How to Be a Ninja 101
Entry 2-Sai and Yamato
Well, it sure was exciting meeting our temporary team leader and new teammate. Let me rewind a bit before I get too ahead of myself. It may make us lag behind a bit, but I think I can write before we get to our destination. Personally, I don't think I'll be getting my wanted rest when I get there. Who knows, maybe I can lock myself up in my room and say I just go emo. Yes, that'll work wonders on them I bet. Actually, I'm walking in the halls but I hope I don't run into anything… Ugh, I can't even read this… How about you just wait while I find some relaxation time.
Okay then, now we can get onto it. Geez, people sure do love their social status these days.
Anyway, I woke up that morning and felt really lonely. I was always used to someone else being in the same room as me, whether it be a complete stranger, or one of my friends that I knew outside of Konoha. Everyone didn't want me to sleep in the compound, but I basically insisted that I did. It felt like I needed to let my past finally catch up to me and give me a reality check. Everything was so out of control, yet, we're influencing everything we do by just being there. It's funny really that I can be so sincere when I'm an idiot that's never serious in battle. Nothing will never really change about me. Maybe some stuff and I think I'm ranting again. Okay, that should stop now.
Back to the where I left off now. I went through the usual morning routine and packed some things for the mission. My main weapons have changed as well since I was a little Genin. Now that I'm a little Chuunin (I still hate the fact that I barely grew) my main weapon is the katana that Sasuke gave me a few years back. In truth, it was actually too long for me back then, but now, it's just the right size. Besides that, I use the standard stuff that all other shinobi use, like kunai and such. Over the years, I've also learned how to use senbon needles, but not how to hit the pressure points. Still, it proves useful if I get a lucky shot in for once.
Once I was ready for everything, I made sure that I had all of my necessary equipment. The one time I slacked off one time, was what nearly got me killed. Of course, I made a stupid comment that threw them off and I managed to barely escape. Yes, my wittiness finally came in handy for once.
Anyway, I found myself somewhere that I forgot the name of and waited. Even if we might have an hour or something like that to get ready, it was nice to look around the village before going away (again). A few minutes passed and Sakura came up to me all happy, but slightly disappointed. Since teams were usually a foursome and I already arrived, it didn't make sense for them to find a Sasuke replacement. Then, I pointed out the fact that I was an extra member and we were actually a five-man team. Bad idea since I got a glare from her because of my reasoning. So yes, we stood there quietly. It was boring really since we didn't try to strike up a conversation. Pouches were everywhere on my legs, but they held different things.
Yes, I know that was random, but it's also important. That's where I keep my weapons and such besides my katana, which is strapped to my back. Over the years, I've expanded my knowledge of herbs and keep them in the bottom pouches, right where my knees are. I lost the back pouches since those tend to get annoying after some time of jumping around and such. (They like to bounce too much which distracts me…)
Naruto finally came and looked me over. "Ne, why are you already prepared?" he asked me with a smile.
Shrugging, I ran a hand through my hair. "Something called to me and said 'prepare your lazy ass!'" I replied, "So, I complied."
Apparently, half of them found it funny, the other just glared at me making a joke like I always did. Since there were only two of them, it was one on one on one. I added myself since I was the one who threw out the comment in the first place and because it's fun that way. Now, because of that comment, Sakura was now hitting and lecturing poor Naruto. Haha, I escaped another lecture and that's a good feat. Since I'm already talking about lectures (and yes I know I'm way off track, but this is important) they seem to appear a lot when I really don't need them. Tou-san's bound to give me one when I get back to visit him so there's no escaping that one anytime soon. It seems like everything is centered around lectures since they usually tend to be important. What do you know; I don't listen to them anyway! Yes, not all of us can be awesome and listen to lectures, except for the very special occasion. Thing is, I think this one mission might get full of them in the time I'm with my new team. Awesome isn't it?
"Uh guys," I said waving a hand. When they didn't pay any attention, I wanted to scream at them, but that isn't nice since I've only seen them for day. Personally, I didn't think I'd have manners in me, but then again, I'm very unique. "Guys, can we stop with the violence." Okay, it wasn't Naruto, but I didn't feel like pointing fingers or anything at the moment so just don't ask. "Violence is not the answer." (Sometimes anyway)
Naruto was currently getting beaten and I just pulled him out of the way to calm Sakura down. If I didn't know better, this was a mini Tsunade standing right in front of me and I'm being truly insane trying to calm her down. Then again, I don't know anything except insanity so here I am, waiting for my two new teammates, one of which is the leader. The other, was Sasuke's replacement and like one of my earlier rants, I don't know why we need one. Finally, the last two arrived and I nearly kneeled down to thank Kami since I didn't want to deal with a lecturing, violent Sakura since my attempts to stop here didn't work. (If you count doing nothing attempts)
Both of my teammates stopped to look at the other two. One was pale beyond possible reasoning and I almost thought he was a vampire before I remembered they didn't exist here. Looking him over, I wanted to fall over. This guy was pale enough, but he wore a zip-up shirt that stopped at the very bottom of his ribcage. My first thought that crossed my mind: this guy was either gay or a cross-dresser. Personally, I'd say both. Looking him over, he reminded me of Sasuke in some ways and I just shook my head at him. It wasn't worth dwelling over at the time.
The other one had the simple Jounin outfit and the ANBU mask holder thing, but I knew the guy wasn't in ANBU. Somehow, I could just feel that he wasn't. His hair looked soft enough that I wanted to touch it. When I looked at his eyes, I cringed slightly. It looked he was wearing eyeliner and I nearly commented on that. Instead, I looked towards my other new teammate who gave a fake smile. "Heya," the guy said, not putting his heart into the greeting. Oh yeah, this guy was going to fun to hang around with. (Notice how the handwriting got a bit stiffer at that sentence)
"Y-You!" Naruto said, pointing an accusing finger at the new guy. Sakura and I looked at both of them, confused. Maybe they've met before, but I've never really seen this guy before in my entire life. (I wonder why?)
When our new leader started to speak, I turned to him. Hey, he's the new guy so might as well pay attention to him right? He seemed to have trouble saying an introduction and I was almost ready to yell at the poor man at any given moment. "Umm… For now Team Kakashi… I will be taking Kakashi-san's place as," he started but he was cut off with our curiosity. You can't really blame us, we're only teenager shinobi.
"You know him Naruto?" Sakura asked.
"Sorry about earlier," the new guy apologized, "I wanted to see the abilities of my new teammate. After all, I need to know exactly how much I'll have to help out the nut-less loser."
"WHAT'D YOU SAY?" Naruto demanded as Sakura and I held him back from attacking our new teammate. Wanting to smack myself on the head, I realized just how dysfunctional the team was at the moment. With someone like him, how the hell we made it this far, I have no idea. Then again, I'm with two ticking time bombs so I guess I don't know how we survived back then.
"You can't just attack our new teammate Naruto!" Sakura scolded, doing more of the holding than me thanks to her strength. (Yes, a birdie told me.) "Though, you're not being very friendly towards him," she added, glaring at him slightly.
"Ahaha, is that so?" Sai asked with a fake smile. (It's gets on my nerves so much I just want to shove something up his ass!) "I like your type. Friendly, butt-ugly girls."
Soon, I found myself without anyone in my grip since Naruto finally relaxed and Sakura was now being held back by our new leader. "Hey did you just forget what you said to Naruto?" he demanded, while everyone else stood there with differing expressions. Me? I was being me and stood there laughing like an idiot, all seriousness slowly crawling away since I live on insanity. Maybe survival isn't important, since I've been highly amused during this whole trip. Then again, I've also been on the receiving end of many things, including the many disagreements the group had.
Why me?
After that, we finally got them onto good terms. With me putting in a comment as well, it took awhile for things to calm down since I was pretty neutral at the moment. "At any rate, the five of us will be on a mission soon," Yamato said. (Finally, I learned his name!) "But, geez, look at you guys! I don't have time to toss you guys in a cage to get along, so get to it and introduce yourselves!"
We went and did as we're told, but rather reluctantly for half of us.
"Uzumaki Naruto."
"Haruno Sakura."
Both were said in such dead voices that I decided to be cheerful and happy.
"Kage Hikari, at your service!"
I even did that little hand thing when it comes up and stuff. Ha yeah I'm cool.
"Hi my name is Sai," Sai said with a fake smile. Geez, doesn't he know he won't get anywhere with that 'smile' of his?
"Good, now that we have that over and done with, I'll explain the mission that we, Team Kakashi will undertake," Yamato said with a hint of satisfaction and relief that no fighting broke out. "The four of us will head for Tenchikyou, where we will find the Akatsuki spy who infiltrated Orochimaru's organization, capture him, and bring him back to Konoha. This will be our chance to acquire information on Orochimaru and Uchiha Sasuke."
I visibly stiffened at the two names, and everyone noticed but Yamato continued on like he didn't. "If we succeed with this mission, we will again invaluable information in planning Orochimaru's assassination and Sasuke's retrieval. So keep your minds on our goal! Meet at the village gates in an hour! Once you've gathered your equipment, we'll leave!"
I couldn't help myself and act stupid to show the newbies what I acted like, just so they knew. Clapping, I pretended to cry. "That motivated me so much Yamato-taichou, you've really got me going y'know," I said with fake appreciation.
Everyone just stared at me with differing expressions, but Yamato's took the cake and I nearly died at it because I was holding in my laughter from it. With that, since we dismissed, all of us left. My lasting impression was made and I felt happy enough to talk with Sakura and Naruto. It was almost like old times and I ignored a couple feelings that egged at me, but I ignored everything.
"That Sai asshole… I don't like him, I'm tellin' ya!" Naruto complained while I chuckled a bit. "Why does he have to be Sasuke's replacement? We already have enough people for the required amount anyway!"
Sakura looked at him and then at me, looking like she was thinking of something important. "He may have a foul mouth," she started, "but don't you think that Sai is similar to Sasuke in a way? You know, like his face or voice?"
"Uh, no not really," I answered bluntly, but Naruto went all out on it.
"Yeah right, they don't look anything alike!" Naruto protested, "Sasuke looks tons better!" Naruto looked at me nervously while I just smiled at his antics. "Err, I mean he doesn't look as bad."
"You're right, Sasuke does look a bit better than Sai," Sakura admitted with a smile on her face.
"Not just a little bit!" my blond friend exclaimed, "Sasuke doesn't look anywhere near as bad!"
"So, are you finally admitting that you're gay?" I asked him with a raised eyebrow.
"NANI?" Naruto screamed, as I laughed, running away with a wave. Good thing I already packed and his apartment is right there; I'd be dead meat if it weren't for that. "Kage Hikari, I'll get you for that!"
Laughing more, I ran until I was a good distance away and stopped when I was on Market Street. Since I had an hour to kill and I didn't feel like being an hour early, I decided to visit an old friend. Sighing, I went down to the corner of the street and entered a nameless shop. It looked just like it did when I first visited it with Sasuke and I nearly choked, but I bit my lip hard and didn't pay any heed to the feeling. Over the years, I knew it might be best to forget, but it was hard.
"Hey, it's my favorite customer," a friendly voice said behind me. Whipping around, I saw Cadoc with all of his glory. He had his shady blond hair covering his dull grey eyes, but they smiled a bit from what I could see. "Even if you haven't shopped here in two and a half years, it still counts."
"Had anymore sales?" I asked, leaning against the wall with a smile. "The place looks a lot better than last time when Rookie 10 helped out."
Okay, for the sake of whoever's reading this, we all had a mission request from Cadoc to promote the store and clean it up a bit. It was fun (if you count nearly dying from being chased around fun) and it was worth helping a friend. Who knew that it actually paid off with a bunch of people shopping there a few days later, flyers and posters in hand. Yes, it was a very memorable day since we worked so hard to promote the shop. Even some of the clothes that some people wear now come from this place. Eh, all it needs is a name and then it's complete and finished.
"Yeah, but today's the slow day," Cadoc explained, showing me the few customers in the store. "I also have help from some of the Genin and Chuunins on occasions to help me when it's busier than usual. Actually, I'm surprised you never stopped my when you visited every now and again." His voice had playful accusations so I just shrugged.
"I came for the Chuunin Exams and I had to leave right after since the Flame Village still needed someone to do something," I explained. "Then, another time, I was only in town to drop something off at the gates. Go figure I'd leave quietly."
"Quietly?" he questioned, giving me a raised eyebrow.
"Okay, so what if I accidentally left a big dent in a gate," I added hastily, shuddering from the memory. Yuki was racing with me and I went a little too fast and left a lasting impression that you can't really notice. Classic isn't it? One of your best friends is racing you and you don't know how to stop. Wait a minute. "How'd you know about that entrance?"
"It's easy if people start yelling at someone for putting a dent in something," Cadoc answered with a smirk. He then showed me around a bit. It was nice and cleaned up than it was before and there was actually some organization here. It made me smile a little bit.
"So yeah, you need anything Kari-chan?" he finally asked as I let myself quiet down from my updates from adventures.
"Heh, not really," I replied, letting my eyes wander around the store. "I just needed to kill an hour of time before my mission starts. After that, I can head off and see if I can find answers."
Cadoc looked at my knowingly before patting me on the back. He looked teary eyed and I gave him a look before he hugged me, play sobbing. "My little kunoichi is growing up," he whined, squeezing me tighter every five seconds it seemed. Before I could protest, he let me go and ruffled my hair. "Haha, you seem to haven't changed a bit."
I looked at him weirdly. "Is that or good or bad thing?" I asked. Seriously, sometimes not changing is bad for some people. Like super bad.
"Well, you've matured, so technically you have changed," Cadoc said with a shrug as a customer walked in. He gave my head one last pat and sent me on my way through the village.
My journey through the village wasn't too exciting but it wasn't too quiet either. I saw some more familiar faces and chatted briefly with each of them as I continued. My eyes caught sight of the hospital but I realized I was nearly going to be late if I decided to make one more side trip. Sighing in disappointment, I walked to the gate. Not seeing Kakashi was a big letdown but I was not going to have a reputation of being late like he did. Nope nope, not in a million years will I be as late as him. I felt as if I shouldn't visit anyway at the moment, it might get a little awkward and I can think up things during the mission. Yep, problem is solved.
As I arrived at the gate, everyone stared as I walked towards them. Seeing as they were just waiting there, I slowed down my pace on purpose just to piss them off. I'll tell you one thing… it was super effective. Sakura had started to cross her arms and tap her foot and Naruto's face turned a little sour. Sai and Yamato just ignored my antics and stood there stoically as I finally arrived. A smile was plastered on my face like I didn't do anything and my two old teammates stared at me.
"What? My feet were hurting," I said as an excuse with a shrug.
Before any form of a fight could break out, Yamato stepped in. "We should get going now," he said. He looked at Sakura and Naruto. "And Hikari didn't arrive that late you two, she was only five minutes late."
Doing a victory dance in my head, I started to walk normal pace since I didn't actually stop walking when all of this happened. Yamato was already ahead with the rest of us. As we walked, I observed everyone. There were looks of determination on Sakura and Naruto and probably mine, but it's probably more relaxed I would think. I didn't exactly look in a mirror to observe myself so I wouldn't really know anything. Sai was smiling awkwardly as usual so that was a put off and I didn't even bother. Yamato I couldn't even see and observing his back is quite boring unless it decided to develop a face of its own which would freak me out, not make me interested in it.
Sighing, I looked ahead. At that moment, I felt as if everyone was only going to get a little more interesting.
Review and you'll get a cookie :3
And it may seem a little slow at first but it will build up eventually, I promise.