The pace increased as I ran left and right in the labyrinth. I had just obtained the forbidden technique that has been sealed for centuries. The pursuers were getting closer so I had to get out of the maze fast. I saw an opening in the distance. Great! I was almost outside and home free.
"Where do you think you're going with that scroll" a voice boomed from behind me. I turned to meet the shinobi's eyes face to face. He was wearing an anbu mask and he was wielding three swords. This man was going to be trouble. "You appear to be well experienced". I was thinking of a plan.
"Flattery won't get you anywhere" the ninja replied bluntly. He was a man around mid thirties but that didn't matter. I had to do something about him quickly yet I knew I couldn't fight him head on or I'll lose.
"Sorry but I'm in quite a hurry so I'm going to have to end it quickly" I wasn't going to waste time for him to get backup. Dealing with him alone was enough.
"I'm in a hurry as well. My student is due to become Hokage any minute now and I intend to be there." The man retorted. So he must be Hatake Kakashi. Now I knew I was done for unless I use that scroll.
I used that seals and followed the instructions of the first jutsu in the scroll. Kakashi moved quickly. He knocked the scroll from my hand immediately. A hazy smoke started to surround both of us. I knew I had to escape but every time I found an exit, I was thrown back. "What are you doing" I screamed.
"This is not my doing" he answered. I knew he was alarmed just the same. What was going on? There was a sudden beam of light that hit Kakashi. He started screaming, twisting and turning. It was as if he was being tortured. Does any of this have to do with the scroll? The light kept getting stronger and stronger. I could've sworn I saw my enemy get smaller as the light grew bigger. I couldn't be positive about this because I fled the area.
_______________________ Ten Years Later ____________________
"KAKASHI! Don't touch that pan." It was a normal day at my house. I am a ten year old boy named Uzumaki Minato, after the legendary fourth hokage. My father, the sixth hokage, was Uzumaki Naruto who married Haruno Sakura. My mom was one of the best medical ninjas in Konoha. My brother, Kakashi, was two years older than me. He was kind of different than my entire family. One, his hair was pitch black with some silver strand here and there. He also had a medical condition. According to my mom, Kakashi has very sensitive skin. Sensitive enough that even the sun burned him, the wind stung his body all over and any wound he gets could be serious. This is why he has never set foot outside the house and can never live life as a ninja.
"I just turned the fire off so it could be very hot" my mom warned. Kakashi sighed than re-joined us at the table.
"Minato, don't forget to train after you come home" Dad advised "the Chunin Exams are coming up and you want to be promoted."
"Don't worry about me" I smiled "I'll become a chunin in no time flat". My brother was suddenly messing up my hair. "I'm sure you will" he chuckled and smiled at me. I've always wondered how he was able to accept that fact that he can't be a ninja. Better yet, how he can live in doors all the time. But, he was always there for me. As a matter of fact he helped me a lot in ninjutsu and taught me nature manipulation.
"I have some patients that need my care today" my mom was addressing Kakashi. My mom hated leaving him alone due to his condition. I never understood why she was so serious. Then again, I never saw his skin except for his face which was the only non-sensitive part of his body. "I don't want you doing anything that could involve you getting hurt." My mom cautioned.
"Mom!" Kakashi whined "I can take care of myself". But my mom wasn't amused. She had never left Kakashi alone for more than three hours. She was afraid of him getting seriously hurt. So was I. I loved my brother more than anything. He was always there for me no matter what. He always stands up to me when dad or mom is angry at me, He helps me with my chores and homework and he always wishes me luck when I leave for a mission.
"The odds of you getting hurt are very high" my mom was worried. "That may be, but the hospital is only four of blocks away. If you move at an average rate, you'll be home in approximately twelve minutes and thirty seven seconds" Kakashi argued. He was also very smart. Since he spends all his time at home, he reads a lot of books, fictional and non fictional.
"Don't worry" my dad laughed "Kakashi is twelve now and is capable of taking care of himself like any other kid." My mom gave my dad an awkward look. My mom was very serious yet my dad was easy going about the whole thing. That makes me laugh since it happens very often. "That's just it" my mom said "he isn't like any other kid."
That must have offended Kakashi because he ran to his room. I couldn't tell if he was crying or not. My mom went to check up on him while my dad ordered me to leave with him. I left the house closing the door reluctantly as I thought of my brother. I really did feel sorry for him.
_____________________________ Dinner ______________________________
I came home but both my parents were still at work. I guessed Kakashi was able to convince mom to stay alone after all. I was hungry and was searching for something to eat. The playground's bully gave me a mega wedgie and I'm still embarrassed. I heated some water, waited three minutes and then dug into my bowl of ramen. Dad was right, nothing better to make you feel better than ramen.
"You're hungry I see" Kakashi said. I turned around and smiled slurping some noodles that hung down my face. "How was your day?" he asked. I wasn't sure if I should tell him about the bully or not. "Any day now" Kakashi was no looking worried.
"Well, it was like any other day" I lied. He approached me and sat in the chair next to me. "Is that so?" he asked sounding unconvinced at all. "You do realize you suck at lying". Kakashi gave me a concerned look. My reaction was to slurp up another spoonful of ramen. He jacked it away from me in an instant.
"Hey, give it back" I demanded like a five year old.
"Only if you tell me what's really bothering you" Kakashi bossed me around. He was such a big brother. "Well…."
"Oh alright! I went to the playground and got bullied around by this big kid who gave me a wedgie in front of all the other kids and embarrassed me." I said it so fast hoping he didn't understand a word. Unfortunately, he understood everything.
"A bully huh…" he trailed off. I took this chance to get my ramen back. I was, however, unsuccessful. He immediately raised it above me that even jumping rendered me useless. "I think I can give you some advice, Minato, not that I'll be of great help. I never interacted with other children other than you before." He sounded kind of upset. I looked down at the floor in shame. Here I am worrying about being embarrassed and Kakashi sits here all day wondering if he will ever be able to go outside.
"I'm home" my mom's voice came from across the hall. "How was work?" Kakashi asked.
"I'll answer you as soon as you give your brother that ramen you are forbidding him to eat" mom answered.
"I didn't notice. Was this your cup ramen Minato? Must have slipped my mind." Kakashi winked at me.
"Really, slipped your mind?" my mother questioned. "W-well you s-see…" Kakashi stammered trying to think of an excuse. My mom laughed "Don't worry about and get some dinner". I could her Kakashi give a sigh of relief. "I'm going to give you a bath today" my mom continued. At this, Kakashi winced. He hated baths but not for the same reasons I did. The water made his skin squirm and hurt. Another thing was that the soap burned him and he sometimes cried because of the pain.
"I can take a bath later" he suggested and he also murmured "much later". My mom gave him an apologetic look. The one that says I wish I didn't have to but I do look. "I'm sorry sweetie" she moved some of his hairs out of his face "but you have to have a bath sooner or later". "I choose later" Kakashi replied immediately. "No. I'm sorry but that's my final word" she was stern now "Eat your dinner." Kakashi was quiet throughout dinner.
"Sorry I'm late" my dad's voice came as he opened the door "I had to deal with a rogue ninja problem." He moved towards us with a curious look. "Did I miss something?" he asked mom.
"I got bullied today in the playground" I started to elaborate "he gave me a wedgie in front of everyone and I felt really ashamed." My dad gave me an inquisitive look. I continued "And mom is forcing Kakashi to take a bath today." My dad's attention focused on Kakashi then me. "That's all I guess" I finished innocently as I went back to eating my ramen.
"Well" my dad was clearly thinking where to start as he took a seat on the table "The bully problem will be easily resolved if you get your friends to stick up for you. When you become a strong and cohesive bunch…"
"Huh?" I interrupted "What does cohesive mean?" My dad was about to answer when Kakashi said "it's a word used to describe people and friends who stick together".
"That's correct." My father said "As I was saying, when you become cohesive the bully will feel intimidation and might think before acting" dad ended. "As for your bath Kakashi, it's not as bad as you think" my dad was trying to find the right words "It's merely a process in which you clean yourself by using water and soap."
"I know what bath means dad" Kakashi answered back.
"Respect your father, Kakashi." My mom was clearly annoyed "And don't peck at your food." Kakashi muttered something under his breath. This wasn't going well.
"Don't be harsh on the boy, Sakura" my dad chuckled "He is just obviously upset about the bath and probably a little scared too" my dad was now looking at Kakashi. Kakashi said nothing but gave a simple nod in appreciation. "I want my two boys to always be happy, healthy and kind hearted." My dad looked at us "And I will make sure they will to my fullest power." My dad ended.
"Thanks" I replied and gave him a hug. My dad then stared at Kakashi. Kakashi was too busy looking at his food to notice this.
"Well, if you are not going to eat, Kakashi, might as well give you your bath now" mom announced. Kakashi lifted himself from the chair with a groan. My mom then kissed his forehead "I'll be extra gentle." Kakashi smiled at this and thanked her with a warm hug. Then they both disappeared to the second floor.
"Dad?" I looked up at him. He ruffled my hair and said "What is it?" I didn't know how to say this properly. "It's about Kakashi." I shifted nervously. He simply just hinted for me to go on. "What does his skin look like?" I finally asked.
At this my dad looked up at the ceiling. He sighed then looked down at me. "It has a reddish color and is very smooth and delicate. Nothing very out of the ordinary" he said waiting for me to replay which I didn't. "If you like I can see if he doesn't mind showing you." Dad proposed. My face looked up with anticipation. "But" my dad began "If he still isn't ready don't blame him and don't get mad or angry" he warned.
"I won't" I promised. With this my dad put me on the chair and went to see mom and Kakashi. I waited for five minutes when my dad beckoned me to follow him. I opened the bathroom door slowly not knowing what to expect. When I came in, my brother was sitting in the bathtub. His entire back was visible to me.
"What's wrong?" my mom seemed to be addressing both of us because Kakashi had just hollered in pain.
His back was exactly as dad described it. Reddish and perfectly smoothed. It hurt just to look at it and I couldn't even imagine what Kakashi is going through. "Just not what I expected that's all" I answered.
Kakashi chuckled "What did you expeeeeeeeeect?" he screamed the last part. "Mooom" he whined "that hurts and burns and pinches and and…" My mom just played with his hair as if to comfort him. I guess she was used to his screams by now. I wasn't.
"I don't know." I implied "Thought it was somehow skinned". Kakashi looked at me after this remark.
"To tell you the truth" he said "sometimes it does feel like that". My mom grabbed the soap bottle. Kakashi had told me that this is the part that hurts him the most before. I couldn't handle it so I began to make my exit. I was about to close the door when I heard Kakashi wailing in pain. My mom was trying to calm him down. Nonetheless, he twitched, squirmed, sobbed, cried and was begging her to stop all at the same time. I closed the door and was regretting ever asking my dad to see him take a bath.
