A Ninja's Path (Kakashi X Reader)

Chapter Forty Three

Warning: Suicide and abuse are mentioned in this chapter

You raced through the village, not having any idea where you were going. Just forward, away from the village leaders who refused to give your country aid.

The world was cast with the golden haze of twilight, sweeping the entire village in tones of honey and amber. Only a few people were out, most of them heading home after a long day of work. None of them paid you any mind as you slipped between the ever-growing shadows.

These people were luckier than they could ever imagine. Little did they know that a country not so far away was filled with people just like them who would never know what freedom meant. They would never talk freely or go anywhere without authorities questioning them. They would never leave- trapped in an ever burning hell made of midnight and shadows. A place you called home.

The air suddenly became very thick and stale and you felt yourself gasping for breath. You stood under the awning of an antique shop, hand clutching your throat as you struggled to take in a sufficient amount of oxygen. This was a first- you were hyperventilating.

The buildings on either side of you seemed to loom taller than before, ominous structures threatening to trap you on this street forever. Without another thought, you rushed toward the fire escape of a nearby apartment complex and leaped toward the ladder, swinging yourself up onto the metal landing. You clutched onto the railing as you stumbled upward, wheezing sporadically.

Up the flights of stairs, it seemed to take years before you climbed another short ladder and collapsed on the roof.

A cold breeze kicked up your cloak, your throat suddenly opening as you gulped down precious air. After several minutes of regaining your breath, you sat up, taking in the admittedly wondrous sight of Konoha's sunset.

Because you were up so high, only a few other buildings stood as tall as the one you were on. A thousand shades of scarlet, gold and vermilion spread out from the bright disc lowering beneath the horizon. It was a brilliant view, despite the current turn of events. You chuckled. The world really did have a crude sense of humor.

You sat on the ledge of the roof, knees tucked under your chin and your arms wrapped around your body as you watched the sun slowly disappear. Amber turned to rose and lavender, eventually darkening to sapphire and navy until the dim glow of the moon washed over the village.

You had to admit, the Leaf Village had the best sunsets. But, the Land of Shadows had the best nights. Cloudless and cool, the sky was always twinkling with a million stars, each one flickering like small candles. You could sometimes imagine those flaming balls of fire to be small fireflies, dancing in the sky. As if you could reach out and touch them.

The world was wicked for making the cruelest place on earth the most beautiful. You relished those summer nights in the Night Village, the crickets buzzing softly as the moonlight leaped between swaying tree branches.

You closed your eyes, remembering those peaceful moments you held in the woods under that giant tree with Haru. Back then, all either of you could think about was leaving the country, going anywhere but back into the village.

But now, all you wanted was to return.

Not to the Night Village where the ghostly image of Aunt Fuyu haunted you, but the moments spent with Haru under that tree.

The best parts of your life were spent in that small clearing in the forest with your friend. You would spend hours upon hours there, fantasizing about a life outside of the Land of Shadows.

But... maybe it was time to return. You had failed- there was no reason to stay in Konoha any longer. You would return to the Land of Shadows and begin your work as a teacher. After all, you had successfully completed your internship. You would train the young on how to become the mindless killers your government craved.