This story has been adopting from Soldier's Requiem. I would like to thank her for letting me adopt it, Also my updates will be slow because im in high school, and i have to work i will try to update as soon as i can. I like to see what you all say in your reviews and if you have question please ask them i will try to answer the best that i can.
Warning: Some Sakura bashing. I'll see how it goes.
Main Summary: After friends and family are killed, Kagome dies and is reborn into the Naruto world; but with some deadly secrets. She attends the Ninja academy and joins team 7 as a new life begins for her. But what happens when everything from Kagome's past returns for her…? AU
Paring: Sasuke/Kagome
Chapter 1
"MIROKU! SANGO! SHIPPO!" Kagome cried, watching her friends in the battlefield. The adrenaline rushing through her veins urged her to run fast as she watched them being sucked by Miroku's wind tunnel.
Her left shoulder that Naraku's tentacle inflicted upon bled heavily, it had pierced near her heart and the feeling of it was indescribably painful. The wound was fatal and she would die soon, but she somehow she had willed herself to rush to her friends and help them somehow.
Sango and Shippo had latched on at Miroku's waist together just as the cursed hole in his hand abruptly grew larger under Naraku's control, as he stood a far distance away with Kagura and Kanna watching the scene with glee. He chuckled darkly at Kagome's failed attempt to reach them.
The vortex ceased to suck everything in and all three of their echoing screams silenced; leaving nothing but a giant bottomless hole in the ground.
Kagome collapsed next to the edge, her hands clenching the ground gripping some sand between her knuckles.
"No…NO!" Kagome cried out with the tears flying everywhere, her head hung low. Naraku just continued to chuckly darkly, turning his head to the side.
His eyes widened when some arms grabbed him from behind.
Kikyo, the undead priestess who was wounded and battered, had taken the chance from before to sneak up behind him and trap him by stunning him with purification.
"You're time has come, Naraku." Kikyo spoke out, determined. From beneath them both, a red portal opened and started sucking them in, Kagura and Kanna jumping away together.
Kagome watched them both sink into the ground, Kikyo's intention of bringing him to Hell with her. Just as they were halfway down, Inuyasha rushed from behind and towards them. Kagome reached out a hand, calling out for him.
Only their heads were above ground and Inuyasha jumped, Kagome trailing behind him. Just as Inuyasha latched onto Kikyo, they were all sucked into the ground, the portal shut.
Kagome had jumped earlier and her face landed on nothing but dirt, painfully.
She shook off her head and stared at the ground in disbelief.
'No…no…' She kept thinking. This wasn't supposed to happen. This was NOT supposed to HAPPEN!
Inuyasha promised he'd protect her. She promised to stay by his side, and she did. Above all, Inuyasha promised to NEVER leave her no matter what…
He had broken that promise.
"No…." She croaked out, heartbroken. Her fists clenched and she slammed them down frustratingly. She was mad.
Mad at Naraku….mad at Kikyo…
But she felt betrayed that Inuyasha had broken his promise and left her there, alone.
That traitor.
Kagome's fists clenched the soil beneath her, some blood drawing from her palms. She gritted her teeth, hissing out the same dreaded word Kikyo had said long before her turn.
"Traitor…" it was quiet the first time. Then she drew her head back and howled it louder in anguish and rage.
A bright light emitted from the whole Shikon jewel, engulfing the girl in a vibrant sphere.
"TRAITOR!" Her voice echoed and she collapsed forward onto the ground, her heart beat gone.
And the rest was forgotten.
Present
It had been almost 12 years since then.
Kagome shook her head at the memory, continuing her jump from roof to roof.
Kilala was on her shoulder holding on as she flew in the air at semi-supersonic speed. Her eyes shut tightly as the wind beat against her cute little eyes.
She mewled in protest, making the girl slow down just a bit.
"Sorry Kilala."
Kagome stopped on one of the tall buildings, staring at the graffiti that covered in weird shapes on the engraved faces of the Hokage on the mountain. Kagome instantly knew who did that.
She rose up a hand and scratched her head with a finger in the awkwardness of seeing that the person had gave one of the male faces some feminine eyelashes.
This was the second time this had happened since ninja graduation. This could only mean one person.
Naruto Uzumaki.
Kagome sighed and continued her pace over the buildings, wanting to get a seat at class before any of the other students could show up and take them all. She landed outside the front doors, and tried opening it.
It was locked.
She mumbled something incoherent before sliding against the wall of the building. Kilala jumped off her shoulder and ran towards the swing that hung from the tree farther away.
Kilala jumped on it, which caused the swing to rock slowly. Kilala sat on her hind legs and mewed happily every few strokes. Kagome couldn't resist the small smile watching the cuteness.
She took out a book from her holster and continued to read from where she placed her bookmark.
Later in the day, Sasuke Uchiha walked in the streets, wearing his high collared blue t-shirt that had his clan's symbol on the back, gray arm guards, and white shorts with blue ninja sandals, his hands in his pockets.
He came towards the ninja academy and stopped, staring at the kitten on the swing nearby.
The neko stared at him for a long moment, and ran inside the open door of the building.
Sasuke followed inside, through the hall down to his classroom. He stepped in and looked at the desks below. It seemed he wasn't the only one in the classroom.
He felt his mood lift when seeing his class interest, Kagome Higurashi.
He went down the stairs (1) and took a seat at the end of the row next to her, assuming his position with sitting up with his hands folded in front of him. He glanced at the corner of his eye to the girl next to him, taking in her petite form.
She was wearing a dark black v-neck long-sleeve shirt with a silver crescent moon on the back of it, indicating her clan's symbol, and black cargo pants. On her arms she had long black fingerless gloves(arm warmers) that started from her elbow, and only revealed her fingers at the end; along with black ninja shoes (2) on her feet. Wrapped around her upper right arm was the headband and it showed the metal plate with the Konoha symbol on it.
Sasuke felt some heat rising on his face just staring at her. He mentally thanked that they were the only two in there at the moment. "Ohayoo gozaimasu (3) Kagome-chan." Kagome shifted her face over to the boy, and just nodded.
Kilala jumped out of nowhere and landed on Sasuke's head, bringing slight discomfort and annoyance to the boy. It shook off quickly when the cat jumped off him and ran towards Kagome on the table, purring as it was petted by the girl.
A few more students entered, some were Kagome fan club men and they had hearts floating around them, staring at the girl as whispers were heard.
"There's Kagome-chan!"
"Kagome is so hot!"
Sasuke felt some of his anger rise up, knowing that they kept staring at her. Kagome didn't really care, but Sasuke…he felt some protectiveness come over him and he hunched over slightly.
The feelings disappeared when some girls came in and squealed, making him wince at the high pitch screech.
Kilala mewed painfully at the sound invading her sensitive ears.
"I'M FIRST!" Two girls shouted out as they burst in the room at the same time.
One girl had waist-long blond hair tied in a ponytail with the exception of a long bang hanging out the right side of her face. She was wearing a purple vest-like shirt with a raised collar, a short skirt that reached down to her thighs with bandages around her stomach and legs, the headband hanging around the waist. Her eyes solid baby blue.
The other girl had long pink hair that went just below her shoulders that framed her face with her headband tied above. She wore a red qipao dress with dark green shorts and brown ninja shoes. Her eyes were pure jade with black pupils.
They started bickering at each other.
"I win again Sakura!"
"AS if! I had to look behind just to see you!"
"Get over it, billboard brow!"
"Ino-pig!"
The blonde was Ino Yamanaka and the pink-haired girl was Sakura Haruno.
Naruto stepped in the room, dressed in his white t-shirt which was beneath his orange jacket and pants with green ninja shoes, and glanced at the girls with interest.
He smiled dreamily at seeing Sakura, his crush, just a few feet away. He walked up and gave one of his flashing grins. "Hi Sakura!" She glared at him and yelled, "Go away Naruto!" before continuing her bickering with Ino.
He sighed and looked at the room. There weren't many seats left. He took a random seat anywhere and laid his chin on it, sighing. He glanced to his side and his head shot up, seeing who was next to him.
The coolest, most mysterious, and hottest girl in the whole class: Kagome Higurashi, was sitting right next to him.
He didn't have a crush on her, but she looked too pretty for him to take his eyes off of her.
He felt the glares of many men at the back of his head, and felt some nervousness come over him, afraid this higher ranking ninjas were going to beat him up.
Disregarding that he shot up from his seat facing Kagome, shouting, "Hi Kagome-chan! I'm Naruto Uzumaki! It's nice to meet you!" hoping she would be his friend. His hand flung up a little too close for comfort near her.
She blinked a few times seeing that her book was no longer in her hand.
Naruto eye twitched fearfully, his only thought thinking that this girl was going to scream and kill him.
The book had landed at the far end of the table, near Sasuke's foot. "Hn?" he noticed the book next to his foot and picked it up. He scanned the cover and turned his head towards Kagome who was standing in front of him, with a hand held out.
He turned slightly and held it out for her to take it. She nodded indicating 'thank you' and her hand grabbed the book. A small pause came as her hand held the book, both their hands held it on either side.
Naruto chuckled nervously. "Sorry about that. I just kinda excited…." He started.
He flung his arms behind his head, causing to accidentally hit Kagome in the back without realization and made her fall forwards, before continuing,
"Like I was saying, I—" he stopped as he opened his eyes, and stared at the scene before him.
Everyone stopped their talking at the most unbelievable sight before their eyes.
All the girls had wide, pupil-less shocked eyes with those stressed rims around them as they bulged from their sockets, as all the men were staring almost the same way, with their jaws dropped.
"Uh…uh…." Naruto stammered out his vibrant blue eyes were slightly widened but yet somewhat amused.
Kagome and Sasuke were lip-locked, both had bewildered expressions. Sasuke's arms held Kagome's waist as she had fallen over him by accident, making it look like they were kissing.
All of the boys fainted over out of shock and the girls…they let out a scream so loud, it nearly broke the large window in the classroom.
"NOOOOO!" All the girls screamed out in their own absolute horror.
Sakura's face was twisted with rage. 'NOOOO! I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SASUKE'S FIRST KISS! THAT BITCH WILL PAY FOR THAT!' Inner Sakura thought, punching her fists together.
Kagome pulled away and slumped back in her seat, Sasuke still stiff as a rock. Sasuke had a huge blush on his cheeks. Kagome had a blush too, but it was more of an angry and embarrassed one.
She grabbed her book and quickly opened it to a random page, Sasuke shifting back to his position as if nothing had happened.
Both still had faded blushes on their cheeks as they held their expressionless faces.
Naruto felt something. 'Danger…' He turned around and his eyes showed complete fear, seeing the glares of many fangirls with twisted, enraged faces.
It was his fault that incident happened after all.
"NARUTO!" Sakura shouted, her tone of voice darker than usual. Naruto's face twitched, only thinking, 'I'M SO DEAD!'
Iruka walked back into the room, a clipboard in his hands. He faced the classroom. He blinked seeing the battered Naruto at his desk, but said nothing.
Kilala mewed curiously at the boy, her tail twitching a few times.
Iruka looked at the clipboard, saying, "All right everyone. At his moment you are genin, beginner ninjas. Today you will be assigned to Ninja squads, which will be lead by a jonin, elite ninjas."
Naruto's head raised up, along with Sakura's. They were both thinking the same thing.
'Only a three-man squad?'
Naruto only prayed he didn't get pitted with Sasuke, while Sakura thought the opposite of that.
She gave a glare at Kagome who sat a seat past Naruto, who continued to read her book. 'How dare she kiss Sasuke….she WILL pay for that.' Her thought chanted in her head continuously.
The first six teams were chosen quickly.
Sakura had her fingers crossed underneath her desk, Naruto had his eyes closed with a cheek against the palm of his hand boredly, Sasuke continued to sit there and Kagome kept reading her book.
"Team 7 will consist of Naruto Uzumaki…." Naruto's head shot up.
"….Sakura Haruno…" Naruto sat up from his spot and cheered as Sakura slumped down in her seat in hopelessness.
"…..Sasuke Uchiha…" Then their roles were switched. Sakura stared at Sasuke at the end of the table with hearts in her eyes.
Sasuke's expression slightly dropped. 'Great...'
"…..and Kagome Higurashi." Iruka finished, slightly agitated by Sakura and Naruto's interruption.
Sakura sat up with her hands slamming down on her desk, screaming in disbelief, "WHAT!"
Sasuke's face lightened up. 'Arigato, Kami-sama…' Sasuke mentally thanked whatever god existed out there and answered his prayer.
Naruto shot up from his seat and pointed at Sasuke, "Iruka-sensei! Why do I have to be in the same team as that slug Sasuke?". Iruka looked up from his clipboard. Sakura also did the same thing, pointing at Kagome, "Why do I have to be in the same team with this thing! I thought this was supposed to be a three man squad!"
Sasuke's head turned slightly, giving a death glare to the pink-haired girl who called his interest a 'thing' like worthless trash. As if she was any better.
Iruka's eye twitched. "Sakura and Naruto SHUT UP! There was uneven amount of graduating students in the class and one team had to be a four man squad!"
Naruto and Sakura slumped in their seats in defeat.
Iruka continued, "We had to make the rankings equal, and in order to do that, we had to put the best students with the worst. Naruto, your test scores were the lowest and Sakura your jutsu's were the worst I have ever seen."
A majority of the guys laughed at Naruto, and all the girls snickered or laughed at Sakura. Sakura felt the humiliation, and the shame at the thought that Sasuke had heard.
"Sasuke and Kagome's scores were the best in the class. It's that simple." Iruka finished gruffly and read over the list again, scanning for where he had left off before the interruption.
Sakura shot daggers at Kagome, in the most murderous way she could muster. 'She's no better than me! Just because she's the top student doesn't mean Sasuke will like her! He only likes me, so take that Higurashi! CHA'! Inner Sakura thought with content.
Kagome turned her head slightly, and gave Hinata Hyuuga a sympathized look knowing she wanted to be in the same team as Naruto.
The purple haired girl caught her glance and nodded with a small smile, meaning she would get over it.
After the rest of the teams were chosen, Iruka dismissed them for lunch and left them. Most kids rushed out the room, as some just walked out.
Kagome stood and shut her book. She leapt over the desks and walked out of the room regaining her composure. Sasuke followed after her.
Sakura searched around for the Uchiha, calling out his name several times.
She cupped her hands over her mouth and called out again, this time much louder. "Sasuke-kun! Where are YOU!"
Sakura was disappointed when she received no answer. Her head dropped. "I wonder where he went….I was hoping to have lunch with him."
Naruto came up from behind her and piped, "Hey, Sakura! Want to go get some ramen together?"
Sakura spun around and spat, "No way! Why would I go have lunch with someone like you! Now go away!" and continued her search.
Naruto's expression dropped at his crush rejecting him. Naruto slumped his shoulders down and walked the other way.
Naruto sat at a park bench and thought, 'Why does Sakura-chan like Sasuke so much…I don't get it! He's nothing but a jerk!'
CRUNCH!
Naruto's ears twitched and he looked up at the nearest tree across from where he sat.
Kagome was sitting in a branch; one leg dangling off the side as the other was bent, supporting the arm that held a half-eaten apple. Her other hand held up a book in front of her.
She took another bite out of an apple she had.
CRUNCH!
Naruto had wondered why he hadn't seen her before. He walked underneath it and waved.
"Heeey!" he called out. He smiled when he saw her looked down at him. He rubbed the back of his head. "I was wondering, Kagome-chan…want to go get some ramen with me?"
Kagome just stared at him. Naruto's smile dropped at the thought she might reject him.
"I don't eat ramen." Kagome responded plainly and continued to read her book.
Sasuke walked out of nowhere and watched the scene from nearby.
Naruto's arms were flailing like mad as he yelled out, "WHAT? How could you not like RAMEN!"
Kagome didn't look up from the book and just bit into her apple again.
A mew sound was heard and Naruto's head was pounced upon a tan neko whose ears, paws, and the tips of its tails were burgundy black.
"Hey!" Naruto cried out as the cat tickled his head while trying to cuddle in his spiky blond hair.
'Hn…'Sasuke amused at the scene.
Kilala spotted her master and mewled, jumping from his head into the tree next to her, and rubbed against her arm affectionately.
Naruto scratched his head. "Anyway. Why don't you like ramen? Just wondering." Naruto asked again.
She didn't respond. Kagome had turned her head slightly away from him.
Naruto blinked a few times before he shrugged and walked off, towards the city for some ramen.
Now only Sasuke was there, staring at Kagome intently. Kilala jumped from the tree and left out of boredom.
He walked and looked up the tree. Kagome sighed. "Is there something you want to ask me?" she replied plainly.
Sasuke looked away, slight blush on his cheeks. "Hn."
Kagome jumped down the tree, and landed in front of him with her arms crossed. "Is that all you can say?" It was so repetitive of him.
Sasuke turned his head back.
Kagome just 'keh'd and started to walk away, just before a hand grabbed her wrist making her stop. "Iie, stay." Kagome shook her head and sat on the bench. Sasuke sat next to her wordlessly.
Silence.
Sasuke turned his head. He felt some sort of feeling coming off of this girl.
It was almost a sinister feeling. Her emotions he felt it….she was sad. But there was something about her he didn't know. Something….
Dark?
Sasuke shot out of his trance and looked around as the wind blew in the eerie silence.
She was gone.
'What just happened?'
"He's LATE!" Naruto peeked his head out the classroom door in the front, groaning.
Sakura leaned against the front of a desk tapping her fingers in an irritated way, and Sasuke sat in a seat near the window.
Kagome was leaning against a dark corner near the door, arms crossed with her head hung low, and one leg propped against the wall; making her appearance look mysterious and secluded.
Sasuke never took an eye off Kagome the whole time.
Sakura jumped up seeing Naruto put an eraser between the doors and walked over. "Naruto! What are you doing! You're going to get us in trouble!" she scolded at his childish antic.
Sasuke gave a small glance in their direction.
"Naruto, you're so immature." Kagome spoke up.
They all looked her way. She continued with her eyes closed, not had looked up even though she knew what he was doing. "Do you really think that's the smartest idea ever?"
Sakura put her hands on her hips. "Who asked YOU?" she sneered out. Sasuke intervened, "She's right. This guy is a jonin. An elite ninja. Do you really think THAT will work on him?"
Sakura's expression turned bubbly, and she was squealing, "You're so smart Sasuke-kun!" Kagome rolled her eyes even though they were shut. She was really getting tired of that.
The three watched as the door slid open. Kagome opened one eye, lifting her head up slightly to watch.
She raised an eyebrow rose seeing that the eraser had successfully hit the jonin's white-gray hair, landing on the ground next to him.
Naruto laughed and pointed at him in a childish manner. Sakura was trying to sell him out by saying she never would do anything like that, even though Inner Sakura was cheering 'PERFECT SHOT!'
Sasuke and Kagome were both thinking with disappointment, 'Is this guy really a jonin?'
The jonin picked up the eraser and stared at it. He glanced at the other three, and to the girl in the corner.
'Kagome's here…hm….she probably doesn't even remember me…' he thought to himself. Kagome just stared at him as some random guy who so stupidly got hit by something.
He glanced at the other three. He said calmly placing a hand under his chin, "Let's see….how should I put this…." Naruto and Sakura had smiles on their faces. Sasuke and Kagome just looked at him with a bored expression.
"My first impression of you all….you're a bunch of idiots."
Everyone's face fell. A sweatdrop slid down Kagome's temple.
Kakashi said, "Everyone, meet up at the roof." and poofed out.
Kagome walked from her spot and to the window, jumping out and landing on the roof. The others had taken the long way up: the stairs.
Kakashi sat on the railing and the others sat on the steps. Kagome sat on one end of the row, Sasuke choosing to sit next to Kagome and Naruto sat next to him, with Sakura on the other end.
Sakura was envying Kagome for sitting next to 'her' Sasuke. Kagome was just staring off to the side, her arm resting up on her knee.
Kakashi began. "Alright. You guys all introduce yourselves."
Sakura blinked. "Like…what are we supposed to say?"
Kakashi shrugged. "I don't know. Your name…likes…dislikes…hobbies…future dreams possibly?" he crossed his arms again, not really caring what they say.
"Tell us first." Naruto said back, still a bit confused. Sakura nodded in agreement.
Kagome ignored the situation even though she was listening.
"My name is Kakashi Hatake….my likes and dislikes…" he looked at all of them. "I don't really feel like telling you. My hobbies…I have a few….and my future dreams…" he glanced upwards, thoughtfully. "Haven't really thought about it."
Sakura and Naruto just stared at him blankly, as the girl muttered, "What the hell, we only learned his name…." Naruto nodded agreeably and mumbled something else.
Kagome glanced back at Kakashi.
'Why do I feel like I've seen him somewhere before?'
Kakashi glanced at Naruto with his visible eye. "Alright. You first." Naruto smiled and fixed his headband.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki! I like ramen, but I don't like when I have to wait three minutes after you pour the hot water in. I love comparing different types of ramen. My future dream is to become the greatest Hokage ever!" He finished proudly with a fist in the air.
Kakashi stared at him boredly. 'I'm not even sure how much he eats a day…' He glanced at the next person. "Next."
Sakura smiled with a blush and started, "My name is Sakura Haruno. What I like is…uh…" she glanced at Sasuke, who looked uninterested as usual.
"I-I mean who I like is….my hobbies are…" she brought her knuckles up to her face, smiling from underneath them. "My dream for the future…..is…" she didn't finish because she looked at Sasuke once more and squealed.
Kagome rubbed a finger against her temple, trying to relieve some stress from the squeal penetrating her head. 'I don't even want to know what she thinks…' she thought and rolled her eyes.
'I'm not even going to ask her what she hates…'a sweat formed at the side of the jonin's head. He glanced at Sasuke. "Your turn."
Kagome nearly choked on her lunch hearing Sakura's giggle.
Sasuke glanced at Kagome for a second before starting lowly, "My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I don't particularly like anything."
'Besides Kagome.' He added mentally.
Sakura was disappointed after hearing that. "I hate a lot of things. What I have is not a dream, but an ambition: to kill a certain someone and revive my clan." He finished darkly.
Naruto's eye twitched nervously at the feeling it was him, Sakura thought how cool he was. Kakashi looked uninterested, but he was thinking, 'I see….'
Kagome had listened to the whole thing. 'Itachi Uchiha. No doubt.' Kakashi glanced at Kagome.
"Last one." Sasuke made sure he listened intently; Naruto leaned over where he sat to look at the girl.
Kagome closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and exhaled before beginning.
"My name is Kagome Higurashi. My likes and dislikes….are none of your business. My hobbies are for you to figure out."
They all stared at her in slight amusement, minus Sakura.
"I have no dreams in particular. But…." Her voice faltered a bit, she clenched a fist. Which everyone noticed.
"My main goal is to take revenge on a certain man for what he did(*)." She finished her sentence, her tone sounding more menacing than when Sasuke's voice lowered.
Naruto was quite surprised. Sasuke was also curious, but it was not written on his face.
Sakura glared at the girl. 'Humph. Trying to act cool for my Sasuke-kun!" Kakashi didn't know what Kagome was talking about.
'Let me see…I have a ramen freak, a fangirl, and two bloodthirsty avengers. This might be my most interesting group yet….' He thought to himself, looking at each and every one of them.
"All right. I can see you are all….interesting in your own way. Our first mission will be tomorrow."
"What kind of mission!" Naruto asked, hardly containing his excitement. Kakashi continued, "It's a mission all of us will do, TOGETHER."
"Like…?" Sakura pressed out, trying to get a straight-forward answer.
"A survival exercise." Naruto's face turned to confusion, along with Sakura who raised an eyebrow.
She pointed out trying to impress Sasuke with her knowledge, "But we already did survival exercises back at the academy. Why would we need to do them again?"
"This isn't like before." Kakashi replied simply. Naruto spoke up curiously, "Then…what is it?" not following what he was talking about.
The next thing that happened was out of the blue. Kakashi started chuckling. But it was too deep, dark and humorless. Sakura furrowed her eyebrows, not seeing anything funny.
"What's so funny?"
"If I told you, you won't like it." Kakashi smiled beneath his mask.
Kagome glared at him. "Try us." She called out in a challenging way.
Kakashi looked over at her in brief shock, before answering,
"Out of the 27 graduates, only 9 will actually become ninjas. The other 18 will be sent back to the academy and will be waited out. The chances that you will fail is at least 66%"
Naruto's face turned to total disbelief, Sakura looked as if she was going to be sick. Sasuke's eye's narrowed darkly as Kagome's widened harshly.
Kakashi laughed again at their expressions in an amused way. "See? I told said you wouldn't like it." Pointing out to their expressions.
Naruto flailed his arms, screaming, "WHAT? That's crazy! I thought we were supposed to be ninjas after we graduate! What's the whole point of leaving if we're only going to be sent back!"
"Your graduation test was to evaluate ninjas who might become ninjas or not. To pass as a real ninja you have to pass a test under a jonin, who has more experience in the ninja world. Because of this, those who pass will be better ready for real ninja missions."
Everyone's face was determined. Sakura glanced at Sasuke. 'I can't fail! If I do I will be separated from Sasuke and will only be with that Higurashi bitch! This is a trial of love! She gave a glare again at the raven haired girl.
Sasuke clenched his fists. 'I won't fail. I will surpass Itachi. I don't think I could bear the thought of being away from Kagome than I already am…' he thought to himself, glancing at the girl sitting next to him.
Kagome's eyes turned dark. 'I need to pass. I have to get stronger and kill him. I will not be weak this time! I won't let anyone protect me anymore!' her fists clenched, almost drawing some blood.
Kakashi stood and waved them off. "First mission begins tomorrow at the training grounds, 5 am. Bring your ninja gear. Also…don't eat breakfast."
His eyes closed to an upside down 'U'. "You might barf."
And with that said, he poofed away.
Sakura grabbed onto Sasuke's arm, squealing. "Come on Sasuke! Let's go train together for tomorrow!"
"Let go of me, Sakura!" he growled out, throwing her off his arm. Sakura lowered her eyes in defeat.
"Where's Kagome?" A voice asked. Sasuke looked back at Naruto, who was staring at the spot Kagome once was at before. Sakura smirked.
"What did you do dobe (4)? Did you scare her off?" Sasuke asked, his tone mocking. Naruto fumed and pointed a finger at him, "Shut up, teme (5)!"
"DON'T CALL SASUKE-KUN THAT NARUTO!" Sakura screeched out and hit him on the head, causing him to whine. Sasuke rolled his eyes and left unnoticed.
Kagome sat in the middle of the training grounds as she meditated with her arms crossed, eyes closed. She looked like she was concentrating even though she was relaxed.
A shadow loomed over her figure. Sensing it, Kagome opened an eye only to see Sasuke standing a few feet in front of her, looking down on her.
"What are you doing?"
"Keh. What does it look like I'm doing. I'm meditating." She replied sarcastically, shutting her eye once more.
Sasuke kneeled in front of her and stared at her. "I thought you'd be at your home by then."
Kagome uncrossed her arms and looked at him right in the eye. Kagome and Sasuke's eyes were locked, and for some reason they both couldn't look away from each other…
Kagome hid a blush with a scoff and shot up, before walking away. Sasuke, not giving up, followed right beside her.
Kagome turned her head the other direction. "Why are you following me. You never care much for girls." She snapped. Well, it was true. Sasuke never willingly talked to a girl before.
"Hn." Sasuke grunted out, as they walked back to the town together. None of them spoke a word the entire time.
Sasuke followed her until they reached a small, and secluded building from the town. The house wasn't too small yet not too big, and it was only surrounded by grass and some trees.
"Bye." She replied plainly before leaving to the house, slamming the door behind her.
Sasuke stood in front of the house before walking away. 'So that's where she lives…' Sasuke smirked.
Kagome opened the door in her room and slammed it behind her.
Her room was small, a closet to the side with a window next to it, a bed near the corner and a dresser with stuff and three picture frames on top of it. The wall had no color, it was white.
Further looking into it, the drapes that covered the window were slightly torn, dresser slightly dusty from lack of cleaning.
But on the walls, there were scratches, not just little but large scratches. Some were small; some were longer and jagged. It didn't look like Kilala's claws in her larger form could scratch the wall this big.
Kagome flopped down on her bed, face in her pillow. She sighed into it and rolled onto her back with her arms spread out, staring at the ceiling.
Kilala walked out from her spot under the bed and jumped on her stomach, mewing.
Kagome petted the kitten, still staring at the ceiling blankly. She turned her head over to the side where her dresser was.
She got off the bed, Kilala jumping on the floor, and walked over to it. She took a picture frame in hand, gazing at the picture.
It was a picture of her with her mom, grandfather, and little brother in front of the shrine she used to live in.
It showed her mom with a happy smile, her arm around Kagome and Souta's shoulder, Kagome having her arm laid across Souta's head and her other hand out in front of her with a peace sign. Souta's hand laid on his mother's arm as the other made the same peace sign Kagome had. Her grandpa was next to them all, showing one of his old artifacts in the air with a smile.
One big happy family. Or used to be.
Kagome sadly put it back and looked at another picture. It had her friends on it.
Sango dressed in her regular kimono held the Hirakotsu behind her arm over her shoulder gripping the handle with Kilala laid over her head, her other arm holding Shippo as he used both his hands to stretch his mouth sticking his tongue out in a silly way. Miroku was right next to Sango with a red handprint on his face with a goofy smile, one hand held his cheek as the other was waving. Inuyasha stood next to them all, arms crossed not even looking at the camera as he looked the other direction with his grouchy face.
She slowly put the picture back down. She grazed her hand across the board before her hand trailed to a heart-locket necklace. She picked it up by the locket, and opened it up staring at the pictures inside.
On each side it showed pictures of Kagome and Inuyasha's angry faces when they fought over the silliest things. She still wondered how she was able to get a picture of those.
She felt overwhelmed with the emotions returning. She gazed at another photo frame. It was a picture of her and Inuyasha.
Kagome was on Inuyasha's back, her hands on his ears as he held her, he was annoyed but he had a smile on his face. Shippo and Miroku were hiding in the bushes with smirks on their faces. She knew what happened afterwards. They both ended up with bumps on their head.
She looked up to the ceiling, shaking her head and smiled at the memory. She gazed back at her and Inuyasha in the picture. Then at Inuyasha.
Then, her smile disappeared and her mood dropped abruptly.
She felt the anger return as she continued to stare at Inuyasha in the picture with a smile. After she made him happy…he just…
She threw her necklace against the floor carelessly.
She gasped and clutched her head, feeling a piercing pain shooting through her skull.
She collapsed to her knees still clutching her head, shaking at the pain of her head pound violently. Kilala mewed and backed away, knowing she could not do anything to help her.
'Not this again….' Kagome thought. Her teeth gritted as it got worse and worse. She stood up and punched the wall next to her.
She punched it again and again until some blood drew from her knuckles.
Her nails grew longer and she lashed out, scratching against the walls.
The rampage went on for what seemed like hours, and then stood in the middle of her room, panting.
Her shoulders heaved each time she breathed in deep breaths. She rose up her now bloody and nearly broken knuckles, and stared at them. Her nails retreated back to normal.
She felt her mind get hazy and her vision was blurring. 'Why does this happen to me….' Kagome thought weakly, her eyes rolling to the back of her head and she collapsed on the floor, unconscious.
Kilala came out from under the bed and ran over to her master, mewing in distressfully and placing a paw against her face.
She mewed sadly when she got no response and transformed into her larger form.
Kagome was now resting against Kilala like a pillow as the overgrown neko hoped to provide some comfort and lowered her head, growling sadly before falling asleep in the middle of the room with Kagome.
Very early in the morning, Kagome felt her consciousness returning to her. Recalling yesterday's event she slit her eyes open and looked around.
She was still in her room.
She realized she was lying against something warm and soft. Like a large pillow….and it was licking her cheek?
She opened her eyes fully and saw Kilala's face next to hers, licking her cheek affectionately. She noted that Kilala was in her large form.
Kilala had let her use her as a pillow as she had fallen unconscious through the night.
Kagome slightly smiled gratefully, and petted the neko-turned-saber-toothed on the head receiving a content growl. "Thanks Kilala." She said and Kilala licked her cheek again.
Kagome sat up and looked at the ground. A very small puddle was around her and her knuckles were still slightly bleeding.
Kagome got up and ran to her bathroom, taking out some bandages and wrapping them around her knuckles. Kagome opened the door, cautious about her hand, and looked out the window.
It was well after 5 am.
She cursed to herself and ran to the bathroom to get ready, dressing in tight black capris with matching t-shirt underneath a black hoodie and tennis shoes, before leaving the house in a hurry.
Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke sat in the middle of the training grounds, obviously waiting for Kakashi to show up.
Sasuke had walked in well-rested, Sakura was still tired, and Naruto…well…it had looked like he sleepwalked in.
It was already one hour after 5 am. Sasuke couldn't help but wonder where Kagome was. Sakura was trying to talk to him and he purposely ignored her, not interested.
Naruto, still half-asleep, yawned out "W-Where's Kakashi…and Kagome..?" before dropping his head to his chest, almost asleep again.
Sasuke nodded, wondering where they were as well.
Sasuke saw something approach from the side, and turned his head. He thought it was Kakashi at first, but as he looked closer he felt relieved when he saw it was Kagome.
Kagome sighed and looked up. Sasuke was staring in her direction, Sakura trying to get Sasuke's attention and then glared when she saw her. Naruto looked like he was asleep.
Not wanting her hands to be shown, she crossed them behind her back in a normal manner and walked over to them. "Ohayoo gozaimasu." She greeted.
Naruto jumped up at the sound of her voice and smiled at her, tackling her to the ground in a fierce hug.
Kagome bit her lip as she landed on her hands, suppressing a cry of pain.
"I thought you'd never come Kagome! I didn't want to be stuck here with that teme!" referring to Sasuke, Sakura glared at the blonde once more.
"Great, now please get off." She choked out, whether it was because he knocked the wind out of her or she was still trying to suppress a scream.
Naruto shot up and apologized before returning to Sakura's side, much to the pinky's enjoyment.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow seeing that Kagome kept her hands behind her back the whole time.
He walked over to her and asked, "Why are you hiding your hands behind your back?"
Kagome shifted back nervously. "I'm not hiding them. Really." She replied quietly. Sasuke took another step forward not believing her and said, "Then show me your hands."
Kagome shook her head slightly and gazed at the ground.
She was shocked when Sasuke had grabbed her arms and forced her hands out in front of her.
Sasuke's eyes widened as he looked at her bandaged hands.
"What happened?"
Naruto and Sakura's attention immediately went to both of them; Naruto noticing Kagome's wounded hands as Sakura fumed at the sight of Sasuke holding the girl's hands.
'WHY IS HE HOLDING HER HANDS? WHY NOT MINE! Sakura thought enraged. Sasuke never made contact with any girls, let alone talk to them; and now out of nowhere Sasuke starts touching this girl's hands and looked…worried?
'NO NO NO! SASUKE-KUN IS MINE! She walked over, trying to put a stop to it.
She walked up next to Sasuke and hissed, "She looks fine to me. So let go of her hands." She yanked Kagome's hands away from 'her' Sasuke-kun's.
As soon as Sakura's hands made contact, Kagome hunched over and hissed in pain, drawing them back.
Sakura smirked but then was gone when Sasuke took Kagome's hands back more gently.
Sasuke held her hands with tender care, not wanting to hurt her more than Sakura already did. He ran a finger over some blood that seeped through the bandages, a hint of worry etched his face.
Kagome tried pulling her hands back but Sasuke just held on, not letting her leave his strong yet tender grip.
"What happened to your hands?" Sasuke repeated, this time more forcefully.
Kagome looked away. She came up with an excuse quickly. "I smashed my hands against the door, that's all."
Sakura and Naruto shrugged. Sasuke, however, wasn't buying it. But let it slide by for now.
Naruto was now fully awake and trying to get Sakura's attention but she ignored him and kept on giving Kagome dirty looks, seeing her sitting against a tree reading a book with Sasuke next to her.
Kakashi had arrived about three hours later. "Yo." He called out walking towards them.
Sakura and Naruto pointed at him, yelling, "YOU'RE LATE!"
"Well, a black cat crossed my path, so I had to take the longer way." He tried making an excuse.
Of course, no one bought it.
He nervously scratched his head. "Well…let's get started then." Subject change. He walked over to three wooden poles and placed a timer over one of them.
"This timer is set for noon." He took out something from his pocket and held it out. "You will have until then to retrieve these bells from me." He waved the said items around, making a jingle sound.
"If you don't get these bells from me. You will all be tied to those poles—" he pointed in the direction of them. "—and be forced to watch me eat lunch in front of you."
As if on cue, everyone's stomach's growled. 'So that's why he told us not to eat breakfast…' everyone thought.
Noticing, Sakura pointed out, "But there are only three bells in your hand. How does that work?"
Indeed, he did hold three bells in his hand.
He smiled under his mask and replied, "That is because one of you will be tied to a post and will fail this test. Also….if you are not prepared to kill me…."
He tossed them in the air and snatched them. "Then you will not be able to obtain them."
"But sensei! With our weapons we will really kill you! It's too dangerous!" Sakura cried out.
"Hah."
Everyone averted their attention to Kagome. Her arms were crossed as she was looking to the side. "As if genin like us could actually kill a jonin like him. Especially YOU of all people."
Naruto snickered loudly and Sasuke couldn't hold back a small smile; which did not go unnoticed by Kakashi. He stroked his chin thoughtfully,
'So…the mysterious dark Uchiha likes Kagome….interesting…'
"Listen here you-!" Sakura started but was stopped by Kakashi's warning. She shut her mouth.
"Alright. When I say 'start' you may come at me with everything you've got." Kakashi spoke up.
Naruto drew out a kunai and charged at him without even listening, causing the kunai to be switched around to the back of his head as his own hand still held it.
Kakashi had appeared behind him and stopped him at the nick of time.
Sakura and Sasuke had shock expressions on their faces; Kagome was slightly amused by what just happened. 'He's fast…' She noted.
"I never said 'start'..." Kakashi pointed out. He released the boy who jumped away from him. Everyone backed up a few steps.
"Although I must say, you had the intention of destroying me even though we haven't started yet. I actually might start to like this group." Kakashi commented, making Naruto smile.
Everyone assumed in their positions, ready again. "Ready…." They crouched down.
"Start!"
Everyone jumped in separate directions into the trees and bushes around the area.
It was quiet about a few minutes later.
"All ninja must conceal their movements to keep themselves hidden by their enemies." Kakashi said, and was obviously observing if they actually done what he said. He was impressed when he could not hear nor see them.
All except for Naruto; who stood in the middle of the field with his arms crossed.
"You and me! Right now, one on one!" Naruto called out arrogantly.
Kakashi's expression dropped back to dull. "You know compared to the others, you're…..weird."
Naruto, annoyed, called out, "Oh yea? The only thing weird around here is your hairstyle!" and charged towards Kakashi again without any weapon in hand.
Which wasn't the smartest idea.
'I see…' Kakashi reached into his holster, which caused Naruto to stop in his tracks about a few yards away. Naruto stared intently at the hand in the jonin's pocket, ready for anything he might throw at him.
"Shinobi battle techniques, part one: Taijutsu. The physical part."
'If this is physical, why is reaching for a weapon…?' Naruto thought to himself.
Kakashi had not taken out a weapon; instead he pulled out a book.
Icha Icha paradise.(6)
Naruto's face turned from serious to dumb. "What the-!" he shouted.
Kakashi glanced at him. "Well? What are you waiting for?" he called out to the dumb-struck boy before glancing down to his book again.
"Why are you reading that book!"
Kakashi didn't stop reading when he responded. "To find out what happens in the story of course. It won't matter whether you attack me or not." He replied simply.
Obviously being toyed with, Naruto retorted back angrily, "You're just like Kagome! You and her read books! It's like you guys are related or something!"
Kagome's eyebrow twitched a few times.
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Naruto shouted angrily and charged at him, throwing a punch. Kakashi blocked the punch with a free hand, not taking his eyes off the book. Naruto threw some kicks and punches, which Kakashi dodged them all easily.
He ducked as another kick was thrown before disappearing. Naruto just stood there confused seeing that the jonin was gone.
He never noticed that Kakashi was crouched behind him, his hands formed into a sign.
Sakura gasped.
"Is that the sign of the tiger?" Kagome muttered out from her spot in the branch. She knew that it could be deadly, even for Naruto.
Sasuke was on the tree next to hers, watching as well. "Maybe…" he replied quietly.
"GET OUT OF THERE NARUTO! HE'S GOING TO DESTROY YOU!" Sakura shouted, jumping out from her spot in the bushes.
Kagome sweatdropped. 'Way to blow your cover, genius…'
"Too late." Kakashi called out, Naruto looking behind him in surprise.
"VILLAGE SECRET FINGER JUTSU!" Kakashi yelled out.
'Huh? That's not…' Kagome thought to herself, confusingly. She never finished her thought though because…
What happened next was very unexpected.
Kakashi launched Naruto in the air by shoving two fingers up his butt.
"ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF DEATH!"
Sasuke closed his eyes, clearly seeing this scene as degrading. "Those two are just idiots…" he said more to himself.
"My sentiments exactly, Sasuke."
He glanced next to him to see Kagome now crouched in the same branch next to him, her having his same expression on her face.
"There's something about this jonin that's not right…" she added, and he agreed completely.
It was hard for them not to think that since their sensei read porn and had a very unpleasant technique like that.
Naruto fell in the nearby lake and Kakashi continued reading his book. Kagome silently slipped from her position in a heartbeat, hiding somewhere else.
Once carefully hidden, Kagome rolled up her sleeve. A bracelet that had charms shaped as weapons. She picked one out and it transformed full size.
She waited for her chance to strike.
Kakashi caught some shuriken that flew out of the water towards him without even looking, hooking his fingers through them and they twirled.
His attention was drawn when a bunch of Naruto clones shot out of the water, and he closed his book.
He was ready for their attack but was not prepared for a clone that grabbed his back.
'He did it!' Sakura thought happily, seeing the clones hold down the jonin. A clone was in the air ready to strike him.
He brought his fist down—only to punch the face of his own clone.
The clones were confused along with Sakura. Sasuke figured this would've happened; this jonin was clever after all. 'Replacement jutsu…'
Confused, all the clones started striking at each other to find the imposter. The dust cleared only to reveal one battered and bruised Naruto.
The blonde boy spotted a bell near a tree. As naïve as he was, he immediately tried grabbing it; only to be hanging by his feet just a second later.
Kakashi walked out of nowhere, and picked up the bell. "If the bait is really that obvious…don't go for it." He lectured him in pity. Naruto furiously struggled against the ropes that held him upside down.
Sasuke saw this as the perfect chance and threw a volley of kunai and shuriken at Kakashi. They managed to hit Kakashi; who turned into a log.
'What?' Sasuke realized. He sped from his spot as fast as he could. 'Now he knows where I'm hiding! I have to move quick!'
Sakura ran after him. 'Sasuke! Where did you go! Kakashi can't get to my Sasuke-kun! I have to find him!' She stopped and spotted Kakashi a few feet away reading a book, who hadn't noticed her yet.
"Sakura, behind you." Kakashi's voice whispered out. She spun her head around only to see her worst nightmare.
Sasuke on the verge of death; about 20 kunai and shuriken pierced everywhere on him.
She screamed bloody murder and fell on the ground unconscious. Kakashi blinked from a tree he sat in. 'Perhaps I went too hard on her…..nah. She should've seen past this.' He flipped another page in his book.
"Shinobi battle skill, part 2: Ginjutsu. The illusion part."
Sasuke arrived, giving a disappointed glare at the unconscious pink-haired girl. 'I'm not surprised she fell for it. She's too weak.'
"I'm not like the others." Sasuke proclaimed, the jonin not taking any slight interest whatsoever. "Why don't you put those words into action?" Kakashi spoke not looking from his book.
Sasuke threw some kunai in Kakashi's direction; he dodged but didn't know that a kunai cut a rope nearby, releasing a trap.
Kakashi just barely dodged more kunai that was released from a hidden trap. Sasuke got behind him and did a roundhouse, Kakashi catching his foot just in time.
They skidded onto either side of the area; Kakashi had drawn away just before Sasuke could grab a bell tied to his belt.
'I wont be able to read my book now…' Kakashi whined mentally, putting his book back in his bag.
Sasuke performed rapid hand signs, and Kakashi instantly knew what he was going to do.
'That can't be a fire jutsu…can it?' he inquired to himself. He knew that a fire jutsu took so much charka, even a genin couldn't perform it on a first try.
Sasuke blew some fire from his mouth, and it engulfed the spot were Kakashi was. When it died down, nothing was left but a crater. No Kakashi.
Realizing that he got away, Sasuke looked around trying to sense where he could be. He wasn't anywhere. 'But where is he hiding?'
"Below you."
Sasuke felt something grabbed his ankles and pull him underground, only until his head was the only thing above the surface.
Kakashi kneeled down in front of him. "Earth style, head hunter jutsu."
Sasuke struggled from his spot underground, trying to get some movement in his arms. It was in vain, however.
Kakashi pointed out, "That was the Shinobi battle technique, part 3: Ninjutsu. The earth skill."
He crinkled his eyes to an upside down 'U'. "You have skill, and you are different from the others. But just because you're different doesn't mean you're any better."
He stood up and turned from the spot. He took out his book as he slowly walked away.
'Now only Kagome is left…but where is she?' Indeed, Kagome had been secluded from the battle the whole time. 'I wonder if she—'
A giant boomerang cut between some large trees and flew at him.
Kakashi's eyes widened and he jumped out of the way, the boomerang cutting down a few more trees from behind. He dodged the boomerang as it flew back at him in reverse.
'What?' Sasuke thought as he glanced at the direction it was thrown. The boomerang was caught by Kagome as it came back to her and she spun it it by the handle above her head.
"HIRAKOTSU!" she yelled and threw it once again at the jonin. Kakashi phased out of the way, and landed a few yards away.
He looked up, only to see Kagome in the air above him with a katana ready to strike him.
CLANG!
The katana came in contact of the metal plate on top of Kakashi's hand as he blocked it. Kakashi's arm shook as he tried pushing against the sword's blade, Kagome struggling to push it down against him.
Kakashi threw it off and Kagome jumped away.
'She's quick!' Kakashi and Sasuke thought at the same time. Kakashi threw some kunai and Kagome blocked it with the large boomerang that flew back in time, using it as a shield.
She dropped the boomerang next to her and held out her katana. She took out another one from a sheath strapped to her waist and charged at him.
He managed to block all of them, receiving a small cut on the cheek below his visible eye as blood drew from it.
Kagome cut the string of a bell that was tied against his waist and caught it.
'She got a bell!' Kakashi thought in total shock as she landed far away, holding the bell by the string swinging it around tauntingly. "Having trouble, sensei?" she mocked him.
"Hm…you're quicker than the others, and I must say it is impressive you retrieved a bell from me. But there isn't much time to get the other bells from me." He replied coolly.
Kagome charged at him and swung both her blades. Kakashi jumped away and disappeared with a teleportation jutsu.
She cursed quietly and, crossed her blades for a moment, before sliding them in the sheaths at each of her hips and placing a bell in her pocket. "Phew." She picked up the boomerang as it shrunk back to a small charm and attached it to her bracelet.
She shifted her gaze at the nearly-buried Sasuke and walked over. She stood a good distance away from him.
"Hm?" She glanced at a different direction, Sasuke following her gaze as well.
Sakura appeared out of nowhere and looked horrified at Sasuke once more. Kagome had watched in amusement at her reaction.
"THIS TIME IT'S ONLY SASUKE'S HEAD!" she screamed and fell on the ground again. Sasuke sweatdropped.
She crossed her arms. "Nice girlfriend." she spoke with a smirk. Sasuke growled menacingly at the comment. "Just get me out of here."
She rolled her eyes and took out a sword. She held it above her head and stabbed it into the ground, making a large crack stretch towards Sasuke. Sasuke jumped out as soon as he could move his legs.
Kagome pulled her sword out and sheathed it. She walked over to Sakura. She tilted the girl's head slightly. "Yea…she's unconscious."
Sasuke blinked in surprise as he watched her sling Sakura over her shoulder and walked back, hearing the bell ring.
He followed her. 'She's really smart…fast…and strong….' Sasuke thought to himself.
"Stomachs all growling? Well…that's too bad."
Kakashi stood in front of all the genin. Sakura was awake by then. They all sat by the poles, excluding Naruto who was tied to one of them. There were three bento boxes laid out.
"About this exercise….I decided not to send you guys back to the academy." At first they were surprised. Sakura and Naruto shook it off quickly and cheered.
"I decided to drop you all from the program." He finished.
Then the moment was gone.
Sakura and Naruto's faces turned to disbelief. Sasuke and Kagome's faces turned dark. "But that means we will never become ninjas!" Naruto cried out.
Kakashi nodded. "Precisely. You all don't think like ninjas. You all act like a bunch of brats."
Sasuke, clearly mad, charged at him. "Sasuke!" Sakura cried.
Kakashi was sitting on Sasuke's back with a foot planted on his head in a fraction of a second.
"You think it is all about you, do you?" Kakashi asked while looking at the boy.
"GET OFF HIM YOU CAN'T JUST CRUSH HIM LIKE A BUG!" Sakura furiously cried out. Kakashi glared at them. "You don't know what it means to be a ninja, don't you?"
Sakura immediately shut up. "You think it's a game?" Kakashi said his tone slightly dark. Kagome glanced at Kakashi.
"Why do you think we put you on squads? Have you ever thought about that?"
Stuttering, Sakura spoke, "W-well…we don't know what you mean…" Naruto nodded in agreement. Kagome shook her head and rolled her eyes. 'Are they that dense….?'
"You didn't realize what this exercise was all about."
Naruto blinked dumbly. "What it's about…?" Kakashi nodded. "Yes. THAT is what determines whether you pass or not. But you never thought about it, haven't you. Even though the answer is right in front of you."
They looked at the ground with shame. "Use your head. Four man squad. Why do you think we would put you all in groups?"
Agitated, Naruto shouted out, "TELL US!"
"Teamwork."
They all glanced in Kagome's direction, who leaned against a different pole with her arms crossed with her head turned towards them. "This was about teamwork."
"She's right. Even she could figure it out." Kakashi implied.
Sakura shot up and put her hands on her hips. "If you knew then why didn't you tell us!" she hissed out.
Kagome shook her head. "Why don't you use your brain for a change? Instead of obsessing over Sasuke so much….we could have worked together and gotten the bells."
Sakura's eye twitched a few times.
"Even though there were four of us, Kakashi purposely had three bells to turn us against each other. It worked because you all cared about yourselves instead of the team and didn't want to be sent back to the academy." Kagome replied. Her tone of voice made it sound so simple.
"Kagome knew where this was going. If you all had worked together and come at me, you would've taken the bells from me. But you did not, that's why you failed."
He looked at Sakura. "Sakura. Like Kagome said before, you obsessed over Sasuke and didn't pay attention. You could've worked with Naruto, who was standing in front of you the whole time." Sakura lowered her head in shame.
"Naruto. You did everything on your own without even a care…." Naruto looked at the ground, ashamed as well.
"Sasuke. You thought everyone was in your way and you decided to attack me on your own. Your arrogance lead you to your downfall." He looked at Sasuke who was struggling.
Kakashi looked at Kagome, his tone softening just a little bit, "Kagome. You managed to take a bell from me. But even though you were able to take a bell and you knew the point of the exercise, you still didn't try to work with the others or even convince them."
Kagome looked away.
"You have to understand teamwork is an essential element to squads. When people put themselves above the squad, it will lead to failure and it could lead to death. For example…" he drew a kunai from his holster and pointed it at Sasuke's neck.
"SAKURA! KILL NARUTO OR SASUKE DIES!" Naruto and Sakura screamed out disbelievingly, Naruto panicking as he looked back and forth between them.
Seeing that they understood, Kakashi withdrew the kunai and they all sighed in relief.
"That is what happens when on a mission. When an enemy takes a hostage you have a big decision to make. Someone will be dead."
He twirled the kunai momentarily before getting off Sasuke. "When on a mission, your life will always be on the line." He said and walked over to a stone with writings on them.
Kakashi stared at the stone that was in front of him. "This stone has names written on them. They are all ninja that are honored heroes in the village…."
Naruto smiled and exclaimed, "That's me! I'm going to be on one of those stones someday! I'll be honored!"
Kakashi was silent. Kagome sadly looked away. "Naruto…they're not just any heroes….they're ninjas who died while on missions." Naruto's face dropped.
Sasuke's mood faltered and he stared at the ground.
"This is a memorial stone…all the names of my closest friends are engraved here…" Kakshi spoke, his voice sounded so low.
Kagome's eyes widened and narrowed sadly at the same moment. She glanced at the stone.
Kakashi looked back at them. In his eyes, he saw that they all had great potential. His expression softened. "All right…I'm going to give you all a second chance. But this time I will make it harder for you all." Everyone's mood rose as they were filled with hope.
"You will have three hours to get the bells from me. Eat lunch now. The catch: you can't feed Naruto otherwise you will immediately fail. Got it?"
He left without even letting them respond.
Everyone besides Naruto ate from their bento boxes, silently. None of them said a word. Kagome had not taken a bite of her food. Naruto's stomach growled loudly again.
Not taking it anymore, Kagome sliced the ropes with the katana in a flash and threw the bento box on Naruto's lap. "Eat. Now." She said. It was more of a command.
"KAGOME! What are you doing! You heard him! We'll fail! You're nothing but a bitch that cares only about herself!" Sakura screamed out pointing at her with her chopsticks.
Kagome sent a glare in her direction, and spat at her, "He needs the energy to get the bells if we're going to work together. Besides…." Everyone stared at her.
"I'd stab myself first before eating in front of someone who is forced not to eat and is starving. I won't abandon anyone."
Naruto had tears in his eyes. He sniffed emotionally, "K-Kagome-chan…"
Sasuke looked at his bento box and gave it to Naruto wordlessly, Sakura shocked by his actions. "You don't have to listen to her, Sasuke-kun! She—"
Sasuke gave her a warning glance. "She's right. He needs to eat if we are going to take the bells. Kakashi isn't here anyway."
His assumption was wrong because Kakashi was closer than they thought, standing near a tree secluded from their view. 'They're actually feeding him…' Kakashi thought.
Sakura huffed and went back to eating, Kagome still glaring at her for not caring about Naruto. Naruto took a bite of rice from his bento.
Just as he bit into the food, a large explosion resided at a far distance from them. The wind blew in their faces as they tried standing up as the ground shook violently.
Sakura screamed. Sasuke stood up and he subconsciously stood in front of Kagome, ready for whatever might happen. Kagome stood there calmly as the wind blew against her.
"YOU—!"
Kakashi came from the smoke and stood in front of them, with an enraged face. "I hope you're ready for your punishment!" he performed hand signs, and lightning flashed as dark clouds instantly formed above them all. An earthquake erupted and the ground cracked slightly. The scene almost looked as if it was the end of the world.
"Any last words?" Kakashi threatened darkly, everyone disgruntled.
"Yes." A voice replied calmly.
Kakashi and the others looked at Kagome next to Sasuke. She crossed her arms and spoke, "Do we pass?"
The three genin gave her a look of confusion. Kakashi had a shocked expression written all over his face. He stood up straight and scratched his head. "You knew the whole time didn't you?"
Kagome nodded. Sasuke stared at her, questionably. "But….how?" Sasuke uttered to the girl. Kagome looked at the sky as the dark clouds parted with sunlight peeking through. "Every ninja knows that breaking the rules makes you a scum but…"
She glanced at Kakashi, who was smiling underneath his mask. Kagome gave the tiniest hint of a smile. "But those who abandon their friends are even worse than that…"
Kakashi nodded and his eyes turned to an upside down 'U'. "She's right. Because of this you all pass!" he declared. Sakura cheered and Sasuke smirked in victory. Naruto's eyes watered and he said emotionally, "You know…now I think he's cool…"
Kakashi smiled and gave a thumbs up. "First real ninja begins tomorrow! Let's go home now." Everyone followed him as he walked back.
Sasuke looked back at Kagome who trailed behind, staring at the ground the whole time.
Sasuke couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with Kagome the whole time.
Sorry for the mistakes that took place in the story i will try and fix them in future chapters. Also one more thank you to Soldier's Requiem so letting me adopt this story.
(1) Remember they enter from the top of the classroom, not the bottom. Teacher enters from bottom.
(2) Naruto style. Not just any kind!
(3)"Ohayoo gozaimasu" Polite way of saying 'Good morning' in Japanese.
(4) "dobe" Slang for 'Idiot' in Japanese.
(5) "Teme" 'Bastard' in Japanese.
(6) "Icha Icha paradise" In English, it's Make-out paradise.
(*) A/N: It's not who you think it is...