A Ninja's Path (Kakashi X Reader)

Chapter Sixty Eight

The truth rattled through your bones like an earth tremor. Your teeth began to chatter.

Twenty years... the process leading up to your breakdown started when you were four. Such a long, subliminal process...

It went under the radar.

"You..." You whispered quietly. "You talked to me in the tent. And before... you helped me wake up from Fuyu's genjutsu. Who are you?"

I am you.

What does that mean?

I am the fear and doubt Fuyu instilled in you as you grew. I am the terror you felt whenever you faced the Council. I am the hatred that fuels your violent thoughts and feelings. I am the fire that burned strong enough that you chose to join the rebellion. I am the instinct that drove the dagger into Har-

Why are you here? I don't want you here, you... you made me snap. You made me kill Haru? Oh God, you made me kill my friend... no... I- I... you made me...

You clutched your head.

I am. She said in agreement.

She? She-

"You made me kill Haru..." You sobbed out.

She paused.

No.

"You made me snap at Kakashi!"

No. She said more firmly.

"You made me into a monster..." You whispered.

No. Her voice was calm and steady. No- it wasn't her voice. It was yours.

You made me.

*~*

You ducked into the medical tent, sighing in relief to find all the surviving rebels resting. Eight beds were filled, four on each side.

One, a young woman with dark hair and chocolate skin sat up as she noticed your presence. "Phantom?" She asked groggily.

You rushed towards her and helped adjust her pillows so she could sit up comfortably. "Just call me (Y/N), okay? No more Phantom..." You gave her a weak smile.

She placed her hand on top of yours. "Then you can call me Anonna."

Your smile broadened. "Hello Anonna."

She beamed back. "Hi, (Y/N)."

"How are you holding up?"

She shook her head. "I'm fine. We're fine." She gestured around the tent. "Just resting."

You glanced around the room. "Are you sure? Any permanent injuries? Any-"

"We're fine." She persisted.

You closed your eyes, taking a deep breath. "Okay..." You opened them again. "Good."

The woman beside Anonna stirred. She mumbled in her sleep, a pained expression on her face.

"Hibiki?" Anonna called to her in concern. "Hibiki! Wake up!"

The woman startled awake, looking around disoriented. A single tears trailed down her face. She looked... damaged. Psychologically.

Guilt racked your conscious and you rounded Anonna's bed to approach her.

"Hibiki, was it? It's okay, you're safe." You said in a quiet, gentle voice.

Anonna nodded in agreement. "It's alright, it was just a dream. You're awake now. This is reality."

The way she said that... as if Hibiki sometimes needed to be reminded of what was real or not. As if... the nightmares were too real.