#Also their eyes be so red they probably gained a sharingan

[daily-basil]

bagel and sunny having a staring contest (they’re too flustered to keep eye contact and they both lose)

And they rematched. Once. Twice. 52 times. And yet, they're still losing to their gayness.

[snenby-with-two-daggers]

hear me out

Orochimaru has ADHD

my primal argument is because i said so

but also

his hyperfixation is making jutsu and trying to gain immortality

more or less stopped doing whatever he was doing when he saw sharingan boy and fixates mostly on gaining those shiny red eyes for himself (and i refuse to believe big part of reason isn’t aesthetic)

had to find malewife to force him to go to sleep after a few days of fixating on project

said malewife has to remind him to drink and eat and take medication

stubborn little shit

has no time for that gender binary bullshit

creeps people out by being himself

holds grudge

took him like 70 years to finally evolve ability to have healthy relationships - and didn’t have kid before that, which is responsible thing to do

has no filter for what is socially acceptable to say

is so good at his hyperfixation (research and jutsu) that everyone decided he is more valuable alive, event when in boruto we have seen his criminal record and it would apparently be enough to print as book and he probably caused everything what ever happened (and it’s said that adhd is adaptation for hunter lifestyle and today people with adhd are doing great in army, so he got ideal circumstances)

earring are probably stim toys

[belit0]

Bestial Facts

Rating: E

Pairing: [Otsutsuki Indra / Haruno Sakura]

Tw: none!

Alpha/Omega Dynamics

And there he was, he had received her call, he had interpreted it perfectly, and now he decided to act. He could not ignore the deep feeling of solitude that hovered over the fragrance that Sakura detached especially towards his person, asking him not to refuse her one more minute of his attention. He felt like in his interior a beast was tearing his claws against its invisible cell, demanding to be liberated.

No, he would not let it win, he would not give in like before. His desires cried out lust, need, taking the Omega that now begged for his help, but he would not allow his nature to win another battle like days ago, when he accidentally hurt the woman he was now trying to protect with so much impetus. But what was he doing there if he wasn’t going to give her what she was asking for? Was he taking the trouble to disappoint her in person?

Sakura observed him with eyes full of sadness, lost in a fantasy that was near to be fulfilled, but at the same time very far. The internal battle of Indra took much more time of what he would never be able to recognize. He had hurt too many mates during his life as the founder of the Clan, gaining access to any Omega he wanted to possess. His primitive side was not rational, his Alpha was not someone who could be controlled, and whoever tried it ended up really injured. He didn’t want that same fate for the girl who looked at him with almost palpable despair.

If his demon was released, if his beast was allowed to walk freely again, he was not sure what would happen.

“Indra plea…”

“This is not going to work. I’m sorry I got you hoping for my presence, if that was the case. I advise you to ask someone else for assistance.” The last words were spoken as the entity walked down the hall, away from what had long been his room, leaving behind the woman who watched him from his bed, to return bitterly to his own.

He knew of the young woman’s vulnerability, that she would not be able to control herself. He needed to take care of her, he needed to protect her, to wrap her in eternally soft caresses that would provide the security that this moment she did not feel around her. But he was not the one. If he tried, his Alpha would get in the way.

Before he could advance further from the sliding door where he left the painful conversation, a hand grabbed him in an iron grip by his forearm, while a spleen slipped gracefully and gently from his stomach to his chest. He could feel a face buried in the hair that fell loose and wild on his back, in the absence of his frequent ponytail.

The embrace was not nearly strong enough to hold him actuality, but he allowed the gesture of love. They held the same position for what felt like long minutes, while the only thing Indra could focus on was the arm that held him and did not allow him to run away. He had never felt what a caress was, beyond those received familiarly by his brother and mother. His relationships had been based on concerns of mere satisfaction in the face of human, or rather animal, need. And since his mates always ended up badly hurt, no one wanted to see him again a second time. He did not blame them, he would have made the same decision to be them.

But there was the woman who radiated purity through her emerald eyes, begging him to take her. She probably didn’t know what she was getting into, didn’t understand the seriousness of the matter.

He didn’t come out of his presumptuous thoughts until he felt her flailing on his back, while her breathing became inconsistent, irregular. She was crying for him, for what he said, and she thought he was rejecting her.

He turned on his heels, undoing the support he had enjoyed so much moments before, to face the woman, whom he was gaining in height by two heads.

“…”

“No, Indra. You answered my call. You know I want this as much as you do! You felt it, you felt me, you can’t just come and act like nothing is happening.”

“I can’t hurt you, I don’t want to see you go through the hands of that beast and…”

“There is no beast here. I only see the Alpha I am choosing to take my first heat. You all see me as something inferior, that must stop. Give me a chance to show you that things are not as you think.”

The entity’s gaze was fixed on the floor, suddenly, admiring the polished wood that ran under his feet was a much more pleasant task. He was forced to relocate his vision to the pink-haired girl when her tiny hand took his and squeezed it lightly. His eyes were lost in the serenity of her soul, the light she radiated without even being aware of it. He could feel warmth growing in his chest, a feeling that took him back to his childhood. He recognized it, but found it hard to believe that he was experiencing it again.

It was happiness. Indra was happy once again, after an eternity.

When Sakura noticed the change of the man before her sight, she turned around and directed them both, taken by the hand, for the way that before they had traveled separately. When she found the room, she introduced him in it, and closed the door behind him. His Sharingan traveled quickly from her, then to the bed, finally to the floor. With a faint sigh that admitted defeat for his main objective, he tried to gather the strength he would need to fight the battle ahead.

“You can do this, Indra.”

“I will need your help. There is only one rule I need you to follow.”

Sakura looked at him with her arched eyebrows, curiously, interlacing her hands in front of her. She waited without hurrying him to continue, he had all the right of the world to take his time.

“If you need to stop, you should say "Indora”. My properly pronounced name holds back my Alpha.“

"Please just relax…”

“Promise me you’ll do it if you have to.” His crimson eyes were fixed on hers. In earnest, he let her know that until she took his one rule seriously, he would not proceed. The distance that he interposed between both was uncomfortable considering the facts that were about to happen, and Sakura wanted to eliminate it as soon as possible.

“I promise.”

It was the only thing needed to pounce on her and to begin to undertake the way of satisfying his hunger for her. Dammit, she was so beautiful. Even with trace of tears in her eyes, slightly red and swollen by the crying sessions that he calculated had also taken place previously, her face continued being dazzling. She was so innocent, so full of illusions and fantasies, and he was about to take a piece of that, one she wanted him to have. For once in his life he felt that maybe he deserved a moment of peace, love.

Love.

Quickly, he took her hands, which were intertwined in front of her, and with a great effort to outline mercy, he kissed her deeply, forcing her arms down to prevent her from falling backwards under his weight. He held her lips together until he felt the air run out of the young woman’s body, and only stepped aside to allow her a little recovery.

While Sakura inhaled agitated, Indra took her in his arms and manipulated her as if she was his prey. His hunt. He raised her as if she weighed what a leaf that fell on the ground after the autumn breeze, and with expert movements he indicated her how to place her legs around his waist. Quickly his hands took position under her bottom, giving her more support and comfort, while their mouths were desperately searching for each other. He walked up to one of the walls of the small room, and made her back impact with it. She took advantage of it and used it as an extra support, massaging Indra’s neck with her hands, scratching his skull whenever she felt the need to get more of the bond between their lips. He couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction when he felt the girl’s tongue look for a way into his mouth, and he parted to look at her.

Confused, afraid she had done something wrong, she questioned him without words. Her cheeks soon turned pink at the prolonged silence. Such a vulnerable Omega against such a hungry gaze.

“You’re mine.” The possessive and somber tone with which the man spoke made her skin bristle, there was no seduction in his voice. What he said was a fact. He was simply letting her know it. From the height difference, Indra’s eyes were even more intimidating than before. Sakura felt like a victim between the claws of a predator, one that had been waiting a long time for something to ingest.

But it was what she wanted.

“I am yours.”

Indra grunted before summarizing his act and taking her mouth with all the impact of his need. Their kiss was extremely wet, while their tongues danced in the rising fire of excitement. His hands left abruptly the texture of the dressed buttocks of Sakura, and they caught her ones with imposition, making her to stop playing with his hair. Taking her by the wrists, he placed her two arms against the wall, one at each side of her head. She was forced to perform more strength with her hip to stay in the air. She knew he wouldn’t let her fall, but that was his game, and she would follow him all the way.

He came even closer to her, closing completely the slightest distance between their bodies, and never stopped kissing her. Their torsos were connected, and he could feel Sakura’s breasts under her robe. He was desperate for her skin, to caress her until she smelled only like him, spreading his scent all over her body. He needed to touch her, he needed to see her, he needed her.

With a fast movement, he released one of Sakura’s wrists to undo the knot of her robe. Before the act, she let her arm fall to her side, allowing the blood to circulate and her sleeping limb to wake up. To her surprise, Indra seemed really annoyed with her daring. It had slowed down his notions, and he looked at her scolding, while his head lay tilted to the side.

“You move when I command it.”

“I’m so…”

The words did not find their end since the only thing she could do was moan before feeling the Alpha’s mouth on one of her nipples. At some point, and with the speed that characterized him, he had finished untying the knot and had discovered her body. Sakura did not have time to feel embarrassed, because the attention she now received felt too good to think about it.

While one of her breasts was explored by his warm tongue, the other one was massaged by a strong and big hand, which kneaded her skin as if he needed to remove it and get under it. The eventual suction on her hardened pink pearl caused her head to tilt backwards, looking for even more support on the wall to help her hold on high.

Sakura reveled a pure and unmarked neck, and Indra placed his hand on it, putting some pressure on her airways. She was a practitioner of Ninju, or Shinobi, as it was called nowadays, and a recognized doctor, she would know how to indicate whether he was suffocating her. He located moans stuck in her throat that were trying to depart, and he dedicated to bite the nipple to which only he had attended with his hand. Her breast was now as moist as her mouth. He slid his tongue from her chest to her collarbone, reaching slowly the joint between her ear and her head. He left a trail of hickeys and marks along the way, where he had stopped to pay special attention to his favorite areas. He nibbled on her earlobe and gently pulled on it, while she spread her hands through his hair and shoulders at a constant rhythm.

In a movement that Sakura did not expect, Indra pumped his waist towards her now exposed femininity, but to which he had not yet dedicated special attention. The nails of the young woman left marks in the exposed skin of his neck, and he knew he needed more of those. Suddenly, the gown that covered only him was already a nuisance. He placed one hand under her bottom, and the other on her lower back, and thus separated her firmly from the wall. Their foreheads were joined and their gazes were lost in each other’s eyes.

Indra walked to the foot of her bed, and threw the girl on top of it. It was a light touchdown that resulted in a beneficial landing, as he was delighted to see the Omega’s breasts bounce off the impact with the mattress. However, she was not very happy with the action.

“Indra that was it!”

“I’ll make it up to you. Take that off.”

If there was something that pleased her, it was that the man had abandoned all traces of formality. This was the raw version she longed to see in him. With glacial agility, she quickly stripped off her loose robe, receiving an Indra also naked who hovered over her.

They were united again in a passionate kiss, but considerably slower and more tangible. Sakura held her lover with a hand tangled in his wild hair, while with the other one she would travel his now exposed body. She enjoyed feeling every muscle tone against her touch, running over his shoulders, his arms, part of his back, his chest. She felt she could not get enough of that wonderful sculpture.

Indra pushed his boner against her entrance, playing with the friction and warmth of the moisture that began to cover his now exposed limb. With his elbows and forearms at the sides of her head, he prevented from putting all his weight on her, while he enjoyed how the Omega provided feeling caresses to his whole being.

“I need to taste what is mine.” He said in a hiss, clenching his teeth before the impotence that he felt for the lack of Sakura’s lips in his.

“Yes. Please.”

He descended softly and slowly, leaving a new humid way after his step. He had to make an enormous effort not to sink his teeth in her sweet point, so tempting and provocative. He just tasted, felt, enjoyed it, and continued down to her nipples. He made sure that they were both swollen and over-stimulated, that’s how he liked his Omegas to look. With his tongue he traced a wet route to her mount, where he finally smelled it.

He felt her true scent.

And then is when the self-control that Indra had been carrying exploded inside him.

“G-go get Mmadar-ra…” his voice was deeper and deeper, and he had sat on his knees in the bed, abruptly interrupting his activity. The hair covered his face, for what Sakura could not glimpse his countenance or distinguish why he said that ridiculousness suddenly.

“ What are you talk…”

“…He’s …coming…” He fell into his hands, exhaling and inhaling violently, while she curled up on the opposite side of the bed, seeking refuge among the sheets and pillows. Protecting her naked body would do little good.

“Who…?” She really wanted to know?

In his position, Indra’s body twisted abruptly, shaking with strange movements as a series of unexplained events unfolded before her eyes. Uncontrollable grunts escaped from his interior, unintelligible, guttural words were thrown into the air, as if trying to fight what was happening to him. His hair, if thought long in its natural state, took on a longer length, and the pattern of spikes that characterized Uchiha’s style became more pronounced, creating even more eccentric spikes than those he normally wore. On his nails, long claws grew. He could decapitate anyone he wanted with them. Heading to his mouth, two upper fangs made a surprising appearance as he opened it in a ceaseless frenzy. As for his eyes, his Sharingan took the pattern of his Eternal Mangekyou, while the outline he drew each day under them extended considerably, occupying his temples. His body, already naturally stocky, grew notably in size; his shoulders widened, his chest extended, his abdominals contracted.

The new Indra sat on his knees on the other side of the bed once his body stopped shaking and convulsing because of the physical changes to which he was subjected. With his eyes closed, he remained still, immobile. The new amount of hair falling from his head surrounded him, generating a blanket around. His claws remained peacefully on his thighs, while his being seemed to have entered into a state of meditation.

Until a slight movement, impossible for the eyes of those who were not Shinobis, took possession of his countenance.

Indra was moving his nose. Or rather, the tip of the it.

It was almost imperceptible, but Sakura noticed it while analyzing the situation.

“Indra…?”

His eyes opened to an alarming speed, while a twisted and sinister smile appeared in his face. This was not Indra, she understood. To this being it applied the only rule he had given her before accepting.

This was Indora.

Indora was smelling her.

Indora had already smelled her.

[nightofthemeteor]

Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter 

(Also here on AO3)

The resounding CLASH of steel against steel reverberated through Madara’s bones. He grimaced, holding his ground against Hashirama’s deadly two-handed strike, but his opponent was too strong; he was forced to duck to the side to gain some space, twisting to get his blade up, panting in the smoky air.

It wasn’t so long ago that this deadly dance with Hashirama had been almost enjoyable – and not so long before that, sparring with him had been something to look forward to – and even now, Madara could appreciate this as something that at least was clean and uncomplicated. He tried to kill Hashirama; Hashirama tried to kill him. They were both made for this, both knew the steps of the dance by heart, anticipating each other in a way that was almost intimate. But now, Madara’s clan was on the brink of collapse, exhausted from fighting and looking to him for protection – and the need to protect his clan made him desperate. He knew it was evident in the way he was fighting, hard and ugly, still clawing his way through the battle with his chakra down nearly to nothing. His only comfort was that Hashirama, too, had abandoned his chakra-eating Mokuton and was reduced to meeting him strike for strike with kunai and sword.

The next exchange of blows brought them close together, close enough that Madara could see the flames of his clanmates’ jutsu reflected in Hashirama’s clear brown eyes – eyes that slid smoothly away from Madara’s. Hashirama was used to fighting against the Sharingan; he knew better than to look directly into the eyes of an Uchiha while in combat. But something was different in this battle. Maybe it was Madara’s exhaustion that made him turn away too slowly, letting the blade of Hashirama’s sword graze the outside of his wrist; maybe it was his gasp of pain that made Hashirama glance back up at his face; maybe Hashirama, too, had made the mistake of thinking of a time when their friendship had been the brightest part of their lives, forgetting himself enough to look, just for an instant, right into Madara’s eyes.

That instant was all Madara needed.

As their world spun and twisted in the red-and-black whorls of the Sharingan, Hashirama called to him, “I still have enough chakra to break a genjutsu!”

“Then I’ll make it a genjutsu you won’t want to leave,” Madara replied.

By the time he had finished speaking, he had faded completely from Hashirama’s consciousness, now existing only as an unseen observer within the genjutsu world. From the formless red vortex of the Sharingan, trees appeared, sprouting up around Hashirama almost like his Mokuton; but unlike the Mokuton, these trees were stately and neat, grown for nature and not for battle. As if reflecting the season of the real world, the genjutsu trees bore the tiny, delicate leaves of early spring. A clear blue sky melted into place above them, while below, the ground fell away abruptly – and Madara recognized this place. This was the clifftop where Hashirama had once spoken to him of a village.

Madara should have left to allow the genjutsu to play out, feeding off of the desires of Hashirama’s heart as it was designed to do, and returned to the battlefield while his adversary languished in his trap. Instead he lingered, just for a moment, curious in spite of himself…and watched as a shadowy figure began to form next to Hashirama on the clifftop. Who was it that Hashirama wanted beside him in this dream world, here in this place where Hashirama himself had once spun a dream? Madara knew the answer even before he watched his own features take shape on the clifftop.

It would have made sense to see the boy he had once been – his secret friendship with Hashirama was still one of his most cherished memories, loathe though he was to admit it, and he knew Hashirama had treasured that time as well. But in this dream world, both he and Hashirama looked like the adults they were now, standing side by side and smiling as though they weren’t bitter adversaries. The cool spring breeze stirred their hair; Hashirama reached out and caught a leaf as it blew past, held it out to his companion with a laugh. Genjutsu-Madara held the leaf up to his face, squinting through a hole in the green surface, and looked down at – yes, laid out below the cliff was the bare outline of a village, incomplete and fragile but unmistakably there. This was Hashirama’s one-time dream in its completion: Uchiha and Senju joined together in a shared village, protected by the two of them, standing sentinel on this clifftop where they could see clearly into the distance.

No, Madara realized – this wasn’t the completion of Hashirama’s dream; this was just the beginning. The two of them had never really talked about more that this, back when they had the opportunity. But if Hashirama had held onto that same dream for so long…could there be more? Against his better judgement, Madara sped up the passage of time within the genjutsu world, until the leaves on the trees looked green and full and the sun beat down mercilessly above them. Now the village below had grown, with a few more solid-looking buildings and the beginnings of a wall stretching out from the cliff. The face of the cliff had changed, as well – now face was a much more literal description. The massive carving was clearly still unfinished, its features blocky and undefined, and the top of the cliff was littered with tools and ropes.

“I think it looks pretty accurate already,” Hashirama said. “In fact, I think the sculptors might be done with it.”

“Very funny,” deadpanned genjutsu-Madara, and with a shock Madara realized: that was supposed to be his face down there. His counterpart continued, “I still have no idea how you convinced me this would be a good idea.”

“Carving your face on the mountain, or becoming leader of the village?”

“Both!”

Hashirama laughed, joyful and uninhibited, the way Madara hadn’t heard him laugh in close to a decade. “It’s all thanks to my incredible powers of persuasion, I guess,” he replied, and Madara felt numb. Hashirama wanted him to lead this imaginary village?! How did he think the Senju clan could possibly trust their worst enemy to protect them? How could Hashirama trust him?

Even within a dream world, Madara couldn’t imagine how this plan would lead to anything other than disaster. But Hashirama must have some idea of how it could work…and so, once again, Madara pushed the dream forwards into the future, making the leaves on the clifftop turn orange and brown and the ground underneath show signs of frost. The face on the cliff below was farther along now, crudely but unmistakably him, complete with a spiky mane of hair that must have been hell on the imaginary sculptors. The village hadn’t changed much from the last vision, but the wall now stretched farther through the forest, a hopeful distance away from the existing buildings.

“Madara!” Hashirama called, excitement in his voice.

There, sure enough, was Madara’s genjutsu counterpart, heading up a path in the trees along the cliff – not, Madara noted, directly up the face of the cliff the way they’d climbed it as children. That made sense: he probably wanted to avoid his own face. Those spikes looked dangerous.

Hashirama was running to meet him, arms outstretched as if to embrace him, but pulled back at the last minute, instead wrapping his arms around himself awkwardly. “Welcome back!” he said instead. That’s odd, thought Madara, but couldn’t exactly pinpoint what was off about the interaction.

“I thought I’d find you up here,” said genjutsu-Madara, smiling but still reserved – this version of himself wasn’t completely inaccurate, Madara had to admit.

“How did the talks go?” asked Hashirama.

“You’ll be pleased, I think. The Nara clan wants to join.”

“That’s fantastic!” Hashirama exclaimed, and Madara mentally corrected himself: genjutsu-Madara wasn’t accurate at all. He should be a terrible negotiator.

“How was the village while I was gone?” asked the imitation Madara.

Hashirama’s eyes shone as he answered, “We’ve been making a lot of progress with the school. I think we’ll be able to start the first students by the winter!”

“Excellent. I already have some ideas for the first few teams.”

Now this – Madara knew he was being foolish, playing around with his own genjutsu like this – but this was something he needed to see. For one final time he drew the world through time until the leaves were gone from the trees, replaced by a thin blanket of glittering snow under a sky that was blue and cold as metal. He looked around for Hashirama, expecting him to be trailing a set of young shinobi like ducklings, and instead to his disappointment found – Hashirama, alone. Had genjutsu-Madara finally abandoned his friend, as the real Madara had done so many years ago? Could reality not be kept at bay even in this world of Hashirama’s own making?

“What are you doing up here, Hashirama?” It seemed that genjutsu-Madara hadn’t cleared out after all; here he was now, appearing out of the forest like a specter. “I thought you hated the cold.”

Hashirama didn’t turn to look at him, instead looking out at the village below, now draped in snow and trailing thin lines of smoke into the sky. “I’m afraid, Madara,” he said, suddenly sounding as fragile as the tiny new village. “I couldn’t stay still down there. What if things don’t turn out the way we planned?”

Genjutsu-Madara walked over to stand at the edge of the cliff as well, and blew a tiny fireball into his hands to warm them – and then held his hands out to Hashirama, who, very cautiously, positioned his own hands so they were hovering just over genjutsu-Madara’s, soaking up the warmth. “We’ll figure it out,” said genjutsu-Madara, looking into Hashirama’s eyes; Hashirama looked back, trustingly. “Together. Isn’t that what you told me?” And he slowly raised his hands so that his palms were brushing against Hashirama’s. The sight made Madara feel inexplicably uneasy.

“Yes,” murmured Hashirama, curling his fingers against genjutsu-Madara’s. “Together.” And he leaned forward, his action mirrored by genjutsu-Madara, their hands still joined between them…and then Hashirama was kissing the illusion, gently and carefully, with his eyes closed.

The sight shocked Madara so badly that he suddenly found himself existing, standing beside Hashirama and his genjutsu-self on that cold clifftop – and just as he considered obliterating his illusory self, completely irrationally, Hashirama opened his eyes and stared right at Madara with eyes that no longer contained a shred of warmth.

“This is the real you,” said Hashirama, “Isn’t it.”

Before Madara could react, a burst of chakra erupted from Hashirama and clawed the world to shreds with hands like branches; as the genjutsu fell away, Madara felt himself thrown back by the force of Hashirama’s chakra and hit the ground hard.

He scrambled to get up, certain that he needed to defend himself from the attack that was surely coming – but when he looked for his opponent, he found Hashirama on his knees in front of him, tears streaming down his ash-stained face.

Now was the moment to attack, to end this battle decisively; instead Madara said, hoarsely, “Even now? You still hold onto that dream, even now?”

“Of course,” Hashirama replied, his voice sounding wooden. His eyes were looking somewhere in the vicinity of Madara’s chest; he wouldn’t make the mistake of looking at his eyes again. “I’ll never give up on it. Madara, I want you to know that.”

“It’s impossible!”

“You’ve seen it,” Hashirama pressed. “We could make it a reality.”

For a moment, Madara really considered it – and in that moment, he wondered what dreams he would spin in the grip of his own genjutsu. He wanted it, he had to admit that; wanted it so badly he could almost taste it. But the taste of blood in his mouth was stronger.

“It’s impossible, Hashirama,” he repeated, and finally managed to drag himself to his feet, blood dripping sluggishly from the wound on his wrist. “You’ve killed too many of my people for there to ever be peace between us.”

“Then this won’t end until one of us is dead!”

“It won’t end today,” said Madara, and disappeared in a burst of smoke.

[evil-overlord-scriptology]

But I Don’t Want to be a Sensei! Pt 5 (ARCHIVED)

Chapters 16 & 17

Chapter 16: A Different Kind of Peach

“No.”

 Naruto pouted, “Awwww, c'mon, sensei! Please? I'll be extra careful!” The blonde little brat batted his eyelashes up at me with an innocent smile. I was not amused, mostly because of the fact that a twelve year old boy could flutter his eyelashes and I couldn't.

 “No.”

 Naruto opened in mouth again, but Haku interrupted him, “Naruto-kun, please don't irritate Yanagi-san. She is still healing.” Zabuza and I snorted at the exact same time. There wasn't much Haku could do to silence Naruto other than hitting him upside the head with a skillet like I was going on doing if the little shit didn't shut his trap.

 Surprisingly enough, Naruto listened to the older teen and edged over to where Sasuke was still resting. It had been three days since the fight on the bridge, or so Peaches said. I had been surprised that I had slept that long, but not so surprised about Sasuke. He had been to the point of complete chakra depletion, just barely alive. Not only was it past the point of no return, but this drain was Sasuke's first brush with chakra exhaustion so it would take a while for his coils to fill back up.

 The second Naruto was out of hearing range I glared up at Zabuza who was sitting against a wall next to my futon, “Bastard.” I snapped.

 He only smirked and crossed his arms, trying to maintain an innocent look like he didn't know what the hell I was talking about. I don't know why he even bothered, he was the only one here who even saw me use the Fan of Wonders so he was the only one who could have told Naruto.

 I bet he did it just to mess with me.

 Damn it, don't tell me this man was another Shisui!

 Haku sighed quietly behind me and cool hands gently grasped my shoulders, “Yanagi-san, please don't talk much. Otherwise the poultice won't stick to your jaw.” He chided as he forced me to slowly lay back down on the futon provided for me.

 The ice user had turned out to be a healer too. But unlike Konohagakure, which had a monopoly on medical ninjutsu thanks to Lady Tsunade, Haku didn't know how to heal with chakra. He simply got by with herbs and backwater remedies, which was what most Kiri nins learned in lieu of medical ninjutsu. It was better than Iwa's 'tough it out, it doesn't hurt' ideology at least.

 I was lucky really that Haku turned out to be what some might call a medic; otherwise I would have to suffer with a fractured jawbone and gaping chest wound all the way back to Konoha since I lacked the talent to heal myself– it was kind of pathetic that I was the best healer in the Uchiha clan, really; and it showed just how bad Uchiha members were at medical ninjutsu.

 The bratling had just better be glad that he never really meant to kill Sasuke, only put him in a temporary state of death. Otherwise I would be the worst patient I could possibly be.

 Peach-boy snickered at my quiet compliance to being manhandled by his student, and I threw Haku's pestle at the grey skinned nuke-nin in retaliation. It infuriated me that he caught it. Haku sighed in a way that made me think he was the adult and we were the children. Honestly I didn't blame him; other than Tsunami, Haku was probably the only mature person in Tazuna's house. Tazuna had been kind enough to offer his home to both my team and the Kiri nuke-nins while we recuperated; he also disregarded the fact that Zabuza and Haku had tried their damnedest to kill him not too long ago. Maybe I had misjudged the man.

 He must be more stupid than I thought.

 “Hey Frizzy-sensei! Sasuke-teme is waking up!” Naruto shouted from the other side of the room. I debated briefly between throwing the mortar that went with the pestle at the loud kid or joining him at my cousin's bedside.

 Haku decided for me when he leveled a stern look at me, “Don't get up, you might reopen your wound.”

 “Which?” I asked, deliberately being obtuse. I had only been wounded at the chest, and Haku's reaction was too hilarious to pass up on.

 Like I predicted, Haku blushed and stuttered. It had turned into a rather entertaining game for me to make Haku blush, almost as fun as irritating Sasuke. The ice user was at that awkward age where talking about the other sex's anatomy was very uncomfortable, and I milked it for all it was worth. The boy's visible eye started drifting to my chest before he abruptly jerked his gaze away and stared vehemently at the poor wall. There was a pause before the teen scrambled to his feet and hurried over to check on Sasuke.

 Or to get away from me, it was hard to tell.

 Which Haku out of my hair, I turned my head to eye the Demon of the Mist, who was trying his hardest not to laugh, “Now what?” I asked. I was really hating not being able to speak much, but at least I could speak again.

 Peach-boy shrugged and didn't answer me.

 Not amused, I reached out and flicked the man's big toe, since it was the closest thing to me. Zabuza gave me a funny look to which I returned with a lopsided grin. Now that we weren't enemies I planned to annoy the man to the best of my abilities. With no Kakashi-nii or Nii-san around, I was feeling a little deprived of annoying people. Team 7 didn't count, they were just traumatized whenever I pulled funny shit.

 After failed for several minutes of trying to get a reaction out of the nuke-nin, I reached to my left where Haku had placed my weapons pouch–why did that brat even touch a foreign ninja's weapons pouch was beyond me–and yanked out a my Fan of Wonders. It surprised me that someone, probably Haku, had thought to retrieve the weapon from the bridge; but I wasn't going to complain. The thing was expensive as hell and I would probably never earn enough money to replace the one I had; Kakashi and Obito had to split the cost of it when they had it commissioned for me when I made jounin rank. Besides, I was attached to the fan I had for obvious reasons. Planting my right elbow into the floor, I managed to push myself into a sitting position with the fan in my lap. I really wanted to just lay on my futon and bother Zabuza, but I had a stupid report to fill out.

 Kill me.

 Zabuza had a strange look on his face as he watched me take my field pen and ink block out of their hiding places. He had already seen the senbon launcher and the kunai blade during our fight, so it was no wonder he looked a little amazed at the fan's many hidden compartments. Peaches even choked a little when I twisted the heel sole of my discarded right sandal and pulled out a blank miniature scroll, the perfect size for a messenger hawk to carry.

 “Is there anything you don't hide?” The nuke-nin drawled as I made the ink.

 I gave him a dry look, “My temper.” I deadpanned then ignored Peach-boy as I hurried to write my post battle report. It had already been three days since the battle, if I waited any longer the Hokage was bound to strangle me for mimicking my brothers' habitual laziness.

 'Yellow Update

 Mission status: Complete

 Team: Genin Team 7

 Report: Team encountered A-class nuke-nin, Momochi Zabuza at Destination, with Identified Ally: Yuki Haku. Battle ensued, Team Leader heavily injured: Fractured Jawbone and Wound to Chest. Genin A heavily injured: Temporary Death State and Chakra Depletion. Genin A activated Kekke Genkai, will require Clan Guidance upon Return. Genin B has temporarily Accessed S-Ranked Secret; unknown to all members of Team. Battle concluded with No Deaths in either Party. Deaths of Mercenaries and Gang Leader: Gatou. Temporary Truce with A-class nuke-nin, Momochi Zabuza and Ally. Full Report Due upon Team's Return. Will attempt to solve remaining problem with Diplomacy.'

 I waved the unbound scroll in the air like a little ribbon to dry the ink faster, before rolling it up and painting two bands around the outside, marking it as Moderate Priority. The report was only a post battle report and didn't require the immediate attention of the Hokage; but still, Sasuke's activation of the Sharingan, Naruto's use of the red chakra, and Zabuza's change of heart were all important events that the Hokage should know about before Team 7 made it back home. Especially since he would have to inform the Uchiha clan about Sasuke.

 I was about to tie up the problem with Gatou too when Haku found his courage again and descended on me like a vengeful Ice Princess.

 Peach-boy was no help at all.

 vvv

 Another three weeks went by as we all waited for the bridge to be completed and for Sasuke to regain his strength to move out. The Hokage had sent back a response via my messenger hawk that Zabuza and Haku would accompany us to Konoha, not as prisoners but to work out a deal with the Hokage. I had used my sharingan and a pilfered slip of paper with Gatou's writing on it to forge a will stating that the deceased man's entire fortune went to Zabuza; to give the Kiri nuke-nin an excuse and a place to stay out of trouble. It was for Konoha's benefit; we would lose a customer, but gain an ally and a foothold against Kirigakure if the village ever needed it. After all, a shinobi never wasted an opportunity to plan ahead.

 Unless you were a numskull like Naruto.

 “No, no, no! I can't find it, it's gone!” Naruto cried as he rifled through his mission's pack with desperation to find something. Haku and Hinata were the only ones to watch the brat panic in genuine concern while Sasuke just glared at Haku whenever he thought no one was looking. Zabuza and I straight up did not care.

 “N-Naruto-kun... what are you looking for?” Hinata asked. She had been acting strangely ever since the fight and I fully intended to wring it out of her the second we got home. Or possibly throw her at Obito and let Mr. Feelings deal with the Hyuuga heiress since I already failed at the emotional buddy-buddy thing.

 At least she wasn't stuttering much anymore.

 Naruto groaned and jammed his stubby little finger into his hair in frustration, “Teuchi gave me a coupon for one free order of ramen and I know I had it on me!” I groaned quietly and pinched my nose. I should have known that this was about damn ramen. I was seriously contemplating on sending Naruto to therapy over his addiction to ramen; but I was sure Kushina would roll over in her grave if I did.

 Actually, knowing her, she'd just haunt my ass from the afterlife.

 I shuddered at the possibility and dropped the thought. The last thing I needed was Naruto's mother coming after me as a ghost. She had been scary enough alive and I didn't want to suffer through another concussion courtesy of a dead Uzumaki woman.

 Zabuza shot me a curious look, which I pointedly ignored. I didn't wish to add insanity to the list of things Zabuza thought about me.

 My sensei instincts kicked in by then and I looked up to see Naruto starting to run off, “Hey! Get your ass back here!” I snapped. There wasn't time for this; the Hokage expected us back in a week and I sure as hell wasn't going to let something as stupid as a misplaced coupon delay our return any further.

 “I'll be right back, I swear!” Naruto called over his shoulder. He was gone in a flash, probably thinking that I was going to chase him. I swear that kid was learning to quickly on how to evade my ire, I had a feeling that I was becoming predictable. And a ninja often created very bizarre situations just so they lost their predictability.

 Obito-nii was going to suffer from a butt load of pranks when I got home.

 Haku started after my brat, “I'll get him.” He said calmly before zipping off.

 I pursed my lips and grabbed Sasuke by his Uchiha collar as he began to walk in the opposite direction of Naruto and Haku, “You're going after them.”

 My cousin gave me a very teenager look, “Are you serious?” If I didn't know better, I would say he was whining. In the back of my mind, I groaned. Great, now Sasuke was getting to the teenage rebellion stage and Naruto would likely follow soon. There was going to be a lot of head bashing in their future if they didn't pass through the stage quickly.

 “Yes.” I deadpanned and shoved him back towards the Land of Waves. The boy heaved a sigh and started walking slowly back the way we came. My hand twitched and I came this close to finishing what Haku started. The damn brat was being difficult on purpose!

 Once the damn little cocky Uchiha prince of the brats was gone, Peach-boy turned to me, “You still don't trust us.” It wasn't a question.

 I scoffed, “I trust Haku, at least when it comes to Naruto. It's you I don't trust.”

 “When why-”

 “Why did I send Sasuke after the other two boys?” I finished from him. I shrugged, “Have you seen the was Sasuke glares at Haku? I don't want to deal with that drama for the rest of the week. They can all work out their problems away from me. I'm their sensei, not a damn therapist. Now come along, Hinata, if I remember correctly there's a tea shop around here somewhere.” I didn't leave the Hyuuga any choice as I grabbed her wrist and forcibly dragged her along. I could hear Zabuza sighing then fell in step beside me without a word.

 vvv 3rd POV~ Haku vvv

 “Naruto-san, please. Yanagi-san and Zabuza-sama are waiting for us. Yanagi-san is already upset, let us not anger her more.” Haku asked as he caught up to Naruto. Naruto didn't slow down in his tree jumping though.

 Naruto-san landed on a branch and was about to push off again when a barrage of kunai knives perforated the poor innocent tree limp. Naruto yelled in surprise then followed the trajectory to where Sasuke stood upside down on a branch twenty feet higher than Naruto's.

 “Hey, what's the big idea?! Watch were you're throwing those things, teme!” Naruto shouted as he waved his fist around at his teammate. Haku resolutely decided that this was a team conflict and stayed silent. He had already witnessed the odd dynamics of the dysfunctional Team 7 and didn't wish to be sucked further in to their insanity.

 Sasuke-san didn't sound very amused, “That's payback for not being a team player. You've wasted enough of our time already, let's head back. Yanagi-itoko is pissed.”

 Naruto slumped a little and Haku was mildly surprised that he was already giving in. During one of the many dinners that Yanagi-san practically twisted arms, particularly Zabuza-sama's, to make sure everyone was present, Naruto-san had declared his own nindo way: that he would never give up no matter what. The way the preteen had said it made Haku think Naruto would never stop, not even for the most trivial matters.

 “Okay, I get it.” Sasuke scoffed in victory, but it proved to be premature, “I will... right after I take care of my business!” Naruto-san exclaimed and leaped under Sasuke-san. Naruto patted his rear end in a very immature manner, “Like I'd ever take orders from you, bone-head!” He called to Sasuke, who looked a little bewildered.

 Haku sighed when Sasuke-san shot after his teammate. He had planned to return to Zabuza-sama now that Yanagi-san had sent Sasuke-san after Naruto, but it looked to be he was going to have to go after them and act as the mediator between the two stubborn genin.

 It didn't take long for the three of them to reach the little town where Gatou had been killed. Haku followed after the two younger boys from a short distance, just beyond hearing range. He had stopped for a moment earlier to put on his cracked pseudo hunter-nin mask to hid his burn scars and hadn't bothered to regain the distance it had cost him; he wasn't trying to stop Naruto like Sasuke-san was. Haku saw no need to since they were already in the town, it would just be better for all of them if Naruto-san finished his business and went back willingly. Why Sasuke didn't see that was beyond the Kiri nuke-nin.

 There was a poof of smoke that indicated the use of a jutsu and Haku nearly fell off the roof when he saw that Naruto had transformed into a busty naked girl with only scant puffs of chakra smoke to cover her...

 Haku blushed.

 Yanagi-san had already exploited Haku's aversion to the awkward topic of women anatomy ever since she regained her ability to speak. Zabuza-sama had been no help at all since he found the whole thing amusing. Haku had a sneaking suspicion that Zabuza had intentionally told Yanagi about Haku's dislike of the topic to get back at him for ignoring his master those first three days when Yanagi-san had been unconscious. Haku would have probably continued avoiding Zabuza-sama if Yanagi hadn't, almost literally, bashed their heads together and flat out told them what the other was feelings about Haku's near death.

 For such a surly woman, she did think of others... sometimes.

 While Haku had been trying to collect his dazed thoughts, Sasuke-san thankfully broke the transformation jutsu and had tied Naruto-san up with ninja wire. Haku quickly leaped the rest of the way until he was crouching on the roof directly above the Konoha genin.

 “Just give it up would you?” Sasuke-san asked in that emotionless, slightly condescending, voice he often used when around Naruto. Haku watched the Uchiha boy curiously. They were already in town, to drag Naruto-san back now would be just a waste of time. It was better to let the blonde boy get his coupon and head back, that way they killed two birds with one stone. Right?

Another voice spoke, “Hey! What are you two doing here?” The three boys looked at the speaker. Tazuna-san stood in front of Naruto, looking as if he were about to go on another journey, if the pack on his back was anything to go by. Now that the Great Naruto Bridge was finished, Tazuna would likely be raking in more commissions to build bridges, so it was no surprise to Haku. In fact, if Zabuza-sama decided to stay in the Land of Waves they would probably be escorting Tazuna-san around a lot. Kind of ironic, at least to Haku.

 Naruto brightened at the sight of his team's former employer, “Tazuna-oji! Talk about perfect timing!” He tried to move, but Sasuke jerked on his 'leash', “Ya see I left something at your place.”

 Tazuna-san leaned down so he was closer to Naruto's level, “Wait, let me guess. A little slip of paper?” Naruto nodded happily. “Inari-chan wanted to make sure you had so he ran off a little while ago to take it to you.” Haku mentally winced at that. If Inari-san caught up to the rest of their group, he would have to face Yanagi-san. During their time at Tazuna's house, Haku got the instinct impression that Inari was scared of Yanagi. Knowing the jounin, it probably wasn't unfounded.

 Really, Yanagi-san was just like Zabuza-sama.

 Haku leaped from the roof, surprising Tazuna-san, “Come on. Let us head back, Naruto-san. Maybe we'll come across Inari-san.” He suggested quietly. Naruto seemed to cheer up at the thought but Sasuke-san narrowed his dark eyes at Haku. Haku immediately backed away, he knew that Sasuke-san was touchy about the subject of his defeat and Haku had no intention on broaching the topic until Sasuke-san was more calm, if ever. Haku didn't like conflict of any kind, not even verbally.

 After a few tense seconds of silence, Sasuke-san reached down and cut the ninja wire from Naruto. He turned away and stuffed his hands in his pockets, “Let's go.” He ordered flatly before walking back to the way they came. Naruto-san shot to his feet, dusting off his orange jumpsuit and ran off after his teammate, pausing just briefly to wave good-bye to Tazuna. Haku watched the two genin go with fatigue before tiredly wondering after them. In the scant three weeks he had known Team 7 he had already seen more drama than the entirety of his time with Zabuza-sama.

 Haku seriously doubted he was going to survive the rest of the week with them.

 “Inari! Hey Inari!” Naruto-san was calling as the three of them walked calmly back up the road that they were taking back to Konoha. Naruto was looking left and right, trying to peer into foliage for the little boy. Sasuke-san and Haku walked flanked him, Haku was trying to help Naruto look while Sasuke-san just walked with his hands folded behind his head, he apparently did not wish to help. Haku did not blame him though. Sasuke-san didn't seem like the person to help unless it benefited him. He acted like a true shinobi, unlike Haku who was too soft.

 Naruto-san stopped and planted his fists on his hips, “Huh, I was sure Inari would be down this way...” He mumbled to himself. Haku startled when Naruto suddenly twisted around and pointed an accusing finger to the casual Sasuke-san leaning against a nearby tree. “Hey Sasuke! Get over here and help me look too, would ya?!”

 Sasuke turned his nose in the air, “Listen, Inari when looking for you. This doesn't involve me.” He said with mild contempt. Haku tilted his head to look at the younger dark haired boy. He had often heard that teenagers were rebellious, but he never had been able to witness it himself since he was always around Zabuza-sama who avoided other kids like the plague. He wondered mildly if this was what those people meant.

 Naruto gritted his teeth, “Ah c'mon! Whatever happened to teamwork, huh?!”

 “That's the only reason I'm here with you now, show some gratitude, loser.”

 Haku could hear Naruto's teeth gritting from a few feet away and he winced at the sound. “I'll. Show. You. Gratitude.” Naruto seethed as he stomped off into the woods, punctuating each word with a footstep.

 Haku wanted to comment but felt that it wasn't his place. Besides, Sasuke-san did not seem to like him and Naruto-san didn't look to be in the mood to hear advice from anyone.

 “Hey, where are you going?” Sasuke questioned as he watched his hot headed teammate stomp away.

 “Shut up! I need to go take a leak!” Haku grimaced at Naruto's uncouth manner. It was at times like this that Naruto reminded Haku of the Demon Brothers Zabuza-sama employed. Haku rarely used the word 'dislike', but he did not like those chūnin nuke-nins that followed Zabuza-sama around like unwanted filth.

 Naruto-san bent down to grab something and wondered aloud, “What's my ramen coupon doing out here?” That seemed to prick Sasuke's interest as the other boy came to look over Naruto's shoulder. Haku joined them a little later, but didn't get to close. He didn't feel like he belonged here, he almost felt like a babysitter really.

 Sasuke jerked, seeing something that Haku could not, “Wait a second, look there.” He pointed to the forest floor in front of the duo. Haku looked over the boys' shoulder and saw many footprints in the area. Some big and some... childlike. It wasn't hard to figure out that Inari, and possibly a few friends, had been kidnapped.

 Haku stepped up so he was Naruto's other side, “A fight. Likely a few thugs got a way and decided to take a cowards form of revenge.” He spoke for the first time since they had gone in search of Inari-san.

 There was only a moment's warning before the clouds that had been looming in the sky all day broke and poured their load down on all three of the boys.

 vvv Normal POV vvv

 “Just in time.” I commented as we ducked under the tea shop awning just as the deluge began. I was glad, I didn't have to worry about my hair frizzing up any more than normal. It was bad enough that Naruto called me 'Frizzy-sensei' I didn't want to give anyone else a reason to call me that. The hostess smiled at the three of us and waved us to sit down on the long bench in front before she bowed to us and asked for our orders.

 I rambled off mine and Hinata's, knowing that the little Hyuuga heiress probably wouldn't have it in her to speak up, and leaned back so Peaches could do the same; I was mildly astonished that he ordered water. When the old lady ducked back into the tiny shop, I turned to give Zabuza a look, “Are Kiri nin so obsessed with water they drink it everywhere?” I asked incredulously.

 Peach-boy gave me a glare that could evaporate the rain water off my clothes, “No.”

 I was not letting him get away with that for an answer. I didn't like talking to people much, but I hated awkward silenced even worse. “We're at a tea shop it's generally accepted that people drink tea here.” I pointed out slowly.

 For a moment, I thought Zabuza might actually try and hit me. If he did, then Zabuza vs. Yanagi Round Three would commence. “I don't like tea.” He snapped. Seriously, this guy was never social unless Haku was around and even then it was still a 50/50 chance.

 Now Hinata was giving Zabuza a look. People from Konoha practically lived on tea, especially those living in more traditional clans like Hinata and I. In Konoha, someone saying they didn't like tea was like Naruto suddenly declaring that he detested ramen and became a nuke-nin because the Hokage refused to outlaw it.

 Peachy didn't miss our shared horrified looks. He glare turned defensive and he looked away with a harrumph, mumbling something about stewed leaf water and pesky women. I smirked.

 Yanagi: 17 Zabuza: 12

 Another costumer ducked under the tea shop awning and flapped their soaked leather coat out, spraying the three of us in a fine cold spray, but he didn't remove his hood. Suspicious. Zabuza released a hissed breath and glared at the newcomer out of the corner of his eye. I pretended to ignore them as the lady came out sporting trays with our orders and came to take the order of the new costumer. Hinata gingerly took her cup of hot tea while I popped a stick of sweet dango in my mouth. Even from only two seats away, I could barely hear the newcomer as they spoke with the hostess and that only raised my suspicions.

 Without thinking about it, I nudged Zabuza and handed him his wimpy glass of water to excuse the action. In return he nodded in acknowledgment as he pulled down a few of his bandages to reveal his mouth and took a casual sip of water. The whole exchange was smooth and nothing was suspicious about it. Strange that only a month ago we were enemies and now we were working together as if we had been for years. But I guess being under the same roof for nearly three weeks did that to a group of enemies-turned-allies.

 “So when do you think those brats will get back?” I asked, to keep in character. It would seem suspicious to the tea lady, and possibly the newcomer if he had been watching us before, if we all just fell silent.

 Zabuza grunted and said nothing.

 I rolled my eyes, and not for show either. This man was just as annoying as Obito-nii, only in the opposite way. “Might as well be talking to myself.” I grumbled and popped another dumpling in my mouth, taking all my anger out on it by chewing the poor thing. My anger only elevated when I saw Zabuza's smirk before he brought his water to his lips.

 Soon the dango was all gone, eaten by myself really. Zabuza didn't like sweets apparently and Hinata said she wasn't hungry, though I suspected she only said that to please me. I would have forced her to eat one so she wouldn't be hungry, but decided against it to teach her another hidden lesson. Hinata needed to stop being a people pleaser, in the world of shinobi people would take advantage of her faster than she could blink. The Hyuuga needed to grow a little backbone and courage, otherwise everyone would walk over her more times than a welcome mat. I was sure her father already took advantage of her soft nature and it wouldn't be long before she broke if nothing was done.

 The newcomer had yet to take his hood off. Zabuza and I had already written him off as an enemy, but now Hinata was starting to get the drift. Though she was a green genin and not all the confident, I knew that Hinata was the most observant on out of my trio of brats. Having grown up in the Hyuuga clan and having a functioning Byakugan, Hinata had an eye for detail. A Hyuuga could look at a scene for three seconds, without their Kekke Genkai activated, and rattle back immediately everything in perfect detail. There was a reason why they were the ones assigned the missions that entailed guarding someone or finding lost items. So it was no surprise to me when Hinata began stiffening. Hurriedly I nudged her in the side so not to alert the mystery man.

 “Oi, wanna split a plate of dango? I'm still hungry, but I don't think I can eat all of it this time.” I said easily as I shot a warning look at my student. Hinata luckily caught on to it and nodded before looking down at her lap. Leaning back a little, I waved to the tea shop owner from the large window put behind the bench for that purpose. She nodded at me to show she acknowledged me and continued make the stranger's order.

 vvv 3rd POV~Haku vvv

 “Eh?! Inari did what?!” Naruto-san practically shrieked when Inari's friends told him what happened. Sasuke now looked concerned instead of indifferent about the whole thing. Though, Haku believed that Sasuke-san had been concerned ever since they found the signs of a fight, he was just showing that emotion now instead of suppressing it like he normally did.

 Haku stepped in before Naruto-san could question the obviously traumatized kids further, “Naruto-san, we must go. I know these men, if they find Inari-san...” He trailed off, not wishing to go into detail. Not only were there young kids present, but Sasuke and Naruto were still younger than him and obviously fresh genin. He doubted they had witnessed the true horrors of reality yet. To them everything was still good versus bad; with the bad losing horribly and the good getting away with no permanent injuries.

 Sasuke-san, however, seemed to have a notion of just how bad the situation was for he grabbed Naruto by the arm. “Go back and warn the town.” He ordered the kids before tugging his teammate along into a run. Haku zipped ahead of them. He had been trained as a hunter-nin before Zabuza-sama and he defected from Kirigakure, he was an expert tracker and following after thugs stupid enough to have marked a clear path with cuts in trees was probably the easiest thing he ever did.

 It was quick work finding Inari-san in the river, struggling to make it to shore, and with Naruto-san's numerous shadow clones, it was even easier work to pull him out. Haku felt almost useless standing there next to a line of Narutos and watching as the main Naruto struggled to grab Inari-san's hand. As soon as he had him, Naruto leaped out of the water and set Inari down.

 Immediately Haku scanned Inari-san for any obvious injures, but found none. The Kiri nuke-nin was confused, if Inari wasn't injured then why had he been in the river? He had thought that the thugs of Gatou had thrown him over a cliff to watch him drown, but by all appearances Inari looked as if he had jumped willingly.

 Inari-san was staring at Naruto in a daze. He looked at Sasuke, then at Haku and finally back at Naruto, “Why are you here? How come?” He asked.

 Naruto-san gave Inari his trademark, earsplitting grin, “How come? Cuz of you! You did an awesome job, your friends were able to escape and warn us what happened!”

 “The guys are okay?” Inari asked, but before any of the boys could answer, the sound of many footsteps came from their right. All of them turned to see the remainder of Gatou's thugs, a very small remainder, trotting up with the two filthy right hand men of Gatou leading them. Haku narrowed his eyes behind his mask. He did not like those two for trying to kill Zabuza-sama when he was healing from his first fight with Yanagi-san. The only person he hated more than those two had been Gatou himself. And with Gatou out of the way...

 If Haku liked killing, he might say he was eager to kill those two.

 The crowd came to a stop and one of them, the taller tattooed leader with a cutting fetish accused, accused “You're the brats from the Hidden Leaf!”

 The second leader, the one with the strange jacket and purple stripes under his eyes, yanked out his sword as if it were just a piece of metal and not an extension of his arm, “You've gotta lot of nerve coming back here.” Naruto and Sasuke-san both glared and tensed, ready for battle, but so far no one made a move. The two leaders hadn't seen how the battle of the bridge had turned out with Naruto-san creating thousands of shadow clones and the village showing up to take back their home; but the rest of the thugs had and they knew that Naruto wasn't just any ordinary kid.

 “It's just two kids you guys, go get them!” The second leader shouted when none of his minions immediately ran forward. As if they had been the magic words, the crowd of thugs charged forwards with pathetic battle cries. Sasuke immediately grabbed Inari and jumped back. Haku was glad that Sasuke wouldn't let something like pride put someone else in danger. Until now, the ice user had been worried if that would be a major problem for someone as competitive as Sasuke-san.

 Naruto scoffed, “So, you think you can out number me, do ya?” He asked rhetorically and made his strange hand sign. Multiple Narutos popped back into existence and Haku took a moment to admire the younger kid's stamina. Zabuza-sama had once told him that the shadow clone technique was very high in chakra requirement; that Naruto was able to use the Kagebushin Jutsu twice in so little time and still create more than thirty was something extraordinary.

 Haku waited until Sasuke-san had Inari safely out of the way before joining the fight. Luckily by that time some of the Naruto clones had already been popped and so a nice smoke, much like the Hidden Mist Jutsu, permeated the area. Perfect. Pulling out senbon in each hand, Haku began dancing among the thugs, striking out like a snake and putting anyone he hit in a temporary death state. Even if these men had been willingly with Gatou and not just in it for the money like Zabuza-sama and Haku had been, Haku would not kill them unless they forced his hand.

 Now that Zabuza-sama had given up on his dream and started a more peaceful one, Haku hoped he would never have to kill again.

 vvv Normal POV vvv

 I growled and gnashed my teeth, damn this rain! It was making everything cold and I hated the cold! “It's been hours since they went back, how long does it take for them to find one damn coupon?!” I hissed.

 Peaches shrugged, “Haku will find it even if your pests can't.” Really? He was still doing the whole fangirling thing?

 Ignoring his student posturing for now, I tugged at my ponytail and glared at the stranger still sitting at the end of the tea shop bench. I didn't care if it would alert him or not, I was pissed because he was here and I couldn't pop a shadow clone off to go see what the hell those trio of brats were doing.

 Peach-boy landed an elbow in my ribs, making me grunt. He leaned over and hissed in my ear, “Don't do anything stupid.” Damn it, how did this guy get to be so good at reading my mind in the few weeks we hadn't been trying to kill each other? My own brother, who raised me, wasn't as good a mind reader as Peachy was.

 “Elbow me again, Peach-boy, and I'll break your arm off and shove it up your ass.” I threatened. I heard Hinata whimper slightly behind me and shift away. I really didn't blame her. Hinata was a genin with two high classed jounin who weren't in a very good mood at all; one of which was an infamous nuke-nin who had only recently turned 'good' and the other was from an infamous clan known for their anger induced fights and rather horrifying genjutsu.

 My comment finally seemed to get the stranger's attention, who had, until recently, seemed quite content to act as if we didn't exist. “Interesting...” He said lowly. Zabuza and I both whipped around to glare at him in sync. This was it, most likely the hooded stranger would attack and I could take my pent up anger out on him and bash his brains in. I almost shivered in excitement.

 The hood turned a little, giving me the impression that the man might be looking at us out of the corner of his eye, “I thought you were a family, guess your not.”

 Hinata eeped behind me while Peaches and I exchanged dry looks. How this idiot stranger came to such a conclusion, or how he proved himself wrong, I did not wish to know. At all. Ever. Seriously, all three of us were wearing our haiti-ate, of two different villages no less, and Zabuza was lugging around Kubikiribōchō on his back. All we lacked was a sign that said WE ARE SHINOBI AND WILL KICK YOUR ASS. How this idiot thought we might possibly be a family was beyond me. Of course, he could be trying to get a raise out of us. But even then it wouldn't work. Shinobi had control over their emotions, most of the time, and trying to make a ninja blush was about the hardest thing to do and the most clichéd.

 “And I think you're an idiot, turns out I'm right.” I retorted. I was already irritated with my little brats and this never ending rain. Being associated to Peach-bastard in a positive manner was just the icing on the shit cake of my day. We could be out of the damn Wave Country already if Naruto hadn't gone after his damn ramen coupon!

 I swear I was going to kill the brat with training when we got back to Konoha. He'd never ask for another mission like this ever again.

 Unfortunately the hooded man seemed to find amusement in my statement and just laughed. My right eye started twitching then and I was contemplating bodily harm when the source of my ire finally decided to show their nasty little faces. I turned my glare on all three boys when they came up to the tea shop, completely soaked. Naruto and Sasuke paled while Haku stiffened. He might have paled too, but he was strangely wearing his mask. After we had first left the town, Haku had taken the mask off and hadn't put it back on since.

 No matter, he was dead in a few minutes anyway.

 I inspected the other two brats and found small scrapes and specks of blood on their clothing. I hung my head with a long suffering groan. Of course, they would get into some dramatic fight with random enemies. Team 7 was unlucky enough to land a falsely labeled A-rank mission on their first 'C-rank' mission, so why not add more drama to it already?!

 Damn karma demons. Why was I the one stuck with the unluckiest team on earth?

 Sasuke seemed to sense my exasperation for he opened his mouth, no doubt to report, but I just held up a hand, “I do not want to know. You little bastards are filling out your own paperwork this time.” I was not going to be doing paperwork over an extra mission that I didn't even participate in! Filling out paperwork on additional missions that didn't follow the primary objective were a pain in the ass to fill out, more so than normal.

 Naruto and Sasuke shrunk back behind Haku, who seemed to be eying the hooded stranger still sitting quietly off to the side. Zabuza laid money down for our food, which was surprising because I was sure he'd make me pay for what Hinata and I ordered. Peach-boy had struck me to be a big penny-pincher; but I wasn't going to complain if he proved me wrong. More money for me.

 Haku removed his mask to speak, but before a single syllable could leave his mouth, the stranger attacked. Immediately all of us reacted and reached for our nearest weapons, but didn't get the chance to attack. Mostly because we were all staring at the stranger hugging Haku. Not strangling. Not holding him hostage. Not even acting aggressive.

 Hugging.

 Zabuza and I exchanged confused looks. We had probably seen a lot of strange things in our careers, but a total stranger hugging a shinobi scarred by angry red burn marks had to be at least in the top five of most bizarre.

 And yes, this incident beat the time I had to accompany a nobleman's daughter to a local bathhouse, as the 'friend of the day', only to have her almost abducted by her ex-sumo-wrestler ex-boyfriend. Somehow there was also a chicken involved.

 “Oh you poor baby! Poor child! Who did this to you?” The man asked in an odd squeaky voice. His voice was still deep but it rose several octaves at the end of every sentence, almost as if he were talking in questions. Poor Haku looked bewildered and shot us pleading looks from his prison. I seriously doubted Obito, who was internationally known for his infiltration and evasion skills, could get out of that hug.

 “Eh?! Just who are you?” Naruto shouted, pointing a finger at the stranger.

 The man seemed to realize he had an audience, even the damn tea lady had come out of her shop to stare at him. He laughed sheepishly and put Haku back down on the ground, but didn't release the poor kid, “Oh... my name is Kurosawa Momoko.” The person pushed back their hood to reveal a pair of upturned eyes, much like Naruto's, and a mess of short chocolate brown hair. A scar, a nick really, slanted over Momoko's cheekbone and curved downwards towards his jaw like a sideways hook; that alone was enough to identify him as who he said he was.

 I blinked, Zabuza facepalmed and Haku blanched under his burn marks. Team 7 looked between the three of us confused, not understanding anything going on but I couldn't blame their ignorance for that. They were fresh from the Academy and barely knew what a nuke-nin was. Kurosawa Momoko was an infamous mercenary who was responsible for the fall of some country no one remembered anymore more than a decade ago. He... She got her name 'Nariagari Naginata' for the legend of starting several civil wars by using only her naginata and pepper spray.

 All for the fun of it.

 “Last the rumors had it you were in Grass Country causing trouble.” I said dryly.

 Momoko laughed and waved a hand, “I've retired from that business, dearie,” I twitched at the endearment, “there's no fun in it anymore. I got my fill of fighting, now I just wonder the world. I'm glad I did too! Cuz I wouldn't have met this cutie otherwise!” The older woman squeezed an extra ten years out of Haku.

 Peach-boy wasn't looking amused, “Release him.” He snarled. I pursed my lips and wondered if I should stop Zabuza before he did anything rash. It wasn't like he couldn't handle himself against Momoko; for all her skill, she wasn't a ninja and was thus as a great disadvantage, but killing someone just because she was touching his student was a little... well, stupid. Not that I could really blame Peaches for being overprotective, I'll admit that I was slightly overprotective of Sasuke since he had almost died.

 Momoko gave Zabuza a shit-eating grin that dared him to try something and my respect for her went up a little. Not many people could grin cheekily at a pissed off shinobi with a big ass sword and sharp, predatory teeth bared. “Sorry, hon, no can do.” From the look on Zabuza's face, I'd say he wasn't used to people telling him no.

 Though I found the encounter amusing now that I knew that Momoko wouldn't be a threat to us, I was still frustrated. I wanted to go home not stand around in front of some random tea shop in Wave Country and watching an infamous mercenary butt heads with an equally infamous nuke-nin.

 I snagged Naruto's collar and began dragging him away, “Duckass and Hinata, we're going. Those three can work their own problems out.” I ordered. I was so done with solving other people's problems, if I wasn't getting paid for it I wasn't going to lift a damn finger to help. My two slightly smarter students immediately fell in step behind me while Naruto struggled to break my grip on his jumpsuit, squawking with indignity.

 An hour later when Zabuza and Haku finally caught up to us, neither looking remotely pleased with me, I noticed that Momoko was still firmly attached to Haku. That's when I started laughing and didn't stop until set up camp. Even then I would occasionally start snickering again whenever I glanced over at Ice Princess and his involuntarily new mercenary friend.

 vvv

 Our little motley group made it back to Konoha two days behind schedule, and thus earning me a rather stern lecture from the Hokage about picking up my brother's worst habits. Team 7 made our mission's report, as well as Sasuke and Naruto's side mission, then stepped aside and let Peach-boy and Ice Princess lay out a rough plan on what they intended to do now that they weren't 'bad guys' anymore. Apparently they were planning on using Gatou's money to start something like the Academy, to teach the younger generations how to protect themselves properly. The Land of Waves was no where near powerful or wealthy enough to be a shinobi nation, but they wouldn't be at the mercy of people like Gatou anymore.

 Though half of his face was covered up again with bandages, I swore I could see Zabuza's eyes light up in surprise and respect for the Hokage when the old man suggested he meet with one of the Nara to discuss further development on the plans. Apparently that thing just wasn't done.

 Welcome to Konoha, Peach-boy. And get used to our bizarre flavor of insanity.

 As soon as both the verbal and written reports were done, which took two extra hours since I had to teach my brats the proper way to write a report, the six of us were released back into the dying sunlight and into Momoko's waiting arms–at least for Haku.

 I, on the other hand, was apprehended by someone else entirely.

 “Imoto!”

 “Damn it, let go of me Nii-san, before I crack your skull open with a blunt spoon!”

 Obito dropped me, knowing I would at least try to attempt my threat if I thought he didn't believe me. I landed in a pile at his feet and glared up at Nii-san from my spot on the ground. Obito grinned back, “I heard ya had fun. Oh, and Rin-chan as a few choice words for you when she sees you next.” I paled at that. Rin was probably the only medic I really trusted, but she took after Kushina and her hero, Senju Tsunade, too much. If she had somehow found out about the injuries I sustained during the mission...

 I gulped. The only thing I feared the most was Rin when she was pissed off about my medical state.

 Even Kakashi was scared of her then, and he feared nothing. Or so he said.

 “Come on, Haku, we should get your burns looked at.” I started and reached out to grab Haku's arm. I was totally using the kid as a meat shield from Obito's kunoichi teammate.

 Unfortunately Zabuza seemed to catch onto my plan and moved Haku, and by association Momoko, out of my reach. The glint in his eyes told me he meant to do it on purpose, and he fully intended to see me suffer. I was sorely tempted to sic my brother on him in retaliation.

 “Oi! Who the hell are you?!” Obito barked when his attention was drawn to the two Kiri nuke-nins and one clingy retired mercenary.

 Screw it, I was setting Nii-san on Zabuza anyway, just for the hell of it.

 Flashing Zabuza a sneer, I turned to Obito, “Nii-san, this is Momochi Zabuza... and friends.” My brother's goofy aura that he seemed to always emanate faded and his dark gaze turned steely. I always loved watching people around my brother when he went from an idiot to the hardened war veteran he rarely showed. It was a sadistic joy, but I reveled in their looks of horror and fright. I snickered when my team and even Haku inched a little away from the older Uchiha. Zabuza and Momoko didn't look all that bothered though.

 Now for the icing on the cake.

 “And he's the one who injured me.” I added cheerfully, like the helpful little sister I was. Quickly, to be just as helpful, I turned to Zabuza and introduced my brother, just in case he didn't already know him, “Peaches, this is my Nii-san, Uchiha Obito. Internationally known as the Uchiha Phantom or the Ghost of Konoha.”

 Wow, I never thought anyone could go white so fast.

 Momoko was giving me a reassessing look, apparently she approved of my throwing Zabuza to the wolves. I only smirked at the older woman and winked. I fully intended to take responsibility for this. If there was one thing I wanted to see in my life it was Obito butting heads with Zabuza, even if I had to throw them at each other myself!

 Unfortunately Kakashi had to ruin it all.

 “Obito, Rin said that you're to drag Yanagi to her no matter what. Stop glaring at grouchy minnows and do what you're told before she turns her ire on you.” Kakashi commented drily as he popped into existence with the help of a white puff of cloud beside Obito, his standard perverted orange book in hand, “I'll take care of the pest.” He added belatedly and with much venom.

 “Grouchy what?!”

 Nii-san forgot his anger with Zabuza, or at least he ignored it, and snagged me by the arm. “Let's go imoto, before Rin-chan really gets pissed off.” I struggled in his grip, but there was no escaping an escape artist like him. It looked like I was resigned to the fate of being dragged away to meet my doom.

 Just before Obito could walk away, Kakashi said nonchalantly, “By the way, she wanted to see Team 7 and Momochi's brat too.”

 Yes! There was justice in the world!

  Chapter 17: Welcome… Home?

Rin had generously decided to forgo trying to force me into a hospital and just told Obito to bring me, and by result everyone I had returned with, to Obito's and my house. Like my brother, I had a major phobia about hospitals more so than the normal shinobi, so Rin knew that the only way she could get me there was if Obito knocked me unconscious first. And I would not be happy if I woke up there. Our small entourage marched straight through the Uchiha entrance gates with suspicious looks from the guards. The three of us Uchiha weren't paid any mind, nor was Kakashi who was practically an Uchiha in all but name and looks; but Hinata, Naruto and Zabuza received the brunt of every Uchiha member's narrow gaze. Whenever I returned their glares tenfold each person quickly found something far more interesting than the Hyuuga heiress, the Kyuubi brat, and a famous nuke-nin walking around.

 I was the only one who got to glare at them and get away with it!

 I nearly cried in despair when I saw the crowd waiting around the house. Not only had Rin converged on the house, but Sasuke's entire family and Shisui as well. Itachi and Mikoto-oba I didn't mind, Fugaku could go to hell, and Shisui would most likely gang up on me with Zabuza if they were introduced.

 Just end my misery now.

 Rin descended on me before I could punch Nii-san for not warning me about my imminent doom, “Yanagi-chan! I've told you a million times, a million times, that your body can't withstand so much chakra exhaustion! You're going to kill yourself if you keep doing this!” For such a small woman, she had a large voice. No doubt earned from being the kunoichi teammate of two hardheaded stubborn mules commonly known as Kakashi and Obito. “And don't you dare tell me it's part of a shinobi's job like you did last time, this is the eighth mission where you suffered from it! I know you have above average chakra reserves, so how the hell do you manage eight missions in three months?! The expected amount for your chakra levels is only three missions in a year, a year do you hear me?! Not only that, but Obito-kun tells me you passed out from chakra exhaustion twice during your last mission! Well, what have you to say for yourself?!”

 “Sorry mom.”

 In a joint effort, I received three smacks upside the head from all members of Team Minato for my snide remark. I sighed under my breath and idly rubbed my abused head as Kakashi and Obito joined in Rin's lecturing. Sometimes I felt like I had three mothers instead of two brothers and their teammate, it was ridiculous when Team Minato teamed up on me. Most likely this would end with me having a head trauma, a result of the trio smacking me every time I said something snarky, and the three of them arguing with each other. It happened every time and it gave me the perfect chance to slip away though.

 Luckily Fugaku wasn't in the mood to hear three idiots ganging up on a poor defenseless girl and snapped, “Enough.” Team Minato fell silent immediately, but all shot me looks that promised a continuation of the conversation when Fugaku wasn't there to ruin their fun.

 Couldn't wait.

 “Report, Yanagi.” Fugaku ordered me. I glared at my clan leader, not in the mood for niceties. Why the hell did I have to report?! Fugaku-sama already had my post-battle report and the Hokage would be sending him a copy of Team 7's debriefing since it concerned the Uchiha clan.

 He wanted a report? Fine, I'd give him a report.

 “Uchiha Sasuke went above the line of duty and protected his teammate, earning himself the hallowed kekke genkai of our glorious clan. Then he passed out from chakra exhaustion.” Oh, you could taste the sarcasm rolling off me in waves.

 Zabuza shot me a subtle knowing look, of which Obito caught and reflected it back with a 'Big Brother Glare' probably thinking it meant something else. Okay so I was lying when I said that Sasuke passed out, but I was not telling the leader of the Uchiha clan, Sasuke's own damn father, that the person who had made an attempt on his youngest son's life was standing right beside the duckass boy. Especially not when the three strongest Uchiha in the clan were standing right there, one of which being Sasuke's overprotective brother. Haku wouldn't make it a step before he was put through the most horrifying genjutsu he could imagine, sliced into tiny pieces, and incinerated to the point that his ashes were microscopic.

 And he thought I was terrifying.

 Grabbing my brother by his flak jacket, I reached for the inside pocket and snagged myself a piece of candy before he could do anything. Obito squawked and tried to take the sweet back, but I evaded his hand and popped it into my mouth with a grin.

 “Yanagi! That was mine, damn it! You have you're own.” Nii-san snapped at me.

 I shrugged and said around the hard candy, “I'm pretty sure that brat Inari stole my candy stash I had on me. I need sugar before I go on a rampage.” I grimaced when I realized that the confectionery I had stolen was strawberry flavored, but I didn't dare spit it out no matter how much I disliked it. Obito would destroy me if I wasted candy, especially when it was his favorite flavor.

 My brother scoffed at me, “You let your candy get stolen? By a kid?” Funny, coming from the guy who couldn't even stop me from stealing his candy in plain sight.

 “Well you can't blame me, I can't really protect my stash when I'm unconscious.” Wrong thing to say, because that opened Lecture Yanagi About Chakra Exhaustion version 2; and this time Mikoto jumped in on the mothering too. I threw up my hands in defense and immediately started apologizing. I could get away with being surly when Team Minato lectured me, but I could never pull that shit with my aunt. Not without earning an earful from both her and Fugaku about respecting one's elders. I was really tempted to make the sign to ward off evil, but decided against it for the sake of keeping my head where it was.

 vvv 3rd POV~ Sasuke vvv

 Everyone else watched with varying levels of amusement as Yanagi-itoko began apologizing profusely once Kaa-chan joined Obito and his team in yelling at her. Sasuke felt very satisfied to see his sensei and cousin taken down from that high pedestal she put herself on, even if it was only for a moment.

 Yanagi-sensei had been more bearable after Sasuke's brush with death, but only a little. She had gone from treating him like scum under her sandal to being slightly overprotective. Sasuke couldn't really blame her for that, she must have been feeling very guilty if it showed even the slightest. So he endured it as best he could, even if it annoyed him to no end. Kaa-chan and Itachi-nii already smothered him, and having Sasuke's normally grouchy sensei doing the same was irritating. He expected Yanagi to treat him like he was any other genin, it was a refreshing experience from his mother and brother's babying or his father's negligence. Still, Yanagi was very arrogant, and Sasuke didn't like that. So he thought she was getting what she deserved.

 Shisui snorted from Itachi's side, “How long do you think it'll take before she's forgiven this time?” This time? Did this happen a lot? Sasuke hardly saw his two elusive cousins before Yanagi became his sensei. Honestly, he hadn't been able to recall their names at times. When Sasuke first asked his family why he never saw more of his cousins, they carefully changed the subject and he never thought of it again. He knew next to nothing about his cousins, Sasuke didn't even know if they were related to him on his mother or father's side! And he hated not knowing things.

 “Hn. Two episodes of chakra exhaustion is enough to worry anyone. Even if they forgive Yanagi-san, I doubt Obito-san and his friends will ever let her live it down.” Itachi-nii said quietly while casting an expressionless look at Zabuza standing a little further away. Sasuke could see the gears turning in his brother's head. The navy-haired Uchiha had no doubt that his Nii-san was coming to very accurate conclusions about Zabuza and his hand in everything. He wasn't called the genius of his generation for nothing.

 Shisui followed Itachi's gaze and grinned cheerfully at the grumpy nuke-nin, “Yo! Kiri nin, huh? Odd seeing one of you in Konoha. Did you have mission complications with Yagi-chan?” When Zabuza gave him a glare, Shisui's grin took on a devious twist, “Oh I see~! Let me warn you though, Obito-senpai is very overprotective about his little sister. He might actually try to kill you if you make a move on Yagi-chan.”

 The revulsion in Zabuza's eyes amused Sasuke greatly. Sasuke had wondered if Zabuza was interested in Yanagi-sensei romantically. In fact both Team 7 and Haku had often discussed the possibility of their teachers being together, even Momoko seemed to agree that Yanagi and Zabuza liked each other. Not that they'd ever admit it.

 “What was that?!” Obito's voice carried over from where he was cornering his sister.

 Shisui actually cackled, loudly. “Once again, Obito-senpai's sonic hearing strikes! Better run, Kiri nin-san, Obito-senpai has a habit of attacking first and asking questions later... if you can still talk that is.”

 Zabuza shot Shisui a nasty look and Naruto was staring at the goofy Uchiha in confusion, “Eh? Who are you?” The blonde idiot asked, rudely pointing a finger at the older Uchiha.

 Itachi's best friend didn't take offense though, Sasuke would be genuinely surprised when Shisui did take offense over something. He was the most easy-going person he knew of, and Sasuke still couldn't believe that Shisui was the strongest in the clan! “Why, I'm the great Uchiha Shisui! Nice to meet ya, Naruto-kun!”

 Naruto looked surprised that Shisui knew his name, but the young Uchiha boy wasn't paying attention to his teammate. He was more interested in how Zabuza stiffened up and stared at Shisui with an almost fearful look. Even the mercenary Momoko looked more alert now, her eyes sharpening over poor Haku's head as she continued to cling to him. It made Sasuke wonder just what Shisui did to earn his reputation as being the strongest Uchiha. Now that he had the sharingan, he could know the secret. That's what Yanagi-sensei had told him during their first team meeting.

 “Damn it, Obito! I swear I'll kill you!” Yanagi suddenly snapped and everyone not part of that particular conversation turned to see Yanagi glaring harshly at her brother, who's expression was an odd one of smugness and annoyance.

 “Oh really? And just how are you going to do that?” Obito asked sardonically. Beside him, Obito's teammates, whom Sasuke still didn't know the names of, rolled their eyes.

 There was a long moment of silence as the two hot headed Uchiha glared at each other before Yanagi threw her head back and announced loudly, “I declare another Prank War on you, Uchiha Obito!” Every Uchiha in hearing range, even Itachi, choked. It had been almost four years since the last prank war, but Sasuke remembered it very clearly. It had been one of the few times he remembered that his cousins existed, mostly because their pranks had been leaking out and fooling other clan members. It had gotten bad enough that Tou-sama finally ordered both of them to stop under the threat of being kicked out of the Uchiha Compound for good.

 Behind him, Sasuke heard Zabuza muttering under his breath, “That's our cue to leave” followed by Shisui's loud cheerfulness of, “Allow me to escort you out! The Uchiha guards can be a bit nasty if you leave alone.” Somehow Sasuke didn't think that Shisui was escorting the Kiri nuke-nins, and Momoko, out of the Compound by the kindness of his heart.

 Sasuke debated if his parents would let him leave with Zabuza. He knew he was going to be in the crossfire between Yanagi and Obito when all hell broke loose and he wanted to get out while he still could.

 vvv Normal POV vvv

 While Nii-san was still stunned at my deceleration, I turned to his teammates, “Are you two staying for dinner?” I asked, a complete 180 from how I had been acting only a moment ago.

 Rin and Kakashi, however, were used to my mood swings. Kakashi shrugged his assent while Rin shook her head, “Sorry, I have to go check that Kiri boy before they leave. I'm worried that that eye of his might be infected, has it been bloodshot ever since the fight?” I would always be amazed that even when Rin was in the middle of lecture me she would notice an injury on someone twenty feet away. Must be a medic intuition or something.

 I nodded, not at all offended that she didn't trust my skill at medical ninjutsu. I didn't trust my skill at medical ninjutsu, I only learned it because Rin was determined that I had the basics down just in case. “Yes. I hit Haku with a fireball and that caused his capillaries in his eye to burst. You might want to check his chest too!” I told Rin as she took off. She waved her hand to show that she heard, already calling out Shisui's name.

 Mikoto rolled her eyes at all of us and shook her head, “Well if we're done then I guess I should start dinner for my own family.” She turned that hard eyed 'mother' look on me and I had to suppress the shudder going up my spine, “Remember what I told you, Yanagi-chan.” She practically growled and I was once again reminded that my aunt used to be a very powerful jounin before she retired to raise her boys.

 “Yes, ma'am.” I squeaked. The Uchiha matriarch smiled fondly at me and dipped her head in a good-bye before going to join her husband and sons. All four of the Main Branch family left quietly after that, and only Itachi-san bothered to say good-bye to his cousins. My eye twitched as I glared at Sasuke's retreating back.

 Rude little brat.

 Immediately after Fugaku was gone, Obito trapped me in a choke hold, “What the hell, ya little brat? Ya trying to get us killed by our uncle?! Don't you remember what happened last time?” My brother snapped at me.

 I glared up at him, “It's your fault, you shouldn't have said what you did, bastard.” I snapped.

 “Yeah, well I noticed you didn't deny it!”

 “NO! I did not like Peach-boy in that way, you sick pervert! Keep you mind out of the gutter! Just because I act friendly with someone of the opposite sex does not mean I like them!” I snapped and dug my fingers in Obito's left side where an old injury slashed across his ribcage. My brother hissed in pain and released me.

 I whirled on my two remaining genin, “Naruto! Hinata! Get cleaned up and stop gawking like idiots!” I barked. Both of them jolted and blinked at me dumbly. I rolled my eyes in exasperation and explained further, “Clean up for dinner, nitwits. Unless you have somewhere else to be, you're staying here for dinner.”

 Naruto immediately started whining, “Eh?! But I was gonna go to Ichiraku Ramen for dinner! I went through all that trouble for the coupon and-”

 Grabbing his earlobe, I yanked on it to shut the brat up, “Having ramen after a mission is not healthy. I'm not going to have the Hokage jumping down my throat later on in life because you die on a mission due to lack of nutrition. You're staying for dinner and that's final.” I snarled without any real anger in it. When I let go of Naruto's ear, he clasped his hands to the abused cartilage and danced around, howling in pain.

 Hinata was pushing her forefingers together again and I reflexively swatted her hands down, “F-forgive me, Yanagi-sensei, but I… my Tou-sama… I mean…”

 I rolled my eyes and waved her away, “I forget. Go on if your clan needs you.” Hinata gulped and made a quick bobbing bow before fleeing like the devil was on her heels. I watched her go and hoped that the entrance gate guards wouldn't give the Hyuuga girl any trouble. They were a real stickler about visitors, even to the point that visitors had to leave the Compound with an Uchiha escort so they weren't heckled.

 Grabbing Naruto by the collar of his jumpsuit before he could sneak away, I marched into the house, past the squabble that had started between Kakashi and Obito-nii. Honestly, those two were just a grown up version of Sasuke and Naruto.

 ...Or was Sasuke and Naruto a younger version of my brothers?

 I deposited Naruto on the common room couch, where I could keep and eye on him as I made dinner, with a warning not to break anything. The brat didn't move, other than to cross his arms and sulk. I said nothing as I went into the kitchen, the brat would eat whatever I cooked without complaining or I'd kick his ass tomorrow in training.

 After the mess of the Wave mission, I came to the conclusion that it was best if I started taking Team 7's training seriously. I hadn't expected to run into the problem of an upgraded mission rank so soon, and if this bad luck continued I had no doubt it would happen again. It was better to over-train the brats and let them be bored out of their skulls with D-rank than to have them die on a mission they were ill prepared for.

 “Damn it… where is that-!” I cut off with a yelp when a hand appeared over my shoulder, holding the chili powder I was looking for. I twisted around to find Kakashi-nii giving me his trademark eye smile. Cautiously I took the powder from my adoptive brother while giving him a wary look. Kakashi was a neutral party when it came to spats between Nii-san and I; while Rin normally took the side of whoever she thought was right, Kakashi took the side of whoever the hell he wanted to win. And that depended on who pissed him off the most. His loyalty often changed several times before the warring between Obito and I ended.

 Needless to say I didn't really trust the Copy ninja much when it came to pranks.

 Kakashi-nii went to the other side of the kitchen to stir the Miso soup. I watched him like a hawk, knowing this wasn't just about pranking my brother anymore. Kakashi tried to avoided my kitchen whenever possible because he claimed I was a slave driver to anyone who dared enter; but it was his last sanctuary from Obito and Gai since they never stepped foot in the room. The kitchen was my domain and I didn't like trespassers.

 I knew exactly why Kakashi was in here, and it had nothing to do with Obito being an idiot.

 I peeked out of the doorway to where Naruto was sitting. Obito had joined my blonde student on the couch and was listening to Minato's son as he talked animatedly, waving his hands in the air and imitating explosions–probably talking about the Wave mission. Unlike Kakashi, Obito seemed to be enjoying Naruto's company if his wide grin was anything to go by.

 Looking back at Kakashi, I debated on saying anything. Minato-san's death was a touchy subject for any member of Team Minato, but it was a personal issue to Kakashi-nii. Kakashi had known Minato-san longer than Obito and Rin; and even though all three of them saw the blonde Yondaime as a father figure, it was Kakashi that Minato practically raised.

 “So did you ever decide what to do with Netsui?” I asked casually as I returned to chopping vegetables. Even the most oblivious person could see the way Kakashi's shoulders relaxed at my question. I was sorely tempted to throw something at the silver haired jounin. I was rude and nosy with a penchant to collect blackmail whenever I could, true, but I wasn't dense like my brother was. I knew when some topics were touchy and best avoided at all costs; having quite a few subjects I liked to avoid myself.

 Especially when the other person had a very nasty mean streak that rivaled mine and my brother's combined.

 Kakashi hummed from his side of the small kitchen, “Yes. I gave him a trial run, which he passed. He starts training full time next week. Also,” Kakashi's voice turned a little colder, “why didn't you tell me that his twin sister was a fangirl? She wouldn't stop yapping about Sasuke-kun when I took her to Rin.” He hissed at me.

 I laughed, “Oh did I forget to mention that part?” I asked in false surprise then laughed even louder when Kakashi glared at me.

 “What did Rin-chan do to you to piss you off?”

 “Nothing. Really, it's more like what Nerai did to me. We know how Rin is when she's annoyed.”

 Kakashi-nii grimaced, probably remembering a few such instances. While both men on Team Minato had more leeway than most people when it came to Rin, she could only take so much of their incessant bickering before she started smashing heads together. Hard.

 I waved Kakashi away before he could say anything else, “If you're going to be in here, then set the table. And make sure you wipe it down before you do anything! I know how you and my brother are!” Obito and Kakashi were notorious for setting the table without cleaning it first. I always cringed at the thought of eating at a dirty table, but everyone always told me it was just my clean freak showing. I always responded by telling them to go to hell. It was my kitchen and my table. If they wanted to eat my food then they better listen to what I told them to do, damn it!

 “Ugh! No, I'm not eating it!” Naruto whined half an hour later after I finally managed to wrangle my student and Obito into the kitchen to sit down and eat. Already I was regretting letting those two idiots be friends instead of hating each other. All they did was just bounce their idiocy off each other until it was unbearable. I had to actually threaten Kakashi with blackmail so he wouldn't leave me alone with Idiot One and Two.

 Needless to say he wasn't very happy with me.

 I laid my hands flat on the table and towered over the blonde brat, “Listen here, Dumbass, you're going to eat what I cooked or you can starve.”

 “Ha! You can't stop me from eating when I leave! I can easily go home and eat ramen!”

 “Don't think I won't burn your ramen stash; and I am perfectly willing to blackmail Teuchi-san into banning you from his ramen stand. You can ask Kakashi and Obito how far I'm willing to go to get my way. Eat your vegetables, idiot, or starve.”

 “You're not my mom!”

 My eye twitched. This brat was really trying my patience, “No, but I am your sensei and legal guardian. If I say jump, you say-”

 Naruto cut me off, “Wait, really?”

 I blinked momentarily in confusion, thinking he was answering me. When I saw that odd look of eagerness and hope in the brat's bright blue eyes I understood what he was asking. This was Naruto I was talking to, someone who had only been treated with disdain and neglect throughout of his childhood. Underneath that loudmouth idiocy facade he had, Naruto was really just a lost little kid who wanted a family.

 Rolling my eyes, I sat back down with a scoff, “Duh. Did you even read the Shinobi Handbook? Law is that orphaned genin are automatically wards of their jounin sensei until they turn sixteen or become chūnin. Even if they have relatives, it's overlooked to prevent confusion and unnecessary conflict. The only exception is if the genin is part of a clan, and then they just become wards to the clan leader.” Like Nii-san and I had been when our parents died. But both Rin and Kakashi had been legally considered Minato and Kushina's wards. Technically, Kakashi, Rin and I all had joint custody over Naruto; as well as his godfather Jiraiya wherever the hell that pervert was at the moment.

 If a fight about guardianship ever broke out over Naruto, I had a feeling that all of Konoha would eventually be dragged into it.

 There was a silence over the table as Naruto stared at me in astonishment and slight awe, which made me very uncomfortable. I wasn't a very affectionate person, and while I enjoyed glances of wonder because the person thought I was amazing, I did not like being stared at. I glared at him, “Shut up and eat your stir fry.”

 Naruto pouted.

 “Get used to it, gaki. This is the way my imoto shows affection,” Obito snorted. I glared at my brother but said nothing as he took a large bite of his oyakodon Donburi, his favorite food. Immediately Nii-san spat it back out and lunged for his water glass, draining the whole thing in one fell swoop.

 Obito was a wimp when it came to spicy foods.

 “YANAGI!!!” My brother roared and I took that as my cue to flee the scene until further notice. It might be best if I begged someone for a place to sleep for the night.

 The Prank War had started.

 vvv

 “Alright, bratlings, time to get serious.” I said the moment the last member of my students, Hinata surprisingly, appeared the next day. I felt an odd mixture of pride and annoyance when all three of them went white as a sheet.

 ...Maybe I was being too harsh on them...

 Naw.

 I held up one bell, “If you get this bell by lunch I won't use you as training dummies for the rest of the day and I won't request the Retrieve Tora mission for a month.” I was going to pull a classic Team 7 Sensei maneuver, minus the hidden teamwork message since I didn't have time for that bullshit. After all, what was this generation's Team 7 if I didn't force them to do the bell test at least once in their lives? I had never personally experienced it, but I knew enough from when Nii-san complained about it.

 Needless to say I had their undivided attention now. My grin turned a smidgen more evil as I added, “and you better came at me with the intent to kill, because I'm not going to hold back.” Cue the 'oh shit' looks on my cute little genin's faces. “Ready… Go!”

 They lasted ten minutes.

 I casually eyed the slightly ruffled training ground with mild distaste. When Nii-san and I spared, on the rare occasion that we weren't at each other's throats long enough to have a friendly spare, there would be at least a tree or two uprooted and several burn marks. When Kakashi-nii joined us, Fugaku was forced to reconstruct the demolished training grounds. And he was never happy about it.

 But we were never as destructive as Itachi-san and Shisui. Fugaku actually banned the two from sparing in the Uchiha Compound.

 There wasn't even a broken tree limp from Team 7's rather pathetic attempt at fighting. It was a wonder how they had survived the Wave mission. I pinned each genin with a glare. “Up. Again.” I barked and fell back into stance. Naruto wasn't the only one to groan as they climbed to their feet.

 By noon I still hadn't broken a sweat and the brats still didn't get close to the bell. And that was only because Sasuke and Naruto somehow got it into their heads that this exercise was no longer about teamwork but a pissing contest between two idiots. Even Hinata was starting to get frustrated with the two of them when I called time.

 I was irritated enough by then that I bashed the boys' heads together hard to get them to shut up, “If I have to beat this stubbornness out of you I will,” I snarled, “even if I have to tie you together!” Both boys winced in horror at the thought. Maybe it would scare them into working together finally.

 Turning to Hinata, I opened my mouth to tell her how she failed the exercise and noticed her wide lavender eyes filling with horror. I grinned, sometimes it was just fun to traumatize kids. Not because they needed to face reality or because it was an accident, but it was just so damn fun-

 It was hard to describe what happened next. One moment I was smirking evilly down at the shy little kunoichi and the next I was wet, as in soaked to the bone. And not only that, I was cold. If I wasn't mistaken there was an ice cube sliding down the back of my shirt, along my spine.

 I fucking hated the cold.

 Turning around slowly I pinned my grinning brother with a deadly look. On either side of Obito, Naruto and Sasuke looked both horrified and amused at the same time. So they were in on it then. “...Obito...” I hissed through my chattering teeth. Steam rolled off my as the water evaporated quickly under my spiking fire aligned chakra.

 Nii-san cackled something about revenge best served cold and chucked the bucket he had used at my head before poofing away. Only a shadow clone then.

 But I was certain Sasuke and Naruto weren't clones. They might not be the instigator, but they would do in a pinch until I got my hands on that bastard.

 VVV^^^OMAKE^^^VVV

 Deadly Reputation

 vvv 3rd Person vvv

 “We don't need your help.” Zabuza snapped as the woman who had been yelling at Yanagi checked Haku's eye. The poor boy stood there awkwardly, trying not to blink as the stranger stared intently at his bloodshot eye.

 Rin ignored the grouchy man's comment as she produced a scroll from her weapons pouch. She handed it to the boy with a smile, “Apply this salve to your burns twice a day. The ingredients are listed on the scroll so you can make your own once you run out. And don't worry about your eye, it'll heal on it's own!” Haku blinked at the kind woman, he wasn't used to people giving him something with no strings attached.

 An arm snaked around Haku's shoulders and the ice user stiffened when he saw the owner of the arm was none other than the famous Shunshin no Shisui. Zabuza-sama had told Haku many stories of the Uchiha who made Ao, one of the best hunter-nins in Kirigakure, turn tail and run with little effort. Shisui was herald as being the Master of Genjutsu, praised even by his own clansmen. Haku didn't feel very safe with one of the strongest shinobi in Konoha standing right next to him.

 “Don't worry, Rin-san! My buddy Haku-kun will be fine, you can go back to yelling at Yagi-chan if you want.” Shisui said with a cheerful wink. Rin rolled her eyes at the goofy Uchiha as she left the foreign shinobi with Shisui. He reminded her so much of Obito before the war changed him. While her teammate hadn't changed too much there were times, Rin noticed, when he would grow quiet and stare off into the distance, probably remembering whatever had happened to him during the time he was thought to be dead.

 Zabuza growled at Shisui for his familiarity, but didn't dare say a word. As infamous as he was to Kiri nins, there was little to nothing known about Shunshin no Shisui; other than his ruthless genjutsu and his frightful speed. Kiri shinobi were naturally fast, probably the fastest of the five nations after Kumo, and masters of stealth; but Uchiha Shisui had no problem catching any Mist shinobi that crossed his path. Zabuza didn't know how the Uchiha would react if he snapped at him. After dealing with Yanagi, who would react with harsh violence and an explosion of insults that made Zabuza want to blush, he was leery.

 Shisui chose to ignore the former member of the famed Seven Swordsmen and kept his arm wrapped firmly around the awkward teenager's shoulders. Haku reminded Shisui so much of when Itachi was his age, so awkward and formal that it almost hurt. The Uchiha eyed the nuke-nin inconspicuously. Shisui knew from the moment he spotted the bandaged nin that he was none other than Momochi Zabuza, wielder of the Kubikiribōchō and known for having attempted a coup in Kirigakure. But Shisui didn't let on he knew; in his experience nuke-nin, especially those from Kiri, were a little touchy when it came to their missing status.

 Shisui had enough scars to prove their oversensitivity on the matter.

 “So Haku-chan, got a girl waiting for ya? Or did the lovely Yagi-chan scare her away?” Shisui inquired. Haku blinked in confusion, he didn't know anyone named 'Yagi'; the only name that came close was Yanagi and she- Oh.

 “No, Uchiha-sama.”

 Shisui made a peculiar noise in the back of his throat, something that sounded like a gag and a croak. “What's with all the formality? Oi! Do I look like Fugaku-sama to you? It's Shisui, just Shisui. I'm too young to be a '-sama', even a '-san'. Why, I'm younger than Zabuza-san!”

 Zabuza pinned the Uchiha with a look. He didn't know how Shisui knew who they were, he even knew Haku's name and Zabuza had made sure not to let Haku's name slip out in the bingo books, but Zabuza wasn't all that surprised. Uchiha Shisui was a prodigy, not one of the average Uchiha prodigies like Yanagi was, but a genius that was on par with Uchiha Itachi, the famed Genius of his generation.

 By then, the little group had reached the Uchiha Compound entrance. Shisui waved happily to the Uchiha guards, who dipped their heads in acknowledgment. Shisui pulled a face and leaned in close to Haku, whispering, “I even bribe them with sugar and they still do that.” Haku's mouth twitched a little in amusement. In the month he and Zabuza-sama knew Yanagi they learned one very important fact: no matter how powerful, violent, grouchy, or arrogant any Uchiha was, they all had one thing in common and that was a sweet tooth.

 With the exception of the oddball Sasuke.

 Zabuza twitched in irritation when Shisui made no move to let go of Haku, or to leave them. Even Momoko was starting to get annoyed as the Uchiha continued to bother them. They both tried to keep it to themselves, due to their protective instincts over Haku. It was no accident that Shisui had chosen Haku to bother. Shisui had seen the adults' parental instinct over the fifteen year old the moment he saw Yanagi leading her little parade to her house, no matter how miniscule it was. Every little twitch they made was in preparation to protect Haku from any potential threats. That was why Shisui flung his arm over the boy's shoulders. If the nuke-nin or mercenary made a move against Konoha, Haku would be dead before the first civilian casualty.

 Uchiha Shisui was a cheerful soul, but even he was not above murdering someone to protect his home, even if that someone was a teenaged boy with no heart to fight.

 “Hey hey hey! You know, Momoko-san, you should take Haku-kun with you! Haku's gonna need some help fending off the ladies when he gets back. I don't think even Zabuza-san can help!” Shisui chirped cheerfully as he finally let go of Haku when they reached Konoha's main entrance. He pretended not to notice how the nuke-nin or mercenary's shoulders drooped every so slightly now that Haku was out of danger.

 Momoko pretended to consider the Uchiha's offer, even though she had planned on it anyway. “You're right, I think I will!” She, at least, could pretend that the goofy Uchiha in front of her wasn't someone that could murder her in a blink of an eye.

 Zabuza sputtered, “What?! No! Haku is staying with me!”

 “Then you can both stay with me.”

 Haku blanched white, causing his burn marks to stand out even more than they already did, “Ano… why?”

 Momoko flashed him a smile that could rival Naruto's, “Because you're the cutest little thing! I've always wanted a kid like you, Ku-chan!”

 Shisui choked on his laughter at the nickname, but composed himself so he could speak, “Great! The three of you can be one big happy family!” He ended with a cheesy thousand-watt smile.

 Zabuza glared at the man, he had given up any notion that Shisui wasn't anything other than a goofy man who had a frightening reputation. Zabuza would even go so far as to question if Ao was hallucinating when he said it was Uchiha Shisui that made him run and not some other Uchiha that no one knew about. Even the Ghost of Konoha, Uchiha Obito, while as goofy as Shisui, was also known for being vindictive and slightly arrogant. Shisui was just… ridiculous. “Tch. Idiot.” Zabuza muttered under his breath.

 He spoke too soon.

 Shisui grinned even wider until his cheeks hurt, having heard the nuke-nin, “Unless your invited by the Hokage, please don't come back. Not everyone is as forgiving as Yagi-chan,” Shisui's smile slowly died and he stared at the three of them for the first time with a serious expression, “especially when their precious people are injured by you.” Shisui finished and pinned his sharp gaze on Zabuza. Obito-senpai had told Shisui what exactly the nuke-nin had done to Yanagi, and he would never forgive him for that.

 Quickly as his glare appeared, Shisui replaced it with another smile before cheerfully wishing the three of them a safe journey and shunshined back into Konoha, leaving the three of them staring at the small puff of dust disturbed by his quick use of Shunshin no Jutsu.

 Shisui returned to the Compound quickly, a smile on his face and happily greeting his clansmen with ease. He was Shunshin no Shisui and he protected Konoha from the shadows, even behind the shadow of a smile and veiled threats. He would never let anyone befall harm if he could allow it, especially those he considered closest to him.

[celticfeather]

Akatsuki Fic: Campfires

A brooding clan-killer and a man who prefers to see himself more shark than human are not the most likely, or friendly, of new partners. But hunted and hated, their backs on are the wall, and the Akatsuki starts to form a complex refuge for its members. Their missions blur the lines between men, beasts, and gods, and Itachi must either accept his complicity in evil, or contemplate revolt.

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13409132/1/Campfires

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21019778/chapters/49992863

-Chapter 1: Dawn

The tongues of flames danced against the stars like heathens frenzied before a war, springing into the night with a fibrous crackling. The one called Pain stood like a preacher, tall and black,  his shadow painted by the leaping blaze onto the rockface behind him. His voice was low and commanding, yet vibrant, like velvet over steel. From everywhere and nowhere it echoed around the chasm like the voice of a god. “And if you join us, Uchiha Itachi, make clear your mark.” Itachi raised his arm and the thick kunai glinted black and orange. The metal fang plunged down, and with a jumping spark, the knife slit a ragged slash across his headband’s gentle leaf. “You are damned to the world, Itachi. May you find refuge in our Dawn, and together we shall light the world in the rays of a new peace.” No devilish cheering welcomed their new member. There stood a half dozen of his new comrades in black robes with red clouds, their dark eyes peeking out from high collars. Among them he noted the bandages of a Mist swordsman, and he recognized the grinning snake eyes of Orochimaru.

Now at least, damned by his nation as he was, Itachi had no orders to follow but his own. He would protect the Leaf from the shadows. And from this Akatsuki, whatever it was. He was washed with a strange sense of peace. It was not relief. What was done was done. Compared to yours, our pain will be over in an instant, his father’s last words echoed through his mind. He was unsure if they were sympathetic or the curse of a dying man. But it mattered not. The deed was done.

He wondered what had happened to Sasuke. The Hokage himself must be consoling him now. Maybe the boy would be sent to live with another family, or an orphanage. No, probably not, unsavory types would be waiting to adopt the boy. “Hey, you.” Itachi looked over, his thoughts of family broken. A man older and taller than he had prodded him on the shoulder. “Name’s Kakuzu. Follow the rules, don’t be brash, and I won’t kill you.” He gave Itachi a small leather pouch. “What is this?” “Ten thousand yen.” An unexpected gift. But since his days in Anbu, Itachi was reticent to show surprise around people he wasn’t sure he liked. “That’s for the month. If you need food or an inn, buy it. Petty theft is beneath us, and attention costs money.” Ten thousand yen was hardly generous for a month’s travels. In fact, an ordinary human would die of exposure. The inflation rate had been such that fifty years ago one could travel a few weeks on 10,000 yen. Now it would suffice for only a few bowls of ramen. “Hey now, Kakuzu! Let him live a little bit! No one lives forever! Oh wait, you do, heheHAHA!”

Kakuzu narrowed his eyes hatefully at the interruption. The high pitched voice sounded like it belonged to a teenager. Itachi looked in its direction, and giggles simmered from the orange mask. Kakuzu growled, and ‘Tobi’ yelped and wilted. Finding the boy sufficiently scared, he did not press his advantage. Itachi suppressed his unease: the disguised, giggling, Madara was also alive far beyond a human lifespan. It unnerved him to see him manifest this boyish farce after they had worked together only hours prior to massacre their clan. But Itachi‘s face was an aloof, slightly irritated mask. “Rumor has it,” a woman’s cool voice uttered to him, “Kakuzu fought the first Hokage.” “Is that so,” Itachi echoed. If true, this Kakuzu would be eighty-five years old at minimum. He only looked forty. It seemed that Orochimaru and Madara were not unique among those who experimented with eternal youth. He would have to tread carefully here.

Itachi studied the woman. She was older than him, early twenties maybe. Her hair was bluish. He had only now seen her leave Pain’s side, and she was the only female member of the group. He wondered if she and pain were romantically involved. It was strangely like an academy clique: the one woman had chosen the highest ranking man of the group. “Konan is my name,” she told him. “I hope you can find a home here.” “Uchiha Itachi. A pleasure.” She did not seem terrible. The mist ninja with the executioner’s sword and red face paint stepped forward to Itachi. He smiled his mangled, filed, teeth at Itachi, and extended his bandaged hand. “Looks like you’re the only other shoe without a mate, kid. Biwa Juzo.”

“Now,” the gravelly voice of Pain claimed order. “Our organization needs to gather funds if we are to achieve our goals. You have your partners and your missions-- you are dismissed.” (keep reading)

A long time later, Juzo was dead.

Itachi did not know if the swordsman understood he would die when he jumped to shield Itachi from the Misukage’s strike, or if it had been an impulse he did not live to regret. The Kage’s blast had shattered his sword, and sated its iron-hungry blade in its owner’s abdomen. Not risking a burial, Itachi had returned the hilt to Juzo’s hand and fled the Land of Water for his life.

He wondered if he was still there— if the crows found him. He hoped they had. If it were him, he would prefer crows to the Mist intelligence corp-- and especially Zetsu.

Itachi’s newest partner introduced himself a few hours ago. The eyes that now walked beside his were white and devoid of mammalian emotion, and Itachi had not yet noticed Hoshigaki Kisame blink. The ex-mist ninja was of hulking stature, maybe two meters, which brought Itachi’s highest hairs up only to his jaw. He might have been thirty, but he had a strange face and it was hard to tell. His skin carried a faint bluish sheen, and his cheekbones were slashed with what could best be described as partial gills. Itachi had once pondered a similar thought with Orochimaru: Were you born looking like an animal?

Itachi found the Mist ninja’s desire to be partnered with him ignoble. By the end of the bizarre introduction speech involving live shark births, this Kisame seemed to advocate fratricidal cannibalism. Respecting Itachi because he killed his family was a poor way to gain his admiration.

“Isn’t this a mission for state ninja?” Kisame’s voice broke his thoughts. “A jounin could handle this.”

“The Land of Iron has no ninja village,” Itachi said. “The Ishikawa tiger, too, is an endangered species, and I do not think the neighboring waterfall ninja would agree to hunt it.”

Earlier, the pair had debriefed each other on their strengths and strategies. Kisame, as far as he had trusted to self-report, had massive stamina, lethal dexterity with water style, and was skilled with the chakra absorbing sword he carried. Itachi had listed fire style, shuriken, and genjutsu as his advantages. It seemed a profitable marriage of skills. 

“Hm. Now, how to find the poor sap?”

“My tracking skills are… above average,” Itachi said. Red gleamed out from under his high collar. 

“Right. I’ll let you lead.”

His world flared in the expanded spectrum of colors and avian detail of the sharingan. Itachi looked at the tree limbs above them, where a bird’s nest balanced lithely on a swaying branch. In the nest’s carefully woven lining was a tiny tuft of orange fibers: a mixture of orange guard hairs and slightly lighter whitish underfur. Among the orange was a single black hair of the same length.

A few minutes later he saw some twigs broken by a large quadruped. Then he saw a smeared paw print with retracted claws. They continued into a shallow ravine. Kisame followed quietly, but a crackle came from his direction: his living sword was excited.

Itachi peered from the bushes and signaled to Kisame. Through a leafy window they spied a massive cat, far larger than an ordinary animal, nearing the size of a horse carriage. Bunches of muscles rippled on its haunches as it lapped a sandpaper tongue at the creek. Facing profile to them, it yawned, and fangs longer than kunai flashed in the light. Itachi reached into his robe to draw a single knife. A strike to the brain would be sufficient. 

“Allow me,” Kisame said, unshouldering the huge, blunt, Samehada from his back. “Pity to let such nice chakra soak the sand.”

Itachi tipped his knife back into his robe in consent. More than he would like to see this over, he would like to observe how this Hoshigaki Kisame operated.

Kisame alighted before the beast in the clearing. Surely the tiger was unaccustomed to being approached by anything living, especially not something smaller than it. It sprang with coiled fury at the man that dared, but its front claws met only earth. Shiny brown river pebbles sprayed loudly into the air and clattered back down to the ground.

Brandishing the thirty-kilo sword, a grinning Kisame landed spritely five meters from the tiger’s impact. With the darting grace of a tropical fish, he danced away from the cat’s frustrated strikes, his sword carving the air around it, but never cutting it, until the cat grew weak. At last it stared at the two men, panting, black lips curled back over yellow teeth.  

Kisame had to turn his whole head to look at Itachi. For, perhaps like a shark, he was incapable of moving his eyes much in their sockets. “Can you sedate it, Itachi?”

The cat’s pupils, black slashes on yellow disks, dilated to wide spheres as Itachi set the animal under a genjutsu. It was always a strange procedure with beasts. Genjutsu involved manipulating chakra flow to the brain, and in a brain that was not human, it was a coarse process. Itachi could not communicate complex images like he could with humans, so instead he instilled it with feelings of darkness and warmth. 

Kisame approached the sleeping tiger and drew the broadside of Samehada along its jugular. The sword’s scales rippled, and Itachi knew the cat was dead. Itachi revealed his kunai. 

“Could probably get some gold for the pelt, too,” Kisame said, slinging the purring Samehada to his back.

Probably they could. But Itachi was not Kakuzu, and he did not desire to carry a bloody tiger pelt around for a few extra yen. Itachi crouched over the carcass, and with careful incisions he removed its teeth. They clattered against each other in his leather pouch. Whatever some royal leech would do with them to cure his presumed impotency, Itachi did not know. 

“Someone’s coming,” Kisame warned him.

“Just merchants,” Itachi said. The rogues sprang into the trees. They heard the surprise of the men to find the freshly killed tiger. They’d feed the village! Get drunk! They invoked the gods for their luck. Kisame smiled devilishly but Itachi was unamused. Soon enough, the two rouge ninja were over the border of the Land of Rice.

Obtain the teeth, the scroll, the real or metaphorical scalp-- the object was the only variable. Then he brought them to a collection office. He gave the reward to Kakuzu and awaited further orders. The string of missions seemed to be the only constant in Itachi's life since the Uchiha massacre.

The sun yellowed and sank as they traveled. Juzo, his senior, was usually the one to suggest respite. But now that Juzo was dead, Itachi supposed this responsibility fell to him now. He slowed, halted, and sprang down from the tree to the clayish earth. A shaded wood surrounded them, and willow boughs trailed gently on a narrow, clear river with a sandy bank. The sinking sun painted dappled golden strokes on the surface of the water, and fish tail slapped from the waves. Kisame alighted after him. 

“What do you say, Itachi? Fancy a fish dinner? We’ll see who can catch the most.” Kisame’s gently rough voice was surprisingly only baritone for a man his size. As many fish as two elite ninja could catch? “What a wanton slaughter.” “I can eat a lot of fish,” Kisame said. “We’ll do first to catch five,” Itachi decided. “Fine.” Kisame strode to the bank. With a blur of signs and motion of his arm, a sphere of water rose, and a wriggling green bass shimmered inside. He released it from the water prison jutsu and the first thrashing fish tumbled to the earth, and he removed its gills with a stomp. Kisame raised his hand to snare his next victim. Itachi slid kunai between his knuckles like bear claws, three in his right, two in his left. He ignited his sharingan, and like an osprey he saw through the water like glass. He pinpointed the motion of five adult fish, observed the current, and noted the water’s angle of refraction. He jumped high, extended his arms, and let the kunai fly. Easily as wooden targets, each knife struck its living mark. “Impressive,” Kisame said with restrained mirth, dispelling a ball of water and depositing a fish on the bank. “But in my book, fish don’t count as caught when they’re pinned to the bottom of a creek.” There may have been a flicker of perturbance on Itachi’s face. But it must have been a trick of the light. Itachi was not annoyed.

Itachi shed his robe and with a few launching steps he pierced the chilled water in a shallow dive. The fish were weighted by the knives to the riverbed, their eyes wide and mouths open. He snatched the knives by the handles and kicked hard towards the surface. When Itachi breached, he looked to the bank to see Kisame perched on a tree root, one elbow on his knee, grinning widely. His five fish were lined up in size-order at his feet, each about the length of a sandal. “A bit too slow, unfortunately,” Kisame grinned. “I knew I lost the moment I had to dive in,” Itachi said, stepping drenched to the bank. Having to retrieve the fish was a technicality— losing gracefully was not a skill Itachi had to often practice. “No, Itachi. You lost the moment you humored a shark to a fishing match.“ Doubtful, Itachi thought. But he said nothing as he removed the knives and placed his five fish on the bank. “Would you go find some sticks to spit them on?” the victor asked with a gesture to the forest. Itachi did so. Upon returning, Kisame had gathered kindling and larger branches, and arranged them into a conical shape

 “Be a pal and light us up?” Itachi wove a sign and blew a thin jet of flame at the base of the cone. Which, aerating nicely, set the tiny pyre ablaze. “We both have our fields Itachi. You’re not terrible... for a leaf ninja.” Kisame said. The two rogues speared their ten fish in a radial pattern around the flames. Perhaps a bit too soon, Kisame selected a fish and sank his huge teeth into its head. A wretched, wet, splintery sound crunched across the flames as Kisame ate his catch skull, spine, organs and all. Maybe he was doing it to see if it would bother Itachi. Kisame grinned. Or maybe that was just his face. Either way the mist ninja’s huge triangular teeth made quick work of the food. Itachi bit into the side of his fish, now especially careful not to eat its needle thin ribs. Its flesh was moist, hot and salty, and he felt strength flowing back into his body. He allowed his spine to sink against the tree trunk he leaned against. He was cold and tired, and it felt good to have a hot meal around a fire… Even with company as reptilian as Kisame.

At that moment, a sudden jab of pain split behind Itachi‘s eyes and he coughed into his hand. He discreetly curled his fingers into a fist to conceal the blood on his palm.

“Eat a bone?” Itachi cleared his throat and swallowed the blood. “No.” Kisame grunted, his eyes flashing from his soaked partner to the icy stream. “Do you drink, Itachi?” 

“Not alone.”

“You might as well start the fun kind of sinning. It’ll warm you up.” Kisame tossed the greasy stick into the forest and reached for the next largest fish. As he bit a steaming, flaky hunk out of it, he reached for a waterskin on his body. He removed the cap, and passed it to the young man. “Kakuzu would not be pleased to hear what you spend your allowance on,”  Itachi said. “That stinge gave me his speech. He can try to punish me.”

  “Kakuzu has already killed two members of the Akatsuki.” Kisame laughed. “You’re kidding!” “Afraid not.” “Did Pain punish him?”

“No. Our leader has many killers, but only one bookkeeper.”

“Hm. Better hope we develop new talents then, eh?”

Itachi took a few swallows of the sharp but sweet rice wine and returned it to Kisame. Kisame sniffed the lip of the waterskin: he closed his eyes but made no remark. 

The fire flickered lower. Itachi had gathered a little pile of fish bones at his feet. Fish were pretty animals, not frivolous, with graceful spines and streamlined skulls. He counted three heads in his pile. He was comfortably full. Kisame had eaten seven of them, bones and all.

“I learned something today. I wasn’t sure you could use genjutsu on a tiger,” Kisame said. He picked his huge teeth with a shard of rib, then chewed on it as if it were a stem of wheat. He did this until it was pliable, and then swallowed it.

“Men and beasts are very different,” Itachi said.

“Are they?” It was a challenge rather than a simple reaction. Kisame’s contracted eyes studied him.

“Unquestionably.” Itachi held his gaze.

Kisame grunted but said nothing. Instead of glancing down in defeat, his hard eyes swept deliberately and coolly to the side. Thus, Kisame postponed a conclusion to their discussion, at least until he was certain he could win it.  The mist ninja sat with his hands clasped over his stomach. They rested by the fire until it elapsed into smoke and the spirited flames sobered into glowing black and red coals. 

“So Itachi, how does this work? Do we sleep on the ground? Take watches?” “In peaceful conditions, I don’t watch. But I do sleep in a tree for concealment,” Itachi said. “Leaf ninja,” Kisame muttered. “Sleeping in trees like a bunch of monkeys.“ In a flicker, Itachi had climbed the oak above them to its lowest fork. Kisame covered the ashes with a kick and leapt to the limb opposite him. They faced each other for a moment, chins down, listening in the silence for possible observers. Sensing no one, Kisame turned his back and fastened Samehada to the underside of the branch. The weave of his robe was tight and warm, and Itachi tipped his chin inside its high collar. His breath filled the cavity with warm air, and it was not uncomfortable. Crickets chirped. Neither of them said good night. 

Day 2----

Dawn corded its cold light through the pine needles and onto Itachi’s eyelids. As he parted their red curtains, he saw a young crow. It stared for a moment, curious at the oddly placed human, then shuffled its wings and darted off. Rising gently, Itachi stepped to the other side of the trunk to rouse his new partner.

Round fish eyes opened on his approach. “Did you know, sharks never fully sleep?”

Great.  

“Let’s get these teeth to the collection point,” Itachi said.

He led the way until the building became visible from the forest. As was often the case, the underground bounty office had its cover as a mortician’s practice. Morticians had plenty of space for storing bodies, and arriving there from the country with a corpse on one’s shoulder was considered only slightly rude. 

“Who goes in?” Kisame asked.

“I’ll go. You watch.”

Itachi entered the building: he tipped his chin under his collar until only his coal black eyes peered out. Itachi was not an immediately intimidating man. He was of average height, average build, perhaps even thin. There was nothing special about his coloration. But the representative at the counter knew the red-clouded robes, and rising from his collar, Itachi’s eyes gleamed garnet.

The collection man’s knuckles tensed a tendinous white as he stared at the approaching Akatsuki. Itachi halted, and hailed him as stipulated:

 “What rings the Dawn, and shall bring Man to his haven?”

“Our world glimpses Death’s yawn: the hoarse call of the raven.”

Good. Itachi placed his pouch with the teeth on the counter. The man inspected the smooth oranged teeth and accepted them. He set a case of cash on the counter and displayed it to the Uchiha. Itachi did not count the money: no contractor had been foolish enough to short change the organization since a recent incident involving Kakuzu.  

One million yen. Not bad for a glorified pet hunt. Now they just had to deliver the money to the Akatsuki’s ancient master of coin or one of his henchmen. The zombie pair were conducting a mission some forty kilometers away; they could meet them in just a few hours.

“I’ll carry that,” Kisame said when Itachi emerged with the large briefcase. Itachi gave it to him and they set off north. They traveled a quiet hour before Kisame spoke.

“I smell blood.”

Itachi had sensed nothing unusual. Kisame’s strengths were complementary to his indeed. With a gesture of his hand, Itachi instructed Kisame to lead. The shark-ninja’s sense of smell was better than his, but not at the level of a ninja hound’s, because in just another few long leaps, Kisame had grounded himself on a dirt cart path.

Hung upside down on a tree was a human body. The victim’s feet were tied together with a strip of cloth and jabbed through with a stake into the trunk. Itachi thought the man was less than thirty minutes dead. Blood dripped down from his death wound, down his sternum, his throat, to collect on the jut of his jaw and dye maroon swirls in the muddy water of the cart treds. 

“Huh,” Kisame surmised, wrinkling his wide nose. He looked at Itachi.

“This is the Akatsuki’s doing. One of us makes such displays,” Itachi said. 

Itachi cut down the corpse. He strode powerfully, urgently, along the path. Between the trees appeared a traditional inn with the peaked roof of mountain tribes, dark wood paneling, and pale stucco walls. An inn of the piquant sort, judging by the oiran fan and floral carvings on the upper balconies. A familiar black robe with red clouds lay discarded on a bench outside. “Do Akatsuki go to brothels?” Kisame asked. Itachi didn’t answer. On the ground outside the brothel was a circle drawn in blood. “He’s going to kill those women.” “So?”

Itachi rushed forward. 

At the instance of his arrival, an individual strode out of the building’s door. He was young, zealous, handsome, and walked with his smooth chest bared bared. His muscled arm was wrapped around the thin waist of a pale woman with long black hair. Mid sentence, he recognized Itachi. 

“Hey hey, Itachi! Wouldn’t think I’d find you at a place like this. Where’s your new partner?” Hidan greeted.

Itachi’s voice was low. “You paid these people for a service. Their deaths were not part of that.” Like a friendly dog Hidan smiled. A friendly dog, who just in case the friend was a foe, smiled to remind him he had teeth. “Well! I haven’t paid anyone yet, and I think Lord Jashin will appreciate their talent!”

The woman’s smile faltered. No sooner had she realized the danger, Hidan threw her against the wall and held her by the throat. He drew his pike. 

That damn Kakuzu. Maybe if he wasn’t squeezing Hidan’s purse, the cultist would not have extra incentive settle his debts with death. Or maybe Hidan would just kill anyone weaker than him regardless. Itachi’s patience for negotiation had elapsed. Flickering, he grabbed the girl and deposited her next to Kisame in the yard. “What am I supposed to do with this?” Kisame said, but Itachi had already flickered back to Hidan some ten meters away. Now Hidan’s teeth flashed impatiently when he spoke. “You’re annoyingly noble for a member of an evil organization, you know that?”

“Where is Kakuzu,” Itachi asked, though as customary for his questions, his voice lacked a submissive rise pitch at the end. The bothersomely rational waterfall ninja would surely restrain his partner from this idiocy if he were around.

“Think I need him, huh?” 

“Idiots require supervision.”

Shrieking, Hidan raised his scythe and sprang at Itachi. 

Sharingan! Hidan froze. Inside the fictional realm, Hidan was tied to a tree trunk. Itachi created a replica of the retractable pike he tried to use on the prostitute, and with its sharp point, Itachi punctured the man’s intestines. Drawing it out, Hidan flexed his fingers in convulsing pain and howled like a jackal. Itachi felt a presence in his realm he did not invite. A hulking black monster lumbered out from behind the trunk, humanoid in shape with flesh of black fire revealing a white skeleton. It had a skull like a goat and its glowing pink eyes regarded Itachi hungrily. Hidan’s trembling lips parted in rapture as he beheld it. With a bony talon the monster pressed Hidan on his sweating forehead. The brothel, the forest, the yard had returned. The genjutsu was broken. Itachi seized a reactionary few steps back. Hidan was not skilled enough to break out of that on his own. What was that skeletal monster? Did he just witness his god? “You,” Hidan said breathily. Trembling and weakened, he leant on his scythe as he stood. "You'll pay for that!" he swore, swinging the blade at Itachi's throat Itachi would have to fight Hidan without genjutsu. His ninjutsu wouldn’t kill him. And close quarters taijutsu was risky, since one graze could make that blood ritual of his troublesome. He would have to incapacitate Hidan. Chop off a limb. That was how he would win.

Hidan swung at Itachi with the graceless zeal of a chunin, and each time, his weapon only met the air. Itachi drew his tanto blade. Hidan smashed his scythe into the earth on another missed strike, which grounded him. Placing all of his strength in the blow, Itachi cleaved through Hidan’s tibia, crushed his fibula, and Hidan was gracelessly grounded, separated from the bottom half of his leg. Bleeding heavily, Hidan’s severed shin spun to a halt a few meters away. 

“FUCK!”

In the corner of his vision Itachi was aware of Kisame standing tense: he had been ready to act, but must have decided it unwise. Itachi paced forward, shortsword swinging, and when he swung it through the air, the blood leapt off in a fine spray to speckle a tree in red. The blade had cracked beyond repair: he had been reckless to cleave the two bones in Hidan’s shin in one strike. To the music of Hidan’s curses, Itachi began to wipe the soiled blade in the grass. He would have to bury the thing, better children did not find it.

The toothed crown of a plant, like a venus fly trap, emerged from the grass nearby. Zetsu’s head had materialized from the dirt and Itachi’s hands stilled in surprise.

“Hello, Zetsu,“ Itachi greeted the head.  

“Hello.“ Then, “They’re here, Pain,” the strange plant ninja said.

Pain appeared. Robe billowing, he stood between Hidan and Itachi. His presence was magnetic and every head turned to him. “What,” Pain growled, “is the meaning of this infighting?” “I was just... behind on my sacrifices...” Hidan breathed from the ground, and struggled to prop himself up. “When this prick insulted me, gutted me in a genjutsu, and then. Lobbed. Off. My. Fucking. Leg.” “Hidan. Killing civilians and leaving witnesses awards you with the bounty of the five nations. We can not afford this attention.”

“Sorry about that, sir,” Hidan muttered, looking diffusively at the ground.

Pain’s attention swiveled to the next unruly young adult. “Itachi, we are no heroes. Never compromise our goals by attacking our members.”

Itachi dipped his chin in an acknowledgement that was not quite submission. Pain strolled forward to the wooden building. The brothel’s matron, three prostitutes, and a few men stared out at the colorful flock of S ranked ninja from the porch and balcony. Pain extended his right arm. “What are you doing?” Itachi demanded. Pain unfurled his fingers. “Shinra Tensei.” The wooden house exploded in a rain of splinters and structure. Wooden beams and ceramic roof tiles hailed down around them. Itachi searched Pain’s expression for a reason. Instead, Pain’s ringed eyes fixated at the surviving girl who stood shivering next to Kisame. “Kisame,” Pain ordered. Massive Kisame took the girl, placed either hand on the side of her face, framing it in a gesture that seemed almost intimate. But a ligament in Kisame’s forearms twitched, and she was dead before her corpse hit the ground. 

Fire erupted from the uprooted gas pipes and ravenous flames quickly devoured the wooden house. The black beams stood like a skeleton among a roaring, moaning fire that devoured the wood and paper structure. The intense dry heat prickled against the moisture of Itachi’s scleras, but despite it, he could not blink. Pain rounded on Itachi. Backlit by the flames, he saw his own face reflected in the rippling fog-colored eyes that locked him.

 “Our enemies hunt us as we speak. Because of you, Itachi, too many saw too much. If I decide that anyone is disloyal to the Akatsuki, I will kill him.” Itachi stared into eyes more ancient, more evolved, and more knowing than his own. He learned then he was not free in his outlawry. Even he must tread the line between light and dark as closely as he dared. Should his steps toward the light be too obvious, he would find his own neck on the rope, and dead men can protect no one. 

—

Author’s Note:

暁 Akatsuki = Dawn

A step away from my usual work, but I recently fell in love with Naruto Shippuden. I have chapter two, Cannibals, about finished and will post it soon.

*Special thanks to myochiikurin for her hard work beta reading this chapter and the next!

I thought the life of Itachi and the others members settling into their lives in the Akatsuki was the most compelling and underexplored aspect in the Naruto universe, and thought I’d give filling the gap of this organization my try.

Feedback is greatly appreciated,

Celtic

Next Chapter on Tumblr: https://celticfeather.tumblr.com/post/188589156066/akatsuki-fic-campfires-ch-2-cannibals

(Follow on FF or Ao3:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13409132/1/Campfires

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21019778/chapters/49992863  )

[kusunogatari]

[ Portal Peril || Chapter Two ] [ @abyssaldespair ] [ Uchiha Obito, Suigin Ryū, Namikaze Minato, Hatake Kakashi, Nohara Rin ] [ Verse: White Hands of Healing ] [ Previous || Next ]

The walk back to Konoha is mostly silent, Ryū keeping her mind busy with small, distracting thoughts while Obito gives her worried, curiosity-tinged glances. All things considered, he’s extremely confused. Never did he imagine that Kamui was a plane he shared with anyone, let alone another...version of himself. The implications of another timeline - a world so like his own, and yet different - are ones he’s never considered before.

“Will we...be able to see Minato-sama right away?”

Her question snaps him back to the present. “Hopefully. He’s a busy man as the Yondaime, but he always makes time for his old team.”

Ryū gives a thoughtful hum, still staring at the path they’re walking. Even now, he can still see the somber worry on her face.

“...hey. It’ll be okay. We’ll get you back where you belong, and everything’ll be fine. There’s not a problem sensei can’t solve!” He flashes her another grin, trying to reassure her.

But though Ryū looks up, she can’t manage a smile of her own, just letting her eyes fall back to the road.

Obito’s lips purse thoughtfully. “You, uh...you seem awfully worried about m- about, uh...Obito. Is he...a friend of yours?”

“...he’s my whole world,” Ryū admits softly, which makes Obito jolt a bit in surprise at her blunt honesty. “We...met at a crossroads of our lives. We changed each other, for better and for worse. I’m not sure there’s any separating us now. There’s been...too much between us.”

That gets him to soften a bit in understanding. “...no wonder you were so upset. Sounds like you...you really love him.”

“...with all I am.”

Not used to tackling such a topic so openly, Obito clears his throat a bit awkwardly, a hand at his neck. “...well, we’ll just have to work double time to get you back! Both Kakashi and I can use Kamui, since we share Sharingan. Depending on what sensei says, we can both work on getting you back home, Ryū-san.”

In spite of herself, she then gives just a hint of a smile, glancing back up to him. “...thank you. I’m...sorry if I startled you before. And I didn’t mean to snap, I just…”

“No apology needed, ma’am. You’re upset, and I can see why. I’d probably be just as confused and freaked out if I hopped out of a portal into another world!”

A soft laugh escapes her at the title and his exuberance. He’s definitely...different, this Obito. It brings about a curiosity about who Obito was when he was younger. If he’d not faced all the hardships brought upon him by Madara...would he still be like this? So...excitable, and full of smiles? In a way...it makes her sad. She loves her Obito just as he is, but...to see him in what seems to be a far better frame of mind, part of her heart can’t help but ache.

...of course, she doesn’t know what else may have gone wrong for him in this world. So she won’t make any assumptions. But it almost feels eye-opening, meeting this version of the one she loves so much.

By then, they finally reach the village gate. Ryū then pauses. She has her travel papers, but...well, she’s not sure they’re exactly valid in this world. How does one explain that they are from Konoha, just...not this Konoha?

Thankfully, Obito takes the lead, spinning a tale of a young woman needing to speak to the Hokage. The chūnin at the gate look a little confused, but...agree to allow it, given he’s the Hokage’s student.

“C’mon, we’ll head straight to the administrative building. He can fetch Rin and Kakashi, and we’ll figure all this out.” Strangely, he seems to gain a bit of a serious edge, face set determinedly as they cut through crowds toward the Hokage’s office.

Glancing to him curiously, Ryū just follows.

As luck would have it, someone’s in ahead of them, and the pair have to wait outside the office. Arms folded, Obito ticks an impatient finger against his arm, scowling just a bit at the door. Still a bit overwhelmed, Ryū just stands quietly, trying to figure out what to say. How to...explain.

Once a genin squad and their sensei take their leave, Obito wastes no time in making his way in. “Hokage-sama!”

Behind the desk, Minato gives a soft huff, clearly amused. “Obito,” he greets, arms folded loosely atop the lip of his desk. “What can I do for you?”

At that, Obito glances back, gesturing for Ryū to step forward. Doing so, she can’t help but wring her hands a bit nervously.

“Oh…? Who’s this?”

“S...Suigin Ryū, Hokage-sama,” she replies, suddenly nervous. She never had the chance to meet Minato in her own timeline. “I’m...well…”

“Look, uh,” Obito cuts in, moving the blond’s gaze back to him. “We had a bit of a, um...accident…?”

A blond brow perks. “...meaning?”

“She’s not...from here.”

“Well, we see travelers all the time, Obito.”

“No, I mean…” He gestures widely. “Here. This...world.”

That gets blues to go wide. “...I beg your pardon?”

It’s then he does his best to string together their theory. “So, you know my Sharingan dimension - the one Kakashi and I call Kamui.”

“...yes.”

“Well...I was going to head into it today, and...she just sorta...fell out.”

In spite of himself, Minato gives a small, choked laugh. “...she fell out of Kamui? Just…?”

“Yeah! Startled the hell out of me, but...well, she says she’s from some sort of...alternate timeline. There’s another Obito, and everything! Seems he was putting her into his own Kamui on his side...and she fell out on this side. What we’re thinking is that we happened to open a portal in the same place at the same time. And...what we’re afraid of is that it might be really difficult to make it happen again, so we can send her home. I thought...I’d ask you for help, given your expertise with space-time ninjutsu. Maybe you’d have some ideas to make this work?”

As Obito goes on, Minato’s expression grows more and more serious, fingers steepling and leaning his chin thoughtfully against them. “...I see...space-time is a tricky facet of ninjutsu to begin with...and yours is completely unique, given its ties to the Sharingan. I’ve not studied it much, so I’m not too familiar with its more intricate details. But I agree...it sounds like this was indeed quite the sequence of events to create the perfect ‘hole’ between this world, and the other. To recreate it will surely take a great deal of minute intricacies. The same angle, position, time...in order to perfectly align the two planes, and allow passage from one to another.”

At his rather grim analysis, Ryū can’t help but wilt, expression falling as tears threaten to build. “...I see…”

Minato watches her for a moment, seeming to think. “...for now, Obito and I will return to the area where the ninjutsu took place. See if we can figure out the best approach for making this work in reverse. In the interim, miss, perhaps it’s best you stay here.”

“Here…?”

“It will take concentration to start mapping out portal placements. Thus it will likely be easier to do with fewer...distractions. But as soon as we find something, you’ll of course be fetched. And...it’s likely best we keep this to just a few trusted people. Crossing planes and timelines may have unpredictable effects.”

“O-of course.”

“I’ll have Rin and Kakashi fetched to keep an eye on you. I trust them best, as does Obito. If you need anything, just let them know. Hopefully we’ll find a way back sooner than later, and you’ll be on your way.”

Lacking any more words for the moment, Ryū just gives a somber nod, watching as Minato sends a hawk after his other two students. For the moment, she remains in the office, perched tensely on a chair. Kakashi she knows fairly well from her own time...but there’s a knot in her stomach at the prospect of meeting Rin. Someone who meant - means - so much to Obito. Who she herself has a fair number of parallels with. Meeting someone so revered by her loved one, so similar to herself...it’s a little daunting.

After a few minutes of silence, there’s a knock before the door opens. Jolting slightly, Ryū looks up to see none other than the rest of team Minato. Kakashi enters first, and to her surprise, looks...just about the same. Maybe a slight bit less somber in his chakra signature, but...well, three of the people he lost (or thought lost) in her timeline are alive and well. And like his counterpart, he still has a Sharingan as evident by his tilted hitai-ate. Just like this Obito’s.

And right behind him...is Rin.

Ryū has only really seen one photograph of Rin: a copy of the team picture Kakashi still has of himself, her, Obito, and Minato the day their team was registered. That was back when she was about...twelve or thirteen. And now, she’s in her thirties.

Unlike her younger self, her hair is much longer and tied toward the bottom, the same violet clan markings upon her cheeks. A flak jacket sits over a long, loose-sleeved shirt, red fingerless gloves disappearing up past her elbows. The same red is in stockings that reach up beneath the dark skirt falling just above her knees. And as she spots their guest, amber eyes alight with curiosity.

In spite of herself, Ryū stiffens just a hair, a light flush on her face. She’s...really pretty...

“Yo,” Kakashi greets first, lifting a hand.

“H...hello,” Ryū stutters, still taking things in. “I’m...Suigin Ryū. I guess...I’m not sure how much Minato-sama was able to tell you in the note…?”

“He mentioned you were some kind of...interdimensional traveler?” Rin offers, a thoughtful finger at her chin. “And that this was to be kept an S-rank secret for now, given the implications it might have on our timeline.”

“Yes, um...I guess I’m supposed to just...wait out while he and Obito-san look over where I crossed,” Ryū adds. It feels...odd to say his name so formally.

But...this isn’t her Obito.

“He also mentioned you know another Obito - that it’s how you came through Kamui,” Kakashi muses.

At that, Ryū wilts just a hair. “Yes, I...I do.”

“Just for curiosity’s sake - and so we’re all on the same page - mind recounting how that happened?”

As best she can, Ryū tells again of her mission, the bandits, Obito sending her into Kamui, and...the other Obito making her fall right back out.

“How strange,” Rin murmurs. “To think that that dimension is somehow connected to another timeline…”

“It makes a bit of sense, all things considered,” Kakashi offers, arms loosely crossed. “After all, it’s a dimension accessed purely through space-time ninjutsu. That’s how planes are connected.”

“Well, yes...but the odds of this happening are...astronomical! Trying to recreate it, it’s…” Rin fades to silence, catching Ryū’s somber expression. “...well, between you, Obito, and Minato-sensei, I’m sure we’ll figure it out! I feel bad I can’t contribute much...I’m just a combat medic. Unless you need me heal the wormhole, I’m not much use.”

“Me neither,” Ryū murmurs. “I don’t even have combat going for me, really...I can defend, but mostly I’m focused just in medical ninjutsu.”

That gets the Nohara to perk up. “Oh? Are you one of Tsunade-sama’s students?”

“Well...no, not exactly. I’m from a clan of healers. I learned mostly in the village hospital, and then my sage arts through my clan’s teacher, Suigin.”

At that, amber eyes go round. “You...you have sage training?”

Ryū’s cheeks go sheepishly pink. “...yes…”

“That’s amazing! I wish I could do that…”

For a moment, Ryū almost tells her it might be possible, and then...hesitates. Because the thought leads to a whole string of other thoughts. Other...dangerous thoughts.

...there’s so much that’s different about this timeline. Obito doesn’t know her...and neither do Kakashi or Rin. If...if her dimensional double were in Konoha, surely at least Rin would have crossed paths with her, right? Is she...not here? Is she dead?

...or...is she home, with an intact village?

As Ryū seemingly freezes up, the other pair glance to each other questioningly. “...uh...Suigin-san…?”

Rin’s voice breaks the train of thought, and Ryū looks up blankly for a moment. “...sorry, I...I got lost there for a second. I’m all right.”

“Well...seems like there’s at least some parallels between this timeline and your own,” she then muses. “Are there any...notable differences?”

“I’m not sure we should get too deep into that,” Kakashi advises. “Knowing things about a line separate from our own might have...unintended effects.”

“Yeah, guess you’re right,” Rin sighs in reply, looking a bit disappointed. “But still...I’m super curious since she knows Obito! Is he still as big of a goof in your world?”

Blinking, Ryū thinks for a moment. He...has his moments, but it’s clear this Obito is far more light-hearted than hers. Which...makes sense. “...he...is on occasion,” she replies a bit vaguely. “Obito in my world, he...he’s been through a lot. He lost much more, suffered much more, in my world than this one. Or so it would appear, given what I know.”

That makes his team go a bit still. “...man...it’s a bit hard to picture that,” the other medic murmurs. “He’s such a bright, determined guy.”

“He’s still driven. Or...well, sort of.” Much of that drive - that which pushed him through so much adversity and to the near-end of his plans - was lost when he gave that up. What’s left seems to be largely focused on attempting to make amends.

And, well...her.

But that feels awfully awkward to admit...and would lead to a lot more questions she’s not sure she’d want to answer. It’s clear that this Obito is still loyal to Konoha. And while Ryū has her doubts about the village - especially after her stint in Root’s captivity - she overall doesn’t want anything to happen to it. Letting these two know of her Obito’s actions feels like it would somehow...taint the image of the Obito here.

“Hm...so, are you two...y’know…?” Rin gives a grin.

“W...what?”

“Oh, come on...I see the way your face changes when you talk about him,” she retorts, arms folding and giving a sly look. “You love that Obito, don’t you?”

Well...she already confessed as much to this Obito...surely there’s no harm, right? “I...y-yes.” Of course, doing so here feels more...awkward. After all, Obito is rather smitten with Rin...right? “...very much so.”

“Aww...well, I’m glad he’s got you,” Rin offers, smiling more warmly now.

...that earns a pause. “...really?”

“Well sure!”

“But...I thought…?” Ryū’s brows wilt, confused. “Aren’t...aren’t you…?”

Blinking, Rin thinks for a moment before laughing. “Oh, me? And Obito?” A hand waves. “Gosh, no...I mean, yeah, there was some uh...crossed wires when we were younger. And I think maybe he’s still a bit...hung up. But no, we’re not together.”

Next to her, Kakashi gives a subtle shift. Ryū, ever watchful, catches it...and puts two and two together.

“So...you and Kakashi…?”

As the tables turn, it’s Rin’s chance to go pink. “...well, yeah. It uh...took a while. He’s rather stubborn. Mostly we try to keep it more...private. A shinobi’s life can be rather...difficult. Relationships aren’t always easy.”

“Call it us not wanting to jinx it,” Kakashi offers in addendum

“...yeah. Being open about that sort of thing tends to attract...tragedy,” Rin murmurs.

“...I see.” Ryū’s head bows a bit. So...this Obito is alone…?

“Well, if that Obito found himself some romance, I bet ours will someday too,” Rin quips. “It’s not like he’s old and past his prime!”

Still rather awkward, Ryū gives a half smile. “True…” Well now she feels bad after all she told this Obito...hopefully it didn’t in any way hurt his feelings…

“Well, anyway...is there anything you need? Or...want? I guess while you wait there’s not too much more for you to do,” Rin muses, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. “It’s not that fun just sitting here in sensei’s office, either.”

“Well, I...I don’t want to be a bother -”

“Oh nonsense,” Rin cuts in, waving aside her concern. “Besides, if you just sit in here, that means we have to just sit in here!”

Oh, well...she has a point.

“Maybe we’ll just...relocate a bit. Sensei can send another hawk if he needs us, but...something tells me he’ll be out there for a while with Obito. You hungry, maybe? Or we could get some tea.”

“...tea would be nice,” Ryū then finally admits. Maybe a nice hot drink will help her settle her lingering nerves about all of this.

“Perfect! Maybe we can chat a bit more about you - that should be safe territory, right? I mean...neither of us know you. I’ve never even heard of the Suigin clan...at least, not that I can recall.”

“Um...all right. I’m not sure there’s that much to really...know.”

“Well, we’ve got to pass the time somehow. C’mon, I know a nice little place will all sorts of tea blends! Coming, Kakashi?”

“Guess I might as well,” he sighs. “I almost wonder if I’d be more help going with Obito and sensei, given my Sharingan.”

“Hm...maybe. Well, we’ll see if he sends for you. Until then, you can drink tea with us,” Rin offers with a grin.

“Hai, hai…”

Quiet as the pair banter, Ryū just follows, mind full all over again. So Rin wants to know more about her…? And no one seems to know of her clan. Not surprising, given their reclusiveness. But it brings up the question of Kusunokizan’s fate all over again. Does she even want to know…? If the village is still whole...then…

Her head shakes. No...she won’t give into the temptation. It would just make reality all the more depressing. And though nothing could sway her from returning to her home timeline...that would be the hardest hurdle to overcome.

Best not to even consider it.

“Hah...hah…” Heaving for breath, Obito braces hands on his knees. For nearly twelve hours straight, he’s been attempting to create some kind of opening in Kamui. Standing in the same place he last saw Ryū, he’s been carefully combing over the spot he knows he sent her through, opening portal after portal after portal.

And so far...to no avail.

His body shakes with fatigue, chakra running on empty. He hasn’t even taken a break to clean himself up, still peppered with dirt from his fight...and long-dried blood. His shinobi gear - rather than his typical mantle - is stained and partially torn.

But he can’t spare a moment. Who knows what might be happening on the other side, if Kakashi’s theory is correct? What if another Obito is trying to open the bridge between their realities? He can’t miss it! He can’t...he…

For a moment, it overwhelms him. Atop his fatigue, it brings him to his knees, head bowed as he caves in to his exhaustion. The entire situation has him so stressed, so worried, so manic, he can hardly stand it. The one reason he clawed and fought to live past the fourth war...is beyond his reach. The thing that’s been grounding him, that let him live through Konoha’s treatment of him after he woke...being here without her...it’s so indescribably lonely.

“...I’m trying, Ryū,” he murmurs, voice cracking. “Please don’t give up...don’t give up on me…”

For a moment, the thought surges new determination through him, and he attempts to stand...only to crash back to the ground with a groan. It’s been a hell of a long time since he’s pushed himself this hard...and his body just can’t keep up with his will.

“...urgh, damn it!” A fist slams against the leaf-littered floor, teeth gritting in a spike of temper. Kakashi only gave him a few more days until he has to report back to Konoha...he can’t afford to waste any more time…!

“Obito…”

Stilling, he looks up, heart pounding. That...that was…!

“Don’t push yourself so hard, koi...you have to rest…”

Constitution already weakened with fatigue, Obito can’t help a few stinging tears as he hears what she’d surely say. Her stern yet gentle chiding to take care of himself. A lump forms in his throat, swallowed down harshly.

“...I know...I just…” A heavy breath escapes him. “...you’re right. You’re always right…”

Shifting his stance to kneel, Obito stares at this place, now eroded from his pacing. One last thing...he has one last idea. Something tells him it’s fruitless, but…

With his last surge of chakra, he takes himself into Kamui. It’s still dark, silent...and depressingly empty. Reaching into his leg pouch, he draws a scroll, tearing off a piece and withdrawing a dull pencil.

Whoever finds this note...keep trying to open a portal here. I’m working on the other side. Please don’t give up. I have to have her back.

Maybe a little desperate, but...logic tells him the otherworlders won’t find it. Kamui, something tells him, isn’t the shared plane...but rather where they align. They can’t get into his, nor he into theirs, unless they create the same portal at the same moment.

Still...just in case, he lays the parchment nearby. Too tired to warp back out, he instead curls up on a stone nearby, body bound tightly. He misses her warmth, her softness...he misses her.

Ryū...I’m coming...don’t give up...

     Another chapter! Technically I've had this one (and the next one I'll post in a jiffy) done for a while now, just...haven't had time to proofread and post. Life is SUPER busy for me lately, so updates are gonna be sporadic (not that there's much order here to begin with, lol), so if things are few and far between for a while...that's why!      Anywho, we get to see Minato, Kakashi and Rin! Ryū's meeting all the canonly dead people today, haha - and there will be more! But yes, trying to make sure the other timeline doesn't end up tainted by her appearance is going to be difficult...and now she's got her own temptations to deal with. Poor Obito is really putting in the work to try to get her back - hopefully it'll pay off soon...!      With that though, time to go upload the next chapter! Then...who knows when I'll be back xD But thanks for reading!

[godaime-obito]

my fill for madatobi week; July 31st: Fake Relationship/Hidden Relationship

@madatobiweek

available an ao3 by the link, and below under the cut

They’ve been locked in a closet. Again. If Hashirama is going to harass them about getting along can’t he at least come up with new ways to do it? This is the third time this month he’s locked Tobirama and Madara in a small space together and it’s only the 12th.

“I don’t know why your idiot brother still thinks this will work,” Madara complains. He’s activated his sharingan to look at the seals keeping the door shut. He doesn’t know why Hashirama’s harpy wife is helping him do this beyond deriving some sort of sick amusement from his pain, but her seals are out of his league. “Can you make yourself useful and do something about these?”

“He may be my idiot brother, but he’s your idiot friend, and only one of those titles is compulsory,” Tobirama says. He takes a quick look at the seals, but when it comes to work like this the Uzumaki, especially Mito, are ahead of him. “I couldn’t unlock it the last two times and I can’t now. Clearly, we need to take a more proactive approach,” he suggests.

Tobirama presses himself back into a corner, the closet is barely big enough for both of them to fit, and he’s determined to keep as far away from Madara as he can. It isn’t far enough. The man’s ridiculously large hair is still touching him. Does his hairbrush just sit around unused? On second thought, it would be exactly like Madara to not even own a single brush or comb. Will Hashirama consider them as starting to get along if he buys him one as a gift? It’s likely though that Madara would take offense to it and yell, so probably not.

Madara huffs, whipping his head around to look address Tobirama. The ends of his hair smack him in the face. “What do you mean by ‘proactive’?” he snaps.

“I mean exactly that. We need a plan to convince him we don’t need to be forced to get along,” Tobirama replies, barely resisting the urge to roll his eyes.

“Right,” Madara says, “How the fuck do we convince him of that? Why does he care so much anyway?”

“Because he’s Hashirama, and I don’t know yet,” Tobirama answers. He would complain about the assumption he’s going to be coming up with any and all plans, but it goes without saying that even one of his worse ideas would be better than anything Madara could come up with. He’s not bad at battle strategy, but any other sort of planning from him is to be circumspect of.

Hashirama has Mito on his side, so any plan will have to either fool her too, or be entertaining enough she won’t tip off her husband. The second option will be easier to pull off than the first. What would Mito find funny that would also convince Hashirama to leave them alone? He can’t expect any good feedback from Madara, but maybe using him as a soundboard will help him come up with something. They could be in the closet for a while, so it’s not like he has anything else to do.

“We just need to get Anija to think we’re getting along, and Mito to be entertained enough not to tell him we’re pulling one over on him,” he explains. “Do you have any ideas?”

Madara pulls a rather amusing series of faces, before settling onto a scowl. Tobirama is 90% certain his hair fluffs even bigger when agitated, like a cat or a bird trying to make itself look bigger, but he is unable to properly test the theory. Maybe someday.

“At this point I’m not just satisfied getting him to go away,” Madara complains, “I want to make it blow back in his face somehow.”

If Tobirama’s honest with himself he rather likes the sound of that himself right now. He’s going to pulling Madara hair out of his mouth and off his clothes all night. He never realized humans could shed like this before, but perhaps it’s because the man never brushes his hair.

“Is it possible to get along too well?” Madara wonders aloud.

“Anija has no concept of getting along too well. The only people he’s ever considered too close are the ones I try to date, but elder brothers will be elder brothers, even Hashirama,” Tobirama complains. This idea is starting to seem like a fool’s errand.

Madara makes a considering hum. His sharingan activates again, and he looks Tobirama over from head to toe, seemingly contemplating something.

“Whatever idea you just had, I assure you it’s awful,” Tobirama says. Madara’s usual planning skills aside, he does not like the look he’s giving him.

“Hear me out,” he starts, “We could pretend to date, just for a week or so-”

“No,” Tobirama states, “Don’t even finish that.”

“Come on,” Madara says, gaining enthusiasm with every moment, “The harpy would think it was hilarious, and it would only take about a week for it to drive Hashirama so mad he’d never want us near each other again.”

The worst part of this is that it’s actually, on a scale of Madara’s plans, one of the best he’s ever had.

“We would have to tough each other outside of sparing,” Tobirama warns.

He’s has lost no eagerness, and in fact starts leaning closer, prompting Tobirama to give his best attempt at partially phasing into the wall away from the man.

“Just imagine his face,” Madara says gleefully.

Tobirama makes the mistake of imaging it. It’s glorious. Well if he’s going to make bad decisions he might as well go all in.

“Let’s start right away. While in this closet we had a great romantic revelation, and we are now sickeningly in love,” he decrees. Madara starts to cackle in response. His sharingan is still active, casting a harsh red glow, making him look like an angry witch. This is going to a beautiful disaster. Mito, at least, will find it hilarious no matter how it turns out.

This story might get a continuation eventually…

[mooreleaves]

UCHIHA SARADA, a concept.

So this is my character design of Sarada. 

1st - Red cover up and Uchiha Crest In reference from her original design and sakura’s color combined with Sasuke’s orochimaru outfit. The family crest is located on her right sleeve. 

2nd - Inner Tights Almost the same with the black anbu skin tight uniform. Because it makes her look sharper and more badass than the current bandages/white inner tights.  

3rd - Gloves and Sandals I combined Sakura and Sasuke’s glove/arm band. This is assuming Sasuke will teach her how to summon kunais and weapons from an arm mark. Gloves- so her slender hands won’t get scratched everytime she punches hard. The sandals, well she needs to be fab right?

4th - Sword I just hate how Sasuke’s sword and hitai-ate is with Boruto -_- like, why. Sorry dear authors/artists, but it’s still senseless for me. Anyway, this is Sarada still possessing a sword her papa’s or not. 

5th - Mangekyou Sharingan and Byakagou Seal With her super strength, proof of great chakra control, it isn’t far fetched that she would unleash the 100 healings mark. Her mama is the strongest kunoichi and best medic up-to-date, it’s highly probable that Sakura will teach her the 4 ways of a medic-nin. Mangekyou because I would like for her to gain that powerful Uchiha eyes. Seeing that the curse of hatred is removed from the story, I think she’ll unlock it undergoing a deep, positive, and emotional desire in saving or letting out some familial feelings. no more bestfriends dying please. I really can’t see Sarada learning Naruto’s set of jutsus. His will (to become Hokage) surely, but not his justsus (given the fact that rasengan was already handed down to Boruto). If Naruto and Sasuke can be OP, then so can she.

Imagine sharingan, healing powers, and super strength/speed. O-M-G. 

I thought of omitting the glasses because I’m not that fond of Karin but Sarada wouldn’t be Sarada without it.  :) 

Notice the cherry blossom hair band? Yup, she’s mama’s girl so I couldn’t help it. She has long silky black hair because it adds to her overall beauty. She’s the lovechild of Sakura and Sasuke a.k.a. the most beautiful and handsome beings in the manga (and it’s canon). So she ought to be also very beautiful.

------------------

I instantly regretted drawing it on a lined notebook. I had to edit the lines just to fully show the concept. And I never expected it would turn out good hence the long post. Though I’ll probably never digitalize this. I also forgot to include the usual ninja pouch and her own hitai-ate. I’m sorry!!! So that’s it! I hope I find the time to improve and properly finish this sketch. 

[ladykg]

[Naruto HashiObi Soulmate Au] Exchanging sadness for tree sap - Chapter 2

‘Ello lovely readers,

Fair warning: updates won’t be consistent and may not be this often…

Also, I kinda may or may not have played around a bit with canon time tables… in a few ways… because in blackkat’s drabble Obito has the rinnegan (and I really really wanted to use the whole, “no more masks?” line that Naruto said so… yeah). Also ages… ages are a thing… like Kagami will probably be around sixteen? And Tobirama will probably be early twenties because canon is shit at giving ages for when the whole founding of the village actually happened….

 ORIGINALLY POSTED ON FF.NET AND AO3 - PLEASE DO NOT REPOST WITHOUT MY PERMISSION (LADYKG) THANK YOU.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“What?” Izuna is the one to ask the question, breaking the silent disbelief that has settled over the party. (Really, Obito doesn’t see how staring at him for ten minutes can be a justified reaction - time travel isn’t that farfetched. But maybe he only thinks that because he just experienced it).

Obito sucks in a breath, fortifying against any doubt or delusion that he can go back now, “I’m from the future.” And of course saying it a second time doesn’t actually give any more credibility to the statement.

Except Hashirama is looking at him like the entire world just shifted, “Then the Senju and Uchiha will have a good enough relationship to have a child?” The man is practically vibrating in place, a near opposite to his sulking before. “See, brother, I told you-“

Obito doesn’t hear the rest of his soulmate’s sentence, too busy trying to wrap his mind around the implications of his words. A Senju and Uchiha child? Obito is an orphan, never knew his parents, only that they must have been Uchiha. But… but the clan hated him. He was the black sheep. And what better reason than- No. No, Obito forces himself not to tense, not to think about this anymore. He has no proof (Except he does). The mokuton was because of those experiments, not because… not because he is part Senju. They would have told him. (Except he knows they wouldn’t).

“The future must be a very innovative place for such a jutsu to be created,” Tobirama says, starting the conversation up again while eyeing Obito like he wants to pick apart his brain and root out all the secrets within. “Or was it that eye that gave you the ability?”

“It was my dead teammate.” He shakes his head, both to dispute Tobirama’s point and at the absurdity of it all. But, really, the least he can do for Rin is give her credit for letting him meet his soulmate.

“You said you’re supposed to be dead,” Hashirama picks up quickly.

“I was supposed to die during a war,” he frowns.

“Clearly it didn’t stick,” Izuna mumbles, looking Obito up and down. The comment goes ignored by those around him. (Thinking back on it that was the second time death passed him over).

“And the next thing I know I’m being shoved and falling into the middle of your pitched fight.” He repeats Madara’s own words back, practically spitting them.

“War?” Tobirama shifts, clearly trying to calculate what the threat could be.

“The fourth shinobi war,” Obito gives a wane smile. No more masks, but… he isn’t sure admitting to starting a war in front of both clans would be the greatest of ideas. It would be a power play, surely, and would mark him as a potential threat. “The Akatsuki against an alliance of the elemental nations.”

“Red dawn?” Tobirama tilts his head in question, hand coming up to rest on his chin.

“They were freedom fighters that became corrupted,” Obito hedges. His sins are ones that he is more than willing to accept but trying to gain trust isn’t exactly easy when you out right say you’ve committed heinous acts (even by shinobi standards).

There is a pause while this sinks in. While these shinobi legends think on what a threat this organization must have presented in order to force the entire shinobi nations to band together.

“Perhaps, it would be best to wait for Madara to…” Izuna turns to eye where the Uchiha have yet to fully release there leader. “Join us before continuing this discussion,” the shinobi finishes with the glint in his eyes that says he is enjoying the situation far more than he is letting on. (Made even more evident by his clear lack of help in freeing his brother).

So they wait. Wait the next forty minutes with Hashirama’s bright eyes focused on him. Wait the next forty minutes with laughter attempting to bubble out of his chest in hysterical bursts. By the time they get Madara free his hair is a mess from the ginko sapling’s ministrations, his face splattered with dirt and scratches, and Obito is more than satisfied to see the way he favors one side.

“Your soulmate’s insane,” the man tells the Senju eyes - still sharingan red - skittering between Obito and Hashirama. But it is not this statement that has every instinct in his body screaming to kill with each step the man takes. Practically rioting against all logic that letting his mokuton created plants attack the Uchiha will have to be enough. Telling him to eliminate a threat not only to his person but to the future as well. Because, now, there is no distraction of finding his soulmate, no distraction of human contact that was far from malicious.

And though Obito’s presence will ensure that the spark for the fourth war never happens it doesn’t mean that the catalyst has been dealt with. He could kill him. Even without kamui, he could take a kunai from his unsuspecting soulmate and gut the man who killed Rin, who pushed Obito to bring destruction on the shinobi world. The man who is to become the vessel for a goddess, the man who-

Every muscle pulls tight at the feeling of a hand covering his fist, more than ready to attack, more than ready to feel a weapon punch into him. It never comes though, and Obito blinks away enough red to see Hashirama’s concerned demeanor. To notice that the hand covering his is warm, trickling calming chakra into him like a lifeline. Those around him are silent, studying, and it takes him another several seconds to let his tension fade.

Hashirama doesn’t let go.

Obito doesn’t know how to react in return.

Instead, he eyes Madara for a moment more, examines the man who has done nothing yet but listen to elders and send his people to war for old revenge. The man who is friends with Hashirama. The man Obito logically knows he can’t kill if he wants there to be peace. The shinobi that has the potential to destroy the world and rein war upon all nations. (That doesn’t mean he can’t make the man’s life a living hell, however).

“To think the great Uchiha Madara was defeated by a few plants,” Obito says low enough that only he and Hashirama hear, holding back his mocking laughter all the while. Hashirama, on the other hand, has less luck. His mirth from Madara’s misfortune and Obito’s comment is more than obvious in his poorly repressed smile and gleaming eyes. It doesn’t go unnoticed by an already irritated Madara.

“He’s from the future,” Izuna cuts in, clearly having little-brother senses that are flaring with warning that Madara is about to do something stupid. Obvious choice; bring the conversation into a new topic.

“The future,” Madara raises an eyebrow, hands going to rest on his hips. “Great, even more proof that he’s lost his mind.”

Hashirama is sputtering out a defense, making claims of possible jutsu and dojutsu. But Madara isn’t paying attention, and Obito feels more than violated as the man’s gaze rakes over his figure, landing finally on his ringed eye.

“I’ve never seen a dojutsu like that before,” he frowns. “What is it?”

“The rinnegan,” Tobirama announces before he can. “It’s only ever mentioned in passing,” the future Nidaime continues, curiosity saturating his voice, “I had assumed it was nothing but a legend.”

The question is there, in the tone of the man’s voice and the looks on those in their gathering; if it’s a legend, then how did he get it?

It’s a well-known fact that the Uchiha clan hate non-clan members wielding their eyes. Especially when said eyes are stolen. It is a little known fact that they also hate when an Uchiha steals another form of dojutsu. This disapproval stemming from pride not only in the sharingan but in the clan itself. An elitist view point that they do not need any other dojutsu because no other can compare to the power of the sharingan. Arrogance in the rawest form - the same kind that has them facing the Senju without armor.

When he had been retrieving Nagato’s eyes he hadn’t given much thought to it. Too busy trying to start a war. Too busy drowning in his anger. He hadn’t cared. And, now, Obito stands before the clan head with a stolen rinnegan. He can’t say his feelings have changed.

“I took it from a dead subordinate,” he tells them evenly. He doesn’t allow himself to say comrade because he had never treated Nagato as such - he has no right to claim such ties.

And he doesn’t allow himself to look at Hashirama. Not because he thinks the man knows about the Uchiha’s opinions but because he is sure that the man’s own morals will cry out in protest. He doesn’t want to see the disapproval that he knows is there.

“You’re an Uchiha,” Madara hisses out, face filled with anger and a fire in his eyes that Obito hasn’t seen before

“You’re an Uchiha like Sasuke,” Naruto’s voice whispers through his head before he can even try to deny it, try to push away the name of a clan he had massacred. (And really, he needs to figure out what kind of jutsu that sunshine boy used to get into his head so thoroughly. To make him remember. To make him believe in a future where peace was possible without absolute control).

“It was war,” Obito growls back instead, because the absolute last things he is willing to take is Madara reprimanding him on morals. His life has not sunken so low. The scowl on his face pulls almost uncomfortably at his scars, no doubt making him even harder to look directly at. “I will not be lectured by you on the merits of my decisions.”

“Time traveler or not,” Madara’s voice takes on an authority that has Izuna shift into a more attentive state. “You’re still an Uchiha, and I am your clan head. You will respect that.”

“Actually, he’s a Senju,” a voice calls from behind, demanding and confident in a way that has Obito thinking of Kushina.

(Madara is lucky for this interruption.

Obito likes to think he has patience. He spent nearly twenty years fulfilling his plan to rule the elemental nations. He even helped an elderly Madara with his bathroom needs while under his tutelage. Had let Madara off with nothing more than an attack by plants. Had ignored his instincts that wanted a body at his feet. But his patience has fast run out while faced with this Madara’s judgement on his choices. And he is not entirely sure what he would have done without this new distraction).

“Touka,” Tobirama greets, giving a nod of acknowledgement as he moves to let her find space in their circle.

“Touka!” Hashirama beams as the woman comes to stand on Obito’s other side.

“Little cousins,” the kunoichi - Touka, Senju Touka - says, but Obito notices the way her eyes skitter to Izuna before a blink corrects their direction.

“Uchiha.”

“Senju,” Madara’s voice is sour. “This has nothing to do with you.”

“I disagree.” The smile that she gives is more of a warning. Sharp and clearly a promise to follow through with the threat it gives, “As I was saying, my dear cousin’s soulmate is a Senju. Seeing as he’s fated to a clan head. Or, have you forgotten how this works?”

Obito decides she’s his favorite Senju (baring Hashirama because he is sure that the man would be inconsolable in his sulking if the way he reacted to Tobirama is anything to go by). With how easily she can make Madara bluster. With how easily she can make the man back down.

“I know how the agreement works,” the man snaps, arms crossing over his chest. “Did you forget that it’s only between clans with a treaty?”

Touka swings her naginata down to study the blade with calm features, “Are you saying that Uchiha and Senju aren’t going to ally?”

“Madara?” And Hashirama’s voice comes out equal parts hurt and disapproving.

The man scowls, “I never said that.”

“Then we can move past your stuffy traditions,” she says sickly sweet, ignoring the glare her words earn her with an ease that says she has pissed scarier people off. “Now let me get a look at you,” she turns to Obito, showing the two Uchiha her side - not as direct an insult as placing them at her back, but a clear sign she sees them as unworthy of her full attention. Her critical look pauses on his rinnegan, moving smoothly over his scars and focuses a moment long on his chest where he knows the split between him and the material used to fix him becomes obvious. She gives a hum, “How good is your taijutsu?”

Obito blinks, taken aback by her sudden question, but he obliges to answer - it will give little away anyway. “I’m proficient.”

“Weaponry?”

Obito narrows his eyes. Any shinobi knows better than to just list all of their abilities, and that goes a bit farther than he is comfortable. “Why?”

Touka nods towards Hashirama, “I approve.” The next thing Obito knows she is presenting her hand to him, “I’m Senju Touka, it’s a pleasure to meet my idiot cousin’s soulmate.”

Obito doesn’t even try to suppress his approval, even if he has to force himself not to hesitant in returning her gesture. Definitely his favorite. “Obito,” he pauses for a breath, because Naruto fought hard to make him accept his name again, but denying what she just used to shut up an argument would be suicide, “Uchiha-Senju Obito.”

[ladyiceflame-blog]

An Inconvenient Wedding:  Chapter Four:  Drastic Tactics

Miriyume was contemplating the pattern on the inside of her sake cup a little too deeply, her team mates noted.

Gekido tried to help by giving her a refill. Matsuko, as always, was more gentle and direct. “What’s bothering you, Miri-chan?” “Huh?” she replied automatically, snapping out of her introspection.  “I’m sorry, I was miles away.  What was the question?” Gekido scoffed.  “I know you just drank an elite force captain under the table, but are you starting to lose that epic tolerance of yours?” “Dare you to doubt?!?” Miriyume countered, before drinking her cup dry and slapping it inverted on the table.  “I’m just....deep in thought at the moment, and at this particular moment, there’s a lot to think about.” “You’re not getting ‘cold feet,’ are you?” Matsuko asked quietly. “Of course not!” Miriyume answered hotly.  “This is the will of nations!  I will see this through.” “What of your will...?” Gekido pressed. “They are often the same, at least, mine and the Land of Frost, I’d like to think,” she began to chew her lower lip.  A clear sign of her unease.  “So...has anyone learned anything else about the Kiri encampment?” “Not a thing,” Matsuko nobly followed her change of topic, allowing her to cover her obvious anxiety with her ususal bravado again.  “Your husband-to-be is playing the part of the ‘bashful bridegroom,’ never leaving his camp, and demanding the same of his attendants–“ ”–his shinobi warriors,” Gekido corrected.  “All.  There are no civilians over there, Aoseishin and I checked.  And Asaito Tsuroyuni is not a nice man, Miri-chan.  He threatened to do things to us that would make that Kaka-Hata guy look like the Sage of the Six Paths!” Matsuko laughed at his team mate’s obvious grudge against the man who had so easily immobilized him.  That never sat well with him. “He was a little intense at the Grappling Tourney, wasn’t he...?” Matsuko smiled. “He launched Toki into Kirito’s tent!” Gekido reminded.  “...and Kiritio wasn’t alone at the moment...” the Inuzuka whispered suggestively, causing Miriyume to blush slightly at the awkwardness of the situation it had created. “Well...one should take precautions when trysting so close to such a tourney...” Miriyume laughed.  “And that was one night Kirito and his girlfriend aren’t likely to forget so soon.” “But ‘player three’ is usually more polite about entering into the game...” Gekido added, causing the others to laugh.  “And while I’m on the subject, that Hata-whose-it was rather ‘ungentlemanly’ with me earlier, too!  Where the hell did you meet this guy, anyway?” Miriyume gave him a surprised look.  He was usually very good at remembering the most fleeting of meetings.  “You met him the same day I did.  Both of you.  Back in Shimogakure.” Gekido and Matsuko looked to each other, searching for signs of connection, but found nothing.  Then Aoseishin barked, and Gekido paled beneath his red fang stripes and slight goatee. “The ‘Emergence’,” Gekido whispered darkly.  Miriyume nodded. Matsuko’s brow furrowed.  “He was one of the Anbu.” “He was,” Miriyume confirmed.  “The one on the lake, in fact.” “The one who kept plowing into you...?” Gekido factored. “He never ‘plowed into’ me!  We just kept getting....tangled up somehow,” Miriyume corrected sternly. “That last knot with the scarf was pretty spectacular,” Matsuko chuckled with the memory. “It was because of some weird backlash of our lightning jutsu being used in such close proximity,” Miriyume defended. “Never seemed to happen with anyone else’s...” Gekido observed. “I was beginning to wonder who his target really was that night,” Matsuko admitted.  “And what the hell was Anbu even doing up there?” “They were tracking an assassin from Kumogakure, who happened to be hiding out in our village.  Their presence had nothing to do with my brother’s....mission.” Matsuko and Gekido both turned equally somber, at the mention of her late brother.  His loss that night had changed so many things in such a small amount of time for all of them.  It had made Anbu’s capture of an S-Class nin nothing more than an amusing side note. Following a respectful beat, Gekido ended the rare moment of shared solemnity, as Aoseishin gave a plaintive whine: “Well, getting back to the original subject, is old one-eye going to be a liability?” “I don’t think so,” Miriyume returned, lowering her voice to a whisper, “He could probably be an ally, even.  But I don’t want to risk bringing anyone else into the loop, this late in the game.  We must present a whole-hearted front for the sake of the treaty, got it?” “Got it,” they answered in unison. Miriyume stood, and had to peel her coat tails from the chair, eliciting laughter from her team and a handful of observers. The weather-beaten canvas had soaked up an incredible amount of sticky rice binder. “I believe I’ll be visiting that hot spring bath house on my way back to the tent,” she announced.  “I’m calling it a night.” “But we haven’t even had a round of Chakra Flow Arm Wrestling yet!” Matsuko censured. “I’ll put you all to shame tomorrrow...” she promised, “...with my Dad!” and gave them each a comradely clap on the shoulders before exiting. In her wake, Gekido voiced his honest concern: “Do you think she’s okay?” “I think running into that Anbu guy has her a little rattled,” Matsuko replied.  “You know how she feels about ‘coincidence’...” “That there’s no such thing,” Gekido provided. “Exactly.”

Kakashi had paced around the general perimeter of the grounds three times now, pondering the vagaries of life.  He’d been mistakenly mourning the loss of a famously vibrant woman for over a decade because of a tragic failure to connect identities. The Wandering Lights Brigade was a team who were famous for their innovative jutsu, devotion to heroic action, love of a good party, and most of all, their strong bonds that were said to rival family.  In essence, the ideal team. And leading this team, at least, in spirit, was the lovely Lady Ice Flame, who had earned the epitaph from a powerful, and apparently exclusive-to-her jutsu that burned ‘cold’.   Hiruzen had known of her all along!  How had all that mystery accumulated around her?  Why hadn’t her father come to visit Konoha in all those years, if he was such a close friend of the Hokage?  Had Minato-sensei known of her? All of a sudden, something triggered in his early memories, listening in on a conversation between Hiruzen and the Head Priest of the Temple of Fire, regarding the karmetic consequences that Kumogakure had suffered following a certain abduction of a promising chunin from the Land of Frost. The Village in the Clouds had decided to kidnap a ‘rising star’ from Shimogakure, following her impressive use of new lightning-based technique at that year’s Chunin Exams.   She’d been promptly, and apologetically, released about a week later after a report of a destroyed mansion, bearing a signed treaty from the Raikage himself. Hiruzen had wept tears from laughing so hard at the Priest’s story. The Wandering Lights had spent years roaming the world together, uncovering treasures, thwarting coups, breaking criminal rings, and gaining many friends. And yet, for all that fame, the jewel-eyed kunoichi who’d snared his heart with her mischievous smile all those years ago had been hiding in plain sight, in all the time between then and now. And in two days, she’d be married off to some rank-and-file jonin from some obscure island demesne in the Land of Water, who’s only accomplishment of note was being born wealthy.  His name was Asaito Tsuroyumi, and he didn’t like visitors. Under the banner of simple diplomacy, Kakashi had requested an audience with the jonin, in order to get more details about how this....unfortunate arrangement had come about.  He had been politely, and then not-so-politely, refused.  The official excuse given for the snubbing was that the groom was in a process of spiritual purification for his wedding.  But the distinctly macabre vibe around the encampment made Kakashi wonder what gods this Asaito was praying to.   He’d heard stories of some strange cults that existed on the more far-flung islands.  Tales of torch-lit rituals, blood sacrifice, strange, violent orgies....the stuff of campfire lore and trashy adult novels. But that’s all they could be....stories.  Probably an attempt to detract from that land’s all-too-proven nightmare of the Academy of the Bloody Mist.  Students pitted in death-matches against fellow students, forced to kill their opponent to graduate. In all likelihood, this Asaito had participated in that.   What kind of child could agree to that? What kind of man did that child become? How could such a man win the hand of the Lady Ice Flame? Was it by a side-long glance under a starry, light-streaked sky? As he had nearly finished his fourth circuit around the campground, he noticed a lone figure up ahead, approaching.  Instantly, he became one with the shadows of some nearby trees and waited, refraining from the use of the Sharingan because of its revealing glow. Easy gait.  Small strides.  Soft humming of a song.  A lone female.  Incautious, or unafraid? Dark clothing.  Non-standard shinobi boots.  Scents of amber...honeysuckle...sandalwood...and...rice wine vinegar...?  Could it be?! The unmistakable fiery hue of the long, wild hair left no doubt, and she passed by him, singing the refrain of some unfamiliar song in her dulcet, mezzo-soprano.  Miriyume.  She had a large pack on her shoulder, and seemed to be heading off-site.  Like a leaf in the wind, he followed. Using Chameleon jutsu, he tailed behind her as she descended a gentle hill that lay just outside the campgrounds.  He indulged a moment of aesthetic appreciation, making note of the slight sway of her coat tails as they moved against her full, feminine hips.  She looked strong and solid.  So unlike the majority of the kunoichi he’d associated with.  Yet she also radiated a fierce kind of beauty that could put geisha to shame.  It was an exquisite paradox. Her trek seemed to be leading to a small farmstead at the bottom of the tree-sprinkled hill.  A wooden building, surrounded tall fencing, came into view. “Good evening, Ichibana-san!” Miriyume called out to the elderly couple, sitting beneath a lantern on a large porch.  “Is it too late to do some night-bathing?” Kakashi nearly fell out of the tree he had decided to perch in. “It’s never too late for the Lady Ice Flame!” the old lady scolded, beckoning her over.  “You even have the spring to yourself for once!” “You are spirits of healing, sent to soothe our minds and bodies!” Miriyume gushed her gratitude, as the woman led her into the house. It had been a long, dusty road to get here... And Konoha’s nin had been hired to act as security... And a hot bath sounded wonderful.... With a nimble leap, he released his Chamaeleon jutsu, and landed quiet as a cat in the cover of a small copse of plum trees.  Nonchalantly, he followed Miriyume’s footsteps to the farmhouse. “Hello,” he greeted the older man swatting at mosquitoes on the porch, “Ah!  I heard correctly!  There is a hot spring!  Are you still open for business at this late hour?” “We are,” the older man answered, as Kakashi stepped up onto the porch.  The man reacted by taking a swipe at the presumptive jonin with the swatter.  “What do you think you’re doing?!?” “Um....” looking confused.  “Getting ready to take a bath...?” “Can’t you read good?!” the man scolded, pointing angrily at a crude sign that read, ‘women only’.  “The men’s spring is down that-a-way!” indicating a garden entrance.  “We don’t go for that ‘open bathing’ nonsense around here!” Kakashi held up his hands in apology, and backed away, moving toward the gate. Separate springs wouldn’t provide much of an opportunity to learn anything. The layout of the two areas wouldn’t permit much of a chance to hold much of a conversation over the dividing walls, even if he could think of a way to start such a dialogue. What would Jiraiya do?  What wouldn’t he do? Then the answer came to him, and he blushed with the shame of it. “You know...” Kakashi feigned fatigue with an extravagant yawn and stretch, “Perhaps it is too late for a hot soak.  Morning is so much better for that sort of thing...” “Suit yourself,” the man replied, swatting another mosquito, “But it’s a lot more crowded in the mornings.” “...But I do have a sister who thinks otherwise.  And it just so happens that she’s absolutely filthy at the moment....” beginning his retreat up the hill, “...so, I’ll just go...get her, and send her your way!  Just, promise to treat her well.  She’s a bit...awkward...” The old man scratched his nearly bald head as the Leaf ninja disappeared into his plum tree thicket.  “Must run in the family...” In the cover of the plum grove, Kakashi sternly chided himself for what he was about to do, and yet silently thrilled at the prospect.  He’d seen Naruto do this dozens of times... When next he emerged from the trees, he was a she. A tall, gangly, ill-dressed woman with a cascade of silver hair, lavender eyes, and covered in a gratuitous combination of dirt, mashed-up plum, and whatever else was handy. “Oh, my!” the old man declared, as he/she trudged into the lantern’s light.  “You’re brother wasn’t kidding!  You look like you fell in the hog trough!” “That jerk would know,” Kakashi squealed, in a voice that surprised him in its utter foreignness, “He DID THIS TO ME!  How much for a bath, mister?” “Three ryo,” he replied, ushering Kakashi onto the porch, “Five if you want tea and a snack.”  He opened the sliding door, and called out to his wife: “Aneko!  We have another lady customer!” It was a strange, surreal experience....undressing one’s self in a feminine shape.  A little self-appraisal in the mirror.  Only a slight bit of arousal.  He was all legs.  Angular and skinny.  Small bust.  Rather tall.  Not his ‘type’ at all, really. He hung his clothes beside the only other ones there.  Hers.  The coat was hanging out to dry, being recently rinsed of the sticky rice she’d landed in.  Her tunic top, skirt and various...undergarments, were stuffed unceremoniously into the bag she’d brought.  A long, silk, indigo kimono, embroidered with stars, was standing ready for wear, with her knee-high, battered boots waiting nearby.  Kakashi reached out a slightly trembling hand to touch the kimono’s fabric, and savored its cool, ice-slick softness.  He brought its sleeve to his nose, and drank in the heady scent of amber, sandalwood, and the unidentifiable essence of her greedily.  He could track her in the dark now.  Pluck her unerringly from a million other people.  Then he heard it.... Her voice. Like the sound of a dove, amplified to the level of an approaching storm.... “....I stared up at the sun...thought of all of the people and places and things I’ve loved...” It woke something in his soul, actually forced him to drop the sleeve and focus on staying upright. “....I woke up just to see.....of all other faces you were the one next to me....” His eyes went glassy...his heart hammered against its transformed breast.... “....You can feel the light start to tremble, washing what you know out to sea, yeah...” His hand reached for the sliding door, under an irresistible enchantment.... “You can see your life out the window–“ Miriyume’s song came to an abrupt stop as the door slid open, causing a singular moment of shared surprise between the two women.  Miriyume’s quiet shock was born of the embarrassment of being caught singing alone.  Kakashi’s was the reaction of a man drowning in long-denied catharsis. Miriyume was on the far side of the stone-lined pool, sitting on a submerged shelf.  The water was a deep shade of emerald, heavily enriched by swirling, golden minerals, completely obscuring what lay beneath its shimmering surface.  The pale, pearly skin of her shoulders, arms, neck and face glowed in the faint light of the lanterns and the nearly full moon.  Her amber hair had become more red when doused with water. But what really took his breath away was the sight of her wreathed in the light of her iridescent, aurora-like chakra.  It suffused her, like a lantern that had caught fire.  It was almost impossible to look away. Her dojutsu flashed with the golden stars, drawing him further into the blue-and-green maelstorm of her amused-looking eyes.  Would that allow her to see the truth?  Reveal his true form?!? “Well, c’mon then,” Miriyume called out, after an awkward moment of regarding one another.  “I don’t bite....unless you want me to,” she teased in a playful growl. He nearly swooned at the relief of maintaining his facade, and the illicit thrill of her playful words.  Instead, he clutched his basket of toiletries tighter, and took slow, measured steps to the pool’s edge.  

[optometrist0]

Sharingan Contact Lenses

Contents

The sharingans you could ever

The sharingan eye that itachi

Considered being able

Year supply. protect your eyes when

The biggest selection of sharingan contact lenses in one store for PE eyes, we have all the sharingans you could ever dream of and are always working on new des.

Wear sharingan contact lens that mirror your favorite Japanese anime characters by Naruto – Sasuke, Itachi & Kakashi. Get your sharingan eyes at Pinky Paradise.

Awaken your inner Sharingan by decking out your eyes with this pair of sensational contact lenses. While these novelty lenses won't actually gain you any special abilities, they are absolutely necessary for your next Naruto cosplay.

Find great deals on eBay for sharingan Contact Lenses and sharingan cosplay. Shop with confidence.

Kakashi Mangekyou Sharingan Contacts. 5.00 out of 5 (4 customer … Now is your chance to own a pair of these contact lenses and show everyone just how much of a …

Items 1 – 6 of 6 … If you love the hit anime TV show and manga Naruto, you'll love the massive selection of Sharingan Contacts available at Coloured Contacts!With the huge demand of bigger, quirkier and crazier fancy dress costumes every year, we've definitely stepped up the contact lens game with our Sharingan Contacts!

Alibaba.com offers 649 sharingan contact lens products. About 95% of these are contact lenses, 2% are contact lens cases. A wide variety of sharingan contact lens options are available to you, such as three tone, brown.

Sharingan contact lenses were specially designed after noticing the growing interest in Naruto series. Sharingan is the unusual eye condition that is translated as copy wheel or mirror wheel eye; consisting of several pupils. The uchiha clan of Naruto anime series possesses this special ability that helps them in jutsu- ninja …

New Wearers Can Save Up To $150* On DAILIES® AquaComfort Plus® Lenses.

Buy Halloween Contacts and Crazy Contact Lenses take your Halloween Costume to the next level, Free shipping and free return!

Our selection of Sharingan Contacts for sale. Choose from Mangekyou, Kakashi, Itachi, Sasuke Uchiha, Eternal Madara, Shisui, and more. Buy your pair of cosplay

Sharingan Contacts for Sale, Mangekyou, Kakashi, Itachi, Sasuke Uchiha, Eternal Madara, Shisui, and more. … Sasuke Mangekyou Sharingan Contacts. Free Shipping & Free Return.

Both new designs feature Gunnar’s i-AMP lenses with touches of Razer’s classic bright green. Both the RPG Designed by Razer and Cerberus Designed by Razer feature lightweight frames, and rubber temple arms featuring Razer’s trademark …

Product Features… Sharingan and Naruto Eye … colored eye contacts and colored eye lenses…

These are known as theatrical contact lens. They are usually used for theatre, or nowadays in cosplay to dress up as various characters. These type of contact lens are generally not intended to improve vision. So, if you are near-sighted it wouldn…

We bring you the biggest and best selection of FDA approved colored contact lenses and crazy special effect contact lenses

Angelens provide high quality Sharingan Contact lenses, Kakashi, SHARINGAN – NARUTO & UCHIHA SHISUI, SHARINGAN – NARUTO LEVEL THREE CONTACT LENSES, SHARINGAN RINNEGAN SCLERA 22MM CONTACT LENSES.

Sharingan Contacts. Our selection of Sharingan Contacts for sale. Choose from Mangekyou, Kakashi, Itachi, Sasuke Uchiha, Eternal Madara, Shisui, and more. Buy your pair of …. For more info on a specific pair be sure to click through on one of the lenses you're interested in buying for a more in depth character bio.

20+ pairs of Sharingan & Naruto Contact Lenses available! Prescription coming soon. Free Shipping & FDA Approved! Transform, Like Your Favorite Character.

Sharingan Contacts. … Sharingan contact lenses are characterized by the thin black ring around the lens and black three to four half-moon shaped dots near cornea.

Here we show and explain the Mangekyou Sharingan and list the best place to buy Mangekyou Sharingan contacts online.

Buy Sharingan contact lenses Magekyou, Kakashi, Naruto, Itachi from $23.99 per pair fast shipping to US. and Canada.

EZContactsUSA.com Official Site! EZ, Greatest Selection & Best Price. Buy Now.

Sharingan Contact Lenses for all eyes try the latest designs including itachi, mangekyou, kakashi, naruto, rinnegan and many other sharingans,

Buy Sharingan contact lenses Magekyou, Kakashi, Naruto, Itachi from $23.99 per pair fast shipping to US. and Canada

Save the Drive, Order your Favorite Brands Online at the Lowest Price with PSC.

Contact lenses are now becoming a part of the lifestyles of today's young generation, as it could do magical turnover to their style and look. You might ask why they are going for Sharingan contactsOne of the main reasons behind it is to change the eye color. If you are a die hard style enthusiast, then you probably interested …

Fans of the Naruto Shippuuden anime series will love our Mangekyo Sharingan Uchiha Contact Lenses. These lenses look amazing and will be sure to grab attention. Perfect for a special occasion, fancy dress party, Halloween party or Cosplay event! Our contact lenses are light, soft and extremely comfortable to wear.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has announced that the government will strictly control color contact lens as a medical item by amending related laws within a year. The contact lenses are currently sold by shops without a …

Cosplay contacts are becoming more and more popular in recent years and with so many different designs to choose from, all allowing you to perfectly imitate your …

Sharingan Contact Lenses are a hit within Naruto fans. Yes, they are so cool. Whether you are a Naruto fan, you cannot be infatuated with them. It can be said that, indeed, they have a lot of magic. You can order sharingan contact lenses in the web site as follow, http://www.cococontacts.com. And make …

The biggest selection of sharingan contact lenses in one store for PE eyes, we have all the sharingans you could ever dream of and are always working on new des

Wear sharingan contact lens that mirror your favorite Japanese anime characters by Naruto – Sasuke, Itachi & Kakashi. Get your sharingan eyes at Pinky Paradise.

Angelens provide high quality Sharingan Contact lenses, Kakashi, SHARINGAN – NARUTO & UCHIHA SHISUI, SHARINGAN – NARUTO LEVEL THREE CONTACT LENSES, SHARINGAN RINNEGAN …

In some instances people wear these lens in order to change their eye color. Some contact lens are even fashioned after the eyes of characters such as the sharingan eye that itachi Uchiha has from the anime show, Naruto. Many people …

Diameter : 14.2mm Water Content : 42% Base Curve : 8.6mm Life Span : 1 Year Disposal.

Ever wanted stunning blue eye or deep and dark purple? We’ve all considered being able to change our eye color; if even for a short time. Now you can safely and …

Items 1 – 7 of 7 … Our collection of Naruto Contact lenses similar to the Naruto Anime. We have many variations of Sharingan contact lenses! We also have a version of the 10 Tails eyes and a lens very similar to the Rinnegan.

Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams made quite the impression with the red and black contact lenses worn during Thursday night’s game against the Dolphins. Among the stream of jokes made on social media, the NFL included a …

Cosplay Contact Lenses Cosplay contacts are becoming more and more popular in recent years and with so many different designs to choose from, all allowing you to …

Cosplay Contact Lenses Contents Lenses safely. nowadays This past saturday’s jie Including acuvue has been helping patients Labor gdpr best practices. when Your Guide to Buying and Wearing Cosplay Contact lenses safely. nowadays, everyone wishes to wear circle lenses for cosplay nearly every day. In the United States, you have to sell decorative contacts only if you have Best Coloured Contact Lenses Contents Dark brown eyes 2018 … learn about Dark eyes and Your eyes does not The labor gdpr best practices EZContactsUSA.com Official Site! EZ, Greatest Selection & Best Price. Buy Now. Wearing crazy-colored contact lenses might complete a costume look … “The patient is still undergoing intensive therapy and we can only hope for the Buy Contact Lenses Contents Lenses has become Contact lenses including acuvue Has been helping patients see If they don’t ask One year supply. protect your eyes when you join the Eyecare Club, you can get Sofmed 55 contact lenses for as low as $13.99/box with an annual supply and rebates. Buy your contact lenses online without a prescription.

from http://bestoptometrists.net/sharingan-contact-lenses-7/

[celticfeather]

Chapter 1: https://celticfeather.tumblr.com/post/188433697686/akatsuki-fic-campfires

Cannibals Chapter 3: The Lineage of Izanagi

-Uchiha Itachi-

Something particularly loveless prodded Itachi awake.

"You're the last watch till dawn," Kakuzu said. Itachi activated his sharingan as he woke, his dark eyes shifting to red. He could see Kakuzu's green ones were dilated near-sightlessly in the blackness.

Itachi rose and leapt up their chosen watchman's tree. The sharingan allowed him to see a wider spectrum of visible light than a normal human, and what should have been the black jungle night gained a strange ultraviolet tinge, a whitish-purple color somewhere between neon and dark that his language could not well describe. The stars and chakras shined different, coldly-bright, minty colors too. But he saw no glows of enemy shinobi in the night, just the gentle silver chakra silhouettes of sleeping birds and insects, and the three ninja below him. He let his sharingan fade. In an hour it had become bright enough for ordinary humans to see.

He alighted between the three ninja sleeping on the ground to no response. So much for Kisame's 'I only half sleep' claim.

Unsure of the best way to wake them, Itachi announced at normal volume, "It's dawn."

They rose quickly and quietly, professional in every mercenary sense of the word. For a troupe of cantankerous rogues, Itachi was surprised no one complained. He supposed that would resume once they decided they were no longer being hunted.

"No sign of the enemy since I've been awake," Itachi reported.

"Time to get the hell out of the land of Lightning. Anyone gotta take a piss, now's the time," Kakuzu said. After a short moment, the four ninja oriented themselves against the eastern dawn, and began leaping through the trees.

"Where's Zetsu when you need him?" Deidara muttered as they ran. "He'd say what Pain wants us to do about this."

"You don't need Pain or his pet mushroom. You have me," Kakuzu said.

"Yeah? And who made you second in command?"

"I'm the one who actually talks with our contractors. So naturally, I have our mission intel, and there's no reason to stop work."

"Hmpf," Deidara said.

"Since you fucked up the least, Kisame, I'll let you pick what you do." Kakuzu said. "You want to fix this Raikage incident, or make some money?"

Kisame looked at Itachi for his opinion. Itachi merely raised his eyebrows in reply.

"Make money," Kisame answered. Good. Itachi wanted to be away from this disaster.

"Great. You two go to this shithole village and kill their patriarch. When you're done with that, some pirates could use a lesson in not leaving witnesses." Kakuzu tossed a scroll to Kisame and one to Itachi, who each caught them deftly. Kakuzu then looked at Deidara.

"Deidara, you and Sasori will fix your fuck up. We don't want the Cloud or Mist investigating the Akatsuki. Blame it on different terrorists."

"How do we do that?"

"Doesn't matter," Kakuzu said.

Deidara frowned. But his calmness suggested he thought Sasori would know how to fix it.

They were soon over the border of the Land of Frost, where they said the brief goodbyes of stiff men. Itachi and Kisame continued west. Deidara went north. Kakuzu south. They stopped at a collection point on the way to get Kisame a new robe and gear, and began their ascent to the next mission's village in the afternoon.

They stopped along a river to prepare. The mint-colored alpine meltwater cooled the air in a low dense pocket from the beating sun. Itachi opened the scroll of mission intel and familiarized himself with the details. "Small town. Better we don't make a stir."

Kisame grunted in acknowledgement and stepped towards the river, swinging Samehada off his shoulder. He summoned a large deep-blue shark along the bank. It opened its mouth, and Kisame pressed the wrapped Samehada inside its white-fleshed throat. The two ninja being armed to the teeth was useful for intimidation, but a hindrance to infiltration. As if it was a loyal horse, Kisame patted the magical shark once on the muzzle once it closed its jaws around Samehada.

"You ever touch a shark before, Itachi? Try it."

Like he had been invited to partake in the most dangerous petting zoo, Itachi wet his feet at the bank where the shark, high as his hips, swayed half submerged. He thought the shark would look at him, or at least acknowledge him, but its circular black eyes didn't waver. With a slowness Itachi hoped the fish would interpret as respect, he brushed his palm against its exposed gray flank.

"It feels like sandpaper."

Kisame smiled. "Shark skin is actually made of dentin, the same material as teeth."

Because they need more of that, Itachi thought. He removed his hand, and deeming its duty done, the huge probably-sentient carnivore disappeared with a puff of mist to the realm Kisame had summoned it from.

"It's not easy to make a summoning contract with a shark, you know. Ninja tend to not come back," Kisame said.

"I thought you said sharks don't like how people taste."

"Oh, the sage sharks of Koraru Depths make exceptions for arrogant Mist chunin. You don't taste that bad."

He sent Kisame a reproachful look at his choice of pronouns, but Itachi's face was something of a resting scowl, so Kisame seemed not to notice.

To appear like a traveler of the civilian sort, Itachi untied his shuriken packs and the ninja headband. They kept their robes, no one yet recognized the red clouds as unique. He thought living in the forest on the run gave him enough of a convincingly rough appearance. Lifting his gaze from the water's reflection, he regarded his partner.

"Do I pass for a trader?"

"You look fine. It's your voice that's the problem."

"My voice?"

"I don't know how much you know about the Hidden Mist, but there we have a caste system, and the Hoshigaki belong to a certain caste. And people like me can tell by your dialect, Itachi, that you come from a noble family, and there's not a chance in hell you're a traveling merchant."

Itachi never thought of himself as in an upper class, and caste had been abolished in his land seventy years ago. Kisame's background in the Mist allowed him to perceive things that Itachi never intended to exude. "I see."

"Try gotcha, instead of I see."

"Gotcha."

Itachi pulled a piece of paper from the scroll and unfolded its careful nine-faceted square. A sketch of the man they were paid to kill stared back at them. Taika Hiroki. About sixty years old, leader of the local clan, someone had it out for him. Kisame nodded, having committed his face a last time to memory. Itachi burned the incriminating documents between his fingers.

The pair climbed ancient stairs carved from wood, stone, and roots, along a humid forested mountain crest. Traditional torii winged gates arched over their heads, and the small village soon appeared along a glacial lake between the mountains. A chunin posted at the doorless entrance looked the two travelers up and down. He pulled a root of wild licorice from his teeth before he spoke.

"What brings you to Honomura?"

"We're merchants," Kisame said.

"Here for the festival?"

"Of course."

The guard escorted them in. A minor official who clearly did not get enough visitors gave them each wooden travelers' passes. What a bothersome village.

Itachi felt more endangered in these hamlets. He paradoxically would be less noticed in a large ninja village. It was in these tribal redoubts, where most of the settlement consisted of a single clan, that he knew he was immediately recognized as an outsider. By the introductions they made with petty officials, the pair gleaned that three quarters of the settlement's two-hundred-odd population had the surname Taika, and it would not be easy to find theirs.

But the presence of the foreigners attracted mercifully little attention at the festival. Like moths drawn to the warm haze of paper lanterns, the outlaw pair wandered dazed to the center of the fairgrounds. After weeks in the forest they were transfixed by the live music, the vendors, and best, the greasy scent of real food -not whole animals- which glistened with salt and sauce. They looked at each other with testing eyes that betrayed the same poorly concealed thought.

"How much money do we have," Itachi said.

Kisame checked himself. "I've got eight hundred."

"I have one thousand."

Crap.

"I'll find some more money," Kisame said. Good. They were on the same line of the same page. In less than two minutes, Kisame had stolen a two centimeter wad of cash from a food stand.

Itachi's eyes darted from stand to stand. "What do you want to eat?"

"Do I look picky to you?"

Bristling with treasures —foods on sticks and cups of tea and sake between their knuckles— Itachi and Kisame seated themselves at one of many low tables near the town's stage and began to eat. Soon enough an announcer entered stage center, and introduced an act on the origin of deities.

"How's your knowledge of religion, Itachi?"

"Average."

The play began as they ate, and rusted to art forms, Itachi found himself paying rapt attention. Two actors dressed in white robes, a woman and a spear-wielding man, stepped onto the stage, where white lanterns cast the empty scene in an ethereal fog. Dipping his spear into the water, or rather tapping the stage floor, the man created land, and the white-clouded lanterns slid on the string to be replaced with ones tinted a jungle green.

"Izanami and Izanagi," Itachi whispered to Kisame. "Siblings, but also..." he waved his hand in esoteric explanation.

The creation gods Izanami and Izanagi had several deformed and normative children. First born was Hiruko, stricken with a hunched back, and cast into a river. They had many others, at last birthing Kagutsuchi the fire god. Izanami died giving birth to the flaming infant.

"And with Izanami's end, the world's first death occurred, and with it the age of creation. Intent to amend his wife's unjust fate, Izanagi plunged into the underworld, which then, was not separated from the realm of men," the narrator read.

Izanami wandered through a darkened stage, and stopped short. Behind a veil shined the unmistakable silhouette of his beloved wife.

The curtain lifted, but the woman it revealed was not fair Izanami. The actress's serene white face-paint had become putrefied in death. Children's gasps accented the moment. Fingers curled in shock at his rancid beloved, Izanagi turned away. His wife was enraged at his superficial rejection, and spurred demons after her former lover. Izanagi raced from the underworld, off the stage, where demons in fur-rimmed masks chased him through the audience until Izanagi circled, panting but safe, back onto the stage of the surface world. He pushed a prop-boulder over the cave, forever sealing life from death.

The narrator stepped onto the stage, and a spotlight centered on him, with Izanagi bathing himself in background.

"Izanagi cleansed himself from the underworld in a rushing river. The water that streamed off his face became three new gods:"

The spotlight jumped to greet the new characters in regal dress:

"From one eye sprung the proud moon god, Tsukuyomi."

"From the nose, the mischievous god of sea and storm, Susanoo."

"And from the other eye, artful and enlightened, patron of our village: Amaterasu the sun."

"Amaterasu was by far the most righteous and beautiful of the three new gods," the narrator crooned, and stooped low to leer at her backside. Amaterasu raised her fan to her face, whumphing the announcer without a lapse in grace, and the audience laughed.

The three new gods greeted the world of men -the audience- each with kabuki flourishes that reflected their personalities. He thought Amaterasu made eye contact with him from behind her fan.

"Hm." Kisame smiled slightly and his pupils slid to Itachi.

Itachi sipped his tea. "We might be the most interesting thing that blew into this town in a week."

"You should talk with her."

"I'm not good at flirting."

Kisame snorted. "Just like your knowledge of religion."

"I'm not being modest. I haven't spoken with a girl my age in years. In this town, I'm just a merchant."

"A kind, handsome one."

Itachi was struck that Kisame had called him 'kind.' He did not think Kisame would evaluate someone with that category. Not knowing how to take the compliment, Itachi stared back at the stage. Amaterasu and Susanoo competed over who was a stronger god. Amaterasu had just turned Susanoo's sword into five human beings, versus Susanoo's ability to spring only three from her necklace.

Their low table quaked. Kisame had plunged his cup down so hard and fast that his drink sloshed over the rim. His wide nose wrinkled and the stare Itachi met was battle-urgent.

"There's blood, buckets of it, enough to drain ten men."

Itachi forced his shoulders to relax. They must not act or show awareness of this yet. His eyes scanned the crowd as a cheering arose and the taiko drums beat an excited sinister trot into the space between his ribs. A column of fifteen men and boys carved a path like a wild river through the parade grounds, a coarse wooden platform undulating on the men's shoulders. Atop it glistened a bleeding heap of fresh red muscles and white fascia. It was a dead, skinned, horse.

Kisame squinted. "What the hell?"

"The crimes of Susanoo. Upset with his sister, he flayed the skin off Amaterasu's horse," Itachi explained. He also noted that in these conditions, Kisame could not differentiate human from animal blood.

Susanoo charmingly presented Amaterasu the horse carcass from the audience. Amaterasu strode off the stage in grief and anger, her silken white-red sleeves snapping, and the stage darkened with the egress of the dawn goddess, plunging the realm of men into darkness. Susanoo smirked and laughed, and the loping demons in fur-rimed masks began to howl. String instruments climaxed crescendo and fell, marking the end of the play's chapter. The audience gasped and clapped. The festival night was now without the Sun's guidance, and any kind of crookedness could occur before dawn returned.

The men heaped the horse onto a pyre, and a chunin lit it with a fire jutsu, enflaming a birchwood pile which was small enough that the meat might be cooked rather than carbonized. The village had a dark interpretation of their worship: Itachi thought that the goddess Amaterasu would not appreciate the flaying of another horse in her name. But the villagers seemed to like it.

"The Leaders of the Mist would consider this barbaric," Kisame said, his sly eyes smiling behind his cup.

Itachi matched Kisame's sentiment. No, the great ninja villages did not sacrifice simple horses to gods of sun, but sacrificed men and souls to gods of war. Gods they hailed each time they smithed a kunai, and who licked their lips at each newborn baby.

The next performance started, some students playing taiko drums. It was a banal sight compared to the play. Itachi ate his dango and drank his tea, listened to the music, and watched thick smoke rise from the pyre.

A gang of the village's teens stood by the pyre, the actress for Amaterasu among them. She had removed the headdress and white facepaint, but she still wore Amaterasu's red and white wake-sleeved furisode. One of the group looked at him and Kisame and giggled, as if discussing a dare. Then Amaterasu looked at the two travelers and grabbed a tray. He realized with a start that she was coming towards them. Kisame, who smelled caste like he smelled blood, tugged Itachi's robe, telling him that this is when merchants stood.

She dipped her head in greeting. "Excuse me sirs, my name is Taika Hato. I'm priestess at our temple and actress at the theater. We noticed you're not from around here. Would you like some horse flesh?"

Itachi blinked: the sun goddess Amaterasu had just offered him to eat her horse. He stumbled out a yes.

"And you, sir?"

"Please give me the shoulder, Miss Hato."

"Sure. May I ask your names?"

'Itachi' meant weasel. Weasels were small, ambitious, mean, and hungry. His parents' birth judgement had been imperfect: Itachi had become a man who was calm, sharp, and observant.

"I am Karasu. And this is my companion, Mekajiki. It's very good to meet you, and thank you for the food." Itachi bowed his head and gave himself a name meaning crow, and swordfish for Kisame.

"You're welcome! How was the show?"

"Your performance was stirring. I only hope your next act is soon: if I remember, demons terrorize everyone on earth until Amaterasu comes back," he said, trying his best to exude friendliness, but he had not spoken to anyone he considered a friend in years. He sat down, and with a gesture to the empty space, he invited Hato to join them if she wanted. He noticed Kisame's chin dip near-imperceptibly in approval of his manners.

"You know your religion," she said, taking a seat. "Stick around tomorrow at seven to see me kick Susanoo's butt. What brings you two here?"

"You mean, you can't tell by our dress?" Itachi asked.

"It is odd," she agreed.

Itachi smiled. "We're charcoal burners."

"So you...?"

"We fell trees, burn the logs in an earthen kiln using fire and water style, and then travel from village to village selling the charcoal. Smiths burn it to keep their forges at the correct temperature. It's also used in cooking, fertilizer, detergent, explosives, traditional medicine- even cosmetics. We've got a wagon full of it down the road."

Her look between the two men deduced Itachi was the fire user. "How good is your fire style?"

"Just the basics," he said modestly.

Hato's eyes changed from simply friendly to that of intrigue, and her expression became appraising and hopeful. "For the last act, the village guards cast fire jutsus as tributes to Amaterasu. You should join them."

"I couldn't possibly intrude on your ceremony as an outsider."

"When it comes to this ceremony, I am the authority. Plus, gifts from strangers mean more than gifts from friends, we say."

Itachi nodded. He would make an offering of flame to Amaterasu. And the girl, her representative, smiled with her eyes. "Thank you, Karasu! They'll love it."

Kisame stretched, looked at the two youths, and stood to leave. His gaze alerted Itachi not to expect his return. "I'm going to… get some more sake."

"You don't want to watch your friend perform?" Hato asked.

Kisame grinned and waved. "He's not so impressive."

Hato led Itachi backstage to meet the village's top military brass: a gaggle of four men spanning years fifteen to thirty who passed a ceramic bottle between them. The root-chewing gatekeeper was youngest among them. Hato was received warmly by the soldiers. She introduced Itachi as a pious charcoal merchant, and he was quickly ignored by the men.

For this dangerous and final act of the night, the stage had been stripped bare of its curtains and paper lanterns, and strapping men spilled buckets of water across the hardwood stage. A grinning bucket-spiller splashed the remaining water dregs onto the squealing children in the front row. From the backstage tent, Itachi watched the first four performers submit their offerings, each casting the biggest sun he could into the night sky in honor of Amaterasu. The crowd shrieked and laughed, fire reflecting on their wide scleras. Stepping forward for his turn, Itachi decided he would create a fireball that was the third largest- no need to upstage the locals.

Itachi mounted the stage as the penultimate performer left. His eye caught on Hato staring at him encouragingly, she flashed a thumbs-up, and he was bolstered with a better idea. Halting just one step onto the stage, Itachi faced profile, and his chest swelled like a bird. He blew, and his fire bloomed a deep ferrous red sparking with trace elements, and the chakra fireball sprinted across the stage in the shape of a stallion. Mane flaring, embers sparking from its light hooves, the fleet, shrieking horse appeared and faded in a vacuum roar. He returned backstage to raucous applause. When the soldiers' mouths gaped wide enough to catch frogs, a quiet grin cut Itachi's lips.

It hadn't been larger than yours, he thought.

Hato linked arms with him and led him through the festival crowds. She would introduce him to people and he would forget their names. Villagers welcomed him like a hero and plied him with sake. A kind old lady handed him a skewer with cubes of horseflesh. Any friend of Amaterasu was a friend of theirs. He was happy. Kisame was gone, the mission was something for tomorrow, Hato was a nice girl, and he could pretend to be normal for a night. Her attention made him feel pleasantly male, that he wasn't strange, isolated, murderous or evil.

She had showed him around the small town and they found themselves walking along the cold, white-graveled shores of the glacier lake. The gentle summer alpine night glowed cobalt blue, lightened by a huge low moon, whose coolness was relieving compared to the warm and dark frenzy of the blood festival.

"Actress and priestess," Itachi said as they strolled. "One's devout, and old people would say the other is sinful. I haven't met a person who's been both."

She smiled. "Each coin has two sides, and the same goes for you. Where'd a merchant learn ninjutsu like that?"

"The road is dangerous… and," he whispered like sharing a secret, "Sometimes really boring."

"Hah! Can't be less interesting than here."

"Did you know, that was a curse you'd tell your enemies in the old days? 'May you live in interesting times'?"

"Sounds menacing when you say it. Can you do other ninja tricks?"

In a heartbeat, he threw three kunai in a perfect line along a slender birch, each resonating a deep thunk that merged into one. A white and gold moth fluttered impaled on the center knife. She gasped.

But when he looked back at her, her face seemed uncomfortable. The throw was well above chunin level, above most jounin. Itachi knew he should not be careless in his desire to impress her by throwing beyond the abilities of a merchant. But somehow, the throw had not pleased her.

"Is something wrong, Hato?"

"What I liked about your fire jutsu wasn't its killing power; it wasn't a weapon, it was art."

"Art..."

"It's like how you and Mekajiki use fire and water style to make charcoal. Your fire style painted Amaterasu's horse, and it was beautiful. Performance is art, and it makes people happy."

Itachi regurgitated what he knew of art. "Do you think art is a single rapturous instant, or eternal?"

"Weird question. Art isn't a period of time, but a place. It transports you somewhere you've never been before, to some feeling you've never felt before"

"Hm," Itachi pondered. He thought that was a better philosophy than that of either Deidara or Sasori. He wondered how mad they would be if he answered like that, and decided he would next time they asked his opinion. Which would probably be never.

She smiled at him. "I've got a stupid dream. Wanna hear it?"

"I'd love to."

"I dream to lead a group someday that practices more peaceful uses to ninjutsu than war. Even if it was just a traveling circus of theater artists, and all we accomplished was making some villagers laugh."

"You've already got a talent for performance. The road is dangerous, but train and surround yourself with others like you, and only a fool would rob you."

She smiled sadly. "Dad wants me to marry a prince in the next village."

"Bring the prince along."

The actress said nothing and skipped a stone over the lake. It failed after two stops, and she made a noise of embarrassment. Itachi picked up a small flat stone and also skipped it badly. Ripples in the lake reflected the moonbeams like bobbing driftwood.

"It's late," Itachi said after a while.

"Do you have somewhere to stay?"

Itachi did not answer right away. She said, "Stay the night at my house."

Itachi bowed. "That's very generous of you. I would be happy to stay overnight in your stable, and my partner as well, if possible."

There was a sly shift of her eyes, lids heavy around her big, black pupils. "I think he'll have found an inn by now. But that shouldn't stop you."

Hato escorted him across flagstones that shone silver in the moonlight. Carrying their shoes, opening a sliding door with the utmost care, the two tiptoeing teens entered her sub-clan's complex and slipped into her bedroom.

Itachi set his shoes along the wall, wondering to what extent he should undress himself. When he turned around, Hato had knelt on her white futon. With her eyes trained at him, she slowly loosened the belt of her furisode to bare her chest. Itachi did the same. He reached to kiss her, she kissed him back. He shed the rest of his clothes, then did the same for her. He leaned into her. This is what people did.

He shuddered at the unfamiliarity when her weak hands touched his neck, they were warm and soft, hot as death-blood. He banished the rising memories, memories from the last time he did this, no, from the last time he thought he did this with Izumi that terrible night. Their bodies fit together like hot white ivory, and like smoke and steam, a very un-normal man tried his best to do this very normal thing.

Author's Note;

Heyo, thanks for supporting this fic. I plan to post Chapter 4 around Friday Nov 23. This will be a long dramatic fic with probably about 10-15 chapters this length, and I have a lot of progress made already.

Let me know your thoughts. And thanks of course to thanks again to beta myochiikurin!

Steadfast,

Kelto

Follow on FF or Ao3

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13409132/1/Campfires

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21019778/chapters/49992863

[optometrist0]

Tinted Contact Lenses

Contents

Contact lenses that are sold without

Nationals outfielder bryce harper wore

Designs feature gunnar’s i-amp

Lenses eyes with items 1

Beware of colored contact lenses that are sold without a prescription because they … and cutest costumes from the community that we’ll share in a photo gallery on Philly.com. To contribute a photo, just email it to us at …

Learn about the 3 types of colored contact lenses; which color type works best for you; and whether you need a prescription for color contacts.

Alden Enhancement Tints. … our custom tinted contact lenses, our custom multifocal and multifocal toric contact lenses, and scleral lenses.

Take an extra 25% Off and Free Shipping. Use coupon code: SAVE25

Please email us at support@axonoptics.com if you need the full technical specifications of our lens construction. Our lenses are a great choice for people who have been wearing contact lenses comfortably for years, and have also tried our tint. They are not a good choice for people with dry eye or eyes sensitive to the …

Am J Optom Physiol Opt. 1976 Mar;53(3):145-8. Effect of tinted contact lenses on color vision. Harris MG, Cabrera CR. This study was designed to investigate the effects of various contact lens tints on color vision. Color vision performance of eight subjects was evaluated with the Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue Test while each …

Results 1 – 7 of 7 … Color contact lenses allow you to correct your vision while changing your eye color. The best selling brands include Freshlook Colorblends and Air Optix Colors.

You wouldn't dream of spending the day in the sun without lathering up on sunscreen, but protecting your eyes against damaging UV rays is also an absolute

Lens.com – Searching our lenses for tinted matched the additional contacts: 1-Day Acuvue, 1-Day Acuvue Moist, Acuvue 2, Acuvue Advance and Acuvue Advance for …

Color & Enhancing. Welcome! If it's eye color changing contact lenses you want, you're in the right place. Browse our colored contacts for dark eyes or color …

A contact lens, or simply contact, is a thin lens placed directly on the surface of the eye. Contact lenses are considered medical devices and can be worn to correct …

Order Colored Contacts Online at AC Lens. Customers Love Our Award Winning Service, Free Shipping, No Hidden Fees, and Free 365 Day Returns.

Alden Enhancement Tints. … our custom tinted contact lenses, our custom multifocal and multifocal toric contact lenses, and scleral lenses.

Feb 12, 2018 … Colored contact lenses allow you to change your eye color and create a look that's subtle, bold or anywhere in between — whether you want to enhance your everyday look or rock a crazy design for Halloween and other special occasions. Color contacts are available in both prescription and plano forms:.

Anahad O’Connor tackles health myths. THE FACTS Bryce Harper, the Washington Nationals outfielder, created a minor stir last week when he showed up in the dugout wearing reddish tinted contact lenses. It was not an attempt to …

Tinted contact lenses are contact lenses that have had a dye incorporated into the lens material. This dye gives the lens a particular hue or tint, depending on the color of the dye used. Some tinted contact lenses can be used to subtly alter the natural color of the eye, while others can be used to completely “change” the color …

Nov 21, 2016 … Curious about colored contact lenses? Learn more about tints, caring for your lenses, and how to determine which colored lenses are best for you.

Lens.com – Searching our lenses for tinted matched the additional contacts: 1-Day Acuvue, 1-Day Acuvue Moist, Acuvue 2, Acuvue Advance and Acuvue Advance for Astigmatism

Our specialty tints are available with a number of tinting options: All Enhancement Tints are ordered directly by an Eye Care Practitioner and are not available directly to the patient. … Use the 14.5 diameter for normal-sized corneas; If a different diameter is desired, add 3.5mm to the HVID to calculate the lens diameter …

Fictive works of art: The forger and artist Wolfgang Beltracchi covers 2,000 years of art history. Also: Jacqueline Urbach is the inventor of colored contact lenses. …

Discover ACUVUE® Brand Contact Lenses and get your certificate for a free trial pair (exam and fitting fee not included).

Wearing crazy-colored contact lenses might complete a costume look, but health experts are warning against the accessories. Many contact lenses sold online or over the counter are not sold legally and are not approved by U.S. …

Oct 15, 2012 … Some athletes have tried amber-colored contact lenses to reduce glare and enhance contrast, but studies point to no significant gain from tinted lenses.

Color & Enhancing. Welcome! If it’s eye color changing contact lenses you want, you’re in the right place. Browse our colored contacts for dark eyes or color …

Jan 15, 2015 … Optometric practices offer tinted and colored contact lenses to aid in cosmetic enhancement; however, many eyecare practices are unaware of the therapeutic effects that tinting a lens (contact or spectacle) can offer.

Find great deals on eBay for tinted contact lenses and color contact lenses. Shop with confidence.

Grey Color Contact Lens,from US$9.99/pair, Worldwide Shipping

Curious about colored contact lenses? Learn more about tints, caring for your lenses, and how to determine which colored lenses are best for you.

We Beat Any Price on Contacts. Crazy Fast Shipping- 1-800 CONTACTS

Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2014 Jun;37(3):136-43. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2013.09.004. Epub 2013 Oct 11. UV-vis light transmittance through tinted contact lenses and the effect of color on values. Osuagwu UL(1), Ogbuehi KC(2). Author information: (1)Corneal Research Chair, Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences College  …

Dec 23, 2013 … Tinted Contact Lenses | Whether you're going to a Halloween party or want to change the color of your irises, here's a list of contact lens tint types.

The use of tinted contact lenses in the management of achromatopsia. Schornack MM(1), Brown WL, Siemsen DW. Author information: (1)Division of Optometry, Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. Schornack.muriel@mayo.edu. Comment in Optometry. 2007 Jul;78(7):328.

AIR OPTIX ® COLORS contact lenses create a beautiful look that blends naturally with any eye color— whether you have dark eyes or light, whether you need vision correction or not. These breathable* contact lenses provide stunning eye color and outstanding comfort. Plus, their monthly replacement schedule is easy to …

Visit freshlookcontacts.com to view the complete line of Freshlook® color contact lenses. Find the right color contact to match your signature look.

Tinted spectacle or contact lenses may be useful in relieving photophobia associated with a number of cone disorders, including achromatopsia. In addition to decreasing light sensitivity, tinted lenses have been reported to improve visual acuity, decrease the size of central scotomata, enlarge peripheral visual field, and …

The FDA is issuing a warning when it comes to developing the perfect costume; those colored contact lenses added to the list may just leave a consumer blind. A warning intended to spare thousands from purchasing a bad idea. From …

Back then, the most reliable artificial resources that actors and actresses relied on were as simple as colored contact lenses. Even after many decades of innovation, some of the most notable projects that were recently created have a …

Get the best prices on cheap color contacts online at DiscountContactLenses.com. Shop for tinted and colored lenses for brown, blue, green, and hazel eyes.

May 1, 2013 … Nike Maxsight, fully tinted soft contact lens, were created to solve this issue and I tested out a pair in 2007. They just look like really dark contact lenses, like ones you'd get for Halloween. I put a Nike Maxsight contact lens next to my regular contact lens so you can see the difference. With normal lighting, my …

Tinted contacts can enhance and even change the color of one's eyes for cosmetic purposes, for costumes, or provide special effects for the movie industry.

Apr 28, 2014 … It shouldn't be surprising that tinted contact lenses work where specialized tinted lenses in glasses work. Many migraine patients are finding relief from photophopia, and even pain, with quality sunglasses or precision tinted lenses.

Though a pair of red or white-colored contact lenses may add an extra “wow” factor to your Halloween costume this year, officials are warning that many of these lenses are illegal and could even cause blindness, UPI.com reported. …

Washington nationals outfielder bryce harper wore a pair of red-tinted contact lenses in a playoff game Wednesday. Do tinted contacts make any difference? Probably not much. So-called performance-tinted contacts make two separate …

Adventure in Colors offers color-enhanced tinting of previously prescribed soft contact lenses. Color-enhanced, tinted lenses are indicated for enhancing and/or altering the apparent eye color. Adventure in Colors tinted soft contact lenses can be tinted either to enhance the natural eye color or to subtly change or alter the …

Optometric practices offer tinted and colored contact lenses to aid in cosmetic enhancement; however, many eyecare practices are unaware of the therapeutic effects …

Yellow Contact Lenses Contents Product yellow circle lens cosplay Color that makes 55% life span Items 1 top Find Best Deals On Contact Lenses. Visit Now To Get Huge Discounts. These contact lenses are mostly contacts from the crazy contact lenses category – Cat's Eye, Yellow Leopard, etc. However Optyk Rozmus also offers ntural colour yellow contact lenses Sharingan Contact Lenses Contents All considered being Love the massive selection Contact lenses were specially Against the dolphins. among Buying directly over the internet Other costume party Both new designs feature gunnar’s i-amp lenses with touches of Razer’s classic bright green. Both the RPG Designed by Razer and Cerberus Designed by Razer feature lightweight frames, and rubber temple Cheap Contact Lenses Contents And buying directly over Infections often happen with Costume lenses you And online sellers can’t lenses eyes with items 1 Top Brands at Low Prices. Shop Our Collection of Daily, Weekly, & Monthly Lenses Contact lens wearers are risking their sight by shunning opticians and buying directly over the internet, eye experts are warning.

from http://bestoptometrists.net/tinted-contact-lenses-3/