Chapter 16

Pain and Sorrow

The clouds were gray that day. Kotomi was standing in front of three graves that were right next to each other. Her sensei and teammates. She never thought she would see their names carved into stone. But the pain in her heart proved that what has happened happened.

Hearing footsteps walking her way, Kotomi turned towards the sound. "Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi stopped right next to her, looking at the graves she was in front of. He lowered his eyes, looking like he understood the pain all too well. "I'm sorry about this."

Kotomi lowered her eyes as well, shaking her head. It looked like she was trying to hold back tears. "I was too weak to protect them. You've trained me for two years, and yet... I couldn't use my full potential to protect my team. It feels like I failed you as a student. And it feels like I failed at being a ninja who can't even protect those who are dear to me..."

Kakashi had pain in his eyes. He completely understood how she was feeling right now. Being in her position before, experiencing such a similar thing.

Placing a hand on her head, Kakashi spoke up. "Don't blame yourself." He didn't want her to go through the same feeling of guilt he's been through for years. "You've done all you could."

Kotomi's eyes wavered. She knew that she had to become stronger emotionally. "Kakashi-sensei..." She was trying so hard to not cry, but she couldn't help it. A single tear rolled down her face. "Please continue letting me be your student. I want to get stronger. I want to be able to protect the ones I care about."

Kakashi saw the determination in her eyes, closing his eyes while nodding. "Of course. Just know that I'm still not going to go easy on you."

Kotomi nodded once. "I'm aware. I don't mind how challenging it will be. I want to become stronger no matter what."

"Then let's get started." Kakashi began to walk away. Kotomi took a good look at the graves one last time before following Kakashi to begin her training.

***

On one of the days where she was taking a break from training, Kotomi was walking around the village. She heard people whispering among themselves, it was nothing new though it still stung.

"There's that girl whose brothers became rogue ninja."

"I know. It's only a matter of time before she becomes an enemy to the leaf."

"I heard that recently her sensei and teammates died."

Even though Kotomi could hear them loud and clear, she ignored them, continuing to pass by. She wouldn't let her emotions surpass her. A lot of people still thought she would end up just like her brothers. But she swore that her path won't end up like that. She wanted to stay here, to be with her friends.

Turning a corner, Kotomi saw Konohamaru and his teammates walking together. They seemed to look a bit down. Curious, she walked over towards them. "Hey..."

Konohamaru turned towards her, his expression was gloomy. "Oh... Kotomi, how are you?"

In all honesty, the pain was still fresh in her heart. But she couldn't let it show. "I'm fine. But what happened to you? Why do you seem so down?"

Silence filled the air. It looked like it was hard for him to say, but he blurted it out. "It's Naruto-niichan. I heard that his teacher passed away recently. He was really upset when I saw him."

Kotomi grunted. The person that came to mind was Jiraiya. "No way... He's..?" Even if she wasn't close to him like Naruto was, she could feel the pain. "Where is Naruto?"

Konohamaru looked down, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't know." As soon as she said that, Kotomi disappeared from sight. She was determined to find Naruto. She didn't want him to be alone in this. The pain of losing someone was not for that individual to go through alone.

***

It was already night time, Kotomi was still searching for Naruto. She saw a person sitting on a bench underneath a light. She recognized that yellow hair anywhere.

Appearing near him, Kotomi started to walk towards him. His eyes looked hollow, lost in his own thoughts. "Naruto..."

Naruto turned towards her, not giving her his usual smile that he always does. Instead, he looked pained. "Oh... Kotomi-chan..."

Kotomi stood in front of him, looking at him with pain in her eyes. She understood how he was feeling. She felt her shoulders start to shake. "I'm... I'm sorry... About Jiraiya..."

Naruto didn't say anything at first. He looked down towards the ground. "I wanted him to keep watching over me... To see me become the hokage..."

Kotomi looked at him, looking like she was sharing the pain with him. It looked like he was ready to break down. Walking closer to him, she ended hugging him.

Naruto grunted at her sudden embrace, frozen on the spot. Kotomi tightened the embrace, closing her eyes. "I know that you're feeling so hurt right now... Losing the ones you care about so much... It's unbearable... I understand how you're feeling..." Her voice began to break. "But you shouldn't have to go through it alone... I'm here for you... Your friends are here for you, so... Please... Please for your sake... Don't think you have to go through this alone..."

Kotomi heard Naruto start to sob quietly. It made her start to sob as well. The two who recently lost those who were dear to them shed tears together.

***

Not before long, the destruction on Konoha occurred due to the Akatsuki. Specifically Pain. All of Konoha came crashing down before everyone's eyes. Pain and the Six Paths of Pain started invading the area.

During the time, both Konohamaru and Kotomi were fighting one of the Six Paths of Pain together. Kotomi had the sharingan in her eyes, trembling at the sight to see Konohamaru being held.

She was trying to find an opening where she could attack since the enemy would only encounter her attack. But she had to help Konohamaru somehow.

Seeing that Konohamaru disappeared from the enemy, she quickly figured out that he was using a shadow clone. "Kotomi!" She heard him shout her name.

Turning around, Kotomi saw two Konohamarus, seeing him use a jutsu that she saw Naruto use before. The rasengan. She wanted to help anyway she can.

Weaving hand signs, Kotomi had her hand facing downwards, a strong spark of lightning appearing in her hand. This was a jutsu that Kakashi was training her to use. He also taught it to her brother. Chidori.

Together, the two were running side by side with their jutsu in hand. At the same time, the two hit their enemy, defeating them once and for all.

Panting, they both saw that their enemy was down for the count. Looking at each other, they smiled proudly, feeling accomplished that they managed to take one out together.

Konohamaru pointed at the fallen enemy. "My name is Konohamaru Sarutobi! Remember that!"

"Uh... Konohamaru? He's dead." Kotomi commented.

He rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, slightly blushing. "I knew that..."

It wasn't the time to laugh. This was a serious matter. "We need to go around the village, and help anyone in need."

Konohamaru nodded. "Right. Naruto-niichan is counting on us! He's fighting for everyone's sake right now!"

"Let's move out." At the same time, both Kotomi and Konohamaru disappeared from sight.

It was a long, painful battle between Naruto and Pain. Many got hurt, many got severely injured. But no matter what, Naruto had to win this for the sake of the village. Everyone was counting on him.

***

It was the rainbow after the storm. Naruto defeated Pain, though that wasn't his real name. Seeing Naruto walking towards them, relief appeared on everyone's faces. They started to cheer him on.

Many of his friends and other villagers started throwing him up in the air, cheering for his victory. Kotomi and Konohamaru looked at one another smiling, rushing over to join in the celebration.

The village would be under construction for quite some time, but everyone in the village would contribute and rebuild the village as it once was. Together.

A/N: Jiraiya's death always gets me... Also from here on out, Kotomi is going to become stronger like she said. There will be more pain in her path, but she will overcome it like she always has.