CHAPTER 16
TITLE: New Perspectives
He scowled at the idiots that called themselves 'ninja', feeling the strong urge to spit in disgust. Their 'training' was loud enough to wake the dead. It was distracting from everything he enjoyed doing! First his sleep, then hunting... Even to distracting him from his time he spent staring at the sea.
There was something, hypnotizing about it. A swirling, powerful constance and surety that was never seen in his own life. Always, the tides rose and fell without fail. It's power was indisputable. Immovably sure in it's purpose and direction. In real life nothing is constant. The weather, people... everything changed, shifted or ended eventually.
All, except the sea and the tides.
It washed in, wave by wave. Cool, dark liquid curling and folding in on iteself thousands of times a day. His father used to call the sea, 'The Great Blue Mystery'. Explaining that anything could come from it's waters, be it boats, animals, trash. Anything could wash up, at any time.
Kaiza loved the ocean, and so did Inari. Although it was only after his death that he truly came to appreciate it as he did now.
He glanced over to his picture of Kaiza, feeling as tears welled up in his eyes once again, only for a loud boom to shake the wall below him.
He looked down over the edge, and saw the blonde idiot pry himself free of the dark wood of their house. He groaned in pain for a moment, glancing up at him with a hugs, stupid grin on his ugly face, "Hehe, sorry about that. Used to much chakra, won't happen again."
Then he was back to it, doing whatever 'training' their teacher told them to do.
He scoffed scornfully, 'Training. As if that trash could ever beat Gato. He's super strong. These idiots are just wasting their time.'
It was one thing he could not understand, the question of why.
Why travel so far, work so hard, risk their lives for something so pointless. These 'ninja' didn't seem the type to care about the money, and Tazuna was basically a stranger to them. Why fight and die so pointlessly. It wasn't fair.
His father fought and died for the village. A fact he would always love and hate him for. And yet these morons waltzed in and decided that they had the ability to do what he couldn't. It made him angry to think about. The fact that these nobodies from some backwater village could just invite themselves in an fix all their problems with a few fists, and flimsy knives.
He growled, grabbing his crossbow, and rushing outside.
He barely dodged his mother's gaze, ducking past her while she was baking something at the oven. Making it through the back door as quick as he could.
He ducked into the bushes, ending up in a spot behind the trees. He crept as silently as he could, dodging thorn and briars, ending up behind a particularly thick tree. He dropped his precious crossbow, leaning it against the tree. He walked forward, glaring past the high grass to see the ugly orange the loud one was so fond of wearing.
He watched as he said something to the other one with dark hair, then rushing into a run to ascend the tree. He stuck to it like glue, running up the tree, only to launch off of it after a few seconds.
He landed hard, a cloud of dust rising around him. He smirked to himself, but his smile vanished when he locked eyes with Inari.
He started, uneasy at being discovered, but not willing to look weak in front of the idiotic 'shinobi'. He straightened, staring back with as much iron as he could. Naruto stared, looking surprised at first, before he frowned, looking solem. And nodded slowly at him, immediately turning back to his own training. Getting ready to run up the tree once more.
Inari stared open mouthed at him, looking on as he ran up the tree, the stark vibrations sending pine needles floating down, dusting his clothing. He recognized that look, he'd seen it in his father's face all the time. Whenever he saw some kind of injustice to be remedied. Some kind of wrong that needed to be made right.
His fists clenched, 'Arrogant bastard...'
The thought that these random people, barely any older than he was, could come here and stop Gato made him want to scream. He held it in, mostly out of fear of his mother's wrath, knowing that he wasn't supposed to be out wandering alone.
Inari growled to himself, snatching his crossbow, and marching towards the farther end of the forest. A place he knew that his makeshift target range; one of his few safe havens from his family, and loud, annoying shinobi; would never find him.
He stomped away, trudging up dirt and leaves as he went, "They can't beat Gato, no-one can beat gato. They'll see."
Naruto marched enthusiastically from the house, his smile stretched wide across his face. All of team 7, along with Tazuna marched with him, the old man waving back to his daughter as they left.
Tsunami waved back, her form disappearing past a thin, yet sickly mist that obscured her from view. Naruto stopped for a moment to listen, to feel the air to confirm that this was just a natural mist, and not like the one created by Zabuza.
He sighed, and continued on his way, not able to keep the smiles off his face.
It was the first outing they had after first arriving at Tazuna's house. Most of them were too preoccupied with training, or recovery to leave and properly guard him until now.
Naruto practically skipped along, flanked by his teammates. Hinata was excited in her own reserved kind of way, her eyes while normally a little hard to read, now shined with mirth and exitement.
Sasuke was the most serious of them all, but he walked confidently. His grim expression curled into what was almost a grin. So Naruto counted that as a win. He hummed in excitement, smiling all the wider, 'Finally, now I can see what all the hubbub about this 'amazing bridge' is all about. Training all day, and doing chores around the house was getting pretty boring.'
'Indeed. While investing our time in our mutual growth is worthwhile, monotony can be, taxing...
Naruto giggled to himself, smirking devilishly to himself, 'You'd know all about that huh?'
The fox growled loudly, the vibration shaking Naruto slightly, 'Careful boy, careful...
'...Sorry.'
Kakashi walked ahead of them all, just like he had on the way there. Only there was a tenderness now, a subtle hesitation that reminded Naruto that his sensei was not fully recovered just yet.
The one-eyed jounin sensei half turned to them, "Remember. We're here to guard Tazuna, not go out sightseeing. Keep your guards up."
"Hai." They all replied, though Naruto frowned. 'I thought Zabuza and that fake hunter ninja were recovering?'
If the tales of Gato and his wealth are accurate, it seems likely he may send more underlings to exterminate the bridge builder. Humans do have a stubbornness to them, it would be prudent to remind them of the true order of the food chain.
Naruto nodded absently, his eyes widening a second later when the town came into view, the sickly mist thinning to allow them to see.
Two rows of old, shaky merchant stands flanked them on either side, sparse crowds of desperate citizens walking around, buying whatever they could from the vendors. Many stands were abandonded, closed off with wooden planks nailed to the openings, or abandoned, faded lettering announcing their inoperable status.
The group walked slowly, everyone but Tazuna taking in the depressing sight of delaiptated shacks riddles with cracks, and cobwebs.
Nearly every stand was nearly empty, the ones that remained in buisness only selling rotten, or second hand items and foodstuffs. Naruto frowned, his heart wrenching at the children playing with the deflated remnants of what was once a ball.
It called to mind several memories of himself when he was younger, before he was given his own apartment.
Before, him...
Naruto was startled by the sounds of light footsteps behind him, and turned to see a girl no older than six tug at Hinata's Hyuuga-styled robes.
The Hyuuga turned to look, and her eyes glistened at the sight of her ill fitting, raggedy clothing. It seemed closer to a potato sack than a dress, what may have been pink or red fading into a brownish grey, darkened by age or filth,
She stared up at Hinata, her brown hair parted to reveal a pleading look, "Please shinobi-san, some food please?" Hinata looked close to tears as she dug deeply in her pouch, pulling out a slice of bread folded in a napkin, and a few spare ryo.
The girl's eyes lit up like fireworks, a wide smile appearing on her face, "Oh thank you shinobi-san! Thank you, thank you thank you!"
She skipped away, holding her hands up high, her prize in both hands. She stopped at the corner of another closed off shop, stooping down to offer half of her bread to a sickly looking boy who barely looked up at her approach.
She shook the food in front of him, the boy looking up, smiling as he took it.
Naruto looked back to Hinata, who frowned back at him.
"This is what Gato has done to us."
Naruto looked back at the old man, who kept his head facing forwards, "Our town was different, back in the day. We never had much, but we had enough. We worked together, helped each other, almost like a big family. But ever since Gato came here, we've been struggling to survive."
Tazuna shook his head, "We've been closed off, isolated for decades. And as long as Gato controls the ports, and pays those thugs to keep us here, we'll be doomed to wither away forever. That's what the bridge is for. To create another way to help ourselves."
He glanced back at them all, his eyes peircing, all of the grandfatherly tenderness Naruto recognized in the old man, now completely gone.
"That's why I won't stop. I won't fold or bend to Gato's threats ever again."
Naruto met his hard stare with his own, smiling viciously at him, "And we'll help ya' old timer. We'll do everything we can to protect you while you build this bridge of yours dattebayo!"
Kakashi nodded along, Sasuke and Hinata also nodding once at the old man.
They walked a little while longer, eventually reaching the far end of the village, the old, rickety boards of the old pier, now replaced with new ones. As they approached, tall construction structures and piles of supplies lay next to the railing of the pier, men hauling supplies while also hammering and sawing at the bridge.
Naruto's eyes widened when he saw it, a tall, slanted structure that stretched past what the thick mist would allow him to see.
"Wow, that's one hell of a bridge." Naruto whispered in awe. Tazuna laughed, "Hehe, you've got that right brat." He said as he turned to his men, barking out orders.
Naruto turned back to admire the bridge, smiling to himself.
"Whaddya mean you quit?"
Naruto turned back around to see a man roughly close to Tazuna's age in front of him, his hands held up placatingly in the air, "Come on Tazuna, you and me go back to the old days, but it's getting dangerous."
Tazuna raised his hands and dropped them in exasperation, "So apparently our only option is to quit!? When we're this close to finishing?"
The other man sighed, slicking back his grey hair, "Think about it Tazuna, you continue like this, and Gato might fix his eyes on us again. You of all people should remember what happened after that."
Tazuna's nostrils flared, "Of course I do Giichi, I remember every day the what happened, but that's all the more reason to complete this bridge! The sooner we're out of Gato's thumb the faster we can make something of ourselves again!"
Giichi shook his head, "You're just gonna get yourself killed Tazuna. Come on, think of Tsunami and Inari. Are you sure a few kids are gonna keep Gato from killing us all!?"
Tazuna glared at Giichi, looking so angry that hew looked as if he might swing at the other man. But he said nothing, turning to walk away. Giichi broke out into a sweat, raising his hands as he murmured something, backing off as Tazuna brushed past him.
"I am Giichi, and if you're so worried. Do yourself and all the rest of us a favor and don't come back." Taznua said, tipping his hat at the other man. Naruto watched Tazuna go, nodding in approval, feeling as hope for Tazuna's town grew in his chest.
Naruto slammed into the floor, the impact knocking the wind out of him. He grunted out a wheeze, turning on his side, trying to force breath back into his lungs.
"...F-Fuck..." He groaned, standing up slowly.
He rose shakily, his aching, weak legs wobbling as he leaned up to stare at his last kunai mark. It was painfully close to the top, but not quite there, his head start on Sasuke now completely gone. The Uchiha was hard at work beside him, his own slash sitting nearly half a dozen feet above his.
His fists clenched, his hand shaking, either out of exhaustion or anger he didn't know.
'Damn, even Hinata-chan's advice isn't cutting it. I just can't get any higher up.'
At a certain point, his progress had stagnated, never moving more than a few centimeters at most. Far worse than the inches he'd gained in between runs the other day.
Naruto growled, launching into a sudden sprint before he could even think about it. As the tree approached he prepared his chakra, focusing it to line the bottom of his feet. He jumped upwards, only making it a few feet until his control slipped, his right foot sliding off the now smooth, stripped tree trunk.
He knew from the angle that he wasn't going to land on his feet, bracing himself for a hard fall as he fell backwards, waving his arms frantically.
He landed softly, suspended in the air, his feet dangling, strong, stable arms holding him fast under his knees and shoulder blades. Kakashi smiled at him, "Making progress I see?"
Naruto's shock at being caught instantly wore off, and he wriggled frantically, "Let me go!"
Kakashi shrugged, dropping him suddenly, letting Naruto plummet to the hard floor. Landing squarely on his ass. Naruto groaned, standing up slowly, glaring up at his sensei, who now just stared at him, his visible eye looking down, his face hard to read.
Naruto jut out his lip, "What?"
Kakashi stared for a moment, longer, eventually beckoning him with his hand, waving him forward. "Come on, let me show you something." Naruto frowned, wondering what Kakashi was up to, but decided against arguing, following his sensei.
They walked to an area next to the front door, Naruto crossed his arms with a huff, "This better be good, I'm really working hard on that tree climbing thing dattebayo! I've almost got it down."
Kakashi shook his head, turning his whole body to look at him, "If you have to force it like that, you're doing something that isn't working. Better to take your mind off it and start again when you're fresh." Naruto frowned again, growing suspicious, "Why would I take my mind off of training? The longer I waste my time, the farther ahead of me Sasuke will get ahead of me!"
Kakashi tutted, "Competition is good, and I'm glad you and Sasuke are helping each other. But at this rate, you're more likely to injure yourself, making you a liability for the mission. Don't forget, we're here to protect Tazuna and his family, you can't help if you've broken your legs or exhausted all you chakra."
Naruto scoffed, turning away from his sensei, finding either scenario rather unlikely becasue of the fox. But he did have a point, he could feel his chakra running lower than usual, and his mind was definitely feeling pretty fried from trying to climb the tree and failing over and over again.
He turned back to look at Kakashi, sighing in defeat, "What did you have in mind?"
Kakashi smiled, and bent his legs, sliding into the 'ready' stance from the academy, one hand behind his backs, the other outstretched, "Attack me."Naruto raised his eyebrows, smiling despite himself, sliding into his own stance, "With the intent to kill right?"
Kakashi nodded once, "Naturally."
Naruto took a breath, letting the sudden of excitement for the coming fight replenish a bit of his lost energy, before dashing forwards, a kick aimed for Kakashi's chest. Instead of dodging, Kakashi reached out to swat his foot away, throwing him off balance. Naruto wobbled, but only slightly, his momentum carrying him forwards instead of landing on his back.
He pivoted on his other foot, geting in close for a punch, which Kakashi also blocked, hold his arm out to catch the blow. Naruto punched with his other hand, Kakashi reeling back to let his fist whistle past him. The blonde growled, his perpetual motion carrying him around, kicking out in a roundhouse kick.
Kakashi caught his leg, his rough fingers gripping his ankle, just holding him in place. Naruto waved his arms around, trying to balance himself on one leg, glaring at Kakashi until he let him go.
The silver haired jounin shook his head, "Unpredictabiliy is all well and good, but when it's based on instinct and nothing else, it comes back around to being predictable."
Kakashi let him go, and Naruto reeled his leg back in, side stepping a few feet away. Naruto cursed under his breath, 'Sounds familiar...'
'An opponent is like a book Naruto, you must observe their actions over time, learning more and more about them over time. If you only read the cover of a book, you'll never learn how it ends.'
He breathed slowly, watching his sensei more closely now, the stance reminding him more and more of Rei.
He narrowed his eyes, Kakashi's hand still outstretched, watching and waiting, 'He's not dodging like he did during the test...' Naruto's eyes widened, and he smiled, 'He's still getting better from his fight with that eyebrowless guy, he can't dodge.'
He surged forwards, kicking at Kakashi's legs. Kakashi raised a leg to block, but Naruto stomped a foot into the ground instead, launching himself forwards, his fist reared back.
Kakashi leaned back, his hand extended to absorb the punch, catching the next just as easily as Naruto swung again.
They fell into a pattern as Naruto poked and prodded his defense, kicking low, and punching high. Forcing Kakashi to move, stretching his defense thinner and thinner. Staying just far enough, and hitting hard enough to make it difficult for the jounin to counterattack.
Finally, Naruto found it, launching another punch, this time for a knee stretched just a few inches too close to him. Kakashi tried to reel back, raising a leg to dodge the blow, but Naruto pivoted, sweeping out Kakashi's other leg from under him. Kakashi was only surprised for a split second before he caught himself, swinging his legs high, planting both hands on the floor, swinging his legs back around for a double kick aimed at Naruto's head.
He managed to duck, barely a few centimeters separating him sliding under the kick, or being punted into a tree just a few feet behind him. He slid under the kick, using his arms to push him up, giving himself just enough space to land a solid kick to Kakashi's side.
Kakashi grunted, and Naruto went still, panting from his spot on the ground.
After a few seconds, the shock wore off, and Naruto sprung up from the ground, "Yatta! That's what I'm talking about dattebayo!"
Naruto continued to celebrate for a few more seconds, before he noticed that Kakashi hadn't risen yet. Naruto turned around, facing Kakashi's back, approaching him slowly, a weight of guilt setting in his gut, "Uh, sensei? Are you alr—"
He was cut off as Kakashi suddenly pitched backwards, slamming Naruto to the ground and pining him to the dirt. Naruto let out a strangled grunt at the much older shinobi's unbearable weight pushed him to the ground, "Ack!"
Kakashi groaned, "Well, serves me right. Shouldn't have pushed it so far."
Naruto growled, "Sensei, get your fat ass off of me!"
"Aw, that's so mean Naruto-kun, and here I thought I was in fine shape. The ladies back in the village love my fine toned physique."
"You're insane, the only ladies after you are the ones in those pervy books you read! Get off, I'm dying here!"
Kakashi eventutally acquiesced to his plea, rising off of his student in one fluid motion. Naruto sprung up, breathing hard, glaring at his sensei, "That wasn't funny sensei..."
Kakashi shrugged, "Do you see me laughing?" He asked, deadpan as could be, his face fatally serious.
Despite himself, he felt the corners of his mouth begin to rise, but he was distracted by a grunt from a ways behind him. He turned and saw Sasuke rise up the tree once again.
Naruto scowled, waving a dismissive hand at his sensei, "I've gotta get back to training." He made it a few steps before he heard Kakashi speak from behind him, "Naruto..." He said severely, but not unkindly.
Naruto stopped, turning around to see Kakashi approach, looking down, apprasing him. "Sometimes its a good thing to take your mind off things, instead of pressing forwards. Overtraining can be just as dangerous for the mind as it is for the body."
Naruto scoffed, glancing up as Sasuke fell from his tree, landing nearly soundlessly. He gestured to Sasuke, "Well how about Mr. Gloom and Doom over there, he hasn't taken a single break all day!"
Kakashi looked up briefly, only shaking his head, "It'll happen sooner or later. We all need rest. Our minds, bodies and even our chakra needs time to recuperate." He glanced down, his eyes narrowing in concern, "In fact, the reason you're training may be stalling may be becasue he's getting more rest than you." He said in a leading tone, his eyes knowing.
Naruto's eyes widened, feeling cornered. He snarled, more afraid than angry, "You don't know shit about me."
Kakashi looked up wistfully, massaging his chin, "Hmm, I don't? Well, I know you don't trust people, you have a major issue with authority, and you wear that long hoodie to cover up the scars you got from what happened a few years ago. That sounds like a fair amount to me."
Naruto went still, feeling his muscles bunch together absent a command to do so, his eyes darting around for ways to escape. 'Calm down Naruto.' He thought, his mind working furiously to find out how he knew these things.
Kakashi clicked his tongue, shaking his head sadly at him, "Now Naruto, you couldn't have thought it would be easy as that..."
Naruto thought of at least of a dozen wisecracking, witty, smart-ass remarks he could've said, but the only thing that came tumbling out of his mouth was, "You... You, look familiar."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, and reached forward to grab a fistful of his hoodie. Naruto lurched forward with a groan of dizziness from the vertigo of suddenly being flipped upside-down being exasperated by his sensei's sudden movement.
Kakashi hummed in thought, "Hmm, well, you don't appear to have suffered a head injury, perhaps you were just born like this."
Naruto looked up at his sensei, at the one who saved him, and smiled wider than he eve had before, "That was you! I knew it!"
Kakashi stopped, his previous solemnity shattered, morphing into something close to pleasant surprise. Naruto felt his sheer joy and sense of recognition grow, hopping on his toes and pointing, "I can't believe that your my sensei!" He said, smiling wide.
Kakashi smiled tenderly at him, looking sad, yet relieved somehow, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Naruto's face fell slightly , narrowing his eyes and pointing at Kakashi, "You're the guy! I'd know you anywhere."
Naruto's eyes opened, the sound of his door creaking open startling him awake. His vision was blurry, a figure appearing as a silhouette, the dull haze of candlelight behind him. He kept his eyes locked on the figure, grabbing at his course blankets and clutching them tight against his body. He felt a cold sense of fear and dread overcome him, a dull whine scraping past his dry, scratchy throat.
It felt pointless, knowing that he was doomed to stay here forever. He wasn't 'saved', he had merely changed handlers. He was moved, people talked, then they yelled, then he got hurt, and eventually he came back here. Nothing he did would change anything. No tears, pleading, talking or anything else would help him.
His heartbeat doubled it's pace when the man moved, walking slowly, gingerly. As if he was trying to sneak up on him. All the while he never made a noise, and if not for the fact that he was blocking the only light source in the room, he'd think that what he saw was a figment of his imagination.
Naruto scrambled to a sitting position, "No, p-please..." He whined, crawling to the corner of the room.
The figure stopped, slightly hunched over, his hands up in a peaceable manner. From the corner of the room, the light finally hit the man from one side, and Naruto managed to catch a peek at this intruder.
It was one of the special ninja the Hokage kept around him, the familiar white armor on black form fitting clothing along with the eerie porcelain mask were a dead giveaway. Only his mask was one he'd never seen before. A drawing that looked like a dog from a book or a painting, only with one eye colored in, as if he were missing one.
He stood to his full height, still holding his arms out, "It's alright Naruto. I'm not here to hurt you."
Naruto didn't move, only staring at him, or rather his mask, with suspicion. "You guys always say that!" He yelled. Naruto glared at the ANBU as fiercely as he could, his chest hot with anger and heartbreak, "You're lying!" He hissed.
The ANBU's arms drooped, and he looked away for a long moment, disarming Naruto slightly. He looked closer, noticing how beat up he looked. Noticing several cuts in his arms and legs, various marks and bruises showing where his skin was visible.
After a minute or so of silence he turned back around, Naruto noticing the way his grey hair bounced when he moved, "Would you like to leave here Naruto?"
Naruto felt his heart leap at the thought of leaving, but knew that he couldn't trust this man.
Trust is what got him down here in the first place.
His 8 year old brain thought hard for an answer, when inevitably his mind and eye wandered, eventually settling on something that made his stomach go cold. Fingers, just beyond the cell, half-curled, lying just in the corner of the doorway.
Naruto's eyes widened, and looked back to the strange ninja.
The man kneeled, and extended a hand, "Please..." He whispered.
Naruto looked at him, staring past the eye slits, meeting one solid black eye, staring at him, utter desperation in it's gaze. He held out a hand, and allowed him to help him up. The man pulled, and Naruto yelped, wincing back as the movement aggravated the healing wounds on his stomach and upper body.
Kakashi caught him under his arm, pulling him up to cradle him. Carrying him out of the cell in a heartbeat. Naruto bristled slightly at the idea of being carried like a damsel in distress, but his mind was distracted when he saw the area outside his cell.
Dozens of prone figures were lying in various positions everywhere around him. Naruto froze for a moment, but the man carrying him seemed to sense his unease.
"They're alive... But... They wouldn't let me take you." He answered darkly, his voice low and threatening.
Naruto looked back at the man, then back at the bodies, realizing that he could see them all breathing, although some deeper than others. Some appearing sickly, breathing shallow and quick breaths.
Naruto turned back to the ANBU, "What's your name?"
"...Inu." He said, hesitating a bit.
Naruto snorted, "Dog? Pft, that's a boring name." He said.
Inu took a minute to respond, looking back at him and chuckling, "Yes. I guess it is."
They walked for a long while, passing what seemed like dozens of unconscious ninja all the while, eventually reaching outside, greeted by the cool night air, and the sounds of crickets.
Naruto sighed in releif as the cold air swept through him, soothing his hot and aggravated skin. Inu looked at him in concern, and Naruto shrunk into his arms, "It was hot in there." He said simply.
The man grunted, then without warning, leapt a dozen feet in the air, launching himself over rooftops, barely stopping when he jumped from house to house.
Naruto's eyes widened at the experience, the cold night air cooling him down. He sighed in wonder at the sight of so many bright lights in the distance, the entire village looking like a thousand tiny fireflies in the night sky.
It was then when his exhaustion hit him, and he could feel his eyelids drift together. He yawned, "Thank you Inu." He said quietly. They flew for a while after that, reaching the edge of the village at last.
By then Naruto was on his last legs, eventually losing his fight to stay awake. But before he could drift into oblivion, he heard the ANBU one last time.
"You're welcome Naruto. Leave everything to me."
'...Just when I thought I had this guy all figured out... What's his deal?'
Naruto glared at his sensei, how could he not remember?! Nearly every moment of those days seemed to be branded into his mind. His dreams wouldn't ever let him forget even the tiniest detail.
He balled his hands into fists, his previous tiredness already forgotten, now ready for another match with the jounin all of a sudden. He pointed at him, "Yes you do! You were there, I'm sure of it dattebayo!" He yelled, confusion and frustration leaking into his tone.
He hoped against hope for an answer, his eyes roaming the Jounin for any semblance of recognition.
"Foolish brat, you should know better than to rely on these fragile humans. Our power, is all you need."The Kyuubi said, sounding faint, no doubt just arising from his slumber. His voice faded back into the usual ambient silence.
He shook his head, still staring when Kakashi shook his head, "I cannot confirm that I am, or was ever in ANBU."
Naruto gave Kakashi a deep frown, his disbelief as plain on his face as could be. Kakashi smirked at him, walking over to Naruto to ruffles his blonde hair.
"Ack, stop that!" Naruto screeched, his hands grabbing blindly at Kakashi's arms. His sensei chuckled lightly, taking a few steps back and putting his hands in his pockets, "It would be impossible to say if I were in ANBU or not. After all, ANBU is quite secretive. For example, did you know that nearly everything they do, even their real names are classified? And that mentioning high level secrets or details about top secret missions are punishable by death?"
Naruto's eyes widened, the different puzzle peices connecting in his head. He looked closely at the jounin, something in his heart telling him that he was right about the silver haired jounin's identity.
'He remembers, he just can't tell me.' He moped, mentally cursing the Hokage once again. Naruto frowned deeper at the thought of the Hokage, "More stupid rules..."
Kakashi sighed, "Yup. It's really staggering what kind of stuff you learn after more than a decade of sneaking around and learning to cultivate information." He said, shrugging at Naruto, giving him a pointed look that made Naruto shrink into himself, "But what do I know right?"
Naruto pouted at him, crossing his arms, it's not as if he didn't have a good reason not to trust 'everyone' he met.
"You've got to learn how to trust the people on your team Naruto. Not just the ones you like." He said, walking off.
Naruto sulked, 'Well now I feel like an ass. How was I supposed to know that Kakashi wasn't—' He shook his head, knowing that it wasn't supposed to matter anymore.
He clenched his fists agian, turning quickly to his sensei, "Kakashi-sensei!" He called out.
Kakashi turned, "Hmm?"
Naruto looked down, kicking at the dirt under his feet, "Thanks for... Welll... with the training earlier." He said.
Kakashi kept on walking, and by the time Naruto looked up, he'd already opened the door to the house. He waved a hand behind him, "Any time, Naruto." He said, closing the door behind him.
Naruto stood there for a while, truly considering the older ninja's words, seeing the truth in them.
For nearly all his life he'd felt alone. Been alone. Nothing but him and the fox inside him. But now there were people who actively wanted him to succeed. Tori. Kakashi. Hinata. Even Sasuke...
Their faces flashed through his mind, and he held a hand to his heart, smiling gently as a warm, pleasant feeling flowed through him. Naruto grinned to himself, felling like laughing, almost as if he'd revealed some kind of secret inside joke, or the answer to an old riddle.
His smile hardened, and he looked back up to the tree, now completely covered in bald patches and slash marks. A new determination filling him.
She gently pulled on the adhesive, removing the bandages as quickly, and as gently as she could. Not that she thought that Zabuza would care too much. She'd never seen the man wince, even now as she pulled the white bandages away from his paler than usual flesh, Zabuza was silent. Staring off to the side as he lay sprawled on the makeshift 'throne' in the ramshackle building Gato had given them.
She sat patiently, tending his wounds, turning away to grab some herbs from her bag, making a note to herself to forage for more at a later date.
She picked up a cup of water from the small shelft next to her, and dipped the herbs into it. Rubbing them together in her hands, she pressed the herbs against his neck, letting the natural antibiotics bleed from the plant, staving off any infections.
She rubbed for a few seconds, her mind wandering, as it often did, to how she could be of more use to her master. She thought of the genin she'd witnessed her master fight, particularly the black haired one, and the blonde.
She hummed, 'They're slow, clumsy and untested. A week is not enough prep time for them to improve in any meaningful way, regardless of what Hatake Kakashi could teach them.'
She reminded herself to obey her master however, 'A blade is a blade. No matter how big or small, all it takes is one to the heart to fell a shinobi. No matter how talented or special they are.'
His gruff voice rang like a bell in her mind, and she frowned to herself.
She may have to kill them.
It was a very unpleasant thought, and the idea made her shudder, but her fear of her master loomed over her head. For she knew exactly what he'd say.
"Back the hell off kid, you're hovering again."
Haku lifted her hands instantly, seeing how she'd been rubbing so long his neck was shaded with green, the herbs in her hands now ground into a messy paste.
She shook her hands, grunting in disgust, "My apologies Zabuza-sama."
He shook his head, leaning back, "Your mind seems busy. Your thinking about having to kill. Am I right?"
She hesitated, but nodded, "Yes Zabuza-sama."
He snorted, "Haku..." He drawled disaprovingly, "Do need to remind you what you are?" She frowned, "Never. I'm a tool Zabuza-sama. A tool for you to use as you see fit." She said robotically. Having known it now for many, many years.
He nodded, his eyes narrowing at her, "And a tool you are. One of the finest I've known. Just take care that you don't grow dull. A dull kunai is of no use to a shinobi. And if you don't follow my instructions, and keep along with your childish notions of human life being 'sacred' or some shit, I'll dispose of you."
The words were cold, but if it was anything she knew of, it was cold. She nodded, "Yes Zabuza-sama."
He nodded to himself, then stopped suddenly, just as Haku herself heard a noise.
Zabuza rolled his eyes, "It's—
Haku nodded, suppressing a sigh of frustration, "Yes Zabuza-sama. It's him."
Haku heard them walk noisily up the stairs along with his thugs, armed, if their heavy footsteps were any indicator.
The doors burst open, Gato standing in the middle, flanked by two tattooed, katana wielding thugs covered in tattoos. Haku kept her face as stony as a mountain, but inwardly wished she had her mask on so she could sneer at the disgusting man.
She hated Gato with a passion she didn't know she had, resenting this mission now more than she ever did. It was bad enough to be so acutely aware of the damage this man caused, but it was his arrogance that really put the cherry on top.
He was a small man, who barely stood taller than the orange and black genin from earlier, with a ridiculous messy half-mullet that drooped behind him, with black circular sunglasses and a sleazy, terrible black suit.
The cocky grin he normally wore was plain on his face, stretched in a leer that made Haku want to puke, "I can hardly believe it. Even you the 'demon of the hidden mist' was beaten to a pulp by some has-been from the leaf, and his snot nosed brats."
Haku said nothing, keeping her back pointed towards him, not even dignifying his ignorant spew with any kind of response. Zabuza did the same, saying nothing, not even looking at the insect in a suit.
Tazuna shook his head as he crossed his arms, his smirk widening, "I mean really, you're making the ninja of the hidden mist look like total pussies! Heh, 'demon of the hidden mist' don't make me laugh."
Haku stood suddenly, startling Gato's guards, causing them to step back, each of them placing a hand on their blades. Gato waved them off, walking towards them, reaching out his hand, "Hey, as long as I'm paying you louts, you'll answer when I'm ta—"
Haku's hand lashed out, gripping his hand as hard as she could. Fragile bones creaking and bending from the pressure.
The little man screamed in a panic, "Stop, ah! Y-You're breaking— Ah, my fuckin' hand!"
Haku increased the pressure, hearing the snap of his wrist, followed by a sharp cry of pain from Gato. She glared at him, "Don't you dare touch him with your dirty, disgusting hands, cretin."
She scrape and ring of sharp steel, and turned to see that Gato's thugs drew their blades. She moved so fast they looked lethargic by comparison. Lunging at them, and snatching their pathetic, rusty swords out of their hands before they even knew what happened.
All was silent for a moment, as the thugs froze at the sharp tips of their blades pressed against their flesh. Haku shook with anger, "I wouldn't do that if I were you." She seethed.
After a moment, she withdrew the swords from their necks, and grabbed each by the wrist, throwing them across the room. They slammed against the wall, barely conscious. Haku paid them no mind as she smoothly walked back to her chair, taking a seat.
Gato cradled his ruined hand with his other hand, tears streaking down his face, raw fury in his expression, "You two get one more chance. Fail me again, and our deal is off."
He gestured to his guards, and they all left, taking their swords with them.
The door slammed behind them, leaving them alone again.
"You didn't have to do that you know." He said, sounding almost annoyed.
Haku just smiled at him, "I did actually. As much as it would please me to be rid of that loathsome man, it's too soon to kill him." Zabuza just looked at her for a moment, before he sighed, stowing his hidden kunai back wherever he'd pulled it from.
Haku smiled sweetly at her master, "In only a few days, we'll have our money, and Gato, those Konoha shinobi, and that bridge builder, will be no longer be a problem."
It felt like his legs were being boiled in oil, but it was nothing compared to the pride and satisfaction in knowing that he'd mastered tree climbing. Him and Sasuke were clutched to each other, both supporting the other's weight as they both staggered in.
They entered the dining room, both Naruto and Sasuke smiling widely, at Kakashi, who sat at the table with Tazuna, Tsunami, Hinata, and Inari.
Naruto panted, catching his breath, "We did it Kakashi-sensei. We've both climbed to the top." He said, Sasuke only jerking his head in a nod at Kakashi. Their sensei smiled behind his mask, "Good, I knew you both could get it done." Hinata smiled at them both, nodding her agreement with Kakashi.
They made it to the table without incedent, althought when they separated, Naruto would've eaten shit if not for a steadying hand from Hinata. He flashed a grin at her, nodding in thanks. Hinata grew red, and only nodded back in response, quickly turning back to her meal.
Naruto quirked his head in confusion for only a second before the thick smell of the meaty stew in his bowl.
Naruto grinned in excitement, and dug in, savoring every bite, treating it as a reward for finally finishing his training. It was no Ichiraku Ramen of course, but to his growling stomach it may as well have been the ichor of the gods. He looked up for only a split second when he caught someone staring, and locked eyes with Inari, the surly child glaring at him with a look that matched Sasuke in broodiness.
He frowned, looking back, wondering what he'd done to attract his attention when his own was stolen by Kakashi, who bowed in his seat to Tsunami, "Another delicious meal as always Tsunami-san."
She blushed, turning away with a smile, "Such a flatterer Kakashi-san, it's the least I can do for helping my father finishing his bridge."
Tazuna grunted, "We're nearly done. ALl of this hard work fill finally mean something after only a few more days, the bridge is as good as finished."
Tsunami nodded, "Good, but don't let your guard down just yet."
The old man frowned, rubbing at his beard, "By the way, I meant to ask you a question Kakashi-san."
Kakashi held out a hand, "Fire away."
Tazuna frowned gravely, crossing his arms in thought, "Why did you agree to help us. Even though I lied about the mission. I could've gotten you all hurt." He said plainly. Naruto stopped his eating to pay attention, watching as Kakashi leaned back in his chair, considering.
After a few seconds Kakashi spoke. "'To know what is right, and not carry it out, bespeaks of an absence of true courage.'" Kakashi said.
Everyone at the table stopped to consider the jounin, "They're the words of our village's late leader. The Yondaime Hokage." Naruto smirked, recognizeing the quote as being one of the very few he actually remembered from all those boring lessons from Rei-sensei's classes. Inwardly wishing he could've actually met the man.
Tazuna nodded, "Hm, reminds me of Inari's father. He sounds like a great man."
Kakashi nodded to himself, saying no more. The occupants of the table paused to consider the words, even Inari breaking from his ruminations. Naruto felt himself begin to nod off, the hard work of the past few days wearing away at him when he heard a sob across the table.
Naruto snapped his head up to see tears streaming past Inari's cheeks, "No, he doesn't." Naruto did a double take, narrowing his eyes slowly at Inari, anger growing in his chest, "What did you—"
Inari slammed his hands on the table, pushing himself up to stand, glaring at Naruto for all he was worth, "Why the hell do you bother with all this stupid training. Gato's got a whole army! All your boasting and bragging won't mean a damn thing, they'll beat you down and kill you, no matter what. You can't stop them, the strong will always win and the weak always lose!"
His loud yelling bounced off the walls of the house, shocking all those who listened into stillness.
Save one.
Naruto frowned, squinting his eyes at the loud brat, 'What a baby.' He thought, looking around to see if someone was going to say anything.
Tsunami and Tazuna looked like they wanted to say something, Hinata looked sad, almost close to tears. While Kakashi and Sasuke were blank faced, merely watching.
Naruto rolled his eyes, and ducked his head back into the crook of his elbow, "You're wrong." He said, anger bubbling in his chest as he fixed his eyes on Inari, "We ARE strong, that's why we're gonna win, it's why I train so damn hard every day." He looked away, "So do me a favor and keep that bullshit to yourself. It won't be like that for me."
Inari ground his teeth, leaning forwards in his seat, nearly snarling, "Why don't you shut the hell up! Just looking at you makes me wanna puke! Always laughing and playing around, while Gato took everything from us! You don't know anything about this country, you don't even care! You're just butting in becasue you're getting paid for it! You don't know a thing about what it's like to suffer and be treated like dirt!"
Kakashi winced subtly, his eyes closing shut with a resigned certainty.
Inari panted, letting his words hang in the air. The room was silent for a long moment, but Naruto could hear his own heartbeat in his ears as his temper finally snapped.
Memories and images flashed through his head, of Masaru standing over him, chains on his arms and legs as what felt like a bonfire raged in his stomach. Cracks appearing in his flesh, splitting his skin open, blood spilling nearly endlessly.
An image of Iruka, struggling for breath as Naruto held him, his sobs so intense his throat hurt. An image of the Sandaime, with no love or recognition in his eyes, only cold determination and raw superiority.
Naruto clenched his fists, and pushed himself upright. "I know enough." He hissed, glaring at Inari, pinning him to his seat. Inari's eyes went wide, fear plain as could be on his face.
Naruto pointed at Inari, "I know that you're the only kid I've seen here that isn't slowly starving to death, I know that despite you bitching about your gramps asking for help. He travelled a whole country to find us all by himself, and basically begged us for help him even though we could've refused." He flashed a look at Kakashi, remembering his words from earlier.
He snapped back to look at Inari, "And I know something about suffering."
Naruto stood up straight, shaking his head, "Listen to yourself whining and complaining like some sorry little victim, like you're the lead in some shitty tragedy. Like the whole story's all about you. Whimper and cry all day for all I care, but the truth is, everyone here is trying to make your village a better place. Everyone, but you. The only one crying, and doing nothing is, you. Just like the sad, little coward that you are."
Kakashi's leg scraped back as he stood, "That's enough Naruto." He said, sounding firm, yet also somewhat sad, an added edge of understanding in his tone.
Naruto didn't say another word, he just turned and walked out, his anger pushing him past his exhaustion, carrying him outside. He slammed the door shut behind him, not even turning as he trudged forward, nearly tripping over his own feet on his way back to their training area.
He made it a few more feet before he felt his tired legs give up on him, his torso sagging forwards after losing the support of his own two feet. His eyes widened as he stumbled forwards, a sense of panic reaching him as his hands reached out, eventually landing hard on familiarly rough bark.
He sighed in relief, and looked up, scanning the maze-like web of scratches. A road full of failure that ended in Success in the form of a thin twig twisting and bending in the wind. A branch that had one shallow, barely noticeable scratch on its surface.
Naruto stepped back as he considered the branch, one mastered technique after so many failures. So many hours of training until his bones creaked together.
It'd been at least a few weeks since Tori had shown him the technique, and now he'd finally mastered it. Only for some privileged, snot nodded punk to scream at him about how useless and out of his league he was...
"Is that the fox brat. Ugh! Why do they let him stay here? Don't they know what he is?"
"He's hopeless. He'll never be a ninja."
"...Should've just killed him when we had the chance. It'd be a kindness at this rate."
"Maybe he'll die on a mission. We'd all be better off anyhow..."
Naruto sprung into motion, growling in pain and bitter frustration as he ran at the tree, stomping up the tree trunk for a few steps until his control collapsed, his anger and exhaustion only making it a matter of time.
Naruto cried out as he pitched backwards, bracing himself for the hard fall, when he heard a grunt behind him, followed by him stopping suddenly, cushioned by two arms, and a long white robe.
Naruto looked up, and saw the upside-down face of Hinata frowning at him, "Naruto-kun, are you alright?"
Naruto sighed, "Yeah, and thanks I guess." He said sullenly.
He leaned out of her embrace, standing up and turning away the shy Hyuuga, turning back around to make another run up the tree.
"...Naruto—"
He held out a hand behind him, shaking his head, "If Kakashi sent you out here to lecture me about that little brat, save it. I don't wanna hear it."
He waited, hearing nothing but silence. He glanced behind him, and a stab of guilt went through him when he saw her hurt expression turn towards the ground avoiding his gaze. His anger felt hollow somehow, and he couldn't quite muster up the energy to keep training, so he stood up straight, sighing deeply.
His hands clenched as Inari's high pitched tirade repeated on loop in his mind..
"You don't even care... You're just butting in because you're getting paid for it! You don't know a thing about what it's like to suffer and be treated like dirt!"
Naruto scoffed, "Could you believe the nerve of that kid?" He asked, turning around.
He gestured angrily to the house, "Complaining about his life when he was all off this."
Naruto rolled his eyes, "Gimme a break. A nice house, a mom, a grampa, a real family that loves him! Like he doesn't realize just how lucky he is. To have all of that, just to bitch about a some crime lord who killed his dad."
Naruto threw his hands up in the air, his anger rising, roiling in his gut, spiraling out of control. Naruto felt lightheaded, "And sure that shit sucks, but now we're here! We're here, and we're trying to help, trying to save his gramps— save his whole village! And he's pissed because we're training."
"Is that why you're angry Naruto-kun?"
He turned to her, almost surprised, having nearly surprised that she was there. She stood, straight and tall against the soft moonlight, her face stiff and her eyes full of nothing but sincere concern.
He faltered, "No, well. I mean yeah! But..."
Naruto sighed, "He's doing the same shit all those jerks back in the village do. They assume, talk shit like they know me, like they know who I am, or what I've been through."
He looked back at the house, his eyes downcast, "I mean, he doesn''t know just how lucky he is! I didn't have all this, I had no one. No one but—" He clamped his mouth shut with a pop. Looking down as emotions he'd kept hidden leaked past, tears welling up in his eyes.
He rubbed them furiously, embarrassment making his neck flush at the thought of bearing his emotions in front of Hinata. He risked a glance, and saw her, just as she was before. Standing tall, strong. Her long black hair shining white against the moon's subtle light.
She pursed her lips, her lavender eyes studying him, "Is... that, why you've been having nightmares? About someone you knew?" Naruto froze, caught like a deer in the road as Hinata approached slowly, cautiously. She stood a little less than an arms reach away, twiddling her fingers in front of her, looking him in the eye.
"What's wrong Naruto-kun? We're teammates, we're supposed to help each other. But I can't help if I don't know what's wrong."
The image in his mind appeared again, his heart felt like it was about to beat out of his chest, beating louder and louder. Pushing him to move, to run away and never look back. Reaching a crescendo when she slowly reached out towards him. Somehow, he managed to stay put, and her hand reached his, grasping his, the fingers interlocking.
He blushed, looking up at her in surprise, her face now completely crimson,. She swallowed, calming herself, "I want to help you Naruto, like you helped me." Naruto's face cooled, suddenly confused as his mind went back, trying to remember what she was talking about.
"I want to help you Naruto, like you helped me... Please Naruto. All I want you to do is tell me. Nothing else. No promises, no conditions... Please, just tell me what happened."
"Huh? You mean the exams?" He asked her. Hinata quirked her head, a small smile forming on her lips, "No, when we were kids. Those bullies, your scarf..." She trailed off, looking away.
Naruto's eyes widened, and he smirked, "Pfft, You actually remember that?"
He certainly did now. Remembered his embarrassing display of academy taijutsu, his woeful attempt at a clone jutsu, conjuring a copy of himself smaller than Akamaru.
He definitely remembered how they left him, a bruised and bloody mess as red as his scarf. Panting and bleeding as he laid there in the snow. His last memory of Hinata was red haze. The small Hyuuga giving a small wave, whispering a quiet 'thank you' as she was escorted away by her guard. The both of them fading into the white of the growing blizzard.
She smiled back, although much sadder than his own smile, "I remember how you saved me from them, how brave you were, even though you were outnumbered. I remember you coming back to class the next day like nothing happened, bandages all over your face." She shook her head. Looking back up at him, her face growing red again, "It encouraged me to be brave. To be more like you."
Naruto rocked back in his heels, taking the news like a physical blow. "Be like me..." He whispered under his breath. He felt touched, but also anxious and confused by the admission. She looked up at him, more serious now.
"That's why I want you to tell me why you've been acting strange. Something's hurting you, I can tell. I just want to help you Naruto. To repay you for how you helped me."
Naruto's eyes widened, then darkened, "I've heard that before." He said flatly, pulling his hand out of her grip. But she moved forwards, her hand holding on to his like a vice.
He looked up, and felt the guilt tenfold when he saw the unshed tears in her eyes, "Please Naruto. All I want you to do is tell me. Nothing else. No promises, no conditions... Please, just tell me what happened."
Naruto gripped her hand in his, staring into her wide, lavender eyes, his heart beating out of his chest. He desperately wanted to, but something stopped him. It felt like it was on the tip of his tongue, but he just couldn't force it out.
He fought for the strenght to tell her, to explain, holding onto her like a lifeline. But he just, couldn't. He shook his head, "I can't..." He whispered. , letting her go. She held her hands out for a moment, then letting them drop. She clasped her hands together, looking sad.
Naruto shook his head again, turning away from her. He sat on a tree log, looking down. Then he felt someone sing next to him. He looked up and saw Hinata. She smiled at him warmly, turning to look deep into the forest.
"It's nice outer here isn't it." She said idly. Naruto stared at her, eventually matching her smile. Gazing into the night sky.
"Yeah, it is."
Inari sat with his arms crossed up in his room. Glaring intensely at the smooth, rippling waves of the lake. His chest hot with righteous anger, a bubbling frustration building as he tried his best to forget the words of that stupid orange ninja downstairs.
"Pfft. What a fuckin' poser." He growled, throwing the rock he'd been turning over in his hands. The pebble crashed into the water, sending angry ripples through the water.
He felt a stab of remorse as he watched the calming reflection of the moon vanish into a disorganized shimmer.
"Language."
Inari flinched, jerking his head towards voice. Kakashi stood in front of the door, walking slowly towards him. He narrowed his eyes at the strange man, "How'd you do that? I didn't hear the door open."
The strange man winked at him, "Well I am a ninja after all. I'd have to be a pretty shoddy one if a seven year old could hear me coming." Inari pouted at the man, a man he now recognized as the idiot's ninja master Kakashi.
He turned around with a sigh, "I'm 8. Idiot."
Kakashi said nothing, walking forwards for a bit until he was right behind him.
"Mind if I join you?"
Inari turned to glare at Kakashi, but there was something about his expression that disarmed him somewhat. He'd originally thought that the man was here to apologize for his student, but the look on his face told him otherwise.
He didn't seem like he wanted a fight, with a gentle earnest look in his eyes that said, 'I just want to talk'. So, against his better judgement, he just sighed, and went back to staring at the lake. Kakashi settled down next to him, "Your grandfather told us about Kaiza."
Inari felt a familiar wave of frustrated anger bloom in his chest at the utterance of his name. He gripped his shoulders a little bit tighter, saying nothing.
Kakashi settled down, gazing whistfully at the lake, his only visible eye gleaming as brightly as the shimmering water in the pale moonlight, "Tazuna seemed to have a lot of respect for him. Naruto did as well. He would've trained all night if he could. He seemed determined to 'prove that there is such a thing as a hero'."
Inari scoffed bitterly, "Then he's an even bigger idiot than I thought."
Kakashi huffed, laughing shallowly. Something that startled Inari. 'I call his student an idiot and he laughs? These ninja are really weird.'
Kakashi shook his head, "Fair enough. He is known to be... dense. And blunt as a hammer. As you've seen for yourself." He turned to him, smiling as if laughing to himself at some hidden secret, "I think you have more in common with him than you think."
Inari rolled his eyes, "Of course you'd think that. Just—"
Kakashi waved a hand as if was bored, "Yes, yes, I happen to know a lot, even though I'm 'just from a ninja village'. But I think you're assuming a bit too much about us." He looked down, his eyes narrowing at the lake, "For example, Naruto never had a father growing up. Same as you. He didn't know either one of his parents."
Inari's eyes widened, now that he didn't know.
Kakashi's mood darkened then, as if recalling something that angered him, "His parents died when he was young. And ever since he's struggled. Struggled for everything, every scrap he's fought for. In a way, he's always been fighting. And he hasn't always won."
Kakashi paused to gather his thoughts, looking at Inari seriously, "Not only did he never know his parents, he didn't have a single friend. Over the years, I've seen him grow from a child to a young man. I've never seen him sulk, or be timid. He's met every challenge with a gusto I've seldom seen in fully grown men or women." The ninja smiled warmly, his eyes drifting away from Inari, his thoughts taking him elsewhere, "He's always eager, wanting to be acknowledged by someone. Even if he won't admit it."
Kakashi sighed, "That's why I think that Naruto might understand your feelings the most."
Inari stared at the shinobi, not knowing what to say, but feeling a familiar anger rise in him, "So what?" He heard himself say, surprising himself with the amount of venom he heard in his own voice.
Kakashi didn't seem shocked, just looking at him, expecting him to say more.
Inari looked away, scoffing heatedly, "H-He's not the only one who's lost people! It's not like it was him who watched when Gato—" His words got caught in his throat, hot tears pooling in the corners of his eyes.
He felt angry, ashamed at doing nothing when his own father was murdered right in front of him. He could still see the blood, pooled around the stump he was tied to. The stumps that used to be his arms also tied to the makeshift cross, his eyes as kind and gentle as ever. No fear in them at all. Even when his head was separated from his shoulders.
Inari never had that kind of strength or courage, and he knew it. And that's what hurt the most...
He rubbed at his eyes, "He taught me everything. How to be a man, how to hunt, how to fish, how to work hard..."
'A real man protects and defends with his own two hands.' His voice was loud in his mind, his gruff low voice a cruel comfort as an image of him flashed through his mind.
He always seemed to find a reason to smile, even at the end, flanked by the katana wielding thugs that were about to take his head, he smiled at him. "You really are alike:" The man said, jerking him back to the present.
Inari stopped, his tears rolling silently down his cheeks. When he looked back, Kakashi wasn't smiling anymore.
He looked sad, his eye downcast, making the man look at least ten years older."You're just as hard on yourself as he is. I can see it, the weight you hold on your shoulders, just as plain and heavy as his is. You both blame yourselves unfairly."
Kakashi leaned back, staring out at the undress ocean, "You know, as harsh as what Naruto said earlier was, there's no doubt in my mind that he's told himself the same thing over and over again."
He sighed, "After so long of being alone, he probably got tired of crying. Decided to act, to train. To be better."
Kakashi looked back at him, the fabrics that covered his mouth curling upwards, "He knows the true meaning of the word "strong". Just like your father did."
At that, the shinobi left him. Standing silently, drifting off into the darkness as suddenly as he'd come. Leaving Inari to his thoughts. He felt tempted to dismiss the man's claims. Of how Naruto was just like him.
He remembered how insulted he looked. How Naruto's eyes blazed with righteous anger. Intense, and as certain as the sunrise.
"We ARE strong, that's why we're gonna win, it's why I train so damn hard every day... So do me a favor and keep that bullshit to yourself. It won't be like that for me."
Inari looked down at the waves, and saw the same outline of pain, anger and determination there, the stark similarity shocking him.
Just as shocking, was the first thought he had when he looked back up to watch the waves, 'I hope they don't die.'
Hey guys, me again
Chapters 1-17 have been edited to make some revisions, and add some life and much needed substance to this story. As such, they're worth a read through, both to catch up as I release more chapters, and to alert you on what is different about the story.
I can't say for sure when the next full chapter will be up, but I am sure that it won't be too long until then. Again, I'm glad that I'm back, and plan to make the most of the time that I have back home.
Stay safe,
KCMC66