AN: Sorry for the amount of time since my last post. I just couldn't focus over the holiday break and had trouble getting this chapter out. If it's a bit stiff, that's why. The Academy part didn't go the direction I thought it would but I thought it was slightly amusing. As always, let me know what you think.
"Why do you like working with the little brats?" Suki asked, rubbing her temples as she glared at Iruka. It wasn't the poor man's fault that today had been particularly bad but she had to take it out on someone.
Sighing she allowed herself to calm down when Iruka gave her a knowing look. "It helps sometimes to think back on the day and figure out what when wrong. Perhaps there's something we could do differently next time."
"Spoken like a true teacher." Suki responded, rolling her eyes. Biting her lip she did begin to think back, doing as he said.
The class began in its normal fashion, Iruka giving instruction, then sending the students off in groups for practice. That's where Suki came in. While it was easy for Iruka to do the large group, things became more complex with the smaller groups.
Suki would walk amongst the groups, offering advice and giving instruction as needed. With the two of them, she and Iruka could keep things relatively calm, even with some impatient groups nagging them for attention.
Today's practice should have been easy but right away Suki hit trouble in the form of a young man named Renzo. He was one of the bigger boys in the class and outclassed many of his classmates when it came to physical training. Too bad his brains were not nearly as developed as his brawn.
It was a simple throwing practice where all different types of throwing weapons were to be practiced. Each group had a basket of said weapons, dull of course. Renzo had decided that the other students made better targets than the logs that had been place around the practice area.
Suki came up behind him and pulled the throwing star he was aiming at one of the shyer girls in the class. The sweet and quite intelligent girl reminded her of one of Naruto's friends she had met briefly. That's right, her name had been Hinata, if Suki's memory served her.
"That kind of practice is not allowed here and you know it." She said, "I think you ought to sit this one out if you find the logs too easy to hit."
The boy sulked off and Suki had begun working with the others. As she was helping one of the others throw with a steadier arm she sensed something flying toward her. She noted that several students had shocked looks on their faces but was to intent on turning herself quickly to distinguish who. Her hand caught the kunai just before it made contact with her shoulder.
Standing there smirking was Renzo. "What did I say before?" she asked being as patient as possible with this overly cocky boy.
"You said that practicing by throwing at the other students wasn't allowed and I should sit out if I felt the logs were too easy." The boy replied almost mockingly.
"So naturally, throwing weapons at your sensei is the correct action to take?" Suki inquired. This kid might have some skill at messing with the enemies head when he was older, if he let go of his superiority complex.
"It's not as though I would have actually hurt you." The little snot responded, "Blunt kunai and an experienced ninja don't equal injury."
"I asked you to sit out, not continue practicing at the level you seem to think you're at." Suki said an angry undertone to her calm voice.
"How am I to learn if I don't challenge myself?" The boy asked
Suddenly the kunai he had originally thrown was embedded in the wall above the boys shoulder. There was a tear in the cloth of his shirt but his skin was unblemished. "That is how you throw a kunai." She said
Her eyes roamed the students watching this exchange and remarked, "Lesson number one for those of you who find yourselves feeling like you're better than others. Know when to take a challenge and know when there is not challenge…just stupidity that can get you killed on a real mission." her frustration was coming out.
Another kunai came flying at her, this time from the opposite direction of the first. There stood one of Renzo's friends, his hands holding another weapon. "I don't think you're allowed to do that." He said, pointing to the kunai she had thrown.
"I'm you're sensei, I'm allowed to demonstrate my points." Suki said with calm smile. Inside she was feeling the frustration but it was not anything she couldn't control. These kids were certainly questioning her authority today. This was where her lack of experience with kids left her clueless as to what to do.
Sighing she looked over the students. "Tell you what, since throwing things at me is so popular today I'll allow it." Several students eye's went wide. "I promise a special, challenge training session to any of you who manage to hit me."
Suddenly there were weapons flying at her and she was dodging. She hadn't thought of this as training for herself but it proved a good workout of her basic dodging skills. The students tired of this after a while and the movement both of the students and their sensei had slowed down.
Though she was not fully relaxed Suki began to calm her senses. Out of the corner of her eye she saw someone running toward her. Before she knew what was happening she was on the ground and several weapons touched her skin.
Suki quickly took back the upper hand before more could take advantage but it was too late, Renzo and several of his friends had indeed made contact with their weapons. It both amazed and angered her that they had done that. It wasn't the point of the exercise but it was creative and got the job done.
"Alright, we're done for the day. Go home and continue to practice the jutsus we've been learning in class and as always, work on you're throwing."
As the class scattered to gather their belongings and leave Suki couldn't help but notice Renzo's smirk. She hadn't accomplished much with him at all had she?
Iruka laughed as she related the events to him. "Renzo's a tough one but I'd say for your first time dealing with him it wasn't too bad. Every group has to have the tough guy who likes to show off."
"Ha, I guess so." She said with a polite smile. She'd feel a little better about what had happened if she didn't have a headache. "I bet Naruto was the show off of his group." She commented, thinking of the meeting she was to attend later.
"Actually, he wasn't very skilled at that age. He was a late bloomer of sorts, though he never lacked the guts." Iruka said, a fond smile crossing his face. "Sasuke Uchiha was in his class too and could have easily been the dominate one but he was never one for attention so it was left to Kiba Inuzuka to be the show off."
Suki laughed, thinking about the boy mentioned. It didn't surprise her at all, even if she had only met Kiba once or twice. She hid the cringe well at the mention of Sasuke.
Suki rubbed her temples as she walked toward the Hokage tower. What a nightmare today had been. The kids had been just terrible. Now she had to go to this meeting where she was sure she would receive news that would make her headache worse.
Suki's mind was racing as she walked. The street was nothing but unfocused brown shapes with the occasional splash of color. The delicious smells wafting from nearby shops had no effect on her empty stomach. The attention her surroundings were receiving was simply enough to be sure she didn't run into anyone or anything.
She had been wondering all day what this could possibly be about. Was Naruto in danger? The Akatsuki had been quite for a while; it would not be all that surprising if they had made a move. It didn't matter, they would not get their hands on her cousin. Her heart swelled with all the protectiveness of an older sister.
That's the relationship they would have had things had gone differently. Being raised by the same people, living under the same roof and learning the same family jutsus. Yeah, they would have been more like brother and sister than cousins. Too bad everything went wrong and she had only made things worse by running. Sighing she dropped that train of thought. It wasn't worth beating herself up about the past since it only made doing the right thing in the present more difficult.
The wind blew a cool breeze across her cheeks, calming her racing mind and helping her find focus. Suki's cerulean eyes drifted to the sky and she smiled. "I've got this covered. You don't need to worry about him." A warm breeze came this time, making her laugh. "I miss you too…" Her heart sincerely hoped that she was reading the wind properly. She'd like to think her Aunt and Uncle were watching and guiding her right now.
Suki came back to herself as she reached the large building known as the Hokage tower. Looking at all the steps, she suddenly felt very tired. Her feet began to move her up, toward the Hokage's office, anyway.
When Suki reached the polished oak door that lead to the Hokage's office, she knocked. She heard a muffled call that sounded like 'come in'. She found that she was not the first to arrive for this meeting. Kakashi stood leaning against one of the walls, Jiraiya was seated in one of several chairs and Tsunade was sitting behind her desk as usual. Jiraiya smiled at her in greeting. Kakashi simply raised his one visible eyebrow.
Suki gave them all a halfhearted smile before taking a seat. There was a tension in the air that made her think that her earlier assumptions were correct; something was wrong.
"Right, we're all here so I'll go ahead and get to the point." Jiraiya began. "I've been tracking the Akatsuki and they've been making some interesting moves. From what I've been able to gather, they are setting up for another attempt at capturing Naruto."
"Any idea who to expect or when to expect it?" Kakashi inquired from his spot on the wall.
"They appear serious about this, don't expect any openings. It's a strong possibility there may be more than the usual two. From what we already know, there are some Akatsuki that we have no information on. It's these members I'm most concerned about. After all, the Akatsuki are known for being unique. I'd say we should expect them to hit us soon and hit us hard." Jiraiya replied.
"If you have coordinates for me, I'll send the AMBU currently working on the Akatsuki there for further investigation." Tsunade said, handing Jiraiya paper to write on.
"What about Naruto? Are you going to tell him?" Suki spoke up.
"It's best if we don't, for the moment. I'd rather he not be involved He'll just work himself up and when the time comes he won't think clearly." Tsunade said, Kakashi nodding in agreement.
Suki bit her lip to stop herself from speaking. Anger boiled up in her. Did they really trust Naruto as they said they did? She could understand their reasoning to a certain extent but Suki trusted Naruto not to do that.
He had grown up a lot with recent events. Some she had witnessed and others she had not but none the less, he had grown. Besides, didn't he have a right to make decisions on his own? This was his life, his demon and his problem. It was not anyone's job, no matter how much they cared, to make these choices for him. The only thing those who loved him could do now is give him advice when he needed it and stand by him as he fought his fights.
These were the others who cared for him so she'd listen for the time being. Or so she thought. Kakashi stepped away from the wall and stood behind her and to the right. "Is there something you wanted to say Suki? You were invited because your input may be valuable."
"I'm simply worried about him. I think we all are." She said, trying to dodge.
"I know that look and that was not worry, that was more like anger hidden under a layer of uncertainty." Kakashi said. Suki's heart began to pound. 'Dam it Kakashi, shut up' she thought 'We are in front of two of the sanin.'
"What makes you so sure you can read me that well Kakashi? I'm a skilled ninja too." Suki remarked, venom in her tone.
She could see Tsunade's eyes moving back and forth between the two of them. "Something you two would like to share with the rest of us?" she inquired.
"I….I…not really." Suki said, uncharacteristically nervous. Kakashi had not hurt her upon finding out she had been lying but this was a completely different situation with Tsunade and Jiraiya. "It's nothing of concern. Just….personal issues." Her foot landed on Kakashi's foot as she said personal.
Tsunade leaned forward with interest showing on her face. "I don't like personal issues amongst my ninja. Perhaps I should move you to another area for the time being. You two don't have to work together constantly. I think they'd be happy to have you for some extra hours over at the academy."
Suki realized that this would pull her away from Naruto, and after today she wasn't sure she ever wanted to return to the academy. "No, that's not necessary."
"Well then, give me a reason why that would be a good idea then. If you two are having issues, it's to my best interest to give you're working relationship a rest period."
"You can't remove me from Naruto's team, not with this new threat." Suki said, frustrated with Tsunade's persistence. Was the whole world out to keep her and her cousin apart? Dam it, she'd spent enough time hedging on this issue. She had made up her mind and she wasn't letting anyone stop her from being at Naruto's side. She loved him as much as the others and she would not be pushed aside.
Seeing that she didn't have much of a choice, Suki stood. She gave Kakashi a glare and said, "This is your fault Kashi and I will kick your ass later."
Suki took a deep breath and began to speak with as little of her uncertainty in her voice as she could. "I'm sorry that I haven't been entirely honest with you Tsunade-sama. I haven't lied to you but there are some things I haven't disclosed." Suki put her hands together, quickly forming familiar hand signs. There was a puff of smoke and there stood Suki in her true form, blonde hair, blue eyes and all.
Tsunade just about fell out of her chair, Jiraiya's eyes widened. Gathering herself Tsunade stood and gave the woman before her a suspicious stare. "You have some explaining to do."
Yes, I know, another cliffhanger. Don't worry, I'll update soon, promise. Leave a review and let me know what you think. Does Suki react too strongly in Naruto's defense?