"I don't trust that girl," Yushiro annoucned to Natsumi as they laid down in bed.
"Neither do I, but we can't kill her," Natsumi agreed grimly.
"Yet both of us almost did...," Yuhsiro trailed off, almost mad at himself.
"Yeah... I think we need to help her rather than kill her,"
"H-help her? Are you crazy Nat?" Yushiro asked, clearly taken aback by her comment.
"N-no," Natsumi turned to star deeply into Yushiro's eyes. "her and Naruto seem to be close, relationship wise, and because of the demon. She will need Naruto's help, but, she will also need the help of my eyes," She explained.
"So how would I help?" Yushiro asked.
"I-I'm not sure yet, but if she can get over the whole wing thing, you could be helpful in getting her out of bad situations," She explained.
"Fine, I-I get all that, but... I don't trust her,"
"And she doesn't trust us, especially after tonight. However she knows my whole past, and I know hers, that could be benificial,"
"M-maybe... fine, I'll do whatever you have in mind," Yushiro agreed.
Natsumi smiled as she connected her lips to his.
"Aya and Isamu will have to start at the academy soon," Yushiro told Natsumi.
"W-what? Why? They aren't even a year old yet,"
"No, but their intellegance level is massive, they're already as smart as a one year old," Yushiro explained.
"True... guess Namagaki blood and Hitama blood really isn't meant to mix," Natsumi joked.
"I think I agree," He laughed.
"We will start them when they are actually one, okay?" Natsumi told Yushiro.
"Alright, or we could train them ourselves until they are of proper age,"
"I like that idea better," Natsumi agreed.
Several weeks went by, Natsumi hadn't the courage to talk to Hikari about what she had agreed with Yushiro. The chunin exams were that day, so Kureji was able to get Natsumi in to be able to watch them, or more so Hikari.
Hikari took a seat at a desk, locking eyes with Kazuki; the squad had nailed into her head what the answer to the first two questions were. They were the same every year, and this year she would definitely be able to answer the second one, she was sure of it! She didn't comprehend what they were actually asking, but if she knew the answers then it didn't matter. As soon as the exam began she quickly jotted down the two answers and read the other questions. One would expect her to know them really well by now and understand them, but being the fourth time she'd read them, she still couldn't make sense of them.
Hikari made her arms pillows on the desk and rested her head on them, closing her eyes. She hated how she'd have to wait a full hour to actually be able to leave. She yawned and eventually she drifted off to sleep. Shun and Kazuki spoke a few minutes before shaking her up. "Wakey wakey, Hikari," Shun said with a grin, picking her up outta her seat so she was standing. She slowly opened her eyes letting another yawn out as she realized she was standing. Shun let go of her and she stared up at the two boys with a bright smile.
"I answered them, guys!" Hikari exclaimed happily, earning highfives from the pair. Kazuki ruffled her hair, a big grin on his face. "I knew you'd be able to do it, kiddo!" He told her with a nod. The three of them conversed as they followed everyone, knowing their next destination would be The Forest of Death. Hikari listened to them plan what they were going to do and nodded, letting them know that she understood what they meant.
"So like we're gonna go straight to the tower and just like ambush people, right? That's what you guys mean, right? Like we did last year?" Hikari questioned as they arrived there. The two boys nodded, neither of the three really paying attention as to what was being said. It would be their fourth time in the forest, and they knew it well enough that they wouldn't need to listen to the rules and whatnot. Hikari dug the toe of her shoe into the ground as she looked up at Shun. "What do you think happens to the people that open their scrolls?"
He blinked down at her and scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Well, I'm not too sure, but I'd assume they would get disqualified, so please, Kari, don't do it. I honestly don't wanna fail a fourth time," Shun told her.
She gave him a big thumbs up. "Don't you worry about it guys! I won't let you guys down this year! I promise!" Hikari exclaimed happily, bouncing on her feet as squads began getting called back. "Who's gonna hold the scroll this year, anyways? Kazuki, again?"
"Nope, we're gonna let you hold it- we figure that would throw some of the others off. I mean think of it, if they looked at us three you'd be the last person they'd expect, right? So you're gonna hold it, but you can't let anyone know, okay?" Kazuki told her, his voice hardly audible as she stood in front of him.
Hikari's eyes brightened up as a smile appeared on her face. She nodded eagerly, just as their squad was called back. They were given a heaven scroll and she quickly hid it beneath her clothing as they headed out from the tent. The three sat down as they took in their enemies; a lot of them seemed tougher than the year prior. "Kazuki, is it just me, or do these guys seem to be a lot more stronger than last year's group?" Shun questioned, looking over at his teammate.
"Yeah, it seems like nobody's gonna be messing around this year. It's hard to believe that at least half the people here aren't gonna make it through this round. Then again, last year was the first time we did it, so I guess it's somewhat understandable," He responded with a nod. "But that just means we're gonna have even more fun trying to get an earth scroll, right?" Hikari asked happily, looking between the boys who simultaneously sighed.
"Well, Kari, I'm sure it'll be fun, but I don't think it's gonna be any easier than last year. If anything, it will probably be a lot more tougher. Which means this time you're actually gonna have to stay hidden in the shadows instead of marching around like this is some sorta game, okay?" Shun told her, trying to seem serious enough. He couldn't help but laugh at the thought of her at the last exam- literally, the whole time she walked in the open, but surprisingly nothing had actually happened to her.
Hikari nodded in understanding and gave a mock salute. "Yes, sir! I will be a perfect shinobi!" She replied, grinning.
The two boys smiled at their teammate before being lead to an entrance. Number 13; they hadn't ever entered that way before. Hikari nervously bounced from foot to foor, nervously trying to see through the fence clearly. One of the exam people stood in front of them, not really going over them. He was from the academy and knew that they weren't new to this at all.
"Good luck, guys," He stated as the gate flung open. Hikari hardly managed to get out a thanks as they quickly rushed into the forest. They swiftly began making their way towards the tower. After about ten minutes of solid running they came to a stop in the opening. The three of them stood there talking, pretending to be completely oblivious to their surroundings.
"Three people are approximately North thirty metres," Shun said, not taking his eyes off his friends. Hikari's gaze shifted a little bit. "Don't look at them, or they'll know we know."
"Sorry! Right!" She replied, her eyes reaching his again. Hikari jumped when she heard some screams come from the direction that the people had been standing. "Did you guys do that?"
Kazuki nodded. "We set up a net and gas, they should be passed out by now," He replied, him and Shun feeling rather smug.
"Good job!" Hikari exclaimed happily.
The three headed over to the other squad and found three passed out guys; probably Hikari's and Shun's age. They went through all their possessions and found an earth scroll. Shun grinned as he held their scrolls triumphantly. He turned to Hikari and passed her back their heaven scroll.
"You hold this one and I'll hold this one, you guys okay with that?" Shun questioned, earning nods from the pair. "Alright, let's head to the tower!"
When the three finally reached the tower, it was really dark out. They opened their scrolls and were greeted by a chunnin. They got the regular speech and nodded in understanding- they'd heard it far too many times. They went upstairs to find that they weren't even the first people there.
The sat there and leaned up against the wall. Watching as different people began showing up. Hikari nervously glanced between her team members.
"Have this many people even shown up so early?" She questioned. They shook their heads.
By the fifth day, twenty-four people had shown up. Hikari bounced happily, looking between her friends.
"There've never been this many people with us here!" She exclaimed happily. The squads all lined up and they listened to the Jounins talk. They began whispering amongst themselves when they said they'd hold preliminary rounds.
"Wait! What?" Hikari questioned, not completely understanding. She pointed up at Tsunade. "How's that fair? We all worked hard to get here!" She exclaimed.
Tsunade looked stern as she looked down to an all too familiar face. "We are aware of how hard all of you worked, however due to recent events outside of the exams, we must follow through on our normal teditions. Genin will fight and the one who wins will move onto the final exam, after a month to prepare, that is where those of you will be chosen to move on to chunin level depending in how you fight and who wins," Tsunade explained to the group of young ninja's.
Hikari stood there in annoyance as a guy went on about how they'd be matched up to fight one another and whoever won, would make it to the third exam. She huffed in annoyance as two names appeared on a big screen; she didn't know either of them.
The two boys fought, one of them almost dying in the process. Once that match ended, the screen showed two new names. Komonoto Hikari and Ghikia Shun.
Shun looked over to Hikari and gulped.
"That's not allowed!" Hikari exclaimed from up top, shaking her head.
Chatter began to rise through the group of Genin. Tsunade raised her hand ordering for everyone to be quiet; the voices quickly calmed. "Names are chosen randomly, it is allowed, now step up to the ring," Tsunade ordered.
"But we're on the same squad!" Hikari argued, slowly heading down the stairs.
Tsunade seemed to ignore her comment as a Jounin below went through the rules with Shun and Hikari.
"I-I'm sorry, Hikari, but I wont hold back," Shun admitted to her as his head lowered.
"But Shun," Hikari said, looking away. She was debating whether or not to just give up right off the bat.
"Hikari, you can do this!" A voice yelled from above; Naruto and Natsumi stood above with Kureji and Tsunade. "You have to!" Naruto yelled again.
"Go to your corners," The Jounin told the two, Shun quickly made his way to his side.
Hikari practically dragged her feet, her eyes locked on the ground.
"Remember anything goes, now fight!" The Jounin yelled before backing off to the side.
Shun didn't hesitate to pull out a kunai, charging straight for Hikari.
Hikari slowly raised her hand, her head down. She would just forfeit, right?
Shun had finally reached her, slicing the kunai toward her.
She jumped when she felt it graze her skin. Hikari looked up at Shun with wide eyes.
He sighed at her. "Fight! You have to!" He ordered, pulling out another kunai - if she didn't fight he'd have to end it.
She still stood there, her hands shaking.
Shun sighed, they may be friends and teammates but he had done this more then enough times, and he was not going to forefit.
Shun charged for his friend again; he was almost a master at using kunai, no one could beat him with one. He moved with inhuman speed toward Hikari, the kunai slicing her cheek deeply, before he countered by kicking her in the back, sending her flying across the room.
She landed face first against the ground, hardly managing to get up on her hands and knees- Shun had always seemed to be more skilled than her and the thought of fighting him was terrifying.
"Sister you have to do this!" Kazuki yelled from above.
Above Natsumi sighed to herself, if she didn't do something that girl was going to die; she could already read the thoughts of the Shun boy, he was willing to do anything to win, even kill Hikari if needed.
Natsumi pulled up the hood she was wearing to hide her eyes.
"Well, how is she?" Naruto asked Natsumi.
"Not good, her fear level is sky rocketing, she needs my help," Natsumi told Naruto.
"T-then do it," Naruto told her pushing her to the railing so no one could see her eyes.
Natsumi nodded as she starred deeply at Hikari, raising her courage. That should do it, Natsumi thought to herself.
Hikari pushed herself up, suddenly her shaking had stopped. She wiped the blood off her cheek and pulled out her own kunai. "I don't want to do this, Shun!" She cried out, hardly avoiding his punch as she managed to kick him in the side.
"Too bad!" He yelled throwing another kick her way.
She groaned as he landed a kick and she hit the wall. She stood up just in time to avoid a punch. She dizzily threw a punch that managed to hit him in the face and he hit the ground.
Shun seemed surprised as he rubbed his cheek. A smirk fell over his lips as he jumped back up pulling out several kunai with bomb tags attatched. He threw them toward Hikari, jumping to the side.
Her eyes widened in fear as she jumped to the side, landing on her back as the tags exploded. When did he get those, she wondered, forcing herself up. She for once felt hopeless.
From up above Natsumi sighed deeply. This girl needs a lot of help from her. Natsumi serched for her fear and lowered it again, this time heightening her courage, speed, and strength.
Shun yelled loudly as he threw kunai after kunai all attatched by bomb tags.
Hikari easily avoided the kunais and ran at him, drawing her fist back and punching him as hard as she could. "I don't wanna hurt you!" She yelled as he flew into the wall.
Shun almost growled as he stood back up weakly.
Natsumi tried to intensify more of her speed when suddenly she almost screamed.
"W-what is it? What's wrong?" Kureji asked concered as he caught Natsumi before she fell.
"Her nine-tail chakra h-has woken up," Natsumi whispered to the boys.
"Uh oh," Naruto whispered as he looked back down to Hikari.
Hikari's body trembled as she lunged at her friend once more, growling as she threw another punch, hitting him in the side of the head.
"I-If she g-gets anymore angry she will start to grow the nine-tail cloak," Natsumi told the two boys.
Shun stood back up just as she attacked him again, her eyes resembling the nine-tail fox.
Shun seemed nervous as he took a step back, pulling out a kunai that when spread apart turned to four kunai. "What the hell?" He whispered.
She lunged at him again, screaming in the process- her skin was starting to feel like it was on fire.
"H-Hikari?" Shun whispered looking terrified. "What's wrong with you?" He asked backing up a bit.
"W-what the-?" Tsunade asked looking down.
"Heh, did we forget to mention that we found out she's like me?" Naruto asked Tsunade nervously.
"Might be," Tsunade agreed looking down at Hikari nervously. "If she gets out of hand the Jounin will have to stop her," Tsunade said as she watched the cloak slowly appear.
Hikari was telling herself to stop, but her body wasn't listening. She threw Shun into a wall and punched him in the gut.
"Ugh-!" Shun yelled coughing up blood.
Naruto couldn't take it anymore. He jumped off the railing down toward Hikari.
"Naruto, no!" Natsumi yelled, but was too late.
Hikari hit Shun again; she felt like she was beginning to lose conscience.
With the last hit Shun passed out. The Jounin annoucned Hikari the winner and Naruto grabbed her. He dragged her to a back room, putting a slip to her forehead that sucked away the cloak.
Hikari's eyes fell shut as she began to fall. Naruto wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to his chest before she fell completely. "You alright?" He asked almost in a whisper.
She trembled against his chest; it felt like she'd been running a fever. Hikari nodded meekly. "W-What happened?" She questioned.
"The nine-tail chakra awakened, but you won, you get to move on to the last exam," He told her hugging her tightly.
"Oh no!" Hikari gasped out, weakly pulling away from him. "Is Shun okay?"
"He's fine, don't worry," He assured her. "I pulled you away before you could really hurt him,"
She touched her cheek that had a deep cut. "W-Why'd he h-hurt me?" Hikari asked, confused by her friend's actions.
"Natsumi read his thoughts, she said he refused to do these exams again and was even willing to kill you to do it," Naruto explained.
Hikari's eyes widened. "N-No way," She got out.
Naruto nodded. "It's true, when you feel a bit better Natsumi wants to talk to you, she promises she wont hurt you anymore," He assured her.
She relaxed against his chest, trying to ignore the pain she was in. "I-I don't wanna fight someone I care about e-ever again," She whispered.
He laughed. "Well if it makes you feel better, you will be fighting a random kid from the village hidden in the mist," Naruto told her, enjoying the closeness of their bodies.
She gave a weak nod. "Y-Yeah, that helps," Hikari said quietly, still not moving.
Naruto hugged her tightly before pulling away to look into her eyes. "Seems your brother forgives me," He said with a smile.
"Y-Yeah?" SHe asked, almost having forgotten what had happened before.
He nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. "Yup, are you ready to leave? I can help you," He told her brightly.
She nodded and wrapped her shaky arms around his neck. "Y-Yeah," She replied.
Naruto smiled even brighter as he scooped her up in his arms; she was so light, and walked out of the building where Natsumi and Kureji stood waiting for her.
"K-Komonoto, I'm sorry for that one night, but if you are willing to forgive me and my husband, I think you'll find you need our help," Natsumi told Hikari.
Hikari nodded, still not letting go of Naruto.
A small smile fell on Natsumi's lips. "Nice job, ah, I never had to take this exam, but I guess you already know that," She said with a laugh.
Hikari nodded again, watching the screen as it threw out two more random names.
"W-Wait! Where's Shun?" Hikari asked, looking worriedly up at Naruto.
Naruto laughed. "He's fine, he passed out, he's just in the infermery being looked after," He told her calmly.
She let out a breath of relief as she closed her eyes.
"Wanna go home?" He whispered to her.
She nodded against his chest. "Y-Yeah."
Naruto walked past Tsunade when she stopped them.
"Is she alright?"
"Yeah, just needs sleep," He told Tsunade.
Tsunade smiled in relief. "Good job out there, Hikari,"
Hikari frowned a bit. "I-I didn't want to," She mumbled.
Tsunade sighed and rested her hand on her shoulder. "I know, but as shinobi we must not complain, must not show emotion, he was following those rules, it almost looked like you weren't going to," Tsunade pointed out.
"I-I didn't want to, but something m-made me," Hikari got out, looking up at Tsunade with fearful eyes.
Tsunade seemed to shrug off her comment. "Take her home Naruto," She turned back to the match.
Her eyes closed again as she took another shaky breath. She just wanted to go home. Two nights in the forest, then forced into a fight really drained her.
AN: Donee :P
XxSoulNoteWritterxX