iii. Genin Team
Today is a fantastic day. It wasn't too warm, not too cold, it just the right amount of humidity –breezy when you're on top of the tree just like Kakashi right at this moment.
With Icha Icha Paradise on his hand and an apple on the other, he couldn't ask for a better day. He just got back a few hours ago for a week long mission in the border between the Land of Fire and further towards the Sound Village.
With Orochimaru being left alive and roaming around some places, it is bound to get really risky. But because of the admirable resolve he did during the 4th Shinobi War and the following deeds he had done after that –which are too many to name, he was allowed freedom in some certain degrees.
Some people still held grudges over him, especially Sakura but it was Tsunade-sama who appointed the pardon and boldly said she'd take responsibility for any violations Orochimaru would inflict in the future –hoping that Orochimaru would not dare.
In accordance to that, only a few trusted Shinobi knew that along with Sasuke's own pardon. The man was made to promise to keep an eye on Orochimaru knowing that the Uchiha is the only person capable in detaining Orochimaru if needs be.
And how's Sasuke anyway? Just like the private person that he is, Sasuke doesn't let his locations known unless he is summoned for special reasons. The last Kakashi and the others saw the last Uchiha, it was from the christening of Kurenai and the late Azuma's child. He left before the night was over.
That night, Sakura drunk her loneliness away, much to Tsunade's delight to have somebody on par to drink sake with. The night didn't end well (with the Hokage pissed drunk).
Reports and personal survey from the last mission shows that Kakashi or the Hokage shouldn't be worried about Orochimaru –well, at least not in the near future as for all they know, the snake Sannin might just be recharging and god knows when he's going to strike next.
But everybody put their trust on the Hokage's words and Kakashi cannot go against it—even he himself resented the man because Orochimaru is the reason why his team seven has to go through tough time.
Maa, today is supposed to be a nice day. I should stop worrying. Kakashi thought as he flipped another page and he grinned underneath his mask as he recognized the page as his most favourite one. He finished the remaining apple quickly. He didn't waste time any longer as he picked up reading, giggling as he did so. Safe enough to say that the page is the most graphical sexual part of the book, why else it became Kakashi's favourite?
He was so engrossed on it that he didn't realize somebody has been calling his attention already.
Kakashi!
He's back! He jolted from the branch and looked down but saw no one. Was he just imagining it all? If that's the case, why is he even imagining him at the moment where he's reading the sexual content? Madness.
Ne, Kakashi, sensei.
Kakashi paled out as he realized that the reason why he didn't see anybody or specifically him down in the ground was because the man is the quickest shinobi around and has managed himself to share the branch with him without being detected.
"Kakashi sensei," The other man eyed him judgingly.
Kakashi embarrassingly scratched his nape and swiftly hid his Icha Icha book back on his bag. "You're back, Naruto."
"A good while ago." Naruto said.
Kakashi's brows crossed, "How long ago is it?"
"Fairly, ten minutes ago." Naruto said.
"Then shouldn't you be writing your report?" Kakashi reminded him.
"Says the man who doesn't bring them in and waits for Iruka sensei to go ballistic on him, ehh, sensei, you don't preach what you don't practice." Naruto muttered and added, "Besides, I went with Lee-san and Kiba-kun. Lee-san did the report."
Kakashi doesn't look embarrassed at all, he just let the topic drop. He was kind of glad that Naruto is growing up quite amazingly while handling this day-to-day shinobi life.
"Everything went well then?" Kakashi asked and when Naruto just nodded and didn't say anything, he knew well that the mission is classified. He didn't prod on it further. "Ah, that reminds me, Naruto."
"Hmm?" Naruto eyed his former sensei, giving his full attention.
"Chunin exam is coming up—"
"I asked," Naruto interrupted, an impatient child that he was and still is. "Shikamaru said I won't have to go through the exam again for it all just meaningless. I will be just scaring the genins taking the exam, he said."
Kakashi laughs, "We all know that you're in a different kind of level already. It will be an embarrassment to level you a chunin."
Naruto didn't get this at all, he said as he shook his head, "Shikamaru-kun also said he is already getting the papers done for me becoming a jounin. Even that will take time too."
Kakashi eyed the young man, "Jounin level won't still give you justice."
Naruto's face fixed on his former sensei, a pout on his lips. "I got to belong to something, at least!" He insisted. "I can't be genin forever!" His pout got even more dramatic.
This made Kakashi chuckle and placed his hand on the blond's hair, ruffles it lovingly, "You being a genin makes me feel I still have Team 7."
Naruto eyed his sensei again, trying to see right through the man's mask. Seeing that the man doesn't just simply let him in, not this time anyway, he huffs. "Sakura is a jounin already, Sai is jounin as well… and I'm… I'm just a genin, sensei. It's not fair…"
"You're not the only one." Kakashi made an effort to make it better for Naruto. He tried not to mention the name as much as he could in front of Naruto, but this time would be an exception.
"Sasuke, that teme." Naruto snarled.
Probably not the best time either. As usual, Sasuke's name is forever a taboo for Team 7. Though, in Kakashi's defence, he didn't even say the name, directly that is.
"He better come back here and takes the exam and he will go jounin level without effort. Urg! Bastard Uchiha!" Naruto kept on, all not-so-good calls his limited dictionary could come up with.
Naruto, you've such a huge heart. Kakashi thought as he let Naruto blew up some steam. It went on for another few minutes and Kakashi just listened half-heartedly because somehow he felt a tiny pang on his heart seeing just how much Naruto is still hurting.
But seeing just how Naruto is now, he's just glad he still keeps his life going and joyfully seeing the future. Even the young man has some fall backs, he didn't let it fully put him down. And Kakashi wouldn't let that happen anyway.
Naruto shouldn't go through more pain. There was this unspoken oath among the whole Konoha that they would protect Naruto just the way the boy protected them.
"Sai," Naruto abruptly stopped his monologue of cursing Sasuke.
Kakashi can also tell what Naruto meant. Near to them, he could feel Sai's chakra and with some unknown chakra with him.
Naruto snarled again. Guess he wasn't done with his foul mood.
Seeing Sai on the road below where the tree stood, Kakashi could tell why Naruto is still not feeling jolly.
Sai noticed them and waved up to them, three genin level kids behind him like little ducklings. "Sensei! Naruto-kun!" His smile livelier now than he used to fake or try, in that matter.
Naruto swiftly jumped off the branch and joined Sai on the ground.
Kakashi did the same next to Naruto. "I heard you got your own genin team?" Kakashi asked rhetorically, "Congratulation…"
"GENIN?" Naruto asked, surprised. "You have your own genin team? YOU?" Not that Naruto thinks Sai is incapable, it was more to the fact that Naruto is technically a genin and that his team mate has his own genin team, that makes him not only a jounin superior but a sensei –and it just doesn't make sense for Naruto at all.
"You're so funny, Naruto-kun." Is all Sai's reply as his smile tightened to his lips as if to simply tell Naruto, stop you dickless idiot, you're not embarrassing me in front of my students.
"There's nothing funny about this!" Naruto panicked. "You're a sensei and I'm nothing!" He couldn't deal with his bursting insecurities that he just went towards the curb and curled there to himself, as if dark clouds looming over him.
"Sai sensei, what's wrong with Naruto-sama?" One of Sai's genin team yanked on Sai's jounin vest. She had a distinct marking on her chin that travels to both her ears. It's easy to speculate she is from Inuzuka clan –and she's reeking with a puppy smell. Definitely an Inuzuka –close relatives to Kiba?
"Nothing is wrong with him." The new sensei said, "And please, you don't have to call him Naruto-sama. Naruto-kun is just fine," And that all too wicked friendly smile on his face again as he continued, "After all, he's a genin just like you are, Mimina-chan."
Hearing this, Naruto instantly stood up and whacked Sai in the head –or that what he intended to do. Sai was all too used of Naruto already that he knew when to get away for his dearl life.
"You bastard Sai!" Naruto screamed out, pointing and trying to get to Sai aimlessly and Sai just swiftly ducks away. It wasn't as if Naruto is really serious in hitting him, if he is, the man could just easily kill Sai and Sai wouldn't know what hit him.
But everybody knows Naruto is a softie.
"Naruto-sama is…scary." One of the genin boys on Sai team muttered and hid behind Kakashi who is just amusingly watching his two former students.
Naruto stopped instantly and groaned realizing he finally had Sai's head on head-lock but of course he doesn't want the new genin see him as a brutal maniac. He has an image to keep in checked here. "Pft." He huffs and not-so-gently released Sai who still have that undying smile on his face that made Naruto wanted to struggle him for real but he went against it.
This is his insecurities he has to deal with. Deep inside he is happy for Sai to have found someone to care. Even though he had numerously assured Sai that he no longer considered a replacement for Team Seven, the man still thinks he is. Having a genin team to look after, it's a new light for the man.
Naruto's face looked serious and took Sai's hand for a firm hand-shake, "We never let our comrades get hurt." He quoted in a friendlier way for the young genins, a quote team seven lived for 'I'll never let my comrades die'. Just exchanging stares, Sai and Naruto understood each other as if thousands of words have been spoken between them.
Kakashi watched the two boys, he could just see how that felt. He lived with the same words, the words he learned from his comrade who has sinned and redeemed himself.
Obito, your will of fire has been passed on. Kakashi whispered to himself. Just so you know…thought it would be nice to tell Rin that. She'll be happy.
"Alright, Kakashi, my eternal rival! I will now do one lap from the gate to the Academy without breathing! This flame of youth is burrrning!" He screamed, a sport that he is and off he goes on his wheelchair.
"No, idiot!" Kakashi called after. "You're not allowed to overdo yourself…idiot." Kakashi sighs.
Gai, even being a wheelchair-bound, is still as enthusiastic as ever. Though will never be the same beautiful beast of Konoha after opening ALL GATES from the 4th Shinobi war, his flame of youth still burning. Naruto did his best to not let Gai die as the consequences of opening all gates but it sure took a while to have him move his upper body and it will take longer time for him to stand by himself –that is if he will ever at all.
"Maa, Gai," Kakashi said and grabbed on the handle of the wheelchair, "Here, I'll do the lap with you." He started to push and when he didn't hear the other jounin saying anything, he whack the man in the head and screamed at him, "AND FUCKING BREATHE, YOU MORON! YOU'D DIE BEFORE YOU EVEN REACH THE STARTING POINT! I would not be responsible of you dying and certainly not gonna kiss you either!" Thinking about having to mouth to mouth resuscitation Gai almost scarred him for life.
"Ow, my eternal rival, Kakashi! You're so hip and cool!" Gai cheered, "Off we go, Kakashi!" He waves and just made Kakashi shrugs.
A little than an hour later, going slowly across Konoha with Kakashi pushing Gai on his wheelchair, Gai asked after the deafening silence. "Have you figured what to do with Naruto-kun?"
Of course, there's not only eternal rivalry these two shares but also secrets as huge as this. Kakashi doesn't have to tell what he truly felt about Naruto to this man. Gai knew of him for the longest time and words is unneeded figuring out what is making Kakashi sighs all the time.
Gai knows Kakashi fell for his student, Naruto, a long time ago. He had done his best to sway his rival off it because they both know it's a dangerous road to take. But years had pass, Gai learned to accept that Kakashi's undying love for Naruto doesn't look too wrong now that it did before when he first found out about it. Eventually, he is even willing to testify that Kakashi truly cares for the young hero.
He just feels for his friend, there is seriously no easy way around this. Falling for the same gender, a much younger man, a former student, late sensei's son –there are all the most sinful taboos of a love one could fall for. His friend had fell the lowest now and there's no saving it. All he could do now is to kept him in checked, that Kakashi is still holding up.
"I don't have to do anything, Gai…" Kakashi said, "I'm not intending to do anything, I'd like to just…keep it to myself."
Gai didn't reply right away as a couple of civilians passed by them. When cleared, he said, "Eh…that's not the Kakashi I know…have your flame of youth withered?"
Kakashi eyed his friend, "I'm not really sure what you mean by that, Gai…but let's just say I do."
"Ep! Still so hippy and cool." Gai said and answered, "Naruto-kun and you have been inseparable after the 4th shinobi war… That got to say something…"
"Gai…" Kakashi whined, "I don't need words of encouragement. I don't intend to break whatever me and Naruto have now. I don't have to tarnish his future because of me. I can't be selfish."
Sooner or later, Naruto will become the Hokage, protector of the whole village of Konoha, unifier of the five great nations and become the father of his own kids because definitely he could not be the end of his own legacy.
Kakashi will never try and tamper that solid promise of future. He should never be selfish.
Gai nodded, "If you so decided." And the man reached back and found Kakashi's hand, "But you know, I might not be able to compete with you other than rock-paper-scissor, or be on S-class missions with you –being in a wheelchair has its advantage too, you know. It's easy to find me if you needed a friend …or just to play rock-paper-scissor."
Kakashi couldn't help but to smile whole-heartedly underneath his mask, "Thanks, Gai."
Kakashi followed Sakura who skipped happily to her feet. He doesn't know how he was led to this. He just literally got back from his missions and even though there has not been a huge casualty, he is certainly drained. Maybe because Sakura has promised him she would heal him as long as he comes with her.
He knew exactly where they are going because Sakura isn't exactly the person to keep secrets. She truthfully told him what she wanted done and also briefly told him what happened the day before.
"Uhmmm, Sakura-chan."
Sakura looked back and mused as she sees Sai seemingly waiting for her outside their house. It's almost sunset and she just finished her new healing jutsu she's trying to revise. It wasn't really the perfect time as it's obvious that she used too much of her chakra today –she just wanted to rest.
But seeing the confused and worried face of her team mate, she relented and turned towards the bench not far from their house. "Whats wrong, Sai-kun?" Though there was a time that Sakura had definitely tried to kill this man (for calling her 'ugly bitch' one time), she is mature enough to realize now that Sai had been naïve with his emotions and when dealing with new people.
"Ahmmm," Sai seemed to be embarrassed as he just smiled while scratching his nape. "I just got a genin team, Sakura-chan." He managed to say.
Sakura gave him a bright smile and her fatigue was slightly lifted as this brings back both bad and happy memories, mostly happy because this memory was of the time when she was the happiest–not knowing what lies ahead. "And so I heard." She smiled wider now but she noticed that this seemed to be the reason why Sai looks antsy for some reason, "What's wrong, Sai?"
Sai sighs, "You see, Sakura-chan…" Sai trailed off as he tried to explain where his predicaments coming from, "I wasn't trained a normal genin. From the start I'm trained as an ANBU –not just a normal ANBU but an ANBU ROOT. I don't know when to start or what to teach the genins."
Sakura understood now. This is certainly a huge crisis and as a sensitive guy Sai actually is once one gets to know him, Sai might really desperate to even ask someone else.
"And…books don't really help much. I turned the library upside down but I still don't have the slightest clue what to do with my team."
Sakura laughs as an idea hit her, "Well, I'll tell you what Kakashi sensei did to us when we are just his genins."
And Sai gave his best smile and attention to Sakura. Listening to people and learning from it is hundred times better than learning from a book.
And apparently, Sakura had suggested Sai to bring his team together and ask about their likes, dislikes, dream and their hobby just like what Kakashi had asked them on their first day as a team.
Remembering this, Kakashi realized it would be interesting if he ask Sakura, "Sakura-chan,"
Sakura looked back and asked, "Ne, Kakashi sensei?"
"What's your likes, dislikes, your dream?"
Sakura instantly stopped her fast walking. She thought about this and it's alright to say that her answers at this point changed –by a whole lot. She resumed walking, slowly now as a smile graces her face, "I like world peace, I dislike being weak and my dream…" She trailed off before an absolute determination on her face appeared, "…my dream is to become Sasuke's wife…" And when this, she laughs so hard while a tinge of blush on her face. Maybe a few has changed but her admiration towards Sasuke when she was younger has changed the most— it turned to love and there was no perfect way to describe it because she hated feeling like this but at the same time, it's something she certainly can't give up. "And my hobby is… planning my future with Sasuke." She giggled again –just like the last time.
Kakashi didn't say anything. That much he expected but he was also proud as a sensei that this used to be foolish crush over the Uchiha had made Sakura one of the strongest shinobi around. Love surely moves in mysterious way.
"You, sensei. Has your answer changed?"
My likes includes a certain young man in orange jumpsuit, my dislikes is the feeling why I like my likes andmy dream is for when my likes and dislikes does not contradict each other anymore…and my hobby is just a repeat of it all. Kakashi mentally answered but he managed to repeat what he answered years ago, "I have no intention of telling you my likes and dislikes, as for my dreams…I have few hobbies."
Sakura laughs, "Oh sensei…I could just remember you saying that." Good times, good times. Sakura thought.
Sakura and Kakashi arrived at the Third Training ground and it surely brought back memories. They succumb to all types of emotions this place brought them, most especially the first training their Team 7 went through –the bell training.
"Ae, you guys are late!"
Startled, the two almost shrieked. There was Naruto jumping from the tree with a bell on his hand, grinning as he realized he managed to scare his teammate and his sensei.
"I had to wait for Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura explained.
"Sensei, your lateness is getting worse." Naruto whined.
Kakashi, for the life of him, couldn't find himself arguing this time because it has been a while since he had seen Naruto and by saying a while, that means a good two days ago. And that wasn't considered a while. It doesn't even compare to when Jiraiya took Naruto for training that last three years and a half but back then, Kakashi wasn't that foolishly in love with the brat.
Haaa, love is a mysterious thing.
"Maa," Kakashi started. "Why do you have the bell, Naruto?" He curiously said.
"Well, Sai is an idiot. First ten minutes on the test and he fell for it already. His genins had him all tied to the tree."
"How is that even possible? Sai is not an easy target." Sakura asked, unconvinced.
"The female genin cried and Sai fell for it. He should stop falling for random emotions like that. Idiot." Naruto huffs.
That is just something Sai would do. Up until now, Sai is still having difficulties in understanding human emotions. For Sai, human emotion is the biggest mystery on earth. Sai being fidgety about finally having a team to care and love, his feelings must have been already all over the place and seeing his genin cry surpasses all emotionless training he went through while he was in the ROOT. He absolutely fell for it.
Kakashi sighs exasperatedly. Running to oversee how Sai is doing around his genin team is pointless by this time that Sai definitely failed. Glad Naruto is here then maybe it's worth coming here. Stop, Kakashi. He scolded himself and cleared his throat, "It still doesn't explain why you have the bell."
And just after Kakashi asked, Naruto did his infamous hand seals but instead his own duplicates, he multiplies to three other Sai.
Naruto winked, "Had to protect Sai's image towards his genins. Sai has to keep his 'cool sensei' image at least. The genins still thinks the unconscious Sai tied on the tree is one of the clones." With this he turned himself to Sai, "Alright, it's time to be serious until Sai wakes up and I'll let him finish this." Naruto jumped away from them and just in time to dodge the flying shuriken and kunai. This only made Naruto with Sai's body giggle with bells ringing on his hand. For him, this is fun and he never had so much fun like this after the war.
Sakura and Kakashi smiled and stayed in the shadow overseeing the match…with happy hearts. Naruto deserves all the fun he could get after the war.
All they could hear was Naruto's laugh all over the place in time to time. It only confuses the genins more for this doesn't sound like their sensei. There is definitely something wrong here.
Unfortunately, they'll never get to find out. Naruto's loyalty to his friends is one of his strength.