Itachi watched silently as Kisame dealt the last blow to an Iwa missing-nin. Kakuzu had stressed to everyone in Akatsuki how they needed more money. It was nothing new, but this time, they really were running low on funds.
The blue-skinned man turned around, easily lifting samehada onto his shoulder. With an easy grin, the shark-like man walked over, leaving Itachi to seal the body into a scroll for the Tsuchikage. The old man had been hiring their services a multitude of times, making him a frequent customer for their organization.
"That was the last of them, you want to go straight back or take a detour?" Kisame asked, looking up at the clear sky.
"It'll be faster if we head back and return it now, Kisame," he replied as he started walking down the forest path.
Kisame raised an eyebrow at his partner. Itachi was a man of few words, but he had seemed even more pensive than he usually was. Following with an easy pace, he glanced over at his partner once more.
Out of everyone in Akatsuki, it seemed that they had the best partnership. They didn't bicker like children or threaten to kill each other daily, the shark-like man couldn't even picture Itachi acting like anyone else in their organization—it was too disturbing.
Along the way, they had simply gained respect for each other which turned into something akin to friendship. He trusted in his red-eyed partner and the man trusted in him, a simple concept but nonetheless, it was what made them so efficient.
"Did you need something?" Itachi replied without looking over.
Kisame shrugged and asked him, "Something on your mind? You've been thinking even more than usual."
He decided the teen was more tense than usual since he didn't turn his head a minuscule in his direction to show he was paying attention. Something truly was bothering Itachi, he realized in surprise. The dark-haired teen was never bothered about anything, always seeming to have a ready plan. The only exception was his little brother.
"Is it your brother?" That got his partner looking over at him and he shrugged again. "Barely anything bothers you, Itachi. It's only your brother that seems to have to make you this pensive," he commented.
Itachi seemed to contemplate something before he spoke and Kisame was relieved that he trusted him enough to talk about personal matters. "Something is...off about my otouto."
How does he...? Kisame blinked in surprise before he finally realized why crows always swarmed Itachi. It also explained the pit stops where Itachi spent the time with cats in alleyways. So that's how he keeps himself informed... Pretty useful. "And?"
Itachi paused in mid-step, giving Kisame his full attention. "He seems to be able to suddenly do things he wasn't able to."
"Can't someone have taught him?"
"No, I know that Kakashi does not have the hawk summon scroll, yet Sasuke was able to summon a hawk almost as though it were a second nature to him. He has even activated the Sharingan even though his team has only been on D-ranks."
"Self-learning?" Kisame suggested. It wasn't unusual to teach yourself skills.
Itachi shook his head. "No. I would know if he taught himself skills. There have been abnormalities with Sasuke. He spends his free time with his team, banters with his team, hangs out with other genin from other teams, and he has even been training with the others willingly. It is unlike his anti-social behavior from a couple of years ago."
"You told me he wanted to kill you didn't you?" Kisame replied just as confused. Only with an Uchiha would it be considered weird for normal interactions with their teammates.
He nodded slightly, the bells on his straw hat ringing with the movement. "That's what he has been planning but something has changed him, Kisame. His goals have changed."
"How? No offense, but you did kill your entire clan."
"None taken," Itachi smoothly replied. "I don't know either. About two years ago, he was kidnapped but returned fine."
"But that's when he started changing," Kisame supplied. "Could something have happened there?"
"It's possible, Kisame. He was with four other children that night." Those four children weren't ordinary civilians either. With two heirs, the Sandaime's great-niece, and Kyuubi jinchuriki, Sasuke must've been influenced. Yet, was this a good thing? Itachi wasn't sure if his brother would become stronger from this path.
"Are you thinking they could've changed his mind?"
"Yes, but that still doesn't explain why he is able to summon hawks. They're known for being picky choosers with their summoners. It would've taken him at least a year of intensive testing from them before he gained their approval." Itachi continued walking on the dirt path slowly, the small bells on their straw hat jingling evenly with each step he took.
Kisame's instincts were twitching, something was up. As a shinobi, instincts were an important part of life. This mystery was hiding something important. Whether it'd impact what their leader had in mind, he didn't know, but he'd find out anyway. "I take it he was in Konoha the entire time then?"
"He was," Itachi answered.
"We've got another two weeks to do what we want, Itachi," Kisame reminded him.
Itachi looked over and nodded once in agreement, his three-tomoe Sharingan glowing in the darkness under his hat. "I suppose I'll have to pay my otouto a visit."
"Hmm, I always did like detours," Kisame replied with an eager grin.
xXx
Manami's green eyes flashed over to Kakashi for the nth time, checking to make sure he wasn't in any sort of pain. He was reckless, passing out from overusing his Sharingan and sustaining smaller injuries from his duel with Zabuza. She knew he was only trying to protect them and that he wouldn't die from his injuries, but that didn't mean she didn't worry. He could still die and that fact was always lingering in her mind.
Once again, she was annoyed by his honor and pride which was the only reason why he was the one with the most injuries. No one else had been exhausted but Kakashi. She was stronger than last time with plenty of techniques ready to go. But to be honest, it was terrifying as well.
What would she do if she lost him again? What if the events didn't go the same way? What if she screwed up? She didn't want to risk losing anything anymore.
Yet he refused their help during his fight with Zabuza, shielding them from harm as he demonstrated why he was a jonin with over a thousand techniques copied. He was fast and strong, and it didn't happen. For some reason or miracle, Kakashi wasn't trapped by the water prison which had prompted Team Seven to work together previously. It worried Manami. Did that mean not everything would be happening the same way it did last time? Could the actions of the time travelers be meaningless? What if they only caused more destruction?
That was terrifying. She didn't want to think about losing her friends again. Her emerald gaze fell to Kakashi, her mask back on to hide her worries. No matter what happened, she decided, Even if things don't go the right way, we'll find a way to fix it! I won't let Naruto down! I won't let everyone die again...
The man was summoning his ninken to watch over the four after finding out that they each knew how to walk on trees and water much to his frustration. He was starting to wonder where they had learned all of this, and they told him they learnt it themselves and taught each other. He was sensing that this was all BS but he kept quiet...for now at least.
When a poof was heard, Manami smiled as she waited to see Pakkun again. She really did miss him and the rest of Kakashi's ninken. Suddenly, a small pug jumped at her with surprising speed. "Manami!"
The girl cried out in surprise and fell onto her back as the dog summon licked her face. A series of poofs were heard and she found herself being licked from eight ninken, each nuzzling her and crying out her name (except from Bull of course).
The brunette laughed and giggled in delight before quieting down when she realized where she was and saw the incredulous look from Kakashi. The ninken seemed to calm down and looked somberly at their summoner.
Sasuke swore mentally and facepalmed, the gods must be enjoying this mess. He and Manami had previously thought that the ninken would wait before mauling her with licks and questions.
Sakura looked curiously at her female teammate. "Do you know them, Manami-chan?"
She struggled for an answer, would she tell the truth or lie? Could she lie?
Kakashi studied his ninken closely. "And when did you guys know her name? I don't think I've ever summon you all in front of her before..." he trailed off with narrowed eyes in suspicion.
The Sarutobi looked helplessly at her dark-haired teammate. He recognized the silent question. Should we tell them the truth?
"Ara! There you all are!" The shinobi looked over at the new voice. Tazuna's daughter, Tsunami, smiled and waved politely. "Lunch is ready!"
Manami and Sasuke sighed in relief at the interruption. The silver-haired sensei nodded back and eye-smiled before it disappeared as he faced his students. "Don't think this is over, I'll be expecting answers from all of you."
Manami nodded and mouthed, "Later," to the ninken before all but Pakkun dispelled themselves.
xXx
Pakkun looked up and smiled as he saw Manami approach him. The girl smiled back and scratched behind his ears.
"It's good to see that you're in good health Pakkun," Manami greeted before she sat on the grass. The night was cold, but it was a relief to her after the mix of warring emotions within her.
Just like how she remembered, he was still small yet fiercely proud. It was comforting seeing him again. After Kakashi's death, she never saw them again. It was a blow to lose the comfort of the ninken who knew Kakashi so well. "I can say the same for you as well, but I'd say that genjutsu of yours almost caught me off guard."
She chuckled wryly, "Really now? I thought you instantly knew it was me the second you were summoned."
He smiled and sat in her lap. "What can I say, I'm much more used to seeing you as a grown-up than a child. Anyway, I've been summoned by Kakashi before this, so I had a feeling this might happen. There were large rumors that summons had received memories from the future."
She reeled back at the new information. "Really?! I didn't think we would have that much of an impact when we came back!"
"Don't get too ahead of yourself now, it's just been a few summons, not the entire race." Pakkun replied.
Manami looked up at the night sky, admiring the stars while contemplating what to do. Kakashi was definitely suspicious now. Lunch and dinner was an awkward affair, even the Naruto bunshin had a hard time getting rid of the awkward silence.
Training was even worse.
She swore her future fiancé had been watching her the entire time, trying to figure out what was going on. Sneaking out was only easy thanks to her teammates and their promise to Sakura to tell her everything. The pink-haired girl deserved to know after all.
"What are we going to do, Pakkun?" she asked softly.
The small pug looked straight into her green eyes and told her, "Tell him the truth, Manami. Tell him what he needs to know."
"But-"
"It's a secret that he needs to be let on as well, Manami." Pakkun softened his voice at her crushed look. "Tell me, do you still love him?"
"Of course I do!" she replied. Her feelings for him never changed, not even time would destroy her love for Kakashi.
"Then tell him," he continued. "You're only hurting yourself, Manami. Trust in Kakashi, he may not be the man who was in a relationship with you, but he's still the same. He'll always do everything to protect what he cares for." Pakkun paused and sighed. "I'm sure you still remember how he died..."
Manami looked at the grass and nodded slowly. Swallowing the lump that formed in her throat, she quietly replied. "He blocked the attack at me, and it killed him instead."
The small pug nodded, his eyes dark and somber. "Then I'm sure you know why as well," he stated.
"A-ah," Manami replied with a broken smile that the pug decided was too morose for someone like her. "G-gomen, Pakkun," she took in a deep breath and her eyes strengthened with resolve. "I'll go talk to everyone about telling him."
He nodded and patted her hand. "You can still feel my paws if you want, Manami," he offered.
She chuckled happily at his attempt at cheering her up. She really did miss the pug. Scooping up the pug, she gave him a hug and thanked him. "Maybe later, Pakkun, but thank you."
After setting the pug down, they quickly bid each other goodbye before the pug disappeared in a puff of smoke. Manami stood up and stretched, giving one last look at the night sky that twinkled with stars before she went back to Tazuna's house. Hopefully she would be strong enough to face her fears.
xXx
Sakura looked at her "teammates" again, her mouth was open in shock and her eyes were wide. She tried her best to not faint and desperately clung unto that string of consciousness.
Manami smiled and tried to comfort her young teammate. "Maa maa, it's not that bad is it?"
The young genin found she still couldn't speak. "Y-you're—"
"—Twenty-two, yes—we are," Sasuke answered in hidden amusement, the only indicators his eyes. "Still think we're pulling a joke on you?"
The girl looked at her teammates who were much taller and older. Her gaze fell on the Naruto bunshin. "T-then you're really—"
"—Yep! I'm a bunshin. The real Naruto's not here right now," the bunshin replied with a smile and rubbed the back of its head.
Sakura paused, looked at all of them again, and promptly fainted.
The Naruto bunshin chuckled awkwardly as it looked over at Manami and Sasuke who were no longer in their genjutsu. "Whoops."
Sasuke shrugged from his spot on the ground, leaning against the wall. He felt relieved at being able to see how he originally looked. "It was bound to happen. I'm surprised she even lasted this long."
Manami sighed and promptly pulled out a scroll, unsealing smelling salts to wake her friend up again. It was a nice change to look like she did originally. "At least she seems to believe we're telling the truth."
As their young friend woke up from the pungent smell, she bent over and massaged her forehead, trying to calm herself down. "So let me get this right," she looked over at them and they noticed she was serious, her brows furrowed as she digested the information. "After the Fourth Shinobi War, something happened and the nations started falling apart which led you guys along with Shikamaru-kun and Hinata-chan to travel to the past?"
"Yeah, that's pretty much what basically happened," the Naruto bunshin replied with a small smile.
She nodded and took a deep breath before she began reciting the information. "Okay, so before that happened, Naruto became Hokage."
"Yep!" the bunshin answered once more.
"Sasuke became his ANBU Captain," the dark-haired man nodded.
"Shikamaru-kun was his advisor and Hinanta was the Clan Head of the Hyuga," they all nodded their heads.
"Manami was a seal mistress who was engaged to Kakashi-sensei," the woman nodded with a weak smile, "And I was the head of Konoha's hospital."
The bunshin smiled charmingly. "Yep, got all that right. I knew you'd be able to understand, Sakura-chan!"
She blinked at his confidence and despite her confusion, she laughed. With a hand, she waved away their concerned looks for her sanity and explained herself. "This really makes sense why you guys were always hanging out. The only thing I'm confused about is where your younger counterparts are since you guys are here."
The brunette shook her head. "We don't know, but I think we, more or less, took over their bodies and minds."
"We're not really sure though," Sasuke added. "Naruto was the one who pushed us back here, and he's been asleep ever since we arrived here so we can't ask him any questions."
Sakura looked over at them again. "So this is like a second chance? To make everything right?" She sighed softly as they nodded, a small smile appearing on her lips. "Thanks. It must've been tough seeing everyone who died... You guys really are strong. Even if I'm not the Sakura you all grew up with, I'm sure she would be feeling as proud and sad as I do right now."
The three were shocked, their eyes wide open. As the second person with no memory with that dark future, they didn't expect this. When had Sakura-chan grown so wise? Manami wondered, feeling somewhat guilty. This time, she hadn't spent as much time with the other girl. Manami made a mental note to talk more with Sakura. Even if they were from different timelines, she was sure they could still be friends.
"Sad?" the Naruto bunshin inquired. "Why?"
Sakura's gaze fell to the floor before looking up again. The three noticed the tears in her green eyes. "Because you all sounded so sad. Everyone died in front of you, and now no one else has the same memories like you do. No one else remembers the happy times and the tear-jerking times you all do..."
"Sakura-chan..." Manami whispered silently as she wrapped the pre-teen in her arms. Sakura had always been kind and empathetic on a level, it's what made her such a great medic along with her inner strength and courage.
Sasuke let out a small sigh as his gaze fell to the door. "How long will you stay there, Kakashi?"
The wooden door opened and Manami stiffened, pulling away from her younger teammate to see what her fiancé felt. Part of her wondered if he heard of their engagement. The other part wondered if he was furious or satisfied, if he'd try to bring them into questioning.
Kakashi let out a sigh, running a hand through his silver hair as he studied the true form of his students. That was not expected. Time-travelers? From a future of Konoha that was destroyed?
It explained the behaviors of his students. There was suddenly so many answers to his questions now. His sharp gaze noticed Manami fidgeting, the young woman looking away from him. They expected him didn't they? For them to suddenly slip up after so long was suspicious. He sighed and closed the door behind him.
Just as he expected, as soon as the door shut, seals of privacy were immediately activated. Automatically, his body became guarded, weary of any intent to harm him.
Surprisingly, it was Manami who spoke first after the seals activated. The young woman inhaled deeply, and her gaze narrowed. "Please sit Kakashi-sensei." She motioned him to sit next to Sakura. The twenty-two year old paused and looked down briefly, hiding her eyes which showed fleeting emotions he couldn't read.
It was hard to believe this was still the same little girl - no, Kakashi stopped that trail of thought because this wasn't the same Manami he had seen as a little girl. This Manami who stood in front of him with her hair still tied up in a side-ponytail had grown up. She had seen battles with death, battles where no one was sure who the victor was.
Manami, Sasuke, and Naruto had seen things, gone through times that he'd never fully understand. He didn't know them as well as they probably knew him, he realized. If nothing had changed, then they had known him for almost their entire lives, but now he had known them for only a few months. Just how much did they know?
When Manami had met his gaze again, he could only wonder what exactly happened for her to look so pained? What made Sasuke so silently protective of his teammates? Where was the real Naruto?
"Why don't you start from the beginning?" Kakashi suggested, breaking the heavy silence.
Memory 1: How To Cure A Headache... Genma Style
Naruto sighed and set down the report back on his desk. His head really hurt with all this reading and thinking.
Should he agree to the new proposal on a new park? Maybe he should focus on the new law the Council proposed to him? Or should he look at the new missions that needed to be done immediately?
Ah! Goddammit! My head hurts too much to think!
The blond Hokage ruffled his hair, trying to lessen the thundering pressure he felt in his temples. No one told him being Hokage would lead to days like today. He just wanted to go back to bed and pretend none of this happened!
Then he heard a small clink on his desk.
His blue eyes blinked in confusion and surprise. With a small sniff, he easily identified the drink in the dark clay cup. "Tea?"
His gaze fell over at his newly assigned bodyguard. Genma gave him a lazy smile. "Figured you could use some help."
Naruto smiled in appreciation. He would never be able to label specific brands and tell with a sip if the tea was brewed correctly or not, but he did know that it helped with headaches. "Sweet!"
"No actually," Genma corrected, shoving his hands into his pockets, "I left it unsweetened."
"What?! Why?!" Naruto shouted in horror. He really wasn't a tea enthusiest and enjoyed the sweetness of sugar in his tea. After Kiba's never-ending jokes about him adding milk in his tea, he weaned himself off, but sugar was something he'd never live without.
Genma had the nerve to smirk at Naruto, a sight that made the young Hokage instantly weary. What was his bodyguard plotting? One week was enough to show that Iruka was right, Genma was planning something. Maybe he should've asked his old teacher for help on what he skipped...
His thoughts were interrupted when Genma walked behind his chair. The younger man stiffened as Genma laid his hands on his shoulders. "...What are you doing...?" he asked in dread. He didn't know whether to faint from shock or right hook the guy. He's done both ways before and neither seemed to work.
"Isn't it self-explanatory, Naruto? I think this is the perfect time for another lesson," Genma purred out. Yes, he purred, Naruto could confirm this, the man's voice was right next to his ear after all. The cool senbon that brushed against his cheek was enough to tell him this wasn't a dream.
Naruto just paled. He did this for free ramen and so that Sakura-chan would stop nagging him about having a bodyguard, but now, he was wondering if he made the right choice. "Ehehe... I think that can wait, Genma, I mean," his hands waved around in exaggeration at the growing paperwork he had to do, "Just look at all of this paperwork! Someone's gotta do it, and it just kinda happens to me! So, uh, lessons can wait!"
Yeah! That sounded good! He was a Hokage, he had duties to attend to! It wasn't an excuse! Plus, Genma just kinda made him feel...funny.
It was hard for him to describe it really. He was confused with how he felt about Genma.
While Genma did weird things like ruffling his hair, hugging him from behind, and sleeping in the same bed as him (that really took a lot to get used to), Naruto couldn't sense any bad intentions like he would with enemies. Genma wasn't trying to kill him, but Naruto still didn't know what the older man wanted. Heck, if anything, Kurama had just been laughing at him the entire time, refusing to explain anything. If his biju friend didn't feel in danger, then it was...okay?
But he had grown up with perverts his entire life: the Old Man, Ebisu, Kakashi-sensei, Ero-sennin, etc. Growing up with them, he had enough experience to know when something perverted was going on. Actually, if he recalled correctly, Ero-sennin had a scene like this in one of his books...
Genma didn't even get to step two when he was sent flying over Naruto's desk. Luckily, he was a shinobi and landed on his feet, his face betraying a look of surprise as his senbon almost fell out.
The blond stood up and pointed a finger at the other man in the room. "Oi! What the hell are you doing?!"
The brunet just raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't it obvious? I was going to offer you a massage."
"I don't need one! This is just like one of Ero-sennin's scenes!" he cried out in horror.
"I didn't know you were a fan," Genma jokingly added.
Naruto's eyes just grew at that. "No way! Ero-sennin had me edit his books before!" He sighed and plopped tiredly back down in his seat. His right hand ran through his hair. His headache was still there, actually, it felt worse. "Dammit, stupid headache. You just made it grow more!" He pouted as his head hit his desk.
Genma blinked as he looked closer at the blond's face. Sure enough, Naruto had bags under his blue eyes. He remembered that his new charge had nothing other than ramen as his meals as well. Wow, I'm doing a shit job at watching over him as his bodyguard, he mused silently. Sure the blond was still alive, but at this rate, Genma had a feeling Naruto would fall due to being preoccupied with his job as Hokage. The blond was always putting others first, meaning his own health came last. It was stupid but admirable.
With a new lesson plan in mind, Genma walked over to the blond who just wearily glanced up. The pout the younger man wore was tearing into his self-control, but he held himself back, he was a professional, he could control himself...somewhat.
He gave his Hokage a small grin and ruffled the blond hair with his hand. As Naruto opened his mouth to complain, Genma leaned down and feeling risky, nuzzled the blond hair before planting a soft kiss on the golden locks. He turned away and over his shoulder, told the blond with a smug smirk, "See? It's gone now isn't it? I'll go get lunch, you look too tired for ramen, I'll surprise you with something else today."
"...Jerk," Naruto muttered under his breath, his hands going to where Genma had touched. The man was right, his headache was gone now, but replacing it was a furious blush. Why the hell did Genma have to do that...?
Now his face was hotter than normal and his chest was feeling funny.
Stupid Genma and his way of doing things...
-To Be Continued-
Can you believe it, an update in less than a month?! Hahaha...ha...ha... Yeah, I can't either. This is a record for me... Honestly, Tokyo Ghoul has taken over my life (Kaneki/ Maman Haise did nothing wrong and Hide is a sweet sunflower who did not die *cue loud sobs*) so guess what you can expect if you know Tokyo Ghoul! I think I'm slightly becoming more sadistic with every chapter I write...
Responses to my awesome reviewers! Thank you so much for spending time to give me feedback! It really makes my day!
ytygr: Nope! Not yet. Since Naruto's got such a large chakra reserve, I figured it's probably going to take more time for him to recover. What's more, kage bushin divides the user's chakra so he's hindering his own recovery to check up on his friends. Hope this clears things up!
loretta537: Ah hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for reviewing!
b-trend: Thank you so much for bringing this up and for your kind words! I know what you mean with Naruto's feminization. Although I prefer him as an uke, I really can't stand it when he's so dependent on the seme for everything! He's a strong and capable character who's gone through a lot, and he's one of my favorite characters, so I want to do justice to when writing him. I hope that I'll be able to show how our lovable blond isn't so different just because he's in love with a guy or is an uke! By the way, thanks for giving this story a shot even though you prefer Naruto as a seme! Kudos to you!
Fire Dolphin: Haha, I hope you'll enjoy the next chapter then!