- Simple Days is not cancelled/abandoned
- I'm cross-posting this from my AO3 account: x(underscore)Oath(underscore)x
- This is a a guaranteed to be finish story - it'll just take a while.
- Normal updating schedule: Ever second and/or fourth Sunday each month.
- The first five chapters are already posted on AO3/are currently being edited for here.
- For more info on what this story will be about, please check my tumblr under the: x-Oath-x url
Please enjoy!
"Do you really have to go?"
"I think so... hey, if you jump over, you might be able to come with me! … No, wait! It's too dangerous!"
"Naruto, look out!"
"Huh?!" He barely had the time to swerve out the way from the tree that was he was quickly approaching. As he skid to a stop, a little ways away to catch his breath and his thoughts.
It was not long before he heard the light footfalls of his teacher slow to a stop someways in front of him. It forced his other two teammates to skid to a stop on the dirt path. Yet, they did manage to do so without hitting each other or their teacher.
One was a young girl with lovely pink hair that reached well past her shoulders. She wore fuchsia dress with white trimming and a white circle on her back. It was tight around her chest (or lack of thereof), but flowed free past her waist. The sides were split apart, revealing not only the green leggings underneath but the weapons bag strapped to her leg. Her shoes were dark blue and were open-toed. Her face was scrunched up in the face of irritation and confusion as she stared at her teammate with vibrant green eyes. Sakura Haruno.
Another was a young boy with a blank face that only seemed to know the expressions of detachment, smugness, and disgust. His chosen expression for the moment was one of detachment. His outfit was simple and uncomplicated – white shorts and dark blue shirt with a high collar. He had white armbands with blue trims on his arm and a weapons bag on his leg. One his feet were the same open-toed sandals. His black hair, dark grey eyes, and pale skin gave off the atmosphere made him stand out against his teammates. Sasuke Uchiha.
Their teacher's outfit was the most uncomplicated with a green flak jacket and a navy blue shirt and pants. Black fingerless gloves with metal slides on the backs were his only self-imposed accessory. Silver hair was brushed to the left side of his face while a blue ski mask covered pretty much everything else besides his right eye. As like his teammates, their sensei also wore blue, open-toed shoes. It was hard to get a good read on his facial expressions, but sometimes his emotions could leak through his tone of voice. Kakashi Hatake.
He wore a bright orange jumpsuit, himself. The shoulders had a blue section that was cut off before making it past his collar bone and above the blue was a white collar that protected his neck. His blue eyes, shaggy blond hair, and three whisker marks on each of his cheeks gave him a wild look. He was often told by his teammates that he was loud and obnoxious, but his sensei praised him for his unpredictability and ability to make the best out of dire situations. Naruto Uzumaki.
They all looked different, but they were the same. They were shinobi – ninja. They all bore the mark of their village, Konohagakure [Village Hidden in the Leaves], on their headbands which they wore with pride on their heads (or over an eye in Kakashi's case).
They had been on their way home after a mission in Nami no Kuni [The Land of the Waves]. While it was successful, it had been incredibly dangerous and trying on them all. Ever since then, they had all been on high alert despite their surroundings being peaceful. It was only once they were safe behind the walls of home would they be able to relax their tense and wary muscles and minds.
So that is why, when Naruto had faintly mumbled something under his breath, his sensei wasted no time in stopping everyone else to inquire more about it. "Yes?"
Instantly, Naruto was on the defensive with a smile so wide he had to close his eyes and exaggerated arm movements. "Eh? Nothing! Nothing! I said nothing!"
Sakura sniffed disdainfully next to him, crossing her arms as she said, "So you had us stop in the middle of the journey home for nothing?" She then turned her eyes at Sasuke, flirtingly blinking multiple times as she searched his face for approval. "He's such an idiot, isn't he, Sasuke-kun?"
While Naruto visibly deflated at the girl's dejection, Sasuke turned away from his team with an annoyed frown. "If you had paid attention, it was Kakashi who had stopped us; not the dobe [dead last/idiot]."
Uncaring of the now deflated Sakura and the glare he was receiving from Naruto, he moved his attention to his spectating teacher. "Well?"
The older man didn't answer Sasuke, having spent the time his team spent arguing between themselves staring at Naruto. Moments later, Kakashi inquired about Naruto's behavior.
"You've been quiet since we left Nami no Kuni. While it was great to have the silence," At this, Kakashi easily waved off the glare Naruto was now aiming at him,"- it's not like you. If there's anything on your mind that's distracting you, get it out in the air so it's not a distraction later. A ninja should always be vigilant regardless of their inner thoughts, especially if you're oh-so positive that you'll be the Hokage [Fire Shadow]." The last statement was more of a tease on Naruto's loudly proclaimed goal, but it must've tickled Naruto's strive to be acknowledged as a potential leader for their home if the sudden fire in the boy's eyes were anything to go by.
"Of course I'll be the Hokage!" Was the immediate and regurgitated response. However, a little after Naruto's determined face faltered slightly and trepidation clouded his eyes. Kakashi's raised an eyebrow at these observations; this really wasn't like Naruto at all. Now he really wanted to know what was bothering the blond ninja.
Sakura and Sasuke seemed to notice the change as well because they were eyeing their teammate with curiosity. While they didn't find it entirely something to worry about, they seemed prepared to react if Naruto's explanation turned out to be something of concern.
"It's just that…. Do you just feel like… there was someone that was there but just isn't anymore?"
As one, his team blinked.
"Wha-? Where did you get that from?" Sakura asked in disbelief. Of course you had people that aren't there anymore – wouldn't that be the result of loved ones passing on? When her grandparents died three years ago, she had trudged around the next several weeks, feeling as if some part of her was missing. Unless Naruto is getting some incredibly late emotions about his parents' death, she didn't understand what Naruto was talking about.
Naruto didn't answer right away, but rather frowned. He didn't know how to explain it because the details of the feeling itself were unknown to him.
"I don't really know… I was just thinking-" Sasuke snorted, earning himself another glare from the blond, "And one of the things that came to mind was of a promise I made to someone."
Their teacher tilted their head in interest at that. While he was glad it didn't sound too dangerous, he couldn't help but wonder who Naruto had promised. It had to be someone he wasn't familiar with or didn't live in Konoha or else Naruto would've identified them. The boy seemed to have a remarkable memory for physical features. "Do you know who was it was you promised?"
They stood there for a little while, anticipating the response. After a minute, Naruto's shoulders slumped and he shook his head negatively.
Sakura frowned at him, a little annoyed that they might have just wasted their time standing there. The only female shinobi of the group was relieved when Kakashi signaled for them to press on after nodding and telling Naruto that if he remembered anything else, he was free to tell them. She was right on her teacher's tail when he ran forward towards home.
Sasuke and Naruto still stood there with Naruto side-eyeing the other with suspicion. The dark-haired boy stared after the rest of their team as they ran ahead for a little while.
"Do you remember what you promised?"
Naruto almost jumped out of his skin at the question, inducing a confused stare from the other. After blinking several times, Naruto matched the stare with his own; Sasuke didn't seem riveted by his distracted musings a little while ago. Cautiously, Naruto said, "Yeah. To not forget them."
"Hmp." Sasuke snorted again and looked up at Naruto with a deadpan expression. "Since you only seemed to remember it now, I'd say that you didn't keep it."
Naruto scowled and looked away, feeling betrayed by himself. As one of his biggest guidelines in life to never break a promise, it hurt to know that he had done so without knowing it. It hurt even more that Sasuke, of all people, was pointing it out.
"They'll forgive you."
The blond blinked and surprise and looked at his teammate. "Huh?"
Sasuke didn't answer the question, preferring to walk forward a couple steps while saying, "If you're suddenly remembering them now, it's probably because of something important."
He looked over his shoulder, "You'll see them again."
With that ominous statement hanging between them, Sasuke ran after his teammates, calling for Naruto to stop being a dead last and get a move on before they leave him behind. Naruto could only watch after the dark haired boy before he frowned.
Sasuke and him were on… strange terms to be frank. Naruto couldn't call them close friends by a long-shot, but he has trust in the other and he will have trust in his words.
It was then, a strange feeling came over him. His head slowly craned backwards so that his eyes met the sky. Leaves from the nearby trees obscured his vision as they swirled in the gusts of wind that blew faintly behind him. There were no clouds in the sky, not even if he tried to look past the horizon. It reminded him of that night – when all that covered the sky was the bright stars and the moon and the lights
"Hey, don't look so sad. I'll come back! I promise! And you – you have to be here when I do! Don't forget that!"
His lips lifted upwards as he reminisced over the words of time long past. Finally done remembering promises of childhood, Naruto raced after his team, yelling out that they shouldn't have left him so far behind.
"I won't"!
It had been several weeks since they returned from Nami no Kuni and Kakashi was beginning to wonder if Naruto was having nightmares at night.
The boy was incredibly jumpy and seemed to always be looking over his shoulder. When asked if he was okay, Naruto would vehemently deny himself doing such things.
Kakashi wasn't sure how to handle this situation because Naruto would just change the subject or deny it. But, he couldn't let it go on. Watching the young man walk around their village with circles under his eyes and sneaking wary glances over his shoulder was discomforting and worrying. Not only was it affecting Naruto, but also the team and slowly other shinobi and civilians. He's heard more than enough rumors of a "secret attack" or "chasing of the monster". He was sure Naruto has heard them too which probably made the kid feel worse about the situation.
That's why he had asked the Sandaime Hokage [The Third (Generation) Fire Shadow] for missions that busied the mind and left you so tired that you didn't even had the energy to dream. Catching Tora, delivery missions all over the Hi no Kuni [Fire Country], rigorous training exercises – Kakashi had his team do it all.
Even so, no matter how tired Naruto looked when he dragged himself home or how invested in the mission they were on, his condition only seemed to worsen. It was about the time where Kakashi felt like he had no other choice than to drag Naruto into the hospital for a diagnosis and medical care.
"Alright kiddies, that's a wrap." He said in a cheery voice, his one visible eye gazed over his panting students who barely had the energy to stare at him coldly at being referred to as "kiddies". They had just finished an all-out spar between each other so Kakashi could check their progress.
Despite whatever issues Naruto was having with his energy, they have all improved. In the past three weeks, they not only learned how to walk on water with chakra, but were starting to learn their own individual techniques.
He had decided to teach Sakura a more advanced move set than the academy style because it required being fast and on point, something Sakura lacked being. The new fighting style she was learning was more of a defensive style with multiple blocks and heavy-hitting punches and kicks. With the girl's mass amount of raw strength, it suited her. All she needed to work on was her stamina which she had spent the last several days doing.
Her exercise was to try and venture over frequently and highly disturbed water over the course of the day (hence why she is always sopping mess at the end of training due to all her falling). He had asked his dog summons for help by having them repeatedly jump in and out of the little lake he had set up in the back of the training field for her. She seemed extremely put out that her training was far away from Sasuke's, but was slowly improving. It was a win-win in his eyes, she improved at her skills and his dogs had their exercise for the day. After a couple weeks of doing this as well as many stamina runs, he had no doubt that she'd be able to hold her own in a five minute practice match against Sasuke and will come away from it sweating, but standing.
His self proclaimed "Konoha's Most Unpredictable Ninja" student was a tricky to figure out a teaching method for. Naruto doesn't even use the academy style. He preferred to wing it with random swings and kicks as well combinations with the Kage Bunshin Jutsu [Shadow Clone Technique]. Even though it was evident that Naruto worked better when allowed to perform to his own tune, Kakashi knew that, eventually, Naruto was going to have a pick a style and stick with it. He'll have to remind himself to introduce Naruto to some different taijutu styles before next year's Chuunin Exams came around as well as long-distance jutsu.
However, that didn't stop him from giving Naruto a training regimen to build off his already decent speed. While Naruto had a definite advantage in his unpredictability, if Naruto doesn't learn to back it up with the speed to get in and out, he will be overpowered. For his particular attack style to work, Naruto needed to be close with his enemy.
Kakashi had strapped Naruto's ankles with small weights and had him run to the top of the Hokage Mountain then walk back down only to repeat with a ten minutes of rest every other half hour. The goal was to increase Naruto's leg power so that when he pushed off the ground, he'd cover a longer distance. The weights were to also help increase the power in his legs for kicks since Naruto had plenty upper body strength due to his go-to attack being punching, but seemed to neglect using his legs.
The exercise was doing its job well; Naruto's normal walking movements were actually a little faster by default now. He could see that Naruto was also becoming more strategic about his attacks since another of his exercises was to run straight away from his lovable dog summons while having steak strapped to his behind. Once again, a win-win situation since Naruto could improve his agility and dodging techniques and his dogs got a treat for their efforts.
Sasuke was the easiest to teach – the Sharingan [Copy Wheel Eye] was the obvious technique to teach him. It would be preferred that Sasuke learned about his family's doujutsu [Eye Jutsu] from another family member. But, that would mean Sasuke would have to leave the safety of Konoha and search out his criminal older brother.
Obviously Kakashi was just going to have to do the best he could.
Sasuke was definitely enthusiastic about the subject. The boy probably thought the idea of his Sharingan being on par, if not above, his older brother's eyes to be rather appealing.
However, there was only so much Kakashi could teach someone with eyes of lower level than even his own transplanted eye. It'd be a while before he would be able to teach Sasuke any high level techniques, so he had Sasuke build up his stamina by having him perform katas and mundane tasks with the Sharingan activated. Regardless, Sasuke was improving, and doing so at his infamous quick learning rate.
Despite his previous attempts to get out of having his own genin team, he felt pretty accomplished in not only their lessons but also in what the genin themselves had learned. In a way, it was a surprise to note that all of them seemed willing to learn which made the entire process much easier. Maybe he can make this whole "teaching" gig work.
His team gathered in front of them, looking worn out. Naruto's jacket was open due to the zipper breaking when he skidded across the grass earlier and his entire front was plastered with bruises and dirt. He was gingerly rubbing his right cheek; he received quite a powerful punch from Sakura earlier. Sasuke's cheeks were scratched and his clothes looked disheveled with dirt and grass stains. Despite his messy appearance, there was an almost satisfied look on his face. Sakura, bent down with her hands on her knees, had grass stains and dirt visible on her person. Her hair was in complete disarray. He was sure that if she combed her hand through it (a habit that she has slowly stopped doing as her training got harsher), a few leaves and twigs would follow after.
In return for that punch, Naruto had seen fit to kick her straight into some prickly bushes nearby, leaving her with more than a just a bruise on her side. They had fought hard against each other – he wouldn't doubt if they were releasing pent up frustration. Inwardly feeling pity on them, Kakashi decided to give his opinion quickly and then send them on home to recuperate (and perhaps laugh a bit as he reminisced over some of the highlights of the fight).
"Good job to all of you! You've all done your best in this fight, but there were a lot of mistakes that made." He turned to Naruto first. "Naruto, you have a strong physical offense and take advantage of your speed in your attacks. However, you're greatest weakness is your lack of patience and timing. You tend to strike too early and dodge too late. Sakura and Sasuke got so many hits in on you that you look like you've fought against a tree… and lost. You also hesitated on the perfect hit on Sasuke's hip when he was fending Sakura off. Don't ever hesitate – it could be the difference between life and death."
Naruto appeared put off before his expression turned into a thoughtful scowl. Hopefully, he was thinking on ways to improve. Next, Kakashi faced Sakura who was giggling at Kakashi's tree comment.
"Compared to your fighting ability four months ago, you have improved all around. You still have a lot to do to catch up with Naruto and Sasuke, however. For now, we'll put our focus on your stamina. Like Naruto, you're impatient, but where as he has the stamina and quick thinking to make up for it, you can't keep up. You used your more powerful attacks too early in the fight. By the middle, you were already stumbling around, making it easy for Naruto to nail you in the side like he did."
The girl looked flabbergasted from her evaluation. She shot up, face indignant and a complaint on her tongue, but she didn't get far. Sakura seemed to regret the rushed actions when her hand flew to her right hip and she let out a loud hiss of pain. Naruto looked away a bit guiltily. Sasuke gave her a cursory glance before turning back to his teacher, knowing that he was next. The gray haired man shook his head at her before turning to his final student.
"Sasuke, you're already commendable with both jutsu and taijutsu. Now that your Sharingan has awakened, I have no doubts that your improvements will grow from here. But, you're too overconfident and because of that, you underestimate you opponent. It shows the most when you struggle to counterattack. I've watched you get a good move in, but Naruto or Sakura would recover faster than you expect and attack you head-on. I'll have you spar with Naruto and Sakura on the occasion so that you can work on in-action experience."
The Uchiha looked frustrated at his words. He eyed his teammates with wariness before nodding slowly. Taking it as a sign that Sasuke understood his shortcomings in the fight, Kakashi finally bid them good night. He assigned the next day off to recuperate and refresh before performing a couple D-Rank missions the following day. With a final wave, he was gone.
And as soon as he was, Naruto and Sakura plummeted to the ground with a groan while Sasuke barely held himself from joining them. They had been training non-stop both as a team and on their own so the thought of rest sounded like a personal paradise to each of them.
It was several minutes later did Sakura pick herself off the ground and dust off the dirt from her clothes. Then, turning awkwardly to face her teammates. Her eyes shifted to the left and she started to get into a pose that most would consider flirtatious what with her arms behind her back, head shifted downwards, and eyes half-lidded.
Already sensing what was coming, Sasuke inched away from her in repressed irritation. 'Not another date request.'
His inching brought him almost a hair's width away from Naruto who had only just picked himself up. Upon seeing how close Sasuke had gotten, he practically tripped backwards in his wild attempt to put space between them. When the blond managed to bring himself back on balance a few paces away, he turned angrily towards the rest of his teammates. "What the hell, Sasuke?"
Affronted, the Uchiha was quick to retort with, "What are you going on about now, idiot?"
"You practically tried to push me off the surface of the earth, you dick."
"What are you talking about, usurantonkachi [idiot/thin hammer]?"
Snarling, Naruto gave Sasuke the middle finger to which both Sasuke and Sakura blinked at. "Don't call me that, you asshole!"
Sasuke looked like he wanted to say something more but instead huffed and looked the other way, not noticing that Naruto mirrored his actions without noticing Sasuke either. , Sakura timidly chewed at her lip. 'It's been so weird lately. I thought we were all getting along since Nami no Kuni. Am I missing something?'
Unsure of whether her opinion would be welcome in such an atmosphere, Sakura resolved to turn around and walk home. She tried to hide her feelings of dejection as she walked. At one point, she chanced a look back on her teammates. They seemed to be going their own separate way while keeping a certain distance between themselves.
Her face became troubled. Just like that, her teammates had resolved their issue without her interference. Would they had kept on if she had said something? What if they were fighting against the enemy? What if she was so afraid she couldn't move – all the while her teammates were pulling all the weight? The thought didn't sit well with her at all and she felt her mood worsen. 'I wonder if they think I'm in the way…'
Sakura didn't know how long she stood there, watching the backs of her departing teammates. Her only clue was the stars in the sky as well as a patrolling ninja worriedly shaking her shoulder.