Hello, this is my first fic so I hope all of you would help me with the fic. Especially since English isn't my daily language. I do not own Naruto or anything related to it. I only own my original characters and my story. Thanks.
Therefore I want to thank:
Kohaku-san, thanks for your loyalty, I hope I won't disappoint you
Magicians of the Yami, thanks if you think I wouldn't get burnt
pink-kitty, Congrats for giving the longest review I've ever had! Thanks. BTW, I didn't misspell ningu, ningu is tools ability. How well you handle shinobi tools like shuriken, kunai, etc. And you seem to read my mind, that's what I plan all along. After all, patience has limit, so does Ayame's, especially when you're stuck in between. Even though so, she would not say colorful words, remember she's still 4.
For others, read and review!
Ayame
Arashi's Test
Soon after, they moved from the class to the Hokage Memorial. It was their appointed jounin instructor, Kishuu Arashi's choice. Ayame wondered if there was a certain reason why she picked this place from all place. So there they sat at the only available bench, or to be exact, only Ayame sat while the other two, Shinji and Itachi chose to stand separately. Shinji leaned his back on the fence, Itachi stood casually with his hands crossed and Arashi stood across them, examining the three silently. She let out a sigh that was barely noticed by anybody.
"We'll have a proper introduction of this team. I want to know everything about you, everything you want to share. For example what are your likes and dislikes, hobbies and dreams for the future," her voice was clear even though she didn't speak loudly. Ayame had an impression that Arashi was used to speaking in front of people.
"I suppose I'll start from myself, I'm Kishuu Arashi, I don't like or dislike certain thing. I don't have any hobbies and…dreams," her face remained expressionless but Ayame could easily note sadness on her face.
"Why don't you start introducing yourself, starting from you…Shinji I presume?"
Shinji raised his eyebrow, wondering why he was picked first, but he answered nonetheless,
"My name is Nakayama Shinji. I like freedom in doing everything at my own will and I dislike regulations and people who always do everything they are told to," he glanced with dislike to Itachi who kept his calm demeanor.
"My hobbies…I dunno, I suppose I have one and dreams…to prove most people they're wrong," he continued. Ayame made her own conclusions from his answers.
It seems he wants to be a shinobi in his own way, without living up people's expectation. Shuichi-san's right…Ayame thought.
"…You?" Arashi moved to the only girl in the team.
Ayame was a little taken aback that it was her turn.
"Well, my name is Hikari Ayame… I like being around people and seeing them happy, I dislike…being alone…" a flash of memory passed her mind, her deceased parents,
"Hobbies…Reading and dreams…I suppose to become a good shinobi," she smiled a bit unsure. Arashi looked at her for a moment,
"How old are you?"
"I'm four," she answered. There was a slight surprised look crossed her face.
"How old were you when you joined the Academy?"
"Umm…three?" Arashi let the information sink in.
Interesting…she's able to catch up fast. Her likes, dislikes and dreams aren't common for someone her age.
"The last one…" she didn't need to point whose turn it was.
"My name is Uchiha Itachi. I like simplicity, I dislike…few things, my hobbies…training, dreams…I just want to do my best," Itachi spoke quietly. In the corner of her eyes, Ayame could see Shinji rolled his eyes.
"I suppose that's all. Tomorrow we'll do survival training"
"Survival training?" That caught the three's attention. Ayame had found out about it, but she wasn't really sure if she was right.
"It isn't ordinary survival training, I'm going to be your opponent. The graduation exam is just the beginning, this training is your real test, whether you deserve to become a genin or return to the Academy"
"What!" Shinji exclaimed and daringly –or rather carelessly- looked at Arashi. But Arashi didn't seem to be affected at all. Itachi showed a surprised look but soon he regained his composure while Ayame was the only one who didn't seem surprised.
"Tomorrow gather in the training field at 7 a. m. sharp. Bring everything you think you'll need, and skip your breakfast. That's all for today," and without saying anything else, Arashi disappeared into a puff of smoke, leaving team 4 confused.
"What's that supposed to mean!" it was Shinji who spoke first.
"Basically we haven't become a genin yet," Ayame simply said.
"So what's the entire exam about?" Shinji looked to Ayame, so was Itachi.
"Just to select those who have the chance to become a genin"
"…Do you know her?" for the first time Itachi asked.
"Eh, Arashi-sensei?" Itachi nodded.
"She is Kishuu Arashi, one of the best shinobi of Konoha. She is a sword specialist, as you can see from the sword. If she's going to be our opponent then…"
"…It'll be hard" Itachi continued for her.
"Whatever, I'm not going to give up easily," he shot an irritated look at Itachi then turned to leave.
"Typical Shinji," she muttered.
-o-O-o-
Afterwards, Arashi could be seen walking towards her apartment. She unlocked the door and went inside. It was a simple and neat apartment and consisted of little furniture for she only lived alone. She poured water into an empty glass and sat down on the couch. She rubbed her temple as she recalled her previous meeting with Sandaime.
"Arashi… I've assigned you to become a jounin instructor"
"Excuse me? A jounin instructor?" Arashi couldn't believe her ears.
"Yes, you're no longer the Hokage aide. This is your team," Sandaime showed her a map filled with her future team's members. Arashi didn't take the map, instead she looked straight at him, demanding for an explanation. No one dared to look at the Hokage the way Arashi did. It was considered rude, after all the Hokage was the most respected shinobi in the village.
"You know I would end up failing them," Arashi spoke, her gaze unwavering.
"Why are you so sure?" Sandaime returned Arashi's gaze.
Arashi felt there was no need to tell him. She was indeed one of the best shinobi of Konoha but she wasn't the best in socializing with people, in the contrary, probably the worst. Even though she was good in diplomacy and she had been chosen to represent Konoha more than once, the fact didn't help her to be…nicer to people. She rarely spoke and opened up herself to anyone, except some certain people.
That's why she was never interested to become a jounin instructor. She would be leading a team, not only leading, but also teaching them and working together. She needed to gain their trust and trust them, while she could hardly trust anyone.
"Arashi…" Sandaime cut her thoughts,
"You can't be like this forever, Arashi… There are people that are worth your trust, if you just give them a chance. I want you to give it a try"
Arashi examined Sandaime's face carefully, she saw that he was concerned. She wondered why the Hokage would be concerned about her. But she knew better, she couldn't refuse, it was an order even it didn't seem so.
"Wakatta..I'll give it a try…" she decided it wouldn't be much of a trouble.
"Good. It's settled then. The team's assignment would take place tomorrow in room 102. I hope you like your team." And thus their conversation ended.
She had taken a glimpse of their files. She missed the fact that Ayame was just 4 years old. Probably because she was a bit more interested in her teammates, Uchiha Itachi and Nakayama Shinji. Number 1 rookie and an Uchiha prodigy… and a Nakayama…Shuichiro's brother. She knew his brother, for they used to be in the same ANBU team. She had learned that Nakayama couldn't be underestimated, especially is Shinji was truly his brother. Despite the fact that Shinji was the last in the class.
When she found out the fact that Ayame joined the Academy in such a young age and graduated a year later intrigued her.
Tomorrow survival training will be very interesting…
Six a. m. in the morning, a girl could be seen awake on her bed. Her hair was pretty much in a mess and she was still in her pajamas. She took a glance to the clock and quickly she went to the bathroom. Ayame wore her usual outfit, a black kimono-like shirt and beige pants. She took out a box of shinobi tools and she looked at it thoughtfully. Today was an important day, she thought, it wouldn't be ordinary survival training. She was considering the tools she should bring along.
I suppose I'll bring kunai and shuriken… some makibishi would help. She picked her tools carefully, considering all options. She added more tools, in an amount that wouldn't slow her down because of the additional weight. Satisfied with her armory, she put it in her utility pouch and headed to the dining room. Even though Arashi told her to skip breakfast, but she decided to eat something, so she would need strength for the survival training.
Only to find a note on the table, it was from Sandaime.
Ayame,
Since I can't wake up earlier than you are (Ayame giggled since Sarutobi often overslept and she was always been the one who woke him up), I wrote a note for you instead. I wish you good luck in your survival training. Prepare everything you need. I know you're nervous but don't forget what I told you, just do your best. Be patient. Know when to act. There's no need to hurry. Carelessness is an enemy of shinobi. Good luck, show them what you are capable of.
Sarutobi-jiisan
Ayame smiled when she read his note, thankful that she had someone who cared so much for her.
I'll do my best Sarutobi-jiisan, she promised to herself.
-o-O-o-
She arrived earlier than her teammates in the training field. Thanks to her habit to wake up early. It was half an hour to 7, she decided to wait for her teammates. She didn't need to wait long, though, she saw a familiar figure in a distance. It was Itachi.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Itachi-san," she greeted, she was used to address people older than her by –san.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Ayame," he returned her greeting politely.
I could see why the girls are so fond of him… he's very polite, Ayame thought.
"You're early," it seemed Itachi tried to make a conversation, but he didn't do it very well, he seemed rather awkward to her observation.
"I have a tendency to come half an hour earlier," she smiled to him.
"I see," then silence. Ayame used the silence to observe her teammate for she hadn't had time before.
Itachi had a typical Uchiha physical appearance. Dark raven hair, onyx eyes, added with the symbol of the clan on the back of his shirt. He was rather tall for 7 years old and he was well-composed. He wasn't that bad, she thought, I suppose there was more why Shinji disliked him. Speak of the devil, Shinji appeared few minutes before the training started. It seemed he avoided Itachi.
Right at 7 a. m. Arashi appeared in front of them. She saw all of them had arrived on time to her satisfaction, punctuality was something she truly appreciated. Ayame noticed she didn't bring along her sword, to her relief.
"I see all of you have arrived on time, and I expect you did what I told you to skip your breakfast," she saw the three slightly nodded. She pulled out two bells from her pocket and showed it to them.
"I have two bells with me. Your task is to take these bells from me before noon. Those who aren't able to get the bells won't get lunch…and would be tied up to the stump."
So that's why she told us to skip breakfast…the same thought crossed the three's mind. It was a right decision indeed to eat something, Ayame thought.
"Those who aren't able to get the bells will fail and be returned to the Academy. Since there are only two bells, definitely one of you will fail"
How encouraging… Ayame thought to herself. She could see her teammates' reaction well, they wanted to take the bell especially Shinji.
"You may attack me with all you have, you are allowed to use all the shinobi tools," she spoke as she tied the bells to her belt.
"The training starts…now" as the word was said, all of them split up into different directions. But before they were truly separated from each other, Ayame could hear Itachi spoke,
"It'd be much easier if there's only one bell for two of us…"
Ayame didn't have time to think about his words, she quickly searched a place to hide inside the forest. When she was sure it was convenient enough and well-positioned, she hid herself using a basic genjutsu to blend with her surroundings. She hid on a tree branch, high enough to see everything that happened below her and Arashi that hadn't moved a bit from her spot since she started the training. She couldn't trace the whereabouts of her teammates, they hid themselves well. One of the basic ability of a shinobi is to hide themselves.
Arashi had noticed it as well.
Those kids could hide themselves well, Arashi thought, that's not truly unexpected, remembering they've gone this far… I suppose I should try to look for them.
Arashi left her spot and started looking for them, making them fully alert. Arashi suspected all of them hid in the forest, especially the Nakayama. Nakayama with their ability to blend with the nature and their sharpened senses were hard to find, so that left her to look for the Uchiha and the girl. She scanned the forest carefully, she didn't see anything suspicious. So she decided to sense their chakra since a newly Academy graduation wouldn't have learned to hide their chakra yet. She guessed right, she felt a chakra signature not far from her place, she would make a surprise attack. Suddenly she disappeared in a blink of eye.
There! She launched some shuriken to the bushes where the person was supposed to hide. She heard her shuriken caught something, when she had clearer view it was stuck on a log.
Kawarimi no jutsu… a fast thinking… She felt the air whizzing behind her. It was shurikens heading toward her, instead of using any jutsu to deflect them she evaded them and even caught some of them. Her keen eyes could easily see where all the shurikens came from. She returned the shuriken she caught and headed to the person's place.
Only to be attacked with a foot sweep that she managed to evade out of reflex. She saw the person she was fighting was Uchiha Itachi. She could see he was able to evade all of the attacks for he seemed unscratched. He was already in defensive.
Interesting…he didn't rush to attack, instead he observed the situation at hand before he attacked. She thought with mild interest, then I'll be the one who start.
Suddenly Arashi disappeared, or it seemed so. Itachi who had raised his guard knew that Arashi wasn't using any jutsu, but taijutsu and what made her disappeared was her high speed. From nowhere appeared Arashi trying to hit Itachi who was able to avert it with his hand. Soon afterwards they were engaged in close combat.
Ayame watched their combat with awe, Itachi was able to match their jounin instructor even though she knew Arashi wasn't fighting seriously. She shook her head, it wasn't the right time to admire the combat. She'd need to gain information that may be helpful to get the bell.
She observed the fight below, looking how they exchanged blow after blow. She noticed that she tied the bell on her right side and noticed she was right-handed. The information could be helpful though, she thought. But she wondered why neither of them had used any jutsu yet. Then she realized Arashi and Itachi had separated in a good distance – a good distance for performing jutsu.
"Doton: Doryu Heki (Earth Element: Earth Rising Wall)!" It was Arashi. The ground around Itachi rose up into a thick earth wall, trapping Itachi.
Now what will you do? Arashi wondered. She hadn't used the jutsu in its full strength. Even though she must admit that the Uchiha's ability was impressive, but she wouldn't be too serious when fighting a genin. Then what happened surprised her.
"Katon: Ryuuka No Jutsu (Fire Element: Dragon Fire Technique)"
That totally caught her off guard, she didn't expect a genin would be able to perform an elemental jutsu, a difficult one. The fire went through the earth wall and was directed to Arashi's direction. Arashi jumped to avoid the soaring fire, and felt Itachi's presence behind her. For ordinary shinobi, it would be difficult to change position in the air after getting a surprised attack. But Arashi wasn't an ordinary shinobi, she quickly changed her vulnerable position into an attacking position, she gave Itachi a spinning kick. (a/n:do I overdo it?) Itachi barely dodged the kick, so he was taken aback by the force of the kick.
Ayame's eyes widened in surprise to see that Itachi was able to do an elemental jutsu, Ryuuka no Jutsu. It was a high level jutsu that required a lot of chakra and concentration. Then she noticed something that made her speechless, it wasn't unnoticed by Arashi. There was only one bell left in her belt.
"You've taken the bell," she didn't seem surprised. Itachi stood up and opened his hand, a bell laid on his palm. Arashi knew the boy succeeded,
"Good. You've done what you need to do. Now I ask you to step aside, so we'll find out who's going to have the last bell," Arashi moved her gaze to the forest, right where Ayame and Shinji –Ayame figured- were hiding.
"Hai," Itachi nodded and kept a good distance for he felt there would be another fight.
The same thought crossed Ayame's mind,
Shinji wouldn't like this…
Shinji who was in hiding, had seen everything from his place. He gritted his teeth in irritation that Itachi got the bell first and before him.
I'm not going to lose from him!
-o-O-o-
Arashi examined her surroundings carefully, she hadn't been able to detect Shinji and the girl to her surprise. Shinji was indeed a Nakayama, but he was still a boy that was still inexperienced. He was able to hide himself very well. While Ayame, she didn't really know what the girl did. She didn't feel their chakra signature anywhere.
She sensed movement, she tilted her head to the left. A kunai whizzed past her ear, followed by others. She noticed the kunai was attached by explosive notes. Instead jump to avoid it, she chose to move away in a safe distance, calculation the time when it would explode and its radius. The explosive notes exploded one by one, making dirt flew everywhere.
Ayame knew what Shinji purpose was.
The dirt.
Arashi realized the kunais were targeted around her and the dirt was blocking her view. She would wait where he would appear. Shinji appeared behind her and send a kick to her side in high speed. Arashi quickly caught his feet only to be attacked with another. The force of the kick was amazing, with one of Shinji's feet being caught he was able to land a blow by his other foot. Arashi was forced release her grip.
Now the dirt had lessened, so she had better view of her opponent. It was Shinji, in crouching position.
Tiger style? Like his brother? Before Arashi could think or do anything else, Shinji started his attack. Arashi barely dodged the attack, thanks to her quick reflex. Shinji launched attack by attack, so fast until it seemed like a blur for ordinary people's eyes. Arashi was overwhelmed by his attacks, unable to do further than dodging.
Fast…a speed that rivaled his brother's…is he supposed to be the last in his class?
Ayame and Itachi were surprised to see Shinji's ability. All they knew about Shinji that he was the last in the class, except Ayame.
Shuichi-san's right…He's holding back…Ayame smiled to see the fight.
Demo…isn't he too reckless? a sweat drop appeared on the back of her head.
Itachi watched the fight with growing interest, he didn't know that Shinji was that strong. After all, they were in different class, so he didn't know much about him. He only knew him from his cold attitude to him.
It'd be interesting to fight him, Itachi thought.
-o-O-o-
Meanwhile, Shinji had the upper hand in the fight. Arashi was trying to look for an opening. She had fought with Shinji's brother, Shuichiro a couple of times and she could tell that Shinji's taijutsu was nearly as strong as Shuichiro's and it was beyond genin level. Even though so, after a long observation Arashi could notice his weakness. His carelessness. He was so intrigued with Itachi that he attacked without caution. Sooner or later, he would show an opening, she thought.
Ayame noticed it too, and knew that Shinji wouldn't succeed. She thought of one remaining bell, her face saddened.
Then I or Shinji would fail…But something seemed out of place for her,
Why there are only two bells when there are three of us? Something's wrong…We are supposed to be a team, aren't we? Then why? This test as if asking us to compete with each other. Or… Then it hit her, the real purpose of the test.
A shinobi is supposed to look underneath the underneath.
The academy teachers and Sarutobi-jiisan always reminded her, now she knew what they meant.
Meanwhile, the fight between Arashi and Shinji started to change. Shinji had shown some openings due to his recklessness (a/n:don't bother to describe the fight, it was all taijutsu fight). But Shinji could close some of them by his speed and quick reflexes, added with his good stamina.
It would be a long fight. Better end this, Arashi thought.
Shinji aimed a punch and Arashi dropped herself to the ground. The action caught Shinji off guard, before he could react, in an incredible speed Arashi swept him off his feet. He landed on his back on the ground, hard. Before he realized anything, a he was pinned down with a kunai near his throat. (a/n:Short? Well, I'm bad at fighting scenes)
"You failed," she simply said. She received a scowl from Shinji who was trying to fight back but with a kunai to his throat he wasn't able to do anything.
"Stand up. You're going to be tied up on the stump," she ordered him. Wordlessly, Shinji obeyed and was tied to a stump.
"Now, there's only one left," Arashi turned her gaze to her surroundings.
Ayame knew she couldn't hide any longer. She was determined,
It's time
Author's Note: …I think this is my worst chapter…: ( School has started and it made the making of this chapter delayed, making me run out of ideas… I'll do better next time, what Ayame is going to do, you need to read the next chapter. Reviews are highly appreciated, especially constructive ones. So I can improve my writing better. Thanks a lot for reading : )