"Kakashi please! I can't stand it anymore!"
"No, I'm not letting you take that exam and what I say is final."
"But Kakashi!"
"NO RENA!" Kakashi looked at her hard. Her steel, storm grey eyes meeting his black onyx ones.
When had she grown so much? Is she really able to take the exam now?
His sister, his one and only family left, sat there begging and pleading to take the graduation exam at the academy. But he knew what that would mean for her and he would not allow it, at least not under the time and conditions.
"I already said 'no'. Why must we continue to argue. This is pointless!" Please understand where I'm coming from..
She rolled her eyes. HE had been the one who trained her endlessly. SHE had been the one who passed all those real-life ninja scenarios he played out during all those training sessions. SHE had mastered all the justus required for graduation, all the basics a genin should learn, AND more! HE had been the one who praised her for being above average. She was even catching up to Hayate's swordsmanship level. Some would say she was almost up to par with Kakashi! Rena did not feel justice at all.
"This isn't fair! It's the same lessons everyday, the same techniques every week, the same teacher EVERY year! You even said yourself I'm way more than capable of taking care of myself! That I'm way more advanced than the average genin. Besides, there's nothing we could lose from this; only gain."
I could lose you.. Kakashi kept thought to himself.
Kakashi had held Rena back from taking the graduation exams every time for the past 3 years. She had spent many years watching all her classmates advance forward while she was left behind. It had gotten to the point where she had her own personal sensei in order to slowly progress her forward. Kakashi can't let her become a genin just yet, that would mean sending her off on missions and her life would be at stake.
"This is different, Ren. This is war. You can't go out there pretending it's training!"
"That's bull! Then what was the point of our training?! I'm going to my room. Please excuse me from dinner."
Rena roughly shoved her seat away from the table and marched down the hall to her room. After slamming the door, she stared hard through the vanity mirror at her reflection. Her hair had grown long, almost reaching the small of her back. A simple navy blue shirt hung loosely from her shoulders creating a very baggy look. It didn't help that she also wore cargo shorts, it added to her tomboyish looks. Well at least she had her ears pierced. Her eyes narrowed at herself.
I am capable of graduating the academy and becoming genin. I can take care of myself better than anyone else in my class! Even if it is warring times..
Rena sighed and reached for her room light when a leather bracelet caught her eye.
The leather bracelet was wrapped gently around Rena's left wrist. She's had it ever since she was a baby.
He's being protective.. way too protective.
Rena sighed. She knew her brother was most likely starring at an identical own of his own. She also remembered the time Kakashi explained what their bracelets symbolized. It was their version of the red thread of fate, for siblings of course. He said that as long as they both had it, they were always tied together. Brother and Sister, the Hatake Duo.
Except we can't be a duo if I'm not even an official ninja.. Rena begrudgingly thought. She sighed again. She left the lights off and went to lay on her bed.
It was honestly very unusual for the siblings to fight. They usual agreed on everything, they were both practical and reasonable. They saw eye to eye. So which one of them was being unreasonable this time?
Definitely him. Rena thought with a stern face, se0t on believing the answer she came up with. Realization hit her.
Or maybe I'm being too stubborn?
Rena didn't know which it was, but this feeling didn't sit right in her stomach. She and Kakashi never fought. Never. She always ate her vegetables. She did her chores daily. She finished her homework. And she always aided Kakashi with the grocery shopping and cooking. They had a mutual understanding. He was a chunin bringing in the family income and she would be a good girl who went to the academy and waited for her big brother to go back home. Rena just wanted to contribute to their little family, she knew they were barely scraping buy with just a chunin income only. There was no harm in earning a little extra money. Maybe she and Kakashi can finally go out to eat instead of cooking at home. All Rena wanted was for her family to once, not worry financially.
Kakashi was just as confused. He stared hard at his leather bracelet
Did we just.. fight?
He didn't want to be that strict older brother who dictated her life, but this was just too grand of a step. Konoha was severely understaffed and the war didn't seem like coming to an end anytime soon. Who knows where the higher ups would send her. He didn't trust any of the jonin senseis as much as he did with Minato-sensei; they weren't fast enough to protect his little sister and complete the mission at the same time. As important as the rules are, his little sister was just as valuable to him.
However, Rena seemed to really want this. But what they had establish for the past couple years was safe. It guaranteed her safety. It was simple. He'd walk her to school every morning, report to his mission, come back on time (or even send a clone) to walk her back home, fix her up some lunch, report to another mission, and come home in time for dinner, sometimes even earlier. To school and back. She was in no danger there. He'd always been with her to the market, and he'd be the one to take her to the training grounds. She was safe with this routine.
But does she enjoy the routine or is she growing out of it? Kakashi suddenly thought about their financial situation. Or did she want to help?
Kakashi was their only source of income besides some monthly funds from the Hokage. They were scraping by just enough to have a roof over their heads, food on the table 3 times a day, and clothes on their backs. Having Rena begin working wouldn't be so bad in that case.. Maybe he can talk to the Hokage about keeping her in the village..
Kakashi sighed and got up from the table and cleaned the plates from dinner. He soaked the plates in soapy water and decided to wash the dishes after Rena went to sleep. She'll probably want ice cream later. Kakashi slowly made his way down the hall and stopped in front of Rena's door. He was about to knock when the door opened revealing a darkened room and an upset female in the doorway. She looked almost surprised to see him outside her door.
"uh Kakashi. I was just gonna-"
"I'm sorry, Rena." Rena's eyes slowly made their way to the floor. She couldn't bear to meet his eyes. She felt guilty. She couldn't help feeling like a spoiled brat. Rena always thought Kakashi should never apologize. He was the older one and wiser one, and he was always right. Kakashi had told her he would take care of them both and he has and nothing had gone wrong. She should let him do what he needs to and follow his rules. After all, if it wasn't for him they wouldn't have lasted this long together.
"Me too." Rena spoke softly, "I'm sorry too"
"huh?" Kakashi was shocked. He almost forgot about the decision he made just moments ago. "uh.. Do you want to um.. talk about it?"
Rena shifted slightly, a small tiny grin appeared on her lips, "Can.. we also have ice cream?" Kakashi smiled and gave her a nod, leading her down the hall and to the living room.
Kakashi and Rena sat side by side on the couch; a small pint of ice cream in one hand and a spoon in the other. Kakashi had always preferred coffee, it wasn't as sweet as the other flavors, however, Rena loved all sorts of flavors. Butter Pecan. Salted Caramel. Rainbow Sorbet. Double Fudge. And many more. If it was possible, she'd declare ice cream as her religion.
They ate silently at first, contemplating their own thoughts on the situation, but it was Kakashi who broke the silence.
"You can take the test." Kakashi said quietly. It shocked her. He's actually going to let her take the graduation exam?!
"Are you serious?!" Rena couldn't contain her excitement. It was unbelievable!
"On one condition, you stay inside the village. You can paint some houses or walk a cat or something.." Kakashi stared at his carton, wanting to avoid Rena's eyes. Would she dislike his decision again? Okami, please help.
"Done! Deal! But will the Hokage and higher ups agree to that?" Kakashi let out air he didn't even know he was holding. Haha! Of course she would agree to those terms, she's reasonable afterall.
"I think I can work something over with the Hokage, if anything Minato-sensei owes me a favor" Kakashi gave her his best smile.
Rena was undoubtedly happy, ecstatic, overjoyed, gracious even. Finally! She's going to be an official ninja! She can finally go out and explore the rest of the village, or possibly buy that book collection, maybe get some new clothes, Kakashi's birthday presents didn't have to be home made. The possibilities seemed endless to Rena. Not only that, but she'll finally be able to catch up to her classmates. Rena leaped on Kakashi, throwing her arms around his neck. Kakashi chuckled and hugged his sister back, both siblings attempting to hug and hold ice cream simultaneously.
BOOYAH! Things were finally looking brighter!
A/N: Rena is about 8 years old in this scene and on her 4th year in the academy. Kakashi is about 12 and still a chunin. The Hokage is still obviously the Third but I figured Minato is important enough to have some leeway in the Hokage's decision regarding the youngsters.