Here you go guys, the third instalment…
Chapter 1
Author POV
Six years had passed since Naruto and his friends had started their training as the Chakra Elementals. Naruto, Hinata, Sasuke, Kiba and Akamaru and Shikamaru had since then graduated from the Academy, and had been placed into Genin Squads. Hinata, Kiba and Akamaru had been placed in a squad together with Shino Aburame, and got Kurenai Yuhi as their sensei. Shikamaru had been placed with Ino Yamanaka and Choji Akimichi, along with their sensei Asuma Sarutobi. Naruto and Sasuke were placed together with Sakura Haruno, and got Kakashi Hatake, whom Naruto already knew due to the fact that Kakashi was his father's student. None of their squads knew of their Elemental powers, since they wished to keep it a secret for as long as possible. However, the Rookie 9 were often seen training together along with their sensei's, though on some days, there were ten of them, but more on that later…
Ryno was sometimes seen helping Kiba's sister, Hana, with her animal patients. Bradford had taken a teaching course, and would soon start as a sensei in the Academy. Jean-Luke had taken permanent residence in the Leaf, and could often times be seen helping around with small tasks in the village, or enjoying a big bowl of Ichiraku Ramen along with Naruto.
Sisca had taken to being a house wife, but helped around the village as much as she could, most of the time ending up in the Leaf Hospital, thanks to her healing skills. Kizuato had proven himself many times in the ANBU, and had gained respect from most of the villagers. Oh, hang on, I seem to have forgotten someone…ah yes, now we come to the main character of this story.
Akemi had turned six recently, and had started at the Academy. She had the Water affinity, like her mother, and upon realising this, Sisca began teaching her healing techniques. Having grown up knowing Naruto and the others, she had been friends with them, though she thought of Hinata as an older sister more than a friend. During the time that both of her parents were busy, she would sit and watch the Rookie 9 training, thinking about how her team would be like when she graduated. The sensei's soon took notice of her, and offered to let her train with the Rookie 9. During these training session, she gained more and more knowledge of being a ninja.
From Shino she received a wide intellect on bugs, for which she was a bit fickle at first, but soon grew a liking to them. She often helped Shino collect bugs when she could. Kiba and Akamaru had granted her a love for animals, which could clearly be seen when she was with them. She was also seen helping Hinata with some cooking when she went to visit Hanabi, whom she had made friends with through Hinata. Kurenai, seeing a small spark of talent, taught her a few genjutsus that were easier to do.
From Choji, she gained a…you geussed it…love for chips. Often could she be seen buying chips with him at the store, but what stunned everyone, including Choji's father, is that he had offered his last chip to Akemi after she had finished her own before him. Of course, that has only happened once. Ino had shown her expertise in flower arranging, and had explained to Akemi in full detail what each flower meant. Asuma had taught her how to play shogi, and he had often let her beat him, though she always giggled at his frustration when he was playing against Shikamaru, whom she would go cloud watching with him if she had the time.
Sakura had helped her perfect her chakra control, a skill she couldn't wait to show the kids in her class. Sasuke taught her a few fighting techniques, while Naruto treated her to a bowl of Ramen after every training session. Kakashi hadn't done much, but seeing that she had a slight Lightning affinity like her father, had promised to show her how to do the Chidori when she was old enough.
Of course, the Rookie 9 weren't the only ones she trained with…
Akemi POV
"YIKES!" I shouted as four kunai whizzed over my head, only to be followed by two blasts of air. As I dodge, the last kick comes into landing, sending me off balance.
'I swear these guys are trying to kill me.' I thought to myself as Neji, Tenten and Lee come into view, poised for attack, only to be stopped by Guy sensei.
"Well done Akemi. You're becoming more skilled everyday." He compliments me, giving his well-known nice guy pose. I slowly slump against the tree behind me, breathing hard.
"If I had known your students were trying to break every bone in my body, I never would have agreed to training with you guys." I gasp. Lee looks at me funny.
"Akemi, have you forgotten our saying?" How could I forget, that's what got me here in the first place.
Flashback
I was walking home from another boring day of watching the others train with their sensei's.
'Once I turn six I won't have to watch them anymore.' That's when I heard panting in the arena that I was passing. I slowly poked my head past the pole, making sure to stay behind it so whoever was there wouldn't see me. A guy with shiny black hair wearing green spandex and orange leg warmers was standing in front of three kids. I instantly recognized Neji, Hinata and Hanabi's cousin from the Branch Family. A girl his age was on his left. She had brown hair tied in two buns, and she was wearing a pink short-sleeved shirt with red on the edges of the sleeves, as well as dark blue shinobi style pants, and shinobi sandals. Another boy was on Neji's right side. His hair was almost as black as the adult's, and he was wearing a similar green spandex and orange leg warmers. It took me a few seconds to realise the panting was coming from them.
"You're tired already? And you call yourselves shinobi?" The older guy asked, looking slightly disappointed. The other boy looked up, making a fist and thrusting it forwards.
"No! We are not done yet. We shall continue training, to become stronger than we were yesterday!" At this, Neji lifted his head and did the same movement.
"Stronger than yesterday!" The girl does the same.
"Stronger than we were yesterday!" Then the three of them shout together.
"Stronger than we were yesterday!" The older guy, whom I assume is their sensei, smiles.
"That's what I want to hear." He says, before stiffening and turning to look in my direction. On impulse I hide behind the pole.
"Who's there?" He asks, and I slowly move out of hiding. Neji, who has seen me a few times before recognizes me.
"Akemi?" He states more than asks. The girl seems surprised.
"You know her?" She asks. Neji nods.
"She's a friend of my cousin's." He answers, as their sensei keeps his attention on me.
"What were you doing back there?" He asks me. I start to fiddle with my hair.
"I…I over heard you guys and…well…" I answer unsure of what to say. "That…that thing you guys just said, what does it mean?" The other boy steps forward.
"It is what keeps us going, our motive, to become stronger with every passing day." He answers, full of pride. Their sensei seems to study me intently.
"What's your name again?" He asks.
"Akemi." I answer back, unsure of what he's getting at.
"Hmm, you look like a youthful young lady, what do you say about training along with me and my team?" He says, striking a pose, Neji and the girl look at him in disbelief, while the boy smiles. At first I'm speechless. I'm not even an academy student yet, and he's offering me to train with a genin team?!
"I…I'd love to." I say, earning a thumbs up from the adult and the other boy, and a smile from Neji and the girl. "Though, I don't know your names yet." The sensei looks almost shocked.
"You're looking at the Leaf's Noble Beast, Might Guy." He says, doing the same pose as before. The other boy steps forward.
"And do not forget the Leaf's Handsome Devil, Rock Lee." He introduces himself, striking the same pose as Guy. The girl comes forward.
"My names Tenten." She says, smiling at me.
End of Flashback
I sigh.
"Stronger than we were yesterday, I know." I say, looking down at the ground. Tenten realises what's going on.
"The teasing again?" She says, and the boys expressions soften. My grip on the kunai tightens.
"It's the same story, over and over again."
'Except it was worse today.' I look up at the orange sky, realising what the time is. "I should be going home now." I say, standing up and dusting myself off. As I leave I wave back at them. "See you tomorrow!"
"Bye Akemi." I hear Tenten shout before I'm out of earshot. I quickly run through the streets to reach my house. I slowly open the door. Once I do, the smell of something cooking hits my face.
"Mom, I'm home." I say, knowing my mom's in the kitchen. I walk over to the kitchen, stopping to check that my hair is covering the bruise on my shoulder. I enter the kitchen to find my mom setting out plates at the table.
"Hello, Akemi. How was school?" I knew she was gonna ask that question.
"It was OK. Is dad home yet?" I ask, trying to change the subject quickly. Mom looks up and stares at me.
"No, not yet." She says, her eyes staring daggers at the lock of hair covering the bruise.
"Ok, I'm gonna go shower." I say, turning to head to the bathroom.
"Akemi." My mom's stern voice stops me. I stand still, hearing her footsteps as she walks towards me. Soon she's crouched in front of me, her hand slowly brushing away the hair hiding the bruise. I close my eyes and hiss slightly in pain as she touches it. I hear her sigh.
"Did they tease you again?" She asks me, and I feel the tears start to sting behind my eyes.
"Why can't I have normal coloured eyes like everyone else?" I say, looking up at her, not caring for the tears streaming down my face. "It's not fair." I feel my mom pull me into a hug and I sink into her arms, sobbing. We stay like that for a few minutes before she picks me up and places me on a chair. Then she walks over to the cupboard and gets a bowl out, and starts to fill it with water.
"Mom, it doesn't hurt that much." I answer, but she ignores me, placing her hand in the bowl. When she brings her hand back up the water sits around it like a bubble. She slowly places it on my bruise, at which I cringe in pain. After a few moments, she takes her hand away, the bruise no longer there. I sigh with relief.
"Akemi…" I look up at my mom's face, gentle and kind. She reaches out and wipes my tears away. "What do you have of your father?" This was a game we played when I was sad.
"His hair and his strong will." I answer, as always.
"And what do you have of me?" She asks again.
"Your face and kind heart." I answer again.
"And what do you have of us both?" She asks, one last time.
"Both of your eyes." I say, looking down at the ground. Mom lifts my face back up.
"Your eyes are what make you special, and if that's not good enough for all those stuck up kids, then that's their problem." I smile at her, and hug her.
"Thanks Mom." I say, before I hear the door open.
"Now that smells good." I hear his voice.
"Dad!" I shout, jumping down from the chair and running to meet him. I nearly knock him over with my hug.
"Haha, hey Little Nightingale." He greets, using my nickname. Mom soon follows me, helping dad up again and giving him a kiss.
"Come on, dinner's ready." She says, leading us to the table.
And there's the first chapter.
I'm not too sure about the title yet, so leave some ideas in your reviews, if you have any.
Please Review ^^
Till Next Time, Ciao!