Chapter 2

-Determinant

"No no! That's not a quick enough response time Team Kari! Again!" Shizake shouts at his underlings.

"But Kouen...! The clones are too fast!" Toshi whines while plopping down onto the grass.

"You think our enemies are going to be slow for us? No, our targets are picked for a reason. They are dangerous. We need our skills to be at peak performance. So get up and do it again!"

Shizake forces the three ninja to the other side of the battlefield. The objective is to fend off waves of shadow cloned ninja tools while trying to make it to Shizake to "take him out". Shizake reaches into the pile of shurikens he has set up by him and gives them all a good toss before making the shadow clone hand-sign. The sharp tools seem to flicker before multiplying into dozens upon dozens of shuriken. They soar at the three ANBU who immediately react by sliding into a battle stance and jumping into action.

The air fills with the sound of shuriken deflecting off of other ninja tools. Shizake's squad weaves in and out between the flying weapons, making the best effort to dodge each and every one without being nicked or even worse, impaled.

"Good job so far! Keep it up!" Shizake encourages.

The three ANBU continue to persevere, pushing through the onslaught of cloned shuriken. Finally there's a break, the team exploding through the last wall of shuriken. They all pull out their tantōs, charging at Shizake with full force. Behind his mask, Shizake smirks, a plan formulating in his head. There's a massive poof of smoke before blurs of shadows begin shooting up through the plume of smoke. Shizake's squad looks up to see senbon raining down upon them like a sea of arrows launched by an army of archers. The three stop dead in their tracks gazing upon the hell storm before them. Immediately they react, using their swords to block what they can. It proves to be futile as the tools hit their armor and bounce off, others slicing at the skin that the armor does not protect. Others aren't so lucky as they are directly stabbed, though non-lethally. Finally the senbon storm stops and the smoke clears. The training field is ridden with shuriken and senbon sticking into the ground like a graveyard for ninja tools.

All of the squad except Shizake lays back in the middle of the training field, beaten and bloodied up from the rigorous training. Exasperated, they huff heavily, exhaustion tugging at every inch of their bodies.

"Still not good enough..." Shizake says with his arms crossed.

"That wasn't even fair Kouen!" Toshi yells, pointing an accusatory finger at Shizake.

"You three still haven't learned. The battlefield is ever changing. You have no idea what will come next during a fight so you must be prepared for anything. I threw that last one in there because I knew you weren't prepared for it."

"I see why they made you captain now..." The raven masked man says.

"Heh. Thanks Shozen. We'll keep going until we get this right. Again!" Shizake barks.

Hours and hours of the same thing go by, Shizake cloning the shuriken and adding in a new surprise attack on top of the old one. Eventually the recruits pile ten surprise attacks before they finally give up in a collapsed heap on the ground. The Uchiha shakes his head, glancing up at the gray sky.

"What the hell Kouen...?" Shītto demands.

"I never said it was designed for you to beat it. To be honest I pulled it out of one of the old ANBU training files. There's dozens more I could've tacked on," Shizake states.

"So then why use it on us if it it's impossible?" Shozen asks.

"Hn. I never said it was unbeatable either..."

The raven masked boy clenches his teeth, letting out a ,"Tch."

"It teaches you an important lesson though no? As ANBU we don't know what to expect... what tomorrow will bring, what new things we're going to have to face. The village could be attacked soon for all we know. You must be prepared for it..." The Uchiha lectures.

"Jeez Kouen why you gotta get so deep with us?" Toshi adds.

"Hm. Just a message to pass on. We're done for today," The captain says.

The three squad members get up quickly and bow to their squad leader before quickly disappearing to whatever business they need to attend to. Shizake looks up at the sky, the gray clouds looming over the horizon. Suddenly the icy wind begins picking up, a shiver rushing across his skin and his breath becoming visible clouds in the air.

"Nothing in the forecast said anything about snow..." Shizake talks to the sky.

He picks up his cloak and slings it around his body, picking up the hood and settling it over his head. He slides out his mask from under the hood and rests it on a holster ring inside of his cloak. Casually he begins running towards the village, his mind set on a certain location.

*

At a small teashop sits an Uchiha, staring out through the window at the snow that has begun falling. His winter cloak and hood still cover up his body, protecting him from not only the cold but from anyone wishing to know his identity. The young waitress walks over to him with a hop in her step, the knot on her apron bouncing up and down. Her brunette hair is tied up into a bun save a few elegant strands hanging gracefully down her back.

"Hello sir! What can I getcha?" She cheerfully asks.

"Just some green tea please... and some honey." The Uchiha replies softly.

"Comin right up!"

Almost immediately she sets the cup on his table and skillfully pours the warm tea into his cup. Then she reaches into her apron and pulls out a tiny jar of honey, setting it down next to his now steaming cup of tea.

The girl smiles brightly at him, "Can I get ya anything else?"

"No thank you." The Uchiha replies, returning her smile with one of his own.

The waitress blushes before turning on her heel and skipping off to another table, tending to another patron's order.

Shizake grabs the jar of honey, flipping open the cap and turning it upside down. The viscous golden liquid flows into the teacup for a short time before he flips it back over and closes the cap, setting it back down on the table. He picks up the small spoon and stirs the honey in with the tea, letting it mix in evenly. Tapping the spoon against the glass, he fills the small teashop with a soft clink. Finally he sets the spoon back down before he sips the warm liquid, letting out a refreshing ahh after finishing his sip.

The small bell attached to the door rings, another customer walking in. A girl wearing a solid red hoodie and black pants walks in, her head gazing around the shop. Her eyes settle on the person in the cloak, walking over there to meet him. She pulls up a chair across from the person and sits down in it.

"Shizake," She says staring at him through his cloak.

"Tch. I told you not to use my real name in public...Azumi..." Shizake angrily replies.

The girl scoffs, pushing her neat violet hair out of her eyes, "Oh come on. There's like no one here. Stop being so paranoid."

"Still. Anyways, you have anything for me?" Shizake questions, pushing his hood off his head.

"Heh. We got something this time, Shizake."

Shizake's gaze locks into her innocent blue eyes, his voice lowering, "Is it him...?"

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"Its...a nameless...but he matches the description," She stutters, trying to avert his icy gaze.

The Uchiha's eyes drop as he defeatedly says, "Azumi... I need to be certain."

She reluctantly places a hand on his, Shizake pulling it away as he looks off to the side. Looking out the window he sees two familiar figures walking by. As they walk into better view, Shizake notices that it's Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka, two girls he somewhat grew up with. After the massacre there was the rare occasion he saw them and the others, but other than that it's been a couple of years. He dismally gazes at them as they walk by, the two smiling brightly as they walk and talk to one another.

"Hey," Azumi snaps.

The Uchiha jolts his attention back to the purple haired girl, "Sorry..."

"Its okay...so are you going to follow this lead or not?"

"Certain circumstances prevent me from leaving the village. I'll find a way though. Just give me the details."

Azumi reaches into her jacket and pulls out a scroll, placing it in the palm of Shizake's hand. His dark eyes look back into hers before he opens the scroll and looks around at the information.

"Grass country?" The Uchiha wonders aloud.

"That's where he was supposedly spotted. We have an informant keeping tabs on him as we speak," She says with hope.

"Seems too easy. He's never that easy..." Shizake begins, "But I have to follow every lead. I have to."

"We'll help you every step of the way Shizake. I promise."

"Hng. Thanks."

The girl looks down at the table, unable to break through Shizake's tough exterior, "I'll go. We'll keep in contact."

"Yeah..." The Uchiha distantly replies, taking another sip of his tea.

Azumi heads towards the exit, giving Shizake a concerned stare before walking out of the shop. The Uchiha rolls the scroll back up and stuffs it inside of his cloak alongside his mask. He takes one last sip of the tea before placing a few bills on the table to pay for the service. Shizake pushes himself out from the table and exits the small shop. As he steps out into the icy village, he looks up at the sky once more, observing the individual snowflakes that endlessly fall from the sky. What are you doing, Itachi...? He thinks to himself. A shiver radiates down his spine, causing Shizake to bring the hood back up over his head. The Uchiha then lazily runs through the village, heading home for the night.

*

As Shizake arrives at his apartment he notices an envelope delicately sitting against his door. He picks it up, observing the thin yellow paper wrapped neatly around whatever it contains. He rattles it a few times and turns it over but nothing reveals itself that even hints at what it could be. As he walks in the room, he sets his cloak up on the coat rack while still holding the envelope in his hand. Taking a seat at the coffee table, he reaches for a knife and slices open the top of the envelope. A bright white and blue card falls out, the front of it reading "Happy birthday".

Shizake stares at it confusedly, opening the card and reading its contents.

Happy birthday Shizake. I know you're not used to celebrating but I thought I would drop this by. I'm not sure the next time I'll see you but... I'm thinking about you. Please, take care of yourself.

~S

I

Images of pink hair and a soft smile flash through his head. The S is a dead giveaway. Only because she's been doing this ever since he can remember. The Uchiha hasn't been too fond in celebrating his birthday ever since there became no family to celebrate it with. It once used to be his favorite occasion seeing as Itachi and Sasuke came by to spend the day with him. But all that is dust now...

He gazes listlessly at the card, reading the words over and over again. Then he opens up a drawer, placing the card on top of several preexisting ones. A collection of sorts. The drawer slides shut, the content and card disappearing from his sight and mind. For so long he's been distancing himself from anyone who cares, anyone who might get in the way and get their selves hurt in his pursuit for Itachi...and Sasuke if possible.

A knock at the door interrupts Shizake's thoughts. He snaps his head, staring at it before walking over and looking through the peephole. On the other side he notices another ninja, wearing a long white buttoned down robe, a cloak wrapped around his body as well. His hand rests on his left hip, tapping the floor with his foot impatiently. The ninja scratches his short brown hair, his face scrunched up in confusion before almost giving up and walking away when Shizake quickly opens the door.

"Nitatchi?" Shizake quietly asks.

"Shizake! I knew you'd be home," The ninja says.

Shizake looks into the Hyuga's lifeless pupils, "What's up?"

"Dude, today is your sixteenth birthday. Lets at least go out and grab a bite to eat or something..."

"Hm... I was just thinking about making something her-"

"Too bad." Nitatchi cuts in, grabbing Shizake by the collar.

Nitatchi Hyuga. One of the only people able to break the Uchiha's barrier. He drags Shizake out of the apartment, the Uchiha giving in to his friend's demands. The two of them make their way into the middle of town, the night life of Konoha just beginning to erupt. The glowing colored lights illuminate the streets, strewn among the rafters and electrical poles placed around the city. Alongside the streets vendors are selling items to beat the cold. Hot chocolate wafts in the air along with other delicacies such as warm cookies, noodles, and all kinds of soups. Snow continues to pile up in the streets and on the roofs; every nook and cranny. Children run around in the streets building snowmen or engaging in the usual snowball fight. Parents watch carefully but happily talk to one another as their kids play in the roads.

The shorthaired friend leads the Uchiha to the restaurant of choice, Yaniniku Q, one of Shizake's favorites. Even if he doesn't admit it, Nitatchi thinks to himself.

Once inside, the two are seated quickly in a booth in a corner of the restaurant where it's quiet. The waitress turns on the small grill in the middle of the table causing the coals to eventually glow a dark red. Nitatchi orders everything for the two of them and within minutes the waitress is back with several dishes of raw meats. With a bow, she is out of their sight in mere seconds, a fulfilling smile on her face too. Nitatchi throws everything on the grill, Shizake watching intently at the food before looking around the restaurant. Families sit with one another, children happily cooking their own food. The parents hold them at a safe distance as to not touch the hot coals that would scald their delicate young skin.

Shizake zones out from a minute until his friend's voice snaps him out of it, "Yo. Foods ready."

The Uchiha shakes his head before grabbing a plate and waiting as Nitatchi grabs his food.

"So. When will our first mission as a squad be?" Nitatchi asks with a smirk while picking more things to put on his plate.

"Tch. We're not supposed to talk about ANBU business," Shizake replies, lowering his tone to keep anyone who shouldn't be listening at bay.

"Oh come on Shizake, even you must be eager. You're finally a captain man!"

The Uchiha half smiles, looking down at the food while tearing apart the chopsticks before picking up the sauce lathered brisket. Along with that he grabs the seasoned chicken and a small amount of ribs. Nitatchi on the other hand grabbed a sample of everything before going to town on the food, scarfing it down without a second thought. Shizake laughs to himself, gracefully picking up some chicken and bringing it to his mouth. He places the chopsticks down, slowly chewing his food as he continues to look around the restaurant.

Shizake swallows his food before saying, "I'm just happy I'll be able to get stronger."

"We all will. Without a doubt in my mind!" Nitatchi replies cheerfully.

"Then maybe I'll finally be able to find Itachi."

"You're still set on that huh...?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"I'm not saying you shouldn't it's just that..." Nitatchi pauses, looking up at his friend, "Just don't go getting your self killed."

Shizake grits his teeth, knowing he must still get stronger, "Tch. I know what I'm up against..."

"Plus I'll be your backup. So there's no way we will lose," Nitatchi says cockily.

Shizake's eyes meet intensely with Nitatchi's, the Uchiha's stare growing colder by the minute, "No. You won't be there. No one will."

"O-okay I was just kidding man..." Nitatchi replies, understanding his friend quickly.

"I'm serious. No one else can get hurt."

Nitatchi swallows the lump in his throat, averting his friend's gaze and looking around the room. In another booth sits some more ninja from the academy. A jonin by the name of Asuma sits at the table talking to his students, Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji, all whom Nitatchi and Shizake are vaguely familiar with.

Choji gorges on the food present at the table while the other two nibble at small bits and pieces here and there. Asuma, the sensei, on the other hand has already finished and is enjoying himself a cigarette as the four of them continue to chatter.

Nitatchi's eyes settle on the blonde, Ino from the Yamanaka clan. The Hyuga's had a crush on her ever since he can remember.

Shizake confusedly looks at his friend who looks like he is staring off into space. He turns around in his booth and peaks over the back of it to see team Asuma sitting there. Immediately the Uchiha knows what Nitatchi is staring at.

"Hmm...how come you don't say anything?" Shizake wonders.

The red tint around the Hyuga's cheeks fade away as he awkwardly looks back to his friend, "I uh... don't know what to say. Plus I'm in the ANBU... we aren't supposed to get caught up in those things..."

"They never said we couldn't though..."

"Maybe one day...anyways forget about that! Today's you- RGH!" Nitatchi says, stopping to grab his head on agony.

Shizake looks up, "What's wrong? You okay?"

The Hyuga's forehead glows with the light green seal. The caged bird seal...It's how they control the side branch of the Hyuga family. Shizake unsure of what to do continues only to stare at his friend in pain, his hand hanging helplessly in the air. Soon enough the seal fades away but the veins around his forehead still look extremely strained.

"Agh...huff...huff..." Nitatchi pants as the pain subsides, his eyes staring into nothing.

That damned caged bird seal, Shizake thinks to himself. He despises that thing...all too often he's had to watch his best friend suffer because of it.

Nitatchi heavily sighs, exerting his extreme annoyance at the situation, "I'm sorry Shizake...the main branch needs me."

Shizake assures his friend with a nod, understanding the situation entirely.

Nitatchi goes through his pouch before leaving a stack of bills on the table, "Well I'll see you tomorrow for training again with the squad?"

"Yeah. Ten sharp." The Uchiha says.

"Right. See ya." The Hyuga says before dashing out of the restaurant quickly.

Shizake follows Nitatchi with his head, watching as he exits the diner. His eyes shift over to see the blonde, Ino, steal a worried glance at the customer who has just ran out of the restaurant. Shizake grumbles to himself unsure if she saw who it was or not. He then shrugs and wolfs down the rest of his food before exiting the restaurant and heading back out into the snowfall. From there he puts up his hood and once again heads home.