Happy Chinese New Year to all my readers!
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Kakashi had timed his return from his mission just in time for the academy to release their little hellions. He couldn't wait to see little Noriko and Sakura-chan. He had plans to bring them to the barbecue shop to celebrate their return to normal schooling which he had missed due to the highly classified mission that requires the skill of Sharingan Kakashi. Noriko is sure to have lots of funny comments to make and Sakura would be there to pretend to be shy and occasionally poke fun at her friend.
Sakura's pink hair was like a bright beacon in the sun. Like a homing pigeon, Kakashi swop in on her, "Yo, Sakura-chan!"
Blank green eyes stared at him for a moment.
"Sakura-chan?"
The next thing he knew, the little girl burst into tears and threw herself at him. Sobbing and babbling about 'terogators', 'Noriko' and 'trouble'. For a moment, Kakashi let surprise and horror waved over him. But only for a moment, then the ninja in him took over. Ice cold logic took hold of his reasoning. Hands settle down heavily on Sakura's shoulders, Kakashi knelt to eye level with the little girl.
"Sakura," he said, voice serious and calm, "Tell me what happen,"
Sakura was still sniffing when Kakashi pushed her away from him, but she did not protest. Staring into the serious eye of her adopted caretaker she pulled her emotions together.
"Two weeks ago we came to school for the first time. Noriko-chan was ok until we reach the classroom and- and saw s-sensei," she swallowed, "Noriko became sick and it looks like her tummy hurt when she saw M-mizuki-sensei." She sniffed, "Noriko didn't want to go to class, she went down sick and sad and I can't just leave her!"
"Go on,"
"M-mizuki-sensei came outside to see what's wrong and- and then Noriko-chan killed him!" Sakura clutched Kakashi's wrist, "She killed him with fire!" her voice was close to hysterical.
"Sakura, I need you to concentrate," Kakashi gave her a little shake, "tell me what happen next,"
"Lots of people came, they wanted to h-hurt Noriko, they told me to leave her but I don't want to! I want to protect Noriko. Kakashi-san you have to believe me!"
"I believe you,"
"You have to! You have to! Noriko was hurt and sad and it was an accident!" tears were pouring out of her eyes now, "It was an accident but no one would believe it,"
"I believe you," Kakashi repeated, "But tell me, what happen next,"
Sakura hiccupped, "Then Iruka-sensei came, I was close to the fire but I wasn't burnt. Other people came but was afraid of Noriko's fire. I called and called but no one dares to come except Iruka-sensei."
That chuunin Iruka? Thought Kakashi, "Go on," he urged.
"Iruka-sensei came through the fire and- and talked to Noriko. The fire falls and the masked people came and took us away," Sakura concluded, "A 'terogator' with yellow hair keep asking me questions and won't let me see her." She clutched at Kakashi, "Kakashi-san, Noriko could be in prison or tortured or die! Please save her!"
Kakashi finally stood up, "I will. Go home now."
It was an order Sakura was glad to follow.
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The first person Kakashi looked for was the chuunin, he was the closest and most accessible to him. The interrogator had to be a Yamanaka, but which one? He could go after the hokage, but he's doubtful about getting an actual response right away. In addition, he needed to check his facts first.
He found Umino in his little office, going over some papers and marking them. The chuunin looks up with a startled face. "H-hatake-san?"
"What happened with Noriko?"
"I- what?"
"You were there, I want to know, what happened with Noriko,"
"I'm afraid I'm not allowed to discuss-"
Kakashi didn't quite slam his palms on the desk, but it was a near thing. He didn't want this chuunin against him, Noriko liked the kid and Kakashi could smell the fear on the chuunin the moment Noriko's name was mentioned. Something happened that spooked the gutsy little chuunin who dares to stand up against legendary Copy Nins.
"Iruka, I'm afraid you don't understand. Noriko-chan is my responsibility, I need information," he looked the man in the eye, "Was the man your friend?" he was taking a wild guess here, assuming that the distraught emotions were due to the man being upset for his colleague's death.
Iruka clenched his fist, "Mizuki was my best friend,"
"…I see," he took a step back, "Well then, I'm sorry for your loss," obviously he could order the young man to tell him, but he did not want to ruin Noriko's chances for a normal life at the Academy, if she were to ever have one. He was turning to leave when Iruka called him back.
"W-wait, where are you going?"
"To the tower, I'm sorry for bothering you at this time," Kakashi arched his eyes and made to leave when a hand caught his sleeve.
"Please," Kakashi turned to the distraught chuunin, "Please, I'll tell you what I know,"
This about change was quite sudden, "What happen to 'not allowed to discuss'?"
Iruka snorted, "There were more than ten people standing around watching the event unfold," he swept an unsteady hand through his hair, "I should at least give you the accurate version,"
"Alright,"
Iruka's story mostly collaborated with Sakura's, when he reached the part where he stepped into the fire…
"Wait, wait, you're telling me that the closer you are to the core, the cooler it is?"
"It gets less hot with every step, if that's what you're asking. It was actually hotter outside the curtain of fire." Iruka breathed evenly, "there was no body there, no bones, no ashes, Noriko used some unnatural fire to burn M-mizuki so that only his shadow was left,"
"I see," he paused, "Is there anything else?"
"Not really, Sakura-chan was a little sun burnt, the walls blackened from the fire, there was no smoke…"
"Iruka… are you alright?"
"M-me? Hah, why would you ask, Kakashi-san?" he clenched his fist, "my best friend, the man I thought was my best friend-" he looked up suddenly, "You know I've never seen Noriko displayed any negative or violent behaviour. That Minami doctor could drive a priest to drink but she just smiles at him and even jokes with him. The villagers, even when they cursed her name within her hearing, she just- anyway, to do that to Mizuki, to be driven to such horrible tactics. What must have happened?" he whispered, as if afraid of the answer.
It was then, Kakashi understood the fear. Iruka was afraid for Noriko. Gently, he placed a hand over the clenched fist, "I will find out,"
Iruka turned his hand to clasp Kakashi's wrist, "Please save her, Kakashi,"
"I will,"
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I'm getting too old for this, thought Sandaime Hokage. The third petition had just came in for the capital punishment of Noriko's 'treacherous deed', and there was nothing he could do but delay the inevitable by saying that the guardian needs to be in attendant for questioning before any law could be laid down. Danzo's offer to ensure the 'disappearance' of the jinchuuriki gains more appeal as time goes by. After all, once a person is in Ne, he or she is essentially 'dead'. However sweet the prospect promised to be, Sarutobi knew that it would probably break cheerful girl's spirit. Something that he could not bear to do with the ghost of the Yondaime hovering in his sleep for having neglected the girl enough to drive her to suicide.
So far, they have collected Haruno Sakura and Umino Iruka's statement, along with other eye witnesses' recollection of horrors that seemed to evolve and magnify with every retelling. But no matter how one twists the story, the fact remains that Uzumaki Noriko had killed an academy teacher. And the murder of fellow Konoha citizen is punishable by death.
The door opened then. It was Utatane, Mitokado and Danzo.
"The Hatake brat is in town," Utatane stated without preamble.
Sarutobi calmly lit his pipe, "I see,"
"Well?" the old matriach demanded.
"I have already sent for him," he did no such thing, "he will arrive shortly," this, he was sure of. Kakashi loves little Noriko, he would be here.
Fortunately, Kakashi's reputation is of use here. With a huff, the woman avail herself on one of the chairs. Danzo approached more slowly.
"Do you really believe this is wise, Sarutobi?"
The Sandaime blew a smoke ring, "What is, Danzo?"
"Hatake had an… unstable reputation,"
"Is that so?"
"He may not be the best influence for the Container,"
"Oh, and why is that?"
"That brat had been treating the Container as a favoured pet, buying her treats and pampering it with all sorts of unnecessary indulgences!" his tone was indignant.
"Oh?"
"A weapon is not to be pampered!" Danzo was positively trembling now, "A weapon should be sharpened and tempered by the finest smith, to be honed and prime to cut down Konoha's enemies!"
"And, who do you suppose would be the best person to be the 'smith' for this weapon," Sarutobi watched the next smoke ring expand and break up.
"If it pleases Lord Hokage to know, none of the Root trainee ever had a problem with obedience. Every mission is accomplished to the fullest of capacity following the strictest ninja code," replied Danzo with no little pride.
"Hmm,"
"I'm curious, though," Utatane spoke up from her seat, "what makes the child attack Mizuki,"
"Feh, obviously it is a lack of discipline and uncontrolled viciousness,"
"The pre-genin Haruno Sakura was standing even closer than Mizuki, but she was not harmed," Sandaime had to point out.
"Again, I reiterate. The Container's uncontrolled viciousness is a danger to the village," Danzo's expression remained stoic, "it should be muzzled and its powers directed at our enemy instead."
"Perhaps this behaviour stemmed from an aversion to authority, after all, Hatake had did his best to spoil the Container like a child with a new puppy," Mitokado contributed.
"With no one to check its uncouth behaviour, who knows which person it might target next." Danzo's tone was sombre.
"When the chuunin Umino approached, she did not attack him, but diffuse her fire at his command," Utatane unexpectedly chimed in, "Clearly she still respects authority,"
"For now," Danzo interjects smoothly, "But without true loyalty and discipline, it could still go out of control,"
"In addition, Umino was somewhat doting upon the Container. It could be that it is responding to Umino as a kind caregiver and obeyed it for treats," Mitokado seemed adamant about seeing Noriko as a powerful pet.
"Let us summarize what we have on Noriko, hmm?" The Sandaime tapped the bowl of his pipe with a finger, "First we have a potentially powerful weapon in our hands, a ninja who is capable of unleashing fire attacks at will. One who obeys a young chuunin even as it destroys another for apparently no reason."
"I believe the key lies in the reason behind the murder," Utatane was an old, experienced ninja. But she is also a woman and a mother, a grandmother even. Noriko's small and cute appearance tugged at her maternal instincts, if only a little.
"The attack is a violent meaningless assault! How many times do we have to go through this?"
"And yet, the fact remained that this 'violent meaningless assault' was not repeated on other persons besides the victim," Sarutobi said lightly, "there had been no record of any sort of assault done by Noriko on anyone ever since her coma,"
"Perhaps she was waiting, perhaps she wanted a better target,"
"A newly appointed chuunin teacher?" Sarutobi snorted, "I have been in her presence often enough, as target of assassination, would I not be a better choice? Or perhaps Kakashi, who at least holds the title of being one of the elite in Konoha?"
"As I have said, it is a violent, undisciplined creature of base intent-"
"Maa… make up your mind," attention swung to the Copy Nin who lounged carelessly at the Hokage's wide window, "Either Noriko is a super brilliant mastermind or a base mindless creature. You can't have it both ways."
"Ah, Kakashi," Sandaime said neutrally, "Glad you could joined us,"
"Meh, I heard a lot of stuff happened when I was away,"
"Your ward, the jinchuuriki, killed a fellow Konoha ninja," Danzo had great satisfaction in revealing this information.
Kakashi continued to look bored, "Is that so? Have you figured out why?"
"Our task is not to figure out 'why' but what to do about the incident,"
"Why?" The lazy look suddenly disappeared, "Why so quick about the judgement? This attack is outside of her set pattern of behaviour. As ninja, it is our prerogative to look underneath the underneath. Or have your brain rotted beyond all reason and forgotten that bit of knowledge?"
"Kakashi…" Sandaime reprimanded mildly.
Danzo did not seemed moved by the barb, "You can't reason with a mindless creature" he began, but Kakashi cut in again.
"There you go, assuming that Noriko is a mindless creature. Weren't you the one who suggested that she might be targeting someone with her attack? Or are you going to just change her state of mind all the time to suit your purpose?"
"As the ward of the jinchuuriki, your mind had obviously been prejudiced to her side." Danzo slyly stated, "Don't think your unnatural behaviour have not been noted." Noted and condemned, went unsaid.
"Perhaps we should just ask the girl," suggested Utatane, "if she's sane of mind we would know,"
"And if she gnashed her teeth and demanded blood every other sentence, than we'd also know, wouldn't we?" Mitokado murmured.
Kakashi looked like he would dearly love to plant his fist into something, but he retained his peace and gestured expensively. "By all means, let us go and ask."
And thus the party adjourned to the south level of the Anbu holding cell.
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They heard the humming first.
In the dimness of the dank, underground cell. The childish humming sent chills up the spine, bringing into mind of ghost children who wondered in eternal darkness. Kakashi clenched his fist at the thought of Noriko being held in a place like this and had trouble keeping his legendary Hipness, as Gai would call it.
They finally arrived at one of the cells. It wasn't quite the highest level of security. In fact, as cells go it is actually quite comfortable. There was a plump pillow on the stone bench that serves as a bed for prisoners. There was a cover for the potty bucket placed just next to the entrance. Tags, sutras and seals covered the bars of her prison and hung like tapestries at the corridor and inside the empty cells nest to the one occupied by Noriko. The tapestry like sutras moved and fluttered as though blown by a soft wind, an impossibility due to the fact that they were now underground.
"What is-" Kakashi began.
"A precaution against Kyuubi's chakra," Sandaime said, "I know it looks excessive, but it's the best we could do under the situation. It would take a seal master of higher calibre than myself to create an effective seal that is less… showy,"
In other words, Sandaime had taken the strongest containment seal he knew and drew it over and over again in large characters in hopes that it would actually be effective if Noriko decides to break out. Then, he noticed something else, the 'tapestries' had stopped moving. The humming had stopped too.
There was a giggle, "Visitors? How nice, 'welcome to the parlour said the spider to the flies'," Noriko's voice rang out clearly in the enclosed space.
"Noriko-chan?" Kakashi stepped forward first, unable to bear the possibility that Noriko might, just might, be insane from the attack.
"Kakashi-sensei? Kakashi-sensei, is that you? Did you bring ramen?" her voice was plaintive and petulant at once.
Something tightened in Kakashi's chest; Noriko had never addressed him as 'sensei' before. Is this an act of insanity?
"Noriko-chan," the Sandaime called, "I brought you some visitors,"
"Visitors?" the voice sounded interested, "Did they bring ramen?"
"Ah," the Sandaime exchanged a look with his companions, this was most... unexpected, "not today, Noriko-chan,"
"Ch, that's so boring, I want ramen!" the pout was clear in the childish voice, "So, so, anyway, since you didn't bring ramen, let's play a game instead!"
The ninjas immediately became wary.
"What kind of games would you like to play, Noriko-chan?" Sandaime kept his tone pleasant.
Giggles answered him, "This is a real easy game! First, I tell you two truths and one lie. Tell me which one is the lie and you win!"
"I see," the ninjas exchanged a look. Perhaps this is an easy way to learn the truth from the child?
"What happens if we lose, Noriko?" Kakashi finally asked.
"Then you won't know the truth, and it sucks to be you!"
"Well, then, let's start," Sandaime step forward.
"Hmm, hmm, let's see. Oh, oh, I know! You will be killed by your own student, I am of royal blood and, um Kakashi-sensei will one day betray Konoha!"
The silence was deafening. All eyes were on Kakashi.
"Wh-what? No! I would never-" but the shadows were already advancing on him, "No! Noriko, this isn't funny-"
"Kakashi would one day betray Konoha," Sandaime reiterate clearly.
"No!" Kakashi choked out, "No, never! Hokage-sama, please-"
"That's the lie," Sarutobi continued calmly, keeping his eyes trained firmly at the hidden cell, "Hatake Kakashi would never betray Konoha,"
"Correct!" Noriko's voice crowed, "Wow! That's really awesome, Old Man! Let's play another, yeah? Yeah?"
"S-sandaime-sama," Kakashi didn't know what to say.
"How did you-" Utatane was also shaken by the accusation.
"Umino Iruka's report included Noriko's statement to him when he approached her. When asked why she killed Mizuki, her answer was 'He will betray Konoha'." He gave Kakashi a level stare, "Seeing as Kakashi is still here and no murder attempt had happened, the final statement would be the lie."
"But that does not make her other statements true," Mitokado declared pompously, "In fact, how dare she determine the future. 'Killed by your own student' indeed,"
"It may well be true," Sandaime said, looking tired all at once, "While Tsunade and Jiraiya had remained loyal though indifferent to Konoha, we do have one active traitor,"
"Missing nin Orochimaru," concluded Danzo.
"I noticed none of you disputed her second claim," Kakashi had gotten over his shock enough to comment.
"Indeed, 'I am of royal blood', well the daughter of a former kage is considered royalty in a hidden village," Sarutobi exchanged a look with his advisers, "It would seem, that we have an unexpected well spring of information, here."
Danzo snorted, "Just because she had played a parlour trick once, does not means she's omniscience,"
"Doesn't it? Well, then, let's test it again." Raising his voice, he called out, "Noriko-chan, this time let me give the statements, tell me which is the lie,"
"Okay!"
"My original teammates are still alive, one of my students is dead, the Uchiha clan is planning a revolt,"
"Hah! That's easy; all of your students are alive!"
At their incredulous faces, Sarutobi smiled grimly, "Are you ready to believe now?"
They tested her a few times, each and every time she proved eerily correct. The game had its limits though. Once they were unable to guess the real lie, 'Hyuuga Hizashi will send his twin to his death, my favourite colour is orange, and my favourite person in the whole world is Kakashi-sensei!' Noriko declared the whole game boring and refused to play anymore.
Still, they had garnered a good amount of intel from her. It may or may not prove to be correct, but that's Jiraiya's job. The information will be sent to the Counter-intel department for verification.
There were arguments, of course, between the five who knew of Noriko's apparent power. Arguments stemmed from the validity of her information, her mind, her very being. However, none could fault that her very existence is valuable to them, both as a jinchuuriki as well as a childish little girl. Now with this added ability, she is beyond valuable. Danzo and Mitokado wanted her to stay hidden underground, relaying knowledge and be trained in secret as a weapon of Konoha.
Kakashi, Sandaime and Utatane favoured a more humanistic approached, stating that such a life would screw up her mind and may well ended up with her giving out potentially faulty intel. Also, did they not observe how the child did her best not to hurt those deemed close to her? It would be best for the child to be outside, form bonds with the people of Konoha.
For once, the alliance of three broke up. Utatane wishes to see the child grow into a wise and beautiful kunoichi. There will be stipulations and rules before they let her go, of course, safe guards to ensure a smoother transition to society. Thus decided, the group once again approached the sutra covered enclosure three days later.
Sandaime nodded to Kakashi who placed a bowl of miso ramen onto a seal. The bowl disappeared. A happy shriek followed immediately from behind the heavy seals.
"Uwaah! Miso ramen! Kyaa!"
Utatane and Kakashi shared a guarded smile. They waited for the child to finish. Almost three minutes later, a happy huff, followed by a loud burp signalled the end of the small feast. A final smack of tongue against lips, Noriko warbled, "So, whatcha want?"
"What makes you think we want anything?" Kakashi intoned, perhaps unwisely.
"Duh, you put me in here cuz I got rid of that white haired freak," her tone was poisonous, startling them a bit, "You want something, just cause I'm like, tiny doesn't mean I was born yesterday, you know,"
"Noriko," Sandaime began, "How would you like to go outside again?"
"Neh? Outside? Okay, I guess," paused, "Do I get to stay with Kakashi-san again?"
"Would you like to?" they had an impression that Noriko, not quite hate, but bore a general dislike against Kakashi. Some plans were being thrown about to decide where she would stay if it turns out to be true, but perhaps there was no need?
"Kakashi-san's fine, he's nice and fun, Kakashi-sensei's the one I don't like, he likes that stupid Traitor too much,"
"Ah," Sandaime exchanged a look with the others. Noriko had shown signs of such inconsistencies before, while most of her information holds true, too many were not confirmable. Her tendency to treat Kakashi as different persons is worrying as well, but not too much.
"Well now, as mentioned before, we can let you out of your cell. However, you must abide by these rules,"
There was some mumbling from behind the curtains which sounded suspiciously like 'knew there was a catch'. Sandaime ignored it and went on, "You will not kill, burn or harm anyone, not even those you deemed a traitor unless expressedly instructed to,"
"Oooookaaayy…..."
"Do I have your word in this?"
"Yeah, yeah, sure, why not?"
"Noriko…"
"Okay, okay, I won't kill, maim or even remotely damage anyone in the village, physically at least," the grin was back in her voice, "Won't promise not to mess with their heads. Nyee hee hee,"
The Sandaime felt a vein in his forehead twitched, but did not comment on that remark. Instead, he said, "An anbu will be assigned to protect you. You will follow Weasel's guidance and not cause trouble for him,"
"Weasel? You mean Itachi?" there was a scrambling sound, "You're letting that Uchiha Itachi guard me?" at this she went off into peals of laughter.
If any of the persons outside of the cell were surprised by her eerie insight or by her reaction to the assigned anbu, they said nothing. Her state of mind was worrying enough that even Mitokado agreed that she should be let out. She had been much stable before. Her profile showed that before the suicide, she had been rather outgoing and cheerful. A social creature like her would likely go crazy in a place like this. In fact, there's a marked increase of chirpiness in her replies over the days. Apparently, the more cooped up she feels, the more wacky she seems to act.
"So, you really believe this to be the best route, Sarutobi," Danzo's comment was curt in the echoing laughter that bounces off the prison walls like bells.
"Her state of mind is the most important, at the rate she's going now her behaviour is unpredictable at best and dangerous at worst,"
Danzo did not look convinced, "This would be on your head," his one exposed eye glared.
Sandaime inclined his head, accepting the challenge and responsibility of his decision, "Of course,"
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They are letting her out in two days.
So they said. Naruto, no, Noriko, or whoever he or she was suppose to be, stared at the patterns on the ceiling. The patterns are beautiful to his eyes, Sandaime had intertwined the protective seals around and between the containment seals with great skill that bespoke of experience. These seals told him, her more than he had to know about the Old Man's true intentions.
He shouldn't have killed Mi-, that person, but Noriko's body had been frightened, had grown physically sick at the sight of- that person. Naruto had known he was in female body, of course, had known he is no longer where he was for almost six months. Had acknowledged it, had lived with it, and had tried to change things, to make up for past wrongs and be grateful for what he is experiencing now.
However, a deep part of his psyche had never really accepted it. He answers to the name Noriko by habit, had smiled at his past mentors and made friends with his past friends had avoided those who would not live past his eighth birthday almost unconsciously. But, he had never really gave 'Noriko' much thought. She had been contented to let him live her life, until Mi-
At the Academy, her presence suddenly unfolded. Like Nagato's freaky soul eating Pein body. It consumed his mind, crushed his senses with a screaming, desperate fear. In reaction, Naruto lashed out against the source of their fear. It was a miracle how Sakura survived that attack, she had been so near, if she had been just half a head taller, had not been crouching in concern…
That person burned under their combine hate. Noriko had wanted to scream and scream, to burn and burn, so Naruto had let her. When Iruka-sensei stepped into their line of sight, Noriko had wanted to burn him as well, to burn all men with white hair and lying kind faces and soft dangerous voices. Naruto couldn't let her, not Iruka-sensei. So he had reached out with his chakra and snuffed her voice out. Iruka-sensei's voice reached his head from a faraway place, the tone registered first. Iruka-sensei was upset and scared, and he couldn't blame him.
Then he remembered. Mi- that person had hurt Iruka-sensei before, had hurt him extra more because they had been friends. Naruto was sorry for Iruka-sensei, but what is done is done. He knew Iruka-sensei will be angry so he said he was sorry. Not for killing Mi- that person, but for hurting Iruka-sensei. But, Naruto was hurt too, Noriko was gone now, but in that instant their chakra touched, Noriko was now in Naruto, or was it Naruto was now fully in Noriko?
It doesn't matter now because they are now together in one body and with the stupid fox breathing down their necks it is getting rather crowded. The mixed up memories were also such a pain to sort out that Noriko, Naruto was actually grateful that the anbu stuffed them into this cell to sort out their thoughts. It had not been easy, and it had been a little depressing but it was better than doing nothing and going slowly out of his mind.
Naruto had learned patience from numerous waiting missions, but not that much. So when the Sandaime and the goons from hell and stupid Kakashi came to visit, he had spewed a bunch of stupid information to see how they would react. It was fun and stupid and few answers hit too close to home and he promised himself to be more careful and to act crazy is better than going really crazy and wondered if he even knew the difference anymore.