A/N: Wai! I managed to get it out before the end of Easter break! :D Thank you to those who reviewed, I'll try and sort out the fanart as soon as possible. I can't wait to right about Itachi and Sasuke :)
Disclaimer: Nope, Ookami Tsubasawa owns nothing, not even Naruto's sock.
Claimer: I do on the other hand own all non-Naruto related things in this story.
Shinno Tsuyosa
True Strength
-x-
True strength is not how many people you hurt,
Or how big your muscles are,
It's the ability to keep fighting, when all hope seems lost
To protect the people precious to you.
"That's… Shukaku?" Naruto asked.
"He's pretty funky…" Gamakichi said.
"I've found someone I want to kill!" Shukaku cried in delight, pointing towards Gamabunta.
"We're going to fly," Gamabunta warned.
"Fuuton! Renkuudan!" his stomach expanded, and Shukaku punched himself in the stomach, causing a ball of compressed air to shoot from his mouth.
"Suiton: Teppoudama!" Gamabunta cried, jumping the air to avoid the attack. He spit out a ball of water as Shukaku spat out another ball of air. They collided with a bang showering the forest in rain.
-x-
"This is like a storm…" Pakkun cried as he and Kita clung to a branch. Sasuke had pulled Kari's trembling body as close as could, trying to shelter her from the rain.
"What kind of battle is taking place?" Sasuke asked, trying to hold Kari's shaking body still. "Kari what's happening to you?" Sasuke cried as her body lurched as though she was about to be sick, her eyes rolling to the back of her head.
'Kari-chan, you'll have to enter the battle, we can't control her you'll have to satisfy some of her rage and bloodlust while you fight, the adrenaline should calm her down' – Kitai said grimly.
'It hurts… Why does it hurt so much…'
'Hurry Kari! If you transform everyone here will die!'
Kari pulled herself to her feet stumbling slightly.
"Kari what the hell do you think your doing?!" Sasuke cried.
"I can't control them… I have to join the fight…" Kari mumbled panting harshly, feeling her eyes burn.
"You can't you'll—"
"I'll be fine, but if I transform… I'll end up like him…" she said looking up at Shukaku. Sasuke fell silent clenching his fists helplessly. She smiled at him weakly. "Don't forget my pocky." She planted a swift kiss on his cheek before jumping up, she bit her thumb quickly performing multiple hand signs.
-x-
"Boss! Not that side!" Naruto cried.
"Urusai! I know! I can sense Kari's chakra!"
"RENKUUDAN!!" Shukaku bellowed, shooting two more balls of air.
"Teppoudama!" Gamabunta cried countering Shukaku's attacks with two water bullets.
"Too bad!" Shukaku sneered as another ball of air shot towards Gamabunta. Unable to defend against it, it was a direct hit. "YEAH!! I killed him! I killed him!" Shukaku cried in delight as Gamabunta fell to the ground hidden in smoke.
"That hurt damnit!" Gamabunta shouted, jumping through the smoke towards Shukaku. "That ball had a lot of Chakra moulded into it. Even I won't last long if I get hit by more of those."
"Then what should we do?!" Naruto cried frantically.
"You can punch that kid awake! Then the technique will be dispelled!" Gamabunta cried.
"How am I supposed to wake him up?!" Naruto screeched.
"Just smack him once!" Gamabunta cried lurching his body up to avoid the ball of air. Teppoudama!"
"Like I'd get hit!" Shukaku cried, jumping back.
"Now!!" Gamabunta cried, grabbing hold of Shukaku's shoulders, but Shukaku easily broke away.
"Boss! You need to hold onto him or I can't hit him dattebayou!" Naruto cried.
"A frog like me has no claws or fangs to hold onto him with!" Gamabunta said.
"Then what are we supposed to do?!" Naruto screeched.
"I'll transform into something that has those! But then again I'm not good at transforming… You'll have to give me the form and make the seals."
"EHH?!?"
"Naruto!"
"Eh? Kari-chan!!" Naruto cried, staring at her. "Aren't you hurt? I heard you scream!"
"My demons are riled, I have to fight if I don't want to end up like Gaara," Kari replied grimly. "A demon having a tantrum inside you isn't the most comfortable experience…" Naruto stared at her and then nodded in understanding.
"Be careful 'kay – Waa?! Kari-chan are you riding a dragon?!" Naruto cried in shock.
"My wings and legs are pretty much out of action at the moment," she admitted sheepishly. She was sitting on a dragon about the size of a fully grown horse, still young but strong enough to carry her. The dragon made an odd noise, like a gargling roar. Its bat like wings beat at a steady rate, its slender long body beginning to show muscle, especially on the four legs tucked under its stomach. A long tail curled slightly underneath it, the length of its body again.
"Kari-chan, can you transform?" Naruto asked.
"It won't be big enough, my chakra's pretty err… conflicted right now," Kari said finding it difficult to describe. "I could transform into a larger ryuu, but it would be nowhere near big enough to hold him."
"Oi, you and the gaki can give me the form and make the seals and I'll transform!" Gamabunta said impatiently. Kari nodded, the dragon disappearing in a puff of smoke. Naruto steadied her as she landed. "It'll be a combination transformation!"
"Yes sir!" Naruto cried as he and Kari hastily made a hand sign.
"Think of something with fangs and claws!"
"Umm…" Naruto thought. Kari grimaced struggling to think. A dragon was too complicated to transform into, 'fangs and claws, fangs and claws… crocodile? No they're too slow!'
"We're going!!" Gamabunta cried hurtling forward. The sudden rush of speed and the realisation that they were getting closer to Shukaku sent Kari's mind blank.
"MATTE! MATTE! CHOTTO MATTE!!" Naruto cried. "Fangs and claws… fangs and claws…!"
"HENGE!" Gamabunta shouted. Naruto looked surprised and Kari immediately linked her mind with his. She smirked, picturing the fanged, clawed beast in her mind.
"HENGE NO JUTSU!" she and Naruto cried simultaneously. She felt her body disappear in the large ball of smoke, and felt herself mould with Naruto and Gamabunta. Her arms and legs grew long and she felt her tail split, her jaw lengthened to form a fang filled muzzle her ears growing and her hair changing into thick fur.
Sasuke stared up in shock, as the nine tailed fox gave a large roar.
"Kitsune?" he whispered and was startled by Kita jumping on his head.
"Ne, ne, Sasuke-kun!" Kita cried. "Okaasan is a kitsune!"
"Kari…" Sasuke whispered, praying for her safety.
They hurtled towards Shukaku, Gamabunta doing most of the work of moving them. He easily dodged Shukaku's attack with his long legs. The blast sent a gust of wind through the forest, and Sasuke quickly grabbed Kita before she was blown away.
"It feels like I'm floating…" Kari mused, feeling extremely sleepy. "Ite-e!" she cried when Shukaku's tail slammed into the Kyuubi's side. They shot forward but Shukaku dodged their claws and spat another attack at them, forcing them to jump out of the way.
"What a battle…" Pakkun said in awe.
"Okaasan…" Kita said worriedly.
"K'so, his powers are increasing," Gamabunta spoke through Kyuubi's mouth.
"Boss! We have to smack him awake fast, Kari-chan's starting to lose grip on the jutsu!" Naruto cried from inside, he could feel Kari weakening.
"Wakatta!" Gamabunta said in annoyance. "Let's go!" he cried, wrapping a tail around a bunch of trees and pulling them effortlessly out of the ground. They charged towards Shukaku but he dodged.
"Die!" Shukaku hollered spitting another attack at them. Gamabunta threw the trees down, to counter, unable to use his jutsu in their current form. They charged through the smoke and finally were close enough to catch him. They sunk in teeth and claws, holding tight to the Shukaku.
"Yosh! Kari, gaki, go now!" Gamabunta cried.
"Yosha!" Naruto cried as he and Kari shot out of the smoke while Gamabunta struggled to hold on to the Shukaku. "Wake up!!" Naruto screamed delivering a hell of a punch to Gaara's jaw. Kari's landing was jolted from the sudden pain in her jaw and she landed on her knees. "Yarou!"
"Shimatta!" Kari hissed, her mouth filling with blood from where she bit her tongue.
"Good, not much time has passed since the medium fell asleep. That punch alone should've done the trick," Gamabunta said.
"CHIKUSHO!" Shukaku wailed. "I finally came out you know!"
"The technique was dispelled," Pakkun said in shock.
"Even if the Tanuki Neiri no jutsu was dispelled he still has some power left in him!" Gamabunta said as he struggled against the weight, he was slowly being pushed back.
Gaara's eyes shot open. 'He dispelled my technique…?'. Realising Gaara was awake Naruto got up and ran up Shukaku's nose. Kari saw Gaara's angered expression and forcing some of her slowly replenishing chakra into her legs she shot up and rushed towards Naruto, whose feet had sunk into the Shukaku's nose.
"SUBAKYUU!"
"Oyaji!" Gamakichi cried as Kari darted in front of Naruto, sand shooting towards them. Naruto gasped as the sand was stopped by Gamabunta, the large toad wrapping his tongue around them in a protective shield.
"That won't help for long!" Gaara shouted. Kari gasped noticing that she and Naruto were inking in the sand, sand crawling up their bodies. Gamabunta retracted his tongue as the Shukaku pushed him further back.
'How much power does this guy have left…?' the boss toad thought to himself. 'This is bad, Naruto and I have already used up all of our Chakra, and by the look of it, Kari's close to collapsing.'
"I will kill you!" Gaara declared, glaring down at Naruto. "My existence will not disappear!"
Kari felt the pressure on her body increase. It had slowly been growing tighter, as though a snake was constricting her torso and legs. "S-Sakura…" she said desperately, her legs gave out again, trembling from strain. The more she pushed herself, the worse the damage was going to be. Naruto looked at her and she turned to meet his gaze. Nothing but pure determination…
"I will protect you Kari-chan, and Sakura-chan!" he whispered fiercely. 'I'm running short on time here… Kari-chan can't take any more, I've got to defeat this Bakemono Tanuki quickly!'
"Naruto…" Kari whispered through her heavy breathing. Her lungs were really feeling the pressure… "I believe in you, I'm with you all the way…" she said trying to encourage him as black threatened to creep in through the corners of her eyes. She stubbornly beat it back, blinking the blurriness away.
All of a sudden, she felt a rush of foreign Chakra. Naruto was surrounded by the orange blaze, like a fire… Kari stared in awe, amazed. She felt a rush and was surprised to see white chakra around her own body. She turned to stare at Naruto, the force of his chakra ripping open the zip of his jacket, his hitai-ate thrown off (Kari managed to catch it).
"I will protect everyone!" Naruto cried, his cerulean eyes without a trace of doubt. Kari smirked and stood, immediately focusing the chakra to her weak legs.
"I'm right behind you Naru-kun, show them what you got…" Kari said moving out of the way.
"Come on baka Tanuki!!" Naruto cried.
"Die!!" Gaara retorted enraged. Naruto jumped forward to punch Gaara again but was caught by the sand a couple inches away from Gaara's face.
"Chikusho!!" Naruto shouted and slammed his forehead into Gaara's, causing Kari's vision to explode with stars.
"Mou… Ite-eeeeeeeeee!" she cried, falling flat on her back her skull cracked in half. She felt blood run down her forehead, sticking her bangs to her face and running either side of her nose. She was aware of a cracking sound and felt the sand begin to soften. "Kuso…" she grumbled, beginning to fall as the Shukaku fell apart.
"Kari-chan!!" Naruto cried grabbing hold of her hand.
"Did they win?" Sasuke whispered, Kita perched by his side with wide eyes.
'A plain head butt eh? He didn't fight very efficiently, but he squeezed out some Chakra in that worn out state. I've never seen a noisy ninja like him before, but he's one crazy kid you won't come across often! It's unfortunate that I can't watch the end of this, but I've reached my limit as well…' Gamabunta thought to himself. "Gamakichi! We're going home!"
"Mm! Oyaji!" and the two toads disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"Kari-chan…" Naruto whispered as they fell.
"Gomen… I don't have the strength to fly…" she whispered, looking dazed at him. She smiled, despite the rivers of blood across her face. "I'm proud of you… kitsune-nii…" her hand slipped from his when Gamabunta poofed into smoke, the impact sending Naruto and Gaara into trees and Kari crashing down to the floor.
"I'm already empty dattebayou…" Naruto panted, staring fixedly at Gaara. "You are too, ne? Let's end this battle between two similar people."
As the darkness seemed to win the fight for Kari's consciousness, Kumouri's viscous cry of glee caused her eyes to shoot open and Kari to half sit up before falling back down in agony. Kumouri's words ringing in her ears.
'The smell of fresh blood!'
Naruto and Gaara shot towards each other fists pulled back, ready to strike. "When the Konoha dance, fire burns…" Kari muttered to herself, repeating the words that were dully running through her mind. Naruto was quicker, and punched Gaara in the face with everything he had left. "The shadow of fire will flash over the village…" she stared blankly at the sky, she was so tired… so, so tired… She heard and felt Naruto and Gaara crash to the ground near her, Gaara falling only a foot away. "And the leaves will grow once again…"
-x-
"Sasuke-kun…" Kita cried in alarm, as the sand holding Sakura loosened and began to fall away. Completely unconscious she had no way to stop her fall. Sasuke jumped and managed to catch her, setting her down on the brunch next to Pakkun. Kita sniffed her, her nose twitching and then sighed sitting down heavily. Sasuke was panting, feeling sore and exhausted. His stomach clenched, knowing Kari was probably unconscious by now.
"Take care of Kita and Sakura…" Sasuke said quietly, before jumping off.
-x-
'Why is he so strong? My existence will not disappear…It will not! I won't let it disappear!' Gaara thought anxiously. Naruto grimaced, struggling to crawl over towards Gaara and Kari. Unable to move his limbs, he resorted to dragging himself along using his chin.
Kari was gazing upwards with half open eyes, she looked dazed, as though she wasn't aware of where she was. Her mind half processing, echoes of Naruto's thoughts.
"I told you not to talk to him!'
"There he is!"
"So that's him..."
"Go away!"
"Bakemono!"
Bakemono…
Bakemono…
Bakemono…
"Na…" Kari whispered, watching the clouds lazily drift across the sky.
"I'm only a relic of the past they want to get rid of… So why do I exist and live?"
Gaara…
"And I realised that was the hardest thing one can feel… The feeling that you are not needed by anyone in this world…"
Haku…
"D-Don't get near me!!" Gaara cried desperately as Naruto continued to drag himself towards them, inch by inch.
"Don't be afraid…" Kari whispered, feeling his frightened aquamarine eyes switch to her.
"The pain of being alone… is completely out of this world isn't it?" Naruto asked, looking up from the ground, dirt smudged across his chin which was starting to bruise. "I don't know why… but I understand your feelings so much it actually hurts… And it hurts Kari-chan too…" he glanced at her, seeing a red tear slide from the corner of her eye. "But… I have people that are important to me now…" he said, Kari's eyes fluttering, itching to close. "I won't let you hurt the people important to me! if you do… I'll stop you, even if I have to kill you!"
"Nande, why can you do this for strangers?!" Gaara cried in shock.
"My loneliness, that hell… they saved me from it and acknowledged my existence. They're important to me, that's why!" Naruto cried.
"Love is the spirit of devoting yourself to someone important and close to you… It is expressed by caring for and protecting that person"
'Love… is that why he's so strong…?' Gaara wondered.
"You can stop now Naruto." Naruto looked up in surprise to see Sasuke kneeling beside him. "Sakura's fine now." With those last words, Kari relaxed, and unconsciousness crashed over her like a wave. "He must be out of Chakra too, since the sand that was holding Sakura released her."
"Sou ka… Look after Kari-chan, ne?" Naruto whispered, reaching his sore arm out, the muscles tensing in pain, his fingers brushed Kari's and he fell unconscious in an instant. Sasuke looked surprised and glanced at the kunoichi. He tensed when Temari and Kankurou dropped down in front of Gaara.
"Don't fight them… Let's stop," Gaara said quietly.
"Gaara…" Kankurou said, looking round at him. 'I've never seen Gaara in such a weakened state before…' "Okay." He pulled Gaara's arm over his shoulders and stood up. They jumped away, disappearing into the trees.
'Uzumaki Naruto… Kari… One day, will I be able to…?' "Temari, Kankurou…" Gaara said weakly. "Gomen…"
"D-Don't worry about it?" Kankurou said as he and Temari exchanged a look of surprise.
-x-
"Baka, you look a mess," Sasuke sighed going to Kari's side and studying her bloodstained face. "You'll get Kita worried, you're so reckless." His brow furrowed in annoyance. "Are you even listening to me?" His throat suddenly tightened, his eyes becoming wide. He carefully lifted up her shirt and he froze.
The bandages were soaked, huge red stains coating the bandages.
"Kuso… iie, iie, iie! Kari, you have to wake up!" Sasuke cried, having forgotten about her earlier battle. "Kuso…" He picked her up and glanced at Naruto. 'I can't just leave him…' With difficulty, he managed to hoist Naruto onto his shoulder, holding Kari like a baby.
"Sakura!" Sasuke hissed, feeling helpless.
"Sasuke-kun!" Kita cried, appearing at his side. "Kita-chan isn't good at transformations or summoning, but she can try and transform so she can carry Sakura-chan!" Kita offered.
"Thanks Kita", Sasuke said quietly, glad for the cubs presence. She had a way of calming his nerves.
-x-
With a fair amount of difficulty they got back to the village in one piece. A larger Kita (she had transformed to the size of a large dog) carried Sakura home, clearly distressed at the wreckage of the village. Pakkun went to inform Kakashi they were back. After throwing Naruto into the ramen smelling apartment, he started heading to his own place.
"What the hell am I going to do with you…?" Sasuke sighed, hoisting Kari up slightly. She had woken up, but was dazed. She hadn't spoken, falling silent after seeing the first dead villager.
They got home to find Kita already back, fast asleep in her usual puppy size. Leaving Sasuke to help clean and dress Kari's wounds. They'd stop bleeding for the most part, and she was practically mummified when he'd finished with her (of course she cleaned the front of her torso, not allowing him to see or touch).
"I should learn healing jutsu…" Sasuke sighed as he finished wrapping Kari's forehead. He had washed her face, and the bruise that spread across most of her jaw seemed to be clearing up already. "You really are a baka…"
"Sasuke…" Kari said, he was surprised by how sad and meek her voice was. "Why was there a war?"
"I don't know…" he sighed, seeing how upset she was over it. "I don't know…"
"Kari-chan, Sasuke."
"Kakashi?" Sasuke said looking up in surprise.
"Kashi!" Kari cried in alarm, rushing over and practically falling on him. Her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, burying her face into his vest. "You're ok… you're ok…" He wrapped his arms around her tiredly.
"I've got something to tell you – no don't get up Sasuke, its better if you sit down," Kakashi said tiredly, sitting down and pulling Kari into his lap. 'It'll hit her hardest…'
"Nan da?" Sasuke asked.
"The memorial for those who died is tomorrow. Hokage-sama… Hokage-sama was killed in battle…" Kakashi said softly, immediately tightening his grip on Kari as she tensed.
"No…" she whispered, though inside she knew it was true. Kumouri's sick pleasure was proof enough. "Naruto… Naruto!"
"Kari, matte!" Sasuke cried as she broke away and shot out the window. "Couldn't you have broken it to her more gently? You know what she's like," Sasuke said in a half-hearted snap.
"She's sensitive Sasuke, she's not stupid. However I said it would have upset her," Kakashi said, looking exhausted and upset. "But she's more worried for Naruto than anything."
"Have you told him yet?" Sasuke asked, still pale from shock.
"I'll let her tell him, she's the only one he won't push away at the news…"
-x-
Kari landed in Naruto's window lightly, her heart beating painfully in her chest. Her throat was sore, her eyes blurred with tears. At the sight of her, Naruto, though exhausted, broke into a smile.
"Kari-chan we won, we did it," he said joyfully. "I protected you and Sakura-chan! Is she ok, did she see me?"
"N-Naruto…" Kari choked, her desire to put up a brave face shattered by his innocent ignorance.
"Kari-chan? Doushita? Daijoubu ka? Kari-chan?" He said in shock, noticing her tears, he immediately went to rush over but she shook her head, instead walking to him.
"Naruto-kun…" she whispered, taking hold of his hands. Her hands were shaking violently, cold against his warmth.
"Nan da? Did Sasuke-temee upset you? If he did I'll—"
"Naruto," Kari said, her breaking voice causing him to stop, seeing her difficulty.
"Kari-chan?"
"Naruto-kun… H-Hokage-sama…"
"Ojii-san?" Naruto said in confusion.
"He's dead Naru, h-he's gone…" Kari said, and her tears broke free, falling in silence.
"N-nani?" Naruto said, his azure eyes widening. "Who told you that Kari-chan? They must have been lying dattebayou!"
"Kashi wouldn't lie about this…" she whispered. "Gomen… Gomenasai…"
"Ojii-san…" Naruto whispered in shock. She didn't let the first tear fall, she pulled him to her, locking him in an embrace. His shaking added with her own, as his tears slid down her neck his arms locking tightly around her waist as they mourned.
They didn't know how long they stood there. After she knew Naruto's tears had stopped, she pulled away, her hands cupping his cheeks. He hadn't cleaned his wounds and she could feel smears of his blood on her.
"I'll clean you up…" she said softly, going to his bathroom and getting a bowl, a flannel and medical supplies. He was oddly silent, staring off into space, his bright eyes dulled. He half noticed how gentle she was as she washed his face, and when he removed his shirt and she checked the bruising on his back. She carefully wrapped his stomach and placed a band-aid on a nasty gash on his chest. Her hands were cold, her fingers soft like a feather.
"You really were amazing against Gaara…" she said softly, not able to stand the depressed silence. He looked round at her, she was rubbing antiseptic onto the cut on his forehead. It stung, but he'd had worse.
"Really?" he asked, perking up the tiniest bit. She managed a small smile.
"You really made an impact on Gaara, and you saved Sakura-chan," she put a large band-aid over the gash and lightly kissed his forehead. "You were a real hero." She placed another on his cheek and he was done. She grabbed his pyjamas and handed them to him. She then opened one of his draws and pulled out a baggy black t-shirt.
"You're staying the night?" Naruto asked. She didn't miss the hope and slight desperation in his voice and smiled.
"I'm not going to leave you Naru," she said moving to the bathroom to change. "If you try and kick me out I'll sleep outside the door." Naruto smiled, knowing despite the sarcasm she was perfectly serious. She came out and dumped her clothes in a reasonably neat pile.
"Kari-chan…?"
"Mm?"
"When's the funeral?" Naruto asked. He noticed her expression soften with sadness and she sat down on the bed.
"The memorial for those who died is tomorrow," she said gently.
"Sou ka…"
She pushed him down gently, and then pulled the covers over them. The automatically curled up together, almost instinctually. He rested his face against her chest, his arms wrapping around her waist, while her arms wrapped loosely around his shoulders and back. Their legs were bent and slightly tangled.
"I'm glad you're here Kari-chan…" Naruto said softly. She smiled and kissed the top of his head.
"I'm grateful I have you too," she said gently.
They barely slept, their hearts too heavy with loss, uncomfortable in their chests. Naruto's tears returned during the night and she patiently wiped them away, her fingers weaving through his golden mane until he would relax. Eventually they slept for a few hours, almost merged together in their closeness.
-x-
Early next morning, regretfully, Kari had to leave Naruto for a while. She didn't have anything suitable for a memorial, and though her ninja clothes were black, she didn't find them appropriate. So she went to visit Sakura, who being the smart girl she was, had already expected that Kari would come by, and had put an outfit in her bag for her.
She got back to find Naruto sitting in his boxers looking lost and gloomy, like all the joy and energy had been sucked out of him.
"Naru-kun…" Kari said softly.
"Kari-chan, tadaima," Naruto said with a weak smile.
"I don't live here," she said smiling, not able to find it in her to laugh.
"My home is your home, what's mine is yours remember," Naruto said simply.
"As good looking as you are Naru, you need to start getting ready," Kari said, pulling the borrowed clothes out the bag, only to drop them.
"Kari-chan?" Naruto asked in surprise.
"Naruto… Sakura…"
"Sakura-chan?"
"She packed a short skirt."
Despite their misery, Naruto couldn't help but to chuckle at the look of utter disgust on Kari's face, her eyebrow twitching.
"For you, Hokage-sama," Kari grumbled. "And for Naru-kun's humour, I'll suffer with it."
-x-
They waited outside, and Sakura and Sasuke slowly came into view, Kita on Sasuke's other side. They stopped a foot or so away from the blonde's of their team, and Sasuke raised an eyebrow.
"What the hell are you wearing baka?" Sasuke asked, ignoring Kari's angry twitch.
"They were a bit small for me so I thought they'd be okay for you…" Sakura said sheepishly.
"I think Kari-chan looks fine," Naruto said with a smile in her direction.
"Don't lie to me Uzumaki Naruto," Kari grumbled. "I should have gone to see Hinata, and got baggy clothes."
Kari's frustration was mostly due to the skirt, which only reached half way down her thigh (for Kari that feels like only wearing underwear). The shirt Sakura had leant her didn't fit her body structure, and due to her being a little more developed than Sakura, it stretched slightly in the wrong place.
"I wasn't lying, you look fine," Naruto said his smile widening.
"You actually look like a girl," Sasuke said, neither complimenting or insulting, simply stating.
"You do look nice Kari-chan," Sakura added. "You've got good legs."
"Okaasan!" Kita cried, pawing at Kari's leg. The kunoichi smiled, noticing the ribbon Kita held. The same white ribbon the Hokage had given her. She tied it around her ears, and then threading her fingers with Naruto's began walking, Sasuke beside her, and Sakura on his other side. Kita trotted beside Naruto, who looked surprisingly different with his hitai-ate around his neck, his forehead still sore.
She took hold of Sasuke's other hand, knowing he was upset, even if he didn't show it. He allowed her to, accepting the gentle comfort, though told himself he was the one comforting her.
-x-
They stood on the rooftop of the Hokage mansion, the faces carved into the mountain looking down on them. She was surprised to notice a crack in the Sandaime's face, but pushed the thought aside, deciding it was an earlier sign of foreboding.
There was a memorial with a picture of the Sandaime, and a couple more pictures of important people that were killed. There were many people, less than she thought would be there, but the roof was full. The rookie ten, team Gai, sensei's, Chuunin, Jounin, members of ANBU including Kitome and Kaizo, the proctors from the Chuunin Exams, some academy kids, their was a variety of people there.
She had refused to leave Naruto's side as they were arranged into lines, their hands holding tightly to each other, almost daring someone to try and pull them apart. She felt the first drop of moisture hit her nose and blinked in surprise.
"Ame wa?" Kurenai asked, as a light downpour started. Sasuke inwardly grimaced, knowing he would have to change Kari's bandages later. Kita looked up in surprise at her first experience of rain. She decided she preferred snow better, remembering back in Nami.
"The sky is crying too," Asuma replied, without needing to look at the woman beside him.
"The funeral for the Sandaime, who lost his life in this battle, as well as the others who gave their lives will begin now," one of the elders began, only a woman at his side. Kari breathed heavily, feeling the steady Chakra of more people gathering around the mansion. But one distinct presence was missing.
"Naruto…" Kari said softly. He glanced at her, and what she was about to say next tore at her heart. "It seems our sensei's lost on the road of life, I'm going to point him in the right direction." He nodded, his hand loosening around hers. She pecked him on the cheek, a silent promise that she would return, and she disappeared into the wind, glad her transportation jutsu was discreet.
-x-
"Is that for Hayate?" Kakashi asked, noticing a presence behind him. He'd been staring at the memorial stone for a long time now, the rain washing away the tears shed onto the smooth stone. The violet-haired woman, a member of ANBU approached the stone and lay a bouquet of white flowers in memory of her lost love. "The Sandaime's funeral has already begun, hurry up."
"Kakashi-senpai, did you come here for Obito-san?" she asked. "You should come here earlier instead of thinking up excuses for being late.
"I do, early in the morning. But when I come here, I feel like punishing my old foolish self…" Kakashi said, his voice guarded and emotionless. He looked up, noticing the flash of familiar Chakra. "Kari?"
"Gomenasai Kashi," she said, straightening up.
"Shouldn't you be at the funeral? I'm surprised you tore yourself away from Naruto," Kakashi said gently. He was taken aback when she wrapped her arms around his waist, holding him tightly in a way only she would.
"I don't like seeing the people I care about in pain Kashi. You're important to me," she said softly. He understood, and lightly embraced her back, knowing she was still hurt. She looked up at him and he placed his hand on her head, her ears immediately twitching, despite being lowered in depression.
"You're getting wet," he said, his voice gentle, seeing the pain in her eyes. He took in the bandages across her forehead and cheeks, reminding him she was fragile. "Don't get sick."
"They've started, and Naru-kun will miss me if I'm gone too long," she said. He nodded, and looked round at the woman, who seemed surprised at his open show of affection towards his student. Kari blushed awkwardly and apologised, walking over to the memorial stone to give them a moment.
Hotaru Kohaku… Uchiha Obito…
"You seem close," the woman remarked as Kakashi watched Kari trace the names she recognised, one being his old team-mate.
"She's a good kid," Kakashi said not taking his eyes off her.
"Kaizo's and Kitome's?"
"So you've heard," Kakashi sighed.
"Kaizo-senpai told a few ANBU."
"Sou ka."
"She seems really attached, I've never seen you that close to someone," she said carefully.
"She's got a big heart, as her sensei I have to guide her," Kakashi said.
"Just don't love her in the wrong way." To her surprise, Kakashi chuckled.
"She has enough admirers, as oblivious as she is. Kari! We're going!" In a flash she was at his side. She bowed at the ANBU politely.
"Douzo yoroshiku ANBU-senpai," she said with a friendly smile. It was returned and the woman could see where Kakashi was coming from. The girl showed warmth, a desire to please others, and a non-judgemental innocent curiosity.
A curious young kunoichi indeed.
-x-
'Nande dattebayou? Why did Hokage-Ojiisan have to die?' Hearing the sound of sobbing, he looked down to see Konohamaru trying desperately to stop his tears. Being the affectionate person she was, Kari wasted no time kneeling beside him, wrapping her arm around him. He buried his face in her shoulder and she rested her head against his, giving him the comfort he so desperately needed. She'd only been a few minutes, appearing at his side silently as he watched person after person lay a flower on the memorial.
Soon enough it was nearing their turn, and they got into line, each holding their own white flower. He wasn't sure what type of flower it was. Kari left Konohamaru to Iruka, and followed Naruto to pay her respects. They were linked once again by their hands, giving each other strength. Kita trailed behind Kari, a little awkward at being the only animal there. She supposed Akamaru was around somewhere, but she hadn't seen him. She was overwhelmed with the depression, catching snippets of memories from her closer friends, and listening to Naruto's monologue.
'A ninja must not show his emotions in any situation. A ninja must prioritise his mission first and not show any tears.'
Naruto laid the flower down and seemed lost. He glanced to Kari, who laid her flower next to his. She then lifted Kita, who dropped hers and looked at the picture of the Sandaime with sorrow. She'd never see him again… As they got back in line, the rain finally stopped. Konohamaru took hold of Kari's other hand and she managed to smile for him as he stood close to her leg.
"Iruka-sensei," Naruto began. "Why do people risk their lives for others?"
"When one person dies… he disappears… along with his past, current lifestyle and his future. Many people die in missions and wars. They die easily, and in surprisingly simple ways. Hayate was one of them. Those who die have goals and dreams. But everyone has something important as those… Parents, siblings, friends, lovers… People who are important to you." Kari felt Naruto squeeze her hand slightly when Iruka said that. "The bond to people important to you, ever since birth and the string that binds them becomes thicker and stronger as time goes by. It's beyond reason. Those bound to you by that string will do that. Because it's important…"
"Mm, I think I understand somewhat dattebayou," Naruto agreed. "Demo… It's painful when someone dies." Kari leaned into him slightly, not wanting to make a scene and embrace him, especially when Konohamaru's pain was still raw and he was clutching her hand for support.
"The Sandaime didn't die for nothing," Kakashi said from behind them. "He left something important in all of us. You'll find out what eventually."
"Mm, I think I understand that too somewhat dattebayou," Naruto said with a slight smile.
"The rain stopped," Sakura told Sasuke with a smile. Kari looked up to see the clouds parting, a beam of sunlight breaking through and lighting the top of the mansion as the last person paid their respects.
"Ja ne, Iruka-sensei!" Naruto cried, smiling and waving. Kari smiled and kissed Konohamaru's forehead.
"You were really brave Konohamaru-kun," she said softly. "Ja ne Iruka-sensei."
"Aa," Iruka said with a smile, watching as Naruto pulled her towards the rest of their team. 'It seems like the small leaves in Konohagakure no sato, have inherited that will of fire you spoke of Sandaime.' His smile widened when Naruto lifted Kari up in a hug and she squeaked and scolded him because she was wearing a skirt. 'The fire on the leaves will eventually burn greater and stronger. It will flash its light and protect this village, after becoming the new Hokage someday.'
Kari giggled and then sneezed as Naruto finally put her down.
"Kari…" Kakashi said sternly. She smiled sheepishly, her cheeks tinged pink.
"I'm perfectly healthy Kaka-nii!" she said. When Kakashi continued to give her that stern look she simply hugged him. "I'll be fine!" and she sneezed at the end to prove her point. Kakashi sighed and placed a hand on her head, admitting defeat.
Kari suddenly froze, ears pricked, eyes wide. The colour that had started to darken her cheeks drained out, leaving her pale.
"You can't be alright if you look like you're about to be sick," Kakashi reasoned. She didn't answer but instead turned, her eyes searching for something. "Kari…?"
"It's nothing," Kari said softly, reassuring him. "Maybe I do feel a little off. But you can get me some ice-cream to fix that, ne?"
"Aa," he relented, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pulling her to his side. "As long as you don't throw it up. The others are already leaving us, how rude." She smiled at his slight mock offence and instead glanced at the sky.
-x-
Two men looked over Konoha, standing on the village wall. They had no fear of getting caught, the guards and defences weakened by the attack. Both wore black cloaks and straw hats, and one had a large wrapped object on his back. He was a fair amount taller than his partner.
"They were able to avoid complete destruction, but the damage was great. The village that prospered like no other, has become pitiful."
"That's out of character, so even someone like you has attachment to his old village."
"Iie, I don't." his Sharingan eyes gleamed.
"And this student of yours?"
"She knows we're here."
"The Torai-Kenshi though, are you sure its not just a myth?"
"You'll see soon enough."