Eien no Shasai

(Edited Version)

Chapter 3;

Nanika atarashii

Something New

Some people fear change, while some welcome it with open arms.

Nonetheless, change is a curious thing.

-----x-----

"You'll have a lot to catch up on, not going to the academy," Kakashi said as they walked out and into the streets of Konoha. He could sense that she was still a little uneasy, so he was trying to relieve the tension a bit. "Do you like it here?"

"I don't have anything to compare it to, but I do like being here," she replied. Kakashi nodded. "What are the others like?"

"Others?"

"In the team," she elaborated.

"Well, Naruto's a hyperactive goofball, but overall is a nice guy, despite being an idiot. Sakura is intelligent, yet has an odd obsession with Sasuke. Sasuke, well, you'll eventually understand," Kakashi replied.

"And you, Kakashi-sensei?"

"I'm merely the sensei," he said simply, a smile forming under his mask. Though more difficult to see, she could still somewhat read his expressions. "Are you nervous about meeting them? Well, you've already met them. But introducing yourself?"

"I suppose so."

"Don't be," he reassured.

"Sensei, what will we be doing on missions?" she asked.

"Well, to begin with they're said to be chores. But it gains experience. Maa, we're almost there." He was amused when she stepped to the side so she was a little closer to him. Seems she got shy when she was nervous. It would be a nice change from the overconfidence that he was used to. In a surprising move of reassurance he placed his hand on her head, she blinked and tensed upon contact, but then relaxed, stress rolling off her in waves. He ruffled her bangs as a small smile formed behind his mask. She was a cute kid. Glancing up at him she smiled in gratitude, and he removed his hand.

"Kakashi-sensei! You took ages dattebayou!" came the voice of Naruto.

"Gomen, I was sorting out Hikari-chan," he replied, pushing her forward with a gentle nod.

"Ehh, so Hikari-chan's your name?" Naruto asked.

"She has no memories, so this name has been given to her," Kakashi explained. "Don't hassle her."

"I think Kari-chan sounds better, dattebayou," Naruto said folding his arms. "Don't you think so?" he asked her. She smiled and nodded. "See! Therefore, I name her Kari-chan!"

"It's just a shortened version of Hikari, Naruto. Hikari's on her file, but if she wants to be called Kari, it's up to her," Kakashi said simply.

"Hai, I prefer Kari," the girl replied. Naruto grinned, seeming proud of himself.

"Anou, not meaning to be rude Kakashi-sensei, demo… what is she doing here?" Sakura asked. Having not paid much attention to her before, Kari took in the girl's appearance. Bubblegum pink hair to her mid back, pale skin, mint green eyes, quite tall and a slightly large forehead. She wore a red dress with two slits either side of the skirt to reveal tight shorts underneath to just above her knee and finally the same ninja sandals.

Said Jounin raised his visible eyebrow. Ah yes, it was Sasuke who found Hikari wasn't it? This might become awkward.

"Hokage-sama has placed her on our team."

Cue; over exaggerated reactions.

"Really?! Awesome, dattebayou!"

"Nani?! She didn't even take the test!"

Eyes widened then narrowed and a slight scowl formed on the Uchiha's features.

"Hn."

Well, at least there was one positive response.

"Welcome to the team, dattebayou!" Naruto said happily, throwing an arm around her shoulders. Surprisingly, she seemed incredibly comfortable with this, despite seeming anxious before. Clearly a close friendship would form between the two blondes.

Now, what to do with the other two.

"Hikari, or Kari as she seems to prefer, has a high level of Chakra. It wouldn't be safe for her to attend the academy," Kakashi explained.

"What about the sensei? Surely…" Sakura began.

"It's also because she may be a spy," Sasuke said, his emotions kept blank. Then there was the other boy. He was quite handsome with his dark hair, dark eyes and pale skin, but his attitude somewhat irked Kari. His hair was spiked at the back, yet his bangs hung straight either side of his face. He wore a blue shirt with an oddly large collar and white shorts as well as the same sandals as the others. His legs were also bandaged, but they seemed more for decoration like his arm warmers.

"Hai, though Hokage-sama is certain from the tests that she is genuine. Nonetheless, she has an unknown background. She may remember something dangerous," Kakashi said glancing at her.

"Nah! Kari-chan's perfectly fine, dattebayou! I have full trust in her!" Naruto announced and the girl blushed and smiled at his encouraging vote of confidence.

"Naruto no baka! You barely know her," Sakura scolded.

"You will all treat her as your comrade," Kakashi said sternly, eyeing Sakura and Sasuke. Both seemed to huff slightly. Still, she seemed happy enough with Naruto, who was explaining their team.

"That's Sakura-chan, she's pretty ne? That guy over there's Sasuke, all the girls think he's so cool but I could beat him any day, dattebayou!"

"In your dreams, usuratonkachi."

"What was that, Sasuke?!"

"Maa, maa, can't you make a good first impression?" Kakashi sighed, feeling slightly embarrassed. Honestly, he couldn't take these kids anywhere.

"Honesty is a good first impression," she said simply and Naruto nodded.

"True. That reminds me. Kari-chan needs a place to stay until an apartment becomes available," Kakashi said, remembering the Hokage's orders.

"She can stay with me, dattebayou!" Naruto cried at once, pulling her to him in a one-armed hug.

"I don't think so. I've seen your apartment Naruto, it's not even fit enough for you to have a pet cat," Kakashi said unphased by Naruto's offence.

"Sumimasen, I don't have any room at my house," Sakura said. 'I'm not having competition for Sasuke-kun under the same roof either, cha!'

"Sasuke?"

"No."

"Well she can't stay with me," Kakashi said, annoyed at the lack of hospitality. It was a shame, but maybe he could talk the Hokage into moving Naruto and Kari into a new apartment together.

"Another rookie perhaps?"

"Who are the other rookies again?" Naruto asked scrunching his face as he tried to remember.

"Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, Hyuuga Hinata, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chouji and Yamanaka Ino are those who passed," Sakura said immediately. There was a slight growl at the last name, a rival perhaps?

"Well, the Hyuuga clan are a pretty strict clan, there's no way you'd get into there. Yamanaka Ino's a girl, how about her?"

"Ino's got the flower shop, she has no room," Sakura said quickly. She wasn't going to let a possible rival go live with her number one rival! They'd conspire against her!

"Shino's creepy with those bugs, Kiba lives with loads of dogs, Chouji eats too much, Shikamaru does nothing but complain," Naruto finished.

"Well… This is troublesome," Kakashi said. Yuuhi Kurenai had a Genin team, perhaps… No, she seemed discreetly interested in Asuma, he couldn't send the poor girl to either of them.

"I still think she should come live with me, dattebayou," Naruto said stubbornly.

"Ne, you don't have any clothes or weapons do you?" Sakura asked, eyeing Kari's attire. It seemed to be only a huge grey t-shirt. The girl didn't even have shoes!

"That's a good point," Kakashi realised, also noticing her state of dress.

"This is pointless," Sasuke said, clearly becoming impatient.

"Pointless? On the contrary what she's currently wearing will get caught on every single branch she passes, she'll get cold quickly, her feet will get cut up and with no weapons how can she fight?" Kakashi said in a bored matter-of-fact tone. "Sakura."

"Hai?"

"Take her shopping will you?" Kakashi asked.

"With what money?" Sakura asked.

"This," Kakashi replied, dropping a small tied bag into her hand. "Hokage-sama, kindly gave it to me before I left." Sakura seemed pleased with this. It was the perfect opportunity to find out whom this girl was and if she had any interest in Sasuke. "Be back before sundown, we're training today at the same training ground as the survival exercise."

"Hai, come along Kari-chan!" Sakura said chirpily, grabbing the smaller girl's wrist and dragging her in the direction of town.

"I wanna go, dattebayou," Naruto complained. Honestly, now he was stuck with Sasuke!

"Aa, what do you know about female clothing Naruto?"

"Err…"

"Exactly."

"Baka," Sasuke scoffed.

-----x-----

"So Kari-chan, you have no memories whatsoever?" Sakura asked as they made their way through the street. Kari was aware of some scrutinising looks, but tried her best to ignore them.

"None at all," Kari replied.

"Ne." May as well cut straight to the point. "What do you think of Sasuke-kun?"

"The other boy in our team?" Sakura nodded, watching her intensely. "I don't really know him so I can't make a proper judgement, but he comes off as rude and cold."

"Sasuke-kun's not always like that, it's just because he doesn't know you," Sakura said simply in his defence. Kari was showing no romantic interest in Sasuke whatsoever, so Sakura decided she was safe to become friends with. She began idle chatter about Konoha as she steered Kari into the first store.

-----x-----

"Ne, ne, what's taking the girls so long?" Naruto asked. Anything he did right he got no praise for and Sakura wasn't here to impress. Kakashi was reading his dumb book and Sasuke was being… well, Sasuke.

"Females like to shop," Kakashi said simply as he turned a page.

"Che," Sasuke scoffed.

"Sasuke-kun! Naruto! Kakashi-sensei!"

"Here they come now," Kakashi said, looking up for his book. "Sakura seems happy."

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto called running over to the kunoichi. "Ne, ne, Kari-chan you look great!"

"Arigatou," she replied shyly. Black seemed to be the best idea should she need to hide, so that was what she went with. Sakura had forced her into every colour under the sun and plenty of different styles, but in the end she just stuck to simplicity. She wore a fishnet vest, with a black tank top over it, the sheaths of her katana's crossed over her back with belts crossing over her chest. Fingerless black gloves with knuckle guards covered her arms up to between her elbow and shoulder. She wore the traditional ninja sandals and bandages over her legs where the fitted capri's didn't cover. Unsure what to do with her hitai-ate, she just tied it like a belt for the time being but had already moved it four times.

"Did you get weaponry?" Kakashi asked.

"Hai, hai, kunai, shuriken, wire, smoke bombs, medical supplies, necessities," Sakura said simply. Surprisingly, after deciding to give the girl a chance, Sakura found she actually enjoyed Kari's company and that she was an incredibly nice girl. Despite being a little shy at first, she opened up very easily.

"Good, now we just need to find her a place to stay," Kakashi said simply. He gave a pointed look to Sakura and Sasuke. Sakura was actually honest when she admitted she had little room. Also, though able to afford what she wanted in life she doubted her family could look after another child.

"I'm really sorry, I would help if I could," Sakura apologised.

"Ne, it's alright, you shouldn't worry so much," Kari reassured with a soft smile.

"Sasuke?" Kakashi prompted.

"No. I am not having a girl living with me."

"Then you'd prefer to give up your place and go live with Naruto?" Kakashi asked innocently. Sasuke could glare until his eyes fell out, it didn't bother the Jounin in the slightest, rather he found it quite amusing.

"No way, Kakashi-sensei! I'll let Kari-chan live with me, but not Sasuke!" Naruto said stubbornly.

"It's only temporary, a few weeks or so," Kakashi said. Sasuke glared at him, still defiant. "Maa, Sasuke you are incredibly rude."

"Kakashi-sensei! Don't insult Sasuke-kun!" Sakura scolded.

"Ne, don't fight," Kari interrupted causing all attention to fall onto her. "I'm sure I'll find somewhere."

"Demo, Kari-chan," Naruto began, eyes widening with worry. "What if you can't and have to sleep outside, dattebayou?"

"I'm a ninja now, right?" she said with a small smile.

"Hai, and that calls for celebratory ramen!" Naruto announced. Kakashi immediately refused knowing that meant paying.

"I'm on a diet," Sakura said, sneaking a glance at Sasuke.

"Hn."

"Fine! I and Kari-chan will go by ourselves then!" Naruto said grabbing hold of the said girl's wrist.

"Naruto, make sure she finds her way back to Sasuke's," Kakashi said, pulling out his book again.

"She's not staying with me," Sasuke said with a glare.

"Show some decency. She is your team-mate. Besides, you're far too antisocial," Kakashi said. The Uchiha didn't answer, and proceeded, in Kakashi's opinion, to go into a sulk.

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura began, "We could always do something now. It's still early and…"

"No." With that, the Uchiha walked off. Depressed by the rejection, Sakura dragged herself in the direction of her home.

"Is teamwork really so hard to comprehend?" Kakashi thought irritably. At least maybe Kari could drag some teamwork out of Naruto, she seemed like a team player. With a soft sigh he disappeared in a puff of smoke.

-----x-----

"Ojii-san!" Naruto called pulling Kari onto a stool beside him. She stumbled but managed to straighten in time to see a man walking towards them smiling from behind the counter.

"Irrashaimase! What can I get you?" he asked happily.

"I'll have… Miso ramen! What do you want Kari-chan?" Naruto asked grinning widely.

"Ano…?" she smiled sheepishly.

"Why don't you try chicken ramen, it's quite popular among girls," the man said. She smiled and agreed. "Yosh, coming right up!"

"Ne, I'm glad you're on my team Kari-chan! It'll be good to have someone to talk to!" Naruto said happily grabbing some chopsticks and passing a pair to her.

"You don't talk to Sakura-chan or Sasuke-san?" Kari asked, not completely comfortable with dropping the honorifics. She thought it would be rude considering she still didn't know them all too well.

"Well, I kind of like Sakura-chan," Naruto admitted, a slight pink tinge covering his cheeks. "But she likes Sasuke. She thinks I'm annoying."

"I don't think you're annoying," Kari said frowning slightly. Seeing as he was her first friend in this place, she found an urge to protect him. She supposed it was to do with her unknown personality.

"Doumo!" Naruto cried with a wide grin. "You're one of the first people to actually say something nice to me!"

"Really?" she asked, finding that fact sad.

"I don't really have many friends," Naruto admitted, starting to feel depressed. "The only person who cares is Iruka-sensei."

"I care about you," Kari said at once, without even needing to think.

"Really?" Naruto said surprised. Realising what she said, she blushed slightly.

"I don't know anyone here, and can't remember anything about myself. Everyone seems suspicious of me and you're the only one who has made me feel comfortable. I guess you're my first friend here," she explained.

"Ne, ne, let's make a promise to be best friends dattebayou!" Naruto cried, blue eyes bright with excitement. "And we'll be best friends forever no matter what and no one and nothing can come between us!"

"Hai!" she cried finding herself grinning. They linked their pinky fingers and laughed happily.

"Ramen's ready!" the old man said, laying two bowls in front of them.

"Yosh, ittedekimasu!" Naruto cried, pulling apart his chopsticks before he began practically inhaling the noodles. Kari looked down at her bowl and split her chopsticks. Picking up some noodles, she blew on them before placing them in her mouth. Actually, they were very nice. She also had what seemed to be an egg. She picked it up, but the smell alone made her stomach churn uncomfortably so she quickly dumped it in Naruto's bowl. Overjoyed, he gave her some of his miso noodles in return. They also tasted nice.

By the time she'd finished her bowl, Naruto had finished five. She may have been a slow eater, but he was pretty quick. She dug into her pouch to find the remaining money to pay, but Naruto beat her to it.

"We're sealing our best-friendship through ramen. My treat, dattebayou," he said with a wide grin. "I've gotta go, I'll see you at training tomorrow right?" Naruto asked after they exited the ramen stand.

"If I don't get lost," she said simply. She was taken off guard when she was suddenly pulled to him in a tight hold. Realising it was a hug; she wrapped her arms around his back. After a while, he pulled back.

"Heh, that was my first hug. I just wanted to know what it felt like," he said rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Ne, you give good hugs Naruto-kun," she replied with a smile. "Though I don't have much to compare it to, but still, it was warm."

"So, it's ok to hug you again?" he asked, seeming oddly nervous.

"Sure," she said gently and found herself pulled into another hug. "But don't you have to go?"

"Hai!" he gasped, remembering why he needed to leave. "Ja ne, Kari-chan!"

"Ja ne," she replied as he raced off into the crowd. He was a really sweet boy; she honestly couldn't understand why he didn't have many friends. She heard a rustle and looked round confused. Deciding to search for the sound, she poked her head round the nearby wall and was surprised at what she saw.

"Konnichiwa?" Kari asked. A girl was staring at her in horror as if she were the devil. "Daijoubu?"

"H-h-h-hai…" she squeaked, immediately looking away. She looked rather mousy, and appeared to have incredibly low self esteem. She had short dark blue hair with thick bangs, two long bangs in front of her ears. She had strange, large, pupil-less, pale lavender eyes. She wore a baggy beige coat and blue capri's, along with the usual sandals.

"Are you sure? You don't seem ok…" Kari asked worriedly. Though she didn't want to pry, the poor girl looked ready to have a panic attack.

"A-are you… If y-you don't m-mind m-me asking… I… Do… Anou…"

"Go ahead and ask, I won't laugh," Kari encouraged.

"A-are y-y-you in a re…ah… relationsh-ship w-w-with N-Naruto-kun?" she mumbled, her head sinking as her hands came in front of her chest to press her index fingers together nervously. It was clear that had been hard to say.

"Naruto-kun? Relationship?" Kari repeated confused. "No, no, we just met today. I'm a new member of his team." The girl's shoulders relaxed as though a huge weight had been lifted. "We've just agreed to be friends. Though judging by the way you're acting, you seem to quite like him, ne?" Kari asked finding herself smiling. So Naruto wasn't as unliked as he thought he was.

"Ah! I…! I…! I…!" the girl cried blushing heavily.

"Ne, ne, its ok!" Kari cried, calming her down. "I'm happy he has someone who cares." The girl blinked and looked up.

"Anou, p-please forgive m-my rudeness… But I'm afraid I don't know y-your name," the girl said shyly. "W-watashi wa Hyuuga Hinata desu."

"Nice to meet you, I'm afraid I have no memories so for now I'm known as Hikari, though prefer to be called Kari," Kari introduced and they both bowed to each other respectfully.

"N-nice to meet you t-too," Hinata said shyly. "I… I'm a kunoichi f-from N-Naruto-kun's class at the a-academy," she explained.

"Ne, as I'm new and don't know many people would it be ok if I asked you to be my friend?" Kari asked hopefully.

"F-friend? I d-don't see why n-not, y-you seem v-very n-nice," Hinata said managing a small smile.

"So do you," Kari said happily. "So we'll be friends, ne?"

"H-hai!" They smiled at each other, feeling a little more comfortable. "I… I c-could introduce y-you to m-my team at s-some point if y-you'd like?"

"I'd like that very much," Kari said happily.

"I m-must be going, p-please excuse me," Hinata said bowing before running off. Kari smiled finding Hinata's crush on Naruto incredibly cute. She hoped they ended up together.

"Wasn't I supposed to be doing something?" Kari wondered puzzled. "No, I was supposed to go somewhere… But where? Oh dear…" Come to think of it, she wasn't even sure where she was. Well, she couldn't just stand around here, may as well go explore her new home.

-----x-----

Exploring was a bad idea.

She was now so lost she didn't know the way she came. She should have asked the ramen owner for directions to Naruto's house, but it was too late now. With a sigh she sat down on a nearby bench.

Great. Completely lost with no idea where she was supposed to be.

"Ojou-san, is something wrong?" Jumping at the sudden voice she looked up to see a strange boy. He was dressed in a green jumpsuit with orange leg warmers and had bandages from his elbow to his fingers like in the style of her gloves. He had shiny dark hair in a bowl hair cut and large round eyes beneath incredibly thick eyebrows. While looking rather odd he practically oozed friendliness. "I am Rock Lee, is there anything at all I can do to cheer you up ojou-san?"

"Well, I'm kind of lost…" she admitted awkwardly.

"Lost? Then I shall do my best to help you! It would not be at all youthful to leave a young lady out lost and alone!" Lee cried enthusiastically. He grabbed her hand and all but yanked her off the bench. "Come! My friends may be able to help! Unfortunately Gai-sensei is busy, but my comrades still may be able to assist us on our mission."

"Demo, demo! I don't want to trouble you!" Kari cried as the boy set off in a power walk, dragging her along behind him.

"Nonsense! It is no trouble at all! What kind of man would I be if I left you, fair maiden? May I ask your name?" he said grinning at her brightly.

"Anou… Hikari, but I prefer Kari," she said, speeding herself up to walk beside him.

"Ah Kari-hime! You are youthfully able to keep up, impressive! Are you a shinobi?" he said. She was now getting used to him and found she liked him. He was enthusiastic and sweet if not a little eccentric.

"Hai, I've been added to a team today," she replied.

"Today? Were the Genin teams not sorted two days ago? My lack of information is most unyouthful!"

"No, I think you're right. It's just I woke up here today but I don't have any memories, but the Hokage said I had a lot of Chakra and it was best if I was put on a team," Kari explained.

"No memories? Kari-hime that must be awful! You are incredibly youthful and brave to have accepted it so calmly!" Lee cried.

"Thank you?"

"You are most welcome my youthful blossom!"

She noticed two figures sitting nearby on the grass of what seemed to be a training area. Targets were stuck to the trees with a variety of shuriken and kunai embedded in them. Apparently they'd stopped for a late lunch.

"Neji! Tenten! I found a youthful young lady in need of our assistance!" Lee announced and paying no mind that she was actually quite shy when meeting new people he thrust her in front of him hands on her shoulders.

"Lee, you went to the bathroom and brought back a girl?" the girl asked with an eyebrow raised. She was tanned with chocolate brown eyes. Her brown hair was pulled into two buns and her hitai-ate was around her forehead. She wore a Chinese-style sleeveless pink shirt and green capris. Everyone seemed to wear the sandals didn't they?

"Was it necessary to bring her here?" the other boy asked. He had long dark brown hair tied at the end and eyes alike to Hinata's. He wore a beige shirt and brown shorts, his right arm and leg bandaged. He too had his hitai-ate around his forehead.

"She's lost! We must help escort this young lady to where she needs to be!" Lee cried determined.

"You are a Konoha shinobi and you're lost?" the other boy asked mockingly, looking directly at her. Actually, despite the likeness in colour his eyes were hard and cold, the complete opposite to Hinata's.

"Neji! Kari-hime has amnesia; she has no idea where anything is!" Lee cried, immediately jumping to her defence.

"Amnesia?" the girl asked. "You can't remember anything?" Kari shook her head.

"Then how do you know your name?" Neji questioned.

"The Hokage gave it to me," she replied. No, wait. It was Kakashi-sensei wasn't it?

"Gave it to you?" Neji asked eyes narrowing. His suspicion was starting to get irritating.

"Not meaning to be harsh but it is a little odd. You have amnesia yet Hokage-sama still allows you to be a kunoichi," the girl said. "And what do you mean he gave you your name, did he not know who you were? Or are you not from Konoha?"

"Tenten! Neji! I must ask that you stop accusing Kari-hime, she—"

"Lee-kun, it's ok," Kari interrupted. "I'll tell you what I know."

"You do not have…"

"Lee. She is suspicious. It's only right that she explains herself," Neji said and Tenten nodded. Lee folded his arms and sat, mumbling something about 'unyouthful team-mates'. Kari also sat and proceeded to tell her story.

"So you're not allowed in the academy because you have a supposed large amount of Chakra that you can't control and don't understand," Tenten evaluated. "So you've been put on a team under supervision of a sensei."

"Hai," Kari confirmed.

"Show us this 'strong Chakra'," Neji stated. He was quite rude, not unalike to how Sasuke seemed. Still, he was a little more talkative at least.

"Neji?"

"Are you going to…?"

"Hai."

As she stood she noticed Neji's eyes change. Veins bulged from his temples on the outer side of his eyes, his pupil-less irises seemed to grow veins too connecting to an indent like pupil. Distracted Kari crouched in front of him, head tilted to the side. Neji was immediately on guard, but she didn't seem to notice.

"What can you see?" she asked curiously. Though her body language showed no threat whatsoever, Neji still didn't trust her. He jumped when he felt a feather-like touch brush across the veins around his eyes. Before he could slap it away, she stood.

"Gomen," she held her hand out in front of her and became apprehensive. "What if I can't control it?"

"Then I will close your tenketsu," Neji stated.

"Tenketsu?" When they didn't reply she sighed. She focused a small amount of energy to her hand. At once, her hand was covered in what appeared to be blue flames and she jumped violently landing on her behind. She grabbed her hand holding it to her chest.

"Neji?" Tenten asked looking to him. He stood and walked over to Kari, yanking her hand to him.

"And you said that Hokage-sama could not touch you with his own Chakra?" Neji asked.

"No, no, don't!" she cried snatching her hand back. "I don't want to hurt you too."

"You're a shinobi," Neji said in monotone.

"But you're not an enemy," she said holding her hand tightly. Neji stood and Lee crouched beside her a supportive hand on her shoulder.

"I think the best course of action would be to train her."

"Ehh?!" Tenten cried surprised. "Are you feeling alright Neji?"

"That way, we could teach her control. Besides, I'm curious," Neji said the veins sinking back into his skin as he deactivated his eyes.

"Won't Gai-sensei mind?" Tenten asked.

"Gai-sensei shall be overjoyed at our apprentice!" Lee cried enthusiastically.

"If you two don't want to, then I shall train her," Neji said simply.

"The art of training an apprentice is incredibly youthful! I shall not let this opportunity pass me by!" Lee cried at once.

"Then if Gai-sensei approves I will bring her to group training, in the meantime I'll train her personally," Neji said reaching down to grab the girls wrist before yanking her to her feet. "She has potential, yet could possibly be dangerous."

"Shouldn't we ask her if she wants to be trained?" Tenten asked, glancing at the younger girl.

"Kari-hime," Lee grasped her hands in his and bent so he was eye level with her. "Would you do me and my squad the honour of becoming our youthful apprentice?"

Honestly, how could she possibly say no when Lee was staring at her that intently. Besides, she was so inexperienced she was in desperate need of training.

"The honour would be mine, Lee-sempai."

"Sempai!" Lee squeaked pulling her to him in a bone crushing hug. "My youthful student! You shall not regret this!"

"Lee. Let the girl go," Neji said. Lee released her and wiped his eyes giving a small sniffle. He was adorable in a weird way. "Your training shall begin now."

"Now?"

"Yes. Now."

-----x-----

Did ninja train like that everyday? How in the world did they do it? She could barely walk her legs felt so weak and her whole body felt bruised and battered.

How did she do?

Terribly.

The only thing she seemed good at was being quick. She wasn't too bad at throwing kunai and shuriken. She was pretty flexible.

Other than that. Awful.

Nonetheless it had been beneficial and Neji had said he would train her again soon. Tomorrow if possible. So she couldn't have been too bad then could she? Well, yes she could.

She had completely forgotten about asking for help to find someone she knew or for a place to stay.

It was now dark and she was wandering around Konoha alone. Well, unless you counted random people in the street as company. She'd be happy if she could just find a bench to sleep on; she could find the training grounds tomorrow and clean herself in a stream or river. She was glad Sakura insisted she buy soap and necessities.

Luckily, it wasn't too long until she found a bench.

Comfortable, cold, hard, wooden bench. She immediately sat down losing feeling in her sore legs. Her bag could even be a comfortable pillow…

"Are you going to sleep there tonight?"

Why, yes she was. Did he have a problem with that? It was her team-mate, the rude one… Sasuke was it?

"Hai," she didn't even bother looking at him. She was too tired.

"Come on," he said gruffly.

"Ne?" she questioned looking up at him sleepily.

"Did you get attacked or something?" he asked, noticing she was covered in dirt and her hair was a mess.

"Iie. Training."

"Hn."

"Can I help you, Sasuke-san?" she asked. He was still standing there and she didn't feel comfortable lying down to go to sleep with him watching her.

"I'll let you sleep at my place, I can't have you weighing the team down," Sasuke said. She was surprisingly irritable when she was tired and despite the fact he was trying to help, he sounded so grumpy, rude and reluctant of it she wished he wouldn't bother.

"I wouldn't want to trouble you; I'm perfectly fine staying here." Despite being irritated she was still being polite. He was still a stranger.

"I won't ask again."

"I don't want you to."

"Baka. You'll get sick sleeping out here."

"Most probably."

"Fine." She wanted to make herself ill, good for her. He wasn't going to force her where he didn't want her in the first place. He turned and began to walk off, but found himself stopping and looking back. She had lain down, using her bag as a pillow. She was facing the back of the bench, curled up and waiting for sleep.

She really did intend on staying there.

He honestly didn't know what made him go back. He never really cared much for other people and certainly couldn't imagine feeling guilty over it. Perhaps it was just the thought of listening to Kakashi and Naruto complaining and scolding him tomorrow morning.

"Get up."

"You're very insistent Sasuke-san."

"Get up or I will carry you," he said, not looking forward to trying to carry her again.

"I'm quite sure you don't want to carry me all the way to wherever you live. While I don't doubt your strength I doubt you could support my weight the whole way there." Though still carefully polite, he could hear the irritation in her voice.

"You're acting childish. Get up."

"I'm not going where I'm not wanted. Go home. Go to sleep. I will see you tomorrow."

The Uchiha blinked taken back. No female since his mother had dared to speak to him that way. Had he just been told off and told what to do? That was unacceptable.

Even more unacceptable was kicking him in the gut when he tried to lift her.

While he remained standing she landed on her backside, looking up at him with what seemed to be a slight glare.

"You can't even walk," he scoffed. Truthfully, she did have a pretty hard hit, but he wasn't going to show that. Was he now getting the silent treatment? Girls were so irritating. She managed to stand and picked up her bag pulling it over her shoulder.

"Where does Naruto-kun live?"

"A long walk from here."

"Fine. I'll find somewhere tomorrow," she relented. She was too tired to keep arguing.

"Get on my back."

"Excuse me?"

"You can't walk, get on my back," he said with a glare.

"I'd rather not."

"Just get on."

Realising the boy was stupidly stubborn she allowed him to lift her onto his back, holding her legs to keep her steady.

"You'll fall off if you don't hold on," he mumbled, not wanting to have to continually pick her up.

"I was under the impression you didn't want to be touched."

"I don't. But nor do I want to keep picking you up when you fall off. Now hold on." Reluctantly she wrapped her arms loosely around his neck. The added warmth immediately sent her to sleep. The Uchiha huffed slightly at the idiocy of her and headed towards his apartment, adjusting her into a more comfortable position. She didn't stir, silent in her sleep, and if not for the tickle of breath on his neck and the pressure of her weight against him, he may have doubted she was there at all.

A/N: Fluff anyone? Ha, that was unintentional. Thank you again to the kind reviewers, you are motivation in it's purest form :)