FIRE & HATRED [PLOT]

[SENJU JŌHEKIMA]

How long had it been since he had become the Hokage? A little over a year if he wasn't mistaken. He was quite convinced that he'd taken well to the role since inheriting from his fallen predecessor; the late Lord Umeki had complained of piles of paperwork on a number of occasions, but the clerical duties didn't bother the Sandaime nearly as much. Hell, all the reading and writing was almost therapeutic. Maybe he'd take up calligraphy. Calligraphy wasn't too hard to learn, was it?

It didn't seem rather a shame to spend the whole of such a beautiful days indoors, though. From his office, Jōhekima had a magnificent view of the clear blue skies and radiant rays of sunlight shining over Konoha, and his flesh longed to feel the warmth. Surely, a short stroll outside couldn't hurt too much. Just once around the village, and then straight back to work. It was for the good of the village, really; too long spent focusing on any one task would just impair the function of his mind, and he couldn't be making important decisions and signing important documents with a cloudy mind.

That had been his thought about an hour ago, and he had very much lost track of the time. Caught up in playful interactions with those in the Hidden Leaf not directly involved in the ongoing war effort, it was easy for him to forget for a time that he had a number of tasks waiting for him back at his office. When finally he recognized that he should probably be getting back, he lingered just a little longer, hoping for a bit of solitude in nature before he had to head inside again. He found his peace in the shade of one of the larger trees on the outskirts of the village. With a smile, he fell onto his back in the grass and inhaled deeply.

He could close his eyes. Just for a moment. A few seconds of rest, and thy would be ready and raring to go. He would tear through those documents with ease. He would head back to them in just a few more seconds.

[Uchiha Takezo]

IT was a normal day for the raven haired Uchiha. He woke up on the docks, took a piss in the river while he washed up a bit. He hung his Kimono on a branch overhanging the river too, keeping it dry. Using nothing but the river water Takezo rubbed his little body down, getting it as clean as he could. After he got clean he swam around a little, waking up as the sun spread it's warmth over the compound.

After a while Takezo grew bored of swimming and decided to get out, lacking any sense of modesty. Taking a moment to stretch before he put on his Kimono,Takezo enjoyed how the cool breeze combines with the warm sun. the kimono fit well but wes torn,tattered and frayed at every edge and seam. It wasn't much of a Kimono but it was all he had so he wore it. It didn't make him look any better than street trash though.

Takezo never really cared about appearances. He personally functioned on a meritocracy , letting peoples skill and ability talk for them, rather than the silly words people used to make themselves feel stronger. He only ever based his opinions on his own experiences with people too, hearsay is entirely unreliable. So needless to say when he stumbled upon a sleeping Senju of a Hokage, he was less than impressed.

Thinking things through was never Takezo's strong point so by the time he had the plan in his head, he was already acting it out. He was already jumping up a near by tree and pushing off in the direction of the sleeping old man. HEY OLD MAN!!! NO SLEEPING ON THE JOB!!! Takezo shouted from the air, Attempting to wake him up and shock him possibly. DYNAMIC WAKE UP!!! Stretching his leg out strait,Takezo launched himself towards the man with increased speed, his foot creating waves of chakra around it and him as he rocketed towards the man, Who Takezo hoped would be awake, if not, he was in for a RUDE awakening.

[SENJU JŌHEKIMA]

A disturbance in the air had the resting Hokage furrowing his eyebrows, and when said disturbance manifested itself into a noisy assault on his person, he sprung into action. He was on his feet in no time at all, hand outstretched to catch the offend foot as his own chakra dispersed that of his would-be opponent. He would defend himself with only a fraction of his strength if their limbs connected, pushing upward on the boy's foot to send him flipping backwards.

"What was that?!" he shouted with barely-tempered anger? He clenched his fists, but did not advance; clearly, this wasn't a worthy fight. "I surely hope that my young soldiers are not being taught to announce themselves before striking at the enemy. If this is your weakness alone, I will end it here." Being disturbed from his rest was annoying, but being annoyed was less worrisome to him than the notion of poorly-trained shinobi. Jōhekima might even have been impressed should he have been faced with an attack that had come close to catching him off guard; calling attacks was not a strategy he wanted his comrades practicing.

Word Count: 552

[Uchiha Takezo]

His attack was thwarted and easily pushed back with enough strength to allow him time to flip backwards. Kicking his legs back as he finished his rotation, Takezo lands with a soft pat. He heard the response from the hokage. You gotaa be shitting me.. His brain almost couldn't comprehend what was happening. THE FUCK!!! YOU WERE SLEEPING ON THE JOB!! Takezo shouted back, Incredibly annoyed that HE was the one being scolded.

Takezo was pretty well known for his stealth when he wanted to, at least with his Shuriken. He had learned the hard way from a young age that surprise attacks hurt more. If there was one thing Takezo learned from his brain fucked grandpa it was to appreciate and respect the unexpected. THE ONLY REASON I YELLED WAS TO WAKE YOU UP!!!! The little boy shouted back ,his head growing comically large as he yelled AND I CAN BE PLENTY SNEAKY IF I WANNA!!! His loud voice objected!!! I..I just didn't wanna accidentally hurt the Hokage.. His voice was softer because he didn't really need to be yelling any more.

[SENJU JŌHEKIMA]

"Didn't want to..." Jōhekima repeated as if he was confused. After a moment, his fierce expression broke as he let out a round of raucous laughter. "Mark my words, kid; the day a Genin manages to do real harm to me, I'll turn over my hat and call it a day."

Suddenly, his face grew stern again, and he narrowed his eyes as he examined his assailant. "Wait a second. Don't I know you?" He took a few steps closer. The kid was familiar, that was for sure. Jōhekima had seen him skulking about the village on several occasions, almost always by himself. Were he any older, he would have considered that a security risk; however, it had never been more obvious that this kid was no real threat.

Didn't mean that couldn't change in the future, though.

"That right. You're that dirty little urchin from the Uchiha Clan, aren't you?"

Word Count: 705

[Uchiha Takezo]

Well for today be thankful I just wanted to wake you up The boy shot back with snide attitude. Takezo stood his ground as the man came in for a closer look. Eyeing the man with just as much, if not more, scrutiny. Takezo had the admit the man was tough looking. the muscles,scars and beard all checked off in Takezo's manly checklist. It didn't take long for the old man to get to the part Takezo hated, the being recognized part.

Takezo had more than a little reputation for things like thieft and loitering and general dickery around the village, but nothing actually harm full. The reason he was able to do all this is because he had no one watching over him. His family was disgraced from the Uchiha, No one wanted to take him in so he fended for himself and sometimes that meant petty crime.

As the man used the usual colorful language Anger raged in his eyes, now staring daggers at the man. Yeah that's me he said, his voice simmering with anger. The anger in his eyes wasn't hate based though. Not like you'd expect from an Uchiha. His Anger came from hurt, from his disconnection from his village.

After a second Takezo's anger seemed to boil over at the older man. It was more than likely because held the Ideal of Hokage is such high regard or that he was just so tired of being seen as something that wasn't even his fault. You know, i"m a FULL fledged Genin in YOUR village and I did it with out anyone's help... Takezo said with hurt in his voice. Memories of years alone playing through his mind. I'm more than some Urchin Uchiha.

Word count: 847

[SENJU JŌHEKIMA]

"Tch. Whaddaya want, a lollipop?" replied the Hokage derisively, feeling less than impressed by the Uchiha's "achievement." Reaching Genin level was a major achievement only in the eyes of children, the first baby step into a world of conflict and war. Besides that, it was not achieved in a vacuum. If the kid was a recognized Genin, that meant he'd been through the academy, and if he'd been through the academy, he'd received some instruction.

"What good have you done for this village since you got that headband, huh?" Jōhekima asked. "Killed any enemies? Saved any lives? Or have I seen you loitering about and vandalizing the place? Sounds like the behavior of an urchin to me." He crossed his arms and nodded as if to confirm his accusations for himself. Internally, he accepted that a Genin's ability to contribute was somewhat limited, but acknowledging that out loud would invite his young subordinates to be weak. That was one invitation the Sandaime would never send.

Word Count: 871

[Uchiha Takezo]

Are you fucking Kidding me? I don't want a fuckin lollipop!! Takezo said again. your throwing shit my way when this all started because you were sleeping!!! Takezo shouted at the man. He was mad at the question because there wasn't a whole lot he's done. In fact he hadn't even met a single one of his team members. What about you huh? The little boy said, taking a fearless step forward looking up at the man as if he were really looking down on him.

What have you done for the Village since you became Hokage. As a Genin I'm limited to what YOU allow me to do. So wouldn't you say my lack of achievement is more likely being caused by a restrictive system rather than my personal inability? His argument was sound and his word choice was spot on, Least he's recently made friends with a Nara. It was impacting his ability o get his points a cross in a concise mannor.

Besides, Ive done something. I cleaned out the northern lot in the old field. It was a shitty mission no one wanted but i understand the agricultural importance it holds during war time. He protested again, this time with the only little bit of anything he had done for the village. It wasn't a whole lot but it was what he did and it was the answer to the question he was asked. Takezo didn't want to leave the question unanswered after all, not if it came from the Hokage

Word count:1101

[SENJU JŌHEKIMA]

Maybe the kid did have something approaching a good point; Jōhekima had not been overeager to send his younger subordinates into war since he'd taken up the position of Hokage. It was perhaps because he had been through such horrors at such a young age himself, surely having survived several vicious battles by the time he was this kid's age. War bred the most powerful soldiers, but it certainly didn't do any favors for one's sanity. He wasn't sure what he wanted more: strong warriors or stable ones.

His internal conflict once again failed to present itself in his speech. "Kid, if I sent you on the kind o' missions you're gunnin' for, you'd wet yourself before the first kunai was drawn, if you even lived to see that much," he said. "If I thought you were strong enough for the front lines, you'd be there. But I know exactly how strong you are, and I'm not impressed."

He averted his gaze, turning to focus on the trees swaying in the wind. "To be perfectly honest," he continued, "it's downright disappointing. I would have thought you'd have more motivation to get strong than most your age."

Word Count: 1068

[Uchiha Takezo]

Takezo could do little but liten to the man tell him about himself, as if he knew. The little boy was obviously just blown away by what the Kage was saying. Up untill a moment ago you didn't even fuckin know my name and now your fucking telling me about my damn self!! Takezo's sailor mouth was in full effect. He liked to curse and knew how but when he was angry he used bad words just for the sake of it. His little fists shaking at his sides as steam poured out of his ears, his face beat red.

I'll have you know I'm one of the youngest god damn genin you have in the whole fucking village and I'm fairly comparable to most them, if not out right better. He spoke with out arrogance but as if defending the hard work he had done. My drive to become stronger shouldn't ever be questioned. Ive done more with less and in a shorter amount of time....I've worked really fucking hard... He had done it on his own for the most part as far as he knew. His senile grandfathers "Lucid moments" not counting in his head given the less than sane nature of the man.

Further more, I don't wanna be on the front lines, Id be a fucking liability!!! I know that much. I know what War can do to a mind... His voice trailing off as memories flash behind his angry eyes. The rantings of his grandfather, the things Takezo grew up hearing...being told things as if his grandfather was talking to an old rival...It gave the boy a healthy respect of war and ALL it's facets. Takezo's grandfather was an inquisitor during the war and the things Takezo KNOWS that man has done as standard practice is terrifying enough but he knew the things he did for fun and that's what woke Takezo up at night.

I grew up with a War ravaged mind as my "care taker Actually making the air quotes and I promise you I know more than any 11 year old should.... again he trailed off...and he kicked absently at the dust. He had seemed to quell his anger as he yelled moments before. The red had left his face and the whistling steam settled it's self. The boy never stopped making eye contact with the old man, not even when he looked away from him.

Word count:1,521

[SENJU JŌHEKIMA]

For a moment, Jōhekima's countenance seemed to soften, and he regarded the shouting boy with a look approaching concern. He didn't attempt to interrupt what was turning into quite a rant; what observations he'd offered already were about all he knew about this kid, so he was more than willing to learn more from the boy himself. The young Uchiha didn't do himself any favors by presenting things as he did, though. When he was finally done, Jōhekima scoffed.

"You talk way too much, kid," he said, looking away again. "And such a foul mouth. I can hardly hear what you're saying for all the curses you string together. Didn't anyone teach you how to form a proper sentence?" It wasn't that Jōhekima had a problem with people cursing, just that he had a problem with people cursing badly. If the inclusion of a curse didn't enhance the sentence that contained it, it was just vulgar and unpleasant for everyone around. It was a good thing they were far from any other listening ears, or else somebody might have gotten offended.

"Eleven years old," he started, making a point to interrupt any protest the boy might have started up by then. "By the time I was that old, I'd seen one hundred battles, killed one hundred men, and survived one hundred attempts on my life." All hyperbole, but when the Hokage talked about this aspect of his past, he always thought it more interesting to round up. "'Oh, but you're the great Jōhekima,'" he continued in his best impression of a snotty child's voice. "'You were a prodigy! You've got special powers!' No. Back then, I was just a stupid kid with a big fuckin' mouth and a chip on his shoulder. So somebody put a kunai in my hands and told me to put up or shut up."

At that point, his hand slid swiftly into his pocket and out again, gripping a kunai on its way back out. He held it out to the Genin. "I'll give you more of a choice than I got: keep spitting your shit at anyone in earshot like a baby, or take this kunai and let your actions and your power do the talkin'. What's it gonna be?"

Word Count: 1450

[Uchiha Takezo]

Takezo knew well enough to return the favor of keeping his mouth shut while he was being spoken to. He doubted the valdity of the 100 so and so's but times were different then so he didn't try to think on it too hard. He just kind of maintained himself as the older man spoke. Not allowing himself to back down an inch. Not able to find it in himself to give up on his feelings of anger. He knew the man was right though. Takezo wasn't helping himself with how he spoke while angry.

Then the man took out a kunai. The words he spoke, now etched into Takezo's soul, may have been simple but they had a profound effect of Takezo, he visually lowered his guard and seemed like he could have broke out into tears at any time. It was the first time anyone gave him a chance like this, a chance to prove himself.

However, In takezo's mind he took what he said as a challenge to see how strong he really was. To stop talking about how good he was and prove it with actions. If your sure.So he took it upon himself to not only take the kunai from the man but to launch himself at close range into a flying kick known Konoha wide as the dynamic entry. His Tiny body made it easier for him to extend his leg and simultaneously blast chakra out of his foot to complete the attack.

Word count: 1,776

[SENJU JŌHEKIMA]

This time, the Genin truly managed to surprise the Hokage, whose eyes grew wide as he noticed the sudden change in stance and tension. He noted in the brief moment that he had before impact that the young Uchiha had pretty good form for a Genin, and his power was not insignificant. Still, it was a child against a man, and the man had every advantage. He did not move to evade, but rather raised an arm to deflect the blow, stopping its progress dead.

He smirked. "Yeah. Yeah! That's more like it!" he exclaimed, and he pushed against the boy to throw him away a short distance. "There's hope for you yet, kid. Maybe you won't turn out to be such a disappointment after all." He straightened up and brushed himself off. He'd spent more than enough time dicking around. It was time to get back to work.

Turning halfway to return to Konoha, Jōhekima stopped to leave the Genin with one final thought. [b"Etch those words o' mine into your heart, Uchiha Takezo. When you've become one of my finest soldiers, I'll gladly make a meal of 'em."

[/b] He gave a short wave, then disappeared from sight with his Shunshin. It was back to boring paperwork for him, but at least his time off had changed a life.

He chose to think it had, anyway.



[EXIT][/justify]

Word Count: 1680

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[Uchiha Takezo]

He wasn't suprised when he was deflected easily. The man was a Kage After all and his body was testament to his strength. Flipping to his feet a few feet away from the man Takezo just listened, holding that kunai in his hand for dear life. That object meant more to him than almost anything he could think of. The only thing in his head that was more important was his headband, the symbol of being a full fledged ninja of Konohagakure. Taking a deep breath to center himself,Takezo tried to quell the emotions inside him. He wasn't used to this, not one bit.

He hadn't lived a life where people noticed him, where his accomplishments were met with rewards or even acknowledgment. He lived in a word that chewed people up and spit them out and he was still there. He knew that he would go home alone tonight ,with no one to talk to but Blackie, If the nekonin decided to show up That is. All he would have for the rest of the evening would be playing the events over and over in his head,trying to figure out how he could have done something better.

The Shunshin however wasn't as spectacular as he expected. Takezo was expecting to not even see the man move and be gone, as he has seen some other jounin do. However that wasn't the case, quite contrary he wasn't too far off from that speed himself. for a moment, Takezo really thought that he was almost as fast as his Kage, the he realized that the man was simply showing him how to move to reach the next level. The man was obviously holding back to give him subtle hints to train him, a good way to keep his mind Shinobi sharp.

Yelling out, even though he knew the man had to be well out of ear shot.BETTER STAY HUNGRY OLD MAN!! He was going to take that old man up on his bet and he was going to serve those words on a silver platter. He was inspired to train and he was shown what to do next. He had to work on his Shunshin no jutsu, to get it up to the point that the old man showed him, to live up the the imagined expectations. This was an emotional high for the little boy and he intended to use this good feeling to get some training in.

With a smile he himself shunshined away towards the fish district, he had a crazy idea to learn to run faster....

Word count:2,214