Thread: An (Eventual) Anko x Kakashi Fanfic by LadyYunaFFX2

Author's Note I should have mentioned this in the first one but it slipped my mind. Anyways, if you're not caught up with the mangaanime and do not want to risk reading up on spoilers, I'd suggest not reading further. Unfortunately, this story goes furtheronward and thus will have many details which have already been established in the manga but might not have been shown in the anime. I don't watch it so I'm not sure if certain details have been revealed or not. At any rate, read at your own risk. DISCLAIMER I do not own 'Naruto' or any of the characters within it. So don't sue me. --------------------------- Chapter II Not but seconds after Anko arrived back into the cave, her worries were soon confirmed after a matter of walking around in slight circles. No one, no clues, nothing. .. Damnit .. She murmured, sighing softly, running a hand through her dark locks. While the survivalist wasn't too amazed by this revelation, she'd still hoped to have been able to wake up and not be too late somehow. But alas, that hadn't been the case. Thankfully, however, an idea swiftly came to her. Pulling a kunai out from her pocket, she made a light cut across her left index finger. Pouring the blood upon her right palm, she then began making hand signs -- ones that certain people would have recognized in mere seconds. Kuchiyose no Jutsu ... Not but seconds after the technique was finished did multiple snakes all appear. However, whereas her mentor's would have been white, hers were more dark green in color. Closing her eyes and exhaling deeply, she began mentally ordering them to head back Konoha. Be discreet though. I need to know what happened though. Now make haste! And with that, they all slithered away. For now, she would have to play the game she hated the most the waiting one. Walking slowly back out from the cave, Anko began to seek out some form of food. Even mere berries would suffice for her. But she needed something! Her head anxiously glanced around, her ears and mind remaining as alert. She would literally be watching and seeing through all of her snakes's eyes see and hear all they did once they arrived. It made her heart race and pace quicken while continuing to seek food out. Back in Konohagakure, a weakened but still alive Tsunade was hidden behind a massive pile of files. She was sober --- for now and glancing down at a very specific file in front of her, one which her fingernails continued to lightly tap repeatedly upon. In big, bold letters upon the upper right corner was the name MITARASHI, ANKO and then in the dead center, she'd been forced to stamp the red acronym MIA . Her eyes were firmly upon the red words she wanted to fix that somehow! No body had been found ... She mused softly, her head bowing forward as her own sigh passed through her lips. It's hard to assume dead just from that. But still .. it's already been so long, I know .... She was one of our best though ... is one of our best even. The voice beside her was none other than Tsunade's assistant and niece, Shizune. As she glanced over and let her reply echo in her mind, the Hokage gave a firm nod of agreement. Yes, she is. Few match her in rank and specializations. If she is indeed still alive, we need her back. A brief pause lingered over the two women before she spoke up again. Yes ... send for Hinata or Hiashi if not both and --- But Tsunade-sama! They're still mourning! Would it really be wise to ask them even if they are the best trackers here? Her fists clenched slightly. She'd temporarily forgotten but soon knew Shizune was right. To be more exact, they were all mourning the re-loss of Hizashi but more tragically than that was Neji's sacrifice for Hinata and Naruto. Now one branch had been completely wiped out ... and their clan had likely had several meetings to figure out whether to bother rebuilding it or not. She slowly let go of her fists as she looked to her niece right in the eyes. Who would you recommend then? We need someone to head out all the same. Returning the eye contact back, Shizune had a reply that took maybe even quicker than a second to leave her lips, showing she'd likely already been thinking since hearing the suggestion of sending the Hyuugas out. Kakashi-san. He might not have the most typical methods of tracking, but he does have them all the same. And given how everyone on his team has ... gone their own ways basically, he's not really occupied as a sensei. Whenever he has been used as a tracker, he's always succeeded too. She added, hoping to make a good case with her aunt. The defeated sigh which she soon heard from her suggested it likely had. Very well ... you're probably right. Go get him. Shizune had to keep from chuckling in front of her at the way the order had been worded. Mainly because the way Kakashi found others was by summoning dogs ... and she'd just been told away as if she were one. Oh the irony. Her feet paused for a few moments to try to figure where he might be. A few guesses came to her head and she went to the more nostalgic and happier place, the training grounds in which he'd given the three of Team Seven the infamous 'bell test'. Anko, in the meantime, had indeed found some berries and begun to eat them. It had been tempting to eat them all as fast as possible, but she'd restrained herself. Her pace slowed, however, as she saw a few had arrived. Wherever she was, it seemed to likely not be too far away from Konohagakure. She knew the place she'd followed Kabuto towards before losing consciousness had been in between Takigakure and Otogakure but had she really been there the entire time? It felt too easy ... but all the same it would explain how her snakes arrived so fast. One had found it's way into Ichiraku Ramen and was glancing up at Iruka. It made a soft smile cross her face not only was he a childhood friend of hers but she knew he would give an honest reply. The sight of his gaze downward and him hardly touching his food made her concerned he was usually the more upbeat of them. So ... why not now? Teuchi and Ayame seemed to read her mind as both approached but only Ayame immediately spoke up, What's wrong, Iruka-san? A small smile managed to cross his face as he gave a light wave of his hand. I didn't suffer the sights nearly as much as others. But ... it's still hard to forget certain things. The Edo Tensei? A figure she hadn't expected to see join him sat beside him. Black hair and crimson eyes that belonged to Kurenai soon met her own eyes. The sad sigh and nod from Iruka were all she needed to see. I didn't view it -- though I'd likely have had a fit if not ... worse from it all. But Shikamaru told me of it, especially when Asuma was .... I can imagine. Iruka replied, gently cutting off her words but not to be rude. Rather, to spare her from over-thinking or over-stressing. As Anko got a better glance at Kurenai, she noted the bump still remaining. But judging from how it looked, it likely wouldn't remain much more. She probably had a few weeks before she was due, if Anko had to guess. So .. ready to .... um ... ? Iruka's own glance had seemed to meet Anko's and thus when Kurenai noted his question trailing off and seeing where his eyes were, she gave him a soft laugh. More than you'll ever know. It's tiring. I .. still wish though .... In more of a brotherly-like gesture than anything, he took one of her hands and held it gently. In spirit, he will be. It may not sound like much, but I hope it's worth something to you. Even with Kurenai turned away, Anko could hear she was struggling to keep tears away. How far she was is in the pregnancy likely wasn't helping her out. Still, she managed a small nod, her voice shaking slightly but not too much she couldn't be understood. You and Anko always knew how to cheer me up best. It seems out of place though. Aren't I supposed to be the oldest? Shouldn't this be my job? She managed to joke, even chuckling softly. It all managed to make Iruka smirk as his head shook. Sometimes the younger ones need to take care of their eldest. Now come on, nee-chan . You probably need to be resting more than anything. Or ... were you here to eat? Yes, the latter. I can usually wait several hours after each meal. But this child has been very demanding. I find myself grabbing snacks more often than I'd like ... As the conversation went on, Anko sat back against the tree behind her. As nice as it had been to find her childhood friends, there had been two specific words that she hadn't enjoyed hearing. ... Edo Tensei? Orochimaru's doing? Tch, damn you sensei ... She murmured, sighing as she ate a few more berries. Not wanting to freak either out should they notice the serpent, she dismissed it as it disappeared in a puff of smoke. It'd put a bit of a strain upon Anko but not as much if it hadn't been her own snake she was trying to force away. Her attention was grasped as another had found it's way into the cemetery. There, she saw all of Asuma's team. What she hadn't quite expected, though, was to note Chouji being the one who was the most emotional individual at that moment, with both Ino and Shikamaru trying to keep his spirits up. You did what not only was needed, but Sensei asked of you. Shikamaru stated simply. Ino gave an affirmative nod. You should be proud. He is, no doubt about that. After a few sniffles and wiping some of the tears away, Chouji managed to gather his bearings enough to speak up. You ... think so? Ino gave a light scoff as she shook her head no adamantly. No. I know so. Really .... come now. You know I don't just say things to make people happy. She paused before adding softly, Was it seeing him forced back to life that was hardest? You don't usually ... react in such a manner .... She stated, concern clearly in her voice. And ... having to fight him, yeah. Chouji replied, his gaze more towards the ground than Asuma's name on the gravestone. Both Ino and Shikamaru gave understanding nods but it was the Nara who first did anything more. He gave a light pat to Chouji's shoulder before offering him a hand to stand up with. Come on. Dwelling on the past or the fact we're orphans won't do us good. You need something to keep your mind off things that's how me and Ino even get by day after day. I have cloud-watching, Ino has her shop. Maybe now would be the time to keep your own word to sensei? This caused a quick but playful punch to Shikamaru's left arm as he accepted the right one, getting up to his feet. But not before placing what had likely been an item given to him by Ino a red rose and setting it in front of the grave. Two others were already there, suggesting Ino and Shikamaru had probably placed theirs down already. Oi ... Shikamaru. Did you really have to --?? A scream interrupted them both and before Anko lost sight of the trio, she managed to hear Ino cry out, Snake! before the connection with that one got lost. Her hands covered her face as Anko groaned. I said discreet ... She murmured, her head shaking from side to side in annoyance. Back at Konoha, Ino had indeed seen the snake. What she also noted - and hadn't expected - was for it to ... poof? It made her blink and as the two guys came to her sides and looked upon her, they noted the confusion on her face. What snake? Shikamaru asked. W-well, there had been one! Dark green ... urgh! It probably was just a garden snake or something harmless but I reacted too fast and tossed a kunai at it. But .. why did it ... ? What? Both inquired. Disappear .... She managed to finish, the addition of two and two seeming to have clicked. Wait ... that ... was a summon? But who ... ? And as they all looked to one another, each member seemed to come to the same conclusion. The name left their lips all at basically the same time. Anko-san ... No one else in the village used snakes that they knew of, not in that color at least. Well ... this should likely be brought up to Tsunade-sama ... Shikamaru decided, beginning to guide the team towards the new location. Oh? No remark on this being troublesome? Ino teased, a smirk of her own showing. Why bother? Besides, I got something constantly troublesome beside me .... .... OI! Another playful punch reached his left shoulder and finally, Chouji's own soft laugh and smile showed up. Whilst they were heading towards Tsunade's office, however, Shizune had finally found the man she was sent out to find ....