The Gatekeeper's Mistake
Chapter One: Arrival
Alviss stood in the center a a field with a determined expression on his face. "ARM, hear my cry. Open! I command you!"
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Kakashi was strolling unnhuriedly down the path from the Memorial Stone leading back to Konoha. Suddenly the brightly lit forest was plunged into darkness. Vaguely wondering if his hitaiate had fallen over his right eye too, he reached up and discovered that it was in its usual position. Starting to become concerned, Kakashi drew a kunai from the holster on his right leg. To his suprise, a strange clown-like figure appeared, who then grabbed him, brining Kakashi closer and closer toward a doorway that loomed ahead in the blackness all around. Kakashi struggled futilely against the apparition's vicelike grip, but found himself tumbling through a portal to somewhere he didn't recognize, unable to do anything about it.
---
Kakashi stood up slowly. everything was sore - probably from falling out of that hole in the air. His ears ached intensely. Why was it so loud? Konoha wasn't loud. Kakashi looked around him. Skyscrapers stood everywhere, perople shoued everywhere, and on the roads...
An earsplitting screeh caused him to wheel about. A woman was shouting angrily at him from her car window. Unfortunately, it was all in another language.
"I'm sorry, but I don't understand you," Kakashi stated calmly in Japanese. The woman's fury eased a bit. "I know some Japanese. What in the world are you doing in the middle of the street?"
Normally on such occasions Kakashi would have an answer reay, but this time the only thing he could think of to say was,"I'm not sure."
The stranger, taken aback by his response, fell silent. Rubbing the back of his head self-consciously, Kakashi forced himself to ask, "Can you tell me where this is?" The woman obliged. You're in New York City of the United States of America," she respoded proudly.
Casting wary glances at passing traffic, most of which had almost stopped to stare at this strange scene, Kakashi spoke again. "Can you tell me where that is?"
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Shelby turned the key in the ignition, restarting the car. "I can't believe I just picked up a masked stranger! What am I going to do with him and why did I have to be the one to run into him?!" she ranted silently to herself. Her roommate, Noon, was not going to like this.
---
Kakashi sat silently in the back of the car. Being from a ninja village deep within the forest, most of the things he saw were new to him, so he carefully observed everything, incredibly grateful for the mask that hid his quiet awe from these strange people. He could tell that the woman who helped him out was nervous and frustrated, often looking back at him angrily, though whether at herself or Kakashi, he was unable to tell. It was only natural, considering his strange appearance and the obvious fact that somebody like him rarely passed through this place. Kakashi wondered absently how he would survive until he could figure out a way to return to Konohagakure.
Kakashi was still half-immersed in hiscontemplation when Shelby suddenly turned off the car. "We're here," she stated.
---
Kakashi stared at he inside of the apartment. In some was it reminded him of where he lived.
Shelby dropped her keys of a table next to the door, calling her friend's name. "Noon! I'm home!"
The person who appeared was a darkskinned woman in an orange dress so bright that Kakashi was forced to look away to preserve his eyesight. Howver, this action only caused the waman to notice him sooner, much to his chagrin.
"Who is this guy, and what in the world is he waring?" Noon demanded.
"I found him in the middle of the street. He looked pretty confused, Noon. You should have seen him, the poor guy."
Glancing at her friend strangely, Noon whispered, "He's right here, you know."
Realizing the reason for her friend's look, Shelby hurriedly reassured her. "No, no, he can only understand Japanese."
Noon raised and eyebrow. "Really? Then what is he doing here?"
Shelby could only shrug expressively.
---
Kakashi stared out the window while listening to their conversation, so foreign to his ears. Of course, it didn't take a Genius to know that they were talking about him. He sighed, feeling very lost in this strange world.
"So you just picked up a wierdly-dressed, masked stranger and brought him home with you?!"
Shelby defendend herself against Noon's tirade. "What else could I do? It's not as if he has anywhere else to go."
Shaking her head in frustration, Noon burst out, "Then leave him to be somebody else's problem! Come on, Shelby! Masked men are always hiding sonething. What if he kills you?"
Shocked and angry at her friend's thoughtless statement, Shelby retorted, "Noon! What's wrong with you? You're usually willing to help people out without any questions, but you condemn this man as soon as you see him! Is there something you aren't telling me?"
Noon backed off. "No, it's just - this is so unlike you, Shelby. Why 'd you help him?"
"I told you: he seemed like he needed a little help." Gazing at Kakashi with a curious expression, she continued,"Besides, it's not every person in New York who can speak fluent Japanese!" Shelby gave a small laugh.
Trying to redeem herself, Noon queried, "Did you ask him his name?"
Suprised at her carelessness, Shelby mused, "No, I guess I haven't." Striding over to where Kakashi stood, Shelby prepared to do just that.
---
The woman who helped him earlier was coming over. Kakashi readied himself for what she might say.
"I just realized that I never asked, so what's your name?"
Okay, that was unexpected.
"My name is Kakashi," he replied evenly.
"Do you have a last name?"
"Yes."
"May I ask what it is?" she returned expectantly.
"Yes."
A little annoyed, Shelby questioned him again. "Will you tell me what it is?"
Shrugging, Kakashi replied nonchalantly, "Probably not."
Her irritation quickly replace with humor at his unusual attitude, Shelby couldn't resist indulging in a small chuckle.
Noon watched this exchange with uncomprehending eyes. "So, what did he say?"
Still amused, Shelby replied, "He said his name is Kakashi, but he wouldn't tell me his last name. He's very stubborn." She glanced back at the nin, still laughing quietly to herself. Failing to see what was so funny, Noon sighed reluctantly. "I guess we can keep him here, but only for a little while. He needs to get back to...wherever he came from."
Shelby gratefully thanked her before relaying the message to Kakashi in Japanese, who winced at some of her pronounciation but thanked them both for their generousity. Overjoyed at Noon's capitulation, Shelby took of excitedly to show Kakashi where everything was.
"This is the bathroom, there's the kitchen, and this is where Noon and I keep our beds. Sorry, but you'll have to take the couch. We weren't exactly expection visitors." She turned to Kakashi, who nodded that it was alright. It's not as though he would be able to sleep much anyway.
"Thank you for your hospitality," he replied formally. Shelby continued, "If you need anything, just call me. Here's the phone number," she said, writing it down. Kakashi stood there, feeling like an idiot. Shelby saw his dilemma. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Here, I'll show you how it works. You pick up the phone, dial thee numbers, and I should be able to answer. When you're done, just hang it back up." She assisted her explanation by demonstrating the process while speaking. "Any questions?"
"Nope, I've got it," Kakashi replied.
"That was fast," commented Shelby interestedly. He nodded affirmatively. He had always learned quickly. After all, it wasn't for nothing he was called the Genius of Konoha.
Shelby picked up her keys from the table. "I've got to get back to work now. I told Dirk I would be there hours ago. Oh well, he won't mind." She pulled the door shut, calling behind her, "Nice meeting you!"
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Noon sighed as she heard the door close. "Now I'm stuck with this guy, and I can't understand a word he says." She turned to see Kakashi inspecting a bookshelf. "Not that you say much anyway."