Grey
Chapter 4
It was rather boring at the Konoha Ninja Academy, as it was called. Other than learning new techniques, there wasn't very much that I had to learn since I had already mastered the art of chakra control and the basics like Bunshin no Jutsu, which was universally the same throughout the different ninja countries.
However, in order to make myself look more like a struggling ninja wannabe, I controlled my chakra such that it would be insufficient to perform the jutsu learnt. However, it was difficult to control my impatience, and hence I was often the fastest learner in the class.
This came with its price, for many of my classmates were jealous of my outstanding ability, and largely disregarded my presence. I took no note of their childish behaviour, for I was already used to being ignored. What irked me was how several of them would sometimes gang up, and challenge me to a fight. Of course, I would win effortlessly, but I didn't realise that my victories only served to make them hate me even more.
*****
My mask was the target of ridicule among my classmates. Whenever I walked past Soichiro, Wakamaru and Ryutaro, they would snigger, and make some caustic remark about my masked face. I ignored them of course, hoping they would lose interest. It worked, and after a few weeks, they gave up taunting me, and found their new victim in a girl shorter than average.
"Hey, shortie. How's the air down there?" Soichiro smirked, and then the three boys laughed raucously, while the poor girl hung her head.
The rest of the class was silent, as the bullies' laugher echoed in the room. No one dared to speak up, as these three boys were the oldest and biggest in the class. Everyone stared at the crying girl helplessly, and silently prayed that the bully trio wouldn't beat her up just for kicks.
I watched the whole incident in silence, not knowing what exactly to do. I knew for sure that I could easily beat those three to a pulp, but since I had never encountered such a situation, I didn't know how to approach those bullies without looking idiotic. Perhaps I could play a trick on them, but how?
Just as I was pondering my next move, Asuma prodded me with a finger. "Ne, Kakashi, aren't you going to beat them up? I mean, just look at poor Tsukika... You're just about the only person in class who can save her..."
I looked at him, and it was only then that it hit me that everyone else was looking to me, hoping that I could help them solve the problem.
I stood up importantly, and made my way towards the bully trio. They still surrounded the poor, sobbing girl. They were so absorbed in taunting her that they didn't notice me approaching.
I kicked Wakamaru from behind, causing him to stumble and fall heavily onto the ground. The other two bullies turned to glare angrily at me, and I returned their malevolent gaze with an icy stare.
We continued glowering at one another for quite a while, and the class was silent with anticipation. I could feel many pairs of eyes trained on us, and I didn't care.
'Tousan's instructions not to draw attention to myself were swept to the back of my mind, as I lunged forward and threw a hard punch at Soichiro.
In no time, I was in a full-blown fight with those three bullies, and the class cheered us on, eagerly watching me beat the trio to a pulp.
Unfortunately for us, the ruckus drew a passing Jounin's attention, and we were severely reprimanded by him. I received the worst scolding because the other three were very badly injured, while I escaped with only a few scratches.
*****
"Anou... Thanks for saving me just now..." The vertically challenged girl from earlier on blushed, as she expressed her gratitude to me in the schoolyard. I smiled through my mask and mumbled, "No problem."
Not knowing what to do after that, I decided to go home rather than stare at her and twiddle my thumbs awkwardly.
As I turned around, she called out again to me, "Anou... Kakashi-san, why do you always wear that mask?"
I stopped in my tracks, somewhat bewildered by the strange and unexpected question. I cocked my head sideways such that I could see her without turning around. Tsukika was looking at me earnestly, and then with sincerity in her voice, she asked another strange question, "Kakashi-san, why don't you ever play with us?"
The only thought that popped into my head right then was, she's weird. Why does she ask me such strange questions?
I frowned a little, slightly offended by her question. It seemed rather natural not to play with my other schoolmates since I'd never engaged in play anyway. 'Play' was a foreign concept to me, and having trained hard to become an outstanding shinobi, it was somewhat meaningless.
Realising her mistake, Tsukika bowed apologetically to me, her chestnut ponytail spreading out over her shoulders like a small fan.
Then, after giving me a small box, she ran out of the school grounds, turned around once, and waved back to me once before running off into the distance.
*****
I spent much of my recesses in the classroom, where I'd be training. Of course, I'd be practicing the jutsus I'd learnt in Konoha, since it would be a fatal mistake to practise the jutsus I'd learnt in my hometown here, on enemy ground.
Of course, the temptation would become unbearable whenever I was alone in a forest clearing, where no one would find me. However, knowing my duty to my village, I resisted the urge to practise the high level jutsus I¡¯d learnt, and instead would perfect my skills at the lower level jutsus.
I was practising at the back of the classroom again with my newfound and only friends Asuma and Tsukika. I noticed that Tsukika had extremely poor chakra control, and decided that perhaps I could help her in return for the box of fragrant wildflowers she'd given me the other day.
"Tsukika-san..." I felt rather awkward speaking to her, but then again, this was one of the few times I'd spoken face-to-face with a girl.
"Hai!" She spun around eagerly and stared intently at my face, her cheeks a shy shade of pink.
"Uh... your chakra control isn't very good, you know. Would you like me to teach you--"
The door burst open, and a boy around my age with a bowl haircut, impossibly thick eyebrows and no fashion sense, ran into our classroom. I had not seen him before, so I assumed that he was probably from another class.
"Tsukika-chaaaaaaan!!!" He called out in an overly melodramatic voice. Patting his chest confidently, he said, "I, Maito Gai, will become the best ninja in the whole wide world! Come away with me and we shall..."
His voice trailed off, and he stared forlornly in Tsukika's direction. Following his gaze, I realised that Tsukika had covered her ears with her hands. Asuma sighed knowingly, and sucked his lollipop deliberately.
Gai looked crushed, and he spun around, fists clenched. "You! You must have stolen her heart! See how she ignores me! She was never like this before!"
With a roar, Gai ran towards me and prepared to punch my face. I, on the other hand, anticipated his movements, and got ready to dodge an attack that never came.
Gai was already sprawled flat on the ground before he even was an arm's length away from me¡ªhe had tripped over a crack in the worn floorboards.
Asuma shook his head, still sucking on his lollipop.
Gai was up in an instant, cussing violently. "You set a booby trap didn't you?"
I sighed inwardly and retorted, "No, I most certainly did not."
"Did too."
"Did not."
Asuma merely threw up his hands and rolled his eyes as we continued our childish argument.
*****
After school, Gai challenged me to a fight in the grassy schoolyard. Of course, many other Ninja wannabes stayed to watch, and I noted that a few seniors came to observe us.
From what I had gathered, Gai was an average student in the class next door, and an ardent admirer of Tsukika.
I sighed, and wondered why I should be fighting him. I didn't even like Tsukika, not in that way anyway.
*****
The fight was over in a flash. Or rather, there was no fight. Gai stubbed his toe on a root protruding out of the ground, and ended up rolling about wailing pathetically. The most ridiculous thing was, he even thought that I had set another 'booby trap' and even acknowledged me as his rival.
What a weird person... that Gai...
A/n: I know the 'booby traps' and the 'rivalry' between Kakashi and Gai are very much like that between Naruto and Konohamaru. It was intentional XD
And I apologise to Gai fans who find this chapter mildly offensive. Gai once described himself as a 'loser at the bottom of the class' (Sorry, I translated the phrase from Chinese, and so it isn't really accurate XP The original words are 'diao4 che1 wei3') so I made him into a loser. But don't worry, Gai will make a comeback later in the story ^^;;
And once more, I'd like to tell all reviewers how much I appreciate their reviews. Don't stop reviewing okay? The success of this project will be measured by the number of reviews received. Thanks ^^
Oh, and by the way, to those who are reading my other fanfics, I apologise for not updating for so long.. I swear that once I'm done with this project, I'll update the others too okay?
And yes, I reassure you, this fic will be updated rather frequently ^^;;