Chapter 21: Parentage
Author's Note: Hope all of you like the little surprise at the end. More on this late…please REVIEW.
Kakashi was standing in the Hokage's office before a somber Tsuande. Jiraya had come with unwelcome news; the Akatsuki were on the move in capturing the tailed beasts after lying low for three years. An even more pressing matter was Sasuke, who had most likely achieved strength beyond Naruto or Sakura. With the Akatsuki's threat and monitoring Sasuke's plans, Tsunade was indeed very stressed.
And Kakashi had just primed her of Kohana's increasing doubts regarding her health. She snapped at him, "Can't you do something about it Kakashi?"
Kakashi bowed, " Kohana's very observant. I believe that she won't be tolerate being the dark for much longer. It would be best if we told her, Tsunade-sama. I understand your reluctance, but she will find out one way or another. I'd rather it be now than later."
"And risk the village knowing? Her Kekkai Genkai is one of the most valued and preserved in shinobi history. Orochimaru's already aware, and I shudder to imagine how other nations will react!"
Shizune stepped in, "Tsunade shisou, I agree with Kakashi-san. It's causing her discomfort, and she deserves to know why."
Tsunade sighed and scratched Ton-Ton's ear. Kakashi watched the pig purr contently, and droop his eyes sleepily. He wished he could be like Ton-Ton and cast away his problems for others to deal with, at least temporarily. He was beyond exhausted and on the edge of asking the Hokage for a break. But, he knew it was a pointless question especially before the imminent danger from the Akatsuki. So, he waited attentively for the Hokage's response. If Tsunade agreed with him, then he had another issue on hand.
Tsunade finally answered after much thought, "I see your point. I'm more worried about the effect this piece of information will have on her…finding out about her family after all these years. Plus, we'll have a hard time restraining her." She suddenly scoffed, "Her father's just as stubborn. Still…Kakashi!"
Kakashi nodded firmly, "Hai, Tsunade-sama!"
"Contact Jiraya, and ask him to be here as soon as he can. He'll want to be there when his daughter finds out about him. Honestly, the old fool shying away from her for all these years...I wonder how he'll take this."
'Probably not well', Kakashi thought mentally. Before he went to rescue Kohana, he had asked Jiraya how he felt about his daughter returning home after so many years. Jiraya was uncharacteristically quiet; Kakashi never understood his hesitation to reveal himself to his daughter. It's not like Kohana wouldn't understand. Nevertheless, it wasn't his business. But, it was, because Kohana liked to take her anger out on him. And if she found out that he knew of her parentage long before she did…he decided to buy some earplugs.