When Time Stops
Chapter 15: Underneath the Underneath
"What out!" Naruto yelled to his two unsuspecting genin below, eyes widening as the kunai left Kakashi's fingers as if time had slowed down all around him. His body started moving without conscious thought, forming seals and appearing in the clearing just as Kakashi's kunai sliced the nearly invisible wire connected to the explosive tags set. Tana's eyes widened in surprise and Naruto jumped towards her, wrapping himself around her as the tags exploded just behind him. The earth shook, a force of smoke and debris, throwing them forward. Out of the corner of his eye, Naruto saw Hideaki several meters away, tossed roughly against a tree from the force of the blast. Naruto pushed up to his elbow, coughing and spitting up blood as the dust began to clear.
"Sensei," Tana gasped, eyes wide and horrified as she spotted the large tree limb protruding from Naruto's shoulder. Tana mouthed voiceless words, shock preventing her from doing anything.
Kakashi jumped down to the clearing, landing in a crouch amongst the rubble and smoke. He stopped suddenly, fear quenching his gut as his eyes fell upon his blond-haired sensei. "Minato-sensei!" He yelled, rushing forward, skidding on his knees to Naruto's side. Kakashi reached forward, but his hands stopped, hovering above Naruto's injuries, taking in the sight.
Naruto peered up behind the long strands of hair covering his face, blood dribbling from his mouth.
"They did this to you..." Kakashi nearly whispered, body shaking in anger. He spun on his heel to the enemy nin, who lay on the ground smirking at him. "I'll kill you!" he growled, rushing forwards and grabbing the girl by the throat.
She gasped, clawing at his hand and feet kicking as Kakashi lifted her above his head.
"Kakashi, stop!" Naruto yelled, coughing and trying to push himself up, cursing when his arm refused to listen to him. He reached with his good arm and grabbed the branch, pulling it out of his shoulder with a yell.
"Hey, Shrimp!" Hideaki yelled, throwing a kunai at Kakashi's arm. Kakashi jumped back, releasing Tana, who fell to her knees panting and coughing. Kakashi pulled out a kunai, simultaneously sprinting head on towards Hideaki. Hideaki back-peddled, suddenly fearful for his own life as the brunt force of Kakashi's strength came barreling towards him. He fumbled with his pouch, trying to draw a weapon of his own.
"KASHI!" Naruto screamed in a final attempt to pull Kakashi from whatever was causing him to attack his teammates.
Kakashi stopped suddenly, kunai inches away from Hideaki's throat as his world suddenly changed before his eyes.
Hideaki stared wide-eyed at his teammate, neither of them breathing. The red-head carefully looked down to the kunai Kakashi still held, frozen at his neck, the younger boy staring at him, unmoving. "Get that thing away from me, you psychopath!" Hideaki yelled, swatting the weapon out of Kakashi's hand and to the ground.
Kakashi stared down at his shaking hands as the kunai clamored against the ground, not hearing or seeing whatever was happening around him. He turned slowly, looking back at his sensei, Naruto, kneeling on the ground and clutching his gaping, bloody wound.
"Nii-san..." Kakashi breathed, unable to comprehend that he had done all of this to his teammates - to his brother.
"Kakashi, what happened?" Naruto demanded, grinding his teeth from the pain.
"I...I don't..." Kakashi stammered, glancing to Tana who holding her neck and coughing on the ground.
"Tana!" Hideaki called to their teammate, running to her side and helping her to stand up.
Naruto stood, walking over to Tana to make sure both she and Hideaki were okay. "Let's head back to the field." Naruto walked with them to the edge of the clearing before he stopped, noticing that only two of his genin were with him. He stopped and looked back, finding Kakashi frozen in shock, unmoving from the place he had been. "Kakashi," he called, noticing the boy's wet looking eyes drift towards him, "Are you alright? Come on."
Kakashi stepped forward, following his brother and teammates back through the forest, not entirely conscious of where he was going.
As they stepped out of the edge of the forest onto the training field, they saw Sakura already running towards them.
"What happened?" Sakura yelled, stopping in front of them, taking in the injuries they had and, in Kakashi's case, didn't have. "I heard an explosion."
"There was a little bit of confusion." Naruto said mysteriously, earning him a strange look from Sakura. He motioned towards Tana with his chin, "Could you check on her injuries?"
Sakura nodded, lips pursed and eyeing the bloody patch on Naruto's shoulder that he was holding.
Sakura took Hideaki's place, putting her arm around Tana, "Let's go sit by the tree and I'll have a look, okay?"
Hideaki stopped walking, turning to stare down Kakashi. "What the hell was that, Kakashi?!" He yelled, causing everyone to stop and look.
Kakashi lifted his eyes from watching his feet move forward of their own accord, meeting unseeing eyes with Hideaki's accusing green ones.
Naruto stepped in quickly, stepping towards Hideaki and setting his good hand on the boy's shoulder, as if to hold him in place. "Leave him alone, Hideaki."
Hideaki ripped his shoulder away from Naruto's touch, pinning the blond with his piercing green eyes. "No, I won't! Your precious little student nearly killed all of us - multiple times! - and you're not doing shit about it!"
"I said, that's enough!" Naruto yelled, sobering the boy and startling all of them with his ferocity and seriousness.
"Naruto..." Sakura spoke up softly, worried for what Naruto might be feeling and wondering what exactly happened in that forest.
Naruto looked towards his long time friend, softening has he met eyes with her. Somehow, over the years, she had become his pillar of support and the force of reason in his life. The blond looked back to Hideaki, who had already turned and was walking towards the other side of the field.
They stopped under the tree and Tana sat down, her back against the trunk. Sakura knelt next to her and quickly started healing the bruising around Tana's neck. Hideaki watched, scowling all the while, arms crossed. Kakashi stood a few feet away, silently watching and lost in his own thoughts.
Naruto sat down with a grunt, lifting his hand to take a look at his bloody wound. He grimaced, feeling the pain from the wound start to creep across his chest and arm as his adrenaline faded.
"Sensei..." Kakashi muttered softly, worry on his face.
Naruto glanced at Kakashi. His young sensei had been quiet and distant since the accident in the forest and Naruto could tell that the boy was quite confused and distraught over what he had done. Naruto smiled, "Grab me some gauze will you?"
Kakashi nodded, frowning in seriousness. He walked to Sakura's med kit, which she had lain out on the ground, and pulled out several packs of fresh gauze. He stepped towards his brother, crouching in front of the blond and opening the first pack. He looked up to his brother's sky colored eyes and Naruto nodded once, smiling. Kakashi carefully pulled back the cloth around the wound, dabbing the gauze gently against the wound and holding it there to stop the bleeding. "Nii-san," Kakashi said quietly so that only the two of them could hear, "I'm really sorry...I don't know what I was thinking." Kakashi worked, not looking into Naruto's eyes, his own features furrowed and troubled.
Naruto laughed once, reaching his good hand to Kakashi's hair, ruffling it fondly, some blood from Naruto's hand staining his silver locks, "It really was a good trap. I was quite surprised, since I haven't really taught you much about traps. Where did you learn it from?"
Kakashi allowed himself a smile, one only Naruto could see through his mask, and shrugged, "I just thought of it."
"Naruto," Sakura called from above them.
The two boy's looked up from their conversation with each other to the pink-haired kunoich standing over them.
"Let me heal your wound now before you loose too much blood." She ordered, kneeling down next to Kakashi.
"Hai, hai!" Naruto replied cheerfully.
Sakura activated her healing chakra, placing one hand on the front and back of the wound, eyebrows knit in focus at the task.
"Say, Naruto-sensei," Tana spoke up from her spot against the tree trunk, her voice somewhat rough. Sakura had stopped the bruising and swelling of her neck, though a red hand mark and some surface bruising still remained, evidence of the recent attack by her teammate."What happens since none of us got a bell?" She coughed into her fist.
Hideaki perked up at the question, as did Kakashi, who had forgotten entirely about the test.
"Well," Naruto drawled, "Due to the interruption, none of you passed."
Looks of worry and apprehension painted the faces of his students and they looked at him expectantly.
"We'll take a break for lunch and afterwards I'll give you three a second chance to redeem yourselves."
The tension emanating from the three genin washed away with Naruto's words.
"I can't quite heal it." Sakura said suddenly, as if she had not been listening to Naruto's conversation with the genin. "We'll have to go to the hospital to I can finish healing your wound, Naruto."
Naruto huffed as she released her healing chakra. She grabbed his good hand and pulled him to his feet. Naruto squeezed his eye shut as a bit of pain jolted down his arm at the slight jostling. Naruto used his good hand to make a one handed seal as Sakura grabbed her medical supplies. A single clone popped into the air with a burst of smoke, standing int the midst of the group. The clone preformed a set of seals without instruction and disappeared a second later.
"Right then," Naruto said, holding his injured shoulder protectively, "We'll be back soon, enjoy lunch." The blond walked with Sakura slowly down the path back to Konoha.
The three sat in silence for a while, tension thick in the air.
A while later, Naruto's clone appeared once again in front of them, holding two bentos. "Who's hungry?" The blond smiled, holding the lunches up.
"Only two?" Hideaki questioned with alarm.
Naruto nodded, "Today's test was not really about getting the bells, but about using teamwork to defeat someone much stronger than any one of you. Hideaki, you showed good teamwork when you threw that kunai to separate Kakashi from Tana." Naruto gave Hideaki one bento.
Hideaki beamed at the box, his stomach growling as the smells hit him.
"Tana, you showed great teamwork when, after thinking that Kakashi had died, you ran to Hideaki and decided to work together to survive." The blond handed the box to her.
Tana smiled, proud that she had done something right.
Naruto turned to Kakashi, locking eyes with his young sensei's hard grey orbs. "Kakashi, you failed at working as a team, even before you attacked your teammates, so you will not get lunch. Instead, you will be tied to this tree while Tana and Hideaki eat."
Kakashi frowned as Naruto stepped towards him, guiding him until his back was against the tree and wrapped a rope around him and the trunk several times, tying it in a tight knot.
Naruto brushed off his hands, examining his handiwork and trying not to smile at the scene. "Now, eat up, you two, the second test will be even harder than the first one and you'll need your energy. And, under no circumstances are you to share your meal with Kakashi, understood? If you do, I will send all three of you back to the academy."
Tana and Hideaki silently nodded.
"Good!" The Naruto-clone waved once before disappearing with a pop of smoke.
"Whew!" Hideaki howled, plopping down where he was next to the tree and tearing open his bento. "I sure am hungry! I never thought I'd eat again!"
Tana smiled tentatively as she watched Hideaki, her eyes glancing up to Kakashi before looking down at her own bento, carefully unwrapping it.
Kakashi tried to keep himself looking straight ahead, but couldn't help glancing at the food as the two opened their boxes, the smell making his stomach growl loudly. He was sure his teammates could hear his stomachs grumbling and was glad for his mask which covered up his flushed, embarrassed cheeks.
"Kya!" Hideaki voiced behind a mouthful of food, "This sure is good!"
Tana smiled in agreement, grimacing a bit when she noticed Kakashi's wistful, nearly pained expression as he looked at Hideaki's food. "Hideaki..." She called tentatively.
The redhead looked up, rice stuck to the side of his cheek.
Tana motioned to her tied up teammate, "It's bad enough for Kakashi that he has to watch us eat, you can at least be quiet about it."
Kakashi frowned, looking away from the two.
Hideaki raised an eyebrow, looking to Kakashi with a scowl. "I don't give two shits about that Tana, that bastard deserves it for what he did."
Tana looked down, moving around some food in her bento. Sure, Kakashi had attacked them, but she didn't see why Kakashi would intentionally try to harm them. Besides, Kakashi seemed to be quite upset since that time. She picked up a bite of rice, raising it to her mouth, but stopped midway. Somehow she didn't feel right eating while Kakashi had to suffer without anything. She held the bite of food up, looking at Kakashi with a warm smile. "Here, Kakashi, you should have some too."
Kakashi stared at Tana with wide eyes, glancing to the bite, his mouth watering at the temptation.
"Tana, no!" Hideaki hollered, reaching out. "If you feed him, we'll all fail."
"He's right," Kakashi agreed, steeling himself.
"What if Naruto-sensei finds out?!" Hideaki yelled angrily.
"He won't," Tana replied evenly, setting down her bento and reaching to Kakashi's mask to pull it down.
Kakashi tensed, uncomfortable at the close proximity and the thought of his misk coming off. He squirmmed nervously, glancing longingly at the food. "Nevermind, I don't want it." Kakashi said as Tana's fingers brushed against his skin. He pulled his face away, turning his head.
Tana frowned in confusion, pulling her hand back, surprised that Kakashi would even refuse food so that he could hide his face. "Kakashi-kun, don't be stubborn, you'll need your energy too to pass the final test."
Kakashi frowned at her, "I'll manage."
"If he doesn't want to eat, he doesn't want to eat, Tana; you don't have to force the shrimp. Besides," Hideaki commented behind a mouthful of food, "the weaker he is, the better chance you and I have of passing."
Kakashi scowled at the redhead, obnoxious chewing and spitting food as he spoke. He turned back to Tana, glancing from her to the bite of food. His stomach rumbled through his torso and his resolve broke, his shoulders slumping ever so slightly. "Fine..." he finally muttered softly.
Tana smiled, carefully reaching up to grab his mask. She paused when he flinched as her fingers came in contact with his skin. She pinched the fabric between her fingers, slowly sliding it down over his nose, and over his delicate, soft pink lips. She felt her face grow warm and she hoped Kakashi didn't notice the fact that her cheeks had grown a little flushed. She pulled the mask over his chin, revealing the last part of his face. She had wondered why he wore a mask, if there was some scar or birth defect he was trying to cover up. It turned out that Kakashi was actually pretty cute underneath his mask, his cheeks still round with baby fat. Her face flushed hotly as she thought about it. "Here," she said quickly, forcing the embarrassing thoughts away. Kakashi opened his delicate little lips, allowing Tana to place the bite of food in his mouth.
Kakashi smiled a bit as he chewed the bite, the corner of his mouth pulling up.
Tana smiled too, taking a bite herself before feeding him another bite.
Hideaki huffed. "Tana, wait..." he said finally, "You shouldn't have to give up all of your food." He reluctantly held up a bite of his own food to Kakashi's face.
Kakashi frowned, staring at the redhead, his ego fighting him to not accept food from Hideaki. His stomach grumbled loudly, traveling through his entire body. He craned his neck, reluctantly taking the food offered.
Tana smiled at the two finally getting along, albeit begrudgingly.
Suddenly, Naruto appeared in front of them, looking angry with a threatening aura rolling off of him.
Tana squeaked, and Hideaki stiffened, pulling his chopsticks back as if that would change the fact that he had fed Kakashi, while Kakashi's eyes widened.
"What did I say about feeding Kakashi?" Naruto demanded, leaning forward and staring them down. His arm had been bandaged and was hanging in a sling across his chest while his other hand rested on his hip.
"W-we're sorry, Naruto-sensei..." Tana mustered, feeling guilty for causing the group to get in trouble. She felt like she might cry for the horrible thing she had done.
"Yea!" Hideaki agreed energetically, "Please don't send us back to the academy!"
Naruto was silent for an eternally long minute, staring down the three. Suddenly he smiled, his eyes curving upward. "Congratulations! You passed!"
Several loud bangs on the wooden door broke Naruto and Kakashi from their respective studies in the living room. They looked to the door, wondering who would be knocking so aggressively at such a late hour. "I'll get it," Naruto spoke up as set the scroll aside that he had been reading on his lap. He awkwardly stood, stepping out of his ring of books, scrolls, and notes. Kakashi watched his brother walk across the creaky wooden floor, opening the door.
"Neji?" Naruto questioned upon opening the door to his long time friend.
Neji glared at the blond, examining his bandaged arm, his own arms crossed within the sleeves of his formal robes. Several moments of silence lingered between them before Neji spoke. "My Tana said that there was an accident during training today?" The older man spoke in a dangerously serious tone, eyes never leaving Naruto's.
"Oh, that!" Naruto laughed, scratching the back of his head and hoping Neji wouldn't make such a big deal about it in front of Kakashi. "Yea, just a little mix up, nothing to worry about!"
Neji stepped forward, hand reaching out and grabbing Naruto's shirt collar, pulling him in so that they were face to face.
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise at the aggressiveness, not expecting such a thing from Neji.
Kakashi shuffled, seeing the commotion at the door and stood, quietly walking towards the door, stopping several feet behind his brother and peering around him.
"Neji, what are you-" Naruto started, but was cut off when Neji pulled him even closer.
"Tana's neck says that it was more than just 'a little mix up'." Neji growled into Naruto's face.
Naruto frowned, growing serious.
"She said that Kakashi tried to kill her and her other teammate."
Naruto stared at his friend, angered that Neji was overreacting so much, especially in front of Kakashi, about this.
"I said," Naruto growled, ripping Neji's hand off of his shirt, "that there is nothing to worry about; it won't happen again."
Neji snorted, tucking his arms back into his sleeves and calming himself. "I should hope that it doesn't, as I will hold you personally responsible and have Kakashi reported." Neji turned, starting down the road, but stopped after only a step. He looked over his shoulder, calling back to the blond, knowing full-well that Kakashi could hear him. "Putting your life on the line to fight enemy ninja is one thing, but being in danger from your own teammate is an entirely different issue." Before anything else could be said he continued walking, disappearing in the darkness.
Naruto watched his long time friend go, silently closing the door. He turned slowly to where he knew Kakashi had been standing. When his eyes fell upon his young sensei, he had to keep himself from rushing forward and hugging the boy. Kakashi wasn't one to show his emotions, he tried very hard to always mask his emotions and live by the ninja code, but in this moment, no matter how hard he tried, Naruto could see the guilt painted over Kakashi's face and how deeply Neji's words had cut him. After several moments of looking at each other in silence, Naruto reached forward tentatively. "Kashi-" he started, but stopped when Kakashi turned suddenly and walked back to the couch, opening his book and retreating behind its walls.
Author's Note:
Some of you had some really great comments regarding the past few chapters! It makes me eternally happy to read them and see just how much you're thinking through the story with me and how you feel about the events that take place~!
I don't want to try to explain everything that happens in the story as I'm writing it but some of you have mentioned or questioned if Kakashi's memories are starting to come back. At this point in time, Kakashi's memories are coming back more than ever (remember that he only remembers what he would've remember at the same age in his previous life, so only up to about 10 years of age) since the Time nin captured him a while back and revised their jutsu. So hopefully you will see that some things Kakashi just 'knows' because he's already learned it in a different life, making him seem to become stronger that much fast since he is taking in twice as much information as the other genin. Also, I'm terribly sorry for Neji's actions (for Neji lovers) I just couldn't help myself with a protective daddy!Neji D:
On another note, I'm sure some of you have taken a look at some of my artwork about the story. Well I've been tossing around the idea for a while now and I just cant seem to shake the idea of turning this story into a comic and/or animation (more likely the first than the second). I have a hard time describing the scenes I see in my head and I feel like the story might read even better if I tried putting what I saw in my head into pictures instead of trying to translate it into english. IDK! I ramble. Would anyone even be interested in such a crazy thing? Please, persuade me not to hurry into such a big project! x3x
When Time Stops Artwork:
NEW art! I've made a couple new pieces for your viewing pleasure :)) One is Kakashi with his new team and the other is a Kid!KakaxYama because they are my one true pairing and I've been thinking recently how sad Yamato would be now that Kakashi is a kid and doesnt remember him. As a warning I may not be able to keep myself from tucking that into this story just a bit! eue
anna-mae , deviant Art .c 0 m /gallery/43853406
Anyways, if you didn't see the Author's Note Chapter, I've been updating the earlier chapters (revising, rewriting and editing). There are some major scene changes that have been made, though I tried not to mess with the main plot too much so as not to confuse everyone. Go back and read if you feel like it and tell me what you think of the changes :)
Edited Chapters:
CH 1: 05/16/13
CH 2: 05/18/13