Hello, Goodbye // A Kakanaru Story

Chapter 6

Hello, Neanai here! From now on all the chapters are going to be what I have written. This one is a bit shorter than the others, but it's essential to the story in my humble opinion. Like I've said, I have the rest of the story all planned out, I'm just working on getting it written. Please comment if you want the epilogue to be fluff or something a bit more steamy. If you like this, please leave a vote! I've tried to emulate the original author's writing style so I really do hope you enjoy this! 

"Being brave doesn't mean you aren't scared. Being brave means you are scared, really scared, badly scared, and you do the right thing anyway." -- Neil Gaiman

Chapter Six:

Kakashi was still watching Naruto when he noticed the puddles. Really? Any ninja who knew that it hadn't rained in the last week would automatically know that wasn't supposed to be there. He glanced at his genins to see if they had caught on.

Sasuke was walking straight ahead without looking around him and he looked like hadn't caught on. Sakura was still busy with Tazuna and hadn't caught it either. Naruto-

Naruto was glaring at the puddles like he knew exactly who was in there. Kakashi noted his nose twitching ever so slightly. If Kakashi hadn't been watching him intently, he wouldn't have seen it. Naruto tilted his head ever so slightly as if listening for something. Kakashi narrowed his eye on Naruto, a theory already forming in his mind.

As soon as Kakashi passed the puddles, two ninjas jumped out and proceeded to attack Kakashi, who pretended to be killed, so he could see how his genin did in their first battle.

----

"Now, Tazuna why don't you tell us why there are ninjas after you?" Kakashi drawled, almost like he was scolding a kid for trying to steal a cookie.

Tazuna sighed, "Do you know who Gato is?"

Before Kakashi could say no, Naruto asked, "You mean that shipping magnate? I heard that he has this huge business and little competition."

Everyone stared at Naruto who seemed to shrink into himself and turned his head to avoid their stares, "What? I had overheard that a while back."

No one noticed his frown or his far-away stare at a tree. He was lying to his precious people again. He was a monster. A liar. A murderer.

"The blonde kid's right," Tazuna started, bringing Naruto out of his dark thoughts. "Although there is a bit more to that. He also deals with drugs and that's why he's so huge. He crushes anyone who gets in his way without mercy. He came to the Land of Waves and imposed a tax that is crushing us. He punishes anyone who doesn't pay up or who fights back. I'm building the bridge in hopes to set up a trade to get my village back to its feet."

Kakashi hummed, "You lied to the Hokage about the ranking of this mission, which can lead to severe punishment."

"Please, I couldn't afford anything higher than a C-rank mission! You have to help me out!" Tazuna rambled on and on about his daughter and grandson who were waiting for his return and who would be crushed if he died. Kakashi glanced over at Naruto, who seemed to have a fond smile on his face.

"Hey, Kakashi-Sensei," Naruto started. "Can't we help this guy out?"

Kakashi looked at him thoughtfully, "Are you sure? This mission is now a B-rank and could easily become an A-rank."

Naruto's blue eyes found Kakashi's onyx eye and held it, "I'm sure! I can handle it! I'm sure that Sakura-chan and Sasuke-teme can handle it as well!" Naruto forced himself to exclaim. He was tired. He knew of the possibility that Kakashi would see through his henge during the fight with Zabuza and his anxiety was beginning to rise up again. What if he thinks of me as a monster? What if he tells the others that I've been hiding my appearance all this time? What if-