~Chapter 20~

When we got over the viewing tower I could see a group of ninja surrounding a figure laying down. My stomach instantly rose to my throat and my eyes misted with unshed tears.

No….

I instantly jumped off Chi’s back, landing beside Kakashi as Ibiki took a step back.

“Old man….” I whispered, looking down at his blood stained face. After a few seconds of silence of all of the shinobi, I smirked. Even in his last moments, he found something amusing. That smile on his face….crazy old coot.

I smiled sadly down at him, reaching back and shuffling in my weapons pouch. As I stood I clipped on a necklace with the Konoha symbol dangling from it. Inside there was small amount of fire that was forever alive.

It was a necklace from the old man, back in the old days.

“But old man! Why do I got to go on a mission with that bastard?!” I whined, glaring over at Hiashi Hyuga.

The Hokage chuckled, the crazy old coot. I crossed my arms, my lips protruding in a pout. I was being assigned on an A-ranked mission, one of many the past two years I’ve been here. I was sixteen now and I’ve already gained a lot of respect in Konoha.

The Hyuga, that I’ve personally nicknamed ‘the bastard’, was glaring at me. “I agree with the brat, much to my disgust. Why are we being assigned a mission together?”

“It’s for the success of the mission that it’s imperative you both go.” The Hokage sighed. The bastard and I just glared at each other.

“I understand you two have your….differences, but please brush them aside until you both return safely.” The Hokage sighed, handing us both a mission scroll. Smart move. Had he just gave us one, we wouldn’t have let the other look at it.

Hiashi glanced over it while I did the same before glaring over at me. “Meet me at the East gate in an hour, brat.”

“Whatever, bastard.” He nodded, disappearing. I sighed, about to do the same when the Hokage’s voice stopped me.

“Hokori….I’d like to give you something.” He opened one of the top drawers of his desk, pulling out a necklace. I looked at it curiously, tilting my head. It had a black metal chain with a Konoha symbol charm hanging from it. What was weird about it though was the fact that there was a small fire burning inside the necklace.

The Hokage got up from his seat, coming around his desk to stand in front of me. With a small nod, he handed the necklace to me. Despite the flame within the see-through charm, it was barely warm.

“This is a necklace that has been passed through ninja of the Hidden Leaf. There aren’t a lot out there but I do see them every now and again amongst the ninja. The charm signifies the Leaf’s Will of Fire. You’ve learned of the Will of Fire since birth, no? I believe the Hinome were faithful followers of it.”

I stared down at the necklace, flashes of memories going through my brain. A lot of the members of my clan had had a necklace like this. And even now I see passing ninja in the village with one.

“Every true Konoha shinobi must love, believe, cherish and fight for the village’s sake, as previous generations had done before them.” I whispered, remembering my father once telling me this.

“It’s what gives Konohagakure shinobi the strength to continue fighting against all odds, building willpower and the strength of character. It is also symbolic of the hopes and dreams of the previous generation being passed to the next.” The old man finished for me, smiling.

“….who is your King, Hokage-sama?” I asked hesitantly, clipping the necklace around my neck after a nod from him. The ‘King’ is something I’ve heard around the village. It’s something every Leaf ninja has.

Our ‘King’ is different for every different person. It’s simply anything or anyone they want to protect.

The Hokage smiled warmly at me. “My ‘King’ is every member of Konohagakure, past and present. I love and cherish every member of the village. From my own grandson to a passing civilian. Now, if I may, what is your King, Hokori?”

Tears pricked the corners of my eyes and I clenched the necklace in my hand, feeling the warmth the flame emitted. After a moment I looked up at the Hokage, my eyes filled with determination.

“The same as you, Lord Hokage. I wish to protect everyone in this village. I don’t want them to go through the horror I’ve experienced as a child. Even if it’s the Uchiha clan, I will lay my life on the line to protect them. They, along with all Leaf ninjas, are Konohagakure shinobi, and you must  protect your comrades above all else.”

As I finished I noticed there was tears trailing down my face. The Hokage chuckled, wrapping me into a grandfatherly hug.

“As I thought, my dear. I’m going to give you that necklace. My wish is for you to pass it on to your children and theirs to their own. And, when you pass it down, remember this day. Tell them of the Will of Fire. And hope with all your heart, their views are the same. Besides, our future rests in the hands of the next generation.” He said. I nodded, returning the hug.

“I promise.”

Tears slowly dripped down my face, mixing with the blood of fallen enemies. I gripped the necklace tightly, staring down at the Hokage.

“I promise.” I whispered, echoing my words from all those years ago.

It was two days after the battle. Konoha villagers, shinobi and civilian alike, were decked out in all black attire. Unlike most rainy days, we were outside, on top of the Hokage tower to be specific. Today was the old man’s funeral.

I stood beside Naruto, Shino on my other side. Konohamaru was on Naruto’s other side, trying to wipe away tears. I was watching the old man’s grandson from the corner of my eye, my heart saddening even more.

Iruka crouched down beside him, pulling Konohamaru into a hug as he sobbed even more. I turned my head, looking down at them as tears still washed down my face, mixing with the rain.

Naruto looked up at the Hokage monument before speaking. “Master Iruka….” He mumbled, catching the man’s and Konohamaru’s attention.

“….why do people….risk their own lives for the sake of others?” He asked, not taking his eyes away from the monument. Iruka looked at him before turning his head forward.

“When one human dies….they pass away. Along with their past, their current life, and their future….many people die on missions or through war. And when they die, it happens startlingly quickly….and simply. Hayate was one such example….those who die have dreams and goals….but they all have something else just as important. Parents, siblings, friends, their fellow villagers, people who are important to them….bonds form between them and those who are precious to them from the time they were born, through trusting and helping each other….these strings that connect them, as time passes….grow thicker and stronger. There’s no logic or reason to it! people just do things like that….because they have precious things to protect….”

There was a moment of silence before Naruto replied. “Yeah….I think I’m starting to get that now….but….it’s painful to die, too.”

“Well, the Third Hokage did not die in vain. He did leave all of us something important….” Kakashi said. Naruto turned to him curiously.

“Well, don’t worry….you’ll understand eventually.”

“Hey….! Give me some credit – I understand!” Naruto said, smiling slightly.

I chuckled, ruffling his blond mess of hair. He smiled up at me and I smirked, turning my attention up to the old man’s face on the monument.

You were right, old man. It seems all the little tree leaves of Konoha….have greatly inherited the Will of Fire that you spoke of….those little embers that lit upon the tree leaves will eventually blaze strong and fierce….and will come to light and protect this village once more….with a new Hokage.

“Well someone felt like being early for once, eh?” I asked, walking up to Kakashi while I lit a cigarette. He was leaning against the entrance of dango shop.

He smirked before we glanced to the side to see Kurenai and Asuma walking together. “Yo! Hey there, you two….you’re so chummy….are you on a date?” Kakashi asked.

“Fool. Anko asked me to buy her some dango.” Kurenai said, blushing slightly.

“Besides, we could ask you two the same. What are you doing here anyway? I thought you didn’t like sweets, Kakashi….” Asuma trailed.

“Well….I came to buy something to put on a grave, so I figured I’d just meet up with someone here while I was at it. Sasuke, actually.” Kakashi said with a close-eyed smile.

“I’m here for sweets though.” I added, making the three sweatdropped.

“That’s a rare sight for you to be waiting for someone….” Kurenai mumbled. There was a clunk of someone setting down their tea and both Kakashi and I glanced subtly at the two figures in the dango shop.

“Whoa, Kakashi….you showed up before me?” Sasuke said, walking over. He glanced at me and I simply nodded in greeting to which he returned.

“Well! I can be on time, once in a while….” I snorted .

“I don’t like Natto or sweet things.” Sasuke said, furrowing his eyebrows.

“Oh….really.” Kakashi replied. I glanced at the empty table now, catching Kakashi’s glance along with Kurenai and Asuma. All of us nodded before jumping away.

I glanced at the other two and pulled out a new cigarette, lighting it as we came to a stop on a road beside a river. The two figures in the black cloaks with red clouds stopped a few feet in front of us.

 “You’re not from this village….what’s your business here….?” Asuma asked.

“It’s been so long….Asuma….Kurenai….Hokori.” The shorter one said, shifting the hat on top of his head and revealing the part of his face not hidden by the cloak collar.

My only reaction to his voice was a slight twitch of my fingers. I knew it had been his chakra signature….and now to see his face after so long….

“Y….you’re?!” Asuma and Kurenai gasped. I took in the fact he had his Sharingan activated as I flicked the bud of my cigarette, taking a long drag.

“Humph. There’s no mistake….” Asuma mumbled as Itachi took of his hat and popped open the top of his cloak to use as an armrest for his left arm.

“Uchiha Itachi.” Asuma finished.

“It’s been awhile, Itachi-chan.” I said. I still can’t kick the habit of calling him that, could I? Eh, it was just one habit of mine I’m sure annoyed him.

“Itachi-chan~!” I trilled, landing next to him on the dock he sat on. I knew I was within the Uchiha compound but the bastards could suck it.

He glanced over at me calmly. “You know you’re not allowed in the Uchiha compound, Hokori.”

“You know I don’t care.” I replied. He nodded slightly, raising an eyebrow when I dropped a brown paper bag in his lap. He picked it up, opening it curiously even though nothing showed on his ever emotionless face.

He pulled out a dango stick, looking over at me with a raised eyebrow.

“Eat it, brat. I’ll take them myself if you don’t.” I ordered, reaching into a bag of my own and taking out a dango stick of my own.

“Isn’t it weird for an eighteen year old to hang around a twelve year old?” Itachi questioned. I snorted.

“Oh please. You make it sound like I like you. I simply find you good company.” We both looked at each other for a moment before snorting.

“What I mean is, you don’t annoy me. Itachi-chan.” I added at end, causing him to glare at me as he took a bite of the dango.

“Unfortunately, you annoy me.” He shot back, voice only slightly tinged with annoyance.

“Just eat your dango and be quiet, Weasel-chan.” I ordered, rolling my eyes in amusement.

He smiled slightly and I did as well as we turned our attention to the lake in front of us.

“….are they acquaintances of yours, Itachi-san?” I snapped back into reality as the taller figure with the sword strapped on his back took off his hat. “I suppose….I should introduce myself as well.”

The man was revealed to be Kisame Hoshigaki, if I remember correctly. One of Zaza’s old friends. Truthfully, the man looked like a shark.

“I am Hoshigaki Kisame. Please to meet you, and hope to get to know you later.” He said as Itachi looked at him from the corner of his eyes. He was making sure that Kisame didn’t say anything he shouldn’t, probably.

“There’s no later. I’m gonna take you down right now!” Asuma said.

I glanced over at my comrade lazily, thinking of our odds. Not to be arrogant, but we stood a much better chance seeing as I was here. Then again, Itachi probably won’t even engage in battle with me.

I sighed. I wanna fight the Weasel. Is that too much to ask?! I wanna see who’s stronger between us!

“Itachi….it seems that you too are rather detested in your home village.” Kisame observed.

“I’ve heard of you….Hoshigaki Kisame. A former Kirigakure shinobi….” Kurenai said. “An outlaw shinobi currently being sought by the Land of Water….for charges such as assassination and subversive machinations against the state. You two….are major felons that have Bingo Book rank S.”

It was silent for a moment before Asuma spoke. “Itachi….you’ve got guts to step foot in this village again after what you did.”

“….Asuma, Kurenai….please do not interfere….I don’t want to kill you.” Itachi said, furrowing his eyebrows slightly.

“Wait, why wasn’t I added to that? Do you wanna kill me, Weasel-chan?” I questioned, smirking. He slowly shifted his eyes to me, eye twitching subtly.

“Do you really think you would be able to fight me, Hokori?” He asked. I could just hear that tinge of annoyance that always appeared when I called him that. I examined him for a moment, taking into account that I was right with that bet I made with myself if Itachi would be a good catch when he was older.

“Depends if you annoy me, Itachi-chan.” I replied after careful consideration.

Asuma, Kurenai and Kisame were looking at us with furrowed eyebrows, trying to figure out just what our words meant.

Asuma, probably having enough of our mind games, continued the conversation from when Itachi was talking to him and Kurenai.

“For someone who’s committed parricide, that’s an odd thing to say. Besides….there’s no way you would just show up like this, nonchalantly….wearing clothes that don’t look respectable for absolutely no reason. So what are you after?”

Itachi shifted his eyes to Kisame, keeping silent as the shark-man grabbed the handle of his sword. He swung it over his shoulder, slamming it into the ground with a loud thud.

“He bother me. Shall I kill him?” Kisame questioned.

Well someone is Itachi-chan’s good little shark, aren’t they?

“Well, it doesn’t seem like we’ll be able to just walk out of the village without a fight, so….just try not to overdo it. your moves tend to attract attention….” Itachi replied.

“Understood.” Kisame replied, his voice taking a ‘scary’ tone.

He swung his sword back up to lean against his shoulder. All five of us stood there for a moment, evaluating one another. After a moment, Kisame rushed forward, bringing down his blade. Asuma took out his trench chakra-infused knives, using them to block Kisame’s sword as it was about to hit Kurenai.

Kurenai took this time to perform some hand signs, using some of her genjutsu. I watched Itachi’s reaction carefully. My attention was, however, snapped to Asuma when I saw Kisame’s sword touch Asuma’s shoulder.

 Before the shark-man could yank his blade back, I appeared in front of Asuma, pulling out my katana and using it to push the sword away from Asuma just as the spikes protruded from the blade.

Kisame stumbled a few steps back, obviously surprised. Asuma was too, looking at me. I, however, was gritting my teeth in anger.

“You dumbass Asuma! Have you never heard of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?! Just the name Hoshigaki Kisame should’ve jogged your fucking brain!” I growled, glaring at him over my shoulder.

“What?” Asuma mumbled, still slightly in shock it seems.

“That sword,” I pointed the blade of my katana towards  the sword Kisame now had leant against his shoulder again, “is the long sword named Samehada. It means Sharkskin. It doesn’t slice, it cuts you to fucking ribbons!”

“Took the words from my mouth, girl.” Kisame chuckled.

“Kurenai….what’s taking you so long?” Asuma asked, ignoring the shark-man as both sharky and Itachi was trapped in Kurenai’s genjutsu. I sighed, turning to Asuma and punching him in the shoulder. He winced, glaring at me.

I huffed. “Dumbass.”

I blinked as Kurenai slid away from Itachi suddenly, some of her hair being cut off by a kunai he held. Itachi swung a kick at her which she blocked but was still slammed into the river beside us.

“Kurenai!!” Asuma yelled as I glanced at the brunette.

“Don’t get distracted.” Kisame advised, swinging his sword rapidly at Asuma as I disappeared immediately, appearing a few feet away.

Asuma tried to punch Kisame in the face, only nicking his cheek with his infused chakra.

Kisame started doing hand signs for the Shark Bomb Jutsu but, Kakashi copied it immediately as he appeared in front of Asuma.

“Why are you here now?” Asuma asked.

“I know I asked you to do this for me….” The one in front of us began.

“But I guess I got a little worried.” The one holding a kunai to Itachi finished.

“Shadow doppelgangers….” Kurenai mumbled.

“Kakashi….” Itachi said, turning to face him. They both stared at each other, thoughts swarming in their heads.

“My, my, you’re a surprise….no wonder you stopped me….there is another with the eye. You must be Kakashi the Mirror Ninja, then….” Kisame said, smirking with those sharpened teeth of his.

“I’m the one who was surprise….catching the scent of suspicious folk at the tea house, and who should it be, but….I never imagined it would be Uchiha Itachi….and the scourge of Kirigakure, Hoshigaki Kisame.” Kakashi said.

“Well, well, you even know my name. What an honor.” I snorted, lighting a new cigarette.

“….I see, so that giant blade of your belongs to one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Samehada, the Sharkskin.”

“Hehe….I heard that young Zabuza had sparred with you….?” Kisame asked.

“Yeah….”

“Hehe….I’ll cut you to ribbons….” Kisame said, his voice going all ‘bloodlust’ mode again. I clenched my fist on my blade, growling under my breath.

“Drop it….Kisame.” Itachi said, gaining the attention of everyone but me. I was still glaring at the ground mumbling.

“….if you spar with him, or Hokori who looks ready to kill you, head-on, you won’t get away scot-free….and if you take too much time, you’ll give other shinobi a chance to arrive.” When Itachi-chan mentioned me, everyone looked at me in confusion wondering what pissed me off.

“Do not forget our purpose….you did not come here to suffer injuries!” Itachi scolded.

“And pray tell, what might that purpose be?” The Kakashi clone in front of Asuma and I asked as he disappeared.

Itachi and the real Kakashi on the water exchanged looked before he answered.

“WE know what we’re looking for is here….”

“….looking for?” Kakashi asked. There was silence for a moment before he asked again.

“And what might you be looking for?”

“….I, unlike Kisame, wouldn’t take any time at all.”

With that, the battle between the Spoon and Weasel-chan commenced.

After a while, and Asuma went into the battle as well after one of Itachi’s clones exploded, I turned to Kisame. He looked down at me with a raised eyebrow. Both of us could tell the other wouldn’t attack for now.

“You piss me off.” I stated. He smirked ‘scarily’.

“Oh? And why is that?”

“First, you recognize Kakashi but not me. Then you only choose to acknowledge he fought Zaza. God dammit Sharky! Why don’t you fucking remember me?! I’m gonna kill you!” I growled, stabbing my sword into the ground in anger. He looked over me for a moment more before realization alit his weird, fish-like eyes.

“Wait….Hokori Hinome?”

“No shit, fish stick!” I snapped. He let out a booming laugh.

“You look different, can you really blame me? Besides, I only meet you a handful of times that one time you were in Kiri. That was close to the time I deserted that place anyway.”

“Still! It’s insulting, Sharky!” I crossed my arms in a huff, pouting. He chuckled, shaking his head.

“I’m surprised you haven’t attacked me or Itachi, actually.” Kisame stated, tilting his head as we both watched the battle raging in front of me.

My eyes narrowed as I pulled my sword out of the ground, sheathing it.

“I rather not get into this battle, truthfully. Weasel-chan and I go way to back for me to fight him without holding back some. I could kill you no problem, however. But then Itachi-chan would be pissed off and trap me in a genjutsu and I hate that shit.” I shrugged, glancing at him as he gave me a look that practically asked if I was insane.

“You are the strangest Konoha ninja I’ve ever met.”

“Eh, what can you do.” I shrugged, lighting a new cigarette after I noticed my old one had been gone for awhile.

Suddenly, we both zoomed into Itachi-chan’s voice as he spoke. “But you cannot break this special Sharingan jutsu….Tsukiyomi, the Nightmare Realm! Only someone with Kekkei Genkai and a Sharingan can stop me!”

“Sasuke….” Kakashi murmured before he was trapped in Itachi’s genjutsu.

I blinked before glancing over at Kisame. He glanced at me as well and I smirked, one of my canine teeth protruding over my lip.

“This is probably the last time we’ll have a civil conversation. So, it was nice talking to you while it lasted. Our comrades would probably benefit from us joining in the battle now.”

“Yeah….Itachi’s overusing his eyes.” Kisame sighed, rubbing his face.

I furrowed my eyebrows. “Stupid Weasel-chan….hey, Sharky?”

He raised an eyebrow for me to continue so I did.

“Would you do me a favor?”

“Depends. Most enemies don’t.” He smirked, showing off those shark-like teeth.

“Would you mind giving a note to Itachi if I wrote one real quick? I know you two are about to leave soon.” He thought for a moment before nodding. I instantly sat cross-legged, pulling out a pen and a piece of paper. He rose an eyebrow but didn’t question me.

I quickly wrote down a note on both the front and back before picking something out of my pocket and then folding the note and trying it with wire. I stood back up, one hand fisted over the necklace from the old man and old holding out the note to Kisame.

He stared at it for a moment then looked at me. I tried to plead with the look I gave him and he sighed, picking it from my hands before stuffing it in his pocket. As soon as he did, Kakashi collapsed from the effects of the Tsukiyomi.

We glanced at each other before nodding.

“Next time we meet, we’re enemies.” I said.

“Agreed.”

We looked at each other, one smirking with a canine protruding from their lip like a crazy demon and the other grinning with a full set of sharpened teeth.

Then we disappeared, him standing beside Itachi and speaking while I helped Kakashi to stand.

“Ugh….it’s still affecting me….” Kakashi huffed, allowing himself to lean against my shoulder.

“Hm….after all that the fool’s spirit is intact….meanwhile you’ve overused those eyes of yours….you know that’s dangerous….” Kisame said to Itachi.

Both the Spoon and Weasel were panting and Kakashi struggled to speak.

“Ugh….this thing you seek….is it Sasuke?” He asked.

Itachi gazed at him for a few moments. “….no….the legacy of the fourth Hokage….”

“The fourth Hokage’s….legacy, eh….” Kakashi murmured.

“Naruto….” I mumbled quietly under my breath so not even Kakashi could hear.

I flashed back to that talk Jiraiya had with Kakashi and I. he had told us about the Akatsuki. They were after my Foxy!

“You seek….the nine-tailed fox inside Naruto?” Kakashi asked, surprising Asuma and Kurenai. I glared at Kakashi to shut up but he didn’t listen.

“You’re….not the only ones, are you? I know all about you….you call yourselves the Akatsuki?” Now Weasel and Sharky were surprised while Asuma and Kurenai were confused.

“The Akatsuki?” Asuma asked.

“Idiot, you should’ve shut up!” I hissed. Kakashi just looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

“Kisame….! Change of plans: we’re taking Kakashi and Hokori with us. Make the other two disappear.” Kisame rushed forward before being kicked out of the way by Guy’s Leaf Hurricane as he suddenly appeared.

“Who are you?!” Kisame asked once he had stopped sliding along the river surface.

“Konoha’s Noble Blue Beast….Might Guy!!” I sweatdropped, rolling my eyes.

“….what do we have here? The Leaf village’s fiercest beast of battle?” Was Sharky mocking him? I wasn’t sure….

“Do not underestimate him.” Itachi advised.

“Don’t look Itachi in the eye, Guy!! He’ll snare you in his jutsu!!”

“You don’t have to tell me the obvious!! I’ve already mastered counter-Sharingan battle techniques from all my bouts against Kakashi! Open your eyes, both of you!!” Guy said. “When you go up against the Sahringan, you only need to avoid meeting your opponent’s eyes! Just keep your sight on their feet at all times, and you can still erad their movements and react.”

Both Kurenai and Asuma opened their eyes while I snorted.

“Now that you mention it, that does make sense, but….” Kurenai began.

“You’re probably the only one of us….who is any good at it.” Asuma finished.

“I suppose so….you simply need to acquire the knack for discerning an opponent’s movements just from their feet. But in this emergency situation, we don’t’ have that luxury. You’ll just have to learn it on the fly!!” Guy said, walking over to us.

“So what’s the plan?” Asuma asked.

Guy looked at Kakashi who had passed out on my shoulder.

“Kurenai! Get Kakashi to the medics!! Asuma, Hokori, you’re going to be backing me up. All we need to do is buy some time….until the ANBU Balack Ops reinforcements that I requisitioned arrive!!” Guy said as Kurenai took Kakashi into her ars.

“Ya got guts….” Kisame began but Itachi interrupted.

“Kisame….I’m calling it off. We didn’t come here to start a war….tempting as it is, this is not the way to do this….let’s go.” Itachi ordered.

“….hmph….they don’t know how lucky they are….” Kisame grumbled.

Itachi looked over at me one last time and nodded. I nodded back as they both disappeared.

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Authors Note

16 pages! Woot! Lol, you probably have so many new questions, yeah? Wondering if Hokori’s a traitor? Nah, she’s just got a lot going on. Friendships that shouldn’t be there and such. Important information she’s learned that shouldn’t have been.

There was a little talk with Sharky for all you Kisame lovers! And Itachi <3 bah, love that man. He’s the only Uchiha I don’t hate. We’d make awesome friends in real life. Though, he’d probably kill me from annoying him too much >.>

Anyway, peace!

~Mew

P.S. you’ll learn what Hokori wrote in the next chapter so look forward to that!