Ok, here's the next chapter. I know that I said this story takes place in a feudal Japan-ish style, but I wanted to clarify that that doesn't mean the story takes place in Japan. This is a fantastical setting I made up based off Naruto and variety of cultures and eras. Now, onward to the story! Reviews and comments welcome.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Ninja Assassin.
Chapter 2
Brothers
Kakashi breathed deeply, filling his lungs with the crisp, morning air. He was sitting on the verandah which wrapped around his family's house. Lazily dangling one leg over the side of the walkway, he kept his other knee bent in the air. He was leaning back against one of the columns supporting the eaves. The sun kissed Kakashi's visible skin as he surveyed the garden with his right eye open.
Morning dew glistened on the lush grass. A lilac tree grew on the left side of the small yard. Near the tree, a clothesline had been strung between two wooden poles. Kakashi sighed. For him, the small yard served as a memorial for his late fiancé. Rin had loved nature almost as much as she had loved God, Creator of the world. Kakashi had helped dig out the pond on the right side of the yard and laid the rock path leading from the verandah to the pond. He also constructed the wooden fence encompassing the yard, save for the area with the pond. A rocky land rise jutted through the fence. A little waterfall trickled down the rocky slabs and filled the pond.
The rest of the yard had been Rin's doing. Having been a healer, like most of the women in Konoha, Rin had planted an herbal garden on the stone path's left. Rin had also loved flowers. Poppies and tulips outlined the rock path leading to the pond. Two cherry blossom trees grew on either side of the pond, combining their sweet fragrance with the lilac's. Koi fish swam among the lily pads in the pond. The brightly colored fish elegantly wove their way through the water lilies floating on the surface of the water.
Kakashi mentally shook himself of the sad memories. Rin had died during an Uchiha attack eleven years ago. Since Rin's death, Kakashi and Naruto tended the flowers, trees, and pond. Sakura and Ino, a couple of Naruto's friends, looked after the garden. Kakashi allowed himself a small smile beneath his mask. He knew the girls came to call on Naruto far more often than the garden needed weeding. He wondered if indeed one of the two sisters would become his sister-in-law. Kakashi chuckled as he pictured Naruto married to either girl. The sound of someone ringing the bell at the front gate brought Kakashi from his musings. Now, who could that be? he wondered cheekily.
Kakashi stood and slipped on his sandals. Not bothering to put on a robe to cover his sleeveless shirt and gray pants, Kakashi headed through the house. He paused when he reached the short hall and detoured to Naruto's room. Quietly pushing the slider open just a bit Kakashi checked on his younger brother. Naruto lay sprawled beneath his blanket, and his mouth hung open slightly. The boy's blonde spikes stuck out haphazardly without his bandana to hide them. Kakashi smiled fondly. Satisfied Naruto wouldn't need him anytime soon, Kakashi silently closed the slider. Kakashi crossed the large main room of the house and headed out to the small courtyard out front.
Flowers dotted the courtyard's lush carpet of grass. A simple wooden gate served as the only entrance and exit to the grounds. Standing at the gate were none other than Ino, Sakura, and their older brother Lee. Kakashi inwardly sighed. Since Naruto's fight with Sasuke almost a month ago, Naruto's friends frequently visited.
Lee smiled and waved when he spotted Kakashi's approach. The boy's white teeth only added to the dazzling effect of his green pants and short, green tunic. His black bowl cut hairstyle and dark bushy eyebrows accented the flourish all the more. Beside him, Ino stood confidently.
The young woman wore a purple kimono with orange floral patterns and a bright orange sash. Considering Ino's talent for contrasting colors, Kakashi knew that if the young girl hadn't been trying to catch Naruto's eye, she would have made the kimono with red flowers. But everyone knew Naruto's favorite color was orange. Ino tossed her blonde ponytail irritably and turned away from her fraternal twin sister.
Sakura's long, pink hair flipped behind her as she turned to Kakashi and away from her sister. Kakashi figured the two young women had just finished arguing about something. A small pile of folded dark fabric stood out against Sakura's pink floral kimono as she clutched it to her red sash. Sakura had inherited her mother's beauty. Meanwhile, Ino, who was also very beautiful, had gotten her features from their father Inoichi. Poor Lee looked like a younger version of his Uncle Guy. Although Kakashi would've considered such looks a curse, Lee proudly boasted about being as handsome as his favorite uncle.
"Good morning, Lord Kakashi," Lee greeted brightly.
Kakashi acknowledged them with a nod, and his visible eye curved into a 'u', the only evidence of his hidden smile. "Good morning, Lee, Sakura, Ino. Let me guess, you're here to see Naruto." The girls suddenly looked self-conscious. Kakashi almost laughed. It had to be awkward for them to see their clan leader in such casual clothing.
"Yes, sir. If that is all right," Lee confirmed.
"Well, he's still asleep, but I'm sure he'll be up in a bit," Kakashi told them. "You can come in and wait if you want."
"Thank you, milord," Ino agreed eagerly, but her brother stopped her.
"We should not bother Lord Naruto if he is resting," Lee said. "Perhaps we could come back later."
"It's no problem at all," Kakashi assured him with a smile. "Besides, I'm sure Naruto will be glad to see you."
Kakashi opened the gate and led the teenage trio into the house. As they entered and placed their shoes in the genkan*, Kakashi heard Ino speak to Sakura.
"Just give them to Lord Kakashi," Ino whispered harshly.
"Stop being so pushy, Ino. They're Lord Naruto's clothes not Lord Kakashi's," Sakura quietly snapped, "so I'll give them to Lord Naruto."
Kakashi heard Ino give a low snort. "You just want a chance to impress Lord Naruto," she retorted.
Kakashi turned as he headed to the kitchen and saw Sakura blush. Whether her face reddened from embarrassment or anger Kakashi couldn't tell. The girls sat down daintily at the low dining table. Lee joined them. For his part, Lee seemed to take little to no notice of the girls' feuding. However, Kakashi knew he could count on Lee to intervene if the girls got out of hand.
Pausing in the archway to the kitchen Kakashi asked, "Would anyone like some tea and shortcake?"
"Oh, I'll get them, Lord Kakashi," Ino insisted. She quickly rose from her seat and ushered Kakashi to the table. Then the blonde girl hurried to the kitchen. Kakashi shrugged nonchalantly and sat down.
"And she says I'm the one looking for an opportunity to impress Lord Naruto. What a show off," Kakashi barely heard Sakura grumble.
The Senju leader smiled slightly at the two girls' rivalry. They had been vying for Naruto's feelings since childhood. Sakura and Ino's competition only intensified the older they got and gained a sense of urgency as Naruto grew closer to marrying age. Kakashi wondered how Lee handled having such fiercely competitive sisters. Then again, Lee himself could be just as competitive in other areas. It must run in the family, Kakashi mused.
Turning to the young man sitting across from him, Kakashi inquired, "So, Lee, how goes your training with Guy?"
"Splendid! Uncle Guy is so strong. I hope to be like him someday, but I have a ways to go yet," the enthusiastic youth replied.
Kakashi chuckled. "I'd say you're progressing rather well. I think you have the potential to even possibly surpass him."
Lee's eyes grew wide with a mix of admiration and excitement. "You really think so?"
"I do," Kakashi confirmed. He knew how much the compliment meant to Lee, especially coming from the clan's leader.
"T-thank you, Lord Kakashi," Lee said excitedly. "I am truly honored to know you think so highly of me. I will train even harder, so I do not disappoint you!" Kakashi winced at Lee's rising voice.
"Lee, quiet down. Lord Naruto's room is just down the hall," Sakura quietly scolded her older brother.
"Oh, yes. Please forgive me, Lord Kakashi. In my excitement I had forgotten Lord Naruto is resting," Lee admitted, toning his voice down to just above a whisper.
Kakashi sighed and dismissed the young man's apology with a small wave. A sharp groan emitted from down the hall. Kakashi quickly rose and strode to Naruto's bedroom. He pushed the slider aside quietly just in case Naruto was still asleep. But the young blonde was sitting up rubbing sleep from his bright blue eyes.
"Huh?" Naruto yawned and glanced up. "Hey, Kakashi. What's with all the ruckus?"
"Visitors," Kakashi answered simply, walking over to Naruto's futon.
Naruto's face brightened incredibly. He carefully rose as he spoke excitedly, "Really? Who?" Kakashi allowed Naruto to stand on his own but stayed close enough to assist if necessary.
"Easy," Kakashi told him calmly. "They're not going to disappear if you take your time."
Naruto chuckled at his older brother's comment. The young man exited his room, striding carefully down the hall. Naruto kept a hand on the wall to steady himself. All through Naruto's recovery, Kakashi was glad to see the boy's loss against Sasuke had dampened neither the boy's confidence nor his carefree attitude. Kakashi smiled at his little brother's resilience. Stubborn resilience seemed to be a trademark for the Senju clan.
When Naruto and Kakashi entered the dining area, Ino and Sakura were demonstrating their own resilience in their rivalry. Ino elegantly carried a tray burdened with five cups of steaming tea and the teapot. She carefully set the tray on the low table. Then she took her seat beside her brother. Kakashi noticed Lee now held the folds of dark fabric Sakura had been clutching only moments ago. The young pink-haired girl walked into the room while she handled a tray laden with shortcakes, a dish of strawberries, and a bowl of cream. Sakura hurried toward the table. In her haste she managed to trip over her own feet. Naruto quickly caught the tray on one hand while snatching Sakura's hand with the other and stopping her fall. Sakura hastily righted herself.
"Sakura, you klutz," Ino scolded, turning red in the face. "You could have made a huge mess."
"Please forgive me, Lord Naruto," Sakura apologized as she blushed. She took the tray, which Naruto had been balancing on his hand.
Naruto chuckled brightly. "Chill out, Sakura. It's fine. But I really wish you guys would just call me Naruto. Save the formalities for when I'm the clan leader," Naruto said.
"Oh, well…um…ok then, Naruto," Sakura obliged, adding emphasis to his name since she wasn't familiar with it.
Ino stood and gestured to Lee. "Here, Lee, let me give L—I mean Naruto his clothes," she requested innocently enough. However, Sakura was onto her sister's ulterior motive in a heartbeat.
"Don't give them to her Lee," Sakura snapped. She carefully set the tray of food on the table and then rushed to her brother. She had known Ino would try to give Naruto the clothes while Sakura was preoccupied, so Sakura had asked Lee to hold them. Now she took them from him and hurried back over to Naruto. "Here, Naruto. I mended your ninja outfit for you. I hope the repair is satisfactory," she told him meekly.
"I'm sure it's great, Sakura. Thanks. I don't know what Kakashi and I'd do without you and Ino. We can't sow to save our lives," Naruto remarked brightly.
Sakura and Ino both blushed. "It's our pleasure," the girls spoke in unison.
Kakashi took Naruto's clothes and placed them in the boy's bedroom. When he returned, Ino and Sakura were helping Naruto sit down on one of the cushions at the table. Once again Kakashi found himself smiling slightly at the sisters' pampering. Lee watched his siblings with amusement for a moment. Then he started babbling to Naruto about training, the upcoming festival, and missions. Kakashi took a seat beside the energetic youth. He silently observed the four teenagers' interactions.
Sakura served shortcake topped with cream and strawberries to everyone while Ino served the tea. The girls made sure not be left out of the boys' conversation, and soon laughter and idle chatter filled the room. Kakashi didn't partake; he just watched.
His mind's eye shifted the scene so there was only a young woman and a little boy. Rin tossed the blonde haired, blue-eyed toddler in the air. Their laughs echoed in Kakashi's ears. Then they vanished. Replaced again with the four teenagers, the memory ended, and Kakashi suppressed a sad sigh.
When the group finished eating, Sakura and Ino took the dishes to the kitchen and began washing them. The three young men moved to the small courtyard. Lee, at Naruto's request, demonstrated some moves he'd learned under Guy's tutelage. Meanwhile Naruto watched from the verandah. Again, Kakashi merely sat back and watched the two boys. He kept an especially close eye on Naruto sitting beside him. Despite the young man's enthusiasm, Naruto wasn't fully recovered yet and tired easily sometimes.
"Here, Lee, let's do some sparring," Naruto suggested. Lee stopped his demonstration and glanced uncertainly at the blonde.
"No," Kakashi said firmly.
Naruto turned to his older brother. "Come on, Kakashi. I've been doing nothing but sitting around for a month. Can't we do just a little sparring? I promise we won't do anything extreme," Naruto tried.
"No, Naruto. You may think you're ready to start sparring again, but your body isn't. And I know you'll push yourself too far. You can't help it," Kakashi replied. He could see the underlying weariness in his younger brother's eyes. Kakashi knew this little social visit was already taking its toll on Naruto.
"I am in agreement with Lord Kakashi," Lee quipped. "Naruto, you should take it easy and focus on recovering. You are essential to our clan since you will one day become the new leader."
"I know, I know," Naruto consented resignedly. "I'm just so tired of sitting around all day."
"Cheer up, Naruto. You will be back on the training fields soon enough. Then you can prove yourself to our comrades once again!" Lee encouraged.
Naruto nodded solemnly. "Yeah. It's the waiting part I have a hard time with."
"Well, your strategic skills have definitely improved since Shikamaru started coming everyday to play shogi with you," Kakashi insisted. "This down time allows you to hone your finer skills. Training the mind is just as important as training the body, little brother."
"But I'm going to get out of shape if I only exercise my mind," Naruto argued, quickly standing. "Please, big brother. I won't—"
Naruto grimaced and faltered. Kakashi sprang to his feet and caught his brother before Naruto could completely collapse. The boy gritted his teeth in pain. Lee positioned himself on Naruto's other side and helped Kakashi support the younger man.
"Are you all right, Naruto?" Lee asked with concern.
Naruto gave him a weak smirk. "I just got up too fast. I'm okay, really." However, Naruto's labored breathing did nothing to convince Kakashi.
The clan leader sighed. "See? Overall, the best thing for you to do right now is rest," Kakashi insisted. He and Lee helped Naruto sit back down on the verandah. Still supporting Naruto, Kakashi turned to Lee. "Will you go ask Sakura to brew some of the medicinal tea she left for Naruto?"
"Sure thing," Lee agreed. He quickly disappeared inside the house.
Kakashi continued to hold Naruto upright as they waited for the boy's pain to subside. Lee soon rejoined them. He informed Kakashi that Sakura was currently making the tea. Instead of resuming his demonstrations Lee sat down at Naruto's other side. The trio remained in companionable silence, opting to enjoy the fair day together.
After a few minutes, Sakura appeared with a hot cup of tea. Ino followed her pink haired sister outside. Sakura carefully proffered the cup to Naruto. Kakashi almost laughed when Naruto rolled his eyes at the medicinal tea. Kakashi knew Naruto was growing rather tired of the mercilessly bitter brew, but the tea helped Naruto's muscles relax and greatly reduced the pain from his wounds. The boy wearily glanced up at his brother. Kakashi only smiled and nodded to the tea. Naruto shifted his gaze back to the proffered cup.
"Don't worry. I put a lot of honey in it, so it shouldn't be as bitter," Sakura assured him, flashing him a knowing smile. Though he didn't look at all convinced, Naruto took the cup and drank some of the steaming liquid. "Lor—uh—Naruto, you need to take things more slowly. You're going to end up reinjuring yourself," Sakura told him gently.
Naruto smiled replying, "Come on, Sakura. You guys worry too much. I'm already feeling a lot better, thanks to your tea."
Sakura blushed. "It's nothing special, really. I couldn't have done it without your grandmother's help. Lady Tsunade is my mentor, you know. You should thank her," she blabbered in embarrassment.
"You shouldn't sell yourself short, Sakura. Grandma Tsunade may be Ino and your mentor, but you two are the ones who put in the effort to learn. You've both come along great as healers," Naruto encouraged.
Ino and Sakura both beamed and blushed profusely at his praise. Lee smiled with pride for his sisters. While the men stayed on the verandah and visited, Ino and Sakura returned to the kitchen and prepared lunch. Once the food was prepared, the girls called the men inside.
Kakashi and Lee helped Naruto get situated at the table as the sisters brought out the food. Ino had made a salad with succulent cherry tomatoes, tangy onions, and a few spicy peppers mixed into fresh, crisp lettuce. She topped it off with juicy, black olives and ginger dressing. Kakashi sat beside Naruto and glanced at his younger brother. Naruto grimaced slightly at the uncooked vegetables.
Seeming to have guessed Naruto's dread of the salad, Sakura had specifically prepared Naruto's favorite sweet red-bean soup. The pink haired young woman sat on the other side of her crush. Ino resignedly sat beside Lee and across from Naruto. The group chattered cheerily as they ate. This time Kakashi joined in the conversation. Kakashi smiled as Naruto forced himself, out of politeness, to eat as much of the salad as the boy could stomach.
After the meal, Ino and Sakura once again washed the dishes. Lee, Naruto, and Kakashi stayed at the table to continue visiting. When everything had been cleaned and put away, the girls joined them. At one point Naruto leaned heavily against Kakashi. Kakashi noticed Naruto's increasing weariness and caught Lee's eye. Kakashi inclined his head slightly to indicate Naruto. Lee glanced down at the younger heir before meeting Kakashi's gaze and nodded in understanding. He then proceeded to announce that he and his sisters needed to get going.
Ino and Sakura didn't fuss. Both girls had noted Naruto's tired eyes and obliged quietly. Naruto forced himself to his feet to walk the trio to the gate. Kakashi stood, slipping an arm around his brother's shoulders to steady the boy. He only allowed Naruto to go as far as the porch and stood there with him as the siblings said their good-byes. All three wished Naruto a speedy recovery. Naruto waved at the trio as they exited the courtyard and disappeared behind the fence.
"Come on," Kakashi coaxed, tugging lightly on Naruto's shoulders. "You should rest a bit before Shikamaru comes."
The young shadow wielder had been coming every evening since Naruto's encounter with Sasuke. Usually Naruto would meet Shikamaru at the training fields at about lunch time. However, since Naruto couldn't train right now, Shikamaru took to coming over and playing shogi with the hyperactive blonde. Shikamaru's uncle, Asuma, tagged along most of the time. At least Asuma was around Kakashi's age.
Naruto sighed. "Yeah, I guess you're right," he quietly yielded.
Kakashi gently guided his brother back inside the dwelling and to the boy's room. After easing Naruto down onto the futon, Kakashi helped him out of his shirt. Next he removed Naruto's bandages. Kakashi retrieved a container of healing ointment from near the futon's top. He scooped a generous amount and began spreading the ointment over Naruto's wounds. Naruto's injuries had mostly healed, but some were still very tender. Even so, the boy barely showed his pain. Naruto winced a couple times but nothing more. Finishing with the ointment, Kakashi applied new bandages.
The brothers sat in silence for a moment. Kakashi lightly rubbed circles on Naruto's back where the bandages didn't reach. He felt some knots and started pressing a little harder. Soon Kakashi used both his hands to massage Naruto's tense muscles, taking extra care around the boy's injuries. Naruto sighed contentedly.
"I didn't even have to ask," Naruto commented with a small, weary chuckle.
"I figured you'd want it," Kakashi replied with a smile.
"Thanks, big brother," Naruto said. "You always give the best massages."
"It's no problem," Kakashi told him. "And you have Dad to thank for my talent. He used to do this for me when I came home from training or battles. After awhile, it became our tradition."
Kakashi sighed as he studied his little brother. He was so young back then. I doubt he has any memories of Mom or Dad, Kakashi sadly thought. He smiled slightly at his brother. Naruto had gotten their father's, Minato's, looks while Kakashi had inherited more of their grandfather's appearance. Both parents died in battle. Kushina died shortly after giving birth to Naruto. Minato died a year later. Even though Naruto had heard stories about their parents all his life, he still asked Kakashi to tell them. Kakashi felt grateful, though, for his brother's curiosity. Sharing the stories with his younger brother kept the memories alive.
"They're in Heaven now, right? Mom and Dad are?" Naruto asked in a somewhat drowsy voice.
"Mmhm. All of God's followers go to Heaven when they die," Kakashi affirmed. A moment passed in silence.
Just as Kakashi started to wonder if Naruto had fallen asleep, the blonde boy spoke quietly, "Do you think they're happy?"
Kakashi's visible eye softened. "Yes. I think they are," Kakashi answered tenderly. He stopped massaging Naruto's shoulders and helped the boy lay on the futon. Kakashi whispered, "We'll see them again, little brother. When our purposes have been fulfilled, then God will call us home."
"Bet they'll be even happier to see us," Naruto murmured, his eyes slowly sliding shut.
Kakashi smiled. He looked forward to the day he would see his loved ones again. But right now, he was still needed. Kakashi's calloused fingers gently stroked back Naruto's bangs. Pulling down his mask, Kakashi planted a fatherly kiss on his younger brother's brow.
*genkan: the part of the entryway where residents leave their shoes in a Japanese house.
I know this chapter was a little slow, but I had to lay the setting for the story. I hope you enjoyed it all the same. Please review. I love hearing your opinions.