The library was a place I didn't visit often. Back before I became a shinobi, I would come here to do research projects for school. Never really enjoyed it here, it was too quiet. So what was I doing here instead of training? I was going to do research of the one called Phoenix. I had been by the day before but found nothing helpful. After a bit more searching, I finally went to the Librarian for assistance.
"Excuse me," I said as I approached her. "I'm looking for info about the Phoenix, do you know if you have anything?" She looked at me with a bit of a startled look.
"Do you mean the mythological bird, or Kikotsu, the creature who taught the Sage of the Six Paths?" My eyes widened a bit. There was a creature who taught the very first ninja?
"Kikotsu," I said. I knew it wasn't the mythological bird. That had nothing to do me.
"No, I'm sorry, we don't have anything about her," she lied. I could sense her heart beat rise.
"Ma'am, I'm here on orders from the Hokage," I lied calmly. "If you're lying, I'll have to report to the Godaime."
"All right," she said. She made sure there was no one around before looking back at me. "Follow me. You must never tell anyone I showed you this." I was beginning to notice a pattern. Everything was being kept secret from the village. How many more secrets would I discover just because I was part Hyuuga and part Uchiha?
She led me to a door in the very back. On the door was a seal to keep curious shinobi—like myself—out. She released the seal and opened the door. It was a large room full of scrolls and books, probably all forbidden.
"The book I'm about to give you was put in here by the Shodaime Hokage," she said. "He thought it's information, in the wrong hands, would lead to catastrophe for the village. So before I give this to you, you must promise me you will not use this info against the village."
"I would never do that," I said. I loved Konoha too much.
"Here it is," she pulled a small old leather bound book out into the open. She blew off the dust. "There's no title, no author, and I doubt anyone can read it. The language is not of our own." I nodded my understanding. Whatever information this book held about the Phoenix, I needed to know.
I opened the book carefully, for fear that its weather worn pages would turn to dust in my hands. The characters were different from the common language of today, but somehow, I was able to read them.
*
Her power is unmatched, not all the power of all the nine beasts combined is a match for her unfathomable power. Her fiery wings can reshape the very fabric of time and space. Her talons are sharp enough to tear through the earth with one fatal blow. She created the world and all who live within it.
Her name is Kikotsu
She taught the very first shinobi of jutsu and ordered him to share his knowledge with the rest of humanity, but as he did so, there were some who used their knowledge to harm others. The first shinobi went to her, begging her to stop them. She replied that she could not; that it was not her place to take away the freewill of men, merely punish them, and punish them she did. She created the nine beasts as a way to punish mankind.
With the power she had given to each, they wreaked havoc across the globe, until finally those who had misused their abilities were destroyed. Kikotsu knew, however, that evil would return, so she disappeared, leaving her creations to fend for themselves and battle until the bitter end. She prophesied that she would return to guide the one who would be her greatest creation yet. She would return as a shinobi under the most unusual circumstances.
The world would know her power.
*
Kikotsu had created the Kyuubi. What connection did she have to me? Surely I was not Phoenix.
Well, you're not her necessarily, rather, she lives inside of you.
"Wha?" I turned sharply with kunai in hand ready to kill anyone who was in the room with me.
You and I both know you couldn't kill a fly even if you tried.
"Who's there?" I cried.
No one's there, but there is something inside here. Suddenly, my head started to ache nonstop. It nearly felt like my head was going to pop. I dropped the book and fell to my knees. The agony was too much. You get it yet?
"Yes, I get it!" I cried.
Took you long enough. The pain finally died down and I was able to think clearly once again. I am Phoenix. I've been inside you since the day you were born. Remember that day when you were six?
"Yeah, I remember."
That was when I first awoke within you. You and I have a special bond, not like a jinchuuriki, but rather, you are a part of me.
"I don't understand."
Well, I didn't think you would. Your spirit was with me from the very beginning, you are the one thing I did not create myself. You are not as powerful as I, but you have a connection with me, and you can call upon my powers whenever you wish.
"Really?"
Yes, but I forbid you from using my powers for your practical jokes! That's not what they're for!
*
Later that evening, I was at one of my favorite restaurants. What had happened at the library was still on my mind, perhaps it was all just a genjutsu someone had placed on me. Maybe Hiashi was trying to get back at me from the day before, which I did not do, but he did not believe me... typical.
"Boy, when you're gone, you are gone," said a familiar voice. Of course, being the ninja that I am nearly jumped up to kill whoever it was automatically. I managed however, to stop my fist before I hit Kakashi's face.
"Kakashi, don't do that!" I cried as I sat down.
"You're very easy to sneak up on," he said. "A charging rhino could be coming at you, and you wouldn't have noticed." I stuck my tongue out at him.
"I was just thinking about things," I said.
"Like what?" he asked. "Find anything out about Phoenix?"
"No," I lied. "So what are you doing here anyway? You told me you didn't like this restaurant."
"Well, I came to talk to you," he said.
"The great Kakashi came to speak to me?! I'm flattered."
"I need you to talk to Sasuke," he said.
"What? Why?"
"I caught him and Naruto fighting."
"Well, how unusual! You never see genin fighting these days!" I said my voice dripping with sarcasm.
"No, this was different from everyday training," he said. My eyes narrowed.
"I'll talk to him," I said.
"So, is it official yet?" Kakashi and I both turned to whoever had spoken to find Asuma grinning at us.
"Don't you have a mission to get ready for?" I asked.
"Don't you two?"
"And is what official yet?"
"Nothing," both Kakashi and Asuma answered together. I raised at eyebrow but didn't question it. It was hard to read to read Kakashi's expression, what with that blasted mask over his face, but I could have sworn I saw a hint of pink just over the mask... It was probably just a trick of the light.
"So you will talk to Sasuke?"
"Yeah, I'll talk to him tomorrow." I never got the chance. That night Sasuke had gone off with Orochimaru's goons.
*
A little shorter then the rest, but I wanted to kind of give a whole chapter dedicated to her chasing Naruto and Sasuke (with Kakashi). Or would you rather she join Shikamaru and the gang? Next chapter we find out her relationship with Sasuke and Itachi so stay tuned.