Struck: A Kakashi Hatake Fanfiction

Chapter 24: First Report

"Is that yesterday's report?" I asked gesturing to the scroll in his hands.

Kota had been my assistant since I began our operation. He was organized, discreet, and collected. At the moment, however, he was uncharacteristically nervous.

"Uh, yes, sir. Would you like me to brin—"

I cut him off. "Read it aloud, Kota."

He cleared his throat and slowly unrolled the scroll. He took a big gulp before he began:

"Day one, 2000 hours: Assignment received and target marked. Emiko Akiyama and unknown Leaf shinobi arrive at small inn approx. 4 miles west of village.

2200 hours: Target and comrade retire to bed.

0030 hours: Target does not sleep, keeps watch out window. Comrade awakens and embraces target, proceeds to discuss relationship. Target and comrade engage in sexual intercourse. Target refers to comrade as Kakashi during—"

"Enough!" I roared as I smashed the coffee table with my fist. Anger had seeped into my bloodstream. A jagged knife twisted in my heart. How could you, Emi? Sleeping with another man?

"I'm assuming this is Kakashi Hatake?" I sneered through gritted teeth.

"Y-yes, sir," her stuttered. "Sharingan was confirmed."

"Damnit," I muttered. "DAMNIT!" I hurled a kunai just past Kota's head, it drove itself into the wall. My assistant flinched and dropped the scroll in his hands.

"Leave it!" I shouted as he bent pick up the report. "You send word back that he maintains constantsurveillance. Continue the reports. But he must remain unseen and that task will be more difficult now."

"Yes, sir!" he bowed and scurried away. I downed the remaining whiskey in my glass before hurling it against the door that had just closed. After a minute I got up and retrieved the scroll from the floor. I finished reading the report and flung the door open. "Send in Hana!" I barked at Kota.

I slammed the door shut behind me and headed towards to the dresser in the far corner of the room. I opened the drawers until I found what I was looking for—leather binding straps and a cane.

I turned at the sound of the door opening again. Hana stepped in. Her hair was the same shade as Emi's, and their frame was identical. From behind, most would never be able to distinguish between the two.

"Master Konton," she bowed her head. "I'm here to serve you."

Oh how I love their eagerness, I thought as I slapped the cane on the hard floor.

I sent her away bloody and bruised; she was a crying mess that I would not have in my bed. "Th-thank you, sir," she squeaked before she shut the door. Aiko came to me just a minute later, wearing the nightgown I'd gifted to Emi long ago. It was floor-length and made of fine deep red satin. Aiko's hair was much too short for my liking, but her laugh—it was eerily similar to my Emiko's. And it was with her that I spent most of my nights. Talking, holding her close, making her giggle. Just like I always had with her.

But as I lay there long after she'd fallen asleep, I could feel that this wasn't going to be enough for much longer. I need her. Soon.

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I wasn't ready to give up just yet, but the one perk of heading back to Konoha was that winter was still weeks away there. I swear I could feel the temperature rising with each step south. I couldn't help but grin knowing that this time when I stepped through the gates, I wouldn't be doing it alone.