A/N- sorry this has taken so long to get out! I'm really in a rut, to be honest, and have severe writer's block. Yet the show must go on! So this is a little bit like a filler.
Disclaimer I still don't own the rights to naruto. Masashi Kishimoto owns Naruto. I just enjoy writing fanfiction.
Chapter 7- Entrapments,fibs and battle strategies.
"Those who break the rules are scum! But those who abandon their friends are worse than scum!"
Quote by Kakashi Hatake
Minato's POV!
Thursday-4:39PM (Hidden leaf village)
After 2 hours in the training fields they both headed back to kushina's for her battle strategy lesson
I sat cross legged on her bed patiently waiting for her first attempt at a battle strategy. It was supposed to be a 10 minute exercise. She is taking her sweet old time. I glanced at the clock. Timing is the key issue yet again. I sighed and leaned against my palm in despair. A strand of blonde hair fell out of my headband and dangled across my nose. I contemplated on moving it.I blew it out of my eye with forced effort. 8 months of this mind numbing boredom! I watched the snow gracefully fall onto the leaves of the forest treetops. It was getting dark and street lamps started to come on.
"Squeak!" "Squeak!" "Squeak"
My eyes slowly drifted over to the object of my ever growing frustrations. Uzumaki Kushina. She scribbled manically on her mini whiteboard with a blue marker pen. She pressed so hard on that poor innocent board with her pen that it squeaked and I could have sworn I heard it scream for help! She had a triumphant grin on her face. Her tongue peeking through the corner of her lips.
Her face was the image of sheer concentration. Eyebrows furrowed and eyes sharp. Maybe I should give her the benefit of the doubt. She has at least 10 years ninja experience even if it is of a low rank. I'm not one to underestimate a person. That's a grave mistake.
25 minutes has passed by already. Didn't she say she had to go to a work shift or something?! She probably forgot. A smug smirk came to my face. She really is helpless in keeping promised commitments isn't she?!
I gave her a relatively easy objective, just a typical mission scenario as a leadership building exercise.
I said that she is the captain of a 4 man squad of ninja. She has to perform a heist. One of her team mates is captured and is being kept hostage. She has to make a big and potentially disastrous decision. Sacrifice her teammate and continue with the heist as planned? Save her team mate for the sake of the mission and continue with the heist?Retreat back to the village and tell the Hokage the mission was a failure and that they lost a comrade? I can't believe the last one is even an option. What will she do?! I am curious.
What could possibly be so detailed? Surely the answer is obvious! No?
I studied her carefully as she licked her thumb and sloppily erased something in the left hand corner of the white board. I sighed and she glanced up and cocked a thin red eyebrow.
"What's that look for?! I'm almost finished. You should give me a little more credit! Ya know!"She stated and started assaulting the innocent little whiteboard once again.
"I'm surprised you still have ink in that pen."I muttered under my breath.
"Squeak" "Squeak!" "Squeak!"
"TA DAHHH!" She exclaimed suddenly raising the whiteboard above her head in triumph. "All done Mr smarty pants. Check this out and weep at it's glorious mastery!" She said with passion burning in her green eyes.
She's so over dramatic I observed as she handed over the whiteboard like it was a relic of great value. I turned it over and my eyes bulged out of there sockets! It took me a few minutes to register what I was looking at. It looked more like a kids doodle than a battle strategy. Wait! Is that a doodle of me?
"Why am I tied up?! ... AM I THE HOSTAGE?!" I asked as I observed the scarily graphic drawing of me tied up to a pole (crying hysterically) and getting carried/dragged back to the village by Kushina and this other random ninja guy. To the left is a sketch of Kushina getting a trophy from the Hokage for saving me and successfully completing the heist.
"What the hell is this garbage?!"
"Hey!" She exclaimed. "I spent ages on that, look you even have tears of joy when you see me come all the way back to rescue you! Look right there!" She said pointing at the bottom left.
I read my little quotation bubble aloud.
"Uzumaki san Help me ! I pooped my pants!"
"Ahahahahahahaha- You actually said it! Hahahaha" she collapsed dramatically on her bed in a fit of giggles
"I would never say something like that!" I smirked whilst crossing my arms stubbornly.I felt my lips form a small smile. It was pretty funny. Her eyes widened dramatically as she pointed an accusing finger at me.
"You just smiled! Admit it! You think my plan is ingenious!"
"Realistic? no, Comical? Maybe. I thought you were taking this seriously." I glanced at the clock. "Hey aren't you supposed to be in the noodle shop in 15 minutes?!" I asked and her eyes widened.
"Oh yeah!" She said ushering past me and went for the door. She ran a comb haphazardly through her hair in the mirror and grabbed her tan cloak off the hook."Well it was nice talking to ya but you need to get out now!" She said holding the door open with her foot. I got off the bed and grabbed my cloak.
"I'll walk with you! I need to go over what we'll be doing tomorrow." I said and I heard her grumble 'give it a rest!'
"So how many days a week do you work for this shop?" She paused.
"Three!" She stated quickly. I paused.
"This may be a problem. I'll have to talk to the Hokage about this. In the mean time though can't you ask Ichiraku san if you can only work once a week?"
"Hmmm yeah I'll ask... he's really bossy so he'll probably say no... sorry."She said a small smile peeking at the corner of her lips.
Kushina's PoV
"So how many days a week do you work for this shop?" He asked
Should I tell him the truth?
Nah! I only work Saturdays. He doesn't need to know that though.
"Three" I muttered. Nibbling my cheek. He paused and frowned.
"This may be a problem. I'll have to talk to the Hokage about this. In the mean time though can't you ask Ichiraku san if you can only work once a week?"
I winced. Pretending to consider it.
"Hmmm yeah I'll ask... he's really bossy so he'll probably say no... sorry." I said and he seemed to be buying my small white lie. I felt a small smile come to my lips.
"Funny. When I saw Ichiraku san he seemed like a nice guy. Seems you can really misjudge a person." He muttered. This caused me to frown slightly.
"Yeah well he's really strict when it comes to his business." I say and he smirks.
"That's understandable...Considering you work there!" I slapped his arm. He chuckled. I pretended to be peeved but I was actually quite amused.
I think mr perfect is getting a little bit of an attitude problem. Nice to have something in common, I suppose I'm rubbing off on mr goody two shoes.
"Baka!" I say as we start approaching the little noodle bar. Smile gracing my lips. "Well this is me."
"Ah! Well goodnight then Uzumaki san and I'll be at your apartment at 5am tomorrow. Be ready to go. Please have an early night tonight. You'll need it for the bucket training exercise tomorrow morning." He waved before vanishing.
"Yeah bye...Oh right he's gone!" I stated before lifting the awning of the ramen shop.
The smell of fresh and juicy pork cooking filled her nostrils. She debated buying a bowl of ramen for herself.
"Oh Kushina Chan!" Yori waved before removing her apron and walking around the counter to greet me. The other kitchen staff glanced over.
"Hi Yori! Hey guys!" I greeted to the other kitchen staff.
"Hey Kushina!" They say in unison. Some opting for "Uzumaki san"I grin widely and walk up to Ichiraku san that is curiously looking over from chopping his bamboo and vegetables. He wipes his hands on his tea towel and walks over to me.
Great now all I have to do is ask for 3 days more work per week to get Namikaze off my back.
"Konichiwa Kushina san. I thought your not expected until Saturday night?! Or are you here as a customer?! In which case please take a seat." He said tilting his head in curiosity.
"Hey old man!" I said and he gave me a funny look. Great off to a fantastic start.
Not!
"I'm only 15 years older than you Uzumaki san." He said crossing his arms. I chuckled.
"Right. Just and expression. Hahaha"
"What do you want?!" He asks getting suspicious. "You don't laugh like that unless you need something?!"
"Can I talk to you in the break room? Too many nosy ninja in here?" I ask whilst he nods and we go over to the break room.
"What is it Uzumaki san?"
"I need to have 2 more work shifts a week to get this guy off my back!" I spat in a hurl of words. He looked astonished and surprised.
"I see. Well your welcome to stay as long as you like Kushina you know that but I thought you said you can't be fully employed because your ninja career takes top priority. We agreed you would be paid in unlimited ramen. I feel bad not giving you a salary but you insisted... much to my lack of knowledge to your ramen obsession it would be cheaper to pay you! That's why I hired you and Yori San as well don't you remember?!"he trailed off sadly looking guilty. I felt my eyebrows fly up in surprise. I shook my hands frantically in front of me.
"No! No! That's fine! I just..." I trailed off. I can tell him the truth right?! "Look the Hokage wants me to do some extra training and I want to have a good excuse to get out of it. That's all. Oh! If they ask you any nosy questions just tell them that it's against company policy to discuss an employees terms of employment. Or just say it's confidential Or you know... something along those lines...Please!!! It's only for 8 months. The ramen smells really delicious by the way!" I said whilst batting my eye lashes.
"I don't know Kushina...deliberately lying to the Hokage." He winced.
"Please. It won't be like the Hokage will be the one asking the question anyway...it'll be that annoying Minato guy. Please Boss he's killing me!"
"He's killing you?!" He asks in alarm. "The yellow flash of the leaf?! He's so nice to everyone! Oh Kushina I think your being a little silly. "
"Little silly?!" I almost scream in alarm."He's brutal! He's evil and a complete ass kisser. Oh please help!" I got down on my knees and pretended to pray. "Please!" I wail and people look over.
"F-fine. But on one condition!" He said giving her a stern look.
"What?!"
"You let me pay you in cash not ramen." He said crossing his arms with a smug smile on his lips
"Fine! But you know I prefer being paid in unlimited ramen! It's cheaper for me that way!"
"Kushina." He says sternly. Drat he'd do anything to get me off that contract he signed that said I could have free unlimited ramen!
"Fine but I still get the left over ramen at the end of my shift! You can't take that away from me too." I say with tears running down my cheeks!
"You get to keep the leftovers at the end of the night. You can start your first shift right now! Oh and at the end of the night to get your pay!" He heads towards the kitchen and throws an apron at me.
"Thanks." I said as I hurry around the counter. Yori smiled at me with a cheeky and mischievous grin.
"So did you get home alright last night?!"She asked an evil grin gracing her lips. I gave her a glare.
"Ugh I had a monster hangover." I said and she chuckled. I tied the apron strings around my neck and waist.
"Wait... you're working?!" She asked and I nodded.
"Yeah 3 days a week now...if anyone asks you I have always worked 3 days a week. Alright?!"
"Rodger." She said whilst nodding. "It's going to be so much more fun now that you are working more!" She started starring the noodle broth with a set of chopsticks.
"Mmmm" I muttered as I smelled the aroma. I went to the sink basin. I washed my hands thoroughly. "You know, you make the most delicious food I have ever tasted Yori Chan." She blushed several shades of scarlet.
"Your just teasing Kushina! Besides your amazing at cooking too! Your pork miso ramen paste is a secret recipe that is quickly becoming a best seller!" She says as she scrunches up her nose. "I can't believe you won't tell anyone how to make it!"
"I know!" Ichiraku chimed in. "Why won't you tell me how you make your delicious pork miso paste Kushina Chan!?" Ichiraku practically sobbed. I laughed. "The supply you make only lasts for two days. Coincidentally those happen to be the busiest days of the week."
"Oh? Haha thank you...W-Why didn't you just ask me before?! I'll write you a list of instructions." I said flattered as I tied my hair in a knot and started to get to work!
"Thanks!"
Mystery POV
I have to keep running! If I stop I'm a dead man.
Pant*
Pant*
pant*
I can't breathe. My lungs are burning and my skin is ablaze. Keep going! I mentally scream.
Don't be a fucking failure now.
Move!
Move your fucking legs!
Faster!
That's it!
Where am I?!
I felt tears come to my eyes. For the first time in 2 years I was afraid. I escaped them once before but they were quicker this time! Disturbingly more experienced at catching jinchuriki. Scarily more advanced. Dangerous! Ruthless! Merciless!
My friends and comrades lay dead!
Don't stop!
Move!
Hurry up and move!
*Thub-Thub*
*Thub-Thub*
*Thub-Thub*
I felt my vision blur. My heart was screaming in pain.
I slip and fall down the side of a small vines cut deep into my leg.
"There he is!" Exclaimed the bitch with the long purple hair! Her three other comerades hot on her persuit!
If I stop I'm dead!
I stumble forward. Gripping onto a tree branch to propel me forward. Must keep going.
"Your a fast mother fucker!" She spat in anger. "Why don't you just give up!" I felt my heart pleading with me to stop. To give in.
"I c-c- can't breathe!" I muttered.
Why?!
Why did they make me a Jinchuriki?
Tears came to my eyes and burned like fire!
"He's slowing." Said one of the pursuers. "He's almost out of chakra! We have to use an attack now before backup arrive!"
"We can't bring him back dead!He must be alive no matter what!? He's no use to us if he's dead!" The woman screamed in anger at the two elite ninja.
"Damn it!" Exclaimed one of her male comrades as he applied chakra to his feet to give him momentum.
"Water style! Water prison jutsu!" My eyes widened as rivers of water headed towards me without mercy.I turned around and saw my captor smile evilly. He liked his lips in concentration.
My body felt limp and numb.
I was trapped
I am a dead man breathing now. Their slave. Their creature to torture! I felt the darkness overwhelm me.
This is it now. I'm now a weapon of pain.
To be continued...
NB- 2021 is finally here guys and girls! Sorry this chapter is short. Happy new year to everybody. Hopefully this year will be a lot easier than last. It's been busy the past few months but I plan to get back into this story this year so please stay tuned. I'm gonna upload more often I promise. This story is nowhere near completion. It's gonna be one of five parts. This book is "The Novice copper haired ninja." The next book will be called "The rise of the copper haired ninja"
Can't wait to write and upload. Please stay interested. Oh and check out my art on AO3.