(A/N: Ok…I've gotten my Naruto muse has returned…yippee! Hopefully this lasts for a while…on the flip side, I have major finals coming up right now…and I really wanna try for a 3.6 GPA…so hahaz…probably will be slow, or no, updating from now until end October…eee…thank you soo much to the reviewers…actually, I am not very happy with the previous chapter, Perceptions part 1, it was written and posted on the same day and when I read it back…I was like bleah! Oh well…sigh hope this chapter is better!)
Perceptions
Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me…if it did, there is no way I'd have allowed such horrible English dubbing! Why oh why does Kakashi sound like a preppy? And Naruto's voice…cries even GSD English dubbing is better!
Part 2
A single raindrop traced its way down his cheek. But he stood there, as still as the granite memorial whose familiar etchings his eyes traced over and over. After so many years, he did not even have to look to tell you where their names were.
The droplets of water had turned into a drizzle by now. But even then the solitary figure endured. His mind, at that moment, was not truly in the physical world. It was instead in an elusive portion of the mind, the place which held one's memories; the place where one lived again.
For most, reaching such a state intentionally was impossible. The theory that our mind is like a folder which stores memories in an organized matter, is completely untrue. Memories are instead, connected to physical sensation. The smell of a type of soap, the off-key humming of a long-forgotten tune, the colours surrounding us, the feeling of a gentle breeze against our skin, these were all things which triggered someone's memories.
Thus, many of us are unable to access a memory at will. Often times, the harder we try to remember, the vaguer the memory becomes. But Hatake Kakashi was different. For him, the sensations of the present were as fuzzy as those of an adult remembering his childhood. Only in his mind, only through his memories (and battle of course) was he able to experience distinct, definable sensations.
Kakashi lived in the past; he lived for the past. Or at least he had. The rain had turned into a downright downpour by now. He blinked and looked up. Odd…the sun was still exposed. It shone brightly into his eyes and for a second he saw bright spots dancing in the western sky.
But that was not why he had looked up. He had an uneasy, persistent feeling that he had forgotten to do something. Wait…had he left the iron on at home? No. Stove? Check. Mission report? Check. He had handed that in before coming to visit. Self-awareness was an important thing sometimes.
Then…what else? Windows? Stupid question. The windows (there were only two in his entire house) were always locked, whether he was inside or outside the apartment. Though he did get a lot of complaints over that from Naruto – wait…Naruto! Kuso! He was supposed to pick the boy up from school!
Kakashi forgot all about the rain, the sun and the memories. He had an anchor to the present now. The said anchor was hopefully safe in the Academy right now. The kid would probably be enraged, but Kakashi preferred an angry Naruto to an injured one. Furthermore, Naruto could easily be subdued with the promise of ramen.
He raced to the Academy, silently apologizing to Obito and sensei for his abrupt departure. Hatake Kakashi was late; 3 hours late.
Naruto sat on the table fiddling with his eraser as he stared at the page of problems. The teacher sat in the front of the class, swiftly marking a large pile of exercise books.
Occasionally, either one of them would sneak a look at the other. The moment they were caught though, they immediately returned to their tasks with furious vigour. This had been going on for 3 hours.
Naruto felt like running out of the place. But nii-san had told him to stay! So he stayed. Oh…where was his aniki? It had been three hours…three whole hours with her. And worse still, she had been nice to him and said that she would stay until his guardian came.
Normally, he would have shouted at her for thinking he was some little kid (which he was) who needed looking after (which he did). But she was being nice. And nice…if that was what this absence of glares and rough words could be called…was something Naruto had very little experience with.
Especially when it came to Hinagata-sensei. Ever since the first day he had stepped into her class, she had been nothing but hostile toward him. Naruto had long since given up wondering why people just seemed to hate him so much. For him, it had simply become something normal; it was simply classified as one of the mysteries of life.
Naruto was not quite used to being glared at, no matter how much he tried to hide it. But he was used to being ignored. And after the first few lessons, Hinagata Saori had seemed to forget all about him.
Perhaps that was what had happened; aniki had simply forgotten. After all, in the two and a half months he had stayed with the other, Naruto had learned that Hatake Kakashi spaced out a lot. He would often stop, smack dab in the middle of eating a meal or finishing a sentence, and he would get this glazed look in his eyes.
So perhaps, Kakashi had merely forgotten and gone straight home.
Or maybe…maybe he was not coming anymore. It would not be the first time one of Naruto's guardians had walked out on him. He racked his brain trying to recall if he had done anything to seriously offend the jounin. No…Kakashi had seemed more out of it than usual today…but he got like that often.
Besides, nii-san was different. He had to be. Naruto bit his lip at the hard lump that had suddenly formed in his throat. Was too much to ask for? Was it too selfish to want to have just one precious person?
He wished he knew the answer. He wished Kakashi would appear in front of him now. The clock chimed at that moment, and Naruto gazed at the clock. It was four. 3 hours had passed since school had ended. Dread settled in the pit of his stomach. If Kakashi had been coming, he would be here by now. If he had had a mission, he would have told him earlier.
And if he had simply forgot…Naruto would kick his ass. Jounin or not, Hatake Kakashi had no right to keep him waiting for 3 freaking hours! Three! Not one or two…but 3! Naruto gritted his teeth as he imagined kicking the jounin hard…or maybe switching his shampoo to green hair dye, it was Gai's favourite colour after all. He grinned as he imagined the scene that would produce.
Hatake Kakashi walked out the door and onto the streets of the village. He had not once glanced in the mirror. Maito Gai appeared at the moment.
"Kakashi! My eternal rival! How hip! How cool! You irritate me! Why…why did you think of this idea before me?"
"…"
"Oh well, but I am still elated. My rival has finally accepted the superiority of green! Finally…finally we have something in common. Oh how beautiful that shade of green is!"
"I hate green. I will never wear green", the cold statement caused Gai's eyes to narrow, before he beamed widely again.
"Ah…I see…you are trying to keep your liking hidden. But you forgot to cover your hair! A good shinobi must always keep such bright hair hidden!" Gai lectured, gleeful that his 'perfect' rival had slipped up.
Kakashi's eyebrow twitched. "I got through 8 years an ANBU with this hair", he said menacingly.
"Eh? You had green hair that time?"
Kakashi bit through his lip. "What… the…hell? Why are you talking about green hair? My hair is white! White!" he snapped.
"But Kakashi! Your hair is such a beautiful shade of green!"
Kakashi face-faulted, as he caught sight of his reflection in a mirror. His hair! His beautiful white hair which he washed every day! It was green! He turned red…and resembled a tomato at the moment (red body with green tufts…) before fleeing the scene.
Evil Naruto cackled mentally as he envisioned the confrontation. Kakashi would pay…but only if he ever came. Naruto sighed as he glanced at the clock again.
"Don't worry, he'll come".
"Eh?" Naruto gaped at the teacher. Had she…just spoken…to him? The teacher looked into his gaze for a moment before dropping her eyes and returning them to her work hurriedly.
"I know what it's like…to wait for someone…"
"Aa…it's just…it's been so long…" Naruto trailed off dejectedly.
Hinagata's eyes softened at the tone in his voice and she looked up.
"He'll be here. Being a shinobi is a busy job, you know. Especially when you are as renowned as Hatake-sama is", she said softly.
"Eh? That guy? Well-known?"
She frowned. "You should give him more respect!"
Naruto cringed at that. "That's…that's what I'm afraid of…I'm afraid I'll say something stupid…and he'll go away…just like…"
Hinagata's heart clenched for a moment. This boy…didn't he know…didn't he know what he was?
"I know what he is. The question is…do you?"
Those words had made her search her soul. She smiled abruptly.
"Naruto-kun, I assure you, he will not be…like the others…he cares about you…I can tell", the warmth in her voice shocked her as much as it did Naruto. He will not be like me. They looked at each other awkwardly for a moment, both unsure when their relationship had changed from hated student and unreasonable teacher to something…more platonic.
Kakashi chose that moment to walk in. "Yo!"
Silence greeted him. He observed the two for a moment…why were they both looking uneasy? Masaka? Could it be…no…Naruto was too young for that…he dug his brain out of the gutter and tried again.
"Afternoon, minna-san!"
"Hatake-san…school ends at 1pm today".
"Aa", he sheepishly scratched the back of his head, "I know", he replied.
"…" she wasn't going to make this easy for him.
"I…forgot to set my alarm clock…" Even Kakashi knew he needed better excuses. He made a mental note to devote some time to making up better ones. The two continued staring at him. It seemed as though they would not accept anything short of a formal apology.
"Mah…I was late. Gomenasai", he said, bowing slightly. Kakashi usually hated apologizing. But…in this case…for Naruto's sake…damn…that brat really was changing him…next thing he knew he'd probably groveling at someone's feet…yeesh…
"It's ok. Just make sure you're on time in future. We don't want you setting a bad example for Naruto-kun, do we?"
Kakashi nodded and raised an eyebrow at the affectation she'd attached to the boy's name and turned heel and left, blonde boy in tow. Naruto-kun, eh? Maybe…just maybe…
He never had time to finish the thought. The moment they left the classroom, Naruto jumped on his head with a loud "Kyah!"
Kakashi stood still for a moment, completely shocked as the kid began hammering him. He could have dodged of course. But he simply had not expected the boy to jump on him. A particularly hard knock made up his mind. He used a hand to dislodge the small snarling thing that Naruto had turned into and held the kid up in the air, by his left foot.
"Oi! Put me down! Now! Stupid nii-san…coming 3 hours late. Argh…I wanna kill you!" the kid grabbed for his face.
Kakashi grinned at the kid. Oh yeah…Naruto was mad alright. He ran home, Naruto bouncing and screaming all the way.
He got home and threw the kid on the couch before locking the door. He turned to see Naruto with an evil grin plastered over his face. Kakashi would be getting green hair in the very foreseeable future. Lime green hair.
"Please, sign these sir", the aide said, putting a stack of papers on Sandaime's table.
"Oh…hmm…yes, I will", Sarutobi replied distractedly as he took up a pen. He realized his aide was still standing there, fidgeting slightly in indecision.
"Oh? Is there something else?"
"Ah…Hokage-sama, there's a shinobi out there who wants to see you", the aide replied.
"Hmm? Then send him in".
"But…Hokage-sama…according to protocol no one is allowed to see you without an appointment…"
"Really? Then why have you not sent him away yet? Rules, are meant to help, no hinder, leadership".
"He…is an Uchiha, Hokage-sama, and he was babbling something about…about the Uzumaki".
Sandaime frowned. An Uchiha? And the Kyuubi's container? The Uchiha clan rarely involved itself in village matters unless they concerned security. And Naruto-kun certainly was one of Konoha's biggest security risks. However, he had not heard any concerns from them, not after he had ignored their initial request to kill or at least banish the child.
"What's his name?"
"Uchiha Ryuuga…but…Hokage-sama…"
"Let him in", the Hokage replied. The aide hesitated, opened his mouth and then closed it. He bowed, turned heel, and left, his back stiff with disapproval.
Uchiha Ryuuga walked in few moments later, bowing formally as he entered. Ryuuga might have one of the black sheep of his family, but he still knew how to act in social occasions. Every Uchiha kid was trained in social etiquette, regardless of their stature in the clan. They were repeatedly reminded that above all else, they were Uchihas and they had to present a certain dignity and maintain a certain aloofness from others. Even as an adult, Ryuuga found it hard to break the habits of childhood. Besides, this was Sandaime Hokage. And after bowing and scraping to dozens of senile, pompous clan elders, the Sandaime at least was someone he could truthfully say he respected.
"Aa…Ohayo Ryuuga-kun. So what brings you here today? I trust that there are no problems…"
"Iie, Hokage-sama. The walls are safe".
"Then…you are here on…clan business, perhaps?"
Ryuuga nearly blanched. He did not want to have anything to do with "clan" business. Not after the way they had treated him. And especially not after the way they had treated his parents…
"Iie, Hokage-sama", he strained to keep his impatience from showing. Ryuuga had never been one for small talk. But it was impolite to bring up a topic the Hokage was so clearly avoiding. So he waited patiently.
"So…you are here on…" there was a long pause. Sarutobi remained frozen in thought. Most people reacted badly when they found out Naruto was the Kyuubi no Kitsune's container. Was that why Ryuuga was here? Was he angry that he had not been told the child he had carried in was the container of one of the most powerful and destructive youkai of all time?
Ryuuga had been compassionate when he had brought the child in. Most shinobi would have overlooked the kid. They would have left the orphan there. Had he known who the boy was? And if he had, would he have done otherwise?
Sandaime didn't know. He knew it might be a bad idea to talk to the Uchiha about this. After all, the Uchiha clan, as a whole, seriously disapproved of Naruto's very existence. Still…something about the man made him want to give the other a chance.
"You are here about Naruto-kun, ne?"
"Hai, Hokage-sama", Ryuuga replied.
"Firstly, Ryuuga-san, let me thank you for bringing him in".
"Aa…arigato, Sandaime-sama. It was my duty".
"Yes, it was your duty. But I know a great many others who would have left a child out there", the Hokage eyed the younger shinobi with a knowing eye.
"But Sandaime-sama, I was only doing my job. Just because others are prejudiced does not mean that I deserve gratitude for doing what they would not have done", he replied softly. The Hokage heaved a mental sigh of relief as he smiled. Perhaps…just perhaps there were more than two people in Konoha who were not prejudiced against Uzumaki Naruto.
"Hai. You are right. That is your job, and we shinobi are accustomed to doing our duty thanklessly. However…I do commend you, not just for saving Naruto's life, but also for escaping the blinder that prejudice seems to have put on everyone else here, Ryuuga-san", the Hokage said gravely.
"Hokage-sama…How is the boy?"
"Ah…yes. Naruto-kun is fine. He's been having nightmares, but his guardian reported that he's begun to settle down", the Hokage assured the other man.
"Oh. He's healed already?"
"Aa".
"But…last I saw him…"
The Hokage did not reply but instead looked at him steadily as comprehension dawned on the Ryuuga. This was the final test; how would Ryuuga react when confronted with the knowledge that the boy he had rescued was not merely the container of a youkai…but he could also tap into the youkai's powers.
To Sarutobi's surprise, the Uchiha did nothing. He merely nodded thoughtfully at the unexpected piece of information and asked another question which threw the Hokage off balance.
"Can I see him?"
Sandaime blinked at the question. Naruto had asked him who had rescued him…but Sandaime had refused to tell the boy at the time. He had been afraid that the rescuer might not have welcomed gratitude from the boy. He need not have worried, apparently.
The Hokage smiled genuinely. "Hai. I don't see why not. I'll give have my aide you the address of his guardian…be sure to visit after 3pm. Naruto attends the Academy and it only finishes at 1", the Ryuuga nodded in reply to this.
The Hokage smiled at him again in tacit dismissal. He did have other things to do after all…like sign the stack of papers in front of him. The Hokage sighed; he really hated paperwork. It was, perhaps, the only part of his job he disliked. His smile disappeared abruptly as he realized Uchiha Ryuuga was still in the room, looking at him hesitantly.
"You have something else on your mind, Ryuuga-san?"
Ryuuga flushed and composed himself. He really had to know. "Ano…Hokage-sama…about Naruto's guardian…might I inquire…"
"Hmm…oh, why?"
"Umm…it's nothing. It's just that…I heard…Gomen. I should not have brought up a silly rumour. Please excuse me", Ryuuga stood up abruptly as he lost his nerve. Sure, the Hokage allowed, and even encouraged outspokenness; but what would he think if Ryuuga, a mere Chuunin, questioned his decisions? Especially when the rumour in question was so unbelievable…I mean…who would put a mentally instable assassin in-charge of a small child? It was just too implausible…
The Hokage looked up from his steepled hands as Ryuuga turned to leave. "You…wish to know is Naruto's guardian is one Hatake Kakashi…am I correct?"
Ryuuga froze. Masaka…it couldn't be…
"Hai…" he said softly.
"Then…my answer to you would be yes. Kakashi-kun is indeed taking care of the boy".
Ryuuga's eyes widened as he turned back towards the Hokage.
"You should not place faith in rumours, Ryuuga-san".
"But…Sandaime-sama…his past – "
"-Is well-documented. I am well-aware of that…as well as the many rumours floating around about him. I am also very aware of the Uchiha clan's feelings about Hatake Kakashi".
"Hokage-sama…I'm not personally prejudiced toward him. I know, very well, that the clan unfairly puts down people and I also know what kind of life some of our shinobi have had to live for Konoha's sake. The thing is, Hokage-sama…what kind of life will that boy have if he is brought up by…by someone like that?"
"Ryuuga-san…contrary to public opinion, Kakashi has never done anything more than what his missions have required. As for Naruto…I believe he would have a much brighter future under Kakashi's care".
"Aa…gomen, Hokage-sama. I know…that it's not my place to question you…especially when I barely know the boy…It's just – "
"You care for him. And I'm asking you not to stop".
"Hai…and it's just…I know what it's like…to be someone else's ward…and in this case, Hatake-san is barely old enough…" Ryuuga paused for a moment, certain he had said too much. The Hokage's expression softened. He recognized the young man now. Ryuuga was Uchiha Benjiro's son. Benjiro had been one of the few Uchihas who had associated with others. And he also had been the clan elder's second son. His marriage outside the clan, to Matsushita Hoshiko, a civilian from an unknown clan, and their subsequent deaths had left the boy Ryuuga bereft of parents.
Normally, Sandaime took in the village orphans under his wing. He made sure they were alright and well-treated. It had not been an easy task in the aftermath of the Kyuubi and the slew of orphans the youkai had created. But he had done so for as long as he was Hokage. In Ryuuga's case though the Uchiha clan had claimed full responsibility for him. They would not tolerate one of their own, no matter his bloodline, growing up outside their clan. Their rationale had been that family should stick together and Benjiro's brother, the clan head at the time, had pointed out that the boy had never slept outside the Uchiha compound walls before. Sandaime had suspected it had more to do with the possibility, however slim, that Ryuuga might possess the Sharingan.
So he understood Ryuuga's sentiments. However…
"Ryuuga-san, you have to understand. Kakashi-kun…was not one of my choices…"
Ryuuga frowned in incomprehension.
"Hatake Kakashi was my only choice. You and I may be able to see a six-year old child. But so many others in this village would see him as a threat…and they would treat him as such. You have already seen first-hand what can happen…"
"But Hokage-sama…I just…"
"Visit Naruto and Kakashi. If you could tell me the boy would be happier elsewhere…I'll be happy to. And Kakashi-san…he is not at all what he seems. Not everyone can see things the way you do, Ryuuga…I hope you develop the habit…both for your own good…and Konoha's…now if you'll excuse me…I have work to do", the Hokage dismissed him firmly this time.
Ryuuga (finally) left. He wondered outside, pondering on what the Hokage had said. He barely even noticed the aide giving him the paper, and walked out with a vague nod of thanks to the other. Thankfully, the man brushed it off as just another emotionless, uptight Uchiha.
Ryuuga looked down at the address at resolved to visit the next day.
Kakashi sat the one of the many bars littering Konoha, slowly nursing a drink. The bar was nice and quiet and dark. In short, it was the type of bar frequented by Kakashi and fellow shinobi.
He sighed and relaxed into the night, relishing the opportunity to unwind. It had been so long since he had had some time to himself, or have a quiet drink. Naruto…he really did care about the kid…but Kakashi was just so used to being a loner, to living a lone, that sometimes, even after 2 and a half months, he still felt the urge to go sit somewhere, away from the boy and his constant chattering. But not too long though. Presently, he had left the kid with Kirane and Girashi again; it was not safe to do so for long periods of time though.
And besides, Kakashi had a feeling he'd miss the bouncing blonde ball of energy if push came to shove. The boy was just that way, he grew on you. He knew leaving Naruto alone was not a good idea. But he was here anyway…and his business was far from pleasure.
His eyes narrowed as a cloaked figure entered the quiet place. Kakashi tensed, relaxing only when the figure turned out to be an old man, coming for a quiet drink. He switched his attention back to covertly observing the door.
Music from nearby discos filtered in and mingled with the soft murmurings of the people packed in the bar. Looking around at this place, no one would be able to guess that a few months ago a child had been brutalized, almost to the point of death, scarcely a few miles from here.
This bar was where the assailants had come from. He was certain of that now, after almost 2 months of nightly forays into every single bar in within a 2 mile radius of the attack site. He had eventually deduced that this was the most likely venue they had departed from.
Tonight was his third at the bar. So far no sign of the men who had beaten up the kid. There was also no sign of whoever had put Naruto under a Genjutsu and, most likely instigated the drunkards.
Kakashi tensed again as another hooded figure ended the bar. He could feel the strong chakra presence from the other, despite skillful masking that would have thrown all but the ANBU's infamous wolf off course.
The shinobi, for Kakashi was sure of that from the other's smooth, silky movements, sidled up to the bar and ordered a drink. The other was short…and something about his presence was so familiar. Kakashi observed him openly by now; he was sure the other was aware of him.
The shinobi slowly tipped his head backward, allowing the cowl of his cloak to slide down to reveal silky grey locks, much darker than his own. A pair of cold coal-black eyes rose to meet his own.
Kakashi felt his stomach jump. The weasel. Uchiha Itachi, his former second-in-command. Itachi who at 13 had filled Kakashi's boots.
Itachi raised an eyebrow at him and picked his drink up, coming over to sit with his old teammate. "It's been a long time, captain", he said.
"Aa. Aren't you too young to be in here?"
"I'm old enough to kill, to lead men twice my age and Konoha trusts me enough to give me control of a team of their finest…I'm only enough to drink…" the Uchiha drawled with a languorous smirk. But behind his lazy words, Kakashi caught a sharper more bitter edge. He studied the boy's face intently as Itachi drained his glass.
He looked thinner than Kakashi remembered…and there were the beginnings of harsh lines carved into his face. The bags beneath his eyes had somehow deepened in just 3 months. And if you looked closely, his eyes seemed to be in a state of perpetual despair. Young Itachi it seemed, and despite the reports, was not taking well to leadership.
It wasn't a question of skills either. Itachi was as good a strategist as any other…and he'd demonstrated his ability to keep his cool in more situations than Kakashi could count. It was more a question of how ready the teen was, both mentally and emotionally to take on the job. Kakashi remembered the guilt of losing a teammate…and how it was amplified when you were in-charge. Being the leader, meant being responsible for the blame. He knew that more than anyone else.
Kakashi felt a pang of guilt rip through him. He should have stayed. If for nothing other than to save the boy from this, he should have stayed. But he hadn't. So all he could do now was watch Itachi drain glass after glass with increasingly trembling hands. And as the night drew on, Kakashi increasingly became aware of something as well. Itachi was not well in the head. Uchiha Itachi, who everyone hailed as a genius, was possibly more fucked up in head, heart and soul than Hatake Kakashi himself.
And Uchiha Itachi had a fully mastered Sharingan, the sort of which could erase memories…or implant them. So Kakashi sat there in the quiet bar, watching a boy he wanted to save, as dread grew in the pit of his belly. Nothing in life was ever simple.
031005
Kira-Reen
(A/N: Its 11.30pm on a school nite…main reason I wrote this: because I really my story was moving at snail pace. This is probably going to be my last update for the month…which is why it's longer than my usual 2000 words…hope you enjoyed…)
Review Responses: Hiya! Thanks to all who reviewed! Some of you had questions...or a few interesting comments...so here are my thoughts on that...
Kagome13chan: thanks for the rev! this ff is going to follow Naruto through his childhood to at least him becoming a Chuunin. There will most likely be at least one timeskip...
Krows Sacred: When is Kakashi not in for some stick? I jus love torturing him...hehe...-goes back to admiring imprisoned Kakashi-
uchiha na kage: hehe...u were right -looks sheepish- that chapter was kind of a rush...hopefully I won't write a chapter just for the sake of it again...hope this one was alright...and yeps...naru-chan is kawaii, ne? But actually this fic is about Kashi...or rather it began that way...
RaitenKitsune: Mou...i always give kashi credit...he's my fav bishie, ya know? Actually it's Ryuuga who really doesn't like Kakashi...hahaz...thanks for the review...
Hitomi no Ryu: LoL...I can't wait to write about them meeting either...but that has to wait till the finals are over...sigh...
MysteryLady-Tx: eh? You LIKED the chapter...woah...me is surprised...cus I really didn't like my own chapter...hahaz...hope you are satisfied with Ryuuga's bkground...yr review made me add more about his parents :) As for itachi...you'll see
s-sama: hehe...yes my arm's ok :)...and even if it weren't...I'd still be writing...I really like your made up character! Update tt ficie soon, please! Kakashi...was late for the funeral because he wasn't allowed to be there...Uchiha clan rules being as strict as they are...as well as their feelings toward him for having the Sharingan...well he just couldn't show his face...so he went later...
madnarutofan: POT and bleach rock..but naruto is what i always go back to...LoL...as for itachi...well, read on...
aznpuffyhair: the way i'm leaning right now...the Uchiha massacre might not happen...
purple-sorceress: Well...you found the reason Ryuuga's so concerned in this chapter...I hope...and I really like Ryuuga...which is a problem...because I'm afraid he'll become a Gary Stu...so I try very hard to make him flawed...which is hard...arghh...actually I think its impossible not to write a character who isn't an MS...take for instance what happened to Kakashi in chapter 277 of the manga...I was like...oO? LoL...thanks for the review!