When It Begins...

Pip woke up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat. The ginger had had another night tremor. Pip scratched the back of her head in frustration already knowing she wouldn't be able to go to sleep for the rest of the night. Slipping out of the covers, Pip made her way downstairs to the kitchen. She opened nearly all the cabinet doors looking for a small red tin filled with tea bags she bought from a small family owned spice stall.

She found the small tin and was about to open it until she realized she didn't have any cups. Grumbling in disdain she slammed the closest cabinet door and trudged upstairs to the bathroom. She turned the water on full blast and began to strip out of her clothes. Sitting in the bathroom now and not just a passing glance Pip could smell the scent of bleach lingering in the air. She shrugged it off as Pip stepped into the stream of hot water and closed her eyes in relaxation. Well almost relaxation. Pip couldn't help but feel as if someone was watching her.

Pip sat herself on the bath tub floor and turned the water to the coldest setting. Pip hissed as the frigid water stroked her back but soon she got used to it and smiled at the feeling. 'I think I'll go for a run with Chozu.' Smiling at her thought Pip gripped the side of the tub and hefted herself up. Pip cut the water off and walked over her clothes and downstairs to grab the bags of clothes she purchased yesterday.

Pip felt herself shivering from the cold air and the drops of cold water that still lingered on her body. Pip turned the light on as she walked into her room waking up Chozu who immediately dug his way underneath the bedspread. Pip dumped the contents onto the bed and began picked out the things that would be too hot or to restricting for a run. In the end she settled for a pair of black shorts that went to her knees, and a deep red sports bra. Slipping on the clothes she walked over to the lightly snoring lump in her bed.

"Chozu, wake up, wanna go outside?" The lump moved and wiggled its way out of the covers, Chozu's fur sticking out at every angle. His bandana had flipped over his head, making a faux-hat. Pip smoothed the bandana back down and patted Chozu on the head. "Let's go." Pip made her way downstairs with her raccoon, and slipped on her socks and shoes before heading out the door. Pip stretched her legs with Chozu began to chase after something that Pip couldn't see in the dim light of the moon. Pip started down the street at a light pace, Chozu a few paces behind her. Pip didn't even make it down the street before a most unwelcome voice resounded in her ear.

"Trying to escape, Perk?" Pip turned her head as she came to a stop, facing Ibiki who was standing in the middle of the street, arms crossed glaring at Pip.

"Oh yes, I'm escaping into a land I don't know, with nothing to protect me from the elements and no food or water." Pip rolled her eyes. "Great escape plan, huh?" Ibiki uncrossed his arms and walked up next to her.

"Then what are you doing up at four in the morning?" Chozu bounded towards the man and started to growling at Ibiki's leg.

"Ehh, I couldn't sleep. Just felt like a jog would be nice." Pip stretched her arms above her head watching as Chozu began to jump at Ibiki, then back away and jump again, making an odd barking noise. Ibiki merely sneered at Chozu.

"Would you like to come with me to make sure I don't run off... and help me find my way back if I get lost." Pip laughed at her own jest, but the stoic Ibiki remained silent. Pip sighed. "Well I'm going to jog, come along if you want too."

With that Pip started off at a decent pace, heading down the street. A few seconds later, she saw the interrogation at her side. Chozu came bounding over and stood in between the two. Every few seconds he'd look over to the man and give off a slight warning growl.

The two ran for some time in a somewhat comfortable silence, save for Chozu's growls. Pip broke the silence as they turned a corner.

"Hey, Ass?" Ibiki grunted in acknowledgment "Why did Hokage give me such a nice place?"

"Do you want to know the real reason?"

"I asked didn't I?" Pip gave a slightly arrogant look.

"There are a few reasons. One, its close to my place. There for I can check up on you to make sure your not plotting anything."

"Oh joy." Pip said sarcastically.

"Two, the last person to live there killed himself in the bathroom. He actually bought the place off. Didn't owe anything on it so it was actually a cheaper option for us then to put you in a hotel or something. Just give you cash for clothes and shit which was the HOKAGE'S charity for you." Ibiki emphasized on Hokage showing Pip she pronounced his title wrong.

"Killed himself... that's why it smelled like bleach!" Ibiki nodded.

"Three... That reasons' more personal to the Hokage." Pip cocked her head as they past a house with a pretty fountain in the front yard.

"Personal. Why personal?" Ibiki didn't say anything. Pip took it as a sign to just shut up and run. Ibiki however began to think back earlier on that evening.

Ibiki had just left the new girl, Pip's, new apartment. He was in a foul mood. First he stayed up all night discussing, and arguing over the same topic over and over again with the Hokage, He just got attacked by a fucking rat! And now he has to go see the Hokage again for what could turn out to be an all nighter. Again.

Ibiki nodded to the two guards that stood watch over the Hokage's personal residence. Ibiki came to a pair of double doors and knocked loudly. The elderly man's voice gave the command to enter, which Ibiki, like any good ninja, followed.

The strong smell of tobacco hung heavily in the air even though the window was open. Sarutobi stood slightly hunched over a large Chrystal ball. A slightly distorted image of Pip could be seen talking to Kakashi and his team.

"She seems to get along well with Naruto." Sarutobi commented taking a long drag from his pipe. Ibiki stepped forward and looked along with the Hokage.

"Sir, why have you called me?" Ibiki asked, trying not o sound rude or impatient with the elder man.

"Don't worry Ibiki, I'm not going to keep you up all night." Ibiki almost let out a sigh of relief. "I just need to to fill out these papers on our new guest." at that Ibiki did sigh, just not in relief.

"Okay." Ibiki took a seat at the comer of the Hokage's desk and began to fill in the blanks. After about fifteen minutes Ibiki finally broke the silence.

"Sir. I know I cant change your mind on tutoring Pip. But I just want to ask... why?" For quite some time The Hokage didn't answer, Ibiki assumed he wasn't going to and just resumed his work.

"Orochimaru left around this time..." Came the long delayed reply. Ibiki looked up and saw the man had a glazed look in his eye as he stared out the window. "I've never... forgiven myself. I knew he was doing something, and even when I was confronted with him red handed I didn't do anything... I think.. maybe... just maybe This might redeem myself in my eyes. I know I've protected the village... I know I've done thing for others... but this..." Ibiki watched as the man in front of him seemed to age years at these words...

"This is for myself." Ibiki nodded and continued with his work, leaving the man to his thoughts.

Pip jumped when she finally heard Ibiki's gravely voice.

"We've been running for an hour. Let's head back. I'm tired and don't want to risk you escaping through the forest." Pip nodded and turned on her heel. Chozu, who had been slowing down for some time now plopped down on the sidewalk. Legs and arms spread eagle. Pip laughed at the pitiful sight and reached down to pick him up. Chozu let out a pitiful growl at Ibiki before nuzzling Pip's arm and fell asleep.

Pip and Ibiki began to walk back towards pips home, though by a different route. 'Most likely a shortcut.' Pip thought to herself. The two walked in silence until Ibiki broke it.

"Where's your parents?" Pip raised an eyebrow at the question but answered anyway.

"Dead. My dad was a cop and was shot while on duty. My mom was devastated. She had me that day when she found out. The stress and shock of his death sent her into early labor. I was a month and a half early." Pip sighed and looked up at the sky. "My mom suffered a severe case of postpartum depression. Two months after my birth she OD on some prescription meds. My grandfather found us the next morning. I was in her arms when she died." Ibiki didn't say anything and neither did Pip for sometime. When Pip's street came into view Ibiki mumbled under his breath.

"Sorry, Pip." Pip shrugged.

"Tis nothing.." Pip walked up to her door and turned to Ibiki, who was in his old arms crossed stance. "Sometime I feel like I can remember her holding me in her arms, singing to me. When I'm really sad, I'd like to think that I can here the song again... Well goodnight, thanks for the walk."

"Night, Pirp." Ibiki poofed away in front of a stunned Pip. Gritting her teeth, Pip muttered out her name and walked into her house. The sun was just beginning to rise, so Pip figured she get something to eat. Setting Chozu onto the counter, Pip grabbed some apples and washed them off in the sink. Pip placed one in front of Chozu who was still asleep on the counter, and bit into her, juice running down her face. Pip opened the blind letting in some sunlight into the living room.

Finishing off her apple, Pip lied herself onto the couch and not ever realizing it, drifted off into a light sleep.

Its had been almost a three and a half weeks after that walk with Ibiki. Pip had been training a bit with Ibiki, with team seven and Kakashi, but the training Pip enjoyed most of all, was with The Hokage. Or as he preferred to be called Sarutobi-Sensei. Pip was beginning to see him in a grandfatherly way. He even introduced Pip to his grandson Konohamaru. Well more like Konohamaru ran into the room The Hokage and Pip were training, went to attack The Hokage and Pip freaking out, hit Konohamaru on the back of the head with some scroll that was lieing next to Pip.

The poor boy fell to the ground. Pip went over to see in he was okay, and all Konohamaru did was point at her and call her a Demon, and say that she was now his rival. Sarutobi just chuckled as Pip tried to calm the boy down. Konohamaru did calm down, but whenever Pip gets angry or frustrated during training (which he always seemed to want to watch), he'd call her Demon again. Which just made Pip more angry. Pip was beginning to think he was doing it on purpose.

There was some trouble with training at first. Even though Pip had memorized the hand signs, with some difficulty, she could even do a simple transformation. The Hokage called in a girl named Hinata to look for Pip's... Chakra. Apparently she had something wrong with her Chakra network.

Explained a lot apparently. So instead of focusing on ninjutsu so much, they turned to weapons and taijutsu. Pip went off to buy weapons with Hinata one day. Pip and Hinata really hit it off. Hinata explained more about the duties of ninjas to the villages and to other countries. Pip would talk about her home a lot. Pip felt at ease around the shy girl. Sometimes even Hinata would start talking without her stutter being so prominent.

Once when Pip was training at one of the fields, she was throwing shurikens, Pip saw Sasuke watching her with a glare. Pip gave a short friendly wave and went back to throwing. Her aim was always off. Pip got really frustrated with it and through rest on the ground with a angry gasp of air.

"Your stance is wrong." Pip looked up and over to Sasuke who had his hands in his pockets.

"My stance?" Pip asked turning towards the normally quiet boy. Sasuke walked over and pulled out a shuriken of his own.

"When your throwing a shuriken, you don't just throw with your arm. When you do that you get less power into the throw, and your aim will be off. Use your whole body when you throw. You'll get more power and your aim won't be as off." Sasuke demonstrated the way to move your body as he spoke. Pip tried to follow along. She twisted her body along with her arm. Her aim was still a bit off, but the weapon dug itself into the wooden target deeper then her previous throws.

"Holy shit! I can be deadly!" Pip laughed as she throw another one. Sasuke clicked his tongue to his teeth.

"No not deadly, but at least you won't be as much dead weight as Naruto." Pip furrowed her brow and turned to Sasuke.

"You know, it's not how good you are at something. It's how much effort you put into it. Naruto puts so much effort into being a great ninja, that even you have to at least respect it. If not him, then at least his effort." Sasuke glared slightly at pip in contemplation, then, with a hm of dissatisfaction, walked off. Pip growled to herself and throw the shuriken that she was holding at the target.

Bulls eye.

Taijutsu is what Pip loved most. Pip met a boy named Lee, who like her, couldn't use his chakra. But he never seemed short on energy. He quite literally ran into her one day when he was challenging himself, or so he said. All of a sudden an older version of the boy did that smoke, poof thing all ninjas seemed to able to do. He yelled out something about the youth of the generation, cried a bit then poofed away.

Lee smiled happily and invited Pip to a spar. Pip lost so badly, Lee said he felt like he needed to show Pip the basics. So for the rest of the day Lee and Pip got to know each other. Pip had to say though. He was very energetic...

Fights with Naruto the best. He was so eager and happy that Pip couldn't help but start to giggle while they fought, which Naruto would gladly join in. Their 'battles' often ended up with them on the ground in a laughing fit. Naruto had taken it upon himself to introduce Pip to all the people Naruto knew. There was a boy named Neji, that Pip didn't mind too much, if he didn't look so arrogant. Tenten, who would often give Pip extra shurikins. (Pip often throw them with a little too much force and lost them even with the pointers Sasuke gave her.).

Pip often saw Kabuto too, and would talk to him as nicely as possible. Most the time Kabuto would flirt with her, and Pip would jokingly flirt back. Pip got over her initially dislike of him, but still couldn't shake the feeling she had about him. Pip often hung out with Iruka as well, who, too would flirt with her, by being overly nice, or maybe he was nice.

Ibiki and Pip would often walk at night with Ibiki. Most nights Pip would tell him too about her home, and in turn Ibiki wouldn't kick Chozu when the little hellion would claw at his legs.

Pip was cutting up some steak into small thin pieces for a makeshift Philly cheese steak sandwich when there was knock at the door.

"Coming!" Pip shouted as she rinsed her hands in the sink. "No." Pip looked pointedly at Chozu, who had been eying the raw steak. Opening the door, Pip was greeted by the faces of Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura, Lee, Hinata, Kakashi and Ibiki.

"...I'm going to need more steak." Pip said as she moved to the side to let everyone in. "Not that I don't want your company, but I didn't expect so many people here." In truth Pip only invited Lee Hinata and Naruto, for a small dinner get together. Ibiki eyed Chozu as he spoke.

"Kakashi and I would like to talk to you in private." Pip nodded.

"Chozu." the raccoon looked up with a piece of meat stuffed in it's mouth. Pip sighed. "Is that the only one you touched?" Chozu nodded. "Go play with Lee." Chozu hopped down the counter and bounded over to Lee. Lee laughed excitedly as Chozu stood on his hind legs and attempted a good guy pose along with Lee. Pip walked into the kitchen and grabbed another flank of steak.

"What are you making?" Kakashi asked.

"Food."

"What kind of food?" Kakashi pressed. Pip sighed set the knife down and looked at Kakashi with a dull look.

"The edible kind." Kakashi deadpanned and went back to his book. 'Score one for Pip!'

"Pip we have to tell you something." Ibiki said. Pip continued cutting, but nodded. "There is a test for ninja to rank up. Even though you haven't been training for too long the Hokage thinks you should make the decision yourself. It will be very hard, and ninjas that have been training for years will be there. And there is a chance you could die." Pip smiled.

"Is that hint of fear and worry I detect from you Ibiki?" the interrogationist scoffed. "I'll do it." Ibiki's eyes widened, just a small fraction.

"Are you deaf or stupid?"

"Neither. I don't expect to pass the test, but I think It will do good too see what Id have to do to be a ninja. I've never been on a mission before. And if I do take the test again, Ill have some kind of idea what to do." Ibiki actually looked impressed with her answer. Kakashi closed his book.

"Well guess Ill tell my team about it too. See if they want to do it as well. You'll need one to enter Pip." Pip looked oddly at Kakashi. "Your going to be on my team."

"When do they start?" Pip asked.

"In one week.".

It was the day before the first test of the chunnin exams, and Pip was EXTREMELY nervous. Training with Kakashi and Sarutobi had intensified, at Pips request, and every night Pip went home, she had new scratches and was even more exhausted every night. She had even stopped her nightly walks with Ibiki. Today she was working at Ichiraku's, and it was busier then ever.

Nonstop orders, a steady stream of dirty bowls, and Chozu sneaking in from the back door to get food from the kitchen made for a stressful day.. Finally Mr. Ichiraku himself popped up behind a disheveled Pip and laid a hand on her shoulder.

"You can go home now. Lunch rush is over and you need your rest for tomorrow." Pip gave a grateful smiled and sighed in relief. "Here's your pay." Ichiraku handed Pip a coin purse for of her pay. Pip snatched her pay, gave a wave and gleefully jumped over the counter to freedom. Chozu, who had been relaxing in the sun on top of the building, hopped dawn and trotted proudly next to Pip.

Pip was walking along imagining the rest of her day filled with a bubble bath, and sleep when she heard someone yell out.

"Hey! Let me go!" Pip cocked her head to the side. "That sounded like Konohamaru!" Pip's eyes widen at the thought of Konohamaru being hurt. She ran off in the direction of the yell. When Pip bounded around a corner for the third time she saw Naruto, Sakura, some girl with four pigtails, and a man in full black holding Konohamaru by his scarf.

Anger flared up deep inside Pip and she could feel his nails digging deep into her palm, while her whole body shook. Chozu began to growl, his fur standing on end. Pip's vision began to to turn red, she could see Naruto talking but couldn't hear his words.

"Let 'im go..." Pip said as she stepped slowly towards the man, here Irish brogue seeping from her voice. Then man looked over to her with and inquisitive glance. Konohamaru looked over to Pip and reached out towards her.

Pip was slightly hunched over, arms bowed out, and hair askew. Chozu was walking back and forth in front of her glaring at the man in black and hissing slightly.

"Demon girl!" Konohamaru called out. "Kick his butt and save me!" The man laughed and looked to Pip.

"Her? Beat me up? She doesn't even have a hai-ate. What's she gonna d-" Pip grabbed a shuriken from her back pocket and throw it at the man. The man dodged it, but dropped Konohamaru in the process. He was holding his wrist as well. Pip glanced slightly and could see Sasuke standing on a tree branch leaning against the trunk, tossing a small; pebble in his hand. Konohamaru scrambled over to Pip and clung to her shirt.

"Kankuro..." a dull monotone voice said "Your acting like a disgrace to the village." Pip looked over with a glare and saw a boy hanging upside down from a tree branch. Kankuro suddenly looked very scared.

"Sorry, Gaara." Gaara was suddenly surrounded by a cloud of what looked like sand and poofed (as all ninjas could do apparently) in front of the two ninjas. Sasuke jumped out of the tree. Sasuke began to interrogate the three ninjas, but Pip didn't really listen.

"You okay?" Pip asked Konohamaru, as she got on one knee to get eye level with him.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Pip smiled and gave him some money.

"Go on and buy some candy." Konohamaru smiled at Pip, Pip smiled back. Chozu jumped over to Pips shoulder and hit her on the cheek. "What, Chozu?" The raccoon nodded to the direction of the three ninjas.

She stood up and faced them. Looking to the red head, Gaara was his name, she raised and eyebrow, and stepped in front of Konohamaru slightly as protection.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Who are you?" Pip smiled slightly at the simple question.

"I'm Pip. Sorry for attacking your friend, but I have to protect this brat here." the man in black didn't make eye contact when Pip looked at him. Gaara looked at the little boy the back at Pip.

"Why?" Pip gave a confused look.

"Because I care for him, no matter how much he may grate my nerves." Konohamaru laughed nervously while he rubbed the back of his head. Gaara stared at Pip and the others blankly before turning away and addressing his teammates.

"Lets go." Pip ran up to Gaara and the others. Chozu gave a little zip-squeal and jumped off Pip's shoulder and bounded over the red head.

"Hey wait!" Pip rushed over to Chozu and nearly ran into the red head. Chozu ran between Gaara's legs and stood in front of him staring at him intently. Gaara stopped and glared at the animal. Chozu began to rummage through the purple bandana around his neck and produced a little berry like the one he fed Pip when she was out in the forest.

Gaara stared at the berry with hatred, as Pip bounded around Gaara to pick the raccoon up.

"Sorry! Chozu usually doesn't do that." Chozu was still staring at Gaara urging his paw with the berry towards Gaara's direction. Pip laughed. "He's trying to give you the berry, as a token of friendship!" Pip looked at Gaara, who's eyes were intently looking at the berry.

"Friendship?" Gaara asked, more to himself then to Pip. Kankuro and the girl next to him ,shared a scared look.

"Look, just take the berry," Pip whispered to Gaara, "I don't need a sad raccoon at home. It kinda bums me out." Gaara glared at Pip and in a rush of sand, disappeared. Chozu made a said little whimper and Pip sighed.

"Come on Chozu, lets go home." With that Pip turned her back on the two other ninjas and walked home.

It was the dead of night, and Chozu, like any good nocturnal animal was awake and anxious. He had his own little mission to complete. Looking at his friend, sleeping soundly in her bed, he wriggled his way out of the blankets and to the balcony door. Jumping as hard as he could, he grabbed the door handle and pulled the door open.

The moon was bright, even though it wasn't full. Chozu sniffed the air, and caught a familiar scent. Hoping to the balcony rail, Chozu bounded off on the roof tops toward the sent. Dogs would bark when they caught scent of him, but he didn't slow down. Chozu caught sight of a figure sitting on a rooftop far from home.

Bounding over he stopped a few feet from the boy. Chozu pulled out another berry from his collar. Chozu shuffled forward and looked at the boy. The red head looked over to Chozu with a blank look.

"You." the boy said blandly. Chozu held out the berry and gave a animalistic grin. The boy sat there for a few minutes staring at the berry, until finally, hesitantly, he took the berry from Chozu. The raccoon squealed fro joy and bounded over to Gaara.

Chozu snuggled up next to Gaara's leg and yawned. Gaara looked oddly at the raccoon, and began to juggle the idea of killing the thing right then and there. But on a whim... merely a whim... Decided to let him live. Chozu grinned to himself and fell asleep, next to his new friend...

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So this is the remake. Thank you The-DML. You were right, this was rushed. So I redid it. GAARAS FINALLY IN IT. Yes he is OOC. If he wasn't Chozu would of died. Ill have him more in character in the next chapters. Updates will be slow, as you know, but hopefully they will pick up. Thank you for sticking with me. All of you thank you.

-Shikyokage742.