Chapter 2 – Back to Abandonment – (Kaede's P.O.V.)
After Kisame had left for good, I had no reason or intent to stay in this village. The fact that the villagers hated me and tried to kill me didn't help my decision change at all. Now that I had left like Kisame, I had begun to wonder if he would ever go back to look for me. Chances were, he had forgotten about me and moved on, but enough dwelling on the topic. I had moved on too. I was now traveling, never staying in one place (I knew the consequence of that). It had been 1 month since his disappearance took place, and I had changed a lot. I made myself different so that no one would question me as a rogue ninja. I went from long spikey red hair in a ponytail, to short hair. I also now dressed in a short kimono instead of my old t-shirt and shorts. I could defend and attack, because Kisame had taught me many things when we were friends. Also, I had become the only other person who could wield the Samehada, because it had grown to favor me because of Kisame's respect towards me. I was the only person who knew everything about Kisame and I could predict any moves he would make in battle, which was bad on his side if we ever had to fight in the future. Even if I had to, I don't think I would, unless it was defending myself. If Kisame charged at me, I think my heart would stop then and there, he was my best friend and the only person I could trust even after he left me and killed the Daimyo.
I could spot a village a couple miles ahead, but I could only tell because of the sky towering buildings above the trees. There were no clouds or mist today in between where I was and the village ahead. If I wasn't mistaken, I was almost sure it was Konohagakure. The only living thing I traveled with was my kitten, Goliath of age 2 months. Back when Kisame was still around, he found a 1 week old kitten in a dumpster, so he brought it to me and asked if I wanted it. Which of course, I gladly accepted. We named him Goliath because at 3 weeks old, he was hunting big animals and pouncing everywhere like a big bad lion. Goliath had a sweet side too, in fact he was almost always a little fatty who would roll over any time you showed him any affection. He was black and brown stripes with a dark brown nose and huge hazel eyes, kind of like Kisame's.
Goliath purred beside me and rubbed up against my leg. When I looked down at him, his eyes were closed and he was overly happy and sitting on my foot. Only 2 months old and I swear he was 12 pounds already; made me scared for his future.
"Gosh, barely ever do we get a decent meal and here you are a Heifer. Ready to get some food? We're going to visit this village and get some."
An eager mew was what I got in return. On the way back, I heard a weird grumbling noise and I looked at my stomach. Just as I thought that wasn't me, I turned around to see Goliath looking at his own stomach with wide eyes. It surprised me how he could even move his head downwards on that plump little body. Lord knows his fat wasn't mostly fur. I laughed so hard at this, I swear I must have had a heart attack in the making.
"Hello. Are you here to visit or stay?"
I looked up to see a guard. Well all be darn, we were already at the village and I hadn't even realized it. "Just visiting."
The guard looked down at Goliath and scowled. "I hope you keep that thing on a leash, there's many shinobi dog's here that would love a good cat chase."
Immediately I glared at him. "Sorry, but Goliath eats dogs." I smirked, but the guy just stared back in confusion. "Cat gotcha tongue?" I laughed and Goliath mewed at this.
The guard moved away from the gates while another guard opened them. When I walked in, I was surprised to see shop after shop in huge isles and people crowding around them. This village was busier than I thought. My first instinct was to look for a food stand, and with my oh-so good luck, I got lost and could not find a single food stand at all.
"Are you lost?" A random lady asked.
No really, I thought to myself. "Yeah! Do you know where any food places are?"
The lady stared at me like I was a nut. "Look around you."
I looked up and saw more than 5 restaurants surrounding me; I have never felt more like an idiot than now. I walked in a shop and saw a bunch of ninja students and their sensei's gathered around a table eating. A huge chakra came from 2 of the people at the table. One being from a short, blonde haired kid with whiskers? And red chakra, and the other from a young girl about my age with long dark brown hair and brown skin.
"What are you staring at lady?" The obnoxious sounding blondie yelled.
"Huh? Oh, nothing." I said embarrassed and turned around to order food, when I caught a big mess of ketchup everywhere on the table in front of my and Goliath licking it happily. "Goliath!" I hissed.
"Mew?"
"Stop, you're making a mess!" I grabbed 3 napkins and wiped the ketchup off the table. Goliath looked at me with sorrow in his eyes, like it was the most depressing thing to ever happen to him. "Don't be so desperate."
I quickly ordered some Dango, Anko, and ribs, Goliath loved ribs and anko. I was a dango fan. Finally, they yelled my number and I picked up our order and sat on a table outside the restaurant 'Ichiraku's Ramen'. Just as I started on my Bok Choy Dango, I heard the tingling of bells and looked behind me to where the dirt road was. I saw 2 men in black and red cloaks walking through the village with hats that had bells hanging from them. The one on my side had long black hair in a ponytail and red eyes, and the super tall one next to him had... blue skin? My eyes followed the blue one who walked past me with a cold shoulder.
"Kisame..." I mumbled. Somehow they heard me and stopped to turn around and look down at me.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" The blue one said. He didn't seem like the Kisame I knew, he had cold black eyes and no kindness to any part of his aura.
"No!" I cried in disbelief. The food dropped from my hand as I stood up and ran as far as I could, stumbling along the way. Goliath was lagging, I assumed he stayed behind to finish the food.
Finally I came to a halt and leaned against a tree just outside the gates of Konoha. I needed time to think about everything and talk myself through this situation. 'Was that really Kisame? I mean, who else is super tall, blue, and has gills and a shark-like appearance? But he's changed so much! I can't believe he's with some weirdo. And what's with the ugly cloaks? Since when did he go out of style and start dressing like other people. Is that other guy his new best friend? Did he really not remember me?' Before I could finish my thoughts, the 2 from before jumped out of the bushes.
"Who are you and how do you know us?" Kisame asked.
"How do you not remember me you jackass?" I growled at him.
"Go ahead and make this hard. Itachi-san, can I take a swing at her since she is being a disobedient wretch?" Kisame's smile widened, revealing his shark teeth.
"What did they do to you Cookie?" I whined.
Suddenly his eyes shot open with anger and he swung at me with the Samehada as he yelled," No one can call me that! No one except-"
I cut him off," Kae?" Just as I said that, the Samehada avoided me and dragged itself toward me in friendship.
"Are you? Could you be...? No. That's impossible!"
"Why is it impossible?"
"She... she should be dead by now."
"What? Why the heck would I die? Baka," I spat," I'm alive as ever as you can see. And why are you dressed like a creeper, Cookie?"
His cheeks flushed red with embarrassment as Itachi frowned at the title 'Cookie'. "Look. I can't tell you anything, I have a mission to complete. Are you mad at me, Kae?"
"C-cookie?" Itachi twitched.
We both ignored Itachi when I replied," Kisame, remember what I told you that time ago. I've missed ya, bud."
I did just what he was not expecting, I ran up and glomped him to the ground. "That's what you get for not returning!"
His eyes shifted to a hazel color and he laughed. "Thanks, Kae. I've missed you too! But I really have to go."
Sadness developed on my face as I looked down. "Alright. See you soon I hope. Bye Kisame."
"Bye."
But just as he turned his back to walk away, a noise and a strong chakra came from the bushes.