Chapter 13: And Back Again
The werewolf went to take a swipe at Sirius when Kakashi came flying in. He kicked the werewolf's paw away from the black dog and followed it up with a punch to the muzzle. The werewolf's other paw swiped Kakashi aside, staining its claws with his blood. While Kakashi recovered, Guy kept up the pressure. He shot fireballs at the wolf, blinding and disorienting it.
Kakashi pulled a scroll out of his pouch, weaved some hand signs around it, and slammed it into the ground. Summoning: Earth Style: Fanged Pursuit. There was a rumble beneath their feet and then the earth exploded. No less than eight dogs of all shapes and sizes, but wearing familiar headbands, burst out of the ground around the werewolf. They latched onto the wolf with their own sharp teeth. The werewolf snarled in rage, completely immobile.
Then Kakashi disappeared. The black dog looked around for him, startled. Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu. In the blink of an eye the ninja hounds vanished and the werewolf was pulled into the ground. The beast was now up to its muzzle in solid dirt and couldn't move a muscle. Kakashi popped out of the ground a few paces away.
"Nice work my rival," Guy gave Kakashi a thumbs up.
The black dog gawked at the werewolf's exposed head. He looked at Kakashi, then back to the werewolf, then he began to bark. He cut himself off, shook his head, and morphed back into his human form. Sirius gestured at his transformed friend's head, "what did you do?"
Kakashi shrugged, "I immobilized him."
"But you didn't conceal him from prying eyes," another voice cut in. It was Ebisu. He formed some hand signs, crouched, and slammed the palms of his hands into the ground. "Earthstyle: Mud Wall." Four earthen walls as tall as a man sprung up around the werewolf's head. A forlorn howl rose up and echoed off of the bare walls that formed the enclosed space.
"He'll be safe and we'll be safe until morning," Kakashi reassured Sirius. "Now let's-" the air suddenly grew cold and Kakashi could see everyone's breath being released into the air in condensing puffs.
The image of Minato and Kushina's corpses swam before Kakashi's eyes. He could feel Rin's dead body weighting down his right arm. Her blood was seeping under his fingernails, wetting his shirtsleeve. Then Rin was removing his ruined eye from its socket and replacing it with Obito's. His father was curled up on the ground, his blood staining the floorboards. Obito was crushed under a bolder.
Kakashi pulled a kunai out of his pouch and stabbed himself in the leg. His vision cleared, mind focused, and he saw almost a hundred dementors flowing around them. Kurenai was on her knees, eyes closed, her hands stiff and shaking in the sign that she'd normally use to dispel a genjutsu. Guy was holding himself up on his hands and knees but just barely. Hermione was motionless on the grass. Ebisu was lying on his side next to her, facing his captain. Kakashi knew he was conscious because his brow was furrowed over his sunglasses and his arms kept twitching in an effort to raise himself up. Sirius was passed out on the grass and the dementors were closing in on him and Harry. Harry was shouting something with his wand upraised and it was producing a wispy shield that hovered over himself and his godfather. However, it was growing thinner by the second.
Kakashi staggered to his feet, favoring the leg he'd purposely maimed moments before. I wonder how dementors feel about lightning, he thought as he gathered chakra into his hand. The air crackled with electricity as Kakashi wound up as if to do an overhead pitch. Lightning Style: Lightning Hound. He brought his hand down and a bright light flashed. A large dog made of dazzling lightning erupted from his hand and attacked the dementors. One hooded creature had reached down and grasped Sirius by the robes. The hound bounded forward and bit into the dementor's scabby arm. Sirius was released immediately and the dog moved on, scattering and shocking the dementors into retreat.
When Kakashi felt the warm air once more, he released the jutsu and collapsed onto his knees. Guy was already up and checking on Sirius and Harry. Ebisu was shaking Ron and Hermione awake. They slowly sat up, shivering. Ebisu ignited a small fire on the ground and they gratefully put their hands to it. They weren't cold anymore but it was still a comfort.
Kakashi's vision started to blur and suddenly Kurenai was kneeling right in front of him. "Kakashi, are you alright? Hey can you hear me?"
The kunoichi shook his shoulder but it felt very far away. Kakashi could hear his own breathing and it was very loud in his ears. He closed his eyes to slits and tilted forward onto Kurenai's arm. It seemed to him like the most natural thing to do in the world.
Kurenai's eyes widened and she grasped Kakashi's shoulders and slowly laid him out on his back. His half-lidded eyes stared blankly at the sky above him. Kurenai gently maneuvered her captain's headband so it covered his left eye.
"Thanks 'urenai," Kakashi whispered and then drifted into oblivion.
"Guy," Kurenai cried, demanding his attention. "Kakashi's in bad shape."
Ebisu head snapped up, tense. Ron and Hermione looked between Ebisu and Guy, concerned by their reaction. Guy jumped up from the two enlivening wizards and hurried over to kneel next to Kakashi with Kurenai.
"Help me get his armor off," Kurenai whispered. Her hands shook with the cold from the dementors.
Guy nodded and held Kakashi's limp form up while Kurenai undid the straps. Together they slipped the chest piece off and laid Kakashi back down. He hadn't even twitched. Then Kurenai's hands were splayed over Kakashi's chest and glowed a faint green.
"Did he-" Guy lost his voice and tried again, "I mean completely-"
"I don't think so, but you know my medical knowledge is limited."
After a long minute, Guy put his hand over Kurenai's, "you've given him enough Kurenai. I need at least one of you functioning." The green glowing stopped. Kakashi was very still; the rise and fall of his chest scarcely visible.
"You need to get him to the hospital wing," Kurenai said firmly.
Guy looked at her, then at Ebisu. Ebisu gave him a curt nod. Guy agreed with them, but he couldn't help but feel that his emotions were clouding his decision. "Kakashi would say that his condition could wait," Guy muttered.
"Yes he would," Kurenai said. "But Kakashi's an idiot and if your roles were reversed, he would already be halfway up to the castle with you on his back. Now get going."
"Yes ma'am," Guy said. He pulled Kakashi onto his back and set off at a sprint.
Kurenai watched Guy as he faded into the darkness separating her group from the castle. She turned around, sizing them up. "Is everybody okay?"
Ebisu nodded at her. Hermione stood up in answer and helped Ron to his feet. "We're fine," Harry said, offering Sirius a shaky hand up. "Just feeling a little ill."
Crookshanks, whom Kurenai had completely forgotten about, purred and rubbed against her legs. "Don't think I forgot that you bit my teammate," Kurenai said to him. Crookshanks's yellow eyes looked back at her, unapologetic.
Kurenai stooped down, picked up Kakashi's armor, and slung it over her shoulder. "We should head back to the castle too. The night isn't over yet." Saying this, she approached the still-stunned Pettigrew. Kurenai turned and looked at Ebisu, "do you want to carry him or should I?"
"That won't be necessary," Sirius cut in. "Do you have your wand Harry?" Harry pulled it out in answer. "Now repeat after me, Mobilicorpus." While he said this he mimed the hand movement for Harry to see. Harry duplicated the move and said the magic word. Pettigrew floated into the air once more, much like a marionette, and Harry was able to propel him forward with almost no effort. "Very good," Sirius said and Harry glowed under his praise.
The group set off again across the grounds and, meeting no resistance, they arrived in the entrance hall just as Professor Dumbledore and the Minister of Magic walked into it. Ebisu stepped in front of Sirius, temporarily blocking him from view.
"I really must be going Albus," Fudge was saying when he saw the group. His mouth fell open and his eyes widened at the procession. "What happened to these students? Why are they out of bed at this hour? What is all this?"
"This," Kurenai said, shoving the floating man forward, "is Peter Pettigrew. I believe he will have some interesting things to tell you when you wake him up." Her red eyes looked like they were glowing with actual flames.
"P-Peter Pettigrew?" Fudge fumbled, taking a step back. "But that's impossible, Sirius Black-" but even as he said it the minister recognized Peter. Further recognition set in as Kurenai pointed out the missing finger.
"I believe, minister, that an error has been made," Dumbledore said politely. "But luckily, unlike so many unfortunate mistakes, this one can be put right. Professor Snape has some veritaserum on hand if we want to settle this once and for all. If, after questioning Pettigrew, we find that Sirius Black is indeed innocent, then I have no doubt he will come forward."
As if to prove the Headmaster's point, Sirius stepped out from behind Ebisu and Cornelius Fudge shrieked. "I'm prepared to be questioned, minister," Sirius said, "whenever you're ready."
"Excellent," Dumbledore said brightly, "but first I must insist that the students check in with Madam Pomfrey in the hospital wing. It looks like they've had quite a difficult night."
Harry and Hermione looked like they wanted to protest but between the looks Dumbledore and Kurenai gave them, they hushed. "Ebisu, take them, you need to get looked at yourself. I'll handle this," Kurenai ordered.
Ebisu nodded and the two groups separated. The three Gryffindors and Leaf ninja went up the stairs to the hospital wing while Dumbledore, Fudge, Kurenai, Sirius, and Pettigrew began to head down to the dungeons to rouse Professor Snape. Dumbledore effortlessly took over the charm cast on the floating man's unconscious form.
With Ebisu helping Ron up the stairs, they reached the hospital wing in no time. Despite how weak Harry and Hermione were feeling, they did very well. As they neared the doors to the hospital wing, Ebisu spied Guy pacing back and forth outside the great wooden doors.
"Guy, why aren't you inside with Kakashi?" Ebisu asked.
Guy stopped his pacing and hung his head, "Madam Pomfrey sent me out here. She said…she said I was too loud." Harry barely managed to hide a snicker.
"I see, well, would you mind opening the door for us anyway?" Guy complied and Ebisu shuffled in, supporting Ron who was getting paler by the minute. Harry and Hermione followed them in and Guy shut the door without entering.
"Guy, if that's you again I'm going to-," Madam Pomfrey saw the motley crew and ended with, "oh dear." Ron tried to smile but didn't seem to be quite up to the task. Harry and Hermione glanced at each other and realized how ill-used they looked.
Ebisu helped Madam Pomfrey lay Ron down on a bed and then she shooed him away, instructing all of them to lay down themselves. Harry and Hermione complied but Ebisu sat rather than lay down on the bed next to Kakashi's.
Ebisu never got used to seeing his teammates injured. He knew what strong, capable people his classmates were, so seeing them looking so helpless made him feel sick.
"Ebisu?" Hermione said from across the aisle.
The genin looked up at her, swallowing the worry that was welling up in his throat.
"He'll be okay. Madam Pomfrey is excellent at what she does."
Madam Pomfrey, ignoring the compliment, finished with Ron's leg and bustled over to Ebisu. He said, "you can take care of the students first, I can wait."
The witch brushed his protestations aside and began pulling the ripped material of his shirt aside. Lifting up his mail she tutted, "bruised ribs at least. Hold still dear." She muttered something under her breath and moved her wand in slow, tight circles. Ebisu could suddenly breathe easier and relaxed a bit.
"Is Kakashi going to be okay?" Ebisu asked after taking some deep breaths.
"No talking," Madam Pomfrey said as she waved her wand and bandages wrapped around Ebisu's torso. "And yes, he should be fine. I don't know what you were doing out there but he's gotten himself injured and plum worn out besides. I've never seen the like."
"Guy's getting himself sick with worry standing outside. Please let him in," Ebisu quietly requested.
"Someone that loud doesn't belong in a hospital," Madam Pomfrey said with an angry snort.
Ebisu wondered what she'd think of some of the things that went on in the Leaf Village's hospital. Hermione spoke up, "please Madam Pomfrey, Guy can be quiet. I'm sure he was just excited before."
Madam Pomfrey looked up at Hermione. "Mutiny abounds," she said. "I'm sure the only reason that this one," she waved at Kakashi, "isn't trying to sneak away is because he's unconscious. I get enough rebellion from these guards so please hold your tongue Miss Granger."
Just the same, Madam Pomfrey looked up at the big oak doors of her hospital wing and flicked her wand at them irritably. They popped open revealing Guy mid-pace. He looked up and saw the witch wave him in. The doors closed behind him as he bounded up to her. "Mr. Guy, if you are to remain here you, will speak quietly, understand?"
Guy nodded. He looked like if he opened his mouth to answer a joyful shout would escape his lips. He then quickly acquired a chair and sat himself down between Ebisu and Kakashi's beds. Ebisu tried to distract him with quiet conversation, explaining what had happened after he'd left, but Guy kept sending anxious glances Kakashi's way.
When Kurenai, Dumbledore, and Sirius arrived at the hospital wing, the two wizards and witch were asleep. Madam Pomfrey came around the corner a moment later and, seeing Sirius, she nearly shrieked, much to Guy's amusement. She calmed down at Dumbledore's reassurances but gave Black a cold look.
Guy jumped up at Kurenai's entrance but Ebisu was a little slower. He grimaced at how stiff he'd become just lying on a bed for a couple of hours.
"How's Kakashi?" Kurenai asked immediately. She still had his armor over her shoulder and Guy could tell that wasn't the only thing weighing on her.
"He should be fine," Ebisu responded. "He just needs to rest."
Kurenai nodded and approached her sleeping captain. His headband, sandals, and arm guards had been neatly placed under his bed. She put the chest piece with his arm guards and then stepped away, as if she thought she'd disturb him if she got too close.
Dumbledore broke the silence. "I can't thank you all enough for what you've done tonight. Because of you, Sirius Black has been acquitted, although it has yet to be official. I insisted that Sirius and Peter Pettigrew remain here until this can be sorted out. Cornelius has gone back to the ministry to gather the appropriate personnel and documentation."
Guy couldn't help but agree with Dumbledore. It would be too convenient for something to happen to Black or Pettigrew on their way back to the ministry. The way the dementors had not only attacked Black, but the rest of their party as well, gave him no confidence in their reasoning skills.
"I would also like to express my gratitude," Sirius said. "If it weren't for all of you, I would be worse than dead." The conscious ninja each inclined their heads in turn.
Meanwhile Dumbledore had pulled Madam Pomfrey aside and they were having a whispered conversation. When they'd finished, Madam Pomfrey approached Sirius and began examining Kakashi's kunai strike and bandaging job. She then moved on to the lacerations on Sirius's shoulders and back from his fight with the werewolf. "I think they're fine for now," she said, "but what you really need is a good wash all over." She took Sirius's arm and marched him to the hospital washroom.
When Sirius had washed and Madam Pomfrey had bandaged his wounds, he was like a new man. Harry didn't even recognize him when he woke up. His hair was clean and trimmed and his face was shaved. His skin didn't look nearly as pale when all the dirt was washed off of it. He had on a clean set of robes, Madam Pomfrey had burned the old ones, and his teeth and nails had been cleaned.
"I feel like a pampered show dog," Sirius said, frowning.
"You feel like you're civilized again you mean," the nurse countered.
Show dog or no, Sirius's appearance made him almost unrecognizable to the ministry officials who arrived the next day. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ebisu were discharged from the hospital by the next morning. Kakashi, however, was still unconscious and Guy stayed with him in the hospital wing, silently laughing at the way Madam Pomfrey fussed over his friend. He figured it would only alarm her to hear that Kakashi could remain unconscious for days after succumbing to chakra exhaustion.
Kurenai had insisted on patrolling the grounds during Pettigrew's trial and Sirius's retrial, in case the dementors got any funny ideas. So Ebisu escorted Harry, Ron, and Hermione to the dungeons.
As they walked through the nearly deserted castle, there was another Hogsmeade visit that day, Hermione suddenly asked, "how is Professor Lupin?"
Harry and Ron momentarily felt guilty. They'd completely forgotten about the plight of their favorite professor.
Ebisu pushed up his sunglasses and said, "Dumbledore and Kurenai saw to that early this morning after the moonset. He is recovering safely in his office."
Harry and Ron found the trials surprisingly boring. There were a lot of words they didn't understand and a bit of arguing. They understood the testimonies though and the all important verdicts. By that afternoon the dementors and Peter Pettigrew were gone.
As the four climbed up the stairs back to the main levels, Guy came bounding down toward them. "Guy," Harry said excitedly. "Sirius was acquitted! He's free!"
Ebisu was eager to hear what news Guy had to report and his hopes weren't disappointed.
Guy replied, "that's wonderful. In addition to your good news, Kakashi is awake!" The clone poofed excitedly, having delivered its message.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to that," Ron frowned at the dissipating smoke.