By Smertios
Author's Notes: I'm glad to see that by writing my next chapter faster, I was able to garner a little more interest. I'm writing this chapter in hopes of finishing it in one or two days as well. Don't get too used to this, as I have to work on college applications and stuff as well, but for today, anyway, I feel motivated enough to do this. I'm sorry that I mistook Hanabi's name for Hinabi (I simply assumed that, like Hinata, it was the first part of her name that included the symbol for light. My bad.)
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Chapter 6: Bored to Tears
'Teen
Idles, Teen Idles
Fuckin' bored to tears
Teen Idles, Teen
Idles
Waste of 20 Years'
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The next three weeks were a blur for the four members of Team 3. Constant training and missions had left them with little time for leisure. Their sole free hours were normally spent sleeping and recuperating in preparation for the next day's activities. The constant training left them too tired to do anything else.
Kakashi was almost demonic in his drive to keep the team in action, and to refine the skills they had. To their frustration, he had spent much of the time reviewing old skills, rather than teaching new ones. However, Kakashi's sadistic streak had lead to him making additions to almost every exercise.
When they had been working on accuracy exercises, he had required them to throw kunai while drawing chakra. The combined effect focusing on the proper motions to hit the target and focusing on manipulating chakra was very draining. However, after spending an hour on the exercise every day for three weeks, they were able to do both without thinking about what they were doing.
While most of their training had been pleasant, if difficult, they had had a run in with the eccentric teacher of Team 1, Maito Gai, who had attempted to get them all to wear green spandex suits. After Kakashi had calmly, but forcefully demanded that Gai leave his students alone before he called the Konoha police force in to arrest him for child abuse, they were able to get back to work, but Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata had all decided that it might be smarter to avoid his team in the future.
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(Flashback)
As Maito Gai and his eccentric team departed Team 7's clearing, Naruto leaned back against a tree, and grinned. "See, Hinata?"
Hinata felt her cheeks burn, but before she could reply, Sasuke interjected. "That doesn't prove a thing! All it proves is that acting strange will make people dislike you."
"S-Sasuke-san, why do you dislike them?"
The avenger simply ignored her. Naruto, however, couldn't resist such an easy dig. "Maybe it's that he got whipped by a 'weirdo'."
Sasuke made a rude gesture at Naruto, who just smiled back. "Ok, idiot, you're right. I assumed that the freaky big-eyebrows kid wasn't that tough. I was wrong. There, are you happy?"
Naruto's grin grew sunnier, clearly confirming that he was happy to have demonstrated the falsehood of Sasuke's assumptions and Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Anyway, how do you know his actions were what gave it away? For all you know, I underestimated him because he didn't look very powerful."
Hinata had grown used to their arguments, and had found some peace in knowing that they were more like the squabbling of siblings than like real arguments. However, it was probably best to step in before either of them transitioned over to violence, and brought Kakashi's wrath down on them (The last time that had happened, they had run around Konoha well into the night before Kakashi was convinced to let them go home). She opened her mouth to speak, but someone was faster than her. "Sasuke, Naruto was right."
Kakashi entered the clearing and gave his bickering male students an obnoxiously broad smile. "If you act unserious and clueless, shinobi will underestimate you. Many ninja adopt this technique, in hopes of gaining an advantage in battle."
Naruto stuck his tongue out at Sasuke, who gave what (had it not been Uchiha Sasuke) Hinata would have sworn was a pout. Kakashi, however, was not done, "Many ninja also end up ingraining their alter-personality so heavily in their psyche that they become it as well. That's why poor Gai acts the way he does. So unless you really have a desire to spend the rest of your life wearing bright-green spandex, I'd consider trying to simply act normal, rather than acting stupid."
It was Naruto's turn to pout, and Sasuke's turn to gloat, this time. "So much for superior stupidity, eh shrimp?"
"Why You!"
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Although tension between them was not resolved by any means, Sasuke and Naruto were quickly learning to be civil to one another (although their definition of civil still seemed to include quite a bit of bickering, in Hinata's opinion). Hinata had been shocked to discover the two of them holding a polite, normal-toned (if Naruto could be accused of having such a tone) conversation about the use of explosive tags when she had arrived late, having been distracted by her father's lesson on the management of clan money.
In fact, she had been late to a number of practices before she realized that she would have to wake up earlier if she wanted to receive her father's daily lesson and still make it to practice on time. She was still very surprised at the change in his behavior. After all, he had never bothered with her in the morning before. Now, however, he was waking up earlier to teach her the inner workings of the clan before her team's morning workout.
The only downside was the mission that came in the middle of their day.
"Sector A-3 clear!"
Naruto's excited shout brought Hinata back from her meditations. She checked off the small square on her map, and scanned the map quickly. "Ok. Move on to sector B-3 a-and do a full sweep there."
She silently cursed herself for the tremor in her voice. Over the last three weeks it had slowly begun to disappear. Continued contact with Naruto had given her the ability to speak clearly most of the time, but she still occasionally slipped.
"Sector D-5 cleared."
Hinata nodded to Sasuke, checked off the sector and motioned for him to continue. Their mission for the day, entitled "Recover diamond in the rough" was becoming tedious.
They could have finished the mission in ten minutes or less, if Hinata had been allowed to use her Byakugan, but Kakashi had insisted that they needed the experience in search missions (never mind that Hinata would have her Byakugan on real search missions as well).
She finished her section (C-4) and marked it off on her map. She continued along to the next section on her map, but Kakashi interrupted her thoughts. "Found it."
He stood up from where he had been bent over in the tall grass, and displayed a collar made of – obviously fake – diamonds. Sasuke sighed, and Hinata felt her left eye tic, ever so slightly. Naruto, however, had only one thing to say, "We spent an hour and half looking for THAT?"
Kakashi rubbed the back of his head and nodded. "The head of the Painter's Guild spoils his daughter with many presents. He wouldn't want one to go astray."
Sasuke harrumphed in annoyance. "I don't know how anyone could be stupid enough to let their grass grow to be over three feet tall."
Their sensei nodded, and shrugged. "Can't really be helped though. D-Ranked missions pretty much suck, but someone has to do them."
All four of them left the overgrown fields that surrounded the Painter's Guildhall and headed for the Konoha Administration Building in low spirits.
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"For Monday, you have the choice between 'Care for the Elders' Children' or 'Clean up Konoha's hospital'."
Naruto drew in a deep breath, and was clearly prepared to lose his temper with the Hokage when Kakashi stepped in front of him. "Hokage-sama, we have now completed 14 D-Rank missions. Are we not eligible for a C-Rank mission now?"
Sasuke and Hinata's eyes lit, and Hinata could tell that Naruto was also getting exited at the prospect. The old man stopped for a moment, and considered. "Well… I suppose that I could send you on a more interesting mission."
"Yes! Do we get to fight a dragon? Maybe we can assassinate a criminal? Defend a princess?"
The Hokage laughed and shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Naruto. Your mission will be fairly run of the mill, for a C-Rank."
He handed Kakashi a scroll, and shooed the team out of the room. Once they were outside of the mission room, the team quickly gathered around Kakashi. "What does it say, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi scanned the scroll and looked at Naruto for a moment, clearly enjoying the hyperactive blonde's discomfort. "We are to act as bodyguards to a minor noble while he goes to a yearly meeting with all the other nobles in the Fire Country. We will be escorting him to the capital and acting as a guard until his return,"
Their silver-haired sensei quickly instructed them to pack and meet them by the front gate the next morning at 08:00.
Hinata felt an odd sense of security settle over her. If nothing else, this mission was very standard fare. The worst they might face was a petty assassin hired by a richer noble. Shinobi were barred from carrying out assassinations inside a Daimyo's palace. It would be a safe mission without being too safe for them to learn.
The meeting of the minor nobles was primarily a chance for bargaining to occur in between different political factions, and for nobles to show off their wealth and influence. It often was punctuated by failed assassinations, but it was all for show, really.
Choosing Team 3 to carry out the mission was also the right choice, as Hinata was fully trained to operate in a noble court (because the Hyuuga clan had emissaries of its own in the court), Sasuke was too quiet to offend anyone, and Naruto… Hinata wasn't quite sure what advantages he might have on the mission, but she was fairly sure he was smart enough to not say anything too offensive.
She hoped.
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Packing for the mission did not take long for Naruto, since most of his property could fit in a small duffle bag with little effort. When he had put all of his weapons and all four of his changes of clothing into his bag, he relaxed.
It had been a long month or so since he had left the monastery, and he still wasn't quite sure where he belonged in the world. The people of Konoha certainly felt no particular fondness towards him, but it was clear that there were some people who were very willing to stand by him.
Hinata, Sasuke, Kakashi, the Hokage, and even his old sensei, Iruka, were being friendly to him. If he was totally honest with himself, he found the situation a little bit surreal. From the perspective of a child who had been hated in his youth, and then raised in a solitary monastery, having a small group of people who he could trust and find comfort with was unnerving. 'How long until they learn to hate me?'
If they knew about the Kyuubi, he was sure it would be no time at all. Not even the most forgiving person could overcome the prejudice that Konoha's residents had towards the Kyuubi.
There were times when he just thought about running away; getting out of the city before his teammates learned to hate him as well. However, the Yondaime's sacrifice would weigh heavy on his heart, when he thought such things. His father had given his life to protect this village, and while Naruto wasn't sure why, he knew that the former Hokage would not have been proud to see his son turn his back on it.
A rustling noise alerted him to the fact that he was not the only person in his cramped apartment. He withdrew a senbon needle from his backpack, and cast his eyes around the room. "Who's there?"
Kakashi stepped into the room from the open window with his hands up. "You shouldn't go pointing weapons at people, you know."
"You shouldn't be sneaking into people's apartments from the windows, you know. There are doors for a reason."
The man laughed, and Naruto relaxed, putting the weapon away. "I'd offer you something to drink, but all I have is spoiled milk, and the water tastes of rust."
"I think I'll pass, then."
"Thought you would." Naruto adopted a mockery of a polite expression. "Other than demonstrating my home's poor security, what are you here for?"
"I'm here to do my duty."
"As a teacher? Because if so, there really isn't anything yo-"
"No, as a student." Kakashi sighed and adopted what Naruto assumed was a troubled expression. "I made a promise to my sensei, and I suppose that it is time that I went through with it."
Naruto looked puzzled, and nodded, not quite sure what response would be appropriate.
"You see… My teacher asked me, before died, to tell his son a little bit about what happened, and so I am here."
"What does this have to do with me," Naruto asked, not daring to hope that Kakashi was speaking of his father.
Kakashi reached into his pocket, and pulled out a picture. In it, a large, blonde man, with hair that seemed to go everywhere, wrapped his arms around a team of genin. Naruto drew in his breath, recognizing his father and Kakashi. "He taught you?"
"Yes. He was my sensei from the time I became a genin, to the time I became a jounin."
Naruto felt his heart thud oddly for a moment with emotion attempting to burst its way out of his chest, but he forced himself to calm down, and asked his next question in a quiet voice, "Why didn't you tell me?"
The man scratched his head for a moment, and then let out a breath. "I didn't want it to go to your head. I have to be fair in teaching this team, you see."
"Why now, then?"
"Do you know much about court politics?" Naruto shrugged, but his teacher gave him a piercing look, so the boy shook his head. "The court has a very long memory, and they will remember me. When they see me with you, they will likely connect the two of us back to Arashi-sensei. You need to be ready for the danger that that entails."
"What kind of danger?"
Kakashi's eye narrowed, and Naruto was fairly sure that he had adopted a grim expression under his mask. "The worst kind."
The man began pacing, and Naruto sat back, waiting for whatever he would say. "Your father… He was a very influential man. Even before he became Hokage, he had gained great popularity for his role in the Iwa-Konoha war. At the court, many are desperate for the sort of power that could be attained by having control of his son. You are in danger from anyone in the court who is looking for power."
"So what? You think I'm gonna let some fat, old man tell me what to do? I'm not that dumb, Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi sighed, and looked Naruto straight in the eye. "And are you prepared to be attacked? Are you prepared to have people use ninja or assassins to try and get your blood for a ritual? Are you prepared to be seduced? To be spoken for? To be offered riches and power beyond your imagining? The court is a dangerous, dangerous place, and those who enter unprepared are quickly killed by the velvet fangs of the minor nobles."
Naruto felt a wave of apprehension fill him. "Do they… Do they know about him?"
"No. If they did I would have told the Hokage to forget about this mission."
Team 3's sensei seemed to lose some of his tension as Naruto cottoned on to the threat that would face him in the next few days. "Can we try a disguise?"
Kakashi shook his head. "At this sort of meeting, even the best master of disguise would be easily uncovered. Disguises and costumes are the lifeblood of court politics."
"Damn…" Naruto gave a shrug of his shoulders. "It can't be helped, I suppose. I'll just have to be careful."
"Yes."
Kakashi turned to leave, but Naruto's voice stopped him. "Could you- could you tell me about him?"
The silver-haired jounin felt his heart go out to his orphaned student. "I see a lot of him in you. He was determined. Nothing, and I mean nothing, stood in between him and doing what he wanted. Even the council knew better than to try and thwart him. He was also very compassionate. He would help anyone who needed help, even if he despised them."
Kakashi seemed to be trying to swallow a lump in his throat, and Naruto felt a pang of sympathy for the man. 'I never even knew my father, but Kakashi did. This must be so much harder for him.'
Eventually, Kakashi found the words for whatever it was he wanted to say. "He was very loyal as well. His team was his family. Whenever one of us was in distress, he had a kind word, or a helping hand for us. Still… I think what was most important about him was his confidence. He always had faith in himself and in the people around him. I remember when we first met…"
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(Flashback)
"I'm your new sensei, Kazama Arashi. I'll be teaching you from now on."
Three genin looked at their new teacher with something in between awe and disgust. "Y-You? But you're barely more than a teenager!"
The young man shrugged. "Age is no indication of skill or power. Either way, I'm your new teacher, and I intend to make you the best shinobi you can be. Tell me a little bit about yourselves, so I can get us started."
Introductions went around, and, at last, it was time for their teacher to speak of himself. "I am Kazama Arashi. I am a Jounin here in Konoha, and I specialize in assassination and sealing. My hobbies include calligraphy and… er… Well, we'll leave it at that, eh? You can find me at Training Ground 9, most of the time. My only ambition right now is to help Konoha as best I can."
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(Flashback 2)
A hail of Kunai stabbed through the bush that Kakashi was hiding behind, tearing cuts along his arms and legs. Arashi moved over and tackled the boy out of the way, taking a kunai right in the shoulder.
"Sensei… Why?"
The man looked at Kakashi with a mischievous grin, his pain barely apparent. "I don't let my students down."
Medical-Nin hurried him away, and Kakashi was left, sitting in the mud of the battlefield, anger building inside of him.
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(Flashback 3)
Arashi gave Kakashi a stern look, warning him to say nothing. "In half an hour, I will go out to meet the Kyuubi in battle. I want you to lead villagers away from the fight. I'm not sure that there will be no backlash from the sealing."
"But…"
Arashi scowled. "But nothing! I have to do this. If the Kyuubi isn't stopped, Konoha's fire will be put out in the fire of its rage."
Kakashi's shoulders drooped, but his mentor was not letting up. "Now. Will you follow my orders, or will Rin have to sedate you?"
"What do you need me to do?"
The Yondaime gave his student a small, sad smile. "When I have finished the sealing, I need you to bring the vessel to the Sandaime. He will need to protect him."
Kakashi nodded and looked at the struggling infant, who was watching the scene with interest. Arashi noted his student's interest, and looked fondly at the infant. "He's my legacy to Konoha, you know. I hope they will see him for the hero he really is, eventually."
"You know the villagers, Sensei. They will hate anything at all, if they are given a chance. It would be better to send him far away."
"No, Kakashi." Arashi's voice took on a hint of steel. "You look too harshly upon the villagers. It may take time, but in time they will come to love him."
Arashi stood, and made his way to the door. "Take care of Konoha for me, eh? The Sandaime has gotten a little bit senile, if you know what I mean."
"Good-bye… Sensei."
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Kakashi stood, his story told, and ruffled his student's hair. "I can see a lot of him in you indeed. Some day, even the small-minded old fools of this village will come to respect you."
With that prophecy, Konoha's Copy-Nin turned. He said no more as he leapt from the window, and bounced off into Konoha's night. Naruto was left to stare out into the blackened night sky, thinking of his teacher's words, and of the man who had been his father.
His father had made such a large sacrifice, all to save this city. Naruto wasn't sure what his father had been thinking when he had saved the people of Konoha, but he was sure that he was going to stay and find out.
"Dad… I won't fail you now. I'll become the hero of Konoha, whether they like it or not."
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"Naruto!"
Naruto shot out of bed, hands flying towards kunai. "Whassat?"
Sasuke was wearing a very frustrated expression on his face. "We were supposed to leave HOURS ago."
"SHIT!"
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "I'll meet you out front of your apartment in five minutes."
Naruto quickly pulled on a black jacket (chosen from his "spare" clothing) to replace his orange jacket, and dashed for the door. When he got out, Sasuke handed him a packet of dry rations. "Eat that, we're going to catch up to them at the first watchtower."
:"I can't believe I was late to my first big mission."
Sasuke rolled his eyes and said, "Kakashi-sensei said to let you rest, for some reason. Otherwise I would have gotten you sooner."
Naruto smirked and nodded at the gates. "You have permission for us to leave, right? I'd really hate to get stuck here."
"Hn."
Naruto could feel his hands shaking with excitement as Sasuke signed them out of Konoha with the guard (who was doing his best to ignore Naruto's existence completely). Inside him, a fire was burning, and he could barely contain the emotions welling up inside of him.
The gates creaked open, and Naruto's breath caught in his throat. This was it; he was beginning his true path towards greatness. "Let's go! Destiny, here we come!"
"Hn."
"You're really a kill-joy, you know, Sasuke?"
"Better than being a hyperactive moron."
"I bet you don't actually really have feelings do yo- Hey! Don't do that to my backpack! My Ramen!!! You bastard!"
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Author's Notes: Ok, so I know I said I was going for once a week, but obviously I didn't succeed. Instead, I finished up my plot notes for the rest of the story. It should run about Forty or Forty-One chapters, and between 140,000 and 180,000 words. Hopefully, I should have the next chapter done next Sunday (or, if I'm more efficient than I expect, a little bit sooner), but I'm going to be very busy on the days I normally use to write at the start of the week, so perhaps not.
Major thanks to everyone who has reviewed. I'll make a more conscious effort to answer some questions in my notes later. For the moment, many thanks to people who've caught my cannon gaffs. I'll fix those with a set of edits when I've finished everything.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter (I admit that I probably should have added more to my notes for this chapter, but oh well… We live and learn). Thanks for reading.