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At The Intersection of Gauche and Obtuse	By : Sushi4Brains Category: Naruto > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 2102 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters and no profit is made from this work of fan fiction.

Chapter List
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Vertex: the point where two or more curves, lines or edges meet. (Kakashi)
"Here’s the deal; Sai’s status changed from ‘replacement’ to permanent member of Team Kakashi . . . at his request.”
“Bet Danzou blew a gasket,” he mumbled, trying not to rip an uncooperative page from the book.
Yamato closed his eyes, smiling wistfully. “I sure hope so. Well, that’s all I got senpai, now … if you’ll pardon me, there’s a stiff drink out there with my name all over it.” With a quick bow and pivot he’d made it back to the door, his fingers hooked inside the notch – when from across the room he heard Kakashi clear his throat.
“Um mm … before you run off, Tenzyamato, why are you trying so hard to sell me on this ‘Sai’ person?”
In for a penny, in for a pound, he thought turning to face his senpai. “I spent my formative years in the Foundation so I know what that life is like. I feel badly for him, okay?”
“You were so cute back then, Tenzou, what with the, long hair, wide innocent eyes and your little short pants--”
“Cute and deadly … that was me. And if it hadn’t been for you … I would’ve turned out just like Sai.”
“So, you’re asking me to overlook betrayal? Should I laugh it off as the result of years of brainwashing? Maybe we just pretend it never happened?”
“That’s not what I’m saying, senpai. Give the kid a chance – try to encourage whatever humanity he has left; watch him like a hawk, of course--”
“Sounds like a lot of work for one man, Tenzou.”
“It’ll be worth it, I promise. Sai is a long-range fighter with unique ninjutsu… you can never have too many of those on a team. He also has above average taijutsu skill for close quarter situations, thinks on his feet and has excellent chakra control. So, what’s the problem?”
After an uncomfortable silence, Kakashi mumbled, “Transference. Ever heard of it?”
“Don’t you try and turn this around on me--”
“I’m not … just figuring this out as we go along. You identify with Sai because of your shared experiences. You know what it’s like being singled out and praised by Lord Danzou because of your unique skills and abilities--”
“What of it?”
“Easier for you to forgive his actions because he was programmed to suppress emotions, like you were.”
“Let’s be clear, senpai,” he said walking to the foot end of the bed. “You’re as guilty of favoritism as I am. Sasuke was an intelligent, gifted shinobi … you invested so much of your time and effort into his development to the detriment of the other members of Squad Seven--”
“And it blew up in my face, didn’t it?” The line of Kakashi’s mask tensed as he ground his teeth together. “You’d do well to learn from the mistakes of your seniors.”
“Sai doesn’t have an axe to grind with anyone, he’s a blank slate and I mean that literally. I’ve seen how much he’s changed--”
“Okay ... and what if this ‘change’ is nothing but an act?”
“Good point. Say ... what made you think my transformation was real?”
“Apples and oranges, Tenzou --”
“You could say that too, but unlike Sai, I hadn’t killed off all human emotions. I could see it in his eyes, senpai, he’s having an awakening. He’s trying to understand, trying to reach out and connect with people, but he doesn’t know how. Good god … it’s painful to watch. You saw me go through the same thing and helped me turn my back on all that crap--”
“Yeah, yeah … already paid my dues; I’m getting too old for this kinda stuff, Tenzou.”
“You have any idea how difficult it must’ve been, asking Danzou’s permission for reassignment, especially after failing a mission? Don’t you remember … it took the Sandaime’s intervention to get me out of the Foundation after I had a change of heart … had to be a thousand times harder for Sai because he had nobody in his corner.”
The sound of another page turning was the only response he got. “You want me to handle this on my own, don’t you?”
“Well, you think he deserves the same opportunity afforded you, Tenzou … who better to--”
“Fine!”
“No need to be snappy, just don’t wanna take on a charity case right now--”
“Not snapped and he's not a charity case Kakashi… Sai is a person,” he mumbled under his breath.
“Okay, okay” he said, laying the book into his lap again. “Like it matters what I think; Danzou and Lady Tsunade already agreed to the move, end of story. But, I’m gonna hold you responsible for his ‘adjustment.’ I can’t afford any more grey hair--”
“What … you serious? Oh, thank god,” he laughed, “I was running out of guilt trip material.”
IGO IGO IGO IGO IGO
It wasn’t long after Tenzou left that he heard them, his team, squabbling as they fast walked down the corridor. Looks like it’s time for round two.
“This is crazy!” Naruto shouted. “We didn’t do nothin’ to nobody to deserve this!”
“Keep your voice down numbskull,” Sakura hissed. “We shouldn’t be bothering him with this stuff while he’s trying to rest.”
“Who else we gonna tell? Here it is.”
They barreled into the room, looking all the world like two snapping turtles with bellyaches.
“Hey, Kakashi-sensei! What gives?”
“I imagine the plaster around the door frame will if people keep slamming it open. What’s the fuss, Naruto?”
“Captain Yamato just told us Sai’s been permanently assigned to our team,” he said.
Come on Kakashi-sensei,” Sakura said, “tell us this is one of Captain Yamato’s stupid jokes." Studying his unchanged expression she sighed. "Oh my god, it's not a joke, is it? Okay, then who did we piss off that badly to dump Sai on us?”
“Sakura, Naruto … Sai became a member of the team at his request;he obviously likes you guys and now we’re stuck with him. I suggest you get used to it.”
“But I don’t like him ... he’s a bastard and a moron,” Naruto grumbled. “Thinks he's better than everybody else!”
“Not everybody, just you. He’s got enough sense to fear me ,” Sakura said with a measure of pride.
“You know ... a long time ago, Captain Yamato tried to kill me and take my Sharingan. Somehow, we became friends. Now, if we could get along after that, surely you guys can deal with Sai.”
“Really, Kakashi-sensei? Why would he do that?”
“Long story, Naruto. The best thing you two can do is try to focus on his good points; I’m sure he has at least one or two. Then, maybe you can help him with the transition to his new life.”
“Geez, do we have to?”
“Not gonna kill you to be nice to him, Sakura.”
“He does have one redeeming quality,” Naruto glumly said as he flopped down at the foot end of the bed. “He can draw really fast.” Suddenly, the tow haired boy’s eyes gleamed. “It's kinda cool … he draws snakes you can use as ropes, or lots of little mice to do reconnaissance and soon really scary lions; guess he might serve a purpose after all." Sourly folding his arms over his chest, he added, “But that's all he’s got going for him!"
Sakura wasn't a fan of Sai's cold demeanor, nor of his blunt and misogynistic observations. And though she bitterly complained about his vulgar language and arrogant behavior, she seemed more willing to give him a chance. The slight blush sneaking up her cheeks and the way she lowered her head at the mention of Sai's name, told Kakashi her decision to accept him was skewed.
She sees him as someone she can mold into the image of a 'perfect' Sasuke, one who would never wound her as deeply as the original had done. One of these days, he thought, I’ve got to sit down and have a long talk with her about her taste in men.
“It’s so wrong and so sad,” she sniffed. “He was trained to turn off his emotions and just … kill.”
“Sakura, that’s the way of ANBU--”
But, you’re not like that Kakashi-sensei … you’re almost … a regular person. What if Sai flips out in the middle of a mission . . . again? Would we have to . . . kill him?”
Naruto’s worried eyes darted between Sakura and Kakashi. “He gives me the creeps too, but I don’t wanna hafta kill him. You’re not gonna make us kill him are you Kakashi-sensei?”
“Nobody’s killing anybody--”
“You know something else that’s weird about him? He claims no attachment to anything or anybody,” Naruto said, grinding his fist into the mattress. “I think he’s lying, cause he holds onto a small picture book like it's his girlfriend or something; said it belonged to his brother--"
"No, he said it was supposed to be a 'gift' for his brother, he died before Sai could give it to him." Sakura said.
"Man … thought I had a weird childhood; his was worse than mine. Him and his brother were members of that Foundation thing, they trained together ... ran missions together all their lives." His voice trailed off and the light in his eyes dimmed slightly. "When it came time to graduate, they found out only one of ‘em would be promoted after a fight to the death. That's really screwed up."
Kakashi nodded, raising his book a bit higher to conceal a sneer. Yes, it was a despicable way to test the commitment of Konoha's youth, to see how far they would go to carry out a directive – but that was the way of the Foundation; it was how they weeded out the ones who dared feel anything.
"After they sparred for a while, Sai said his brother just gave up--"
"He killed his own brother?" Sakura gasped. "What kind of a monster this guy?”
Naruto's chin dipped to his chest. "Not exactly, said his brother was real sick . . . would’ve died soon anyway. Just wanted to make it look like Sai won, so he’d have a chance to live. What kind of people would force kids to do something like that?”
Empty platitudes of sympathy found no place to land as sudden, weighty silence descended on the occupants of the room. Of course they understood perfectly; they were shinobi.
"That picture book," Naruto finally said, "the one he always carries around wasn't finished –hadn't been for years, until he told me that story. Said he blocked out the memories of that time in his life. After he told me, it came back to him, and right there on the spot, he drew a picture of two smiling boys holding hands because they'd defeated all their enemies." He threw his head back and laughed. “What a crappy ending for a book of pictures, but Sai's weird like that."
"Now he’s our problem," Sakura chimed in. "Don't worry Kakashi-sensei; we'll make the best of it . . . I hope."
Shielding his mouth with his hand, Naruto scooted closer to where Kakashi sat and said, "Sai has another problem. He's a pervert, worse than you are, sensei . . . I mean, different from you. I think he’s confused,” he said, stealing glances at Sakura before he continued. “He's always talking about, you know . . . penises and balls - well, mine anyways."
"Maybe that's his idea of male bonding Naruto, sorta like a verbal handshake."
- 8
- 9
- 10
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At The Intersection of Gauche and Obtuse