THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO REVIEWED! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Sakurahatakekakashi'sgrl: Wow! I'm impressed! You've caught up! I'm glad you enjoy this story… it's getting quite lengthy… and I'm afraid that may put off people… but it seems that it still holds a lot of interest! So I hope you enjoy this new chappie! Thanks for taking the time to review my stuff!
Lotisflower: Another new reviewer! Thanks for reviewing! Even my old stuff! I'm glad you enjoyed my fics! It's great to hear from new people. I'm glad you like my voice. I love angst – but the best angst is mixed with humor – because then you KNOW what you're missing! Hope you enjoy this chappie!
FurAllOver: I'm glad you're enjoying it so far!
Kisai Ame: WOW! New reviewer! I'm so glad you enjoy this twisted dark fic. It's really awesome to know that somebody out there appreciates my stuff! I hope this new chappie lives up to expectations! Thanks for taking the time to review – people like you help me know whether I'm on track or not! Arigatou!
Snowfall: I'm going to keep doing it until I get warned. We'll just see… Hope you enjoy this angst-filled chappie…
Jemiul: Thanks for the encouragement! Regular reviewers like you help me endure and keep me on track!
Inquisitive: Yeah. Yukio has a soft side…but it's more selfish, I think. And yes… definite love triangle. As I was writing this story, I realized that Kakashi seemed almost… sexless… and while that maybe a totally believable way of portraying him, I kinda didn't want him to become bloodless in his angst… but then… I'm not totally sure how to portray sensuality/sexuality… so yeah… you're right… It probably was a bit over the top for him… (sigh)… I might have to tweak it…
Rhianna midori: wow! Someone's really enthusiastic about this! I'm glad! Here be the new update!
Eyeliner0tears: YAY! Another new reviewer! Thanks for reviewing and giving me all those compliments… it really is encouraging. And yes, I have thought of doing writing on the side (as I teach ESL) kinda like Ogden Nash… but… my original stuff… is weird… (sci-fantasy style) hahaha! I find writing here makes many people happy and has allowed me to find my voice and increase my mad writing skillz! I'm glad you feel multiple emotions – that's what I'm aiming for! Hahaha! Hope you enjoy this new chappie!
Kokis: Well… I think we had a great talk on dialogue. It's nice to be able to chat with my reviewers… hahaha! And yeah… Kotetsu and Izumo are, like, my new loves. Totally. (after Gen and Rai and Kakashi…) Anyhoo… well… that pairing is bittersweet… is all I'm going to say… I'm not sure – still how to end with them... you'll see what I mean. Do both of them live? Yes. Will both of them end up together? Do you want to know that? If so, pm me and I'll spoil my story for you – but if you want suspense, I'll keep it secret! Hahaha! I do so love the two!
Mahoakitti: Kakashi is very suppressed. He's suppressing way too much. I can relate a lot. A lot of the frustration in this fic, I feel, is bred from within me – a darker part of me, if you will… I'm not a super cheery person to begin with… but my life isn't bad or anything… I'm just a natural pessimist… I understand what emotional suppression does to people. I failed 2 university courses 2 years ago b/c I couldn't get out of a depression (my only grandpa died) – and I didn't even know I had depression. I couldn't even cry at his funeral, which made it worse… but I cried two years later in a grocery parking lot with my dad. (pathetic, huh?) but I guess that's what my fic is all about. Healing – emotional and physical – brought about by love and understanding. That's what we need more of in this life. p.s. hope I didn't scare you off with this rant… just a sort of spoiler as to how I'm writing this fic… (runs off blushing like mad)
I can't believe I'm Anime: Hahaha! Glad you liked that Kakashi picture part. I always wanted to draw a chibi Kaka baby! (sigh) Oh for more time and more talent! Hahaha! Ichiro and Makoto are funny too… Great comic duo! They are part of the good side, representing balance as well. A breath of fresh air, so to speak….
Darkflameangel: you don't like school much? Hahaha! I'm so nerdy. I can't wait for tomorrow when I go out and give away my leg, arm and liver to buy my textbooks! As for Zuzu and Ko, yes. Mmmm…. Smexy… and they had speaking parts in the latest episodes… (WAAAAHHHHH!) But… yes… (ahem) They have their own story. Everyone does…
Pharynx: THANKS FOR REVIEWING! I love new reviewers! I'm glad you're hanging around for the next chappie! Yeah… I need to do a chibi pic of Jiraiya and the boys' reaction to Sakura's words. That part in the chappie was a fly by night thing – really off the cuff. But people like it…
Jennjennr: That's me! Mixing my moods! (No different for this chappie either…) Yukio makes me sad. Seriously. He's so… bad, evilly pathetic. Like Haku and Zabuza, who always make me cry when they die. And even though Naruto is almost always cheery, I feel that there's a lot of pain in the shinobi life. Yep. Glad you enjoyed! Hope you like this chappie!
Kittycatcharm: Yeah. Sakura got some good lines in that chappie. And yes… I think that Sakumo must have been hot. Of course… all Jounin are hot… mostly… I found the interaction b/w Sai and the rest to be difficult to write since there hasn't been a lot of him in the manga and it's kinda hard to predict the kid… but I'll rant about that more later… I'm glad you like the direction I'm taking! Hope you enjoy this Sai/Yamato-filled chappie! Thanks for the heads up on Yamato's name – that was the one chappie I failed to read… Utmost thanks!
Emerald lady: Hmmm… which part did you find confusing? I'd like to fix it – if it's fixable… that is… yeah… my thought process are sometimes out there…
Sanitythroughmadness: Hmmm… fanlistings sound cool. As for the convention… It DIDN'T WORK OUT! My $#( BOSS (read: stupid) SCHEDULED ME WRONG! And I couldn't take it off… I served coffee with tears in my eyes… But hope springs eternal… there's a convention in Toronto in May that I can go to… sigh…
--
No real warnings for this chapter… really…
Just severe angst as usual…
Songs listened to: The Village OST, Davy Jones (POTC 2), Claire de Lune, Arabesque, Gravity of Love
Just a note: How do you feel about my portrayal of Sai and Yamato? I found it REALLY TOUGH to write them! Constructive criticism anyone?
I don't own Naruto.
--
Chapter 25
Lullaby of Moonlight
--
Away
out yonder
I see a star,
Silvery star
With a tinkling
song;
To the soft dew falling
I hear it calling
Calling and
tinkling
The night along.
--
He could hear it sometimes... it was like the soft voice of the wind in the trees - the rustling leaves - the flourishing, green symbols of life -
It was the lullaby of content, of peace - of something... elusive...
What was he missing?
But then, walking down that road of life, he bumped into somebody - different... loud... brash... annoying, to be truthful... somebody who got to the heart of things - inside that person dwelt a fire.
It wasn't just the Kyubbi, was it, Naruto?
It was love.
Burning with love and passion and excitement. You can never be stopped...
Baka-Naruto.
His journal was where he left it - the tiny book of sketchy images - his brother and him, at the end, holding hands -
A heart shape between them.
A heart. Two hands.
I'll never be alone...
Thanks to you, Naruto.
And you, Sakura...
--
"Gorgeous..."
"You call her that - and then say I'm a HAG! DAMMIT, SAI!"
--
Sai set the journal back carefully with a laugh.
His onyx eyes landed thoughtfully on the small bright blue sketchbook beside it.
He didn't need to take it down to remember its contents.
A grinning, goofy face.
A shy smile.
An enigmatic eye.
A small pug dog.
A fight between friends.
And a forgiven Sharingan.
So much has changed, mused Sai.
Carefully, the ex-ANBU Jounin unpacked his belongings (they'll need to be ironed...), and slowly took a hot shower (the first one in a long while... waaayyy too long...). Stretching his arms contentedly, he sighed.
Perhaps I'm still good for a drink with Naruto... he looked... hectic... worried? hmmm... it's so hard to tell with people... even when you've read all the behavioural books... you still get kicked in the balls - as the idiot would say - people are surprising...
Yeah...
--
"Naruto." Tenzou said, sipping his cup of sake cautiously. "Something on your mind lately? You seem..." The older Jounin paused. "Anxious, perhaps?"
Naruto blinked.
Staring down at his cup.
Kakashi.
Bushy, unkempt grey-hair.
Dark, hard eye.
A white mask.
"It's Kakashi-sensei."
Tenzou tensed. His fingers clenching his cup ever so slightly.
"I know... you probably are going to tell me that he wasn't really your friend and all that shit - hey... you might even be privy to classified information I don't know and can't know - and maybe don't want to know..." Naruto sighed, stretching his arms and leaning back on them, gazing defiantly at his old mentor. "But every little bit helps to bring him back."
"Bring him back?"
"It's not like he's dead."
"Might as well be..."
"Eh?"
"Baka," Sasuke muttered, sitting down beside his teammate.
He looked at Tenzou keenly.
"You're ex-ANBU. What do you know?"
Tenzou shook his head.
"I don't -"
He shrugged helplessly.
"He wasn't close..."
"What's new?" Naruto yawned.
"It's hard - what can one say? You hear rumors and things... stories... but what is truth?"
"Spare me the philosophy," Naruto rolled his eyes.
"Shut up, idiot," Sasuke said, pouring himself a cup and raising a silent toast. "He's right... but even then... in the whole stack, there lies a needle."
"You sound like Bug Boy," Sai laughed sitting down, eyes curving happily.
Shino in the opposite corner twitched.
"Be careful," Tenzou said. "I sense a fly..."
"Eh? What?" Naruto blinked. He poured himself another cup expertly.
Well... Tenzou sighed. What with Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama's influence... it's to be expected...
"What was the philosophical discussion?" asked Sai, tentatively. "Is it private? Should I go? Or is the, er - Idiot... just -"
"Say that again, HO-MAN!"
"Ho-man?" blinked Sai.
"Ho-man? What the - Naruto... stop being an idiot," sighed Sasuke.
Everybody was twisting around.
Tenzou slid down just a little more, hoping to hide behind his partner.
Sai chuckled.
"Here, Naruto. Have another one."
"Thanks."
There was a pause.
"We were just talking about Kakashi-sensei," Sasuke said, his eyes roving the crowded pub carefully.
"Oh," Sai said blankly. He turned to Tenzou.
Tenzou sighed.
"Didn't you team up with him in ANBU for awhile?"
No response.
Sasuke and Naruto leaned forward.
"You've been in ANBU with him? During the war?"
Tenzou hunched down.
"No."
He paused.
"From before."
The two boys sat back.
Sai put on a thoughtful face.
"I don't have much to say either. Only the rumors. You hear them all the time. Even in Ne, I remember hearing about him. He was - a genius - among other geniuses. Ehhh… it's a hard life trying to keep ahead of the pack. Hatake don't have bloodlines like Tenzou does… or Sasuke-kun…"
"Well…
neither do I," Naruto argued. "I don't have any special family
jutsu -"
"You don't need one," sighed Tenzou. "You have
something else entirely."
There was another silence at that.
"At any rate," Sasuke waved for another bottle. "He had a hard time keeping up - his family was rich and dying. Obito's death, ironically, probably saved his life - in more ways than one."
Tenzou nodded.
"Too true."
"So that's how the Sharingan happened?" asked Sai, curiously. "Or is it -" he hesitated. "Wrong of me to ask?"
"No. It's fine," Naruto shrugged. "A teammate died on Kakashi's first mission as Jounin. During the war with Rock - right? He was only 13 years old - or so… his teammate was an Uchiha. Got crushed under a rock, and gave his eye as a Jounin present. Ugh…"
"Hmmm… yes… shinobi life is hard."
"Well… sure…" Tenzou shrugged. "But you get over it. He did. He did fine. Before everyone knew it he was pulling ahead again. He was a smart toddler, he was a smart boy, he was a smart teen, he was a smart man… I remember -"
He stopped.
--
"Hey, hey, what's your name?"
"Uhhh…." The new recruit paused uncertainly. "Um… Te-uh-Yamato."
"Yamato, huh? Nice. Mine's Ikko. This is Jiro and that's Hoshi."
Tenzou tilted his head uncertainly in a slight bow.
The other's copied him.
"I guess we're the newbies, huh? We must look stupid," JIro sighed.
A bird mask with long grey hair.
"Well… everybody looks idiotic on the first day…" Hoshi pointed out.
Tenzou felt like he was stuck in one of the boring plays people would put on for civilians - masks and weird costumes and funny sign language -
I'm so fucking lost… he sighed. Ah well…
"Ah! Here they come!"
"Hey! It's Ibiki-sama!"
"And
- who are those?"
"Our trainers, perhaps?"
"One on one, huh? Cool!"
"Cool? Scary… look at them…"
Tenzou watched as his mates were paired up with their mentors. Watching the scarred ANBU leader give directions, elaborate on rules and sternly instruct the newbies on proper ANBU behaviour and protocols, Tenzou wondered what it was really going to be like on the field.
-Don't do anything, just watch-
What can I do anyway -
-Observation, keen observation is key to learning-
among this elite company -
-Don't rush in where you are told not to, don't go where you can't see, don't do what you don't know-
I am so small -
-Above all, don't take off your mask in public or talk to old friends or fraternize with civilians. Only in the Common Rooms, the Dorms and your private apartments, if you so choose to have one, can you take the mask off-
Should I even be here?
-Behave as proper shinobi should!-
He tensed as his codename was called out, and looking up, he surveyed his new mentor and team leader -
ANBU Wolf. Codename: Lightning. Raiden.
Huh?
A wolf-dog mask, a katana strapped to his back and bushy grey hair standing wildly up (leaning a little to the right), the rest of his uniform, immaculate.
"Look who he's got!" He could hear people whispering in the common room, later on in the day.
Tenzou peered again at his leader, Kakashi-sama.
Underneath the ivory, lay a black cloth mask and a tilted sash of black cloth.
"It's HIM!"
"Lucky guy… if only I had…"
"He's an old-timer too…"
"Uhh…." Tenzou didn't know what to say. "You - uh -"
"Save it," his captain said, in a clipped professional voice.
He waved a stack of folders.
"We gotta go through these first and then, maybe, if we have the time, a drink or so at this bar I know, 'kay?"
Tenzou nodded uncertainly.
"Y-y-y-yes, sir!"
"Uh... don't call me sir..."
"Y-y-y-yes, sir!"
"Did you - nevermind..."
"Sorry!"
"I said nevermind."
"But -"
"Just let it go... you're making me feel old."
"Right!"
"Hmph. Let's go."
The two ANBU found a small niche in the ANBU information library, where a low table was found. Tenzou watched in awe as his captain lifted a couple pens from the librarians desk and stole a couple of pillows for better comfort.
"Okay. This folder, you have to sign a whole bunch of boring stuff... and this folder we have to read through together... and then we can drink and then we can start training... or the other way around... depends on how I feel." Tenzou looked up from the discouraging stack of papers in front of him - his captain's voice was getting less muffled -
He found himself staring at a young teenager with spikey grey hair, one black eye (the other was covered by a sash) and a black cloth mask.
"C-c-c-captain,
sir!"
"Yeah, yeah... we might as well relax. 'Sides. If
we go into a dangerous mission next week and your mask gets knocked
off, or you're killed - how am I supposed to identify you as a
friendly?"
"Oh."
Makes sense... in a roundabout way... are all the mentors here so - weird?
Tenzou hesitantly slipped off his mask.
Kakashi nodded.
"Now then, let's get to work..."
Yamato.
Tenzo.
--
I've seen him pass through phases. The strict, but friendly ANBU Captain. Then, from afar off, the competent Jounin who gained a name throughout the continent as the Copy Nin… and now - what is he?
Somebody - no, that person could not be - something to fall into obscurity and darkness.
Could he?
Will he?
With Naruto around, could he possibly escape?
--
"Tenzo-san?"
"Yo! You in there?"
"Ten-chan -"
"Don't call me that!" Tenzo sweatdropped at Sai's nickname. "I was thinking… and if you keep poking me in the chest like that, Naruto, I might have to show you the real meaning of pain…."
The boys froze at the sight of Tenzo's 'scary' eyes.
"Right…"
"So… what have you been doing about it?" asked the ex-ANBU curiously.
"Oh. Well… it doesn't seem like we've got far since we keep on getting handed missions," complained Naruto.
Sasuke shut his eyes and snorted.
"Somebody actually believes the idiot to be capable -"
"SAY THAT AGAIN, SASUKE, YOU BASTARD!"
"Regardless," Sasuke continued, ignoring his partner, now foaming at the mouth. "We have made some headway in discovering more of his background. And we've even seen him a couple of times - on missions and stuff - but it's hard - he's deeply entrenched in ANBU and what with these problems with Rock, it might be harder to see him again…"
Tenzo nodded.
"Tsunade filled us in on that shit… just when we all thought we could settle down and have a normal life. But then… what's normal…"
"You are right," Sai shrugged, downing another cup.
He smiled at a cute girl across the room, who was staring at them non-stop.
"Look at Cutie over there - who is she - exactly?"
"Ehhh…. That's - "
"Sai… Get yourself your own girlfriend -" Sasuke frowned.
"Possessive,
huh? You don't want to share with an old friend?"
"Sai -"
"Sai," Naruto whispered. "I suggest you leave it, seriously. Sasuke is still googly eyed over her…"
"I'm
NOT googly-eyed,
romantic-boy-who-fell-in-love-with-a-water-dancing-chick!"
"What's
wrong with keeping steady? Huh? Huh?"
"Keeping steady? You haven't even asked her out yet, idiot!"
"My heart has kept true to one flame, womanizer!"
"You're just jealous - and you're sounding like Gai."
"SAY THAT AGAIN!"
"Who is she?" asked Tenzo, trying to change the topic.
Maybe this is why Kakashi-sempai ran off to ANBU…
"Gekkou Lyra."
"Hmmm…" Sai smiled. "Gekkou, eh? Who are THEY? Some -"
"She's the niece of Gekkou Hayate. The Examiner who died during our Chuunin Exam…"
"Ah." Tenzo and Sai nodded, still clueless.
"Yeah," Naruto smiled. "Those were the good old days -"
Tenzo and Sai: Good old days?
"He was a nice examiner. Put up with me a lot."
Tenzo and Sai: Wow. Who would've thought.
"He stopped Hinata-chan from getting killed by her cousin - back when Neji had this crap ass attitude. But I straightened him out."
Tenzo and Sai: Reeeally….
"Anyway… Lyra is a great swordsman - woman - whatever. A strong kunoichi. I've been on a couple of missions with her. But she's just like her uncle - always a little sickly which is deceiving because that doesn't mean she's weak… and then there's the whole totally tired look - like she doesn't get enough sleep - and always yawning and talking really slow… probably all Sasuke-bastard's fault…"
"Why
is it MY fault?"
"You're the one keeping her up at night,"
Naruto leered.
Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"At least I'm getting some, virgin boy…"
"I'm NOT - "
Sai laughed.
"You guys haven't changed. And I can't wait to meet the person who is lucky enough to possess your heart, Naruto. Even if your dick is smaller than mine…"
"SAIIIII!"
"Really…" Tenzo huffed, rising from the table. "This is the LAST thing I want to hear…"
With that, he left, smiling at the sound of the three boys squabbling in the booth.
--
Too bad Kakashi-sempai isn't here, he thought. We'd bet on how long it'd take for them to be thrown out.
Tenzo hesitated - paying for his drinks, he walked away, his dark eyebrows knit in a frown.
But he isn't here… and that's the problem… still…
Tenzo jumped quickly over the rooftops, running up the side of the mountain, to find his favorite niche on top of the sculpted heads of the Konoha kages. He sat there, waiting - waiting -
And thinking.
--
All my life - I've worked for this city - these houses, these trees, these people -
And most of them don't know I exist - or where I came from - what do I remember?
I remember first: dark. And then eventually, a room. And then as I grew up: Konoha. And yet, I remained hidden.
Where they ashamed of me? Of who I was? Of what I could do?
Alone. I wondered.
Why am I here? Where am I going? Why do I have to do this? Why all this training?
I watched sometimes from my window - kids running past, laughing and smiling - and old people holding kids.
Parents. Family.
What were those things?
Friends.
It got worse. Nothing gets better - time showed me that I was different. Odd. Set apart. Not to be mentioned.
ANBU seemed my only natural goal. And there… I met him…
"I never let my teammates down."
"In the ninja world, those that do not follow the rules are called trash. But those that don't take care of their friends are worse than trash."
"Yamato. Being a leaf warrior means… seeing all of Konoha as family - as something important to protect."
Yamato.
Tenzo.
He never forgot me. Never forgot my name… It is all I can do for you, Kakashi - to never forget yours -
Raiden.
Kakashi.
--
"Tenzo?"
Tenzo whipped around kunai in hand - and relaxed - as two soft lips descended onto his. He shifted around to find a better position - and his two hands slowly ran up the pale arms gripping his waist fiercely - slowly ran up to run through long purple hair.
"Uzuki," he breathed. "I -"
"Shh… I don't want any philosophizing or talking tonight."
"Mmmm…."
Once again, their lips met - and their tongues - in an intricate dance, soft and then hard, passionate and burning.
And it's all thanks to -
"You're worried," his lover said softly with a sigh. She drew back, her dark eyes filled with concern. "Something wrong?"
"Hmmm… you remember the first day we met?"
"How could I forget? It was - long, long after the death of Kage… years later, I was still depressed and unsociable and stuff -"
She paused, her face softening at the memory.
"I knew that there was temporary peace for the village - back when Tsunade became Kage and Jiraiya-sama took that kid away for awhile. But for me, there was no peace - Hayate's death was very hard for me -"
--
The booth was small and private - as were all the booths at the Dive - the lighting dim. It was comforting. Like being in a cocoon - being back in the womb - safe and dark… but not alone - there were others there.
Ibiki-san. Yamato-kun. Kakashi-sempai.
--
Uzuki jerked back.
--
Kakashi-sempai….
--
Tenzo squeezed her hand as he watched her face.
--
He slouched over, hazy to her eye - blurry with sake and tears.
"Need a hand there, drinking that?"
Laconic. A man of few words.
But it only made her cry harder to see that one eye worried.
Concerned. Pitying?
"I'm fine," she sighed. 'I know how much I can take."
"Hmmm… I said that too when my sensei died."
"You got drunk?"
"Mmmm… well… I joined ANBU…"
"Worse, then… Huh."
"I know that was a bad choice - it's good to serve where you're needed. But you can't run away -"
"I'm still here."
"Not really."
"Kakashi-sempai. Why are you REALLY here?"
"I guess I'm worried. And I know that if you do something stupid just because of revenge or feeling depressed, it'd be a waste of Hayate's love for you - you'll be missed too."
"Hn."
"Seriously."
The sake in her made her blink furiously - batting tears away as a small sort of anger was stoked up.
"Who? Tell me that? I - I can't even take my revenge for Hayate - there's no solution to the mystery - most likely it was a Sound nin - but what it was a Sand nin - somebody I can't touch now - I vowed an oath and - I can't follow up on it - what - who could miss a dishonorable person like that? You taught us that the best thing a shinobi can be, sempai, is to honor one's relationships -"
"Hmmm… yes. But I don't think Hayate would want this for you. And there are others who might be waiting for you -"
"Who?"
"People who need you to be there for them, who need to be there for you -"
"Lead me to one - and it better not be some freak…"
"Hmm. No."
With that he rose up, snagged the bottle with it's remaining contents and walked away.
"Hey… sempai. What're you taking that for?"
"Your future husband is on the way - you need to prepare for it."
"I didn't ask for a husband…" mumbled Uzuki.
--
"And then, you walked over - and sat down and said 'hi' and started to chat to me. I thought you were one weirdo… your eyes… everything… but I figured Kakashi-sempai knew what he was doing so I went along with it… how did he get you to go over there?"
Yamato blushed, glad that the dark hid his red face from Uzuki.
"I-I-I always did l-l-like you…"
"WHAT?"
"Y-yeah… Kakashi-sempai figured it out really fast. And yeah. He kept teasing me about it - and encouraging me to take the chance to get a hottie ANBU chick… but then… you found such peace with Hayate. I knew that he had something better to offer… so I said nothing…"
Uzuki smiled sadly.
"I'm glad I decided to give life a second chance," she said, snuggling closer to him. "Hayate I am sure, rests happier for it."
"AHHHHHHHHH! LOOK! TEN-CHAN HAS A GIRLFRIEND!" Naruto blared, dogging two kunai immediately flying twoard his head.
"Naruto," Sai said quietly. "Don't call him that - only me -"
The dark-haired Jounin dodged another kunai.
"Or maybe not," Sasuke smirked. "At any rate... leave them be... I have better things to do..."
"To be sure," Naruto grinned.
"Like what?" asked Tenzo. "What's your next plan of action?"
"Find Kakashi. I think it's time we talked."
"Hmmm... I'll look around for you," Tenzo offered.
Uzuki nodded.
"I've still got contacts in ANBU," she smiled. "Some one will give me leads, I'm sure..."
Sasuke nodded.
"Thank you. This will be of great help to us."
"What are you going to do NOW, though?" asked Sai.
"Hmmm. Relax. Lyra is meeting me at the club tonight..."
"Oh. I'm going, too," Naruto nodded.
Sai leaned forward and sniffed at the boy.
"You smell..."
"I don't."
"You do."
"I don't! I JUST showered!"
"Ahhh... that must have been the manly scent... it threw me off - and the actual shampoo... who are YOU meeting tonight?"
"Uhhh..."
"Hinata."
"Hinata-san? As in Hyuuga?" Sai whistled. "You boys are sure moving fast... I need to find myself..."
"Forget it. You're too messed up - and all the good ones are taken -"
"Well, there's Hanabi..." Sasuke pointed out.
"I just said the good ones are taken," deadpanned Naruto.
"What's wrong with Hanabi? Is she ugly?" asked Sai as the boys darted away to the opposite end of town.
"Nnnn...no..." Naruto and Sasuke shook their heads.
"Just," Naruto shrugged. "Just acts like a kunai is shoved up her ass..."
"Hmmm... that's a dumb way of putting it..." Sasuke sighed. "But sadly... true..."
Sai blinked.
"Seems like somebody needs to be ironed out."
Sasuke and Naruto glanced at each other, faces struggling to keep from bursting out in laughter.
"You go ahead and try her, Sai. Maybe what she needed was you all along!"
--
In
through the window
A moonbeam comes,
Little gold moonbeam
With
misty wings;
All silently creeping,
It asks; "Is he
sleeping
Sleeping and dreaming
While mother sings?"...
--
This was a good choice, Sakura thought to herself for the hundredth time as she threw her bag haphazardly onto her couch.
This apartment was a good choice.
It's home.
The gentle pale pink-white walls, with stenciled petals along the wall – the dim lighting, the comfy pastel purple couches with the white wood floors –
It's my home.
A small part of what I fight for – this space…
Throwing off her vest, the pink-haired Jounin made her way out to the small balcony which joined the small living room/kitchenette. Standing there, looking over the town, savoring the moonlight, Sakura drew a deep breath.
It's so fresh – so peaceful…
Down below, she watched with amusement as Izumo once again dragged a totally stoned Kotetsu home.
"Easy there, buddy…" Izumo was saying, trying to keep Kotetsu's feet moving.
She couldn't help but laugh – Kotetsu was so not going to live this down.
--
That's what we're all here for, though. To help each other along… to carry each other's burdens… wasn't it just today that Uzuki came in – all bubbly because Tenzo was coming back. She said –
She said –
Love is what makes the world go round. It's a saying, she said.
Sounds like something that Shino would dig out of one of his books…
Still… even if it's a cliché – it's true… mmmm… I wish…
--
Sakura, looking over the roofs, feeling the gentle air on her face, longed for someone – but –
--
It can't just be anyone, huh, Sakura-chan?
"Since when did you get so particular?" Shizune had asked her earlier that day.
Ino had shook her head.
"Hmmm… I think SOMEONE has a crush!"
"No way!" Shizune said eagerly leaning forward. "Who's the lucky guy?"
Sakura blinked and then sighed.
"No one."
--
No one.
In particular…
Well…
Perhaps –
Perhaps, Shizune – Ino – perhaps this moonlight would be prettier, if he was there –
If he was here, beside me – just beside me, even reading his porn…
Maybe… then…
Sakura shook her head, resting her forehead on her arms.
Get your act together girl! Being weepy isn't going to get him beside you any faster… Tomorrow, you've got a lot to do!
With that, she turned, hesitating once more in the doorway to savor the last of the moonlight before turning into bed.
Lying there under soft flowered cotton sheets, the Jounin sighed.
Love makes the world go round, eh, Uzuki?
--
"You know, Kakashi," Yukio sighed. "There's something about the moon –"
"Don't tell me you're getting soft in your old age…" Kakashi snorted derisively, landing lightly on a branch somewhere above his comrade.
"Doesn't it get to you? The moon? The stars? So pure – so untouchable – so beautiful… you wonder how they stay in place – how they got there –"
"That's easily –"
"No… what if – were they made? Did they REALLY slowly come from nothing to evolve to into these beautiful lights? Is that why we feel so lonely under them?"
Kakashi sighed.
"Let's stop here for the night," he said shortly. "Tomorrow, we'll finish the journey…"
"Okay." Yukio sighed. "Who's on first watch?"
"Me."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
Yukio found a niche at the bottom of the tree, and throwing a blanket over himself, settled down for his four hours of sleep.
Kakashi watched his mate fall asleep – the quick breath slowing down into a gentle snore.
Hmph. He snorted to himself. Idiot. Babbling like a love sick fool about the moon…
After double checking the area (the wood was silent except for the occasional insect buzz), Kakashi ranged around the site, checking out his parameters – and in doing so, discovered the edge of the cliffs they were heading for earlier that day.
Looking down at the trees and the broad river flowing over the waterfall – down – down in a roar – the moonlight dancing like a thousand spirits on the water –
The trees dark and looming – no, they were a soft, fuzzy blanket over the land –
And the dark mountains, tall and craggy to the west, provided an even more beautiful panorama – the tips glinting with a bit of remaining snow.
Above him, spread out in their beautiful dance, the stars twinkled softly and the moon seemed to reach down to him –
I wish –
Something in him welled up – in the silences –
Damn! How I hate those –
Something coming up for air, awakening.
He squeezed his eyes shut, fiercely.
I wish –
I wish they could see this with me.
There… I said it.
No.
I wish –
What do I wish –
I wish –
She –
I wish she could see it here with me – hand in hand – to enjoy this silence…
Where is she I wonder –
Hm. Perhaps… Father… you were right…
--
…..maybe one day, you'll remember. You'll remember. One day, you'll meet the one you love – her eyes will swallow you up. They will be great pools of joy and happiness. You'll sink beneath the waves – you'll lose your soul to her
--
Perhaps…
She is here –
All along.
--
You see, Kakashi. Your heart is a door. And only one person has that key. And when they die, that door is shut forever. There is no going back. So I remember…
--
Where my darling lies….
He stood there for a long time, watching the pale face drift across the sky. It was useless to wake Yukio.
Sleep would never come to him that night.
His heart wasn't there.
It was –
Swinging in the nest
Where my darling lies…
---
But
sleep, little pigeon,
And fold your wings,
Little blue
pigeon
With mournful eyes;
Am I not singing? --
See, I am
swinging --
Swinging the nest
Where my darling lies.
--
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--
NEXT UP:
Kakashi and Yukio's mission to Rock is revealed, how do these two shinobi cope with each other – considering their ugly pasts?