-----recap-----
And the following day Team 7 made there way back to Konoha the way back was still covered in a dark cloud with what they had to do, but it only brought the team closer together as a Team and they managed it there first mission out of Konoha and everything considered they could call themself proud, not over there action's but that they still managed to bring prosperity to another Village. They left behind the Twin Souls Bridge stood strong—a reminder that even in a world of Shinobi, humanity still mattered.
-----Story-----
The way back to Konoha was quite, once back in the Land of Fire there was no ominous Fog that hide thing's, there was only the deep green Forrest the land was known for. There was the usual complain from Naruto that his leg's were hurting from Walking, the usual talk between Sasuke and Sakura, well more like Sakura trying to talk to Sasuke and the later ignoring her, or is he, Akane did see him take small glances at the Pink haired girl.
And finally after some time they reached Konoha, at the Entrance Izumo and Kotetzu waved and let them trough. "Hey Kakashi! welcome back Kid's!" they called to them as they came near. Akane grinned. "Were back!" she calls in return and they passed the guards.
Naruto let out a breath once they were in Konoha. "Man, it sure feel's wearied being back here, acting like nothing happened" Sakura nod's her head. "Sure does..." Sasuke nodded grimly. Akane and Kakashi shared a look and shrugged there shoulders. "Get going Team, we got to report to Hokage-sama" command's Kakashi.
Kakashi lead the group through Konoha, to the Hokage tower, they climbed the long staircase and entered the Hokage's office. There the old man sat waiting, pipe in hand, gaze calculating. "Welcome back," he said calmly. "Report." Kakashi stepped before his Team, his back straight as he reported. "Mission objective: protect Tazuna, bridge builder of the Land of Waves," he began. "The mission escalated from C-rank to at least A-rank due to interference by missing-nin Zabuza Momochi"
The Hokage's posture straightened and he put his pipe down on the ash tray. "Continue" and Kakashi did. He reported the fight with Zabuza how he got away, training his team to learn walking on tree's, how they found the bridge a week later, the fight and the interruption of Gato, how he and his man killed Haku, how Zabuza killed Gato before he himself died from the wound's caused by Kakashi. The Hokage's face darkened. "Casualties?" the Hokage asked.
"Zabuza Momochi and Haku," Kakashi answered. "Both deceased." Akane felt her chest tighten again and if you looked at her team, there fist were balled and dark expression covered there faces, eyes hardened. "They protected the villagers in the end," Kakashi added. "The bridge was completed. Gato's influence in the Land of Waves is gone."
"…I see." spoke the Hokage after a moment, he glanced over at the Genin. "You were pushed far beyond your limits," he said. "And yet you stood your ground" he folded his hand's. Naruto straightens his back, Sakura relaxed just slightly, Sasuke clenched his fist harder and Akane frown deepened into a scowl. "Your actions saved a country," the Hokage continued. "That will not be forgotten" He turned his gaze to Kakashi. "This mission is officially reclassified, Compensation will be adjusted accordingly"
Then he smiled faintly. "For now, go home and Rest, Tomorrow is yours to shape." Kakashi inclined his head. "Yes, Hokage-sama" The Hokage then gestured to his door, dismissing the Team and returning to his Paperwork.
The Team split up as soon as they were out the Hokage office, Naruto the first one to disappear with a loud. "Goodnight guy's!" Sasuke disappeared silently like he was never there and Sakura rushed of. "Night!"
Only Akane and Kakashi were left to walk the streets of Konoha, due to it already being late the streets were dark and almost no one was around anymore. the only light eliminating the street were some dim lantern's.
Akane adjusted the straps of her Bag, the sword inside making the bag weight more then she was used to. "You know Kakashi, this mission sure was something" she gave a small self-deprecating laugh. Kakashi put a reassuring hand on Akane's shoulder. "You were… effective. Accidentally, but effective" Akane glances up at Kakashi. "Effective no, i was just lucky, face planting my way trough the fight, bet i was the first one to do that" she smiles slightly. Kakashi gave Akane a close eye smile. "And yet chaos is sometimes the most efficient way to beat you'r enemy's, you did well" he put a hand on Akane's shoulder. "That counts"
They soon reached their Home in silence the last week weighting Heavy on Akane's shoulder. "…It still doesn't feel fair," Akane said quietly. "Zabuza… Haku… they didn't deserve that. Not really. They were strong, yes, but… it was cruel how it ended" Her voice shook slightly, and she looked down at the ground.
Kakashi unlocked the door and nodded subtle, he pushed the door open, let Akane in first before he went into his House, closing the door. "They made choices we didn't agree with, but they were Shinobi and people. Their lives mattered. And in the end, they protected others. That's something to remember" Akane swallowed hard. She reached down into her bag, feeling the hilt of Zabuza's sword. "Speaking of protection, this." She lifted the sword slightly, the metal glinting in the lantern light.
"I took it. I figured it belonged to someone who'd keep it safe. And, well… I'm not exactly planning to fight anyone who doesn't deserve it anytime soon" her face turned into a grimace of a smile as she look's up at Kakashi, his eye's flicker to the Sword. "I understand"
Akane put the sword near the door. "I wanted to keep a Piece of them, near me. Respect what is left and continue it" her smile turned a bit brighter. "Plus it's kinda cool" Kakashi gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. "You've earned the right to carry it. Just respect it, be careful"
She gave Kakashi a quick hug. "Thank you" and disappeared into her Room leaving a surprised Kakashi behind. "...Sleep Good" he mutters under his breath before walking to his own room and into bed.