Chapter 25- My Introduction for Their Protection.
"Try It again Sunshine," I said sitting on a log.
Sighing, he went through the hand seals once again and another log appeared in a puff of grey smoke.
"Ouch!"
I tried not to crackle as he landed on his back.
So much for the Uchiha being close to cats. Obito has, not once, landed on his feet.
Failing, I grinned looking around the graveyard of logs.
This boy was single-handedly destroying the forest. That I could promise you.
"Not bad, at least it wasn't on your head this time."
He glared before I threw him a water bottle.
"Take a break, then we can switch drills," I told him.
"But I want to get this down before I switch." He gasped before taking another swing of his water.
"Oi! Little sips."
He rolled his eyes and I ignored it. He was clearly frustrated with not getting the jutsu down within a record time.
"Anyway, it will be good to switch it up a bit. Working too much on one technique will blind you of your problems."
"You are such a mother hen." He muttered under his breath.
My eye twitched.
"A what?" I asked.
He looked to the treeline innocently.
"Oh look, here comes Rin!" he called getting up.
As if I would fall for that.
I was just about to call his bluff when a yell caught me off guard, making me turn around.
"Hey, guys!"
A large grin was spread on Anko's face, her purple hair spiked up in her pony-tail.
Behind her, Gai was talking animatedly at Kakashi while Rin was dragging him towards us by the cuff of his armguard.
at Kakashi.
I snickered at my best friend's reaction.
"Shut up." He muttered, his eyes narrowing.
I grinned, not being able to let him live it up, and so he let out a small whistle.
Shit.
A loud woof was the only warning I had as a small pack of dogs came barreling into me.
My breath left my body as Bull tackled my gut, taking me to the ground. Almost instantly His dogs maneuvered as planned, Shiba and Biskue grabbed my sandals and tugged them off.
"No!" I hissed but Bull panted, clearly liking this plan of keeping me still.
I was trapped.
Almost immediately the two younger dogs started to lick the underside of my feet.
I cursed every god I knew in every mythology, and in every language, I knew.
"Shiba!" I screeched. "Biskue!"
I tried not to kick, in fear of hurting them, but they were making it hard.
Sophrosyne aid my self-control.
Laughter filled the forest as the little pricks I call my friends did nothing to help me.
Shiba made a big mistake going between my toes and I almost kicked him in the face as I screeched some more. The close call made the dogs realized that it was time for abandoning the mission.
Well, those two thought so anyway.
Bull huffed before keeping his weight on me.
"Off!" I groaned, catching my breath.
He whined at my objection and ignored me.
I laid my head on the floor, ignoring my traitor friends in favor of closing my eyes and fighting away the embarrassment.
That big baby.
A little pitter patter reached me before I knew it and a little tongue licked at my forehead.
"Thank you, Akino." I deadpanned. "I wasn't aware that my face needed kisses."
Almost immediately the puppy tried to eat my hair.
I pulled away again trying to scold him but he wasn't having it.
Instead, he nipped my nose for trying to keep him away from his new toy.
"Asshat!" I hissed jerking up, pulling a hand free and grabbing the throbbing organ.
"Reika-Chan!" Rin scolded.
I frowned, before successfully shrimping out from under Bull, despite his complaining, and caught the puppy with my other hand just in time as he lunged towards me. I held the pup away from me with a glare.
"Can't take the cuteness, Reika?" Obito laughed.
I frowned before turning and glaring at my best friend who just grinned, his mask pinching just slightly. What made my eyebrow twitch was the way his eyes narrowed in challenge.
I could definitely read the 'come at me bro' look in them.
And oh I will.
"That was most youthful!" Gai yelled, laughing and bending down to scratch Biskue's head.
I grumbled to myself before getting up, still barefoot, with dog slobber making dirt stick to my feet.
"Really?" I looked over at Shiba who held both of my sandals in his jaw.
He seemed to almost grin.
"I hope they stink." I cursed.
"They actually smell like dirt and your sweat." Kakashi's favorite Pug was near his owner, sitting back at watching the show. "It is a familiar scent so it smells good."
So much for winning that petty argument.
"What are you guys doing here?" I finally asked, turning to the ringleader of this posse.
Rin grinned as Obito came up beside me.
"Obi-kun told me that you were training with him today so I thought it would be fun to all train together."
I looked over to the ray of Sunshine and he grinned.
"That sounds great." He said.
I nodded before looking over the group.
Perfect excuse to check what level they were at and what they needed to work on.
"A most youthful idea Rin-chan!" Gai grinned giving us a thumbs up. "Then to get this training session started... Reika…"
Nope!
My hand immediately pointed towards Kakashi.
"Kakashi told me he wanted to see who was faster, You or him," I claimed cutting him off.
The Green beast blinked once, just as the satisfied expression on my best friend's face turned to horror.
"You should have just said so My Rival!" the future green beast yelled. "Let us see who can make it back here from the Hokage monument first!"
"Wait!" Kakashi approached Gai carefully. "I didn't.."
"Hey!" Anko yelled. "I want to race too!"
Oh, poor Anko…
"And Go!" All three kids took off, Kakashi growling my name.
"Karma is a.." I trailed off as Akino found a way to bite my thumb.
"You little…" I carefully put the pup down next to Pakun.
"You're alpha to this pack, you put the mutt in his place!" I growled.
Pakun looked at me bored.
"Kakashi is the alpha." He told me.
I jumped back, as the puppy decided that my toes looked good.
"Then as an elder member of the pack, deal with him!"
Rin and Obito laughed.
"What are you guys laughing about?"
I looked up to see the future Genjutsu specialist walking towards us, with her Saritobi Shadow close behind.
"Reika is getting chased by Akino." Rin giggled.
"Seriously?" Asuma asked.
I danced around the pup again as he tried to pounce on my toes.
Then my savior came in the form of one of my oldest comrades.
A paw descended and I looked up to see Bull pulling the brown menace close and laying his head on him, successfully trapping him. The puppy to whine in disappointment.
"Thanks, Bull," I said before looking over at Shiba.
Now if only…
"Nope." He shook his head, my sandals muffling his voice. "They are mine now."
I huffed but rolled my eyes. As soon as Sakumo found out, I'll get my sandals back.
Hopefully without any holes.
I looked back at my friends before sitting back down on one of Obito's logs.
"So?" I asked Rin. "Where does this great idea lead us now?"
She grinned.
"How about a pop quiz while we tree walk?" she asked.
I held out my hand and Kurenai gleefully put a large package of papers in it from who knows where.
History of the village.
Laws of the battlefield
Nature transformation
Yin and Yang chakra.
Policies of the Nidaime Hokage
A warm body settled in my lap and I didn't have to look to know it was Pakun.
Kohona standard hand signs.
I looked through a couple more papers, before placing them down beside me, allowing for the exercise to start.
The four leftover academy students pushed off the ground, running at the trees.
And you could probably guess the order of who got the highest. Rin, Asuma, Kurenai, and then there was Obito who barely took a step up the tree.
"Each time you get a question right, I'll give you a correction on your tree walking," I called as they slid down the tree.
Well all of them but Rin who, like Sakura, had managed to get to the first branch with ease.
I looked down at the log and grabbed a bunch of leaves that had fallen next to it.
No use doing nothing.
"Sounds good," Asuma replied before running back at the tree.
I stuck a leaf on my arm before looking up.
"Give me one institution that the Nidaime created," I called. "Obito."
"Kohona Police Force!" his foot slipped, the tree splintering beneath it.
"Too much chakra," I replied, adding another leaf.
I looked as Asuma touched his hands to the tree, giving him leverage.
"Asuma," I called as he slides down. He turned his head and looked at me.
Stop using hands. Concentrate Attention Feet.
His brow furrowed as he deciphered the signs.
"I'm using my hands?" he asked.
I nodded. "By splitting your attention you aren't able to hold your chakra for too long."
You would think Hiruzen would have told his son that.
Another one of the leaves joined its siblings on my arm.
"Kurenai, Name all five chakra natures."
"Fire, Water, Earth, Lighting, Wind."
"You are using too little chakra."
I went on asking questions and correcting the tree walking until even Obito had reached the first branch and both of my arms were full of leaves.
My other hand brushed Pakun's fur as the little pug snored in my lap.
"Rin, Give me the consequence of deserting your comrades, without justification, in the middle of a battle."
"Death."
I snorted in irony.
What an Archaic practice. Back in my old world, the most militaristic society in history, The Spartans, didn't practice that so often. They just bullied them until they regained their honor, in battle once again.
One of my favorite quotes from Spartan history was when a man had come home to his mother without his shield, as in ancient warfare if you are going to run the first thing you want to drop is your 30 pound shield, therefore she bared her lower-half to him asking "Do you want to climb back up there too?"
I tried not to snicker at the thought as I asked another question.
"Sunshine!" I opened my mouth to call the question when a very tired genin plopped down next to me.
"I hate you," Kakashi growled. I looked down to the ground, where the rest of the dogs had ended up migrating to nap.
Gai landed next to him, hitting the ground, tears running down his face.
"Your speed is most youthful, my rival!" he huffed. "I cannot beat you."
He paused.
"Yet!" he went to his knees and raised his arms. "But I will! In my loss, I will do 200 pushups!"
I frowned before looking over at Bull who had finally let go of the puppy who was busying himself with trying to hunt a stick. He got up and pushed himself into Gai, making him fall onto his face.
"Ouf!"
"You will not." I told him. "all three of you will walk it off then drink some water before slowly easing yourself into training."
The hyperactive boy looked over at me, glaring slightly.
"Reika-chan, I know you care for us, but you must stop with the Mother Ducking, or we will never get stronger!"
My mouth fell open at his comment and everyone went silent.
A giggle caused my brow to twitch.
"A mother Duck?" I asked him.
Thud.
"Ouch!" Obito laughed despite being hit with the stick that I threw.
"That is so true!" Rin covered her mouth and tears were streaming down her face.
"And those leaves on your arms look like feathers."
I squashed down the urge to lift my middle finger and signaled to Bull.
The giant dog then shifted all his weight on the future green beast causing him to screech about being crushed.
I shook my head with a soft smile before another flop was sounded beside me.
"Now I know why you always push off the challenges to Kakashi." Anko cried.
I smiled before passing her my water bottle.
"Quack."
I took a deep breath reaching for a fist full of mud.
The thud then a hiss was music to my ears.
"Worth it."
Never change.
-.-
A week had passed since Danzo confronted me.
The many situations ran through my head, as I tried to figure out what move I was going to make.
Option 1- Take Danzo's offer.
Not a chance.
At least, it is my last option. I would rather try to kill him.
I mentally scratched out that option and rewrote it in my mind.
Option 1- Kill Danzo.
Option 2- Do nothing, but get stronger.
Again not a viable option. We can't get that powerful so fast. Danzo will come after me sooner rather than later.
Option 3- Tell the Hokage
If Sakumo already told me he can't do anything, why waste my breath?
Option 4- Somehow get placed on a team or apprenticeship?
Maybe? That would depend on whether the Hokage had enough staff to do that. But even if he did, they probably would go to the war effort. JUst like how Kakashi is often left behind while Minato took off to run messages.
Option 5- War?
Also a viable option, but that wouldn't keep Danzo away from the others and it would piss off a lot of people. And there is also the idea that being sent to the front lines would be almost suicidal.
I scratched my head. Looking up at Kakashi's ceiling.
Option 6-… Go missing-nin?
My whole body told me, no, but I sighed. That it might be my only option.
Suddenly I felt Sakumo's chakra fluctuate in the slightest, moving around his room.
What the hell is he doing?
I felt the urge to activate my Kekkei Genkai, but I knew Kakashi would wake up at the flash of my chakra.
I tracked him as he walked out into the hall and stopped at our door. It was open, just a tad. But it was enough.
I watched the opening carefully as if it would give me all of the answers.
And somehow it did.
His hand appeared inside the room and he motioned downstairs before disappearing.
That's odd.
Careful not to disturb the Genin, 4 dogs and the little shit of a puppy, I slipped out of their warmth.
Regretting it as the cold floor made my skin chill, I padded quietly and left the room.
Sakumo was nowhere in sight so I followed the directions and moved down the semi-creaky stairs.
I found him in the Kitchen bustling around making two cups of something.
The water hit the cups and I was surprised to smell the hot cocoa.
"Did something happen?" I asked, my thoughts immediately went to my parents and how they were still on the battlefield. Or Minato.
"Nothing bad." He stated before bringing them to the table. "At least not that really bad."
I took hold of the cup offered to me and sat with him.
"I spoke to the Hokage." He started before taking a sip of the sweet drink. "About Danzo."
The warmth of the cup became burning in comparison with the cold that had come over me deep in my bones.
"You had said that he probably can't do anything," I said, confused.
He nodded.
"He can't, so I asked him to put you on a different team."
My heart soared, and I tried not to become too hopeful.
"But again he couldn't." He took another sip. "There is too much to do and he is using all available personnel."
I visibly deflated before finally taking a sip.
It wasn't as sweet as I remembered but still good.
"So I proposed something, and he accepted. Although he was a tad reluctant."
Proposed something?
My thoughts went to Kakashi and Minato.
An apprenticeship?
"I will completely understand if you don't want to do it," he stated, his thumb hit the wood a few times.
He was nervous?
Why wouldn't I want to do it?
"What are you talking about?" I asked him. "I would do anything to get me out of Danzo's line of sight."
He shook his head, before grabbing his hands in his own.
"I hope you can," he gathered his breath. "I requested that you join Anbu."
My blood stilled once again.
This was no Apprentice.
"Anbu?" I repeated.
He nodded.
"I'm escaping Danzo by being put in a group just as dangerous?" I asked, my voice raising itself in fear without my consent. "I'm 7 years old!"
"You won't be a full member for another few years." He replied. "For the moment you would be an apprentice, of sorts."
I blinked, trying to figure out where this would land me.
Anbu apprentice?
It was never a part of my options, not something I would have ever considered.
"I'm not nearly good enough to be in Anbu." I hissed. "I'll die."
And it was the truth.
"I won't lie to you." He said, smiling sadly. "You could."
But despite the words, the emotions that were swirling in his eyes told me otherwise.
"But I have this nagging suspicion that you will get through it."
His eyes were full of both confidence and fear.
This man, one that was supposed to be dead, had so much confidence in me.
It made me nervous.
Nervous that I would fail to live up to his expectations.
"You won't die that easy."
I sat back, removing my hands from around the cup and onto my head.
Fuck.
"Reika, this is the only thing I could think of." He told me. "Danzo won't touch you if he thinks you are useful where you are. In Anbu, he knows your skills will be worked to the bone and you will be doing more challenging and useful things than delivering scrolls."
Yeah, killing people and doing the dirty work for the village.
I opened my mouth and the last thing I wanted to say came out.
"Okay."
He nodded his head.
"I told the Hokage that I wanted to explain the situation to you," he told me emptying his cup. "So go see him if or when you are ready and then you will know the rest."
"You are not going to give me any more information?" I asked him. I couldn't help the bitterness in my voice.
I understood where he was coming from, but it didn't mean I liked it.
I had learned my lesson. If I'm going to get involved in something, I'm not going to willingly throw myself in the same shit-box that I did before.
"I can't," he replied. "Only current or retired Anbu members know what Anbu is like."
But life and that fucking office lady loves to shit on me.
He got up and patted my shoulder.
"Make sure you get some sleep tonight, you have a big day tomorrow."
So, he expected that I will go see the Hokage tomorrow, That I will be starting Anbu tomorrow.
I almost felt like not doing it just to spite him, but I knew that I would never have this chance again if I messed it up.
"Don't feel too bad." He took his hand away and dropped his cup in the sink as he passed.
"You either." I finally replied but he didn't answer.
I know my uncle.
Kakashi is too much like his father. He feels bad about everything, even if it isn't always his fault. And especially when it is his fault.
I moved my cup to the side and laid my head on the table.
Fuck.
Anbu at 7.
I beat Kakashi's 13 and Itachi's 11.
I am both the youngest graduate from the academy and the youngest Anbu in Kohona history.
Shit.
I banged my head again before looking to the hot cocoa.
But do I really have a choice?
No, not really.
I gulped down the cold drink and placed it in the sink next to his. Then, slowly but surely I went up the stairs and went into Kakashi's room.
Sakumo's door was closed as I snuck into the room. Being quiet so that none of the dogs moved, I slipped into the bed.
With my forehead on Kakashi's, I felt his breath on my face and swore.
"I will protect you."
"All you guys."
A whine made me raise my eyes for a second as Bull tapped his tail.
"Shh," I whispered.
The dog crawled forward quieter then I could ever think and laid his head on my back.
He didn't make any more sounds, trusting me.
I love that dog.
I never thought I would say that.
I closed my eyes, but I didn't fall asleep right away.
No, my anxiety kept me up for most of the night.
But the last thing I did remember thinking…
Was what the hell are my parents going to say.
-.-
"Rei-chan!" the middle-aged man smiled as I walked into his office as if this was just a social visit. "How are you doing?"
"Fine and you Hokage-sama," I replied before looking around.
There was no one else here.
At least no one I could see.
I was tempted to activate my Byakugan to see my future colleagues.
He didn't answer back my question, and that gave me all the answers I needed to know.
"And what brings you here?" he asked cutting straight to the chase.
I pulled my attention back to him.
"Sakumo talked to me last night," I told him, stuffing my hands in my sleeves.
His smile fell and he immediately reached for his pipe.
Lighting it he placed it between his lips.
"And what did he say, Reika-chan?"
I took another glance in the corner, there was no chakra signature but I knew there was something there. Call it crazy. It was what my gut was telling me. My gut was always right.
"The only way you and he have found to remove me from Danzo's sight is to put me in Anbu." I recited.
He exhaled the smoke, keeping an eye on me. Obviously trying to determine what my emotions meant.
"And what do you think about that?" he asked me.
"Do I even have a choice?" I asked it might have come out more emotional then intended by the flicker in the corner.
"Humor me, Reika."
Reika.
Not Rei-chan.
He's taking me seriously.
"I hate it," I told him. "I don't want to do it, but if he stops threatening me, then I will."
I was honest, and held his gaze, emphasizing my words.
"Anbu works directly under me." he started taking another drag. "It is forbidden to tell others that one is in Anbu. And they obey no order but my own."
I stayed silent as he continued.
"Do you know what Anbu does Reika." He asked.
I nodded.
"They do everything that regular shinobi lack the disassociation to do," I replied.
That triggered something.
Mature for age.
Blunt.
Typical Genius
Desensitized by death.
"Inoichi's original description of me from my first kill," I said. "That is where you first got the idea to put me into Anbu?"
I phrased it as a question but I knew it was true.
He pinched his lips and chuckled.
"You shouldn't be sneaking looks at the doctor's files." He scolded but I could hear the amusement in his voice.
"I was curious." I shrugged. "And it is my file."
"I've been considering you for Anbu since you were born, Reika." He told me. "Just look who your parents are. Just your mother is an Anbu Captain."
I nodded blinking in surprise. Of course, that was it.
A combination of everything.
"But I had hoped to hold this out for a couple more years. Maybe drop a hint when you would have been 12 or13, but time seems to be of the essence this time around." He put out his pipe and he got up.
"I will need you to swear an oath, Reika." He said placing a hand under his desk and coming out with a box. "An oath that will bind you to the Hokage until you die." He opened the box allowing a brush with a small bottle of a red-almost black ink came into view.
For the tattoo. The Anbu tattoo was actually an oath in seal form.
"I will draw the Anbu symbol on your arm and your oath will activate it, sealing it onto your skin."
He didn't tell me it was going to hurt.
I already knew that.
"The seal will not only be a means of getting into contact with you via long distances, but it allows for other Anbu members to destroy your body once you die." He explained.
I nodded, knowing that I didn't have a choice about it whether I liked it or not.
I sighed as he took the bottle and placed some of the liquid in the tray.
"Your left arm?"
I undid my obi and revealed my arm to the Hokage.
It was almost embarrassing to be undressing in front of the leader of my village, but given the situation, I couldn't care less.
"For the first few months, you will be considered an apprentice. We have found you a few teachers that will switch with each other whenever they are in the village." He told me as the brush touched my arm. "During this time, you will learn about Anbu and the different divisions within it. Sakumo-kun and I have discussed a few Anbu members that are still stationed in the village to help with your training. But as they switch out with other Anbu that are currently at the border, these teachers will also change."
The seal took less than ten seconds to apply. It allowed him to move back and place the brush into the container once again.
"You can go ahead with your oath." He instructed. "Direct and to the point."
I took a deep breath before opening my mouth.
This was for them
"I, Hyuga, Reika.."
Asuma, Kurenai.
"swear that I shall obey…"
All of them
Gai, Anko and that loner Ibiki that only comes around when it is convenient for him.
"All orders you dictate…"
Rin and Obito.
"Without Question.."
Kakashi and the dogs.
"Until my last day…"
Sakumo.
"With utmost loyalty, I will never betray the Hokage's trust…"
Otou-san, Okaa-san.
"And through the shadows.."
But most of all, in the tradition of being me….
"I will protect Kohona's Children until my last breath."
Fuck you Danzo.
I almost gasped as the seal was set into place.
Gritting my teeth, I waited for the burning to pass. But it really wasn't that bad, nothing compared to the seal on my head.
At least this time it was of my own violation.
That I had somewhat control over this decision.
"Welcome to Anbu." The Hokage said. Leaning down and bowing to me. "I appreciate your sacrifice."
I almost snorted.
How fitting.
-.-
"Hokage-sama," I looked up at the one who spoke, trying, and failing, to keep the grin off my face. "why do you feel the need to punish me?"
A snort escaped me.
"I do not know what you are talking about, Neko."
This must be a joke.
"Enough, initiate." The man, while his mask was on his face, I could clearly tell who it was.
"Yes, Sensei." I almost rolled my eyes.
The man glared at me once again.
"That is true, Kushina-chan was saying something about asking you to train her a few times." the Saindaime hummed. "This means that you two will have no problem getting along."
"I do not think that is a good idea…"
The Hokage waved him off.
"I'm entrusting her to you for the moment. Show her around and write a report of her current skills. We will figure out what to do with her afterward."
That caught me for a loop.
'we will figure out what to do with her afterward?'
Our village leader then walked off, as I hadn't just been brought into Anbu not twenty minutes ago, turned the corner into the hallway towards the exit of Anbu headquarters.
"So…" I looked up at Fugaku, or rather Neko, and tried not to grin.
"Shut up."
I coughed into my hand, hiding another grin.
He sighed before rubbing his neck, obviously thinking.
It took a few minutes but the silence was broken.
"What did you get yourself into this time?" he asked.
I deliberately stayed silent, looking up at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Well?" he asked again, getting impatient.
"You just told me to shut up," I sassed.
Oh my, getting under his skin was fun.
"Just tell me." He hissed.
"Danzo," I replied.
That seemed to make him freeze, but he didn't argue.
He must have understood. Actually, he probably knew exactly what Danzo was doing, after all as the future Uchiha clan head, he had probably been approached as well.
"Come, let us get you outfitted."
I followed his back as we moved silently through the hallways.
"Sensei…" I tried but he held up a hand.
"There are a few things you have to know about Anbu etiquette." He told me, ignoring my question.
We turned down another empty hallway and I filed the direction in my mind, slowly making a map in my head.
"First of all you address an Anbu by their mask with no honorifics, we are all equal in Anbu. The only ones we allow the use of is sempai and Taicho. Sempai being those who are tasked with training and initiating you into Anbu, while Taicho is reserved for the commander of each Anbu division and the leader of your squad once you are put on one." He turned once again and we reached a handout station.
"Did you bust your armor again, Neko?" the Anbu chuckled. I was surprised to note that the man had no mask on, his face fully in view.
"Not yet, Raion." He snorted. He tapped once on the desk and nodded over to me.
"We now have an apprentice." He told them and I almost rolled my eyes.
"We?" I looked to the side and concentrated on his face. His name wasn't Raion. I knew it from somewhere. "Apprentice? When the hell does Anbu take Apprentices?"
Neko shook his head.
"Now apparently. Wartime effort. Therefore she will be getting trained by whoever is on duty," Neko told the man.
Raion's swirling red eyes caught mine and I recognized it.
Yuhi. Yuhi Shinku. Kurenai's father.
Then Raion is his code name; Lion?
I filed away the information.
"Welcome to Anbu, Kid," he told me. His face was serious, but my future knowledge and his eyes gave away his thoughts.
As I was only a year younger than his daughter, he was picturing his daughter in my shoes.
"Make sure you stay awhile."
My eyebrow twitched at the words. I recognized them.
"Hey Girly!" a big motherfucker whistled.
I tore off my shirt, before slipping my sports bra ontop my regular one, ignoring him.
"This is your first fight right?"
I rustled through my bag again for my wrist wraps and shoved my bag in my locker and locking it.
My eyes caught his and I raised my eyebrow. This is back when I thought that it was going to be like any other fight. Before I realized that it was for keeps.
"Make sure you stay a while." His eyes took in my whole form. "I want to be the one to pound your body into the ground."
Basically, it was a cryptic way of saying not to die. Though it was much less offensive then the last time someone said that to me.
I nodded, trying not to get offended at the idea that I might die.
"I need a standard pack for the kid."
Kid. Why the fuck do they keep calling me that?
"So what a small?" Raion asked.
Neko looked back at me.
"Make it an X-small."
I ignored the sense of pride that tried to get me to argue with them over my size and pushed it down.
My arms closed themselves on my gear tray.
"Thanks." Neko nodded before he silently drifted back down the hall.
I bowed before following him once again.
"Go get changed in the locker rooms, you are number 17." He told me. "Make it quick there is still a few things I have to talk to you about before I assess you."
My feet took me inside to an empty room with wooden lockers everywhere. There were no locks to them, but I thought nothing of it. Why the hell would a simple lock stop a shinobi anyway?
I took off my clothes and folded them into the locker. Then I placed the gear on over my mesh guard since I was not given a tank as the other Anbu had.
I guess they didn't have my size.
Once my armor was on I took a look at the sword that was issued to me.
It was obviously a Tanto, a poorly made one as well.
I have got to stop hanging around Ken'ichi.
I sighed before placing it on my back like Fugaku, I mean Neko, had it. My new pouched went next, and I took a look at the weapons in curiosity. Why give me a new set, when I already had one.
Kunai, shuriken, wire, bombs and soldier pills.
I shrugged before grabbing the mask and turning it over.
In the other world, there was such thing as stupid little quizzes online that told you about 'yourself'. One of these quizzes told you what Anbu mask you would where. I had given it a try once, and after getting a fucking dog. I had thrown my phone across the room because I thought it was stupid.
I looked at the blank mask in confusion.
"We don't have all day!"
I lifted my middle finger at the door, glad that he wasn't a Byakugan user and placed the mask on my face.
"I'm done," I growled opening the door.
Neko was leaning against the wall in front of me, tapping his fingers impatiently.
He nodded before leaving me at the door. I followed behind him adjusting the gear once more, making sure it fits properly.
It was a bit big, but not by much.
"Outside Anbu Headquarters, you are obliged to have your mask on when on duty, unless specified by the Hokage." He continued as we walked through more dark hallways. "Inside it is a different story. We all know each other, or will get to know each other, after all, we aren't more than 100 Anbu. Thus wearing a mask is not needed unless specified. "
He turned down yet another hallway.
"This does not mean that you are allowed to leave it somewhere. You never know when you will be called to have it on you at all times when in gear." He pushed open a double door and entered an open courtyard full of trees.
I followed him to the side looking around.
"It's really empty," I remarked. Fugaku snorted.
"Of course, there are not many Anbu left in the village at the moment, " he said. "They are mostly sent off on missions or at the border."
"They must be busy due to the war," I remarked.
He scoffed again.
"Yeah, right. War is our dead time."
I blinked in surprise.
"Deadtime?" I asked.
He nodded.
"In war, Anbu isn't deployed as often as in regular times." He sat down against the wall and I sat in front of him. "Anbu are needed mostly for stealth and secrecy. There is nothing secret or sneaky about war. It is loud and painful, and you need a big force during this, not small groups of 4."
He paused before motioning to the empty field.
"Thus the Hokage deploys the Anbu that are here to the battlefield as their selves and rank in that case. The ones that do go on Anbu missions go behind enemy lines or after deserters and almost never make it out alive."
My throat was dry as I thought of my mother, a swan mask on her face.
Is that why she hasn't come home?
Is she dead?
"Enough about that."
Neko brought me back to the now by holding up 7 fingers.
"There are seven divisions of Anbu. Stealth and info retrieval, Protection and Inside Investigation, Stealth and Assassination, Medical and Poison, Torture and Investigation, and Hunter-nin are all directly under the Hokage." He paused for a moment, probably trying to figure out how to phrase the next part.
"The Final division is Root, Danzo leads that one."
I gripped my right wrist in my hand, attempting to take away the frustration that plagued me when I heard his name.
"There is barely any interchange between them." He told me. "Once you are in league with the Hokage, it is very hard to change to Danzo and vice-versa."
Makes sense. The two leaders are suspicious of each other. Interchanging shinobi, no matter what the benefit would be, gives the other away into his organization.
"That's good news at least," I muttered.
Neko snapped his fingers.
"That does not mean that it is unheard of. Be careful."
I nodded, accepting the fact and continued to listen some more.
"Once your initiation, or apprenticeship in your case, is done you will be assigned to one of the six divisions under Hokage-sama, depending which one you fit best with. You will then be placed in a squad with various different people in other divisions where you will take missions."
I nodded in understanding.
"Good, at least you are able to listen I see."
I clenched my jaw, trying to keep a reign on my annoyance.
He got up slowly and I did the same stretching my neck. My instincts were the only thing that saved me when his leg lashed out.
"What was that for!" I growled flipping back.
"You're assessment starts now, kid." I watched in dread as his black eyes turned a blood red. "So first lesson. Expect the unexpected. Always."
"Shit."
-.-
I groaned, trying not to move my body.
It hurt like hell.
"Well, at least you survived day one."
"This time," I muttered slowly opening my eyes.
I was in some sort of clinic. My white-haired uncle sat next to me, in Anbu uniform, his mask on his hip.
"I have a feeling I am going to walk up here a lot," I told him, pushing myself up to a sitting position with a hiss.
"At least you still have a sense of humor." My uncle chuckled.
I groaned again and looked over myself.
"Assessment my ass." I hissed.
My nose was flicked making my eyes tear.
"Just because you are in Anbu now, doesn't mean you can swear, kid."
I rolled my eyes before my eyes caught his mask.
"Okami?" I asked him. "Really?"
He shrugged.
"They gave it to me when I joined fifteen years ago. They had no Inuzukas in Anbu yet, so they gave me Wolf."
I looked over my arms next, seeing various bruises starting to form near my armor. I was dreading to see what my ribs looked like.
"Neko really didn't pull any punches I see," Okami said.
I snorted.
"I think the only thing he avoided doing was breaking my bones."
"Look on the bright side, he said you did well." He told me. "You did well dodging, and getting in a few hits, and he said that you are good at repelling Genjutsu."
Repelling Genjutsu? Of course, I am. With my chakra sensitivity, I notice any disruption or change in chakra immediately. On top of that, I am a Hyuga. All I need to do is turn on my Kekkei Genkai which would allow me to see the blue tint of chakra manipulation.
I snorted.
"Did he tell you that, or did you translate it from his insults," I asked.
Okami laughed.
"You will do well here, kid." He ruffled my hair and I tried not to hiss in pain. The bastard had left a bruise back there as well.
"Anyway." He pulled back and looked at me seriously. "I know Neko gave you some basic information, but I need to clarify a few more things with you."
I nodded, ignoring my pounding headache and leaned into the pillows.
"Did Neko tell you about addressing other Anbu." He asked.
I nodded again.
"Good." He said. "I just want to make sure you aren't running around calling me Sakumo-Oji."
I tried not to snicker.
"Can I call you Okami-Oji?" I asked him.
He gave me a light glare.
"I wish." He snorted. "It would make me feel better than -taicho."
I blinked.
"You are a division commander?" I asked surprised.
He shook his head. "The previous Anbu commander died. The reason why I was sent back from the border is that I've been named the next one."
"Congratulations." I blinked in surprise before studying the man.
Just last year he tried to take his own life, now he is Anbu Commander.
It is funny how the world works.
"But there is another thing as well," He paused trying to find his words. "You cannot tell anyone that you are Anbu. If they work it out its fine, but we want to keep the know how to a minimum. Thus the Hokage and I think that you need a cover story. We really don't want the information that we have a 7-year-old on our payroll."
A.K.A No telling Kakashi or your other friends.
"What about a cover story?" I asked.
"Something to tell others so they don't suspect you are Anbu."
I blink as the story started to form in my mind.
"I know the perfect one."
I told him.
He raised an eyebrow in question.
And I grinned.
-.-
"I thought it would take a few more weeks before you would come back to see me!"
I followed Ken'ichi into his forge and we walked inside his house.
Just like the week before, we sat at his table with tea between us. But I was there for a completely different reason.
"I figured that I could do a shift or two a week," I told him and I wasn't lying. For this cover, I would actually have to take it seriously and learn fast to make it seem as if I really was learning the trade, not using it as a cover.
Ken'ichi studied me closely not touching his tea.
"So which one got their claws into you first. Hiruzen or Danzo?"
I froze before trying to pass it off.
"Don't lie to me kid." The old blacksmith growled. "I know this is a cover, so be honest with me. I may be retired for many years now, but both idiots still come to me because they value my opinion. I'm not dumb so your answer will entice my own.."
"Hokage-sama," I said taking the chance. so much for not telling anyone.
He snorted.
"Good. I don't like the idea of Danzo getting a hold of you, You wouldn't last a day with that mouth of yours."
It would be stupid to disagree. I was way too emotional to be detached as Danzo would want. I can't even control myself. With that in mind... Why the hell did Danzo want me anyway?
"So Hiruzen put you in Anbu to protect you from Danzo, eh?" He scratched his cheek. "Alright, tell him that I get you twice a week for the full day unless you are on a mission, and we have a deal. If someone asks for you at my place I will say that you are running errands or something else. But you better be serious about this, the days that you are here, you will be very busy."
I blinked.
"I didn't think you would agree so easily."
He shrugged.
"Danzo might be an old comrade and friend, but I trust him as far as I can throw him."
I bit my lip, trying not to laugh at the picture of Ken'ichi breaking his back trying to lift the other man.
"And Hiruzen probably expects that I know about this, so tell him exactly what I said."
I nodded before moving to get up.
"No." The older man growled. "You are going to sit down and drink your tea, it has chakra conductive properties, so you will heal faster."
I stilled.
"I've heard stories about what Anbu is like kid. I'm not an idiot."
I sat back down taking in the tea.
"Oh and Rei-chan?" I looked back up.
"Make sure you henge the bruises away the next time you go out. It's a bit obvious that you have been through the washer."
Ops.
-.-
I walked into the Hyuga district and down the main street. My shoulders immediately felt heavy with the stares. And I knew that if I turned on my Byakugan, a few people would be staring back at me.
That only brightened the happy mood I was already in.
Please note sarcasm.
I gritted my teeth and pushed on down the alleyway.
My path took me inside and up to my door before I went inside.
Back hitting the solid door, I looked at the ground taking the chance to look over what had transpired in what was probably the longest day of my short second life.
Anbu. I was now in Anbu. My alibi was set and tomorrow I start my first official day. Fugaku wanted to meet me at the lockerrooms at 7:00 am sharp. And for Fugaku that meant 6:45 am. If I was any later then that he would scold me.
I snorted.
The man needed to get the stick out of his ass, or at least get laid.
Speaking of Fugaku getting laid. He is married, so I wonder where Mikoto is. Is she pregnant yet? My mind filled with Chibi Itachi and I suddenly got a headache.
I blinked in surprise as I realized I had overlooked a very important fact.
I wasn't alone.
My front door had been opened. Looking at the floor, rather than just gazing into space I noticed three pairs of shoes. Two sitting properly on the side, while the other thrown.
I didn't need to ask whose they were.
"What are you guys doing in my house?" I asked as I walked around the hallway.
Rin was sitting on the porch with my cup of tea in her hands, watching Kakashi pin Obito to the ground in my yard.
"You looked down!" Obi yelled, trying to tap, but Kakashi ignored him, pushing him just a bit further.
"I give!" Sunshine growled flailing like a fish out of water.
"So we came to see you." Rin continued.
"Before you run off again." Kakashi looked towards me, clearly ignoring the other boy.
"Teme!"
I shook my head before sitting next to the girl.
Kakashi finally let Obito go, the black-haired boy flopping onto the ground.
"Freedom!" the kid muttered. I snorted in laughter before another body sat next to me.
"So why were you out of it today?" my best friend asked. "We saw you walking around distracted earlier."
As if I'm going to tell you.
I rolled onto my back and tried not to wince as my head leaned onto the new bruises that the training had given me. Or rather my arm was a bruise. That's what I get for being confident that I could loosen Neko's grip on my arm.
"Nothing for you to worry about."
"You know, that just makes us worry more, right?" Obito said, crawling up onto the porch.
A slurp came from Rin and I looked up at her.
She had this dopey grin on her face.
"Rin?" I asked. I reached up and poked her cheek.
She hummed before taking another sip.
"This tea is good."
I snorted once again before the boys looked at each other in confusion.
Kakashi shrugged before grabbing another cup fro the tray and pouring one for himself.
"No! Teme! Don't go to the dark side!"
Shaking my head, I hid my grin.
I would do anything
Anything to protect these people.
Anything.
-.-
Hey peeps.
Sorry for being so late. Home life hasn't been too great, so I've had a sudden lack of inspiration to do absolutely anything. I felt guilty for disappearing on you guys so i'm actually typing out this chapter when I'm supposed to be studying for my Intermediate Latin Exa worth 15% of my great.
Like I said.
Lack of motivation.
Anyway, Question? What do you think of my structure of Anbu? And what division do you think Reika will end up being categorized in and why?
Recommendation?Ghost Stories by ViiA01. This is AU where Sakura visits the abandoned Uchiha Compound with Ino and Naruto but gets pushed in an abandoned well where she meets and saves six Uchiha brothers who were sealed inside. Once let out, these brothers wreak havoc on her world. I found it an interesting concept and I love Kakashi and Genma's character portrayal. The characters are kept to their Canon personalities as much as can be and the interactions are fun. Check it out if you are looking for something to read.
Thank you all for the Views, Favorites, Follows and encouraging Reviews,
RavenMocker6
P.S You have all blown my minds. I'm up to 475 Favorites, 688 Follows, and 222 Reviews. Thank you all for supporting me!
Dark Rose Charm, I'm not telling~. As for Danzo? When is he not being a grade-A Asshole?
littleclipp, I can't wait to write the whole interaction between Sakumo and/or Hiruzen and Satomi. All i can say is that she may be an elegant swan, but she a Mama bear when it comes to Reika! I actually based Kakashi and Reika's relationship as how my best friend and I were growing up, so I don't this that would ever change. Kakashi will probably always be a brother to her. Really Kisame and Zabuza? I could see Kisame because he hates liars, and Reika is a blunt as can be (like you said). But you think so for Zabuza as well? Aww I was looking forward to seeing who inside the village you could see her with and why! littleclipp, your opinion is very appreciated, please don't feel as if you are pushing anything on me, I like to hear everyone's opinion and theories. Maybe there are things that they bring up that I never considered, and then I can incorporate it in. As for Homework? I'm a University Classical Archeology Student, Homework is my life. Also, I'm pulling attention to the Classical Archeology part of it. I completely know where you are coming from! Keep up the effort in school! It is worth it!
Levin Kluge, Yo! Thanks once again! Sorry for the wait!
Bored411, And here you are. She is in Anbu and doesn't like it. But it is better than Root any day! As for Danzo, He's not done. Just putting it out there.
Emily D'Lu, Sorry for the wait! Family shit sucks!
Zdraco, I'm trying not to make her over the top. That is why I'm trying to ease Anbu into her life. I could have easily been like; Yup, she's in Anbu and she's going to rock the shit out of it. But no. She will eventually get ridiculously powerful, but that will take time and lots of pain. Reika thrives when she's in pain and going through hardships. Her power will come from her pain, and she will wear it like a badge to tell the world that she survived. (Oh god the feels I just got writing out that sentence was totally worth it.)
GreyMoon. Huntess, I figured I needed to give some lightheartedness to dilute the severity of the chapter and the consequences that result from it. As for Orochimaru? It will take quite a few chapters to get there, but it will happen don't you worry! I know right! Those cheeks! When I was writing about chibi Itachi I couldn't help but think of that as well!
KyraKuran, A lot of authors focus on the idea of how cool it would be to have the ability to be a shinobi, being able to fight and do cool shit. But I always find that the best ones concentrate on the struggle of accepting that you are extinguishing one's life and the struggle that one has inside their own mind is key. A character is not supposed to stroll through a story. No, they are supposed to struggle, and cry, and fight, and yell, and hate themselves while loving others. I also think that the way I write emphasizes that struggle, with Reika throwing in her own comments on what she thinks. Reika has never been someone that could push something off. If something is going to happen, let it happen and she will deal with it and give back 120%. Thank you for understanding that I can't always slap out chapters, If I could, I would, but unfortunately, life is a struggle and doesn't let up for anyone. If you think of anyone else you would like to see her partnered with, let me know, I would be interested in playing out the scenes in my head to see if I could incorporate it.
Daffybart1, I wish Sakumo could be in charge of her. Things would go a lot more smoothly that way.
Lina03, Thanks! I try my best!
Lizyeh2000, Nah Kakashi will not be joining for quite a while. And trust me when I say that he is going to freak when he finds out that she was in it all along.
Nicolaaa, Thanks! Hope you enjoy!
Silverlined Phoenix, I know right! I don't know why we don't get more people trying to save him! Or at least exploring his character. Saving him was a half-hearted decision and look where it landed me! He's amazing! Shikaku eh? I almost forgot about him. Hmm, I'm going to have to look into that. I'm going to be honest... Gai is not my favorite character. I find him too over the top. BUT, it is an over the top that works, so he gets to stay. When I came up with the whole duck thing I was trying to find a character to say it, then I remembered our Green Beast. I can tell you I was smiling writing that out. It balances out the worry for Reika and his over-the-topness.
Jazzmina, Hello! Welcome to my Fanfic. like the avatar? I wasn't going to bring it that far. She knows basic nature manipulation in each element, but that is really it. The two swords are also very interesting, as an ex-martial artist she did do some training with one sword, so it is not too far from her. Surprisingly those other then Kakashi, Obito, Zabuza, and Kisame are the three characters that everyone seems to want to ship her with. It stumps me on why those three! I've also had one or two Nagato as well. Thanks! J'envoie des bisous du Québec, Merci!
Kayumeee, Love you too... 3 Don't worry I was crying writing it, asking myself about a hundred times if I really wanted to do this. And I'm sorry in advance, but I'm not done... Muhahaha, don't worry I try to censor a lot of what I reply so that I don't give too much away. I don't want you guys to know what is going to happen before I even get a chance to write about it. And yes Gai is a very lovely Green Duckling.
ErikaaStef, Hello! Imagine my surprise when I open my phone to check the review I got and realize that I can't even read it all cause Fanfiction deemed it too long to send as an email! You flatter me too much! I try my best, and Reika just seemed to flow out of me and trust me, I'm not like her at all. I agree with your anger, but remember that (at least in this case) The Hokage needs to have at least two other people agreeing with him out of his advisors before he can take him out. Until then, they wage war against each other. Don't you worry though, Romance will come later on... as will bashing Danzo's face into the dirt. That is true! Reika- Erika! Wow, I didn't realize that! Fun Fact!