Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto series
Rated M for violence, language, and minor sexuality in later chapters
Enjoy
Konohagakure, Land of Fire, 4 years ago...
A girl of 14 sat in her room with the door open, so she could gaze out at the courtyard. The moon was full and bright, shining on her gold eyes. Her long, burgundy red hair was a hot mess and her kimono was loose. Another restless night. She sighed and glanced up at the moon, it's only been a year...and it feels like he could come back any moment.
She blinked, sensing something. The girl got up and walked to the door, poking her head out. She glanced up and down the hall, then she heard a soft cry. A whimper, really. She slipped out of her room and marched down the hall to the last door on the left. The bedroom was nearly pitch dark, but she could see just fine. A boy was curled up on his bed, his face buried in his pillow. She could hear his muffled cries.
The girl sat down on the bed, "Hey, what's wrong? Come here."
She tried to gently grab his arm but he pulled away, tightening his grip on the pillow. The girl placed her hand on his back, "It's okay. No one's around. No one can see. It's okay."
The boy got up onto his elbows. He whimpered, his tears now falling on the mattress. He turned and latched himself onto the girl, burying his face in her shoulder. The girl held him and gently placed her hand on the back of his head. "It's okay. I'm here. I'm here, Sasuke. It's okay."
Present Day, April 15...
Sasuke entered the dining room in silence. He sat down and began filling his plate with the various foods laid out on the table. A servant came and filled his cup. Sasuke regard the servant with a cold shoulder. "My, don't you look handsome."
Sasuke glanced across the room. A girl, who was only a year older than him, walked into the room. She wore a flak jacket and a pink and black, sleeveless kimono, one side sat higher on her thigh than the other. As she moved, the holster on her right thigh became visible. She sat down across from Sasuke and placed her feet on the table. Sasuke glared at her bare feet, including the simple silver anklet she wore on her right ankle. "Do you always have to be so disgusting? Get your feet off the table."
"Oh, talking high and mighty just 'cause you graduated? That's very unlike you, Sasuke," she teased as a servant filled her cup. "I hope that mouth doesn't get you killed."
"Shut up," he frowned. "Get your damn feet off."
"Make me," she dared.
Sasuke set his fork down and lowered his hand out of sight. The servants froze, unsure of what to do as the two ninja stared at each other. Sasuke threw his knife and the girl tilted her head to avoid it. She grabbed her own knife and raised it.
"That's enough."
Sasuke and the girl froze. The servants bowed in respect as a young woman entered the room. Like the girl, she had the same rich, burgundy red hair and piercing gold eyes. She was noticeably short, yet curvaceous with a well-endowed chest. She wore a purple and white kimono with a dark blue sash that trailed on the ground because of her short stature. Sasuke waited until the young woman sat down before returning to his seat. "Sasuke, I expected more from you. A shinobi shouldn't be so easily goaded," she scolded with a emotionless expression. "Marise, you know better."
Marise plopped back down on to her chair, "Ugh, fine. Forgive me, Naomi."
Naomi said nothing. She glanced at the servants who immediately went back to work. Sasuke tapped his finger on the table, "Naomi..."
"I have nothing to say," Naomi replied, piling her food onto her plate. "Time's have changed since I graduated. I don't know what to tell you."
"You're 17. I highly doubt the program has changed that much," he said, pouting slightly.
"That was 10 years ago," she reminded and took a sip of her drink. "Relax, Sasuke. Though, I can't tell you want to expect, I know that you'll be prepared for anything. You're an exceptional boy. And a talented ninja. There was a big fuss over the two prodigies last year, and now, it's all on you."
"When are you gonna stop calling me a boy? I'm almost 13," he frowned, munching on a piece of toast.
"When you're taller than me," she smirked then returned to her emotionless expression. "Now, finish eating."
Konohagakure Council Room...
Naomi entered the windowless, soundproof room. Her companions waited outside and closed the door. She sat down at the small table. The two Advisers regarded her with sour glares, and the ANBU leader didn't glance her way. The Third Hokage greeted her with a nod. "Now that we're all here, let's begin the meeting."
Memorial Stone, Third Training Ground...
A young woman stood in front of the old slab. She wore a standard Konoha flak jacket and dark blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her matching mini-skirt had zippers on the thighs which she left undone for easy movement, and also wore open-toed sandals with low heels. She took her hair-tie off her wrist and put her white hair up in a high ponytail. The shorter strands fell around her face, framing it. She pulled her Konoha headband out of her back pouch and tied it onto her forehead.
"You look good in that."
The young woman glanced over her shoulder, "What're you doing here, Kakashi? Shouldn't you be at the Academy picking up your Genin?"
"I'm already an hour late." Kakashi approached her side, standing a good six inches over her. "Another fifty-five minutes won't matter."
"I suppose, since you'll probably fail them," she grumbled.
"I try to give every team a chance," he replied as a matter-of-factually. "You know you'll have to do it eventually."
"I still got a few years until then. I'm kinda glad you convinced me to leave the ANBU," she crossed her arms under her chest.
"Kinda glad?" he raised his eyebrow.
"Don't flatter yourself," she smirked.
Kakashi met her gaze, admiring that gleam in her red eyes. "So, do you wanna get some lunch? My treat?"
She sighed and smiled. She turned around and placed her hand on his arm, "Go to the Academy. Pick up your team. I'll see you later."
Kakashi glanced at the slab. As she started to walk away, he grabbed her hand before it slipped off his arm. "Nanami..."
"Relax," she smiled reassuringly. "I'll see you later, alright? You can't make those kids wait forever."
He let go of her hand and watched her walk away. Nanami paused and glanced back, "Oh, I almost forgot...I got you something."
"Hm?"
Nanami reached into her pouch and pulled out a book, "The new one just came out: Make-Out Paradise. You wanted it, right?"
Kakashi gasped and shook in disbelief as he slowly took the book from her. "Well, you're welcome," she said. "I don't know why you're so interested in them. They're totally boring."
Kakashi ignored her and immediately flipped the book open to page one. Nanami frowned in annoyance, ugh. Maybe I shouldn't have gotten it.
Konohagakure Council Room...
"Very well. That concludes our business," the Third Lord stated. "Meeting adjourned."
Danzo got up first and left. The two Advisers left together. Naomi rose to her feet, "Lord Third...if I may ask, who was assigned to mentor Sasuke Uchiha and his teammates?"
"Sasuke? Oh, that's right, he's your ward, isn't he?"
"Yes," she answered, narrowing her eyes. "I'm surprised you've forgotten."
The Third Lord chuckled, blowing smoke from his pipe. "Hmm, Sasuke Uchiha...I believe Kakashi Hatake has been assigned to his team."
Naomi raised a brow and glanced away in thought, Kakashi, huh? "Thank you, Third Lord."
"Are you worried about him?"
She met his gaze. Naomi folded her arms together, slipping her hands into her sleeves. "I'm not so much worried as I am concerned about how Sasuke will cooperate. He's got a terrible superiority complex. And he's quite stubborn. Try as I have, his personality has stemmed from..." her voice trialed off and she sighed. "I just want him to succeed. To live his life here, where he belongs."
"I understand your concerns, Naomi." The Third Hokage stood up and took another drag on his pipe. "Let's see how Sasuke fairs against Kakashi. You're worried that he won't deviate from his path of vengeance. Perhaps, being on a team will help him."
Naomi bowed her head, "Thank you for your wise words, Lord Hokage."
The Third Lord humphed in response and watched her leave. Still hasn't changed...
Konohagakure Clan Compound, West Side...
Sasuke entered the compound, ignoring the bows from the servants as he passed by. He approached the main house and entered. As he sat down to take his shoes off, a servant approached. "Lord Sasuke, Lady Naomi would like a word with you."
"Where is she?" he asked.
"In her room, sir."
"I'll be there in a second," he said, exhaling tiredly.
Naomi's room was unnecessarily large and extravagant with a large bed meant for at least three people, a spacious lounge area with a TV, and, of course, a door to the courtyard. Naomi was sitting on the balcony, staring out at the courtyard. Sasuke stepped into her room and noticed the sweet smell in the air. He wrinkled his nose and walked over to her. "What'd you wanna talk to me about?"
"Sit down."
He obeyed, but sighed in annoyance. Naomi held out a thin piece of liquorice to him. "No, thanks. You know I hate sweets."
"It's unsweetened."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at her, dubious, but took the piece anyway. Naomi took another bite of hers, "Tell me about your day."
"I got assigned to Team 7," he informed, taking a bite. "I got two weaklings with me."
"And they are?"
"Sakura, she's got a keen eye, but she's annoying and weak." He took another bite. "And there's Naruto, the loser in my class."
Naomi blinked, the Nine-Tails? So then the rumors were true. Iruka must've passed him after the incident with Mizuki. She pulled another liquorice piece from her bag. "Did you meet your Jonin leader today?"
"Yeah," Sasuke glanced away. "Kakashi Hatake. I can't believe he's a Jonin. He fell for a stupid prank that Naruto set up."
"Kakashi Hatake is a respectable and valuable shinobi of the village. He was a child prodigy, and a former student of the Fourth Hokage. Of all Konohagakure's geniuses, he is by far the best. There's been no one like him since," Naomi retorted, rather blunt like.
Sasuke pouted his lips, "What's so impressive about him?"
"Well, he graduated from the Academy at the age of 5."
Sasuke widened his eyes in shock. The age of 5?! That man...?! Then, he might be even stronger than... Naomi noticed Sasuke's frown. "Relax, Sasuke. Kakashi is the best of the best. Be grateful that you've received him as your leader and mentor. There's a lot he can teach you."
"Hm."
Naomi glanced up at the sky, noticing the appearance of several stars. "I suppose it's time to eat dinner," she groaned and got to her feet. "I assume you will be partaking in some sort of test tomorrow."
"Yeah," Sasuke leaned on his palm. "Kakashi said to be at the training grounds at 5 am."
"That early, huh? Well, I don't like waking up before 7, so...Jijo!"
The door swung open and a middle-aged woman stepped inside, "Yes, Milady?"
Naomi returned to her emotionless state, "Set preparations to wake Sasuke up at 3 am. I want him on his way by 4:30, understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," Jijo bowed.
"And ask the chefs to prepare a hearty breakfast," she added.
"Cancel that," Sasuke interjected. "Kakashi said that I shouldn't eat breakfast or else I'll get sick...so he says."
"Very well. Prepare the menu anyway. Sasuke can watch Marise and I eat."
Sasuke frowned in annoyance, seriously? Why does she always have to do that?
Meeting Room, Hokage building, April 16...
Naomi entered the small, windowless room with her companions behind her. Danzo was sitting on the dark green couch with two of his ANBU henchmen sitting behind him. Naomi allowed her companions inside, and sat down on the other couch. "What is it, Danzo? I have other matters to attend to."
"Spying on your ward is hardly a high priority," Danzo taunted. "I will be honest with you, my dear. You are young. You are inexperienced and unworthy to be on the Council."
"As are you."
"Do not mock me!" he warned, glaring intensely at her. "Your arrogance and disrespect has caused me quite enough irritation as it is!"
"I am simply being honest," she stated. "As you know, it is customary for the head of the Daruma Clan to have a position on the Council of the Village. The Hokage is the governor and commander-in-chief. The two Advisers sit at his side to keep up the old-fashioned traditions and create laws. I am merely a neutral party and final decision maker on laws and trials. Legislative, Executive, and Judicial...that is our function. You, on the other hand, have only made yourself useful by creating the ANBU and establishing Root."
Danzo narrowed his eye, "It seems he has told you many of my secrets."
"No. Since my grandmother's time, we have been wary of you." Naomi folded her arms into her sleeves. "As for my answer...it's no."
"You haven't even heard my offer yet."
"I don't need to. There is nothing you could offer that could sway me, Danzo. My loyalty cannot be bought. If it could, I wouldn't be a very effective judge, now would I?" she asked rhetorically, raising a brow.
"I say you aren't because of your views on me and-"
"My opinion of you is based on personal dislike, not political. I am young. I know that. But I have plenty of experience in the world of government and politics. You should know by now that I will not partake in any notion to usurp the Third Hokage, or movement to force his retirement. Trading one old man for another is ludicrous." Naomi rose to her feet. "This meeting is over. Do not approach me again."
Danzo tightened his grip on his cane as he watched her head towards the door. Naomi paused before approaching it. "Oh, and...if you ever try to use Shisui's abilities on me again, you're going to need another right arm...and eye."
Her male companion opened the door, and they left. Danzo harrumphed and glared at the coffee table. The ANBU henchman leaned over the couch, "Sir, shall we pay a visit to her ward? Send a message?"
"There's no need. No good would come of it," he waved off the henchmen. As expected, she can even repel genjutsu without the use of her Kekkei Genkai. The sly vixen. Danzo stood up, leaning on his cane for support. "Let's go."
end of chapter 1, hope you liked it
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