Author's Note: So...it's been awhile. I feel like I went to sleep and then woke up almost a full year later to find well over 800 reviews, 2000 followers, and over 1,500 favorites.
Like...where did all you people come from?
Thank you for reading this little fic. Thank you for your support. Thank you to those who individually reached out to PM me. More than that, thank you for your patience. A lot has happened in my life in the last year: finished my job/contract in Portland; set off and backpacked for six weeks in Mexico (what's up, Mexican readers? I see you! Your country is beautiful!); returned to Portland for less than 24 hours just to grab my shit; moved (again) across the river and some ways into the Seattle area; and...now I'm back in school and just finished my first semester.
Oh, and I spent like the last two or three months working on an Attack on Titan fic. It's taken my focus away from C&CC but on the bright side, after trying to pin down Levi's character, writing Kakashi is like a walk in the park by comparison. As if that weren't enough...after months of holding back, I gave My Hero Academia a chance and y'all.
Y'all.
I. Am. In love. With those characters. Like, every one. I shouldn't be so reckless with my heart but have you seen that show? Read that manga? Afofhofhohgossdlhgfh! Someone please talk to me about Hawks. (￣ω￣) There's just something about that sneaky, two-faced chicken that does things to me.
Answer to last chapter's question: Ignoring my past as a Pokemon and Digimon kid, I was introduced to the world of manga/anime through Naruto when a friend recommended the series when I was about 11. If I remember right, it was around the time that the Chunin arc was first aired in English. 2006-ish, I think? Something like that. This was back when I was a sheltered Christian girl, as I remember clutching my cross necklace when she introduced a story about a boy with a demon inside him. The scandal!
Now, some 13 years later, I'm writing smut for this fandom but who would want to read that? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Curiosity and the Copycat
...a Naruto fanfiction story...
Curiosity and the Copycat © Mx. Irony
Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto
Takara is a Bisexual Badass
chapter 13
Kakashi Takes Responsibility
"If you build the guts to do something, anything, then you better save enough to face the consequences."
Criss Jami
It was the last day of August when Takara did something she hadn't done since she was twelve: She slept in until ten a.m.
She woke up slowly, heavy eyelids drooping open. When she squinted at her new watch, she blinked a few times at how late it was. She lifted her arms above her head and stretched not unlike a lazy cat, groaning softly before flopping back into the futon with a sigh. Takara looked around the apartment - her apartment - and a slow, contented grin slid across her face.
"Goooood morning," she sighed, closing her eyes to bask in the morning sunlight splashed across the studio's floor.
She moved to Konoha by herself and lived in the shinobi village for three months. She kept her apartment and now, because of her hard work, she didn't have to pay rent for the rest of the year. She had a small job outside the village (one likely to lead to a higher avenues with Konoha's surrounding farmers, if she kept playing her cards right...) and made new connections, meeting potential clients for next year's tax season. There was fresh produce in her fridge. And she met a pretty girl close to her age that lived in the village.
Recalling her newest acquaintance, Takara's eyes blinked open to stare at the ceiling. With everything that happened, she hadn't much of a chance to think back to the long walk from Moto Inn to Konoha. Because of the new moon, it had been so dark - too dark to make out much of Kihara's features clear beyond her easy half-smile. Occasionally, a passing firefly would cast barely enough light for Takara to better see the curve of her cheek or how her dark eyes sparked, almost in amusement. But her smooth voice, dipped into lower registers, floated easily over the nighttime katydids while she and Takara traded small stories about the village. She even laughed once, a quiet, husky sound, at one of Takara's dryer jokes.
Just as it had when she first heard it, merely remembering that laugh made Takara's insides melt.
Takara flipped over to her stomach and buried her flushed face in the pillow, into which she promptly screamed for no less than five seconds. That done, she lifted her head and propped her on her hands with a sharp exhale through her nose. Stupid, stupid, she admonished herself, but she couldn't stop herself from smiling fondly. Takara knew that she had other things to focus on but it had been nice, just walking with someone (cute girl, an oft ignored part of her brain supplied) by her side after the stress of moving and finding working and nearly losing housing. It didn't mean anything (even if Takara had no reason to feel guilty while on a break with Rima, she reminded herself), but still...it had been very nice.
Or maybe she was just giddy because finally, finally things were starting to turn up.
Hinamori's file laid open in the table, parts of it spread out into neat piles as each page was carefully read through. Everything found in her personal history was there: a copy of her birth certificate and passport, every job application she submitted in Konoha, school transcripts. Specific attention was paid to written references and personal observations from various people within the village. Hinamori's entire life laid bare for the Konoha Council to examine and judge.
"Has she ever mentioned Naruto while outside the village?" asked one of the elders, Mitokado Homura, as he read through Hinamori's visa interview.
"No. She never said anyone's name," Kakashi said without any inflection in his voice. He knelt a short distance from the elders, having already reconfirmed his initial impression on the case itself - which his own findings verified. While in full Anbu uniform, he already removed the porcelain mask out of respect to his superiors. His natural born dark eye and Obito's Sharingan remained on the ground.
"And how does she speak of the village to others outside it?"
Others outside, he said. Another emphasis of Hinamori's status as an outsider. That alone allowed her less consideration than any individual citizen of Konoha. For that, it was unusually fortunate that her case was given this much care. Kakashi privately credited it to the positive references from villagers, a rare benefit to Hinamori's overt friendliness which got her in this situation in the first place.
Kakashi summarized his answer in a single word: "Vague."
"What of her interactions with you while disguised?" Koharu Utatane asked, looking to him directly.
"She was - " Kakashi had many words but settled with " - outgoing as ever and definitely chatty. As expected, she's easily fooled by basic ninjutsu."
Koharu nodded, exchanging a look with Homura, and the two elders glanced at the Hokage. The Third said nothing as he slowly went through surveillance photos.
The meeting proceeded smoothly, even under the more vigilant council members pointed questions. Hinamori was clean without so much as a library fine on record. Because she'd been transparent and diligent during the long bureaucratic process of obtaining a residency visa, she already passed Konoha's stringent screening. Most of the work had already been completed before this investigation. All information on paper matched with everything she said and did since moving to Konoha.
"I believe we can safely assume that Hinamori Takara is not a covert agent for another Hidden village or organization," the Third finally spoke. "But her lack of awareness regarding basic safety protocols poses some concerns."
She'll learn. She picks things up quickly. Kakashi remained silent, gaze impassive. It wasn't his place to interject. Report and stand aside - that's what he was there for, not to defend Takara.
"Not to mention her habit of asking too many questions," Homura added gravely.
"And she's chakra sensitive. We certainly cannot leave her to own devices and hope for the best," Koharu said. "No one in this village would dare disobey the Third's law but she could still let leak crucial hints that anyone outside may piece together."
"The fact that she already knows of the boy's existence alone is a risk," Homura agreed.
"I still think it's a strange coincidence that after meeting him, she's been all the more stubborn about staying in the village." To emphasize her point, Koharu held up a written statement. Recognizing his own landlady's signature, Kakashi's eyes narrowed slightly. "She's been ostracized by villagers and it's rejected in every job here. Why would an aspiring businesswoman choose to lose money by staying here instead of cutting her losses and moving elsewhere?"
"Why, indeed," the Hokage murmured without removing his gaze from the photo held between his thumb and forefinger. It was a simple photo, taken during surveillance, while Hinamori walked with the little blond by the Naka River. "Kakashi, what are your thoughts?"
The copy-nin took a moment to gather them before he said, "I think Koharu-sama said it herself, Hokage-sama. Hinamori is stubborn when she sets her mind to something. She chose to be kind to Naruto and the villagers' hostility only made her stick firmer to this choice. She also chose to leave everything behind in Aomori and come to the Leaf, so she intends to see this through."
"Hm. What further action would you recommend?" the Hokage asked him.
"Lowering the constant surveillance to occasional tags, specifically when Hinamori leaves the village," Kakashi said without hesitation, getting straight to the point. "We'd continue compiling reports, which could easily be supplemented by Anbu's regular updates on Naruto whenever the two interact, and review in the event of any concerning behavior or changes. If - "
Before Kakashi finished, an opening door interrupted him. He looked to the new arrival from the corner of his eyes, which turned frigid as soon as he recognized the man flanked by two Root members.
Great.
"Danzo," the Third said simply. "We've been expecting you."
Ignoring the subtle reprimand, Danzo said, "You called a Council meeting over a mere civilian girl. Forgive me when I found other, more pressing matters to attend to, Lord Third."
"It's hardly a simple matter when anyone involves themselves with Naruto," the Hokage returned, matter-of-fact. "We're now considering next steps."
Danzo placed one hand over the other, leaning into his cane. "What next steps are there to consider? She's a security risk," he stated, matter-of-fact. "Remove her."
It didn't take long after his return for Gai to pick out the familiar head of vibrant hair. Nonetheless, his knees almost gave out from the sheer relief at finding her alive and well and still in Konoha.
"TAKARA-CHAN!"
Oblivious to the collective wince of the street, Gai sprinted to his dear friend. The civilian barely had time to process the familiar nickname before a flash of green materialized in front of her. Takara jerked back, blinking, before breaking out into a grin.
"Maito-san!" She nearly hugged him but stopped herself.
Gai had no such reservations. He picked up where from where Takara held back and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her up in a bear hug until her feet dangled, and swung her around like she were a child. A laugh bubbled from Takara's throat.
"How I've missed you!" Gai cried out. "Where have you been, my dear friend?"
"I could ask you the same," Takara returned, not unkindly. She looked up at him fondly. "You just suddenly disappeared. What happened to that challenge we talked about, hm?"
His smile fading, Gai gently set her down and peered down at her. There were no shadows under her eyes anymore, and her gaze was direct and clear as she looked up at him - focused and fully attuned to him, undistracted by life's pressing challenges.
Things seem better now, Gai privately concluded. The fact that Takara stood before him at all was evidence enough. The tall jonin resisted the fierce urge to squish her in another hug.
Instead, he answered her question with an apologetic look in his dark eyes. "Hokage-sama assigned me a mission shortly after we last saw each other. It took longer than I expected."
Takara tilted her head. "Just like that? Out of nowhere?"
As the Third had noted Gai's...agitation about the investigation on Takara and decided he needed the "distraction", it was not quite out of nowhere. Gai was unhappy but unsurprised at the sudden call to duty.
"It happens from time to time," he said easily, bypassing the topic. He linked arms with Takara and lead her away from the busy street towards quieter paths that circled around the village. "How have you been? I've been in and out of the village but have hardly seen you these past few weeks."
"Probably because I've been much the same," she said easily.
"Oh?" Gai kept his tone light and jovial, interested, while his brain screeched to a halt. "You've been out of the village?"
"Mm. I found some work on a nearby farm with someone I met on my way here. He's a friend of a friend and we hit it off when we passed through. He was kind enough to offer me some work when I dropped by a bit ago."
"Ah, so you've been staying outside the village as well?"
That earned a little laugh. "Oh, no. The inn fees would've made it a moot point. I just walk back at the end of the day."
"Alone?" The higher pitch in his baritone mangled the word.
Takara furrowed her eyebrows at that. "Who would I walk with?"
Already, Gai was mentally sizing Takara up and thinking a mile a minute. She was tall and fit but a little clumsy, he knew. If we did something about her footwork... It couldn't hurt to teach her a thing or two, right? Just the bare basics, nothing unique to Konoha or anything remotely resembling any secret techniques. Surely no one could fault him for teaching a young, vulnerable woman some self-defense - enough to buy her a little extra time in case patrols outside the gates lagged.
"Maito-san?"
He abruptly cleared his throat. "Ah, sorry, Takara-chan. That's - that's great! I'm glad you found some work."
Takara's brow furrowed. "Is everything okay?"
"Just perfect, my dearest sunflower of a friend! I am just so moved by your determination and hard work." He clenched his fist, emotional. "So youthful!"
"Alright then..." Takara cared for her friend dearly. Really, she did. But for a ninja, he had a very honest face. "Anyway, now that I have some kind of income, I think it's my turn to treat you."
"Oh, no, Takara-chan, you don't have to - "
"You love spicy things, right? I heard of this one dumpling stand famous for its spicy pork ones," she said, suddenly steering them in another direction. "And it's been awhile. Think of it as a welcome home present after that long mission."
And oh, there were the crocodile tears. Gai babbled about her "youthful generosity" and other high praises between his insistent entreaties of oh, no, Takara-chan, I couldn't possibly! Thankfully, she was a stubborn person as she just barely convinced him to accept her offer...even if that convincing involved nearly shoving a dumpling into the man's mouth. Takara knew it was thanks to the deliciously spiced pork and not her own persuasiveness that finally ended Gai's repeated refusals.
Shortly after found them sitting across from each other under a raised gazebo that overlooked some of Konoha's many trees. Mouth full of shrimp-stuffed dumpling, Takara briefly admired the view before Gai told her about his recent mission in a country she previously never heard of. She hummed attentively between chews, cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk's as she nodded along.
Again, Gai held himself back from squeezing her. It surprised him, honestly, how much he actually missed Takara.
"So, what have I missed here at home while I was away?" he asked, stretching his arms across the seat behind him.
Apologetically, Takara held up a finger until she finished chewing. "Not much, really." Lie. "Mostly working. I've met some nice people at the farm. Even found out that apparently there's a bit of a need for a good accountant in the area, so maybe I won't have be at the farm for too much longer. Just don't tell Tachibana-san that, though."
Gai looked at her thoughtfully, filing away this new information. "I didn't realize you had experience with accounting."
"I've done my family's taxes since I was fourteen," Takara said with a nonchalant shrug. "It's not hard. Besides, I like math."
"Oh, that's nice of yo - wait, wait." He held up a hand, shaking his head. "Taxes? Since you were fourteen?"
"Haven't you been filing your own taxes since you were seven?" she returned dryly, remembering her own shock when he told her about graduating the academy so young.
"..."
"Maito-san..." Takara leaned closer. "You do your own taxes, don't you?"
Gai cleared his throat. "Ah, well, the payroll office has its own accountants that often help file shinobi's tax returns." And it wasn't as if ninjutsu training included basic tasks like
From anyone else, Takara would be hearing the satisfying ding of a cash register at this but this was coming from her friend. Her dear sweetheart of a friend who encouraged her and was so supportive in the short time they knew each other.
Unacceptable.
"You can't seriously have your own employer do your taxes like that," she said crossly, nose wrinkling at the thought. She had seen one too many employers cheat people, and she had low expectations of one that paid children as young as seven to go to war. "Let's talk after the New Year. I'll teach you a thing or two."
"That's alright - "
"Gai-san," Takara interrupted, firm. "I promise that I've read up on everything and I'm fully up to date on all the tax laws. I literally read about finances for fun because I'm weirdly fixated on that kind of stuff. And you've done so much for me since I've moved here even though you barely know me. I don't think I'd even still be in Konoha if it weren't for you. Please let me help you with this."
"...that's the first time you've called me by my given name," Gai realized out loud.
"No I di - " Takara trailed off, shocked. Then her face burned vermilion and she bolted to standing position. She bowed multiple times in earnest. "I. Am. So. Sorry, Maito-san! That was so rude and forward and - "
Gai let out warm laughter. He stood up and placed his hands on her shoulders, preventing another embarrassed bow. "Don't apologize! I was wondering when you'd feel comfortable enough to start calling me that. It's a bit strange to be called 'Maito-san'," he admitted. "I don't think anyone else ever called me that in my life."
Strange ninja and their strange over familiarity. Still red, Takara mumbled, "Still, I should have asked permission first."
"Permission granted," Gai said, good-humored. "And thank you for the offer but - "
Then it happened: Takara looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes. She deliberately blinked at him once, twice, batting her eyelashes.
He didn't stand a chance.
"...let's talk about after New Year," he agreed.
Embarrassment temporarily forgotten, Takara's face lit up into a giddy smile. She clasped her hands in front of her. "You can count on me!"
This girl. One day, she might very well kill him with her adorable earnestness.
"Now!" Gai clapped his hands together, getting right to business. "I still have someone I wish for you to meet!"
Remembering, Takara smirked just slightly. "Ah, yes. Your Most Fearsome, Much Respected Rival Since The Beginning and For the Rest of Eternity."
Gai simply nodded. "That's the one. Now part of the delay is the my Eternal Rival is slippery man, difficult to get a hold of and harder to convince. But I believe I can get wrangle him into a challenge soon!"
Slippery? Difficult to get a hold and hard to convince? Takara tilted her head, wondering at what kind of person Gai clearly had so much respect for. He sounds a bit like a jerk, to be honest. Of course, she was a bit biased. Anyone who gave Gai a hard time lost her respect before it was earned.
Instead of voicing this, she asked, "What's the challenge going to be?"
"Aha! That, most cherished referee, is your challenge."
"Me?"
"You. Since you'll be the one to determine the winner, it should be a challenge of your own making."
Slowly shaking her head, Takara stared. "W-what kind of challenge should I even pick?"
"Whatever that brilliant mind can think of!" A fire erupted in Gai's eyes, nearly making her take a step back. "Don't hold back - push us to our very limits physically, mentally, spiritually. Give us a challenge that will break our sixteen to sixteen tie and finally determine who the greater ninja is!"
"Uuuuuh... Okay, Gai-san."
She's a security threat. Remove her.
Danzo's cold words hung in the silent air. Kakashi kept himself still - he didn't move, didn't tense, didn't blink, didn't so much grit his teeth. He couldn't show any reaction, not so much as a hint of how his blood suddenly boiled in direct contradiction to his moniker "Cold-Blooded Kakashi". He maintained the perfect picture of neutrality.
The Hokage's expression hardened. "That's a harsh measure to take on a civilian, Danzo."
"A civilian that's not even a citizen of Konoha," Danzo retorted. "Just a stray that's wandered in. Some farm girl from some remote prefecture. Are you so soft as to put a single life before the well-being of our village?"
"The well-being of this village isn't at stake," the Hokage said evenly. "Do you really feel so threatened by a girl's kindness to a small child?"
Danzo's face twisted, infuriated. "You said yourself that this isn't a simple matter but the solution is. You're so attached to your benevolent image to openly consider it, even though the answer right in front of us. Stop wasting our time and give the order."
Koharu turned to the Third Hokage and said, "...It is an option."
"It wouldn't have to painful, Hiruzen," Homura said, practical but slightly more compassionate. "Her absence would be missed at first but...given her coming and going from the village as of late, discretion is very possible."
Kakashi silently inhaled through his nose off to the side when the Third said nothing for a long, tense moment.
The Hokage picked up another photo, a candid of Takara during a private, vulnerable moment in her apartment. She wasn't smiling but her face was softer, gentle, as she tended to some potted herbs she recently added to her already crowded windowsill. It was one of the few Kakashi submitted in the report where she wasn't shadowed by Naruto, it being taken on impulse and having no other purpose but to be added to her growing file. Sarutobi considered the girl quietly, ignoring Danzo's growing impatience.
"It is an option," he said finally. "But we must consider every one before we take such drastic measures."
"And what options would those be?" Danzo demanded, half mocking.
"Kakashi was just making a formal recommendation based on his own assessment of the situation when you walked in," Lord Third said evenly.
For the first time since he walked in, Danzo looked to the Anbu captain - a silent demand.
Dispassionately, Kakashi reiterated what he said previously and added, "As there is already a mandated 24 hour watch on Naruto, continued tabs on Hinamori would be simple given her attachment to the boy. And in this case, the backlash from the villagers is useful as there are already constant eyes on her. Keeping track of her wouldn't demand any more significant man hours."
"But it would require a handler," Danzo countered, looking to the Hokage. "We've already wasted enough resources on this investigation."
Koharu nodded slowly. "We've seen an increase in mission requests in the past year. A shinobi's time spent in the village tracking a lone civilian is time away from completing missions outside it."
"Which added over time loses the village money," Homura finished. "Her presence doesn't add anything valuable to the village to make up for it."
His point made for him, Danzo glared at the Third, which he returned with a neutral stare of his own.
"Not if a shinobi is already in close quarters with Hinamori," Kakashi spoke up.
The Council members simultaneously looked at him.
"You've already given us your recommendation, Kakashi - " Koharu began to admonish before the Hokage cut her off.
"And we welcome further input, as we've requested." Lord Third inhaled from his pipe, releasing the smoke through his nostrils. An unreadable emotion glimmered in his dark eyes when he met Kakashi's gaze. "Go on, Kakashi. How may this shinobi continue this case with their...already existing proximity to Takara?"
"Given...this shinobi's pre-existing proximity," Kakashi continued carefully, using the Hokage's own vague wording. He said the pre-existing like an insurance agent would describe an insuree's illness. "They already have some familiarity with Hinamori and would know immediately if she were getting involved in places she shouldn't, whether they're officially assigned the task or not. They would also be able to deflect her curiosity about Naruto's 'condition' if need be."
"Do you think this shinobi would be willing to take on that responsibility?" the Third asked carefully.
Responsibility. Something Kakashi personally disliked and actively avoided outside his duties to the Leaf. The mere thought of being responsible for anyone, let alone Takara of all people, left a sour taste in his mouth. As soon as he thought that, though, he remembered the way she'd carefully plucked a leaf from his hair when he was disguised as Kihara Rin and smiled softly.
But if this could save that girl's life...
"Yes," Kakashi said quietly, solemn. "He is."
Lord Third leaned back into his chair, thoughtful.
Danzo glared suspiciously at Kakashi. "And who is 'this shinobi'?"
"Did you not read the file before coming to this meeting, Danzo?" Koharu demanded, already annoyed at his tardiness and now clearly exasperated.
Homura frowned, disapproving.
Well, Kakashi thought to himself sardonically, at least something seems to have come out of Danzo's dismissal of Takara's life.
Quickly catching on, Danzo sounded outright accusing. "You?"
"Potentially," Lord Third said, non-committed. "It's an option. But before I make my final decision, I think I'll meet this Hinamori Takara myself and make my own judgement."
Takara sat comfortably on the bench, leaning her elbows on her knees and slightly squishing her face in her hands as she watched the children she affectionately dubbed "baby ninja" play while they waited for her parents. The noted absence of Naruto, who typically attached himself to her hip whenever she was in vicinity of the academy, told her how his school day went.
"So," she started conversationally when a clearly winded Iruka sat down next to her, "what did he do this time?"
Iruka sighed. "Apparently, when another teacher assigned him lines, he decided to interpret it as 'write lines on the teachers' lounge walls' instead of on actual paper."
"Pfff - sorry, sorry," she quickly apologized when Iruka flashed her his patented Teacher Look. It bore an uncanny resemblance to the one her own elementary teacher would give her when she started to get worked up in the middle of class, enough so that Takara instinctively straightened when Iruka launched it at her. "That was bad. I wouldn't laugh either if I were in your position but...you have to admit, that was pretty clever."
"If only he'd apply that 'cleverness' to his ninjutsu instead of these pranks," he grumbled.
"Sounds like he does, though," Takara said dryly. When he frowned, she held up her hands defensively. "How else would he manage to sneak into his ninja teachers' lounge and not get caught until after he finished painting all over it?"
Iruka blinked. "Huh...that's true," he admitted. "But he's still going to stay after school until every speck of paint is gone."
Meaning Iruka himself would also remain at the academy until the boy was done, Takara surmised. Sympathetic, she patted the overworked teacher on the shoulder. "I'm sorry, Umino-kun. How about I talk to him?"
Knowing the boy as she did, Takara figured there was more to the story than Iruka knew as the man didn't mention why Naruto was assigned lines in the first place. If he had, he would have already groused about the why behind it. She wondered who the other teacher was and why Naruto responded so drastically, especially given that he had started to cut back on his more disruptive pranks after a few serious talks with Takara.
"Not yet," he said after some thought. "He knows you're dropping by today, so he should be quick."
At this, Takara arched a brow at him. "Is keeping me from him part of the punishment?"
"Not at all..." There was a mischievous quirk in the corner of his mouth, though. "It is a good motivator for him not to slack off, though."
She shook her head. "Ninja teachers are another level."
That earned a chuckle from Iruka, the corresponding smile easing the stress lines previously imprinted on his forehead. "Anyway, it's been awhile. How have you been, Takara-san?"
In an odd trade off out of respect to each other's customs, Iruka called her by her given name - explaining sheepishly that due to ninja's personal history in the Warring Era, it felt uncomfortable to refer to anyone by their family name, or in their case "clan" names, as doing so used to put entire families in danger and often still did. He did, however, use the more polite honorific "-san". Takara herself stuck to Iruka's own family name but used the more familiar "-kun", as she and Iruka were the same age. It was a nice compromise, rooted in one of their rare conversations that went uninterrupted by a certain attention-starved blond. Rare as those conversations were, Takara was grateful to find a nice friendship with someone her own age.
Bracing her hands behind her, Takara leaned back and signed. "Busy. I found some work at a nearby farm and wanted to make up for lost time. This is my first full day off in awhile."
"Nearby as in...outside the village?"
Takara glanced at him, tilting her head. "You're actually not the first person whose said that. Why, is it bad?"
Iruka thought back to his recent meeting with the Hokage. While unconfirmed, he knew there was an investigation on Takara's intentions. Frequent trips outside of the village weren't ideal, given the situation, but Iruka's more pressing concern was... "Not that you aren't capable, Takara-san, but going in and out the village gates can be...risky."
"Risky?"
"It isn't unheard for enemy shinobi to ambush our own shinobi as they're leaving for missions," he answered honestly, face grim. "And given that we get a lot of wealthy visitors requesting the Leaf's services, bandits try to wait by the roads and rob people before they can hire our protection."
Takara's face paled. "...oh."
That's why Gai seemed so anxious.
"There's always a patrol making rounds of the perimeter," he quickly reassured her, "and they do a good job of clearing out trouble. But it's still not safe to travel by yourself too often. Especially if anyone noticed you and picked out a schedule."
She slowly breathed in, then out. "Well. That's...that's something I know now."
Knowing Takara's job situation and intimately familiar with the why behind it (currently cleaning the teacher's lounge), Iruka felt a stab of sympathy. "Listen, Takara-san..."
"Holy - ! Umino-kun, did you see that flip?" She pointed at a tiny girl, in the midst of a tree climbing competition with a group of friends, jumped from a high branch to run to her parents. Takara's eyes sparked, mouth agape. "Wow!"
Looking where she pointed, Iruka's face softened at one of his students - giving away his clear fondness.
"Oooh." An odd tone entered Takara's voice. "So that's the famous Sakura-chan."
He blinked. "You know her?"
"Oh, don't you know?" Takara turned stoic, casting her friend a meaningful look. "She's only the greatest thing in Konoha - after ramen and becoming Hokage, of course."
"Ah, how could I forget."
She and Iruka shared a look, both mock serious, before he snorted. Takara quickly broke character after him and they both started laughing.
"Hey, what's so funny?" a little voice demanded behind them.
They both turned to find Naruto, the front of his shirt dirty and his face smeared with paint, staring at them curiously.
"Adult things," Takara quipped, going back to her comically grave demeanor. "Very serious, very boring adult things."
Iruka couldn't help the second snort, unable to contain himself.
"Then how come Iruka-sensei's laughing?" Naruto asked. "I wanna know!"
"You wanna know, huh? I wanna know what's up with the teacher's lounge."
The boy grimaced. "Iruka-sensei already yelled at me. And it's clean now!"
"I'll be the judge of that," Iruka interrupted, standing up. Within seconds, he went from a young guy Takara traded jokes with to the strict teacher.
"It is!" Naruto protested, face scrunching up defensively.
Seeing that they were approximately five seconds away from a melt down (and Iruka's consequential blow up), Takara patted the seat Iruka vacated. "Hey, hey. I just want to hear about your day, sweetheart. Sit with me and tell me all about it while Iruka-sensei checks out your hard work."
And just like that, melt down diverted. Always eager for Takara's attention, Naruto immediately scurried over and claimed the spot next to her. She lifted an arm to give the boy an affectionate squeeze (trouble or no, hugs were unconditional - Takara had to make up for ten years absent of them). Naruto pressed close until he was practically glued to her side.
"Mm!" She hummed happily. "So, what's up, kiddo?"
Flashing Iruka a wink over her shoulder, she mouthed to him, I got him. Then she turned her focus solely on Naruto as the boy launched into a long monologue on everything she missed since she last saw him.
While she wasn't paying him any mind, Iruka looked at Takara with quiet amazement. He shook his head and left, already deciding to himself that he wouldn't interrupt the two's quality time even if the teacher's lounge failed his inspection. There was no telling how the investigation on Takara would pan out or irregardless of it, how long she would be able to continue living in the village with one obstacle after another.
He wanted Naruto to have as much time with Takara and her loving influence as long as possible.
Hokage-sama...please let him keep her, Iruka silently asked, looking up at Hokage Rock where Lord Third's younger face watched over the village.
Leaning against the truck with his arms crossed over his chest, the Anbu captain watched Takara and Naruto below as they neared the boy's apartment. The hyperactive blond spoke loudly, half in words and half in wild hand gestures. A face he made pulled a bright laugh from the civilian. This seemed to encourage Naruto's antics, as he started jumping up and down - speaking somehow faster.
Crouched next to Kakashi was another Anbu operative in a falcon mask, Naruto's current guard.
"When they separate, make the sure the boy doesn't go anywhere near the Hokage's mansion or his offices."
"Yes, sir."
"Alright, kiddo. Make sure you finish up your homework."
"Aaww. Can't you help?" Naruto had no interest in actually completing his assignment - clearly - but it was a nice ploy to prolong their time together. "It's math!"
"Nice try," she said dryly. "Iruka-sensei already told me it was chakra study, and that is way out of my expertise. Maybe instead of wrecking the teacher's lounge when you're frustrated, ask one for help."
"But Rumiko-sensei is so - so - "
"So what?" Takara finished. "You don't have to like her. Just...try and work with her."
The boy wrinkled his nose, looking like a disgruntled cat with his whisker marks. Cuuuute, she inwardly cooed. "You only saying that 'cause you haven't met her."
"No, but I had a couple teachers I didn't get along with growing up."
Suddenly intrigued, Naruto looked at her. "Were you a bad kid, too?"
I don't ever have to meet this "Rumiko-sensei" to know I don't like her, Takara silently swore. The name was already added to the list.
"No," she said shortly. "Because you're definitely not a bad kid. At all. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
The look Naruto gave her brought her right back to when she first stood up for him in the grocery store, making her chest tighten. It was those little disbelieving, utterly amazed looks that reminded Takara again and again that she would never regret her choice, no matter what Konoha threw at her.
Swallowing, Takara continued, "But I did have hard time with teachers. Some of it was because they didn't know how to work with me and others...well, I'll tell you about the trouble I got into when you're a little more mature."
"What? No! Tell me, tell me!"
"No way," she teased. "You already got enough going on in that knucklehead of yours. If I give you any new ideas, Iruka-sensei will give me detention."
"Come oooon! I won't tell sensei, I swear."
"Yeah, right."
"No, really!"
Snickering, Takara shook her head. "Listen, Naruto-kun. You only have your teacher for a little bit, and it's okay if they're not your favorite person. But don't let that get in the way of your education."
"Fiiiiiine." His bottom lip poked out in a small pout.
Takara considered him for moment. "You're going to be Hokage, right?"
This perked the boy up. "Yeah!"
"Focus on that, then," she said. "Next time you have a hard time with a teacher or anyone else annoys you, think about your goal and how your response affects. Okay?"
"Okay!"
Chuckling, Takara ruffled his hair. "I'll see you soon."
"When?" Ah, the puppy eyes. Naruto had the advantage of those pretty baby blues but Takara practically invented them.
Smiling softly, she gave Naruto a final hug. As always, the boy practically melted into it. "Soon. I still have a lot of work to do but I won't be so busy forever."
"Kay..."
Pulling away, she poked his nose and put on her best Stern Sister voice. "Now, be good."
"Alright, alright already." Naruto attempted to whack her finger away despite his burgeoning smile. He shuffled into his apartment but paused. Shyly, he mumbled,"Night, Nee-chan."
Takara was suddenly reminded so much of Rikuto in that moment, it made her heart swell. Throat tight, she returned kindly, "Good night, Naruto-kun."
When Naruto closed the door, she took a deep breath and rubbed at her stinging eyes. While she didn't want to risk Ogino's ire further after their latest confrontation, she supposed she could make a short phone call home. Just long enough to hear her little brothers' voices and check in on how their schooling. Maybe Hotaka would finally get on the phone, if only to discuss the boys' grades with her.
Newly motivated to get home early, Takara dashed down the stairs - almost tripping twice - and jumped off the last one. She hummed quietly under her breath, looking up to admire the setting sun. It was a good day, the first really good day in months.
The back of Takara's neck prickled, a sudden chill shivering up her spine. Her eyes widened.
"Hinamori Takara."
The blood drained from Takara's face, her smile evaporating on the spot. Heart pounding in her ears, she slowly turned around.
The warm colors of the sunset cast over the man did nothing to soften his sharp edges but rather dyed him red and orange, reminding Takara of fire and explosives and a little of blood. He wore a gray vest over his dark clothes, his muscular upper arms bare so as to reveal a strange, swirling red tattoo on his left arm, and matching gray gauntlets clasped over his forearms. The hilt of blade poked out behind his right shoulder. But it was the bone-white mask, painted to resemble a dog, that frightened her the most.
The way it was carved made it near impossible to see his eyes.
"The Hokage wishes to speak with you," he said lowly. There was no room for compromise in his voice.
Breath caught in her throat, Takara stared open-mouthed. The Hokage, as in the Hokage? The (admittedly well-liked) dictator of the city-state Konohagakure? Meeting? With her? Now, now? Like, this instant? Why? For what? For how long? Was she in trouble? Was someone she knew in trouble? Dog mask? Should she call a lawyer? Were lawyers a thing in Konoha? Shit, do I even have any rights in this village? Would she get a single phone call at least and who would she call? Was she going to end up as some baby ninja's practice dummy? What did this - any of this - mean?
What did she do? What does she do?
So many questions. Takara's brain nearly short circuited trying to process what was happening and where to begin. A random one tumbled out of her mouth unbidden before she could stop it.
"How many masks do you even have, Hatake-san?"
Author's Note: OH MY GOD IT'S HAPPENING! IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING! WE. ARE. HERE!
It is go time, people.
We are finally about to wrap up the "Takara investigation" (thank GOD) and soon Takara and Kakashi are actually gonna interact like...you know, PEOPLE. After Kakashi loses the scary Anbu shtick he's got going right now.
Also, if there's one small detail to take away from this dense, plotty chapter...it's that no matter what Kakashi looks or even sounds like, Takara's got a thing for his laugh. Secondly, in case I haven't dropped enough hints in previous chapters, Kakashi really likes the way Takara smells. They're both freaks like that. On another note, regardless of Kakashi's thoughts in chapter 11, Konoha is in fact xenophobic as fuck. But we know he's biased towards the Leaf village.
Question(s) of the chapter: Was this Takara + Gai interaction worth Gai's absence the last couple chapters? What kind of challenge do you think Takara is going to give Gai and his mysterious (jerk) rival? (I promise the actual "meeting" and challenge is just two chapters away.) WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN TAKARA MEETS THE HOKAGE? HOW MANY MASKS DOES KAKASHI EVEN OWN?
Find out in next year's update. ;)