The sound of rain hitting cold stone echoed down the cave, soothing the young girl who lay in her grandmother's arms. The four year old looked up at her grandmother who, whispered promises of happiness to her, and spoke of a bright future. The lightning and thunder seemed almost impossible to get away from as the woman sung a sweet lullaby to her only family.
"Grandma?" she piped up, looking into the creases and valleys of the older woman.
"Yes, dear?" came the soft voice.
"What happened to mother and father?" she asked, innocently.
"Ah...that is what has been bothering you tonight has it?" came the response.
"Hai, obaa-chan."
She watched as the creases furrowed in sadness and her eyes quickly became clouded with something that she couldn't quite place.
"I wish I could tell you dear,but even I don't have the answers for that. But you want to know a secret?"
The older woman smiled as the young girl leaned in close anxious to hear the juicy gossip.
"You are my favoritist granddaughter in the whole wide world."
She watched the young girl smile and hugged her tightly, her senses catching the sound of feet on the outside of their shelter for the night. She weaved handseals as several hundred kunai slammed against a barrier the older woman put up, her chakra fading slightly, as the jutsu vanished. Getting up, and placing the vulnerable child behind her, the older woman faced whatever enemies planned to attack.
"Grandma!"
"Shhhhh...everything will be okay. I promise."
The older woman saw the knife and blocked it barely, her hand touching the hand of her opponent. It only took a moment, but she deftly redirected the attack and delivered a blow to the shinobi's sternum, putting him to sleep quietly. The next two kunai, she warded off, cutting her self on one of the knives as it clattered against rock. Her blood dripped slightly. She watched as a figure appeared in front of her to her right, aiming for her granddaughter. Quickly, the woman rotated, blocking the blow and slamming a fist through the man's jaw, and then grabbing his neck. She pulled him in close, shocked as it exploded in a cloud of smoke. She bit her tongue and formed several handseals quickly, until the smoke cleared. A single red eye, pierced the darkness, and she fainted in shock. Her head struck hard rock before the figure could move cracking her skull on the wall falling down. A single rock poking out from the ground , penetrated and cracked the woman's neck, her eye's going wide in realization. The light faded, and as her final breath left her chest, she smiled at the sight of her granddaughter who she loved more than anything.
"OBAAAA- CHANNNNN!"
TEN YEARS LATER
Fourteen year old Yuki woke up, from the recurring nightmare, her head on the cold floor of her room. She glanced up at her bed, which was in disarray. Her sweat covered body, shivered slightly. Standing up she walked towards her bathroom. Her eyes fell over the portrayal of herself. The dark rings around her eyes revealed her insomnia to strangers. The black rings almost made her appear to be a racoon. She moved some of her brown hair out of her face, her green eyes shining back at her. She turned on the faucet before a voice startled her.
"Long night again?"
Yuki jumped in shock and glanced back seeing the man who had raised her, a soft look in his eyes.
"Hai..."
She watched as he smiled behind his mask, and ruffled her hair.
"Today you graduate at the academy and I have to form a squad. You won't see me as often..."
The silver haired shinobi said, with a far off look in his face.
"It's ok. I understand Kakashi-sama."
"I told you to stop calling me that..."
She giggled innocently, at the inside joke between them.
He sighed, and rubbed his head, before walking downstairs.
"Breakfast is ready," he said, quietly as he headed downstairs.
Yuki nodded and quickly hopped in the shower, the warm water soothing the aches and pains in her body. She started to sing the lullaby from her memories.
As she dressed herself in a pair of ninja shorts, and a white long sleeved tee which concealed her hands, her hands drifted to the necklace which she wore at all time. The red ruby heart which hung on her chest swung gently, and hypnotically. She quickly attached a kunai pouch to her leg, and put her sandals on, before heading down to a warm breakfast.
He already left...
She noticed the rose next to her plate, and smiled. Kakashi always knew how to brighten her day, especially when she needed it.
She got to class, barely making it to her seat before the bell rang. As she settled in, and let her hair fall down, she caught sight of a guy with blond hair staring at her. She avoided his gaze, and reached for her pen.
"Wow...you're kind of pretty..."
Yuki kept her head down, but could feel the blood rush to her cheeks.
"NARUTO! Stop staring!" she heard someone yell. She glanced left in time to see a pink haired girl sock the guy in the arm.
"OW! Sakura-chan...why did you have to hit me so hard?"
"Because you're a baka, that's why!" came the response.
Yuki glared at the girl, but kept her mouth shut. It wasn't her place to say something.
"Oh... you must be the new girl! I'm Sakura Haruno!" she glanced at the girl who was now standing next to her. The pink hair was short, and was a little too bright for her taste, but she seemed friendly enough. Still...
"H..Hi," she replied, hesitantly.
"Okay...settle down. Let's get started today."
Yuki glanced up in time to see Iruka walk up to the chalkboard.
"Maybe we can hang out after class," Sakura said, as she rushed back to her seat, in between Naruto and a dark haired kid. The look in his eyes, was dangerous and filled her with a sense of despair.
He must be the one the girls talk about. What's his name? Sasuke U-chi-ha? She sighed and looked away from the boy before he got the wrong idea.
"Before we begin, we have a new student in attendance with us today. Her name is Yuki Hazukashii. Let's give her a warm welcome."
The clapping that ensued was less than warm, and Yuki knew she was going to have a GREAT time here.
She could hear the side discussions among the talking.
"Man, Chouji. This is such a drag. I could really go for a nap right now."
"Shikamaru! You were sleeping all day yesterday. Don't you think that you should excercise?"
"Want to play some shogi?" Shikamaru asked.
"You're hopeless Shikamaru," some blonde haired girl piped up.
"Ino, you can't tell me this isn't a total waste of our time." Shikamaru replied.
She glanced in the opposite direction, her eyes settling on a wolf like kid who wore a hood and two red stripes. He talking to a girl who was fidgeting and some guy with glasses. The girl spoke first.
"W...wh..why is Naruto kun staring at her?" she asked, quietly
"Heh. Maybe Naruto likes her. What do you think Hinata?" the dog boy spoke up.
"S-s-stop it Kiba-kun," she replied her face getting beet red.
"Hey Shino...what's wrong?" Kiba asked, before the dog on his head whined.
"Akamaru? What's wrong pal?"
"Something concerns me about this girl. My beetles are reacting highly to her chakra. I sent one to try and find out info and it died on contact."
Yuki returned her gaze to the floor, shyly. She was an outcast among the group and today they were picking squads. Or so Kakashi had told her. When she asked Iruka before class about it, he had only stated that she would be put in a squad if there were two other genin who could graduate. The look in his eyes stated the obvious. One more year... She walked towards her seat, exasperated and saddened.
"Thank you, Yuki. Well...today we are going to go over the types of jutsu. Can anyone name one?"
After the fourth one was named, Yuki realized that one jutsu wasn't among them. Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu and Dojutsu. But what about-
She raised her hand slowly, hesitant to ask.
"Ah. We have a question. Yes, Yuki?"
"Iruka-sensei... what about the fifth type of jutsu?"
Everyone glanced at her confused, save Iruka whose face went blank and his gaze turned firm.
"Ah. Yes...so you know about the fifth type. Would you like to enlighten the class?" Iruka said calmly.
Yuki hung her head. She had known speaking up had been a bad idea. Before she could say no, she was spared humiliation as Iruka spoke to the class.
"There is a fifth type of jutsu. One that we try not to teach students for fear that someone would eventually try to create it. Kinjutsu. Forbidden techniques..."
Yuki's eyes were focused on the words coming out of Iruka's mouth. Iruka sighed before continuing.
"Technically they classify themselves among ninjutsu...but there are forbidden taijutsu, genjutsu, and even doujutsu. They are called forbidden because they are unnatural techniques that are dangerous for the user to even consider wielding. Usually are S rank techniques, that require high concentrations of chakra and skill." She caught the wary glance he gave in her direction, which sent a shiver down her spine.
The mere answer gave her insight into a few questions she had been curious about.
AFTER SCHOOL
As she headed home, Yuki kept her face hidden and pushed her way through afternoon traffic, saying 'excuse me' every five seconds. Today had really reminded her how alone she was. Quickly, sidestepping a cyclist, she jumped to the rooftop. She scanned the skies until she found home. Jumping roof to roof, she made it there in record time.
Until I graduate the academy all training will be put on hold. Unless its something I need to work on, I will go ahead and stop for now. My main focus needs to be on getting into a squad.
Yuki desired to be a chun-nin. If not this month, soon.
You're not strong enough though.
The thought stopped her mid-run. It was true, and she had trouble arguing the point.
"YUKI! WAIT UP!"
She turned around, at the strangest sight. A woman with purple hair, tied behind her head was racing after her, balancing several trays, a stick in her mouth. The large coat she wore did little to contain her body, since the fishnets were the only thing she wore beside them.
Yuki dropped down, recognizing the second closest thing to family.
"Anko-sama!" she said, a smile on her face. The woman notorious for dango was apparently looking for her, cause as she neared, Anko smiled and nodded towards the nearest bench.
"Where do you think you're going? We have work to do," she said, looking straight at her.
"Work? I just got out of my last lesson with the Academy," Yuki replied, reaching for one of the sticks. Big mistake. Anko stabbed her hand with the stick in her mouth quickly, licking the blood up quickly.
"You should have come with me. I ordered the store dry," she said with a chuckle.
Yuki sighed, and then glanced at the bag beside her.
"Hehe. I see what you're glancing at and I'll tell you now why I'm here. You and I are going to start training until the beginning of the Chunnin Exams. You will have your own special exam, but I spoke with the Third, and he is willing to let you train with Anbu."
"ANBU? Wh-wh-wh-"
"Now then. Report here again tomorrow at six oclock. We have a ten mile run to the training building. Once there, we will test your skills as rough as possible before letting you go home. From there, I will create a training regimen that will suit you well for the next month." Anko stated, a huge grin on her face.
"Oh." Yuki hung her head. No training today. She enjoyed the sparring sessions with Anko, especially in dodging and in endurance.
"Don't look SO sad. I knew you were going to cry so, here!" she said, tossing her a box.
"Hmmm?" she looked at the gift, before reaching for the ribbon.
"Wait. You don't get to open that until you can answer two questions. You answer them correctly and I'll let you keep that set. And the bonus item as well. I'll even help you learn how to use them."
Yuki's eyes lit up like fireworks, and her mouth started to drool.
"First, what are three uses for Senbon, and two, what is the most effective way to combat snake venom?"
Yuki smiled. She knew both the answers and quickly responded.
"For the senbon, they are good for stopping blood flow, putting enemies to sleep and also for poisoning enemies. Snake venom is easy to get out. Heat a kunai, cut wound and suck the poison out if the bite is within thirty minutes."
Yuki glanced and noticed that Anko had a look of shock on her face.
"Dangit. I should have known better than to put my best set in there. All well! You won fair and square."
Yuki opened the box quickly, her jaw dropping.
"Sen'eijashu (Hidden Shadow Snakes Hand Jutsu)? And...these are your favorite senbon!" she said, her mouth agape. She held up the jutsu scroll gently. She only had one jutsu in her repertoire and this one could be very useful. She was shocked that Anko was passing this down to her.
"I can't accept the senbon, Anko-sama," she said, crying slightly. She knew how much they meant to her godmother and wasn't selfish. She quickly removed them from the box handing them to the woman, gently.
"I-Yuki! I don't care about some-"
"Give me the dango sticks you're eating with and I'll be happy."
After several minutes of silence, Yuki watched Anko finish eating and trade the items.
"Eventually they'll be your senbon. If I don't kill Oro-"
"I'll kill him if he hurts you, Anko-sama!" Yuki said, the older woman smiling.
"Well, you better go get started. Love ya!"
A cloud of smoke erupted and Yuki grinned at the sight of Anko gone.
"Tomorrow it is..."
"OBAAA CHAN!"
She watched as the silver haired man, raced forward, a downcast look on his face. He didn't pay attention to her, and Yuki backed up in fear. As the shinobi woke up from unconciousness, and another shinobi entered, she feared the worse.
"Report!"
"One dead woman, and a young child. Alive. Should we take her back to the village?"
"No one in the village would be able to support her. So I say, we ki-"
"I don't agree with that."
"It's the fair thing to do."
"He's right. These are difficult times. I have trouble even supporting my family. Who would take car-"
" I will."
Yuki couldn't discern who was speaking to whom only that there was three of them. She edged away, slipping on the floor and crying.
The voices quieted down, and stepping over the corpse of her grandmother, the silver haired man walked forward, covering his left eye with his headband.
"Wh...grandma...did..." she asked, her eyes fearful, darting around for an exit.
"I'm sorry. It was an accident. The genjutsu was a little too strong for her...come with me."
"I want my mommy! Where is daddy? Please...somebody help me!" she screamed, the tears flowing faster.
She watched as the shinobi reached behind him, and held out a peppermint candy, smiling slightly, his face soaked with rain water.
Yuki stopped crying as he held it out, and slowly reached for it, afraid he might take it away at the last minute. But it remained in it's place, until she grabbed it.
"I know you're scared. Come with me,please?"
She put the piece of candy in her mouth, quieting down a little bit, and watched as he turned around and held his hands as her grandmother used to.
"Want a piggyback ride?" he asked quietly.
She wrapped her arms around him and jumped, unsure of where they would go.
"Kakashi-san. Are you okay?" one of the men asked.
"I am sure this will haunt me for many years to come..."
Yuki woke up and shook her head, that terrible night still replaying her in mind. She felt her face, which was soaked in something salty. As she tasted it, it seemed salty...salty like tears. Her mind replayed that night. Even though it was raining, the shinobi weren't even damp. Only his face was wet, she remembered.
Was Kakashi-sama crying?