A Time of Peace 3: Welcome To A New World
You arose as the sun rose overhead, as the grey morning light barely a glance over the horizon, as blue overtook the sky.
You took a few deep breaths before preparing yourself for the day. He wanted you to be prepared to rise early, at any moment. Of course, he never said anything about being late on the first day.
You got dressed and made sure your sandals were on tight on your feet, before walking through the clan halls.
The guards on duty, those that weren't asleep that was, were by the gate to the compound, playing a card game. Guard duty wasn't so much a duty but an obligation, and a way for some friends to be together without leaving the compound.
Kakashi-Sensei was waiting at the front, with a rucksack, a clock, and some other ninja tools. His mask was up, and his sole eye seemed dull, but filled with energy. His jounin flack jacket looked brand new, and his uniform in tip-top shape.
"Shiro, you are punctual." He replied. "You were supposed to be up by four in the morning."
"My father told me you were always late." You replied. "And that you always get lost on the road of life."
Kakashi-sensei's eyes closed, and you saw his mask rise with a smile. "It is a difficult road to cross. How are you?"
"I'm doing great." You bowed to him. "So what are we doing today Sensei?" You asked.
"You are running." He stated.
"Where?" You asked.
"You will have to follow me," Kakashi-Sensei replied. "Are you ready?"
You nodded and prepared yourself. "Yes, sir."
"Good." He replied. "Follow me."
Kakashi-Sensei than took off into a run, and you trailed behind, trying to at least keep sight of the silver-haired Jounin. But as you run, you feel tired. It was the hardest you had ever run before, and your lungs burned, your eyes watered and you felt droplets of sweat gather on your skin. Your clothes do little to keep you warm, as you tried to follow the now streak of silver… barely exert any effort into staying ahead of you.
You ran for what felt like hours through Konoha, as much of the world seemed to blur all around you. You were losing steam, but not losing sight of Kakashi-sensei, and you would not lose him.
But then, for a moment, you saw a black blur cross your path, nearly hitting you, and you had to stop.
But that second of lost focus made the silver streak disappeared.
You had lost Kakashi-Sensei.
"Stupid… something!" You found yourself blurting out as you looked around
"Don't panic," Atlas replied. "It won't help you in this situation."
"No kidding." You muttered.
"Keep your focus forward! Follow that cat!" Atlas ordered. You nodded, and ran forward, into the crowd.
You did, not seeing anything but people, and their surprised faces … and the streak of black looking back as if he was looking for something… or you for that matter were in front of you. You didn't know.
But then it stopped, it crossed the path of the road, and everyone was avoiding it like the plague.
You stopped in front of it and examined it. "What the heck?" You tried using the Byakugan on it, but it just showed itself to be a regular cat, walking along the road. So your eyes receded and the veins beside your eyes receded
But as you pressed your hand forward… you noticed that your hand wouldn't go forward… it was like it was hitting a wall.
It reminded you of the old saying. A black cat crosses your path was destined to give you bad luck.
So don't let it cross your path.
You smiled and turned to the right, towards an alleyway. You rushed through the cramped quarters, you looked around for anything noticeable that could help you figure out where Kakashi-Sensei was.
But as you made your way out to the street, you only saw an even bigger crowd of people there. The morning market rush was about to begin on Main street, and you needed to wade through the crowd.
But as you entered the street you found yourself being pushed, pulled or dragged.
"Move it, kid."
"Get out of the way?!"
"Where's your mother!? She should give you a thrashing for being out alone!?"
So many people… so many voices, it was… difficult to focus on, their voices, their bodies, their moods, and emotions… they were too much.
"Excuse me, dear?" You focused on a voice that was next to you. An old woman standing beside you. "Would you please be a dear and assist me for a moment?"
"Uh… sure." You replied.
"What are you doing? We should be finding your sensei?" Atlas stated.
"In a moment." You found yourself saying aloud.
"Is everything alright dear?" The old woman asked.
"Oh nothing, just talking to myself." You replied with a smile. "Where are you going?"
The old woman pointed. "Just across the street dear. Not anything difficult. Onto the Road of Life." She replied.
That made you think of Kakashi's excuse that he said. Getting lost on the road of life.
You deftly took the woman's hand and led her across the street, and the crowds pulled away, giving you room to walk across it.
As you reached across the street woman let go. "Thank you, dear." The woman replied. "Get to the end of the road of life, and you shall find what you seek."
You blinked and she was gone, into a shop that was just opened, behind window blinds.
"That was unhelpful." Atlas stated.
"Well, down the road of life we go." You muttered to yourself.
And down the road, you went… if you could call it a road. It was an alley in all but name, filled with red lanterns, and signs that said they served all sorts of vices and carnal pleasures.
Not a place for a child, but an apprentice of a ninja.
So you blocked them from your mind until you reached the end, and the alley forked.
"Left or right?" You said quietly to yourself.
"Left is due north, towards the Hokage monument, the academy, and the Administration building. Go right." Atlas replied.
You went right, and you looked at another maze of choices before you. Straight, left, or right this time.
"Which way?" You asked.
"Forward, keep going forward." Atlas replied.
You did that, and you kept running.
"Oi boy, what you doing out here all alone. Looking for ya mommy?" A drunken voice said as you ran.
It was… surreal, seeing all sorts of people in the alley. The drunks, prostitutes… even some genin after a bender were all laid out on the street, left where they lay they were thrown out.
But a moment later, you found your exit.
A large forest rose in front of you and waiting for you, was Kakashi-Sensei.
"Ah, my strange apprentice." His eye closed and he smiled underneath his mask. "You seem to be a little late?"
"I…" You paused and realized what he had done. And you smiled. "A Black cat crossed my path, so I had to take another route, where I helped an old lady cross the street… and I got lost on the Road of Life."
Kakashi-sensei's eye opened. "And now my young apprentice… now you know why I am late all the time."
"Because you throw up genjutsu everywhere to make sure that you stick to it, or do you have people on your payroll to make it happen." You replied cheekily.
"I have friends." He replied, crossing his arms. "What about you?"
"I was a formally crippled boy who has been looked down upon by my clan for that former disability." You replied bluntly, a smile on your face. "The only friend I have is a boy named Itachi Uchiha. I think we're even. "
For a moment, you thought you saw Kakashi-Sensei's face pale...but that may have been the light.
"Alright then… our first lesson is one thing I think all ninja should know." He then pulled out a scroll and twirled it around like it was a ribbon attached to a single stick. "A list of all the equipment you should have for any mission." He paused. "Actually, before we begin. I want to ask you a few questions." He stared at you with a serious glare from his sole eye.
"What are your likes? Your Dislikes... Your Dreams for the Future?" He gave a wink. "You don't have to answer now... but if you do have an idea... could you tell me. It may help in training."
What are your likes:
[]Write in
What are your dislikes:
[]Write in
What is your dream for the future:
[]Write in
[]I don't think I can answer that right now, Sensei.
Reward: Training rolls gain a +30 to their effectiveness. You have the option to skip the academy if you wish.
Gain Trait: Apprentice (Kakashi Hatake): You are now an Apprentice of a Ninja of the Village. While not officially part of the Ninja Forces Ranks, you are allowed to train in village training grounds, and partake in missions with your Sensei. You are expected to carry on your Sensei's lessons, teachings, and habits so that one day you can teach others. (You can now do missions D-S Rank with your sensei. Your training actions are buffed for as long as you are in the apprenticeship.)
AN: Enjoy.
Edit:There is a moratorium on the vote for 4 hours.