Dream Skirmish

Chapter 1

Kakashi walks through the streets at a lazy pace, his exposed eye wandering about aimlessly as he enjoys the warmth of the sun burning in a clear, blue sky. His mind is empty, not even giving any thought as to how to proceed his training with his students today or what he'll have for dinner this evening; he likes to keep things a surprise, even to himself. As a Jonin of the Village Hidden in the Leaves it's his responsibility to prepare the Genin under his care for everything and being both patient and spontaneous are critical aspects in battles, especially if it's a difficult fight one might not be prepared for.
Though the tranquility of his uneventful morning is soon disturbed, when a masked woman jumps down beside him.
"Kakashi, it's good that I caught you." An adult ninja wearing a white ANBU cat mask approaches the man.
In an instant his mood turns from happy to sour. "It's never a good sign when the ANBU involve me... What is it?"
"We can't talk here, too crowded."
They both look around their surroundings before inconspicuously walking into one of the many alleys in the Hidden Leaf to talk more privately. Though the streets are littered with people and ninja alike, no one seems to have noticed them leaving, or even that a member of the black ops team started a conversation with one of their prior members.
"We need you on high alert on a mission. There has been trouble nearby and Lady Hokage thinks Orochimaru is involved."
The white haired man lets out an irritated sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "He's starting to get on my nerves... Why exactly haven't we killed him yet?"
"This is no time for jokes... We firmly believe he's about to make a move against the Leaf."
"How am I involved again?"
The teachers irritation is evident as the masked woman explains his orders. "Lady Hokage wants you to personally lead a scouting mission to confirm our suspicion... Or hopefully disprove it. You'll lead a small group of ANBU through the land of Rice Patties and the abandoned Sound Village... With any luck, you can find out who's behind the kidnappings"
"You never said anything about kidnappings."
"I did now... It's important that you tell no one about this. We can't afford mass panic or Genin with a grudge against Orochimaru to do something stupid."
Kakashi nods understandingly. "And by Genin you mean Naruto and Sasuke... Alright, I'll get to the mission right after morning training."
The Sensei turns to leave, only to be stopped by the ANBU member. "You need to go now... There is no time to waste."
Wordlessly the tall man continues heading towards the bridge upon which he'd gather his team, pondering about the orders he was just given. With his hands in his pockets and an idle walking speed, he can see two of his pupils just down the street, yelling and shouting, but pays them little mind or has no plan to chase them down to find out what this argument is about.
'They're late.' He thinks, wearing an emotionless expression, even though he himself isn't going to be there on time. 'I'm going to have to find someone to take over their training... I'd simply cancel it, but knowing these two energetic numbskulls, they'll get into trouble or try to follow me... Best to distract them somehow... Maybe Guy can actually be of use to me today...'

"Naruto! Come back here!"
The young blond is running for his life through the streets of the Hidden Leaf village, panicking about the furious young girl who is hot on his heels. After failed attempts of using his shadow clones to escape, he finds himself in a dead end alley, but with a bit of quick thinking he manages to hide himself well behind a few boxes, praying that she won't find him.
"Brother, I know you're here! Either come out and face me or I'll blow this alley apart!" He can see her just well enough to notice she has her hands together, preparing for a ninjutsu, while her right foot taps the ground impatiently. "You have to the count of three to give back my diary or you'll regret getting out of bed this morning... one-"
'She's not serious, is she?'
"Two-"
'Oh god, what if she is?! Damn it, Blacky, I only wanted a peek...'
"Thr-" she stops in the middle of her countdown when Naruto decides to crawl out of his hiding space. "At least you have some sense. Give it back."
She extends her hand demandingly and her twin brother caves, placing the stolen diary into her palm. A smile instantly replaces her angry scowl and she ruffles his light blond hair with an almost patronizing laugh.
"Why do you have to be so mean? I only wanted a quick look into your diary, sis... What could be so bad that you'd throw such a fit?"
"Nothing, I just don't appreciate having my property stolen. If you really wanted to read some of the pages, you could just ask."
"Oh!" He exclaims, a cheeky, teeth showing grin stretching on his lips. "Can I read your diary, then?"
The girl shakes her head. "Not after the stunt you pulled. Maybe later or tomorrow when I've forgiven you."
"Come on! You said if I asked I could look!"
"No, I said you could have asked to look, not that I'd actually let you. Now, come on, we're late for training, even by Kakashi-Sensei's standards."
With a groan he follows her as she heads to the gates, safely tucking her diary into the bag she has resting against her hips. The young ninja complains and whines the entire trip to the meeting place, where Sasuke has already been waiting for his teammates and their teacher to arrive. Mumbling a quiet morning in response to Blacky's cheerful greeting, the three teens lounge on the wooden bridge, patiently awaiting for the arrival of Kakashi, who is insanely late as usual.
"Maybe he's not coming today." Naruto speaks up, his eyes fixed on the moving shadows in the stream below. "Or maybe he forgot?"
"No, he's just late... Probably 'lost on the path of life' or 'helping an old lady cross the street' or something ridiculous like that again."
Just as those words leave the girls mouth, a figure looms behind her, hanging down in a crouched position from one of the arches decorating the bridge. "Ridiculous? She was a very slow and fragile old lady."
"Then pick her up and carry her across the street next time."
"She's also a very heavy lady, I never would have managed that feat of strength."
"In that case, maybe you should train some more and build up your strength, Kakashi-Sensei."
He lets out a soft sigh, hiding a smile behind his mask. "You need to learn to have patience, Blacky. Good things come to those who wait, you know."
She nods numbly, brushing her hand through her black and green hair. "So, what's your excuse today?"
"Oh, today? I'm late because I had to make a detour... Too many ladders I could have walked under, can't afford to have bad luck on a beautiful day like this."
The three students stare at their teacher with blank looks, not even sure how to react to such a statement coming from a rational adult. After each express their own reaction to the delay, it's finally time to begin their training.
"Oh, yes, that's what I need to tell you guys. I'm not going to be training you today. I have an important mission, but I don't want to disappoint you three, so, you'll be having a substitute teacher for a few days."
"Really? Who?"
"He should be along any minute now... I took the liberty of sparing you their, uh... Morning warm up routine..."
"Oh no..." Blacky exclaims, her eyes widening with dread. "No, please, Sensei! Don't tell me it's Guy-Sensei!"
"'Fraid so." The man chirped with devilish glee. "Oh, I hear him coming. Have fun and good luck."
The girl desperately shouts after her teacher who casually leaves the scene before his rival appears to yell some motivational and at the same time challenging statements. The only one who seems to be excited about the change of plans is her brother, Naruto, who always has been oddly fond of their approaching substitute teacher. Sasuke is unimpressed as always, while Blacky is still trying to get their team leader to come back.
"Good morning, students!" A loud voice booms. "I assume Kakashi has explained the situation to you, so let's begin right away!" The man looks around with his hand perched above his thick brows. "Whenever my students arrive that is."
Moments after him, one can see three small figures dragging their worn out bodies through the forest and towards the bridge, obviously panting and sweating. Even Rock Lee seems to be quite worn out, though undoubtedly the moment Guy shouts out his first command, he will somehow instantly rejuvenate and glow with determination and energy. Right behind him is Neji of the Hyuga clan, helping his female teammate Hell move along their course as she is slumped against his shoulder.
From the moment they arrive Guy begins to loudly chat about how they need more motivation and speed if they're going to become part of the elites. It's a speech they've heard many times, yet not often enough for Lee to not jot everything down in his little notebook he carries around with him, just in case his teacher explains a valuable lesson to which he tends to take a little bit too serious at times.
Blacky's mind switches to autopilot to drown out the insistent babbling and dread will take the steering wheel once this horrible day with their temporary teacher begins. She already knows how this is going to end, it's always the same when the ninja academy graduates from her year get together for practice, no matter if two or more teachers are present.
Sasuke and Neji will give each other icy glares over who gets to train with Hell, which will end with Sasuke giving in to hide the fact he totally has feelings for her and he will train with Blacky instead. Neji, as the victor of the wordless dispute, will go to a 'safe distance' with his partner while Naruto and Rock Lee will be going at each other like crazy maniacs to outdo the other in a friendly fashion.
It will be a long day with this group of misfits under the supervision of only one teacher.