Caraphernelia (Naruto FanFic)

Chapter 9 : Conflict.

It has been months since Kakashi and Suzume graduated. They already went through the Chūnin Exams, with a boy named Ibiki to help them in the 3-man-squad rule.

Suzume had mastered many things, even puppetry, which caught her interest after Sakumo told her about a man from Suna that he killed.

"So, what did he say?" Minato asked, watching as his dear sister entered the living room.

She gave him a grin. "All of us are to be promoted to Chūnin!" She exclaimed, as she threw herself into his hug.

Minato smiled, ruffling her hair.

"Mom and Dad will be proud, I'm sure of it." He told her.

The air immediately changed. The little girl held her breath, before letting out a sigh. Suzume pushed herself away from Minato.

"Yeah." She muttered, as she walked away. She gently held the handle of her door, and turned to her brother.

"But they're dead." She added, before she pushed the door open, and entered her room. From inside, a click of the lock was heard.

Minato grimaced.

"Damn... I shouldn't have mentioned them..." He muttered, as he walked towards her room.

"Suzume..." He started, "Why can't you learn how to let go?" He whispered.

The said girl hear it. She leaned on her door, sitting on the floor, and pulled off her red scarf.

"Because I'm not like you, Nii-san. I'm not strong enough to do so." She replied, clutching the red fabric tightly, holding it close to her heart.

"And besides..." She trailed off, her gaze traveled outside her room.

"You got 13 years spent with them. Me?" She asked, her voice bitter. She clenched her fists, as she looked up.

"They were killed on my 3rd birthday."

•×•×•×•×•×•

"Mission?"

Sakumo nodded. "Yes. Mission."

"What about my training?!" Suzume protested, glaring at her sensei.

Sakumo grunted. "It will have to wait until I come back, Suzume."

The young girl pouted in anger and disappointment, making the Hatake sigh and pat her shoulder.

"It will take a while, but I promise that when I come back we'll train okay?" He said. Suzume nodded, crossing her arms.

"Alright Sakumo-sensei." Suddenly a thought appeared in Suzume's mind.

"Wait a sec," she began, "Does Kakashi know about this? Have you told him?" The blonde inquired. She received a nod in return.

"Kakashi already knows. He was upset, like you, but as long as you two are together I don't think I will be worried."

Suzume chuckled from the man's response. Then suddenly her eyes went wide.

"Oh crap!" She yelled, facepalming. Sakumo raised an eyebrow.

"What is it?"

"I forgot! I totally forgot that I had to meet up with Kaka-goblin! I've gotta go, Sakumo-sensei. Say hi to Nii-san for me!" She shouted behind her as she sped off.

"Say hi to Kakashi for me too, Suzume!" The blonde heard.

"Okay!" She replied, and with that the little Namikaze ran out of view.

•×•×•×•×•×•

A Month Later.....

•×•×•×•×•×•

"My guts tell me Tou-san's coming back soon." The silverette said, as he looked up from the book he was reading.

Suzume nodded, putting down the scroll she was writing on. "I feel the same. And I'm done with that seal."

"Thanks, Suzume. And, not trying to be rude, but I think you should go home now. It's getting late." He replied, as he took the scroll.

"No offense taken. You're right, 'Kashi. I'll get going now. See you tomorrow!" she said, as she stood up, and left.

When she arrived at her house, she could sense another chakra signature inside. Her brother's.

She pushed the door open, and entered the room. "Nii-san? Is that you?"

The older Namikaze hummed in reply. She revealed herself, and took a seat next to him.

"Welcome home! How's your mission, Nii-san?"

"I'll tell you later, Suzume." He muttered, as he covered his eyes with his arm. She sighed at his actions, and left. Not long after, she came back, with a cup of tea on her hand.

"What happened?"

He gulped, as he gripped her shoulder, as if trying to calm himself down.

"Everything is going to be hard... for..."

"For who?"

He sighed again, and looked down. "Suzume, if one of your teammates is in danger, what would you do? Woulyou save him, but sacrifice some scrolls that might risk the village's safety, or will you abandon him and continue the mission?"

She frowned. She stayed silent, before she finally said, "I'll save him."

"Even if it risks the village?"

She gave him a firm nod.

Minato looked up, and ran his fingers through her golden strands.

"Sakumo did that..." He said, "But people blamed him for risking the village. Even the one he saved."

She let out a small gasp, and he bit his lip, looking away.

"Suzume... I want you to help him as much as you can. I'm sure you can imagine the pressure he went through, right?"

She nodded. "Of course, Nii-san. He doesn't deserve that."

"And don't tell him about this, okay? I want you to act like you don't know about this, but don't ask him."

"Hai."

•×•×•×•×•×•

"Dad..." Kakashi stated, as he looked around, "Is it just me, or they're glaring at you?"

Sakumo sighed, and ruffled his son's hair. "Don't worry about it Kakashi. You're probably just imagining it." He stated, giving his son a warm smile.

Although Kakashi, being the intelligent young boy he is, could see right through it. He could see that his dad was hiding something behind that smile, and that he really wasn't imagining the villagers' glare, but he shrugged it off and remained silent the rest of the way home.

Suddenly, Kakashi noticed a head of familiar yellow hair turn the corner, and he furrowed his eyebrows. That was Suzume... She's been acting weird lately, like she really wants to tell me something but knows she can't. What is up with everyone?

Sakumo noticed his son staring into the distance with a look of confusion and irritation and nudged him.

"Kakashi, there is nothing to worry about." He stated, causing the young Hatake to look up at him. "I think what I should be asking how your training has been, ne?"

Kakashi stared at his father, unsure if he was being real or not, but smiled at him nevertheless. "You've missed out on a lot, dad." He smirked causing the older Hatake to smirk back at him.

"Well let's see how much you've improved since last time." And with that he opened the door to their home.

•×•×•×•×•×•

"Damn it Banshee will you please just spit it out already?" shouted an irritated Hatake. The blue eyed girl stared at the silverette in surprise.

"Wh-what?" She stuttered. She received a fierce glare in return.

"You know what I'm talking about! Ever since dad returned, everyone - including you - have been acting weirdly towards my father and I! What is going on already, Namikaze?"

Suzume stared at Kakashi, feeling at a loss for words. She opened and closed her mouth, before finally looking away from the boy to cover her face with her long hair.

"...That's not for me to say..."

He narrowed his eyes, and glared at her. "You know, but you won't tell me, right?" It was a statement, not a question.

She nodded, turning at him, "And the secret won't leak." she added, doing a zipper motion in front of her lips.

He looked away, clenching his fists. "Damn you Suzume..." He muttered bitterly.

She grabbed his shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly. "I'm on your side. Don't worry."

His gaze softened, his shoulder relaxed.

"I know." He mumbled.

But a voice in her heart told her, that he's not telling the truth.

•×•×•×•×•×•

"Kakashi!" Suzume yelled, her voice is a mixture of annoyance and desperation, "Hey, don't ignore me!"

Kakashi abruptly turned, startling her. "What?" He demanded, causing her to sigh.

"You're ignoring me. What's wrong?"

He raised an eyebrow. "You're asking me what's wrong?! Don't you know it already?!"

Suzume was stunned. She never thought he would be mad at her. And yet, she couldn't protest. He deserves to know, but again, it's not her place to tell. It's his father's.

"Kakashi... I-..."

"Excuse me, but I have a training to attend." He muttered, as he pushed her away, and walked past her.

As he left Suzume, Kakashi shoved his hands in his pockets, and sighed. He hates how everyone treats his father. And everything's getting worse. Now they began to yell at him, throwing eggs and other trash onto him.

How can Suzume not tell him?

"Kakashi?"

He looked up, to see his Sensei. "What are you thinking about? You look... scary."

He growled.

"It involves Suzume, right?"

His eyes widened, and he slowly nodded. Minato ran his fingers through his spiky blonde hair, letting out a sigh.

"Well, whatever she says, or do, please don't take it seriously."

"She kept a secret from me." He admitted, "A secret that I should know."

Minato groaned, annoyed.

Kakashi is a good-hearted boy deep in his heart, but he never shows it. The young Hatake is stubborn, rather selfish, and often didn't think twice on his actions. What's worse, for him, first impression is almost everything. He first saw Suzume as an annoying girl, so now, even if he tolerate her, he still hold a little hidden grudge against the young Namikaze, which can resurface when it was triggered. And, the thing that Minato hates the most, is how strong-willed he is. It could be a good point, but not in times like this. When he put his mind into something, he will do whatever it takes to fulfill his wish.

His personality clashed with Suzume's.

Minato was technically the one who raised Suzume. Hell, their parents were killed when she was 3. Suzume always reminded him of his mother. She is a patient and understanding girl, who can always forgive, aside not forgetting. But she is also very sensitive. She hardly remember her parents, and she hates it. That way, she never mentioned them. But because of that, Suzume can deal with Kakashi's harsh statements.

And unfortunately, she's also stubborn. When she said no, it means no. She could hide secrets very well, and she always hold onto her words. Never once did she forgot what she said. Once she said something, she will do it, even if it cost her own happiness. Her selflessness is actually also her weakness. He noticed how she often forget about herself, taking care of others.

This made the conflict became more complicated.

Suzume will not tell Kakashi no matter what, and this will make Kakashi slowly lost his trust on her. She will feel broken at this, and although she will forgive him, she won't let him in again. Kakashi will only get annoyed, and so on.

One of them MUST swallow their pride.

"Kakashi, you shouldn't be worried. I can assure you she's won't have any bad intentions." He finally said, ruffling his students hair.

"Yeah, but it doesn't change the fact that she is keeping a secret from me! A secret that probably effects my father and I. A secret that I have every right to know!" Kakashi growled, swiping Minato's hand off of his head.

"She - she...she's supposed to be my...friend. At least, I thought that we were..." He finished with a sigh. This sudden change of emotion shocked Minato, and suddenly his big brother/sensei mode came out. Minato tapped Kakashi's shoulder, making the boy look up at him.

"Kakashi, as your sensei, your father's comrade, and Suzume's older brother, I can honestly vouch for the fact that Suzume cares deeply for you and Sakumo - and that whatever it is that's she's hiding from you is for your own good." He said sternly. The young Hatake stared up at him, first in awe, then in realization and anger.

"You know something." Kakashi muttered. Minato calmly nodded.

"Yes, I do." He agreed. Quietly he reached out his hand to Kakashi which held a crumpled up sheet of paper, making the small Hatake stare at it in suspicion.

"What in Kami's name is that, Minato-sensei?" He asked the blonde.

"A crumpled up piece of paper." Minato replied, earning himself a glare. The older man chuckled.

"It's from Suzume. She...didn't want me to give it to you, because she was worried. To be honest, I found this in our trash can-" He held up his free hand to stop the Hatake. "It's not rubbish. She looked really upset and angry when she threw it away. I read what was on it - and I think you should too. When you're alone."

Kakashi's eyes met Minato's blue ones as he nodded and took the paper. The blond gave him a closed eye smile, before the two of them looked up. A bird flew over them and flew down onto Minato's arm. The man quickly unwrapped the note tied to its legs and set the bird free as he read the paper. He grunted.

"Alright, Kakashi, I've got to go now. Duties are calling." He dismissed. "Just don't forget to read that paper alright? You'll feel a lot better after. So, see ya!" With that the Namikaze flickered away.

Kakashi looked at the crumpled sheet of paper in his hand with curiosity and confusion.

"I wonder what it is...Suzume?"

As he went home, Kakashi found his father in his room, just like how it is for the past few weeks. He miss the old Sakumo, but he can do nothing.

The young Hatake frowned, making himself a dinner and ate alone in the kitchen. He was washing the dishes when his father entered the room.

"Hi Dad."

"Hi, Kakashi. Do you know where Suzume is? She doesn't show up for her training today."

And this is what Kakashi hates. He felt as if he has to share his father with Suzume. He is jealous of the attention. He hates how his father often ask him where Suzume is, instead of where was he.

"No, Dad. I'm going to sleep, I'm tired. Good night."

"Night, Kakashi." Sakumo muttered, watching his son entered his bedroom and locked the door shut.

Kakashi slammed his body on the bed, pulling out the crumpled paper from his pocket. He stare at it for a while, before finally let out a sigh and threw the paper into his desk.

"Too many things happened today. No need for another. I'll just read it later." He muttered, before he covered his eyes with his arm, and fell asleep.

•×•×•×•×•×•


Took so long to finish that...
I myself can't wait for the next chapter!

Remember to comment and vote! Tell us what you think!

~MidRav

Thanks for being so patient you guys! Sorry we've been pretty busy - and double sorry if there are still some mistakes here and there. My laptop is being really difficult right now and I can barely type. (It's so slow)
So leave a comment down below and tell us what you think (like Rae said, as well as predictions, or the things I need to fix up! xD

See you next time!

~Angel/Slay (the co-writer)