"People die only for what
is worth living for."
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
"You're right."
"Now live with that truth," he threw back and jumped onto the roof. "And I'll get the Medical Ninja."
I watched him for a few more seconds, realizing my mistake. Konoha was created so that children wouldn't die in it, like in the times of warring clans. That's why genin aren't sent on B-rank missions and higher, as the probability of dying is high. What have I done?
"I'm sorry, Ariza-chan," I exhaled and decided to remove the weapon from her body before the Medical Ninja arrived. "I wanted the best."
I was always curious to know how strong my student really was. She's quite the dark horse. She didn't even tell Sasuke anything, despite him being the closest person to her. Yes, I often observed my students and was glad for their cohesive team. Their relationships weren't like ours with Rin and Obito. Sasuke and Ariza loved each other mutually, and Naruto was their best friend, whom they never put on the back burner or forgot.
Of course, Ariza played a big role here, always teaching the boys teamwork and breaking up their quarrels if any arose. What will happen now? Will they drift apart, fight, or on the contrary, grieve together?
"It'll hurt a little now," I said quietly, grasping the icy hilt of the sword plunged into her heart. I didn't want to do this in silence; I wanted to talk to her, even though I knew she couldn't hear anything. "The guys beat the Sand Gaara there, Naruto trained with Jiraiya the Sannin and summoned a huge toad. You probably saw it. I couldn't even imagine, though it was to be expected from one of the Legendary Sannin Trio."
Slowly pulling out the sword, I tried to do it as carefully as possible, not denying that over these months I'd grown quite attached to my students. After removing the sword, I placed it aside, then proceeded to the rest of the weapons, continuing to talk to her:
"And I taught Sasuke my technique, it's also called 'technique of a thousand birds' and trained him well in speed this month. You know, the guys really wanted you to come watch their matches."
Suddenly the wind blew, and I, lifting my head slightly, looked at the sky.
"Forgive me, Ariza," I said carefully, pulling out the last kunai. "That's it."
Next, I needed to place her on the black bag a few meters away, so without thinking long, I picked Ariza up in my arms.
"So light," I thought, a bit surprised by her weight, carrying her to the bag, thinking along the way how to tell this to the boys and, most importantly, when? After all, sensei and I decided this.
Flashback
July 22, 1056
19:43
"Okay, Ariza, since you know about the attack, I'll send you on a special village defense mission. You don't mind, Kakashi?" sensei asked without taking his eyes off some papers.
"Mmm," I drawled, pondering the situation. Ariza isn't weak, and since she hides a lot, I think she's even stronger. And the mission is probably not difficult. "Not at all. I think it won't hurt her."
"Excellent, Ari, come to me the day before the exam, August 18th, and I'll tell you everything, okay?" Minato said, looking at the calendar on the wall.
"Got it," Ariza nodded reluctantly. It seemed she wanted to watch the boys' fights, not do the mission.
"By the way, did you hand in the hospital note?"
"Yes, I gave it to the secretary. I'm excused until August 15th."
"Excellent, then you're free, see you on the 18th."
"Yes, thank you, goodbye," saying goodbye to everyone, Ariza hurried out of the office.
"Sensei, what exact mission will you give her?" I asked after Ariza left.
"It's not difficult, just evacuating people. Nothing will happen to her," he scratched his head, leaning back in his chair. "So don't worry, Kakashi."
"Mmm, yes, you're right, the mission is simple," I drawled. Something inside didn't want to let her go on this assignment. But logic said that in the village rear, nothing would happen for sure. "But it doesn't have to be Ariza, right?"
"No, of course, that's why I asked you."
"Got it. Just a bad feeling," I drawled.
"She'll be fine, I'm sure," Minato said calmly and, turning in his chair, looked into the distance at the lights of Konoha.
"How do you know, sensei?"
"She has incredible potential and the power of mighty ancestors," he smiled slightly.
"She's Uzumaki, right?" I asked rhetorically, knowing the answer.
"Correct, but still protect her, Kakashi. She's too young for such a Great destiny."
Flashback end
"Sensei believes in Ariza, so I should too. And even if the body in my arms is 99% dead. There's a chance she's alive. Her brain might be as frozen as the mucous membranes. So alive, and that's the main thing." My memories were interrupted by a bright orange spot on the horizon. Looking closer, I saw two, probably Naruto's clones, discussing something on the roof. Then one nodded and ran off, the other stayed.
Suddenly I had a wild desire for him not to notice me with Ariza in my arms. For him to run off somewhere on his business. I... I'm not ready to tell them this now. What will they think when they see her?
Kami must have heard my words, and Naruto, looking around and not noticing us, ran off somewhere.
"Phew," I sighed in relief. "Close call."
"Kakashi-sensei! There you are!" I heard Naruto's cheerful shout behind me and instantly froze, not turning. "Sasuke and I have been looking all over Konoha for you and Ariza..." Running around me and standing in front, he fell silent.
"Naruto," I began, but was interrupted:
"Sensei! What happened to her?!" Naruto paled instantly and ran up to us.
"I don't know yet," I said partially truthfully. "You're a clone?"
"Yes!" He stepped back, letting me place her on the black bag. As soon as I did, he was right there.
"Ariza-chan..." He touched her healthy shoulder and lifted her head by the neck. "Ariza. Ari! Can you hear me?! Ari!" he shouted desperately.
"Naruto, it won't help. She can't hear you."
"K-Kakashi-sensei..." He lowered his head, his bangs covering his eyes since he had no forehead protector. "Who did this?" he whispered, as if trying to hold back tears.
"Enemy shinobi. Naruto, don't dispel, don't call anyone here yet. A Medical Ninja will come soon and we'll find out everything," I asked, hoping for a positive response. But none came.
"Naruto..." I called him.
"K-Kakashi-sen-sei... sh-she... died?" he asked in a trembling voice, swallowing a lump.
"Naruto," I knelt in front of him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Why won't you answer?!" he shouted, lifting his tear-filled eyes to me. "Do you really not want Sasuke and my original to know?!" Angrily, he stood up.
"Not now, Naruto, the Medical Nin..."
"I don't want that!" He shook his head, refusing to listen to any arguments, formed a seal, and dispelled.
"Damn it," I gritted out. Now I'll have to deal with Sasuke too.
"I'm sorry, Ariza," I whispered and closed her eyes. "But I have to cover you with something."
I created a clone, which immediately vanished in shunshin and a few minutes later brought another black bag.
POV Sasuke
"Have you seen a girl our age with red hair here?" I ask some young woman.
"No, I haven't," she shakes her head.
"Damn, Naruto, let's keep going," I tell him and jump to the next building. We've been looking for Ari for half an hour. And can't find her. After the battle, we were sent to the hospital, where after bandaging and a few stitches, they sent us home. There are too many patients now.
And we weren't badly injured overall, as beating the Sand Gaara turned out easier than we thought. Naruto summoned some huge toad, and then we just woke him up.
"Sasuke, why are we looking for her? She's probably home," Naruto asked, running after me.
"She's not home, I checked. And not in the hospital. Anyway, better help," I threw back without looking.
"What do you think I'm doing?" he replied, and looking back, I saw he'd created many clones that scattered.
"Excellent, it'll be faster."
"Oh, kids, how's it going? Seen Kakashi?" We turned to the voice and saw Gai on the neighboring building.
"Hello, Guy-sensei!" Naruto shouted, waving.
"No. Have you seen Ariza?" I asked bluntly.
"Yes, about three hours ago. But it was probably a clone."
"Tch," without answering, I ran on.
We ran another five minutes before running into Sakura and Ino. Asking them made me sick, but nothing else to do.
"Ooo! Sasuke-kun!"
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto called, but she ignored him.
"Sasuke-kuuun!" They immediately pounced on me and hung on.
"Get off my Sasuke-kun, Ino-pig!"
"You get off, forehead girl!"
"Both shut up!" I said, extricating myself from their embrace. With every second, I got angrier and angrier. Not because they annoyed me, but because I couldn't find Ari. "Better tell me where Ariza is."
"We don't know where that tomato is," Ino waved her hand.
"Yeah, we don't know, Sasuke, let's go somewhere, celebrate the victory," Sakura suggested. "Forget that bitch."
"Not in the mood!" I snapped rudely and headed on.
"Sasuke-kuuun!" they shouted after me.
"Wait, Sasuke!" Dobe shouted behind, also jumping and running after me over the roofs.
"What?!"
"Why are we looking so hard? We could talk to the girls. Ari won't run off."
"Naruto! Since when do you not care about friends?!" Sharply turning, I approached and grabbed him by the collar. I knew he really cared, otherwise he wouldn't make so many clones to search. And he came looking with me though I didn't ask. Uzumaki was still sulking, or pretending.
"I do care!" he shouted in my face. "She just always hides something, and she's strong. She'll handle it for sure! No doubt!"
"Naruto, I have a really bad feeling. And your grudges are out of place now!" I hissed through clenched teeth and let go.
"I'm not sulking! I'm just sure nothing happened to her! She's fi—" He didn't finish, falling silent mid-sentence.
In a second, his fervor faded, his face paling.
"Naruto...?" I asked, watching him stare into space.
"Sas-uke..." he said quietly, and I saw his eyes tearing up. I wanted to ask what happened, but he bolted like mad in the opposite direction.
"Naruto, wait!" I shouted after him and ran. "Wait, idiot!" I got angry, pondering what could affect him like that.
"Probably some clone dispelled and brought bad news," I thought as I nearly caught up.
"Damn!" I heard, and saw Naruto stumble and fall. He got up to run further, but I grabbed his collar in time.
"Naruto, calm down, tell me what happened?!" I panted, looking at him, and he, closing his eyes and turning away, whispered:
"Ari..."
"What 'Ari'?" I asked again, feeling my heart skip. Naruto didn't answer. "Answer! What happened to her?!" I gripped tighter, but he didn't resist like before.
"Y-you won't like it..." my friend whispered, wincing.
"What... won't I like?" I let go and asked.
"Come on," he wiped his eyes with his sleeve, and we ran on.
We were silent the rest of the way; I tried not to think, but bad thoughts crept in anyway, and Naruto added plenty, often shaking his head and whispering: "She couldn't."
I didn't know what to do with myself. This wait tore me apart inside. I suspected... but denied it with all my might. No! Anyone but her! She's strong. She couldn't. I don't believe it! I don't want to believe...
"Two more blocks, and we'll be at the square," Naruto said dejectedly. Unable to hold back, I used shunshin to move ahead.
POV Kakashi
Sasuke appeared almost the minute I covered Ari. Looking around, he ran straight to us.
"Where's Ariza?!" he asked running up, not taking his eyes off the black bag. "She's here?.."
"Yes," I nodded, and Sasuke rushed to the bag. "Stop! You better not see this," I grabbed him, not letting him get closer. In this state, nothing good would come.
"Why, what happened to her?!" he resisted, trying to break free, but unsuccessfully.
"Some technique was used on her, so until the Medical Ninja comes, I don't know if she's alive or not," I said, continuing: "Sasuke, calm down... and brace for the worst."
"Why... her!" he whispered, going limp in my arms. Then he started struggling again. "Let me go, Kakashi! Let go!" he shouted desperately, staring at the black bag, then activated Chidori in his hand. I realized my actions wouldn't lead to good and started loosening.
"Quiet, Sasuke."
"I want to see..."
"Just carefully, got it?" I asked, waiting for agreement before letting go.
Sasuke approached slowly and, sitting before the black bag, began carefully removing it. I saw him hold his breath and clench his fist when her face was revealed. He was so immersed he didn't notice Naruto arrive and stand beside, watching tensely too.
Once the bag was half off, they both froze, staring. The sight was truly horrific. A battered and swollen face in places, bloodied clothes and hair. Multiple burns, deep cuts and stab wounds. Broken, swollen limbs, bones protruding in spots. It felt like she'd been beaten long and painfully. The wounds screamed she wasn't long for this world, and her pale skin with sharpened features confirmed it. But inside, I still believed for the best. Like a child, I hoped for a miracle to save her.
The sight was unpleasant, but the kids kept staring.
"Ariza..." Sasuke broke the silence first. I wanted to say not to touch her, but too late; he lifted her slightly and hugged her, despite the blood, his clothes clean. "You couldn't..."
"Sasuke, better not touch her," I said quietly.
"I won't let her go. Never," he replied, refusing to obey. I knew it would be like this. Ariza mattered more to them now than my orders.
"Then be careful."
"Sensei... She's not breathing..." Uchiha said in a trembling voice, and I saw tears streaming from his eyes.
"She'll survive, right?" Naruto asked hopefully, taking Ariza's hand.
"Most likely not," I answered honestly. Sasuke hugged her tighter, Naruto cried. Sighing heavily, I looked up at the sky, clouds reminding me of Rin. What if Team Seven repeats my team's fate? And after Ariza, one of the boys follows? Years ago, a Uchiha clan member dreaming of Hokage died; who this time, the Uchiha or the Hokage dreamer?
"Wh-who?" Sasuke's voice pulled me from thoughts. I didn't first get he was looking at his bloody hand, but then, shifting gaze to Ariza's heart wound and widening eyes, I understood. Uchiha carefully tilted the girl, checked her back, found the wound there. He stared blankly for seconds, hugging her, then activated Sharingan: "Who. Did. This?"
"Enemy shinobi," Naruto cut in for me and, standing, looked me in the eyes: "What was she doing here, Kakashi-sensei?"
"Naruto, let's discuss later..."
"No, not later!" Waving his hand, he yelled down the street furiously. "Ariza didn't come watch our fights for some reason, and I'm sure you know why!"
"I know," I didn't lie, "but better learn later."
"You're talking just like Ariza!" he shouted louder, crying and pointing at the girl. "She always hid everything from us! And look where it led! If she'd only told us! She wouldn't have died, sensei! We'd have helped! We'd have come to her aid!" Panting heavily after venting.
"I agree with Naruto, Kakashi," Uchiha said in a dead voice. "I want to know everything here and now!"
"What to do..." I pondered a second and decided to tell the truth. Teamwork is based on trust, and hiding everything means no trust. If something happens to someone, must tell, not keep inside.
"You're right, nothing should be hidden, but Ariza didn't tell you for that reason," I replied.
"Then why?" Uzumaki demanded, not lowering volume.
"It was her mission. A mission she had no right to tell about."
"Mission!?" the boys exclaimed surprised.
"Yes, Ariza knew about the attack and was sent on a Konoha resident evacuation mission. Hokage and I didn't expect attack from the village center. So we deemed it safe. But a large enemy squad attacked Ariza's squad, and almost everyone with her died or went missing."
"Why didn't anyone help them?!"
"Why send her without us?!" Naruto and Sasuke asked simultaneously.
"Because that's how it happened, no one was insured. It's war," I shook my head. "So we can only believe for the best."
"The best...?" Uchiha echoed with wide pupils, then shouted. "They killed her! Those bastards just killed her! No one survives such wounds!"
I said nothing, just looked sadly and scanned for the Medical Ninja. Sasuke probably thought I lied about the doctor to hide the truth, so now believes her dead.
"Why are you silent, Kakashi?!" Sasuke continued. "Why not tell us the truth!"
"I said everything," I replied calmly.
"Naruto, say something at least!" Sasuke looked at his friend, fists clenched, head down staring at ground. "They killed her!"
"I don't believe it, Sasuke," Uzumaki said quietly, probably believing for the best.
"Look what they did to her... Naruto..." Sasuke said in a trembling voice.
"I... I see," he replied, tears in eyes, kneeling and hand on friend's shoulder. "I see, and can't help. All I can do is believe Ariza will survive."
"What if..."
"No 'ifs', she'll survive for sure! No other way," Naruto said seriously. I was even surprised by his resolve for a second.
"But..." Sasuke began, but I interrupted.
"Kids, step away from Ariza and don't approach," I asked, seeing two figures afar.
"Hey, Kakashi!" I heard my partner's voice and turning saw him running with a young woman in Medical Ninja uniform. "I brought Azemi-san!" he shouted, and I recalled seeing this girl about a month ago. She was in the ward where Ariza was after the Chunin Exam.
The boys looked surprised but didn't go far from Ariza. When the Medical Ninja and comrade arrived, I knew my guess was right. This person really knows the student.
"Little Ariza-chan?" the girl paled instantly.
"You know her?" the partner marveled, watching the Medical Ninja rush to the girl's body, starting examination.
"Y-yes, we both studied under Yoshi-san," she pursed her lips. "She was in my ward last month, I even issued her sick leave."
"Won't you tell us what's wrong?" I asked Azemi-san, who seemed to examine the body with shonsen without blinking.
"I don't understand. At all. She's like dead, but not," she shrugged.
"Explain!" Naruto demanded sharply.
"Will she survive?" Sasuke asked anxiously, and with his friend approached closer despite my request.
"Her brain isn't dead. It's like frozen by some technique. But... the wounds... too severe. Even if we somehow release her from the technique, Ariza-chan won't last seconds," she reported dejectedly, looking doomed.
"What do we do?" I asked alarmed. I decided I'd do anything so the Medical Ninja wouldn't abandon us here to watch our comrade die.
On my question, the girl closed her eyes, pondering, then opened wide and stated seriously:
"Get her to the hospital now!" she stood sharply. "First heal main wounds, then release from technique!" she announced decisively and loudly, though seconds ago confused. "Kakashi-san, take Ariza-chan and get to the hospital ASAP." "You," she looked at my comrade, "know Yoshi-san?" Waiting for nod, continued. "Then urgently find her in the hospital, tell her to prep the OR!" The Chunin nodded and vanished in shunshin. I picked up Ariza, ready to go.
"Kakashi-san, has Ariza ever had blood transfusions?" the girl asked.
"Yes, Naruto's blood a few months ago," I recalled the Land of Waves mission where Ariza was badly wounded needing transfusion; Sasuke lost too much, so Naruto's. Luckily, Ariza's medkit had everything, and I had the skill from ANBU training. Risky without tests, but no choice. A bit was transfused, and Ariza pulled through. "Naruto's third group, Ariza's fourth, Sasuke's fourth. All Rh positive."
"Good, kids, come with me, blood transfusions frequent today, might not have enough for your friend," she said turning, and boys agreed. "Kakashi-san, hurry!" she ordered softly, and I, telling boys obey Azemi-san, shunshin-ed to a roof and ran.
"Hold on, Ariza, we won't abandon you," I said confidently and headed to the hospital.
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: Granulan