Author's Note: Hey, Heartsy here! Okay, if I'm slow updating in the next few weeks I'm really sorry. I have a concussion and I'm not supposed to do too much writing, typing, or reading for a while. Just don't want all of you hating me for not being on time. Anyway, here's Chapter 7! ENJOY!
Normal
Thoughts
Kurama
Letter
Emiko's POV
After what feels like a lifetime passes, Iruka-sensei dismisses the class, minus Naruto and me. He looks down at the two of us and sighs. Irritated, he complains, "Naruto, I'd expect this from you, but Emiko: why did you skip class?"
Feeling trapped, I answer, "I didn't want to hurt anyone and get in trouble for it."
Confusion is as plain as day on Iruka-sensei's face. Wanting me to elucidate my response, he inquires, "How would you hurt anyone? I realize Ino deserved it, but I don't understand. You are at least three inches shorter than Naruto and you just came into the academy. I don't see how you could hurt someone that's been training here."
I smile up at him with a fire of confidence in my eyes. Proudly, I defend, "I know I'm a tiny little girl that hasn't even been here a day, but please don't underestimate me. I have trained most of my life, though I will admit some of it seems pointless to me now. However, I do believe that I could easily take on anyone in this class. On the other hand, Naruto and I would appreciate it if you'd help us train for the evaluation exams. I'm excited to show you that I am a very capable ninja."
Iruka-sensei stares into my eyes. Naruto looks at me with his beautiful, sparkling eyes, a light pink on his cheeks, though I'm probably imagining that. Smirking slightly, Naruto knows that Iruka-sensei is going to help us. Sighing in defeat, Iruka-sensei agrees to train us for a little while. First up is clone technique.
Showing us the proper hand signs, (Ram, Snake, Tiger) Iruka-sensei watches us with curious eyes. I place my hands together, preparing to execute the jutsu. Okay. This can't be that hard. I've never used hand signs before, but as long as I focus and use my chakra effectively, there shouldn't be a problem.
Experimentally, I use a small percent of my seemingly endless supply of chakra. With a puff of smoke, three clones appear next to me. On my first try, I did exactly as Iruka-sensei asked… or so I thought. My clones are perfectly fine in the sense that they move and are functional. However, each is horrifyingly deformed. My chakra caused each of my clones to take on one of my hidden Juubi traits.
One of my clones has slightly elongated sabers poking out of her mouth. Another has sharp claws, though they are not too noticeable. The worst of my mistakes is the clone both Naruto and Iruka are staring at with wide eyes. Two saber-tooth tiger ears are poking out above her hair and ten arm-length tails are flowing away from her. Quickly, I dispel the jutsu and try to conceal my fear.
I just showed them that I'm the Juubi! I'm dead! I'm going to get used as a tool. People will hurt me. Chichi, what do I do? Help me!
As I stand, shaking, I receive comfort from the least likely source. Calm down, Emiko. Ignore what just happened and try again. Don't use hand signs this time. Just concentrate on your chakra and what you are trying to do.
Still watching Naruto and Iruka-sensei's reactions, I take a few deep breaths and concentrate. Without the hand signs, a normal clone appears beside me. Quietly, I ask, "H-how did I do?"
Iruka-sensei blinks several times before smiling nervously. He announces, "Good job. I've never seen anyone not use hand signs. Excuse me, but I actually have to go see the Hokage. Keep training, okay? Both of you be careful."
Iruka-sensei quickly retreats from the room as I dispel my clone. Naruto smiles warmly at me. Iruka-sensei is going to go tell the Hokage. What if I'm kicked out of the village? What if this happens again? I don't want to be a tool!
You really do sound like a whiney little human. The Hokage would want to keep it a secret so no one is scared, but he would still want to have the power here. Now, just keep trying other jutsu, but don't use hand signs. That caused your chakra to become unstable only because you aren't used to it. That's why the clones were morphed. You're so lucky I'm looking out for you, Saber. I'll stick around until you're used to this form, but then you're on your own.
The nickname again? You always call me that when you look out for me. I remember the first time you called me that. When my power was first separated, you saved me from the other bijuu. Due to their natural instincts, they attack me because I was a small and weak prey. I was unaccustomed to my smaller Saber-Tooth form, so I couldn't defend myself. That's when you took me away from them and trained with me, telling me… oh what was it? Something like, "You're so lucky I look after you, Saber. I'll stick around until you're used to this form, but then you're on your own."
Heh, I haven't left you on your own yet, have I? You are lucky though. Now train. I can't help you all the time. Now that I'm sealed inside Naruto, I can't physically help you out.
Smiling at the fond memories, I look at Naruto. He looks back at me with a spark in his eyes. Energetically, he chirps, "That was so cool! First your clones were part animal. Then, you didn't even use hand signs! Believe it!"
Nervous, I smile at his warm comment. Calmly, I try to work with my signature jutsu. Using a kunai from my weapon pouch, I pierce Sasuke Uchiha's seat. Ignoring Naruto's confusion, I walk away from the Uchiha's desk. Normally, I can only do this from close by, but I want to make it more effective in combat.
Having already used this against Sasori on the way here, I'm excited to use it. Focusing my chakra into my right hand, I force my wind chakra into the hole I've created. My chakra nature destroys the wood on the inside, though it leaves the outside perfectly natural. Happy to have felt my chakra go where it was desired, I turn to Naruto. I blurt, "Okay! I'm sorry, but I have to go! No worries, you'll see what I did tomorrow."
Naruto brightens and waves wildly to me. He yells, "Bye, Emiko-chan! See you tomorrow then!"
Leaving the academy, I walk to my tiny apartment with a smile plastered on my face. I wonder what Iruka-sensei told the Hokage. I guess I'll find out soon enough. With that, I find myself at my apartment door.
I place my key into the keyhole, open the door and walk inside. I close the door behind me and walk over to my bedroom. Sitting at the small desk by my bed, I open a scroll and dab a brush in ink. Finally, I write my first letter to Itachi-san.
Itachi-san,
Your little brother, Sasuke, is a jerk. I'm sorry, but it's true. He is quite secluded, but all the girls seem to love him and I can't understand why. Sasuke ignores everyone and has this I'm-better-than-all-of-you air about him. I haven't met Danzo, yet. Anything for me to know?
Emiko Kyoshi
Without a second thought, I write to Chichi on another scroll. To keep someone else from reading it, I place a chakra seal on it for Chichi to open. The seal will only open to his chakra.
Chichi,
I miss you! You are going to be proud of me! I made a friend! His name is Naruto and I even have a crush on him. Nine-tails is around to help me out! Also, bad news: I tried clone technique with hand signs and one clone had ten tails! Iruka-sensei is probably telling the Hokage. I'm worried.
Emiko
P.S. I promised you I'd make friends. I'm doing just that and keeping my dream alive… for you!
Reaching into my backpack, I pull out a clay bird. Chichi gave it to me before we left out home. Giving the scrolls to the bird, I watch as it flies away. I need to see Chichi soon. Maybe after the evaluation exams I can go visit. I will. I have a lot going on tomorrow, but I'm ready. I'm getting through every obstacle for you, Chichi.
Author's Note: So what did you think? I want to know! Drop me a little PM or review! I will love you forever! I'm up for some tough love, it helps my writing get even better! Thanks so much for reading! Until next chapter! BYE!
