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[[Psh not taking Shadow seriously much? <.< ]]
400/415

Shadow grinned in an almost cocky manner, as he felt the rocks bounced off of him, activating his bloodline for the final rock, he dodged his head to the side as it flew past and crashed against the academy wall. The force of the rocks made Shadow slide back a ways, however he still only grinned. He looked at Reimei with a frown as he walked over to him, completely abandoning the fight. He looked over to Marcus, as if trying to ask permission for something in silence. He looked over at the head in the ground and sighed. He was getting annoyed at the lack of control he was showing with his emotions, and personality. Heaving a deep sigh he didn't even notice Sakeme enter the room. He kept his bloodline active, which he rarely did in casual situations, and usually deactivated once he left the fight.

Tell me, Annoying Brother. Who are you? Are you Reimei at all? Do you have his memories? Does that make you his superior? He looked into his eyes with a surprisingly apathetic look. Really he just didn't want to reveal what emotion he was feeling. Whether he was angry or cheery, that didn't matter right now. He simply waited, only concentrating on Akeru right now. Ignoring the rude action of leaving a fight.

Shadow sat there silent for a moment, not showing any give a way of what he was thinking. Which was something truthfully rather silly, to most ninja apparently. As he sat there in silence, he was doing basic math. He remembered all the times, however he didn't remember the precise hours. He looked at the boy, it was unreal that he looked so much like Reimei. It was even crazier that Shadow was convinced they were the same person. He looked into Akeru's eyes, with the same blank expression. Maybe he didn't know how he should feel himself, however he felt he had to do something. He couldn't keep on bringing Reimei out, that simply would not work. He sighed, as he flung his left arm out dramatically, finally finishing his calculations.

58 hours, a man smiles marching off to war, so a boy doesn't have to. 47 and a half hours, a man dies protecting a boy. 47 hours, a man rushes into the pits of hell, to follow the boy who had to fulfill his own selfish curiosity. 24 hours, a man pats a boy on the head, saying he truly believes that he is not a monster. 3 hours, the man pulls the boy asside, saying that he can help him catch up to his classmates, so he wont fall behind. Five seconds, a man smiles, as a boy walks into a new home, his head held high. The man welcomes him into the family. He spoke in a monotone manner, showing little emotions, even though as he spoke it he wanted to cry. In his hand a glow of fire was beginning to form. I'll tell you what i think Akeru, i think that you two are the same. You have Reimei's personality, but you're to damn consumed by your memories to express it. There was now a hot ball of flame, which he sat by Akeru's head, sitting cross legged next to him, still showing a generally apathetic look. It matters to me because i've seen you're a good person, i've seen how you're supposed to be. By going down this path, by following these stupid 'red and black' memory, you're destroying everything you know you are. So I guess this is what you'd call one of those choices in a Shinobi's life. He lay back, closing his eyes lightly, at this point most people would have backed away. You can remain, with these memories, and stay this monster you're so intent on being. In which case the Fox Grenade will blow up. I can guarantee your survival, since you'll be pretty much protected by the ground. However, your face will likely be disfigured and deformed, taking you to the final stage of your evolution to this... Monster... He then let out a deep breath. However, i have faith that my little brother would know the way to get out of this situation... You are Reimei, and Reimei is you. I understand that now. However you need to, you'll never survive only following your memories, and you'll surely die never recalling them. Embrace who you are, Akeru. You can't be one or the other, just become you... He yawned as the grenade flickered a little. Shadow was no longer holding it, so it was a complete mystery what would cause it to explode.

It doesn't take a lot of time to care for someone, Little Brother. I care for you, no matter how little time its been. You're special to me.

(( GAH THIS POST IS SO EMO!!! Haha i apologies, i didn't realize how angsty it was until like 5 paragraphs in, so i tried to make it less emo angst at the end haha! ))
((339/415 ))

Shadow remained laid back, not daring to move. Even as the boy Kage came in, clapping his hands. Shadow just lay there, looking apathetic at him... He didn't really expect him to act so... Well, childish! Shadow couldn't harbor any ill will against his own Kage, though the face he acted exactly like Shadow would have four years ago, really surprised him. It was impossible to protect someone from an attack that consumed such a large area, and since Zephy was attacking the grenade it was pretty much sealing their fate. However he knew that Zephyr meant no wrong, he was just being incredibly foolish... As he flew through the air, Shadow made a quick analysis. The trauma from Zephyr's kick, would surely make it blow up. The trauma from picking it up would make it blow up, however he knew how to handle his own jutsu, meaning he could at least get it away from people. As Zephyr's kick landed Shadow had snatched up the grenade, and threw it into a more deserted part of the classroom. Obviously the explosion blew up desks, and part of the wall, for it wasn't as centered as it would have been in it's origenal home. The fires consumed the left half of Shadow, kissing him delicately as the explosion finally cooled, leaving a smoldering hole in the middle of the ground, Shadow's left arm covered in burns, reaching up to his neck and chin.

He stood there, silent. Though no longer apathetic looking. It had seemed tears were forming in his eyes. Though Shadow never cried in pain, and usually only in sadness when it was comical. Behind his eyes was pure rage. He wasn't sure if he noticed Sakeme yet, or even the Konoha elders that would gladly strike a renegade like him down. All he knew was his anger at the Hokage. Not for being reckless, not for expressing love for his kin, not even for his threats and mocking towards him. He was angry that he didn't have faith in the boy. If he was truly willing to burn in the fires of hell for this, what was saying "now seeking revenge wouldn't be nice!" going to do, really? In a way Shadow doubted either of their methods would work really, however he was at least willing to put faith in the child. He wasn't sure how long he stood there. He wanted to attack with all his might out of rage and impulse. However he stood there for a moment, puss making his burned arm shine in the light, his fresh neck burn making his entire face seem red and damaged. Finally cooling down, he yelled, and approached the Hokage, not sure whether he expected to get struck down or not.

You god damned idiot! Shadow spat with rage, admittedly it appeared as though he was angry at Zephyr's recklessness, insults, and completely trashing Shadow's training. Really that would be how everyone saw it, accept for him, Zephyr, and likely Marcus. In a way he wished to look the other way, and pretend nothing happened. That way maybe Sakeme and the elders wouldn't want to kill him. However that couldn't be done. He couldn't just walk away with a happy smile saying 'Hokage knows best!'. Oh yeah, threats, that'll change things! If someone is willing to burn in hell, i'm sure he's gonna cower at being told he'll burn there! But you know what, that doesn't even matter! He stopped a little away from the small boy, it felt weird scolding a child who could kill him instantly. What are you going to do with Fuuin? Seal away the bad parts? Well golly gee, why don't we just do that with everyone!? I'm a little bit to angry! His sarcasm was hard to identify in the screaming. How this was all just a tantrum. He wouldn't let himself get to the point when he was this flustered, these stupid insults were just his way of calming down. He didn't really mean this part, it was just so he wouldn't stumble over his words in frustration later.

He slammed his hand hard into the desk, breaking it in two, even with a burned hand. He huffed for breath for a minute, before calming down. In a now cooler voice, he looked up. I give you my deepest apologies. I was speaking from rage of something that had nothing to do with that. I beg your forgiveness but... He sighed deeply, keeping his head cool. He was done yelling about things that were childish and didn't matter. However he didn't care he threw a tantrum, in Zephyr's own way he did to, the only difference was Shadow's was visible. What really makes me angry, is a Kage with no faith in his people. You rushed in to protect us, or rather your kin. He knew it was more about the boys safety than his. However, you didn't place any faith in your kin, and in turn, any faith in my decision to trust him. You don't seem to believe he can ever be strong enough to defeat what he is... He sighed reaching into his pocket, grabbing something and putting it on the table. A Kage should protect his people. People should have faith in their Kage. However, what gives you the right to not have faith in your people!? His voice had increased again. He let out a deep sigh, his hand slipping off of the forehead protector on the desk. I made a promise to represent Konoha to the best of my abilities in the exams. It would simply be unprofessional to walk out on an obligation. I will represent Konoha to the best of my village, however after that i'm giving up my life as a Shinobi. He looked the Hokage dead in the eyes. I refuse to work for someone, who refuses to even have faith for those he looks after. With that he walked over to Marcus, and bowed.

I'm endlessly in your debt. Though don't complain when i beat up your village shinobi in the tournament because of what you taught me! He laughed cheerfully, one could hardly recognize how angry he was a moment before! He then walked out towards the door, stopping once more, giving a thumbs up and grinning at Zephyr. Really he still loved the guy, he was a great person. He knew he was just protecting his nephew, it was a maternal instinct. However that was a personal level. As a Kage, Zephyr had betrayed Shadow. And that was why he smiled, and that is why he chuckled. That is why he laughed as he told a joke walking out. He knew he would do the same, Konoha was infamous for being people before a Shinobi. If it was his kid, he would have betrayed the trust of one petty villager just as easily... I here the farming industry is kind of nice lately! He said laughing as he walked past the elders. Akeru, you're a good kid! You have a good family! Keep an eye out for them! And laughing cheerfully, with tears in his eyes, he left the academy room.

He had laid next to the grenade, if Akeru had failed, the grenade would have blown up, however unlike Akeru, Shadow wasn't protected. The fires would have consumed his body, and likely killed, if not hospitalized him. He was willing to put that on the line, for he had faith in the kid, and would accept the consequences if he failed. Zephyr took it away. He was grateful as a person, however they weren't people, they're job was to protect people. And as a Knight of the Ninja world, Shadow was betrayed. He laughed to himself only muttering Man i'm just not cut out for this life of work at all!

((Haha i ended up taking out the conversation in Shadow's head since it made it really long... XD ))

"...you didn't have to worry." The child sighed. "I trust Marc-nii."

...though he should make a run for it before his guards find the right classroom...Zephyr may not have known directly but he heavily suspected Yokou went berserker back at the arena, when Shikamori discovers that the Zephyr he was holding had somewhere along the way been replaced by a nice wooden dummy that had a deformed (chibi) expression with its tongue stuck out that had 'HA DUMBASS' inscribed in the mouth...

Zephyr was mostly right.

It wasn't just Yokou, though. Both Hyuuga and Nara raged for a good five minutes over their runaway Sensei...at first blaming each other for not keeping a closer watch and wrestling over who gets to destroy the offending dummy...before then realizing it was neither of their fault and they should go after the real thing first... Anyhow, that was how the Konoha shinobi came all the way back from the arena and split up to search for their runaway Kage...

...

...but the more amusing matters aside...

The expression Shadow saw...was not that of a child's. Years of pain...of knowing much more than the Chuunin candidate could ever imagine...they burned with their own fire in green-gold eyes. "Eighteen years ago, I took on a Genin team. The boy's father...Yuuko-chan...Shika-kun..." His tone was chilling...a quiet monotone without any hint of laughter. "I didn't want to at first..." His voice trailed off. "...and yet..." He continued. "...they all became precious..." The gaze that was cast to Shadow's direction was unreadable. "I had known them since they were children."

Them...?

Then he would mean both parents and children... Those words...that Shadow cannot even start to comprehend the relationship between the Senju Lord, his three Students, and their children...

Zephyr briefly cast a glance in Getsui's direction. A Hyuuga was a Hyuuga, even if marked traitor by her clan. He had saved Marcus' life before, without pretext because the Taida was a precious person to him - but Marcus was also a precious person to this woman. At least this once...it should be fine...even if his Students showed up...but he'll have to stop Yokou. "I disliked them from the first day. ...devil trio tried to prank me. And how on earth did that old man expect me to make them work together...arrogant they were - a lazy as hell Nara who didn't think anything in the world fit for accomplishing...a Uchiha with a superiority complex who needed a few good smacks to reality...and little miss Hyuuga know-it-all who needs a reality check that there's things she didn't know..."

With each complaint, an additional tick mark seemed to form...but more of the comical, fond anger of a Sensei to his three children...at the mere memory...but then....he sighed, calm again. The expression in his eyes was gentle now...as he continued... "But they were good kids. Sure...Shika and Sei was a little on the rough, violent side...but...they had bright futures...when the team parted once Shikamori reached Chuunin first..."

"It was all an illusion, though." The child laughed, but there was no joy...no tears in his eyes...as if the years had long drained them. "...the years passed...and before I knew it...at the time...what I didn't notice..." He reached out a hand to Akeru, gently ruffling the boy's hair. "...it turned into a nightmare." His bangs partially veiling his expression...he continued... "The next time I saw one of my dear children..."

"He was a traitor...with a bounty on his head..."

How...a Sensei must have felt...for one of his beloved children to be...

"For the sake of the Mangkeryou. Tried to kill his own teammate as well...I...caught up with him in that *Valley at the mouth of the river (Valley of the End)..." His voice trailed off, clearly bitter. "I thought it wouldn't affect me. I wasn't raised Senju...but...once again, in that stupid valley...a Uchiha and Senju fought..."

...did he...did Zephyr then...kill his own little boy...?

A boot stepped on Zephyr's head.

Said boot was connected to a foot.

That belonged to Nara Shikamori.

"Who were you calling 'dumbass', you dumbass Sensei?" Each word of the demand was accentuated by another step. "I prefer the brat attitude more, since if that's the case, at the least the days has a highlight of sorts with the daily chase..." A few more steps...finally, Shika removed his foot, a hand to his face. "Dammit...shut up about Museifu, will you..." The Nara cast an unhappy look...even if it was one villager of theirs (Shadow)...a child villager of theirs (Akeru)...Marcus and his companions...there was still Iwa brats running around...no need for rumors... He only caught the last fringes of conversation...but...

It didn't take a genius to figure out.

That child... The Nara almost admired just how much the boy looked like his father...a beloved and hated face...thank goodness Yokou, still fuming, was held back by her clansmen back in the stadium (because of their runaway teacher)...she would be stricken to see this sight...

"...you already figured out, didn't you..." Said the Nara, quietly. "Sensei was lying to you. Or rather, leaving it open for you to deduce the wrong conclusion."

"I know that." Snapped the boy, almost irritably. "He's alive. If it wasn't for him...I would not be here from Oto in the first place..." Akeru glowered, furious, at Zephyr. "I wouldn't hurt her. That girl. Mangkeryou was that person's method. That man..." His voice trailed off, almost carefully calculating the memory. "...no...I did not run into him yet...just his nuke-nin companions..."

...it would make sense now.

Manipulative brat.

That means the Sennin who accompanied him and her tiger...

Yokou and the others...

Even Elruda and Shinratsu...

This side of 'Reimei' was merely taking the opportunity to seize all the pieces for the future...

It didn't take a genius to see that Shadow was hurt...as the Chuunin left the room...

"People aren't pieces on a chessboard..." Deadpanned Zephyr. Forcibly taking the boy's hand, he dragged the child to the doorway... "Hurry up and go after that aniki of yours. That Sennin woman you're living with is a medic, isn't she...?" At the boy's almost questioning look...almost like his own true expression again...Zephyr continued on. "Remember I told you about that chicken? The overgrown one? So I have been robbed of being able to heal anything today (thus I can't patch him up for you)...so...shoo...shoo...go get that Oto woman..."

"You mean-..." He started. "...Odoriko Yuu-..." He tried again, interrupted once more. "But-..." How was he supposed to know where that woman went in the mornings? But then he was pushed out of the classroom, and the door shut behind him...

As the door closed, Shikamori stared calmly at his Sensei.

What now...?

Zephyr rubbed his temples, feeling a migraine coming on. But now that the source problem was diverted for the moment...happy again, the child gave a thumbs-up to Marcus. "Don't worry about the damage~" Ah. He meant the floor...

"So that's why you brought extra money!" Snapped the Nara. Meaning Zephyr had expected future damages...? An answering shrug from his Sensei infuriated Shika even further...

"Have you got no shame!?"

Hmph.

Idiot.

Shadow didn't need to remind him that.

Senju, after all, were used to losing things...

But a small smile did curve his lips as Akeru rushed after the Chuunin candidate...

...but that didn't stop him from holding on to what was left with everything he got...

"You..." The Nara began, but said nothing, his voice trailing off. After all...words were no longer necessary...

This person...he...

Really. Nothing mattered to this person. Neither rank, clan divisions, international problems...both naive and wise at the same time...

A being of contradictions.

In the end...he really didn't understand the man...the child...the one called Senju Zephyr at all...

...he had never cared before...

...so why now did he run after that retreating back...?

His eyes, still tainted by crimson, were slowly - slowly - reverting back to their usual amber-gold...

His hand reached out for that person's back...his lips moved...

...words not his own...

...yet why did the tears they both shared...?

"Don't...go..."

It was a gentle embrace from behind...but warm nonetheless...

It didn't matter that this child was Uchiha.

It didn't matter that at mere moments ago he was speaking coldly...

The tears, and small, trembling body was real enough...

...the whispered 'sorry' - repeated apologies - was real too...

"...g-gomen...ne...I..."

...and with the apologies, an unsaid promise...

...to try harder the next time...

...even as his time was running out...

[[Marcus could always take you seriously and seal you in the ground for a few months. Hmmm and sure you can have ill will towards your Kage, works wonders for Gig]]

Marcus had wandered off… even to Getsue’s dismayed face at just how little he seemed to care. Marcus was off in a corner pulling and tweaking at one of the younger kids cheeks. It was ok though, the kid liked it cause Marcus didn’t do it hard. However, this was Marcus’ normal behavior… diffusion. He’d heard so many hard luck stories in his life that it was hard to show true concern and care anymore.

That’s not to say he didn’t care, oh he did. If for no other reason than the fact that these people were under his protection right now, he cared but still, he had found that in matters that didn’t directly concern him, getting directly involved almost never helped the situation. Something about his personality either completely derailed the situation or drove it head long from hot water to shark infested, miasma drenched water.

Outside, someone was watching as Shadow walked past the students seeming to mumble to himself. It was one of Marcus’ group, the most silent of them drapped in black. Her name was Crystal although only Marcus and his group would know that. There she stood, glancing at Shadow as he walked… she knew that he wasn’t what he seemed either and decided to follow him… not in a true following manor. To be perfectly honest, her entire disguise was a puppet she rode in so even if attacked she’d have a bit of time to get away. The only part missing form her normal self was her ‘other half’ known as Sin.

She walked… slinked behind Shadow. It really couldn’t be called a walk as you couldn’t see anything resembling legs walking, it’d be more like she was gliding or slinking along… really creepy actually. Specially with her mask on. Either way, this was one of her hobbies, to track behind people and spook them.

Back outside in the training field where everyone else was, Yoko looked onto the sceen and sighed. Here eye’s were constantly ablaze with Sharingan. It was so much so to the point where it didn’t even drain her chakra anymore. Only Marcus and Getsue knew Yoko’s real eye color. She found the talk of the Uchiha clan a bit distasteful… she wasn’t a fan of them as one might have guessed but then again, she wasn’t a fan of a lot of things. Even though she was the most chipper of the group, she still held many scars from what had been done to her.

The appearance of the Nara caused Getsue to grin a bit… not a happy to see you grin, a sinister grin… one that bore no good will. She snickered under her breath and spoke, “Well if it isn’t the b***h’s little do boy…”

Marcus heard her and stood up. He stretched a bit and looked over his shoulder to her with rather vacant eyes. She caught the glance and flinched… Marcus didn’t give blank looks unless he was irritated about something or really didn’t care. It was easy to tell which by looking at him… if you could read blank-angry from blank-blank.

Either way, Marcus turned towards the Konoha members, still blank, “Well now… this is a bit depressing… you guys are spookin’ the kids…” Marcus would move closer to Zephyr and begin to poke him with his foot, “You especially. How old are you kid? 2, 3 hundred? Come on, buzz off. Get outta here already would ya?”

"...I lied to you...when I said I remembered nothing beyond that red and black world..." The tears came freely now and the boy covered his eyes. "...just one more memory...my nii-san died to save me from otou-san..." Whispered words. "...even though...we weren't related..." So that was why he did not tell Shadow that...fearing... The deserted corridors of the Academy seemed to remain unnoticed by both. "...then...you will be leaving me behind...too...?" The child did not move his hands from his face still, the salty liquid dripping down pale skin now... "Everything is my fault, isn't it..." Whispered the boy. "...because I didn't want to remember..." A soft, breathing pause seemed to fill the hallways. "...even that my face is the same as otou-san's too..."

The same face as that murderer...?

After all, Akeru had the same face as his father...

With the shifts in movement as the boy rubbed at his eyes, so did more pale skin was exposed from the long sleeves...

...scarred skin...

Knife marks on his wrist...

Even if Akeru did not remember now...

...he had once tried to kill himself...?

Not once.

From those marks...many times...

...-chan...?

An eyebrow twitched.

Nobody called him that. Well, there was his dumb Sensei who got away with it...once a blue moon Yokou would take to using their childish nicknames too...but... Well, he didn't need to look back to know who it was who took the liberty...what...? Bouncing babe!? A veinpop formed - it was probably only years of diplomatic training that stopped the Nara from snarling a furious reply at the Taida. But oh no...the Tsuchikage continued on and on...and with each remark, another angry vein seemed to join the previous...

So he settled for somewhat polite words through near-gritted teeth. "Yuuko-hime...has...unmatched pride..."

Zephyr raised a hand in the 'yo' gesture and was about to greet Marcus, though decided to save that for later because a tray of drinks was placed in his hand. The Senju cocked his head slightly, curious... Ah. There was a message imprinted - suspiciously looking merely like a design of sorts for all the cups if seen from afar but Zephyr understood. He grinned, removed one hand because just one would be enough to balance the tray, and gave Marcus a thumbs-up - Shika would not notice because his back was facing the Senju... Though he had to restrain himself from sighing aloud when the Nara did reply...

Goodness. It was because of this aversion to even telling Yokou in the first place that the incident with Museifu happened. The Uchiha misunderstood. Completely. Thinking that...