Chapter 12: Unique

Eight years ago, four months blind.

Lekali felt the skin on her back tingle as the air pressed against it. The firmer it pressed the closer Kakashi got. With the staff in the crook of her arm and pressed to her side she ran on scattering the confused villagers. Kakashi followed behind wary of the strange sensation of the air pressing down on him. It was slowing him down but it seemed even the villagers could feel it according to their dazed faces. Or was it his mind playing tricks on him?

What is that! And how'd she get so damn fast!

It was true, Kakashi was falling behind. The air pressing down made him work twice as hard just to run but Lekali seemed to be out of its influence. He was baffled as she dodged things in the road and turned down the right street to get to the academy. It should have been impossible! She hadn't left the hospital grounds in four months! In a flash of white Lekali sped through the academy door slamming it closed after her. Kakashi skids to a halt to open it and chases her down the hall. The strange feeling is gone but she's already darted into Iruka's classroom. Kakashi dives after her and just as she stands before her old seat he grabs her arm.

The students stare wide eyed at this unexpected phenomenon. They begin to whisper amongst themselves when they recognize the panting ninja and their old classmate who stands coolly, head bent. Kakashi's shoulders heave up and down as he tries to catch his breath. He felt exhausted, how could that be? Iruka finally sets down his chalk and raises an eyebrow but before he can speak a blonde jumps out of his seat and points at them.

"Lekali-chan is back! And she's got some weird guy with her!"

Iruka glares at him, "Sit down Naruto!"

The blonde named Naruto Uzumaki whines but does as he's told and sits with a pouting look on his face.

Lekali's head jerks up at the sound of Naruto's name.

Taka! You said the Fox is in Naruto Uzumaki! It's really him!

Of course. What other Naruto Uzumaki is there?

"Kakashi, what's this about? I was in the middle of a lesson…" Inquires Iruka.

"I…. was trying to catch her…. She ran from the hospital…" Pants Kakashi.

"Iruka-sensei I want to attend the academy! I don't want to fall any further behind!"

Iruka glances at all his attentive students.

Imagine that, they all pay attention NOW.

"I want all of you to partner up and practice the duplication jutsu until I return!"

The class moans and shuffles from their seats to find their partners all clearly disappointed they don't get to listen. He motion to Kakashi to bring Lekali and he walks out of the classroom.

"Come."

Kakashi pulls Lekali by his grip on her arm. She frowns but follows him out and into an empty room across the hall. Iruka is leaning against a dusty desk with his arms folded.

"What exactly is going on here?"

"Iruka-sensei I'm ready to come back to class-!"

"Kakashi first."

She quiets and bows her head. Kakashi looks at her with his one eye and then back at Iruka.

"Well it's like I said, she ran from the hospital. Her caretaker will blame me for getting it into her head I'm sure."

"So she hasn't been discharged?"

"Not at all."

"I see. Lekali why would you run away?"

"You never come, and you never answer my messages. I want to come back sensei! If you wouldn't come to the hospital then I had to come to you! Please! Please let me come back! I promise to work hard! I'll catch up!"

Lekali begins to get hysterical her blind eyes wide and staring at Iruka. It was the first time he had seen them clearly and their color took him by surprise. He gives Kakashi a glance and Kakashi nods understanding his look.

"I understand… why don't you go back to the classroom while I talk with Kakashi?"

"Yes sensei…"

Lekali bows and makes her way back to the classroom. She opens the sliding door and she knows every eye is on her. She uses her staff to get back to her seat and then turns to the pair nearby.

"Excuse me? What are the hand signs for that duplication jutsu?"

The boy shrugs and tells her and then turns back to his transformed partner. She sets her staff down and practices moving her fingers. Once she's satisfied with their flow she adds her chakra.

"Transform!"

Her gold, amber eyes flash chocolate brown for an instant before a cloud of whitish smoke puffs up and clears revealing five copies of Lekali all grinning. The students who notice look at her in surprise.

Back in the classroom Kakashi watches Lekali leave closing the door behind her. He turns back to Iruka.

"Something happened on the way here."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean the strange pressure in the air when I started chasing Lekali here."

"I'm still not sure I know what you're getting at."

"The air. It was so hard to move through… to breathe. Like it was partially solid. Is there some sort of jutsu that has that effect?"

"Not at all. No such thing exists… are you sure?"

"Only partly… but I could have sworn I saw her make more than the one jutsu when she first ran…maybe it was my imagination…"

Iruka shrugs it off, "Yeah probably. Hey we better check to make sure my class hasn't gone wild. I tell you; those kids are going to be a handful when they become genins!"

Not really thinking about it Kakashi nods and follows Iruka out putting his hands in his pockets.

It had to have been more than just me! It was a jutsu, something like that doesn't happen naturally! But whatever it is… it's unique, I'll give her that.

Iruka opens the sliding door and steps inside just as a cloud of smoke erupts in the back then clears revealing five copies of Lekali all grinning with accomplishment. His jaw drops and Kakashi, with a finger pushes his chin back up.

"Do you believe me now?"

"I just taught that earlier this week! How could she have possibly learned it in five minutes!"

"Well?"

Iruka just gives him a dumbfounded look.

"I'll ask the hospital to discharge her."

Kakashi turns and walks back out of the academy and towards the hospital. He knew they'd throw a fit but he'd sort it out somehow.

I think I'll be keeping a close eye on you Lekali…