Day 37: Sun Room
Joe had read some of the larger notes stuck up on the bulletin board when the announcement came on the intercom. All things considered, this Landel guy didn't even seem so bad. Even if these people were held here against their will, he was certainly nice about it.
Apparently, the new patients - including Joe - were to hang around in the Sun Room or ( Read more... )
Apparently, the new patients - including Joe - were to hang around in the Sun Room or ( Read more... )
He rested his forearm with deceptive casualness against the arm of the couch, trying not to appear too tense at Kakashi wanting to know when he was from. Just by Kakashi asking that, Jiraiya suspected--no, knew--that Kakashi was from a later date. Kakashi knew about his death.
"I came here either just before or after my death with all of my fatal wounds healed," Jiraiya spoke without preamble, knowing that Kakashi could more than handle what he had to say. "Sakura knew of my death, and is from a later time than myself. Narutois from earlier, around the time he met Sasuke for the second time after Sasuke's defection. Sai's from a bit later than that, but doesn't know of my death. I'm assuming that Sasuke's from around the time that Naruto is, but I am not exactly sure."
It was easier to talk about the more that he spoke about it. He took a breath and let it out slowly. This next part might surprise Kakashi a little.
"Zabuza and Haku are also here, probably both from the times of their deaths. Itachi is here as well, but I am unaware of his place in time." Jiraiya added, and then he frowned thoughtfully. "Sasuke's been making 'alliances', and Naruto's been traveling with him during nightshift for the past couple of nights."
It was more than Kakashi had asked for by a large amount, but Jiraiya didn't know how much time they would have. He wanted Kakashi to be up-to-date as soon as possible. Jiraiya knew information about the others that Renamon didn't.
"There's quite a bit more information that you need to know about your team, too," Jiraiya stated with a small smirk. "But I'll give you whatever information you want to know first. Shifts either go by slowly or quickly, so we don't always know how much time we have."
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The news about Zabuza and Haku was surprising, if only because it had been quite a long time since Kakashi had fought them. Thankful that he could be mostly certain Haku wasn't holding a grudge against him, the Jounin nodded, taking in everything. There was an obvious dislike of Sasuke's alliances, and that was a little understandable. It meant that even here, he was determined to still keep himself separated from the Konoha ninja. Of course, Naruto's stubbornness and the close quarters didn't leave the defector much hope of success. Kakashi, for one, wasn't exactly upset by this.
"I see," So the time could be limited, which meant that the discussion would need to go quickly. He wanted to check on his team, after all, and it would be best to have all the information he could before he did. "Did Sakura say exactly when she was from? She's the only one who might be from a further point than I'm from, based on what you said. And who has Sasuke allied with that you don't care for? With both Sakura and Naruto here now, you might not have to worry about that for too much longer. They'll have plenty of opportunities to wear him down, I think."
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"Sakura's from the time Naruto went to train with the toads," Jiraiya stated, with a somewhat distant look in his eyes before he brought himself back to the present. "Kid probably already discovered what passes as food there."
Jiraiya shook his head. "So far, Sasuke seems to have chosen appropriate people to ally with, although I wouldn't suggest talking about Aidou around Naruto--seems like he gave Sasuke some sort of hickey last night, and Naruto's not too happy about that. You were here during breakfast, and you probably heard some of his reaction, I'm sure. ... ... I may have convinced Naruto that Sasuke was gay for the fun of it, but I'm not sure if it was actually that far off from the truth. Naruto's expressions sure were funny, though..."
Jiraiya snickered a little. Funny was an understatement. Naruto was jealous without even knowing he was jealous. The entire thing was a hoot! But that, although hilarious, wasn't important right now. He needed to finish getting Kakashi up to date.
He grew more somber, the smile that had been on his face replaced with a serious expression, "He wasn't happy with me either, last night. It seems that the Institute either can bring people back to life simply to be visitors from our 'real lives' or some sort of mimic that acts like that person. Yesterday, Naruto's parents visited him, and he was upset that no one had told him about them before. I was able to answer some of his questions at breakfast today, and got him into a better mood. He might ask questions, you being Minato's student, so be prepared for that."
Jiraiya sighed, giving Kakashi a moment to digest that information before continuing, "... Sasuke was blinded by the Institute, although it seems the damage could be healed by a team of well-trained medic-nin. That information alone is probably what's keeping him going. He's adapting as rapidly as possible, but he's also stubborn and won't always admit it when he needs trouble or should retreat."
It was a lot of information to digest all at once, but as he had said earlier, he didn't know how much time they had.
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The description of when Sakura had been drawn from confirmed for Kakashi that he was, in fact, drawn from the furthest point of time. If it had been otherwise, she would have said she was from when Pein was attacking Konoha. The village had been preparing for it, but the results were still devestating, and the battles far from over. Part of Kakashi knew that they could all be wiped out by this strike. Yet he refused to believe it, because Leaf ninja didn't die so easily.
"Well, it seems I'm from the furthest ahead then. Which gives you plenty to ask about when it's your turn." Despite the serious subject, he tried to stay relaxed. It was made a little easier when Jiraiya recalled the conversation that had made Naruto shout in the middle of breakfast. Kakashi gave Jiraiya a flat look, slumping a little more instead of groaning. "And I'm sure you realize just what Naruto is likely to do, thinking that?"
The simple answer was to bug Sasuke about it until the pair knocked each other out. The realistic answer was that Naruto would live up to his nickname and do something so outrageous, neither of the men talking about it could have seen it coming. Kakashi could at least trust it to be interesting.
The reprieve from the weightier topics was short-lived, however, and the news that followed wasn't at all pleasant. Bringing back Naruto's father, the legendary Fourth Hokage, of all people. Kakashi nodded in thanks for the warning, definitely glad to have it instead of being blindsided. Then finding out that Sasuke was blind, but that he was pushing ahead despite it. A silver lining, but a faint one, all things considered.
"So they're still themselves, despite that." Of course, Kakashi hadn't heard news about Sai, or the assorted ninjas they'd fought against. Still, with just this short recount of the tortures half Team 7 had been put through, it was good to know that they were as resilient and spirited as they ever were. "That's something we'll all have to watch out for when we're trying to pick this place apart."
There was something else that concerned him, however, and Kakashi met Jiraiya's eyes with the one he could still see out of. One of the most important principles to Konoha ninja, and something Kakashi embraced was being ignored. "But it looks like their teamwork isn't fairing well at all. There's enough of us here now to be able to rectify that."
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"They're still themselves, despite everything," Jiraiya confirmed, leaning back in the couch and forcing himself to relax. "Naruto has had his moments here, though, so you'll have to watch for that. This type of place can wear him down quickly, although he'll try to hide it. He's been needing help to.. be himself."
Kakashi probably already about Naruto's tendencies in these sorts of situations, but Jiraiya figured there was no harm in stating that he had noticed Naruto's moments of.. not being Naruto. Sometimes, he'd act numb or uncharacteristically disconnected from everything. Other times, Naruto would stick closer to his side than usual, acting more dependent on someone than a ninja should allow himself.
Even though Jiraiya knew that could get Naruto trouble down the road, Jiraiya couldn't help but feel good in knowing Naruto needed him. He was the kid's godfather.
He was also dead back in his world. Which meant that if he made Naruto too dependent now, when it came time for Naruto to learn about his fate, it'd only be worse for the boy. Jiraiya sighed.
"... I've been lax in forcing himself to be more independent as I usually do," Jiraiya admitted, even though doing so felt like pulling out his own teeth. "Partially it's regret, and partially it's guilt at not doing what I should have done for him years ago. The last thoughts that went through my mind as I was dying were all about him. All about him and Minato. If it hadn't been for those memories, I wouldn't have been able to stay alive long enough to send that message back to Konoha."
Jiraiya coughed and looked embarrassed, as if he had given out more information than he should have. But it was important for Kakashi to know that, too. His death was affecting his judgement, and he finally had someone he could admit that to, besides Renamon. By pretending it wasn't happening, Jiraiya could others at risk. It was a blow to his ego to tell Kakashi, but Kakashi was the only other adult from their world that he could trust at this point in time.
"Even Naruto has noticed that I'm a bit 'off'," Jiraiya stated with all due seriousness, and then his expression lifted. "But I should be back to myself in a day or two!"
He was channeling Naruto a little with that declaration, but Jiraiya didn't care. It was the truth, that he was improving. But he was still not at his peak performance. Jiraiya still felt unbalanced.
"Enough about me, though!" Jiraiya laughed a bit nervously before he just grinned slightly (but normally) at Kakashi. "Sasuke's been the interesting one. From what Naruto told me about his latest encounter with Sasuke, it seems like he was bluffing that time when he told Naruto he would kill him. Because he was easily able to kill Orochimaru, but didn't even leave a scratch on Naruto. And the fact that he's not only tolerated Naruto's presence here, but agreed to work with him on the basement. And he didn't beat Naruto to a bloody pulp when they accidentally kissed again."
... Oops. Naruto was probably going to kill him for mentioning that, and Jiraiya's thoughts about that showed in his expression for a moment. He shrugged after a moment, though, and focused back on what he was saying.
"What I'm trying to say is that.. it seems that Sasuke still feels something towards Naruto, although I'm not exactly sure what--although, if you ask Naruto, he'll probably assume Sasuke's crushing on him because I thought the idea was funny and then I took him seriously," Jiraiya said the last part quickly, as if he didn't exactly want to tell Kakashi that, but then he continued. "He hasn't had interaction with Sakura yet, but it's possible that you could get the three of them working together again. Or that they could work together by themselves without your help. Now teamwork..."
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He assumed that Kakashi would try to get his old subordinate back and working with them, because it made sense. Sasuke was still considered a part of Team 7--now Team Kakashi--and leaving him out was like leaving one's leg at home. It just didn't make sense (and it was also painful).
"Sai and Sasuke won't be able to work together easily," Jiraiya stated. "He also doesn't get along with Zabuza, but that's mostly because Sasuke can be like a cat if his 'fur' is rubbed the wrong way. Sasuke acts just as independent as a cat, too. His ego is still as big as it was before, although he's calmer--at least, until he's mad, and then he acts his age."
He sighed and shook his head, "The best option would be to have a meeting between those from Konoha and the one previously from Konoha, if Sasuke will agree to it. I'm only Naruto's teacher--you're the one who knows your team best."
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He could also understand why Jiraiya would be embrassed over such a thing. It was hard for any proud ninja to admit his mistakes. And that more than anything else was why Kakashi decided to tell Jiraiya something he hadn't asked for, something that no one else currently there knew.
"We might have to watch out for each other doing that, in that case." Any trace of the facade dropped, Kakashi's expression serious and somber. There was nothing good about what was coming next. "Some time after Naruto is sent away to train, Pein of Akatsuki attacked Konoha. I was taken from the middle of the battle against the village. Or specifically, from the end of my own."
The next words were harder to get out than he imagined, however. Giving what had happened the additional weight of sharing it with another person, making it that much more real; Kakashi realized then that it was harder to tell of his own death than to report that of others, in so many ways. "He's formidable. But they will find a way to win."
He was silent for a long moment after that. Even without directly saying it, Kakashi knew Jiraiya would be able to tell what he meant. He also hoped that the ninja would understand that it wasn't something Kakashi wanted told, if he could avoid it. There was no way to know who would show up next from their world, or from when, but for now only he and Jiraiya knew the truth of his fate. There wasn't any reason to include the rest of Team 7 or Team Kakashi in that knowledge.
Opening his book again gave the man something to look at, though he didn't resume reading. Jiraiya's surge of confidence helped Kakashi settle a bit, leaving the jounin to wonder exactly when the student began rubbing off on the teacher. It wasn't entirely surprising, and in it's own way, pleasant to have that spirit be contageous.
Then it was back to Sasuke, and briefly, Kakashi entertained the thought that maybe Naruto wasn't the only one obsessed. Certainly the ero-sennin had earned his nickname, and Kakashi was tempted by the thought of challenging the man on it. Jiraiya was just as likely to go flirt with a woman simply to prove that he still prefered them. Regardless, he decided he'd rather not run the risk of Jiraiya getting slapped just then, so the thought remained just a thought.
Besides, it wasn't so important after the elder pointed out that Naruto and Sasuke had kissed. Again.
Eyebrow quirking up, Kakashi's book was again snapped closed. The half-serious, half-comically presented talk was good for getting him out of his own thoughts, and even for getting a bit of a laugh of them. "Ah. You might not want to mention certain parts that to Sakura. There wouldn't be any chance of them working together if she killed them both." Or spent all her time trying to watch them make out. But those were things that Kakashi did not want to be thinking about. So he didn't.
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The news concerning the conflicts and Jiraiya's subtle testing was appreciated, as was the Sannin's forethought regarding the matter. It was a good test, and Naruto could handle himself against the Uchiha, especially since both probably had their chakra sealed away. And he was definitely right about Sakura's persuasive abilities. Whoever this Aidou person was, he'd either very quickly learn to let Sakura come along, or suffer serious head trauma. Being Sasuke's apparent make-out partner wouldn't help his situation there any.
"I probaby do." Though Kakashi might be tempted to say that he knew them best. He hadn't spoken to Sasuke since before he defected, a talk which apparently had been rather unconvincing. That was three years ago, and the boy had been under Orochimaru since. Still, he was still Sasuke, and Kakashi didn't intend to let him just go about on his own when now was their best opportunity to rectify the situation. "I don't think he'll have much choice. Sakura will corner him, and seeing that, Naruto will definitely join them. Regardless of what he dislikes, Sai has an interest in bonds, from what I've heard. So he'd join them as well."
And neither Kakashi nor Jiraiya would stay away from that little meeting once it started. But that much went without saying.
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Well, Naruto wouldn't be hearing about it from Jiraiya's lips. He didn't need to tell Kakashi that in order for Kakashi to know he wouldn't tell the others.
He glanced at Kakashi, giving him a serious and somber look, "Naruto will get him--I mistook Pain originally as the child of prophecy, but it's Naruto. He's the one that's supposed to change the world. We have to believe in him and the rest of Konoha."
But that was enough of that. He didn't want to focus on morose thoughts for too long. They needed to be avoided as much as possible in this place, which was good at wearing anyone down without help.
"I think it'd be funny if Sakura found out, but I agree that she'd probably kill both of the boys, or at least maim them horribly," Jiraiya forced a grin. "But besides the accidents, I'm fairly certain that Sasuke will be joined by Naruto and Sakura, and I doubt he'll have much choice in the matter. Being blind, he'll most likely unconsciously seek those that he can trust to be his eyes, and it'll be those two. Sasuke won't forget how they've been chasing after him, and what that means. Both are also capable in their own way. Unless Sasuke's stupid, he'll agree to work with the two of them. ... I suspect he'll be against Sai, but he'll be worn down by the others, and learning to work with someone he doesn't get along with will be good experience for him."
And then, Jiraiya quirked a smirk, amused now, "I heard that both Sakura and Naruto were here before, but don't remember it. ... I'm kinda hoping that Sasuke never had to be on the wrong end of Sakura's persuasive techniques before. It'll be funnier if he finds out the hard way how strong she's gotten."
"Judging by last night, she might still have some of her strength," Jiraiya stated with a chuckle. "She beat a monster to death with a baseball bat."
And then was very annoyed with him and Renamon flirting. Speaking of Renamon....
Jiraiya spotted her across the room and nearly got up before realizing that she was already in a conversation. She was soaking wet, and Jiraiya couldn't help but recall the flash of fear that had come across her face as she mentioned the showers as being an issue. Without her fur, and being that naked--he wasn't even thinking of it in a perverted way, such was his respect for the Digimon-turned-human--he knew how vulnerable she must have felt.
Hence why she had pretty much run out of the showers without properly drying off and was now doing her best impression of a drowned wet. Jiraiya cursed and forced himself to sit back down heavily next to Kakashi. She wouldn't appreciate him barging into a conversation like that, and getting pissed at him wouldn't help her. Besides, she could handle her own. It meant that Jiraiya only had to watch the conversation to make sure nothing happened to disturb her more. If she needed backup, he'd know, and he'd be able to help.
Jiraiya realized what that must have looked like to Kakashi, and laughed nervously, "Renamon uh. Has some problems with the showers. But. She. Uh! Looks fine!" Even though she was horribly wet. "She can handle herself! I-I'll only step in if she needs me to."
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He was ultimately as eager to move away from the sorrowing talk as Jiraiya was, particularly since he was still adjusting to the idea that he was dead. Eventually, Kakashi knew he would accept it, just as Jiraiya proclaimed to be doing. For now, however, it was nice not to think about it so much.
Jiraiya's analysis of the younger ninja's actions matched with what Kakashi expected to have happen. Those would certainly be the best results, particularly if they carried over to when everyone returned to Konoha. So, he'd have to watch, and make sure that was what ultimately happened.
"Sai said I'd been here too." Kakashi motioned to the bulletin, then shrugged. "But I don't remember anything from it either. Three times means it probably isn't a coincidence." Of course, that only raised more questions, particularly ones about how such a thing was even possible. Lacking memory of it, Kakashi could pinpoint certain times when it could have happened: while he was in the coma thanks to Uchiha Itachi, for example. But to the best of his knowledge, neither Naruto nor Sakura had had extended periods of that nature.
Sakura retaining her strength was an interesting factor. Renamon had mentioned chakra being unreachable, and Kakashi was about to mention the blindness in his left eye when suddenly the sannin's focus was obviously elsewhere. It wouldn't have bothered Kakashi too much for the man to leave, now that he had a book. But since he had stayed, the jounin was going to point out the interesting points of the elder's reaction, because there had been a few.
"That's rather restrained of you, Jiraiya-sama." Really, the fact that Jiraiya had opted to talk to Kakashi instead of peeking into the women's showers was restrained. But Kakashi knew the elder well enough to note the rather obvious difference in his attitude then, as opposed to how he normally acted.
For one, he wasn't currently finding a tissue because the man's nose wasn't bleeding. For another, he was stuttering like some shy schoolboy.
Since most of the serious talk seemed to be over, Kakashi yet again opened his book, going right to the page he'd left off on. He began to read, practiced enough to be able to do so without skipping a beat in his conversation. "Does that mean you won't be writing anything while we're here? You might not want her to think you were a perverted old man, or something like that."
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Jiraiya looked first embarrassed--and then he realized that Renamon had been looking at him and had made a comment. Shit. Jiraiya had forgotten about her super hearing.
He shot Kakashi a half-frightened look before he managed a glare, responding to Jiraiya's challenge. "Of course I'm still going to write--I wouldn't be much of an author if I didn't! It'll be different than the last few Icha Icha novels, though!"
As for the restrained comment, Jiraiya actually looked a little annoyed at Kakashi, "I respect Renamon. She has a strong mind, spirit, and body. Renamon would punch my face in if I had any sort of perverted interest in her. It's just that we're alike, if you ignore the fact that she isn't a pervert."
Okay, so the last bit was for Renamon, who had been listening in on the conversation. Jiraiya shot her a bit of a goofy grin for a quick moment before wiping his face to look at Kakashi again. So maybe he liked Renamon a little bit.
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"Different?" Still, it was a fine line to tread; Kakashi hadn't finished the final chapter of the last book. He didn't want to have too much told to him about one that wasn't even written yet.
Despite the lingering threat of being spoiled, however, Kakashi had to poke a bit of fun at the sennin. He found it was something akin to a much older Naruto, in the sense that Jiraiya had suddenly become quite defensive. "Tsunade-sama might not appreciate hearing that. Not that she wouldn't punch you in your face anyway." Kakashi quite clearly remembered Jiraiya guessing the woman's breast size, after all, just the least of many things that their Hokage used as reason to punish Jiraiya.
It was clear by this point that the sannin did indeed like Renamon. Even without what he observed, the grin he gave the woman from across the room was something like a neon sign pointing toward that conclusion. Much of his own expression hidden behind his mask, Kakashi smiled sweetly in reply to the irritated look he received. "Ah, I see. So deep respect is the extent of what you feel for her. I'll remember that."
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Like hell he was gonna mention his peeking habit when Renamon was listening! She'd definitely get pissed, then. And Kakashi was doing this on purpose.
His eyes widened a bit at the words 'extent of'. "T-That's not what I meant at all! She's a friend!"
The brat was teasing him, he knew it. Just because he wasn't attracted perversely towards a woman for a change! Although, Renamon did have a nice, youthful, and healthy body--but that wasn't the main reason he was interested in her! It was just a bonus! Really!
He forced himself to be calmer, and he grumbled out a sigh, "I see that Naruto's rubbed off on you, too. Brat."
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Said as if Kakashi, of all people, somehow didn't have a clue what Jiraiya was talking about.
"Right. A friend you have a very deep respect for." He turned the page, knowing that the sannin knew exactly what Kakashi was doing. Which was why he could continue doing it, and enjoy the sight of a legendary ninja growing increasingly flustered. Somehow he doubted many people could say they'd witnessed such a thing.
He did give Jiraiya something of a flat look, however, when the comparison to Naruto was made. "I'd like to think my technique is a bit better than his. Naruto's an impressive prankster when he puts his mind to it, but he's not subtle. If he figures certain things out, everyone in this hospital will know what's going on because he'll shout it at the top of his lungs."
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And a friend he flirted with. He hoped beyond anything that Kakashi and Sakura wouldn't compare notes about Renamon. And he was glad that Naruto hadn't met Renamon yet, because Kakashi was completely correct in what would happen if he found out--Naruto would shout it for everyone to hear.
"You're just more subtle at it," Jiraiya grumbled in agreement. "And I'm not falling for that innocent look, because even Naruto knows that won't work on me. But if you started shouting like Naruto, I'd worry about your sanity."
He still seemed flustered, but he was more annoyed now. Although a small part of him was amused, too. If Kakashi was teasing anyone else, it'd be funny.
"The kid can be subtle when he really puts his mind to it, but he rarely puts forth that much effort," Jiraiya rolled his eyes, then looked at Kakashi pointedly, dropping his voice. "Renamon's listening into this conversation, I'll have you know."
He immediately regretted telling Kakashi. Shit. Now he was going to have a field day with him. And Renamon probably heard the whisper, too.
Well, at least she'd have something to distract her from the showers. The conversation she was in would help, too. At least she'd be amused.
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"You can relax. I seriously doubt Naruto's particular methods would work for anyone besides him." Really, it was amazing that they worked for anyone at all. But that was the kind of person Naruto ultimately was: someone who was exceptional.
But at it turned out, Kakashi could be as subtle as he wanted. Jiraiya's seriousness left the jounin with little doubt as to the truth of what he said. And Renamon had said certain powers were reduced, but not taken away. It also explained why she had winced earlier when Naruto had shouted--beyond the fact that the boy was just that loud, anyway.
"I'll have to be careful with what I say then." Something that had gone without saying from the start, really, but by confirming that they were being listened to, Jiraiya had dug his own hole a little deeper. And unlike Naruto, Kakashi was good at putting forth the effort needed to keep up the facade in just the right amount over a length of time. "It'd be a shame if she got the wrong idea about you."
It wasn't something Kakashi would actually do, of course: purposely give Renamon a bad impression of the sannin. Not unless Jiraiya did something incredibly heinous, such as destroying the integrity of the Icha Icha series.
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