A/N This is something that's been stuck in my mind for a quite a long time. I hope you guys will enjoy it.
Full Summary: Uzumaki Naruto is dead – or is he? After his unexpected death during the Wave Mission, everything seems to fall apart for a certain copycat ninja. Gaining a new teammate isn't helping including entering the Chunin Exams. But when the newly formed and dysfunctional Team Seven is attacked by Orochimaru in the second phase, they are saved by Naruto however he is not who he seems to be. For one thing, he's a full-grown teenager and doesn't seem to care for their well-being.
WARNING: OOCness, gore, angst, past yaoi and POSSIBLE future yaoi, etc. If you don't like yaoi…just go back and pretend you never read this fic; but the amount of yaoi in here won't be too extreme unless necessary. EXTREME Sakura-bashing and slight Sasuke-bashing along with a few OC's-bashing.
Disclaimer: …don't, just don't…OC's are mine though.
Kakashi sighed for what seemed the umpteenth time that day – or night. He was in a bar; getting wasted from the amount of drinks he was drinking. He was even told by the bartender several times that he would personally call for the ANBU to drag him out so he just stood up and left, leaving what the bill asked for.
He walked through the empty, cold streets with his hands shoved in his pockets. What happened on that day was even worse then what he did to Rin. He could still feel his hand go through his flesh, creating that hideous, gaping hole in his chest through his heart. It was a different feeling from what happened with Rin. He felt remorse from killing his long-time friend and teammate but killing his one true affection in his life was something different. He just hoped that Rin up there would understand.
In the heavens, a certain brown-haired kunoichi sneezed, wiping her nose with a tissue that Kushina gave her.
He let out another sigh as he saw his apartment in view. No matter how much he drank, he still felt like his head was only cleared for that dreadful event.
He seriously needed to get it together, not only for himself but for his team as well. Yet he never knew how difficult it was. As soon as his head heavily hit his pillow, he just wished that everything could start over again. But fate is, sadly, cruel. He just hoped that tomorrow would be a better day.
The next day, he woke up late as always. He let out a sigh as he lazily read the clock. 12:37 P.M. Well, his team was patient…he hoped. He arranged a meeting for them at the bridge at 9'o clock sharp. Oh, well, he never kept his promises.
He forced himself out of bed and grimaced at the taste of his breath. Alcohol seemed to come off of him in waves when he looked in the mirror. His hair just seemed messier if that was possible and his one eye seemed similar to his Sharingan. And his head was pounding like hell.
He looked down to his side to only see him looking at him with a serious look in his beautiful cerulean eyes. "What did I say about alcohol, Sensei? You know I hate alcohol, 'ttebayo."
He let out a weak chuckle and tried hard not to blink but blinked anyways to see him gone. Damn body instincts and his hangover delusions.
He dragged his lazy ass into the bathroom and took a quick, hot shower, wishing that the water would take the pain from him down the drain, but he knew that the water could only do so much. He changed into a fresh set of clothes, checking for anything that was missing. He picked up the all too familiar orange book from his nightstand, thinking on whether to bring it or not.
He left his apartment, locking the door behind him, his nose buried in the book he was holding; he somehow felt a bit guilty and amused for not taking the big step in their relationship.
Suddenly, he cursed when a realization struck him hard in the head. They were gaining a new teammate today. He just hoped it wasn't some douche bag or a whiny bitch. He got his hands full already as it is.
(Meeting Point)
Sasuke was sitting (brooding…) as usual under the tree with his sorry excuse of a teammate Sakura. Seriously, her mindless and exaggerated flirtations with him annoyed him to the point where he just wanted to jump off a cliff and get stabbed by a bunch of sharp rocks on the bottom.
They've waited for three hours already and their sensei was still not here. They actually didn't blame him – well, Sasuke didn't; he didn't know about the pink-haired banshee.
Ever since the death of their energetic teammate, he felt…empty, hollow even. It was the same feeling he felt when his clan was murdered by his brother. However, it was more of a sorrowful feeling than vengeance taking over his system.
"Sasuke-kun," Sakura grinned, leaning in too close to his liking. "Can we go to that new restaurant that was just opened today? I passed by it this morning and it just looks so pretty inside! They have all these lights and decorations that could – "
"No," Sasuke answered with a blank face. "I'm busy."
Sakura pouted, making herself look like a fish. "But the – "
"No." That was his final answer. Seriously, she wanted to become a kunoichi because of him? Did that even make sense? Although, the only good thing about her is that she could move on with the death of a teammate. Note the sarcasm.
A small poof brought their attention to their late sensei.
"Yo," Kakashi greeted with an eye-smile.
"You're late!" Sakura screeched, pointing her finger at the older male.
In the back of his head, he could still hear the faint voice of his beloved ball of sunshine saying that to him, too, and judging from the well-hidden expression on the Uchiha confirmed his suspicions. He couldn't feel but a little pride to know that he chose him over the revenge obsessed teen.
He comically put his finger in his ear. "Ma, ma, sorry about that. I did wake up early this morning but as I walked down the streets, I couldn't stop helping the elderly. And then I came across a black cat and decided to go around it; instead, it tried to follow me. I went through many troubles and – "
"They're all lame excuses!" Sakura screeched again. This time both of the present males winced at the sheer volume of the girl's voice that somehow seemed impossible to reach. Sasuke shivered unintentionally, knowing that this girl might be a screamer. Wait…where did that thought come from?
"Anyways, we'll be doing missions again today," Kakashi continued as if nothing happened.
"What kind of missions?" Sakura asked, narrowing her ugly green eyes. "If it involves more traveling, I can't stand it. There are so many mosquitoes this year it's not even funny! I've just received my new facial cream this morning and there were some pimples on my forehead!"
Kakashi couldn't resist the urge to roll his eyes. "Sakura, we'll just be doing the same thing as before, weeding people's gardens and such. I could go on but – let's just go to the Hokage's Tower and get some missions, okay?"
Even Sasuke noticed the hint of exasperation in the Jounin's eyes. Sakura just flushed from embarrassment and immediately clung to Sasuke's arm, which made him shake her off before shoving his hands into his pockets and following his sensei's trail.
Sasuke knew that the man liked Naruto, but he never knew that they would take it so far. He never missed the quick hand-holding scenes they shared together in secret when they thought he wasn't looking or the soft, loving look in Kakashi's eyes whenever he looked at the blonde. He didn't know why but inside it made him boil in anger and jealousy at looking at probably the most perfect couple that ever walked on the planet. But, setting their nonexistent differences aside, he understood the pain and emptiness the copycat ninja felt; probably because he was feeling the same way, too.
None of them spoke a word, only Sakura's mindless ramblings droning on and on in the background.
(Hokage's Tower)
Hiruzen never stopped grieving. He grieved day and night, wishing to see the bright smile from his favorite knuckle-headed ninja to only realize that he would never see it again.
He cried when he saw the pale, thin face of said ninja in his small coffin, trembling when he laid down the white flowers beside his frail body. Of course, no one but Kakashi and a few ANBU who looked over him when he was young came that day along with, surprisingly, the Uchiha boy who only blended in the background. The pink-haired girl was there that day as well but only because her crush was there. Her overly exaggerated fake tears and sobs really ruined the moment and it took all of his willpower from strangling her.
He laid his forehead onto his clasped hands, begging, praying. He knew that the boy's parents would be highly disappointed in him, furious as well, that he couldn't keep that one single promise. He really hated fate. Whatever sick plan she had in her mentally deranged head was enough for him to just…oh, it was useless.
The door opened, revealing his secretary; a tall, skinny woman she was with her red hair and green eyes. But her hair was nothing compared to the silky, brilliant crimson to that of Uzumaki Kushina or her eyes that was just considered average under the magnificent jade-colored eyes that he missed terribly. Well, shit. He should hire someone else. He was clearly too old for all of this bullshit that his miserable life threw at him.
"Hokage-sama," the woman spoke, fixing her glasses and adjusting the clipboard she held in her arms. "The boy is here. Shall I let him enter?"
"Yes, please," Hiruzen replied. He forgot all about the new teammate he chose for Team Seven. He just hoped nothing too serious would happen but he doubted that, considering the fact that the decisions he had made were all terrible. But, still, he wished that this decision would be worth it. This boy was the only one who didn't sound like a douche bag, no offense.
The woman nodded, making way for a teen boy to enter, and closed the door behind her.
Hiruzen was mildly surprised at the appearance of the boy. He was rather striking with his wavy brown hair and dark brown eyes. His body reminded him of a runner or possibly a swimmer's. His clothes were all dark, consisting of a turtleneck sleeveless gray sweater, black shinobi pants, and a pair of black sandals. A kunai and shuriken holster was attached to his thigh and hip like all the other genins.
The boy bowed. "Good afternoon, Hokage-sama. My name is Endo Jin. I hope that we could be in good terms from now on."
Well, at least he was polite and well-mannered despite his lack of background.
"And to you, Jin," Hiruzen nodded. "Please wait until your team arrives."
It felt a bit awkward in the room as several teams weaved in and out of the room, picking up their missions and stealing a glance at the boy. A girl even fainted at the sight of him, causing Hiruzen to mentally sigh at the scene. Why are all of the girls interested in boys rather than fighting enemies on the field and improving their techniques? Why?
Finally, the door opened hours later, revealing a very quiet Team Seven. The pink-haired girl was tossed onto the floor by Kakashi and woke up at the impact.
Hiruzen quickly looked at Jin's reaction of the team to see him gaze up and down Kakashi's body. Kami-sama…why? And was that a hint of lust? Damn teenage hormones and sexy guys with gray hair. Wait…he didn't say anything. Shh.
Sakura quickly composed herself and bowed with a major stutter in her speech. Hiruzen raised his hand for her to stop blabbering.
"Ah, Team Seven," Hiruzen greeted. "Here is your new teammate I told you of yesterday. Please, make yourself comfortable."
Jin bowed, not taking his eyes off of Kakashi. "Hello. My name is Endo Jin. I hope that we would be on good terms from now on."
"Sakura Haruno," Sakura greeted back roughly, eyeing him as if he was garbage. "Are you gay? 'Cause if you are then you should know that Sasuke's mine."
"Sakura," Kakashi spoke in a low, warning tone. "Respect your teammates."
Rather than being annoyed, Jin looked amused. "Oh, no problem; I am certain that I won't be taking your…boyfriend. I have my eyes for something else. And, to your question, I'm bi."
Sakura smirked in approval while latching onto Sasuke's arm who only shook her off. Jin raised an eyebrow at the display and tried to keep in his laughter, quickly catching on that he wasn't clearly her boyfriend.
"Here is your list of missions for today," Hiruzen said, clearing his throat to gain their attention. "Come back with them completed. They're all D-rank and requires a lot of teamwork."
He stressed the word unconditionally, looking at the team with a stern gaze.
Kakashi nodded and led his team out the door.
As soon as they left, Hiruzen took out the all too familiar orange book from his drawers and started reading. He didn't feel much as he read the juicy lines…damn his life.
(With Team Seven)
The team finally arrived at the civilian woman's outdoor garden that was on their list and required weeding. Kakashi watched as his students started to do it without a word. It was more like a staring match with Sakura and Jin. Sakura kept on glaring whenever Jin passed by her and Sasuke's "territory" while the boy just smiled at her innocently.
When they were finished, they left for another weeding job. Kakashi never missed the way Jin was looking at him or the way he tried to get close.
"You might want to use this," Jin whispered, slipping some bottle in his hand. "You still smell like alcohol."
Jin smiled at him innocently and walked ahead of him. Kakashi never missed the way Jin swayed his hips – just like him when he walked.
A/N What do you think? Good, bad?
I thought Hiruzen's P.O.V. would help put at least a bit of humor in the fic. It's a bit long but I needed to express the way they're all feeling right now. Sakura…meh, who cares?
REVIEW PLEASE! _