Destiny of the Cursed

Chapter 11: Real Father

"Beep…beep…beep…" the monitor beside her was the only sound that her mind registered. Her mind wandered off to another topic. The one that's been bothering everyone. Naruto…Sasuke…where are you guys? She thought. Kakashi dropped by earlier that day right after his mission and said that he'll be the one to find the boys. Why did I let him go? Why did I let this happen?…Why…? Her head ached terribly. And so did her heart.

Thunder boomed outside the hospital. Rain poured down hard. Katana jerked her head towards the direction of the window. The boiling pit of worry in her stomach worsened. It can't be…He's gone… She didn't know how she knew, but she was sure. Her fist balled clumps of the bed sheet. She gritted her jaw. "It's all my fault…" she blamed herself bitterly as tears showered down on her face. Sasuke…

Chouji and Neji only have a 50% chance of living, Kiba was hurt badly and she predicted that Naruto is too. And why…? Because I didn't stop him…It's my fault… Sighing angrily and wiping her tears away, she got out of bed and reached for the door knob. She turned it and got out, only to be surprised by something. "It's alright now." Tsunade declared to Shikamaru, his dad and Temari, who's sitting on the waiting bench. "Akimichi Chouji is fine. The destruction of his cells were stopped using an antidote I made." Hurried footsteps dashed in the hallway as well. Shizune, Tsunade's assistant appeared with a relieved smile. Wiping sweat off her forehead, she said, "Hyuuga Neji's condition has been stabilized." A wide smile grew in Katana's face. Hope built up in her again. Shizune sighed tiredly. "Also, Hatake Kakashi and Uzumaki Naruto have returned." The smile faded. …So…Sasuke is gone…

Shikamaru's stature shook. He was crying. "Next time…I'll definitely show that I can do it!" he exclaimed. Shikamaru's father smiled. Temari seemed confused at his change of behavior, but grinned as well. Although silently in grief, Katana forced a smile. Shizune turned to her. "Would you like to see Naruto-san?" she offered politely. Katana perked up. "Ah, h-hai!" She went with the lady.

Staring at the door, Katana hesitatingly opened it. Peeking in slightly, she saw Naruto covered in bandages. "Naruto…" she breathed out sadly. Something bumped into her and sent her and that person stumbling inside. Naruto stared at them and his lips formed into a wide grin. "Katana! Shikamaru!" he cheered. Katana grunted. "Get off me…" she complained but the Nara obliged. Shikamaru stood up and told Naruto a summarized version about Neji, Chouji and Kiba. Naruto turned to her. "What about you Katana-chan? Are you okay?" he asked. She nodded. "I'm fine. Lee backed me up…And so did Gaara." She trailed off. Both boys stared at her. "Thick Brows and that sand lunatic?" he asked, using his own words. A vein popped out of her forehead. "Sure…" she hissed through clenched teeth indignantly. Suddenly, Naruto looked sad. "Sasuke…" he whispered lowly. "He got away…" Katana's gaze lowered. Closing her eyes, she said, "It's not your fault. I was the one who didn't stop him when I had the chance."

The door creaked open. The three teens turned around to see Sakura standing at the doorway with Tsunade-sama. "Sa-Sakura-chan…" said Naruto, but immediately avoided her eyes. Katana felt tears coming to her again. "I'm sorry, Sakura-chan…" said Naruto. "Gomenasai… Sakura-chan…" apologized Katana, looking at the floor. Sakura only laughed. "What are you two talking about? You sound so weird." She walked in the room and flung open the curtains. It wasn't raining anymore. "It's a good weather today!" cheered Sakura.

"I'll keep my promise, Sakura-chan!" yelled Naruto. "I will!" Sakura stared out of the window. "Naruto-kun, you don't have to—" She was interrupted. "I won't go back on my word!" Sakura turned her head to his direction. She bit her lip hopefully. Katana let a smile take over her. "And we'll get Sasuke back…together." Sakura and Naruto stared at her. They smiled. "Together." They agreed and hugged. Tsunade sighed happily as she watched them. She got out. Sakura followed later on. Katana went outside to find Kakashi.

"What would you tell me… eh? Obito…" said Kakashi, staring at the marble statue. Katana approached the occupied man and hugged his waist from behind. Kakashi jumped a bit at the contact, but relaxed later on. He faced her. "I'm sorry I was late, Katana-chan…" he apologized. She shook her head. "No one is to be blamed." She said. "We'll bring him back again." She smiled at him, a real smile now. Kakashi smiled back. "Let's go." He said. Katana didn't know exactly where, but she followed. They walked side by side on the quiet road. "3 years… you have that amount of time to train before Akatsuki makes its move and Sasuke's out of reach." She nodded quickly in understanding.

"When will you go?" asked Kakashi. His voice had a hint of sadness in it. Katana noticed this. "Probably sometime this week." She answered. "I'll miss you." She added. Looking at him, she saw a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. "I'll miss you too." He said. They shared a look. When they got home, she packed her bags, just in case. Looking out on her window, she saw the stars glowing. She didn't know when exactly he's coming, but she knew it's soon enough.

The next day…

There was a great ruckus in the Hokage Tower. Everyone was running here and there, grabbing folders, letters and scrolls. All were panicking. "Tsunade-sama!" yelled Shizune as she burst inside the office. The sleeping Kage bolted up from her sleeping position. "What's wrong?" Tsunade half-asked, half-yawned. She rubbed her eyes. "Tsunade-sama!" shouted the exasperated assistant. "Raikage-sama sent a letter. He's visiting Konoha today!" Tsunade fell out of her chair in shock. "Say what?"

In the gates of Konoha…

Katana and Shikamaru escorted the Suna shinobi until the gates. "See you. Be careful in going home." Said Shikamaru. Kankuro smirked. "Yeah." Temari stepped forward. "If anything happens, we'll help you out again. Okay, crybaby?" laughed Temari. Shikamaru laughed back. "Troublesome woman." Shikamaru turned and walked back. It was Katana's turn. "Goodbye Temari-san, Kankuro-san. Goodbye, Gaara-kun." She said and bowed. Temari shook her head softly. "Please, call me Temari." She told her and gave the girl a friendly hug.
Katana smiled and hugged back. "Okay, Temari-chan." Temari released and winked at her. Kankuro stepped forward. He offered a friendly handshake. "Call me Kankuro." Katana shook it and chuckled. "Kankuro it is then." Kankuro smirked. "For a girl, you're pretty cool."

"Thanks." Said Katana. The two walked away slowly. Gaara stayed. He wore his usual poker face expression. Bowing slightly, he spoke, "Goodbye, Hatake Kata—" He was caught off guard by a sudden hug. He blushed. "Be careful…I'll see you in three years." She drew back. "You're going to be a great ninja, Gaara-kun. I just know it. When I see you again, let's spar." She smiled brightly.
Gaara stared at her. Nothing seems to dampen her spirit. Not that he wanted her sad. She looks beautiful with that radiant smile. And he would do anything to keep her smiling. "Of course. A spar, then. Goodbye, Katana." He said and finally walked away with Temari and Kankuro. Turning back, she caught up with Shikamaru, who was talking with an ANBU guard.

"Shikamaru? Is something wrong?" she asked. Shikamaru turned to her. "Katana, we need to go to the Hokage's Office. Tsunade-sama called for you." The two of them hurried.

Inside the Office….

"So you mean to tell me that you expected him to come…?"

"Yes, Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade sighed. She studied the grey-eyed girl intently. She was dead serious. No signs of mischief or amusement in any way. "You will show up, won't you?" asked Tsunade. Katana nodded. "Of course." The Hokage sighed once again. "Dismissed." Katana walked towards the door, when Tsunade asked another question. "How on earth did you know that he'll come here?" she asked incredulously. A small smile appeared on the girl's face. "I just do." She answered before going out.

The gentle passing breeze gave her the comfort she needed. There she was, all alone in the wide open training field. Her katana was laid down on the grass beside her. Looking around, her eyes landed on the three vertical logs that stood upright from the ground.

Flashback:

"Oi, Oi-ttebayo! No FAIR! How come Sasuke-teme gets a bell!" yelled the furious yellow ball of energy, now tied to one of the logs. Young Katana sweat dropped. 'Why did I get stuck with him in my team?' she thought miserably.

The Uchiha glared at the blonde. "I deserve this… dobe."

"Kyaa! Sasuke-kun, of course you did!" gushed Sakura. Turning to Naruto, she let out a roar. "Naruto-BAKA! You did nothing but shout!" Katana sighed. 'Why, oh why, am I stuck with them?'

Kakashi cleared his throat. "Sakura, Sasuke, Katana, here are your lunch. If one of you shares this with Naruto, you will all fail immediately." He threatened and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Raising an eyebrow at her tou-san's change in behavior, she snorted and pushed her food in front of Naruto's face. He gawked at her. "Eat." she ordered. "If you don't have enough energy to fight, then you will never succeed." Sakura looked at Katana indignantly. "Why are you giving him food? Kakashi-sensei just said—"

Katana scoffed at the pink-haired girl. She didn't like her much. "Believe me, I know him better than you do." Hearing that, Sasuke pushed his own lunch in front of Naruto. "She's right." He agreed. Later, Sakura complied as well.

Kakashi showed up, using a menacing tone at first (not that it had effect on Katana…) but telling them they passed later on. They celebrated and ate ramen at Ichiraku.

End Flashback

Katana laughed at the memory. She misjudged them then. She thought Sakura was noisy, helpless, bossy and a hopeless romantic. She was wrong. Sakura had her moments when she was moody but she was a great and understanding friend who loved to read books. Katana thought Sasuke was an arrogant know-it-all, but later changed into a sometimes-kind-but-still-arrogant know-it-all. And lastly, Naruto. Katana believed the blonde was way too confident but would cower in the slightest danger. Boy was she wrong. She realized Naruto was a lot like her. He wanted to be loved and needed and he expressed it in "that" way. He was anything but a coward. His manners are not of the best, but for Katana, he is a complete gentleman. He doesn't go back on his word, even though he knows he could possibly die. Katana idolized him for this.

And now, she realized how much she missed them and how much she'd miss them more. She took a deep breath. It was almost afternoon. She picked up her sword, secured it on her hip and walked towards the gates.

Many people were gathered at the gates. There was a rather big commotion. It was the first time a Kage from another village visited Konoha on such a short notice.

Tsunade was confident, though a bit of nervousness radiated off her aura. "Raikage-dono…" she bowed in front of the tall, muscular and tanned blonde man. His white-yellow hair was slicked back; he had a waxed moustache and well trimmed beard. The Raikage had a grave expression on his face. "Hokage-dono…" he bowed as well. "It's a pleasure to have you in our village." Said Tsunade. He nodded in thanks. "Let us not waste anymore time. I'll go straight to the point. Is Yotsuki Katana here?" he asked.

Tsunade looked around, searching for any signs of Katana. She bit her lip and let herself calm down. "She is. She's supposed to head here right now but—"

"I'm here." A voice declared. The Raikage made a sharp turn. His onyx eyes widened at the sight of her. Katana had her best poker face on. She would refuse to lose her pride and beg for his forgiveness. After all, it was he who did wrong to her. She wouldn't explode as well. No, Katana held her chin high, her ash-grey eyes full of pride. "Raikage-sama… it's nice to meet you in person."

She bowed deeply, but her words were obviously mocking him. The man's expression turned sad and soft. "Katana…" he breathed out, his tone strained as if in pain. Tsunade cleared her throat. "We should probably move to a more private place." She stated and led them to them quarters.

After letting them inside the spacious room with two couches and a few more furniture and decorations, she bowed and bade her goodbye hastily. ANBU guards were placed outside for their privacy and protection.

Katana sat on the opposite direction where he did. He sighed. "Katana, I am pretty sure you know why I am here." He stated. She stared at him blankly. "Really? Why ARE you here, Raikage-sama?" she asked with a hint of sarcasm. "I am here to take you back." He said. She cocked her head to the side. "Take me back? Why would you take me back?" she asked.
No matter how hard she tried, the anger inside her showed. He didn't reply, so she spoke again. "I thought I heard you once say that 'I'm better off without you.'? So, why take me back, Raikage-sama? Why take back the trash that you once wanted to dispose?" she burst out in pure anger and pain. She couldn't help it. It's been 7 years. 7 painfully damn years since she saw him.

He could only stare at the infuriated girl. "I'll take you back, no matter what. I will do anything." He said with narrowed eyes. Suddenly, Katana didn't want to go back. He's the same as before. Cold, demanding and not giving a damn about me… Her own eyes narrowed as well. "Why would you take me back? So I could be your weapon? So you could lock me up in my room again like I'm some kind of virus? How dare you…" she hissed menacingly.

Her sword-shaped curse mark stung. It was threatening to activate, but Katana controlled the urge to do so. Instead, she stood up and made her way for the door. "You can't make me go back there. Not even by force." She glared at him. "This conversation is over." She turned her back on him, only to hear a sudden 'thud'. She whirled around, drawing her sword. So he is going to atta— Her thoughts halted to a stop when her eyes landed on him. There he was, kneeling on the floor, his head bowed down. He was completely vulnerable against her. 100 different ways of killing him entered Katana's mind and one of them was by striking him with her sword, there and then. But she didn't. She was too shocked to even speak.

"Katana, I beg of you…forgive me." These words escaped his lips. His body shook in the sudden rush of overwhelming emotions. "I was wrong before… I was a total bastard towards you…" A pool of crystalline tears formed below his head. He was crying. "But when you saved me…I realized how unfair and uncaring I…I've been t-towards you." Katana felt tears in her eyes. Is this really… him? T-tou-san?...

"I-If your m-mother had been alive at this time… She'd kill me…" A strained laugh went out of his mouth. Katana drew a shaky breath. "W-why…why are y-you telling me this now?" she asked. He looked up, is eyes full of tears of regret. "I'm t-telling you this…because you are my daughter." Katana's eyes widened and tears fell to the ground. She froze in place. Did she hear right? Her father finally calling her a "daughter"?

The Raikage once again jerked his head down. "Please! Please give me another chance! Another chance to prove to you that I can be the father you wanted! Please, Katana!" he pleaded helplessly. She couldn't control her emotions anymore. To hell with pride! She thought happily.

She knelt down and flung her arms around her father. He hugged her tightly in a protective fatherly way. "I'm sorry…" he whispered to her for one last time. Katana let the tears flow down her cheeks. "It's okay…Tou-san." He smiled. "Thank Kami…"

"The father and daughter have finally become reunited." Kakashi sighed, a sad smile plastered on his masked face. Tsunade studied him for a moment. "Aren't you supposed to be happy for her?" she asked. Kakashi nodded. "I know…but she was MY daughter too…" he said, smiling as he walked away.

End Chapter

Hey! Guys, I don't think I could upload it 2 times in a week. I'm really busy in school. Lots of projects, tests and the exams are coming up too. So, yeah. Sorry. Anyway, please continue reviewing these chapters. Arigatou Gozaimazu!

Yours Truly, KatanaSabaku