Hey guys! Good news: I'm finally over most of my exams (still not all though) and with a bit of free time I received, I have managed to finish up this chappie. Sorry I made you all wait so long for it, but hopefully now I'll manage to update more frequently.
Also I need to say that this chapter turned out slightly different then I pictured it at first. This is mostly due to my own doing; you see I made another calculation and it turned out Takai's story will take much more space then I first pictured it will, so I decided to… well, altering it really isn't an option… speed things up a bit. Normally all the scenes outside the flashback were supposed to take place in a chapter or two after the flashback ends, but as I don't want to make you wait too long for the Final Exam, I'll try to squeeze them in at the beginning of the Takai story's chapters so that once the flashback is done, I could go straight to the Final Exam part.
The speed-up also resulted in this chapter: you see, at first the events taking part in it were supposed to be split into two chappie, but I've shortened them and merged all into one. Most likely, because of this the ending scene may seem a bit rushed. Sorry bout that. In its original version the flow seemed more consistent, but I believe the story itself did not lose anything from shortening it, so I hope you'll manage to forgive me that move.
As usual I want to thank everyone who reviewed the previous chapter and those who will (at least I hope there will be some) review this one, even though I made you all wait so long. Hope this chappie will prove to be worth the wait and that I'll manage to update sooner next time. Also, on a good side, this chapter was betalized by DarkHeroOrion, so most likely you won't have to suffer my bad grammar (at least not as much as usual XD).
Hello to everyone out there. I am Shang's new beta reader, DarkHeroOrion, and it is an honor to be selected as the beta for this fic. I really don't have much else to say, since this is my first time that I have been a beta reader. Anyway, I hope that you enjoy this wonderful chapter of Naruto: Next Generation.
—DHO
And, without further to do, all that's left is to invite you to read the newest chapter of N:NG!
Chapter #108: Fallen – Takai's Story part II
Title Page: Kai is cutting down corn with a huge scythe, while in the background stands Takai with his arms crossed, slightly pissed
A cutting sound filled the air as the blade came at its target, cutting off the top of a wooden mannequin. The figure wielding both katana spun on his feet, unleashing the storm of attacks at the targets around him, each getting sliced shortly after, while the metal-nin came to a stop, breathing slightly faster then usual.
"You seem in an awfully bad mood," stated Reiji as he walked into the clearing, which Futatsu picked as his training ground. The swordsman merely glanced at his teammate, without a word spoken. The bold genin smirked as he continued with a teasing voice: "Could it be that it's too much of you to bare getting eliminated even before the finals?" he asked, making the other boy snap inside, yet did not show it.
Instead Futatsu narrowed his eyes and spun on his foot again, this time splitting the mannequin in half. Reiji merely reached to his back and grabbed his axe, swinging it hard. A moment later the mannequin standing a few meters before him exploded into pieces, making the swordsman gaze at it for a moment. His sight then traveled to the other genin, still with a cold expression.
"You know, it's no fun when you're not even trying to issue a comeback," the axe user stated, putting his weapon away. "I believe I already told you to get over this stupid revenge of yours. That chain brat… whatever his name was… is beyond your reach, at least for the time being. So grow up and live with it!"
"You won't understand, so don't bother," Futatsu shot back, obviously annoyed. "One way or the other I'm gonna get him, even if it's the last thing I do. Even if it'd mean killing you in the process," but as he said so, Reiji burst out laughing: "And you believe you could actually defeat me? You couldn't even bring that bandaged guy down! I thought I made myself perfectly clear by now: I only came here to become chuunin. Whatever reason you have for being here I care not about, but should YOU stand in the way of my goal, it'll be you to bite the dust. Though I advice you hear my words and chill… this obsession of yours… it may be the cause of your downfall" and with that he walked away, leaving his teammate alone.
Little did they both know that their entire conversation was heard by a figure up in the near treetop. Saiken adjust his headgear and with an emotionless face he disappeared into the night just as quickly as he appeared. There was no need to stay, for he found out what he needed. And yet, another piece has fallen into its place.
---Five years ago in Hidden Sand Village---
"I… I don't think this is a good idea," stated an eight-year-old Takai, slightly scared as he and Touba stood before a door leading to the classroom. But the red-haired boy didn't seem to care much about his doubts as he just kept on pushing his friend towards the door: "Oh, just loosen up. It'll be fine," he assured, finally managing to get his companion inside.
As the doors opened, eyes of everyone gathered turned towards the new arrivals. All the chatters instantly stopped, making silence engulf the classroom. Most of the expressions had shown surprise or shock, but nonetheless Takai could still feel hateful glares hiding behind the surface, all drilling right through him in hope to pierce his heart. He tried to take a step back but that merely resulted in him bumping into Touba, who stood right behind him. Giving the black-haired a warm smile, the redhead began walking forward, forcing his friend to do the same.
After a short march they reached the spot where a few other kids sat, of whom were around the same age. The one nearest to them, a girl with long, red hair, clipped in a ponytail turned her jade eyes towards the arrivals, looking Takai up and down. She did not say a word, yet gave Touba a glance that easily could be called an accusing one. Meanwhile a different member of the group, a boy wrapped in bandages, spoke up: "Hey, Tou-san, who's your new buddy?"
"His name's Takai," the sand user replied, turning away from the redhead kunoichi and gazing over to the mummy while pointing his hand at him. "Takai, this is Karame. He may not look much, but you'll get used to that." Ignoring the annoyed 'hey' that came from the bandage-up boy, Touba went on, now pointing at the blonde girl with a purple and orange dress, whose hands were covered by metal protectors: "That's Torune, Dekai…" with that his hand went to the boy with spiky, black hair and red eyes, who wore a grey ninja outfit that covered his mouth and carried a thin katana on his back. "…Hari…" not his hand stopped at another blonde kunoichi wearing a white dress. "And the other redhead is my sister, Sabure."
"Nice to meet you all" Takai announced, bowing slightly, though he did so cautiously, almost as if he was expecting a surprise attack. Noticing that, Hari's face, until this time showing distrust, lightened up as she placed a warm smile on it, patting the boy on the back: "Don't be so formal, Tak… Ti… shoot, there's no funny short form for your name! Guess we'll have to go with Takai then," she joked, winking towards the black-haired kid, thus making his cheeks turn slightly red as a tiny smile appeared on his face as well.
The rest of the day went by peacefully and eventually Academy lessons came to an end. So the first time ever, Takai was actually slightly sad about that fact, yet still walking towards the exit in a group somehow felt better then the empty hallway he always crossed to get out of school. As the doors opened, his new friends bid him farewell, while he remained in place, be it from shock or fear he could not tell.
"May I ask what you're doing?" a voice came from behind and as he turned, he saw a boy his age, grabbed onto the lamp that hung from the ceiling, gazing at him with his single, green eye. The rest of the speaker's face was covered in bandages, as most of his body. The torso was additionally hidden behind a violet shirt with wide sleeves, while the legs were wrapped in black pants.
Takai knew this boy. He knew him well. He was Tarakudo, an outcast much like himself. Throwing the arrival a suspicious gaze, he answered, while the bandaged boy jumped down onto the floor: "I'm just talking to my friends. Certainly you shouldn't have a problem with that…"
"Friends?" Tarakudo repeated with a chuckle, not bothering to hide his amusement. "That's actually an interesting thing to say from the likes of us, wouldn't you agree? Quite frankly I always thought you knew better then to chase a dream as impossible as that. We freaks have no friends. Since day in, to day out, we'll always walk alone, living for ourselves only. I'd figure all these years of isolation taught you as much…"
"And this coming from a guy who never cared about anyone besides himself," the black-haired boy responded with a slight disgust, feeling that Tarakudo was now smiling behind his bandages: "That I did. And I came out from it rather luckily: no one messes with me and I'm left alone. They're too afraid to even approach. While you, you just let them all kick you and punch you. We were made to be perfect warriors. If you wanted, you could tear them to pieces if you'd like, but you're too afraid of that. Too afraid to accept WHAT you are!"
"I know perfectly WHO I am!"
"Then know this!" the mummy shot back in an ordering tone as his face came merely inches before Takai's: "In the end you're gonna regret not listening to me. You do not fit in and they will never truly accept you. Whether you like it or not, you only have two choices: leave now or stay and be betrayed afterwards. You'll mark my words, for when the time comes, all your… 'friends'… will turn away from you without even looking back. That is the fate of us, those who are different. Human mentality is incredibly simple to predict: all who are not like us are enemies. A simple rule that divides people into community and outcasts. You may not believe me, but in the end you'll learn that I'm right," and with that he slowly walked away, leaving the other boy staring at the floor.
Some time later, Kazekage palace:
Takai knocked on the door, but there was no reply. The boy waited patiently for a couple of moments and then peeked into the building slowly, looking around. Seeing no-one, he walked in, slightly nervous. Marching through the white hallways of the Kazekage's palace, his ears caught a voice that for some reason lured him towards its source. With his body acting before he thought, his legs took him near an opened door, leading to a room in which two people had a conversation, apparently not wanting to be heard by anyone.
"Even after all those years, I have many doubts about your decision, Gaara," announced a man wearing black with four scrolls on his back and a Sand hitae-ate on his forehead. "To let those three remain in Suna… I fear it's a mistake, one that we'll pay for… dearly" he added, narrowing his eyes slightly as his gazed stopped a the man only a little younger then him, also dressed in a black outfit, who carried a gourd on his back and had spiky, crimson-red hair. His jade eyes stared at the speaker indifferent, before the man turned around and glanced out the window.
"Perhaps we will" he finally responded, without turning back. "But even so, do you really suppose I, of all people, could throw them out? Or worse yet: kill them? There was a time that I would not hesitate in doing so, however these days passed long ago. I cannot bash you for your way of thinking, but from everyone in this village, I understand those boys more then anyone. I know their pain. My duties makes it impossible to sacrifice more attention to the three, but I do believe that if they'll manage to hold a contact with society, with time they'll grow to become great shinobi of the Sand. I can only wish that you'd see things my way, Kankuro…"
"You misunderstood," the other man tried to defend himself, yet his words froze in his throat for a moment. He shut his mouth, only to open it a second later, seemingly changing the topic: "And what about that man? Do you intend to keep him in the dungeon all his life? He produced Tarakudo and the other two, but what's done is done. By making him a prisoner we're not gaining anything really. Considering his crimes and ideology, I think it's best that we just execute him…"
"Not just yet," was Gaara's quick response. "He still has a certain role to play," he added and then his eyes snapped open wider as he sensed something. In a fraction of a second a whirlpool of sand surrounded his body, making him disappear from view and an instant later he re-appeared, right behind Takai, pressing his hand against the wall right next to the boy's face.
"Oh, it's you," he said calmly, his face rid of emotions. The boy only managed to swallow his saliva loudly as the Fifth Kazekage stared into his eyes: "I… I'm looking for Touba-kun," he finally murmured with a little shaking voice. "I… didn't mean to…" but at this point his words were cut off by the redhead, who 'freed' him and walking aside, stated, pointing to the stairs with his hand: "He's in his room, apparently resting. Third door on the right…"
Takai nodded and with a respectful bow headed in the pointed direction, too nervous to even bother looking back. As Kankuro joined his younger brother, he spoke up, glancing after the boy: "Think he heard what we were talking about?"
"Most likely," the Godaime replied simply, his voice passive. "But that should not concern you. In actuality, all this could prove to everyone's advantage. Regardless we all must walk our own path. I can only hope that this boy will pick his wisely…" and with that he walked away, disappearing in the hallway. Kankuro remained in place, now gazing after his brother, and then narrowed his eyes as a worried expression crossed his face: "It is something all of us can only hope…" he added in his mind, before going his own way.
---doubts gather around… next is a dreadful meeting!---
And this concludes this chapter. Sure hope you enjoyed it and that you'll leave me a review once you're done reading. I guess some of you might be now thinking 'where the heck are Aoru and Honemaru?' (judging from the Popularity Contest no-one gives a damn about Horamaru XD)… well, I assure you they'll play their part in the right time. Every bit of this flashback is a piece that in one way or the other influenced Takai and the way he is now.
Also, I wanna invite you all to my FictionPress account (my penname there is the same as here) to try my original stories. Especially fantasy fans should be pleased, if they like my style. I'm gonna keep on inviting you until you guys will give it a try (I'm so evil XD), so you might as well do so XD
Thanks for reading and hope to see you with the next update! Take care!