Beginning at the Academy-After Class

When the final school bell chimed for the day, Lee and Einjeru went to the administrative section of the academy to see the Hokage. Seeing them, he wonders what they were doing in that area to begin with. "Lee, Einjeru. What are you two doing over here? Don't you have secondary instruction?"

Einjeru nodded. "Of course we do, we just don't know where we're supposed to meet him or her."

Lee jumps up in an excitable manner. "Yes Lord Third! We looked all over the academy, and can't find him sir!"

Heavy, clunky like footsteps ring out through the hallway, as a half-giant man walks through the academy, looking for his two wards. He sees two kids and an elder, and wonders if the two of them were it. "Excuse me. I'm looking for…" He pulls out a piece of parchment and continues. "Rock Lee and… Dear oh dear I'm having trouble reading this name."

"Does it sound like Angel sir?"

"Ah! Einjeru!"

"That would be me sir. If it would help, just call me Angel."

"And I'm Rock Lee, is it safe to assume that you are our tutor?"

Lord Third smiled. "I think we should have assigned a meeting place for you guys, so you didn't have to wander and look for someone. Come along."

Einjeru, Rock Lee and the half-giant follow Lord Third through the gym to the older classrooms. "You guys will meet here at the secondary division after your classes. Does that sound good?"

"Yes Lord Third."

"At least we won't have to go hunting for each other next time, right?"

"Sounds right Mr. … Uhhh, what is your name sir?"

"Oh! Rubeus Hagrid, keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts. Just call me Hagrid."

"Ok Hagrid."

Rock Lee and Einjeru sit down at the first row of desks, pulling out pencils and a piece of paper left over from their lessons. Hagrid stood at the podium, a little confused. "Ok, Dumbledore said to start off with introducing you guys to English and Latin as most of your spells are rooted in Latin and your classmates at school will speak in English. He said you can write your notes in Japanese if you wish, but would like you guys to practice the English writing system in case you end up studying runes. Does that sound good to you?"

"Ok. A question, however. If we're being tested, what are they going to be like? Is it practical or written?"

"This would be good to know in case we have to practice English writing ahead of time."

"It's mostly practical. Don't you worry your little heads over tests that are down the road into the future. Either way let me introduce myself completely. I'm Rubeus Hagrid. I am half-giant, half-human. I enjoy gardening, cooking, and taking care of magical creatures. I don't particularly do well with good byes and don't like my friends being picked on. Alright, Angel, you're up."

"Ok, I like to read and enjoy spending time with my friends. I dislike being picked on for something I have no control over, and having to ask my dad for intervening on my behalf…"

"I see. Alright Lee. Your turn."

"Hi, I'm Rock Lee. I enjoy spending time with my friends and training. I don't really care for bullies."

"Alright, now that I have a feel for your personalities, we can call it quits for today. I know we haven't done much, but at least I'll be able to figure out how to teach you guys. At least we share one common trait. We don't like bullies. Off we go, and take this." He hands them a piece of parchment. "This is the English alphabet, if you want to start practicing."

"Thank you Hagrid."

"Thank you!"

They head off to the third training ground to meet Kakashi and Guy. A tabby that was sitting in the window hopped down and turned into Professor McGonagall. "I see the first day wasn't too horrible. The two of them have admirable traits. They seem like they would make Gryffindor and Hufflepuff or even Ravenclaw proud. We'll see in the next few years won't we?"

"Of course Professor McGonagall. We're going by Angel for her name right?"

"Yes, she did say that was how you could pronounce it."

"I meant at Hogwarts. They're going to stick out so much with their quirks, not that I mind. I like individuality."

"As do I. This is why we're doing this. I just feel that Potter could benefit just the slightest inkling."

"Yes, I feel the same. Even if he were to at least spend some time around people that are like him, but don't know who he is in terms of history. I was hesitant to leave him."

"You give me an idea. Maybe he can learn to control his bursts and make some friends who would appreciate him for who he is and not what he did."

"We have a lot of work to do. Aren't you supposed to be meeting Dumbledore?"

"Yes, I better get going. Until their first test, Hagrid."

"I'll see you later, Professor McGonagall."

The stern professor apparates out of the room, leaving the half giant to clean up his papers.

At the training grounds, Einjeru and Lee sat in front of Kakashi and Guy, awaiting their above average taijutsu lesson. Kakashi starts off asking how their day went. Einjeru shrugged.

"Got into an argument with the Hyuga of our class… Made a friend though."

"Neji was having another fate rant. I normally ignore it, but saying that to someone new in our class in unforgiveable. It was also the first time I heard Einjeru speak outside her normal grunts and mutters in training. I find it refreshing that you aren't like our resident Uchiha that passed last year."

"I think it's due to my own reclusiveness. I try not to speak to people I don't know, unless I have to, or I'm upset. Even still, my talking is like mutters when I'm not upset."

"But you spoke clearly when you introduced yourself. Or was it the breaks in-between?"

"Yeah… It takes a lot to take me to speak without breaks to a bunch of strangers."

Kakashi and Guy cut the conversation short and started off with explaining the days exercise.

"Lee, you're going to continue working with Guy on your Strong fist. You've really adapted to it."

"Yes, Kakashi sensei!" Lee follows Guy to another part of the training ground.

Kakashi looks at Einjeru and gives a smile. "We're going to the library."

"But, what about our taijutsu training?"

"I have a feeling we just haven't found the right style for you. The strong fist is meant for people like Guy, Lee, and myself whose strength lies in the stance. Guy and I have been talking and we believe your strength lies in your movement which is fluid like water and fast as lightning. We noticed that when you get a movement down you become faster and faster with it. There are books about fighting styles in the library that we're going to look through and see if we can find one that you fit into."

"I don't understand dad. If you've noticed before, why wait until now to bring it up?"

"The last thing I need is for you to come home failing because you can't master the basic taijutsu. We need to have something for you. I've been reading that some people find themselves more aligned with an animal which allows them to use hand to hand better."

"Doesn't mean I am…"

"That's not true. Most ANBU pick their mask just based on the animal they align with. You didn't think that I got the dog mask by pure luck, did you?"

"Kind of… I do read dad. I just feel that I don't fit the mold for a fighting style."

"You're downing yourself again. That's why I suggested kenjutsu as a confidence booster."

"I know, and I have to know taijutsu in case something happens. It's not fair that I can't use chakra. Of the very very very low percentage of people that can't and can still live, why do I fall into it?"

"You know something? Everything happens for a reason. You need to buck up and face it. It takes a lot to dig down and pull out that hidden potential inside when you lack the confidence to do so. Who am I to talk though. I was rookie of the year in my class, but there are some things I learned the hard way because I got cocky. Lucky for me, I don't have to teach you how to avoid that. You just need to build up that confidence that I know you have. Last week, for the first time since raising you, I saw that confidence coming out. I want you to be confident, and not hide behind the words you said."

"Were you watching me?"

"Yes, and to be able to say what you said takes confidence. I up the harshness because I know you can. I notice when you squirm versus when you fly Einjeru."

"I don't know dad… I think you're supposed to say that because it's your job."

They get to the library and look through the taijutsu section. Looking through the books, Kakashi sighed. 'Most of these techniques require the use of chakra. Having looked at Einjeru before with the sharingan, she has none at all. I hope we can find something, or else this will be a bust.'

Einjeru reads through the techniques and sighs in a frustrated manner. An angry wind blew through the area. "Face it dad. We're not getting anywhere."

"Calm down. I'm pretty sure you're having a burst."

"Why shouldn't I? I'm beyond frustrated!" The bursts of wind were getting stronger. Kakashi's headband came up and he noticed a faint glow around her chakra coils. "Einjeru. I figured it out."

"Figured out what?"

"Why your magic is showing like wind."

"What do you mean?"

"When you're frustrated you release a strong gust of wind. When you're content, it's a gentle breeze. However, it doesn't show like that for every emotion. You make it storm when you're depressed. However, any show of emotion is noticeable in your chakra coils."

"Okay. Maybe I just need to figure out what it feels like when it bursts."

"Maybe we should just control your emotions."

"Either way, I'm not finding anything dad."

"There's one more area to look in. That's the ANBU library."

"I'm not allowed in there. Unless you've forgotten, I can make a lot of sound."

"Your footsteps are lighter than you think. Come on."

They walk towards a forbidden/one of the most protected buildings of the Hidden Leaf and started to sneak in. Before Einjeru realized it, she ended up separated from Kakashi.

"What are you doing here?"

"*gulp* I ended up here on accident…" She started to sweat before being poked from behind. As if something in her snapped, she dropped into a low wide stance and her hands were poised in a claw like fashion.

"Hold it!" Kakashi came up in his ANBU gear. "I brought her here to test something, and my hunch is correct." He took a look at Einjeru, thinking. 'Her stance is rigid. Her hands are what get me though. They're in a claw like position, like a tiger.'

"Captain! This could get us in serious trouble!"

"I'll take the blame, but I can't stand seeing her getting poked at anymore. I needed to force her into a situation where she'd have no choice but to defend herself. I needed to see what she'd truly do, so I can get her true fighting style."

"We could have killed her, senpai."

"No, you wouldn't. You've been watching her far too long to even attempt such a thing."

Einjeru was still in her stance. "Thanks for ditching me… I should just kick your ass…"

"Now, now Einjeru, I had full intention of bringing you to the library, but I had to see something. You can relax now. Your hands are already in a lethal fighting style."

"How do I know someone isn't going to try something?"

"You don't, but you can trust these guys. They're my subordinates. They wouldn't dare."

Glaring at Kakashi, Einjeru slowly lowered her hands. "You owe me big time for this."

"Yeah. Normally someone would end up in T&I for sneaking in here, but I kind of assisted you, so I'd end up in trouble if this got out."

"Whatever. I want ramen."

"Done. Now on to what I noticed. Your hands were in the tiger position, but that style is a problem for you just because of your stature. That style relies on the strength of the fighter. However, this is the perfect style for you. You have something to prove, to yourself as well as those classmates of yours. I have a feeling that my squad will get you to where you need to be in terms of fighting."

"What do you mean?"

"He means most of us are experts in that style of fighting. Where there are the typical style of Hidden Leaf taijutsu like the strong fist, drunken fist, Leaf Hurricane and all that. However, most ANBU tend to adapt to a different style of fighting based on more than our chakra. Its mostly based on our spirit. That's why it's the best for you. However, it's rare that someone with a tiny stature has the tiger style so first things first, we need to get you stronger, so take these."

She takes the items from the cat masked shinobi, asking what they were.

"Those are training weights. We want you to wear them all the time so you can get used to them."

"We?"

"We." The other members stepped forward and surrounded her. "Whether you like it or not, you are part of the family. To be honest, captain Kakashi has been upset for months."

Upon hearing that, Einjeru jerked her head to Kakashi. "You said you didn't care!"

"That's not what I meant."

"Sure! Each time you knocked me over in training, you weren't getting frustrated?!" She jumped at him and punched him in the face. "You lied to me!"

"Senpai, you didn't tell her about that did you?"

"I didn't want to. I was hoping she'd adapt."

"I'm out of here." Einjeru said as she stormed out of the room.

Kakashi sighed. "It's going to storm tonight. Since there's no mission you guys are free to do what you want. I have to get some barbeque and some ramen to hopefully calm her."

"I'll come with you. I feel as though this is my fault."

"It'll be much appreciated Tenzo."

As Kakashi predicted, it stormed throughout the Hidden Leaf. Getting into the ramen shop, Kakashi and Tenzo wiped their foreheads and requested some ramen to go. The owner looked at them curiously. "You two looked like you broke bad news to someone."

"Well, I do have some things to explain to Einjeru."

"Ah, father daughter issues. I know that feeling all too well. The best thing to do is be honest. Speaking of daughters, meet Ayame."

An 11-year-old walks up and smiles. "Hi, I'm Ayame. I'm going to work here someday. It's nice to meet you."

Her disposition was enough to make Kakashi smile. Tenzo smiled as well. "I'm sure things will work out Kakashi. She just doesn't understand right now. She's only 5 after all. What 5-year-old understands the workings of a shinobi village?"

"Actually 2 of them in her age group, including her are pretty knowledgeable. Shikamaru has the brain of a tactician from everything I seen of him, but he definitely got the laziness of the Nara. Not only had I had her working on kanji, I had her reading the village history, and she understands a lot."

"Oh Kakashi… Why didn't you just tell her how you felt? It would help in the long run."

"Or destroy the already nonexistent self-confidence she has. She works harder than anyone, and she has nothing to show for it. I did what I did as a father. When I was her age I was performing complicated earth style jutsu. I was so confident I erred on cockiness. When we heard that she was unable to use chakra, both of us were disheartened. I didn't know bad she had taken it however. In training, I noticed it, so I hid how I felt about it, just if it lightened her blows just a bit. I would never abandon her just because of this."

"What would make her think you'd abandon her?"

"Remember those bullies from a few months ago? They said some things that really got to her. She really thought if she didn't try hard enough that I'd push her to the side. Sure, I make her think for herself and make her tread her waters, but I wouldn't abandon her in times of crisis."

"Just tell her how you feel. Make her understand that it was never your intention to break the confidence she had and lie about her progress in the way you did. Having known you as long as I have, I already know how hard it is to open up. You're like a clam most times."

"I know."

Next thing they knew, the ramen was up and Ayame's voice rang off. "Thanks for waiting! Enjoy!"

The two ANBU walked out the ramen shop with three bowls of ramen.

"To be honest captain, I prefer dipping noodles…"

"Well then, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but we didn't come here for you. I'm getting her favorite foods to get her to talk to me."

"I'm aware. Why are you getting barbeque then?"

"I forgot to give her, her lunch…" Kakashi scratches his head sheepishly. "And I forgot to give her, her backup lunch money, so I'm pretty sure she's hungry."

At their shared apartment, Einjeru's stomach growl sounded more like a roar. "Ohhh… I should've taken Lee's offer of half a sandwich…" She goes to the fridge to see purple and silver wrapped box. "Dad forgot to give me my lunch for the first day, and forgot to give me money…" She took the box out and unwrapped it.

Inside, she saw a rice ball, shaped like a tiger's head. The ears looked like chicken. Surrounding the chin, there were different vegetables such as corn, carrots, grape tomatoes, and broccoli sprinkled with carrots in the shape of flowers. The face was made out of seaweed, and cheese made the inside of the ears. To the upper left, there was a couple of meatballs cut in half with cheese stuffed in it. In a side compartment, were a couple of fruit kabobs, consisting of watermelon, grapes and apples.

'This looks delicious! Stupid dad! How could you forget to give me this lunch that you worked so hard on?!' Einjeru thought as she dug into the lunch. "Mmmm!" Tears ran down her face as she ate.

Kakashi and Tenzo walk in the door to see her eating the lunch. Kakashi clears his throat for Einjeru to look up with rice all over her face and tears still running down.

"Why dad? Why did you forget?"

"I would say it's part of my aloof nature, but in all honesty, we were in such a rush that I just forgot to hand it to you as we were heading out. I would never intentionally forget to give you lunch or forget your backup money."

"Why didn't you tell me that I was doing poorly?"

"I did what I did as a parent with a child of low self-esteem. I was doing all I could to build your confidence. I did it because I love you. I want you to be strong and not have to rely on me as you get older."

"I'd rather you have been honest with me…"

"I could have been, but sometimes you work yourself so hard that you hinder yourself, so I tell you you're getting better just to take your edge off."

"Uh, I don't mean to interrupt father daughter bonding time, but I'm sure the food is getting cold."

"Oh right. I brought home some ramen and barbeque to make up for forgetting your lunch and as a peace offering while we talked."

"I'm still hungry…"

"Let's eat then." They pull out the barbeque and bless the food.

Later on, Tenzo left, leaving the two of them to stew in their awkward silence. Einjeru decided to speak up. "Hey dad? Why did you figure that I'd do what you said I would?"

"Well Einjeru, I didn't have anyone around after my dad died to give me a buffer when I messed up. I became a prick to avoid showing how I truly felt about my situation. I see a lot of my facial expressions in you when you're lying on the ground after a serious goof that could lead to injury." He looks at her hair to see some spikiness towards the ends. "Are you sure you want to concede the argument of you looking like me?"

"What are you talking about? You're the one who keeps saying I look like my mother… You said I share her hair color…"

"I'm starting to see the clans' wild mane forming in your hair and like I said, I see a lot of my facial expressions when you mess up. I don't like admitting that you look like me, but I can't deny it, anymore. However, you deserve to know about your mother. I don't remember much, but her smile made things seem light amidst the darkness I was stuck in. When I see you smile, it reminds me of her." His smile could be seen even through the mask.

Einjeru saw it and smiled back before hearing a tapping on the window. Her ears twitched only slightly. Her head turned to the window to see a masked ANBU outside. As if slightly annoyed by the intrusion, she started cleaning up, leaving an angry aura in the air. "It's for you…"

Kakashi gave an awkward chuckle and went to go see what he was needed for. Upon hearing the request to be at the hokage's office, he gave a heaving sigh. "I have to go see Lord Third. I'll be back soon, unless it's a mission then I'll leave you Pakkun."

"Don't forget to leave me lunch money if it is a mission."

"Yeah, yeah, and you don't forget to bathe. It's almost bedtime." He summons Pakkun (Even though he said wouldn't summon him unless it was a mission,) to make sure she actually does so.

"Here I thought we were celebrating my first day of the academy…"

"You were the one who ran off during training. Either way I've got to go. Pakkun, make sure she bathes."

The loyal pug nods at Kakashi before seeing him shunshin to the hokages office. "You got it." He turns to Einjeru, who's washing the ramen bowls before putting them in the recycling. "Alright pup, time for a bath."

"Dad worries too much. I can take care of myself Pakkun."

"I know, but you know how he worries about you since the hemorrhage. You're not at the level to defend yourself completely."

"And I never will be… I can't defend myself without chakra…"

"That's not true. You know his eternal rival is all about defending himself with taijutsu."

"He has a summoning tortoise… Dad has you, seven other ninkin and other ninjutsu at his beckon… What do I have? The beginnings of a style that is more advanced than any other taijutsu that is known in the village, and I'm not even allowed to train without ANBU supervision due to the possibility of harming myself."

"And others. Come on pup, you're seeing the forest for one tree. You need to take a look at the broader things. Now buck up and head to the tub. You still have school tomorrow morning."

Einjeru grabs her night clothes and her bath stuff, heading in for a soak. Just as she gets in there and starts bathing, Kakashi comes back with a satchel of coins. "Pakkun, can you make sure she gets this in the morning? I have an urgent mission to go on."

"You got it Kakashi. Do you want to give her a greeting before you go?"

"I'm not sure that I should do that if she's bathing."

"She's only six Kakashi. Its how parents and pups bond. As she gets older, I can understand, but now is the time to do so."

"I know, but I can't stay and bathe her. I'll give a good bye though." He walks into the bathroom to see a bunch of steam fogging up the mirror. Looking at the tub, he sees it full of bubbles. "Einjeru. Unfortunately, I have to go on a mission, so I can't see you off in the morning. Pakkun will stick around to watch you and I left him your lunch money."

Einjeru looked at him disappointed. "Okay… I'll see you when you come back?"

He kneels down next to the tub, his wolf mask to the side of his face. "I'll be right outside the academy when I come back, just so you can give me a big hug."

She gives him a wet hug. "You better…"

He wraps his arm around her, his gloved hand rubbing circles on her back. "Alright. I have to go." Letting go of her, he watched as she went back to bathing. Outside the bathroom, Kakashi gave an easy-going smile, leaving Pakkun with a smug look on his face. "I told you."

"I know. Now can you make sure she gets up in the morning?"

"I got her Kakashi, now go protect her and the Leaf."

Just like that, Kakashi was gone in a flash of leaves. A few moments later, Einjeru emerged from the bathroom in pajamas with prints of Pakkun on them. Pakkun admired them. "Hey, that's a handsome pug on your pajamas. Now off to bed with you."

"Alright, Pakkun, good night." Einjeru heads off to bed and immediately nods off.

At the Lee house, Rock Lee is being scrutinized by his mother. "Mom? Why do you insist on looking at me like I'm some sort of foreigner?"

"I don't know. Why do you have magic instead of chakra?"

"I didn't ask for this."

"Why are you talking back like that?!" His mother smacked him across the face. "Also, why are you out training so late? You're only in the academy."

"But mom! The extra training has been helping me!"

"Helping you in what? Being a bigger failure than your Hatake classmate?"

"Einjeru's not a failure, and neither am I. Part of the reason I train so late is to avoid you and because Einjeru needs a friend that is similar to her. We're going to become the next generation of Leaf ninja without ninjutsu or genjutsu, and we won't be stopped!" Lee flashes his nice guy pose and leaves the table, leaving his mother and father to talk.

"You know honey, Lee has really grown since starting at the academy. The extra training has helped him to blossom. Also, Einjeru isn't a bad person to know. Lee offered her half of his sandwich and she refused on a principle. She works just as hard as he does and is quite intelligent. Give the girl a chance. I'm not trying to end up on her bad side. You've seen what she can do when she's unconsciously using her magic. When consciously using it, she can focus in on her target which I would like not to be me."

"Since when do you side with Lee? I thought you were disgusted about his chakra coils."

"I've come to realize quite a bit in the last week. Lee has a gift that the Leaf will use to scare our enemies, and Einjeru has helped me to see that Lee doesn't deserve what we've done which is ignore him, slap him for no reason and just plain abuse him. Lee is our child and we should be supporting him."

"That kind of thinking is weak-minded. You know ninja who can't use ninjutsu are useless on the battlefield."

"Now you sound like Danzo. I still can't believe you were ready to trade our son away."

"Maybe I was willing to do anything to make him strong."

"Even take away his childhood?! Take him away from his friends and take his emotions away from him? I thought we were past that line of thought. I now see that it will be hazardous to remain with you any longer. I want him to go to Hogwarts, tame his power and make friends. It will help him become a better ninja and will help the Leaf."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm taking Lee and leaving."

"No, you're not! I won't let you!"

Lee's mom lunged at his dad, ready to stop him just to tackle a log. "You can't take him! He won't become strong if you do."

His father appears, holding Lee to him. "He'll become strong in his own way. You won't be able to hurt/harm him." The next thing Lee knew, he and his father was standing outside of a familiar apartment.
"Dad? Why are we at Einjeru's place?"
"I'm sorry Lee, it was the only place I could think of. Besides, no matter what we think of them, her father is an accomplished ANBU."

"I didn't know he was an ANBU."

"Knowing the track record for his team with the hokage, he's almost always on a mission which makes me beg to differ about what happens with Einjeru." Lee's father knocks on the door, which draws the attention of all the ninken.
Pakkun gives a silent command to remain quiet as he dealt with whomever knocked. "Who is it?"

Lee gave the answer as he'd recognized Pakkun's voice from having seen him summoned. "Pakkun! It's me, and my father! May we come in?"

Pakkun opened the door, a look on his face saying 'explain quietly as my ward is sleeping.'

Lee and his father came in and the latter started explaining. "I had to get Lee away from his mother, and this was the first place I could think of. Since you, his summoning pack is here, that means he's on a mission and Einjeru is in bed."

"Correct. I don't know how Kakashi is going to feel about this, but I'm pretty sure I'd get an earful from Einjeru if I turned away one of her best friends. Do you guys have things to sleep on?"

"We're fine Pakkun. We really appreciate this."

"I don't know when Kakashi is going to be back, but I'm sure his team is going to complete his mission quickly just so he can be back in time to see Einjeru walk out the academy. No matter, I'm sure you guys are tired. It's best that we all get some sleep."

"I agree. Lee, go get some sleep. You still have class tomorrow."

"Yes sir." Lee goes to a corner that he set up, and falls right to sleep.

Five years fly by and two very special letters are delivered by owl to Einjeru and Lee. The real fun begins as they finish up their final year of the academy.