Yōso no josei.

Chapter 3: Bells pt2.

A/N: Howdy it's me again back with chapter 3! Pardon the long wait, I got held up with finals. Anywho before anything else I'd like to say thank you for the reviews as well as for the support! I didn't really think this would catch any attention but I'm glad it did and I'll continue writing and updating to keep you peeps entertained.

Another thing, I noticed my mistake in previous chapters which I shall get to editing; her name is meant to be Natsumi not Natsume.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto that right belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.


Sasuke hid on a branch of a thick tree in the foliage surrounding their training ground. There hasn't been much movement since the test began around five minutes ago. He could tell Sakura was nearby due to the scent of her perfume carried by the wind, but his other teammate was good at hiding herself as he couldn't spot her elegant form.

He eyed Kakashi carefully who stood at the same spot since he started the test, the man hadn't moved much he just stood there staring off into the distance.

'I wonder where Natsumi went?' the raven haired preteen thought as he searched the area for the petite blond.

"What do you need Uchiha?" a voiced asked.

Without skipping a bit Sasuke answered, "I'm looking for Natsumi."

"Oh…but I'm right here." Sasuke's eyes widened as he turned back and indeed Natsumi was present, a smug smirk plastered on her face. Sasuke nearly jumped out of the skin, he hadn't even sensed her.

"Be mindful of your surroundings Uchiha, in real situations you would have been killed on the spot before you even knew it." Natsumi chided as she twirled around and stared past his shoulder and peered at their laid back sensei.

"Hn." Sasuke didn't have a verbal response for her so he kept his mouth shut and watched their trainer idly stand on the spot, 'He's not taking any of this seriously.' It angered him that he, an Uchiha elite was being treated like a mere distraction.

"Alright time to test him." She whispered swiftly rising to her feet and stretching lightly. Sasuke raised a brow before snorting, this would be entertaining to say the least. A small Genin such as herself going up against a probably skilled Jonin.

"Yeah, right good luck with that." She only beat him during the exam because he wasn't focused, yeah, it was just pure dumb luck on her side.

"Arrogance is your forte." She muttered, her gaze staring deep into his own eyes. Without another word spoken she walked around the foliage, her movements at a moderate pace as she prepared to face the lone eyed Jonin.

Kakashi raised a brow as he caught sight of a calm Natsumi, using his finger to keep his book in place he watched her with a hint of curiosity, 'Well, this should be quite interesting.' He thought as he sent his notorious eye smile, "Natsumi, so finally decided to confront your Sensei?" he asked cheerfully. She smirked as she returned the eye gesture.

"No…I'm here to beat him." She quipped with the smirk still present as she grabbed the obi around her waist and lightly tugged on it, unraveling the bow. She threw it to the side as she slid the kimono off her shoulders. Underneath the ornate garment was a one piece outfit. It was made of dark grey material with a lone zipper running down the middle. It stopped at her shins where it was met by a pair of dark sandals. It's sleeves ended just past her shoulders, at which the long sleeves of a mesh under shirt took over. Light thin metal plates of armor guarded her hips and thighs as well as a lone plate strapped along her chest. Her forearms were guarded by vambraces made of the same metal. All in all the outfit reminded Kakashi of a modified version of the Sandaime's battle gear.

"Now I'm more presentable for this bout." She spoke as she stood in a stance, one frighteningly similar to the Gentle fist.

'If she does know that technique, then I'm screwed.' He thought as he critically examined her form. It wasn't giving him any comfort, it was definitely the feared taijutsu of the Hyuga clan. His eyes diverted to her legs as they switched and to some unknown signal she took off.

She rushed at the older ninja and closed the gap between them in a matter of seconds, once a few feet away from him she thrust her arm forward opening her palm mid strike. Kakashi saw this coming and slapped it away, the first palm was followed by another which he slapped away again. She spun around and squated slightly her palm closed into a fist aiming for his sides. The skilled Jonin grabbed the fist and began his counter-attack. He lifted his left leg and planned for a kick, but it seems Natsumi had anticipated that as she jumped and planted her feet on his chest, and pushing forward. Kakashi stumbled back releasing his grip on her, he turned his attention back on her and saw the thin smirk stretching her lips.

"Well, you're flexible." He commented and he noticed that she had placed her right hand on her left shoulder, "But, you hurt yourself as well." He chirped with a light chuckle but she rolled her eyes.

"It's already healed." She replied while rolling the shoulder and a pop was heard, she stared at him once more and looked to the right. Kakashi followed her gaze and saw an identical Natsumi rushing at him, he's lone eye widened, 'When did she create a clone? Better question, where did she learn to create a Shadow clone?' He asked himself as he blocked a strike from the clone which immediately dispersed as it struck him. He blinked but cursed as he had momentarily forgotten about the original. A sharp pain shot up his side, followed by two more that spread to his back and abdomen. He grunted as he glared at Natsumi who had struck him three times, she leapt back as he lashed out at her.

"Huh, that's all it took to draw your attention?" She asked her, relaxing her stance as she a thin brow at the veteran.

"Well excuse me for being surprised by a Genin being able to create a Shadow clone." He said with an irate tone, "How does a Genin know that technique?" He asked suspiciously and she shrugged her shoulders.

"Since when do opponents exchange secrets?" She asked with a snort. He was about to retort but noted that she was in fact correct, opponents should never trade secrets.

"Fair point." He sighed fully pocketing his book, he needed to treat this small one seriously.

"You only decide to put away your book once I've completed my test run? Mockery." She frowned as she bent down and collected her discarded articles of clothing, "Rude." She muttered as she threw her kimono on and began to bind it with the obi.

Kakashi felt himself deflate as she berated him and wore her kimono, "…Sorry…I guess." He said rubbing the back of his head. She merely huffed, and turned away. He blinked and blinked, was she going to just walk away?, "Natsumi?!" he called out. She ignored him and continued to leave the battle area. Soon she was engulfed by the foliage and hidden by the trees.

'That was weird.' He thought as he slowly took out his book, 'I'm not sure who she takes after, her father or mother?' he wondered before slightly wincing as a pain shot through his sides, 'That wasn't the Gentle fist, but something similar.' He glanced at his side and lightly rubbed it.

He looked around before randomly picking a path, he began his slow walk in search of his other students.

Sasuke watched in a bit of awe and jealousy as he watched Natsumi confront Kakashi. She was able to land four strikes on him, and all of them caught him off guard, 'I'll land twice that amount, I'll even make him submit.' He thought as his arrogance took over.

'But she looked hot doing it.' His inner nuisance chipped in with his own two cents. He growled and forcefully muted him as he went to confront their Sensei.

Sakura watched the little scuffle and felt a bit of dread, 'I-I can't do that.' She thought as she compared herself with Natsumi, and as much as she hated to admit it…she was weak compared to the blonde twerp. Her stature was just a guise for what she was truly capable of…is this why Sasuke paid more attention to Natsumi than herself? Because of her capabilities and strength? It must be! Sakura was more attractive than that loli! So strength it is! She must become stronger and prove to her beloved that she's the only one meant for him!

"Well…Sasuke Uchiha-san, you seem a bit head over heels." Natsumi's signature grin took hold over her graceful visage as she lavished at the sight of an incapacitated Sasuke who was less than pleased by her laughter. It was embarrassing for him, an UCHIHA! To be trapped in such a manner and left to be a laughing stock for a Hyuga sponsored brat such as her. He growled and glared at her, his coal orbs leering into the swirling pools of sapphire.

"Get me out of here!" he ordered which brought a pause to Natsumi's giggles as she stared at him with her head tilted to the side. Her bright eyes fluttered as she blinked multiple times and claimed a seat on the ground (Something Sasuke never thought he would see from her) just staring at him. Silence. That was it, she just sat there and stared at him as if he were some sort of perplexing puzzle. Sasuke was suddenly reevaluating his thoughts on the blonde enigma, but just as he was about to word his frustration a shriek grabbed his attention.

"S-SASUKE!" Sakura's wail was soon followed by the sound of a body hitting the unforgiving gravel. Just past the shrubs their pink haired teammate lay unconscious from the shock of seeing her infatuation as a head with no body.

"My oh my." Natsumi commented as she hopped to her feet and dusted down her kimono of any dirt or grass that would dare cling to the material. The blonde approached her fallen comrade and knelt besides her, placing the back of her hand against Haruno's forehead; from there her hand moved to the other's cheek before with hasty action her wrist cocked back before unleashing a stinging slap upon the sleeping girl's skin. It did the job as Sakura sat upright with a loud screech as she clutched her flushed face and sent an emerald glower at the smiling half-pint.

"What is your problem you brat?!" Sakura exclaimed but she would receive no answer as Natsumi had already turned around and focused on Sasuke, working on freeing him from his earthy prison. All of her anger died down as she saw the last Uchiha in perail, being the fangirl that she was she took to assisting Natsumi with digging the raven haired male out of his predicament.

Once the entire team was collected and seated, Natsumi picked that moment to speak up and address the test which she estimated would end in less than an hour.

"Let us clear any foolish illusions of grandeur, none of us can beat Kakashi Hatake-sensei-"

"You seemed to be doing just fine, and I almost got a bell myself." Sasuke intervened only to be shut up by a glare that promised him pain and suffering.

"Never interrupt a lady Sasuke Uchiha-san. Now as I was saying, we are genin who have just recently left the academy defeating a Jonin with experience such as our sensei is just a dream…so there is only one option, we need to work together to get the bells." Natsumi stated but she was met with silence and scoff from her fellow teammates.

"Yeah right, you only want to get a bell for yourself and use us as bait." Sakura crossed her arms and set a stone locked gazed at the smaller girl who refused to budge. However the next words shocked the pinkette.

"Natsumi is right." He never thought in a million years that he would be agreeing to someone else's opinion but this was for his future and he would not allow anything to stand in his way of getting stronger, if he had to shelf his pride just for an hour he would do it and listen to the chibi seated in front of him.

"Thank you Uchiha-san. Haruno, unless you have any better idea I suggest you listen up and let the grown ups handle this." Sakura held no response so she silently seethed and begrudgingly accepted.

"Good, now I have an idea…"

- A few minutes later -

'Hm, they only have ten minutes left.' Kakashi thought as he spared a moment to steer his eye away from the book he held and scoured the field. He was met with a plain of undisturbed greenery, trees which hosted to a variety of critters be they birds or squirrels. Sometimes, one just needed to enjoy the little things in life…such as the blonde who just stepped out of the shrubs.

"Ah if it isn't my adorable student, Natsumi I wondered where you disappeared off to." Kakashi spoke up as he lowered his book. If their last encounter taught him anything, it was to not underestimate the girl approaching him.

"Still reading that book I see Hatake-san." Natsumi traded her own words as she once more undid her obi and allowed for her kimono to glide to the ground.

"It's an interesting book, I would lend it to you but I doubt you would understand." Kakashi narrowed his eye, he knew that Natsumi was a confident and poker faced individual but for some reason it was different this time around, there was an edge to the way she spoke and stood.

"Heavens no, anything written by Jiraiya is raunchy and unfitting of a lady such as myself." Kakashi was a bit surprised by her knowledge on the book and its author, he felt a little unsettled now.

"Shadow clone Jutsu!" Two identical copies of Natsumi sprang to life besides the Genin, both mirroring their creator's stance. Dealing with one was already a mess, now with two more…he needed some quality book time after this.

The two clones rushed at him with Natsumi following a second later with some distance placed between her and her copies. As they approached the white haired Jonin, the clone on the left gained a boost in speed and led the way, now all three blondes were in a single file with varying speeds to their gaits.

The clone ahead of the rest suddenly lowered herself as she slid across the grassy terrain and aimed to kick out his legs. Kakashi responded by leaping back to stay out of its reach but it would appear that his movements were predicted as the second clone leapt over the first and attempted to strike him from above. Whipping out his forearm Kakashi was able to block the palm strike but felt a near bone shattering throb course throughout his arm.

"Argh!" he grunted as he pushed the clone back and tried to look for the original Natsumi.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Kakashi's lone eye widened as he felt the looming heat lick his back as well as the glow of amber approaching him from behind. His stutter was used against him as the first clone lashed out with her legs and locked Kakashi down while the second clone managed to capture his arms, effectively trapping him.

A fiery explosion rocked the training grounds as Kakashi was engulfed in flames however he managed to escape as he leapt out of the accumulated smoke and embers, his uniform singed and scorched from the attack. Scanning the grounds from above he could see both Natsumi and Sasuke, but where was Sakura…or was she left out of the equation?

"CHA!" For what felt like the hundredth time that day, his eye widened as he brought his attention to the space above him. He spotted Natsumi –or maybe a clone- latching onto Sakura's arm and twirling her about for momentum before proceeding to launch the pinkette at the airbound Jonin. The impact was more than he expected as Sakura's fist connected with his head sending him crashing to the ground. Sakura followed after him and planted her feet against his chest upon landing, knocking the wind out of him.

"Sakura now!" Sasuke yelled and the pink haired Genin scurried around as she reached out for the bells attached to the disoriented Jonin's waist. Her fingers clasped around the metallic spheres but just as she was about to yank at the string, she heard the wail of the timer and her hand suddenly grasped at smoke. Kakashi was gone.

"Shadow clone." Natsumi clicked her tongue as she veered her head towards the location of the timer. A sigh left her lightly tinted pink lips as she began walking off towards where she deemed her sensei would be. Along the way she swept her kimono from the grass and draped it over her shoulders. Her two teammates followed after her all in silence as they prepared themselves for the bad news.

"Well I must certainly say…"Kakashi began as they approached him. His lone eye surveying the three Genin who displayed different demeanours. Sakura seemed…sad, Sasuke was brooding (as usual) and Natsumi bore her signature poker face that gave away little to no thoughts at all. They were a little rough around the edges and needed more training, especially on the teamwork department but Kakashi was pleased to know that they could work as a team, he just needed to teach them how to work effectively. Sasuke and Natsumi were already capable ninjas on their own, but Sakura was lacking in certain departments so he would need to focus more on building her up, but by no means did this gesture to him ignoring his whole team. Yes his team…which meant…

"You passed." He flashed them an eye smile much to their surprise, even Natsumi quirked a brow which he would take as a victory.

"We pass?" The blonde questioned suspiciously.

"Yes, the true purpose of the test was to test you ability to put aside your differences and band together to take on a common enemy. You are ninja of the leaf, and teamwork is the essential strength of a Leaf shinobi. You three are still a little rough around the edges, but I have my faith in you…so with that said, I'll see you next Monday at 0700 hours right here, team 7." With his speech deliver, the silver haired Jonin left with a swirl of leaves probably off to the Hokage.

The official team 7 was left in silence. Nothing spoken for a good minute or two before the posh blonde of the trio cleared the smoke and mirrors.

"Kakashi Hatake has never passed a team. That speaks volumes of what we have managed to accomplish." Natsumi began as she slowly turned to face her teammates with a sparkle in her eyes, "I say this is a time to celebrate wouldn't you say?" another episode of silence fell on the training ground, Sasuke scoffed as he turned around and began heading for his ghost-town of a family estate. Sakura glued her eyes on the red and white crest on the boy's back as he ventured the path away from them.

"How about you Sakura-san? Care to join me for some ramen?" to say that Sakura was shocked was an understatement…never would she have imagined that the blonde twerp would address her in such a manner. The pinkette was conflicted, she could decline and chase after Sasuke but she knew that he would just slam the gates in her face as soon as he got home…or she could join Natsumi and learn more about her fellow female and perhaps milk something out of the gathering.

"…I would like that." Sakura responded with a nod of her head, and yet again to her surprise Natsumi smiled at her, and it wasn't her smug or belittling grin, but an actual smile. The blonde spun on her heels and led the way, her kimono riding the wind.


End of Chapter 3!

Okay I'll admit that I had envisioned this chapter differently but ended up going with this version. Now yes Kakashi didn't make his "Those who break the rules…" speech, that's because I'm saving that for another event because I don't want to stick to the anime/manga like glue meaning there will be alterations and differences here and there.

Also someone asked me if Natsumi is a Jinchuuriki, yes she is and has her pal Kurama in her buuuuut there's a little something special to spice things up and if you have caught onto it kudos to you! I am finally done with exams and whatnot so I have time to rest and also focus on fanfics and roleplaying, so quicker updates and more stories if you'd like to see an idea written out then request away and I'll see what I can do.

That's it for now, Chapter 4 should be out either tomorrow or Wednesday.

Remember Read and review…please.