Ascension (Sequel to Ruination)

[5] Deal

This has not been edited.

Even after Yuzuki told her father that she was playing a dangerous game, the man still wanted know. It didn't matter to him if it put his life in danger; he didn't care. But she did. She would not put him at risk. Or her mission. Thankfully, Kankuro had woken up after the procedure and the ninja were able to get some answers on which base they were going to use to extract Gaara's tailed beast. Yuzuki did not even know, and she was a part of the organization.

All Kankuro could give them was the direction Sasori and Deidara had gone. And thanks to Yuzuki, they had more information on their enemies, instead of having to go in blindly.

The knew she would most likely get punished for doing this but, it was worth it to her. Gaara was a friend and she couldn't let them kill him.

~

They left at dawn. By mid-day they had made it to the edge of the desert and entered the forest that would lead them to the only base in this direction that Yuzuki knew of. The other's trailed behind her, and she could feel their eyes on her as they leaped through the trees. She hated the way they were now. How they didn't trust her, so they watched her every move. And she had to keep secrets and betrayed them. Maybe one day they could go back to the way they were.

Yuzuki only shook her head, it wasn't time to be thinking about that.

They decided to camp when night came, Naruto was reluctant to stop but Kakashi convinced him that they needed their energy to complete the mission and save the Kazekage.

They lit a fire under the cover of the trees, spreading out their blankets to lay upon for the night. But, of course, none of them could sleep. Not with Gaara's life at stake. Yuzuki settled for staring at the sky, or at least what she could see of the sky through the canopy of the trees. Small glimpses of shimmering stars sent her into her thoughts.

Gaara wasn't supposed to die. She wouldn't let all his hard work to become a version of himself that he liked, go to waste. He helped her when he should have captured her and sent her to Konoha, but instead he healed her and sent her on her way. She was not sure if he knew the circumstances of why she left he village—maybe Tsunade had let him in on her top secret mission.

Yuzuki turned onto her side, away from the twinkling lights in the sky that shined through the canopy of leaves.

~

Kakashi watched her from the tree branch he sat upon, leaning lazily against the tree bark as he wondered what she was thinking about. Sadness and anger flared in his chest, thinking about the day she had left him—left the village. He didn't know what to do with himself the day she had left. He felt like he had failed as a father. Just like he had failed as a sensei. He was angry that the village apparently was not enough for her.

He needed to stop dwelling on these thoughts, it was not good for him.

Shaking his head, he turned his gaze to the stars.

~

At the first sign of light the next morning, the ninja, including Lady Chiyo, were off. The old woman insisted that they leave then before it was too late. And they agreed. Yuzuki was no longer leading, Naruto was far ahead and Kakashi was attempting to keep him from straying to far.

Yuzuki wanted to try to calm him down herself. But was not sure he would want to talk to her. It seemed like Kakashi had read her mind. "Go talk to him. It may not seem like it but he's happy to see you."

The girl nodded and, hesitantly, pushed herself ahead. She zipped through the trees at an incredible speed until she caught up to spiky head blond. He didn't say a word to her and just kept his eyes ahead of him. Yuzuki thought about what she should say for a moment before speaking. "I know you want to save Gaara, but you have a team that just simply can't keep up with the pace you're going. Maybe just keep in pace with us. You don't have to slow down just don't stray too far."