Chapter 8

I waited at home on the balcony watching the sunset in the sky. Tomorrow isn't going to be exactly easy. I could just mess around. Let Kakashi give me his little lesson then make sure Naruto eats when we are told not to feed him but, wouldn't it be something if I can get them to actually act as a team? To not go against each other. Then we'd pass in the beginning, right? "I'm home." Aphrodite's voice came from behind me. She sounded rather tired for a change causing me to look over my shoulder at her.

"Tired?" I ask her as I stand, from her hesitation I decided to speak again. "Too tired to train?"

"You should know me, I'm never too tired to train but…" Turning to her I tilt my head slightly to the right.

"But what?" I ask before walking past her through the doorway that led from the balcony and into the living room.

"I. I have something for you… well more like a few things for you." She was stumbling over her words. What could she have gotten for me to make her act this way?

"I see, what is it that you got for me?" I ask stopping at the hallway that would lead to our rooms. Turning around I look at her just in time to see her disappear into the kitchen.

"Well... I... let's say Illegally obtained these. Just don't be mad okay." Don't be mad? She broke the laws of the village. Laws can be broken if absolutely necessary. This means, whatever she got me isn't quite… necessary right? Following her into the kitchen my eyes widen looking at the counter. There sat a rather large box with scrolls piled up next to it.

"What.." I began but was cut off by Aphrodite who opened the box and held up a blood packet.

"I have noticed your lack of appetite lately. I knew it is only a matter of time before your fangs grow in. Plus…" She puts the packet down before motioning to the different-sized scrolls. "I kind of sort of... Broke into the Hokage Mansion and copied secret scrolls. And no I didn't do it all today. I've actually been working on these scrolls for ages now. I figured we could use them to learn from. Like different jutsu and what not but… these two scrolls." She picks up two normal-looking scrolls one blue and one red. "One of these I have items stored inside of. Items to help us train and figure out what type of chakra you have so we know what Jutsu types you should focus on. This other one is a special type of scroll. It's expensive. This... Is what I used my share of gramps money on. The guy at the shop calls it a food storage scroll. Meaning you can store your perishables inside this scroll like things that need refrigerated and they will stay good. Of course, I knew you would tell me we need to test it so I already did. It works Kira.." She pauses setting the scrolls back down. "Meaning you can store your blood packs inside so you don't have to worry about missions and stuff and not being near the village for your supply." She… really thinks about me this much? I ask myself walking around the counter and picking up a random scroll.

Opening it I realize it's one with fire Jutsu. She even had gone through the trouble to label their difficulty levels. "This is quite detailed Aphrodite... Thank you." Seeing her eyes widen as a smile passes over her lips from the corner of my eye nearly made me smile in return. If we had been sent to different places seven years ago. What would I have done without her? It's actually quite simple really. I would have graduated in the middle of our class. I wouldn't be as strong as I am now, and I would still be mulling over how to gain access to blood. She really is… my right hand.

"Now tomorrow is your test with team seven. I took the liberty of buying you weapons and items I believe you may need for tomorrow. Knowing your team they won't want to work together so… Knowing you. You'll find ways to use these." Finally smirking at her I just now realize she had a smaller box on the floor in between her feet and the counter. She picks it up and holds it out for me to take.

"Am I that readable?" I ask taking the box from her causing her to giggle.

"Now go put that box in your room. I'll take care of the rest of this stuff then we'll go train." She turns me around by my shoulders and nudges me forward towards the kitchen door.

*

As the sun rose I was putting the stuff Aphrodite got me into my pouch before securing it in place. With what she did for me. We will be able to learn so much more than just by simply going on missions. These scrolls could become our very own Sanin teachers. Giggling I walk out of the apartment. Walking down the steps to the road before taking off at a run towards the opposite way of the training grounds. It will be several hours until Kakashi gets to the training ground. A run around the village will only take me a short time.

Walking into the training ground I nearly laugh seeing the three of them with their eyes barely open. They looked half asleep. Slowing my steps and moving softly I walk up behind Naruto and Sakura before suddenly slapping them on their backs. "Morning!" I holler out so that Sasuke would jolt further awake too.

"Your late!" Sakura yelled at me as Naruto rubs his eyes as if he wasn't quite understanding what was happening yet.

"Yeah sorry. My quick run at sunrise turned into a full-on workout." I raise my hand to rub the back of my neck as their eyes widen at me.

"What do you mean? Kakashi Sensei already said this was going to be brutal! Why would you work out?!" Naruto yelled at me causing me to shrug and take my point so that we were all standing in sort of a square.

"I work out and train every morning and every night before bed. This morning I left out training to be here." I mumble as if it's the worst thing ever. "Anyways... Remember what I said yesterday? I hope you all ate and remember that there is no I in team."

It was then a poofing sound occurred causing us all to look in that direction. "Good morning everyone. Ready for your first day?" Kakashi says as he walks up closer to us.

"You're late!" Naruto and Sakura shout pointing at him causing me to rub my ears. Man, they're louder in person than in the anime. Just… great...

"A black cat crossed my path so I had to take the long way…"

"Liar." I mumble causing him to look at me with a sigh.

"Well let's get started." Kakashi moves on pulling out a timer and setting it on the middle of the three posts.

"Huh?" They question watching Kakashi.

"Here we go. It's set for noon." He then slowly pulls out three bells and lets them jingle in his hands. I should have known. In the anime, there were two bells but since there are now four of us then he has to use three. Which means... I wonder if one of us really will get sent back to the academy. If I remember correctly squads are usually made of three or four people so they can move easier and more discreetly. Five would be pushing it. I mean for a quick round-up on a mission to intercept an enemy when you know there will be fighting and possibly more members to fight against then yeah. More than four can be put into a squad. You don't necessarily need to stay under the radar. Well if anyone gets sent back to the academy then I vote for Sakura.

Kakashi's throat-clearing pulled me from my thoughts allowing me to notice he was looking at me. "You really do think a lot don't you?" He questions with a smirk. Yeah, leave it to him to figure out that when I said I like the physical activity because it clears my mind, that I really meant it keeps me busy enough to keep me from falling into my thoughts. Old habits truly die hard. "Anyways. Your assignment is very simple you just have to take these bells from me. That's all there is to it." He causes them to jingle again as if emphasizing that there are only three. "If you can't get them by noon you go without lunch. You'll be tied to those posts and watch while I eat my lunch in front of you." He says pointing to the three posts. Which is a lie because Kakashi wouldn't openly eat in front of anyone and show his face.

"Wait there are four of us how come there are only three bells?" Sakura questions with her hands on her hips.

"Well, that way at least one of you will end up tied to a post and ultimately disqualified for failing to complete the mission. That one goes back to the academy." He jingles the bells again causing me to glare at him. It's almost as if he is trying to make certain I remain focused. He gives me a smile closing his eyes. "Then again all four of you can flunk out too. You can use any weapons including shuriken. If you aren't prepared to kill me you won't be able to take the bells." He tosses them up and catches them.

"Those weapons are too dangerous sensei!" Sakura exclaims.

Naruto laughs. "Especially since you couldn't even dodge that eraser."

"Class clowns are usually the weakest links. You can safely ignore them. Lowest scores, losers. When I say start you can begin." I watch interestedly as Naruto gets mad. Stepping forward as I watch him pull his kunai, I go to stop him. Chakra stepping to catch him. My hand latching onto his coat the same time Kakashi pins his arm behind him with his kunai turned straight at his head. "I didn't say start yet." I turn loose seeing the others back away from us. My eyes widen realizing what I did. "But you came at me with the full intention of destroying me so how can I say this. I'm actually starting to like you guys." He says as he turns Naruto lose as he looks at me. Yup... I accidentally moved faster than I should have. Glancing behind me where I had been standing I nearly wince. I hadn't even realized I took more than a step. I guess this is what I get reacting without thinking. "Get ready, and... Start!"

I push my energy to my feet allowing me to chakra step into the trees around the clearing to find myself a nice tree to settle a little less than halfway up in. Reaching into my pouch I pull out some ninja wire and a kunai. I am not one to just sit back and watch. I should put my brain to use here. I doubt the others would even work as a team even though I've warned them to. So I should be productive so that I can at least help them out. With a glance back towards the clearing where Kakashi is standing I reach back into my pouch and check the items that I have. We are now entering my field, Kakashi. I wonder who will be tougher to have stayed three steps in front of? You.. Or L.

*Sasuke*

Concealing myself in a tree. I watch Kakashi from afar as he looks around checking to make sure everyone was hiding well. At least until Naruto shows up behind him… "Right here, you and me, fair and square, let's go!" Fool.

"You know. Compared to the others you're a little bit… Weird." Kakashi says as he turns his attention to Naruto.

"Oh yeah! The only thing weird here is your haircut!" Naruto yells before taking off running towards Kakashi.

"Sasuke.." A voice suddenly whispers from behind me… Since when did she… "We all need to work together. I've set traps around the training area so watch out for them." Tch. There she goes about teamwork again.

"I don't need you, Kira. You'll only slow me down." I mutter back to her. When she didn't answer right away I glance behind me causing my eyes to widen. She… was already gone! Traps huh... Well, thanks for letting me know anyway... Still, I can't believe she actually talked to me... Turning back towards the fight I suck in a breath seeing Naruto stupidly having his fist in the air as if he had been trying to punch the Jonin with Kakashi crouched behind him, his hands around a book forming the Tiger hand sign. "Don't let your enemies get behind you." That hand sign is for a fire jutsu... He's not just toying with Naruto. He's going to demolish him.

"Naruto! Get out of their quick! He's going to destroy you!" Sakura yells from someplace near the ground. Well, she just gave away her position.

"Too late." Kakashi claims. "Leaf village's hidden secret finger jutsu!" Did... He just stick his fingers up Naruto's butt?… "A thousand years of death!" Kakashi then launches Naruto into the air. Placing my hand on the tree I was standing in I could feel a sweat drop rolling down the side of my face as I close my eyes.

"Those two… Are just total idiots." Getting myself under control after hearing Naruto hit the water I pull the branch in front of me back down to see what was going on. With Naruto keeping Kakashi busy I just need to wait for an opening. I thought as I reach down and unhook the lid off my weapon holster. It was then that two shuriken escape the water. Flying towards Kakashi, and without looking up from his book he catches them on his right fingers. Letting them slowly stop spinning…. But that…. If he can do that then how could I possibly… Subconsciously my hand moves from the weapon holster on my thigh.

Naruto crawls out of the water and catches his breath while Kakashi says something to him. Probably trying to provoke him again. I felt a smirk tug at my features as my cheeks heated up when my stomach growled. Guess Kira was right about not missing a meal. Anyone can get lucky and be right at least once. Pulling myself from my thoughts I see Naruto catch Kakashi from behind as his other seven selves move to attack Kakashi.

"Huh?" Kakashi questions.

"That was good advice Sensei. Never let your enemy get behind you. I let one of my clones out of the water and super quietly sneak up behind you while my other clones attack you. Pretty cool huh." A diversionary tactic, nice. "Now I'm going to pay you back for poking me in the butt earlier!" Naruto exclaims as he punches Kakashi. I found my eyes widening and my fingers grip onto the tree branch subconsciously. Until I notice that Naruto had actually hit himself. The replacement jutsu is when you allow your enemy to believe he is attacking you when really he is attacking a log or rock giving you the perfect position to counter-attack. In this case, Kakashi allowed himself to get caught. Then replacing himself with one of Naruto's clones. He moved so smoothly that he ended up making Naruto look like a total idiot.

"A bell?! I must have gotten to him with my attack!" Naruto claims before turning towards a tree. "He dropped a bell!" It was then a kunai came flying through the clearing towards Naruto.

"Naruto! Look out!" Sakura yells again, but it was too late. Showing it was actually attached to a ninja wire it wraps around Naruto's body just as… Kira leaps into the clearing. Her long black hair flowing wildly behind her. Her charcoal eyes focused on Naruto without a glimmer of emotion etched on her features. Her blue scarf whipping around in the wind. With a yank on the cord in her hand, Naruto flies backward. Landing on his butt on the ground even before she landed next to him.

"Never fall for an obvious trap, idiot." She snarled at him before with a tug the kunai and wire fell away from Naruto. Kakashi steps into the clearing and picks up the bell.

"And here I thought Naruto was going to step into the trap I laid out." He says before dropping a rock onto the place where Naruto's foot would have landed if not for Kira. A snapping sound echoed before you could see a rope dangling from the tree. So she saved Naruto.