Chapter 10
AN: Kishimoto owns all except my characters-Kiminari, and Kimiko, and later characters. Also I'm probably not going to follow any of the story line except a few small things. I may take the characters outside their natural personalities, but that's because it's my story, and it'll add to it. Another thing: since I'm not following the story line of the series- All main (good) characters will start out the same age as they should be, but even though the Akatsuki will be around, the war will not happen until later; if it does at all. Again this is because I'm making up my own story line; it gets kinda boring when nothing has changed and you readers would be able to guess what was going to happen all the time. So, enjoy, and please comment, review, rate, whatever you wanna do. :D
Flashback continued
When my feet finally made impact, I sent just enough chakra to them to hold him down, and then placed my left hand at his neck and the 'sword' I still held backwards in my hand, just above it.
Kakashi's P.O.V.
I'd never seen a child fight like that; especially one who had very little training. It scared me a little. What scared me more, though, was how her attitude changed from confused to serious and violent, that quick. She had reacted so fast to the changes I caused, that she'd actually managed to take me down; and had I been a real opponent, and she with a real weapon, I wouldn't have doubted that she would have killed, or at least seriously injured me.
"Congratulations, Kimiko." I said. "You've passed your first test." She looked at me kind of odd, but didn't move an inch. Just as I expected, she's smart enough to think of those words as a test to see if she'll let her prisoner go. Brava. "And you've passed the second one as well." I said easily pushing her off of me and standing up. "You have very quick reflexes, and can change your plans while still making them. You did not accept victory when I'd told you that you'd achieved it. This means, that even if you do recognize your own skills, you also recognize those of your opponents. These are very good traits for a successful kunoichi." I finished with a smile.
Kimiko's P.O.V.
"Congratulations, Kimiko." Kakashi said. "You've passed your first test." I was a little confused, but I was also a little scared of letting him up; he might just be playing a trick on me again. "And you've passed the second one as well." He continued, pushing me off of himself with such ease, it scared me a little to think of what he could have done if he'd wanted to. "You have very quick reflexes, and can change your plans while still making them. You did not accept victory when I'd told you that you'd achieved it. This means, that even if you do recognize your own skills, you also recognize those of your opponents. These are very good traits for a successful kunoichi." I was a little shocked, I hadn't thought I'd done that good-darnit, I could have moved quicker had I taken off my weights. Then he smiled through his mask, and I knew he really meant it.
We continued on our way to Konoha and didn't stop until about an hour before nightfall. We settled in a small clearing that seemed easy enough to miss, and easy enough to defend, should we need to. After a quick dinner, Kakashi taught me some new stances, and even helped me practice my taijustu hand-to-hand for an hour or so. As it was getting dark, I realized that I hadn't done any target practicing yet. It was almost dark, but I asked Kakashi for some weapons anyway-I'd had to leave the old set back in suna.
"Are you sure, Kukmiko? It's gotten pretty dark; what if you lose one?" He asked
I giggled a little. "I won't lose one. I promise. Even if I miss, which I doubt, I can still find it. I've always been able to see pretty well in the dark."
He consented, and I got to work. After about my tenth time, it was nearly pitch black. We hadn't started a fire, because there was no need to, and the moon had just begun to appear. Kakashi asked if he could practice some, so I returned his weapons.
"I don't believe I've practiced throwing these in the dark for a long time." He said holding up some kunai. He threw all of them, and each one, in turn, hit its mark. However, the last one missed completely. Oh, come on; you can't be serious. He just had to go and lose one so I'd have to find it. Kakashi and his stupid tests. I'll just prove to him that I can see in the dark that good. I sighed and said, "I'll get it." He made a kind of guilty face and said thanks.
I walked into the woods a few meters and retrieved the kunai; at least he hadn't thrown it that far. Jerk. I was wary as I re-entered the clearing; I still wasn't sure if he was through with his little 'tests' yet. Luckily, he'd already settled into his sleeping bag for the night.
I returned his kunai to its pouch, then made my way over to my sleeping bag. When I settled myself, Kakashi looked at me a little weird and asked, "Are you going to sleep sitting up like that?"
"Yes." I replied. "I can't stand being in a position where anyone or anything could just come up from behind me." I stated simply, snuggling into the tree behind me.
"Hm. suite yourself." He said turning his back to me, making me a little mad and a little flattered at the same time. Is he doing that to say he trusts me, or that he trusts himself to be better than me? I wondered to myself. "Oh, and you did very well today, Kimiko. You seem to have high stamina, and a strong will. I think you'll do just fine at becoming a very powerful kunoichi". Hm, well at least he's not being rude. I thought as I started to doze.
The next morning, although I was still asleep, I got a strange feeling, like something was really close to me. As I gained consciousness, I held perfectly still; I remembered yesterday's events, and figured that it was Kakashi playing some trick, so I launched myself out at whatever was in front of me, pinning it to the ground. Kakashi's face-or what was showing of it anyway-held a look of surprise.
"You alright Kimiko?" He asked me.
"I thought you were just trying to test me again." I said standing up so that he could as well.
"Well, I hadn't even woken you up yet; and no I wasn't trying to test you this time." He said with his masky grin.
"Sorry." I said. "I didn't know for sure it was even you. I just kinda felt something and woke up."