Bright Eyes: The Unsung Ninja: A Naruto Story

by GeneralWildfire

A kunoichi's exploits have gone unsung in the world of ninja...until now! Sara Uchiha is a young ninja in the Hidden Leaf Village, trying to find her place in the world while keeping an eye on her mischievious friend, Naruto Uzamaki.

4. Bright Eyes: The Unsung Ninja: Part 4

Recap: Round two of the fight with Zabuza has begun, and not without any hitches. Naruto and Sasuke are fighting Haku, a boy with a Kekkai Genkai, while Kakashi is facing Zabuza, while Sakura is left to care for her unconscious teammate, Sara. Things are not looking good for Squad Seven.

Send in the Hounds

"Sara!" Sakura shouted at her unconscious comrade, praying she would answer. Sakura quickly looked for a reason as to why her comrade had fallen. She almost screamed again, when she saw the gash on Sara's right side. Blood flowed freely from the wound, staining Sara's jacket and the ground red. Sakura quickly ripped some cloth from Sara's jacket, praying she'd be forgiven later, and pressed it on the wound.

After a few minutes, she removed the pressure and watched in horror as more blood started to flow, again. "Mr. Tazuna," Sakura asked. "Can you help me? I don't want her to die!" Sakura said, tears threatening to flow down her face. I know we've never been close, but that's going to change if you live through this!

Tazuna tried to stop the bleeding but to no avail. The blood flow had slowed, but it still was coming.

Kakashi, meanwhile, had whipped around in shocked horror, as he sensed a familiar chakra. No! Don't tell me the seal is slipping! Naruto…hang in there! He said aloud, "I sense…that we're safe…for now. But the seal has cracked and the power of the fox is bleeding through." He whipped out a scroll and threw it into the air, caught it and wiped his blood on it, as it unraveled. If I act quickly, there may still be a chance.

"Listen to me, Zabuza…" He said, "Were both busy men, and it goes against all we've been taught, but let's stop screwing around. Let's wrap this up right now, one big move, winner take all?"

Zabuza replied, "Interesting notion. What have you got planned, Kakashi? Show me!"

Kakashi began to make hand signs while holding the scroll, before he slammed it into the ground thinking, Fanged Pursuit Jutsu!

Zabuza said through the mist, "This will get you nowhere, Kakashi. You can't even tell where I am. While I know exactly where you are and how to defeat you; you can't escape my jutsu!"

Kakashi smiled in satisfaction as, he heard a gasp escape from Zabuza's lips and heard his own dogs snarling."

Sakura stared at her comrade. The bleeding just wouldn't stop. She jerked her head up when she heard distant snarling. "What are we hearing?" Tazuna shook his head, unsure.

Kakashi said to Zabuza, "When your eyes and ears fail you. You can always follow your nose!" Zabuza was trapped by Kakashi's ninja hounds. "This worked because you closed your eyes; this jutsu is specifically designed for tracking. It's why I went out of my way to bleed a bit during both of our earlier encounters. My little pups couldn't miss the smell of my blood on your weapons. Every dog has his nose, and they all know YOU STINK. So…who's caught in whose jutsu now?" Kakashi lifted his hand to his head like a fortune teller. "The fog is clearing. I can see your future. It's death.

Lightning Blade

"I've had enough of your bluffs!" Zabuza said to Kakashi.

Kakashi said, "Who's bluffing? There's no way to face it, you're going to die." Kakashi and Zabuza glared at each other. "Zabuza…you've had your fun…"

While Kakashi was talking to Zabuza, Sakura and Tazuna were still trying to help Sara.

"What do should we do?" Sakura asked, feeling useless. "We need to do something or she'll die."

Tazuna replied, "I'm not sure we can do anything, except pray that her willpower is enough to keep her alive."

Sakura stared at Sara's motionless body, before turning her gaze to the pool of blood next to her. "I hope she can hold on."

Sara came back into consciousness…sort of…she could barely hear Sakura or Tazuna. Don't worry…I'll be fine…I can stick around a little longer… She lost consciousness again.

Kakashi had finished talking to Zabuza and did some hand signs before his chakra became visible looking like blue electricity. Lightning Blade! He thought as he went into a fighting stance. "The man you're trying to kill, is the heart and spirit of this place, and the bridge you're trying to prevent him from completing is this land's hope. You're willing to destroy a land and everyone in it for your own ambition? That's not what a TRUE shinobi does."

Zabuza spat, "Spare me the lecture. I'm fighting for my own ideals, and I'm not about to stop."

Kakashi said, "I'll say this once more… Give up…" Zabuza looked a little startled. "Your future is death."

Sakura was trying to keep an eye on the fog and one on Sara, who's still bleeding. "The mist is starting to dissipate," she said to Tazuna. "I can see two people, it looks like they're just standing there…glaring at each other."

Tazuna said, "It's hard to tell which one is your sensei."

"Oh!" Sakura exclaimed, "One of them is moving!"

Kakashi rushed forward for the kill, and was about to pierce Zabuza's flesh with his Lightning Blade, when Haku appeared in his path. Kakashi stared in horror at the boy. Haku shuddered from the blow and coughed.

"Zabuza…s-sir…" Haku said as he grabbed Kakashi's arm and held on tightly.

Zabuza laughed slightly, "You said my future was death, but you missed again."

The Tools Known as Shinobi

Tazuna asked Sakura as the mist completely disappeared, "Isn't that the boy in the mask?"

Sakura was too stunned to speak."

Kakashi murmured to himself, "He jumped into my attack, to save Zabuza…"

Zabuza laughed, "That was brilliant…Haku."

Kakashi tried to pull his arm out of Haku's grasp, the boy…is already dead. Zabuza began to swing his sword to cut through Kakashi and Haku. He'd cut through the boy to get to me!

"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura shouted as she knelt next to Sara's unconscious body. Sara stirred slightly, Sakura…what's wrong…? Why are you screaming about Master Kakashi…? She lost consciousness again.

Zabuza said, "I really did find a treasure that day! To think he'd give me this opportunity in the end!"

Kakashi quickly grabbed Haku and leaped out of range, flipping in midair. I'm going to regret those flips tomorrow…if I live that long. He removed his arm from Haku's body.

"So, you were able to get away since Haku was already dead.

"Naruto, stay back," Kakashi said. Naruto, who had calmed down, and had been about to enter the fray looked over at Kakashi with a look that said, "What do you mean by that?"

Kakashi looked sadly down at Haku, before he placed his hand over Haku's unseeing eyes, and closed them. He lifted his head to glare at Zabuza and said, "This is my fight!"

Sakura stared in relief at Naruto, "Naruto! You're alive!"

Naruto stared at Sakura, oh no…

Sakura looked behind Naruto, "What about Sasuke?"

Naruto looked away from Sakura while gritting his teeth, trying not to cry; since Sasuke had been defeated by Haku before he protected Zabuza.

Sakura looked at the ground in horror, first Sara now Sasuke…No! Sara's not dead and Sasuke can't be either!

Kakashi glanced at Sakura. Zabuza lunged towards him and he said, "Focus, Kakashi! I'm still your opponent!"

Kakashi easily propelled his legs up to kick Zabuza, from his squatting position.

Sakura stood trembling next to Tazuna. Tazuna scooped up Sara and said to Sakura, "I'll stay with you, so you won't be disobeying your sensei's orders."

"Thank you," Sakura said as she took Tazuna's hand and rushed past Naruto, to check on Sasuke.

Naruto flinched away from Sakura as she dashed past. He didn't see what Tazuna was carrying.

Sakura and Tazuna stared in horror at Sasuke. Sasuke's body had senbon sticking out of it, and he had dried blood near his mouth and on his clothes. Tazuna had to look away.

Sakura stroked Sasuke's face, "He's so cold. This isn't one of his illusions."

"Don't hold back, Sakura. Go ahead and cry. There are times when shedding tears can be good," Tazuna said.

"I always got the best grades on tests," Sakura said suddenly. "I memorized each and every one of the hundred rules of conduct for shinobi…and I used to write them out with pride. We had a test one day and one of the questions was… 'What is the twenty-fifth rule of shinobi conduct?'… I wrote it down, just like always… 'No matter what happens, true shinobi must never show their emotions! Th-the mission is the only priority. Carry that in your heart. And never sh-shed a tear…" Sakura fell onto Sasuke's body, sobbing, every now and then calling out Sasuke's name.

Tazuna looked at the limp body in his arms; he turned away from the body in his arms and the girl and the body before him, and he remembered Kakashi's anger, at something that had changed long ago. He found shinobi life unbearable.

Naruto flinched again as he heard Sakura's sobs.

Meanwhile, Zabuza was panting, he said, "Why…why can't I keep up…?" He got up and rushed at Kakashi, "Damn it!"

Kakashi had already stood up and he easily knocked Zabuza aside. Kakashi teleported behind Zabuza and grabbed him by the shoulder, "Now, there's no way you can beat me."

"What?" Zabuza said, fear beginning to show in his voice.

Kakashi said as he glared at Zabuza, "It's over, you just don't know it yet." Kakashi pulled out two kunai and moved to stab Zabuza in the back, "this is it, 'Demon'!"

Zabuza, as a last resort, swung his sword. Kakashi changed where he was aiming the kunai and stabbed Zabuza in the arm that held the sword. Kakashi jumped away and Naruto watched with awe and terror at how high of a level they were fighting at.

Kakashi said from a squatting position behind Zabuza, "Now you can't use either of your arms, you can't even make hand signs."

A new voice said, "Well, he's certainly made a mess of you, what a pity." Kakashi and Zabuza turned. "And you call yourself a demon, Zabuza."

Zabuza said, "Gatô…what are you doing here and why did you bring all of them?"

Kakashi glared with all the hate he had at Gatô, him…

Gatô laughed, "This is what I had in mind all along Zabuza, you're too expensive. You're doing to die 'Demon' here and now."

"What?" Zabuza said.

The group of thugs shouted, "The shape you're in, well take you down without breaking a sweat!"

Naruto glared at the thugs, who the heck are they, that's some crowd…where's Bright Eyes, when ya need her!

Zabuza said suddenly, "Forgive me, Kakashi. Our fight is over. I no longer have any reason to assassinate Tazuna, which settles our differences."

"Yeah," Kakashi said as he glanced meaningfully at Naruto. "You're right." Kakashi stood up.

Gatô began walking towards Haku's body. "That reminds me, I have a score to settle." He stared down at Haku's body, "You crushed my arm until you almost broke all the bones. Dead meat. Carrion."

Naruto lost all self control, "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING, YOU CREEP!" He bolted forward.

Kakashi grabbed him by his collar as he ran past, "Calm down. Think. There's a lot of them and only one of you."

Naruto swung his arm at Kakashi, making Kakashi release him. Naruto shouted at Zabuza, "Why don't you do something? He practically lived for you!"

Zabuza said in response, "Like what? Haku is dead."

"But you should care! That scumbag is desecrating him! He was your comrade…your partner…he worked for you for years!" Naruto shouted, angrily.

"It's a shinobi's way of life," Zabuza said. "Gatô used me, just like I used Haku. All of us are either users or tools, or both. I didn't value Haku for who he was. I valued him for the taint in his blood, his Kekkai Genkai. I apologize for nothing."

Naruto asked, shocked, "You…do you really mean that?" When Zabuza didn't contradict him Naruto lunged.

Kakashi quickly grabbed Naruto, "Stop it, Naruto! Leave him alone our fight with him is over. Besides which…"

"Shut up!" Naruto shouted. "He's still my enemy!"

Gatô asked, annoyed, "Who is that brat? He's been making a nuisance of himself."

Naruto pointed at Haku, "He really cared about you! He was devoted to you! But to you that means nothing! You don't feel a thing! Are you really that heartless?" Naruto began to cry. "Is that how I'll be if I become stronger? He gave his life for you! He died without any of his dreams coming true…To die as his tool…that's…too much, too cruel…"

"Kid," Zabuza said turning towards Naruto. Naruto was blubbering by now. "Not," Zabuza said as tears ran down his face. "Another word."

Naruto stared at him shocked, while Kakashi looked at him with sympathy.

"Kid," Zabuza said again. "What Haku did wasn't just for me, while we fought, his heart was breaking over you and your friends. That's the truth." Zabuza bit off the tape surrounding his face. "He was too kind…too gentle. I'm glad my last battle was against you…boy. You're right you know."

"Huh?"

"Say what we will, shinobi are still people, with feelings all too human. And I've lost everything…. Would you lend me your kunai knife?"

"Sure," Naruto said as he tossed the kunai.

Zabuza caught it with his teeth, and lunged towards Gatô. Gatô quickly fled behind all of the thugs, giving the order for them to kill Zabuza. Zabuza ripped right through the thugs, receiving stabs and even getting some spears stuck into his back, but he kept coming.

Gatô taunted Zabuza, once Zabuza was pretty much right next to him, "I-if you're in such a hurry to join your friend, go alone!"

Zabuza replied, "I have no intention of joining Haku."

"What are you babbling about?"

"I'm taking you to HELL! Even an ogre in name only a washout from the Village Hidden in the Mist can become a real demon in how he meets his death." Zabuza slashed at Gatô as he spoke. "Once we're in hell I can take my time and show you over and over…who is or is not a demon!" He beheaded Gatô.

Naruto, swallowed hard, while Kakashi closed his eyes.

Zabuza had lowered his head for a brief reprieve, before he glared up at the thugs who screamed like little girls, Zabuza than collapsed in a heap.

Recovery

Naruto stared in horror at Zabuza, and than began to look away. Kakashi said still looking at Zabuza's motionless form, "Don't look away. This was the end of a man who truly lived."

"Yeah…" Naruto responded.

Sakura was still crying over Sasuke.

Am I dead…? Sakura? Am I…Am I… "Sakura…Your arm's heavy…" Sasuke said as he opened his eyes.

Sakura began to shake from holding back her joy, finally she threw herself onto Sasuke, "Sasuke! Sasuke! Sasuke!"

"Ow!" Was all Sasuke could get in. Than he managed a "Sakura, you're hurting me.

"Oh! Sorry!"

Sasuke began to stand, and Sakura moved to help him, "I'm all right… How's Naruto? And that creep in the mask, what happened to him?"

"Naruto's fine, and the boy in the mask is dead…"

"Dead?" Sasuke exclaimed. "Did Naruto…"

"No," Sakura interrupted him. "I mean…I'm not sure. I didn't see it very well, but the boy died trying to protect Zabuza. I was…afraid…" Sakura said after a brief silence. "I thought…You're amazing Sasuke! You survived a death blow."

"No." Sasuke stated. "Sakura, where's Naruto's partner…in…crime…!" Sasuke stared at Tazuna. Sara was pale and the wound was still bleeding.

Sakura got up and shouted to Naruto, "Naruto! Sasuke's all right! He's alive!"

Naruto turned to look and began crying happy tears as Sasuke waved. He glanced at Tazuna and wondered, what's the old man holding?

Kakashi also turned, "I've been worrying about Sasuke since the fight began. I'm glad Sasuke made it after all!" But where's MY favorite? She's usually making a joke or giving a sarcastic remark by now.

One of the thugs shouted, "Aren't you people forgetting something?"

They all began shouting remarks, "You killed our meal ticket!"

"And now you're going to die!"

"The only way we can even break even now…"

"Is to overrun that village and loot it!"

"Oh yeah!"

"Let's go," they all shouted in unison as they rushed forward.

"This isn't good," Kakashi said.

Naruto asked, "Kakashi-sensei! Isn't there some technique you could use to take them all out at once?"

"Not now. Not after using the Lightning Blade and all my other jutsus, I've exhausted my chakra, for the time being."

An arrow flew out of nowhere and landed directly in front of the thugs. Everyone turned around.

All the people from the village had arrived to help, they shouted, "Stop where you are."

"This island's our home. One step further and you'll die where you stand!"

At the head of the villagers was Inari and Tsunami.

Tazuna said as tears welled up in his eyes, "Inari…All of you…"

"Inari!" Naruto shouted happily.

Inari smiled, "It's being a hero, arriving in the nick of time and stuff!"

Naruto smiled fiendishly… "I'm not missing out on the fun!" Shadow Clone Jutsu!

I can't manage anything solid with my chakra so low, Kakashi thought. But a bluff should be enough for these bozos! Shadow Clone Jutsu! Kakashi style. The thugs were already panicking. "Still thinking of taking us on," Kakashi and his clones said in unison.

The thugs began running and jumping off of the bridge. The villagers all let out a cheer.

While they were cheering Kakashi walked over to Zabuza. Zabuza said to him, "Looks like it's all over."

"Yeah."

"Kakashi, do me a favor."

Kakashi lowered his headband over his Sharingan, "What is it?"

"Take me too him," Zabuza said. "I want to see his face…one last time."

"Sure." Kakashi picked up Zabuza and carried him over to Haku.

"Thank you…Kakashi."

Kakashi stepped away from the pair.

Zabuza said to Haku as he touched the boy's face, "If I could…If I were able to. I'd go to the same place as you…Haku." Zabuza lay very still as snow began to fall.

Naruto was crying as he said, "He…was born in a village where it snowed a lot."

Kakashi said, "I see…That boy's spirit was as pure and clean as freshly fallen snow." Who knows Zabuza? Maybe you will go to that place… Who's to say?

Naruto had begun to walk towards Tazuna and the others. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw what Tazuna was carrying, "BRIGHT EYES!" He bolted forward.

Kakashi whipped around when he heard Naruto's cry. When he saw Naruto bolting towards Tazuna, he quickly followed suit, easily overtaking Naruto, even though he was exhausted.

He stopped right in front of Tazuna and took Sara out of his arms, yelling, "Why didn't you try to stop the bleeding?"

Sakura cowered before him, "We tried but every time we removed the pressure to check, the blood just came forth again."

"That's why you keep the pressure on the wound if that happens!" Kakashi snapped, as he pressed his right hand against Sara's right side.

Sakura asked cautiously, "Shouldn't you have something on your hands to keep any infection ou-…"

"I don't have time for that now!" Kakashi snapped at her once again. Sakura hid behind Tazuna, to avoid Kakashi's wrath.

Tazuna said gently, "We need to get her to my place, so you can treat her."

Kakashi nodded and allowed Tazuna to lead the way. Naruto skidded to a halt and stared at his friend, "Will she be okay?" He asked nervously, his eyes threatening to release tears.

Something in Naruto's expression kept Kakashi from snapping at him too, instead he said gently, "I don't know, Naruto. We'll see."

Tazuna led the way as quickly as possible, they were all walking as fast as they could, trying to make sure that they didn't hurt any of the wounded.

Kakashi fell behind, as he tried not to jostle his precious cargo. The bleeding had finally stopped, but Sara's breathing was shallow, and she was very pale. Kakashi pressed his forehead to hers and closed his eyes to fight back tears that threatened to overcome him. "Don't die on me…" He said as he kissed her forehead. "I don't know if…if I could go on without seeing you…again…"

Sara opened her eyes as he did this, her vision was blurred and her hearing was haywire. Is this a dream…? No. He's here, he's really here! Damn it! Why can't I see clearly…She drifted off again.

Once they were at Tazuna's, Kakashi quickly washed his hands and began to clean Sara's wound, before he stitched it up. He came out of the room which was being referred to as, "the makeshift hospital" and nodded at the rest of his students, before he collapsed, exhausted, on his mat.

Sakura looked at Sasuke and said, "Sensei…shouldn't you tend to Sasuke?"

Sasuke glared at Sakura, while Kakashi heaved himself up, exhaustion, and something that looked like defeat showing in his eyes, as he began to yank out the senbon, as gently as he could, snapping at Sasuke, when he flinched.

Sasuke finally darted away from Kakashi, with a few senbon still stuck in him. Kakashi snorted and threw his hands up in exasperation, before he lay down and fell asleep.

Sakura asked, an unusually subdued Naruto, "Is it just me, or is Kakashi-sensei acting differently since Sara isn't here?"

Naruto looked hopefully, towards the room where Sara was in, since he heard his friend's name, before he looked at the ground again, feeling depressed.

Sasuke answered Sakura's question, "Yeah. He's acting gruffer and he has less patience for us and our mistakes. Sasuke lay on his side, since he had a senbon in his rear end, which is why he'd made such a fuss.

Sara awoke to hear Kakashi scolding Naruto, something along the lines of Naruto not being able to see her. She tried to say, "He can come in," it came out more like "hesh cancomeinsh" since she hadn't been awake for 3 days. Kakashi automatically shut the door in a very happy Naruto's face.

"How are you feeling?" Kakashi asked as he walked towards her.

"Okay," She said, once she had awakened more. She tried to sit up.

"Oh no you don't," Kakashi said as he gently pushed her back down. "I don't want you to tear your stitches out."

"Stitches?" Sara asked before she remembered the fight on the bridge. She felt her side. "Who stitched me up?"

"I did," Kakashi replied.

Sara quickly pulled up the blankets and regretted it as the stitches tugged at her skin.

Kakashi gave her an exasperated look as he moved the blankets and lifted her shirt slightly to check her stitches. "You don't have anything that I haven't seen before."

"Perverted jônin," Sara snapped at him.

Kakashi replied calmly, "I am not. Would you have preferred that I had let you die?"

"Yes," Sara responded quietly.

"What?" Kakashi stared at her horrified.

"It's not like anyone cares about me," Sara whispered.

"That's not true and you know it!" Kakashi said angrily.

Sara snapped at him, "Fine, then name five people who care about me!"

Kakashi paused to think, "Well, there's Lord Hokage."

"I'll give you that one."

"Iruka."

"Wrong, try again!"

"Naruto."

"…stupid jônin."

"That Shikamaru, kid."

"…"

"Sakura and Sasuke, Tiégra, Enaki, and myself."

"What!"

"Not to mention the shinobi that took care of you."

"He doesn't care," Sara said sadly, "Or he wouldn't have left me, after he took me here.

"What are you talking about?" Kakashi asked. "I brought you here."

"Oh!" Stupid jônin, stupid eyesight, stupid hearing! "But, you don't care about me, Master Kakashi."

"Yes I do," Kakashi replied. "I told you before that you're my favorite student."

"Yeah," Sara looked away from him.

Kakashi decided to say, "I think I should tell you more about that shinobi." She quickly met his gaze, her eyes showing anticipation. "He's twenty-six, his ideal weight is 149lbs, and he's pretty laid-back." He watched for any sign that he had given himself away. "Oh, and he was once the Head of the Anbu Black Ops." He quickly blinked, odd… I thought that I saw fear in her eyes for a minute…I'll have to keep that in mind.

Sara asked him suddenly, "How old are you, Master Kakashi."

"Why do you ask?" Kakashi countered.

"Just curious."

"How old do you and the others think I am?"

"Well," Sara said hesitantly. "Naruto thinks you're 50 or older." Kakashi's eyes widened in astonishment. "Sakura thinks you're in your 40's, Sasuke thinks that you're in your 30's, and I think you're in your late 20's."

Kakashi said, "You're a good guesser. I'm 26."

"Really?" She asked.

"Really," Kakashi said as he smiled at her. "Do you really want to sit up?"

"Yes."

"Than sit up slowly, okay?"

Sara nodded and sat up as slowly as possible.

Kakashi asked, "Are you hungry at all?"

She replied, "Just a little."

"Okay," Kakashi said smiling. "I'll be right back." He left the room. Once he was gone, Naruto snuck in.

"I made it!" Naruto whispered to her triumphantly. "How are you feeling, Bright Eyes?"

"Okay," she whispered back. "Why are we whispering?"

"So, grouchy butt out there doesn't know I'm in here," Naruto replied.

"A 'grouchy butt' eh, Naruto?" Kakashi said as he stood behind him, two bowls of ramen in his hands.

Naruto looked up at him, "It was a joke, sensei!"

"Get out," Kakashi said in a deadly quiet voice. Naruto fled.

Sara said, annoyed, "He could have stayed."

Kakashi handed her a bowl, "It's best if you get your rest, not be pestered with questions." Kakashi sat down and waited for her to start eating before he began eating.

Without looking at him she asked, "Master Kakashi…how much DO you weigh?"

Kakashi choked on his ramen. "Wh-what?"

"How much do you weigh?" She repeated.

Kakashi said evasively, "I'm at my ideal weight."

"Then why won't you answer?"

"Because, it's not your concern!"

"Admit it," She taunted. "You're chubby."

"I am not!" Kakashi said a little too quickly.

She continued to taunt him, "Maybe overweight might be a better word."

Kakashi snapped, "I weigh 159, only ten pounds above my ideal weight, okay?"

"Yep," she said happily. She had already finished her ramen and her eyes began to shut. Kakashi set his down and pulled up her blankets. "Thanks," she murmured, her groggy mind not realizing that this was strange behavior for a jônin.

"Get some rest," he said as he picked up her bowl and left the room.

Once she was asleep, Kakashi made sure that he kept an eye on her. Now that she was awake, he didn't want her to go back into unconsciousness. As he watched her, he laughed at himself, stupid jônin indeed! I keep torturing myself, by staying near her… I'll never adopt her, and she'll never know who am I…this does bring back memories…I should get some rest. Kakashi lay on his mat and fell asleep for the first time in 3 days.

Sara woke up the next morning, needing to use the bathroom. She carefully maneuvered herself out of the bed, cautious of her stitches. I hope those can come out soon, they're itching like mad! She stared down at Kakashi, who was sound asleep. I should be back before he wakes up.

Once she exited the bathroom, she was practically tackled by her teammates. "What the-…!" She said as Naruto hugged her. "Naruto…let go!" Naruto released her smiling.

Sakura hugged her next, a little more carefully, "I'm glad you're okay!"

"You are?" Sara questioned, perplexed by everyone's behavior.

Sakura stared at her, looking sheepish, "I thought you were going to die, and Kakashi-sensei didn't really say anything, he rarely left your room."

"Wait-what?"

Sasuke answered, "Kakashi, hasn't had any sleep for the past three days, and he rarely left your side."

"You're kidding…right?" Sara asked hopefully.

Naruto shook his head back and forth, "No, he was really different too, like…like…"

"Like he had a different personality," Sakura finished for him. "He wasn't fun to be around. He wasn't the teacher we've grown accustomed too."

Sara began laughing, "I think you guys are nuts!"

"It's true," Sasuke said.

"Yeah, believe it," Naruto added. "He even threatened us…making it twice that he's threatened me!"

"I only threatened you three so you'd know not to disturb her," Kakashi said as he walked out of the room. He glanced worriedly at Sara, "Everything okay?"

She felt awkward under his gaze; she didn't like the look in his eyes. It was an emotion she wasn't familiar with, "Yeah, I'm okay."

"Good," Kakashi said, before he moved off into the kitchen.

She shuddered once he was gone. She was startled when Sakura snapped her fingers, "I've got it! He looks at Sara like she's his daughter!"

Sara stared at her dumbfounded before shouting, "HAVE YOU COMPLETELY LOST YOUR MIND?"

"I think she's right," Naruto agreed. "I've seen lots of parents look at their kids like that."

"Shut up!" Sara snapped at him. Naruto cowered in fear.

Kakashi entered the room again, having heard the shouting, "Everything okay in here?" He asked, worriedly.

"Yes!" Sara snapped, still glaring at her teammates.

Kakashi didn't buy it. "I think you need more rest." He herded her back into the room and made sure she was lying down before he left the room again, leaving the door open.

Sara glared out at her teammates, how could they be so stupid? Kakashi, look at ME like a daughter! Stupid!... No one will ever look at me that way… I'm nothing more than Sheatan to them…

Kakashi walked back into the room, carrying some breakfast for her. He stopped when he saw her expression. He quickly shut the door and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she responded. She grabbed a bowl of cereal, "Thanks, Master Kakashi."

Kakashi wanted to ask her again, as to what was wrong, but he resisted the urge. He knew that he shouldn't be forming any bond with her that was stronger than teacher and student. He knew it'd be cruel to both of them to pretend he could be her guardian. A voice in the back of his mind asked, but what if you could be just that?

Kakashi groaned inwardly. He was beginning to get sick of that little voice in his head that kept asking the questions, he refused to ask. "Sara," he said, trying to get her attention. She turned to look at him, "Today, I would like to take out your stitches, if you're up to it."

Sara looked at him warily, "What do you mean, 'if you're up to it'?"

"I don't have anything to put you out with," Kakashi stated in a matter of fact tone. "You'd be awake for the entire process."

Sara would not meet his gaze. Okay, think clearly now. Take an assessment of how you're feeling…I want those stitches out! She looked at him, "You can take them out today."

Kakashi nodded. He would have asked her if she was sure, if it hadn't been for the look in her eyes.

Later that day, as Kakashi walked in with all he needed to remove the stitches, Sara asked him, "Do I have to remove my shirt?"

Kakashi sighed, "I'm afraid so."

Sara was thoroughly embarrassed as she pulled off her shirt.

Kakashi thought, at least she's modest. He looked at her as he squatted down, "It'd be best if you didn't watch the process." He then set to work on removing the stitches.

Sara felt each tug as Kakashi removed the stitches. He was right though. I'm glad I'm not watching! It doesn't hurt too badly. She was startled when she heard Kakashi say, "There, all done."

She stared down at her side; the wound was healing nicely, and she really didn't mind the fact that it would leave a scar. She said to Kakashi, "Thanks."

He nodded before saying, "I'd like you to sleep in here one more night, just to be sure you get a good night's sleep."

Kakashi waited for her to argue but she said, "Okay, fair enough." Kakashi nodded once again as he left the room.

Sara couldn't stop herself from smiling when she heard Naruto ask Kakashi, "Can I go see her?"

"No," Kakashi practically snarled. "You will wait till tomorrow, or I really will kill you."

I can't believe it! He really did threaten Naruto! Sara thought as she stared at the closed door.

Beach Fun!

By the end of the week and midway through the next, Sara was doing much better, and so was Sasuke (who was rudely awakened in the night, by Kakashi pulling out the last senbon). Sara and the rest of Squad Seven were all beginning to have cabin fever.

Kakashi, noticing his students restlessness, said, "How about we all go done to the beach and relax a little?"

"Wahoo!" They all shouted together, including Sasuke.

Kakashi laughed, "I'll take that as a yes!"

They all changed into their swimsuits/swim trunks and packed a change of clothes before they headed down to the beach.

Once they were there, everyone but Kakashi (who was still wearing his everyday clothing) was in the water and having fun. Kakashi was just reading his book.

Sara sank in the water as she watched Kakashi. She finally stopped sinking when the water was over her mouth; she had a fiendish gleam in her eyes. Sara rose up out of the water and whispered, "Naruto!"

Naruto swam over to her, "Yeah?"

"What if we all pull a prank on Master Kakashi?" Sara asked. Naruto looked at her eagerly. "Okay, we're going to have to convince Sasuke and Sakura to help, so here's what we do…"

A few minutes later, found Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto, and Sara, perched on a tree branch above their teacher, holding a bucket full of sand. Sara held up three fingers and counted down before they dumped the bucket on Kakashi. They all quickly fled to the water.

Once they were in the water they stared at the log that was where their teacher had been. "Stupid jônin…" Sara muttered under her breath. Everyone in the water whipped around when they heard a small splash, like someone diving, or a big fish jumping.

Sakura asked nervously, "What was tha-ahhh!" Sakura was suddenly pulled underwater.

"Sakura!" They all shouted as they looked around wildly for her.

Naruto looked pale and pointed back towards shore. They all turned to look and saw Kakashi holding Sakura by her ankles. They heard him say, "Nothing but a small fry." He gently tossed Sakura onto the shore, where she complained, "Now I've got sand all over me!" Kakashi had already disappeared again.

Naruto was whipping around wildly, trying to see where Kakashi would strike next only to be dragged under. Kakashi was seen near the shoreline, once again, he muttered as he tossed Naruto onto the shore, "One of the bigger catches of the day."

Sasuke and Sara stayed close to each other as they looked for Kakashi. A few seconds later, Sasuke let out a shocked cry before he was dragged under. Kakashi appeared, once again, near the shoreline, "Still not the right fish," he said as he flung a disgruntled Sasuke onto the shore.

Sara watched with apprehension as Kakashi surfaced dived under a wave. Crap! Where is he? I know where he's going to strike…so…if I move… Sara surfaced dived underwater only to hit something hard, releasing the breath she had been holding. She and Kakashi came up sputtering and rubbing the top of their heads since they had collided with each other.

Kakashi recovered more quickly and made a grab at Sara. Sara managed to surface dive and go right between his legs. "Rotten little, thing…" Kakashi muttered as he dove after her. He easily caught her near the shore and smiled under his mask as he pulled her up out of the water. "Finally, I caught the fish that pulled a prank on my shadow clone." He went to gently toss her onto the shore.

Sara, feeling Kakashi was going to toss her, grabbed his neck at the last minute and they both fell back into the water. She was still holding onto Kakashi's neck when he resurfaced coughing, more from fear of what would happen if she let go.

Kakashi walked up onto the shore and deposited her in the sand. "Hey!" She said indignantly.

Kakashi replied, "That will teach you to try and pull a prank on me!" Sara and the others nodded their heads, reluctantly, in agreement. "Now go dry off and change. Than you guys can kick back and enjoy this afternoon."

After they had all changed, Naruto was looking mischievously at Kakashi. "Bright Eyes," he whispered. "What do you say to a little fun?"

Sara followed his gaze, before she shouted, "Dog pile on the jônin!"

Kakashi, who had been reading his book, said startled, "What!"

Sara and the others tackled Kakashi. Kakashi smiled under his mask as he began rough housing with them, cuffing them with restrained blows, and they did likewise back. As the rough housing wore on Sara leaped onto his back.

Kakashi's eye widened as pain shot up his back, "Get off!"

"Not until you admit you're chubby," Sara said, not hearing his tone.

"GET THE HELL OFF!" Kakashi shouted.

Sara immediately jumped off, wondering what had happened to ruin the fun. Kakashi had almost doubled over, and he was holding his back.

"I broke Master Kakashi!" She said, thoroughly alarmed.

Kakashi had to laugh at that as he straightened up, his back cracking with protest, "You didn't break me…it's just an old injury acting up, that's all. But, no more jumping on the jônin, got it?"

"Yes sir!" Sara said, glad that Kakashi was okay.

"Why don't we head back?" Kakashi asked them all.

No one argued with him as he led the way back to Tazuna's.

Leaving Bright Eyes

The rest of the week had pretty much flown by; Squad Seven would be heading home the next day, much to everyone's disbelief.

"Time sure flew by fast," Tazuna commented as he helped Tsunami clean up the table.

Kakashi replied, "It sure did, and we thank you for your hospitality. I'm not sure what we would have done without it."

"It's the least I could do, after I tricked you and your squad," Tazuna replied, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

Kakashi looked towards where his squad was sleeping, and at one in particular who was moving in their sleep more than ever.

Sara twisted and turned, it seemed like she would never be still.

Awww! What the heck is this one about!

Suddenly, it seemed like they had all just gotten back from the beach, and Naruto sneezed loudly, "Excuse me," he said as he wiped his dripping nose.

Kakashi said, "Well, it looks like we won't be going home any time soon."

"Why?" She asked.

"We can't go back if Naruto's sick. We're going to have to wait until he's better."

The dream skipped showing each of them getting sick one right after another, first Kakashi, then Sakura, then Sara, and finally Sasuke. Then it skipped to where everyone was better and they were packing to leave.

As Sara was packing Tsunami came up to her and asked, "What are you doing?"

"I'm getting ready to leave," Sara replied feeling slightly annoyed.

"No you're not," Tsunami said.

"What!"

"You're not better yet."

"Yes I am!" She turned towards the window to see Kakashi and the others leaving…

Kakashi was the only one watching as Sara rose up out of her blankets, still asleep. Tsunami and Tazuna had gone to bed hours ago. What are you up to? Wait don't!

Sara was still dreaming, "No!" She shouted, "Don't leave me behind!" She dashed towards the window and crashed right through it onto the porch… Sara jolted awake as she felt lots of stings coming from her arms. She moved to get up and flinched as the stings became more persistent.

She heard Kakashi say behind her, "I was hoping that you wouldn't jump through the window, but…" He sighed, "I was wrong."

Sara stood up as Kakashi squatted in front of her. He said, "Let me take a look at those cuts." He gently grabbed her left arm first and began to gently remove the glass shards, and he did the same for the right, before he cleaned and bandaged them both. "Now," He said as he stood up. "Would you like to talk about the dream?"

Sara looked up at him for a few moments before she nodded her head, yes, and sat down on the edge of the porch. Kakashi sat down next to her. She only explained to the part where they were leaving her when Kakashi interrupted, "It sounds like you want to stay here…"

"Wait…what?" She asked.

"From what I've heard of your dream and what I've seen with my own eyes…you want to stay." Kakashi said sadly.

Sara looked at him uneasily, "I still don't understand."

Kakashi sighed, "This is the best place you've probably ever experienced. A loving family…this is everything you've ever dreamed of. A loving mother, a caring grandfather, and an annoying little brother…"

"But I-…"

Kakashi interrupted, "If you want to stay that's fine, I'm sure Lord Hokage would understand…" Kakashi paused. "Sara…" She looked at him. "Promise me…before you make your decision…that you'll weigh all the options before deciding."

"I promise," she said solemnly.

"Good," Kakashi said getting up. "Now, go and sleep on what we've discussed."

Sara watched as Kakashi went back inside and began to think, do I really want to stay here… Master Kakashi's right when he says that it's everything I wish that I had…But I don't want this family…I want…

Her thoughts were interrupted by Kakashi shouting from inside, "I said SLEEP on it!"

She laughed quietly to herself as she walked inside and lay down on her mat. She teased Kakashi, "What's the matter Master Kakashi? Can't sleep when I'm awake."

Kakashi whispered back to her, "Yes, because you're more likely to pull a stunt than the others."

She smiled to herself as she drifted off; Kakashi had given her an idea.

The next morning as they were all preparing to leave, Sara walked up to Kakashi as he packed. He looked up at her and understanding flashed in his eyes. "You're staying," he stated.

"Yeah," she said, trying not to meet his gaze.

He asked her, "Have you told Naruto?" She shook her head. "Are you even planning on telling him?" She shook her head again. "All right…it's your decision."

As she walked away, Kakashi felt his heart breaking, no! I can't lose her again! Why am I still sitting here packing? I need to tell her! That would make her stay! I could still keep her close!...who am I fooling…I know I won't do that…

An hour or two later, they were all standing on the bridge, saying their goodbyes. Tazuna said to them, "Thank you, the bridge would never have been completed without your help…Things are going to be dull around here once you leave."

Kakashi nodded his head in thanks while Naruto said, "No problem, Tazuna man, we'll pop in every once in awhile!"

Inari said through his tears, "You'd better!"

Naruto said trying not to cry himself, "It's okay to cry Inari if you want."

"I'm not gonna cry!" Inari said. "But you can cry Naruto!"

"No way," Naruto said turning his back. "See ya." Inari and Naruto began to cry.

"Okay," Naruto said once he had recovered, "Let's go!"

They all began walking, Kakashi in the lead. Naruto suddenly stopped when he realized Sara wasn't with them. Naruto turned around and asked Sara, who was standing with Tazuna and his family, "Bright Eyes? What are you doing?"

Sara refused to meet his gaze, "My place is here, Naruto."

"Wh-what?"

"I don't belong in the village. I never have and I never will. I'm sorry," she said, still avoiding his gaze.

Kakashi walked up to Naruto and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Come on. We need to get going."

"You're just going to let her stay?" Naruto asked, feeling hurt, as tears streamed down his face.

"Naruto…" Kakashi said kindly, "Sometimes…the people we care about have to take different paths than our own…and even though those paths diverge…they do meet up again…eventually…"

Naruto followed Kakashi with one last dejected look at Sara. He began to sob uncontrollably as he walked.

Sakura glanced back also, are we really leaving Sara behind? We can't! We need to think of ways to tell her that she belongs in the village!

How can she give up the life of a shinobi? Sasuke wondered. It seemed like she enjoyed it more than anything in the world…and how can she leave Naruto behind?

Kakashi tried to ignore Naruto's sobs, since that was exactly what he wanted to do. He wanted to cry out his sorrows to the world and let them know how much it hurt to leave her behind.

Naruto was still sobbing when Kakashi said, "Let's take a head count for the heck of it," Kakashi was trying to take his mind off Sara.

Naruto trembled as he tried to control his sobbing when a hand came over his mouth and a familiar voice whispered, "Keep quiet!" Naruto would have screamed with joy, had he not been told to keep quiet.

Sara made her way up to Sasuke and Sakura telling them to do the same thing while Kakashi finally called out, "Naruto."

Naruto pretended to still be upset as he said, "Here."

"Sasuke."

"Yeah," Sasuke said, trying to sound uninterested.

"Sakura."

Sakura made sure to sound upset when she said, "Present."

Kakashi managed to choke out, "Sara." He tried not to imagine the silence that would follow.

Sara responded, "Yo!"

Kakashi whirled around, while the others laughed. Kakashi restrained himself from wrapping her in his arms. Instead, he said, "I'm glad you decided to come home. You are a valuable shinobi to the Hidden Leaf Village. And I know for a fact that everyone in this squad would have missed you."

Kakashi turned around and had a bit of a spring to his step.

Sara muttered to Naruto, "Doesn't Master Kakashi look like he's skipping like a little girl."

Kakashi controlled himself better after that.

Kakashi vs. Iruka

The next morning, as the squad was waiting for Kakashi, Sasuke and Sakura were trying to figure out why Sara's arm was split open and why Naruto had a black eye. They knew better than to press for details.

Kakashi arrived three hours late, as usual. As he arrived he said, "Good morning…everyone? What happened?"

Sara refused to meet his gaze as she said, "I tripped down the stairs split open my arm and knocked Naruto into one of the door handles."

"I see…" Kakashi said thoughtfully as he handed Naruto an ice pack. He walked up to Sara and examined the wound. What kind of an idiot does she think I am? He began to bandage her arm. Once he was done he whispered to her, "I know for a fact that this wound consists of kunai cuts." Sara paled. "I can tell this by the depths of the cuts, the main one is deeper than the others, that I'm assuming you made to make it look like you had split your arm open… If you ever want to talk to me, I'm always here."

Sara rolled her eyes at him and said, "Whatever."

Naruto looked from Kakashi to Sara before saying, "Bright Eyes has…Yipes!" Naruto had to dodge a shuriken that had been aimed at his head. Naruto snapped at Sara, "Someone needs to know!"

"No! No one does! It's my problem!" Sara snapped back.

Kakashi looked at Naruto, "What were you going to say, Naruto?"

Sara glared at Naruto as he said, "Never mind…it's nothing."

Kakashi sighed with exasperation. Naruto knows what's going on, but Sara won't let him talk… "Well team," Kakashi began, changing the subject. "Let's go do our missions for the day."

Later that day, after Naruto had been dragged through a mine field by a dog, attacked by a woman whose herbs he pulled out, and he was almost fell off a waterfall, Naruto was being carried by Sara and Sasuke.

Sakura grumbled, "You had to overdo it."

"You're such a loser," Sasuke stated.

Naruto snapped at Sasuke as he stopped hobbling, "That does it! I've had it with you! One more word! I dare ya!"

"Shut up," Sara said as she easily yanked Naruto back, causing him to trip.

Kakashi said, "It seems that lately your teamwork has been non-existent."

"Yeah!" Naruto said. "Sasuke you're always messing up our teamwork.

Sasuke replied, "He was talking to you, loser."

Sara muttered, "I think he was talking to both of you."

Sasuke ignored her completely, "If you're tired of being my lesser, why don't you just get better than I am?"

Sakura thought to herself, somehow these guys have managed to become worse than before.

Sasuke bit his thumb in thought, there are guy out there…just like that masked kid. And I'm stuck here doing missions with a loser.

Kakashi decided to let them talk it out and began to read his book when he heard a hawk cry, he glanced upwards. Already? "Let's call it a day, team. I've got to go hand in my report."

"I'm going home," Sasuke announced as he began walking off.

Sara began walking homewards also, "Same here," she shouted back over her shoulder. Is it possible that Naruto and Sasuke could get any worse…Horrid thought! I think I'm going to check out the library to research a certain shinobi…

Kakashi turned in his report, and was caught in a corner by Iruka.

"Thanks for your report, Kakashi," Iruka said cheerfully. "How's Naruto? He's not causing too much trouble I hope!"

Kakashi looked away, feeling slightly embarrassed by Iruka's questions, "Naruto's…doing well."

Iruka was oblivious, "Your team's been doing a lot lately, I rarely see him anymore."

"Well," Kakashi said, trying to lighten Iruka's mood. "Naruto is in competition with Sasuke, so to speak, you know how it is. They're like a couple of dogs circling each other. It does keep Naruto on his toes, and where Sasuke slacks off, Sara easily pulls up the slack. Naruto doesn't really get a break. He's hoping to catch up to his hero…you."

Iruka blushed, "Really?"

Later that afternoon, as Sara was diligently reading Anbus Throughout History in her room. Kakashi was at a meeting.

Lord Hokage was speaking, "By now you all may have guessed why you're here."

Kakashi murmured, "Is it really that time?"

A shinobi next to Kakashi asked, "Have you informed the other lands yet? I believe I've seen some of their ninja in our village. When is it to be?"

"One week from today," Lord Hokage announced. "To make it official, I hereby announce that in seven days time, on July 1st, we shall begin the Chûnin Exam. Now then… let's hear from those overseeing the instruction of the newest genin." He waited for Kakashi and two others to step forward. "Masters Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma, do any of you have students you'd like to recommend for the Chûnin Exam? Remember, the students need to have completed eight missions."

Iruka was watching from the sidelines, to be truly qualified the students should probably have double that amount. It's too soon for them anyway, so why's he even asking?

"You may begin, Kakashi," Lord Hokage stated.

Kakashi raised his right hand in front of his body with his index and middle fingers erect. "Squad Seven, led by Kakashi, consists of Sasuke Uchiha, Sara Uchiha, Naruto Uzamaki, and Sakura Haruno. I vow upon the honor of my clan, the Hatake. That all four are ready for the Chûnin Exam."

"What?" Iruka whispered aghast.

Kurenai did the same as Kakashi, as did Asuma, recommending all of their students for the exam.

Lord Hokage commented, "It's strange that you three all assented without hesitation."

Iruka said suddenly, "J-just a moment."

"Yes, Iruka?" Lord Hokage asked.

"Lord Hokage," Iruka began. "Forgive me if I'm overstepping. But all of the genin named were my students while at the Academy. They are all gifted, certainly, and they're all committed and talented, but it's far too soon. For kids that young to be stepping up to the chûnin level, they don't have the experience required. They need more time to mature for this exam. I don't understand why their superiors can't see that."

Kakashi stated, "I was six years younger than Naruto when I attained the rank of chûnin, Iruka."

"Naruto's not like you!" Iruka snapped at him. "Do you want to destroy those children? You all know what the call the Chûnin Exams, don't you?"

Kakashi replied, "They're always complaining about not having a challenge in their missions, a little pain would do them good. Let's admit it; breaking their spirits would be fun."

"Are you out of your mind?" Iruka asked, appalled at Kakashi's words.

Perhaps… "It was a joke, Iruka," Kakashi said. "I understand how you feel, I really do, and I'm sorry if my recommendation upsets you, but I stand by it."

Iruka said the first thing that came to his mind, "Naruto and Sara could die!"

"I'm aware of that," Kakashi replied. "And I could easily hold back one of them, since the Chûnin Exam only requires groups of three. But I won't."

"But…" Iruka tried to challenge Kakashi again.

Kurenai said, "Kakashi, finish this up already."

Kakashi said coldly, "It's none of your concern. They're not your student's anymore. They are soldiers under my command."

Iruka glared at Kakashi.

Asuma watched Iruka's glare. What a pest.

Meanwhile, Sara was reading feverishly: Kakashi Hatake was made Head of the Anbu Black Ops at age 14. He excelled at all he did. It is unclear at the time of publication if he helped with the cleanup after Phoenix attacked the village. He was made Head Anbu six days after that event. He killed one Leaf Village shinobi while in this position, but was never removed from his position. He stepped down at age 19, when Hanashi became the Head Anbu. Two years later he left the Anbu all together when Itachi took command.

Sara lunged for a more up to date book that she had stuffed under her bed, along with a bunch of others that had references to Kakashi. She opened it up and began to read: Kakashi is well known as the Mirror Move Ninja, but in the village he's more known for his time as Head Anbu since during that time he…

Refresher Course

The next morning as Squad Seven stood on a bridge waiting for Kakashi, Sara was trying not to doze off, stupid books! They all had the same information, but it was useful. I now know more about Master Kakashi, since he seems to know so much about me, it only seems fair. She closed her eyes as Sakura complained about her hair. Sara managed to drown her out just as Naruto joined in.

Sasuke wasn't as lucky, it's still only early morning and they've already managed to tick me off.

Kakashi finally arrived (three hours late) "Good morning, everyone!" He said cheerfully. "I'm afraid I got lost on the path of life!"

Sakura snapped at him, "You are such a liar, Sensei, and would it kill you to be sorry just once?"

Kakashi smiled, "In any case, I've recommended all three of you for the Chûnin Exam. It is- Hey!"

A very excited Naruto had tackled Kakashi, "Kakashi-sensei, I love you!"

"Don't slobber on my vest!" Kakashi yanked Naruto off. Before he could continue a very excited Sara tackled him with a hug, "Master Kakashi, you're the greatest!"

Kakashi reluctantly yanked her off. I hate my job… "Anyway, I'll give you your applications another day, since I don't want anyone to lose theirs." He pointedly stared at Naruto.

"What?" Naruto questioned.

"This exam is optional, you don't have to take it if you don't want to, but either way, I have six days to make sure that you're all thoroughly prepared, so I will be training each of you one on one for a set amount of time," Kakashi said. "Sasuke, you will train with me the first half of today, and Sakura will train with me the rest of the day. Naruto, tomorrow you will train with me, and Sara, you'll be training with me for four days."

"What?" Sara questioned. "Shouldn't Naruto be training with you longer? No offense, Naruto."

"None taken," Naruto stated. "I actually agree."

"We all do," Sakura added. Sara shot them all grateful looks.

Kakashi stated, "Out of all of you, you need my attention the most."

Sara glared at him.

Now what did I do? Kakashi wondered as he received the glare. "Sakura, Sara. I also want you two to go get a refresher course from the girls' Academy teacher, I've already arranged it."

Sakura started dragging a furious Sara away from Kakashi, before she did something she'd regret. Kakashi had never seen such a livid expression on Sara's face.

Once they were out of sight, Kakashi asked Naruto, "Did I say something to upset her?"

Naruto looked at him incredulously, "You just sent Bright Eyes to her living hell, and you said she was the worst out of all of us…What do you think?"

Kakashi cocked his head to the side, "I never said she was the worst out of all of you, that's you Naruto." Naruto shot him a dirty look. "And why is a refresher course a living hell?" Kakashi avoided explaining why Sara would have three days of training.

"Because, Bright Eyes is NOT the stereotype kunoichi," Naruto stated, matter of fact like.

Sasuke muttered, "I didn't know you knew such big word, Naruto."

Kakashi sighed as Naruto lunged, angrily, at Sasuke before Kakashi had to drag him off. "Naruto," Kakashi scolded. "I'm only going to let you stay here if you behave. It would be a bother if I had to get you for the performance later today."

"Performance?" Naruto asked.

"You'll see."

Meanwhile, Sakura had finally released Sara, who was still livid. Sakura said cautiously, "Sara…"

Sara glanced her way, "What?"

"Well…why do you think Kakashi-sensei wants us to get a refresher course?"

Sara scowled ahead, "Because he's a $%#$ and a #%%^*& son of a $%^&!" Sakura was already cringing away. Sara saw her friend's expression and stopped, "Sorry, he just pisses me off!"

Sakura sighed, when she saw Sara's smile. Sakura confided, "Sara, I-I don't think I can do the Chûnin Exam…" She waited for her teammate's barbed tongue to strike her.

Instead of yelling, Sara said, "That's fine. I don't want anyone to feel pressured."

Sakura watched as the sun got behind Sara and she would have sworn that her friend was wearing a Chûnin vest. What the…? It was my imagination and a trick of the light… I need to quit worrying over small things… It's starting to get to me!

Sara looked at her, "Something wrong?"

"You'll laugh, but I'll tell you anyway," Sakura said. "Just now, it looked like you were wearing a Chûnin vest, you looked…leader like…"

Sara did laugh, "Me? A leader! I'm not that type."

"No you're not," A new voice said. "You could never be a leader, Sheatan, you don't have the patience."

Sakura gasped as Ino walked up, what's the pig trying to do? Get us in trouble? No one is supposed to call Sara that! I'll rip her to shreds! The Inner Sakura finished.

Sara sighed, "Hey, Pig! Or perhaps Boar in the Mountain would be a better greeting?"

Ino glared at her.

Wow! Sara didn't even flinch from Ino. Sakura thought.

Hinata walked up to them, "So-umm…" She said in her soft voice. "Did your teachers also ask you to do a refresher course."

"Of course!" Ino stated.

Sara scowled. Hinata asked Sara, "H-ho-how's N-Na-Naruto?"

"He's doing pretty well," Sara commented.

Sakura added, "Yeah, if he doesn't tick anyone else off." Hinata looked a tad upset by that, but she was ignored. Sakura watched as they all fell back and allowed Sara to take the lead. She's a natural leader! But…no one has realized it. Wait… Does she know? She must! So…why does she let Sasuke take the lead all the time?

They arrived at the Academy where they had all experienced the lessons of kunoichis, from their girls Academy teacher. They all walked into the building and then a room where Suzume-sensei was teaching. Suzume-sensei looked up from her teaching, "Ah, I'm glad you were all able to make it. Take a seat in the front row, if you please."

Sakura, Ino, and Hinata watched as Sara's eyes narrowed with fury.

Is she using the Devil's Eyes? Sakura wondered.

Sara was thinking, as her fury triggered her Devil's Eyes, I'm going to kill him! I'm going to kill that stupid jônin teacher of ours!

They all sat down in the front row, Sara taking the aisle seat. Just in case she had to flee.

"Now class," Suzume-sensei began. "Today, we will be making flower arrangements, the one that is the best will go to Lord Hokage to display in his mansion. Up here on the counter are vases pick one and then you may begin."

Sara, Ino, Sakura, and Hinata all grabbed vases, Ino grabbed the largest, it was brown and it looked like a basket. While Sara grabbed a small white vase that appeared to be a bunch of spheres put together. Once Ino had set her vase in front of her she grabbed as many flowers as she could carry. Sara, meanwhile, was just staring at her vase.

After a few minutes had passed, Sakura asked her, "Aren't you going to get any flowers?"

Sara didn't answer or move for a few seconds. She finally got up and grabbed some blue Forget-Me-Nots, lavender French-in-pots, and some light green foliage, and arranged them in a pleasing manner. Ino stared at her creation opened mouth.

Ino hissed at her, "You call that a flower arrangement."

"Sometimes, Ino," Sara said calmly, looking thoughtful. "Sometimes the simplest things in life are the most beautiful." Ino glared at her for a few minutes, before she began frantically putting hers together.

Sakura whispered to Sara, "You got that from Kakashi-sensei."

She whispered back, "Yeah, but don't tell him that, or his head won't be able to fit in the Hokage's Mansion."

Sakura laughed as she continued her flower arrangement.

After half an hour, Suzume-sensei said, "Time's up class."

Some of the younger students shouted, "There was a time limit."

Suzume continued, "Stop working on your arrangements and I'll look at them." She started near the back and made her way up to the front. She stopped at Sara's arrangement, before she picked it up for all of the class to see, "This class, is a very simple arrangement, yet it demonstrates how an arrangement should be done. This one will go to Lord Hokage's Mansion for display. Now, class, for the rest of the period you will write letters to Lord Hokage."

All of the younger students eagerly pulled out pencils and paper, while Sakura, Ino, Hinata, and Sara, pulled there's out more slowly.

Sara hesitated as she stared at the blank paper before her. Should I confide in Lord Hokage on some things? Like the looks Master Kakashi keeps giving me, with the emotion I can't identify. I think that'd be okay…Now…How do I keep Suzume-sensei from knowing? Code.

The message read like this once it was pieced together:

Lord Hokage, I was forced to take a refresher course, to explain this letter, but it came in handy. My teacher, Master Kakashi, is a pretty cool teacher, but every now and than he gives me looks with an emotion I can't identify, maybe you could explain it to me.

When Suzume grabbed the coded letter she shook her head, confused. Sara quickly wrote the above letter and ripped it apart, hiding it in the dry portions of the vase.

Sara and the others all sighed in relief when the bell rang signaling they were free. Sara was almost out the door, yes! He didn't get that… Suzume called, "Sara." NO! He found out about that! Death to the stupid jônin! Sara reluctantly walked back, receiving curious looks from the others.

Sakura saw the expression on Sara's face and thought better of asking her why she had been called back. A voice behind her called out, "Sakura."

Sakura turned to see Kakashi and the others waving at her. She ran up to them, "Sensei, Sara's inside and…"

Kakashi interrupted, "I know, don't worry about it."

Sakura wasn't so sure about the not worrying part.

Sara was listening to Suzume when she heard Kakashi's voice. She interrupted Suzume, "Suzume-sensei, may I be excused for a minute." Suzume gave her a skeptical look. "I promise that I'll come right back." Suzume allowed her to leave.

She ran outside and spotted Kakashi. "Hey, Master Kakashi!" Sara said cheerily as she waved.

Sakura wondered, I thought she was ready to kill Kakashi-sensei, so what's she up to?

Oh no! Naruto thought. Kakashi-sensei isn't going to know what hit him!

Sara sidled up to Kakashi and said in a sweet voice, "Master Kakashi, I just wanted to thank you for being such a great teacher…"Sara elbowed Kakashi below the belt. Kakashi's eyes widened in pain, as Sara smiled up at him one last time before she disappeared into the crowd.

Naruto and the others began to follow, when they noticed Kakashi wasn't following.

Sakura asked, "Kakashi-sensei, are you okay?"

Kakashi was silent for a few seconds, before he replied in a harsh whisper. "No."

The Forgotten Branch

"Served you right, Kakashi," Kurenai said as she approached with her squad.

Kakashi replied sarcastically, "Thanks a lot."

Asuma asked as he walked up, "What did I miss?"

Kurenai replied, "Kakashi getting nailed." Asuma shuddered.

"So, who in your squad was once a chakra dancer, Kakashi?" Asuma asked.

"I'll let it be a surprise," Kakashi answered. "At least a surprise for the genin." Naruto and the others looked at each other, all feeling very confused. Kakashi handed everyone tickets, "This one's on me."

"I never knew that you paid for things, Kakashi," Asuma muttered.

Kakashi shot him a dirty look. As the jônin waited for their students to enter the auditorium, Kakashi heard an annoying yet familiar voice, "Hey, Kakashi!"

Kakashi sighed in frustration as Guy continued, "I didn't know you were also bringing your students here today."

Kakashi said, "Yes, it will be a good demonstration as to how far chakra control can be mastered."

Guy was nodding his head in agreement and Kakashi quickly handed over his ticket and left Guy standing there.

Kakashi and the others all found their seats easily. Kakashi sat in between Naruto and Asuma, with Shikamaru sitting in front of him and Kurenai sitting behind him. Kakashi waited patiently for the chakra dancing to begin.

Meanwhile, Sara had resigned herself to doing a performance of chakra dancing. She had enjoyed it when she was younger, but now she found it more of a hassle than anything else. As she walked out into the auditorium which consisted of a ton of seats, and the floor, you could say it was more of an arena, than an auditorium. As the song began to play (The Japanese Naruto theme 2), Sara looked around the crowd, just like she used to do and she spotted Naruto, and the other rookie ten, she froze. No! If Naruto sees me dance… He'll know! Her gaze rested on Kakashi and she glared at him, with extreme hatred.

Kakashi having locked his gaze with hers, lifted his hand up to his ear. Sara cocked her head at him, and he did it again.

Shit! Sara thought as she sprang into action, Fire Style: Dancing Fire Leaves! She danced with the Dancing Fire Leaves Jutsu swirling around her, like a ribbon.

Naruto stared at her, feeling sick. Bright Eyes is so…good, while I'm… How can we possibly be friends?

As Sara danced her hair tie that held her hair in a ponytail broke. No! She thought as her hair swept into her face. I've had that hair tie since the day I met Naruto…it can't break now!

Naruto muttered out loud, "There's no way we can be friends…"

"Yes, you can," Kakashi said, turning towards Naruto. "She held herself back just so you two could graduate together. She is your friend Naruto. She just didn't want to show you what she could do."

Naruto nodded, he noticed Sara's hair and commented, "Wow! Bright Eyes looks pretty good."

Ino was furious as she watched Sara, Arrgh! How can she be prettier than me? She's a freak! How did she manage to surpass me in looks too?

Shikamaru smiled as he glanced over at his teammate, Sara's never been the type to care about how she looks, unless you count that she likes to look fierce. Man…she sure is gorgeous… Shikamaru felt Asuma tap him on the shoulder, "What?" He asked.

Asuma discreetly pointed at Kakashi, "I'd rein in your affection for her." Asuma whispered to him, "Because her teacher is very protective of his students."

Shikamaru cast an anxious look back at Kakashi. Kakashi was glaring at him. Shikamaru swallowed nervously, I'll have to tread cautiously around him!

Sara bowed as she finished dancing; sweat just starting to trickle down her neck.

Kakashi and Asuma exchanged a quick glance before shouting, "Encore, encore!"

Sara said as she straightened up, "Would all of the rookie genin come down here please." They all came down nervously. Sara said to them, "Don't worry, just do your specialty jutsu when I come around, pretend your fighting me." She turned someone backstage, "Turn off the lights."

The auditorium went pitch black. As the music began to play (the Japanese Naruto theme 9) Sara used her Dancing Fire Leaves jutsu and pretended to fight each and every one of them, their shadows were the only thing anyone saw.

Once it was over Asuma whistled while Kakashi shouted, again, "Encore!"

Sara approached Ino and Sakura, "Will you two sing, while I dance?"

"Sure," Ino and Sakura said together.

Sara got into position. Ino and Sakura began to sing, (Japanese ending theme 2 for Naruto) Shikamaru found it very hard to keep his eyes off Sara. Asuma muttered, "Quit drooling, lover boy." Shikamaru shot him a nasty look, since he hadn't been drooling. Once Ino and Sakura stopped, the crowd erupted into applause. Kakashi and Asuma once again made their voices heard.

Once the applause had died down, Sara asked, "Would the jônin, of the rookie ten come down here?"

Kakashi and Asuma stared down at her in shock. Before either of them knew what hit them, their heads were slammed together by an angry Kurenai. "I did NOT like dancing when we were forced to do it when we were younger." She snapped at them.

Asuma muttered as he rubbed the side of his head, "I wasn't particularly found of it either, since I couldn't dance and still can't."

Kakashi said as he stood up, "I can dance, just not the way she's been taught."

Sara smiled at them all as they walked down. Kakashi noticed that she was soaked with sweat from exerting herself. We won't go into detail of how the jônin did or what song they danced to. All in all, they ALL looked ridiculous. Sara said, once they were done, "Kakashi-sensei, would you please stay?" Kurenai and Asuma quickly took their leave.

Kakashi nodded, I get the distinct feeling that I've been demoted. Kakashi asked, "Sara, would you come backstage with me really quick." She nodded.

Once backstage, "I didn't know you were such a terrible dancer Kakashi-sensei," Sara commented.

"I actually did learn to dance," Kakashi said. "I learned to do it a bit differently than you though, would you care to learn how?" Sara nodded eagerly. "Look down," Kakashi said, smiling behind his mask at her eagerness.

"Whoa!" Sara said. Kakashi was keeping his feet off the ground by using just the right amount of chakra. Sara soon was doing the same.

"What song are we dancing to?" Kakashi asked her.

Sara replied, "Fighting Dreamers."

The dance went very well, Kakashi and Sara did a mock battle during the chorus, and the only mistake that happened was Sara accidentally lit Kakashi's hair on fire on one of the tips; Sara quickly put it out, just before the second chorus by going over Kakashi's head. At the end of the song they ended in fierce looking positions. Kakashi holding two kunai with his arms outstretched, while Sara held one kunai, looking ready to use it.

The crowd erupted into applause and even gave them a standing ovation. Kakashi gently led her backstage.

"That was actually pretty fun, Master Kakashi," Sara said to him.

I've been promoted again…I think. "Good," he said as he walked off.

A few minutes later, Sara was leaving the building when Sasuke came up to her, "Where've you been? Didn't Kakashi tell you that we were to meet with Lord Hokage once you were done?"

"No," Sara answered, feeling annoyed with Kakashi.

Sasuke responded, "Well, now you do, so come on."

They both sprinted to Lord Hokage's mansion where they skidded to a halt and politely knocked on the door. Lord Hokage answered, "Good, you're both here, come inside."

They both walked in feeling nervous. Lord Hokage led them into a room filled with the Hokage's own personal library. Lord Hokage gestured for them to sit down at a table. Kakashi was standing politely off to the side.

"Thanks for telling me to come here," Sara said sarcastically to him.

Kakashi said, "Sorry, I've got a lot on my mind."

Before Sara could make a sharp retort, Lord Hokage said, "The reason I've brought you two here, is because of something that was discovered when you were born, Sara." Sara tried to look interested, but she only succeeded in looking nervous. Lord Hokage chuckled, "You have no need to be nervous, Sara. In fact, you may very well like what I've got to say." He cleared his throat, "After the shinobi brought you back to the main village area, the very next day, the Fourth Hokage, himself went back to the devastated Uchiha area. There he found a journal, that had a note for you in it from your mother, but the note was unsigned, so we don't even know who she was. Sasuke, this concerns you since you are the last remaining Uchiha, and you are from the head branch." Sasuke nodded as Lord Hokage slid a black book to the pair.

Sara opened it and pulled out the letter, it read: My Precious Daughter,

Forgive me for what I have to do. I fear what will become of you if I don't do this. I hope you find happiness, and that whoever finds you will love you as much as your father and I would have. You are Uchiha by blood, but you are also more. I know I'm being cryptic but I have to be, just in case someone who would do you harm finds this. When you read this don't hate me. I did what I thought was right for you.

She folded the letter and placed it in her kunai pouch. Sasuke wasn't upset by not being able to read it; he was staring at a chart of lineage that was in the journal.

Sara was lost in thought as Sasuke looked at the chart. She said I was Uchiha and more, I guess that means I meant more to her than my blood lines, or she thought I would become a very powerful shinobi. Who was she, and who was my father?

Sasuke elbowed her, and she jolted back to reality and stared at the chart in front of her. It showed a family tree, her family tree she didn't focus on the names, since she noticed the one she wanted to see was blackened out by ink. Sasuke locked his gaze with hers as he said, "You're from the forgotten branch of the Uchiha clan."

"The what?" Sara asked.

Kakashi explained as he showed her a different chart, "The forgotten branch of the Uchiha clan. A branch that no one kept track of after the main branch took control. It was soon regretted, because that branch of the Uchiha had a very powerful secret, but no one was sure as to what it was, or who had it."

"The Devil's Eyes," Sara whispered.

"Exactly," Kakashi said, smiling at her. "The Sharingan is also referred to as the Heaven's Eyes, so when it was heard that some carried a different Kekkai Genkai; they tried to find out whom. But since they never recorded the lineage of this branch, they could never find that Kekkai Genkai."

Lord Hokage said, "Your heritage is indeed Uchiha, and from what the Fourth told me before he died, you are the last of that branch, even before the Uchiha were…"

"Murdered by my brother, Itachi," Sasuke finished.

Kakashi added, "Be thankful that there are at least two Uchiha left instead of just one."

"I couldn't have asked for a better person to share my lineage," Sasuke said.

Sara was still trying to soak everything in. I'm Uchiha. Check. I had parents that loved me. Check. I have a distant relative. Check. My mother offered me to Phoenix to protect me. Check.

Kakashi walked over to her and asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," she replied. "Just shocked a bit, I never expected to find any proof that I belonged to any clan."

Lord Hokage said, "Now you have it, and you may keep that journal. It is yours by birthright, since it appears to have been handed down from generation to generation."

Sara nodded gratefully as she grabbed the journal. She got up after Lord Hokage dismissed them and walked out the door. Kakashi called after her, "Remember, you and I are training in two days."

Sara barely heard him, she kept thinking, I belong to the Uchiha clan, and I am the last of the forgotten branch…

Fire Style: Wrath of the Phoenix!

Kakashi knocked politely on Sara's door bright and early the day after he had trained Naruto. He thought he heard a response from inside (Sara's alarm clock ringing until it fell off her nightstand). Kakashi waited, and waited, and waited, and for a change of pace he waited, but Sara never came out.

Lord Hokage arrived to find Kakashi waiting outside Sara's room. "Hasn't she come out yet?" He asked Kakashi.

Kakashi sighed, "No, but I could have sworn I heard her respond to my knock."

Lord Hokage said, "I might know where she is." He started going down the stairs, Kakashi followed him.

Meanwhile, Sara was practicing a jutsu that she had been forbidden to ever do again by Lord Hokage. "Fire Style: Wrath of the Phoenix!" She shouted as a ring of fire sprang out and destroyed everything in its path. Drat! It's still not right!

A voice behind her said, "That's not bad at all."

Sara let out a cry of shock as she turned around to see Kakashi and Lord Hokage. I'm dead! She began to say quickly, "Lord Hokage, I'm sorry. I-I know you forbade me to ever do this jutsu again…"

Lord Hokage said unexpectedly, "I actually told you not to use that jutsu in battle until it was perfected; I can see why you misunderstood me though."

"Oh!" Sara said, feeling relieved, she asked Kakashi, "Why are you here?"

Kakashi said, "You forgot, but your one-on-one training begins today."

"Oh," Sara said looking away. "I guess we should begin since I am the worst out of the squad."

"I never said that," Kakashi said as he walked towards her. He stood right in front of her as he said, "I can understand why you interpreted it that way though. What I meant was I can help you reach your goal more easily than the others."

"How so?" Sara asked.

"I'm not going to help Sasuke get revenge on his brother," Kakashi began. "I'm definitely not going to help Sakura win over a boy; I know nothing about what it takes to be Hokage." Lord Hokage cleared his throat and looked at Kakashi. Kakashi ignored him, "What I do know is what it takes to be an elite ranked ninja, since I am one, and you told me that your goal was to become an elite ranked ninja."

"Actually," Sara said unease showing in her voice. "My goal's changed since than…"

"Really?" Kakashi said interested. "Would you mind telling me what's it's changed to?"

Sara blushed, "My goal is to become an elite ranked shinobi like you, Master Kakashi."

Kakashi stared at her flabbergasted, "To be an elite rank shinobi like me?" She nodded. "I'm flattered." Kakashi said happily. "Now, would you like me to help you with that jutsu?"

"That'd be great!" Sara said happily.

"This jutsu is difficult to master even for jônin, like myself," Kakashi stated. "The key to mastering this jutsu is concentration and using only a small amount of chakra." Sara nodded her head taking in everything Kakashi said. "Now give it a whirl."

Sara concentrated as much as possible and grabbed only a small amount of chakra and released the jutsu. It came out the same as before.

"Not bad," Kakashi said. "But you need less chakra."

After three hours of "concentrate" and "less chakra" being shouted at her, Sara's temperament wasn't the best. So when Kakashi shouted, again, "Less chakra!"

Sara thought, how's THIS for less chakra! She grabbed all the chakra she thought was enough and released the jutsu. Lord Hokage had already jumped backwards, expecting the worst. The jutsu only released a puff of smoke.

Kakashi scratched the back of his head, "I didn't mean that litt-…" The jutsu released a huge ring of fire and sent Kakashi flying into a huge boulder.

Sara stared, shock at Kakashi, whose legs were up in the air, as if he couldn't put them down. Sara bolted up to him with Lord Hokage following close behind. Sara asked as she reached Kakashi, "Master Kakashi, are you okay."

Kakashi had a dazed look in his eye. He slowly pulled himself up and said, "Remind me never to antagonize you over your jutsu again." Kakashi shook his head back and forth before he stood up. "Let's try that again, but this time, try not to send me into tomorrow."

Sara smiled at him. She heard Kakashi say, "Just remember you do need to concentrate and use as little chakra as possible."

Sara nodded as she focused and used only a teeny tiny amount of chakra. After what felt like hours, she released the jutsu and watched as it shot forward in a destructive line towards Kakashi, but it fizzled out long before than.

Kakashi was ecstatic as he said, "Excellent! Very good! I've never seen anyone master it in so little time!"

Sara asked, "Who are you and what have you done with Master Kakashi?" Kakashi gave her a confused look. "You never compliment Naruto or myself, without saying 'you could do better'."

Kakashi sighed, "I don't mean to do that."

"I know," she replied. She than asked, "How do I keep the jutsu going?"

"That's the hard part, you need to keep feeding the jutsu with tiny increments of chakra," Kakashi replied.

Sara nodded and did the same as before, this time adding the increment of chakra to send it towards Kakashi. Kakashi dodged it easily.

"Very good!" Kakashi said, sounding impressed. "To make it turn to follow your enemy you need to concentrate on where you want it to go."

Sara quickly did the jutsu and had it go after Kakashi, who nimbly dodged it each time it came at him. Sara suddenly collapsed in a heap on the ground, exhausted. She laughed, now I know how Naruto feels sometimes.

Kakashi walked up to her, she sat up and looked up at him as he said, "What? Are you laughing because I'm so much fun to be around?"

"No offense, Master Kakashi," Sara began. "But you're not that much fun."

Lord Hokage watched them as Sara stood up. He quickly entered Kakashi's mind, what he saw made him worry. There were two Kakashi's. One had "Mind" on its forehead while the other had "Heart". The Heart one had the Mind one hog tied and it seemed to be laughing.

"I'm no fun?" Kakashi said to Sara a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

"Nope," Sara said.

Kakashi repeated, "I'm no fun? We'll see who's no fun!" Kakashi grabbed Sara and began to tickle her. She laughed as he tickled her, and it brought back fond memories for Kakashi.

Kakashi was jolted out of his heaven as Lord Hokage shouted, "Kakashi!"

"Whoops!" Kakashi said as he released Sara.

Sara continued to laugh as she said, "I take it back, you're loads of fun!"

Kakashi tried to smile at her, but he didn't succeed. He knew he shouldn't have done that. He knew that he had no right as a jônin to have tickled her that was something only a parent or guardian was allowed to do. Kakashi decided to say, "Sara, why don't I take you someplace to eat, in celebration of you perfecting Wrath of the Phoenix."

"Okay," Sara agreed.

Lord Hokage suggested, "Why don't I take you both to a restaurant." He added to Kakashi, to make sure you behave!

Kakashi sighed as he followed Lord Hokage, Sara walked beside him.

Rats

As soon as Kakashi and Sara saw the restaurant Lord Hokage was taking them to, their mouths fell open from shock. They were at THE most expensive restaurant in the Hidden Leaf Village. Sara heard Kakashi mutter, "I couldn't even afford the tip for this place."

Sara tried not to laugh at Kakashi. As they walked in Sara watched all heads turn to first look at the Hokage, but all the stares eventually landed on her. Sara tried not to hunch her shoulders, but to no avail. She was grateful when she could finally sit down. As Sara stared at her menu, she constantly heard faint, but definite whispers of Sheatan. After a few minutes of hearing Sheatan and some other not so polite words she asked, "May I be excused for a minute?"

Lord Hokage nodded his head while Kakashi said, "Sure."

Sara quickly got up and went off to the restroom area, but she didn't go into the bathroom, she sat behind a potted plant that was right next to the door.

Kakashi was beginning to get worried after the waiter came by a third time asking if they were ready to order. Lord Hokage kept telling the waiter that they were waiting for someone. Lord Hokage finally said to Kakashi, "Why don't you go and see if she's okay?"

Kakashi got up instantly. He walked over to the girls' bathroom and politely knocked on the door first. He was about to open it to call out Sara's name when she said, "I'm over here."

Kakashi sighed with relief when he saw her sitting behind the plant. He squatted down next to her and asked, "What are you doing back here?"

She replied, "Staying as far away from them," she gestured towards the people in the restaurant, "as possible."

Kakashi asked quietly, "What have they been saying?"

"Basically calling me Sheatan and some other obscene words," Sara replied.

"Well," Kakashi said. "Let me tell you that you're only giving them more reason to do so." Sara stared at him. "They know it hurts you. That's why they do it. If you act like it doesn't hurt, they'll eventually stop."

"I've already tried that," she said dejectedly.

"Not when I've been around," Kakashi stated. He stood up. "Come on. All you have to do is keep your head up and keep that back of yours straight. I'll be right behind you."

Sara nodded. I really have a cool teacher. He may get on my nerves, but he knows his stuff. She walked out of the shadows and kept her head up and tried to keep her back straight. Kakashi would tap her back if she didn't. Once she sat down the waiter seemed to materialize out of nowhere.

Lord Hokage ordered first, followed by Kakashi, who ordered grilled fish, and Sara, who also ordered grilled fish.

As they waited for their food to arrive, Kakashi suddenly said, very loudly, "Lord Hokage, what do you think of this fine, young ninja sitting next to us?"

Lord Hokage replied, just as loudly, "She's a fine asset to the Hidden Leaf Village."

Sara had begun to slowly sink down in her seat, but Kakashi roughly yanked her up before he asked, "So if someone was to call her Sheatan, what would the punishment be?"

"It would be very painful I assure you, Kakashi," Lord Hokage replied. Everyone in the room quickly became quiet. Soon they were having polite conversation where Sheatan never came up.

Kakashi smiled at Sara warmly. Sara avoided his gaze, there's that look again! And I still can't identify the emotion!

After dinner, and after Lord Hokage had left them, Kakashi asked Sara, "How would you feel about facing a boy named Rock Lee tomorrow?"

"Who's that?" Sara asked him.

Kakashi replied, "A genin who's a year older than you."

"Sounds good," Sara said.

Kakashi asked hesitantly, "Do you want me to walk you home?"

"That'd be great, Master Kakashi."

As Kakashi walked her up to her home, he watched her look up at a window and stop dead in her tracks.

"Master Kakashi," Sara said trying to control her fear. "Would you mind coming upstairs with me?"

"No," Kakashi said. He watched her carefully as she began walking up the stairs. Her body language says that she'd prefer to be going the opposite direction. Young one, what's going on? I'd wish you'd tell me!

Halfway up the stairs, an angry female voice called down, "Where have you been, brat?" Sara flinched.

Kakashi made to grab his book and then asked Sara, "Sara, I think my book fell out of my pouch, would you see if it's at the bottom of the stairs, please?"

Sara muttered, "Yeah, I'll get your perverted book." She slowly made her way back down the stairs, while Kakashi began taking them two at a time.

At the top of the steps he saw a woman's back, with long flowing blond hair. She said to him, "About time you got ba-…" Her voice became sweet when she saw Kakashi, "Oh! Hello, I thought you were someone else."

Kakashi asked her politely, "I'm looking for my student, Sara, she was supposed to meet me for training today and I was wondering if she was here."

The woman looked startled by Kakashi's polite tone, but she quickly recovered, "No, I haven't seen the little dear all day. I hope you find her." The woman walked into a room that, Kakashi noted, was right next to Sara's.

Sara came up the stairs holding his book, "Here's your perverted book," she said as she handed it to him.

"Thank you," Kakashi said as he shoved it into his pouch, where it disappeared in a puff of smoke.

The door the woman walked into began to open and Sara yanked Kakashi into her room.

Kakashi rubbed his shoulder, since Sara had nearly pulled it from its socket, while Sara locked all of the locks on her door. Once she had finished, Kakashi asked her, "And what was that all about?"

"Nothing," Sara replied, a little breathless.

"Well, if it's nothing," Kakashi said moving towards the door. "I guess I'll leave."

"Wait!" Sara said as she quickly blocked his path. "I can't tell you exactly what's going on, but I can give you an idea." Kakashi nodded his head encouraging her to go on. "You see there are these…rats."

"Rats?" Kakashi questioned, sounding nervous.

"Yeah, big rats," Sara said. "Anbu rats, you could say." Kakashi stared at her horror stricken. "They, well…when they first came here, they were nice. I was young and I believed them when they said that they'd adopt me if I did some chores for them." Kakashi felt his blood going cold, he knew what was coming. "I soon learned that they didn't care about me, and when I threatened to tell Lord Hokage, they asked me who would he believe. So, I tried to deal with it by myself, unfortunately Naruto kind of got dragged into it… They also began taking the food that Lord Hokage supplies to orphans that I was receiving. Recently, when I was leaving they attacked Naruto and I. The male rat got me with his kunai knife, while the female gave Naruto a black eye. That's pretty much it."

Kakashi said cautiously, "I believe you, but I need some proof before I bring this to Lord Hokage."

Sara replied, looking a tad embarrassed, "I did manage to give the guy a cut on his arm."

"Which arm?" Kakashi asked.

"The one with the tattoo on it," Sara said.

"Okay," Kakashi said. "I'm going to go take care of those two. I don't want you to open the door for anybody except me, understood?"

"What should I ask to make sure?"

"How old I am."

"Got it."

Kakashi left the room, and he heard Sara lock the door behind him. Kakashi knocked on the other door politely enough.

The woman answered it and said sounding annoyed, "I still haven't seen her."

"Oh, I know," Kakashi said. "Because I have. Are you aware that it is illegal in the Hidden Leaf Village to reside in a place that is only meant for orphans?"

"I am an orphan," the woman replied.

"You are not, you're married, and old enough to take care of yourself," Kakashi said, his anger rising. "You have also injured a genin from my squad, which I don't take kindly too."

"We've done no such thing," the woman replied.

"Are you calling my genin a liar?" Kakashi asked, in a deadly tone.

"Of course."

"Big mistake," Kakashi said before he lunged.

Sara listened as she heard crashes and thuds from the other room, along with a few muffled voices. She finally heard the sound of running footsteps in the hallway. A few seconds later she heard Kakashi, "It's okay now, you can let me in."

"How old are you?" She asked.

Kakashi smiled outside the door, "Twenty-six."

Sara unlocked the door and Kakashi walked in. Kakashi said to her as Sara sat on her bed cross-legged. "I need a little more proof than just that cut on his arm.

"I also swiped their ID cards," Sara said as she pulled out two cards.

"Perfect," Kakashi said as he grabbed them. "I'm gong to go see some…old friends of mine and then I'm going to talk to Lord Hokage." Kakashi made to leave. Sara grabbed his arm and gave him a scared look. Kakashi laughed, "My brave student isn't afraid of some stupid washout Anbus now, is she?" Sara nodded her head. Kakashi sighed. "I'll stay here till you fall asleep, than I'll leave to do what I have to and than I'll come back, sound good?" Sara nodded.

Kakashi leaned against a wall and watched her fall asleep, before he left through her window. He teleported to his room and quickly found his old Anbu uniform he slipped on the shirt easily, when it came to the pants, Kakashi chucked them across the room in frustration, I can't believe ten pounds makes that much of a difference!...I'll never hear the end of it when I get to the Anbu Area. Kakashi slipped on some black jônin pants and prayed that it was too late at night for the Anbu's that he knew to be paying attention.

Old Friends

Kakashi walked up to the gate that separated the Anbus from the rest of the village. Kakashi placed his old Anbu mask over his face. He stared at the new security system. He cautiously swiped the card and was surprised when it said, "Hand print identification." Kakashi cautiously set his hand on the contraption and shook his head with disbelief when it said, "Welcome back, Kakashi Hatake." Idiots, Kakashi thought as the gate opened.

Kakashi stared at the Anbu on gate duty and was relieved to see that the Anbu was still asleep. Kakashi slipped inside and made his way upstairs to the Head Anbu's room. He was surprised a bit when he ran into a female Anbu in the hall.

She asked him, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see the Head Anbu," Kakashi quickly said.

"Well, don't blame me if you get your head chopped off," she said as she walked down the stairs.

Kakashi picked the lock to the Head Anbu's room, and walked inside. He placed a kunai near the Head Anbu's throat and quickly covered his mouth. The Head Anbu jolted awake, and Kakashi whispered to him, "If I were an enemy, you'd be dead."

"Damn it, Kakashi!" The Head Anbu said as he sat up. "You almost gave me a heart attack!"

"It wasn't that bad, Hanashi," Kakashi said, laughing.

"Why are you here?" Hanashi asked him. "I doubt it's just to visit."

"You're right. I'm here to talk about a certain girl who used to come here, and who you gave your gloves too," Kakashi said, all business now.

Hanashi looked thoughtful, "I haven't seen her around here for awhile now."

"Let me explain why, in your office."

"I'll be there in a few seconds."

Kakashi walked into the office and thought, this sure brings back memories… Hanashi walked in a few seconds later, his dark brown hair lying flat against his head as it always seemed to. "So what did you want to tell me?" He asked as he sat in his chair, behind his desk.

Kakashi explained everything that Sara had told him. Hanashi looked at Kakashi and said, "I hope you have some proof for this."

"You know I do," Kakashi said quietly.

Hanashi held Kakashi's gaze for a few more minutes before he placed his finger on a speaker phone and said, "Shi', Yusuke, Enaki, get up here."

A few minutes later, three Anbus were walking sleepily into Hanashi's office. One was a silver haired Anbu, with white beginning to show in his hair. The one that followed him was a black haired Anbu, who looked like he was sleep walking, and the last one was a woman who was still in her pajamas, she did have her Anbu mask on though.

"You can all take your masks off, it's only Kakashi," Hanashi said.

The first one to speak was the silver haired one, "Long time no see, pup," he said to Kakashi.

"Very funny, Enaki," Kakashi replied.

The black haired Anbu pulled off his mask; he looked exactly like Enaki, except his eyes were blue and they had a haze over them. He said, "Lay off Kakashi, bro."

Enaki glared at him, "Yusuke, when I want your feedback I'll ask for it!"

Yusuke smiled as he replied, "You always need my feedback." Enaki made to punch him and Yusuke ducked.

Enaki muttered, "Younger brothers!"

The female Anbu, pulled off her mask, she was very pretty and had long, flowing, black hair. She said to Kakashi, "It's been too long, Kakashi. What have you been up to?"

"I'll explain in a minute, Shi'," (pronounced shy) Kakashi said.

Hanashi said, "No, I'll explain it now, Kakashi, and Shi', couldn't you have put on your uniform?"

"It's only you that called us, Hanashi," Shi' said.

Hanashi muttered, "How did you do it, Kakashi?"

"Easy," Kakashi replied. "I scared them out of their wits and I still do."

Hanashi sighed, "If I can ever scare any of them out of their wits it'd be a miracle, anyway…" Hanashi explained everything that Kakashi had just told him.

Enaki and Yusuke looked as if they wanted to go and tear the two offending Anbus limb from limb. Kakashi was amazed at their reactions, so he asked, "Why are you two getting so worked up?"

Enaki answered, "I remember that kid from when she was this big," Enaki held out his hands to the length of a loaf of bread. "I'd rip apart anybody that dared harm her."

Kakashi said, "Well, Hanashi's going to have you fetch them and then they'll have to answer too me."

Enaki made to go and get the two offending Anbu's then and there. "Hold it," Hanashi said. "Shi' you and three other Anbus get those two in here, Enaki and Yusuke will stay here."

A few minutes later Shi' and three others dragged in the offending Anbus.

The female one said indignantly, "What is the meaning of this?"

Hanashi replied, "Easy, you've broken a few laws that exist in the Hidden Leaf Village."

"What?" The male one shouted in rage.

The female asked, "What proof do you have?"

Hanashi said, "A reliable source has told me that you've not only been living where the girl orphans are housed, but you've also hurt the only occupant there at this time."

"And what reliable source would that be?" The female snapped. "The great Kakashi Hatake?"

"As a matter of fact," Hanashi said. "It is." Both of the offending Anbus paled as Kakashi moved out of the shadows.

The female said, "I know for a fact that Kakashi is no longer an Anbu Black Op."

Kakashi replied as he removed his Anbu mask, "You're right. I'm not an Anbu Black Op." The two offending Anbus turned even paler as they realized that Kakashi had been the one who had forcibly removed them from the girl orphans area.

"What, proof could you possibly have?" The female questioned.

Kakashi said calmly, pointing at the male, "Why don't you show me your arm?" The man began to roll up the sleeve on his right arm. "No, the other one." The man reluctantly pulled up that sleeve to reveal a long kunai cut.

Hanashi said, "I know for a fact that you didn't get that on a mission. I can guess what happened." Hanashi motioned to the three Anbus, other than Shi', that were still holding the pair, "Take them to Ibiki. I don't trust them at all." The three Anbus dragged out the pair. Hanashi sighed and turned to Kakashi, "How have you been, Kakashi?"

"Fine, how have the rest of you been?" Kakashi asked glancing around the room. All of them had removed their Anbu masks, again.

"Not bad," Shi' began. "But tell me, Kakashi… Why is it that you're wearing black jônin pants instead of your Anbu ones?"

Kakashi replied, thinking fast, "I just grabbed the first pair I saw."

Shi' saw right through the lie, "So how much weight have you gained?"

The others sniggered as Kakashi responded, "Not much really, only ten pounds."

"That's enough of a difference though," Enaki said. Kakashi shot Enaki a nasty look. Enaki quickly asked, "How's the kid doing?"

Kakashi smiled slightly, "She's doing much better now that those two are out of her hair."

Shi' asked cautiously, "So, when are you going to adopt her?"

"I barely know her, Shi'! I wouldn't feel right adopting someone who barely knows me and I barely know them!" Kakashi said, sounding exasperated.

"How old is she?" Yusuke asked suddenly.

Kakashi replied, "Twelve."

Enaki asked, "What's her favorite food?"

"Grilled…fish…" Kakashi answered, feeling suspicious.

Shi' asked, "What does she think of you?"

Kakashi muttered, "All right, I get your point. I'm still not sure if I'm the right person for the job though."

Hanashi said, "You have until the end of the Chûnin Exams to decide."

"What?" Kakashi said, startled.

"I'll adopt her if you don't, all of the Anbus, minus the two that were taken out of here, all like her," Hanashi stated.

Kakashi snapped, "This is no environment to raise a kid who's approaching their teen years!"

"Well, I guess you better make up your mind before than," Hanashi replied.

Before Kakashi could even think of starting a fight with Hanashi, Enaki asked, "Why don't you bring her here tomorrow, Kakashi?"

Kakashi said, "I'm not so sure that's a good idea. Thanks to those two, she's pretty scared of Anbus."

Enaki said, "All the more reason to bring her around, so she can see that we're not all that bad."

Kakashi replied, "I'll think about it. I do need to go see Lord Hokage, and I also need to get back to her, since I promised I'd come back." All of the Anbus in the room nodded. Kakashi easily jumped out of the window and teleported to the Hokage's Mansion.

After Kakashi explained to a grumpy Lord Hokage what had been going on. He quickly left and went back to Sara's room.

Sara was startled awake by her window opening; she opened her eyes a bit and saw an Anbu slipping in. She grabbed the lamp on her nightstand slowly and just as the Anbu came in he grabbed her hand as he said, "Hey!"

"Master Kakashi?" Sara asked.

"Yes," Kakashi said as he pulled off his Anbu mask. "Everything's fine. Those two will not be bothering you again. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to get out of these clothes." Kakashi walked out of the room to the bathroom across the hall.

When Kakashi came back in he said to her in a whisper, "We'll be stopping somewhere before you go to face Lee, okay?"

"Okay," Sara replied as she closed her eyes to sleep.

Kakashi leaned against a wall and closed his eyes, good thing I learned how to fall asleep standing up in the Anbus…

The next morning, Sara was trying to figure out what she smelled in her room without opening her eyes… She didn't succeed. She sat up and stared at Kakashi's back as he cooked over her stove, which she never used.

Kakashi turned around with two plates of food in his hands. "Good, you're up," he said as he set the plates down. "I thought you could use a better breakfast today."

Sara walked up to the table and asked, "What did you make?"

"Eggs with some bacon," Kakashi said. "Let me guess, you've never had eggs or bacon."

"Good guess," Sara said as she sat down and cautiously ate the food.

Kakashi smiled as she realized that she liked the meal. Kakashi started eating once he was sure that Sara wouldn't look up anytime soon.

Sara asked him once they had both finished, "You said we would go somewhere before I faced Rock Lee. So…where are we going?"

"You'll see," Kakashi said as he stood up and grabbed her plate and stuck it in the dishwater he had used to soak the pans he had used.

"I can do that," Sara said as she tried to maneuver around Kakashi. It didn't work.

Kakashi said as he began washing the dishes, "Since I made the mess, I'll clean it up."

Sara threw her hands up in exasperation before she walked over to her bed and sat on the edge of it. Kakashi didn't take long in doing the dishes. When he finished he said, "Come on, we need to get going."

Kakashi led the way through the village with Sara following, as they got closer to the Anbu Area, Kakashi began to keep a close eye on her.

Sara didn't scamper off when she realized where they were going, instead she tried to act as normal as possible. He's not going to make you go in… He probably just has some errands to run. Yeah! That's it! Since he was an Anbu Black Op way back when…

Once at the gate Kakashi looked closely at the guard. Sara said, "Oh well, looks like we can't get in, let's go!"

Kakashi grabbed her by her jacket collar. "Hang on…Watch this!" Kakashi easily slipped the Anbu's leg out from under him causing him to stumble forward.

"Hey!" The Anbu shouted indignantly. "You ruined a perfectly good nap… I should have known only you'd do that Kakashi!"

"Good to see you too, Enaki," Kakashi replied. "I brought Sara with me."

Sara stared at Enaki, "You are an Anbu Black Op?"

Enaki looked around before he pulled off his Anbu mask, "Yes, I'm an Anbu, but I'm nothing like the two that hurt you." Enaki then opened the gate so they could come in.

Sara walked in first, I can't believe Enaki is an Anbu Black Op, but it does make sense.

Kakashi kept a close eye on Sara's reaction to everything she was finding out. I hope nothing makes her fear them again… I know they all miss seeing her…

Enaki was beaming as he said, "I'm glad you finally know what I do for a living, it was becoming difficult to keep hiding it from your perceptiveness." Sara smiled while Kakashi tried not to laugh. Enaki continued, "Heck, I remember when K- ahh… the shinobi that took care of you brought you here. You were so small then, now look at you. You've grown so much."

Kakashi cocked his head to the side slightly; Enaki was never particularly close to Sara when he helped me take care of her. Yet...he almost sounds like a parent or…relative remising about their own child… I'll have to keep that in mind.

"So," Sara began. "Did you help that ninja raise me?"

Enaki exchanged a quick glance with Kakashi, "Sort of. Since that ninja was Head Anbu at the time… I mostly did his paper work while he took care of you."

Suddenly, Sara felt herself being picked up and she let out a startled cry. Kakashi was about to whack the Anbu that had grabbed her, but Enaki beat him to it. "Yusuke!" He snapped as he whopped his brother in the head, "Learn some manners!"

Yusuke set Sara down, "Sorry, Sara. I just haven't seen you in so long."

Sara brushed herself off; I've come to a conclusion: Anbus are just plain weird. Past and present…

While Enaki and Yusuke argued a female voice greeted them. Kakashi said, "Nice to see you too, Shi'."

Shi' walked up to Sara, "It's good to see that two bad apples can't keep you away."

Sara and Kakashi exchanged a look that said, "little do you know".

Kakashi waved to a different Anbu, "Hanashi! Over here."

Hanashi walked over and smiled at Sara, "It's good to see you back here, and I'm glad my old gloves are serving you well."

Sara looked away, while Kakashi said, "I hate to cut this short, but we do need to get going. We have some training to do."

Sara followed Kakashi out, once they were a good distance away, Kakashi said, "That wasn't so bad, now was it?"

Sara glanced back at the, now hidden, Anbu Area, "No, it wasn't."

Rock Lee

Once they were outside the main part of the village Kakashi led her to an open clearing where two people were waiting. Kakashi whispered to her as they got closer, "The one with the vest is Might Guy, while the kid next to him is Lee. And before you even ask, they are not father and son."

Sara looked at the pair, they did look alike. With the same bowl style hair cut, bushy eyebrows and green outfits, it was hard to tell who was who.

Kakashi continued, "Now Guy will say that he and I are rivals. That's only in his own mind; I just play along, because he'll pester me until I admit it anyway, so I might as well spare myself the trouble."

Sara muttered, "Lazy jônin."

Kakashi looked down at her and gave her a fond shove. Sara laughed before she shoved him back. Kakashi was smiling behind his mask, I could get used to this… What am I thinking?

Guy said as they approached, "So this is your favorite pupil, ay Kakashi?"

Kakashi nodded and said, "And she can whip yours."

"Hah!" Guy said. "My Lee is the best in Taijutsu. There's no way your genin could beat him."

Kakashi whispered to Sara, "Did I mention that you cannot use anything but Taijutsu in this fight?"

"No!" Sara said looking slightly terrified. "Wait! You mean that I can't even use my Devil's Eyes." Kakashi shook his head back and forth.

"Stupid jônin!" Sara snapped.

Kakashi sighed, "Go on, I know you'll do fine."

Guy commented, "Is your favorite genin always that disrespectful."

"I think that is respect," Kakashi muttered.

As Sara faced Lee, he said, "My name is Rock Lee, and I've heard that you're called Sheatan, but I would like to know what you preferred to be called. I do not wish to insult you.

Sara smiled fiendishly, she was ready to fight, "Most people call me Sara, but if you want me ticked off, just keep calling me Sheatan, Lee."

Guy shouted enthusiastically, "All right you two! Fight with the power of youth!"

Sara stared at him flabbergasted and Lee took advantage of her distractedness. Sara had barely enough time to block Lee's kick with her own. Sara felt the impact of Lee's kick shot right up her left leg. Lee moved around to her right side. He's fast! Sara barely managed to jump out of the way as she made it look like Lee had kicked her into some bushes.

"Way to go, Lee!" Guy shouted.

Kakashi watched anxiously for Sara to reappear. Sara sighed; I was hoping I wouldn't have to take these things off. She thought as she yanked off her braces. She walked out of the bushes.

Lee asked, "So are you ready to get serious?"

"I've been serious," she replied.

Lee lunged forward and aimed a kick at her mid section. Sara blocked it with a kick of her own, and she once again felt the impact of Lee's kick. I've got to end this soon! Otherwise, I won't be walking properly for a week! Sara leaped away from Lee. He's fast and strong, I'll have to find a way to win.

Kakashi focused on Sara's left leg. She's favoring that left leg, I wonder why?

Lee rushed forward, and Sara quickly did a low kick to offset Lee's balance. Lee was caught off guard and as he fell forward, Sara kicked him pretty hard and sent him through a couple of small trees.

When Lee didn't reappear, ready for more, Guy called out, "Lee, are you okay?"

A faint and dizzy sounding voice said, "Yes…Guy-sensei…"

"Well, Kakashi," Guy said reluctantly. "It looks like your favorite genin is better at Taijutsu than mine."

Kakashi nodded his head, looking smug. "Yes, well, the credit goes to Sara here…? Sara? Where'd she go?" Kakashi walked into the bushes where Sara had leaped into to find her rolling her pant leg down.

Sara looked up at Kakashi innocently, "I was…looking for a kunai I dropped… I found it and noticed my left pant leg had rolled up a bit."

Kakashi didn't believe her for a second, but he played along, "That's fine. I just wanted to make sure you were okay."

"Master Kakashi," Sara said. "Why do you worry about me so much?"

"Ummm…" Kakashi realized his mistake. "Because…I ummm…am concerned about ALL of my students…it's a teacher thing."

"All right, I'll buy it this time," Sara muttered as she stood up.

Kakashi asked her as they began to walk to her place, "I would like you to face Shikamaru Nara, tomorrow to test your skills."

"Fine by me," Sara replied.

Kakashi walked her to her room before he turned around and walked home.

Shikamaru Nara

The next morning, Sara heard Naruto saying, "Bright Eyes, get up! Oh, Bright Eyes!"

That can't be Naruto, she thought. Only one way to find out… She asked, "Is my alarm clock ringing?"

Naruto replied, "Uhhh…yeah sure!" Sara threw her alarm clock at him. "Ow! You..." his voice changed to Kakashi's, "Rotten little genin!"

"I knew you weren't Naruto," she murmured as she turned away from him. "Naruto learned not to say that."

Kakashi rubbed his head, "I can see why. Now get up sleepy head, you have a fight against Shikamaru today."

"Sure all ri-…?" Sara asked, "Master Kakashi, why is it still dark outside?" She glanced at her clock, "It's 2 o' clock!"

"In the afternoon, it's only cloudy outside," Kakashi replied.

"Oh, well okay," Sara got dressed and ate the pancakes Kakashi had cooked for her.

Once outside, Sara looked up at the clear, midnight blue, starry sky. "Liar," she grumbled to Kakashi.

"How else was I going to get you out of bed?" Kakashi asked.

Sara had no answer to that, so they walked in silence for a few minutes. Sara suddenly said, "Master Kakashi, something's been bothering me."

"What? You know you can ask me anything," Kakashi said.

"When you sneeze, do you have to find a bathroom before you can do anything about it or do you…" Sara didn't finish.

Kakashi glared at her, "That's none of your concern. I stand corrected, you can ask me anything but that."

"So do you just let it fester in your mask?" Sara joked as she sounded appalled.

Kakashi muttered, "Stupid genin."

"Stupid, Scarecrow," Sara replied.

"Stupid Sheatan."

"Chubby!"

Kakashi scowled angrily, and then he ruffled her hair fondly after a few minutes, "You are a unique genin, and there's nothing wrong with that."

Sara smiled, not realizing that Kakashi was not acting like a normal jônin. He was acting more like a parent or older sibling.

As they approached the clearing where Asuma and Shikamaru were waiting, Sara felt a blush rise to her cheeks and she looked away from Shikamaru when he caught her eye. Kakashi watched the exchange and noticed that Shikamaru also appeared to be blushing, and he refused to meet Sara's gaze.

Kakashi whispered to Sara, "Shikamaru and Sara sitting in a tr-…"

"Shut up!" Sara snapped at him, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

Kakashi smiled down at her, "It's perfectly fine if you like the boy. My question is if he returns your affection."

Sara muttered, "It's none of YOUR business."

Kakashi laughed as they neared Asuma and Shikamaru. They were only a few feet away as Shikamaru said, "Yeah, I like her…!" He quickly looked embarrassed as he realized that they were near.

Sara thought, please let him have been talking about me!

I hope she didn't think I was talking about anybody else! Man, Asuma planned that…what a drag! Shikamaru thought. He said to Sara, "Hey, was it your idea to meet this early?"

"No way," Sara replied. She lowered her voice as she said, "It was tweedle-dee and tweedle-dumb's idea."

Kakashi said, "I heard that."

Sara smiled, "You can pick which one you are!" Kakashi gave her a nasty look.

"Okay, I get it!" Sara said backing away, from the angry Kakashi.

Asuma said, "Get into your fighting stances, you two."

Sara and Shikamaru moved to opposite ends of the clearing. Kakashi said as he started a conversation with Asuma, "Begin."

Sara and Shikamaru stayed where they were and watched as the jônin paid no attention to them. Shikamaru whispered, "Should we take a nap?"

"Sounds good," Sara replied. They both lay down on the ground and dozed off.

Around 8 am Kakashi and Asuma realized that they weren't hearing any fighting. They turned to see their students asleep on the ground.

Asuma walked up to Shikamaru and said, "If you don't get up now, you'll be paying the next time I take Choji to the BBQ House."

"I'm up!" Shikamaru said as he sat bolt upright.

Kakashi walked over to Sara, "Get up!"

Sara felt around until she found a rock and threw it at him. Kakashi ducked and it hit Asuma in the head. Asuma glared at Kakashi, while Kakashi shrugged.

Kakashi squatted down next to Sara and made the sign of the Tiger. "Leaf Village Secret Finger…"

"I'M UP!" Sara shouted as she scampered away from Kakashi. Kakashi chuckled to himself as he watched Sara eye him apprehensively.

"I won't use it on you," Kakashi assured her. Sara walked back to where she had been laying and faced Shikamaru. "This time we're going to be paying attention," Kakashi stated as he looked from Shikamaru to Sara. "Begin!"

Sara lunged at Shikamaru only to leap away as Shikamaru shouted, "Shadow Possession Jutsu!"

Kakashi and Asuma watched Sara leap away from Shikamaru's Shadow Possession every time it got close to her. Shikamaru had the advantage, since they were surrounded by trees, all of which were casting their shadows into the clearing.

Asuma said to Kakashi, "Your genin doesn't stand a chance. Shikamaru has an IQ over 200."

Kakashi was silent for a few seconds, before he replied, "Sara's IQ varies as far as I'm concerned. But I know for a fact that she is just as smart as Shikamaru."

They watched as Shikamaru finally maneuvered Sara to the point where he caught her with his Shadow Possession.

"Told ya," Asuma said smugly. Asuma dropped his cigarette when he watched Sara leap out of it and punch Shikamaru.

Shikamaru sighed, "I'm out of chakra, it's a drag but I am."

Asuma asked him, "What happened?"

"Easy," Sara said. "Shikamaru has never had someone not act surprised when they get caught by his jutsu, so he was startled when I remained calm, causing the jutsu to falter a bit."

Kakashi beamed at Sara. Shikamaru asked Asuma, "I get the rest of the week off now, right?"

Asuma answered, "Are you kidding? I only said that so you would wake up this morning."

Shikamaru sighed and said, "What a drag!"

Sara got a fiendish gleam in her eyes as she began making hand signs, "I can get back at him for you."

"No!" Shikamaru said his eyes widening.

"Too late," Sara replied. "Dancing Fire Leaves!"

Shikamaru quickly used his Shadow Possession, to stop Asuma and Kakashi from lunging at them. Shikamaru moved his hands so Kakashi could put out a small spark on his head and Asuma could put out one on his beard.

Sara asked Shikamaru, "Shall we run for our lives."

"Yeah," Shikamaru replied after estimating how much trouble they were in.

Sara and Shikamaru bolted as Shikamaru released his Shadow Possession Jutsu. Sara glanced back and asked, "I don't suppose you kept them under your Shadow Possession?"

"No," Shikamaru replied. "I didn't have enough chakra."

Sara and Shikamaru sped up a bit as the jônin caught up slightly.

"Let's split up!" Sara suggested. Shikamaru nodded in agreement and they both took different directions. A few seconds later they were running side by side again. "One more time," Sara said as she sped off in a different direction, Kakashi hot on her tail.

As she and Shikamaru met up again they both came to a screeching halt and the jônin flew right past them. They stopped a few seconds later on a hill that was overlooking the forest they had just exited.

Asuma asked Kakashi, "Did we miss something?" Kakashi nodded his head.

Sara said to Shikamaru, "We do not understand the meaning of 'split up'."

"You don't understand the meaning of 'split up'," Shikamaru replied.

Sara muttered, "That would explain a lot." She glanced at the jônin, "While they're dumbfounded, let's get a head start." The pair took off into the hills, staying as far away from the jônin as possible.

Asuma asked, "Is that enough of a head start for them?"

Kakashi waited a few seconds before answering, "Yeah." They took off after their students.

Shikamaru and Sara sat panting on a hilltop. "I think…" Sara said," We…lost them…"

Shikamaru looked terrified as he pointed behind Sara. Sara looked at Shikamaru and pointed at Asuma, who was standing behind him. Kakashi, who was behind Sara bent down and whispered, "You're it." Before he took off.

Sara stared at Shikamaru and asked, "Did you hear what I heard?"

"Yeah, we're it," Shikamaru replied.

Sara muttered, "And they say we act child like."

"What do we do?"

"We wait for them to come back to us, they'll eventually wonder why we're not coming," Sara answered.

Kakashi and Asuma were perched on different branches of the same tree. Asuma said, "They're not going to come after us."

Kakashi sighed, "No."

"Should we go see why?" Asuma asked him.

"Yeah," Kakashi replied. "Although, I think that's what they want us to do."

Kakashi and Asuma jogged back over to the genin and Kakashi asked them, "Didn't you hear…"

Sara interrupted him as she tagged him, "You're it!" She and Shikamaru raced off.

Kakashi and Asuma exchanged a quick glance before they both shouted, "Ninja Tackle Tag!"

Sara and Shikamaru let out startled cries of terror. They did not want to be tackled by the two jônin.

Asuma tackled Shikamaru to the ground first and they slid a few feet. Kakashi tackled Sara on a hill, and ended up tumbling, head over heels, down it. Sara flinched when she heard a nasty crack as Kakashi landed on his back with a thud.

Sara asked cautiously, "Master Kakashi, are you okay?"

Kakashi replied, "I'm okay, I just won't be able to move for a few minutes."

Asuma looked down the hill to see if Kakashi was okay, as Shikamaru lifted up his head, Asuma shoved him back down. "Kakashi!" He whispered loudly.

Kakashi was on cloud nine. It had been so long since he had been able to hold her as he was doing now.

Asuma's mouth fell open. Did Sara just cuddle against him?

Sara sighed, I'm still not sure if Kakashi is the ninja that took care of me. All the research I've done gives me tells me what is assumed about Master Kakashi… Even if he isn't THAT ninja, if the ninja that took care of me couldn't adopt me, it'd be great if Master Kakashi would…

Asuma looked around wildly for something to throw at Kakashi. Finally, he found a decent sized rock and threw it at Kakashi's head.

"Ow!" Kakashi said as he felt the rock hit him. He glanced down at Sara, he quickly said, "Sorry about that, Sara, my back wasn't cooperating with me."

Sara replied, "It's okay, Master Kakashi, I know your back's not the greatest."

Kakashi smiled at her as he straightened up, his eye widened with pain as his back cracked numerous times.

When they finally reached the top of the hill Asuma motioned for Kakashi to follow him. Kakashi followed reluctantly. Shikamaru and Sara watched as Asuma seemed to scold Kakashi.

Asuma said to Kakashi, "What were you thinking? You know you're not supposed to do that!"

Kakashi replied, "It wasn't exactly my choice for my back to act up on me like that."

"You enjoyed every minute of that," Asuma countered.

"Yes," Kakashi snapped. "I enjoy every second I have with the child I took care of for the first four years of her life!"

Asuma sighed, "Than why won't you adopt her?"

Kakashi said dejectedly, "I'm still not sure if I'm the right person for the job."

Asuma shook his head back and forth, "You amaze me some days, Kakashi. Let's get back to those two, before they begin wondering how they can eavesdrop on us." Kakashi nodded and led the way back.

Kakashi looked up at the sky and said to Sara, "Why don't we watch the sunset. It's not often that a shinobi gets the time to do such things." Sara nodded her head in agreement.

Asuma said, "Shikamaru and I will join you."

They all laid back on a decent sized hill and watched the sunset. As sun gave its last few rays to the sky, Sara asked Kakashi, "Master Kakashi…how is it that your back became so…so messed up?"

Kakashi smiled, "Asuma, do you want to tell it? You were there after all."

"Yeah, why not," Asuma said.

Kakashi pulled off his vest and pulled his shirt up to the middle of his back. His back was covered in scars of various depths and lengths.

Shikamaru said, "How on earth did that happen?"

Asuma said, "Kakashi got caught by enemy shinobi so they stretched him out on The Rack, and then they used a whip with barbs running along it and whipped him. When Guy and I arrived Kakashi was a mess. He had flesh hanging off his back from where the barbs had dug in and only dragged some of the skin off."

Kakashi added, "They didn't get a single piece of information out of me, which is important. Can you tell me why, Sara?"

Sara answered, "Because it would have endangered the village if you had talked."

"Very good," Kakashi said smiling as he lowered his shirt back down and began to pull his vest back on. "That is the most important thing for a shinobi to know."

Shikamaru asked, "Why is it that some ninja can keep their mouths shut while others can't?"

Kakashi replied, "My theory is that the ones that talk have nothing precious to them in this village, while the ones that don't talk have something precious here that they need to protect."

"My theory," Asuma said. "Is that some shinobi have 'the will of fire' while others don't."

"The will of fire?" Sara and Shikamaru asked together.

Kakashi smiled and ruffled Sara's hair, "You'll understand someday." Sara sighed and leaned back against the hill.

As the stars began to appear in the sky Asuma said, "Shikamaru, start identifying the constellations up there."

Shikamaru named all the ones in the sky easily. Kakashi looked at Sara, "Why don't we do what we did back in Land of Waves?"

"I thought you didn't want anybody else to know about that," Sara said.

Kakashi smiled, "Just humor me."

Sara was silent for a few seconds, she then said in a teasing manner, "What am I supposed to do again?"

"Identify pictures in the sky, besides constellations. You know like bunnies and…" He was interrupted.

Sara shouted out laughing, "Bunnies!" She rolled down the hill laughing, and Shikamaru joined her as he laughed.

Asuma said to Kakashi, "I have to admit, it's pretty funny hearing the word 'bunnies' come out of your mouth."

Sara and Shikamaru walked back up the hill. Kakashi said once Sara was leaning back, "Now what do you see?"

Sara said, "A bunny!" She rolled right back down the hill laughing.

Once she came back up the hill, Kakashi said, feeling a little perturbed, "Really, what do you see?"

Sara pointed, "A rabbit, see right there."

Kakashi smiled under his mask at her, she's a unique kid. But I like her as she is.

A few more hours passed before Asuma said as he stood up, "Shikamaru and I need to get going, we'll see you two around."

Kakashi and Sara nodded at them as they left. Sara looked at Kakashi questioningly. Kakashi answered her unspoken question, "We'll be staying here for the night, there's no point in going back to our homes, by the time we got there we'd have to wake up anyway." Sara nodded her head and closed her eyes. She was soon asleep. Kakashi watched her for a few seconds before he dozed off, I wish tomorrow would never come. I'd love to do this all the time.

Kakashi's Final Decision

Sara stirred slightly and snuggled down further into the grass, I don't want to wake up yet! I'm perfectly comfortable on…the…ground…? Why the heck am I so warm if I'm out in the open? She opened her eyes and turned her head to see that Kakashi had his arm over her. She exclaimed, "Yuck!"

Kakashi jolted awake and sat up looking around for any danger. He looked at Sara questioningly. She continued, "Jônin germs! Yuck!"

Kakashi replied, "I'm the one who should be complaining about genin germs." Kakashi turned around when he heard a cough behind him. "How long have you been there, Lord Hokage?" Kakashi asked him nervously.

"Long enough," Lord Hokage replied.

Kakashi looked away …damn…that look he's giving me says "we'll talk later".

Kakashi stood up and stretched while Sara just jumped up and looked ready for anything. "How do you do that?" He asked her.

"Do what?" She questioned.

"Have so much energy," he said smiling.

Sara replied, "I'm younger than you."

Kakashi and Lord Hokage both laughed at that statement. Lord Hokage said, "Kakashi, why don't you race Sara to where you two trained the first day?"

Kakashi said, "I know for a fact that I'll beat her. It's an unfair challenge."

"You may be surprised," Lord Hokage replied.

Kakashi looked at Sara, "You up for a race?"

Sara nodded her head enthusiastically. Lord Hokage said, "On your marks…get set…go!"

Kakashi shot forward and was surprised when he looked to his right and saw Sara keeping pace with him. Kakashi started to sprint. I hope I can keep this up the rest of the way!

Stop! Stop! Stop! STOP! Why can't I slow down? I hate it when this happens! Sara thought as she kept pace with her teacher.

Lord Hokage was already waiting for the pair as they arrived. Kakashi came to a stop and bent over as he gasped for breath. Sara collapsed on the ground, refusing to move.

It took a few minutes for Kakashi to recover from his exertion. He asked no one in particular, "How does she do that?"

Sara responded, "I don't know! I just wish I could turn it off!"

Kakashi stared down at her and said, "Try picturing someone else's pace so you don't nearly kill yourself following mine next time."

Sara murmured, "That might work…" She stood up and took a step only to stumble as her left leg gave out on her.

Kakashi caught her and asked, "May I make sure you haven't harmed your legs in any way?" Sara nodded reluctantly. Kakashi felt the braces instantly. "Why are you wearing braces?" He questioned.

Sara answered, "My left leg was banged up when Naruto and I were eight and got picked on by some older students. The other one is to even out the weight."

Kakashi nodded thoughtfully, he asked Lord Hokage, "Did you know about this?"

"No," Lord Hokage replied.

Kakashi stood up and looked at Sara, "Why didn't you inform Lord Hokage or myself?"

"Because," Sara said. "It wasn't a big deal to me. Why have people worry when I'm completely fine?"

Kakashi and Lord Hokage couldn't argue with that logic. Lord Hokage changed the subject, "What is the training regime for today?"

Kakashi answered, "I thought I'd let Sara pick what we'd do today."

Sara looked thoughtful for a few minutes before she looked away from Kakashi sheepishly, "You'll think it's stupid."

"No I won't," Kakashi said. "Come on, you can ask."

"You won't like it," Sara said, still avoiding his gaze.

"Try me."

Sara blurted out, "Can I face your Sharingan?"

Kakashi was silent for a few minutes. "You can…" he said slowly. "Only if you use your Devil's Eyes."

Sara responded, "I was planning on that."

"Good," Kakashi replied as he moved across the barren ground where Sara had used Wrath of the Phoenix. "Because you're going to need it," He lifted up his headband exposing his Sharingan.

"This is going to be fun," Sara said as her pupils narrowed to slits.

This will be interesting, Lord Hokage thought as he watched the pair circle each other, each waiting for an opening.

Kakashi decided to make the first move, she's learning fast! She's forcing me to make the first move. Kakashi was making hand signs and he watched in astonishment as Sara matched his sign weaving speed. They both said in complete unison, "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

Thus, their fight continued. Either Sara or Kakashi would make a move and the other would either duplicate it or maneuver around it.

Hours later as Kakashi stood, showing only small signs of exhaustion while Sara was panting and sweating up a storm. She thought, okay, I only have a little bit of chakra that I can't use. That means Taijutsu is my best bet. She lunged forward while Kakashi stood still and watched her pass out from exhaustion and roll to a stop at his feet.

Kakashi lowered his headband back over his left eye. She had no idea how much of a toll that fight took on me… I'll be sleeping well tonight! Kakashi bent down and picked her up. He looked down at her and how peaceful she looked. He kissed her forehead.

Lord Hokage scowled, "Kakashi!"

"She's not awake," Kakashi said as he began walking to take her back to her room.

"That's my point!" Lord Hokage said angrily. "You shouldn't do that unless you plan to be her guardian."

"I did plan to be her guardian!" Kakashi snapped at him. "But than, you said that I couldn't be because I had scared away all potential adopters. Now…now…I'm still not sure if I'm the right person."

Lord Hokage said kindly, "Kakashi, I've been telling you that you're the right person and…"

Kakashi interrupted, "Which is exactly why I keep asking myself if I am the right person! Just…just give me time to think about it…"

Lord Hokage sighed, but he didn't say anything else to Kakashi as they began walking up the stairs to Sara's room.

Lord Hokage opened the door to Sara's room and Kakashi gently set her down on the bed. Lord Hokage asked him, "What? You're not going to tuck her in?"

Kakashi said angrily, "I thought I'd be yelled at if I did!" Kakashi picked her up again and pulled the blankets back on her bed, before he set her back down and tucked her in.

Lord Hokage wandered over to where her alarm clock was lying on the floor, "I don't understand how this keeps getting across the room." He set it back on her nightstand, with the alarm set.

Kakashi looked at her nightstand and reached over to pick up a book. Kakashi opened it and murmured, "I didn't know she liked to sketch."

Lord Hokage said, "You really shouldn't look through that."

Kakashi ignored him. He eventually said, "Awww, she looks at you like a grandfather."

Lord Hokage asked, "Have you found yourself in there yet?"

Kakashi shook his head back and forth as he continued to flip through it. He than began flipping rapidly through the pages before he shook it up and down, seeing if any loose pages fell out, before he said sounding dejected, "I'm not in there…"

Lord Hokage took the sketchbook from him and automatically went to the last page. He handed the sketchbook back to Kakashi. "Wow!" Kakashi said as he realized there were two pages of sketches for him. He flipped to the back of the last page and read his summary. He read the last part aloud, "Looked up to as a role model/father…like…figure…" Kakashi closed the sketchbook and set it back on the nightstand the way he had found it. "Let's go," he murmured as he led the way out of the room.

Once outside, Kakashi walked beside Lord Hokage, he kept silent all the way to the Hokage's Mansion. Lord Hokage said to him, "I do not need an escort home."

"I know," Kakashi replied. "I…" he swallowed nervously, "I was hoping to adopt a member of my squad."

Lord Hokage asked, "Which one would that be?"

Kakashi glared at him, "You know which one!"

Lord Hokage led him inside. He opened a drawer and pulled out a sheet of paper. "Fill this out, Kakashi," he said as he handed it to him.

Kakashi glanced over it quickly, he asked, "I need to give her a new name?"

"No, but you can add to her name if you want," Lord Hokage replied.

Kakashi filled out the paper and handed it back to Lord Hokage. Lord Hokage waited until Kakashi left before he read what Kakashi had filled out for Sara's name. It read: Sara Uchiha Hatake.

Arrival

The next day, as Squad Seven walked to the building where the Chûnin Exam was being held, after receiving their applications from Kakashi. Naruto was humming happily to himself. He than said, "I bet this exam will have a lot of tough competition, but it's nothing we can't handle, right, Bright Eyes?"

Sara was thoughtful for a few seconds. She finally said, "I'm sure we'll all do fine."

Naruto was satisfied with the answer and zoned off into his own daydreams about the exam. They all entered the building ahead of Sakura who was lagging behind.

I…don't want to do this… Sakura thought sadly. I can't even keep up with Naruto. How am I supposed to do well. Sakura was jolted out of her thought process.

"Hey, Sakura, come on, we need you," Sara said, before she walked inside.

Sakura stared after her, she smiled, thanks…Sara. Sakura followed her teammates in.

As Sakura walked in Sasuke glanced back at her, what's up with her?

Sara stared straight ahead at the scene unfolding before her, Lee had just been knocked back by two genin that were blocking the doorway. Sara looked around the room. We've only climbed two sets of stairs, so why does it say we're on the third floor, when we were just on the first floor…genjutsu…

She focused her attention back on the other two genin as one said, "You're all still wet behind the ears, you'll never be able to face the hardships of the exam."

"That's just stupid," someone in the crowd shouted.

"You misunderstand," the other genin said. "We're just trying to spare you from dying in this exam."

Sasuke said as he led Squad Seven to the front of the crowd, "That sounds great in theory, but you'd better let us through and drop the genjutsu you've got going."

The first genin snorted, "So you figure that out?"

"No, duh!" Sara said sarcastically. "It was easy, right, Sakura?"

Sakura looked up and asked, "What?"

Sasuke supplied, "You were probably the first to notice the genjutsu."

"Right," Sakura said, her confidence coming back. "Yeah, it is obvious that we're on the second floor."

The two genin released the genjutsu. "Hey not bad, the second one said, "But just seeing through it isn't enough!" He aimed a kick at Sasuke and Sasuke went to block, when Lee situated himself right in between them and blocked their kicks.

Sara nodded her head; I'm not surprised to find that Lee was just acting the part of a weakling. My leg is still throbbing from that fight!

He's fast! Sakura thought awestruck. He perceived the attack and than came up with a way to block both sides!

Sasuke sized up Lee, he blocked my kick, that's no easy feat. But something's weird about his chakra…

A boy with a black headband and two black straps hanging down from it said to Lee, "Hey! That's not what we agreed upon. You're the one who insisted we not draw attention to ourselves!"

A girl with brown hair tied into two buns on top of her head said, "Here we go again…"

Lee walked up to Sakura, "My name is Rock Lee, you're Sakura aren't you? Would you be my girlfriend?" He smiled a cheesy smile as he said, "I would protect you with my life!"

"No!" Sakura stated. "You are WAY out of hand." Lee lowered his head with defeat.

The boy with the black headband walked up to Sasuke, "Hey you? What's your name?"

Naruto glared at Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke! It's always about Sasuke!

Sasuke said, "It's common courtesy to give your own name first."

"You're a rookie, how old?" The boy with the black headband questioned.

"I don't have to tell you a thing," Sasuke responded as he motioned for the others to follow him. This exam is turning into one big circus!

Sakura moved ahead of the others and said, "Come on you guys!"

As Squad Seven approached the final set of stairs before they got to the third floor, a voice said, "Hey, you with the scowl, wait up!"

Sakura released a slight scream when she saw it was Lee, while everyone else looked up at him. Lee continued, "You and me, here and now."