36.
Across Konoha the sun rises and light rises with it. Shopkeepers sweep the dirt from their storefronts, sleepy eyed workers begin their commute and mothers bustle their children from doorways, prying them with last minute breakfast snacks and wishing them a good day in the Academy. It is peaceful but there are shinobi who will not be sharing in this moment of tranquillity.
Inari's morning.
The first thing Inari notes upon waking is that Hatake Kakashi is a blanket hoarder.
The second is the headache that feels as though someone is slowly driving a metal pike through her brain.
And the third and most alarming is that she is in Kakashi's bed.
Inari blinks, the motion causing her headache to flare dully in her skull again, and stares at the bundle of stolen blanket that's lumped beside her. Inari's arm is lost in the sheeted folds and she can feel the warmth of bare skin brush against her fingers. Inari, the great Inari of the Mirror Sword, star pupil and prodigy to Kota Hikaru one of Konoha's most renowned blade wielders in history flushes bright red and stares at the breathing lump beside her. Her eyes move slowly ('no sudden movements your brain feels like it's pulling itself open') over her body and she expels a small sigh of relief when she realises she is fully clothed.
"Oh, I wouldn't underestimate me; you'd be surprised what I can do in that situation."
Inari is struck with panic. She and Kakashi? But they've been friends since they were children and although she was mistrustful of his change when she first arrived back now he had planted himself back into her life again. She felt safe and calm in his company (though he did frustrate her to no lengths and there was definitely some feeling of animosity bubbling beneath the surface due to it) and that in turn made her more willing to open up. But if they had….well, developed it would ruin everything. Inari had become resolute in her decision to never allow someone in in that manner, Hikaru-sensei's last words rang clear whenever she even debated it; it would be cruel of her. Shinobi die young, they never settle, they're always just tensing for that final outmanoeuvre. To involve someone else in that, to make them care then leave them was too cruel. One night stands she could manage, everyone had filled a need at times but to romantically care was something Inari was certain she would not do. It…scared her, that she had the potential could cause someone she cared about (and if she were ever in a couple with anyone she reasoned that she must care for them) so much pain. But that was beside the point, if Inari and Kakashi had done what she was fretting they had then how would it affect everything? Would they just continue as before? What if he wanted something she could not give?
They had been drunk, so maybe Kakashi would not know anything had occurred if she were to just leave now. Inari's eyes trailed down to her arm that was still wedged in the ball of sleeping Kakashi and duvets. Carefully she tugged once. Kakashi did not stir (though it was difficult to tell considering he slept silently and she couldn't even see a finger or a toe never mind his face). Inari tugged again then she lost her cool and began trying to rip her arm out of the nest before he woke if he wasn't awake already of course. It came free and Inari went with it.
Three things happened at once. Inari's arm launched itself out the blanket and Inari through the force of the motion was sent reeling off the bed with it. Kakashi sprang awake and stared bleary eyed towards the noise as Inari yelped loudly. And lastly Inari's arm made hard, unforgiving contact with the Hatake's floor, the angle causing the newly healed bones to snap once again.
A broken arm, a sleeping Kakashi and the next occupant that came sprinting into the room only heralded bad news in regards to the rest of Inari's day.
Guy's morning.
Might Guy's eyes fly open at the crack of dawn; he leap from the bed and tore the curtains open beaming at Konoha before startling many of the roosting birds in the trees surrounding the apartment by yelling out "Good morning fair Konoha!"
He powers through his carefully selected breakfast, which contrary to popular belief does not consist of a bowl of Crack and ground up Speed and is instead a carefully selected mixture of fruits, nuts and carbohydrates that are guaranteed to release energy throughout the day. He dresses in seconds and begins his ten circuits of Konoha that in Guy's book is 'just a morning jog' but in others follows the lines of 'why is that nutcase sprinting around Konoha?'
Guy renters his apartment and slams the stop button of the stop clock on the counter in a dramatic victory gesture.
"Five minutes, not bad," Guy then twirls into his 'hero pose' "but tomorrow I aim to make it four!"
That is the precise moment when Might Guy hears a yelp from down the hall. His face draws into its suspicious expression and he slides across to his door and presses his ear against the wood. 'Across the hall, feminine' Guy's eyes narrow, 'Kakahsi's apartment, Inari's voice.'
The door is flung open in seconds and Might Guy delivers a drop kick to his eternal rival's door before sprinting inside. He almost plows straight through the bedroom door in his haste and stares at the scene before him.
"What…is….this?" Guy whispers theatrically and Inari and Kaskashi have the good grace to widen their eyes in shock. There are both fully clothed at least, but Inari is sitting on the floor, her legs sprawled out both sides and one arm clutching the other to her chest. The scene in Guy's head plays out in this fashion:
'"No, please Kakashi-chan although you are hip and trendy I cannot give my heart to you for it is already taken by another, a spirit of youth and strength so kindred to my own," Inari cries.
"But I have already destroyed your bed with my hip and trendy powers you have no other choice but sleep in this one tonight!" Kakashi laughs manically.
"Oh, please no!" Inari's eyes spill over with tears.
"Yes," Kakashi smirks and dark shadows surround his face, "and I won't even share the blanket!"
Kaskashi throws his head back and laughs evilly, lighting striking behind him and his arms upraised in insane evil villain mode.
"NO!" Inari screams and a massive fight scene ensues but woefully the brave heroine is brought down by Kakashi's cool laser beam hair and her arm breaks in the process as she falls into the snake infested pit that has seemingly opened up from nowhere.'
Kakashi and Inari glance across at each other with worried expressions, that look on Guy's face can only mean trouble.
"Don't worry Little Shrimp I'll save you!" Guy announces and before she can blink he's lifted her bridal style and is running full speed from the apartment.
"Guy please be quieter I have a headache," Inari says calmly as poor civilians shriek and dodge aside for the green blur.
"It must be the lingering effect of his cool laser beam hair, worry not," Guy replied.
Inari had no idea what he was talking about but nodded sagely anyway.
Shinji's morning:
When Hyuga Shinji woke, he thought he was dying. He had never in the history of his life been this hung over and he makes himself a promise that whenever Kurenai and Inari ask him to enter a bar again, he won't. In fact he wasn't even going to look at alcohol ever again. His current situation was only made ten times worse as he realised what had roused him was a finger jabbing at the outside of his skull rather than the hammering fingers drumming the inside.
Blearily Shinji opened his eyes and stared up at the dark figure standing over him with all the sickly helplessness he felt. He moves to open his mouth but promptly clamps it shut when vomit threatens to rush up, the last thing he needs is to vomit in the Branch house. Those first few years after Inari left and after he made his announcement in the Chunin Exams had been hell. He was beaten, threatened with death on a daily basis and continually publically degraded and humiliated in front of the younger branch house occupants so they too would know what became of a Hyuga who did not follow the wishes of the Head. But they did not kill him. Despite his lack of talent for other skills, Shinji's Byakugan was surprisingly sturdy and Shinji had no allusions as to why they'd granted him his life, they wished to marry him off to some cousin to keep the Kekkai Genkai strong. He'd often debated suicide in those two years but over time it waned as did the disdain from the other clan members and although still ostracised by even the Branch House members Shinji had a life outside the Clan that made it all more bearable. He had had one great moment of pride with himself in this life and for some reason it was that which made Shinji refuse to pass away like a shadow in the midday sun. But that still didn't mean he wouldn't try everything in his power to avoid the Clan's ire again and throwing up all over his room was a definitely an action that would earn him unwanted attention.
Shinji squinted up at the shadow with red rimmed eyes, barely registering that he was not in his own room through the painful sludge his brain had liquidised into.
"Shinji," the voice was thick and deep and Shinji instantly widened his eyes, "what are you doing in Kurenai's bed?"
Asuma doesn't say it loud or soft just as flat and blunt as a dulled blade.
Shinji's so very glad he's back but right now he wishes to every God he knows that he wasn't.
Kota Kohaku flexes the fingers of his now only hand. Fist, open, fist, open, fist; it blinks from state to state like light through the gaps of wooden beams and Kohaku is not entirely convinced that the hand he has left is his own. But he will need it; Tengu has already received orders from the Konoha Elder that they will need to make up the numbers they lost when the Temple was discovered and as always Kohaku will be sent out to do the deed.
Kohaku sighs and leans back against the smooth stone of the wall. He can see the shadows of the others that had meant to be like Tengu or Kappa but they didn't come out right, arms and legs withered hanging lumps, faces pulled into grotesque shapes and struck dumb through the ordeal of it all. Kohaku wonders who turned them into such disgusting mockeries. He knows it wasn't Yoshiaki-danna, the only other one who seemed to care about the festering, impure actions that the Nin seemed to believe were honourable. Yoshiaki-danna had approached him when he was frustrated and screaming out that this was wrong, he was one of the few that actually listened and the only one of those few who agreed. He just wanted to stop the bloodshed like Kohaku did, and if Kohaku had to become a monster to do so, so be it. Kohaku could only suppose that Danzo felt the same, he'd never met the man but Yoshiaki-danna spoke highly of him with those warm, sad tones and earnest expression that Kohaku had immediately trusted in. The Uchiha Clan would be blamed for this attack and the world rid of another bloodthirsty, ambitious murders. Then after the Uchiha's retaliated, rose up as their pride would undoubtedly force them to, the causalities that followed would be massive. Yoshiaki would step forward as his duty would dictate and the Uchiha Compound would be sucked into the ground, those red eyed bastards going down with it. Yoshiaki would be hailed a hero become Hokage and end this madness. Kohaku truly believes that.
Another sound of the half human creatures in the dark, that odd whining mix of a child's gurgle and the trill of a small bird that had once set Kohaku's teeth on edge. Tengu had once said that their father made them that way and Kohaku had replied that everyone could claim that sentiment.
Father.
Kohaku leaned his head against the cool stone again.
"That's it, wait and-"Kota Hikaru grinned in that mocking feline manner of his, his hands wrapped around Kohaku's cubby little fingers and nestling the fishing pole between them, "-PULL!"
Kohaku, only five, pulled with what little strength he had, his father's arms wrapped either side of him doing the bulk of the work but that didn't matter when the silvery dancing shape of the fish crested from the waters. Sunlight glinted along the surface of its scales and Kohaku laughed softly at the wonder and beauty of the thing.
"That's a big one, no?" Kohaku felt his father's grin against the skin of his back, felt his own chest swell with the pride of his achievement.
"Your mother's going to be pleased with this," Hikaru smirked, catching the wrangling fish from where it swayed and fought at the end of the line.
Hikaru licked his lips, "fish tonight, no?"
"Father, no," Kohaku's eyes widened, "we can't kill it."
"But I like fish and I know a certain little boy who does too."
"But…" Kohaku's eyes the same glinting silver as the fish's scales watched as the creature limped and gulped in air against the wooden surface of the dock, "But it's too beautiful to die."
Hikaru smirked and shrugged, "and it'll taste beautiful in my belly."
Kohaku couldn't respond but his father flung the fish back into the waters regardless, "your mother's going to give us a finger wagging for this," he sighed and leaned down to retrieve the fishing pole. Without a word he slipped Kohaku onto his back and Kohaku wrapped his arms around his father's neck.
"You're not afraid of her father," Kohaku smiled, "you're not afraid of anything."
…
"This is wrong!"
Kohaku glanced to Takeshi and Misaki but neither replied. He was seventeen and he and the two friends he'd grown with had just murdered a group of Genin. Kohaku couldn't look at the bodies, three ten year olds with gap toothed frowns and wide glassy eyes. One had cried out for his mother.
"We're shinobi Kohaku, they were enemy Nin this is what we do," Takeshi replied evenly. Misaki was looking at him with concern. Kohaku knew she loved him, he had fooled himself at that time into thinking he loved her but now…
"They were children!" Kohaku bit back. He felt sick, sick at himself, at them, at every single damn shinobi and the entire world they all crawled in. 'Like maggots' Kohaku gritted his teeth, 'they're all like maggots crawling around in the fifth.'
"They weren't children, they were shinobi. Now come on, we need to reach the check point."
Takeshi brushed past him, Misaki stepped forward and placed a hand gently on his shoulder staring up at him with wide, blue eyes. Those children couldn't see. Kohaku slapped her hand away and marched off after Takeshi.
…
Yoshiaki was right, he was completely right. They needed to purge the world of this. Kohaku repeated the mantra over and over in his head as he, at twenty-one, stood over the sleeping body of Misaki. He raised his sword.
'Father, I'm sorry but it needs to be done.'
Kohaku slunk the blade through her windpipe, not pausing as her last breath sighed into the night air he stepped over her cooling body and went to deal with the others.
The Hokage is not best pleased when he receives a message from the Konoha hospital asking if he could ask Might Guy leave because the man is disrupting their work but his disposition becomes even more exasperated when he hears that the reason behind Guy's hovering is that he refuses to leave Inari. Inari who has broken her arm again a day out of hospital. The Hokage sighs and runs a hand down his weathered face. He had believed that he had asked Hatake Kakashi to keep an eye on her.
"Have her sent to the Hokage Tower when you've redressed her bandages and set her arm," the Hokage speaks into the receiver.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," the medic replies then pauses, "about Might-san?"
"Tell him that if he doesn't get out in five seconds I'll personally lock him in the ANBU tower for three weeks," the Hokage replies.
"Yes Hokage-sama."
With that the line goes dead and the Hokage leans back and takes a long draw on his pipe. His son returned this morning but in a way the Third Hokage feels as though every Leaf Nin is a child of his. Threatening to ground Might Guy just reinforces that image. The Hokage gives an order to the ANBU in the corner to seek out Hatake Kakashi though he knows if the great Copy Nin doesn't want to be found he won't be. The assistant diligently organising and filing paperwork in the corner is ordered to retrieve a scroll the Third feels will be needed in this endeavour and he bows respectfully before curtly setting about his task. The Hokage folds his hands underneath himself, 'come hell or high water Inari will complete her week of rest'.
Hatake Kakashi and Inari stand before him ten minutes later. Inari promptly folds at the waist in a respectful bow while Kakashi's is still respectful but far sloppier. The Third waves them into the seats before his desk and one look at their faces has him smirking slightly. They both know they're in trouble but are carefully and effectively masking any anxiety that might bring.
The Hokage doesn't say a word just scowls at them both, waiting for them to speak. Finally Inari gives in.
"I apologise Hokage-sama, I am aware I was ordered a week's rest to ensure nothing like this happened and I will be sure to do so immediately," she states.
"You will," the Hokage replies, "I'm making sure of it."
Inari gulps audibly. The Third can be very intimidating when he's irritated. The Hokage extends his open hand towards the assistant stationed over his left shoulder.
"Hokage-sama," the assistant shuffles forward and places the scroll in the Hokage's open hand. The Third waves his hand over the scroll and the Kanji elegantly inscribed across its surface glows blue dimly.
"Your blood here please," the Hokage instructs both Kakashi and Inari sharply.
Neither hesitate in biting their thumbs and pressing the well of fresh blood against the scroll. The Hokage mummers something lowly and the blood seeps into the words, mixing the blue with red until it glows once and everything stills again.
"Inari you might wish to visit the bathroom in a few moments," the Hokage says and Inari's eyebrows furrow as she wonders if this is the Hokage's crude and irregular form of punishment.
"Yes Hokage-sama," she eyes him warily as she stands.
"You'll need these," the Hokage says as he presents her with a bundle of male civilian clothes.
"Yes Hokage-sama," Inari replies and frowns with confusion at the neatly folded heap.
Then her eyes widen and she cuts a hasty bow before nearly sprinting through the door.
Kakashi watches her go lazily before turning to face the Hokage with a raised brow; he opens his mouth to speak but the Hokage lifts a single hand before he can even push one syllable past his lips.
The Hokage just smokes his pipe and allows Kakashi to scan through the scroll still laid open across his desk. Kakashi's visible eye widens as Inari's did before him and he spins in his seat to the sound of feet approaching, far heavier in step than they were leaving.
Inari opens the door though she no longer appears to be Inari. The young man standing in the entrance to the Hokage's office has the same dark crimson hair with the same messy V fringe though his is far shorter at the sides and back only skimming the very top of his check. His features are still soft as Inari's were the same almond dark grey eyes but his face his far more rugged with a squarer jaw and cutting cheekbones. He is the exact same height and frame as Kakashi but that floral scent of bath soaps still clings to Inari in this form. And male Inari looks more than a little irritated if the clenching of his jaw is anything to go by.
"Ah, Inari-san I see the clothes fit," the Hokage smirks and it grows as Inari's eyes narrow for a fraction of a second.
"...Hokage-sama..." Inari struggles.
"From today you are a civilian by the name of Ichiro," the Hokage's smirk broadens into a full blown smile, "and as you well know civilians are not permitted on the training grounds."
Kakashi chuckles and Inari, no Ichiro now, cuts the burning of her, no his now, grey eyes directly at him.
"If you were to decide to exercise yourself outside the training grounds Kakashi-san would be made aware as a repercussion of the scroll initials that anything you physically feel will also be felt by him," the Hokage finishes and Kakashi stops laughing and Inari starts.
"You will also be staying at Kakashi-san's apartment for the duration of the week which is when the scrolls effects will wear off so he can keep a further eye on you."
Neither of the pair is laughing now.
"Have a pleasant week," the Hokage smirks and Kakashi and Ichiro (Inari) both come to the conclusion that the Third has a bizarre, sadistic sense of humour.
a/n:
I said I might update later so hopefully this should tied you over until Monday ;) since it's longer than most I post..I think? A bit more on Kohaku and why he became what he is because I think to be honest it's perfectly understandable I know if I was being trained to kill from a young age I'd probably be as bitter and unhinged as Kohaku especially if I really looked up to my father and then find out that he's completely fine with it all. Alas this is the Hokage's punishment, hope it's amusing because the next two chapters will follow Poor Inari's time as Ichiro. I'm not sure if this is something he'd really do but in my world The Third's an ass.
Thanks for reading.