Kakashi's POV:
The heat was sweltering, already a blistering summer, and it was just the end of June. I kept a casual demeanor even though those closest to me knew I was far from okay. Y/n has been gone two months now and I begged Kami for her to return to me everyday. The feel of her bracelet in my pocket a constant reminder of the mistake I had made. The metal seemed to singe my skin every time I touched it. I clenched it tightly, one hand in my pocket and the other holding my book that I wasn't even reading as I strolled through the village.
I had barely spoken to Tsunade over the last two months, though unfair, I blamed her for Y/n leaving. In truth, it was no ones fault, no single persons fault. Minato was at fault for asking us all to keep the secret. Hiruzen for continuing to ask us to keep the secret. Jirayia and Tsunade for sheltering her so much and not coming clean, simply because they wanted the scroll. Then there was Danzo, who somehow had the scroll. And me. I was definitely to blame.
"What do you mean?" Asuma's voice hit my ears as I rounded the corner.
"She didn't check in with Master Jirayia." The second voice, Shikamaru Nara.
I pulled my book down and saw the two walking towards me. "Kakashi." Asuma stopped short.
"Is something wrong?" I looked between the two and then they exchanged a look. The Nara rubbed the back of his neck and I could tell he was uneasy.
"Y/n missed her check in this month." Asuma answered and I almost dropped my book. "I'm headed to see Lady Tsunade now."
I pocketed my book and turned around, leading the other two now. There was a tense silence as we walked to the Hokage mansion. Tsunade still forbid me from telling anyone the details of why Y/n left, and it destroyed my friendship with Asuma and Kurenai. Iruka and Genma talked to me less and less as well.
"There you are. What took- Kakashi?" Tsunade looked confused as she looked at me.
"We ran into him on the way here." Asuma explained to Tsunade.
Tsunade sighed and sat down in her chair. "She told Jirayia that she'd meet him in Suna ten days ago. He waited for five days before he and Naruto went looking for her. Lord Gaara last saw her two weeks before that. I can't list her as missing yet, but I'm sending Shikamaru, Kiba and Neji to look for her, with Asuma as captain."
"Why not ask me?" I tried to remain calm.
"She won't want to see you." Tsunade countered.
"That doesn't mean I can't go look for her."
"I'll accept the mission if you tell me what in Kami's name happened two months ago." Asuma interrupted.
I shoved my hands in my pockets and glared at Tsunade. She sighed before propping her chin on her hands. "What I say doesn't leave this room." Asuma and Shikamaru both nodded. "Y/n is a result of a one nightstand. Not just any one nightstand though. The princess of a the Kaminari clan slept with Minato Namikaze." The air was sucked from the room.
"Did you just say-"
"Yes." Tsunade cut off Asuma.
"Fuck." Asuma mumbled as Shikamaru mumbled something about troublesome news.
"Short version: Jirayia, Kakashi and myself all knew. We didn't tell her. Danzo gave her a scroll that's been missing for nine years now. It held a message from Minato and her mother."
"No wonder she left." Asuma mused.
"Not helping." I barked. "My ninkin can help." I was practically begging at this point.
"If she runs away from you, don't blame me." Tsunade was right, she might very well see me and bolt, but, if she was possibly missing, I'd take the chance. "You leave in an hour. Lord Gaara is expecting you."
This would be one mission I was on time for. I vanished in a puff of smoke and headed straight for my apartment. Everything was a haze as I packed my bag. The metal shined on my dresser as the sun hit it, catching my attention. The bracelet and charms from her tantos sat around the small box that I had bought just a week before she'd left. When I asked her to marry me, I was serious.
Gates in sight, the rest of the team stood waiting. Kiba held an admiration and possibly an infatuation for Y/n, her flirtatious personality making him blush madly when she was around. Even Shikamaru seemed to get flustered around her. I don't know that Y/n and Neji interacted much at all. Asuma, well, I knew how Asuma felt about Y/n. Asuma spotted me and broke away from the younger nin and made his way to me. I was stunned when his large fist connected with my jaw.
"Why the fuck didn't you tell me?" Asuma growled.
He rubbed his knuckles as I cradled my jaw. "I was ordered not to."
"You're a dick." Asuma turned around and walked away.
Our first stop was Suna, so we had three days of travel. I summoned my pack and directed them to search for Y/n's scent, using one of her shirts that I hadn't washed. Pakkun stayed with us, and we set out, hoping to find her. By the time we reached Suna, it'll be four weeks since anyone's seen here. A month since someone we know has seen Y/n. My chest became tight and I took a minute to focus my breathing. She was okay, she had to be okay.
The first two days were uneventful, the younger three males spoke off and on, Asuma and I speaking when we needed to. It was now the final day of travel and the sands of Suna were in sight. Just on the edge of the land of Fire, Pakkun turned on the border, moving east.
"Wait." I called ahead. "What is it, Pakkun?"
"Her scent is here. It's faint, but it's here." The canine answered.
"Kakashi, you and Neji follow her scent. We'll head to Suna and speak with Lord Gaara." I gave a curt nod but he continued. "Two days. Meet us in Suna is two days."
I clenched my fists but agreed. Neji and I followed after Pakkun in silence. The scent followed a path that proved she was keeping hidden. I had a sudden thought as we approached a small clearing.
"Do you smell Rowan?"
"No."
"He must've returned home, there was a litter of pups due."
"There's another scent." Pakkun said, stilling his movements.
We were in the clearing now and you could see where someone had fought. It didn't seem like a big battle, but there was still grass that was disturbed. There wasn't an obvious direction that things happened or who won either.
"It's male, but that's all I can tell you."
"Can you tell where she went?" Neji asked, Byakugan activated.
"They continued east."
"They?" I asked Pakkun.
"Yes." Pakkun answered as he took off again.
As sunset came, we found a small village, a trading post. We found a food stall to eat at and I showed them Y/n's picture, with Rowan as well. They said they hadn't seen her, but that I should ask the merchants tomorrow. We decided to stay in the village, asking as many people as we could about her. No one we asked had seen her, and I was starting to lose hope.
The next morning, we hit the market early, as the merchants and traders were setting up. I found a woman who was likely in her fifties, selling dried meats and pelts. Her eyes were bright and face happy, when I showed her the picture, her smile broadened.
"She was here last week." She answered.
"Was she alone?" I tried to hold in my nerves.
"Yes, though she did buy quite a bit of food." The woman answered, handing me the picture back.
"Did she seem okay? Injured, upset or in danger?"
"She seemed fine. She had a calm aura around her, she seemed at peace. Happy even." The woman looked me over, "Is she in trouble?"
"She's missing." I answered.
"Oh dear. She was a sweet girl, even over paid for my goods." That sounds like her, "If she returns, I can let her know you're worried about her."
"Please do. We only ask that she sends word to the Leaf Village that she's okay." That's a lie, I needed to see her.
"Of course, son. She's lucky to have someone love her so." She gave me a knowing smile and patted my arm.
I helped her finish setting her booth and asked, "Did she say where she was headed? Or did you notice where she was headed?"
"No. I'd imagine somewhere cold though, she purchased a few cloaks."
"Thank you for your time." I gave her a bow and found Neji quickly.
After we found Pakkun on the edge of town, we followed him again, continuing east, before turning southward slightly. Pakkun continued to pick up her scent, and the males mixing in every now and then. When Pakkun halted, I knew it was over. There was a river, and nothing else in sight. Simply the river and trees, nothing more.
"It's gone." Pakkun stayed solemnly.
"Gone?" Neji asked.
"Her scent, the males too. It's just- gone."
"Over the river." I urged.
"Kakashi, it's gone. She's gone. She knew what she was doing."
"No." I whispered. I closed my eye, trying to fight every emotion away. She was the only person who could do this to me, that could make me feel anything. She had torn this wall down, shattered it completely, and now, my heart had been shattered.
A deathly quiet silence enveloped us as we turned to Suna. I wasn't sure how long we walked, the hours all meshed together, Neji was following Pakkun and I simply trailed behind. The walls of Suna in sight, I held out some hope that she was there, maybe, just maybe, she was there. Pakkun lead us to Asuma, and the second our eyes met, we both seemed to shatter.
The younger males went on their own and Asuma and I sat at the small stall drinking sake. Pakkun between us at our feet. We both told our stories, neither of us liking what the other had to say. Gaara, nor anyone in the village, had seen her in over a month now. No word had come in about her either, they even sent their own shinobi to look for her when Jirayia had come looking for her.
"Who would she be with?" Asuma asked.
"I don't know."
"She never spoke of someone she trusted?"
"Not that she'd defect from the village for." I answered, racking my brain for any information.
"I didn't think it would hurt this bad." Asuma downed another shot. I could only snort and then hum in response. "I'm sorry, for hitting you. And- for not being there."
"I understand why you did both."
"What now?" Asuma cut his eyes to me.
I stared into the empty cup, just as empty as my heart. A taut feeling pulled at me and I held the sobs in, but the few tears still dampened my mask. "We go home." I answered in a whisper.
Asuma clapped his hand on my back and squeezed my shoulder. "She'll be reported missing, and many people will look for her. There's evidence of a struggle, we don't know for sure she went willingly. We'll find her, Kakashi, we have to."
"Yea." Was all I could muster. Missing. A missing nin. Y/n was officially missing.
Reader POV:
"Why bother?" It was a voice I knew well, but not one I was around often.
"What?" I pretended to play dumb.
"You're trying for convince yourself of something you don't want to do."
He was right. I was standing at the border of the Land of Fire, a day away from Suna, a day away from seeing Jirayia and Naruto. Naruto. My brother. I didn't want to go, I wasn't allowed to tell Naruto the truth. I couldn't even tell him we were related, I didn't care that they wanted me to hold the fact he was Minato's son from him, but I couldn't tell him we were brother and sister.
"I don't need to be taunted."
"In a foul mood I see."
I finally turned around and found that same orange mask on his face. "What do you want, Tobi?"
"Come with me." He made it sound so casual, so flippant and nonchalant.
"What?" I choked.
"I can offer you shelter, food and safety."
"You're Akatsuki, I cant travel with you." Why was I even contemplating it?
"Let's go over the facts, shall we?" Tobi suddenly appeared before me and I couldn't even react before he pulled my flush against his body. "Your chakra is low, and flow interrupted. Your summons will be gone for at least two months. You need someone to watch over you." His words were like a lullaby, I avoided his swirling tome behind the mask. "You won't even look at my eye," he leaned in, and I felt his breath on my neck, meaning he lifted his mask, "you're actually scared."
I found the courage and strength to shove him off. Tobi laughed as he disappeared and reappeared behind me. "Fuck off."
"Precious Y/n, I'm offering you sanctuary."
"I can return to the village, or stay in Suna. Travel with Jirayia if I wanted."
"But you won't." His hands on my shoulders had me turning, and I let him. "I don't know what happened, but they broke you even more than Hidan did." I snarled, a feral growl following. "That was low, my apologies."
He dropped his hands and looked back to Suna in the distance. My eyes stung, tears burning and brimming. I moved my gaze to Tobi and found myself seeking his embrace, stepping closer to him. He allowed me to wrap my arms under his cloak, feel his toned body. Tobi embraced me and stroked my hair, simply letting me relax into him.
"Think about it. If you wish to join me, meet me in the clearing that's a days travel from here." His voice was hushed, but I heard the urgency in it, the urgency for me to follow his desire.
"Okay." I replied in a whisper.
Tobi stepped away and vanished, leaving me alone with my thoughts. He didn't say when to meet him, just that the clearing was a days walk. I sat down, watching the sun lower behind the walls of Suna. I should go, I should see Jirayia and Naruto, Gaara and Kankuro. I didn't want to though.
I had my first check in with Jirayia and it didn't go well. We argued and I screamed and yelled before pounding my fists on Jirayia's chest. And he let me. He let me have my meltdown and then held me as I cried. The betrayal I felt was so strong, and I still couldn't shake it off. I know this is what Danzo had hoped for, but I didn't care.
I pulled my knees to my chest and rested my chin there. Part of me felt like Tobi would snatch me up, even if I said no. I wasn't sure why he wanted to protect me, but he seemed genuine in his words. Tobi, the mysterious, masked former Leaf nin. Uchiha at that. I shook my head and stood up, I'd sleep on it. Jirayia would wait at least three days before he sat out to search for me.
Now I stood in the clearing, facing the man that offered me shelter and food and safety. I tilted my head as I assed him again, trying to focus my chakra to read his chakra signature. I couldn't, no matter how hard I tried.
"You're taking me with you even if I refuse." It wasn't a question.
"It's for your safety."
"What do you mean?"
"I can't explain." He shook his head.
"Show me your face."
"No." He answered quickly.
"I need something to trust you. The last man I trusted- I..."
"Hatake?" I looked away from him. "What did he do?"
"You know how politics work." I tried to sound indifferent, but he could hear the sorrow. "He knew who my father was and never told me. Knew of my clan and never said a word. Tsunade and Jirayia too."
"He was always an asshole." Tobi seemed to get angry all of the sudden.
Tobi stalked to me and I tensed up, I couldn't fight him off. He gripped my upper arms and tried to wrench myself from his grip. "Let go."
"Just come with me." He urged as he pulled me along.
I shoved off him. "I need something from you!" I shouted.
"What do you want?" He snapped.
"Give me something, I need a reason to trust you."
"I knew you as a child." I went rigid.
"Did-did you know Minato, then?" I took a tentative step closer.
"Yes." His voice sounded hollow and void of emotion.
"He-I'm- I'm his daughter." I offered in a quiet voice.
This intense weight pushed on me and I collapsed to my hands and knees. The contents of my stomach covered the grass before me and my vision blurred. This was his chakra? His killing intent was able to drive me to the ground this easily. I felt Tobi's hand on my back as he knelt beside me.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to- in your condition-"
"Condition?"
"You don't know?" He helped me stand.
"I was hoping I was wrong." I admitted as I wiped my mouth with my sleeve.
He shook his head and sighed. "I did know Minato." His voice was strained. "Who was your mother?"
"Princess of the Kaminari clan."
"Hime." He mumbled more to himself. "Makes perfect sense now." I could hear the small smile and wanted to see it.
"Will you show me your face?" I lifted my hands slowly and he held my wrists gently.
"One day." He offered.
Then we were gone.
Thus began my sheltered life. I stayed in the sturdy shack by myself most days. Gardening and cooking, passing the time with the books he had brought me. Tobi would come and stay as often as he could, his missions weren't frequent at the moment. I don't entirely know why I stayed, though Tobi did admit he wouldn't let me leave at the moment.
My life as a missing nin.
Missing Kunoichi.
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A/N:
This is it guys! The end of book one. Book two is called Missing Kunoichi and will be published on Friday. I hope you guys enjoyed book one as much as I enjoyed writing it. Are you ready for a new journey?
A big thank you to Hoekage88_Hatake JunaHatake and 2AttackHelicopters for pushing me to write. And thank you to all my fans for giving me a reason to keep going!
Stay safe y'all!
Love,
LHatake! ❤️