Sparks 4

"He might be okay. [Beat. Huge explosion.] Well, no, probably not now." - Groundhogs Day

I wish I could say that the remainder of my week was peaceful - but it was not. It turned out that word had gotten out that I was looking over little Naruto. The cute and stubborn boy I knew wasn't his only side. Naruto was a little prankster in the strangest sense. After someone had slighted him, he had painted one of the streets in Konoha a slew of vibrant shades. I still don't know where the paint had come from (who would sell Naruto cans of paint?).

One Thursday morning after my workout, I had a slew of people on my doorstep complaining that he quite literally painted the town red.

"What are you going to do about this! This is the third time this month! I can hardly expect customers to enter my store when he's written slurs across the entrance!" A woman complained loudly.

"Are you going to pay for this? That little terror won't stop!" A man in blue argued.

"I will talk to Naruto when I see him. This is the first I've ever heard about this." I said quickly. I took on a firm tone. "I'm neither his parent, nor guardian. I have no financial say in anything he does. I have no responsibility over him either. That complaint should be taken up with someone else. However I will be talking to him quickly and seeing about what I can do on my end."

They looked quelled but still unhappy.

"Is that all?" I asked snappishly. I should have been a bit more calm - but, truly, how would anyone react in this situation? They glanced at each other before muttering and shuffling off my doorstep.

It seemed like Naruto was far closer to who I used to be than I would care to admit. When I was younger, I atleast had a nanny to curb those tendencies. It wasn't until father tried to step back into my life when I was ten that I acted out. Probably for other reasons than Naruto, but the fact remained the same. I would have to do something

I saw him later that night. He came to walk me home from work. He was acting like the cat who ate the canary - all smiles and laughs.

"Have a good day?" I asked him in a friendly tone.

"Yeah." He said in a cheerful tone, but he didn't elaborate.

"Mmm - I had an interesting one myself." I began. I could see him perk up and look at me. "I had some of Konoha's finest on my doorstep."

Confusion flickered in Naruto's eyes.

"I heard tell of a peculiar incident. A certain someone had painted up and down the street. Which, I must admit, I was rather confused. After all, this someone wants to be Hokage. Never before had I heard of a Hokage who painted streets without permission." I stared down at him as I watched the realization cross his face. With that realization came a frown and a deep scowl.

"They started it." He said. He would fight to the death to keep that ground. I could see him already getting ready to fight me verbally. I needed to keep him off center.

"What are your goals?" I asked lightly.

"What?" He quirked his head.

"Your goals. Name them."

"You already know what they are." Naruto said gruffly.

"Certainly I do. However you seem to have forgotten them." I said firmly.

He crossed his arms, muttering to himself. This was where the fight would begin. I would have to keep him guessing.

"Keep your giant nose outta my business." He growled under his breath.

"Personal attacks will get you nowhere." I told him sharply. My, would I never hear the end about my nose? Never before had I heard a comment about my face before Konoha. It nearly made a girl conscientious.

"You don't know! They - they do this-" Naruto stuttered, and crossed his arms. I could see his frustration and anger build.

"I saw myself how they treated you." I said lightly. "I understand far better than you think I do. However, might I suggest some rules to help you align with your goals?"

Naruto stopped dead in the street and looked up at me in confusion.
"Wait - you're not gonna make me clean it?" Naruto asked.

"I can't make you do a thing you don't want to." I told him.

"So I can prank people?" His tone was lighter. I would have to be careful to keep him in this frame of mind.

"If you call that a prank, it's a rather shoddy one." I grinned playfully at him. "The rules are as follows: confuse, don't abuse. And, if it goes too far - be a part of the clean up. At least they're the ones I follow."

"You pull pranks?" He stared at me in awe, "I never saw you."

"When the situation calls for it. Rarely must I, but I'm not above it." I knelt down to look him in the eye. "You want to be a ninja and you want to be Konoha's Hokage. How can you lead her people if you haven't earned their respect first? What they do is their own problem. What you do - well, that's the only thing you can control."

Naruto looked down at the ground in thought.
"You want me to clean up the mess I made." He said softly. Naruto was far smarter than people seemed to give him credit for. I could see the internal conflict on his face play out as he mulled over what was being said.

"What you choose to do is your own decision. I only told you what I would do." I said lightly. I nodded my head. "Come, then. We both have to get home."

He followed after me, clutching his tiny hands together.
"Are we - are we still friends?" He asked.

I stopped for a moment to look back at him.

"Naruto, you will always have my friendship - regardless of if you want it."

The grin on his face could power Konoha for at least a week.

"Even if I call your nose big?" He asked, surprise coloring his tone.

"Even if you call my nose big. Especially when your nose is so small." I egged him.

The outrage on his face was worth it.

"My nose isn't small! It's normal sized!" Naruto denied as I burst out laughing.

"Whatever you say, tiny-nose." I teased.

"Okay ginormous nose!" Naruto tried to top me. I only laughed harder.

I can't say I never saw any more Citizens on my doorstep looking for recompense after that, however they weren't nearly as venomous.

The days passed after that and Monday came far too soon. I was excited in a way, but also very hesitant. When Jareth, or Owl as he liked to be called, was standing at my door seeming to be waiting for me at 4:30 in the morning I wasn't entirely prepared.

"Tell me you're here to walk me." I said, really hoping that I wouldn't have to attempt to get passed the obviously much stronger man.

"Why else would I be here?" He asked

"Ibiki wanting to start my self imposed torment early?" I said lightly. Owl snorted, which I took as the Ninja way to laugh. After all, how intimidating would it be for a ninja to laugh? I thought of Ibiki laughing and nearly cringed. Nope. Never mind. That wasn't something I even wanted to picture. Laughing would make him that much more horrifying.

With that, I followed Owl out. We walked down out into the street. No one was out but us. The lights above us lining the path was the only thing that seemed to be awake

"You're less chatty." He said after some time.

"Give me an hour - I fear I'm not much awake right now."

"We'll see." Owl said mysteriously.

He vanished after walking me to a warehouse-like building. Truly, had they nowhere else that could be anything but ominous? Again, I took in consideration my supposed teacher. Of course, he would choose the creepiest building he could find.

"Let me guess… free puppies inside?" I said dryly. Owl turned to regard me.

"At least you're awake now." He then disappeared as I found only the Ninja knew how.

I eyed the door warily and pushed my way in. The warehouse was empty, save for Ibiki who stood in the dead middle.

"I was wondering if you'd come. Most don't see what we do. You have an idea - I'm surprised you'd want to go through this." Ibiki told me. His arms crossed over his chest. I didn't respond. I knew what he was talking about. I saw how this line of work affected my Uncle and Cousin. However I knew I had no choice. "You ever spar before?"

"A friend taught me some boxing. I wasn't good, I'm afraid."

"Better get good. We don't do boxing here." He sneered. Ibiki gave little warning before leaping right at me. I reacted immediately, jumping back and sliding into the stance my friend had tried to teach me so long ago.

"You're open." Ibiki growled and attacked again, aiming for my torso. Ibiki hit hard and I fell back. He scoffed as he walked around me as I regained my breath.
"Those missing Nin must have been pretty weak. And that boxing is a sorry excuse for Taijutsu."

"Forgive me, but I'm not currently fearing for my life." I snapped, getting back on my feet.

"Then we're going to have to change that." Ibiki snapped. I don't know what he did, but in that instant something changed in the very air around me. Just like when Silver-hair threatened my life, it felt like my very heart was in the palm of Ibiki's hand. Breathing was difficult, and I could feel an unsettling feeling sitting deep in my core. Ibiki charged again and I reacted on instinct alone.
Get away! My heart screamed at me. No. I couldn't. I wouldn't. I needed to do this. Fight!
Breathing in with a jerk, I forced my feet to move. I tried to strike at Ibiki but he pulled me into a chokehold.
"Elbows in. Stop flailing." He growled while I tried to break free. "You won't get free like this."

He pushed me away.

"Again." He snapped, his eyes were enraged.

I couldn't tell you how long I tried to fight Ibiki. I wished I could say I was as composed as usual but I was far beyond that. I kept rushing at him, trying to land anything and he only seemed to swat me away. He snapped corrections at me, and I tried my best to comply. He forced me to fight through my adrenaline rush and far beyond. The sun was streaming into the warehouse by the time he let me fall to the floor to rest.

"You're better than I thought, but you still have a ways to go." Ibiki said, staring down his nose at me. I could only gap at him like a fish from the floor. What little ego I thought I had, Ibiki slaughtered. "Your agility needs work. You think too much in battle. It's slowing you down. Your form is sloppy."

I couldn't even manage a grunt of acknowledgement.

"The good thing is Jiraiya was right. You got a fighting spirit. We're gonna use that." He said, and then glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's about time for your morning run, isn't it?"

"W-what?" I stuttered as dread filled me. He couldn't be serious. The look in his eye and the smirk on his mouth told me he was very serious.

"You should get a move on. Wouldn't want to miss it. If you do, I might just forget about our deal." Ibiki said. He left me there on the floor to pick myself up.

It took me a good ten minutes more to pick myself up off the floor. Ibiki was - more monstrous than I thought. Not in his actions, but his executions. He was merciless in a fight. My friend, Robert, who taught me boxing was flashy. He enjoyed making a scene and showing off. Ibiki was the antithesis of this. His movements were measured. It was as if he knew the exact amount of pressure it took to break bone. Which, figuring his job, he probably did. His strikes were unlike anything I had ever seen before. I had quite the way to grow if I even wanted to try to keep up.

When I finally gained the strength to stand, I left quietly. I felt like a dog leaving with its tail between its legs. My run was half hearted and breathless at best - but I completed it.

Work was - well, more work than I expected. I barely remember getting home and crashing into my bed that night.

Tuesday morning came far too soon. The fighting that day was even worse. Ibiki barked orders as if I were one of his underlings. To be honest, I was probably lower ranked than his underlings, so I should be grateful.

"Lower yourself! Chin down! You don't have the experience to keep that nose of yours in the air!" Ibiki growled. I nearly groaned but Ibiki nailed me in the gut and I fell back. "No attitude."

I gasped for air. Finally when I gained my breath I forced myself up to my knees.

"I would say that's like breathing to me, but you've seemed to knock that out too, luv." I wheezed.

Ibiki snorted at me and circled.

"Get up. You're still thinking too much." He said, "Your instincts are good. Stop second guessing."

"Is that a compliment I hear?" I asked, pushing myself up.

"One compliment out of forty plus mistakes is hardly a compliment." Ibiki snapped.

"At this moment, I'll take what I can get, luv." I said, forcing my aching body back into position. Ibiki grunted but I could almost see pride visible on his face. I'm not sure if it was meant for me, or for something else bouncing around in his mind.

After Ibiki thoroughly defeated me, or trained me in his eyes, he dismissed me to my running. I did run, but I also fancied a swim. I thought it would ease my aches but it was more of a second wake up than anything. I was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt for my swim, having no other better choice.

After swimming my laps, I lounged quietly in the center of the large lake. I still had to get everything ready for Taco Tuesdays. I was certain Naruto would be there - he was always there. I doubted the Hokage would be (I still can't believe he showed up twice). And Sasuke? I hadn't seen hide nor hair of him since telling him about the supposed Gremlins in my kitchen.

I would have continued my musing, but right at that moment two men ran across the water right over me. I jerked back into the water to avoid them, and surfaced quickly thereafter.
"HEY! What do you think you're doing!" I roared. Rarely have I shouted, but I was tired and had spent the past two mornings being beaten up. I was fully well through with being used as the Official Konoha punching bag.

The water-sprinters stopped suddenly and ran back. Irritation settled deep in my gut as I realized it was good-old Silver-hair and Mr. Clean impersonator Guy. They came over looking a little sheepish. Well, Guy looked sheepish, Silver-Hair looked bored. I still couldn't get over the fact that they were standing on the water's very surface. I had to look up at them from where I was, floating in the water. I could barely even see them make any sort of impression on the surface itself. It was mind-boggling.

"If it's all the same, I'd rather my untimely death not be dealt by drowning. I hear it's a sad sorry way to go." I growled at them both. Silver-hair's eyebrow hitched while Guy bowed.
"We're so sorry! We didn't see you!" Guy apologised.

"Well, one of you is half blind so I can't fault that." I snapped, focusing on Guy. I expected it from Silver-hair - but not Guy. The man in green was far too kind to just run someone over. At least that was my assessment of him. Guy laughed nervously. For once he seemed like he was knocked off kilter by me.

"I'm not half blind." Silver-hair replied.

"Ah - then I suppose you've x-ray vision, luv? Should I be concerned?" I said, my eyebrows raised back at him. See how you like it, Silver.

"Maa - what a creative mind you have, Walker-san." He said mildly. He did that fake eye-smile at me again and disgust rolled in my gut. I didn't know why but that particular habit of his I loathed.
Guy laughed nervously once more. He must have picked up on my irritation.
"We were having a contest and just got caught up." Guy tried to get me to focus back on him.

"Mm. Well, I can only afford to be one man's punching bag for the day. I'd rather not triple the number."

"Ah! So you found Ibiki! How's it going?" Guy leaned toward me with a bright grin.

"As well as to be expected. Ibiki has all of the gentle teachings of a tiger with a toothache."

Silver snorted at me, while it seemed Guy was still processing what I said.

"You picked him." Silver said. He was rather chatty - why would he care? Why hadn't he left yet?

"Indeed. Perhaps I'm concerned about other Tiger's with toothaches with less care about my personal health. Best to know thine enemy and all that."

"That's a great idea Tami! Great way to strategize and prepare yourself!" Guy would have gone on, probably spouting about youthful energy and such but he was called away by a man and woman standing on the shore.

"Guy! We have to get going!" The woman shouted.

Guy excused himself and ran to shore. I had hoped Silver would follow him and leave but he still stood there.
Grand.

I shook my head and started to swim to shore myself. Silver was keeping pace with me, his hands in his pockets.

"Don't you have defenseless women to threaten somewhere?" I said when I finally gave up the hope he would just leave.

"But you're my favorite, Tami-chan." He said in a cheerful voice. I scoffed. A Troll. That's all he was. If he wanted to play that game, then fine. We could play that game.

"Oh goody me." I grumbled under my breath. I decided if he was so set on talking, I would have to float on my back and swim to shore. I'd rather not breathe in water trying to speak to him. He'd probably just watch me drown.

"Why did you befriend those two?"

"Which two? You'd best be specific, luv. I befriend a great manner of people. The best way is to not threaten them with bodily harm, by-the-by. Tends to work out better."

"Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto." He said simply. "The Hokage said to talk to you."
"Ah. So you reported me." I said mildly. His lone eye focused on me sharply. Bingo. He did.

"Well?" He prompted.

"I can't imagine why you would care. They're two boys on their own. They've no one and their village let them slip through the cracks. One is the outcast, and the other everyone refuses to help because of politics. What care have you for two Orphans?" I countered.

Silver stayed quiet, just watching me with his one eye. It was rather unsettling, to be honest. Something about him was making me utterly uncomfortable. I could feel the back of my neck tingling, increasing my unease. I rolled my eyes. He wouldn't leave until he got his answers. It wasn't like it was a National Secret. Maybe he would finally leave?

"Naruto is an utter sweetheart, albeit a rather loud one. And yet he's treated like garbage. He's alone and no one to even be his friend. It's no wonder he pranks the village. It's probably the only attention he gets. I can't just allow that to slip by. It's absolute cruelty. And Sasuke - imagine living in the very home you saw your family die in. I can't imagine what that boy is going through. The very least I could do is offer him a reprieve on his terms." I told him seriously. We reached shore and I waded the rest of the way out. I could see shock in that eye of his. What was he so surprised about? He turned away, seeming to shut me out.
"Just because you chalked me up as the worse thing to enter Konoha doesn't mean that's who I actually am. If you're so concerned about it, you do something. I'm sure they'd love someone to step into their corner." I snapped at him. Silver didn't seem to be paying me much attention after that. He then turned his head and looked at me seriously.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?" Silver asked in feigned politeness. I shoved my irritation aside and gave him my best come hither look. If nothing else, to irritate him just as much as he was clearly trying to be irritating.

"Oh, indeed I did. I asked you out to the local upper class tea house. Although I doubt you would make the list - they frown on raggedy men in masks entering their establishment. Bad for business I'm afraid." I said coyly. I couldn't stand him.

He gave me one of his fake eye smiles and leaned in close. "You couldn't afford me."

With that he vanished into a poof of smoke.

Ugh. That man. I couldn't wait to leave him and Konoha behind. Maya had to be crazy to like that - that - ugh! Words couldn't accurately describe my feelings for the cur.

I made my way home, a storm brewing in me. I couldn't do much against a man such as Silver. I would just have to grin and bare it. Hopefully Silver found me boring enough to leave alone. Or, alternatively, he had bigger fish to fry. I could only hope. I doubt I could outwit him. There was something very - off about him. I couldn't put my finger on it. Sadness? Grief? Anger? I couldn't pin it and I didn't want to. Humanizing him was - it wasn't easy. It would mean he was more than a cartoon. Mind, he was probably the only one I struggled with this on but I still struggled. Briefly I remembered Maya talking about how traumatic Silver's past was. As usual, I knew no specifics, but I could only guess. It wasn't until I reached my front door that I realized Silver may have been honest with me. He may have fallen into his own thoughts and truly didn't hear me. Possibly. Maybe I assumed his false politeness? I couldn't say one way or another. He was a complete mystery to me, and I couldn't get a read on him.

Maybe - maybe Naruto and Sasuke weren't the only ones alone.

Or, Silver was just a rude man who cared for no one but his village's status quo. Anything was a possibility at this point.

Trudging up to my rental was painful (my thighs and calves were burning). By the time I arrived home I was exhausted. I collapsed onto my bed and passed right out. I only meant to sleep for a couple of hours but when I next awoke I could hear Naruto yelling at my door.
"HEY! Open up!" He shouted. I could hear someone else grumbling at him as he pounded on my door.

"Shut up, stupid. Not so loud." Another voice grumbled.

I slowly made my way to the front door and opened it. There stood an angry Naruto and a disgruntled Sasuke.

"Ah, well - sorry Naruto, Sasuke. I didn't mean to make you wait. I went for a nap and that was… hours ago." I told them and let them in.

"Oh yeah! You started this week, huh?" Naruto cheered up with the thought of Ninja life.
"Mm - Ibiki is… brutal." I said.

"You're training to be a ninja?" Sasuke asked quietly.

"Trying." I muttered. I then realized I hadn't prepped at all for Tacos. "Gentlemen, I'm afraid that I don't have Taco Tuesday ready. Would either of you have any idea of some alternatives?"

"Ramen!" Naruto shouted, lifting his tiny fists in the air.
"Have we any protests?" I asked Sasuke who only shrugged.

We went out to Naruto's favorite spot, but I kept a close eye on the time. I didn't even know if I was still under curfew. Maybe I wasn't? It should be over by now.

Ramen was good. It wasn't like the cheap packets in the states. Naruto actively avoided the topic of school while Sasuke only seemed focused on his food. I didn't get my answer as to why he was acting like that until long after Naruto left and Sasuke and I were left alone. We were heading back to the general direction of our respective homes when Sasuke spoke up.

"Are Gremlins real or did you make it up?" He asked me suddenly. He watched me as if to dare me to lie. The jig was up, so to speak.
"You're a sharp one, I'll give you that." I said with a smile. He frowned at me.

"Why did you lie?"

Wasn't that the question of the week?

We started walking down the path towards both of our destinations. However, I didn't know what he had planned.

"A myriad of reasons. I may have been informed about how you're on your own. I know - I know a little about being alone. I know how it's a struggle every day. I also know boys and men tend to prefer - well- it's harder to ask for help or admit that you need it."
"I'm not weak." Sasuke interrupted with a growl.

"It's not a weakness to need help."
"Yes it is!" Sasuke replied quickly.

"Oh. So if you needed help you could ask for it?"
"Yes I could."

"Oh, would you like some help?"

"No."

"Rather easy, that reply?" I countered with a grin. He glowered at me.

"My goal was that you would know that any time you needed help I would be there. Even if you needed to say it was me who needed the help. Because, by-the-by, I care more about how you're handling your situation than how others perceive me."

"You don't care?" Sasuke stared at me in shock.

"Not a stitch." I sent him another grin and a wink, "I'd rather be known as the crazy woman down the way who believes in imaginary kitchen Gremlins than know that you are alone."

Sasuke stared at the ground as we walked.

"Why?" He asked suddenly.

"Because, once upon a time I was alone. Someone stepped in. So, I'm stepping in for you too. And Naruto, of course." I explained.

Sasuke was quiet for a long time after this. I watched him mull this over in his mind. He was smarter than I first thought. I briefly wondered what would have happened to him without intervention. Certainly Konoha wouldn't have just left him be. Certainly.

"So - what if I am wondering about the Gremlins?" He asked quietly.

"I've a couch I can make up for a bed. We can make as much of an event of it as you'd like." I offered.

"I'm not weak though." Sasuke told me seriously.

"Of course you're not." I agreed.
"I'm just humoring you." He continued.

"Clearly. I'm a bit off kilter, obviously. It's what you do for friends." I said in an understanding tone.

Sasuke nodded, a firm look in his eye. We headed back to my apartment and set up my couch for him. Sasuke watched quietly from the corner of the room.
"Come on, then. How about a story before bed?" I asked. Sasuke scrunched up his nose in distaste. He went over to the couch and got ready for bed, the furrow in his brow not leaving.
"I'm not a baby." He told me.

"Oh, so you're too good for my stories?" I sighed pathetically, and looked at him from the corner of my eye. "And here I thought I would tell you the story of an Orphan who became a symbol of hope and a protector of the innocent for his Fair City."

I could see the interest build in his eyes. I stood slowly, just to see if he would call me back. If Sasuke wanted something he would say it.
"How'd he do it?" Sasuke asked. I peeked at him over my shoulder. He didn't seem to want to look too eager. He kept glancing over at me and then away.

I went back over and sat by his feet.

"Well, if I was to tell you - I guess I would start by saying with the help of his butler." I began. Sasuke's nose scrunched right up again.
"What's a butler?"

"A sort of - keeper. They see after the matters of their bosses, keeping up with the family - ensuring the home runs smoothly. Mostly rich families have them. Alfred Pennyworth acted as a surrogate father figure, keeper, best friend to his young Master Bruce Wayne. Had it not been for Alfred's guidance, Bruce Wayne would have grown up very broken indeed." I started. I was doing my best to avoid the Thomas and Martha Wayne tragedy. I didn't want to remind Sasuke of something so painful so blatantly. I tried to think how to best tell the story to the young Uchiha. It might bring some comfort to know he wasn't alone in his pain - even if it was a comic book character that shared it.

"Bruce Wayne was all of eight when he and Alfred were suddenly alone in a very big house. Alfred, being an - ah - very experienced but retired Ninja began to tutor the young man in hopes of steering him in the proper way.

"As the years went by, Bruce had gotten stronger. His parents' death was heavy on his mind, and the justice they never received. The - ah - Anbu were corrupt in this city of Gotham, as were the other ninja. They rarely did their job. And if they tried, the bad men would go free. All but one man, James Gordon, who had a reputation for being very straight laced and would never fold.

"As Bruce grew, he saw how often the city failed her people, to do the right thing. He saw that the same villains over and over again prevail while the everyday citizens cowered in fear. He decided when he was grown that he would do something. If the Ninja of Gotham wouldn't clean the streets of the bad men, Bruce would. Under cape and cowl and with the moniker of Batman, he began to clear out the underbelly of Gotham. He researched these villains carefully, doing detective work and building cases against the bad men. Batman had one rule and only one rule: never kill. He would send them to be judged, but never cast the judgement himself."

"Why?" Sasuke asked, looking unconvinced.

"Because everyone should have their day to plead a case. Even the worst of them. Not because the bad men need to be heard all the time, but the victims need a voice. Sometimes a court case is all they have. And, sometimes, bad guys aren't just bad guys. Sometimes things get complicated. Dealing out biased judgement ends terribly for everyone involved."

Sasuke didn't look like he was convinced, but nestled down deeper into the covers.
"What happened next?"

"Oh - with the help of James Gordon, Batman was able to clean up the streets and help Gotham become a safer place." I said with a shrug.

"How long did it take?"

"A very long time. I can tell you further adventures of Batman but maybe later. I fear I'm not going to be coherent for much longer." I said, stifling a yawn.

"I thought you slept already." Sasuke frowned at me. He seemed put off that I couldn't share more with him. Surprising when he hadn't seemed interested at the beginning.

"I had a nap, but with the day I had I fear I need a couple day's rest." I explained.

"What happened?"

"I trained with Ibiki, ran my laps and swam - ran into some strange men and crashed for a couple hours." I said.

"That's not that much."

"Yes, but it was a lot of not much."

I ruffled Sasuke's hair who scowled at me for it.

"Go on then. Time for bed. You probably have school and I have further torment tomorrow. I leave early, so leave when you'd like." I told him and I headed to my room.

"Good night." I heard a small voice call.

"Night." I called. I set my alarm on my phone and quickly fell asleep.

The next morning came just as fast as the others. Once again, I went early and once more Ibiki handed my backside to me on a silver platter. I was on the floor once more, trying to gain back my breath when he told me of the switch up for the day.

"Come. We're done with training today. I'm wondering about that arm of yours. That should have been gone a long time ago." He said, gesturing to my scar.

"Yes, well - there's nothing I can do about it." I muttered, rubbing the scar. I barely thought about it anymore until a thunderstorm came.

"Yeah - but if that thing interferes with your chakra, we have another problem we have to face."

"A what now?" My eyebrows probably hit my hairline. Chakra. Seriously?

He just stared at me, clearly unimpressed with my lack of knowledge.
"I'm letting that slide this once. Come, the hospital opens in ten minutes." Ibiki turned away and began walking out. The man took possibly the longest strides I had ever seen. I had to walk quickly beside him to keep up.

We made it to the hospital in record time. We were checked in and left in the waiting room.

"So, you never answered. What's chakra?"

"It's like energy. Everything has it. You have it but I don't know how much and I don't know if that scar is going to cause a problem. I've never seen anything like it." Ibiki told me. Was he concerned? Worried? It couldn't be.

"It's a scar. Nothing more." I tried not to fiddle with my shirt hem.

"I've seen stranger." He growled, eyeing me from the corner of his eye.

"Mm - too true. Nearly thought I saw a man walk out of a poster on my roommates wall. Frightening times, ah?" I joked. Ibiki smirked beside me.

"I don't think I've ever seen anyone fall apart that fast. Is that a normal thing for you?"

"Hardly. The show must go on. I had just - I was focused on other things. I had been ignoring the subtle signs something was wrong for days." I shrugged lightly.

"You're going to have to fix that." Ibiki said quietly.

"I'm more than capable of handling my emotions and seeing things correctly. You have to admit that - the circumstances are unique. I think I did rather well, all things considered."

Ibiki grunted. When he fell quiet I knew it was time to stop talking about that subject. Soon enough a woman walked out with the palest eyes I had ever seen. She couldn't be blind as she was far too alert and she stared right at me.
"Warr-W-Wah-" She stuttered, reading the sheet before her.

"Walker." I told her. She blushed and bowed. I waved away the concern. "Happens enough, luv. I don't mind it."

"O-oh, okay. I'm Hyuga Hitomi. Please, this way." She

We were ushered into a room, where the woman was reading the papers before her.

"How long has your scar been-" She paused, her ghost-like eyes flicking above the paper to my arm. I tried not to fidget under her stare.

"Been bright blue? Since I got it. Looks like a tattoo, doesn't it?" I said pulling up my sleeve to show her.

"Do you mind if I..?" Hitomi glanced at Ibiki who waved her on. She did something and suddenly her eyes were different. I jumped back in surprise, but Ibiki put his hand on my back to hold me firm.

"You need to stop being so jumpy." Ibiki said under his breath. "People will think you're not a professional."

It was his way of telling me I was acting like a civilian and probably not from around these parts. Grand. I couldn't help it. It wasn't anything like I was used to. Give me a Rave and I was fine - a rock concert with a mosh pit? I could weave in and out like a breeze. However, some Ninja with a few hand tricks and freaky eyes? It was just subtle enough to leave me unbalanced.

Hitomi came over to me, inspecting my arm closely.

"Your chakra looks fine. Your levels are strong, considering your past civilian lifestyle… but the path has - it's been changed. In this arm, it's twisted around itself."

"Which means…?" I asked. I barely even understood the words she said.

"Can she perform jutsus?" Ibiki asked, his hands now firmly in his pants pockets.

"You should be able to but… there's going to be a delay with your jutsu. Some of the more difficult ones may require more from you than the average Ninja. And there's something… different about your arm here. What happened when you got it?"

"Some fellow hit me with electricity while I was using something with electricity." That was the bare-bones of it. I couldn't tell her what a taser was. It was safely hidden in my closet somewhere, with my other things. I couldn't just show that off. (My pepper spray stayed with me. Even in Konoha, I was sure I could need it.)

"It just seems - contained here. Almost like a shield of electricity. I can't say what you can do with it and can't, but it could be beneficial."

"Well - that's the first I've heard of a scar with a benefit. Methinks that's a plus." At the very least it didn't only just hurt. It hurt but with purpose, I supposed.

"That's - that's a good way to think of it." Hitomi said softly. "But the delay…."
"Mm - I'll just have to get timing down and think a couple steps ahead. Don't worry about me, luv. It's just information. That's all." I waved off her concern and she smiled appreciatively.

When we were through, Ibiki walked me back out.

"We're going to start working on your Chakra once your fighting isn't so terrible. Inoichi offered to teach you how to guard your mind. Try not to antagonize him. I won't be able to teach you every day from here on, but I'll make sure someone does." Ibiki told me. He stopped in the street, and I had a feeling he would be leaving soon in a poof.

"Yes, well. Thank you. A girl does have to have the stuffing beaten out of her before dawn. It's truly the mark of a well bred woman, you know." I said dryly. Ibiki shook his head and looked at me skeptically.
"Keep joking like that and people will start believing you have a streak of masochism." He smirked at me.
"Or rather one who covers pain with jokes. Besides, I'm sure Guy already has that concern for me." I said with a shrug. "See you around, ah?"

Ibiki snorted and left with a wave of his hand. He didn't magically poof away like I was so used to others doing, but he simply meandered off.

Strange man.

AN: Goodness, I hope you guys are enjoying this! I'm having fun, so I hope you are too. I've been arguing with myself over when to post this. I probably shouldn't post so early because I don't think I can keep up that rate BUT this one is done so... Here we are. I already have the next chapter written but it still needs to be fine tuned. Jiraiya makes a return. I really enjoy his character!

Thank you to everyone who favorited and followed this story. It's so nice and humbling to know that you're enjoying this enough to want to see where we go from here.

Tami fact #4: Tami was made for a different story all together, which will make an appearance later. For me to get her character right I had to roleplay her because she didn't want her "past" looked into. That's why this is written in first person perspective. All the little things she notices and thinks would be lost in third person perspective, even though third person perspective is my preferred writing style. While she's open about some things, she's super closed off on others.