Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Chapter 9:
Funeral
I woke up the next morning and got dressed in my black funeral outfit. I opened my room door and walked to the stairs. I stopped when I realized Jemima was coming out of her room wearing black too.
“You’re going too? Like last time?” I asked.
She opened her mouth to say something then hesitated, “A ...a-huh,” she said avoiding eye contact with me.
It was a little strange, but it would be rude to be late.
“Well we’d better get going, don’t want to be late,” I said beginning to descend down the stairs.
We left the house and got to the front of the academy. Most of the other ninja were assembling in their black above on the roof. Just like at the 3rd’s funeral.
But Flare sensei, Isai, Hina, Eddie, Kurt, and Misto were waiting for me. Jem and I walked up to them and I asked,
“Hey guys, who died? I tried asking yesterday, but no one would tell me,” I said sounding a little embarrassed.
They all looked away or down. Hina looked back up at my now confused face then grabbed sensei’s arm lightly.
“We have to tell her, sensei,” Hina said.
Flare glanced at Hina then sighed.
“Who’s funeral is it?” I asked again this time a little frightened.
“It’s...” he stopped to sigh once more. “Kakashi’s,” Flare said.
I couldn’t speak, it felt like someone had just stabbed me in the chest. I stood waiting to wake up from a nightmare.
“A messenger was sent to the village yesterday saying that it was reported that he died. Anbu went to check, and it was confirmed. They’re bringing his body back tomorrow,” Flare explained.
“I’m sorry, sis,” Misto said sadly.
My voice cracked, and I stuttered for a while before being able to sputter something out, “O... o-oh. S-so t-that’s ...that’s why no one..talked...”
“Come on, guys it’s starting,” Asuma said as he and his team walked up to the academy.
Hina took my hand and guided me up the stairs as Flare sensei, Isai, Kurt, and Eddie followed. Misto and Jemima stayed below as they did for the third’s funeral. Only shinobi were allowed to attend the actual funeral.
I stood by my team and Kurt and Eddie as someone began speaking.
“Today we are here to honor a great shinobi. One who sacrificed himself to protect this village, and will be remembered always for doing so.” I began bitting my lip to try to not cry. It’s a rule that we’re not supposed to, no matter what. “Kakashi Hatake was a great ninja, known for being one of the strongest there is. He died a valiant death. His name will be engraved with that of his comrades on the memorial stone, along with all the others who have died protecting this village.”
“Zelda,” Flare sensei said putting his hand on my shoulder as everyone began grabbing flowers. “You don’t have to hold back. You can cry. Everyone knows what he meant to you. No one’s going to hold it against you,” he said.
My eyes welled up with tears and overflowed with tears. I picked up a flower and walked forward and placed it in front of Kakashi sensei’s picture.
“Goodbye, Kakashi sensei. I love you,” I said softly to it.
My friends walked with me across the roof and toward the stairs. Suddenly someone said softly, “Zelda.”
I turned and saw Izumo and Kotetsu standing behind me. Kotetsu hand his hand out a little as if he were going to reach out to me. He had a guilty expression. Izumo looked sad too.
More tears slipped from my eyes as I turned and kept walking back to the stairs.
Once at home, I was washing dishes after dinner. Hina and Kurt had stayed for the meal. They sat quietly on the couch with Jemima.
Suddenly I threw one of the plates and dropped to my knees and screamed.
“Zelda!!” they quickly rushed over to me.
“Why?!” I screamed tears running down once more.
Kurt put his arms around me, but said nothing. There was nothing to say. Kakashi sensei was dead, that was it. Nothing would make me feel better about it.

♪I cried
Never gonna hold the hand of another guyToo young for him they told her
Waitin' for the love of a travelin' soldier
Our love will never end
Waitin' for the soldier to come back again
Never more to be alone when the letter said
A soldier's coming home♪