Well, I'm trying to return to NNG (this time for good), so I also had the urge to promote it further with the update of the Side Stories section… this was more or less lingering on PC for months, so I sat down to it and finished it up to upload.

As promised, I'm fulfilling readers wishes (granted, not sure if any one those who wished it are still interested) and this time around I'm putting up the inside on Rei, who seemed to be very popular. I recall Mikka and Kusari were also asked for, so if the revive catches on, I'll be getting to that later… unless in the meantime you guys will 'change your minds' and ask for a different character… all will the revealed in the nearest future, I suppose.

IMPORTANT: for the record, if you're a new reader, be advice that you're reading this piece on your, own accord. Technically knowing my "Naruto: Next Generation" fic is not mandatory to enjoy the chapter, but you may not get much out of it if you haven't. Also, if you intend to read NNG, then the following installment might be much of a spoiler.

ALSO IMPORTANT: as I said this is an attempt to revive NNG in general, so if you want me to continue with that tale, do review (especially the latest NNG chapter which I uploaded before the weekend) to let me know you're 'still here' or something of the sort. In this case just letting me know you're interested in the story will be enough, coz at this point I seriously need to know if NNG is worth getting back to.

And with that said, here's the inside on Rei Konpaku!

Spotlight: Konpaku Rei

Genre: drama/psychological/friendship

Why won't they go away? Why can only I see them? Why? Why? I don't want this to continue anymore. I don't wanna be different. I don't wanna be a freak. World hates freaks. People hate freaks.

Who are they? That's a question I asked myself ever since I was old enough to grasp the world that surrounded me. Ghosts, that's the best way I could describe them. My mother uses the term 'souls of the dead', but isn't that just another name for the same thing? Just like war will always be a disaster, regardless to what you call it, ghosts will always be ghosts. And just because you name them differently won't make them go away. They never do.

I observe them floating up and down the streets. People pass them by, unaware of their existence. Or maybe they just choose to ignore their existence? Who can really say? Since this world hates everything that's different, who in their right mind would actually admit he or she can see things that others can't? In the end, should they do so, they'd only get laughed at… or worse. I know. I've been there.

I can see them. I can hear them. In some way I can even feel them, as impossible as that may seem. They travel on this world, because they didn't get to the other side for one reason or the other. My mother says it's just a matter of time before they do, only she can't tell how long. I guess that once you die, things like time become nothing more then a surreal concept. Or is our existence limited to some point once we die too and we just aren't aware of that? Now that's what one would call a stupid thought, I suppose.

Another one floats through the wall of my room and traveling through air, it disappears on the other end of my quarter. I don't even make an attempt to get off the bed. This happens all the time. So often, that eventually you stop paying attention to it. Dad claims that at some point you even stop noticing it. It's just one of the things you must get used to living in the world I'm put into; the idea of privacy is nothing but a joke.

But then, those ghosts exist all around us. They go through walls even if people can't see them. It doesn't matter if you're aware of the soul or not, they're there. Does this mean none of us actually possess privacy? Or if you don't think no-one's looking can be called privacy? It depends on the definition, I suppose, but be that as it may, word 'private' is a luxury I'm most certainly not allowed to have.

I barely manage to fight the urge to go back to sleep. That is my only solitaire. It's only in my dreams that these ghosts can't bother me. Only in my dreams… ain't that a twisted irony? Quite recently I found myself sleeping more then I used to. Probably more then a girl my age should. But that is to be expected. For if reality is not what one hopes for, isn't imagination their escape? At the very least this is what I'm not so different from others in.

Yet I'm nowhere near normal. Father once said that as a member of Konpaku clan I live in two worlds and it's essential that I separate one from the other. The first would naturally be the one with people; the other is the so-called spiritual sphere that I'm stuck in against my own will. Ironically however, as much as I dislike that second one, it's the one I'm more familiar with… the one I feel that I belong to.

I wish to ignore that spiritual world and live in the normal one, but what to do when the normal one ignores you in stead? I recently came to realize that when it comes to everyday life, I'm pretty much out of it. Basically the only people, if one can call them that, that I spend time with are Hishu, Hiashi and Naraku. But the freaky part is – they're all ghosts. More over, each is supposedly from some, renewed clan… I understand Hiashi being a Hyuuga is a thing to be proud of… and Hishu once mentioned being a Tanken, which are pretty famous… if I recall, I even have a Tanken in my class…

Naraku I still know little about. True that by our contract I'm allowed to use his strength and those brief, training sessions with my mother proven he's a powerful ally, but he rarely speaks of himself. He doesn't get too friendly, but is always around. I sometimes think he does that just to annoy me. Or maybe he just became like all those, other souls: lingering in our world, unsure what they should do? Since we're one of the few people who can see them, I'd imagine they feel attachment to us… that's why they don't leave… they never do…

Yes, those three most likely are my only friends. Four years in the Academy and I haven't made a single friend. That's kinda pathetic, now that I think about it. It's not like I haven't tried though. I made attempts, but as I approached, they arose. The voices.

I can still hear them; Look, it's her! She can see ghosts!

Those whispers… they sometimes haunt me in the night. Isn't that kinda silly? But I guess that when you see ghosts on a regular basis, your perception of what's "scary" changes. After all people are afraid of what's unnatural… but what if they're unnatural themselves? How's that for perspective?

From my, entire class there's just one kid that I feel like he understands me. I wouldn't call us 'friends', but at the very least it's good having someone to talk to. He seems to carry some sort of a burden himself, granted what that is he still haven't told me… perhaps he never will. It's okay though, just the fact of being noticed is enough.

At times I feel that Kokoro-kun is the only attachment with the real world that I have. He rarely speaks, but he does listen. He was the one that talked to me when I was cast to the side… almost like he knew I needed a friendly ear. It's kinda creepy, but then again, ain't I the same?

I let out a sigh as I get off the bed and grab my headband. As lazy as I've gotten, today would be a bad time to come in late. I glance at the calendar with today's date marked with a red circle and a simple note next to it: 'Graduation Day'.

I almost smile at those words; finally an end to the nightmare… but, possible, the beginning of a new one. Coz, if you think about, what can really change? Even out of the Academy I'll still see ghosts and it's not something one can hide forever. I know not what awaits me after today, but the one, constant in my life will always be ghosts. They won't leave. They never do.

"From here on out you'll be completing missions for the good of the village" Iruka-sensei announced loudly, standing before my entire class. "You'll be divided into five-man teams, each under the command of a jounin instructor. And, since we wish to keep the teams balanced, I've already separated all of you into these cells. Listen carefully" and with that he began calling out names, most of which I couldn't even connect with a face.

I didn't pay much attention to that though. I rarely took note of Iruka-sensei's lecture, now that I think about it. It's not that they were boring or anything. It wasn't even for the fact I disliked Iruka-san, coz if anything, that was the opposite. I guess that when you sleep as much as I, you just get used to being lazy, whether you like it or not. That's just how humans work; they adapt.

A single thought ran through my mind. One that send shivers down my spine: what if I won't end up in Kokoro-kun's cell? I dreaded the sheer idea, so when my own name echoed in my ears, I instantly rose up: "Team number three: Konpaku Rei, Rikoteki Kogane, Amagasa Toku, Debano Kitsune… and Gusoku Hanamaru!"

And then time seemed to stop for a brief moment.

It wasn't just the fact that most of the people mentioned weren't familiar to me. It was more the fact that among the names mentioned, those I did recognize certainly didn't belong to figures I'd like to end up in a team with. Especially that Rikoteki girl. I heard she's from some renewed clan… well, something like that. Out of everything, people like that tend to act pompous… not a material for freak's friend.

I once more rest my head on the desk as a feeling of helplessness invades my mind once again. Kokoro-kun could understand me at the very least. What could those people do, since I don't recall talking to either of them throughout the course of the Academy? A vision of becoming an outsider for the second time certainly didn't bring a smile to my face. Suddenly my place in the corner of the class became very warm, nearly begging me to stay. Who knows if I shouldn't?

"You're… Konpaku Rei, correct?" a voice popped out of nowhere. Another one of those souls. They just won't stop. They never do. "I noticed you were sitting all by yourself… but that can't be good. Now that teams are assigned, you should at the very least try to get along with us…"

This gained my attention. 'Us'? I looked to my left, noticing a boy standing next to me. I slowly raised my head, staring at his spiky, blond hair. Probably one of my classmates, granted I don't know his name… but then, few I did.

"Since we're gonna work together, I think it's a good idea we get acquainted" he went on, suddenly extending his hand towards me. "I'm Amagasa Toku" he added with a warm smile. I hesitated, shifting my gaze from his face to his palm and then face again. I could feel my arm trembling a bit as it slowly moved upwards, grabbing the boy's and then shaking it lightly.

"K… Konpaku Rei" I uttered a little shyly. "But then, you already knew that…"

"Right" the blond replied, still with that unfamiliar smile on his face. "Anyways, Kitsune, Hanamaru and I are going to the roof to eat lunch together… you know, getting to know each other better. Kogane promised to drop by, granted she didn't seem too pleased with the idea… any way, I was hoping you'll join us…"

I hesitate at the idea. On one hand I'd like to get closer… on the other that would essentially lead to me exposing myself as the freak. Who wants that? But even as I stare at him suspiciously, he's not moving and I wonder if it's not just my mind that's playing a trick on me. If he isn't just another soul that I thought was human. But I touched him and he remained still. He was material at the very least.

"Don't you know who I am?" I ask before I even got to rethink my own words. Certainly the most idiotic question one can ask in this situation. Good going, Rei. No wonder you're such a social person…

"Right now I only know we're teammates" he replies, much to my surprise with a calm voice. "But that is why I'd like to know more. Look, I'm not gonna force you, but if you feel like it, you know where to come" he added with a smile and starts walking away, leaving me in confusion.

As the classroom empties, I gaze at my lunchbox like it was calling me. Quickly, I turn away. Stupid! What is the point? Life's too short to do pointless things. You'll have the afterlife for that. But again my sight shifts to the lunchbox. It doesn't matter what I think, the body reacts on its own. Another thing I don't have control over, it seems.

The hand reaches for the square container as I get up and head for the door. I always ate lunch alone and always did so in class. Reason? Simple: during break, the classroom was always the least populated place in the area. But this time I walk out, body moving without my acceptance. Or do it?

As I reach the door I realize it was ME that reached for the knob. I retreat the arm like it got burned. It wasn't involuntary. It was me, at least at some point… at some point it was me that headed to the door, as subconscious as I may have done so. I aim to turn around, get back to my seat… to where I belong. I need to do that.

And yet, I don't. I barely realize when I reach the roof and join three boys, one being Toku, who already began eating. These are my teammates… or, at least, they're supposed to be. Like it or not, we're stuck together. We may not like each other, but we'll need to tolerate one another, coz there's no escaping it.

Putting it that way, it's not a very strong sense of kinship… but it's enough, for now. Being who I am, I don't even suppose I can count on anything more. Whether it's true or not, only time will tell, I do however realize these are the people I'll be fighting side by side with. They may not like it, but they won't leave me behind. That is a form of comfort.

And then, the strangest thought hit my mind; aren't Hishu, Hiashi and Naraku the same? We made a contract… whether they like it or not, they must fulfill it. These are the rules. Ironically, because of that, I can't escape them either.

A tiny smirk appears on my face at the realization. I'm not sure if I'm just happy or simply mocking myself for my own stupidity, but all things considered, one thing became clear: I can't get rid of them. As long as I'm alive, they'll be there, aiding me in my struggles. That is what they agreed upon by signing the contract. And if I'll need them, they'll come…

They always do.

---the end---

And so this psychological profile is complete. Hope you guys are not disappointed with the was I presented Rei. I, at the very least, tried to make a point as to why she is so lazy and show her view on her bloodline limit as these are her most characteristic features, I believe.

Please let me know what you think, so that I'd know whether continue with this or not. Thanks a bunch.

Take care and until next time, hopefully.