Kakashi's point of view
Oh shit! This is not Ikada's room but mine. But it's alright I guess. She's still unconscious and I shouldn't disturb her sleep any further by moving her .
Kakashi went out of the room while closing the door from behind.
**Three hours later**
"I should check up on her, it's already dinner time and she needs energy."
As soon as I opened the door I saw Ikada screaming while her eyes were still shut, she was clearly panicking and tossing around in the covers. She has nightmares too...I wonder what's her past ...with these thoughts I went to her and got on my knees so that I was on her level, I picked her up and embraced her while cooing her and patting her back. She felt like a child in need of someone.
"It's alright Ikada. It's going to be alright...shhh stop crying."
I'm sure of one thing, all these strong emotions Ikada shows are only in her nightmares and not in reality. Poor she.
After a few minutes of cooing, Ikada had stopped crying but was still out.
3rd person point of view
He laid her back on the covers and stared at her face which glistened with sweat and tears. She was beautiful even in this state cause she was pure. She never tried once to put her burden on someone else. She had been alone for years now. That wasn't the reason for her being beautiful. She never complained although she had every reason to hate the world but she was clearly lamenting over her past. Little did kakashi knew all of this and about her past. A gloomy past enveloped behind the tenebrous curtains of grief.
Kakashi then went downstairs to grab some dinner and that's where Sakura and others asked about Ikada.
"Kakashi Sensei, where is Ika-chan?" Naruto asked worried as he seemed to sense of something being wrong.
"Oh well, she is in my room. She was exhausted due to chakra depletion. Don't worry she's resting now and we shouldn't probably wake her up." Said kakashi as he took his seat beside Sakura.
"Kakashi Sensei don't worry I'll take Ikada back to my room." Sakura spoke out of the blue. Of course she thought it was awkward for her sensei to allow a female student to be resting along with him when other rooms were certainly available.
"Yeah... that's what I was thinking." Kakashi almost blurted our.
After everyone had their dinner Sakura went to Ikada and took her to their room. By then Ikada's jutsu had broken away. Her fever was now prominent. One thing about her jutsu was that even if the user dies or is in no state to fight their jutsu will continue to work for hours.
Sakura checked for temperature on Ikada's forehead after placing her in the covers.
"Omg Ikada you're still in fever. I told you not to work out so much." Sakura said to no one in particular for she believed Ikada was still out.
"It's alright Sakura, just don't tell anyone. I'll be taking a day off tomorrow. So relax."
Ikada said, her eyes still closed but she spoke in a rough voice almost cracking due to dehydration.
"Here have some water." Sakura tried to give Ikada some water with the help of a spoon.
"T-thanks." And with that she again fell into a deep slumber without any nightmares this time.
Next morning, actually afternoon Ikada woke up with sore muscles. She tried to stretch while making popping sounds.
"Oh looks like you woke up. How are you feeling and do you need something to eat?"
Asked Sakura as she approached her.
"Oh thanks Sakura, I feel alright now just a little tired and Yeahh I think I'm pretty hungry now." Ikada said as she managed to stand and stretch again. She missed her workout again.
"Oh good cause I got you some fruits and made some veg soup. Hope you'll like it." She gave a bright smile.
Sakura quickly went downstairs and came up with the food.
"Thanks Sakura."
Ikada had her food finished and she felt much better now. She still felt tired for her chakra wasn't replenished completely.
At night Ikada went to the roof and again played her flute. This time a honey coated melody that could melt hearts of anyone. It was soothing to the ears.
Kakashi just kept listening to it when after a moment decided to approach her after having stared at her from a distance for quite a while.
"Ikada how are you feeling now?" Hatake approached her as he managed to place himself beside her yet again.
"I feel much better Sensei and I'm sorry for not being able to train today."
"Oh that's totally understandable plus you've shown me a lot of your jutsus. You're impressive actually. Being able to pull such destructive attacks and that to 4 of them one after another and then train Taijutsu is really impressive Ikada." Kakashi ruffled Ikada hair while giving a closed eyed smile.
They just stayed there in silent being only able to hear the sound of the rustling wind and crickets in the background. The moon shone above brightening Ikada's face. As Kakashi was about to turn to her side to tell her something her head collapsed on his shoulder, eyes closed and as gravity would serve, a part of her hair gravitated to the opposite side of her face that didn't touch Kakashi's shoulder. Kakashi chuckled a bit and his hands automatically went up to her face as if it was a reflex action and tucked away the part of hair covering Ikada's face behind her ear and smiled to himself again.Then he leaned back a little to support himself on his elbows but not much that could awake Ikada. Then looked at the shining moon and closed his eyes for a brief moment .
So you're tired Ikada. Tonight lemme lend you my shoulder.
But soon he considered the idea of sleeping outside too bad. He gently lifted her up and went to knock at Sakura's door but again he felt like he would disturb her. So at the end he took her to his room, tucked her inside covers and went outside again. Indeed he avoided sleeps when away on a mission cause he didn't want anyone to see him waking up with nightmares and more because he could barely even sleep. He chuckled again at the thought of Ikada's sleeping face. Cute.. eh what am I thinking?Hours ago I disliked her and now ......Kakashi your mood swings are weirder. But deep down I know hating on her is so petty of me, in fact it's not like me to lose my calm...
Next morning everyone left for the bridge leaving Ikada and Naruto to rest. Kakashi told Tazuna's daughter that these two needed rest and indeed neither of them had woken up and it was highly unlikely of Ikada to wake up late.
Soon after Naruto woke up Ikada also got out of her bed and did all the morning routine.
..
..
..
"Ika-chan you go head up for the bridge, I can handle these two." Naruto positioned himself, uptight, against the two intruders.
"No. You're my comrade and moreover my FRIEND." Ikada said as she took herself beside Naruto
After completing with the two intruders they headed off to catch up with the rest of the team. Of course Naruto had to exaggerate his entry but Ikada stayed silent then her eyes went to Haku
"Haku.." she barely breathed out. The expression of surprise and shock never left her face.
"Ikada, it's been a long time."
Haku said while staring out of the glass window but never taking away his gaze off Sasuke who was currently trapped inside Haku's jutsu.
"I never thought we would meet up in such a situation." Ikada was indeed shocked yet happy and sad at the same time.
Meanwhile Kakashi was really curios as to how and why Ikada knew about enemies and she rather looked relieved that Haku wasn't defeated.
But then Naruto had to do the impossible. He jumped inside the mirror trap and acted like a hero.
"Stupid Naruto." Ikada shouted.
"Ikada attack her from the outside and let them deal him from the inside."- Kakashi spoke as he now had to deal with Zabuza
"Hai."- Ikada answered back. But Ikada had different plans.
"Human clone 50%" and a clone of Ikada soon appeared at the scene. One of them jumped inside of the cage while the other stayed outside.
"What are you doing Ikada wasting Chakra like that."
Kakashi was really triggered at this moment and was completely sure that Ikada was rather trying to help Haku-the enemy and not her team.
"Don't worry Sensei I'll die but I'll protect you people in every way even if I have to give away my last breathe to do that."
Kakashi was speechless, of course what could he retort at such a statement? But soon Zabuza interfered or rather mocked
"Kids these days and this one in particular I'll make sure she dies this time."
Soon Kakashi and Zabuza got into a fight. The real Ikada went to Sakura & formed some hand signs "spectral shield"
"Ikada thanks but are you sure you'll be able to fight with that much chakra left?" Sakura said as her hand worriedly reached to interlace her fingers in a praying pose.
"Don't worry Sakura I'll be alright. Take care of Tazuna while I help kakashi sensei." She seemed to be in a rush.
Sakura could only nod at this moment. She felt really helpless for not being able to do much and above that Ikada also provided the shield so basically she felt like some useless bodyguard who was being protected by someone else.
Meanwhile the clone was panting effortlessly after dodging so many senbon needles. No, the needles weren't aimed at her but rather at Sasuke and Naruto and in the process, no wonder, she got hit by some too.
"Ikada what are you doing protecting us?"- Sasuke seemed rather triggered than being grateful.
"I can't let you guys die infront of me and don't worry I'm not the real one but rather the clone although if I die Ikada will be left with only 50% of chakra but if I live with the remaining chakra can be added back to her."- clone assured
"Whatever it is. You shouldn't be here. It's clear this guy isn't aiming for you but for us. Say what's your plan?" Sasuke's suspicion wasn't wrong owing to the fact that he rarely trusted someone and moreover the situation turned against Ikada.
"Shut up Sasuke. Ika-chan can never betray us!" Naruto retorted in a rather furious tone.
Ikada wasn't fighting back but rather she was protecting Naruto and Sasuke by acting like a human shield. She never attacked Haku and neither did Haku attacked her as if they knew each other. An unspoken bond lingered in between them of which no one was conscious about .
Suddenly thousands of needles were aimed at Naruto and due to fatigue he couldn't dodge them but there came Sasuke to protect him and he was ready for the attack but to his surprise he wasn't hit but rather it was Ikada. All the needles were on her back while she coughed blood and smiled a little at Sasuke. "I told you. I'll protect you guys." And then she collapsed.
Soon after that Sasuke too passed out because then Haku took no time to attack again. Naruto at this moment fumed up. Red chakra engulfing him creating a menacing aura. He was agitated at the thought of not being able to do anything while his friends collapsed in front of him while trying saving him.
"That's Kyuubi's chakra no doubt."- Real Ikada.
"You are also aware of that fact no wonder."- Kakashi said amusingly
" I can feel it enough Sensei. I can feel it if someone is a jinchuriki or not."
"So this is another specialty of yours? How many surprises do you plan more?"- Kakashi was more amused.
"Enough of your gibberish!"-
Zabuza can never be entertained.
"Lightning style!" Ikada yelled. As she formed hand signs with a certain speed and charged towards Momochi
"What on earth is this jutsu!"- Zabuza's eyes widened in disbelief as he tried to back away a little
"I know you aren't that amazed but this jutsu still needs improvement but nevertheless I can still manage to defeat you!" - Ikada
"Ikada great"- Kakashi praised her.
Soon Ikada's jutsu was able to cause much damage to Zabuza but Zabuza being an experienced Ninja dodged it somehow. Moreover Ikada never intended to kill him in fact she never intended to kill her enemies. She would rather just weaken them to the point where they won't be able to fight anymore.
Meanwhile Sasuke and Ikada's human clone lay unconscious and Naruto seemed enough raged. Haku's cage was destroyed and Haku was now pleading Naruto to kill him saying things like his only reason to live has been deteriorated and is no use to Zabuza anymore. Naruto couldn't bring himself to kill him. He was taken aback by his words. Honestly what can you say to a person to assure him when he's conscious about everything yet wants to follow the only painful path?
The clone now woke up trying to stand up on wobbly legs with needles in the back. It looked too beaten up.
"Haku you can't say those things not after what you told me once. Not after you saved my life. Albeit I'm still finding the reason and maybe I already have but you, you're worth living, for no one but for yourself. This is suicide and I can't let you do that!"
"Ikada...." Haku wasted no time to defend Zabuza from Kakashi's chidori and as soon as Ikada realized that, she went to the scene.
Kakashi was taken aback. He felt as if time had been trapped for a moment but he instantaneously jerked Ikada away however a little of Ikada's torso was impacted by chidori already . Blood rushed out her belly as she lay there a few meters away from Kakashi, Haku and Zabuza.
Naruto hurried to her "Ika-chan why you..." he was now crying. Not only was Ikada exhausted of chakra but she was physically hurt too and the way Kakashi had tried to push her it only resulted her in getting hit by the edge of bridge deepening the already wounded stomach.
"I..I'm alright Naruto" cough cough "I'm glad you're okay" cough cough "where's Saskue.."
"no you are not alright look at you" he still was sobbing now kneeling beside her as he tried to press on to the wound to cease the drainage of blood that now gushed out.
"Naruto where's Sasuke?"
"He's..." He pointed at the direction where Sasuke laid
Ikada wasted no time in signalling her clone to heal Sasuke with whatever chakra she'd left.
of course the clone had so much only a little than 50% chakra left owing to the fact that she never used any jutsu.
light emerged from her clone as she tried to heal. She didn't have much knowledge about medical jutsu but only enough to heal wounds, Saukra kept weeping.
"Sakura don't worry Haku never hit a vital point. He's..." She paused before continuing "was too kind to do that."
And after that she kissed Sasuke's forehead while transferring all her chakra to him. When Naruto noticed this he immediately shouted
"Ika-chan what about you? You too need chakra and that clone of yours said when he goes away all it's chakra goes back to you but here you're giving all of it to Sasuke. Save a little for yourself."
"Don't worry about me, I still have enough to keep breathing" cough cough "He needs it more and besides I only have a tiny scratch." She gave a faint smile and soon everything blacked out for her,
"Ika-chan!!" -Naruto was crying at this point while holding her limp body that lay there unconscious. Soon Ikada's clone disappeared little by little as it transferred all her chakra to Sasuke. It turned into Purple and bluish feathers- the color of her hair and eyes.
Kakashi was still confused "Why Ikada...why"
"Oh Kakashi this little girl now I remember about her. She was once saved by Haku. Clearly she wanted to pay back but look what you did. You didn't let her risk her life instead of Haku but anyway she still seems to be almost dead." Zabuza laughed menacingly
"What do you mean by pay back?"- Kakashi was confused yet curious
"It was when Ikada was around 5 I guess, Two people who looked like her parents well they wanted her to be dead I guess"
Kakashi gasped clearly he didn't expect that.
"They stood over a cliff while me and Haku saw this whole drama from a distance. I was clearly in no mood to see anything more cause who cares about a stranger? That's their life. Suddenly they pushed her off the cliff. I wasted no time in walking away but after a few seconds when I glanced back I never saw Haku. Haku was always too kind. I knew he went to save her. So I actually manged to hear their conversation not that intended to but I only went to get Haku back. Haku asked her who were they to which she replied parents. She clearly didn't look like a ninja for if she was she could've saved herself. When asked by Haku she revealed that she was never sent to any school not even was she given any ninja training. She said Haku shouldn't have saved her cause it would've been better if she'd died. How pathetic I thought to myself. Haku told her that maybe today she had no reasons to live but tomorrow she might just find one and that's what I guess gave her strength. After a few moments of their gibberish conversation and sobbing me and Zabuza left the scene. Rest about her I don't know but I'm amazed at how incredible of a Ninja she has become and the most fascinating thing is she's like Haku a lot. Too kind to kill someone. The jutsu she used earlier, she never actually used the full impact on me while it's true I dodged it but she herself had moved it enough to not cause some deadly damage."- Zabuza finished
Kakashi stood there wide eyed for a brief moment before going back to his normal bored look. He absolutely didn't know how to react for the fact he felt a slight pinch of guilt for doubting Ikada and even disliking her for someone who just wanted to kill her. He cursed under his breathe. It wasn't new to hear such stories but knowing that it happened to someone whom he probably knows made him feel a bit sad for the time being.
.
.
.
The spectral shield had worn away the moment Ikada collapsed but it wasn't needed anymore since Zabuza died soon after that including Gato and Haku. Haku's death was sure going to cause grief to Ikada but currently everyone was worried about her condition more than themselves.
"What happened to her and..and why do I feel like I've regained my energy a lot sooner?"-
Sasuke shakily asked to no one in particular but to everyone who were calling out to Ikada in hope that she would at least answer back or open her eyes.
"She..she gave away the remaining chakra to you, for you to wake up baka." - Naruto
"Why would she do something like that?"
"The way you tried to protect me the same way she tried protecting everyone else."-Naruto
"." silence was all he could answer as he felt guilty for calling her a traitor.
Soon enough Kakashi took her to his room. Having being a part of Anbu in the past taught him some medical stuff, at least stuff like treating the wound and stitching it to some extent.
"Sakura go get me these supplies and hurry up and don't forget to get some pills for fever."
"Right..fever. She had fever since the day we arrived here but it was slight." Sakura sounded guilty.
"And why are you only telling me this now?!"
Kakashi almost yelled. He was indeed pissed off at his students incompetence of informing anything that deemed necessary.
"She said she didn't want to delay anything. Didn't want to be a burden and even I thought a fever would go away on its own. It was very mild and she promised me that she would get better if she rests."
"Nice." was all he could say in such a tone that it sent shivers down her spine. It was a word of mockery. Mockery at how she failed to inform him something pertinent. Without wasting a moment any further Sakura went to grab the essentials.
After giving him the supplies Sakura was asked to leave and rest for tomorrow and she did without any interference for she knew her sensei was pissed off. He wanted so many answers from Ikada currently. He was terrified with the thoughts of hitting her cause it reminded him of certain someone-Rin. He was sure of getting nightmares today and he couldn't skip sleeping since he was exhausted himself after the fight.
Soon he lifted Ikada's black tshirt leaving only the chest area undiscovered. The scar run from her lower chest up till her abdomen. Fuck. He began cleaning the crimson blood mixed with dirt and sweat and no sooner when he was about to start stitching and bandaging the wound he saw something he couldn't lay a finger on. There was a dragon of the same color as that of Ikada's hair and eyes. He traced it with his index finger.
What on earth is this? A tattoo? But it looked far more than a tattoo, something like a asymbol- a birth mark. He quickly got out of his thoughts and ended up doing his work.
Now now, she was shivering with fever and the clothes well the clothes on her were completely drenched. He hesitated for a moment before lifting up Ikada's tshirt again but then an idea popped into his mind. He quickly called for Sakura's help and which she obliged to happily.
Cough cough. "Water" cough cough
Kakashi blinked a few times before realizing whose coughing it was. He quickly got water and lifted Ikada's head with care not wanting to re-open the wound while with the other hand he held the glass near Ikada's lips
"Careful.." after gulping down a little of water she coughed again and Kakashi laid her back as gently as he could.
"So you're awake? How are you feeling now?"
"Better somehow I guess and thankyou senesi..."
"So Haku someday saved you?" Kakashi couldn't wait anymore to get his answers. He was too impatient at this moment. Moreover as a ninja it was his duty to be meticulous about every possible happening.
"I'm guessing you've already heard most of the part from Zabuza. Yes Haku did save me from my foster parents."
"Foster parents?"
"Yes, when I was 4 my biological mother gave me for adoption saying I was never wanted. I was too naive to process those words though. Soon after I turned 5 my foster parents who belonged to this village but were my mom's relatives, I mean my biological mother and my foster mother were siblings but situation separated them to different villages, told me I was just being a burden to them and every time they dropped me off at some distant place I would come running back to them. This plan didn't work so they opted for the permanent one. Permanent riddance. They pushed me off of a cliff saying I would meet my mom there. Funny how I even believed them for a second. Those days I hadn't forgotten how to smile. But as I was nearing the ground for the impact it struck me and I was able to join all the points that led me here. I was never WANTED. I was a BURDEN to everyone. It was when Haku saved me. Saved me not only from dying but also from my thoughts. To this day however the only reason I'm living is to find just another reason to live. I guess this is my reason, but more importantly I understood the essence in saving others and that's when I decided to be a shinobi- to help others. It became one of my many reasons to survive and other being able to die while protecting someone-call it just another way of suicide but that's what my thoughts are. Soon after meeting Haku I tried getting back to my biological parents but..I guess that was the second worst decision I ever made- first being born into this world. I don't think I can tell you the reason why cause even the Hokage doesn't know."
but before Kakashi could show curiosity she dozed off. He sighed and covered her enough and laid back down thinking about what happened next to her. He was really curious now.
It's easy to judge someone but it's the most difficult task to understand someone...