Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ In Love With A Ghost ❯ Chapter 3 - So that's why... ( Chapter 3 )

Last Chapter Summary: She's on a roll! First losing her present job, then having frustrating thoughts about last nights... per say... ghost and now, after the encounter with Team 7, Genma, and their supposed to be sensei; Hatake Kakashi, which is Juri's ghost, what will happen?

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

In Love with a Ghost

… A Naruto fan fiction

 

In Love with a Ghost © SilverDragon

Naruto © Kishimoto Masashi

 

Chapter 3 -

“So that's why…”

 

I sat down on the bench, at least a few feet away from Kakashi (he had insisted on me calling him that after I called him out by Hatake) and with Genma between us. The only problem was that Genma was looking back and forth, still shooting looks at me. And it was getting quite annoying. The reason I had stuck him between the erm... person and I was to ensure that he could protect me if anything happened. But with the state he was in, there was a less than nothing chance of him doing something by the time 'Kakashi' had torn me apart; if that happened, that is.

 

He was obviously still confused around the 'Kakashi' part, even though he could hear his voice.

 

"So, Genma, my old friend, you can't see me?" Kakashi asked mischievously. Genma slowly shook his head.

"Kakashi. I can't see you. A part of me tells me that I'm going crazy." He muttered the last part, causing Kakashi to chuckle.

 

"All right, fine then. That means you can't see me if I do... this?"

 

I opened my mouth to ask him what he was going to do, only to see Kakashi seemingly bring a black marker out of nowhere and carefully holding his finger to his lips.

 

Speechless, I barely noticed Genma's confused inquiries as Kakashi slowly made a couple of marks on the Jounin's face.

 

Genma paused, looking at me, probably watching as my mouth slowly took on an imitation of a gaping fish.

 

"What did he do?" Genma pressed, "Not something that I would strangle him for, I hope?" I paused, not answering, still staring at Genma's face. What the hell was I suppose to say? There were now whisker marks on his face and a circle surrounding his left eye. Couldn't he feel that?

 

I let out a cough when Kakashi flicked his hand, the marker disappearing. “Um… nothing Genma-san.”

 

Would he even be able to see that? I mean… that pen Kakashi used didn't look normal… if you know what I mean.

 

Oh well, I guess I'll have to find out from Juri later.

 

“Well, I guess I'll see you guys later then. Ja.”

 

I twitched. That voice was very familiar… I jumped up from my sitting position and practically threw myself to the ground when Naomi meandered by behind the line of bushes.

 

Ugh. Of all places to see her, I had to see her now right? By now most of the regulars that took their morning drinks at that café work— worked at would know that I had been fired. And among those regulars included Naomi.

 

I felt myself twitch when my gaze landed on her figure. As usual, she looked like there wasn't a hair out of place on that pretty head of hers. She had long, glossy, black hair and beautiful dark eyes. She was slim, had a relative big bust, and had all the curves in the right places. And of course, she wasn't the modest type either.

 

I wish I had black hair. But it looks like I wasn't able to inherit that from my parents. Both mom and dad have black hair, I got stuck with brown. And all I have to blame are those dead ancestors of mine that had brown hair.

 

I also didn't inherit my family's height either. I was too short - for my age, at least. Being 4”11 in a family of giants kind of made me stand out. Dad's about 6 feet and even Mom hit 5”6. Thanks to those features, I don't look like their offspring. Not my hair, my height, nor my eyes.

 

Well actually, there's a reason for my eyes being different from my parents… I have brown eyes, like Dad. But I got into an accident when I was a kid and damaged the pigment in my left eye. That caused the black pupil to practically change to a brown in color that matched my eye color. So no pupil is visible in my left eye now.

 

I nearly jumped when Naomi moved closer and walked by. I rolled my eyes, sorely tempted to trip her or something.

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

"Well, look what we have here. It's the self-proclaimed Ms. Justice." I rolled my eyes. Naomi and her pack of loyal followers. Here to ruin my life, as per usual.

 

I ignored them, wiping of the counter, wincing inwardly as they sat down - just a table away from me.

 

"Oi! Diner girl!" Her high-pitched voice made me cringe slightly. She was doing it on purpose, I swear. "We need some service over here! Diner girl!"

 

I was utterly cursing her and swearing at her in my head, but I held my anger in, reminding myself that the customer was always right. Yeah... right. Someday all service workers will go on strike and snap. Why can't customers be civil? I hated it whenever I was treated like a servant.

 

Walking over, I held up my pad and pen. "How may I help you today?"

 

Naomi smirked slightly. "Oh... It's nothing really. We're just here to see how it is that you work, around... here,"

 

I grit my teeth together. Why the hell did she call me over?

 

'Oh yea,' I thought grimly, 'I forgot... that she likes to make my life a living hell."

 

I saw her eye my outfit in disgust. I was wearing sweat pants (gray) and a black t-shirt. A black apron was wrapped around my waist. I wasn't really worried about dressing nice for work, anyhow. I would probably end up getting all my clothing dirty. Plus the apron wasn't my fault - it was standard uniform.

 

"Interesting... choice of clothing there," one of her friends with brown hair commented, causing the entire group to burst into laughter. My eyebrows rose slightly. Deciding that once would never hurt, I made a big show of eyeing up Naomi. I saw her stiffen.

 

“What are you looking at?” She snapped.

 

I shrugged, “Nothing really. There's nothing much to see.”

 

A silence fell over the table and Naomi's face twisted into an ugly scowl. “Like you have any right to criticize me! You've probably never even had a boyfriend!” I cocked my head.

 

“And you have?” I asked innocently. She froze. Technically she'd never had any. I would know, seeing as she lived right next door to me and tended to leave her window curtains open. Whenever she said she was going out with her boyfriend during class, she ended up hiding up in her room that evening and sitting in front of her television.

 

“We're leaving!” Naomi got up with a huff and stomped out of the café. She whirled around, glaring. “I hope you get fired!”

 

I shrugged as her friends all trailed after her. As they left I heard one of the girls whisper to another, “What was she talking about?”

 

“Dunno. We should ask Naomi later.”

 

Muahahah! Take that Naomi! Judgment day has come!

 

And just that moment my Ms. Priss manger decided to make her appearance. She was glaring at me. “I'm assuming that you're responsible for them deciding to leave?” I gulped. Damn.

 

“One more time, and you're gone, Hatayama. Get working...” Saeko said, examining me disdainfully. She managed a slight sneer after that. “… Diner girl.”

 

Fighting back a rude comment, I nodded and went over to another table, where an elderly couple sat. I took their order quickly, before disappearing into the back room, feeling pissed.

 

Ugh. Dealing with two of those kinds of girls just isn't worth it.

 

But geez. Why did it always seem like they had the last word in? Talk about a smack at my pride.

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

"Oi!" I jerked back to the present, where I found Kakashi snapping his fingers at me, "Anyone home?"

 

I didn't answer, causing Genma to glance at me worriedly. "Are you all right, Juri-san?" Ah, had they not seen her go by then?

 

I only nodded, "I'm fine," I muttered, crossing my hands over my lap and studying my hands closely. I peered back through the bushes. Naomi was gone. I rolled back onto the heels of my feet and sighed. I really didn't want to be here right now. I'd rather be at the ramen shop... mm... At my new job. And that old man was rather nice, too.

 

"Hey. I'm talking to you. Did you notice how I can touch you?"

 

I blinked up at Kakashi. "So?"

 

Kakashi rolled his eyes at me. "Did you notice how I could touch you, considering that I am a ghost? I can touch objects, but I've never touched a person or animal before." I froze. Well. I hadn't thought about that fact before. How stupid was I? Too occupied with the fact that he was a ghost and I could see him, I suppose.

 

"....."

 

Even Genma was speechless. It probably hasn't sunk in yet. "Ghost, Kakashi? Why are you still here, then?"

 

Kakashi shrugged. "Unfinished business, you know."

 

"What unfinished business?" I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.

 

For a few moments, Kakashi gave no answer.

"Kakashi?" Genma pressed gently, meeting my gaze. I noticed how Kakashi's gaze saddened and his eye seemed to have lost a bit of its spark.

 

"I don't want to talk about it."

 

That got me.

 

The suddenly cheerful and positive attitude Kakashi was cold and dark. He had changed moods like a light bulb switching from on to off.

 

Without another word, Kakashi disappeared in a swirl of leaves.

 

Genma glanced at me. "Should I tell anyone about this?" I stared at him. How had he known that Kakashi had left? He must've read my mind because he answered my question quickly. “I saw the swirl of leaves. He uses that a few times as a form of travelling. I remember it from when he was still…” Genma trailed off and cleared his throat. “Anyway, like I said. Should I tell anyone about this?” He gave me a look. I paused. He was asking me for permission, since telling others would mean that I needed to be included in the story (seeing as I'm the one who can see him). Nice of him, really, since he could probably do whatever the hell he wanted.

 

"Don't tell anyone." Kakashi's voice drifted back. "Not yet, anyway.”

 

Genma only gave me another look. "Guess that's a no. Want me to walk you home?" I shook my head softly.

 

"I'm going to walk around town for a bit. Check on Ichi for me, will you?" I said quietly. Genma smiled softly, standing up and slipping his hand into his pocket.

 

"Sure," Genma rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I can feel another headache coming on," he muttered. I kind of stared blankly at him. `I'm with you on that, Genma-san, definitely with you.”

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

Whistling a soft off-key tune, I walked back towards the center of town, taking my sweet time. It wasn't like I had anything to do since I had gotten fired. My eyes scanned the area.

 

There are good things about spring and there are bad things about spring.

 

Good things; no bugs were flouncing around quite yet, and it was a new beginning - a new start to the year... Well, a new start not beginning with the cold month of January. Well, now on with the bad news. The weather tended to be a bit... lurchy. It could be warm one day and raining and freezing cold the next. Weather was a bit unpredictable during springtime. And the really pretty flowers didn't bloom yet. There were some flowers that bloomed, yes - and I suppose that's a good thing.

 

I watched my left side where red flowers bloomed in between the bushes, staring at a blue and white butterfly that landed on a stray flower. That was another good thing about spring. All the dead life that you had seen before was now coming to life.

 

So absorbed in my observing of a small chipmunk scurrying up a tree, I didn't see someone standing in front of me until I crashed full tilt right into them. I fell onto my backside, groaning in pain. I was going to feel that one tomorrow.

 

I looked up, annoyed, only to see none other than Kakashi standing in front of me; his eyes trailing his book. That's when his gaze drifted down and his eye curved. "Am I bothering you?"

 

Grunting and ignoring him, I stood up, brushing myself off and then proceeding to walk right past him. Trouble. I could see that this guy was going to bring lots of trouble.

 

"Don't tell me you're ignoring me again." I heard footsteps behind me, indicating that he was now following me.

"Don't you have something better to do?" I retorted impatiently, turning halfway around as I was walking. His book was gone and he was watching me with a lazy look.

"No." I turned back to the front.

"Go finish your 'unfinished business.'" I muttered. I was met with silence. I stopped walking, turning around, hands on my hips. "Wha-" I broke off, seeing the far-off look in his eye again. "Are you all right?"

 

When he didn't answer again, I got even more worried. I don't even know why I did get worried... I had only known this guy for barely a day! Okay... technically a day an a half, if you counted the time when I freaked out on him yesterday - when he had scared me. Plus, it's not like anything good has happened to me since meeting the guy.

 

I waved my hand in front of his face. No reaction.

 

Severely perturbed, I snapped my fingers. No reaction.

Patience running thin, I placed my hand gently on his shoulder, half-expecting it to pass right through. But as it landed gently on something solid, the unexpected happened.

 

In less then a split second, I found face-flat on the ground with Kakashi on top of me, holding me down; a kunai... I think it was, at back of my neck my neck. Gulping, I tried to sink into the ground, holding my breath.

 

Weapons scare me. I know, I know, they protect you and all... yadda, yadda, yadda. But... they're also very sharp, not something that you should use unless you knew how to use it.

I was in the category of 'not knowing how to use it'. I've never held a ninja weapon in my entire life. Never. Zip. None. The ninja life sounded very interesting. But not interesting enough for me to put my life on the line. And that sounds really stupid because I had attended the Ninja Academy School.

 

Well actually, my parents had tried to force me into the Academy, where I ended up breaking some kid's nose for badmouthing me... something about me being too stubborn and one-sided. Whatever. I still continued with a few grades, but dropped out later on. And as for all the practical exams… I ended up sleeping through most of them and refusing to take them to the point where the teacher even gave up on me.

 

I certainly didn't make my parents proud like they thought I would.

 

Anyway, my entire body was refusing to move, and I was desperately afraid for my life at that moment. I cinched my eyes as tight as I could, unable to register the look of shock that crossed over Kakashi's face.

 

Immediately, I felt the weight get off of me, and I was pulled off the floor. I opened my eyes a little, only to see Kakashi's apologetic and concerned facing me. "I'm sorry," he murmured softly, "I... something came over me. It's been a long time since I have been able to touch people and for people to touch me..." Okay, duly noted. Don't touch Kakashi without notifying him first.

 

I only took a step back, nodding in understanding. "I understand," I replied. Now there was an awkward pause. Now what?

 

"So..." Kakashi cleared his throat. "Where are you headed?"

 

I shrugged, "Nowhere really, I have nothing to do since I lost my job..." But I got a new one now. But he didn't need to know that… he would only bug me while I was at work, too!

 

Kakashi shrugged indifferently. "Want to go for a walk?" I hesitated. Was there some kind of... unspoken statement in that question...? I couldn't really tell for sure, I wasn't the best kind of person for detecting those kinds of things.

 

"Sure." I replied softly, "Why not? I don't start work until tomorrow anyway."

 

Kakashi started to walk, causing me to fall in step beside him.

 

"I thought you lost your job," he murmured softly. Eh.... Oops.

 

"..." I didn't answer. Maybe he would just forget about it? Aww, crap. There goes my plan of not letting him know where I work. He should ask again in about... 5...

 

Step. Step.

 

Silence.

 

4...

 

Birds chirping...

 

3...

 

Leaves rustling...

 

2....

 

My ears twitched, I could hear laughing of some kids in the training ground we just past... I shifted my head, eyes focusing on the training field. Ha! I remember going in there. The stupid old classmates of mine tried to get me to practice some kunai throwing too. All that ended up happening was them looking for their kunai pouch in the river.

 

It had felt very satisfying, too.

 

Oh yea, back to counting.

 

1....

 

"I thought you lost your job." he repeated, eye watching me curiously.

 

There we go. I winced, "Umm..." No point lying now. "I got a new job,"

 

"Getting fired and finding a job in the same day." Kakashi winked at me, causing me to flush, "You're one of a kind." That's when I started to notice that people around town were starting to stare at me and shooting me weird looks. Uh...

 

"Where do you work?" I didn't answer, and scanned the people around me cautiously.

 

They must have thought that I was crazy… I had forgotten that they couldn't see Kakashi. So then the conclusion was that all that they could see and hear was me talking to myself. Great, wasn't it?

 

"Cat got your tongue?"

"No." I muttered in a low tone. I don't need the towns' people to think I was a crazy lady. I was usually a quiet girl, but lately, something... Er should I say... a ghost has been bothering me lately. So I had been talking a lot more.

 

"What was that?" Kakashi asked. I stared at him in confusion. When had he gotten his book out? I could see his eye following the words closely. Cautiously, I peeked over his shoulder. I have to admit, I had read one of those books before... when I was like 16. Even if it is for 18 year olds and older.

 

Now, don't give me that look. I was a healthy 16 year old girl! Besides, it's not like I had read it just for the… ahem… sex. I was also young and my mind tended to wander back then. Craving for a boyfriend at that age is pretty normal. Being a little more mature now sends me looking for a future rather than a lover. However, that doesn't mean I don't think about it now and then.

 

Although I wouldn't mind some of the things they did in there...

 

Without realizing it, I had started to scan the words over his shoulders, not noticing when Kakashi's gaze slid over towards me in amusement. When he moved, I was so startled that I squeaked in surprise and almost tripped over my own two feet.

 

Kakashi watched all over this in curiosity, and a few seconds past with me still beside him, blushing like mad because he had caught me... Er... Reading.

 

He only rubbed the back of his neck nervously, before raising the book he held in the air. "Would you like to borrow this for a few days? Or should we read it together? In your room...?" Not liking the twinkle in his eye - which by the way - suggested a lot more than just reading, I glared at him before opening my mouth - only to get cut off.

 

"Look Sakura-chan! It's that girl from this morning!”

I winced and Kakashi looked to his left, which happened to be where the ramen stand was at. Why hadn't I noticed where we were walking?

 

I found the blonde kid from this morning - Naruto; standing in front of me.

 

"Ano sa, ano sa!" Naruto gave me a wide grin. "How do you know Kakashi-sensei? Huh? HUH? Are you his girlfriend? Are you related to him? Nani, nani, nani? I want to know!" he whined. Nervously, I felt myself back up and I saw two others approach. It was the Uchiha boy and Haruno girl.

 

The Uchiha was watching me closely, dark eyes scanning me up and down. "I know you..." he muttered softly. He probably thought I hadn't heard him. But he wasn't exactly being quiet… I stared at him for a second.

 

"I don't know you." I replied, shaking my head in confusion. Sasuke shot me a glare. "You're... his... friend…" he growled. I backed up in alarm. There was so much hatred in that boy's eyes...

 

Deciding not to ask the question 'who' (I value my life greatly); I only inched away from Kakashi, hoping he wouldn't bring up the previous conversation. Not in front of the kiddies please!

 

Oh... but he did.

 

"Ma, ma, before you so rudely interrupted us, I believe that we were discussing the fact that I should maybe meet you at your house, Juri-chan?" Kakashi said, eye curving.

I saw the three young adults freeze.

 

Then everything exploded.

 

"AH! IT'S KAKASHI-SENSEI!"

 

"Kakashi-sensei?!"

 

"Kakashi..." Sasuke muttered, eyes darting around. After a few seconds, Naruto started to ramble again. Bad idea. Now, guess what everyone else saw?

 

Yes.

 

Me. A simple everyday girl, being dragged down the street. Some people would just say I had very good acting, as it really seemed like I was being dragged down the street. Of course, all they saw was my arm up in the air as I stumbled blindly, barely managing to step over rocks, bumps and cracks in the road.

 

But they didn't know half of it.

 

The fact was; I really was being pulled down the street.

 

By Kakashi.

 

Before I knew it, I found myself in a dark alley, breathing hard. Kakashi was beside me, barely winded.

 

"What… the.... hell.... was that for?" I demanded, panting heavily. Being dragged down a street was not fun. Kakashi didn't answer, and not expecting to receive one, I started to walk back out of the alley. I had better things to do...

 

"Oi..." I stopped at his voice.

 

“If you don't have anything to tell me, I'm going to get going.” I said wearily. “I'm probably able to see you because I can help you with something. But if you don't tell me jack-all, I can't help you. Now if you'll excuse me…” I took another step and was just entering the street when his exasperated voice stopped me.

 

"You have questions…"

 

I whirled around, and gave him a silent nod.

 

"Then I will answer..."

 

Finally. Now I can maybe help his pass on and then get back to my regularly scheduled life. What other reason would there be for me to see him, right?

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

Standing in a canyon in front of an unconscious Naruto - where there should have been water was not Kakashi's idea of good news. The place was a horrible wreck; massive cracks and holes in the canyon walls and the water had virtually evaporated. Nothing had been left untouched.

 

Slowly, the Jounin knelt beside his charge, running a hand over his forehead, only to be surprised when Naruto opened his eyes. "K…kakashi-sensei?" he croaked out slowly. "He… Sasuke… he left... Didn't he?"

 

Kakashi hesitated, raising his head and gave his other charge, standing motionlessly by the edge of the trees, a wary look. Kakashi's gaze landed on his blonde student again. "Iie."

 

Naruo's gaze widened slightly as he tried to sit up. Immediately, Kakashi pushed him down gently, raising his head in alarm at a sound - coming from the east.

 

"Sasuke!" he said in alarm. Sasuke was immediately by his side. "Bring Naruto back. I will deal with it." Sasuke hesitated, his eyes hardening to black coals. Sasuke nodded stiffly and started to lift Naruto over his shoulder, before hesitating and cradling him, bridal style instead.

 

Naruto's eyes slid open; filled with relief when he saw his teammate. "Sasuke-bastard..." he muttered, “You didn't leave... Saku- Sakura-chan will be happy..."

 

Kakashi urged them on, ordering Pakkun to make sure they got back safely.

 

"But, Kakashi-"

 

"Pakkun." Kakashi growled, eyes still on the forest, nervous, but not showing it, for whatever was coming. `That amount of chakra is not normal.' He thought sharply. Whoever— whatever it was, his students were going to be of no help; both were practically drained of chakra.

 

"Hai," Pakkun grumbled. "I'll be back when I can be." At Kakashi's nod, Pakkun disappeared in the trees towards the west direction, Sasuke trailing behind him.

 

Kakashi faced the east, pushing up his forehead protector and allow his Sharingan eye to show. Whatever it was - he was ready for it.

 

Maybe.

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

I rolled my eyes. “That… didn't really tell us anything.” I said finally. Kakashi shrugged.

 

“Unfortunately, that's all I really remember. I know I fought someone, and I know I lost.

 

I eyed him dubiously. “That much, is obvious.” I said sarcastically. “So you remember nothing then? Mou…” I rubbed the side of my head. “Then how am I supposed to help you figure out why the hell you're still here?”

 

Kakashi gave me a weird look. “I don't remember asking for you help.”

 

“Well… I just figured that if I can see you and no one else can, it must mean I'm supposed to… help you with… something?” I squeaked out the ending. Okay, so maybe that wasn't exactly the best excuse, but it was all I had to go on! Why else would I be able to see him?

 

“I think you've been reading too many fiction books.” The man said. “Maybe it's time to lay off on those?”

 

I glared at him. No way! I'm never going to give up my reading list! Never!

 

“But then again…” Kakashi mused as I started to head back out of the alley. “It's not like all the books you've read are bad…”

 

“Oh shut up.” I snorted. “You're just saying that because you read those books too!”

 

The copy-nin shrugged. “Hey, what can I say? They—”

 

“—help you with your fantasies.”

 

“That's not very nice— they do not do that!”

 

“Oh? Then why else do you read them?”

 

“… They help me calm down.”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

“…Don't you mean they do the opposite?”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

“You have a very dirty mind, Hatayama-san. Should I be worried?”

 

“I'm the one that should be saying that!”

 

To Be Continued…

 

[i.n.l.o.v.e.w.i.t.h.a.g.h.o.s.t]

 

Revised July 24, 2008