A Ninja's Path (Kakashi X Reader)

Chapter Fifty Seven

You stared at your aunt. At her dark brown eyes.

"Weren't... they... purple?" You rasped out.

Fuyu paused. Then she gave a small smile. "Yes, physically. But in my mind." She tapped her temple. "My eyes will always be my own." There was a hint of sadness in her tone. Then she continued.

"Back to what I was saying, I can't release this jutsu on you myself. I no longer have control over my body." She held up her hand as you tried to question her. "It doesn't really matter at this point. It's too late." She walked to the window and looked outside. Into the garden.

"When I grow old, I want to grow a garden like this one."

"Sounds nice."

"The only thing that matters now is that you get out of this whole debacle alive." Fuyu glanced over at you. Tears shone in her eyes. "For Sana..."

You slid off the table, hobbling over to your aunt's side. She watched you carefully, unsure of how to respond.

You didn't need one as you wiped the tears off her cheeks. "My mother... wanted me to figure out... what happened to you..."

Fuyu cried softly. "Of course she did..." A smile so sad but so gentle spread across her face. "Oh... how I loved her..." The tears streamed out.

You continued to wipe them away, whispering sweet soothing words to your aunt. The one that had once chased you around the house with a knife. Or burned you with her cigarette butts.

"God... I'm so sorry, (Y/N)... for everything..." She bawled out.

You felt something wet run down your own cheek. You were crying too.

"It... was the Council's fault... wasn't it?"

Fuyu shook her head. "I don't know... part of me... was always aware... but... I never wanted to..." She clutched her head. "Oh god..." She shook uncontrollably, shaking your hands off in the process.

"No, no, no... not yet..."

She wiped the tears away, her grief replaced by desperation.

"I'm almost out of time. Very soon, she'll find out where I've gone." Fuyu clasped your hand. "In a few moments, you will feel pain different from the pain here. I can't explain it other then it will feel real. I'm mean... it will be real." She tightened her grasp. "After you feel it, this world will fade away and you will regain consciousness. When you do, there will be a moment when my guard will be down. When I will just be trying to figure out where you've gone." Her eyes were wild. "In that moment, grab the kunai off the ground and stab me. (Y/N). I need you to kill me."

You pulled out of her grasp. "What? Kill you? But-"

"Don't. You know I deserve it for what I've done. Besides, if you don't do it, I will reactivate my Hikarigan and bring you back to this place."

You shivered. You never wanted to see this place again.

"After I'm dead, open the cell. It should be unlocked. Get out of the administration building and hide- some place you know they won't be able to find you." She put a hand to her head again, wincing. "After that... survive. You have to live. Do you understand me?" She opened one eye to look for your response.

"Yes. I... understand..."

"Good. Now-" She doubled over, collapsing on the floor.

"Aunt Fuyu!" You knelt beside her.

She waved you off. "Don't... I... deserve... to ... suffer..." She stopped writhing and looked up at you. Such sad, brown eyes. "(Y/N)..." Something red leaked out of her nose. "I... have always... loved... you..." Then her eyes rolled back as she convulsed.

"Fuyu!!!" You screamed. You shook her shoulders, but it was too late. She was gone.

"No..." You didn't know why. Why did you care? Fuyu was a monster, a demon who killed your parents and made your life a living hell. So why? Why did you suddenly want her to live?

A sharp pain slid down your cheek, taking your mind away from your questions.

"What the-"

Somehow, this pain felt worse than the nails. Than the skinning and the-

"AHHHHHH!!!!" You screamed as blood dripped down your face.

You pressed your hands against it, trying to stop the bleeding. But it just hurt... so... much...

You fell down beside your aunt, suddenly feeling rather faint.

"No, no, no..."

This wasn't real. You would wake up in your bed and everything would start over again. Your father would go first, then your mother. And then you.

"No, no, no... please..." You didn't want to do it again.

But what if you didn't?

What if this time, you actually woke up?

No, it was all a lie. This wasn't your real aunt, your real aunt was evil. She hated you.

"I... have always... loved... you..."

"No... you don't..." You shook your head. Blood pooled on the floor beneath you. Your vision began to blur.

"Please... no..."

Dark spots danced in your vision. Sweet death beckoned once again. How many times had you felt its embrace?

"In a few moments, you will feel pain different from the pain here. I can't explain it other then it will feel real."

Real. Not real. What even was reality?

"Forget about me, (Y/N). Get out of this place. Save our village from this horrible darkness. Free us."

Reality. Reality was Haru in the forest, sitting under the stars.

"When I grow old, I want to grow a garden like this one."

"Sounds nice."

Reality was that man... that man with silver hair and a gentle touch. Kakashi...

You can do this. You can save all of them.

This voice... it wasn't a memory... it was...

I am you.

I am you?

And you are me.

We are... the same.

We are Hopebringer.

We are Hopebringer.

I am (Y/N).

I am (Y/N).

No. I am more.

I am...

Yes, now you've got it.

I am...

You know what you are.

Yes. I am...

Say it.

I am...

Say it!

I am...

SAY IT NOW!!!!

I am.