Musical Hands: chapter 8
Summary: He heard the unique and soulful melody on the nights of his border patrols. He's listened for the past 4 years, till it stopped for three years. Believing that the conductor had passed, that was until he heard the beautiful melody once more. This time the music affected him emotionally as the musician for the first time played from the heart. What awaits Kakashi as his curiosity gets the best of him and hunts down the creator?
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Had to leave early this morning, My Angel. I'll see you later.
Kakashi.
Naruto burned the piece of paper in her fingers with a sigh. She had sensed Kakashi leave during the early hours of the morning when he pressed his lips against her temple. She yawned and looked to the clock. It was 8 and the funeral was at 9. "Might as well get up." Naruto muttered and looked around her room. It was clean. As if Kakashi was never in her room dripping wet from the rain. Yet, his sweater was still on her window seat. Naruto sighed and slipping into her bathroom and quickly got ready. Pulling on a long-sleeved black V-neck with a flowing black shirt that touched her knees. Slipping on small heels and tied her hair up into a bun as her bangs framed her face before exiting the room. Finding Jiraiya already waiting downstairs dressed in his mourning clothing waiting for her with a cup of tea in his hand for her. "Thanks." She mumbled as she took the cup to her lips. Sighing lightly in relief.
Jiraiya eyed Naruto carefully as the rain poured heavily outside. "Tell me again why you are going to this man's funeral and how you convinced me?"
"He didn't deserve to die so disgracefully. That man should be put behind bars and serve the rest of his life in pain. Instead, he died the easy way and I don't like that. You're coming with me just encase I do something stupid, like burning his casket in front of the Haruno family and friends." Naruto replied slyly.
Jiraiya's spine shuddered. He was foolish to believe Naruto actually felt guilt for the Haruno's death, but she'd rather have the man live the rest of his natural life being in pain. Yeah, this definitely sounded like Naruto to him. "Well, we have a few minutes before the funeral starts. I've scouted ahead and found an out-of-sight out-of-mind spot to hide while this grieving goes on. In your training, you've come far in slicing a leaf with your chakra and with the addition of Danzo we'll have to speed up your training, Naruto."
Naruto placed her tea down on the counter with a sigh. "You want me to use my clones for training now."
"Not just for the leaf cutting, but you should leave one behind for your training in etiquettes with Hinata. She, Itachi and I will train with your clones. You'll have to ask Shikaku if you can leave a few with him. I want the real you to keep up your current pretence with Danzo and Kakashi. Doing everything on your own without the aid of your clones is not only dangerous for your cover but physically straining. You have to use your clones, Naruto, or else you'll burn out."
"I understand." Naruto closed her eyes with a sigh. "But there is something I need to tell you considering you haven't hinted or shown signs of the news." Opening her eyes and stared at Jiraiya nervously. "It's about Kakashi…"
Jiraiya choked on the air with wide eyes as he stared at the blonde. "No, you didn't…"
Naruto's eyes widen too. "NO! Not that you pervert! W-we're j-just dating now. L-like together…"
"How did it happen? Are you sure you want to date Kakashi, Naruto? Did he pressure you? Should I beat him up for you? Oh dear kami, did he touch you inappropriately?!" Jiraiya wailed.
"NO!" Naruto hollered in embarrassment. "I mean, I was going to reject him when he was hinting, but before I could even speak, he just kissed me and my mind went blank…and…and I kind of liked it."
"Naruto, I think it's time we had the talk." Jiraiya suddenly turned seriously as he folded his arms. He saw her part her lips but silenced her by holding up a hand. "No, not that talk that I gave you on our trip, but another talk. First I must ask do you like Kakashi as a man?"
Naruto mulled over her thoughts before nodded. "Yes. He's a great man."
"Then we seriously need to talk, Naruto. If you plan to be in a serious relationship with Kakashi, then you must know about his clan."
"Kakashi said that he would explain that to me. The animalistic side of him which I figured out when he bit me for not listening to him and the way he growls is like a wild mutt." Naruto offered.
Jiraiya stiffened and moved over to Naruto. Running his hand over her arm and behind her shoulder when she hissed. Jiraiya looked in Naruto's shirt and saw the blemish on her skin and whistled. "You must've pissed him off for not listening, Naruto."
Naruto snorted. "Are you kidding? He said he was being gentle. That stupid wolf."
Jiraiya laughed as he pulled back. "Yes, indeed he is. The Hatake clan are close descendants to the wolves and from what I've learned, are quite aggressive yet soft with their partners. Very protective and territorial of what is theirs, so make sure Kakashi doesn't find another male's scent on you that he doesn't recognise."
"Oh, like Itachi's." Naruto muttered. Rubbing her chin in thought. "It's like taking care of a dog."
Jiraiya laughed. "Just be careful around Kakashi, Naruto. He's a great guy, but his Hatake line can be quite uncertain at times. Just, whatever you do…" he turned serious again. "Don't sleep with Kakashi."
Naruto turned flaming red. "Why would I do that?!" she spluttered out in embarrassment.
Jiraiya didn't answer. Kakashi would tell her, but this could prove to go in his favour. Knowing that Kyūbi would want a mate for Naruto. Kakashi was an honourable man and would be perfect for Naruto, if only there weren't so many dangers. "No sex. That's my only rule."
"I got it." Naruto shrieked and ran away in embarrassment.
Jiraiya dropped his attitude and bellowed out in laughter. He would talk to Kakashi later in his alias form and set a few ground rules. He didn't expect Naruto or Kakashi to stay celibate, but wanted Naruto to stay pure for as long as she could before she took that leap of faith. "Come back here, brat." Jiraiya trotted after the squealing Naruto with a boisterous laugh. The girl was too cute for her own good.
Haruno funeral:
Kakashi bit back his sigh as he stood in the rain in his mourning clothing. Standing beside Sakura as she cried and clung onto his chest. He patted her back stiffly and still wondered who Sakura's uncle was that passed away. Thought judging by the non-discreet whispers of the crowd, Kakashi heard that this man was murdered. As for why? Kakashi had no idea.
He was up next to lay a flower on the man's coffin with Sakura. Half carrying half dragging the pinkette over to the casket when his body turned ridged. He swallowed his need to snarl at the dead man. This was the man that had laid his unwanted hands on his mate and scared her to the point of tears. "Sakura…" Kakashi all but hissed to the hysterical girl. "Are you related to this man?"
"O-of course I am!" Sakura cried in disbelief. Sniffling as she hugged Kakashi's arm tightly. Oh kami, why did he have to die? Who would want to murder her precious uncle? Who? Why?
Just as Kakashi was about to tell Sakura what he knew of her uncle, his senses went off and tackled Sakura to the ground as a bolt of lightning whizzed by and slammed into the coffin. Igniting the corpse and caused uproar of screams and rising panic. Kakashi looked wide-eyed to the burning body as the heavy rain did nothing to stop the inferno. This dead man was going to burn to ashes.
Nobody knew where the jutsu had come from, but all knew that this man had enemies…even in his death.
Jiraiya and Naruto:
Jiraiya held and umbrella over him and his apprentice as they stood in a blind-spot of the funeral and sighed. "Was that really necessary, Naruto?" he questioned as the bonfire of a dead man lit up in excitement.
The fire glowed in Naruto's two-toned eyes and shrugged her shoulders. "If I had more confidence worse could've happen to that man the night he tried to take me. He should be thankful that all I did was burn his body and ruined his family's image. The next man won't be so luck once I am ready."
Jiraiya's spine shuddered. Although Naruto was more level-headed, she still harboured her sadistic streak inherited from her mother. "This wasn't a punishment. You're making a statement." He figured out from what information Naruto shared with him. It was a message to her harasser.
"More or less. People should know not to mess with a sleeping monster." Naruto muttered and looked up to Jiraiya. "I should be asking, why you didn't stop me?"
"You could say I wanted to do the same thing you did. Even if it was a bit cruel."
"Well, let's go train then. Hinata's already with a clone, so I'm all yours today." Naruto said and walked away from the gathering with Jiraiya beside her.
"You know Tsunade is going to chew you up for this. An investigation will be in order." Jiraiya warned.
"They have no evidence that I did that. We're shinobi. Who knows? This incident might just enrapture Danzo even further."
Jiraiya only rolled his eyes. Whenever Naruto's angry switch was on, she was cold-hearted bitch that wasn't afraid to shed blood to get her point across. When her switch was off, she was back to her elegant and happy self. It wouldn't be wise to crack a few lines right now or she'd have him on his ass. "Whatever brat. Let's just go train in this shitty weather."
Naruto just nodded and stayed close to Jiraiya when he slipped into his own alias of Kira Yuki. Feeling a cold stare at the back of her head and turned towards the gaze. Naruto's gaze pierced right through the hated-emerald orbs of Sakura Haruno. Naruto only smirked and ran a finger over her neck as a threat to the Haruno. Messing with the pink haired harlot. Nobody threatens Naruto Uzumaki without being subjected to her mind games. Not even her former teammate.
Sakura eyes widen in shock and screamed in pure rage. About to make a leap and mad dash towards the slut that killed her uncle, but wasn't able to when her family members all tackled her to the ground in cries for her to stop. Sakura didn't hear any of it as she shrieked. "I'LL KILL YOU, BITCH! YOU HEAR ME, YOU FUCKIN' SLUT! I'LL RIP YOUR THROAT OUT AND BURN YOU INTO NOTHING!" Sakura would've kept yelling if Kakashi hadn't knocked her out for the safety of the family and Sakura.
Kakashi had wondered what caused Sakura's sudden hysterical cries of murdered, but could tell it was pure hatred. Almost like Sasuke's hatred for Itachi. He sighed with a mild headache. Picking up Sakura in his arms and told her family that he would take her to the hospital just encase and inform Tsunade of what happened at the funeral. Just when Sakura needs you, you're not here, Naruto. Kakashi mussed as he shunshined towards the hospital while others tried their best to put out the large flames.
Naruto: Night time/Sanctuary
After her training and gaining her clones memories, Naruto had isolated herself in her Sanctuary and played a wistful tune on the piano. She was still dressed in her mourning clothes, but her darker side was satisfied at the state she found Sakura in. Naruto had hidden in the shadows and watched Sakura scream for her murder with Tsunade having to literally knock some sense into the pinkette that she couldn't go around killing civilians without any evidence and slam-dunked the harlot into a barrel of ice-cold truth about the uncle. A local drunk, arrested for several assaults on females, intoxication in public and was sentenced to death by an Elder for witnessing an attempted rape. When Naruto saw Tsunade read that part of the uncle's file, she left just in time to save her eardrums from shattering as she figured Tsunade would piece certain things together. Needless to say, Sakura was in denial about her uncle being a rapist as were the rest of the Haruno family. Even if one of the village elders did sentence him to death for such crime.
This is what lead Naruto to seclude herself in her sanctuary and erected a barrier around her land to keep Tsunade away from her till she calmed down and saw reason. She didn't want to meet anybody right now and just be one with the keys on her piano. She was playing a song of resentment she had picked up from a wondering nomad tribe in Kuni no Kaze. Though she couldn't concentrate fully and lose herself in the music from the constant banging on her barrier she had placed up. It wasn't coming from the direction of her home by Tsunade. No, it was coming from the part of the forest that leads towards the markets. Naruto slammed her hands down on the keys when the constant banging on her chakra senses wouldn't go away and stood up. Closing down her piano and walked along the pier.
It was dark out with only the stars and the glowing moon giving her light to travel into the forest. Walking the few minutes to the edge of her land with her eyes blinking in confusion at seeing Hinata at her invisible barrier and moved directly in front of the Hyuga heiress. "Hinata-chan, what are you doing here? It's late and you should be at home where it's safe."
Hinata smiled softly. "I had to see you, Narumi. Can I come inside?"
Naruto was careful not to narrow her eyes and give off her suspicions. Instead, in an instant, held a kunai to the heiress' neck and voiced calmly. "Who are you? You are not Hinata-chan." she sniffed the air as the fake-Hinata shifted uncomfortably at being accused. Hinata would never call her by her alias when they were surly alone, but always called her Naruto and always, always added on the –chan honorific. Better yet, Hinata had left her clone over two hours ago when their lesson was over. Naruto sniffed the air once more before she lowered her kunai with an annoyed look in her eyes. "What the hell?! If you're going to wear a henge, at least hide all of your scent, Kakashi!"
Hinata chuckled sheepishly before disappearing in a plume of smoke and revealed Kakashi. Waving a two finger salute. "Yo Narumi. Mind letting me in. I've been waiting for the past 10 minutes to get your attention."
Naruto wasn't amused and folded her arms with an arched brow. "Oh? And why should I invite you in, Kakashi? The first time we met, you and your comrades entered my land without permission and almost gave me a heart attack."
Kakashi's sole eye darkened and rested his arms against the barrier and loomed down on his girlfriend. "Because if you don't let me in, I might have to punish you again. I warned you last night, Narumi. You shouldn't deny me."
Narumi just blinked. "Then how come it's okay for you to come to me smelling like a cherry blossom tree, a scent of a female, while I have to wear something with your scent when I smell like my brother? I'm allowed to deny you, Kakashi. I have my rights in this relationship too."
Kakashi was caught off guard by her reply. He was still in his mourning clothes and didn't think Narumi would pick up Sakura's scent. By the look in her eyes, she wasn't mad at him, but setting an example for him that he shouldn't push his boundaries with her as she was already trying to accustom him in her life in such a short time. She was following his lead, but he wasn't being fair by not following hers. Kakashi sighed and knew what she wanted. Sliding down the barrier, Kakashi bowed his head in shame. "I'm sorry."
"For?" Narumi egged. She wanted more than a simple apology.
Kakashi flinched but replied. "For not being a better partner and for only making you adapt to my ways. I will be more diligent from now on and cater myself to your needs too. I'm sorry for starting this relationship on bad terms."
"You're forgiven." Narumi nodded and reached out to pull Kakashi inside the barrier. She didn't trust that Tsunade would punch her six feet under if she released the barrier. She saw Kakashi look to her with hopeful eyes once he stood before her. He hadn't touched her and looked like a kicked puppy that made her giggle. She opened her arms with a soft smile. "Come here, baka." Laughing more when Kakashi's eye sparkled and swooped her up into his arms. He was just like an untrained wolf. She pulled back when her feet touched the ground and said. "So, I read a book about wolves after gathering some information about your clan."
"You did?" Kakashi raised a brow in interest as he littered her face with butterfly kisses. "I could've told you about my people, Narumi."
"I wasn't going to wait for you to bring it up." Narumi muttered as the soft touches were ticklish, but felt his affection come across. "It was easy to get those women in your fan-club to open up to a forgettable-face with a charming personality. Didn't know you have a fan-club, but they sure are a reliable source for information on you and I got everything I needed. Nothing more, nothing less."
Kakashi pulled back slightly with wonder. "So you only asked about my family's origins and nothing else?" she nodded. "How funny. Usually a normal woman interested in me would want to know everything about me. Ranging from track record as a shinobi all the way to how many strands of hair I have on my head."
"Well I'm no normal woman and I'm not really interested in you enough to listen about your life story. Though you have peaked my curiosity about your lineage." She saw that he was hurt by her comment but further explained. "I don't want to have the knowledge of a thousand women about you. I want to learn all about you myself and by doing that, I get to be with you. Learning straight from the source."
Kakashi hummed. He was satisfied with her answer. "And what did you learn about me and my people. I can help verify your sources." Carefully manoeuvring them deeper into the closed-off forest to lay them down on a bed of moss. Keeping her mind of his actions by massaging her sensitive spine and settled him-self down between her legs. Trailing soft kisses along her clothed shoulder and towards her neck, slowly.
Naruto purred in content as she answered the copy-nin. "I managed to filter what they were talking about your heritage into simpler terms. The males of the Hatake line carry similar traits to that of their descended wolf counterparts. They are very loyal, strong leaders and protective of those they care most about. That's all I got from those scary women and searched through the library about the habits of wolves and whatnot. I read about their aggressiveness yet kind heart. All the common knowledge one would have of that species…" she gasped when Kakashi sucked at the junction of her neck and shoulder. Releasing a pleasurable tingle throughout her body. Though she gripped his shoulders in warning that he was going too fast.
Kakashi slowed down and shoved down the need to possess her body throughout the night. To ward of any potential suitors that may have their eyes on his soon-to-be mate. His husky voice sounded next to Narumi's blushing ear. "You're forgetting one vital piece of information, My Angel, but we can discuss that later in our relationship. So far, what you have gathered is correct, yet I do have my own personality as well. So I'll tell you now, I'm loyal to you, Narumi…" he pulled up and looked down at her flushed cheeks. "And I will always lov…"
Narumi slapped her hands over Kakashi's masked lips and said breathlessly. "Don't. Don't say words you don't mean, Kakashi. Not yet. We may never know what will happen and it's too soon. Who knows? I might just break your heart." Her eyes looked sad at the thought. It was possible, but it was a small possibility, but possible no less.
Kakashi just kissed the palms of her hands and pulled the away from her face. Silly girl didn't know that he had been in-love with her from the very first time he had heard her music over eight years ago. Now he finally had a person to the music. "You could never break my heart, Narumi Yuki. You may even think I'm an idiot to say that I believe in love at first sight when I first laid my eye on you. Your music captured my heart and soul…" he traced her cheek gently. "And now I have a chance to do the same with you."
Narumi blushed at his charming words. "You're right. I do think you're an idiot for saying that." Yet she smiled. "I'm glad you liked me for my music first, Kakashi. It actually means a lot to me. Though be warned, Kakashi Hatake, I am capable of hurting you. We are still human beneath our shinobi occupations."
"I heard you clearly the first time, My Lunar." Kakashi nudged her nose with his as closed his eye. Never seeing the emotion flash in his partner's eyes.
Narumi's eyes sadden more. What would Kakashi think of her if he knew the truth? That Narumi Yuki was truly Naruto Uzumaki? What would happen between them? Would he still care for her if he knew who she really was? Even if was her change in name and sudden family members, she was still the same, yet the changes also meant a lot. Narumi wrapped her arms around his shoulder and inhaled deeply. She would enjoy Kakashi's soothing embrace for as long as she had him.
"NA~RU~MI!"
Both Kakashi and Narumi tensed at hearing Natsu's furious scream from a few dozen metres away.
Kakashi looked down at Narumi. "Can she get in?"
"If she hits the barrier hard enough." Narumi chuckled guiltily with her eyes suddenly gleaming up at Kakashi.
Kakashi looked nervous at the devious look directed at him. "W-what…?"
"Hey, Kakashi…" Narumi purred and leaned up to press a chaste kiss on his masked lips. "Let me sleep over at your place tonight."
Kakashi scurried away from Narumi with his back slamming against a large tree. "That's a dangerous request you're making, Narumi." He warned the lovely blonde.
Narumi sat upright and raised a slender brow. Almost teasing Kakashi. "And what? You think I'd just let you grope me and lay me down underneath you as you tried distracting me with your kisses. I'm no fool, Kakashi. Consider this a repayment for all the touching you've been doing even though I would never allow any other man to touch me this way. Ever."
Kakashi inwardly cursed at being caught…again. This girl was too observant for her own good. Looks like he'd just have to court her out and proud like a Hatake man, though not in public. He still didn't want people to know about Narumi. Especially his fandom. They were a rabid bunch and unpredictable. He looked into his soon-to-be mate's eyes and warned her. "Don't blame me if I cuddle with you while we sleep…" He saw her brow rise again. "Yes, we're sharing a bed and I'm not sleeping on the couch and neither are you. Accept this or you can go home to your Aunt." Narumi just shrugged her shoulders. "I might just steal, not a few, but a lot of kisses from you and hold you a lot like we're experienced lovers. Do you still want to come over for the night, Narumi?"
Narumi shook her head in amusement and beckoned Kakashi over to her. Waiting till he knelt before her and touched his chin gently like she had at the butchers as her eyes shimmered with warmth of being so cared about by a man that wasn't from her family. His eyes were different from the men she had come across. Intentions pure with a golden heart and stable mind. He accepted her and Narumi relished in that along with her Bijū. "Don't hide from me then, Kakashi. I know you won't hurt me like my offenders because deep inside that shinobi heart of yours is a small spot that wouldn't dare harm your precious people mentally, physically, emotionally or spiritually."
Kakashi felt his heart thud so fast that it ached. Not in pain, but in bliss. His mate was accepting him more and more. Soon…soon he would have to tell Narumi about a certain aspect of his clansmen that he is now the last of. "Then let's go home, My Lunar." Slipping his hands around her waist and shunshined them out of the forest and to his home. His beautiful and talented mate was growing under his eye. Past her horrid past and blossoming into a wondrous woman, Kakashi hoped he could please.
