Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Naruto, but I do own any that are not from the manga/anime.
A Beautiful Mess
By
Chapter 1 - In the Beginning
Am I dead?
As Kakashi's eyes fluttered open, he was greeted by the harsh fluorescent lights of an all too familiar hospital. The burning stench of antiseptic and blood invaded his sensitive nose causing him to wrinkle his face in disgust. He blinked a few times so that he could regain focus. Attempting to sit up, he grunted in pain when he realized his injuries came from his ribs. Kakashi looked down and touched his upper body gently.
Broken ribs.
No wonder his breathing was coming out short and ragged. Kakashi tugged at the mask that covered his face and lowered to breath easier, but the hospital scent forced him to put the cloth back in place. He felt his stomach churning after the assault his nose had taken. He needed to get out of this place. It reeked of death.
Kakashi began struggling, yanking the IVs out of his arm and ignoring the sharp pain that shot through him. The heart monitor in his room beeped rapidly when he tore off the sticky, wire pads connected to his chest. Almost instantly, a medic-nin burst through and restrained him.
"I can't stay here." He said hoarsely, his dry throat only permitted to speak barely above a whisper.
"You need to rest," The medic said calmly to him, re-inserting the IV and heart monitor.
Kakashi tried in vain to sit up, but was forced to sink in the softness of the hospital bed, defeated.
The door opened while the medic worked on him.
"Making a ruckus yet again, Kakashi?" He heard his sensei comment.
Kakashi made a face, "I hate hospitals."
Minato chuckled, "As do I, but you hurt yourself pretty bad yesterday."
"If Obito actually did something on our missions then maybe I wouldn't need to be saving him all the time."
Minato gave him a strange look, "Obito wasn't in any danger on the mission, Kakashi." Pausing, he continued hesitantly, "You put yourself between the enemy shinobi and Obito but didn't even bother to defend yourself. You stood there ready for the katana."
Kakashi said nothing.
I'm my father's son, he thought sadistically, No honor. No will to live.
As if reading his thoughts, Minato said softly, "You shouldn't let what happened with your father change who you are."
"This is who I am," Kakashi said bitterly, "I'm him. A leopard never changes its spots."
Before Minato could scold him, the door burst open.
"Kakashi-kun!" A young girl cried rushing to his side.
He looked at her in annoyance, "What are you doing here, Miyu?" He asked coldly.
She looked at him with teary eyes and placed a hand on his forehead, "As soon as I heard you got injured I came running from the training grounds."
Kakashi instantly recoiled at her touch. He glared at her icily and said, "You should be training, not petting over me like some love-sick child." Miyu looked like she had gotten slapped in the face.
Minato smacked Kakashi's head, "Kakashi!" He admonished.
Silent tears fell from Miyu's eyes. She left a single lily on his lap and rushed out of the hospital doors in shame. Kakashi watched impassively and then turned to his teacher, "Why did you hit me?"
"That was cruel." Minato said frowning, "She's just trying to be a good friend."
"I don't need her running around Konoha professing her love for me."
"Miyu's a nice girl, Kakashi."
"She's never going to grow up. It's just... pathetic." Kakashi muttered.
Miyu fled the hospital, vowing to never go near it ever again. Salty tears blurred her vision and she tripped over her feet falling onto the dirt path. It was dark outside. She let out a strangled sob picking herself up and ran home. Why was he so cold towards her? All she wanted was to be friends with him, but he always shut her out.
She rushed through the gates of the garden that surrounded her home and threw the door open. No one was home. Like always. Miyu tottered to the bathroom and slammed the door shut.
Maybe it's 'cause I'm ugly. She thought gloomily, staring at herself in the mirror.
Nakijima Miyu had always been self-conscious about her physical appearance. Who wouldn't be, especially being a part of a clan where almost everyone was beautiful. The Nakijima clan had an eerie ability to produce incredibly gorgeous shinobi. Of course, they had realized long ago that it was a bloodline trait. Their kekkei genkai was in the arts of persuasion and seduction. But Miyu barely knew anything about it since she didn't fit into that category.
She took in the sight of her ugly duckling appearance. A messy mop of red hair covered her tear-stained face, it wasn't even the pretty red, it was dark and looked like blood. Her skin was pale, whiter than rice and marred with scars she received while on missions. C-ranked missions. Pathetic. She was short for her age, Rin toward over her and even she was short. The only feature Miyu genuinely like about herself was her eyes, even though she was wearing glasses. They were large, almond-shaped, a golden hazel with specks of green and blue when the light her them just right.
Miyu sighed inwardly, combing her crimson hair with her fingers. Her parents had tried in vain to fix the anomaly that was their daughter when they realized that she wouldn't change, even at the ripe age of 10. They had performed rituals and ceremonies, cast jutsu, even tried getting her to have surgery, but nothing worked. They were currently testing to see if herbs would fix her. She was the single, lone ugly duckling. Even Her grandparents were better looking than her.
"No wonder Kakashi-kun doesn't like you," She told her reflection miserably, "You're ugly."
When she couldn't bear looking at herself any longer, she slapped the lights off and plodded down the long, dark empty hallway. She almost always came home to an empty household. Her family was always sent on covert missions due to their kekkei genkai. She didn't miss them, though. Even when they were home her brothers and sisters never spoke to her because she was "not worth their time." Her parents rarely spoke to her, too, they just looked at her disgustedly for being the only Nakijima in centuries to not have the bloodline trait. Her ninja skills weren't even good. They had thought she would train extra hard since she didn't have the kekkei genkai of their clan, but no, she was just a mediocre Chuunin. She barely made it past the exam, she was lucky if they went into technicalities. Her opponent had misjudged the distance between his fist and her face and she stumbled forward holding her kunai, effectively slicing his chest.
Leaving the lights off, Miyu flopped onto her soft bed and stared at the moon. She could see why people thought the moon was beautiful, it shined bright in the dark sky, illuminating everything it touched. Resting her head to the side, she sighed sadly.
She wished leopards could change their spots.
"Wake up." She heard a curt voice call from her bedroom door.
Miyu opened her eyes groggily and realized she was in the same position she had been last night, her head on twisted uncomfortably. She sat up and groaned in pain, rubbing her stiff neck. She looked to at the doorway and saw her father standing their with his arms crossed over his chest. He was an incredibly good-looking man, and still young. Her father was well-known amongst the shinobi community, along with her mother. The beautiful duo couple, Chika and Isamu. They both had striking bright red hair and cold grey eyes. To keep the bloodline pure, the clan intermarried. Her mother and father were second cousins and got married when they were 16. Chika, her mother, had sworn off any ninja duties until after Miyu was born. Her father was the head of the clan, easily because he had the strongest kekkei genkai and because his father died a few years after he had gotten married.
His grey eyes swept her face dispassionately, "Have you been drinking the herbal medicine Kaede-sama gave you?"
Miyu shook her head guiltily, "I forgot to drink some last night."
"Tch." Her father scoffed, "Disappointing."
She bowed her head in shame.
"You're teammate came by this morning to tell you to meet them at the training grounds in an hour. It was Kurenai," He said, and then looked at his daughter thoughtfully, "You should take some beauty tips from her, she is a pretty, young girl."
Miyu glared at her father's retreating back. The one topic that her family ever spoke to her about was Kurenai.
"Kurenai's so beautiful."
"You should be more like Kurenai."
"Her eyes are gorgeous."
"Kurenai's skin is flawless."
Miyu didn't hate Kurenai, though. She was a kind person and always helped her out when she was having family troubles. They had become best friends, but Miyu never brought her to her house. She didn't think she could stand hearing her family comparing herself to Kurenai anymore.
She picked herself up from her bed and took a quick shower. Miyu frowned at her body when she got out, looking at herself in the mirror. She had a lot of baby fat.
"Urgh." She groaned, bumping her head on the wall. Another flaw.
Glancing at the clock, she saw she had 15 minutes to get to the meeting spot. She flew into her closet and grabbed her normal outfit. Among her team, she was the only one who wore the Chuunin/Jounin uniform; a forest green flak vest over dark blue long sleeves with red swirls on both biceps. She slipped her legs into the loose cotton pants that came with the uniform and quickly bound her legs with white bandages and tucked them into her sandals. She saw her leather pouch filled with kunai and shuriken slung over her desk chair and strapped that on her right thigh, along with another bigger pouch she tied around her waist that she stuffed with scrolls and more kunai. If she couldn't look beautiful, at least she could look professional.
Before leaping out her window, she scooped her hair up in a messy ponytail and snatched her glasses from her bed, since they must have fallen off while she was sleeping.
The early sun's rays hit her face filling her with warmth. The training spot wasn't too far away, so she took her time. Her favorite part of the day was when she leapt over rooftops at a speed civilians could not compete with. She paused on top of a rooftop, staring into the window across from her. She had a specific route when she left to train, and that was just so she could pass by his house. She saw a beautiful mess of silver hair emerge from under his covers and roll over on his side, deep asleep.
So they let him leave the hospital early, she thought. A smile always bloomed on her face whenever she passed by Kakashi's house.
She watched him a little longer and then continued on her way to the training grounds.
A few moments later she landed in the clearing and saw one of her teammates lounging in the sun and the other vigorously training. Kurenai lay flat in the soft grass, sighing every now and then. Her other teammate, Gai, was punching and kicking a wooden practice stump at a quick pace.
Kurenai cracked open an eyelid revealing a crimson eye, she cocked a smile and said, "It's about time."
Miyu fought the urge to roll her eyes and smirked at her, "At least I'm not as late as Obito."
Kurenai scoffed, "I don't think anyone could be as late as him."
They giggled together and turned to watch their overactive teammate obliterate the wooden stump.
Gai looked over his shoulder and flashed Miyu his signature smile, "Hello there, my beautiful teammate!"
Miyu glared at Gai, "Can you stop saying that? At least say something that's true."
"But it is!" His voice boomed across the clearing.
Miyu opened her mouth to give Gai a sound retort, but stopped feeling a hand on her shoulder.
"You shouldn't be so harsh on yourself," She heard her sensei say. Miyu smiled and turned around seeing a tall man looking down at her.
She loved her sensei more than her own parents, which isn't say much, but considering they were her family she had to love them. But she loved her sensei more than anyone in the world.
"You know I don't like him saying that, Kiyoshi-sensei," Miyu frowned.
Kiyoshi patted her head fondly and turned to Kurenai, "You need to teach Miyu some self-confidence, Kurenai-chan."
"I've been trying ever since we became a team," Kurenai deadpanned.
Miyu stuck her tongue out at her beautiful friend and then said to her teacher, "I thought you were at a clan meeting?"
Kiyoshi shrugged, "They didn't need me for long. My brother is wants me to start a family like he did." He shuddered at the thought.
"Fugaku-sama is right!" Miyu said, "We would love for you to start a family with Kushina-san. Then we can play with your kids and take care of them."
She was literally bouncing on the balls of her feet at the thought of her sensei having a family.
Kiyoshi scowled, "Kushina doesn't want kids. And honestly, I don't want to put her through the trouble and having her quit her ninja duties."
Kurenai gasped, "Kushina-san doesn't want kids?"
"Well," Their sensei shifted uncomfortably, "She just can't." He ran hand through his spiky dark hair.
Miyu and Kurenai looked down, crestfallen. "That's so sad." Miyu said softly.
Kiyoshi patted their heads, "It's fine. There are so many Uchiha running around this village I doubt they need another one."
"But then you can pass down your awesome Sharingan to your kid!" Miyu crowed, looking at her sensei in admiration.
Her sensei was an Uchiha. Not just any Uchiha, but one of the strongest in the clan. His brother, Fugaku, was the head of the clan since he was the eldest, but Kiyoshi didn't mind. His Sharingan was stronger than anyone else's, even his older brother. The clan had disapproved of him leading a team that did not consist of all Uchiha's, but a quick word from the Hokage silenced them. Miyu wished she was part of the Uchiha clan. They didn't have to be pretty to be accepted. Then again you needed to have the Sharingan to be well-liked.
"Minato-sensei is back," Miyu mentioned. She looked at her sensei for any reaction.
A scowl formed on his face, deepening after thinking about the blonde-haired man, "Hn."
Everyone knew the story between her sensei, Minato-sensei, and Kushina. Minato had saved Kushina a few years back from a group of rogue shinobi that kidnapped her. At the time, she was dating Kiyoshi. Then, she had started falling for Minato after that incident, but Kiyoshi was able to win her back. For the past year, though, she had begun hanging around Minato more and more, much to Kiyoshi's disapproval.
"What if Kushina-san-"
"She won't." Kiyoshi said firmly, but not assuredly, "And even if she does." He sighed, "Minato is a good man and an excellent shinobi."
This is why she admired her sensei so much. He was harsh and strong, but soft and kind at the same time. Miyu wanted to be just like him when she got older.
"Never give up, sensei!" Gai shouted while he was training, "Do not waste your springtime of youth because of your rival!"
Kurenai stifled a giggle seeing their sensei's annoyed expression.
"Alright," He said, huffing an irritated breath, "Kurenai and Miyu start sparring."
Miyu fell to a heap on the floor of the training grounds. Her team had left a few hours ago, but she had stayed behind to train more. She needed to get stronger. Kakashi's harsh words floated in her head...
She had decided while training with Kurenai that she was going to change. She didn't want to be weak anymore. The years of disappointment her family displayed towards her and the beating she took from training had finally made her snap. She wanted to be someone Kakashi would look to with admiration as she looked at him
Then, she heard footsteps approaching her. She turned her tired head in the direction of the footsteps and saw 4 pairs of sandaled feet stopping a few feet away from her. It was Kakashi's team.
"Ne, Miyu-chan?" She heard Obito ask.
She tried to lift her body, but she fell back in exhaustion. "Hey, Obito-kun." She saw him crouch down and turned his head so she could see him straight, "Hey, Rin-chan." She saw the brown haired girl on Obito's other side looking at her, too.
"How long have you been out here?" He asked concernedly.
"Since 9." She said sheepishly.
"In the morning?!" Obito exclaimed.
"Of course, you idiot," She heard a familiar, cold voice snap. It sent a shot of warmth throughout her body, "It's not 9 pm yet."
"Be nice." Minato warned.
"He's being stupid." Kakashi shot back.
"Stop being an ass." Obito retorted.
"Please." Rin pleaded, putting herself in between the two boys, but staring at Kakashi adoringly.
"Do you need help getting up?" Minato asked her kindly, squatting so that she could look at him properly.
Minato pitied the girl. The Jounin knew about the Nakijima clan and their strange, yet deadly kekkei genkai. She was the only one in the history of the clan to not have gained this power. Her parents never spoke of her, but they spoke highly of their children all the time. Living life like this had taken its toll on the young girl and Minato had noticed. Her skills as a kunoichi had begun to waver due to the lack of praise and love from her family. He felt for her and talked to her plenty of times. Behind her words he sensed a longing for acceptance that she would never receive. He was glad to find out that her team consisted of two of the most kindest shinobi in the rookie ranks. He even brought his team around so that she would have more friends, but instantly regretted that decision. She had become attached to Kakashi in a way he knew Kakashi would not like. In response, Kakashi shut her out and said cruel things to get her away from him.
Minato looked into the hazel eyes of the young girl and saw the sadness in them.
Miyu nodded silently, not looking at Kakashi. She hadn't forgotten what he said to her the previous night. Minato scooped her up in his arms and looked at his team.
"I thought we were going to finish training." Kakashi said, glaring at the girl in his teacher's arms.
She cowered at his angry stare. "Stop it!" Obito growled, "You're so mean to Miyu-chan."
Kakashi ignored his teammate and looked at his sensei, "Well?"
Minato sighed, and looked down at Miyu, "Would you mind waiting here while we train for a bit?"
Miyu shook her head silently. Minato walked over to a nearby tree and rested her against it.
"Kiyoshi overwork you?" He asked, smiling at her.
"No," Miyu said quietly, "I just want to change."
Minato looked the girl with a strange expression, then smiled and said, "You're going to be a spectacular kunoichi."
Miyu flashed him a bright smile, "Thank you, Minato-sensei."
He ruffled her hair and made his way back to his team. Kakashi watched this impassively, tapping his foot. He snorted derisively and said, "You shouldn't say things you don't mean, sensei."
Minato gave Kakashi a look, "I meant it."
Kakashi frowned, "Like I said before, sensei: A leopard never changes its spots. Miyu is weak, and will remain weak."
"She's a Chuunin like you." Minato pointed out.
"It was a fluke. We all know it, but the Hokage felt pity for her since her clan pretty much disowned her anyways."
"Well, I believe she'll become great." Minato said, looking at the girl who had fallen asleep against the tree.
"I believe it, too!" Obito said confidently.
Rin said nothing. She looked over to Kakashi as he looked at her pointedly. She remained silent. He rolled his eyes and said, "Let's go spar." And motioned for his teammates to follow him to the middle of the clearing.
Minato chuckled, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "You should watch out, Kakashi, she could give you a run for your money in a few years."
"Yeah right!" The boy shouted back.
Minato watched his students begin to spar, focusing his bright, blue eyes on the prodigy of the Hatake clan.
One day you'll learn, Kakashi...
People can change... Then he looked at the sleeping girl once more.
Miyu-chan...
I believe in you...
End Chapter 1