The last chapter! Please review. Thanks for sticking with me.
The endless darkness… That was all he could see. He searched for a light. His ebony eyes floated from one side to the other, but he did not discover anything uplifting. Only the present darkness, which seemed to consume him like a merciless fire.
'Where am I?'
He nervously gazed at his hands and unleashed a sigh of relief. He was still consisted of a familiar wholeness. He did not feel alive though. He felt empty, as if his if soul was absent. The lifelessness around him fuelled that feeling masterfully. Where was he?
'Am I?'
A light of brightness suddenly engulfed him. It was faint and strong at the same time, causing him to feel confused. He closed his eyes to protect them from the blinding light. It bathed him with warmth and a strange comfort. After a short time, it faded away, becoming one with the worthless darkness and vanishing. When he opened his tired eyes, he noticed a considerably familiar man. He had wild ebony hair that was shaped like a valuable crown. His features consisted of a unique softness and his eyes excelled the stars, for they shined with honesty and happiness. They were remarkable, both warm and sharp at the same time, almost like a wolf's. His shining orbs were drowned with the ocean. He stared at him intensely and a bright smile appeared on his bright face. Kakashi recognized him immediately, but he could not comprehend what he was seeing.
"Obito?" He questioned, his voice woven with uncertainty.
'My eyes are deceiving me. He died when I was six. How could he have aged?'
No matter how many times he blinked profoundly, it was him. He wore a white and plain attire.
"Kakashi…" The man replied, his face adorned with a sincere and warm smile. Kakashi stared at him deeply for a moment, before shifting his gaze to his feet. He finally understood. He was either dead or...
"Am I... Dreaming?" Kakashi asked, his voice dominated by seriousness. He looked up again, meeting his content face.
"You are correct." Obito answered as he slowly approached him. When he walked, it was as if he was swaying, like a free leaf being blown by the undying wind. His hair floated arithmetically from side to side as he gracefully slid over to him. He studied the unreadable expression on Kakashi's face.
"I wish that this was real..." Kakashi muttered, softly. Obito already knew, but Kakashi's veiled sadness was clearly evident, it confirmed Obito's belief and worry.
"Sorry, but this is merely a dream. Kakashi, you can't change the past. What happens is meant to be. Don't mourn over my death." He admitted, slowly. He searched for a reaction on Kakashi's masked face. Kakashi's eyes consisted visibly of sorrow and regret. He wished to reach and ease his heart, so that it would remove the suffocating weight it already forcefully carried.
He continued, trying to sound more eager.
"Do not blame yourself. It was my choice to save you and I do not regret doing that!" Obito said, cheerfully. He took a step closer. He released a calming aura that surprisingly and unexpectedly lightened Kakashi's troubled heart.
"You have to wake up now, Kakashi..." Obito whispered deeply, his bottomless eyes glowing in a inhumanly way. It must be because he is only a figure of Kakashi's deep mind. He was a ghost, residing within Kakashi's heart. Kakashi impulsively outstretched a hand.
"But there so many things I want to tell you." Kakashi admitted, disappointment residing in his voice. Obito simply smiled again, as if it were an unbreakable expression.
"I already know..." He said with a warm tone. Kakashi looked down, unable to react. Or to be more accurate, he did not know how.
'He knows?'
"There are many people who are waiting for you. They need you." He informed, clearly and sincerely. Sincerity and truthfulness were virtues and qualities that Obito possessed masterfully.
'Sakura, Naruto, Sasuke...' Kakashi gently closed his eyes, trying to calm himself. He looked up again, only to see the darkness and nothingness that mercilessly consumed him.
"Obito?" He called, sharply. There was no response. Obito had spread his given wings and flown away, like a true angel. Suddenly, he heard his comforting voice echo through the onyx air.
"I am always with you, Kakashi..." He said, softly. Kakashi's eyes thoughtlessly widened. He knew it. Obito was with him. He occupied a big place in his bruised heart. He was a part of him. Obito gave him strength and protection. His red eye sparkled, enhanced in the darkness.
Obito was like the wind underneath his scarred wings.
'Hmph, how ignorant I have been...'
He smiled weakly to himself.
"Thank you, Obito." He whispered. Suddenly, a soft and soothing light swallowed, drowning him sublimely. It created a harmonic feeling that swirled inside of him. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back.
He could hear something.
"Kakashi?" A soft voice said. The white light slowly faded away and when he opened his eyes, he noticed a blurry figure dominating his vision. It gradually became clearer.
He was awake. Obito had brought him back.
Back from the darkness...
"Kakashi?" The voice called again. He could hear the repetitive sound of the rain softly patting against the window. Reality sunk in like water and he peaked into a pair of familiar earthy eyes.
"Tsunade-sama?" He asked with a weak voice.
"Welcome back..." She whispered, gently stroking his silver coils of hair that concealed his forehead. He slowly scanned his surroundings. It was hospital room, for the walls were barren and grey. He had probably been operated on, for he felt the familiar feeling of bandages covering his deep wounds, cuddling his skin.
Then, his student's crossed his tired mind.
"Where are my students?" He asked, plainly.
'He has just regained consciousness and he is more concerned about his students.'
Tsunade smiled softly.
"They are in the waiting room. You have been unconscious for a few hours." She answered, humbly. Her smile disappeared and her gaze was stern.
"They arrived here with you, seriously injured. I operated on you immediately." She added, shifting her strong gaze to the door. Anticipation ran through her.
"Naruto was able to retain his red chakra, allowing him to summon Gamabunta." Tsunade said, pride dominating her voice. Kakashi smiled warmly.
"Naruto, huh?" He whispered, gratitude and pride flowing through him. He shifted his gaze to the window, staring at the sparkling rain that fell uproariously.
"Do you know what happened?" He asked with a deep tone. Tsunade closed her eyes and nodded. A feeling of hate circled inside her heart. Bitterness turned into mild rage. Knowing that he was alive, created complications which the village did not need.
"They told me... What worries me is his goal." She admitted. Her voice was distant and thoughtful.
"His goal was to obtain vengeance by killing us." Kakashi told her, seriously. Her eyes grew with alarm.
"He wished for vengeance because his plans of immortality and the perfect body were ruined?" She asked, her voice woven with soft shock. Kakashi nodded slowly.
"Was he after Sasuke?" She questioned further, allowing her self to calm down.
"I believe so, but his anger overtook his sanity. His only thought in the end was to kill us, especially Naruto." Kakashi informed her, cautiously. She did not react, for thoughts danced through her mind. He felt a familiar pain pierce his head. He shut his contrasting eyes and fingered his forehead distantly.
"Does it still hurt?" She asked, breaking out of her pensiveness.
"It's my head that hurts." Kakashi replied, unenthusiastically. However, a weak smile adorned his face, which lightened Tsunade's concern. She proceeded towards the door. Her wispy strands of golden hair hung loosely, gliding down her back. She turned her head, her brown eye sharp.
"I'll get your students. Later, I will have a meeting concerning Orochimaru's appearance. I have already sent out groups of ANBU to track him down." She informed, precisely.
"Any response?" He asked, softly. She shook her head and he unleashed a heavy sigh, before nodding affirmatively. She walked out of the door. Suddenly, he heard a boisterous voice.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto shouted happily as he noisily entered the room.
"Naruto…" Kakashi whispered, warmly. Naruto approached him bouncily. To Kakashi's surprise, Naruto placed his head on his chest and gently flung his arms over him.
"I'm so glad your okay." Naruto said, happily. Kakashi's heart jumped lightly as he ruffled Naruto's golden locks. Kakashi raised his eyes and noticed Sakura and Sasuke approaching, each one bearing wide smiles.
"We were so worried." Sakura said, truthfully. They seemed fine again. He anticipated that they had received treatment as well. Naruto retracted his loose grip and stared at Kakashi with appreciative eyes, excelling the sky and sparkle of the rain.
"I'm okay. Good job, Naruto." Kakashi praised, knowing that Naruto would understand. Naruto's remarkable and characteristic smile was painted with pride and gratitude.
"Are you all okay?" Kakashi asked. They nodded affirmatively.
"We are okay, thanks to you and Tsunade." Sakura said, happily.
"Yeah, thank you, Kakashi-sensei." Naruto added, energetically. He smiled warmly. Sasuke remained silent. His onyx eyes were distant, consisting of guilt. Kakashi slowly noticed this. Before he could say anything though, Tsunade entered the room. Kakashi suddenly realized that it was dark outside. The glowing orb in the sky spilled a mellow light. The drifting clouds concealed the painted stars like a protective cloak. The complaining moonbeams acted as a sword, valiantly fighting the clouds.
"Okay, I think you should get some rest." She said, loudly. Kakashi ruffled Naruto's hair again as he bid him a good night, Naruto waving happily. He eagerly left the room.
"Will you be okay, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura asked, gently.
"Yeah, don't worry." He whispered as he fingered a loose strand of pink hair that adorned her face. She smiled again, her emerald eyes shining like distant stars. She joined Naruto outside. Kakashi looked at his remaining student, who apparently seemed strangely distant. His ebony eyes were staring flatly at the floor.
"Sasuke." Kakashi said. Sasuke shot his head up, gasping slightly.
"What is it?" Kakashi asked. His face was painted with a hard glare. Sasuke lowered his head again, coils of raven hair sliding down his face.
"Was this my fault?" Sasuke asked, seriously. His eyes reflected the same glare Kakashi gave. He shook his head.
"Orochimaru's actions were executed by vengeance alone. It was not your fault." He said, raising his hand and placing it on his shoulder. Sasuke's sharp eyes softened considerably, radiating rare warmth. His dark orbs lacked the familiar coldness. Kakashi pondered over how much he had changed.
The boy silently turned around and joined his comrades outside. Kakashi could easily tell that he was thankful, knowing that Sasuke was not good at expressing his emotions. He could tell by the only window to his emotions, his eyes. He stared pensively at the sparkling rain, his only company for the night.
'It should be me thanking you. You are the reason why I am still breathing. Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Obito...'
Finished... Changing this has been very pleasing for me. I am really proud. Thank you all. Read my new story, "In The Sun." A true love story and triangle.