-Chapter Five: A Clash of Stories-
"Ryo-kun! Katsu-kun!" Minato called as he jogged to catch up to his two leaving team mates.
"What took you so long Minato?" Ryokumaru replied. Katsu raised an eyebrow.
"I had a question to ask Jiraiya-sensei. Anyways, where are you two going? We have the rest of the day off."
Katsu shrugged, and Ryokumaru answered. "Uhh, no where in particular, we were just leaving."
Minato nodded. "Well, since we have the rest of the day off, why don't we…go and do something fun?" Minato got a…odd look in his eye.
Katsu raised an eyebrow again. "What do you have in mind, Minato-san?"
Minato came in close to whisper in Katsu's ear, and Ryokumaru bent over to listen in.
"WHAT! Why would we do something like that Minato!" Ryokumaru yelled as Katsu's eyes shot wide open. Minato had a devilish smile.
"Come on, it'll be fun! Besides, I doubt either of you have anything better to do."
Ryokumaru was tempted.
"We should be out training instead of doing…dishonest things like that." Katsu responded. In actuality, he was still scarred from what he had to do only a few days ago.
"No, I think Minato is on to something here…" Ryokumaru started to gain the same devilish smile.
Katsu narrowed his eyes. "I don't think I want to—"
"—Katsu-kun! You're coming with us!"
"YOSH!" Ryokumaru said while throwing his fist up in the air, "To the hot springs it is!!"
-Konoha Hot Springs-
Minato spoke quietly into his microphone to his two team mates. He was prone on the roof of a near by building.
"Ryo-kun, what's your position? over"
"I'm currently inside the facility at the men's locker room, over." Minato heard the slightly static response shortly after his own transmission. The three of them had turned finding the best way to sneak into the ladies baths unseen into a mission of sorts.
"Good, what about you, Katsu-kun? over"
"I really don't think we should be doing—"
"KATSU-KUN! You're part of this operation already, and until we complete the mission, I don't want to hear another complaint out of you! over"
Katsu's sight could be heard on the other line. "Yeah, whatever. Anyways, I'm behind the facility."
Ryokumaru butted into the conversation. "You forgot to say 'over' Katsu. over"
"Is it…really necessary?"
"IT'S COMPLETELY NECESSARY!! over" Ryokumaru yelled, hurting both Katsu's and Minato's ears.
"Ryo-kun, you must be quiet or you'll compromise the mission, over"
Ryokumaru grumbled.
"Anyways," Minato continued, "I think the best way to the target will be to break into the steam ventilation and make our way over our destination."
"The steam ventilation!" Katsu exclaimed, "Do you know how hot it'll be in there?!"
"Katsu-kun, I thought I told you I didn't want to hear anymore complaints, over"
This time Katsu grumbled.
"We'll meet on the roof of the facility in five minutes after finding the best course of reaching the location unseen. Move out! over"
All three boys took careful observations of their surroundings, and made mad dashes to the roof. After checking to make sure they weren't followed or noticed, they put away their microphones and took a good look at the large ventilation shaft that had steam pouring out of it.
Minato proceeded to bark orders. "Ryo-kun! Remove the top of the ventilation, and follow me in. Katsu-kun, make sure no one follows behind us and replace the top fixture quickly before following us in."
Both boys nodded and did as they were told. Minato smoothly leapt inside, followed by Ryokumaru, and then Katsu as he made sure to replace the top of the vertical shaft as he descended.
All three boys were on their hands and knees inside of the metal shaft, and could barely see through the mist. They were all immensely sweating due to the high temperature.
"Minato…I don't think…this is a…good idea anymore…"
"Shhh! Ryo-kun, you'll jeopardize the mission if you say things that loudly. Sound travels in these shafts. Now let us proceed with caution."
The boys crawled their way, passing several vents, but all either leading to men's locker rooms or the men's bath. Finally, they neared their target: the woman's baths.
Minato, who was in the lead, bumped into something in front of him in the dark, misty corridor.
"What in the world is…?"
"Mina-chan? Kat-chan? Ryo-chan? What are…all of you doing here?"
"JIRAIYA-SENSEI!!" All three boys yelled at the same time. As they did so, the said instructor did a three-sixty inside the shaft to try and tackle all of the boys to shut them up.
"SHHHHHH!! If you're too loud they'll hear us!"
The students nodded, but everyone suddenly noticed that they were all cramped in one spot. The bars that kept the ventilation held up started to squeak.
Katsu made the revelation. "Uh-oh."
The ventilation split, causing the four to slide out, yet splashed safely in the water below. Except Ryokumaru, who hit his head on the hard floor, and Minato, who though hit the water, landed on something else.
Minato slowly picked himself up, and he felt on of his hands on something…soft, and wet, yet sleek and—
"MINATO!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!!"
Minato looked up from what his hand was on to see himself on top of the prone form of someone he wasn't expecting. His voice was filled with fear, and he stuttered as he talked.
"So—Sora-neechan…wha—what are you…doing here?" He looked down to see his hand was still giving her a squeeze. He quickly jumped back, waist deep in water.
Around him some women started screaming and covering themselves with nearby towels, yelling things like 'perverts!' or 'peeping toms!'
Jiraiya looked around and realized his cover had been blown.
"Nozokimi no Jutsu!" (Peeping Tom Technique)
Jiraiya quickly made the hand seals and seemed to disappear without a trace. Ryokumaru slowly got up.
"Don't worry everyone…I only landed on my head…"
Wham.
Minato took the punch to the face and was sent flying to the far wall. As he got up, he saw Sora in a towel, along with several other women. His life was also flashing before his eyes.
"RETREAT!" Minato broke out in a full sprint, passing Ryokumaru, who saw the mob Minato was escaping from, and started running as well.
By the time the two had reached the exit, they were barely alive. Minato and Ryokumaru were covered with bruises. Minato also had over eighty slap-mark-hand-prints on his body. Ryokumaru was bleeding from the head. At the exit, the two limping boys saw Jiraiya standing there without a scratch on him, and not even wet.
"Tsk, tsk, you two still have a lot to learn." Was all he said before he walked away.
Minato and Ryokumaru looked at each other and thought that they might have forgotten something.
"KATSU!" Ryokumaru exclaimed, and Minato's black eyes went big.
"We need to go back for him!" Ryokumaru turned around but Minato put a hand on his shoulder to stop him, shaking his head no. Ryokumaru protested.
"A ninja never leaves a man behind!"
"I think it's too late for Katsu-kun…"
Ryokumaru and Minato both sunk their heads at the loss of their team mate.
Just as they started to walk away they saw a person with purple clothes and a katana on their back leave the hot springs. Their clothes were wet, but the person was uninjured. Whoever it was, they had long, flowing black hair, and a young, cute face.
Minato and Ryokumaru both wrinkled their eyebrows.
"Kat…su…kun…?"
"YOU'RE ALIVE!" Ryokumaru tackled him with joy. The dark-eyed boy pushed him off.
"This is your fault, Minato-san!!"
"How did you make it out without being hurt!?" Was all Minato could say, a look of astonishment still stuck to his face.
"What? Oh that, that was easy. I look enough like a girl with my hair down, that they didn't notice me while I made my escape." Katsu shrugged. Ryokumaru looked shocked. Minato looked shocked at first too, but then that shock became a devilish look.
"Whatever it is you are planning, Minato-san, I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT!!" Katsu yelled.
-Hokage Tower, the Next Day-
Team Ronin was waiting in the center room of the Hokage Tower, where missions are assigned. Jiraiya looked as he normally did, as did Katsu. Minato and Ryokumaru however had dozens of small bandages on them. Another team was currently being assigned a mission, so they were talking while they waited.
"…and after she was done with her lecture, Sora-neechan sent me to bed without any dinner."
"Wow, I can't believe you got off with only having to clean the house and miss dinner, Minato."
Minato sighed. "Yeah, for now, but I have a feeling that there will be more to it then that later."
"Hey, it's our turn." Katsu pointed out, and Team Ronin approached the two Chuunin who were handling the paper work. Jiraiya told them the name of their team, and they quickly looked up the file.
"Wow, you guys are a blank sheet, zero missions. Oh wait, there's a note here. It says that the Hokage-sama has a special mission for you…and to report to his office." The Chuunin looked up at the curious team. "That's all."
Team Ronin nodded, and started for the Hokage's office after the brief conversation.
As they entered the room, Jiraiya was the first to greet his old master. "Oy, Hokage-sama!"
The other students entered, and Katsu and Minato bowed, followed by Ryokumaru who caught on to their etiquette.
Sarutobi chuckled and took a puff of his pipe. "Alright, why don't you three have a seat." He motioned to the chairs in front of his desk, and they did so. Jiraiya stood behind them with a smile.
"So, Team Ronin's first mission? I bet you're all excited."
"Hell yes!" Ryokumaru said before thinking. "I mean…uhh…yes, Hokage-sama." Everyone else in the room laughed, including the Hokage.
"Well, I have a Special D-Rank mission for all of you. The client is…"
Sarutobi took another puff. The three students watched in anticipation.
"…myself."
They all sweat dropped.
"What's the layouts, Sarutobi-sensei?" Jiraiya asked, and all three of his students looked up at him bewildered. Jiraiya grinned. "What? Before he was Hokage, he was my sensei. Surprised?"
Obviously all three of them were, because their jaws almost hit the ground. Jiraiya and Sarutobi had another good laugh at this.
"Well, Jiraiya, my son Shiro wants to go visit his mother and his new brother. As you know, they live outside of Konoha, and I don't have the time to leave the village to take him. Your mission, Team Ronin, is to escort my son Shiro to his mother's house to let him spend the day there, and then bring him back home that night. The mission will begin tomorrow, and I want you to meet Shiro at my house at 7:00. Team Ronin, you're dismissed." The Hokage gave them a smile as they all left.
The group walked down to the lobby, and just before they left, Jiraiya stopped them.
"Hey, all of you, I have something to say." The boys stopped and waited for Jiraiya to continue. "The first thing is, I have something else I have to do tomorrow, so I won't be able to be with you on the mission. However, you're all highly capable and this mission is a piece of cake." He gave a thumbs up to reinforce this statement.
"The second thing is, when you all go home, I want you to do something. Find a picture. Whatever picture it is, make sure it's special. One you have it, don't show it to anyone, not even me. Take that picture, and fold it up, and slip it in between your forehead protector and the fabric it's bonded to." He made gestures at his forehead protector while saying this.
"These pictures…the images preserved on them will be the reasons that we fight as ninjas, the reasons that we grow stronger everyday, and the reasons that we keep on going. Make sure they're special. That's all." Jiraiya smiled, which his students eventually returned him with, showing him that they understood. They went their separate ways after that.
-Jiraiya-
The white haired Jonin closed the door to the house behind him. He walked into the kitchen while dropping his ninja gear off on the table, and started boiling up some water to make some quick ramen. He leaned against the counter.
"His house…"
Jiraiya slipped his forehead protector off and stared at it a long time. It had dozens of scratches and small indentations on it, worn from years of battle. The Konoha symbol was as strong as ever still. Jiraiya polished his protector, but unlike some other ninja, he never had it cleaned. He left all of the damages over the years on it, as a reminder of the things he went through.
"My house."
The young man pushed out a folded piece of paper that was inside his forehead protector. It was bent around the edges and had old creases at the folds. He opened it still, and gazed at the picture inside of it. Jiraiya smiled; a warm feeling flooding his heart.
As he heard a nock at the door he left the water to boil as he opened the door. He saw her standing there. Uchiha Kaori stood there, showing Jiraiya a smile with her eyes.
Jiraiya noticed that he was still holding the picture and quickly hid it behind his back.
"Our house…"
"Kaori-chan? What brings you by?" He started to say, but she just walked inside right past him. He closed the door and shoved the picture into his back pocket.
"Don't you remember? We talked about it the other day. I need to pick up my forehead protector and vest." She entered the kitchen and dropped her wakizashi and the rest of her ninja gear on the table next to Jiraiya's, then took a seat.
Jiraiya tossed his instant ramen noodles into the now boiling water and started to stab at them with a fork. "Yeah, I have them around here somewhere. So, why didn't you just come in? You have a key."
Kaori shrugged. "I figured that you'd be home and that it'd be rude to just barge in."
"You always used to." Jiraiya stuck his tongue out at her.
She rolled her eyes. "It's different now that he's not here…"
Jiraiya had successfully broken up his noodles and left them to simmer while he took a seat next to Kaori at the table. He took a long look at the wakizashi she had put down. It was a white stone handle, with a pommel in the shape of a tiger at the end, something unusual for a wakizashi. However, this wasn't a usual wakizashi, as it was necessary for it to have a light counterbalance. The small weapon's saya wasn't any less decorated, it being a matching white stone to the handle, with similar designs. Despite the fact that the weapon might seem heavier then a wakizashi should be, Jiraiya knew that this wasn't the case. The blade of the sword was very special.
"You still have that old thing?" Jiraiya noted when he realized she knew he was examining it.
"What do you mean? That's the sword I used in ANBU. It hasn't been in action since I left, if that's what you're asking."
"No, I mean…why haven't you given it back to me yet?"
Kaori raised an eyebrow. "Because you gave it too me."
Jiraiya sighed. "You know just as well as I do that I meant to say I was lending it to you. It was necessary at the time."
"That's just bad for you, isn't it, because I happen to like it, and I'm going to keep it. Now, lets go and get my things." She spoke in a cocky tone as she stood. Jiraiya sighed and lead her upstairs.
"You know sometimes you can just be too stubborn for your own good." Jiraiya commented as he opened the door to his room. It was pretty simple, as he didn't spend much time in it. Kaori wandered over to his desk and examined items on it.
"Yeah, and you wouldn't have me any other way." She remarked back, causing Jiraiya to chuckle. He opened a drawer and removed the items inside. One of them was a Jonin vest, but dark grey in color instead of the usual, and the other was a traditional Konoha forehead protector, with minor damage to it excluding a small diagonal slash mark on the side, luckily not piercing the Konoha emblem. Jiraiya moved to hand them both to her, when he saw what she was looking at.
She turned, holding it in her hand. It was a somewhat old paper, a certificate to be exact.
"Hey!" Jiraiya fumbled with the vest and protector as he tried to snatch the picture away from her. Kaori was easily faster and pulled it away.
"I can't believe you still have this!?" She said, almost giggling, very un-Uchiha like.
"Give that back!" He said, looking awfully grumpy over it.
"Aww, does Jiraiya-chan want his marriage certificate back?" She teased him.
"Stop that, you know that it was only for the mission! It doesn't mean anything!" He said, finally snatching it away from her.
"Oh?" Kaori raised an eyebrow, "then what are you doing with it on the top of your desk?" She did a smile that was mostly visible with her eyes, due to her mask interference.
Jiraiya blushed. "It's because—I mean I was going to—It's only for—" He watched as Kaori was practically in tears laughing at him tripping over his own words. "I was just going through old things and happened to find it, that's all." He finally put it back down on the desk, and made sure to cover it with other papers.
"Uh huh, sure you were."
Jiraiya flopped down on his bed and stared at the ceiling, resting his hands behind his head. "Why do you always have to bug me, Kaori-chan?"
She walked over and sat next to his prone from, turning to make eye contact with him.
"Because, I'm trying to cheer you up."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think that I need to be cheered up?"
"Because something's up." She gazed longer into his dark eyes, and leaned against his chest, something that surprised Jiraiya. "You're looking me in the eyes, that means there must be something on your chest, to keep you from drooling over mine." She gave him what they both understood was a smirk.
"You know, this physical contact is very provoking, Kaori-chan." Jiraiya spoke nonchalantly.
She raised an eyebrow "You know very well what would happen if you tried to grab my ass."
"You mean to say, if I tried to grab your ass again." The two of them broke into full laugher. The comment was funny, but it more so reminded them of the old days.
She stood up while Jiraiya stayed laying on the bed, and walked over to a table with a large scroll spread out on it. "What's this?"
Jiraiya took a few seconds to respond. "Summoning Contract, with Toads."
"That? I thought your father left that to you years ago?"
Jiraiya nodded before sitting up on his bed. "He did, I just now started to practice with it. I can only summon small frogs so far, but its progress."
There was a pause. Kaori watched Jiraiya's sad eyes. He normally wasn't like this.
"It's his father…that's still hurting him. I don't blame him, he had to watch his father die a horrible death, but even he has to know that he can't mourn forever. That isn't what his father would have wanted…"
"Hey! Jiraiya, you never told me what you were going to do about ANBU!" Kaori made an attempt to snap him out of his blue-moment.
He rolled his head to look at her. "Shouldn't you worry about getting back into ANBU yourself first? Doesn't that mean all your Genin have to become Chuunin?"
"Here's the thing about that, my team probably has the strength and skills to become Chuunin already, and easily the mission requirements. Only problem is…I don't think they want to, since they know the longer they're Genin, the longer I stay a Jonin instead of ANBU…"
Jiraiya seemed to think about this.
"But I bet if they saw me go back happy, it'd be different. I'll need a new team anyways…so, well, you know, I—"
"—you'd be happy if I went with you." Jiraiya finished her statement.
"Yeah, pretty much." She admitted.
Jiraiya changed the subject. "I was thinking of doing something other then being a ninja."
Kaori's eyes got wide in shock. "What?! You can't do that, you're a Jonin!"
Jiraiya gave a smile and made comforting hand gestures. "I didn't mean like that, I meant do something on the side. I've always sort of had an interest in writing, I just…" he sighed. "Don't know what I'd write about…"
After a moment, Kaori laughed. "That's why you're afraid to join ANBU? Because you wouldn't have time to write?"
"Well…I'd need to wait until my team becomes Chuunin also."
Kaori sighed in relief. He wasn't running away. Well, he was, but not the way she though he was.
"You do know, Jiraiya-chan that they'd probably make you a squad captain the minute you joined."
"Huh? That's only if I can even get in, and squad captain? That can take over a decade in ANBU to accomplish."
Kaori rolled her eyes. "Your really modest when it comes to your skills, you know that? First of all, ANBU knows your reputation, they wouldn't even insult you by making you have to try to get in. Hell, I bet they already have a personal mask made for you." They both laughed at this.
"And as for captain…we all know that you're cut out for the job. Hell, I used to hear ANBU directors talk about you, and that was like, six years ago."
"You're joking with me." Jiraiya waved it off.
She just gave him a no nonsense glare.
"I don't know…a lot of people might have said I'd be great in ANBU, but I'm just a little skeptical. Even Sarutobi-sensei doesn't think I'd go well with it…"
"…because out of all of his students, you're the only one who even has a chance to get in. I'll be frank, Tsunade's an idiot when it comes to stealth and Orochimaru, well, none of us could ever trust him. You on the other hand…well, you know why you'd fit in well. ANBU and Hokage's have had quarrels before, and Hokage-sama probably just doesn't want to see one of his students ever have to wind up on the other side. I'm not saying life or death, because that's just silly, but ANBU has been known to piss off more then one Hokage…"
"I really don't know, Kaori-chan, but I promise I'll think about it, okay?"
She sighed. "Okay, at least that's something."
The two shared a familiar moment.
Jiraiya must have been in a better mood, because his eyes were starting to drift below the neck of Kaori. "Say, Kaori-chan, think you could do me a favor?"
Kaori crossed her arms for the first time since seeing Jiraiya today. "It depends, why should I do you a favor?"
Jiraiya smirked, and replied casually, "Because the other name on that marriage certificate is yours."
-Minato-
The blonde was sitting on the floor of his dark room rummaging through a box of pictures. He sighed and looked at one of the more recent ones he had framed on his desk. It was the picture of Team Ronin, him, Jiraiya, Katsu, and Ryokumaru. Did Minato fight for Team Ronin? Not in particular, at least, not above all else. He also had a picture of both of his parents together. It was framed as well, but it was still much older looking then the one of Team Ronin. Was Minato fighting for his parents? Not in the least. Actually, Minato didn't think much of them. He then came to the third and last picture on his desk. He held the frame for several long moments and then slipped the picture out of the frame. He folded it neatly and slipped it into his forehead protector before tightening it to make sure it would stay.
Minato then tied the protector to his forehead, before opening the windows to let some light in. The door opened just as he did so and he turned to see Sora as usual. Not that she had to, but she always came in the mornings. She sighed when she saw him. "See, you could seat a clock to your morning routine, brat, now let's go make some breakfa—"
Her sentence was broken by Minato suddenly hugging her. Sora's arms slowly settled into a return hug to Minato.
"What's this?" she asked curiously.
"It's a hug, a basic part of human social interaction that shows the hug's recipient that they are appreciated and respected."
Sora stood quietly for a few moments, the embrace silent.
"Is this real…or is he just—"
Sora patted Minato on the head to signify that it was enough. He let go, and she gave him a cheery smile. "Alright, otouto, let's go and get you something to eat" Minato nodded, returning the smile, which was unusual when it was just him and her. He walked past her out of his room and to the kitchen. Sora watched him as he walked.
"—putting on a mask."
Sora looked in his room to see pictures from a box dumped on the floor. She approached them, and then noticed out of the corner of her eye a picture frame on his bed. It was empty. Judging by the other two remaining picture frames, it was the frame of an important picture.
It was the only picture the two of them had together, and now it was gone. She looked around his room and couldn't see it.
"I guess he's growing up…I guess I couldn't expect to play the 'older sister-little brother' game with him forever." Sora though, heavily disheartened.
"Sora-neechan! Are you coming?" She heard Minato yell from down the hall.
She did something that Minato was already a master of; masked her emotions.
With fake-enthusiasm she called back, "Yeah! I'm coming!"
-Sarutobi's House, One Hour Later-
Team Ronin, minus one, met outside Sarutobi's house exactly on time. A few moments later he opened the door, not wearing his Hokage robes, instead, just leisure clothes. They all got a good look, as it wasn't common to see him as such. At his side was a small boy, around five or six but no more. His hair and facial features were nearly identical to Sarutobi's but younger. The Hokage smiled. The three Genin bowed at the sight of their ninja leader.
"Ohayo, Hokage-sama" Minato spoke for the group as they bowed. He turned to face the boy as he rose. "You must be Shiro-kun," Minato announced, giving him a light smile. The boy smiled back and gave a nod.
"My name is Namikaze Minato, and these are my team mates." Minato made a hand gesture to Katsu and Ryokumaru.
"I'm Rokku Ryokumaru," said person announced, and then looked at the purple clad boy.
"Otonashi Katsu." Was all he said. The boy looked shyly up to his father, who gave him a reassuring nod.
Minato once again looked the boy in the eyes. "Are you excited to go and see your okaasan and otoutosan?"
"Yay!" The boy responded in a high tone, but pleased none the less.
"Good luck on your first mission, Team Ronin." The Hokage said with a slight wave to the three ninja. "And take care, Shiro. Make sure to say hi to okaasan and Asuma for me." The boy nodded, and started walking with the ninja team. Sarutobi closed the door behind him, completely coincident in the team, yet curious as to Jiraiya's location.
The boys made their way out of Konoha pretty quickly. They all examined Shiro, who was a commonly dressed six year old boy. He was quite quiet for his age, but obviously not stupid.
Like they would expect for any mission, they all had their ninja gear with them; this included Katsu's katana.
Ryokumaru was excited. This was his first mission as a ninja, and he wasn't going to settle for anything less then success. It was only a D-Rank mission though, which almost zero chance of failure, but that didn't do anything to dim the feeling.
Katsu was ready to prove himself. This D-Rank mission was just the first of many, all of which he would complete before moving up in the ranks as a ninja. He was also excited, though tried not to show it off.
Minato on the other hand, felt nothing. He wasn't excited, he wasn't happy, nor was he concerned. His outside emotions didn't show this however, which portrayed him not far away from what either of his team mates were feeling.
-Hours Later-
The trip to bringing Shiro wasn't a hassle at all. It had taken about two hours walking to reach the village. It was small rural town where Sarutobi's wife lived. She, unlike the Hokage, wasn't a ninja, and had no desire to live inside a ninja village. Due to safety reasons, it's speculated that she has a full squad of ANBU that watches the house at all times, but only ANBU itself would know for sure.
Team Ronin sat on top of the roof of the house. It was starting to grow dark by now, as they had been there for a long time. They had heard laughter and much other joy happening inside the house, which touched every boy at some level inside, hearing the sounds of a happy family. No one had brought up the subject.
Every joke, riddle, and game that they had used to keep themselves occupied until it was time to take Shiro home was used up.
Minato was the first to break the long silence. "So, Ryo-kun, I hear your clan is pretty wealthy."
"Nah," Ryokumaru responded, actually non-hyperactive for the time being, "Well, it's partially true I guess. You see, our clan is small, but there are two parts to it. We have extended family that is heavy into architecture and they make a lot of money, but when it comes to the actually ninja clan, we're about as well off as any other clan."
Minato gave a crooked smile. "Bummer, I was hoping you'd have all sorts of cool stuff at your house."
Ryokumaru matched his grin, "Well, we do have a huge television with a new videogame system, surround sound and everything."
Minato and Katsu both looked impressed. "Me and my neechan don't have a TV, and I've never actually played a videogame."
Katsu spoke next. "I have a small television in my room, but it doesn't get much use."
Ryokumaru smiled a bit more. "Why don't both of you come by sometime? I never have anyone to play games with."
Katsu looked skeptical. "I don't know…our relationship is completely professional…"
"I'll come over." Minato spoke, cutting Katsu off.
Both boys looked at Katsu almost pleadingly. Katsu sighed. "How troublesome…fine, I'll come by whenever we're going to do this."
Ryokumaru and Minato smiled and jumped off of the roof, to be followed by Katsu once he put his sword back on his back. The knocked on the door, explained that it was about time they took Shiro home since it was almost dark and they had a ways to go. In fifteen minutes he was ready to go, and Team Ronin respectfully bowed to the Mrs. Sarutobi, and started their leave.
The boys began their way back, the first hour filled with Shiro chatting about the fun that he had playing with his little brother, and how happy he was. Team Ronin gave him plenty of positive comments, but eventually moved on to different topics of their own.
"Why do you think that Jiraiya-sensei didn't want to come with us?" Ryokumaru was the first to ask.
"He said he had things to do. He is a Jonin after all." Was Katsu's response.
"Well yeah…but it's our first mission."
"Maybe," Started Minato, involving himself in the conversation, "He didn't want to interfere to let us feel more independent as ninja, instead of just his students."
Katsu nodded, showing that it made sense. "Yeah…that might be it. You're probably right, Minato." Was Ryokumaru's response.
Sometime later they were close to Konoha. It was full night outside, the moon barely lighting the ground of the unlit dirt road to the hidden village. Sounds of animals could be heard periodically. Shiro seemed nervous at first, but it was offset by the fact that he had three ninja with him, who even though young, looked pretty big to the little boy.
The concealed stalker pulled his hood up and made sure his mask was secure. He leapt through the trees until he was ahead of the group, and then withdrew three senbon. He descended from his position, senbon in battle position, and dropped into a fighting stance.
Team Ronin was quick to react. Minato was in front of Shiro in an instant, with Ryokumaru and Katsu in front of him.
The figure was non-descriptive, wearing black cargo pants tapped at the bottom, with a long sleeved black shirt. He wore a black cloak that covered his hair, a face mask that covered over his nose, and sunglasses, that though seemed inappropriate during the night, were obviously not to keep the sun out of his eyes.
"What do you want…?" Katsu said in a low, chill tone, not drawling a weapon yet, but his hand to his shuriken container. Minato was busy evaluating an escape route.
"The boy, turn him over, and we will be done with this." The enemy's voice was shallow with little volume to it. The team could barely hear him.
"What do you want with a boy?" Katsu said, raising an eyebrow, while slowly moving his hand down to his thigh.
"That is the son of the Sandaime Hokage. Now answer my question, for I will not answer any more of yours."
Katsu looked at the ground, and passed a brief glance over to Ryokumaru while he did so. Ryokumaru then needed only to look at Minato for him to understand the plan. Shiro was scared, but quiet.
"Okay, we don't want any trouble." Was Katsu's response. The enemy seemed to somewhat drop his guard. Katsu turned around, but quickly reached into his shuriken holder, un-strapping it and arming himself with three shuriken in almost an instant.
"Minato! NOW!" Katsu yelled. He span around again, swinging his arm while he projected the shurikens at the man. Even though he had seemed off guard, he almost reflexively threw his three senbon and countered every shuriken, causing their direction to change, and missing their original target.
However, this had been a distraction. Minato turned around and picked Shiro up into his arms, and jumped. Ryokumaru was right there for the follow up. He put both of his hands together, intertwining his fingers, and felt Minato's foot settle on his hand. He pulled up as hard as he could, as Minato pushed his Stamina to force himself far into the air, with the help of Ryokumaru.
Minato's trajectory was good, and Shiro clung tightly to him as he started to head back towards the ground on the other side of the man-in-black.
"He must be a ninja, and a good one at that. Senbon are nothing compared to a good shuriken, and he deflected all of my attacks. It takes a master to be able to use senbon that effectively." Katsu thought.
This unnamed ninja wasn't a step short when it came to their little plan. He spun around, grabbing out three more senbon, and launched them at lethal speeds at the midair Minato, who saw them coming.
Even a ninja can't dodge in midair.
The three senbon shot through Minato's right leg, one at the ankle, another one in the middle of his shin, and the last inches below his knee. All three long needles were stuck within the bone, and Minato's wounds immediately started to bleed.
He hit the ground, and collapsed instantly on that leg, dropping into a roll to land him and Shiro safely, the latter looking quite frightened at what had just happened.
"Minato! Just get out of here, we'll take him!!" Ryokumaru ordered as he and Katsu started to close distance on the enemy.
Minato, obviously couldn't run. He was in horrible pain, the tendons in his leg possibly snapped and the bones definitely fractured. However, he forced his way up, and through sheer willpower, managed to support most of his weight on one leg, half hopping half limping trying to guide Shiro quickly away. The little boy did what he could to support Minato, and they proceeded to flee to the nearby Konoha for aid.
The Cloaked Ninja (which will be used to refer from now on) ignored the wounded Minato fleeing, and faced the two other ninja charging at him.
"Too bad…you should have just surrendered." Was his cold response.
"Katsu, let's take him togeth—"
"—I can take him alone!!" Was Katsu's shouted response to Ryokumaru's strategy.
Katsu pushed Ryokumaru out of the way for a head-on-charge at the Cloaked Ninja.
"KATSU!"
Katsu nimbly jumped for an aerial kick.
The taijutsu failed. The Cloaked Ninja sidestepped the attack and grabbed Katsu's leg before he could stop them. With a quick spin he released the boy who went flying.
Ryokumaru was right behind the figure and he threw a punch, but it was blocked with ease when the Cloaked Ninja spun back around.
"You're goin' down!" Was Ryokumaru's battle cry as he continued to throw useless punches, all dodged with minimal effort. He finished his combo with a round kick, but the Cloaked Ninja ducked under it, and clenched a fist. Ryokumaru swore he heard a snicker.
"Hiden Taijutsu: Jikoku Make!" (Secret Taijutsu: Instant Defeat)
Katsu looked in horror at what happened to Ryokumaru next. Their enemy clenched a fist, and Katsu heard, even from his distance, a crack as the punch connected…with Ryokumaru's groin.
"What...kind of ninja…are you…" Was all Ryokumaru managed to say before he collapsed into a fettle position.
The Cloaked Ninja stood up strait as Katsu pounced back up. He was staring at the back of his target.
"I won't lose to you." Katsu said, starting to make hand seals.
The other ninja turned around quickly.
"He's using a jutsu? Well, it can't be anything serious for someone his level."
As soon as Katsu's hands stopped at the last hand seal, all of the shadows emitted by the moon began to twist around both of them. The trees almost looked as if they bent, and what was formerly the boy's shadow seemed to animate itself into some sort of tendril.
"You're now inside of my Kageshihai (Shadow Control). The error you made was to underestimate me. Now, face the consequences. Ankoku Yari!" (Darkness Spear)
The unfortunate Cloaked Ninja dropped back into a defensive stance as Katsu's shadow that had already animated blast from the ground, seeming to pull into itself close by shadows and twisting them all together into one slender javelin.
The Cloaked Ninja quickly ducked under the initial attack, as it was moving too fast to turn. He quickly rolled on his side and watched at the spear turned in mid thrust to again hit its target. He jumped, but watched as it once more bent itself to find its mark. The Cloaked Ninja had no way of avoiding the attack in mid air. He braced himself for the impact.
It never came. The ninja opened his eyes to realize that there was no spear, and landed on the ground to face Katsu again.
"Genjutsu…and a cleaver one at that. Not something I'd expect out of a brat like you."
Katsu didn't take the insult very well. As he prepaired for another attack. "Ankoku Yari!"
The same weapon manifested itself a second time, but now when it flew at the Cloaked Ninja, he made no attempt to dodge it.
Blood dropped. The victimized ninja looked to see and feel a very real bleeding wound from his right shoulder. It was a deep injury.
The ninja clutched his bleeding arm. The wound wasn't too bad, but the fact that there was one in the first place is what disturbed him.
Katsu chuckled. "That wasn't any normal Ankoku Yari, it's called Riaru Ankoku Yari (True Darkness Spear). I already watched the primary arm you used to attack with. Now that it's injured, your combat ability would significantly drop. Surrender."
The purple clad boy spoke with a hate and coldness in his voice that was not common in boys his age.
In the same instant he uttered the final word his foe body flickered. Katsu didn't have time to turn and look behind him, but he could hear the words. "Maybe next time you should account for those who are ambidextrous."
With his left hand, the Cloaked Ninja pounded Katsu in the back of the neck. The boy dropped to his knees as his nerves were instantly shot.
The still standing shinobi looked to see Ryokumaru now rising once more. In a swift motion he jumped so he was several yards in front of the boy and drew a handful of senbon at the same time.
With one flick of the left hand all five needles shot into Ryokumaru's left side. He screamed out in pain, and dropped to a knee. Now, both boys were immobilized. The Cloaked Ninja was fairly sure he had won.
"You are pathetic. Brats like you two shouldn't even call yourselves ninja. At your ages, you should be over the delusions of grandeur of a great life of being a shinobi. Both of you should just quit."
Even after the short speech, the black robed figure was surprised to see the brown haired boy still rising. He was holding his bleeding chest, one arm hanging limp.
Once he was on his feet, he let go of his side and withdrew a kunai. "I…will—" The boy was breathing hard now, his voice extremely hoarse. "—not… give up my dreams!!"
The Cloaked Ninja allowed himself to laugh. "You think you still have a choice? I have already proven that I am superior to you, and with your lung filled with blood, I'm surprised you can even breath properly, let alone stand. You can't even use your left arm in that condition. You can't expect to win."
The Cloaked Ninja withdrew but one needle this time, and carefully aimed it at Ryokumaru's heart.
"This…this is exactly like the academy," Ryokumaru thought, "It's like the test where you needed to deflect the shuriken…but I failed. I could do it this time, couldn't I?"
Ryokumaru panted, the ninja waiting for him to make a move. "No! I couldn't do it before, I couldn't do it now! But even still…that doesn't mean I'm worthless!" Ryokumaru's eyes flickered over to his slowly rising companion. Katsu was at least in condition to fight. "Looks like it's up to you…"
The Rokku boy gripped his kunai harder. "This is a clash of Stories."
Blood began to drool out of his mouth. "And here…it's either your story—"
Kunai out in front, Ryokumaru charged. "—OR MINE!!"
The ninja threw the needle with ease, and it connected perfectly with Ryokumaru. What he didn't expect was Ryokumaru to keep on going.
Blood dropped.
Ryokumaru's injury was dripping blood off of the end of the needle. However, unexpectedly, he rammed his kunai fully into the left arm of the Cloaked Ninja.
"You didn't even try to dodge." The ninja said, as he watched him holding onto the kunai with everything he had left in him. His hands started to shiver, and he dropped to the ground. He shivered for a few moments, but then stopped. Despite the fact that the weapon was impaled in his arm, the Cloaked Ninja just watched Ryokumaru's body.
Katsu saw everything. The blow to the neck had put him out momentarily, but he was now standing.
The ninja turned around and reached into his pouch for senbon, but had none left. With a slight curse, the kunai was ripped from his own shoulder.
"Damn, now both of shoulder muscles have been torn. This puts me at less then fifty percent of my normal battle capacity for hand to hand combat and jutsu speed."
Katsu, fire in his eyes, slowly reached to his back, and pulled the sword from the straps that kept it secure. He left it in its scabbard, but held it with both hands as he would a katana regardless. The boy was in a fighting stance.
"You…you are not going to walk away from this." Katsu said, trying his best to keep his cool, anticipating the enemy's movements.
The Cloaked Ninja dropped into a defensive stance with the kunai, his only weapon to block his foes attacks now. Still, he was unsure why the boy didn't draw the sword, instead of keeping it trapped inside of the heavy saya.
Katsu was the first to strike. He made a horizontal slash, which was parried by the kunai. He used the momentum from the last attack to pull up for another attack, but it was dodged in kind. He noticed however, that his foe couldn't rely on strength any more and could only avoid his attack with finesse. If he could keep up the pressure just a little longer…
He jumped back and took a breath, but before the enemy could catch his Katsu jumped forward again for a stab. This one was barely avoided. Just as it was, Katsu grinned and turned the blunt weapon to its side, and slashed again, completely using his foe's dodge against him.
The weapon contacted hard against the head of his enemy, the chains on his weapon jingling. He rolled, and popped back up, but was no doubt hurt from the blow to his head.
Katsu just grinned as he was facing down his foe.
"Damn, I really wasn't expecting something like this. I'm going to have to use a lethal attack to get out of this…very annoying." Though the Cloaked Ninja.
The kunai was dropped and hand steals started to form. Katsu, almost too afraid to try stop an unknown technique, just watched the seconds it took to complete. He was sure that his enemy didn't have much Stamina left, so whatever this Chakra was being used on, was important. He had to make sure he could survive it.
"Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu!" (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)
The fire burst from the Cloaked Ninja a blazing current heading strait to Katsu.
Katsu closed his eyes for a brief moment that seemed much longer.
"So…I'm Wind, ehh? I wonder if it's possible to defeat his fire with my wind…"
He already knew the answer: anything was possible
Katsu's eyes shot open, as yelled out his technique, dashing strait at the fire ball. He was going to make it or break it.
"Hien!!" (Flying Swallow)
A blue Chakra exploded around Katsu's weapon, practically doubling its length, and easily tripling its power.
He pulled the weapon down hard, literally cutting the fireball in two as both small fireballs exploded right behind him, burning the sides of his arms. A much better scenario then if he had taken the fireball head on.
Now he was close to the surprised enemy ninja, and was preparing his secondary attack.
This slash was it; this slash was victory. His blade cut again, but it made no contact.
It was like the Cloaked Ninja knew how he was going to attack.
All he saw was the person appear suddenly, and smash a fist into his chest. He could feel the hurt of his ribs being broken.
"How…" he breathed out, his chest burning with every breath.
"Don't blame yourself; some of us are just born better then others."
Katsu dropped his sword, and the Chakra that had outlined the weapon evaporated. The ninja let him drop to the ground unconscious.
-Minato-
The blonde could almost feel it when Katsu was taken out, and not five minutes later, turned sharply to be face to face with his assailant. He was different this time, however, having both of his shoulders bleeding, unarmed, and from what Minato could tell, missing more then half of his Stamina. Still, this was a person to be reckoned with. Minato looked down at Shiro. The boy seemed scared. The Genin's leg was still bleeding, but since most of his ligaments were still intact, he had quickly adapted to the temporarily walking in agony.
"Both of your allies are defeated. You cannot beat me. Turn over the boy now, and let this pointless struggle be over with."
Minato didn't respond instantly, instead, his mind ran through everything that had occurred, and he understood everything.
"Actually," he started to say as Shiro hid behind him, "There are several things I want to point out to you. The first thing is, you wear those glasses to hide the fact that you have a dojutsu, am I wrong?"
The Cloaked Ninja chuckled, signaling a yes to Minato.
"Second, you're disguising your voice, fairly well, but it isn't fool proof. You're a woman."
At this, the Cloaked Ninja didn't laugh. This boy was good.
Real good.
"And third," At this Minato smirked, "That's not a child—"
There was a puff of smoke behind Minato.
"—it's a clone."
Now the Cloaked Ninja was pissed. This one little kid had completely figured her out. He officially moved up to the status of "too good."
"Well," the Cloaked Ninja spoke, this time a feminine voice. "This aught to be a good fight." She removed her glasses and tossed her cloak off, releasing long black hair and a soft face.
It was the eyes that really caught Minato's attention. They were red, with spinning black wheels inside of them.
"So…Sharingan…that explains the uncanny accuracy with the senbon."
"Actually, no, I will not be what you call a 'good fight.'"
The un-Cloaked Ninja raised an eyebrow.
"I probably won't be much more of a hassle then my allies were. However, with the head start Shiro-kun has, all I have to do is hold you off, which I am completely capable of doing. He will return to Konoha where you will not be able to harm him, I complete my mission, and you fail yours." Minato spoke in a cold tone, showing no emotion what so ever. Even his usually bright face was without smile and completely without cheer, brought to levels of apathy most people can't reach.
"Besides, you weren't intending on hurting him at all, were you. Now that I see your eyes…I'm almost sure of it."
Now the girl was unsure if she should be pissed or amazed. "How can you tell?"
"The eyes, Sharingan, means you're from Konoha. Also, you waited to fight my allies before following us. Even if my leg was wounded and you didn't think we could get far, I was the one with your mark. A simple hit and run would be enough to grab your objective and leave. I don't know what your plans are, but they're unsuccessful."
She sighed, and turned to look off the trail.
White hair, dark eyes, with red face marks and everything, Jiraiya emerged.
Even this Minato had not completely figured out.
"Oy, Mina-chan!!" Jiraiya said with a very out-of-mood-smile.
-End Chapter Five-
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Preview - Chapter Six: Living Behind a Mask