Ten Swords for Solace
A Xenocide Production
AN: I once thought about writing something when Jiraiya died. I think I actually have something written down here somewhere. It galled me and heartened me both that Kishimoto had no fear of killing off some major characters. But honestly, I thought Kakashi would have been the last one to fall. It remains to be seen, at this moment. Plot armor and the Will of Fire might revive him.
Enjoy and reviewààààplease?
Summary: A keen blade can be as soothing as a motherÆs lullaby. Unsheathe me, child, and I will sing for you.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Thank God.
--
1. Hatake Sakumo was a respected shinobi, feared throughout the Elemental Countries, even by his village at times. He was silent, swift, and deadly. Every motion, every action, every deed was performed with the utmost efficiency unto perfection. Konohagakure held him in such high esteem that only the Three Sannin themselves commanded more respect.
Children fought over the honor of being his namesake in mock battles that culminated in the massacre of entire enemy villages in the dusty streets and grassy courtyards.
His colleagues admired him and modeled their actions to reflect his, striving for that unattainable perfection that only Sakumo could achieve and radiate.
His superiors were proud that they owned such a fine weapon, a White Fang they could wield in defense of their home and to the envy of their enemies.
But despite this honor, despite the praise and adulation, and despite the fact that he was very nearly pressured by various factions to seek the tri-cornered hat and robes of the highest office, Sakumo was a gentle and humble man.
He was prone to laughing loudly and often. He always told the worst of jokes, and though they garnered more groans than laughs, he would roar in laughter at them.
Sakumo loved to cook and could been seen many a night conspiring with a young Akimichi Chouza to create the finest spread the Akimichi had ever had the pleasure to taste or view. Akikio, ChouzaÆs mother, schemed with the rest of the clan matriarchs to marry him to a young Akimichi woman, if only to obtain his valuable orange little cookbook that he kept close to his heart at all times.
He married a poor, young flowergirl named Ran. He had often spied her selling her lilies in the marketplace next to the HokageÆs tower and became entranced with her doll-like beauty and nightraven hair. He wooed her with daisies and bad puns, stopping each day by her booth to present her his hard-sought prize and flash a smile. Ran grew to love this gentle man, but her eyes darkened whenever they saw the hilt of that sword jutted over his shoulder. Sakumo saw these looks and swore upon his name that if she would only marry him, heÆd lay down his sword.
So she did.
Sakumo was reluctantly granted an early retirement in view of his extraordinary efforts in the trade route conflicts with Sunagakure. The Akimichi conceded defeat with a banquet fit for the Shogun in his lavish palace in Fire CountryÆs capital.
A year later, she died in childbirth. In bitterest agony, he named the spindly bundle that had killed his flower Kakashi, and took his Fang as his lover.
Sakumo did not smile. Sakumo did not joke. Sakumo did not cook.
He killed. He swung his sword. He flashed his fangs.
KakashiÆs first memory is that of a sword as his father wiped it clean of blood.
****
2. The White Fang, Hatake SakumoÆs weapon and name, was forged especially for him by a blacksmith in Kumogakure who owed SakumoÆs long dead father a favor. SakumoÆs elemental affinity was for Lightning and by using a clever twist of fuuinjutsu later to uncovered by the Toad Sage himself, a self-proclaimed Master of Seals, the smith etched a looped storage seal seared with SakumoÆs own blood into the base of the tanto, where it was hidden from sight by the hilt.
In this manner, Sakumo was able to store some measure of elemental chakra, namely Lightning, in his new sword as well as use it as a conductor for his Lightning affinity, honing his weapon much like a Wind Master would and using it to direct his ninjutsu at times.
When filled to the brim with chakra, which surprisingly was barely enough to fuel some basic elemental jutsu, the sword had the odd predisposition of glowing a pearl white, falsely radiating a sense of serenity and peace.
This of course, led to his enemies naming him and his new sword the White Fang, scourge of KonohaÆs enemies.
The only times that Sakumo kept his sword from his side before the death of his wife was when he was off duty or bathing. Kakashi had never seen his father without that blade at his side.
Sakumo very nearly always had a hand on it and he spent hours at a time in solitude polishing the dull steel to a keen shine.
ôKakashi! Be more like this sword! Be sharp, focused, and wary!ö
Kakashi came to hate that sword more than anything in the world. In the way that only small children can, Kakashi saw that the White Fang was a deep wound in his fatherÆs side, and his father only seemed intent on driving it in as far as he could.
Once, when he was five, Kakashi decided to steal his fatherÆs sword and throw it in the river that ran along the training grounds.
Perhaps if his father lost his weapon, heÆd smile just once, praise his son on his hard work in becoming a warrior, and not be so intent on driving that blade deeper inside him.
He attempted to snatch it from his fatherÆs side while he was sleeping.
Sakumo came awake instantly in a cold rage, rising up from the futon like a vengeful god intent on punishing the wicked, beating Kakashi savagely with the sword sheathed in the scabbard. All Kakashi could do was curl up into a ball and discover that the color red made him sick to his stomach.
When it was over, his father stood over him with the sword upraised to strike, the black scabbard splattered with blood. He heard the sound of his sonÆs sobbing and slowly lowered it to his side.
ôKakashiàö
KakashiÆs lungs shuddered breathily, and he wailed out in pain, ôI-hi h-HATE you! I h-h-HATE you and th-t-hatùö
Sakumo said not one more word. He gently lifted up his son and carried him to his room, where he bandaged his wounds and laid him to sleep.
As punishment, Kakashi was made to clean the scabbard of his own blood and polish the blade under his fatherÆs watchful eye.
He never said that he loved his father ever again.
The next week, Sakumo began to teach Kakashi how to use the Fang.
****
Two out of ten, so far. What do you think?
A Xenocide Production
AN: I once thought about writing something when Jiraiya died. I think I actually have something written down here somewhere. It galled me and heartened me both that Kishimoto had no fear of killing off some major characters. But honestly, I thought Kakashi would have been the last one to fall. It remains to be seen, at this moment. Plot armor and the Will of Fire might revive him.
Enjoy and reviewààààplease?
Summary: A keen blade can be as soothing as a motherÆs lullaby. Unsheathe me, child, and I will sing for you.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Thank God.
--
1. Hatake Sakumo was a respected shinobi, feared throughout the Elemental Countries, even by his village at times. He was silent, swift, and deadly. Every motion, every action, every deed was performed with the utmost efficiency unto perfection. Konohagakure held him in such high esteem that only the Three Sannin themselves commanded more respect.
Children fought over the honor of being his namesake in mock battles that culminated in the massacre of entire enemy villages in the dusty streets and grassy courtyards.
His colleagues admired him and modeled their actions to reflect his, striving for that unattainable perfection that only Sakumo could achieve and radiate.
His superiors were proud that they owned such a fine weapon, a White Fang they could wield in defense of their home and to the envy of their enemies.
But despite this honor, despite the praise and adulation, and despite the fact that he was very nearly pressured by various factions to seek the tri-cornered hat and robes of the highest office, Sakumo was a gentle and humble man.
He was prone to laughing loudly and often. He always told the worst of jokes, and though they garnered more groans than laughs, he would roar in laughter at them.
Sakumo loved to cook and could been seen many a night conspiring with a young Akimichi Chouza to create the finest spread the Akimichi had ever had the pleasure to taste or view. Akikio, ChouzaÆs mother, schemed with the rest of the clan matriarchs to marry him to a young Akimichi woman, if only to obtain his valuable orange little cookbook that he kept close to his heart at all times.
He married a poor, young flowergirl named Ran. He had often spied her selling her lilies in the marketplace next to the HokageÆs tower and became entranced with her doll-like beauty and nightraven hair. He wooed her with daisies and bad puns, stopping each day by her booth to present her his hard-sought prize and flash a smile. Ran grew to love this gentle man, but her eyes darkened whenever they saw the hilt of that sword jutted over his shoulder. Sakumo saw these looks and swore upon his name that if she would only marry him, heÆd lay down his sword.
So she did.
Sakumo was reluctantly granted an early retirement in view of his extraordinary efforts in the trade route conflicts with Sunagakure. The Akimichi conceded defeat with a banquet fit for the Shogun in his lavish palace in Fire CountryÆs capital.
A year later, she died in childbirth. In bitterest agony, he named the spindly bundle that had killed his flower Kakashi, and took his Fang as his lover.
Sakumo did not smile. Sakumo did not joke. Sakumo did not cook.
He killed. He swung his sword. He flashed his fangs.
KakashiÆs first memory is that of a sword as his father wiped it clean of blood.
****
2. The White Fang, Hatake SakumoÆs weapon and name, was forged especially for him by a blacksmith in Kumogakure who owed SakumoÆs long dead father a favor. SakumoÆs elemental affinity was for Lightning and by using a clever twist of fuuinjutsu later to uncovered by the Toad Sage himself, a self-proclaimed Master of Seals, the smith etched a looped storage seal seared with SakumoÆs own blood into the base of the tanto, where it was hidden from sight by the hilt.
In this manner, Sakumo was able to store some measure of elemental chakra, namely Lightning, in his new sword as well as use it as a conductor for his Lightning affinity, honing his weapon much like a Wind Master would and using it to direct his ninjutsu at times.
When filled to the brim with chakra, which surprisingly was barely enough to fuel some basic elemental jutsu, the sword had the odd predisposition of glowing a pearl white, falsely radiating a sense of serenity and peace.
This of course, led to his enemies naming him and his new sword the White Fang, scourge of KonohaÆs enemies.
The only times that Sakumo kept his sword from his side before the death of his wife was when he was off duty or bathing. Kakashi had never seen his father without that blade at his side.
Sakumo very nearly always had a hand on it and he spent hours at a time in solitude polishing the dull steel to a keen shine.
ôKakashi! Be more like this sword! Be sharp, focused, and wary!ö
Kakashi came to hate that sword more than anything in the world. In the way that only small children can, Kakashi saw that the White Fang was a deep wound in his fatherÆs side, and his father only seemed intent on driving it in as far as he could.
Once, when he was five, Kakashi decided to steal his fatherÆs sword and throw it in the river that ran along the training grounds.
Perhaps if his father lost his weapon, heÆd smile just once, praise his son on his hard work in becoming a warrior, and not be so intent on driving that blade deeper inside him.
He attempted to snatch it from his fatherÆs side while he was sleeping.
Sakumo came awake instantly in a cold rage, rising up from the futon like a vengeful god intent on punishing the wicked, beating Kakashi savagely with the sword sheathed in the scabbard. All Kakashi could do was curl up into a ball and discover that the color red made him sick to his stomach.
When it was over, his father stood over him with the sword upraised to strike, the black scabbard splattered with blood. He heard the sound of his sonÆs sobbing and slowly lowered it to his side.
ôKakashiàö
KakashiÆs lungs shuddered breathily, and he wailed out in pain, ôI-hi h-HATE you! I h-h-HATE you and th-t-hatùö
Sakumo said not one more word. He gently lifted up his son and carried him to his room, where he bandaged his wounds and laid him to sleep.
As punishment, Kakashi was made to clean the scabbard of his own blood and polish the blade under his fatherÆs watchful eye.
He never said that he loved his father ever again.
The next week, Sakumo began to teach Kakashi how to use the Fang.
****
Two out of ten, so far. What do you think?
