Hey, this is supposed to be a short story, an AU. Well it's pretty much my first published story, so please don't flame or hate just because you don't like it, then you should rather pm me or have a valid reasion to dislike it. A little warning before we start though. I write a bit og japanese in my stories (on my computer, dua!) so this one won't be and exeption. Well now that you're warned, let's start! ^^
Disclamer: I do not own Naruto, nor the name of my OOC.
Chapter 1:
So much you've missed
"Teme!" A blonde shouted as he ran towards the red bridge. A boy his age snorted as he continued to ignore a ranting pinkette in a long red dress. "Sasuke-kun! Do you want to go on a date with me? Kyaaa, Sasuke-kun's kakoi!" She chanted as the blonde boy reached them. "Good morning Sakura-chan! Teme." The girl ignored him as she continued tormenting the other boy. I sighted as I looked at the blonde boy.
He looks so much like his father, yet much like his mother too… and even me. I shook my head as I got up and leaned against the tree I sat in. "He looks just like them, doesn't he?" A familiar voice asked. "He does… and you…" I turned towards the silver haired jonin. "…I haven't seen in ages. Is that some smiling wrinkles?" He sighted, and pulled off an upside-down u-shaped eye smile. "You still got it." I said as I jumped down to him. "When are they expecting you to show?" I asked as he opened his eye again, looking at me. He let a rare laughter as he itched his head. "Five minutes until they want me to come, one hour until I actually show." I smiled sadly as I made a quick salute. "Keeping the memories alive." I mumbled as I looked at him, catching a nod.
"So, how's anbu working out for you?" He leaned against the nearest tree and locked eyes with me. I pulled off my white porcelain mask and looked at it. An orange cat with a ready-to-attack look in the face. "Naruto gets enough money to survive, so ok. But I would be happier if I could take on normal missions, meet him, talk to him and… know him." I sighted as I shook my head violently to get that thought away from my mind. "I'm wishing again, it's impossible I-" He grabbed my mask from me and looked me in the eyes. "Naruko, look at me. Even if you're an anbu, you can still have emotions. And… well there is a way you could meet and get to know him." I froze in movements. This man –Hatake Kakashi, one of my former comrades and a genius only surpassed by Uchiha Itachi and my father- proclaims he know a way for me to meet, talk and get to know Naruto, my little brother. "How?" I asked as soon as my mind worked properly again. He patted my shoulder before he let it go. "You can help me train them. You can teach them genjutsu and be a listing ear for Sakura, the girl." My head nodded automatically while I listened. "But how, how in the world will jiji react to it?" He chuckled at my words, probably the way I talked about the Hokage himself. "Your simply there for Sakura, the only girl on the team." I dried off my watery eyes as I nodded. "Please Kakashi, please… I… I would be interlay in debt." I sniffled. He put a hand on my back and moved it in circles. "T-thank you…oh… can we go to talk about this with jiji? It's about an hour until they are expected to meet you after all." He chuckled before he nodded.
I opened the door to jiji's office and walked in with Kakashi behind me. "God morning Jiji." I greeted as I stopped by his desk. A cloud of smoke soon hit my face, but being used to it, I kept looking at him. "You don't have your mask on Naruko." He pointed out, making me realize it too. I grabbed it from Kakashi and attached it to my hip and looked at the old Hokage again. "Jiji… I have a request." He raised a brow, but let me continue. "I wish to offer my services as team 7's genjutsu trainer and the teacher for the team's only girl, Haruno Sakura." He looked me over, before he looked at Kakashi who by now stood next to me. "Is this about the boy Naruko?" I squeezed my eyes shut, but I partly nodded. "I'm sorry jiji, but even though I'm an anbu I can't block away my emotions and with that, the urge to meet my brother are still there. Please Hokage-sama, I beg you… I won't tell him anything… I just… I just need to meet him!" I tried my hardest not to cry at the end. But it was hard. He's twelve and I've never meet him. I was thirteen when father sealed the kyuubi inside of him and I never even got to see him as a baby. I don't know my own little brother. "On those conditions, I let you be the genjutsu trained of team 7. Don't fail me Naruko." My eyes shot open and I stared at the old man in white and red robes. Was he lying? I ran over the desk and wrapped my arms around man, crying my thankful heart out. "Thank you Hokage-sama! Thank you thank you thank you thank you!" I felt a hand rub circles on my back. "Um… Naruko… I think it's about time you and Kakashi go to meet team 7…" I let go off him and smiled as I dried my eyes. "Um... I think so too… thank you so much jiji." With that, I grabbed Kakashi's arm and pulled him with me out.
I took deep breath and fixed on my clothing. I had changed my anbu uniform for the favor of Konoha's standard shinobi outfit. Only that instead of the blue shirt and pants, they were both black and on my right arm it was a silver plate with the Uzumaki symbol shining proudly in the light. A red circular stone hung in a ninja wire from under it, a gift from my parents. I made sure Naruto always wore his too. Well, I actually sewed it onto his clothing too. "How do I look?" I asked as I held my breath and ran fingers through my hair. "You look good, now it's soon time." I bit my lip as I moved my bangs securely in front of my right eye. "Aw shit, but what's the first thing you think about when you see me now?" I asked, locking eyes with Kakashi as I checked the bandages on my wrists. "What does that have-" "Just answer me baka!" He winced, and then nodded. "Ehm well Kushina." I realized a breath before I put my hand on my waist. "Then I look breath taking don't I? Because, that's what I always think when I think about mother." He stopped in the slight walking and smiled. His eye remained open, but years of training gave it away by the movements in his mask. "Well, your students are waiting?" He nodded offhandedly before he moved closer to me and he shunshined to the top of the bridge.
"Yo." Kakashi greeted dryly with an eye smile. I grimaced at the gesture. "YOU'RE LATE!" The girl –Sakura- and Naruto yelled as they pointed at him, while the other boy just offered him a glance. "Maa maa, today I got late while I-" "LIAR!" They yelled again, but Kakashi –for once- didn't take no for an answer. "I got late while I got an extra hand for our team." By now, even the Uchiha looked at him; listing to his words like their lives' depended on it. "She's a comrade of mine with history going back to the war even. She's going to help with your genjutsu skills, and Sakura she plans to help you more than the boys. Why? Simply because girls need other skills than boys sometimes. And she agreed to be an open ear if you needed it." Then, he made sign for me to come out. My vision blurred with smoke and leafs, but soon I saw them again. I sat with crossed legs next to Kakashi. One hand rested on his shoulder and the other on my hip. "Konichiwa." I greeted with a smile.
I sighted as I saw how relaxed Naruko appeared now, comparing to how much of a nerve wrack she was seconds ago. Also, I noticed how the children looked at her. Sakura, somewhat in awe, Naruto, like he searched for something and even Sasuke, who looked her over, then at Naruto. Well, there's no doubt they look pretty much alike. They both have whisker marks, blue eyes, similar face and act pretty much alike, though –luckily- Naruko acts more toned down compared to Naruto."So, what's your name?" Sakura asked with stars in her eyes.
I smiled to the girl, but my eyes lingered on Naruto. He looks so much like father when he stays serious, but like mother when he's joking around. "My name's Naruko. No need for you to know my age, just that I'm younger than Kakashi." I turned to look at Kakashi and noticed a sweat drop, but ignored it. "Are you a jonin? I haven't seen you before?" Naruto asked. His voice was like fathers. I smiled as I made sure my bangs covered my right eye. "In a way, no but on the other side I'm higher up than a jonin. Take a wild guess boy." I giggled at the end, knowing 'the lack of brains' I heard about him. He took a thinking pose; Sakura looked strangely at me while the Uchiha barely offered me a glance. "You're an anbu. I remember wagely seeing you at the compound years ago." I put a hand under my chin and looked at the black haired boy. "Oh, you're right Sasuke-kun. I'm an anbu and ji- Hokage-sama allowed me to help so I could take a break from anbu life. Something more you want to know before we start the missions?" Sakura took a step closer and nodded her head. "Yes, Sakura-chan?" She smiled before she pointed at Kakashi. "Introduce yourself like we had to do, just don't blank everything out like Kakashi-sensei did!" I chuckled at her words and placed my arm around his shoulder. "And you didn't get a genin team until now?" I chuckled again before I leaned against him, noticing how he tensed his entire body. "Name's Naruko. My likes; I like training, friends and missions. Dislikes… well scum, traitors and mud. My dream is a bit harder… I guess to get to know the remains of my clan and quit being anbu. And my hobbies are easy; training, working and…" I glanced at Kakashi, noticing the familiar wrinkles in his mask. "… and my friends, old and new."
Flashback!
Silver hair shined in the sun in front of me. Wrinkles in his black mask showed a big smile as he looked at his team. I smiled as I threw my mask to the dark haired girl. She smiled and laughed as she cached it and put it on. It was an orange cat. It was so new that it still shined and smelled clay. "You're late Naruko!" A black haired boy with goggles yelled as he ran towards me. I spun around and grabbed Kakashi as a shield and the boy crashed into him. I let them go and ran towards the girl. "How are you Rin? The last time I saw you were at the mansion a week ago." She smiled as she gave me the mask, but patted my head. "I'm so happy you got to be in anbu Naruko. You're even higher up then Kakashi now." I smiled and grabbed the mask. "Of course I am! I'm his SUPERIUR in all ways!" I turned and looked at him. He sat next to the boy and a wain popped out of his forehead. "What? It's true Kakashi-kun." I said in a baby-like voice.
Rin giggled behind me, but I could hear how she felt behind it. She liked Kakashi, Obito liked her and I… didn't like a soul like that, being daddy's little girl. "Kakashi! Let me prove it to you! Let's spar after this damned war is over! I promise you that I'll be the upper dog!" He grimaced visibly under his mask, but nodded. "And I'll prove you wrong, even if I have to beat my sensei and the Hokage's daughter." I grimaced at how he described me, but ignored it as I threw my fist into the air, grinning big. "And that's a promise! A promise of a life time I tell you!"
"What? H-How? S-Stop joking around Kaka-Kakashi… Yo-You're lyin-lying… STOP LYING TO ME!" I pushed him away. My eyes started to water and my through sore. "Naruko…" He whispered softly. "NO! G-GET OFF ME!" I yelled as I jumped back, but barely managed to stay on my feet. "I-IT'S RIN YOU SHOULD HOLD IN YOUR ARMS! IT'S SHE YOU SHOULD COMFORT! NOT ME KAKASHI!" My knees finally gave up and I fell onto the soaked earth ground. Mud got smeared onto my clothes and body as tears rolled down my face. "W-why did it ha-happen t-to he-her? I-It should ha-have bee-been me... not bo-both of the-them… "
A pair of arms wrapped around my body as I cried. Not just regular 'so-sad-movie-how-could-someone-come-up-with-this?' but 'my-life-feels-empty-without-them' crying. "Shhh… calm down… they are in a better place now… a place without war…" He whispered in my ear. I nodded as I cried. "I-I kn-know… the-they ar-are ha-happy…. Ri-right?" I whispered as I gripped his jacket. The rain had long ago soaked us both. "Naruko…" He said again, but this time different. I looked up and swallowed hard as I saw tears in his eyes. "Kakashi… who could even dream that you could cry…" I whispered back, trying to make him laugh. It… hurt to see him, of all people on earth, cry. I hurt too, but he must feel… truly empty inside to show it. It took me years to make him smile and laugh… but to show these feelings… he must be dying inside. "Ka-Kakashi… it wasn't your fault… nobody can control faith… only Kami-sama… it wasn't your fault…" I whispered as I sniffled and leaned closer to his ear.
I remembered the last words Rin said to me before she and her team went to destroy the bridge that was the Iwa ninjas' lifeline. 'Kakashi loves you… just like I love him… please tell me… do you feel the same way towards him? Yo-you can answer me when we come back… goodbye Naruko.' "Kakashi… do you…do yo-you lo-love me?" I felt his body stiffen under mine. "A-answer me…" I whispered as I wrapped my arms tighter around him. His arms tightened their grip around my head, but not enough to hurt. "Y-y-yes…" He silently replied. I gasped for air as I faced him and put a hand on his mask-covered cheek. My fingers carefully moved around the edge of his mask. He was frozen, staring wide-eyed at me. Then, I pulled down his mask and moved closer to him as I pulled him closer too. Cool lips locked with mine and suddenly, the fear, pain and sorrow I had felt the second before, vanished.
I hadn't seen Kakashi after that kiss in the rain. My heart aced again, even more violently, but I managed. "Neko-san, our new taicho is finally here." I nodded absently as I held around my stomach. It felt somewhat nice to gut out my feelings at that time. But when silver hair and a red dog mask appeared I started to tremble. I had managed to avoid him for the last two years, making me barely thirteen years old, while he had just turned fifteen. "Inu-taicho! Name's Tori, this is Hyo and this is-"I turned abruptly around and tried to storm out, hoping he wouldn't recognize me, but I knew it was too late.
"Hisashiburi, Neko-chan." I was left dead in my tracks as I heard him walking towards my teammates. "Indeed taicho, but not long enough for my taste." I growled before I knew it myself. "Neko-san!" Hyo scolded, but I couldn't care less. ""Why do you think so, Neko-chan?" I felt shivers travel down my spine as he said 'Neko-chan' extra slow. "The last time was far from pleasant. I hope you can still recall it." I heard a fake chuckle, which tore me up inside. "How could I not?" I turned around slowly and met his eye -I knew despite the mask- that we locked eyes. "You've changed. You're even drier then you were all those years ago…" He chuckled fake again, then put his hands on his hips. Something I had learned either was mocking or when he was getting irritated. "Is that so? Or is it you? It's been two years after all, and so long in this village without meeting even once… it seems like it's you who changed."
I growled as I moved closer to him, grabbing his west and pushing him into the wall. Cracks sounded in the room as the wall cracked up, but just like the hands that tried to pull me away, I didn't notice it. My target was too close. "TEME! WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!? WHEN DID YOU GET THIS FAKE SAPPYNESS!? WHEN DID YOU DECIDE TO TAKE ON HIS HABITS!? WHEN DID YOU PLAN TO ACT AS NICE AS RI-"A hand snaked itself into my mask, over my mouth and shut me up. I turned to see blonde hair and blue eyes looking sadly at me. "I think you need a break Neko-san." "F-Hokage-sama?" He smiled sadly as he retrieved his hand and walked over to his desk. "The-there's no need Hokage-sama…" I whispered as I turned to the desk and looked down at the floor. Kakashi was Inu-san, our new taicho. Survive Naruko.
Flashback; The end!
I sighted as I got up and looked down at the three children on the bridge. Reincarnations. Was the first word that came to mind. Naruto was Obito, Sakura was a loud Rin and Sasuke was a cold-hearted Kakashi. "Well, how's the schedule looking Kakashi?" I asked as I put a hand on my waist and looked at him. He got up quickly and almost pulled out his little infamous orange book, but decided against it. "First, we're going to do some missions, then a short training session."
I grinned as I jumped down in front of Sakura and measured her from top to toe. "To think we fought in war, had killed and saw our friends get killed at this age, it's a miracle we didn't end up in a coco-house." Kakashi smiled under his mask, keeping his eye up. "Yup, and it will forever be." I grinned as I put a hand on Sakura's head, ruffling her hair. "Well, ji-Hokage-sama should be waiting for us by now. Let's march!" I heard Kakashi sight as I marched towards the Hokage mansion with a cheerful little brother in step, a confused girl and a stoic Uchiha halting after.
"BORING!" I snickered as I heard Naruto complain as we gave the mission report. My glances moved to him every once in a while, but him being this noisy, no one would notice. "But this is something all genins should be doing this to gain experience, because without experience, you could endanger your team." I smirked at the end. It felt nice to lecture him. To lecture my little brother as if he needed help with his homework from the academy. "Who cares? You had already killed and fought in a war way back when you were our age! Not doing boring D-rank missions!"
A vain popped out as I grabbed him by the collar. "Way back' you little gaki! How old do you think I am? Answer me!" He suddenly looked much paler. "Um… ehm… 27?" I growled as I glared at him. Yes he was my brother. Yes, you should 'love your friends and family like it's the last day', but everyone knows about women and their ages, right? "Do I look that old to you gaki?" He frowned before he shook his head furiously. "N-no…"
I snorted as let him go and met eyes with the Hokage and Kakashi. "You really got a bigger temper after that happened." The old man said, smoke covering his face. "If you think so, Hokage-sama." I snorted before I made sure my bangs covered my right eye. "You defiantly have, but we have gotten used to it." Kakashi said, grinning under his mask. "Humph." I growled.
Well that's the first chapter! What do you guys think? Well I gotta say I'm happy with it! Hihi well r&r if you have time and I'll try to update fast but no guranties though... hihi see ya ! 3
