Chapter 2: Upon the Return, Lord Hokage Speaks
(The next morning, Sei is the first one out of bed. He comes down stairs and starts to walk by the front room. As he walks by, he notices Lei asleep in Kakashi's lap and his hand on the side of her butt. His other arm is around her waist, and his mask is down.)
Sei: "Huh?"
(There's a knock at the front door.)
Sei: -_-;*goes to the door and answers it* "Hey guys."
Naruto: "Is he even up yet?"
Sei: "No. C'mon in though."
(The three of them step in and follow his past the front room. Sakura doesn't notice anything, but Sasuke stopped Naruto.)
Naruto: "Ugh, what Sasuke?"
Sasuke:*nods toward Kakashi and Lei* "Does that look a little strange to you?"
Naruto:*looks* O_O! "WTF?"
Sasuke: "Keep it down you idiot."
(Sakura comes back.)
Sakura: "What's keeping you two?"
(They point into the room.)
Sakura:*looks* O_O! "Kakashi-sensei!"
Naruto Sasuke:*slap a hand over her mouth* "SSSHHHHHHHHH!!!!"
Sei: "Oye!"*comes up* "You found 'em, eh?"
Sakura:*nods*
Sei: "Phh, not that it matters."
Naruto Sasuke:*remove hand*
(The three of them are confused.)
Sei: "Lei and Kakashi have known each other since their cadet years."
Sakura: "Awww, how sweet their childhood sweethearts."
Naruto Sasuke: -_-; "Girls."
Sakura:*vein* "What was that?"
Lei:*opens her eyes with a snap*
Sei: "Aw, crap. We're so busted."
Lei:*groans in an annoyed tone and gently shakes Kakashi* "We've been caught."
Kakashi:*opens his eyes and looks over to the doorway* "Shoulda known it would've been you spoiling our fun Sei."
Sei: "I didn't spoil nothing. That was Sakura."
Sakura: "Hmph. I was being insulted."
Lei: "Excuses."*gets up from Kakashi's lap*
Kakashi:*stands and walks into the kitchen* "You eating or not?"
(After breakfast, they let Nokki out of the basement and start to the Hokage mansion.)
Nokki: "Lei, where is your dress?"
Lei: "I took it off and burned it."
Nokki:*angrily* "Why?"
Lei: "Because I didn't want to wear it in the first place. But, no, you had to get Sei to wrestle me into it. My grandfather doesn't give a damn about what I wear."
Nokki: "Well, you should. You could respect him by dressing up every once in awhile."
Lei: "I respect him with all my heart. He doesn't care what I wear, because he knows I'm not stupid."
Nokki: "Ph, do you think I care what he thinks. You're supposed to follow my orders."
Lei: "No I'm not. Not in my grandfather's presence."
Sakura: "Lord Hokage gives the orders."
Nokki: "Can it pip squeak."
Sakura:*vein*
Kakashi: "Just ignore him Sakura. He's all bark and no bite."
Nokki: "As if you know Kakashi."
Kakashi:*ignores him*
Nokki: "Did you hear me Kakashi?"
Kakashi: "Hm, sorry, did you day something?"
Nokki:*vein* "Why are you always so arrogant?"
Kakashi: "I'm not arrogant. You just an idiot."
Nokki: "Hmph."
Kakashi: "Sakura is one of my students. You are not permitted to give her orders."
Nokki: "Hah! I'm a Jounin and she's a Genin, therefore I can."
Kakashi: "No you can't. Not without my or Lord Hokage's approval."
(They arrive at the Hokage mansion and go into his office.)
Kakashi:*bows* "Here they are my Lord. Unharmed as promised."
Sandaime: "Thank you Kakashi. I can't express enough gratitude for this."
Kakashi: "It was my pleasure Lord Hokage."
Nokki: "A little too much pleasure from what I heard."
Sandaime: "Nokki! That's enough from you."
Lei: "And you tell me to respect my grandfather."
Hokage: "Lei, Sei, Nokki. I need a moment with Kakashi and his students."
Lei Sei:*bow respectively* "Yes sir."*they walk off*
Nokki: "Whatever."*walks out*
Sandaime:*sighs* "Some things never change."
Kakashi: "Not with Nokki. What do you wish to speak with us about?"
Sandaime: "Before I tell you, I need you to find the other Teams."
Kakashi: "Very well."*bows and leads them out*
(They head out into the village.)
Kakashi: "Alright you three. You know who you need to find. We'll meet back at the Hokage's."
(They disappear. They take several hours to find everyone, even Iruka was difficult to find. But the task is completed and they all meet back at the Hokage's.)
Sandaime: "I suppose you all want to know why you're here."
Kurenai: "Of course."
Sandaime: "This has nothing to do with me. It has to do with Lei and Sei. It seems that there is some one who is after my granddaughter, and we cannot let them take her."
Hinata: "Why are they after her?"
Sandaime: "I'm not sure Hinata."*he looks to the sensei* "Now, will you students please step outside. I need to speak with your sensei now."
(All the students walk out with a bow.)
Sandaime:*sighs* "That is something I will leave you to tell them."
Gai: "What exactly?"
Sandaime: "The reason they're after her. You see, she is the sworn protector of the Sacred Phoenix of the Shinobi. They see this creature as a symbol of light, and wants it destroyed. The only way for him to harm the Phoenix is to harm Lei."
Iruka: "What are we supposed to do?"
Sandaime: "You and your teams must relocate to the mansion, as soon as you can to ensure their safety."
(The four of them exchange looks, but nod in agreement.)
Sandaime:*smiles* "I don't know how to thank you for this."
(The four sensei stand and bow. They head outside and escort their teams' home to start packing. That night, the teams come back to the mansion when most of the village was asleep. One of the servants shows everyone to their rooms and they get into bed.)(The next morning after everyone gets up, they all head into the dining hall for breakfast. Nokki is the last one to come in.)
Nokki:*sits down a couple of seats from Kakashi* "What are you still doing here?"
Kakashi:*sipping his coffee* "It's no concern of yours."
Nokki: "Phh, I have every right to know why you and your pathetic excuses for Genin are here."
Naruto Sasuke Sakura:*restrain a scowl*
Nokki: "Along with the rest of your groupies."
(The rest of them look at him in disgust.)
Lei: "Nokki, for once in your pathetic existence, will you shut your fat mouth."
Nokki: "And who are you to tell me what to do?"
Kakashi: "She's still your superior, even if you're her mentor."
Nokki: "But out Kakashi."
Sei:*shakes his head*
Nokki:*sees Kakashi won't retort and becomes quiet.*
Kurenai:*to Lei* "Just how much training did you get while you were gone?"
Lei: "Plenty. I've been to many parts of the Shinobi world."
Gai: "From what I've heard, to the Land of Rock and back again."
Lei: "Yep, pretty much. And all the way we figured out how to use several techniques and weapons."
Sei: "Mastering the weapons was fun, but the techniques weren't. I broke every bone in my body at least twice."
Nokki:*ignores him*
Kakashi: "Just how much stronger have you two gotten? You were almost Jounin the last time we saw you."
Nokki: "Why don't you fight her and find out?"
(They all stare at him.)
Sei: "Are you nuts?"
Lei: "I'm not about to beat the hell out of Kakashi just because you wanted to show off what my training did."
Nokki: "Oooh, getting defensive? Shall I just tell everyone at the table what happened between you two last night?"
Lei: "Nothing happened my ass."
Nokki: "Ph, you're just as pathetic as the Genin in this room."
(Sandaime walks in as he says this.)
Kiba:*standing up* "What'd you say?"
Sandaime: "Kiba. That'll do."
Kiba:*surprised, but sits* "Sorry sir."
Sandaime: "Now, who are you talking to Nokki?"
Nokki: "Your granddaughter. She's refusing a direct order-"
Sandaime: "You won't be giving her orders under my roof."
Nokki:*scowls* "She won't prove to her fellow Ninja that she has improved since the last time."
Sandaime:*looks at her*
Lei: "Grandfather, please. Don't make me battle some one I wish not to."
Sandaime: "Who is the pupil?"
Lei:*pauses* "Kakashi."
Sandaime: "Very well then, I won't force the battle on you."
Lei:*sighs with relief*
Sandaime: "However, I have a better idea."
(They turn to the Hokage.)
Sandaime: "Nokki, why don't you fight him?"
All:*shock line*
Nokki: "W-what?"
Sandaime: "You heard me. If you want to prove Lei's improved, the only way is to do that is to measure the strength of the teacher."
Nokki:*scowls. Then thinks a minuet.* * "A chance to show Kakashi that he is truly weaker than I. Hmm, why pass it up?"*
Sandaime: "Well, Nokki?"
Nokki: "If you're so persistent, then yes."
Kakashi: "It's settled then."
Sandaime: "Yes. Be at the tower of the Forest of Death at noon tomorrow. Agreed?"
Kakashi Nokki:*nod*
(Later that morning, Kakashi and his students are outside by the lake, training. Lei tries to come over to them but Nokki got to her first and dragged her off into the forest. Naruto turns around to see him doing so.)
Naruto: "Jerk."
Sakura: "What is it Naruto?"
Naruto: "Nokki dragged her off."
Kakashi: "Just ignore it for now Naruto. She can handle him for today."
(Around noon, Lei joins them at the lake. They were taking a break.)
Lei: "Hey guys."
Kakashi: "Hey. What kept you?"
Lei: "Give you two guesses but you'll only need one."
Sakura: "Nokki's training?"
Lei: "Yep. He's training on his own now, preparing for his match tomorrow."
Kakashi: "Surprise, surprise. He always was predictable."
Lei: "He's not going to go easy on you. He means business."
Kakashi: "I'll be fine. I've faced him and beat him in the past."
Sakura:! "You beat him?"
Kakashi: "Yes. We where in the Chunin exams. He didn't become a Chunin until the next year."
Sasuke: "Says something about the Byakugan doesn't it."
Kakashi: "I never said it was an easy match."
Lei: "You think you had it bad. Pah! I had to deal with Jasmine."
Kakashi:*shivers* "Don't remind me."