The Dynasty Of Tomorrow Chapter 9 Monster, a naruto fanfic

The Dynasty Of Tomorrow

Chapter 9: Monster

Naruto stared in slight awe at Kakashi who was fighting Zabuza. The fluid swift movement he could only minutely catch due to the diligent training his clan paced him through. It had to be the most ferocious fight he had ever seen, but it was still somehow graceful and beautiful. The demon of the mist was frezied and tactical in every minuscule movement but Kakashi was better controlled and had less wasted energy.

Naruto knew their sensei trained as Soma and Itachi goaded the man into early morning training with them ever since they reunited. Soma had always insisted on pushing Kakashi and Itachi into daily training. Soma didn't let either man lose their skill for moments like this.

Team seven's Gennin always showed up to team training early just to watch the three in awe.

On occasion at the weekly group training for the rookie nine, Soma would encourage other Sensei's to train against him. Uzumaki Soma seemed to intently train Asuma sensei which always surprised everyone there. Naruto didn't think those two were particularly close but Soma himself seemed to favor improvement of Asuma more than even Kakashi. Naruto had previously wondered why Soma would go to such lengths when it was obvious he was leagues above the others.

Watching Kakashi's sensei shift through his fight so effortlessly is what made Naruto understand.

It wasn't for Soma's betterment, it was to make his precious people more capable of taking care of themselves. Thoughts of weeks previous when Naruto tried to stay back to save Soma from the supposed invasion was an eye-opener.

Soma was right, Naruto could not be there for everyone, in fact, he could be late to help others and they needed to be able to save themselves or those of the village. His friends were part of the village but they were also capable Shinobi.

You couldn't save everyone but you could prepare them for the worst. It humbled Naruto and ground him to realize such a fact. His precious people could be lost to him if they just happened to face off a more powerful person or made a single mistake. He had to worry about his friend and their progress during their next group session of training.

A flickering of moves brought Naruto back into the real world stopping him from delving too deep into his previous train of thought.

Kakashi's eye was a blazing red like Sasuke's and Itachi sensei had. Naruto wondered if that was why he covered that single eye. They had all caught glimpses of that eye during training but Itachi's hard glare Sasuke's way and Soma's gentle gaze Kakashi's way had kept them all from asking questions. So none of them knew much about why their sensei had a sharingan of the Uchiha clan.

The blonde was tugged back gently and turned to look back behind him. He couldn't believe he kept getting lost in thought in the middle of such a fight. He'd have to work on that.

At the start of Kakashi's fight with Zabuza, Naruto had placed a powerful barrier down to ensure their client and the young members of team seven stayed protected. Soma was sticking to his role, curled into the bruising grip of a transfixed Tazuna. The man was astounded at the battle happening before him.

Despite the fight being difficult for any but Soma to truly follow, it still captivated the small group, more evidently with team seven Gennin. They had not realized that Kakashi sensei was so powerful, not when they never witnessed him take most situations too seriously. They all eyed Soma wondering if he was at their sensei's level yet. How far could Kakashi push them as well?

They had to pause those thoughts as Soma was meant to stick to his guise.

Kakashi had wanted Soma to keep back to hold up pretense as they didn't know if Zabuza was working alone. Naruto sent out clones to help Kakashi avoid back attacks from the missing nin's water clones.

Sasuke helped by throwing kunai at the openings Naruto made for him keeping Zabuza's water clones away from their barrier. Sakura needed to concentrate as she was the one calling out where the water clones were. Zabuza had picked a perfect location to ambush them. Right by the water so he had an easy stream of clones to pour out.

Though thanks to his gennin and their help, Kakashi was able to fully focus on the missing-nin as they had the barrier up and Soma was also in their group. Kakashi knew if he was killed or too injured to continue Soma would move in an instant to keep the kids safe, hell he would probably have no issue taking down Zabuza while he was at it. The disparity between his former student's power and his own was now astronomical it had been a bitter pill to swallow before but now Kakashi was grateful since his gennin were at risk. That only pushed Kakashi to attack Zabuza more reverently.

Zabuza was soon at a disadvantage and everyone froze when two senbon were suddenly slammed into his neck before Kakashi could land a killing blow.

There was a tense silence as a masked Shinobi wearing a mist anbu mask appeared. "Thank you, I've been tracking Zabuza for a while now." Everyone jolted when suddenly Soma struck out sword glinting making the masked man desperately tug away Zabuza's body from Soma's blade.

"Maa maa, hunter nin. Why are you dragging off the dead body? I'm just trying to ensure the kill." Soma tensed and the masked man gathered up the body swiftly.

Naruto could sense Soma's unease, his fluctuating emotions gave away that this was one of those moments where things aren't what they appear.

The blonde looked at the masked nin trying to desperately understand what was happening. How did Soma know this was a trick? Naruto could only faintly feel that glimmering power come from Zabuza's form. It was hard to read though and Naruto didn't know what Soma could sense that he couldn't.

Soma did that sometimes though and Naruto knew he had traveled so maybe he recognized this chakra but the blonde would not blow his guardian's cover and kept quiet as the masked nin collected Zabuza's body and departed.

Kakashi sensei had been quite tense almost as if he had wanted to interfere with what had unfolded before him but a glance back to his group stopped him. "Let's get Tazuna home then." Kakashi covered his Sharingan and walked only slightly unsteadily.

Soma was suddenly there next to Kakashi helping him walk. He was less tense and full of concern for their sensei. Team seven hesitated collectively having never seen Soma show Kakashi any sort of affection. The man treated their sensei like an annoying bug that buzzed around him. Naruto forgot that they had once been their own little team with Itachi at their side.

Now Naruto understood that despite the awkward reunion between the three who trained team seven, to Soma they were his teammates. Would always be his teammates no matter what, even if they fought they would eventually reunite.

Soma would still stand by their side as an ever present presence. Naruto would need to ponder on that revelation and his gaze aimed at the pleased expression Kakashi made at having Soma so close.

Kakashi sensei always seemed to get this dreamy gaze when looking at Soma.

Did...Kakashi sensei love Soma? This singular thought orbited within all three of team seven's gennin watching their sensei and temporary sensei interact.

It always surprised them all to see the kind affectionate nature given to Kakashi who seemed to melt into the care. Soma was mostly observing the team rather than directly leading them. Kakashi himself was the one commanding them about.

Kakashi imparted his knowledge, morals and ideology. Itachi helped to refine the team and Soma kept them growing at a steady pace. They worked so well together as if they had always been a well-oiled machine.

The redhead showed he cared about his teammates very openly as of late.

Though to be fair Soma had avoided his former teammate and former sensei for such a long time that it was odd to see that he cared for them.

The kids huddled around their client who was eagerly telling them about his home but right at that moment none of them were truly listening.

Once they got Tazuna home the old man led Kakashi and Soma away briefly introducing the group to his daughter-in-law Tsunami and Grandson Inari.

The gennin were left in the entryway and immediately began to debate.

"I've got two questions here. First, the most important thing. Why does Soma sensei play an escort so well?"

Naruto huffed and Sasuke scowled at Sakura both wondering how she passed the seduction course of the academy. Everyone knew Soma was the one to enforce that all students were to learn the course. Hell, Soma was well known for using his looks to get what he wanted if need be, it was a known secret among the shinobi households. Especially since Soma used his sex appeal to trick Ibiki into doing him a favor by taking on more work at the academy. Especially since Ibiki was head of the interrogation team and everyone doubted the man even knew what sex was. It had sent Shikaku into a fit of snickering at every shinobi meeting when the man would follow Soma around like a puppy.

Seduction was a trademark for the man. Even Itachi and Kakashi openly admitted to its usefulness when they had done undercover work together.

"Next question." Naruto spoke glaring at Sakura who gulped at the glare but moved on.

"T-then do you think Kakashi sensei likes Soma sensei!" Sakura spoke with an excited flush already on her face. Naruto blanched and Sasuke huffed but both boys seemed to think.

" Well, he's got competition if he does." Sasuke spoke crossing his arms and snickering.

Naruto rolled his eyes and scoffed trying to will away the urge to gag. This was his pseudo brother they were talking about. "If you mean Itachi then I'm going to encourage Kakashi Sensei to woo him before your brother builds up the courage to even look Soma in the eye."

Sasuke scowled at Naruto. "My brother would be far more suited to becoming Soma's partner." The blonde huffed.

Sakura was looking between her two teammates with stars in her eyes and blood running down her nose. "You mean Sasuke's hot brother and our renowned heartbreaker of a Sensei are fighting for Soma sensei's hand?"

Both boys froze and looked at Sakura who had begun gleefully giggling. They both shivered in fear but knew better than to voice any of their thoughts of horror out loud.

Ever since Soma began training the girl, Sakura had become stronger nearly knocking them out with a single punch when sparring. Plus the girl was learning medical ninjutsu and neither boy wanted to be her practice dummy anytime in the near future.

"Yeah let's just focus on the mission instead of Soma's weird love life." Naruto huffed crossing his arms.

"Maa maa it would be wise to stay out of my love life I agree." All the gennin froze and turned to the glowering form of Soma. They haven't heard or sensed him at all. It was unnerving especially since he wore geta on wood flooring.

"Oh, I better go check on Kakashi sensei." Sakura spoke first bolting and both boys muttered about checking the perimeter before scrambling off themselves.

Naruto called several clones to help secure the perimeter. The blonde determined he needed to wipe all thoughts of Soma and his love life away.

T.D.O.T

Kakashi sat down unsteady and Soma ensured he didn't further injure himself.

The worry and warmth were gone from the calculative and mechanical Uzumaki leader. The redhead was reading him. Kakashi knew Soma figured he wasn't badly injured just tired.

The sharingan drained him just not as much as it had in the past. Soma and Itachi truly kept him in shape and improving on his skills so there was no doubt this small setback would be over and done with soon.

"How are you feeling?" Soma has already placed several seals on Kakashi's body. The silver-haired Shinobi used to it as the redhead would transfer some of his chakra to Kakashi regularly during practice. Kakashi used to faint from overuse of his Sharingan now he barely noticed any drain.

He suspected the Uzumaki vitality was channeled through their chakra but couldn't be sure.

"Only slightly tired you won't need to dish out much to regulate my chakra." Soma hummed in acknowledgement and Kakashi felt warmth that accompanied Soma's chakra transfer.

The guy was a literal genius when it came to fuinjutsu. He only got better when returning from his mission to collect the Uzumaki's secret vault of scrolls. Soma did the impossible by bringing a once nearly decimated clan back to life.

It was surprising how he flourished with little guidance.

While Kakashi was still drowning in the memories of blood. "Ya know, I've always admired your tenacious personality." Kakashi spoke suddenly making Soma frown as he looked over the masked man.

"What are you implying?" Soma spoke now focusing on cleaning off any blood from Kakashi's body. Quietly observing his bruised limbs.

"Despite your past life mirroring mine in a macabre sort of fashion, you have yet to let it consume you as it has me." Soma hummed gently to Kakashi's response easing him to lie back on the ground. Soma unzipped Kakashi's vest and observed a few open wounds stitching themselves back together. Sakura would still need to add to his healing but Kakashi would be up and running in no time. Soma focused back on the conversation as he knew it would be somewhat daunting to ignore.

"It's not easy, I sometimes feel like I'm losing my mind with constant reminders of loved ones and their last moments with me. I'm still not fully recovered from my first sensei's death as he died because of my lack of control." Soma's gaze was haunted and Kakashi regretted bringing up the ghost.

"I was young and arrogant. Just so naive and stupid to the point that it severely impacted those around me." Soma shifted Kakashi's clothes back after he cleaned off any open wounds.

"My ignorance wasn't stopped until I had lost every last one of them. That's why I can't let myself function like I'm half dead."Soma stood and moved their packs aside. "If I dare do that, then for me it would be like spitting on their sacrifice." Soma shook his head pushing away the thoughts of his past. He could only look forward now.

"That's why I appear like I'm functioning well. I don't have time for the ghost anymore, not when I can't risk our future." Kakashi mulled over Soma's words as if a clear bell broke through and lifted the fog around his eyes.

The pair shared a smile between them holding a clear conscious understanding of one another. It was like the air had cleansed around them now that they both had that connection.

"I'm going to check on the kids before they set something on fire." Kakashi chuckled waving Soma off and stayed sitting as his treatment would take several moments still.

Left alone to his thoughts no matter how briefly Kakashi couldn't help but marvel after Soma. He wished he was a better man to stand by his side but Kakashi was just a lonely broken man chasing after Soma's affections.

He wasn't even the only one either.

Itachi as much as he was a rival for Soma's affection was held back by the same inferiority that Kakashi felt. Soma was well adjusted and like Itachi, Kakashi didn't want to taint him with all his flaws. Hell, Kakashi didn't feel worthy of an iota of Soma's affection.

Soma was human but he was functioning and thriving whereas someone like Kakashi was just living. Waiting for the end that refused to take him but took everyone he cared about around him.

Sakura suddenly burst into the room and eagerly looked over at Kakashi chatting about healing techniques she would get to practice because of him. Kakashi sighed as Soma's seals stopped and flaked off of him.

Kakashi frowned missing the rushing warmth of Chakra and allowed Sakura's glowing green hands to cover any exposed wounds to practice her healing. Her skill and affinity for learning iryojutsu were a marvel to watch in development.

Soma had a real knack for finding hidden talents Team Seven seemed to thrive in. Everyone had been learning everything at a rapid pace since Soma's realistic reality check several weeks back.

The seriousness and dedication the kids collectively put into training was astronomical. Sakura flourished under the guidance of the team. Naruto himself was proving to be just as talented as Soma himself. Sasuke was showcasing to also be his brother's vicious replica. It was almost embarrassing as Kakashi had not really planned to push the team so hard.

Had it been left up to Kakashi team seven would have still been learning chakra control exercises. Mostly due to their teamwork being slightly atrocious. Without the Uzumaki leader's intervention, Kakashi would have stalled their growth until they could work together as a healthy unit first.

Maybe he could use this mission to push the team a bit more.

T.D.O.T

" My soul is going to leave my body." Naruto groaned only earning a tired grunt from Sasuke.

"At least you can still move your body." Sakura shouted from across the field the same spot she had collapsed at several minutes prior.

Soma was gone watching the bridge builder until the man was to be ready to leave for the day so Kakashi had made his team work on stamina by running the entire morning through trees.

If one of them touches the ground they were made to stop and start over.

Naruto had been the only one who could handle the rigors of stamina training with less pain done to him than Sasuke or Sakura.

Kakashi didn't want them completely drained as he needed them ready for the actual mission of watching over the bridge builder. Kakashi knew he wouldn't have another opportunity to have extra eyes with him on a mission so he wanted his team to get the idea of training together whenever and wherever they could.

Kakashi wasn't going to hold any of his team back and was already making plans to progress team seven to be greater than all the previous team sevens of his past.

He couldn't fail this team and needed them to want to push themselves with or without him. Kakashi would have held them all back trying to preserve their childhood...yet with Soma and Itachi having been under his tutelage, he was made to watch and push two very young kids into dangerous missions. They had been nearly as young as he had been.

Kakashi had never understood the hesitation Minato had sending him out on dangerous or even mentally draining missions. He understood more now. Had it been just Itachi, Kakashi wouldn't have felt so torn up. The boy held back his emotions and buried them just like he did.

No, Itachi and he would have just quietly suffered in silence. It was Some who proved that they were lacking, not functioning properly, and practically bulldozed them into being healthier mentally. He never said anything but he was just proof that the were better ways to cope.

Yeah, Kakashi truly struggled to send either of them out to kill. That was when he had realized that he needed to quit anbu or else all he'd see was blood. Soma proved Kakashi needed that as his hesitation was now a burden to the village and to the missions he led.

T.D.O.T

Soma frowned feeling restless.

Naruto was out training and had been out since before the sun rose in the sky. Soma remembered this day in his long-lost past. The day he first met Haku, though he wasn't too confident if the meeting would happen the same.

It made the redhead anxious so Some left team seven who had been conversing about their missing teammate.

The Uzumaki leader could feel eyes suddenly aimed his way before he disappeared in a seamless body flicker. He moved, silent unnoticed until he came to a familiar pathway.

Memories of stumbling through this same walk flooded his mind. Soma remembered in his first life the pain, the embarrassment, and the unending feeling of never being enough. That's why he would walk this path and work hard, train till he was passing out in the forest or bleeding, and work himself well past the point of his body protesting.

That life of pushing himself endlessly wasn't far off from his Naruto's life. Only the reason for pushing this one forward was different. There was still the need to prove himself but it had less to do with trying to build up his own reputation. Rather upholding and rises above his clan's name and the demon he carries.

Soma pulled from his thoughts as a silhouette showed in the distance.

Deep blue eyes aimed at a startled figure that froze on the path. A fake smile plastered on the beautiful face of a man who had died his first lifetime around.

It hurt to see Haku again.

This was the man who taught him to follow his own nindo. His way of life was only possible because of the man's previous sacrifice.

Though Soma now imprinted that nindo into this Naruto, body mind, and soul. So, in a way, Haku affected both Naruto's of both lives.

Soma gave a small smile when he drew closer to the obviously uncomfortable figure.

"You and Zabuza should find a new client if you wish to live." Haku stiffened and Soma caught the senbon the teen had thrown at him.

Soma moved with fluidity blocking each striking blow and aimed his way swiftly he had the teen trapped. The Uzumaki leader didn't hurt a single hair on the boy's head nor was he even ruffled by the encounter.

He remembered the boy had trampled him and Sasuke in his past. Now though Soma was a different man who had long since surpassed the skill of Haku. It was oddly bittersweet to force him into submission so easily.

Haku was held arms twisted and his body suddenly felt weak and he was unable to call on his chakra.

Haku was frozen thinking he would die here with his master still weak at their temporary hideout.

"Gato has a reputation for killing off some of his hired people. Keep that in mind Haku." Soma dropped Haku and the sudden feeling of weakness left the teen who looked up in shock at the redhead who continued leisurely on his path back towards the meadow Haku had left that boy at.

"How do you know my name?" The redhead chuckled and only waved back at the boy in farewell instead of answering him.

After all, they were Shinobi. It wouldn't do to offer up information.

Soma arrived to find Naruto sitting in the grass, seemingly meditating. It was the beginning steps of connecting with his bijuu. The chakra entity would be quite resistant to Naruto at the beginning of their time together. This foundation or calming one's self and mind would be beneficial for Naruto when he inevitably needed to face his demons...almost literally in this sense.

Soma only settled silently next to his younger counterpart and kept his senses open to protect Naruto. There were so many things he wished he could say, but knew most of what wished to burst forth wouldn't make sense yet.

Naruto was on his own trajectory now and Soma was only there to keep him from falling off the path for too long. Now though he was just given so much free time. Naruto was moving beyond Soma's scope into his own with others and Soma didn't know what to do now.

Should he travel? Search for Obito...maybe end this all before the Akatsuki comes after the tailed beast. He had wiped out most of the organization already. But Madara and Obito were extremely difficult to find. Soma hasn't even heard a single rumor of either one of them. He would have no choice but to wait for them to appear before him.

Soma knew he wasn't immortal, the years would creep up on him in no time. It was why he trained the next generation so meticulously. They might need to pick up where he might fail once more. So it was fine he started to live in this time wholeheartedly. Soma still had a life to live... maybe now it was time to finally live it.

Soma turned his gaze to Naruto who was blinking back into awareness and smiled at the pleased expression on the boy's face.

Even despite his reluctance to give up, he still acted to finally just have some peace.

The Uzumaki leader was pleased and chose to leave the kids to fend for themselves and went back to the dwelling of the bridge builder.

He only went to ensure Haku had not harmed his Naruto this time plus now Haku was warned after all.

Well, time was a fickle thing and he refused to leave everything up to chance.

T.D.O.T.

Kakashi marveled at Soma, his lazy gaze following that shimmering glimmer of hair that bounced in a high tail. Soma had volunteered to help the lady of the house clean up after dinner.

They had just escaped a rather awkward encounter with Tsunami's young son who claimed they would die.

What had been rather surprising was Soma's soft gentle handling of giving the child a reality check.

Kakashi frowned thinking back on the conversation.

The words 'You're all just going to die. Everyone that's gone against Gato dies!' The boy sounded hopeless.

How Naruto seemed extremely agitated and was about to burst into a rant only to be soothed by words from Soma.

'No one lives forever, even the powerful can fall.' Everyone looked as if they had been struck not having expected such a response. Soma only quietly sipped his tea gathering his dishes as he moved to stand and clear the table. 'I could die tomorrow but that would not stop me from trying to live. It's exactly why I work hard to change today.' That stunned mostly those of team seven and they all froze looking at the mysterious Uzumaki leader.

Soma's gaze had glossed over and Kakashi's had never seen the man look so...heartbroken. It was raw and unfiltered, so unlike the Soma he had always come to know.

'We are not gods, nor can we claim to be all-powerful but neither is this Gato. If we simply lay over and take what he dishes out that would make us blind fools.' Soma smiled almost mockingly at the stunned Inari.

'I'm no blind fool. Are you?' Then the redhead turned to help Tsunami clean the dishes. Inari had stumbled out of the room breaking the silence they had fallen into.

Naruto looked like his world was shattered for a moment before excusing himself and scampered off an excuse to train tumbling from his lips.

Kakashi realized with how powerful Soma was, Naruto had never thought of the possibility that he could actually die. It seemed the survival exam weeks back had not truly stuck that home for team seven, not till this moment here. Even Sasuke had paled and tugged Sakura along to join their comrade in training once more.

That was just Soma though, always his melancholy and so serious apprentice. He had the veneer of a genial and calm disposition when he truly took the world on his shoulders. His emotional intelligence just made him handle it in a much more productive way. Even if he was a wash of emotions it didn't eat him alive. He lived his life a different way compared to Itachi still haunted by his own demons but unwilling to let that stop him from moving forward with every possibility. . Soma was convinced he was not strong enough, powerful enough, or stable enough to take on everything that came their way.

Though that begged the question. Why was Soma so humble? Why did he not believe in the power he held? What was it about this Uzumaki that his unshakable power was still not enough for him?

Kakashi wasn't sure he wanted to know, because if it was something stronger than Soma, they were all doomed.

A thought struck Kakashi.

"Soma." Kakashi waited until the redhead excused himself from Tsunami who shooed him away from the remaining dishes. The redhead settled in front of Kakashi and he really eyed his long-time protege.

"How old were you when you came to the village?"

Soma's gaze squinted suspiciously and it was extremely similar to his blonde student's look it made Kakashi frown behind his mask. The redhead seemed annoyed at the given scrutiny Kakashi gave him.

"Seven. I'm surprised you forgot, I thought you were supposed to be a genius." Soma bit out sarcastically.

Kakashi ignored the jibe and made his mind focus. Soma had a rough past. The small clues he could gather created an odd timeline. He knew he was almost obsessively focused on Soma to a point that he seemed unhealthy to his closest friends.

It was always something about him that triggered Kakashi's once monotonous life into something that breathes and lives.

He doubted Soma was a spy. The guy had loyalty to the leaf even stronger than some naturally born Shinobi. His devotion to Naruto was another thing. Soma had held himself in an unapproachable sector, separate from others... all save Naruto. The two closer than even Soma and Nagato's Bond wove. Soma was friendly but unapproachable as if he expected everyone he interacted with to disappear from his life.

Or rather that he would disappear from their lives.

Yet, he had grown up surrounded by strong friends and family, growing stronger than those around him and yet still doubted and ached and languished over his placement and the preservation of those around him. All except Naruto...as if he saw something in him that others could not. As of he shared the same heartaches and anguished in the same misery as each other.

Soma made him wonder, which was both dangerous and soothing in its own way.

All those years ago when a boy of seven was brought to the Hokage's office knowing of Bijuu and cursed powers. Understanding how having such power would affect how those around you treated you.

It made one wonder if Soma knew of these emotions hands-on. Despite never showing any outward signs of such effects.

He didn't understand why Soma was the way he was. Those same thoughts always plagued Kakashi as humans were naturally greedy. What was it about Sona that made him so selfless yet so untrusting of those around redhead was more tight-lipped since meeting him when he was nine. Kakashi felt almost...offended.

Why would he not open up when Kakashi so desperately wanted to know him? Even if he could never have him.

However, admitting to that type of vulnerability was so not the Hatake clan style. "Will you marry me?" Kakashi spoke smiling earning a beautiful flush and a dark glower from his favorite redhead. He had already given up on asking any real questions as he realized he was still too scared to know the truth.

"Get lost!" Soma yelled stomping out of the kitchen leaving behind a flustered Tsunami and a snickering Tazuna. Kakashi only watched that perfect glimmering hair bounce away. Also eyed that perfect ass of his enjoying the fact that Soma never punished him for his perverted antics.

T.D.O.T

Soma stood silently watching team seven leave with Tazuna. This time Naruto had woken up with his team and they set out to the bridge.

The Uzumaki clan head opted to stay at the house. He knew what was coming but he also needed Naruto to understand that this was the start of his Shinobi career.

Danger was part of their life and Soma would not necessarily be there for him. It made the redhead anxious but determined to allow them both this step away from each other.

Soma would join them but for now, he needed to wait.

Soma heard banging at the front door and took a deep breath standing from his position in the upstairs bedroom.

"I guess this is finally the beginning." Soma spoke allowed almost regretting what was likely to come.

T.D.O.T

Kakashi watched stunned as his students had easily developed and implemented a trap that held down a surprised Zabuza and what seemed to be his masked apprentice.

The only proof Kakashi had taken part in the scuffle was the thin line of blood dripping from his arm when he tried to protect Sakura's exposed back from the surprise attack. After Zabuza's masked partner ripped Naruto's seal pouch and threw it away in a far distance before being trapped. His team recovered swiftly and bolted into action in an instant.

Never did he imagine three gennin could accomplish such a feat. No one was severely hurt, in fact, Kakashi hadn't realized Naruto had placed seals in the almost-built bridge the day they had arrived in the village.

Seals sprung up to effectively hold down Zabuza's partner in a reverse barrier like a portable prison. Never mind the fact that it was an amazing and unheard-of seal.

Sasuke had trapped Zabuza in his Sharingan while Sakura had used a chakra-infused punch to temporarily knock out Zabuza.

Kakashi hadn't even had to use a single-hand seal.

Naruto's barrier was being put under some pressure from the masked boys Kekkei Genkai that appeared to involve ice of some form.

Apparently, the time his gennin were training they were also planning fight scenarios mostly with Sakura leading the team through several scenarios and using Naruto and Sasuke as tools since she was not yet up to par on fighting capabilities.

"Kakashi sensei Naruto and I won't be able to hold them for that long," Sasuke spoke breaking him from his stupor realizing they had tied up Zabuza while he was unconscious much to his partner's dismay and upset. Naruto looked at his barrier a bit nervously as small cracks were beginning to appear.

Kakashi called his team back behind him quietly cursing himself for not insisting on Soma coming along.

Then almost like it was planned Zabuza awoke just as his partner broke through Naruto's prototype barrier.

Sakura fell back holding a protective position in front of Tazuna Sasuke covering their backs while Naruto scrambled to create a seal with his blood to protect the team. Kakashi jolted realizing that his barrier even covered Kakashi.

He only frowned that it was a red tint to the barrier...that was very different from other blood seals.

"Cowards, come out here and fight!" Zabuza growled this out brandishing his large blade. His partner pulled out senbon and began trying to attack the red barricade.

From what Kakashi could see his team had shown great complexity in a strategy that was never to have a drawn-out battle but meant to stun and retreat to safety. Giving their side an advantage of getting themselves prepared before engaging with the threat.

This was astounding as it would be revolutionary for any future escort missions where client safety would be the priority. His students came up with this by themselves and Kakashi truly felt humbled.

He definitely underestimated them...Itachi did as well for they shared the same opinion that they were progressing team sevens training a bit extensively but Soma saw through it all. He truly could read the potential of this generation of Shinobi and knew when to lead them step by step for training and when to pull back and allow them to grow alone.

Kakashi regretted snubbing Soma's dream of teaching the next generation of ninja. He truly was meant to mold the future of their village into greatness.

Kakashi could feel a vibration of energy in this red barrier. He remembered this feeling and glanced back to Naruto who was focused on concentration watching the two before them. He could see the shifting in his Naruto's blue glimmering gaze to blood red for brief moments as the blonde glowered at the masked boy.

"You might as well take off the mask Haku, how dare you try to trick me!" The blonde looked offended. "Your chakra doesn't lie though, does it." Kakashi whipped back obviously he had missed something if Naruto seemed to have crossed paths with Zabuza's partner in the past few days before this encounter.

The boy did pull off his mask looking a bit hurt by the accusation but his expression hardened before tucking the mask away.

"Think as you wish " The older boy spoke and everyone flinched as Zabuza tried slamming his blade into the barrier only for it to propel back.

Ice built up suddenly forming into senbon and attacked the dome in all directions only to shatter on contact. Kakashi listened as Sakura and Sasuke tried to calm Naruto a bit, they worried his anger would blind him and he'd do something brash.

"If you guys don't come out to play I'll have to rip apart this bridge until there's no other choice." Zabuza spoke leveling his blade on a concrete pillar near them.

Zabuza jolted blocking a thin long blade and in quick succession. Several kicks jerked his body backward and into the ground. A scream of surprise took Zabuza's partner as the boy was slammed into the ground in an instant and from what Kakashi could see a seal was placed on his cheek and he was trapped in the canopy of a beautiful umbrella. Soma stood before them effortlessly and not a hair out of place.

Kakashi froze seeing red in Soma's gaze and watched him resolutely assault Zabuza. This was a beat down and so one-sided that Kakashi almost felt sorry for the other guy. The hits that landed were blows made by Soma's fists or legs. As if he was playing with him. It was a monstrous display and Kakashi jolted when Sakura eased him down so she could heal him with iryojutsu. Kakashi just stood stunned.

Sasuke stayed back with their client and Naruto seemed to focus on keeping their barrier up. Kakashi could feel the energy in the barrier was ever shifting so that was why it was required to keep a constant watch on it. It was truly different from a ready-made seal that needed constant and consistent chakra flow.

However. the barrier was on the back of Kakashi's attention as it was aimed at the right before him.

Zabuza had gotten a solid swing in and Soma was bleeding from a deep wound on his hip. Not that it deterred the redhead in his assault on Zabuza

Kakashi knew he would just get in the way right now if he were to try to intervene. Though there was no point in joining in the fight.

Zabuza was going to lose to Soma there was little doubt about that. It made Kakashi realize that Soma had long ago surpassed him...what exactly happened to Soma in their years apart?

Said redhead caught sight of Kakashi immediately those blue eyes narrowed down noticing the dripping blood coming off the masked nin and for a fraction of a second Soma looked furious.

Soma looked to be almost in anguish a bit of his always ever-present control had vanished. A display of controlled violence poured out of the redhead and his striking fist seemed louder. It startled his gennin who all seemed to shift uncomfortable.

"Soma." It was spoken unconsciously by Kakashi and that seemed to reign the Uzumaki leader back in that same instant. The savageness seemed to diminish and only a flinching around his eyes seemed to indicate to Kakashi that Soma was horrified with what he had done.

The one-sided fight was ended when Gato, a grubby fat slimeball strolled into the scene and began mocking Zabuza and taunting the bloody and bruised man. Even going so far as to proposition Soma offering him money to kill both Zabuza and Haku before turning on team seven to kill Tazuna. The man was extremely foolish to think such a thing would work.

Soma had moved back putting himself between the barrier and the sudden appearance of all the rouges.

"I tried to warn you Haku, guys like Gato only betray you in the end." Kakashi was confused once again unsure of how much he could have missed this past week.

Naruto stumbled and his barrier fluttered before Soma looked back and Kakashi watched the color drain from the redhead's face.

They all ignored Gato who was rambling and Zabuza moved to Haku's side breaking the teen out of Soma's trap.

"Naru drop the barrier, I told you not to use its power in your seals yet." Kakashi froze as he knew what Soma was referring to. Naruto was tapping into the nine-tailed beast's energy. It breathed life into his seal work making it more unsteady and unstable to control but it was definitely powerful especially in a pinch when Naruto didn't have his ready-made barrier seals in him.

Naruto stumbled as if he couldn't hear them and fainted Sakura and Sasuke screamed his name but Kakashi caught him before he could hit the floor.

Kakashi gave the boy to Sakura and eyed Soma who looked pained but turned his attention to focus on Gato who seemed to be finishing his rambling.

They had a mission to finish.

Kakashi eyed Soma who oddly seemed drained and stumbled but caught himself. That would need to be addressed later though.

Right now there was a task to accomplish.

T.D.O.T

Soma watched the village quietly, the bleeding sunlight breaking through letting his thoughts linger and burn into his mind once more.

Much like in his past life, the villagers banded together and helped drive off the remaining thugs that Kakashi, Soma, and Zabuza had not taken out. It was Zabuza who killed Gato but Soma practically bulldozed the two rogue ninjas out of the village.

There were no other interactions between them as Zabuza and Haku knew this was a mercy for their lives. Soma could decide to kill them both then and there they all knew it.

So they left with their lives.

Kakashi found Soma sitting on a hill overlooking the village below. Team seven gennin were helping to finish the bridge. The two of them just sat in silence until Kakashi realized Soma was silently crying.

"I thought I had better control than that. I hadn't allowed myself to fall like that since my previous sensei's death, ya know." Kakashi froze heating the tremble in his voice and the vulnerability that echoed from the read head. "You think I'm a monster too... right?" Soma spoke almost a whisper of noise. That unfroze the mashed man who gently patted Soma's shoulder.

"I could never think that. Cause you aren't." Kakashi responded more sure of that than anything. The loss of control was normal and despite Soma's character, he was a Shinobi with more blood on his hand than most ninja his age. He and Itachi had been made to do unspeakable things in the name of the leaf village.

Soma had obviously lost a lot of people he cared about at a young age. The thought of Kakashi being injured and the worry that it could have been life-threatening or debilitating would have triggered that held in trauma.

Kakashi knew because he had been that same way when first seeing Itachi kill for the first time. When he himself had been part of the loss of innocence in another child. Kakashi had been grateful it had been Anbu leader Dragon who had Soma with him for his first assassination mission. They all knew after Itachi, Kakashi would have broken apart if he had to do that to Soma as well.

Now wasn't about Kakashi or his broken mental state though.

If his redhead needed reassurance Kakashi would always be there to provide that.

The masked man just wrapped his arm around the redhead's shoulders. Letting the smaller man allow himself to be vulnerable. It was a first and Kakashi was startled to realize that. He let Soma cry and hoped it would be enough for now.

Kakashi was eager to get back to the village. Very eager to return Soma to the safety of the village where he could ensure his redhead was surrounded by the love of his people. That seemed to be his best medicine.

"Come. It's time to go home." Soma sniffled but practically clung to Kakashi while he built himself back up to face team seven.

It was time to go home.

T.D.O.T.

Kakashi eyed Soma as they passed the gates to the village. The redhead was stumbling a bit and Kakashi wondered why, as Soma had been through far more strenuous missions.

Once they got through their report with the Hokage Naruto waved them goodbye and both he and Sasuke took Sakura to eat before they were to escort her home.

Once the kids were gone Kakashi felt it.

Soma's warm power receded. Isekai blinked speechless realizing Soma had never stopped extending his healing power from when he had been injured in his first fight with Zabuza.

Kakashi caught Soma who suddenly collapsed the redhead only apologized and said 'Can't let the clan see me' before passing out. He easily lifted Soma who fit perfectly in his arms into a bridal hold.

His dangerous little firecracker really pushed himself too far. Kakashi hesitated but walked to his home. He figured it would be wiser to let Soma rest in his home as he was sure his clan would be in a frenzy to see him so out of it.

A swift cautionary check with his own iryojutsu ensured to Kakashi that Soma was only exhausted and needed to sleep off his fatigue.

Kakashi sent a summons off to inform the Uzumaki can that Soma was helping him out with mission details. Would return later in the evening or in the morning.

Satisfied Kakashi marched home with his precious cargo.

His skin prickled once he crossed the threshold of his small apartment. Kakshi was swift to deposit Soma onto his only bed taking off the redhead's shoes and changed him.

He just didn't want him wearing the clothes he traveled in on his bed was all. Not that he wanted to catch glimpses of that pale perfect skin. No, it definitely has nothing to do with that.

Soma mumbled softly in his sleep and Kakashi couldn't help but look at how lovely he looked. Wrapped up in one of Kakashi's large nightshirts as he knew Soma would wake had he tried to force pants on him in his sleep.

His long glimmering red hair was fanned out behind him on Kakashi's bed and it made the former anbu captain stare captivated.

If course it would take Soma passing out for Kakashi to finally get him in his bed.

The sensei pulled himself away and set about sprinting himself and prepping a meal for Soma.

He owed him as the redhead definitely overexerted himself trying to ensure he had healed properly.

Kakashi the friend killer just seemed to be unlucky enough to keep making friends.

There were more concerns Kakashi had and wanted to discuss with Soma privately. Never had he thought the redhead would be teaching Naruto to tap into that monster power that resides within him.

Never did he suspect the redhead would have so much stamina as to extend his protection and recovery to Kakashi for such a prolonged period.

Kakashi had questions and Soma would answer them. He just had the grace and loyalty to not ask such things before the third Hokage.

Soma was owed more than that.

Things were far too peculiar around Soma. The man knew far too much and was almost always far too prepared for every scenario they encountered. It was only bolstered by the fact that Soma had practically accommodated for each great encounter they faced in this mission.

There fact that his normally reactive former student stood back and observed with an almost melancholy expression this entire trip. As if he knew what was to occur and who they were meant to face. Like Some knew something they didn't. Plus letting Zabuza and Haku leave without true harm done to them was it or character...almost sentimental for his pragmatic shinobi.

Kakashi was unsettled belted down with every theory he could think of. From Soma being a plant sent to destroy the village to him having gone back in time to save it. Despite how ridiculous that last one sounded.

Ever since he met Soma it felt like possibilities of ridiculous nature could happen though.

The former anbu captain didn't know how long he sat at Soma's side but he had only refocused when banging on his front door sounded. Kakashi quirked a brow not expecting any guest. He wasn't surprised to find Itachi breaking into his apartment though.

Kakashi hadn't moved from his spot at Soma's bedside and he and Itachi shared a look.

There was intelligence behind Itachi's gaze and Kakashi could see he had heard of their travels as Itachi's gaze searched both his and Soma's bodies for injury. The silver-haired man huffed but figured Itachi would have his own questions to aim at his long-time companion and teammate.

It just so happened that Itachi and he must have come to the same thought. Soma knew too much for it to be coincidental. Went through too much for one so optimistic. Held too much wisdom for one so young. He acted like a war veteran at times, yet there had not been a war in his lifetime.

Both men needed to find out why he had such peculiarities if they were going to hand over their hearts entirely. Even if Soma were to reject them, they themselves needed this.

The silence was broken by Soma's groan and Itachi settled at Soma's other side.

Kakashi frowned but forced away his bitterness to focus on Soma. For better or worse It was time to confront him and his secrets. No matter how much both men had wanted to keep running away from it. They needed answers and they needed them fast.

They understood there was more at stake here than just the discourse of their live lives.

"Welcome back Soma." Itachi spoke and Kakashi prepared himself for the oncoming tidal wave of emotions he had withheld.

It was time to search through the skeletons in the closet.

That was a long chapter, hope you all enjoyed it.

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