Serenity Angel: Hey guys!! Here's the next chapter! Hope you guys like! Also hope it was that much of a wait. Well, enjoy!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters except Kaiyamei Hatake and others that will be introduced as the story goes on.
Kai's P.O.V.
The memories of years past filled my head as usual when I went to sleep. The better and happier times, and even when I was just starting out as a kunoichi of the leaf village. Soon a buzzing noise filled the dream, drowning out voices of laughter and fun. It soon turned into a beeping noise and I tried to cling to the land of slumber, but I was pulled into reality by the freaking alarm clock buzzing on the table next to my bed. I can't believe I still remember that sound. Believe me the years were better without it. The first morning rays were beginning to slowly light the sky as I opened my eyes and the alarm clock grew louder with every blink I took. Finally letting the sound get to me and not really wanting to know what time it was, I smashed the alarm clock with my fist, the room going back into peace and quiet mode. I smiled at the silence, pulling my covers closer to me.
"Still not a morning person, are you?" I heard some ask.
I turned to the door to see Kakashi fully dressed and leaning on my doorframe. He raised his visible eyebrow in question and I knew he was smirking under that mask. I turned fully toward the door and sat up. I couldn't help but smile at him and stretch, shaking my head in the negative to his question.
"What time is it?" I asked yawning.
"Six in the morning." He said and I almost choked on my yawn.
"Ah. Brings back old memories. Morning drills and training, wanting to murder the person who woke me up. Good times." I say getting up and cursing to the depths the person who created the alarm clock.
I got up and stretched some more, grabbing a pullover from my pack and putting it on, following Kakashi who had headed to the kitchen.
"Well, I made some breakfast for you." He said motioning to the kitchen table that had a spread fit for a king.
"You still know how to cook." I said mock gasping although I was thoroughly impressed. He didn't need to go through all this trouble for me.
"And you're still not funny." He said in a tone similar to mine. He laughed afterward and mussed up my hair when I walked pass.
"And yet you laugh!" I say as I tried swatting his hand out the way but I only caught wind. I sat down, thanking him before I started eating.
"Well it can't be helped." He said, taking a seat himself. Out of the blue he pulled out a kunai and another tool to sharpen it. I stared at him, my mouth filled with food.
"Oh my God. You're just like dad. What is with you and sharpening your kunai and shuriken around the table?" I said.
"Don't say anything. You picked up the habit too." He said looking at me, before going back to his task. A comfortable silence stretched between us, him cleaning his weapons and me eating.
"Well aren't you going to eat?" I asked truly curious. He wasn't going to sharpen kunai the whole time I ate, was he?
"I already did." He said grinning at me with that damn mask on. Apparently he was. Then again it didn't stop any of us before… I shook my head smiling at him.
"I don't know why you hide your face from me." I said before really thinking about it. I felt the corners of my mouth begin to tug down.
"I've seen your whole face before, remember?" I say quietly, staring but not really seeing.
He stopped and then looked at me solemnly. I didn't let my eyes meet his. I, for one, wasn't ready to talk about it yet, because that one time I saw his face was under the worst circumstances anyone could ever be in. I mean I just got back, I'm not gonna spill my guts or talk about what happened the second day. I ate in silence for a while, but when I couldn't take it anymore I decided to change the subject. I looked at him. He had started his sharpening again a few minutes ago.
"So… who do you have for a team?" I say trying to act casual.
"Well, wouldn't you like to know?" He said a smirk forming as he kept sharpening his kunai.
"Please?" I asked giving him a puppy dog pout. I didn't give a full blown pout, really didn't want to overwhelm him. He looked at me and stopped his task for a moment, leaning toward me a little.
"You will find out later." He said with a grin, his eye closing with the expression. My face dropped and I gave him a 'you're-a-dumbass' look.
"Meanie." I said sticking my tongue out childishly. I didn't care, it was six in the morning for crying out loud. He only chuckled at me.
"Finish eating. You have to be at the academy before me." He said and I almost let out a snarky laugh. It wasn't like he was going to be on time anyway.
"Ok, ok." I said, picking up the speed a little.
I finished eating in no time at all and headed back to my room to change into some regular clothes, which reminded me, I kind of needed to do a little shopping. I'm not really one to do the girly shopping trips, but I still had stuff from when I had originally run away at eight. So, yeah, I think it was safe to say it was a little overdue for a little self-indulgence. I searched my bag thoroughly, looking for clothing that could fit me and wasn't torn to shreds, blood spattered, or overly dirty. After a good thorough search I managed to find something.
I threw on a light blue sleeveless kimono top that a little floral border along the bottom edges and slits on the sides and I tied the strings that came with it into a bow on the left side and wore a black spaghetti-strapped top underneath. I also put on a black mini skirt with zippered pockets and slits on the sides that make it easier to fight in, and navy blue leggings that stop above my knee underneath that. I put on a black leather wrist band on my right hand along with a short navy blue elbow band and a black leather band high on my right shoulder to hide my ANBU tattoo. Yes I did get the tattoo. I don't know why adults complained about getting it, the process really didn't hurt all that much. Chickens...
I strapped weapon pouches onto the back of my skirt and both of my legs, the left having the standard issue and the right having a small almost hardly noticeable one, since I'm ambidextrous, though I tend to use my left more with regular tasks. I also put on a fingerless glove with an iron guard on it on my left hand and last but not least I put my headband on my forehead, its placement usually varying with the day. I let my bangs fall over my headband and leaving my hair out, I ran out my room, pulled on my standard issue sandals and told Kakashi I'd see him later before leaving the apartment and heading to the academy.
I took a back road to the academy in order to not be seen by anyone as of yet. I had actually made it in pretty good time, which kinda made me regret waking up so early. I slipped into the building quietly, walking slowly and taking in the memories that came back when I was in this place. Some things had change a little bit from the time I had been a student here, but the memories never did. One memory that happened to stick out in particular when I passed a certain class room was when I "accidentally" blew it up with my classmates and the substitute teacher still inside. I think because of that, it was the only room to have a complete make-over. I smirked at the thought, letting out a slight chuckle before continuing on to the classroom Kakashi said Iruka would be in.
I found Iruka sitting at his desk in the front of the classroom, pouring all his interest into a clipboard. I smiled and walked into the room watching him until I felt it was time to make my presence known.
"Still a perfectionist Iruka-sensei?" I asked making him jump and look up startled. It soon turned into shock and was suddenly replaced with a smile as he got up from the desk, leaving the clipboard on the surface, walking away from it and toward me.
"Well I'll be damned. So that rumor going around is true… Look who came back to Konoha!" He said smiling and putting his hands on his hips.
"Nice to see you too Iruka." I say walking the rest of the way to where Iruka stood and hugged him. He hugged me back chuckling.
"Been a long time Kaiyamei." He said, before letting go to look at me.
"Still not used to calling me Kai, eh?" I say looking it up at him.
"Well it has been a long time… and you used to be one of my academy students." Iruka said scratching the back of is head.
"So true… But look, student as surpassed teacher! " I said in a semi-mocking tone.
"Heh heh, funny." He said sarcastically, making me smile. He just rolled his eyes before looking back at me smiling.
"So the Hokage filled me in that someone was coming today, though he didn't specify who and now I know why. But-" He said pausing and moving towards his desk.
"He did ask that you do a favor for him." He said as he rummaged through the desk before pulling out a set of clothing that I noticed was the standard Chunin/Jonin uniform.
"I think it's your size… Oh and this comes with it." He said pulling out a set of bandages from somewhere behind him. I looked at it before realizing just what the Hokage was thinking.
"Wait… you mean he wants me to… Oh no…. What for?" I asked, more curious than annoyed.
"All he wants is for you to sit and observe." He said.
"He wants me to play the no identity gag so I can observe them?" I ask skeptically. I can do that just fine without being in the room being a ninja and all. He let out a short laugh at my skepticism and looked at me.
"And of course for them to observe you. To see how sharp their skills are and how close they really were to the truth. The other Jonins and I will be with the Hokage-" He started but I cut him off.
"Watching through the freaky glass ball thing?" I ask finishing for him.
"Yeah." He said and I looked up at the ceiling deciding on an answer. Finally I sighed and looked at him.
"Fine. I'll do it." I said taking the clothing and bandages from him.
"So what should I expect?" I asked as I tucked the clothing underneath my left arm.
"Depends… How high are your expectations?" He said with a raised eyebrow.
We talked a bit about the students and a bit of gossip that was going around town. Soon however we decided to get ready for the arriving students and I had promised him I'd get with him later to talk about things we both did and where I had traveled when I was gone. He left the room with a puff of smoke and I made my way to the girl's bathroom to change in the outfit. I changed quickly and made sure that my head was wrapped up like a mummy's before exiting, stashing my clothes where Iruka told me to. I made my way back to the classroom, putting my headband around my neck before I sat on the desk with one knee up to my chest and an arm around it, while the other leg was left to swing freely.
The best thing about these bandages was the fact that I could see as clear as day while the students could see nothing. So of course half out of boredom and half out of wanting to get away with it I made faces at the first few early birds that came in. They looked at me sitting there, but said nothing as they took their seats and waited for their friends to come into the class. They had really grown up and some of them I didn't even fully recognize without having to think about it hard for a good minute. It felt a little weird, to know that I was supposed to be sitting with them only to have graduated before them, to know that I was stronger than all of them combined. I didn't dwell on the fact long though, I was still evaluating the group and the classroom was beginning to fill. As it did, Sasuke Uchiha came in, a bored expression on his face and the female student body that was present suddenly becoming giddy fangirls, point, whispering, and stealing glances at him. It made me want to gag. Why did so many girls go gaga over one boy? Jeez have some pride! Studies before boys! Or else your ass is gonna get handed to you on that battlefield!
I watched the Uchiha as I had my little mental rant, sizing him up. He was known as one of the prodigies of Konoha, like myself, though I was the more advanced. He stopped and looked at me, probably feeling my gaze on him and then just made his way toward his seat, sat down and put his hands in front of his face, closing his eyes to the shut out the rest of the world. Wow, that was very anti-climatic.
I just internally shook my head before turning to look at the other kids coming into the class. Not too long after the Uchiha's arrival a blonde boy with a bright orange jumpsuit and a goofy grin came into the class and I instantly smiled, almost jumping off the table to hug him as the memories came flooding back to me, filling my heart with joy - and a prominent pang of guilt - when it came to him, my best friend: Naruto Uzumaki. The other kids began to whisper and point at him but he paid them no mind and took a seat near Sasuke. He then suddenly looked at me, noticing that I was there for the first time, his eyes going fox like as he was observing me. I hoped he would make the connection instantly, but I knew it probably wouldn't have been possible. It had been years and my presence changed.
After a few minutes into observing me, Shikamaru Nara came in. I was cool with him. He was a great person to hang out with when you didn't really want to have a conversation and just wanted to relax. He noticed Naruto and walked down to his desk talking to him. After he got the reason for Naruto being here he went to his own seat. He looked at me when he sat down, seeing me for the first time, before just yawing and putting his head down. Heh, that Shikamaru will never change. It was kind of quiet after that, the last few stragglers getting in. Suddenly all I hear is something like a stampede coming toward the classroom and next thing you know Sakura and Ino were fighting each other to get inside the room. They came in at the same time and then began arguing over who would sit next to Sasuke. I sighed, rolling my eyes at the scene. So much for my best friends forever theory I had going with those two. Then things began to really escalate.
Naruto was trying to catch Sakura's attention as she had walked down to the desk he and Sasuke happened to be sitting at. She however pretended like he was invisible and only addressed Uchiha, who looked like he could care less. Naruto then got angry and went and stood on the desk right in front of Sasuke and had an eye glaring contest with him, the electricity between their eyes clearly visible. Just them some guy sitting in the row in front of them moved back and bumped into Naruto which caused him to lock lips with Sasuke. I almost laughed out loud at my poor friend, and the room got so quiet it wasn't even funny.
After what felt like a minute but was only really a few seconds later, the two broke apart trying to upchuck the other's saliva. All the girls went into kick-ass mode and started to bear knuckles. Naruto was trapped and was soon getting the beat down of his life by every single girl in the classroom. Saying I was pissed to see the sight would be an understatement. I was down right furious, my anger breaking the boiling point. Thinking that a few parents wouldn't miss their daughters I grabbed a couple of kunai just as Iruka decided to grace the room with his presence. Those damn girls were lucky. I sat back on the desk and put away my kunai as the students settled down and went back to their seats. I looked around, wanting to beat the crap outta the girl that threw the first punch as Iruka made his speech to the class. The listened to him, Naruto, whose face was completely was completely swollen, looked on through is better eye. Iruka welcomed them to the orientation, talking about what they would have to do from here on then. I tuned out most of it before it until he was about to announce the teams. I cleared my throat loud enough for him to hear and he looked back like he just remembered I was there. I must have done my job a little too well.
"Oh yes… Uh, class before I tell you who the teams are, lets see how sharp your stills truly are." He said pointing to me.
"This person has been sitting on this desk since you got into class, correct?" he said looking around to them as some of them nodded their heads yes.
"Well can you tell me who this person is without looking at their face? For instance is the person a boy or girl? Is the person old or younger than you? Is this person a highly ranking ninja, or a beginner like all of you?" he said, throwing the examples in for emphasis.
"I see what you what you're getting at Sensei. This is like that tactic used to size up the skill of your opponent, one more thoroughly used in battle." A random kid had said.
"Exactly. Well, any guesses?" he said looking around at the students.
"It's a guy ninja. Has to be." One boy said.
"I think it's a girl, probably early twenties." A girl said.
"It's probably a skinny, ugly bald dude that's older than the Hokage." Another boy said, getting the class to laugh at this. I failed to see how it was funny, but I choked back a snort at how far of the mark he was.
"Are those your final answers?" Iruka said with a smile on his face.
"Well it's definitely a guy, no question. And from his chakra levels he's pretty strong." Another boy said and with this Sasuke took another look at me. He stared for a couple of seconds before snorting and turning his attention back to a wall in the class. I wondered if he had figured it out, or if he just doubted my skills.
"And why does it have to be a guy? It can be a girl too you know!" Another girl had said heatedly.
"Not with those chakra levels!" the boy from before said back to the girl and then an argument broke out in the class. Iruka attempted to quiet them, but I decided that I had kept them in suspense long enough.
"Damn, well it's no wonder why you guys are still Genin." I say loudly as I stood up.
The class went absolutely quiet after that, all of them looking at me. Naruto, whose face wasn't swollen anymore, picked his head up at the sound of my voice and looked at me. I removed the bandages, holding it it in one hand while pulling out the pin that was holding my hair up with the other, shaking my head a little to let my hair fall down my back.
Normal P.O.V.
Naruto watched in disbelief as the girl in the front of the class shook her head, letting her hair fall out of the style it was in before and give a smile to the class.
"No way…" He said quietly, his mind unable to believe what his eyes were telling him.
Sasuke had heard him when he had said this and stared at him through the corner of his eye, watching as Naruto sat up looking at the girl in the front of the classroom, too shocked for words. The whole class erupted into whispers as they looked at the girl in front of them.
"Hi." She said giving them a little half-wave. There where 'no ways' and 'it can't be' coming from everywhere and she let out a short chuckle.
"Yeah, yeah I know." She said as if not believing it herself.
"Kai?" Naruto whispered, still incredulous to the situation.
Sasuke then turned to look at the boy curiously, but only for a second. He then turned his attention to the girl that had Naruto completely speechless. She was still smiling at the class and looked like she was about to say something.
"Well for those who don't know me, my name is Kaiyamei Hatake, but you can call me Kai, that's what all my friends do. I'm 12 years old, just like you, but…" She said, stopping off and looking at Iruka.
"Care to explain?" She said, gesturing to the class. He nodded looking at the class.
"Well she's here on request of the Hokage and-" Iruka had started but a kid raised his hand and he stopped, addressing the kid to ask his question.
"Isn't she a Genin like us?" He asked and Kai couldn't help but laugh, though she really didn't mean to.
"That's what I'm getting too. Well, let her explain that part." Iruka said giving Kai the floor and she smiled at the class because of the comment.
"I haven't been a Genin in, what is it now…?" She said stopping off to count on her fingers.
"Eight years." She said when she had gotten to her answer. The whole room erupted into more whispers.
"Then what are you?" The same kid asked.
She looked at him and wondered how to answer that question. She sure as hell couldn't tell them she was ANBU; she was so not getting an ass-whooping anytime soon for spilling. And plus what would be the point when only three teams were passing? She decided she would tell the teams that passed, after she had been with them long enough to gain their trust and vise versa. So she decided on telling them the next best thing.
"I'm Jonin-level." She said and immediately after the whole class, save Naruto and Sasuke, erupted into laughter.
"Yeah right! You expect us to believe that you're a Jonin?" Kiba Inuzuka said, still laughing his guts out. Kai just sighed, doing hand signs that do one could se before answering.
"Yeah." She said and Kiba immediately stopped laughing, along with the rest of the class, when he felt the cool steel tip of a kunai at his throat, Kai being the one holding.
"Why would I lie?" She said again, only this time it was coming from the front of the classroom. They looked back at the shadow clone that still had her kunai to Kiba's throat and then back at the original in the front of the room.
"I also have Iruka to back up my claim." Another one said coming out of no where and picking up Akamaru, who didn't mind.
"You could also ask your sensei. And plus are you implying that the Hokage doesn't know what he's doing?" The three Kai's said together, all staring at intently at Kiba.
"Speaking of which, you guys need to know your teams. So Kai, if you would please call off the clones." Iruka said calmly.
Kai did just that, the clone holding Akamaru putting him down before disappearing with the other clone in a cloud of smoke. The real Kai just smirked at Kiba from where she stood and the class turned their attention to the front again.
"A final note before I do. Kai is going to be with you as an advisor of sorts, along with the sensei your team will already be assigned to. So let's begin, shall we?" Iruka said, and with that started listing off the teams. When it had gotten to Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto, lets just say the latter of the three wasn't too happy.
"Iruka-sensei! Why does a top-student like me in a group with this guy?!?!" Naruto asked pointing to Sasuke while Sakura looked at him like he was an idiot.
"Sasuke graduated with the highest scores. Naruto, you got the worst scores of the bunch." Iruka said and the whole class began to laugh. Kai looked at Naruto to find that he was looking down, until he saw her staring at him. She gave him an apologetic shrug and he gave a small, sad smile in return.
"This happens because we want to evenly divide abilities between groups." Iruka said finishing up his earlier explanation.
"Just make sure you don't get in my way dobe." Sasuke said, not even sparing a glance at Naruto.
"What did you say?" Naruto asked getting angry.
"Hard of hearing?" Sasuke taunted.
"Knock it off and sit down Naruto." Sakura said adding her two cents in.
Iruka had cleared his throat however, gaining the undivided attention of the class again. He called out the rest of the teams and addressed them one last time.
"After lunch you'll be meeting your sensei so class dismissed." Iruka said, and with that everyone began to file out of the room, some taking glances at Kai before they left, Naruto taking the longest.
She nodded at him and he smiled at her before heading off like the rest of the class. She definitely had her work cut out for her. She looked to Iruka and shook her head sighing, but letting a smile break out on her face. She was used to it. It was just like the old days… like she never left.
To be continued
Serenity Angel: Hope it wasn't too bad. Reviews would be awesome!!! See ya next time!