The Curse Of Hatred ~Book 2~

Chapter 23: Redemption

On Yuzuki's way back into the village after a two day mission and straight into the Hokage building to report back, she could sense a joint chakra points of Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai one floor above her. She wondered what they were all doing up in the Hokage's office.

Yuzuki signed herself in, reported the mission successful and turned to exit the building. The chakra signatures of everyone was still upstairs and had remained unmoving. Yuzuki skipped out of the building in a good mood for some reason. All she had on her mind for the past two days was the simple three words exchanged between her and Kakashi. He loves her and she loves him. Yuzuki since then has felt stronger feelings, she clapped her hands together excited to tell Katsuko.

She strolled by the Academy quite literally next door to see the front deserted and quiet. No children were out yet.

This was the year Sasuke would graduate the Academy top of his class, so maybe that's why she was in a good mood. But knowing Naruto Uzumaki, who she's watched over since his birth, this was his third year repeating, so no hope there.

On the main road ahead she could see none other than Hiko Hibiki approaching with a lady at his side. A mischievous grin came to Yuzuki lips as she solely approached. "Hiko, is that a grey hair?" she questioned pointing to his lushes locks of orange hair that never seemed to be combed. The lady even leaned over concerned.

He gasped run-in hands threw his hair. "Where!?"

Yuzuki laughed. "I was kidding. How's work? Seen Katsuko lately?"

"Work is better than ever!" His yellow eyes looked between Yuzuki and the dark haired lady beside him. He cleared his throat. "Ahem, Yuzuki this is Sao, we work together."

"A pleasure." Sao bowed polity.

"The pleasure is mine." Yuzuki returned the bow. "Where are you's heading?"

Hiko gestured ahead. "The Hokage building for debriefing." he circled Yuzuki. "Oh, no I haven't seen Katsuko. If you see her tell her to come by, I need to talk with her."

"Okay, will do. If I see her."

Hiko and Sao carried on in the opposite direction. The exchange was brief but it was easy to tell Hiko and Sao had a 'thing' going on. She wondered if Katsuko knew.

Yuzuki then began to walk with the intentions of going home for the day. Her dark eyes were cast to the ground and half lidded. Her feet suddenly stopped moving and planted to the ground like she just stood in cement. Her mind drifted for what seemed like a moment, her thoughts dived into the dark chasm which Jurun dwelled in. He was wide awake and ready.

(Ready for what?)

A snarl rippled on his mouth and vibrated through his snake like body. His fork tongue flicked through the hole of an absent tooth. The chains anchoring him rattled with each delicate movement and the ankle high water he rested on rippled violently.

What was he trying to show Yuzuki. That he was awake? That he was alive and well? That he's restored himself? What was Jurun trying to accomplish that he felt the need to interrupt Yuzuki's day.

A large gloved hand came to rest of Yuzuki's shoulder and she was brought back to reality with a touch of a hand. "Kakashi?" She greeted unaware she blanked for nearly twenty minutes just standing in the middle of the road.

"What are you doing standing here?" he asked concerned.

Confusion crossed her face. "What do you mean? I was on my way home, I just got back."

"I called you five times, you didn't answer me. You were just standing here."

"Oh." Yuzuki's eyes dropped. "Jurun's been doing this thing lately I don't know why. I just blank for a while."

Kakashi shifted his weight to the other foot. "What for?"

"I don't know. I might have to bring it up with Hiko next time I see him. Did you know he's got a work friend'?" she quoted. "It's so obvious."

"Huh. Well, I've got some news for you." he motioned for her to walk with him. "I was just with the Hokage, and Asuma and Kurenai, talking about this years genin teams. I'm being assigned Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura Haruno."

Yuzuki's eyes lit up like a child receiving candy. "Gee, I wonder why you're getting Sasuke and Naruto." she replied sarcastically.

"The Hokage did express that."

Then another concern came to Yuzuki. She brushed back a strand of unwashed hair. "Well, are you going fail them like you have the past three teams in the past three years?"

"That depends on them. Don't be upset if I do."

"I will be! Then Naruto will have failed a fourth time and I don't know if Sasuke is mentally prepared for something like that. You know how he gets all angsty if he doesn't get his way... that might be my fault, I spoilt him way too much." Yuzuki crossed her arms feeling her cheeks heat up in embarrassment.

"You're right about that."

"And what about this Sakura? Who is she?"

Kakashi shrugged. "Just another student."

"Yeah, but why team her up with those boys? The Hokage had a reason for teaming us up as team seven. It has to be the same thing. Naruto is a Jinchuuriki, Sasuke will have the ability to control the beast if something happens- so will you, mostly. So what's so special about Sakura?"

"Guess we'll have to find that out come graduation. Man, I remember that time."

"Yeah." grumbled Yuzuki. "You graduated early, mister 'I'm better at everything'. You weren't at graduation... Neither was Obito because he was late..."

Kakashi laughed. "I am better at everything."

"Are not!"

On their way, a large group of children consisting of all ages between five and fifteen came to surround Kakashi and Yuzuki. The older children Kakashi recognised as the ones he's failed in the past, and each of them bowed polity to both of the adults surprise. What were these children trying to accomplish.

"Kakashi Sensei." one said. "We'd like to thank you for sending us back to Academy to learn the proper values of teamwork."

Yuzuki glanced to Kakashi mildly surprised and amused. Another student came forward. "Since then we've learned that teamwork is the most important thing and we've dedicated ourselves to helping others now!" he motioned to the smaller children around them.

The students remained silent waiting for Kakashi's reply. Yuzuki nudged his arm forward to encourage him. "Oh, uh, you're welcome I guess."

"Thank you, Kakashi Sensei!" They bowed again and ushered the children around them to follow and they left with smiles and laughter on their faces. Yuzuki bounced out of the way as small children weaved past her long legs.

"Well." Yuzuki turned to Kakashi. "I take back what I previously said. You're immoral ways of teaching actually worked. Honestly, who would have thought?"

Kakashi chuckled stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I didn't actually think that would happen." Yuzuki's arm looped around with his and she skipped along his side with a proud smile. "Well, I'm proud of you!" she tiptoed to peck his masked cheek. "Only if you pass your team this year!" she continued to scold. "You cannot keep putting it off, ya know."

"You sound like Kushina."

"And?"

"Nothing... It still all depends on how they perform in a month come graduation."