The thunderous echoes of the storm clouds rang out, but they were only heard by one person. He looked down as he let go of the bloody rebar, staring at the face of the man he killed as the metal stuck out from his chest. He stumbled back before falling down. Out of both breath and energy, he couldn't help but stare.
The destruction caused to the city stretched for miles. He couldn't even tell what buildings were still standing. The thunder above him was joined by the roars of the giants off in the distance. By this point, he wasn't even able to register the pain in his mangled arms. The only thing he could do in his last few moments of consciousness was look up to the dark clouds filled by blue arcs of lightning and let out his own deafening cry of rage and sorrow.
He collapsed, not knowing what he would see when he awakens next. That is, if he even did.
X
Adrik's mind caught up moments after he woke up. He realized he was on top of someone with his hand ablaze in a ball of burning ash. He moved as far away as he could with the ash dissipating. After a few seconds, he managed to calm his breathing. His eyes, previously widened in fear, returned to normal after closing them. Reopening his eyes and looking back over to the only other person in the room, he saw it was Haku. For better or for worse, she seemed completely unbothered by Adrik's violent awakening.
Haku got up from the floor and walked over to help Adrik up. The teen took her hand and stood up, noticing as the wrappings on his arms were gone, along with the ones on his legs. He was just in his ash stained, white tank top and black cargo shorts with his spikey, black hair let down out of its ponytail.
"How long have they been off?"
Haku looked down at Adrik's arms as he gestured to them. Sharp, lightning patterned scars ran from the center of his palms up to just below his elbows.
"Two days. The entire time since... the fight on the bridge."
Adrik's eyes widened slightly as his memories of the events on the bridge came back to him. He put his head in his hands and looked down as he grew a slight headache. Haku tried to reach out and place a hand on his shoulder to steady him but stopped when the teen left the room in a hurry. She followed after him, heading out into the hall and down the stairs.
X
Adrik was surprised to see Zabuza sitting in a chair cleaning his sword with Team Seven sitting down just as relaxed as the missing nin. Kakashi looked over at the bottom of the stairs when he heard footsteps approaching and waved with an eye smile.
"Oh, good morning, Adrik. I'm glad you finally woke up."
Everyone looked up when they heard Kakashi speak and their eyes widened slightly in both surprise and varying degrees of happiness. Naruto immediately ran up to Adrik and gave him a brotherly hug that surprised the teen. He let go and stepped back with a wide smile.
"It's good to see you awake again, man! You had us worried half to death, you know!"
Adrik looked at Naruto with slight confusion before nodding slowly. Nobody seemed to notice Zabuza's faint look of guilt. The teen walked over to Kakashi and everyone became surprised yet again when he dragged the man out of the house.
X
"Woah, hey, what's going on?"
Kakashi looked down at Adrik as he was dragged by his arm around to the side of the house. His eyes narrowed slightly in alarm as he saw the teen's haunted look.
"What happened on the bridge... I-I'm sorry, I don't know what happened to me. One second I was focusing on the fight a-and the next I was-"
Adrik looked up at Kakashi when the jonin put a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, just slow down and breathe, alright? Just breathe."
Adrik gave a small nod as he once again had to calm himself. After a few seconds, he raised his head again.
"During the fight... I looked up. I saw your attack and I froze. I'm sorry. I know it could've gotten you killed with the smoke field still up."
"So, that's what you're worried about... Look, you don't need to apologize. I should probably be the one apologizing with what happened to you."
Adrik put a hand to his head.
"I-I'm having trouble remembering that part. I just remember the... lightning... and then it all went black."
Kakashi raised his one visible eyebrow.
"The lightning? Why put emphasis on that of all things?"
Adrik moved to sit against the wall of the house. Kakashi moved to sit next to him after a second. He noticed the teen's eyes were darting around as memories seemed to come back to him.
"I'm sorry for not telling anyone this. I didn't think it would ever come up again. Or maybe if it did I would've been over it by then."
Kakashi gave him a curious look.
"And what might that be?"
Adrik looked down at his arms. Kakashi noticed and his eye traced the scars.
"Eight days."
Kakashi looked back up at Adrik as he gave the teen his full attention.
"I fought for eight days. The full hundred and ninety two hours, give or take a few minutes. We destroyed entire cities trying to kill each other. That lightning... It reminded me of him and it made me panic."
"Reminded you of who, exactly?"
Adrik gulped before answering.
"It... It was a man who controlled lightning. He called down dozens of storms on a whim and would use every chance he got to try and hit me with blasts of lightning that could shred stone in the blink of an eye."
Kakashi's eye narrowed.
"That doesn't sound like any ninja I've ever heard of. Even from the Hidden Cloud, I'm not sure there are many people who could do something like destroy cities with pure lightning."
Adrik shook his head.
"He wasn't a ninja. He was like me."
Kakashi's eye widened.
"Wait, there are more people like you? People with Elements?"
Adrik shook his head again.
"No. Not anymore. It's... It's just me."
Kakashi nodded after a second. He saw in Adrik's eyes that the teen likely didn't believe what he himself said, at least not entirely.
"Then, I'm guessing he's the one who did this to you?"
Kakashi pointed to Adrik's arms before crossing his own arms again. The teen didn't bother nodding.
"It had been almost two hundred hours of non-stop fighting. I was tired, hungry, and desperate. I came out from my hiding place and tried to match one of his lightning blasts with my own power. I failed pretty badly. Now, it's a little over two months later and my arms still haven't healed."
Kakashi blinked before tilting his head slightly in confusion.
"Only two months? Your arms must've healed pretty well. You sure got off lucky going against someone as strong as that."
Adrik shook his head, confusing Kakashi further.
"Luck was what happened when he got close enough for me to run a piece of rebar through his chest. This wasn't luck. The lightning tore my arms to shreds. Every scar you see on my arms was etched into my bones from how deep it cut. But I don't think it stopped at just that."
Kakashi put a hand up.
"Wait, hold on. Now that I think about it, lightning hitting you that much would've irreversibly charred your skin for the rest of your life. Not to mention the nerve damage would practically leave your arms useless."
Adrik shrugged.
"One of the first things I found out about myself after I got my Element was that I became immune to the effects of heat. But fireballs still hurt because they explode on impact. Lightning hurts me this badly because it can't burn me. Instead, it rips away at whatever part of me it makes contact with."
Kakashi couldn't help when his eye widened.
"You're... throwing a lot at me here."
Adrik shook his head with a grin that looked entirely misplaced with his haunted expression.
"And I can still feel every part of my arms just fine. No damage ever lasts because I just regenerate. Skin, muscles, bones, it all regrows as if nothing happened. You can chop off my legs and I'll be walking by the end of the next week. Carve my eyes out, I'll be reading again before you even count the days. Rip my vocal chords straight from my throat, I won't be silent for very long."
Kakashi decided not to think about the implications regarding the discovery of such information.
"Then, why do you have scars?"
Adrik shrugged.
"Hell if I know. As far as I can tell, the lightning carved much deeper than just into my bones."
Kakashi looked down as he thought over everything the teen was telling him.
"Why do you feel like sharing so much all of a sudden? And why tell it to me? I'm sure the Hokage would be able to help you much more than I could."
Adrik shook his head once again.
"I told them, too."
Adrik gestured to their right without looking up from his arms. Kakashi looked over in surprise to see his genin along with Haku with a mix of shock, horror, and sadness on their faces. Even Zabuza overheard them, though his expression was rather hard to understand.
"Please, don't tell anyone else about all of this. At least, not unless I'm around."
Adrik got up and walked back around the corner of the house. Everyone watched as he went back inside, presumably heading upstairs. Kakashi stood up and couldn't help but think about everything he had learned just moments ago. He never would have guessed that Adrik still had so much to recover from mentally. And he never would have guessed that the teen could still crumble so easily.
X
"Will we ever see you again?"
Naruto nodded and patted Inari's head. He couldn't help but match the kid's teary eyed expression as it was time for him and his team to leave.
"I'm sure we will, kid. Just don't get too grown up, or we might have a hard time recognizing you."
Inari nodded back and sniffled as he smiled. Naruto stood up fully and began to walk away while waving over his shoulder. Inari waved back as he stepped over towards where Tazuna and Tsunami were standing, sending the ninjas waves of their own.
Adrik waved his freshly wrapped arm at the citizens of Wave as he and Team Seven left for the Hidden Leaf Village across the fully complete bridge between the Land of Waves and the Land of Fire. While he was still somewhat shaken up by the events on the bridge, he was mostly back to normal. He looked back at Zabuza and Haku with a small grin.
After hearing about the teacher and student duo's situation, Adrik, with help from Naruto, managed to convince them to join the Leaf Village. After all, there was nothing saying a missing nin couldn't join another village. Haku's input further cemented the decision for Zabuza. The only one who didn't seem happy with the outcome of the mission was Kakashi, for whatever reason.
Unknown to the seven ninja, the citizens of Wave had all banded together to name the newly constructed bridge. They named it "The Bridge of Hope" to honor the ninjas that fought there to free their country from the reign of Gato. It was the last bit of gratitude they felt they could properly give the ninjas.
X
"Is that everything, Kakashi?"
Kakashi nodded, slightly surprised the Hokage hadn't yelled at him yet.
"Good. Now, please tell me... WHAT IN GOD'S NAME WERE YOU THINKING?!"
'Oh, there it is...'
That was the only thing Kakashi could think as the Hokage let his anger spill out, sufficiently scaring everyone in the room.
"You continue on a mission that should have been bumped up to an A-Rank at minimum, with an entirely unprepared team of genin, and decided not to call for backup?! What in the hell were you trying to do?! Get your genin killed?! Congratulations, because you almost succeeded at that when Zabuza here cracked Adrik's skull open!"
"L-Lord Hokage, I-"
"I don't remember giving you permission to speak, Kakashi Hatake!"
The Hokage stared furiously at Kakashi for a few more seconds before calming himself and sitting back down on his chair. His eyes stayed narrowed as he spoke.
"Due to your lack of forethought and your lack of competence during a mission that could have gotten your team killed, I hereby relieve you of your jonin duties."
Kakashi's eye widened in surprise.
"But, Lord Hokage, I-"
The Hokage put a hand up and continued.
"That is, if you do not meet my expectations. I am giving you one month of probation. During that time, you will be subject to intense training, both mentally and physically. It seems I have let you slack off far too much. Your skills have declined more than I thought. Consider this your time to grow stronger, for the sake of your genin students and all of your fellow ninja."
Kakashi looked down as he knew that, as harsh as this all sounded, he was being let off far easier than he should have been.
"Your training begins today. You already know where to go."
Kakashi nodded before bowing and solemnly leaving the room. The Hokage sighed as the jonin shut the door.
"I apologize that you all had to see that. Now, what was next... Oh, right. Zabuza Momochi."
The jonin in question stepped forward with newfound nervousness. Never before had he seen such an imposing old man.
"Hand over your headband, if you will."
Zabuza looked at the Hokage for a second before nodding and doing as asked. He looked down at the slashed headband in his hands before giving it to the old man. He immediately put it away and reached into another drawer.
"As of now, I hereby enlist you into the Hidden Leaf Village's military as a jonin ranked shinobi."
The Hokage tossed a black headband to Zabuza with the Leaf Village symbol etched into the metal plate. He tied it around his head in the same manner as his old headband with a little surprise.
"Unfortunately, however, you will have to go on a three month probationary period where you will be unable to to do any missions."
Zabuza nodded.
"That's fine by me, Lord Hokage. I'm just glad you're letting us settle down here."
The Hokage nodded before he pulled out another headband from the drawer and tossed it to Haku, surprising her in the process.
"You are hereby enlisted in the Hidden Leaf Village's military as well, as a chunin ranked kunoichi. You will have to go through the same probationary period as your... teacher? I apologize. I do not remember asking what relationship you share with Zabuza."
The Hokage looked at Zabuza questioningly as he said his last sentence. The new Leaf Jonin noticed and looked to his side at Haku, who could only stare back curiously.
"Well... I guess Haku is..."
Zabuza looked back up at the Hokage as he took a deep breath.
"Haku Momochi is my daughter, Lord Hokage."
The Hokage nodded with a smile.
"I'll be sure to get the proper documents set up, then."
Everyone in the room couldn't help but smile when Haku looked up at Zabuza wide eyes before tackling him into a tearful hug. It took many moments for the now father and daughter duo to settle down. The Hokage shook his head as Haku wiped her eyes and let go of Zabuza. He looked over at the four genin in the room and frowned. He looked back over at Zabuza and Haku before smirking as he came up with an idea.
"Now, I believe you three are in quite the predicament."
The Hokage gestured towards the genin, to which Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke nodded back.
"I was going to ask. Lord Hokage, what do we do with Kakashi Sensei being on leave?"
The old man nodded to Sakura.
"I am glad you asked, little Miss Haruno. See, while a newly enlisted jonin cannot take missions until the end of their probation, there is nothing that says they cannot take on a team to train with their free time."
He looked over to Zabuza with his smirk still in place.
"Say, would you be willing to take on a team of genin temporarily?"
Zabuza's eyes widened before he glanced over at the four genin. He looked back at the Hokage with a wicked smirk that was hidden by the bandages around his lower face.
"As a matter of fact, Lord Hokage, I would."
The Hokage nodded with a smile.
"Very well. Until the end of the next month, you will watch after and train the three genin of Team Seven until Kakashi's return."
Zabuza raised his nonexistent eyebrows.
"Three?"
The Hokage nodded again.
"Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are the three genin members of Team Seven. Adrik is a special case in that we haven't fully decided on what team to put him on. Therefore, he is rotating between teams each day. He happened to be assigned to Team Seven when they went on the mission to Wave."
Zabuza nodded and glanced curiously at Adrik.
"Feel free to help Zabuza train the genin, Miss Haku."
Haku nodded while also giving Adrik a curious glance.
"Now, I am sure you four may also be concerned about missions. Luckily, every genin is allowed to take on a maximum of three D-Rank missions per day on their own. It isn't uncommon for genin to want to make a living of their own, or simply to save up their own money. Now, do any of you have any more questions or concerns?"
Haku politely raised her hand. The Hokage gestured for her to speak.
"Lord Hokage, where will my father and I live?"
The old man nodded.
"Ah, right. There is a mostly empty apartment building not too far from this tower. Adrik and Naruto live there themselves, actually. They can help you furnish the place if you choose to live there. The rent is rather cheap as well. I know money would be a concern considering you are not allowed to go on missions yet."
Zabuza and Haku nodded.
"Now, if that is everything taken care of, I would like to speak to Adrik here in private."
Everyone besides Adrik nodded and began to leave the room. The Hokage waited until the door to the office was shut to lean back in his chair. He sighed as he palmed his forehead.
"You likely already know why I asked for you to stay behind."
Adrik shrugged.
"I was kind of expecting it. I mean, with everything that happened..."
The Hokage nodded. He got out of his chair and walked out from behind his desk to stand in front of Adrik. The teen's eyes went wide when the old man bowed deeply to him.
"I... ask that you forgive me, Adrik. While there were many factors that played into the outcome of the mission, I also feel responsible for what happened. You nearly died. And there is not much I can do to apologize for such a mishap."
Adrik stared at the old man for a few more seconds before shaking his head.
"You don't have to apologize..."
The old man stood up straight and stared at Adrik curiously.
"It was my fault, too. I was excited to go on the mission. I wanted to continue even after realizing what else Gato would likely throw at us. And it was my fault I froze up."
The Hokage shook his head.
"That could never be your fault, my boy. We simply hadn't realized how deeply affected you still were by your past experiences."
Adrik sighed and raised his hand. He traced the wrappings on his arms, knowing each and every detail that was hidden by the white bandages.
"You still wake up from the nightmares."
Adrik nodded, though it was more of a statement than an actual question.
"Anko helps me..."
The Hokage raised his eyebrows.
"Anko Mitarashi?"
Adrik nodded.
"I always try to get some fresh air when I wake up. No matter where I'm at, she finds me. She's helped talk me through a lot of different things. Coming to terms with killing someone, facing the memories of what... they... did to me. Both her and Naruto have helped me so much. I just didn't know it would take so long to get over everything..."
The Hokage put a hand on Adrik's shoulder.
"Be glad that you have people who are willing to help you like that. Not everyone can say they have those kinds of people in their lives. I know a healing process like this takes a long time. You know that, too. No wound of the mind or soul will ever heal as well as a wound of the body. But carrying on is the best way to recover. And you're halfway there already, my boy."
Adrik looked up from the ground with a small smile that matches the Hokage's.
"Thanks. I'll do better next time, I promise. I'll never let that happen again."
The Hokage smiled as he patted his shoulder.
"I know you will, Adrik. I know you will."