-Dreams-[Naruto&Sasuke]Chapter 6 (The Names on the Stone)

Kakashi glared darkly "Give it up not one of you four will ever be a ninja!"

Naruto growled, " What do you mean give up!?Give me a break!So maybe we didn't get one of your stupid bells but why the hell should we quit over that?"

Kakashi was blunt "Because none of you have what it takes!" Sasuke stood and ran at Kakashi the intent to harm in his eyes. Kakashi sighed jumping and pinning the boy to the ground twisting one of his arms behind his back. "What you are is a group of spoiled brats! Are you trying to make fun of the shinobi with your behavior?Well? Are you?! Did any of you stop to wonder why you were divided into teams?

We all stopped and realized none of us actually had. "Obviously not" Kakashi continued "So you missed the point entirely."

"It had a point?" Naruto asked oblivious.

"Of course and that point determines whether or not you would succeed."

"And that point would be?' I asked in a soft voice.

"I don't believe this!" Kakashi groaned "It's TEAMWORK!"

I gasped... 'So I was right" I thought. "If the three of you had worked together and then come at me you might have been able to take the bells from me." Kakashi said darkly.

Sakura gasped softly "If we were expected to function as a team why did you only have three bells?Even if we'd worked together...."

I finished her thought for her "One of us would have gone hungry. He played us against one another."

Kakashi sighed, "Of course this task was designed to cause dissension in you ranks. The situation was set up to reveal which of you would set aside your individual interests and proposed to work as one. It almost happened but regardless...You Sakura, ignored Naruto who was right in front of you and ignored Emiko who was trapped while you focused on Sasuke thought you had no idea where he was. Naruto tried to do single handedly what should have been done by all of you. Sasuke decided all of you just got in his way and was better off playing solo. And lastly Emiko you tried to do some form of teamwork with Sasuke but when he started o show you up your jealousy overpowered your other emotions. You are a team learn to act as one! Yes, it is necessary doe a ninja to have individual skills but what is more important now is teamwork." Kakashi dug around in his holster before continuing. "Making a play as an individual is bad for the team and exposes your comrades to unnecessary danger. You might as well kill them yourself. Here's an example..." He drew a kunai out from behind his back and put it to Sasuke neck dangerously."Sakura kill Emiko and Naruto or Sasuke dies!"

"What?!" Sakura and Naruto yelled in unison. I bit my lip and dug my foot into the dirt.

"The day could come when one of you may be taken hostage and you're forced to make such a choice. When you are on a mission your lives will always be on the line." he stood allowing Sasuke to move around grunting softly. Kakashi slowly made his way towards the stone in the center of the training ground. "Look at the marker... all the names carved into the stone hero's of out village...ninja"

Naruto yelled out in shock. ""That's it! That's where I want my name to go!"

"The name's here aren't just any old heroes"

"Really?" Naruto questioned excitedly "Then what kind of heroes are they?

"Maybe Emiko will tell you?" Kakashi said eying me.

I nodded solemnly "That's the K.I.A stone. It's for ninjas who died in the line of duty." My voice cracked as I went on..it was a stone I knew about all to well.

"This memorial," Kakashi began "..it includes the names of all of my best friends. And the name of one of your comrades mother..."

I bit my lip roughly tasting the metallic liquid as it flooded my mouth. Everyone's eyes shifted to me in shock.

"Pay attention! I'm giving you all one last chance. One that will be far more difficult than our last little game with the bells. If you're prepared to continue you may eat one of those bento boxes. He brought it on himself when he tried to sneak lunch for himself. If any of you feed him than everyone fails right there. MY WORD IS LAW..do you understand?" he jumped away leaving us all to our bentos.

"This'll be a breeze! I can go without lunch no problem!" Naruto yelled optimistically.

We sat eating out lunches in silence mostly..Naruto's stomach growled for the hundredth time interrupting our peace. I frowned 'Maybe I should....'

"Here.." Sasuke said holding his box toward Naruto.

Sakura choked and gasped "But Sasuke Master Kakashi told us..."

Sasuke interrupted her "I'm not worried hes probably miles away by now. And we'll all need our strength if we're going to work together. You're no good to me if you're just going to be a liability." he muttered

Sakura sighed and held out her box as well. I smiled and stood walking in front of he red faced blonde. "He can't very well feed himself you know." I giggled and filled my chopsticks holding them to Naruto to which he responded with a happy CHOMP.

"Thanks Emiko," he blushed softly not able to look at any of us.

I smiled softly but jumped when I heard an explosion and a cloud of smoke shielded my vision. An arm reached out and grabbed me pulling be back against a hard body."You!" I heard Kakashi scream from above me"

"Shit shit shit!" I raged"

"Emiko!" Naruto yelled.

The smoke cleared and I looked up at the now happy silver haired ninja. "Pass" he finished.

"How'd we pass?" Sakura asked confused.

Kakashi let me go and set a hand on my head, "You four have just taken a giant step forward. Up until now all any of you have done is listen unquestioningly to everything I say..Like mindless little drones. A true shinobi looks for the hidden meanings within the hidden meanings. In a ninjas world, those who violate the rules are lower then garbage however those who violate the rules are even lower than that" he chuckled and gave us a thumbs up. "This exercise is no concluded. You all pass! That's it for today, cell seven's duties begin tomorrow." he turned and began to walk away with Sasuke and Sakura in pursuit.

"I did it!I'm a ninja ninja ninja!" Naruto cheered. He blinked after a moment and realized the other two had left him."Wait guys! What about me?"

"I'' get you down.." I said sighing softly. Untying the bindings that held the blonde to the log. He jumped down and began to run after the other two but stopped , turning and returning to me."Emiko?"

"Yeah?" I asked

"After I said all that stuff about you..why would you help me?" he frowned softly awaiting my response.

I giggled. "Life's to short to be mean and hold grudges.'Sides your pretty col and look like you could use a good friend..Can I like walk you home or something?" I asked grinning.

"You would?" Naruto asked shocked.

"Of course.." I nodded and we walked off. I knew then and there it was the turning point in my life..Something I'd cherish forever.