Will Of Fire ~KakashixOc (Editing)

Bud Anew Ch.27

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I wake up, instantly pulling myself to a sitting position. I look around, studying my surroundings. I seem to still be in the arena, moved in a safe spot. I pull myself to my feet, stumbling slightly. I grab my head, wincing in pain. It felt like a hot needle peirced my brow, pushing deep into my head. I shake my head, trying to clear it. Then I blink, realizing something. My eyes shoot to the watchtower, seeing a group of people. My breathing hitches and I quickly teleport to them. I shove through the crowd, making my way to the middle. Once I get there, I freeze. It was real... Dad had died, protecting the village. I slowly reach up, tracing my face lightly... He really was gone... A sob was stuck in my throat, tears hung in my eyes. I felt numb, like I wasn't really here.
"... It's Lady Himiko..."
"...The Honorable Daughter..."
Random shinobi watched me, whispering amongst themselves. I ignore them, keeping my eyes in my father's body.

"Miko." I hear a familiar deep voice, sinking deep into my head. I look up, meeting the eyes of my old Sensei. His eyes held mine, mirroring my grief. I blink, emptiness washing away. In placement of numbness, I felt the agony of pure grief. I sink to my knees, hands clasped on my face. Tears still didn't fall, refused to fall. A pair of strong arms wrap around me and the warm scent of sake and cinnamon fill my nose. He pulls me into his arms, holding me like he used to when I was a child. Whenever I got hurt, he would pull me in his arms and rock me, back and fourth. He'd whisper to me, jokes and other nonsense to keep my mind off the pain. But this time, it was different. He didn't whisper jokes in my ear or tickle me to rid me of my pain. Instead he just held me tight, close to his heart. He ignores all of the watching eyes of the shinobi around us. People watched in shock seeing such a display in public by one of the Legendary Sage. I grip his coat, silently sobbing. Tears still didn't fall, as if someone was holding them back.
"R-Raiya..." I whisper, emotion cloaking my voice. It sounded so raw, not even recognizable to my own ears.
"Shh, Miko..." He whispers back, rocking my slowly. "It's alright..."
"W-Where..." I try to look around, searching for the blade that I'd left behind. "Where's... the blade...?"
"Enba is holding on to it for you... He said he'd return it to you soon." Jiraiya says, eyes on mine. His dark eyes were clear, hiding what he'd truly felt. If I didn't know him as much, I wouldn't be able to see the mask that he puts up. The Kumadori on his face, the red streaks, seem to be the tears he cries that don't fall. Crimson tears, like the blood spilled from fallen comrades and friends. A small bark rings in my ears, catching my attention. I look up, eyes searching. I quickly find the culprit, Raiden. He was held in Kakashi's arms, eyes glued onto me. He had his held tilted, confused. His electric blue eyes held sadness, like he could sense what I felt. My eyes travel a little higher, to Kakashi's. His face was almost blank, but worry was written along the edges. Jiraiya let me from his arms, seeing Kakashi standing in the distance. I take a small step towards him but I hesitate, hand held in anticipation. Kakashi's keeps his eyes on mine as he sets Den on the ground. I take another half step, unsure. Kakashi quickly closes the distance between us, holding me close against his chest. His embrace was different that Jiraiya's. The idea was the same: comfort, but the feeling was different. Whenever Kakashi's woodsy scent filled my nose, it reminds me of how Tobirama had smelled. He smelled like home, like Konoha. His arms held me tightly, holding me against his chest. His hugs have always felt the same, like protection...like safety. But now they feel like something more... They feel like a promise. A promise to never let me go.

"Let's go, Himiko..." Kakashi says softly, keeping his grip around me. "We should go check on Team Seven. Pakkun reported in saying that he'd brought them back to your apartment. He said they needed some treatment."
"O-Okay..." I say, nodding. I step out of his arms, refusing to meet the eyes of the ninja around me. "Let's not k-keep them waiting..." I grab Raiden from the ground, holding him in my arms. His tongue flopped from his mouth, smiling at me in his puppy way. A small smile flickers on my face as well, pulling at my lips along the edges. I kiss the soft velvet fur between his ears, holding him close.