I know, it was a long wait, but i finally got this done in my spare time. i hope you enjoy this chapter. i know her life has been similar to Gaara's, but this is where her life is going to change. : 3
Chapter 5
Kano?
I looked out over the dark town. The only light that was emitting from it was that of the streetlights. I gave a little sigh as I turned my gaze to the stars. I had been in Konoha for almost a year now. I met new people and was really making a new life for myself. I thought this was what I wanted to be happy. I still feel like there is something missing though. Something important to me.
"What's wrong with me?" I sadly said to myself.
"Well for one thing, you talk to yourself." Kakashi was now sitting in a tree not far from me.
"What are you doing here?" I laid back to look at him.
"I come up here to think." He said looking out to the town.
"Are you sure you're not just following me?" He did follow me a lot whether it was intentional or not.
"Ok so today I didn't come up here to think. I came to give you a message." He said rubbing the back of his neck.
"And that is?"
"Kurenai wants you to meet her at her house." He said as his eye curled up.
"Whatever." I stood up and looked down.
"You're not planning on jumping down are you?" I looked back at Kakashi who had a slight hint of worry on his face.
"Why not?" I looked back down.
"Let's see, you could kill yourself for starters." He said slightly amused.
"Really now?" I gave him an evil smile as I stuck one foot over the edge. Water formed under my foot, but Kakashi couldn't see that though.
"Mizukami don't." He stood looking intently at my other foot.
"Bye Kakashi." I stepped out onto the formed water that was under my foot, so I wouldn't fall.
"Mizukami!" He jumped to the edge but stopped and looked at me as he saw I was standing on the air.
"What?" I asked playfully.
"Don't do that." He turned away.
"What are you afraid I'll die from a little fall?" I said with a little smile.
"Yes." He looked back. The seriousness in his voice made me stop.
"Kakashi, I'm fine. You don't have to baby me." I jumped off the water and started falling.
I knew water would form right before I hit the ground so I had no worries. I looked up and saw a wire coming towards me. Was he trying to save me? I moved out of the way of the wire so I could continue my fall. I looked down; I was 25 feet from the ground. Water formed and stopped my falling. I looked back up and saw that Kakashi was no longer at the top. I jumped off again and landed looking around. I didn't do that often, just when I wanted to scare someone. I gave a small smile and walked off to Kurenai's place.
---
"Mizukami, Kakashi finally made it to you?" She greeted me with a smile.
"I guess so." I walked in and found a place at the kitchen table to sit. "So what was it that you wanted?"
"Well there is going to be a carnival coming up soon." She started to go red. "I think it would be a great time for all us to get together and relax a bit."
"And." I knew there was something else.
"Well I don't know how to ask…um" She went even redder and I knew what she wanted.
"How to ask Asuma to go with you?" I finished her sentence.
"Is it really that obvious?" She looked at me with her red eyes.
"Well not obvious enough if he doesn't notice. Women always noticed these things." I said to calm her. She smiled at my reassurance.
"So what should I do?"
"Just ask if he wants to go to the carnival with you and the others." I said looking out the window. Something moved but I passed it off, it might just be a branch or something.
"You think so?"
"Hai, it is the easiest thing to do if you ask me." I stood and walked to the door.
"So will you come too?" I turned around at the unexpected question.
"I wasn't planning on it. Even if I go, then it would only be you and me for girls. Since you would be around Asuma the whole time it would leave me to be stuck with the rest of the guys." I looked back to the door. Anko was out on a mission for a while.
"Please go, what if I need help?" Her pleading voice always got on my nerves.
"Just don't plead and I'll think about it." I said harshly. This ended the conversation so I left. I immediately felt a presence. I looked to the roof. Kakashi poked his head out. "Following me again?" I said turning and walking to my house.
"No, I just wanted to make sure you were ok." He said walking up behind me.
"I told you not to baby me." I said harshly.
"I'm not."
"You are." I looked over to him and to my surprise he wasn't reading his book. This wasn't like him, and it makes it awkward. I don't care how long I've been here, I know better than to trust so easily. "Race?" I jumped to a roof. I looked back to see he didn't follow.
"Do you always have to race?" He looked up looking bored.
"No, I just don't feel like walking." I turned and took off towards home. When I looked back he wasn't there. I guess he didn't want to race tonight.
I landed at home and entered without any sight of Kakashi. He seems different tonight like something was wrong.
---
"Mizukami the carnival is in a couple days and you haven't answered me yet." Kurenai was impatiently tapping her foot. Today we had our teams spar together to gain new experience.
"So?" I looked dully at her.
"So, I need an answer. I don't want to be the only girl." She crossed her arms. Kakashi jumped over with his eye curled up.
"She is going. Don't worry Kurenai; I'll make sure of it."
"Thank you Kakashi." She jumped down to supervise her team.
"Why did you say that?" I asked harshly.
"Well you make me get up early every morning so I think it is fair." He said taking out his book to sit down on a branch.
"It is not fair. I have reasons why I wouldn't want to go." I looked back down to where Kurenai was standing.
"And those might be?"
"None of your business." I said harshly.
"Well if one is good enough, then I might let you not go." He said looking up. I gave a sigh, I had chance to get out of it at least.
"If I go I'll be with the guys all alone. Kurenai will be with someone else leaving me the only girl." I looked away.
"I can fix that." I looked back over to him.
"How?" I looked suspiciously at him.
"Separate Kurenai and who ever it is." I sweat dropped causing me to lose my balance. I was going to fall, but I was suddenly caught. Kakashi was holding me back from falling, but he couldn't keep his balance and we fell.
"Kakashi, Mizukami, what are you two doing?" Kurenai looked at us with a sly smile. I looked at the position that we were in. Kakashi was basically straddling me. I went red and shoved him off.
"It's not like that Kurenai-san." I said pleadingly.
"Right." She had a disbelieving looking.
"She is right. She was a cult and lost her balance. I tried to help but I couldn't keep my balance either." Kakashi stepped in. I never thought I would be glad about that.
"Thank… hey I'm not a cults." I said harshly.
"Well you just provide it by falling off the branch." He stated calmly.
"Take it somewhere else you two." Kurenai said slyly. We both shot a glare at her. "Hey I was just kidding." She put her hands up in a surrendering position.
"Kakashi going back to what we were saying before, that is a horrible idea." I just wanted to change the subject.
"Well then you're going to the carnival." He said jumping back to the tree. I gave up. There was no way of getting out of it now.
---
We were sent on another mission out of the village. We were basically taking a package to a small village that was near-by to Konoha. I sighed as I looked around the wooded area. We were setting up for the night but something about this area seemed familiar to me. I felt like I have been here before.
"Mizukami-san you alright?" Sakura came over and sat down next to me.
"Fine, I was just thinking." I looked at her and saw she was shivering.
"How do you sleep so far away from the fire?" She looked at me with a strange look.
"I'm not that far from the fire, it's just becoming winter. The nights are becoming colder and I'm just used to it." I looked up at the dark sky. The nights were starting to get much colder now with winter creeping up. "If you're so cold then sit closer to the fire." I looked at the fire that was going good.
"But what about you?" She also looked at the fire.
"I told you, I'm used to it." At this she stood and walked over to the fire.
---
Everyone started to go sleep as the night went on. I just pretended to sleep before I got up and left. I didn't know where I was going, it just felt like I was being leaded somewhere. I came upon a small opening. It was a beautiful sight too. The fireflies were glowing over a small waterfall that was emptying into a small pond. I looked closely at it and saw someone in the center of it.
I looked hard and saw that it was the man made of water. I remember him from back in the Land of Waves. He was protecting me from Haku when I collapsed. His form changed and became more solid, like he was becoming a person. I stepped out from behind the tree and walked slowly over to the pond. As soon as I stepped onto the water the figure turned.
"Who's there?" He asked in an almost scared voice. I continued my walked out towards him. "No wait, stop. Don't come any closer." He was slowly backing away from me.
"Please don't go." I said in a small voice. "You were the one who protected me back in the Land of Waves. I wish to speak with you." I stepped closer. This time he didn't move.
"Mizukami?" Instead of moving away he moved toward me. "Is that you?"
"Hai, who are you?" I walked over to get a better look.
He was a man about my height with black hair and deep black eyes. He had a scare coming down the side of his face. He looked almost my age too. His outfit was quite strange. It looked like armor, but it also looked like a fancy type suit. It was blue, white, and black and the colors ran in diagonal tiger like stripes.
"I'm sorry for all that I put you through." He was sad looking at me.
"I don't understand. Who are you?" He was confusing me. I didn't know who he was and he was saying that he was sorry.
"Mizukami, I'm Kano, your father." He said slowly. My eyes showed my terror. This couldn't be my father; my father was cruel and hated me.
"There's no way. I don't believe you." I stepped back.
"I'm not lying to you Mizukami." He said in a soft voice. The voice was familiar to me, from my childhood.
"You can't be my father. My father was a cruel man who wouldn't take me in when I was a child." I said with tears building up in the back of eyes.
"That's not your father. He was put in place of me so your mother could try and cover up her mistake. Somehow though, word got out about it." He said in a regretful voice.
"What mistake? I don't understand." Tears started to come down my face. "You can't be my father, there's no way."
"Mizukami listen to me." He put his hands on my shoulders reassuringly, but I struggled slightly. "Explain how you and your father don't look anything alike. Explain how I know Nyoko." At this I stopped struggling. How did he know my mother's name?
"How do you…"
"I know her name because she married me, but the village wouldn't allow it so she made a fake marriage with the man you thought was your father. When she had you she needed to have a father for you. She didn't know she would die." He stopped and looked away. He released me.
"Otou-san?" I was beginning to comprehend the information I was given. He had many points that I never took into mind. He looked up and gave me a small smile as he saw I was realizing what was going on.
"Hai." He looked me up and down.
"Where have you been my entire life?" I looked into his eyes. My tears had slowed and I was taking on a better first impression for him.
"With you."
"I have never seen you around me." I gave a confused look.
"Yes you have. Who do you think you played with on the lake, or helped you with even the smallest things, or protected you when you couldn't do it yourself?" He looked down at the water. The water came flowing up gracefully lifting us up into the air.
"That was you? You kept me from leaving back in the Land of Waves?"
"Hai." He gave a smile.
"And it was you who killed all those people." My gaze became solemn.
His expression changed, "No. Mizukami, I'm not human as you may already know." I gave a small nod. "Because you are my child, you can do things with the water that others can't. I'm not saying you are a demon like me, it is just you can control water."
"I realize that to an extent. But that means that I killed..." I stopped looking away.
"Hai and I know it might be hard, but it wasn't your fault. I was never there to teach you. The water in controlled with your emotions, so it's bad when you let into your emotions in a battle." He looked solemn. "I tried to protect you so that wouldn't happen, but I wasn't always able to do it. I'm sorry for not being there for you." The water was graceful dancing around us as we rose into the sky. I saw a tear run down the side of his face that was turned away from me.
Tears came down my face again, "Don't be sorry. I understand why you had to do what you did." I wrapped my arms around him. I had felt alone and unloved for years because I had no mother and the man I thought was my father wouldn't take ownership of me. Right now I was just happy that I knew I was watched over all my life.
"Mizukami." His voice was calming as he returned the hug. The water slowly brought us back to the ground. I released when I was on the land. I looked at him and gave a smile. He wiped the tears from my face.
"Thank you." I said in a small voice.
"For what?"
"For not running away." I said looking up at the sky. I had thought I was a demon because that was what people said. Now I know that I am no demon, even though my father may be, I was always a normal child. I smiled at the thought.
---
Otou-san and I were sitting on the water just enjoying the company.
"Otou-san now that you are here, can you teach me to have better control over the water?" I looked over and saw his face deepen a little.
"It is hard because you are not a demon, so the water works differently. With me I have never ending water, but with you, you do not. This means that when you use the water like I do, you end up using water from your own body. That's why you fainted back in the Land of Waves. Only after you use up most of the water from your body, does the water from the outside world come into effect."
"I see, but I can still learn right? I just have to be careful." I looked back down at the water.
"You can, but it is risky for you to do it on your own. If you're not careful, then you might die from using up all your bodies water." He looked up to the stars. "That's why I always stayed with you. I didn't want that to happen."
"I'm sorry." He looked at me with surprise. "I could have died when I lost control when I fought Haku."
"Don't be sorry. You did what you thought was right, but you need to be more careful from now on. I will always be there to help you, but there are those small chances."
"Mizukami, where are you?" I heard Kakashi not to far from here.
"You better go." I said quickly.
"I never go anywhere without you." He gave a small smile. I gave him a quick hug before he turned back into his water form and dissipated.
"Mizukami why are you out here?" Kakashi came out of the forest looking around the area. When my father left, all the beauty to the place had left with him.
"Nothing." I said standing and walking over to him.
"You shouldn't go off on your own like that. If something happened…"
"Don't worry, I'm always protected." I looked back to the water. Kakashi followed my gaze.
"What are you looking at?" He returned his gaze to me.
"Nothing." A smile came across my face as I jumped into a tree. I went back to the camp and fell asleep this time.
---
I blinked as sun came into my face. I wasn't in my sleeping bag when I fell asleep, but I felt warm. I was on my side so I slowly turned expecting to see Otou-san, but I didn't. I looked into Kakashi's sleeping face. That pervert had slept next to me!
"Otou-san, where are you?" I whispered.
"I'm here." His head came up from under the ground.
"You let him sleeping next me, and let him put his arm around me?" I asked harshly.
"He is no threat, he was just protecting you. I'm glad you picked him." He gave a smile.
"We don't have a relation like that. We're just friends, and if you don't mind get him off me." I gave a disgusted look.
"You can have fun doing that. I don't really feel like it." He smiled before his head disappeared.
Damn-it, now what was I going to do? I laid down strait and grabbed his arm. I tried to pull it off, but the guy had a death grip on me. I slowly prided one finger off, then the next. I finally had his hand off me. I stood and moved into a tree where I knew it was safe.
"Thanks for nothing," I muttered.
"Your welcome." Otou-san came out of the tree to sit beside me.
"That wasn't funny. I don't have feelings like that. I haven't ever since…"
"Since Zabuza never came back to you?" He looked down at me. "You know you shouldn't stay so distant from everyone. I feel like they are trust worthy people. You should try and be less distant and nicer. You have a beautiful smile; you should at least use it." He smiled at me.
"Why should I?" I looked away.
"Because it wasn't there fault." At this he pushed me off the branch. I fell and landed on Kakashi. He gave a cough at the sudden weight that was press into his chest. I looked up into the tree and just saw his hand give a little wave before it disappeared.
"What was that for?" He said in a winded voice.
"Sorry." I pushed off him and looked over to the three Genins. They were awake, except for Naruto. "Sorry guys didn't mean to wake you." I gave an apologetic smile. I looked back to Kakashi who was sitting up slowly.
"Why did you do that?" He looked at me a little confused.
"It was an accident." I said harshly looking away. I stood and walked out into the woods.
"Where are you going?" Kakashi's voice came from a distance.
"To get breakfast." I hollered back.
---
I returned with fish from a small brook that was near-by. I was tired from last night, but it was worth it.
"Alright fish." Naruto's voice went rumbling threw the forest. I sighed as I grabbed my pack and took off to find a secluded place to change. I did and was quickly back at the sight. Sakura was brushing her hair, Kakashi was sitting in a tree reading, and the boys were cooking the fish. Everything seemed in order. I jumped into a tree to survey everything.
"So tell me, what was that all about this morning?" Kakashi jumped to a branch not far from me.
"I told you it was accident." I looked into the sky.
"Ok then why did you leave the camp last night?" I looked to him for a second before I look away. I couldn't tell him what I was doing.
"Nothing." I said in a deep voice.
"I don't think it was nothing." He put his book down and looked at me seriously.
"Nothing." He didn't need to know.
"Alright the fish are done." Naruto yelled. I looked down and use this as my escape. I jumped over to the fire.
"Thank you boys for cooking breakfast." I picked up one of the fish and ate silently.
---
I was walking through the village now. We had delivered the package successfully. Guess what, the carnival was tomorrow too. Because of Kakashi I had no choice but to go. I hope Kurenai is going to happy. I sighed as I walked down the road.
"Mizukami, I'm glad I found you." Kurenai came running up to me.
"Hello." I said looking at her with no emotion. I was tired.
"Before you go the carnival, come to my place first. Ok, bye." I gave a small nod before she disappeared around a corner.
I arrived home shortly after my little meeting. I flopped down on the couch and looked around.
"You here?" I asked slowly.
"Always." Otou-san stepped out from a wall and came to sit. "You're going to a carnival tomorrow?" He looked at me with surprise.
"I have no choice. Kakashi is making me." I crossed my arms closing my eyes. "I don't want to go."
"I think it would be a good idea for you to go. You need to socialize more."
"Don't lecture me on my personal life." I said harshly.
"I'm your father, that's what I'm supposed to do." He put his arm around me and gave me a small hug.
"I'm old enough to make my own choices." I looked at the ceiling with a small sigh.
"I think you should get some rest, it's late." He said slowly standing up. I looked at him with surprise.
"Since when did you start making me a bed time?"
"Since I decided to have you re-live your childhood with a father." He gave a smile at me before he picked me up.
"Not funny." I looked away and tried to struggle out of his hold. I suddenly stopped though.
He was singing a lullaby that I heard when I was younger. I remember hearing it when I was sad. It was the only comfort that I had, and it always calmed me. He placed me in my bed and sat at the end till I fell asleep.
---
"Are you ready yet Kurenai?" She was taking forever to get ready for the carnival. "You don't need to look fancy for something like this." I hollered down the hall.
"Coming." She stepped out of her room looking the same as always.
"What took you so long? Were going to be late." I said walking out the door.
"Sorry I needed to finish up doing something." She said with a small smile.
"We meeting the guys there?" I asked looking up at the darkening sky.
"Hai."
"Who's going to be there?"
"Well Asuma, Genma, Gai, and Kakashi. I don't believe there's anyone else." She looked at me. Damn-it Genma and Gai are going to be there. This was going to suck. "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing, just thinking." I looked back down to see where I was going.
---
"There you guys are." Kurenai said impatiently. I gave a small snicker because she was almost freaking when she couldn't find Asuma.
"Sorry, blame Kakashi, if anyone." Asuma chuckled as he looked over to Kakashi.
"Let me guess, he was sleeping." I said looked at Kakashi with a small smile.
"Of course." Genma came up beside me.
"Hello Mizukami-chan." Gai came up on the other side of me. I shot a glare at Kurenai who acted like she didn't noticed. I sighed as I walked up to the ticket booth.
"One please." I said slowly.
"Let me buy you a ticket." Gai walked up. "Make that two." I sighed and stepped back. This was going to be a long night. I ended up walking in with Genma on one side of me and Gai on the other. They were both shooting glares at each other. People were staring at the scene too.
"Hey guys lets go on that." Kurenai pointed out a rollercoaster that had a small line. They all gave a small nod. I got into a car and soon after Gai and Genma were trying to get into the seat next to me. I sighed and moved to one behind. I sat next to Kakashi and the two ended up sitting next to each other. Serves them right for the way they're acting.
The ride was ok; I didn't give much for rollercoaster's though. There wasn't much there that I really enjoyed. I wasn't much of a carnival person; I never went to any carnivals in my old village because they never allowed me in. We were walking around and I manage to avoided Gai and Genma be standing near Kakashi. He was my only safe zone here.
"Let's go on that one." Kurenai pointed over to the tunnel of love. Asuma shrugged and I waved goodbye to her. There was no way I was going on that.
"Would you like to ride it with me?" Genma walked up to me with a smile.
"No I think she would rather go on with me." Gai walked up next to me. I sighed as they were going to argue and cause a scene. I turned and walked away.
"Mizukami, where are you going? Kakashi grabbed my shoulder and whispered an idea into my ear that might get the two goons away from me. It was a good idea, but it was something I didn't really want to do. "What do you think?"
"I don't know, I guess it could work, but…"
"Ok then it's settled." He said with a smile forming under his mask. I sighed, there better not be a fight over this. "You two can stop fighting now. Mizukami has decided who she is going to go with." Kakashi said stepping between the two.
"Well let's go then." Gai walked over to me.
"I didn't say who I was going with yet, and I'm not going with either of you." I walked over to Kakashi. They both looked dumbfounded as they watch the two of us get on the ride. When we were in the tunnel we exchanged glances and started laughing.
"It was good now wasn't it?" Kakashi said with his eye curling up.
"I guess it was." I stood and stepped out the boat.
"Where are you going?" He asked as I started walking away.
"I never said I was going with anyone. I just walked over to the ride." I gave a small smile and walked out of the building.
"That was a little harsh, don't you think?" Father stuck his head out the wall.
What do you mean?"
"Come with me." He held out his hand. I was hesitant but took it. He made me into water and took me threw the wall. "Now listen."
"So much for that. I wonder what I did. She seems so distant from us." Kakashi was silently talking to himself. He called me weird for doing it; he should look into a mirror. Otou-san took me back threw the wall and placed me where no one was around.
"You see, you were a little too harsh." He said before disappearing. I guess I was a little harsh, but it isn't something I can't make up. I walked over to Kurenai since Gai and Genma were still looking at the exit of the ride.
"We should go on the Ferris wheel next." I said in a soft voice so the two goons wouldn't hear.
"Why?" She looked a little confused.
"Well to get away from those two." I pointed towards Gai and Genma, "I took Kakashi on the tunnel, but I was a little harsh and got off after we entered. I just want to make it up to him." I said in a small voice. She gave a small nod understanding. I disappeared in water and reformed next to the boat Kakashi was in.
"Come on." I grabbed his arm and preformed the jutsu for the both us. I brought us next to Kurenai and Asuma. Kakashi was about to say something, but Kurenai hushed him. We had to get away from Gai and Genma first.
We made it to the line for the Ferris wheel without them noticing us.
"Why are we here?" Kakashi asked looking over the wheel.
"To get away from Gai and Genma." I said with a small smile.
Kurenai and Asuma got on first then the next cart came. Kakashi stepped on and I joined him. I looked over the village as we slowly made our way up.
"So what's the real reason for bringing me on this his ride?" Kakashi looked me over.
"I felt a little guilt for leaving you on the ride, so I wanted to make up to you." I said looking over to him. We had sat on opposite sides.
"Oh." He seemed a little disappointed. I looked over the side and saw water forming words.
'Be nice and smile. While you're at sit on his side.' I glared at the words. Did Otou-san think I was crazy enough to do it?
"What are looking at?" Kakashi looked over the edge, but the words had already gone.
"Nothing." I looked up and gave a smile. Ok, so I would smile, but I wouldn't switch sides. He gave a look of surprise. "What?" I looked around me to see what he was looking at.
"You smiled." His eye curled up. Was it that surprising? "I've never seen you smile like that before. It's a good look for you." I looked back over the side and saw words appearing again.
'See, I told you so.' Otou-san can get very annoying.
"Thank you." I said in a small voice. I looked back to Kakashi who now looking over the village. We were at the top now.
"Nice view, isn't it?" He had a deep tone.
"Hai." I looked out over the village too. A chilling wind came over my causing me to shiver. It was cold up here.
"Here." He stood and switched sides. He put an arm around me and pulled me close. "If you're cold, then sharing body warmth is a good idea." He said looking in the other direction. I blushed a little. I was a little uncomfortable being so close to him. Even though he was keeping me warm, it still felt awkward. I could smell his musty scent that smelt of pine with a hint of soap. It was a calming scent.
As we came closer to the ground he released me and sat back down on the other side. I silently exited and walked over to Kurenai.
"I thank both of you." I nodded a little.
"Any time." Asuma said with a smile. Kurenai went a little red. I gave a small smile at her face.
"It's late; I think I will go now." I nodded a goodbye to the two and turned around.
"Mizukami-chan, there you are." Gai came up behind me. "Would you go on the Ferris wheel with me?" I turned and shook me head.
"I'm going home now, sorry." I said slowly walking over to Kakashi.
"Thank you, bye." I walked off without another word. When I exited I took to the roofs till I reached my street.
"Don't I give good advice?" Otou-san came up and started walking with me.
"No." I said harshly. He put his arm around me and gave a small hug.
"You know you liked it, and I approve." He said with a small.
"I don't share those kinds of feelings with him. Don't pressure me into something like that." I walked ahead and entered my house.
"Come…"
"No more. This discussion ends now. You may be my father, but you can't force me into a relationship." I walked into my room and hopped on my bed. He was such a child.
"Ok if you want me to stop, then I will. Goodnight." He kissed me on the forehead before he left.
Is that a change or what? What did u ppl think of my new chapter? i hope you all enjoyed it. plz R&R, i need a bit of encouragement. lol