"Dynamic entry!" Kakashi leaned back as Guy's foot zipped past him.
"On guard as ever! Just like the genius Kakashi should be." The mono-brow spun around from his landing, looking at the silver haired shinobi with a grin. The latter didn't make any effort to show that Guy was even there, instead staring off at the crowd of people passing through the street. Guy's happy expression dropped, an exaggerated frown taking its place. "You just always have to be so cool." He huffed before leaning on the metal railing next to Kakashi. The teen was in his trademark green spandex jumpsuit and Kakashi was wearing a simple long sleeved black shirt. The collar of which stretched up covering his face, the leaf headband slumped over his left eye.
"..." Guy kept looking over at his ever silent companion. "Alright Kakashi, you win this round, but I challenge you to see who can eat the most Ichiraku ramen!" After a long pause Kakashi looked at him blankly. "Well come on, time's a wasting and I'll going to stomp you into the ground this time!" Guy vaulted over the railing with renewed vigor. Left with no other choice Kakashi jumped down joining Guy as they walked towards the ramen stand. Weaving through the crowd Kakashi hesitated catching sight of a bob of silver pink hair. Guy turned to see what had caught Kakashi's eye.
"Ha, Kakashi I didn't know you were interested in men." Guy joked. The teen gave Guy a 'Are you serious?' look before turning to see the pink haired man gone. "Come on let's get going, or are you forfeiting?" A hopeful glint was caught in Guy's eye.
"No, I just thought I knew him." Kakashi shook his head and continued on. He already committed to this challenge enough to get this far he wasn't going to just back down now. The two shinobi reached the ramen stand and take a seat. A man took their orders and began putting together the meal.
"Oh loser has to pay for the meals too!" Guy chimed in with a grin. Seeing Kakashi's less than enthusiastic expression he tilted his head. "You still thinking about that Aomori guy?"
"Hm? You know him?" Kakashi asked.
"Oh yeah real stuck up, won't give me or anyone the time of day. Thinks he's too cool for Konoha's most manly of men!"
"What's his name?"
"Ah... Kaito? Yeah Kaito! That was his name. He's a real piece of work, doesn't work well with anyone. Not like you and me Kakashi."
"Yes we're quite the team..." He spoke sarcastically.
"We are! I tell you, it's just like when we worked together before, nothing can beat us! Konoha's Genius Kakashi and the most manly of beasts: me." The orders for the two of them began to arrive and within no time the two began gorging on the ramen. Guy's face turned red from the heat, his tongue burning. Still the two managed to finish bowl one at the same time quickly moving onto the second. Then came the third and forth... and on went the never ending service. A few villagers gathered to watch the spectacle as the teens stuffed themselves with ramen. Upon the tenth bowl, Guy slumped back in the chair watching as Kakashi finished.
"Just you wait, I'll get you next time. I just need to increase my training regimen!" When the bill came, Kakashi had already stood up leaving Guy to pay. "Hey Kakashi wait up!" The full shinobi jogged after him. "So ah why the sudden interest in Kaito, if you don't mind me asking?"
"He just looked familiar."
"Oh well he does have a twin sister named Yukiko."
"Yukiko..." Snow. Kakashi nodded. "That has to be it."
"I don't know how though. She hasn't been seen outside the Aomori's mansion for a few years." Guy got a darkened glint in his eyes. "There's something up with those people. I mean ever since..." He began to whisper. "Ever since the attack of the kyuubi, they haven't really come out much." Kakashi shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. "Well I don't mean to be gossip anyways. I should get going, got a 1000 push-ups to do to keep in shape." Guy gave a thumbs up and a sparkled grin before running off.
Kakashi found himself walking towards the memorial stone lost in thought. The pathway was empty, no one was on their way to pay their respects this early in the afternoon. He almost didn't notice the woman kneeling in front of the stone when he arrived. His right eye widened in surprise to see a long pale pink pony tail with those familiar weaving of braids. Keeping quiet he observed her placing a white chrysanthemum on the stone.
Snow stood up brushing off the dirt from her legs. She was wearing lavender shorts and a white, long sleeved, wide colored shirt.
"Yukiko."
She jumped, drawing out a hidden blade. Upon seeing Kakashi she withdrew the weapon.
"How did you know my name?"
"Lucky guess." He scratched the back of his head. "You're mourning Hikari Aomori." She frowned at him. "It's the only name on the stone that shares your name." He explained. As the sunlight caught the side of her face he could see the fresher bruises from their mission had begun to fade yellow.
"And you're here to mourn over Rin and Obito." He frowned beneath his mask. "I know you come here in the mornings. Hence my time here now."
"You observe so you can be alone."
"Alone with the dead." She paused. "I should be going."
"Not supposed to be out long?" Kakashi wondered if what Guy had said was true.
"I have duties to attend to at home. I can't shirk them for pointless activities like this." She huffed making a motion with her hand to insinuate talking to him wasn't worth her time.
"I'm not stopping you." With that the girl made a seal disappearing in a puff of smoke. Kakashi sighed taking a few steps closer to the stone. He looked at the flower before returning his gaze to find Obito and Rin's names.
Yukiko was walking along a small cobblestone path in the forest. She was some distance from the main hub of the village. Sunlight filtered through the canopy creating intricate patterns on the walkway. "Sister." She looked over to see her twin joining the path. "How was your visit?"
"Fine."
Kaito looked closely at her expression. "Don't lie, you're back earlier than usual."
"Someone else showed up, so I left."
"Was it a silver haired shinobi?" Yukiko's face gave her away. Her eyes giving away a small micro expression of surprise. "So it was. Do tell me why he is interested in us... or you specifically."
"I have no idea."
"More importantly how does he know what you even look like?"
"..." The stone walls of the manor came into view. Yukiko stopped before the gated entrance to their home. "I made a mistake. I removed my mask at camp during a mission. He saw. As to why he's still interested, it's probably due to my refusal to inform him on the delicate information of the mission at hand."
"Sister... I want to help you get out on your own but if you keep making childish mistakes like this, I can't help you." Kaito ran a hand through his hair.
"I know, Do not tell Father of this." Kaito made a "calm down" motion.
"I won't." Playfully he flicked a strand of his twin's hair. "Now let's not leave him waiting." Pushing the gate open the pair walked into the gates of their home.
Kakashi stepped into the Hokage's office. Sarutobi didn't glance up; he was sorting through a pile of documents on his desk.
"You're late." Sarutobi spoke as he signed one of the documents.
"Oh, I ah had to help an old lady with her groceries." He spoke cheerfully.
"You're just like him." Sarutobi commented finally he sat down the papers and looked up at Kakashi. A faint smile on the old man's face. "I have some important information to be discussed with you." The carelessness on Kakashi faded away as he nodded. "I have reason to believe that there is a spy in the village."
"What evidence do you have?"
"Danzo's word. Something I'm not sure if I can fully believe without collaborating evidence."
"Do you have anyone in mind?"
"He has accused the entirety of the Aomori clan as spies. Citing on your mission the Captain gave away village information."
"I have no knowledge of that but we were separated for a time during the mission."
"Do explain."
"During the mission our Captain left us to cause a distraction, so we could enter the estate with less resistance." Kakashi wracked his brain trying to remember if anything seemed off about her. There wasn't key behavior that stuck out in his mind. Aside from her secrecy he didn't think anything that seemed off from her. Sarutobi clasped his hands, resting his chin on them in thought.
"These are heavy accusations. I can't have this discussion with them yet without evidence else I fear our ties with the clan will become strained, especially if they are innocent. The Aomori clan is proud; they've been with this village since its founding." The Hokage looked as though he wanted to continue, but just then the door abruptly opened. The two looked to see Danzo stepping into the room.
"They're arrogant. Believe they can disgrace this village and no one would know the different." Sarutobi closed his eyes and sighed. "Why you insist on waiting instead of acting I'll never understand."
"It's important we stamp them out now!"
"Danzo we cannot move on your word alone. Unless there is efficient evidence we cannot throw these serious accusations at them."
"I suppose that is where I come in." Kakashi interjected.
"Yes. I want you and a few others of your choosing to investigate them, but make it natural, I don't want them to be suspicious. If needed I can provide some assistance to help force interaction." Sarutobi Kakashi nodded, ignoring the grumble from Danzo. The Hokage pulled out a thick file from his desk and sat it on the table. He opened the file revealing several photos. "This is Soma, he is the head of the clan. He is proud, strict, and not one to trust others outside those walls." Kakashi examined the photo of a middle aged man. He had the same long silver pink hair pulled back in a loose pony tail. Two long strands fell in his face and gray eyes seemed to be piercing right through the photograph. Next the Kage pointed to two photos side by side, Yukiko and Kaito. "These are his eldest children, Their both twins, and go by the codename Snow. One of them was your Captain, the one Danzo initially accused of treason. I'm led to believe it was Kaito, since Soma had informed me that Yukiko does not go on mission anymore."
"Yes so we expect you to become good friends with him, make him trust you." Danzo stepped towards the window in the office. "I want you to uncover this treason so we can expose them for the rats they are."
"May I ask why the daughter hasn't been out?" Kakashi asked careful not to give away what he knew.
"Soma likes to keep a leash on his children. They aren't as refined as him, and could give away incriminating information."
"Danzo..." Sarutobi warned. "Soma explained she's taken on the role of caring for her younger siblings. She dropped her promising career as a ninja of this village to help keep the clan running smoothly." Kakashi closed his eyes remembering the scene at the memorial stone.
"You mean she is being used as a political pawn. Soma is planning to marry her off to one of the other clans in Konoha. It gives them allies and strength in numbers." Danzo said, turning back to face them.
"Or it could simply be to tie clans together." Sarutobi was unimpressed with Danzo. "Just get to the bottom of this as fast as you can." Kakashi nodded and stepped back.
"I'll get to work."
It had been a week since the meeting with Sarutobi and Danzo. Kakashi ran a hand through his hair as he slid out of bed. He had been wracking his brain, wondering how exactly to make his move. The seventeen year old grabbed a shirt from the clean pile and slid it over his head. He moved out of his bedroom and grabbed an apple; once finished, he tossed the core in the trash and stepped outside. Later that day, he took the path towards the memorial stone. Kakashi had taken the time to find out when Yukiko was visiting the shrine every day, and this time he would have to make his move or risk disappointing the Hokage.
Approaching the stone he spotted her sitting on her knees in front of it. Yukiko heard his approach and looked over at him. A frown crossed her lips before she turned her attention back to the stone.
"I was wondering when you'd actually show yourself."
"So you knew I was watching." Kakashi scratched the back of his head.
"You're not as stealthy as you think are." She hesitated. "Now what do you want? I don't believe you've been watching my schedule just to say hi."
"Maybe I have social anxiety, you never know."
"Not funny." She quipped.
"Ah well, I suppose you seemed like you needed a friend." Kakashi spoke awkwardly. Yukiko looked at him with suspicion.
"I don't need a friend. Not one like you."
"Like me? Explain." Yukiko gritted her teeth and continued to stare at the memorial stone.
Kakashi watched with some amusement. "I don't know what idea of people you have built up in that head of yours, but from what I heard you don't get out enough to know anyone."
"Yet you think you know me?" Finally she let her violet eyes look up at the silver haired ninja.
"I only know what I hear, so why don't you tell me instead of others."
"Only if you answer me on why you're so interested."
Kakashi searched for a good answer to this question. Honestly he wouldn't have cared about this if it wasn't for the Hokage.
"Well you trusted me enough with your secret so maybe I should get to know you. I don't keep secrets with a stranger."
She closed her eyes. "I see... so blackmail."
Kakashi put his hands up defensively. "Not necessarily, but I think it's a fair exchange."
She sighed in defeat and stood up. "If it's what I must do for your silence then fine." Yukiko started walking once she had stepped a few feet from him she turned mid-step. "Well are you coming?" He blinked in surprise and then started after her. The pair walked through the trees down a path Kakashi was unfamiliar with.
"Ah where are we-"
"A place where wandering eyes and ears won't be a problem." Sarutobi wasn't kidding when he said they didn't trust others. Kakashi followed along only stopping when she did in a small clearing with a couple of rocks. "There, now what do you want to know?" Kakashi took a seat on one of the rocks. He had no idea how to begin with her being so blunt. It wasn't making his job any easier.
"Alright-"
"No asking about the mission. I can't disclose that stuff to you." She huffed.
"Relax, how about why your gender is so important to keep secret?" Kakashi propped his foot up on the rock and rested his elbow on his knee.
"Well..." She looked at the ground, clearly uncomfortable with the truth. "I pose as my brother on missions."
"Why?" Kakashi watched as she seemed to get more irritated by his questioning already.
"I'm not supposed to be a ninja anymore."
"Does this have to do with why you're never seen around?" She nodded, crossing her arms in front of her. Sarutobi how do you expect me to get anything out of these people if they're all like her? He ran a hand through his hair. "So why can't you be a ninja?"
"Father is worried I'll end up like my mother." She spoke very matter of factly. "As the only woman in my clan, it is my duty to take up the responsibilities my mother left when she died. I care for and teach my brothers, I attend meetings and must be kept safe for tying the Aomori clan with another clan."
"All about your family, huh-"
"Family is important." She replied, puffing up a bit. "It's all that matters, Duty to your clan and Duty to this village…Look I don't really see how this is supposed to serve the purpose of becoming friends. It's more irritating then anything."
"Well, people who want to become friends get to know each other."
"Seems more like you drilling me about my life." She snapped.
"Alright, ask me anything you want to know." He relented knowing very well this wasn't going the way he wanted it to. Yukiko put a finger to her lips in thought.
"How is your family?" She finally asked. Kakashi remained silent staring at the ground. The answer came across loud and clear. "Oh.." She sighed. "Well then why don't you tell me about your hobbies? Isn't that what 'friends' talk about?" Thankful for the change of topic, Kakashi then had to think.
"Ah well, I have many hobbies..." He blinked a few times. "I like to take walks, read books, and eat." Yukiko nodded her head to show she was actually listening. "What about you? Any hobbies?"
"I don't really have any. Do workouts count?" She paused. "Well I guess I like to cook." Some progress was being made. Glancing up at the sky Yukiko jumped up. "Oh I have to go." The teen began to sprint off into the woods. Kakashi remained on the rock watching her run off.
"Just when I thought we were getting somewhere." He sighed and stood up shoving his hands in his pockets.
"You're late." Soma called as Yukiko entered their home. The older man was sitting on a cushion drinking tea with his three sons. Kaito sat across from his father, sipping tea and not looking at his twin. Two smaller boys around the ages of four and three were sitting next to Soma. Yukiko bowed closing her eyes.
"Sorry, I lost track of time." She straightened herself and joined her family sitting next to her twin.
"I expect you to not be late again. You should know better by now. If Kaito wasn't here your brothers would've gone hungry." Soma's stern gaze didn't leave his daughter.
"Yes, father. It won't happen again."
"I know you want to go out, remember your duty to this family comes first." Soma stood up. "I'll be leaving tomorrow on a mission assigned by the Hokage. I won't return for at least a week. Kaito I expect you and Yukiko to be able to manage the house while I'm gone."
"Yes father." Kaito and Yukiko chimed in unison.
"Good. I'll be meditating, so don't let Sota and Yuto disturb me." With that their father left them, walking down the hall of the manor.
"Sissy! Where were you?" The youngest Yuto whined as soon as Soma was out of earshot.
"Visiting mother. I needed time alone." Yuki smiled and reached over ruffling the boy's hair.
"I've never known you to lose track of time." Kaito commented. Yuki shot her brother a glare, knowing full well he didn't believe her lie. "You're lucky I was able to convince father you left later than you did."
"Thank you." She began collecting the now empty tea cups. "I appreciate that."
"Really, because you haven't been yourself. Not since I let you take that mission. You've been slipping up, and I've been doing my best to cover your tracks. Honestly sister I don't know if father will keep buying this." Kaito's voice lowered to a whisper; the younger boys watching them with interest.
"Well I guess we're lucky that he'll be gone tomorrow." She stepped into the kitchen, placing the dishes in the sink and beginning to run the water to wash them. Kaito followed after her with their younger siblings in tow. Sparks were beginning to fly from his hands. "Watch it or you'll catch the house on fire. I'm sure father would appreciate that." Kaito took a deep breath picking up Yuto in his arms.
"How about I read you and Sota a story?" His tone changing to a more happy tone, but Yuki was very well aware that it was false.
"Yeah! Can you read us the one about the great Phoenix?" Sota bounced up and down below. Yuto began to chant the same in unison.
"Don't you two ever grow tired of that tale?"
"It's not a tale, it's true." Yuki finished washing the cups and let the heat dry off her hands. "Come you three, I'll tell it." She placed a hand on Sota's back to herd him out of the kitchen and into a room filled with bookshelves, cushions, and chairs. Kaito followed sitting on a cushion with little Yuto in his lap. Yuki took her seat in the chair.
"Okay, Long ago before this village was even built there was a large demon that ruled the land. People ran in terror of the destructive beast, who's tails were said to destroy mountains and create canyons. Tired of the demon's reign over the people of the land, great ninjas rose to fight him. They challenged the demon's pride, and by fooling him were able to separate him into ten smaller demons. It was then the people began to see the use of demons against their enemies. The beasts were more manageable and thus began a race to capture and imprison them. However, one demon was able to allude them..."
"The phoenix!" Sota shouted. Yuki smiled and nodded.
"That's right. The ten tailed phoenix was smart and strong, it took to the skies to avoid capture only coming down to feed on chakra and rest. As his brothers began to be captured and imprisoned in jinchuriki. The mighty phoenix gave up his pacifism to save his brothers, and began burning the lands where the jinchuriki were held. He managed to free his brothers from their prison, but at a terrible price. In order for them to be reborn a piece of himself was lost. A feather of chakra fell each time, until he could no longer fly. The legendary ninja Okoto Aomori tracked down the phoenix, who could not flee. The phoenix, knowing he would no longer be able to save the other biju from recapture, offered a deal to Okoto. In exchange for biju to be left alone, he would give Okoto and his descendants great power."
"Buuuut" Yuto bounced in Kaito's lap.
"But, Okoto deceived him. Despite his prowess in the land he would not stop the other shinobi from using the biju as they please. He took the gift of fire and life from the phoenix biju. From then on the Aomori became renowned for their gift of fire and their prowess with healing jutsus. We were called..."
"The House built on Ashes." Kaito finished.
