Chapter 6
Chapter 6: Chasing Me, Chasing You
My eyes caught Sasuke somewhere above the treeline of the set, watching intently, his dark gaze piercing through the chaos of the production. He leaned casually against a sturdy branch, an image of cool detachment, yet I felt the weight of his scrutiny like a spotlight on my back. On the other side, I could see Sakura practically drooling over the latest scenes being filmed. Urgh, for a young adult, she had the enthusiasm of a five-year-old, and it was starting to grate on my nerves.
Kakashi stood right next to me, his presence both a comfort and a distraction. He observed me with those expressive eyes that hinted at concern and curiosity, the mask obscuring the rest of his face doing little to hide his intent. I could feel the tension radiating off him, a reminder that he was still my protector, even during my artistic chaos.
“Focus, Hana,” I whispered to myself, shaking off the unsettling feeling of being watched. I turned my attention back to the set, determined to lose myself in the world I was creating, but the weight of their gazes lingered like a persistent shadow.
“Alright, everyone!” I called out, rallying my crew. “Let’s get into position for the next scene. We need to capture the essence of desperation and hope in this moment!” I glanced at the actors, who nodded, ready to dive into their roles.
As the crew began to arrange the props, I heard whispers ripple through the group: “I heard the Fourth Hokage and his wife have returned!”
I stifled my movements, my heart dropping. How? My parents had died during the Kyuubi attack. The mere mention of them sent a surge of rage through my veins. My breaths quickened, and I could feel the familiar presence of the Nine-Tails stirring within me. “They ran off to take a ‘break,’” it said, a sarcastic tone lacing its voice that only I could hear.
I swallowed my simmering anger, trying to maintain my composure. I had worked too hard to build a life away from the chaos of my past. The idea that my parents could somehow be alive, after everything I had been through, was almost unbearable. I had spent years grappling with their absence, with the grief that had shaped my childhood and motivated my transformation into Hana Kagame.
“Cut!” I shouted, forcing the words out with a fierceness that caught everyone off guard. I could see the concern on Kakashi's face, and Sasuke's posture shifted as if he could sense my internal struggle. “Let’s take a break!” I added, trying to sound casual, but my heart was racing.
As the crew began to disperse, I stepped away from the set, needing space to collect my thoughts. I wandered deeper into the woods, seeking solace among the trees. I needed to clear my head, to remind myself of the life I had chosen and the dreams I was pursuing.
With each step, I replayed the conversation I’d overheard. The Fourth Hokage and his wife. Was it possible? Did they truly return? Or was it some sick joke meant to unsettle me? I clenched my fists, feeling the tension coil within me like a spring ready to snap.
“Get a grip,” I muttered to myself, pacing in circles. “You’re not that little boy anymore. You’re not Naruto. You’re Hana, and you have a film to finish.”
But deep down, the truth clawed at me, demanding attention. I was still that boy, still tethered to a past I couldn’t escape. My heart ached with longing—longing for a family I had never known, for parents who had been stolen from me, and for answers I might never receive.
Suddenly, a voice pulled me from my thoughts. “Hana?” It was Kakashi, his presence grounding amidst my turmoil. He had followed me, of course. “You alright?”
I turned to face him, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. “Yeah, just… taking a moment to breathe. The set gets chaotic sometimes.”
Kakashi studied me, his brow furrowing slightly. “You started acting strange as soon as you heard about the Hokage. Do you know him?”
My heart raced, the walls I’d built around my past threatening to crumble. How the frick would I know about some stupid shinobi? I know jack shit about ninja stuff, I thought, battling the urge to snap at him. “I… I don’t know,” I said, keeping my voice steady, though it felt like a lie slipping through my lips. “It’s just, uh, a lot of pressure. Filmmaking, you know?”
Kakashi’s gaze narrowed slightly, and I could see him processing my words. “It didn’t seem like just pressure,” he replied, his tone probing. “Something else is bothering you. You can talk to me if you want.”
I shifted uncomfortably, trying to maintain my composure. He was too perceptive for his good, and I needed to maintain the illusion of my new identity. “I’m fine, really,” I insisted, my voice a little too sharp. “I just need some space.”
Kakashi didn’t move, still watching me with that unnerving intensity. I could feel his curiosity burning, but I didn’t want to delve into a conversation that could expose the truth of who I was. “Look, I appreciate your concern, but I’ve got this under control. Just let me focus on the film, okay?”
For a moment, I thought he might push further, but he simply nodded, though his expression suggested he was not convinced. “Alright, but remember, I’m here if you need help. Filmmaking can be tough, but you don’t have to face it alone.”
With that, he stepped back, leaving me with a swirl of conflicting emotions. As he walked away, I felt the weight of his gaze linger on my back, a constant reminder that he was always watching, always probing for something deeper.
I took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill my lungs. I was grateful for the distance, but the moment of solitude was fleeting. I couldn’t shake the feeling that Kakashi was slowly piecing together the truth behind my façade. And if he discovered who I was, everything I had fought for would come crashing down.
“Just stay focused, Hana,” I whispered to myself again, mentally shaking off the encroaching dread. “You have a film to finish, and you will not let anyone derail you. Not now, not ever.”
But as I returned to the set, I couldn’t ignore the gnawing suspicion that Kakashi wouldn’t stop his investigation. I could feel it in my bones—he would chase me until he discovered the truth. And the thought sent a chill down my spine. The more he probed, the closer he would get to the boy I had tried so hard to leave behind.