15 Chapter 25: Loss

It was after class and everyone seemed to be exhausted after their training. I had been seeing Rukia with a sad face of late. She had just joined less than a week ago, so spotting her sitting on a bench. Noticing my chance I decided to confront her.

"Rukia"

She looked to me with surprise as I sat by her.

"Oh Kakashi-sensie, did you need something?"

"You seemed down, came to see what I can do" I answered

She looked down debating in her mind if to tell me or not. I'm a patient man, so waiting for her she sighed.

"I don't know where I fit in"

"What do you mean?"

"Back at the academy my Kido had top marks, but compared to the others in my squad I'm..."

"Doubt they got that way overnight"

"What?"

"Experience, they fought many foes to get their skills to a high level" I explained

"I see"

"But that should be the least of what you should be worried about"

"Why?"

"You're a Soul Reaper, so what is it you fight for?"

"I don't know, what do you fight for?"

"Many things, I fight to protect my students, my friends and I have a loyalty to the Soul Society" I answered

"So...what should I fight for?"

"That's up to you, just remember not to abandon your friends or you'll be the worst than your foes"

Rukia didn't understand, something I expected. Though she did see the value of thinking it over. Leaving Rukia with her thoughts, hoping she can find closure.

Kaien stood at the entrance, waiting for Rukia as they were in the same squad.

"She giving you trouble?" He asked

"No, just a bit of guidance"

"Well we better hurry, or we'll be late for patrol" Kaien said

Captain-Commander Office

Captain Yamamoto had requested my presence. As he showed me records, some got me curious and at which he was glad to explain.

"Captain, what is this file?" I asked pulling it out

The file read: Foundation, being contained in thick envelope.

"The Foundation, it was the first variation of the Stealth Corp it was headed by its first Captain Danzo Shimura"

"So the Shihoin Clan weren't the first?"

"No, they came much later as they were more suited before though? Captain Danzo ruled and operated with a ruthless and iron fist" he explained

"So who were the firts Captain? I rarely hear anything about them"

"They were some of the strongest warriors, some I was glad to serve by"

"Any of note?"

"A few, one was Captain Hiruzen Sarutobi he was a talented warrior as were those that came after" he explained

"Why is there is so little mentioned about them?"

"A Coup happened long ago, a few of the records were destroyed now the only way you can get info them is by asking me" he answered

"So why did you bring me here?"

"This" he said pulling out a scroll

It had a very distinct crest, and was large in size.

"This is a record of a clan from the first establishment of Seireitei, its name long forgotten"

"And you reason for bringing up?"

"You, those mention in here are a very rare type of warrior capable of causing great fear" he said opening it up

He had to unravel it quite a bit to get to what he was searching for.

"Contained in here is the compound of that clan, and the secrets it holds" he

"So why pull this out now?"

"You had me curious when you first displayed your effectiveness as a leader that was when I dug this out" he answered

"And you don't know the name of the clan?"

"I do, but I want you to find out who you are as Kakashi before going any further" he explained raveling it back up

Now I was curious more than ever, but could it lead me astray?

"Vice-captain Hatake!"

A messenger had found us with urgency.

"Yes, what is it?"

"A hollow has made its way into the Seireitei"

"What? How?"

"Uncertain, but its killing many of our men"

"Okay, I'm on my way tell them to locate it and not to make contact" I ordered

"Yes sir!"

Vanishing I excused myself from the Captain-Commanders office.

"He is just like you Sakumo" Captain-Commander Yamamoto spoke to himself

Seireitei Forests

Making it to the entrance of the forests a large unit of men stood watch.

"Vice-captain Hatake"

"What's the situation?"

"We cornered it, but a few went in to keep it in range"

"Who?"

"Vice-captain Kaien, and his Third Seat Rukia lead the charge"

I straighten myself after hearing their names.

"I'm going in, stay here and don't let anything out unless you're sure its us" I ordered

"Yes sir!"

Entering I begin to track Kaien and Rukias energy. Seeing they were deep within the forest. Rushing seeing bodies scattered across the trail. Blood puddles as it soaked my shoes and the bottom of my pants. Darkness limited my eye sight.

"Roar!"

The familiar shriek of a Hollow echoed. I hurried my speed til seeing Rukia who was running towards me.

"Rukia!"

She stopped wide eyed, and soaked in blood. Fear evident in her eyes breathing heavily.

"Kakashi-sensie" she huffed out in exhaustion

"What happened"

"Kaien" she said shakily

"What happened?"

"Kaien...he's"

"Hahaha! Found you!"

Looking up I saw something I hadn't expected or...hoped. My student had seemed to be possessed by this particularly rare Hollow. Kaiens skin green, orange marks around his eyes. His blade unsheathed, ready to fight those that came.

"He's...possessed by a hollow" Rukia answered shakily

It chuckled using my students body as if it was a puppet. Charging going for a strike, I blocked it with my own blade.

"How does it feel? Striking your own?"

I glared its mockery of the situation.

"When I'm done here, I'll devour each and every Soul in sight! Hahaha!"

I pushed it off my getting some space, it attempting to keep up. Growling when it tried to strike me. I would have my attempt to strike, but hesitated.

"What's wrong!? Don't have the guts to strike me down!"

Glaring again, tightening the hold of my hilt. I had no choice I would have to kill Kaien.

"Argh!"

He charged striking hard and swift my own training used against me. He was looking for a weak point, parrying a strike I quickly slashed his shoulder.

"Argh! What's wrong with you!? Don't you care about this Soul Reaper!?"

"Of course, that's why...I must kill you" I said aiming my blade at him

I gritted its teeth and charged, swinging fast and hard as I parried and blocked. I struck the right forearm, left thigh, and his other shoulder. Using the blade as a crutch it began to feel winded.

"No...No...No! No! No! No!"

It charged its blade high as it ran I knew it had to end here. Sheathing my blade I began to collect spiritual energy into my hand. A blue spark appeared to from the Chidori.

"Argh!"

As it was about to slash down, my palm went through his chest. Blood flew out his body, and ran down to the grass painting it red. The Hollow had disappeared, leaving only Kaien.

"Kakashi..." He spoke quietly

I didn't say anything, as his arm wrapped around my shoulder. My young student coughed up blood. I held him as my arm was still through his chest.

"Thank...you" he said as his arm went limp as did he

Kaien had died, pulling my hand out he fell into my arms. I lay him gently on the ground. Looking down at the young man, remembering the first time I had met him, and the first class he came to. I had failed my student.

Rukia came to my side as she had just saw her teacher kill one of his students.

"Kakashi..."

Staying still trying to comprehend what had happened. Till I was brought out by the rain.

"We need to get him back"

Bringing him onto my shoulders I carried the body of Kaien Shiba. As we walked through the rain, it was dead silent. Not a word spoken or a cough heard. Getting to the entrance we saw the crowd of Soul Reapers.

"It's me, Vice-captain Hatake"

"Vice-captain! Is? Is that Vice-captain Shiba?"

"Yes, notify Captain Utitake at once of his loss"

"And you?"

"I'm, I'm going home to rest"

Home

Taking off my blood soaked uniform, I took a look at myself. There it was the eternal Mangekyou Sharingan.

AN: Sorry if it's not as good, I kinda got lazy my apologies.