Destiny of the Cursed

by KatanaSabaku

"Hatake Katana", she told him, not a trace of fear in her voice or eyes. Gaara stared at her, she stared back. Their eyes met, seafoam to grey and both had the same thought. 'Interesting...'

8. Chapter 8 Messenger

Destiny of the Cursed

Chapter 8: Messenger

"You shouldn't have done that."

"Gomenasai"

"You nearly got killed."

"Gomenasai"

"So, did he like you back?"

"*G-gomen?"

Kakashi chucked at her red face. "Come on, tell me. Did he like you back?" She huffed. "You don't need to know that!" She just woke up in the hospital and now Kakashi was teasing her again? She glared at her dad who was sitting on the chair beside her.
She sighed and got out of bed. "Hey, where are you going?" asked Kakashi. "Training." She answered simply. He didn't seem too enthusiastic about it. "You just got up." He reminded. She gave him a full blown grin. "I'll be fine!" and she dashed out of the door. She met up with the rest of her team on the training grounds. Sakura looked surprised. "Katana-chan! Weren't you on bed rest?" she asked. Katana smirked. "It got boring there. Besides, I promised you guys a training session, didn't I?"

Sakura and Katana watched as the two stubborn guys fought. Neither wanted to lose to the other. Katana wiped sweat off her forehead. "Gosh, they sure have big egos, don't they?" she joked and Sakura laughed. "I haven't properly thanked Sasuke yet." She told Katana. "Thank him for what?" As far as I could remember, it was Sasuke who owes you thanks for taking care of him… "For saving me, remember?" Sakura said. Katana looked at her quizzically. "He didn't save you, Naruto and I did." She said, a bit hurt that Sakura thought it was Sasuke. But Sakura only laughed again. "Naruto may have gotten strong, but you and him couldn't have possibly defeated that monst—"
"He's not a monster!" Katana snapped. Sakura was shocked at her. Sasuke and Naruto stopped fighting and glanced at the girls. "What's wrong with you?" asked Sakura. "It's as if you like him or something!" Katana looked away. Anger made her blood boil, but she controlled her emotions. "I'm just saying that you shouldn't call him that." Explained Katana more calmly. Sasuke approached them. "Something wrong?" he asked. Sakura said nothing. She was still waiting for Katana's answer. Katana turned to Sasuke. "Nothing's wrong." She replied without her usual smile. "Perhaps the weariness is getting on my head. I need to rest. Sorry 'bout that Sakura." She apologized and went back to the hospital.

On her way, she had a mental debate. It takes time for them to accept the fact that he's finally changed… she told herself. Then another thought came in mind. But that doesn't give Sakura the right to call him that! She rubbed her head in frustration. Baka! She was almost killed by him! She scolded silently. But I nearly got killed as well… Ugh, why am I talking to myself? "Katana!" yelled someone from behind. She turned back. "S-sasuke? What are you doing here? Aren't you with Sakura and Naruto?" she asked. "Sakura went home and Naruto went with someone named 'Ero-sennin'. I heard the news about Kakashi." He said hastily. "What news?" she asked worriedly. Sasuke gawked at her. "I thought you knew!" he shouted as he ran towards the hospital. This made Katana even more panicked. "If I knew then I wouldn't ask!" she yelled and sped off as well.

Tap, tap, tap, tap…. Katana overtook Sasuke. She was really freaked out this time. She just got out for like, 10, 15 mins? Then what happens? Opening the door to her room with a loud bang, she all caught the jounins' attention. "What..huff..huff…happened to…Tou-san?" she asked seriously. They didn't answer, but pointed at the man resting on her bed. She rushed to him. Sasuke entered in a more calmly manner. "Why is Kakashi-sensei sleeping?" he asked. Another series of footsteps followed. A jounin burst inside. "Are the rumors true? Is Itachi-san really back and chasing Naruto?"
"Baka" reprimanded Kurenai. Gai sighed. Sasuke looked traumatized by the mention of the name. Katana's eyes narrowed. "This guy Itachi you're talking about… who is he?" she asked suspiciously. Sasuke looked terribly bothered and ran away. "Sasuke, wait!" shouted Katana, but he was out of the door. She looked at the jounin teachers. "Who is that Itachi guy? What happened to Tou-san?" she asked, wanting some explanation for this mess.

Asuma sighed. "Listen up, kid. This is going to be a long story." He said and started to fill her up about the ruckus.

"A real Sharingan wielder, Asuma-sensei?" she gasped. He nodded. "He didn't want us to help. He told us to close our eyes and let him handle it. But when we opened them, he was near fainting." He added. Katana didn't know what to feel. She was pissed off at his stubbornness, but worried about his condition. She took a deep breath and let it out to calm herself. "W-where?" a hoarse voice asked. "Kakashi, are you alright?" asked Gai, who was beside to previously knocked out man. Katana smiled. "Tou-san! You're alright!" she cheered happily. He nodded. "I was so worried, Tou-san." Said Katana. She went near him and opened her arms, as if wanting to hug him. When he attempted to do so, she bonked him in the head. He winced. The other jounins flinched and took a step back. "Baka!" yelled Katana as Kakashi rubbed the injured area. "You shouldn't have done that!"

"Gomenasai…" he apologized. "You nearly got killed!" Again, he apologized. They shared a moment of silence. She frowned at him. "Don't do that again…promise?" she asked. He sighed, and smiled gently. "Promise." This time, she hugged him for real. "Sorry for the bonk." She whispered. He merely chuckled. Then they remembered that they weren't the only ones in the room. Looking at the others, they saw an amusing sight. Gai had tears flowing down dramatically, Kurenai was sighing happily and Asuma looked at Kakashi like 'That-was-so-lame-getting-scolded-by-your-own-daughter'. Both Hatakes sweat dropped.

Katana was stuck in deep thought. She sat peacefully on the edge of her bed. Akatsuki…Naruto…Nine-tails…Jinchuuriki…Wait, jinchuuriki…hmm…. Guh! GAA-! "Knock! Knock! Knock!" She scrambled to open the door. "Ah, Tou-san, is something wrong?" she asked. Kakashi looked dead serious. "There are ANBU outside the door." He began. "What? Why?" she asked. She wasn't following where he was going. "It seems that a spy was found inside our village. And when they interrogated him, all he said was your name." Katana's eyes widened. "He said…Katana… Hatake?" she inquired. Kakashi shook his head. "Katana Yotsuki…" he sighed. "We need to go. The elders want to meet us. Come on." Katana dropped on her knees. She shuddered hard. Kakashi dashed to her side. He took her small shivering body in his arms. "Katana…Katana, calm down." He gently told her. He heard quiet sobbing noises. She was crying. "T-tou-san…I don't want to go back. Tou-san, they'll hurt me again." Her system was breaking down. "They're not going to hurt you…I won't let them. I won't let them." He felt worthless to not have the power to help her at all.

"Hm…so you are Katana Yotsuki?" inquired the female elder. She nodded hesitantly. "Do you know why they are after you?" asked the male. She nodded again. They waited for her answer. "I…I think, it's because of …of my father's orders." She spoke softly. "Your father?" asked one of them again. "Yes. He was the one who ordered an assassination for me years back then. So, if he found out now that I'm still alive…he'd probably want me back in Kumo and kill me himself." She answered. The elders looked at each other then turned at her. "Please follow us." They told her. She stood up and glanced at Kakashi. He nodded and winked. She smiled gently and caught up with them. They went inside a room. It had no windows, only one door for entrance and exit, and on the middle of the room was a man bound in chains, sitting on a chair.

Katana stared at him. He wore a Kumo headband. She drew a shaky breath. The elders looked at her, waiting for her to speak. And she did. "You were…looking for me?" she asked the man. He snapped up his head. At the sight of her, his eyes widened. "Katana-sama!" he said and bowed his head deeply. Katana didn't understand. Why was he so polite if he was ordered to kill her? "Please… raise your head." She said and he obeyed. "Katana-sama, please forgive me! I've failed you! Your father heard rumors that you were alive and well in this village so he ordered us to find you!" he said. The elders realized that they should've had Katana be summoned earlier for him to speak. Katana bit her lip at the mention of her father. "My father wants me to be found?" she asked. He nodded. "And why is that?" she asked again. "He wants you back at Kumo, Katana-sama…" he said. She gritted her teeth together. After trying to kill me for so many times… Now he wants me back? She thought grudgingly.

"Why does he want me back? I thought he said that he was better off without me?" she snarled. The man gulped nervously. "H-he said that he r-realized he was wrong and he was sorry. He wanted you to give him another chance…" the spy explained. Katana balled her fists angrily. Without thinking, she drew her sword and let the blade caress the skin of the man's neck. He was sweating. Kakashi had his and on her shoulder as a warning that she shouldn't do it. "You tell him this", she hissed sharply, "There's no way I'd go back. I'll make him suffer with guilt for what he did to me. I. WOULD. NEVER. FORGIVE. HIM." She emphasized each word and pushed the bound man hard. He was shaking in fear. She shot him a death glare. Again, he bowed his head. "Please, Katana-sama! He's terribly sorry!" Katana ignored his plea. She turned to the elders. "If he isn't any harm to the village, then would you let him go?" she asked. They nodded. Kakashi and her got out of the room and proceeded to go home.

The two of them walked in uncomfortable, deadly silence. Kakashi wanted to say something but he was too scared to do so. Katana felt nervousness radiating off her dad. She sighed. "I'm okay, Tou-san." She said and smiled. "Ah? Oh, that's good then. Ahahaha…" he laughed. Her smile widened. She loved hearing his laugh. On their way, they bumped into Gai, who was carrying an unconscious Sasuke on his back. Both Katana and Kakashi asked what happened. "Found him with Jiraiya-sama and Naruto." Answered Gai. He turned to Kakashi and whispered something. Katana stared as the two jounins talked in hushed voices. She looked down. Now, even to Sasuke… What's happening? She asked mentally. "Katana-chan, we have to go home now." Said Kakashi. She looked around. Gai and Sasuke were gone. How long had she been spacing out? Embarrassed, she only smiled and nodded.

They opened the door and shut it behind them. She immediately went to her room, without so much of a 'good night'. Kakashi knew she was troubled by today's earlier events. He couldn't help but feel angry at himself. He couldn't help her. All he does is talk and promise. But he knew someday, she's going to leave him, sooner or later. I just hope it's later rather than soon enough… he thought sadly.

Closing the door to her room, she jumped on her bed. She hugged a pillow against her chest. Her lower lip quivered. Now that she was alone in her room, she could let it all out without thinking of the shinobi rule: "Kill your emotions." She inhaled through clenched teeth. Taking a deep breath, she released it in shudders. Tears welled on the sides of her eyes. She hugged the pillow tighter. Only one thing entered her mind: WHY? Her head ache horribly just by the mere thought of it. Why does he want me back? Is he really sorry? Should I forgive him? But all those years of neglecting me… that look of disgust and hatred on his face… how he always misunderstood me… The assassination…! Her curse mark stung hard. She winced, clutching her left shoulder. A tear escaped the confines of her eye and trickled down her face. Her expression softened. Why right now…of all the times? Why…? Drowsiness overcame her. Her tired eyes closed softly and sleep consumed her.

Laughter. She could hear it well. But it wasn't pleasant. It sounded desperate. Insane. It hurt her ears. "So nice to see you again…Katana-chan." A shiver went up her spine. She knew that voice. She knew it well. She was scared and angry but for the first time, she wanted to be bold. Gathering courage, she turned to the woman. Katana's face held an expression of mock surprise. "Why, if it isn't you…", she sneered, "stepmother." The word rolled off her tongue like venom. The woman's black lips curled into a sadistic grin. "So, you finally agreed to talk to me, hm?" Katana glared. "I've never agreed to anything. You invite yourself forcefully." The woman placed a hand on her hip and snorted. "How rude of you to treat your stepmother that way." Katana snickered. "Father separated with you?" she asked. The woman was taken aback. "How…How dare you say that!" she spat angrily. It was Katana's turn to grin. "So, it's true then? Ne?" she teased. "Then, I don't have to call you stepmother anymore… Tamiko-san."

"How did you know?" asked Tamiko, scowling. Katana smirked. "I was bluffing. You admitted it yourself." Eyes widening in anger, Tamiko screamed. "You filthy brat!" Katana covered her ears and winced. It hurt a lot. She was surprised by a sudden hit in the head. "Guh!" She dropped on the ground and panted. Tamiko made a lunge for her neck. Long, sharp fingernails dug on her soft skin. Blood oozed out. Katana flinched and tried to take off the hand that prevented her from breathing. However, her strength was slowly being drained from her body. She gasped and wheezed helplessly for air. Tamiko leered. "Do you want to know something?" she asked teasingly at the suffocating girl. "Your father didn't plan the assassination mission…I did." Katana's eyes flew wide open. YOU…! Balling up a fist, she sent a powerful, angry punch on Tamiko's gut. The sorceress went tumbling to the other side. Katana greedily inhaled precious air once again. When she finally got herself up together, she took out her sword. She positioned herself on a battle stance, "It was you all along…" she hissed lowly, "You made father hate me…"

Tamiko smirked. "You've grown stronger. You win for now, but I'll be back, Katana. Mark my words." She vanished into the thin air. "…I'll be back…" Katana woke up with a start. She gazed at her surroundings. She was in her room again. Was it all a dream? She asked herself. She touched her neck and winced at the pain. Drawing her hand back, she saw blood stains.
These wounds…when she strangled me. So it was real. She mused.

"Ne, Katana-chan!" called Kakashi from outside her room. She opened the door and went to the living room. He wasn't there. "Tou-san, you called?" she asked out loud. "In the kitchen!" he answered back. She went to the kitchen and found him cooking dinner. She smiled. "You're cooking? That's unusual." She joked. He chuckled. "I heard your voice earlier. Were you talking with someone?" he asked as he placed the dish on the table. As they ate, Katana told him all about what happened. "Turns out, it isn't my father who set the assassination for me. It was her." Kakashi was silent. Katana hesitated to say her next words. "Tou-san… do you think…I should consider going back?" she asked idly. His eyes widened at the question. Katana spoke again. "I've hated my father for something he didn't do…I think he at least, deserves a chance to prove himself…But I…I don't want to leave you, Tou-san." She explained further. He understood completely, but it still hurt. He smiled sadly. "You should go." He told her. "You'll learn a lot from him. And also, he seems to be sincerely sorry." She stared at him. "What about y—"

"I'll be fine." He reassured, using her line. She stared at him more. He offered a smile. Slowly, she smiled back. "Thank you, Tou-san." She said. He laughed. "You shouldn't be calling me that anymore. You have your real father back now!" he said. She shook her head and got up from her chair. Hugging him from behind, she whispered, "You will always be a father to me." Kakashi's eyes softened. "Thank you, Katana."

Tucking her in for bed, he said goodnight and left her room. Under the covers, she thought of the previous things that happened.

Flashback:

Katana-sama, please forgive me! I've failed you!

He's terribly sorry!

Your father didn't plan the assassination mission…I did.

Mark my words…I'll be back.

End of Flashback

She turned to her side. Suddenly, her lips curved into a grin. When you're back…I'll be ready, Tamiko. She drifted off to sleep, knowing she would get a good night's rest.

End Chapter