Hidden Brothers

Chapter 2

Hey guys!

The past week has been long for me because one of my brother's friends had just passed away. He was only 15.

It was a trouble for me to write the story when I thought of him. Losing a loved one, even at a young age is never easy to accept that they are gone.

But I'm alright now so I hope you enjoy this chapter!

_______________________________________

       Naruto couldn't help but shift in his walk, staring at the back of one Usagi Rai. Only an hour into travelling and Naruto felt like going home for the first time.

       It became strange of an outsider knowing their personal life. According to his sensei in their private talk, that friend may be a former fellow shinobi of theirs. After all, no one below Chuunin other than the genin team under him knows his habits and lifestyle.

"Ano sa, Usagi-san......" Naruto begins, catching the said man's attention

"Nani?" Rai asks

"Um..... You mentioned earlier about you friend who knew Kakashi-sensei. ....." Naruto said slowly "..... Is he from Konoha?"

      This was agreed not to be asked but sadly, Naruto is as dense and blunt as ever.

"Naruto!?" Sakura exclaims

"Hai.... He is from Konoha......" Rai smiles, earning surprise looks "He was a former Jounin when he first moved to the village..... He told us all of his experience and he is one of the founders alongside our Tsukikage...."
"Founder?! He created Tsukikagure!?" Kakashi said with surprise

"Iie.... He had help, but he gave Tsukikagure's name....." Rai said with a sad smile "It was a memory of what was precious to us had been snatched away from us forever at night..... Ever since then, we never lose anything....."

"I see...." Kakashi said softly

xxxxxx

Nightfall.....

      A sigh left one Haruno's lips as she cooks the freshly caught fish, glancing back once a while to her teammates preparing the campsite. She then glances at Rai not far from her and notices a small photo in his hand.

       An attractive woman with brown hair was smiling, with a young boy in her arms.

"Is that your family, Usagi-san?"

The said man looks up at Sakura, blinking a few times before a gentle smile answers her.

"Hai...." Rai sighs "...My wife and son...."

"They look wonderful....." Sakura comments

"They would..... If they are here today....."

      Hearing that caught Sakura by surprise. To never think that.....

"Y-You mean......" Sakura begins, earning a sad smile

"Gato...... He killed them during an attack on the village before the Tsukikage came....." Rai said softly "I wanted to kill myself so many times, to punish myself for hiding them in the shed...."

"But that's-"

"I know...... And if it wasn't for him.... I wouldn't be here today....." Rai smiles softly "I really wanted to kill myself that day..... Until he came to me...... We sat down and we talked for hours..... Until I finally gave in....."

"He?" Sakura asks

"Hai..... The founder I talked about earlier......" Rai smiles "He had faced the same thing that I had..... He was only a teen, yet he is standing strong in his will....."

"Why?"

"..... Because he has a brother to care for....."

xxxxxx

Next day.....

       Kakashi couldn't help but shudder at the uneasiness of aura around them, his single eye glancing around. Both Sakura and Sai noticed as well, while their ever knuckle head Naruto busy himself with Rai in a conversation about Konoha.

"Sakura.... Sai....." Kakashi begins softly

"We know, Sensei....." Sakura replies

      The silent, yet tensed presence went on for the mounting pressure on them. It went on and on that their suspicion slowly went down.

         It was until that they deemed normal-

BOOM!

"KYAAAAHH!!"

"UWAAAH!"

       Pieces of rocks in sizes flew in all direction. Each and every feet swept from the ground and flying feet away from where they last stood.

        Dust soon ceased, leaving them spluttered on the floor. Only different was.

"SENSEI! NARUTO AND RAI-SAN ARE GONE!"