trigger warning:
-mention of suicide. (I know hotlines aren't for everyone . But if you think that it could help you the national suicide prevention hotline is 800-273-8255. The suicide hotline 24/7. With the blessings of internet there are other options of free support. my comments are open i may not be able to help but i can try to respond and maybe make you feel less you be alone. Your voice is valued. If anyone else sees a comment please be supportive and kind, we all have a different reality and many people want support) sorry for a small rant just in case someone out there needed to read that
-I do not own Naruto
Shisui was just leaving his house after packing everything he'd need for his mission in his backpack. A familiar presence in the shadows stopped him and he turned around to see two glowing red sharingan staring back at him.
"Itachi." Shisui greets his younger cousin.
Itachi steps out of the shadows, finding no need to conceal his identity. Itachi stops his approach towards his cousin when he sees Shisui in full ANBU/ROOT uniform, including his mask. For the past year Itachi has seen Shisui leave on missions wearing said uniform, around the same time The Uchiha clan and the council had graduated all academy students early due to the third shinobi world war. The Uchiha clan also used all capable children to fight in the war, which is where Itachi had met Shisui and instantly formed a brotherly bond. Being the two prodigy's of the Uchiha clan, who were always asked more than what should be expected of them, it was easy to understand each other and form a bond built on trust, understanding and soon love.
The war was where Shisui taught four year old Itachi about peace, and where they promised to make peace a reality for their village. Which is why Itachi felt uneasy about Shisui now leaving for another mission, where he'd come back covered in blood and guilt.
Not needing a lot of words to understand each other, Itachi simply asked, "Solo mission?"
Shisui knows there's no point in lying, being forced to grow up young and facing war at such an early age made the both of them more observant and reserved.
"Hn, this is my initiation mission for a higher rank," Shisui put simply, "to prove my loyalty and become a personal guard."
Itacho nods grimly, he can understand from Shisui's body language and direct choice of words that this mission is less than respectable. The thought filled him with loathing.
Itachi can only think of one thing that might make Shisui feel less alone at that moment, "Need some company?"
If Itachi couldn't fix the situation, he at least needed to offer that Shisui didn't have to do it alone. Shisui shakes his head immediately.
"I'm only doing this so that you don't have to be a part of this," Shisui takes a deep breath before continuing, "To protect you."
Itachi's gaze doesn't falter and Shisui knows he hasn't convinced him. They had promised to do everything together, to support one another. Shisui couldn't help but want to shield and guard Itachi from what he had to go through in ROOT. If his support for Itachi made him a martyr, then he'd give up his last breath before allowing Itachi to add more blood on his hands.
"I honestly don't have a good feeling about this, something is going on. He's up to something." Shisui says lowering his voice to become a whisper with the wind.
Itachi doesn't have to ask who HE is, Itachi has seen said man talk with his father secretly late at night, and heard whispers around the Uchiha compound. HE is Danzo. Itachi doesn't like the man and doesn't like that Shisui is associating with Danzo to protect him. He understands because if he got the chance he'd do the same for Shisui. They would both give up everything to protect each other.
Itachi's eyes turn cold in consideration before he nods. His young features are frozen in an expression similar to stone.
Shisui feels guilty as he notices the hesitation in Itachi. Shisui steps forward and uses his index and middle finger to tap the middle of Itachi's forehead. Itachi blushes at the personal sign of affection and raises his fingers to rub the same spot on his forehead.
"Don't worry about me little cousin, I've never seen anything I can't handle, yet." Shisui's slight grin beams down at Itachi before he returns to his serious tone of voice, "I know you see the Uchiha clan elders are slowly meeting more and more. Something is forming, we need to find a way to stop things before it grows too much to control. I need to find a way to stop HIM."
The mention of Danzo has Itachi's stoic expression returning. Shisui was right, if they wanted to form a successful plan, Shisui needed Danzo's trust. Flashes of the war dance behind Itachi's eyes. He needed to trust Shisui, like always, they had the same goal in mind.
Itachi gives Shisui an understanding gaze, "I don't want another war. I never want another war, I want peace."
Shisui returns the gaze with a conflicting despondent and loving look in his eyes as he puts his hand on Itachi's shoulder, "We'll make a better future for your baby brother, Sasuke."
Shisui knew he'd do whatever he could to make sure the youngest generation of Konoha never had to see or go through what the two young Uchiha prodigy's did. This made Itachi accept the consequences of their ideals and the actions they had to take.
"I don't like this, but I know I can trust you Shisui."
"I'll need your help at some point. For now let me save you from a little bit of pain and guilt," Shisui replies to Itachi.
The younger Uchiha doesn't need to reply, they both understand the situation as it sits in their stomachs like a rock. Communication isn't needed as they part to head onto their separate paths. Itachi hides his secret glance back at Shisui's retreating form going deeper into the forest that leads away from Konoha. When Shisui is far enough that he knows Itachi is out of sight, he turns his head to activate his Sharingan and sees Itachi entering his bedroom. He takes his final breath of Konoha air before crossing the border, officially starting his mission.
Genam gagged while his whole body shuddered as he stood looking down at the dead man's body laying in the hallway. He grimaced as he recognized the day's old smell of decay. Ibiki Morino, commanding officer of Konoha torture and investigation force, Shikaku Nara, Jonin commander of konohagakure, and Kakashi Hatake, ANBU captian at age 13, were all hiding their disgust at the sight of the crime scene in front of them much better then Genma.
Genma reaches down to grab the piece of paper under the victim's hand but Kakashi grabs his arm before he can pursue the action. As Kakashi sends daggers with his gaze, Genma timidly pulls back to look towards Ibiki who is putting on latex gloves. Ibiki kneels down to move the victim's hand to the side so he can read the letter aloud.
Ibiki makes sure he has his coworkers' attention, especially Genma's, before reading aloud, "Extended family, I failed my wife but I can't fail myself anymore. Take my daughter as a conciliatory offering for my many sins. When everything that you know and love is taken away from you so harshly. All you can think about is anger, hatred and even revenge. And no one can save you."
Ibiki leans closer for a better look of analysis before finally adding, "It ends with Kizashi Haruno's Hanko stamped at the bottom."
Genma is the first to speak up, "Well that's depressing...There's no other evidence in this shit hole. Unless you count empty booze bottles and rat shit evidence. All we've got is this stupidly vague suicide note, he coudn't have made this any easier for us."
Kakashi rolls his eyes, "This isn't meant to be easy. At least he left a note."
Genma stiffens. He couldn't believe he had been so insensitive and ignorant, letting his frustration speak before he thought rationally. He knows Kakashi's past, knows he found his dad lying in a puddle of red guilt and regret at age 5.
"I'm sorry," Genma mumbles.
Kakashi turns away from Gemma as if he has never spoken. Shikaku clears his throat to try to change the direction of attention, saving Kakashi from unwanted pity.
"Ibiki what do you make of this?"
"I can't help but feel something unnerving about this whole case. But loudmouth Genma is right about one thing, without any evidence of foul play to go off of, there's no lead. I can't sense any chakra or contaminating DNA off of the paint brush and ink besides Haruno san's. The handwriting itself is sloppy, incoherent. The victim was obviously intoxicated while writing this, the contents of the letter leave more questions than answers." Ibiki replies.
Ibiki stops to mull over his thoughts while Skikaku speaks up,
"I agree. Something isn't sitting well with me about this, but I don't know what else we can do without any leads. How troublesome. We'll have to take the body for examination, I doubt with all the alcohol this man has been poisoning himself with for the past year that we will recover anything useful."
"It doesn't help that the gate guards last night were no help, found sleeping on the job and not having any recollection of anyone suspicious entering Konoha," Genma adds.
Kakashi nods in agreement, "We've assumed the victim wrote the note on his desk where the spilled ink is, yet his note ended up here with him in the hallway." Kakashi doesn't state it as a question, but everyone notes he's putting attention to the question they're all thinking.
After a silent moment of thought Genma thinks aloud, "Is there any way Yamanaka San can go into the victims mind and read his thoughts?"
Shikaku shakes his head knowingly, "Once there is no trace of chakra left it's already too late for Yamanaka to use his kekkei genkai."
A moment later they hear Shikaku mutter, "What a drag."
"Shikaku, didn't you notice a females footprints?" Ibiki asks.
"Yes, when I tried to trace their origin, Kakashi and I found that they didn't belong to any female in our village." Shikaku replies with a sigh.
"I felt killing intent a couple nights ago, but didn't find any source," Kakashi thinks aloud.
"Could be the extended family if they came across the premises," Shikaku mutters.
"We are in the middle of the civilian compound, who knows what goes bump in the night." Ibiki doesn't like all the loose ends. Doesn't like the feeling of uncertainty that arises with this investigation.
Genma bobs his senbon between his teeth muttering incoherently before speaking up, "Well obviously from the note the victim assumes family will come and take custody of his daughter. Since there's no baby in sight, it's possible they already came. Shouldn't we talk to the hokage about what we've found, and the fact that there could be a missing child?"
Ibiki nodded in agreement, "Shikaku, take the body to the coroner and then inform Inoichi Yamanaka on everything."
Shikaku nods as Ibiki hums, pressing his finger to his chin in thought, "Genma brings up an interesting point. There's no remnants of a child here...we'll bring it up to the hokage anyways, he may know something."
Kakashi crosses his arms. "I sensed another chakra presence the second I stepped into the house, it's a couple days old. The chakra signature was too big to be a baby's, It must have been suppressed by the owner of the footprints we found."
"With the reputation of the victim it could be anyone's chakra, the man never slept alone if you know what I mean," Genma coughed to hide the laugh he failed to suppress.
"Is he the real victim here?" Kakashi mutters under his breath.
Shikaku looks up from studying the note and the body, "It must be the family member stated on the letter. Anbu would have alerted the hokage if anyone else entered the premises."
They all nod in agreement, except for Kakashi who is deep in thought.
"While Shikaku is taking the body to the coroner to check for any foul play, Genma and I will go take the note to the hokage. Kakashi, I want you and Pakkun to check the area once more, in case there are any more clues we overlooked." Ibiki states.
Kakashi looks up at Ibiki unamused, "If there was something to see here I would have already seen it."
Genma huffs lightly. Ibiki nods, "The three of us will go to the hokage then. Shikaku, join us when you are done. And make sure to write up and turn in your report on time."
"Troublesome."
Ibiki, Genma and Kakashi all appeared in the hokage's office in a puff of smoke.
The hokage chuckles, "What is the point of even having a door with you three around?"
The three men nod respectfully, acknowledging the hint. They all turn towards the right to see an elderly woman standing besides the hokage. Kakashi looks her up and down only to stop when he notices there's a look in her eyes, as if she's far away and not fully present. An empty shell.
"We have news on the investigation, we can come back at a more appropriate time," Ibiki says motioning to the woman beside him.
The hokage waves his hand in front of his face disregarding the comment, "This actually pertains with the investigation. This is obaachan Haruno, she is Kizashi's mother in law."
"Obaachan Haruno, this is Ibiki Morino, Genma Shiranui, and Kakashi Hatake. They are working on the investigation regarding your son in law," the hokage says as a introduction.
Obaachan Haruno bows politely without meeting their eyes. The hokage motions to the note in Ibiki's hand, "I assume that is Kizashi's...parting letter?"
Ibiki nods and hesitantly looks towards the elderly woman.
"No need to censor anything in my presence, I am an old woman I can take it," obaachan explains.
Ibiki nods again, "Shikaku is taking the body to be examined as we speak."
The hokage leans back in his chair and says, "Very well" as Ibiki puts the note into an evidence bag and places it on the hokage's desk.
Ibiki clears his throat, "I presume that obaachan Haruno is the extended family that is to be the appointed guardian of his child, as mentioned on the note."
"That is a correct assumption," The hokage says as obaachan Haruno casts her gaze downwards with mournful eyes.
The hokage lifts his hand up and gestures towards obaachan Haruno, clearing his throat making her look up at him, "You've already informed me with your experience on the matter, I believe it is most appropriate for you to share your story on what has happened."
Her hesitation has the hokage softening his gaze towards her to help her feel more at ease, "They are working on the investigation. They are not here to judge or assume anything, only to hear the facts. Everything said in my office is confidential and will not be repeated outside of the hokage tower and case file."
The comment seems to put her at ease as she nods understandingly. Obaachan Haruno gulps to clear her throat of her guilt. She doesn't quite meet the three mens eyes in front of her but respectfully turns towards them.
Obaachan Haruno opens her mouth to speak but ends up coughing, "Sumimasen."
She turns towards the hokage, who she seems to feel more comfortable in the presence of, "I've spent many years standing on these old legs, would you grant me the satisfaction of sitting down?"
The hokage nods as he points to a chair sitting against the wall. After obaachan Haruno takes a seat she begins fumbling with her fingers for a moment before clasping her hands together and resting them in her lap.
Taking a shaky breath she begins, "It is true I was the one Kizashi intended to read his letter. I did not know that he had..passed before I arrived in Konoha. My family's farmland caught fire two nights ago. My whole family perished with it, which is why I wanted to take refuge in Konoha."
Kakashi held up his hand signaling he wanted to inquire about something, "And somehow you survived?"
Obaachan Haruno held his gaze, "I was not at home when it happened because I was in the hospital that night due to an injured back from working the land. We needed everyone working with the long period of drought. When I came back the following morning I was met with my family being taken from me. The only surviving family I had was my son in law and granddaughter."
The hokage nodded signaling her to continue.
"I've never been fond of my son in law, especially since my daughter passed away in childbirth. I never truly considered him family, but he was all I had left," Obaachan Haruno hesitated, she didn't know how much they were aware of her son in law's actions.
Ibiki nodded, they had all read the many medical reports of abuse, as well as the neighbors reports.
Ibiki and Kakashi both notice the look of revulsion in obaachan Haruno's face when mentioning Kizashi and share a look of acknowledgement.
Obaachan Haruno took another deep breath before continuing, "I will always consider my granddaughter as family. Which is the main reason I left for Konoha to join them. The night I arrived in Konoha I was greeted with...The last of my family taken from me before I arrived."
Obaachan Haruno shook her head lightly as if to displace unwanted thoughts as tears swelled in her eyes without falling, "My granddaughter." She took a deeper breath, held it in, then let go. She tried to find the right words to say and force herself to say them aloud. She looked down at the hands in her lap to find them shaking.
Obaachan Haruno's voice became softer as she spoke. "My granddaughter...had been abused by her father and that had led to her passing before I got there," by the time she had finished speaking her words were almost inaudible.
Ibiki sighs, he wished they had more support from the Uchiha police force to help with all the abuse files and complaints. He wonders if they had more hands on deck if they could have helped before it was too late.
Obaachan Haruno wipes the escaped tears and looks up at the hokage, "As the hokage already knows I buried my granddaughter with her mother here in Konoha's cemetery. Afterwards I came straight to the hokage to relay the news."
The hokage nods indicating the story is now finished. Then turns towards the three men to gage their reactions, but they reveal nothing of their inner thoughts.
Ibiki speaks up, "Shikaku pointed out female footprints and a chakra signature throughout the house, am I to surmise those are yours?"
Obaachan understands the underlying questions he is asking and replies, "Yes, but I did not touch anything besides my granddaughter." Her voice shaking by the time she finishes.
Genma then speaks up and allows his stiff stature to soften lightly as he directs his question towards obaachan Haruno, "Will you be staying in Konoha, we take refuges of all kinds."
The woman shakes her head lightly then more firmly as if reassuring herself, "There are too many regretful memories here and guilty demons following my every move. I have a few years left, at most, I can't imagine spending them in a place where I allowed my granddaughter to be abused right under my nose."
Genma nods, he won't pretend to understand, but still respects her decision.
"Hokage sama," Kakashi asks, not even sparing a second glance at the woman, "How do we know she is telling the full truth?"
The hokage leans forward with his elbows resting on top of his desk, "Always questioning and looking underneath the underneath, I expect nothing less from you Kakashi. I had Inoichi enter obaachan Haruno's mind with her permission, what she says is the full truth."
Kakashi crosses his arms over his chest, he knows not to question a clan head. He also knows torturing the information out of an elderly woman would only lead to her death without the answers they want to obtain.
The hokage and Ibiki share a look, the hokage then nods and turns towards obaachan Haruno. "Do you want to be updated in the future on any new information pertaining to the investigation?"
Obaachan Haruno's eyes glaze over as she ponders the hokage's question, only to shake her head a moment later, "I only have a few years left, I don't ever want to be reminded of...that man. With my granddaughter gone I see no reason for me to continue reliving this nightmare."
The hokage tries to smile but it comes across more like pity, "Alright then, thank you for all of your cooperation, this couldn't have been easy for you. I sense you want to leave Konoha as soon as possible, I do not blame you."
Obaachan nods, "I'm sure you will find me in the future if you need something."
The hokage nods, "I'm truly sorry we had to meet on such terms. If you're able to wait, I can assemble a team to escort you to the Land of Tea, where we will pay for a week's stay at an Inn until you can settle down comfortably."
Obaachan Haruno waves her hand in front of her face, "I've saved enough money to settle down comfortably for a few years already. I simply can't accept such a gracious offer, please allow me to humbly decline your offer. A whole team for one old lady? I'm afraid that would bring more attention and danger to me on my travels. If i must have an escort, please allow a single shinobi who won't be missed while we travel. I don't want to take anyone out of their line of duty for a simple escort mission."
"You're a very wise and kind woman, I agree with your presumptions. You met crow san earlier today and he brought you to my office, correct?" The hokage asks, keeping the identity of the shinobi anonymous by referring to him by the appearance of his ANBU mask.
Obaachan nods.
"I will have crow san escort you, are you comfortable with this plan of action? I assume you can feel comfortable with him on your journey considering you asked him to bring you to my office earlier." the hokage asks.
Obaachan Haruno smiles but it doesn't reach her eyes, "That's very generous of you, Hokage sama."
Shisui meets obaachan Haruno at Konoha's gates, leading out of the village. Shisui can't seem to force himself to look her in the eyes. With his crow mask in place , she can't see his reaction, which he is thankful for. Obaachan's eyes are filled with a tidal wave of emotions that Shisui had a part in causing. He respectfully asks her if she is ready to depart before taking extra steps ahead to walk in front.
A few miles into their travels Shisui hears a screech of a hawk overhead. Shisui looks up to see the hawk circle above him twice before flying back towards Konoha. Shisui knows the signal is a message from Danzo, alerting him Danzo has called a meeting at ROOT headquarters.
Shisui starts a light jog, knowing Danzo won't accept him being late for a ROOT meeting and that Shisui needs to return as soon as possible. Shisui doesn't look back but hopes obaachan Haruno can keep up until they are far enough away from Konoha for him to complete his ROOT initiation mission, signing obaachan Haruno's death sentence.
Kakashi was tired from not taking a break between the investigation and the meeting in the Hokage's office. Shikaku had finished talking with the coroner and Inoichi, finding no foul play with Kizashi's body. The coroner did however find a blood alcohol level high enough to kill half of ANBU with alcohol poisoning, they were surprised alcohol wasn't seeping from his skin. It was added to the case file that Kizashi had died due to suicide by alcohol poisoning, with evidence of the medical report of no foul play. After finishing his personal report of the investigation thus far, Kakashi found himself being dragged to Shikaku's residence.
Kakashi's eyes wandered past the open shooji panels to the Nara forest surrounding Shikaku's estate. He watched as deer roamed peacefully, eating berries and licking their hooves. He sighed deeply, wondering why he allowed Shikaku to persuade him into joining him.
Shikaku kneeled down onto the tatami mat, "Just humor me for a moment and play a game of shogi with me. Playing helps me think things through."
Kakashi huffs but eventually sits down across from Shikaku on the other side of the shogi board. Kakashi had won the piece toss, allowing him the first move of the game. Kakashi starts the game off with a simple move of one of his tokins on the board.
Shikaku hummed, thinking 10 steps ahead, then proceeded to move his own game piece, "You and Genma seem to be getting along better now."
"More like tolerating each other's presence," Kakashi's monotone voice floats with the wind passing through the shooji panels.
Shikaku chuckles, lightly shaking his head and with the piece toss furigoma, the game proceeds, "I think my wife just tolerates my presence as well. It usually ends up with me sleeping on the couch or her hitting me in the head with a frying pan while she cooks dinner."
Kakashi looks up after moving a game piece to see a very serious glint in Shikaku's eyes, he isn't making a joke and is quite serious about his statement. "Another reason why I will never marry," Kakashi drawls.
Shikaku sighs lazily as he moves his piece to match the strategy he has planned in his head, blocking Kakashi's knight piece from moving diagonally forward with his silver general. "I thought that way too when I was your age, then I met Yoshino," Shikaku sighs dreamily, looking off into the distance, "I remember it like it was yesterday."
Kakashi stays quiet, waiting for Shikaku to continue his thought. As Kakashi moves his Lance piece to the far side of the board he realizes Shikaku is waiting for him to ask to continue his train of thought. Kakashi could care less and doesn't have the motivation to continue such mundane conversations, but to appease his elder asks, "What happened?"
"You know Jiraiya, one of the legendary sannin, ne?" Shikaku asks.
The name Jiraiya peaks Kakashi's interest. Minato had been Kakashi's sensei, while Jiraiya had been Minato's sensei. After moving another piece on the board Kakashi looks up to meet Shikaku's eyes and nods.
Shikaku begins his story, "I was walking through downtown Konoha one day when I noticed Jiraiya was cutting an eye-sized hole into a fence with a kunai. The hole revealed the women's public bath. Jiraiya proceeded to peep into the women's public bath house, right in the middle of town."
Kakashi rolls his eyes because he has caught Jiraiya doing the same thing multiple times.
Shikaku continues his voice light with amusement, "Obviously, I couldn't let him continue. So I go up to him and start telling him how indecent and inappropriate he's being. Telling him off about how even if he doesn't respect these women not to peep, he should understand the boundary of privacy to not peep while they are bathing. Jiraiya had the nerve to tell me that this was him respecting women by capturing their personal and private moment of pure beauty. He continued to tell me he was doing this in the name of his research."
Kakashi instantly blushes and looks away for a moment, unable to meet Shikaku's eyes in embarrassment. Kakashi knows Jiraiya's 'research' was used for Jiraiya's best seller romance novels, Icha Icha, that Kakashi reads religiously. It's his favorite book series and he never leaves his house without his personally signed copy.
He meets Shikaku's gaze again, not to appear suspicious but the knowing look Shikaku gives him has Kakashi stiffening. They aren't fools, they both read Jiraiya's romance novels and know what it entails. They both also know Jiraiya's research is his overused excuse for peeping on women every chance he can get.
Shikaku shakes his head with a small grin before he speaks again. "By then we were being so loud, yelling and arguing. Yoshino notices what is going on, being observant as always, and punches a hole in the fence separating the women's bath from where Jiraiya and I are standing arguing. Revealing where we were hiding. Jiraiya, being the slimy toad he is, shushins away before Yoshino notices he was there peeping. Leaving me standing there alone, after Jiraiya makes his exit. Yoshino sees me and thinks I was there peeping on the women bathing, talking to myself."
Shikaku takes a second to move another piece on the board, using the extra moment to increase the suspense.
"I try to explain the situation to her but that seems to agitate her more, assuming I'm trying to make excuses."
Kakashi asks in his monotone voice, which most assume means he is uninterested, "Then what?"
Shikaku knows the fact Kakashi is asking anything means he is listening intently, "Yoshino punches me. She punches me so hard I fly across the street through Inoichi's family flower shop window. She doesn't stop there. Still in her towel, she stomps across the street to reach me. Stepping over broken glass and kicks me where the sun doesn't shine."
Shikaku sighs dreamily as he rests his head on one of his hands, a small smile gracing his lips. Kakashi wonders how such an act can make him smile, as if it is a fond memory he cherishes.
"Yoshino then continues to threaten me."
Kakashi is stunned and asks, "What did she say to threaten you?"
Shikaku laughs, remembering how red Yoshino's face had been in anger, "She said if she ever caught me peeping again she'd castrate me."
Kakashi's eyes widen and he can't help but lower his gaze lower to see if she ever did act on her threat.
Shikaku notices Kakashi's eyes wander down and can't help but crack up laughing. His laughs only grow more uncontrolled as he wheezes for breath, almost falling over.
"I knew then it was love at first sight. The woman has bigger balls than me. Troublesome woman."
Kakashi stared wide eyed at Shikaku as he moved another game piece.
"I tried asking her out multiple times after that incident. She always refused, calling me a creep and a pervert. It wasn't until later when she caught Jiraiya peeping at the same bathhouse weeks later that she realized I had told the truth. The next time I asked for a date, she agreed. Yoshino never did apologize, but after the birth of our son she did say she was glad she never did castrate me," Shikaku ends the story by laughing again, tears rolling down his cheeks.
Kakashi gulps, not feeling the same amusement. He makes a mental note not to ever upset Shikaku's wife.
Shikaku moves his final game piece, making a snapping noise as it hits the wooden board, and smirks triumphantly at Kakashi, "Checkmate."
Kakashi was so engrossed in the story he didn't even realize he had lost the game. Kakashi huffs, "I thought I was playing shoji with you to help you think through the investigation?"
Shikaku pours himself a shot of sake and finishes it in one swallow, "Come on now Kakashi, don't be a sore loser."
Kakashi rolls his eyes and mutters, "Inoichi's flower shop..? I had heard they had to remodel the shop years ago after the front window had been shattered. I never knew the story behind it."
Shikaku knows not to question how Kakashi knows such a thing, nothing happened inside the village that Kakashi didn't know about.
Shikaku smiles a rare genuine smile, "That's the day Inoichi and I became closer friends. We used to be in the same gennin team growing up, but it always felt forced. Like it was more of a family tradition. After that day, I think Inoichi took pity on me honestly, so we started talking more often. At first we would just talk about how troublesome women could be, but it grew as time went on. We realized how much we had in common."
After Shikaku resets the pieces on the board he continues, "I may be embarrassed that that is the story of how I met the love of my life, but I'll never regret it. I wouldn't change it for the world."
Shikaku pours another shot of sake and pushes the glass towards Kakashi, his tone becoming serious, "We may not understand life's reasons for what we're put through, but our perception of reality can change with time."
Kakashi looks down at the shot of sake without moving to pick it up. Shikaku notices emotion in Kakashi's eye but can't get a clear reading of what it is he is feeling. As if there are too many emotions to pinpoint any exact one. Shikaku knows Kakashi's been alone after the death of his father, team mates, and sensei. And that he never recovered from it. Kakashi went to the shadows just to feel something, anything. Even if that something is killing in cold blood. It gave Kakashi something he could control, when life took everything from him. Shikaku knows better than to judge or pity the boy, but he can't help the parental instinct to do something before Kakashi falls off the deep end. If he hasn't already. If telling Kakashi stories of his own past takes Kakashi's mind off of the turmoil of his mind for a moment, then he will share as many stories as he can.
He hadn't offered to play this shoji game for himself to think things through, but for Kakashi to. He knew the circumstances of the investigation had opened up thoughts of the past Kakashi had tried so hard to bury deep within himself.
Shikaku is taken out of his thoughts by Kakashi standing abruptly and teleporting away, leaving only a puff of smoke where he once was. Shikaku is momentarily confused by Kakashi's sudden departure, but relaxes knowing the boy is prone to excusing himself whenever he pleases. He knows not to assume anything based on Kakashi's actions, the boy was an enigma he didn't have the patience to solve. Troublesome.
A blur of green appears in the spot where Kakashi had sat moments ago. Looking up at the infamous bowl haircut and green jumpsuit standing in front of him is all mighty Gai.
Gai instantly drops to a bow, realizing who he is in the presence of, "Sumimasen, Nara san. I am looking for my eternal rival, Kakashi."
Shikaku stays silent, contemplating if it'll be more troublesome to help Kakashi escape Gai, or help Gai catch Kakashi. What a drag.
Before he can come to a conclusion, Gai looks down to see the empty glass next to a sake bottle. Shikaku follows Gai's gaze to notice the empty shot glass. Omoshiroi.
Gai looks back up at Shikaku, "Looks like Kakashi has managed to escape me yet again, I expect nothing less from my eternal rival. Such youthfulness, drinking in the middle of the day is very un-youthful of you, Nara san."
Shikaku became flummoxed and speechless, which wasn't a common acurence for the Nara genius. Ignoring Shikaku's breathless stutters, Gai taps his chin in thought, "If I don't find and persuade Kakashi to accept my friendship and rivalry by the end of the day, you have my word Nara san, I will do 500 laps around Konoha without using my feet."
Shikaku sighs tiredly, speaking to Gai seemed to take years off of his life expectancy. He didn't have the energy for this. He wonders how troublesome it will be to continue this conversation. Dare he ask, "How do you intend to do 500 laps without using your feet?"
"Handstand walking, Nara san." Gai bows deeply, "I will succeed with the full power of youth, I promise."
Gai finished his declaration by giving his signature thumbs up and grinning wide to display his pearly whites that sparkled in the midday sunlight. Shikaku wonders what Gai uses to make his teeth so bright, and where he can buy the same product.
Shikaku sighs and pours himself another shot of sake, as Gai runs off presumably to go find Kakashi. Shikaku knows that definitely wasn't worth the energy or years he lost off of his life, having a conversation with the persistently animated all mighty Gai. What a drag.
Shisui returns to Konoha after successfully completing the mission Danzo had appointed him. He enters ROOT headquarters to see every ROOT member present in the room, except for Danzo, Tenzo and Kakashi , who were on their shifts as Danzo's guards. A deep feeling of impending doom fills Shisui's consciousness when he looks around the crowded room.
Shisui fully steps into the room and doesn't hesitate to go stand next to Danzo's throne, waiting for the ROOT leader's arrival to start his first shift as a personal guard. Shisui's senses sharpen as he hears footsteps near the room, the sound echoing off the concrete walls. Shisui looks up as the door opens revealing Danzo, with Tenzo and Kakashi following behind him.
Shisui instantly notices a strong chakra signature emitting from Danzo, although everyone present in the room knows it doesn't belong to their leader. Danzo always masks his chakra, making himself and his whereabouts always hidden and unknown. Shisui's curiosity in this meeting instantly grows with every step Danzo takes.
As Danzo walks up to his throne, Shisui has a perfect view of the baby in his leader's arm. The first thing he notices is the pink peach fuzz on top of its head.
-Shoji : Japanese variation of chess, strategy game.
-Tokins : pawn game piece
-I was going to go all in detail with every mention of the game but if you're interested please look it up, typing every explanation of the game is quite troublesome
-when 'ne?' is at the end of a sentence it is equivalent to 'right?'
-shooji-s a door, window or room divider used in traditional japanese architecture
-sumimasen- excuse me, im sorry
-omoshiroi- interesting
-I know I said kakashi was an ANBU captain at age 13, we all know it was actually 12 but danzo made his record say 13… (yes he is also currently in ROOT, to spy on the hokage). I know my other die hard kakashi fans caught this so I thought I'd mention it… So uh ya get ready to see more of him. Sorry not sorry he's the love of my life, I love writing about his angst. he's just so so mhhh i can't even finish that sentence without getting reported lol
-Do you see where I added an orochimaru quote? *wink wink* couldn't help myself, it fit so perfectly. Orochi would be the one to write his own words at the worst possible time. He cant help himself
- I have a friend who graciously allows me to read my story to them, just to see if it's not too embarrassing and if my grammar is at least passible. She told me I atleast needed a sappy moment with all this political crap in the chapter. Sooo as a little gift, I guess, here is a little special moment between shikaku, kakashi, and a little gai. I hope you guys enjoy this little extra scene and laugh a little. It was definitely fun to write. I'll have to write it more fun little fillers here and there. Just something a little extra extra to bring a smile to your day.
-in reply to a comment from teenagecrisis (btw love the name ) I really like your comment super insightful , great idea ! That's really creative. I really appreciate the positive feedback and motivation. Made me smile. Thank you. it's already inspiring a few ideas of my own. Seriously your mind is awesome that you thought Of that, genius .
-should I add a chapter summary at the beginning of each ch?
