"ARGH! OW! You fucking asshole!" Kai leaned against the tree she's been flung against, and growled. Naruto averted his eyes, not daring to look into them.

She had recently discovered her Kekkei Genkai, and it didn't involve hard work- at least not for the first stage anyway. Apparently, you weren't supposed to be able to master it to the second degree until you were fully grown, though there had been some exceptions. So far, Kai was not one of them.

Kai scowled, knowing he wouldn't willingly look into her eyes, but then she laughed. Naruto looked up, and screamed. Her fist, swirling with her chakra slammed into the side of his face. "Don't ever threaten me, Naruto. Just keep in mind I can kick your ass." Laughed Kai, helping him off the ground.

"I was just trying to help!" Groaned Naruto weakly, letting her pull him off the ground.

"Well... then I'm sorry. But that still hurt, ya know! You're lucky I don't bruise easily- then I'd be really pissed off." Joked Kai sheepishly. "So, uh... What do you want for your birthday?"

"I dunno. Maybe... A new set of Kunai? Man, I don't know..." Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"Me either. I was thinking of getting a non ninja present. Oh well. Maybe I'll get some new gear. Oh, hey Hinata!" Kai energetically waved Hinata over and moments later Hinata had fallen into step with them.

"Hey girlie, what's up?" Smiled Kai.

"Um.... I-I... My f-father is mad at me. I screwed up all d-day today in p-practice." Hinata lowered her head and sighed shakily.

"Oh don't worry about it. That's what practice is for. Better to screw up in practice, rather than in battle. Trust me- he'd be more mad if you died. So... Stick with it." Kai patted her lightly on the back and then whooped. "I kicked Naruto's butt today! He thought I needed better hand to hand combat, but I showed him! But... I do need to work on my aim-"

"Yeah! You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, your aim is so bad!" Snickered Naruto, punching her playfully on the shoulder. Kai rolled her eyes and glared at him, and Naruto laughed playfully as he took off.

"Hinata, would you-...?"

"I-I'd... love to!" Hinata smiled shyly, and Kai laughed.

"You're dead, Naruto!" They both took off running after him, plotting their revenge as they ran.

"Ok, Naruto, it's you turn. You know you need to practice this." Iruka Sensei sighed, gesturing for Naruto to carry on.

Naruto sighed, and put his hands together. "C-Clone Jutsu!" Naruto rained in his chakra as best he could, something his father had urged him to try. The charka swirled around him and Naruto closed his eyes. A lone clone stared at him, the dark rings under its eyes sickly and disturbing. It's eyes however were bright red, and his skin tinted faintly orangish brown.

Everyone in the classroom applauded him in his timid attempt- for the past month the only beings he could create were dead and useless. Even if this one was sickly, it was better than dead. Iruka Sensei clapped Naruto proudly on the back, and smiled. "You're almost there, Naruto!"

"Sasuke, you're up..." Iruka Sensei beckoned Sasuke forward and Naruto wandered back to his desk.

Naruto sighed, contentedly proud of himself. Mizuki beamed at him from the corner, and Naruto smiled back.

Mizuki was helping Iruka teach for the day, and the next time that he would come to class would mean the day of testing. The day of testing wasn't too far off, either. Naruto was very nervous, and unsure of whether or not he had good enough chakra control to perform the task efficiently.

"Alright, Sasuke. Very good!" Naruto bristled at his brother's praise, and sunk a little lower into his seat. Sasuke plopped down next to him, and cooly leaned his chair back and feigned sleepiness.

Naruto angrily got up from his chair, slamming it back into the desk and stalking off. Sasuke's eyes jerked open, and the jolt of Naruto's chair slamming into the table knocked him off balance. Naruto was deliciously proud of the surprised expression on Sasuke's face as he landed unceremoniously on the floor, then his stomach tightened again when a bunch of girls rushed to help him up. Hinata followed close behind him, beckoning to Kai to follow her.

"What's wrong, Naruto-kun." Hinata accentuated the 'kun', hoping to make Naruto feel had chased him all the way to the trees near the edge of the training forest.

"I just... Gah! I get so mad sometimes! I do something good and he has to come in and do something better! It's just not fair!" Naruto growled, pulling his legs up onto the branch of the tree he'd escaped to. He crossed his arms over his legs and set his chin on them, staring away from Hinata and Kai, a determined yet somehow pitiful expression riddling his features.

"Naruto..." Kai startde to talk, and even though she was notorious for her advice, she simply sighed and let Hinata take over. "I don't know Naruto, but someday you'll get it..."

Hinata sighed softly, and resolved to wrap her arm around his shoulders. Naruto jumped under her friendly touch, and then sighed. Hinata glanced frantically at Kai, though kept her body relaxed. Kai confusedly motioned with her hands for an explanation, and then her mouth formed a round 'o' of recognition when she realized Hinata was uncomfortable touching Naruto in such a manner.

"Hey, uh, Naruto? How about I buy you some ramen, huh?" Kai smiled hopefully, her hidden fists clenching nervously.

Naruto nodded slowly, and Kai beamed. "Here, Hinata. I have to go- my mom needs me to babysit tonight. Here's the money... it's enough for two bowls each. Have fun!"

And like that Kai was off before either of them knew what had happened. "Did she just..."

"Bail on us?" Offered Naruto with a slow smile. "Leave it to her."

Kai wasn't one for bailing on people, but the moment demanded it. She could see they needed 'alone' time. She giggled happily to herself as she ran the distance were going to be a cute couple- even if it took them forever to realize that they were meant for each other.

Sasuke wondered where on earth his brother had gone, and what the hell his problem was. He had practically blown up on him out of nowhere! Sasuke headed to the place where he knew he would find him- Itchiraku's ramen stand. And there he was, of course.

Sasuke bristled at the sight of Hinata leaning tiredly towards Naruto. Naruto smiled brightly at her, and flicked a ramen noodle at her. Hinata giggled and then rubbed a noodle in his face, and Naruto sputtered, the hot broth burning his skin.

Sasuke couldn't identify the feeling in the pit of his stomach, but it felt like... dread? Why would he feel dread- his brother was happy, and with a girl that Sasuke knew had had the hots for him since they were little. Sasuke shoved the feeling away, knowing it wasn't right.

He'd never liked her, and he probably never would, but it was the fact that for once, Naruto had something he didn't. A girl to care about. Sure, Sasuke had many girls crowing after him, but he didn't really like any of them. Sakura was okay... but... he just wasn't into her like that. He wondered absently if maybe dating Hinata wasn't such a bad idea. Then he scowled. There wasn't a chance in hell that they'd work out. Besides, he liked his girls to be outspoken- but to a certain extent.

Besides- wasn't dating someone who obviously liked your brother wrong? As far as his father had taught him, it was most definitely against the rules. His father had told him that that sort of thing was what caused many fights between brothers and friends- even if the brother doesn't know he likes the girl when said first brother dates her. Rules concerning woman were so hard to understand!

But, since when had he ever done anything according to the rules? He kind of liked the idea of being a bad boy, but the fact that it made you unapproachable to certain other people, he couldn't risk it. He wanted to protect his family- not destroy it. But what about a family of his own? As much as he was doubting that he didn't have just a momentary crush on her, he couldn't betray his brother. It would be like he was following in Itachi's footsteps.

Author's Note- So, I know, it's been a few days, but I had to put this together. I'm sorry about throwing Kai- ME- in there so much, but what can I say- I LOVE me! :D Also- I am NOT a shipper of Sasuke and Hinata, but it's just a momentary thing. :) Sasuke is learning about women- lol. :) And my vision of NARUHINA! :D YAY! Also, there will be future romanticism between most characters! :D Who do you think Kai should be pair up with? :P Just wondering. :)

P.S.- If you would like your own character- only for a brief period of time, maybe one chapter- then please give me a description of body size, eyes- etc. :) ALSO don't forget personality! :D I'm going to use you for chunin exams. Please include any Kekke Genkai, or abilities, as well as your Territory Loyalty- you know, leaf, wind- etc. :)

Lauren/MelloKAI

*Yawn* Bed is on my mind..... Thank goodness tomorrow is Wednesday, my "day off." :D