Oh boy, it's been a long time since I've uploaded a fic. This is going to pretty OC-centric, but some characters will be taking heavily involved roles. I'll try to keep author notes at the end of chapters, so without further ado, enjoy.
Her world was never a joy at every moment of the day, she did not win every fight nor avoid the taint of death that riddled every shinobi. She lost battles, she lost friends, family. People didn't win every fight, no matter what kind (although far in the future, unbeknown to most, a Naruto Uzumaki would challenge that notion).
Today's final hour, a first of many, Kotone Matsushita was just another child desperately trying to be something more than what she was. She hit the ground with her knees sinking in the dirt, the world bared its heavy truth on her shoulders. This was where her chances would end. She failed.
Konoha was known for its pleasant weather almost year round, but when it rained, it was worse than the Village Hidden in the Mist. The water pelted those below it, harsh and fast, stinging anyone without cover. Kotone trembled in anger. Her body was exhausted beyond anything she had ever experienced; the fight had been taken out of her and it was all she could do not to cry in front of her lame team and genin proctor.
"Do you think this is some game in the Academy where if you lose, it's all good and well?"
Kotone swallowed hard trying to think of a retort.
"You're all brats, every single one of you, you don't understand anything about being a shinobi for village. You live for this village, you die for it. No enemy will show you mercy because of age and trust me if they do, you'd rather be dead then come back being spared. This," A hand gestured toward Kotone, "is what a child would do. You're best isn't good enough and what do you do, you cry."
"I am not crying!" She snarled, throwing her arm out and spraying up mud.
"You couldn't even come close to touching me, let alone land an attack. You two, you left each other for dead, no attempt at team work again. It's pathetic. Shinobi who refuse to help comrades are worse than scum." Finally, he made a comment to the boys behind Kotone who were curling their lips in annoyance. "I am not going to pass genin who cannot work together."
She was shaky, her muscles screamed at her movement, but Kotone managed to stand. "What do you know! You're damn right we can't touch you, you're some G-d damn ANBU! If you expect us to fight on your level, then of course we won't win! Screw them, we both know they can't work with people! How is that fair to me when they won't even look my way as far as teams go!"
The eye staring at her was cold. "Life isn't fair."
"I know that!" Her voice became hoarse.
Her second year as a potential genin and her team failed her again. At thirteen, Kotone was absolutely mortified to not have been promoted. It was her luck to be put with the same instructor who within moments of meeting her the first time decided she wasn't destined to make the cut. She knew she had other things working against her, she always had, but to have this ripped from her hands was cruel.
No one attempted to help her up. The proctor vanished instantly after his verdict and her team walked past her with sneers, she heard them mutter insults toward her and one another, something about them not caring about being a shinobi if they had to always get yelled at.
She was left alone in the field to smash her fists into the ground once more in a broken rage. She was supposed to make her mom proud. In fact, Kotone felt sure the sky's tears were her mother's, cold and enveloping Kotone's failure.
And from where the Fourth and Third Hokage stood, their sighs were simultaneous.
"She isn't too blame." Minato immediately argued. He was more than aware his student's disposition was far from good and most definitely not ready to be testing children practically his own age.
"She's a liability. And a heavy expense." Sarutobi noted.
"We haven't seen another person with her potential since the prodigies, Kotone has talent and a strong lineage, it just needs time."
The Third, while not disagreeing, needed to question it further. "However, she isn't a prodigy and this was her team's second attempt."
"Kakashi isn't himself, but he's all we had available in the way of jounin. That girl deserves a chance with a real team and a proctor who doesn't see those he lost in her."
"What about the money? She has no one to pay for what she needs."
"Then I'll set up a fund."
A chuckle came from the Third. "A child of your own on the way and you want to pay for another?"
Minato's eyes lit up. His mind was rapidly turning gears, a plan forming; what Kakashi Hatake needed was a purpose that truly protected a life, not ended it. He'd let him watch over Kushina. It needed to be done anyway as a precaution and this was the perfect opportunity. As for Kotone, her potential couldn't be overlooked. Minato would make sure that those who deserved better would get a shot at it, even if cost him everything.