Crow's feathers - Naruto fanfiction

Chapter 45 A world of Pain

Slowly but surely she started to feel at home again, here in Konoha. There were still people that mistrusted her. Gai, Hiashi, even her cousins. And the bigger part of the other Jounin. She had been to school with them, or with their children in some cases. They knew her. Or… had known her. Perhaps that was the problem. They had stayed here. They remained the same as always. She was the one that had changed. She didn’t fit in anymore. She was different. She had always been different. But she didn’t hold it against them. She had done some bad things. Still, she had regained a few friends. Hayate, Asuma, Jiraya. And of course Kakashi.
She wasn’t sure yet what to think of Kakashi. He had made it very clear that he liked her. And living in one house with him didn’t make things easier. She liked him well enough. He was kind and reliable. Handsome even. And he was always there for her. She liked teasing him She liked his calm nature. It reminded her of Itachi.
She sighed. ‘Itachi…’
She still missed him. Perhaps that was why she couldn’t settle in the village.
Taryn rounded a corner in deep thought. She had been thinking a lot lately about all the things she had lost. It made her long for Suna. She missed her siblings and wondered if Gaara was alright.
A commotion further down the street drew her attention. A few people were gathered and they seemed angry with someone. When she took a better look, she noticed their anger was directed at a boy. He couldn’t be much older than her own brother and in his eyes was a look of terror she recognized all too well. In her mind, the boy’s face turned into that of her little brother. A look of pain and loneliness. Could it be? A sudden anger filled her. How could people treat him like that? The boy was just a child. He had done nothing wrong. She took a few steps in their direction. She had to stop them.
A hand on her arm stopped her. Taryn turned to snap at the newcomer and came face to face with Kakashi.
“Don’t,” he said before she could open her mouth.
“They’re picking on him,” Taryn said.
“I know,” Kakashi said sadly.
“Well then. Let me do something about it.”
He shook his head. “You’ll only make it worse,” he said, “they already hate you. If you stand up for Naruto, they’ll take it out in him. It will only get worse for him.”

“But why?” Taryn asked. Se was still looking at the boy, Naruto. In his eyes was a plea for help and confusion about why he was treated the that way.
“He’s a Jinchuuriki,” Kakashi said.
She had expected that answer. It made her angry nonetheless. “And that makes it okay to treat him like this?!” she snapped.
“Of course not,” Kakashi answered, “but the Kyuubi attacked Konoha eleven years ago. They haven’t forgotten.”
“It’s not that kid’s fault,” Taryn growled.
Kakashi eyed her curiously, wondering why she felt such a compassion for a boy she didn’t even know. She was about to walk over again, but his hand didn’t let go of her arm. “Stop,” he told her, “I mean it. You’ll make it worse.”
“Then you do something.”
Kakashi sighed. “Stay here.” He let go of her arm and was about to walk over when he saw Iruka beat him to it. The young teacher spoke a few words and the crowd scattered. Iruka kneeled next to the boy and Kakashi sighed relieved. He turned to Taryn. “Come,” he said and gently pulled her with him.

 

She had sat like this before, not so long ago. Holding hands with a different person, but no less dear to her. She had realized it now, when she had found his lifeless body. She did love him. It was slower than with Itachi and perhaps less intense, but no less real. She needed him. ‘Kakashi.’ Her hands trembled. She remembered their last conversation. She had told him she hated him. She wished she cold take back those words. Words spoken in anger should never be the last you exchanged with someone. ‘How did it come to this?’ Everyone was being pulled away from her. All she wanted now was a chance to take back those spiteful words. But it was too late.