ATTENTION EVERYONE! I am very sorry to say this but I am leaving fanfiction for good. I want to focus on different projects in my life and fanfiction is just a hobby I havent given much thought in a long while. I'm really sorry. I will be posting everything I have so far though so you have that to look forward too. (though some of the chapters will be rough and unedited) I will also leave a summary of all the ideas I had for this fic. IT IS UP FOR ADOPTION up to that point. No need to ask permission.
Thanks and sorry again.
Chapter 2: In Which Evil Snek is Evil and Youth Lives On
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(Orochimaru-Sannin-Missing Nin-Evil Snek)
Orochimaru was the type of man who took lives and saved lives. The word saved had, perhaps, a different meaning to others point of view but that hardly mattered. The children he stole (saved his mind whispered) and found were special. Most were grateful, loyal and many craved his attention. It was the art of saving them when they were down was what cemented their loyalty and Orochimaru was a master at it. He kept his ears open for another child to save, another child he could collect, and soon enough, he heard.
He started hearing rumors of the child born with a red eye. The child who was an outcast. The child death itself feared. The child of decay they called him, plants dying as he walked his laugh ringing dread into their hearts. An interesting child, for sure (the red eye, sharingan? his mind hissed).
He listened to such things before and what he found was always the same. A scared child. Many were powerful and had potential, yes, but ultimately they were still children. Scared children, craving attention, wanting a home. A home Orochimaru could give them.
This one would be no different.
He found the boy crouching by a creek. He was startled at first because the boy was much younger than he originally thought. Ultimately he didn't let it deter him and he slowly made his way, gazing in interest at the back of the boys head. The boys indigo hair swayed as he looked down into the stream at his feet. He held a stick which he was using to poke the bottom of the creek bed with. As Orochimaru came closer he was surprised to see the stick dissolve into mist, as if it had never existed.
Very interesting.
Raising one of his brows in curiosity Orochimaru did his best to look none threatening and spoke softly; "Why are you alone, here in the woods, child?"
The child didnt jump like he expected but the child did turn his head, his bang covering one of his eyes, much to Orochimaru's disappointment. The child stared at him, his visible eye wide and innocent, while Orochimaru inwardly cackled.
"It's not safe for someone so young to be by themselves." Orochimaru went on to say, watching as the child's shoulders slumped sadly and he looked to the ground. Orochimaru smirked inwardly, it was almost too easy.
"I don't have anyone." The boy whispered, his voice rougher than the older man expected. Orochimaru knelt to make it seem as if the child had more control and put his arm on the boys shoulder. The boys eye widened but made no move to shove him off.
"No child should be alone, where are your parents?" Oruchimaru asked his eyes twinkling in gleefully fake concern. He found that if you brought up the child's parents they folded like a napkin and were so easy to manipulate. He proved right once again as the child's eye filled with tears.
It was smooth sailing from there. Orochimaru eventually gave the same speech he always did with the children he saved. I can give you power. I can offer you a home. No one will be cruel to you again. And like always, the child accepted, disgusting hope always shinning in their little eyes.
Orochimaru held out his hand and the child took it, looking up at him in adoration. Smiling back he led the boy away from the stream and out of the forest. Looking towards the setting sun Orochimaru grinned in maniacal triumph, knowing the child couldn't see his face.
Though, he wasn't the only one smiling. If he cared to look behind him to the boy he would have witnessed what could have possibly made even the great Orochimaru wet his pants. The boys face can only be described as the look a baby shark would give after smelling blood for the first time.
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-sasukes perspective-doing pranks with naruto and tsuna
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(Maito Gai-Green Beast-YOUTH!)
Maito Gai whooped and tumbled though the air. He rolled, performed a spectacular back flip off a building and posed. Women walking the street shuddered in disgust, but the green-spandex-wearing-bowl-headed-super-ninja paid them no attention. Grinning cheekily at…seemingly nothing, he double fist pumped in the air.
"I will prove to my Eternal Rival that genius will never prevail over hard work!
His loud declaration didn't emotionally move the surrounding populace as much as he had hoped but it did nothing to deter the man's boisterous mood. Loudly declaring his destination, the training grounds, Maito Gai fell onto his hands and started 'walking' towards his destination.
People gave the hand walking man a wide berth as he made his way to the grounds of training with a blinding smile on his face. Eventually making it to his journey's end, Gai cartwheeled onto his feet with a hoot and surveyed the grounds. It was mostly empty save for one child.
Gai watched with interest as the child continuously punched one of the training logs with his wrapped hands. His silver hair shone with perspiration as the wood creaked under the force of the boy's punches. The boy's form was good, and his punches quick and precise. He was skilled enough to be a graduated genin, but Gai could see no hitai-ate. That made the ninja in Gai suspicious, but it was eventually smothered by the flames of youth, and after watching for a couple minutes, Gai's focused expression melted back into his beaming, retina blinding smile.
"Hello, young one!" Gai called in greeting as the boy whirled around and acknowledged his visitor. He had straight white teeth that were made for smiling and tan skin that spoke volumes of hard work spent under the sun. Gai was beginning to think he found a diamond in the metaphorical rough.
"The flames of youth burn bright within you! Who taught you to punch like that?" Gai questioned curiously. Gai had never seen the boy before but he was wearing the clothes of a farmer, it was possible he came to visit with his parents from one of the neighboring farming settlements. Though, if the boy wished, he would make a great taijutsu master.
"I have had many EXTREME masters over the year's bowl headed ninja!" The boy beamed, facing Gai completely, "And thank you for noticing my flames! It's been years since I've actually seen them but I know there inside me, still burning bright!"
Gai looked confused for a second while the boy raised his fists in another shout of, EXTREME! The moment passed and tears lined Gai's eyes.
"Youth, lives on!" Gai declared. The boy nodded and screamed something similar with a lot more extreme adjectives. The pair looked at one another and beamed, understanding something within the other that very few could. Gai put his hand on the youth's shoulder and steered him out of the grounds.
"Come, we must suit you up in the jumpsuit given to us by the taijutsu gods."
"I want it to be EXTREMELY yellow!"
As the duo trekked on everyone in Konoha felt as if a giant cloud of youthful foreboding weighed down on their souls. Hatake Kakashi shivered and read his precious book while one Tsunayoshi trembled with excitement? Dread? Maybe both? Time would tell.
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(Teuchi-Ramen Dad-Concerned Citizen)
Teuchi owner of Ichiraku Ramen smiled. Three little boys sat at his ramen stand and all held a special place in his heart.
The first little boy to gain entry into his heart was Naruto. Poor kid. Such a lonely little thing, it was the least Teuchi could do for the little guy, offering him a free bowl of ramen now and again. He could tell by the gratitude on the boy's face how little people did for him. For months Teuchi's thoughts would sometimes drift about the orphan and he would fret endlessly.
Until one day Naruto brought a friend! The boy was his age, pudgy cheeked and full of wisdom. The little guy was adorable, introduced himself as Tsunayoshi and looked up at him with gratefulness and respect. Teuchi wondered if Naruto perhaps told him of the free bowls of ramen.
Tsunayoshi seemed to understand Naruto's situation perfectly and didn't care for the villages opinion on innocent little Naruto. Teuchi gladly accepted the boy into his heart and ramen stand.
The third boy he didn't know what to think of at first. Sasuke Uchiha was a troubled child and for good reason. The annihilation of his clan was an awful thing, especially since he heard it was at the hands of his own brother. The boy was often quite at first, over time he became grouchy and Naruto and him loved to spit insults at each other.
Nothing two nasty of course, only what little boys tend to throw around on the playground. There was only one instance where they went too far, digging at each other in the spots that most hurt.
He will never ever forget how young Tsunayoshi handled that situation. Ever. The fluffy hair child sat impassively between them his bangs shadowing his eyes. The insults were cutting deeper and deeper and Teuchi could tell Naruto and Sasuke were getting increasingly upset but were to prideful to back down.
With each insult Teuchi swore the shadow over Tsunayoshi's face became darker and darker. Just as Teuchi felt the need to but in and reprimand them (since he was the adult in the situation) Tsunayoshi slowly raised his hand and brought it down onto the bar, hard.
Everyone flinched (Ayame even shrieked in surprise) and the fighting boys quieted, their gaze shifting to the boy between them. Tsunayoshi finally looked up from his bangs and Teuchi could swear his eyes flashed;
"Shut up and eat your damn ramen." The little thing growled between them.
Naruto and Sasuke paled before they whipped their heads away and slouched over their bowls of ramen eyes wide, not daring to look up. Teuchi was ashamed to admit that he too felt reprimanded, even though he was completely guiltless. Many eyes stayed glued to noodles that evening.
Eventually Tsunayoshi set down his chopsticks and exhaled. With his release of breath the tense atmosphere faded and Teuchi then witnessed and heard things that had no business coming out of a child's mouth.
They weren't vulgar things, far from it, they were wise things. Things you heard from your one-hundred something grandparent not an eight year old child.
Within minutes the two boys were bawling into Tsunayoshi's chest, Teuchi shed a tear or two himself, and the situation was resolved. Since that night Teuchi made room in his heart for all three of them, happy to have them in his life.
Naruto and Sasuke still squabbled of course, but it was now reminiscent of the little spats he would have with his brother growing up. Most of the fights were over Tsuanyoshi actually, and once again he was reminded of him and his brother competing for the attention of their mother while they both clutched at her skirt.
Teuchi chuckled to himself, coming back to the present. The boys were all a little older now, but no less adorable. Tsunayoshi was quietly acting as a mediator to what Teuchi liked to call, a tuna argument, and Naruto and Sasuke were both presenting their arguments on why it was prudent that Tsunayoshi come over to their house for a sleepover, Tsunayoshi smiling pleasantly all awhile.
Tsunayoshi…would actually make a great Hokage someday. He should make a recommendation to the Third himself sometime.
All interaction halted though when a ruckus could be heard down the street. Looking up Teuchi froze, surprised at a very strange sight. It was a boy, just a few years older than the boys he had at his bar. The boy was wearing a hideous full body yellow leotard. Teuchi could barely look straight at him it was so bright, the orange leg warmers were not helping the sight either.
The sight was nauseating, but not the strangest thing. The boy also had a rope tied around his waist that in turn was tied around a large boulder which the boy was dragging with him. Judging by the long line of upturned dirt trailing behind him the kid had been lugging the boulder around for quite a while. Along with this he was juggling various fruits all awhile with a beaming determined smile on his face. Teuchi almost felt like rubbing his eyes tiredly, so sure he was dreaming.
"EXTREMEEEEE!"
Teuchi jumped in surprise at the loud declaration but his focus shifted to Tsunayoshi who had let out a surprised gasp. The boy had yet to turn around but he had dropped his chopsticks in shock. The look then morphed to one of, mourning? It was a look that was often worn by a family member waiting to hear news of their dying family member in the hospital. Dread, mixed in with hopefulness.
Teuchi was confused by this reaction but looked away when the commotion the extreme boy was causing doubled. They boy and his boulder slowly made it to the point where they were right behind those sitting at the bar. By then he was joined by another boy, roughly the same age, with a very different contrasting look and personality.
The boy jumped down from a roof onto the street. He was wearing mostly all black, his hitai-ate tied around his arm and his face in a fierce scowl. He pulled out a pair of thick silver weapons Teuchi didn't know the name for and pointed them towards the boy wearing the horrendous yellow onesie.
"You." The boy growled, sounding more like a territorial dog than a human.
"Kyoya-san!?" The silver hair boy in the yellow onesie exclaimed in confusion and delight.
Teuchi felt like he was watching some type of drama when another noise from Tsunayoshi had him looking over. The fluffy haired boy still hadn't turn to look at the two interesting children behind him but his hand was covering his mouth and his eyes were shinning with happy tears lining them. Teuchi had the strongest urge to coo at the adorableness but was once again distracted when Naruto muttered;
"Oh, it's the bite boy."
Teuchi didn't have to ponder on why the boy was nick named this for very long as whatever strange atmosphere hung over the boys in the street dispersed and the black haired boy with the silver weapons moved to attack.
"For disturbing the peace of Nam-…of Konoha I will bite you to death!"
The black boy was a blur when he descended on the boy with the rock and Teuchi cringed but was surprised when the boy was able to dodge while still juggling.
"Extreme! Are you going to train with me Hibari-san!" The silver haired boy smiled while Teuchi watched on, baffled. The bite boy made it clear his intentions was to beat the kid up but as time went on it was clear the leotard boy was acting like he was having the time of his life "training" with a friend. Using the metal weapons the violent boy was able to redirect some of the juggle fruit. One of the apples flew, narrowly missing the other boys head.
"Extreme! Is that how we're training today? Takeshi extremely taught me how to pitch!"
The silver haired eyesore then dropped the rest of his juggling fruit, all but one, and threw it. It went so fast (Teuchi had no idea how the black haired boy managed to dodge it!) all he had to do was blink and the apple had blown a fist sized hole in a fence above some poor bystander's head. That's when the screaming started to happen.
Teuchi was watching the chaos unfold when he was once more taken away from the sight by a whimper from Tsunayoshi. The boy's happy expression was now frozen. His smile was pleasant, but fixed, like he was carved out of wax. Tears ran down his face steadily despite his very bland straight faced expression. Teuchi watched, more confused now than ever, when despite the ruckus getting louder Tsunayoshi picked up his chopsticks and continued to eat his noodles despite the fact his tears were dripping into the broth.
Teuchi didn't think he would ever understand the mystery that was Tsunayoshi.
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(Shikaku Nara-Clan Leader-Jonin Commander-Secret Softy)
Nara Shikaku stood to the right of the Hokage's desk and surveyed the situation in front of him. It was hardly that surprising to see Hibari Kyoya and Sasagawa Ryohei in the Hokage's office. Gai's enthusiastic apprentice attracted trouble and Hibari-san created trouble all on his own.
It was the first time the two had ever been dragged to the office together, however. It was needless to say that they both caused pandemonium all on their own, but together? Shikaku felt bad for the Lord Third. He shot the hiding Anbu an amused look but he only felt waves of frustration.
"There are reports that…flying fruit almost…decapitated a passing civilian, is that correct?" The Third Hokage sounded tired and Shikaku winced. The question wasn't directed towards anyone in particular but one of the witnesses stepped forward.
"Yes, that is correct Hokage-sama." Teuchi, owner of Ichiraku Ramen, said eyeing the two boys with a wary eye.
Sarutobi Hiruzen subtly slumped in his chair; "What am I going to do with you two?" he muttered, shuffling hastily written reports and witness accounts of the absolute chaos that occurred in front of the ramen stand.
"We are EXTREMELY sorry!" Ryohei screamed, his wrapped hands flailing while Hibari Kyoya pointedly looked away from everyone.
The Anbu flared their chakra and all the ninjas in the room tensed then relaxed at the fast approaching-yet familiar energy. The door to the Hokage's office burst opened and a green blur spun in and posed.
"Dynamic entry!"
Only the witnesses who were unused to the green-wearing-ninja screeched at his sudden entrance in the office. The Hokage raised his head and shot the bowl headed man an irritated look.
"Control your apprentice better, Gai." He commanded, clutching the scroll in his hand willing the headache that was the youth of Konoha to go away.
Shikaku didn't envy the Hokage one bit. Every generation of ninja had those shinobi that were notoriously hard to rein in. Jiraiya was one of them. Uzumaki Kushina was another and her son followed in her footsteps in that regard.
But, every now and then, there cropped up one or two ninja who deserved their own qualification of chaos. The first of that being the man Shikaku is doubtful he will ever forget. He could still perfectly imagine his deadly smirk and prodigious skill. He was made for killing and Shikaku was glad the shinobi was on their side.
Shikaku broke from his musing on the dark haired, dark eyed ninja and back to the present; watching as Gai lectured his apprentice on how 'un-youthful' his behavior was. The silver haired, yellow jumpsuit wearing child threw himself on the ground and bowed repentantly all the while hollering dramatically in a way that was fitting for an apprentice of Gai's.
"Kyoya-san and I were celebrating an extreme reunion and things got out of hand!"
The Hokage paused and Shikaku's eyebrows lifted in surprise. They both looked towards Hibari who didn't react, then back to Ryohei.
"You two know each other?" Shikaku asked, speaking up for the first time since the boys and the entourage of witnesses were dragged in. If they did, it wasn't too unbelievable. Ryohei was recently orphaned but his parents were farmers before that and Hibari was born and partially raised in one of the out skirting farms.
Ryohei popped up from the ground and double fist pumped in to the air, "EXTREME!"
Then he slid across the floor and threw one of his arms around Hibari and squeezed. Everyone cringed and eyed Ryohei like he was insane.
"Kyoya-san and I are the best of friends!" The boy roared before laughing loudly. His merriment was cut off with a grunt when Hibari elbowed him in the gut. The boy continued to laugh after a few wheezing breaths and Hibari crossed his arms and continued to ignore everyone in the room.
Considering Shikaku had seen, on several occasions, Hibari beat the snot out of someone for much less than putting their arm around him it practically made the two brothers. Shikaku and the Hokage exchanged meaningful looks.
The Third had wanted to put Hibari Kyoya in a three man genin squad with a Jounin Sensei for ages. The boy was far above genin level at this point but the Hokage was hoping to put together a squad similar to Hatake Kakashi's when he was the same age. Even genuis's needed supervision (and interaction with children their own age, lest they become psychopaths).
Shikaku looked away and eyed the two boys, considering. Even if they found one more genin to complete the team that wasn't traumatized by either of them they still needed to find a Jounin willing to teach them. Shikaku knew that Hibari Kyoya was already a known name in Konoha and very few had the temperament to deal with him.
Those who did developed adverse effects after long exposure. It was only just recently that Hatake managed to not burst into tears at the mere mention of his name. Shikaku wished the young adult the best from his retirement from Anbu.
The Third Hokage shook his head and rested his elbows on the desk; "Be that as it may, you both participated in a…'training exercise' that made you a danger to those around you, civilians even, who have no way of protecting themselves from you."
Ryohei hung his head in shame while Gai clapped his shoulder firmly and Hibari looked annoyingly unrepentant. Shikaku wondered what punishment they would receive when one of the witnesses stepped forward. He was a fluffy haired boy with skinny wrists and big eyes.
He bowed, "Hokage-sama, if I may?"
Ryohei and Hibari froze and turned toward the boy in surprise. Ryohei's mouth opened to shout but it died in his throat when the boy glanced at him.
The Hokage raised a brow; "Of course, Tsunayoshi-kun."
The boy, Tsunayoshi, stepped forward a few more steps and Ryohei and Hibari shuffled off to the side immediately, letting the young boy take the floor. Shikaku gave the barest questioning glance to Gai who shrugged and focused on the boy.
"Having witnessed the destruction first hand, I can confidently say that any bystanders were in no danger despite their claims otherwise."
The Hokage's mouth quirked; "Explain."
The boy chuckled nervously; "Well, how much property damage was there?"
The Third's paling face was answer enough for how extensive the damage actually was. Shikaku hadn't seen the scene it's self but just from glancing at the reports on the desk was enough to tell that the damage was extensive. Tsunayoshi smiled cutely and if Shikaku wasn't so observant he wouldn't have noticed the mischievous gleam in them.
"I counted thirty-seven holes from the flying fruit, fifteen holes blown in the street, six feet of the fence was destroyed, and there was extensive damage done to Han-san's dango stand, but that's all that I saw before we were all hauled away." Tsunayoshi said sheepishly.
The Hokage nodded in affirmative and gave his desk covered in reports a dark look. The boy went on;
"If all this damage was really done by a couple of amateurs in the midst of so many civilians, there would have been accidents, maybe even casualties. I don't think…Kyoya-san and Ryohei-san would have ever let that happen."
Ryohei puffed up with pride and even Hibari smirked, pleased with himself.
"I do think, however, that such destruction was unnecessary and a disturbance of the peace."
The boys deflated. Shikaku and the Hokage exchanged amused glances. The Hokage then leaned forward and gave Tsunayoshi an indulgent look he usually reserved for Uzumaki Naruto.
"What would you suggest as punishment, Tsunayoshi-kun?"
Ryohei and Hibari twitched while Shikaku gave Tsunayoshi a considering look. He didn't immediately recognize the boy but eventually the name pinged in his mind, reminding him of the civilian boy from Shikamaru's Academy class. So far the boy had flown under Shikaku's interest his name only known because of his weakness of being a paranoid father.
He now wondered if that was a big oversight on his part, watching as the fluffy haired boy contemplated the Hokage's question. The boy was normal for the most part; it was Ryohei's and Hibari's reactions to him that were the most telling. The longer Tsunayoshi pondered the more the two destructive boys seemed to sweat.
Hibari was good at hiding it but even he couldn't hide the tenseness of his shoulders. It was interesting. When they stood before the Hokage they were repentant (Ryohei was at least) but both were ultimately unconcerned. As soon as this unassuming boy stepped forward they finally started acting like the children they were, dreading whatever punishment this Tsunayoshi chose for them.
Shikaku found himself slightly annoyed at the lack of information regarding the behavior of the children. Up until five minutes ago he thought he had the two boys pegged but Tsunayoshi obviously threw a kunai into the works. It was just another reminder that no matter how well versed he could become in human behavior there was always something that was impossible to account for.
"Hand written letters apologizing to those who…suffered from the destruction, help in the clean up, and community service till they pay for the damage done…that would be best, I think." Tsunayoshi finally answered.
It was simple on the surface but Shikaku knew it wouldn't work. The Hokage had given similar punishments to the two before but somehow the situation always ended up worse and with more property damage to account for.
The Hokage huffed but before he could explain why that was a Bad Idea, Tsunayoshi piped up again; "I will, of course, love to help Ryohei-san and Hibari-san in completing their tasks."
It really made Shikaku wonder why this declaration made the boys pale. The Hokage was pleased by Tsunayoshi's willingness to help for reasons Shikaku could only begin to imagine but the man still looked unsure.
"I think I can motivate them properly Hokage-sama." The boy chirped.
"And what makes you think you can motivate them any better than our Hokage?" Shikaku pointed out, curious how the boy would answer. He was surprised by the eyes that flashed in his direction and barely managed to contain his body's reaction to tense. The weight of his stare was heavy and true and Shikaku found himself believing that the boy could do exactly as he said.
"I think being the same age is reason enough."
It was a flawed logic and obviously a deflection but Shikaku had no desire to argue the issue. The office became quite as the Hokage pondered. Eventually he gave Tsunayoshi his blessing and started to fill out the proper forms.
The following weeks Shikaku made a point to follow up on whether or not Tsunayoshi was successful in his in devour to rein in the destructive boys. It was to his great surprise that the adorable little 'Tsunayoshi-chan' proved to be a vicious and effective task master.
His passive aggressive nature and cute smile was somehow terrifying when his attention was focused on you directly and he was witness on multiple occasion where his "the-devil-may-care-but- I-certainly-don't" politeness forced even the most violent person (Hibari) go quite in confusion.
Tsunayoshi knew exactly how to channel Hibari's and Ryohei's energy into doing exactly what he wanted them to with no excess. It was amazing. Hibari and Ryohei were miserable and Shikaku felt no pity as he took notes.
Sawada Tsunayoshi was definitely someone he would be keeping an eye on.
