I'm back :D Thanks to everyone who decide to follow this story! Also thank you anonymous reviewer, Darkangel, for reviewing. Gaara isn't in this chapter it's just me introducing the OC's from Aika's POV. Bascially you can call this chapter like a filler chapter that leads up to them getting ready to leave to Konoha. But no worries Gaara will be in the next chapter. But anyways enjoy :)
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter Two: Suna's Genins
-Aika's POV-
I lay down on the sandy ground staring at the passing clouds. I sighed softly closing my eyes letting my mind wonder; aimlessly. Today I couldn't seem to stop thinking about the day I met Gaara and how we became friends. I'm pathetic! You think I would get the hint that he doesn't want anything to do with me anymore, after he almost killed me. But, for some reason I just can't move on and forget about him. I sighed again sadly. I wish things were still the same…I wish Gaara never changed in the first place. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn't notice the two chakras approaching me.
"Hey, what are you doing Aika?" I heard someone ask from beside me.
I slowly opened one eye and saw my teammate, Ryouichi Minoru, standing there with his arms behind his head looking down at me. He's face held a bored look. Ryouichi has long messy mahogany hair and his bangs hang over his beautiful green eyes. Ryouichi is a good looking guy. No wonder all of the girls in Suna chase after him. He is wearing a light brown lined mesh T-shirt under a thin sand brown, long sleeve sweater. The zipper halfway zipped with a pair of black pants and black ninja sandals. Around his forehead he has his Suna forehead protector tied.
"Ow." I complained softly. I rubbed my sore side looking up at my other teammate, Ronin Ho. I frowned at him whilst he just crossed his arms over his chest ignoring my glare. His face also held a bored expression. But I really couldn't tell since half of his face was hidden by his long silky black hair. His one visible eye is dark red. "Answer him already." Ronin stated bored. Ronin is wearing a black outlined mesh T-shirt under a black long sleeve sweater that has a small collar. His jacket is always opened and also has a pair of black baggy pants with black ninja sandals. His Suna forehead protector is on his forehead.
"You don't have to kick me, Ronin!" I pouted childishly. I slowly stood up looking around the empty training yard. I wonder when Miku sensei is going to get here.
"Ugh, she's sulking over him again." I heard Ronin grunt annoyed. I turn to look at him raising an eyebrow. I pretended like I had no idea who he was talking about. But, in reality I knew exactly who he was talking about. "Just because he's going to the chunin exams and we aren't?" Ronin stated still annoyed. I just scoffed at him.
"I'm not." I stated hotly, crossing my arms across my chest and looked away.
"Just forget about him already, Aika. He doesn't give a damn about you or anyone else." Ryouichi spoke seriously. I look at Ryouichi a little offended by what he said. By his face reaction I could tell he noticed he offended me. He sighed annoyed, "Well, at least not anymore." He added annoyed. Ryouichi and Ronin both know how I feel about Gaara. But they just want what's best for me. In their words, "A cold hearted monster, what they call Gaara now, is not what they want for me. But I can't help what my heart feels for him.
"He can still change; he just...needs some help." I murmured softly, letting my gaze fall down to the sandy ground.
"But not from you. You tried and were almost killed. So, just leave things how they are now." Ronin added seriously. I just looked at them sighing softly. They just care. They don't want what happened last time to happen again.
I was about to protest when a sudden puff of smoke stopped me.
"Rise and shine birdies! I have excellent news for you!" I heard Miku sensei's voice come from the cloud of smoke.
I watched the smoke clear and saw a tall, muscular and slender woman standing there. She is wearing a black tight tank top that stop above her belly button with a sandy looking Suna Jonin vest that is opened. Her brown shoulder length hair was held back by a white bandana with a few pieces of hair framing her face. Some bangs hanged over her dark chocolate color eyes which went well with her fair skin color. She is also wearing a pair of black baggy pants that hanged lowly around her waist with a pair of black ninja sandals. Her Suna forehead protector hanged loosely on her hips (it was slightly sideways). I wasn't expecting her to show up so early. She usually wasn't a morning person. She always complains about how early we get here to train. So you can imagine why I'm surprised to see our lazy sensei standing in front of us. So early in the morning with a huge grin plastered all over her face.
"So what's this excellent news you have for us?" Ryouichi questioned rising a suspicious eyebrow at our sensei. Ha, I wasn't the only one who was suspicious of our sensei.
"Well, this team has been approved to attend the chunin exams in Konoha." Miku sensei stated proudly. We all looked at her surprised.
I knew it was killing Ryouichi and Ronin to go after they found out Gaara and his siblings were going. They too wanted to go and try out their strength against other ninjas. I really didn't care if I went or not. But I really should care more about these kinds of things. Even though my father always says he's proud of me no matter what. I still feel the need to try my best and be the best I can be.
"Hmmm…" Ronin hummed suspiciously narrowing his eyes at Miku sensei. "You can't be this happy just because we are going to the Chunin exams." Ronin murmured suspiciously. "There is more you aren't telling us." Ronin stated. Ronin stomped his foot like a child pointing his finger at Miku sensei accusingly. "Spill sensei! What else aren't you telling us?!" Ronin demanded.
I sighed softly shaking my head. I would have thought Ronin would know by now not to point and demand things from Miku sensei. It just pisses her off.
I watched Miku sensei's eye twitch annoyed.
"Point that smelly finger at me again and I'll cut it off." Miku sensei threatened darkly.
Ronin laughed nervously quickly hiding his hand behind his back.
"Also, demand one more thing from me brat and I'll make you run 100 laps around Suna." Miku stated bluntly. Miku sensei sighed softly lifting her chin up. She tapped her finger against her chin deep in thought. "Now, where was I?" Miku sensei murmured.
"Chunin exams." I answered happily.
"Right, thanks Aika-chan." Miku sensei replied happily. "So, we also have a mission." Miku sensei stated seriously. Miku sensei pulled out a scroll tossing it to me. I quickly caught it slowly opening the scroll in front of us. "This is an S-rank mission. I don't have to tell you how dangerous and serious an S-rank mission is since we have done 2 already." Miku sensei spoke seriously.
"Yes, sensei." All three of us answer at the same time.
I looked away from our sensei quickly reading over the scroll. I gasped a little surprise at what written on the scroll. I looked up at Miku sensei shocked.
"Miku sensei…this…this will start a war." I spoke softly.
Once Ryouichi and Ronin finished reading Miku took back the scroll putting it away.
"Yes, yes it will, Aika. But these are the Kazekage's orders. We must do what's best for our village or do we not, Aika?" Miku sensei questioned me seriously.
"Of course sensei. Suna always comes first before anything." I stated seriously. I may not like war or death. But I was raised by my father with great loyalty to my clan and village.
"So, basically we're Gaara's back up team. If Temari or Kankuro don't make it to the final exam...we have to make sure at least two of us do?" Ryouichi questioned.
"Yes." Miku sensei replied. "Teams 6 and 2 will also be going." Miku sensei added seriously.
"Miyako and Katsu are going, too!" I exclaimed happily.
"Yep." Miku sensei replied. "We leave tomorrow a little bit after Baki and his team leaves. I don't have to remind this team to stay alert when we leave the village's entrance. Aika is an heiress of a powerful clan; people have tried to kill her before." Miku sensei reminded us.
"We know Miku sensei." Ronin added happily. "It will give us an excuse to burn a couple of bodies to ashes…you can say a warm up before the exams." Ronin spoke excited.
"Make sure you pack enough weapons and whatever you might need. Remember, you'll be participating in the Chunin exams. You have to give your all in it." Miku sensei lectured us seriously.
"Yes Miku sensei." All three of us replied.
"Well, I guess I'll see you three tomorrow…bright and early at the entrance." Miku sensei groaned the last part. Yep, she really wasn't a morning person.
Miku sensei disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"I say, we get something to eat to celebrate." Ronin stated happily.
"Agreed." Ryouichi added walking off beside Ronin.
"Me too!" I shouted happily. I jogged over to them walking beside Ronin's other side.
We walked back into Suna looking for some place to eat. After a couple of minutes of walking around, we finally found a nice place. We walked into the small restaurant looking for a place to seat when we hear a couple of familiar voices.
"Sweet~! This going to be awesome! We're going to the chunin exams!" I heard the familiar cheerful voice of my cousin, Katsu Kenichi, coming from a booth.
We walked over to the booth and saw Katsu sitting there with Miyako and their teammate, Haru Yuki. Katsu and I look almost alike, we could pose as siblings and people would believe us. The only difference between us is that Katsu has a darker shade of brown hair than me. His hair is messy chin length, with bangs hanging over his electric blue eyes with red rims like mine. He is wearing a black long sleeve shirt that turns into fingerless gloves on his hands with a small piece of metal on the top of his hands. Over the long sleeve shirt he is wearing an electric blue sleeveless hoodie jacket that is open. On the back of his jacket he has the Kenichi insignia sewed on. With a pair of black baggy pants, black ninja sandals and his sword stripped onto his back. His Suna forehead protector is tied tightly around his forehead.
"Hey! Katsu! Haru! Miyako!" I greeted happily.
Miyako was sitting crossed legged on the booth in-between Katsu and Haru drinking some tea. Over the last few years Miyako let her raven hair grow to her mid-back, which she lets hang freely on her back with some of it hanging in the front. Her long bangs frame her face whilst smaller ones hang over her deep onyx eyes. She is wearing a white spaghetti strap tank top that stops above her belly button with a blue sleeveless hoodie jacket over it, which is always open. One the back of her jacket she also has the Uchiha fan sewed on. From her fingers up to below her elbows she wears white bandages with a pair of tight white capris. Some blue ninja sandals and her Suna forehead protector around her forehead. Also, if you look really closely you can tell the piercing on her belly button is the Uchiha fan. Miyako may stick out like a sore thumb around Suna, but, people have come to respect and enjoy Miyako's company. Mostly because she spends her time helping elder people and feeding kids with no family. I guess Miyako doesn't want others to go through what she went through as a child. Miyako doesn't speak much about when she lived in Konoha. I just know she thinks very highly of two boys, Shisui and Itachi.
"Mind if we join the celebration?" Ryouichi asked grinning. Katsu, Miyako and Haru simply nodded sliding over.
We sat down and I took a seat next to Haru. I hate the fact I wasn't placed in Miyako's team. I really wanted to be on a team with her. Since we got placed on different teams we barely see each other anymore. I turned to look at Haru when he started to spoke happily.
"So, you guys are doing the chunin exams too?" Haru asked grinning.
I nodded happily staring in his dark brown eyes. Haru is a strange looking boy, but, a good looking strange. He always seems to have a smile on his face and his dark brown eyes always glow with a sense of happiness. Haru and his mother moved to Suna when Haru was 8, I met him because he started to hang out with my cousin. Haru was originally from the Land of Water, he doesn't speak much about why he moved here though. Haru usually wears a teal long sleeve shirt under an ashy gray sleeveless hoodie, which he always keeps zipped up. On the back of his hoodie there is a black looking snowflake sewed onto it. He is also wearing a pair of black baggy pants and black ninja sandals. His Suna forehead protector is tied tightly around his forehead.
"Yep. Ruriko's team is also going, right?" Ryouichi asked.
"Of course we are Ryouichi. Afraid you were gonna miss me or something~?" A girl asked teasingly from behind us.
I turned around and saw Ruriko leaning against the booth wrapping her arms around Ryouichi's neck. Ruriko is Ebizo-jiisama's granddaughter and only granddaughter. Chiyo-baasama is her grandaunt. When Ruriko was little she didn't spend a lot of her time in the village she mostly spent it away living with her grandfather and grandaunt. Ruriko's parents were killed when she was only 1. Even though she lost her parents at a young age, I always see Ruriko with a mischievous grin on her face.She happily rested her chin on his shoulder. Her lapis lazuli colored eyes with gold streaks around her black pupils sparkled with mischievous. Her red messy-choppy shoulder length hair hanged over her chest. She has long pointy bangs that hang over her eyes whilst a black mask (like the ones the doctors wear) covers part of her nose and below. The mask is tied back by two strings on each side. The Suna insignia is sewed onto the mask. She is wearing a lavender shirt which hangs loosely around her shoulders with a huge opening going doing her right side. Some of it is sewed together leaving only her well tone stomach visible. The right side is long sleeve going pasted her hand whilst the left side is short sleeve and tight fitting. She is wearing a black mini see through skirt with lavender shorts underneath it and a pair of fist net tights with black ninja sandals.
"Yeah right, I just thought I could get some peace and quiet for once." Ryouichi snorted annoyed. Ryouichi shrugged trying to get Ruriko off of his back.
"Tough luck buddy, because my team and I are also going." Ruriko said smirking or at least I think she's smirking. Ruriko got off of Ryouichi and took a seat across from Ryouichi next to Katsu. "So we are all going to the chunin exams…Team Prodigy, Team Kekkei Genkai and Team Enigma." Ruriko murmured happily leaning back against the booth.
Our village and higher ranking ninjas have given our teams nicknames. My team is known as Team Prodigy. Why, you may ask? Simple, Ryouichi, Ronin and I are considered prodigies in our own way. The three of us tied for top graduate of our class and we quickly learn advance jutsus. I mean sure we look lazy and un-lethal. But that's what makes us dangerous. Team Kekkei Genkai is Miyako's team. Miyako, Katsu and Haru have a Kekkei Genkai and they are very skilled in using them. Finally, Team Enigma…I guess there is a reason why they are called that. At first glance they don't seem like much…but, they are actually very deadly. I've heard that Ruriko and her team have done countless assassination missions. I don't really know about their abilities though…I just know Ruriko is very skilled with the puppet technique. Kurami…I've never seen her fight. But, I've heard she gets really bloodthirsty at the sight of blood. That she becomes a totally different person from her usual stoic self. Takumi Itsuki…I don't know much about him either. I just know his clan is just as powerful and fearful as mine. I also know his Kekkei Genkai has something to do with wood release and voodoo dolls. It's kind of crappy really. I guess that explains their creepy Kekkei Genkai name, Oniki (Demon Wood). I kind of see why people fear his Clan. Heck I do. Heck, Ruriko's team gives me the creeps all together.
"Where are Kurami and Takumi?" I heard Miyako questioned curiously. I turned to look at Ruriko a little curious myself.
"Takumi has some kind of Clan meeting or something like that. Kurami is supposed to meet me here." Ruriko stated the last part in a matter-of-fact tone. Ruriko looked around the restaurant trying to find her teammate. "KURAMI! HEY! ARE YOU HERE YET?!" Ruriko shouted into the busy restaurant. People stopped what they were doing giving our little group a weird look.
Everybody's sweat dropped at Ruriko's action.
"Tsk, you really are annoying." I heard Ronin murmured annoyed.
"Ruriko-chan, must you scream like that. We're in a public place." A soft stoic voice stated. I followed Ruriko's gaze which was behind Ryouichi and I saw an ashy-gray hair girl standing there sighing softly.
"Kurami! There you are!" Ruriko exclaimed happily.
Kurami is the shortest out of all nine of us. She has long, wavy, ashy-gray waist length hair that frames her delight looking face with short straight bangs that hang over her bright lavender eyes. She is also wearing a neatly tied black bow on the top of her head with a skull in the middle of her bow. She is wearing a dark blue tight-fitting long sleeve shirt that stops around the middle of her stomach with white bandages wrapped around the exposing skin going all the way down until they tuck into her black baggy pants, which hang loosely around her hips (hints the bandages). A pair of black ninja sandals and her forehead protector hangs loosely around her neck. On the right side of her hip she has a scroll, that she carries everywhere. I'm not exactly sure why she carries it around, maybe it has something to do with her jutsu? Just like Miyako, Kurami was found abandon in the desert by the Kazekage himself, my father and another ninja. Nobody really knows much about Kurami. The only people who know about her and where she comes from are the Kazekage and my father.
"Hey Kurami!" I greeted happily form my spot.
"Hello Aika." Kurami replied in her stoic tone. "Ryouichi. Ronin. Miyako. Katsu. Haru." Kurami greeted simply taking a seat next to Ruriko.
"What, you aren't going to greet me too?" Ruriko questioned annoyed.
"Hello Ruriko-chan." Kurami murmured.
"Well now that everyone is here, let's celebrate!" Katsu exclaimed happily raising his cup of tea.
"Katsu, Takumi isn't here." I pointed out.
"Oh to hell with him, that's what he gets for choosing a stupid clan meeting over his friends." Katsu stated scoffing.
"I'll keep that in mind next time we are training." I heard Takumi's voice come from beside us.
I turned around and saw Takumi standing there with his hands shoved into his pocket and glaring at Katsu. Takumi is tall, slender and muscular boy. He has somewhat shaggy curly brown hair with bright green streaks. Some of his shaggy hair hangs over his black eyes. He is wearing a light brown long sleeve shirt with dark green baggy pants and black ninja sandals. On his left arm he has his clan insignia sewed on. It's a bright green kunai with what looks like a bright brown tree trunk wrapped around it with small green leaves coming out here and there. The kunai is placed at the end of the sleeve whilst the tree trunk design wraps all the way up his left arm stopping around his collarbone. His Suna forehead protector is tied tightly around his forehead like mostly everyone.
Katsu laughed nervously rubbing the back of his head, "Sorry about that dude." Katsu stated sheepishly.
"I pity you Miyako." Takumi simply stated.
"I pity myself too, for having two idiots as teammates." Miyako stated bluntly.
"Miyako~" Katsu and Haru whined at the same time.
"Don't say that! We're excellent teammates!" Haru stated. He was violently shaking her shoulder.
"Yes, of course you two are." Miyako mumbled, ignoring them both.
"Ok, ignoring the two idiots! Let's celebrate us going to the chunin exams!" Ruriko exclaimed happily. She lifted her cup up and the rest of us did the same. "I wish you all nothing but luck my friends because I don't plan going easy on any of you." Ruriko stated smirking underneath her mask.
"Neither do any of us." Ryouichi smirked back.
"Cheers!" We all shouted at the same drinking our tea.
-Early Next Morning-
I sat on my bed crossed legged. I stared out my window finally seeing the sun starting to rise. I couldn't sleep last night, so I woke up earlier than I should have. I guess I'm just nervous about what awaits us in Konoha. This isn't exactly my first time leaving my village, I've left it before. But, this is the first time I'll be leaving for more than one week. My father last night told Katsu, Miyako and me that the chunin exams could last more than a month. I sighed softly standing up from my bed, walking over to my desk. My desk has books scattered all over the place. I grabbed my headband placing it around my neck. I looked at my mother's picture on my desk and smile softly.
"Wish me luck, mom." I whispered softly. I grabbed my bag I had packed last night.
I walked out of my room to the main entrance of the Kenichi compound. I was surprised to see Miyako and Katsu already standing waiting for me. I was even more shocked to see my father standing there. I stood in front of my father looking at him confused.
"Dad, shouldn't you be asleep?" I questioned softly.
"I just wanted to wish you luck and a safe trip to Konoha." My father spoke softly. I smiled at him happily nodding my head. I hugged my father tightly and he hugged me back just as tight. "Be careful. Don't hold back, this is your chance to use all of our secret techniques and show them what the next head of the Kenichi clan is made of." My father murmured into my ear.
"Yes, dad." I replied back happily. I pulled away smiling at him.
My father turned to look at Katsu, "I trust you will keep our heiress safe, Katsu." My father stated seriously.
"Of course Uncle, when have I ever let you down?" Katsu questioned with a huge grin on his face.
"Be careful Katsu, remember your training." My father stated with a soft smile.
Katsu nodded.
"Miyako, I may not be your father, but I've raised you since you were little. You're like another daughter to me. Be careful. There is only one other Uchiha alive and I don't know if he'll be participating in the exams this year. But if he does, show him whose better Miyako." My father stated proudly. Miyako smiled softly nodding. "Be careful Miyako and be safe. All three of you." My father stated seriously. He hugged Miyako and affectingly patted Katsu's head before he walked back into the compound.
"Let's go." Miyako murmured softly.
"Konoha get ready for the Kenichi heirs and the long lost Uchiha!" Katsu stated happily, fisting pumping the air. "Because we are going to kick butt!" Katsu added. I smile happily at my cousin's excitement.
Miyako and Katsu stepped out of the compound and I watched them walk off happily. I was nervous at first. But, now I have feeling going to Konoha will be something good. Something good will come out of this. I quickly jogged off squeezing in-between Katsu and Miyako. I hooked my arms into theirs as we walked off to the entrance of Suna where our teammates awaited. A new adventure is about to begin!
Happy early holidays to everyone just in case I don't update in these upcoming days. Hope you all have a merry x-mas :D Next update will hopefully be some time this week. Byez!
