Word count: 4,883


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~(Konohagakure)~

The chunin exams lasted for a week it took most of Team Minato's time and didn't give me a chance to talk to Obito or Rin.

Unlike my test the exam was closer to the canon one. The first stage was an ordinary written test and the second stage was a regulated match between two teams with one of their jonin sensei being the referee.

As usual, Obito was late and in addition to that he choked on a piece of candy, and Gai unintentionally saved his life when he kicked Obito on the face.

The third stage was an individual battling match. First round was Kakashi vs. random ninja, Obito vs. Gai, and Rin vs. Genma; the results were Kakashi, Gai and Genma. Another match was made before the last round was battled, Kakashi vs. Gai, obviously Kakashi was the victor.

In conclusion, Kakashi is the only one promoted... or he kept his rank because he's already a chunin. The whole test was unfair Kakashi was personally trained by the White Fang and the Yellow Flash.

Now that the exam was over I received its aftershock. I had to take care of my youthful, slightly depressed and discouraged friends, while Kakashi and Minato had a chat with the Hokage.

"Next time... next I will beat Kakashi! From this day forth, Hatake Kakashi is my rival!" Guy exclaimed to the heavens.

"But I thought you already considered him as your rival?"

"Do I?" I nodded. "Well, then... he shall be my Eternal Rival!"

"I can't believe I got beaten by him." Obito murmured to no one in particular.

"Hey, Guy if you go home now I promise to have a race or two with you tomorrow." I offered. I need to lessen my burden.

His face brightened. "I expect that tomorrow my eternal rival's youthful little brother!" He exclaimed giving his 'nice guy' pose.

"Right, that's the spirit!" A little too much spirit.

"See you by the second gate tomorrow." He said before running towards his apartment.

I watched his dust trail as it vanished. "We need to keep training. There's always a next time so you guys should best be prepared for that." I told Obito and Rin.

"All right Takeshi-kun," Rin agreed. "Can you help with senbon throwing? Genma-san seems to be better than me at it."

"Sure let's go, Obito-nii, Rin-chan." They froze mid-step so I turned around. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Obito said.

I narrowed my eyes. That was obviously a lie... oh well, I'll let it go, for now.


Constant thuds could be heard around the clearing, Obito frantically threw shuriken at the logs, while Rin and I took a break under a tree.

She read a book on medical ninjutsu while I formed towers with my leaves.

I want you to go back to Konoha and befriend Obito... The other people who you see in your visions too, befriend them, earn their trust. I want you to act as if you are still you. Madara reminded me the last time I saw him inside the cave.

I frowned. I don't want to help Madara, but he has me cornered. I don't want to help Konoha, but they provide me with my main base of operations.

I sighed. This is really annoying. Madara's got his eye on me and the Leaf is probably also spying on me.

I smirked. Good thing I agreed to send Harumi to Kiri, I can just imagine the look on Madara's face when I tell him about it. My victorious smirk slowly melted into a confused frown. But didn't Madara tell me to make connections with important people? Mangetsu is connected to Suigetsu and Suigetsu is connected to Sasuke which makes my friendship with Mangetsu an advantage for Madara.

I gritted my teeth. Damn it, he wanted me to do that. He can read every single one of my moves.

"Dang it..." I murmured then remembered Hiruzen. Oh, that's right, the Hokage. Sadly, for him, the only way he can get me back to his side is to tell me the truth about Sakumo. It lets me know that they trust me. I wouldn't lash out on the village just because they influenced Sakumo into killing himself... or would I?

The tower I tried to build fell apart. Speaking of Sakumo, what was his mission all about anyway? I assumed that it was a delivery mission, but what could be so important that it could start a war? Konohagakure vs. Iwagakure, What could it be?

"Takeshi-kun," Rin started. "Are you all right?"

I jumped startled by her voice. "Y-Yeah I'm fine, why would I not be fine?" Real smooth.

"Well you've been making weird faces, ever since you started building you... structure."

I laughed, a forced, awkward laugh. "It happens all the time, ask Hideo-sensei."

"No need, I trust you." She smiled sweetly.

"Trust?" How can she just say that? Trust is something you only give to a person close to you... how can she just-? My face flushed. What the hell am I blushing for?

"I-I don't-" Before I could finish the familiar chakra of Minato and Kakashi flared behind me.

"Takeshi, let's go home." Kakashi said bluntly.

I forced myself to get out of what-the-heck mode then smiled.

"Ok, Kashi-nii," I started to walk back home but Kakashi seemed to be frozen. "What's wrong?" This is becoming annoying, just keep walking already.

Minato smiled and grabbed us both. In a split second we were inside the Hatake residence.

"Take care you two," he said before disappearing.

Soon after I felt arms around me. "Your back," Kakashi said.

"What?"

"Your back," he repeated.

I let him hold on for a while until I felt uncomfortable and fidgeted.

I've been training in the dark with Danzo for nearly 3 years. Automatically, when something comes too close to me, I already panic then the signals would go haywire and I would fidget.

But that was only if an enemy was near. Does that mean I can't trust Kakashi?

I immediately believed my first conclusion and try to get my way out with words. "Hey, Kakashi let's go get some food. Do we have any sushi or rice balls?"

Instead of letting go like I planned he tightened his grip. My brain immediately screamed, Let go! and if I lacked self-control I would have pushed him away.

He held me by the shoulder arms length and glared. "Why are you afraid? What's wrong?"

"I don't know," I admitted.

He intimidates you! You don't trust him! He can't be trusted! You need to get away! He's on to you! Run before it's too late! My thoughts screamed. This isn't right!

"I'm sorry!" I screamed my apology. I cant take this! Someone get me out before I tell him everything! Help!


I don't trust Kakashi... I repeated the thought not liking how it sounded, it made no sense. Sakumo wanted me to watch over Kakashi and yet I don't trust him, the only person I have left. I told him a piece of what I knew in my old life. Why?!

It was the middle of the night only the constant drop of water filled the 'cave'. No sign of any human being could be seen or heard. I scowled at the wall in front of me.

"Why?!" I whispered angrily. I couldn't understand myself, I care for him but I don't trust him. "Stupid, stupid, stupid," I said, holding my head as if trying to keep it from falling apart. "It makes no sense!" I again whispered angrily.

My breathing's pace increased, my head throbbed in confusion, my heart pounded in panic, and my chakra flared due to mixed emotions and disoriented thoughts. If I was anywhere near Konoha ANBU would be flooding the house by now. I don't trust Kakashi... That was an understatement. The right sentence would be, I don't trust anybody.

"Pathetic, I'm pathetic." I paused frowning. "Damn it!" I screamed breaking down. I never wanted this life. I thought desperately.

I was a mess my long, spiky black hair was tied in a low ponytail but it was messy and wet because of sweat, my goggles hung at my neck and my clothes were covered in grass and mud. All this was the result of me lashing out at the forest outside, a fair amount of the trees were dead and no animal dared to come near.

"Takeshi..." Madara's raspy voice rang in my ears. "Although I don't know what you are trying to say I suggest you tell me what is happening, using words that can be understood."

"I don't trust you!" I told him.

"We can't understand anything you're saying." Zetsu complained in annoyance.

"I don't care if you understand or not! No one cares, no one will understand! I want to tell someone but I can't! It's too risky." I started to shake. Madara gave me a disappointed sigh.

I knew I wasn't making any sense, I'm speaking in a different language, for crying out loud, but it helped, it helped me feel better somehow. It made things seem normal for a second, it was a short amount of time, but it satisfied me which was all that mattered.

"He is broken beyond repair," Zetsu noted.

I growled at him angrily. "Broken beyond repair," I mocked him. "What about you?! Try looking at yourself first you backstabbing creep!"

Zetsu buried his face in his hands. "Madara-sama...? What now?"

"Kinju Takeshi," Madara started, not caring if I was listening or not. "I have no idea why you are acting this way, but do remember one thing, you brought this upon yourself. Whatever 'this' may be." he said harshly sending a glare at my direction.

It hurt to see him mad. Why? I don't know it's just an automatic reaction. But he's right, no one told me to join Madara or Danzo or become a ninja, it was all me. Nobody was turning my wheels for me, I decided for myself.

I hugged my knees. "I need to calm down... I have to get through this... maybe..." I choked. "No matter what happens I won't let this world affect me... I will try to... someday everything will go back to normal... he, Madara can help..."

"Madara-sama, I think he's going to faint any minute now." Zetsu said.

He was right I felt tired, emotion got to me again. My head spun as my vision blurred, I shook my head to keep myself awake. "Uchiha-sama, I sent a clone to-"

"I know... Just tell me why." He ordered. My head was down for a few seconds before I forced it to stay up.

"Kisame... Akatsuki... Three tails... Obito... Mizukage... War... Amegakure..." I managed to say. I supported my head on the wall behind me.

Madara discarded my lousy mission report. "Rest and we will talk tomorrow."

I nodded limply and said something that I can't seem to recognize before falling asleep.


"You can't be serious." Kakashi deadpanned. I pouted at him and didn't move an inch. "Really, Takeshi?" I nodded grinning. He's going to do it.

"Fine," he said giving up, forming a fist with his hand. "This will not happen again, ok?" I nodded again and bumped fists with him.

He stared at his fist as if it was an alien. "See that wasn't so bad, right, Kashi-nii?" He didn't respond so I pouted. "Lighten up Kashi-nii it's just a 'fist bump'."

"Takeshi you need to stop making up words." He said redirecting his attention to me.

"I didn't make it up!" I whined.

"Oh, really? Like that story about a boy raised by a dragon?" He asked raising a brow.

"Yes," I answered. If the Naruto Universe was real then I'm going to assume that all the other anime exist too. They are just in a different dimension.

"Takeshi, I'm back. It's time to go home!" I grinned and ran over to father. "Dad!" I hugged his leg tightly.

"Energetic as usual," He said lifting me. I hugged his neck and buried my face on his shoulder.

"I missed you, dad!"

"Takeshi, if Kakashi is in trouble what would you do?" Sakumo asked out of the blue.

I leveled my wooden kunai and aimed at the target. "Trouble?" I paused and closed one an eye to get a better view of the target. "I'll save him obviously."

He chuckled. "I suppose that would be the obvious answer. But what if it was against the rules?"

I scoffed and lost sight of my aim. "Against the rules," I mocked. "That's stupid. A rule that tells you to let a comrade die in the hands of the enemy, genius," I said sarcastically. "Who made that rule?" I asked turning to him.

He laughed. "That rule doesn't exist, Takeshi. I just wanted to know what you would think during a situation like that. Anything can happen during a mission, so we best be prepared for the worst." He explained with a smile.

"Oh... well then, either way it's a lose-lose situation." I said throwing the kunai and missing the middle by an inch or two. "Good enough... For now," I murmured.

"Don't be so hard on yourself. You did well." He said reassuring me.


"Obito, maybe this wasn't such a good." I tried to convince him.

"What are you talking about? Of course this is a good idea." He retorted.

"Running up a tree, with no hands, is a good idea?"

"Running up a tree while using chakra is a good idea." He corrected.

"You can barely hold ten leaves on your fingertips."

"So?"

My head fell down in defeat. He doesn't care. "If you can barely do that, then how are you-?"

"You and Kakashi do it all the time so it shouldn't be that hard." He stated.

I groaned. I wanted to point out a lot of things but decided against it when Obito started to run up. My eyes widened. He's doing it. *thump* Never mind, he still needs work.

"I told you it wasn't a good idea."

He stood up and glared at the tree. "I can do this." He insisted. "If I can't then I don't deserve to be the Hokage."

He's really loyal to his dream... too bad he's not going to get what he wants... but I am going to get what I want, so it's all good.


"Takeshi-kun, why do you always wear goggles?" Rin asked curiously.

I tapped on the mirror as I thought of an excuse. "Well... people might think my eyes are weird."

She tilted her head. "Why?"

I didn't know how to answer the question, so I pulled down my goggles and looked at her. She didn't say anything and just stared. I quietly sighed, relieved. Good I got away with it. "See? I knew it."

I was about to put the goggles back on but a hand stopped me. "A yellow carnation flower means cheerful while a yellow chrysanthemum means secret admirer. A sunflower means adoration. A yellow rose means zealous and a yellow tulip means hopelessly in love. Which one is your meaning, Takeshi-kun?" She asked smiling sweetly.

I blushed, I didn't know what to say. "Did you learn that during kunoichi classes?" Really that's all I got?

"Yes," she confirmed. "Small things can hold a lot of meaning, Takeshi-kun."

I nodded slowly then an idea popped in my head. "Hey, Rin-chan, why don't you give Kakashi a yellow chrysanthemum?"

She let go of my hand and turned as red as a tomato. "W-what? W-why would I do that?" She stuttered.

"Well because you said it meant secret admirer. You like Kakashi, right?" I asked innocently. No shame.

"Don't tell anyone, please Takeshi-kun," she pleaded with puppy dog eyes. I don't think I need to point out the obvious.

"Sure, no problem," I said putting my goggles back on.

"Hello, you two," Mikoto greeted passing by with Itachi.

"Hello, Mikoto-san," Rin greeted as I fixed my goggles.

"What were you two talking about?"

"Hi, Mikoto-nee-chan! Hi, Itachi! We were just talki-" Rin covered my mouth.

"Nothing at all," she said with a nervous laugh.

Mikoto laughed at our ridiculousness. "Takeshi." Itachi said reaching for me.

I pulled Rin's hand off my face. "Don't worry, Itachi, Rin-chan wasn't hurting me."

"Rin?" He said confused.


"I promise that I, Kinju Yukimaru, shall go with my son, Takeshi, to the academy on his first day of school!" Father exclaimed with his hands on his hips with his chest puffed out.

I laughed at him. "Make sure you keep that promise." I joked. Back in the old world I only had grandfather with me...

"Of course I will. Trust me." He grinned.

I hugged him. "I love you, dad." I didn't know why I said it, but I did and I felt content.

"Love you too, Kiiro," he laughed. "You're mother said she wanted to call you that if you had yellow eyes."


My eyes flew open. I shook my head. Dreams are becoming more and more detailed.

"Good you are awake..."

"Uchiha-sama..." I bowed my head remembering my earlier breakdown. "I'm sorry for-"

"That is not important, Takeshi." He interrupted. What? But didn't I just make a big fuss outside his secret hideout? "Everything that you did yesterday only happened in a genjutsu." He explained. "Now for a more important topic..." He raised a suspicious brow demanding a proper explanation.

"K-Kiri..." I winced as I started. "Kisame, the man who looks like a shark, is a very loyal future member of the Akatsuki... I... I also saw a vision of the Three Tails with Obito beside it and the Mizukage..."

"Yagura...?"

"Y-yes, the 4th Mizukage... At Amegakure war will happen with... I'm not sure who and the three orphans. They created the Akatsuki." He raised a brow when I said I didn't know who the person was.

"If the orphans created the Akatsuki then how am I the leader of the organization?" He asked not completely believing my story.

I knitted my brows trying to remember. "... Obito, that's where Obito comes in... He somehow convinces the orphans to join him and then he becomes the new leader."

He closed his eyes deep in thought. "I might actually have some use for Kirigakure and the Three Tails." He told me.

The cave was silent. *drip* *drop* *drip* "U-Uchiha-sama, may I ask how I ended up here?" I hesitantly asked.

"Zetsu," he simply answered. My eye twitched a little. They kidnapped me... again.

"Wouldn't anyone get suspicious? How long have I been here?" I asked with slight panic. They might think I'm lost or something, 'they' being the Hokage or Danzo.

"That is not important now," he snapped. I kept quiet, I might be crazy but I wouldn't dare talk back to Madara when he is frustrated.

The cave went silent once again. *drop* *drip* *drop* *drip* *drop*

"I was telling you the truth about your father. Though it may not be accurate I gave you some of the original pieces of the puzzle. I know what you are going through, boy. You distrust every person around you. The only reason, I see, for this kind of behavior would be that you involved yourself in something. Tell me, what have you been doing these past few years?"

I felt my chest get heavy. He does know. He follows me. Am I that 'essential' to his little plan? I guess if that's the case, then it couldn't be helped.

"I trained with Danzo." He grabbed my arm harshly and looked me in the eye with his sharingan spinning.

"He is an enemy and a big hindrance to my plans," he narrowed his eyes accusingly.

I know I didn't do anything too stupid, but his gaze made me feel guilty, almost sick to my stomach.

"Why would you spend all those years training with the enemy? Didn't you even think that he would learn your moves and have advantage over you in the battlefield?" He said with malice and without losing his calm composure.

"I did it for the plan. If I have enough information on Danzo and his 'plans' we can avoid, manipulate and read his moves better and..." I paused, gulping.

"And, what?" He asked with killing intent. I could hear my heartbeat ring in my ears. Eyes wide in horror, I could barely breathe. My mouth felt dry and I was terrified. I thought he would be angrier because I sent a clone to Kiri without his permission.

Do I really? Am I really going to say this? Before, I was a weakling who couldn't hurt an insect but now...

"And we can get r-rid of him faster," I finally said with a shaky breath.

I can feel the killing intent he was sending my way but I stood my ground the best I could. I know getting rid of Danzo wasn't possible because I don't plan on ruining Sasuke's little revenge match with him. But then maybe... maybe I can fix it. I can fix it... I will fix it.

Madara's grip didn't change my arm was starting to numb because the flow of blood to my hands was being blocked by his hand. "I-I'm sorry, Uchiha-sama," I apologised in hopes that he would let go of my almost numb wrist.

His features softened but his grip didn't, sadly. "How do you plan on escaping Danzo, I've heard you are still in contact with him."

"I'll tell him Harumi is dead."

As soon as I said the word "dead" Madara let go of my arm but it was too late, I couldn't feel my wrist anymore.

Madara sent me back with Zetsu watching me. The genjutsu felt like hours yet it only lasted for 10 minutes. I was only with them for 2 hours... the capabilities of illusions are immeasurable. Unfortunately, the memory of Madara grabbing my arm was not an illusion, I had to use bandages to cover up the bruise. I have to admit, for a dying old man he's pretty strong.


I carried on with my day as normal as I can manage to make it. I avoided Kakashi the whole day by asking Hideo to train me. But to him most of the time training meant food and talk, important talk. I couldn't say I hated it but I didn't like it either.

"Hideo-sensei..." I started.

"What is it Takeshi?" he asked looking up from his bowl of curry... at least, I think it's curry.

"Would it be unnatural if I tell you that...?" I hesitated.

"Go on..." he coaxed.

"If... If tell you that I don't know how to kill a person." I slowly said.

He sighed. "It's never easy to do your first kill Takeshi. But in time-"

"No, no, no! It's not that I don't know, it's more like I can't- I don't want to kill." I buried my head in my arms. "I'm a ninja but I don't have the guts to kill another human." I mumbled in my arms. He placed his arms around my shoulders and gave me a side-hug.

"That just proves that you are human, you have conscience. I'm not saying others don't they're just good at hiding it," he explained. "We're the same in many ways, my little student. I was like you too, a kid that trained year-round, hoping to get stronger. But a problem, a huge problem, we can't find it in ourselves... killing another person is the biggest 'Do Not Do' in our mental rule book, and as we grow older it gets harder to keep it to ourselves. Every day we kill other people who our village view as the 'enemy', but in truth, back at their home we are the bad guys," he smiled. "Whenever you go on a mission think of it as protecting the village... I know that suggestion was terrible but come on, I'm not that good when it comes to planning."

Everything he said made sense to me, I felt overjoyed. I didn't really understand why until I realised, that is what I think. He agrees with me.

"I am glad that you decided to tell me, today you proved that you trusted me."

I trusted him. The thought itself was enough to make me smile. I'm not crazy. I'm not paranoid. The feeling of knowing that you have someone you can trust, someone who can understand you, was wonderful.

"But what was this news that I've heard from Minato-san." The question made me feel dread, at first but after a bit of thinking I made my choice. I can tell him anything. I can trust him. "Why have you been avoiding your brother?" he asked with concern.

Sometimes I feel like yelling 'he's not my brother' and just get the whole you don't look alike predicament aside, but wouldn't that make an ordinary passerby too curious. Gossip spread like wild fire in Konoha.

"I don't trust him," I said.

Hideo winced at my bluntness. "Why?"

"Because he-" and Mangetsu. "-doesn't seem to be affected by the fact that he had to kill a human. He's too dedicated, it scares me, to say the least. Kashi-nii follows the 'Shinobi Rules' too much. I'm afraid that if we were put in a situation where he was forced to-"

"That won't happen," Hideo said firmly.

My eyebrows creased and my mouth twitched to a frown. You don't know what he's capable of, he can kill Rin if he was forced to. I reasoned in my head.

"You are the only person Kakashi trusts. You know things Minato doesn't. You know Sakumo-san as well as Kakashi does, meaning you are the only one that could relate to him. You're the only person that he can actually hug. Honestly, it's rare coming from any ninja but when it comes to Kakashi, hugging didn't even cross my mind. Don't hate me for saying this, I'm sure Sakumo-san has taught him some valuable things but this is just new to the Hatake Kakashi section of my book," He said defensively..

I tensed. Did I hear that right? Was that what he said?

"Takeshi?" he called.

I tried my hardest not to grimace and gave him a wide smile. "Thank you, Hideo-sensei. Maybe I should talk to Kakashi."

"You do that," he said with a salute.


3rd Person's P.O.V.

Danzo sat in his small, slightly lit office. Before him stood a Root-Anbu member, bowing to his leader.

"How was the mission?" Danzo asked.

"I have gathered more information about Kinju Takeshi, he has fully trusted 'Hideo' and said that he couldn't kill a human being, we are currently working on that. I will make sure he will become a capable shinobi," the man answered, still on his knee.

Danzo raised a brow. The Kinju can't kill. It almost made him flash a smirk but for now he will continue this 'investigation'.

"Very well, continue posing as Sugiyama Hideo and report to me every day. Kinju Takeshi is still a child, he never noticed this even though it has been going on, ever since the very first day he met 'Hideo-sensei'," Danzo said. And this is as close as he can get to mocking.

The Anbu stayed quiet, adjusting his mask uncomfortably. He never understood why their leader sometimes does all this but as a member he learned to never question his decisions and just go with the flow. That is what he is supposed to do.

"Keep an eye on the child a little longer. We need to make sure he never finds out how Sakumo died, because if he does... not even the Hokage or Kakashi would be able to reason with him. Do you understand?"

His mission is to protect the village, no matter what happens. "Yes, Danzo-sama."


\(- _ - )/


Life is a monopoly. Everyone strives to be above all others, but the determination of some might lead to their own downfall.

~Anonymous