Iruka Umino Point of View
I wish I didn't need to come out out of that tree. Lord Hokage was right to have me tail Naruto. How much has Nyoko realize? They were family and were both jinchuuriki. She's obviously figured out they were related, by the look on her face, she was about to tell Naruto what she'd figured out.
"Iruka sensei." Naruto greeted me, thankfully he was oblivious. Unfazed by Nyokos narrowed purple eyes.
I didn't like this mission, what was the worse that could happen with these two learning the truth? Naruto wouldn't do anything that would bring harm to the Leaf Village. While Nyoko was a smart girl, she would think before doing anything. Together, I'm sure these two would be an impressive duo of ninja.
I smiled at Naruto, I couldn't let him figure it out. Walking closer to the pair I spoke, "Hey Naruto." I greeted the boy that I admired. I then looked to Nyoko, "Nyoko, the Hokage wishes to see you." I informed her kindly.
Judging by her face she wasn't happy, she then looked to Naruto. What was she thinking? Was she debating to tell him even with me right here? No, she wouldn't do that... Would she?
"Naruto, I think it's getting late, don't you? Head home and I'll buy you ramen tomorrow" I suggested, to Naruto, whom was out of the loop. Hopefully, he'd stay that way till the Hokage says otherwise.
Naruto's eyes widened a bit at the mention of ramen, "Really?!" He said with such glee, only for it to drop when he looked to Nyoko's cold expression, that was towards me. Her thin brows were almost touching, her eyes were wide open in a glare. I almost needed to take a step back, but I didn't. I couldn't let her anger scare me.
"Nyoko what's wrong?" Naruto asked, his sister. He looked between she and I, "Hey! Why are you looking at Iruka sensei like that!" He demanded a bit louder.
Nyoko took a step away from him walking towards me. I couldn't help but feel threatened. Her hair, swayed against the wind, lifting up. Was this the doing of the nine - tails.
"I'll tell you later Naruto." She finally spoke. Her tone was almost a growl, she was being aggressive. She walked past me, "Later Naruto." she said passively to her sibling.
Hiruzen's Sarutobi Point of View
I was conflicted. Seeing Iruka walk into my office late this evening, with a rather agitated Nyoko. This only confirmed my suspicions. She was about to tell Naruto everything. I was proud she figured it out and was willing to share with her brother, at the same time I couldn't let her. For it the elders ever found out both of them would be in trouble.
"Nyoko - " I started, trying to speak.
She however walked up to my desk, as she growled at me, "You knew. Does the whole village know?" Once she reached my desk she slammed her balled up hands on my desk.
It was apparent I wouldn't be able to get around this, she was to angry. She needed to calm down, or the beast would come out.
"Nyoko, you don't understand - " Iruka tried to speak this time.
Only for Nyoko, to yell in a cracked voice, "Shut up." She had here head down, her bangs covering her face. I couldn't see her face.
With a sigh I decided it was time to explain to her, everything. Or as much as I could to calm her down. If Danzō and the elders were to find out they would... They would lock her up, and mess with her mind. To find out what she knew then try to tame her, so they could control her half of the demon sealed within her.
"Iruka you may leave" I ordered the man at the other side of my office, I looked from him to Nyoko, "watch Naruto. Nyoko and I will be talking about why she mustn't tell Naruto about their kinship." I already knew what I was going to do. I needed to keep her, Naruto and the rest of the village safe.
"But Lord Third - " Iruka objected, only to get a look from me.
This time it was me telling him to leave, "Go, Nyoko and I will be fine alone."
After a few moments of thought he bowed, "Yes, Lord Hokage" Then he left.
I returned my gaze to Nyoko, "Take a seat, please, and I will ask you to think before getting angry." She did as told, taking a seat on a chair, lifting her head up finally, angry still over her face. Her eyes however showed more of her. Her hands in her lap were balled up, tightly, her knuckles were turning white. She was trying to calm herself down.
"Talk." She hissed the order.
I complied, starting to tell her, careful with the words I chose and what I told her. "It was made a heated debate, when your parents died on what to do, to keep both you and Naruto safe along with the village."
She rolled her eyes at the idea, "The same village that's been treating Naruto and I like monsters..." She then looked at me, she wanted to ask another question. I assumed it was about the tailed beast. I couldn't tell her everything about that. I needed to prompt her to keep it a secret, I could use the tailed beast as a way to make her keep her sibling safe, in turn keeping the village safe.
"He doesn't have the Nine - Tailed Fox in him." I informed her, answering her unasked question. It felt wrong to lie to her. But this was for the best, to keep everyone safe, I added, "The villagers don't know who has it sealed within them. Just that one of the children of Minato has it." Her face seemed to both lighten up, and darken at the lie.
She was happy at the lie of him not having the demon, while sad she was alone with it. She'd only get angrier if she knew the truth. I needed to control her here.
"Your father's dying wish is to keep you both safe." I informed her, "We gave both of you differentiating names just to do that. Naruto of your mother, he wouldn't be bothered by anyone, just seen as another ninja." I informed her, taking a breath of smoke, "You after your father the Yellow Flash's daughter, what better way to keep both you safe, then to give you the name of the Fourth Hokage, the one to help bring peace to the world after the Third Shinobi War." I took another hit.
Her expression didn't change, much, but she was calming down,likely in deep thought.
"Paired with your ability as a ninja, you're a Namikaze. " I added to it, information on her parents, "Along with your personalities. It'd seem you've inherited your fathers while Naruto has your mothers."
She then looked at me, "I can't tell him why?" She shortly answered her own question, "he'd tell others."
I nodded at her, "Yes, and if he were to find out - if others were to find out. They'd use Naruto to get to you." I felt horrible for this lie. But I needed to ensure the safety of the village, Naruto and her, as well as keep the nine tailed fox safe... My intentions were alike the elders and Danzō. I hope she forgives me, if - no when she finds out.
Nyoko Namikaze Point of View
That's why I was put on a team alone, that's why I was made an ANBU so quickly. If I weren't who I was with this thing in me, would it have been this way? Would I have been considered an elite ninja? If this was all just to keep the tailed beast hidden, am I even at a level for the exams?
"Demote me to Genin." I ordered him, he raised a brow bone at the idea, so I explained to him, "I was made an ANBU to keep my identity a secret, not because of my skills."
"Nyoko, you're in the ANBU because of your ability." He responded, "You're partly correct with it's being used to keep your identity a secret. However, you do deserve the rank."
Was that even true? Was anything he told me true? He's been lying to me for all of my life. He and the village! Was anything I've been told true? Was anything here real?
"Who knows?" I whispered, I needed to know. Did Sasuke know? Was he a real friend? Was Shino? What about Shikamaru?
"It is forbbiden for the adults of the village - when you were born - to speak of the Nine-Tails. Even then not people weren't sure which of you had the demon sealed away in. Only a handful knew the truth about you and your brother."
My brother. I have a brother... But I can't tell him anything, or he might be put into trouble.
"May I leave?" I asked, getting up, not really waiting for an answer I I ran out of the office as quickly as I could.
In an instant of running, I was home. Laying in my bed, with the blinds to the window closed and the lights off. I didn't know what to think, I'm sure if Sasuke were to show up I would just spill the beans. Maybe, I could tell him... He was my friend...
No, he could be use as bait just like Naruto. I'd even turn myself over quickly, Naruto may share my blood, but he's only just became my family. Sasuke and I had a history I couldn't give up, of everything Sasuke and I have been through, both he and Itachi were my family for way longer.
Besides, Sasuke had enough to worry about. He needed to avenge his clan. He wanted to get stronger to kill his brother... Maybe, I should be like that.
Have a goal, a reason to get stronger to kill someone... But who did I hate enough to kill?
There were plenty of villagers I strongly disliked... I wouldn't kill them, but if they were in mortal danger I would take my time to help them out.
The snake mam - Orochimaru. He's one. The man in the mask from the Uchiha compound... He must've been helping Itachi.
Recalling to that sad night, I could still remember the masked man. He had an orange mask with a black flames ending at the one eye hole. He reeked of blood.
He said he wanted to kill me. In spite of my father, who was his sensei... He said Minato tried to kill him the day he died...Resting a hand on my stomach above the seal I recalled to him saying the nine - tails was why he didn't kill me...
Hmp. if I could control this thing... Then maybe I could, enter the league of ninja where a Sannin, the masked man and that Rain Ninja... And Itachi's, there's no doubt he's gotten stronger.
I need to take every opportunity to get stronger. To kill the masked man and Orochimaru, along with anyone that threatens Naruto and Sasuke...
But how do I even start to control this beast? I don't even know how to activate it! I've been trying for awhile, but nothing... I need to try something else.
Sasuke Uchiha Point of View
Naruto, what an idiot. He was ruining everything while attempting to compete with me. Then there was Sakura, who was far worse than Naruto, why was she even here? What I would give to trade this pink haired troll for Nyoko. To have at least one person who wasn't a joke of a ninja on my team.
I'd rather be training with her, these subsequent missions weren't going to prepare me to avenge my clan. Naruto if he didn't ruin everything, he'd be a decent ninja to train with. Sakura was a waste of a ninja, not much to her aside from existing.
Thinking of her, I haven't seen Nyoko. Was she on a mission? No, she would've left some sort of note. That and her blinds have changed often. Where has she been? I need to train with her again, I need to prepare myself to fight Itachi. Not be here with these two morons and Kakashi. Carrying Naruto, whom was just a big problem, having to pick the biggest dog and walk into a mine field.
"You really are just one big problem" I stated my thoughts on him.
This caused him to get out of my grip, ready to fight. The moron wasn't worth my time. I instead decided to walk back the way we came.
"If you keep this up, I'll finish you off myself!" Sakura's annoying voice rang, threatening Naruto.
Kakashi sighed as I walked further away, not really listening to him.
Naruto however heard our sensei, as he got loud and annoying towards me, "That's right! Our teamwork's all messed up, and it's all because of you, Sasuke! " Whatever, this loser. Why can't he just do us all a favor and shut up? "You think you're better than everyone else?"
It was a reflex to respond to him at this point, "Not everyone. Just you." I didn't turn around, "Face it. I'm better and stronger than you are. " I stopped, "It's a fact." Turning to look at the blond moron, I added, "Unless you have what it takes to prove me wrong." I turned fully around, I was alright with fighting him. Get back at him for being such a pain today...
Thinking back to the hidden mist village, the masked boy came to mind. I don't have time to waste on Naruto and these lame missions. There's still ninja out there who can outfight me. I've got to hone my skills, so I can beat them all. I need to find Nyoko and get training with her, hopefully she'd be home now.
It was Kakashi who spoke up this time, "All right, guys." He looked down between Naruto, Sakura and I, "Let's call it a day. You can beat each other to a pulp some other time." He suggested, "Anyway, I have to file my report on this mission."
Thank God I can leave now. "Whatever" I sighed, "I'm out of here." I proceeded to walk away.
As usual however, Sakura spoke up, "Wait! Sasuke, I'll go with you!" I could hear her running towards me. She can't take a hint... I suppose I need to set her straight now.
I stopped walking looking to the pink haired girl, she looked down at her hands as her face turned pink and she went to make a suggestion, "So, why don't we -" She's wasting her breath. "I mean, you know, let's do something more personal." She's trying to hard to flirt. She's even failing at it, "I mean, to improve our teamwork and all."
"I swear, you're just as bad as Naruto." I informed Sakura, setting her straight with the simple fact, "Instead of flirting, why don't you practice your jutsu, and make the team stronger?" I looked away from her adding, "Let's face it, you're actually worse than Naruto. I then walked away. Getting away from this useless girl.
As I walked away turning a corner, turning the corner we came from, to go on the other side of the fence into the deeper part of the village, I spotted Nyoko on with her headband around her eyes. I figured she was training her senses. As I watched her quickly step out of the way of some kids that ran past her. This could be some fun training. As quietly as I could I jumped onto the nearest roof to her. Getting behind her. She didn't even head the metal roof creak. Or if she did she didn't respond to it.
Dropping down, to the ground once I landed a few feet behind her, I took out a kunai, walking up behind her as she turned just before the fence, where I'd just come from. I followed behind her. Being as quiet and quick as I could. Weaving through a crowd of girls. Gross.
She had stopped, starting to untie her headband. I noticed the smirk on her face as she did. A familiar cheeky smirk, I knew all to well. It wasn't the real Nyoko. Turning away, swinging my kunai up, only for it to be stopped by the real Nyoko's own kunai. Her violet eyes were narrowed playfully.
"Please, Sasu - kun " she teased, using her little nickname for me, "The day you can get behind me will be the day I quit as a ninja." She pulled her kunai away from me. She was smiling still, walking past me, as I lowered my hand. I followed her as she walked to where her clone once was. On the ground was her forehead protector. She leaned down and picked it up.
As she tied it around her forehead, she looked at me, "So, how's the team?" She asked casually, turning to walk away from me. I followed, walking beside her.
"Where have you been?" I asked her, not answering her question.
She shrugged, "I've been around. Training mostly, or reading up on a mission." She stopped herself from going on.
"What mission?" I was curious.
I noticed her, pupils looking up at me from the corners of her eyes. She must be debating on telling me or not, what was the mission. "You'll find out soon enough." She then looked straight ahead.
The sound of Naruto yelling then echoed from the other side of the fence, "You better take your hands off him right now!"
Nyoko's eyes seemed to narrow, she mumbled something I couldn't make out. Turing as quickly as a snake she leaped onto the tree we were under, I followed her. Sitting on a branch I took notice of two strange ninja, a girl with four pony tails, and a boy with something on his back.
I noticed their headbands, "Sand ninja" I muttered lightly, feeling defensive, were we under attack? Were there more?
Nyoko answered those thoughts, "We're not under attack, they are hear for an event." She muttered, I could see her visibly get ready to jump down there. I laid a hand on her arm, shaking my head at her, looking down I saw Naruto, Sakura and three other kids. This would be a perfect chance for my pair of teammates to step up and fight, and a perfect chance for me to scope out ninja from the sand village.
"We have a few minutes before he get's here. Let's mess with these punks, huh?" The boy wearing black suggested, in a playful tone. Not dropping the smaller boy in his grip, he started to kick demanding to be let down. "You're feisty, but not for long." He gave a dirty grin.
Naruto being who he is charged forward, "Put him down!" That's when the boy, much larger than Naruto started doing something with his hand... Was it a hand sign? Whatever, it was it caused Naruto to fall backwards.
"What - what was that?!" Naruto asked, the same question I was asking.
"You're a leaf genin too?" The boy questioned, "Looks like your village is full of whimps." He declared. The scene progressed getting worse as Naruto being him got loud, Sakura trying to shut him up. The both of them were a mistake.
Nyoko then whispered to me, "Throw a rock at his hand, hard. I'll get between him and the kid."
I looked at her, we both nodded. I went to get a handful of pebbles that laid under the tree.
Nyoko Namikaze Point of View
Kankurō spoke about not liking runts and weaklings, as Sasuke returned, nodding in unison, I then jumped as he threw a rock, as Kankurō pulled back his other hand about to hit the grandson of the Third. hand. The rock hit Kankurōs hand as I landed in front of him. Getting between him and the kid who fell on his butt, while I stopped Kankurō's balled up fist, by holding it.
I didn't have my mask on. I needed to be careful with what I said. I couldn't let him know I was the ANBU ninja that visited his village.
Kankurō, was caught off guard, so was the girl. They both backed up. Kankurō, pulling his fist from my grip, held the hand that was hit by the rock. Rubbing it lightly. He grunted in pain, I could see his painted face wince in pain of the rock.
Good. It should hurt. Dickhead. I didn't move my gaze from him as I gave an order, to the boy behind me, kid get behind Naruto and Sakura."
"Who the hell are you?" Kankurō demanded, in annoyance, "What hit me?" He then saw the pebble drop to the ground. Looking at me in a glare, he then looked in the direction where both the pebble and I came from, to see Sasuke sitting on a branch, with another pebble ready.
"You're a long way from home" Sasuke stated simply, adding, "And you're way out of your league."
That's when Sakura and some of the kids screamed Sasuke's name. Then my name was yelled, just by the kids.
Kankurō then looked from Sasuke to me, "Oh, great. More whimps to tick me off."
I let out a soft laugh, "says the whimp holding his hand" I teased him, I then looked to the girl, she had to be apart of his team... What were the names on the sheet again?
Kankurō then got in my face, or kind of did. He was real close looking down at my face, "What'd you say brat?"
I couldn't help the playful smirk that took over my face. When I was an ANBU I needed to be respectful to him, and his people. But now, I didn't need to.
"You heard me." I muttered, this was fun. The smile and my cocky-ness disappeared as I started to feel my stomach bubble. I could sense someone's bloodlust. Taking a step back, I looked up to the trees direction. The bloodlust was coming from there.
"Hey punk, get down here. So, I cant beat on you after I beat up your girlfriend, here." Kankurō retorted at Sasuke, who did't move a muscle. His girl what?
Kankurō, being impatient took off the mummy from his back dropping. I looked to it, would he show us the body or whatever was in that thing?
I felt my stomach bubble some more, the bloodlust was closer. Looking back in the tree, I spotted on the otherside of Sasuke. A boy with very light skin, blue and green eyes, with short red auburn hair, that was spiky. He had heavy black make up around his eyes and the kanji for love on the left side of his forehead... On his back he had gourd on his back... What was in it?
He hung upside down in the same tree across from Sasuke. I felt my legs tense as I prepared to jump - to attack this stranger if he tried to do anything to Sasuke, whom seemed unaware that he wasn't alone in that tree.
I could feel the left side of my lip start to twitch... This guy, he was something else. He reminded me of someone.
As he spoke his voice was was emotionless, it made my skin crawl, "Kankurō, knock it off." He ordered, "You're an embarrassment to our village."
The moment he spoke, was the moment Sasuke's confident appearance changed, he was caught off guard. So was everyone else.
Kankurō's attitude changed, from being a dickhead, a school yard bully, to someone scared of their bully.
"Uh... Ah... Hay, Gaara." Kankurō finally spoke giving me the name of the boy.
So, Gaara. So, he's almost alike the Rain Village ninja. Intimidating, this redhead wasn't as scary as the man with ringed eyes, but he was obviously not a joke.
"Have you forgotten the reason we came here?" Gaara questioned, striking fear into Kankurō, and the girl.
Kankurō went on to try and shift blame, "I know. I - I mean they challenged us." The boy, Gaara then looked at me, his eyes not changing as I glared up at him Kankurō, going on to try and save himself, "This kid - girl came to fight me. Really, they started the whole thing" He pointed at me, "she wanted to see what we could do so she sent a kid after me."
I rolled my eyes at Kankurō's excuse, ready to tell him to shut up.
"Oh, shut up." I glared back at the tree, hearing Gaara had beat me to the order. His eyes focused on Kankurō, who looked ready to pee his pants, "Or I'll kill you."
I believed him, he seemed unmoved by the plea of Kankurō, uninterested in the lies flying from his mouth.
"Ah, right. I was totally out of line", Kankurō agreed, raising his hands, he went on to apologize, the girl next to him even apologizing as well.
Gaara, then looked too Sasuke, who hasn't moved, "I'm sorry for any trouble he caused." He then fixed his gaze down at me.
This guy is someone I need to keep an eye on. I need to make sure he stays away from Sasuke, Naruto and even Sakura.
He then turned into... Sand? The sand fell from where he once was to the ground, only to turn into him. He was even closer. Arms length away. One punch away. Good, I'd rather it'd be me that deals with him, rather than Sasuke.
"Let's go." He ordered the two other sand ninja, "We didn't come here to play games." as he proceeded to walk I took a step forward, opening my mouth to speak, to offer my services. Mainly, to keep an eye on this Gaara kid.
Before, I could get a word out Sakura ended up standing right behind me, like I was a shield, "Hold on!" She ordered, I rolled my eyes, this moron, "Hey stop!" She yelled.
They did, the girl spoke, "What?" She turned around, her eyes were sharp staring at both Sakura and I.
"I can tell from your headband that you come from the Village Hidden in the Sand. Of course the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind are allies. But no Shinobi can enter another's village without permission." She stated, in mater of fact tone, feeling high and mighty, she took a step, so she was standing next to me" So state your purpose and it better be good."
I rolled my eyes, she was trying to be threatening, "They have permission, Billboard Brow . They along with several other villages are here for the Chūnin Exams." I informed her, figuring it was alright to allude to this simple fact. They would eventually figure it out anyways.
Sakura blinked then glared at me, "What did you just call me bloodstain?" I raised a brow at her what was her problem.
"You don't know what it is do you, pinkie?" The older girl stated, turning around fully, pulling out her identification, "Of course you're correct pinkie we are Sand Genin. Our home is the Land of the Wind, and as the tomato here has stated, we're here for the Chūnin Exams."
"Chūnin Exams?" Naruto spoke up, "Well, I've never heard of any Chūnin Exams, believe it."
I pitch the top of my nose at Naruto's cluelessness. He was in class when we learned about it...
"Oh, I believe it, all right, that you're totally clueless. " The sand girl retorted, with a smile.
Thankfully, the kids new what the exams were and proceeded to fill in Naruto.
Gaara, Kankurō and the girl then turn to leave as Sasuke jumps down landing a little ahead of me.
"Hey, you." He called out, I assume to Gaara. He's curious about the red headed boy, "Identify yourself."
I rolled my eyes at the blond girl, whom turned around, turning into a fan-girl, "You mean me?"
"No" I answered her, "He means Gaara."
Sasuke nodded, "Yeah." this seemed to shock the girl and Kankurō, as Gaara turned around to face us once more.
Gaara then spoke, introducing himself, "My name is Gaara of the desert." He turned fully around, "I'm curious about you, too. Who are you?" He looked to Sasuke and then to me. His green cold eyes meeting my purple ones.
Sasuke was the one to state our names, "I am Sasuke Uchiha, she is Nyoko Namikaze."
It was quiet for the time, as we all stared at each other. I glared at Gaara, something about him rubbed me the wrong way or something. I blinked breaking concentration with this freak.
Perhaps, it's the nine - tails reacting to him? It had to be, what else could be causing such a burning feeling in my stomach, so quickly? What was it about this guy, this kid that is causing such a reaction? Whatever it was, I wanted to go deeper. To access the nine - tailed fox's energy. This guy, might just be my way to do it.
"Hi there!" Naruto's loud voice sounded, breaking the tension, "I bet you're dying to know my name, right?"
My brother, my brother... He's something special... Really special.
"I couldn't care less." Gaara responded to Naruto. He and his teammates ended up jumping away.
I can't lose this blood lust. I have to go deeper.
I looked to Sasuke, "See you for sushi later, I need to go train." I looked back to Naruto, smiling kindly at my brother, feeling smiling softly, my heart aching slightly, "Later Naruto, kids." Before I jumped away, I added another goodbye, in a teasing tone, "Don't freak out too much forehead!" I then bolted to the furthest training ground. I didn't want Sasuke to find me. Just encase I do access the extra energy.
Instead of training physically, as I have been I took a seat on a stump. Focusing on the blood lust i felt from Gaara. Assuming, it was from feelings that I could use the nine - tailed fox's power. I was really angry when I first felt the power of it. Maybe, if I got angry I could access it again.
I knew what the five element seal did to me. Or I've figured it out, it was an odd numberd seal, it created an imbalance my chakra. I assume maybe it had a hand in preventing me to control the Nine-tails chakra as well. Or that's what I've marked it too, I didn't know how else I could explain it. It made sense as to why I couldn't control it when I had my episode in the forest. It explained why it felt like there was something blocking me from using all of my chakra. I had a lot naturally already, but it seemed to be cut in half!
While I was reading up on the five element seal, I did some reading on the Uzumaki clan. I was curious about the clan, that my mother - and brother were apart of. It'd seem both Naruto and I had some interesting abilities from our mother.
The Uzumaki clan members possess incredibly strong life forces, giving us long lifespans and making us age slowly, as well with quick healing, being able to endure and survive sever injuries. We also can heal very quickly, and apparently others by letting others eat our chakra... That made no sense, how can anyone eat chakra? Did they need to eat a part of us? Or take a bite? I don't think I'd want to find out. Then again, it could be useful in the future.
Healing and living forever was about all that I was able to find. There seemed to be things missing from the few books that even mention the clan. There was more on the Namikaze clan, and it wasn't even a real clan, just a family name. Like the Harunos, the Hatakes and so on. In reality the only recorded Namikaze was Minato, and three other insignificant ninja.
I groaned lightly sitting on the stump. Frustrated that I wasn't getting the results I wanted. Hell, I wasn't getting any! Even a negative result would be appreciated at this point. The sun was gone already, the moon was high in the sky. My stomach was rumbling.
Getting up I proceeded to make my way home annoyed with myself. Why can't I do this? Was Orochimaru's seal that strong? Perhaps I need to find another seal to get rid of it.
Reaching home, I saw Sasuke was sitting on my balcony. He was leaning forward in deep thought, his chin resting on his hands, that were cupped together. Before walking out onto the balcony, I went to my fridge, grabbing an unopened container of rice balls that I had bought a few days ago.
Setting the now opened container on the table, I leaned back in my seat, "Sorry, I forgot about sushi." I muttered lightly, taking a bite out of the ball of jasmine rice.
He looked at me, "That's fine." He grabbed a rice ball, taking a bite, "Where'd you go to train anyways?"
"I was on the other side of the village, away from people." I answered honestly, taking another bite into the rice.
"Keeping a secret are you?" He muttered the question.
With a playful laugh I responded, "Kind of, I'm just practicing some jutsu, I don't want to hurt anyone, yea know?"
What he asked me next, I didn't expect. In all fairness I probably should've expected him to ask it, "Are you going to participate in the Chūnin Exams?"
I nodded, careful not to say to much, "I'm going to try too. How about you?" Of course he wanted to take part in them. He wanted to get stronger, he wanted to face Gaara of the Sand. He wanted to be able to beat everyone before he goes to kill his brother.
"Ask, Kakashi about it tomorrow." I suggested, pretending I didn't know anything "Find out for both of us about the exams and if we can take part in them."
Moments of silence passed, I thought about that sand ninja, Gaara. There was something about him that just rubbed me the wrong way. Why? Was it his callous behavior? Perhaps, he was malicious and that's why I sensed the blood lust? Whoever he is, I needed to make sure too keep an eye on him. I can't let whatever he is harm my people.
Sasuke then spoke up, standing up as he walked to the railing, leaning forward gripping the railing tightly, "This should be interesting." he declared. "I'll see you tomorrow Nyoko." He then turned to look at me, something was intimidating about him... But in a good way.
"I want to fight you in it. In the exams." He informed me, "Train up, no holding back. You hear me?"
Naturally, I gave him a smile, it wasn't often he'd get like this, with such excitement and determination "Of course, after all you're one of my greatest rivals." I lied slightly. There were other ninja that were far superior to him, ninja I wanted to be equal to - better then. Ninja that I will one day match in skill... Once I could use the nine - tailed fox, I know I'll be a superior ninja. Till I could access and use the fox, I'll have to settle with getting stronger and mastering more jutsu's.
I got up finally walking towards Sasuke, holding a thumb up, giving a cocky wink and statement, "And I will win, you better believe it." Forgetting that I wasn't really taking part in the exams. Forgetting, my true rank.
He raised an eyebrow at my confidence, "Yea, I don't think so. Later Nyoko." He then jumped off my balcony, to go home I assume.
It wasn't until I was laying in bed, that the sad realization set in. I wouldn't be able to fight Sasuke in the exams... Maybe, I could talk to the Hokage about that, perhaps have him allow me to go through the exams even after the written one, like everyone else... Why couldn't I go through with it?
I needed to keep my cover right? Seem normal, what's more normal then me going through the exams as normal? Becoming a higher rank that my friends could know about. Besides, if I can go through the exams - as a normal Genin I'd be able to keep an eye on Gaara, making sure he didn't cause much if any harm to anyone I cared about.