Hey everyone! I'm back with another chapter of goods!

Disclaimer:I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! NOT NARUTO, NOT THE MOVIE, NOT THE CHARACTERS, NADA! I ALSO APOLOGIZE FOR THE MOMENTARY OOC OF THE CHARACTERS!

And please please please remember to review - plot twists aren't easy!

"Hatake Kakashi is in the lead yet again! Is there anyone who can stop him?"

"Hatake is in the number one spot again! Gold after gold, there is no stopping him!"

I stared at the screen aimlessly, my hand on my mouth and my eyes soft.

I stood still as the headmaster let the audience applaud, taking a minute to place the seven gold medals around my neck. I bowed gracefully, the stoic look on my face as always.

"Kakashi!" A group of girls cheered after me as I stepped off of the platform, heading back into the school to grab my things from my locker.

All my life I have been extremely well at anything I tried; sports, academics, music. Nothing seemed to stop me from reaching great heights. I had just gotten my medals from the swim team, the kendo team, and track. I looked to the right of me where an idiot stood, a pout on his face and tears in his eyes.

"Can I help you?" He seemed startled and took in a deep breath, puffing out his chest in order to make him look more intimidating.

"I will surpass you, Hatake Kakashi!" He screamed, running off afterward. I sighed and merely shook my head.

'He never changes'.

Uchiha Obito is the idiot that keeps entering in all the same sports, races, competitions, and classes that I do, attempting to beat me at every single one of them but failing every time. Nonetheless, he keeps bothering. What an idiot; when was he going to realize he can't win?

I took my goggles off, letting out my breath and looking over when I heard a splash next to me. I rolled my eyes when I noticed it was the same old idiot as always. "Damnit! I'll most definitely get it next time, ya hear, Kakashi?" I left out a puff of annoyance.

"When are you going to get the fact that you can never win, Obito? You will never beat me, you will never be able to reach the top as I do. The closest you will get to tasting victory is standing next to me as I bathe in it." I propped myself up and out of the pool, everyone's eyes on me as I stalked out.

'Idiot.'

I sighed shakily and looked down at my hands, the image of blood staining my pale skin never forgoing in my mind.

How wrong I used to be.

I used to believe that all it takes to win is yourself, that to be successful is just in a name, just in what you can do. That people who couldn't beat you were meaningless, nothing; only those who could keep up deserved my attention.

I rose to the surface, taking off my goggles and waiting until I heard the splash next to me. I looked over to my right after a minute, remembering that the idiot no longer could chase after me. I rolled my eyes and got out of the water, ignoring everyone's praise at my new set record. Everyday I repeated the same, eventually our last competition coming into effect and the brunette still not appearing.

"Where is Obito?" The entire team looked at me, surprise in their eyes and sadness quickly following.

"He...He got really sick and had to leave school. None of us know exactly happened, just that it's pretty fatal." I swiftly turned around, not another word leaving me.

But I soon realized how fragile people really are and that everything can be taken away from you just as fast as you dismissed them.

"Kakashi...I'm very sorry about what happened with your father. He was a good man, and all of us...everyone in this school offers their condolences. If you would like to talk, Kiteru-sensei is always…"

"Hatake-kun, you've been swimming a second slower each lap. What's the matter? Is it...your father? You can take a break if you need to, it's going to be…"

"Kakashi, I would normally say I have to call your parents about this grade, but due to your circumstances, I can't really do so. What is going on with you? Are you okay, do you…"

"Oh my, Neruma-kun just beat Hatake-kun! Hatake-kun, are you alright? Are you not well? Do you need a break or-"

"Enough!" I yelled, breaking to the surface and ripping the goggles off my face quite literally, the plastic now lying in two on the brick in front of the pool.

Back then, it was either you're good or you're bad. Quitting seemed the only fit way to be 'good' at anything. If Obito hadn't come back, I don't know where I'd be. It drove me insane, that fact that I no longer had control over anything, and in my time, it was so much easier to feel like you could keep everything under wraps.

I got up and grabbed myself a glass, filling it with water from the fridge and drinking it in one, long sip. I sighed and placed the cup on the counter afterwards, rubbing my brow and toying with the ring on my left middle finger.

"We finally did it, Kakashi! Ha, look at me; I'm a star!" I sighed, rolling my eyes and hiding a smirk behind my mask. Obito seemed to notice a slight shift and looked at me curiously. "I still can't understand why you wear that mask, Kakashi. Ten years together and you still don't want to tell me. Gah, at this point I'll never know." I chuckled and began walking towards the subway entrance, the said man following closely behind.

"We're only nineteen, Obito; plenty of time to tell you a simple story." He groaned.

"Then why not just tell me now!" I simply smirked.

"That would be too easy."

I looked at my phone, a text bringing me back from my thoughts and alerting me that my flight was ready. Grabbing my keys and my carrier bag I went to my car, putting my things in the passenger's seat before backing out and driving to the airport.

Paying someone to take my car in for a few days I headed to the restricted area of the first floor, someone waiting to let me in and granting me access with ease. I headed through various rooms until getting to the outside landing pad. Said man from earlier directed me over to wherer a small jet was, nodding to someone else before opening the doors and letting me through.

I was greeted with a handshake, one I shook strongly, and we greeted one another simply.

"It's been a while, Hyuuga." He nodded at me.

"Same with you, Hatake. It's nice to see you've not fallen fallow in your adventure." I smiled softly, the thought of my many previous adventures sort of cooing me. "Well, I really just wanted to greet you. My men and I will leave you and the pilot to yourselves."

I shook my head. "No no, it's no trouble for you to accompany me,"

He chuckled. "I appreciate the consideration, Kakashi, but really, I'd rather leave you to your own. Helping an old friend of Minato's... hell, you were more his friend than me to him. Think nothing of this, Hatake; it's simply me returning the favor." I nodded, greeting him once more before he left.

I sat more towards the back, by the window, the pilot coming out to tell me he was leaving and before I could realize we were rolling down the runway, ready to take off. Task aside, I let my thoughts roam once again.

"Kakashi...Kakashi, here." I threw my throwing knives at the man attempting to slash at Obito, the blades piercing his neck and causing him to fall instantly. I ran over to my partner, a big gash wound across his chest.

"Obito!" I began ripping his shirt up and placed it against him, pressing down and trying to tell myself that the blood seeping through my fingers was stopping, would stop; had to stop.

"Kaka," he began coughing, choking on his own blood and spit. I tried to get him to stop talking but he merely smiled and shook his head. "I'm sorry." I shook my head, quickly dismissing his silly words.

"Stop talking, idiot; stop saying silly things. I'm sorry, I should've been there, I shouldn't have let you go alone."

"It's not your fault," he coughed again. "With all this on the news I wouldn't blame you."

"But it's still my fault! I still left you behind; I should've known better and knew that it wasn't really your doing!" He smiled again.

"I could never kill Minato, Kakashi. And even if I could," A thin trail of blood fell from the side of his mouth, my shaky hands wiping it from him. "I could never kill a mother." I felt tears welled up in my eyes as I stared down at him, that stupid grin of his still in place.

"Stupid...Obito..."

He chuckled. "What, you got some dust in your eye?" We heard the front entrance of the building burst open, voices shouting various commands; there wasn't much time left. "Kakashi, you have to take care of the boy."

"Who killed them?" He shook his head as if to say he couldn't tell.

"Just promise me," The second entrance was next, their steps and movements louder by the second. There was only one entrance left. "You can't let him grow up like you did, can't let him think his father left!" He coughed violently, blood splattering all over his hand. I nodded furiously, the rummaging of intruders firing me up.

"Obito tell me! Who did this to you!" He was about to speak when the last entrance crashed, daggers plunging into the side of his neck. I roared and instantaneously turned around, my pistols already drawn and plowing through countless bodies. One after one they fell lifeless, their leader choosing to come after me with other weapons. I pulled the dagger from inside my pant leg , blocking his slashes and attempting to cut him up in the process.

Just a cut on his neck and he was down, my weapons dropping as dead as he did and my body falling to it's knees. I let a tear fall, my mask ripping and falling off my face. I looked over at my best friend, now resting, and sobbed.

"The reason I wear the mask is because I'm afraid of who I really am...of being my father...or showing emotion...or being human."

I felt my throat tightened and I cleared it along with my thoughts.

I'm sorry, Obito; I could never keep promises that well.

I absolutely no idea why I got on a plane. Actually, scratch that; I had no idea why I was on a plane to Japan of all places. I couldn't even speak the language, nor did I know anyone there. Nonetheless here I was, standing in the middle of an airport full of signs I could not read. I cursed under my breath.

I began walking to what I believed to be the entrance, judging by the amount of people from the same flight heading in the same direction, and began to translate directions to Tokyo's UDA for a cab driver.

I ended up being driven into Tokyo, charging it on Sasuke's card, and then following his instructions put into the translator and taking the subway within walking distance of my destination. Once I reached it, I headed inside and began searching for someone, anyone, who could speak English. I was about to give up and find a hotel when someone called from behind.

"Oi, look who it is! The blondie from America!" I turned to look at the face, a woman with fire red hair and glasses pointing to me. I didn't understand anything but 'America', but I knew this would get me somewhere.

A couple of faces came out from within rooms and hallways, one of them looking sort of familiar and smiling. "Hey man, what brings you here?" When I merely knit my eyebrows together out of confusion, he shook his head and spoke again. "My bad; my name is Kisame Hoshigaki." My eyes widened slightly at the darker skinned man in recognition of his name. He was practically Itachi's partner in the entire business, if not for Sasuke, and sure as hell either equal if not higher to the younger sibling's power. "Naruto Uzumaki, right?" I could only nod as he chuckled. "You don't have to be so nervous. I won't bite you."

Somehow that comment did not make this situation any less uncomfortable.

"So what brings you here?" I coughed, getting words to form.

"I was uh, sent here." The girl and him both looked at me suspiciously, obviously needing more. "My manager confirmed it with Sasuke, saying that I was supposed to perform a collab here." I nodded to myself, putting some confidence into my sentance to make it sound believable. All they did was nod, when something seemed to click and the guy started to chuckle.

Strange how he seemed so similarly different to his partner.

"I remember Itachi complaining about something like that to me about a week or two ago. Ah, where are my manners; Welcome to Japan, Naruto."

I was taken on a tour of the building, being introduced to numerous people whose names I would not remember later on. We stopped in front of the stage, someone currently in the middle of a very strong, balanced hand stand. "And this, is Menma." He never moved, simply opening his eyes yet keeping his gaze straight ahead.

I looked him up and down, noticing his skin tone either my shade or just barely lighter, but not much else, since he wasn't standing.

"Oi, could you break from that for a second?" I heard the other snicker at his words, my brain trying so hard to understand yet failing.

"Tsk, why?"

"Because he's your new partner." He seemed to shift at those words, switching all his weight onto one hand, clearly showing off his strength by smiling wickedly and keeping his other arm at a ninety-degree angle to the one supporting him. He held it there before pushing himself onto his feet. As he stood I noticed that he was the same height as I was, and that his hair was basically the same except for the fact it was longer and black. Actually, his bangs were more flat, while the back of his head was like mine. What really struck me was the fact that he had the same scars on his face, but even more so, his eyes; one was a striking blue, the other a deep red. Not only that, but his voice was deep; almost at Sasuke or Itachi's level.

Every inch of him screamed 'danger', as if fate were warning me of fatal encounters to come. And by the looks of the one in front of him, he was thinking the exact same thing.

"Who the hell...are you?" He stared at me, waiting for an answer. I didn't understand what he said but based on his body language I could guess what he was asking.

"Naruto Uzumaki," His eyes widened even more at my response.

"Uzumaki Menma,"

It didn't take a genius to figure out that for some reason, I had just met my doppelgänger...just with different yet similar looks...and the same last name. We stared at each other intensely for a couple of minutes before Kisame hummed almost humorously.

"Anyone can pretty much figure out there is something very...odd going on right now, and I hate to be that one guy but since it's kind of my job and all I do need to remind you that you are getting paid to dance, not chat." Our stares only intensified. "I suggest you start working, more like dancing, and getting used to each other; there's going to be a show premiering you two at the end of this week."

This is going to be hard.

"Age?" I shook my head, his confusion ever present as mine. He sighed frustratingly, running his hand through his hair and tapping his foot. I guess he was trying to think of what to say. "Ah...Youth?"

I almost dead panned, his English not horrible but his accent very present. Not to mention that I don't think he used the right word, but I got the idea. He was asking about my age. "Twenty-two." His eyes widened. "Your youth?" I tried to make things simpler for him.

"Twenty-two." Well it looked like the Japanese knew English numbers.

"Birthday?" He was now confused, and I tried to explain further, but to no avail. I pulled out my phone, the translator app showing and I entered in the words. Once it translated I handed it to him. He opened his mouth to respond but instead seemed to understand the flow of things and typed, handing it back.

'October 10'.

I gulped, wiping a hand over my face. He looked at me and worry spread over his face. He said something and I shook my head, typing in my birthdate...

Which just happened to be the same day as his.

We both could only stare at each other, lost for words on what to do. I scratched the back of my head and walked on stage, crouching down and placing my hands on the floor. I slowly pushed off, attempting the same figure he was just a minute ago. This obviously bothered the other man, a growl escaping his throat as foot steps approached him.

He copied me directly in front, our eyes connected and a silent competition beginning. I tucked my knees in more, not completely, but enough to create a significant difference in balance. I smirked when his eyebrow twitched. He did the same, but instead of stopping there he straightened one of his legs out to be parallel with the ground. I saw the effort to remain balanced in his face, my smirk growing wider before faltering slightly.

To the side I heard several hushed voices, all of them whispering as they watched our show. It only seemed to influence both of us to continue this charade. I repeated his movements, except putting both of my legs in that parallel position. I felt my torso attempt to shift off to the side, and I forced it straight; no way I was going to lose.

I smirked as he growled again, his thoughts flowing as be repeated me. He then took a deep breath and pushed up on his body slightly, the palm of his hand rising and all of his weight shifting onto his fingers.

Fucking hell.

Now that was a hard skill, one visibly causing him to struggle. His body shook for a little, eventually calming down. Once he was steady, his eyes burned with the words 'I dare you'. I frowned a little, really beginning to feel the effects of blood rushing to my head. Instead of repeating the same thing, I managed to shift my weight onto one hand, almost falling over but keeping upright as I held the now free hand open. I heard more chatter and I couldn't do anything but smile at it all. Well, I literally couldn't; not in this competition.

He groaned and seemed to think for a minute, doing the same as I but keeping his weight on his fingers instead of palm. He was shaking, and I knew he was really pushing it, but he managed and was giving me a look of triumph. I snickered. I would not be beat so easily.

I copied him, a groan escaping me as I felt my arm barely hanging in there. We heard some whistles and claps, both of us shaking and giving our most intense looks. All of a sudden a deep baritone broke our concentration. "I come back out here and you all are doing yoga?" Menma seemed to chuckle, and even though I couldn't understand I knew that it was something funny about our current positions. Everyone else laughed and I did as well, taking my free hand and tipping Menma. He fell backwards, my body doing the same at the motion and both of us attempting to land on our feet. He said something else and everyone groaned, shuffling to their previous work.

Once everyone was gone, Menma and I stood once more facing each other. After a few seconds of serious looks we both smiled, well Menma pretty much smirked, and held out our hands and shook them, understanding equally.

Someone evenly matched to work with.

...And that's the plot twist? Enjoy? Mwuahaha.

Let me know what you feel - review! Thanks for reading!