Someone you loved

Chapter 15

Kaya led the group to her house at the edge of the village. As she quietly talked to Chiasa, attention on her weakening form, she couldn't help but steal some glances at the blond child. The Uzumaki looked around with eyes wide in wonder, as if he couldn't believe the beauty that was Whirlpool country. Kaya understood his feelings; she had felt the same weightlessness and acceptance when she had visited the ruins of her home for the first time after the massacre. She had been a child when Uzushio had fallen and she had returned to her island as a young woman, and even though she had wanted to cry and scream and curse and hate for the gruesome fate of her kin, Uzushio hadn't let her. The island had welcomed her home with open arms, her soft breeze wiping away her tears that had threatened to fall, her sunrays a warm embrace, her crashing waves a mirror of her anger.

"He knows," whispered Chiasa suddenly, watching the Uzumaki child fondly.

Curious, Kaya looked at her, waiting for the Uchiha to explain.

Smiling faintly, the woman murmured: "I've told him about Kushina-oba-san and Uzushio, but I believe he'd want to hear more. If you want you should tell him about your island and clan; Naruto deserves to know it all and there's only so much I can tell him, both because my knowledge is limited, and I'm also bound by the rules of Konoha to a certain extent."

"I think, I'd like that," muttered Kaya thoughtfully.

Her time in this realm was coming to an end and if she could tell that one Uzumaki child of their family and Uzushio, if she could make sure that Uzushio's spirit lived on even if just in one soul, she would be able to meet her ancestors proudly in the pure lands. She'd be able to tell them that Uzushio lived and wasn't forgotten, no matter how hard the other nations had tried to wipe them from memory.

All the sudden, Chiasa stumbled, almost pulling the elder woman with her if it hadn't been for Kakashi, who was suddenly there and caught her just before she'd hit the ground. Wisps of hair fell into her face and Kakashi gently nudged them away, caressing her cheek at the same time.

"You have to be more careful," he reminded the kunoichi hoarsely, as he stood back up with her in his arms.

"I can walk the rest, Hatake," hissed Chiasa quietly, red creeping into her cheeks.

However, the Jounin ignored her easily, turning to Kaya expectantly.

Chuckling, the old Uzumaki shook her head. Young love was uniquely beautiful, and she was glad to have seen it one more time. She hadn't been sure of the Hatake earlier but that simple display of affection was proof enough for her. But it seemed as if the children weren't aware of their feelings for each other and Kaya mourned their innocence. She grieved for their harsh life littered with so much hurt that they have forgotten how to be honest to themselves.

"We're almost there," she told the silver-haired shinobi, concern filling her after the happiness for the young woman left.

Waving she motioned to a small house just a handful of steps away.

"See, you can let me down," grumbled Chiasa sulkily.

"Not a chance, Hime."

After they entered Kaya's home and Kakashi situated Chiasa on the bed, the old Uzumaki crouched near the woman pushing the long strands of velvety hair aside to get a look at the seal marring her neck.

It was an abomination and Kaya felt sick just looking at it. Frowning, she got up, searching her small study for some paper and ink; it would take some time to read the seal correctly and figure out what it did and how to destroy it. But seeing Chiasa's deteriorating state – the woman had mentioned in her message that she was feverish and fatigued ever since the seal was placed – they didn't have much time. She was in no way a medic-nin, not even a doctor or something, but she hadn't lived through wars and disaster without picking up some knowledge about the human body. If the fever rose too high or if it went on for a long time, Chiasa's body would shut down eventually and with it her ability to counter the Sannin's seal. What she had seen at first sight, all pointed to the conclusion that the seal was linked to her willpower.