Konoha's Maelstrom

20

AN: My world, my rules→coffee exists in the Narutoverse because I said so and I like coffee. Secondly, final update as I'm taking a break for an unknown amount of time.

Meiko was informed that after her very dramatic fall, which Kakashi—thankfully—caught her before she face-planted into the roof, she was carried to the hospital because of her chakra exhaustion and injuries.

During Meiko's entire fight, she'd been running on adrenaline.

Injuries ranged from a small cut to a twisted ankle and a broken wrist (how in the name of Kami she did that, Meiko didn't even know).

She was discharged three days later and Meiko immediately headed home to prepare for the funeral of the lost Shinobi during the battle.

The next morning, Meiko exited her house in a short black kimono, her hitai-ate tied around her waist. She had on black shinobi sandals with shinobi wraps beneath them, along with black gloves that went under the sleeves of the kimono.

She met Sakura at the alley where it had all begun; the alley where Sakura chased Konohamaru and ran into Kankuro.

Sasuke arrived soon and the three walked to the funeral in solemn silence.

The day obviously decided to reflect the mood as the clouds were grey and dark.

Deep down, Meiko knew she couldn't have done anything. She knew she didn't have any way past the barrier. But the front of her mind was captured by "what ifs?"

"We will begin the memorial service for the Third Hokage, who lost his life in this battle, as well as the other victims of this battle."

Meiko looked to her left, looked down at Konohamaru who was crying for his grandfather. Iruka also knelt and pulled Konohamaru into a hug, and all Meiko could do was watch with guilt eating up at her.

She held her flower as she walked forward, and then she placed it before the picture of Hiruzen.

Meiko imagined Kakashi and Hiruzen doing this for her father and mother, imagined them walking forward and placing a flower before those pictures.

Near the end of the memorial, the rain stopped and the clouds parted.

Days passed a little oddly (everyone was helping with the cleaning up of the entire wreckage) and two days later, Meiko found herself in Ichiraku Ramen when her senses rang.

She finished quickly, gave Teuchi and Ayame a thanks, and then ran, masking her presence as she neared to find two cloaked figures fighting Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma.

Her eyes widened as Kakashi fell to his knees on the water, and she strained to listen.

"Whoa... To take that jutsu without causing his spirit to collapse," the blue shark-boy said, appearing beside the other cloaked figure. "But Itachi...it's also dangerous for you to overuse those eyes."

Why are they wearing the same cloak? Are they a part of some super-secret evildoer club? And Itachi?! That's Sasuke's brother...

Meiko appraised the shorter guy differently, noting the red sharingan residing within his eyes.

"The thing you're looking for," Kakashi started, still heaving deep breaths. "...is it Sasuke?"

Itachi narrowed his eyes. "No...the legacy of the Fourth Hokage..."

Me? If they're looking for me, it's probably for...the Kyuubi! Shit!

Meiko stayed hidden in the trees as she watched the exchange.