Chapter 36: The Duo

Elle's POV

I honestly expected things to be awkward at Kakashi's place, but it wasn't that bad. He was already attached to me and I couldn't do anything about it so I may as well do my best to protect him. we were sitting at his kitchen counter, eating breakfast. "You look awfully chipper for someone who died last night." A small smile formed on my face. "there's no reason to be sad" …yet. A small voice in the back of my head kept reminding me. "well, seeing that you're in a good mood, I think this is a good time to ask this." My smile widened a bit. "shoot." He looked at me with a truly curious look. "Why did you leave?" I sighed and rubbed the back of my head. "Well, I was just under a lot of pressure for a long time and I needed a break." He raised his eyebrow at me. "then why did you return?" I looked at him seriously. "I can't just know that the village is in danger and not do anything about it." he shook his head. "what?" I asked not expecting that reaction. "you're too responsible for your own good." That certainly drew a giggle out of me. I stood up clearing the counter of our empty plates. "I'm going to go train, want to come with?" he gave me a sheepish smile. "Can't. I have a mission." I nodded and teleported myself to the training grounds.

The hokage had made the announcement already so I needed to be careful about being spotted. The training grounds were as quiet as always, so I just sat down and relaxed for a bit. After a couple of minutes, I could feel 2 unfamiliar chakras approaching. I stood up and looked at the path next to the river. The two Akatsuki members were approaching calmly. Oh shit, Kurenai and Asuma must be coming here soon. I ran over to the two as fast as I could. To them, I looked like a harmless 12 year old girl so they didn't attack directly. "Get out of the way, girl" Kisame hissed at me. "Oh I'm not here to stop you. I'm here to help." With a serious look on my face, I pulled them both to the bushes. "fully suppress your chakra. Stay here till I come back." leaving two confused ninja behind I jumped back out and created clones. I could sense Kurenai and Asuma, approaching quickly in the trees. Me and my clones all took a fighting stance, facing each other.

Like expected they both jumped down from the trees, looking ready to fight. I stood down, looking at them like they interrupted my training. They were both standing shocked. "you're alive?!" Asuma exclaimed from his spot. Kurenai spread a smile on her face. "I've got to report to the hokage." I ran over to them. "wait, guys. You can't do that." They both faced me with concerned expressions. "look, sorry I didn't tell you, but I need everyone to think I'm dead for now." Asuma shook his head slightly. "Does anyone else know?" I nodded smiling. "well, Kakashi, Inoichi, Shika, Shikaku, Ino, and Choji know." they sweat dropped slightly. Kurenai was about to talk again but I stopped her. "look, some really dangerous people are after me, and this is the only way for me to stay safe. Please keep my secret." I looked up at them with pleading eyes. Asuma's eyes softened for a second before nodding. "fine, but we'll have to talk to kakshi about this." I nodded happily. "well, we better get going." I smiled at them and waved, as they walked down the path the two Akatsuki just came from.

Once I couldn't sense them anymore, I rushed over to the hidden men. "you guys can come out now." Kisame was smirking at me creepily. "looks like we have a little traitor on our hands." I rolled my eyes. "Oh shush, I'm the farthest thing from a traitor. I'm just saving my people the trouble of uselessly fighting you two." Kisame grinned, bearing his sharp teeth. "do you even know who we are little girl?" I smirked at them. "I know everything, what was, what is, and what will be." Itachi was looking at me his Sharingan blazing. Just doing that must be draining him. poor thing. My eyebrows furrowed slightly. "You'll run out of chakra. I promise I won't attack you." his face remained impassive, but he deactivated his Sharingan. "you've got guts brat! If you know us then you should be running away." My smirk returned to my face. "I might not look it, but I am the fifth hokage." his grin widened and I could swear I saw Itachi's brow rise slightly. "Anyways, I'm here to tell you two things. One is that Naruto isn't here. he's out on a mission with Jiraya." Kisame's grin seemed to get even wider somehow. "you're one useful brat. Well, what's the second thing." I looked over at Itachi. "the second thing isn't for you…" mind invasion technique! "listen Itachi. I know all about your mission. Actually, I'm going to be sent on one just like it. I just have one thing to ask of you." his face remained as passive as usual but he gave me a nod to go on. "you will encounter Sasuke soon. Please don't hurt him too bad. My entire mission's purpose is to protect him." He seemed to be questioning if what I said was true, but nodded either ways. Without saying another word, he turned around and started walking back. Kisame turned to me before leaving. "What's you name brat?" I smirked at him. "call me whatever you want. Just know, I see everything…" with that I turned around too and started walking away. Little did I know that that sentence would stick to me for good.