Warnings: Language, adult situations
Summary: Post-Fourth Shinobi War, Konoha and all the other ninja villages set about restoring the peace. Unfortunately, on a mission gone wrong, Kakashi and Yamato have to deal with issues that have roots in the distant past.
Comments: This is a Kakashi-Yamato friendship fic – but not yaoi. As such, I won't be writing any hard-core sex scenes in this fic. Sorry. :( Replies to reviews will be made at the end of each chapter.
ADDITIONAL EDIT: Adding some not-so-necessary lyric quotes at the beginning. ;;;
Please review! Constructive criticism welcome!
Naruto Shippuuden:
Reverberations
Chapter 2
50 Years Or So Earlier
"You were so hard to find, with oh so many clouds across my summer sky
You, my constellation prize, yeah, every single star is sparkling in your eyes
So don't you go, no don't you go
'Cause don't you know, I'm up here alone
So high like a satellite, I'm sending you a signal tonight"
- "Speed of Love" Owl City
"So there I was – trapped on all sides by the Cloud shinobi and I wasn't sure if my new jutsu would even work – but of course, I just had to try – and before you knew it – I wasted the bastards. Orochimaru had to make do with the pickings that I, the Great Toad Sage, had left behind. Which is why the girl left with me and, boy, did we rock it that night – But then, you know how it is–"
"Shut the hell up," Tsunade's eyes widened ominously in angry circles, her fist flaming with chakra. "Or you'll find out what "wasted" really feels like! Jiraiyaaaaa!"
"Jiraiya, sit down," Orochimaru's eyes flared. "The story isn't getting better with time."
"Everyone's staring at you like some idiot!"
"Actually, that might also be you..." The black haired shinobi trailed off and helped himself to some sake.
Why do I have to have screw ups for teammates? Orochimaru sighed. I just wanted some intelligent company for the night – and who do I get? Jiraiya and Tsunade... Sensei is always going on and on about teamwork, but really... It's not like us lowly Chuunin get a real chance to shine everyday... So I guess I understand why Jiraiya gets excited when an opportunity shows up – although this time it was a pity about the shinobi... A few looked like good specimens... And to add insult to injury, I have to celebrate this weekend with them for some shitty mission...
"Orochimaru," Tsunade frowned at her usually monosyllabic partner. "You don't help things either. Why didn't – Oh!" The girl's cheeks flushed a little as one of their friends approached.
"Yo, mind if I join you?"
"Heyyy! Sakumo! Did you hear about my new jutsu?" Jiraiya jumped up and pulled his friend down. "I learned it recently on one of my trips and –"
"Well, I heard about it – passing by the restaurant – and so did most of Konoha," laughed the easy-going Chuunin. "Congratulations. I'm glad it worked. All that training is paying off – finally, huh?"
"Yeah... After all, not everyone can be like you," Jiraiya pouted. "Pretty boy geniuses who can get girls at the drop of a kunai."
"JIRAAAIIYYYAAA!" Tsunade's fist was quavering again. "We females have some respect! Nothing against you, Sakumo," she turned to smile at Sakumo breezily before switching back to scary bitch mode, looming over Jiraiya.
"Well, it's true," huffed Jiraiya folding his arms and turning up his nose at his female teammate.
"Feeling your inadequacies?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. He raised a sake cup in Sakumo's direction. "Congratulations, by the way."
"Oh? What happened? Something went down while I was away? Hey – did you get a girlfriend, Saku-kun~? Are the girls of Konoha devastated as Konoha's Number One Bachelor got snagged?"
"No..." Sakumo scratched his head nervously. "Not like a girlfriend anyway. I'm too busy for that, and my Father would kill me if he found me thinking about something other than jutsu... No. I just came up with something new-ish the other day on this really difficult mission... Some people were talking about it I guessed. I think it was more luck, but I you know how the Feudal Lord gets... Ahahahaha."
"Ahahahaha my ass!" Jiraiya sniffed. "You just came up with a new jutsu or something cool like that! And you didn't say anything to me? Sakumo! You shouldn't be so shy! Everyone should get a chance to brag a bit."
"Except you," Tsunade frowned. "That's second nature to you. Shut up and let him get it out!"
"Ahhh... Thanks, Tsunade. Well, more or less a jutsu. Nothing to write home about though."
"What is it?" Tsunade leaned forward.
"Ahhh... it involves my father's tanto blade..." Sakumo replied with a disarming smile and then scratched his head in a vacant way. "But it looks like I may finally have a contract with a summoning creature as well!"
"Let me guess... a tiger? A Goliath beetle? Wait, no... the Aburame clan have the corner on the insect market."
Sakumo caught the waitress' eye and tapped the table with two fingers. She smiled easily and bustled to get his order done quickly. Jiraiya's eyes narrowed and he grabbed hold of Sakumo's shoulder length ponytail and tugged.
"C'mon you bastard," he said. "Spill."
"Hey... hey! Not the hair!" Sakumo jerked away. "It's a pack of nin-dogs. I might be allowed to join the nin-dog clan. If I do, that'd be great! Right? I'd be able to train my own son, when I get a son, to have his own contract. It could be a Hatake thing, from now on. I'm excited about that."
"That's the new jutsu?" Orochimaru asked.
"Oh. No. The new jutsu is still under wraps. I need to test it out again to make sure it's going to be okay long-term..."
"You boys and your jutsu," Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"Well, we gotta be interested in something," Sakumo laughed. "It's either that, or we follow in the footsteps of the Sandaime and Jiraiya."
"Let's not talk about that with Tsunade here," Jiraiya said quickly.
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Meaning that you talk about it while I'm NOT here?"
"Ahhh... did I mean to infer that?" Jiraiya laughed nervously. "I'm sure I didn't."
"Speaking of women – check out Ryuuji – he's got two beauts on his arms!" Sakumo turned around and waved lazily in Miyake Ryuuji's direction. The brown headed Jounin guided the girls over to the table and looked down at his four friends.
"Hey guys! How's it going?"
"Amazing as usual! I got a new jutsu – but I'm sure that it's not as beautiful as the two young ladies who grace our presence~" Jiraiya smiled at the two young women.
"Jiraiya," Tsunade glared. "I don't grace your presence? Not that I would want to..."
Watching the two ninjas go at it, Ryuuji laughed nervously. The shorter dark brown haired girl joined him more easily, her face lighting up as Jiraiya found himself once again nose to nose with his blonde teammate.
"Lively aren't they?" she laughed.
The other young lady, a pale, soft-eyed light brown-haired girl, giggled more sedately. Sakumo could see why Jiraiya was so hot and bothered. What could Ryuuji do with more than one woman anyway? Well... I guess some shinobi have more time than others... Although, as a rule, Ryuuji isn't given to hanging out with strange women... there's a story behind this, I wager...
"Things are going on as usual," Orochimaru sighed, flicking his long back hair back with his usual casual arrogance. "As you can see for yourself. Not that you would know, since you are merely an acquaintance."
"Ahhhh. Yes...," Ryuuji smiled not too fazed (Orochimaru's reputation already preceded him). "This is my betrothed, Kisa." He unlinked his one arm to pull the darker brown-haired girl into a side hug. "I met her for the first time last week, and I think it's going to turn out ok. I was worried at first, to be honest, so I didn't say anything – otherwise, I'd have told you sooner, Sakumo, but you know how these things are..."
"Ahh... I didn't think you would have a pre-chosen wife," Jiraiya blinked, turning to Ryuuji, ignoring Tsunade. "Your family name is Miyake, right? Is that even a clan?"
"Ummm..." Sakumo laughed lightly trying to dispel the sudden tension.
"Like you should talk, no name," Tsunade snorted.
"These things can happen anytime," Sakumo put in quickly, not wanting to end his night being pulled into a brawl. "Friendships between men or grandparents can result in something like this... It's not just a clan thing. For one thing, my clan doesn't have rules like that... although... the Hyuuga and Uchiha probably do. Well, Ryuuji, I'm glad that you are finding your new relationship a joy. So many find this kind of a practice to be, well, a burden."
"Yeah... but I think Ryuuji is amazing and capable. So romantic and thoughtful. Hard to find in a shinobi," Kisa put in. Clearly, she wasn't afraid to speak her mind.
"Are you new to Konoha?" asked Tsunade, smiling warmly at the woman.
"Yes, I will be inaugurated as a Chuunin, next week, by the Sandaime himself. I will be proud and happy to join the ranks of Konoha shinobi, to make the land of my future husband prosperous."
"I wish you success," Orochimaru said politely, wondering if he could excuse himself but having a feeling that he would be stuck here for a while longer.
"I hope so too," smiled Kisa. "We don't come from big families, that is true. Our origins aren't as fabled or ancient as others, but what's important is our future."
"Hear, hear," Sakumo put in heartily, elbowing Jiraiya who enthusiastically raised a glass.
Jiraiya paused and then glanced up at Ryuuji.
"Okay, so Kisa is your fiancee or whatever – but, um, you have two women tonight – don't tell me – you are starting that heaven of heavens which men call 'harem'!"
"FOOL!" Tsunade bashed Jiraiya against the wall, narrowly missing Orochimaru who had unfortunately been forced to sit beside her.
"Ahhh... no, no – nothing of the sort," laughed Ryuuji easily, glancing at Sakumo with a 'why-in-hellfire-do-you-have-crazy-friends?' look. Sakumo shrugged with a bland smile. "This is Airi, she's... how does it go again?"
"Fifth cousin, twice removed, on my great-grandmother's side," Kisa shrugged. "We just say distant relation. Kinda covers it."
"Are you a shinobi too?" Sakumo asked gently, noticing that the obviously shy girl felt overwhelmed by her surroundings.
That or maybe Jiraiya was looking at her too closely. Sakumo turned around, raised an eyebrow at the sulking Jiraiya (who had peeled himself off the restaurant wall by now) and smiled warningly. Jiraiya subsided quickly.
"Oh no, no," said the young woman quietly. "I'm not very powerful at all really. I can do a few healing techniques – but mostly I end up having to take care of myself."
"Airi's family sent her to Konoha because in Grass Country, they don't have really good medical care, but here, the medical facilities are much higher quality. I hope she can find it welcoming here," Kisa smiled brightly. "If you like it, you'll want to stay permanently, right?"
"Yes," said Airi with a small smile.
"Well, I'm sure Konoha will be quite comfortable," Sakumo grinned up at the girl. "Right guys?"
"Beautiful girls are always welcome," agreed Jiraiya.
"Ignore the idiot," Tsunade snorted. "I hope you enjoy staying here. I'm a medic nin myself, so if you need any tips, feel free to ask me."
"Hmmm..." Orochimaru made a non-committal sound that could've sounded welcoming if he had tried to crack a genuine smile.
"Ignore this crazy bunch," Sakumo rose. "Hey, Ryuuji, mind if I join you tonight?"
"Sure, I was thinking that we'd hang for half an hour or so before walking down the main street and looking in some of the shops. They're so full of life at this time of the evening."
"Sounds good to me," Sakumo agreed easily, taking Airi by the arm. "Lead the way."
Jiraiya glared at the retreating back of Sakumo and finished his bottle of sake defiantly.
"Yeah... no 'see you later', or 'nice chatting with you', or 'hey, Jiraiya, you're a good pal of mine, wanna join?'..." grumped the white-haired Chuunin.
"Oh shut up," Tsunade snarled, trying not to feel jealous that Airi could get to hang off the arm of Hatake Sakumo without being bothered by gossipy shinobi. "Like who would want to hang with you?"
"Good point," Orochimaru nodded. "You are the type of person who has the great talent of basically antagonizing anyone intelligent around you thanks to your brand of humour and inability to read situations."
"Shut up, snake freak!" Jiraiya yelled, leaning over the table. "I don't see you walking out of the tavern with a girl on your arm!"
"Hmmm... If having a girl on my arm was the reason for my existence, I would accomplish it. Thankfully, there is more meaning to my life than a woman," Orochimaru rose. "Excuse me, I have more reading to do."
"Hey – where are you going?" Tsunade frowned. "This is supposed to be our hang out night."
"And I 'hung out' as you so inadequately put it... now, I'm off to do some research. See you tomorrow. Good night."
"Argghhhh..." Tsunade slumped forward. "Never mind. I'm out of here – maybe Dan will be back in town."
"Hey – hey –" Jiraiya stood. "We could just go on a date or –" He caught sight of Tsunade's eyes. "Or not."
-0-0-0-
As the sun set behind the hills of Konoha, cheery lights sprang up along the larger thoroughfares that ran through the middle of the shinobi village. There were flower shops, pubs, small night markets, noodles shops and other kinds of shops that sold miscellaneous items from paper and ink to kunai and body armour. Ordinarily, Sakumo ended up in the larger bookstore nose in the latest book on jutsu or nature manipulation. Or, he liked to browse the massive collections of weaponry which you could find further down the street. On his entrance to the Chuunin rank two years ago, Sakumo had received a tatami blade from his father as a congratulatory gift. His mother had been less than pleased.
"You had to go get him another knife?" She had asked with a sigh. "Why not something a bit less life threatening, like a medi-kit or some such thing? You know how this is all going to end right?"
Sakumo had laughed and promised to be careful. His parents had tried all their lives to have a child. Thanks to various complications, Hatake Shoka's good wife, Imari, didn't have a child until her late thirties. It had been a long pregnancy and a difficult birth, but when Shoka held his small, red, squalling son in his hands, he felt that it had been worth it. Imari, now certain that no other child would come to them, became the ultra-protective mother – her heart always fretting over her precocious, genius child as her dark hair turned grey over the years. Shoka was glad that finally someone had arrived who could revive the dwindling Hatake clan. Once upon a time, the white chakra of the Hatake had been a regular sight to behold. Now it had become a thing of legend.
"Even so," Sakumo's dad shook his head. "I don't want you forgetting your family. Take the shinobi life one step at a time. No point rushing into things."
"But, Faaaather..." Sakumo had whined, pouting as he glared at the scrolls before him. "The work they give me at the Academy is soooo booorrring! I know it already! Why can't I just graduate?"
"You can't graduate at five. End of story," Shoka turned away.
"Faaatheerrr!"
"Sakumo."
Sighing, Sakumo turned away, knowing better to push his father any further. The tell tale sign of the narrowed eyes and wrinkled brow told the young boy that his father's patience was reaching its limit.
When I have a boy, Sakumo vowed to himself then. He can be as smart as he wants to be.
Now, things were different. Life goes on. Father's ailing, so I can't leave for super long missions like the others, sighed Sakumo, looking up at the darkening sky. In so many ways, I'm bound to this place – and when does it end, I wonder?
"Hatake-san?"
"Hm?"
"Is everything all right?" asked Airi. "I mean – that is – if you have to be somewhere else... it's okay... I understand... I'm sure a shinobi such as yourself has many duties to attend to..."
"Well, true," Sakumo shrugged. "But I needed to really get out of the house. I've been holed up for the past week working on something, so I'm glad I could come out tonight and meet up with everyone. Ahh... Ryuuji – you notice how there seems to be more people out tonight?"
"Well, yeah," Ryuuji snorted. "Where've you been? It's the long holiday."
"Oh. Wait... what?"
"Yeah. That's why a ton of shinobi have returned – and the mission office was closed today. Didn't you notice?"
"Ah, well... no... I just got away from training... so I didn't realize it had come up so soon. Ah... great... I wanted to take that trip to the spa... Jiraiya and Tsunade were going to make a trip of it with me."
"The two back at the inn? The crazy ones?"
"Yeah... We graduated together, which was pretty cool. Once you get past the insanity, you realize their heart is in the right place."
"Hmmm... really..."
Airi laughed softly, "Hatake-san, you must be a loyal friend, to speak so kindly of others all the time."
"Oh – ah – no, not really... I mean... well..." Sakumo could feel a deep red blush rising on his face. "Why don't you just call me 'Sakumo'? No need to be formal."
"Sakumo-san..."
"Um... just 'Sakumo' is fine. Otherwise, I feel old, seriously... Hahaha..."
"Oh... really? Well... it's 'Airi'. You can call me 'Airi'. I'm so pleased to meet you."
"The feeling is mutual," Sakumo smiled back, hoping that she didn't see in the dark how red his face had gotten.
Ryuuji, drawing Kisa closer, whispered something in her ear. Kisa glancing back at Airi, laughed and then paused. There was something about the two – the long white-haired young man and the slender, pale girl. Maybe it was just him, but it seemed like the future could be – would be brighter for all of them.
-0-0-0-
Peace however is often elusive. Before long, the new Jounin of Konoha found themselves embroiled in another war against Sand, Lightning and Rain. It is during this time, the Second Great Shinobi War, that the Konoha's Jiraiya, Orochimaru and Tsunade became known as the Great Sannin of Konoha. Sakumo, who married Airi right after his father died, made a name for himself as being on par with the Sannin themselves. Better known as White Fang, Sakumo was a force to be reckoned with on the field. However, as Jiraiya pointed out, what's in a name when there is no one to remember you? In the end, it's Konoha that matters – not what kind of decorations we get. That is the dream we all share. Many nameless ninjas who fought their hardest, like Ryuuji and Kisa, worked for the dream of peace.
However, war takes something from us all. Sakumo lost his parents and his innocence. Tsunade lost Dan and Nawaki. Jiraiya's duties forced him to leave behind the three children whom he had come to call his pupils. Orochimaru lost complete faith in man's ability to survive, and in earnest, he began to search for a jutsu that would allow him to extend his long life into something more immortal.
... But then, that is war. Ever a part of our lives, conflict forces us to face the things we fear the most. It is a strong man who can look inwards and still find the path home. Whenever Sakumo returned to Konoha from war, silent and filled with horror at the waste of life and talent he had seen, he found that the rock who kept him steady in the storms of war was a quiet, gentle woman whose smile became rarer as time went on. And then, against all odds (or so it seemed) the war ended.
Sakumo bit back a curse as his wife sagged back against the pillow after a particularly bad fit of coughing. If possible, her face looked as white as the soft pillows against which she leaned.
"That's it," his hands met together in a familiar seal. "I'm sending Hakkun to the mission office. There's no way I can go on a mission with you feeling like this."
"No, no," a pale thin hand rose to clasp his strong ones. "You need to do this. Didn't you just say the other night that the Hokage specifically needed you to go on it? Without Jiraiya around, the village depends on you. I knew this would be a bit harder on me – but I'll be fine. Your mother is taking good care of me too."
"Oi... my mother isn't much better than you," Sakumo looked distressed. "I think she's holding on just to see the baby she keeps hoping we'll have. But really... a mission... even our future baby, whenever that happens, isn't as important to me as you are."
"You're sweet," Airi smiled softly, lifting a hand to stroke Sakumo's cheek. "And gorgeous as always... That's the man I married – but you shouldn't be so stressed out. I'll be fine. I'll rest all day and take a little walk to get fresh air in the late afternoon when the sun isn't so hot. You go. The Hokage is waiting!"
Sakumo sagged.
"Okay, okay, I'll go... but no running around or anything. You rest. And make sure Mother rests. I swear," his large hand rested on her belly for a second. "You two are going to give me grey hair!"
"You already have white hair," she giggled.
He leaned down to kiss her and then left the room, apparating away in a flash to the mission's office. The sooner I get this done, he smiled to himself, the sooner I can get back to Airi. She keeps hoping for a baby, but frankly I'm not sure if she could survive it. I know Mother wants a grandson, but is the Hatake family worth the life of Airi? I don't think so... But then, there's Konoha too that I have to think about as the head of the non-existent Hatake clan. I seriously hope this mission doesn't turn out to be a hassle. Ah... there's the Yamanaka Flower Shop – it's not too far out of the way – I could pick up some flowers on my way back... A nice bunch of different coloured flowers...
When he returned from the mission, Sakumo headed straight to the Jounin Mission lounge, which seemed to be rather lively that evening. Ordinarily he might consider staying there for an hour or so to catch up on the latest shinobi gossip, but the memory of Airi's cold sent him straight for one of the long tables pushed up to the wall by the door. Sakumo pulled out the mission report form he had come to hate long ago.
Mission reports are always the worst part of the mission, he thought miserably glaring at all the small boxes that never seemed big enough for his sprawling handwriting. Why can't we just write it out on scrolls like my Old Man did? I know it's necessary – but still... Well... just sitting here complaining about the old days won't make it get done quicker. If I get this done, I can carry out my 'Surprise Airi with Yamanaka Flowers' Mission. A nice bunch of yellow marigolds or those orchids she's always going on about... Hm. No doubt, I'll choose the wrong flowers for the occasion... Ahh... This is one of those times when I think it might actually be worthwhile for me to get around to studying that flower language stuff...
The noise racketed up a notch as one of the Uchiha clan leaned out the window to show off his new Dragon Flower Blossom jutsu. Someone apparently had unfortunately been walking below – and there were several muffled protests followed by half-heartedly thrown kunai.
"Um... Excuse me..." a voice broke into Sakumo's thoughts and turning his attention away from the small mob at the window.
It was a dark-haired boy, probably in his early teens. Dark eyes, bushy pony-tail and heavy-lidded, disinterested eyes which looked on the world with quiet cynicism.
"I'm looking for Nara Shikamo. You seen him around?"
"Who's asking?" frowned a tall, brown-haired shinobi who looked down at the boy with annoyance. "No one said you could come in here -"
"Ignore Mr. Grumpy," another Jounin joined them, slinging his arm around "Mr. Grumpy"'s shoulders in a familiar fashion. Obviously they were teammates. "His mission sucked ass... So Namiashi-san isn't the happiest today."
"Go choke on your senbon and leave me in peace," sniffed Namiashi. "We don't play around with kids in here. This is the Jounin Lounge Room. Kami, this place is going to the dogs."
"Hey," Sakumo had to interject there. "Dogs are cool."
"It's not like you guys seem to be any different than the Genin from the Academy from what I see... But... hey, sure, uh, whatever," said the boy, obviously not super interested in the workings of the Jounin mind – and no obvious respect for his senpai.
Eyeing three Jounin who were now discovering that too many had tried to get out the window at the same time and were now stuck, Sakumo sweat-dropped. Maito-sensei was firing up, obviously going to go for the more physical expulsion technique. Not really what you wanted a Chuunin to see...
"Anyways, it's my Old Man. Mother heard from Mrs. Yamanaka that Father's team got in from their mission early. So she wants to get him in for dinner on time. But he's late. Again. So she sent me here... I don't see him here... so..."
"Your dad?" Sakumo decided to intervene. "Hmmm... I think he was headed for the mission office to hand in his report. And I think that I heard him say that he was planning to go out for a drink with Shochou and Inoharu."
"Ehhh..." The boy's dark eyes widened. "Not good! Man, Mom's going to be pissed. I gotta go."
He turned for the door, then paused. "Thanks."
"No problem. I hope that when I have a son, he'll be as helpful to his Mom as you are," Sakumo smiled.
"Ahh... I'm not really helpful," the boy shrugged. "It's just that my Mom's really scary, you know?"
"Aren't all mothers?"
"Huh..."
"What's your name, kid?"
"Nara Shikaku – and I'm not a kid. I just made Chuunin level."
"Really."
"And yours, Gramps?"
"Gramps?" Sakumo pointed at himself. "Me?"
"Yeah. You've got white hair, right? How old d'ya gotta be? Sixty?"
Sakumo's eyebrows rose and eyes widened comically.
"You're joking, right?"
"A little," laughed the young Chuunin. "I heard about you from Father, I think. Hatake-sama – Konoha's White Fang, it's a pleasure meeting you. Again, thanks for the help."
"My pleasure."
The boy had already left.
"What a kid," Namiashi growled. "No respect for their elders. Sakumo-sama – you are too kind... You're on level with the Sannin, he should at least –"
"Now, now," Sakumo turned back to his page and began to write his fastest. "It's no biggie. Compared to those three, I'm small fry –"
"Such modesty," Shiranui smirked. "Speaking of modesty, so are the Nara. I just finished the Chuunin Exams and that kid is all brains on skinny legs. One day, he's going to be a master strategist. They make no big deal of it though."
"Well, that's Konoha," Sakumo murmured. "Our village is filled with hidden and not-so-hidden talent. It's to be expected."
"Ahhh... Hatake-sama..." A younger, dark-haired Jounin sitting beside the white-haired shinobi leaned in nervously.
"Eh... It's um..." Sakumo blinked.
"Umino. Umino Hitomu."
"Umino-san, can I help you?"
"Well..." Umino Hitomu paused delicately. "I, uh... I just wanted to point out that perhaps you may want to switch the form you are using..."
"Uhhh..." Sakumo stared down at the form he had grabbed quickly. "Something wrong with it?"
"That's the Out-Of-Country Mission Form," Hitomu scratched his nose embarrassed. "If I remember correctly, my fiancee was manning the mission desk that week, and she told me you had an In-Country mission..."
"Ehhh... There are two different forms?" Sakumo froze. "Since when?"
"Uhhhhhhhhh..." Hitomu sweat-dropped. "Half a year ago..."
"Seriously?" Sakumo twisted around to glare up at his friends. A few others had approached obviously enjoying the scene. "You guys didn't tell me!"
"Hey, you're a great man, and busy," Shiranui shrugged. "Plus, I think a few of the kunoichi and the Chuunin have the hots for you. Who's been redoing his paperwork all the time?"
"Hmmm... There's that Aburame girl... and Sato... and Yoshida..."
"Not to mention Kishito... and Uzami..."
A few kunoichi were giggling sedately as Sakumo slumped forward banging his head on the table. Obviously there had been some kind of bet because out of the corner of his eye, he could see money changing hands. Now my bad reputation for shitty paperwork is really going to be set in stone... Well... at least they'll stop gunning at me to take the Hokage seat... Sakumo sighed.
"Thanks, Umino-kun, for letting me know. Goodness knows how long I would have continued on making some kunoichi or Chuunin do my work for me, if you hadn't spoken up."
"I-I'm glad..." Umino suddenly could feel the heavy glare of several Jounin (the ones who had lost) on his back. "Just wanted to help..."
"Okay... so where do I get this new form?"
"Ahhh... it's right under the Out-of-Country Mission forms, that is, the second tray."
"I see..." Sakumo turned around to glare at Namiashi and Shiranui one more time before standing up stiffly. "I'll be off then."
"Oh, here's an extra one. I always bring extra ones in case I mess up," Umino added helpfully holding up the Evil Form of Darkness (Sakumo's new name for it). "And you, um, can hand it in now to the third tray if you can't get it in before seventeen hundred hours."
"Thanks for that," Sakumo smiled broadly at the young man, unaware that he had caused every kunoichi's and even Umino's heart to skip a little beat. His eyes creased upward and he tipped his head gratefully. "I appreciate it. I really need to – oh crap! Gotta hurry! Gotta hurry! Airi is waiting."
Sitting down, he got down to work, ignoring the renewed murmur of the Jounin behind him. Umino and the others faded as he concentrated on the new form before him. It turned out to be simpler than the other one – no doubt because it's In-Country and there's less legal hassle... Makes sense...
After handing in his barely legible form, Sakumo passed by the shop and then sprinted home. Opening the main room's doors, Sakumo found her sitting up in her favourite spot overlooking the Hatake garden and definitely looking a little more rosy in the cheeks. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the random bunch of flowers he had chosen at the shop.
"Sorry for being late," he scratched the back of head sheepishly. "It kinda got out of hand. I got you flowers... just seemed... It was just there –"
"No, it wasn't, but they are lovely."
The large bouquet seemed a little too big for her small hands, but she was adamant she untie it and sort out the flowers.
"Really? Uhh... I just chose at random..." Sakumo turned red. "I keep forgetting which flowers mean which."
"Well, I'll just have to tell you again," Airi pulled him closer, resting her head on his shoulder. "Let's see here... Hmm... I don't remember the name, for this one... but... I remember the coloured berries..."
"I chose it because it looked strange."
"Well, it means 'you're the only one I love'."
"Ohh... well that works out."
"An aster... that's about love and trust."
"A given," Sakumo smiled. "I hope."
"Of course," Airi pulled out another flower – a purple one with all the blossoms grouped on top. "Ah... Phlox, I believe. About harmony and united souls."
"Are all flowers about love?"
"Well," Airi sweat-dropped at a few pink flowers. "This definitely doesn't." She giggled.
"What?" Sakumo picked up the offending plant.
"Nothing. It's a lovely peony. And look! Another purple flower that means immortal love... and a plum blossom."
"I know that one because you told me last time it's better to offer plum or peach blossoms and not cherry," Sakumo nodded wisely.
"See," Airi smirked cheekily. "You're learning. So, beauty and longevity. A lovely wish... and," her fingers hovered over the rest and then paused. She laughed then, again. "An azalea – you didn't have to buy so many foreign flowers – this must have cost a fortune!"
"You're worth it."
"Hmmm... Azalea stands for passion..."
"That sounds promising," Sakumo picked up another flower stem and watched her draw her favourite vase forward.
Setting aside the older flowers he had given her two weeks ago, Airi quickly and deftly arranged the new blossoms, putting the last few in the back.
"They don't look so nice against the others," he sighed. "I don't think picking flowers is my forte after all. Hatake Sakumo's one great weakness."
"Well, they might not be conventionally beautiful," Airi agreed. "But, that one there... and that one there..." She pointed at the coriander and orange lily. "Those mean passion in a very strong way... and that lime blossom..." Airi leaned forward to whisper in her husband's ear while her hand slipped into his hakama, invitingly. "Suggests fornication."
Sakumo blushed. No wonder Mrs. Yamanaka was smirking when I chose those. I hope she didn't think I was going to go out and get a street girl! It's going to go around town – that I'm asking for –He blushed even deeper red, then turned to find himself nose to nose with his wife. Her expression was amused but in her eyes was something else. He leaned in for a quick kiss then paused as her hand rose to snag his long hair, which now spilled over his hitae ate at the back, falling past his shoulders. Pulling the hitae ate away, her hands ran through his hair slowly.
"Sorry... it's been getting longer again. I've not gone to the barber shop lately..."
"It's beautiful," she said, smiling softly. "Like a white waterfall... we never had much of those in Grass Country. It was kind of flat there..."
"Hmmm..." Sakumo smiled. "I used to wear it long... My hair always grows fast."
"That's cause you're so full of life."
"But hair's dead, isn't it?"
Airi laughed then, gently and kissed him again.
"Yes, it is. And yet not. But let's not think of death, hm?"
Sakumo drew his wife close, kissing her again this time. As he carried her to their bed, Hatake Sakumo once again felt like he was the top ninja of the world. It could never get better than this. Nine months or so later, holding a squalling baby boy with a white tuft of hair sprouting out of its head awkwardly, Sakumo had to disagree with himself.
"He's beautiful," her weak voice broke into his thoughts.
Sakumo looked at the pale, drawn face of his wife and hurried to her bedside. Five hours after the delivery, and she still didn't look so good. His mother had already come and gone, the subtle lines of tension in her face which had carved her features like stone had eased a little at the sight of the small child. Her hope had come true. She could now pass on in peace. It made Sakumo uneasy – but in a way, he could understand. His father and mother had loved each other deeply, each half of a whole. Like Airi and I, he thought, looking down at the small face which was bundled carefully in a soft blanket. Without her, I don't think I'd be half the man I'm now...
"Yes, he is. Just like his mother," Sakumo smiled, settling beside her.
"You must be blind," Airi's hand rested on the white tuft. "He looks just like his dad, just as I hoped."
"That's my line," disagreed Sakumo with a quiet laugh, not wanting to wake his sleeping son. "He definitely is going to have your nose and chin. He's going to be gorgeous. I'll have to protect him from the hordes of women, thanks to you."
Airi's lips turned up, her chest shook a bit with a silent laugh, then she stopped and coughed weakly.
"If Tsunade was here, you'd be better in a few hours," Sakumo whispered. "I could go look for her – I heard she was sighted in the west at some casino..."
"No," Airi whispered. "It's too late for Tsunade. For me. It's okay. I could see him. Just as I dreamed. The little man who'll change the world, just like you have."
"Airi..." Sakumo set the baby in the small cot and came to Airi's side, clasping her hand. "You'll be fine. Just rest."
"Yes. I'll rest. But, Sakumo... I don't –"
"Hush. Save your strength for later," Sakumo's said, his throat tightening.
He felt sick in his stomach and something burned in his head – a warning sign of repressed tears. I can't cry, not in front of her – she will only worry, Sakumo turned away to find a hot compress for his wife. The baby needs her. I need her. I don't know what I'd do without her... If she were to... to leave... it'd be worse than when Father left... What would I do?
"Can you stay?" Airi asked her eyes shining despite her extreme exhaustion. "I know the baby will wake up but –"
"No, you won't be getting up for the baby. Mother hired a wet nurse," Sakumo replied quickly. "She's next door. I'll get her if he wakes up."
"Then what are you waiting for?" Airi tried to lift up the blanket, Sakumo helped her and slipped in beside her, drawing her close.
For a while, nothing was said. Sakumo thought she had fallen asleep. That would be best for her right now. She stirred then as if knowing his thoughts.
"What will we name him?" Airi whispered, snuggling close to Sakumo. "A cool name, right?"
"Yeah, sure," Sakumo replied. "I dunno. What's a super cool name? Your dad's?"
"Akiyo?"
"Yeah."
"Hmmm... I think something stronger would be nice. Like yours."
"Not my dad's name."
"Okay... something to do with your family... Didn't you have that really nice old uncle – when you were young... you went to... stay at his house... in the country..."
"Yeah. We ate watermelon until we were fat. I ate the seeds. I was only four... Ahhh, he told me that a watermelon plant would grow in my stomach, so I started to cry and tried to make myself vomit – and then Mother came and scolded us all – my super dumb cousin laughed himself sick. Literally."
He could barely make out Airi's closed eyes and relaxed face. Her lips lifted up slowly.
"What was your uncle's name again... Ka... Shika...?"
"His name? It was kinda... strange..."
"His name, 'kumo..."
"Kakashi..."
"A scarecrow... who wards the fields from the crows... a protector... just like you... I like it."
"I never thought I'd name my son after him, but his own son has passed on, so it seems fitting that there's another Kakashi in the world." Sakumo thought of his quiet uncle and his older cousin who had died in the war at the hands of a Sand nin. He had dealt with the puppeteer. Hopefully, the cycle of hatred would end there. Somehow, it never seems to end, but perhaps, Kakashi will see a new world. A better world. "He'll be the best ninja ever – you'll see..." Sakumo's face was wet now. "He'll be the best Hatake ever."
"That's impossible," Airi curled up closer. "I got the best one already... I'm the luckiest girl in the world. I thought that the first day I met you at the pub with your crazy friends... when you smiled at me... I fell in love right then and there. Like all girls, I guess."
"They are like nothing like you," Sakumo pulled her head close, resting his chin on top of hair. "You are the only girl I loved."
Kakashi's cry at four o'clock woke the wet nurse and his father, his sharp shrill screams breaking the cold morning air. Sakumo turned sleepily to watch as the young woman picked up the small baby deftly. The young woman paused, blinked and whispered, "Hatake-sama."
Sakumo looked down at himself. Was he dressed improperly? No... He looked up to see worry written all over the woman's face. The white-haired man turned to his wife who was still cushioned against his shoulder. Her pale face was peaceful. Long brown-hair which had long ago lost its gloss fell down over her unmoving breast. And on her face was a smile. A smile he recognized. The first smile he had seen.
Bent over her slender figure, his shoulders shook as tears fell from his eyes unashamedly. The wet nurse left the room swiftly, gently calling the house's live-in servants. Sakumo didn't hear anyone or anything, laying his wife and beloved gently back on their pillows pulling the blanket up tenderly. She looked like she was sleeping. Ready to wake up. It looked like it would be a good day for her.
Sakumo didn't hear when the door to the master bedroom opened slowly, revealing the figure of his mother and, behind her, the housekeeper and the manservant. Sakumo didn't feel his mother's hand on his shoulder or her whispered brief words of condolence. Sakumo didn't notice the bustle as his mother set in motion the necessary steps to be taken for a funeral – or the cry of the newborn who needed to be fed again. Who would never know his mother.
He never talked about that day again. For two years, Kakashi was raised by his grandmother, housekeeper and manservant. On days off, Sakumo would return home, train with his child and lay awake at night looking at the one black and white photo he had of Airi and himself. On their wedding day. More and more often, he took missions, preferring to hire a private tutor to deal with Kakashi's studies. Especially after his mother passed on.
"How's Kakashi doing?" Miyako Ryuuji asked one day. "I hear he's quite a genius like his father. Well, not like you exactly. You were one precocious child, if I hear rightly."
"Hmmm... Kakashi is a smart boy," Sakumo shrugged. "He'll be a great shinobi. Better than his father, I hope. I promised... I promised Airi that..." He ended dully. "Whatever."
"Heyy... Sakumo!" A familiar voice boomed across the small room.
Ryuuji sweat-dropped at the sight of getas, a green overcoat, huge scroll and bushy hair.
"Hey, it's your crazy twin," he said.
"Jiraiya isn't my twin," Sakumo raised an eyebrow. "That isn't even funny."
"Yo, Sakumo, I just got into town and was catching up on all the gossip – and hot ladies."
"You haven't changed," Sakumo's half-hearted smile faded. "Unlike some of us."
"What are you talking about?" laughed Jiraiya. "I'm just getting started on my life. Life is all about energy and youth and shit like that."
"You sound a lot like Might-san," Ryuuji smirked. "Be careful."
"Oi..." Jiraiya frowned. "I'm not comparable to a freakish man in green."
"You are a man in green." Sakumo had to point it out. For the first time in a long time, he felt a genuine smile cross his face.
"I have some brown, red and black here too!"
"Come sit," Sakumo said ignoring Ryuuji's alarm. "What brings you to Konoha? I thought you were looking for someone or something..."
"Well..." Jiraiya sighed, taking a seat without hesitation, resting his elbow on the table, chin in his broad hands. "The Sandaime wanted me to return with that new student I had to take."
"Ahh... that brat Namikaze," Ryuuji nodded. "I remember him. My wife bumped into him at the academy once. Literally. I heard he's rather flaky..."
"Not any more," smirked Jiraiya. He waved the waitress over and after a few moments of unsuccessful flirtation managed to get his order finished.
"You trained him, I take it?" Sakumo raised an eyebrow. "I thought you wanted to wait for the right one."
"He might be the right one. Maybe. He's a genius anyway. A hard worker. Working on his own jutsu, you know. He's going to blow away the Chuunin Exams – and get Jounin status in a year. You watch. Me, I'm going to take a well-earned visit to the spa and get me a girl." Jiraiya paused, glancing at Sakumo. "Speaking of girls. What about you? Airi, was it? How's she doing?"
A really awkward pause followed. Ryuuji suddenly found himself wishing he was a billion kilometres away from the restaurant.
"She passed," Sakumo said briefly, pouring himself another cup of sake, morosely. His good mood vanished completely, blanketing the booth with a heavy cloud of depression.
"Recently, I take it?" Jiraiya commiserated, suddenly wishing he too could be a billion kilometres away from the restaurant.
"Two years ago... but some days, it feels like yesterday."
"I see..."
Jiraiya sighed mentally. These genius types are so fragile... but then... Hatake men are always too romantic for their own good... and Sakumo was always the type to be more emotionally involved then most men show. Well, I guess that's part of what girls see in him.
"I knew that having a baby would be too difficult," Sakumo continued on, idly moving the food around on his plate with his chopsticks. "But she was adamant. I just couldn't say no."
"Most women are," Ryuuji said. "Look at Kisa. Just had our baby and is already chomping on the bit to go on a mission. I'm not going to be able to have a say either..."
"You guys got babies?" Jiraiya's eyes blinked, suddenly feeling very out of the loop and rather old. "Since when?"
"While you've been gone," Ryuuji smiled. "Sakumo has a great little boy, Kakashi. He's going to be a genius like his dad."
"I'm not –" Sakumo's voice was cut off by Jiraiya's snort.
"More geniuses! We already have the Hyuuga, the Uchiha and Orochimaru."
"So speaks the man who was just bragging about his student," Ryuuji pointed out dryly. "Anyways, Kisa just delivered a baby boy. Two weeks ago. She thinks he looks more like me. Says he's going to have my scary eyes. I don't know about that... but... we called him Mitsue as a celebration of Konoha's Will of Fire."
"Miyako Mitsue. Has a nice rhythm to it," Jiraiya raised a toast. "To Miyako Mitsue, Hatake Kakashi and strong women."
"Hear, hear," Ryuuji joined him.
Sakumo was still brooding over his third sake cup. Jiraiya sighed again. What a wet blanket...
"Sakumo," Jiraiya nudged his old friend. "I'm sorry for your loss and I know that one day, you'll meet Airi again. I remember her as a girl who tried to live life to the fullest, even when she wasn't feeling all that well. She would hate to see you so devastated."
"Thanks, Jiraiya," Sakumo sighed. "I'll try to remember that."
"You Hatake men give your hearts away too much. You need to hold back sometimes."
"You're giving advice on women?" Ryuuji raised an eyebrow.
"Well, he's a perverted bachelor," Sakumo smirked sarcastically. "He should know, right? Have luck with the 'holding back' at the spa, Jiraiya. Duty calls."
"You've got a mission?"
"Kakashi. I promised to show him my nin dogs today. He's been begging to see them. Well, I'll see you at the Chuunin Exams. Hope your genius does as well as you say. I'm looking forward to it."
When Sakumo left, Jiraiya and Ryuuji were left staring at each other uncomfortably.
"I guess that's my cue to leave as well," Ryuuji smiled. "See you around."
"Yeah," Jiraiya nodded. "Same."
Looking into his sake cup, Jiraiya sighed. Even if I was to find a person who would bring peace to the world, in the end, people still have to die. It's part of the cycle of life and saying goodbye is part of us. In the end, it makes life seem sweeter and more precious – but it doesn't stop us from trying to take hold of it and holding on as much as we can. I still hold by what I said. Kisa and Airi, Ryuuji, myself... the Sandaime... we all want to live our lives to the fullest, follow what we believe in, never give up... so that when it is time to say goodbye – there is no room for regret. Airi would never regret Sakumo. Or little Kakashi. I hope Sakumo really does remember that...
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In the end, the clock continues to turn, inexorably. Time marches on, bringing with it peace and war, rest and conflict, destruction and restoration. Three months after the Chuunin Exam (which Minato Namikaze totally blew away, literally), Miyako Ryuuji and Miyako Kisa were killed on a mission, retrieving a scroll that was forgotten, protecting their village, their home and their son.
At their funeral, Sakumo couldn't find the strength to cry. He was glad that small Kakashi had stayed at home. He wouldn't understand that little Mitsue will never know his parents. The boy will no doubt be housed at the local orphanage. Perhaps one day, he'll grow to be a ninja. No matter... Sakumo, leaving the funeral, pushed down the memories of his old friends and looked forward. I have Kakashi to think of. And Konoha.
This is how it all began. Two lives separated one day to be rejoined like twining branches of a tree touch and part again. The tree that is Konoha. From it fall countless leaves, each one carrying the Will of Fire.
Please review after reading! I appreciate it! Constructive criticism encouraged! :)
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Reply to reviews!
Perscripto13: Wow! Long time no see! I hope that this fic can live up to your expectations.
The You of Yesterday: (gives cybercookies) That's for noticing that the pie chart was uneven. I wrote it on purpose, to show that things are always out of our control. I think Yamato will be... surprised by this mission. Kyeheheheheheheheheheheh. (evil cackle)
ShiroTori: Hope that it continues to amaze!
Rosebunse: I really struggled over what to label this. I labelled it Adventure/Drama... but it could easily have been Adventure/Comedy or Adventure/Action or Adventure/Supernatural... (sigh) I hope that I chose the right genre for it.
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1. Still in China. Still teaching. Still enjoying it!
2. Loving my first smartphone: Samsung Galaxy Note. It's my baby!
3. Totally hyped up about the new Doctor Who and the Hobbit coming out this December!