Chapter 34: Attack at the Yamanaka’s

Staying with the Naras was super fun! I got to relax for once and not have to protect anyone. For once, I actually felt normal. I would wake up every day and help Shika's mom with breakfast. then I'd force Shika to train with me. At night, I even got to talk to Shikaku and helped him with his work. They truly made me feel like a part of their family. Sadly, it had been 3 days and it was about time for me to move on to the next place.

I squeezed Shika in a tight hug. "you better come visit." He pushed me off and stumbled back. I looked at him smiling, noticing how red his face was. "troublesome woman, just go already." laughing happily, I made my way to Shikaku to make our way to the next destination, Ino's place. Let me tell you, I was not happy about it. Ino still gets on my nerves even though I know she'll get better. Maybe, I can make her train with me. I bet I can even improve my mind invasion technique! We slowly walked around the village in comfortable silence. Every now and then, we would get a good morning or a greeting. There were too many people for me to tell if we were still being shadowed, so I just tried to shove the thought to the back of my head. We stopped in front of the familiar flower shop. "I have to head to the hokage building, so you just head in." knowing how awkward and nervous I am, he was hesitant to leave. "I already informed Inoichi about everything, so they should be expecting you. do you want me to go in with you?" His dad instincts must be kicking in. Who knew Shikaku could be this fatherly? "it's fine, don't worry. You're going to be late. Go on!" I said turning him and pushing him away. He looked back at my smiling form one more time before going on his way. I took a deep breath and turned to the flower shop. Oh well, here goes nothing.

I walked into the flower shop, the familiar scent flooding my nose. "Oh hi Elle! it's been a while!" I smiled and walked over to miss Yamanaka who was standing behind the cashier as usual. "I know, sorry things have been super busy." She nodded a bright smile on her face. "of course they've been lady hokage." I rubbed my head and smiled, not knowing what else to do. "head on upstairs sweetie. Ino will show you to your room." I nodded and mumbled a thank you before following her orders. I knocked on the door at the end of the staircase and waited. Within seconds Ino was greeting me lazily from the other side. "hi Elle, let me show you to your room." Without even waiting for me to answer, she turned away and started walking down a hallway. "if you need anything tell me." she said with a yawn as she left me in front of my room and headed back inside hers. Wow…friendly.

I walked into the room and took a look inside. There was a bed a small vanity and wardrobe. I went over to the bed and sat on it, happy to finally rest. Moving around and doing everything without my chakra has been exhausting. Ever since Danzo's men started following me, I had been suppressing my chakra. The one time I tried to undo the jutsu, I started releasing chakra so I just sealed it back up. I guess everything was getting to me. I felt Inoichi's chakra in the house so I dusted myself off and got off the bed. might as well go say hi. I walked out to where I came from and he was standing there. "Hi Inoichi, thank you for having me." he turned to me with a wary smile. "it's my duty as a ninja." I raised an eyebrow at him. "is there something bothering you?" he looked down at me dropping his smile. "actually, I wanted to talk to you privately." What's that about? "umm, sure I guess." He nodded at me and started walking, with me following him.

We walked into what I assumed was his office. he turned to me, looking more serious than before. "Elle, please understand that what I'm about to do is for the safety of my family." I looked at him questioningly. "what? You think I'm going to hurt them?" he sighed and shook his head. "I don't know what you're capable of." He took a stance with his hands out into a triangle. Oh you've got to be kidding me. is he serious? I rolled my eyes and stood there annoyed. He cast his jutsu. his eyes widened and he looked at me. "right now, I have no chakra network for you to tap into. Now do you mind telling me what's going on?" he released he stance and leaned on his desk. "Ever since your interrogation, I have noticed a couple of things that were off about you. you speak a weird language that no one recognizes. You have abilities no one has ever heard of. You disappear from the village without a trace and now all of a sudden, the hokage gives you his position. If that doesn't reek of suspicion, I don't know what does." Oh…so he doesn't trust me? I sighed slightly hurt. "listen Inoichi, there's a lot you don't know about me. I get that you want to protect your family, but I promise you I won't hurt anyone. I won't even unsuppress my chakra as long as I'm here. Happy?" he nodded slightly. "now if you'll excuse me." with that, I left him standing there and left his office.

I sat in my room by myself with the door locked. I might have not shown it but it really did hurt when he said that. Is that how everyone felt? I mean, all he said was true. Besides, what am I doing? Why am I doing this? What's the point of staying here if I'm just going to hide? Lord third is still taking care of all the hokage duties. All I'm being is a burden to everyone around me. and after all of this, after they protect me and defend me, I'm going to run away for my own secret goals. This is why I didn't want to have any relations in this village. I'm just going to hurt everyone at the end. A knock on the door snapped me out of my daze. "Elle, dinner!" I heard Ino call. Hunger was the last thing on my mind, so I just sat on my bed.

I laid in my bed looking at the ceiling. I don't know how long it has been and I honestly didn't care. I haven't felt like this in a while. I had almost forgot how terrible it felt. I had thought so much that I was out of thoughts. My mind was just a daze of random ideas. My chakra suppression jutsu was reaching its limit. I could feel it give out little by little. I guess I have to undo it. I released the jutsu and my chakra started leaving my body. the usual surge of energy I feel was nowhere to be found. Instead, I was losing what little energy I had. I tried reforming the jutsu but it was useless, I couldn't wield my chakra when it's in this state. I heard a knock at the door. "Elle, it's Inoichi. Is everything ok?" I can't let them see me like this. I will not be pitied. "yes, I'm fine." I called back normally. I was starting to feel helpless, but I knew that if I fall into despair, I will only hurt those around me. The concept of time itself was incomprehensible. I was holding onto my life with all I've got. I was trying my best to keep my eyes open, which was very hard, almost impossible actually. I could feel sweat trickling down my face, as my body aches in pain. "Elle, open up." Kakashi… "Elle, if you don't let me in. I'm breaking the door." Kakashi…I need to get to Kakashi… I got up, my legs shaking under me. Leaning on anything for support, I made my way to the door. I undid the lock with quivering hands. The door knob quickly turned and the door opened.

Kakashi was looking at me with wide eyes. "Kakashi…" that seemed to snap him out of his daze as he rushed to me. he quickly moved, carrying my wobbly form to the bed and laying me down. He put his hands on my chest and started pushing his chakra through. Just as it went in, it came out just as quick, being released with the rest of my chakra. I slowly reached for his hands and held them in mine. "Hey, you're smarter than that. You know it's too late for this." An attack of coughs wrecked my body making me shake in pain. "I need to get you to the hospital. now." He was about to carry me when I grabbed his arms again to stop him. "Kakashi please." He looked at me, obvious worry in his eye. I reached over and grabbed his headband pulling it up. "do you see it too? My chakra network is too damaged." His eyes widened as he was staring at my frail form. "there has to be something. I have to stop it." He was about to carry me again, but I stopped him. he looked down at me, only now noticing the tears in my eyes, refusing to fall. "just please, stay here." With all that is left of my strength, I reached over and grabbed him. finally giving in. He placed me on his lap and hugged me close. I could feel his heartbeat, steady and calming. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt him, but I might have no choice. My eyes were slowly closing as I felt his hold on me tighten. I looked at his face one more time, "I love you, Kakashi. I'm sorry." He shook his head at me. "don't you dare say that. I won't let you die." I reached over to his face, wiping a single tear that dropped out of his eye. Before smiling and closing my eyes, drifting off into the darkness.