Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Naruto Shippuden nor do I own anything or any character related to the series
Chapter Nineteen
"Everyone, today we have a new member of our team." The 10 members of the team watched as a young girl stepped into the locker room. She wore a short-sleeved, black shirt beneath the flak jacket that was provided as part of the Anbu uniform. She had black shorts that stopped mid-thigh, her calves secured with leg guards, a kunai pack around each of her thighs and her pouch and shuriken holder around her waist. A porcelain cat mask covered her face, three purple lines etched on the cheeks of the mask and swirling towards the end of her mask. And out of everything about the young girl—her shorter height, her still developing muscles, there was one thing that stuck out the most about her.
Her dark, burgundy hair.
"Welcome to Team Shi. We are the special assassination unit." The newest member of the team nodded before the squad leader continued. "The Anbu Black Ops have many different purposes, but our team's main goal is to carry out an assassination flawlessly and perfectly. We do not hesitate and we do not fail. Do you understand?"
"Hai." She understood perfectly.
*Three Months Earlier*
"Wh—What did you just say?" Hiruzen blinked with the raw shock on his face as he stared at the 11 year old.
With a straight expression, Karibi spoke as she remained composed and calm. "I would like to join the Anbu Black Ops."
The Third stared at the young girl for a few moments, truly taking in what it was that she was asking of him. He slowly stood to his feet as he locked his hands behind his back. "My dear, what is it that brought this on?" Karibi hesitated as she gazed at the Hokage with apprehension in her eyes; she was unsure as to whether or not he would understand her.
"...Hokage-sama, truth be told, I am one of the best up-and-coming shinobi of the village." Hiruzen walked around his desk and sat in front of it, listening carefully as the redhead spoke. "I became a genin without so much as a sweat. It took me only one try and only a few months to become a chunin, and now you've offered me the position as a jonin." Karibi stayed firm as she spoke, not backing down.
"I'm only 11 and I guarantee you, Sandaime, that I have the most and best knowledge of fuinjutsu in the village, and I have come far in my training with genjutsu. My ninjutsu is not perfect, but I am confident that I will only get better, and as for taijutsu, I'm not afraid at all."
"And you believe because of this you have the strength to join the Anbu?" Karibi's expression softened at that.
"...I've tried to understand, and I've really tried to grasp it...but, Hokage-sama, there's...there's this rage inside of me that I can't control." Hiruzen's eyes softened as Karibi swallowed hard. "I've been trying to convince myself that I can move past this on my own...but I can't," she stated quietly as she averted her eyes to the floor.
"I have put a lot of thought into this, sir. And with Team 2 separating, I don't know if I can do this on my own," Karibi said honestly.
"...Joining the Anbu would mean to give a part of yourself up," the Hokage said gently. "It would mean you would have to sacrifice a part of who you are, for the missions they complete are not easy."
"I know...I know," Karibi agreed as she nodded her head. "...I just...I just need to do this. I can't explain it, but if I don't do this..." The Third said nothing as Karibi stared to the floor, hands at her side.
She was right. She was skilled enough. She had always been a bit ahead of the curve, and having Kushina train her had given the young girl an advantage as well. And just the sheer amount of chakra she had was already enough to prove that she was strong. But that was not what the Hokage worried about. What he worried about was her soul. For the moment one joins the Anbu is the minute they sell their soul to the devil; it was a high price, but it was a job that needed to be done.
"...I'm afraid I cannot allow you to join the Anbu right now." Karibi's heart sank as she looked up to meet Hiruzen's sympathetic gaze. She opened her mouth to protest, but stopped when the Third held his hand up, signaling her to wait. "But I have a compromise for you."
He was going to give her until her next birthday. Until then, she would train and she would study jutsu and she would show the Hokage that she was well-equipped to join the Black Ops. She had to prove to him that she had what it took to make it in the organization. And that was exactly what she was going to do. She wouldn't rest—she wouldn't give up until she had that uniform on and she was wearing that mask.
But the truth was, Hiruzen was hoping that she would change her mind by the end of it all.
*Two-and-a-half Months Later*
Hayase frowned as he sat in the grass watching as Karibi trained hard. He shook his head before her voice rang out, calling his name. Begrudgingly, the 14 year old made his way over to his teammate as she panted, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. She looked at him for a moment before she rolled her eyes, immediately sensing his disapproval.
"If you don't want to help—"
"If I didn't want to help, then I wouldn't be here," Hayase snapped as his former teammate narrowed her eyes.
"Then why do you look so mad?"
"Because I am!" Hayase crossed his arms as he glowered at Karibi. "Why? Why Anbu? Isn't being a jonin enough?" The young man watched as his friend ignored his question, turning away from him.
"...You would never understand." Staring at her back for a moment, Hayase sighed before he nodded, stepping to his friend's side.
"You're probably right about that," he said quietly. Karibi stole a glance from him before smiling slightly; he was getting his patience from Hana.
"So, what do you want from me?"
"I want you to go over there and use your best jutsu on me."
"...What?" Hayase gave Karibi a bewildered stare as she smirked. "What the hell are you talking about?!"
"I know a lot of different ninjutsu, but Water Releases are my strongest. If you ever paid any attention in class then you would know that Water is weak against Earth."
"I paid some attention..." Unfortunately, he hadn't been paying attention to that portion of the lesson.
"You're the perfect opponent for me to train with."
"But if your jutsu are weak against me, how do you plan on defeating me?" The young man was surprised by the smirk across his partner's face.
"Don't worry about me." Hesitantly, Hayase nodded before he began to make his way across the training field. He stopped a good distance away from Karibi as he turned back to face her. She gazed at his shrunken figure and then nodded, signaling her former teammate to attack.
"And don't even think about using that shadow technique of yours!"
"Yeah, yeah!"
Concentrating, Hayase could feel his chakra charging through his body as he relaxed. He took a deep breath before he suddenly disappeared, catching Karibi off guard. She concentrated hard before her eyes flickered to the left. She instantly began forming her own hand seals, Hayase running out from the trees he'd hidden behind. He sprinted towards the 12 year old as she pinched her index finger and her thumb together. She placed them in front of her mouth before taking a deep breath.
"Water Style: Ice Darts Jutsu!"
"Earth Style: Iron Skin!" Hayase's skin morphed, darkening and thickening. He smirked as he crossed his arms over his face, the shards of ice that Karibi aimed at him shattering against his skin. He pulled his arms away after a moment as he continued running before he jumped forward and pulled his arm back. He prepared a fist for Karibi as she quickly performed more hand seals.
Slamming her hands against the ground, the 12 year old watched carefully as a wall of water shot up from the ground in front of her. Hayase smirked as he shook his head; that wasn't going to work on him. He thrust his fist forward with a shout, but the moment his knuckles met with the water, he had been shocked.
Instead of coursing right through the water wall like he had imagined he would, he winced. His fist was stopped short as he stared at the water. He could slightly see through it, and on the other side of the wall was a smirking Karibi. He narrowed his eyes at her for a second before turning his attention to his fist.
The water was dense, far too dense for what it should have been. And he could feel a solid form against his hand. And when he pulled his fist away and released his jutsu, his eyes widened; where his punch had landed, there had been a patch of ice. Staring with awe, the young man gawked, watching as the small patch of ice began to spread and change the water. The wall slowly froze over entirely before it was nothing more than a solid block of ice in front of him. Slowly, he placed his hand against it and shivered at the temperature.
"How did you do that?" he asked as Karibi stood to her feet gazing proudly at her work. She placed her hand against the ice wall and nodded with a smirk; she had done well.
"There are other branches of chakra natures. If you have the right elements mastered and the right amount of chakra, you can combine two different elements to make another one," Karibi explained as Hayase walked around the wall and stood beside his partner. They both stared at the wall of ice quietly. "By combining wind and water, I was able to perform an Ice Release."
"...Holy crap..." Karibi's smirk widened as Hayase shook his head. "Remind me to never get on your bad side..."
§
She was nervous. She could only think of a few reasons as to why the Hokage had called to see her. On one hand, she was confident in herself and ready to see what the Third had to say. But then on the other hand, she was anxious; what if he denied her what she wanted and needed?
Knocking on the office door, Karibi tensed when she heard the Hokage call for her to enter. With a deep breath, she walked inside, quickly shutting the door before she bowed. "Hokage-sama, you wished to see me?"
"Ah, yes. Karibi, come in." Motioning for her to join him at his desk, Hiruzen watched as Karibi strolled over to him with her head held high and her back straight. "There is an important matter that I wish to discus with you."
"What is it, sir?"
"I've thought quite a lot about this," he began. "And I've had my best squad leader watch you over the last few months." Karibi's eyes widened at that; she hadn't even noticed. "He was rather impressed by your skills and your knowledge, and after a long discussion, I've come to the conclusion that you are ready." The 12 year old blinked with doe-like eyes as she gazed at the Hokage with astonishment.
"R—Ready?"
"That's right. That is, if you still wish to join the Anbu," he said gently as Karibi began to rigorously nod her head.
"Yes! Yes, Hokage-sama! I really would!" The Hokage smiled as he nodded, holding out a small scroll to Karibi.
"Then I believe it's settled." Karibi took the scroll gratefully as she bowed her head. Hiruzen watched her with a soft smile as she stared down at the scroll in her hands as if she had been given the greatest gift of all. "The location of your uniform pick-up is written in the scroll as well as where you will be meeting your new squad and when." Smiling widely, Karibi bowed one last time to the Hokage as he continued to smile.
"...Thank you, Hokage-sama," she said quietly, the appreciation lacing her voice.
"Be well, Karibi," the Hokage said gently before said girl nodded, walking out of the room. And as she went, Hiruzen's smile dropped.
He had been truly hoping she would change her mind.
§
"I can't believe you actually made it."
"Why do you have to sound so surprised, Kurenai?"
"I'm not! At least...not that much..."
Karibi sat across from her friend as she gave her an irritated look, Kurenai smirking before she held up a kabob. The young one of the two sighed before relenting and smiling, picking up her own kabob. "Cheers."
"Cheers." As if they were holding glasses, the two "clinked" their kabobs together and then ate in peace; they were celebrating Karibi's move up.
"...You sure about this?" Karibi blinked as she finished off the chicken on her stick. She looked up at Kurenai, the older girl giving her an apprehensive look.
"Why do you ask?"
"It's just..." the red-eyed woman hesitated as she shrugged. "...I know what joining the Anbu can do to people. I just want to make sure you know what you're getting into," she explained as Karibi's eyes softened.
She knew who she was referring to.
"I think I need to do this," Karibi stated evenly. "There's...just some things I need to deal with and I think this will help."
"Started the celebration without us?" Looking up, Kurenai and Karibi watched as Asuma came strolling in with Guy behind him, and after Guy came an unexpected guest.
"Kakashi?"
"Yo." The masked ninja walked in as he nodded to Kurenai, who smiled up at him; it had been ages since she had last sat down and chatted with him. His gaze then landed on Karibi as she smiled up a him. He relaxed and nodded as he sat across from her, Asuma now across Kurenai and Guy at the end of the table.
"Congratulations, Kari-chan!"
"Thanks, Guy," the young girl said with a small smile.
"After this, you'll be busy with all of your private missions. What will we do without you?" Guy cried out dramatically, the others rolling their eyes.
"Why don't we just worry about one thing at a time," Kakashi offered as the others chuckled and agreed.
Becoming apart of the Anbu Black Ops was something not many people celebrated. It was an affair that was to be kept quiet and private, but Karibi had worked hard, and she did know what it would entail. She wouldn't be able to be open like the others. She would have to start keeping her own secrets, and just as the Hokage had said, she would have to give up a part of her soul for the cause. But in her mind, there wasn't much of that bright and innocent Karibi left inside of her to give. So she was ready. And even if she would change after this, for that moment—as she sat and ate with her companions, she would be the same just for that time.
§
Karibi had been the first to leave. Actually, she and Kakashi had been the first to leave.
They had eaten and celebrated just as they had planned, but the 12 year old was tired and she was beginning to lose the energy to deal with people. So, she politely excused herself, and just as she knew he would, Kakashi joined her, offering to walk along with her. No one had been surprised by that; when they were together, they were usually inseparable.
Waving goodbye, Karibi headed out of the shop, Kakashi nodding at the others before he followed after her. Kurenai smiled widely at them as they left, Asuma eyeing the pair as well.
"Has he always been like that?"
"Like what?" Guy inquired as he drank the last of his tea. Asuma shrugged as he leaned back in his seat.
"He's sort of like...Karibi's lost puppy." Kurenai chuckled as Guy blinked, thinking for a moment.
"They are close..."
"Well, whatever the case is, I'm glad," the young girl said as she glanced to her two friends. "He's always been a bit distant, so I'm glad he has someone he can be close with." The dark haired girl nodded as she glanced to Asuma, who blinked before relaxing and smiling softly before he nodded.
"Guess you're right."
§
He could feel her piercing gaze as they walked. She wasn't being subtle, and they both knew it. But neither seemed to care; Kakashi continued walking with his eye straight ahead and Karibi thought quietly to herself.
"...You haven't asked."
"Asked what?"
"You haven't asked whether or not I'm sure about doing this." They turned the corner before Kakashi shrugged, bending his legs and jumping up on to a rooftop. Karibi quickly followed after him, the two deciding to take the short way to her home.
"Why would I ask you that?"
"Because everyone else has," she stated as she frowned. "It's like I'm listening to the same record over-and-over again," she explained as the 15 year old thought for a second.
"I'm sure you've thought long and hard about this," the veteran Anbu stated as he hopped down to the road, Karibi pausing as she blinked. She quickly jumped down after Kakashi, landing in front of him as he gave her a soft and gentle stare. "I just want you to know that this isn't an answer." She stared pensively at Kakashi as his own gaze hardened.
"Whatever you're looking for, you won't find it by doing this." Karibi glanced to the ground before she turned and began to head down the street. Kakashi lingered behind and then slowly trailed behind the 12 year old.
The remainder of the walk was in silence. The pair just mingled in the other person's presence, Karibi relaxing as she felt Kakashi's warmth fester around her. She battled herself quietly, looking over at her companion every so often as he continued to keep his eyes on the road ahead. And when they finally arrived to Karibi's home, the silence had finally been broken.
"How long is your next mission?"
"Seeing as you're one of us now, I suppose I don't see the harm in saying how long," Kakashi said lightheartedly as Karibi scoffed but smiled. "I'll be gone for around a month." Karibi tried not to let her expression fall before she nodded clearing her throat and letting out a tired breath.
"Then before you go, I want to tell you why."
"Tell me why?" Kakashi's brows furrowed inward.
"...If I'm going to explain myself to anyone, I want it to be you," she stated as Kakashi remained silent. "The reason why I wanted to join the Anbu—it was because..." she trembled as she stared down at her feet, feeling the shame she tried to fight off bite at her.
"You don't have to—"
"I want to," she said as Kakashi hesitated before nodding.
"...Me telling you this...it means I really trust you, Kakashi," Karibi warned. "It means that I trust you more than I trust anyone in this entire village—this world." The 15 year old merely nodded as he let Karibi continue at her own pace.
"Before I become a shinobi of secrets and lies, I want to tell you why." Taking a deep breath, Karibi shook her arms out, hoping to get control of some of her nerves.
"...I'm not like everyone else anymore," she began. "Right now, I'm not the person I used to be. I've been trying to be better, but there's this fire inside of me that I just can't put out..." Kakashi's eye softened as he saw the raw emotions roll through Karibi. He could see the honesty and the despair in her eyes; it almost hurt. "I wanted to join the Anbu because I needed an outlet. Because with every passing day, I lose more and more of my self-control. And I'm not sure how much longer I can last before I snap and march into the hospital and slit his throat." She didn't have to say his name for Kakashi know who it was she was speaking of.
Naruto.
"The longer I sit around here and go about my life, the harder it gets for me to ignore that voice in my head. The voice telling me to kill that—that thing." Immediately, she shook her head. "Baby! He's a baby. I know. I know he's just a baby, and I know that it wasn't his fault...but I can't live with myself knowing that the monster that killed Minato and Kushina lives inside of him..." She couldn't bring herself to say his name.
"That's the real reason why I wanted to join the Anbu. I need a place to let out this anger." Kakashi frowned deeply beneath his mask as he took a step towards Karibi, eliminating that much more space between them. "And I know you're right. It's not going to give me any answers and it's not going to save me in the long run. But for now, it's what I need," she whispered, keeping her amethyst eyes on the ground.
She was hating herself. She didn't know how else to cope with the anger and the disappointment and the guilt she was feeling. She was looking for a way to get back at the world without having to worry about the consequences. She wanted to spill blood and not have to say sorry. That was why she wanted to join the Anbu Black Ops. And Kakashi understood. He felt her pain. He felt her shame.
"...Please..." Her voice was weak and meek, catching Kakashi off guard. "Please don't hate me," she whispered helplessly as she clasped her hands together and held them to her chest. She fought the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes as she shook her head. "...I can't do this without you."
Eye softening, Kakashi let his shoulders sag before he slowly reached out and placed his hands on Karibi's shoulders. He stepped closer to the 12 year old, invading her personal bubble and ridding of any more space that was left between them. Gently, the silver haired ninja pulled off Karibi's forehead protector and stared down at it. He held it tightly in his hand for only a moment before he tore his stare from it and gazed at Karibi. She looked back at him helplessly before her eyes widened.
Opening Karibi's hand, Kakashi carefully placed her hitai-ae in her palm. He closed her fingers around it and held her hand gently before he smiled softly, his shut eye curving in a way that matched his expression. "You don't have to do this alone," he said gently. "Don't forget that." Karibi stared down at her closed hand as she held tightly to her headband. She smiled and nodded as Kakashi lingered in front of her. He stared at her before he willed himself to take a step back.
Without a word, the young man turned and began to walk away. Karibi watched as he went before she smiled softly.
§
Standing in front of the door that led to the meeting room, a girl with a porcelain mask took a deep breath. She shook her arms out, letting the last of her nerves fall away through the tips of her fingers. Staring at the shut door for a second, the 12 year old thought to herself, reminding herself that she would be alright; she wasn't going to do this alone.
"Ah, you're the new recruit, right?" Looking up through the cat mask, the redhead watched as a man in a bird mask approached her, blue markings just beneath the slits for his eyes. "Welcome. Call me Kou." Holding out his hand, the squad leader watched curiously as the shorter one of them carefully shook his hand, bowing slightly.
"Thank you."
"So then, what do I call you?"
"...Karibi." Nodding, Kou opened the door and motioned for his subordinate to walk in first. She nodded before stepping through the doorway and glancing around at all the other Anbu.
Smirking under her mask, the 12 year old shut her eyes.
That day, Karibi the Reaper was born.
So here starts a new chapter of Karibi's life! Just in case no one has picked up on it yet, this story is going to be a longer one LOL I have lots of things in mind for Karibi and I'm excited to get it all typed out for whoever is reading! And Naruto's entrance into Karibi's life is going to be coming up in the next three or two chapters, so get excited for that :D I'm looking forward to finally showing off their dynamic and their relationship. It'll be a fun write and hopefully it'll be a fun read for everyone!
So, I've gotten some messages from miscellaneous readers about how people want this story to carry on. Up until a certain point, I am going to be writing this story and it will follow the plot of Naruto/Naruto Shippuden. Now, I asked you all what your preference would be; follow the plot or do something of my own! So far, it's been an even number of those who want me to follow and not follow the plot, so please! Feel free to let me know what you are thinking! I happen to be terrible at decision-making, so opinions are always welcome! And anyways, I'm writing this not only for myself, but for whoever is here checking this out! So of course, I would love to hear what you have to say! So please feel free to message me or leave a review :)
And as usual, thank you very much to everyone who has stopped by and given this story a shot! I appreciate all the support and I can only hope that my writing will get better and you will all continue to read and like what I post on here!
Reviews:
Demona Evernight: It's always great to hear when someone connects with a story or a character like you have! I know I've been like that with some stories I've read, and I'm really happy and flattered to hear that you've done so too. I love Minato and Kushina as characters, and it's honestly just such a shame that we couldn't see more of them in the series! But at least we get them more than some may have thought we would! And yes, sometimes I think people just don't get it sometimes, and Kakashi may have been the same! But at least he comes around XD I hope you enjoy this chapter! Can't wait for you to read more, and thanks so much for even reading in the first place :)
Hikari: Hi there! I'm so happy to hear you like my story! Like I have said before, writing started off as just a way for me to escape stress and relax, and I've come to love it, so it makes me feel great there are people who can enjoy this with me :D Hopefully you will like where I take Karibi and her story, and hopefully you'll continue to read and enjoy! Thank you very much!
Davina: First off, thank you for reading! I'm always happy to know that there are people who like this and what I'm posting! Now, thank you for your kinds words! I'm always sure to put a lot of detail and thought into things pertaining Karibi and her style of doing things because I feel as though every character on Naruto has a particular way of doing things, especially their fighting style. I wanted Karibi's fighting style to match her personality and the person she is as she grows in the story! So I'm glad to hear that you like that thus far! I don't want to talk too much about her powers or strength because it will eventually be addressed in the story, but she's strong and I suppose a lot of it just has to do with experience and natural circumstances? LOL And thank you for your opinion on what you think I should do with the plot and timeline of this story! It's always great to hear from readers what you guys want! This helps me decide what I want to do. Either way, I hope you will continue to read and enjoy whatever happens. I thank you again for reading :) I hope you'll enjoy the future posts I have! Thanks!