Chapter 40

"I have a photographic memory. When I see a jutsu I like all I have to do is memorize the hand signs then figure the rest out on my own." I lean back on my hand again and finally smile to the old man. "It's not too difficult. A fire jutsu once you watch it done the first time requires you to build up and compress your chakra in your lungs or stomach. For example, the fireball jutsu Sasuke likes so much. You build up the chakra in your lungs as you compress and mold it with fire nature chakra then you expel the searing flames from your mouth. Though through trial and error I did figure out that when expelling the flames it's easier to also coat your hand in chakra in order to keep from burning yourself." Silence followed my reveal, all I could hear was my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't exactly lie. I do have a photographic memory, though I use it less any more than I used to. Even without the scrolls, I could have picked up on the jutsu I see around me a lot. Just like I did with Naruto's Shadow Clone Jutsu.

"You have a photographic memory?!" Anko speaks up disbelievingly breaking the silence that has fallen within the room.

"That would explain some that I had been told by Iruka over the years." Gramp follows Anko's lead though I couldn't quite tell if he was merely thinking aloud or attempting to keep Anko from yelling at me again.

Sliding off his desk I let my feet touch the floor as I stretch nonchalantly. "Well, Gramp. This conversation has been enlightening but can we move on to the real reason why I am here? As I had already stated I have to get back to training." Turning on my toes I face his desk to look into his eyes after I had finished speaking.

He clears his throat as I witness the Jonin in the room smile at one another from the corner of my eye. Gramp remains silent as he sets up straighter in his chair and straightening his shoulders. The relaxed vibe is no longer there. Guess it's down to business. "After speaking with you, Kakashi along with your proctors, we have come to a decision." He pauses causing my mouth to go dry as my mind whirls around the possible decisions they could come up with. It was then the old man smiled. "I would like to commend you on all of your hard work and thank you for the insight you willingly gave us. From this day I give you the rank of Chunin." I found my eyes widening and I think my mouth fell open at his words.

"I'm a... I'm a chunin?" I needlessly ask causing the others to laugh. Shaking my head I try to wrap my mind around the recent development. –I'm a chunin.- I silently tell myself as I straighten my shoulders. "Gramp, why am I being made a chunin now when the exams have yet to be completed?"

Gramp stands folding his hands behind his back as he slowly makes his way around his desk towards me. Remaining silent until he stands in front of me. "Kira, you are kind and considerate. Compassionate and strong. We had initially deemed your skills to be that of a genin for your crass and bold decisions. How you would just leap into a fight without concerning yourself with the repercussions of your actions. You would also hide your true skills from even those on your own team keeping them at enough of a distance they could not know what you were truly capable of. As well as your tendency to blow stuff up showing you cared very little for another's property." Of course, he would mention that. Guess Gramp is still mad from the time I blew a hole in his office... "In the first exam, you showed yourself to be above the level of all the other genin and were heard when you claimed you have profiled Ibiki and deduced a clear decision of what to expect from him. Just before the second exam, I had sent three students to interview you knowing in the past you wouldn't have spared them a second glance and yet. Your words to them were the exact meaning you were to learn once your team made it to the tower. Even giving them advice on how to better themselves. Further proving you have and live by all the qualities of a chunin. The last thing we needed proof of before we could possibly decide your fate. We needed to see that you have grown past encountering situations and relying only upon your instincts. You needed to enact your ability to combine your mind and body as one. Your fight with miss chi proved how much you have grown. Not only using your mind to win but also recognizing her as a comrade instead of letting your anger get the best of you again." Looking down I take in his words as he sets his hand on my shoulder giving me further encouragement. To be honest I hadn't even thought about how my actions may seem in the eyes of others. To me, their thoughts didn't matter. And here I thought I was naive and self-centered in the death note world. I've been stumbling on the same path I had been even then. Taking in a breath I raise my gaze back to Gramp to meet his kind eyes.

"I am honored for your approval and humbly accept this new title. I will do my best to make you proud and not regret your decision Gramp." I found myself stepping back and sending a glance to the Jonin in the room before allowing a smirk to cross my lips. "But I'd rather not wear that bulky vest if that is alright." This comment officially brought chuckles throughout the room.

"Dear Kira, you are like a granddaughter to me. I already know and understand your dislike for such things…" Gramp spoke then glanced towards the Jonin himself. It was then Kakashi moved from the others and came up next to him. Now holding something I had not noticed before. It was a green vest to be sure but it was small and modified so when being worn it did not go from neck to waist. I found myself stepping up to Kakashi and reaching out my right hand towards the vest. It no longer had the high bulky collar and the zipper would run from just below my necklace to the end of my sternum before in a v shape the sides would trail down to just past my belly button leaving my stomach exposed. Finally slowly taking the accessory from Kakashi my eyes widen at how light it felt. They really did have this made with me in mind. It wouldn't cover too terribly much and didn't look like a bulky eyesore yet still doing mostly what it was meant to. Finally smiling openly I lunge forward and wrap one arm around Gramp and the other around Kakashi's shoulder.

"Thank you!" My voice pitched causing everyone to actually laugh at this point before I stepped back and slipped on my new vest, already feeling a tear prick against my left eye. –Light, I will return to you.-

"You are still free from missions with Naruto and Sasuke in the exams. Take this time to relax and do as you like." Kakashi spoke drawing my attention once my vest was zipped. "I will be training Sasuke so this may be the last time you will see me before the final exam begins. Being a chunin you will understand that you won't be competing as well." Nodding to him I raise my hands and pull my hair from beneath the vest. Letting the soft tendrils fall over my frame.

"I understand Sensei. As I believe Aphro will be busy with her new title as well, I think I will go back to the training I had begun." Smirking to him I raise my left hand and point my thumb at myself more relaxed than I had been when I was setting on Gramp's desk. "When you see me next I'll be stronger yet." With the confidence, I showed I watch as Sensei's eye widens momentarily before softening with a smile wrinkling his mask. That being said I understand now the underlying meaning of Gramp's words. I shouldn't continue to hide myself from those I care about. They need to know the real me. My strengths, my weaknesses. The way my mind works and my ambitions. Everything that makes me who I am. I just don't think I'm quite ready for that yet.

*

Walking through the village after another full day of training with my energy I reach into my pouch and retrieve my hair tie. Pulling my hair up into a high ponytail so that my bangs are left down framing my face. I look up at the moon as I walk. The moon is high in the sky and so large you would think it took up half of the blackness it's resting against. It has been two days since I received my vest and I've finally been able to manage my blue glow even with my eyes open. "I'm still a long way off from my goal." I mutter to myself as I walk up towards the building mine and Aphro's apartment is in. Looking up to the top apartment I find myself smiling briefly.

It's been days since I had seen anyone from team seven and the knucklehead that lives above us has probably been training until he drops. I wonder if he's been eating right. Though knowing him he's been trying to survive only on his favorite food. I wonder who is training him since Kakashi is training Sasuke with his Sharingan. With a tilt of my head, I shove my chakra into my feet and leap up to the top balcony. Looking in through the window I notice the lights are off inside.

It's not that I have anything against Naruto. I've known he lives right above me since I moved in it's just I've never made it a point to visit the knucklehead before. With that thought in mind, I move from his balcony to the hanging of his roof just outside of another window. Looking in I see him stretched out on his bed sleeping soundly with his blanket down at his feet from having been kicked off sometime before now. His green boxer shorts sticking out like a sore thumb in the gentle light of the moon. I could feel eyes on me as I raise my hand to Naruto's window causing me to hesitate momentarily. "Who could be watching his apartment?" I quietly ask myself before actually knocking on his window. The soft wrapping on the glass did nothing to cause Naruto to stir in his sleep so I tried again a little harder.

Finally, he rolls onto his side and barely opens his eyes as I watch him smack his lips together in a sleepy gesture. He blinks a few times before his eyes go wide, the sight of me finally registering in his mind. I could tell he was about to scream because of my shadowed form so I raise my hand and give him a wave. "Naruto, it's me." I speak gently in a hushed tone but loud enough I knew he could hear me.

"Kira?" He sleepily questions as he stretches before standing on his bed and opening his window looking up at me. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you." I speak gently to him as I set on the shingled hanging outside his window. Now leaning my back against the wall of his house.

"Came to see me?" He questions dumbfounded before I hear him take in a breath. "Give me a sec let me get pants on!" He shouts as he realizes he was only in his boxers causing me to giggle when he scrambles away from his window. Faster than I thought was possible he was already crawling out of his window wearing his orange wind pants. His blond hair seeming to glow in the moonlight. I had to admit. He looks different without his forehead protector keeping his hair out of his face. Compared to me, he looks like the sun itself. Someone not meant to dwell in the darkness they were forced into. He was quiet until he sets down on the hanging just on the other side of his window as if he was trying to mull through the possibilities of why I am here. "Why'd you come to see me?" He mutters sounding almost depressed causing me to tilt my head in curiosity.

"Why wouldn't I come to see you?" I absentmindedly ask causing him to look up and gaze in my direction. The look in his blue eyes held disbelief almost as if he couldn't believe I didn't understand what he meant.

"Well, you usually only talk to Sasuke." As Sasuke's name left his mouth his expression changed almost as if just the mention of the other male member of our team left a bad taste in his mouth. Actually laughing at the sight I look back up towards the moon.

"Sasuke and I are a lot alike. We have more similarities than differences it's true. So yeah, I do talk to Sasuke but we mainly train together when team 7 isn't on missions or training. You and I are exact opposites." I finish saying glancing to him taking in the fact he was looking down now. "Team 7 is perfectly matched don't you think?"

"Huh?" He gives a sound of question as he looks back to me in confusion clearly trying to figure out what I meant.

"They couldn't have placed us on a better team. Not only do our skills complement each other but our personalities as well. Two of us are polar opposites from the other two…. Like two members are the rays from the sun and two are the moon's soft glow. Night and day."

"I don't get what you're saying." From the pitch of his voice, I could tell he was trying really hard not to yell and scream like usual causing me to smirk.

"I don't hate you Naruto."

"Why didn't you just say that then?!" And there it was. Raising my left hand I rub my ear that began to ring from the sudden burst.

"I didn't think I had to. I mean if I didn't like you I wouldn't be nice to you."

"You aren't nice though!"

"Shh. Naruto, people are trying to sleep."

"Oh oops." Giggling I shake my head before leaning my head back against the side of the apartment and closing my eyes as I bring my right leg up and set my arm on top of my knee.

"I'm sorry if my jokes get to you." Opening my eyes I look to him from the corner of them. Taking in the sight of him just looking at me with his mouth gaped open. "You're loud, rude, and self-centered. But you are very compassionate and noble. I actually admire your qualities."

"You admire… me?" It was then I saw his cheeks tinge red as he blushes causing me to smirk. He really is adorable at times.

"So, how's training?" I decide to change the subject from the turn my thoughts decided to take. He's adorable? Why would I even think that? It's like calling a guy cute or pretty. Things you would normally use to describe a girl.

"It's awesome! I can like you know walk on water now!" Walk on water? Tilting my head I openly look at him now curious. "It's like climbing trees but on water!" He elaborates for me causing my eyes to widen. How the hell did I forget that?! Note to self. Practice walking on water in between energy training.

"That's awesome Naruto!" I giggle as he rubs his nose with his finger grinning sheepishly.

"Yeah! You totally should train with us sometime! You need to train for the exam too!" I felt my smile waver causing his eyes to widen. "Huh? Did I say something wrong?" Looking away from him I close my eyes as I curl my hands into loose fists. This is the first time since my promotion that I wasn't actually happy about it. Naruto and Sasuke both will resent me for it. They wanted the promotion almost more than I did. Well, Sasuke will hate me. Naruto, knowing him he'll get over it and shoot to aim higher than me. "Wait... When did you get that vest?" Looking down at my modified vest I sigh. "It kinda looks like Kakashi Sensei's."

*Naruto*

"It kinda looks like Kakashi Sensei's." I point out as I watch her visibly sigh. It really does look weird on her. I don't think she's ever worn it before!

"I'm not competing in the next exam Naruto." I gasp at her words but the pain in her voice keeps me from just hollering out Why not?! Why wouldn't she compete in the exam?! She passed too just like I did! She seriously needs to explain!

"Why not?! You're not quitting now are ya?! We came so far already you can't quit!" It was then she looks away from her vest. Her eyes meet mine yet they are different than normal. She looks almost… sad.

She visibly hesitates as if she was trying to figure out how to explain. I swallow the lump in my throat that appeared as the moon seemed to reflect in her dark eyes. "Gramp says my skills are too advanced to finish the chunin exams."

"What?! What's that supposed to mean?!" She's seriously being more cryptic than usual. I mean come on! A girl who hates talking, she's rude and downright mean sometimes yet she's being nice and even… looks sad?

She looks away from me again as she gazes up at the moon causing her skin to practically glow in the moonlight. "I was advanced to chunin."

"What?! But you didn't even finish the exams yet! How could they make YOU a chunin?!" I leap to my feet my heart hammering in my chest as I stare down at her. The chunin exams are tests you have to take to become a chunin. That's what I was told but now! Not only did her cousin receive a promotion without even taking the exams but now Kira has been promoted and she didn't even finish them! What the hell!

"Like I said. They decided my skills are too advanced." She mutters low enough I almost didn't hear her from my own thoughts. She glances at me again before looking down. "The exams are tests so you can show everyone what you are made of. What level your skills are now. Look at Aphro. She didn't even have to take the chunin exams in order for them to see her skill growth. Guess I showed them more skills than they thought I had. I'm sorry Naruto. I really wanted to finish the exams with you and Sasuke. To show everyone that Team 7 is really awesome."

"Pfft." I look away from her as I look up at the bright moon only looking at her from the corner of my eye. "Team 7 is more awesome than they know. We already have a chunin AND two of us made it to the final rounds. Most of them didn't make it as far as we have! Believe it!" She raises her gaze and looks at me with her eyes widening as if she couldn't believe I just said that. "You're Amazing Kira! Believe it! The others are gonna be so jealous!" I watch as she looks away a smile showing that nearly causes my eyes to bug out.

"Thank you, Naruto… I needed that."