From Kill To Kiss (Kakashi x OC)

Forty-One

He refused to believe it, but it was the cold hard truth. And that damned Zabuza had escaped yet again, probably taking Haku's injured self with him. Kakashi stood up and wiped his eyes, but it was no use; more water kept forming..fogging his vision. He sat on the floor, Yumi's body in his arms. He seemed to sit there and stare at her for what seemed hours. The blood on her neck and stomach were starting to dry up.

His vision began to clear up. His heart felt empty. His life felt worthless. He felt..broken. His companion, lover, best friend, rival..wife. All their memories began to fade away.

Kakashi stepped outside of the house; after placing her peacefully on the couch.

He had folded her hands on her chest, the ugly gash in her stomach hardly visible under her grey tattered dress. Her hair was flowing in small knots. Her skin had turned even paler, and her lips became dried and cracked.

He headed outside and sneered at the sun. The village didn't deserve such nice weather at a moment like this. Nobody deserved it. He suddenly saw Guy yelling his name, as he ran up towards him. Kakashi wiped his warm tears away yet again just as Guy jogged up to him.

"Kakashi!" he yelled, throwing his arms around his comrade. "Where is she?"

He searched behind Kakashi, as if she were hiding behind him. Guy's smile melted quickly, as Kakashi stared at the ground. Both of their students hurried after them. Everyone had small scratches and cuts under ripped clothes.

Without saying anything, Kakashi pushed to the front of open the door. The door squeaked open, as everyone stumbled inside. There was a dangerous amount of blood falling from the couch and onto the ground.

"She's didn't make it." Kakashi said, trying to keep straight face. He wouldn't dare to break down, especially not in front of his colleagues and students.

Sakura was the first to react. She fell to her knees and began to mumble, "No..no..no NO!" She burst into tears, as Naruto, looking quite sad, put a comforting arm around her shoulder. Sasuke watched at Sakura wailing horribly from the corner of his eye. She did mean something to her; Yumika was her sensei for a few weeks anyway.

Guy hugged Kakashi's shoulders and refused to let go. His tears flowed down Kakashi's back, as he cried in silence.

Nobody talked to one and other. Everyone was in too much shock to even give condolences to Kakashi. Guy shooed the students away, as he stood beside Kakashi.

"Kakashi..." Guy whispered. "I'm so sorry..."

"I've seen several of my comrades come and go; though this is more painful, it is indifferent."

Guy didn't say anything. His comrade, who has seen everyone he'd love die in front of his eyes, was trying to be strong.

"Forget it, I just need some time.."

~~~

Word spread around the Leaf Village about the death of the Copy Ninja's wife; fast. There were many flowers left by Kakashi's doorstep to honour Yumika's death. Just stepping outside of his house was chaos..the flower petals and thorns made their way into Kakashi's socks. Gai roomed with Kakashi, and it was depressing. They would hardly converse three times a day. Gai cancelled a few days worth of training for his team and did the same for Team 7. Getting Kakashi to lighten up would take quite a while.

The funeral for Yumika Hatake was scheduled the very next day. It was held in the Land of Waves, by her old house. Azuma, Kakashi, Tsunade, Kurenai and Guy all attended, with their students as well. Everyone wore black out of respect.

Everyone took turns talking to Yumika's casket. Although she was dead, Kurenai and Tsunade made her body change into her kunoichi attire, since her grey dress was completely ruined. When she was buried, a recent picture of her was placed before the flowers.

Sakura had one of the longest conversations with Yumika, mostly about her life, "--but he doesn't, so I don't care. Anyway, I hope..life up in heaven treats you well!" Sakura wiped her tears and walked away.

Gai knelt before the photo frame, "Oh, Yumi..you were the only person who could soften Kakashi up and make him smile. Hah, I still remember the time--" His smile gave in. "--when the three of us got drunk at that bar the other year...I still can't believe you're gone." Gai continued talking but then walked off after his voice cracked completely.

It was finally Kakashi's turn. He knelt down in front of her photograph and held it in his hands. His thumb ran over her happy expression in the picture, and a chill went down his spine. The picture had Kakashi and Yumika both holding her slightly inflated womb; their future child. He  noticed that in the picture..he was smiling; something he hadn't done in a while.

He looked back at her flowers and closed his eyes. He was at a loss for words, though his heart wished to speak essays. All he could do was look at her photo, remembering all the good memories the two shared. Although Kakashi wouldn't easily admit it, he missed her already.

He missed hearing her nag him but then her anger would break because she couldn't stay mad for too long. It was just her nature, and he loved that about her. He remembered their huge fight a few months back.. And how they made up so easily.

He thought about his final morning with her.. sitting by the table.. eating her homemade meals.. making dumb jokes. The small arguments to the huge one they had months earlier. The final kiss they shared. Loving each other as if they had no care in the world.

Kakashi then felt two hands on his shoulder and he turned his head.

"We're sorry.." Naruto said quietly.

Sakura gulped silently, blinking back the tears. Sasuke looked at the ground.

He felt something wet and cold fall onto his shoulder..then another..then another. Kakashi the realized that it was Sakura's tears.

'Here it comes...' Kakashi said inside of his head as Sakura hugged him, occasionally sniffling in his shirt. Naruto looked at Sasuke and then wrapped their arms around her as well. The clouds darkened even more.

Suddenly, specks of white fluff began floating gently from the sky. Sasuke looked up and raised his eyebrows as the snowfall began to get heavy.

Sakura back away from Kakashi and Naruto and glanced up, "Is t-that--?"

"Snow?" Naruto finished.

Kakashi peeked up and saw a snowflake melt on his forehead. The faint smell of snow reminded him of Yumi even more. And the white resembled her hair as well. Then he understood: the snowfall was to commemorate the death of Yumika Hatake.

"I guess she finally made it up there.." Sasuke sighed wistfully.

"Yeah.." Sakura wiped her eyes again.

Naruto looked at Kakashi, his eyes beginning to light up, "I bet she's watching us from up there, so you don't have to worry." He beamed.

Kakashi gave a small nod and fixed his eyes back onto the sky. He heaved a small sigh and looked back at the children, "Ready to go back home?"

Sakura nodded weakly, "Can we take the path where we first met Yumi Sensei, please?"

"I don't see why not..." he mused. "Sure."

"Let's go.." Sasuke lead the way as snow landed on top of his shaggy hair.

As the four walked up to the spot where she had first thrown her kunai, Sakura knelt down and placed a tulip by the tree. Naruto emptied his hands, and many rose petals escaped and landed in clumps on the snow. Sasuke gently tossed a daffodil next to the tulip. Kakashi nodded once more and they departed to their destination.

A small gust of wind struck eastwards to the memorial flowers. The rose petals danced in the gentle breeze, spreading about..some in the sky.

"We truly went from kill to kiss..."

----

A/N: Hey! This is the second last chapter, so I hope you enjoyed it!

★Lee★