Sai was studying on the library once again, reading about social relationships and nicknames with an unexpected partner. The raven was engrossed on another book, he didn't pried, but took note about the seals. She had notes around her, once in a while making little sounds, nothing that bothered him until she suddenly clapped excitedly.
"How I didn't think of it?! It's brilliant!"
"Have you made progress?" Sai asked politely, the woman nodded and suddenly showed the book and her notes as she described happily her new discovery "You see, I was thinking about puppets. I have a friend who uses that a lot but he is on disadvantage at close combat, so I thought, instead of chakra strings controlling them, how about using a substitute?"
"What do you mean?" Sai was confused but curious, since it involved an interesting insight of possibilities.
"Oh, imagine you can put in something else, like a clone itself or another soul. I was thinking of either options how could it be done and I just got my answer! This is wonderful Sai! It can help a lot"
"How could it work?" Now that she had some basis on it Kaoru described on her notes what was required, an hypothesis about using another seal, using clones for them to last longer on battles. He blinked amazed such bubbly curious woman actually showed smart skills, just on a different way. Since she didn't objected he took other of her notes and asked about them. Particularly about the Kuchiyose no Jutsu that had few drawings.
"Oh, I had though if this seal can call objects and animals, even corpses… why not people? I know it sounds strange but, can you imagine Sai? We could cut short urgent travels, or if we could find a way of extending the seal enough to let pass more than one object or person at a time, we can use it on emergency cases or…"
"Trade merchandise between villages… that is actually an interesting insight. What does it needs?"
"That is what I'm trying to think about, I suppose the quantity of chakra you apply to summon a living animal might be the same principle on calling a person. So if the summoner is weak, it won't work. I was thinking of a way for him to not use his own chakra but… a back up. The thing is I hadn't time for looking around this topic yet." Then she paused and tilted her head "Do you have any idea Sai?"
Ok, that made him feel a bit hot on his face. Self-conscious, might be embarrassment, but he didn't expected her to include him just… because he was supposed to spy on her. That uncomfortable thought felt, like something just hit his stomach.
"Sai? Kaoru? What are you doing?" Sakura voice interrupted, he was glad for one time seeing the pink teammate.
"Oh just doing research. I'm so happy Sakura! I have to tell him the good news"
"To whom?"
"Gaara of course!" Her stomach growled and Kaoru blushed, Sakura laughed and Sai didn't know if he had to react as well.
"Oh girl, you forgot to eat again? So bad because it's time we go and make Kakashi leave the hospital"
"Oh that's right! That lazy man! Feigned being sick… why didn't I think about that sooner?" Kaoru made Sakura laugh again, Sai didn't knew if she was serious or it was a joke. When he didn't moved the pink haired teammate pushed him forward so he could come along, since they were a team now. Along the way, Naruto received them with the usual smile.
"My favorite girls! Where had you been? I almost fall asleep here"
"Being awesome!" Kaoru laughed and bumped his shoulder gently "Did you sleep well Naruto-kun?"
"Yeah, hum… you are awfully happy. What did you do?" He tried to pinch Kaoru cheek but she dodged and continued smiling. "That is a secret." Naruto scowled and Sakura laughed, Sai decided being bold for once.
"Am… Guys?" They paused and Sai took courage "Do you mind including me on your conversation? I was reading about how to open up with others, it said that a way for making friends was using nicknames or else…"
"Oh, that's why you were nervous?" Naruto grinned, Sakura smiled and Kaoru tilted her head.
"I'm still thinking about something for you, but I could not think about them" Sai admitted, Naruto and Sakura kindly explained it was supposed to flow naturally and it had to involve an aspect of the person. Then he already had one for Naruto, he looked first to Sakura, since she might be the easy one. Debating of either pick one or generalize her entire persona a word popped out.
"Ugly" It fitted her physique and attitude, he doesn't understand why it… she got mad. Before the raven could separate them, Sai already felt the bruise on his face.
"Gosh, Sakura that doesn't help at all! " Naruto tried helping as well, handling her pink teammate but she turned to punch him. Sai blinked, everyone stopped, Sakura fist never collided with Naruto, Kaoru had successfully blocked out with ease. What perplexed him was the fake smile on Kaoru.
"Sa-ku-ra" Naruto gulped looking between them, as Kaoru's grip intensified on her hand. Just enough for Sakura react, yet the raven didn't let her go. "As my friend… I warn you, don't hit Naruto UNLESS he totally deserves it. Believe me, you don't want to make me mad… try to chill out woman!"
Naruto mouth could have touched the ground, Sai was impressed and scared, he had read that the fury of a woman could fire up the earth. This time he didn't know who to fear, personally it was better not knowing.
"woman… woman… that just worsen my mood, FRIEND" her fist trembled, before she could move Sai could see her fingers glow briefly at high speed and pinch two point on her arms before Sakura knew what happened. Her arms fall useless and that left her speechless, Naruto was too shocked.
Kaoru sighed crossing her arms as if scolding a child "Let me give you an advice. Don't pick up a fight you can't won. You're acting a bit childish, just think about it and apologize to Sai."
The raven haired woman walked up to him offering her hand, he forgot about the cold ground when their little bickering began. Not testing his luck he took it, from her pouch Kaoru took a bottle. "I'm sure Sai didn't mean it in a bad way, isn't it?" Her fingers glowed with a bit of ointment, emerald eyes blinked and he just nodded.
"You-You're really scary Kao-chan… am… Sakura hands…" Naruto voice returned at last, trembling slightly and facing the ground just in case.
"I will unblock when she apologizes" Her voice nothing like the usual calm and cheerful Sai had seen. Once Kaoru finished healing him Sakura hadn't moved but Kaoru did something strange and pinched his cheek "And you… Naruto had told me you're new on this social emotional stuff, I'm delighted on your efforts but even so, ask before you talk, not everyone will be so understanding." With that Sai had a lot to think, his objective was not volatile like Sakura, but she didn't need to shout for taking her seriously.
It took some minutes, but once Sakura apologized and Kaoru returned what she promised they continued their path to the hospital. Kakashi was reading one of those novels a certain Sannin wrote when they came and presented him, he was surprised even the older man was scolded by Kaoru on a gentle manner. The more he thought, another word came to his mind for a possible nickname, yet for the sake of his integrity Sai decided to hold it for later. Irrevocably Sasuke name and Naruto need for training got different reactions on them.
"How can Naruto be the only one up for the training? What do you expect us to do then?" Kaoru was quite vocal about it. Kakashi rubbed his neck apologetically but her scowl was still there.
"I… I didn't mean to call you weak or something. It's just that not everyone has Naruto chakra or stamina for the idea I have on mind so…"
"Ok, then let me a chance to prove. I didn't get one and you still think I might be a girl but…"
"But it might not be a good idea Kaoru" Sakura commented, that shocked the raven more.
"So you are right with it Sakura? We may be woman but that doesn't mean we have to leave Naruto do all alone." Kaoru crossed her arms, displeased and stared seriously at their sensei who sighed.
"What do you propose then? I was planning on completely focusing on Naruto and…"
But Kaoru interrupted him with a sad frown "I got it, I will search for someone else then. Don't bother" Sai watched as she turned about to leave when the door opened.
"Gosh! Asuma-sensei you should knock first" The blond pale, blue eyed skinny woman said, he got a slight chance to examine the others when Kaoru quickly went to Shikamaru and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"Shika-chan…" was all he could hear before Shikamaru gazed at all of them, scowling when he noticed him and returned reluctantly the hug.
"Troublesome… just… did HE do something?" Sai was sure that unnerving frown was for him. There was no time for misunderstandings, not if he wanted friends, therefore Sai cleared the misunderstanding before things got worse. They got themselves later eating barbeque at Asuma invitation.
"I'm starting to like more Asuma-sensei, not like that Kakashi…" Kaoru's irritation still fresh as she prepared the meat.
"Cheer up Kao-chan, he might get gloomy if he hears you say that" Naruto touched her shoulder, and she leaned her head on his shoulder.
"I hope so… but he doesn't understands" Sadly she didn't think Kakashi will get it. Naruto squeezed a bit her shoulder and grinned, Kaoru sighed but nodded and continued serving the meat Ino didn't pick first for him.
"Being a little bit too cozy, isn't it my Hime?" the usual deep voice of Isamu came to bother, she blushed.
"Just what I need. What brings you here Isa-kun?" Kaoru replied on her mind as she served another one for Sai but he had already a full plate. Naruto took a piece of that meat on her hands to feed her.
"We have to talk" The slight change on his tone made her pause, she finished the few traces of meat and leaved. She went back to the District, and entered the old Nakano temple and sit down. This time she felt Isamu reaching out and materialize himself by its own accord.
"Is something wrong? You seem… perturbed. Is Suna alright?" She was concerned, he sit down as well and took a long breath before starting.
"It's fine, they are doing well." He paused "The time has come, you remember our deal, right?"
"Oh, what I have to do?" Kaoru asked in wonder, finally she will know what her mission entailed.
"Since you're strong enough I can tell you. Contrary of what you may believe I can't be at all places at the same time and I do have spirits around helping me"
"Really? Tell me more, please! I had been itching to know you more" Kaoru smiled and approached him a bit more.
"You had? I suppose… that is nice?" Isamu tilted his head, she grinned and answered
"Yeah, you're my friend as well. One that sometimes freaks me on the bathroom but still… a friend" Isamu contempled the little woman besides him, the expression changed and before she could ask he closed his eyes and continued.
"At first we were just, 5 of us, each one linked to a natural element. Over the time I had chosen another spirits among the dead, it was a reward. The only thing I asked for was their help maintaining the balance of life and dead but…"
He paused, yet if he didn't explained her now… it would be troublesome later. "Some became greedy and fooled around with humans, part of the mishaps in the world of shinobi is my fault. I had done what I could eradicating the souls whom take advantage… There are still some out and I need you chase after them"
The silence as Kaoru thought about the information swirled around her mind for a time, Isamu waited until she felt comfortable, fortunately she was a smart woman and it didn't took long.
"Have you waited so long… just for me?"
"Hikaru and Shiori had done part of that job over the years, until you broke the seal I could just trust on him with your training. Now you understand a bit of what we have been doing?"
And she did, thinking about her training over the years, little by little increasing the challenge up to the moment she could summon him and both developed a style of their own. Yet she had other inquiries.
"You told me once that people can handle just one spirit but… when I was little I remember sometimes burning objects, cutting leaves, and the water…" She paused, tilting her head, frowning in concentration.
"You are different because I choose you. The rightful leader of the Higa clan, deceit and conceal had been the motto for those who lived out, because people would chase after them at the idea of… a shaman"
"Shaman?" Kaoru asked, green eyes full of curiosity.
"Those who can reach a level beyond and channel the soul spirit energy into this world. The Higa were shamans with no care for war. Each leader is the pillar whom can hold the 5 generals, so far you only have meet Shiori and Harumi."
"Then, can I fight with them as well? Use it like the old times?" She asked amazed, he denied.
"Since you have bestowed them to other person they can no longer help unless…" Isamu contemplated for a moment, she waited expectantly but he didn't want to pop her bubble yet.
"Well, don't mind it. I had sensed a particular enemy near, we have to fight against him since Hikaru is out taking another pest on Iwa"
"You- you mean like right now? But Yue hadn't arrived from his mission yet and I still have to…"
"He is alright, remember Harumi is with him. Who would have told you will be such a worrisome mother chick?"
"Is that an insult?" Isamu grinned and ruffled the hair of his little woman who scowled and blushed. No matter how many time he did it, he never got tired of messing with her.
"Take a guess." He stood up and get her up in a wink. Walking out holding hands Kaoru asked a bit worried.
"Wa-Wait! I can't leave just like that"
"I know, that's why we have to see that woman. Stretch that pair of legs Hime" Isamu then winked playfully at her and disappeared. Kaoru blinked a couple of seconds before everything clicked on her mind and ran after him in panic.