Hatake✔️

47

I wake up when the sun comes out over the mountains.

"Holy fuck!" I yelp when I see Tenzo sitting on the branch next to me.

"Sorry." He says and smiles.

"I see you still are in Anbu mode." He adds.

I uncrumple my body and relax onto the tree.

"I don't have a place to stay." I say.

"I think you do have places you could stay. You just didn't go to them." Tenzo says.

I feel he's right.

"Kakashi is the obvious one, but it seems to be complicated.
The Nara family, but you don't want them to worry about you.
Even Sakura would've taken you in but instead you chose in a tree." He says.

I sigh and climb down.

"I need you to tell us. After that... you can return to normal things." Tenzo whispers.

"It was cut off. As a punishment." I say.

"By whom?" He asks.

"Not me. I can't say literally." I tell him.

"Okay? And why didn't you tell me about this?" He asks.

"I'm not sure. I guess I thought I had to do it to be reaccepted." I say.

Tenzo pats my arm.
"Thanks. And again I'm sorry about Tiger. I know you two became close friends." He says.

I nod.

"I also heard you were with Jiraiya yesterday." He says.

"Yeah he gave me some weird seeds to plant." I say.

"Weird how?" He asks.

"They grew and bloomed." I say.

"That must've been you. I don't know any seeds like that." He says.

"No..." I reply.

"Akari when you were uh in Orochimaru's lair did he ever tell you about what he did to you?" He asks.

"Not really." I reply.

"That's fine. I was just wondering if he was trying to give you abilities." He says.

As we cross the field I can see Kakashi. He's sitting and reading.

"You should tell him. He's missed you greatly. He's also the one who has been advocating the most for you to return to the village. He's just—well he's Kakashi. You know that." He says.

"Were you two close?" I ask.

"Still am. We actually met in the Anbu. It's all a bit of a sensitive subject for him." He says.

"I'll see you later." He tells me before leaving.

I walk up to Kakashi. He sets his book down and looks to me.

I sink to my knees and bow my head, touching the ground.

"I'm sorry for all the pain and trouble that I have caused. I'm sorry for being selfish and reckless.
Could you ever forgive me, Kakashi?" I plead.

"Get up." He says softly.

"I mean what I say! I will do anything to atone for my mistakes. I am unworthy of pity." I say still down by his feet.

"Get up." He repeats. This time tugging at my arm.

I resist it and feel my heart quicken.