Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I do own the Dragon Ninja and everything related to the Dragon Ninja in this fic.

Several years before the Nine-Tailed Fox:

Kakashi lounged in a high tree, ignoring his teammates and sensei as they chattered around their fire and the fish that were roasting nicely. They had just successfully finished a delivery to the Sand Village, and were relaxing for a few moments.

He was still running on adrenaline. Only a few hours earlier they had fought a small group of bandits, enough to give them a little challenge.

But not much. Kakashi snorted. He sat up and ran a hand through his thick silver hair. I'm going to look around.

He disappeared from the tree, knowing Arashi-sensei would know where he had gone.

As he dashed through the trees, he came upon a piece of the woods that seemed somehow different. He slid to a stop on a thick branch.

This isn't right. It's as if these trees are…whispering to each other. I wonder what's going on?

Suddenly his vision wavered. He couldn't keep his eyes open, and his feet slipped from the branch.

Strong arms caught him before he could hit the ground and he blacked out.

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When Kakashi finally woke, the sky was darkening. His internal clock informed him it was only a few minutes since he had passed out, and he had been placed within a moment's walking distance of his camp.

How did this happen? He thought back. All he could remember, before the darkness claimed him, was the sigil of a fierce dragon on a strange hitai-ate.

I had to have dreamed it. He decided, getting to his feet and brushing off his pants. There are no dragon ninja. I guess I have sunstroke or something.

He sped back to camp, oblivious to the eyes that watched him.