Didn't really get a chance to proof the whole thing, so sorry for any little errors. Just too tired, man. *yawns*
Chapter 11: It has to be you. No one else will do! Please…!
Lee woke with a jolt. Or maybe she just woke, because that was how she'd risen most every morning since that fateful encounter with the bandits. But unlike those mornings, she was not curled up on her futon, tangled in covers. And it was not morning. She was in a dark tunnel, and though this whole affair felt like so very long ago, the journey back to Konoha could only take so long. She couldn't have been asleep for more than twenty minutes.
The ground was swaying beneath her gently. No, that was arms. Those were the arms of Kakashi Hatake. And around her bicep was the hand of Kakashi Hatake. Perhaps the same hand that had summoned lightning to strike down his foe. The girl's arms and legs tightened around the staff draped across her curled form. It's gold finial pressed into her cheek, and the hard, cool metal was more comforting than any pillow.
Kakashi didn't mind the minor inconvenience the cat-priest's staff posed. Sometimes the tunnel would narrow, forcing him to proceed at a slight diagonal so it did not scrape against the stone walls. It was something to focus on, at least. He wouldn't pretend to understand what comfort the rod offered the girl. Maybe it was a manifestation of shock. He shrugged to himself. If it helps, it helps.
A few paces ahead, Guy still shouldered the old woman. A few minutes after Lee had fallen asleep, they had checked her for a pulse, listened for breath.
There was nothing left to Ume Hatsu but the shell she had once inhabited.
And so they had slowed down, making the long trek back up to the world of living in silence. Even the eternally optimistic Might Guy had no words. While the village was safe for now, the cavern was lost, dozens of people had died, and Grandma Hatsu's last words were still fresh in their minds. When they were joined by Pakkun, it did nothing to lessen the hunch in their shoulders.
"Don't remove anything from the cavern. Be careful of cave-ins. Try not to break anything. Keep the girl safe."
Well.
They had removed many things from the room. They had caused a complete cave-in. And they had broken everything. The girl was alive, but...they could only hope she wasn't broken too. She had still seemed spirited as they made their dramatic escape, but she looked about as rough as one person could. Dirt and ashes mixed with dried sweat caked her legs and arms. A red ring around her wrist left from the wire. Cuts and bruises from top to bottom.
"Grandma Hatsu," whispered the weary child in his arms. She wriggled weakly, until Kakashi had to stop and set her down carefully, gripping one little arm in his left hand and supporting her back with his right. She started walking on her own, a little unstable, but it seemed her injuries were not as bad as they looked. She was trying to catch up to Guy, to the woman he carried, but she was much slower than him.
"Lee-san," Kakashi said gravely. She turned gradually to look at him. He shook his head. And she nodded, because she already knew. And she fell back to walk behind him, relying heavily on the staff. "Why did you bring that?" he asked mildly. It was better than silence.
"I...I'm not sure really. It felt important. To remember, I guess." And Kakashi nodded.
When the tunnel started to lighten, Kakashi looked back, and Guy turned around.
"We made it," said Guy, as if to tell Lee that she had gotten through the worst of it. That there was hope on the other side. She smiled softly and bobbed her head. Loss was still heavy in her eyes and in her manners, but she did not seem angry. Like she would rage at the world. It was a change for Kakashi, compared to the volatile trio he normally dealt with.
"We have to cover your eyes again," Kakashi said idly, drawing a spare handkerchief from the pocket of his pants.
"Kakashi," Guy said tersely, "now's hardly the time to worry about—"
"It's the rules," said Kakashi and Lee at the same time. Then: an explanatory "It's safer for her" from Kakashi and an "I don't want to cause you any more trouble" from Lee. With that, the silver-haired man tied the fabric round her eyes, pulled the girl onto his back, and exited the tunnel. Behind, a befuddled Guy attempted to process the abrupt and unexpected concord between the generally rule-abiding jonin and the consistently willful teenager.
When they had left the tunnel system entirely and were nearing the Hokage's office, Kakashi set the girl down and gave her the OK to remove the blindfold.
Lee blinked as the village revealed itself to her, first as hazy lines and vibrant color, and then as distinctive buildings and roofs, straight and curved, bodies the pale grey of rain but tiles traversing the rainbow that must follow. In the jaunty light of day, it was a fanciful playscape belying the foundation of bones that rested beneath it. And it was not for her. It turned her stomach. It was not for her comrades. It was for the rest. For the ones going about their everyday business. For the ones hanging laundry in the sun. For the ones watering flowers or sipping tea. For the ones complaining about the weather.
Is this what it means to be a ninja? Lee wondered, trailing listlessly behind the jonin like an over-walked dog. To visit Hell, to climb your way out, and then to return to a world where only a select few knew what lurks below? Is this the path my brother has chosen to walk?
She was left to her thoughts for several minutes as they proceeded, the urgency of the hours past replaced by a halfhearted attempt to arrive at some destination at some point in time. And since Konoha was a ninja village, even if she were scraped and beaten, none of the odd looks Lee received would linger long. As long as she walked with even a pretense of purpose, her business could remain her own. It was a small comfort. Until:
"Guy-sensei! You've returned from the Hokage at last. I am eager to begin training, now that our mission is complete!"
Rock Lee was running toward them, hair a perfect dome, each brow worth three of hers,, and limbs wrapped in the same green as his teacher. Behind him trailed the beautiful and gifted kunoichi Tenten and a boy with a long sheet of brown hair and sterile white, billowy clothes.
"Brother!" called the younger girl.
"Mizuchi!" bellowed Rock Lee. "Are you here to welcome me ba—What! Who did this to you, Sister?" He turned left and right, whirling his head around in search of the culprit. "Was it him?" he pointed. "Or her?" Mizuchi shook her head. "Or him?!" He pointed at an old man sweeping in front of his shop. He took her silence as an answer. "I will show him that to mess with Mizuchi Lee is no laughing matter!" He was about to march over when, with a musical laugh cut off by a hysterical sob, Mizuchi threw her arms around him and buried her face in his shoulder.
"Mizuchi?"
She gripped him tighter, nails digging into his upper back, her tiny form shaking in silent sobs.
"Mizuchi!" he pulled away and gripped each of her shoulders tightly in his hands.
"Oh, Brother!" she wailed, sparkling grey eyes meeting his determined black.
"Tell me what has happened. Your brother will punish the one responsible! This I swear to you!" The girl stared into his eyes, then shook her head and turned to Guy for help.
"Who...is that?" asked Rock Lee, his hands slipping from his little sister's shoulders. He took a step forward, and Guy took a step back. "Sensei, who is that on your back?" Guy took another step back. His eyes were wide and filling with tears. Every fiber in his body told him to run. To not let his protege see. To keep that precious child safe.
"Lee," he said, voice deep and solemn. "This is Ume Hatsu. She has—has…"
"Has passed," finished Kakashi, levely, "under unfortunate circumstances. I'm very sorry for your loss." He stared dully at the boy, the mini-Guy, making no effort to soften the blow. It wasn't a blow you could soften, really. Or, at least, Kakashi had never learned how.
"Let me see her!" Rock Lee demanded. "Sensei, it can't be true. She's just asleep. Let me see her!" Guy took another step back, terrified.
"Let him see her," Mizuchi said softly, who had composed herself the second her brother's voice had shook. Guy complied reluctantly, laying the woman gently on the road. Rock Lee leaned over her and spoke to her. He checked her pulse. He listened to her heart. He shook her lightly. He shook her roughly. Her head lolled across the ground with no resistance. Tenten had a hand to her lips and Neji was watching the scene calmly, emotions shuttered by his carefully arranged face. Guy pulled his student away when he started to shout, wrapping his arms around the boy and refusing to let go.
"No. No. No! NO! NO!" the boy screamed, voice breaking. People peered out their windows, went back inside, or hurried along.
"Lee!" cried Tenten, wanting to get closer but hesitating.
Guy gripped the boy harder.
"I'm here, Lee. I'm here," he whispered over and over into the boy's ear. He hunched over him, enveloping him entirely. Shielding him from the outside world, so he might be alone in his grief.
Mizuchi Lee stood uselessly, unable to watch, instead staring at her grandmother's still form. She swayed slightly. So...dizzy. So...tired. She rocked back and forth, farther and farther, until balance escaped her and she fell. Kakashi, just noticing, lunged to catch her, but the Hyuuga boy was faster. He knelt on the ground, holding her small frame up with one loose-sleeved arm, and frowned down at her, lilac eyes narrowed.
I didn't know Lee had a sister…
His lip curled slightly when the white of his clothes stained pink. He studied the slight upturn of her nose, and the set of her brows, which angled a little downward in the center. Her cheekbones were high like Lee's, perhaps a little more pronounced. Or maybe just more obvious because her cheeks were not as round and her jaw not as wide. Her chin was the same as his too. But the face that should have been familiar was utterly different without Rock Lee's eyes.
This girl's eyes were not round at all. They were wide almonds, and they slanted downward in the inner corners, following the same slight angle as her brows. In those inner corners pooled glittering tears that threatened to overflow. And on her thick upper lashes droplets sparked like morning dew on the tips of grass. Her eyes were a little lighter than Lee's. Less like the night sky and more like a storm cloud.
And she was filthy. Really filthy. Her features were nearly buried under all that grime, the blood, the ash, the tiny cuts. She smelled like sweat and smoke. But even the knowledge that his clothing would be permanently ruined could not help Neji regain control of his limbs. He wanted to recoil, to burn his clothes, to run far away from her. So why couldn't he push her off of him? Why couldn't he breathe? If Kakashi hadn't crouched in front of them and called out to the girl, Neji might have sat there for hours.
"Lee-san? Mizuchi?" Kakash called. His voice was loud in her left ear, and then quiet, and then loud her right…"Mizuchi Lee, are you alright?"
Rock Lee suddenly wrenched himself free from Guy and was on his knees by his sister.
"Mizuchi!" he cried, "Mizuchi! She's hurt!" He pulled her away from Neji and into his own arms, not sparing the other boy a glance. Neji scowled and pushed himself off the ground, dusting his clothing off. "My sister. She's hurt! Sensei, the hospital!"
"No, no!" the girl protested shaking herself free of the stupor. She sat up resolutely. "I'm fine, Brother. Truly, I'm fine," she assured him, resting her hands gently on his chest, pressing away slightly. "Please, listen." She met his eyes. She was fully present and completely certain of herself. The message was so clear, that her brother released her with a stiff nod.
"What happened?" he whispered. Lee shook her head.
"It is a long tale. But Grandma Hatsu was brave and valiant. She died trying to protect this village. She's been protecting this village this whole time, Brother," Lee said, grasping his hands in hers. "All alone in the mountains, she's been protecting us. And now, she will continue to protect us. I am sure of it."
Rock Lee smiled and nodded. There was no greater honor or praise. Nothing his sister could offer would be a greater comfort.
"Did she say anything?" he asked quietly.
"She did." Mizuchi smiled.
He waited.
"She said that you and I, Brother, we are forces to be reckoned with." The girl sat on her knees, with her back straight, facing her brother directly. "She said that I must not lose to you. And I won't!" Her brother grinned in response, wiping the tears from his eyes. He nodded vigorously.
"And I will not lose to you either, Sister! You can bet on it!" Mizuchi beamed in response and stood up. Her brother followed her example.
"I must go with Guy-sama and Hatake-san to the Hokage," she said. "Will you wait for me?" Rock Lee nodded his assent.
"Tenten, Neji, I won't be able to train you today. I am truly sorry," said Guy bowing his head.
"That's fine, Sensei," said Tenten, waving a hand.
"Hmph." Neji spun on one foot and waltzed off.
"I'll spar with him or something. Nothing to worry about!" Tenten laughed nervously. "Nothing to worry about at all, Guy-sensei. You just do what you have to do. And Lee?"
"Yes, Tenten?" he responded, raising a bushy eyebrow. She put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm here if you need me. Neji too. And to you as will, Mizuchi-san," she said, smiling at the smaller girl. Mizuchi blushed profusely and bowed.
"I will remember your kindness, Tenten-san!"
Tenten grinned, patted Rock Lee on the back, and, with a wave, took off after the sulky Neji.
"Well," Kakashi clapped, with an air of false cheer, "shall we, Lee-san?" He turned and walked toward the large red dome where the Hokage awaited. Better just rip off the bandage, he sighed to himself. What a day.
"Yes!" the two Lee's agreed, the boy significantly louder.
"Ahh...That's a little confusing, isn't it?" He frowned, looking back at Mizuchi. "Do you mind if I just call you Mizuchi-san? We're hardly strangers, anymore. It seems more appropriate," Kakashi said amicably.
"Y-yes! Of course. Please do! I mean...you may, yes," stammered a scarlet Mizuchi, ducking behind her hair to hide her face. Kakashi chuckled and continued toward the Hokage's office.
Mizuchi jogged after him until she was just to the side and behind him. Her brother stayed close to her. As the four of them continued forward, Kakashi was amazed at how lively the boy seemed. He was no longer crying. His face was still red and a little damp, but his mood was so positive it defied logic. He was animatedly relaying the events of his previous mission to Mizuchi, who listened and nodded and said the right things at the right time. Her back wasn't hunched with exhaustion and her eyes were steady. Her limp was gone. Her chin was high. How those parents raised these kids is beyond me, Kakashi thought, running a hand through his hair. They're so brave. And so strong. Is this your legacy, Ume Hatsu? He glanced at the old woman's lifeless body, now being gently carried in Guy's arms. I think I may have misjudged you. He looked to the sky. From now on, I'll do whatever I can to honor your sacrifice. Without you, their spirits may have been crushed long ago. You've kindled the fire. I won't let it go out.
The Hokage's office was no different from how it had looked earlier. The floor was still polished stone. The desk just as large and imposing. The windows still bright and expansive. But Lee was different. She looked different. And she felt different. She had walked through scary tunnels in the bowels of the Konoha mountains. She had experienced the gripping terror of a genjutsu that turned the world around her and corrupted her very senses. She had searched a magical cavern with glowing rocks and a lake that had never reflected the light of the sun. She had watched someone she loved die, and she had watched that person be avenged. She had witnessed an epic battle. And she had put an end to it. While it was not with her own hands, she had caused the death of dozens of people. People with lives and families and values. And she had pulled that last trigger, had lit that last tag, and the woman with the purple clothes and the auburn hair was gone. Buried in rubble. Only remembered by her absence.
To live after taking so many lives seemed an impossible task. But her brother needed her. And Grandma Hatsu believed in her. So she would live. This time, truly, she vowed. With no regrets.
"Hokage-sama," Kakashi inclined his head. The old man turned away from the window and toward them, as if just noticing they were there. Lee wondered if ninja often pretended not to notice things or emulated any other habits of their life before.
"Kakashi, Guy, and Mizuchi Lee. I'm glad you're all safe. And Hatsu-san is…?" Guy shook his head in response. The Hokage's eyes saddened, and he nodded to himself. "I see." A pause. "I felt quite a rumble earlier."
"Ahh," Kakashi said, adjusting his headband, "your message came a little late, I'm afraid. We were overwhelmed by the enemy. There must have been two hundred of them. We didn't have a lot of options…"
"So you blew it up?" the Hokage asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Thoroughly," offered Guy.
"It was my fault, Hokage-sama," said Lee, raising a hand guilty. The Hokage frowned.
"Was it now?" She nodded, then, summing up her courage met his eyes. "Hatake-san and Guy-sama were fighting so many people. And they were doing really well, but they were getting tired," she said apologetically. "I was afraid what happened to Grandma Hatsu would happen to them. So I searched the scrolls for a jutsu we could use to win. I discovered the explosive tags. And I was able to figure out what would set them off, because I'd seen my brother's notes before. So I had Hatake-san and Guy-sama help me get them into the hidden doorway. There was coal dust everywhere, so when the tags went off, the whole place went with them. I'm truly sorry. I know that place had a lot of history and secrets." The Hokage frowned but nodded.
"Well nothing can be done now. And its existence was a threat to the village's safety. So, boys, tell me what happened down there. The other team had to retreat and wait for support. They said the enemy had great numbers. But when they came back, everyone had entered the tunnel. I'm afraid they had to burn down Hatsu-san's home to block the exit." Lee looked at the ground, but otherwise remained silent.
Kakashi and Guy proceeded to tell the Hokage about the fight, and then about the cat and the cat priest. Kakashi presented him with the staff, which Mizuchi gave up reluctantly. They told him about the Land of Cats and the duo's mysterious ally. And they told him about the last words of Ume Hatsu. The Hokage nodded gravely.
"I had feared that person would try something like this. It was only a matter of time," the old man pounded a fist on his desk, huffing in rage. Mizuchi jumped in surprise. "Sorry. I'm sorry, dear girl. It is an old man's old fight. Tell me, why did you bring this back with you?" he tapped the long staff laying across his desk, squinting at her curiously.
"I-I wasn't sure at first, Hokage-sama. But now, I"—the words caught in her throat. "But I know now. Those two, the cat, Shun, and the priest, Shishi...They aren't so different from my family." The Hokage raised his eyebrows and leaned forward, resting his chin against steepled fingers.
"They just wanted to protect their way of life. The world was closing in around them. Changing. Full of strange things they don't need and can't understand. They were frightened. Those two were frightened because they were full of love. For each other, and for their friends and family. I don't want their sacrifice to be forgotten." Kakashi opened his mouth. "They took someone precious from me. I know this." She glanced at Kakashi, before turning back to the Hokage. "But I don't believe they were evil, or even unkind. So please, with this staff, we have proof of their plight. They acted independently from their village, so the Village of Cats can't be held responsible. But their rebellion is proof that someone is hurting them. Someone in the Land of Fire is hurting them. You're the Hokage. There must be something that you can do! Something only you can do!" she finished, breathing heavily and face flushed.
The Hokage looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. He smiled slowly.
"You have a very good heart in your chest, and a very good head on your shoulders. I think I'll be seeing more of you in the future, Mizuchi Lee. Yes," he said, standing up and sliding open the window. He stretched an arm out, and when he retracted it, a large brown hawk was perched on his forearm. He set it down on a perch. He retrieved some parchment from his desk and jotted down a message. He tied it to the hawk's leg. "Take this to the Fire Daimyō." The hawk soared away.
"It was his wife who brought that cat here, after all. Hopefully she'll want to save face and he'll help," the old man offered in explanation.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!" Lee smiled thankfully.
"I can't involve my shinobi in this matter, but I have a few strings I can pull." He tapped his nose, eyes twinkling. "Alright. I'll expect a formal report by tomorrow evening. From both of you." Guy and Kakashi sighed. "But for now, get yourselves checked out and get some rest. And Mizuchi Lee?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama?" she asked timidly.
"If you ever need help, you can borrow these two free of charge. They might not be alive without you, after all," the old man grinned cheekily. Mizuchi grinned back.
"I'm not a library book!" muttered Kakashi.
"At your service, Mizu-chan!" Guy saluted.
"Thank you!"
"Alright, off you go."
The three exited the office. They descended the stairs and found themselves out in the bright sun again.
"Well, I have to—" Guy shrugged the old woman in his arms uncomfortably. "I'll be off then," he said curtly, giving Mizuchi an apologetic smile. "Stay out of trouble, now, Mizu-chan!" He took off. Mizuchi waved sadly then followed Kakashi into the street. Kakashi blew some air out, kicking at the ground a bit.
What do I do with her now? he thought, glancing at the girl. I guess the hospital? I can't let her go back to the house after, though. They might actually kill her for a stunt like this. I need to talk to the Hokage again. Ok, hospital. Then, Hokage. I'm not letting her go back to those crazy people though. Not after everything she's been through. He stopped.
"Mizuchi-san, I think—" Kakashi started.
"Hatake-san, I—" she said at the same time, arm reaching for his sleeve. He gestured for her to go first, but she shook her head, looking very distracted.
"What is it, Mizuchi-san?" he asked kindly, leaning down. She stared at her feet.
"It's just I...I want…" She shook her head again, then looked him square in the eye. "It has to be you! No one else will do! So please," she bowed abruptly, back straight, "Please be my sensei!"
"E-eh? Eh!?" Kakashi flustered. He fell into a fit of awkward coughing, pounding on his chest with a fist. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath. "Well," he exhaled, "I-I have been thinking about you becoming a ninja and getting you out of that house, but that's not exactly what I had in mind…" He scratched behind his ear sheepishly, tilting his head to one side. "You know I already have a team, right Mizuchi-san? With Sakura-chan. Haruno-san, I mean. And Naruto and Sasuke. I kind of have my hands full as it is…" He mumbled a "sorry" and bowed slightly, hands out and palms together. He looked down at her, with her sparkling eyes and dirty face. She looks crestfallen…
"But," he said, regretting every word that left his mouth, "I can help you study and pass the exam. I think I still have some old notes you can borrow. And I'll make sure you end up with a really good sensei. Better than me. I'm actually really lazy. Bottom of the barrel. So you're better off with someone else." He nodded to himself, as if it were something to be proud of.
"No! I will prove to you that I am the ideal student. Even if it takes months or years, I will prove myself to you. So please! I won't consider anyone else. Kakashi Hatake, you are the finest shinobi in this village—"
"That's a little excessive—"
"I can't study under someone else in earnest, because they will always be lacking in comparison. So please!" She knelt in the street and bowed deeply. "Please understand!"
"A-ahhh." Kakashi ruffled his hair nervously, looking around. People were staring. A child pointed towards them, exclaiming something to his mother, who frowned at Kakashi and ushered her kid in the other direction. "That's...Look," Kakashi said shakily, "just get up for now. Neh? Please? Come on. Mizuchi-san." He tugged at her arm gently. She shook her head stubbornly, forehead still resolutely pressed to the ground. Kakashi sighed and stared up into the clouds. Obito, please save me.
"Mizuchi-san..." She didn't move. "Ok. I'll train you." She shot upright. Beaming. Smiling. Forehead and eyebrows dusted with a fresh coat of dirt. She laughed joyfully, springing to her feet.
"Thank you, Hatake-san. Thank you so mu—!"
"But only until you earn your headband!" he snapped pointedly, his hands rising to his hips. "It's the middle of the semester at the Academy, and you're a little old to be starting there anyway. So I'll help you out this time. But I won't be able to give you my full attention," he warned, leaning over her. "I'll have to leave on missions sometimes, and my team is my top priority. And I don't even know that much about teaching. Not the basics, anyway. It sounds like you learned a bit from your brother and his notes, so hopefully it won't be too hard." She nodded eagerly.
"And in that time, I will prove myself to you, surely!" Kakashi slapped his forehead. "Thank you for this opportunity, Kakashi Hatake. I look forward to our training. And to the day I can call you 'Sensei'!"
"I don't know about all that. But I'm going to work you into the ground, so you better be serious about this! Once your parents know, I don't think they're going to want you back there. So if you decide you can't handle it halfway, you're not going to have anywhere to go."
"I will stake my life on this! I will become a splendid ninja, just like you! And I will not lose to my brother!" The fires of determination burned in her eyes. "I'm going to be a ninja you can be proud of, Grandma Hatsu! Please continue to watch over me!" she shouted toward the mountains. Everyone stared as Kakashi prayed for the ground to swallow them up.
What have I gotten myself into? he thought, wiping away nervous sweat. Ahh-ahh. Oh well. I already promised after all. He smoothed his hair, which flopped back up immediately. But if Naruto or Sasuke finds out about this, I'm really gonna die. Even Sakura-chan won't be happy. This secret...I'm gonna have to take it to the grave.