Chapter 10

The sunset shone through the gaps in the leaves. The babbling river was dyed with the golden red glow of the setting sun. Yuuki was surrounded by large and strong Hashirama trees that were covered in lush orange leaves.

Looking at these massive trees, whose trunks consisted of numerous hardened vines that had interweaved with each other— he finally noticed just how abnormal they were. He remembered when he first came to Konoha, he also made note of their unnaturalness — they were too tall, their trunks too wide, their leaves too big. But back then— everything was novel and unique. And with the time novel and unique became mundane— just a familiar sight he got used to.

Yuuki loved autumn in Konoha. The cool wind in his hair, the crunchy sound of the leaves beneath his feet, the muted colours and hues of the world. And his most favourite— the sunlight that isn't accompanied by smouldering heat like it happened often in summer. The warmth that isn't accompanied by numerous puddles and dirt like it did in spring.

Autumn was always unpleasant in the small fisherman village he used to live.

Autumn was the time of the storms. Of the cold. Of chilly nights. And never-ending rain. Of harsh winds. And drowning cases.

It was nasty. It was frightening.

It was prelude for the winter. The season of deaths.

Autumn was crueler than winter in a way. Autumn gave you hope. As long as you are cautious, as long as you are lucky —everything would be alright, the nature would gently whisper in their ears. Their only method of livelihood was sailing, fishing on their boats. So, they had to go no matter what: no matter the circumstances, no matter what they felt, no matter how dangerous it was.

They were rolling an invisible dice, and the outcome was determined by… luck. While the nature— the world was laughing, pretending to be magnanimous — granting them a fair game, a fair chance. 'Here— you hold your own life in your own hands. It has nothing to do with me.'— it would say. But even if the villagers—this happily oblivious folk won, survived through all trials it would throw at them—they didn't know that the outcome was predetermined from the very start.

Like gladiators on arena, they would survive battle after battle, only to meet an inevitable doom at the end.

Autumn would always be followed by the winter. It was the rule of the world. The law. The inevitable state of things.

While autumn was season of deaths, winter was the death itself.

Winter was a merciless bitch, but— at least she didn't give futile hope. She took and took and took until there is nothing left. But she was very open about it. She never pretended to be something she isn't. She was a butcher. She was a killer. She froze people to death- when she was in bad mood and sent them falling through the ice into the merciless waters- when she was in good one. She was so unapologetically honest about it, so mercilessly indifferent —and Yuuki… he could never hate her exactly because of that- despite the fact that she tried to take his life multiple times herself. He could be angry at whimsical nature of the autumn, but he could never be mad at winter with her straightforward attitude.

It was funny that Yuuki's favourite seasons now were autumn and winter.

Yuuki looked up at the sky— it looked weird. Like God couldn't decide whether he wanted it to be painted with with orange-purple embers or dark hues of grey. The sky looked split— broken in two. The wind was blowing from the direction of gathering clouds, Yuuki turned away from the upcoming gloom, instead heading towards the path brightly lit by golden light. He couldn't control what the world throws at him, but he could control his own actions.

The six-year-old boy was burdened with the task of gathering firewood for their team. Small fallen branches and sticks should suffice.

The sun was setting. Soon the sky will become darker and darker until night would swallow all colour and immerse everything in darkness, leaving only sprinkles of light in the fabric of the world.

'He should hurry up.' Yuuki looked pondering at the sky.

Suddenly Yuuki noticed the cluster of wildflowers. Harebells. Lilac and pale blue. Delicate looking flowers with long trailing stems displaying small club shaped leaves at their base. They looked like intricately carved umbrellas.

As though the nature decided to give him a reason for the umbrellas he had just found— the water droplets fell from the sky. A light drizzle.

Yuuki sat down and started choosing the prettiest flowers that he wanted to take with him. As he was about to pick the last one after gathering a whole bouquet, he noticed something unusual.

There were droplets of fresh blood on the flower petals. The drizzle was slowly washing them away making Yuuki doubt whether he truly saw it, or it was one of his illusions once again. The drop of water that fell onto the grass next to his hand had a distinctive red hint to it.

As though he touched the fire his outstretched hand returned back to rest on his wildly beating heart. After he finally gathered his bearings, he said out loud, "Those. Damn. Bugs. That. Scared. Me. To. Death." His clipped words sounded woodenly. Yuuki pretended to be okay and walk away as if he didn't notice anything unusual, but his footsteps were too hurried, his breathing too rabid, his appearance too panicky.

It might be an animal. Just couple of drops. Stupid animal that accidentally grazed itself on those… very fragile flowers and soft grass. Or another student. Others were also gathering firewood and food here. They were in one of the forests of Konoha accompanied by their Sensei. Behind protective walls. They were safe. He was overthinking.

He didn't have time to say anything, because as soon as he came back their sensei announced way too cheerfully that they needed to set up the tents once again. Sensei laughed under their combined glowers, clapping his bandaged hands, red line peaking behind the white cloth. He told them to hurry the fuck up if they didn't want to sleep in the mud. Yuuki faintly felt that their sensei was even more snappish than he usually was.

Even Rin gripped the stake of their recently dismantled tent like she wanted to hit their sensei with it. Yuuki felt slight chill creeping up his spine. Some of his peers were leaking killing intent.

Yuuki would have thought it funny, if he didn't agree with them.

The heavy rain passed, and now light drizzle was drumming on the walls of the tent. Yuuki couldn't sleep. Obito was sleeping with his mouth wide open letting out light snores. Even with the only two of them the raven-haired boy somehow managed to occupy most of the space— his body laid diagonally, legs and arms spread around like a starfish. No matter how much Yuuki kicked him he wouldn't budge. The dreaded night watch couldn't come faster.

Genma entered the tent and flopped on his futon. "It is your turn now."

Fifty people. Ten teams. One night. One person from every group every two hours. Two people grouped together in one place. Five teams. Five outposts. Their camp was well protected. Well, as much as it can be well protected by a bunch of children with next to no training.

His partner was already sitting on a small stool, kunai swirling around in his hand. The bonfire made his silver hair aglow with orange, the cracking sound was heard as fire burned the timber.

The young boy's long eyelashes trembled slightly, casting a shadow that looked very beautiful under his eyes. His silky short hair lay gently on his face, and his thin lips were slightly pursed underneath his mask.

Yuuki felt a bit apprehensive once he saw who he was stuck with for the next two hours.

"Hatake-san," Yuuki gently inclined his head.

"Okihara. You are late," said Kakashi with displeasure. Yuuki was surprised he even knew his name.

"Is it so?" He slowly blinked and tilted his head taking his words in. "I apologise for my tardiness." Yuuki felt groggy, irritated and sleepy, he didn't want to argue.

Yuuki was indeed a bit late (only by five minutes)— he didn't think it would take so much time to put on his kimono. Usually in his room he had rakes and compartments where he could find everything easily. In that tiny tent it was difficult to determine whose limbs were whose, to carefully lay out his clothes was just impossible. He will have to buy more practical outer garments. Money again. Money. Money. Money. Everything was revolving around money.

Kakashi looked at him and then turned his head away dismissively, which was fine. Yuuki was even happy about it.

Yuuki had never really interacted with Kakashi before. Both weren't exactly the most talkative type. So, he decided to quietly sit down on a stool and do the job—which was to watch a five meters radius of lit ground and the boy in front of him.

The night was cold and silent. With small bonfire emitting heat and light by his side— because of that he couldn't see anything in the dark. You know like looking through the window during the night when the light is on in your room— can't see anything but your own stupid reflection.

Once one of your five senses gets blocked, your other senses become amplified. Yuuki kept flinching from every minor sound like cracking of the firewood or blast of the wind. He could even hear the gentle puffs of his companion and the rustle of his clothes. If he was alone, the atmosphere would be scary and eerie, but now he was just bored.

Ten minutes. Twenty minutes. Nothing happened. Kakashi was sitting twirling kunai and looking in the distance, his attitude was serious, his body ready for any signs of the danger. He acted like he was on a real mission. Remembering those drops of blood— maybe he should be more serious too.

Thirty minutes. Forty minutes. His eyes were captured on the drifting white smoke emitting from the flames. Yuuki couldn't do it anymore— he would fall asleep soon. Their Sensei told them to find something that can keep them occupied. Now he understood why. It just felt somehow wrong, especially with his partner being so serious about it.

Finally, Yuuki opened the small bag he brought with himself. Scissors. Flowers. And a book. Kakashi looked curiously from the side.

Snip. Snip. Snip.

Carefully he trimmed the flowers to make look more presentable. First, he adjusted the length, then he plucked some leaves that stood out and the parts that felt out of place.

With that done he put the book on his lap. "What are you doing?" Kakashi asked with curiosity. Well, he looked like he opened Yamanaka flower shop in the middle of the woods in the middle of the night. "I am doing flower pressing, Hatake-san."

"Why?"

Yuuki furrowed his brows. Why what? Why now? Why flower pressing? Why was he shrinking off his duties?

"I like it. It is calming," Yuuki answered carefully, expecting to hear reprimand. They only spent two weeks in Academy, but Kakashi already had a certain reputation. And not a very good one. While he was outstanding during lessons, his personality was something else. Irritating, arrogant, aloof, thought himself above everyone else were some of the things Yuuki heard about him. He saw him hanging around Rin and Obito. But Rin was an angel, she was nice to everyone. And Obito was always by Rin's side. Though Yuuki believed she wouldn't talk that frequently with someone who was a bad person. So, maybe Hatake wasn't all that bad.

"Do you do that often?" Kakashi raised his hand and adjusted the hem of his mask. "That's probably why you always smell."

Yuuki froze. What? He smelled? He took hygiene very seriously.

Seeing that Yuuki was confused and upset he huffed and graciously elaborated, "You always smell like flowers, herbs, mint and that powdery sweet stuff." Kakashi's nose twitched under the mask like he was smelling him right now and it was irritating his nose.

Second later the silver haired boy sneezed. Yuuki felt mortified. Didn't Kakashi have mask on his face? Wasn't he a bit overreacting? He didn't think he smelled that strongly.

"If you want to be shinobi— you should stop using that stuff. You know you could be tracked by your scent, right?" said Kakashi like he was talking to a mentally handicapped person. 'This oblivious idiot', inwardly thought Kakashi.

After seeing expression on the face of Yuuki who was still flabbergasted, he huffed and rolled his eyes muttering 'civilians' under his breath.

Kakashi looked him dead in the eyes and said almost condescendingly, "It could get you killed. That's why all shinobi try to be as scentless as possible."

Yuuki knew it. It was covered in the first week of Academy. He saw girls from their class specifically walk in the cloud of perfume, their scent trailing a mile away behind them. Their Sensei was giving this lecture while staring them dead in the eyes, after witnessing the same scene.

Yuuki always showered with scentless shampoo and soap. But he lived in a brothel after all— there was little he could do. The place practically swarmed in scents: incense, perfume, make up, the essence from flower arrangements etc. Even Yagura used them, though he preferred more 'cold scents' like mint and pine. Yuuki thought at worst he would carry just a bit of it. Apparently not.

If Yuuki was a less patient man, he would have probably scowled at Kakashi, he could understand why so many disliked him. Though he found him rather straightforward bored lining on rude, but not outright malicious. Yuuki was pretty sensitive to malice. In Okiya people would always smile and say one thing while secretly wishing them harm. He knew Kakashi wanted to… help.

"Thank you for your… kind input, Hatake-san," Yuuki answered slowly. "I happen to live in, emn… somewhere, where such scents are unavoidable. Do you know anything that can help with that?"

Kakashi pondered for a second, he didn't look bothered that he just insulted someone. "There are some good scent-blockers in "Maika's Torino" on Schottenring street. Those are good for those with especially strong body odour. Though they won't be able to mask everything, they should suffice in your case." Strong… odour… Can he speak like a human?

Yuuki stared at him speechlessly. "Thank, you, for, your, advice," every word was laced with irritation, fake smile on his face. Kakashi perked up like a puppy with his ears standing up. He seemed almost surprised at the fact that someone appreciated his help rather than dismiss him. This socially oblivious idiot.

Yuuki chuckled softly with amusement, previous irritation disappeared into thin air. With a shake of his head Yuuki decided not to bother with him and opened the book at a random page in the middle. The explicit picture of man and woman interweaving their naked forms with each other was shown to Yuuki. He hastily flipped the page accidentally nicking himself in the process. Kakashi glanced at him briefly but then once again started trying to stick the handle of kunai to himself with chakra, which didn't seem to be particularly successful.

Yuuki forgot that these books had illustrations. Okiya had only two types of books — educational ones with diagrams and comments from generations of generations of Geisha, the others are for entertainment— whether it was a collection of poems or some romantic novel. In his hand was just one of those unpopular books from their library, the ones no one would even notice missing.

With the last flower placed on the pages he closed the book. The obnoxiously orange cover had the words 'Icha Icha Paradise' written on it.

Kakashi successfully made heavy kunai stick to his palm. "Can you show me how you do that with chakra, Hatake-san?" asked Yuuki. They have yet to start any chakra manipulation at class. He already was behind most of them.

"You can't do even that much, hmm," he said with surprised expression like he couldn't fathom why someone would be unable to do so.

Yuuki's nose scrunched up in offence. But soon he let out a tired sigh. It was the truth after all. He didn't couldn't do it. What was the point of getting offended at the truth?

"I am not from clan or shinobi family." Kakashi looked why he said something so obvious. "That's why I don't have much experience with chakra. In exchange I can teach you about some herbs or flowers. You seemed… interested about them." Kakashi was blatantly staring at his bag where the rest of his stuff was placed.

"Sure." Kakashi lost his bored expression. It seemed Yuuki wasn't the only one feeling that way about night watch. "But Hatake-san is my father, you can call me Kakashi."

Yuuki blinked in surprise and gently smiled. "You can call me Yuuki then, Kakashi."

"There is something poisonous in your bag, I think? I have never smelled something like that before."

"You are probably talking about this one." Yuuki took out a red lipstick in intricate golden packaging and gave it to Kakashi, who smelled it and drew his brows in confusion. "There are a lot of stuff mixed in. It is not really poisonous. Just can make the person who isn't immune to it… more relaxed? It is more a drug than a poison-" Yuuki stopped talking for a second. It was weird for him to have such stuff, wasn't it? But Kakashi looked confused by why he stopped the explanation. There was no judgemental in those eyes.

The impromptu lesson continued.

Kakashi sat behind Yuuki, who sat crossed legged on the grass and placed his hand on the small of his back. "First close your eyes…" Yuuki carefully listened to his instructions as Kakashi's voice flowed into his ears, his warm breath tickled the side of his neck. As Yuuki slightly fidgeted Kakashi gripped his shoulders and told him to stay still.

Yuuki was rather talented in matters related to chakra and knowledgeable about some more obscure usages of herbs. Both of them were satisfied with their results.

Tentative not quite friendship, not a mere acquaintance started that day.

Their shift was over. Yuuki was so damn tired. From physical, mental and chakra exhaustion.

Nonetheless his dream that day was filled with red eyes of the rabbit, the red pool of blood and the red moon the drowned, suffocated, encompassed him with its overbearing light.

Looking at other students, who had a previous experience like that, they didn't seem particularly disturbed.

Looking at other students, who killed for the first time, they glanced at others who seemed unbothered- like usual, breathed a sigh of relief—they relaxed, they weren't the only ones. They were well rested. They were like others. They didn't do anything wrong.

Maybe it was their sensei's purpose to tire them out until they had a dreamless sleep, until they forgot everything, until they didn't think of that as a big deal. Just something that happened. Just something they accepted and moved on.

Yuuki felt like he was the only one sober in the crowd of drunks.

Maybe it was the other way around.

Yuuki with dark circles under his eyes was dragging his legs towards the river. The purpose of this endeavour was of course— to screw his sensei over and to go drown himse…- of course, it was to replenish his water bottle. Others were still gathering their stuff; he had a bit of a time.

Finally, they are coming back home. Home. He missed Yagura and Haruka, even that undying old hag, that outlived The Sage of Six Paths.

The weather was crappy. Grey sky, heavy clouds, cold wind. He wasn't a fan of such autumn. He could somewhat appreciate it in the comfort of his warm room, not in the middle of the woods.

Yuuki had a splitting headache. He didn't whether it was because of his lack of sleep or the weather. It didn't rain but he felt like if he poked those clouds — they would pop like balloons and the downpour will come down on his head.

Suddenly there was another presence at his side. "Mind if I join you?"

The cool crisp air of the autumn nipped at his cheeks as he walked down the deserted forest path.

Yuuki sighed loudly and gave an automatic response, "Of course not, Imaru-sensei. It would be my pleasure." His smile was perfect, his body positioned in a way that projected the joy and willingness of having a conversation, but his eyes said another story.

"Haha. Always so polite, Yuuki-chan." Imaru-sensei walked leisurely with unhurried strides matching Yuuki's pace. "I try to be. The manners are the foundation of human behaviour." The manners, the polite demeanour was a good mask to hide your real feelings behind. The mask no one would give you a stink about.

"Hmmm, indeed." Imaru-sensei walked with a slouch, dragging his feet on the ground with his hands in his pockets. It felt like he was the last person to comment on proper behaviour. Still…Yuuki was yet to hear him making a single sound during their walk.

The silence stretched between them. "How are you feeling, Yuuki-chan?" Sensei finally asked. More like how you are holding up… But if he said that it would be acknowledging the fact that something traumatic happened. What on earth does he want from him?

"I am fine, sensei. Thank you for your concern." Imaru-sensei scanned his face and looked at his dark circles and too pale skin. "You can talk to me if there is something bothering you, okay?" The sound of flowing water was getting near them.

Yuuki's shoulders sagged, and he sighed. "I just didn't sleep all that well. I will be just fine once we come back." They almost reached their destination when sensei stopped and leaned his back on the bark of the tree.

Yuuki only turned his head halfway from behind his shoulder until he saw an ugly expression on sensei's face. From what he could see anyway, sensei's hand was positioned weirdly in front of his mouth. Pretending not to notice anything he relaxed every muscle of his body and steadily approached the river with his back facing his sensei— the most vulnerable position for shinobi. Comparing it to animal kingdom it would be the same as baring his soft stomach to the lion king, kneeling and baring his neck to the alpha wolf. Surrender. For all eyes and purposes Yuuki projected that he wasn't a threat.

They spend first months in Okiya learning how to act when shinobi showed an unusual reaction. Do not move abruptly. Do not make loud noises. If possible pretend to be oblivious fool. Do not look at them with fear or pity. Take in deep measured breaths. And according to your situation you either keep your mouth shut or continue mindless chatter.

It seemed so easy. It would indeed be easy if they weren't in company of wounded wild animal who would rip them to shreds at the slightest provocation.

Yuuki slowly walked towards riverbank, the pebbles were rolling beneath his feet. "If anything bothers me, I will be sure to talk to you about it, sensei. Thank you for your offer. I really appreciate it," his gentle voice gets carried by the wind, as Yuuki trying to figure out what triggered his sensei.

He knew what that look on his face meant, but he didn't know why.

It was pain. His sensei was in pain.

It was just the two of them. There was nothing to hurt him.

The droplet fell onto his cheek. It started raining. This damn weather. And suddenly it clicked.

("This damn old hag!"one of the servants exited Mother's room.

"Shhh," another one raised a finger to her mouth. "You know how old people get during this season."

"Who gives a damn if her body aches from the weather!"

Imaru-sensei walked with confident gate through their classroom. For a second a bright light blinded Yuuki's eyes. He blinked a couple of times. Just for a moment it seemed like it came from his sensei's ankle? He wanted to check but it was already hidden behind his pant legs. He swore he saw something metallic.

"Did you know? Sensei used to be a jonin!" one of the children loudly 'whispered'.

"What nonsense is that? Why would a jonin work here?"

"You know why… We have some high profile guys in our class this year." The boy glanced at Asuma Sarutobi and Kakashi Hatake.

Sensei laughed under their combined glowers, clapping his bandaged hands, red line peaking behind the white cloth.

From what he could see anyway, sensei's hand was positioned weirdly in front of his mouth.

"Listen carefully here, you schmuks. I will teach you something you will thank me later for…")

Yuuki realised what was happening. Sensei bit his own wrist hard, to prevent himself from making any noise. His eyes were also fixated on a spot. Yuuki remembered learning about this in class. When a person was suffering great pain, this method could help to forcefully lock someone's concentration and keep them stable.

Yuuki could waste so much time filling the bottle. He started humming a calming song. For sensei and for himself. He still didn't like the waters, but because this river was very shallow practically a stream, he wasn't afraid of it. His fingers starting drawing pattern of the surface of the water.

Five minutes passed like that before Yuuki heard his sensei. "Are you done, Yuuki-chan?" His voice was a little bit strained. His usual nonchalant attitude was difficult to pull off.

Yuuki could feel shivers on his back like every single cell of his body was being watched and appraised by a dangerous predator. He carefully stood up from his crouching position and approached his sensei.

Yuuki's expressions and attitude were exactly the same—like nothing has transpired right now. As Imaru scanned his face, he found nothing unusual— no pity, no fear, no concern. Cold blooded kid.

Yuuki's crystal-clear blue eyes looked at him with confusion."Sensei, everyone is probably waiting for us right now," Yuuki slightly raised his eyebrows. He looked like a student who had to deal with unreasonable teacher.

Finally, he snapped out of his appraisal. "Let's go back then."

As Yuuki passed the tree, there were droplets of fresh blood on the ground. And sensei had new red line peeking through his bandages. On a closer look the line resembled a series of teeth marks.

His heart was still beating wildly from such a fright when he heard his sensei suddenly laugh. Soft chuckle out of nowhere. It was creepy as fuck. "My… our class really has some interesting students this year." He glanced at Yuuki with a smile on his face. "Yuuki-chan, have you heard about additional classes some of your classmates go to?"

"I think it would be suitable for you to attend it either. Do you want to give it a try?"

"If you think so, Imaru-sensei… then, it would be my honour."

There was only one class where a specific group of students went to. Kunoichi classes.