Dynamic Updatto! Surprise! Never thought I'll be able to pull something like that off again, but here I am! Just like the previous time, I'm able to update ALL my "Naruto" fic at the same time! Also this time around it's more of a celebration! Tomorrow I'm turning 21 (boy, am I old or what) and to make it special not only for me but for you guys also, I've decided to sit down to it and wrote new chapters of all my fics. Hope you'll enjoy them!
Thanks fore all the reviews for last time. Glad you enjoyed the chapter and hope that you'll like this one at least as much. This one is more of a comedy one, but you get to learn a bit more about some of the students right before the real adventure begins.
Without further to do, let's get down to the next chapter of "Those Who Inherit the Will of Fire":
Chapter #8: Making Your Own Legend
Title page: Gitou is standing before the Memorial Stone and Jun is watching him from afar, standing on a tree branch
"Boy, didn't expect it to be that easy!" announced Garou with a wide smile as he walked out of the Academy along with his friends stretching. If you'd look closely, you'd realize he looked a little different, for there was a hitae-ate with a leaf symbol on his forehead.
"Acting all tuff…" the four heard a voice and as they turned to their left, they noticed Gaki walking besides them, also with a headband on his forehead. "I can bet your score was one of the lowest in the class… but that should be expected from losers…" and at this point the dog ninja felt the urge to jump him, but was in time grabbed by Toramaru, who also acquired a hitae-ate, which he wore on his forehead, following the example of the other, two boys. The bully just walked towards the gate and soon disappeared behind the corner.
"Let it be…" the blonde advised his friend. "If we're lucky, tomorrow will be the last day we'll have to see that guy's face…" and then he turned to their other, two companions: Shunrai, who had her headband tied around her neck and Naraku, who also wore it on his forehead.
Today was their final exam day. Many wondered how it'll look like, but in the very end it turned out they were wrong, at least to an extend. What it was then? I'm not sure if that really matters, especially when it was behind them. Now all that the young gennin thought about was how they're going to celebrate their promotion. Well, most of them at least.
Suddenly Gai run right pass them, jumping up and down and heading towards his father, who stood right bellow a nearby tree: "Dad, I made it!" announced the taijutsu expert, pointing at his forehead protector which he used as a belt. "I'm a gennin! My spirit of youth will surely bloom from now on!"
"That's my boy!" Lee yelled back cheerfully and he embraced his son.
"One eyebrow bigger then the other…" concluded Garou as he stared at the two with his eyes widen. "Whichever woman married Gai's father was certainly a brave one…" he joked, making Toramaru and Naraku laugh a little, but Shunrai just lowered her sight at his comment.
"Outta the way, dudes!" another yell was heard and with it Shimiru rode his skateboard outside Academy ground, his bandana now replaced with the hitae-ate the same as most students his age now had.
Soon other students began leaving the Academy with their brand new headband. Kumo, who wore it on his forehead like Hitomi did, Akemi followed Shunrai's example and also carried hers around her neck, Akai wrapped it around his left arm, while Akumo had it tied around a belt that went across his chest.
With a loud yawn Buryaku, who placed her headband around her left arm, walked passed them and reached a woman around her forties with long, blonde hair, clipped in four ponytails and teal eyes. She had a slender figure and was wearing a little wide, dark, purple dress with a huge fan attached to her back. What was the most surprising was the fact that she had a hitae-ate of the Hidden Sand Village around her neck.
"A sand-nin?" Naraku seemed completely confused. "But why would she be allowed to enter the village? And further more, I didn't know Buryaku's mother wasn't a Leaf shinobi…" but then Toramaru cut it: "So? Shunrai isn't originally from Konoha either…" he reminded his friend.
"Who cares?" asked Garou with an evil smile as he observed the woman. "What's important is that she's super hot!" and at this point he felt like howling and most likely he'd do that if it wasn't for a voice that came from behind their backs right before he did so: "You do realize that she's like three times older then you, don't you?"
As the four turned around, they saw Gouka standing right behind them smiling. She wore her hitae-ate around her belt in a way the Leaf symbol would be on her left hip. "Maybe, but she still looks better then you…" the dog boy shoot back, making Naraku's twin eyes narrowed.
"Excuse me…" they all heard another voice, which this time belonged to another woman, one with long, blonde hair and blue eyes. She seemed to be in her mid-thirties and wore a purple, revealing outfit with a sleeveless top and short skirt. There also was a fishnet around both her elbows and knees. "I'm looking for my son, have you seen.." but at this point she was interrupted by a loud yell 'mom'.
Everyone looked at the Academy exit and spot Choumaru running straight forward at the woman. At this point it seemed that he'll jumped right onto her (A/N: Garou was positive that if he were to do that, both of them would land on the ground), but he stopped just inches before the blonde woman and pointed at his headband, located on his forehead: "Mom, I really did it! I'm a shinobi now, like you and dad!"
"Great job, son…" the woman congratulated him by rubbing his hair and kissing him on the cheek. "Lets go home to celebrate then. I made your favorite dish, but we'll have to hurry or your father might eat it all…" she joked and both walked away.
"Wow, Chou's got a hot momma too…" stated Garou, drooling slightly and making Toramaru shook his head at his friend's behavior. And only because he looked away did the blonde noticed Jun talking to a man who basically seemed like his adult version with just one difference: the hitae-ate, although it was on his forehead, was falling onto his left eye, whereas Jun's stayed on the forehead completely.
"Naraku, Gouka…" another voice was heard and this time it belonged to a pink-haired woman, Sakura Uchiha, the twins mother, who waved at the duo. "Not fair!" Garou finally yelled as he turned towards his friend. "Naraku, why didn't you told me your mom was a hottie too?" but this one earned him a smack in the face, surprisingly from both of the twins.
"You really earned that one…" Toramaru whispered into the dog ninja's ear as Gouka walked away and Naraku saying 'see ya tomorrow' run off to his parent as well. "Seriously Garou, why don't you look for a girl to admire that's more around your age?" the blonde asked him with a raised eyebrow.
"Come on, when beautiful females like that appear, it's impropriate to look away…" joked the dog ninja and then heard a loud 'ekhem' coming from behind his back. As the trio looked around, they saw Hinako standing there with her arms crossed and a hitae-ate that most likely covered a vein that was pulsing on the girl's forehead: "Interesting theory…" she announced, sending Garou a death glare.
And who knows what faith would await the young Inuzuka if it wasn't for a teenager girl that suddenly appeared between him and the cat kunoichi. The girl that seemed to be around seventeen, had long, black hair with red ribbon tied in them and teal eyes. She wore a sleeveless, black top that revealed her navel and slightly baggy, black pants with two, white stripes going down each of the trouser legs. She had a headband with the Leaf symbol used as a belt.
"Sis?" Hinako seemed totally surprised to see the older girl. "I thought you were on a mission outside the village…" but the teenage kunoichi only smiled: "Did you really believed I'd miss my little sisters most important day?" and with that the two hugged each other.
"Good looks must come in Hinako-chan's family…" Garou thought to himself as he looked at the duo. "What the hell am I thinking, dammit? No dirty thoughts, no dirty thought… ah, who am I kidding… right now I'm ALL dirty thoughts…"
And just then the teenage girl noticed the dog ninja. Sending him a cold glare, her eyes narrowed: "An Inuzuka, huh?" she asked, not really carrying. "Let me give you a piece of advise…" and with that she bended over and whispered into Garou's ear: "Stay away from my sister or I might get unpleasant…" and in an instant she straightened herself once more and walked away with the redhead girl without saying a word.
"Ah, clan's rivalry…" the dog ninja finally said out loud, once the two girls were gone. "There's nothing better to ruin a relationship, be it friendship or something more…"
"Actually I'm not surprised at that girl's behavior…" stated Toramaru. "You're only twelve and can't control your stupid hormones already… just think what you'll become in few years…" he joked, making Garou look at him with his eyes as narrow as possible.
"Anyways…" began the blonde after a short silence. "None of my folks will manage to come for me and my brother will be back in the evening, so I have the rest of the day free… you guys wanna do something?" and with that he turned to the two.
"I'm actually in a similar situation as you…" announced the young Inuzuka. "But whatever we'll choose, I beg of you, leave ramen alone at least today!" and so the two looked at Shunrai, who only lowered her head before replying: "I can't… I need to be home…"
"Why?" Garou asked surprised. He wanted to ad that since she lived by herself anyway, she should be able to do what she wanted, but managed to hold himself back in the last moment, realizing how cold that would sound.
"I just can't…" she repeated with guilt in her voice as sight set on the ground bellow. "I need to go shopping and then…" but at this point she stopped. Toramaru just wrapped his arm around her, making her face turn completely red, and asked: "Well then, how about we help you, since we have nothing better to do anyway?" he purposed with a smile and without rising her head so to not show her blush, she just nodded. "It's decided then!" announced the blonde and soon all three were gone.
Meanwhile Gitou exited the Academy as well with his forehead protector wrapped around his left arm. The boy looked at the sun and then turned his gaze at a nearby forest. With his eyes turning a little sad, he disappeared, heading towards the forest. Few meters away Jun, who observed the whole scene, only narrowed his eyes.
---Sometime later---
Shunrai picked some carrots (A/N: after Garou stick two of them into his mouth and pretended to be a vampire, making the kunoichi and the blonde laugh) as she went through the vegetable aisles. While she was taking care of the greens, the dog ninja offered himself to pick some meat for her, which turned out to be a little bad idea as the moment he walked in the right place, Hanomaru jumped forward, grabbing a nearby steak. In a flash the two began struggling to claim the meat as their own: the pup to eat it and the young Inuzuka to save himself from paying for it.
After few, more adventures they had in the store (A/N: out of which most included Garou) the trio headed to Shunrai's home. As they reached the right building, Toramaru realized that even though they knew each other for so long, he have never been to the young kunoichi's house.
The trio walked up the stairs to the fourth floor and stopped before the doors leading to the apartment number 42. Shunrai slowly picked out her keys after placing the bags she was carrying on the floor and opened them, letting the two boys in.
As they walked through the door, the two looked around instinctually, realizing that they were now in a rather small apartment with a narrow kitchen on their right and a small bathroom on the left. In front of them was a single room, which took around half of the apartment's full size.
The kitchen barely left the room to move. It had one fridge, located in the corner, few closets hanging on the wall above the kitchen sank and cooker. The bathroom was no better as most of its space was taken by a bathtub and a shower, covered by wide glass. There was a small wash-stand, a toilet and a primitive, washing machine as well.
As they entered the room, they spotted a single bed on the left and few, larger closets on the right. In the middle of the room there was a small table, suitable for four people to eat at once at best. The windows located between the bed and the closets were rather small, but tidy. Here and there on the floor Garou noticed books and scrolls, probably meant for training.
"Nice place…" the dog ninja finally announced, trying to hide the fact that he has seen better houses. "I mean, at least you have all you need… so, where do you want us to put the shopping?" he asked quickly, trying to change the subject. The blue-haired girl simply pointed an empty spot in the kitchen and a second later they freed their hands from the 'weight'.
"So, what are we making?" asked Toramaru as he took a kitchen knife and looked at Shunrai. The girl only blushed deeply and lowering her head, she replied: "I'm not making lunch today…" and as she said so, Garou look at her with his eyes widen.
But just then someone walked in through the window and as the trio looked out from the kitchen, they realized that the unexpected guest was Hinata: "Sorry I'm late, Shunrai… clan's meeting stretched slightly and…" and at this point she noticed both Garou and her son: "Oh, you have guests… Toramaru, what are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing, mom…" the blonde shoot back, pointing his finger at her. "Why are you here?" he demanded and the woman only smiled as she headed towards the kitchen: "I only came to help Shunrai a bit…" and once she reached her destination, she began chopping the carrots.
"So, will you boys be staying for lunch? If so, I'd have to prepare some extra food…" she announced with a warm smile, making Garou's face turn deep red, which the dog boy turn around in order to hide it: "I wouldn't want to cause trouble, Hinata-sama…" he stated, still blushing.
"It's not a problem really…" she assured, still smiling. "It's actually good to see someone finally paid Shunrai a visit…" and with that she smiled towards the younger kunoichi. "You boys just wait a moment and I'll prepare you something good… as a celebration for you all becoming shinobi…" and so she returned to making lunch.
Toramaru only glanced at his female friend with his eyes widen as he announced: "Since when does my mother stop by here? And why neither of you even told me about it?" he half demanded, half was curious. The blue-haired girl thought it through a little and then replied: "Basically since that time you asked me to join you for ramen dinner the first time…"
"And all this time you haven't told me?" as he asked that, Shunrai felt great guilt. She lowered her face sadly before replying quietly: "H-Hinata-sama asked me to keep this a secret from you…" and so silence felt between them.
Garou felt a little heavy atmosphere and so decided to speak up, but the second he opened his mouth, Toramaru raised his hand and without looking at the dog ninja, she warned: "I swear, if you say my mother's hot, I'll kick your ass…" and at this point, all three burst out laughing.
---That time, elsewhere---
Gitou landed in the middle of a small meadow, located in the center of the forest. He glanced to his left where three, wooden pales stood. But those were of no interested to him. He came here because of a big stone that was placed right in front of him. The boy walked closer and bended his knees once he reached the stone. His eyes grew sad as he went down tens of names that were curved in it. Then his eyes narrowed slightly as he found the name he was seeking. The name of Gekkou Hayate.
He didn't even noticed the black clouds that gathered on the sky nor did he saw the lighting flash or heard the thunder that followed it. He didn't even realize when someone appeared right behind him. "So this is where you were going…" concluded Jun calmly as he looked at his classmate.
"Why are you here?" Gitou responded with a question without turning his gaze at the masked boy. At this time the rain began pouring down, falling on their face. Jun's spiky hair got soaked instantly and began falling down. The two stayed silent for few moments before the son of Kakashi decided to speak up: "You came to visit the grave of your uncle…"
"What difference does that make?" the other boy asked back, still not turning around. Silence felt between them once more, only this time it got broken by Gitou: "You know, he was thought to be one of the most skilled shinobi of his generation? The greatest swordsman Konoha produced so far… he died protecting the village… he's a true hero…"
"No-one can deny that…" Jun slightly nodded, but the other boy didn't saw that as he was still absorbed with staring at the memorial stone. The swordsman only let out a sigh: "That's exactly how it is…" and with that he lowered his head to look at the ground. "And I'm nothing like him…"
At this point the masked boy walked closer and placed his hand on his classmate's shoulder: "No…" he agreed. "You are not… because you're not him… you're Gitou. Just like I'm not my father… both him and your cousin are legends, but we are not them, no matter how the others see us… we are ourselves and thus we will make our own legends… we'll live our lives like we want, not like they did… this is what matters…"
The young swordsman for the first time glanced at the other boy and smiled under his nose. As Gitou stood back up, Jun returned the smile behind his mask and holding out his hand, he purposed: "Lets make a deal: tomorrow, when we get our teams assigned, we'll both enter the path to show everyone that we're something more then just descendants of our relatives. What do you say?"
Gitou hesitated for a short moment and then shook the son of Kakashi's hand with a wide smile: "You got yourself a deal…" and just like that the storm calmed down as the black clouds made room for the sun to shine again.
---That evening at Hokage Tower---
"Is it certain?" Sasuke asked the Rokudaime as he looked above a list the Leaf leader just handed him. The blonde only nodded as he replied: "Iruka-san just delivered the list with new, gennin teams to me… this is how they'll be divided tomorrow…"
"Quite interesting…" stated the head of the Uchiha as he handed the sheet of paper to the Hokage and reached for his ANBU mask. "One thing disturbs me though… that jounin instructor you choose for team number one… are you really positive you want him to take care of any, gennin team? Especially that one?"
"You do not approve my choice?"
"With all, due respect, dope…" began Sasuke with a tiny smirk. "He seems like the least, suitable man to do such a job… to skip the fact that I don't know why you allowed him to become the Leaf's shinobi in the first place…"
"I realize that it may seem strange to you…" announced Naruto as he got up from his chair and looked at the black, starry sky. "But with all that happened during the last, four years I don't want to take any risks… he is who he is, but out of all the jounin I have under my command, I can't think of anyone more suitable for protecting those kids…"
"If you say so…" replied the ANBU as he put his mask on. "I just hope you're not making a big mistake… see you later…" and with that he disappeared in the cloud of white smoke. The blonde didn't even turn around. He just set his gaze on the crescent moon and with worry showing on his face, he said to himself: "I hope so as well…"
---once more the day has ended… and tomorrow their journey will begin!---
And with that this chapter ends! Hope you enjoyed it. Coming up: the Academy is finally left behind. True hardships of a shinobi life begins as the young ninja find out who their teammates will be! And who is this person that disturb Sasuke so much? Find out in the next chapter!
Now, before I'll wrap this up, here's another character profile, choose at total random:
Name: Hisakata Gitou
Family: there's no information about his parents, however he's related to Hayate Gekkou
Bloodline limit: none
Clan's Abilities: his clan is thought to be the best in Konoha when it comes to sword fighting
Birth date: 27th of June
Age: currently 12 years old
Blood type: B
Favorite food: chicken soup
Favorite quote: none
Favored fighting style: sword fighting with a little ninjutsu
Village: Konoha (Hidden Leaf)
Rank: gennin
Team: not assigned yet (or rather I'd not reveal it before the next chapter)
Techniques (used so far): none
First appearance: 1st chapter
And so this is really it. Hope you enjoyed my birthday chapter and that you'll leave me a review as a present.
Best wishes and until next time, hopefully.