Kakashi's Kid (Naruto fanfic Completed)

Friends

Beeping sounds echoed in my ears and my body felt weak and queasy. What the hell happened? As my mind became less foggy, images of what happened before flashed before me and the pain in my heart became worse, so did the rest of the pain in my body. Talia and Gareth....... They had betrayed me! Talia was dead but Gareth........ he was still out there! Why was he allowed to live still?! Why did that bastard betray me and then kill Talia?! Why did Talia betray me and then save me?! Why? Why? WHY?!
"We need to give her another sleeping draft now! Her heart rate is too fast!" A female voice exclaimed worriedly and I could hear the monitor beside me going off quickly and loudly. Something entered into my skin before I began to feel dizzy again and gave in to the blackness again.

The next time I woke up..... I felt emotionally numb. My thoughts of my two...... friends...... were neutral and I no longer held any hate. Talia had died for me while Gareth....... He was all too willing to kill us both. He was corrupted and we didn't notice, or at least..... I didn't.
"Ah, she's awake!" An excited yet worried voice said to my left. Looking over, I saw Tenten, Neji, Lee and Guy-sensei stood there staring down at me.
"Oh..... what are you doing here?" I asked, my voice emotionless.
"It's ok to cry. That is the positive thing of youth!" Guy-sensei exclaimed, concern clouding his eyes.
"We received a warning from the Kazekage stating that you guys were in danger. Tsunade already seemed to know and when Naruto found out, he went insane, demanding to be sent after you instead of his other mission. He was willing to give up on the Akatsuki members for you." Neji informed me with a huff.
"He is a youthful boy! We wish to protect our friends!" Lee proudly stated. Still idiots, huh? But still amusing at least.
"Leave me with Tsukiko. Go on." Tenten ordered, turning to them all with an annoyed face. Neji frowned, not liking being told what to do while Guy-sensei and Lee looked heart broken being told to leave. Seeing me make no protest, they all left the room sulking. "How are you?" Her voice was softer now and her face was full of worry for me.
"I'm fine. I just need to go home." I shrugged, sighing in defeat.
"I'm really sorry ya know....... about your um.... friends." She frowned sadly, holding my hand that was closest to her side. "I'm sure everyone back in Konoha will cheer you up though. After all, you still have all of us.
"How long have I been asleep?" I asked, glancing outside to see that it was dark out.
"Three days. They gave you a strong sedative." She explained. "The amount of chakra that you let spill out could've caused you even more harm so they had to sedate you which was when we arrived. We had just finished our mission and were told of your situation so we came out immediately. Lee and Guy-sensei seemed dead set on getting here quickly." She giggled a little, seeming to remember something which made me curious. "When Neji asked Guy-sensei for a break, he turned round and cried saying his 'little youthful niece' was in trouble so we had to get there immediately. He really cares about you." A small smile spread onto my face upon hearing her words, and my mind was taken off of the events that happened before. I had to focus on what I had now, and not what had happened. I couldn't allow myself to become Sasuke who was hell bent on revenge. Nor could I allow myself to bring everyone else down with my depressing mood due to what occurred.
"Thank you Tenten, I'm feeling better now. I have to be strong for everyone. After all, if I don't stay happy then who's gunna keep the peace between Sakura and Naruto?" I chuckled softly. She perked up at hearing my words and gave me a hug, being careful not to put any pressure on my stomach which still seemed to not quite be healed yet.

A couple more days passed until I was ready to leave the hospital healed and head home. Before we left however, I wanted to make one stop. Walking along the hallway alone, I stopped outside the Kazekage's office and knocked. There was silence until the door was yanked open and I was pulled into a hug. Surprised, I came to realise it was Temari who had pulled me into a hug.
"Such a troublesome girl....." A tired voice spoke up from inside the office. Huh? Looking over Temari's shoulder, I saw Shikamaru standing there. What was he doing here?....... To his left was Ino and to her left was Chouji. They were all here? But why? After Temari pulled back, I was pulled into a hug by Ino. The two blondes wanted to hug me?..........
"We're so glad you're ok." Ino sighed in relief. "Even they were worried." She said, gesturing to the men standing by the desk, or in Gaara's case, sitting.
"But..... Why?" I asked confused. Ino and I weren't that close so why was she so concerned over me?
"Why? Why what?" Chouji asked, munching on some crisps.
"Why are you here? Why are you so concerned for me?" My voice was so confused and I couldn't help but step back a few paces to be further away. They seemed shocked by my question and I heard Shikamaru sigh.
"Whether you like it or not, you're our friend, and we worry." He informed me, his voice strict but I could hear a softness within it that surprised me.
"They're right." I heard Kankuro chuckle, a smirk on his lips. I was still confused but also felt so overwhelmed. This many people cared?.........
"Anyway, you'll be leaving today right?" Gaara spoke up, seeing how awkward and confused I still felt.
"Ah, um.... yeah." I murmured. "Thank you for your hospitality, and it seems you were right Kankuro. I was back to stay in the hospital again." A smirk spread across my lips as I met Kankuro's eyes and he replied with a laugh. The others laughed as well while Shikamaru rolled his eyes, but his lips showed a ghost of a smile. Seeing Temari glance over at Shikamaru, my smirk grew bigger. Knew it.

It was time to leave now and although I still hurt on the inside, mainly my heart, the others were doing their best to keep me distracted. It seemed to be working. Temari and the rest all waved at us as we left and I saw Temari staring at Shikamaru for a little before meeting my knowing eyes which was when her cheeks flushed and her jaw dropped open in shock. When Shikamaru saw me staring at him amused, an irritated and bored look crossed onto his face.
"What?" He asked with a lazy sigh.
"Nothing." I replied nonchalantly.
"Did you notice it as well?" Ino whispered into my ear as she glanced between her teammate and Temari. Nodding to her, she giggled and I saw Tenten try to cover a giggle as she heard us. If only Temari was here to laugh at the fact with us..........

We had been traveling for hours now and finally made it to the other side of the sand. Now we were just two days from Konoha via the route I took on the way here. The boys were up front while us girls hung back a bit. Ino and Tenten seemed to be enjoying talking about boys. Ino seemed still caught up with the whole Sasuke thing but was getting over her crush on him while Sakura still suffered from loving Sasuke dearly. Anyone could see that Tenten had a thing for Neji but she never said anything about it. Ino then turned on me and began questioning me about Kiba. How far we'd gotten....... If I loved him........ Blah blah blah.......
"Yes, I love him....." I admitted quietly. Ino squealed while Tenten grinned happily. I really appreciated these two as even though we rarely spoke, they seemed to be trying their best to keep me happy and my preoccupied.
"So how far have you gotten with him?" Tenten asked next. A smirk slid onto my lips and they seemed to be expecting me to say a certain word while I only shrugged.
"We've kissed and that's it." I informed them in a matter-of-fact voice. Their faces dropped and I heard Ino curse Kiba under her breath. "Keep in mind that I've been away for three years and only recently got back."
"Oh yeah, I forgot about that." Ino laughed nervously, having forgotten that it was only recently that I came back. "Guess dog boy isn't completely useless then."
"Will you let him do it when you get back?" Tenten curiously asked, her voice thoughtful.
"Not for a while...... Besides, I still have work to do as a ninja." I chuckled, thinking over her words. Would I let him do it? If not now, then when? I'm sure Kiba would agree to waiting for me, but how long would he wait? Would he grow tired of me? My mood dipped slightly at the thought of someone else leaving my side.
"I'm glad you haven't given up on everyone." Tenten smiled, grabbing hold of my hand. Looking at her confused, I soon came to understand her meaning when I saw sadness lurking in the backs of hers and Ino's eyes. After being betrayed and losing two people I cared for, they thought that I would give up on the others. I'd experienced many painful experiences but I refused to let those experiences take over me completely. Painful experiences made us stronger and therefore we should learn from them and develop, not succumb to the emotions they made us feel and lose ourselves.
"Thank you for your concern but it was their choices and therefore I won't regret my actions or feelings towards them. Talia showed herself to still care so I will not allow myself to feel hatred towards her. She acted as a caring friend who refused to betray me and for that I am grateful. Gareth........ He willingly betrayed me and killed Talia and so I cannot help but feel hatred towards him. But he may have had his reasons as I don't want to give up on the thought of him being the guy who cared for me during those three years like an older brother would." My voice came out wise and level as I spoke which surprised the other two, even myself.
"Nice to see someone who's less troublesome with those thoughts." Shikamaru spoke up from in front, looking behind at us with a bored expression but warmth could be seen in his eyes. Neji and Lee agreed with him while Chouji just continued eating his food. Guy-sensei was getting emotional and going on about how his youthful students were growing up and becoming beautiful youths. These people amused me and for that, I was grateful to them.

I know my chapters have become shorter than they used to be aha but I hope you're all still enjoying them. What did you think of what happened to Talia? Did you expect that from Gareth or not? Let me know and hope you're all doing well :)

Just to let you know, my story shall be time jumping again soon to where Boruto and the kids are alive and well ^_^ After that the story shall be coming to an end so I thought I'd warn you all in advance and thank you in advance for reading this story of mine. Arigatou!