Cataclysm of Ice

The Kikanuwaru

They began their journey in morning. Mia emerged from the creek as she pulled back her hair.

"Woah, what happened to your gown?" Sakura scratched her head. Mia chuckled and smiled, wiping a drop of water from her head.

"I'm a ninja just like any of you. In the land of Kikanuwaru, you'll need to be swift, and I'm not swift in those robes. Dress warm, but light. It's bandit country and lots of them are brutal. Especially Toku. He's the King of Thieves." Mia finished and with the swipe of her hands, the camp vanished like dust.

"How'd you do that?!" Naruto gasped.

"It's a special jutsu from my land. This comes in handy for when our kind is traveling. We are a nomadic people. Our kind travel to villages to train as ninjas and from time to time, we return to our homes. I don't return home though. I just follow the process." Mia stated as they headed down a long trail.

"Why is that?" Sakura asked.

"I told you the story about my father. I hate the man, so to spite him, I ran away. He wants me to be heiress, as my brother has died of scarlet fever. I don't want anything to do with a Princess duty. I could care less in following that trail. My father never loved me and everyone I ever loved ran away. So why can't I run away from my kingdom?" Naruto saw a sad gaze in Mia's eyes. She was clearly hurt by her past. He could have sworn he saw a tear.

"Why do you return?" Sasuke asked, annoyed by the frivolous talk.

"Because if I don't return every so often, they send out shinobi. They hunt me down and drag me back like a war prize. They torture me... And shunned me as well for a pregnancy with an outsider. Never mind that, we're approaching the Passage of Desire. Don't think of anything. One of us will be chosen to be tormented with nightmares. If I am chosen, use something precious and real to me to wake me. Be careful." Mia finished, leading the party into a path down a dusty canyon. The silence was deafening, almost as if it forced thought. The dust swirled up, and the faint voices could be heard. Mia raised her hand to stop.

"I love you baby... and if it's quite alright..."

"What's that?" Naruto whispered. Nobody recognized it. Mia began to shiver.

"No. No, anything but that. You could choose any memory but that one!" She cried.

"You're just to good to be true... can't take my eyes off of you... you'd be like heaven to touch... I wanna hold you so much..."

"Mia! Wake up! It's just an illusion!" Sakura shook Mia. She stood paralyzed, tears sprinting down her cheeks.

"Naruto! The music box! Quick!" Sasuke yelled as Kakashi lifted Mia. They ran out with Mia still paralyzed. Naruto pulled out the golden music box as Kakashi's eyes widened.

"My music box?" He asked. The whole team was silenced. Mia shifted, still crying.

"But that means..." Sasuke backed away.

"You're-" Naruto started.

"Yes. Mia and I were lovers. I was the man that attacked her. I grew angry and I never meant to hurt her or my son. I'm sorry...Mia." Kakashi trembled.

"Kaki- I..." Mia sat up weakly. The team's thoughts were disrupted with an evil laugh. Three Kikanuwaru jumped out of the trees. "Toku." Mia hissed, standing in guard pose.

"Mia, I finally meet the bastard who knocked you up. I also see you fall prey to the passage. You are known for keeping a clear mind, but it seems your love for the Sharingan shinobi is evident. You never could get him out of your heart. Now that he's here, you've become weak." Toku chuckled.

"Toku. I've made mistakes. I could've waited, I could've stayed at home, I could've kept my pregnancy a secret... But there's one thing you will never cross over again. My love for Kakashi was never a mistake. Sure, we had our differences, but I love him. No matter what and it may weaken me. But my love makes me stronger." Mia smiled, pulling out two swords.

"Master, we should retreat. She's a swordsmaster." The right warrior gulped. Mia jumped high into the air, and seemingly flipped. She formed a sign with her swords, stabbing them into the ground. Sparks and thunder roared, firing the enemy back.

"Wow! That was so cool! Mia?!" Naruto cheered before seeing Mia panting. She fell over and collapsed, breathing heavily.

"What happened?!" Sakura asked. Kakashi felt her pulse.

"She used Kabasui-jutsu. It's a special swordsmanship move and takes a lot of chakra. Ah!" Kakashi stated before they were all transported. The all stood like shadows.

"Where are we?!" Naruto yelled.

"Its a mind jutsu. Quiet." Sasuke stated. The team looked forward as a vision formed. It was a sunset, on a balcony, and there was a young lady with brown hair.

"But that's..." Sakura murmured.

"Did I ever tell you how beautiful you look in the sunset?"

The team turned briefly to see Kakashi. This was a vision.

"Not that I recollect... But then again everyday it's a new compliment." Mia laughed. Kakashi approached her, wrapping his arm around her waist. They looked out at the sunset.

"You know, sunsets and you are my favorite things. Put both of them together and its extra beautiful." Kakashi retorted.

"Stop that... You're making me blush. Hey, what's that you got behind your back?" She saw a glimmer. Kakashi smiled and held it up. The golden music box. He opened it and two forms that looked like them started twirling.

"It's our song, Kakashi." Mia smiled in amazement. Kakashi set it down as it played.

"May I have this dance?" He smiled, taking her into his arms.

"You know I can't dance..." she murmured, burying her teary face into his chest.

"I love you baby... and if It's quite alright I need you baby..to warm the lonely nights..." Kakashi sang softly.

"Say you love me...I love to hear again..." she murmured.

He tilted her face up and lifted his mask to show his other eye.

"I promise I'll love you always. One day this music box will serve as our children's music to put them to sleep. This music box is an unending symbol of our love." Kakashi brought her close placing his hands on her back. He tilted his chin down a little and the two kissed.

The vision evaporated as the group adjusted.

"The music box.... Why Kakashi-sensei? You two were perfect." Sakura sobbed.

"Love doesn't always have happy endings." Kakashi stated before jumping off to the lakeside.