Authors Note:
I am so sorry that this is so late! Ugh this chapter was so evil to write, I don't like it very much but I think it turned out fine. I promise I will get this next one up quicker; I actually have a plan for it. So yeah, read on!
As soon as Kakashi and Kaori made sure the area was clear of the rouge Shinobi, the family set off again. Once they started walking, Kyo ran up to Kakashi and Kaori, while still holding onto his knife. He lifted it up to Kakashi.
"Here's your knife back." He mumbled in a monotone. He really seemed disappointed that he had to give it back. "Thanks for letting me use it."
Kakashi chuckled while he reached out and lowered the boy's hand with the knife still in it. "Keep it. Your family still needs protecting."
Kyo's face lit up and he clutched the handle of the knife. "Thanks! You know, someday, I wish to be as great of a fighter as you two, even if you are leaf shinobi!" His voice grew louder. "You both were amazing out there, fighting those ninja. Maybe I could even become a great Iwa shinobi, like my-"
Just then Kyo's father ran up to him. "Kyo, your mother wants you. She needs help carrying some of the supplies. Stop bugging the ninja and get over there." The boy nodded and ran off, with his father walking after him.
"That was…odd." Kaori observed. "I wonder who he was talking about? Don't you? Maybe it has something to do with what those rouge ninja said? That they were paying Benjiro back for something he did? Could it be-?"
"It's not our place to wonder, Kaori. Our mission is to protect the family-nothing else. The why's, who's and how's don't matter. I'm also pretty sure the family doesn't want us finding out the answers to those questions anyway." Kakashi interrupted, sounding like the leader he always has been.
"Well, they are definitely hiding something." Kaori said, looking back at the family who were walking slowly behind them.
"Kaori…" Kakashi half growled and pulled her back again. "Your curiosity is getting the better of you." Although, he also wanted to find out what was up with the family. He would confront Benjiro himself.
"I know, I know. I'm sorry, Kakashi sempai. You know, you haven't changed since we were in ANBU. Your mission and the safety of your clients and team come first-no questions asked."
Kakashi looked behind them at the family again. "Listen, I don't think that we should keep saying how we were in ANBU. It's a secret organization, and we shouldn't give out any information about it to anyone. I know you haven't been in Konoha for a while, so I'll let it go this time. Just try not to let any more information slip out, okay?"
Kaori nodded, feeling slightly embarrassed that Kakashi had to correct her. She looked straight ahead and realized where they were. The long grass covering the sides of the path was a clear indicator. "The Grass Country."
Kakashi tensed as he heard the name. They had to cross the small country to arrive in the Earth Country. This country was where the Great Shinobi War was held. His teammate had died here. He shook his head, clearing those thoughts. "You're right; we should be coming across the border soon."
Kaori noticed his odd actions. "Are you okay?"
Kakashi kept his expression blank and looked straight ahead. "I'm fine, it's nothing."
They approached the small border town, walking through it quickly just in case the rouge nin were there. They walked across the border, and were immediately stopped by two grass ninja- border patrol.
"State your purpose for coming into our country." One of them said.
Kakashi stepped forward. "My teammate and I are just escorting this family home from Konoha. We are just passing through. Here," he reached for something in his pocket. "The Hokage gave us passes to make our way through here."
The two shinobi looked at each other and nodded, letting the travelers pass by. As soon as they got into open country again, Kakashi started recognizing the scenery. This had been almost the exact same path he and his old team had taken for that last mission.
He looked down at the ground, focusing on his feet and the dirt. Unexpectedly, he felt a gentle hand on his arm and immediately reached back to grab a kunai; as he looked up he realized that it was just Kaori.
"Huh?" he mumbled, bringing his hand down to his side again.
"I'm sorry." She stuttered, crossing her arms. "It's just; you had a weird look on your face; not that I could see anything but your eye." She chuckled.
Kakashi sighed and forced that eye to crease into his little smile. "Don't worry about it. I was just remembering something."
They were interrupted by Kyo and Chihiro darting past in a frenzied game of tag. Their mother walked after them. "Hey you two; don't make too much noise. Kyo, aren't you a little old for tag-"
Kaori shook her head. "I'll go make sure they are alright." She laughed and jogged to catch up to them.
Kakashi used this as his chance to have a little chat with Benjiro. He slowed down his pace until he was walking side by side with the man. "Need some help? It looks like they left you with most of the supplies."
Benjiro nodded and Kakashi took a large pack from him, throwing it over his shoulder. "Sorry about Kyo bugging you guys earlier. He seems set on being a ninja one day."
"So he said." Kakashi used his free hand to take out his beloved book. "You know, he said something funny to me earlier."
"Yeah, what did he say?" Benjiro asked, looking suspicious.
"Well…" Kakashi said, thinking about what to say while still reading his book. "He mentioned that someone he knew had been an Iwa Shinobi."
"Oh…" the man said, looking away from Kakashi. "Well you know Kyo, he is always making up wild stories-"
"Yes, that's true, but this wasn't one of them. Do you have any idea why those ninja are after you, Benjiro-san? It doesn't make much sense that they would be after a simple trader; not to mention with the intent to kill." Kakashi said knowingly, keeping his unemotional look. "That got me wondering if there is something you're not telling us."
Benjiro turned back towards him. "No. We have told you everything you need to know. I do not know why those sorry excuses for shinobi are after me and my family." With that he walked faster, catching up to his family, who were waiting at the start of a bridge.
Kakashi walked up beside Kaori, still suspicious of Benjiro. He looked up at the large bridge and instantly recognized it as the one he, Rin, and Minato-sensei had destroyed. "So they've rebuilt it since the war?"
"It looks like it." Kaori agreed.
Benjiro's wife looked at him, confused. "Yes, they rebuilt this bridge a couple of years ago for travelers. The country border is about a mile away from it. How-?"
"It doesn't matter. Let's go." Kakashi said, leading the way.
***********************************************************************
"I promise you, we are almost there! Look, it's just through those trees!" The excited teen led his sister by her hand through the dense forest of the Land of Earth.
"Don't be so hasty, you two!" Kaori called as she, Kakashi, and the rest of the family walked behind them.
They made their way through the trees until the house, a large, two story cabin, was in sight.
"Let's go! I'll race you to the house nii-san!" Chihiro said, running across a grassy field into the house.
"Wait a second, you got a head start!" Kyo yelled, chasing after her.
Kakashi and Kaori laughed as the children ran into the house ahead of them. Kakashi walked up to Benjiro, who still looked skeptical about the jonin. "Right. So you mentioned that some Iwa shinobi will arrive shortly?"
"Yes. They are going to act as our guards until the rouge shinobi are captured. It very troublesome for all of us but it will keep the family safe." Benjiro said.
"When will they be arriving?" Kaori asked.
"Soon. Either late today or early tomorrow." Akina answered, setting down her large packs on the porch.
"Good. Although, just to be safe Kaori and I will stay until-"Kakashi was cut off by a loud, piercing scream from inside the house.
"What in the-"Kaori said, as she and Kakashi burst open the door.
Gotta love the cliffhangers!! Reviews are most certainly welcome! Please, please review and I'll try my best to get these chapters up quicker!!