Unbreakable (Book 1) #Wattys2015

New Assignment- Kakashi

They ran continuously for a long time, Kakashi trailing after the three children in order to keep them guarded from behind. He had given each of them strict orders not to utter the slightest word. Who knew where Sasuke could be or what would alert him of their absence at the prison? With their bad luck, he was probably already well aware.

They had left Naruto behind. He, as a sensei, comrade, and friend, was worse than scum. Others might disagree, being that the situation had been dire and that if the decision to leave hadn't been made, he, Katsu, and the three young children could have been imprisoned yet again, or worse. He had acted on pure logic. Something had told him that Naruto would be able to handle himself. But could he really?

Katsu had passed out upon their exiting of the underground prison. Kakashi had done his best to transfer threads of his own chakra into her system while he carried her in order to speed up her natural healing processes. But she was still feverish; different areas of her skin were even burned. She needed help, but he wasn't a medical ninja. He wasn't sure what to do. One of the worst things that could ever happen on any mission was the medical ninja going down. It caused the other two members to be vulnerable to attack without anyone to heal them.

Kakashi hadn't known where they were located upon emerging from the prison until he, by sheer luck and happenstance, finally came across the outskirts of the Mist Village with the three children. The prison had been quite off their original target for their mission.

Kakashi slowed his pace to a stop and the three children did likewise.

"We'll break here," he notified them, though he was impressed that none of them were even winded yet. These sure weren't ordinary kids, he thought. They had to have run at least fifteen miles.

Kakashi very gently laid Katsu down, looking at her with concern. He re-dampened the rag that lay across her forehead, of which he had provided for her earlier.

Her eyelashes fluttered. Kakashi found himself gazing at her for a moment too long. She really was pretty...

He snapped his gaze over to the children who now sat on the earthen forest ground. The sun was rising, he observed contentedly. They had made good time. "What are your names?" he inquired, squatting down in order to rest.

The spunky, white-haired boy answered first. "I am Hibiki Yuri!" he exclaimed enthusiastically, pumping his small fist in the air. "And this is Tamiko Mayu and Erika Raiden," he said, indicating the red-headed girl first and then the raven-haired girl. Both nodded in greeting.

"And what village do you come from?" Kakashi asked, examining them each in turn. They couldn't be related, he concluded. Their appearances were just too diverse.

Hibiki hesitated and glanced at the other two before answering. "We are... well... the children and or siblings of rogue ninjas. We don't have a home." His face pinched in fear as if he were expecting Kakashi to prosecute him right there for what he had just revealed. The two girls also donned expressions of anxiety.

But Kakashi only nodded in response. "I see." He laughed slightly. "No need for you all to worry," he gave them a smile through his mask though he worried it didn't reach his eyes. "We'll get this all sorted out. You all can call me Kakashi Sensei."

The girl with raven hair stood up. She had such pale skin, Kakashi worried it would burn under simple lamplight not to mention the harsh sun the day had to offer. She had purple markings over her eyes lining down her nose. Her piercing yellow irises made Kakashi want to shrink away from her. She looked so familiar. Almost like...

Kakashi suddenly stood up at the faint sound of flapping wings. On the run, Kakashi had hurriedly written a letter to the Hokage explaining every event of the mission that had taken place thus far. In order to mail it, he had summoned one of his hawks who, like Pakkun and his ninja dogs, assisted him whenever a need for them arose.

The same hawk he had sent earlier now dropped to the ground in front of him with a small thud. Its feathers were dark and golden, sleek to its body as if coated in wax. Definitely an animal built for speed. A small parcel was tethered to the bird's leg, catching Kakashi's eye.

"What's that?" asked the red-haired girl, Tamiko, speaking up for the first time, her voice almost comically high.

"A letter from the Hokage," Kakashi answered dismissively after untying the parcel and examining its contents. It also contained a huge wad of cash.

He briefly read through the letter and then reread it in disbelief. Tsunade had written back to tell him that he, Katsu, and Naruto's mission was not yet over. Because Naruto was imprisoned, it was their responsibility to bring him back at a later time. According to her, several of Orochimaru's henchmen had also been spotted on the outskirts of the Leaf Village.

You must understand,  she had written, the safest place now for you, Katsu, and those children would be somewhere else. Anywhere else. Our village is fine, there is nothing for you to worry about. The Anbu are working on hunting down those despicable spies. All here is well for now, but your mission has been adjusted due to the current circumstances. Your original mission was to investigate the area around the Village Hidden in the Sound. You were intercepted by Sasuke Uchiha and imprisoned within a secret stronghold prison of Orochimaru's. Naruto Uzumaki still remains there.

Your new assignment is to transport yourself, Katsu, and those three children you freed from the prison to an unpopular village far away from there. Buy a home in said village using the money provided in this parcel. Train those children, meanwhile finding out all you can about them. If they were locked in that prison with you, they are obviously important to Orochimaru and Sasuke. The Hidden Leaf Village would be the first place they would search for them. It's now your duty as well as Katsu's to keep them safe and far away from here. They are not a threat to us. If they were kept imprisoned by that snake of a man, they obviously resisted him.

You know as well as I that Katsu Inazuna is new to being a Jonin; but do not underestimate her for a second. She has the potential to become stronger than words can describe. For all we know, she's already there.

As for treating the physical results her kekkei genkai had on her body, apply ice to her skin to soothe the burns, and let her rest. She is undoubtedly exhausted. She should heal smoothly, however. Just give it time.

I will dispatch several Anbu shinobi to investigate the prison where Naruto was left. It would not surprise me if it is abandoned by the time they arrive. But they'll find some way to stay on Sasuke's trail. Do not worry about Naruto now. That time will come later.

You are in charge of this mission, Kakashi. You and Katsu will work together to complete the assignment. It is unknown at what time it will be safe for you both to return to the Leaf with those children. It could be a month, a year, several years, I just don't know. But your performance records from past missions show me that if anyone can succeed in this mission, it's the two of you. Don't let me down. Good luck, Kakashi. Destroy this message after it's read.

-T

Hey guys! GoalieGirl here. I know this chapter is short and it has been a while since I've updated this story but I've been really busy! This chapter is also pretty important!!! I hope you enjoyed it! I will try to publish the next chapter sooner. Thanks so much for reading and your understanding. Let me know what you think and don't forget to vote! Love you guys!

You're Loving Author, GoalieGirl

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