A Kind of Magic
Disclaimer:I don't own Naruto. This story is inspired by the tales of a sweet little thief, loosely based on a novel by Megumi Tachikawa.
Author's Note:Enjoy the sweet adventures of a new thief, a phantom named, Tanuki.
Chapter Summary: Saint Tanuki has her hands full with her new rival, Kakashi. However, when someone mistakes the two as accomplices, things quickly take a dangerous turn.
Chapter Two: The Magician and the Copy Ninja
The sun had finally risen over Konoha, showering the village in daylight. Throngs of villagers roared past her, absorbed in their own individual thoughts, to-dos and lives. The weight of an expansive bouquet of sunflowers nestled in the crook of her arm and reminded her that she was on a honey-do of her own. Ino had sent her on what was supposed to be a quick delivery.
Flecks of golden yellow, burnt orange and warm red beckoned her to take in a quick whiff. The musk of the autumn scents wafted, causing her to become briefly distracted and forget her obligation to deliver the flowers promptly.
Moments passed by as she allowed her eyes to linger on every sight, enjoying the livelihood that bustled through the heart of Konoha. Her legs, halfhearted and reluctant, had begun to move back onto their original course. Startled, she came to another halt and gazed out to a spectacle she was incapable of ignoring.
She wasn't usually the type to eavesdrop on others, even considered it distasteful at times, but when she spotted Kakashi roaming through the village she couldn't help but conceal herself behind a thicket of trees and bushes to subtly observe him.
Out of shame at her own thoughts, she felt herself sigh. Just because he had become her most recent rival didn't give her a right to discreetly stalk him. She had realized that it was only an excuse to, the justification she needed to trail him tirelessly as he was now trailing her.
Pressed against the rough bark of a vast tree, she mulled over thoughts of continuing on her path. An intense voice changed her mind immediately. She peered inconspicuously from behind her post.
"I heard you've been put on the Saint Tanuki case and that you let her slip away last time. Kakashi, are you losing your touch now? It's not like you to let someone like that get away."
Without so much as a courteous glance, Kakashi continued to stare down at the novel in his hands. "I'm sorry, Gai. Did you say something?"
Sparks burned within Maito Gai's eyes, threatening even more intensity than usual. Feeling riled, he clenched a fist and pumped it into the air, exclaiming, "You and that tough guy attitude! I heard Kotetsu and Izumo have been after her for months now. She's really been taking them for a ride. Now that you're on the case, I bet you'll show them how it's done. Right, Kakashi?"
He struck a melodramatic pose, loving the theatrical gestures which emphasized his passionate intensity. "You've practically already got her beat." Flashing a bright grin, he gazed down at his old friend, hoping to find the over exaggerated zeal he had hoped to instill in him through his speech.
"She's overrated if you ask me," Kakashi replied off-handedly before returning his attention entirely back to his novel.
"Overrated?" Midori repeated from her place in disbelief, like the word was poison on her tongue. "Overrated!" Her second pronunciation of the word was significantly increased in volume and anger. "Who the heck does he think he is? Calling me overrated!"
An autumn assortment of flowers was callously thrown to ground as shaking hands moved to roll up her sleeves. "Why I oughta…"
Gentle hands clasped over her mouth, holding her steadfastly so that she could no longer proceed on her rampage. Straining to see her assailant, a shock of dark hair with purplish hues flashed in the corner of her eye. The owner of the hair hushed her by pressing a finger to her lips.
"Kakashi-san is very good at detecting presences and if you yell any louder, you will make yourself known." Midori saw her best friend stiffen suddenly, and her own body went rigid in anticipation of eyes glancing over warily in their direction.
A burly hand slammed against Kakashi's back which caused the silver-haired man to divert his gaze away from the direction of prior noise. "What do you say to a race to the Hokage's office?" Maito Gai enticed, waggling thick eyebrows.
Kakashi feigned disinterest and said, "I don't have time for trivial competitions, Gai." Before Gai could even muster a reaction, Kakashi was on his feet like silver lightning in the direction of Lady Tsunade's edifice.
"You smooth cheater," Gai called as he took his own place in their race, gaining speed and intensity with every stride until the two were no longer viewable in the distance.
Hotaru's body language became appreciably more relaxed as she released a relieving breath. "Thank goodness. That was a close one. You really must get a better hold of yourself, Midori-chan."
"Sorry, I know," Midori grumbled, feeling quite embarrassed over her lack of restraint as she attempted to fix the arrangement she'd unsympathetically manhandled earlier.
The flower delivery went by quickly. It was her last flower run of the afternoon and so she was able to freely travel alongside Hotaru in the direction of the Hyuuga Residence. The two young women held private audience with one another in a secluded section in one of the Branch Family's courtyards.
Still incensed from that morning's events, Midori said, "As if I'd let him catch me! He just sees it as another notch in his belt. I won't let him." Her arms folded over her chest to emphasize her rebellious stance.
Hotaru took a seat on a welcoming bench, understanding that her friend wouldn't continue on their path of weaving through the lush aisles of foliage while she was in the middle of venting her frustrations. A teasing smile graced Hotaru's lips as she spoke. "You're very fired up by him, aren't you?"
Annoyance crossed Midori's features. "What are you getting at?"
Eyes crinkled with sincerity as Hotaru's smile curved slightly. "Oh, nothing. I guess you can just use it as fuel for your next mission." She paused before beginning again. "This morning when I was returning from a mission, I overheard a group of ninja gossiping. Apparently, they had stolen a tiara for a man that lives in downtown Konoha."
"I'm not sure if this is the best time for some more of my heroic moonlighting. I barely made it unscathed from the last mission. The Konoha PD is hot on my trail and now they've got that stupid Copy Ninja on my case too!" Midori expressed her concern further through erratic gestures and facial expressions.
"Forgive me, Midori-Chan. I didn't realize Hatake Kakashi was so intimidating to you. You must feel very threatened." Her voice was calm, but her words resonated in Midori's mind.
"What?" The copper-haired young woman demanded, fixing her hands into balled fists.
With a slight shrug of her shoulders, Hotaru said, "You're probably right. If Hatake's on the case now, it's better to just skip it entirely. He's a well-renowned ninja after all, feared by many."
There was a challenge embedded within those words, so passive-aggressive in their attack, but Midori couldn't disregard it. Defiance swelled in her chest at the thought of a future confrontation with her newest rival.
"Hey, wait a minute. I didn't say I was scared of him! I only meant that I'll have to be more careful this next time." His domineering reputation wouldn't coerce her. With newfound confidence she spoke again. "He can't catch me."
-At the Ichiraku Ramen Shop-
The sensation of satisfaction brought on by a good meal quieted his stomach into contentment. There was even greater satisfaction in knowing that the meal was being purchased for him because of his accomplishment of winning a race.
Though, on the surface, he maintained his usual smooth exterior.
Leaning back, he stretched his limbs freely as he waited for Gai to finish the remains of his ramen bowl.
"Gai-Sensei, you must see this! There is a bouquet of balloons gathered outside with a note addressed to Kakashi," Lee's voice reached them from the entrance's threshold.
Swallowing impatiently, Gai slammed his bowl to the table, promptly paid for his and Kakashi's meal, and then joined his young charge, Lee outside. The Sharingan user followed soon after.
As guaranteed, a collection of balloons were assorted, floating carelessly outside the ramen shop. Directed to Kakashi, the note secured to the balloons related in notably feminine flourish that Saint Tanuki would make her next appearance in downtown Konoha to steal the Masako Tiara at eight that evening.
"That's pretty blunt of her, Kakashi," Gai remarked, wiping an extremely gratuitous tear from his eye. "I'm truly impressed by her overwhelming youthful spirit."
Lee's eyes watered too as he exclaimed, "She is so cool! I will do one hundred push-ups in the hopes that I may meet her one day and marry her!"
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say she had a crush on you, Kakashi." Kurenai had appeared beside the group, admiring the extravagant exhibit of balloons as if admiring the craftsmanship of an artist.
From a hidden post around the corner, Midori brimmed with pride as she watched the village's people gather to examine her overgenerous display. She afforded herself a smug grin as she memorized Kakashi's stupefied facial expression. It was something she'd always cherish.
"I think that was a bit over the top, Midori-chan. You're going to get caught if you keep it up," Hotaru chastised her with gentleness to lessen the impact of the rebuke. She had only meant to caution her and advise her, not scold her.
The self-satisfied smile never left Midori's lips as she shrugged casually. Over the top and dramatic were luxuries she rarely permitted herself to take. The way of ninjas were of subtly and secrecy. Why not take advantage from time to time and allow room for fun?
There could be no harm if she remembered to be humble and cautious in her calling cards—as humble as she could be.
If she had to confess it to herself, playing with Kakashi this way would prove entirely amusing and fulfilling.
"Well, I'm going to take off so I can prepare myself for tonight. I'll go and face down Hatake, but not because I'm eager to see him, only because it's inevitable." Midori raised an eyebrow as if to give Hotaru permission to challenge this.
"The thought never crossed my mind," Hotaru replied with a knowing smile, although she knew very well that it had.
-Later that Evening in Downtown Konoha-
Word of such a flamboyant calling card had spread through Konoha as if it sprouted wings, making everyone aware of the heist that Saint Tanuki had threatened to pull that evening.
As the silver-haired shinobi explained languidly the situation before him, Ishida felt his eyes narrow in scrutiny. How very convenient it had been for the calling card to raise such uproar that afternoon. It had also raised Ishida's suspicion.
Ishida considered himself a wise and clever man. If he weren't clever, he would have never made it this far with the Masako Tiara in his possession.
Certain that Kakashi and this Saint Tanuki character were secret accomplices, he had taken the necessary means to prevent the theft of his prized tiara.
"I have several shinobi guardsmen and don't need help," explained Ishida, referring to his genin-level members of staff.
"I understand that, Mr. Ishida. However, the Hokage has personally asked me to see that Saint Tanuki is caught," explained Kakashi. He paused in order to allow Ishida to absorb his words and give the hesitant man time to accept what he'd relayed to him. "Where is it you've hidden the tiara?"
"I've hidden it behind the hour hand of this clock tower," replied Ishida. His forehead crinkled with worry, hoping that Kakashi wouldn't see through the deception. Truthfully, he'd hidden the tiara behind the minute hand.
"The hour hand then," Kakashi murmured to no one in particular, thinking to himself that it wasn't a very sensible hiding place for such a rare item. Any shinobi with good chakra control could defy gravity and walk against the surface of the clock tower with ease.
'To each his own,' he thought unceremoniously as he followed Ishida through the clock tower.
His eyes traced over the man, sizing him up and assessing what skills Ishida may possess. Kakashi was no fool. It was immediately evident that Ishida had lied about the tiara's location. The minute hand was a much more logical location, not the hour hand.
Reaching the end of their journey atop the clock tower, Kakashi asked Ishida to kindly conceal himself as he did the same. He readied himself from behind a pillar, staying as sharp as possible.
There was much ground to cover and she could appear from any direction. That was to his disadvantage, and she'd likely exploit it.
"Yo," her voice greeted, reaching from above as he craned his head in her direction. "What a nice night. The sky is clear and the stars are shining brightly. There's a lovely full moon. It's really romantic, don't you think?"
He watched as she removed the Masako Tiara from the minute hand and secured it atop her head. Slender arms windmilled into a graceful pose. She was modeling the tiara for him and being quite playful about it. "Do you think it suits me?" she mused.
Time was not squandered as Kakashi demonstrated excellent chakra control and raced up the face of the clock. Not halfway up the clock's countenance, a figure charged through the night, tackling Saint Tanuki just as she had intended to make her escape.
Struggling, she managed to wriggle free from Ishida's grasp. She was careful to dodge the several shuriken targeting her. Ishida wasn't letting up, not even as she put more distance between them.
An assemblage of shuriken threatened her well-being as she twisted and cavorted her way around them in fluid acrobatic movements. She had miscalculated slightly, perhaps from a lack of experience or from fatigue, and was grazed on her cheek by a single blade.
The stinging she was met with caused her to wince, but she unwaveringly continued up the clock tower. Ishida was gaining on her, and Kakashi was closing in as well. Turning her head slightly to check over her shoulder was all the proof she needed of that.
"She can't run if a kunai sails through her heart," growled Ishida as his hands worked to the holster fastened to his right leg. He captured a kunai in his right hand, brandishing the perilously sharp blade. It gleamed sinisterly under the moonlight.
"Killing her isn't necessary," Kakashi argued, turning toward Ishida. "The Hokage wants her brought to justice alive."
"I could care less about what the Hokage wants," Ishida grunted, wielding the kunai in an effort to throw it, but it was met with a secondary kunai. Sparks sprayed from the friction of the contact. "I had a feeling you two were in on this together!"
Unyielding, Kakashi forced Ishida's feet to drag backwards. His advantage over the man was short-lived as soon as Ishida's bodyguards arrived to provide back up. The men swarmed over Kakashi, lugging him down to the ground forcibly.
Dogged perseverance gave him the strength and the will needed to fend them off. Experienced hands moved with precision and determination, blocking every strike that had threatened a fatal blow.
Defense was not an issue. However, it would be exceedingly difficult to switch to more offensive means of battle with such an overwhelming number of men. They'd have to be focused upon and taken down individually.
"Eleven against one just isn't fair," Saint Tanuki proclaimed and quickly set to work in a performance of hand signs.
Instant submersion within her genjutsu ensued as innumerable flocks of looming white doves soared dangerously towards Kakashi's assailants. Heavy snow white wings pounded against Ishida and his guardsmen with astonishing force. The chirps and twitters of the doves reverberated through their ears, disrupting their equilibrium completely and causing them to dizzily waver in their fighting stances.
Rising from his crouched position, Kakashi watched as the men forgot about him and attempted to beat back invisible attackers. He recognized the high level genjutsu, noting its uniqueness because she hadn't cast it upon him and only upon his assailants. Her targeting abilities were impeccable.
Spinning around, he watched as her lean form floated within a lustrous bubble over Konoha's heart, another interesting jutsu he had never seen before. Her eyes were shielded by the coppery fringe of her hair, making it difficult to recognize any distinct feature other than perhaps her mouth. She seemed to be smiling lightheartedly with her mocking mouth as she peered at him from the iridescent bubble.
"I don't want you getting the wrong idea about what I did. The Hokage specifically ordered to bring you in alive, and that's what I'm going to do," he said, projecting his voice loudly and resolutely so that she would be able to hear him, even at her distance.
He thought he could hear a light giggle as airy as the bubble she traveled in escape from her in response.
His attention returned to Ishida and his gang of guards. They sat, obediently petrified and utterly bewildered by their surroundings. Kakashi surmised that the genjutsu had now worn off and left them in the daze. Taking advantage of their befuddled predicament, he punctually arrested the men and escorted them to the Konoha Police Department.
-Early Morning, the Following Day-
"I can't believe you let Saint Tanuki get away, Kakashi-Sensei," whined a whiskered boy, clad in vibrant orange attire.
His other charge, Sakura, smacked her teammate upon his blond head, causing the boy to yelp in agony. "Naruto, at least our Sensei caught the real criminals. Be more respectful," she scolded.
"I guess," Naruto replied, rubbing the back of his head in remembrance of the pain dealt to him. "I just can't believe Kakashi-Sensei messed up."
The pink-haired girl plucked Naruto unsparingly by the ear and began dragging him away from their instructor. "I apologize for Naruto's rudeness, Kakashi-Sensei. You know what an idiot he can be… Anyway, congratulations on your successful capture of eleven men. That's really impressive, Sensei." She turned to her orange captive and growled, "Isn't that right, Naruto?"
"Whatever you say, Sakura. Just let go. You're hurting me!"
Kakashi couldn't deny the great sense of relief he felt as Sakura and Naruto vanished into the distance. Slipping out his favorite graphic novel, he decided to take this private time to reflect and become lost on the path of life.
Treading across a bridge, he caught sight of Midori Niwa, a shinobi with mediocre skills but a loud personality which reminded him of Naruto on more than one occasion. Her face was buried in a garish flower arrangement, typical when sighting her. She could barely see through the forest of leaves and flowers of the vase she struggled to carry.
Her foot caught the edge of the bridge's wooden panel as she stumbled forward awkwardly. She was able to maintain her balance and become settled again. Craning her neck from around the arrangement awarded her a better view of her path. He took the time to admire her uniquely honey-ish hair as it spilled forward over her shoulder.
When the proximity between them shortened, he feigned unawareness of her presence. Instead he chose to focus on his novel again.
"I heard you caught eleven ninja last night and booked them. That's quite an accomplishment, but then Saint Tanuki got away. Is it true you let her go again?" She asked him, blue eyes peering from beyond the assortment of lilies.
There was slight concern he felt in wondering why it was she always seemed to bother him incessantly. This was undoubtedly one of the occasions she reminded him of Naruto in his younger days. Shrugging, he asked, "Shouldn't you be off counting flower petals?"
Straightening her heavy arrangement of lilies of the valley, her whole countenance became suddenly visible. Her left cheek sported a bandage. The wound was abnormally familiar as he remembered that Saint Tanuki had received a clean cut from a shuriken the night before.
She rolled her eyes, sarcastically. "Just thought I'd be friendly," she told him.
He watched as she stumbled on another wooden panel of the bridge, cursing her own clumsiness before continuing on her path. Silently, he returned to his novel, concluding to himself that though she bore a similar wound on her cheek, she was by far too mediocre and incompetently clumsy of a girl to be Saint Tanuki, thus rendering the theory an improbability.
Author's Note: I absolutely cannot wait to post the next chapter, but I did promise my readers that I won't post for this story until I firstly update "The Life and Times of the Kazekage's Assistant." That story features Gaara and my OC Tsubasa Imamura. If you have yet to check it out, I definitely encourage you to read it.
Anyway, I hope you were delighted with chapter two of "A Kind of Magic." What do you think about the chemistry–if any—between Kakashi and Midori as well as her alter ego Saint Tanuki? What do you think of Midori's relationship with her teammate, Hotaru? What do you think about Saint Tanuki's heroic efforts—is she right to do what she does as a vigilante?