A/N: Dedicated to my beta Azzie(Inkfire!) If there are any readers interested in taking over please PM me, Azzie lovely deserves a break! Thanks!

Learning to Shine:

Chapter Four: Return to Konoha:

"Bye!" Melody called over her shoulder to Inari and Tazuna. Turning, she took a deep breath. She was finally going to a shinobi village! "Let's go!" she cried, punching the air over her head with a fist. She jogged off after Sakura, who was chasing Sasuke. Kakashi just shook his head, smiling. If she was who he thought she was, she was really twenty-six, and got along well with a group of eleven-year-olds like she was one of them.

If she is who I think she is, she's part practically immortal anyway. Still an infant by the standards of her mother's people.

Melody's battle with what Kakashi strongly suspected was a Demon bothered him. But there was nothing he could do but try to protect her. As he always had. His expression softened as he looked at the young girl. Somehow, she looked barely older than when he'd last seen her, but he assumed that was from her mother's blood in her. She had grown up into a beautiful young woman.

Once they started running for home, Melody kept up for the first hour or so, but after that, she fell back rather quickly. Kakashi dropped back beside her wordlessly, offering her a piggyback ride. She smiled gratefully at him and jumped on his back as he sped up to rejoin the others. Sasuke rolled his eyes and Naruto made a face, but Sakura looked sympathetic.

Birds sang cheerfully as Kakashi continued his long and complex lecture on the shinobi world. Mostly for Melody's benefit, but they all noticed Naruto's concentration. Maybe it would help them all, Kakashi figured. It certainly couldn't hurt any of them. "We're almost there." Sasuke warned suddenly, breaking his moping streak. Kakashi looked up and nodded.

"Melody, come with us." Mel nodded absently, thinking to herself, Where else would I go?

They approached the high green walls, and Mel felt a tremor of nerves. What will they think of me? Kakashi glanced up at her as if reading her mind. "Don't worry." he tried to reassure her. It didn't help much, but Mel appreciated the attempt.

They entered quickly, the guards yawning a greeting to Kakashi. "Go get some rest, you three." he told his squad. "Melody, I'm sorry, but I need you with me." Melody just nodded again.

"I'm already awake." she told him. "Only 'cause we were moving, though." she added thoughtfully. Kakashi smiled to himself. He let her down so she could walk, leading her up to the Hokage's office. On the way, he quizzed her. Melody had retained most of the knowledge after hearing it only once. By the time they reached the Third's office, Kakashi was beyond impressed. At this rate she really could catch up to the other ninja her age in no time!

They were let in with only a few curious glances directed Melody's way. The Third acknowledged Kakashi and the jonin quickly gave his report, finishing with his observation of Melody's learning skills. Sarutobi listened quietly, then turned to Melody. "So you wish to train to become a shinobi?" he asked kindly. Melody nodded. "Well then. You are a bit old to be in the normal beginner classes. Perhaps I could find you a tutor to work with you on your own until you are ready to join a squad?" Melody's face lit up.

"I would greatly appreciate that." she said quietly, always the polite little girl. Kakashi gestured to the Third, who nodded.

"Melody, would you mind going with Iruka-san?" Sarutobi asked. "He can begin the basics."

"I already explained the ways of the shinobi world, and she knows some of our weapon techniques." Kakashi cut in, nodding at Iruka, who nodded back, understanding.

"Then I will simply build on what you know." he told Melody, leading her from the room. "We'll be back later this afternoon!" he called. Sarutobi seemed satisfied.

"Now, what did you want to talk to me about?" he asked the remaining jonin.

"That girl. Melody. Don't you see the resemblance?" Kakashi asked in disbelief. "Even her name is the same!"

"Coincidence. She does not have the markings. She has no chakra that she can use..."

"She fights like a star. That blob-a Demon, I'm sure of it. She acts like she knows all of our history and strategies already. You know the training Orochimaru put her through-"

"Until we have concrete proof, we merely train her as a shinobi." The Third said firmly. "If Orochimaru caught wind of her being back, it might be the end of Konoha."

"Or we may have our full team of Sannin back." Kakashi retorted.

"I cannot risk all of Konoha for something that may turn out to be nothing." Sarutobi sighed. "I see it as well as you do. There is only so much any seal can do. But we don't have proof. And whatever happened to her memories, for she did not recognize any of us by name, only vaguely, we cannot tell if it can be undone or not."

Kakashi bowed his head. "At least allow me to spend time with her. Maybe then her memories will return."

"Do as you wish, but do not neglect your duties. Do not put her under any intense stress." Sarutobi warned. "You know what will happen if her power comes out before her immortality. She will die." Kakashi nodded, looking less excited, but not by much. He was dismissed, and went to go look for Iruka and Melody.

They were training in his usual spot, where he had once trained with Minato, Rin, and Obito. And before that, with Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Melody. He stepped out of the trees, waving at Iruka as Melody concentrated fiercely. "Chakra." Iruka whispered. Melody glared at him for breaking her concentration, and he sighed. "Keep trying." he told her, leading Kakashi away.

"What's wrong with it? She has chakra, I can see it." Iruka shrugged.

"Probably sealed. I can't find any seals, can you?" Kakashi glanced over, scrutinizing the girl across the field. Then he shook his head.

"No." he sighed. "What was her mother thinking?" Iruka shrugged.

"We have no idea. The best we can do is train her. I'm thinking about taking Rock Lee out to work with her in taijutsu if we can't break through to her chakra. It would be good for her to know she's not alone." Kakashi nodded.

"Good for him, too." He'd seen Gai and Lee together, it was ridiculous. But he had to admit, they were taijutsu masters, and if Melody couldn't reach her chakra, she'd need their level of taijutsu just to survive in this world.

The two jonin spent the afternoon working with the teen, until Gai and Lee showed up and Kakashi explained the situation. Lee immediately challenged Melody.

"Come on! Give it all you got!" he cried, racing towards her at an all-out speed. Melody's eyes flew wide open and she froze. Kakashi tensed, ready to jump in if things got out of hand.

"Lee!" Iruka called in warning.

Suddenly, Melody took a deep breath and blinked, narrowing her eyes and focusing on the green blur bearing down on her. Faint red lines appeared around her eyes, and Kakashi gasped. Melody slid to the side, calmly grabbing Lee's outfit and yanking him over backwards with all the strength in her small, slender body. He flipped and landed on his feet-barely. He kicked out sideways, and she hopped up onto his chest, forcing him down onto his back. It wasn't exactly taijutsu, but it worked. Kakashi vaguely remembered some of Kida's fighting styles, and they did seem similar.

"Pretty good once you relaxed a bit!" Gai called, trotting over. "Let him up and we can show you-" Melody shuddered, gasping for air. Blinking, she stood unsteadily and swayed before falling over, her body crumpling into a little defensive ball before she hit the ground. She'd gritted her teeth, and a high-pitched whine of sheer pain emanated from her. Gai looked back at Kakashi, totally lost.

All four shinobi rushed over, and Iruka sent Lee for the medics. Since none of them were medic ninja, all they could do now was wait.