A Dusty, Old Scarecrow
Chapter 2
Birds were chirping from a tree branch outside and sunlight delivered its warmth through the window pane. A soft scent of nature floated around the room along with a light breeze. Kakashi slowly opened his eye to see a green ceiling, a fan was spinning calmly in a counterclockwise direction. He blinked a few times before glancing around. The bed sheet currently covering his body felt nice and comfortable, like sheep's wool with cotton. Something felt missing on his face however. Kakashi could feel the air touching his nose and lips, he brought a hand up to feel that his mask was gone.
Kakashi frowned; he didn't like anyone touching his mask.
Kakashi grunted and tried to sit up, his body felt heavy, it's like he had been bedridden for days. Though it wasn't an unfamiliar feeling, it had happened to him before. Kakashi leaned back to the bed's headboard to observe himself. He was wearing a thick shirt with short sleeves and the neck area unbuttoned. Underneath laid bandages that wrapped around his wounds, they didn't hurt anymore at least. His arms had scuffs and scratches, but nothing major to note.
The room was a simple one; a single bed with an end table next to it, sat atop of it was a flower vase and a tray with water cup. Other far side of the room, however, hanged his usual outfit, it was completely mended. Kakashi smiled to himself in a small appreciation. Exerting some energy, Kakashi reached over for the glass of water and downed the liquid. It felt refreshing when his throat was no longer dry. He let the cup down and turned the blanket aside. Planting his feet firmly on the wooden floor, Kakashi stood up and sucked in a deep breath. He exhaled and stretched his arms while staring out the window.
His room was on the second-floor if the height indicated anything. Kakashi watched the people going about their routines, many were carrying construction tools and materials. It didn't look like a small village, but nor was it humongous like Konoha. It was peaceful place, nature took its place alongside human architecture. In some ways, it reminded him of home. The sun was nearing peak, the sky soaked in a deep blue with hardly any clouds. What a beautiful day.
Creakkkk
Kakashi turned around in alert, but calmed when he saw a girl several years older than his students walking in with a tray in hand. She was carrying a new glass of water and fresh bandages. The girl wore a simple white dress, a brown sash by the waist and a red shawl draped around her shoulders. She stopped when she saw him.
"Oh, uoy'er ekawa!" she chirped excitedly.
Kakashi blinked stupidly, he didn't understand a word she just said.
"...Huh?" Was all that came from his lips.
The girl didn't seem to hear as she set the tray down, collecting the empty glass.
"I thguoht uoy'd eb gnipeels ni rof regnol," she continued to speak, "ym eman si Lilyn, I evah neeb gnikat erac fo uoy."
Still unable to comprehend what she was saying, Kakashi noticed something else; on her head were two appendages that looked like animal ears. Behind her robe was some type of bushy tail, resembling that of a squirrel. He wondered if there were others like her in this land. He had seen a fair share of ninjas with animal attributes, even Naruto was born with whisker marks thanks to the Nine-Tails.
"Um...," Kakashi tried to talk, but was interrupted.
"Dluow uoy dnim gnitfil pu ruoy trihs?" She was right in front of him, a hand out, as if expecting for him to do something.
"Uh... excuse me," Kakashi laughed lightly and raised a hand halfway up. "I can't understand what you are saying."
She looked at him in confusion, her eyes narrowed, her placed went to her hips and her ears perked up. "Tahw egaugnal era uoy gnikaeps? Nac uoy neve dnatsrednu em?"
Kakashi opened his mouth to reply, but had no idea what to say. He just forced an impish smile while scratching his head.
The girl sighed, tail swishing from behind. She put one finger up at him and said, "Ok, tiaw ereh." With that, she promptly turned around and left the room, the door closed right after.
Kakashi just shrugged, at least he understood the word "ok," that was a start. After she was gone, he removed the shirt to check the bandages; they were wrapped neatly and firmly, not too tight nor too loose. Without waiting for the girl to return, Kakashi decided to change the gauze himself. When all that's done, he took his old outfit from the hook and put it on. It fit perfectly like it always had, Kakashi was much more comfortable with the mask where it's supposed to be. He slid the headband down to cover the Sharigan eye.
He stood by the window with both hands in pockets for some time, Kakashi felt incredibly hungry. He hoped that he'd get something to eat soon or he might die, again. It would be a lot less heroic death.
The girl returned, this time carrying another tray, but this time it had food instead. A steaming bowl of porridge it seemed like. She saw him and stopped, head tilted as she raised an eyebrow.
Kakashi just waved in a friendly manner.
He could've sword he heard a small hiss from the girl when she placed the tray down, more likely at him than from the heat. She merely pointed at the bowl in a command-like gesture. Kakashi elevated the lone brow of his own at her behavior.
Was she expecting that he would listen? Sure she was nice to look at and all, but she wasn't his Hokage.
The girl didn't seem to care and collected his old bandages along with other loose stuff and strutted out the door.
Kakashi stood there, debating on what to do. He could easily escape this village and run off in some direction, but that would be rude. These people had likely helped him recover as he had with the monster trouble. Their hospitality had been nice thus far.
Besides, he was starving, and that bowl of porridge looked really good.
It didn't take long to consume that delicious meal, Kakashi clasped his hands together and silently thanked for the food.
She came back eventually, she motioned toward the door and Kakashi just shrugged and did so. He saw an older man waiting for him, this person looked completely normal, no animal ears or anything. He dressed in a shirt with side buttons and a trouser long enough to reach the ankles. His facial skin lines were prominent, the graying hair spoke much about the aging man.
"Ahh, I see that you are awake and well," The man looked up. Kakashi was easily towering over him with at least a head and a half. His voice was deep and somewhat gruff and not too terribly grouchy.
But finally, he could actually understand someone.
"Yes, I must thank you for taking care of me," Kakashi replied with an eye-smile. His hands still stuck inside as he did a curt bow.
"Please do not trouble yourself with such," the man waved away at this thanks. "If anything we are indebted to you. Had you not show up that night, I'm not sure if the village would still be standing."
He nodded upward in the direction of Kakashi's room. "And she is the one who took care of you in the past three days. She is a student from our village's doctor."
Kakashi looked surprise, so he had been out for some time there. He should thank her later.
"Ah, but where are my manners," the man got Kakashi's attention. "My name is Telvi, Telvi Astralen. "
"Kakashi," he answered simply. "Just Kakashi."
"Very well, please follow me," Telvi turned toward the stairs. "Our village's Elder wishes to speak with you."
Kakashi just shrugged and relaxed his shoulders as he followed the man. The bottom floor was a mess hall of sorts, he saw people sitting by the bar chatting and drinking or eating. So this was likely an inn. There were only a few residents and a single server weaved around the empty tables cleaning them.
The few people that were there recognized him somehow and waved at him, mouthing something. They spoke in the language that he couldn't understand, just like the girl he met. Kakashi merely returned the gesture with a friendly one of his own.
Exiting the lodging, Kakashi could finally witness the village in its fullest. The main road stretched from what looked like the town's gate to a large round building further in. Shops and stores lined up on both sides, small and large ones next to each other. Kakashi thought it looked like Konoha in a way without the overabundance number of citizens walking around. Here, people could be seen in, but no way would they crowd the street.
Kakashi looked to the direction many workers were going toward. There were plenty of once broken houses being rebuilt. People yelling back and forth while the ones with able bodies carried large beams and planks of wood. Stone was also used to assemble buildings. He turned back around and continued on with Telvi.
"So I suppose you must have some questions?" Telvi asked as he walked a few paces ahead of Kakashi.
"Yes," Kakashi admitted. Damn, he really missed not having a book to read while conversing. "I can't understand what it is that people have been speaking, do the citizens here speak a different language?"
Telvi chuckled before replying. "No, it is quite the opposite. The people here are speaking a common tongue. You, however, are not."
Kakashi just tilted his head in puzzlement. "So then, how do you speak what it is that I use?"
"To be honest, I am surprised myself," Telvi said, "but if you truly do not know. It is Mistrali you are speaking, an old tongue. It is not forgotten I assure you, but not very common anymore, not outside of Mistral at least."
Mistral and Mistrali? Kakashi had never heard of such name, he guessed that's what he should consider himself if what Telvi said was true.
"Your name tells me that you are from our neighboring Kingdom of the east," Telvi continued, "do tell, which part of Mistral did you hail from?"
"Um...," Kakashi didn't know how to reply. Hell, he didn't even know what the name of this village was. Well, it couldn't hurt to try. "Konoha, to the south. It's... gone now though."
"Ah I see, my condolence," Telvi replied genuinely. "So, what made you come to Lakestone? Or are you just a passerby?"
Lakestone, so that's the village's name.
"Uh," Kakashi scratched his chin, he'd have to make something up. "Nothing, I was just lost on the road of life."
Old habits die hard he supposed.
Telvi stopped and stared at him incredulously, then barked out a good hearty laugh. He resumed the walk with a shake of his head. "Well, whatever your reason may be, we are lucky people indeed. Nevertheless, here we are."
They stopped at a pair of doors, Telvi slid one opened and invited Kakashi inside. He did so and observed that there was another set upstairs leading up. There was nothing much in the rooms except for paintings on the wall. They looked like those of folklore or fairy tales. Interesting really, especially when he saw depictions of the black creatures, this time in more different forms than those he had seen.
"Please head up, the Elder is waiting for you," Telvi spoke, hand gesturing at the steps. "I shall be waiting down here in my office." And with that, he left for a door close by.
Kakashi nodded and lead himself toward the circular wood stair. Along the wall hanged more paintings, though they looked more like a timeline of sort. It started from a drawing of humans coming to a new land for settlement, then a village grew. Then the creatures began popping, at first it was a small number, paintings after paintings, they increased. Even one point they were overwhelmed, but the village didn't go without hope. Warriors showed up, each wielding a different weapon. They slaughtered the monsters and people lived on.
That was the last one Kakashi saw as the rest laid empty—almost like an unfinished story. He saw another door at the end of the stairway and opened it. The room inside was far more spacious than he had expected. The large windows allowed the area to be brightly lit. Plants in pots sat in each corner, a broad bookcase occupied his side of the wall. A large desk situated on a far end of the room, behind it a large map.
Kakashi found the Elder sitting on the opposite side, painting on a canvas. The Elder spun his stool and met Kakashi. His first impression was different from what he was expecting; the man looked younger than he had thought, probably around his early fifties. He wore a simple ivory robe with some adornments around the collar. His black hair was tied into a tail, he wore glasses that rested on the nose bridge.
"Ah, welcome," he greeted warmly and his mouth stretched into a smile. "I am Molrin Darel, this village's Elder."
"Kakashi," he answered. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes," Molrin stood up, placing the paintbrush down on the palette. He went over to the chair behind the desk and motioned a hand at a seat in front of it. "But first, please sit down Kakashi."
Kakashi did as suggested. The chair was comfortable leather, he sat with both hands still inside his pockets. He waited for the man to start the conversation.
"Firstly, I must express my gratitude on the behalf of the townspeople," Molrin clasped his hands together. "We were not expecting such a huge amount of Grimm attack three nights ago."
Grimm? Those black creatures? That's what they were called? Kakashi mused, the name fitted them well. He nodded as Molrin continued.
"We lost many good people that night," Molrin sadly conveyed, "but with a luck of fate, you came out of nowhere and slain them. I wasn't aware of any huntsman operating nearby, are you from Haven by any chance?"
Kakashi shrugged. He wondered whether he should answer truthfully, was there really anything to lose. Huntsman? Some kind of hunter that went around killing the Grimm creatures? Haven? Was that a city?
Molrin leaned forward and examined Kakashi. "You're not from around here are you?"
"… no," he admitted, relaxing in his seat. "I'm just someone who's lost."
"I see...," Molrin raised a brow in curiosity, then his expression softened. "Well, do you know where you are then?"
Kakashi shook his head.
Molrin swiveled his chair and let Kakashi see the map with a closer view. It comprised of about six notable landmarks. They're oddly shapes, most of them are rather narrow and spread apart, unlike the Elemental Nations. They sort of looked like animals or something, he couldn't really put his fingers on it. Although now, he was completely sure he got thrown into some other world.
"Remnant, as the world is called and we are here, in the kingdom of Vale," Molrin put a finger on the land that was situated near the center of the map. The village near the large mountain range. His pointer shifted upward to the left and drew an invisible circle. "This is the City of Vale, the capital. It's also where the Huntsman school, Beacon Academy, resides."
Kakashi nodded as he took in the information. He felt like a student at the Konoha academy again. In a sense, it's nostalgic, but he graduated early for many reasons, one being that he hated how slow and weak his peers were. He didn't like being held back.
What could he say, he was a snobby kid. That arrogance eventually bit his ass when he was twelve. Kakashi internally sighed and pushed away the thoughts.
"Vacuo, once the largest deposit of Dust, but now a barren wasteland." It was the land connected to the west of Vale. Molrin pointed upward. "Atlas. An isolated and cold region with the most advanced technology. And lastly," he moved to the continent with a giant hole in the middle. "Mistral, the land of diverse cultures and artistry."
"Hmm," Kakashi pointed with a finger. "What about the other ones?"
Molrin placed his finger on the most southern landmass. "This here is Menagerie, a secluded home for the faunus."
Faunus? As in, animals? Like the girl who tended to him?
"What about that one," Kakashi's lone eye aimed at the peculiar looking continent that laid above Vacuo.
"Simple, we know nothing about it. That place still remained a mystery 'til this day," Molrin answered. He stared at Kakashi for a good while before sitting back down. His fingers twiddled at a cup of tea nearby, it wasn't hot, but rather cool. Molrin sipped as he looked out to the window. "You're really far away from home, aren't you?"
Kakashi nodded and sighed. "Yeah. Very far."
"Do you wish to go back?"
Kakashi paused at that. Part of him wished to find a way back to the Leaf Village, perhaps he could then witness what had happened. The other part reminded him that he was ready to die at the time. He understood that there was no way back unless he was reanimated as someone's pawn. Yet here he was, alive as ever, talking to a stranger he just met.
His father was hardly ever wrong, did Kakashi still really have something he's meant to do? He wanted to believe that, he really did. His entire life had not been entirely sunshine and rainbow, frankly it's been completely shit now that he thought about it, but there were some merits. Living past the age of thirty was rare enough for a shinobi.
Kakashi knew that he had lost a lot, making mistakes over and over again. Hell, he even joined ROOT during a low point of his life, right after the Nine Tails' attack. However, he found a way out, the Third Hokage had put him ANBU. Kakashi protected Konoha in any way he could. Eventually he saw himself in front of three freshly graduated Genins.
When they were the first kids to pass his test and Kakashi caught a glimpse of a future then. Again, he screwed up, he neglected a brilliant kunoichi and his sensei's son for someone hellbent on revenge. Sasuke reminded Kakashi of himself he supposed. At first he was just told by the Third to train him and keep Naruto's seal in check, Sakura was just an extra. He wasn't a good teacher to Team Seven in retrospect. Things might've gone differently had he not put them up for the Chunin Exam.
In the end though, he felt a bit of redemption. Kakashi had managed to witness Naruto finishing the Rasengan, a feat that not even the Fourth could accomplish. Naruto might have not noticed, but after the invasion of Konoha, the villagers had already begun to whisper his name in a good light. With each successful mission their appreciation grew. If he could defeat, no, once he defeated Pein, the village would see the hero they once shunned.
His Will of Fire burned brightly and Kakashi had faith in Naruto, he would be the Hokage one day.
Kakashi looked at the birds flying outside the window and smiled slightly to himself. For once in his life he was proud of himself. He had helped plant the seed that would flourish into a beautiful garden, he was sure of that. It's a shame that he wouldn't get to see it.
He glanced back to Molrin to give an answer, but the village's Elder raised a hand to stop him from doing so.
"There's no need," he spoke, sipping on the tea gently. "I can see that you have lived through a hard life, an answer is not necessary. Here at Lakestone, you are always welcomed."
Kakashi blinked at the explanation, or lack thereof, nevertheless he gave an eye-smile full of gratitude. He supposed the dead should stay where they were and he had earned himself some rest. The thought of the Grimm creatures clawed its way back to his thought. If they were so rampant to attack the village in such a number, how had the town stayed intact? Huntsmen?
"The village," Kakashi began, garnering Molrin's attention. "How did it survive for so long with all those creatures attacking?"
"Ah," Molrin replied. "When our scouts spot a large number of Grimm, we would send a request to Beacon Academy for Huntsmen and they provide the service. Their students do need the experience after all"
Kakashi nodded. It sounded like how Konoha operated, just a simple demand and supply basis. He was curious about this academy however, it seemed prestigious from the name alone.
"What about those Grimm things from the night before?" Kakashi questioned.
Molrin sighed heavily. "Sometimes the lack of Huntsmen requires more time for their arrival. Many places have fell to the Grimm that way. After all, only few ever chose the life of a Huntsman. Vale itself does not have a military unlike Atlas. We just make do with what we have."
"I see," Kakashi thought to himself. Not having an actual military is just an awful idea in his experience. If there was one thing shinobis were made for, it's that they're efficient soldiers. It's part of the culture and lifestyle in the Elemental Nations. Unlike this world Remnant, people killed each other, not some ruthless and savage creatures. As much as he liked the idea of settling down, part of him wanted to explore the lands.
"We did ask for assistance a little over a week ago, we have yet to receive a response," he pressed on with an indifferent look. "It's not uncommon, we don't live too far from the Kingdom so help just arrives a bit on the late side."
It was fair, killing the Grimm was easily equivalent to a C or B-rank mission. If there were something significantly stronger and posed a serious threat, Kakashi imagined it'd be higher. That brought up another thought, he needed money. He always kept some emergency Ryo, but he doubted the currency would work. Maybe he could self-employ as one of these Huntsmen? Kakashi was confident in his skillset, very confident.
"So is it what those paintings are?" Kakashi inferred, head tilting in said direction. "The village's history?"
The man chuckled and nodded. "Very much so. Every time when a noteworthy occasion happens, the Elders record it through paintings. It's a tradition now."
"Ahhh..." Kakashi took a peek at the piece in progress. It was unfinished, but he could see the painted part. He recognized the black creatures as Grimm, a person was fighting them with lightning in his hand. "That's—"
"You," Molrin affirmed with a grin. "It was quite a site to behold. I didn't know Dust could be used like that, or was that a Semblance for lightning?"
"Errr..." Dust? The man mentioned something about it with the whole Vacuo land. Was it some kind of energy fuel? And Semblance? The hell was that? Kakashi just smiled unsurely. "Something like that."
"That reminds me," Molrin got his attention. He stood up to go to a cabinet and procured something. When it landed into Kakashi's hands, he felt some sort of rich cloth. "A thank you gift from me personally."
Kakashi spread it apart to see that it was a rather a thick scarf with an emblem of a river blazoned at one end. It was in a light blue in color, contrasting against his usual navy blue outfit.
"Thank you." Kakashi gave an earnest look. He couldn't remember the last time he felt grateful more than once a day. He liked the feeling quite a bit.
"It is of no trouble," the man replied and looked at a clock nearby. "I have taken much of your time today, perhaps you should take a stroll through our village, we may not be sizable, but I assure you will find many things to your liking."
Kakashi just shrugged.
Molrin chuckled again.
"The room you were at is yours to use however you like. Please don't refrain from asking. Should the language barrier becomes a problem, we have people who are capable to teach you."
Meaning becoming a student again, Kakashi mentally sighed. As if he had a choice in that matter though. He gave Molrin a curt nod and stood up with one hand holding the gift.
"I hope you find your stay enjoyable and accommodating," Molrin bid him in parting.
Kakashi just smiled at him and left the room. He didn't see Telvi on the way out, he must be working. He decided to go back to his room. With the day still long, he would find the library later to acquire some books he could understand, if not then he'd have to get a translator. How troublesome, truly.
When the sun had dipped down behind the western mountains hours prior, the shattered moon glowed brightly taking its place. Kakashi sat there on his bed watching it. The village had gone quiet as a grave. Not a single sound from humans could be heard, but only from winds blowing and leaves rustling. Because he came into this world with nothing but personal possessions he carried, the room laid bare and empty. The only thing reminiscent of his old life was the Jounin vest and the Leaf headband, the former hanged in a closet and the latter within his palms, its metal piece glinting from the moonlight.
He felt alone, he knew nobody and nobody knew him. The new language and people made him feel like an alien, an outcast. Kakashi didn't belong here and he understood that, but he didn't have any other choice. Kakashi would have to adapt, he was good at that, but he really missed the Leaf Village. Maybe it's the old age talking.
So he sat there, watching the moon from his bed of an empty room, pondering of what to become of his future.
Not beta'd
Author's Note: So I wrote the second chapter, yayyyy! I really appreciate the supports so far for this story, thank you all very much! I would like it ever more if you guys would bring up any form of criticisms so I can pay attentions for future chapters. This one is basically an exposition for Kakashi's predicament, hopefully it makes sense. I'm gonna have to practice more on my descriptions and whatnot, blegh, oh well, this is just the beginning anyway. We'll see some RWBY characters eventually, don't worry about the OCs, I just put them in to fill in the world lol.
