Someone to Die For (Kakashi Hatake)
Episode 3
Gifts, Hints, Tips & Tricks
All That Glitters Is Not Gold
You woke up groggily.
Limbs heavy, head throbbing dully and an odd, oily taste in your mouth.
Raising your hand halfway to your forehead, you threw back the covers and sat up, only to pause after your bare feet touched the floor. Although you’re definitely not an expert, like at all, whatsoever, and although you’re slowly adjusting to the simulation and whatever anime universe you’d been spawned into when you wake up, admittedly, you feel a bit…
You weren’t sure how to feel, really.
At the corner of your eye, you’d spotted it, though there really is no overlooking the large ornate mirror right in front of you, giving you ample view of yourself. Like a distinguished lady from a historical drama, you’re dressed in a fine silk robe (not a robe, a kimono, your inner geek absolutely spazzed out) and hair only slightly mussed from sleep; the material compliments your lovely brown skin and lush curves, emphasized it even, but all of that is irrelevant as your fingers raise, about to touch the bandage peeking out from beneath the collar.
“Princess [Your Name]!”
‘…princess?’
Before you could begin to truly panic, time froze. Breathing a sigh of relief when a familiar set of words appeared in your line of vision.
/ Naruto: The Storm Princess Narrative is a story based game that features player choice. The consequences of all your in-game actions and decisions will affect past, present, and future. Choose wisely. /
Underneath the summary are a few other selections, such as Main Menu, Options, Settings, Extras. Not wasting time by being indecisive, you selected Main Menu and you’re able to access it without much trouble. It’s a good thing that you did too, because you take note of the small red icon which flashed periodically, as if trying to get your attention.
Curious, you swipe right until you come across the screen which says Other. Beneath the title is Gifts, Hints, Tips & Tricks, Inventory, etc.
Your attention keeps returning back to the Gifts tab, and after skimming everything there was to be seen in the Other screen, you pressed Gifts, which flashed red again, and the number three. As the title suggested, there were indeed things that could help the player, only it wasn’t just for this simulated reality, but also for the DBZ and AoT world you’d accessed previously.
‘So I can use these to give myself a boost. …Why isn’t it in the regular inventory then?’ Musing over this, you nibbled your bottom lip for a second before deciding to let it go for now. It more than likely was a rare item or equipment that would be hard to find in the world.
So like a reward for deciding to give the game a chance at all.
Deciding to check out the gift for NTSPN later, you exit out of the Main Menu.
Time unfroze and you raise your hand in front of you automatically, like a salute. “Princess [Your Name], reporting for duty!” The words come flying out of your mouth without permission, and it didn’t help that the sliding door to the room is thrown open quickly and in hurried a brown skinned woman who looked like she needed maybe fifty hours of uninterrupted sleep, followed by a small entourage.
“Very amusing, my lady.” The woman said in an offhand manner, writing something on a clipboard. “You’ve a full schedule today: meeting the farmers in the fields, reading to the orphans, a fitting for a new riding outfit. Aaand, aha!” The younger girls, servants, ignored your flustered assurance that you could get undressed yourself, that this really wasn’t necessary, as they got you unclothed quickly, one opening up another sliding door, to reveal an indoor bath house.
How on Earth that worked, you couldn’t even begin to fathom.
You weren’t given time to goggle before you’re ushered into the water.
“Breakfast with the Princess Norie and extended family. There’s also a small note that the assigned team from Konoha has recently arrived.”
Thoroughly exhausted from being in a bath with a small busload of females tending to your most basic needs (someone actually tried to brush your teeth and you point blank refused, doing it yourself) and overwhelmed with all the things on the schedule, you rest your chin on top of your forearms, staring up at the terrifying(ly) competent individual. “And of all these tasks, which would you deem is most relevant?”
A startled look is shot in your direction. “Princess…?” She sounded terribly lost and confused.
‘Crap, did I behave too out of character there?’
Unwilling to backtrack and look even more stupid, you forged straight on ahead. “Clearly you’re decent at your job. I’m asking for your professional opinion. Tell me how I should start my day.” You’re a little more assertive this time around, glancing at the other woman with a cocked brow. Carefully, one of the attendants is handling your hair, hands gentle but precise as she washed it with a sweet smelling shampoo.
“Breakfast with the family, Princess. After the tragic incident three days ago, it wouldn’t hurt to curry favor amongst your in-laws.”
‘What incident is she talking about?’
Someone subtly cleared their throat and you realize that it’s the girl who’s working on your hair. “If I may be so bold as to speak, ma’am…?”
“You may.” Waving your hand, gesturing her to continue wordlessly.
“Namiko has a point that you should try to gain favor amongst your in-laws, and it’s terrible what happened to Norishige, he’ll be missed by all, of course,” Funny, how she didn’t sound too broken up about this Nori guy, or that he was very likely dead.
Fairly recently too, so it sounded like.
“However, the people adore you, Princes [Your Name],” Gently, she coaxed your head back and poured warm water from a jug onto the shampooed strands. “They adore you, and they’ve waited a long time to see a princess from the Land of Lightning walk amongst them like a normal person, to treat them as if their existence actually matter.”
“Chizuru…” Namiko stated sharply, tone full of warning.
“Both of you, enough. I asked for opinions, not to witness a simple conversation devolve into petty squabbling.”
That certainly got them to shut up.
Not much longer than that, you got out of the water, and while half the attendants quickly began to clean up, the other half worked on drying you off, quickly wrapping you in a towel. You re-entered your room and sat down in front of the vanity (when the hell did that get there, you’re not even sure?).
Chizuru worked on your hair while the others moisturized your skin, filed your nails. Once that’s finished, you’re shown four different outfits, two of them semi-casual, such as pants and a blouse, or a skirt and button down shirt, while the other two choices were kimonos. The first kimono being extremely traditional while the other was more relaxed, but subtly eye catching.
Although you could feel everyone eying you subtly, or trying to, you ignored them and pointed at the less extravagant kimono. Someone helped you put it on and as you stared at yourself in the mirror, you had to admit that you liked the way it looked.
“Strike the fitting from the list, as well as breakfast.”
“Y…yes, Princess…” Namiko nodded hesitantly but did as you instructed without protest, writing or crossing out something on her clipboard.
There’s a knock on the sliding door. “Princess [Your Name]. It is I, Tsunayoshi. May I enter?” The person on the other side is obviously male, or male sounding. You see no point in dallying and tell that person that it’s okay. The sliding door opened again and a deep brown skinned male, dressed in a yukata and a sheathed sword on his hip, bowed low. “Forgive me for the disturbance, my Princess. I have much great and terrible news to deliver to you this morn.”
‘Not everyone talks like this guy, so what’s up with him?’
“Raise your head.”
Nevertheless, this deserved a modicum of seriousness, probably.
Once Tsunayoshi looked at you, somehow managing to pull off the aura of a kicked or sad puppy, it’s with herculean effort that you manage to keep eye contact with him and avoid patting his head and assuring him that everything was fine. “Tell me what disturbs you so.”
“My…my princess I do not wish to alarm you, but I also must abide by my oath to you.” Tsunayoshi began strongly. “I…I overheard Sugita speaking to Princess Ena in the hallways. At first I thought nothing of it. It’s highly inappropriate to be alone with a princess, of course, especially if one is of lower station–”
“Tsunayoshi, please get to the point.” Namiko interrupted, she tried to gentle her tone, you could tell, but she was irritated by the stalling as you were.
“Sugita informed Princess Ena of your schedule, my Princess. Princess Ena has plans to attack the farmers who wished to see your radiance in person!” Again, Tsunayoshi bowed his head and you think he was even weeping now.
‘Is this Naruto or the Game of Thrones world?’ The level of melodrama is out of control. You would think being a princess would be an easy, cushy life. Later, you’d read up on the backstory and maybe about the people who were obviously plotting against you for some reason, but for now, you walk closer to the bowed and shamed figure. Placing your hand on his shoulder, you squeeze gently.
“Now isn’t the time for distress. You’ve done well in informing me.”
“Thank you, oh, thank you, my Princess…” Tsunayoshi sobbed. “I will….I will…”
“Prepare the horses. Bring more men to help with keeping order and to secure the perimeter.” Someone else cut in and oh, you recognize that lackasidal tone. Unruffled and yet always on guard, completely badass and infamous, it was Kakashi Hatake. “That would be a start, would you not agree, Princess [Your Name]?”
‘Holy fuck, do not say my name in that sexy voice!’ You’re totally thankful when time paused (and you’re desperately trying not to think about how you might’ve looked goofy and drooling over him) and by now, you’re used to being given a set of multiple answers to choose from.
[ “That would be a start, would you not agree, Princess [Your Name]?”
a.) “It would be a decent start. I’m concerned about the orphanage being targeted next, though.”
b.) “Indeed. Tell the men who are assigned to protect the farmers and their land to be prepared to defend themselves.”
c.) “….”
d.) “Split into two forces, one will defend the farmers and their land, the other will defend the orphanage. I’m coming along.” ]
It’s not a difficult decision to make at all when you choose the final option D. Time unpaused and you spoke the sentence. Tsunayoshi looked ready to pass out. “P-P-Princess, you can’t–”
“Do not tell me what I can and can’t do.” You said simply, but you were firm. You glanced at Namiko who looked like she was about to argue but when you gave her the look, she settled right down and nodded.
“I had no idea princesses went alongside their soldiers to skirmishes.” Kakashi commented lightly. You gave him a look for that and he merely beamed back at you. “I’m in agreeance with Tsunayoshi here, this is not a good idea. My team and I–”
“You’re wasting precious time we don’t have arguing with me, shinobi. It is a princess’ duty to protect her people.” You think you heard Chizuru murmur ‘you can say that again’ but couldn’t be sure. “I am. Going. Along.”
Kakashi stared at you for a few seconds more, features serious and oh boy, did that do something definitely not PG rated to your heart and more sensitive places. Then he reached out a hand in your direction. “It’ll be quicker if we do this my way. If you trust me, that is, to do my duty.”
Ignoring the hissed warning, you reached out and clasped his hand.
“And your duty is…?”
He offered his trademark eye smile, pulling you close, closer. “Maa, I’ll tell you once this is done.”
And then the world inverted.
Turned upside-down, spun around.
You could feel the wind on your skin, the heavy mugginess that signified an incoming thunderstorm. Smell salt in the air from the sea.
And then all too soon again, everything stopped.
Your stomach roiled unpleasantly as he let you go, taking a step back from his immediate space, you wanted to heave but swallowed once, twice; it tasted acidic and disgusting going down.
Glaring daggers at Kakashi, trying to kill him with your eyes, but then you hear it. The sound of of fighting. Of battle. Men screaming for mercy and the wet thuds as flesh is rend from flesh.
The battle, or skirmish, more likely, is right below you.
You watch as an obviously trained soldier cuts down a fleeing farmer in his sixties.
Fingers beginning to twitch, you take a step forward, but Kakashi’s hand on your shoulder jerked you to a stop and as you’re about to shrug him off, your eyes widen slightly as sparks of lightning fizzled through the air from your fingertips. Kakashi doesn’t outwardly seemed fazed, he just tightens his hold on you minutely.
“Don’t interfere with my mission.”
There’s no need to ask what his mission actually is, you’ve got the gist, at least you think so. Breathing in and out deeply, you search for calm and it is hard when you can hear people dying. A few seconds later, the sparks of lightning die down and then vanish completely. Still, you don’t fight his hold on your shoulder. “…Please.”
“Stay here.” It’s an order. And against everything you believe in and uphold, you nod your head. His hand releases your shoulder and then he’s gone. You hear the chirping of birds and then you hear more screaming, more people dying.
Until it’s over, and everything is quiet.
You get down from the designated area Kakashi left you in and the scent of iron is thick in the air now that you’re not so high up anymore. Keeping your expression as impassive as possible, you stare straight ahead and do not dare look down, you’re sure that your sandals had brushed up against something meaty once or twice, but you don’t think about what that is.
It’s not important.
“Princess–!” Oh, you can hear Tsunayoshi. You look back and see him with about ten men, all of them on horseback, and you wave them down. “Princess, are you okay? You’re not–”
“Bandages, cloth, water.” You cut him off as he tries to make this about you. You’re not the important person here. “Is there a doctor among you? If so, please tend to the wounded.”
You can feel someone staring at you and for some reason, you know it’s Kakashi, but you don’t have time to oggle him right now either. Though part of you knows that this isn’t real, it’s a simulation, all of your senses are being tested to the fullest. It’s tricking your brain because it looks and feels real and your emotions are a rollercoaster.
“Princess, please…” One of the farmers, a middle aged man in his late forties or fifties, is in bad shape, bloodied and a scar right across his face, from chin to forehead. He looks to be in terrible pain, but still he reached for you. Without even thinking twice, you clasp hands with him. “We…we came to see…you….thank you for…for…”
“Shh,” You hushed him. He coughed up a glob of glob and it hits your cheek. You pay it no mind as you hold him to you as if he’s a baby and not a grown man. “It’s alright. I know. I know you came to see me and I appreciate it so much.”
“…ood….so…g…” He grumbled something unintelligible and then with a soft smile…he was gone.
“Princess…” Kakashi is in your space. Literally at your back, his hand once again on your shoulder, but instead of being restrictive, it’s a comforting weight. He doesn’t say more than your title but then, he doesn’t need to.
You’re grateful when time paused.
{Kakashi Affection increased by 5. Kakashi is amused.}
{Kakashi Affection increased by 5. Kakashi is conflicted.}
{Namiko Loyalty decreased by 7.}
{Chizuru Loyalty increased by 15.}
{Tsunayoshi Loyalty increased by 10.}
{Gained the ‘People aren’t your stepping stones!’ trophy}
{Gained the ‘Thinking will not overcome fear, but action will’ trophy}
It feels good to be getting something positive out of this experience, especially the trophies but it’s still very gut wrenching and heartbreaking. You can’t stop the tears from falling down your face and you probably look like an absolute hot mess but you don’t even care. With trembling fingers, you enter the Main Menu and swipe right until you come across the final screen.
/Save and Continue or Save and Exit?/
»»————- ————-««
And so concludes another episode. You’re left things on a somber note. What is fake and what is real, especially if it involves your heart?