IMPORTANT A/N AT BOTTOM!
To Love You
Disclaimer: Umm… Am I Masashi Kishimoto-sensei? Do I profit from this? (Besides your reviews?) No? Then I don't own Naruto!
Enjoy!
Legend
"Hi" speech
'Hi' thoughts
Hi person POV's thoughts
"Hi" Demon/summons speech or Kushina and Naruto's yelling
'Hi' Demon/summons thoughts
Hi Kuri and other spirits' speech or AN:-…
Chapter Three
Naruto's Genin Days
Age 5
Naruto POV
"AHH…!"
I jolt off the bed wide awake, eyes wide open in surprise… Only to relax again when I realise it was only Dad getting his ass handed to him by Mum.
Oh well. If I'm up, I'm up I guess. Better get ready for the team meeting at 8.
Taking care of my toiletries, I stumble down the stairs into the kitchen. Only to meet a dirty towel thrown at my face.
"Oh! Sorry, sweetie! I thought you were your father," and here Mum is, apologizing and making an even bigger mess.
"Ah, honey? I think you should stop now; you're only making him dirtier-!" That was just Mum's foot in his face. I now seriously think my Mum's bi-polar or something.
My quiet, "I'll just go wash up and change… Again." went by unnoticed under Dad's screams. Hey look! At least Tsukiko's having a rise out of this. My parents should fight more often if they want to keep her entertained.
After changing (again), I quickly shove toast into my mouth and head out to training ground three (our usual training ground..), with a quick, "Love you! Bye!" to my family.
()()()()()
I skid to a halt right in front of a thoughtful (for once) Emiko, who was murmuring to herself too quietly for me to hear. Instead, I plop down next to a slightly dozing Hiro, waking him up with a "What's she going on about?"
"Sigh. She's thinking what would be a better name than Team Three: Team Shiro, Team Emiko or Team Me," pointing to himself as I rub Jikan's ears in greeting.
I shrug.
"Oh, okay then, I guess- HEY! WHAT ABOUT ME?" My arms are all over the place as I say- umm- shout this.
"Pft. You're too immature brat," Emiko snickers behind me, making me jump high into the air.
"Well you're one to talk, Emiko-chan." Sensei poofs into sight behind her.
"GAH! DON'T DO THAT BAKA-SENSEI!"
Sensei only chuckles (I think it's more of a giggle. Hahahaha!) and dodges her punches easily.
"So what are we going to do today, Shiro-sensei?" I quickly intervene before things could get more out of hand.
Sensei sends me a relieved look then clears his throat. (Even though we were already paying attention. Emiko too!)
"We~ell.. We have no D-ranks to do today. Thank Kami! But we won't be doing any training today as well. Instead, you all have until sundown to gather what you need and say your goodbyes because we got our first C-rank mission out of the village for two weeks!" Sensei even had the gall to do a 'good guy' pose like that man.. Eww.. I'm so glad he's not in the green. Horrible. Jumpsuit. End of story.
I think everyone shuddered at the same time when sensei did that pose.
"I thought we asked you NEVER to do that again, sensei." I bet Hiro wishes he were asleep when that happened. Hah! Take that you lazy bum!
"Well.. Yeah.. Go and get yourselves ready in time! We meet at the main gates." Sensei was about to poof away when Hiro asks for the intel we all wanted to know.
"Oh yeah. The details for the mission. Thanks for reminding me Hiro!"
You air-head… (I swear I hear an echo. I swear it! … So maybe I'm not the only one?)
I tune back in time to hear sensei say, "-ort a very important document and the clan member who is carrying it to an outskirt village on the eastern side of the border. We are to be on the lookout for thieves, bandits and other small-fry bad guys. We are informed that no ninjas will be after the document, so pack lightly to medium. No huge baggage to slow us down. If you can seal things away, it'll be much easier. More intel shall be disclosed at the arranged time and place. Dismissed."
And so saying, sensei is gone in a puff of smoke.. I like the leaf shunshin better. It's waaaay cooler!
We all part ways after that, going to our homes to pack for the mission.
()()()()()()
Sigh. Wonder what mum and dad are arguing about now. Today just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?
… I probably shouldn't jinx myself.
Too late. A tall man bumps into me, walking out of our house. I walk slowly, in a daze, to my room.
I'm too zoned out to hear his apology and to take a look at his face. He's probably one of dad's shinobi comrades anyways.
Too bad. If I was paying closer attention to him, I would have realized that that man was none other than Hatake Kakashi.
()()()()()
Normal POV
Yuugao looks forlornly after her adopted son, gazing at the way he walks.
"What do you think?" Hayate's soft voice, cough-free, interrupts her thoughts and they both wait for Kakashi's response.
"Hmm.. I believe he's got a mission to do. The chuunin exams are coming soon, aren't they." It isn't a question he's asking, but they answer anyway.
"I think.. That Shiro-san will enter them…" It comes out as a hesitant question from Yuugao's mouth, but both men don't comment on it.
With a nod, Hatake is gone with the use of the leaf shunshin. The one that Naruto likes so much.
"Hatake should be getting closer to the boy, talking to him. Not us," Hayate wraps his arms around Yuugao as he says this.
"Mmm… But this is Kakashi we are talking about. I really, truly don't think he's ready for this," she answers without looking back at him.
But they both know he has to be.
()()()()()()()
Shiro POV
The client sure looks HOT! Too bad I can't get with her since she's work. I really DO need the pay. Those genins on my team eat EVERYTHING out of my wallet!
Oh shit! I shouldn't be seen crying in front of the client!
"-ight, Shiro-san?" Shit. Did me ask me something? What should I say? What should I DO?
"Huh?" Real smooth, dickhead… She'll think you're an idiot now!
"I said, 'Are you alright, Shiro-san?'" She's got a sexy, bemused look on her face…
"Uh… yeah… umm… thanks..?" You idiot, Shiro! Was that supposed to be a question? She'll surely think you're stupid now if she didn't before!
"You're welcome, I guess?" Great. Now she's got a 'you weirdo' look on her face.
Mental face palm with a 'nice'? Yep.
"Hey sensei, this the client?" Nodding his head at the woman. Thank you Hiro! I could just about kiss you right now!
… On second thought, I'll just give you an extra portion for dinner…
"Hey sensei…" Emiko's voice is trailing away. That's odd. She's supposed to be louder than Naruto. And why is she glaring at our client? Or is she..?
…Meh… Women…
"Why are you looking at our client like that, Emiko?" Thank Naruto and his innocence! Now there's no awkward moment anymore!
"Hey short kid. Do you need something? And Shiro-san, where's the other member of your squad?"
…Stupid woman! What did I ever see in you? Now Naruto's going to be all uptight during the mission. And Emiko's going to back him up because she apparently doesn't like you!
But why doesn't Emiko like her though?
"Hey sensei? Can you please stop zoning out and mumbling to yourself while smacking your forehead? What's the mission details and who's our client?" Seriously Hiro, I really could kiss you. I just… don't want to. That's all.
"Right. But first, let me check your bags. Hiro. Two scrolls with weapons, a scroll with camping equipment, and a bag with clothing and rations to last a week. Jikan. And two holsters of senbon and shuriken mix. Good.
"Naruto, all scrolls? Oh, and a bag with a couple of essential weapons, clothes and rations. And your tanto, of course. Excellent. Travel light for faster movements.
"And Emiko? A scroll for clothes, a few scrolls full of various weapons and a scroll for camping and rations. Nice work!" Phew! That took a while!
"Anyways, team! This here is our client, Henbou Kawari. She is a member of the Henbou clan (obviously), who are known for their ability to change appearances; mainly their facial features. She is to deliver the important document from the Hokage back to the leader of her clan. We are to escort her.
"Kawari-san, these three are my genin team. They'll do whatever it takes to protect you. The boy with the cat is Nekoyama Hiro. His cat is Jikan and is his ninken. The girl is Suzuki Emiko. And the 'short kid' is Gekkou Naruto.
"We are to travel in the hours of dusk and dawn. We rest during the night, taking two shifts; with two to a shift each. It will be me and Naruto, and Emiko and Hiro. Kawari-san should get a full night's rest. During the day, one of you will train with me while the other two guard Kawari-san and our camp.
"Now. Any questions? No? Then we will move out in the following position: Hiro taking point, Emiko to the left, Kawari-san in the middle, Naruto to the right, and I will be in the back. We will switch positions once to the right every two hours. Travel at jogging speed. Are you alright with this, Kawari-san?"
"Yes, but… Is this young child really a ninja?" Her confused face is so captivat- OW! Huh? Oh, thanks Emiko.
Ruffling Naruto's spiky blond locks to calm him down, I smile like Kakashi-sempai and reply, "He's a prodigy like his mother!"
"Well then. If you say so…" So alluring her voice I- OW!
Ahem. Yes. Well. Right.
"Move out, team!"
()()()()()()()
Emiko POV
Stupid sensei. Still staring at the client like that. Doesn't he know that she and that document of hers is our job to escort/protect? Thankfully she's asleep right now.
Dammit! She's playing him, I just know it! That bitch. If she doesn't back off, I'll-
"-are you glaring at our client?"
"Yes, Hiro. I am."
"Yeah, kind of obvious. But what I want to know is: why?"
Why? There are a lot of reasons why. Some of which I don't EVER want to disclose. All I answer with is, "She's just leading our baka-sensei on. And we're on a mission at that. Things like this shouldn't be allowed."
Hiro asks after a few moments of contemplating, "Do you like Shiro-san, Emiko?"
I blush and am thankful for the dark for hiding it. Too bad it couldn't mask my voice as well.
"W-well.. Umm.. Yo-you se-see.. NO! NOW GET BACK TO WATCHING THE SURROUNDINGS!" I whisper-shout at the end. I blush harder at his chuckle.
Stupid Hiro riling me up. And stupid client too.
()()()()()()()
Shiro POV
Oh no! I'm kind of relieved and upset at the revelation that our client has a fiancé already. And I hate to admit it, but… I have to say he's is better looking than I am. Sad, isn't it?
I sigh as I collect our pay. I say, her dad sure is a scary fellow. Okay, now I'm relieved that she's not into me. I wouldn't want this old man to be my father. No way, no how.
"Please visit sometimes, Shiro-san. You and you're genin too," Kawari-san offers while winking at me.
"U-uh, s-sure?" Phew. At least her father isn't trying to kill me. Her fiancé as well.
"Bye Kawari-san. It was nice to escort you home," Naruto smiles. The mission was boring for a jounin like me. We didn't even get to battle small-fry!
After saying our goodbyes, it's time to head home.
Huh?
"Emiko, you want something?"
She mumbles too quietly for me to hear, but asks loudly, "Sensei, are all the clients we accept escorting or protecting like that?"
"Well, no, surprisingly. That was kind of a bad impression of a client to make on you genin, wasn't it?" I try to laugh it off. I don't succeed, I see. Emiko just gives a relieved sigh. I wonder why?
"When we get home, I have a huge surprise for you three. Happy?"
"Depends on what kinda surprise it is, though," Hiro deadpans while Jikan meows.
"Trust me kids, you'll love it," only to get glares from all of them. Oh come on! We've been a team for four months and they're still angry at me for that?
()()()()()()()
Flashback
It all started as a bright sunny day on our one month anniversary as a team. I had just told my genin team about their agenda for the day. First, they will catch Tora (again) but with Jikan, my team were the fastest genin team to ever catch Tora. Then they will do three more D-ranks with me before I leave for a B-rank mission in the early afternoon.
It was all going fine until I said, "-and your temporary sensei, who is available on such short notice, is none other than, surprise, surprise; Gai-san! Now I'm sure you all remember him from-"
"WHAT? NO WAY SENSEI! GET SOMEONE ELSE! IF YOU CAN'T, THEN LET US GO HOME!" Took them long enough to react.
"Sorry guys! But… it's for the best if you get used to him sooner rather than later! Besides, one day, he could be your squad leader on a mission and you'll have an advantage over your peers. So, what do you say?" Please say 'yes', pleas say 'yes'!
"You so owe us one, sensei…" Emiko trailed off threateningly and cracked her knuckles. Naruto pulled his tanto from its sheath and began to make cutting motions with it. Hiro just nodded wisely and made a clan jutsu to make Jikan more feral.
Me? I only sweat dropped and nodded really fast, quickly agreeing to whatever they said. Suffice to say, my wallet has never been the same ever again…
End Flashback
()()()()()()()
"No no! You'll really like this! I promise!"
"Well, it better be good, baka-sensei!" Emiko snaps at me. Sheesh. Is it her time of the month again?
"Unless you want your poor wallet to be empty again..?" She trails off ominously.
"NO!"
A/N: SERIOUS NOTE! (kinda sorry it's a day late people…)
Due to school starting again in Aussie, my updates won't be as organized as it was… So updates will be few and far between!
ANOTHER SERIOUS NOTE!
A lot of people have been wondering why the story line is so messed up… Well, it's not, OK? I really should've mentioned this in the first chapter, but better late than never, I guess…
The prologue can be counted as a prologue or preview of a key future event that is the turning point for this story.
Chapter One can be read as a prologue or a separate chapter and is about key events in Kakashi's history that I had to find a way to explain.
Chapter Two, this one and the next half dozen or so chapters are about Naruto's childhood. They are like part one of the story.
I'm seriously trying not to confuse you guys!
Soo… anything I should improve on?
Likes/dislikes of the story?
Comments/insults?
Then review below!
Hope you enjoyed it!