DISCLAIMER: 'Naruto' is not mine; the only thing that I own of this story is its storyline and the new characters presented.
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Ichi: New Day, New Ideals
The boy set his haunches onto the solidity of a jagged rock, his hair dripping water onto his face. He had decided to take a bath after he woke and found that the day had an unusual smell. He figured a storm was to come. The rock was rather uncomfortable but it was an effective way to rest his sore muscles. The bath had cleansed his wound from the women's attack and it also lifted his spirits. Hiroshi yawned and scratched the bridge of his nose, the sun beginning its ascent to its daily peak. The day looked like it promised of beauty, but the aroma that hung in the air told otherwise.
He pushed a hand through his damp hair, and to untie his Hitai-ate; he did not need the headband any longer for it only proved to be in the way. Bringing his hand down to the side of his leg, Hiroshi reached into his utility pouch and produced a bandage rolled into a small ball. After unwrapping it, he lifted his shirt and exposed the gash that was made by the lighting attack. He finished dressing the wound, but only after a number of tries involving him finding the bandage not sufficient, grunting and wrapping it again.
Hiroshi's stomach growled and hissed a monotonous tune, his hand rubbing his stomach to soothe its loathing. He rubbed the back of his head, smiling sheepishly.
"Guess I'd better eat something soon or I'll lose energy. That last fight really drained me," he mumbled to himself.
Hiroshi stood erect, looking around for some form of food, actually any form of food, specifically meat. 'Seriously, what wimp eats berries? Your fill lasts for what, two minutes? Bah, I'm getting meat,' he thought both confidently and skeptically, his eyes darting around his environment. The boy vaulted into the air, flipping backwards and landing on a branch, launching himself from it almost as soon as he touched it. He darted from tree to tree, the vegetation on the forest floor appearing as mere blurs in his vision, but he could nonetheless spot an animal if there was one.
Almost instantaneously, a bush rustled below him, multiple berries strewn across the ground due to the erratic movement. Hiroshi ceased his searching, planting his feet steadily on a thin branch. He, after all, had been hunting on the road to his destination which he deemed to be the village of Konoha. He had picked Konoha because it was closer and he could stop there to restock on weapons, accessories, and food.
Hiroshi produced two kunai from the small rabbit-skin pouch strapped to his calf and shot them into the shrub. A piercing squeal sounded from within the bush, the kunai obviously hitting its mark. A small pig came tearing out of its hiding place, running straight into a tree and falling down, screeching to no end. The swine picked itself off the ground, shook the dizziness from its head, and dashed off, heading for a grassy plain in the distance.
"Oh no you don't," Hiroshi said, bringing his hands together and going through a set of seals. He jumped to the ground soundlessly, his knees bent and eyes narrowed. He slammed his palms to the ground, a pulse of energy shooting toward the scurrying pig.
Doton: Koudo Yari no Jutsu!
A stone spire shot from the ground, impaling the pig through its gut. Its squealing ceased and its head sagged from its shoulders. Blood trickled downed the spire at the stone spear retracted, sinking back into the ground. Hiroshi strolled to the corpse leisurely, looked at the pig and the damage he had done.
He smiled to himself, "Looks like I'm having a little snack."
He wrapped the stomach of the swine to stop the blood flow and slung it over his back, walking confidently on his way to Konoha.
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Hokage Tower in Konoha
A gentle tap sounded from the outside the door. Tsunade's head shot up in surprise, for she was not expecting such a sudden visit.
"Who is it?" she queried wearily, blinking to clear her vision.
She had been sleeping on the job – nothing new - and it was evidenced by the small pool of saliva resting on her desk, the liquid soaking into the many strewn papers. Tsunade took the extended silence as defiance in response to her question.
"C-come in," she stuttered, rushing to assemble the paper sitting on her desk into an orderly fashion.
A tall man with a full head of silver hair lazily strolled into the small office, quickly bowing and proceeding to explain his presence.
"Hokage-sama," the jounin quickly acknowledged her status in the village and continued, "I have been informed by Arashi-san that an unknown shinobi has been spotted in the outskirts of Fire Country."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, obviously musing over the situation. "Does this shinobi pose a threat in any way?" the Sannin asked inquisitively.
"A squad of Anbu are currently analyzing the boy. They, er, we are not completely sure," he said quickly, assuring her that a report was soon to come.
The man noticed the inevitable curiosity within her gaze and continued to speak. "Konoha is in a vulnerable state and we cannot afford to-" Tsunade cut him off abruptly.
"Kakashi-san, I am mindful of how at risk Konoha is at the moment, but I highly doubt one person could worsen the damages. Let him through if he intends to enter this village," She explained, meeting Kakashi's slightly lethargic eyes.
"Yes."
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On the Road to Konoha
Hiroshi grumbled quietly as he attempting to prepare his catch. He'd gone off the road to cook his meal, and so far he was unsuccessful. The day was growing somewhat gloomier, though the weather had become close to bearable, for the heat had ceased its intense torture. The pig roasted on a thin wooden stake that had impaled its skull and was protruding out of its rear end. The stake was neatly propped up by two sticks jutting out of the ground and located on the outskirts of the 'fire pit.' The 'fire pit' was simply a hole with a few rocks tossed into it, which proved utterly useless.
"Gah! How is it that this stupid oinker so dang hard to cook?" he grunted impatiently, glaring daggers at the dead animal suspended over the fire, but apparently the pig did not respond to his glance. Hiroshi crossed his arms bitterly and looked away, facing the swaying trees.
"Fine! Be that way," the boy huffed vehemently. Throwing his arms into the air in submission, he stood up, put out the fire and collected his strewn belongings from the ground. His stomach roared ferociously, its rumble of hatred echoing in his head. Sighing to himself in disappointment, Hiroshi continued his journey to the Gates of Konoha.
An hour on foot had passed since his argument with the dead pig, and his defeat in preparing a meal. Hiroshi kept an eye on his surroundings. He could sense a large mass of people near and mental caution and alertness was now amongst the wisest of actions. The boy came to a cliff. Peering down, he noted that the drop was not as far as he had estimated. The fall was approximately 250 feet, but the rocks protruding out of the cliff wall would make the travel downward easier.
The boy knelt down, fixated on finding a way in which he could jump from rock to rock without any serious injury. Leaping into the air, the boy began his descent down the wall of stone that lead him – ultimately - to his destination. Coming in contact with the first rock, he planted a hand on its surface and shoved off, landing on yet another which he vaulted off of almost as if he had not touched it.
200 feet.
Another stone came into view. Hiroshi twisted, missing it purposely, deciding that he could take the impact of its successor. He continued with yet another, planting his feet with cat-like grace and glancing down to the ground.
150 feet.
Barely leaping into the air, the boy contorted his body, missing multiple rocks on the way down. Landing gently, bending his knees and pushing off, Hiroshi soon found himself planted steadily on the face of another boulder.
75 feet.
Slipping off his latter location, he connected with the next rock; his hands fixed and elbows bent, vaulting off of that boulder performing flips and twirls in the air. The rocks grew closer together-- while at the top they were separated by at least 20 feet, the distance was somewhat smaller as he neared the ground.
20 feet.
Slowing his speed, he began to lazily leap from rock to rock, his body becoming less tense and his mind less concentrated. A rock entered his field of vision and he met the stone, bending his knees, arching his back and vaulting off of it almost instantly. Contact with earth was almost inevitable now.
0.
Hiroshi stood upright, brushing the dirt from his pants and inspecting his body for injuries. Nodding in approval, the boy - with a confident huff – continued his journey to the gates of Konoha. The day had grown darker, the usual shadow proceeding to envelop the sky in partial darkness, stars beginning to illuminate the heavens.
Konoha Gates
Some time later Hiroshi strolled up to the Gates of Konoha, his face stoic. He had returned to his nonchalant, alert, and quick-minded self. His previous glee was merely a reaction that had come upon him, of thankfulness that he had survived the attack on his village, and that feeling had recently subsided. A guard met him at the entrance, his mouth opening to ask the usual question.
"Kamatari Hiroshi. Business: Wishes an audience with the Hokage of this Village," the boy stated dryly.
The guard quirked an eyebrow.
"Do this often, kid?"
"Too often," Hiroshi mumbled, turning to face the guard.
"And why are you here?"
"My village was attacked by a group of," Hiroshi thought, picking his words cautiously, "Missing-nin."
"Status?"
"In my village there were no shinobi ranks."
"Hmm, very well. You may pass," the man stated stepping aside, revealing large buildings and a remarkably busy marketplace.
Bowing to the guard, and getting a courteous gesture in return, Hiroshi stepped through the gates, his breathing beginning to hasten. The large, mild glow of the moon illuminated the many people that walked the streets. Hiroshi looked around, his eyes searching for a place to turn in. He spotted a corner where a building met another building, and near it, a grocery store. A soft smile appeared on the boy's face as he strolled over to the spot and sat down. Before long his mind slipped from his conscious grasp, and his thoughts floated into the realm of dreams.
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Translations:
- Doton: Koudo Yari no Jutsu! – Earth Element: Gaia Spear Technique!
- Sama: In all simplicity it means 'Master'
A/N: Reviews are most appreciated. I changed this chapter as well, adding a few things here and there. My flow is returning () and I feel like redoing the whole story, but that I will do over time. I will know work on other chapters. I hope you like my writing style, and I'm glad you are reading this story. And everyone who review, thank you.