In The Corner of Your Eye
Abby Ebon
Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter. I do not own Naruto. Because, if I did, I'd cry for not slashing it up!
2. Lone Shinobi of the Land of Fire
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Harry lifted a hand, drawing on his power – the green smoke hovering over Tsunade's desk shifting into Harry's form – the Fifth Hokage pressed her hand to her mouth in relief, tears shimmering in her golden eyes – even as Harry's voice echoed from the smoke…
"I do not know why you have summoned me, grandniece, but I am coming…." Tsunade's breath caught in her throat, sounding much like a sob – her hand reached out to touch the smoke – even as it disappeared….
"Thank you, Harry…"
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
Slowly, and after a length of time, Tsunade stood; feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders, her gaze on the ashes of the scroll. The green smoke had long ago faded – as had the image of Harry – she felt something special should be done with the ashes of the scroll – yet, there was nothing she could think to do with them.
Tsunade shook her head, leaving the little pile of ashes for now. She went to her office, ignoring those who tried to sway her course. Tsunade, once in her office, sat back in her chair, ignoring the paperwork for now, and thought on who would be accompanying her great-uncle…
Tsunade's lips curled into what could be described as a perfectly evil smile.
"Shizune!" Tsunade called out, and a rather hassled looking young woman with dark hair and a pink pig in her arms appeared.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade?" Shizune asked, tilting her head to the side, the pig 'huffed' softly, Tsunade gave it a fond look.
"Have Kakashi summoned to my office – and do give Tonton something special for lunch today…" Shizune nodded and was quick to disappear to do the task – leaving Tsunade to her paperwork.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
"Kakashi. Do make a point of using the door next time!" Tsunade hissed at him – having been startled by the others sudden appearance in her office, even as Kakashi's eye curved upward – showing he was smiling – or smirking at her. Sometimes speaking with him – with only a small part of his face uncovered by the mask – was annoying. She was sure he knew it too.
"Noted." Kakashi murmured in a tone that could have been considered teasing. Tsunade ignored it – and seeing the sudden tension in her features, Kakashi's mood turned abruptly serious.
"I'm going to give you a choice here, Kakashi – there is a possibility Orochimaru may be defeated very shortly, would you like to aid the person who might do this? If you do not – walk away now." Tsunade warned, and Kakashi tilted his head, curious to why the Hokage – a woman who could, with a flick of a finger send a person literally into the next room – through a wall, had given him the option of aborting a mission that was clearly essential.
Tsunade – knowing he would not walk out on her, relaxed.
"Very well – this is, of course, sensitive information and not to be disclosed – if you do, I will not be responsible for what happens to you," Tsunade's drifted to the wall that held the portraits of the Hokages, "as you know – I am the granddaughter of the First – and the grandniece of the Second – as such, I grew up to tales of a third man who aided in founding Konoha. He saved the First and Second before they became Hokages' – and in those days, such an act would put him with family ties to the First and Second. So, three brothers embarked on a journey to the Lord of the Land of Fire – to be granted Kage status of the Hidden Village of the Leaf…"
"All that is a nice history lesson, Lady Tsunade – but you can't expect me to believe this man is still alive – let alone able to fight Orochimaru and the Sound and win." Kakashi said softly, worry lacing his tone –is it possible Tsunade's old age and childhood memories are affecting her judgment? Kakashi regretted the thought – though it had to be considered.
"He is, Kakashi – for whatever reason he may have had not to aid in the Kyuubi's attack, he is alive – and coming to Konoha – for I have summoned him here myself." Tsunade allowed, and Kakashi's eye narrowed.
"How? Has Jiraiya had contact with him?" Kakashi asked, for now allowing Tsunade's claim to be the truth.
"No. As I said – I summoned him, awoke, you might say…" Tsunade trailed off, considering carefully what she was going to imply.
"Kakashi – it is very important for you to understand – this man I've summoned has the body of someone close to the age of twenty. He is not. In more then a hundred years – he has aged not at all." Tsunade confessed, and Kakashi tensed – knowing of only one way one might live indefinitely – Orochimaru's method – that of consuming souls. Tsunade must have known he would jump to this conclusion – and question her, for she allowed him to speak.
"Are you sure this is wise? He'd to have consumed souls to live so long – are we merely trading one snake for another poison?" Kakashi asked of her, his fists clenched with surpassed emotion.
"Long ago – before you were born, when he chased Orochimaru from Konoha - I asked of him how it was that the First and Second, for all their power, aged – yet he, assuredly as powerful in his own right – did not. I accused him of leaching off their souls," Tsunade's lips quirked when Kakashi's brow raised – eager despite himself to hear her answer, "he told me he was not a thief – and if I wanted to know that answer to ask when I wouldn't get nightmares for fear of the answer." Tsunade finished, and Kakashi pressed his lips together, wondering at the answer.
"So… when my brother and my love died – I asked him one last time. He gave me an answer that sent me in search of something I still seek – not to be immortal – but to kill one. He simply can't die – not of injury, and certainly not of old age. Can you imagine that? Watching friends – lovers, even the whole world change around you and not daring to cling to a bit of it – for it would hurt to watch it all go to dust?" Tsunade sighed softly, and Kakashi's eyes looked past her – to Konoha, wondering if he could stand to see it fall, simply because of age.
"So, you search for a way to kill him…for mercy?" Kakashi asked, and Tsunade smiled somewhat bitterly.
"I doubt I can find a way– for all my ability as a healer," Tsunade allowed, pressing her fingers together in thought, "perhaps that is why he comes to Konoha for my summons – in hope of death?" Tsunade mused softly, her eyes on Kakashi – if there was one thing Tsunade trusted – it was that Kakashi would not abandon Harry simply for knowing he would live through something terrifying. Tsunade hoped – for all her wisdom, that sending Kakashi was the right choice – and Harry might find something to live for in aiding him.
"Lady Tsunade, if I may ask a private question," Kakashi began, and slowly, Tsunade nodded, knowing for all that Kakashi was now burdened with – she owed him at least that, "why me? Why not Yamato?" Tsunade looked away as she considered the question.
Yamato had been an orphan – found after Orochimaru had fled Konoha – he had had the First's abilities though his DNA injected into Yamato. He had been one of many to undergo the cruel experiment – but of all the children, only Yamato had survived. He was very loyal to Konoha, and as an ANBU was one of her most trusted shinobi. However – Tsunade did not want to see her granduncles expression if he caught sight of Yamato – he looked too much like the First.
"Because, of all the shinobi and kunoichi, you least resemble anyone from his past." Tsunade allowed, and Kakashi's frown could be seen outlined behind his mask.
"Who is he?" Kakashi asked, though he thought he already knew – of all the men Tsunade could have summoned, only one came to his mind the– fit her descriptions…. a myth of Konoha's beginnings, he had thought.
"His name is Potter Harry. Though, perhaps you might remember him by his titles as the "Shadow Walker", or the "Lone Shinobi of the Land of Fire"." Tsunade intoned, echoing his thoughts.
A myth, Kakashi thought somewhat sarcastically to himself, which is apparently very real – and coming to meet me.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
In the dark of night, under the stars and moon, Harry staggered upon the shore, having lived underwater for a good while made getting used to gravity an adventure. He shook off his sudden feeling of heaviness, and glancing around the coast, only to see a nearby village – thinking of the small treasure in his threadbare pack, he chuckled softly. He looked like a rogue, but he'd look normal enough before dawn.
He had learned while on the road with Hashirama and Tobirama that shop owners most often lived on the second floor of their shop – so, if he knocked well enough they'd waken. Their mood would sweeten with a glance at his gold and gems, and earn their respect when he knew well the worth of them.
Bargaining – over the unquestionable value of coins, hadn't changed all that much, things were always more valuable to a person then coins – and a bargain took that into account. Even, in this case, the treasure of the sea meant little to Harry – there would always be more, while people sailed and ships wrecked upon reefs and other dangers.
The shop was a little rundown, but likely, it was because of the too-little wealth of the village that hindered the shop owner from selling his too fine merchandise. The man was dressed before dawn, hopeful of making a sale, and Harry knocked on the old door, and was promptly answered – the man, dressed sharply, looked him up and down and raised an eyebrow – Harry opened his fingers – the gems daggling out of it.
"Oh!" The man exclaimed upon setting eyes on them, and Harry chuckled softly, eyes going over the shops continents.
"I'll need things for fighting, and the road – a new pack, and whatever else that catches my eyes." Harry murmured his voice thick and gravely after all this time of not using it – despite his apparent youth. It made the man stand straighter, paying attention to his words.
"Right this way, sir, is there a cloth you prefer? Or colors?" Harry only shook his head, and the man was off – obviously trying to get rid of as much of his expensive things as possible. Harry found he was rather amused, but didn't mind – he would only take as much as he could put in his new pack – and what he took he knew would be useful.
"I think dark colors suit you best, sir, do you not think so?" It was obvious the man did not need an answer, so Harry hummed softly, his eyes roaming the shop. It might have looked to others to have stood here forever – but when Harry had first stood on land beside Hashirama and Tobirama it was just being built.
Harry glanced at some of the writing; it was lines and odd markings made no sense to him. He remembered that long ago he had taken a gamble in the Task of the Triwizard Tournament and had solved the riddle of a sphinx; little had he known at the time that doing so would enable him to speak and be understood in any language, yet not able to read the written word – it was a more complex 'gift', but that had been the short version Hermione had insisted he know. The shop owner – as any good merchant would, noticed his gaze.
"Do you like to read, sir?" The man asked carefully, Harry sighed, and shook his head.
"I haven't in a long time." Far…far too long...Harry admitted a small smile on his lips. Hermione would have lectured him for hours for not learning while founding the village, but there had been too much to do and too little time – and when his brothers died – he hadn't wanted to touch anything of their world.
"Well, I think I got your sizes right, if you would go try them on?" The merchant told him – nodding to the clothes, Harry nodded, taking his threadbare things and his gems with him. There was only so much magic could do to fix things – and Harry had never been keen to the delicate work of weaving thread and magic. In the end, Harry was glad to see the things picked out were indeed suitable – he could move in them, and they would not slow him down.
"Are they appropriate?" The other man asked somewhat nervously, and Harry merely nodded, the merchant smiled, seemingly satisfied in the answer. It did not take long for Harry to exchange his gems and for the clothing, walking out with the new things on his back and in his new pack.
As he walked, placing one foot in front of another indeed of swimming, all the while he remembered what he was going back to – and the memories he knew seeing Konoha would invoke.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O
The Questions; My Answers…
(If there were other questions – you'll have to wait and see…)
How old is Harry?
Between a few thousand and a few hundred – it all depends on how fast you think the world could change from natural disaster…mind you, most of that was spent away from people. You will find he is bitter toward people who have close relationships with one another – excepting, of course, his grandniece. This is because he can't have such relationships, being as they will die – and he won't. By the way – this is a wizard who is stronger then ninjas – oh yeah, I'm going there.
Does anyone know he's pretty much immortal?
This question should be answered by this chapter….so far Tsunade, Kakashi – Orochimaru, Jiraiya – Kyuubi – which means Gaara and Naruto will soon know – the rest probably just think it's a jutsu – alike to the one Tsunade created.
How can Harry understand them – aren't they speaking Japanese? – isn't he speaking English?
Also answered in this chapter…be warned – answering a sphinx's riddle allows you to speak any language – but not read the writings of it.
If you like read this explanation – but it contains spoilers from the 7th book…
What are the "Elder Wand", "The Invisibility Cloak", and "The Stone of Resurrection"? And where are they at this point in time.
All three of the above mentioned items are the creation of JKR, all of which can be read about in the 7th book – which I have finished. I'll go with the short version – Death gave three brothers these items, three 'gifts', though they cause nothing but chaos and destruction, now on to what they are and where.
"Elder Wand" –Elder Wand can not be beat in a duel, unless its "master" is defeated – Draco unknowingly was once the master of the Elder Wand, having stunned Dumbledore before Snape killed him – later in the seventh book, Harry fought him, and gained "mastery" of it. Between "then" and "now" he displaced it.
"The Invisibility Cloak" – Passed down from the Potter line by one of the three brothers. It shields it's user from Death's eyes – or anyone's eyes, although other senses such as smell and sound could possibly give you away. Harry also displaced it.
"The Stone of Resurrection" – This is a piece of work, truly Death had an ironic sense of humor, it allows the user to see their dead loved ones and communicate with them. However, you can not touch them – nor they you. It was long ago set in a ring and engraved with the 'symbol' for the three items – a triangle, a circle, and a line. Harry searched for it until he met the Hokages – then he stops, if only to see the end of his brother's children. Harry was hoping at the time, that if he tried to kill himself while using it, the Elder Wand wouldn't be able to stop him. It was lost in the Forbidden Forest and was not searched for, until the Forbidden Forest became an underwater reef. It is said that all three together will make the possessor "Master of Death"…which could mean a number of things. Still lost.
O.o.O.o.O.o.O