Thank you, Nagisa Maeda, DannyPhantom619, Kreceir, Guest, Chase Network, fanficreader71;
Random Reader (you sych you! Not everything, but you will see ;D);
yorushihe;
Guest (don't worry, I have plans for Jiraiya! ;D);
brighteyes343 (hmm, I am keeping loyal to how Sasuke was pre-Chuunin Exams, I know that made people like to bash him *and with reason I admit* but they often forget how he was before, distant but not overly confrontational or even that much of a bastard, blunt to the point of being a complete jerk? Sure, but not a sociopath murderer with princess-like tendencies. Sakura will get better, but she isn't exactly my favorite character so... it will take a little while and she won't be like in canon);
King of Konoha and punktard.
Hope you guys like this chap.
Also for the Sakura fans: 99% of Sakura's lines and actions in this chap are Kishimoto's so don't get pissed! She WILL get better but I will keep her loyal to Kishimoto's original… sorry, but this is she…
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CHAPTER TEN: Chuunin Shiken Part 1 – A Genin's Might.
Yuki Haku and Uzumaki Keimei were calmly preparing lunch once the Genin returned from delivering the papers to the Hokage. The Genin still had to meet Gai-sensei and then it would be team meeting at 1500, well, Hatake-san said to meet him at 1200 but that was unhelpful. So she had to hurry. Usually Keimei would make Kage Bunshins however she found Haku's company better for her usual chores. Sometimes they talked, sometimes they didn't, but their personalities didn't conflict and so they seldom had a discussion.
The young blonde have long since become an accomplish farmer, her crops were big, strong, healthy and quite delicious if she say so herself. She carefully prepared the soil for each kind of plant before putting the seeds and properly nurtured them once they germinated. Her plantation occupied a pretty big space, but even planting enough food for about 10 people (she eats a lot) didn't even make a dent in the spacious property of the clan…none of it went to waste either, for once the young Uzumaki consumed enough food for two grown men each meal and she knew how to conserve what she didn't eat.
It was divided in sections for each kind of food a person needed; she knew the five food groups, three of which needed a green thumb: fruits, vegetables, protein, grains and dairy, Keimei was quite proud of her gardening skills and it showed.
For the grains: wheat, oats, rice and soy; Vegetables such as leaf ones: cabbage and lettuce; Fruits: avocado, bell pepper, cucumber, eggplant, pumpkin and tomato; Flower buds like broccoli, artichoke and cauliflower; Two kinds of beans: green and normal ones; Bulb and stems: asparagus and garlic; Root and tuberous: carrot, ginger, potato, radish, turmeric and wasabi.
The sea vegetables were a lot harder but Keimei was nothing if not stubborn and creative: there was nori (the algae that makes sushi and temaki for example) and wakame (the one that goes in miso soup) in big tanks filled with the proper soil and minerals. The blonde still felt amusement whenever she thought of the other people in the village: they need to import them from Mizu No Kuni (Water Country) or other coastal cities since Konoha was nowhere even near sea. All that aside from the very juicy fruits such as strawberry and tangerines – when it was season – oranges, grapes, bananas, apples – green and red, pears, watermelons, plums, cherries and pineapples.
There was also a very large river that cut through the property, the fish proportional to the river's size, just big enough to sate an adult. Keimei knew she needed dark meat and milk and derivate, so she introduced Haku to her hunting area, as for the milk? Well, no one can have everything, she supposed.
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Kakashi had just dispensed his team when Keimei craned her neck a little, popping a few tense bones. Gai-sensei upped her training and increased her weights this morning so menial labor or not, D-Ranks with team 7 was just draining… she forgot her earplugs.
"Sasuke-kun, where are you going?"
The blonde paused a little, it was always amusing to see Sakura in all her 13 year old glory trying to sound appealing, shy or, in a few occasions, sensual – damn, Keimei had no idea what to even think about the last one – after six months of this, the blonde just enjoyed the show, not even managing to summon enough annoyance for Sakura basically shitting all over Kunoichis' reputation.
"I'm training" Sasuke widened his eyes in the same second Keimei did, her head snapped in his direction with a shocked and confused expression as if asking what the hell he was thinking. Said Uchiha wished he knew the answer, his dark eyes almost imploring for help even as the rest of his face was expressionless, but she was just too surprised to act.
Heh, it seemed she wasn't the only that sometimes answered an abrupt question with the first thing that crossed her mind. Keimei would be laughing if her brain wasn't short-circuiting, Sasuke never answered Sakura and since he almost raced in order to escape the pink haired girl, he never talked to Keimei either, but it seemed that his self-preservation instincts were a little dead in the moment.
"Ne, ne, Sasuke-kun, you and I…we both…could train together"
Sakura's 'appealing' voice cut her woo-gathering, aww, so it was 'demure' approach today, she wiggled her whole body from side to side while her hands were clasped beside her head and her voice was high pitched and all cheery. It made the girl sound like she was talking to a three year old in her effort, not exactly what any guy would call attractive.
Sasuke inwardly sighed, this one time was his fault really "If you have spare time to waste on me, why don't you train a new Jutsu? Why can't you be more like Keimei?" the last part was whispered and while he was already walking away however Kakashi, Keimei and Sakura all heard it. Oh, fuck.
With a twitch in her eye, the Uzumaki vowed to disembowel the little fucker in the first opportunity that presented itself, absently noticing Kakashi's wise if hasty disappearance in a puff of smoke. Whenever it was proved that Keimei was the better… anything, Sakura had two possible reactions: raging bitch or depression.
Keimei's shoulders slumped in relief when today Sakura decided for depression and went back to her thinking ignoring her sulking teammate and, while flattered that Sasuke seemed to think highly of her that was no news, as arrogant as the Uchiha can be, he is not one to spend time with people that he was not obligated to.
The problem of milk of this morning was still without solution, when she almost bumped into Team 8 during Team 7's D-Rank of the day. Keimei blinked, realizing that she hadn't seen Hinata or Shino in almost a month.
Much to her amusement, they were chasing Shijimi-san's cat, Tora. The Genin's nightmare's nightmare. D-Ranks were already bad, but that cat was something else entirely…She could have slapped herself. D-Ranks! Keimei could easily hire a Genin Team to buy her groceries! Now that she was a legal adult, the blonde could easily request it! How many times her team had to do the same? Cheap, quick and painless, she could even write down that she didn't want the patrons to know who it was for, just writing for the team to be discreet and done.
Keimei resolved to go back to the Hokage Tower, she was so busy making plans that she was actually caught by surprise by Konohamaru's Kakuremino no Jutsu (Cloak of Invisibility Technique), well, at very least the kid didn't manage to actually get the jump on her, she would never be able to have a moment of peace of he did.
"Konohamaru, rocks are not so square… or with holes on them" she pointed out blandly, but amusedly.
"AH! As expected of my rival!"
A huge and thick cloud of colored dust almost exploded in her face and Keimei took a step back in what proved to be a wise choice if the coughs were anything to go by.
"Too much powder" a young girl's voice sounded annoyed nevertheless and quickly enough the three kids straightened themselves into ridiculous poses. As they were only eight years old, it was pretty adorable. Keimei could feel her lips forming a small smile.
"I'm Moegi, with the sensuality of an adult"
"I'm Udon, I like numbers"
"And I am Konohamaru, future Hokage"
"Together we are the Konohamaru Corps" the three spoke in unison much to the increasing amusement of their blonde spectator.
"Hi, you guys, long time no see"
Keimei first met Konohamaru when giving her registration picture to the Sandaime and, completely ignoring Konohamaru's rant about how she made him trip, Keimei didn't spare him a single glance and simply left the room. That in turn made Konohamaru realize that this girl wasn't going to bow, stutter or treat him like the Omago-sama (Honorable Grandson) which ended up with Keimei pretty ticked off as Konohamaru followed her around for six hours. Kami-sama! She honestly thought that the kid was going to give up or at least get bored after the first thirty minutes, whatever happened to 'kids have short attention span'? Spending a little time with him and treating him as she would anyone else apparently earned her an admirer of a sort.
"Keimei-neechan, do you want to play ninja with us?" Konohamaru smiled widely, the fact he was missing a few teeth doing nothing to lessen the cute image, actually, at least to her, it kind increased it since Keimei wasn't used to be around people younger and smaller than her.
Damn, Keimei had a real soft spot for kids. Udon and Moegi both looked at her with hopeful expressions as well, the blonde was already smiling back but before she could answer, Haruno Sakura made herself known, a dead expression on the too pale face. The blonde asked herself if she was skipping meals again or if she was still depressed over Sasuke.
"A ninja 'playing ninja', Keimei-Baka?"
The three little kids turned to look a pink haired girl with an annoyed glare on her face. Udon and Moegi were a little flustered, but Konohamaru was not as timid.
"And who are you?"
Sakura just shot the kid a sneer.
"I'm this idiot's teammate"
"HEY! No one calls boss an idiot! You take that back!" Konohamaru was flushing in anger.
"Yeah! You're just jealous because you are not as pretty or as awesome as Keimei-neechan"
"Y-yeah" it seemed that even polite Moegi and shy Udon were not about to let go an insult towards the only Genin they knew that didn't insulted, ignored or belittled them for being so much younger and only Academy students.
Thing is… Moegi hit the nail on the head…it didn't help that her dear Sasuke-kun already said something, not similar, but with the same idea.
"Really, Keimei? Need brats to defend you?" her sneer only got harder, it seemed that today's rejection really got to her and Sakura usually took it out on Keimei, how the girl even found her so quickly after the fact was anybody's guess.
Well, like Sasuke in his earlier bluff, today was actually her fault, she was the one that stupidly stood still with Sakura just a couple of feet away, so the blonde figured that she could take that one for the team.
Konohamaru flushed even harder, who that Ugly thought she was?
"Ma, ma, Haruno-san" there was a glint in the blue eyes that Konohamaru never saw in her before, it reminded him of the glance his dad would sometimes get when mom went into missions without him "I'm sure that playing with them is not something so shameful that would provoke uninvolved third parties and these 'brats' are my friends"
"Yeah! And Keimei-neechan is not an idiot! She is pretty and awesome" Moegi quickly repeated, her two friends nodding along.
Sakura snorted, not wanting to acknowledge the embarrassed blush on her face, she was beginning to regret not following Sasuke-kun once he walked out.
"I still think that a 'ninja playing ninja' is the most idiotic thing I ever heard."
"The it is a good thing you're not the one subjected to this… idiocy, c'mon Konohamaru, Moegi, Udon…" she turned to the kids. Keimei could understand Sakura's behavior well…now she could.
Keimei thought back to the Academy days when she would get confused why Sakura and Ino up and front of a group of girls would sometimes get in her way and order her to 'leave Sasuke-kun alone'. Even the bullies got the hint that Keimei would trounce them on Taijutsu spars if they keep it up, fangirls seemed another matter entirely.
She talked about that with Shino and the target of their attention: Sasuke. Keimei just couldn't understand the reason so many girls would just up and basically form a club with the sole purpose of getting a boyfriend. Weren't they Kunoichis in training? Didn't they know what is it that ninjas do? What they would eventually face?
So Keimei took an entire afternoon to think solely on that. Ino and Sakura and their group of… rivals…friends? Whatever they were, the were beginning to annoy her so there had to be a way to get them to stop yelling at her just because Sasuke sought her company. First step to solve a problem is to know what caused it in the first place so one could nip it at the buddle.
For that, she enlisted the help of one Uchiha Sasuke, seeing as he was part of what caused her headache in the first place and he had one too, if not the same reasons, because of the same people. Aburame Shino was also convoked if only to provide an unbiased third opinion.
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"Look, I don't get what they are trying to accomplish, ok?" an 11 year old Sasuke huffed in exasperated frustration, as if he would know why those vultures chase him to his goddam house. If he did, didn't Keimei think that he would have stopped whatever it was so the annoyances would also stop?
"Calm down, Sasuke" Keimei asked evenly, "I know why I am a main target. Hinata is the heiress of one of Konoha's noble clans, for sure their parents already told them what the repercussions would be if they harassed Hinata but we have the same people causing problems. I never really paid much attention but most of them, even if subconsciously, realize that this is most probably the last year, their last shot at… well…you. After Graduation in the next semester, it is unlikely that both of us will be seeing most of them any time soon and so they are becoming increasingly desperate and vicious" she explained and then got a contemplative look at his pale face… well, paler, "Do you want to become acquaintance with their more…drastic measures in order to…woo you?" she smirked at him which usually would earn a glare violent enough to make people wonder if something is about to combust…right now he was so pale that Keimei could see the blue veins on his too sunken face. He looked like he just went through war. So his glare's effects were kinda lessened in the moment.
"I would like some relative peace for the next seven months, wouldn't you?" Keimei baited lightly. Checkmate.
Gulping slightly, Sasuke tried to put on his usual scowl…he didn't think it was working but Shino and Keimei were the only ones around and they weren't the kind to make fun… of anything really, "What exactly do you want to know?"
"When did it begin?" she nodded to Shino that looked like he didn't quite believe he was talked into this in the first place. Yeah, they knew him that well to recognize it even with his face half-hidden…and the other part behind sunglasses.
The Uchiha sighed, "I don't know really…I guess with Ino. At least I only realized it was this bad with her…and then Sakura soon after. I think it was in our third year"
"So, when we were seven" she muttered to herself, "Before Ino and Sakura, no one really displayed… romantic interest in you?"
"As far as I can remember" he shrugged.
"The most common motive for romantic interest in such a short notice is a limbic and physical reaction" since he was already here, Shino would do as he was asked.
"At seven?" Sasuke turned to the bug user incredulously.
"Girls do develop faster than boys. Maturity notwithstanding, I mean in an overall psychological sense"
"Shino is right. I will give you a metaphor: girls begin to think boys are cute long before boys stop thinking that girls have 'cooties'" Keimei smirked again at Sasuke's groan.
"So…?"
"Ino was the first one more forward. I can understand her motivations…while limbic response can be a factor. However… can that explain the other girls?"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, "Ino? You can understand Ino?" Shino also turned to her at that, Keimei sweatdropped but sighed and explained.
"Ino is the heiress of the Yamanaka Ichizoku (clan)" as if that should explain everything.
"I am… not sure if I understand" he admitted and while fearful, the Uchiha was also curious.
"Well… Shino mentioned limbic response and I agree" Keimei shrugged, "Ino probably already had a superficial knowledge about you as a fellow clan heir. For sure her parents mentioned you since you would be on her classes as well. The first things girls notice about you are the superficial details thus: your looks and then you proved your talent and skill. That began a chain reaction in Ino's impressionable and young head… to be honest I am willing to bet that this whole…horde began because of her" the blonde crossed her arms but it didn't escape her notice when Shino took a step to the side to put some distance between himself and a furious Sasuke.
Smiling a little in amusement, Keimei decided to save the life of her fellow blonde, "I very much doubt that even if Ino wasn't a factor you wouldn't have fangirls, Sasuke"
"But you said that she began this whole mess!"
"Yes, however I never said that your fan club wouldn't be formed regardless of who started what. Like I said…the very first thing that the girls, not only Ino in particular, noticed about you are your looks and that triggers the limbic reaction" she nodded towards Shino, "and then you proved your skills in that first year. Skills and good looks in one packet but that is not your only attractive trait, in a level that people in general can associate with you even without thinking much is your high social status"
"Basically they are shallow, is that why they have been bugging me for all these years?"
Once again Keimei came to rescue, of fangirls of all things, she was feeling quite confused with her role right now but what they say about teaching is true: she was noticing those things as she was saying them, "Not exactly, that is not the whole reason even if… shallowness did play a big part in it, actually it probably started it" she grimaced and absently tugged at her black sleeve, "I think that in part there is also the domino effect to consider. Think of movie stars, what fame can do to the masses, when Ino got interested in you this also alerted the other girls about possible desirable traits that you must possess…that put their eyes on you and they began to "notice" the same things that Ino must have seen. Like a man surrounded by beautiful women will also get noticed by other women"
Shino nodded at that put in his two cents, "There is also the fact that Yamanaka-san is quite popular herself"
Keimei's eyes widened a little before she was once again thoughtful, "Now that you say that… in order to fit, they would follow the 'popular girl', even if I very much doubt that this influenced Sakura…"
"Sakura? You're telling me that she is somehow different from the rest of the horde?" Sasuke noticed that Keimei usually referred to Ino and Sakura together instead of putting one or the other with the rest of the fangirls. He would also come to regret learning the reason even if he didn't ask for it.
"Actually she is" Keimei looked surprised at his confusion, "Sakura was teased a lot because of the size of her forehead. Children can be very cruel and she was crying when Ino met her and defended her, since then the two have become basically inseparable even when they were fighting for you"
"How the hell do you even know that?"
"Sakura actually advertised that many times. Often in the context of reiterating to Ino that she is no longer the little girl that needed Ino to protect her" her expression told Shino and Sasuke that Keimei had no idea what to think of that, to be fair they didn't either.
"And what does that have to do with her bothering me as much as Ino does?" he couldn't see the connection.
What her forehead have anything to do with the daily headache he was forced to endure for five days a week? And yeah, talking about it with Shino and Keimei made Sasuke think that perhaps he should have only showed enough skills to pass as a middle student…well, with only seven months until graduation it was too late and Sasuke could admit at least to himself that he had too much pride to be considered a 'middle student'.
"As far as I see and keep in mind that I can be wrong about everything that we have spoken about so far since this is all conjecture" she cautioned, "Sakura saw you as she saw Ino. You have the looks, the confidence, the popularity, the status and the skills – and yes, at least in comparison, Yamanaka Ino is better prepared" Keimei sent him a look in response to his disdained expression.
"'In comparison'" Sasuke mocked under his breath but Keimei ignored it and continued her theory:
"When Yamanaka Ino became her friend, Sakura began to gain confidence in herself. Surely, if someone like Ino was her friend, she also saw something alike herself in Sakura. She very probably didn't think that with all the words but that is how the human mind works even if we don't realize it: humans stick close to what is akin and similar to them and even if we don't intellectually recognize it, we are reassured when someone that we perceive as 'superior' to us in some way accept us, our psyches make the somewhat wrong assumption that we have the same traits we admire in that person" Keimei paused, she wasn't sure if she liked her description, although fitting, the words were more than a little cutting, "The same logic could be applied to you" she shrugged.
"Instead of searching and building her own character and confidence, Haruno-san would be satisfied to be a reflection of you and your status, not much unlike she did with Yamanaka-san: she was still insecure about herself, her looks and her skills but she pretended for Yamanaka-san's sake until such a time that she stood up for herself by her own initiative. The saying 'fake it until you make it' is apt. Beyond that, as Keimei just said, as your reflection, Haruno-san would have proof that she was superior to her peers" Shino concluded.
"I can't believe this crap" Sasuke shook his head, "She was bullied and that became a reason to follow me around" it wasn't voiced as a question but the incredulity was easy to detect.
"Other girls, pubescent girls at that very probably have their issues with confidence and have arrived at the same inner conclusion as Sakura. Also…part of the reason" the blonde reminded but he only rolled onyx eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. Limbic response, domino effect, copying the popular girl…sure" now it was Keimei who rolled her eyes.
"There is also delusion" Shino intervened again, not that he believed that an argument would break out between those two but not even Keimei was immune to distractions and the conversation was also pretty interesting. Who would have thought that fangirls could make such an interesting subject about the social behavior in groups and individuals and their reaction to stimuli?
Sasuke scoffed, "You mean their delusion about being 'Mrs. Uchiha'?"
"Partially" Shino allowed, "It is doubtful that they are investing so much effort if they had no prospects of reward. Most of your…fangirls are happy to admire and follow you from afar and while there are a few that stand out, two examples are glaringly exempt of mere idolization: Yamanaka Ino-san and Haruno Sakura-san truly believe that they can achieve their…ambition" the Aburame finished with a pensive tilt of the head.
Something clicked in his head and Sasuke remembered how Keimei was always singling Ino and Sakura out from the rest of those banshees. Kami-sama…
Keimei sighed and that got the attention of the two males, Sasuke even grimaced, irrationally… he was feeling a little guilty for the problems those vultures have been causing her, not his fault since he has also tried to get rid of them without success but still, "Jealousy of Keimei?" well, he could see that much after all the times he willingly spent time with her.
Said girl hesitated at the question before her lips twisted in a quasi-scowl, "They, all of them, feel threatened and that would happen regardless of their feelings for you" it was Shino that voiced it, "Hinata and Keimei have the looks and the talent, the later surpassing by far their own and that would in turn make them feel self-conscious, even Yamanaka-san is not completely immune to that" the bug user paused a little, considering, "Keimei is also the only one, boy or girl, that has been able to defeat you, Sasuke, and while she didn't manage to triumph, the same can be said about Hinata and yet you did not react the way most boys do when they lose. With either anger or wounded pride, instead, you sought their company. As Hinata is out of their reach due to her heritage, this made Keimei a 'fall-guy' so to speak. This is where the other part of their delusion is about: they see Keimei and Hinata as obstacles to take out. In their delusion, if it wasn't for Keimei and Hinata, your attention would be in one of them. That actually exacerbated their so called feelings for you. You showed Hinata and Keimei your appreciation… you presented physical proof that what they crave is real and touchable"
"Like dangling the bloody body to the sharks" Sasuke agreed with horror.
Keimei sighed again, "Well, I guess that this is it"
"What? What are you talking about?" Sasuke couldn't help the shudder, the way Keimei said it and her words were so foreboding that it made horrifying images of fangirls trying to do the unspeakable to him and there was nothing that could be done.
By her half-smile, Sasuke just knew that Keimei…and Shino were seeing all the dread he was feeling displayed on his face, he couldn't care less right now, "There is no feasible solution to this is what I meant. There is now way to stop the flow and even the girls that are not interested in you would pretend just in order to be accepted by the majority since at first glance, the only visible alternative is to be like myself and Hinata" the blonde sighed at what she was about to say but knowing this was the true, "We are threats but at the same time that they want to have what we seemly do, none of them want to be in our place since that would mean social exclusion. I think that most of them realize that if they do achieve their goal, there is a chance of being cut off by those that were rejected; they are still willing to take the risk so they probably tell themselves that the sacrifices are worthy it. Not very unlike Sakura that ended her friendship with Ino once she realized that both of them had feelings for you" Keimei closed her eyes a little despondently, "Even if you personally tell them with all the words that you are not interested in dating at all, the final part of delusion comes in play: their investment, the social acceptance in having a common interest and, particularly in Ino and Sakura's case, their conviction will make them believe that they will get what they want, if not now, then eventually.
There is also the possibility of the ones that were but no longer are interested in your affections but habits and peer pressure is something hard to fight, especially for 11 year olds. I am willing to bet that there are girls in there that are just pursuing you out of pure habit instead of real interest. Therefore: we just have to… hang in there until graduation when, with some hope, we will be assigned to teams without them".
Seeing the discussion coming to an end and wanting to arrive at the shortest conclusion, Shino wrapped things up, "Summarizing: one girl's interest pre-formed or not, began it all, it was heightened by the fact that this particular girl was the most popular. They intuitively knew about your high social status and you did not help by showing off. The interest of a popular girl, looks, prestige and skill… those traits in turn would lift their sense of self-worth if the idealized boy each built in their minds were to reciprocate their romantic interest" Shino deliberated for a few seconds before continuing, "Because of the two highly skilled and beautiful female companions, Hinata and Keimei are seen as the only obstacles and since by becoming close to them you showed that what they want can be obtained one way or another and thus, delusion kicks in. Just as the time and effort they spent trying to achieve their objective made them either pursue you due to what developed into the norm and because of their fantasy or plain determination in other cases just added to their delusion".
"That was summarizing?" Sasuke almost hissed, almost green to the face and eyes manically gleaming in the middle of the day, "What about: they are unrealistic dumbasses that mindlessly play 'follow the leader' and have nothing else to do? I can't wait for graduation!" warily eying the almost hysterical Uchiha, Shino and Keimei wisely decided that this was not the time to point out that with the numbers in their class and the classic three men formation, one team had the chance to end up with two girls.
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Keimei was brought out of her memories by Konohamaru.
"Ne? Keimei-neechan? Who was this big forehead, ugly witch? Is that even a girl?"
The blonde blinked. Ah, now she remembered why it was so much fun hanging around Konohamaru, he didn't mince words; Keimei had to admit that it has been weeks since she wanted to laugh so much that it actually hurt a little to curb it.
Even if Keimei could understand the reasoning behind her actions, that doesn't excuse them. Sakura's habits were so ingrained that Keimei wondered what kind of trauma would snap her out of them. She had potential but the girl was squandering it, Keimei remembered how she got the Tree Walking Exercise on the first fucking try. Speaking of which, the pink haired girl remembered herself, turned even redder and stomped towards Konohamaru with a glare so fierce that the three kids hid behind Keimei that was not in the least bit cowered by the pathetic display, what did Sakura think this was? Kindergarten when a girl glared people fled?
The blonde deliberately took a step in front of Konohamaru, very pointedly not even crossing her arms; instead her hands were calmly by her sides. She almost snorted when Sakura realized that she wasn't going to be bullied into running, seriously what exactly was she expecting?
Keimei was quite enjoying herself, the uncertain expression in Haruno's face was priceless and she was just waiting to see what Pinky was going to do now, "Hey, brat! That hurts!" a male voice sounded behind her, interrupting the first time in a long while that she was having fun.
Turning, Keimei realized that, in her distraction, the Uzumaki didn't notice the 'Konohamaru Corps' trying to be sneaky and get away, but they didn't see where they were going and bumped into an older boy with Konohamaru accidentally stepping in his foot.
The annoyed, brown eyed boy was a few years older than her and was wearing what appeared to be, for lack of a better term… a black cat suit… with war paint on his face… Keimei blinked. Oh well, it's not like she never saw odder… Maito Gai and Rock Lee coming to mind, but she scowled when the weirdo picked Konohamaru up through his collar. A Suna hitaiate (Sand Forehead Protector) in his forehead.
"Let him go" her voice was even and cold, making clear that she wasn't in a joking mood.
The boy looked up to find a girl a few years younger, a little on the short side, "Oh, great, another brat"
"Let the kid go, before you get into problems" there was a girl a few years older than him, her dirty blonde hair tied in four pigtails, a Suna hitaiate in her neck and wearing a purple battle kimono, both had some kind of weapon strapped to their backs.
"I will just rough him up a bit for him to learn to respect his elders…" and he shook Konohamaru that let a small eep.
Keimei took a deep breath and tried to chant in her head that attacking ninjas from allied villages would look really bad.
"By those hitaiates, you're here for the Chuunin Shiken, aren't you? Don't cause problems for other ninjas while you are in our village outside of the exam or you could be court martialed…after all" Keimei tilted her head a little, her expression even, "You are holding the Hokage's grandson"
Sakura's and the two Suna Nin's eyes widened in dread. Hokage's grandson? They thought in unison looking at the little kid with a scarf so long that even being held up to the much taller boy's eye level it dragged through the ground. Sakura was panicking, she was about to hit the Hokage's grandson! Keimei was right, she would be lucky to get court martialed!
Said blonde was too busy frowning in concentration. She identified Sasuke's chakra but the other one…this presence…to her left…hidden.
"Kankuro!" the blonde beside 'Kankuro' almost snarled and pale faced, the teen let Konohamaru go, he dropped in his butt with a small grunt and stuck his tongue out before darting to the safety of his neechan's back.
"Kankuro, stop it" a much graver voice echoed to their side, the Suna Nins, Konohamaru and his two friends and Sakura all flinched in surprise and, in the case of their new… acquaintances, in fear. Keimei just looked, so that's what that was…"You are an embarrassment to our village"
"G-Gaara" Kankuro stuttered.
Keimei almost huffed. Uchiha Sasuke was casually sitting in one of the branches and there was a redhead more or less their age on the branch above him, upside down, with a huge gourd on his back and crossed arms, it seemed that Sasuke also didn't notice his presence. Now that she was looking at him, the blonde knew that he was the one she felt earlier.
Keimei really needed to talk to one of her teachers about those feelings she sometimes got, perhaps she was a Kanchi Taipu (Sensor) – as if there is doubt by now – if so she needed to train this ability quickly before the many presences and different bursts of power every ninjas gives off when they perform their techniques drive her crazy. The Uzumaki read about that, it could get very distracting as this ability grew more powerful but untrained, and a distracted ninja was a dead ninja.
Those thoughts were shoved out of her mind when light teal eyes framed by very dark circles that could only mean the worst case of insomnia in the world or a Kekkei Genkai met hers. They were so cold. No, Keimei's eyes narrowed, not cold, it was hate, overbearing, overflowing, eyes that already saw many deaths, by others, by them, so may that there wasn't difference anymore. Craving for more deaths and something else… something sinister. The Uzumaki almost flinched but stilled herself in time. They reminded her of hers. When she was still so lost and so painfully alone. When, for the first time in her short life, she imagined what would happen… if she fights back.
Who was he?
Gaara's eye narrowed a little, glancing at the serious blonde. There was something familiar in her eyes and different at the same time. He noticed how her eyes kept glancing to his direction discreetly while she was interacting with Kankuro and how she was unsurprised when he spoke… she sensed him. And the boy on the branch below his…his eyes were also very interesting.
"Let's go!" he commanded his teammates.
"Wait, what's your name?" Sasuke dropped down beside his own team.
"Me?" the older blonde asked with a small blush.
"No, the one with the gourd"
"Sabaku no Gaara. And yours?" he stared at the Uchiha and the Uzumaki.
"Uchiha Sasuke"
"Uzumaki Keimei"
Teal eyes narrowed and the three Suna Nin walked away.
Sabaku no Gaara, uh?
"Keimei-Baka! How did you know about the Chuunin Shiken?" Sakura turned just to see… an empty space, Sasuke-kun having left with the three kids and his teammate, not wanting to be alone with one of his more rabid fangirls, as he took to calling Ino and Sakura, "WHAT?"
.
.
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The next morning, Keimei woke up in her usual time of 6 am, just as the sun was beginning to rise. Swinging her legs, she winced, having forgotten that yesterday Gai-sensei increased the weights again. The Genin already consulted with every single one of her requested teachers, all of them having come up with a schedule to up her training in case Kakashi decided to nominate his team for the Chuunin Shiken. Keimei had some doubts about that, the other two rookie teams were nominated because they had political reasons to do so.
Team 8 had Hinata, the heiress of the, currently, most powerful clan in Konoha political or otherwise, Shino was also the heir of one of Konoha's noble clans, Kiba the second heir of their best trackers, and Team 10 was this generation's Ino-Shika-Cho and every single year, this combination participated at least in one of the Chuunin Shiken, and they were the clan heirs… unfortunately she was in the team with the last Uchiha, damn. People didn't know about her parents, so she wasn't obligated to enter, but the Uchiha…Keimei could only pray that Kakashi wasn't so reckless to the point of nominating a team that he hasn't even taught any combative moves into what is pretty much a free for all.
And the fact that Keimei wasn't sure if she was Chuunin-level. Once she was assigned to more professional teachers, Keimei began researching about the career's progress and she knew those special occasions aside, a Genin cell was only promoted through the exams or in field.
If the field promotion doesn't happen, then the Jounin-sensei usually trained them for a least a year before entering the team in the official Chuunin Shiken. Although not forbidden, it was almost unheard of mere rookies being nominated, this being the first time in how many years?
The village always made sure to put their most promising Genins as to attract more clients and since the third phase was a one-on-one fight open to the public, that hardly meant 'rookies'. It wouldn't do for an unprepared Genin to pass the first two phases through luck or their teammate's skills and shame their village in the third. The blonde sighed, she really prayed that Kakashi had more sense than this. But she wasn't hoping for anything, Kami knew that having expectations with Kakashi lead to nothing, aware of it or not, the man lived to break them… and she has been kinda hoping for a field promotion once reading about it.
Wearily getting up from her high futon, Keimei made the bed and went to the kitchen, where something smelled so good that her stomach was almost collapsing on itself.
Sure enough Haku was there putting a grilled fish in a plate, oranges were already squeezed into juice in a big jug and there were two bowls of rice too. In the almost two weeks the Kekkei Genkai user came to Konoha, he settled comfortably in his new life, even thou people knew about Keimei's heiress status and the fact she had a vassal, no one knew how he looked like, so he would be able to more or less tread the village inconspicuously… more or less because wow! The teenager attracted attention! Keimei didn't want to offend him, but Haku was the prettiest person she ever met… of course, he really didn't help it when he insisted in wearing clothes that one would often find in a girl's wardrobe.
The powerful teenager would need to alert the proper authorities and be under ANBU supervision every single time he stepped out of the compound for a year. Then he would be cleared to join the ninja holsters, but he still has to decide on what to do. Keimei had the feeling that he would want to join the Iryo (Medic) TrainingProgram, still who knows, he certainly had more than enough ability be in a battlefield.
Thankfully Sakura was still with that pissing contest with Yamanaka Ino, the biggest gossip in the village, it was almost ridiculous the speed in which that girl could spread information. Keimei didn't know how the girl's father, that held a very high position in both the Council and in one of the most secretive branches of ANBU, Intelligence Division of all things, managed to actually live with her, he must watch his every word around her or else Iwa (Rock) would already have attacked with all the knowledge that they would need.
Thanking Haku for preparing breakfast, she absently leafed through a medical book. Keimei was almost giddy with excitement, just after the confrontation with Sabaku no Gaara, Hoshou-sensei, her teacher in Iryo Ninjutsu declared that she had enough control to actually help around the hospital for minor injuries without supervision.
Mostly she would take care of just writing the patient's sheet exams and give support to the more experienced Nin, but still! She waited until she was in the privacy of her house to squeal like a deranged fangirl.
It was after gruesome training, but it was damn worthy it! Keimei could actually perform the Shosen Jutsu (Mystical Palm Technique) indefinitely, having finally passed the Field Test, she was officially a Genin level Iryo Nin! With permission to treat patients in D-Ranked missions!
After that, Keimei went to see the Hokage and told him about her interest in hiring a Genin team to do her groceries. Confused, but shrugging, Hiruzen granted the permission and gave the form, the blonde already paying in advance. A team would be delivering her stuff today at 5 pm at her request since today was one of the very few she didn't have any training, more than enough time to make dinner.
To be honest, Keimei didn't know if Sandaime was aware that she has been living in her mother's Compound for the last seven years but he would have to be unbelievably dim not to…then again it did take him five years to figure out her living conditions in the orphanage so…busy or not and her heritage notwithstanding, she was the goddam Jinchuuriki. Just that would warrant more interest.
To be honest Keimei was in a good mood all morning while she completed one more D-Rank before meeting her team… three hours after Kakashi said he would be there, which only improved her mood since it was a huge progress from the five hours he was late before the mission in Nami (Wave), it was sheer luck that Keimei was passing through the bridge where they held their team meetings at the time or else she would be the one that was late.
Damn! She only had time to do one D-Rank before team meetings instead of two or three she managed to squeeze in before. Sure, the meetings and 'training' were still useless, but improvement!
"Good morning, Sasuke, Haruno-san" she greeted, never once losing her satisfied smile in face of Sasuke's grunt and Sakura didn't seem to realize she was even there in the first place. Holy! First time ever that Keimei wasn't with her earplugs and even listening to Sakura's attempts at winning 'Sasuke-kun' over didn't do anything to ruin her good spirits… too bad that all good things must come to an end.
"Ohayo, my kawaii Genin!" Kakashi eye smiled.
"YOU'RE LATE!"
"Yeah, well, you see, I got lost in the road of life"
"THAT DOESN'T EVEN MAKE SENSE!"
Keimei and Sasuke sighed, but by then they were desensitized… to both, "Ma, ma" Kakashi waved while reaching inside his jacket and pulling three sheets of paper. Blue eyes widened.
Oh, no!
Oh, fuck!
Why her?
WHY!
Keimei didn't realize she shouted it out loud until she noticed that her mouth was wide open, her throat a little sore and the rest of her team looking at her completely dumbfounded.
Blushing a little and apologizing in a low voice, the blonde took a step back; that haven't happened in quite a long while.
The Genin mentally began to make a list of the stuff she thought she purged out of her personality but still lingers like the little cockroaches they were, Ok, so 'dattebane' is gone, at least I didn't say it once in five years, so it better be gone; now there is this annoying habit of having extreme reactions out loud and when someone unexpectedly asks me something completely out of the blue when I'm distracted I automatically answer the first thing in my head… I really need to get rid of that one.
Kakashi cleared his throat to shake the last of his shock. Damn that was unexpected. "Anyway, those are the forms to enter the Chuunin Shiken, it…"
Keimei ignored the rest simply feeling too much terror to really pay attention as she stared at the sheet of paper like it was the picture of someone's innards…poor comparison since as a medic in training she already saw innards even if only through pictures and it didn't faze the blonde, but still…
Was Kakashi retarded? The man didn't teach them anything, yeah, ok, he showed Tree Climbing Exercise and that team bonding thingy and that was that! Whatever makes him think that knowing how to regulate chakra more or less properly and being able to rely on one's teammate (which should have already be implied after all, why else would they be put into teams in the first place?) meant 'Chuunin material'?
The hell?
Was he so desperate to get rid of them? Then again if that was his plan it was actually pretty good: everyone would be gunning for everyone, the Chuunin Shiken had a 40 to 50% rate of mortality in the second exam and you need to sign wavers relinquishing the Village's responsibility in case you died. Damn, it was actually the perfect opportunity for a teacher that have unprepared students to relieve himself of his three little burdens.
Eyeing Kakashi suspiciously, Keimei decided that she would rest her mistrust… for now, but she would not let her teammates drag her into this oblivious of the danger of fucking death looming over their heads.
Sasuke wouldn't pass the chance to 'test himself' and Sakura would only follow his lead so if Keimei was the only one not to enter, Sasuke would be the grand master of sulking and insufferable to work with and Sakura may actually transform into a real Banshee and yell herself and the whole team to death.
So before Kakashi could disappear in the familiar puff of smoke, Keimei hurried, she needed to word her questions very carefully, so he would have no choice but to answer honestly all the while rounding and cornering him up to the checkmate, "Ano, Hatake-san? I would like to ask a few things about this exam" she put on her usual expression on her face. Correctly assuming that suddenly start to act all innocent-like would raise many flags in the Jounin's head.
Both her teammates paused to look on as well. Kakashi had a dead look on his face with the way Keimei keep calling him.
"Yes, Keimei?"
"Well… is there another way to become a Chuunin or we have to take these exams?"
"Hmmm… there are two ways: the Chuunin Shiken and a field promotion"
"Oh? What is the difference?"
"Well…the in field-promotion you need the recommendation of at least two other Chuunins that you have worked with and your Jounin-sensei aside from the minimal D and C-Rank missions before being approved by the leader of the village, in your case the Hokage"
"So, you mean that if I pass all the tests in this Chuunin Shiken, I will immediately become Chuunin without all this?"
"Ah… no… even if you win all the phases it cannot be a guaranteed Chuunin position"
"Hmmm, you said that there were 'tests' what are those?"
"Er, I'm not really permitted to…"
"Whatever you cansay will be great"
"Ahm, there is usually a written test, a survival test and then the finals"
"Survival test? Like one of those we did at the Academy?"
"Oh… you see… not really, it usually needs the entire team and the teams are pitched against each other" Kakashi was beginning to get nervous with the questions. If this kept going…
"But with other villages participating… does that mean we will also have to face them?"
"Yeah…yes"
"But the other day I saw a Genin team from Ame (Rain) and they are not allied with Konoha, isn't that dangerous? What if one of them gets hurt in Konoha territory? Wouldn't the village be blamed?"
"Hmmm… no, to participate in phase two, the survival test, all the candidates need to sign a waiver so it won't be the village's responsibility in case of death". Kakashi seemed to realize his mistake at the same time Keimei did but it was too late. Sasuke and Sakura's eyes bulged out and the blonde seized the opportunity like a lioness attacking her prey.
"Die? Are there many people that die in this exam? How many? Can you tell us?" she looked properly appalled and distressed…for her, overplaying it would also tip him off, Keimei was already treading dangerous territory as it was, probably the only reason Kakashi didn't caught on was because he was nervous himself.
The Jounin cleared his throat.
"Er… about 60 to 70% of the people that sign in don't pass to the first stage, and from the numbers that do, about 40 to 50% die in the survival test"
Oh boy, Kakashi sweatdropped; looking at the green faced Sakura to the alarmed Sasuke to the terror stricken Keimei. The Sandaime is going to murder me. Kakashi thought with dread. Too bad that he didn't know that Keimei was only remembering the feeling she got when Kakashi gave them the papers… oh yeah, she was that good. A chibified version of her was jumping in her head while doing a victory dance.
No way was Keimei going to step a foot in that goddam thing as some cannon fodder, that it was basically what she was as a Rookie Genin. Especially if that redhead Sabaku no Gaara that just oozed bloodlust and KI (Killer Intent) was going to participate. Was she good for a Genin? Sure. The blonde could probably defeat and outsmart even some of the more experienced Genin and perhaps a rustier Chuunin.
Was she ready to face the best that each village participating had to offer? Some that even rejected field promotion for months so they could show off in these kinds of exams? Ninjas that were trained by the best for their entire lives in comparison of her meager four months – if you discount the first month as a Genin when she literally learned nothing from anyone and the three weeks she spent in her A-Rank mission – for the sole purpose of crushing their opponents in a huge stadium where everyone can see?
No way.
No how.
HELL NO!
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Two things:
1-Team 7 (Sakura, Keimei and Sasuke) WILL participate in the exams. (a friend of mine read the chap before I posted it *I will make her pay later* and she was worried that Team 7 wouldn't participate so rest assured).
2-Sorry, Sakura fans, but once again: I COPIED almost all her dialogues…so… blame Kishimoto, I guess…got the inspiration for my reasoning of fangirls from 'Konoha no Senkou Arashi' by Minion of Set.