I don't own anything, but my Oc and any Jutsu I create
The three of us sat in front of the three posts, well Naruto was tied up, our stomachs growling loudly in discomfort.
"Uh oh, stomachs growling huh? That's too bad. Oh by the way about this exercise? Well I've decided I won't send any of you back to the academy." Kakashi sensei announced holding a hand up
Naruto made a happy noise in the back of his throat and Sasuke looked down at the ground looking morose about something, I on the other hand narrowed my eyes in suspicion. There was no way that we had passed from our lack of teamwork even if I had figured out that was what was needed so what was Kakashi up to?
"Then, then that means all three of us? I mean all three of us." Naruto cheered overly excited and kicking his legs up into the air
"No, you two are being dropped from the program and your sister will be reevaluated and placed with another squad. Permanently." Kakashi snapped
Horror was written on Naruto's face and Sasuke's had gone into a mask of cold fury. I was sporting a similar look on my own face, a mask of cold anger that I knew could quickly turn into a fiery inferno of rage, this was very dangerous territory Kakashi sensei was playing in...threatening to separate me from my brother...threatening his dream.
"Drop us from the program? That means we can never become ninja! You said if we couldn't take the bells we'd be sent back to the academy! You can't just change your mind and kick us out! Why would you do that?!" Naruto questioned angrily straining against his bonds
"Because the two of you don't think like ninja. You think like little kids, like brats." Kakashi answered Naruto calmly
This comment seemed to make Sasuke angry as he grunted and his eyes narrowed before he launched himself at Kakashi sensei. Faster than any of us could comprehend Kakashi had Sasuke subdued and was sitting on him with Sasuke's arm twisted behind his back and Kakashi sensei's foot on his head.
"You think it's all about you." Kakashi sensei continued as though he hadn't just been attacked
"Kakashi sensei perhaps it would be better to at least lessen your hold, we wouldn't want more than Sasuke's pride to be injured would we ya know?" I suggested it as a polite request, but knew the look in my eye was saying it was a demand
"You don't know what it means to be a ninja. You think it's a game huh?" Kakashi ignored me his voice taking on a slightly mocking tone "Why do you think we put you on squads? Did either of you besides Akane consider that question for one moment?"
"Tell them what you mean Kakashi sensei they don't understand yet." I answered seeing the lost look on Naruto's face and the blind fury and pain on Sasuke's
"I mean they never realized what this exercise was all about. Not even close." Kakashi elaborated slightly
"What it's about?" Naruto asked still not getting it
"Yes that's what determines whether you pass or fail. Use your heads three people on a squad why do you think we'd do that?" Kakashi asked mockingly again
"Agh! How are we supposed to know why you picked three people we didn't make the rules?!" Naruto yelled in frustration still not getting it despite somewhat trying
"It's so basic. Teamwork!" Kakashi sensei announced sharply "It's too late now, but if all three of you had come at me together you might have been able to take them. Well, anyway it's over. Just so you know I purposely pitted you against each other. I wanted to see if you could put the squad ahead of yourselves, but the only one who seemed to want to even try to do that was Akane. As Genin you should have a natural feel for teamwork, but you two. It never even crossed your minds. Akane tried to help you both, tried to get you to at least listen, but you were both too busy to give her the time of day unless it was convenient for you. Naruto you do everything on your own unless Akane forces her way in to help you. Everything. And you Sasuke thought the others we so far beneath you that they were worthless. Arrogance, ninja missions are carried out in squads, of course you need individual skills, but teamwork is the most essential element. Every shinobi understands this when individuals put themselves about the squad this can lead to failure and death."
Kakashi then reached into one of his standard ninja pouches and pulled out a kunai "For example Akane kill Naruto now or Sasuke dies." he threatened places the kunai at Sasuke's neck
I only had a moment to process this and Naruto's freaking out didn't help me think.
"That's what happens on a mission." Kakashi said much calmer now as he took the kunai away and I could see the relief on Sasuke's face
"The enemy takes a hostage and you've got an impossible choice and someone ends up dead." He continued as he spun his kunai on his finger and then placed it back in his pouch
He got off Sasuke now as he talked "On every mission your life is on the line. Did you look at this stone? The names engraved on it? They are all ninja who are honored as heroes in our village." Kakashi sensei told us sadly as he starred at the memorial stone
"That's it, that's it, that's it! Now I know! I've decided I'm going to have my name engraved on that stone!" Naruto announced happy and excited and my heart fell like a icy stone into my stomach "I'm not gonna live and die for nothing like a dog! I'm gonna be a hero! A hero!"
No one was expecting it, I could see the surprise on all their faces and a bit of hurt on Naruto's after he had realized where the sting in his cheek had come from.
"Don't you...EVER...say that again Naruto. That stone...I NEVER...want to see your name on that stone." I whispered tears barely held back as they flooded my eyes and a pain I knew I couldn't conceal shining out for all to see
"Akane..." Naruto whispered back still in shock
"Those people...those ninja. They aren't with us anymore. This stone...this stone is all that's left to remember them by. They died protecting this village. And if I ever hear you say you wanna be on it again...I'll...I'll." I couldn't make up a good enough threat because if it ever came to it...if I ever lost my twin...I would die without him because what is a Captain without her Hokage to lead her?
"Akane's right. This is a memorial stone. The names of my closest friends are engraved here." Kakashi sensei informed us
I could see Naruto's sadness and guilt at having wanted such a thing and even Sasuke looked more subdued after being told this
"Alright. I'm going to give you one more chance, but I'm going to make it much harder on you. You'll have three hours to get a bell, eat lunch now to build up strength, but Naruto doesn't get any. It's your punishment for breaking the rules and trying to eat by yourself and if any person tries to feed him that person will fail despite anything else I might have previously said. I make the rules you follow them, got it?" Kakashi sensei said threateningly
I could hear Naruto's stomach growling as Sasuke and I ate so I pulled my bag forward and pulled out the three apples I had packed for such an occasion.
"Here." I said tossing one to Sasuke who caught in on reflex before it could hit his face
"If you had these the whole time why didn't you try to feed us earlier?" Sasuke asked staring at the apple curiously
"Would you have listened to me if I had managed to find you? You already didn't listen to me yesterday despite the logical reasons I gave you for why you should have disobeyed Kakashi sensei ya know." I answered him with my own question
The slight blush and barely apologetic look on his face told me all I needed to know as I nodded and held up a piece of egg for Naruto to eat.
"What are you doing?" Sasuke asked though it sounded like he too realized what I was doing was necessary
"Kakashi may still be nearby, but it doesn't matter. If Naruto is too hungry he'll be unable to help us retrieve the bells. You're pretty smart most of the time you've probably realized this as well, so do us all a favor and be a look out while I feed him as I doubt you want to hand feed him ya know." I answered calmly as Naruto reluctantly leaned forward and took a bite
I continued to feed him a few more bites of rice before a sudden gust of wind threatened to knock me and Sasuke over as Kakashi burst out of the nearby forest and into our faces.
"You! You broke the rules so I hope you're ready for the punishment." Kakashi sensei said dramatically as he did a few hand signs that made the sky go dark and ominous with flashes of lightning "Any last words?"