Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
The trees blurred past Kakashi's line of vision as he drifted aimlessly through the vast mist ridden grove of Kirigakure no Sato. He was intent on putting in some distance between him and any possible followers. He knew he needed to escape before the whole of water country was on to him. This would not look good on Konoha's reputation or his for that matter.
Discovering an enemy shinobi within your village was something that could start wars and the copy ninja had not made it any better with the short battle that had ensued following his presence being detected.
He reached a near by cave and sat down, his back leaning against the wall as he sighed, wondering how this would play out once returned. He was armed with dangerous knowledge and intended to have it put to use. Sadly, he had not planned in regards to his enemies abilities.
He heard a loud ringing noise pierce his ears as he grabbed his head in pain. His breath became erratic and he suddenly found it difficult to to move.
Then he heard it. He heard her. Kimiko's velvety voice floated across his ears, tainting his thoughts. He looked trying to see where she was and how she had gotten so close. She was not present, he discovered, not physically.
Blood poured from his ears and he slumped against the wall as he failed to hold himself up. Now it was clearer, sharper. She was giving instructions to him and he was bewildered as to how she was in his head. He tried to gaze in with the sharing an but found that all the blood and chakra to that region were blocked off.
"I have no choice," he pulled out a kunai to stab himself. He knew that should he fail to return, the Hokage would know something was wrong. Kakashi swung down down hard but his hand stopped short, as if resisting his will.
It was too late, he realized, as his hand dropped the weapon with a clang. His face conveyed shock as his mind processed what was happening to him.
"A jutsu with such versatile range and control. I can feel my own thoughts thoughts and will slipping away being replaced by hers. It's smothering. Is this how she defeated all those in her way and ended the war?"
Kakashi fell to the ground, his ears no longer blaring. Instead his mind was filled with peace and quiet, all except her voice as she told him what to do. He was under her influence now, just an unfortunate pawn in her plans.
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Konohagakure no sato
The next morning, Himika walked in silence with Sasuke right next to her. He was matching her every step, as if to avoid falling behind and having to be led by her. He paid attention to detail, she realized, as his dark eyes shifted around their surroundings.
She wondered if Sasule knew who it was that killed his clan. She herself was unaware of who it was and naturally, she was curious as to who was strong enough to commit genocide on clan level.
"And heartless enough," her mind supplied as an after thought. She was certain that you did not kill that many people and not think about it if you were normal and held any shred of sanity. Though, a lot of shinobi were taught to kill off their emotions, so she figured she had the advantage of not having them in the first place.
She let her auspicious eyes fall on the Academy building as it came into sight. The walk to school had been quick and silent. Sasuke was not the type to start a conversation and neither was she. She figured they would just work that way. It was comfortable enough.
They walked in quietly, taking not of how Iruka was not yet in. Then again, nearly half the class was still absent, Naruto being one of them. That fact did not surprise her though, as she knew the blonde was a heavy sleeper. Himika had already put him on her list of people most likely to get killed in their sleep.
Sasuke and Himika did not spare each other a glance as they walked off to their seats, acting as if they had not walked in together.
Himika relaxed in her seat as she gazed out the window, taking in the clear blue Konoha sky's. The moon was barely visible at this point. She heard Iruka walk in approximately ten minutes later as he began to tick off the names in his register.
"Sakura,"
"Present," the reply came quickly.
"Shikamaru," Nothing, no response was forth coming.
"Shikamaru?"
"Present," a sleepy voice finally announced as its owner shifted in his seat, though only to get a better sleeping position. Iruka sighed as he ticked the boys name.
"Hinata,"
"P-Present," the meek reply was given just as fast as Sakura's.
"Himika,"
"Here," she raised her hand without looking at him.
"Naruto,"
"Naruto?"
He was late again and Himika figured that was normal for him, unless he was still worried about yesterday's incident. She did not see the need for him to apologize for the accident. Maybe it made him feel better about himself. She was not too sure.
"Naruto?" She was, however, sure that would be Iruka's final call. The door burst open, and Naruto walked in looking ragged but presentable.
"Sorry, sorry. I kinda over slept and then when I woke I didn't..." he went on to rant about something she didn't quite understand. Mostly because she had stopped listening.
Iruka's expression softened, and he let Naruto off with a fair warning about never being tardy again. The blonde took it eagerly and ran off to his seat.
Himika watched him make his way to his seat and for a brief moment, they locked eyes. He tore his eyes away from her and she wondered if he was avoiding her now.
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Class was dismissed and the students got to go home with no homework for once. Naruto stood up and ran up to his friend? He would start calling her that now.
"Hey," he said and he was sure that was the first time he had said something so calm. She looked up, golden eyes cast his direction as she focused solely on him. It was unnerving, and this was for a guy without issues concerning confidence.
"Naruto, is something wrong?" she asked.
"I uh, wanted to ask if I could walk you home?" he said it softly and she almost didn't catch it. Himika processed it for a moment.
It would not be the first time he walked her home but it was the first time he had ever asked for her consent. He knew she did not want his apology and figured he might as well just try to go back to the way things were.
"Sure," she finally said as she eyed him. She turned and made her way to the door and he followed like she was used to. Unlike with Sasuke who walked next to her, Naruto would slip back at times and sometimes he led. He would throw his hands behind his head and walk backwards in front of her as he spoke about random things.
"So yeah, jiji wants to help with my powers. I'm actually going after this," he told her. She nodded slowly and decided this was good for him and by extension, her.
"Ya know, I could ask about your nature," he offered and the young girl shrugged.
"It's just fire," she did not see what was so special. Naruto seemed to be spurred on by that simple answer.
"Yeah but I'm sure jiji's stuff is way cooler than the library stuff. I don't even know why you like it," he made a face of disgust.
"You know why, I like to spend time reading," she turned to the left and watched Naruto fall backwards as he tried to do the same.
"Ouch," he groaned in discomfort as Himika stopped before crouching down as she looked over him.
Naruto shot up and his forehead collided with hers. Both were sent back as they clutched their bruised skulls. Naruto laughed as he realized what happened while Himika just looked up at the sky, ignoring the slight throb of her head. She really should have been angry but...
"He has a pretty hard head,"
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"Now Naruto, before we start, I will need to explain some basic things to you," Hiruzen started as they stood in one of the clearings of Konoha. He had chosen this place because it was private...and also because he was hoping to avoid the mass amount of paper work he had left in his office.
"You must understand that Hyōton is a rare change in chakra nature, one that combines the elements of Katon and Fūton. It requires precision and focus. These are unfortunately things you lack," Hiruzen concluded. Naruto did not look too impressed at that bit of information.
"Then what am I supposed to do?" it was almost a whine but Naruto Uzumaki did not whine.
"Don't worry. It's only a matter of your strength. The will of fire courses through your veins and I have the firm belief you can do it, Naruto-kun," the old man smiled down at the boy who nodded. He would do this and he would succeed...he hoped.
The start of his training was not as action packed as Naruto had hoped. He was stuck reading about the powers he possessed. He was certain that this was something Himika would much prefer to do.
Hiruzen watched as Naruto tried to grasp everything he read, the gears in his aged mind turning rapidly.
" This development is rather odd. I'm positive none of Naruto's relatives had an inclination to Hyōton. His mother had an affinity for suiton and his father, Fūton but how who his body have combined them? At this point I only have two options to assume. Either this is the doing of the nine tails or that brief moment of contact with Himika," he hoped he was wrong with the latter, because if he was correct, this would imply a lot of things.
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Days passed and Naruto had settled into a routine. He went to school, walked Himika home and went out to the clearing. He had just started chakra control exercises and had suggested Himika try. After asking her though, he realized his question was stupid. Her chakra control was absurd and her lack of trying was ridiculous. He was jealous of her at that point but it made him wonder how she could do such a feat with relative ease.
His routine was planned now and it was boring. He missed the spontaneous feel of everything he did, like pranking the poor unsuspecting villagers. Sometimes, he got to spend time with the Hogake's grandson, Konohamaru. He was a bratty five year old but was cool nonetheless.
As he sat on a stump and tried to figure out how to cut a stupid leaf in half, an anbu member appeared before the Hokage. The blonde recognized her, though only by her hair and its odd shade of light purple.
"I see," the sandaime said as he nodded. The woman stood by as she awaited his order. The man turned to Naruto as he spoke.
"Naruto-kun, I'm afraid something has come up. I'll be leaving you in the very capable hands of Neko-san," he said and the blonde understood. He had no problem being watched by this woman and he was sure it was not the first time she watched over him. Maybe he was paranoid.
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The sandaime Hokage bypassed the halls of the Hokage's tower as he walked in through one of his secret paths. Very few knew they existed and those who did were not even fully aware of the mechanics behind the maze like path.
Hiruzen found himself in front of his office door. Without further delay, he opened it and stared at the back of the shinobi in his office. He ignored the man as he walked to his desk and took his seat before finally saying something.
"I'm glad you made it back...Kakashi,"
The masked man nodded in agreement.
"It's good to be back,"
"Now then," Hiruzen started. "Your mission report,"
Hiruzen had not bothered being too cautious with the jounin. He had already been checked by the Yamanaka and by Ibiki. Such was the protocol when returning from such missions.
"My infiltration and subsequent escape from the Mist went off without a hitch. I learned that the rebels were defeated but at the cost of the former Mizukage. A relative of his assumed power and now, the most seeks to move towards a different path, one of peace and isolation. However, it seems as though they are in search of allies, though only the weaker nations," he said.
Hiruzen nodded as he let the man leave after ironing out some things. He had not gotten the answer he wanted and had some work ahead of him.