Chapter 16

The Hokage herself met them at the main gates of the village, a group of medical corpsmen and two stretchers in tow. At her gesture, Ibiki laid Takeo on one of them, indicating Yuichigo should accompany the injured shinobi to the hospital. Before the rat-masked operative could comply, Tsunade spoke.

“Yuichigo.”

He turned. “Hokage.”

“I would speak with you regarding your current placement in ANBU. Come to my office after you receive medical clearance.” She regarded him pointedly. “I rely on your discretion regarding what you have witnessed. I'm sure you understand.”

He bowed. “Hokage.”

She waved him onward, and the corpsmen retreated into the bowels of the village with the stretcher. Amber eyes turned to regard the Head of the Torture and Interrogation Unit.

“Will he be suitable, do you think?”

Ibiki shrugged. “Only one way to know for sure. But, yes, I believe so.”

“Good. Now then...”

She focused her attention on the silver-haired shinobi and the unconscious woman held protectively in his arms. On the return trip, Kakashi had steadfastly refused all offers of assistance, preferring to transport Soriya himself. The Hokage waved the last two corpsmen over. Carefully, the Copy Ninja bent, placing the redhead on the stretcher. Tsunade watched as he brushed a hand over the kunoichi's bruised cheek, dark eye lingering on her face. After a moment, he straightened, offering Tsunade his customary placid gaze. Because she knew him well, she discerned the slight tension in his deceptively relaxed stance, though she doubted it was apparent to anyone else. For once, he had neglected to return his hands to his pockets. She decided to be amused, rather than annoyed.

“Relax,” she told him. “You did well. The mission has been completed successfully.”

He scrutinized her shrewdly. “All of it?” he prodded.

“All. And you can stop looking at me like that. I'm not going to have her killed,” Tsunade snapped waspishly. So much for amusement. In a somewhat milder tone, she added, “Take her to the hospital, then come see me. I want a full report.”

Staring down at the unconscious kunoichi, she called over her shoulder, “Enya. Accompany Kakashi to the hospital. See to Soriya's care personally. I'll be along later to tend to Takeo.” Quietly, she added, “You did excellent work. As expected.”

The blue-eyed medic-nin paused in surprise. After a moment, he offered a solemn bow to the blond woman's back.

“Hokage. Forgive me.”

Tsunade closed amber eyes. A slight smile lifted the corners of her lips.

“Unnecessary,” she replied softly, dismissing him with a wave.

She turned to Ibiki.

“I'll take your report now. In my office,” she said, before vanishing amidst a swirl of leaves. Seconds later, the scarred shinobi followed, leaving Enya, Kakashi, and the corpsmen to make their way to the hospital, an unusual honor guard for the woman lying on the stretcher between them.

Stark white. Light. Antiseptic smell.

It took Soriya a moment to realize she was staring at a ceiling. In a hospital. Where she appeared to be wearing a hideous, mauve-colored hospital gown. Grimacing, she looked around, trying to focus on objects in the room. The figure in the corner chair noticed the small movement.

“It's about time,” the Copy Ninja's voice drawled lazily. “I was starting to think you were never going to come around. You're beginning to make a habit of this,” he chided.

“How long?” she asked, or tried to. It came out sounding more like a croak.

Kakashi seemed to understand anyway. Pocketing his reading material, he leaned forward, pouring water into a cup from the pitcher beside the bed. Sliding an arm behind the kunoichi, he helped her struggle to a semi-reclined position against the pillows, before offering her the drink. She accepted gratefully, pleased to note her hands seemed only slightly shaky.

“Three days,” he replied quietly.

The liquid felt cool and soothing as it slid down her parched throat. She choked, eyes widening in surprise.

“Three days?”

The Copy Ninja nodded. “Enya said you really scorched the chakra network, bursting through the fifth Gate like you did. It's fortunate Bathsheba was there. He's not sure he could have resealed the Gate of Closing without her help.” I almost lost you.

She started at the thought. She knew it had come from the man sitting patiently at her bedside. Surreptitiously, she checked to make sure they weren't touching. He noticed.

“What's wrong?”

Soriya stared at him, trying to concentrate. Nothing. Maybe she'd imagined it.

“Never mind. It's nothing. Just...I'm sorry for making you worry.” Gray eyes turned downward.

“Kakashi...”

He waited.

“About my father...”

He seemed to know what she wanted to ask.

“We brought him back to the house where he'd been staying. Ibiki opened the earth under the weeping willow. We buried him beside your mother and his brother.”

“He would have wanted that,” she replied softly. “Thank you.”

“I brought you this,” Kakashi added, taking a dark metal bracelet from his vest pocket. “I thought you'd want to have it.” He handed the object to Soriya, who took it mutely. She swallowed hard, then slid the cool metal onto her wrist. Her fingertips traced over the stylized “K” on the band.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. She felt only a gentle sorrow—the anger she'd nurtured for so long eluded her, like wisps of smoke blown away on the wind. His last gift, she thought, smiling sadly. She looked up to meet Kakashi's sympathetic gaze.

He offered, “When you're up to it, we'll go pay our respects. I never got to meet your mother, after all. You'll want the photos from the house, too. We didn't take the time to pack them.” A thought occurred to him.

“There's someone I think you should meet. An old woman by the name of Ayame Ito. She knew your father. I think she'd enjoy talking to you, and someone should let her know Akira won't be visiting anymore.”

The kunoichi was silent, staring down at the cup cradled between her palms. She flexed her right wrist; the blue-black metal of the bracelet gleamed in the light. After a moment, she spoke slowly, hesitantly, “There's something else I need to do first.” She looked up at him. “Will you...will you come with me to the memorial stone? I have to tell Emiko...Natsu...” She didn't have the words.

“I'll come with you,” the Copy Ninja agreed, “but first, you should go see Yori and Izumi. They've been frantic. Yori's been here every day since we brought you back, but he doesn't like to leave Izumi and the children for too long.”

She smiled. “I can't wait to see them.”

A knock sounded on the door before it opened. Takeo, hobbling on crutches, leaned his head into the room.

“Well, well. Look who's finally awake,” he remarked. “Really, Soriya. I know I gave you a thrashing, but don't you think it's time you got out of bed? The Hokage's got work for us. We don't have time for you to lie around sleeping.”

The glint of humor in the almond-shaped eyes took the sting out of the words. Soriya rolled her eyes, offering him a rude gesture with her finger.

“She thinks I'm number one.” Slyly, Takeo's gaze slid over to the Copy Ninja, who eyed him lazily.

Soriya was not fooled for a second. She could feel the sudden tension in him, though it was not outwardly apparent from his relaxed posture. The sooner they had that discussion, the better. Knowing Takeo, he probably found it amusing to push Kakashi's buttons. She sighed irritably. Men!

“Get in here and sit down before you fall down, you big idiot,” she glanced pointedly at the dark-haired shinobi's left thigh. “How's the leg?”

“Sorry, can't stay,” he declined breezily. “I just wanted to see if you were still alive in here. The leg's okay, but you know Enya. He's such a mother hen. And the Hokage is backing him up, of course. She says I have to use these damn things for the rest of the week. What a pain.”

“That's too bad,” she offered, insincerely.

He snorted. “Yeah. By the way, Yuichigo's going to be training with us now. Ibiki-sensei's orders. Poor guy. He doesn't know what he's in for. The fool thinks being assigned to work with you is some kind of promotion. You must've really put the whammie on him out there. Way to go.”

Soriya made a face. “Thanks a lot.” She added pertly, “At least I won't get bored, fighting you all the time. He's tougher than you think, Takeo.”

“He'll have to be. I don't know the details, but I get the feeling our next mission has something to do with the upcoming summit.”

“Intelligence gathering, most like,” she guessed, shrugging.

“Probably.” Offhandedly, he added, “The Hokage mentioned something about red roses. Does that mean anything to you?”

Soriya's face paled. At her expression, Kakashi sat forward in his chair, resting a hand on her arm. She flinched at the sudden contact and his hand tightened.

“Soriya, what is it?”

“Sorry. I'm okay.” She shook her head. “It's just—did she say 'the Crimson Rose'?”

Takeo considered a moment, black eyes narrowing at the consternation on her face.

“Maybe. What does it mean?”

Soriya focused on her lap, gray eyes shadowed and unreadable. In a low voice, she replied, “I can't tell you. Not yet. I have to speak to the Hokage. I'm just not sure...” If I'm ready, she wanted to add, but didn't. She wasn't sure if she'd ever be ready again. And Kakashi...if she agreed to do it, what would he say? Would he be able to handle it? Things had been much simpler five years ago.

“Whatever,” Takeo shrugged, unconcerned. “I'm not going to stand here and harass you about it. See, I'm working on 'learning to let go'.” Balancing on the crutches, he put finger quotes around the catchphrase.

Though the response was flippant, Soriya caught the slight regret in his tone. She looked up, offering him a sad smile. “I'm glad to hear that, Takeo. I'll see you around.”

“Yeah.”

He retreated from the room, letting the door close behind him.

Into the silence, Soriya exhaled, then mused softly, “Well, that went better than expected.” She eyed the Copy Ninja, who was once again leaning back in his chair. She noticed he had taken out his naughty book again, though judging by the lack of movement in the single dark eye, he wasn't actually reading it. She sighed.

“About Takeo...” she began.

“You don't have to tell me. It's not really my business.” Cool. Calm. Collected. Liar.

“Listen to me. You have to understand...” She swallowed. How to say it? “I wronged him, Kakashi. Years ago. That damned class assignment...” She hesitated, then said it in a rush, “Ipretendedtobesomeonehecaredfor—toteachhimalesson,” She paused for breath, then added, “the big jerk.”

The Copy Ninja looked at her steadily. “I see.”

“But that's not the worst part.” Long red hair swung forward to hide her face. Soriya knew it had been totally selfish of her to use Takeo simply because she was angry she couldn't have Kakashi. She'd behaved like a spoiled child denied a favorite toy. It was an act she truly regretted, not for the act itself, but for the pain she had unwittingly inflicted on the dark-haired shinobi.

“I used him, Kakashi. I was stupid. Stupid, drunk, and angry, all because I saw you leaving a bar with some woman. I just didn't think. Didn't stop to consider Takeo's feelings at all. It was cruel of me to take advantage of him. Especially since the only man I've ever really wanted was you,” she confessed starkly, meeting his gaze. She thought she saw emotion flicker in the dark eye, then the slant of his brow smoothed.

“Feel better?” he asked, rising from the chair to press in close to her on the narrow bed. Taking the cup of water from her, he set it on the bedside table.

Her breathing quickened. “Uh, now that you mention it...”

He reached for her face, drawing his lower mask down with his free hand.

“Mmm?”

She stared up at him with wide eyes. He was so close, she could feel his breath on her cheek.

“Yes,” she whispered, lips parting in anticipation.

“Good,” he responded, “Now, be quiet.”

He didn't give her a chance to argue. Not that she would have wanted to.

A week later, Soriya set off to visit her father's grave. She planned to meet with Ayame Ito on the return trip. Kakashi met her at the main gate--late as usual, though only by twenty minutes this time. He claimed he was working on getting it down to fifteen minutes, but Soriya wasn't holding her breath. She cut him some slack, touched that the notoriously tardy ninja would make the effort, just for her.

Some things never change...

Then she would stare at him covetously when he wasn't looking.

But thank the gods for the things that do.

They took the trip out to the Ganji in slow, easy stages. Although Soriya had been medically cleared, Enya warned her not to overdo it. Prudently, she'd resisted the urge to use her power since being hospitalized, though occasionally, random thoughts popped into her head unbidden. Sometimes, the kunoichi swore she was 'hearing' the inner musings of people in close proximity, particularly if she knew them well. It seemed to occur most frequently with Kakashi, though once it had even happened with Ibiki-sensei. He'd been thinking “troublesome child” when he visited her hospital room. Looking up at his stern visage, knowing it hid great concern, she'd cheekily asked if she could call him “Pops”. The look on his face had been priceless.

She hadn't mentioned the odd ability to anyone yet. She hoped it would fade with time--a leftover side effect of rupturing the Gate of Closing. She had enough trouble screening out unwanted emotions from the people around her, let alone thoughts.

Though the telepath had to admit, it had been highly entertaining—in more ways than one--to surprise Kakashi by acting on some of the things she'd caught him thinking. Truly, the man possessed an active imagination! Must be all that reading.

She was sure he'd catch on to her little game eventually. The possibilities made her toes curl. Maybe retaining such an ability wouldn't be so bad...

She smiled.

“Something funny?” The Copy Ninja quirked a curious brow at her expression.

“Oh, just thinking pleasant thoughts,” she told him, “for a change. Come on!” she tossed over her shoulder, loping ahead. “My folks are waiting on us. Don't be a slowpoke!”

Smiling behind his mask, Kakashi leapt to follow.

Finis