Wild-filly: Once again, I cannot thank you all enough for continuing to read, review and most of all enjoy my writing! Still quite a bit to go with this fanfic, so never fear…
Thank you to the wonderful, considerate people who took the time to comment on the last chapter, these being Hanariko, YamiKitsuneKami, Tora Macaw, CripticWolf, hiddenwindmill, Andrea, softeyesxX, microsoft word, JapanAnimeGirl and dysmorphic delirium!
Disclaimer: still don't own any aspect of the manga or anime Naruto, except for those copies which live scattered around my room (grins)
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Okumen Gokurakuchou: Chapter 24
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The tranquillity of life could not last. Since war was still very much in full swing, the Hokage had begun to call recuperating Shinobi back to the battlefield. It was a difficult task to do – many of those healing required months, not weeks; but there was no other choice. Either they fought or Konoha would be exposed. Kakashi noted the lessening presence of other ninja on the training fields, even as he and Kurotaka continued their Sharingan training. It was only a matter of time before they too were called back to their duties. He found himself dreading the day that he would be approached by one of the secretaries, to be summoned to the Hokage's office and spirited away to some distant part of the Fire Country. Ordinarily he'd have been peacefully awaiting the fight, blood seething with carefully controlled excitement at the prospect of a new challenge. But now, all he saw the impending mission as was a barrier between himself and Kuro. There was no guarantee that they'd be sent on the same task.
The thoughts danced in his mind on a daily basis, each morning filling him with a sense of sickening anticipation. Would this be the day that he was called away? He rolled onto his back; sheets pleasantly warm under him. Staring pensively at the cracked ceiling for a moment, he then let his eyes lazily trace the cramped room. The sun rode high in the morning sky. They'd slept late again. There was something oddly comforting about that fact though. For one thing, they hadn't been awoken by someone rapping insistently on Kakashi's door. Scattered garments, unwashed dishes, piles of books littered the surroundings. They really were a scruffy pair.
A soft stirring at his side reminded him that Kuro was still sleeping. He let his gaze slide over her, a musing affection stealing over his mind. She looked so peaceable lying there; partially curled up under the tangle of dark green blankets and pale sheets. Her skin was a starkly bright contrast to the subdued colouring of the kunai-emblazed blanket. Midnight black hair that was usually tied back in a shred of white cord was loose, spilling indiscriminately over her face and shoulder blades. Long lashes quivered slightly. She was probably dreaming about something. He decided not to disturb her.
Sliding carefully out of the bed, he scooped up a sleeveless black shirt and tugged it over his head. They seriously needed to start using the chest of drawers. Well, to be honest, it was more like starting the process SHARING the chest of drawers that they needed to work on. Kurotaka had ousted all of Kakashi's garments from the furniture in order to house her own within its wooden walls. On the bright side, it made picking an outfit for the day remarkably easy. All he had to do was put on whatever he tripped over first.
After washing up in the tiny bathroom, Kakashi slipped out the door and made his way down to the markets. The streets were reasonably crowded, despite the absence of most of the community's members. He slid in between the crowds with ease, winding his way towards the nearest shops. Acquiring tealeaves, fresh fruit and rice, he made his way back to the apartment. Preparing food within its walls was always a trial, since it involved the setting up of a portable stove and their moving carefully so as not to disturb it. As he moved to push open the door, paper bag tucked under one arm, he froze. Kurotaka was talking to someone. He hovered uncertainly. He didn't recognise the other voice.
Tentatively turning the handle, Kakashi scanned the room swiftly. There was another Shinobi, clad all in black and Konoha hitai'ate wrapped around his left forearm. He was standing in front of Kuro, who had moved to sit on the side of the bed and looked as though she was trying not to yawn. Thankfully she had managed to tug on the cream and blue robe that she used as a dressing gown and was not clad only in linen wraps. At the sound of Kakashi's entry, the Shinobi turned and Kakashi felt his heart sink. He knew who that was. Not personally; but he'd met him before.
"The ANBU's Hatake Kakashi?" The question in the ninja's voice was unnecessary. There was no mistaking the silver hair and mask.
"Hai" he nodded curtly. This wasn't going to be good.
"The Third Hokage has expressed his wishes that you would report to him in one hour for reassignment." His gaze then retuned to Kurotaka, scrubbing at her eyes blearily and attempting to finger-comb her tangled hair back into place. "Miss Yumenimo, you too are to report to the Hokage, but not until this evening." At that, she frowned, dark brows furrowed together. His message delivered, the secretary stepped easily past Kakashi and quitted the room, leaving both Shinobi in silence.
Dropping his parcel onto the floor, Kakashi moved to the kitchen, pulling out the stove and lighting it. He didn't know what to say. A faint squeak of springs on the bed suggested that Kuro was equally uncomfortable, fidgeting slightly. She heaved out a sigh.
"You know what this means, Kakashi-kun." It wasn't a question. She was staring out the window; twisting a lock of dark hair between her fingers absentmindedly. He nodded, setting the kettle onto the heating mat. "We aren't going on the same mission" he deadpanned. He wasn't that surprised. The Hokage didn't assign missions based on friendship groups, not unless the situation was exceptional. And either way, neither of them had lodged any comment that would make him choose them both to go on the same mission. He hadn't really expected anything else, but he had hoped that perhaps, thanks to some wild coincidence, they'd have been sent off together. Reality certainly did bite with a vicious selection of teeth.
Dumping a measure of tealeaves into the heating kettle, water slowly bubbling as it drew to a boil, Kakashi let his mind quieten. "There's nothing that can really be done to alter the situation" he stated calmly. "If the Hokage has decided that it would be better for us to go on separate missions, then that is his choice and his alone. We can't question his judgement during a time when he is so strained." Kuro made no response; not even to berate Kakashi for stating the obvious. As a whistle of steam punctured the uneasy silence, Kakashi gratefully filled two cups with the scalding brew, turning to hand Kurotaka one. It gave him an excuse to examine her expression.
Strangely though, she seemed perfectly demure, taking the cup lightly from his burning fingers and pulling a face as she burnt her tongue on the first sip. She arched one eyebrow at him as he continued to regard her with a curious stare. "What are you looking at me like that for? You weren't expecting a maidenly crying fit, were you?"
"Actually I was looking out for a tantrum. That option hadn't even crossed my mind." He'd only seen tears cross her face once, and even then it was fleeting. "With any luck this won't last for too long" he commented.
She snorted, "don't kid yourself, Kakashi-kun. There's no reason for the Hokage to cut our missions shorter. Personal attachments are not supposed to interfere with our way of life. We take the pay-check, therefore we do the work; no more questions asked."
"Such is the life of a tool of war" commented Kakashi blithely, raising his own tea to his lips. A peculiar calm was stealing over him. A numb acceptance of sorts. There was bitterness, yes; but also a practical mindedness that overrode his otherwise irrational thoughts of defiance. Life couldn't just be put on hold because Kuro had entered it; nor could her life change dramatically just because he was in hers: the village was in danger and until it could spare them; these choices were a luxury that they could not afford.
"All in the name of the greater good" she added, eyelids lowering. "Or so we're told at least." Unwilling to push the subject further, she rose off the bed, setting her tea, half-drunk, to the floor where she'd doubtless trip over it later. Arms stretching, she yawned expressively and groped around for her errant hairbrush. "I should pull my stuff together for the mission; as should you."
"Indeed I should." Kakashi's mind was a blissful blank. He was going off to work; nothing more, nothing less. It was just a shame that their line of work offered few by way of health benefits.
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The wooden ANBU mask pushed unpleasantly against his cheekbones. Kakashi resisted the urge to remove the irritating accessory, chewing on the inside of his lip to distract himself. Dressed in dark ANBU regalia, pale arm guards glinting from their earlier polish, he knew that he looked the picture of an assassin. Tall, silent, uniformed and of potential to be deadly. The purpose of the animal masks; his in the likeness of a dog; perplexed him somewhat. Maybe it was to put off people from trying to distract him: no matter how irresistible the ANBU ensemble may look, the weird wooden mask would not only obscure his identity, but also make him look slightly deranged. Other than that, he found the wretched thing unsightly, heavy and uncomfortable. Apart from that it was just fine.
He stood before the Hokage's desk; summoned to the office rather than a larger hall, simply because it was easier for the Hokage to continue working while filling him in. Time was of the essence in all areas of life in Konoha at the moment. Kakashi didn't make any move to break the older man's concentration, even though he was continuing to scan through documents as the Jounin stood there before him. There wasn't a chance that the Hokage had missed him coming in. Maybe he was waiting for Kakashi to break the silence. Or was he waiting for a chance to snap at someone for breaking his concentration, just so that he could rant and complain about the amount of stress he was under? Probably not. Kakashi decided to ignore his mind's selection of scenarios and stood stiffly to attention. What would come, would come and Kakashi was not going to antagonise it into coming with more force than necessary.
At last the third Hokage raised his tired face, scrutinising Kakashi's rigid stance under a fatigued brow. "Don't stand so stiffly, Kakashi. I'm not about to attack you."
Kakashi passed on the opportunity to comment on that statement, but relaxed considerably. The Hokage surveyed him critically. "I believe that you will now be fit to go off on a mission. It's sooner than I would ordinarily have chosen, and perhaps even for you a somewhat belittling scenario, but necessary." Kakashi said nothing, but blinked curiously behind the mask. Would this mean that he wouldn't be detained for long?
"I am sending you out on a solo tracking mission. A group of prisoners of war have escaped and I need you to find and escort them back to the prison camp. None of them are Shinobi, however they have had sufficient enough of a head start to completely elude any attempts of being found." The Hokage raised an eyebrow at Kakashi. "This won't be difficult for you in the slightest, hence my decision that it would be appropriate for your first mission with the Sharingan eye. If anything goes wrong, you won't be under much pressure as far as opponents goes."
A sympathy gesture. How humiliating.
"Hai, Hoakge-sama" Kakashi bowed stiffly. "Where did these prisoners escape from?"
"A holding facility thirty miles north of here. The people there are expecting you this evening. Don't disappoint them."
Kakashi rolled his eyes, confident that the Hokage wouldn't notice the expression. And a nice little evening jog. How very thoughtful of him.
With another bow, Kakashi quitted the room and loped off towards the village gates. The pace he'd need to utilise in order to make it in time wouldn't be too taxing, but it would take a while if he had to set off in the dark. He let himself drift into a mental slumber as he ran, flitting through the trees on the way to his task. A machine. His body was a machine, geared for warfare and completely perfected. He didn't need to think about where he was going, or what he was doing: the entire scene was his livelihood and education.
It was approaching sunset when he lunged into view of the holding facility. A great grey building that looked as though it had been poured straight out of a cement mixer and eventually hollowed. It was squat and unattractive. A blemish in the middle of otherwise pristine forests. Kakashi slowed his pace and walked stately into the clearing, scanning the area pensively. The potential for this to be a trap never left his mind. He paused outside the perimeter fence; a snare of razor wire and electric currents. A hole, shredded through the fence using the very razor wire that constructed it was evidence of the means of escape. Kakashi regarded it demurely. A useful fact: his quarry may be carrying razors.
A shout echoed across the clearing and a grey-clad guard came jogging over to where Kakashi stood expectantly. The other man was probably no higher than a Chuunin in ninja ranks. He approached Kakashi warily. "You have been sent by the ANBU?"
Kakashi nodded. "Directly from the Hokage's orders" he monotoned. It was important to keep his identity a secret; to leave nothing of remark about himself. Not only did this make him harder to identify for military purposes, but also in case he screwed up royally and didn't want to take the blame.
Glancing quickly at the red-and-white mask and vivid tattoo, the guard nodded in agreement and killed the charge on the fence, slid back the dead bolts and swung open the heavy door to admit the waiting ninja. Kakashi stepped forwards and waited until the young man finished quibbling with the locks. Honestly. Most of the prisoners had escaped for crying out loud – it seemed a little late to be bothering with those formalities. Satisfied that non-existent prisoners weren't about to escape, the guard led Kakashi through to the prison cells.
Dank shoeboxes made of cement seemed the best description that Kakashi could afford to these cells. The strewn refuse and horrendous odour belayed the truth of the conditions that the captives had been subjected to. Kakashi's upper lip curled. It was amazing how hypocritical a nation could be; the leaders of peace and justice just as corrupt as their enemies. The guard halted, turning to Kakashi and speaking sternly. "You are allowed to enter the cells and take anything that you need in order to recover the wards. When you are finished, push that button – " He pointed to a dull red buzzer mounted on the wall "- and I will come and let you out." With that, the man hurried away and out of sight.
Kakashi sighed. Better to get it over with quickly. Pulling out the scroll of summoning, he scored the tip of his thumb with a kunai and smeared the thick parchment, initiating symbols flicking through his wrists. There was an overpowering puff of smoke, from which burst a yapping pack of dogs.
"Kakashi! Long time no see!" Pakkun's voice rode most stridently over the baying din. He cringed. Not again…
Raising a finger to his lips, Kakashi was able to silence the dogs after three minutes of tail wagging, yipping and weaving about his legs in an attempt to get the Shinobi to scratch their ears. He couldn't really blame them for their actions. After all, they didn't see each other very frequently and dogs aren't very good at scratching each others' ears.
"We have a tracking mission to complete" he instructed. "Go into those rooms and pick up any scent that you can. We're leaving in two minutes." With that he slammed his fist on the buzzer and ambled through the opening door, leaving the dogs behind to sniff enthusiastically. Pakkun followed him. "It smells awful in there Kakashi. We aren't paid enough to put up with those kinds of working conditions."
"You're a dog Pakkun. I'm sure you've encountered worse."
"True, but that doesn't mean that I want to go around working in those kinds of conditions all the time. Besides, where are we? Where's the homicidal chick?"
Thankfully Kakashi was spared from having to answer, as the guard returned with a key. He stared quizzically at the unexplained pug and decided not to ask how it came to be in there. Kakashi was escorted out of the unpleasant building and through the perimeter fence.
"Bring the prisoners back here and we'll let you in. The fence will be repaired by then."
Kakashi nodded, turning around and walking back into the forest. A few moments later he heard shrieks out outrage from the guard and the excited baying of his dogs. Casting one eye back to the fence, he noted with some amusement that the dogs had tunnelled under it, rupturing the fence line and leaving a series of tunnels from the cells to the outside world.
"I'll be back inside three days" he called tauntingly. "That must be some handyman that you have doing the repairs." Not that the guard would have heard him. He was too busy staring in horror at the damage that he was now burdened with sorting out.
Surrounded by his pack of yipping, excited trackers, Kakashi followed their process through the woods and into the night. It wasn't work as such. Work implied purpose. This had no purpose.
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Two days was in fact the amount of time that it took Kakashi to recover all of the missing persons. They were elderly and young alike, taken from the villages of other nations to be used as bargaining chips. It was a disgusting business. Nevertheless, Kakashi lead them back to their confines and took off for Konoha. It wasn't his jurisdiction. It wasn't his fault. Such were the claims and truths of war. The innocent suffer and in turn, so do those who have no choice in the matter.
He needed a drink.
The lights had been lit and the moon glowed faintly in the sky as he reached the gates of the village, slowly pushing them open to admit his presence. It was good to be home. There was a naivety about the place. The home of the most dangerous persons in Fire Country bathed in warm light and delusion of daily life and domestic chores. Even the most secretive of Shinobi had to have a place to call home and relax within.
He wondered if Kurotaka was home yet.
She would have gone to his apartment. She'd given up paying the rent for her own and decided that she would stay at his place permanently, until they'd earned enough to get a place with enough space for their combined junk to spread only one thin layer on the floor. There was no light on at the window though, as he wandered down the familiar street towards his home. She wasn't back.
Disappointment was replaced by hunger. He needed to eat, drink and shower. He wasn't tired, but he was tired of being grubby and hungry. Swinging by the apartment for a quick shower, he took off then to the nearest ramen stand. Health food be damned, he was in the mood for some greasy noodle soup.
They greeted him amiably at the stand, the elderly cook asking after his health as he waited for the steaming order. Niceties were exchanged; comments on the weather, the progress of the war, the prices on market goods. It was as though he were in a different world. Kakashi sculled his broth swiftly and asked for another, eyes heavy as he stared into the night, softly lit by strings of orange lanterns.
"You alive in there?"
The voice was a sudden intrusion on Kakashi's reflective mind. He started, swayed and nearly fell off his perch on the stool. His addressor laughed and reached out an arm to steady him. Kakashi stared incredulously back at the speaker.
"Long time no see, Kakashi-kun. Did you miss me?" Masurao's dark eyes twinkled with merriment upon seeing the surprise and then delight cross Kakashi's face. Kakashi's eyes bent into a grin. "Likewise, Masurao-kun. What took you so long to get back? Did you get stuck in another ditch?"
Masurao pulled an face and slumped heavily onto the neighbouring stool. "Nah. Much the same nonsense as usual. Spying, sabotage, the odd assassination attempt. You name it, I was roped into it. Bloody irritating it was too." The ramen cook offered him a bowl, which he gratefully accepted.
"When did you get back?" Kakashi queried, tucking into another helping of scalding noodles. Masurao stared at the ceiling. Maths wasn't exactly a strong point in his case. "A bit over a week maybe? Hokage called me and Gai back to rest." He shook his head dismally. "Nothing compares to the annoyance of being saddled with him the whole time."
Kakashi patted his downcast friend on the back. That truly was a horrible fate for anyone to bear. "Any ideas how long you're going to be back for?"
"No clue" Masurao grinned. "The Hokage did tell me that he's going to set us both up for the same mission next though. Something about you needing a guardian angel while you sort out some new technique. Care to enlighten me?"
Enlightenment came in the form of Kakashi's empty bowl being upended on Masurao's head, cold miso broth dripping down the Shinobi's face.
Never flinching, Masurao dabbed lightly at the sticky trails of miso on his face and continued to stare at Kakashi expectantly. "You've got a lot of explaining to do, young one" he intoned mock-seriously. "You're covering one eye and when I crashed in your place because I couldn't find my keys, I found some VERY interesting garments in your dresser. Now, unless you've taken to cross-dressing, which, coincidently, is-" Kakashi's one-eyed glare cut him off at last as it turned into a two-eyed glare; one black and one red eye promising murder if Masurao continued his train of speech.
"What the hell happened there? Contact lenses or worse?"
Although a local ramen stand was not Kakashi's ideal choice for a place of enlightenment for Masurao as to his current status, it seemed as good a place as any at the time. For once his friend was remarkably silent as he retold his last mission and the events (censored somewhat) afterwards. He mentioned all that he felt was necessary and then lapsed into quietness as well, giving Masurao time to take in all that he'd told him.
"Shit…" He muttered eloquently. "You don't half do a lot with your life when my back's turned." Kakas hi blinked at him. How should he respond to that?
"Ah well…at least you're alive. That's the main thing. And this 'arrangement' with Kuro-chan… how did you manage it!" The wicked grin was back, leering at Kakashi with pride. "You've gone from the best of enemies to something much more interesting…" He cut it off there as Kakashi raised his chopsticks in a suggestively threatening manner. "Not that I want any details of course", he finished hastily.
"Good…" said Kakashi suspiciously. Masurao leaned back on his stool and yawned expansively. "You certainly do know how to fill the time, Kakashi-kun. I'm exhausted. How about we meet up tomorrow and do something? I for one fancy going drinking and maybe swinging by Gai's house with some rolls of toilet paper and eggs afterwards."
Kakashi sighed and then grinned. As much as hanging around with a moron like Masurao was tiresome at times, it was good for controlling excessive reality.
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wild-filly: I have an offer unto you all! As a special "tribute" chapter to all of the wonderful people who review, I ask for suggestions as to what should happen when Kakashi and Masurao go out to have a little "fun". Any suggestions will be heeded or at least given an explanation as to why I can't write them… the tribute chapter will be part of a joint posting with the next chapter in the fanfic, so please! Review and let your suggestions be heard! I beseech you; you've earned it!
Suggestions can be any random activities that they might partake in – other contextual characters may be brought in, minimalist self-insertions – you name it, I'll try to write it. It may turn out weird, but let it be an expression of my gratitude to everyone who takes the time to review – by taking the time to write their ideas. Thank you!
