Nightmare

AN: Fourth installment, this time when you see * it's swapping between Kakashi and Kaede. It's pretty obvious but meh you know some poeple still get it mixed up which is understandable. Anyway read, review and enjoy hopefully. Don't worry the torture of these two is almost over I swear.....possibly....80% sure.

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CHAPTER FOUR - BROKEN HEART, BROKEN HOPE

Rain.

It was icy cold and left freezing trails across Kakashi's flesh as it ran down his face and neck. He felt exposed and looked down at the light material hospital clothes he was wearing of a pale color, just simple long pants and a long sleeved shirt that tied open at the back which allowed the icy claw feeling creep down his spine as well. As cold as it was, Kakashi didn't feel it as he stared up at the light grey stone of the memorial, marked with the harsh lines of hundreds of thousands of names. They were the names of ninja who had fallen in battle to protect their families and their village, people he had known, perhaps even been friends with. The Jounin knew far too many of those names, but that didn't matter... not right now.

Something was wrong.

Something wasn't right.

He slowly moved closer to the stone, wondering if he would see his own name carved into the familiar surface again. Kakashi stared at the stone, the names all a single blurr as if the rain itself was trying to hide what Kakashi feared to see from him.

A soft splash sounded behind him as a shorter figure stepped up just besides his shoulder. Though he couldn't seem to turn his head to see who it was, he didn't need to. Kakashi knew it was Sasuke. "It's all your fault, you know. If you had just died, then none of this would have happened, but I'm glad you're alive. Do you know why?"

The Jounin didn't answer. He didn't need to, but that feeling of something terrible had happened refused to leave him and he couldn't draw his attention from the blurred names. It was almost as if he was searching for something; Something he didn't want to see.

Sasuke spoke again, grim amusement clear in his voice. "I'm glad you're alive, because now I can watch as I break you." He could feel Sasuke's warm breath near his shoulder and ear. "Because it's your fault that she died." One name suddenly became very painfully clear and Kakashi tensed. He couldn't breath or move. He couldn't react as his entire being was overcome with fear, with pain, with such intense emotions that he couldn't stop or control. That name... it couldn't be there. It shouldn't be there. "Iie........Anyone but her......." The name was so clear as it stood out, mocking him, threatening him from the rest of the blurred names.

HATAKE KAEDE.

*

The two light-haired ninja glared at one another, neither of their stares wavering. Kaede moved deeper in to her stance, the color of her eyes hardening even more. "You won't be coming any closer. Got it?" Kabuto's smug smile only got wider at the girl's words and he pushed his glasses up once more. Hie eyes gleamed as he watched her, completely entertained by the young girl. The light reflected dangerously off his glasses as he spoke. "I'll take that as an invitation. Let's see if you can live by what you say."

The Sound-nin pulled out a blade and rushed at the girl. Both Tsunade and Iruka tensed, but remained where they were. That sparkle in Kaede's eyes told them to hold off for now. She was going to protect her father. This was her battle and she intended to take care of Kabuto alone. She stepped forward and preformed a short string of seals and crossed her arms defensively in front of her. Kabuto swung and a sharp yet dull noise pierced the air. Kaede pushed against the blade, a thin, blue layer of her Chakra Shield emitting around her arms, keeping the blade from going any further.

However, Kabuto pushed the little girl back, a low growl produced from his throat. Kaede gritted her teeth as she pushed back, causing the sound of the conflict between the chakra and metal blade to intensify. "I don't go back on my word... You won't get through... I won't let you!" With that came a burst of energy and Kaede pushed against his force harder before using the shield to knock him backwards, causing him to stumble backwards a few steps. Kaede rushed after him and jumped, swing her foot around, aiming for his neck. He caught it just before she made contact and pulled back, whipping her around slightly. He dangled her in front of him and slashed at the air with his blade, going for the girl's head. She pulled upwards as quickly as possible, the blade missing only by a little. Kabuto grunted as he swung her, throwing her at the doorway.

*

Slowly, his legs gave out and he sunk down onto the mud. Kakashi listened to the cold laugh that escaped Sasuke, his mind at a complete blank. This wasn't real; it couldn't be real... He had saved Kaede... He knew he had... He could still feel where Kusanagi had pierced his body both times, where the other's Chidori had cut along his shoulder. Muscles had torn, had burned. It lingered in the back of his mind almost like a faded memory, but he remembered it and he knew it was real. There had been blood... So much blood... But it had been all his, not hers.

"You're a liar, Sasuke."

That laughter stopped abruptly and a hand hit him in the back of the head before fingers twisted into his wild hair, tightening until the point of pain. Sasuke pulled his former teacher's head back with an annoyed and rather vicious snarl so he was staring up at Sharigan red eyes. It was Sasuke's turn to be surprised though. There was no emotion, at least no readable emotion, anywhere on his teacher's face or in his dual colored eyes. Instead, he was staring at am emotionless Anbu, Kakashi wearing the mask he hed learned to and had honed since he was a child, since Obito's death.

Since he lost everything and before he had gained his daughter.

Glaring, Sasuke shoved the Jounin towards the ground, making a errie odd chuckle escape Kakashi. "What's wrong? Didn't see what you were hoping to see? Did you expect me to cry? To wail? To beg it to not be true?" Turning his head to look up at the teenager, the Copycat smirked in a unfamiliar way. "You're pathetic."

Sasuke was furious. He could tell by the emotions that flickered through those red and black eyes and the way the boy's body trembled. Balling his hands into fists ,the youngest Uchiha swung his fist down, punching Kakashi across the face before doing it again and again. He didn't stop until that anger seemed to subside. He kept his fist raised for a moment before lowering it and grabbing Kakashi by his hair again. "We'll see who'd pathetic after I tear that little bitch's heart out, won't we now?" He released Kakashi and the Jounin slowly rose his head as Sasuke started to walk away from him, heading for the tree line, calling out in a mocking singsong voice. "Oh Kaede-chan! Come out and play! Show daddy dearest how your going to die like dog!"

*

Tsunade caught the little girl and looked down at her worriedly. Kaede said nothing as she continued to glare at the pale-haired boy. He merely smirked at her as he turned, placing a hand on his hip. Kaede moved up to her feet as Kabuto started to taunt her. "Is that all you have to give? You're never going to stop me that way..." He shook his head disappointedly, though that mocking grin still remained. Kaede's glare at him deepened. "Don't underestimate me..." she breathed, her words deep and cold. "Don't take me as a push-over... I will stop you."

Kabuto titled his head, again egging on the young Hatake on. "Really, huh? Well, are we doing a poor job. You're over there... And I... Well..." His eyes shifted darkly over to her father, eyeing the unconcious ninja. He took a step backwards, causing Kaede to lunge slightly. He played around with her some more before going at Kakashi fully, causing the girl to leapt into full action.

"Iie!"

*

"Iie!" Kakashi dragged himself to his feet as Sasuke disappeared into the trees and from the elder ninja's sight. Not even the Sharigan in his left eye could see any further then the tree line, but he knew he couldn't stay where he was. Kaede needed him and he had to protect her, like he had before. Stumbling in the mud Kakashi, slipped a little before managing to reach the trees and he ran like a startled deer. The Copycat had no idea where he was heading, but somehow he knew it was the right way. He just hoped he would be in time, that he would be able to stop Sasuke again.

He had to... If he lost Kaede........

If she died because he couldn't protect her.......

It would kill him.

Branches scratched at the Jounin's form as he ran, forcing himself to ignore them as they tore at his exposed flesh, scratching his cheek and cutting across the back of his hand. It stung, but that pain would be nothing if he didn't reach Kaede in time. He felt a pain growing in his chest, almost like his heart was about to rupture, as if there was a blade buried deep inside his chest, cutting through him. It was as if Kasanagi was impaling his lung again, cutting him, trying to kill him.

It made him dizzy, but he wouldn't stop. He couldn't... Not until he found her.....Not until he made sure she was safe.

Everything suddenly went silent and Kakashi slowed to a jog before stopping completely, his eyes widening. The silence was errie, as if the entire world was waiting for a single familiar noise. A noise Kakashi knew well, but right now, feared to hear. When it came, his heart felt like it had lept into his throat and was choking him; the screech of birds... Not one or two, but hundreds.........A thousand. He did the only thing he could. Kakashi ran as fast as his body would allow him, heading for that noise. After a moment, as the trees started to thin, the screech changed just slightly, but enough for the Jounin to know, though it made him sick to think it, that he was too late. The screech sounded muffled... It sounded, for a word.......

Wet.

*

Things seemed to happen so fast, yet so slow. It was all over in a second and drops of blood fell to the floor. Kabuto dug his blade deeper into the soft skin, feeling it cut through muscle and other tissue. Kaede looked up at him, pushing her arm into his blade, forcing him back slightly. Kabuto scowled down at her, angry that she was able to get in his way. Kaede continued to force him back, feeling the warm blood trickle down her arm, listening to it drip onto the tiled floor. The blade was forced deeper into her arm, but right now, the little girl could've cared less.

After a minute or two, Kabuto pulled his blade away and stepped back a bit. The two exchanged glares once again, another silence filling the tense room. Kaede's arm continued to drip, the red liquid pooling on the ground, reflecting the light. Kaede eyed it slightly, knowing this was nothing... Nothing compared to what her dad had felt... Thinking that, everything flashed in her head again, making the little girl burst forward at her foe. She ran at him, causing the two to engage into a close-combat duel. The young Hatake gave it her all and Kabuto actually found her somewhat difficult to handle.

Her attacks were relentless and merciless, but well planned. It was hard to read her movements... It was amazing on how she could focus like this with the state of her body and mind as of now. However, she was starting to get sloppy. As Kaede charged at him again, Kabuto found an opening and kicked the girl backwards.

*

Kakashi stumbled into the clearing, the same one that he had dove headfirst into the first time to save Kaede's life, the same one where he had almost lost his own, the same one where Sasuke was now. Sasuke had one hand firmly around the girl's delicate, slender throat, holding tight enough to prevent her from making any noise, even if she had been able to. His other hand.......

The Jounin shook his head as tears burned his eyes and he basically collapsed as he took in the sight before him.

Sasuke's other hand was buried deep in Kaede's chest, the still living sparks of Chidori scratching wildly around the teenager's fingers and palm that had been forced through the girl's body, impaling her on the limb. A cruel smile crossed Sasuke's blood splattered face, the power of Chidori finally starting to fade allowing, Kakashi to hear the sound of his daughter's blood pouring from the open wound torn down her small body to create a puddle on the ground below her. That grin never faded from Sasuke's face as Kakashi heaved. He wanted to be sick, but there was nothing to bring up and dry heaving quickly made his throat burn as tears crawled down the sides of his face.

He couldn't stop them nor did he want to. His heart broke and he suddenly felt so weak. The grief was too much, but he couldn't stop that thick splattering sound from filling his mind.

Wetly, Sasuke pulled his arm from the dead girl's body, letting her small form dangle from the hold he still had on her neck. "I told you I'd destroy you." Sasuke threw Kaede's body towards Kakashi, watching as the older ninja shuddered at the sound of her body hitting the ground with a firm thud and rolling once, then twice to come to a stop a few feet from where he was doubled over.

*

Kaede was blown back into the wall, hitting it with a dull, blunt thud, sliding down it slightly, blood smearing down the white surface. Her head hung low as she caught her breath. She shook it off as she moved back to her feet, listening to Kabuto chuckle. "Well, I have to admit, you have made this fun..." His tone changed drastically. "But this had gone on long enough. I'm tired of playing your games." His smrik returned as he watched her, her body tired and weak. "You tried, but now, you're just going to fail."

That last part echoed in her head, causing her eyes to narrow. She placed a hand on the wall and used it as a support as she pushed herself up. "No... I haven't failed yet...." she said softly. "And I won't... Nothing you say or do will stop me.... from protecting him...." Kaede coughed lightly as she paused. "He's not going to die.... I won't let him.... I won't let him die...." She watched Kabuto's feet, which only shifted slightly. A soft smile crossed her face for some reason. Maybe it did because how she talked now reminded her of her father. She was sure and probably never would be. It faded though as she looked up at Kabuto, raising her head slowly.

*

Raising his head slowly, Kakashi sobbed painfully, a broken sound escaping his throat when he found himself staring into once bright, emerald green eyes, eyes he had quickly grown used to awakening to. Now, they stared unfocused and lifeless at him. Her paling lips were slightly parted, as if she had tried to whisper out something before Sasuke tore her life from her, something that would forever be her secret now.

Somehow, he managed to suck in a painful breath and find the strength to drag his too-heavy body to his daughter. Kakashi shook as he rose a hand, running it gently across her brow, brushing that stubborn hair of hers back from her face. Predictably, it fell back into place. He cried and he broke, just how Sasuke wanted, only stronger, the pain cutting deeper then any sword could. This pain killed him in a way that no weapon could, while keeping him alive. At the same time, it tore him apart inside and out. There was just no stopping it.

Kakashi buried his head into the crook of Kaede's neck, his arms sliding around the girl's tiny form. She was starting to feel cold now... She always hated being cold. "Now who's pathetic, Hatake Kakashi? Such a proud ninja, aren't you, yet you can't even save your own daughter."

Sasuke stared hatefully at the two ninja, that anger building again. Even though she was dead, Kakashi still held Kaede like only a father could, careless of the blood or mud soaking into his clothes, careless that Sasuke was still there and still a threat to the elder male's life. "I swore to take everything precious from you. I have... And now what? You don't have anything to say? Attack me!" Kakashi didn't move from his position. He couldn't take this grief. Oddly though, there was no anger, there was no place for it the pain he was feeling... The loss... It took up every part of him, leaving no space for anything else.

Except........

"I pity you, Sasuke."

Sharigan eyes widened in surprise at Kakashi's words. Slowly, Kakashi rose his head, turning to look at the Uchiha. Though tears and blood marked his face, pain, grief and sorrow were so easy to read on his features, yet those dual eyes remained calm, clear and emotionless. "What did you say?" The Copycat turned to look down at Kaede's face, another painful sob escaping the ninja as he gently closed her open eyes and pressed a fatherly kiss to her forehead. Finally, releasing his hold on his daughter, Kakashi forced himself to stand and step away from the girl's form.

"I said, I pity you."

Surprised eyes narrowed into dangerous slits and Sasuke ground his teeth. "How dare you. If anyone needs pity, it's you. I've......" Before Sasuke could continue speaking, Kakashi cut him off, still speaking in his usual, calm manner. "You took the one person most precious from me, you've broken me how you wanted to and now, you'll proberly kill me, but it doesn't matter, because without her, I don't want to live. Death will be a welcome. I pity you because you've had to sink so low and in the end, you will have achieved nothing and be remembered as nothing more then a deserter... a traitor... Nothing more than that." Kakashi sighed sadly and rose his head so the two men were staring at one another before he added one last thing. "So, when you're ready, kill me."

*

"If you want to kill him.... You'll have to kill me first.... So... when you're ready... kill me..." The Sound nin didn't listen to her. Kabuto again went for Kakashi and Kaede again moved as fast as her body would allow, moving again in front boy. She then went at him head-on, headbutting him in the stomach. The blow caused him to reel back once again as Kaede fell back into her stance in front of her father's bed. He looked up at her, his anger growing. He hadn't expected her to actually have this much fight in her, but then again... He should've expected nothing less from the daughter of Hatake Kakashi...

However, he smirked once again. "Fine... If you want to die so badly.... I'll gladly grant your wish!" He went at her now and she remained still... Iruka stepped forward defensively but Tsunade cut him off, shaking her head. He looked at her, wondering what she was doing. "Dont..." the older woman said. The brown-haired ninja noticed that deep worry in the Hokage's eyes. He went to say something, but she continued. "This is her fight.... She told us not to intervene." Iruka again went to argue, but for some reason, he knew she was right. It was a strange way of thinking, but in a way, they both understood it.

They again turned to watch the two as they were locked once again into hand-to-hand combat. This time, Kaede's moves were slower, but now more skilled and thought-out than ever. In a way, she moved less like a Genin and more like a Chuunin... Or maybe like a Jounin... Her movements were graceful, masterful, flawless... Kabuto hardly got a hit in, much less seemed to do much damage to the little girl. Tsunade nor Iruke doubted her, but now it definitely showed that she was serious. Kabuto noticed it, too, and now, took it as a problem. He had seen the girl as a mere push-over, but... The girl was much more than that.... Yes... Much, much more than some mere child.. Some mere Genin...

The Sound-nin moved to end this. He couldn't waste any more time battle her, especially with her skill level at the moment. As he rebounded after being blown back, he dove at her once more, his blade poise on spilling more of her blood. Kaede noticed that need to end it and at the last moment, kicked him away. He was blown back yet again, but this time, Kaede grasped his ankle, using the last of her strenght to swing him around, tossing him towards the two other ninja. They stepped aside and let Kabuto fly outside the room, hitting the wall on the other side of the hall, breaking through the neighboring room. Kaede watched as he burst into the darker room across the hall before sliding down weakly to the floor, her arm still dripping blood.

Now... everything was quiet. The room was now filled with good, plain.......

*

Silence.

Was it possible for silence to be deafening? Kakashi had no idea nor did he care for the answer. For a moment, he had knocked Sasuke's mind off its tracks. There was nothing the boy could do to him that would rate higher then the loss of the Jounin's daughter. It looked for a moment as if the youngest Uchiha wasn't going to do as Kakashi suspected and the Copycat smirked. "You're such a child."

That was all the push he needed to give as Sasuke pulled Kasanagi from its sheath and rushed his former sensei. The silver haired ninja smiled gently as the sharp blade caught the light and swung up cutting through the length of his torso and shoulder. A wet sound escaped Kakashi's throat before he collapsed to his knees, then to the ground. He felt how he had when Sasuke ran him through, how he had as Kaede cried and fussed over him. He could still hear her gentle prayers for him to be alright... for it to all be a bad dream...

For him to wake up.

As his dual eyes slowly started to close in death, a soft smirk crossed Kakashi's face. He could......

Wake up......

Finally.....

[stay tuned for chapter 5: *name pending*]