Spoiler alert: For those of you who have not completed the series, there will be hints as to what is going to happen in the future spread throughout this fanfiction. This chapter contains some hints towards the ending of Naruto, so please proceed with caution ;)
False Shadows
Chapter Two
The Hokage and the Mentor
My heart pounded in my chest like some butcher was trying to make a filet out of my insides. I could only think of how nice it was that I was not prone to sweating in stressful situations. If I had been, I probably would have had enough to waterbend with. Not that I expected to be able to do that here.
"So this is the girl?" I looked up just as the office door slammed shut behind me. The Hokage sat behind his desk, looking calm and responsible as always. My mind was still filled with nonsense, so I just pressed my teeth together and bowed in traditional Japanese fashion—man was I glad I watched so many foreign films.
"H-hello," I said nervously, and I wasn't quite sure whether or not the Third Hokage actually heard me. Ibiki began to tell the Hokage about the memories he had seen—both of my world and of the little bits of this world I had showed to him. The Hokage listened, and I got the feeling that he already knew some of this from when Ibiki talked with him before. Maybe they were just repeating this whole thing for my benefit, though why I'm not entirely sure. I sat patiently, waiting for Ibiki to stop talking and for something to happen.
"And you're sure she poses little threat to us?" the Hokage asked Ibiki.
"So long as whatever knowledge she claims to have does not get out, yes. But I would suggest that we keep an eye on her. However she came to be here, we should assume that there is a third party involved." The Hokage looked thoughtful as he leaned back in his chair. I remained still, though I allowed myself to look around at the bookcases and other furnishings of the Hokage's office. Giving my eyes something to do made me less fidgety.
"Is there anything you can tell us about how you came to be here?" I glanced up when I realized the Hokage was addressing me.
"I'm afraid not," I said. "I honestly thought I had died or something, so I can't tell you how I was sucked into another… place from there." My shoulders rose slightly in a tired shrug. I didn't know what to think, or what to say. This whole situation was just… overwhelming.
"I see," the Hokage murmured.
"If you don't mind, sir," I said, and I could see I had the Hokage's full attention. "I have nowhere to go. It's a guarantee I can't go home. So I'd like to stay in the Leaf Village and work somehow. I'm not sure what skills I have that could be of use, but I'm quite willing to do whatever you need me to."
"It would be wise to give her a mentor to help her control her chakra," Ibiki pointed out. "There's no telling what could happen if this new power was left untended. She could also help with some of the simpler missions around the village." The Hokage seemed to be mulling over the idea. Personally I would rather have gotten a job at Ichiraku's Ramen or something. Anything other than working as a ninja. But it sounded like I wouldn't have to do anything dangerous. That would definitely be a plus for me. And if I was only learning how to control my chakra, maybe I wouldn't have to do a lot of hardcore training. I'd never match up to any of the ninja in the Leaf Village—not even a twelve-year-old Genin.
"Very well, then," the Hokage said. "Find her a place to stay and then I will see about assigning her a mentor." Ibiki bowed, and I followed suit. Then it seemed as though it was time to leave.
"Um, thanks," I said over my shoulder to the Hokage. He nodded and watched me with narrowed eyes. I guess I couldn't blame him for being wary of me. What else could I expect, after all? Whoever had summoned me—if that is what happened—couldn't have been meaning much good. Ibiki led me down the stairs again and into one of the classrooms for young ninja kids.
"Wait here, all right?" I nodded and watched as he left. I suppose he was testing me, since I was very much aware he'd asked a ninja to keep track of me; there was no way I could have missed the telltale shadow peering around the door after Ibiki had left. So I naturally did not entertain the notion of running away. Not that I would have if I'd been left alone. This place was the safest in this world, as far as I could figure. I was content to remain, for now.
The room was pretty empty, so I took a seat in the first row and began tracing the dark stains on the wooden desk in front of me. Glancing out the window, I studied the yard outside of the Hokage building for what felt like a long time. If I squinted, I could just make out the mountains over the top of the wall and the buildings that stretched out for what seemed like miles. A low sigh escaped my lips as I laid my arms across the desk before me, tucking my chin into the crook of an elbow and closing my eyes.
"Elli?" I started awake and felt one of the pools—the one in my stomach, which seemed to be a sort of light blue color—stir uneasily. Luckily I didn't hit Ibiki in the face with some weird dark blob as I had hit Sasuke. Still, I did sort of break the desk next to the one where I was sitting. I'm not sure how I managed that, but the loud crack! and the fact that it lay beside me in two distinct pieces let me know that I had done something to it.
"Sorry for scaring you," Ibiki said, looking at the table with a surprised expression on his face. I guess he had seen the blob that had no doubt taught that desk a lesson just like it had earlier with Sasuke. I wished my emotions wouldn't teach inanimate objects lessons, though. That was just cruel. Now Sasuke I was okay with.
"It's fine," I said, "I guess I just dozed off."
"Well, it has been a busy day for you." Ibiki sounded way nicer than I would have expected. But hey, he was a big brother, so what else could he do but comfort a young person who was about as lost as you can be? It was pretty much in his personality description, or so it seemed.
"Yeah," I sighed. "I sort of wish I would wake up already and realize that I've just been dreaming and none of this really happened at all…" My voice cracked a little and I failed at trying to keep myself from crying. Ibiki stood there looking awkward, but I honestly didn't care that I was making him uncomfortable. All I cared about was how hungry I was, how lost I felt, and how lonely this whole situation was making me. What would I do if I never saw my family again? What about my friends? I really wished that I could have stopped thinking of things that made me cry more, but the list just kept piling up.
"Look, um… I found you a place to stay. Why don't we head over so you can get settled in? All right?" Since I could think of nothing to say I just nodded and followed Ibiki quietly. By the time we exited the Hokage's building I wasn't crying anymore, but I still felt like crying. You're being too emotional! I scolded myself, trying to calm down so that I could pay attention to all the things Ibiki was telling me about the village—like places to eat, fun shops to visit, and places I might be working in the future. Just have fun with this. I wasn't sure how much fun I could have in the current situation, but I figured it was best to keep up a positive mental attitude.
"So where will I be staying?" I asked finally.
"With the Akimichi family. They will take good care of you," Ibiki replied. My face brightened up at once and I could feel a trill of excitement.
"With Choji's family? That's awesome!" Ibiki glanced at me, looking surprised.
"You know about the Akimichi boy?" he asked.
"It's one of my 'knowing past, present, and future' things," I responded. Ibiki nodded.
"It's probably best if you don't mention that to anyone needlessly." Well, the guy had a point. Who knows how long I would be stuck here, so it would be better to fit in. If everyone thought I was crazy or something I'd be in a tough spot.
We arrived at the Akimichi house a few minutes later. It was a friendly building, painted a warm red. Ibiki knocked on the door and Mrs. Akimichi answered. She was a plump, rosy-cheeked woman who wouldn't hear of me thanking her for her generosity. She bustled me into the house and practically shut her door in Ibiki's face (though she did say goodbye and that she'd take good care of me). Mrs. Akimichi sat me down at what I supposed was their dinner table and insisted that I eat everything she put on my plate. I was hungry enough to eat my dad's Labrador, so I accepted the bowl of rice and the plate of meat that she produced for me.
"When Choza told me about you I knew we had to help!" Mrs. Akimichi said loudly as she finally relaxed long enough to take a seat across from me. "It's not every day that a foreigner shows up lost, and with no money and no way to get back to your village!"
So that's the cover story, I thought dryly.
"Well, I really appreciate your help," I said.
"Don't mention it, Elli, don't mention it." Mrs. Akimichi smiled, and I had the feeling I would like staying here.
"So, Ibiki told me your husband and son are ninjas…"
"Oh, yes!" Mrs. Akimichi said happily. "They are strong men, those two. Choji is younger than you, but I think you will get along fine."
"I'm sure we will," I responded with a small smile. I heard the sound of a door opening and closing (rather loudly), and turned to see a face that was surprisingly a lot like its animated one.
"Speak of el Diablo," I said with a grin, liking the way the yellow pool began to slide back and forth when I switched languages. I could tell the boy in front of me hadn't understood what I'd said, but I supposed he looked confused for other reasons, too.
"Who is this, Mom?" Choji asked.
"I'm Elli Maclay," I said.
"She'll be staying with us for the foreseeable future," Mrs. Akimichi added.
"Really?" Choji looked at me curiously, but without the wary suspicion I had come to sort of expect out of the ninjas here. It was somewhat refreshing, if not altogether unsurprising. If anyone would accept me without much fuss, it would be Choji.
"Yep," I said, actually feeling somewhat cheerful for the first time since I got here. "Please take care of me," I added. It seemed like the sort of thing people said in this situation. Or maybe that was just in Shoujo manga? Well, if my memories served me correctly, that's what most Japanese people would say in my circumstance. So I would stick to it.
"Well, now that you've eaten, why don't we show you to your room. You must be exhausted!" Mrs. Akimichi's suggestion sounded great to me, so I got up and followed her after saying a quick goodbye to the somewhat shell-shocked Choji. She led me up a flight of stairs and across a hall, and then opened one of the sliding doors. The room she led me into was compact, but in a comfortable way, and there was already a mat laid out on the floor with some nightclothes sitting next to it.
"I hope they will fit you," Mrs. Akimichi said as I stooped down and picked them up. They were soft and smelled nice, like they'd been dipped in lavender or something. "They were mine from when I was a younger woman," Mrs. Akimichi added. I glanced over my shoulder and smiled.
"Thank you, Mrs. Akimichi." I really was very grateful. It always helped to have someone support you in stressful circumstances, and this was probably the weirdest thing that would ever happen to me. Well, this world certainly had its share of weirdness to add, but that'd come later. Mrs. Akimichi told me once again not to mention it and left me alone to get ready for bed. I slipped on the nightgown and was happy to find that it fit pretty well, even if the sleeves were a bit short. I brushed out my hair with my fingers in front of the small vanity that sat in the corner of the room, wondering if I would ever find my way back home.
"Elli? Elli! Time for breakfast!"
I started awake, immediately sensing the soreness in my shoulders and lower back—which was not all that unusual for me after sleeping on a foreign bed… mat… thing. I sat up and stretched, wishing I had fallen asleep sooner last night. I couldn't dozed off later than five in the morning. But insomnia was one of the trials I'd been forced to deal with since my senior year of high school, so I was pretty used to running on empty when it came to sleep. After changing into my clothes, I walked downstairs to find Mr. Akimichi and Choji sitting at the dining table while Mrs. Akimichi wandered back into the kitchen to get more food. There certainly was a lot to choose from: the table was littered with rice, fish, biscuits, and some noodles that didn't look familiar to me. There was also a bowl of fruit that looked particularly appetizing.
"Good morning," Mr. Akimichi said. I think Choji said the same, but his mouth was stuffed full of rice so I couldn't understand whatever speech he was attempting to work around it.
"G-good morning," I said with a respectful bow.
"Join us," Mr. Akimichi said with a warm smile.
"Thank you," I said, taking a seat next to Choji. Mr. Akimichi gestured towards the food and told me to help myself to whatever I wanted. At that moment I didn't really want much of anything, but I hadn't eaten in—well, I couldn't be sure how long I had drifted in that black beyond, so it was safe to assume my stomach needed what it refused to want. I picked up a bowl and filled it with rice, which I nibbled with chopsticks while Choji and Mr. Akimichi put their food down like raving chickens. If you haven't seen chickens swarm you in the morning for their daily meal, you wouldn't know just how crazy the sight is—trust me, it's ridiculous.
I hadn't finished my rice when someone knocked on the front door. I peered over my shoulder as Mr. Akimichi went to answer it. As the door swung inward, the sunlight illuminated the short, slim form of a somewhat slumped-over boy with dark hair tied back in a messy ponytail. I stared for a few moments before I realized my mouth had popped open. With a quick glance at Choji and Mrs. Akimichi, I let out a relieved sigh when I saw that neither had witnessed my embarrassing reaction to seeing Shikamaru for the first time.
"Hi, Shikamaru!" Choji said, standing up and darting towards the door. He grabbed his scarf off a hanger by the door. "Where are we training today?"
"By the river. That weird girl is staying here, right?" Shikamaru asked.
"You mean Elli?" Choji glanced over his shoulder at me.
"Yeah. She's supposed to come with us."
"Oh. Hey, Elli, you're coming along, too!" Choji said with a smile aimed in my direction. I stared at him for a moment and then slid out of my chair. It didn't take long to slip my tattered Converse sneakers onto my feet and tie the laces. Then I followed Choji out the front door. Mrs. Akimichi stood in the doorway and said goodbye to us as we set off.
For a moment we were all silent. I was hyperaware of Shikamaru's attention, which was characteristically lazy as he sized me up. He had his hands in his pockets, and his sleepy eyes sparked with a rare intelligence as he opened his mouth and said, "So you're the little lost kid the Leaf Village decided to take in, huh? How troublesome."
Watch who you call kid, pipsqueak, I thought indignantly. But the only thing I felt like saying out loud was, "Guilty."
Shikamaru gave me a weird look. "Of what?"
"It's a saying we have back home," I said. "When people say something about you that is pretty much true, it's kind of a way of fessing up to it."
"Fessing up?" Choji echoed.
"Admit to it," I amended.
"So you're admitting to being a little lost kid and troublesome?" Shikamaru asked with a sharp smile, one that I could almost call gleeful. One of my eyebrows rose.
"Well, I'm above average height for a girl, and I'm like four years older than you. So I'll admit to the lost and the troublesome, but that's about it."
Choji laughed. "You're pretty funny," he said.
"I try." Glancing up over the rooftops of the buildings around us, I caught a glimpse of the stony faces of the last four hokages. The craftsmanship wasn't anything next to Mt. Rushmore, but then again the denizens of this mountain seemed much more epic. They had a sense of power about them, power and wisdom that garnered respect. I sighed.
"What's wrong?" Choji asked.
"Hm?" I started and glanced at him. "Oh, nothing. I was just thinking of home. The… villagemy uncle and aunt live in has a mountain like that one. There are lots of mountains there."
"Do you live next to a mountain, too?" Choji inquired.
"No," I said. "There are a lot of bodies of water, like rivers and lakes, but not many mountains."
"And you have relatives in another village?" Shikamaru asked. He seemed suspicious of this arrangement, and I can't say I blamed him. Though the thought of his own cross-village relationship impending in the future made me feel a bit smug.
"Sure," I said. "Our villages are all united. You're a part of the Land of Fire, right? Well, I come from… the Land of the Eagle. And it's a big land. Lots of land, that's for sure. And a lot of villages." I shook my head and chuckled at the thought.
"There's where we're going for training," Choji said. For my benefit he pointed, and I followed the direction of his finger to the gap in the trees ahead. Just beyond the twisting trunks I could make out the shimmer of a river—probably the one I had seen yesterday.
"What does training consist of?" I asked.
Shikamaru made a face in response to my supposed ineptitude. "So troublesome."
"Don't you train where you're from?" Choji inquired. "You're working as a ninja here, after all."
"Well, I took martial arts classes," I said. "So basically just taijutsu. But I imagine this kind of training is very different."
"You've only learned taijutsu?" Choji looked very surprised. And I can't say I blamed him. The only characters in the Naruto universe that got away with only using taijutsu were Guy and Rock Lee.
"Yeah, well, they teach us a lot more than fighting at the schools back home." I rubbed the back of my neck and thought how useless algebra must be for a ninja.
"What sort of things did they teach you?" Choji asked.
"You do not want to know." Apparently my vehemence convinced the two boys that my words were true, as they did not ask any more questions. Or perhaps they were quiet because we were nearing our destination. It was hard to tell.
As we neared the opening in the trees, I prepared myself for what we might find waiting for us. I was with Choji and Shikamaru, which meant that their sensei, Asuma, would no doubt be waiting for us. My heart seemed to convulse in my chest, and I took in a deep breath to steady myself. Perhaps because of the strange events that had transpired in the last twenty-four hours, my emotions ran wild and I felt tears springing to my eyes at the mere thought of my favorite sensei, whose tale, I knew, was bound to end in tragedy.
The river shone with particular zest, and beyond it I saw the person that my heart was mourning. He stood beside a tree with his arms crossed, watching Ino practice her shuriken throws. A cigarette bobbed up and down between his teeth as he studied her movements with the stern concentration of an instructor. My feet failed to move, and I watched him through tearing eyes.
Shikamaru glanced at my face, his eyebrows lifting. "Was it something he said?" he asked, gesturing towards Choji.
"Huh?" Choji turned and saw that I was crying. "Whoa, are you okay, Elli?"
I rubbed at my eyes and let out a shaky breath. "Yeah. It's just been an emotional couple of days, I guess. Don't worry about me."
"All right," Shikamaru said. He muttered something about me being troublesome as he led the way up to Asuma-sensei and Ino.
Asuma turned to greet us. His voice was deep and rich, and I studied his expressions with care. I knew there would not be time to do so later.
"Hello there," he said to me. "My name is Asuma Saratobi. I will be your mentor starting today."
A trill of excitement and dread mingled in my chest as I looked up at him. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Elli."
"I suppose Shikamaru and Choji have introduced themselves. This is the third member of my team, Ino Yamanaka."
Ino glanced at me. "Hey," she said simply.
"Hi," I said. I didn't feel like being overly friendly with Ino. Unlike Sakura, she only became more intolerable as the series went on. The moment her Sasuke fangirling is over, it's all about Sai. So yeah, friendship with Ino was not on my priority list at this point.
"What are we going to do today, Asuma-sensei?" Choji asked.
"You three will be running drills and practicing your jutsus while I go over the basics with Elli," Asuma-sensei said. "At about midday we will all report to the Hokage for our mission assignment."
"Okay," the three ninjas said. While they went off to practice together, I stayed behind, standing awkwardly and wondering what I was going to be asked to do.
Asuma-sensei turned to me.
"So. You're new to chakra, Ibiki tells me."
"Yeah… I wasn't really trained as a ninja much at all, so I'm kind of clueless…" I looked at my feet, studying the white toecaps of my sneakers.
"We'll remedy that quickly," Asuma said reassuringly.
"Okay. What are we going to start with?" I asked.
Asuma considered. Then he glanced at the tree we were standing next to. "I suppose it's as good a place as any," he murmured.
"What is?" I asked.
Asuma looked at me and smiled mischievously. "How would you like to learn how to walk up a tree?"
Author's Note:
I hope you all enjoyed the new chapter. I know it's been a freakishly long time coming. Suffice it to say I've been working more on original stories and literary essays than fanfictions of late. But I work away at the fanfics I enjoy every now and then, and this one just happened to be today's interest. Man. A lot has happened since I last updated. I'm a very different person than I was when I started this story. I wonder if that will reflect in my writing. Well. I hope some of you have stuck around to keep reading the story. Thank you for your support, and as always feedback is appreciated. Happy new year everyone! Let's make 2015 a fun one :)
