A/N:
Hello everyone! Here's the first chapter of A Light From the Shadows. This story is dedicated to GroovyHottubLlama as she has helped me immensely with ideas for this.
Thank you so much girl!
This fic is a crossover between Avatar: the Last Airbender, and Naruto.
All characters are property of their original creators, I own nothing. (Not even some of the plot! Haha).
Thanks for reading I hope you like it!
A Light From the Shadows
It happened in the middle of the night. He made sure of that. He had left most of his worldly possessions, however little of those he had to begin with. Most of what he took was clothing, food, and money. Pure necessities. The guards at the gate just thought he was leaving for a walk in the middle of the night. He was known for such things, he had always explained that it helped clear his head. Not unheard of for military personnel to do whatever they can to deal with their demons. This time he had a pack on his back and hoped it wouldn't cause him too much trouble. It was lucky that one of the guards who liked Kakashi was working that night.
"Out for another of your long walks Kakashi?" The helmeted man leaned on his poleaxe as he questioned Kakashi jokingly. The man's signature bowl cut couldn't be seen with the fire nation helmet on.
"Yep."
"You're such an old man at heart. You should be embracing the power of youth! Are you planning on getting lost out there? What's with the pack?" Kakashi felt a sweat break out on his lower back.
"Eh. Just in case anything were to happen. You never can be too careful about who might be out here." He half-laughed and scratched the back of his neck absently.
"Too true, my friend. Too true."
You are one of the few I consider a 'friend'. I hope you don't get in trouble for being the last one to see me… You are one of the good ones amongst these…. Monsters.
Kakashi waved his two finger good-bye and kept walking. He never looked back.
The search for him started just a week later. He was an important part of their army, just another asset the Fire Lord was sore about losing, of course he wouldn't be allowed to desert without a fight. He had been a close acquaintance with General Iroh and had even been included in a few war meetings over the years. He was valuable to fire nation. But not so important that he was irreplaceable. The retrieval parties had been assigned to bring him back at first, and alive, to explain his actions. But after a year of running, they were apparently assigned to bring him back dead or alive. The pursuers attacked him. There wasn't a moment he wasn't watching his back, jumping at every slightest noise, every movement around. He couldn't stay anywhere as he was suspicious of everyone. Most nights were anxious, fitful naps more than restful sleep.
The nightmares haunted him. Made him paranoid even during the day.
Another assassin was following him, this one more eager than the rest. The man reminds Kakashi of himself, young and soulless, before he grew up and saw the reality that was the Fire Nation. He was the last the Fire Lord ever sent. Kakashi was almost outmatched, his will to fight having been worn down after months of fighting back, running, without sleep, without enough food, no energy. The assassin was blasting him back, farther, farther, and just as the assassin was about to finish him off, with a direct fire blast hit, Kakashi woke up.
…he's breathing hard and covered in sweat. A slight steam rose off his body as he gets his breathing in check. You can't blow your cover now, Kakashi.
A few deep breaths later and he remembered. He's not on the run anymore. He's been in this village for the last eight years, living and working hard with these people. The assassin's eyes haunted him even as he was awake. The accusing eyes wreathed in flames. The dream always ended there, just before Kakashi had been able to strike back and kill the attacker. Kakashi splashed his face with cold water to try and banish the memories. It was to no avail. He got dressed and left the small apartment he lived in. He bought a bit of bread for breakfast and headed toward the Kyoshi Warrior training building.
"Hello, Kakashi. You headed in for some training today?" It was his friend Sakura. She was also a Kyoshi Warrior. Okay he was just an honorary member, but he still trained with them every day. It was good exercise and it kept him busy when he wasn't working on repairing and handiwork around the village.
"Yeah. Just like every morning. Maybe Tsunade will concede to teach me the advanced set today!" She looked at him with a blank face.
"She's more likely to punch you through the wall, make you fix it, and then expect you to train some more than teach you the advanced set."
Kakashi sighed.
"You're right." He finished his bread as they walked into the training building. Several of the other warriors were already there and dressed, stretching and getting ready for morning practice. Kakashi changed after Sakura was finished with the room. It had become a sort of inside joke. Once they had found out about his 'literature' they had insisted he use the room only after all the women had finished with it. That, only perverts read those books. Obviously Kakashi couldn't change with the women, but he did have to wear the traditional garb while practicing just like the rest of them. Regardless of how hot he got in it. He did refuse to wear their makeup as it would require him to take off his mask.
Kakashi rejoined the warriors and nobody even noticed him. He had been practicing with them long enough that it was nothing new to see him join them in their traditional warrior outfit.
Tsunade walked out of a conjoining room, fully outfitted and ready to go.
"Kakashi! I see you're still not in proper uniform! Very sloppy! Looks like no advanced set for you today!," the women around him giggled, this was an almost daily occurance. "All right ladies! 10 laps around the village! Let's go!" And they were off. Kakashi didn't even get a chance to ask Tsunade anything. It was probably done on purpose, just like she avoided him every day. It was a little game they played. Some days she won and he never got a chance to talk to her and some days he won and got to state his case. Today was not one of his days. Their rigorous workout complete, the women who weren't on patrol duty changed, followed by Kakashi. Sakura waited for him in the main training room, she was drinking water from a pigskin, a few drops slipping from the corner of her mouth.
"You'll never get her to let you learn the advanced set. She has a hard limit when teaching men anything but the basics... but you did almost get her that one time..." Kakashi waved her off as they left the place.
"Yeah. And I'm never doing that again. I keep telling you that. Besides, maybe one of these day's she'll take pity on me and just give up." Out of habit Kakashi pulled his orange book out of one of his pockets. Sakura knew he was still listening, this was a daily routine for them.
"You are so stubborn. Why is it such a big deal just to follow her directions?"
"I just can't give it up, I can't give up the mask."
"Maybe one day you'll tell me why you wear that stupid thing. You can't possibly be comfortable in that."
"Maybe."
Kakashi had been living in the village for the past eight years now, living a quiet life all on his own. It took some adjusting… okay a lot of adjusting. He relished not having to worry about the fire nation every second. He even caught himself sometimes thinking that maybe they had given up on him. But that was wishful thinking and he knew they'd be back one day. It would only be so long before the fire nation wanted to burn Kyoshi Island.
Kakashi had a few favors he had to finish that day before sleep. His neighbor, a frail older woman named Sayuri, had a leaky roof, Mrs. Shamiro down the road wanted some help hauling some barrels and his landlord wanted some help replacing the upstairs neighbors window. He left Sakura at her place, just a few houses away from his own, and walked on to the first favor he had promised to do.
Sayuri was waiting outside her front porch for him, next to her was some tar and random building materials for the thatched roof.
"Hello Madam Sayuri. How are you doing today?"
"I'm fine young man. I really appreciate you doing this for me. I'm afraid I don't think I'd be able to get up on that rickety old ladder and do this myself."
"It's no problem ma'am."
"You're such a kind young man. If only my granddaughter wasn't already married, I'd have you meet her."
"That's very generous of you, Madam."
The woman smiled and Kakashi grabbed the supplies before making his way up the ladder. It was, in fact, very rickety, and Kakashi just about fell off the roof several times. An hour or two later and her roof was watertight.
"Thank you, Kakashi. Let me send you with some rolls to take with you."
"You don't have to do that, Madam Sayuri."
"Oh but I do! If you hadn't repaired my roof, I would have had seven buckets set out to catch water next time it rains." Kakashi rubbed his neck, out of habit more than anything. His mask was damp with sweat and he couldn't wait to get home and take it off. But unfortunately, home wasn't his next stop. He backtracked to the Shamiro residence and knocked on the door. Mrs. Shamiro came around the side of the building hauling a barrel.
"Kakashi thank goodness you're here. I have several barrels here I need brought out to the shack outback. Do me a kindness and help me haul them back there. I fear my back is about to give out hauling them myself."
"Mrs. Shamiro! You shouldn't strain yourself. I'll handle these barrels, you take a rest okay?"
"If you're sure?"
"Positive."
"You're a saint, Kakashi. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't around to help."
"I'm sure you'd manage okay."
"You really don't know what an asset you are." Kakashi blushed.
"Ma'am, you flatter me. The barrels?"
"They're all on the porch, just delivered this morning." He pulled the first barrel off the rack and was amazed at just how doable the weight felt. Man, if I wasn't in shape, she'd be the one helping me here! He rolled the barrel to the backyard and set it inside the woman's shack.
As he was returning from the shack he caught a tiny slip of pink hair through the fence separating Mrs. Shamiro's yard from Sakura's. He went over to investigate. Kakashi peeked through the fence. Steam instantly poured out his ears before he got contro of it. Sakura was bathing. A very naked Sakura. Bathing. Naked. Sakura. Bathing. No Kakashi! Bad! THINK ABOUT CHEESE BARRELS CHEESE BARRELS. She's just your friend. Naked, but still just a friend. Kakashi walked back to the porch, and he was sure his face was very red.
Nine barrels later and he was barely keeping a lid on the steaming. On his way back after the last barrel and locking the shed, a light trail of steam was coming out of his mask. Keep it cool, Kakashi. Breathe… Coool… breathe…
He took a deep breath and rejoined Mrs. Shamiro. She hugged him tightly.
"Thank you, Kakashi!" She paid him a few coins and he went on his way, pleased.
The window didn't take long to put in and Kakashi was done.
It was a long day, and the cup of tea he had that night was a soothing one. If only every day could be this peaceful. Relaxing after a long day of helping others really makes you feel good. If not a bit stinky. He smelled himself and knew he needed a bath that night. Kakashi pulled his favorite book out of a back pocket and opened it, starting where he had left off earlier. Music drifted in through his open window from an inn just down the road. Tonight it sounded like they had conned someone into playing Sungi horn, and while no one wanted to play it, it added a rich twang to the music that was otherwise missing. Kakashi tended not to frequent the inn, he didn't drink and wasn't musically inclined. Not to mention a fire nation traveler could notice me. …not that we get many of those. He preferred to listen in the comfort of his home.
A knock sounded on his door.
"Come in."
Sakura walked in, dressed simply in a red tunic and maroon harem pants with sandals.
"Hey Kakashi. Want some company?"
"Why not. I've got some tea brewed if you'd like some?"
"Oooh! Yes please! What kind is it?"
"Jasmine green tea."
"UGH. My favorite."
"I know." She took a seat on a cushion across from him at his low table.
"You didn't brew it just in case I came over did you?" He just smiled and took a sip from his own cup.
Sakura poured herself a cup and watched Kakashi read his book.
"What are you reading?"
"It's called Icha Icha."
"What's it about?"
"It's... well..." Kakashi blushed. What do I tell her? It's basically smut? Then again she's seen me reading it repeatedly. She probably has some idea... right?
"Spit it out Kakashi."
"It's a romance novel of sorts." Sakura looked away, a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Oh! I see. One of those pervy novels huh? Maybe you'll let me borrow one sometime." Kakashi shut the book and set it down next to him. Was she flirting with him?
"I'm kind of stingy when it comes to loaning my books out...Plus… I don't know if you'd like them."
"Aw... Kakashi don't you trust me? We're friends right? And what's not to like about a good romance novel?"
"The last time I loaned a book out, my best friend burned it. Threw it in the fire and burned it right up." He purposely avoided the second half to her question.
Sakura covered her mouth in shock. Good she didn't catch that.
"Oh no! What a horrible thing to do! I'm so sorry that happened to you Kakashi." She reached across the table and took his hand. It felt warm on his own. He wanted to turn his hand up and hold hers, but he knew that wasn't the sort of thing friends did. Kakashi sighed and removed his hands from the table.
"Yeah so you can see why I don't loan my books out."
"I understand. I'm sorry I asked."
"It's okay."
They sipped their tea in silence. Sakura leaving once she was finished with her cup.
"Thank you for the tea, Kakashi. I'll see you at training tomorrow." He waved his little two finger wave at her and promised to be there.
"And I will hear about this book tomorrow!"
Great. She had caught it. Kakashi rose from the table and washed the dishes. Afterwards he took a steamy bath (the only place he can get away with using a little firebending), and went to bed.
…
That was a typical day for Kakashi. He'd wake up, do some training, talk with Sakura, do some odd jobs around town if anyone needed him, and head on home for the night. Most days Sakura would join him and then he'd sleep for the next day. She had moved to the village a year or so ago (appearing out of nowhere really), and had somehow become a rather significant friend in his life.
Even if that life was a bit quiet.
…
In late summer, a harvest festival was thrown. Kakashi usually tried to avoid the festival, preferring hearing it versus being there. He was more of an introvert type. Small groups were his thing, not big crowds.
This year, however, he was not allowed to get away with such a luxury.
The first night of the festival, Sakura arrived at his front door in a beautiful kimono.
Kakashi's jaw dropped. The outfit was very fetching.
"Well? How do I look?"
"A-amazing. You look truly gorgeous, Sakura."
"And why aren't you dressed?"
"Pardon?"
"I asked if you'd go with me last week! Don't tell me you've forgotten!"
"Ah… sorry? Slipped my mind. Maybe next year?"
"Kakassshiiii you did that lasssstttt yearrrrr… come on. I'll get you dressed."
"That won't be necessary. I'll meet you out front in ten minutes." She grinned at her victory.
That was close. His hand went to his left shoulder, feeling the tattoo underneath his clothing. She can never see that if I'm going to keep my secret.
He walked to his closet and found the dark grey yukata waiting there for him. He pulled it on and tied the waist and walked outside.
"Better?"
"Yes, a little, though I wish you weren't wearing that mask." Kakashi sighed. There's no pleasing her! "I'm kidding! You look fine."
They walked arm in arm to the festival. The homes on his street were lined with lanterns and decorations. People were milling about, eating food, making music, playing games, drinking, generally enjoying the night with mirth. Everyone was dressed up in their best clothing, be it just your cleanest clothes, or that special kimono (like Sakura) you only wore once a year. Everyone was happy. The mood was contagious. Kakashi felt a grin break out under his mask. Sakura's arm tightened around his and she led them to a food vendor. Kakashi bought them some bean curd puffs and crab puffs to share.
"Thank you, Kakashi," Sakura said as she popped a crab puff into her mouth. Apparently it was delicious because her eyes fluttered shut and a low groan escaped from her chest. "Oh my goooood you have to try these! They're so good." She picked up a crab puff and held it out to him.
"I've had crab puffs before, Sakura."
"Not like these!" She mumbled around another puff.
"Fine." She brought the food closer to him and stopped just before it collided with his mask. "Just kidding! You can feed it to yourself, pervy Kashi." She dropped the puff in his hand and Kakashi turned away to pop the morsel in his mouth. It did dissolve on his tongue, a well above average creamy crab puff.
"Well? Aren't they delicious?"
"Yeah." His voice was lower than he meant, "yeah, they were actually really good." She smiled.
"I'm glad you like them!"
They finished their meal in a silence. Kakashi found himself staring at Sakura's hands while musing to himself, they were so small, yet he knew they were very powerful little fists. He looked up and saw her staring back at him, a foreign emotion in her eyes. Before he could decide what it was, they changed back to their normal state. Whatever that was.
"Want to play some games, Kakashi?"
"Huh? Oh. Yeah. Sure."
"Which one? Pin the Fan on Kyoshi? The Dunk Tank? Lemur Ball?"
"Lemur Ball."
"Good choice."
"They don't actually use a lemur do they?" Sakura looked at him like he was an idiot.
"Have you never played?"
"Nope."
"Well you're about to learn then."
They walked to the designated 'Lemur ball' stations and bought a round of 'lemurs' they were really just balls painted to look like lemurs. You rolled them up the playing field and tried to get them into certain hoops for certain points. Sakura showed him how to do it, and Kakashi turned out to be quite good at it. It was very similar to something he had done with his father as a child in the fire nation. It was one of his very few positive memories.
'Kakashi, now roll the ball like this, but put just a little spin on it and it'll go right through the small hoop.'
'Why the small hoop?' He must have been quite young at the time, he was very much shorter than his father. Sakumo squatted to his height.
'It's strategy, Kakashi. You could aim for the easier targets and they'd still get you points, but you should aim for the smallest, hardest hoop, it'll get you the most points and the most tickets for prizes!'
Kakashi smiled through his mask and tried his luck at the game. He hadn't been very good, the balls were quite heavy metal and he wasn't quite strong enough to accurately throw them yet.
'It's okay, Kakashi. A good general knows when to retreat and fight another day.'
Now he was older, and the balls were lighter. Kakashi had sunk the ball in the smallest of the hoops every time and broke the high score. It earned them several tickets.
"What do we do with them?"
"Take them to the prize booth! Let's go see what they have!"
The prize booth was full of stuffed animals, trinkets, knick-knacks and other random items.
"You look like you have plenty of tickets good sir! Are you looking to cash them in? What would you like, we've got plushes, kyoshi figurines, fans, masks, dolls, everything!" Kakashi considered the booth stuffed with new merchandise.
"What do you want, Sakura?" She smiled warmly at him.
"Well… I've always idolized Kyoshi…"
"Kyoshi it is! I'd like one of the Kyoshi amulet please."
"Very good choice sir."
The amulet actually had a decent weight in Kakashi's hand. The metal backing held a tiny figurine of the esteemed woman, and she was surrounded by her famous fans. It was actually a quite intricate piece. The chain felt rather weak though.
Kakashi unclasped the ends and gestured Sakura forward.
"Here," She turned around and let him put the necklace on her. Lucky her long flowing pink hair was out of the way at the moment so he didn't have a difficult time putting it on. Kakashi passed the chain in front of her and reclasped it behind her neck. The prize man happened to have a small mirror and handed it to Sakura. She gazed at herself in the mirror and held the amulet as she appraised it.
"It's gorgeous, Kakashi. I love it. Thank you so much!" She threw her arms over him and kissed him on the cheek. She walked away towards another game and Kakashi followed her. The spot her lips had touched tingled, but he ignored the feeling.
Kakashi and Sakura spent the rest of the night together, playing games, eating good food, and eventually watching the fireworks explode from the shoreline.
Sakura sat next to him, her legs stretched out on the sand in front of her. One sandal dangled off of her foot, the other already off. Her hands flat on the sand behind to support her upper body. The colored flashes in the distance lit up her face with all the colors of the rainbow. She was a beautiful woman in any color. She was pointing out her favorites to him, making comments, but Kakashi didn't hear any of it. He was too busy noticing how the pink of her hair changed to violet in blue light, and orange in yellow. The way her smile lit up her face. The one stray hair on her cheek that made him want to reach out and just…. Tuck it back into place. Kakashi looked back at the fireworks in the sky. But that's not what friends do.
He pulled his knees up to his chest and crossed his arms over them, lying his head on top of them. Sakura placed her hand on his shoulder. Her touch burned his skin.
"Is something the matter, Kakashi?"
"No, just a bit tired. The crowds have worn me out." And it was true. Kakashi had never wanted to come out in the first place, but had let her drag him out of his comfort zone.
"I'm sorry, Kakashi. I know you didn't want to come. I didn't mean to make you sad. Did you at least have a little fun?"
"Yeah, I really did. But can we leave now?"
She patted his shoulder twice before using it to push herself up.
"Yeah, we can. Let's go." Sakura offered him a hand for help up and he took the offer. He dropped it after getting up and they walked home in silence.
…
The girl was definitely Kakashi's best friend. And he didn't want to jeopardize that relationship by being stupid. I'll just keep my distance. Leave things the way they are. Maybe one day things will change.