Chapter 3: Kindred Spirits




So, what do you think of Leaf Village?


The face on him crumpled for a moment, then faded away, leaving behind a sharp, dark, angular face, with an angry scowl.


To be honest, Mizuki, I'd rate it pretty low. The ninja's here are powerful, no getting around it. But you know, this village isn't exactly, hidden', as theres a giant mountain over there with faces on it. Doesn't that concern them in the slightest?


A breeze picked up in the monochrome night, the moon sticking out like a sore thumb in a sea of blackness; a moon with no stars. Mizuki, sighed, put his foot on the edge of Nidaime's nose and leaned forward.


Besides, we're crawling over their faces. I'm sure we already commited at least twenty felonies stepping on this guy's nose.


You worry too much, Masaku.


Gansaku' Masaku grunted. Listen, you go through over five hundred successful thefts in your life and then come back and tell me not to worry. I haven't lived this long by prancing naked in enemy territory. I was the one who stole the Kazekage's family heirloom, and the Water Daimyo's clothes. Listen, I know how to survive, and doing this is making me hella nervous.


It's the last place they would expect.


And the first place a couple of horny youngsters come and discover us, Masaku grumbled, and flipped his head up to the sky. Jeez, couldn't you have picked a more surly person for me to impersonate? One more fake laugh and I'll go stabby on someone.


Don't complain. He was the highest level ninja I could incapacitate, unless of course you wanted to be the Copy Ninja.


Masaku shuddered. No thank you. Yikes.


Mizuki's mouth curved in a nasty grin. Perhaps Maito Gai?


Hah, not funny.


So, you know where it is?


Masaku nodded. In the hall of records. The security is surprisingly light. I could actually handle it before someone came.


So it would be quicker?


No, I want to make sure. I have a feeling these people don't give a lot of room for error.


I bet, Mizuki grunted, turned his head and spat on Nidaime's nose.


Isn't that a capital offense? Masaku asked, eyebrow elevated.





Mizuki stiffened, and Masaku was suddenly more conscious of his surroundings. What is it?








That demon brat.







That brat who sent me to Ibiki's little playhouse, Mizuki said, seething with rage. Masaku walked forward to get a better look. Though his eye's weren't the best, he could make out the orange jacket and pants, though the face was hidden.


I heard how you were sent to be re-socialized. I also heard you got the crap beat out of you, heh, Masaku chuckled, only to be silenced ny Mizuki's deathly glare.


How could I not, against the container of the Kyuubi?


Masaku blinked twice.


.... No way....


Yes, way.


Masaku sized up the boy again. Damn. I never thought him of all people...


Have you two met?


Yeah, I was at the ramen place after embarrassing myself in front of that red eyed jounin, and I needed a bit of time to calm myself, and to refrain from murdering a box of puppies. This is the most stressful job I have ever accepted.


Isn't he a rotten brat?





Masaku kicked a rock off the nose.


Just a kid with some issues to settle. Pretty likable too.


You like him?


Yeah, sure why not?


He's a terror wait to be unleashed. No one likes him, he's trash. He doesn't even have parents! What's that look for?


The shadows suddenly hid Masaku's face.


What the hell do you know? he said quietly. What the hell do you know about having nothing?


Mizuki turned around and gave him an equally enraged look.


Don't you dare sympathize with him! Your just a damn thief, nothing gets lower than that, except that brat! Mizuki snarled.


The breeze suddenly got colder. Masaku glared hatefully at him.


I can relate to him. I know what he's been through. I know the feeling of wanting to shout things that other people would be terrified whispering. If he does indeed have the Kyuubi inside of him, more power to him. It means he can change things, make more of his life. I felt loneliness at a young age, parents being assassinated by Konoha no less, Masaku grimaced, and his eyes narrowed, the shadows dancing on his face. The black sky seemed to absorb the anger, the cold, calculating rage of both ninjas, and the moon seemed to radiate brighter with each passing moment.


All I had was my wits and my hands. I stole my first loaf of bread the day after. I was hunted by both Leaf and Cloud ninjas. I survived, damnit, and I am making myself to be the greatest thief to grace history books, now and forever be.


A thief with a heart of gold, huh? Which fantasy book was that from?


Mizuki instantly regretted that last comment. Masaku suddenly appeared directly in front of him, with his hand poised like a dagger, glowing a deathly green.


You watch yourself Mizuki. I dealt with scum the past few years, but you are undoubtedly the lowest piece of shit I have ever dealt with. I can steal more than material goods, get my drift? Masaku whispered dangerously, and waved the glowing green hand slightly. I have no qualms killing a client.


Mizuki just scowled back, and Masaku shoved him back a little bit.


I set a date for our little get away scheme.


Mizuki's face softened.


It's to co-incide with the new Chuunin Exams. Seeing as the treaties got shot to high hell, they set it up so only new Leaf genins could do it, and new tests as well.


And that is...?


On the Harvest Moon. Got it?


Mizuki nodded, and stretched. We stood here long enough. Let's leave.





Mizuki sprang out of sight, leaving Masaku alone. He put his glowing green hand to his face, and formed chakra layers over it, expanding his cheek bones, and dulling the sharpness of his nose, and pushed his eyelids up, making a more youthful, cheerful face. When he lowered his hand, Gansaku emerged. He took one last look towards the fading Naruto.


Though we were not born to the same parents, nor the same day... I see in you, a kindred soul... I hope I will not have to kill you...



=============


'Hokay.

Sorry for the lateness. Holiday Cheers and all that, Merry Christmas, Hannaka and all that.

A lot of winners. Gansaku indeed means fake. Since two people have correctly stated the answer and specified the pairings, those two I shall do first. The rest of you who did state the correct answers, what the hell, review, e-mail or IM me your couplings. Consider it a late Christmas present.

And no, there was no Shino and Ino. Why? Because I needed to flesh Mizuki and Masaku out a bit, since they will be playing very minuscule parts until near the end. Besides, I already have the next chapter finished, just need to edit it a bit. Masaku will have a sort of relationship with Naruto, similar to Iruka ^^


As for anything else, some more indepth tips on making action sequences would be greatly appreciated.


Gansaku Definition Contest Winners:

Alden Hawke(Shikamaru/Sakura , Ino/Naruto)
Spacy Ricochet (Hinata/Kurenai)
Xenoscythe (Undefined) *lol, same place I get my Japanese - English words*
Landlady of the Universe (Undefined)

possibly more but its late and im tired.


NT13 Signing Out.