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Broken Fan
Chapter Two: Cracked Fan and White Mask
Sasuke stared at the cracked Uchiha fan.
It was eerie. He could remember Itachi’s kunai flying swiftly through the air and embedding itself right into the center of the Uchiha clan symbol, cracking the very wall as the kunai made a split right in the middle. It seemed symbolic now, as if a prediction of things to come. Something he was too weak to stop from happening.
He tore his gaze away from the cracked fan to the dusty, unlit lanterns hanging over the Uchiha district. Lanterns that were supposed to be lit at this time of night. Lanterns that were not lit on that night, when Sasuke knew something was horribly wrong. The Uchiha lights were always supposed to be lit. But, they weren’t.
A cool breeze shifted through the air as the trees rustled, and Sasuke could have sworn he heard something in the wind… whispers as the manor in front of him creaked in a way he never remembered it did. But nothing was the way he remembered. There was supposed to be a lighted street and waving relatives and a waiting Kaa-san at the door reminding him to, “Take off your shoes, Sasuke-chan!”
He took a step forward, feeling it as hard to do as it was that night, two years ago. A cold feeling as chilling as if a ghost stepped right into him, passed through him. An idea gripped him that maybe he was the ghost. It shocked him how calm he was at that thought, at that sudden realization.
“Sasuke.” He turned his head to see the silver haired ANBU ninja with the white mask who had personally escorted him here. Why was he still here?
“Will you be all right?” He didn’t bother to answer the stupid question.
The ninja lifted his mask to reveal yet another black mask that covered more than half his face, and a hitae-ate that slanted over one eye so only one sole black eye observed Sasuke. He didn’t say anything, watching the ANBU ninja who had just mere hours ago saved him from hell. That hell.
“You know… you don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to.” The ninja said, shoving his hands into his pockets as his somewhat bored expression viewed his surroundings with disinterest, “If you want.”
…What? Sasuke blinked at the sliver haired ninja. There was no other place. The Uchiha district was home. Home that didn’t look like home, but an empty street of bloodstains and a cracked fan. But there was no place else. He was an Uchiha, after all. This was where he belonged. At the very least, Sasuke knew he deserved the reminders that bloodstains and even bloodier memories would bring. He would hold them and bear them until his container of hatred cracked as deeply as that fan… and broke through.
Then there would be even more blood.
“You can come with me.” Sasuke’s black gaze shot up and widened and met the equally black eye of the ANBU in front of him. The statement jarred Sasuke as shock took the place of his brewing thoughts.
“Well,” the ninja said heavily, “It’s your choice.” The white, dog-like mask that was flattening his sliver hair was pulled over his face once more and Sasuke was met with the same sight he had seen in that room, when the ninja had saved him from his own prison, his own hell.
The ninja turned and began walking away as if he hadn’t said anything at all. For a second Sasuke wondered if he heard him right but then again if he hadn’t then why didn’t the ninja disappear in smoke and then why was he just walking away at an easy, slow pace…? It… but why…?
Sasuke’s stomach tightened as the man’s back continued walking away. His frantic mind was yelling at him to follow, that Orochimaru could come for him at any moment and yet another part of him rebuked this completely, admonishing the fact that he’d need any help, that he wasn’t that weak. But he had needed to be saved, to be rescued by the ninja who was walking away.
He turned away from the ninja and faced the Uchiha manor, its shadows creeping over him, even in the dim moonlight. Another breeze came as one of the hanging lanterns above snapped free and fell to the ground, breaking and shattering into many millions of pieces, right at Sasuke’s feet. Unconsciously, he took a step back.
Sasuke realized that taking a step back was much easier than taking a step forward.
He turned around, blinking to see the ninja still standing there with his back still turned but he had stopped walking, standing still at the end of the Uchiha gate. As if he was… waiting. Sasuke moved, walking towards the ninja in the white mask, his heart pounding so hard he couldn’t even hear his own footsteps.
Sasuke was right behind him now as the man started walking once more. And Sasuke followed… right outside the Uchiha street. It was as if he was the ninja’s shadow and had no choice but to follow him wherever he went.
“By the way…” the ANBU ninja turned slightly so Sasuke could see his profile, “My name’s Hatake Kakashi.”
Sasuke noticed that Hatake Kakashi was an odd man. He was also very quiet. He never took off the black mask he wore over his face nor the hitae-ate that covered his other eye. Most of the time when Kakashi was in the apartment he would either sit in his armchair reading an orange book or sit at his desk in the corner, leafing through scrolls.
Then… he would ask Sasuke if he was hungry. Sasuke didn’t know why Kakashi asked him questions when he never even said anything yet. But Sasuke also didn’t know why Kakashi had led him here or even wanted him here, yet here he was. He didn’t even know why he himself came here… or even if he wanted to be here. But he was.
Kakashi’s apartment was small and at the most could only fit two people. It had a small kitchen with an adjoining sitting room, one bathroom, Kakashi’s bedroom, and a storage room that when a futon was added became Sasuke’s room. The Uchiha manor was much bigger but Sasuke didn’t need wide, open rooms. Useless, empty space.
It was on the third day that Sasuke spoke.
“Why..?”
It was when Kakashi was sitting on his, now it seemed, favorite armchair reading another one of those orange books. But, at the sound of Sasuke’s small but clear voice the ninja’s gaze snapped quickly to the young Uchiha who was standing in front of him.
Kakashi blinked, “Why what, Sasuke?” he asked, his tone blank yet at the same time polite.
Sasuke took a step forward, his dark eyes fixed on the ANBU member sitting in front of him, the man who had saved him from Oto and that… base and from… him. He clenched his fists; he could feel his nails digging into his palm as he just gritted his teeth, his question lost to his own mind. Lost to leering yellow eyes, lost to a twisted, pale smile… lost to wooden walls and unlit -
Stop it!! He mentally screamed, wanting to tear his own brain apart just to rip away the thoughts, so he could stop having these thoughts. He just wanted to forget - but how could he ever in his whole life forget? He’d never forget, never allow himself to… His onyx eyes burned into a sole black one and he felt angry… so angry at his own weakness and frustration and so…
“Why…” His voice sounded raspy but sharp enough. “…Why did you take me with you?”
Kakashi closed the orange book with a snap and placed it in his pack. He leaned a bit forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he gave a light shrug with his shoulders. “Why not?”
Sasuke blinked as his own question was thrown back at him. What… what does…?
“That… that doesn’t make any sense. You’re… not making any sense. I shouldn’t be here… why would you even want me here? You, you don’t even know me.”
Sasuke breathing hardened a bit, and he was somewhat shocked that speaking that much at one time cause him to be so unsettled but then again he wasn’t used to talking… again... especially to this man, this Hatake Kakashi who didn’t make any sense.
“Hmm, true.” Kakashi agreed with an inclined nod. “I don’t know you and I guess to you, Sasuke, it doesn’t make any sense.”
Sasuke didn’t say anything, waiting for him to continue.
Kakashi stretched suddenly, letting out a long sigh. “However, you chose to come with me, right?”
Sasuke bit his lower lip hard, looking away from the silver haired jounin.
He hadn’t known what else to do. He was left with home - but home wasn’t home. Home could never be home again. Home was Tou-san and Kaa-san and lighted lanterns and Nii… no. It was now a shadowy street filled with dead lanterns, cracked walls, and whispering, unforgiving ghosts.
Empty. Even with Sasuke himself there it was empty and useless, with only the memories of falling corpses and haunting red eyes. Eyes that would someday match his own… eyes that he would stab and burn, eyes that would rot in a dead corpse, in a flowing, bleeding crimson, and so much…
“…Sasuke?”
He blinked and turned his widened gaze to Kakashi who he imagined had a light frown on his face but he couldn’t really tell because of the mask that was so carefully hiding his expressions. Maybe Sasuke imagined it because of the slice of concern that was evident in the ninja’s voice.
No, he was wrong. That cold street with the cracked fan and the screaming echoes was not empty. No, Kakashi had been there. He had said to come with him, if he wanted... to stay with him, if he wanted.
Kakashi - the ANBU ninja who had taken him away from the room of wooden floors and unlit candles. Who had carried him safely all the way back to Leaf. The same person who read orange books with warning labels and had wayward silver hair. The ninja under the white mask.
Sasuke had followed. He couldn’t help it; it was almost like an instinctual reaction to stay closer to the person who saved him from that hell. It made Sasuke sick in his own self-disgust. How could he hope - dream to one day kill his brother when he couldn’t even save himself? No, he had to rely on this Kakashi, an ANBU captain who stole him away from chilling laughter and hissing commands.
But Kakashi was strong. Sasuke could feel it in his presence that emitted a powerful, calm disposition. He could sense Kakashi was strong the very second he tore down the locked door that kept Sasuke imprisoned in that room. The door that he could never open. Kakashi opened it.
“Listen, Sasuke…” His attention was focused back Kakashi, his throat burning to say something but he didn’t know what he wanted to say. What could he say?
“You’ve been through a lot these past two years. Orochimaru,” Sasuke stiffened at the very name, “is an S-rank criminal in Konoha and even though he’s escaped us now, we will find him eventually. I promise.” Sasuke remained quiet; the possibility of that snake sannin ever being caught seemed inconceivable. “Though, it would help if you could tell me anything you think would help the investigation.”
Sasuke looked away, not answering the intended question. He hadn’t answered anything that anyone had been asking him, so he didn’t want to start now. Besides, he barely knew anything. All he saw was the Oto base in those two years, he wasn’t allowed outside them. No, only long, dim halls and closed doors. For two years.
“You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to, Sasuke. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. You can go back to the Uchiha district if you want - it’s all your choice.” Kakashi said calmly. “Whatever makes you comfortable.”
Comfortable? Sasuke wasn’t comfortable anywhere. Even though he dreamed and wished and prayed for someone in Leaf to save him from the base… he wasn’t comfortable in this village either. This village filled of people who gave stupid, pitiful looks, filled with weak ninja who couldn’t do anything to save his fallen clan, filled with dark, vengeful graves… the graves filled with corpses… corpses filled with drying, decaying blood - his own blood… dying and rotting and…
“But… I’d like it if you stayed here.”
Sasuke blinked at the statement. Stay here…permanently? For some reason, Sasuke always thought it was a temporary agreement. He didn’t know what he felt more, the shock… or the confusion at how the tension in his shoulders released just a tiny bit. Why… why did he feel so relieved? He inhaled sharply, staring at the strange ninja like he had never quite seen him before. He… he’d like it if I…? But… but.
Sasuke was brought back to his first question. “Why?” he asked lowly, choosing to avoid Kakashi’s rather intimidating, steady gaze.
“Well, it’s no bother and it’s not like you’re noisy. As a matter of fact, this is the first time you’ve spoken… at all. Really, you make good company - quiet, but hey, it’s not like I’m the most talkative person in the world…”
“What are you…?” Sasuke cut in, shaking his head. He looked down at the floor, his black bangs hovering over his eyes. Why would he even want me here…?
Then suddenly, Sasuke felt a light tap on his head. He jerked, looking up wide eyed and stunned to see a half smile on Kakashi’s masked face.
‘Don’t worry about it so much, Sasuke. I guess I just see a bit of myself in you.” Kakashi said, standing as he stretched out his left arm. Sasuke continued to stare at the ninja with a blank, confused expression.
“Eh, I’m going to make us some dinner now. It’s going to be white rice and steamed vegetables tonight.” He shrugged, “I never said I was a good cook.”
Sasuke blinked once more, “H… Hai.” He muttered as Kakashi just gave a nod and walked into the kitchen, leaving Sasuke there.
Sasuke stood there, shock still and reeling over the one sentence that Kakashi had said to him. It… really shouldn’t have meant as much as it did to him. He was like Kakashi? He… he reminded Kakashi of himself? Sasuke turned, walking down the hallway to his own room. He was right after all, Kakashi didn’t make any sense because what could he… have in common with Kakashi?
He could remember the first time he saw Kakashi. He was huddled in the corner of that room, when the ANBU captain with a white mask barged in, taking him away so effortlessly. He was too weak to escape him, but Kakashi…
Hn. Senseless.
But it was on the third day that Sasuke knew he’d stay.
Though Sasuke was silent, he was very watchful and observant. Kakashi could see that the very first time the boy entered his apartment, how his narrowed black eyes darted everywhere, memorizing and examining. With the way he acted he could almost call it wariness, but that was to be expected considering Sasuke’s past. However, he did think the Uchiha was too quiet at times - he went for days without even saying a word. On the rare times he did speak, it was usually yes or no answers. Sometimes even just a nod or a shake of his spiky head.
However, Kakashi knew how hard to push or even if to push at all. Sasuke had spent two years in Oto with the snake sannin Orochimaru, kidnapped right after the massacre of his entire clan… by his own brother. That was enough to drive many men, even ninja, past their breaking point. The fact that Sasuke handled it this way spoke volumes of his strong character. Though Kakashi had no idea what happened to Sasuke in Oto he highly doubted the chance of the boy answering his questions about it. Sasuke was a very reserved kid. But Kakashi didn’t mind, because he was a very patient man. He could wait until Sasuke wanted to open up a bit more.
Besides, it wasn’t like Kakashi was completely clueless. The signs of abuse were blaring. When Sasuke was about to be inspected by Konoha medics upon arrival to Leaf he reacted violently, pushing them away. Physical contact was obviously something that Sasuke had a problem with… and Kakashi suspected that Orochimaru wanted his new vessel to be strong before he inhabited it. The young Uchiha was probably put through torturous training regimens.
A vessel… that could be the only reason Orochimaru would have wanted Sasuke, for his sharingan. At least, that what the reports and speculations from the Sannin Jiraiya had to say, and Kakashi wasn’t about to doubt the only shinobi who really knew the snake ninja and what he was truly planning in that twisted mind of his.
But something that concerned Kakashi even more about Sasuke was when he noticed how Sasuke’s hand would cover a mark on the base if his neck, a mark that was not a darkened bruise, which was what he first had thought. The frown of pain or discomfort Sasuke would wear when he thought no one was watching. However, Kakashi did get a good look at the mark and knew that it was exactly what a certain kunoichi had - Anko, in fact. Orochimaru’s permanent gift, a curse seal.
A curse seal that needed to be sealed up right away, in order to keep Sasuke’s sanity and to help ease some of the pain. It had to be done, immediately.
A soft padding of footsteps drew Kakashi’s attention away from his thoughts as he stared at Sasuke’s somewhat sleepy, yet alert face. He figured Sasuke wasn’t exactly a morning person, and considering it was 6:22 AM, he didn’t blame him.
Might as well bring it up now, Kakashi thought, knowing that Sasuke would not like this.
“Sasuke,” Kakashi said in greeting, eyeing the boy as he slid into the only chair left, opposite him at the kitchen table.
Kakashi frowned lightly to himself, noting the dark lines under the sole Uchiha’s eyes. He knew Sasuke hadn’t been sleeping well lately, or at all.
“I have something important to talk to you about, Sasuke.” He said, as black eyes shot up from the table to meet his - an action he noticed was getting more and more easy. “It’s… about your curse seal.”
Sasuke’s hand instantly covered the said spot, his eyes wide and even slightly alarmed. “How… how do you know about it…?”
Sasuke must have been shocked by how his pale face went as white as snow. “I knew about it, almost immediately. Orochimaru gave that mark to a former student of his. During the past few days, I’ve been doing some research about it and the effects. It’s dangerous, and I need to seal it for you as soon as possible.”
“Seal it?” Sasuke questioned, shifting on his seat a little.
“Yes. It will reduce the pain considerably as well. But don’t worry, you’re in control if the seal works or doesn’t work. It operates solely on your will alone.”
Sasuke frowned, looking to the side. “You… would do this? No one else?” he finally asked, his voice blank but his eyes narrowing that bit more.
“Right, Sasuke.” Kakashi confirmed, “It’ll hurt somewhat, but at least afterwards you won’t have to worry about the curse seal negatively affecting your mind… unless you let it.”
Sasuke’s frown deepened as he stayed quiet for about two minutes. “He… gave it to me. You can’t just… take it away…?” Kakashi could see that his hand covering the mark shook a bit, squeezing the black shirt over it.
The Copy-nin shook his head, “No… sadly, it’s a permanent fixture on you and your chakra. It can be very dangerous, especially when you are low or drained of your own chakra.”
Sasuke went wide eyed at this as Kakashi could plainly see a storm of thoughts behind his cagey black eyes. Finally, he looked up again and nodded slowly. “Fine.” He said, rubbing the spot once more before he tore his hand away.
“Good.” Kakashi replied, standing up. “Now sit on the ground, perfectly still, okay?”
Sasuke sighed, “Now?” he gritted out, and Kakashi could hear some annoyance in his tone.
“No time like the present and besides, the sooner the better.” Kakashi said, pulling out some scrolls from his pack and laying them out on the tiled floor as Sasuke just sighed once more.
Obediently, Sasuke sat on the mass of scrolls, cross legged as he threw Kakashi a glare over his shoulder but said nothing.
“All right, take off your shirt.” Kakashi ordered, reviewing the hand seals in his head as he noticed how Sasuke’s back stiffened to a rigid posture, but he quickly pulled off his black shirt and tossed it aside. The Uchiha’s hands clenched at his sides.
Kakashi held back a sigh, staring at the practically emaciated kid with a slight tug of guilt that he and his squad hadn’t found the Oto base sooner. All his ribs were poking out of his skin, which was a pasty, unhealthy white. It looked like Sasuke hadn’t seen the light of day in years. This tiny, scrawny boy did not look like what a nine year old should look like, and Kakashi’s keen eyes did not miss the dark marks that stuck out sorely on the pale boy’s back, sides, and who knows where else.
But Kakashi didn’t comment, knowing exactly why Sasuke seemed so nervous. He was worried he would say something, but Kakashi knew not to. Even though he wanted Sasuke to be examined by medics, he knew it would only push the already wary boy off the edge. He wanted Sasuke to trust him.
…But that didn’t stop him from feeling a stab of hatred for Orochimaru.
Kakashi sliced his thumb with a kunai, “This’ll be quick, Sasuke.” He said as he quickly went to work. Sasuke’s stiff back did not ease up in the slightest as Kakashi started drawing the characters down his shoulders, arms, and finally on the floor.
Hovering over Sasuke, Kakashi completed the complicated set of hand seals, “Ready?” the Copy Ninja asked, summoning his chakra.
Sasuke just gave a low nod as Kakashi slammed down on the curse seal with the force of his chakra - Sasuke’s grunt of pain turning into a strangled scream as the blood written characters littering his skin flew up and wrapped themselves around the curse mark, forming Kakashi’s seal.
Kakashi kept a hand on Sasuke’s shoulder to steady him as Sasuke’s eyes rolled in the back of his head and he passed out. Kakashi picked him up; surprised for the second time how light he was and carried him off to his bedroom at the end of the hall.
Kakashi hadn’t lied to Sasuke when he said that he reminded him of himself. Sasuke’s black eyes, very distrusting and hardened at such a young age… it was those eyes Kakashi first noticed when he entered Sasuke’s room in the Oto base. Frantic, scared, confused… but all these emotions melting away in a harsh, unyielding resolve. Kakashi could see it clearly, the will to survive. Or really, it was a desperation… a screaming though quiet, desperation... an isolated one.
It was those eyes that bugged him, that made him walk the rescued boy all the way back to the Uchiha district after Sasuke’s meeting with the Hokage. That made Kakashi reconsider staying in ANBU for another two or three years… pushing his jounin career into earlier action - immediate action. That made Kakashi offer Sasuke the option of coming with him.
Whether it was a good idea or not he did it anyway. Kakashi knew Sasuke probably would have been fine alone, he actually seemed quite independent. Maybe Kakashi was seeing too much of himself in Sasuke, his own blackened past blinding him from the truth in all this… the reason in all this.
But that didn’t stop Kakashi from making Sasuke his ward. And… it didn’t stop Sasuke from accepting.
No matter how many rooms he tore through, no matter how loud he screamed it always ended the same. He was so weak, so disgustingly pathetic. And his Nii-san had known it all along. He said it wasn’t even worth killing someone as weak and pathetic as him. God, Sasuke wished he was worth it. Sasuke wished he was worth killing.
Maybe then he could kill himself.
But he wasn’t worth it, he wasn’t worth anything. Itachi left him here because of it… left him to Orochimaru because of that. Orochimaru, that… that snake, that thing, that inhuman monster. A monster with a hissing, slithering voice and gleaming yellow eyes…A monster that was coming after him. Again.
But he couldn’t let him, no… he couldn’t! He wouldn’t let him. The fear coiled and ate away at his insides but he couldn’t let himself be pinned down… he couldn’t let himself be locked inside a room with wooden floors and unlit candles, he can’t! The very thought made bile rise and constrict his throat. Choking him of the breath he wished he didn’t have… if he could only stop breathing.
But he was coming - Sasuke knew he was. He could hear his low taunts and sadistic chuckling. The very sound sent racking fear and anxiety down his stiff spine, but he couldn’t let him… Oh, God, he couldn’t! He prayed for anyone to help him but no one ever came. No one ever did. He would be alone.
Alone. Alone with Orochimaru in a room with wooden floors and unlit candles… In his delirium Sasuke would even want his Nii-san to realize what he did wrong and save him… Itachi was his older brother, he was supposed to look after him, and Sasuke had always wanted him to. Why… why wasn’t he? Why did he do this?
Because he wasn’t worth it… he wasn’t. His legs and arms were held down - down against the wooden floor but even his screams, his pleas would do him no good. They were no match for the Snake’s hissing laughter.
Oh God… just kill me… Nii-san… please… why couldn’t you have killed me…?!
Sasuke must have said his Nii-san’s name because Orochimaru’s laughter increased to an unholy, screeching pitch. But there was nothing Sasuke could do against the pain and burning humiliation. Nothing Sasuke could do against the tears that continued to fall. He couldn’t even stop screaming.
Nothing…
“Now, now Sasuke-kun…” Orochimaru’s serpent-like voice scolded, “If this beautiful body is going to be mine, shouldn’t I accustom myself to it…?”
Sasuke sat up, inhaling as though he had never breathed before and blinked rapidly, looking wildly around the small, dark room that appeared in his vision. His room… the bedroom at Kakashi’s apartment that he’d been staying. It was a nightmare. He clutched the blankets underneath his in a fierce grip as his stomach warned him that the contents of last nights dinner was about to arise.
Sasuke ran to the bathroom, disposing of his vomit as he coughed. He tried to banish the searing words from his head and pulled on his hair, biting his lip so hard he tasted blood. He could hear the internalized scream building in his lungs as he tried to force it back down, but it was so hard, like he would explode… it hurt… the scent of wood, the twisting fear, and the disgusting words… He… He…
Don’t! Don’t scream! Kakashi will hear you!!
Kakashi…? That’s right, this was Kakashi’s apartment. Kakashi’s here… he’s here. Sasuke picked himself up, his bare knees cold from the tiled floor. He passed the mirror and glanced at his reflection, seeing his too pale skin and dark black eyes greet him. He could almost imagine he was a ghost, from his appearance.
When he turned to walk away is when he caught sight of it. Starting, he pulled the collar of his black shirt down –noting that Kakashi must have put it back on him - and stared wide eyed at the seal that circled Orochimaru’s curse mark. Kakashi’s seal… he could barely see most of it since it was placed in a hard to look at spot, but he could make out most of it. Come to think of it… it didn’t hurt. Now only when he thought about it did the curse mark give a dull throb but before it was much worse…
Kakashi really did it. It wasn’t gone but… Sasuke placed his hand over the mark once more, frowning when he traced over the new addition onto his skin. It reminded him of the first time he received the curse seal - Orochimaru’s head extending from his body - his teeth sinking in - the pain, mixed with terror -
Sasuke blinked when he could actually feel pain. He moved his hand away from the curse seal, seeing angry, half-moon indents into his skin right at the start of where the mark began. Tiny trickles of blood began to pour out of them.
Sasuke left, closing the door shut.
He couldn’t believe how a boy of Sasuke’s age didn’t have a normal appetite. Sasuke was too skinny, and he definitely did not have the normal weight of a nine year old. Though, Sasuke had perfect table manners; he sat up straight and never leaned on the table with his elbows. But that was just his Uchiha mannerisms kicking in. Perhaps he should say something…
“You know Sasuke,” Kakashi said as quiet black eyes glanced at him, “If you don’t eat, you won’t grow. You’ll end up much weaker than other ninja because you didn’t get enough nutrition. If you want to be strong, you have to eat.”
The blank look molded into a seething glare very fast. Kakashi merely gave him a light shrug and continued to read the scroll he had laid out in front of him. But, in the corner of his eye he could see Sasuke, though slowly, start to take small bites of his food every so often with a dark look fixed on the bowl. Kakashi smirked faintly but didn’t say anything.
Just when Kakashi felt his presence he heard -
Knock, Knock…
Knowing exactly who it was considering the presence, chakra, and the twinge of annoyance he felt he turned to Sasuke expectantly.
The Uchiha’s eyebrow arched, “What.” It wasn’t a question, but more of a statement.
Knock… Knock… Knock…!
“Open the door, Sasuke. I’m busy at the moment.” Kakashi said lazily as Sasuke placed his chopsticks on the table, but made no other gesture to move otherwise.
Knock, Knock - “Open up Kakashi! I know you’re in there!”
Why does Gai have to be so loud and energetic in the middle of the day? Or any time, really?
“It’s for you, obviously.” Sasuke responded blandly.
“Just do it and spare me a few moments of torture, ne?” he replied with a level stare as Sasuke sighed, his chair scratching against the tiled floor as he walked down the hall to open the door.
“Kakashi! There you…” Gai’s voice faded into what had to be shock and disbelief. Kakashi leaned over in his chair to see into the hall. Gai was standing in the doorway with a beaming, shiny smile that was honestly quite disturbing in Kakashi’s opinion.
“I know you! You must be Uchiha Sasuke, am I right? You’re Kakashi’s new ward; I have heard the news around the village. My name is Maito Gai, but I’m sure you’ve heard about me from Kakashi, here. You do know that I am his greatest rival, do you not? We enjoy our springtime of youth very brightly together. But, oh right now, how are you doing? I hope your adjustment in returning to Konoha has been smooth, and if there’s anything I can do to…”
Sasuke turned and began walking down the hall, disappearing out of sight.
“…Was it something I said?” Gai asked, seemingly to nobody in particular as he appeared in front of Kakashi, wearing a flabbergasted stare.
“Sasuke… isn’t much of a people person. Or an anything person, really,” Kakashi replied tiredly as Gai sat in Sasuke’s empty seat.
The Green Beast of Konoha had an uneasy frown on his face as shifted, “So… how is he?”
“In a word, quiet. That about sums him up.” The Copy Ninja said, rolling up the scroll.
Gai’s frown deepened, “Yes, I heard he didn’t speak to the interrogation specialist or even let the medics near him who tried to assist him when he returned. He refused to talk.” He looked away as a picture of horror crossed his face, “Perhaps after the nightmare of his clan’s death he has become mute?”
“No, he can speak. When he wants to, that is.” Kakashi affirmed as Gai sighed in relief.
“Thank goodness. That boy already has it hard. But Kakashi, if you don’t mind me asking…” the fellow jounin leaned forward, “Why did you take Sasuke in as your ward? This isn’t exactly shinobi custom and Sasuke’s an Uchiha - a survivor from a prominent clan. This isn’t exactly protocol, and…”
Kakashi raised his hand and Gai stopped. “Sasuke and I just have an understanding. Besides, he’s kind of grown on me.”
Gai blinked owlishly. “Kakashi… he barely speaks…”
“Hm…”
“But, to quit ANBU…”
“You know I was planning on quitting soon enough, anyway.”
“But Kakashi, he’s only a boy and well… Kakashi… do you think you can raise a kid - especially one who’s been through…”
“Sasuke is actually pretty self-sufficient, Gai.”
“Well…” Gai said but the bored yet narrowed look on his rival’s face made him stop again. “If you know what you’re doing, then…”
“So,” Kakashi began, “What’s your real reason for coming here? Not another challenge, I hope?”
“I’ll have you know that the score is 269-270 with me in the lead, Kakashi! But sadly, the reason for my friendly visit is not about our rivalry. We have another mission coming up in two days, and it’s…”
Even through Gai’s ranting, Kakashi didn’t miss the soft click of Sasuke’s bedroom door.
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Reviews are appreciated. Thanks for the previous.
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Twitch and Spaz