Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Reflection of Oneself ❯ Residual ( Chapter 5 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

The Reflection of Oneself

Chapter 5: Residual

Intuition.

Everyone feels it. Sometimes it begins as that nervous twitch in your cheek that you mistake for too much stress, or that ache in the pit of your stomach you pass off as indigestion.

But there's no fooling yourself when it comes. Well all know when it's trying to tell us something. It is your subconscious mind at work, guiding you down the fine line between right and wrong. It lets you know when something bad is about to happen and it's the creepy sensation you get when you feel as though you're being watched.

It the emotion that is the mixture of all emotions. When you feel it, you either want to laugh, cry - hell, even puke your guts out!

Either way, it is our greatest asset - our guardian angles.

So if you feel the hair on the back of your neck being to prickle, listen to that voiceless feeling deep inside you and let it lead you towards the light.

With a weak groan, Nanikato awoken once again tangled in bedcovers. The blonde blinked and rubbed the sleep out of his tired eyes. Turning to his bedroom window, he found that it was closed and the height of the sun stated that it nearly midday.

He let out a yelp, toppling out of bed with a painful thud. Grumbling as he massaged his tender bottom, the twelve year old leapt into action, hunting for clean cloths. He was late for training and Sasuke-sensei wasn't going to be please at all. But while in the middle of flailing about like a ninny, his pants half on, he discovered a folded piece of paper resting on his bedside table.

Not bothering to finish pulling up his pants, Nanikato hopped over and snatched up the note.

Gaki,

The next time you decide to fall asleep under the stars, make sure you bring an alarm clock with you. I don't appreciate lateness nor do I like having to retrieve missing students. If you wish to make up for the training you missed this morning, meet me at the regular training grounds at 1:00 pm. You will be studying elemental jutsus, so come prepared.

Uchiha Sasuke

The blonde reread the letter once more before letting drop to the floor.

He couldn't actually believe that Sasuke-sensei had gone out of his way to bring him back this morning. He hated him, so why not let him freeze to death. Too confused to even ponder the unanswered question further, he let out a sigh and finished pulling up his pants. Retrieving his shirt and shoes, he tugged them on and give himself a once over look in the mirror. Satisfied, he began searching his room for his alarm clock.

When he found it, he discovered that is was only 11:00 am, so that gave him lots of time before he had to meet up with Sasuke sensei - time in which to buy some different cloths.

He looked down at himself and picked distastefully at the white shirt he was wearing. With the coming winter, this thin training gi wasn't going to cut it - he'd have to go get a new wardrobe. But that also meant he would have to entered the civilian sector of the village, a place he had been dutiful to avoid.

`I don't want to do this, but I'll have to think of it as another challenge. Orochimaru-sama told me he wants me to become fearless, so that I can do my duty as Otogakure's upcoming weapon. If I can't survive animist a group of people for over an hour, then I'm not worth anyone's time…'

His objective resolved, Nanikato scooped up his wallet and headed for door. Exiting his little apartment, he forwent checking out the cafeteria for anything to eat and left the complex. The air was chill as he stepped out into the open, causing gooseflesh to tingle upon his arms.

Entering the streets outside Otokage Tower and heading towards the market, he could hear the voice following him. People went silent as he passed and the murmuring began.

“That's Orochimaru-sama's newest tool!” one man whispered

“How do you know?” another asked.

Someone from across the street answered

“I've hared the ANBU whispering about a boy who's suppose to bring an end to the cold war with Konoha and bring us victory over those tree hugging fools”

The second man frowned. “How can you be sure that's the kid? He doesn't look like much…”

“They powerful ones never do. Remember, looks can be deceiving. Do you recall when Sasuke-sama first came to Oto? He didn't look like much either - just a child. Now he's one of three strongest ninja in the whole village!”

The three men nodded.

“But why he's here? Shouldn't he be training?”

“Beats me”

Nanikato shivered, fighting to block out the whispering voices. He hated it, as it seemed to cause an annoying buzzing noise at the back of his skull that just didn't seem to want to go away. But he managed to persist against the worst of it.

Heading north, he kept his eyes on all the business signs, keeping note of the artillery shops and fascinatingly smelling food stalls. It had been ten minutes already and still he was unable to locate a clothing store that struck his interest.

“I'm never going to find one at this rate…”

Then he unexpectedly shivered.

He stopped, turning to glance at a wall of dyed purple and blue sheets. Following that peculiar feeling, he moved the sheets aside to discover a hidden darkened ally behind them. You would have completely missed it if you weren't shinobi or highly observant. Nanikato as a matter of fact was both, or at least the latter until he had proven himself to Sasuke-sensei and Orochimaru-sama.

Glancing back and forth, he made sure no one was watching as he slipped behind the sheets and into the ally. Silently Nanikato made his way down the twists and turns before coming to a halt before uniquely ornate door.

Reaching out, he gently slid open and was met by the sound of jingling bells.

The first thing that hit him was the sent of exotic spices, the most distinct being nag champa. It drew him in like a moth to a flame, alluring him with it mystic touch. The second thing was the spectacular verity of clothing, ranging from the silks of Suna to the furs of Yuki. Candles illuminated the large area, casting it in an eerie, yet peaceful glow.

He had found exactly what he was looking for.

“Can I help you?”

The blonde flinched slightly and turned, greeted by the sight of a middle-aged woman wearing an elegantly embroidered golden brown kimono covered with ivy leaves. Her earthen brown and green streaked hair was tightly wrapped up in a dense bun, stray hairs cascading down to her shoulders. But it was her large all-knowing eyes were cast in milky bluish white, blind, but still seeing that unnerved him.

She looked nothing sort of some mystic sprite.

She smiled serenely at his mystified gaze, drifting closer as if she was floating on air. “You must be the child that the gods have sent to me”

“Nani?” Nanikato blinked, backing away. “What do you mean?”

He was thoroughly confused, and even more so when she raised a hand to gesture at her cloudy orbs.

“These I eyes of mine have shown me of your coming child” she said, bowing. “I am a clairvoyant”

“You can see the future?”

The very thought of being able to see the future fascinated the young blonde. But what fascinated him more then being able to see the future was being able to see the past. Ever since waking up a month ago, he could barely remember what had once been so vivid. Without knowing exactly who he was, he felt alone and confided within wide-open spaces. He wished she could see the past and could tell him who he was…

Was he just a tool like those villagers had said?

The woman laughed softly. “Sometimes” she replied. “I have been waiting for you”

“Why? There's nothing special about me”

The woman frowned, then reached out and took his hand. She led him to a small table where they sat down and stared him.

“And how can you be so certain of that? Everyone is special in different ways, just as we are all born different. We are born, we grow, we learn, we love and we die. I'm sure you were a cute baby”

“Born?” now Nanikato was puzzled. He couldn't remember having been born. All he could remember was Sasuke and Kabuto… and that he never had been a baby.

His question, however, went unanswered.

“I do not know yet why you have come to me,” the woman said. “But I do believe that you have come for a reason that only I can help you with. Whether I help you today or some other day is still to be known. Now then, you've come to be outfitted, right?”

The blonde nodded, shaking away his previous thoughts.

“Yes… umm… what's your name?”

She smiled. “My name is Amaikoe Tanabata child?”

“Tanabata? Like Am-no-Tanabata-Hime?”

The blind woman laughed, clapping her hands happily.

“And a smart child you are too. Yes, I am named after Am-no-Tanabata-Hime”

“Then yes, Tanabata-hime, I have come for clothing”

“Good,” she nodded. “I know just what you need”

Not questioning the woman, Nanikato stood and began following her through the many racks of clothing that lined her little store. As they walked down the aisles, Tanabata would run her hands over the clothing and pick out different articles at random - all in which he indeed find to his liking.

1) A double mesh shirt that's sleeves ended at mid bicep.

2) A dark brown armored vest.

3) A pair of dark brown and black cargo pants that contained many pockets and ended at mid calf.

4) Pair of back ninja sandals that ended just above the ankles and showed only the heel and the big toe.

5) A pair of fingerless brown leather gauntlets that laced up the forearm to end just below the elbow.

6) A dozen rolls of bandages.

The last article of clothing she picked was a dark purple hooded jacket with brown and black sleeves that matched his new pants.

“This I will stay with me for now” she said. “Until you have chosen a symbol that represents yourself, I will hold onto it. When you find you symbol, come back and it will be ready for you with the marking on the back”

“Do you know what my symbol will be?” Nanikato asked curiously.

Tanabata nodded with a sly smile. “Yes, but that is for you to discover you self. Now you go get changed while I collect some extra sets for you”

The blonde did as he was told, seeking out the change rooms at the back of the store. Looking at himself in the mirror, he began to put on his new clothing.

The first piece to go on was the mesh shirt, which fit to his small and slender form like a glove. The second piece to go on was vest, toping the shirt perfectly. The third to go on was the cargo pants, which were tapped down with bandages from mid calf to ankle. The fourth piece to go on was the sandals, fitting snuggly on his feet as if they were meant for him, which they were. And the final piece to go on was the gauntlets, adding to he new look flawlessly.

Looking at himself once more, he had to admit that lady had picked out the prefect cloths without him given having suggested anything. They made him look stronger, which was a relief from his normally scrawny appearance.

“Well now, don't you look handsome”

Nanikato found his cheeks becoming rather hot from reason the moment he stepped out of change room. Not knowing what else to do, he looked at floor to hide his now lobster-fied face. Tanabata stood before him, another smile on her face, only thing one was appraising - like a mother would give her child. She handed him the bag containing the extra sets of cloths, which he took graciously.

“How much do I owe you Tanabata-hime?”

She shook her head. “You owe me nothing. This is my gift to you”

“But!”

“No buts, it is a gift”

Then she handed him two homemade fortune cookies. “One of these is for you and the other is for your sensei,” she said, shoeing off towards the door of her shop. “I'm sure Sasuke-kun will like that. Now you go and train hard”

As Nanikato began to walk back down the ally, a small smile of his own graced his lips. Turning back to the blind woman standing at the door of her shop, he bowed. “Arigatou Tanabata-hime!”

He turned then, waving as he ran off. As he did though, he didn't hear her parting words or see her knowing smile as she faded completely into the darkness.

“Your very welcome Nanikato-kun”

-.ooOoo.-

When Sasuke arrived at the training field at one o'clock that afternoon, he found his blonde student sitting on his favorite log, finishing off the last of a bowel of red bean soup that he had undoubtedly bought for lunch. The second thing he noticed was that the boy was wearing an entirely different change of cloths, one that better suited both a shinobi in the making and for the training that would be taking place soon.

The third thing he noticed was Nanikato reaching into his backpack to pull out a fortune cookie, gnawing on its hard shell rather then breaking it open.

“What are you doing?”

Nanikato paused in mid bite, then looked up, the rock hard cookie still wedged between his teeth. Sasuke sighed. He really didn't want to know.

“Trying to eat this cookie,” the boy replied wryly.

“And where did you get that cookie?” Sasuke frowned, crossing his arms. “I don't know anyone here in Oto that makes fortune cookies”

“Tanabata-hime made it. She even gave me one for you”

The Uchiha didn't even flinch as it hit him between the eyes. He didn't even glare, nor to admit that the boy's aim had gotten considerably better. No, instead Sasuke was standing in shock, numb with a cookie in his hand.

The color had complete drained out of his face.

“D-did you just s-say Tanabata-hime?”

Nanikato nodded, not even noticing that his sensei had just stuttered, fighting to break his cookie. It finally snapped, revealing the hidden fortune within. Smiling at whatever had been written on the slip of paper, the blonde looked up at him.

“Yes. You know her?”

Sasuke shock his head. “But that isn't possible”

“What do you mean it isn't possible?” the blonde asked. “I met her. She's tall, had brown/green hair, blind in both eyes and owns a clothing shop in a dark ally you wouldn't spot unless you were really sharp-eyed”

But the dark haired man kept shaking his head in denial. “No, there must have been some kind of mistake…”

“Why?”

“Because”

“Because why?”

Sasuke gritted his teeth. “Because she's dead!”

“Nani” Nanikato gasped, jumping to his feet. “What do mean dead!? She looked very much alive to me!”

“No,” the Uchiha hissed softly, painfully. “You must have been mistaken. Amaikoe Tanabata has been dead for just over ten years now. She…”

Sasuke shivered.

The image of a woman came to him, one with earthen brown hair streaked green that was wrapped large bun atop her head. She was wearing an elegant kimono, the one she always wore, that was golden brown and delicately embroidered with green ivy leaves. She also had ancient eyes too, a pair of eerie bluish white orbs - blinded, as he would later discover, as a child.

During his first few months in Oto, he had thrown himself into training and following Orochimaru's orders in his mad quest to get stronger. He had met her after the fourth month while trying to avoid the world around him, which had inevitably led him to stumble upon the ally that led to her hidden shop. Once there, it had beckoned from him to enter and obeying his instincts, he had entered.

The aged mystic had been waiting for him, of course. Although he had not come for clothing like most others, she had said he had come for a reason - one that only she could help with. He had scoffed at her words and had prepared to leave when she mentioned Naruto.

`You have much sorrow in your heart, though you do well in hiding it. You feel guilty for having wronged one of few people you considered precious. He is dead now, by your hand at that. Although he has moved on, his memory haunts you still - it always will. But you'd do best not to forget his sacrifice for you. One day you will be able to repay the debt that right now weighs heavy on you heart. Believe me, you will understand exactly what I mean when the time comes”

She had become a lifeline for him and he had dared to consider a second mother. She had been his confidant when no other could - she had become precious to him. Then a terrible, unthinkable tragedy had occurred.

“… she was killed in a fire that destroyed her business - burned alive. Nothing survived the blaze. I had only been in Oto for a year and half when it happened…”

The dark haired man shivered, unable to continue.

Once deeply buried memories had once again been brought to the surface - smothering. He had going to see her the day that it had happened. He had known something bad was going to happen. Feeling sick, Sasuke had sought her out for council.

Then he saw the smoke.

Tanabata-hime had been trapped within workroom at the back of her shop with no way out. He had risked his life to save her, not wanting yet another one of his precious people to die. By the time he had found her, she was far too gone to be saved.

“You came. I knew you would come…” she had whispered to him as she died in his arms. “Remember all I have taught you my boy. When the time comes, you will know”

Once she was gone, he had had no one. And like had done as a child, an little boy that just suffered the lose of his entire clan at the hands of his brother - he hardened his heart and moved on, devoid of what he had worked so hard to regain.

It just wasn't possible…

He looked down at the cookie in his hand. Only Tanabata-hime had made fortune cookies like this. Needing answers and needing them now, he crushed it in his fist. Hesitating a moment, he slowly opened his hand and removed the slip of paper from the crumbs, reading the message that had had come to him from beyond the grave.

`Ominous times approach - move forward with caution'

-.ooOoo.-

Translations/Original Jutsus

Amaikoe - Sweet Voice

Am-no-Tanabata-Hime - Shinto Goddess of the Weavers