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When Flowers Wilt	By : VantheKeyofLain Category: Naruto > General Views: 1053 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
Disclaimer: I do
not own Naruto, and this is making me no profit.

NOTE: By now, if you�re this far, then you know that this
fic contains:
Sakura drama, Lee
drama, SakuLee Eventuallity, KakaGai, NaruHina, IrukaAyame
Mysterious dreams
and much much more�

Warning:
L, V, G, S

When Flowers Wilt

�� The moon
was high and shined bright down upon the village hidden in the leaves. It was
sometime past midnight before Lee made his way to his futon. He had spent a
rather long and tiring day at the Hokage tower; going through scrolls and old
books to see if he could find anything to help answer his questions. Unfortunately
for him, he hadn�t. All Lee had found was various things that happened in the
village years ago.

�� Some things
had caught his eyes as various notes; like how it was noted there were jutsus
being created and found everyday. He�d also found out that there were more
animal summons than he�s previously thought. He�d seen some rather vague and
regular looking ones; though he did happen to see the three Sannin�s names
scribbled down and which contract they held. He�d also seen Kakashi-Sensei�s
name as well as his Sensei�s. What was disappointing was that right after that,
the page was torn. The next page was also missing as well. He wasn�t bothered
by it; in fact a lot of the other books had missing and torn pages as well.
What did Lee expect from delicate books and old scrolls?

�� Having been
lightly disheartened, but not ready to give up, Lee had made his way home
rather late. He was a bit tired, and his leg was just a little sore from
walking; though he knew this was the pain of healing, verses the pain of
worsening. Setting down the crutch, Lee sat on his futon, looking out again
across the small yard. Things were quiet and peaceful outside; yet beneath this
cozy facade played a turmoil that was slowly building inside not only him, but
the angel he so loved himself. He knew she was probably already swimming in her
own by now.

�� Yawning,
Lee made to lye done onto his bed. He felt the fleeting pain in his leg was
even less than a few hours ago. With any luck, he�d be perfectly fine for
tomorrow�s missions. Good. He had no intention of missing an S-Ranked mission
if he could help it. Resting his head on his pillow, Lee�s eyes grew heavy. He
had been rather tired, searching all that material. Lee could feel himself
begin to slip into that comfortable world between reality and dreamscape. It
made him relaxed and helped to ease his worries.

A moment past by before he blinked,
and upon opening his eyes lightly; met a face similar to his own. There was an
odd feeling, like that of a caress on his forehead. Staring lazily up at the
face that almost mirrored his, he took in the somewhat cocky grin, and wildly
short messy dark hair. Though he was pretty sure he was past the point of
interpretation and speech, he tried anyway, and gave out a questioning call.

�Hinoke?�

�Yo,
shrimp. You look like shit.� The identified man grinned.

�I
am�afraid I am too tired to be of any use.� Lee commented, stifling a yawn.

�That�s
alright. You need rest anyway. So get to sleep already.�

�I shall...� Lee began to drift off.

�Good.
Now I can�t stand to be one-uped by my pansy Nii-Chan, so take this with you
while you dream�

Lee murmured in his sleep, but said
nothing else. The other just smirked as he moved his hand away.

�My
fondest memory��

Soon Lee was pulled into a world he
felt he�d seen before, and began to watch the scene before him play out, once
again an observer to events long ago.

* *
*

A small child with wide and round
onyx eyes settled intently on the play before him. The three year old was
holding back with all his will power the glee that so threatened to spill
forth. However, he controlled himself � at least for now.

�Alright then. Let�s get this
going. Watch this, squirt, and be amazed!�

Hinoke gave his signature cocky
grin before going into a stance. Yet he then gave a spin; and in doing so, bit
both his thumbs.

�YIIIAAA!!� The young boy cried,
and completed his spin, slamming his thumbs onto the ground and pulling them
away with an arc like maneuver. As soon as he had pulled away, the blood caught
fire that began to grow.

At first, the tiny boy was scared �
a fire was spreading! Yet, his brother wasn�t running? This was what kept him
from crying out to his meany Nii-San.

The fire swirled and collected
together, and then swept out again; yet in the form of wings; large ones. An
echoing cry burst forth, and soon the fire was taking on the form of a large
bird.

It was a phoenix!

�Seriyuku!� Hinoke called out to
the large bird, and jumped up onto its back. The bird�s flames didn�t seem to
burn or touch him at all. The bird gave out a shrieking �Kaa�. The youngest
brother gave a small cry in awe. It was one of the most amazing creatures he�d
ever seen.

�Well, then I must not keep you
waiting. Let us begin!� Shouyou shouted to his sparing brother from across the
wide yard.

�Then hurry it up already, will
ya?�

�As you wish.�

Shouyou turned to his youngest
sibling, and gave the boy a wide smile. His smiled was returned in tenfold from
the little one.

�MADA!� Shouyou shouted, facing
Hinoke once again, and entered into his own display of dance. He too bit his
thumbs; yet his variation yielded that the young man made an arc of blood above
him, in the air. As it rained down, he too dropped to the ground and completed
a circle of blood. Slamming the previously raised hand down into the center of
the circle, he cried out.

�ISUU!� At this, the ground began
to crumble, and in the sky, a lighting bolt flash down forth � right into the
center of the circle. Upon impact, the ground broke, and up with it came a most
horrifyingly beautiful site.

It was a thunder dragon.

�Keraiku!� Shouyou called out
towards the large beast. It gave a small cry of a roar, and bent down. Shouyou
grabbed onto its large horn, and swung himself on the creature�s shoulders. Looking
once again to his smallest of family members, he laughed happily at the tiny
boy�s flabbergasted actions.

�Do not get too worked up,
Chibi-Kame-Ni-Chan! You have yet to see the best!� Shouyou called out to the
little one.

And indeed, Shouyou was right. For
now the two brothers; both with Dragon and Phoenix summon spirits called forth, began a
mock battle. Enthralled was the littlest brother so much, that he failed to notice
his father, the man Lee knew as �Master Spirit� standing beside him for a
while.

Glancing at his youngest son;
seeing the mesmerized gaze in his eyes, the older man grinned, but gruffeled a
moment afterward. This caused the trance to be broken, and the child�s gaze was
now on him.

�Otou-Sama?�

�My son, while your brother�s
summon spirits are indeed power and legendary; as many summon spirits are, do
not be fooled into their decorated appearances. Just because something of lore
is said to be of greatness, does not always hold true.�

�H-Hai.�

The older man paused to look at his
hesitate son. Perhaps the boy needed to see this for himself. With a grin, the
man began to walk out into the battle field. Half way there, he bit each thumb,
one at a time. He then began a small dash forward. As he did so, he thrust out
his arms, trailing the blood behind him. Going with such speed, the blood hung
behind him in the air, as if it were on a wall. It began to smoke and then, as
if paper, ripped open.

Two large figures pounced forth,
one from each blood trail. In a flash, one took off right towards Hinoke, the
other at Shouyou.

�What the- SHIT! SERIYUKU!� Hinoke
felt the ambush at the last possible moment. Seriyuku screeched, and threw out
its wings; throwing a band of fire with it. Large talon paws broke the band of
fire in two, and kept charging.

On the other side, Shouyou was not
fairing any better. Keraiku�s lighting bolt was dodged easily, and the paws
came at his chest.

Two large loud roars emitted, followed
by two crashes. When the smoke cleared, the two brothers were pinned under two
large beasts. Their father was standing in between, laughing loudly.

�Now that was well worth the
effort.�

The two brothers looked to one
another from their positions on the ground and smirked. A minute later, they
�popped�.

They had been clones.

�Very good, my sons. You are
learning well.� The man was pleased. Seemed the two brothers were finally
getting the hang of suspecting surprise attacks.

�Rioyu, Yatte, Come!�

At the call of their master, the
two large beasts padded over. They came up and sat on the ground next to the
man, one either side.

The little boy gapped at his father�s
summoning spirits.

Two large and beautiful Siberian
tigers greeted his eyes. One was a rich orange in color; the other of the
purest white. His father�s words had been true. Tigers were a common animal in
the world, yet the power they had just displayed was incredible.

�Now do you understand, my son?�

�Hai! Otou-Sama!� Indeed he did now.
He no longer held back his glee, and ran back inside the sparing room, where
his mother was. As she was already moving about, the child ran up and grabbed
onto her hand.

�Okasa, Okasa! Come see the fight!
Shouyou-Ni-San and Hinoke-Ni-San called their summons! Come on!� The energetic
boy tugged lightly.

�Alright, alright.� She smiled and
let herself be pulled by her youngest son. They stopped back at the porch, and
for a while remained so; watching the three other members of the family fight.

�Okasa?�

The woman looked to the questioner.

�Do you have a summon spirit too?�

�I do, a rather unique one as, like
your brothers. However, it requires a little more than just a blood contract.�

�Can I see too?� Big round onyx
eyes pleaded.

�Perhaps, another time, hunny. It
would require a great deal of energy for me to expel.�

�Oh.� The boy�s disappointment was
obvious, but was quickly replaced with a show of desperate need.

�Will I get a summon spirit too,
Okasa? Will I?�

The woman smiled and bent down to
the little one, gently caressing his hair.

�Of course you will, hunny. It is
our clan right. Once you are four, we will visit with the Summon consultant.
From there, we will see what summon you will gain.��

The boy�s eyes seemed to shine with
delight at first, though his mother seemed to have a sad smile played across
her lips.

�Okasa?�

�Just know, hun, that a summon
spirit is not just a blood contract. It will require that you are capable of
modeling your chakra.�

The little one�s happiness seemed to
almost die right there, and began to mist over lightly. Seeing this, Aiyoku
pulled the tiny one into an embrace.

�No tears. I know you are
struggling with your Chakra, and have so far nothing to show for it. Do not let
that get to you. You are my son. I
have every faith in you.�

�Ya squirt, don�t cry like the
little baby you are.� Hinoke spoke up from next to the two. Theie spar had
ended and the summons had been called away. Now the two bothers and father
stood before the wife and youngest.

�I�M NOT A BABY!�

�You look like one to me, shrimp.�
Hinoke smirked and ruffled his baby brother�s hair. Before the little one could
bite him, Hinoke picked him up, and spun him around a moment, before carrying
him like a sack of potatoes.

�Now come on runt. It�s your turn
to do some training. You�re not going to be a lazy butt all day.�

�I�m not lazy!�

Thus the scene continued to play
out for a little longer. Hinoke seemed to enjoy tormenting his �shrimp�
brother, but when it came right down to it, he was just being an older sibling
and doing what any older sibling would do. Though it looked like torment, it
was really Hinoke�s way of saying �I want to see you stronger than me.�

�Niii-Chaaaan, why are you so
meeeeaaann.�

�Because I love you, Shrimp.�

And the world to which the observer
was invited, faded away.

- x
-

The rush of cooling air was great
refreshment from the day�s thick heat. Though, said rush of cooling air was
brought on by the breaking speed at which the lone individual could muster
jumping from tree branch to branch. Yet, there was good reason to be in such a
state of haste.

About two hours ago, his team had
just finished completing the long and tedious mission they�d been assigned to.
All that was left to do was some final clean up and final over checks. The
group was assembled outside; sun beating down upon its hapless victims. Everyone
was happy they�d finished within the time limit that had been told to them
previously. With any luck, they�d all make it back by night fall.

�I don�t know about you, but I
can�t wait to get home and see how Ayame is doing. I�m just so nervous not
being around to help her out, especially right now with the baby and all.�
Iruka sighed lightly, speaking to his wing mate.

Kakashi nodded, knowing how the
younger man could get rather frantic when it came to the care of his wife and
soon to come child. For a brief moment, Kakashi had a small flashback of a time
when Iruka had been rather worked up. It was funny to laugh at now, though back
at the time, it had been slightly scary.

�I�m sure she�s fine.� The masked
Jounin replied.

�What about you two?� Iruka called
over to Izumo and Kotetsu.

�Ah, I just want to get home to
some real food; not this ration shit.� Izumo looked over and gave a grin.
Kotetsu just sniffed and rubbed his head.

�I just want to get back and catch
up on some sleep. These long missions wear me out. Damn glad it�s over.�

�Well, the hard part is anyway. We
still need to finish over the finalizations.� Iruka pointed out.

�Correct, so if you ladies will get
to it, we can get the hell out of here faster.� Ibiki barked at them, coming
out from behind a tree.

�Well, I never!� Izumo scoffed,
feinting indignity. Kotetsu and Iruka shared a light laugh; Kakashi just
smirked.

It was then, in the thick heat,
that a gentle breeze threaded its way through the forest clearing, and over the
group.

�Ah, thank you Kami, for thee I had
though you had forsaken us!� Kotetsu threw open his arms. Indeed, the gentle
gale of wind was welcome, as the group had been sweltering in the heat with
only the forest shade as cover.

As the breeze past by Kakashi, he
felt himself caught a moment, unable to move. It was a feeling of being pulled
back into a small circle of wind, almost the sense as if he were drifting on
air. For a moment, his mind went blank, delighted by this little piece of mind.
However, it was this relaxation that lead Kakashi to pick out something that
only his keen senses could pick up. It was like a faint, almost fine fragrance.
A scent�

�Lotus
Blossoms?�

Kakashi�s visible eye snapped open.

�Ibiki-San!�

�What is it Kakashi?�

�I request permission to leave
immediately.�

�Hey, what�s this? Leave us all the
chore work?� Kotetsu turned and eyed his teammate.

�Yeah, what gives, Kakashi-Sensei?�
Iruka joined the retort.

Ignoring the rants of his
teammates, and focusing his attentions to the captain of the team, Kakashi went
on.

�Prior to leaving for this mission,
I requested under specific orders that should a certain charge of mine come
into play, that I be notified immediately.�

�What? I didn�t see any bird or any
thing come with any notice.� Izumo spoke out. Obviously, he was just as skeptic
as the other two.

Ibiki eyed the masked Jounin. He
knew Kakashi wasn�t the kind of person to pull tricks or pranks such as this.
Though it was peculiar as to how this notification came about.

�Alright, get the hell out of
here.�

�WHAT? THAT�S NOT FAIR!�

�Dammit, you bastard! I know you�re
just being lazy!�

Kakashi turned towards his
teammates, and gave them what they could only guess what a large smile.

�See ya later!�

�Kakashi!� Ibiki shouted to the
silver haired Jounin.

�Maa?�

�In the future, you best inform me
of these notifications of yours before
we leave. Otherwise, you won�t be heading them, no matter how important you
think they are.�

Kakashi, for his merit, nodded
silently. He could faintly see his twenty six year old self giving the man the
finger, but refrained from doing so himself. Ibiki did have a point after all.

�Hai, Ibiki-San. I will remember
that.�

Turning once again and giving a
wave to his team mates � and to this he did actually receive the bird from at
least two � Kakashi took off into the forest.

Thus, back to the record time,
Kakashi hadn�t stopped in the two and a half hours he�d been pacing at the
fastest speed he could safely maintain. All the time, he felt himself grinning
like a fool. Adrenaline was a wondrous thing as well. Not only would he make it
back in record time from the mission, but he would get the added bonus of seeing
his ex-student again.

Oh, and there was, of course, Ichi
Ichi.

And that revenge he was supposed to
be plotting.

Kakashi had to smile to himself a
little in pride. That jutsu Gai had conjured up was rather authentic. The man
scored major points in originality in that department, and had known Kakashi
would have the intellectual know how to read into its meaning.

Very clever.

Kakashi�s musings were cut short,
as he picked up on the sound of a projectile heading right towards him. To say
he was rather shocked was one thing. He knew his team had taken out all of the
enemy ninja reported for the mission. For another, these ninja�s signatures
didn�t match the hostile ninja�s signatures he�d previously encountered.
Something was a miss.

Though be it may, Kakashi was alert
enough to expect an attack, regardless of how close he was to home. Expecting
that is, not necessarily prepared.

Doing his best to deflect the
objects being thrown his way, Kakashi scanned the area. His results indicated
there were at least two, maybe more. Knowing his current state, the best he
could do was play cat and mouse with them. Once they got within Konoha�s
reaches, he was pretty sure he�d be alright.

However, this was not the case.

Anger and bafflement were now
fueling Kakashi�s drive, and thus he began to fight back with what little he
had on him. He didn�t have enough time to ready the Sharingan, as he had to
constantly avoid weapons and dodge incoming blows. More than one occasion, he
got in some good hits; enough to render at least one person down. It was at
this point that two started to launch attacks together, simultaneously.

Kakashi was worked up, but doing
alright. He would either dodge or deflect the incoming attacks. After a little,
it became an assault of three on one. Kakashi was bemused to say the least. Who
the hell were these people, and how were they fairing so well against him?

Kakashi�s internal questions would
go unanswered as the previously injured and forth member of the hidden team
launched an attack. Whatever it had been slammed hard into the back of
Kakashi�s neck, right were the skull met vertebrae. Kakashi�s visual world
swam, and began to blur. The colors were wild, but ended up being a dull green
from the canopy of trees, before it all went black.

Four ninja stood above the
collapsed figure. Each of them hidden by shadows, but their sneered expressions
and angled poise shown through.

�So now what?� One asked.

�We send a warning.�

Kakashi would never see the
unidentified ninja readying Kunai.

Kakashi would never figure exactly
who these people were.

Kakashi would never known that the
symbol on these ninja�s headbands, the thing that marked them as true and proud
shinobi, was one that would cause his blood to run cold, and leave him nauseous.

The Leaf.

_ _ _ _

Head pounding and feeling groggy
and aching, sight came back to the copy ninja. Disoriented for a moment, trying
to clear his head, Kakashi kneeled on the spot he was occupying. What had just
happened? He was trying to recall all the events that had just transpired.
However, it was a little difficult as his arms ached, his back was sore and he
was slightly dizzy.

�� Looking on
the ground, he could see blood. Narrowing his eyes, he looked around. Ah, yes,
there had been an ambush. Yet, if that was the case, why was he still alive? It
didn�t make any sense. For his merit, Kakashi was rather angry with himself.
Something of that nature should not have gotten to him. Perhaps he was a bit
thankful he wasn�t killed. The blow to his ego was a bit much already.

�� Getting up,
Kakashi continued on towards home. He noted it was still rather light out, so
he was probably only out for an hour or two. At least his recovery had been
quick. Though he was still thoroughly confused as to what exactly had happened.
Was is possible his team had missed that group of enemy ninja?

�� Due to this
new upraise in situation, Kakashi decided he�s see Naruto tomorrow. He wasn�t
feeling up to par right at the moment, what with the aching soreness and his
damaged pride. Perhaps it was also best to just not bring this up. No need to
worry anyone.

�� Arriving
home, the silver hair Jounin pulled off his jacket and tossed it on the coat
hanger next to him. Padding into the kitchen, he searched for something he
could eat quickly and easily. All he really felt like right now was a shower.
His search was victorious when he happened upon a few bananas. Grabbing one, he
shuffled out towards the linen closet, grabbing up a fresh towel. He felt
rather sluggish at the moment. He briefly wondered if he might have been
drugged.

�� His
onslaught of questions was halted at the feeling of a warm embrace. Arms were
encircled around the Jounin�s waist. Leaning his head back, it rested lightly
on the other�s shoulder.

�� Welcome
home. I take it you got my message?�

�� Mmm. Very
clever. Everyone else missed it.�

�� Did you
see Naruto yet?�

�� Not yet. I
got caught up in something. When did you see him?�

�Early this morning, during my
exercises. He actually joined me for a few rounds. I promised him I�d send word
to you immediately. Perhaps you can go see him later?�

�Yeah. Right now, though, all I
really feel like is a shower.�

�� You
alright? You look beat.�

�� Maa. I�m
fine. Just tired.�

�� Kakashi
broke from the other man�s embrace, and turned. Gai was as Gai is. It looked as
if he�d been out training, or perhaps had just finished a mission of his own.
Leaning in, he pulled the other gently to him, and settled with a soft kiss.

�� If you
need me, I�ll be in the shower.�

�� With that,
Kakashi turned and wandered into the bedroom, then bathroom. Closing the door
behind him, though it did not latch, the silver haired Jounin let out an exhale
that felt full of melancholy. The bright white tile staring back up at him
seemed to be lightly mocking him. Why did he have to be so tired?

�� The man
began to shed his top when he noticed something of his clothing. The arms on
the uniform seemed to be darker than normal. His brows furrowed and as he
pulled off the garment, wadded it up and threw it to the laundry bin. He let an
angry grunt escape his clenched teeth.

�� Angry red
slash marks, fresh and new, ran up along his arms. There were at least five on
each arm. So this is why his arms had been aching so. This would also account
for all that blood he saw. And that probably meant the tiredness was due to
blood loss.

�� Kakashi let
his anger brew quietly. Was this some kind of sick joke? What kind of ninja
attacks their victim just to toy with them such as this? Using the stemming
anger to undress the rest of his person, Kakashi stood and looked himself over
in the mirror. Everything else seemed alright.

�� Satisfied
for now, the floofy haired one began the water to his shower. Soon the day�s
events would be over and washed away with all the dirt and grim he�d accumulated
over the course of his mission. Ah, these were indeed small times full of
immense joy and pleasure. Testing the waters heat, Kakashi slipped in and under
the tranquilizing drizzle. For a moment, he winced as the water ran along his
arms and back, though calmed as it began to feel soothing. He stood there
letting the water work its magic, staring at the diluted liquid of light red.

�� Lifting a
hand to the back of his neck, he felt the spot where he�d been hit. There was a
knot there, and a small scar. Pulling his hand away revealed a hint of blood,
but the majority of it was washed away already. Whatever had hit him could have
been fatal had it not been blunted as much as it had been. Ignoring the
questions trying to form, the man grabbed up the shampoo and began to work it
into his hair.

�� Stealth was
a handy little thing every ninja had to have as a skill. With it you could
elude enemies, gain the up hand advantage in strategic operations, or you could
simply use it to slip into the showered shared by your lover. Which ever use
came in handy for the moment.

�� Having
decided that Kakashi was indeed in need of relaxation, and that the other man
was most likely exhausted, Gai had taken it upon himself to see to helping his
abode�s relaxation along. Currently, the other Jounin was washing away the last
bit of shampoo from his not so floofy hair. Dark eyes traced over the light
muscle play across the lighter toned one�s chest, abdomen and down. Fine muscle
tones indeed.

�� Kakashi was
only aware of the other presence upon the moment of feeling a body in close
proximity, followed by two arms circling around his neck and resting upon
shoulders. He grinned as he was pulled into the depths of a lip-lock, dropping
his arms down from his own head, and resting them upon a slightly wider waist
than his own.

�� I decided
you need my help to unwind.�

�� Oh, that
so?�

�� Yes;
because Kami knows when you�re wore out, you can�t do anything for yourself.� A
cocky grin followed that retort.

�� Well,
fine. Less work for me then.� The same expression mirrored.

�� Gai was
about to respond until his words were lost as he noticed the fresh new marks on
his partner�s arms. Looking back up, and giving a concerned expression, the
tanned man furrowed his brows.

�� What
happened? Was this from the mission?�

�� Kakashi
shook his head, in a manner more of wishing to dismiss the entire conversation,
verses giving the answer to the question a �no.�

�� You could
say that, but don�t worry about it. It�s over and done with. It�s a little
sore, but it�s nothing anymore.�

�� Gai eyed
him a moment, before giving a small sigh and nodding. A pause lingered before a
small smiled played back across his lips.

�� Let me
finish you hair.�

�� Kakashi
gave a bemused chuckle and muttered an �alright,� before stealing a light kiss
once again. Turning back into the water, rinsing his face off into the warm
jetting stream, Kakashi was finally feeling at peace. He was home. He was
relaxed. He was sure to be undoubtedly sharing an all too much needed release
of three days hostile tension. Oh that�s right, he could use this opportunity
for that revenge he�d planned. In short, Kakashi was having a true and rare
happy moment.

�� Though it
all came crashing down by the sound of his partners sudden, and loud gasp-
followed by what he assumed was the conditioner falling to his feet. Turning
his head back with a snap, Kakashi scanned the situation quickly; Gai was
standing there, looking damn near horrified; but at what? The man�s gaze was on
him�

�� Gai?�
Kakashi�s voice was not holding back the concern and slight nervousness.

�� Wha-��
Gai�s voice was almost lost over the beat of the streaming water, but Kakashi�s
keen hearing picked it up.

�� What
happen to you?� Pain seemed to be laced in the Prideful Green Beast�s expression,
and Kakashi felt his blood chill at that. That pain he saw was threatening to
open a dam of anguish and likely tears, and Kakashi had no idea why.

�� It scared
the ever loving shit out of him.

�� What had happen to him?

�� Kakashi was
about to find out the answer as he summed up a few loose ends. There had been
an earlier pain in his back, and Gai had only just now been freaked out by
something. And then there was the amount of blood Kakashi had seen earlier.
Dashing out from under the water, Kakashi made his way to the full length
mirror once more and turned around.

�� What he
found made his mind go numb. His whole body seemed to shut down, and he was
lucky to have not fallen and smashed his knees on the bright white tile.
Slowly, shaking, though by what emotions or reason Kakashi himself wasn�t sure
of, he found his gaze unfocused and withdrawn. He turned towards the other man
with an expression of complete loss.

�� Like his
arms that held the angry red marks, so did his back. Yet the angry red was
continuous and unbroken for the most part. It was even angled and curved. The
slashes on his arms had been merely for fun or decoy. No, the real piece of
subjected horror was what they had done to his back; and it was slowly
beginning to work its effect.

�� Gai stepped
towards the shaken figure, and for the first time in all his years, was
hesitate to reach out towards him. Kakashi in turn was quite the opposite and
latched on to the other; arms tight and strong, head resting heavily against
neck.

�� Gai held
the other close, tightly, as if he might just fall away there any second. He
tried his best not to stare into the mirror; stare at the angry red mark upon
his husband�s back.

�� A mark that
formed Kanji�

�� Kanji that
form the word�
��
�� Imu Beki�.
. .

Abomination.

- x -

Even though he instinctively knew he was in the safest place
he could be; the surrounding people and noises made him scared and made him
cry. Then again, a lot of things in the world were scary to a tiny one year
old. Clinging tightly to the older boy who�d been in charge of keeping him
safe, he watched the faces of the older people; some were real old, some were
young like him. He so desperately wanted to see the two faces he loved.

�� Momma��

�� The
fourteen year old that held the tiny boy close looked down and sighed, roughly.

�� I don�t
see her here. You�ll just have to wait. I�m sure she�ll get here soon.�

�� The tiny
one just nodded and grew silent, clutching the older boy�s green jacket. He�d
see some of the older adults wearing the same kind of jacket; or at least, he
thought it was the same. Yet, there weren�t any other boys his caretakers age
with them on. Maybe it was special? Or maybe it was just someone only certain
people decided to wear. Regardless the answer, the tiny one knew the green jacket
meant �safe.�

�� The
caretaker in question however was restless. For the past hour, having been
stuck in the shelter, he was growing antsy. Chewing on his bottom lip, his face
was set in an almost scowl. He wasn�t angry, just agitated. It was just his
features that made his contemplative look give off the message �I�m pissed.�

�� Getting up
suddenly, and weaving through people, the one year old began to wonder what his
temporary guardian was doing. His mind would cease it�s wondering as they
stepped into a new room, a room that had many kids his age, and some slightly
younger. There were of course adults in here to tend them, and a few younger
kids also helping to watch the children. One girl was just setting down a
toddler, as his guardian bounded over to her.

�� Rin!�

�� Hu?� The
girl, now identified as Rin, looked up from the toddlers crib, and gave a
quizzical look.

�� As the girl
was about to reply, the tiny one year old felt himself being pulled away and
placed into new arms. Wait, what was going on?

�� I need you
to look after him; I�m going back out.�

�� What? What
do you mean going - �

�� I can�t
stay here! I�m going back out to fight!�

�� You can�t
be serious!�

�� I�m always
serious. Just look after him for me. He�s smart, so he�s not a problem.�

�� Wait a
minute!�

�� Rin protest
was cut off as the other had already disappeared out the door. The girl sighed,
and began to quiet the boy she held; apparently he�d grown attached to the
other. Well, that wasn�t all that unbelievable, all things considered.

�� Calm down,
you�re alright. He wouldn�t leave you here if he didn�t trust me.�

�� Ok�� The
boy nodded, feeling the truth the girl spoke. He felt safe once again, even if
this girl didn�t have a green jacket. Instead, she had a soft chest. It made a
better pillow. He was tired too. So he decided to sleep, knowing when he woke
up, he�d be with his mother and father again; he was sure of it.

�� I didn�t
know he had a younger brother. I though he was the baby of the family. Then
nerve of him, leaving you with me. You�re such a cutie.� Speaking softly, Rin
found the boy a spare place to sleep, and gently set him down.

�She smiled lightly and ran hand through the
little ones dark hair repeatedly, helping him to drift off into sleep.

-�� -�� -

Running once again past charred,
dead bodies, pools of blood, and destroyed memories, the young green jacketed
fourteen year old was beginning to feel in his element. Finally, he�d get to
fight, and help defend his village and all within it. A moment to prove himself
was at hand.

�� Though how
that manifested, was not exactly the way he�d hoped. Only later in life would
he come to reflect this indeed was an act of true servitude, yet right now, at the
present moment, it was an unwelcome obstacle. A screamed shout had halted his
fast pacing trek, and at first, he thought it had been an enemy. He wasn�t that
far away from a front line of attack, but far enough away that only he�d heard
the offending call.

�� Turning
back, reading his kunai, he made his way towards the source of the sound. What
he found was not an enemy, but what appeared to be another boy his age, give or
take a year or two, pinned by his leg under some broken debris. Looking around,
he wondered briefly if anyone would be able to spot him. For a moment, he considered
leaving him, but it was quickly replaced with a flood of guilt. He was a ninja,
and just five seconds ago, had been bent on proving he could defend his village
and those in it. Growling in disgust at himself for the horror he�d thought of,
he quick skipped down a small slope and came over to help the boy.

�� Alright,
stay calm and brace yourself. What the hell were you doing out here, anyway?�

�� My parents
are on the front line ahead. I want to help them fight!�

�� Grabbing a hold
of a long support beam, the first boy set himself and began to lift up. For a
moment nothing happened. Pushing more effort into it, the beam wobbled and
lifted, moving slowly, but higher and higher. The pinned youth wiggled his way
out, and pulled himself up into a sitting position. Wincing, looking to his leg
which, amazingly, was only scratched and bruised. The fourteen year old dropped
the beam and it crashed down.

�� Looks like
you�re pretty lucky. That could have smashed your leg.�

�� I
know�thank you. Are you going to the front line?�

�� Ye-wait�
are you even a ninja?�

�� There was a
pause, and the smaller boy frowned, and looked up at the other with a hard
stare.

�� Does it
matter? I want to help my parents fight!�

�� Of course
it matters! I applaud your willingness to fight, but if you don�t know how to
fight, all you�re going to do is throw you life away.�

�� I know how
to fight! I can and will!�

�� Alright,
I�ll take you up if you can stand and walk.�

�� Gritting
his teeth, the smaller one pushed up and stood. He straightened and began to
take a step until his leg cause him to wince, and he wobbled, beginning a
forward tumble. Quick reflexes from the other kept him from hitting the ground
completely.

�� You can�t
even walk a step without help. You�re going back to the shelter.�

�� You can�t
make me!�

�� Yeah I
can, I do have some authority.� The boy spoke, pointing to his green jacket.

�� Whatever,
just let me go!�

�� Yeah, I
will, to the shelter.�

�� A snap. A
thump. A whooshing noise of metal whizzing through air. The fourteen year old
all perceived this quickly, taking in the angle and speed in which the
direction of the weapon was sailing at them. Pushing the other boy�s chest
roughly, tossing him lightly backwards, a kunai passed by and impaled into a
tree.

�� It�s target
had been the injured boy�s stomach.

�� Again, more
weapons came; though now that the jacketed one was prepared, he jumped and
whipped out two of his own kunai; to deflect away the two incoming shuriken. It
worked, for the most part. The first was deflected back and into the attacker,
yet while the second was deflected, its trajectory arced, and at a new angle
whizzed by the older boy. His heart stilled as he heard it.

�� A wet
slicing snap. A scream of agony.

�� The only
thing he could see upon turning around was the other boy, on his knees,
screaming and convulsing; rocking back and forth. His hands obscured his face
almost completely as blood poured from between his fingers. Turning back and
spotting the enemy nin, the older boy charged; enraged that someone under his
watch had been so injured. He struck out an arm, flat palmed. He jumped and
drove his hand into the enemy nin�s neck. It went through like a knife through
butter. Pulling away his bloodied hand, he jumped back and ran towards the
other boy.

�� Shit,
shit, shit�I don�t know any healing jutsu!�

�� The only
thing he knew about medical attention at this point were the basics, and this
was not covered. He knew he had to stop the bleeding, that was always obvious.
Ripping at the elbow of his outfit, he tore off a sizable piece. Pulling the
other boys handed away; both covered in blood as much as his face, he began to
wipe away the extra blood; gingerly trying to avoid the horrid gash that stared
angrily at him. It was as if the wound was mocking him. This only fueled his
desire to help more. Besides, the rational part of his mind told him if he had
left the other here, he would be dead for sure.

�� Right?

�� Apparently
the wounded boy was now in some state of shock, as he was quiet and just gazing
at his hand; the blood smeared all over them. Was he going to die? How could he
have so much blood? Why was he dizzy? He was pulled from his daze by the sounds
of slight shouting.

�� Take him
to the shelter immediately. As far as I know, he�s a civilian but he�s got his
parents out on the front line.�

�� Wait,
where do you think you�re going?�

�� To do my
job!�

�� Get back
here, kid! The Kyuubi-!�

�� The wounded
boy watched as the other took off, and briefly sat in a state of a blank fog.
The older man in his company was another ninja, and was currently cleaning off
his hands. The boy then felt a tickle across his face, where the shuriken had
sliced him.

�� It�s just
a simple healing justsu, clots the blood to prevent further bleeding; but
you�ll need a real medical nin to cure it completely. Though you�re scared for
life kid.�

�� The words
didn�t really registered to him, only the fact that he was beginning to be
picked up and hauled away quickly. On instinct, he recalled what he�d been
trying to do in the first place.

�� No! Let me
go! My dad and mom are still fighting!�

�� However his
screams of protest went unheeded, and all he could do was watch as the scene
before him grew smaller and smaller. Yet no matter how far away they got, the
roar of the Kyuubi would haunt him forever long.

A day later and most of the village
would believe the Kyuubi had been destroyed. Two days would bring out the boy�s
complete suffering from the loss of his parents. Three days later would bring
about an irrational hate for the boy who prevented him from seeing his parents
one last time. Though in time, the hate was sure to fade, and be called
foolishness on his part.

�� Little did
he know the other boy already hated himself and would continue to do so many
years after the injured one had long since let it go.

�� The scar
would see to it.

-
x Chapter 10 -

A/N: Once again, sorry for the delay. I was fighting with myself
about certain accepts of this chapter. Anywho, this installment really pushes
the envelope and continues to further the torent of angst, drama and suffering.
Woot. Im surprised at myself really. Normally I like happy go lucky stuff. Then
again, the best happiness can come after getting throw the worse dramas. Well,
sometimes. So, please enjoy.
- 9
- 10
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When Flowers Wilt