"Whoa!" Hiromi said slowly in amazement
The place was full of different stuff, it was sort of a lab and a library mixed together...scrolls were everywhere!
"You like it?!" Kaori said
"Yes!"
"Well you go ahead and play!..just stay away from the scrolls, some of them are dangerous"
Hiromi started exploring the place, examining different objects thoroughly, full of curiosity
She asked about a lot of things and Kaori was happily there to answer
Kaori looked around Kakashi's age, she had a dark purple hair, eyes with the same color and was shorter than him
Hiromi wanted to give her a name like she did Kakashi and the Hokage "auntie!" Hiromi beamed
"Hm?"
"I'm calling you auntie Kaori!"
Kaori smiled a clearly fake smile, a drop appearing on her head "Honey...I love it...but...do I really look that old" she laughed nervously
Hiromi nodded, thinking that was a positive thing...she didn't like girls like the ones from back at the restaurant who were clearly younger than Kaori..but she liked Kaori and since she was at about Kakashi's age, she thought it was old since she didn't know how old Kakashi was
..
After spending some time together, Kaori decided that is was time to go back so they can thoroughly examine Hiromi and see what they can do about her
They entered the room where Kakashi and other members of the Sealing Core were "sup gang" said Kaori
"Hi" she got from some of her workmates
Kakashi raised his head and noticed that Hiromi didn't rush to his side as usual..she calmly walked towards him where she stood, waiting for what happened next..
"You ready hun?" Kaori asked and Hiromi nodded slowly at first then firmly "that's my girl!" Kaori encouraged
She spoke to her workmates before escorting Hiromi and Kakashi to where they'd do the ritual
Kaori sat Hiromi in the middle of a circle of Sensory ninja and some specialized in sealing..she freaked out and couldn't keep her calm, looking around frantically
She was met by Kaori and Kakashi who despite being worried themselves, forced a smile to reassure her
She swallowed with her suddenly dry throat before each of the surrounding ninja performed a Jutsu..
..
It'd been about a minute, when suddenly,all the shinobi dropped on the floor simultaneously except for those who weren't performing a Jutsu
Kaori and Hiromi gasped, hands on their mouths..Hiromi's expression was that of pure shock and horror "I...I didn't" her eyes got watery as she spoke with a shaky tone "do anything"
Kakashi could still sense the shinobis' chakra so he knew that they were alright..he was moving towards Hiromi when he saw that Kaori was there already
"Hey hon...they're ok..you didn't do anything...they're just sleeping...it's ok" she said, managing a lopsided smile for Hiromi's sake
Hiromi nodded but was clearly feeling the same..her flooded eyes dropped a couple of tears but that was it
..
After waking up, some of the shinobi panicked like the one from the Yamanaka before...but others were much more understanding, and were willing to continue their work
Hiromi was drinking a glass of water with Kaori beside her as the others were discussing their next move in the adjacent room
They've arrived at the decision that since no seal they knew of could seal Hiromi's chakra, at least not while keeping her alive, so they decided that the best course of action was to extract chakra from her regularly..
Of course it would renew itself but when it does, another extraction session was to take place..that was the only way to ensure her survival and the safety of the village..otherwise, her infinitely growing chakra would eventually kill her, destroying the village as well
Kakashi didn't agree since the extradition session was no doubt excruciating...not after he'd promised her to not allow her to get hurt again..the only problem was that the choice was between this and letting her die
He looked at his hands, the blood of his friend that had once covered it was there again..only it was his own imagination and sorrow filled memories
He closed his hand into a tight fist and was about to punch the wall into rubble...but he barely managed to keep collected
Closing his eyes, he made the decision...anything was better than letting her die
..
Kaori waved for Hiromi and Hiromi waved back with her popsicle-filled hand as the other one was holding Kakashi's
She licked the parting gift Kaori had given her and looked ahead as they walked around the village
..
Finally stopping at their destination, Kakashi and Hiromi took their seats at Ichiraku ramen
"Well hello there little lady!" Ayame said with a friendly smile "hello sir!" She added with a slight blush
"Hi" Hiromi greeted shyly..she was a bit more sociable after having the positive impression about people from Kaori..she'd thought that all girls were like the ones from back at Sweet dumplings
..
after ordering, they sat and waited for their food to be served
Hiromi had turned her seat around so she could look at the people in the village as they waited
She saw a boy about her age, holding his father's hand while laughing about something...she looked at Kakashi who didn't notice..he was deep in thought
She noticed how odd it was that he was just sitting...not reading his beloved book wasn't like him at all
She looked down as she moved her feet, following their motion with her eyes
A minute later, their order arrived
"Sorry for taking so long, it's just that we were just beginning to prepare the ingredients when you arrived...it's still early morning" Ayame said with a nervous laugh
"Thanks" Kakashi said as he was pulled out of his thoughts
He hadn't ordered anything for himself, not having the appetite to eat with everything going on in his mind
Hiromi looked at the bowl of ramen with wide, hungry eyes..no wonder..it did look delicious
He pointed at the chopsticks "use those"
She picked a pair and looked at them, turning them around...then she tried stabbing a floating piece of fish with it, and ended up breaking the piece in half and having nothing on the chopsticks
Kakashi chuckled tiredly and took a pair himself "here" he got her attention
He separated the pair and she did the same, then held it correctly before picking one of the halves of that piece of fish "like this"
"Okay" she tried to do the same but failed since she wasn't holding the sticks the right way..
Kakashi scooted a bit closer and held her hand to show her how to hold it since she couldn't learn just by seeing him do it
"This one..like this, aand..like this" he positioned them correctly, holding her hand with his, then slowly let go as she tightened her grip on them
She held them above the bowl and to the side, thinking of what to eat first...doing so, she poked Kakashi's eye who was still sitting close
It wasn't painful since he'd already closed his eye before the chopsticks poked it...it was funny though..
She froze in the same position, looking at him with a playful 'oops' expression, while he stayed frozen with the chopsticks poking his closed eye
A moment passed before they both broke into laughter...of course the best laugh Kakashi came up with was a chuckle while Hiromi laughed her heart out
Ayame was also laughing, having watched the scene from the distance
..
After messily finishing her meal, Kakashi payed for it and they both headed back to the Hokage's where they followed their daily routine
..
It was Hiromi's bedtime, and Kakashi was at the door "good night" he said back to her before closing the door
The hallway was longer than ever, giving him time to think his decision over and over...as if having thought of it all day wasn't enough
He'd been dreading and delaying when he'd have to report for the Hokage about the visit to the Sealing Core
He just couldn't give a final decision..not when it came to the person he held himself responsible for her safety and wellbeing
But whatever he was to say to the Hokage was final, no backing from it..and that's what he was dreading
Knock knock.."come in Kakashi" the Hokage said
Kakashi kneeled "sir"
The Hokage nodded and Kakashi stood up "so, what have you to say?"
Kakashi swallowed and started telling the story
..
"So, what do you think we should do about her, sir?" Kakashi asked
The Hokage fixed his pipe in place "the decision is yours" the Hokage said
"P..pardon?" He was genuinely surprised..he was hoping that the Hokage would make the decision himself..
He expected that the Hokage would ask for his opinion in the matter, but never had he thought that the Hokage would leave it entirely up to him
"I know how you've changed..and how you feel for her, so I trust that whatever the decision you make may be, it would be wiser than mine" the Hokage said, surprising Kakashi even more "but know this..you don't have to fear for the village, this is my responsibility, and your decision will affect Hiromi and her alone, I'll ensure the safety of the village under any circumstances"
Kakashi was even more unsure of his decision after hearing what the Hokage said..he held the life of Hiromi in his hands and he wished to god that he didn't..
"I understand if you need time to think" the Hokage spared him the words
Kakashi nodded and left
...
Peep..peep..peep..
He turned of the alarm, he didn't even need it, having stayed awake all night..
He still wasn't sure of his decision, but he was also aware that the loger he put it off, the more dire Hiromi's condition got..
He reluctantly got up and washed his face before leaving for the Hokage's on heavy feet..he didn't need to change because he'd stayed in the same clothes overnight, shoes and all
He had barely noticeable bags under his eyes, all in all, he felt like shit and looked it too
Guy was having his breakfast at sweet dumplings, with Kurenai and Asuma before leaving for missions
Their orders hadn't been served yet, so they were chatting until it arrived
Guy stopped talking when he saw Kakashi passing by the shop, looking at the ground "hey Kakashi!" He called with his louder-than-thunder voice
Kakashi didn't look like he heard him at all..
Guy and the others shared an all-knowing look...they all recognized that scene that just played
He was just like after Rin, Obito and Minato..
He'd been stone-faced and nonchalant ever since he joined the Anbu..they knew that he wasn't okay inside..but took what they got gratefully..at least he wasn't all depressed
But now, they saw the starters that would lead to that same condition all over again..and they weren't happy with it at all
"Good mor-" Hiromi started "unkle Kakashi!, are you okay?" She said worriedly, running over to him
"I'm alright..I just had trouble sleeping" Kakashi said tiredly..he haven't had a good night sleep ever since their first visit to the hospital
"Sit down..and..and I'll.." she was thinking of what she could do to him "sing a lullaby to help you sleep!" She beamed
He chuckled tiredly and ruffled her hair "thank you, but we have...we have to go to the Sealing Core again" he said bitterly
He didn't get the reaction that he expected "ok, I'll get ready" she said normally
He furrowed his eyebrows, since when did she start liking that place?
"I'm ready" she said before holding his hand
"What's that?" He gestured the object under her arm
"That's my painting of you... Aunti Kaori wanted to see it" she said as they started walking through the hallway
"Oh, so you two are best friends now?" He said playfully
"Mmhm" she nodded
He smiled and they sat on their way to the hospital 'Aunti' he chuckled
...
"Hiii" Kaori greeted in her ever-so-enthused manner
"Hiii" Hiromi said in the same way as they both laughed..
She let go of Kakashi's hand to show Kaori the painting "I brought it!" She said with a wide smile
"You did!" Kaori said, having no idea what Hiromi was talking about
"Ta da!" Hiromi turned the painting so it was facing forwards
Kaori's eyes widened "w..wow!" She said, truly surprised
Hiromi blushed..Kaori kept looking between the painting and Kakashi "like really..wow" she said "this is amazing...how old are you again?"
"S..seven" Hiromi said shyly
"Damn, girl!" She said "I'm..sorry..I'm not allowed to swear right?" She said to Kakashi with a guilty smile
He shrugged..ne never really payed attention to the matter
"You're a horrible parent dude" she said jokingly then did a double take "s..sorry, I..I didn't mean it" she blushed 'damn me and my big mouth' that was her problem..she was a bit...too friendly
"It's ok" he shrugged, nonchalant..he never thought of himself as a parent anyway so he might as well be a horrible one
Kaori suddenly dulled and put the painting aside "so you...made your decision" it was more of a statement than a question
Kakashi looked down..
She nodded sadly and gave a sad smile to Hiromi "come with me hon" she said lowly
Hiromi took her hand, looking at her with innocence..not knowing the pain that awaitedand
They left the room..Kaori noticed that Hiromi never moved without having someone's hand in hers..it was kind of strange, but Kaori actually liked it..she thought it was cute
They entered a small room, Kaori opened a box and looked for a while before taking out a mini hospital gown..it was still bigger than Hiromi thought
"Put this on" she said, in the same sad tone
Hiromi's eyebrows furrowed but she took it
"You want me to help you?" Kaori asked
"I'm ok"
"Ok then, I'll be in the next room" Kaori said...she didn't like the idea of leaving Hiromi alone..but she wanted to speak to Kakashi
Hiromi nodded and Kaori left..
"Where's Hiromi?" Kakashi asked when she entered the room by herself
"She's..getting ready" Kaori said..she hesitated before speaking "shouldn't we..tell her?"
Kakashi looked down again..that was part of the ordeal he was having...wondering whether or not to tell her...she had a right to know, but he also didn't want to scare her
He just didn't know what to do, how do you tell a child that you were going to practically torture her?
Now he knew that what Orochimaru did wasn't just him seeking her powers..it was for her sake as well..
Kaori saw how miserable Kakashi was inside..it didn't take a genius to figure it out, and he wasn't as good at hiding his feelings as before
She wanted to comfort him but didn't know how..she didn't know him after all, so she just nodded
Hiromi entered the room, the gown too big for her small figure..the scene would've made them smile, had in not been a hospital gown she was wearing
Kaori took a deep breath and Kakashi closed his eyes for a moment..both getting ready for what was coming
Hiromi looked a little suspicious of what was happening..she did what she always did when she was scared, she held Kakashi's hand
He felt a tug of guilt but held her hand firmly before being escorted to another room
It was dimly lit and the floor was covered with different sigils and symbols "Hiromi honey..come here" Kaori called
Hiromi looked at Kakashi with a silent plea, as if she knew what awaited...his guilt increased ten fold but he didn't do anything to stop what was coming...he nodded
She swallowed and walked towards Kaori who walked her to the middle of the circle of sigils where a bed was
She picked her up and placed her on it..Hiromi's heartbeats were getting faster with every passing second and her tears were welling
Kaori's heart broke, but she had no choice..she patted her on the shoulder before retreating out of the circle
Hiromi looked at them pleadingly..especially at Kakashi, making him feel awful...her eyes were accusing him of betrayal, something he'd already accused himself of..so many times..too many
But he didn't waver
The Sealing shinobi -excluding Kaori who refused to join- surrounded the circle and weaved the required hand signes
Kakashi and Kaori could see how Hiromi's breathing was quickening..before it completely stopped..
For a moment, Kakashi felt panic..but it soon turned into hurt as a shriek tore through the room..it began..
..
He couldn't hold himself in place for more than thirty seconds..seeing her screaming with all her heart, her back bowed above the bed as chakra flowed out of her
He stepped forward but was stopped by Kaori's arm in front of him, he could see that her eyes were glowing with tears she was clearly struggling to keep from spilling
He was surprised at how quickly she came to care about Hiromi..but he couldn't blame her, Hiromi grew on him quicker than he'd ever imagined
..
It's been five minutes of non-stop defining screaming from Hiromi..and standing still, watching..was getting more impossible each second
..
He didn't know he'd be able to stand it for all that time but he did..it's been an hour, but according to Kaori, this was just the beginning...
She said that since it was her first time in a long time, it was going to take some time..
..
He was tempted to leave the room many times..but he just couldn't allow himself to leave her alone with all the pain she was put under
..
Finally, after three hours of relentless screaming until her throat was raw..she stopped, as the Sealing team was done
They all collapsed, exhausted..they'd sealed the extracted chakra in a scroll where it was unretrievable
Kakashi entered the circle where the glow of the sigils was fading..he reached Hiromi who was unconscious but breathing, face streaked with tears..her gown had multiple blood stains
He felt..no word would describe the amount of his guilt..he couldn't even remind himself that it was either that or death like he'd been doing before..
He felt a hand oh his shoulder, surprising him "she'll be alright..it's for the best..I guess"
Kaori was skeptical about Kakashi at first, but seeing his condition in the past three hours showed her that he was more than the indifferent, jerk she'd first thought him to be
And so, showing her sympathy was the least she could do..
He nodded
"She won't be stable for a while...you'd better take her to the hospital" she said, looking at Hiromi
He nodded, that was going to be his next move once he'd cleared his mind
Kaori had a bag which she handed to him "her clothes..and the painting" she gave him the painting as well "it's really pretty.." she said then added "..she is pretty..and she really cares about you" she looked at Hiromi and back at Kakashi with sad smile "and I see that you care about her too"
She wanted to change the dullness that was choking them "even though you wouldn't admit it..Mr.I'm cool" she said mockingly
He gave a small, barely noticeable smile
"You know, your not bad yourself" she bumped his shoulder, ended up bumping his arm, being shorter than him
She immediately blushed, remembering that it was a stranger she was talking to...she was too quick in warming up to people "I'm sorry" she laughed nervously, her hand on the back of her head "I got carried away"
"It's alright" he said..he was a bit better now, having talked to someone..especially one that is as goofy as her, she was successful in lighting the mood
He carefully picked Hiromi up with the bag in one hand and the painting in the other
At the main door of the building, Kaori stopped "she's going to be alright...the worst has passed" she said
"Thanks.." he said, leaving "..for everything" he added
She smiled..
..
He was questioned about what happened to cause little Hiromi's condition at the hospital, and he asked to speak to the doctor in charge, the same one who had Hiromi examined some time ago
He told him about what happened, and the doctor was now checking her..
"She's..stable for the time being, her body is strained from having that much chakra extracted at once" he said after finishing "no serious injuries..but it isn't clear when she will wake up exactly..although it's highly unlikely that she takes longer than a few days"
Kakashi nodded, and the painfully long wait began..
...
Three days without sleep did him no good..eventually, he couldn't even concentrate enough to read his beloved book
Add that to the fact that he'd already spent a day without sleep before the trip to the hospital..and you'd get an exhausted-looking sleep-deprived Kakashi
It wasn't that he couldn't sleep, he just didn't want to..
Nightmares about Rin's death had long since stopped, or were at least short and blurry, he rarely even remembered having them after waking up..
But when he fell asleep, they would come stronger than ever...more vivid
He thought maybe, it was because of the similarity between this situation, and the one back then..
Where he'd broken a promise he was so bent on keeping...one that concerned his loved ones..
He was left to think of what 'breaking his promise' ment in the current situation..
Was it leaving her to die, or keeping her alive with the price of torturing her?
Three days of dark thoughts, guilt and a lot of 'what ifs'..what if he made different decisions?..would Obito still be alive? Rin too?
What if he'd defied the orders to not participate in the fight against the Nine tails..would Minato still be alive?
He might have died, making those alternative decisions...but would that be so bad? Wasn't it better than living like this...where he kept breaking promises to people he loved?
"U..unk Kashi" Hiromi's tired, sleepy sound dragged him out of his thoughts
"Hiromi!"
"Unkle k..kashi, you're not ok" she said worriedly
She broke his heart...after exposing her to so much pain, the first thing she asked about was his wellbeing
He wasn't ok, and it wasn't just sleep..on his way to the hospital, back when Hiromi was unstable, he sustained some serious injuries caused by her unstable chakra
He had them taken care of, but refused to stay in bed..
His left arm had a big gash and so did his right leg, chest and stomach
"Don't worry, I'm fine..how are you feeling?"
"I did that, didn't I?" She asked in a low tone
"Hiromi, It's ok, don't worry about it..now tell me, are you hurt?"
She shook her head 'no' slowly, and flinched at the pain the gesture caused
Why was she lying? That was new "I deserve it" she said quietly, barely above a whisper
"What?!"
"I said I deserve it!" She shouted with her hoarse voice "for all I did and the people I hurt..and..and now you!...I deserve what's happening to me!" She said, tears running down her face "I...I...I am Akuma!" She added before breaking down completely
"Oh Hiromi" Kakashi said sorrowfully "don't..." he started, then spoke again "whatever you did was out of your control and no one can blame you for it, and neither can I...what happened earlier...I'm sorry, I broke my promise to you...I stood by while you were being hurt
But understand this..it wasn't some sort of punishment as you seem to think...your chakra, your powers are slowly killing you Hiromi.." he didn't see a choice but to tell her "and I...I can't allow that, the only way to prevent it is by taking fractions of your power so it won't grow enough to kill you"
He knew that he was being too straight forward, but he had to say it all "and the process hurts..a lot, as you saw yourself...but it's the only way to keep you alive"
She was looking at the blanket covering her, clutching it "why is it so important that I live?" She said in the same low tone "all I do is hurt people" she added "and now you...I am dangerous to everyone, I'm dangerous to you..and if I hurt you" she paused "more than I already have...I can't..I can't" she shook her head as tears dropped from her eyes
All of what happened was too much for a seven year old to take...hell, it was too much for anyone to take..that much he knew
With every word she spoke, she broke his heart more...she was the same as him..doubting her reason to live
And since he himself doesn't know the answer, he didn't have one to give her
So hi guys
Pretty sad chapter huh
Anyway, please vote and tell me what you think
Oh and by the way, you might notice that Kakashi is a bit out of character..well that is because this is after he quit the Anbu and before he met the Team Seven we know..during this time, he had lots of issues so this is before he becomes the Kakashi we know from Naruto, this is more of what we see in his backroad story from Shippuden