Kakashi looked behind him but the Ao was nowhere to be seen. "He better be scouting." Kakashi muttered to himself.
Ao tore through the trees, the scent driving him on. 'Why is he here? That man- what does he want?'
Ao burst into a familiar clearing. The open meadow would have been a wonderful sight but all Ao could see was the figure of the man standing on the far side of the field. The man looked at the wolf and then turned away. Ao growled. He shouldn't hate the man but still- his friend had died in that man's arms, protecting him. The wolf charged, tearing through the meadow. Instantly the man sidestepped. Ao spun but again the man stayed ahead of the wolf's attacks. Never did the man strike at Ao. He simply would dodge each charge. Finally Ao ceased his attacks.
The man turned to face him. "How are you, Ao?"
Ao tried to snarl, but he was so worn from his fight that he instead backed down. He shouldn't hate this man. "Why are you here, Hadji?"
"To pay my respects. I was hoping for the honor of you joining me."
Ao stared at the man and then turned away. "I am needed elsewhere."
"You can't keep running Ao. He's never going to be at your side again. Why not remember him at the memorial?"
Ao never faced the man but simply stated, "I remember him every time the west wind blows. He is my shadow, always at my side. Why not remember that?" Ao walked back into the woods, to continue on with his mission and catch back up with his partner.
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"You have an alliance?"
"Yes, Ao, I do." Ketu stared at the wolf. "It's my way of bringing honor to our village."
Ao scoffed. He was glad someone loved that village. Ketu gave Ao a small nip. "You have your reasons to hate them. I could never tell you to try to win them over. But please Ao; understand what this is for me."
Ao bowed his head. "My apologizes, Ketu."
Ketu laughed lightly. "You're so hard headed. All you think of is fighting for what you need and for protecting yourself. I can't see you offering to bring someone else into your fight."
Ao looked at Ketu, his voice very serious. "You should know Ketu, that there is one friend I have worth dying for."
"Oh, Ao, you're making me blush!" Ketu teased.
Being one that is easily embarrassed when showing his emotions, Ao replied, "Or maybe I don't. Maybe he just thinks I'm going to but really he's just-"
"Okay, okay!" Ketu laughed, "You need to lighten up Ao. I might not always be around to put up with you bad attitude."
Ao looked away. "I won't forgive whoever takes you from me."
"I don't think you would be able to." This time Ketu turned serious, "But if it was someone I cared for, please don't kill them in revenge. Restrain yourself. Don't let my death be in vain. Instead, let me live on as your shadow." Ketu grinned, "And remember me when the west wind blows."
Ao watched his friend for a moment, taking in what he had asked of him.
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"Ao!" The silver haired ninja caught sight of the stray wolf. "I trust your scouting did us some use?"
"The perimeters clear." Ao reported back. He then turned and headed towards the stream for a drink. Kakashi watched him. He didn't know anything of his past, the wolf was a mystery. When Ao had drunk his full, he walked back over to the camp. "I'll take first watch." He looked at Kakashi with stormy eyes but Kakashi just nodded. Ao settle at his post, his mind a wreck.
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Flashback
"Ketu!" The sound of running paws drowned out the noise of dying ninja and war.
Far ahead, Ao caught sight of a familiar man kneeling over something. Ao had been unable to rely on his smell since the blood spilt was overpowering. Ao raced towards them.
Something inside Ao snapped, as he looked at the mess that had once been Ketu. His fur was matted with blood and his eyes were moving in and out of focus. The man held Ketu off the cold ground. His hands and vest a mess from the battle. An attempted healing chakra was still in the air but it had no effect on saving Ketu. It only gained him at best a few more minute of life. Ao laid down by Ketu's head so he could talk to his dying friend.
"Ao. . ." Ao managed to smile at his friend.
"And you thought I was the reckless one." Ketu attempted to joke.
Ketu tried to laugh but spit up blood instead. "I'm. . . I'm sorry for leaving you."
Ao had to fight down his emotions. "No, Ketu. We'll race again when you're better."
Ketu smiled at his friend. "You're right. But now," Ketu's voice was growing weaker, "I have the wind on my side."
"Oh ya?"
"Remember, when the west wind blows, I am challenging you to keep pushing forward. I might not always win, as I am bound as your shadow to run as fast as you," Ketu was at his end, "But you will never find yourself alone." Ketu died, still smiling at his friend, and in the arms of the man who had tried to save him.
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"Ao." Ao snapped up and spun on the voice. Kakashi was unfazed by the welcome. Really- he was becoming accustomed to the wolf's less then social personality. And for some reason, he still wanted the wolf to stay as his fellow ninja. For some reason Kakashi couldn't quite explain, he knew this wolf was very much like him. "I can take over now. So why not head back to camp?" Ao walked by without saying a word. Kakashi watched him pass and disappear into their hidden camp. He would check on him later after he scanned the perimeter.
Kakashi watched the wolf twitch and whimper in his sleep. Something had happened during that scouting that stirred up Ao. Knowing he was no one to judge others for dragging their past around with them, Kakashi left the wolf alone and continued on with his parole.
Kakashi raised his brow in shock. Ao waited patiently near the girl, seeming to be watching her as she worked. Kakashi observed. Before long, Shadow prepared a plate but instead of placing it on the table or eating it herself, she walked it over to a corner and placed it on the ground. She smiled at Ao and the wolf cautiously headed over. Within moments the plate was licked clean. Ao turned and looked once more at Shadow and then picking the plate up with his teeth carried it back over to her. He nudged her leg and she took the plate from him, laughing. Ao pricked his ears at the sound and then headed off. Just before he left the room however, he stopped and met Kakashi's gaze. They locked eyes for a moment and then the wolf slipped off into the next room.
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Kakashi felt his heart break at the sight before him. Shadow was crying into Ao's neck, clinging to him for comfort. The wolf was offering her as much comfort as he could. Hours later, Shadow cried herself to sleep, still holding onto Ao. The wolf flicked his ears as Kakashi approached but didn't move for fear of waking the girl. Kakashi knelt before Ao. "Thank you" he said. Ao acknowledged him.