Enter Kakashi, the Copy Ninja

When I arrived in Konoha, I received many different greetings. Mr. Kyo gave me a great big hug, and then repreminded me for my bad fashion, even if I was in enemy territory; Jin just called me a burden; Tsunade-sama gave me this long lecture and nearly cried her eyes out from the strain; Lee-san wouldn't stop asking me if I was alright; Neji didn't really acknowledge it; and Gai-sensei wouldn't stop thanking me for bringing back TenTen. Hinako was still pissed though.

I walked onto the dirt path that lead from the Hokage's office. "Man," I thought aloud. "I know it was wrong, and extremely stupid of me, but she didn't have to take that long of a lecture! It was so boring!" I sighed as I continued on my rampage of complaints, believing I was the only one there. A voice called out to me and I looked up from the ground to see a middle-aged man with a mask and short white hair that flopped to the side. From the looks of his uniform, he was a jounin. I greeted him warily, and was about to make my way, before he stopped me.

"You've been to Orochimaru and back," he quoted. "That's an amazing feat. Not many people can pull it off, and of their free will, no less."

I examined his face-or more like his eye, because it was the only thing that wasn't covered-and retorted with a "You're not going to lecture me too, are you? I've had enough from Tsunade-sama." Even if you do lecture me, I won't listen.

He made what I figured to be a smile. "I wouldn't even attempt it. You hormonal teenagers never listen to us wise elders."

My bottom lip stuck out as I glared at him even more. This guy's kind of annoying. "Before you start spouting out rude comments, why don't you introduce yourself, Mask Boy?"

He chuckled. "That's a nice nickname. I am Hatake Kakashi, a jounin, as you may have guessed. I've had some experience in this field, so I can tell what you are going through."

"Experience? What? Have you played with Orochimaru before? And what exactly is it that I'm 'going through?' I found this event to be quite fruitious."

"Oh really? My, you too are different, aren't you? And I haven't 'played' with Orochimaru, as you put it, but I believe you've heard of Uchiha Sasuke before, right?"

"Yeah, what of it?"

"Well, he was a genin under me. I know much about him. A lot more than you can imagine. So I know somewhat of what was going through your mind at the time. You thought you could outwit Orochimaru, didn't you?"

My muscles grew taught. He hit the nail right on the head.

"And as you can see, he's much more powerful than you are. I heard you even got beaten by Sasuke, who's just an apprentice. He may be about the same age as you, but he's more mature in his power."

I gritted my teeth. He's asking for it. It's nearly dawn and no one's around. I could kill him and hide the body. No one would miss him, right? "Where do you get off?"

He laughed. "You're more similar to Naruto, but with a bit more restraint. He would have come at me by now. 'How can I say this? I think I'm actually beginning to like you.' Ah, that quote's so nostalgic!"

I cocked my eyebrow. I'll just leave this guy here. He's beginning to talk to himself. If I leave quietly, he may not notice. I tiptoed away, but Kakashi was right in front of me.

"Where do you think you're going?"

I jumped back and screamed in my fright. "You're a stalker, aren't you?!"

"No, I'm not a stalker. I just want to give you this advice." He held up his finger and looked me straight in the eye. "You may have many relations with Orochimaru, but you are not bound to him. What he does, has nothing to do with you. Remember this." He smiled and then turned around. "Well, this is good bye, Sarafu. I really do hope we meet each other again soon." With that, he waved and disappeared into the approaching darkness, which I stared blankly into.

So mysterious. Wait! I didn't tell him my name! How'd he know?

...to be continued.