Goodbye

[4]

"You all fail the test."

Kakashi stated.

"And," he added as an afterthought, "Akari, you'll be running 40 laps around the village after this, for using that furry abomination you call a cat. Weights on, no chakra."

"Fuck you." Was the response that was given to the one who had directed the afterthought at her.

"I'll pass. I'm a law abiding shinobi of Konohagakure, thank you very much."

"Some shinobi you are, ya' can't even read a damned clock..."

"...I'll ignore that comment for your sake."

•••

"What are you doing?" 

Sasuke asked Akari, who was currently untying the ropes that bound Naruto to the wooden pole.

"Kakashi never said we couldn't untie him and let him feed himself, did he? Life lesson, there's almost always a loophole just waiting to be found."

"...hn."

Kakashi sighed and facepalmed as he watched from behind a tree, a place he knew Akari could sense him.

Her goal was to completely undermine all authority he held over the team, wasn't it?

She was definitely mocking him. He just knew it.

•••

"I had miso ramen yesterday, so I think I should get chicken ramen today!"

"I say you get dango."

"Tomato onigiri is better. Dango gives people diabetes."

"At least it doesn't give people mouth sores."

"I say he tries anmitsu."

"No way! Ramen is the best, dattebayo!"

Hiruzen looked over to Kakashi.

"They aren't listening at all, are they?" He asked.

Kakashi looked up from his book, boredom clear on his face. A dash of confusion could also be seen here and there. Obviously, he was reading Icha Icha. He had a genuine team, but honestly, he didn't give a fuck. He really didn't.

"Pardon? Did you say something?"

Hiruzen sighed.

"Not you too..."

•••

First C-ranked mission: protect a drunken old man.

How fun.

As Akari walked on, she couldn't help but notice a puddle on the ground.

It hadn't rained for weeks. She glanced over at Kakashi. He nodded. He had noticed as well. Akari turned back to the front, and continued walking as if nothing was wrong.

Suddenly, two chains lashed out and ripped Kakashi to pieces.

Akari's eyes narrowed. That cut was far too clean for the damage to have been real. If it was, then apparently Kakashi has evolved into some kind of spineless chunk of meat. She jumped back, infusing shuriken with wind style.

Why couldn't she sense the enemy?

She traced back the chains to their owners.

Ginkaku and Jinkaku. The gold and silver brothers.

"Sasuke. Naruto. Take care of the one on the left. Sakura, guard Tazuna. I'll deal with the one on the right."

Akari said. The rest of team 7 nodded in agreement.