The Black Leaf (Part 2)

Chapter 1: Back Home

Kakashi POV

Since I got out of the hospital, I haven't had any training time, so I headed to the big cliffs outside the village. I easily made my way to the top and sat there admiring the view. Izumi came to my mind, she always found the beauty on everything specially seating on top of a big cliff like this one.

She was alive, I still couldn't believe it. She had every right to feel betrayed and not wanting to come back to the Leaf. But the fact that she was with the Akatsuki, with him, made my stomach turn. I took a deep breath and jumped down the cliff, I was about to start walking back to the village when I felt a breeze behind me. I looked down and saw black feathers on the floor, I knew exactly who it was... Itachi Uchiha. I took a deep breath, I knew I couldn't take him down at my full potential, specially not now in my weak state. Regardless, I lifted my headband exposing my Sharingan and I turned around to face him. To my surprised he was carrying Izumi in his arms.

"What did you do to her?" I immediately asked, concerned. I took a step forward but remembered that I shouldn't make sudden movements, they were with the Akatsuki after all.

"I'm not here to fight," Itachi said looking at Izumi in his arms, "I want you to take her back to the village." I looked at him confused, "she is not a criminal, she shouldn't be branded as one. The Akatsuki will come after her, she let you live and she let Naruto escape. You need to protect her, Kakashi, the Leaf needs to protect her."

"What about you?" I asked him, "are you giving up on her already?"

He chuckled, "you think, I would be here, ready to hand you the love of my life, If I knew she would be safe with me," he looked down at Izumi with pained eyes. "I can't protect her, not anymore, and I am not going to leave her at the hands of the Akatsuki once I'm gone."

"What if she doesn't want to stay?" I asked remembering the time she said she would never come back to the place that betrayed her.

"I used my magenkyo on her, she will not remember the last two years of her life. She will not remember me or the Akatsuki," he said in sad tone. "Sadly, I couldn't erase the time she was kidnapped. But knowing her, she will eventually break the jutsu and get her memories back. That is why you need to convince her to stay, you need to make her feel comfortable and wanted back at the village. Don't let her go, don't let her down again, Kakashi, she has suffered enough."

"Once you are gone? where are you going?" I asked him, thinking of what he said earlier.

"Just know that I won't be a problem anymore," he said. Itachi rested his head on hers and kissed her forehead. He walked towards me and handed her to me. I took her and looked at him as he caressed her cheek one last time. "I leave her in your hands, Kakashi," he said with tears in his eyes. "I know you love her, maybe, as much as I love her," he said looking straight in my eyes, "so please, take care of her for me, protect her, love her."

He took a step back and disappeared right in front of me. I was stunned, mainly at his words, something was not right. Itachi was not a person to lie, he was giving Izumi up, but why? I  looked down at Izumi in my arms, "I promised I will protect you with my life," I said and headed back to the Leaf. I crossed the Village's gates and saw Hikku standing by the entrance talking to some Izumo and Kotetsu.

His eyes caught a glimpse of the woman in my arms, "damm Kakashi you went out to train and found a hot girl on the way?"

"Get out of my way Hikku," I said passing by him.

"What the hell?" I heard him shouted as he started chasing after me, "Kakashi that's... where did you find her? Is she okay? she's alive right?"

"Hikku go get lady Tsunade tell her to meet us at the Hospital, now!" I shouted and Hikku ran towards the Main building. Once in the Hospital, Shizune saw me walk in there with Izumi and she dropped everything she was doing and ran towards me.