Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto only my characters.
Chapter 10 Recognition and Reprimand
Maiha divulged the entire mission to the Hokage. The only portion that she had left out was the personal time spent between her and Kakashi.
"I do believe that I see potential in your future of becoming a strong part of the military," Tsunade began.
Maiha smiled. Yes! Maybe I'll get some more solo missions.
"You completed the mission and brought back enough information to collapse the entire smuggling organization."
Maiha was still reveling in the praise and didn't even expect what was coming next. Tsunade's face turned menacing and it made her lean slightly backward as Tsunade threw down the gauntlet.
"You can't make yourself out to be a hero on a mission that you are not of rank for. Had you brought back the information collected from surveillance, we would have sent out ANBU to dismantle the organization more constructively. Your actions were completely reckless and above your level of intelligence in decision making. I would have expected better from you, Maiha."
Tsunade had kicked out the pedestal that Maiha had put herself up on in one blow.
"Furthermore," Tsunade continued, "Such behavior will not be tolerated and cannot go unpunished. Disobeying mission orders is a serious mistake young lady. You should have learned this in the academy. As a matter of fact I believe that the academy is at the point of teaching the older students the importance of following orders and ranking categories. During your recovery, you shall revisit these topics with them since it seems that you have forgotten their significance and how exactly to follow them. Your mission status was given to you because of your skill level; it was not meant to be carried out as a lone reconnaissance mission. You will report to the academy beginning tomorrow for lessons. Think about how you should have reacted in depth and then we shall discuss this again to see if you have learned from your mistakes. Just because you were trained by one of the villages most skilled shinobi doesn't mean you should consider yourself on the same level. You are dismissed.
"Yes Lady Hokage."
When Maiha had left the office Shizune turned to the older woman, "Don't you think you were a bit harsh Lady Tsunade?"
"Even though her mission, though modified by her, was a success, Maiha outright disobeyed orders. She needs to learn her place. This visit from Kakashi, I think it may have had something to do with her decision to become so brash. Her instincts as a shinobi are good but she still needs to think and act within her ranking." Her tone softened, "This healing of Kakashi though that is what interests me the most. I was unaware of her having any medical training. I think we should look further into this, there could be some potential here." There was always a need for medic-nins so when Tsunade heard of any ninja showing promise she encouraged them to explore the trade.
Maiha dragged her feet as she exited the building. Once out of the door she slumped over and exhaled.
"So how'd it go? Kakashi asked, not looking up from his book.
She looked over to the side, "Ugh, I just got reprimanded."
"You should know better than to upset Lady Hokage," Kakashi chuckled. "So what's the verdict?"
"Do we have to talk about it here it's so embarrassing."
"Do you want to go down to the lake?"
"Yeah," she answered as she let out a sigh.
Only once they sat down near the water did Maiha reveal her punishment. "I have to go back to the academy for a week and sit through classes on ranking and following orders. I'm so mortified. A chuunin sitting in on an academy class! I'm never gonna live this down," she shook her head.
Kakashi laughed.
"You know I could use some words of encouragement here," she looked over to him searching for support.
He thought for a minute, "Okay how about this, a similar situation happened to Ai before."
"Really? She was always so straight laced how could she get into any trouble?"
Kakashi continued, "We had a mission together a long time ago in which she broke code and was reprimanded by the Third."
Maiha looked over at him wide eyed. "What happened?"
"Her mission status was revoked."
"Oh poor Ai, I bet she was destroyed."
"On the contrary she was very happy."
Maiha gave him a questioning look, "I don't understand?"
"It was a mission in which she brought a child back to the village. She broke so many rules; it was ridiculous considering her mentality. But she received a wonderful gift that day that changed her life forever, you. Take this opportunity to learn from that reprimand, something just as priceless may come out of it."
Maiha smiled, Ai never told her that part of her story. "Thank you Kakashi."
"You're welcome. Now, before I forget, I have a lengthy mission beginning tomorrow evening. I will be gone for quite a while so take care of yourself I'll see you when I get back."
"Okay, thanks again Kakashi," she gave him a bright smile, leaned over and bumped his shoulder with her own.
The next morning, Maiha walked into an academy classroom a sheepish look etched across her face, "Good morning Sensei."
"Good morning Maiha, welcome back." He said smiling and then turned toward the class. "Class, today we have a special guest…"
Can this get any worse he is actually introducing me.
"This is Maiha, she is here to teach you about positional rankings and how important it is to follow mission orders." He looked over at her and smiled. Tsunade had not set up a lesson by learning but a lesson by teaching.
Maiha surprised by the turn of events composed herself gathered her thoughts and began the lesson for the day.
After her week of instructing was over she returned to discuss her reprimand and punishment.
"So tell me Maiha, what have you gathered from your week at the academy?"
"Lady Hokage I have a clearer vision of how and why missions are assigned. The villages military mission assignment classification operates on a rank based system which shinobi of all different levels and experience are organized. The mission that was assigned to me only called for surveillance and reporting a lower level mission fit for my skill level as a chuunin novice to solo missions. By modifying the mission in the way I did, increased the experience ranking to a much higher level than my own. My decision was careless and completely irrational and I do apologize to you as well as the military. I know that I cannot make up for the decision that I made but I did learn from your reprimand and its punishment has enlightened me."
Tsunade smirked, "And what have you learned?"
"I understand where my place is in the order of ranking. I want to be part of the military and fulfill all of its duties, however, if I continue to run around like a loose cannon not following orders it not only puts my life in danger but the lives of my comrades and the safety of the village which goes against everything that a shinobi stands for."
"Very good Maiha. That is more of what I would expect from you. Now I have one other topic that I wanted to discuss."
Unsure of where the meeting between she and Tsunade was heading Maiha proceeded cautiously. "Yes Lady Hokage?"
"It is my understanding that you performed a healing jutsu on Kakashi, is that correct?" Tsunade asked.
"Yes Lady Hokage," she continued nervously.
"How may I ask were you able to do this?"
"When I became a genin Ai helped me with my chakra control by teaching me some of the very basic healing techniques but it was nothing serious really all I did was fix some cuts and bruises on him," Maiha replied.
Tsunade smiled, "Ai was very fond of you."
"She was my very best friend," Maiha replied sadly.
A moment of silence passed before Tsunade began again "Have you thought more about your future here in the village? You are still a young kunoichi and seem to have not found your niche yet." Tsunade attempted to push her in a direction since it seemed that she had reached somewhat of a block concerning her path as a shinobi. "What about medic training? Already knowing much of the basic techniques puts you in a good position for learning the trade quickly, and it seems like it would suit you. You could also work toward advancing your rank in the village as your other option."
Maiha thought a moment, "Lady Hokage, would it be possible for me to intern at the hospital and explore that avenue in more depth?"
"I don't see why not, I'll Have Shizune set that up for you. You may start on Monday."
"I appreciate that Lady Hokage, thank you," Maiha said with a nod.
"I'm always glad to help someone that shows the talent for many skills and the dedication to learn them," Tsunade said. Maiha gave her a smile and exited the office to return home.
Maiha popped into the hospital the next morning to have the last evaluation of her wounds completed and was greeted by Sakura. "Good morning Maiha."
"Good morning Sakura, I am here for my evaluation"
"Perfect timing I haven't started my rounds yet." She paused and grabbed Maiha's chart. "So is what I hear true? You will be joining us here at the hospital? Sakura asked excitedly.
"I will be interning yes. Lady Hokage is allowing me to explore different avenues for my future. Ai taught me medic basics so I thought I would explore the trade more seriously," Maiha said.
"I am so excited for you! Hey, this means that we will be able to hang out more too," Sakura cheered, "It'll be like old times."
"Yeah I guess it does." That realization made Maiha happy. She and Sakura had been closer in the past but after their choice of shinobi arts took them on separate paths they spent little time together. After Ai had passed she was the closest person she had to being a girlfriend. Otherwise she spent most of her time alone or with Kakashi.
"Okay let's get this evaluation completed then you can be released officially." The week of treatments aided in the removal of all debris and there was actually no scarring to Maiha's delight. "You healed up well Maiha, I can't even tell anything happened," Sakura said
"That's because I had such good medical care," Maiha said smiling. "I can't wait to start on Monday I think it's going to be a great experience and one that I can do a world of good with."
"I'm glad you are excited so am I," Sakura said.
"Well, have a great weekend, I'll see you on Monday," Maiha said as she left the hospital
"I'm looking forward to it." Sakura replied.
Upon her arrival home Maiha preceded to Ai's old room that was now her guest room, considering she inherited the apartment after Ai had passed. Maiha had kept all Ai's medical journals and books, she had found it hard to get rid of them at the time of Ai's passing as they reminded Maiha of her as she was so passionate about her trade. "These should come in handy." She said aloud. Maiha grabbed the pendant of Ai's necklace, "I bet you are smiling right now Ai."
Monday morning she awoke early and greeted the sun. Today is the day I begin at the hospital. I am more excited than I thought I'd be maybe it's just the change of pace. I hope I do ok. She arrived early to her shift start time and was greeted by Sakura at the door.
"Good morning Maiha, ready for your first day?" Sakura asked with a smile.
"Yes, I am very excited. Just let me know what you would like me to do or if I am in your way," Maiha replied.
"I'm sure you'll do just fine," Sakura assured her.
Throughout the day Maiha tried to absorb everything, it brought back a lot of memories. A lot of the hospital staff knew her already and were excited to see her possibly following in Ai's footsteps.
"How was your first day?" Sakura asked.
"A little bittersweet, actually. Being here reminds me a lot of Ai. I spent so much time with her here when I was growing up it is so familiar to me yet so unknown." She sighed, "I think it's because my point of view has changed. Before I was just a tag along, now I can be part of everything," and she smiled.
"Well I'm glad you see the bright side of things. I think since you have a heads up already from being here when you were younger, I think you'll fit right back in." Sakura smiled back.
Sorry everyone a bit of a filler I know but who doesn't like a little Kakashi wisdom. I'll try to get the rest up later in the week. I still plan on trying to post every Sunday if at all possible, so keep checking back and please add a review, this is my first story so I hope to improve.
As always a big thank you to my AMAZING Beta cheekylips.