This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Naruto, which is trademarked by Masashi Kishimoto. Everything aside from the original characters are created from the wonderful mind of Kishimoto.
Most of the following unrecognizable are original characters of mine, please bear with me I am still in the process of making the character profiles for an even better visualization.
Comments, suggestions, criticism, even just simple messages are welcomes, please feel free to message me anytime.
I am so sorry for the super long haul, it seems that I am not good at keeping my promises… T-T
On another note, events will begin to take drastic changes here, details small or big that would greatly affect Misaki and the characters so the said changes are necessary, but fear not to diehard fans like me, I tried to stick close to the story.
But above all, thank you for those who have been there since day one, I love you guys so much!
Thanks for reading!
Chapter 15:
Team Kaede were almost at the end of their road with no sign of red clouds when a messenger raven approached Kaede whilst they were taking a short break, Kazuhiko immediately recognized his own uncle's penmanship.
"They're headed towards one of five collection office. Akatsuki had taken the monk Chiriku's body to turn it in for a bounty." Kaede read out loud.
"It's a five to one chance that we choose an office that they would choose, they are probably smart enough to avoid going to the nearest collection office" Neji sighted, but Misaki countered.
"It is logical to assume so, but these aren't ordinary and smart criminals, remember they destroyed the whole fire temple upfront, I don't think they'd be privy in choosing their collection office." Misaki discussed.
"Misaki is right as a matter of fact, they'd probably choose the nearest one in order to get back track on their main agenda" Kasumi supported.
"And that is?" Kazuhiko asked.
"Capturing jinchurikis and extracting their tailed beasts, thus very effectively killing them in the process." Natsumi deadpanned, the mood turning sour as fast as lightning flashing to light up the night skies.
Every single person within the group averted their attentions to Misaki whose face remained stoic and somber, face devoid of the storm notable only deep in her eyes.
"Let's go we need to keep moving if we want to get there on time" Kaede commanded, snapping everyone back to their senses.
Team Kaede travelled fast and hard, never stopping until they heard an explosion from a great distance, exactly right where they were headed.
"What was that?!" Kasumi exclaimed.
"I don't know, but it can only mean one thing, we're on the right direction and Asuma-jiji's team has already made contact, we have to hurry" Kazuhiko hypothesized, everybody picked up their pace, with Neji moving to the front next to Misaki in order to locate the fastest possible route for the team.
As soon as they were close enough, Kaede ordered Neji to survey their destination.
"Not good, they're barely alive" Neji explained and, Kaede didn't need to hear more of it.
"Kazuhiko, you create an explosion to get as an opening, you, Neji, Kasumi and I will grab everyone, Kasumi I hope you're ready to snatch lives from death's door. Misaki and Natsumi, in case that the enemies recover fast from Kazuhiko's explosion, will you be able to hold them off?" Kaede asked and the two merely noded, eyes filled with determination. Kaede knew against the two, Misaki and Natsumi are the ones with the most will power to fight those two.
For one had someone precious she wanted to protect and one was itching to return a favor.
"Our priority is our comrades, we keep them at safety no matter what the cost" Kaede announced and the team continued to consistently pick up their face.
*_-+% =o#$*_-+% =o#$LINE_BREAK*_-+% =o#$*_-+% =o#$*_-+% =o#$
It was hopeless, the moment Asuma slumped on his knees broken and burned, and they knew that they were dead. Their only hope now was if by some miracle one of the other platoons will arrive in the short time before their imminent deaths.
Just as they were drawing their last breaths, an explosion, much like Asuma's burn ash technique with a little more precision and accuracy, happened before their very eyes and they found themselves being snatched one by one from the ground and up to the roof of the collection office.
"The hell happened to you Asuma?" Kaede asked as she immediately opened his flak jacket, inspecting his wounds, Kaede was taken aback, the damage was quite extensive, and he was heavily burned.
"Kasumi, try to stop the bleeding, while I close his wounds," Kaede ordered, working on stitching the internal organs first, but before she can go further, Asuma held her hands.
"Save it Kaede, I'm no medic, but I know I'm already a lost cause." Asuma, despite his predicament jested.
"This is not the time to play to martyr Asuma" Kaede pushed his hands away, trying to get her threads to reach his wounds, but Asuma held her hands in place.
"It's alright, Kaede, I'll be fine" Asuma comforted.
"Damn it Asuma I'm the one who should be comforting you" Kaede grunted, fighting back the tears, right next to Kaede, Kazuhiko stared at his uncle, his face blank, still unable to register what was happening to his uncle.
Meanwhile as the dust settled from the explosion, Misaki and Natsumi prepared amongst the rubble.
Amongst the group, Misaki, Natsumi and Kasumi have the most experience i n fighting members of the akatsuki. Misaki unsheathed her katana and Natsumi removed her gloves, not at all concerned about holding back against her opponents.
"Remember Natsumi our main priority is to buy time in order for Kasumi and my mom to have sometime preparing the injured for a quick travel, an all out battle with them would be too risky"
"Don't worry, I just want to fry their asses just a little bit" Natsumi replied mischievously.
Once the debris had died down, Hidan and Kakuzu found their opponents gone and in their place were two young girls, their stances posedj as if they were challenging them for a fight.
" Misaki, that guy with the scythe is immortal, don't let him get your blood, if he does he'll use it in some sort of ritual, and any damage inflicted on him will transfer to you" Kotetsu warned them.
"Got it, thank you Kotetsu-san, please try to rest so you can regain your strength," Misaki smiled up at him.
Kakuzu glared at his prey, who was just, moments ago, dying in his literal hands. He extended his arms one more towards Kotetsu, but Natsumi was having none of it, she completed her hand signs in haste, placing her palms on the ground.
"Fire release: Wall of Fury" and a wall of fire erupted separating the entire collection building from the battle.
Kakuzu hurriedly retracted his extended arm, he hadn't even touched the flames yet his hand already felt as if it was already burning.
"You're not gonna get out of my book that easily" Natsumi smirked whilst Kakuzu observed his new adversary.
Her features, from her hair to her eyes, even her cocky hot head attitude gave him clues of who he was up against, but her flames was a dead giveaway. The unique white hot blue flames of the proud Hino clan of Omogakure were said to rival even the Amaterasu of the Uchihas, inextiguishable until its target is consumed or the wielder disspells it.
He smirked, he had not fought one from the said clan in ages, he was interested to know how strong this one is.
Meanwhile Hidan's eyes visibly twitched at his opponent, Kakuzu is up against a powerful fire user and he was up against a little girl with a sword, how weak did they think he was.
"Oi, how dare you underestimate me, I'll kill this little shit in an instant!" Hidan yelled pointing his scythe towards Misaki, hoping that it would shake some sense of reality, but he was pissed of even further when Misaki merely smiled at him, as she swung her katana some more before taking a stance ready to strike.
"Don't worry, I'll go easy on you" Misaki gave him the sweetest smile she could muster before dashing towards Hidan.
To Hidan it all happened so fast, he didn't expect the little girl to disappear in a flash of red. He almost reacted to slow when Misaki appeared before him, nearly slicing him in half with her katana.
Hidan blocked her attack with a scythe, using this to push her away, planning to slice at her when she lands, however he did not get a chance to, because as soon as Misaki landed, she had resumed her assault on him, her speed giving no choice but to block her strike per strike. Misaki might not be strong but she was fast, very fast, and what she lacked in height and body she made up with strategy and witts. Even after hearing that he was immortal, she had been attacking in ways that would immobilizing him, preferring slicing over stabbing.
Meanwhile, Natsumi sent raging flame after raging flame at Kakuzu.
Kaede watched the onslaught of battle before them, currently both kunoichi have the upper hand and didn't give their opponents any chance to counter attack, however, all of them knew that they won' t be able to keep this up and their opponents are virtually indestructble. She turned to find Kazuhiko holding on to his uncle. Kaede clenched her fists and returned to Asuma's side placing her hands on his limbs, the glowing green glow of a medic's jutsu on her hands.
"I already told you Kaede it's no use," Asuma groaned.
"Shut up, I'm healing you enough to tie up loose ends, don't think you're going to get off the hook that easily." Kaede smile, tears already threatening to fall from her eyes.
"Thanks" Asuma whispered, grateful that he can be given a chance to say good bye properly, meanwhile Kasumi turned her attention to the ongoing battle before her after she had made a sure that everyone was fine, they were only waiting for Asuma to heal to be able to transport everybody as far and fast as possible.
Kasumi focused on Misaki who was focusing on using taijutsu and kenjutsu, but if she was planning on winning she needed to do more than that, but she's allocating her strength in accomplishing her transportation jutsu for so many people, something that she only had done before with the five of them, but now she must transport twice as much people. It would be too much, even for Misaki, that's why she was so absorbed in the battle, she wanted to be able to help as soon as she is needed.
Hidan blocked Misaki's attempt on dismembering him once again and pushed her off, she had made quite a damage on him, although they were light gashes, Misaki was able to inflict a lot of it, this girl was finally getting on his nerves, he swung his scythe in thought, she was too fast to for the scythe. He turned his attention beyond the wall of angry azure flames and smirked.
Misaki frowned when she saw the cocky smirk upon Hidan's face and knew that he had something sinister in his mind. He then swung his scythe hard then threw it towards her, but once she had leapt to dodge, Misaki realized that he was hoping for her to dodge, and was aiming at the others. Misaki didn't have time to block it with her sword, so when she landed, she closed her eyes and released a burst of chakra.
Neji, along with the others couldn't fathom what just happened, one moment the scythe was headed towards them, then suddenly a bird cage made out of gold had encased them, protecting them from external attacks, even the heat of Natsumi's wall of fury seemed so far away inside the cage. Neji activated his byakugan to find that the cage was made out of pure chakra, he reached out and felt a pulse upon touching the surface of the barrier, it felt alive, it felt like a mother's caress.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, Natsumi had retreated next to Misaki who was still kneeling with one knee on the ground.
"Misaki, are you alright!" Natsumi exclaimed, worried for her friend but not once trusting to take her eyes off of her opponents.
"I'm fine, just a little not used to it" Misaki assured her friend standing up with a smile on her face. Natsumi nodded and was just about to return to her battle when Misaki blocked her path with the blunt side of her sword before swinging it away and sheathing it.
"We have to go now or else it would be difficult for all of us to withdraw, we have the upper hand, but I doubt they were exhausting their full potential" Misaki reasoned and Natsumi nodded, even though it was against her wished to retreat from the very people who had killed their master, still the living are the priority.
"Got it" Natsumi nodded and encased herself in her fire as some sort of shield, when she turns her back, when she entered the cage, the fire was extinguished by the cage itself.
"Natsumi, is everything alright?" Kasumi rushed to her side.
"Yeah, Misaki plans on transporting us now, is the jonin alright?" Natsumi asked motioning towards Asuma who was looking a little better, but still worse for wear.
"We did the best that we can do to prolong his life until he says his final good byes" Kasumi explained with sad eyes.
"Hey Kasumi, remember the vow?" Natsumi comforted her friend with a hand on her shoulder.
"Make the living the priority, I know Natsumi" Kasumi smiled at her friend.
Misaki didn't let her gaze falter from her opponents as she completed her hand signs at break neck speed.
"We'll catch you later, promise" Misaki said with a mischievous smirk before disappearing, along with the rest of her companions, the cage, the fire or any trace that the convoy was even there.
"Damn it" Hidan began cursing every profanity in his book, whilst Kakuzu frowned, the last time he had seen that kind of incredible chakra, the famed clan of sealers had still been standing proud and tall, thinking hard about it, she did have the markings of an Uzumaki, with that long unique shade of red she called hair. He had been so focused on the flame user to deduct the reason why Hidan's opponent opted to fight an S-Rank criminal using only taijutsu and kenjutsu.
She was amassing an incredible amount of chakra she needed to retreat.
*_-+% =o#$*_-+% =o#$LINE_BREAK*_-+% =o#$*_-+% =o#$*_-+% =o#$
Misaki had transported them to the rendezvous point with team Raido, the team which happened to include the rest of Asuma's students.
As soon as they reappeared in completely different place a second later, Misaki collapsed, thankfully caught by Neji and Natsumi, who blushed upon contact, but was too busy attending to Misaki to her to linger on it. Kasumi asked as the two blushing teens laid her down against a slope surfaced rock. Neji activated his byakugan to inspect Misaki's chakra.
"Everything seems to be fine, nothing looks to be wrong" Neji communicated.
"She's fine, her body's just in a shock, she's not intended to use the jutsu that soon, so her body was not able to cope with that much release in one go" Kasumi explained, and Neji remembered watching her and seeing an explosion of chakra just before being transported to where they currently were.
"Here drink this Misaki" Kasumi said and opened a bottle of deep green liquid, and poured it inside the unsuspecting Misaki's mouth, immediately Misaki awakened and started gagging.
"Works everytime" Kasumi smirked before placing it back in her pouch.
"What's that medicine?" Neji asked.
"It's no medicine, it's just extracted bitter melon, it's so bitter it wakes her out of unconsciousness" Natsumi explained and Neji sweat dropped. They then all turned their attention to the rest of the group surrounding Asuma, the first to say good bye were his students, members of Team 8, Team Asuma.
Once he had given his heartfelt sentiment to his students, he turned to his nephew and his friend, Kazuhiko and Kaede.
"Kazuhiko, take care of the family in my stead, it'll be difficult, but I believe in you" Asuma said.
"Asuma-jii, you know I've always called you a lazy and awkward, but really you were the most awesome uncle" Kazuhiko smiled a sad smile, as tears poured down his face.
"Kaede, don't be like Kurenai and I who waited too long for the right time, don't miss an moment in life because you're afraid of losing it" Asuma said.
"Damn it Asuma, how did you become so wise so fast" Kaede cried, unable to hold the tears back anymore.
Everybody let those close to Asuma to mourn their losses for quite some time, but even those who have mourned knew that they cannot linger for too long, they might have eluded the akatsuki pair, but who knows how long they might be able to keep up the illusion. This was the part that Misaki parted ways with her two friends.
"I guess we'll have to postpone the mission and wait for further instructions, but we first we have to give Asuma-san a proper burial, a hero's burial" Misaki said.
"We understand Misaki, it's important to take a step back after what just happened, best not to let emotions over rule our judgment" Kasumi agreed placing hand on her shoulder.
"Don't get me wrong I really wanted to fry them to the ground to think that these bastards took down Yugito-sensei, but the living always comes first" Natsumi sighed and hugged Misaki.
"Do me a favor and kick their asses for me" Natsumi whispered in Misaki's ear.
"Promise" Misaki whispered back.
"Well then now that is settled, let's go before they send out a search party for you" Kasumi jested making Natsumi pout, but before leaving, Natsumi took once last glance at Neji who was talking to Misaki on their best route back. Summing the courage enough for her to face a member of the akatsuki, Natsumi marched towards the two of them and pointed at Neji.
"You're not so bad, I don't hate you, let's see each other again bye" Natsumi unconsciously yelled at Neji, her voice echoing across the clearing. Once she had realized it, her face turned redder than Misaki's hair, immediately and harshly grabbed Kasumi's wrist then running as fast as she can, the others can almost see flames in the tracks she had left.
"See I told you she likes you" Misaki lightly jabbed Neji's side, who was just as red as Natsumi was.
*_-+% =o#$*_-+% =o#$LINE_BREAK*_-+% =o#$*_-+% =o#$*_-+% =o#$
That very day the envoy arrived at Konohagakure with hearts as heavy as their burden, they were bringing home a fallen comrade who had died in action, who had died a hero, who had died so others may get a change to live longer.
So why does this great glory fall so bitterly on their mouths.
Without wasting any breath or stopping for any reason, the convoy brought his body to the hospital where Kaede immediately did a quick autopsy before sending him over to the morgue, it was the first time in a long time that a comrade had died before Kaede's eyes, and yet she still felt like the little child that she was years ago.
But as a friend, she found it her responsibility, along with the other seniors on the mission to report what had happened, and to tell the loved ones of what they have lost.
"I'll go report to Tsunade-sama what had transpired" offered, collecting the notes of those who were involved.
"I guess I'll go tell the Kurenai and his family-" Kaede didn't get to finish her statement when Kazuhiko, eyes still fresh with tears, but a determined look upon his face approached them.
"The job falls upon me, it is quite troublesome, but I believe Asuma-jii would have preferred it this way" Kazuhiko said.
"Okay, then I guess I'll tell Kurenai" Kaede's realization just dawned to her, how could she tell a woman that the love of her life had passed away?
Shikamaru stood before the dimly lit hallway of the apartment, unsure of everything at the moment, he couldn't even bring himself to knock on the door, he didn't know how he can get this over with.
"I figured you'd be here too" a voice said and he turned to look back to see Kaede standing behind him, leaning against the walls.
Shikamaru looked like a mess, externally he looked fine, but his eyes, his eyes held so much helplessness it almost reminded Kaede of the time she ran away.
"I know you don't want to be doing this, but you feel responsible for what happened" Kaede began and approached him, reaching a hand towards him.
"But you're not alone, you don't have to do it alone" Kaede finished then helped Shikamaru raise his hand and together, they did what they have been dreading to do, but hoping to finish at once.
And once the door shut behind them in that dimly lit hallway, silence commenced.
After that was the heart breaking song of a widow's wail.
Meanwhile, on another part of the village, Misaki had just arrived at the hole riddle training ground, faraway from any form of civilization from the village.
"Yamato-taichou, how's the training going?" Misaki asked as she kneeled next to Yamato who didn't notice her as he was busy concentrating on the jutsu to keep the nine tailed fox at bay.
"Misaki! Don't scare me like that" Yamato exclaimed, took a breath before continuing to answer her question.
"It's been going well, a lot faster than expected, he's actually in his final phase, but" Yamato thought of a better way of putting it, but decided that truth will always be better.
"Every single time he comes close to the technique, his takes form of the nine tail's cloak" Yamato finished with a grim expression.
"Is that so?" Misaki replied, deep in thought.
"Misaki-san what are you really here for?" Yamato asked, Misaki wasn't one for unnecessary actions, and even though she had a pretty damn good reason to visit Naruto, the reaction on his development didn't indicate as much interest as it should have.
"I wish I had better news, it seems that these days I only have bad news to bring" Misaki appallingly jested standing up, motioning Yamato to join her with the rest of their small group.
"Oi, Misaki what's up?!" Naruto greeted as she approached her brother, but instantly their expressions changed when they saw Misaki's unsmiling face.
"I'm afraid, you have to return to the village immediately, Sarutobi Asuma, was killed in action" Misaki revealed.
That night, all three residents of the Namikaze household were loss for words, unable to address the obvious elephant in the room, so out of courtesy, Misaki prepared dinner and offered to clean up afterwards so that they could have the their time of silence alone, hopefully discuss their current predicament.
In their room, Kaede and Kakashi prepared for bed like they were walking around eggshells around each other. The death of a friend and Kaede's wedding dilemma making it seem like the room was filled with a heavy material pressing down their entire bodies.
It was only when they were both lying down surrounded with the sheer heavy material.
"You know, Asuma told me something before he died" Kaede breathed out, the first word being the hardest, and each word becoming easier to utter and release. She turned sideways to face a mask less Kakashi.
"He told me not to follow in his footsteps, to stop trying to wait for the right timing" Kaede spoke, caressing the rarely revealed face of his that only she had been given the privilege to see.
"So I plan to follow his advice, to take every opportunity, to live like today would be my last day" Kaede smiled and kissed Kakashi, who pulled her closer, getting lost in the feel of being in Kaede's arms, and looking forward to the rest of their lives.
"So the wedding is still on?" Kakashi confirmed.
"If anything I want to begin my life as one with you as soon as possible" Kaede validated kissing him again.
"There's also one other thing" Kaede said breaking away from their kiss to cuddle with Kakashi, who wrapped an arm around her as she laid on his chest.
"Kurenai is pregnant with Asuma's child" Kaede revealed, but Kakashi didn't show much emotion on his revealed face.
"I think that was what Asuma was about to tell me at that time at the hospital, but he got called away by kurenai" Kakashi explained earning an 'oh' from Kaede.
"I feel for Kurenai, losing Asuma all so suddenly at a crucial time for her" Kaede voiced out.
"I think it's a gift, even though Asuma's gone, Kurenai still has a piece of him growing inside of her" Kakashi reason optimistically.
"Wow, you really are a slick talker"
"Well, I got you to agree to marry me remember?" Kakashi jested, getting him a taste of Kaede's elbow buried on his torso.
*_-+% =o#$*_-+% =o#$LINE_BREAK*_-+% =o#$*_-+% =o#$*_-+% =o#$
The sky was gray that day like it was comforting them in its own sorrowful way, for what it's worth. The shinobi life though may it be great is a short one and sad one, losing a comrade or someone you love has been part of the way of the shinobi living.
It doesn't make losing one less painful though.
Misaki stood next to Naruto, who was standing on the opposite side of Kazuhiko with Konohamaru in the middle. She watched as Kazuhiko's face remained void of any kind of emotion whilst his brother cried rivers of tears that could have flooded Konoha.
After the ceremony, Misaki tried to reach out to Kazuhiko but, he silently brushed her off in favor of taking a crying Konohamaru home.
"Yow," Kakashi approached Misaki, who was still staring at the Sarutobi brother's retreating forms.
"Oh Kakashi hey" Misaki greeted with a smile and a pair of sad eyes.
"You don't need to put up a mask for me Misaki, it's fine" Kakashi said ruffling her hair before walking with Misaki following in tow.
"That obvious huh? " Misaki sighed.
"Nope not really" Kakashi comforted nonchalantly.
"So, I guess you and mom finally sorted things out?" Misaki redirected the topic.
"Yeah thanks to you and Asuma, we were able to sort it out" Kakashi voiced.
"I guess mom really got worried with the timing and all that has been happening" Misaki looked up thoughtfully at the skies.
"Asuma gave him an advice to live every moment like it was her last day to treasure every moment every opportunity" Kakashi hinted as he observed Misaki take in the air.
"I guess it counts to also be honest to myself" Misaki whispered audibly against the breeze.
"You know you still haven't spoken to us about the night it happened" Kakashi stopped to sit down . Misaki closed her eyes as the wind blew harder, making her hair fly with it.
"I remember that night, every detail of it. Try as I might I can never be rid of that memory. I didn't ask him to stay, didn't beg him as I should have probably done. All I asked was if he was sure of his decision. Sasuke was no idiot he knows the consequence of going rouge, so I guess what I really meant at that time was he certain to leave the village? Everything he knew and love for his revenge, he answered that there was nothing that would change his mind. At that time, I thought I heard the sound of crushing, only later did I realize it was my mind that created the sound, and it just depicted the sound of my heart crushing. It was deafening to say the least." Misaki began telling the story of what happened that night. It was the first time anyone would hear about what had transpired that night. Kakashi watched as tears began to escape her closed eyes.
"So I told him that we were probably going to be at each other's blades the next time we meet so I told him I love him, and I kissed him" Misaki finally opened her eyes, such painful eyes.
And just like that the dark skies began raining. Kakashi couldn't help it and stood up wrapping his hands to comfort her.
"There's not a day that passed that I didn't think of what could have been if I had begged him to stay, if I had tried harder to make him stay. I bet Sakura would have done a better job than me, that's why I couldn't tell her, how could I tell her that I was afraid of that I would force him too much and he would hate me, I felt so selfish, I only thought about myself. If only, if only I had tried harder then things won't be so difficult now, Naruto won't be suffering as much and won't jave to come into terms with having to deal with him" Misaki cried hard, releasing years worth of tension on Kakashi's chest.
Kakashi held on to Misaki, this was the least he could do for Misaki who was doing all that she can to keep the people she loved.
"Your not alone, Misaki, your mom and I will always be here for you" Kakashi comforted. Little did they know not far away from where they were standing, a being that was spying on them burst into pools of ink.
*_-+% =o#$*_-+% =o#$%$%$W$FIN*_-+% =o#$*_-+% =o#$*_-+% =o$
Chapter 15! We're on a roll, hopefully this keeps up woot woot! Not the three day mark that I had aimed but still an improvement considering may over a month hiatus on the previous chapter.
I already have projects lined up after I finish this, so shout out to those people who love the following:
Game of Thrones, GI Joe, The Mummy, Assassination Classroom, Black Butler, Ghost Hunt, Harry Potter, John Wick, Tokyo Ghoul, Devil May Cry, Card Captor Sakura, Troy, Slam Dunk, Marvel, Star Trek, Doom and etc.
Don't know how I'll be able to finish it, but I already have the general idea laid down, still I'm open to ideas, so if you have anything, I'd be happy to hear about it, message if you like, you can even hit me on my email, I'd be happy to talk to you guys.