Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, and this is making me no profit.
NOTE: By now, if you're this far, then you know that this fic contains:
Sakura drama, Lee drama, SakuLee Eventuallity, KakaGai,NaruHina, IrukaAyame
Mysterious dreams and much much more…
- - -
Warning:
L, V, G, S
When Flowers Wilt
The moon was high and shined bright down upon the village hidden in the leaves. It was sometime past midnight before Lee made his way to his futon. He had spent a rather long and tiring day at the Hokage tower; going through scrolls and old books to see if he could find anything to help answer his questions. Unfortunately for him, he hadn't. All Lee had found was various things that happened in the village years ago.
Some things had caught his eyes as various notes; like how it was noted there were jutsus being created and found everyday. He'd also found out that there were more animal summons than he's previously thought. He'd seen some rather vague and regular looking ones; though he did happen to see the three Sannin's names scribbled down and which contract they held. He'd also seen Kakashi-Sensei's name as well as his Sensei's. What was disappointing was that right after that, the page was torn. The next page was also missing as well. He wasn't bothered by it; in fact a lot of the other books had missing and torn pages as well. What did Lee expect from delicate books and old scrolls?
Having been lightly disheartened, but not ready to give up, Lee had made his way home rather late. He was a bit tired, and his leg was just a little sore from walking; though he knew this was the pain of healing, verses the pain of worsening. Setting down the crutch, Lee sat on his futon, looking out again across the small yard. Things were quiet and peaceful outside; yet beneath this cozy facade played a turmoil that was slowly building inside not only him, but the angel he so loved himself. He knew she was probably already swimming in her own by now.
Yawning, Lee made to lye done onto his bed. He felt the fleeting pain in his leg was even less than a few hours ago. With any luck, he'd be perfectly fine for tomorrow's missions. Good. He had no intention of missing an S-Ranked mission if he could help it. Resting his head on his pillow, Lee's eyes grew heavy. He had been rather tired, searching all that material. Lee could feel himself begin to slip into that comfortable world between reality and dreamscape. It made him relaxed and helped to ease his worries.
A moment past by before he blinked, and upon opening his eyes lightly; met a face similar to his own. There was an odd feeling, like that of a caress on his forehead. Staring lazily up at the face that almost mirrored his, he took in the somewhat cocky grin, and wildly short messy dark hair. Though he was pretty sure he was past the point of interpretation and speech, he tried anyway, and gave out a questioning call.
'Hinoke?'
'Yo, shrimp. You look like shit.' The identified man grinned.
'I am…afraid I am too tired to be of any use.' Lee commented, stifling a yawn.
'That's alright. You need rest anyway. So get to sleep already.'
'I shall...' Lee began to drift off.
'Good. Now I can't stand to be one-uped by my pansy Nii-Chan, so take this with you while you dream'
Lee murmured in his sleep, but said nothing else. The other just smirked as he moved his hand away.
'My fondest memory…'
Soon Lee was pulled into a world he felt he'd seen before, and began to watch the scene before him play out, once again an observer to events long ago.
A small child with wide and round onyx eyes settled intently on the play before him. The three year old was holding back with all his will power the glee that so threatened to spill forth. However, he controlled himself – at least for now.
"Alright then. Let's get this going. Watch this, squirt, and be amazed!"
Hinoke gave his signature cocky grin before going into a stance. Yet he then gave a spin; and in doing so, bit both his thumbs.
"YIIIAAA!!" The young boy cried, and completed his spin, slamming his thumbs onto the ground and pulling them away with an arc like maneuver. As soon as he had pulled away, the blood caught fire that began to grow.
At first, the tiny boy was scared – a fire was spreading! Yet, his brother wasn't running? This was what kept him from crying out to his meany Nii-San.
The fire swirled and collected together, and then swept out again; yet in the form of wings; large ones. An echoing cry burst forth, and soon the fire was taking on the form of a large bird.
It was a phoenix!
"Seriyuku!" Hinoke called out to the large bird, and jumped up onto its back. The bird's flames didn't seem to burn or touch him at all. The bird gave out a shrieking 'Kaa'. The youngest brother gave a small cry in awe. It was one of the most amazing creatures he'd ever seen.
"Well, then I must not keep you waiting. Let us begin!" Shouyou shouted to his sparing brother from across the wide yard.
"Then hurry it up already, will ya?"
"As you wish."
Shouyou turned to his youngest sibling, and gave the boy a wide smile. His smiled was returned in tenfold from the little one.
"MADA!" Shouyou shouted, facing Hinoke once again, and entered into his own display of dance. He too bit his thumbs; yet his variation yielded that the young man made an arc of blood above him, in the air. As it rained down, he too dropped to the ground and completed a circle of blood. Slamming the previously raised hand down into the center of the circle, he cried out.
"ISUU!" At this, the ground began to crumble, and in the sky, a lighting bolt flash down forth – right into the center of the circle. Upon impact, the ground broke, and up with it came a most horrifyingly beautiful site.
It was a thunder dragon.
"Keraiku!" Shouyou called out towards the large beast. It gave a small cry of a roar, and bent down. Shouyou grabbed onto its large horn, and swung himself on the creature's shoulders. Looking once again to his smallest of family members, he laughed happily at the tiny boy's flabbergasted actions.
"Do not get too worked up, Chibi-Kame-Ni-Chan! You have yet to see the best!" Shouyou called out to the little one.
And indeed, Shouyou was right. For now the two brothers; both with Dragon and Phoenix summon spirits called forth, began a mock battle. Enthralled was the littlest brother so much, that he failed to notice his father, the man Lee knew as 'Master Spirit' standing beside him for a while.
Glancing at his youngest son; seeing the mesmerized gaze in his eyes, the older man grinned, but gruffeled a moment afterward. This caused the trance to be broken, and the child's gaze was now on him.
"Otou-Sama?"
"My son, while your brother's summon spirits are indeed power and legendary; as many summon spirits are, do not be fooled into their decorated appearances. Just because something of lore is said to be of greatness, does not always hold true."
"H-Hai."
The older man paused to look at his hesitate son. Perhaps the boy needed to see this for himself. With a grin, the man began to walk out into the battle field. Half way there, he bit each thumb, one at a time. He then began a small dash forward. As he did so, he thrust out his arms, trailing the blood behind him. Going with such speed, the blood hung behind him in the air, as if it were on a wall. It began to smoke and then, as if paper, ripped open.
Two large figures pounced forth, one from each blood trail. In a flash, one took off right towards Hinoke, the other at Shouyou.
"What the- SHIT! SERIYUKU!" Hinoke felt the ambush at the last possible moment. Seriyuku screeched, and threw out its wings; throwing a band of fire with it. Large talon paws broke the band of fire in two, and kept charging.
On the other side, Shouyou was not fairing any better. Keraiku's lighting bolt was dodged easily, and the paws came at his chest.
Two large loud roars emitted, followed by two crashes. When the smoke cleared, the two brothers were pinned under two large beasts. Their father was standing in between, laughing loudly.
"Now that was well worth the effort."
The two brothers looked to one another from their positions on the ground and smirked. A minute later, they 'popped'.
They had been clones.
"Very good, my sons. You are learning well." The man was pleased. Seemed the two brothers were finally getting the hang of suspecting surprise attacks.
"Rioyu, Yatte, Come!"
At the call of their master, the two large beasts padded over. They came up and sat on the ground next to the man, one either side.
The little boy gapped at his father's summoning spirits.
Two large and beautiful Siberian tigers greeted his eyes. One was a rich orange in color; the other of the purest white. His father's words had been true. Tigers were a common animal in the world, yet the power they had just displayed was incredible.
"Now do you understand, my son?"
"Hai! Otou-Sama!" Indeed he did now. He no longer held back his glee, and ran back inside the sparing room, where his mother was. As she was already moving about, the child ran up and grabbed onto her hand.
"Okasa, Okasa! Come see the fight! Shouyou-Ni-San and Hinoke-Ni-San called their summons! Come on!" The energetic boy tugged lightly.
"Alright, alright." She smiled and let herself be pulled by her youngest son. They stopped back at the porch, and for a while remained so; watching the three other members of the family fight.
"Okasa?"
The woman looked to the questioner.
"Do you have a summon spirit too?"
"I do, a rather unique one as, like your brothers. However, it requires a little more than just a blood contract."
"Can I see too?" Big round onyx eyes pleaded.
"Perhaps, another time, hunny. It would require a great deal of energy for me to expel."
"Oh." The boy's disappointment was obvious, but was quickly replaced with a show of desperate need.
"Will I get a summon spirit too, Okasa? Will I?"
The woman smiled and bent down to the little one, gently caressing his hair.
"Of course you will, hunny. It is our clan right. Once you are four, we will visit with the Summon consultant. From there, we will see what summon you will gain."'
The boy's eyes seemed to shine with delight at first, though his mother seemed to have a sad smile played across her lips.
"Okasa?"
"Just know, hun, that a summon spirit is not just a blood contract. It will require that you are capable of modeling your chakra."
The little one's happiness seemed to almost die right there, and began to mist over lightly. Seeing this, Aiyoku pulled the tiny one into an embrace.
"No tears. I know you are struggling with your Chakra, and have so far nothing to show for it. Do not let that get to you. You are my son. I have every faith in you."
"Ya squirt, don't cry like the little baby you are." Hinoke spoke up from next to the two. Theie spar had ended and the summons had been called away. Now the two bothers and father stood before the wife and youngest.
"I'M NOT A BABY!"
"You look like one to me, shrimp." Hinoke smirked and ruffled his baby brother's hair. Before the little one could bite him, Hinoke picked him up, and spun him around a moment, before carrying him like a sack of potatoes.
"Now come on runt. It's your turn to do some training. You're not going to be a lazy butt all day."
"I'm not lazy!"
Thus the scene continued to play out for a little longer. Hinoke seemed to enjoy tormenting his 'shrimp' brother, but when it came right down to it, he was just being an older sibling and doing what any older sibling would do. Though it looked like torment, it was really Hinoke's way of saying 'I want to see you stronger than me.'
"Niii-Chaaaan, why are you so meeeeaaann."
"Because I love you, Shrimp."
And the world to which the observer was invited, faded away.
- x -
The rush of cooling air was great refreshment from the day's thick heat. Though, said rush of cooling air was brought on by the breaking speed at which the lone individual could muster jumping from tree branch to branch. Yet, there was good reason to be in such a state of haste.
About two hours ago, his team had just finished completing the long and tedious mission they'd been assigned to. All that was left to do was some final clean up and final over checks. The group was assembled outside; sun beating down upon its hapless victims. Everyone was happy they'd finished within the time limit that had been told to them previously. With any luck, they'd all make it back by night fall.
"I don't know about you, but I can't wait to get home and see how Ayame is doing. I'm just so nervous not being around to help her out, especially right now with the baby and all." Iruka sighed lightly, speaking to his wing mate.
Kakashi nodded, knowing how the younger man could get rather frantic when it came to the care of his wife and soon to come child. For a brief moment, Kakashi had a small flashback of a time when Iruka had been rather worked up. It was funny to laugh at now, though back at the time, it had been slightly scary.
"I'm sure she's fine." The masked Jounin replied.
"What about you two?" Iruka called over to Izumo and Kotetsu.
"Ah, I just want to get home to some real food; not this ration shit." Izumo looked over and gave a grin. Kotetsu just sniffed and rubbed his head.
"I just want to get back and catch up on some sleep. These long missions wear me out. Damn glad it's over."
"Well, the hard part is anyway. We still need to finish over the finalizations." Iruka pointed out.
"Correct, so if you ladies will get to it, we can get the hell out of here faster." Ibiki barked at them, coming out from behind a tree.
"Well, I never!" Izumo scoffed, feinting indignity. Kotetsu and Iruka shared a light laugh; Kakashi just smirked.
It was then, in the thick heat, that a gentle breeze threaded its way through the forest clearing, and over the group.
"Ah, thank you Kami, for thee I had though you had forsaken us!" Kotetsu threw open his arms. Indeed, the gentle gale of wind was welcome, as the group had been sweltering in the heat with only the forest shade as cover.
As the breeze past by Kakashi, he felt himself caught a moment, unable to move. It was a feeling of being pulled back into a small circle of wind, almost the sense as if he were drifting on air. For a moment, his mind went blank, delighted by this little piece of mind. However, it was this relaxation that lead Kakashi to pick out something that only his keen senses could pick up. It was like a faint, almost fine fragrance. A scent…
'Lotus Blossoms?'
Kakashi's visible eye snapped open.
"Ibiki-San!"
"What is it Kakashi?"
"I request permission to leave immediately."
"Hey, what's this? Leave us all the chore work?" Kotetsu turned and eyed his teammate.
"Yeah, what gives, Kakashi-Sensei?" Iruka joined the retort.
Ignoring the rants of his teammates, and focusing his attentions to the captain of the team, Kakashi went on.
"Prior to leaving for this mission, I requested under specific orders that should a certain charge of mine come into play, that I be notified immediately."
"What? I didn't see any bird or any thing come with any notice." Izumo spoke out. Obviously, he was just as skeptic as the other two.
Ibiki eyed the masked Jounin. He knew Kakashi wasn't the kind of person to pull tricks or pranks such as this. Though it was peculiar as to how this notification came about.
"Alright, get the hell out of here."
"WHAT? THAT'S NOT FAIR!"
"Dammit, you bastard! I know you're just being lazy!"
Kakashi turned towards his teammates, and gave them what they could only guess what a large smile.
"See ya later!"
"Kakashi!" Ibiki shouted to the silver haired Jounin.
"Maa?"
"In the future, you best inform me of these notifications of yours before we leave. Otherwise, you won't be heading them, no matter how important you think they are."
Kakashi, for his merit, nodded silently. He could faintly see his twenty six year old self giving the man the finger, but refrained from doing so himself. Ibiki did have a point after all.
"Hai, Ibiki-San. I will remember that."
Turning once again and giving a wave to his team mates – and to this he did actually receive the bird from at least two – Kakashi took off into the forest.
Thus, back to the record time, Kakashi hadn't stopped in the two and a half hours he'd been pacing at the fastest speed he could safely maintain. All the time, he felt himself grinning like a fool. Adrenaline was a wondrous thing as well. Not only would he make it back in record time from the mission, but he would get the added bonus of seeing his ex-student again.
Oh, and there was, of course, Ichi Ichi.
And that revenge he was supposed to be plotting.
Kakashi had to smile to himself a little in pride. That jutsu Gai had conjured up was rather authentic. The man scored major points in originality in that department, and had known Kakashi would have the intellectual know how to read into its meaning.
Very clever.
Kakashi's musings were cut short, as he picked up on the sound of a projectile heading right towards him. To say he was rather shocked was one thing. He knew his team had taken out all of the enemy ninja reported for the mission. For another, these ninja's signatures didn't match the hostile ninja's signatures he'd previously encountered. Something was a miss.
Though be it may, Kakashi was alert enough to expect an attack, regardless of how close he was to home. Expecting that is, not necessarily prepared.
Doing his best to deflect the objects being thrown his way, Kakashi scanned the area. His results indicated there were at least two, maybe more. Knowing his current state, the best he could do was play cat and mouse with them. Once they got within Konoha's reaches, he was pretty sure he'd be alright.
However, this was not the case.
Anger and bafflement were now fueling Kakashi's drive, and thus he began to fight back with what little he had on him. He didn't have enough time to ready the Sharingan, as he had to constantly avoid weapons and dodge incoming blows. More than one occasion, he got in some good hits; enough to render at least one person down. It was at this point that two started to launch attacks together, simultaneously.
Kakashi was worked up, but doing alright. He would either dodge or deflect the incoming attacks. After a little, it became an assault of three on one. Kakashi was bemused to say the least. Who the hell were these people, and how were they fairing so well against him?
Kakashi's internal questions would go unanswered as the previously injured and forth member of the hidden team launched an attack. Whatever it had been slammed hard into the back of Kakashi's neck, right were the skull met vertebrae. Kakashi's visual world swam, and began to blur. The colors were wild, but ended up being a dull green from the canopy of trees, before it all went black.
Four ninja stood above the collapsed figure. Each of them hidden by shadows, but their sneered expressions and angled poise shown through.
"So now what?" One asked.
"We send a warning."
Kakashi would never see the unidentified ninja readying Kunai.
Kakashi would never figure exactly who these people were.
Kakashi would never known that the symbol on these ninja's headbands, the thing that marked them as true and proud shinobi, was one that would cause his blood to run cold, and leave him nauseous.
The Leaf.
- - -
Head pounding and feeling groggy and aching, sight came back to the copy ninja. Disoriented for a moment, trying to clear his head, Kakashi kneeled on the spot he was occupying. What had just happened? He was trying to recall all the events that had just transpired. However, it was a little difficult as his arms ached, his back was sore and he was slightly dizzy.
Looking on the ground, he could see blood. Narrowing his eyes, he looked around. Ah, yes, there had been an ambush. Yet, if that was the case, why was he still alive? It didn't make any sense. For his merit, Kakashi was rather angry with himself. Something of that nature should not have gotten to him. Perhaps he was a bit thankful he wasn't killed. The blow to his ego was a bit much already.
Getting up, Kakashi continued on towards home. He noted it was still rather light out, so he was probably only out for an hour or two. At least his recovery had been quick. Though he was still thoroughly confused as to what exactly had happened. Was is possible his team had missed that group of enemy ninja?
Due to this new upraise in situation, Kakashi decided he's see Naruto tomorrow. He wasn't feeling up to par right at the moment, what with the aching soreness and his damaged pride. Perhaps it was also best to just not bring this up. No need to worry anyone.
Arriving home, the silver hair Jounin pulled off his jacket and tossed it on the coat hanger next to him. Padding into the kitchen, he searched for something he could eat quickly and easily. All he really felt like right now was a shower. His search was victorious when he happened upon a few bananas. Grabbing one, he shuffled out towards the linen closet, grabbing up a fresh towel. He felt rather sluggish at the moment. He briefly wondered if he might have been drugged.
His onslaught of questions was halted at the feeling of a warm embrace. Arms were encircled around the Jounin's waist. Leaning his head back, it rested lightly on the other's shoulder.
"Welcome home. I take it you got my message?"
"Mmm. Very clever. Everyone else missed it."
"Did you see Naruto yet?"
"Not yet. I got caught up in something. When did you see him?"
"Early this morning, during my exercises. He actually joined me for a few rounds. I promised him I'd send word to you immediately. Perhaps you can go see him later?"
"Yeah. Right now, though, all I really feel like is a shower."
"You alright? You look beat."
"Maa. I'm fine. Just tired."
Kakashi broke from the other man's embrace, and turned. Gai was as Gai is. It looked as if he'd been out training, or perhaps had just finished a mission of his own. Leaning in, he pulled the other gently to him, and settled with a soft kiss.
"If you need me, I'll be in the shower."
With that, Kakashi turned and wandered into the bedroom, then bathroom. Closing the door behind him, though it did not latch, the silver haired Jounin let out an exhale that felt full of melancholy. The bright white tile staring back up at him seemed to be lightly mocking him. Why did he have to be so tired?
The man began to shed his top when he noticed something of his clothing. The arms on the uniform seemed to be darker than normal. His brows furrowed and as he pulled off the garment, wadded it up and threw it to the laundry bin. He let an angry grunt escape his clenched teeth.
Angry red slash marks, fresh and new, ran up along his arms. There were at least five on each arm. So this is why his arms had been aching so. This would also account for all that blood he saw. And that probably meant the tiredness was due to blood loss.
Kakashi let his anger brew quietly. Was this some kind of sick joke? What kind of ninja attacks their victim just to toy with them such as this? Using the stemming anger to undress the rest of his person, Kakashi stood and looked himself over in the mirror. Everything else seemed alright.
Satisfied for now, the floofy haired one began the water to his shower. Soon the day's events would be over and washed away with all the dirt and grim he'd accumulated over the course of his mission. Ah, these were indeed small times full of immense joy and pleasure. Testing the waters heat, Kakashi slipped in and under the tranquilizing drizzle. For a moment, he winced as the water ran along his arms and back, though calmed as it began to feel soothing. He stood there letting the water work its magic, staring at the diluted liquid of light red.
Lifting a hand to the back of his neck, he felt the spot where he'd been hit. There was a knot there, and a small scar. Pulling his hand away revealed a hint of blood, but the majority of it was washed away already. Whatever had hit him could have been fatal had it not been blunted as much as it had been. Ignoring the questions trying to form, the man grabbed up the shampoo and began to work it into his hair.
Stealth was a handy little thing every ninja had to have as a skill. With it you could elude enemies, gain the up hand advantage in strategic operations, or you could simply use it to slip into the showered shared by your lover. Which ever use came in handy for the moment.
Having decided that Kakashi was indeed in need of relaxation, and that the other man was most likely exhausted, Gai had taken it upon himself to see to helping his abode's relaxation along. Currently, the other Jounin was washing away the last bit of shampoo from his not so floofy hair. Dark eyes traced over the light muscle play across the lighter toned one's chest, abdomen and down. Fine muscle tones indeed.
Kakashi was only aware of the other presence upon the moment of feeling a body in close proximity, followed by two arms circling around his neck and resting upon shoulders. He grinned as he was pulled into the depths of a lip-lock, dropping his arms down from his own head, and resting them upon a slightly wider waist than his own.
"I decided you need my help to unwind."
"Oh, that so?"
"Yes; because Kami knows when you're wore out, you can't do anything for yourself." A cocky grin followed that retort.
"Well, fine. Less work for me then." The same expression mirrored.
Gai was about to respond until his words were lost as he noticed the fresh new marks on his partner's arms. Looking back up, and giving a concerned expression, the tanned man furrowed his brows.
"What happened? Was this from the mission?"
Kakashi shook his head, in a manner more of wishing to dismiss the entire conversation, verses giving the answer to the question a 'no.'
"You could say that, but don't worry about it. It's over and done with. It's a little sore, but it's nothing anymore."
Gai eyed him a moment, before giving a small sigh and nodding. A pause lingered before a small smiled played back across his lips.
"Let me finish you hair."
Kakashi gave a bemused chuckle and muttered an 'alright,' before stealing a light kiss once again. Turning back into the water, rinsing his face off into the warm jetting stream, Kakashi was finally feeling at peace. He was home. He was relaxed. He was sure to be undoubtedly sharing an all too much needed release of three days hostile tension. Oh that's right, he could use this opportunity for that revenge he'd planned. In short, Kakashi was having a true and rare happy moment.
Though it all came crashing down by the sound of his partners sudden, and loud gasp- followed by what he assumed was the conditioner falling to his feet. Turning his head back with a snap, Kakashi scanned the situation quickly; Gai was standing there, looking damn near horrified; but at what? The man's gaze was on him…
"Gai?" Kakashi's voice was not holding back the concern and slight nervousness.
"Wha-…" Gai's voice was almost lost over the beat of the streaming water, but Kakashi's keen hearing picked it up.
"What happen to you?" Pain seemed to be laced in the Prideful Green Beast's expression, and Kakashi felt his blood chill at that. That pain he saw was threatening to open a dam of anguish and likely tears, and Kakashi had no idea why.
It scared the ever loving shit out of him.
What had happen to him?
Kakashi was about to find out the answer as he summed up a few loose ends. There had been an earlier pain in his back, and Gai had only just now been freaked out by something. And then there was the amount of blood Kakashi had seen earlier. Dashing out from under the water, Kakashi made his way to the full length mirror once more and turned around.
What he found made his mind go numb. His whole body seemed to shut down, and he was lucky to have not fallen and smashed his knees on the bright white tile. Slowly, shaking, though by what emotions or reason Kakashi himself wasn't sure of, he found his gaze unfocused and withdrawn. He turned towards the other man with an expression of complete loss.
Like his arms that held the angry red marks, so did his back. Yet the angry red was continuous and unbroken for the most part. It was even angled and curved. The slashes on his arms had been merely for fun or decoy. No, the real piece of subjected horror was what they had done to his back; and it was slowly beginning to work its effect.
Gai stepped towards the shaken figure, and for the first time in all his years, was hesitate to reach out towards him. Kakashi in turn was quite the opposite and latched on to the other; arms tight and strong, head resting heavily against neck.
Gai held the other close, tightly, as if he might just fall away there any second. He tried his best not to stare into the mirror; stare at the angry red mark upon his husband's back.
A mark that formed Kanji…
Kanji that form the word…
'Imu Beki'. . .
Abomination.
- x -
Even though he instinctively knew he was in the safest place he could be; the surrounding people and noises made him scared and made him cry. Then again, a lot of things in the world were scary to a tiny one year old. Clinging tightly to the older boy who'd been in charge of keeping him safe, he watched the faces of the older people; some were real old, some were young like him. He so desperately wanted to see the two faces he loved.
"Momma…"
The fourteen year old that held the tiny boy close looked down and sighed, roughly.
"I don't see her here. You'll just have to wait. I'm sure she'll get here soon."
The tiny one just nodded and grew silent, clutching the older boy's green jacket. He'd see some of the older adults wearing the same kind of jacket; or at least, he thought it was the same. Yet, there weren't any other boys his caretakers age with them on. Maybe it was special? Or maybe it was just someone only certain people decided to wear. Regardless the answer, the tiny one knew the green jacket meant 'safe.'
The caretaker in question however was restless. For the past hour, having been stuck in the shelter, he was growing antsy. Chewing on his bottom lip, his face was set in an almost scowl. He wasn't angry, just agitated. It was just his features that made his contemplative look give off the message 'I'm pissed.'
Getting up suddenly, and weaving through people, the one year old began to wonder what his temporary guardian was doing. His mind would cease it's wondering as they stepped into a new room, a room that had many kids his age, and some slightly younger. There were of course adults in here to tend them, and a few younger kids also helping to watch the children. One girl was just setting down a toddler, as his guardian bounded over to her.
"Rin!"
"Hu?" The girl, now identified as Rin, looked up from the toddlers crib, and gave a quizzical look.
As the girl was about to reply, the tiny one year old felt himself being pulled away and placed into new arms. Wait, what was going on?
"I need you to look after him; I'm going back out."
"What? What do you mean going - "
"I can't stay here! I'm going back out to fight!"
"You can't be serious!"
"I'm always serious. Just look after him for me. He's smart, so he's not a problem."
"Wait a minute!"
Rin protest was cut off as the other had already disappeared out the door. The girl sighed, and began to quiet the boy she held; apparently he'd grown attached to the other. Well, that wasn't all that unbelievable, all things considered.
"Calm down, you're alright. He wouldn't leave you here if he didn't trust me."
"Ok…" The boy nodded, feeling the truth the girl spoke. He felt safe once again, even if this girl didn't have a green jacket. Instead, she had a soft chest. It made a better pillow. He was tired too. So he decided to sleep, knowing when he woke up, he'd be with his mother and father again; he was sure of it.
"I didn't know he had a younger brother. I though he was the baby of the family. Then nerve of him, leaving you with me. You're such a cutie." Speaking softly, Rin found the boy a spare place to sleep, and gently set him down.
She smiled lightly and ran hand through the little ones dark hair repeatedly, helping him to drift off into sleep.
- - -
Running once again past charred, dead bodies, pools of blood, and destroyed memories, the young green jacketed fourteen year old was beginning to feel in his element. Finally, he'd get to fight, and help defend his village and all within it. A moment to prove himself was at hand.
Though how that manifested, was not exactly the way he'd hoped. Only later in life would he come to reflect this indeed was an act of true servitude, yet right now, at the present moment, it was an unwelcome obstacle. A screamed shout had halted his fast pacing trek, and at first, he thought it had been an enemy. He wasn't that far away from a front line of attack, but far enough away that only he'd heard the offending call.
Turning back, reading his kunai, he made his way towards the source of the sound. What he found was not an enemy, but what appeared to be another boy his age, give or take a year or two, pinned by his leg under some broken debris. Looking around, he wondered briefly if anyone would be able to spot him. For a moment, he considered leaving him, but it was quickly replaced with a flood of guilt. He was a ninja, and just five seconds ago, had been bent on proving he could defend his village and those in it. Growling in disgust at himself for the horror he'd thought of, he quick skipped down a small slope and came over to help the boy.
"Alright, stay calm and brace yourself. What the hell were you doing out here, anyway?"
"My parents are on the front line ahead. I want to help them fight!"
Grabbing a hold of a long support beam, the first boy set himself and began to lift up. For a moment nothing happened. Pushing more effort into it, the beam wobbled and lifted, moving slowly, but higher and higher. The pinned youth wiggled his way out, and pulled himself up into a sitting position. Wincing, looking to his leg which, amazingly, was only scratched and bruised. The fourteen year old dropped the beam and it crashed down.
"Looks like you're pretty lucky. That could have smashed your leg."
"I know…thank you. Are you going to the front line?"
"Ye-wait… are you even a ninja?"
There was a pause, and the smaller boy frowned, and looked up at the other with a hard stare.
"Does it matter? I want to help my parents fight!"
"Of course it matters! I applaud your willingness to fight, but if you don't know how to fight, all you're going to do is throw you life away."
"I know how to fight! I can and will!"
"Alright, I'll take you up if you can stand and walk."
Gritting his teeth, the smaller one pushed up and stood. He straightened and began to take a step until his leg cause him to wince, and he wobbled, beginning a forward tumble. Quick reflexes from the other kept him from hitting the ground completely.
"You can't even walk a step without help. You're going back to the shelter."
"You can't make me!"
"Yeah I can, I do have some authority." The boy spoke, pointing to his green jacket.
"Whatever, just let me go!"
"Yeah, I will, to the shelter."
A snap. A thump. A whooshing noise of metal whizzing through air. The fourteen year old all perceived this quickly, taking in the angle and speed in which the direction of the weapon was sailing at them. Pushing the other boy's chest roughly, tossing him lightly backwards, a kunai passed by and impaled into a tree.
It's target had been the injured boy's stomach.
Again, more weapons came; though now that the jacketed one was prepared, he jumped and whipped out two of his own kunai; to deflect away the two incoming shuriken. It worked, for the most part. The first was deflected back and into the attacker, yet while the second was deflected, its trajectory arced, and at a new angle whizzed by the older boy. His heart stilled as he heard it.
A wet slicing snap. A scream of agony.
The only thing he could see upon turning around was the other boy, on his knees, screaming and convulsing; rocking back and forth. His hands obscured his face almost completely as blood poured from between his fingers. Turning back and spotting the enemy nin, the older boy charged; enraged that someone under his watch had been so injured. He struck out an arm, flat palmed. He jumped and drove his hand into the enemy nin's neck. It went through like a knife through butter. Pulling away his bloodied hand, he jumped back and ran towards the other boy.
"Shit, shit, shit…I don't know any healing jutsu!"
The only thing he knew about medical attention at this point were the basics, and this was not covered. He knew he had to stop the bleeding, that was always obvious. Ripping at the elbow of his outfit, he tore off a sizable piece. Pulling the other boys handed away; both covered in blood as much as his face, he began to wipe away the extra blood; gingerly trying to avoid the horrid gash that stared angrily at him. It was as if the wound was mocking him. This only fueled his desire to help more. Besides, the rational part of his mind told him if he had left the other here, he would be dead for sure.
Right?
Apparently the wounded boy was now in some state of shock, as he was quiet and just gazing at his hand; the blood smeared all over them. Was he going to die? How could he have so much blood? Why was he dizzy? He was pulled from his daze by the sounds of slight shouting.
"Take him to the shelter immediately. As far as I know, he's a civilian but he's got his parents out on the front line."
"Wait, where do you think you're going?"
"To do my job!"
"Get back here, kid! The Kyuubi-!"
The wounded boy watched as the other took off, and briefly sat in a state of a blank fog. The older man in his company was another ninja, and was currently cleaning off his hands. The boy then felt a tickle across his face, where the shuriken had sliced him.
"It's just a simple healing justsu, clots the blood to prevent further bleeding; but you'll need a real medical nin to cure it completely. Though you're scared for life kid."
The words didn't really registered to him, only the fact that he was beginning to be picked up and hauled away quickly. On instinct, he recalled what he'd been trying to do in the first place.
"No! Let me go! My dad and mom are still fighting!"
However his screams of protest went unheeded, and all he could do was watch as the scene before him grew smaller and smaller. Yet no matter how far away they got, the roar of the Kyuubi would haunt him forever long.
A day later and most of the village would believe the Kyuubi had been destroyed. Two days would bring out the boy's complete suffering from the loss of his parents. Three days later would bring about an irrational hate for the boy who prevented him from seeing his parents one last time. Though in time, the hate was sure to fade, and be called foolishness on his part.
Little did he know the other boy already hated himself and would continue to do so many years after the injured one had long since let it go.
The scar would see to it.
- x Chapter 10 -
A/N: Once again, sorry for the delay. I was fighting with myself about certain accepts of this chapter. Anywho, this installment really pushes the envelope and continues to further the torent of angst, drama and suffering. Woot. Im surprised at myself really. Normally I like happy go lucky stuff. Then again, the best happiness can come after getting throw the worse dramas. Well, sometimes. So, please enjoy.