A Ninja's Path (Kakashi X Reader)

Chapter Sixty Nine ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

You and your stomach agreed quickly. Aki said she'd come by later, she needed to get dressed first.

"She likes to primp and preen." Ruka whispered loudly as you both exited the tent.

"I heard that!"

Both you and Ruka giggled as you left Aki to preen. You headed down the row of tents, supposedly towards the mess hall.

"I keep telling her she's beautiful without all the added work but alas, she still persists on... whatever it is she does in there."

"Do you know what she does?"

Ruka shrugged. "Don't know, don't care. But, I guess whatever floats her boat."

You both headed toward the makeshift mess hall, a combo of three large tents set up in the center of the camp. It seemed to be a hot spot for most shinobi, considering there were probably over a hundred inside the tent as well as in the surrounding area.

You both entered and got in line for the food. Scrambled eggs, toast, rice, miso soup, and variety fruit.

Ruka grabbed an extra tray for Aki which the kitchen workers filled as if they already knew the blonde's schedule.

"How long have your shinobi forces been here?" You asked her as you headed back toward the tent.

"Since the beginning, I guess. Probably a couple hours behind the Land of Fire's forces. We helped with the initial set up of the camp."

You opened your mouth to thank her.

"Stop- I know you're thankful. But we're just doing the right thing."

You didn't want to press any further and closed your mouth. You would always be thankful for Aki and Ruka and the Land of Tea- for all they had done for you and your people. But... maybe a thank you wasn't what they needed. Maybe they just needed to know that what they were doing would make a good impact.

You remembered an old man once said as much. After he had traveled all night to find an antidote for a dying girl only to find that it wasn't enough. He had refused to accept any sort of payment, only asking that her life would be saved. He said her life was enough.

Mr. Igaku... you would find a way to repay him. After all of this was over... maybe you could build him a better clinic? You knew you had to do something. Just like you'd have to do something for Aki and Ruka once all of this ended.

For all the people who answered your call- you'd repay them somehow.

*~*

"So, where will you go now?" Aki asked as she slurped down the last of her soup. Ruka was sneaking the fruit off her partner's plate when she wasn't looking and you tried your hardest not to laugh.

"I... I'm not sure..." You weren't entirely ready to face Kakashi yet. You wanted to... but you didn't know what to say. You sighed. You were probably making things more complicated than they needed to be.

"You could come on the next scouting mission with us?" Ruka offered as she slipped a blueberry into her mouth. Aki's eyes widened in realization and she smacked her partner's arm.

"Thief!"

Ruka ignored her. "We'll be leaving later this evening, probably closer to dusk."

"Thanks for the offer- I'll consider it." You responded. You sipped at your water before setting your now empty plate down. "I'm going to go on a walk- take a look around. You guys want to come?"

Ruka stole another blueberry off Aki's tray and popped it in her mouth at the dark haired woman's protests.

"Witch! Stop taking my fruit!"

"I'm going to take a guard shift in about ten minutes, so I can't- sorry." Ruka said, promptly ignoring her girlfriend who was literally socking her in the side.

You coughed loudly and Aki stopped. "Sorry..." She said sheepishly. "I'm taking a shift in the clinic soon so I can't go either."

You shook your head. "No! It's all good. I'm glad you both have things to do." You stood up. "Aki! Could you possibly stop by to visit my friends? The rebels, you know..." She nodded.

"Of course! I'll let them know you said hi."

You thanked her before collecting all three trays and bidding the couple goodbye. You would stop by the mess hall to drop off the empty trays and then take a look around the camp. Maybe another walk would help you collect your thoughts- figure out how to face Kakashi again...

"Out of the way!" A shinobi screamed and you jumped to the side as over half a dozen ninja ran past. Several were being hauled by on stretchers.

"It hurts..." One moaned in pain.

You frowned when you found no signs of physical wounds.

As the shinobi turned the corner, heading for one of the clinics, several people in the area started whispering.

"...back from a scouting mission..."

"...what's wrong with them?!?"

"...must be from that secret weapon we keep hearing about..."

You froze. Secret weapon? Your mind drifted back to the meeting and you winced after recalling your outburst. But before that... you remembered Asuma had described the Council had been developing a new weapon- although no one yet knew what it was.

Something about that shinobi's pained state seemed familiar though...

Your eyes widened. No... it couldn't be- could it?

Your legs moved on their own, turning the same corner the scouts had gone. You had to find them... had to see for yourself...

It was impossible, but... was it really?

All Hikarigan users were dead except you and Fuyu. It could have just been Fuyu's doing, but... maybe some of the unharmed scouts could give you helpful information.

Because you hoped against everything that your guess wasn't true.

There couldn't be... more Hikarigan wielders... could there?