Caranril: I get internet in my dorm room through ethernet, and it was working fine this weekend, and I was like "I'll update when I'm done unpacking and decorating". And then my computer broke. I've been waiting for a call from my uncle for help, but today I pushed POWER just to see, and everything's fine. Geez, Buddy, why must you do this to me? So I'm updating while my computer's running. Whew.
disCLAIMER: While I do not own Naruto nor any affiliated subjects therein, Kishimoto-sama does and therefore he owns my soul.
Chapter 14: Winter and Winning
On January fourth it finally snowed. But instead of a protective blanket it came down in a flurry of wind and ice. It was especially unusual weather for Konoha, but that didn't stop some of the wackier people from playing in it. Kiba and Akamaru glomped through the huge drifts, shifting the snow about in waves. Snowball wars were very common, so anyone caught outside in the middle of them had no join a side or be pelted by both. Naruto used the snow to increase the intensity of Kaori's training, including those dreaded runs. Despite the fact that he and Hinata were dating and missions were continuously assigned, Naruto found plenty of time to train Kaori hard. He discovered as the days grew closer to her final tests, her training in itself was training for him, for she had suddenly found the much-needed knack for hand-to-hand combat and weapons. After the holidays, it had been like someone threw a switch. Kaori held a new passion for becoming a ninja, one that prided Naruto in that it reminded him of his own desire to become a ninja. He felt she was coming along nicely.
Naruto wasn't the only one who had noticed a change. Kaori's jovial attitude in the classroom had tempered down a bit as she put much focus into her studies. At first, Iruka thought it was because he had met someone while at Genma's Shogatsu party. Like Kaori was jealous, which seemed completely illogical to Iruka. At least, mostly illogical. He even suspected that he secretly wanted Kaori to be jealous. Yet when he'd heard that Kaori had been seen with Kakashi in the exclusive Jounin bar on Shogatsu, he realized she had made peace with the man and was perhaps now looking forward to her final tests. And he knew in his heart that she was ready to become a ninja.
The snow had finally stopped falling during the nights and the streets were able to be cleared. The moon sought to light the beautiful landscape, which entertained Kaori as she sat up the night before her tests. Sleep was pointless, despite the fact that she gotten so little during the week as she studied and trained. Naruto told her she was definitely ready, but her heart was scared. The last test she had ended in disaster, and it seemed very likely that history would repeat itself. Part of her said she was being irrational, but who ever listens to that part?
She hadn't seen Sakura or Sasuke since Christmas Eve. She thought it was just as well because Sasuke would probably want revenge and Sakura was bound to have irritating questions for her. Sakura's intense desires for Sasuke had lessened, but Kaori knew she still obsessed over the angsty man. In fact, Kaori had to avoid several girls who had seen her attack Sasuke and wanted to pay her back. Of course, most of them weren't even ninjas, which wouldn't necessarily stop her from beating them up. One didn't have to be a ninja to fight.
Kaori had hoped Naruto would be around after her tests, either to comfort or celebrate with. Predictably, he was sent on a mission with Sakura, Kiba, and Lee. Hinata was gone too. So if she should be an utter failure, she'd have to let the news burn inside until someone returned.
"You're not going to fail, Kaori-haisha," she scolded, using the nickname "loser" that Izumo and Kotetsu had lovingly given her. They only did that because they liked pissing her off. Which they hadn't done since that afternoon she had kicked Kotetsu in the face and ripped out some of Izumo's hair.
The clear night allowed the sunrise to cast itself on the snow. Kaori had been deep in thought all night, and now with the daylight she felt sick. She was so nervous. Iruka wouldn't tell her if there would be another chance if she failed. This made her even more nerve-wracked. She was shaking as she forced down some cereal and got dressed. The earlier she got to the Academy, the sooner this wretched test would be finished.
The mirror revealed dark circles under eyes and pale cheeks. She hadn't used kohl in a while, but she lined her eyes with it to draw the shadow from her cheeks. It didn't do much good. A knock at the door slowly drew her daze in front of the mirror.
She tried to smile at Izumo and Kotetsu, who stood in her doorway. She wasn't much up for mischief.
"I gotta go soon, guys."
"We know," Kotetsu said.
"That's why we stopped by," Izumo said, looking shifty. "We know you've been stressed and worried over this, but we wanted to say..."
"That you're going to be fine," Kotetsu concluded. He held out a small package. "And present make us feel better, so we figured..."
"This would make you feel better." Izumo smiled broadly. Kaori couldn't help but be curious. And touched. She unwrapped the simple package and stared at the objects inside. Gloves like the ones they wore, with the Konoha symbol on a metal plate on the back of each. There was a scarf like the one Izumo wore on his head, only sans the metal plate. And a new pair of chopsticks that were a black metal.
"They're for your hair," Kotetsu explained.
"I kinda got that," Kaori said quietly, feeling very much at a loss. "You guys..." She stared at them appreciatively, unable to say it.
"Ah, you don't have to thank us," Izumo said sheepishly.
"Sure you do," Kotetsu retorted.
Izumo glared at him. "Besides, that's not everything. If you pass, you get the rest of the present."
"And if I don't pass?" Kaori said quietly. A palm struck her face. Kaori blinked, her own hand flying to the stinging skin. Kotetsu looked peeved.
"Sometimes Kaori-haisha, you really are a loser." He hesitated a moment, then drew her into his arms. Her head rested nicely on his shoulder. Then when he pulled away, Izumo gave her a hug too.
"If you're ready, we'll walk with you to the Academy," Izumo said. Kaori smiled. She put the items into her pack. She closed the door and sighed.
"Here we go," she said quietly. The pair were chatty and kept the mood light on the walk to the Academy, but Kaori kept silent in her thoughts. The building loomed ahead like a maniacal fiend. Kami-sama help her.
"Good luck, Kaori-haisha," Izumo said cheerfully.
"We'll be waiting to hear the news," Kotetsu promised. And then they took off as Kaori entered the into the belly of the beast.
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kaori twiddled her fingers as she waited for Iruka to come back. He was going to grade her written test, calculate her scores from the bunshin no jutsu and henge no jutsu. And for all she knew he was actually going to take into account her failure at Suzume's test. She thought she did okay on all three tests, but that didn't mean Iruka thought so. She never took a real written test before, and after the studying and taking of the test, she decided they were a teacher's worst invention. Tests were brought into being in order to terrify students. That's exactly what they did.
Iruka entered the classroom, studying papers with a solemn look on his face. Kaori stood, rubbing her hands together nervously. Her mouth was too dry to say anything without sounding terrified.
"So..." Iruka began, sitting at the desk.
"S-so?"
"You did very well on the bunshin no jutsu, and okay on your replication of Tsunade-sama. But you're written final..." Iruka rubbed his temple.
Shit. Time to put the back-up plan into action. Kaori had been hoping she wouldn't need her secret technique, but now...She slowly walked to Iruka and stood next to him. He looked up at her.
"Iruka-sensei," she said pleadingly. Then she gathered Chakra and released her technique. "Kuwaii no jutsu!" Iruka was now gazing upon a small girl with long white pig-tails and huge grey eyes. Her face was slightly plump, but only enough to make her adorable. The grey eyes grew bigger and started filling with tears.
"Iruka-sensei," the girl said in a scared voice, "please don't fail me. Please. Iruka-sensei?" Her hands were clasped together as she begged.
Iruka choked. His own eyes filled with tears at the pitiful little girl at his feet.
"Aw..." he managed to say, desperately wanting to hug the dear thing and make it better. He held out his arms. The tiny girl crawled into his lap and buried her face in his chest. Iruka squeezed her comfortingly. She squeezed back, sniffling into the vest, which she clung onto like it was her life.
The door suddenly swung open. Iruka and the little girl looked up to see Kakashi standing there, a curious look in his eye. With a poof, the girl changed back into Kaori, who was still on Iruka's lap and clinging to his jacket. Iruka felt the change and looked at her, then made an embarrassed noise and let go of his tight grip on her. Kaori hopped up, staring expectantly at Kakashi.
"I, uh, got your message, Iruka, but perhaps you're too busy and I can come back later?"
"No, no, Kakashi, we're not busy," Iruka said hurriedly, standing to face the older man. "See, I was just about to tell Kaori the good news."
"Good news?" Kaori said.
"You mean you hadn't told her yet and she was already on your lap?" Kakashi said wryly.
"It's not his fault," Kaori said. "I used my new technique on him, and he was completely helpless. What good news?"
"So Naruto's been teaching you some of his perverted techniques, eh?"
"No!" Kaori protested, beginning to get annoyed. "It wasn't perverted!"
"I see," Kakashi said, his tone indicating he didn't believe her. Kaori growled and was about to argue some more when Iruka cleared his throat.
"Congratulations, Kaori. You are officially a Genin." He took her hand and shook it.
"I'm...huh?"
"Kakashi's here to put you through one more test. It will determine whether or not he'll take you in and train you."
"I'm...huh?" Kaori was still stunned.
"Shall we begin?" Kakashi said casually. He gestured towards the door. Kaori went out, still at odds, for she had imagined her passing in an entirely different manner. She didn't even get to be excited, for now she was being led directly into another test. She wasn't nearly prepared for this one. Iruka probably did that on purpose.
Kakashi loomed in front of her, looking much taller than he actually was with his funky silver hair. It seemed anti-gravitational like Naruto's. He kept walking, and how far they were going Kaori had no idea. She even began to suspect this was part of the test. They walked through the park and towards the lake. The path was well-worn, but Kaori had never been to this area of Konoha before. The trees suddenly cleared into a meadow, in the middle of which were three wooden posts. It was in front of these posts that Kakashi turned around, holding up a tiny bell.
"This is the test I've given all my students." Kakashi jingled the bell in emphasis. "I'll tell you now, the only ones I have passed were Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke."
"And how many students have you given the test to?" Kaori felt panic creep up. All three were very gifted ninjas.
"That is irrelevant. However, they passed on their abilities to work as a team, not on their ninja skills. And somehow," Kakashi said, his eye grinning, "I doubt you'll be able to with your skills either."
Kaori stifled a growl. Even with Kakashi easy-going attitude, she knew this was no joking matter. He'd only ever passed those three. How could she compete with that? She wished she'd had more time to spend training with Naruto.
"So, the point of this exercise is to get the bell away from me. Only to do so, you must come at me with the will to kill. Do you have a will to kill?"
Kaori was silent for a moment, knowing she should answer no. But deep inside, that strange rumbling was brought to life. A few times in her life she'd been more than willing to kill, but something always stopped her. Except for when the Inazuma had been raided by pirates the second time. Temujin had been on board. Kaori had sworn she'd never again see someone she cared about die at the hands of raiders, and had somehow she had formed Chakra swords and slaughtered the invading crew. She never received any guff from her crew mates after that.
"Yes," Kaori said quietly, trying to quiet the rumbling. She would always attribute it to adrenaline, but something inside was gleeful when violence and pain were imminent. As far as she knew, that came from being alone all her life; no one taught her to quell that monster known as human nature.
Kakashi studied her, noting the dilation of her pupils and the quickening of her breath. She was remembering something that cause her to want to kill. This was very good. Perhaps the test wouldn't be as easy as he thought. He was suddenly on his guard as Kaori reached into her pack. He expected a kunai or shuriken to be thrown at him, but instead she pulled out a pair of gloves and put them on. Then she removed her bandana and pulled her hair out of it chop-sticked knot. She stuck the chopsticks in her belt and pulled another pair out and knotted her hair back up. Then she tied a blue scarf around her head.
"Ready," she said gruffly, keeping in mind the memories that cause the will to kill.
"Okay then. Go," Kakashi said simply, still staying on guard. Once again expecting ninja weapons to be thrown, he found himself dodging blue Chakra swords instead. Her swings had become more narrow, more effective than when he had seen her demonstration in Tsunade's office. She moved with confidence, knowing how her body worked and how to use it well. As Kakashi continued to focus on dodging, he felt a sly thought slip by that Iruka couldn't have been the one to teach her this fighting technique.
While the fighting style was effective, molding the Chakra into swords wasn't efficient, for all the swords did was drain her power. Despite the cold, beads of sweat were forming on her face as she struggled to hit Kakashi. He avoided her with ease, but she could tell he was just barely staying ahead of her. Maybe she could...
Kaori blinked as she realized Kakashi was gone. She let go of the swords and looked around. One second of distraction and he got away. Damn it. She'd never gone through tracking with Naruto, most likely because he was no good at it. Which meant she was no good at it. She closed her eyes and sniffed. There was no smell on the air with everything dead and covered in snow. Yet there lingered a musky scent, much like Kakashi. Kaori dashed for the trees. She rounded one and found him sitting on a branch reading a book. At first she was insulted he'd take the time to read, but then she saw her chance. She threw a kunai at his head, making him duck, and a second at his feet. With a kunai in either hand, she waited for him to jump to clear the second kunai. And then she threw the other two. They struck him in the arm and chest. Kaori felt a twinge of excitement at her hit, then blanched as Kakashi disappeared with a poof.
"A bunshin," she muttered, then noting it was corporeal, "kage bunshin." So he had wanted her to come after this one. Now that she thought about it, why would she be able to smell him unless he wanted her to?
"Shit!" she yelped as an exploding tag was released above her. The branch Kakashi's clone had been sitting on was brought down on top of her.
Kakashi watched in disappointment, sorry that the exercise was over so quickly. Then as the dust and smoke cleared, he saw a small log crush beneath the severed branch. Kakashi perked at the kawarimi. This was going to be interesting.
A few meters away, Kaori lay hidden, panting from her close escape. It was hard to be hidden in a forest that was only dead trees, but if Kakashi kept out of sight he couldn't exactly find her himself. Unless he had another kage bunshin running around. Reading books? That didn't make sense.
A thought dawned on Kaori. She remembered seeing Kakashi reading at Naruto's birthday party. Naruto had also once mentioned that the series Jiraiya wrote was Kakashi's favourite, even to the point of obsession. And an evil thought followed that one. He would have to keep such a book in his pack, which was on the other side of his body from the bell. He'd be protecting the bell and not his pack, therefore the key to getting the bell was getting the book. Oh yes this was a good plan. She just had to find him first. So...
Kakashi stayed put, knowing Kaori was impatient was bound to act first. She couldn't be far away after using kawarimi no jutsu. Then a rustling caught his attention. She had stood up a few meters away, looking around cautiously. Satisfied that she was okay, she dashed out of the woods. Kakashi slunk after her, keeping as silent as the dead trees. The snow was annoying though, for it crunched beneath feet no matter how lightly one walked. He watched Kaori, who seemed to be setting up a trap involving wires and exploding tags. It was an amateur trap, but he gave her props for trying. At any rate she could distract him with the explosions. Too bad it wouldn't work because he was already there.
He sensed the presence before it pounced. He rolled to the side as another Kaori tried to tackle him. He could tell this was a clone, but what impressed him was that it was a kage bunshin. Naruto was definitely the one helping her out. Kakashi's head snapped to the left as another Kaori leapt upon him. He was able to fend her off, but the other held onto his legs. The first Kaori stopped making the trap and came straight for him, ready to snatch the bell. A fourth Kaori came from the right, intent on holding the other arm. The first reached for the bell, so close, only to be smacked away as Kakashi heaved the one on his left arm at her. They collided, both going up with poofs. The other two realized they'd failed and scampered away. Kakashi dusted the snow off his clothes and glanced in both directions. Either way would be easy to follow. In fact, he knew by the contact that the one on his right arm had been the real Kaori. So he set out after that one. She did well at running away, but no ninja in Konoha was a better tracker than Kakashi. The escape led across the meadow and into the other trees.
In no rush at all, Kakashi noticed that the sun had gone behind dark grey clouds. His eye adjusted quickly to the change, and he felt the light would be better for reading than with the sun beating down on the pages. He reached into his pack, only to feel weapons and wire. His eye widened and he removed the pack to make sure. It was open. He returned to the spot where Kaori had attacked. Maybe it had fallen out when he rolled. It wouldn't be the first time. But the snow was clean except for the results of the scuffle. Kakashi felt his blood boil. She'd stolen it. That was the only explanation. One of the clones had taken the book while he thought they were after the bell. The little...
Kakashi took off full speed, the speed that was part of his genius. He found her in seconds. She was perched on a branch, leaning against the trunk, studying the inside of the book.
Without even looking she said, "So would you call this porn or erotic fiction?"
"It's a work of art," Kakashi responded, seething.
"Because, you know, there seems to be a decent plot, but the dirty scenes aren't very tasteful."
Kakashi was immediately in front of her on the branch. "Aren't very tasteful?" He was practically exploding. Kaori stood and backed away, finding a tree trunk blocking any further retreat. His one eye was fiery. He raised his hand, and Kaori flinched, figuring he would punch her. Instead he lifted the hitai-ate covering his eye. It was scarred. And as it opened, Kaori saw that same red eye Sasuke had given her when she'd kicked him in the groin. That dangerous-looking eye. But Kakashi's was different. The three black dots swirled into a darker line, and then suddenly things began to change.
It was as if she was underwater. Everything was fluid and thick. She could hardly move, the crushing weight of the sea bearing down on her. Kakashi was swept away by the tide, and Kaori was left alone, struggling to reach the surface before her breath ran out. No matter how she struggled, she couldn't breach. In fact the light was getting further away. Her lungs screamed for air, but she couldn't bring herself to inhale. Not water. Not drowning. She loved the sea! How could it kill her like this? But the need to breath was stronger than her anxiety. She gasped and everything went black.
Kaori blinked, finding herself to be gasping for breath against the trunk of the tree. Kakashi's hand was planted next to her head to keep her from falling, and she was clutching at him weakly. He pulled his forehead protector back down over his eye. His other black eye stared at her unsympathetically.
"Don't mess with the book," he said viciously, holding said book up. Kaori swallowed hard, still catching her breath after...whatever that had been.
"What was that?" she managed to squeak.
"Doujutsu. I captured you in a genjutsu using my Sharingan."
"You call that eye...a Sharingan?"
"That's a topic for another day. Right now," Kakashi pulled away now that Kaori was standing on her own. "Time to finish this."
"Oh, it's finished," Kaori said smugly, holding up the bell. Kakashi stared at the tiny bell, glanced at his waist, then chuckled.
"Even after that encounter with my Sharingan, you managed to have the mind to get the bell. That is indeed commendable."
Kaori grinned. "I do what I can." Then her eyes crossed slightly and she passed out. Kakashi caught the smaller woman before she fell to the ground. He lifted her up and headed for the hospital. Despite resisting the Sharingan well, the effort had caught up with her. Even though he hadn't trained her himself, Kakashi felt a strange pride over her accomplishment of getting that bell. She'd struggled hard in the past four months, and now she was ready to be a ninja. While she rested from the effects of the doujutsu, Kakashi would present his acceptance to Tsunade and arrange for her to begin missions and training immediately.