Freedom (Naruto Fanfiction)

Chapter 5

"We're heading back now, Haru will carry you alright?" Kakashi said softly. Aki glared at him, trying to walk but only stumbled and fell. Kakashi caught her and handed her over to Haru. Aki sighed, she couldn't do anything anyways.

Haru placed Aki on her shoulder, allowing her to sit up straight. It wasn't hard at all since Aki was really light. Haru had to do it because Kakashi was still healing himself he couldn't manage, or so Haru insisted.

"I'll head on ahead with Aki. I was supposed to be back earlier, N needs an explanation. You all take your time." Haru said, teleporing off, leaving everyone confused.

"Well, we'll be off too. Good luck with the opening ceremony." Kakashi said, waving.

"Bye!" Everyone exclaimed, waving their goodbyes. The bridge finished building yesterday, a few days after the fight. Tazuna wanted everyone to stay but they needed to return to the village.

"Kakashi, who are those people? I mean we know their name but who are they really?" Naruto suddenly asked. It was rare for Naruto to be asking such questions.

"Ever heard of The Wings?" Kakashi asked, getting everyone's attention.

"What's that?" Naruto looked at him curiously, making Kakashi sweat drop.

"It's an organisation. They're all from The Hidden Leaf Village. Their reputation has always been good, in a bad way." Sasuke explained.

"Correct. Do you understand what I'm trying to say now?" Kakashi sighed. He knew Sasuke and Sakura would get it but Naruto wouldn't.

"What? I don't get it!" Naruto exclaimed, frustrated.

"What Kakashi sensei is trying to say is that they're people from The Wings, you idiot!" Sakura rolled her eyes, raising her voice.

"Who's Aki to you?" Sasuke glanced over at Kakashi, making Kakashi sigh again. It was complicated to explain to them and he really didn't think they would understand.

"An old friend." Kakashi mumbled under his breath, hesitantly. He owed them an explanation and he also wanted them to understand.

"Old friend? But Kakashi sensei, she's probably even younger than me!" Naruto yelled, confused. The rest had the same question in mind.

"She's not much younger than I am. Have you never heard of the quote, never judge a book by its cover?" Kakashi answered, causing the rest to look at him in shock. He sighed, he should've known they wouldn't understand.

Naruto POV
-flashback-

"Get well soon, Aki." Sakura, Sasuje and me said to Aki who was laying on the bed. Kakashi and Haru stood at the other side, watching.

"Thanks, Sakura, Sasuke." Aki said, completely ignoring me. She hates me doesn't she? She talked to Sasuke and Sakura before but I've always been completely ignored my her! She's probably just like the other villagers, whispering behind my back, hating on me, thinking I'm a monster!

-end of flashback-

"Kakashi sensei... She's like the rest of them isn't she?" I spoke up but couldn't help but lower my voice. There was something about her. I feel that she's different from everyone but yet she seems the same. I feel like she knows more and is willing to tell me but she won't even talk to me. It feels like she has something to tell me.

"That, I can assure you Naruto, she's different. She will never be the same as the rest." Kakashi sensei replied. He seemed more sure than ever but somewhere in his eyes, I could find a sense of sadness settling in though it wasn't obvious, I've lived a sorrowful life long enough to sense sadness.

Hearing Kakashi sensei's response made me feel better and oddly, a sense of relief. I didn't understand why I felt relieved, it just came to me naturally, though it didn't feel like my own feelings.

"Why did she call you Fuyu, Kakashi sensei? That isn't your name, it means winter doesn't it?" Sakura brought up after the sudden silence.

"It's a nickname I was given." Kakashi sensei replied casually. Now that I think of it, it's confidentially odd. The lady earlier was called Haru and the girl was called Aki. They both called Kakashi sensei Fuyu. Haru meant spring, Aki meant autumn and Fuyu meant winter. It can't all be a coincidence can it? Maybe there's a Natsu somewhere. Gah! This is complicated!

Though, I want to know more about The Wing. I saw them fight and they were strong. I want to be just like them and become Hokage one day!

"Kakashi sensei, can I visit The Wing? I want to learn there and become as strong as them and become Hokage to be acknowledge by everyone!" I said with a bright grin on my face, hoping Kakashi sensei will bring me there.

"Bring you there? Don't ask me that question, ask Aki or Haru." Kakashi sensei said with a chuckle, laughing slightly. What was so funny? This makes no sense! I feel like Kakashi sensei is hiding so much from us!

"Kakashi sensei, if you say Aki is an old friend, that means you knew her for a long time right? What relation did she have with Itachi?" Sasuke said, glaring at Kakashi sensei. I looked up at them curiously even though I didn't know what was happening.

"What about you ask Aki that yourself?" Kakashi sensei replied, giving Sasuke his famous one eyed smile. It pissed Sasuke off, he didn't talk for the rest of the journey even if we tried engaging him in our conversation. It was as if he turned off his hearing.

It wasn't long before we arrived back in the village. Kakashi sensei brought us all to the Hokage's office to report our mission.

Third person POV

"So you've already met Aki and Haru? Great! N personally came over to request for Fuyu to return. He needs extra manpower." The Third Hokage said happily.

"What about Team 7?" Kakashi sensei brought up. Although his face showed no anger nor sadness, he seemed to be perfectly fine with it.

"N said he'd take responsibility, I don't know what he has in plan but he did say he would only carry it out if the Team agrees. He said to meet you all at headquarters after you arrived. You should probably head there." The Third Hokage said. It was the first time the Team saw their Third Hokage so clueless and taking orders. It just wasn't the usual route.