Chapter Nine - Home

We all looked at Gai-sensei expectantly. He paused for a moment before continuing.

"The chuunin exams are in three weeks. I have reccomended the four of you." He pulled out a slip of paper.
"Fill out this sheet and turn it in on the date of the chuunin exams." He handed the paper to Neji before disappearing in another cloud of smoke. I sighed.

"Gai-sensei is so cool!" Lee said. I rolled my eyes. Tenten was glancing over Neji's shoulder to read the paper. I looked over the top, reading the paper upside down. It explained what the chuunin exams were for, and there were blanks at the bottom. Upon further reading showed that these were for our names, team number, and sensei. The paper didn't tell us what the three challenges of the exam was. A pen was attached to the top of the paper. Neji carefully wrote in our team number, his name, and Gai-sensei's name before passing it to Tenten. It went to Lee then to me. I filled in the final blank, and handed it back to Neji. It then was hidden inside of his backpack.

"Alright, looks like training is over for the day." Tenten said. "Let's meet here bright and early to train for the exams!" I nodded and turned, beginning to walk away. I was curious to see if my brother was home yet. I heard footsteps behind me. I glanced behind me to see Neji.

"Why are you following me?" I asked, slowing down so he could catch up.

"Who said I was following you? I could be going somewhere." He said cooly.

"Uh huh." I said, shaking my head. We continued in silence. Soon, my home came into sight. I smiled slightly. Once we reached the sidewalk directly in front of it, I stopped.

"Well, this is where our paths divide. I'll see you tomorrow, Neji." I told him, before turning to walk up the path. I felt his eyes on me and I felt my face heat up slightly, but I ignored the feeling. I unlocked the door with my spare key and walked inside, closing the door softly behind me. I leaned against the door, my hands hanging limp next to me. Why did I blush, realizing his eyes were on me? It's not like he hadn't looked at me before. It wasn't like we hadn't been so close that I could feel his breath on my skin. I was reacting like some giddy girlie-girl. I gave myself a few moments to regain my composure before continuing into the house. No one else was home, but they would be soon. I slid my pack off my back and set it gently on the ground. I'd get it after I finished cooking. I began making dinner for everyone. I made sure to make enough for everyone in the family.

Ten minutes later I had a stew simmering on the stove when I heard a knock at the door. I added a few more spices quickly. The stew would set for about two hours, and be ready to serve around five or six. I went to the door. Upon opening it I saw Tenten.

"Hello, Tenten. Can I help you?" I asked, leaning against the door.

"I just wanted to stop by." She sniffed the air delicately. "What are you making?" Tenten asked curiously.

"Oh, I'm making some soup for dinner. Would you like to stay for some?" I offered. She thought for a moment.

"Sure," She replied after a moment. "Let me just call home. Do you have a phone?" I nodded, and moved out of the doorway to let her in. The sbrats/s kids should be home soon. I pointed Tenten to the phone in the kitchen.

"I'll be right back." I told her as she began dialing a number. She nodded as she pulled the phone to her ear. I grabbed my backpack from the floor and took it to my room. I gently closed my door a minute or so later. I found Tenten still chatting on the phone in the kitchen. She caught sight of me and began to end the conversation. As she hit the 'off' button, I heard the front door open. I peered around the corner. I saw a man walking into the house. I recognized him immediately.

"Tenshi!" I called out, running towards him. I flung my good arm around his chest as he took a step back. He recovered smoothly, returning my hug.

"Hello, Akari. I see you hurt yourself." He said, pushing me away. I glared at my cast again.

"Yeah, the guy I we were supposed to protect was a traitor and kicked me into a tree." I said. I heard a noise behind me. Tenten was walking towards us. My brother tensed.

"Tenshi, this is Tenten, one of my team mates. Tenten, this is my big brother Tenshi." I felt Tenshi relax.

"It's nice to meet you." He said, ruffling my hair absently. I pulled away from his hand, sighing. I ran my left hand through my hair, fixing it.

"You too." Tenten said softly, bowing slightly. I grinned. Tenshi hated people bowing to him, even if it were just out of politeness.

iThree... Two... One.../i

"Please don't bow to me again." He said. Tenten just nodded.

"Why don't we take a seat?" I asked. iBefore the kids come home and tackle us since we're standing just inside the doorway./i I added silently. Tenten and Tenshi went to the couches as I walked into the kitchen to check the stew.

iI'm glad I made extra./i I thought, tasting it.

iNeeds more spice.../i I rummaged around in the kitchen, grabbing different ingredients to throw into my creation. I tasted it every so often, until I finally got the right blend. Then I left it to cook. I walked into the living room. Tenten and Tenshi were in the middle of a conversation. I took a seat on the couch, listening to the two ramble. They were talking about weapons. It was interesting to listen to, and I knew that once you got Tenshi talking, it was going to take time to slow him down. The front door opened again. Kei and Koubai walked inside. Migoto wasn't with them.

"Is Migoto still on her mission?" I called out to them. They replied with an affirmative. I nodded.

"Alright. This is Tenten. She is one of my teammates. Tenten, the bigger one is Kei, the smaller one is Koubai." They greeted each other and spread out on the couches. A heated debate about how ninjutsu was better than taijutsu began, I just sat in the middle as neutral. Tenten and Tenshi were for taijutsu, while Kei and Koubai were for ninjutsu.

Time passed quickly, and the next thing I knew it was six. I stood and unobtrusively removed myself from the room, going to check the stew. It was steaming. I quietly ladled the stew into bowls and set them out on the table. I set out silverware and cups next to each place. I poked my head into the living room.

"Dinner!" I called out above the din. They got up and came to the kitchen. The debate didn't stop though, they were fighting over the table, gesturing with forks and cups. I sighed and leaned back against my chair, listening to the debate. It was fun listening to them fight like this, but I couldn't get into it like they could. Everyone finished and I went to do the dishes as they finished their debate. Tenten said she had to go at eight, and an hour later it was time for everyone to go to bed anyway. I cleaned the dishes and put them away before going to my room. I began reading a book about one-handed jutsus that I got for my birthday. I glanced up at the clock. It read eleven. I shut my book and turned out the light, falling asleep soon after.