Word count: 4,557
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I bolted up eyes wide. Heavy breathing filled the room. I supported myself and made a small squeak-like sound before my breathing became labored and pained. Ow, my arm... dream Takeshi is pretty stupid. I coughed feeling dehydrated. Water.
I looked at the desk and saw a vase with flowers. Next to it is a glass of water. I reached with my right arm-Bad idea! A sharp intake of breath is heard around the room. So that's why I didn't feel pain, it was just a dream. Reaching with my other arm, I grabbed the glass and drank the whole thing in one shot.
After downing it I let out a long breath and placed the glass back on the desk. I moved my feet trying to stretch them. They seem fine only my right arm is 'damaged'. I threw the covers off and placed my feet on the ground. I slowly walked to the window and opened it to let air in. The sun was hidden by clouds the breeze cooled the room.
Everything was quiet until the door opened and someone shouted. "Gah! Where is he?!"
"Ebisu-san, what are you doing here?" I asked.
He looked at me then the bed.
He adjusted his glasses. "Sorry for the sudden outburst. I thought something happened."
"Don't worry its fine."
"Takeshi!" Gai screamed lunging at me with a waterfall of tears.
If it weren't for the two other people behind him I would be tackled. "Gai, calm down and don't get close to him. He just woke up." A brown-haired chunin said.
"Hello. Are you Genma-san?"
"Yes. You should go back to bed before the nurse gets here." I nodded and went back to the hospital bed. This happened a lot in my old life.
Just as I pulled the covers over, the nurse arrived. She tapped her pen before scribbling on her chart. "Good that you're awake, Kinju-san. You are not to leave for another week; we need to make sure your chakra levels are stable before you go to missions again. Please, try not to move your right arm you have first degree burns and a deep cut."
I winced. That's unpleasant. "Thank you, I'll try. How long was I out, ma'am?"
"A week and four days," She bluntly answered before placing the chart on the wall and closed the door. I guess she's busy?
"We should tell Kakashi-" Gai said.
"No!" I don't need a lecture, you idiot!
Genma raised a brow at this. "Why not, isn't he your 'brother'?" He said using air quotes.
"Sure he's my 'brother', but that doesn't mean I can listen to him rant about the things I do wrong all day."
"That's understandable." Genma agreed with a nod.
We 'talked' for a couple of minutes. The word awkward is how I describe the 'conversation'.
An eleven year old on bed rest, a hyperactive and dramatic twelve year old, a fourteen year old version of Kakashi, who is slightly less dedicated on following the rules, And a brown haired fifteen year old who puts senbon in his mouth instead of straw. Weird group.
"Gai, what are you doing?"
He ignored me and instead frantically looked through his bag. Where did that come from?
"Aha!" He exclaimed, holding up a black book. He held it in front of me. "Here you go, Takeshi. This is from... Jiraiya-san? I think was his name."
A bead of sweat went down Ebisu's head. "Are you saying that you got that from someone who you thought was 'Jiraiya-san', the Toad Sage, but you're not sure if he was a henged enemy yet you accepted the book?"
"Yes." Gai answered happily. Before I had the chance to hold it Ebisu grabbed the book from Gai.
"Ebisu-san is there something wrong?" I asked. What is wrong with him?
"Ebisu, relax maybe it's just a book he published called... 'The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Ninja'? I've heard about it from some civilians." Genma said, adjusting the senbon in his mouth. I don't think putting weapons in your mouth is safe but it's a canon thing, so I'm leaving it alone.
"We can never be sure. We don't know if this is a trigger trap and we cannot take any chances. He is already incapacitated if he gets any more damage we will surely hear from his 'brother'." He said opening the book and flipping through pages.
I looked at him flatly. "Your concern is flattering but I wouldn't say incapacitated. I can handle myself." I said, annoyed.
Genma snickered at my reply while Ebisu continued to ignore me and flipped through the pages. He froze and turned red. "I-I... T-This is inappropriate! Kinju, I-I d-don't... Y-You shouldn't read this." He stuttered closing the book shut.
I tilted my head in confusion. "What do you mean?"
He walked over to Gai and whacked him on the head with the book. "Where did you get this?" He asked furiously.
"I already told you, I got it from Jiraiya-san." Ebisu grabbed him by the collar and shook him violently.
"I don't believe you! One of the Sannin would never tolerate and, or own such inappropriate books, let alone give it to children! This is unacceptable!"
I think I know what 'book' that is. Jiraiya must have given Gai a draft or something.
Genma rolled his eyes at his teammates and picked up the book and flipped through the pages. Stopping at a page his eyes widened and the senbon fell from his mouth. "What the hell?!" He whispered, incredulously.
I snorted. "What is it can I see?" I asked innocently.
He turned to me with the same expression and asked. "How old are you?"
"Eleven." He threw the book in a garbage can and looked at me straight in the eyes.
"You see that book in the garbage can?" I nodded. "I know I'm a stranger but listen to me when I say... Don't show any interest in that. You're too young to read those."
"Genma is right." Ebisu agreed glaring at Gai.
"Just wait eight more years before you do, understood?" He said patting my head.
"Ok!" I nodded. Genma seems like a cool guy to hang out with.
"W-What?! Genma that's not what you're supposed to say." Ebisu let go of Gai and went over to me. "Don't listen to him. Never show interest in those things."
I made a face and said. "Someday you're going to be a pervert."
"WHAT?!" He exclaimed and comically fell to the ground.
I laughed at him. Gai's team is not as boring as I thought and they seem helpful for future plans. Ebisu will get close to Konohamaru, connecting him to the Hokage. I looked at Genma. He had a new senbon in his mouth. I don't know much about him... He's a side-character, but maybe... Finally I turned to Gai. I was right about making him my 'friend'.
"This is the most interesting hospital visit I've ever had." I blurted out.
Gai looked confused. "What do you mean? You've only been admitted twice."
"A lot can happen in three days." I answered before the door slammed open. "Hello, Kakashi. Care to join the, uh... Small gathering?" And the human rule book appears. 'Konoha-nins are a talkative bunch.' Even if it was from my dream it's true. Messages spread fast.
"Genma-san, please-" Kakashi began before Genma cut him.
"Way ahead of you, let's go guys." He said dragging a slightly beat up Gai.
When the door closed-
"You could have died," he started.
"Either way, Kakashi, it's going to happen. We're ninjas, shit happens. Just be happy I didn't break a leg."
"You should have been more careful," he argued.
"I was," I frowned.
"You said you won't get hurt as long as you're near a tree, because it's your 'home base'," he pointed out.
"Well, I was wrong and you're over reacting," I admitted. Cut me some slack I said that when I was half asleep.
"I am not over reacting, I am concerned."
"Sounds the same to me," I said before the door slammed open once again.
"Please, stop slamming the door," I whined.
"We *pant* caught up. *pant*," Obito collapsed near the bed while Rin smiled and said a quick 'good morning' while placing new flowers on the vase.
Kakashi changed his composure and crossed his arms, acting calm and collected.
"Tch, calm and collected," I mumbled in English.
Kakashi glared. I will break that code.
I arrogantly smirked in return. I would like to see you try, and fail every time.
Kakashi had always been paranoid whenever I get back from missions. Now that I'm in the hospital he's even worse... This makes me think twice about letting Madara 'take care' of Obito and letting Rin die. Once they leave the picture who knows how much Kakashi is going to freak out.
"Takeshi, you're awake. *pant* Finally... *pant* Do you have water?"
"I had some." Speaking of Obito going away... It's almost time.
~The Next Day
"Good morning, child. I would like to have a chat with you."
I bowed. "Of course, Hokage-sama, Is this about the mission?"
"Partially-" Before he finished a messenger hawk appeared by the window sill. He sighed. "This will just be a minute; you don't mind waiting do you?"
"No, not at all take your time, Hokage-sama. It helps me learn patience." I answered.
He smiled and went to read the letter. I drummed my fingers while waiting for the Hokage to finish writing. Why is he answering letters in a hospital? And in front of a 'kid'?
He finished the letter and tied it to the leg of a hawk. He cleared his throat and turned his attention to me. "I apologise for this. The village has been busy these past few days."
"Iwa,"
"Yes, but that's not what I planned to say. First I'm here to tell you that Arashi and Hideo are fine. They're awake but still in bed rest, like you."
I smiled. "What about, Shinji-taicho?"
"I'm sorry but he didn't make it." He said sadly.
Frowning, I made a mental note, reminding myself to visit his family. This is my fault again isn't it?
"Don't worry I took care of everything, his sacrifice was not wasted. We managed to capture 4 Iwa-nins; they are currently at T&I."
I nodded. "Hokage-sama, I've been wondering... Why would you send the civilians to Hacho? If they left Konoha their lives will be in even more danger." Why didn't I realize this before?
"I knew you would ask that. I know there was a risk at sending your team on a mission yet I still did." He admitted with a sigh. "Iwagakure for example wants to use you against the village they plan on feeding you with lies." He paused.
Iwagakure wants to capture me and feed me with lies... Kind of makes me want to hear the lies. Some 'liars' lead you to the truth, like Hideo.
"I never planned on sending civilians to Hacho Village. As you said earlier their lives are already in danger, sending them outside would get them killed. Truthfully, it was Hacho who stepped forward and called for help." Why?
"We needed to check on Hacho Village and its neighbouring ally Tonika Village. They reported unknown chakra signatures lurking the towns. I thought your team was the best to send because the four of you have a low profile with you only slightly higher than Shinji..." He frowned.
Slightly higher profile... How the hell? "Why keep it a secret from Arashi and I?" I asked.
"You're not allowed to know about this because you might 'spread the word'. Don't take this the wrong way, I trust you both, but the elders are extremely cautious." He explained.
"I understand this is classified information, for your convenience I won't ask any other questions concerning the villages." The Hokage smiled.
Hacho and Tonika aren't ringing any bells so they're fine.
"But there is one thing I would like to clarify, if you don't mind."
"Go on,"
"If the elders don't trust us then why are you telling me this?"
"It's just to let you know what's happening. You are joining the Anbu unit after partaking in the jonin exams. So I might as well give this information in advance. Whether you pass the test or not you'll still wind up in the Anbu unit."
"Oh..."
Another messenger hawk landed on the window sill. The Hokage sighed and stood up. "Well I'll be off now. You don't need to report anything to me; I already asked Hideo and Arashi."
I nodded. "Can I visit them?"
He thought about it for a while but walked to the door and grabbed the knob before answering. "Make sure the nurse doesn't catch you. You are still 'grounded'. 121 and 134," And the door closed.
I sighed deeply and slowly fell on my bed. Anbu... I almost forgot. Why does Iwa want me, though? I'm getting the feeling Hiruzen is going to dodge that one.
An idea suddenly popped into my head. I'll talk to Hideo, he's an enemy but he gives good advice.
~(Kirigakure)~
Brain *flip*
The Brain- an organ that serves as the center of the nervous system, It is located in the head close to the primary sensory organs for such senses as vision, hearing, balance, taste, and smell. *flip*
The Cerebral Cortex- the largest part, is estimated to contain 15–33 billion neurons. Each of the neurons is connected by synapses to several thousand other neurons.
These neurons communicate with one another by means of long protoplasmic fibers called axons.
The Axons- carry trains of signal pulses called action potentials to distant parts of the brain or body targeting specific recipient cells. *flip*
Physiologically, the function of the brain is to exert centralised control over the other organs of the body.
"I never noticed this before but the brain is like a parasite and the human body is its host."
"Excuse me?" Gozu asked.
"Nothing, I'm just taking verbal notes."
"Yeah, but what do parasites and brains have in common?"
"The parasite controls the host same as the brain does to human bodies. See here, page 138," I cleared my throat. "Physiologically, the function of the brain is to exert centralised control over the other organs of the body. The brain controls all bodily functions, breathing, eating, getting hungry, feeling cold, and everything else. So I just thought..." I let my voice trail off then continued reading.
"Right," he slowly nodded his head. "How did you come up with that?"
"It's called spontaneous thinking."
"Why do you think about stuff like that?"
"I'm bored."
"Hey guys," Meizu called.
We both turned to him. confusion evident in our faces, "Is something wrong?"
"No, everything's fine I just have a question. Why are you still awake? It's almost 'lights out' time." He asked with an annoyed tone and a scowl.
"Suzumo-sensei said we had to research the internal organs we got for tomorrow's 'report'," I answered. "And since when do you follow the rules?"
Meizu ignored my question and asked. "They expect us to write about the internal organs? That's gross!"
"Yes," I rolled my eyes.
The twins and I are academy students. How? Simple, Grid-face and Cloth-mask: At first I didn't mind them knowing about our 'training'. But it just happened, one trip to the Mizukage's office with Cloth and Grid then suddenly we're students and we live in an apartment.
I don't even know why they 'enrolled' us, but I decided to just go with it. It's not every day a swordsman or two acts nice.
Everything has a price though. The price wasn't specified but I'm pretty sure putting us in the academy is already a one-way ticket to death by decapitation: Or something gore-y like that.
How nice of the Mizukage, giving us a small room in the 'orphanage'. Unlike Nono's it had cursing, violent pranks, middle of the night screaming, and mealtime roughhousing. A face to the palm will never be enough to present my frustration.
"What's your internal organ?" I asked casually. Current lesson: Human Internal Organs. They said the class was only for first-year students. I guess hunter-nins are in demand.
"I got the spleen," Gozu said.
"My paper says bile duct... what is a bile duct?!"
I shrugged, uncaring. "That's why you're supposed to do research on it."
He scratched the back of his neck. "So far, I hate the academy. When are we going to learn how to use weapons and do spars?" Meizu whined.
"Before you learn how to kill you must first learn the basic one-hit kill methods. Meaning we have to learn which parts are lethal when damaged, like the spleen for example. One stab is enough to kill, add poison and bam he or she is dead in a minute," I explained.
I took out a piece of paper with notes on 'The Importance of the Bile Duct'. "Lucky for you I thought ahead," Not that I wanted to do his homework or anything. I just needed both of them to be in the same grade as me so I wouldn't lose the two pillars that stabilise my so-called 'Temple of Sanity'.
"Now listen... interlobular bile ducts, intrahepatic bile ducts, left and right hepatic ducts, common hepatic duct, cystic duct, common bile duct, pancreatic duct-"
"What the hell are those, Fuyuki?"
I rolled my eyes and threw a book at him. "Read," I commanded with a deadly glare. "I have not been accustomed to the name Fuyuki just yet so calling me that would be much appreciated."
"Why do you talk like that?"
"It doesn't matter," I looked around and noticed my missing dog. "Where's Kiiro?"
"EEEEEEEEKKKKK!" a girl squealed.
"KYAAAAAA!" another copied.
"GET OUT! GET OUT!" The third joined.
"I think he's in the girl's bathroom," Gozu said.
"Lucky mutt," Meizu said under his breath.
Gozu and I raised a brow at him as if to say 'are you serious?' He returned it with an uncaring shrug.
"I'll go get him," he announced opening the door.
Neither of us stopped him. "He... is going to get beat up... badly," Gozu said.
I nodded my head in agreement. "I'm not helping him."
"Me either and besides," he copied Meizu's slouch and said, "That's gross!" he mocked.
I laughed.
3rd person's P.O.V.
(Konohagakure, Hospital)
Room 134, inside rests a jonin level ninja known as Sugiyama Hideo. Hideo as seen by Takeshi had short blonde hair and chocolate brown eyes. Though in truth he- *knock* *knock* *knock*
A few knocks were heard from the door. "Come in." The door slowly opened and from behind it emerged a certain silver-haired boy.
"Hello Kakashi, what brings you here?" Hideo greeted.
The boy bowed respectfully before replying. "Good morning, Sugiyama-san. I just wanted to ask you some things, if you don't mind."
Hideo inwardly scowled but kept a happy smile intact. "Did the Hokage send you?"
"No." Kakashi answered, not quite understanding why Hideo would ask that. "I'm having trouble with Takeshi and since he's pretty close to you I thought..." Kakashi looked away and forced the rest of the words out. "Maybe you could help me."
Kakashi didn't feel comfortable asking other people for help but he really wanted to know what's going on inside his golden-eyed friend's head. Truthfully he was quite jealous of Hideo because Takeshi seems to talk to him and only him.
The jonin motioned for Kakashi to continue. "When he started training with his first sensei he's quite temperamental and is sometimes impolite, so I was always against the idea of him having a sensei. But now that he's with you he's slowly going back to normal, which I am very thankful for because it's what I always wanted."
"If what you wanted to happen is coming true then what exactly is the problem?"
"Whenever I try to do something nice he always has that look... As if he couldn't believe I'm helping. I don't understand why." Kakashi stayed stoic, but Hideo saw through the act and saw a person desperate for answers.
He sighed. One advice wouldn't be so bad. "Kakashi, this is what I think. But before that, I want you to know that this is just my opinion. I'm not a mind-reader like the Yamanaka this is just what I think, understood?" Kakashi nodded.
"Good. Now, from the things Takeshi told me I've noticed that you, um... Don't get along well with most people. Obito and Gai downright annoy you. Rin annoys you too, though I don't quite understand why. Minato also annoys you-"
"No he doesn't." Kakashi argued.
"Takeshi says he could feel the annoyance flowing out of you whenever Minato doesn't send you on a mission at least once a week."
Kakashi remained silent. The observation was true, he couldn't deny it. But being counterproductive is a something Hatake Kakashi will never do.
To child prodigies keeping friends as friends is harder than killing. Hideo thought. "The point is he's seeing a new 'side' of you and he thinks that you are supposed to fit that personality that he sees. In simpler words you need to reassure him that you're still the same even though you act that way now."
"Are you sure?"
Hideo nodded. "During my time with Takeshi he said quite a few things that had bothered me. Like for instance, he sometimes questions Hokage-sama's orders and his own loyalty to the village. I try my best to stir him away from that path and until now it's still a working progress. But in all honesty, when Takeshi said he didn't trust you I was... Not sure if I heard him right. He said you two have known each other since you were a year old, so the claim didn't really sit right with my mind."
"He said what?" Kakashi couldn't believe what Hideo said. Have I changed so much that even Takeshi doesn't know what to think of me? He thought.
Hideo raised a suspicious brow. "You mean he never talked to you about it?"
"No." Kakashi answered, still baffled by the news.
"I thought for sure he was going to talk to you, he said he would." Hideo thoughtfully looked at the ceiling.
Kakashi buried his head in his hands. "When did he say that? And why?" He asked as calmly as possible but with frantic concern, still clear in his voice.
"It's been a while... 2 years, I think. He said you were so wrapped up with the rules... Do I really need to explain further? It speaks for itself, really."
"What does following the rules have to do with-?" His eyes again widened as realisation hit him. Kakashi did his best to walk calmly out of the room.
"Wait, Kakashi," Kakashi stopped but didn't turn around. "Maybe you should talk to him when he's outside the hospital. He needs rest, making him think too much wouldn't help his recovery."
Kakashi murmured a quick 'Thank you' before closing the door.
Hideo sighed. Turning to the window he rolled his eyes and scowled. Why do children always get the bad end of everything?
Looking around, he saw nothing but white walls and two doors, one to the hallway and one to the rest room. 7 years isn't enough, no matter how many years I'm given it's never enough. The things I do to keep the village safe. He thought.
Facing the window, he remembered. Oh right, I have to talk to my little student. Danzo-sama would want me to keep him on our side. Poor child being used as bait to lure in Iwa, why must this happen?
Takeshi's P.O.V.
What do Uchiha Madara and Shimura Danzo have in common?
They both have strange ways of helping. Madara started the eye of the moon plan to 'save the world from misery' while Danzo trains children to become his personal drones to 'protect the village with their lives'. They both wanted to be the Hokage. And finally, they are both manipulative bastards.
Now imagine both of them tailing you, recording everything you do and just downright stalking you. Tough life...
I was pulled out of my thoughts when the door opened slowly and a head of cream coloured hair popped in with a grin. "Hello, my little student. How's your day?"
"Fine...? Hideo-sensei, shouldn't you be in your room?" I asked feigning concern. How convenient. I thought I had to walk all the way across the hall.
"Oh come on, can't I just visit you? And besides it's boring in there." He complained childishly.
"I know what you mean." I agreed. Hospitals remind me of the past... I don't like them. "When do you get out?"
"Thursday, you're being discharged the same day, correct?" He asked sitting by the chair. I nodded. "Great, after we get out of here let's train."
"Huh, but I thought we're supposed to rest?"
"They said they'll let us out when we can already handle missions. So training is technically fine." Hideo argued.
Because of that I couldn't help but say, "You remind me of someone, sensei."
"Do I? Oh well, irony at its best." He said cheerfully.
"We should probably eat before we train." I said with a grin. 'Hideo' is still the same... Hiruzen is keeping secrets and Danzo is still spying. What to do? Plans... I've got close to none.
"Sure thing, we go to the dango shop first." Hideo announced.
"Yes!" I cheered. "Who are we going to drag with us this time?"
"Nobody," He answered with a smile.
\(- _ - )/
Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.
~George Orwell
A/N: Humor is not my main genre but sometimes I try to lighten things up... Then drastically change the fanfic's aura in the next chapter. How are Gai, Ebisu and Genma? In other words, are they OOC or just fine? Whoa, someone found my fanfic. sonyat ma'am, you have outdone yourself. Thanks for noticing all of those things.