Chapter 2- Vicarious Living
Two months have passed since your abrupt trial occurred. Instant ramen, eggs, and sandwiches have become my staple foods. Experimenting has been attempted, but with no positive results. Eggs or toast come out burnt every morning and none of the unpronounceable spices have helped. Eggs, in general, taste different than when mom cooks them. Mrs. Aburame has recently given me several cooking tips, but none of them have been used yet. Pepper, salt, and letting the eggs sit are key factors of your eggs. On another note, Mr. and Mrs. Aburame have me over every few days, but they are still hurting. The presence of other children seems to take its toll. Also, our house is thrashed despite cleaning up three times. Mrs. Aburame has helped each time, likely to get out of the house.
"You didn't mention hygiene", Gail stated. "Are you at least bathing regularly… Why are you standing there making me feel guilty over my own execution?" That's right. I must have gotten lost in my own thoughts and said everything out loud. It happens when you've had the same conversation with nothing new to say. Luckily, the third hokage granted special visits in the prison as long as a guard was stationed relatively nearby. Every morning or afternoon without training is spent here. The cell is gray and droll without windows, with only a bed and a bucket inside. Besides me, all mother has is this cell and the brief, snide interaction guards give her.
"You should be happy the hokage got a stay of execution with Hiruzen Sarutobi's help", Gail said. A smile lifted between my mother's lips- it was filled with a fake joy. Today is her last day, though.
"Stop thinking about that!" Gail shouted. "Just remain calm and enjoy our last moments. Getting a stay of execution should be expected with the abrupt trial… Now tell me about your first day as a genin." She's been like this since her first day in the cell. How can I enjoy our last moments knowing my mother will be led away to her death in a few hours? Why does she ask for the same story each day I visit?
On our first day as genin, they had the graduates gather in our old homeroom. Dust had seemed to already settle in the former seats. Rin stood up in front, while I sat near the front next to Sakura and Naruto. Naruto and his fan club were beyond skeptical I had graduated, but my headband from the hokage proved my status. Sakura seemed happy I passed, offering a momentary high five. Our families may have been enemies since you were fired, but she's still kind on occasion. Hinata sat behind me to the right and appeared uninterested, only exchanging a few words with Sasuke- who was esta-
"She's the Hyuga girl you like, right?" Gail asked. Of course, that detail would be important to her. A son's crush was vital to a mother. The hopes and dreams of a future bride existed in her mind stronger than any young teenage boys.
Rin-sensei announced we would be teamed up in squads of three with a jonin instructor. Worst of all, the squads would be random. Ino tried to argue from a group project perspective- they would me more effective picking their own teams. Rin denied her request, saying each squad captain picked their own members. Most girls were worried about being on Naruto's team. Laughing at their sulking expressions got the expected reaction of a woman's wrath.
Nothing compared to the train wreck that hit a few seconds later, hiding a choked up and teary face. Shino couldn't be on my team. I couldn't hear what Rin had been saying with deflated emotions running around; until the class was forced in an uproar and all started clapping with excitement.
The first two squads were announced suddenly, while I had no idea what was going on. Sakura Haruno, Shikamaru Nara, and Kiba Inuzuka became team three. Their sensei is Kushina Namikaze- wife of the fourth hokage. Rin's pose had regained itself with the new silent and obedient classroom. Even though not in Naruto's squad, Sakura became giddy with a new opportunity. Once again, I couldn't hear a single thing. The entire class was enraged with jealousy the new found knowledge that Naruto's mom was a jonin instructor. No girl could stop asking if he asked his mother to pick Sakura. When girls weren't overwritten with excitement, they returned to their bizarre obsession with being on Naruto's team.
Two more squads were announced before finally hearing team six: Choji Akimichi, Iroas Gensai, and Hiskanna Uchiha. The instructor's name was Mizuki. If the instructors picked their squads by hand, Mizuki was an idiot. Poor Iroas and Hiskanna have bad luck. Who would want the class bully on their team? Iroas seemed to not care, but Hiskanna looked wildly uneasy. The teams were now narrowed down even further.
"I wonder why the Ino-Shika-Cho team didn't occur", Gail said. "Have you realized there is a conveniently large amount of potential clan heads in your class?" Yes, it has, mother. You ask me the same thing every time I reach this portion of the story.
Behind me, I could hear Ino begging in a prayer to be on Naruto's team. When I looked back at her, I must have done something peculiar. She yelled to stop staring and continued by begging to be on anyone's team besides, "that jerk Hiro".
Team seven's announcement was the surprise of the class. The class' strongest and dead last, Naruto Namikaze and Sasuke Uchiha, were on the same team- plus they had Hinata. The children of two clan heads and the son of the fourth hokage. Even if Sasuke is weak, he would eventually become strong because he's an Uchiha. Whatever luck Naruto was born with, it hasn't ended yet. Team eight was also announced after, with the now disappointed Ino resorting to continued prayer against being on the same squad. But Ino wasn't on team eight.
Not even a second after the deepened heart filled cries of Ino stopped, Rin announced team nine: Ino Yamanaka, Hiro Okada, and Akira Idane. Although she isn't the ideal teammate, seeing her face fall into the desk with nothing but despair is priceless. A special relief relaxed the condensed sense of worry in my chest upon finally hearing my team- even if I barely knew either member. My instructor is Obito Uchiha. I had never heard of him before, but Naruto was nearly brought to tears in jealousy. Apparently, he was instructed by the fourth hokage, one of the strongest ninja in the village, and like an uncle to Naruto. A subtle excitement forced itself into a wide grin that cried out mischief. A teacher Naruto was jealous of? The lottery was hit. Although, waiting past lunch before he arrived to greet his squad wasn't the kindest move.
Ino and Akira seemed to take a quick liking to each other while waiting for our sensei to stop by. To be fair, Akira moved his mouth incredibly little.
Why talk then when you could nap though? Rin had left for the day long before Obito showed up. Our new sensei was who woke me up. He definitely resembled all the other Uchiha- black hair and sharp eyes, but he holds a certain kindness in his expressions. In unremarkable fashion, introductions were also boring. Obito only asked for menial things like our favorite food and hobbies. However, he did ask us for our dreams. Ino said she wants to marry a powerful shinobi and lead as her clan head. Akira is determined to become a shinobi with the only genjutsu and perform the ultimate prank. Despite being unsure, I blurted out that I would become hokage and protect the village. Obito laughed, Ino punched my arm, and Akira remained unphased
.
"He says that pretty often, Ino", Akira said. "Why did you hit him?" I prayerfully thank whichever divine being had my back. At least I did until Obito gave us his first orders.
Following the directions of Obito, the team met up at a training ground, without eating breakfast, at eight o'clock the next morning. Obito arrived nine. The training grounds were a grass field on the edge of the village with a nearby forest, three posts, rope, and two lunches. He had forbidden us from eating breakfast, but I ate anyways. Why not? He didn't give reason to avoid eating besides puking from physical exhaustion. Obito laughed at me for the second time when he asked about it. Not eating breakfast was to prepare for our first mission as genin, which only half of the squads could complete.
"Half the squads passed?" Gail asked. "It's never been that high except in times of war! Even in war, it is rare." Apparently, there is a test to take to remain genin, or "complete a mission"; however, you wish to phrase it. Reasonably upset feelings came out when my mother later said that it's been a long-standing tradition no one knows until becoming a genin. Our test was also a tradition passed down from the second hokage, Izuna Uchiha. Obito had two bells attached to his waist. Whichever two genius could get the bells by noon would pass, the other would fail back to the academy and not receive any lunch. Then he commanded to attack with the intent to kill. With everything we had been doing so far, how could the team take him seriously? He was late to both squad related activities with a crap excuse! Every serious comment and question were a joke. He asks to fight with the intent to kill? What is that? Throwing kittens at him? "You don't to remain angry about it."
I was a fool. We fought for two hours to no avail. I tried using shadow clones from the formula from the scroll of sealing, but I failed. Memories struggled to surface in the middle of combat. Worse, I fully realized I didn't know a single offensive jutsu. Ino sat down and made a triangle with her hands. Music jutsu of some form- unheard by low-level shinobi- must have been created by her odd stance. Obito was dodging in the form of a weird dance at least… Akira was by far the closest, delivering several punches and physically touching the ball before it turned out to be only an illusion, while the real Akira was swiftly kicked. In desperation, the three of us agreed to all begin launching simultaneous attacks. The resulting collision bruised only us. With no idea where Obito was, a meditative stance while attempting a sensory jutsu was the next option. Sitting on the wet grass while resting my bones softened all my worries for those brief moments. Yet we were drenched in sweat and covered in bruises. Ino angrily shouted incomprehensible swearing in a very unladylike fashion, while Akira decided to sit down next to me. Ino's words peaked in pitch and acceleration. Akira continuously asked me different questions. My cramps built up. Shut the fuck up, both of you! Wait. Did I say that out loud?
I had. Ino and Akira both quieted down. Intestines began to implode all over. Flatulence finally left me.
"Why are you speaking with randomly high diction, Hiro?" Gail asked. Stop interrupting! You're the one who doesn't want to know I nearly crapped myself. We've been over this story.
"Did you swear only for us to hear you fart?" Ino asked. Why would I yell at you to fart? Do you not realize it's embarrassing in front of a girl- even if it's you?
"Not cool, bro," Akira said. I know… If Hinata was here I would have died, but Akira's unconcerned attitude certainly shows when not to cross a line.
The area wasn't as big, but a mental image was formed like previously. Obito was hiding in a tree approximately a hundred yards away. How and who would get the bells? On the other hand, Ino and Akira both began nagging again.
"Quiet", I demanded of them. Demands never make conversation easier. Ino really doesn't like being yelled at. That's my bad. "I know where Obito is. We need a plan."
"Why should we help you?" Ino asked.
"It would be easier if all us of attacked at once", Akira said.
"And risk a concussion?" Ino asked. "Besides, who would get the bells?"
"You two. I don't need a bell." That's right. Hiruzen's offer still stood. It's not that I forgot, but the third hokage himself promoted me. How could I say no? Even if I fail I still have a chance with another sensei. I'm certainly a dumbass at times- remembering everything but somehow still forgetting in the heat of the moment. Shino, if you're watching right now, that must be the only thought going through your mind.
"Why would you help us?" Akira asked. I was hesitant in answering. His question seemed genuine curiosity rather than distrust.
"I've always said I would help people. I might as well start now." Words were exchanged between Akira and Ino. My role was to be a distraction for Obito while the other two surprised him with shuriken.
Ten minutes later our plan worked- kind of. Without any tools, in my offensive arsenal, Obito easily blocked all attacks thrown his way and kicked me in the face. I was out a few minutes before finally regaining consciousness.
I woke up tied to the wooden pole. Ino and Akira each had a bell and were eating lunch peacefully. Obito lectured about the test and first lesson. The answer to the test wasn't actually getting a bell, but working together for the sake of the team. By working as a team, we gained the ability to put others ahead of ourselves- most importantly the village for the sake of the mission. "A shinobi's life is sacrifice", Obito said.
Indifference and chance caused the quickest passing grade of any squad he's ever commanded. However, the chance is a fickle friend. After lunch, Obito spent the rest of the day acting out the same drill. Covered in bruises, out of breath, and soreness all over seemed to be common place to Obito's reaction. The others were no different, although bruised less. None of the genins could stand when Obito dismissed the team for the day. Somehow Akira and Ino managed to find the strength to move after a few minutes.
I stayed on the cold forest floor. Obito kept staring at me.
"You're living alone right now, right?" he asked. Frustrated groans and a nod emanated from my half-assed posture. "Come get dinner with me. I'll treat you."
Mom, you always hated me eating ramen, but have you ever smelt the fresh noodles and pork cutlets in a bowl? Every time I've eaten it in the last two months has been with Obito. Not a single day has been spent alone since. Most days are filled with training and missions. He is unsure how to relax despite always being late. I have no idea what is going on through his head. Apparently, dreams of hokage demand constant training. We've even started to climb trees with only feet. After a couple weeks, now Akira spends much of his off time with us, training or convincing me to hang out with girls. He knows I like Hinata, as she is always one of the girls he wants us to spend time with. No other reason makes sense. A few weeks ago during a conversation, he mentioned he had no family to go home to. No one bosses him around either. Despite all that's been going on they've spent time with me every day to help distract me. I don't deserve their immense kindness.
On the other hand, there is Ino. There hasn't been a single time in the last two months she has said a single kind thing to me. Offering help has made matters worse. She cannot appreciate sarcasm or a decent joke, and she belittles me every chance she gets. Every day is a battle with that… bitch!
"SON!"
Sorry, mother.
"Watch your language", Gail said. "She'll come around eventually. Try not to let it get to you. Now, tell me about your recent missions."
Boring D-ranks missions are done nearly every day by our squad. Different D-ranks vary in length. Some are finding lost cats, walking the Inuzuka dogs, or delivering messages. Several jobs pay a week's worth at a time, such as farming. Today was no different. Team seven succeeded in finishing a week long farming mission which covered innumerable acres of soil on a nearby farm during the early morning. Ino dreaded working the crops and digging. She claims to not mind getting dirty but was repulsed at digging with bare hands in their manure mixed soil. Akira placed a genjutsu on himself to make the smell bearable… Although I don't know if that's even possible. When I asked Ino she only laughed at me and continued to work. Obito watched, merely making sure we achieved typical uncoordinated, uncalculated teamwork. Instead of putting each individual to work at different locations, the three of us worked side by side. Each day a different person performed a different task. The first person dug the hole, the second mixed the soil with manure, and the third planted- far from efficient. Each person can perform all three tasks by themselves faster than an individual one at a time. Obviously, I spoke to Obito about it. Laughter was his initial response, followed by a, "you'll understand when you're older."
"Oh!" Gail shouted. "I get it! What was your first mission again?"
I prefer pretending that cat doesn't exist.
"My time's almost up", Gail said.
How about giving me advice? When I was in the academy I barely spoke to Hinata. My courage was not great enough. How do I approach her? Then there's Ino. Do you have any idea why she hates me? I also miss Sakura, since we were childhood friends. I never see her anymore, but I can't think of a reason to talk to her.
"There's your first problem", Gail said. "When you care about someone, you don't need a reason to spend time with them. The only reason you need is, 'because I feel like it.' Regarding Ino, just try to be nicer when you can. Every person is different. Something else may be bothering her. Anything else? You never ask advice for girls."
No, nothing else is wrong.
"I know you better than that", Gail said. "What's wrong?"
I'm fine. Nothing happened today.
"What happened today?" Gail asked. You finally crossed your arms. I really can't hide anything from for you long.
Naruto Namikaze is a monster. After the mission finished today, Obito took the team to the training grounds. The day was beautiful up to this point: a shining sun, dew covered grass, the smells of the forest in the air. I was tired, but not too tired. It was wonderful! Hard labor and gardening is something I love- you know I always enjoy helping with your own garden.
"How is my garden?" Gail asked. It was dead. Getting caught up with training took my view away from the simpler hobbies.
Asuma Sarutobi and the rest of squad seven was there. Apparently, Obito and Asuma agreed to a wager over a fight between Naruto and me. He crushed me. Even with ten years of training, I don't know if I could match is current ability. Taijutsu alone he outclasses any other genin from our class in speed and stamina, and he is a close second in strength behind Choji. He started off the fight with a barrage of punches to my stomach and then tripped me. The ninjutsu in his arsenal far outclasses mine as well. He managed to summon ten shadow clones with ease, as well at least two wind jutsu- after their team completed a week long C-rank mission for the first time. I only managed to dodge his ninjutsu based attacks since Obito has hammered the basics of clones, transformation, and substitution into our team. Feeling rushed and far outclassed I decide to pull out my kunai. Voices of both teams started exasperating from my rash decision of self-defense. Naruto follows suit and pulls out a sword. A SWORD. How can I fight a sword with a kunai? He even cut my hand! It's like an awful story where he was blessed in every way to become the future hokage.
"That's what this is about?" Gail asked.
I… No… It's not. The fight was a clash of who deserved to be hokage. When we were fighting, I started cursing at Naruto. I tried to antagonize him. Ino had been cheering for him instead of me. My own teammate! Akira cheered for me but lacked real belief I could win. When Naruto put his blade away and launched his final assault, I was defenseless. The blows were punishing.
"If you want to be hokage one day, you will have to be better than me", Naruto said.
"Then I don't have a chance to become hokage", is what I said. His eyes widened, and he sunk his head.
"How could you give up on your dream!?" Naruto screamed. "Did you think this entire time becoming hokage would be easy? The hokage's job is making peace in this god deprived world. If there is such a thing as peace in this world I will seize it! You hear me? You will never beat me because you don't understand. I lean on my friends. Without them, I have no idea where I would be!"
"Oh, the poor prodigy!" I yelled back. "You don't have a dad? Neither do I! Don't you see how broken the world is? Peace can be fought and won. Brokenness can't be fixed so easily!"
"Then why do you want to be hokage?" Naruto asked. "You don't need to be a hokage to help others."
"Because it was my father's dream," I shouted before storming off here.
"You've given up on becoming hokage?" Gail asked. She raised an eyebrow questioningly. "No… You are doubting yourself because you gave up in the spur of the moment." In the past, I always said I wanted to protect everyone like a naïve child to wishing become hokage; a legendary shinobi. The realization has only now hit me. When I was little I use to say I wanted to die for the village. I had seen the stone with the names of the shinobi who died in battle, and I wanted to be like them. I was thinking-
"Absolutely not", Gail said. She was angry tears watering lightly from her eyes. "After all your father and I have done for you, please don't waste your life. You have a purpose. Do you not remember what your father asked of you?" I nodded, but she shook her head in response.
"You don't realize the full story, though", Gail said. "Our family had been struggling since you were a baby. When you were a toddler Sakura Haruno's parents hired me to help work their business. Your father and I grew very close to her parents. You became good friends with Sakura as well. After several years of working there, I was abruptly fired. Our only income was your father's genin jobs. I was desperate so I contacted family in the hidden cloud. I wasn't serious at first, but after things got progressively worse I set up an extraction. I knew your father wouldn't ever leave Konoha, so I grabbed you and left late at night during winter. When we finally met the Cloud ninja, your father managed to track us down. He was in shock, and couldn't bring himself to move… All he could say to me was, 'How could you?' The cloud shinobi ganged up and cut his body open." I've thought through this story many times. I never realized she was going to tear me away from my dad. At the time, mom told me we were visiting family I had never met before.
"That's when you went berserk", I said. My mother was a fearless and jealous woman.
"No", Gail said. "Your body began emanating a toxic, bright blue chakra. It was your tailed-beast. Your father and I watched in horror as you slaughtered all of the cloud shinobi sent to pick us up. We were terrified of you doing the same to us. When you finally stood in front of your dying father you started to cry." Those next few seconds were our last moments with dad. He told you he loved you through all the lies you told, kissed you, and handed you something, right? Then… he asked me to protect the village. I had never been very strong. Before that day I cried all the time.
"Your father always understood who you are and who you will become better than me", Gail said. "His entire life he wanted to become strong, but he couldn't. He lost confidence in himself easily, even to the extent of lying to himself. But you are your father's son. He understood in his heart your key to becoming strong."
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's time", the guard said. Two others were with him. Strong cologne and booze smell permeated the crusty air. I had to step to the side for them to take my mother away.
"Wait!" I shouted. "What did dad realize?" My heart was pounding. Every breath felt like my last.
" ", Gail said. She turned her head slightly to meet me with a tearful gaze. The guards forced her forward and walked her out. "I love you", were her final words.
"I love you too, mom!"
It took a few minutes, but I rushed outside the prison. Mom was still here, but a story high on a wooden platform. There's a large crowd around shouting all forms of profanities. Are they here because of the treason, or is it because she is the mother of a jinchuriki? I told Naruto the world is broken, but I can easily forget everyone here is broken as well. Even if they were here because of me, it is only because they're afraid of the nine-tails, right? If someone else went through the same circumstances, would I have been afraid? Do I have a right to feel this wrath when I'm just as angry and afraid of the fact there are countless stronger shinobi? Is that even a real question? Rage is a normal human emotion as well. Can I move passed it?
My mother's head fell onto the wooden platform. Time froze... She is gone. My mother is actually gone. I will never be able to speak to her again. I need to see you again, mom… I have to.
A tense pain is shooting down the backside of my left arm and shoulder. It is becoming hard to breathe. I cannot stop grinding my teeth. The tears are bitter-sweetly by blocking my view of your body. My stomach is cramping again, similar to the nameless sensory jutsu. Every hair is standing up. Goosebumps are covering my entire body. Blood is in the back of my throat. Crouching is helping me gain a better hold of myself. I never thought to grip the ground would have ever aided me in such a way.
The cut on my hand is gone... When did this happen? I no longer feel sore, but bursting at the seams with energy. The same alcoholic smell from before is on the tip of my nose. What's going on? A hand went on my shoulder.
I jumped back.
"Are you ok, man?"
It was Naruto. All of team seven and ten was here. Everyone looked worried for me. What do they need to be worried about? I'll be fine on my own! I hate that smug bastard, Naruto. Does he really think he's that much better than me? In what world does he know my pain?
"Do you want someone to talk to or-"
I threw my fist into his face. It feels great to hurt someone else for a chance. The smell of alcohol was stronger. When I looked around, the genin and the entire crowd looked terrified around me now. Even Obito looked worried. The blow forcibly slammed Naruto into the closest nearby building.
What have I done? I have to leave now. My legs began to move freely on their own.
"Wait, Hiro!"
Who is Hiro?
Where am I? All there is darkness surrounding me. Is it night already? But there are no stars out. I need to keep running regardless. Before long I see a blue light ahead of me on my path. There's a stone pathway with blue flames lighting the way to a temple. It looked miles long, but I seemed to cross in a few seconds.
"Why are you here?!" a voice roared out. The voice is mighty like a god, hateful like the devil, and honorable like a prince. It is coming from the temple and kept repeating itself.
The doors to the temple are nicely made, with carvings encrusted with gold and precious gems and a sapphire handle. Pushing with all my might I managed to open the door. Inside the temple was a giant cage. An enormous creature covered in darkness stared at me great yellow and green different colored eyes. Fangs shot out from its gums.
"Why are you here, Hiro?!" the beast asked.
"What do you mean?"
"You don't remember?" the beast asked.
"Remember what?"
"I am the power sealed inside you!" the beast said. "I am-"
"You're the nine-tailed fox! You're an ass of a creature. Do you have any idea the trouble you've caused me?"
"I AM NOT THE NINE-TAILED FOX!" the beast said. Stepping into the light was a giant cat covered in blue fur, or was his fur on fire? "DO I LOOK LIKE A FOX TO YOU? I AM THE GREAT AND POWERFUL MATATABI, THE TWO TAILS."
A/N: Thank you for reading and bearing through! I hope you liked my little plot twist at the end. This was my first time ever writing first person pov (not from my perspective), let alone first person pov telling the past in the present in a weird narrative style. I felt like changing it up and also quickening my way through early parts to make it feel less like a rehash of canon.
I hope you enjoyed chapter 2! If you loved or hated it, let me know why. Please let me know what you thought of my first person writing (especially so if you would prefer that to my first person). I appreciate all reviews or PMs about my story. Any critical analyze of my writing is also very appreciated. Please review, follow, and favorite if you liked it!