Okay so it has been over a year since I last posted anything on here, which is quite a long time. The inspiration for this story came from the Regeneration Trilogy I am currently reading for my A-levels. They are based on the First World War and the impact war has had on British Soldiers, trust me they are horrific but enticingly amazing. I hope you enjoy my first taster of writing more than just a one shot!
Disclaimer: Masashi Kishimoto owns Naruto.
Summary: Hatake Kakashi has been sent back to Konoha after being seriously injured in Konoha's War of the Five Nations. Under Sakura's care he tells the shocking horrifying truths about the war they are fighting, and she ends up healing more than just his battle wounds.
Truth is a healer
Prologue
Storm clouds lingered in the dimming sky above as the sun drowned into the horizon casting a final golden glow among the rows of still tents.
A tall, skinny man with short mouse brown hair, clad in a Jounin uniform stood in the shadows of a large oak tree. Watching as the wind tortured and teased the remaining few leaves on the tree until they were yanked from their twigs falling slowly and pathetically to the ground. Releasing a sigh he glanced down at the report in his hands that weighed more like a tonne of bricks than a few pieces of paper. He lifted his head up again but this time his eye line targeted one of the larger tents towards the back of the campsite.
Squaring his shoulders and regaining his composure he started a brisk march towards the tent, giving a nod of appreciation to a couple of Chuunin who were sharing the precious last drags of a cigarette they most likely had found on the floor. Lucky he thought to himself.
As he neared the tent he could feel the weight of his body compress into his feet, which wasn't helped by the unforgiving mud swamp that hindered his path, clinging to the soles of his boots like elastic before dragging him back down again with an almighty splash. Reaching the tent door, he hesitated for a moment before clearing his breath and taking a deep breath.
"Sir, it's Yamamoto Naoki. I have the reports you requested."
Silence greeted him at first and after a few moments he questioned whether he should try again, or glancing up at the threatening clouds, just retire back to his tent and try later. Just as he was about to turn away, a brisk whoosh signalled someone had pushed aside the tent door. Naoki glanced at the silhouette, due to the light that illuminated from within the tent escaping out of the door and the darkness of the outside; he could not make out his facial features but could see the shape of a large strong-built man. As he tried to study the face of the man he noticed he was glaring at him too, scrutinising him from his boots to the hair on the top of his head. Timidly, Naoki looked away and down to the reports in his hand.
"The reports, Sir."
With one last inspection the large man disappeared back into his tent leaving the door open, Naoki took it as his cue to enter. Upon entering the tent he noticed it contained a few basic items of furniture, a large oak dress and matching chair sat at the back of the room covered in organised piles of documents. To the left of him he noticed a large intimidating bookcase full to the brim of books on everything ranging from War tactics, survival and also a few pieces of literature he recognised. He heard a noise from his right and noticed another door leading to the man's sleeping quarters. His eyes finally rested upon the figure of the man himself who appeared to be transfixed with a large map of 'The Five Great Nations', which covered most of the wall.
"Everyday I look at this map, on this wall, in a book or report and whilst my primary thoughts are where are the weakest areas in defence, where is best to infiltrate an ambush in enemy territory or how can we create a safe route to bring and take supplies I cant help but think that this map has changed from being a few countries with names and rivers and mountains. It's become a battle plan, and yes this is a war, not what those pompous bastards at home are calling a disagreement. Someone once said that if we don't end war, war will end us. Don't you agree, Yamamoto?"
Naoki had been caught off guard and hadn't expected to have been acknowledged by this man, as thoughts went flying around his head.
"Yes, of course Sir."
He would have said anything to agree with the man at this point, just to give him he reports and get out of this god-forsaken tent.
"Do you know who I am, Yomamoto?
"Of course Sir, the great Watanabe Takeshi."
Takeshi let out a sarcastic laugh, mumbling something about the word 'great'.
"Anyways, on with the matter at hand, hand me those reports."
Naoki handed them to Takeshi who started glaring at the paper the way he did when he first saw Naoki at his door.
"Tell me Yamamoto Naoki, what do you know of Hatake Kakashi?"
Naoki raised his head and met his eyes with Takeshi's huge brown ones. As intimidating as his glare was he couldn't look away.
"I know that he is son of Hatake Sakumo, Sir, a child prodigy. He is now one of Konoha's best Shinobi, an elite. He inherited the Sharingan from Uchiha Obito, which led to the name 'Copy Ninja Kakashi' using the Sharingan to copy over a thousand moves. He also has mastered the ability of Chidori, and can summon ninken, a pack of eight dogs I believe. I have also heard if the position of Hokage should become vacant he would be a likely candidate, Sir."
Realising he had said too much in that last sentence Naoki stared down to the floor, Takeshi looked back down and stared at the report in his hand for a while, focusing on the profile picture paper clipped to the front page.
"Do you think he would be best suited to that position, Yamamoto?"
Naoki looked uncomfortably to the side.
"It is not my place to say, Sir."
"Yet you speak with such admiration for him."
"He is a fine Shinobi Sir, I believe every ninja from Chuunin to Anbu in this place, and at home, would only speak of him in the same way, Sir."
"Yes, I guess I would have to agree with you Yamamoto. Unfortunately, the tides have turned and it appears Hatake Kakashi has not been so 'fine' recently."
Running his finger across the page, Takeshi scanned the report until stopping at a certain point with his fingertips.
"Apparently an ambush group attacked them 3 nights ago when they were out on patrol in the forests near Station B. Ah, here is the diagnosis, I have one of the medics dumb it down for me, I cant understand any of that medical jargon." Takeshi took a breath and continued on, "He sustained an injury to his left leg after a chakra infused attack (it is unsure of what the injury was caused by) broke his fibula causing a break lower down near the ankle. Followed by a knock to the head causing bleeding in the brain. Fortunately the bleeding has been controlled and stopped, however he remains in a comatose state."
Skimming down the page Takeshi read aloud,
"Surgery will be required to attach a plate and screw device to stabilize the bone and attach it to the tibia. A cast will be applied for 4-6 weeks. It is likely that due to the obtained injury, an external fixation may have to be applied, in which the screws and plates are fixated on the outside and will be removed 2 weeks later. A cast will be applied for another 4-6 weeks, and physical therapy will commence once the injury has healed."
Takeshi stopped reading and let the words absorb. Naoki knew what this meant for Takeshi; his star player was out of the running, for now.
"We are in the middle of a bloody war and I've lost one of my top Shinobi. Not just for a few weeks but for a few months by the looks of it, and if he ever gets out of that coma. Let me tell you something Yamamoto." He gave Naoki that same glare again, the tension was broken by the sound of the storm rolling over. Tonight will be a bad night and the conditions on the ground are bad enough. Focusing his attention back to Takeshi he stared back at him.
"In war times a few months is the equivalent to a few years; a lot can change."
Takeshi fell back into the comfort of his armchair holding his head in his hands. For the first time that night Naoki didn't feel intimidated by him as he stood tall next to him. He looked lost for words and if Naoki was being honest, so was he. The great Hatake Kakashi was down.
"Would you like me to send a message home, Sir?"
Takeshi looked up at him with those big brown eyes, looking a little dazed.
"Tell them," he sighed and closed his eyes "tell them that Hatake Kakashi is to be sent home immediately and transport is to be arranged to take him back." Takeshi opened his eyes and watched the rain hammer hard on his roof like pellets, "He is no use to us right now."
Naoki nodded his head in understanding. However, he was sure that it was best to leave that last part out, "Yes, Sir." And he turned to leave tent.
"Tell them I will send a report home before his arrival in a few days, thank you Yamamoto Naoki, you may leave."
Stepping out of the tent Naoki was lost in his mind, the drumming of the rain on his skin, the angry beckoning calls of the thunder above, and the soggy squelching mud below him couldn't pull him from his thoughts. He ran on autopilot, mind detached from his body as he headed towards the communications tent.
Later that night when he was laid in bed with only a thin sleeping mat separating him from the ground, all he could think of was the future of this war, Konoha, himself and even Kakashi. Surely losing one of Konoha's elite couldn't seriously damage their position, could it? Suddenly feeling exhausted from the nights events and lack of sleep, Naoki blocked out all questions from his head and let his mind drift to a better place, and thinking of Kakashi on his return home, not for the first time, Naoki felt a pang of jealousy.
TBC
AN: I hope you enjoyed my first chapter! I know Kakashi and Sakura haven't appeared yet but do not lose hope, i may treat you in the next chapter!
As a warning I may not be able to update very quickly as I have a lot on this year with it being my final year of A-levels and i am also applying to University this year so unfortunately I will have to dedicate time to writing an 'amazing' personal statement. To all of you who have enjoyed my first chapter I hope you continue to the read the rest of what I hope will be a good story!
Also the rating on this story may change.
Don't be afraid to review, I accept compliments, positive criticism and if you have an idea you think may work in the story please do suggest, I only have a vague idea of where I want it to go!
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