I APOLOGIZE FOR THE DELAY!!!! IT'S MY DARN ESSAYS! GAH! TO DATE, I'VE WRITTEN ABOUT... lessee... 5 of them and I have 3 more to go, 1 play review and 1 final exam - and then I'm freeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!
Lately, I've been able to write some various other fics: Ergo Proxy, Bleach... that kind of thing, so check out my other anime fanfics on my profile, if you wish.
And I got a personal website up and running, which you should be able to access on my profile... soon-ish...
So Asuma died - and I am in, like, shock... because now my story is an AU. Which is not BAD but different for me... oh well... i guess it's the perogative of the Mangaka to spring such surprises on us...
Although, who thought Raido in a cape was smexy?
I do not own Naruto.
Warning: Male/male, violence, swearing, horrifying flashbacks, EXTREME ANGST!
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To my reviewers, thank you!
jennjennr: well, you are certainly kind! lol! I find Yamato is hard to place b/c we've only seen him for a short while so in many ways he ends up like an OC character where you only have a few characteristics to go on - and next to no background. Which is fine. His ending up with Hayate's old girlfriend may just be too 'neat' to be true... (shrugs) oh well... "mouse" for a cat's name? wow! unique! having 9 siblings is pretty interesting. but at least three of them enjoy anime of a sort (not as much as me:P)! and my younger sister is my beta reader when I can let her read my stuff (not this fic, tho:P) this is just dangerous! i'm glad you like how the plot is shaping up... it is going somewhere... it's just so... unwieldy, you know?
prescripto13: I find Naruto to be always clueless in the show, don't you agree? It's almost annoying! I always want to kick him in the pants but then, I realize it's a good way for the audience to learn things too. Ah well... I guess I'm more like Shikamaru... heh heh heh... you know, in the forest of death, telling Naruto it's too troublesome to explain things to him! lol!
animelover: wow! a new reviewer! I'm honored that you're on pins and needles for this clunky masterpiece:P XD! Hope you enjoy this new installment.
darkenedmemories: Another new reviewer! I'm glad you took the time to review and tell me you enjoyed my story! I love your name - it's kind of an example of kakashi's issues! heh heh heh! i actually think you're lucky to be able to read a whole bunch of it in one go - altho, yes, I agree - reading fanfics kills the eyes...
kokis: yes... that torture scene was real mean. as for Seko. Yukio. well... heh... no... i'm afraid Yukio isn't THAT bad... but we've not seen the last of them both. (winks) enough hints for my fav reader:P When you feel the Yukio is very possible to exist in Naruto, I get a good feeling in my heart - that means he's believeable! thanks! my work is well done then!
lotisflower: i know! it's about time I got around to that... now for the confessions! (rubs hands) not this chappie tho...
xstrawberrypocky: yeah... alot of people ask if it's a melded family or nuclear. it's nuclear. 2 same parents for all 10 kids... lol! crazy - but fun! I don't mind - i can have babies in the house with having it myself:D
eyeliner0tears: if you watch 'Ergo Proxy', you'll understand more what I'm going for. A questioning of space and time and truth and meaning and selfhood. Sounds posh. But it isn't really. Basically, I guess, when you were confused, that's good - because I think Kakashi is rapidly going downhill - he's losing his sense of time - and flashbacks are becoming reality - shellshock, in other words. Or, as we call it today, post-traumatic stress disorder. if I'm right... my science is all screwed.
kasai ame: I LOVE KYOUYA! But I have a sick feeling that Tamaki will get her in the end... he's that type. Kakashi's voice actor was Tamaki's dad - did you notice? V. nice! 2nd favorite character would be that Yakuza guy: 'Casanova'!!! "MAH!" He is the cutest! It's ok about you being critical. I need stuff like that every now and then - to get more serious.
sweetassassin: i'm sorry it's taken this long (read above for excuses)! i'm glad you cried - kakashi and sakura's situation is rather... shitty, if you ask me. but hey, it'll all work out... we just have to get over one more hump and it's all good:P
WOWitskelc: You're the nice girl who couldn't get my chapter, right? and you emailed me back a thanks and a nice review. Thanks for taking the time to do that - I like to hear from new people all the time - and I never get angry with criticism (unless it's unwarranted...) So thanks for the review - and I hope you enjoy this new update!
sakura hatake kakashisgirl: here's an update! late... but an update! (smiles)
inquisitive: bath coming right up for you! ;D and as for his past - something very physical is going to come from it and that's all I'm going to say! (runs off to finish an essay...)
jemiul: Yeah. Yukio isn't going to get much better. But things will look up soon... very soon. i know i keep saying it... but tis true!
sabireru: psycho!kakashi is the best. almost as good as uke!kakashi or socialdumbnut!kakashi. I think his white chakra needs more screen time, ne? who wants to hear about kurenai's teaching issues? oh well...
Chapter 28
Shattered
He could hear them talking above his head - short clipped words and loud voices. His father's ponytail was comically bristling - like Gen-Gen's pet cat - but somewhere deep down inside, he knew that something was not so funny. Turning around he looked up -
It was Mother. He wanted her to reassure him. To tell him it was okay. Seeing father like that was scary. And so was Uncle.
But her face was just a pasty blur - like some horrific spirit -
He screamed.
Kakashi's eyes flew open, as he jerked upward with a splash. Confused he looked around him, taking in his surroundings quickly.
A spa. A private bath. Steam hung in the air, covering everything like a warm fluffy blanket. A comforting concealment.
It reminds me of mother...
Mother...
Kakashi sighed and sank further down, bubbling morosely to himself as his eyes looked over the dark surface of the water.
Those memories -
The Copy Nin wondered.
Why those memories NOW?
"Kakashi? You okay in there?" Yukio called from the changing room behind the Wolf Hound ANBU.
Tensing slightly, Kakashi turned around with a frown.
"What now?"
"Oooo... so cold - and I would've thought you'd have calmed down by now..."
Kakashi, ignoring the subtle concern in his partner's voice, huffed, rose out of the water and stalked off.
"Heyyy!!!" Yukio called, hopping after the grey-haired man, legs caught in his pants. "Where're you going?"
Kakashi merely gave him a LOOK.
Ten minutes later, Ichiro and Makoto bumped into a fuming Yukio.
"Where's Kakashi-sempai?" blinked Makoto. "I thought he was supposed to be here for another two hours."
"The bastard left in a snit," Yukio growled. "Damn bastard..."
"He's not going to get better this way..." Ichiro mumbled, trying to sound conciliatory.
Yukio angry is dangerous...
"Forget his physicality - he'll be fine by lunch - you watch... he's like a fucking rubber ball... he's always bouncing back... which is probably part of the problem..."
"Yeah..." Makoto sighed. "If only he'd show some weakness, then at least one would be able to get him help..."
Yukio stood up and stalked off.
Weakness, huh? He's shown me weakness - but does that help? Really? Makoto... There are some people out there - and Kakashi is one of them - there are some people out there who you're going to meet - and they'll be the type to drag themselves half dead to battle - like damned -
Damn it all... Those nightmares of his are getting worse and worse - he's so unstable psychologically if he went out onto the battlefield and something bad happened... Geez... Ibiki would find reason to pull him out...
The dark-haired ANBU sighed as he found his way home in the early morning hours.
"A quick rest up is all we need... but for Kakashi... what he needs..."
Yukio turned his mind away from it.
"What he needs..."
The next day dawned bright - the weather was perfect - no rain - puffy clouds, a bright sun and blue sky. Totally opposite from some people's moods. As Makoto and Ichiro squabbled happily over their bento boxes -
"HEYYY! Give that back! I paid extra for it!"
"You snooze, you lose..."
"WHAT? The. HELL??? Hey! Hey! No way! Give it here!"
"I like dangos..."
"Buy them yourself, DAMN IT! No! Don't do it AGAIN!"
"Hmmmm..."
"KAKASHI-SENPAI!!!"
"He's too busy reading... heh heh heh..."
"You're just as perverted -"
"You're dissing KAKA-SENPAI????"
"WAAHHHH!!!! YUKIO-SAN!!! SAVE ME! SAVE ME!"
"SHUT THE HELL UP, YOU DAMN IDIOTS!" yelled Neko, smacking the two boys over the head with her katana. "Give it a rest already!"
ANBU Heron was huddled beside Neko, repeating over and over to himself, "What hell did I perscribe myself to?"
Yukio just gave the two boys a look - followed by a glare from Kakashi over the top of Make Out Undercover - and both of the ANBU quieted down.
"They better not be late - or I'm gonna kill them," ANBU Bear glared.
No sooner did the words leave his mouth than Ibiki apparated into the clearing followed by Genma, Raido, Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, Yamato and Sai. Unit 2 uncomfortably stared at Unit 1:
ANBU Bear slumped on a rock idly.
ANBU Neko looming over -
Two obviously young ANBU still entangled with each other, bento boxes quavering in their hands.
ANBU Heron trying to look cool on a tree branch above (and away) from the fracas.
And ANBU Wolf Hound, who merely flipped another page over in a hideously green and purple book with two masked people crouching behind a bed together...
Ibiki smiled - slowly and secretively.
Raido's eyebrow twitched.
Great. We get the freaks.
Genma's senbon shifted from one corner of his mouth to the other, as he tried to keep his expression neutral.
Tsunade-sama. Is this our last chance? Or... what? Thank kami, Sakura is here... Kakashi is... do you see it, Sakura?
Yamato and Sai didn't know what to think.
Naruto opened his mouth but was whipped away by Sasuke into the underbrush.
"Iuhjustgottagoandcheckouttheparameters!" The Uchiha babbled as he disappeared with his Jounin teammate.
Sakura stood there, eyes glued to Kakashi - treasuring those small things about him -
The way his fingers tightened imperceptibly around his book's edges as Ibiki loomed over him.
How his lean muscles flexed as he rose -
His legs - his arms – his skinny, wiry frame – the way his shaggy hair drooped over his mask and down his neck…
The uniform looks so good on him... and still... it might as well be his corpse shroud.
"Sakura," Ibiki's voice bit into the pink-haired medic-nin's thoughts. "Come over here."
"Yessir!" Sakura joined him.
"I want you to be the liaison between both of the teams. You're interchangeable since you're the medic and will be providing medical care as well as back up for both of the units."
"Yessir!" Sakura nodded – her heart skipping an extra beat.
Ibiki nodded.
She's the best for this, really… But… is this what you really wanted, Tsunade? This girl to - Well… whatever… The Hokage knows best, I guess.
Ibiki jerked his coat more firmly around his shoulders.
"Speak to ANBU Bear and - er - Wolf Hound if you have anything to say. They're the team captains for this trip."
"What about you?" she asked, blinking. "Aren't you going to lead a unit?"
"I'm here..." Ibiki smirked crookedly. "But it's best if Genma leads this time and learns how to deal with larger operations... to get more field experience as a commander. It's hard. You wouldn't believe... especially when you have an equally powerful ANBU counterpart - uh - have your teammates come back yet?" Ibiki looked around the small clearing. "Ah! There they are! Let's go! Unit 1 first, flanked on all sides by Unit 2! Let's do this!"
Sakura – watching her sensei leap away, noting the narrowing of Sasuke's dark coal eyes and the gruff expression on Naruto's face – sighed.
It's going to be one long mission…
The silence was nerve wracking.
Kakashi, crouched tensely among the thick branches of a tree, attempted to drain those dangerous feelings –
Stress is found in the wait – not the chaos. It's funny – ah, no – not really. Rather, it is sad – that within the chaos of battle, I should only find peace. Tch. When did I get so philosophical. Genma would beat me now if he figured out what state I'm in…
Well… maybe he does know –
Kakashi's mask tilted infinitesimally to the left where Genma had landed on a lower branch – the honey-haired Examiner's shoulders were also tense – his senbon quirked madly as his pearl white teeth clamped restless up and down on the metal.
Even there, huh?
He then glanced left and upward – at Yukio's Bear mask, at his blue eyes hidden in the shadows beneath the slit.
And then to his lower right – one branch down. Pink hair and as she turned, wide green eyes – Sakura.
Sakura. Sakura. What do you – what can you say to that? To find meaning, to find some peace, one looks to the noise, the crash and the crunch of battle. Can you understand that? What would you think?
What do you see below us? A beleaguered village that needs saving, perhaps? What do I see these days –
What do you see, Kakashi-kun?
A voice whispered in his head.
It was haunting. That voice was so haunting. A child's whisper – a faint cry.
Why, Kakashi – why?
As his sword found peace in a wreckage of skin, bones and blood. The sky and land was black and red as far as the eye could see. Some sort of land where the Tsukiyomi moon shone bright.
He blinked – a cold glove resting on his frozen shoulder woke him up.
And all he saw was the dotted clumps of houses, the craggy mountains casting a huge shadow over everything, the scrubby leaves and bushes hedging his view –
He whipped the hand away harshly.
"Don't touch me," he hissed.
Those touches always burned.
Sakura could feel his eyes boring into her back.
It's disconcerting to say the least – to work beside someone pretending to not know you but still – Thank Kami! Sasuke kept his head. Naruto having a fight-out with Kakashi – it would've ruined everything here.
The medic's green eyes fell further to her right where Naruto crouched fuming with a stoic Sasuke beside him.
Think in the long run, Naruto. Once this is over…
"It's a pain in the ass," Shikaku drawled. "I tell ya. To have such a son… Decisions like these are always hard –"
"Hm. Hm." Nodded his old friend and teammate, Inoichi, tossing his now grey-blonde ponytail back. "But then – all weddings are a bother to set up. The way the wife gets – it's scary! You should be glad you had a boy! Our girl has to have everything just so –"
"It's giving me grey hairs," sighed Shikaku, scratching his chin meditatively.
"Really?" asked Iruka, brown eyes round and wide - he'd been contemplating asking Shizune's hand in marriage... but it sounded... horrible!
"And the wife is putting her foot down," Shikaku continued on. "It's to be in Konoha or not at all. I just hope that Temari-chan will agree –"
"Yeah… your wife up against Temari? Scary thought."
"That'd be an internation mess even my genius son couldn't fix…"
Iruka shivered, suddenly glad that both he and Shizune were orphans.
No fussy in-laws to deal with... wow... who would've thought it could be so difficult?
"Well… at least Ino chose Chouji. Two Konoha shinobi. Old friends. Same village. No fuss, I guess in that way… Pretty straightforward there."
Shikamaru and Ino – just behind their two complaining fathers – rolled their eyes and sighed.
"Oi… Father…" The Nara genius sighed. "As if I'd try to do something so troublesome –"
"Stop talking as if we aren't there!" Ino screeched, shaking her fist warningly.
Chouji blushed.
Asuma shook his head in amusement.
"You old men never stop, huh?"
"Well…"
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean –"
"So… Asuma-sensei – I mean, Asuma –" Ino butted in, shutting the two elder shinobi up with a peremptory wave of her hand. "I noticed Kurenai-sensei wasn't in this expedition. Is she okay?"
Asuma looked around at his squadron, standing (or sitting) in their various positions among the scrubby bushes and rocks.
Shikamaru. Ino. Inoichi. Shikaku. Chouji. Ebisu. Iruka.
Eyes drooping in exasperation, Asuma sighed.
I really didn't want to say anything… how uncomfortable… But come to think of it… probably not as uncomfortable as Genma… ha… the bastard is caught between ANBU and Ibiki. And the idiot Naruto…
Heh heh heh…
Wish I could be there…
"What's he laughing about, do you think?" Chouji whispered to Shikamaru.
"Kami knows," Ino shuddered. "Sounds evil to me… It can't be about Kurenai, could it?"
Shikamaru rolled his eyes.
"Idiots…"
Team Gai was silent. After the long period of travel with the verbose captain, nobody wanted to say or hear anything.
Except for Lee.
Both he and his ex-sensei were challenging each other to "1,000-Tree-Branch-Pushups-In-15-Minutes".
Kotetsu and Izumo looked at each other and sighed.
As the rough and tumble Kotetsu looked down over the valley, Izumo watched his friend's changeable face.
"I wish this could get over and done with," huffed Kotetsu. "I'd like to get back home – the preparations for the wedding have sped up… she needs me to be there for her! It's only a months time!"
Izumo stared down at his feet.
I wish –
I wish this mission would never end -
I wish I could stay with you forever.
ANBU Neko suddenly lit down beside Ibiki-san and both, leaning together, held a small conference. Ibiki was nodding – and then motioned both ANBU Captains over.
"Bear and Wolf, it's been decided and accepted."
Yukio and Kakashi nodded.
"Three quarters of the Rock-nins don't want the new foreigners to take over – so they are willing to let us invade – to the effect of them re-establishing the kage. The signal with be a flare. Typical cheapness, I suppose. But there you go. Open and shut."
"Wait a sec," Yukio leaned forward, puzzled. "They've got a Kage ready to go already?"
"There's the old one."
"He's ALIVE?"
"Apparently."
Yukio shrugged and turned to his ever silent partner.
"Maybe it's that old man you played chess with, Kakashi."
"Hmmm… very well might be… and don't call me by my name. It's unprofessional!"
"So cold!"
Ibiki's dark eyes flickered between the two men as they exchanged words – dark eyes that missed nothing –
The subtle shifting of Kakashi away from his leaning partner –
The 'don't-touch-me' stance… the tightness in the shoulders – the skinny frame and almost tense energy surrounding Kakashi.
You said 'soon' Tsunade-sama – but is that early enough?
"So we'll be going in first, with Genma's team accompanied – where's the bastard?" Yukio huffed.
"Here…" Genma smirked, eyes flashing. "Good boy that I am…"
"I'm sure…" Yukio bit back, snidely. "I've heard - especially that you'll take anything lying down. Do you do everything he tells you to? Even when it comes to –"
The dark-haired man's insinuations were cut short by a shift punch to the chin on Kakashi's part.
"Shut up. You're annoying," Kakashi said calmly, as if hitting his own teammate was everyday business.
Genma's face was a mixture of worry and anger.
"Uh… uh… mmm… Ka- that is – ahem – Wolf-san, you don't have to go that far on my account." Genma curled his lip. "Somebody's jealous! Somebody's jealous!"
"Be serious," snapped ANBU Wolf at both of the men, his voice as freezing as a storm in Snow Country.
Both shinobi, nose to nose, froze.
"I don't want to have to beat some sense to both of you."
Both shinobi, drew back, mutely nodding.
It's not Kakashi anymore, realized Genma with a cold sweat. The shithead... who does he think -
Ibiki sighed.
"Listen. We're professionals. Let's not get too heated here… no personal stuff, right?"
"I said that." Kakashi said stiffly.
Ibiki drooped.
Genma's the leader and he's behaving grumpy. Did he wake up on the wrong side of bed or something? Why do I have to be negotiating with freakish partners on missions like these? Genma should be taking over...
"Yes. We're professionals – we've got a job to do –" Ibiki said evenly. "And I don't want you bastards to fuck it up with your pansy melodramas, got it?"
"Hai, hai," whimpered Genma and Yukio, wilting under the combined glares of the Wolf Mask and Torture Squad captain's demon eyes. "We got it loud and clear."
The two men glared at each other AGAIN and then looked away dismissively.
Watching the two, Kakashi felt a little trickle of stress melt away –
It reminds me of Sakura and Ino. Sasuke and Naruto… but…
He cricked his neck irritably.
Damn it. Let's get this thing done… the further I'm away from these people, the better I'll feel…
"Eh, Mr. Wolf Hound?"
Genma stressed the "mister".
Kakashi came down to earth suddenly.
"What?" he asked abruptly.
"See what I mean," Genma rolled his eyes. "He's the captain for the ANBU team - he's not listening, he's spacing out and HE'S the one who never made it to the meeting... what's up with THAT?"
"Genma -" Ibiki interrupted hastily, as the general area suddenly cooled to sub-zero again.
"What's going on between the Examiner and Kaka-sensei?" whispered Naruto. "Why's he getting so heated up?"
"What a total moron," sighed Sasuke. "Anybody can feel Kakashi's chakra - try to sense it - he's so fucked up..."
"I'm TRYING - and don't call me MORON! MORON!"
"Shut UP idiot! We've got to be quiet and undetectable! This is a SURPRISE attack. You do know what that means, right?"
"SASUKE! YOU BASTARD!"
Naruto suddenly found his face buried in the tree's trunk, and held there. After a few seconds, the black sandal drew away - releasing the hot-blooded Jounin, who turned around, bark and splinters sticking into his face. His eyes widened at the glint of anger behind the Wolf Mask.
"If you're going to be an idiot. Stay at home," hissed his ex-sensei.
And jerked away.
Really, Tsunade, Genma sighed. What is it that you want us to do? Doggy pile on him and beat some sense into him? Scold him? Confront him? Create a fan club - or a support group? Geez... we're totally out of our depth here..., Genma sighed.
"Well?" Raido whispered, as Genma settled down by him with a sigh. "What's up?"
"Any minute now, somebody's going to flash us a signal and it's going to be one mass attack - and no doubt - chaos... Geez... this is shitty..."
"Sasuke, Naruto, Yamato and Sai are all ready."
"Good. And the rest?"
Raido cocked his head toward a blackbird perched on his shoulder.
"Ready as well."
"Good, good. At least some of us are in our right mind this afternoon."
"It's that bad - I told you so. He's -"
"Shut up."
Raido said nothing. Genma sighed.
"That Bear dude is doing him."
"WHAT?" hissed Raido in shock. "Kaka-sempai is -"
"I'm crazy, I know..."
"You're crazy."
"You didn't have to agree..."
A pause.
"What're you going to do?" asked Raido softly, placing a hand unobstrusively over Genma's, enjoying the warmth created within their wrapped fingers.
"I don't know. But - the way it looks..."
"There's no love? I can see that. It happens any time... people always screw each other on and off the field... like you and Hana -"
"Hana wasn't a mindless fuck."
"Whatever."
Genma frowned.
"Sorry," Raido sighed. "That was uncalled for."
"Yeah. It was. Hana and me had something special going. I won't deny that. I never have and never will. I just happened to love you more."
"Sorry."
"You're so insecure. Get a grip."
"Sorry."
"And stop saying sorry. It's annoying."
"So-" Raido squeezed Genma's hand a little harder. "I know you and Hana cared for each other alot. In fact, I think that her -"
"It doesn't matter. What's between Kakashi and that guy is something else."
"I see..."
"Can't you see it?"
Raido slumped.
"I can feel their eyes. I'm too afraid to look."
Genma laughed and gave his partner a side-ways hug.
"Let them be jealous. Bastards."
He drew back after landing a kiss somewhere on Raido's jaw below the ear.
"Ugh. Stop that. You're embarassing. It tickles!"
"Ehhh... aren't they carefree?" Yukio said, his voice lilting in a sing-song.
Kakashi, annoyed - both by Yukio's childish attitude and chatter - and the lovey-dovey togetherness heating up on the branches below his feet - snorted.
"Idiots."
"I think it's cute."
"Good thing I don't care what you think."
"So cold."
"Shut up. You're annoying."
Yukio said nothing, but just crouched, an infinitesimally amount closer to the remote Wolf Hound. His eyes, hidden in the shadows of this mask, looked intently down - at the entwined fingers, the quick kiss and the laughter. The happy banter. His fist tightened in his lap.
"Yukio's a stalker? How scary..." whispered Ichiro to his partner.
Makoto watching Yukio watch Shiranui-san and his partner, shook his head.
"I don't know... but maybe - just maybe - he wants what they have. He won't get it with Wolf-sempai, that's for sure."
"I think it's like Icha Icha all over again! The love triangle! The jealousy! The desire!"
"You're the scary person..."
"See, he's doing it again," Genma smirked into Raido's ear with a loud fake laugh. "Pretend you're looking around or something."
"I can't..."
"Just do it - or you're going to miss it."
Raido sighed, curiousity getting the better of him, and turned around trying to act as if he were nonchalantly taking stock of his surroundings.
Sure enough, Genma was right.
The bastard's always right. Which is what make him a bastard... How can you see things like that, Genma? So easily?
The scarred Jounin's brown eyes couldn't help but widen as he watched Kakashi's gloved hand jerk away from Yukio (subconscious? or conscious?) touch. ANBU Bear tilted his head ever so slightly - and Raido felt trapped suddenly by an overwhelming sense of an intent to kill from both of the ANBU men. He turned around, face red.
"Shit."
"Yeah."
"I mean. Shit. I'm in trouble."
"What now?"
"They saw me..."
"Raido. You're a dunce."
"What?"
"But loveable."
"WHAT?"
"Shhh... if we're seen as being too jovial - our faces will end up smashed in a tree. And since neither of us have a handy Kyuubi in us to heal us up quick, I suggest we at least LOOK as if we're on top of the job."
"Which we are."
"Of course."
"Seriously."
"Right."
There was a pause. Crickets chirped. Several birds flew overhead. A couple of small squirrels chittered angrily at the invaders.
"I hate waiting," sighed Raido. "Let's start already - what are we waiting for -"
Suddenly, in the afternoon sky, a brilliant red flare burst out, a weird chakra-like incandescent flame. Raido and Genma froze up - and then - suddenly, everything started to move fast. Raido slumped there - on his branch - for a second, eyebrow twitching.
"They're mocking me, aren't they..."
"Move it, dumbass!" laughed Genma, disapparating to land somewhere ahead of his younger charges. "Let's go!"
It was chaotic - the running, the jumping, the jutsus flying through the air as the Council's hand-picked guard rose up before the all-important kage's offices. Shadows spreading over buildings to snag people's feet - to choke them. Mind confusion turning man against his partners. Giant Akimichi batting the weaker guards aside. Someone had used a glue field and - oh yes -
Genma nodded in approval.
Kotetsu and Izumo - whatever is going on with the privately - their partnership is still strong on the field. Good to know... I think Tsunade was worried about that...
But looking behind, Genma couldn't help but smile.
Almost everyone is here. All of Rock has turned out - the women and children sheltered - there's no return for this. No time for regrets. Somehow - out of this chaos - we need to find peace.
From above, Iruka was releasing a powerful water bullet jutsu from above a waterfall in the mountains and then slowly making his way down to the Kage's offices from above and behind. And if the green bouncing flashes around the ex-Academy teacher were any sign, Gai and Lee had no trouble keeping up.
Turning to his own people, Genma could only laugh. Naruto and Sasuke were trying to out do each other - but the amount of Guards was rather limited. The Examiner could hear the blonde complaining.
"We came out for THIS? What a waste! Man! I'm hungry! What I'd give for Ichiraku ramen!"
Sakura was bending over a wounded Rock, healing a long cut on his arm.
In fact, Genma thought, we've had startlingly little opposition... it almost seems off... were these guys so disliked? Why didn't Rock rise up against them before. But then... there's the Akatsuki member... and we still know so very little about them... Tch. Who knows... huh - what's inside that office... And that's Kakashi's job really... I hope he can hold it through...
Watching Kakashi gracefully finish off another opponent, Genma's lips turned up wryly - another senbon finding its way to his lips.
But then - some people can only find that balance, here - ne?
"Sakura - can you give me the status of our two teams?" asked Ibiki, who landed beside the Special Jounin Examiner.
The pink-haired medic nodded with a salute.
"All Leaf Nins have sustained little to no injuries, sir! TenTen had one cut - a superficial flesh wound Neji bound easily. And it is possible that Ebisu may have twisted his ankle - but he's fine as well, sir!"
Ibiki nodded slowly.
"That's good..."
"You don't sound too happy about it," Sakura's eyebrow cocked, suddenly familiar with her superior.
"Well.. for one thing," Genma sighed. "It's waaayyy too easy..."
"Hmmm... yes... talk about it."
"Ibiki-san..." Sakura blinked - deep in thought.
"It makes me wonder - why the hell are we here?"
"It's almost like they're inviting us," Genma continued. "Don't you think, Sakura?"
Watching Kakashi's team reach the house with Naruto, Sasuke, Yamato and Sai in tow, the pink-haired Jounin could only shake her head. She looked around her carefully - at the looming mountains, the grey waterfalls, the clusters of houses spread over the many crags and hills. Paths filled with Rock, now securing the land, binding all survivors -
"This is way too easy," she frowned. "But I can't understand - it's what - Kisame, you said. Kabuto. And two other people?"
"Hmmm... well... that's what the reports say. The other two haven't been seen alot... but..."
"Perhaps you can help us, old man?" asked Ibiki, turning an elderly shinobi who appeared on the roof. "Or should I say, Kage-sama?"
"Ahh... sharp as ever, Morino-kun," the old grey-haired Jinchiro chuckled. "Still... the opposition I wasn't too worried about. Some of those guards were our old friends - as such, we can reasonably predict their moves. But the fact the four haven't come out... that's interesting... ah... is Rai-kun here, today? I promised him my sake stash when he visited again - after all - he DID win the shouji competition."
"Rai-kun?" Sakura blinked.
"If you're referring to Raiden, yes, he's here today..." Ibiki sighed. "And I'll pass the message on."
"Hmm..."
"At any rate," Sakura rose. "It's no use talking about it. I'm going to go back up the boys - a medic like me, may be needed on the scene - especially... when it comes to the Akatsuki... even one like Kisame, who we know about..."
Genma nodded, "I'm coming with you. Ibiki-san, can you help Jinchiro-sama to secure the rest of the village. Check for traps, mines, bombs and such. Neji and Hinata can help there."
"I am amazed and impressed and thankful that you even brought the Hyuuga."
"No problem," Genma shrugged, before he followed Sakura. "Your problem could become our problem. Especially when it's Akatsuki..."
With that, he caught up to the pink-haired medic and bounding towards the office - suddenly came to a halt as the whole building exploded - every which way - brick, straw, mud, tiles, wood splintering with the suddenly wild chakra surging outwards.
And as the smoke drifted away, there was revealed a tableau:
Naruto and Sasuke glaring at Kisame - holding his sword off of a young ANBU with their own katana. Yamato and Sai were facing off Kabuto - but in the center -
Oh kami...
Genma sucked in his breath -
Not this - not now!
A grey, blue and black kimono figure sat - tranquilly - composed - as if the building had never been blown off of its foundations. The hair fell back as the face was raised.
Black, ebony eyes met a black and red mismatch.
And before it stood - a hulking man with a long brown ponytail, sword in hand.
"Kakashi-kun," they both said calmly. "Long time, no see."
Behind his mask, his eyes were wide - his body thrumming with tension - still. Frozen. Standing behind him, Genma didn't know what to say.
I always wanted that bastard's calm to crack. No - just to show some REAL emotion. But this - this isn't what I wanted for you. Kakashi... what -
"You know him?" he managed to ask, looking beyond the goon to the seated noble.
"Of course," the grey-haired angel smiled. "We are, after all, related."
NEXT UP: A shadow from Kakashi's past. 'What do you mean by related?' asks Sakura, confused. 'All his family is dead! He's the last Hatake! This is a lie!... Isn't it?'
First anime character I fell in love with: Hatake Kakashi
Favorite accessory: Naruto canvas bag
Favorite book: Lord of the Rings
Favorite genres: Historical fiction, science fantasy
Favorite movie: too many! Lord of the Rings, POTC 1 and 2, Harry Potter, Pride and Prejudice, The Matrix, Howl's Moving Castle
Latest buy: Byakuya poster (SWEEET!!!)