Lost Legacy- Naruto Fanfic

Chapter 45

"Look at my students improving," Kakashi feigned a cry, a playful grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "I thought all hope was lost when it came to expecting teamwork from you guys. I don't know what you did, Kaiya, but whatever it was, keep doing it. It's something I could never have dreamed of."

"Maybe you could've achieved it if you'd put down that stupid pervert book of yours," Sakura retorted, her voice laced with a mixture of teasing and amusement. The three of us couldn't help but snicker at Sakura's comment. Well, Naruto and I did; Sasuke, on the other hand, remained his usual stoic self.

"Sakura, how could you? You were supposed to be my respectful student," Kakashi responded, a mock expression of hurt crossing his masked face. Our B-rank mission had just concluded with Kakashi, and we had just exited the Hokage's office. He hadn't seen us in a month, and our improved teamwork had taken him by surprise. I couldn't deny it—I had done an impressive job... Let's not get a big head.

"Well, it doesn't matter. At least now I can finally have a retort ready when Asuma brings up my supposed lack of teamwork," Kakashi added, a sense of satisfaction in her tone.

"Wait, you Jonin leaders discuss your students with each other?" I raised an eyebrow, watching as Kakashi stiffened slightly under his mask.

"W-Well, nothing much, just that you guys are a sweet and lovely team, and you never attempt to annihilate each other," Kakashi quickly responded, his words coming out in a rush. Yeah, right. As if I was going to buy that. "But let's get back to the important matters. Teamwork looks great, but individually, Kaiya, you don't seem to be doing so well."

"You mean those big, black, ugly circles under her eyes?" Naruto's voice boomed, not one to hold back. "Sure, Naruto, might as well announce it to the whole Fire Nation," I said, rolling my eyes in a playful manner.

"Hehe, I'm so sorry about that," Naruto chimed in, chuckling.

"But they'll fade away soon; it's just that sleep has been uncomfortable," I explained, choosing my words carefully. Those nightmares still clung to my mind, their tendrils refusing to let go. I rarely slept for more than four hours at a time. Wait, an idea was forming in my mind.

I couldn't possibly ask Naruto for help he's going to kill me breaking my promise and Sasuke is out of the question. But Kakashi can help I'm sure he's killed before, he was even in the ANBU and you can't spend years in the ANBU without killing. "Kakashi, can I talk to you for a minute?" I inquired, looking at him with a mixture of hesitation and determination. He looked me with suspicion for a moment before finally nodding his head. Turning my attention back to the team, I observed Naruto complaining about his hunger, Sakura reprimanding him, and Sasuke maintaining his usual skeptical glare.

"It's nothing to worry about, I promise," I mouthed to Sasuke. We walked away from the trio, their chatter gradually fading into the background. How should I approach this topic with him? Should I beat around the bush, be straightforward, or use examples like a friend who's been having nightmares?

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Kakashi asked, his tone calm and reassuring. "You don't have to be afraid. That's why I'm here. Anything you tell me is safe with me, unless it's treason or something of that sort. Then I'll have to think about it."

I nodded, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves before speaking. I'd approach this calmly. "Umm... I've... I've killed someone, and I keep having nightmares." I inwardly cringed at my lack of finesse. That was hardly a slow and gentle approach. I mentally scolded myself for being so stupid. 

I watched as Kakashi's expression shifted from his usual laid-back demeanor to one of genuine concern and, perhaps, a touch of fear. "You killed a person?" he repeated, his voice a mixture of disbelief and uncertainty. I nodded slowly, waiting for him to react.