Nearly 2,500 wonderful readers have kindly read this story and I am beyond words…thank you.

After this chapter, I will write two more. One for the stories conclusion and the last an epilogue as kindly requested by the wonderful SS.

Happy Reading, anoldfan xxx

Chapter Twenty Nine

For the 12th time in the early hours of the morning, Kakashi woke up. He decided to just get up and prepare as his mind was not going to let him rest. He had slept in his mask and clothes from having over done it in practice the night before. Darui was shown around the village properly by Ino and her father before going to the Kage suite in the main hotel of Konoha.

Kakashi's home resembled more of a log cabin, basic perhaps but clean, organised and comfortable. He did not have many possessions accept for the pictures of his former team mates, his students and a secret one of Team 8, the squad Hinata was in. Looking at the three children with their Kurenai Sensei, he smiled and compared it to his team. His team had a rather happy Sakura, sharing his grin. Naruto looked fairly upbeat and Sasuke had a pout. It made him smile and then looking at Team 8's picture … he saw the strong bonds between that squad.

Kurenai looked like a proud mother, with her children around her. Hinata looked so pretty and bashful, Shino serious and Kiba a bit goofy … but they looked like a family. His picture of his team mates truly looked like those of his team with Kakashi as Sasuke and Naruto as Obito. Sakura and Rin, though medical ninja, had their differences in their ways. Rin was always supportive and kind toward Obito whilst Sakura regulaly beat Naruto up. Hinata was more like Rin, he decided. Kiba and Obito did share commonness and perhaps Shino's cool, collected approach to things was like his way too.

Putting the pictures back upon his bedside table, he got up from the white sheets of his bed and after pulling open the curtains, seeing the still dark sky outside, went to wash and re-dress.

Before long, he knew he would have to go. It was nearly 5:00am and Naruto would be waiting for him at the tournament building, the one which is used for the Chuunin examination fights, at 7:00am. He walked out of his home, stopping by the memorial stone along the way. He traced the name of his friend Obito with his left fore-finger and smiled in memory of the young man who had changed his life for the better.

"Obito," He said, his eyes taking note of every single mark that was made the mallet that carved his name onto that stone. "Am I doing the right thing? I love her, but am I making her life worse? When I think about how you felt about Rin and even though at first she did not return your affections, she did truly love and care for you. Am I a fool for loving a girl who maybe is just trying to be kind to spare an old man's feelings?"

"Kakashi, she loves you."

Kakashi's eyes bulged and then he felt a tap on his shoulder. He leapt into the air and when he landed he darted around on the spot, looking for a ghost or attacker.

"Iruka…" Kakashi said, slightly blushing embarrassed by his reaction. Iruka merely smiled at his friend and continued.

"From what I have heard, she is truly in love with the man who loves her 'so easily' as she does him… much to Naruto's aggravation."

Kakashi nodded, still embarrassed but appreciated Iruka's words.

"By the way," Iruka said, folding his arms. "Shouldn't you be at the arena by now?"

Kakashi looked at the lightening sky. His face froze and with his one eye showing due to the forehead protector covering his Sharingan had bulged as he clasped his friends shoulder with both of his hands.

"What?" He said.

"It's 6:50am… you should go."

"Damn it!" Kakashi yelled and fled towards the Tournament Building, Iruka smiling happily … It was actually 6:00am but he didn't want Kakashi to be late. ^_^

The panicky Shinobi quickly reached the meeting place. A line of people were patiently waiting to enter the main entrance and as he walked slowly towards the sideway gate for fighters to enter the arena, he saw nearly everyone had come. The Hyuuga Clan sat in the front row and around them, the whole of Konoha seemed to be there. He called himself as he walked into the main arena and composed himself. Darui waved from his seat and pointed to Ino. Kakashi waved and smiled to them before walking towards the centre.

It was now 6:30am and for the first time in many years, he was early and it felt uncomfortable. He took out his book and started to read, 15 minutes later, there was a sudden orange flash which whizzed past Kakashi and Naruto was standing right in front of him. Seeing Kakashi reading, he tried to knock the book out of his hand but was stopped by Kakashi clenching his arm, his eyes still on the book.

"Kakashi-Sensei..." Naruto said, sneering at his former teacher.

"Hokage-Sama…." He said, coolly.

"LET THE MATCH BEGIN." The loud voice of Tsunande announced from the stands and Naruto flew at Kakashi.

Kakashi saw the sudden movement and jumped to the left side, avoiding the attack.

Naruto snarled and threw a right fist towards the white-grey haired man. Kakashi ducked down and flipped Naruto's legs out from under him.

The Hokage turned in the air as he was about to fall and cart wheeled away from his Sensei.

"Not bad." He said and making the needed hand signals created over a 100 clones. In unison they screamed and ran for him. Kakashi disappeared into a puff of smoke and reappeared behind the real Naruto.

He tapped him on the shoulder, Naruto turned and Kakashi punched him in the face.

With his nose bleeding, Naruto spat the blood running into his mouth at Kakashi. But Kakashi then punched him in the stomach with a Chidori.

"You're holding back." Kakashi stated, seeing Naruto laugh.

The Chidori didn't send Naruto flying backwards… his chakra merely formed a hand which caught the ball of electricity and then pushed it back towards Kakashi.

Kakashi was blown backwards with his own attack, and he landed hard upon his back. His abdomen severely burnt and scolded, but he jumped up.

"I won't lose." Kakashi announced and Naruto scowled.

"Dirty old men like you will never win!" He screamed back and all 100 version of him, with orange chakra clouds around their bodies rushed at him, all with kunai in their hands.

This is the moment … Kakashi thought and spreading his arms wide and building the chakra within him, unleashed his attack. "Destiny Blitz Jitsu!"

The sky filled with thunder clouds and quickly unleashed 100's of thunderbolts, striking each Naruto and filling the air with popping noise and a yell.

"What?" Naruto said as the attack continued and as his clones were now all gone, all thunderbolts now rained on him.

The element of surprise gone, Naruto's chakra protected him and he smiled wickedly at Kakashi.

"Nice trick." He said.

The Hokage changed into his full 6 path's mode, his clothes shining white and an orange fire of chakra came from him. He flew at Kakashi again, who had suddenly disappeared again.

"Substitution jitsu?" Naruto questioned, looking around. A hand burst through the ground, grabbed an ankle and pushed Naruto under to his shoulders.

Naruto burst from the ground, earth flying everywhere. He was angry now.

"Sneaky old man…" He yelled and summoning two clones had them hold Kakashi in place whilst he punched him in the face repeatedly.

"You…" SMACK. "… Took …" SMACK. "… My…" SMACK.

Kakashi yelled and thrust both of his fists simultaneously into the clones' heads. They poofed into the air and Kakashi shoved Naruto to the ground.

"SHE LOVED YOU!" He screamed into Naruto's face. The Kage looked at him, confused.

"How could you not have loved her back as easily as SHE DID YOU?"

Naruto lay stunned at the question … he had no answer.

"After the War, I realised just how much more I felt for her than as a Sensei. But knowing she loved you, I backed off. I WANTED YOU AND HER TO BE HAPPY… but you just HURT HER."

"LIAR!" Naruto said. "I never hurt her."

"IDIOT!" Kakashi yelled and turned away from the dangerous man in front of him. Yes, it was a risk but he couldn't look at him. "She would have been yours if you had just showed her love. But you didn't."

"Enough!" Screamed Naruto and taking one of his father's legendary kunai, threw it at his old teacher.

Kakashi deflected the intended attack easily with the kunai his sensei had given him, Naruto's father.

"You throw your father's kunai at his student? How sick!" Kakashi looked so pissed.

"Sick? You had a teenager, you dirty old man!" He yelled and Hiashi who sat nearby winced.

"I have only ever loved a woman who loved me back and we did NOTHING until she was of age and ready. YOU TRIED TO RAE HER! All she wanted in the past was your love… and you couldn't give it. When she moved on from you, you tried to force her to love you again. AND YOU CALL ME SICK!"

Naruto whimpered on the ground, his teeth clenched and eyes closed.

"I'll NEVER give up on her."

"Then you don't love her, Naruto." Kakashi answered quietly and Naruto's eyes shot open. "I let her go for a long time, knowing she loved you and only you. You chose other things apart from her. I only chose her happiness and safety, above my own."

Hiashi's clenched fists eased slightly, though ironically Tsume Inuzuka and Shibi Aburame looked extremely angry. Kiba's mum had squeezed her handkerchief so tightly around her hand that she drew blood. Shino's father let out a small growl when Naruto said Kakashi had 'been' with Hinata.

"Don't trick me, Sensei." Naruto warned and standing up leapt again at his teacher.

Kakashi frowned and looking at Naruto, wished he didn't have to do this. He made hand signs and slamming his hand hard into the ground in front of him yelled out.

"Wood release: Prison."

Trees shot from the ground and encircled the Kage, the trunks twisting together at the top to seal it. As this happened, he then did more signs and placing an open palm towards the trees, spoke.

"Ice release: Ice chamber."

Snow and ice shot from his hand and he froze the trees in front of him. The people gasped and gaped at the sight of these rare forms of jitsu being performed.

"How did he do this?" Ino gaped, her arms frozen at her sides. Darui put his warm, large hand upon hers and advised her.

"Kakashi went to seek advanced training… from Destiny Blitz herself."

Ino gawked and faced her handsome companion. "That's incredible! They saw she knows every jitsu ever created and dared to be used."

"Well, it is very true she does… and is a real slave driver."

"Raikage-Sama… you've met her?" Ino asked, her face now warmer from his touch and she smiled at him.

"Yes, he let me accompany him there and she let me see him and her train. She even kindly taught me a few things…"

"Really?" She said, slightly jealous.

"Only some fire and water jitsu… I couldn't learn everything they covered in the amount of time and rate they went through things." He put his free hand behind his head, his eyes closed and lips smiling. H's a very modest man, I like that. Oh, and sexy to boot!

"Raikage –Sama, I am very impressed." She put her other hand now upon his and leant into his shoulder. He was touched by the gesture and kissing the top of her head, watched what was now happening.

The ice ridden trees were shattered across the arena spectacularly and a shivering Naruto walked over to him, his eyes angry and shivering uncontrollable.

"Y-you…" He tried to lunge again but his temperature had dropped incredibly low. The spirits within him felt ill and hard to help their young friend. They used their chakra to help give him the warm energy to survive the freezing prison he was in. It took nearly all their energy to keep him alive … but he still was.

"Hokage – Sama, I had to push you to you limit. I will warm you immediately."

Kakashi made a hand sign and called.

"Fire Jitsu: Flame thrower." He cast from his mouth a steady stream of fire and heating the ground around Naruto, could hear the chattering of his teeth stop and a small sigh come from his mouth.

Kakashi stopped the jitsu and seeing Naruto recovering, went onto his knees and bowed.

"I am so sorry Naruto for hurting you. You are my student and I care about you. I had no idea you still liked Lady Hinata, but I DO love her. Do you give me your permission to ask her to marry me? If she refuses, I will leave her alone."

Naruto looked like he had a bad taste in his mouth and looking at his teacher offered him his hand.

"Kakashi sensei, go and marry your Lady. I will perform the ceremony… if you both accept that? I would not have given her up to anyone else." He said sadly but knew it was right. He did love Hinata but perhaps not as much as this man.

Kakashi took his hand and Naruto helped him to stand. The crowd cheered and the two shook hands.

"Hurt her and I will 'Beast Ball' you." Naruto said with a smile quietly. Kakashi smiled and nodded as the noise of the people became mind-blowingly loud with cheering.

Chōjūrō had been waiting for nearly an hour and Ao had shown himself. He was about to leave when he heard him.

Ao walked slowly, casually into the arena as nearly all of Kirigakure watched them. The village Elder, Mei, Nina and Shino were sitting within the Mizukage's balcony and awaiting what was to happen next. Hinata and Pakkun sat close to the front of the arena.

"I'm impressed you came, Chōjūrō." Ao said, very relaxed.

"Ao-Sama, you are late." He stated and Ao smiled apologetically.

"My apologies, I was delayed for a while… listening to the sobs of your mother within me."

Chōjūrō eyes flashed with hatred but he refused to be baited.

"I suggest we begin when Mei-Sama gives the order." Chōjūrō said, even in speech and collectedly.

"Agreed." Ao said smiling and the two looked towards their Mizukage. Chōjūrō looked serious yet calm, Ao looked happy and care free. Mei nodded to the men and with that, a loud horn was blown and the fight began.

Chōjūrō took from behind his sword and spoke to it quietly.

"Hiramekarei., we stand before the man responsible for the deaths of my father and mother. Even now her spirit was being tortured by him. Hiramekarei., you have been by my side and supported me. You've helped me gain the love of the woman I have always adored. I now want to prove my worth to you. Today, I will not fail you or her. Put your faith in me and we will avenge their deaths and the man who left the sword Kiba without his master."

Hiramekarei. Shone brightly and smiling, Chōjūrō pointed the sword at the older male.

"Ao-Sama, when you are ready…"

"Humph." Ao uttered. "Even now you are so polite… why?"

"Everyone deserves respect." Ao's lips quivered at Chōjūrō's words. Is this man for real? What a weakling. An echo sounded through his head and made him hold his hands to his ears. Bitch. You had to get involved. Now see the consequences…

"Byakugan!" Ao yelled, veins popping around his eyes.

Chōjūrō waited for the old man to attack. His legs were spread wide, the sword a shining rectangle of wavy blue chakra. Ao smiled.

The hunter-nin knew the blue haired man would not simply lunge at him. He was still quick and agile enough to deflect a head-on attack. The boy also would not be tempted into doing such a stupid move either.

He took out a series of small, pointed blades and quickly sent them flying through the air, aimed at the boy's major arteries.

Chōjūrō merely smiled and he quickly hit at each blade in turn and sent them back towards Ao. Well, he isn't Shisui Uchiha but he's not bad, Hanabi.

"Please," Chōjūrō asked. "Don't make me do this."

"Fool." Ao said, spitting the word out. He easily took each blade out of the air and placed them back with his pouch.

Seeing he'd have to force the fight, he used the Byakugan to calculate a weak spot … Chōjūrō's arms. His sword was heavy and he could see the chakra draining from where the man was holding it.

He lunged at the boy and attempted to stab the weak points. Chōjūrō leapt into the air and suddenly there appeared twenty Chōjūrō's weilding Hiramekarei.

"Chakra sensing rain" Cried out the blue-clothed old man. It hit Chōjūrō hard and affected his already poor vision. Ao then sensed the real Chōjūrō's location and taking a kunai, stabbed him as he landed.

Chōjūrō smiled, bleeding from the wound to his shoulder. "You're getting shabby, Ao." He said.

Ao felt the tip of a kunai aimed at the back of his the neck, above the third thoracic vertebra or bone). A blind spot? Ao thought. Hanabi laughed at the man's inexperience.

"My cousin taught me some useful things." Chōjūrō said again. "If you ask me to stop this, I will."

"Damn your attitude." Ao yelled angrily at him. He grabbed the kunai stuck in Chōjūrō's arm and twisted it, enjoying the man's reaction to the pain as he scrunched up his face.

Chōjūrō refused to put the blade into Ao's weak spot. Instead, he dropped the Kunai and backed away, letting the kunai Ao held tightly come away from his shoulder.

The rain was pouring hard still and as the handle became slightly slippery, he grabbed his Hiramekarei tighter. Again, he used both hands and let his chakra bleed into the blade.

"Ao-Sama, I am Chōjūrō Ringo. The proud son of Ameyuri Ringo and Hanabi Hyuuga. You killed my father and tortured my mother… prepare yourself."

Ao threw the kunai at Chōjūrō but the impact didn't even seem to be felt by him. The kunai stuck in his thigh, he then closed the gap between them instantly.

"Hiramekarei Unleashed". The bandages around the sword flew away from the blade and from the two holes on either side of the blade, it began to change shape. The bandages lassoed Ao's arms and legs, forcing him onto his back. The chakra seemed to grow and grow.

"Ao…" Chōjūrō repeated. "This is your last chance. Tell me to stop and I will."

"You arrogant man." Ao yelled before the sword grew almost white and travelling down the bandages, shot through his body.

Both Chōjūrō and Ao yelled together, the bright light consuming them both. Ao started to foam at the mouth whilst Chōjūrō pushed all the chakra he had into his sword.

The light spilled from around them and into the crowd around them like moon beams. Hinata looked scared and amazed. Pakkun sat on her lap, trying to cover his eyes with his paws.

"What's going on?" He asked her.

Up in the Mizukage's box, Nina asked Shino the same question. Shino looked sad and worried.

"He's using his chakra to combine it with both his sword and Ao. It's like surgery. Removing all the bad, evil things with the blade and replacing it with the goodness in himself."

"He turned Hiramekarei into a form of scalpel?"

Shino nodded and looked as the bright light began to gently fade.

During the time Chōjūrō had linked himself with Ao, he felt his mother. He wanted to give into the love he felt within her and stay there, but that would help o-one and just be selfish. After cutting away the hatred built within Ao's mind over the years, he let the man go in peace.

Chōjūrō fell onto his backside, exhausted and his sword lay across his lap. He stroked the blade with a smile and said "Thank you, Hiramekarei." The sword lit blue again gently before returning to normal, the bandages lying still, though loosely around Ao's arms and legs.

"You have nice intentions, Chōjūrō." Ao said, getting up slowly from his back and now standing, looking down at the man. "You have heart but you really are weak."

Taking a single blade out of his pouch, he aimed at the man's heart but suddenly, the arm dropped the blade. Ao screamed loudly and grabbing his head went onto his knees.

"Make it stop!" He begged, and continuing to scream, light began to bleed out through his ears.

"Ao-Sama," Chōjūrō uttered quietly before taking his time to stand up. He hated seeing those in pain.

"MAKE IT STOP!" Ao begged again, starting to cry blood from both eyes.

"Ao-Sama … I'm not doing it… my mother is."

"NO!" Ao yelled, shaking his heads, blood flowing hard from eyes, ears and nose. "NO!"

"Her will is her own, Ao-Sama. If you let her come to me, perhaps we can make it stop."

Ao looked at the man and laughed hard.

"So, you're not so weak after all."

Chōjūrō smiled. "I learnt from the best, Ao-Sama. Now, give me back my mother you son of a bitch."

Ao laughed hard. "Never."

His right eye ball then exploded and he screamed in agony.

Chōjūrō flinched, somewhat peeved at Ao's stubbornness.

"I can only save you now, Ao-Sama. And if you do not accept it, I will force it upon you."

"GO TO HELL!" Ao screeched and the left eye went BANG. Blood now was everywhere and blinded, he traced the empty sockets of his eyes with his bloody hands. He whimpered in terrible pain and screaming in anguish.

"I hope you forgive me one day, Ao-Sama." Chōjūrō said solemnly and seriously. He looked at Hiramekarei and as he nodded to the sword, it flashed blue again. The bandages tightened around Ao's arms and legs again and the scared man now shook in terror.

A light yellow chakra flowed from Ao's body, along the bandages, through Hiramekarei's blade and handle, ending in entering the baby blue haired shinobi's body.

The yellow and blue of his own chakra shone turquoise and light green simultaneously. Mei looked both shocked and curious.

Down below, Hinata smiled as she activated her Byakugan and saw her aunt's chakra unite with her cousins. "He did it Pakkun. She is now with him."

When the chakra flow had ceased, Hiramekarei released the blood stained bandages from around Ao and flicking the blood away, wound themselves back around its blade. He put the sword back upon his back and went to where the terrified blind man stood.

Ao was grabbing for anything in the empty air near him when he felt Chōjūrō's hands. He yelped and flinched away but Chōjūrō held the hands securely and without too much force.

"Let me guide you." He said and the scared tracker-nin nodded. He had no choice but at last, he felt more himself than he had been. The crowd were stunned. Too emotional and in shock to acknowledge the end of the fight.

Mei saw the kindness in her lover's eyes and standing, ordered the medical ninja there to good take care of Ao and to treat him in her home. She gave the order for only herself and the medical ninja to be present at the time of treatment and looking respectfully to the crowd, announced the fight was over. Mei then leapt from the box to the ground and asking Ao to give her his hand, did so.

Chōjūrō looked at his future bride and felt he heart skip a beat. And the feeling of pride from a different part of him. He smiled meekly, looking at the bloody state of himself and the awkwardness of what he had done to her former bodyguard.

"Ao-Sama?" She said quietly and seeing Ao nod quickly, helped him to medical help and towards her home. She looked back at her future husband and smiled meekly back.

Pakkun leapt down from Hinata's lap. "I think its okay to see him now."

Hinata then ran to her cousin after Ao had been collected by Mei and embraced him, to hear a small "Ow!" come from him. She saw the shoulder and the kunai still embedded within his thigh and immediately began to treat him. She gently took out the blade and taking out some cream from her pocket, applied it to the wounds.

"The pain's gone?" he said astonished and Hinata smiled at him.

"This is a family remedy." She said, putting the tiny pot in his hand and looking into his eyes, smiled. "It really worked." Chōjūrō nodded.

"You should thank my mother, Hiramekarei … and the best teacher the Hyuuga Clan ever produced." Chōjūrō said beaming at her and the two cousins were suddenly joined by a swirl of mist and the appearance of Shino and Nina.