Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Behind The Masks ❯ The Reunion of Strangers ( Chapter 7 )

This would serve as a warning- This chapter may have the tendency to be extra confusing. As many of you if not all may have noticed I sort of love to deal with emotions and flashbacks. There would be phrases that would be appearing randomly (well not SO randomly)… it should be treated as short flashes. It sort of adds a little more feel to the scene- well that would in my opinion. I'll be placing the exact scene where I got it before the chapter so as to prevent too much confusion. Please read or skim through it before hand.

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SCENES used:

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From CHAPTER4

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“So… how come you're with a group of stuck-up bastard who just happens to be S-class missing nins? Not to include myself, Leader-sama and Konan but most of us are old freaks who should already be soil by now.” he said as he looked over the 14 year old child in front of him with slight indignation. “I can't believe I'm partnered with a brat. Better make sure that your wayward emotional problems with bonds left behind doesn't hinder the job. I don't want to deal with children.”

“There are none.” Was the solemn reply…

Guess he expected the apathetic mask to crack on the insult or maybe he expected an attack . The most far off he considered was for the child to try to maintain his front… never yielding. However, what greeted him was a simple glance of crimson. It was filled with emotion so overwhelming but for the likes of him he failed to distinguish a single one. One thing for sure, it was a deliberate action.

“I cut them myself.”

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From CHAPTER5

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“It's been a while.” The blond said.

It's the man he met all those months ago… It's the man from the lake… the one who left him the cloak…

The one who called him-

“How have you been, saia?”

…

The man turned in surprise his face unreadable.

With narrowed eyes and a horrible fake voice he continued.

“I loved the cloak, Tachi-onichan!”

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Current time period:

Naruto: 15

Sakura:15

Sasuke:15

Itachi: 20

Kakashi: 29

Tsunade:53

Jiraiya:53

Age on the dream:

Naruto= 3

Itachi= 8

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Behind the Masks

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Chapter 6

(The Reunion of Strangers)

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Kisame is troubled.

Yup. He has gotten over his annoyance of Itachi smiling and smirking at him. He forgot about it the moment he was faced with the entirety of Akatsuki again. Well who in hell wouldn't?! Just thinking of spending three- THREE frickin days with a man who's got a god complex, a guy who looks like a weed not to mention a split personality, a paper maiden as well as two freakin artists one of which is quite loud while the other is an insufferable hot head; Of course that would be ignoring the immortal religious loud mouth who's got the vocabulary of a street punk together with his money loving partner who's really REALLY supposed to be dust by now. It would be a very long three days.

. `Glurg'

. `Glurg'

. `Glurg.'

…It's still not over. Huh.

And so he'll just have to brood over why he is troubled then, now shouldn't he?

Itachi smiled.

It's not that he can't get over that simple act, NO. It was because Itachi committed that act. Itachi actually opened himself up again. Even if it was for the briefest moments… the amount of time doesn't change the fact that he did.

Itachi dropped his mask.

If that wasn't something troublesome he doesn't know what could amount to being troublesome anymore. The first and so he thought last time was when the kid first arrived at Akatsuki. They were talking about his maturity as well as his loose… bonds…- DAMN!

“I'm SUCH an IDIOT!”

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`oh-uh'

No…

… he hadn't just screamed that…

Did he?

“We know that already Kisame.” said an irate voice.

“How about I blow him up, danna?” said the other one.

He did.

Kisame rolled his eyes. Yup Sasory's and Deidara's bickering really isn't enough.

Turning to his side he could just make outs Itachis steady gaze at the Jinchuuriki and sigh…

No matter how irritating the outburst was it was quite true. Damn. He could really be pretty stupid. Both the times the damn brat lowered his damn mask was when they were talking about bonds- well sort of. First was really about bonds and then the next was him being alone meaning he has no bonds.

Question is…a bond with whom?

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“Onichan, you know what?”started a small voice causing his companion to turn his way. Seeing the questioning ebony eyes he felt his lips twitch in annoyance.

“You are not just weird… you're worst than weird.” He said, voice oozing with irritation.

The other simply stared.

“Don't look at me like that! I am still waiting to hear the right words that would describe you… it will come Onichan, really it will.

The other rolled his eyes.

Another twitch. But then again he could just feel a grin forming on his face, a sure sign of mischief, which the other must have noticed.

The other must have had it cause he FINALLY talked. “Your point?”

Yeah. It wasn't much.

“Onichan… you look old.” He said plainly trying not to laugh at the others face.

“Pardon?”

He grinned widely at his dark haired, dark eyed friend who's got a dark personality and said

“You look like a child with an old person's face.”

He said it as monotonously as he possibly could- which was hard and was rewarded with a glare which made him grin more. He could just feel the refreshing feel of winning.

“You see Onichan, you aren't as big as the others which is normal cause you're seven-!”

“I'm 8.”

“Fine! Eight! You're eight for goodness sake! You act older than the old people here… you really ARE creepy…”he shouted in exasperation especially at the short and monotonous replies. He was flailing his arms around to make a point and was pacing around the place.

“Naruto-“ started the other but was cut off when he started screaming again.

“Really!” And then he started pacing again. “When I look at you from way away from me I could almost mistake you for someone whose…er… TEN years older than you! That old!” and of course he was not satisfied with just that and so…

“And don't get me started with your one word vocabulary!-“

“I don't-“the other cut off but of course was cut off as well. “Fine! Two to five words max vocabulary! And I thought you said you had talent more than people would want you to have? That makes you a genius, right?! If being nearly mute is a sign of being a genius, I really HAD no CHANCE! The most I heard you talk is when we first met! Imagine?! I considered THAT- that- er…”

“Conversation is the word, Naruto-kun.”

He blinked before he scowled again.

“Fine! I considered THAT as a con- conver…sation… ARGH! Nevermind!”

He stomped his feet and then glared.

“Glaring does not suit you.” Observed the other aloud which infuriated him more and so he screamed.

“You're SO frustrating! You say those annoying things with such a… a… AHHH!!! It's the way you look that says you don't care what happens! The Hokage monument could crumble and I'd be surprised if you blinked! I swear the Hokage monument had more expressions than you and they're set on stone! Is your face set on marble or something?! Besides-“

“Besides what… Naruto-kun.”

He stopped… he stared… he panicked… and then he ran for it.

His friend looked annoyed beyond belief and he could have sworn he saw the others eyes and lips twitch with barely concealed annoyance. He looked scary… and yet…he looked so… cute trying and failing to keep his face… er… unemotional...? Yeah that'll do. He ran but just the thought of his friend looking cute made him giggle which eventually turned to an all out laughter.

The other snapped.

As he ran for dear life with an annoyed dark being right on his tail he couldn't help but continue laughing. He somehow feels as if his friend is appreciating the gesture even though he's showing the exact opposite.

Game set match. No denying it, he won.

That is until someone pounced on him.

“Tse. I won.” He bragged as he looked up.

“Oh really?” was the others somewhat amused reply.

He gaped.

“Tsk. Who would've known marble could smirk?”

`Yup. I definitely won.'

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“AHAHAHAHA! I'm only pretending to be stupid… AHAHAHAAHA!”

Everyone sweat dropped.

“Senile old woman attacking random people…” mumbled the blond in front of him and he couldn't help but agree. This would be one of the downsides of having a well known father who you obviously got your looks from. He had just been mistaken as Konoha's white fang and attacked by a retired old woman. Luckily all attention was diverted to Sakura who suddenly ran towards Kankuro and started her magic. She had grown to be exceptional just like her master.

At these times Kakashi just had to wonder on who was the damn crazy idiot that said that woman are fragile damsels that needs rescuing and are always in distress? All the woman he'd been around with are freakishly scary and somewhat insanely strong if not they would be manipulative and cunning especially the types that go `KYAA!'. He'd just had to agree with Shikamaru that women are troublesome however, looking at another scary blond fussing over her poisoned brother…. He'd just have to conclude- Shikamaru likes troublesome people. (2)

Moving up a bit he took a glimpse of Naruto and he couldn't help but chuckle.

“Yes, yes Naruto-kun. Kankuro does have normal skin coloring like every normal people does.”

The blond looked surprised for a moment and then embarrassed but eventually grinned like crazy. By the looks of things Naruto must be feeling a bit calmer and well… better. He looks as determined as ever must be because of a dream or something. Looking back the night before he better have, it was quite adorable at first but seeing him grinning all night was also quite disturbing. Naruto can be one that can make something so adorable into something so undeniably disturbing.

“Once Sakura's done we should better get a move on.”

`Hm… at least he's focused. Well then-'

“Am I right in guessing that Kankuro-kun be the only one who's been poisoned?” having been answered by a nod he continued. “Then I can safely assume that we lost them?”

“Yes, that would be the unfortunate case-”

“No. We have not totally lost them. I attained a piece of clothing from one of them- Sasori of the red sands.”

He could have smiled at the kid. “As any could expect from a sand shinobi- quite resilient, eh?” noticing the stiffening of the two elders within the room he asked fully expecting a reply. “So… Sasori of the red sand, who might he be?”

“He'd be my cute little grandson.” Piped in the elder female who attacked him a while back-Chiyo-baasama as Kankuro have called her. He could only sigh grimly at the confirming nod the one called Ebizou-jiisama gave him.

How unfortunate. It would seem that they would be having a very emotional not to mention bloody reunion.

“Well then Chiyo-baasama, how about acquainting me to that charming little grandson of yours…”

The latter smiled up at him and started cheerfully at him.

“Oh you know, Sasori-chan is a very good looking and sweet boy, it's just unfortunate he grew up an orphan seeing that his parents were killed by your father…”

`Ahh… such a scary old lady…' To think she can adapt the same disturbing sweet smile Sakura often uses. Honestly, women.

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Kisame… is bored.

Bored out of his wits

Exactly as he anticipated

He had long given up on trying to find out on whose bond Itachi is still attached to or more so… trying to cling to? Well that is, if that was possible at all. Itachi… cling to someone? Unlikely. A lover perhaps?

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`That just HAD to be so WRONG! I mean… EW! Besides if it were the far off truth- the other must already be dead.'

Kisame's eternally scarred mind and ever so bothered consciousness had been- fortunately- interrupted by the weed. `Well fine, he isn't just a weed- he's a firkin Aloe Vera.'

“Konoha ninja are approaching, a group of 4 led by a guy wearing too much green- Maito Gai.”

“Who's that?”

“A jounin that specializes with taijutsu. He is not to be taken lightly.” Itachi said in a way that you'll just have to wonder if he cared for the news at all. Kisame almost snickered as he muttered under his breath. `Says the guy who wears too much black.'

Zetsu scoffed at that. “Says the fish whose colored blue”

Kisame grinned that teethy grin of his at Zetsu, “Says the black and white Aloe Vera.”

“Stop acting like children. Now I'll be using that technique, who's going?”

Salvation. Kisame could almost feel the lights of salvation saving him from staying at this boorish place with the bastards…

“Me. I have a score to settle with that strange beast anyways…hm. Well anyway, I'm getting very bored.”

“And we all know how dangerous boredom is to someone like you Kisame.”

…

A grand flashy and badass entrance…

That was what he was aiming for.

Too bad they had someone who's got the byakugan… keh by the looks of it he still had the entrance he wanted. Looking around…

Brats.

He'd be dealing with a dog- if the feel of it is right, two brats, a clone and the original. He just had to wonder why… why make a clone of Maito Gai?! They even dress and wear their hair alike! And the way they talk and smile! He could only groan at the hideous jumpsuit!

Of course at times like this Kisame often disregard just how he looked. Well at least he isn't wearing a jumpsuit. Thank Kami for the one who designed the Akatsuki cloak…

The tension was high. He could almost feel their anxiety and fear. Well… that might be because he did manage to make considerable damage to the surrounding just by his badass and extravagant entrance.

“You are…”

He grinned. `Ah… so he remembers me.'

“Gai-sensei, you know him?” asked the clone making his grin ever wider.

`Of course he remembers me. I ain't that easy to for-`

“Who are you?!”

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`Urgh. ` Kisame was forced to hold in a grimace at that.

“It would seem that you are as dumb as you look. How about I make you remember?”

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Uchiha Itachi

A cold, apathetic ninja with unmeasured capabilities, no conscience, no emotions- an image so easily made that had been so easily broken but in the end had been painstakingly built up again. However this time… he also had no ties.

It was a choice he made.

It was a duty he assigned to himself.

It was… necessary.

It's just that…

Uchiha Itachi, no matter what others may think, no matter how he looked, no matter how he may have appeared to be, no matter how troublesome it may be- is still human. And a human body wears, experiences moments of weaknesses and is in need of so he cared not for robbers and bandits as he walked through the woods near grass country with his chakra bound- why? Because ninja's especially S- class missing nins have no right to be defenseless. It's just that, he needs rest and he will take it. Getting sick is annoying and must be avoided. Looking weak is worst. However being sick and weak in front of renowned criminal ninja's of the class S is unacceptable.

In a world where being strong means being feared and thus gets themselves hunted… being `seemingly' ordinary and weak can be your first line of defense and it had worked for over 6 years until…

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A familiar feeling…

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“It's been a while.”

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That voice…

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`…bonds?'

“How have you been, saia?”

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That endearment…

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`…cut them…'

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“I loved the cloak, Tachi-onichan!”

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This person…

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`I have none.'

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“You jest…”

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`I cut them myself.'

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“…Naruto-kun.”

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To be feared is to be hated... but if you hate someone does that mean that you fear them?

…no…

The answer would still be the same if you asked the question the other way around but still… it is still true that fear can be associated with hate but you can still hate someone and fear them at the same time for entirely different reasons but… no matter what the reasons… no matter the circumstance… fear is still fear and hate is still hate. It's the same principle where pain… may it be physical or emotional… is still pain.

It's painful.

`I have no one.'

It's all there is...

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Cold ebony against blazing blue... the same blue he treasured… still treasures- should no longer treasure. One of the few he deemed important, one of the two who still lives- one of the two ties he broke… one of the two who now…

“I hate you.”

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“May I ask why, Naruto-kun?”

Blue filled with contempt at those words, “Are you seriously asking me WHY I hate you?!”

“Yes.” was Itachi's simple reply as he studied the boy in front of him.“Other than that, you never seemed to be the suicidal type before, Naruto-kun.” He added his whole demeanor screaming danger even without his chakra. The boy stepped back causing him to frown. “To come to me with your chakra bound…”

“I'm not dying anytime soon” growled the child. “You yourself have no chakra. What- you on a vacation or something? Why seal your own chakra?”

He was answered by a bland look. It made him angrier.

“You won't be taking me anytime soon. You won't be able to release your chakra while inside Ero-sennins barrier- he'll be able to sense you easily and other than that he can manipulate this place so as to prevent you from leaving.”

“Who ever said I planned on taking you, Naruto-kun? I have no interest in you at the moment.” was the cold reply. “If you wish to die so badly come to me some other day…” The blond looked more and more confused, flustered, and panicky even though he tried to so hard to hide it. He himself had a lot to be worried about and be confused about.

“Saia.” he called the blond as detached as he could manage causing the blond to stiffen and then tremble with poorly contained contempt. “Such an interesting way to call me, Naruto-kun.”

“Interesting…” repeated the blond as if on a daze and then he looked up his eyes again ablaze with hatred. “You call that interesting?! I… you… BASTARD!”

“What sort of game is this?” being answered by a stare he bit his bottom lip so hard it almost bled “Does torturing people so amusing for you?!” he laughed a bitter laugh as tears started to fall. “Why torture me like this? I know you people are after me for the furball so why not just get it over with?! Why do you have to cast such a… a DAMNABLE genjutsu on me?! Is it that much fun mocking me?! I mean… FINE! I'm nothing but the demon child who no one liked and cared for… I had to work my ass of, repeatedly nearly get myself killed and be so damned stupid just so others would look my way a second time- for them to just see `me'. You don't have to rub it on my face. You don't even know how painful it is… to have no one… to yearn that you had someone… to just be there. Why make me hope that stupid dreams may be true only to… only to… find out that it's only… only YOU?!” crazed blue bore to black.

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Innocent blue

… so care-free…

…so pure…

…so knowing…

…so bright…

He had… for quite some time… basked on that light.

`Saiai…'

A name often called to him together with the light.

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“How have you been saiai?”

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He had buried that name.

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`How?'

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Along with the light.

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“I loved the cloak, Tachi- onichan!”

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He had buried it and had turned his back on it, now it chased after him. The name unearthed itself from it's grave but like the undead it's merely a shell. It's just the name. The light… still buried beneath the soil.

`He dreams… why?'

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Eyes so uncaring...hate unrelenting.

Blue so cold… so blistering

Noticing nothing while ignoring everything

He ignored the blank face.

He ignored the shock.

He ignored the confusion.

He ignored all.

Most specifically the pain.

Never seeing the hurt.

Pain within those dark eyes…

“For me to finally see the person who gave me such a nice gift… The one with a `gentle' aura- tse I even mistook you for a woman!” he sneered “Whenever I remember that endearment you called me, whenever I look back at those dreams that I wished was true…you… when I saw you a while back, when I felt that familiar presence-I was so nervous… so excited. You can't imagine how I clung to each and every dream even though it's nothing but a dream. I clung to them cause someone have actually called me that in real life and left me such a nice gift and then… and then… you just had to be the person to turn around. It just had to be a DAMN LIE! A PLOT! `Saiai'… just had to be a frickin MURDE-uhn…haAH…” he gasped. Panicked blue searched for blank black only to find it unreadable “H-how…wh-wha-at…have…y-you…”

A chakra pulse reverberated throughout the forest…

…along with a scream…

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“Old coot.”

“Don't call me that old lady.”

BANG

“Hey!”

“Don't you dare call me that again, Jiraiya.”

“What? You call me every obscene thing there could possibly be but I can't speak the truth in your face?”

Oh that did it. And the white haired nin knew it as well. What? It's not that he's got a masochistic side or anything but he simply loved to tease Tsunade about her age. She can be really easy to piss off. And pissed off she is. Quite so, actually.

It's a dangerous mix- two drunk sannins- a rude perverted male and an alcoholic, gambling hot headed not to mention busty woman. Death is sure to follow.

But it didn't come.

Jiraiya sighed. He can't seem to figure which is worst- the beatings or the questioning.

“You're keeping something from me.”

`Urgh' Did he even have to wonder? Of course it's the questioning.

“What the heck are you saying now, hime? You've only had three bottles of sake… you loosing your touch or something?” he said jokingly.

She glowered at him. “Don't kid with me you old fart. I know there's something you're hiding beneath that overly grown white hair of yours.”

“Do I not tell you the things you need to know?”

His voice had been serious. He is.

“He made you promise?”

“You weren't supposed to know anything.”

“Ah. So that's why you settled to not telling me `everything'” the hokage said as a slight smirk formed on her lips.

“Yes.”

“Will I be finding out soon?”

“Yes. Sooner or later you will. Actually, it would be better if you'd know earlier…”

“…but you really can't say, huh?”

“Unfortunately”

“Yes… truly unfortunate.”

“Their mission…”

“…is nothing short of risky. But the blond wonder is there along with your own apprentice not to mention your possible successor is leading them.”

“I guess so…” was the Hokage's amused reply before she started laughing. “We also can't disregard their back-up you know.”

“Urgh… the enthusiastic bunch. At times like this I can't help but grimace at Sarutobi-sensei's sense of humor. Imagine putting Hyuu Neji under Gai's team. Goodness. I sometimes pity the brat.”

Tsunade scoffed at that.

“Sarutobi-sensei has always been a twisted old man.”

“Yup. Perverted too.”

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“I hate you”

It had been a statement he had anticipated to hear anytime soon. He had readied himself for it. Had already tried to picture it. For years he had been building up any possible defense for the pain of it.

It had been unsuccessful.

It just proves… knowing doesn't help. Knowing and understanding the cause of it will never be enough. It will still hurt.

After only a couple of months….

It still does.

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“Everyone halt”

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An intimidating figure…

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“Who is he?”

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Aura oozing with power…

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“His eyes…”

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Eyes deprived of warmth…

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“Uchiha… Itachi.”

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A name feared and known by all.

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“Well ain't this sudden.”

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It should be enough for him to understand the fear on those eyes. He had said he will capture him. He have tried. He had been seen at his worst. The boy had seen a fracture of what he was capable of. Have seen a fraction of the damage he could cause. And now they have in their hands a special someone. Right in front of himself is someone the boy he treasures found. Just as he had expected... he won't be the only one to notice the boy's flare- his brilliance will capture many. It's a brilliance he had to turn away from. It was a light that was promised for him long before. His place had been set on that brilliant place- it was him who left. Now only he remembers and at that moment was taking somebody else. He can't stop this... won't stop this. The boys fear can be fully justified. His hate can only be called normal.

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“It has been a while... Kakashi-san, Naruto-kun.”