A/N Well, this is the last chapter! JK, it is just the last chapter before they leave for their mission. ENJOY!
Also, thank you once again to Little Red Riding Hood!
Normal
Dreams and memories
Thoughts
Kyuubi talking
It had been a long day, and Tsunade had only three more files to read when someone knocked at the door.
"Whoever you are, you'd better not be bringing me any more damn files to read!"
"I don't have any files for you, Hokage-sama. But once you hear what I have to say, you'll wish it was files I was bringing you."
Tsunade set down the papers she had been reading. "Shino? Come in."
Shino entered the room, dressed as he always was. It was always a marvel to Tsunade how he could see at night with those dark glasses.
"Hokage-sama, Kyiara hasn't returned yet." Shino informed her. "I'm concerned."
Tsunade got to her feet. "What do you mean she hasn't returned yet?" she demanded sharply. "When and why did she leave?"
Shino told her about how he had drained most of the chakra out of the curse seal, and how badly Kyiara had reacted to it. "I think she must've remembered something about her past." he concluded. "When I asked her what was wrong, she just vanished into thin air. Whatever she did even left the tracking bug I had placed on her behind."
Tsunade frowned. "I don't like that you attempted something that complicated without at least consulting me, Shino. Kyiara could've had a much worse reaction to the process."
"Kyiara was in pain because of the curse seal." he said bluntly. "I did what I thought was right; I helped her." Behind his glasses he scowled. "Do you have any idea where she might be? I had left one of my bugs on her, but when she vanished, it was left behind."
Tsunade nodded. "Yes, I think I know where she went to. Thank you for telling me this; now go back to your room. I will go and find Kyiara."
Although Shino wanted to protest, he didn't. He bowed to Tsunade and left the room.
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It was test day at the Academy. Although they were younger than any of the other children taking the test that day, Oria, Kyiara and Luna sat together, eyes fixed on the papers in front of them.
At age ten, Oria, Luna and Kyiara had surpassed their fellow students in everything, from book-learning to fighting (both hand-to-hand and with weapons) to chakra usage.
"Please set your pencils down now. The test is over." The examiner ordered.
There was a rustling of paper as they gathered up their papers and handed them in as they filed past the examiner, headed to the last part of the examination.
When the final part was over, Kyiara headed for Kurenai-sensei's office. Softly, she knocked at the door.
"Come in," called Kurenai's voice, her voice sounding tired. Opening and closing the door, Kyiara bowed to her sensei.
When Kurenai saw who it was, she smiled. "Kyiara-san, I see you passed. Congratulations! You are now a genin."
Blushing at her praise, Kyiara bowed. "Thank you, Kurenai-sensei. I was - I was wondering if I could borrow that book you mentioned last week. The one about different exercises and combinations to build up a person's strength and stamina."
Kurenai nodded and fetched the book, glad that Kyiara was finally showing a genuine interest in strengthening herself instead of just concentrating on learning healing and other chakra techniques, Kurenai thought to herself. As she watched the girl leave her office she added, though Kyiara is probably the most advanced in that area with the amount of time she spends reading and learning about chakra techniques. Kurenai could only hope that whoever got her in their small group would not hold her low status against her.
When Kyiara exited the Academy building, she noticed that many of the older students who had graduated were standing with their families. Even her two friends from the younger group who had been allowed to take the genin test and had passed were standing with their parents. Her heart tightened with sadness and jealousy, wishing that her parents could be here. At least she had her brother, but his group had been taken on their first mission outside of Konoha. She missed him.
Burying herself in the book as she walked, she didn't see Oria, the only boy out of her class allowed to take the test watching her until she nearly bumped into him. Oria grinned at her and gave her thumbs up. "Congratulations, Kyiara-san!"
She tried to smile at him. "Thank you, Oria-kun. But you too deserve to be congratulated." She gave him a small bow and started to continue on her way when someone called her name. "Kyiara-chan . . . why did you take so long to come out . . ." the speaker trailed off.
Startled, Kyiara turned around at the sound of someone calling her name. Then she grinned. "Kabuto-niisan! You're back from your mission!"
A silver-haired boy two years older than Kyiara, wearing a slightly battered hitai-ate grabbed her into a tight hug. "You've graduated already? Wonderful!" He glanced over at the other graduates and their families. A few of the adults were looking at them the way they looked at the Kyuubi vessel, Naruto. He scowled at them and put a protective arm around his sister. "Come on, Kyiara-chan; let's go out for dinner to celebrate your graduation."
Oria watched their exchange, happy that Kyiara would have someone to celebrate with, but the looks of the adults and Kabuto's reaction did not get by him unnoticed. He turned to his parents questioningly. "Why do they do that? Look at Kyiara-san and her brother like the do to that Naruto boy?"
"Don't worry about that, Oria." his father said disdainfully. "Those two are just orphans with no clan and no standing in Konoha. People like us don't need to concerns ourselves about them."
That answer wasn't satisfactory to Oria. Kyiara and Kabuto both were still standing close enough to hear his fathers' comment; they both blushed before Kabuto led his sister away.
The next morning, everyone who had graduated gathered into one classroom, waiting for Kurenai-sensei to tell them what the teams were going to be.
The younger three didn't have long to wait before their names were called. "Team Three will be Strana Oria, Tienra Luna and Yakushi Kyiara. Your sensei will be Genma."
The three of them dashed outside once Kurenai dismissed them, overjoyed. "Hah! I should've known Kurenai-sensei would put us together!" Oria shouted, hugging his two friends and dancing around in his enthusiasm. The girls grinned, sharing his happiness.
"So Genma, I heard you're taking on your first genin team."
The three stopped their little victory dance and looked up at the sound of their new sensei's name. Two men were walking toward the building. One had a senbon needle in his mouth. The other one continued; "I also heard that you got those three young ones; Strana Oria and Tienra Luna ought to be pretty good to have. But I pity you for getting that Yakushi girl."
Oria and Luna looked over at Kyiara. "Why is that guy saying those mean things about you and Kabuto, Kyiara-san?" Luna asked after the two men had passed by them.
Kyiara didn't meet her friends' eyes. "It's because Kabuto and I are orphans. No one knows what clan we're from, or even what village we're from. Kabuto and I were found well away from this village and our chakra powers match none here or anywhere else that anyone knows of."
"What difference does that make?" Oria demanded. "Why does it matter whether you were born here or not, or what clan you're from?"
"Each clan in Konoha has a certain standing, a certain reputation based on how long they've been established and what their kekkai genkai is. Without that we're nothing more than homeless fools." Kyiara answered quietly, though her voice was filled with anger and humiliation. "Just like what your father said yesterday, Oria-kun."
"Oria, Luna and Kyiara, your new sensei is ready to meet you." Kurenai called from the doorway before Oria had time to reply, though it was obvious he was embarrassed about what his father had said.
Unusually silent, the trio followed the female Chuunin inside. Genma was waiting in an empty classroom, and looked up when they entered. He looked a little nervous, what with them being his first genin team, but was trying his best to hide it.
"Well, shall we go find somewhere where we can talk?" he asked.
Luna and Kyiara shrugged; Oria nodded. Genma left the room, his three charges trailing after him. He led them out to the Academy's outdoor practice arena. He seated himself on the ground, motioning for them to do the same. After a moment, Oria, Luna and Kyiara followed suit.
"From what Kurenai-sensei told me, the three of you already know each other pretty well, but for my benefit I would like each of you to tell me your name, your likes and dislikes, dreams for the future, and so forth." He motioned to Luna. "You may start."
A little off balance at being asked to go first, Luna paused briefly before speaking. "My name is Tienra Luna. I like gardening and make pretty things out of metal with my kekkai genkai. I don't like rude or mean people. As for a dream for the future, I . . . I really haven't thought about that." She looked up at Genma nervously. He nodded. "Thank you. The other girl can go next."
Kyiara was silent longer than Luna had been. Finally she said, "My name is Yakushi Kyiara. I love my older brother and my two friends, Oria and Luna. I don't like the way most of the village looks at my brother and me. My dream for the future is to somehow prove to the whole village that I'm a loyal Konoha ninja."
Genma raised an eyebrow in spite of himself. "Okay. Oria, you can go next."
Oria didn't hesitate, but plunged in with his usual enthusiasm. "My name is Strana Oria. I love my family, my friends and -" he stopped, blushing. "-and being out in the rain. I hate people who hurt my friends. My only dream for the future is to protect this village, especially my precious people." He looked their new sensei in the eye. "Hey sensei, what about you?"
Genma grinned. Kurenai had warned him about Oria's forwardness, which more than made up for Luna and Kyiara's shyness around most adults, and from what little he had seen of Kyiara meant downright fear of most adults. "All right. My name is Genma. I like practicing with weapons and going on missions. I don't like people who form opinions on people without meeting them. My current dream for the future is to turn the three of you into the best genin and then Chuunin team ever."
Kyiara visibly relaxed at his words. Sitting across from her, Genma noticed. "No, I don't have any prejudiced opinions about you or Kabuto, Kyiara."
Oria scowled slightly. "I heard what that other guy was saying to you earlier about her and Kabuto-kun, sensei. He wasn't saying anything nice about either of them."
"He might have said those things to me, but it doesn't mean that I believe them, Oria." Genma retorted sternly. "And just so you all know, I asked to have the three of you; originally you were on separate teams. When I saw how close three are, I knew you would work well together."
The three genins were silent at hearing this information. Genma continued; "When I agreed to take on a genin team, I swore to teach you all I could, answer your questions as best I could and help you with anything. But most of all, I swore to protect each of you with my life. And that is something I am more than ready to do."
END DREAM/FLASHBACK
Kyiara felt someone shaking her body. Over five years of being Orochimaru's captive far outweighed the knowledge that she was home. Leaping to her feet as she activated her Sharugan, Kyiara lashed out at the perpetrator and released the straps that held the knives that were strapped to her forearms underneath her sleeves.
It was Tsunade, and she was looking at her as calmly as if she had expected this sort of reaction. "Your reflexes are excellent, I'll give you that, Kyiara." she said as she got to her feet. "Shino got worried when you didn't return after a time. After he told me what he did and what happened, I knew where I would find you."
Kyiara scowled, sheathing her weapons. "What do you want, Hokage-sama?"
Tsunade put her hands on her hips. "I am here because I was worried about you! Are you so used to being afraid of everyone and everything that you don't realize that there are people here who care a great deal about you?"
The crystal eyes hardened, all emotion in them shut off. "I know that."
"Then quit acting like you don't!" Tsunade snapped, growing more and more impatient with the girl.
Kyiara turned away and didn't answer. She turned away and looked at the gravestones of her dead teammates, her eyes softening. Tsunade came to stand behind her. "Because the village council refused to pay for yours, your brother and Genma paid for it, and Kabuto wrote what you see written on it. Now that you're home, it will be removed."
Kyiara refused to look at Tsunade. "Leave it there, please. If I don't return from the mission, I want to be buried here." When I don't return, Kyiara thought silently. Because I don't plan on returning at all.
Tsunade scowled. "Don't say that. You will return here alive even if I have to die saving you."
Kyiara started to walk away. "Others will need your help more than I will. Don't waste your time on me."
Then she vanished into the air, leaving behind a fuming Tsunade. "Kyiara . . ." Tsunade turned to pay her respects to Oria and Luna. "Please don't tell me you don't plan on coming back alive."
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The next morning, a motley assortment of genin, chuunin and jounin were gathered in the largest room in the Hokage Tower. Shino, Kiba and Hinata arrived together, all three of them searching the assembled ninjas for Kyiara. She was already there, leaning against the wall with no one else near her. They joined her silence, having already agreed not to mention what had happened last night though Shino did give them the details of what had happened.
Tsunade was already in the room, talking with the some of the jounin, and they were all looking grave.
At that moment the door was thrust open as a blonde in an orange jumpsuit stormed over to Tsunade.
"Tsunade-baachan!" he screeched. "Why is Sakura-chan not coming with us?"
Tsunade hands clenched into fists at her sides and growled, "Naruto, if you don't want to lose your place in the advance team who will be retrieving Sasuke, than you will be silent until this meeting is adjourned. Do I make myself quite clear?"
Naruto actually gulped. "H-hai, Hokage-sama." he backed slowly away from her, in case she decided to hit him. He bumped into someone.
"Yo, Naruto." It was Kakashi.
Naruto pointed a finger at his sensei. "Hey! Tell me why Sakura-chan isn't coming with us!"
Kakashi sighed. Naruto was still infatuated with the pink-haired kunoichi. "Stop screaming, Naruto. Tsunade-sama needs Sakura to stay here and help with the wounded. Sakura will be where she is needed the most, just like you will be."
Naruto nodded, though he still didn't look happy.
Tsunade got up onto the raised end of the room; everyone went silent. "I want the following people to go to my office for your instructions. The rest you remain here for your own instructions. Uzumaki Naruto; Hatake Kakashi; Yakushi Kyiara, Hyuuga Hinata, Hyuuga Neji, Aburame Shino; Inuzuka Kiba; Rock Lee and Tenten."
The named people filed out of the room and headed for the Hokage Office.
The eight genin and one jounin stood or sat uneasily around Tsunade's office, waiting for her. Naruto kept fidgeting but managed to remain as silent as his fellow genin.
After about a half hour later pain suddenly flared on Kyiara's shoulder. She clamped her hand over it, wincing slightly.
Everyone present looked over at her. "Are you okay, Kyiara-san?" Naruto asked.
"I'm fine, Naruto." Kyiara replied, scowling as she rubbed at the curse seal.
Let me look at her, kit.
Kyuubi! Naruto yelled silently. How am I supposed to do that?
Impatiently, the fox retorted, Let me use your eyes, kit. I sense something wrong with that girl.
Sighing, Naruto backed away so hopefully no one would notice the change in his eye color. Entering Naruto's eyes the Kyuubi made sure Naruto could see what he saw. Instantly both the Kyuubi and Naruto saw what was wrong. The curse seal was visible in the Kyuubi's vision. Small tentacles were inside Kyiara's body, twisting themselves around her heart, slowly tightening. They were a part of the curse seal.
Despite himself, Naruto gasped but managed to keep it quiet enough to go unnoticed. W-what is happening to her, Kyuubi? He demanded.
The demon didn't answer right away. I think . . . I think the curse seal is trying to kill her. She must've tried to drain the bad chakra out of the seal, and doing that activated whatever this is.
Should I tell her? Naruto asked.
Idiotic kit! Of course you should tell her! Unless you want her to die!
Naruto's vision went back to normal, signaling the fox retreating. He started to
make his way over to Kyiara when the door opened and Tsunade and Shizune entered the room. Very business like, Tsunade stood in front of them while Shizune moved a stand with a map on it in front of the desk. It was a rough map of where Orochimaru was. Pointing to an abandoned mine, part of a vast system of underground tunnels and caves deep within the woods. "This is where Orochimaru is hiding. The main force will attack it head on, drawing out as many Sound ninjas as it can. Team Gai and Team 8 will attack at the rear, drawing out any ninjas left and hopefully giving Naruto, Kyiara and Kakashi a clear path to Orochimaru, Uchiha Sasuke and Yakushi Kabuto."
Lee, Naruto, Tenten and Kiba nodded; the others didn't move. Continuing, Tsunade said, "As a precaution to conceal your identities, all nine of you will be wearing black clothes and ANBU masks. This does not mean that you are ANBU; we are merely hiding who you are. Most of you will be given masks with a wig attached, as some of you have very distinctive hair." Her eyes lingered on Naruto and Lee. "Each of you will be given a pouch of kunai, shureikan, assorted bombs and explosive tags. Each pouch has a special kind of chakra woven into it to keep replenishing everything you take out. This way you will never be lacking a weapon, bomb or tag. There is also a limited amount of soldier pills in each pouch. These will NOT be replenished, so use them wisely."
Even Kakashi looked surprised and interested in this statement. "How did they manage to do that, Hokage-sama?" Tenten asked.
"I don't know. It is a carefully guarded secret." Tsunade told her. "Also, you are allowed to carry one or two of any other weapon of your choice. I recommend that anyone using weights for training should leave them behind. Another part of your outfit will be armored forearm guards to be worn under the sleeves, and boots rather than blue sandals. Right now I recommend that each group should discuss tactics and make plans. If you need anything from your residence, retrieve it quickly right now. Eat light but healthy today; we don't need anyone sick or moving slow because they ate heavy food the day before an attack mission." She stopped, looking at each of them in turn. Tomorrow might be the last time she would see some of them. "Does anyone have any questions?"
Lee raised his hand. "Why isn't Gai going with us, Hokage-sama?"
"His . . . unusual fighting techniques would be better used in the main attack instead of on the rear assault team. I think you will be just fine without a jounin. But I do recommend that you six figure out who should be your leader, per say. Anything else?"
"Are we allowed to wear the metal-backed fingerless gloves?" Kyiara asked.
Tsunade nodded. "Yes, you are. Actually, if you all want to wear them, I can arrange for you each to have them with your outfit."
When they all nodded, Tsunade said, "Very well. If there are no other questions, divide into your two groups and discuss strategies, how you will be traveling, and anything else. Also, I would like all of you to sleep here tonight; Naruto, Lee and Kakashi together, Neji in with Shino and Kiba and Tenten in with Kyiara and Hinata. Your outfits, weapons, gloves and masks will be on your beds tonight. I will speak to all of you in the morning, but for now you are dismissed."
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Shino, Kiba, Hinata, Tenten, Lee and Neji left Hokage tower and headed to the training area where Team 8 normally trained. Kiba folded his arms over his chest. "So, we're supposed to figure out which one of us should be the leader. Any suggestions?"
"I think Neji-kun should be our leader," Tenten said, blushing slightly.
"YOSH! I THINK THAT IS A WONDERFUL IDEA, TENTEN-SAN!" Lee shouted, striking his 'nice guy' pose.
Over my dead body, Kiba thought. Not after what he tried to do to Hinata-san.
Akamaru growled; everyone looked at him while Kiba laughed. "He says he doesn't think so." Kiba glanced at the bug-user. "What about you being the leader, Shino?"
"If it is for the best of the group and the majority agrees, then I will." Shino answered impassively.
"I - I think Shino-kun w - would be a great leader." Hinata commented softly, silently cursing herself for stuttering yet again.
Neji glared at her. Akamaru noticed and snarled a warning. Neji averted his gaze before anyone else noticed. But Kiba had understood Akamaru's warning snarl.
"Stop threatening my teammate, Hyuuga boy!" Kiba spat.
"Stop it, you two!" Tenten implored. "We have to figure out who will lead us and we need to plan out what we will do."
Neji shot Tenten an angry look before saying, "Fine. Shino can be our so-called 'leader'. I don't care."
Kiba looked around at the others. "Whoever thinks Shino should be our leader, raise your hand."
Kiba, Hinata and Lee raised their hands; Akamaru barked, his tail wagging in approval. After a moment Tenten too raised her hand, though it was done rather hesitatingly. Neji just stood there, arms crossed and looking almost murderous.
Kiba nodded. "Okay. Shino is our leader for this mission."
Shino adjusted his glasses. "Very well. I have the beginnings of a plan. Neji and Hinata can see over a great distance and in all directions. They will both be in front. Kiba and Akamaru will be second because of their great sense of smell. Then Lee and Tenten; their abilities to fight without using chakra will be useful at this point. I will be last so if someone attacks with chakra from any direction I can send my bugs after them."
They all nodded; Akamaru barked. Shino looked around at them. "Do any of you have any question or comments about what I have said, or ideas or suggestions about subjects we have not yet gotten to?"
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Kyiara and Naruto left Tsunade's office; Kakashi remained, having to talk to the Hokage about something. Once the others were out of earshot, Naruto stopped Kyiara. "Kyiara-san, I need to talk to you."
"What is it, Naruto-kun?"
"Before Tsunade came in, when your curse seal hurt Kyuubi used my eyes to look at you. And what he saw . . ." Naruto trailed off, obviously trying to come up with a word. "What he saw scared me. There were . . . Things growing from the curse seal inside of you, and they were wrapping themselves around your heart."
To his surprise, Kyiara smiled sadly at him. "I know about that, Naruto. What Shino did, trying to remove some of the bad chakra from the curse seal activated it. My healing chakra won't touch it; if anything, it makes it worse."
"But - you can't get rid out it?" Naruto demanded. "Have Tsunade look at it! Maybe she could -"
"No, Naruto." Kyiara interrupted. "Whatever it is attacked my healing chakra; I don't know what it might do to someone else should their chakra come into contact with it. But thank you for being concerned about me."
The door of Tsunade's office opened and Kakashi came out into the hall. He waved absently as he passed them, not saying a word. Kyiara eyed him suspiciously; Naruto, on the other hand . . . "KAKASHI! YOU ARE NOT GOING TO THE BOOKSTORE! WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO!"
Kyiara's eyebrow twitched; Bookstore? I don't think I want to know . . .
Kakashi looked back at them. "Hn, did you say something, Naruto?"
Naruto propped his hands on his hips. "We. Need. To. Plan. For. The. Mission. Now do you understand me?" he demanded.
Kakashi flapped a dismissive hand at Naruto. "I'm only with in case you two run into Sound nins before you reach Orochimaru's place. You two make your own plans."
With that, he vanished in a puff of smoke and leaves.
Kyiara turned to Naruto. "Well, where should we go to make our plans?"
"Out for ramen!" was Naruto's immediate answer. Kyiara shook her head. "Remember what Hokage-sama said about eating light and healthy, Naruto? Ramen is a heavy food, so that means no ramen. Why don't you take me to your teams training field?"
Though crestfallen at her words of 'no ramen', Naruto nodded in agreement. The two left the building and headed for Team Seven's outdoor training field.
As the path opened up into the training area, Kyiara stopped dead, a strange look on her face. When Naruto realized she was no longer behind him, he stopped and turned around. "Kyiara? What's wrong?"
To his surprise, Kyiara took a few steps back, away from him and the training field. "This . . ." she said softly, her voice shaking. "This is the field where we came to train. This is where Orochimaru kidnapped me and killed my friends and teammates, Oria and Luna."
A/N - Well, this is it! They all leave in the morning. To anyone who might be wondering, I do not plan on describing the main battle. Just Team 8 and Team Gai, Kakashi, Kyiara and Naruto's fights. The reason I didn't describe what Naruto and Kyiara's plans are is because 1.) I'm lazy;
2.) I'm brainwashed at the moment, and
3.) What is there to plan? They have Kakashi as a leader (until he fights some Sound nins) and they are both fighting people they know.
Also, I pretty much have why Kabuto healed Hinata out, but I am still looking for any more nifty ideas!