Chapter 41

"Huh?" Standing I look out over the rooftops. That scent. Closing my eyes I take in the sweet smell causing me to nearly lick my lips.

"Huh? Kira, what's wrong?" Naruto questions as I feel not only the eyes of our onlooker but his as well on me.

"Naruto, good luck with training. I know I don't have to tell you this but train like there is no tomorrow." I tell him as I run my fingers over the handle of my right blade.

"You got it! I'll become a chunin too! Just you see!" He declares and I look to him. His broad smile fades as his eyes widen. Shit, my eyes. Nearly growling I look away from him. Turning so my back is now facing him.

"See that you do." I comment before leaping over the nearest roof. A head of white hair catches my eye briefly before I move further away from the area. Blood, who's blood is that? Why is it so strong all of a sudden? The more rooftops I run over the heavier the scent becomes. Showing I was nearing where it was spilled. I felt my throat tighten uncomfortably and feel as if I had just swallowed a sandbox. Forcing me to remember since that night in the forest of death when Light had told me to accept the flames... My throat hasn't been on fire as if trying to burn me from the inside out.

As I run I raise my hands and complete the necessary hand signs shoving my chakra through me the familiar way I have become used to. The popping sound emitting next to me allows me to drop my hands to my sides. "Tell Gramp about the blood and don't forget to include where I am." I order my clone. It wasn't until they took off the other direction did I come to a stop on the edge of the roof I am currently on. Looking over the edge, the pools of blood seem almost black from the night.

I leap from the roof onto the building top the body is on. Where it had been shrouded by shadows from the night it was now easily seen from my close proximity to it. Walking up closer to the form I look down taking in his shredded sight as if someone had fun slicing his flesh. Tearing him to ribbons. "The third exam's proctor." I say to no one before kneeling and running my right pointer finger in the growing puddle around the body. It was when I slipped my finger in my mouth I felt eyes on me. Standing I move my left hand to my blade. Making sure my finger was clean before retrieving my right as well. "I know you're there. The blood is still fresh." I speak up as my eyes search the shadows for the killer. Silence followed my words and I could see no movement so I found myself standing up straight resting my blades at my sides. "I can smell you. You're bleeding from your fight. Either you come out or I'll find you myself."

Again there was nothing. Taking a step forward I felt something behind me. Bringing my right blade up I spin on my toes ready to attack. I found myself pausing in mid-swing as the scent registered before my eyes did. I sheath my blades and clear my throat before finally meeting the familiar eyes hidden by her mask. Four others standing behind her watching me in silence. "Aphro." I mutter quietly before looking back behind me. The scent was fading meaning whoever it was took the sudden appearance of the Anbu and the distraction they caused to slip away.

"Kira." Her gentle voice that's usually alight with emotion came out calm and void. She must have been practicing that because of her new rank.

"I got here to find him." I speak knowing she'd understand how I knew where to come. "From the looks of his wounds, some sort of blade tore through him. But it doesn't look like it was made of metal. I was just in the process of confronting the killer when you distracted me."

"Which way did he go?!" One of them shouted at me causing me to curl my upper lip in a snarl. Moving up to Aphro's side I look at the masked woman. Before pointing behind me with my thumb.

"The scent goes that way." It was then the woman went to head in the direction I specified before one of the others caught her arm to keep her in place as the others knelt next to the proctor. I would leave but I figured that wouldn't be the best right now. Even though it was my clone that informed Gramps who sent the Anbu. I was the one here first so I need to be patient. Turning back to Aphro I notice her looking at me having removed her mask. "Been a while Cousin." I smirk noticing the one who had stopped the woman from leaving and is obviously the leader in this convoy jerking his head in my direction from my words.

"Oh please, it's only been a week." She smirks playfully causing me to smirk as well.

"If there wasn't a dead body here and I didn't think someone would try to kill us for disrespecting the dead, I'd challenge you to a spar."

"Miss me that much already?" Giggling I found myself wrapping my arms around my cousin in a hug. An action I haven't done since just after we got here when our five-year-old adolescence had gotten the best of me. I felt her stiffen in my embrace before her arms encased me in return. "What's wrong cuz?" She asks quietly and I just shake my head.

"Not sure." I mutter pulling back from her slightly. It was then I felt her hands tug on my vest with a giggle.

"Chunin huh? When were you going to tell me?" She playfully pouts as I yank out of her hold shooting her a playful glare.

"When I saw you. But, you haven't been home." She opens her mouth to reply, probably with a smart comment but she was cut off and her mouth closes without a sound.

"Damphire. This isn't the time to be chatting." The stern tone came from one of the others drawing my attention. The only thing signifying who just spoke was the mask looking in our direction with his hand still holding onto the woman who had asked me where the killer went.

"My bad." She calls outcrossing her arms after putting her mask back on yet she remains at my side. So I'm guessing her job is to watch me until they deem me innocent? Pfft. That's a laugh. Even if I did kill the proctor she would be more apt to help me escape rather than keep me put. I watch as one of the other Anbu stands and walks silently to the one obviously in command drawing his attention away from us.

Aphro's voice meets my ear in such a tone none of the others would be able to hear her. "Not you right?" Not me?

"C'mon Aphro you know I wouldn't waste the blood by letting it spill all over a rooftop. You shouldn't even have to ask." I speak to her in the same tone as I roll my eyes.

"You know you're eyes are glowing with blood lust right?"

"It's the thickness of the blood. If you haven't noticed it's everywhere." Finally turning to her ignoring the approaching Anbu I pin her with a glare. "You are seriously not trying to suggest I did this are you?" I growl lowly at her. What's up with her? This isn't like Aphro at all!

"It seems your cousin is correct. The wounds were caused by some sort of wind Jutsu." The same man who had spoken before stops right next to us. The eyes beneath his mask visibly shifting between us.

"Yup, and I don't know a single wind jutsu. Aphro here can attest to that. So I'll go now and let you do your job."

"Wait... Kir.." I shoot Aphro a glare that I have never used for her before. Seriously! She's never automatically thought me guilty of anything. And never would she have sounded as if she was siding with her knew friends over me! Taking off I leave them behind me finally letting out the feral growl that was trying to force its way out of me. Out of everyone, she was the one person I believed I could trust. The one I never expected would turn on me like that! Me, her cousin, her princess! She's supposed to be my right hand but she's allowed herself to be swept up in the world forgetting who she's aligned with. How could I have let myself trust her as I did?

"Kira... Uh..."

"Lake." I speak as that same guy comes up behind me on the rooftops. "Kira Lake "

"Right. Well, you should report to Lord Third and tell him what you told us. I'll escort you there." Glancing over my shoulder at him I couldn't help but wonder if he was stupid. Sorry intellectually challenged. Smirking at that thought I look ahead of me again.

"I had already figured as much. I'm on my way there now. Just trying to calm down hence why I'm taking my time."

"Don't be mad at Damphire. Being objective without letting our emotions cloud our judgments is our job."

"Tch. You humans really need to stay out of our affairs." I mutter to myself without thinking.

"So you're like Damphire then." He states more than asks causing me to shoot him a brief glare.

"Sort of."

"When Damphire was accepted into the black ops our squad needed to know about each other as much as possible in order to be effective. She never mentioned you though. So until we were summoned to the tower where the second exam was being held we didn't know she had family."

"You talk too much"

"She was so worried about you she had us deviate from our orders so she could make sure you were safe."

"But I wasn't safe and that doesn't change the fact that in this whole village she is the only one who knows me. She knows everything. What I am, my strengths, weaknesses, ambitions, what I'm capable of, and how I think. Her even suggesting I had anything to do with Hayate's death means she wasn't even thinking and in turn disrespected me with her offending claim."

"Don't be angry with her. She's had a lot of responsibility shoved on her abruptly. Could you cut her some slack?"

"You really should silence yourself." I growl at him causing his fluid movements to falter momentarily. "I'm not in the mood to listen to your proclamations of love. If you love her so much go tell her yourself but to warn you she probably doesn't return those feelings. Last I knew she was dating someone already." If only to get away from the Anbu I pick up my pace so I was moving far quicker than I had been. Yeah, I still need to cool down but this guy… is really getting on my nerves.

"Y. you know, being in the Anbu isn't easy." He finally speaks up again as he reaches my side so we were now running in an even line. Glancing at him I shake my head. Anbu aren't supposed to talk this much.

"Fuck the Anbu." I mutter before leaping off the roof and landing in front of the Hokage manor. Without another word I walk inside and make my way towards Gramp's office. The Anbu guy follows behind me quietly as if since we were now within earshot of others he had lost his voice. Shaking my head I close my eyes and take in a steadying breath. Emotions such as anger get ninja killed so they are useless aspects of ourselves if we wish to remain alive. Even though I know this my temper seems to be getting the better of me anymore and I'm not entirely certain why. Is it because it's been seven years and even though I've made chunin I still feel like I've barely grown since I got here? Mentality wise the chemical imbalances that come with my 12-year-old state are still severely hindering my thought processes. I'm lashing out when I shouldn't let things bother me. I'm even reaching out to others that I don't necessarily need. Those who are beneath me. Yet, in order to fit into this world, I need to take orders without questioning Gramp's judgment. I need to remain alert and prepared for anything. How am I supposed to do that when I'm still at war with myself? Calm down, Kira. You are better than this. – "If only you were stronger Light wouldn't have died. If you were stronger Aphrodite wouldn't be treating you like a child"- It was my voice I heard in my head yet it was cold and unwavering… the tone I used to have. –"You've become too complacent with those beneath you."-

Taking another breath when I reach Gramp's office I walk in without even bothering to knock. "Ah Kira, I've been waiting for you." His old voice rings in my ears as I walk further into his office the Anbu escorting me following me inside.

"Hey, Gramp. I thought I would come by to explain what happened." My voice flowed from me gently, lacking all the anger I had just been showing the Anbu male. I could feel his eyes on me as those words left me. Further ignoring him and shoving my anger to the recesses of my mind I walk up to Gramp's desk and take my usual seat on the edge of it.

"I'm listening." As he spoke his tone hardened slightly showing he was now ready to discuss business. Yet even as I look to his kind face he was still relaxed. Almost as if he already knows what I'm going to say but following protocol, he's going to let me speak anyway.

"I was speaking with Naruto when I had a sudden whiff of blood. So I bid him good night and left him. Not wanting to spark his curiosity which would inevitably end up with him following me I told him nothing of what was happening. I followed the scent which led me to Hayate's body. I then sent a clone to you so you were informed. At first, I inspected the wounds and could tell from the way his body had been shredded they weren't caused by a blade. I then checked the pool of blood around the body and noticed it was still fresh. I deduced that his assailant had not killed him right off. Almost as if he had been tortured. I stood when I noticed a presence nearby and a faint scent of blood coming from that direction. I pulled my blades ready to confront the killer and was about to make chase when the Anbu arrived." Shifting a glance towards the Anbu I try to read his reaction from hearing more than I had initially told them. If he did react it would have been an expression hidden by his mask. Looking back to Gramp I give him a blank look. "My guess is he overheard something he wasn't supposed to and his killer wanted to know exactly what he had learned."

"Once again Kira, I am marveled by your skills." Gramp chuckles before I slide off his desk and turn my back towards him.

"That's all I had to say Gramp. I'll see you.."

"Kira." He interrupted me causing me to turn back around and face him curiously. Once he knew he had my attention he leans forward with his hands folded in front of him. Taking on his usual serious look. Meaning I probably shouldn't push him right now. "I can tell those aren't your only thoughts on the matter." He gives me a knowing look nearly causing me to roll my eyes. The old man knows me too well.

"My thoughts interject with those I had explained to you a couple of days ago about a certain someone. I cannot help but feel this death has something to do with those plans I had mentioned." I nip at my bottom lip. "It seems too coincidental to me for it to not coincide."

"I understand your point."

Nodding to him I go to leave his office but pause just at the door. "I saw a head of white hair near Naruto's Gramp. It didn't look familiar to me but I thought I would let you know about him in case it means something to you." And with that, I leave the room not caring if Gramp had a response to that sighting. Right now, I just want to get home. It has been a long day and after what happened tonight. I seriously need to feed.