'In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.'
- Albert Einstein
~ • ~
Over the next few days, Kaiya settled into a routine in this world she now lived in.
In the mornings she would go with Naruto to watch him train; sometimes with the whole Konaha 11, sometimes with just Sakura and Sai. Lunch would be spent at Ichiraku or bbq depending on group size, and afternoons she would spend hanging out in Naruto's apartment drawing with Sai.
He came over everyday since they had met, which pissed of Naruto to no end. It was nice having someone to do art with, it was always something she did solo so having company while doing so was a pleasant change. She didn't know she would have such a good bond with Sai.
This morning was different however, she was summoned to see Kakashi in his office, so she didn't accompany to his morning training session.
Approaching the Hokage's office, she could hear some familiar sounds.
It was music from the playlists she kept on her phone.
Figures they would have taken everything off it.
As she waited to be motioned to enter, a few tracks played and she recognised it as songs by Divide Music, she wasn't surprised in the least.
"Enter," said the Hokage from within.
Kaiya entered the office, finding a lonesome Kakashi finishing some paperwork while the music played out a radio on his desk.
Kaiya scoffed.
"Of course you would be listening to a song about you."
"It's accurate," he muttered without looking up.
Kaiya stepped closer to his desk. "You asked for me?"
"Yes," he paused, shuffling papers to the side, "I've worked out a way to make you useful."
Kaiya shifted uneasy, "Oh?"
Kakashi finally looked up to engage, "You contain a great deal of information of past and future events, not to mention intimate details on many powerful ninja… enemy and ally."
He sighed, "This makes you probably the most dangerous civilian ever in existence, naturally it will remain a secret, but even off-book you'll still be able to be a valuable resource to the village."
"I don't want to fuck up the timeline," Kaiya quickly uttered, "and I don't know what will change from me being here."
"I'm not asking for any detailed accounts of events, I'm offering you a job."
Kaiya was dumbfounded.
Seeing the confusion, Kakashi continued on, "From time to time, I will ask you for oversight, a point in a general direction."
"No details?"
"No details, you would be an advisor, no more."
Kaiya thought for a few moments. It was an interesting opportunity… and it gave her some purpose at least. Without giving details, she shouldn't cause any paradox or major issues. She also could ensure no changes by giving the correct directions, she just had to be sure not to be tempted to change anything.
"Okay," Kaiya affirmed, "I'll help the village."
Kakashi's eye twinkled, "Excellent, now we can move to the next matter at hand…"
The copy nin stood and walked to a shelf against the wall. He proceeded to move a few scrolls, a slight 'click' followed, and he slid the shelf to the side revealing a door.
Huh, that's new.
Stepping back, he quickly spoke 'Enter' and the door opened, and just as the track in the background changed, out came the man the lyrics embodied.
Sasuke Uchiha.
The air felt still as Kaiya stared, it was hard not to, it was Sasuke. He stood in a black cloak, his one hand sitting on the hilt of his sword, and the eye that wasn't covered with his bangs was as transfixed on her as she was at him. It was unsettling, but she couldn't look away. It felt like a test, or an examination, either way she would not fail. To appear weak was a bad move with this ninja.
His brow raised ever so slightly, and she thought she saw a slight smirk.
Sasuke looked away first, directing his attention to Kakashi.
"This is the girl?" Sasuke questioned.
"The girl has a name…" Kaiya hissed under her breath.
Pretending not to hear, Kakashi spoke, "Yes, this is Kaiya Thomas, the one I told you about."
Sasuke glanced back at her.
"She doesn't look like much."
"Maybe, but she knows more about anyone then even the best bingo book."
"Hmn."
They both looked to Kaiya at the same time. Having the attention of both these ninja couldn't bode well, but she at least knew it wasn't going to end in her death. She was valuable.
"I called on Sasuke here to hopefully shed some light on how you got here." Kakashi said reassuringly.
Sasuke nodded, "I checked the location she was found, there was definitely evidence of a rift, and looking at her now…"
He looked back towards her, sharingan spinning, "… there is evidence she's from a different dimension. An aura of sort… but it's fading, her presence may make some changes as our plane adapts to accept her existence."
Disappearing as quickly as it came, his eye went back to black. Kaiya processed what was said and wasn't sure what it would mean for her or this world.
"I won't find out much more without using the rinnegan," Sasuke relented.
Kakashi placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, "That won't be necessary for the moment, she only recently recovered from extensive injuries."
Kaiya gave Kakashi a soft wordless expression.
Thank you.
He blinked knowingly.
"Next time then," Sasuke yielded, but gave another hard stare in her direction.
"You may go now Kaiya, I have some more business with Sasuke before he leaves," Kakashi said warmly.
Kaiya gave one last look towards the still staring Sasuke, "See your wife before you go, she's had a rough few days."
"Sakura isn't my wife," Sasuke frowned.
"Maybe not, but she was the first name on your lips."
Sasuke was silent for a moment before pursing his lips and 'hmm'ed as Kaiya shut the door behind her.
Kaiya giggled to herself as she walked the corridor out of the Hokage's office. She couldn't help it, the face Sasuke pulled was priceless.
Who would have thought it would be so fun to tease 'Sasuke-Chan'…
She was halted in her thoughts when a figure blocked her way with arms folded.
"I think that's the first real smile I've seen."
Kaiya proceeded to frown at the shadow ninja in her path.
"What can I do for you, Nara-san?" She sighed.
"You can tell me who you really are," Shikamaru pressed.
"I don't know what you mean," Kaiya replied with a straight face.
Her resolve was back up, and she wasn't going to drop it again.
"There's something not right about you, and I looked into you… or at least I tried to," he mused, "The records of your stay in hospital are missing, and no other paperwork even mentions your name… it's like you don't exist."
"Perhaps it was lost."
"Nothing gets lost in the Hokage tower."
"Maybe Kakashi has my file, I did just see him…"
"That's Hokage-sama to you," he interrupted, "and no, from the moment you left his office that first time, I have seen no scroll on you in his office or anywhere else. Remember I work there."
"It's hard to forget," Kaiya rolled her eyes.
"Troublesome woman…"
Kaiya tried to walk past him, she was done with this conversation. Before she could, Shikamaru pushed her back and a shadow tendril held her against the wall.
"No no, you're going to explain," he said with a bored expression, "no one protects a pawn with their king."
Insulted, her nose crinkled.
"I'm no one's pawn," she seethed.
He brought his face right to hers and glared, "Then prove it."
She glared back, golden eyes to ember, both hardened and not breaking.
She could feel the tension is breath, but didn't move or back down. She would not play his game.
His eyes flickered down for a moment before he closed them and sighed, releasing his shadow and leaning away from her.
"I will know, I don't lose," Shikamaru breathed out before turning step, leaving Kaiya behind.
Kaiya didn't move until he was out of sight, and out of mind.
