Naruto Fan Fiction!

Adventure! SI-OC!

(Title)

"A Song for Them"

A/N: Hiiii! So... yeah. Hi. I, uh, took a while for this one, huh? I not only got heavily side-tracked with writing another fic but I also have been busy with a bit of rewriting/editing THEN I totally lost my muse for a while there and somehow got talked into binge-watching hours and hours of Vampire/Werewolf/Witch melodrama? Still not quite sure how that happened. Though now I am quite versed in angst, questionable morals, sociopathic immortals, love triangles, bad life choices on everyone's part and, of course, One True Loves. Needed a bit of time to clear my headspace enough to write again like usual, this chapter still starts off a bit dark though.

ANNOUCEMENT, I've come up with another way to showcase the POV changes! Now it will not only say 'Perspective' but it will also have a specific word for whoever's POV it is. So I will not only get to have my '!*%$ SURPRISE!' POV, but if you remember a repeat word then you'll get to know who's POV it is without any trouble! I'm in the middle of editing the earlier chapters but I will be sure to let you guys know when I'm finished. As you may also notice I am going to be renaming the Arc names going back to the beginning of the Chuunin Exams, I'll update those as I go as well. Sorry for the inconvenience! For now, enjoy this way overdue chapter!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own 'Naruto' or any of the Canon characters! Really. I don't. Otherwise things would've been a lot more convoluted.

WARNING! RATED M! For language. Blood. Violence. The usual, yanno? Mm, equal amounts of being witness to Sora's many issues and feels!

Montage Arc,

Chapter Forty-Four: "Back to Basics"

"When life hands you lemons, make grape juice. Then sit back and watch as the world wonders how you did it." -Anon E. Muss

Perspective:

空 (Sky)

I was running away.

My body felt heavy as I jumped through the trees that seemed to go on forever, it was as if weights were strapped to my limbs as I leapt through the forest. I looked behind me and saw nothing but blackness stretching on for miles and miles, going on forever. I could heard nothing save the voices, hushed and whispering words I couldn't understand. They were all speaking and I could feel their fear, but I couldn't ask what was wrong. My throat ached and my skin burned. I didn't know why I was running, only that I couldn't stop or I'd be caught.

I couldn't let myself get caught.

Leaping down to the ground I started running, weaving through the trees only to stumble over a root and fall on my face. The impact didn't hurt. I pushed my hands to the ground as I staggered back to my feet only to fall to my knees again, hand whipping up to the searing on my arm as I was crippled by overwhelming pain. My head grew light and I could feel it begin to seep out from the Mark. I could feel the Fire in my veins, burning me from the inside out. My mouth hung open in a cry, closing my eyes tightly to try and will it away. It coiled around my body and I felt like it was consuming me. I controlled my shallow breathing and repeated my mantra over and over in my head to no effect.

Faintly, the dire and hushed whispers died off and I could hear the start of a Song.

Sheer panic shot through me.

Naruto. I needed Naruto. I needed to get back home and I needed to get to Naruto. He promised. He could do it, he could help me. He promised.

When I looked up again there was a girl standing across from me.

Her orange-pink hair hung over her shoulders limply, greasy and clumped together with knots. Skin gaunt and a pasty white, from years spent hidden from the sun. Her eyes were black and red, a slit pupil staring at her dispassionately. It was just like the sketch that Sasuke had drawn. She saw the look of recognition on my face and gifted me with a thin smile on her pale, cracked lips.

She was me.

I—I—

She didn't understand how this was possible.

There were bodies at her feet. Two bodies she recognized as easily as the sun and moon. She recognized the tufts of blonde hair and orange jacket, laying still and unmoving. She knew the black hair and dark shirt, the Uchiwa fan imbedded proudly on his back. Naruto and Sasuke were lying broken and beaten on the ground. Her knees collapsed under her, she fell down beside them, looking at them with eyes wide with horror. The fire in her veins was gone, replaced with a cold dread. The blood ran freely down her cheeks now, unrestrained, as she looked at the two bodies at her feet. Her heart stilled in her chest, pain exploding through her body, as she realized they weren't breathing. Shaky fingers reached down to feel the cold, dead skin of her Light, her Sun.

Dead.

They were both DEad.

In a rush she remembered what had happened, how they became like this. Who was to blame.

They... they had tried to leave her. They both had tried to leave her behind and she... she...

Oh, God.

What has she done?

Nightmare.

"Sora..."

She looked up at the call of her name. Coming out of the darkness she could see Kakashi, her relief was quickly smothered as his lone eye took in the scene around her. Cold dread enveloped her whole as she heard his hard voice.

"...what have you done?"

Nightmare.

"I... I'm sorry." she whispered, my eyes becoming unbearably hot as her throat choked her of any breath in her lungs.

Kakashi-sensei's expression was cold as he looked at her. So unbearably cold, a shiver racked her body as bloody tears trickled off her chin and onto the forest floor, mixing in with the dirt. His hand sparked to life, the sounds of a thousand birds screeching filled her ears. Pale lights danced off of his hand and across the darkness and she could finally see that the world burning down around her. The Song finally hit it's chorus and began in full swing, filling her head with it's melody.

She had done this.

Kakashi's hand was in her chest, fingers sliding through her sternum smoothly.

She choked, blood filling her lungs and throat. Her eyes looked up at him uncomprehendingly. She felt his hand wrap around her pounding heart. His words pierced her harder than his hand did.

"This is your fault."

"They're all dead because of you,"

"You never belonged here."

She stumbled as he tore his hand back out.

But... she didn't die.

Instead, her blood set was alight as the fire spread across her skin, the Mark weaving and branching out in a tapestry across her body. She was gone, replaced with a coldness in her bones that she had been so afraid to acknowledge. So afraid to name because she knew what would happen when she let it in.

It consumed her.

Her eyes burned and bled as she looked at the man, her blood on his hand. Her Mother's voice echoed in her head.

"Our blood is Life, but never forget that it is also Death."

She commanded it. Her blood blackened and bubbled, eating and consuming him whole. It didn't stop even as it swallowed him, engulfing him, it continued to eat and grow still. Bigger and bigger. The blackness expanded and stretched on until it was all she saw anymore.

It was Dark.

It was Cold.

Again, she was Falling.

No.

NO—

My body jolted from the bed. I woke up gasping, the air wouldn't stay in my lungs, my hand clawing at the fire under my skin. I looked around frantically until my eyes adjusted to the moonlight streaming in from the window, recognizing the familiar sight of my room through blurry eyes.

It was just a nightmare.

My shoulders slumped with immense relief, I lifted my hands to run over my sweaty, teary face and finally breathed. The air wasn't that warm but I was drenched in sweat, my night dress sticking uncomfortably to my skin.

It had only been a nightmare.

"Sora-chan?" Naruto called. I looked over at the bedroom door and-His baby blues were a glowing red, his eyes were bleeding. His eyes were RedEyesRe—blood blackening—pulsing—expanding—GROWING—

I screamed.

My body shot off the bed before my eyes opened, my silent scream wedged in my throat as I hit the floorboards. The side of my face landed on the wood and my bruises from earlier stung, I winced and relished in the pain. I was awake. For real, this time. Even so, I rolled onto my back and held up my hands, channeling chakra into them, focusing on the burning in my core until my fingers began to glow a faint blue outline in the darkness of my room.

Fuck.

I stared up at the ceiling, counting my breaths and trying to calm my erratic heartbeat. The moonlight drifting into the room shifted as the curtains fluttered with a cool breeze, I felt it ghost over my sweaty skin and I shivered. I already felt so cold.

It was just a nightmare. Just a nightmare.

None of it was real.

Naruto and Sasuke were okay, alive and breathing.

I didn't hurt them.

Kakashi didn't hate me, the world wasn't burning down outside.

I closed my eyes, placing my arm over them.

None of it was real.

Bitch, her voice snarled within me. An very unwelcome sound right now. I felt my lips twist into a grimace. I Would Never Hurt My Indra And Asura.

Right.

I didn't keep track of how long I stayed like that, lying on the floor with my blanket pooling at my feet as I convinced myself that I wasn't dreaming anymore. That I was alive and me, that Naruto and Sasuke were okay. Kakashi didn't want me dead. I hadn't lost myself. By the time I started to believe myself the sky was slowly beginning to turn into shade of grey, signaling dawn.

I had training today, for the Invasion. I had to go meet Anko and see what kind of trauma she had in store for me today. I had to find time to work on my Fuinjustu studies, on getting the Revival Seal to actually work and then figure out some way to get it to Hiruzen so he doesn't die. I had to decide what I'm going to do about my match with Tenten, to forfeit and save my energy or try and fight her. I had to go visit Hinata in the hospital, drop off Sakura's study plan and all the while try not to worry too much about whatever it was Sasuke was getting up to.

I already felt so tired.

Slowly, I pulled myself off the floor and beginning my morning stretches, loosing my muscles and relaxing my body. After I finished I peeled off my nightgown and tossed it into the hamper as I headed into the shower. It was as I was drying off that I noticed the angry red scratch marks that I'd made on my arm while I was asleep, I scowled at myself in annoyance. I'd even broken the skin! With a sigh, I bandaged my arm so that no one would notice the marks I left behind.

...it was just another nightmare. Nothing happened.

Naruto was staring at me as I packed his bento. Now, it wasn't unusual, especially lately he's been understandably clingy whenever we're together, and it was even normal for him to completely space out while his mind was working out something. But, in this particular instance he has been staring at me for the last ten minutes and it was beginning to unsettle me. I even tried moving around the tiny kitchen in a zig-zag to make sure, and yep. His blue eyes were trained on me with an unnerving intensity and I honestly was beginning to get self-conscious about it.

I lifted a hand to comb a couple wavy locks of hair behind my ear anxiously before signing. 'What is it?'

He blinked those blue eyes at me cluelessly, coming back out from his head. That was my thing. "Hm? Uh, no-nothing's wrong!" I gave him a look. He shifted his eyes away, "Weeeell... Maybe." he confessed with a frown. I frowned, too. This was weird, even for him. He squinted his eyes at me again. "It's just, uhm... there's... something different about you."

Well, that isn't alarming at all.

'What?' I asked, looking down at myself. I was wearing what I usually did, I even spent a couple hours on washing and repairing my shirt.

He narrowed his eyes at me, scrutinizing my appearance, too. "That's what I'm tryin'ta figure out. I don't know what it is exactly but... there's just somethin' different, y'know?"

No, I didn't know.

I frowned, sliding his lunch across the table and shooing him off. He had training to get to and it was nearly seven already, we could figure out what was wrong with me later. He grabbed the cloth handle and hesitated, looking back at me with what suspiciously looked like puppy dog eyes. "Are you going to be home for dinner tonight? Or is the crazy chick going to kidnap you again?" he asked.

The million-dollar question. Haah, I wish I knew the answer to that. I shrugged one shoulder in response, smiling wryly. 'Not sure. I'll try. If you get worried, look for me at Grounds 32. She might keep me there.'

Or maybe she'll be burying my body somewhere else. We'll see what the day holds.

And here I thought I was the negative one! Look at you, growing up! Terra snarked. I tried to impart the feeling of flipping her off, not like she didn't deserve it. It was still too early for her crap.

The Hero frowned but nodded and waved goodbye as he headed towards the door, I turned to seal up my lunch in my Storage book and gather up my supplies when I felt the chakra arrive at the door just as Naruto's voice piped up in greeting.

"Oh! Yo, Jiji!"

I blinked in surprise, craning my head around to see the man in the funny hat. He was smiling warmly at the blonde, "Good morning, Naruto-kun. Is Sora-chan in? I heard that she had already checked herself out of the hospital and thought that I might stop by and see how she was faring with my own eyes."

"Yeah! Sora-chan's in the kitchen, come on in 'ttebayo! I've gotta go train, but it was cool seeing you, Jiji!" Naruto announced as he passed the Sandaime and disappeared from sight, off to the hot springs.

The old shinobi in question leaned his head through the doorway and caught sight of me standing behind the island counter. I smiled at the Hokage, welcoming him inside with a wave of my hand as I turned toward the cupboard. I held up the tea pot in question as he took a seat on a stool and he mutely shook his head. So, it was a short visit then. I leaned forward on the counter and hoped the bruises on my face were mostly healed up by now.

"So how are you feeling, Sora-chan? You left the hospital fairly quick. You're wounds are completely healed?" he asked pleasantly, genuine concern in his tone.

The physical ones were healed, I thought grimly. Outwardly, I nodded, giving him a reassuring half-smile. He mirrored my nod absently, "That is good to hear."

I tilted my head at him quizzically, searching his weathered face as I sensed an underlying of Intent rising in his Campfire-like chakra. There was something else. Though I'm sure he honestly wanted to check up on me, I had a sudden feeling that... he had an ulterior motive for visiting. Weird. His sharp coal eyes landed on me and the corner of his mouth quirked up.

He let out a low rumble of a chuckle, "There is another matter that I would like to bring up with you, if you'll hear me out." he said mysteriously. My brow furrowed slightly but I nodded, he was being weird for some reason and it was putting me slightly on edge. When the Hokage acts weird then you know something's up. He folded his hands in his lap and looked at me evenly. "It's about a girl, more specifically."

Oh?

He looked both calculating and amused, "A young, orphan girl from Kusagakure. I've heard that you've been accommodating to our guest during her stay with us."

Oh.

Well.

He came here to talk about Karin. Why would he come here to talk about Karin? She didn't do anything, did she? Crap, did somebody find out about the textbook I gave her? I hope not. I don't really have an explanation for that. I suddenly felt immensely awkward and unsure where the heck this conversation was headed. It must've shown on my face because he looked and felt even more amused, that eased me a bit.

"The other day at the arena, I explained you all that the true purpose of the Chunnin Selection Exams were to demonstrate the strength of the Village, our reality of 'friendship' in our current Shinobi world." I nodded when he paused, acknowledging him. I kinda-sorta remember his speech. It was right before the preliminaries. He smiled at me warmly, "Still, it eases this old man to know that the youth of Konoha will forge new bonds and fellowships despite our old-fashioned traditions. It gives me hope for a day in the future when the Chuunin Selections Exams will serve as real platform for friendship between the Villages."

Oh... I ducked my head as I smiled like an idiot, combing my hair behind my ear in a bout of bashfulness. He was praising me for making friends and made me feel a bit warm and fuzzy, and silly. I felt silly, too.

"That being said, I did come here today to talk to you about young Uzumaki Karin-san." I nodded, trying to wipe the stupid smile off my face. He didn't immediately follow-up on the conversation I looked up to see him looking at me with a calculated look. Now, why would he be...?

Aw, crap.

My smile dropped off my face as my shoulders slumped in defeat. I looked up at the old ninja with a cross between a scowl and a pout, he was looking at me with an ever-amused smile on his wrinkled face. That wasn't fair! He'd tricked me!

That's only 'cos you're an airhead. Terra oh-so supportively added, You let him distract you and now he knows that you know that Karin is our distant blood relation.

'Shut up!' I said, a little more than defensively. It wasn't all my fault! It didn't matter how old I was mentally, Hiruzen was always going to be cleverer than me. Was that a real word? Cleverer? Okay, I was distracting myself now.

The wily old man chuckled again. I was still pouting, I'm not sure what he found so funny. "From what I've heard, it seems young Karin-san has become quite taken with you during her stay in Konoha. With Konoha, as well." he said casually.

I nodded warily, waiting for him to get to his point. What were you getting at, you crazy old man? What's so interesting about little Karin to you? I began to chew on my bottom lip as I returned his cool stare with an even one of my own.

"You know..." he began slowly, he was looking at me calculatingly again and I braced myself as his Intent rose. "However unusual it is for a shinobi to renounce their native Village, there are rare instances when one can do so without repercussions. There are a set of Laws older than even the Hidden Villages that are still honored today." I held my breath. There was an unsettling glint in his eye as he finally said it.

"Clan Law."

Shit.

He's calling me out on being an Uzumaki.

For years now it's been this thing that he and I have danced around, neither one of us actually saying it aloud. Hiruzen's never flat-out called me on it like this before. I mean, he's given me the chance to claim it in the past but I've always declined. So what's changed now? Karin? But she's a Shinobi of Grass, why does it matter what name she has? Isn't that still defecting? Or is he telling me that I can actually adopt Karin?

He resumed speaking even as I grew increasingly uncomfortable, "Clan Law is not something that is often used today but, there is always an exception or two. Especially when the Clan in question is a reputable one with a history of bearing Kekkei Genkai." Holy crap. Is he actually saying what I think he's saying? I know Karin's got the Uzumaki healing, so that would mean—Is he serious?! "Members don't always carry themselves with the discretion required by their clans, so when a child bearing a bloodline trait or a legitimate claim comes forward then it falls into Clan Affairs and the Clan would make the ultimate decision whether or not to accept and to take responsibility for them."

Ho. Lee. Crap.

I stared at the man, gaping and wide-eyed.

He just said I could adopt Karin.

The he shrugged dismissively, ignoring my rude staring and pretending like he didn't just drop a bomb on my head. "Of course, before Clan Law can even be invoked in the first place it would require that the Clan have an active place in the Village's register. But, the registration process is something one would have to take up with Council of Clans. Anyhow, I'm glad to see that you're recovering well, Sora-chan. I have to go meet with some stuffy diplomats now, but it was nice to speak with you again." he said warmly as he got to his feet. I didn't point out that I didn't actually say anything as I mutely watched him leave with a friendly goodbye, quite obviously pleased by my dumbfounded reaction.

Slowly, I processed what the hell just happened.

...did he just tell me to re-establish the Uzumaki clan?

An hour later, after some serious head clearing, I was standing the middle of the same Training Ground as yesterday, arms crossed over my chest and glaring sullenly at the woman wearing the pair of very dark-tinted glasses. That gave me a sort of dark gratification. I didn't get a hangover after last night. Nightmares and bone-deep exhaustion aside, I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the most part. I was certainly doing better than Anko, though she didn't keep my attention for long. My eyes went to the brown-haired man standing next to her, still dressed in his Konoha blues and green flak jacket.

Neko was here, too.

Why was Neko here? Not that I wasn't always happy to see him during daylight hours, but that's twice within 24-hours. And I wasn't even in the hospital! I was now looking at him expectantly, waiting for him to explain because it was obvious that Anko wasn't going to be any help. I signed, 'What's up?'

His dark-brown eyes held a bit of amusement as he began to speak and, his voice was loud per se, but it definitely wasn't quiet enough for Anko considering how she winced away. Haah, I love my Neko. He cleared his throat, looking all professional-like. "I heard from Senpai that you were going to be training with Mitarashi-san and I was actually looking for you last night to see how it went, and then I found you at Roku's, of all places. Needless to say, I saw everything I needed to." he explained, a disapproving note in his voice. I ducked my head meekly at his look. Stupid Anko, he wasn't going to be letting that go for a while. "Seeing as how Mitarashi-san is still technically on medical leave—" What. She's wounded? I looked at the 'injured' woman in question, she had turned her head away but she hadn't denied it. I stared doubtfully. "—last night, she and I came to an arrangement that I will also be assisting you in preparation for the final round of the Exams."

I processed that.

Then I leapt towards him.

He effortlessly caught my jump-hug with those expertly trained reflexes of his and proceeded to flail and fluster as I wrapped my arms around his neck and nuzzled his cheek affectionately. Thank God! At least there was one sane adult that cared about my welfare! I might actually survive the next few weeks in one piece! My affections were cut short as there was a hand gripping the back of my shirt and yanking me off my flustered ANBU, like I was some kind of misbehaving cat. I landed flat on the dirt and was back to glaring at the Devil Woman.

"Don't act so damn happy, brat!" she barked, meeting my glare with one of her own from behind her shades. "You've still got me to deal with!"

Shit. I almost forgotten. Thanks for spoiling my mood, Anko. I huffed as I got back to my feet and Neko composed himself again, clearing his throat and readjusting his uniform while valiantly ignoring how his cheeks had flushed pink. He cleared his throat, more forcefully this time as he kept a stern expression. "M-Mitarashi-san is correct. I still have my own duties to attend to, so today she will oversee your training. But, I will stop by your apartment later tonight to discuss a proper training schedule and regimen." he said quickly and I recognized that he was about to flee! No! Don't leave—

—he shunshin'd away and I was, yet again, abandoned to the whims of a Crazy Lady. I sighed at the leaf drifting back to the ground where my Neko had previously been stationed before warily lifting my eyes back to the purple-haired woman.

"Stamina training." she announced blandly, looking completely and entirely disinterested. "You'll be running 'round the perimeter of the Village wall to build up your muscles. No breaks."

I felt the color drain from my face as I did the math in my head. That was... kilometers of running! It was over seventy-five kilometers from the front gate to Hokage rock alone! I couldn't even say anything before her hands wove into seals and slammed onto the ground, summoning up a cloud of smoke. As the smoke dispersed I was met with a very unnerving sight of two familiar snakes staring me down on either side of Anko. There was a brown snake with slit yellow eyes, the same one that tried to eat me and I tased yesterday. I swear, it was glaring at me and I could clearly sense Killing Intent from it -her?- the second it laid it's eyes on me. There was also a olive-colored snake with black and orange spots with slit blue eyes, I'm pretty sure that was the one that kept finding me when I ran.

"These are a couple of my summons, Irabu and Yamaka. You might remember them from yesterday." Anko drawled, gesturing to the brown one, Irabu, and the blue-eyed one, Yamaka. "They'll be joining you again today to make sure you run the perimeter, at least once."

She's gotta be shitting me. This is insane. Irabu turned toward Anko and hissed harshly. Anko scowled down at the summon, I felt a morbid curiosity grow as it seemed very much like the woman actually understood what the snake hissed. "No!" she snapped, "You lost the chance to eat her when you let the brat get the jump on you with the net! If I have'ta put up with her, then you do, too!"

Oh. My. God.

Nekooooo... come baaaack...

"Well, what are you waiting for!?" Anko barked, startling me. The snakes coiled up and her lips lifted up in a snarl. "RUN!"

A couple hours later I was sweating like a pig and struggling for breath hard, and I was only a third of the way done. Ugh, I hate Anko, I swear. Noting how far back my pursuers were, I took a moment and paused by a small water hole on the outskirts of the Village proper and practically dunked my head in to cool down, after a moment I pulled my head back up and greedily sucked in much needed air. That was just what I needed. I ran my hand through my soaked hair, uncaring if my shirt got wet as a result, and combed it away from my face. Jeez, it was still early June yet it was already so hot out! I was going to have to rethink my pants/boots combo, I was probably going to have to start wearing shorts and sandals until the weather cools off again.

"Sora-san!" called out a boyish voice that I wasn't entirely familiar with, pulling my out of my musings. Didn't matter because it took only one look to recognize the owner of that green bodysuit speeding towards directly towards me. Rock Lee grinned brightly as he landed a couple feet away from where I was seated. "Good afternoon, Sora-san!" he chirped with an energy that I frankly envied at the moment.

Gingerly, I lifted a hand in a small wave and gave an even smaller smile in greeting. He was looking at me with those moony eyes of his and I felt like fidgeting. If possible, Lee brightened even further, making it hard to look directly at him. He looked over my drenched and dusty appearance quickly and nodded approvingly. "You are in the middle of training for the Exams, correct?" he asked enthusiastically, I nodded in confirmation and he flashed me a wide grin and a thumbs-up. "As am I! I've nearly finished my 99th lap around the districts! After that warm-up I will begin my training in earnest for the day!" I sighed, disappointed in myself and my whining. The sucky thing is; he's not even bragging! That's just how he is! I feel like a complete failure standing, or sitting in this case, next to him.

Suddenly he looked down and away, his cheeks—oh no. His cheeks began to turn pink as he smiled bashfully! He was gonna do something to break my brain! Again! He rose a hand to scratch his cheek but before he could get the words out, there was an influx of Killing Intent that soaked the air around us, announcing a hostile presence. We both turned our heads to see fucking Irabu lurching from the forest directly towards us, jaw agape with a mighty hiss. I was back to my feet in a second, but before I could even wave goodbye to Lee or anything, he had jumped into the air gracefully, spun, and kicked the shit out of Irabu, sending the royally pissed serpent flying back through the trees.

I stared at the direction it disappeared, resigning myself to my fate because I knew that the Devil Woman was gonna hear about this. Ugh, I'm so screwed.

Lee landed beside my miserable self again and had a thoughtful expression on his face as he also looked off into the distance. "...I've never seen a reptile so large before, well, never before entering Training Grounds 44." he murmured, understandably confused. "I think it would be best if we report this to the patrol. Someone could have gotten hurt!"

His doe eyes landed on me again in question and I couldn't help but smile a little. I was gonna be in a lot of trouble -probably, 'cos Anko did say no breaks- but Lee only had good intentions, he'd only feel bad about it if I told him that was my trainer. I nodded to his question, figuring that a little detour wouldn't be too much to ask for and letting a chuunin know that there was a pissed person-sized snake running amok out there. The other one would probably find me soon enough but screw it, Irabu had it comin'.

Lee was positively beaming as we began walking side-by-side at a leisurely pace back towards the Village proper, my muscles were protesting any movement but I relished the break from running as if my life depended on it. We walked over a small footbridge and entered the edges of the Meat Market and were on our way to the closest guard post to drop off a warning. The skies above us were a clear blue and allowed the sun to beat down on us, hot but I took relief in the fact it was still late spring therefore not totally unbearable. I didn't try to make conversation and to my surprise Lee seemed to be content to just walk beside me in a genuinely pleasant silence, except for the chatter coming from the butchers and merchants around us.

"Uhm, Sora-san?"

Ah, well, it was nice while it lasted.

Warily I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye and he had that nervous, bashful look on his face again. I saw his hands clench and unclench at his sides as he seemed to have an internal debate with himself. Eventually, he glanced over and our eyes met. A determined look washed over his face as he angled himself towards me, his words came out in a rush of breath and a near-shout. "Sora-san, I... Iwaswonderingifyouwouldbeopposedtojoiningmeforatrainingsessioninthenearfuture?"

I blinked, repeating his words over in my head.

Did he...

He just asked me to train with him?

We'd stopped walking, stopping on the side of the street and out of the way of the foot-traffic. He was looking at me expectantly with barely veiled nervousness, and my expression was pensive to say the least. I thought over the offer, considering it briefly before remembering what happened only yesterday. How I thought I'd accidentally killed Anko. This wasn't remotely the same situation, I know, but I couldn't risk hurting Lee with this... ability that I had little-to-no control over. Not after he made it out of the preliminaries unscathed. I'd made up my mind. I pressed my lips together firmly as I reached around and pulled out my pen and pad. When I turned the paper towards him it hurt me, more than it probably should have, how his face just dropped.

"I don't think that would be a good idea."

His eyes went from the pad to look into mine searchingly but I found I couldn't hold his gaze, instead finding the dirt at our feet so much more interesting at the moment. Shit. I was going to hell for this, wasn't I? Only a bad, horrible, utterly vile person could stand to wipe that sweet and cheerful smile from his face. And I was that person, apparently. Lee tried to disguise his disappointment with a smile that wasn't quite as bright as it had been a moment ago.

"Ah, s-sorry!" he said with a forced laugh, ducking his head in apology. "I knew that would be too forward of me! There is a chance that we will be competing against one another in a few weeks time, of course you would decline. I apologize for my thoughtlessness!"

I frowned. He shouldn't be sorry, it wasn't his fault I don't have a handle on things. I put my pen to the paper again. "There's no need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong in asking me, normally I would be happy to accept." It's just that things have been less than normal for me. "I have to learn more control and discipline." I finished. An awkwardly concerned look washed over his face briefly, a slight pinch in his brow, before his stiff smile widened and he nodded understandingly.

Huh.

Considering I personally know three of the biggest pretenders when it comes to hiding how they really feel, I recognized that look intimately. Naruto has used that smile to try and dissuade my worries one too many times when dealing with his pariah status among the Villagers and half of Kakashi's eye-smiles are deflection. To be honest, I really hadn't expected to ever see a fake smile from Lee of all people.

I wrote without putting much conscious thought into what I was saying. I didn't actually realized what I'd written until I saw how wide his eyes became. "You heard about what I did, right? After you fell unconscious."

"Yes, I did." he confirmed quietly. I swallowed thickly, gripping my pen tighter and totally regretting bringing this up. Why did I do this to myself? "Neji told me what happened."

Of course, he did. Leave it to Stick. I shoved my annoyance down and I looked at Lee's expression carefully, searching for any sign of... of... I wasn't actually sure what I was looking for.

Disgust?

Pity?

Fear?

I... wanted to know what he thought of me. I know how the others felt about me after seeing what happened but I had no idea what Lee thought about me. Naruto was Naruto, he still loved me and was my best friend. Sasuke was a prideful brat who probably still thinks he could've handled it by himself, but he didn't really care about what I did. Neji hated me, nothing changed there except for those weirdly intense looks he kept shooting me. Tenten didn't know me and was now afraid of me for, admittedly good reasons. But Lee... Lee confused me. We've only met a couple of times and I'm pretty sure that this was the first actual conversation we've had since meeting last week. He didn't know the first thing about me! I was a total stranger to him yet he seemed genuinely excited to see me! If he knew about what I did to those men then he can't possibly still like me in that way, right? That'd just be crazy.

So... why is he acting like this?

I hesitated before writing, eyes flickering up to his face and back down to the paper. "If you know what I did to them, then why aren't you more—" I paused, considering my words. "—wary?" I asked.

At that he frowned, tilting his head slightly as he looked at me questioningly. "Why would I?"

I blinked. Flashes of corpses and bloody chucks coming to mind, my hands began to tremble again and I counted my breaths, keeping them even. I shook my head at him in disbelief. Why would he? I couldn't tell if he was being serious or if he just hadn't seen the aftermath of what I did with his own eyes, I honestly couldn't remember when Team Gai had left before I managed to regain some amount of motor control.

"Sora-san," he said, drawing my eyes back to him. He had that awkward, pinched look on his face again. "I cannot claim to have known you for very long, but... I feel as if I already know your character. I have seen with my own eyes how our comrades treat you, during the preliminaries they looked at you with respect and esteem." he told me earnestly. I blinked rapidly, having a hard time believing this. Me? Respectable? That was a new one. Lee continued, not noticing my incredulous stare. "I may not know you very well yet, Sora-san, but I already know just from observation that you are the type of person that holds her comrades close to her heart, and would defend them with a passion that I..." he looked away as his ears began to redden, his eyes landing on something off to the side of the street. "...that I admire."

His cheeks began to pinken as well under my dumbstruck gaze. Huh... has he really been paying that much attention to me? I looked down and away, unable to meet his earnest look anymore. It was making my face heat up and my stomach flip in a way that was not entirely uncomfortable. I withheld a long-suffering sigh. Oh, hormones... I almost forgot you were there. I huffed a breath, utterly failing in my attempts not smile. Jeez! He really is too sweet for his own good.

Lee… thank you.

After a few moments of awkward silence, Lee cleared his throat and suggested we continue on out way. Right. We were going to send animal control after Irabu's ass, I'd almost forgotten. We began walking in step with each other again, he was quiet. Well, quieter than he had been before. Out of curiosity I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. I suppressed a smile when I noticed he was doing the same, reddening cheeks and all.

The quiet moment between us was shattered soon after.

"SNAKE!" a woman shrieked, horrified and disgusted. Not a moment later I could Irabu's ugly mug, being led by the other one, Yamaka. Crap, looks like my break is over. And here I was hoping I could sneak in a quick lunch, too. I turned on my heel and leapt up to the nearest awning, Lee made a noise of surprise as I lifted my fingers to my mouth and whistled, loud, catching the attention of both the reptiles. I gave the bewildered Lee a reassuring smile and wave right before I dashed off towards the outer wall of the Village again, resuming my training. For some reason, I had a bit more of a spring in my step as I did.

I limped back to the training ground, so, so many hours later. To my surprise Anko was waiting there for me, looking very unimpressed when she spotted me. The damn snakes were flanking me on either side and I swear, even though I knew it wasn't anatomically possible, I swear that Irabu had a self-satisfied smirk on it's scaly muzzle. To my relief, nothing was straight-up broken but I was definitely going to have to visit the hospital after this. That was mostly fine. I wanted to drop off that lesson plan for Sakura and visit Hinata, I just now have another reason to be there.

Bright sides to everything, right?

Yeah, even I wasn't buying it.

The Devil Woman nodded to her summons, muttering something to them before they both disappeared in a cloud of smoke. She turned to me, face oddly blank. For some reason that made me more uneasy than her evil smiles. "Now that that's done we'll get you started on your close-combat skillset."

What—I didn't get the chance to even register what was happening before her fist was wedged into my stomach and I lost all the air in my lungs, folding over and crumpling to the ground. I gasped for air and fisted my hand into the grass.

I hate this woman.

"Up." she ordered, tone leaving no room for argument. I took a couple of deep breaths before getting back to my feet. She narrowed her eyes at me, giving a curt nod. "If you want even a shot at becoming a chuunin then you'll be expected to fight to the brink of collapse when ordered to, and then keep on fighting until your heart gives out from all the goddamn strain on it! This is what the Village expects of you." she told me, voice hard. I didn't let my glare up. "Take an offensive stance."

I slid my foot back and squared my shoulders, rooting myself in my stance. Anko made a sound of annoyance before she began flapping her hand in my general direction.

"No, no, no! Fuck that! From here on, you'll be re-learning how to approach close-quarters combat. I want you to forget all they taught you at the Academy, it's damn obvious that you can't use the Leaf-style for shit." she spat, I scowled at her. I watched in curiosity as she took up a stance of her own. "The style I'm gonna teach you is all about striking hard and fast using precision attacks and relying on flexibility. You'll be taking advantage of the body's weak points and joints. You know some pressure points?" she asked, I nodded shortly. Kabuto had... showed me. I didn't forget them no matter how much I tried. "Good. Do what I do, brat, and get it right the first time. I have better things to do instead of babysit your ass."

For two seconds I considered ignoring her out of pure spite, then I reminded myself that her purpose for being here was to teach me. In that two seconds Anko had closed the distance and struck my chest with the point of her extended hand, causing my airways to freak the fuck out. I landed on a knee, trying to blink away the spots in my vision.

"Don't think! Do as I say!" she barked. I wheezed, gasping for breath. I swear, the ground was spinning. "Up!"

I glared up at her and from the looks of it, she gave none of the fucks. I hissed through my teeth and pushed myself up to stand on legs that threatened to give out at any second. I spread my feet and attempted to mirror her stance—she moved fast and I barely even registered her attack until her fingers had jostled my shoulder, sending a wave of pain shooting down my arm. I tried to retaliate by swinging my other arm to—agh, fuck! Her other arm raised and wound around mine, deflecting my attack and moving close enough that she could jab my temple. Anko didn't stop there of course, she also grabbed my arm and threw me down to the ground. Hard. I reflexively curled onto my side on the ground, cringing in pain and mentally cursing out the sadistic woman looming over me.

"Is that all you got, brat?" she asked, voice low and just daring me to give in. "You just gonna lie there and take it? Tch."

Fuck it!

Wheezing, I stood on two unsteady legs and squared my stance, mirroring hers again. You know what? She wants me to be her fucking punching bag then fine! But I'll be damned if I'll give this asshole the satisfaction of being right. My eyes met hers and slowly, I lifted my hand and gestured for her to bring it.

She grinned wickedly.

...I regretted so much.

Montage Arc,

Chapter Forty-Four: "Back to Basics"

END

A/N: WOW! So long, guys! I took so long and I am so sorry! I really have no idea how on earth I got so sidetracked, but the good news is; I think I'm finally out of my New Year's slump! I've also decided on a goal for this year! To make it to Shippuden! ...lofty goal, eh? I know, I know. Back to the important stuff!

SORA got to TRAIN! Well, got her ass kicked but there really isn't a difference at this point in time. And NEKO! He's going to be helping her, too! C'mon... you didn't really think that Kakashi left his student's wellbeing with such a damaged person like Anko without some back-up, right? Enter: Yamato. This is gonna be so much fun! Ooh! Ooh! Karin! What'dya guys think about that? I've noticed that some of you have questions about why the heck Sora doesn't go by Uzumaki, so I plan to address that soon! Then there was Lee, that sweet boy. I just melted while writing that scene. Besides that? We got to see a preview of the kind of things that keep Sora up at night. What did you guys think?

Okay, to talk about the POV updates: I've started editing the earlier chapters to reflect the changes. Besides the POV updates, I'll be editing the entire chapter as well. Fixing grammer errors and other little things like that. Any BIG changes I will make sure to mention in the latest A/N. Speaking of, I rewrote the very first chapter-not the Prologue but 'Chapter One: Growing Pains'. It has a lot more Kaa-chan in it and I like it better than the old one, but that's it for now. With the editing I'll probably add some more scenes to the Interludes that failed to make it into the first run, I'll make sure to tell you guys if I do in case you want to check them out.

Author Question!

"What part of a kid's movie completely scarred you?"

Weird, I know, but I had an answer to this one. The ENTIRETY of Toy Story scared the crap outta me, especially the part where Sid's ill-treated toys took their revenge. Yeaaah... After seeing that, I ALWAYS made sure to be terribly careful when playing with them, treating them nicely, even going so far to tuck them in every night before bed. Haah... I was so neurotic as a child.

'Till next time! I wuv yew~ Mwah!

-Nanami