A/N:
I'd really like to thank Yami416 that was a really lovely review, it made me really happy and I was smiling like a idiot for agood hour afterwards :) I know about the Pov confusion so I've put the story into 3rd person now, I'll edit the first few whenI can. Thank you to all reviewers keep up all the good work!Improving Skills
She moved with grace and fluidity;
lost in a serene trance as she danced.
Sasuke regretted saying Kari could stay when he was jolted awake at four in the morning. She had unconsciously taken all of the cover and when Sasuke tried to get a little of it back she groaned in her sleep and sent him flying out the bed with a kick to his side. Let me tell you this;
A sleep deprived Sasuke is not a happy Sasuke.
So Sasuke decided to wake her up in revenge, only for her arm to shoot up and smack him in the nose. Kari still remained oblivious, mumbling something about 'Naruto shouldn't have a pet bunny' in her sleep. So Sasuke did the meanest thing he possibly could.
SPLASH.
Yes, Sasuke got a huge bucket of ice cold water and threw it all over her, soaking his own bed, but soaking her in the process. With a yelp, Kari abruptly awoke, tail fur on end and goose bumps sprouting over her pale skin. Her wide eyes blinked away the fogginess to see a smirking Uchiha.
"SASUKEEE!"
"I'm going out" Kari said rather huffily. Sasuke scowled at her, his throbbing headache making her voice a lot louder than it usually was. She had tackled him and started beating the shit out of him, giving a particularly hard thwack to the crown of his head. She had then rung her soaking hair out on him, soaking him even more and stomped off to have a shower (and use all the hot water).
It's safe to say their little moment yesterday had been forgotten. Well, not exactly forgotten, more ignored. Sasuke was still horrified he had said such stupid things and had been planning to give the wolf girl the silent treatment. But that was before she kicked him out of the bed. Sasuke was tempted to start teasing her and say she was dreaming of having it with Naruto, but his throbbing head told him otherwise. She had become significantly stronger over the last few weeks (but nowhere near his level of course).
"Whatever…" Sasuke mumbled, not in the mood to talk with her at that particular moment. He leaned back into the sofa, resisting the urge to shove Kita off the end of it but his cursing thoughts were cut off with a knock to the door. To Sasuke's sheer horror, Kari advanced towards the door, with the full intention of opening it. The Uchiha survivor mentally screamed at himself for not telling her the rules of the house, one of them being; never open the door to an unknown person. But then again, she'd probably do it anyway being in the foul mood she was with him. Sasuke groaned when he heard a familiar voice.
"Ohayo Kari-chan, is Sasuke-kun in?"
Say I'm out… For kami's sake say I'm out…
"Yeah come on in."
Shimatta.
"Alrighty then you two, me and Kita are off out. Make sure you're finished by the time I get back. We have sensitive eyes…" Kari grinned evilly at Sasuke who shot her a burning glare. Kita bounded from the sofa to Kari's shoulder in one impressive leap. "Ja ne!" happily oblivious to Sasuke intensified glare, Kari skipped out the door, leaving Sasuke in an extremely foul mood with an excruciating headache, made only worse by dearest Sakura.
"What to do Kita-ko?" Kari sighed, looking around in boredom. "Who's lazy? We could do with a nap after that rude wake up call." Kita tilted her head to the side, observing her Okaa-san sideways. "Hey, I met that girl before didn't I? Inu—no Ino." Kari walked into the flower shop, heading towards a bored looking blonde girl. Kita gave a loud sneeze alerting the dozing girl to their presence.
"Oh hi, Kari right?" Ino asked, a smile automatically spreading across her face. "How can I help you?"
"Hey Ino, do you know where that Shikamaru guy is? He's on your team isn't he?" Kari questioned, looking around at the brightly coloured flowers that covered the room. Ino heaved a tired sigh.
"Yeah… He'll be in the field with that little hill. It's near the training grounds. You're so lucky being on Sasuke's team you know, I'd die to be on his team" Ino said, gazing off with an unfocused expression.
"Mmmhmm" Kari said smirking, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. Ino laughed at her expression. "Puppy love?"
"You could say that. He's so handsome and strong… Wouldn't our kids be attractive!" at this, Ino let out a loud high-pitched squeal that almost knocked Kari unconscious. Oh my sensitive ear drums they bleeeed…
"I don't think he's doing anything today. Seriously what do you people see in him? He's so… angsty and moody and Sasuke-like" Kari shook her head, not seeing it. Yeah he was pretty sweet yesterday when she was freaking out, and unusually lovely in the evening but he was deathly tired and people say things they don't mean when they're like that.
"Really?! I'll have to go see him later! Here, have a free flower on me for your valuable information!" Kari blinked as Ino shot off somewhere.
"Uhh… thanks?"
"Hey Shika" Kari said giving him a light nudge. He raised his hand in greeting not bothering to open his eyes. Kari giggled slightly and lay down beside him. "Too troublesome to be energetic on days off, I just want to sleep" she looked up at the clouds. "There are some funny shaped clouds out today."
"You noticed too huh?" Shikamaru said, opening his eyes to stare lazily at the drifting clouds. "That one there looks like a monkey." Kari nodded in agreement.
"I wonder what it means, clouds can sometimes tell stories you know" Kari smiled remembering the fond childhood memories of her goggling out the car window at clouds and trying to figure out what they resembled, creating stories of 'what things in heaven did during lives' or 'great stories the sky has to tell' she was blessed with an extravagant imagination and no matter how long the car journey, she was kept entertained.
"Hm, I heard that too. The birds are unusually quiet, how troublesome" Shikamaru noted, glancing at the odd trees around. No bird twittered in reply.
"Way too quiet, you mind if I play some music? After that I'm catching a nap, I only had a bucket of freezing water thrown over me when I was asleep by Sas-gay" Kari said grumpily. Shikamaru snorted as he chuckled.
"How troublesome… Never really spoke to Sasuke, he was a bunch of the 'cool group' if you get what I mean. Miserable guy, shot glares everywhere. And you can if you want, as long as it isn't a load of crap and you don't play it too long" the lazy boy agreed, closing his eyes. Kari smirked shaking her head. He was certainly a character wasn't he? As though on her hearts desire, an acoustic guitar appeared in her hands, with a faint glow of chakra surrounding it. She rarely played, not having her own guitar, but in music classes when guitars were used, she had a sort of knack for it, even if she struggled a little with her small hands. Without hesitation, her fingers caressed the strings creating a melody and she softly sang, Kita watching curiously. She sang a song that was easy to play on her shaky skills, a song by Taylor swift called "Outside" which goes all right with her voice.
"I didn't know what I would find
When I went looking for a reason, I know
I didn't read between the lines
And, baby, I've got nowhere to go
I tried to take the road less travelled by
But nothing seems to work the first few times
Am I right?
So how can I ever try to be better?
Nobody ever lets me in
I can still see you, this ain't the best view
On the outside looking in
I've been a lot of lonely places
I've never been on the outside
You saw me there, but never knew
I would give it all up to be
A part of this, a part of you
And now it's all too late so you see
You could've helped if you had wanted to
But no one notices until it's too
Late to do anything
So how can I ever try to be better?
Nobody ever lets me in
I can still see you, this ain't the best view
On the outside looking in
I've been a lot of lonely places
I've never been on the outside
How can I ever try to be better?
Nobody ever lets me in
I can still see you, this ain't the best view
On the outside looking in
I've been a lot of lonely places
I've never been on the outside…"
Kari finished, her hands sliding over the strings. A dull ache hit the tips of her delicate fingers but she ignored it, content she had been at one with music. She felt relaxed and at peace now and most probably had a dumb smile on her face. Ah well, sod it.
"You got a pretty good voice" Shikamaru said opening an eye. "It doesn't hurt my ears… unlike Ino's attempt at singing." Kari blushed slightly but grinned and shrugged. She laid down, the guitar disappearing. Kita curled up on her, her head resting above Kari's heart. The little cub adored the sound; it made her feel safe and protected to be so close to her Okaa-san. The red rose Ino had gifted them with was placed on Kita's hitai-ate, the stem held in place on the inside of the fabric. Within minutes, the Konoha nin (including Kita as a wolf-nin) fell into a well deserved slumber.
"Well Shika-kun, I'm off" Kari said stretching. Kita's tail waved merrily to and fro, waiting for her Okaa-san to be ready. Shikamaru nodded with a yawn, clearly not bothered. "So we're pretty much friends, eh? We should hang out when I've got days off!"
"Yeah, I guess you're not too troublesome, especially for someone on Naruto's, Sasuke's and Sakura's team. Surprisingly you're almost bearable." Shikamaru agreed. "But you still are a troublesome woman." Kari simply shook her head and gave him a wave.
"Sayonara Shika!"
"Ja Kari."
"AH! LEE! YOU'RE SUCH AN EXAMPLE OF YOUTH TO THOSE AROUND YOU! YOU SURE KNOW HOW TO MAKE A SENSEI PROUD!!"
Kari was taken back by the loud booming voice as she wandered through another training ground. She actually fell over, but luckily avoided squishing Kita by falling onto her back. Mumbling ripe unladylike words she peered through the bushes and was confused to say the least at the sight in front of her.
Neji, TenTen, Lee and Bigger-Louder-Clone-of-Lee.
All of a sudden the 'Bigger-Louder-Clone-of-Lee' spun around and pointed directly at Kari's hiding place. In a loud booming voice with the expected volume of an opera singer he dramatically exclaimed the words; "A SPY?! COME OUT FIEND!" Poor Kari was confused and was thankful that Neji motioned to her to come to him, Byakugan activated.
Kari sighed in relief and went to obey when she suddenly remembered something.
--Flashback—
"Agh!" Kari whined, falling on her backside, glaring pitifully up at Neji who looked down at her, arms folded. "That wasn't fair Mr! I'm new to this!"
"My apologies. I didn't mean to go overboard" Neji said monotonely, Kari swelled in huffiness, being reminded of Sasuke far too much. "You're speed is quite impressive for a novice, though you definitely need work on practically everything else."
"Pfft. You need work on being expressive, you're too emotionless." Kari retorted indignantly. Suddenly a light bulb struck her. "Compromise, I work hard for you, you open up to me?" Neji observed her sternly, trying to figure out her strange request. She radiated innocence and sincerity so he supposed he could give it a try and work on his social skills so when needed to he could deceive the enemy…
"Very well. It seems around the same amount of difficulty, now stand up and prepare yourself. I won't go easy on you this time…
--End—
Ouch.
Nasty Neji.
Nasty painful poking fingers.
So Kari weighed her options, go to Neji or face the scary 'Bigger-Louder-Clone-of-Lee'. Heck, she'd rather face Neji.
"Kari-hime!" Lee squealed at the sight of her. TenTen smiled in greeting and Neji gave her a curt nod as she stopped at his side. Kita blinked tilting her head trying to make sense of the situation. Miffed, she turned to Kari for an explanation. Conscious of five pairs of eyes staring at her she awkwardly raised her hand in greeting.
"Ugh… Hi?"
"AND WHO, YOUNG LADY, ARE YOU? AH! YOU MUST HAVE COME TO MEET THE GREAT MAITO GAI!" exclaimed the 'Bigger-Louder-Clone-of-Lee'.
"That would be Maito Gai, my sensei" Neji said, noticing her puzzled expression. "Gai-sensei, this is Kari. She's the genin I've been training; I told you all about it before."
"AHA!" Gai boomed. "YOU MUST BE NEJI'S LITTLE LADY! MY, MY NEJI! WHAT FINE TASTE!" Neji stiffened, TenTen shook her head in exasperation and Lee tried to explain that Kari was not dating Neji, using a lot of frantic arm waving. Kari and Kita just stared in confusion; Kari was waiting for her little voice to explain things for her, which it didn't as it only helped in Japanese language. Kari was sure it was another voice with Kita and in battle, but didn't for the life of her understand it so gave up trying to. Anyway, sadly, no little voice gave her an explanation.
"I'm only training her" Neji mumbled through gritted teeth. Gai waved it aside and started blabbering something about 'the joys of youthful love'.
"Just ignore him Kari, he's always like that. You get used to it and learn to tune him out" TenTen reassured. "Oh you have a puppy! She's beautiful!" TenTen cried smiling at Kita who was staring with her head tilted at a dramatic Gai who was talking animatedly to an equally enthusiastic Lee, the only one who would listen.
"Ah but Kari-hime is a delicate flower of beauty and kindness that Neji may not appreciate Gai-sensei!" Lee cried.
"SO YOU LEE! YOU ARE IN LOVE WITH THIS DEAR YOUNG LADY?!" Gai cried in delight.
"Kari-hime has beauty too great for someone as unworthy as me sensei! Her kind-heart is deserving of the best and I am not yet good enough! Oh my undeserving heart!" Lee cried clutching the green spandex fabric over his chest.
"Lee, you're sweet and all but seriously. Sakura's way better than me" Kari reasoned, thinking of her unique friend. Naruto was obsessed with her for a reason, she was beautiful.
"Sakura-chan? Perhaps she is for me?" Lee repeated getting the complete wrong end of the stick. Kari sighed; her shoulders sagging, causing Kita to almost slide off and to jump on Kari's head instead, Kari's ears twitching. It was then Kari's canine features were noticed.
"EHH??" TenTen, Lee and Gai screeched. Neji, having seen it before, still seemed a little confused by her ears and tail, but not to the extent the others were with their jaws dropped and their eyes bulging. Kari awkwardly placed a hand on the back of her head, a habit she had unknowingly picked up from Naruto.
"Err… Yeah 'bout that… The ears and tail umm…?"
"Kari-hime! You look adorable!" Lee cried grabbing her hand, his eyes shining with glee. Who cares if Lee looks funny and is too energetic? He's lovely! She grinned as a blush was painted across her cheeks. "It seems to complete you, making you unique and special in your own way! Would you not agree Gai-sensei?" Lee cried. Gai grinned and nodded.
"Beautiful Lee" he wiped his eyes and Kari was relieved he wasn't currently shouting (her ears throbbed). TenTen sighed.
"Well Kari, did you need me?" Neji asked. Kari looked at him and blinked, looking comical with Kita lying on her head. Neji held in a chuckle at the amusing sight "Why are you here? Do you want me to train you?" Before Kari could so much as draw breath she was cut off.
"THAT'S A BRILLIANT IDEA! TEAM! FROM NOW ON KARI-HIME SHALL BE OUR APPRENTICE!!" Gai cried striking a pose. Kari fell backwards, her eardrums close to shattering.
'Okaa-saaaan! He's so loud!' Kita cried through the telepathic link they seemed to have. She licked Kari's face to get her attention causing the young kunoichi to giggle. Neji unfolded his arms and observed her, Byakugan activated.
"Very well, let's begin."
"You're really mean ya know that" Kari mumbled, burying her face into Neji's hair. By the time she had finished training, she was absolutely exhausted. She couldn't even stand. Neji was carrying her piggyback to the Hyuuga compound. He had that emotionless mask on that annoyed the hell out of Kari. She sighed causing him to shudder and grumble at her not to do that. Grinning, Kari blew on the back of his neck again, cackling to herself. Neji blushed, glaring ahead. Kita was happily walking beside them, looking around taking everything in, her keen eyes missing nothing.
"The training was beneficial to you; you wouldn't have improved as much if we went easy on you." Kari sighed supposing he was right. She was sure that she would never miss a target again after TenTen's weaponry lecture. If the wolf girl did, she would be sure to face an annoyed TenTen's wrath. At least Neji agreed to help her instead of leaving her there (like Sasuke would've done). "We're here anyway. Go find Hinata-sama and clean up."
"Ahh Hinata-imouto" Kari sighed after a nice shower. She was laying on Hinata's unearthly comfortable bed in a change of Hinata's clothes. The Hyuuga girl preferred clothes which were comfortable and Kari was hugely grateful for it at this moment. Her yukata was loosely fitted and was lovely and soft.
"Did Oniisan work you hard?" Hinata said softly, stroking Kita who was snuggled up to Kari's side. Kari nodded with a long-suffering expression. Hinata simply giggled, not even noticing how she didn't stutter at all this visit. Kari was struggling not to fall asleep, she wanted to sink into the bed and fall into hibernation (regardless of the fact it was past hibernation time). "Kiba-kun said that he enjoyed your company and that he wanted to kidnap you so that you could be on our team, Shino-kun told him not to be silly but Kiba-kun was adamant that you were in need of rescue" Kari smirked. Rescue from Sasuke, I wish…
"Meh, Hina-chan. I better get going before I fall asleep on your bed" Kari said smiling. "Is it all right if I drop your clothes off tomorrow?"
"Oh keep them Oneechan, I have too many clothes" Hinata said simply. "Being an heiress does not mean I have need for so many possessions, one day I hope people will learn that."
"You deserved to be spoilt rotten, you're such a warm-hearted person" Kari said, pulling her into a hug. "Are you sure though? They're too comfy to be just given away. They must have cost a fortune! The shorts and yukata are so well made I really couldn't and—"
"Oneechan" Hinata said, placing her hand on Kari's shoulder. "Keep them, you'll be doing me a favour. They don't fit me anyway" Hinata smiled and ushered her out before she could argue the case anymore.
"Oh Kita-ko I don't deserve Hinata-chan as a friend" Kari sighed, hugging the small pup to her. She loved the feel of the fabric, and the obi gave her good posture and gave her back support, a great comfort after training. She'd wear kimono/yukata style shirts more often if she wasn't so paranoid about how easy they could open from the front. Kita yawned and looked up at Kari. "Hey Kita, go head home, I'll take my sweet time. I'll go see if Naruto-kun's at Ichiraku." Kita immediately obeyed, streaking off in the direction of Sasuke's place. Kari grinned at her speed, impressed and proud as only a mother could be.
'This way.'
Kari jumped out her skin at the male voice speaking into her thoughts. It was familiar but she couldn't place it. Suddenly, she was yanked by the wrist through the bushes, across some training grounds over some roofs and into the forest. The speed was incredibly fast and she only just managed to keep up.
"Impressive. You're speed is unnatural for a genin" a voice said, two piercing crimson eyes staring at her out of the darkness. Kari squinted, trying to make out his face. Her eyes widened and her lips slightly parted as she recognised him. It was that Itachi guy.
"How'd you do that? Talk inside my head?" Kari questioned folding her arms while thanking the lord she had sent Kita off beforehand. Itachi stepped closer so the moonlight revealed his face. He had a slight smirk on his face as his eyes were gleaming.
"So you're already that developed" Kari immediately took it the wrong way and her face flushed. She pulled her folded arms higher up, self-consciously hiding her chest. "I didn't expect you to awaken telepathy at least for a few months." Kari tilted her head to the side. Wasn't telepathy mind-reading? "When did you gain canine characteristics?"
"Why should I tell you?" Kari said defensively, her ears unconsciously twitching.
"Have you activated the chakra already? That shouldn't have happened unless you were in battle and you're life was in danger. Or in the case of extreme emotional stress" Kari's eyes travelled around her surroundings, trying to pretend she didn't know what he was talking about. "You're a terrible liar. What happened?"
"Hey! I wasn't lying I was playing dumb!" Kari cried indignantly. Itachi simply stared at her, his face unnervingly blank. Kari sighed, something inside her telling her she could trust him. Though she had a feeling in her gut that Itachi was the guy Sasuke wanted to kill. But that's really none of her business and a very awkward question to ask, even if deep down she knew the answer. "Well we went on a C-rank mission to the Land of Waves. Then this Zabuza guy showed up and—"
"Momochi Zabuza one of the seven swordsmen of the mist?"
"Err… the what?"
"My partner, Hoshigaki Kisame is also one of the seven. I'd heard a rumour that Zabuza had been killed. I'm guessing it was Kakashi. You Genin wouldn't have stood a chance."
"Give me a break; it was only my… second mission? Anyway yeah there was a huge battle and one of my team-mates was really hurt and I thought he was dead. Then this really weird thing happened." Kari refrained from using Sasuke's name, not wanting things to get awkward. Itachi nodded for her to continue, his gaze just as intense. "Well I felt a huge rush of emotions, rage and pain and all that. Then it was as though energy was pushing itself out of my body and there was like tingles on my head and down my spine and in my mouth. Then it was really windy and my eyes burned. Then I was attacking the guy that was responsible. But I was moving so fast and the air took on a kind of golden tone and there were white and black wisps in front of my eyes. Then… I was injured and I woke up with these" she motioned to her ears and tail. "And I can use these wings" she flapped her arms up and down to try and explain. "But only when I push them out, though I'm sort of bad at flying because I need more practice and…"
"I see. I'll research what I can, though there's not much known about bijuu's effects on Jinchuuriki. Then later on I'll try and teach you to control your chakra." Itachi interrupted saving her from further explanation. His eyes narrowed. "Open your mouth" Kari blinked. But obliged, reasoning that he wasn't going to rip her tongue out. "You're canines have lengthened considerably and they're very sharp."
"I'm a vampire?" she asked. He just stared at her, making her feel stupid. "Anyway, I'm sure that's not the only reason you're here" Kari pressed.
"Draw your katana. I'm going to train you starting with your swords" Itachi said, pulling out a long, thin silver blade from underneath his cloak.
"I haven't had a chance to use them yet" Kari said nervously, quickly backing away. Looking up he was again, just staring at her, waiting. "But- Well- I- Ugh… Fine. But it's not my fault if I suck." Kari placed her earphones in her ears, she'd taken her ipod with her and had listened to music as she and Shikamaru dozed. Music always calmed her and gave her a sense of rhythm, so she supposed it would help her. Of course, with those damn wolf ears she had to use a slight chakra barrier to hold them in place and prevent them falling out, especially when she moved. "All right then, let's go!"
Without hesitation he flew at her, with a slight yelp of surprise Kari brought her katana up to defend herself, she struggled against his weight then pushed away, but not without getting a semi-deep cut across the side of her shoulder. Knowing full well he was serious she charged at him, her movements were in perfect time with the song pounding into her head. He blocked her effortlessly, twisting his wrist to turn his sword and block her attacks. She seemed to be in a trance and Itachi's Sharingan rotated as he tried to predict her movements. With a sharp swing to the left side of him, she twisted and aimed a kick at him. Itachi avoided with ease and with a light push to her back, caused the young kunoichi to fall face first in the dirt. She propped herself up on her elbows and glared at him with mud streaked across her pale face.
"I've been training all day and that was my first time, you can't expect me to be as good as you" she mumbled.
"In fact you exceeded my expectations" Itachi said, looking down at her. "You're speed is highly above average for your level, you're very light on your feet and move silently. Your movements are graceful as though you're in a dance" Kari's ego inflated slightly as a blush crossed her face. "However…" There's always got to be a damn however… "Your defence is poor. You rely far too much on your right side and your blocking needs a lot of work. You focus almost entirely on attacking leaving you open to counter attacks." Kari sighed, falling back into the dirt. He couldn't have been any more blunt. "But you have potential, even though it was only a few minutes you picked things up quickly and became at ease with using your katana. We'll work more on your weaknesses next time. Until then, train on your own and build up your speed. It seems that is your greatest strength."
"I can go a bit longer!" Kari cried stubbornly, her face looking up at him once more, even dirtier that last time. Itachi shook his head in disagreement and Kari decided not to push it. "Fine… When will you be back?"
"When I have time to spare. I have other important business to take care of."
"All right then, ja ne" Kari said, flopping once again onto the ground. After a rather long pause, when she thought he was gone, Itachi spoke again.
"Are you just going to stay there all night?"
"Yup."
"You'll just get sick, then you're training will be delayed."
"Yup."
"Do you even know the way back?"
"Nope."
With a rude and sudden pull, Itachi started dragging her along. She didn't even try to keep up with his speed this time, she was too tired. So he placed her under one arm, to make her easy to carry. After a minute or so he dropped her, and she responded with a light 'oomph' and muttered insults under her breath. Itachi just stared down at her, tomoe slowly turning.
"Go home and rest. You've reached your limit" Itachi said turning and disappearing into the shadows, seemingly ignoring her comment that she 'didn't have a home'. With a slight whine Kari closed her eyes getting ready to sleep. She couldn't face the walk back, heck she'd probably be wandering for hours on end. But then, the Gods blessed her and a lovely voice called out to her.
"Okaa-san!"
And then the gods cursed her and a grumpy voice began scolding her.
"Baka you look a mess."
And with that she was hoisted off the ground and placed on something warm and lulled by the plodding movement of someone walking beneath her, her eyes closed and she fell into a contented sleep.