Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Twelve Years ❯ Chapter 2: A Sea of Troubles ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Update: As always, any kind of review is appreciated, even flames. It's all a learning experience for me; I want to become a better writer. So even if it's nitpicky stuff, please let me know. Also, reviews are the only way I know if anyone's reading the story. Anyway, here's the second chapter. Just to warn you, there are spoilers here, so be careful, especially if you haven't gotten to the Chuunin exam yet.

Disclaimer: Of course Naruto is not mine. Otherwise I would have a lot more money. Magone Keika, however, is a character of my own creation.

Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 03.28.2005 | Updated On: 03.28.2005 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.0K | Visits: 379 | Status: Work In Progress

Chapter 2: A Sea of Troubles

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I squinted as sunlight streamed in through the window, a bright beam falling on my poorly placed pillow. My eyes opened and looked to the bedside table where a green glow dimly read "7:24." I sighed, exasperated with my internal alarm clock that had always plagued me, and I rolled over, burying my face in the pillow.

I lay prostrate for a several minutes, trying to will myself back to sleep. Suddenly, I heard movement outside my door, footsteps walking back and forth. There was the sound of something being slid under the door into my room, and then the opening and closing of the front door. Finally there was only silence.

My curiosity getting the better of my desire to sleep, I sat up, rubbing my eyes and yawing, looking towards the door. A piece of white paper had been halfway pushed into my room, starkly contrasting with the dark wooden floorboards.

I sat up, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. I winced as my feet met the cold, hard floor, but pushed myself to standing anyway. I stumbled to the door on weary and stiff legs, bending over to pick up the paper. It read:

Sensei-

I have somewhere I need to be right now, but I'll meet you on the bridge at 9:00am to start your training.

-K

I looked at the alarm clock again. "7:32" now. I sighed and pulled on my clothes, walking into the small bathroom to brush my teeth, pull my hair back, and tie my forehead protector into place. I took a moment to inspect myself in the mirror. I still appeared to be twenty-five years old. My green eyes were just as bright as ever and my long, black hair had not lost any of its luster. I certainly did not look twelve years older than the last time I had looked at my reflection. However, seeing Kakashi as a full-grown man had forced me discard any doubts that the long and unfelt time had not actually passed.

I cooked a sparse breakfast for myself and stepped out of the apartment and into the street.

I spent the next hour wandering around Konoha. I had not been able to tell yesterday from the transmitting jutsu, but I saw now that the village was in horrible condition. Some buildings were completely reduced to rubble while others had skeletal scaffolding running up their sides for repairs. A horrible battle had clearly been recently fought in the city and the villagers were still struggling to recover from all the damage.

I arrived on the bridge at five minutes until 9:00 and I leaned against the railing, looking out.

Two hours later found me sitting uncomfortably and grumpily against the bridge's railing, trying not to nod off while still waiting for Kakashi.

"Yo."

I lifted my head to see the cheerful silver-haired Jounin raising one hand in greeting.

"You're late," I growled.

"I know, but you see, I was drowning in a sea of troubles and—"

I cut him off with my snappish tone. "I'm not some Genin who will jump when you command it, Kakashi." I stood, my hands on my hips, a glower on my face. "I expect you to arrive when you say you'll arrive."

"Ah, but it is a part of my charm, that I am always fashionably late," he said, his one eye showing amusement.

That amusement just provoked me even more. "I see nothing charming or fashionable about this," I growled and stalked towards him.

"Now now, calm down, sensei," he grinned to me. "You shouldn't get so riled up. You won't be able to fight properly if you're clouded by anger."

"Shut up," I grunted, knowing he was right, which only served to make me angrier. We walked together in silence that became less and less strained until we reached the grassy and woodsy area near the heroes' monument.

"Okay, well I thought we'd just stick to taijutsu today," Kakashi told me.

"Good, I can't wait to feel my fist connect with your flesh," I smirked, though our earlier argument was mostly forgotten by now.

He seemed to understand, however, that despite my playful tone, I was completely intent on solidly beating this man before me. He nodded seriously then walked several paces and turned to face me.

I wasted no time and darted forward, my hands clenching into fists. My movements were slightly more sluggish than I had remembered, but just as powerful.

I swung my right fist in a tight arc at Kakashi and he blocked it with his left arm, just as my left arm came down for a low punch.

He twisted his body out of the way and danced back from me. His lazily hooded eye regarded me a moment before he took the offensive and came running forward.

His leg swung up in a kick and my hand shot down to grab his ankle just as my other arm came up to block a punch. I growled, realizing he had forced me into a vulnerable position. His free hand came forward through the maze of arms and legs in a punch aimed directly for my stomach.

I released his ankle and brought my hand down just in time to block his punch.

We continued with a series of blows, kicks, punches, concealment, and traps well after 1:00. Though he had been holding back in the beginning, by the end of the session, I had regained almost all of my former strength and I met him blow for blow.

Kakashi and I rested, sitting beside each other at the base of a tree, regaining our breath. Several minutes later, he rolled his head towards me, his lazily hooded eye surveying me calmly. "Up for some lunch?"

"Sure," I nodded, standing up and dusting myself off. He rose beside me and began walking back towards the town, his hands stuffed in his pockets. I hurried to catch up, my strides long to keep in step with him, despite the absence of much of a difference in our heights.

My stomach was growling loudly several minutes later. "You gonna make it back to the apartment?" Kakashi winked - or perhaps it was a blink; who could tell? "Maybe we should just stop along the way. You a ramen fan?"

I smiled. "Yes, that sounds good." My stomach made a concurring noise.

Kakashi smirked and led us to the nearby ramen shop that still had a bit of their lunch crowd. We sat in a booth in the back, him facing the window, me the door. A woman came to take our orders and assured us it would be only a few minutes before our food was ready.

"So, Kakashi," I said as we waited, turning my eyes on him, "what happened to the village? There was obviously a fight pretty recently."

"Yes, you're right," Kakashi nodded. "You remember Orochimaru, I'm sure." At my grimace, he continued. "He has become a problem of late. He has organized a group of ninjas and set up his own hidden village: Sound."

My eyes narrowed. "The ANBU said something about that yesterday. They said I might be a Sound-nin spy. I had no idea what they were talking about."

"Yeah, well, neither would I a few months ago," he said, shaking his head. "Konoha was hosting a Chuunin exam in which all of my Genin were participating. During the third test, though, Orochimaru's men acted. Most of the damage you see around the city was caused by his giant summoned snakes. However, the most devastating damage to the city was the death of the Third. Orochimaru had posed as the Kazekage, putting Sarutobi into a vulnerable position. Not even the ANBU there could do anything about it."

I watched him, saddened by the story, but remaining silent. He continued: "Orochimaru defeated the Third, but at the cost of his arms. Sarutobi used the Fourth's forbidden sealing jutsu to prevent him from being able to create any seals."

"Yondaime…. Naruto…" I said quietly, thinking on the last time the technique had been used.

Kakashi nodded. "Well, Orochimaru is still at large now. In about two or three years, I believe he'll become active again."

"Why wait so long?" I asked. "If he has already hurt Leaf that much, you would think he'd jump at the opportunity to attack us again."

The waitress returned with two steaming bowls of ramen, setting them in front of us.

I snapped my chopsticks apart and immediately began eating, looking to Kakashi for a response. He, however, was watching his bowl of ramen uncomfortably. I was about to ask what was wrong when I realized he likely did not want to reveal his face to me or the rest of the restaurant.

I smiled slightly and moved to sit beside him and turning my head to the door, keeping him out of my line of vision.

I heard a small chuckle of appreciation and the rustle of fabric, then the slurp of the noodles beside me. I did not turn back to look at him but kept my eyes glued to the door.

"Orochimaru has a forbidden jutsu of his own," Kakashi began speaking again around slurps. "He has been stealing bodies to keep himself immortal. The body he desires, though, will not be available for him for another two or three years."

"Do you know who it is?" I asked him. "Are they under protection?"

He was silent for a long time and I nearly looked over at him to make sure he was alright, before remembering he likely still had his mask lowered. However, he finally spoke. "Yes. We know who it is. He is in Orochimaru's possession now. Under his own will." I could sense great pain behind his voice, so I did not press the matter further.

I heard his wooden chopsticks clank against the bowl and the rustle of fabric again. "Well… are you done eating?" he asked, drawing my eyes to him. His mask was back in place, a small smile evident under it.

"Yes, though I don't have any money to help you pay," I said apologetically.

"Ah, it's fine, I did steal your house, after all," he grinned.

"True," I nodded and stood as he fished through his pockets for money to leave on the table.

Suddenly, I heard someone call out, "Has anyone seen Hatake Kakashi?" Both the owner of that name and I looked to the voice. A young, pink-haired girl stood in the doorway, her green eyes searching the restaurant.

"Sakura?" Kakashi asked, looking at her. "What is it?"

The girl smiled happily when she saw him. "Kakashi-sensei." But then her face sobered. "Tsunade-sama wants to see you immediately in her office."

Kakashi sighed and nodded. "Alright, well… let's go, then."