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In all honesty, he didn't think they'd get a C-Rank mission so soon. There was just something about the missions given to Konoha. One way or another, a simple mission could escalate to a more dangerous one. Ren and his team would be meeting in two hours. He frowned.
He wouldn't be able to say his farewell to his friends since they have classes today so maybe he should go straight to Naru-chan? I hope Naru-chan is home. He made his way to the blonde's apartment and found him actually trying to clean up his mess.
"Naru-chan!"
"Huh? Oh, it's just you, -bayo! You scared me!"
"Sorry, but I'm here to tell you about something. My team and I are going away for a C-Rank mission." Cerulean eyes sparkled and pudgy arms wrapped around the Nohara. "That's awesome, -bayo! Go kick some ninja butt, Ren-chan!" he chuckled. No matter what he does, Naru-chan is such an adorable child.
Ren pulled away and said his goodbye. He quickly went home, jumping from roof to roof. Kakashi-oyaji should be at home. I vividly remember that he's on break right now. He landed in front of the door and entered, and was bewildered when there was another presence in their home.
When he got to the living room, he was baffled by the fact that he knew him, well, knew him by face and not really personally. He saw him here and there but he never really talked to him or even thought about approaching him.
"Ah, Ren-chan, you're back early!" Kakashi chirped, happy that his child is home. "This is—" he was cut off, however, when Ren spoke up. "— Uchiha Itachi, I know. Kanata-san talked about him sometimes." Ren's eyes glazed over before focusing on Kakashi. "My team and I are going on a C-Rank, oyaji. I still have less than two hours before I go though."
The copynin clapped his hands together and smiled. "Why don't you join us then, Ren-chan? Itachi here could give you tips you might need." The Uchiha smiled and nodded, but deep inside, he couldn't help but frown. Why does it seem like the boy in front of him, who looks like he's the same age as his little brother Sasuke, doesn't like him at all?
"... I don't need any. I'll be up in my room to pack some things." With that short reply, the boy left and went up to his room. Itachi was - is - perplexed. He couldn't understand why Hatake-Nohara Ren doesn't like him when it was their first meeting. He couldn't even remember if he did anything to offend the young boy.
A frown graced the Uchiha prodigy's lips. Besides, he also couldn't get rid of this feeling that something wasn't right with the boy he just met. There was something unique about him that he couldn't exactly pinpoint out. "Sorry about him, he's not exactly... a socialist. He's awkward and doesn't really know how to express himself."
Itachi shook his head and said, "It's no problem, Hatake-senpai." While they were conversing, Itachi's thoughts were on Ren. He mentioned Kanata-kun, the person who had always babysat him in the past and the person who babysits Sasuke sometimes. So, this must be the Ren Kanata-kun had been talking about when he goes over their house.
Kanata-kun always mentions how much an anomaly his other teammate is. Now, Itachi could see why. The brief moment he saw the young boy, he could tell that something — just something — is different about him. It might have been the way Ren's eyes looked. They held so much knowledge that no ordinary kid should have. Well, he shouldn't be talking, he had been like that, after all.
Anyways, maybe Ren would be interested to play with his brother? Should he ask Kanata-kun next time? A soft smile graced his lips and thought about how adorable the boy looked. The lavender rectangular tattoos just added to his charm. Itachi wonders of Ren had to face a fanclub of his own when he was still in the Academy.
If he did, Itachi could relate then. They were terrifying. They would always know where he is, except when he uses a shadow clone to throw them off. They might have had potential if they used their skills in stealth and tracking for being a ninja, rather than stalking him.
Up the stairs, Ren was really packing the stuff he needs but while doing so, there was a cute pout on his lips. Alright, he might be being childish for being jealous that Kakashi is talking to Itachi but come on. For a long while, it had always been just him and Kakashi, spending some alone time with each other, talking one on one.
They should be doing that right now when he had gotten home but no, when he got home, Kakashi was talking with Itachi instead. So, he might be being childish right now but he just can't help it. Once he packed everything he needed, he left through his room's window with a pout and went to the village gates.
He waited for his team there, deep in thought. He didn't like how Kakashi was being buddy-buddy with anyone. Kakashi is his oyaji and his alone. He pouted once again. Why do I sound like a possessive wife? He thought in confusion. He shook his head and dismissed the thought. Maybe he really just values Kakashi.
He didn't really had any parental love from his previous parent and his biological parents right now are either dead or had ran away from being a parent. His shoulders slumped unconsciously. Why am I even thinking about these things? What had gotten me so pessimistic anyways?
"Oh, have you been waiting long?" Ren perked up at the voice and looked through his bangs, his hazel eyes landing on his sensei and a stuck up looking woman. He shook his head, lying, just as his two other teammates arrived. He saw the woman look at him, to Kanata-san, and to Shusuke-san.
"This is the team escorting me? A bunch of lowly peasants?" He blinked at her words before sighing. As soon as their client spoke, Ren instantly knew that this will be a long day. Shusuke was about to yell at the lady when Kanata stopped him from making the woman angry.
"Sensei, it's time to go." Ren called out when he glanced at the sun's position. If they don't leave now, they might not even get halfway to their destination, even by their civilian pace. Eita-sensei nodded and told them to get into formation as they left the village.
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They stopped near a river when their client whine - whined like a child - about how her feet are aching now and demanded the medic - him, obviously - to heal her. Ren inwardly rolled his eyes. It wasn't as if she was injured, you know? But she was the client so he had to comply.
He could feel a pair of eyes watching him as he heal her feet and there was no doubt that it was the client herself who was staring at him. He ignored her blatant and intense staring and as soon as he finished, he swiftly left her with their sensei and joined - or rather, watched - his teammates catch fish for lunch.
Apparently, they didn't pack anything besides clothes and weapons. And the client, who was practically useless, didn't bring anything except for her jewels. If anything, she'll be instantly robbed if she kept flaunting her jewels on her person. Ren groaned, what an idiot.
He heard a splash of water and someone plopping himself beside him, when he looked, it was only Shusuke. "Yo, what's gotten you so down, pipsqueak?" Grumbling under his breath, he lied down on Shusuke's hips with a pout, again. He didn't even care if his head was getting wet.
"'s n'thing." Ren lied, even though he was sure that anyone can see through him. When drops of water kept dropping on his face, he looked at Shusuke who kept throwing drops of water on his dace using his fingers. "It's obviously something. Nothing gets passed an Uchiha's eyes!"
The hazel eyed boy rolled his eyes. "I bet it was Kanata-san who told you." A blush crept through his cheeks and with a nervous chuckle, looked away from the boy lying down on his hips. "Ehehe." A fish went flying and smacked on Shusuke's face, making him lie down on the dirt ground.
Ren instantly sat down and stared with wide eyes, he didn't expect for a fish to hit his teammate on the face. "Stop slacking, Shusuke. Or else, you won't eat any lunch." Kanata said, while Ren chuckled. "You better help Kanata-san, Shusuke-san. I'll start the fire then."
While Ren was gathering some firewood, he couldn't help but let his thoughts wander to Kakashi and... ugh, Itachi. He could still remember how buddy-buddy they both looked. It annoyed him, honestly. Why was Itachi in their home in the first place? What was he doing with his oyaji?
"Stupid Itachi. Stupid Kakashi-oyaji." As he picked up another dried stick on the ground, a figure appeared behind him. It was too late, however, when he sensed him. So, he did the only thing he can right now. "SENSEI— mmmphf!!"
The enemy clicked his tongue and hit him at the back of his neck, getting his pressure point. His hazel eyes lost its liveliness as he lost his consciousness. The enemy growled when a new presence arrived where he and the boy he was supposed to get were.
"It isn't nice to steal my student, you know?" No matter how playful Eita was being, his eyes were fiercer than ever. After all, he was facing this person, a man with white skin, purple eye-shadow, long black hair and snake-like features. What was most intriguing is his cloak with red clouds.
Orochimaru smirked. "My, my, wouldn't it be alright? I do need someone with excellent medical skills and according to Konoha archives, this young man has exceptional iryo-ninjutsu." He could never forget how high his medical ninjutsu is ranked. Orochimaru was more impressed when he saw his overall scores and the Academy teachers comments.
"Ice Release: Demonic Ice Mirrors."
Ice mirrors surrounded Orochimaru, as Eita entered his jutsu, he summoned all his senbon from his scroll and prepared to attack. "Oh no, I'm not here to fight. I had wanted to see little Nohara's skills. You see, I'm tight on time and I won't have time to take care of him when I take him with me. Anyways, I'll leave him to your care. Soon, I'll be coming for him."
Orochimaru disappeared with a poof and Eita quickly moved to catch his unconscious student before he could fall to the ground. The Ice Mirrors melted as he put his student on his back. "You're a magnet for trouble, aren't you, Ren?" He sighed... before tripping on air and face planting on the ground.
Thankfully, he had carried Ren on his back.
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When Eita arrived with an unconscious Ren on his back, Kanata and Shusuke asked what happened. "Change of plans, we have to finish this mission as soon as possible and get back to Konoha." When the client was about to whine and protest, Shusuke's Sharingan eyes silenced her.
"Our friend is in possible danger and you're heartless enough to whine like a pathetic child?!"
"Shusuke, that's enough. Just calm down."
"Calm down?! Our friend's in danger and you tell me to calm down?!" Shusuke's eyes blazed in anger as he glowered at their selfish client. She's not even in danger at all! If she just hides those jewels of hers then she wouldn't be a target for bandits anyways! She's an idiot for flaunting them around!
Shusuke was an only child, and an orphan at that. For as oong as he can remember, he hasn't treated anyone as close as a family member, not his clan, not Kanata and... the only person he truly treated as his family is - was - Obito. Obito had been his neighbor and Obito had been his babysitter as a child. His grandmother had treated Shusuke as her own but he never really felt like he belongs.
However, whenever Obito was there, whenever Obito was there to play with him, to take care of him, to read for him, to teach him, he had felt he belonged in a family. So, when the news of Obito's death arrived, he was one of those who felt the loss the most. Sometimes, when he visits the cenotaph, he would always see a white -or was it silver? - haired man sitting in front where Obito's name is carved.
He never knew the man, he didn't approach him, Shusuke didn't want to disturb him. Maybe he was that Bakashi Obito always whined and bashed about when the elder boy would babysit him. Besides, he knew that the man mourns for his family.
Right now, Shusuke doesn't care if this was their first C-RankC-Rank, he doesn't care about the client; right now, he cares for Ren. The little brat was like a fungus that had grown on his foot. No matter how he hated genuises, the Nohara had made a place in his heart.
Therefore, when Kanata mentioned that something was bothering Ren earlier, he had confronted the boy almost instantly and asked what was wrong. Of course, he knew it wouldn't be easy to extract information from him. Still, Shusuke won't rest until he knows what's bothering Ren.
So, when Eita-sensei arrived with an unconscious Ren on his back, Shusuke felt his heart stop beating for a second in fear. He felt something hitting him upside the head and when Shusuke turned to glare his blazing Sharingan at his fellow Uchiha, he saw Kanata's absolutely worried expression. He was paler than he normally is and he could see a thin sheet of sweat glistening on his forehead.
Shusuke, slowly, deactivated his dojutsu and his sharp expression softened and grumbled out, "Fine. I'll calm down." He saw Eita-sensei looking at him and the man asked, "Shusuke, can you carry Ren for me? I will have ro carry the client myself." Without saying anything, Shusuke approached his sensei and the man slowly lowered the unconscious boy to his back.
Ren was lighter than he thought. Well, he is a five year old turning six. The client, without much protest, let herself be carried by their sensei. Without further adieu, they left for the next village. Shusuke's eyes lingered on Ren as they move, worry clearly obvious in his eyes.
He hopes that whatever happened to his family, it would be solved soon. He wouldn't know what to do if something happened toto Ren, after all. "Don't worry, pipsqueak. We'll get back to Konoha as soon as possible." He whispered as they picked up the pace.
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Kakashi had been alone in his home for quite a while now. The Hokage had mentioned this morning that he might go back to ANBU for a bit. He doesn't mind, since Ren is now capable of taking care of himself but he worries a lot for his son. They haven't been spending much time with each other since he became Genin.
Their schedules always clash with one another. He sighed and lazily plopped down on the couch with a rejected expression. Ren had acted weird this late morning when Itachi had come over for a talk. He thought that Ren would happily take an advice from another genius such as Itachi.
He couldn't understand why Ren had been so bitter by Itachi's presence. When he invited his son to join them, Ren's eyes had slightly dulled and there was a tinie tiny glare on his face, all directed to Itachi. It was as if Ren found the Uchiha prodigy as a threat. Kakashi, sometimes - actually, it's most of the time -, couldn't understand what his son is thinking.
When he had first met Ren, he knew he was special. Unique. Different. He accepted that and he loves that about him. While he was wallowing in his sadness, he didn't sense the incoming chakra to his home. It was only when the owner of this icy cold chakra slammed the door to his home open, did Kakashi look up and fell from the couch.
It was Yuki Eita, Ren's sensei. "Hatake-san, Ren... the Hokage and I need to talk to you about something, about Ren." When he heard those words, he instantly stood up and followed Eita to the Hokage's office and ohmygodsomethinghappenedwhathapoenedtohissonwhathappened felt worry bubble up in his stomach.
When they arrived, the first thing he did is look for his son. His breath came to a stop when he saw him unconscious on his teammate's back. "Kakashi-kun..." his head whirled to the Hokage. "... Ren-kun's teammates are already informed of what had hap—"
"What happened, Lord Third?" He demanded from the Hokage. Whoever did this to his son, he wouldn't forgive that bastard.
"Orochimaru is after your son."
"Wh-What?"
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{3 Y E A R S L A T E R}
"I've told you for three years already. I'm just going to the public baths. You don't have to escort me there, Shusuke-kun. I'm already Jounin."
"Oh shut it, pipsqueak. The Masochist is already waiting for us there. Besides, you think you're the only Jounin on Team Twelve or rather, Team Yuki?"
"I told you, nothing's going to happen at the public baths."
"And I'm telling you that we can't take any chances, brat."
"Will you stop with the height insults? I actually feel offended."
"Good to know you still feel, shorty."
"Ugh, I give up. Just do whatever you guys want."
Shusuke grinned in triumph and picked up the soon-to-be eight year old Ren, earning an adorable yelp. The already fifteen year old chuckled. "Ya know, the age gap just became obvious." He smirked as he placed Ren on his shoulders. He felt the boy smuggled his face in his hair. "Why's your hair so silky when it's so spiky? It's just like Oyaji's."
Come to think of it, he never expected for Ren's adopted dad to be the person he always see at the cenotaph. Who knew, huh? "Genetics, pipsqueak. It's genetics."
"Idiot. It's not just about genetics, Shusuke-kun."
"Bah, it's all about genetics."
"... I'm smarter than you, Shusuke-kun."
"... WHY DOES THAT MATTER?!"
"I give up. You don't make sense."
As they near the public baths, they saw a certain Uchiha leaning against the entrance and... are there three more person with him? Kanata gave Ren an apologetic look, pink tainting his cheeks. "Sorry about this. Shisui kept bugging me about where I was going and followed me here with Itachi-sama and Sasuke-sama."
Itachi and Ren made eye contact, the latter pouting and looked away while the former tilted his head in utter confusion. Sasuke saw Ren on Shusuke's shoulders and bounced to them. "Ne, Ne, are you Ren? Kanata-niichan kept talking ab—" Kanata quickly slapped his hand over Sasuke's mouth and muffled his voice.
A pair of cold hands slipped themselves in Ren's armpits and raised him from Shusuke's shoulders. "HAHAHA! So you're the adorable little guy Kanata-chan keeps talking about for the past few years!" Shisui exclaimed while twirling the young boy around.
Kanata's face flushed while Shusuke laughed with Shisui. Itachi and Sasuke were watching them from the sidelines. "SHUT IT, SHISUI!" Shusuke saw Ren's green face and was about to warn Shisui when it was too late.
"Blegh!"
Ren had already thrown all over Shisui. The eldest teen stopped spinning around, horror painting his face. Itachi stifled his laughter while the rest of the Uchiha laughed out loud.
"It's not funny!" Shisui exclaimed in embarrassment as he put down Ren. The Nohara boy felt bad and lowered his upper body by ninety degrees. "I GREATLY APOLOGIZE, SHISUI-SAN! IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!" Shisui panicked and tried to get Ren to lift his body up but the young boy was adamant.
All the other while the people around them face palming or sweat dropping or finding amusement at the scene.
Honestly, who wouldn't find this sight amusing, even though the tension between the Uchiha Clan and the village are getting thicker?
