Chapter 1:

"Hey, so you're the kid who lost their legs during the preliminaries right?"

"Hn," I nod as I fill out the sheet that will allow me back into Konoha.

"And...you're still participating in the Chunin exams?" I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I've been isolated from society for the past few weeks so I haven't had to deal with conversations like this yet. But I guess that I'm gonna have to get used to it.

"I went on a training trip didn't I?" The two Chunin in front of me send each other looks. I finish off the form and slide it over to them. One of them examines it before giving me a nod.

"We'll inform Hokage-sama of your arrival."

"Hn," I turn around and walk away from their post. My prosthetics make a quiet ticking sound as they hit the ground. One would think that I should head to my apartment first, but no. I'm going to the dango shop for some tea and treats, I haven't eaten anything sweet since I left for my trip.

At first I walk through the streets but when I get sick of the staring and pointing I decide to take to leaping from building to building. This makes my trip significantly faster. Within minutes I land just outside of the shop, my prosthetics make me bounce a bit as they absorb the momentum. I roll my shoulders before entering.

The cashier cocks her head at my arrival, "...Latté-san? Is that you?" I nod my head as I step up to the front desk. "Oh dear...you-your appearance has changed quite a bit!" She clearly doesn't know how to respond to my...loss. But she doesn't really need to, we aren't even on a first name basis.

"Yeah, it happened during the Chunin exams.-"

"Oh not just that!" She interrupts, "it's your clothes as well!" I look down at myself, I'm wearing a standard ANBU outfit beneath a black cloak, without all of the armour. To be honest I was at first concerned about wearing something like this in public. But a Foundation member ordered me to wear more "professional" clothing so I guess that I don't have a choice. When I asked why they became very vague, all that I did catch was something about ROOT becoming more...well known.

All that I do is nod in agreement, "I'd like to order now."

The woman seems to jump for some reason. "O-Of course! What can I get you?"

I quickly place my order, sit down, and soon have a cup of tea and three sticks of dango in front of me. I take a deep breath and enjoy the moment of peace.

'I bet that your moment's going to be ruined within the next five minutes.' My eyes narrow in irritation and I take a sip of my tea. I make the choice to ignore Dáku.

"...So, you're Latté Erin right?" Apparently Dāku's prediction was right, I indeed have been interrupted within five minutes. I send an irritated glance to my left. It's a somewhat plain looking shinobi, they've got the typical Chunin attire and they have simple brown hair. The only things that seem to stand out are his headband which is a metal frame around his face and his slightly larger eyes. I try to send the hint that I want to be left alone through silence, I think that he pretends not to notice. "Do you mind if I sit beside you?" He asks.

I roll my eyes when I realize that this guy probably won't take "no" for an answer. Since he starts settling down before I get the chance to speak.

'Erin,' I mentally turn my attention to Dáku. 'This man is far more powerful than you think he is, he can perform wood style. Also he's a member of the ANBU black ops.'

I make an effort to not show any physical signs of my surprise. 'How do you know?' I mentally ask.

'He was one of the shinobi who intercepted me just outside of Konoha. I recognize his chakra,' Dáku doesn't seem like she's going to give any further information so I turn my attention back outwards. Apparently during my conversation with Dāku the guy in front of me was talking. Not about anything interesting though, so I just nod dumbly at whatever he just said.

He doesn't seem to notice that I'm not giving him my full attention and keeps rambling on. Eventually I decide to interrupt, "look, I just got back from a very long and very tiring trip. I would like my peace. As much as I'd absolutely love to explain how and why I killed a man as well as how and why a giant chakra monster tried to take over my mind and escape Konoha." I say in a condescending tone with my chin being propped up with my right arm.

The man looks shocked by my sudden words. "U-Uh, that's not why I'm talking to you," he says defensively. I raise my brow at him. He awkwardly scratches at the back of his head, "it's just… If you didn't plan on going on a trip Kakashi-senpai would have had me train you." That catches my attention.

I sit up, "so… Sensei put you up to this?"

He frowns, "what?"

"Kakashi-sensei wants you to check up on me to make sure that I'm actually not a homicidal maniac, right?" The man's shocked expression returns to his face as I continue. "Tell him not to worry, I've been taught how to deal with my emotions."

Dáku cackles from the back of my mind, 'if basically 'turning of' your emotions as well as taking ten pills every day counts.' I mentally tell her to shut up.

"Wow…" The man's shoulders sag in defeat, "I guess you've really got me pegged, kid." For an exciting moment I think that he'll get up and leave, but I won't be so lucky. "So we may as well just get to the point. Kakashi-senpai wants to know what they taught you."

Alright this should be easy, and I think that my silencing seal will let me get away with it. "Sealing, wind style, taijustu… those were the main focuses in my training." There are a couple of things that I left out, like… psychological training but I wouldn't be able to get away with discussing that. "I've developed my own technique which is basically a mix of those three but I shouldn't go into specifics in case somebody's listening." It is one hell of a technique that the foundation designed for me. It's called the Wind Walker Jutsu, the name is pretty self explanatory. Dáku's also started helping me with chakra control and other things like that, but we both agreed that it would be a bad idea to share that with anyone. It could cause trouble for the both of us.

"Sounds like you've been busy."

"Quite." I take a sip of my tea. I wonder if Kakashi told him about the foundation? I wouldn't be surprised if he did.

There's a moment of dead silence between the two of us before the man stands. "Well, that's all that I needed to hear, my name's Tenzou by the way." I'll have to make an effort to remember that name, I have a feeling that he might be important in the future.

I watch as he makes his way to the exit but before he leaves I stop him. "Hey, can you tell Sensei something for me?"

Tenzou turns around with a bewildered expression, "yes, of course."

"Tell him that things have been incredibly difficult, but it's been worth it. I'm much stronger than I was before," I say, referring to the foundation. I can't help but smile faintly as confidence fills me, "yes, at the end of this I'll definitely be a powerful shinobi." I don't really know what the "end" is supposed to be but I feel like it was an effective thing to say.

Tenzou seems confused but he nods in agreement before leaving me in peace.

~0~

A/N: Short first chapter, but I got it done! (lol I rewrote this chapter three times). Kinda ditched rewriting the entire first part because I got sick of it, sorry to anyone who was enjoying it!