Artes animi.
Disclaimer :I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 12
The light was bathing the world in a soft pale light, warming the houses and the people with tender early morning warmth.
In a small clearing in the middle of thick woods, between the soft whistling of the wind as it moved through the trees and rattled the leaves, amidst the soft noise of running water silence was raining supreme.
This tranquility was broken by voice of man, his footprints all over the clearing tainting and trampling the safe house of nature.
"Three hundred and fifteen" came the voice of a young boy, his voice echoing in the forest "Three hundred and sixteen".
The voice was echoing through the forest was coming from a young silver haired boy, his long ponytail was tied back to his head in a bun as he was exercising.
Sakurai didn't stop for a moment, though his young body was heavy under the strain and his muscles were screaming bloody murder it did nothing to deter him from his training.
He didn't know how long he was here but it was three hours at least. He looked up at the sky and sighed frustrated.
"How bloody long will it take him to arrive?" he asked to the air.
To his surprise somone did answer him "I bloody arrived Sakurai... What are you even doing here this early? " the teasing voice of his superior came from behind him.
The Yamanaka huffed in irritation "Its not like I had any other choice Senpai" he spat bitterly "You did not tell me when exactly should I come here.. So I came here with the rising of the sun! And I waiting here for at least three hours!"
Kakashi grinned evilly "Oh stop acting like a little girl.. We have some training to do" he told him.
"Git" the Yamanaka said quietly.
"What was that?" the other shinobi asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Nothing captain"
"Hmm whatever" the Hatake said his face shifting from his goofy grin to serious expression "I want you to listen to me carefully Sakurai.. The technique I want to teach you today is extremely difficult and not many people know about it" he began, his voice hard "I will explain how it works and what it is that you need to know about it.. If you have any questions wait until I'll finish my explanation.. Clear?" the older shinobi asked sharply.
Sakurai saluted "Yes sir"
"Very good.. Now the technique's purpose is to read the mind of another person subtly without them noticing. The name of that technique is the 'eye mind reading' technique." the man looked into Sakurais eyes his eyes subtly moving in the pattern of the technique as he tried to demonstrate it. Only to suddenly be hit heavily back and his conscience was thrown out violently.
His one visible eye grew wide as he saw the smug expression on the boy's face "What?!" he asked bewildered "How did you do that?" he asked his voice full of surprise.
Sakurai burst out laughing "Really senpai? And people say you are a genius" the boy couldn't hold himself any longer as he clutched his stomach.
Kakashi felt a tick appearing right above his braw and his visible eye was jerking rapidly.
It took the boy another moment to finally get hold of his laughter. He took a deep breath before opening his eyes to meet the annoyed gaze of his superior "I am sorry Senpai.. But that is just too good not laugh at." he sighed holding in another laughter burst "I'll explain myself.. You know what my clan name is?" he asked the older shinobi with a hidden smirk.. He would make him pay for making him wait.
Kakashi snorted "The Yamanaka obviously.. What are you up to?" he asked annoyance creeping into his voice.
"Well sir" the boy said amused "Do you know what are we specializing in?" he asked amused.
This time the Anbu's tick mark grew "Brat" he said darkly "Are you mocking me?" he asked dangerously.
The grey eyes twinkled marrily "Yes sir" he answered dutifully "As for what I was trying to say.. As you know we specialize in the arts of the mind.. And we are quite famous for it now aren't we? So do you really believe we would be so arrogant as to believe we are the only people who can create mind reading techniques? So obviously we will create counter measures. Your jutsu is very good and to say the truth I never heard of it before. However it's not subtle enough when you go against someone who's mind is wired to recognize their own. We train our minds to survive transition to another body.. We need to be able to separate ourselves from the other person" he finished.
Kakashi really wanted to face-palm himself.. And if he was honest he would laugh as well if he was on the boy's place.. But damn he hated being laughed at!
"Very well Sakurai.. I admit it was funny and stupid of me.. However I still want to teach you this technique.. Are you interested?" he asked the boy who nodded.
"Excellent" he said his face changing from red faced (thankfully hidden under his mask) back to his no nonsense expression. Intertwining his fingers he looked at the boy "The first point of importance is the ability to use the signs with your eyes.. That will be the first thing we are going to work on" he explained.
Sakurai nodded intrigued "How exactly is it done?" he asked curious.
What came next was a long explanation of the way the signs work through the eyes and how they can only help preform ninjutsu of the eyes because of most people unable to put much chakra into the eyes, the only exception being those with dojutsu.
Sakurai was listening attentively and worked hard, however he was unable to master the art yet.
Kakashi sighed "I see that you will need more time, you will have to use your own free time to practice the signs. Now do you want to hear about the technique itself?" he asked.
Sakurai nodded "I think it might be useful to my research. Tell me captain as one who used the technique can you describe the feeling you got when you used it?" he asked curious.
The jounin closed his eyes his expression thoughtful "Hmm.. Let me think" he said quietly as he tried to remember the feeling.
He didn't use it much, but when he did... It was weird because although he was still in his body he could see the thoughts of the other person.. Hmm but he definitely didn't feel as if his consciousness was transferred elsewhere.
Finally he opened his eyes and addressed the boy in front of him "If I am to describe the feeling.. I guess it's something along the thoughts are coming to me.. Instead of me going to them.." he looked up at the attentive boy "Does that make sense?" he asked.
Sakurai was nodding rapidly "Curious.. And could it be used to modify information?" he asked.
Kakashi nodded.
"To what extent? Can you for example put the notion of a man that he is someone else?" the boy continued to ask.
The silver haired jounin thought about it before answering "I don't think so.. I was worned not to try" he said.
The Yamanaka became thoughtful "Hmm that's really interesting... I think I understand. You see Senpai, I believe that the technique is basically calling forth the deep thoughts.. Or memories of the person through subtle shift in the electro pulse from the brain or however the brain works" Sakurai barked a short laugh "..which is why you can change information.. However because many things are tied together in a person you shouldn't try to change something like his personality.. Because it will reject you." he sighed "So it is not of much use to my research as it based more on creation of another consciousness and personality by replacing the old one while repressing the old one with my own.. Or something along those lines not even talking about how to survive something like this "
Kakashi set there looking weirdly at the boy "That was.. Informative" he said cautiously "I would suggest you go rest... We are going on a mission tonight, the village is getting ready to attack" the captain explained.
Sakurai nodded "I understand.. Thank you very much for your time captain" he said as he got up "I will continue working on the technique.. It is a useful one after all" he said with a smile.
The older Anbu nodded "Very well.. I will see you tonight at nine o'clock sharp" he said.
Sakurai saluted "Yes sir".
Kakashi saluted back before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
A moment later Sakurai did the same heading back home.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Around the spacious table the family of four were seating and eating dinner.
The last rays of light were streaming in, coloring the room in yellow orange hew.
The older woman was sipping from her soup but her eyes wandered between the two males, she wasn't sure what was going on but their was tension in the air and whatever it was the two of them knew of something she didn't.
Tomoyo Yamanaka didn't like it. True she wasn't on active roster any longer but she didn't like to be kept in dark, even more so if one would take into account how much her husband knew.
She glanced at her only daughter with a soft smile, the five years old was a cheerful girl and Tomoyo wanted her to enjoy her childhood as much as possible.
To this end, the regal matriarch of the Yamanaka clan waited until they finished eating and Ino went to play in her room before she confronted her husband and nephew.
They were both seating in the big seating room which was decorated with pictures of the family and Sakurai's deceased parents.
Inoichi was tense and from time to time he sent a glance toward his surrogate son. While the boy was reading a book.
"Alright you two" the brown haired girl asked the two "What is going on?".
Inoichi looked up to see the stern expression on her face with her hand on her hip and he knew he won't be able to talk his way out of this, and it's not like it was classified information as soon every capable shinobi would be on high alert.
So instead of arguing he sighed "There is a great threat to the village.. So big that every Anbu who isn't currently on a mission are being mobilized." he said quietly.
Tomoyo widened her eyes casting now a glance toward the silver haired boy herself "He is being sent as well" she stated in understanding "What is the threat?" she asked.
"A massive amount of rouge shinobi are heading toward the village with the intent of destroying us.. There will be an announcement and every capable shinobi must he ready.. However the Anbu will move much earlier so if there is a traitor in our midst, he won't have a chance to communicate with the enemy "he explained.
Tomoyo nodded in understanding before she approached Sakurai and hugged him tightly" Please be careful" she told him quietly.
Before he had a chance to reply the two of them were engulfed in a hug courtesy of the patriarch of the mind readers clan.
"Please promise me you will be careful" he muttered quietly.
Sakurai touched by the sentiment hugged them both tightly "I promise to be careful" he said "But if I won't return" he sighed deeply "Please make sure that you not greave much.. Because I am fighting for Konoha" he said quietly.
"Oh Sakurai" the woman said hugging him tighter "Good luck.. We will pray for your safety" she mutterd.
"I will pray for yours too" he replied "I will defend you all" he finished.
The three of them stood hugging like that saying nothing, not noticing the darkness coming upon the village.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Standing in the briefing room were at least hundred Anbu, their gray armor plates hidden under the black of their cloacks.
On a podium in front of them was standing they hokage, his conical heat on his head.
"I won't hold you long with my speech" the wizened leader spoke, his voice harsh "You are the strongest of the shinobi this village has to offer.. Konoha is under a threat and you are to eliminate it. You will attack under the cover of darkness and destroy as much enemies as you can." the man took air into his lungs before continuing. "I will be frank with you! We do not know the exact number of the enemy nor their skill level however I have the outmost confidence in your skills and abilities. Do not disappoint the village" he said before walking down of the podium.
As one all the operatives saluted before they vanished into the darkness of the night.
In the shadows an old black haired man who's face was covered in bandages and a casted hand turned toward toward another shinobi with ginger hair in a pony tail.
"So Fu" the man said quietly "The boy with the Raven mask you say?" he asked before he chuckled lightly "Very well.. I will be keeping my eye on him" he said before they slowly left the room.
"Yes" the man mused "Yamanaka Sakurai.. I will be keeping an eye on you"
End of chapter 12.
