Don't own Naruto, blah ,blah ,blah.
Chapter 4
Once again Kakashi had a headache, and the walk through he took through the village didn't help much. He was able to sort his thoughts a bit, and see the changes in the village. There were lots of changes, size and streets mostly, but he still hadn't figured out his biggest problem. His family had no issue with his team, but he knew the rest of the village would be another story. He remembered what it was like for him at first; Akira had to translate for him. It took six years of practice at every opportunity before his speech was not in broken sentences. In fact now he spoke English like it was his first language.
"Good morning Mr. Hatake. It's good to see you again. It has been so long we worried Akira was a widow now." Said the baker as he opened his shop.
"Good morning." Kakashi waved. "I'm just fine, had a lot of work to do. I'll be here for awhile." He decided it was time to go home. The sun had finished rising and everyone would be waking soon.
Akira was in the kitchen making breakfast as he entered the house.
"So………When are we going to talk about this Kang guy?" He asked as he sat at the kitchen table. It bothered him that she kept putting the conversation off.
"He really doesn't matter." Akira put the last of the eggs into the pan and walked over to the table. "I would rather talk about another child."
"How about we wait on that a bit…………….."
"I would rather NOT. You are here for only short periods at a time." She stated firmly "at most four months, we should start now."
"Well, since I brought my team, and because it had been so long. I got permission to be away for a year." Kakashi picked up the fork in front of him and spun it in his hand. "After all you said the Kids needed me. I hope we will be ok. After all it is a new record."
Kakashi got worried when he saw the weird look Akira developed as she processed what he told her. Her eyes got wide, and she grinned something fierce.
"If we start now, you could be here for the birth." She stated enthusiastically.
"That would be different." He agreed. "Although would you really want to be pregnant with so many people in the house?"
"YES" She firmly slammed her fist on the table. "I want to do this; you have never been here for a birth."
(Sigh) "I know, but as you said, the longest I have been here at any given time is four months." He put the fork down. "Could we at least get settled before adding a new person to the mix?"
Just then Toyo came running down the stairs making tons of noise in the process. "Yeah, Mommy!! Daddy's still here!" He ran across the kitchen and jumped into Kakashi's lap. "Daddy, when are we gunna play?"
"How about after you come back from your new class?" Kakashi ruffled the little boy's hair as he pouted.
"I don't wanna wait till then, THAT'S FOREVER!!!"
Akira chuckled as she went back to the stove to check on the eggs. "Kashi, are you going to keep the twins from class today?"
"Yeah, I suppose your right. Kyo would be even madder if I kept just Yoshi." He put Toyo down on the chair, and walked up behind Akira, putting his arms around her waist. "She really seems to dislike her teacher."
"Who, Mick?"
"Yeah, he's kind of…….How should I say……."
"Pushy, Invasive, and cocky?" Akira smiled as she put an egg on a plate and took it over to Toyo. (Sigh) "It seems to be a family trait, just like some of your more irritating habits."
Akira returned to the stove and put a plate in Kakashi's hand just as Sakura and the twins came down the stairs.
"Good morning all." He said as he returned to the table.
"Morning Dad." The twins replied in unison.
"Morning Kakashi-sensei." Chimed Sakura.
"Kyoto." Kakashi watched as she played with her fork, pretending not to listen. "Could you help the team around the village, while I test your brother this morning?"
She dropped the fork and looked up with glee. "You mean I don't have to go to class today?"
"No, you have no problem conversing with Naruto, Sakura, and Sai, because we all speak Japanese in this house." Kyoto and Toyo nodded.
"Yeah, Yeah, daddy. Mommy says we have to because Grandpapa is too old to member any other………um, any other….." Toyo's face scrunched up in thought, making everyone laugh.
"Languages you dweeb." Drawled Kyoto, who immediately sank in her chair under her mother's glare.
"Right." Continued Kakashi. "Your grandfather doesn't speak English, and neither does my team. So for now they will need a translator."
"Hey Sai, when did you come down?" asked Akira as she put a plate down in front of him.
"Just a minute ago." He stated.
"I guess I should go wake up Naruto." Sakura stood up empty plate in hand.
"That's ok Sakura." Kakashi waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Let him sleep. Your first day exploring will go smoother without him running about complaining about no Ramen."
(Gulp) "N…No Ramen." Sakura stared at Kakashi. "Ok, so when do we start?"
Later on in the day..
It was Midday and Mick was having a great day. He was a bit surprised the twins had not shown up, and was a bit upset the class was restless. Now though, everything was going smoothly. No Kyoto to argue with him every 5 minutes. Yep, Mick was having a good day, the class on the other hand was not so happy.
"He has to BE here." Grumbled Greg. "Why else would Kyoto and Kiyoshi not be here?"
"That's not fair!! Now it was Kelly. "They've never skipped class before!! Why wouldn't he come with them like usual?"
"Maybe Mick said he couldn't" Raged Greg.
"You guys are awful." Stated Matt. "Maybe he got in really late last night, or this morning before class, and they are out doing those tests, or what ever it is they do."
"Hey maybe Matt's right." Stated Kelly. "After all this is the first time ha came, and did not show up when class let out."
The kids ended their argument as Mick called the class in from lunch.
In another area of the village.
Sai and Sakura were staring at the park in awe. It was huge, and looked completely different from the rest of the village. Lots of trees and even a large lake in the middle. Kyoto had just left them on a bench to get everyone some Ice Cream.
"Did you see the size of that Library Sai?" Sakura looked down at the ground. "Too bad I couldn't make out any of the titles."
"Everything around here is written strange." He agreed. "I now see why Kakashi stated we needed a translator."
"Yep, he was right about Naruto too." Sakura giggled and sighed. "He would have freaked out when he realized he couldn't understand anyone."
"Indeed." Sai could only agree.
Kyoto came back with the ice cream, and motioned to a shaded area under a tree.
"So how do you guys like Rimdenten so far?"
"It's very strange." Sai replied.
"It's interesting." Chirped Sakura.
"It's boring, all crazy." Kyoto Huffed. "I wish dad would show us the village he stays in."
"You mean Konoha?" Sakura instantly perked up. "It's a nice place, very different from here."
"Different how?" Just as Kyoto finished her question Kakashi and Kiyoshi appeared.
"Well, how is everyone doing?" Kakashi sat down next to Kyoto. "Ah ice cream, what a good Idea."
"This place is interesting Kakashi-sensei, but it would be better if I understood the language." Stated Sakura, Sai showed his agreement with a nod.
"Well, we will be here for awhile, and you are quite adept at learning new things fast, Sakura." Kakashi smiled his usual smile. "I'm sure you will be back to your bookworm ways in a few months."
"A few months." Sai tilted his head. "Come to think of it, you never said how long we would be staying."
Kakashi rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Well Tsunande gave me a year, and the trip takes two weeks." Both Sai and Sakura groaned
"So then we will be here around eleven months then." Stated Sai.
"El…eleven months?" stammered Sakura.
"Yep" Kakashi turned to the twins who had shocked but happy looks.
"So ……Um, then yep means you really will be here for eleven months?" asked Kiyoshi timidly.
(Sigh) "Yep" Kakashi put on a serious face. "So…..who wants to help me tell Naruto?"
Back at the manor.
Naruto was finally enjoying himself. He had liked the Spaghetti thing that Akira had given him, but was upset she said she didn't know what Ramen was. He was currently winning at a new game called checkers. It was easier shoji and the old man was not playing well. Course since it was Naruto learning, he never noticed.
"Ha-ha King me again ." He shouted at the old man.
"Yeah, yeah kid it's just beginners luck." Grumbled the old man.
Akira looked at the clock over the fireplace. "It's already half past two. The others better hurry if you're going to train, there's only five and a half hours of daylight left."
"Eh." Naruto waved his hand in the air. They'll be here soon enough, and then Tomorrow I'm gunna find me some Ramen."
Both Akira and the old man groaned out of torment, neither one could believe this kid. He cried endlessly and tore the kitchen apart when she told him she had no Idea what Ramen was. All three looked as the others walked into the living room from the kitchen. Kakashi was last, craning his neck as he surveyed the last of the damage from Naruto. Akira felt some satisfaction that the twins seemed in excellent spirits, the other two well, Sai seemed to always be impassive, just as her husband was at most times, but Sakura seemed apprehensive.
"Hey, hey you guys are back." Hollered Naruto. "What's the big Idea exploring without me? How's the village? Please tell me they have ramen."
"Very strange." Dead panned Sai. "We can't read most of the signs, Most people speak and odd language, and there is no ramen."
"Wha….What…..N…no Ramen?" Naruto swayed in his chair as he saw spots. "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!! WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO RAMEN?!?!?! WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?!?!?! WHAAAAAAAA!!!!
The old man picked up his cane and smacked Naruto upside the head. Effectively knocking him on the floor.
"Can someone please tell me what ramen is?? Akira pointed to the kitchen. "Did you see what he did to the kitchen when I told him I didn't know what it was?"
Kakashi sunk down a bit and coughed nervously "It's a noodle dish, Naruto seems to think it's the only food there is. I was hoping to introduce him to some new foods here."
"A noodle dish, I had gathered that from him." She pointed to Naruto still on the floor and rubbing his head. "Spaghetti wasn't good enough, I need a recipe, and I need one sooner rather than later."
"Well, I'll see what I can do." promised Kakashi
YOU BETTER Kashi. I'm not going to pick up that mess everyday for the next eleven months." She stated firmly.
"ELEVEN MONTHS?!?!?!?!...WITHOUT RAMEN?!?!?!"
"Shut it, Naruto." Hissed Akira, causing everyone to flinch.
"Ah…….sorry." Naruto slinked behind Kakashi like a little boy.
"Well….I think I'll take the team and Toyo out."
"Yeah daddy! Are we going to play now?"
"Yes we are, while the team is training." Kakashi allowed his youngest to climb onto his back.
"You should take the twins as well." Akira crossed her arms. "I need to clean the kitchen, and this is the perfect opportunity for the twins to show you their surprise."
"Oh yeah, I forgot to during the test." The twins stated in unison.
"I was to busy concentrating on what I was doing." Said Yoshi.
"I was interrupted by that Baka who calls himself……….Um I mean I ran into Mick halfway." Kyo quickly stepped behind Sakura to avoid her fathers glare.
"Ah, so see, this is the perfect opportunity, so take everyone." With that Akira stormed into the kitchen.
"Let me go and get my weapons." Stated Naruto as he ran up the stairs.
Kakashi went into the kitchen to see if he could calm Akira. The front door resounded and the old man got up to answer it. Leaving the remaining group to sit on the couch.
Around the same time.
Mick was nervous. He had last night firmly in his mind. He regretted telling his father that the twins had not come to class. Oh why did he still want to come here? "Really, father, this is not a good idea."
"Quit your whining." Hissed Kang. "I didn't raise you to be a coward."
"No, really." Mick sighed as he and Kang walked thru the gate into the court yard, walking to the main door a good 49 feet from the gate. The house wrapped around the court yard all the way to the gate where a small apartment was over it. Until last night Mick had imagined living in that apartment, as far as he knew it was used for storage now. The wrap on the north side was half gym and half dojo, with big windows looking right at the court yard. Between that and the gate was a two bay garage. The wrap to the south were a bunch of rooms for the servants that Akira didn't have. Also capped with a two bay garage. Each bay had a different type of car in it.
"I said quit whining." Kang used the large knocker on the door. Grimacing as the old man answered. First thing Kang was going to do was send that man away. He never understood him.
"You're not welcome here." Crocked the old man in an odd language Kang never would even try to understand.
My son and I have important business to discuss." Kang stepped forward and pushed the old man out of the way.
"Hey!! He said you weren't welcome." Yelled a blond boy from the stairs. "How can you be so mean? It's not even your house!"
"Mick, did you understand anything that kid just said?"
"No, but he was defiantly yelling."
The blond boy, looked at Kang and Mick with a confused look as he finished coming down the stairs. He pointed at them and opened his mouth only to be cut off.
"Naruto, they don't understand you or the old man. Why don't you go into the living room with everyone else I'll talk to them."
Kang looked the new comer up and down not recognizing him. Mick for his part made sure his father were between Hatake and himself.
"Is there something I can help you with?" the stranger asked them.
"I'm here to speak to the owner of the house." Sneered Kang
"I'm the owner of the house, well except when I'm out working." Drawled Kakashi.
"Yeah right!! I haven't seen you before." Kang snapped as he looked into the living room and saw six kids looking at him over the back of the couch.
"I haven't been here for a short while."
"A short while?" Kang stood up strait. "I've been in this village for an entire year and haven't seen you yet!"
"Hmm, a year huh? Is that why you aren't respecting boundaries?" Kakashi moved so that Mick and Kang could no longer look into the living room.
Akira came out of the kitchen, waving a pot in the air and yelling at the strange man in the odd language. Kang had never seen Akira yell. The stranger said something back, and gestured to them. Akira Glared at them and said something else. The man went into the kitchen and Akira reeled on them.
"What do you want Kang?"
"Akira, my love. You seem distressed, can I help you?" Kang smiled the sweetest smile he had.
"No! Get out of my house." She walked to the door and yanked it open. "I've told you not to bother me at home. If you need to talk to me, do it at the school."
"This is important Akira, Mick is worried about your daughter." Kang and his son jumped when the kitchen door bang open, the blond boy from before flew through the parlor and landed on the stairs.
"Kyoto is fine Kang." Snapped Akira, her attention diverted as Kakashi came out of the kitchen and picked Naruto up. "Kakashi, If that boy messes up my kitchen one more time over that ramen……….."
"I know love. I promise to tie him down when he's in the house." Akira nodded in satisfaction. "Tomorrow I'll send to Konoha for a recipe. For now though I'll take everyone out for training."
"Please do." Kang listened to the exchange in his language with interest. But paled with the glare she fixed to he and Mick next. "You too. Leave now."
"Akira….."
"I said NOW." She grabbed the sleeve of Kang's shirt and flung him out the door. "You to Mick."
"Have a good evening." Mick slipped out the door feeling it slam behind him.
"What was all of that?" Demanded Kang. "How dare she kick us out."
"It's her house." Mick simply replied.
po00OOoo
"May I ask who that was?" Kakashi motioned for the group to head for the kitchen door.
"Not now Kashi, I need sometime in a hot bath."
"Well I think we will stay near the back yard. Call if you need anything." Kakashi slung Naruto over his shoulder and followed the group out the back door.