Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Warnings: breakdowns, brief mentions of past deaths, etc.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had plans for Konoha. For the future of the village.
The story of Kioshi-Uzumaki Hisato's world was a depressing tale. He had contemplated every deeply-woven event like it held the secrets to the most evil corners of the world. In a way, it did. If nothing was changed, the future would be as dark as it had been in Hisato's timeline. But by the redhead's presence alone, things have already begun to shift. Soon, the future would no longer be predictable, and the destiny of every life would not be set in stone.
If Hiruzen would soon be walking into the next day and hour almost blind, then he might as well prepare for it beforehand. So he did. He spent many long days confined to his office, muffled by thoughts. Each thought turned into something more, and therefore, his plans came to being.
One plan, one move, would ensure the safety of the village and other nations. He had subconsciously decided on it when he first heard the long tale of Hisato. But there were a few things he had to achieve first, in order to set the plan in motion.
He wrote a brief outline for a mission. A difficult mission, but a necessary task to complete. It would be the beginning of the plan, and he hoped that this wouldn't be a mistake. He tied it to the leg of a hawk and watched it fly out of the open window.
Once again, somewhere in the depths of his mind, he knew it would take harrying, painful tries before this mission was a success.
Hisato leapt into the air, slicing at invisible enemies with a blade of solid chakra. He placed one foot down, using the other to pivot around and strike again. He covered any openings in his form, and looked out for his blind side by moving to different positions in rapid success. He cast a barrage of blows, cutting at all four sides quickly.
His blade dispersed and he fought with his fists. Imagining enemies, he punched at the ground, using chakra to enhance the hit. The earth ruptured, and the enemies would be sent flying or off-balance.
A few more hours he trained. He mock fought for it all without break, barely panting.
When the secluded training ground was hastily repaired, Hisato made for the village. He fixed up his clothes on the way as best he could, and redid his mussed up hair. He pulled the complete braid out of his face and glanced at the ground.
People gave him weird looks, drawn by his strange appearance. He tried his best to avoid eye contact with anyone. It made him uncomfortable and nervous, wondering what kind of emotions would be in their eyes when he looked into them.
His scarf became disordered at the evening breeze. He caught it before his scars could be made visible, returning it to place just as Kakashi appeared in a swirl of leaves at his side.
Hisato greeted the man with a nod and quick glance. The jounin looked the same as always.
"Have you eaten?" At a shake of his head, Kakashi continued, "I don't think we've been to the barbeque place together yet." He changed course, taking a left into an empty street. This area of the village was desolate, bordering on the red light district. Hisato hid a wince at the thought of the villainous place.
A quiet walk later, and they were once again in the lively part of the village. He followed Kakashi into the restaurant, for once not busy. They sat opposite each other in a booth, and went through what they always did; point at a dish, let Kakashi do the ordering.
As he ate, Hisato mulled over the mission he received this morning. Kakashi had told him of his own assignment. It was the same as Hisato's. Once his friend found out it was a joint task, he only frowned, knowing how it would probably go.
He was really dreading it, especially now that he had time to consider every part. Some deity up there must truly hate him. He had no drive to do it. But an order was an order, and Hisato may as well try his best.
After all, the assignment was not easy- he knew, however, that there was some underlying motive the Hokage had in giving it to them. So tomorrow, the two shinobi would get started on it.
Hisato raised his chin, suddenly determined. Like hell he was gonna let his grandfather down.
Hisato met up with Kakashi early the next day. He hid his surprise at the lack of tardiness from the Copy Ninja.
Together they shunshinned to an ordinary building. Kakashi led the way through winding hallways and tall staircases. They came to a faded door. Behind it lay the Jounin Lounge. Hisato was the one to open the door, albeit quite slowly. He steeled himself, stepping into the room.
Inside were only a few people. But it didn't help for who they were.
Hisato first glanced at Sarutobi Asuma. He never saw the man in his last moments, though Shikamaru once told him about their battle with Hidan and Kakuzu.
Next was Mitarashi Anko. Quartered like an animal for its meat. Torn apart so suddenly. One moment fighting and laughing, the next, dead and in pieces, blood guzzling out from every opening- all a bundle of glistening bones and splattered flesh. A red puddle akin to a heavy rain. Splattered all through his vision.
Beside her stood Yuuhi Kurenai. She died soon after her friend. She raged when Anko was slaughtered. She took down a battalion of enemies before dropping dead from exhaustion, wounds all over. In her last moments, she was the fiercest warrior that day, a hero, and an avenger.
Even Shikaku was there, outwardly indifferent and unconcerned. Though Hisato noticed that the Jounin Commander seemed to be looking for something or someone. Aside from them, all the other jounin were out. But Hisato was still nervous. Even four were too many people to interact with. He had seen two of them die, after all.
Four pairs of eyes turned towards him and Kakashi. Shikaku had recognition flash briefly over his face before being buried with a blink. The other three looked curious at the newcomer. Kakashi gave a nod of acknowledgement and went further into the room, approaching Asuma seated on the sofa. Hisato felt a horrible wave of panic beginning to bubble up. What should he do? If he could speak, what would he say? Hello, last time I checked you were dead or brutally murdered in front of me.
Histeria also made way into him. Rapid questions began to breeze around. What do I do? How should I act? Can they all interpret hand signs? He tried to force a smile on his face, but it was straining. He quickly bowed and sat beside Kakashi, focusing instead on his hands.
Why can't I just talk? He fidgeted with his twitching hands. Can I just leave? Leave this room, or maybe just leave this life? It's pointless and short anyways. He almost grinned at that.
Hisato inwardly growled and shook his head. No, bad thoughts, bad thoughts.
He zoned out from the conversation taking place outside his troubled mind. He settled in his thoughts, like he was in his own little self-deprecating world. But even that did not spare him from interaction.
A loud bang brought him back out and his personality flung around again. Every tiny noise became louder than it really was. It seemed so much closer, and he involuntarily honed in on it. His eyes twitched from object to object, taking in everything and anything at once. A tap on his leg, which he anticipated, saw coming, still made him flinch back.
Kakashi was looking at him in concern. The other jounin went about their way. Either way, Hisato ignored them, focusing only on the man beside him. He began to slowly calm down. Slowly.
Another noise came then, right next to him. Shikaku asked him a question, but he only saw lips moving.
He was so confused by the sights, sounds, smells. The sofa felt weird and complex beneath. Stupid, stupid.
Everything was overloading, and the panic he felt minutes ago made itself clear.
He tried to slow his rapid breathing. It only made the sound and feeling of it become stabbing and large. He didn't know what to do.
Dad, he mouthed. As if a dead man would help.
He unconsciously shifted, and became dizzy.
His vision stopped spinning. Fresh air flowed into his face.
He scarcely took in surroundings, already knowing where he was. The Yondaime's head.
He put his head between his knees and focused on his breathing. In, out. A slow pattern. A calming sequence. The noise zoomed out, quieted. The ground and the air felt normal again. He closed his eyes, feeling his legs steady and body still.
Relief flooded in him. He relaxed his tensed muscles.
This time, he scarcely flinched when a hand touched him.
Kakashi kept his hand on Hisato's shoulder. He leaned into it, against his friend's side. His heart fluttered at the bond between them, for reasons no one could ever explain. He rested his head on the other's shoulder, eyes still closed.
His exhausted body could rest now, in the presence of Kakashi, even for only a little while. He smiled at the peace he finally felt, with his only friend, in the only place that could ever calm he down.
He finally felt at home. The home he had been wishing to return to for years.
Their blades met. Hisato released the hold and leapt a safe distance away. Across from him, Kakashi flicked the kunai in his grip.
Hisato used his own to deflect the barrage of blades, shuriken included. He grinned as the fight began to reach its climax. One hand formed seals rapidly.
A blade of wind was released and sent zooming at his opponent. Kakashi slammed his hands down and a wall of earth rose. Hisato sensed Kakashi's chakra disappear. He turned in time to catch another kunai, this time with his hand forming a blade of chakra. The two were bare inches apart, pressing for dominance. He increased his chakra and it split Kakashi's kunai in half.
He took advantage of the other's momentary shock. His first blow shot out at Kakashi's stomach, making contact and pushing him back a step. He jumped into a series of hits, aiming for vital spots. Temple, side, knees, armpit. Kakashi dodged and moved from the defensive and launched his own attacks.
Hisato ducked below a punch and came into the other's space. He reached both arms for Kakashi's face. He brought them together in a clap, stunning his opponent and allowing him to hit five more spots in the next split second.
Kakashi coughed, winded, and broke from taijutsu. He sent a fireball at him, forcing him to move away to dodge. He saw a myriad of kunai shoot through the fireball that was too close for his liking. Hisato noticed too late the exploding tags attached, having been partially masked by the smoke.
They unleashed a great explosion, throwing debris from the earth. Left behind was a small crater. When the smoke and dust dispersed, it revealed an empty area. Kakashi, clutching an arm, glanced around wearily for Hisato. His guard was still up.
Hisato attacked from behind and to the left, using Kakashi's blind spot against him. He held the chakra blade to his neck. He stared up from his crouch, violet eyes glinting. Kakashi didn't move from his spot, and he noticed his sign of surrender.
Hisato put away the kunai and straightened, smirking in victory.
"You're very good," Kakashi admitted, and Hisato saw the slight awe he held. He nodded in acknowledgement.
[You are no pushover either.] Hisato crossed his arms after, failing to still the shaking.
Kakashi's POV
Kakashi hid his surprise at the rare comment. Even though Hisato could speak through his signs instead, he barely ever did. Kakashi suspected it was to hide his hands. As usual, his friend proved to be an anomaly.
He wanted his questions answered. Selfish, he admitted, but he needed to satisfy his curiosity. Why were Hisato's hands always unsteady? How much was there, to Hisato's hidden pain? Why was there any to begin with?
He wanted to help the redhead, because they were friends and comrades. He wanted to sustain that bond, and to deepen it. Kakashi realised now, that despite being here for such a short time, Hisato had quickly become his best friend. He felt that he has known the other for his whole life.
A hawk drifted down towards them. Kakashi slipped the small scroll from the bird's outstretched leg. He gave it a nod, and it flew off again. He skimmed through the contents of the scroll and a smile almost quirked up.
He answered Hisato's questioning glance. "The Hokage has summoned us for an S-Rank mission. He will be briefing us on the details."
He noticed that the redhead was bubbling. With excitement. Kakashi finally let the smile appear on his face, underneath the mask. He felt elated somehow, despite the unknown dangers and low success-rate of the missions. Maybe it was because he could spend more time with his friend, get to know him better. He thought it was more because they were going to fight together. That, above all, was what brought shinobi closer. To defeat a perilous enemy and live through it. It was the foundation of a comrades' bond.
Hisato nodded towards their destination, the shall we go, implied. He stared, enraptured by the redhead's warm grin, which lit up not only him, but the nature around them. By itself, that pleasant expression lifted Kakashi's spirits.
Hisato's POV
Hisato soaked in the mission briefing. It was finally his chance to start changing the timeline for the better.
The mission was simple, but long and difficult. It entailed a fight, inevitable and challenging. He and Kakashi had to spy on the Akatsuki and garner valuable intel on them. Intel that people would kill for.
Beyond the information will be a deeper research. A research on the different partners within the organisation. Their focus was to be on Hidan and Kakuzu. In Hisato's words, the strangest pair. Eventually, the Hokage demanded that they eliminate them. Easier said than done.
After all, these were two S-Class shinobi. But Kakashi was not as lazy as in Hisato's time, nor was he lacking in his skills. They would be enough of a force to overcome the missing nins.
They took their leave and departed from the village. A steady course was set for the last sightings of Hidan and Kakuzu.
Their search took them all the way to Sangaku no Hakaba, the northernmost region between Oto and Taki. Strenuous travel with little rest kept them for two days and nights.
At the end of the second night, worn and weary, Kakashi and Hisato arrived on the outskirts of Sangaku no Hakaba. The thick lands of forest provided a natural and inconspicuous camp. Hisato halted his run within the branches of the tall canopies. Kakashi stopped alongside him. Whilst Hisato himself wasn't too out of breath, Kakashi was puffed out. The silver-head all but collapsed against the trunk, leaning his head back and closing his eye.
Hisato watched for a moment, then scanned the surroundings. All clear, of ninjas and wild animals alike.
He turned back to his companion, sending a fond gaze when he noticed the spot that he left beside him. Hisato trekked over and pressed his back touching the cool bark. He slid down and sighed at the relief of finally resting. Kakashi's shoulder met his, and he looked over to see the jounin drooping with sleep. Looks like I will be taking the first watch then.
Staying still became too quiet though. He wanted to fidget, or stand up, but the figure using him as a pillow would not let him. But his hands were free, and he wanted noise.
Hisato formed a sign, and two shadow clones popped into existence. They went away to scout and keep watch for him. He initiated a myriad of signs, this time intending to create a barrier. When his hand completed the last sign, the little area sealed off, blocking any sounds made from the outside world. No passerby would notice they were there.
He unsealed a small wooden construction. It was carved with many runes and made of a beautiful red wood. Woodpipes, in other words, and made by Hisato himself. He didn't remember the last time he had played them. Sometime back before everything grew so bad.
Kakashi shifted at his movements, not really noticing how he went down to rest on Hisato's laps. Hisato almost stiffened, but managed not to tense. He didn't want his friend to wake up. If anything, it made it far easier to play his music.
So, for the first time in years, he played out a tune. At first, he was sloppy and rusty. It did not take long to get the hang of it, and a song came to mind. Hisato felt the slight movements beneath his arms and noticed that Kakashi was listening.
The notes came back to him, and he let out his emotions. The song was sad and sombre, sifting into the memories of the horrible times. The war and the bloodshed. Slow, and deep, something that should be played on a violin. The runes he carved manipulated the sounds, creating a range of octaves and vibrations. Notes went from solemn to light, bubbling brighter as the dawn wore on.
He relished in the coruscating sounds, ringing within his ears. His heart beat with it, and a heavy weight was loosened. Still, a great big hole rested there, but this new time was beginning to fill it. Reminiscent sounds of when the world was a whole heap better and he had many friends to see and talk to everyday.
Hisato both wished for and didn't wish for, the voice he had had. He never could recall the sound of it. Something so loud and boisterous, and yet he could hardly hear it. His voice was a large part of him he had always considered important. Words were the only way he could express his feelings, in a world where the villagers despised his own 'fake' humanity. He could not show his true feelings, true face to others, and that voice was the bridge. It connected his thoughts to his precious people. Without his voice, he could not express himself.
And even though part of him so dearly wished for its return, for some reason, he didn't really want it. To have his voice once again, Hisato would be stealing something from his counterpart. To this time's Uzumaki Naruto, Hisato could not take his voice. It belonged to one soul alone.
He wanted to cry out in pain, release all his pent up frustration and confusion. But silent tears could never suffice. Hear me, he wanted to say, to tell the skies above. But they could not hear, would never be able to, because there was nothing to hear.
The music he played made all of his emotions run rampant. Through his notes, he could talk. Why hadn't he done this before, between all the fights and tension of the war? Hisato could hear himself. This was his voice now, when there was no one left to listen.
A rustle in his lap, and he looked down to see Kakashi. No, he was wrong. There is someone to listen. His friend, only friend. Kakashi moved at the silence. They made eye contact, dull violet meeting deep charcoal. Hisato froze at the warm touch on his cheek. Kakashi had reached his gloved hand to his face. Tears pricked at Hisato's eyes but he rubbed them away roughly with his sleeve.
"I don't mind," Kakashi said gently. Hisato allowed himself a grateful smile, and the tears didn't come again. He mouthed, arigato. Kakashi dropped his hand. They stayed like that, staring into each other's eyes, delving into the dropped walls, as open as they had been since they met. Kakashi's guilt and self-hate for the loss of his team. Hisato's grief and emptiness from the death of his friends. Their true selves were revealed to them, naked and clear to see. It was sweet, it was private and personal, this moment of truth between them.
