-The Next Morning-
The moment Kajirama woke up he felt extremely uncomfortable with his throat. He didn't know the reason but it was painful and scratchy, additionally it would worsened when he'd swallow or talk. He whined to his Obā-chan about it, which she informed kindly after founding out about it:
"You have harsh throat Kaji-chan from training the fire style jutsu, if you don't put enough chakra to protect your throat and focus more on your lungs then that's what you'll get." Biwako informed. "Focus more on your chakra control for now, don't prioritize on training the technique until you are good enough on the former, since the control of your chakra would determine how well you're able to carry out techniques."
Kajirama's eyes dawned with understanding and he nodded as he thanked Biwako. He then sprinted to his room, after a while he got out all dressed.
He was wearing mesh clothes underneath a green and blue haori that has white trimmings, underneath he wore black pants and shinobi sandals. Kajirama's white hair grew to be quite long, reaching over his shoulders, he also have clan markings like the rest of his clan, unlike his father's single red streak, he had two black lines in each corner on his eyes.
"Where are you going, young man?" Biwako looked over curiously. "You do know it is your own birthday do you?"
"I know, Obā-chan. I'm just gonna go hang out with my friends for a while." Kajirama informed as he ran towards their backyard, which was where the forest he had gone through yesterday.
"And who might they be, Kaji-chan?" Biwako was surprised, she have not seen Kajirama with others his age for a while since he was so focused on his training unlike her son Asuma, she figured he might have met them somewhere outside their compound.
"You'll find out Obā-chan." Kajirama grinned happily. "I've invited them over for my birthday."
"Then remember to come back in time, alright? Don't stay outside too long lest you'll be late on your own birthday celebration."
"I won't."
With that, Kajirama ran of to meet Obito as Biwako watched his little departing figure.
...
Kajirama followed along the path towards the open space in the forest that he had met Obito at. He was five years old now as it was his birthday, he was a little bit excited since he had made a friend with someone outside their clan, and from what the both of them agreed on there would be someone tagging along too, namely Obito's friend. Not to mention that after they are done with what they're planning, they would go over to his house to celebrate his birthday.
Kajirama blankly stared at the dirt pathway on his foot as his pace slowed down. He was having expectations for later too, expectations that his father would return to the village and celebrate his birthday. He didn't have any recollection of Jiraiya, he only knew that he was out on a very important mission outside because he was a very strong shinobi, nevertheless, he was yearning for the figure he all so wanted to meet, he was still a child, he sometimes visited his mother's monument along with his grandparents, the only problem with that was... She's dead and he wouldn't ever meet her in person.
Kajirama sniffled as he rub his nose, he slowly felt sad. He wanted to meet his parents so bad but...
"Plus it is not like Tou-san would really return because of his mission, so much for being a strong shinobi but couldn't spend time with me, hmph!" He thought indignantly to himself. Though he did not hate his mother and father and did in fact love them both dearly no matter where they are, he couldn't help but feel a little unhappy towards them. Since he was born his parents weren't around and his grandparents were the one who took care of him. He wished that even his father, who was alive and well, would made some time for him, no matter how little that might be. All he got on his every birthday was presents from the man, which he stored in his room since he didn't quite understood what were inside them, his grandparents offered their aid, but Kajirama only told them that he would prefer his father explaining it, not them, which saddened the old couple.
Shaking his head of the negative thoughts and following the path he took the other day, he heard some chattering from afar and recognized Obito's voice and he knew the Uchiha and his friend was close by.
Walking into the small area he saw Obito talking to a girl their age, they are standing in the center of the opening with his back to Kajirama.
As Kajirama walked towards him, the girl was the first one to picked up on his approaching figure, which she told Obito about. Obito turned around andhen he spotted Kajirama he grinned and waved at him.
"Kajirama-san!"
"Morning Obito!" Kajirama greeted happily as Obito nodded back towards him.
"Anyway, just call me Kajirama." The white haired Ogata suggested as Obito walked towards him with the girl following behind. "You don't have to call me with honorifics, I can tell you are uncomfortable with being formal."
Kajirama chuckled as Obito smiled sheepishly. He looked towards the girl and asked. "You should be Obito's friend. Nice to meet you. I'm Kajirama."
"I'm Rin Nohara. I've heard much about you from Obito."
Rin was a girl of average height. She had short hair that was well kept, hanging to nearly the top of her shoulders, and brown eyes, much darker than Kajirama, who noticed. She also had a rectangular purple marking on either sides of her cheeks, which Kajirama conclude to be clan markings like his own. She wore a simple outfit consisting of a light-coloured blouse with a bow tied in the middle and a simple, sleeveless haori.
"I hope he didn't made fun of me."
"Oy! I'm not that childish Kajirama!" Aggrieved, Obito yelled.
Kajirama and Rin laughed.
"Come on, hurry! It's going to start!" Rin dragged Obito and Kajirama on their hands. All the while both of them complained to let go.
...
On their way towards the competition, the trio were walking on the sidewaks of the area talking among themselves as they passed by the residents of Konoha.
"What's this competition about anyway? That it got both of you so enthusiastic." Kajirama asked.
"It isn't just any competition, Kajirama." Rin informed.
Rin added with an eager nod. "Uh-huh! The prizes are amazing. They even said that a shinobi kunai that was made of a special metal was the prize for the one who win it."
"I seemed to remember Obito's Obā-chan saying it was made of chakra metal."
"Really?" Now that got Kajirama interested. He also had a weapon made from such similar material, and from what he heard from his grandfather, it was supposedly very pricey and hard to get. Without Hiruzen's status, he might not be able to get the ō-wakizashi that he had carefully stored inside his room that was placed along with the rest of the items his father had given him.
"We aren't joking, Kajirama." Obito then smugly continued. "I'm going to win it you'll see. I participated in it and had been preparing, when I get that kunai prize I'm gonna give it to Rin."
Rin laughed humbly. "You don't have to, Obito. I'm fine just looking at all the prize in display."
"I hold to what I said. I'm gonna give it to your Rin."
Kajirama looked weirdly at Obito who acted so coy infront of the girl. He didn't quite understand, but if had just a bit of his father's knowledge of such profound things then he might get a glimpse of Obito's feelings for the other.
It didn't take them long to arrive at where they were heading to. It was just little ways away from the Shinobi Academy, which was quite close from the Sarutobi compound, Uchiha compound and the forest they had just left from.
It was an open area, Kajirama and his friends looked around in marvel from the so many people gathering around, mostly civilians with some shinobi with their headband on. Numerous people were gathered around a table who had things on display for the parents - who had their children with them - to look at it.
"Let's go see." Kajirama and Obito was once again dragged by Rin, as they squeezed through the crowd with their small frames.
They got to the front of the stand as they looked through the prizes with fascination, even Kajirama. He examined the kunai particular, it was entirely made of the same chakra metal his weapon was made of. The other two were just a simple shuriken and a brush.
"So this is that kunai prize!" Obito was amazed at the shiny color, so was Rin as exhilaration was seen on her reaction.
"Woah you weren't kidding." Kajirama whispered lowly as he continued on eyeing the kunai.
"It's beautiful isn't it Obito, Kajirama?" Rin asked happily.
Both of the boys grin and nodded. "Hn!"
Obito shifted his attention from the prizes to the stage, where participants were called up to perform their jutsu. He scrutinized the other participats who had finished their performance as he complacently declared. "If these are the opponents then this is going to be a piece of cake."
Coincidentally, the host called up a name that also perked Kajirama and Rin's focus towards the stage.
"For the next participant, number seven - Uchiha Obito."
"That's me!" Obito bolted towards the stage, as Kajirama and Rin have their good lucks.
"Break a leg, Obito!" Kajirama cheered.
As Obito arrived on the stage, the host turned towards him and asked. "So Obito-kun, what jutsu are you going to do?"
Obito brought his hands to his hips as he proudly declared to the crowd. "I'm going to be doing the Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu [Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu]"
"Wow, impressive. Give it up for Obito Uchiha, ladies and gentlemen." The host tried to rile up the crowd more, which seems to be working. Shortly after doing so, he left the stage all to Obito who was left standing on the stage as the crowd, who had Kajirama and Rin also, watched in anticipation. Although Kajirama already knew how this would go.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu! [Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu]" Obito got to his hand seals and released the same puny, albeit better looking stream of flames towards the sky above. Which somewhat disappointed the crowd as they were expecting something good.
Nonetheless, that didn't hinder Kajirama and Rin from clouding loudly for their friend.
After doing so, Obito looked in anticipation towards the judges who showed his score.
|6| |8| |7|
"Siz, Eight, and Seven. This are great numbers." The host came back after Obito was done.
That got him smug, as it was the highest score yet. The uchiha swiftly got back to his two friends, who were waiting.
"That was awesome, Obito." Rin cheered Obito up.
That got Obito to rub the back of his head bashfully. "I wasn't in top form today, but I'm sure it's a sure win for me."
While Kajirama just smiled at that. "Still the same huh, Obito?"
"Yeah, the jutsu is pretty hard after all "
"Hmmm. I bet." That got Kajirama into thinking, was the technique Biwako taught him more easy to get a handle of than the one the Uchiha Clan invented? They were of the same categorized rank, so there shouldn't be much difference. Kajirama noted to himself he should try it out soon.
As they were talking, the host called out the next one. "Next up, number eight, Kakashi Hatake."
Suddenly, a kid spring off a tree which the startled the onlookers. Kajirama looked over as the kid, Kakashi Hatake landed perfectly on the stage with a front summersault.
"What a showy dude." Kajirama commended, and Obito seemed to agree as his eyes glared at the kid.
It was a child that seemed to be around their age. He has spiky silver hair that was oriented to his left-side, dark grey eyes, and had a relaxed and lazy expression on his face, which was half covered with a mask. He wore a long sleeved anchor-grey shirt with a zipper, a green scarf, slate-coloured shorts and he also wore blue sandals.
'Hatake?' Kajirama found the surname familiar as it rolled around on his tongue, and tried to recollect where he had heard or read it from. That's when, Kakashi suddenly did his jutsu...
"Earth Release: Earth Wave Technique![Doton: Tsuchi Nami no Jutsu]" sdjdjjdjdndndjddhhsjsj