When Do We Start
It started raining on to Naruto. He had been trying to add a change in chakra nature to the Rasengan again but failed. It was starting to feel hopeless. He closed his eyes. He just wanted to rest for a minute. When the rain hit his headband. He was brought back to that day.
The day Sasuke left. He saw Sasuke walking away from him. Sasuke started to turn when- Clang!
Sasuke's sword and Kairi's Keyblade were locked. Kairi was glaring daggers at Sasuke, "I will kill you!"
"I'd like to see you try."
Then they pushed off from each other and started to fight.
Naruto's eyes shot open and sat up. Gasping, he was reeling what he just dreamed. No, no, no, it wasn't going to happen. He was going to reach Sasuke's level and Kairi… Naruto didn't understand why the thought scared him so bad; Kairi and Sasuke fighting like that. Kairi made it clear she didn't like Sasuke, and Sasuke was bound to not like Kairi either. It would only make sense that they would fight.
Was he afraid Kairi would beat Sasuke? Was he afraid Sasuke would hurt Kairi? If they did fight, who would Naruto want to win?
He quickly shook his head. He wasn't going to ask those questions, because it wasn't going to happen! Naruto would fight Sasuke, and Kairi wouldn't, and Naruto wouldn't have to…
%%%%%%
Kairi sat in the dark. Her knees were to her chest as she cried.
"Asuma…" He was dead. He was dead and it was her fault! If only she was stronger, then he'd be alive. She was supposed to be stronger than this, she was supposed to be the one to protect people, not the other way around. She was supposed to be stronger so that no one would die for her again.
She recalled Shikamaru's mournful cry. How was she supposed to face him? Any of them? How was she supposed to face Naruto? It was bad enough since they had a fight, now…
Kairi just wanted to stay there and cry, even though she knew it wouldn't solve anything. She didn't know what to do.
Suddenly, something sparkled in front of Kairi. She looked up and to her surprise, it was her good luck charm.
What was that doing here? It was supposed to be with Sora. But there it was, her seashell charm floating, glowing, like it was happy to see her.
Kairi reached out and held it. It felt warm. Then it started to pulse. Like a heart beat. It almost felt alive. It almost felt like Sora was holding her hand.
She looked at her charm… Was Sora, trying to reach her? Trying to tell her, she couldn't save everyone? That she shouldn't give up? The charm pulsed again, like it was trying to say 'yes.'
She looked at the charm sadly. She rested her forehead against it, imagining Sora's face.
"Sora," Kairi whispered, "Someone died today… It hurts… It hurts so bad… I failed… I want to give up… But I know I can't," Kairi admitted, "I don't have the luxury. There are still others I have to fight for; you included. I'm still hurt, but I'll… somehow get better… Is that what you're trying to say?"
Kairi just felt her charm pulse. Whatever this was; a dream or an illusion. She knew this was her charm, and it was with Sora. But Sora was still giving her strength, wherever he was. Maybe she could do the same. She looked at her charm, and started pouring chakra into it. Maybe, just maybe it would help Sora.
Her charm glowed brighter before vanishing. Well, at least her charm didn't backlash with her chakra like her Keyblade did.
Why did it do that?
Asuma gave her some advice. That she should figure out her Keyblade before infusing chakra into it. It was good advice; it was time she thought about it.
She thought about her Keyblade. The Keyblade; a weapon that taps into the heart of it's wielder, drawing strength allowing them to use powers. It gave them the power to draw upon the connections in others hearts. It chose it's wielder… that meant, it was alive.
Her Keyblade was alive. Maybe not in the same sense Kairi was, but it was alive. And Kairi was infusing her chakra, into something that was also alive.
Give and take.
Kairi remembered those words. She heard them the first time she tried infusing chakra into her Keyblade. What did that mean? Give and take. Was her Keyblade trying to tell her something?
%%%%
"Asuma Sarutobi, was struck down."
Naruto's heart dropped into his stomach at Captain Yamato's announcement. Asuma-Sensei… was dead? No, that couldn't be right! He was a Jonin! He was one of the strongest shinobi in the village, he was the third Hokage's son, he-he couldn't be dead!
"How?" Kakashi asked, in a whisper.
"The Akatsuki," Captain Yamato explained.
The Akatsuki? They were back? They killed Asuma-Sensei?
"Asuma and his team intercepted them, and tried to capture them, but even with Kairi's help they-…"
"Kairi?" Naruto burst at the sound of his sister's name, "What was she doing there?"
"The Heartless activity increased badly so she was dispatched. From what I hear, she heard the Akatsuki were nearby and went after them," Yamato saw the panicked look on Naruto's face and quickly said, "They didn't get her Naruto, she is back in the village," Naruto looked like he calmed down abit, until Yamato spoke again, "But, she's in the hospital unconscious."
"What?"
"Something happened with Shikamaru. To the best of our knowledge a Heartless attacked him and almost converted him into one, but Kairi saved him. The enemy used that to their advantage and injure her."
Naruto didn't understand most of it, but it sounded like Kairi got hurt helping Shikamaru. He looked to where he last saw Sakura. She was still standing there, she didn't hear the conversation. Without another thought Naruto ran to her.
"Sakura, we need to go to the hospital," Naruto said as he approached.
"Why wha-…"
"Kairi's hurt!"
"What?"
"She's hurt and she's in the hospital!"
Without another word, Sakura dropped the basket of food pills and ran with Naruto towards the hospital.
Naruto and Sakura ran through the halls of the hospital after talking to the receptionist. After turning a corner, Naruto saw Shikamaru standing in front of Kairi's room.
"Shikamaru!" The young Chunin flinched at Naruto's voice. He looked up to see Kairi's distressed brother running up to them. Sakura went into the room to check on Kairi and to heal her. Leaving Shikamaru alone with Naruto.
Shikamaru looked down ashamed, "Naruto… I'm…"
"What happened?" Naruto asked, "They told me Kairi was hurt and that Asuma-Sense is…" Naruto trailed off, "Tell me it's not true!"
Shikamaru trembled as his hands curled into fists. It took a minute before he finally answered, "… It's true."
Shikamaru expected Naruto to hit him. Kairi was hurt because of him. He wouldn't blame Naruto if he wanted to punch him, but he didn't. He looked up to see Naruto's looking down. He looked just as angry as he did.
"Kairi?" Sakura ran into the room. Ino was already applying medical ninjutsu to the unconscious red head.
Sakura quickly joined her assisting her with the medical ninjutsu. She looked at Kairi worried.
Kairi, please be okay. It doesn't matter what you said before, just please be okay.
Slowly, the cuts and bruises faded away. And Kairi opened her eyes.
"Kairi," Sakura said relieved.
"Well, look who's awake," Sakura turned to see Jiraya standing in the corner. Had he been there the whole time?
Kairi sat up, not bothering to look up. Jiraya approached the bed. He didn't look happy.
"You were completely wreckless and irresponsible. You nearly got yourself captured and it was all for nothing," Jiraya said, not to kindly. Kairi didn't respond, she didn't look up, "Well except for some broken bones."
"Can't you do this later?" Ino asked, "She's injured."
"And she should stay injured, maybe then she'd learn her lesson," Jiraya snapped, Kairi still didn't look up, "Just because you have some fancy weapon and some fancy power, it doesn't make you invincible."
"I never said it did," Kairi muttered under her breath.
"Then don't act like it," Jiraya snapped, hearing Kairi's remark. Kairi slightly flinched at his tone. Jiraya turned around, "And don't be so conceited. The world doesn't revolve around you. You don't make miracles," he stopped just as he was about to walk out, "And you don't make disasters."
Kairi just kept looking at her lap. Sakura and Ino were in the room with her.
"What happened to…"
"The Akatsuki got away," Ino confirmed.
Kairi's hands tightened, "I meant… Asuma?"
Ino went quiet. Sakura knew immediately something was wrong.
"He…" Ino's eyes teared up, "He didn't make it."
Sakura gasped. Kairi started to cry herself, she was hoping that it was just a nightmare or that they got him help in time, but apparently that was too optimistic.
As she cried, she remembered that Ino was in Asuma's team. She was hurting worse than her, "Ino," Kairi looked up, "I'm so sorry. I-I tried to stop them, I-I thought I could… I-I'm sorry, I-I w-was useless and-…"
"No Kairi," Ino quickly said sitting on the bed, "That's not true, Shikamaru told me you saved him. That if you weren't there, then we would have lost both Asuma-Sensei and Shikamaru. You weren't useless."
"But still… I-…"
"Asuma-Sensei knew what the risks were," Ino explained, "He knew, and he chose to fight. That's who he was," Ino assured. Kairi just went quiet as she sobbed. Ino gave her a hug, to calm her down.
Sakura sat on the other side of the bed. Soon, Kairi calmed down. So, Ino went to get some food.
Kairi and Sakura sat in awkward silence. Sakura didn't know what to say, Kairi was still clearly upset. She understood why. Asuma-Sensei died and she blamed herself.
"Kairi," Sakura whispered, "Ino's right, you shouldn't blame yourself. I know you, you did all you could."
Kairi just seem to tense as more tears feel from her face. But she soon wiped them away.
Sakura started to stand up, "I'll go tell Naruto you're-," Kairi stopped Sakura, by grabbing her hand.
Sakura looked at Kairi, in silent confusion. Kairi looked ahead blankly for a minute, before looking at Sakura.
"Sakura, I'm sorry…"
"Like I said, it wasn't you-…"
"Not that- well, yes that too," Kairi took in a breath to calm down, "I'm sorry about what I said before."
That made Sakura sit back down, "It's alright, I understand."
"It's not alright," Kairi said, "I… I meant what I said, but I shouldn't have taken it out on you like that. It's just… Why Sasuke?" Kairi finally said, "Sakura, you're amazing, talented, a kind person," Kairi held her hand as she spoke, "You deserve to be happy, you deserved to be loved, but Sasuke doesn't want to give that to you. You have to know that… because you told me. I know there are so many good guys out there who would give that happiness, why waste it on Sasuke? He just keeps hurting you."
Sakura looked at Kairi and felt tears in her own eyes. That was first time anyone has ever said something like that to her.
"Kairi," Sakura said, "To answer your question: I don't know. A part of me asks that every day. A part of me wants to stop loving Sasuke, but I just can't. Maybe I am an idiot, but I love Sasuke. I know, you don't understand, and I know, you said those things, because you are worried about me and Naruto. But I'm going to keep loving Sasuke, maybe one day I'll stop, but…" Sakura looked down.
Kairi squeezed her hand gently, "I… I'll never forgive Sasuke for what he did, and I'll keep thinking you're wrong and keep worrying about you… but I'll keep your friend Sakura, I promise!"
That led to the two of them hugging. Sakura felt so relieved, hearing Kairi say that, "I think you're the closest female friend I've had."
Kairi laughed a little, "I think, you should make up with Ino. No guy is worth losing a friend," Kairi pulled away, "Especially him."
"Yeah, I don't think so," Sakura laughed, "Miss pig is just too arrogant even if it weren't for Sasuke."
The door opened and close. The two girls looked to see Naruto had entered. The atmosphere became silent. Kairi swallowed, now it was time to talk to Naruto. She looked at Sakura and silently asked her to leave.
Sakura got up and left the room, not without giving Naruto a look before leaving.
Naruto stood there. Both twins were silent. Kairi decided to go first.
"I'm sorry," Kairi said silently, "About before."
The room stayed silent for a while.
"You still don't like Sasuke…"
"No…" Kairi confessed, "I don't think I ever will…"
"I don't like Sora…" Naruto said.
Kairi looked up, "What does have Sora have to do with this?"
"He let you get kidnapped and hurt, over and over," Naruto said.
"That wasn't his fault," Kairi narrowed her eyes.
"I don't like Sora… And you don't like Sasuke," Naruto said. Kairi looked at him confused, "But you like Sora, because you know him, the way I'll never know him… and I think of Sasuke like a brother, because I know him the way you'll never know him…"
"I…" Kairi tried, "He tried to kill you… I can't forgive that…"
"I'm not asking you to," Naruto moved to Kairi's side, "I'm just asking you to understand, I still care about him, and I'm going to keep trying to save him."
Kairi nodded.
"I heard about Asuma-Sensei," Naruto said.
Kairi started to cry again, "I… He's dead… It's my fault…"
"Hey," Naruto wrapped an arm around her, "No it isn't."
"I… I don't know what I'm doing," Kairi finally confessed, "I just… feel like I'm making this up as I go and… now Asuma's dead and I…"
"Kairi," Naruto assured, "We wouldn't even know how to fight the Heartless if you weren't here. When the Nine-Tails tried to take me over, you saved me. And Shikamaru told me you chopped off one of the Akatsuki's head. That's not something someone who's 'all talk' can do."
"I just…" Kairi continued to cry, "Every time I mess up I think, if it was Sora, it would had gone right… That if Sora were here Asuma would be alive…"
"You don't know that," Naruto said, "For all you know, Sora might had been just as lost. Kairi, I know it's hard, but, sometimes, you can't save everyone," Kairi squeezed her eyes shut, "But that doesn't mean you shouldn't keep trying to save everyone."
"I'm… I'm trying to get stronger…"
"I know, we'll get stronger together, ya know… Don't be hard on yourself, I know Asuma-Sensei wouldn't want that. He'd say, 'stop feeling sorry for yourself and get back up.'"
Kairi looked at Naruto as he continued.
"And that's what you need to do," Naruto flicked her forehead, "Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Because I prefer you being here, than Sora. And I'm not just saying that because you're my sister."
Kairi finally managed a smile at Naruto's antics, "I know… But I can't promise I'll…"
"Don't worry about it," Naruto said, "Besides, we need to get ready for his funeral."
Kairi nodded.
%%%%
The next morning, everyone gathered at the cemetery, although Kairi didn't see Shikamaru. Sakura let Kairi borrow one of her black dresses. Kairi never cared much for the color, but it was appropriate for the occasion. She stood between Sakura and Naruto. The later was comforting Asuma's nephew, who was crying.
She looked ahead. A woman was placing flowers on Asuma's new grave. Kairi learned that she was Asuma's lover. The sight made Kairi's heart sink even more.
Asuma had so many people who loved him, and now he was gone. Everyone told Kairi it wasn't her fault. Logically, Kairi knew they were right. She didn't kill him, it was Hidan and Kakazu. But Kairi still felt responsible.
When it was over, Kairi went to the training fields alone. Tsunade spoke to Kairi just before the funeral started. As punishment for leaving Jiraya and going off on her own, Kairi was confined to the village until she mastered the Rasengan. So, Kairi had no time to waste.
She didn't even change out of the black dress.
Kairi reached her usual spot, with a new bag of rubber balls. Kairi reached out to pick up another ball but stopped. Instead she sat against a tree.
What am I doing? If I don't master the Rasengan, who knows how long I'll be stuck here?
Kairi knew that, but, she had a feeling, she needed to focus on her Keyblade. Infusing chakra into it.
Give and take.
Give and take. Give and take what?
Kairi gave her Keyblade chakra and took burns in return.
She summoned her Keyblade and looked at it.
"Give and take," she whispered.
It was a weapon, but it was alive. Give and take. Those thoughts swirled around Kairi's head.
Kairi sent a small amount of chakra into her Keyblade and the handle got hot, not burning, just hot. Kairi began to wonder, what did her Keyblade do with her chakra when she infused it.
She looked at her weapon confused, curious. Was there a way to find out? Maybe there was. Kairi was a sensory-type, she could sense chakra. Would it work on her Keyblade? Only one way to find out.
Kairi sat on her knees. She laid her Destiny Embraces handle on her lap. She closed her eyes and shifted her chakra into sensory mode. She could feel her own chakra running through her body, like blood through her veins. She could even sense the chakra of some small animals nearby.
She gently placed her hand on the weapons handle and sent chakra into it.
Instantly, the chakra shot up to the blades tip, and shot back down to the handle.
"Huh?" Her Keyblade, just sent it back? So why did the handle get hot?
Kairi thought back to the words one last time. She held her Keyblade again. She spoke the word and she repeated the process, "Give," she gave her keyblade chakra, "and take," when the keyblade shot it back, Kairi did something different. She tried, taking back the chakra she just gave it.
The handle didn't become hot, the chakra reentered Kairi. It almost felt like power flowed into her. Kairi's hear raced when she noticed that the chakra that was returned, was more than what she gave.
Kairi repeated the process, "Give," she gave it more chakra, "Take," her chakra increased when it was returned to her.
"Give… Take… Give… Take…" Kairi kept repeating this, over and over, until it wasn't Kairi passing chakra to and back with her Keyblade; but more like a circuit of energy. Going from her to the tip of her weapon, then back to her over and over.
Kairi felt her chakra course through her Keyblade like it was an extension of her. Another body part. Her chakra increasing with every lap of power, it felt like it was radiating off her, swirling around.
Kairi looked at her Keyblade. She tried to focus her chakra into it. To control it. Soon the chakra coated her Keyblade, Kairi quickly got up and sliced through the tree closest to her. It was so easy, and quick, Kairi never cut through anything that easy before.
The whole tree fell, not just the one in front of her, but the three behind it too.
"Whoa," Kairi whispered. She looked at her weapon, "Okay, this I can work with. What else can I do?"
Kairi thought back to the shadow shuriken jutsu. Kairi wondered if she could do that with her Keyblade? She looked toward another set of trees that weren't cut down. She infused her chakra, then threw her Keyblade. Just as she was about to do her hand signs, two clones of the Keyblade appeared side by side, before embedding themselves in the trees.
I didn't even need to do the handsigns!
Kairi summoned her Keyblade back to her. The clones poofed away.
What else can I do without handsigns?
Kairi began infusing chakra again. She remembered how her chakra felt when she used a jutsu so, she tested that. Through her Keyblade she manipulated her chakra, then without handsigns, "Transform!"
When the smoke settled Kairi ran to the pond. When she looked down, Naruto was looking back in the reflection. Every aspect was perfect. The clothes the hair, and without a hand sign. Could this mean...?
Kairi undid the transformation and held up her Keyblade. Once again she infused chakra, and started to control it. This time, she didn't coat her Keyblade with chakra this time. She focused the chakra at the tip.
Rotation. Power.
At the tip of the Keyblade, a Rasengan appeared. Faster and more stable than it took with her hands.
She stopped and ran back to the apartment. She needed a change of clothes.
"How could you not keep track of Kairi," Kairi heard Sakura yell as she ran up the stairs. She spotted both Naruto and Sakura, "She's still-…"
They were cut off when Kairi ran past them into the apartment. She grabbed a change of clothes, and knowing they were both going to follow her in, she went into the bathroom to change.
"Kairi?" Naruto's voice called as she changed into a tank top and shorts.
Kairi opened the door and quickly handed Sakura back her dress, "Thanks for letting me borrow this."
"Kairi, what are you-…"
"I finally figured it out," Kairi decided to tell them now.
"What the Rasengan?" Naruto asked.
"Not that, but almost," Kairi clarified, "I figured out how to channel chakra through my Keyblade."
"What?"
"How?"
"All this time I thought the Keyblade was rejecting my chakra, but it wasn't. The Keyblade chooses its wielders, its alive. That's why it doesn't absorb chakra like normal chakra blades. So, I thought it couldn't accept chakra, because of that. But I was wrong, it wasn't rejecting my chakra I was…"
"Uh…" Neither of them seemed to understand.
"My Keyblade, was trying to send my chakra back to me," Kairi explained, "But I wasn't taking it back, so it just felt like it was hot and burning me. But once I accepted my chakra, I understood what it can do. It amplifies and conducts my chakra just like my magic, but in a different way."
"Uh…?" Naruto was still confused.
Kairi sighed. She summoned her Keyblade and started the process. They watched her as she held her weapon. At first, it didn't look like anything was happening, but soon they felt it. Chakra was radiating off Kairi, no more like growing.
Kairi raised her Keyblade, and then at the tip a Rasengan began to form. Both Sakura and Naruto watched in awe.
"Wow."
Kairi stopped her demonstration and the Rasengan vanished.
"I'm going back to the training field," Kairi said, "I need to get this down. I'm finally going to master the Rasengan," she looked at Naruto, "It may not be how you do it," or how Dad did it, "But, it's the only way I know how."
Naruto nodded with a grin, "It suits you."
Kairi returned with a smile of her own before running out of the apartment. Naruto watched her go. Kairi was coming along. She was about to master the Rasengan. Naruto felt proud. The Rasengan always felt like it was his jutsu, but his sister learning it, almost made it feel like it was their families jutsu.
He recalled the nightmare he had. The one where Kairi and Sasuke fought.
He turned to his closet to get his clothes.
"Naruto?" Sakura asked.
"I can't let my sister out do me."
%%%%
The next day
Kairi huffed. She was surrounded by large craters and fallen trees. At the moment, she was looking at a large boulder. After this one, she'd take a break. She charged forward.
"Rasengan!" The ball of chakra swirled to life at the Keyblade's tip. Kairi lanced her weapon forward into the boulder. The giant rock was instantly destroyed. Shattered like glass.
Kairi gasped; she had spent the whole day practicing with the Rasengan. At first it wasn't stable, only creating a spiral groove in her targets. But soon, Kairi finally had it contained. She knew it was because of the Keyblade, that on her own it wouldn't be stable. But right now, Kairi didn't have time to master the Rasengan, 'in the right way.' Not that Kairi thought that her way was wrong.
Naruto used his clones, Kairi used her Keyblade. She smiled at her achievement. She briefly wondered, what her Dad would think of her way of using the Rasengan.
She also learned that, if her chakra got low. The Keyblade's amplifying abilities, could replenish it. Every time Kairi sent chakra into it. It doubled her chakra and sent it back. But Kairi still got tired.
Now, to add the change of water nature… how do I do that?
"Kairi."
Kairi looked behind her and was surprised, "Shikamaru?"
Shikamaru looked at the damage Kairi did to the training field. He saw her use the Rasengan. He heard she was learning how to do it; he honestly didn't think anyone besides Naruto could do it. Shikamaru wasn't going to complain, if Kairi could use it, that made this easier."
"Shikamaru," Kairi began, she looked, "I'm so sorry about-…"
"Kairi," Shikamaru interrupted, "Don't start. Ino told me already you blame yourself," He sighed, "It wasn't your fault. If you didn't save Asuma, it was because of me. You had to save me from the Heartless."
"No that wasn't your fault," Kairi said.
"It is," he said, "You warned me. You told me the shadow Heartless could be dangerous for me and my shadow possession jutsu, but I ignored you… But I'm not her for apologies," Shikamaru got serious, "I came to ask you for help."
Kairi nodded, "What do you need?"
"We can't let the Akatsuki keep running around," Shikamaru said, "Ino, Choji and I are going after them. But I need to use my jutsu, and I can't do that with the Heartless nearby. But that means going up against the Akatsuki again and putting you at risk. I know we don't know each other that well, and you this won't be an official mission," Shikamaru looked down, "And I know you're still recovering, you don't have to-…"
"When do we leave?" Kairi asked.
Shikamaru looked at Kairi's determined face. Her eyes… they were just like Naruto's.
"Thank you. Please don't think we're using you as bait. We treat you as any comrade and we'll-…"
"Don't you start," Kairi threw his words back at him. Shikamaru looked confused as Kairi continued, "I could go on and say, this is my duty, or I will do anything to protect Naruto from the Akatsuki. That's all true but, right now, I'm doing it because you're not my comrade," Kairi smile, "You're my friend."
Shikamaru was stunned, he nearly laughed, "We barely know each other."
"So? Any friend of Naruto's is a friend of mine… Well except Sasuke, but that's beside the point," Kairi shrugged, "So, when do we start?"
Kairi now knows the Rasengan, and it's her own style. Actually she learned a few more tricks during her chakra keyblade training, that shall be revealed soon.