Dodging a thrown kunai that was aiming for her head, Kai deflected the next one that was aimed for her leg. She panted, bringing her kunai up as she waited for the next barrage. Shifting her weight to her right, hundreds of kunais were suddenly flown from all sides. Weapon ready in hand, she quickly tried to deflect as many as she could. But unfortunately, some of them scratched her. Some light. Some deep. Exhausted, she put her hands on her knees as she tried to regain her breathing.
"This is some brutal training that you're doing here Kai."
Standing up straight, she smiled at the person, "It's not as brutal as your usual training methods Kaka-chan." He chuckled, "True. But this is still just as brutal." She shrugs, "I guess." A kunai was then flung out from the bushes straight towards her. Not once taking her eyes off of the silver haired Jounin, she deflected it with ease.
His eyes widen, "How did you…?"
"Know that it was coming?" she finished.
He slowly nodded his head. Thinking about it, she shrugs, "Not quite sure. I think it has something to do with my senses. They've been becoming very heightened lately." He raised an eyebrow, or at least she thought he did, "Lately? So it's just been recent?" Deflecting an on coming kunai that was aimed for her left leg, she nodded, "Yeah. Which is why I'm training like this. I want to see how well I'm able to use them."
He put a hand on his chin, "I see." Dropping it to his side, he walked towards her until he was at arm's length. What he didn't see was a string being pulled while he walked. Kai saw the light reflecting from it and shouted, "Wait Kaka-chan! Stop!" But it was already too late. A barrage of kunais was flung from all sides. Including from above. Life in danger, Kakashi knew he wasn't able to use the substitution jutsu on time. Reason? The kunais were coming at a very fast speed.
Feeling a hand on his wrist, he was quickly teleported out of danger. The kunais either deflected one another or stabbed deep into the ground where the two were just standing. Looking around him, he noticed that the small area that they were on was untouched.
'A safe area huh? She sure thought it through.'
Out of breath, Kai fell on her bum while leaning on her hands for support. Worried that she might've gotten injured. He quickly kneeled in front of her. Putting a hand on her shoulder, he asked, "You alright?" Still panting, she shakily chuckled, "Yeah. I'm fine. Just need to catch my breath is all."
He sighed in relief, "Alright. But I think it's enough training for today. That was a bit too much of a close call."
She stared at him in disbelief, "Close call? You're the one who came out of nowhere and triggered it."
He ruffled her hair, "Don't get smart with me."
Sighing, she pushed his hand away, "Alright. Just let me set it off so no one else will trigger anything else on accident." He nodded and helped her up on her feet. She was quite wobbly thanks to chakra depletion.
Walking on unsteady feet, she tiredly searched for the string to set it off. It took her a while but she finally found it behind the bushes. Using the kunai still in her hand, she used it to cut the string. A bunch of kunais clanking and falling to the ground were soon heard. Taking a scroll out of her pouch, she did a sealing jutsu which dragged all of the kunais, attached to the string, and sealed it in.
Impressed, Kakashi walked up to her to look at the seal that appeared on the scroll. His eyes widen. The seal wasn't like any other seals that he has ever seen before. The lines overlap one another as if it was some kind of wave. Putting a hand on her shoulder, he asked, "Kai. Where did you learn this seal?"
Standing back up on her feet, she looked up at him, "I made it myself."
He stared at her in disbelief, "You… made it?"
She nodded, "It's not much different from the usual where we seal things into the scroll to transport or carry things easily. This one just drags something in as long as it's touching the scroll."
He hummed, "That's quite impressive. Can you use it in battles?" She thought about it and shrugs, "Not quite sure. Never tried it yet."
"I'm guessing you must've gone through your mother's scrolls of sealings."
"Yeah. But it could still use some improvement."
Kakashi looked at the girl incredulously, "It's already well done. What improvement is there needed?" Rolling the scroll close, she put it away in her pouch, "Hmm, I'm trying to make it where it doesn't need to touch the scroll and just suck things up right into it."
"Like a black hole?"
She nodded. Deadpan at her explanation, he sweatdropped, "I don't think that can be done, Kai." She chuckled, "Yeah I agree. But hey, it doesn't hurt to try." Smiling, he ruffles her hair. She didn't bother to swat his hand away this time. It felt nice to her.
"Right. There was a reason why I came to get you," said Kakashi, dropping his hand. Curious, she looked up at him, "What is it?"
"The others wanted me to bring you to join us to have some barbeque."
She frowned, "Others?"
He nodded, "You know… Azuma and them." Knowing who he was talking about now, she ah'd, "You mean them…" She thought for a minute until something hit her, "Wait, why am I invited? I'm going to be the only kid there."
He waved a hand dismissively, "You're a Jounin. It's fine. Besides, you don't even look like an eleven-year-old kid thanks to your height."
She thought about it and sighs. She decided to accept the invitation since she didn't really have anything to do now that she's finished with her training for the day. Both Naruto and Sasuke were still in the academy and weren't getting out for another four hours. Looking up at the silver haired Jounin, she asked, "Are you all meeting up right now?"
Smiling at her acceptance, he nodded, "Everyone should already be there. So why don't we head there now." She looked at him dully, "Why do I feel as if you're using me as an excuse for your late absence?" He chuckled and starts to walk with her. They didn't get far before Kai fell on the ground.
"Hmm?"
Looking down, Kakashi squat in front of her. "It seems you used too much chakra," he stated. Pushing herself so she's laying on her back, she sighs, "So it seems." She then felt him help her sit up.
"What are you doing?"
He ignored her question. Putting her on his back, he wraps his hands around her legs, "Piggyback ride. Been awhile hasn't it?" She blushed, "Y-you can put me down Kaka-chan. I can walk myself." Chuckling, he smiled mischievously at her, "Oh. I didn't know you can get embarrassed, Kai."
She looked away, still blushing, "I'm not embarrassed."
Looking forward, he closed-eyed smile, "Sure." Deciding on not arguing with the older Jounin, she gently lay her head on his shoulder. A rustle in the trees caught both of their attention. Moving her head so she didn't look suspicious, she whispered, "Kakashi. We're being followed."
"Yeah."
The two decided not to confront the person and wait until they find out what their motives were. So ignoring them for the time being, Kakashi walked towards their destination while Kai slowly fell asleep on his back. Senses still aware.
"Kai, wake up. We're here."
Slowly opening her eyes, she drowsily took her head off of his shoulder and looked at the building in front of them. It was the barbeque shop that the Jounins were gathering at. Yawning, she stretched her arms above her head before Kakashi let her down on the ground. When he stood back up, she thanked him with a smile. He gave her a smile back and gestures for them to go inside.
It was pretty busy inside the shop. There were tables filled with many villagers and ninjas. As she looked around, she notices the silver haired Jounin was walking towards a table. She followed. When they got there, Kakashi greeted them, "Hey you guys. Sorry, I'm late. I had to pick Kai up."
Azuma smiled, "It's no problem." He then turns his attention to her, "It's nice to see you again Kai."
She smiled and nodded, "It's nice to see you again too Azuma."
"Kai Namikaze! Come join me for some sake!" yelled a boisterous Anko, who looked quite tipsy. Kai sweatdropped, "I'm still under age Anko. I think I'll pass." Getting off from her seat, Anko walked towards the young Jounin and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "Oh come on. You'll pass with your height and looks. So come have a drink with me." She then leans in to whisper in her ear, "Unless you want me to bring you back home and turn you into a real man."
Unfortunately, her whisper wasn't as quiet as she thought it was. Everyone present had heard what she had said. Kakashi quickly removes Anko's arm from the young girl, who was stoned by her words and pulled the blonde to him.
"Please refrain from talking like that to Kai, Anko. She's still practically a child."
Anko was so tipsy that she didn't hear him call Kai a 'she' and not a 'he'. She waved an arm, "Oh come on Kakashi. He's pretty good looking and I bet even his body is quite nice. So you can't blame me for wanting to-"
She was interrupted by Azuma, "Alright! I think we should all sit down and enjoyed the meat before it either gets cold or burnt. How about it?" Agreeing, they all sat down at available seats. Kakashi had sat between Anko and Kai, feared that the purple haired woman might do something to the young girl if he wasn't looking. Kurenai sweatdropped when she saw Kai nervously smiled while taking sips of her water.
Deciding to make her feel more comfortable, she struck a conversation with her, "So Kai. How've you been doing lately? I heard you have been getting non-stop missions lately." Putting her cup down, Kai rubs the back of her head, "I've been doing alright. The missions aren't really complicated. It's just mostly sending important documents to other countries."
"Do you encounter rogue or other ninja's on your missions?"
Thinking about it, Kai nodded, "Pretty much every time." This caught everyone's attention. "Really? Like who, if you don't mind me asking?" Kakashi asked, curious. She put a hand on her chin and hummed, "Well… the last one's whom I encountered with were the Seven Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist." Their eyes widen. Quickly grabbing her by the shoulders, the silver haired Jounin made her face him, "You encountered them? Did you get hurt?"
She frowned, "Yes I encountered them and yes. I got hurt quite a bit but still managed to get out of there with my head still intact."
"Or else you wouldn't be here right now. Unless you're a walking corpse," said Anko, downing her cup of sake before pouring more.
Ignoring the tipsy woman, Azuma spoke, "Well we're glad that you're alright. Not many are lucky to encounter them and come out alive."
Kurenai nodded, "He's right."
Everyone else nodded, agreeing with them. Genma then spoke, "Alright ladies and gents. Let's not waste these foods shall we?" They all nodded and started to eat and chat about their lives and missions. Some of them even brought up their past. Especially when they start talking about how Kakashi used to be when he was a child.
Kai chuckled when they talked about how stoic and stone hearted he was compared to how he is now. The said man nervously chuckled while rubbing the back of his head. He was quite embarrassed when they talked about it in front of the young girl.
After when they were all done eating and drinking, Kai was helping a very tipsy Kakashi. Anko had kept on insisting her to drink. But thanks to the silver haired Jounin being protective of her, he took the drink for her and had somehow got into a drinking contest.
"No Genma! I still need to beat him!" shouted a very drunk Anko. Looking behind her, Kai couldn't help but nervously chuckled. Genma was trying to hold the purple haired woman with an arm around her waist. He grunted, "Yeah, yeah."
Leaving him to his problem, Kai struggled to keep the silver haired Jounin up. She grunted, "You shouldn't have drunk so much Kaka-chan. You're not actually light you know." His arm was wrapped around her shoulder as she tried to keep him up from slipping. He leaned his head on her shoulder, "Sorry about this." Sighing, she continues to walk towards her home, "It's fine."
It took her a while to bring him back to her place, but she managed. Walking up to her front door, she searched her pocket for her house key while trying not to drop Kakashi at the same time. When she finally found it, she unlocks it and enters. She laid the older Jounin down on her couch down first before going back to lock the door.
"Are you going to be alright? I mean, you drank pretty much where you could've been drunk," she asked, walking back into the living room. A deep sigh escaped his lips. Bringing an arm up to cover his eyes, he tiredly answered, "Yeah. It takes a lot more sake to make me drunk." She leaned on the wall with an eyebrow raised, "You and Anko pretty much drank about fifteen bottles of sake. How is that not enough to make you drunk?"
He chuckled, "Guess it takes a lot more." He then sighs, "Sorry again about this, Kai." She waved a hand dismissively, "It's fine Kaka-chan. Don't worry about it." Still tired from her training, even though it was three hours ago, she took her hair out of its ponytail and started running her hand through her hair.
"As long as you're fine and well that's all that matters. Especially since a ninja needs to keep their senses sharp whether they're drunk or not."
He smiled, couldn't agree more with her words. Feeling her presence now close to him, he removed his arms. The first thing he had expected to see was her either sitting on the arm of the chair above his head like usual. What he hadn't expected was to see a beautiful girl smiling down at him. Her sunset hair creating a veil around them. He blinked once. Then twice.
"Kai?"
Smile gone, she raised an eyebrow at him, "Who'd you expect?"
Disbelief, he quickly sat up and turned around to look at her. His eyes were wide as he stares at her. Confused by his behavior, she waved a hand in front of him, "Kaka-chan?" She waved her hand a few more times before he finally snapped out of his daze. Shaking his head, he looks at her incredulously, a blush on his face, "Kai… You look very uh… different."
She scratched the back of her head, "Really?" He slowly nodded. Humming, she ran her hand through her hair, "It's probably because I don't tend it. Maybe that's why. You're actually not the first to actually be shocked at seeing my hair like this." Curious, he asked, "Itachi and Shisui Uchiha?" She chuckled, "Well, Shisui was. Itachi wasn't. Oh, but Sasuke was definitely surprised the most about it after when Itachi put my hair down for him."
He rose an eyebrow, "What about Naruto?"
"He was surprised as well but not as much at those two."
"Well," he started, grabbing a strand of her hair, "You look beautiful with your hair down. You should do it more often."
She sat next to him, "If I did that, my hair will only get in the way. So no thanks." He hummed quietly to himself and let go of her hair. Deciding to lay back down, he rested his head on her lap this time, eye closed. This earned him a raised eyebrow from her, "What are you doing?"
He tiredly sighs, "Tired. I'm going to shut my eyes for a while." She softly smiled to herself and shook her head, "Fine." He quietly hummed.
It was quiet in the room. The silent was a comfortable one between them as they listened to nothing. Having nothing to do, for the time being, Kai looked down at the now sleeping Jounin. His face was void of any emotions other than peace as he slept. Bringing a hand up, she gently ran her hand through his hair.
'Huh. Here I thought his hair would probably be hard seeing as how his hair defies gravity. But it's actually really soft. Almost like a dog's fur,' she mused.
She didn't know how long she had stayed like that. She figured it was probably for a whole straight hour since a loud banging and a familiar voice was shouting for her. "Kai! Kai, are you home? Come on! You promised that you'll hang with me today! Kai~!" Naruto shouted. His banging became even louder when she didn't answer him right away.
His constant banging at her front door seemed to have woke the older Jounin up from his sleep. Looking down at him, she smiles when he slowly opens his eyes and instantly got in a bad mood. He glared at the door where the boisterous young blonde was pounding the door away while shouting. She chuckled, "Guess I should get going." Pouting that his comfortable pillow was leaving, he sighs, "Yeah."
He lifted his head a bit so she could get up. When she fully stood, she stretched her arms above her head until a satisfying pop was heard from her back. Sighing, she turns back to the already laying down Jounin. She smiled, "Guess I'll see you later Kaka-chan." He nodded, "I'll see you later Kai."
With a one-hand salute, she ruffles her hair and tied it back into a low ponytail. She looks back at him with a smile and left to open the door after putting her shoes back on.
"You know Naruto. I heard you loud and clear."
"Yeah, I know. I just didn't want you to forget your promise! Believe it!"
Her laughter was soon muffled when she closed the front door. The two walking away from the Namikaze household.
A deep sigh escaped from Kakashi as he stared up at the ceiling. The image of Kai with her hair freely splayed out from her ponytail wouldn't leave his mind's eye. Looking over at her family photo where his deceased sensei and his wife with a younger Kai was in, he frowns with a sigh, "I'm sorry Minato-sensei… Kushina. But it seems I may have a crush on your daughter."
Night has fallen. Kai was currently taking Naruto home, who was taking giant steps with a bright smile on his lips. She smiled at him, "You sure seem happy today Naruto." He nodded, "That's because you finally got time to play with me today. Believe it! Even though my whole entire day made me angry." Curious, she asked, "Really? Why's that?"
"It's because of Sasuke! He thinks he's so great at everything! I hate it!"
She chuckled, "I'm guessing he beat you in taijutsu, ninjutsu, and shuriken jutsu again." He humphed, crossing his arms in front of him. His silent answered that she was correct. Putting a hand on his head, she grins, "Don't worry about the small stuff, Naruto. Just focus on becoming a full-fledged ninja in order to achieve your dream." Grinning, he shouted, "Yeah!"
They finally arrived at his apartment. Kai was bidding Naruto a good night before leaving. When she was about halfway to her home, a rustle of fabric and dashing feet were soon heard on top of the buildings' rooftops. Looking up, she saw how bright the red moon was. She hummed, "Tonight's the night of the red moon."
~Meanwhile with Naruto~
Sleeping peacefully in his bed, Naruto mumbled quietly in his sleep while hugging his pillow close to him. As he peacefully slept, a silhouette shadow of a person appeared at the corner of his room, a kunai in hand. Bringing it up to their chest, the red moonlight reflected from it as they walked out into the light. The person stood next to the side of the bed, looking down at the sleeping blonde.
With no hesitation, they brought the kunai up and was about to plunge it into the boy until a voice stopped them.
"Kill him and you die."
Lifting their head to look at the person from across the bed, they quickly took a step back when they saw that it was none other than Kai Namikaze. Her arms were crossed in front of her as she leaned on the wall. Her bright blue eyes, glaring straight into the assassin's eyes through the mask.
"What do you Anbu Roots think you're doing? And don't give me any bulls either. I know Danzo is behind this little assassination mission."
Lifting the weapon up to their chest, the person spoke in a deep male's voice, "How did you know?" She stepped away from the wall to stand up straight, "You Roots were already found once you have stepped into my range of sense. I also know that you and a couple of your partners have been following me the entire day."
"Then why?"
"To find out what your mission was. I figured you Roots were trying to aim for something. Even if it wasn't at me physically. It was definitely directed at me through another weakness."
Silence. The Anbu Root didn't know what to say. Which answered that Kai that she was correct on her theory. Just then, the man brought his kunai up and was about to throw it at the young blonde. But his arms and body froze. A kunai, equally as sharp as his, was directly at his throat with another on his back where his heart is located.
"Didn't I tell you. You kill him…"
The man turns his head to look at her from behind him. His eyes widen at what he saw. Standing there, with no way to run, he was staring straight into the eyes of a beast. Her eyes were blood red as the bright red moon. The moonlight reflecting off from it was making it much more sinister. He gulped as a sweat trickled down to his neck.
"...and you die," she finished.
Without any hesitation, he quickly brought an arm up to push her hand that held the weapon away. When he was free from her weapons, he quickly jumped to where she was just standing. He panted, 'What is this feeling? Is this… fear? But it can't be. We have been trained to lose all of our emotions. So then...why? How… how can I feel so much fear?'
Turning so she was facing him, she stared at him with the eyes of the Nine-Tail Fox. "Send Danzo a message for me," she started. The Root ninja stiffened, wondering what her message is. "Tell him. That I will take back what he has stolen. It may not be tonight… or the next. But I will take it back when the time comes."
With a nod, he stiffly made a hand sign to poof out of there. Before he could, however, he was stopped by her next words. Sending chills and making his blood frozen within his body.
"Oh, and about your partners that were aiming for Sasuke Uchiha. You don't need to worry about them. I have sent their bodies back to Danzo as a warning the next time he tried to do this before coming here."
Fear coursed its way through his entire being as she kept staring at him with the eyes of a beast. His breath shortened. It was as if a hand was grasping tightly around his neck, stopping him from gaining any air. With a shaky hand, he poofed himself out of there.
Once the Anbu Root was gone, Kai slowly closed her red eyes before opening them back up to look down at her little brother. Her eyes have turned back to their original aquamarine color. Sighing through her nose, she sat on his bed. She brought a hand up and gently pushed his hair away.
"Kai…" he mumbled.
Smiling, she leaned forward to kiss him on the forehead before standing back up. He mumbled something else in his sleep. But what he said made her smile, "...love… mom…" Deciding that now was a good time to leave, she smiled one last time to the sleeping blonde and teleported herself home.
A week has passed since the Root ninja's attempt on assassinating the young Uzumaki and Uchiha. It would seem that Danzo had received her warning. There was no more assassination attempt after that, for now. Even though it had nothing to do with Kakashi, he had questioned the young Namikaze about what had happened to the ninja's that were watching her. She had answered him that she had dealt with the problem and for him to not worry. He was a bit skeptical at first but decided to trust her. He just didn't want any perverts to harass her while he wasn't with her.
It was a bright sunny morning. There were more clouds in the sky than usual. Which made it a great day for cloud watching. But unfortunately for Kai, she had received a message from the Third Hokage to meet him in his office. As she walked there, she starts to wonder on what the Hokage had wanted her for. She then dismissed it aside and decided to wait until she confronted him to ask.
Walking up the stairs, she had finally made it to his office. She walked up the door and knocked.
"Come in."
Turning the knob, she let herself in, closing the door behind her. She walked up to the desk and bowed a bit, "Lord Hokage. You wished to see me?" Straightening back up, she waited patiently as he reads a document in his hand before setting it down. He looked up at her, "Kai. I know that I have been giving you many document missions, which are mostly A and S ranked… but this time. This is different."
Confused by what he meant, she asked, "What do you mean Lord Hokage?"
Sighing, he intertwined his hands together in front of him, "I'm going to be sending you to the Sand Village."
She was quite shocked at this sudden news, "May I ask why?"
"It's more or less to keep our alliance with the other strong. I know our village don't really get along because of the Third Ninja War. But I'm hoping that with you there. There may be a chance that they might consider in trusting us."
Understanding, she hummed, "I'm guessing that while I am staying there. I will still write reports to you."
He nodded, "Correct."
"But the Fourth Kazekage might not approve and will think that I am only sending information about their village system. That may cause an uproar."
The elder man hummed, "I know. Which is why you are to only report back to me after when the mission is over." He then smiles, "And don't worry. The Kazekage has already been informed and knows that you will be going there to make a stronger alliance."
Nodding, she asked, "So when do you wish for me to leave?"
"Today. It will take you about three days to get there since you haven't gone to the Sand Village in one of your document missions."
She nodded and quickly bowed, "Alright. If you'll excuse me then Lord Hokage."
With a nod, she was excused to leave. Walking out of the building, she looked up at the sky. A pair of blue birds flew by in her line of sight. Sighing, she started making her way to her home to start packing.
It didn't take her long to pack for a whole month. It wasn't like she needed much other than clothing, weapons, scrolls, and an extra pair of sandals just in case. She had just finished zipping her backpack closed until Naruto barged himself right through her bedroom window.
"Kai!" he exclaimed, hugging her when he saw her.
She hugged him back, "Hey Naruto. What are you doing here?"
Looking up at her, he brightly smiled, "I want to hang with you! And since you're free today, let's go train or something." She sadly smiled at him, ruffling his hair, "Sorry Naruto. But maybe next time okay?"
He pouted, "Why not today?" He then notices the backpack that was on the bed. Right then, he knew. He glumly looked down at the floor, "You're going on another mission already?"
She tilts his head up so he was looking at her. A sad smile was curved on her lips as she looked down at him, "I am… and this time. I'll be gone for a month."
His eyes widen, "What? A month?! Why?" She patted his head, "This mission is really important to the Village. It will make our Village alliance with the Sand stronger." Not liking the idea of her being away for a whole month, he shouted, "Well, can't the old man give it to someone else to do it? Why does it have to be you? Believe it!"
She shrugged, "Who knows. But it might have something to do with me being the Fourth Hokage's kid."
"Even so!"
He got flicked on the forehead by her. Taking a step back, he held his forehead, "What was that for Kai?"
"I'm not going to be gone forever Naruto. It's just going to be a month and then I'll be back before you know it. Okay?"
Knowing that he couldn't argue her out of it, he quietly nodded. Smiling, she hugged him tightly to her, "I promise I'll be back once a month has passed." Wrapping his arms around her waist, he buried his face into her chest and nodded.
They both silently walked towards the Leaf Village Gates. Naruto was tightly holding onto her hand while they walked. When they had arrived, a certain raven haired boy was already there waiting. He looked at them. Walking up to him, she smiled, "How'd you figure out I was going on another mission?"
With his hands in his pockets, he answered, "I saw you walking out of the Hokage's Building. So I figured that you were probably sent to go on another mission." She smiled, "Perspective as always, Sasuke." She then puts a hand on his head, "You'll become a great ninja one day."
Letting go of Naruto's hand, she starts walking out of the Village Gates with a wave to them, "I'll see you both later after a month!"
"I'll be waiting for you Kai!" Naruto shouted. "And when you come back, I'll be a bit stronger than I am today!"
Smiling at his words, she gave him a thumbs up and walked towards her destination.