Demons in the Shadows

Kairi could not stop looking up at her birth world. Her eyes glued, almost afraid that if she blinked it would disappear.

"Kairi," Riku approached, "Are you ready?"

Kairi gulped before whispering, "They're down there, my family."

"I know," Riku said, "But you're not going to meet them by just standing here," Riku took her shoulder and gently pulled her away, "Let's go."

"Okay," Kairi nodded absentmindedly.

Riku took them to the Warp Room. The place in the gummiship that teleported wielders to the worlds they visited. Kairi felt her heart pound in her chest. As the warp pad activated and a flash of light surrounded them.

It wasn't like anyone was going to see them. They warp pad was designed to send them to a place with a low population, it wouldn't be a good idea to be seen entering another world.

When the light died down. They were in an alleyway. From the stars in the sky it was nighttime.

"Where are we?" Riku asked.

Kairi activated her Byakugan to find the answer, "We're on the world, but this isn't my village," Kairi explained, "It's too small."

Riku nodded, "Let's find a place to stay before heading back out."

Kairi nodded, she donned her hood and sunglasses. Riku frowned internally. Did she have to hide her face on her home world? Riku didn't like it, but every time he asked Kairi about it, she would just shut down.

The only thing he could do was wait and hope she'd gain more confidence in her appearance.

%%%%

Boruto walked to his room after he finished brushing his teeth. He passed Himawari's room first. He noticed the light was on. That made him stop for a minute. He carefully opened the door to check on his little sister.

Through the crack, he saw Himawari sitting on her bed looking at her birthday gift. It was a painting of Kairi. Boruto felt bad having the only picture of Kairi, so he had Inojin paint a nice version of how Kairi looked.

It was Kairi's face with the top of her shoulders. So, Inojin just painted spaghetti straps, on her shoulders to make her look more real.

Boruto left that gift on her bed instead of giving it to her at the party. He didn't want to risk his parents taking it from Himawari.

Himawari hugged the painting, "Please come home soon."

She then hid it under her bed and turned off the lights.

Boruto closed the door and went to his room.

Boruto set the scientific ninja tool down next to his dresser. Boruto trained as hard as he could, but the Rasengan he made was so small. How long would it take for him to make it stronger?

Old Man Kataske gave him something that should make it easier for him. Some gauntlet that lets someone use any jutsu they use. No training and no chakra required. Boruto was able to create a fully powered Rasengan and Sasuke made him his student.

He could use powerful Jutsu, like the Rasengan with this gauntlet. He could even win the Chunin exams.

But wouldn't that be cheating? A small voice in the back of his head asked.

As Boruto wondered, he didn't notice a small shadow leak under his window. The shadow streaked across his floor and merged with his own shado.

So, what if it is? Another voice asked.

But if anyone finds out…

It's only cheating if you get caught. So, don't get caught.

I don't think Kairi would like it if I cheated.

Kairi isn't here, remember? She's far away, besides, isn't this for her? Kairi didn't have any ninja training. She may not be able to make it back on her own. Becoming Chunin, this ninja tool could save her. What does it matter if you win? Isn't that what you told Shikidai and Inojin?

That was a video game.

And this is Kairi's life? You haven't seen her in over a decade. Do you want to wait another decade to find her? Look you know you're strong, use it for… just in case. You'll win become Chunin and no one will be the wiser.

… It would be nice to win.

Yeah it would. Kairi might also be impressed if you became Chunin. She'd be so proud if you passed your first time. And Himawari would finally have her big sister back. Don't you want both your sister's to be happy

Boruto looked at the gauntlet. It wasn't like he'd be hurting anyone… It was just a test… He was strong… But he couldn't waste his time… And Kairi was waiting for him. Silently Boruto went to bed with those thoughts in his head.

As he drifted to sleep, he dreamt of becoming strong and beating up his Dad… And Sora too.

From outside the Uzumaki house. Someone was watching Boruto's light go off. He was wearing a black coat.

%%%%%

"Come on," Sora growled as he ran. He was running in a straight line, but somehow, he was running in circles, because every few minutes, he passed Neji again. Eventually Sora finally collapsed from exhaustion in front of the man.

"What is it exactly you're hoping to accomplish?" Neji asked clearly irritated.

"Well," Sora rolled onto his back, "I'm trying to get out of here, I can't just let everyone do the work for me."

Neji sighed, "And your escape plan is to just run?"

"Well, I don't see you coming up with any ideas," Sora muttered.

"I'm dead," Neji reminded, "I couldn't leave if I wanted."

"So why are you still hanging around me?" Sora asked, "You finished training Kairi."

Neji's expression didn't give anything away. Sora wondered if he felt anything other than annoyed.

"I can't leave you like this," Neji said, "Whether I like it or not… Kairi chose you. I have to make sure you don't perish here."

"Wait does this mean you like me?" Sora smiled.

"No," Neji irked.

%%%%%

Two Weeks Later

The train clicked and clacked as it rode along the train tracks. The landscape going by in a fast pace. Kairi wasn't looking at the landscape though. She was looking at the newspaper, more specifically the article about the Chunin Exams. More specifically the photos of the five Kage's hosting the exams. Even more specifically, the photo of her father.

She couldn't stop the sad smile as she looked at her father's face for the first time in years. He had gotten older, but it was still him. He really did become Hokage. Kairi couldn't help but feel so proud. Her father recognized as one of the most powerful ninja's in the country. She didn't doubt Boruto telling her that, but for it to be confirmed it wasn't a dream; it actually felt more real.

However, Kairi looked at the title about the Chunin Exams. Not to mention, all the great nations were sponsoring them this year. That meant all the Kage's were going to be there.

"This just got harder," Kairi muttered.

"How much harder?" Riku sitting across from her, asked.

Kairi showed Riku a picture of the Kage's, "All five great nations are sponsoring the Chunin Exams this year. That means all the five Kage will be there. Security is going to be tight."

"Is it that big a deal?" Riku asked.

"The Chunin exams are one of the biggest events in this world Riku. The last part of the test is tournament that is open to the public. It's mostly opened to Feudal Lords, Nobility, and rich people looking to hire muscle. That's what the tournaments for, the contestants showing off their skill to prove they're ready to become Chunin."

"So, it's important to everyone in this world and no one wants it disturbed," Riku confirmed.

"That's half of it," Kairi said, "The five Kage aren't just the most powerful ninja in their lands, they're the leaders of their lands. They're not going to just let anyone in when so many important officials are gathered in one place

"But you're the Hokage's daughter."

"I've been gone for more than a decade Riku. I doubt anyone's going to believe me if I say I'm the Hokage's daughter," Kairi felt like she was being suffocated.

We will be arriving at the Hidden Leaf Village soon. The announcer spoke. Kairi looked out the window. True to the announcer's words. The Hidden Leaf was coming into view. Kairi stood up when she saw Hokage mountain. At the very end, she recognized the seventh face. It was her Dad's face.

The train came to a stop at the station and they had to get off. Just as Kairi predicted there were Shinobi checking every person who were going in and out of the station. Kairi swallowed, they needed to get through somehow. Could they sneak past the guards? No, odds were they'd get caught.

Kairi turned to ask Riku what he thought, but he was gone. Kairi looked around, for her friend when she saw he was walking towards one of the Shinobi. Kairi then panicked. What was he doing?

"Hold it right there kid," the guard stopped Riku.

"I want to enter the village," Riku simply said.

"Sorry kid, but we can't just let you in without proper clearance."

"Riku," Kairi quickly approached him, "What are you doing?"

The Shinobi noticed, "That's double for you missy, we can't let someone in who hides her face."

"Um… well…" Kairi said, not eager to remove her sunglasses and hood.

"Show us your face now," the shinobi demanded.

"But-…"

"Now!"

Kairi sighed in defeat. Why her? With trembling hands she took off her hood and sunglasses. Kairi looked at the man, she really hated her appearance. With her eyes and birthmarks she looked like a blind cat. She looked down as the ninja guard looked.

"Why didn't you just say you were Hyuga?" Kairi looked up surprised as the guard moved aside to let her in, "Give my regards to Lord Hiashi."

Kairi couldn't believe that worked.

Kairi took in a breath, then finally walked back into her home village.

Kairi looked behind her to see Riku waiting, "He's with me," Kairi said. Thankfully, it was enough for the guard and Riku followed after.

"That worked out better than I thought," Riku said.

"Yeah, I didn't know that would be easy," Kairi said as she put her hood and sunglasses back on. Then they started to walk through the village.

"So, Hyuga?" Riku asked.

"My Mom's family," Kairi reminded, "I remember her saying that it was a strong clan once. I guess that holds something here."

They reached a cliff that overlooked the village. Kairi looked around her home village for the first time. The buildings were taller than she remembered. There were trams going around the village taking people to their destinations.

Kairi gave a sad smile, "You leave town for a decade and they decide to change everything."

Riku placed a hand on her shoulder, "So, where do we go now?"

Kairi sighed, "If the newspaper is right, then today's the finals of the Chunin Exams Tournament. The Kage hosting the exams has to be there."

"So, you're Dad's going to be…"

"I remember there was an arena for tournaments," Kairi recalled, "Mom and Dad took me there to watch once, if it's anywhere it's there."

So the two made their way towards the arena. They did have to ask for directions. Kairi didn't exactly keep track of everything when she was little. Once they got the directions they walked through the village. Kairi took note of all the things she remembered and didn't remember seeing when she lived: the jumbo TV, the video game store, a burger joint. Those definitely weren't there when she was a kid.

But, Kairi liked it. The feel of the village. There were people just going about their lives. Walking in the streets, talking. It was felt just like any normal town. That was how it felt when she lived there.

Something caught her eye and she stopped for a minute. Riku noticed, "Kairi?"

"I can't believe it's still here," Standing in all its glory was Ichiraku's Ramen. It wasn't the small noodle stand she remembered as a kid, but a restaurant, "When I was a kid we came here a lot. I always begged my parents for large like they got, but they always gave me a small. Dad always said, 'Kairi, you're a hundred years too early to be eating as much ramen as your mom and me.' Well, he always lost to mom in ramen eating contest in fact…"

Riku couldn't help but smile as Kairi told her story. Kairi looked more relaxed now.

"… But Choji was always a close second."

"Maybe you guys can come here after you find them?" Riku suggested. Kairi then tensed up. Riku frowned, "Kairi."

"Lets… let's just get to the coliseum," Kairi then turned and walked in the direction of the coliseum. Riku sighed as he followed her, Kairi was still afraid. Afraid of rejection. Riku and Kairi talked it out over the months while they were searching for her family. Kairi was determined to find them, to at least let them know she was alive. But the fear of them rejecting her still plagued her.

Riku wasn't stupid, and when he became a Keyblade Master, he understood it even better. He remembered as they grew up, Kairi would stare out into the Ocean. Wondering where she came from but couldn't remember. It wasn't long before Riku and Sora were watching the Ocean with her. That made them want to leave to see the outside world. Now that Riku thought about it, maybe Kairi wasn't just wondering where she came from… she was waiting for her family to come get her and bring her home.

Kairi might not know it herself, but she waited for her family her whole life. Now they all thought she was dead, except her brother.

Riku prayed that this would go well, that her family would accept her back. If they didn't… Riku's hands clenched into fists.

Finally the coliseum came into view. Kairi could hear the crowds inside. The Chunin Exams were there… Her Father was there!

With every step, Kairi's heart raced faster. Her feet became more and more heavy. Like any minute they'd turn to stone, and she would be stopped in her tracks. As she walked down the trail that lead to the entrance, it felt like years were going by instead of seconds.

My Dad's in there, my Dad's in there, my Dad's in there, my Dad's in there…

Her mind played that over and over again like a broken record.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Kairi reached the entrance. She stopped and looked, to anyone else, it was just an entrance to a sports arena. To Kairi, it looked more like the mouth of a giant monster.

Her heart was jerking inside her ribcage, like it was trying to break free and run the other direction. She couldn't move. Kairi swallowed, before speaking, "Riku," her voice sounded strangled.

"What is it?" Riku asked from behind her.

Kairi swallowed again before replying, "I… can't move… Push me…"

A moment later, she felt Riku's hands on her shoulders, propelling her forward into the darkness. Kairi still took unsteady steps as she walked, but Riku kept her stable, "You're okay," Riku whispered from behind, "You're okay. You survived worlds being destroyed, Heartless, Nobodies, the Keyblade War… I promise you can survive a conversation with your family."

Kairi didn't feel like she could survive, she felt like she was having a heart attack!

They saw a light at then end of the tunnel. They entered the stands of the arena, that was filled with cheering people. For a moment, Kairi just took in the scene. The people, the big arena, the chatter and cheering that filled the air. Kairi didn't know how to proceed after Riku pushed her in.

"Thank you all for coming!" A voice boomed through the air. Kairi flinched… she recognized that voice, "This is the final day of the Chunin Exams," Kairi activated her Byakugan and looked around, where was he? "As you all know, this is the first exam joint sponsored by all five great nations," Kairi's vision lead her to a part of the arena that towered over it, "We shall continue to work together and strive towards a better future with the new Chunin these exams will produce," inside the tower there were five people. There chakra's were incredible, the strongest in the arena. Especially the one in the center, he had more chakra than all the people in the arena combined… wait. Kairi shifted her Byakugan so she could see who it was, "Continue to do your best!" Kairi's eyes widened. The center one was the announcer.

Standing in the center of the five Kage, was a blonde man. He had whisker marks on his cheeks, just like Kairi. He had blue eyes, like she used to have and he wore orange. He was the strongest ninja in the Land of Fire. Everyone recognized him as the Naruto Uzumaki, the Seventh Hokage; Kairi's father.

Kairi smiled. She felt relief, joy, pain all mixed into her. She didn't even realize she was also crying until she felt the tears run down her face, but she didn't care.

"Dad."