Chapter 7: Plans

A/N: Hey! This is the next chapter, so enjoy! Oh and please do review for the sake of making "Eiichi" a series. I wrote before that if it goes well enough, I'll write an "Eiichi: Gaiden" as well as an "Eiichi: Shippuden". But I'll only do that if the original does well enough. Please review and PM if you have any questions!

I was hopeful, to say the least.

Kakashi had agreed to train me.

In fact, he'd volunteered. I wouldn't have expected him to want to be so involved.

I thought him only following Hokage's orders to associate with me, though now it seemed of something more. Kakashi seemed far more interested in me since our introduction in the Hokage's office.

Had his opinion changed of me?

This time he held a positive disposition?

We had spent much time together since our first meeting, so perhaps I'd grown on him. I smiled at the thought.

With Kakashi's new involvement in my training, I thought it only fitting that he should initiate when and where. I would let him decide.

The next day started off very usual to our routine. I awoke and dressed, gathered the necessary items for that day, and left my home to find Kakashi on my doorstep. We greeted one another and he allowed me to lead the way to the academy where I most always was.

Though it began very typical, I knew it wouldn't be. Sasuke Uchiha had invited me over (upon his mother's requests) for a meal. Like I said before, I'd never been over soneone's house and truth be told, I was slightly nervous. I would sit and greet Sasuke's family, something I was very unfamilar with, the social aspect of it all.

Then my thoughts drifted to Kakashi.

Where would he be while I dined with the Uchihas? Would he grant me a few hours of leave from our usual affairs or would he eavesdrop? Would he sit with me, though he was not invited, as my own personal escort?

I doubted that.

Kakashi didn't seem like the kind to intrude or place himself where he wasn't needed.

Hours passed and Kakashi still hadn't spoken about our training arrangements. Though he wasn't very verbal, I knew he hadn't forgotten. Not one such as he.

With graduation so imminent, this was an opportune time to train and harness my skills. I thought multiple times about bringing it up myself, but then I would stop myself.

I would remain patient.

The evening had come and Iruka-Sensei had dismissed class like he did everyday. The sun had began to set in the background. I wore my knapsack over my shoulder, filled with school items, books and shuriken. The hour had come and I began making my way to the Uchiha Compound, Kakashi now walked beside me, his hands in his pockets.

The entrance was adorned with fabric that held the Uchiha crest.

Upon entering the entrance of the compound, I was stopped by a few guards. They wore firm expressions.

Kakashi stopped along with me.

"State your business!" One of the guards shouted, expressing his authority.

I noticed they all had eyes like Sasuke, black and onyx.

"I was told to come to the Uchiha main house by invitation," I said.

"And your name?" Another guard spoke up.

"My name is Eiichi"

They began whispering to each other in hushed tones. The guards removed themselves from my path and allowed me entrance.

They eyed Kakashi.

"And you?" They referred to the silver-haired ninja standing beside me.

"I'll just wait our here," he said very nonchalantly, before placing one hand on my shoulder, catching my attention.

I turned to look at him.

"Just be back at nightfall," he sighed. I'd gotten quite used to his carefree attitude. He reached into his pouch to pull out his notorious book. The guards expression changed.

I nodded and made my way through the entrance.


I walked calmly through the compound.

There were several people lined up and down the streets. As I walked, I noticed they stared at me. I understood, as I was sure the Uchiha didn't have many visitors. They seemed very private, even secretive.

"Eiichi!" a voice called, interrupting my thoughts. It was Sasuke. He waved to grab my attention.

I waved back. He was standing outside of what I guessed to be his home.

I ran to him.

"I'm glad you could make it," he chuckled nervously. I nodded in agreement and returned a smile.

He beckoned for me to follow into his home and I did.

Sasuke led the way into their dining room. A dark-haired woman who only could've been the mother stood, wearing an apron. She smiled upon seeing me. A man who I guessed was the father sat long with Itachi Uchiha, the older brother of Sasuke. Sasuke began to take off his shoes upon entering, as was custom. I followed this action.

I looked around the room. Everyone stood from their positions to greet me.

"Eiichi! How are you?" The mother wore a warm smile as I bowed in respect to her. "My name is Mikoto," she introduced herself, then her family.

"This is Itachi, my son and my husband Fagaku," I bowed to each of them. "And you know Sasuke,"she said.

We then sat and began eating. They served many exotic dishes that could only suit the high-class.

I imaged they were wealthy. They had several important affiliations with the village. One of which included the Konoha Military Police Force. The Uchihas populated most of its members. One could only expect certain things from such highly regarded ninjas.

We ate in silence until Fagaku-san, Sasuke's father, spoke up.

"So...Eiichi," he initiated. "I hear you're set to graduate from the academy," Fagaku-san said. He had a deep voice.

"Yes, sir. In only a few short weeks." I answered, lowering my head in respect.

"Well isn't that a coincidence. Sasuke is due to begin his training at the same time," he continued.

He shot Sasuke a brief look, which I caught. One of contempt, it seemed. I didn't mean to cause any trouble.

Sasuke slightly winced and lowered his head as I did before.

Itachi-san entered the conversation.

"Sasuke is quite young to enter the academy," he wore a pleasant expression as he vouched for his younger brother. Sasuke's eyes perked up in hope.

"Yes, but there are a number of ninja who were far more advanced," Fagaku-san argued.

"Fagaku, let us not argue at the dinner tab-," Mikoto-san was interrupted.

"Sasuke's entrance ceremony is only a short while away. Will you attend, Father?" Itachi-san asked.

Fagaku-san only muttered his response. It was too quiet to hear. Sasuke lowered his head once again.

We continued to eat, resting our disputes.


Once dinner came to a close, I thanked Mikoto-san for dinner and everyone for the visit.

"Sasuke, why don't you take Eiichi to play with your toys in your room?" Mikoto-san suggested. "We just recently bought him some knew ones," she spoke to me.

Sasuke looked at her, slightly embarrassed. She gave him a stern look while Itachi watched our exchange.

"Don't be rude," she whispered intently to her son.

Itachi chuckled in the background.

"Aniki...," Sasuke whined. He beckoned me to his room.

We played with his toys for a small while. I'd been given toys when I was much younger, though they were untouched in my home. Sasuke seemed to play with his very often. It was something I hadn't thought to miss.

We were silent except to hand each other knickknacks and trinkets. I thought to talk about the conversation at dinner, for my curiosity was eating at me again. I thought to bring it up, but I thought that might cause trouble and confusion. After a little while of playing, I glanced outside Sasuke's bedroom window.

It was dark out. I remembered what Kakashi had told me.

I gathered my belongings before saying my thank you's and goodbye's. I put on my shoes and laced them before leaving the home.

The guards I met at the gate were waiting for me on the front door. They led me from the Compound to find Kakashi. There was a slight breeze. We walked silently.

We found Kakashi in the seemingly same place. He stood motionless, his gray hair swayed slightly to the side by the soft winds. He stared at me as I walked from the entrance.

He gestured me toward him and the guards let me walk. He gave the guards a farewell look.

We began walking toward my home, as was routine. It was dark, as the sun hid its sunshine for the night. The village seemed the same as in the day except for the lack of people. The shops were closed down and Kakashi and I were alone.

We traveled for a while, as my home was on the other side of town from the Uchiha residence. It was mostly silent except for birds chirping and other sounds of the night. I peered back to see Kakashi with his hands in his pockets. I grew slightly curious during our walk.

As we arriving at the property of my home and I stopped to enter the gate, I turned to Kakashi.

"That book you read continuously...?" I trailed off. It might've seemed random.

"What about it?" I noticed Kakashi no longer spoke to me in a nonchalant tone. But instead he gave me his undivided attention. Perhaps it was the topic of conversation.

"Why do you...? What is it that keeps you interested? What is it about?"I asked.

"The book is about..." he began. "That's none of your business. It's only for adults," Kakashi explained.

That confused me and he sensed it.

"It's..." he said. "Just leave it at that," the Copy Ninja finished.

I nodded meekly and turned to enter the gate that led to my home. He didn't follow as that was my destination.

I walked a few steps and felt tugging on the back of my collar, surprising me. Kakashi pulled me back toward him, getting my attention.

I glanced over my shoulder at him. He spoke in a quiet voice,

"Training starts tomorrow"

He then disappeared in a burst of speed and agility.

The corners of lips upturned upon hearing his words.

I knew he hadn't forgotten.

A/N: So this is the next chapter. Thank you for reading!