Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto/Naruto Shippuden
Chapter Five
It was a peaceful night. He wasn't writhing in the pain from his nightmares, and he wasn't gasping for air. He was merely lost in a light sleep, floating in the darkness. It wasn't until the soft jingling of bells caught his attention that he even realized he had fallen asleep in the first place.
Keeping his scarred eye shut, Kakashi slowly sat up, glancing around his moon-lit bedroom. His gaze fell on the source of the ringing, the bells that had been passed on to him hanging on his pin-board. His gaze then flittered to his cracked open window before he looked back to the bells.
"Rin...Obito..." He felt it, inside of his heart. The bells were the only thing keeping Kakashi seeing clearly. They were his light in the darkness as he wandered aimlessly—keeping him on the right path. "I have no intentions of passing anyone who doesn't understand the importance of teamwork." No, he wasn't going to let anyone make the same mistake he had.
That was his promise.
§
A young blond frowned as he walked beside his guardian, the woman silent as they went. He stole glances at her every once in awhile, not daring to say anything to her; after living with her for three years, he knew better than to make that mistake.
From what he could tell, she had been having a rough time sleeping. Especially around this time. Although she had been kind and had taken him out for his 10th birthday, there was an air around her that didn't seem right. But, she didn't mention anything, and she hadn't acted too differently, so the academy student didn't bother saying anything else.
Anyways, he was going to be getting a new homeroom teacher, so he had that to worry about.
"Alright, short-stuff. We're here." Her voice was laced with exhaustion, but she kept the smirk on her lips. "I've got a mission, so I won't be able to come get you today." Naruto frowned at that.
"How long this time?"
"Only a day. I'll be back later tonight." That had been a relief for the both of them; long missions usually meant Naruto left their apartment a mess and only ate cup ramen.
Watching and waving, Karibi let a deep breath out as she stretched and yawned. She covered her mouth before she turned and began to make her way back to her home.
10 years had gone by since the night Naruto was born; since the Nine-tailed fox attacked the village. And although this was a difficult time for Karibi, it was always harder for Naruto. People were colder around this time, the memory of what happened causing the villagers to treat the blond worse than they normally would. And although this time, the jonin wasn't asking for a mission, she had still been given a mission—which meant she would not be able to ease the pain for Naruto. But he was a pretty stubborn kid, and she was more than confident that he would be able to hold his own for a whole day without her help. Still, she took her job as his guardian seriously, and if any harm were to come to Naruto there was only one for-sure outcome that would happen; she would find who ever hurt him and tear them apart.
Unlocking her door, Karibi slipped her shoes off and made a b-line for her room. She glanced out to the porch door and chuckled, her 60 year old cat relishing in the warmth of the sun. She yawned once more before walking into her room, preparing for her mission.
It was a simple task. She was to meet one of the Kazekage's personal Anbu and exchange scrolls with whoever it was. A check point had already been declared, and the trip wasn't more than half a day away; if she was fast, the 20 year old was sure she would be able to get back to the village before the sun set.
Strapping her kunai pack to her right thigh, the jonin nodded, making sure she had everything she needed before she was off. She slipped her arms through the straps of her rucksack and headed out the door, not being she poured food in Kushito's bowl. Locking the door securely, the redhead leaped over the railing, landing on the ground from three stories up. She breathed in deeply before letting it out, glancing up at the sunny sky. She nodded to herself before she headed off.
She'd be back soon enough.
§
It was just as easy as she had expected it to be. The transaction had been quick and painless, and once all had been finished, the two shinobi had gone their separate ways. Karibi wasn't sure what was written in the scroll, but that hadn't been any of her business; that was between the Hokage and the Kazekage.
Jumping down from the tree, the 20 year old landed on the ground with grace. She stood up straight and smiled, the village gates presented right in front of her. She was weary and ready for bed, and most of all, she was was starving. It was getting dark now, and although she wanted nothing more than to get food and return home, she still had to report back to the Hokage. So, wanting to make this as quick as possible, she disappeared in a cloud of smoke before she popped up before the Hokage residence.
"Here we go." Walking inside, Karibi wasted no time, heading straight for the Sandaime's office. She stopped down the curving hall and knocked against a shut door.
"Come in." Doing as told, the jonin opened the door and smiled as she greeted the Hokage.
"Hokage-sama, I've returned."
"I see all is well."
"Yes, sir." Pulling out the scroll from the small pouch on her hip, Karibi handed it to the Third. "There's that for you, and then there is my report," she said as she handed him said synopsis of the mission. Hiruzen nodded as he smiled up at Karibi.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"Hai."
"And how is Naruto doing?" Karibi smiled at the name as she shrugged.
"He's doing as well as he can be. I've done my best to make sure he doesn't cause trouble, but he's got a wild imagination and a will of his own," she stated with a smirk; he was a real brat. The Hokage smiled at Karibi's bright expression. He could see that she was doing much better than she had been before.
That was a relief.
"I'm glad to hear all is well then. You are dismissed for the evening."
"Thank you." With a bow, Karibi bid Hiruzen adieu, but as she reached the door his voice called out to her.
"There is one more thing I would like to ask you."
"Uh, what is it, sir?"
"Have you heard any word from Kakashi?" Karibi raised a brow at that.
"Um, no. I haven't, sir." Hiruzen nodded as he locked his hands together.
"I see. That was all I wished to know," he stated with a smile as the 20 year old hesitated. "You may go now." Karibi frowned but did as told, bowing one last time before she shut the door. She lingered outside in the hall as she stared back at the office.
"...What was that about?"
§
"Ah! Now I can eat and go home." Karibi smiled happily; she was almost a little excited to see Naruto.
"Kari-chan!" Stopping and mentally groaning, said woman stopped as she turned around, looking exasperatedly back at Guy as he ran up to her with a wide smile. He wrapped his arms around her and engulfed her in a bear-like hug while she winced, her air supply being cut off for just a moment.
"Guy, you're going to suffocate her." Kurenai stepped up beside her friend, Asuma at her side as he always was.
"Kurenai, Asuma. What brings you three here?" Karibi asked after Guy had finally put her back down on her feet.
Kurenai smirked as she tucked a piece of her untamed hair behind her ear. "Hungry?"
§
"You want me to what?" Karibi was mid-bite of her rice ball when Guy had popped the question that he and his two other friends had been wanting to ask her since they had heard she had returned from her mission.
"Please! You must do this for his sake!"
"Guy..."
"Look, Karibi," Asuma began as he lit his cigarette. "It might not be our place, but this is the second team he's failed entirely," he explained as the young woman side, finishing her second riceball. "We're just trying to look out for him."
"This is the last time I take up a free meal from you guys," the redhead said as she narrowed her eyes, though there was no seriousness behind her gaze.
"And anyways, why me? What good will me talking to him do if he refuses to talk to Guy? He and Guy have been friends longer than he has with me." The smoker scoffed at that before he inhaled deeply.
"Don't tell me you don't know?"
"Know what?"
"The only person Kakashi has ever really taken the time to listen to is you." Karibi raised a brow at that. "He takes what we have to say with a grain of salt, but when it comes to you—he takes every word you say and really thinks about it."
"Is that right?" Karibi teased as she sipped on her tea to wash down her dinner.
"I'm surprised you're not more worried about him than this," Kurenai said as Karibi frowned. "Of all people, I thought you would be the most concerned about his well-being."
"I am the person most concerned about his well-being," the 20 year old snapped, feeling offended at her friend's doubt. "In this case, I just don't think there's really a reason to be concerned." That caught everyone off guard.
"What makes you say that so confidently?" Guy inquired as he leaned in close, Karibi shrugging.
"...Look," she began. "I know Kakashi has been through a lot. And I know that he's always had a hard time dealing with his issues. But that has nothing to do with him failing his students," Karibi assured as she bit into another rice ball. "Kakashi—he's always blamed himself for everything that's happened. He's always put the weight of the world on his own shoulders. Instead of taking his anger and guilt and disappointment out on others, he takes it out on himself." The others frowned at that.
"Kakashi's not the spiteful type. If anything, he's thinking more clearly now than he has in ages. That's why I know that he's not just failing his students out of chagrin or because he's angry and trying to punish someone."
"How sure can you be?" Kurenai asked before Karibi grimaced. She stared down at her food before chuckling coldly to herself.
"Because being spiteful and being cold to other people? That's something I would do. And Kakashi...he's much better than that." Karibi stared down at her food for a moment longer before she looked up and shrugged. "And honestly? I think he's just trying to make sure he doesn't make anymore mistakes. If he's going to pass a team of genin, it's going to be because he feels they're ready. That's the bottom line." Karibi's words had been somewhat comforting, though the three friends still felt uneasy. The woman could see it on their faces.
"...But, if it makes you guys feel better, I can see what I can do." Guy's face lifted as he grinned, grabbing Karibi's hands and kissing the tops of them. She rolled her eyes but chuckled as the jonin in green beamed at her.
"You really are the best, Kari-chan!"
"Yeah, yeah. Now get me another order of rice balls. You guys owe me."
§
It was turning out to be a much later night than expected. Although the redheaded jonin had originally been planning on eating and relaxing at home, her night had dragged on, and now it was far past her bedtime.
With a yawn, Karibi covered her mouth, squeezing her eyes tightly shut for a second. She stretched as she glanced up at the starlit sky, her exhaustion eating away at her. But she didn't linger too much on the thought as she approached a familiar apartment building. She placed her hands on her hips as she stared at the window at the top right corner of the building. And as if it were second-nature to her, the kunoichi concentrated on focusing her chakra to her feet, stepping up on the wall and walking up it as if she were just walking down the street.
Stopping at the window, she peered inside, finding the bedroom empty. She then slid the window open, hopping into the room and landing on the bed that was positioned just by the opening. She smiled as she bounced a few times, finding his new bed far more comfortable than his old futon.
She hadn't been to see his new apartment yet. He had moved a few years back to his apartment now, but there had been so much going on that Karibi hadn't had the time to stop by; she knew eventually she would find herself back in his home anyways.
"There is a front door, you know."
"Like you have any room to talk." Kakashi strolled into his room, flicking the lights on as he leaned against the wall. He gave Karibi a curious stare as she positioned herself comfortably on his bed.
"Did you get a bigger bed so we could share?" she asked with a smirk as the masked man scoffed while he began to make his way over to his desk. He pulled off his forehead protector, placing it on his desk and keeping his left eye shut.
"I assumed you would be home by now. You look tired." Kakashi was always so good at seeing through Karibi.
"I would have, but three little pests were biting at my ass," she snapped, confusing the silver haired jonin.
"If you're here to ask about Naruto, he's been staying out of trouble." Karibi blinked as she sat up slightly; she hadn't actually thought Kakashi would go out of his way to check up on the brat.
"...Thank you. But that's actually not what I've come to bother you about."
"Oh?" Kakashi sat by Karibi's feet as she crossed her legs at her ankles.
"...Another team?" Kakashi's expression darkened as Karibi sat completely up, leaning against the wall.
"Who was it that told you?"
"Doesn't matter," the young woman stated with a shrug. "You know how gossip travels around the village," she said lightheartedly, though the same mood was not reciprocated by Kakashi. He merely stared hard at the wall across the room.
"...I never asked you what it is that makes you fail them." The genin teacher looked over to his companion as she smiled gently to him.
"...Minato-sensei had the same test for all of his genin," Kakashi said quietly as he glanced to the bells that were pinned to his board. "In order to become true genin, he told his students that they were to steal two bells from him. The whole purpose of the test was to see if the genin could overlook their own selfishness and work as a team...teamwork." Karibi stared intently at Kakashi as he stared off, his gaze distant.
"...I was foolish when I was younger. I didn't understand what he was trying to teach me," he said quietly as he shook his head. "If I had just listened...If I had paid attention to the little signs here and there..." Perhaps Obito and Rin would still be standing at his side.
Karibi watched Kakashi as he slowly began to stand up, unzipping his green vest and hanging it on the back of his desk chair. He sighed as he leaned forward against the chair for a moment before he felt a presence behind him. He looked over his shoulder with his good eye, watching carefully as Karibi approached him with a wide smile. He raised a brow at that, curious as to why she seemed so happy suddenly.
"You still have it." He looked down and blinked, looking to see the young woman's hand reaching out and grabbing the end of the silver chain hanging from his neck. His gaze softened as he smiled slightly, turning fully so Karibi could see clearly.
The dog tag she had gotten him for his 14th birthday.
"...Keep doing what you're doing." Kakashi blinked, slightly surprised by Karibi's words as she looked up from the necklace and met his shocked expression with a smile. "Eventually, there will be a team that really understands your message," she said hopefully as she gently pressed the dog tag against the teacher's chest.
Hesitantly, Kakashi raised a hand, wrapping it around Karibi's. He watched her carefully as she smiled, turning her hand in his and locking their fingers together. He relaxed at that, letting his shoulders sag before he shut his eye, giving her hand a squeeze.
"...Just make sure not to let those special kids slip through your fingers," the 20 year old stated sternly as Kakashi chuckled, nodding his head.
"Right."
"Well then! I'm off!" Karibi's hand slipped from Kakashi's as she waltzed around him, yawning. "I'm up longer than I wanted to be, so now it's time for me to sleep!" Making sure to avoid pressing her shoes to the young man's clean bed, Karibi hopped up and slipped through the window opening, Kakashi watching her as she disappeared. He stood alone for a moment before he smiled, slipping his shoes off and walking over to the light switch. Flicking the switch, the lights shut off, darkness now enveloping the room.
Karibi watched from outside. She smiled softly up at Kakashi's window before she turned and sighed. "I'm beat."
§
Quietly, Karibi pushed her front door open. She poked her head into her home, noticing that her kitchen light had been left on. With a sigh, the jonin stepped inside, tugging her shoes off and aimlessly dropping them to the floor. The floor creaked under the weight of her foot as she walked down the narrow hall, glancing around to see her apartment already a mess. She frowned; Naruto was one of the messiest brats she'd ever met.
Meow. Looking down, the 20 year old smiled as her cat rubbed up against her leg before he walked around her and made his way back to her cracked open door. Blinking, Karibi frowned as she cautiously made her way over; she had made sure to shut the door before she had left.
Stepping inside, the redhead blinked before she smiled. A weightless chuckle slipped from her lips as she found a 10 year old fast asleep on her bed, tangled in her covers as he snored the night away. His arm hung off the edge of the bed as a trail of drool rolled down his chin; she would make sure to wash her pillow case.
"Happy to see you comfortable," Karibi said sarcastically as she set her pack down. She approached the sleeping boy and shook her head as she straightened out the blanket, tucking his arm back into the bed. She took a moment to stare at his innocent face, the three lines on his cheeks making her frown slightly; they were a reminder of what lived inside of him.
Deciding not to linger on the dark thought, the kunoichi brushed hair out of sleeping boy's eyes and nodded, grabbing a set of clean clothes and walking out of her room. She quickly threw her clothes off and changed into a pair of more comfortable pants and a shirt. Leaving her dirty outfit in a neat pile by the couch, Karibi plopped down on the couch, stretching out on it. She shut her eyes and let out a content sigh before she cracked an eye open, feeling Kushito crawl up on to her stomach. She chuckled before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.
"Goodnight, Kushito."
Please forgive me for being absent all this time! I know it's been ages, and to be honest, I wasn't stuck on this story or anything of that nature! I just happen to get extremely busy and finally found time to update for this story! So, I'm really sorry for taking so long. Hopefully that won't happen again anytime soon...can't say for sure though, but I promise I'll do my best!
So, this was a slower chapter, I'll admit, but I always think that small snippets of things like this are important for seeing growth in the character and the character's relationships with others. Soon, though, things will begin to pick up and there will be less fluff, though I do love having fluff with Karibi and Naruto and Karibi and Kakashi, so hopefully there won't be too much lost in the future! I believe the next chapter or the chapter after that will be introducing the plot of "Naruto" so that will be exciting to write, and I can only hope that it will be exciting for everyone to read! Hopefully, I'll have this next chapter up in the next few days or by next week, the latest. Keep your fingers crossed!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for everyone who's given this a chance and found themselves happy they did so! I appreciate every follow, favorite and review because it reassures me that this story actually isn't terrible and that people are enjoying it! As much as I love writing and using this as a bit of a coping skill when things are tough, I'm also happy to know that people read and like this! So I'll continue to work hard and do my best for whoever is reading this :) Thanks again!
Reviews:
ajwehri: I love the idea of Karibi and Naruto training together and her being apart of his life that way. I don't want to say too much about what's going to happen with them in the future in that area, but I will say that you bring up a good idea! It would be really interesting to see Karibi teach Naruto something like that and to see how she will fit in in that part of his life! And also, I'm glad to know that you think Naruto's relationship and reactions to Karibi are realistic and relatable! Thank you for reading! Hope you enjoy more!
Anahissa: I completely understand! Even as I was writing it, I was getting frustrated with Karibi, and I'm the one who came up with her character! LOL I'm so glad to hear that you are enjoying this story thus far, and I can only hope that you will continue to read and find satisfaction here :)
helenGet: I'm pleased to hear you like this story! There will definitely be more to come, so please just be patient with me! Thank you for reading and reviewing!
korohoshi: I happen to really, really like writing Karibi and Kakashi moments for this story, so I'm glad to know that you like their interactions and their chemistry! I know that, like I said earlier, haven't updated in a bit. But I'm pleased to say that it wasn't because of writer's block! Just my stupid schedule getting in my way :P But now that I have all these other priorities out of the way, I can focus on writing more! So hooray for that! Thanks so very much for reading this story, and I hope you will continue to read and like this! Thank you!
cheyenne: Hi! Thank you so much for reading! And thank you for the kind review you left! I've work hard over the last few months with this story, so to know that people are enjoying this makes me happy and relieved. I will continue to work hard so that you will be happy with this! :)
The Wolf Of Shadows: I definitely understand where you're coming from. I was getting frustrated with myself for the way I was writing out Karibi during her darker times, but I definitely agree with you when you say that it's a realistic reaction. I know a few people with PTSd like symptoms and issues, so I felt like incorporating a bit of that with the way Karibi acts. Hopefully she will become less moody over time, but who knows? We'll all have to just wait and see! Thank you for reading!
LilyVampire: You have no idea how happy I get when people say I have original characters down and right to their personalities! I've probably said this so many times, but I HATE when OG characters are out of character. I always get very displeased with characters when they are a certain way and their entire personality is changed from who they are supposed to be perceived as by the original authors and creators. I always try and keep characters as close to themselves as possible, and I think doing that with someone like Kakashi is difficult. So you have to understand why I get so happy when I hear that! Thank you so much, and I hope you like this new chapter!
zahara hardian: Hello there! First, thank you for reading this story! And second, thank you so much for your support and for reviewing! I put a lot of work into creating Karibi and to having her be a likable character that fits in with "Naruto" so I'm so excited to know you like her! I'm also really glad that you like her with Kakashi (seeing as this is an OC/Kakashi story in the future XD). I know there isn't a lot of obvious romance between them, but I try and do my best with what I have planned and what is going on. I hope that when their budding romance becomes more obvious, you will like Karibi and Kakashi even more! Thank you so much :D As for Rin's name, that was a typo on my end! I'm so sorry about that! I go through the chapters before I post them and edit them and make sure everything is right, but no matter what I do, there will always be things that I miss, so thank you so much for pointing that out to me! I'll have to fix that as soon as I can! Thank you, again!