The Phoenix Child

Chapter two

Exam

There was this boy in my class who everyone called stupid; I heard he was also a loser (like me), alone (like me) and lost (like me). But there was a big difference between him and me. He was never down and yet he was confident even though everyone insulted him and his dream. He had an aim in his life even though he was, like me, left alone and was insulted by everyone. Whenever I looked at him, he had a big smile on his tan, whisking face and would be so cheerful that the other person will wonder where he got so much energy.

I didn't know how he could be like that. He had been insulted in front of my eyes (sometimes by my father and brother) and he was usually sitting alone in the park. It was his third year at the academy and yet he still didn't care that he would fail or not. My phoenix told me that he had a demon too and his parents died, saving him but his demon was different from mine as it was forced in and sealed into him when he was a mere baby. It was sickening. Not the fact that he was forced to live the life he wasn't fated to but it was sickening to see that his parents sacrificed their lives for him.

I would imagine that if I was in trouble so will my parents sacrifice their lives for me… I wasn't sure about mother but I was certainly sure that my father and my brother will probably (and literally) dance at my funeral in pure happiness. I hung my head lower, allowing my long red hair to fall in front of my even scarier crimson orbs.

Today, I turned twelve and even though nobody cares about my birthday, I was quite tensed. Not that somebody will throw me a surprise party (yeah as if) but today was the graduating exam. Today, if I pass, I will become a kunoichi and represent my village. Then I would be placed on a team and then I would complete missions.

I was glad that something different would happen and I might even make friends. But the thing I was the most excited about was me being in a team.

I had never been on a team or a group before. Usually, Iruka-sensei would place the class in groups to work on a certain project or for training but I was left alone because, obviously, nobody wanted me. Iruka-sensei would look at me and smile, pitifully, and say "I am sorry Kimiko, maybe next time," or "The kids don't want you but I will help you train," … though sometimes his words were comforting but my phoenix can see right through them. The thing I hated most was pity. Why? Because I never got it and my phoenix told me that as long as we are one, I will never need it.

So slowly, his words disappeared and whenever it was time to work in groups, I sedately, walked out of the chatting children and started the activity alone.

I tapped my foot on the marbled floor and looked slightly up to see the loud demon blond guy yapping away happily, saying that he would be a Hokage one day like it was the most easiest thing to do but I did admire his courage. His name was Uzumaki Naruto. I could see quite clearly that he had the power to become powerful and even, become a Hokage one day. I shrugged inwardly. I was a good observer and it was easy to see those hateful faces when my so called classmates looked at me.

Usually on battle sequences, I would rather fight like a rag doll on strings so I was horrible in tai-jutsu but most of the times; I depended on my phoenix for power. The class was quite loud and now and then, Iruka will enter the room and called out a child's name so he could go and take his exam and get examined by the Third Hokage himself.

"NARUTO!" the pink haired girl bellowed. I know her as I have been usually picked by her. Her name was Haruono Sakura and she was very beautiful. Most of the boys' populations loved her but her heart belonged to the last Uchiha survivor who didn't like to talk at all. Her phoenix will laugh at them all the time but it soon got bored because of the same routine. Sakura liked Uchiha; Naruto will glare at Uchiha and then tease Sakura until she gets so angry that she hit him across his head. And all that time, the Uchiha will simply look out of the window like nothing had happened at all.

The classroom door opened again and Iruka poked his head out. He gave a small smile at the students.

"Yesha Kimiko, you are next,"

Silence spread through the whole class as they either gulped quietly or stared at me. My hair, still hiding my eyes, fell back to my elbows as I stood up slowly. I walked out of the crammed desks and with the last glance at the staring quiet students, was about to walk out of the classroom when a shout erupted the silence.

"Burn in hell Ugly Red," Sakura shouted loudly, her right hand cupped around one corner of her mouth. And as soon as the disturbance was made, the whole class fell over, laughing.

I shivered and my phoenix stirred inside me, threateningly and as quickly as I could, walked out of the classroom, the urge of slamming the door behind me was useless. I looked up Iruka-sensei as he sighed loudly and started to escort me towards where the Hokage was.

"Are you nervous?" He asked slowly. Though he tried to stop the jeering student but his try went useless because he always thought that the way everyone treated me was wrong. I appreciated that and my phoenix relaxed inside me.

"Not really. I know I will pass but…" I hesitated.

"But what?" Iruka-sensei pressed.

I lowered my head, believing I had said too much. I knew that if any word will reach my family or my classmates, I would be dead… literally.

"Just tensed about the after results," I muttered quietly.

I was tensed that which team they will put me in, I was tensed that what would my clan will think of me when they will come to realize that I was a kunoichi, I was tensed about the missions, about my sensei… I was just plain tensed.

I stopped in front of a door and Iruka patted my back gently.

"Don't worry," he smiled "everything will be alright,"

'I wish I can say the same thing,' I thought and replied him with a small nod before knocking on the door. There was a loud 'come in' and I entered, closing the door behind me as quietly as I could.

The Third Hokage was sitting behind a desk, complied by jounins on either side. A huge stack of paperwork was scrawled on the desk untidily and the Hokage had his chin rested on his palms as he stared sedately at me.

I stepped in the middle of the room and pushed back my crimson bangs out of my red bloodshot eyes and fixing them on the Hokage. I sensed the jounin on his right side shiver and the jounin on the left side quickly look away.

"Yesha Kimiko," The Hokage began in his old voice and picked up a sheet of paper from the desk and stared into it.

My heart thumped and I clinched my hands into fists. I quietly gulped as I sensed the phoenix inside me move restlessly.

"Yes," I timidly said in a small voice.

"I see that your performance in the academy wasn't bad at all. You are an above average student and worked hard but being a ninja is hard and after graduating, you will realize that completing missions isn't just the only thing that a shinobi must do. Are you up for the challenge?"

I sensed my phoenix get enraged at the whole commentary and I nodded, bravely, staring straight into his eyes.

The old man smiled.

"Well then, let's see your shadow replication. You have to create two," The Hokage said, leaning back in his chair.

I nodded before making a few seals; I closed my eyes and concentrated my chakra. Energy flowed but I had perfect control on it.

"Shadow replication jutsu," I muttered and my eyes shot open as my two replicas stood side by side me.

The Hokage nodded in approval and wrote something on the sheet of paper.

"Transform yourself and your replicas into me," he said.

'Well, that's pretty easy,' I thought and concentrated my chakra. There was a loud poof and I felt my body change.

Success.

The Hokage nodded again before putting down the paper. He smiled widely at me.

"Congratulations, you pass," he said.

I turned back to my real form and my clones disappeared. I inhaled deeply before giving them a smile and bowing in respect.

"Thank you," I muttered before straightening up and turning to go.

My phoenix cooed in irritation.

"They called that an exam?" it muttered.

'I passed. I am so happy. Now, at last, my clan will acknowledge me,' I thought, happily as Iruka-sensei gave me the leaf headband and I walked outside.

"Don't get so far ahead of yourself kid,"

I utter a final sigh and slipped my hands into my pockets.

Nobody from my family came to my graduation. Nobody. I solemnly looked at my classmates as they laughed happily and hugged their parents. Some saying to give them whatever they wished for, some laughing in glee, some sitting together taking their pictures… their forehead protectors shining under the sun.

I lowered my eyes as I stared at them sadly. I had asked my brother to come but he had just arrogantly yelled at me that I was useless and I will probably fail and he didn't had time to waste on such pity things. He said that I should ask father before he just walked away from me like I was a huge burden.

The problem from me talking to my father was that I hated him because he hated me. I overheard him talking to my mother that I can't possibly be their child or something like that. The voices were quite muffled and I didn't understand properly. My father, whenever I did something bad, tortured me like a prisoner. I wanted, from the bottom of my heart that he would acknowledge me but he had eyes only for my brother was older than me by five years.

My mother wasn't a ninja so she hardly understood my babbling. But I liked it when she encouraged me anyway. But she didn't come either to my graduation. I always got confused when I saw the sudden personality changes in my mother, sometimes she would be so nice and the other time, she would just look at me in fright and ignore me. I got confused by those actions but slowly as I grew, I started to realize that my mother only ignored me when father was around. My mother didn't like to fight and she avoided it at all costs, especially if her opponent was my father.

I tried to understand all what was happening but I thought the whole procedure of living was cruel so I started to think positively that I will work hard and try my best to get acknowledged by everyone including my clan.

I pushed myself from the darkest corner of the wall where I stood brooding at them and again, allowed my bangs to cover my eyes. I did that when I didn't want to face anyone or anything.

I started for the path, ignoring the whispers of discontent behind me when I suddenly spotted the blond boy sitting on the swing, a sad expression on his face and he looked ready to cry.

'Wow,' I thought 'he must have failed,'

I hesitated to go over to him to say something but my phoenix had other ideas. He forced me to carry on my path like I have seen nothing.

'Phoenix, what are you doing?' I muttered under my breath.

"Don't disturb the flow kid. He isn't in the mood to talk to anyone,"

I sighed yet again and dragged my feet to the Yesha Compound. I gripped the hidden leaf head protector in my hand and kicked an innocent looking stray stone on the ground.

"Father, look I passed!"

"That's my son! I knew you could do it! Today is going to be a celebration!"

I stopped in my tracks and looked sideways and saw a couple of kids and their parents.

"Mom, I am now going to be an excellent ninja!"

"I am going to make you proud!"

"Well done!"

"We are going to treat you to whatever you want,"

I dropped my head so low that my chin was touching my chest and I started to run. Through the crowded streets, across the lake, through the forest trees and stopped in front of a huge compound of Yesha. I panted lightly and quickly rubbed the tears that had gathered in my eyes with my sleeve.

I inhaled sharply and pocketed the forehead protector. I walked quietly into the compound, the guards at the gate looking at me in hate and dislike. I shivered quietly under their glare and quickened my pace towards my house.

The lane was full as usual with the Clan's people. Laughing, joking, sweeping or just gossiping… the era of business and happiness floated into the evening's air. So many people with purple hair, so many people with tan skins, so many people with sharp emerald eyes… I felt like I didn't at all belong there, a person who was mistaken to be a Yesha, a person whose features were far away from beautiful and graceful… I was called Ugly Red for a reason. Walking through the lane towards my house was the biggest pain that I have to go through each every day; the people will stop their activities and stare at me with hatred. Their eyes full of fear. They said, that includes everyone except my mother, that I was a curse placed on the Yesha Clan and I was a sign (being red and being a part of the prophecy) that the Yesha Clan will soon face its downfall. The truth was, I was mere a child but instead of treating me like one, they treated me like I was some kind of infected monster.

The compound was not my home; the house was not my home but only a place on which I depended to live in. That was the definition for it to me… a place to live, eat and sleep.

The walking-to-the-end-of-the-lane torture ended and I walked around the corner and into a big beautiful dojo. I stepped in, took off my shoes and walked into the kitchen where usually my mother worked. I prayed to myself that she would be alone so she could listen to what I have to say and praise me… she only did that when she wasn't in the presence of my father or my big brother. It was called hidden love, I guess but I sometimes wondered if my mother was really afraid of my father or not.

I entered the kitchen and saw a young woman bend down over the sink as she strained some noodles with a strainer. She turned slowly, pushing her purple locks away from her turquoise eyes and then she looked at me.

For a minute she hastily looked around and when she saw that I was the only one there, gave a mind dazzling smile down at me. She put the strainer back into the sink and bent down to pat my head.

My mother was beautiful and according to some rumors, I found out that she was the most beautiful girl in the whole village when she was a teenager. Though now her shine had decreased than before, her face was still young and beautiful; her laugh was still melting and her smile was still loving.

Though it might have been a huge disappointment when I was born as an ugly daughter with no talent and they had to keep me as a monster not as a daughter.

I pulled out my forehead protector and my mother's eyes shone in admiration. She patted my head again and kissed my forehead, pushing the excess of red hair back first. I blushed.

"Well done, Kimiko. If you continue to work this hard, you will become something big," she said as she gestured me to sit down on the table. I nodded, blushing, and sat down, laying the forehead protector on the wooden table gently.

"But nobody came for my graduation," I protested quietly as my mother put some green-tea in front of me. I looked at the green liquor and sipped it quietly… it was steaming hot but it satisfied me. The hotter it was, the better I felt… that was one thing good about having a phoenix as a companion.

My mother face closed.

"Everyone is very busy," she said after a while.

And I knew it was a lie. Nobody cared, that was the truth.

I wanted to say something else but the kitchen door slid opened and my big brother came in. My mother quickly shuffled with the stew and sniffed at the rising aroma.

My brother truly inherited my parent's good features. Tan skin, turquoise eyes and wavy purple hair… though most of the Yesha Clan had green eyes, my brother and my mother had turquoise. And obviously I had red. My brother was very good looking and the fact that he was a genius as well because he was already in the ANBU and he was only seventeen, made my father very proud.

My mother was too and I think he deserve this kind of attention as he have achieved so much at such a young age, I was impressed too. But I didn't hate him for that; I hated him because of his arrogant, obnoxious attitude. I hated him because he made me feel low. I hated him because he hated me.

So it wasn't surprising when he entered the kitchen and threw a piercing hatred filled glare at me, making me shiver again. My phoenix stirred inside restlessly and I concentrated on the green liquor which was slightly shaking because of my hands.

My brother sat across me, his eyes falling onto my forehead protector. He smirked coldly and I jolted slightly.

"So you passed huh?" he said in a cold seething whisper which made me look at him. I wasn't scared of him but that did not mean that I didn't obey him, he was just a small figure of my father but I despised my father a lot and I was scared of him with the bottom of my heart.

"Yes," I replied softly.

My brother grinned menacingly.

"That's just too bad, now you will become a burden to your team and fail every mission. Your teammates would hate you so much that they won't want you on their team… now isn't that bad,"

I didn't answer him… I was concentrating on my beating heart which was paining terribly. I didn't want to cry in front of him but I was afraid at what he had said… it was true after all, I was an unwanted heap of trash.

My mother turned, she had been listening to the conversation but hadn't scolded brother for the words he had brutally used. I winced inwardly… typical mother.

"Good evening mother, sorry I wasn't at dinner last night, meetings can be very hectic," my brother said calmly.

I tried not to scoff, he wasn't at a meeting last night, and he was just hanging out with his idiotic friends, probably dating or sparring while mother was so worried that she hadn't eaten anything herself. Father hadn't said anything because I was there; there were no conversation if I was there.

My mother kindly smiled at him and placed a mug of green tea in front of him. She sat down beside him and gave a small tired sigh.

"My little boy Kyoshi is getting too old for my liking," she began, pouting like a kid.

My brother looked at her and rolled his eyes.

"Oh mother…"

And then went back to the tea. I felt a ping of jealousy inside me, if only mother said something like that to me in front of my father or brother, it would make my day.

"Kyoshi, I hope you don't have a meeting tonight… I am making your favorite," my mother began again, a hint of plead in her voice.

"Now mother, you know that"

"Its fish noodle ramen,"

There was an awkward silence.

"Fine," my brother muttered under his breathes and gave a small smile towards my mother.

"Well now, that's the Kyoshi I know," My mother giggled.

Blah blah blah, I feel like killing my brother. My mother didn't treat me like that. I hung my head gloomily and put the now empty cup on the table… I couldn't really blame him; I am,after all, an extra.

The door of the kitchen slammed open and my heart almost stopped beating. My father, a tall brooding man, stood there, his shoulders held back. I held my breathe.

He entered the kitchen and sat down without a word. My mother sent him a dazzling smile and got up to bring him some tea.

I just sat there, my hands on my knees, my shoulders in a strange position. My brother glanced at me in amusement but I was just staring at the shining surface of the forehead protector that was still lying on the wooden table.

There was no talk now, there was no talk when I was around but it looked like that my father had actually showed up in the kitchen to say something important.

He was glaring at me, irritatingly.

"Kimiko," his voice was so cold that my mother worriedly looked at me "Don't you have anything to do? Leave the room,"

I shivered quietly and stood up from the floor slowly. I picked up my forehead protector and walked out of the kitchen quietly, my eyes staring at the wooden floor, my bangs covering my face. I shut the door behind me and waited for the conversation to begin so I can at least eavesdrop some of the first few words. Mother told me once that my father had a nice laugh and it had surprised me because I didn't believe he could laugh.

"LEAVE!" an angry shout sounded from inside and I jumped before hurrying down the corridor.

I stopped in the middle of the garden, breathing harder than I was suppose to. My hand shot towards my heart and I clutched my chest… it pained.

All the noises were a distant, the flowing water of the fountain, the laughing children outside, the tweeting birds, the wind… everything, to me, was silent. I breathed in deeply and looked towards the sky.

Sunset. The blue sky was tainted with red.

Fire. Sun. Red.

And I didn't know what happened to me but I broke into a run. I ran through the lane, out of the compound, through the village and up the stairs and on top of the Hokage faces, I didn't stop until I was at the end of the rocky cliff, until I was staring at the horizon, the red warm light of the setting sun hitting my face, the warm sorrowful wind touching me, making my hair fly. A small sad smile escaped my features as my eyes gleamed at the redness of the whole scene… my first tear in years escaped down my cheek.

The sunset…

You are pathetic.

Is…

…Burden…

Amazingly…

…Extra…

Magically…

…Ugly Red.

Beautiful.

"Phoenix?" I asked openly.

"Yes,"

"Am I a bad person?"

And there was no answer as the sun disappeared behind the horizon and my fingers slipped from the velvet of the forehead protector which I was still clutching. It fell on the rocky surface, clinking loudly as it made contact.

"Happy Birthday," My phoenix suddenly said.

Broken.

Tears.

Cries.

Too late.

I am back and very healthy... thank to god that is.
I loved writing this chapter from the bottom of my heart and I loved editing it too. I have been working hard fo this story cause i love it:p
Please comment and tell me what you think!!! PLEASE!

Arigatou! Ja ne.