Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Gentle Lesson: The Restoration of the Hatake ❯ Memory Lane Is Blue ( Chapter 18 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Time it was and what a time it was, it was
a time of innocence
a time of confidences (1)


As she surveyed the four ninjas before her – bent to one knee, heads bowed in respect as they knelt on the kage’s office floor – Koharu’s heart swelled with pride.


This is what Homura and I fought to grow – this will to survive – this capacity for love – the fire of Konoha.


This fire will never –


She could still hear the Sondaime’s gruff voice, right before the day he died –


This fire –


Had he died with that htough?


To die with such a smile.


This fire will never go out.


The elderly village leader sighed – as she suddenly focused on this team before her.


Tsunade, beside her, was talking quickly and surely.


There is, after all, no time to lose.


We made a good choice with her, eh, Homura?


“It goes without saying that this mission is of the utmost importance to Konoha.”


The blonde Hokage paused.


“As we consider the issue of Rock-“
“Issue of Rock?” burst in Iruka. “What issue?”


Genma, next to the volatile ex-Academy sensei, glared sideways.


Tsunade frowned. “All our efforts to get them to sign our treaty have failed.”
“In other words,” Zouba cut in. “We’ve been rebuffed.”
“Which,” Tsunade went on, “is a matter of concern – of course.”
“Of course,” murmured Iruka faintly.


War again? So soon?

“Before I approach Rock personally, however, our relationships with the other countries MUST be confirmed.”


The Slug Princess sighed.


“Team 7 – Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke – they were able to confirm the positive relationship we’ve had with Sand and also got Mist’s back up on the Treaty as well.”


But there was trouble wasn’t there, Iruka thought. And they saw HIM. For the first time in years.


The silence in the room extended as the four nins and the three village leaders thought about the treaties.


If it’s war, Genma sighed, it won’t just mean a blow to the Villages fragile strength – but also – bad news for people like –


Kakashi…


That – Tsunade – that must be why you can’t get him released from ANBU.


SHIT.


“So… to recap,” Koharu put in. “Sound is gone – and Rice Field Country is now under our jurisdiction. Sand and Mist are backing us up – while Rock opposes us – all that remains of great note anyway is Lightning County – the Hidden Village of Cloud.”


“Which is what the mission is all about.”
“We’re going to be delivering a scroll to Cloud?” asked Raido, his somber voice breaking the ensuing silence.
“Just the four of us?” Shizune put in.
“We can do it,” Genma interrupted, his senbon quirking madly – his hazel eyes narrowing. “We’re shinobi of Leaf - we can do anything.”


Tsunade smiled in pride.


“But,” Iruka protested, he rubbed his scar nervously. “Team 7 – Naruto – they ran into trouble. There’s no way we can fight ALL of Rock’s shinobi if they’re out to stop us – which they will be trying to do –“


“Hn…” Tsunade nodded. “I’m glad someone here is sensible. This team is merely going to be the attempt.”
“What?” Raido blinked.
“A decoy,” Genma said darkly.


His eyebrows knotted.


“For what?”
“For whom?” interjected Tsunade. “This will be a case of not looking back.”
“I see – ANBU then.”
“Correct.”
“I don’t get this,” Shizune rubbed her forehead. “Shouldn’t it be the other way around?”


“Hmmm…” Koharu shook her head. “We thought of that – but it would be too obvious – ANBU lounging about while some Jounin team tries to sneak their way in…”
Genma looked indignant.
“At any rate,” Zouba murmured. “We figured that one ANBU operative would be enough to slip by - easily… but don’t worry – if things get too hot for you, don’t risk your lives unnecessarily. You got it?”


“Understood!” the four shinobi chorused.


“Your team is meant only for a temporary cover, Genma,” Tsunade smiled. “I want you back alive – so I’m sending Shizune as medic. Four seasoned Jounins should be great decoys. Take your time – think of it as a double date – but don’t be too obvious.”


Genma nodded.


“The route?”
“Is pretty simple. Shizune?”

Shizune pulled down a large map and produced a long pointer.


“Genma, as the leader, this is most important for you to know,” Tsunade intoned seriously. “The route is familiar to you boys, though – the same as the one we took last time.”


As Shizune’s long pointer trailed across the pale pastel map – as it followed a line of dots over a river, though the mountains to the border of Rice and Lightening then – upwards to the capital –


Beyond the capital, they knew lay the Hidden Village of Cloud.


“We’re going through the capital this time around?” asked Iruka, eyes wide. “That wasn’t our itinerary last time…”
“Yes well… that’s the only deviation…”
“Pretty simple though,” Raido muttered.


That broken city – that place where –


Hard black roads, concrete sidewalks, tall buildings larger than even the Hokage’s office buildings – the mirrors of a million windows – the bustling crowds – the stinky smog of the noisy cars –


Iruka remembered.


And the gaping holes in the buildings – the broken flickering neon signs – debris everywhere still being swept up and cleaned – the open piping in the center of the roads as reconstruction continued –


It had been because –


Kakashi-sama….


“Hmmm… it’s a good way to throw off your pursuers – but at the expense of civilians,” Raido shook his head. “A big risk…”
He itched his scar thoughtfully.
“We don’t want ANOTHER incident like the last time…”


“Last time?” blinked Shizune.
“Never mind,” Tsunade shook her head. “It’s immaterial. You boys can gossip with Shizune later. Although – it goes without saying that I agree with Raido. No random jutsus are to be performed in such close quarters. Run. And then turn and attack once you reach the country.”


Iruka nodded solemnly.
Shizune sighed.


Even though the Grapevine is always running with the latest secrets – there are some things – hidden things – secret things that I can’t even – wouldn’t want to – shouldn’t – comprehend. It’s like an ugly serpentine beast coming out of a black oily lake. It smells like death…


“It smells like what?” asked Iruka, puzzled.
Shizune snapped out of her momentary dark mood.
“It’s nothing.”
“Is it a premonition?” asked Raido nervously.
Genma looked up at the dark haired medic.
“It’s nothing,” she assured them.
“I’ll check the lottery today – just in case,” Tsunade smiled.


Koharu nodded. “I’ll keep an eye out for bad omens, too.”


“It’s really, really nothing.” Shizune sighed as she waved her hands nervously.
“You look scared,” Iruka pressed. “Something was wrong, I know it.”
“Watch Mr. Sensitive…” muttered Raido.
“Ugh…” Genma snickered. “Next will come his lovey-dovey act.”
“You make that sound bad…”
“Isn’t it?”
“I wouldn’t mind that thing now and again…”


“Never you mind – I’ll tell you later,” Shizune leaned over to pat her lover’s shoulder.
“You better…”


“Break it up, lovers,” grinned Genma. “We’ve got a mission to complete.”


Taking the proffered scroll out of Tsunade’s hand, he slid it into his inner vest pocket. Turning to his right, his strong white teeth clicked down hard on his metal senbon – Genma cocked his head.


Raido sighed.
“Our place first – we need to pack AND clean. Before we leave.”


One day later, Shizune, Genma, Raido and Iruka were three-quarters of the way through Rice Field when they stopped for a short break.


As opposed to most ultra-furtive, top secret missions – they took their time, conserving their energy for the battles – the ambush they knew they would run into.


“Or it could be nothing. At all,” Raido huffed out a small cloud of smoke impatiently.
“You mean, you think Tsunade-sama’s being alarmist?” asked Shizune as she passed her canteen of lukewarm green tea to Iruka.
“Oh no. Not at all. Just – well –“ Genma sighed.


His narrowed eyes slid furtively to the side.


“That Rock might attack us. It’s rebuffed our treaties… what the hell does that mean EXACTLY?”
“Wellll….” Shizune mumbled. “You didn’t hear this from me… but you know Team Ebisu had a run in the other day –“


The three Jounin leaned in eagerly.


“An attack, I heard,” Iruka nodded.
“From Rock, no less. And an ANBU team just newly formed disappeared the other day…”
“And you think –“”We sent some teams out to investigate – and we found traces of Rock jutsu –“
“So it wasn’t all smoke –“ Raido sighed.
“It’s war, then,” Genma scowled.


Shizune’s dark eyes turned away from her friend’s probing eyes. Her gaze, falling on the violet petals still in the bud – the green-tipped branches of the still waking trees, tried to find solace in the signs of spring. Beneath her clenched fists, the brown grass was beginning to grow green again – and somewhere nearby – just newly freed from its prison of ice, the river gurgled again.


This was a time of renewal – not for just THIS – but for us – and now –


She sighed.
“Well – anyway – those are the rumors – ANBU will find out – Tsunade-sama will decide.”


The medic paused.


“And what incident were you talking about in Tsunade-sama’s office?”
“Eeeehhh…” Raido grinned suddenly.
Genma chuckled.
Iruka groaned.


“You DON’T REMEMBER?”
“Should I, Raido-san?””Well – it WAS in the papers. ASSASSINS DUKE IT OUT.”
“Or rather,” Iruka smirked. “KAKASHI’S ONE TIME BIG PUBLIC MISTAKE.”
“It was a public relations disaster –“
“Yeah and you remember that photo –“
“Talk about caught in the act –“”But you couldn’t see his face –“
“ANBU mask?””Something like that…”


“Kakashi…””You DO remember Hatake Kakashi – Team 7’s sensei – Number One Icha Icha Addict?”
“You know, the Copy Nin?” Raido teased.
“OF COURSE!” huffed Shizune. “How could I f –“


There was a sudden deafening silence.


“How could you?” Genma’s lips twisted sardonically. “Better ask – how could WE?”
“Genma –“ Raido interjected. “Don’t be so harsh –“”How can we not?” Iruka’s brown eyes flashed. “We forgot!”
“I didn’t really –“
Shizune bent her head.
“I didn’t really know him well – he was just –“”A name, huh?” Genma’s senbon tipped downward as he frowned. “That’s all he was – huh? Another shinobi, who came through the office doors and was only known as a number?”
“Don’t be so hard on her,” Iruka protested, moving closer to the clearly upset woman. He placed his arm protectively around her still shoulders.


“Now I see –“ she murmured, staring at her hands.


I understand.
Iruka.
Now I see –


Those nights you sat alone in the dark – on the couch, thinking –


You blame yourself –


When it should be laid at all of our feet –


Genma – were you always so wise?


Fifteen minutes later, the sun finished its slow journey at the bottom of the horizon – a fiery ship coming into a dusky harbor – as it sunk behind the purple hills. Iruka found Shizune washing her hands in the nearby river.


“Sorry about that –“ he said softly.
“It’s okay,” she said. “I’m an idiot, really.”
“Hn. We all are – sometimes.”
“Yeah…”


There was a silence – and Iruka pulled up against him, reveling in the feel of her warmth in his arms.


It’s what we fight for – isn’t it?


What do you fight for, Kakashi?


“We’re sure taking our time, though,” the medic grumbled.
“Tomorrow, it’s going to be hectic…”
“Hmph…”


A comfortable silence followed – the cool dark river chattered, swirling around the rocks and already the animals were silent with the occasional fireflies lighting up in the dusk.


Shizune settled back into Iruka’s shoulder.
“We should go back,” she murmured, making no effort to move.


Iruka settled his chin on top of her head.
“Mmmmm… Naw –“
“But –“
“Seriously – as Kakashi once told me – unless you’re into group sex, it’s not going to be your thing –“ (1a)
“NO WAY!!!”
“Eh?”
“They’re not – that is –“
Iruka shrugged, “What… having sex? Most likely – you saw Raido – Genma is probably calming him down as we speak… Ever since –“


The war.


It was a thing no one could voice.


“Front lines did it to them…” Shizune sighed. “How does Genma cope?”
Iruka’s arms tightened around her and bending his neck, his lips found her neck in a silent kiss.
“The way Raido does. The way I do.”
Shizune smiled into the dark.
“Men.”


The next morning, Raido, true to Iruka’s word, was more tolerable – although, much to Shizune’s delight, both the scarred Jounin and his partner were half dead in the morning.


“They’re always like this,” Iruka snickered as they watched Genma sway off into the bush like a drunken man. “On the lines, we’d take bets on whether they would walk into the crap pit…”
“Scary…”
“Yeah…R 21;
“But it means, they can relax and have normal lives…””Relatively speaking,” Iruka amended as Raido jumped at the sound of chittering squirrel and nearly killed it with a randomly flying kunai.


Genma found the river – and standing on the rock, looking down into the water, watched his face ripple there. If he looked hard enough – there were the faint spider lines around his eyes –


Crow’s feet.


Raido’s father had a lot of them… He was a worry wart though…


Lifting the cool water up to his face, Genma shivered – it woke him up with its refreshing cold.


It reminded him –


That pale skin – the almost invisible scars –


The face of an angel –


Where is he now, I wonder?


Will this whole thing about Rock involve him as ANBU?


Most likely – who else would be proficient enough to deal with Rock? Rock is his natural enemy – the people who killed Obito – of course –


But I don’t think it’ll be like last time –


Last time –


We bonded. We found commonality. For a minute, he let us see him for what he truly was – we did a great thing that day – even Iruka-kun grew – but now –


Whatever talents he had has been lost to darkness again.


What I saw on that river I wasn’t meant to see – will I ever see that man candid again?


I remember –


He was our ANBU guard. And we didn’t even know – maybe –


Genma reared back in surprise.


Damn. Hot damn.


Tsunade-sama.


“Will we meet our ANBU?”
“No, Genma, I’m afraid not. It’s really a case of not looking back.”
“Damn… it’d be nice to know who’s on our side.””You’ll know.”
“If you’re sure, I’m sure…”
Genma looked up from the scroll held in his hand.
“The others are waiting for me.”
“Then you best go –“
There was a pause.
“You hesitate.”
“I saw Kakashi.”Tsunade froze. “Oh?”
“On the river outside of town. Washing.””Geez… doesn’t the man have a shower…””Tsunade-sama… this – he – ANBU needs to let him go…””I know, Genma – but I can only do so much. Stats won the day – but I’m doing the best I can to –“
The blonde Kage shook her head.
“But it’s hopeless…”
“Get him out.”
“Genma. There are other forces at work here. The Rock problem is one of them… But still… be there for him when he needs it whether he wants it or not. Please?”
Genma blinked.
“Of course…”
“I wasn’t sure… They say you and he were close…”
“I wonder why.”
“At any rate, you’ll be in the position – that is – huuu…. Sometimes, Genma, life will seem like a wheel – with many wheels inside – and they turn and turn and you can’t stop it – and there are those times when it’s like you become aware – I’ve done this before – what can I do differently?”
She sighed, resting her cheek on her hand.
“But you don’t understand. This knowledge comes from experience.”
“You mean old age.”
“Stop being disrespectful, kid.””Hai, hai!’”Still… I mean…”
“I thought it was a question that plagues us all…””We don’t all get second chances. Let’s not lose this one…”

Scanning the forest wildly, Genma couldn’t help but suppress a shudder – somewhere out there was their ANBU. What they were to protect with their bodies.


The carrier of hope. In the hand of the man who had no hope for himself.


It’s ironic, Genma thought as he stood, half a day later, gazing from the top of a tall tree across the forest and plains to the far sparkling dull jewel of the capital.


You were right, Tsunade-sama.


Life is a wheel with many wheels and you can’t stop it – and there are times when you think – I’ve done this before – but what can I do differently?

For a moment, he stood there, swaying with the breeze – remembering –


A message of freedom and of making your own way.

“I look up to you, Genma…. You make your own path.”

In retrospect, today is an appropriate time to commemorate you, Hayate. This move wouldn’t have happened unless you lived to be my encouragement.

Thank you, Hayate.

With that last thought, Genma, creating several clones, sent some off as a diversion. Eventually, Genma’s prey walked into the clearing.

Immediately, the shinobi was being targeted on all sides with senbon. With his signature wind, he once again deflected all of them – they fell to his feet in a wide circle around him.

Gathering chakra to his feet, he jumped into the air. Sickling winds tore through the multitudes of clones who had aped his movements – their bodies absorbed the impact of the wind and their presence disguised Genma who flew above.

Knowing gravity would be taking over soon, Genma savoured the feel of flight.

Hayate would’ve enjoyed this.

Bird freak.

The Sound-nin below watching for Genma didn’t even notice the twitch of senbon at his feet.


Bad mistake.


Chakra strings yanked upwards hard. The enemy died three seconds later, bristling with senbon and a few well-placed kunai.


Ah… that was the time I realized my own lesson –


When captured birds grow wiser, they try to open their cage with their beaks.


And I will never be caught again – even by the past –


And then – without warning –


“Something’s wrong,” Raido whispered, tensing up immediately.
Genma jumped down, and signed tohis comrade.


“That’s too fast,” Shizune hissed to Iruka, as they followed Genma who started to disappear into the distance. “What’s up?”
“He felt them.”
“Them?””What we are bait for.”


Shizune shuddered and sped up.


We’re rats. We’re little prey. We’re being followed by what we cannot see… and one of those eyes are friendly – but –


It’s creepy.


“I remember the first time I did this with Tsunade-sama, Genma and Raido. I was jumping at the sound of the squirrels. It really scared me – the ANBU – like wood spirits – white faces and black unfathomable eyes – but now I know – behind the mask is a very vulnerable human – and those that hunt us – are easy kills as well…”
“Iruka…”


“How far?” asked Raido’s fingers as he drew aside of Genma.
“One mile ahead, two behind, three miles on the left – and…” Genma’s hand stopped as he focused on his surroundings. “Two and a half miles on the right.”
Raido whistled.
Then –
“How many?”
Genma bit down on his senbon hard.
“Too many to pinpoint. Twenty, maybe…”


“What was that?” whispered Shizune who was trailing Raido.
Iruka’s mouth hardened.
“It’s serious.”
“And still we’re going into the city?”
“It’s our only chance for the group to split up.”
Shizune fell silent.


Suddenly on either side of them, the trees began to thin, without further notice, Genma veered to the left until a rough pebble road appeared. Carefully, they followed it in the brush until the intermittent hovels and huts began to upgrade to suburban shacks – and from there to the seedy edge of the business section.


Looking around her, Shizune’s eyes widened at the sight of automobiles, bicycles, rickshaws and pedestrians battling for space on the road. People were screaming out the price of vegetables, clothes, jewelry –


It was a wave of sense – an overload.


“If your eyes expand any more – they’re going to fall out,” Genma laughed.
Raido snickered as Shizune shot her senbon-chewing leader a death glare.
“Don’t act like such a big shot,” she grumbled. “I’m the one who’s done the most traveling in her –“
“Yeah – but we’ve been here before – to see that singer lady –“
“Anyways – we’re not sticking out like sore thumbs,” Genma smiled. “It’s a great place to mask one’s trail – if you know how…””Ahh…” Shizune nodded as she plucked at her usual navy kimono. “I see now why you ordered no uniforms…”
Iruka smiled.
“We look like casual people out on a date, now. And I think you look lovely.”
“Awwwww….” Chimed Raido in a sickeningly sweet voice.
Genma snorted.
“Nothing like love on a mission,” he chuckled.
Raido nudged Genma and both suddenly darted off.
“I do think you’re looking good,” Iruka smiled.
Shizune smiled. “So do you. We DO look normal… except –“ The black-haired medic huffed, “THEM.”


She pointed at Raido and Genma as they drooled at pastries through a glass window.
“They look weird.”


It had been too long –


Old memories always come back –


The old lady had mentioned – had muttered something about the turning of the wheel of life –


I guess that’s what happens when you get old – life is lived in that blue – soft, nostalgic times –


Well, it’s hard to get nostalgic about a memory that is far from golden –


No.


Memory is blue.


And Tsunade-sama – she knew this. I bet she’s laughing it up considering the irony of this moment –


Her and Ibiki and kami knows who else.


Kakashi glowered as eh watched the two couples find a table at a tiny café.


Raido and Shizune were ordering tea. He could hear Iruka’s ‘sensei’ voice all the way up here – on the roof of the tiling company next door.


“No. GENMA! Idiot! No drinking on a mission –“
“You’re drinking a stimulant!””You know there’s a difference between alcohol and caffeine!”


Idiots.
What do you know?
Sitting there obliviously.


For a moment, Kakashi hated them – hated it – that charade of camaraderie –


What else could it be – in the face of –


How can they sit there so happy on the edge of war?


Did they not know?


The little blue table, the iron-wrought chairs and the pastel pink umbrellas brought back those memories.

“You okay?”

Kakashi smiled.

“Yeah.”

“How did you know it was me?”

“Your lilac perfume.”

“Why did I ask?”

“I don’t know…. You tell me.”

There was a moment of silence.

Megami turned and found a paper cup and took a drink from the cooler. When she turned she smiled, but within her eyes was a question. Kakashi shook his head minutely. She shrugged. Then laughed.

“Mind to mind communication?”It happens…”

Megami stared at the Jounin, who suddenly lost his relaxed pose. Kakashi immediately wanted to be back in his bed, safe and sound. He felt naked under that penetrating gaze.

She turned away, trying to repress the rush of longing – his lean, trim body. His honest face.

“It would have been different. He’s gone now. This meeting between Fuyumo and I taught me – many new things…”

Kakashi looked down at the green tiled floor.

“I’m glad. That’ll mean there will be no more limo episodes.”

“There was only one,” Megami recalled with a chuckle. “And you never know – there are other reasons for a girl to attack you.”

Kakashi sighed.

“I miss my uniform, yes.”

“Well, now that our threat is gone, your mission is complete. You’ll return to your village once we reach the Fire Country. You’ll be able to go back to your friends and family – go back to your mysterious anonymity.”

Kakashi smiled at the thought of seeing Konoha again.

“Well, there’s no family waiting for me – but friends, yes. Although I’m with friends now – am I not?”

Megami smiled sadly. “Yes.”

But this isn’t the time –


Sitting here with the pigeons – watching the idiot people – these who walk under the sun thinking about nothing but families, friends and work – the city people –


They don’t even know who lurks outside the door – what monsters hide in the shadows –


We who watch from the other side of the line – and such a fragile, thin line – and he had once been there – and now – now –


-I can’t get up from this wet crimson bed- (2)


With a curse –


DAMN IT!
Damn it all to hell


Kakashi turned away.


“They’re giving me the chance – I might as well take it – there’s nothing here for me – just –“


Just a memory.


Long ago it must be
I have a photograph
Present your memories
They’re all that’s left you.” (3)


And the memory of dark hair and blue eyes melted into something else entirely. Something equally close – how could she get so close?


He could hear her – her soft breath – through the haze, her anxious chakra flared at him. She was worried.


Why are you worried for me? I don’t deserve it.


But he couldn’t move from her – his limbs seemed to drag down, down to the center of the earth – all he could do was lay there and listen to the sounds of her unrolling the bandages and unpacking her med kit.


As if carved into stone, his memory played each touch again and again – in the perfection of the moment – her warm fingers on his cold skin as she pulled his vest off gently and cut off his skin tight black tank.


He couldn’t move now – it was so comforting – to feel her warm chakra pressing gently into his now exposed ribs and arms. And her voice surrounded him –


Mother.


Lulla, lullay…


Falling snow of purple, blue and red –
Petals wafted by the wind
I felt them softly soothe my face
Ah!
How the weak and gentle in life
Give more comfort than material things.


Mmmmm….


Her hands had warmed him – comforted him – like Mother – like Megami –


But they were gone.


Over the river. The Sanzu river. The ocean. (4)


And he was, stuck, as usual to watch them leave – standing there on the shore all alone.


Don’t leave.


He wanted to say it – but he couldn’t move. It was a nightmare. Part of him wanted her to stay – that traitorous part of him that wanted that warmth – but he said nothing.


By force of will alone, he said nothing.


It is better for her, this way. This way, she can never know that darkness – it will not consume her. She should never know –


– that disillusionment is the work of time.


And time is the inevitable turning of the wheel of life.


Kakashi turned away and raced through the back alleys to the edge of the city. As he passed the large dojos and family complexes, as he disappeared into the green jungle, Kakashi didn’t look back.


There was nothing there for him.


“For one moment, we thought we lost them, sir… but they’re still there all right – hiding out amongst the civilians… what are you orders?”
“Let them find a place for tonight, then attack them when they’ve let down their guard. It will be a surprise attack. A parting gift for those fools who live in a false peace.”
“Hai!”


“They’re just waiting – watching –“ Shizune shuddered. “It reminds me of THOSE times.”
Iruka sighed.
“Well – if it does come to war – our mission here will diminish any of their potential armies –“
“Which is useless if WE don’t get home –“ Genma corrected. “I’d like to think Konoha can’t afford to lose us…”


The four were seated around a square table in a nice, dimly lit restaurant which offered Asian and Western dishes. Blue walls, green plants and purple highlights lent to the soothing atmosphere, relaxing the guests and giving an intimate air to everything.


Raido leaned back in the velvet padded chair – unused to the more Western style of eating. The tinny background music jarred on him – and as he turned to look around him – at the chattering clientele in fancy-schmanzy clothing, Raido wondered.



Genma and Shizune’s bickering faded.
-Hmph… just pat yourself harder on the back and knock yourself out-
-Wha-what’s that supposed to me – come on, admit it, you’d miss me!-
-Yeah, right-



Raido wondered.



What would it be like to live here – in this world – it is a different world… to live in innocence. What are they? Naïve? Idiots?


But then, I guess to ANBU, we are no different.


We are just like these – idiot people who never see – never know that other world.


Looking down at the thin porcelain plate, his rice and chicken (curry style) was laid out on, Raido could hear the waitress’ cheery ‘Here you go’ as she set a pot of green tea down and smiled at her quiet customers.

“Can I get you anything else for today?” she asked.
Genma leaned forward, his lips crooked up into a teasing smile.
“Well, honey,” he replied in Raido’s favorite husky bedroom voice. “If it involves you, sure.”
The waitress giggled.
Raido jolted suddenly out of his blue funk to glare at his partner – following it up with a vicious squeeze to Genma’s groin.
“You don’t want to go there, miss,” Raido said seriously. “It’s not like he’d know what to do anyways,” The scarred ninja smiled. “He’s gotten rusty in the ways of women – quite a boor, in fact.”
“RAIIIDOOO!” wailed Genma.
“Is something wrong, sir?” asked the waitress as honey-haired shinobi hunched over.
“Nothing, nothing…” he mumbled – and then, winked at her.
Her face went red.
Genma watched her mini-skirt clad butt sway away; Raido fumed.
“It’s just like when he was out with Hana-chan,” Iruka sighed.
“HANA?” Shizune blinked. “I thought you –“
“It’s Genma – nobody’s safe from him…”
“You make that sound like a bad thing, Iruka!” Genma frowned. “Tch. And me – such a gentleman…”
“Here we go again,” Shizune rolled her eyes.
“As I always say – what comes, comes – you can’t be choosy…”Raido’s face went red.
“Um – Genma – you might want to stop while you’re ahead,” Shizune smiled. “But still, I never guessed Genma to be bisexual.”
“Bi? I’m bi?”

There was a thoughtful silence.
Plates, glasses and utensils clanked. The small crowds murmured. A wailing ambulance passed by.
“He’s just figuring this out?” Shizune shook her head.
Iruka snickered.
“Trust me – you’re bi.”


Genma cocked an eyebrow at Raido, who shrugged.
“You’re weird enough…”
“But – but – Hana –“ Shizune sputtered. “I never – how did I miss this?”
“Before your time, I think…” Genma grinned.
“Uhhh…. Didn’t you break up with her after that one mission?” asked Iruka.


Raido nodded thoughtfully, his face suddenly seriously at the memory.
“I remember that…”


Genma darting forward, his flying senbon, deflecting the first oncoming kunai. Raido followed it up with several smoke bombs and kicked the red-haired kunoichi hard in the stomach. She disappeared and several webs shot out of the purple to trap his arm to the trunk of a tree.


Where the fuck is Genma?


“Genma!”
“Shut up, idiot,” Genma hissed appearing out of nowhere to slash at Raido’s bond. “I think I disabled one…”
“You think?”
“Well, three bombs are a little –“


Genma’s back arched in pain as two kunai flew out of nowhere to imbed themselves in his back.


“GENMA!”


Raido grabbed his partner, pulled out the kunai and threw two bombs in the general direction of the chakra flare.


Shit. My sense aren’t as good as his…


Damn.


“I’m fine… Let’s get these bastards…”


Those had been several hard minutes – just blood, sweat, guts and pain. So much pain.


And as I fell, I could feel him – see him turning to me – his guard down one fraction of second – too long –


And his hand reaching out to me –


Genma –


Genma –


No. Run. I’m not worth this –

What a child for a father to have! It’s the bad luck of the Namashi clan to get you, isn’t it, Raido?

Why the hell did you live?

You’ll never amount to anything, Raido, if you keep up that way.

If only your brother was here…..

Forget it. I wouldn’t trust you with my dog!

Fine. Leave. And don’t ever think you can come back!

“You’re Raido – right?”
Raido nodded shyly, his glum face brightening ever so little.
“Genma. I’m Genma. Want to play kick ball?”

“See…. Raido….. If you think you’re cursed, you’re going to live your life cursed but if you truly want to be free – you’ve got to live life as if there was nothing to hold you back.

“What doesn’t kill makes you grow stronger. If you see these things in your life as tests – ask yourself what you have learned and learn them. There’s a reason, I’m sure.”

“Where do I go now?”
Genma smiled.
“Thought you would never ask,” the orally fixated Jounin said, linking arms with his teenage friend. “My place, of course.”

I want the best for you, Genma –


I love you.


And the first voice, he had heard when he woke up at the hospital, had been HIS voice – His Genma’s voice – as it should have been.


“Raido?”
Raido.


“Raido?”
“Eh?” Raido snapped to attention to notice Genma’s stare.
“Something wrong?”
“No. Just walking down memory lane… Back then, Shizune-san, Genma was dating Hana-chan. Around the time of that awful Chuunin exam. I got hurt, and Genma asked me back into his team because after the Kage died, well, I had nowhere to go really – and then, Tsunade came – and she assigned you to our team. And you remember that one mission that we nearly died on?”
“Yeahh…” Shizune nodded. “I remember. That was bad. Genma basically died there – at least – his heart stopped for a moment…”
Raido stared down at his hand clenched on the table.
“I had known before – but only then –“
“Well… the whole thing with Raido nearly dying woke me up to the fact that I cared a lot about him. That he was important to me,” Genma interrupted.
“Hey!”
“This IS my story,” sniffed Genma. “Anyway, I didn’t feel it was fair to Hana – she deserves a whole heart.”
“So do I,” Raido interjected.
“So I broke up with her, right afterwards.”
“How did I miss this?” Shizune blinked. “Why didn’t I ever hear this?”
“It’s nothing… There was nothing between Hana and me… just good sex…”
“Bastard,” huffed Raido.
“Geez…” Genma said, catching sight of Shizune’s frown. “It’s only a minor breakup… nothing big. And it’s so old… Although the other day, I noticed that she’s filled out in all the right places and gave me the idea that –”
“GENMA!” barked Raido. “You didn’t!”


Ignoring the bickering couple, Iruka turned to his beloved.
“Something wrong?” asked Iruka, softly, rubbing Shizune’s hand tenderly underneath the table.
“No. Nothing,” the black-haired medic said softly – but her eyes were sad.


While the couples settled down for the night –


Kakashi was one with the darkness as he ran the last miles to the Hidden Village of Cloud.


While the couples suddenly tensed in their beds as those ever present chakra flares moved in closer –


Kakashi was beginning to approach the Village.


While the couples found themselves under attack –


Genma was yelling to Iruka to get the hell out of the city –
Raido threw a smoke bomb and covered their tracks –
Shizune jerked on her sandals and jumped onto the roof –


As the four Konoha ninja cut themselves past the ring of their pursuers and fled to the free space of the country –


Kakashi entered a chaotic Village.


An attack had been mounted against Cloud – the Kage was in danger.


1 – The lyrics are taken from “Bookends” by Simon and Garfunkel
1a – Reference to Revelation of the Wolf.
2 – Lyrics taken from “Furious Angel” by Rob Dougan
3 – Same as reference 1 (Simon and Garfunkel)
4 – Sanzu river is similar to the ‘Styx’ – the river of death that the soul crosses, in the case of Kakashi’s mother, it refers to her death. The ocean, refers to Megami, another form of death, not physical, but relational.


Good Nan-chan: AHHHH!!! A CLIFFIE!!! HORRIBLE!!!
Evil Nan-chan: BWAHAHAHA!!! MY EVIL PLAN HAS WORKED!!!
Nan-chan: (sigh) Guys… it’s no big deal…
Evil Nan-chan: YES IT IS!!! In this way, people will die of frustration, excitement…
Nan-chan: (sweat drops) I’m sure they’ll survive…
Good Nan-chan: (dying) NOOOOOO!!!!! Update soooonnnn!!!!
Nan-chan: (pulls over pad to write another Samurai Champloo fic) Whatever.


Chapter 19 – Feel the Light Fade


It takes all of Kakashi to save the day – for Cloud, for Konoha – for Genma.