chapter 2

(Ninja Academy)

Today, Shiro didn't laugh, he hadn't even laughed with the rest of the class when Komiko got her wires tangled and her kunai toss pulled a snarl of wire and kunai halfway across the hall.

Though he had at least looked pretty alert when it came to Naruto turn, and Hinata being the great and kind soul she is secretly cheered when he'd managed to wrap the wire attached to the handle of his kunai around the wooden beam and thunked it securely into the target on just the third try.

He didn't care... he didn't even throw his Kunai, because he knew he suck at it, He might even embarrass himself.

'Well, it's not like I suck at everything'

That's what Shiro thought before going to some corner of the ground and sit under the shade of the tree.

Mizuki Sensei who looked towards Shiro just shook his head.

No one else cared...

Shiro is a jerk, he is bad news, he doesn't make friends he lie to them and then manipulate them and then use them even more before throwing them away... that's the rumor going around for him.

That's why no one care for him, that's why he is always alone.

Perhaps in the academy, only Iruka Sensei was kind enough to see him just as a Kid. Despite his shortcomings.

Thinking of Iruka Sensei he turned his head to the side embarrassed thinking of that man... He closed his eyes as if he cared...

His stomach was grumbling with hunger, he didn't get to eat much in Orphanage, he never gets to.

It's not like Anyone will make the food for him.

-------

He was asleep in some corner of the class.

And Iruka, who'd been pretty considerate about Shiro, for the most part, had lost patience in the middle of his lecture on the uses of chakra absorbing ink.

So he threw an eraser at him, bouncing it with the accuracy of the long practice of the boy's head.

Shiro, who had been well and truly asleep, jerked awake with a snort, much to the laughter of the class. "Huh? Wazzat?"

"So glad you could join us, Shiro," Iruka said irritatedly. "I asked you a question."

Shiro blinked sleepily and rubbed his eyes, looking around. "Sorry, I didn't hear it. Could you, uh, repeat the question?"

More snickers came from here and there.

"I asked you what the character on the board was, Shiro."

Shiro squinted at the board and scratched himself. "Ah, looks like a Tora."

Iruka nodded, surprised. Maybe Shiro had paid a little attention. But he still shouldn't be sleeping in class, no matter how tired he was, so Iruka decided to ask something a little more difficult.

"So, what's it used for?"

"Adding a fire element to a seal," he replied, yawning behind a hand. Abruptly he sat bolt upright and looked around, surprise on his face.

Iruka looked at him like he'd grown a second head. For that matter, so did Sakura, the only other person there who'd known that, and that was her. she'd read ahead in their textbook. Sasuke just stared.

"Uh," Shiro added lamely.

Giving him a look, Iruka nodded. "Yes, that's right, Shiro. It is a fire element character, something you might add to an explosive note if you want to flame in addition to the concussion." Iruka paused.

"See me after school, Shiro."

"Aww, man," Shiro complained, much to the amusement of the class.

"Yo, Iruka-sensei!" Shiro yelled as the class dispersed, stealth training with Mizuki and Iruka over for the day. "I'm kinda busy, so could you just yell at me here so I can get going? I got plans."

"Just what kind of plans?"

"I got a bucket of permanent dye and I got lots of hair to dy-err, nothing?" Shiro said with an embarrassed chuckle.

Iruka raised one eyebrow. "Well, it'll have to wait. I want to show you something."

"Aww, man, school is OVER, Iruka-sensei. I haven't done anything to deserve detention." He paused. "Today."

"Just come with me, Shiro."

They went back into the school, to the small office, Iruka shared with Mizuki and another chunin instructor.

Unlocking a drawer with a small key, Iruka pulled out a thick notebook, his grade notebook, then gave Shiro a warning look when he saw the boy looks surprised. "This isn't where I usually keep it, and even if you do manage to find it, if you touch it, I will personally break both of your arms."

"I'm shocked! Simply shocked that you don't trust me, Iruka-sensei! I would never dream of cheating!" Shiro proclaimed all wounded dignity.

"I'm serious, Shiro, I will break your arms in three places and cover you in itching powder."

"I'll be good," he replied meekly. "I really only thought that Kiba needed to be held back a year, anyway."

Iruka's stern expression relaxed. "Now, before I open this, I want you to remember you are the worst student in the class, damn you are even worse than Naruto"

"I'm sorry, alright? It's just your lessons that are BORING. How can you expect me to pay attention when you just drone on and on..." Seeing the look on his teacher's face, Shiro trailed off.

Iruka looked at him for a moment, then opened the book with a ribbon bookmark. Finding Shiro's name, he held it up so the kid could see and tapped it with his finger. "Do you see these scores, Shiro?"

"I was...," Shiro paused, thought for a moment, then shrugged. "What about it?"

Iruka blinked. "Shiro, your grades are all over the place. Yeah, there are some bad scores, but some of them are really good."

He shrugged again. "I study when things interest me."

Iruka paused, "Yes, that may well be true. I know your Taijutsu is worse than any other student in the entire history. But I would expect you to try hard, and sure, Your History is super good."

"I don't see the problem here sensei"

"LET ME FINISH"

Shiro immediately clamped up

"Your grades really are all over the place. I'd expect your History to be always better than your knowledge of seals. Instead, six months ago, you scored near the top of the class on seals."

Shiro looked like he'd bitten into something sour. "How was I supposed to know that everyone in the class was going to suck on that test?"

"And then your grades dropped to the very bottom of the class? How do you expect me to believe that these scores are way below what I know you're capable of."

"How do you know what I'm capable of?"

"Then what about your Physical Training?"

"W-What's wrong with that now?"

"Nothing, Like everyone knows, you suck at physical activities, heck, you suck at studies too, you are deemed to be failed and repeat the year, and even if you pass you might be the last in the rankings"

"Uh... I am sorry? I guess"

Iruka nodded, "And yet for some reason, you showcase your abilities and never lost a single battle till now, I suppose it's because you have a feeble body and you can't tolerate pain... How come you don't mess with people's brains in the fighting test. Where winning is actually important... and straight forward give up"

"Uh? Because... they become more level headed in the fighting exam? and there is no way for me to mess with their brains"

"According to this report, Shiro the Orphan from Konoha who is 7 years Old fought against 10-Year-Old, Second Year Academy Student Because the Older boy just straight-up bully the orphans, The result of that Battle was Shiro from the Orphanage won effortlessly, He Just manipulated and played with the Academy student all the way... In the conclusion of that battle, the Older boy was sent to a mental hospital, he was broken"

"Uh? That's me being young and naive?"

"You practically beat your seniors in Academy, the current Genins with nothing but with your words, tell me, how come you are so weak when it comes to classes, Three weeks ago, you beat naruto but Naruto claims that he lost focus or he would have beaten you to the pulp"

"Yea, I mean he is pretty strong for being a dough"

"That's it, I don't. Shiro don't you know what they say about you, They say you are a liar, a cheater, a Manipulator, that you are bad news, you use people and throw them away. And I think... you're lying to me."

Abruptly, Shiro's face blossomed into a grin. "Iruka-sensei, why would I lie to you?"

"I don't know. At first, I didn't know what to think. Maybe you're a plant from another village?"

"Sensei, you must be confused," he said, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm people, not a plant."

Iruka closed his eyes in irritation. "Yeah, I know you're not a plant." He paused. "Or from another village. But I wish you'd be honest with me. You're not the worst student in the class. You could even be one of the best. But you're deliberately not trying, even if you are not the best at physical activities we can always work on that, and," Iruka's voice rose, "you're only hurting yourself!" Iruka grabbed his shirt in both hands.

"Can't you see? You're ten years old! Academy students have to graduate by twelve, and you've only got two more years to learn the things you HAVE to know! Maybe you have a reason to not try, I don't know, but you say you want to be a shinobi! You can't do that without graduating from the academy! And at the rate you're going, you're going to fail!"

Shiro's stomach growled and he gave an embarrassed chuckle, scratching the back of his head.

"Sorry, Iruka-sensei."

But he didn't say what he was sorry for.

Iruka stared at him, then sighed. "Come on, Shiro. I'll buy you dinner."

Shiro brightened. "Really? Thanks!"

"Under one condition. You have to try."

Then, for one moment, Iruka swore he saw the real Shiro, looking cold and serious.

"I am trying, Iruka-sensei. I am always trying"

Once, when Shiro was younger, he made a mistake. He trusted someone.

That, someone, was a pretty little blue-haired civilian girl that Shiro wanted to be friends with. So Shiro had talked to her for a while, the girl seemed interested in him as well but then the girl's mother had shown up and taken her home. The girl told her parents about a joker trying to be friends with her.

The girl's father met him another day, he smiled, talked to Shiro and took him to the outskirts of the village.

It was that night before an ANBU was informed by Orphanage Matron that the boy was missing. He searched for the boy for a while. Then he alerted other ANBU, and they searched for the boy. Then the Hokage was informed, and lots of people searched for the boy.

This went on for about three weeks.

Then the boy staggered out of the forest in front of a traveling couple, crying, covered in blood, and was turned over to ANBU and the doctors.

Though he was crying, when asked what had happened, his voice didn't waver. He gave clear, concise details. Then the doctors gave him something that put him into a nightmare filled sleep that lasted two days. He woke up screaming.

There was a time of jumbled images and voices, with people talking to him, at him, and around him.

It was all very confusing.

Then they had carried him to a big building and asked him to look at a man in a cell. It was someone he'd trusted. He told them so.

They all looked really mad and mean, and he'd started to get upset, but the Hokage had hugged him, told him he was very brave and turned to a big man dressed all in black wearing a funny cloth over his head.

Shiro could still remember exactly what the old man had said.

"Ibiki, make sure he regrets it."

Shiro had asked some questions, as they were leading him away, and at some length, as they were exiting the building, he'd understood. They were going to hurt the man he'd trusted.

Shiro wanted to watch.

Everyone, who'd been all smiles and jokes at that point, though Shiro could tell they didn't really mean it, got real quiet and mad.

Shiro had apologized for making them mad, and they'd assured him that they weren't mad at him.

So, if they weren't mad at him, Shiro wanted to know if he could stay and watch. The Hokage had tried to talk him out of it. Someone else liked the idea. They argued.

Shiro argued... Shiro insisted.

And, at some length, he'd been introduced to the scary-looking man with the black rag on his head.

Ibiki.

Ibiki was big and scary looking with marks on his face.

Ibiki had tried to convince him he really didn't want to see what was going to happen. It was going to be scary and gross.

Shiro didn't mind that, he wanted to see the man screaming

Ibiki had said it would be loud.

Shiro nodded his head

Shiro decided he liked Ibiki, even though he looked scary.

The man in the cell didn't like Ibiki at all.

---------

Shiro decided he liked Iruka. The ramen he'd bought him for dinner was just about the best thing ever.

"So, Shiro, you've never talked about it, but what is your goal? Why do you want to be a shinobi?"

Shiro shrugged. "I dunno. It just seemed like a good idea at that time"

"Liar," Iruka said without hesitation, then realized Shiro was pulling his chain.

Shiro grinned.

"Come on, Shiro. What is it with you? I've finally decided that you just don't trust anyone, and that's why you're always lying."

He slurped more ramen and waved to the owner. Ichiraku ramen. This stuff was pretty damned good. Not very close to Orphanage, but worth the walk.

"Why don't you trust anyone?" Iruka pressed.

Shiro stopped for a second, looked at him, looked away. "People lie," he said after a moment.

After a little while, he looked back. Iruka was staring at him with a sad look on his face. It made Shiro uncomfortable. He looked away again.

"Yes, people do lie," Iruka said finally. "You can't trust everyone."

Shiro snorted.

"No!" Iruka said, grabbing Shiro's arm. "You can't trust everyone. But you have to trust someone"

Shiro looked at the hand on his arm, but Iruka didn't remove it.

"I'm serious, Shiro. Don't you trust your friends?"

"I don't have any friends."

Iruka blinked, and finally released his arm. "But, what about your classmates?"

Shiro snorted in contempt. And then he noticed Iruka was giving him that look again.

That sad look, like he was seeing something Shiro didn't want to see not again not ever.

"You need to have someone you can trust Shiro, or you will end up in darkness"

"I have long since closed my eyes"

For the first time in front of this person, Shiro was serious

"..."

"I live in the darkness, so darkness I become"

Iruka got up as he was not in the mood for eating anymore. "There are people in this world who prefer solitude. But there is no one who can withstand it"

-------

Hokage was sitting in his office looking at Shiro, eating ramen and talking to Iruka.

"Sigh"

He decided he is getting too old.

He leaned on his chair, puffed on his smoke and closed his eyes, thinking of the past

After Minato sealed Kyuubi, he passed away not long after with Kushina, leaving Hokage their only child. Hokage decided that he will protect this child in the future well.

As he was about to head back from the field of destruction, he noticed one of his Anbu members still struggling to live on the ground, even with half the ANBU'S body already burned to ashes.

Next to him was the corpse of a woman with long brown hair sprawled over her mask. He did not know how the Anbu was still alive, but Hokage's heart clenched at the fact that some regret must be keeping this loyal man alive.

As Hokage strolled over to the man, He realized the female Anbu was the male Anbu's lover as he was gripping her hand tightly.

Hokage's heart clenched at what was to come, he could not help but ask, "What is your keeping you from peace?"

The Anbu stared at him trying to see what seemed to be Lord Hokage, but it seemed he decided to spend his strength to say something else. Hokage bent down and leaned in to try to make out his words, and he realized his last regrets as he stuttered, "M-my s-son----

His Old heart clenched as he realized another unfortunate orphan had resulted from this incident. He watched as the man looked towards a direction, reaching his hands towards it, but his hands drop not much longer as he stared on with his eyes remaining open.

Hokage gently closed the fallen Anbu eyes as he closed his eyes in silence for the loyal couple who had given up their future with their son to make a stand for the village.

(Several Years Later)

It was already time for the Hokage orphanage visit. So, He headed over.

When the child Shiro saw the Old Hokage, he stared at the Old man with round dark eyes like any other child.

Hokage gently smiled as he told the Young Shiro that he will play with him, but instead of excitement, Hokage saw the young Shiro continue staring at him. Hokage started to feel that something was weird with this child.

But before he could make a solid conclusion, Young Shiro asked Hokage a very simple yet difficult question, "Hokage-sama, when are my parents going to come to pick me up?"

At that moment, Hokage's heart clenched as he realized that the child was not staring at him in shock, but hope, hope to see his parents.

He was one of those children that relied on and dreamed of having parents, not being able to accept reality as they grew up without any.

Hokage throat choked as he was about to tell the Young Boy that his parents have passed away in service, but the Old man did not want to see the hopes of a child shattering like so.

So, although un-healthy, The Old man decided to let the child's fantasies continue a bit longer until he grows older and can take the truth. Hokage tried telling the child in a soft manner that his parents were on a mission.

"Shiro, your parents are on a long mission, and they won't be coming back anytime soon, but they want you to grow up to be a good Shinobi alright?"

Hokage expected the child to happily nod as the young Child continued with his fantasies.

Unexpectedly, the child's expression froze. Then, Shiro told Hokage he understood before he slowly stumbled back to his room.

At that point, Hokage realized that he made a mistake. The one he spoke to was not a normal child, but a child who had intellect beyond his age.

The Old man knew the child understood and his fantasies were shattered.

At that moment, Hokage's hair became even whiter as he grew even older.

*Bam

The Door to his office opened up, as Hokage opened his eyes calmly.

"Grandpa Hokage, when will I get my own place to live?"

Hokage smiled, "When you become Genin and earn your own money"

"But I am only 10"

"Exactly Shiro, you are only 10, you are not getting your own place now"

"Naruto got his own place when he was 6"

"His condition was different Shiro you know it, don't you?"

"I want my own place", Shiro crossed his arms and pouted looking at the side

"Not happening"

Grrr...

Hokage, smiled as he watched Shiro growling and going out of his office.