Another victim to my creatively inspired (insanity driven) self-betaing purge of chapters' fantabulously exciting all-nighter. Not. I need sleep...
Thanks again folks, for your readership, comments and for being fantastic people in general.
I... got rid of a chapter because looking back... it was really just a filler which I could use to refer back. It was basically about establishing how Kushina and Minato know each other but yeah, I can choose to change that how and why now. Maybe it will be a bad idea to get rid of some of my word count because I know myself I choose stories with a high word-count but hey... I don't want to waste time on a filler. I hate fillers.
Lonski
Chapter three: The team.
From somewhere in the distance a crow seemed to laugh as its deep caw echoed throughout the village. It seemed to know as it cried that someone was missing something important.
A snore rang through the studio apartment from beneath a pile of bedclothes, random food bowls and chopsticks. A foot stuck out from the thick duvet as a means of keeping its master cool in the already unbearably hot day. A woman in her early twenties lay sprawled in a tangled mess and she yawned as she slowly began to wake. A brown eye popped open and scanned the apartment for anything suspicious... like some uneaten food left for her to have as breakfast. No such luck, she never left her food unfinished.
"Whaz time... " She rolled lazily to her side to peer at the dented alarm clock on the floor and she suddenly sprang to life, "Crap!" It was eleven, she was three hours late!
"They're gonna kill m- ARGH!" Kushina yelled as she fell unceremoniously and face-planted the floor. Her Duvet had turned on her and had wound itself around her ankle. With a groan she pulled herself up and crawled on all fours, feeling very sorry for herself. "Bloody THING!" The red-head cursed as she hauled herself up and staggered towards the kitchen/living room where the majority of her clothes were scattered.
"Kit... Where are you girl?" She whistled to her equipment. Where in Konoha did she put it? She really needed to have a 'place' for her stuff. Struck by a sudden bolt of inspiration Kushina leapt onto her sofa which coughed up a cloud of dust and she pushed her hand beneath it and pulled out the belt. Kushina tiptoes across the mess towards her front door and reached for the latch but realised suddenly she was still in her pyjamas. "Dope." She flung her faded clothes over to her bed in a bundle and looked around for the nearest clean clothes and pulled on a black mesh long-sleeved top and a zip less half-length thick orange flack jacket with her family's crest etched in red stitching, a matching low-rise skirt that split at both sides to reveal a pair of black leggings and a pair of thigh-high orange sandals. Kushina re-clipped her equipment and flung herself outside; she dashed down the flight of stairs without properly looking where she was going, only to crash head-long into the unexpected arms of Minato. He stumbled to keep them both upright.
"Wh-" He blew a strand of her hair from his mouth as he pushed her away to regain his own balance, "There's no point in running now, you're already – "
"I know, I know but my alarm didn't go off again – "
"You should stop throwing it at the wall then; maybe it's broken at long last. I only got that for you a month ago as we-"
"Don't have time for chit-chat. You could have knocked for me sooner!" Kushina spat at him.
Minato shrugged, looking slightly guilty and he replied, "I thought I'd see if you could get up on time, since you're planning to become the leader of a new group... I thought you'd be mad at me for – "
"For what? Getting me up in time?"
"-For babying you as you always complain about."
Kushina paused as she thought that through, he did have a point... "I'd much rather be on time and patronized! Ugh... I suppose he could be busy with paper work and stuff... maybe he'd be glad that I'm late..." She trailed off as she stepped down the stairs dejectedly.
Minato grumbled with frustration and gave her a slight shove, "Forget what I said earlier, RUN!"
"You're right Kiss-ass, there's no point in being any later eh? See ya!"
Minato sighed as he wondered idly if he would ever manage to live his old nickname down.
Sarutobi inhaled the aroma from his pipe leisurely and tapped it to encourage it to burn a little more as he glanced at the clock on the wall opposite his desk. Only fifteen more minutes and he would earn himself a free lunch. Everything was going according to-
"SORRYI'MLATE. SIR!"
Well at least she stopped to bow and not barrel into my desk this time.
"You're early." He found himself replying curtly to her, Kushina looked up from her bow with confusion. He didn't sound all that sarcastic... did she get the time wrong.
"Err..." The red head began in uncertain tones.
"I had a bet that you would arrive at half eleven," He continued with a sharp prod to his desk, "So now I owe my assistant lunch when it should be the other way around. I thought I could rely on your unpredictability remaining predictable. So now you're paying for his lunch."
"I... Sure sir." Kushina replied, baffled by the old man. Maybe her dreams of becoming Hokage wasn't so far off... he was beginning to seem... senile.
"Please, take a seat Kushina." The old man gestured to the chair before him with a kindly smile on his face. She took it without hesitation, still drowsy from waking up only minutes before. "Not I have read the file you composed about the proposition but there are a few details which I would like to discuss to prevent any forms of misunderstanding.
'Like hell the file isn't specific enough. I had Nara go over it for me. And he liked it.' She grumbled internally while keeping her sweet smile fixed on him. "Sure, what you do want to go over first?" She asked as she clasped both her hands on her lap politely.
The Third responded to her smile by widening his and elaborated, "Let's begin with the premise of the idea."
She waited for a moment before her rehearsed speech organized itself in her head and answered after clearing her throat, "'Course. My idea is basically a new model to organize the way in which we train and arrange our Shinobi teams. I believe that it can improve the overall success rates of mission, lessen the likelihood of major injuries and deaths to our Shinobi and promote overall diversity to our men. I believe that in doing so would also have a positive impact on out world-wide reputation and if implemented correctly and successfully, I can predict that our reputation will improve and more jobs, I mean... Missions will be offered to us."
Kushina paused as she waited for the old man to respond to her barrage of information; he looked down at his bridged hands in thought and eventually asked,
"And what are your suggestions, what are the alterations that you would make to our Shinobi?"
She had hoped he would ask that, she moistened her lips before she continued, "Okay, well let's think of how we do things now. You receive an A-class mission and you select A-class Shinobi. That may work but is it right to only include an A-class team? Why not choose a specialist for the team whose abilities can counteract the enemies' abilities, if the information is provided in the file? In doing so, more Shinobi gain experience and this may promote them to a higher rank where they ordinarily would not have attained."
Kushina paused again, not for his questions but simply to allow herself a moment to back in her fully formulated plan and how well it was working so far.
"We can train Shinobi who would otherwise be trapped as Journeymen, or Chūnin, who would otherwise be unable to be promoted due to their lack of diversity in regards to the techniques they can use. So rather then allowing their talents to be put to waste, I believe that we can train them to specialise in the fields they are good at. If there are enough people who fall into that category, we can then make an entirely new division of Shinobi and we can then harness their skills to be a vital part of our force both as additions to other groups or form new groups within the division. This model may also me implemented for our High Ninja, or Jōnin, and I believe that this idea can lessen injuries and fatalities and improve mission success rates."
Kushina relaxed slightly in her chair, she had sat bolt upright due to her suppressed tension and excitement about talking about this idea to the Hokage but she suddenly felt her energy drain from her as she let out a slow breath to try and relax.
The old man who was nicknamed The Professor for his sheer intelligence and abilities as a Shinobi didn't allow her long to gather her thoughts as he asked her quickly, "Yes, you mentioned the positive outcomes to this idea but how exactly would this be achieved?"
Hadn't she answered that already? Kushina felt she had explained it in so many ways but maybe the old man was testing her, he acted as though he hadn't read the file she had given him which was frustrating but it could be a good thing. Maybe he was testing her; he wouldn't do that if he didn't like the idea. Would he?
"Amongst the other things I have mentioned," She replied with a little barb, "I believe that this model may allow more medics to be trained. Specialists can teach specialists if they are earmarked from a young age from the lower ranks of Genin if their potential is noticed. This fact can work for all forms of skill from other forms of Ninjuitsu to Taijuitsu and Kenjuitsu. Using Medic nin's as an example however, I have noticed during me research," Nagging Nara, "that they struggle to remain in par with their team and find it difficult to keep their aptitude as medics proportionate." I never want to say that sentence again. Kushina thought darkly as she tried to remind herself to breathe a little more often. "So... my suggestion is that we train medics, remember only as one example, in a way so they become specialists in their field and they are trained in complimentarily skills like self defence and survival skills." The Third Hokage looked as though he was about to speak when she cut over him, "This is because I believe that in doing so, they can protect themselves from attack and heal their teammates after battles."
The third let her words sink in as he rested his chin on the heel of his palm.
"Think about it, we train more specialist people from maybe as early in the system as Genin. We could have teams with people whose skills complement each other naturally as opposed to them having to learn to work as a team when their shared skills are not as compatible as they could be."
"And this is your idea?" The third asked.
His simple questions and prompts were starting to get annoying. Didn't he say he wanted a discussion? "Yes Sir. This is my idea. I... well honestly, I made this plan with the hope that this will save lives. I don't want war, I became a Shinobi to protect people and prevent all kinds of pointless fighting." She looked down as a nameless dun-white mask bore down at her with piercing green eyes. Kushina cleared her throat and continues with a little more strength, "I know this will have a positive impact on our military. I believe that more Shinobi would be promoted making us stronger." She couldn't seem to look up to the Hokage so instead she looked down at her hands, "It may make everyone else want to improve their military strength. Make bigger armies. But I guess that this would happen anyway eventually. At least Konoha would be prepared." Kushina coughed a lump which had grown in her throat; she wondered why those eyes in her memories caused her so much pain. She couldn't even remember the man's name. The redhead carried on talking, a little too brightly for the old Hokage not to notice her state, "Of course I interviewed some of my colleagues for my research and their contribution is detailed within the bibliography at the end of the file." She was struggling to get her teeth around the words, Nara had hammered them into her skull after he decided that since she had bothered him so much to make him give an interview, he may as well help her with the rest of her work.
"To stop you from bothering me again with more inane questions you may forget to ask me today." He said with a scowl.
Kushina glared daggers at the lazy ninja "Inane? INANE!"
"I'll admit it is a very good idea. But your file is so complicated and confusing; you'll be laughed out the office." The man paused with a sigh as he read a section over again and he continued in a resigned tone. "If you're happy with the information within the file then let me borrow it so I can proof-read what you have. I'll even throw in some suggestions as to how you should respond to the inevitable questions the third will ask you. (Answers which she memorized word-for-word) just promise me you'll never ask me to help you with anything like this again."
"What if it's another fantastic idea?" Kushina asked with a grin.
Nara muttered more to himself, "I doubt you would be able to come up with another idea like this one."
'That's it!' Kushina thought as she balled her fists to tower over the dark-haired man, "What makes you say that huh?"
Nara remained stoic despite the fist epitome of rage stood before him, "Because it's a very good idea. It's ironic that our most disorganized Ninja wants to organize our entire system. Ironic but genius non-the-less."
"I'd kiss you right now if you weren't you!" Kushina said snapped back to her usual self and gave the man a playful punch in the arm.
Nara could have sworn he felt it break.
"And you would name this new division..." The third peered through his glasses down at the file before him, "The Tokujō Jōnin or the Jōnin Elites, correct?"
"Yup."
"And you're electing yourself as the potential candidate for the post?"
"Nope, I'm not. I'm saying I'm the ONLY candidate for the post." Kushina responded with a confident smirk and crossed her arms and initiated a staring match.
The third placed the file down without breaking eye contact and regarded her with a smile; he always did enjoy their conversations. "And that would be why?"
"Coz I fit in the category myself. I came up with the idea. I researched and pieced together my arguments for me proposal AND I'm confident in my leadership skills."
The Third quipped as he pulled out Kushina's personal file from beneath the Elites file. He looked down at the information and Kushina chalked up another win on her imaginary scoreboard. "Of which you have none at present."
"I'm confident in my ability to learn on the job. Just like I always do." Kushina emphasised as she refused to back down. "I'm not letting you do this idea without me."
"You have never led a team both as a Sensei or otherwise."
"Learn on the job." Kushina sang back.
The Hokage sighed, "And how am I to convince the board that you're eligible without experience. I really like this idea Kushina. It's good enough for me to say without conferring with any one else that this idea would most certainly be allowed on a trial run without any arm twisting. I just... know that there is no chance they would pass this on for a trial if I placed you as the leader. They would not allow it. I want you to step down on your threat. This idea can work and potentially in a few years time you would have sufficient experience to justify you attaining the place."
Kushina kicked back on her seat so she was balanced on the two back legs and thought, "You're buttering me up. You know they won't let me get promoted after the idea's a huge success. They'd just keep whoever else they had before." Kushina insisted, her voice having a slight tone of sadness. She swallowed as her voice seemed to fail her. "There's no way they'd let me do it. The ideas' great. I know this much. Maybe good enough for me to offer myself for the place so once they weigh up the con of me being in charge with the sheer brilliance in my idea. They'd go for it. It's my only chance old man."
The Third blew out the breath he had held slowly as he thought heavily. "The Chūnin exams have just passed. This means that if this idea gets passed, they would trial it for the arrival for next year's exam. That leaves us a year." The man played with his salt and pepper goatee as he thought.
Kushina didn't really understand what he was talking about, "For..?"
"I cannot allow you to take the lead. That is my final decision."
Kushina was crushed; she didn't even feel like hurtling anything at him like she had before. She didn't have the energy to.
"This leaves you a year to gain the experience needed for the post."
Kushina suddenly perked up at the sweet sound of hope. "But how? I mean, I can take more missions become a full weapon expert to fully complement my-"
"-That's not what I mean. What I am saying is, you have a year to gain experience to improve your leadership. You must keep in mind that you must do something... incredible to be recognised by the council within such a small window of time. Adding to that, you must remain consistent in the growing strengths and improvements of both yourself and your team."
"Right," Kushina nodded, missing the implication, "so what do I need to do?"
He could have slapped his forehead, she was lucky she was only pitching it to him; she would have been launched out of the conference room long before now if she had. "Lead a team for a year." Kushina's face lit up at the prospect, "A Genin team."
It fell.
She read and re-read the three files before her as she sipped her drink at the noodle bar. He had their files in his desk draw, ready for her to receive at the end of their meeting. The sneaky man had it planned all along.
"Mitarashi Anko, Kamizuki Izumo and Kotetsu Hagane." She muttered to herself. "So we have Anko with ability in fire techniques and an interest in summoning and Genjiutsu. A well-rounded Shinobi with most of her stats. '...prefers to work on individual tasks but is able to work in a team after some encouragement' Great. Then we've got Izumo who can use water techniques well. Average in every other stat however there's an attached character recommendation; 'Level-headed and competent... about the only person who can control... Hagane' who... is the last one. Hmm... Good for summoning. Good for weapon techniques... '...works well with friend; Izumo. A competent Ninja however, he has a short attention span and can be disruptive.' Joy."
Kushina flopped forward onto the counter and sighed heavily, "May as well go meet the kids." She sighed as she cast a glance at the setting sun behind her.
"Wish me luck!" She said to the owner as she paid her bill and took her jacket.
The man chuckled, "I thought you didn't believe in it?"
"I'm gonna need every bit of help from now on so maybe I should?" Kushina offered and waved to him as she left.
"Anko... Izumo... And Hagane." Kushina pointed to each of them, "I'm Kushina, Uzumaki Kushina. I'm your Sensei. Hi."
The two boys were stood beside each other; she guessed they knew each other well already the girl; Anko sat on one of the training posts in the middle of the field. The dark haired girl had her arms tightly crossed as she regarded Kushina coldly.
"I've heard of your name before," The boy, Hagane spoke up and looked away nervously under her gaze, his cheeks burned a little beneath the thick bandages he wore, "My dad mentioned that... you were pretty... Scary."
Kushina beamed at this and crouched down so her eyes were level with his, "Yeah I remember him now. Now I showed him the what for when he got on my nerves. So you stay off them and we'll get along fine." And she tousled his hair with a sickly sweet smile. "Your file says you have an interest in weapons right? Don't tell me you plan on using your spiky head as one too?" Kushina said as she flicked the boys' overly gelled hair. Izumo sniggered at this and even Anko smirked.
Kushina straightened and cleared her throat as she looked down to the kids, "Listen up squirts. Coz I'm only gonna say this once." Kushina warned as she cracked her fingers to loose them, "I work damn hard in everything I do and I'm damn good at my job. I didn't want to be a Sensei but seeing as I have no choice in the matter, I'm gonna be the best Sensei out there. You three are gonna be the best Genin out there. We'll be the best team in all of Konoha. Now that's gonna happen if you follow my command. There will be no complaints. No laziness. No crying. No nothing other then hard work and having a good time while doing it. All in all this melts into one simple rule which I want you to memorize and follow." She took a pause, their faces were apprehensive, maybe she was being too hard on them but she needed to show how serious she was. "Respect me and I'll respect you."
The kids nodded slowly after a moments pause.
"Do that and we'll get along fine." Kushina surmised with a grin, "You got all that?"
The kids simply looked up at her as her words sunk in.
Kushina suppressed a grin as she waited for a moment before saying, "I asked you a question, so if you're not gonna reply I'll consider it as you disrespecting me. So for that it will be... 1000 press-ups. After you've run the perimeter of this field twice. Got it?"
The kids begun to protest but were silenced by her threatening glare. "Another word and it will be the same over again." This was as good a time as any to see what their stamina and speed was like. "What are you all gawping like that for eh? I didn't tell you to catch flies with your mouths now SCAT!"
Author's notes.
Fell asleep half way through writing that. So... tell me if there are any mistakes. I'm pretty tired.
Oh and if you're wondering if Kushina may seem a little OOC (If Naruto's supposed to take after her) I'm making her seem harsh because she wants to be seen as responsible and be respected. Thus, being a little harsh now and then. Plus I can imagine her to be quite a defensive character so... the best form of defence is attack right? I'm rambling.
Thank you, as ever you fantastic people! Please review and I will love you always and forever.
Lonski.