I am alive!!!!! The chapter took lotsa lotsa time to write and get up, for more than one reason. First of all, I blame school, music, and other after school activities. Secondly, I blame writer's block…really really bad writer's block. Thirdly, deciding to draw again, took lotsa creative time away from writing, fourthly my beta reader deciding to stall and not read the chappie right away(she asked her name be kept secret to avoid hate mail), and fifthly and finally, I became owner of a Naruto RPG…right after the last owner deleted every single page on the site, profiles, techniques, store, everything… ;_; and I made up most of those pages and their contents too. It was only a week after someone ELSE had went and deleted the whole site, and I was just about finishing restoring what we had. Anyway, now its 98% done, completely spelling out everything that is, and we've actually started rp-ing, and we keep getting so many new people that I keep having to audition new senseis x.x. On top of that, I'm in pit orchestra, symphony orchestra, model UN, HOBY (Yah!), Tri-M, piano exams, clarinet and piano lessons, doing 3 pieces at solo/ensemble festival (next Saturday) and just got accepted into NHS and made manager/co-captain of the Ladies Varsity Golf Team…plus im in stupid many project/homework giving GT/preAP courses!!!!!!!. Needless to say… I wanna die. I am so over friggin stressed.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. I wouldn't survive owning Naruto on top of what I'm doing already.

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Chapter 4: Scolded

Warm rays of the late morning sun slipped through the venetian blinds adorning the windows of the spare bedroom in Uzumaki Naruto's apartment, a room now given to his new roommate, Kiaka. As light fell across her eyes, Kiaka was stirred out of sleep, and snuggled deeper under her blanket in an effort to escape the light. Unfortunately, the waking day called to her senses, and falling back asleep was hence impossible. In the shadows created by her blanket, she opened her eyes, taking a moment to remember where she was, what she was doing.

'That's right, I'm in Konoha again,' she whispered to herself. Throwing the covers off, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and got up. She walked over to the window, pulled the blinds up, and threw them open, letting the outside air burst into the room. After breathing deeply a few times, familiarizing herself with the air her native town, she gazed out the window at the town below, just watching the people going about their business. It has been quite some time since she had lived a day like that… a normal one, that is, especially in Konoha. "I wish I could live a normal day like that again," she sighed, turning her back towards the window and walking towards the door.

She seemed to be looking for something on the doorframe as she ran her hand along the edges at the base. On the left side, bout a foot and a half off the ground, she found it: a small, rough carving of the Konoha leaf—a souvenir of the day her father had left his kunais out in the open, and she, as a bored four year old, took one. A smile crept onto her face as she traced the symbol with her finger, remembering her childhood, a short time in her life where she had big dreams, carefree days, and an unbroken family. Her heart ached to go back to that time.

Pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind, she opened the door and steped into the short hallway connecting the bathroom, living room, and two bedrooms. She walked towards the living room, going from the dark of the hallway to the golden luminence of the living room.

The soft pats of her slippered feet on the wood floor brought a new surge of memories. Kiaka closed her eyes and further slowed her pace, holding out her hands to touch both sides of the wall as she walked. She picked up a faint scent of cooking, and recognized it as her mother's. A smile crept onto her lips as she remembered; her mother would be walking out into the dining room with breakfast, her father would be on the couch surrounded by and reading some scrolls, still dressed in pajamas.

Unable to contain herself, Kiaka skipped the rest of the way to the living room, her last step a jump into the room, as she had done as a child. Her eyes were now opened, her smile genuine. "Ohayo Oto-sa…" [Morning Da…] she started to say. Her voice trailed of as reality bitch-slapped her in the face, wrenching her away from her dream.

For a moment there, Kiaka really thought she saw her father was sitting there on the couch, and her mother was walking out of the kitchen. With a dejected smile, she closed her eyes and shook the image from her head.

"Naruto-kun?" she called. But the boy had already left for practice, she realized as she went back peeked into the room adjacent to hers and found a messy bed with a pair of pajamas and walrus nightcap thrown on top. She laughed once and proceeded to getting ready for the day.

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Dressed and washed, she went back into her room and fastened on her kunai and shuriken holsters. As she picked up her headband, she stopped. 'I've left, no…abandoned the village for so many years,' she thought to herself. 'What right do I have to wear this proudly like everyone…like…him?' But as she moved to place the symbolic item back on the dresser, she stopped yet again, not able to bring herself to be without it. And what would people think if she didn't have it with her? Her mind in turmoil, she finally decided to wear the headband—though not proudly displaying it on her forehead as most do. Instead, she tied it to her left arm. Satisfied with herself, she headed towards the main door and slipped her sandals on—then saw the bento box on the table in the living room—Naruto's lunch.

Kiaka laughed. "Out of everything I would expect him to forget…his lunch?" She hopped over to the table on her un-shoed foot and picked up the package. "Not like I have anything else to do, might as well take it to him," she decided as she hopped back towards the door and slipped into her other sandal.

Stepping outside and closing the door behind her, Kiaka felt and heard her stomach growl. She tried to open the door again and perhaps grab something to eat first. "Aw man," she whined as she realized that the door was locked, and Naruto had the only key…or at least she hoped he had the only key.

Hunger called from her stomach again, and Kiaka decided she would go pick up something on the way to the training grounds. She jumped down from the porch and started heading off. She kept her head slightly down, ignoring the glances of slight recognition from some of the slightly older ninjas and villagers. Having been away for so long, not many of those who had a glimmer of recognition completely recognized who Kiaka was, and she didn't let them get better looks at her as she speeded up. Pretty soon she gave up using the streets and started jumping from building to building.

Landing in from of the deli, she walked in and up to the counter. "Konnichiwa, how may I help you?" the man sitting behind the counter greeted when he heard the bell in the door, signaling a customer walking in. He got up and slowly shuffled over to the register.

"Konnichiwa," Kiaka cheerily greeted back as she walked over. "One turkey and tuna on honey wheat sub please, heavy on the mayonnaise." The old man's eyes went slightly wide as he squinted at Kiaka and fumbled with the glasses hung around his neck.

"I'd recognize that order anywhere. Kiaka-chan, is that you?" he asked as he got his glasses on. Kiaka smiled widely.

"It's been a long time since I've been here, Homaru-sama," Kiaka said as he man's face lit up with genuine surprise and happiness. He extended his arms and Kiaka leaned over the counter and hugged him.

"Ah, child, it's been so long! My how you've grown up!" Homaru exclaimed happily. "You look as pretty as your mother and I can see your father's strength in your eyes." Kiaka's smile just grew wider with the remark.

"Arigatou," she managed to utter, still smiling. Letting her go, Homaru shuffled over to the deli case.

"Now, let me get that sandwich together for you."

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Kiaka left the deli in a very good mood and continued to the training grounds. She arrived there just around midday and well… looked around blankly. She had no idea where Naruto's team practiced. That wasn't going to last long….

"PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE!!!! I'M HUNGRY!" Naruto's voice rang through the forest to Kiaka's left. Birds flew up from the trees where the shout came from, affirming the location. Kiaka laughed amusedly as she walked towards team 7, slowly.

As she neared them, Kiaka jumped into the canopy and moved through the trees, her mediocre ability at silent movement obvious as leaves rustled, making her movement and position blatantly obvious…well, to Kakashi and Sasuke anyway. Sakura was busy fending off the ravenous Naruto from her food. The #1 graduate drew a kunai as Kiaka jumped down into the clearing. Kakashi appeared unfazed, as usual. Naruto and Sakura stopped their struggle and looked over.

"Kiaka nee-san!" Naruto exclaimed. He saw his bento in her hands and his eyes lit up. "Is that my lunch? Oh my gawd thank you!" he said as he jumped over and hugged her, then the bento box. He didn't seem to realize that everyone was staring at them…well, he probably wouldn't have cared either. Kiaka noticed the puzzled faces of Naruto's team members, though.

"Konnichiwa, I'm Naruto's new roommate. My name's Kiaka," she introduced herself.

"Konnichiwa."

"Hi."

"…" replied Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi respectively, Kakashi being the one who was speechless. He simply gawked at the girl blankly. Suddenly life came back to his face. He pointed at Kiaka.

"YOU! You are the last person I would have expected…or hoped…to see today," he said with a calm demeanor. Silence befell the group. Kiaka stared at Kakashi half defiantly, half despondantly. She seemed to change.

"Harsh words, Kakashi-kun, but they're undoubtedly true," Kiaka finally replied, breaking the silence. Her face had become cold, her voice suddenly ceased to betray any tone, except perhaps a hint of hatred. Most everyone, that is, except for Naruto, noticed her change of attitude. Unnoticed by his students, Sharingan Kakashi tensed slightly, ready to draw a weapon.

"Nee-san, you know Kakashi-sensei?" he asked, clear surprised noted in his voice. Hearing his voice, Kiaka seemed to realize something, and returned to her normal temperament. The team's supervisor let out a small breath of relief and relaxed.

"Yeah! You called him 'kun,'" Sakura said, pointing out the obvious. Kiaka smiled and glanced at Kakashi as she replied.

"When I was young, Kakashi-kun used to babysit me," Kiaka replied matter-of-factly. The eyes of all the genin on team 7 went wide, if only slightly. All heads turned to Kakashi.

"YOU BABYSAT!" Naruto and Sakura exclaimed. The jounin hung his head slightly, perhaps in shame.

"I was forced." Kiaka nodded energetically in agreement. More than one person sweatdropped.

Naruto's stomach grumbled loudly, reminding everyone that it was lunch time. Pulling out her very…interesting…sandwich from her side pouch, Kiaka joined the genin for lunch. Kakashi went off somewhere, as usual, not allowing anyone to see him eat.

"What…is that?" Sakura asked as she watched Kiaka take a bite out of her weird looking sandwich.

"Urey eh eur an unee eee, una anonah," Kiaka tried to say with her mouth full. Holding up a finger, she quickly chewed and swallowed.

"Gomen nasai [sorry]. Its turkey and tuna on honey wheat with lotsa mayonaise," she said happily. Sakura made a disgusted face, as did Sasuke and Naruto. Seeing their responses, Kiaka piped up. "IT'S GOOD!" Then the subject was dropped, for the three genin wanted to forget they asked and still have an appetite for their own lunches.

Kakashi came back as the three genin finished their lunches; Kiaka was just coming back after going to buy a drink. "Continue you're target practice, you three," he instructed. "And Kiaka, I want to talk to you." In the process of drinking her Mountain Dew, Kiaka shifted her eyes to Kakashi and nodded slightly to show comprehension of his words. Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto headed deeper into the forest for the target exercise that was set up.

After drinking about half the bottle, Kiaka capped it and wiped her mouth with her hand. Kakashi motioned for her to follow, and headed up into the treetops. She followed. They stopped after a short while, standing on branches in the dense canopy of the forest. Kakashi turned to face Kiaka, leaning on the trunk of a tree. Kiaka sat down on the same branch, neither looked at the other.

"What has it been, ten years?" Kakashi asked in a tone slightly softer than normal.

"Nine," Kiaka corrected, her voice equally subdued. A period of silence passed.

"Does he remember you?"

"No."

"Did you tell him?"

"No." Kiaka hung her head. Kakashi paused for a second and looked over at her.

"Are you going to tell him?" There was no response. A long break of silence passed, a light wind filtered through the canopy, toying with the hair of both ninjas. After it passed, Kakashi spoke again. "He deserves to know."

"I know. But I don't deserve…"

"So you're putting yourself before him?" Kakashi cut in, silencing Kiaka. "You did it once." Kiaka could not let that slide unanswered.

"That was a long time ago, Kakashi," she snapped, returning his gaze. "I've changed." The jounin pushed himself off the trunk and walked over to Kiaka, standing next to her.

"And so has he," he said, his tone more commanding, a hint of fury in it. "You left him to grow up without a family. You left him to fend for himself, to live life while the whole village hated him—by himself." The younger girl's gaze dropped again.

"I had to."

"To escape your pain? Save your excuses. You left your brother, your only family, before he even got to learn what the word meant!" Never had Kiaka seen Kakashi this infuriated, especially towards her. She felt tears welling up in her eyes as a result of the scolding and fought to keep them from falling. One single tear did fall, and she wiped away all her tears with her sleeve. No new tears came, for she wouldn't let them. She tilted her head back and looked fixedly at Kakashi, her demeanor resuming to the one she wore when she first addressed Kakashi today—cold, unfeeling.

"I told you, I've changed," she said, her voice void of emotion. She looked away, and when she turned back, this time avoiding Kakashi's gaze, her aura had once again returned to normal. In a softer voice, she said, "I'm not nine anymore."

Kakashi sighed. "I know…and I'm not seventeen. And he's not four." Kiaka replied in an even softer voice, barely a whisper.

"I wouldn't have come back without reason."

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*Sigh* Yay finally finished! Ima happy person right now. Hope you liked it, please REVIEW! In case yur wondering what good reviews do, some of this chappie, plus some plot aspects later on, have their roots from reviews. Plus, reviews and knowing people like this keeps me writing so I don't give up when writer's block hits. ^^

Ja ne for now mina-san!

Kirsta

Oh and if anyone wants to see my rpg the site is http://groups.msn.com/NarutoHangoutPalace ; its also listed as my webpage, and I'm Hyuga Hinata on the site. (and yes someone did take Kiaka already)