After The Storm *Kakashi Hatake* (Naruto Fanfiction)

Chapter 27

Pein had begun the attack, he sent in an assortment of animal summonings. Well I suppose Nagato did... it's a tad confusing... 

All the different Peins had scattered across Konoha, wreaking havoc and killing thousands. 

My only task was to... well... attack. 

I fought hundreds of Shinobi. I tried not to kill them, instead doing my best to make them fall unconcious with the skills I'd learned from both Kakazu and Sasori about human anatomy. Some recognized me, and though I thought they'd grow even angrier at the realization of seeing a traitor of the village... most became reluctant in fighting, less aware of their actions, more careful of injuring me and easier to defeat. I grew increasingly confused as I continued to battle. Some ninja even avoided confronting me all together, obviously backing away or running past me.  

I had become an S-rank criminal once again, and yet, no one seemed to be processing that... 

What was going on? They were supposed to attack me, hate me... I had betrayed them. 

Even after all that time Kakashi and the others spent trying to absorb me into their lives... I had reverted to my past, the past I'd thought that I'd gotten rid of. I always blamed survival; survival was the reason I killed. I didn't do it because I wanted to... I did it for the money, or to avoid being killed by an opponent who wanted my powers. Now, I once again had killed for 'survival'. My missions with the Akatsuki had forced me to kill many, and currently, no matter how hard I tried to avoid it... I killed a few of my comrades. Or people who had once been my comrades. I blamed the fact that if I didn't kill, I'd be absorbed into the juubi, which would not just kill me, but billions more as well... 

But... no matter how many times I blame it on survival... there is no excuse for murder. 

I pause in my fighting, the streets having grown less loud with the screaming of civilians, as they were evacuated... the genin efficiently lead each and every civilian alive, to safer grounds. I was almost prideful at the thought of the young Shinobi being so efficient. 

I walk across rooftops, or rather rubble that had once been rooftops, observing the damage. Bodies are strewn everywhere, mutilated, bloody... Siblings, parents, lovers, all stand and fight, crying over their loved ones who lay still beside them.

I shakily make my way down the streets, memorizing each face that I pass. Each lifeless gaze. 

Explosions, crashes, booms, screams, yells... all echo through out the once peacful village. 

I bend down to a lifeless child. Taking her hand in mine and squeezing ever so slightly. My hair covers my face as I kneel. 

A kunai lodges in the ground next to me. I stand, and turn to find a brown haired, green eyed boy standing before me. 

A chunin at most. 

Probably around the age that Naruto and the others are now. I think solemnly to myself. 

I make eye contact, and with a jolt I remember who this child is. 

"Satoru?" I breathe out. 

His eyes narrow, then widen in recognition, "Yokina-san?" 

"You've grown," I say smiling, and slowly walking over. 

He seems to contemplate for a moment whether or not to trust me, but eventually he lowers his weapon. 

"You've changed," he states. 

My face falls and I stare at the ground again, "I did it to protect you and everyone else," I tell him.

"I know," he replies, with a small reassuring smile. 

I look him in the eyes now, "You... know?" 

"Yes... after Kakashi-san returned from his retrieval mission, he explained to the Hokage that you were just protecting us. The Hokage put you in the bingo book as to not let the Akatsuki gain suspiscion... but he and Kakashi worked together, and still managed to spread the rumor that you indeed remain a trusted member of Konoha," he explained, his grin widening. 

There is wetness on my cheeks now, and upon reaching up, I realize I'm crying. 

For the first time in years... I was crying. Salty water leaked from my eyes as I stepped back and wept. 

"Kakashi-kun," I whispered into my hand as I tried to cover my altogether childish and ugly sobbing. 

Satoru gazed at me with soft eyes and slowly stepped forward, pushing me to him in a tight hug. 

"It's all right Yoki-san," he softly whispers into my ear. 

He steps back and flashes me a wide grin, "After all this is over, and Konoha triumphs... you can come home," he smiles increasingly wider, if possible. 

"But, the Akatsuki..." I start. 

"We'll figure it out," he says patting me on the shoulder. 

There is a yell somewhere close by and Satoru turns his gaze away from me. "We'll discuss this later Yoki-san, I'll see you soon," he flashes me one last smile before dashing off into the fray again. 

I fall to my knees and bury my head in my hands. After all this time... Kakashi has done all this for me... 

I might be able to come home. 

I rise to my feet and scour the village for the silver-haired shinobi that has been out of my life for far to long. I've got to find him. 

I round corners and leap over rubble, dodge debris and avoid attacks. 

I run into a clearing and spot the shining silver hair out of my peripheral vision. 

My face falls. 

My eyes tear. 

My mind goes blank. 

I find myself repeating his name... starting at a whisper, "Kakashi... Kakashi... KakASHI... KAKASHI!" and ending in yells.

My voice begins to go dry as I'm suddenly beside him. 

Blood runs down his foreahead, and his head is lolled back at an awkward angle. He's upright, held in place by a pile of rubble. I run a hand through his silky soft hair, tears falling from my eyes onto his face as I press my forehead to his. 

There is no pulse.