." Hanare knew Kakashi was not the type to pity particularly a rogue ninja especially that he was now a Hokage. She knew he was onto something.
Sakura gave her a weak smile. "Since you won't be able to stand on your own anytime soon, we'll be keeping you in a urinal catheter but we've decided to remove your anal catheter. So as for your bowel, we'll be using a bedpan." Sakura gave a reassuring smile when Hanare's eyes widened, her cheeks turning red. "Don't worry Hanare-san. I'm used to this kind of stuff."
"Geez, I never felt helpless and embarrassed more than I am now. But I'm glad it's you, Sakura."
"Sakura." They both turned at the door.
"Come in, Shizune-san."
A woman with long shaggy bobs walked in. "Hello." Shizune greeted Hanare with a smile.
"Hello." Hanare replied with the same warm smile.
"I'm Shizune. I'll be helping Sakura to nurse you back to health."
"Thank you."
"Sakura is right. You really are beautiful." She complimented as she stood next to Sakura. "Hokage-sama must have gone blind from overuse of Sharingan."
"Alright. Let's get you cleaned up, Hanare-san." Sakura nudged Shizune's side to shut her up. She didn't want Hanare finding out that she had told Shizune that Hanare used to or still like her sensei. Well, she might not have told her directly but Sakura's conclusion rooted from the conversation she had overheard with team 7 when they tailed Kakashi and Hanare.
"It's not like I have a choice right?" Hanare playfully tilted her head to one side. Her cheeks were now redder, obviously because of Shizune's comment about Kakashi. Surely, she was made aware of her feelings for Kakashi although that was already 8 years ago. She had long accepted that she was just a stranger to him, and that the day they first met was not as memorable for him as it was for her.
Sakura smiled before she began unwrapping the bandages on Hanare's arms, and Shizune did the same with the ones around her legs. When she was finally free of the bandages, Sakura and Shizune both gently cleaned her limbs with a warm damp towel.
Sakura noticed how beautiful her skin was despite the thin scars in various lengths and shapes all over her body. Some were noticeable, some weren't.
"Assassins from my village caught up to me a few times." Hanare said when she noticed Sakura tracing the scars on her skin with her green orbs. "But I always managed to get away." Her lips curled into a proud smile.
"You're a strong shinobi indeed, Hanare-san." Sakura smiled back.
When they were done cleaning her limbs, Sakura lifted Hanare's back and let her chin lean on her shoulder. Shizune then untied the ribbons at the back of her gown. Once done, Sakura gently laid her back to the mattress then slid the hospital gown from her arms with equal amount of care.
Hanare instantly crossed her arms over her chest when the cold breeze hugged her body. "Sorry. It's cold."
Shizune quickly ran to the window behind them to close it but Hanare stopped her before she could. "Don't!" Shizune heard Hanare cry out, and she turned around with a confused look.
"P-please keep the window open" Hanare mumbled. "I can manage."
Shizune gave her a smile, returning to Sakura's side as Hanare finally let her arms fall.
Sakura's hand froze when her eyes landed on what looked like a bite mark on Hanare's left breast, near her areola.
Shizune noticed Sakura went rigid and she gasped when she traced her friend's line of sight.
Hanare kept her gaze at the two women in front of her. Trying to appear unpuzzled as she tugged a few strands of her hair behind her ear. "I got it after I barely got away from Jomae's assassins." She paused. "My chakra was almost out when a group of rogue ninjas like me found me in the forest. They tried to force themselves on me."
"Hanare-san you don't have to tell us if—" Sakura's fist clenched the towel in her hand.
"It's okay Sakura. They weren't able to do what they wanted. Someone came to save me." Hanare smiled. "But I guess without leaving this mark." She reached out to Sakura's hand urging her to continue. "Sakura, I'm starting to freeze here." She joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Sorry Hanare-san." She said, trying to hold back a sob. In her mind, this was his sensei's fault. He was as guilty as those rogue ninjas and assassins with all the hardships this woman went through, and she would make sure he'd find out the gravity of what his cowardness had caused.
—-
What do you think of Hanare's abilities so far? And do you think Kakashi's reaction fits his canon character instead of being lovey-dovey and running to Hanare's side? :D
