Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Chronicles of Kakashi & the Kunoichi from Thunder Country ❯ An Old Shinobi Adage ( Chapter 11 )

Author's Notes: Writing a believable romance for Kakashi is very difficult. I had to take a couple of liberties here, but I think it's more believable than having a drunk angsty Kakashi. I don't like stories where Kakashi has to be drunk to have feelings or to get any action. Kakashi is now about 35, nearing the age of people who have mid-life crisis and not everything is as it appears as you'll find out later.

 

KAKASHI AND THE KUNOICHI FROM THUNDER COUNTRY

 

PART II -

 

An Old Shinobi Adage

 

The sun had just set and most people had already returned home for their last meal of the day. The bustling streets and stores of Konoha were now mostly empty. It was a slow, quiet time, but yet a dark form was seen leaping frantically from roof to roof, carrying a heavy burden on its back.

 

The masked figure leaped down from the roof of a house, which was the largest of its neighbors, and landed at its doorstep. The gray haired jounin immediately pounded on the door, “Emergency!” he cried out, tempted to just blow the door open with any number of his many jutsu.

 

But rather than the gruff old man he expected, a pretty young woman answered the door. She took a quick look at the boy slung over Kakashi's shoulders. “My parents will be out late, but I can help. Follow me.” She directed them to the examination room. While Kakashi placed the boy gingerly on the gurney, she prepared the equipment. “What happened?” she asked curtly.

 

“We were training nearby. Doing chakra control exercises. He fell from the top branch of a tree. I caught him before he hit the ground, but he broke through many branches.”

 

She quickly connected an IV to the boy's arm, took his pulse and checked his pupils. “I have to perform surgery. You'll have to help me. Go wash up.” Her tone was commanding, but shaky, betraying her nervousness.

 

He noted that she had just stepped out of the shower or bath. She appeared to be wearing only a T-shirt and underwear beneath the short thin robe embroidered with flowers. There had been no time to change. Her hair was down and unbound, the first time he had ever seen it that way. The dark mass flowed just past her shoulders. Its dampness was apparent as it clung to her head and neck.

 

As she worked, Kakashi realized she was no longer a girl. He hadn't seen her in months; although as a chuunin training for jounin, she was supposed to consult her mentor on a regular basis. Gradual changes are often overlooked when seeing someone on a regular basis. After a more prolonged period, he now noticed that she had long lost the awkwardness of youth and her body had developed enticing curves. But Kakashi shook himself out of these thoughts and concentrated on obeying her orders.

 

“He hasn't lost too much blood - how long ago did this happen?” she asked in her professional voice.

 

“It took less than three minutes to get here.”

 

“Looks like you know your first aid. I just need to re-enforce the seals.”

 

Rikako performed a seal to stop the blood flow and to place the body in stasis. She placed her palms near the body, not quite touching, but almost, channeling her chakra to scan the body for injuries. From the chakra vibrations, she could form a mental image of his injuries, much like a sonogram. “He has a few broken ribs, a punctured lung, internal bleeding, a dislocated shoulder, a cracked pelvis, and multiple lacerations.” She listed his injuries calmly but her brow was furrowed with concern. “I'll need you to help with the cellular regeneration of the lung.”

 

Kakashi nodded mutely. Despite his 1000 jutsu, he was not an expert shinobi medic. He could apply field medicine, seal cursed seals, quite a number of minor operations, but in this case, all he could do was follow her lead to repair the torn body.

 

Use of chakra could only heal so much. Sutures were often still necessary to keep wounds together. Kakashi handed over the instruments she call for as she operated, carefully cutting, sewing, and applying chakra whenever possible to speed the cellular regeneration. Nearly two hours later, she sighed in relief. “He should be okay now. Let him rest for a while. I'll contact the Academy medics to pick him up. Here are some forms to fill out. Do you want to wait till they get here?”

 

“Yes, thank you.” Kakashi felt he needed a rest as well.

 

She directed him to the waiting room, which was simply furnished with a dozen chairs and a pair of endtables. “Just wait in there. I'll be with you in a minute. I need to clean up. I must look like a complete mess right now,” she laughed at the thought. There was blood all over her, even on her face and hair as she tried to brush her hair aside while she worked. In all the excitement, she had forgotten to pin it back.

 

“You've never looked more lovely, Rikako-chan,” Kakashi said dreamily. He hadn't meant to say that aloud, but he was tired and his defenses were down.

 

She turned quite red; the color of her cheeks nearly matched the bloodstains. “Thank you, but I guess you'd say that to anyone who just saved the life of your charge. You should have been paying more attention. No doubt you were reading one of those books.” She turned, left the room, and sighed. She didn't mean to blame him, but she was not good with compliments; they embarrassed her and she never knew how to respond appropriately.

 

Kakashi sighed as well. Despite his continued nonchalance, he was hurt by her words. `She still doesn't like me.'

 

-...-…-…-…-

 

The first time Kakashi truly felt her dislike was after a month of training with his new genin team. He had received a summons from the Hokage and thought it was about a new mission. But it wasn't.

 

“Kakashi, I called you here because I've received a complaint.” Sandaime got right to the point when Kakashi arrive in his office.

 

“A complaint?” Kakashi raised his eyebrow in surprise.

 

“Yes.” Sandaime took out a scroll and unfurled it. The words were written in perfect formal penmanship. Kakashi was able to see just the first line: “To the Most Esteemed Hokage, Leader of Hidden Leaf Village.”

 

“It says here that you've been late 80 percent of the time to your genin training sessions. Is that true?"

 

“Umm, probably,” Kakashi nonchalantly admitted.

 

“Hmm, it's broken down here... two sessions over four hours late, three sessions over two hours late, five sessions over an hour late, two sessions half an hour late...you've only had fifteen sessions so far! There's a list of all your excuses as well.”

 

“I'm trying to teach them patience and to expect things when they're least expected,” Kakashi explained a bit defensively.

 

“Yes, that proposed reasoning is cited in this complaint as well. Let's see, here it says that `although this is an admirable intent, it has been taken to the extreme. The time wasted and its effects on the reduction in active training and practical lessons will place these genin at a serious disadvantage when it comes time for the chuunin selection exams.' Kakashi, you really should try to be on time more often. Even I don't buy your excuses. After all, you've already been relieved of most your administrative duties and extracurricular activities,” censured Sandaime.

 

“Yes, Hokage-sama.” Kakashi nodded. He was annoyed and was now ready to leave but there was more to come.

 

“Now for the second complaint.” Sandaime took a deep puff on his pipe and exhaled it with a sigh..

 

“Second complaint?" Kakashi's voice went up an octave.

 

“Yes, it's about your...hmm, well it's actually two complaints in one...your 'lack of supervision while reading inappropriate and offensive materials in the presence of minors.'” The Hokage sighed again. “It says that by reading such books you 'create a hostile environment against women by encouraging the hormonal proclivities of male adolescents.' I'm not sure what that means, but I have to agree, your choice of books is quite questionable!” (Actually Sandaime also had all of Jiraiya's books but he didn't read them in public.)

 

“May I ask who filed the complaints?” Kakashi was now thoroughly annoyed. `Trying to stop me from reading my books…sacrilegious!'

 

“Well, it's actually signed by the parents of all three genin. But I suspect you already know the real answer.” Sandaime rolled the scroll back together.

 

“Otori Rikako, that wording sounds like her. She doesn't like me, does she? But at least she's learning teamwork.“ Kakashi shrugged. The old man wouldn't take something like this seriously, would he?

 

“Yes, well, more likely she felt a united front would have more impact. In all my years as Hokage, I've never received an official complaint about a sensei. What did you do to piss her off? Your choice of reading material, perhaps you could place a book cover over it, if you must.” Sandaime suggested in compromise.

 

Kakashi grudgingly agreed.

 

“Kakashi, I know this is only the second team you have agreed to train. I just hope you do as good a job as the previous, but remember, they all have different personalities and will have different responses to your approach. I usually don't interfere with the personal lives of my shinobi, but I'm afraid the way you're headed, you'll end up like Jiraiya, isolated and living vicariously through his books.”

 

Kakashi heard half of what the old Hokage was saying. He was thinking back to the week's events and what could have precipitated the complaints:

 

He had been late to their training sessions all week. At the end of the week, Rikako (he had no proof but he was sure she was the instigator) talked the boys into showing up a couple of hours late so that Kakashi was the one waiting for an hour.

 

Takeo said his alarm clock ran out of batteries.

 

Kenji said his parents asked him to run an errand.

 

Rikako said she wasn't feeling well that morning.

 

Kakashi was not amused. He worked them extra hard that day with no breaks, until their chakra ran out. The three were on the ground trying to breathe, exhausted. Kakashi saw that Rikako still had a lot of chakra left and was just faking. He ordered her to do another round of exercises. She was furious that she had been singled out and tried hard to maintain her usual composure.

 

“Kakashi-sensei,” she said respectfully while standing up, “I would have thought that your intention to train us as a team would preclude any preferential treatment.”

 

Kakashi replied curtly, “Sometimes one member has to be a martyr. Today, you're it.”

 

“I'm sorry, Kakashi-sensei,” she said bowing extra low, “I'm sorry you do not believe that due to the sudden onset of my female monthly cycle, I was unfortunately suffering severe abdominal pains this morning. I should have requested a note from my father to explain my condition to your satisfaction.”

 

Her mention of the female body embarrassed him. Then something unusual - her chakra was longer a pure blue. There was an aura of green tingeing the outline and getting stronger. `This was what Otori meant,' he thought. Alarmed, he decided to call it a day.

 

That green chakra, there was no feeling of malevolence unlike Naruto's red chakra. It felt like normal chakra, but why was it green? His own chakra was white like his father's, so maybe it was just a genetic trait, he convinced himself.

 

 

-…-…-…-

 

Rikako returned to the waiting room where she found Kakashi reading his book. It had a plain brown paper cover, but she knew it must be Jiraiya's latest novel. `I was right! I knew I'd find him here reading more porn,' she thought, but she suppressed her amusement and greeted Kakashi respectfully. “Kakashi-sensei, the shinobi medics should be here within the hour. Since he's stable, there's no need for them to hurry. Meanwhile, I've brought some tea and cookies.” She waited for him to drink or eat but he just thanked her and didn't make a move toward the refreshments.

 

The not-so-little shinobi medic had changed into a clean lab coat, but her hair was still unbound and her cheeks were still flushed from the excitement.

 

“Rikako-chan, you haven't been to see me about your training in months. You still plan to train for jounin, don't you?” asked Kakashi while stowing away his book in his hip pack.

 

She shrugged, “I've been busy helping out here, but I've been training on my own. I did plan to make an appointment for later this week.”

 

Kakashi scheduled her appointment for tomorrow. “I hope you'll be able to show me something new.”

 

She smiled and laughed, “Oh, I have a new move that even you can't do…”

 

A noise came from the front door before she could finish. She left to greet her parents who had just returned from a wedding banquet, one of their very few nights out. Kakashi heard her give them a summary of the boy's injuries and the surgical procedures. Then the door to the waiting room opened and the old doctor entered the room.

 

“Kakashi, it's been a long time,” the old medic said gruffly, then turned to his daughter. “Rikako, it's time for you to go to bed, you have an early day tomorrow.”

 

“Yes, father. Good-night Kakashi-sensei,” she bowed and quietly left the room.

 

Kakashi watched her lithe form as she walked away. Her father watched him watch her and frowned. “So what do you think of my daughter, Kakashi? She's quite a lovely young lady now isn't she? So how's she doing with her jounin training?”

 

“She could have made jounin years ago. She's smart, creative, calm under pressure. She has the right personality and all the skills,” Kakashi replied seriously.

 

“You mean the personality and skills to be a killer? And you know what else female jounin have to do.” There was a dark undertone to Otori's voice.

 

Kakashi sighed, “It's what she wants. Besides, she can turn down those types of missions.”

 

“You know her. Is she the kind to turn down a challenge? How many female jounin have been able to avoid those types of assignments? Why do you think they are so highly paid and valued? Did you know a month ago she asked me about a mission she was offered? It required possibly seducing a suspected drug smuggler. Did she tell you about that?”

 

Kakashi shrugged, ”Well, I doubt if that assignment would have gone to her. Umm, you know she's not rated highly in that area. She's too...caustic to be a believable seductress.”

 

Otori chuckled in spite of himself, “Yes, well, I can imagine her lecturing a drug smuggler about the evils and effects of drugs on the body. But still...”

 

“How have things been on the home front?” Kakashi tried to change the subject - he did not like the idea of her seducing someone. Though the more he tried not to think about it, the more the image of her, in just her undergarments and a thin clinging silk robe, grew stronger, and more detailed. `Geez, I really am a pervert! The girl is too young and she's my student,' he scolded himself.

 

“She still has restless nights. Rarely violent anymore. I supposed she's grown out of it," Otori said, but his speech was hesitant. "I just want to be sure that you won't say anything to her.”

 

“I haven't. But you should. Secrets like that have ways of coming out. Maybe it will help her to know her origins.”

 

“It's just between you, me, my wife, and the Hokage.”

 

“The other ANBU from then, they know. Many of the villagers know as well,” Kakashi insisted.

 

“All the other ANBU are dead. The villagers only know that she's not ours, but nothing else.”

 

“That's a start. It will come out one day,” Kakashi said, thinking of Naruto.

 

“You'd better pray that it doesn't. You think you know her, but you don't. Just don't press her to be a jounin and a killer like yourself. She's happy as a chuunin and as a medic.” Otori frowned and thought to himself, `You haven't lived with her and experienced her true powers. If she knew the truth, she would be devastated and who knows what she would do.'

 

-…-…-…-…-…-

 

Lying in his bed, stubbornly refusing to get up despite the morning sun's reflection in his dark gray eyes, he looked at the pictures by his headboard. His own genin team with Yondaime: He and Obito scowled at the camera; Rin smiled in the middle. His first genin team: Sasuke glared at the camera; Naruto glared at Sasuke; Sakura smiled in the middle. When was the last time he saw Naruto or Sakura? (Forget about the other one!) They were off on missions and living their own lives. It was going to be the same now. His second genin team: Takeo had his eyes closed; Kenji struck a pose to show off the muscles in his right arm; Rikako stared uncomfortably at the camera, with just a hint of a smile. They were gone now, too: Kenji off with the ANBU; Takeo teaching at the Academy; Rikako working with her father and at the shinobi hospital. As a medic-nin, she was in high demand and was often asked to accompany teams on long missions.

 

They no longer needed him and soon he wouldn't be seeing them either. He had his new genin team now, whom he accidentally passed. They had coincidentally attacked him simultaneously and he thought it was a coordinated effort. Maybe he wanted them to pass so badly, he ignored the rather random effort, just so he wouldn't be alone again. `It's sad what age does to you. When you're young, solitude is bearable, but after time it wears you down.'

 

And now, since last night's dramatic and exhausting event, Kakashi was struggling with a strange feeling unlike what he had ever felt before, or perhaps he had felt it before but it was so long ago it was but a faint memory. It was an unsettling feeling, like a knot in his stomach that tightened and moved upwards to constrict his heart. Something akin to indigestion or heartburn, but a feeling of depression and longing accompanied it.

 

Since he could walk he had trained to be a shinobi. No tears, no emotion, just complete the mission. Even when his father died, despite the horror and the humiliation, he had shed no tears. But when Obito died, he had felt something change within him. He began to feel because of Obito's sacrifice, but still his emotions were muted. He never felt much enthusiasm or passion for anything except his books (they were really good!). He had had his share of women (and a few men out of curiosity), but he never had to pursue them, they just seemed to gravitate toward him. Though he cared about them in his own way, he never felt anything, or rather never allowed himself to feel anything, more than a sincere fondness. They instinctively knew that would not change, so most of his relationships were little more than one night stands (a few lasted more than just a night - those had great stamina!).

 

`Sigh, the ramen girl, whats-her-name that I saved from those shinobi wannabes, and that princess - such cute civilians.'

 

Many of his friends were now married with children. He had just received a birthday invitation for Kurenai's and Asuma's second child's first birthday party. `Why invite me? I don't have any kids, that I know of.' And Iruka and Ayame had a whole brood of brats. Maybe he was just feeling left out.

 

But he had never been interested in anything long term or finding someone and settling down to raise future shinobi. So why now? And why her? He had always been fond of her, as he was of all his genin, nothing more. No, that wasn't really true. There was their special connection, that she knew nothing about. And she was different than the others because... she was…interesting…and she amused him with her funny speech and deep thoughts. He had to admit he looked forward to their training sessions. And now, after seeing her covered in blood, he found her…alluring. Red was definitely a good color on her.

 

But she was a girl half his age. No, she wasn't a girl, she was a young woman now. And she was never a girl, that would imply naïveté. Even then she was an adult in a child's form, more mature as a child than many adults his age. But what did he want from her? Just a little fun? Or maybe some respect.

 

`I am not a pervert,' he insisted, unrealistically to himself. `I may read these books but I'm not like Jiraiya. I don't ogle nubile young women in public. I'm…I'm…I'm just…I'm just a fool,' he sighed. `To have these kinds of feelings now, after so long, for someone like her…it's just not a good idea. Especially since…she thinks I really am a pervert…and a lazy irresponsible idiot. Well…it's not like I'm in love or anything like that. Don't know what that would even feel like. I'm just attracted to her because… because… because of all that blood... and I've been feeling lonely lately. That's all. That's all it is.'

 

After lying in bed for an hour after his alarm had hone off, Kakashi finally got up, washed up dressed, and walked over to the village square to run his errands before his appointment with his trainee. From blocks away he spied Kurenai who was on her way to the store to buy more diapers, leaving poor Asuma home alone with the kids. Childbirth had not changed the form of the lovely kunoichi. Her hair remained dark and full. And her chest might have been even fuller. The only tell tale sign was that her whites of her red eyes were also lined with red from lack of sleep.

 

“Good morning,” Kakashi said, suddenly appearing before Kurenai.

 

His sudden appearance snapped her out of her somnambulistic state. ”What do you want?” Kurenai replied abruptly, annoyed that he startled her.

 

“Well, I was just hoping you'd do me a favor.”

 

“A favor?”

 

“Yeah, I was wondering if you have time in your schedule to take on Otori Rikako who's training for jounin.”

 

“Otori Rikako? Why does she need a mentor? Haven't you been her mentor for years?”

 

“Yeah, well, you know this is the last year that she'll need a jounin sponsor. Once a chuunin turns 18, they're on their own. She should have made jounin by now, but I'm having problems motivating her. I thought a kunoichi role model would be good for her.”

 

“Hmm,” Kurenai gazed at him with her hypnotic red eyes. “It's unusual for you to be so… responsible…to take such an interest in one of your disciples.”

 

“Huh? I take an interest in all my students, current and ex,” Kakashi replied, a bit defensively.

 

`Right, like the way you treated Naruto and Sasuke evenly,' thought Kurenai. `This girl must be special to you, the way Sasuke was.' “Fine, I'll take her on. Just have her see me for an appointment later this week.”

 

-…-…-…-…-…-

 

At their scheduled session, Rikako proudly showed Kakashi the technique she had been developing - performing one handed jutsu.

 

Her sensei was duly impressed. “I haven't seen that in a long time.' Kakashi thought back to Haku, the boy with Zabuza who seemed capable of that skill. There were simple jutsu some jounin could do and the Hokage and other high level ninja were capable of more, but it was not a common ability.

 

“Right now I can only do the more basic, simple techniques this way, but in a couple of months, I think I'll be able to do some of the higher level ones. You see, the trick is, it takes up more chakra, you have to extend and shape the chakra from one hand to form a ghost image of the other in order to perform the seal.”

 

Kakashi listened attentively to her explanation. Few jounin would have that level of chakra control. “So do you plan to take the jounin tests this year?”

 

She shrugged. “I don't know. I have nearly all the mission requirements. I just need a solo A mission. I'm not sure if I'm ready for one.” She frowned slightly as though she was contemplating something distasteful.

 

Kakashi had been thinking about the discussion with her father. He was right. Female jounin were sometimes handed special assignments that male jounin could not accomplish. They were not as dangerous and were relatively easier assignments, but what was necessary was not discussed in polite company. It was a quick and sure way for a kunoichi to make jounin. Details of A missions were normally sealed, so no one knew which kunoichi decided to take that path. His developing feelings for her were making it difficult for him to advise her objectively. And it was clear she did not feel comfortable discussing such things with him. It would be better if she had a female mentor to advise her. Her mysterious green chakra seemed to be under control, no unusual incidents in years. He no longer had to keep his eye on her. `A ninja must not show any emotions or consider them in his decisions; he must do what is best.' An old shinobi adage that he tried to adhere to all his life.

 

“Rikako-chan, I've been thinking,” Kakashi started to say hesitantly. “I'll be busy with my new genin team this year and won't have time to advise you. I'm sorry, but I can't be your mentor any longer. It's been nearly five years now. I don't have much more to teach you. It's not like you have a sharingan you know. I suggest you speak to Kurenai-sensei. She's available and it would be good for you to have a kunoichi role model.”

 

No response, silence, as Rikako lowered her head, gritted her teeth and tried to compose herself. Kakashi suddenly saw the green chakra pulsating strongly around her and felt an oppressive pressure as the surrounding air changed. He braced himself for whatever would occur next, but to his surprise, she did nothing.

 

“Fine...this is our last session. Thank you for your patience and instruction these past years, Kakashi-sensei.” She bowed low but refused to look at him as she turned to leave.

 

“Rikako-chan, wait…I want you to know...you are…were my best student.”

 

In nearly fifteen years, he had had only three genin teams. The current team was good, no one outstanding, but they worked well as a team. His first genin turned out to be all extraordinary shinobi, for better or worse. But they weren't truly his disciples; they develop their powers under other mentors. Kenji made chuunin the second time around and was now with the ANBU. Takeo made chuunin soon afterwards and now taught at the Academy. Maybe in another five years those two could be jounin. But Rikako was his best student. She learned techniques easily and now knew nearly all the ones Kakashi knew (that didn't require a sharingan). She also acquired additional knowledge independently. Her interests were broad and she was extremely analytical. Her training routine was disciplined and comprehensive. And she was focused, never distracted by rivalries or relationships or emotions. A true shinobi. She could go far if she wanted to, but she avoided A missions whenever possible, seemingly afraid of confronting death. If only she could get over that. Maybe it was a lasting effect from that time in Wave Country. Maybe it was her father's influence. Although he was her sensei, Kakashi never discussed it with her.

 

He watched as she walked slowly and steadily away.

 

The lovely young kunoichi said nothing in return and didn't look back. Blood trickled from her lower lip - she bit it to prevent her tears from falling.

 

-…-…-…-