Title: Covenant
Author: bubblytokki
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimers: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters in this story.
AU. Why stay in a village that loathed him?
Pairings: Probably none. I find that pairings or focusing on them hinder my stories… so gomen nasai. ^^
Chapter 4-Kakashi
Kakashi sensei is stubborn, Naruto thought as he blocked another attack. Their little battle had been progressing steadily from the afternoon to the early evening. The sun was beginning to set as it threw its darkening rays on the two intent combatants. The battleground was the nearby cliffs, a place that could be damaged easily without fiscal concerns. Jutting cliffs made a stark contrast in the fading light as their battle ravaged the harsh setting.
"What do you know?" Naruto bit out as he savagely punched Kakashi's left arm. He dodged a volley of punches and flipped his body backwards as Kakashi almost slammed a kunai into his right arm. Naruto could end this battle rather quickly, but that wouldn't answer any of the questions that swarmed his mind.
What does Kakashi sensei know about the Uchiha family? Why does he act like he knows what is going on? What exactly does he know?
He could use the technique that he had mastered with Itachi, but that would require Kyubi's chakra and he didn't want to use that for Kakashi. Besides, technically speaking, Kakashi was his instructor and he couldn't just kill his sensei.
"What do you want to know?" Kakashi goaded, managing to block one of Naruto's kunai. The other one pierced Kakashi's leg.
He narrowed his eyes as he skillfully evaded Kakashi's attacks. What if Kakashi didn't know anything, and Naruto was exerting himself for nothing? Fury blazed in Naruto's eyes as he lashed out more fiercely.
"Why is Uchiha Sasuke an avenger? And why do you look at me so speculatively?" Naruto demanded as the battle intensified. It was almost as exhilarating as his practice sessions with Itachi, though not as challenging.
He decreased the frequency of his attacks to allow Kakashi room to breathe.
"Why do you ask, Naruto
kun?" came the deceptively sweet answer.
Naruto responded angrily as he kicked Kakashi
into the air. He jumped after Kakashi and twisted to kick his sensei with enough force to
slam into the ground. Whipping out a
kunai Naruto placed it under Kakashi's chin, erringly
pushing aside his sensei's forehead protector.
He froze.
"Why do you have the Sharingan?" Naruto's voice came out in a pained whisper. Onii chan…
Kakashi was quiet, staring into his eyes thoughtfully.
"You're a prodigy, Naruto kun. No genin has been able to damage me with taijutsu as you have."
Naruto warily stood up, pulling away the kunai, sensing that he had passed some kind of weird test.
"Hmph. Obviously you won't tell me anything," Naruto said coolly, disgruntled that Kakashi was able to frustrate him to such an extent.
Onii chan would be disappointed if he saw how emotional I was, he thought disconsolately. He turned to return to his lodgings, he had screwed up enough for the day and he was tired.
A hand snaked around his wrist, preventing Naruto from getting too far. He turned to face Kakashi, annoyance barely masked with sarcasm.
"Yes, Kakashi sensei?"
Kakashi's eyes widened a little at Naruto's brusque tone of voice and then returned to its normal lazy expression.
"Why do you know of the Sharingan?" It would have been an intimidating demand, but it had no effect on Naruto.
He shrugged, "None of your business."
"Then I suppose, Uchiha Sasuke is none of your business either, or why I wanted to test you," Kakashi's tone was laced with cool amusement.
Naruto struggled to contain his ire and mentally counted how many people he had killed in the past two and a half years. He managed to get past the number eighty when Kakashi began speaking again.
"Naruto kun?" Kakashi queried in a mocking tone, one reserved for misbehaving children. Naruto merely raised his eyebrows and continued counting.
An almost inaudible tapping began. Tap..tap…tap…tap…tap… Naruto gritted his teeth. The sound was irritating and because of his excellent hearing skills, it was echoing in his brain. Tap.. tap..tap..tap..tap…
"All right~! Sheesh!" Naruto yelled out, throwing his arms in the air.
"Now then," Kakashi began in a light tone, "Sharingan?"
Naruto glared at Kakashi as he answered, "Everyone knows that the Uchiha have the Sharingan. I was just wondering why you had one. It must strain your body ne… sensei since you weren't born with one? At the same time, why doesn't Sasuke have one? He seems kinda old to not have the Sharingan mastered. Isn't he around my age? And another thing is, he's going to be my teammate right? He only lives as an avenger, what does he need to avenge? It will be irritating. That girl is also going to be a liability. Can't I change teams or anything? This whole thing is irritating, especially you, sensei."
He was careful not to reveal any knowledge of his surrogate older brother. He had a strange gut feeling it might be taboo. Naruto carefully hid his surprise as Kakashi cooperated and answered his questions. Perhaps it was his reward for beating Kakashi?
"There was a massacre a couple years ago. There are only two Uchiha clan members alive, Sasuke and his elder brother Itachi." So his hunch had been correct. Sasuke was the blood brother of Itachi. Then why did Itachi feel that Sasuke was unworthy? Why didn't Itachi train Sasuke as he had trained himself? Things were confusing and the intentions of the one he called onii chan were blurry. Perhaps Itachi wanted a challenge? Naruto turned his attention back to Kakashi as his sensei continued. "As to why Sasuke doesn't have the Sharingan yet… only he would know I suppose. You missed out on a lot while you were gone, living with the elderly couple." And then Kakashi winked. "As to changing teams, you can't. That's too bad and now that I know you are talented, don't even try to hide it anymore. I would like to train with you and make you even stronger…" He trailed off to glance at Naruto. "That is… if it is even possible."
Naruto grimaced. This pervert sensei had a good brain on his shoulders. It was a shame that he might have to kill him in the long run. People with decent brains were hard to find.
"All right," Naruto said as he turned to look at the now beaming moon. "Thanks sensei. I suppose… I'll try not to kill them."
A hand patted his shoulder and Naruto forced himself to allow that contact. He might be able to learn something from this pervert and he steeled himself to be patient. Naruto needed to know more about Itachi and perhaps his own hazy past as well. What better place to find the truth than in the place where it all began?
"Well. See you tomorrow Naruto kun at ten in the morning, don't come late," Kakashi smirked and then left.
"As if you won't come late," Naruto muttered under his breath as he headed to his apartment. Tomorrow had interesting possibilities. For now, to occupy himself, he would rile up Sasuke and train him to be worthy of the Uchiha name. He was sure Itachi would want that, and for his onii chan, he would do anything.
~~
The bird was annoying.
Cheep. Cheep, it sang.
Naruto groaned. Perhaps this easy life was taking its toll on him. He punched his pillow softly, attempting to mold it to his head. Sighing, he placed his head in the hollow he had created and closed his eyes.
Cheep, cheep. Cheep, cheep. It was a disgustingly cheerful bird.
He felt like screaming. This was more tortuous than the tapping Kakashi did yesterday. He blearily gazed at the alarm clock. It was 9:30 am. Dimly, he recalled there was something planned for the morning. But for the life of him, he couldn't remember.
Ah well. It must be unimportant, Naruto thought as he yawned.
He leisurely threw himself out of bed and went to the bathroom to take a bath. Twisting the knobs of the tub water, he measured the heat and let the water take its time to fill the tub. This was one luxury he refused to waste; nice, long uninterrupted bath times. While he waited, he brushed his teeth. Naruto hated morning breath and that icky feeling in the morning when the mouth felt dry and phlegm filled.
Once the bath was ready he slowly dipped himself in the steaming water, sighing with contentment as he did so. Closing his eyes, he let his thoughts drift to yesterday's happenings.
Uchiha Sasuke… masaka.. could the darkness in Itachi be related to the Uchiha clan massacre? It was a high possibility and Naruto contemplated its implications. Knowing Itachi's nature and the first conversation they had. Itachi probably killed the rest of his family members for failing to perform their obligations. Still, there had to be something more that he wasn't seeing.
But why did he spare Sasuke? Familial love? Hmm…
Perhaps you can ask him when you see him again, kit.
Naruto faintly smiled. Otou san…
Soft waves of brilliant red chakra rippled the surface of the water.
Why won't you create your own body? I don't want you to… disappear. I can feel you merging into me… I don't want that to happen!
Kit… it is inevitable.
But you can be free. The seal is gone! Why must you be stubborn and stay in me? I don't want you to leave me forever…
Naruto furrowed his brows in anguish as he gazed at his own reflection. Clear blue eyes filled with sadness and longing gazed back at him. There were crimson shadows lurking inside his reflection.
It was the nature of the seal, and I approve of it. I will stay with you as long as you live.
Demo… I won't be able to speak with you… or ask advice. Your rational thoughts would disappear! Leave my body Kyubi otou san!
Grief enveloped his being and Naruto fought the urge to weep. It was such a beautiful poignant sorrow.
If I leave, you will die. Your body is reliant on my chakra. I would rather disappear.
Then we'll find a way…
It it too late, my worthy kit.
There's gotta be something…
I was happy…
Otou san! Please!
It would be over soon, at the most a couple more weeks. It is more difficult to differentiate my thoughts from yours. Your thoughts are becoming mine.
He cried openly, tears spilling over his cheeks, landing with a soft hiss onto the steaming bathwater.
I don't want you to go.
It may be the last I may speak with you kit. In human terms, know that I love you as my son, even though you are the son of the one who sealed me.
Naruto shivered. It was the first time they ever spoke of the incident where Kyubi was sealed.
The son of the one who sealed you? What are you talking about otou san?!
There was no answer and Naruto submerged himself in confusion and grief. Kyubi, the one presence who had never left him would be absorbed, and there was nothing he could do about it. Raising his head to take a breath of air, Naruto morosely stared at the tiles. He felt more alone than ever.
Onii chan? Where are you?
~~
"You're late!" Naruto's female teammate screamed as he strolled into the clearing at the bright and early hour of noon.
"I am?" Naruto answered, honestly surprised. He had totally forgotten about the team meeting and had walked there accidentally.
Sasuke merely looked up at him before turning away to ignore him. Naruto mockingly grinned. It seemed that the younger brother was an arrogant prick.
"Naruto kun," came the sing song voice of his sensei as Kakashi casually appeared. "You were late, weren't you?"
"How about you Kakashi sensei! You were later than I was!" He retorted crossly, although a smile tugged at the edges of his mouth. This sensei was impossible, but in a morbid way, was entertaining.
Blithely Kakashi ignored Naruto's comment and continued to speak. "Today we will train." Picking up weights from some weird subspace pocket, Kakashi handed out weights to each of them. Naruto narrowed his eyes.
Don't tell me…
"Put these on your legs and arms, it's cross training time!" Kakashi declared gleefully. Naruto groaned. It was elementary training all over again.
Gamely, he put on the weights over the weights he already had on. It never crossed Naruto's mind to ever take off the weights he previously had on because it was a memory from his days with Itachi.
"Follow me," came the cheerful order from Kakashi. His sensei began jogging toward the surrounding woods. Naruto easily ran by his sensei's side.
"Ne sensei… why don't we race?" Naruto asked, eager to spice up the training.
Kakashi shook his head as he responded seriously, "You shouldn't overdo it Naruto kun. Especially since you are carrying twice the normal weight and you aren't sufficiently recovered from yesterday's… exercise."
Naruto smirked. "So… I guess it wore you out eh Kakashi sensei?"
Kakashi merely raised an eyebrow and ran.
"Then I'll torture Sasuke kun," Naruto deliberately thought aloud as he trailed back to his lagging teammates.
He slowed his pace to match Sasuke and mischievously grinned at Itachi's younger brother.
"Ne…" Naruto prodded the heavily breathing boy. Sure, they had been running for about an hour, but that meant nothing to Naruto.
Sasuke did not deign to answer.
"Che… you're boring…slowpoke," Naruto insulted as he sped up, inwardly laughing as Sasuke struggled to quicken his pace. Itachi's younger brother was nothing like him. No strength, no drive, no menacing aura. Naruto was disappointed. Sasuke was no fun and didn't have the strength to make up for it.
He ran ahead of his teammates but behind his sensei. Naruto dropped his happy go lucky façade. He was tired and lonely.
Kyubi… onii san…
Something whizzed by his face, missing his eye by 2 mm. Surprised but cautious, he quizzically glanced over at his teammates and then his sensei. None of them seemed to be paying attention. He veered off path to find the thing that caught him off guard. Either he was losing his touch.. or.. it was the one person who could catch him by surprise. Heart in his throat, he found the offending weapon and pulled it from the ground. Attached was a tiny scroll.
Looking around hastily, ensuring that no one was observing him, Naruto clumsily unrolled the scroll.
It was Itachi's barely legible scrawl.
His heart pounded in his chest cavity as he read the contents.
Naruto.
The chuunin examination.
Find Gaara, defeat him.
I will come for you then.
It was unsigned, but the chakra signature was undeniably Itachi's.
He ran back to the path to rejoin his teammates. Soon, Naruto thought eagerly. He dashed up to Kakashi sensei.
"Kakashi sensei!" Naruto yelled out energetically. "When are the chuunin examinations?"
Kakashi sensei looked at him with bored eyes as he responded, "Four months… why?"
"Because I have to go up in ranks as soon as possible," Naruto exclaimed arrogantly. "I just want to know how much time I need to prepare."
"Naruto kun. Don't worry, I'll train you to become a chuunin."
"Honto ni?" Naruto smiled as he looked up at Kakashi sensei. "Thanks!"
Four more months, Naruto felt the blood rush through his body.
He will come for me then.
Onii chan…
~~
AN: Another crazy chapter is out. Teehee.. I'm really impressed by the frequency of my chapters. *Reprimands self for putting aside school work* Ah well.. this is more fun than preparing for an icky speech.
I hope this chapter isn't so bad. If there are any errors, please notify me and I will do my best to correct them in a timely manner.
One more time though… this is a no pairing story. Sometimes, due to the nature of my writing style, it may seem as if there are.. but it is purely platonic. Naruto likes…er… loves Itachi as his older brother, and thinks of Kakashi as his teacher and potential victim (as in someone to kill).
Response to reviewers:
Drownin' in my tears: wow.. you reviewed every one of my chapters. Thank you very much! It is very encouraging.
Shadow Eclipse: Yes, snake boy orochimaru will be in my story albeit a bit later.
Eaglesage21: Thanks. I really like this Naruto too. :P
Pyr00tje: teehee.. Naruto is really strong and in this fanfic.. I just sped up the process a bit. In the manga, with only a few concentrated sessions he seemed to catch onto to things really well. So I just applied that to this story, only making the intensive training period two and a half years. Thanks for reviewing so faithfully.
Wolfs catalyst: Thanks. Hmm.. Well.. Naruto learns a lot here too. Although he only scratches on the surface of things. In the next chapter, a lot of thing would probably be clarified.
Drazen_Flames: Teehee, I guess you'll like this chapter then… because Naruto isn't even really scratched by Kakashi. Thanks for reviewing.
Sorry for being your troubles: Thanks for reviewing again. Um… Seeing as how I am hooked on this story myself, I'll probably update really soon, after I get my annoying speech and English essay out of the way. J
Silverknight7: Thanks for your constant reviews. They are really encouraging.
TokehGecko: Wow… you actually reviewed my story!! *Dances in joy* I really love your stories and it's very gratifying to see that you like mine as well. Well, I hope you like how my story is developing. I'd say more, but I don't want to spoil my story… so.. :P I look forward to reading more of your stories and thank very much for reviewing mine.
~~
Preview:
"You can't be serious. You're scared of Mr. No Eye Brows? What kind of avenger are you?"