I'm Not Alone {--Kakashi Hatake--}

{Chapter 12}

A couple weeks after that day, all of of the team visited Zabuza's and Haku's graves.

Sakura was the closest to the site, with Naruto behind and to the right of her. Sasuke, Kakashi and I stood back, watching from afar.

The mood was solemn...until Naruto tried to snatch an offering from the bowl.

Sakura quickly slapped his hand away and scolded him, "What sneaky, greedy trick are you up to now?" Naruto kind of snickered as she continued, "You eat an offering, you'll be punished by the gods!"

She returned to normal when she asked, "...But still...Kakashi-sensei..."

"Hmm--?" Was his response. At least to me, it seemed like his typical reaction.

"...I can't help wondering. Were those two right about what a ninja should be?"

"A shinobi shouldn't be concerned with a reason for her own existence...it is important merely that we exist as a tool for our homeland to use in whatever way they need. That's as true for us in Konohagakure as it for ninja anywhere else."

My lips pursed when he spoke this words. So...we were just supposed to be used and that's it? That's our purpose?

Even Naruto questioned, "Is that really what becoming a full-fledged ninja's gonna be about? I don't like the sound of it!"

Sasuke glanced past me and over to the silver-haired Jounin, "Do you really feel that way, Kakashi-sensei?"

He almost seemed to hesitate, or wasn't sure how to word it. "Well...no. And that's why all we ninja live our lifes with that ideal always bubbling beneath the surface of our minds, disturbing us. ...Like it did Zabuza...and the boy..."

We all were silent for a moment before Naruto spoke up, "That's it. I've made up my mind! I am going to create my own ninja path, my own destiny!"

Both Kakashi and I were surprised, but when I glanced over at him, he was wearing a closed-eyed smile.

Eventually, we had to return back to the village, but, of course, we had to say goodbye to Tazuna and his family. The whole team stood in one spot with Tazuna, Inari and Tsunami opposite of us.

"Thanks to you, our bridge has finally been completed, but..." Tazuna paused before saying, "It's going to be awfully dull around here, once you're gone."

"We've enjoyed your hospitality." Kakashi responded politely and I figured I would add in something. "It really was wonderful you letting us stay with you." I stated with a small smile.

Though, the little blonde genin in front of us had to say, "No problemo, Tazuna, my man!! We'll come back to play with you again sometime!"

Inari looked on the verge of tears as he said, "You better..." Tazuna patted the boy's head lightly.

Naruto almost looked like he was thinking of doing the same before he assured, "Inari...don't let it get you down. It's okay to cry if you really want!"

I just about smiled when I realized what was happening here. They were trying to be brave for each other.

"I'm not gonna cry!!" Inari replied, "B-but Naruto...hey, 'Big Brother'...y-you can cry! Go ahead!"

Naruto just turned around, "Me? No way. See you."

Inari was kind of stunned for a second, "Oh!"

He couldn't see though, that Naruto was pretty much crying his eyes out.

Both him and Sakura caught up with the group, and when they did, I reached over and patted Naruto on the head just to reassure him.

He glanced up at me before returning to his usual self and shouting, "All right--! Let's go home. Iruka-sensei's gonna take me out for ramen noodles to celebrate us accomplishing our mission!"