KiraSan here, Sorry for the long absence. I been sick with fever, having not so fun days. But now that I risen from the dead, back to writing! Reviews please,

lots love.

Chapter 9

Fall seemed to pass by very quickly, I still trained and studied very hard, now with the occasional help of my future teammates. Lee would help me with my

exercises and strengthen my taijutsu, everyday he would vigorously push my body and built up my stamina. Tenten would help me with my kunai practice or

any other weapons I was interested in, which were senbons at the moment. She would train me on accuracy and usually train with me on the dummy. Neji

helped me on my chakra control, it was then I discovered his kekkei genkai. When he first activated his byakugan at me, I stared at his eyes, speechless.

"What?" he said as he noticed me staring. I didn't say anything, looking away. I had the image stuck in my head, the veins around his eyes bulging, it had

frighten me at first. I had slapped myself mentally, what a stupid thing to fret over, I thought. "I'm sorry Neji, that was rude of me. It's just...your eyes caught

me off guard." I snuck a glance at him, he was turned the other way 'Have I insulted him?' I wondered. "I told you I was in the Hyuuga Clan," he said finally, I

looked up to him, "Everyone in the clan has a kekkei genkai called Byakugan, we are able to see the flow of chakra in just about everything, especially people."

I thought silently, "So you were gonna use your byakugan to help me with my chakra training?" I said. He nodded. "Sorry Neji, but now that I know that and

your kekkei genkai, I understand. Let's start."

After molding my chakra a few times as Neji watched, he finally told me, "You do have a great amount of chakra, but you seem to have trouble circulating the

chaka in your lower half of your body," I sighed as I sat down, "That's what Iruka-sensei told me, but I don't understand it, I have no trouble in my upper half,

but when I reach the bottom, it's like I'm blocked. Does that makes sense?" I explained, looking at Neji. "Do it again," he said, gazing at my legs. I got up

confused, but I trusted Neji's reason, whatever it was. I began to mold my chakra again, "Concentrate harder and build up more chakra" he said. I did what he

told me, building up more chakra. Then I felt his fingers hit my thighs and calves. My eyes shot open, a light blush crept on my cheeks, "What was that for?" I

said. "Some tracks of chakra were stopped, like they were overshot. But now, you should be able to channel your chakra to your lower half now." he said. I

looked down to my legs then back at Neji, "Alright, I'll try again." I started to build up my chakra, and started to move it around my body. I gasped when I felt

the energy go to my legs, "Neji, I feel it, I'm doing it." I said happily. I released my hold and looked at Neji, "Thank you, Thank you so much Neji" I smiled.

"You're welcome," he said, slightly turning away. I grinned at his slight embarrassment.

As the winter progress, Grandmother and I were furnishing the cafe. We had bought tables and chairs with few decorations, "Not a lot, We need to keep it

simple, We don't want to overstimulated the mind, we want the customers to be relaxed." she said. After my training, we would tackle the cafe's kitchen,

cleaning everything out and stocking up with utensils and other things. "I think we can open the cafe in the new year," she said as we finished the kitchen, "Of

course, I'm gonna need some hired help, I can't always rely on you once you become a genin" I grinned at her, "I'll help out when I'm not busy," She smiled,

ruffling my now short multi-layered hair "I know you will, just focus on becoming a genin"

I stretched after completing my exercises, Team Gai was sent out on another mission, I had said my goodbyes to the team and waited upon their return. The

usual sit ups, push ups, curl ups, pull ups, I was able to do a hundred plus before becoming exhausted and my lap count had increased as well, about forty-

five at a steady pace. The weight training Gai had given me before, I now had a total of sixty pounds on me, thirty on each leg. I had noticed when I took the

weights off, that my speed increased dramatically from before. I kept pushing, telling Gai I wanted to increase the weight once I adapted to these. I began to

start my laps as I went deep in thought of my progress these few months. My strength, stamina, and speed had all increased tremendously from what I was

before. Yeah, I wasn't still at the same level as Neji or the others, but in time and more training, I can still catch up to them. I had perfected my water clones

and some other water jutsus easily because of my kekkei genkai, but I still couldn't fully tap into it either. It frustrated me, because once I thought I figured

how to use the bloodline, it backfires and I start the process over. As much as I hated coming to this conclusion, but I had to rely on water jutsus, or by some

miracle, I can get my clan's writings and teachings. I continued my laps in silence until I finished, and went on with the rest of the day.

Sundays were suppose to be my days off from training and studying, from what my senseis would tell me. But I would always be busy that day as well, until

Grandmother had something to say about that. I was rereading a text about chakra flow when Grandmother came into my room. "Kira, it's not healthy always

be studying and training all the time" she said at my doorway, I looked up from the scroll I was reading from, "But Grandmother..." I began. "No excuses!

Today is suppose to be a day to relax, so I'm taking you out with me to collect tea leaves today" Before I could protest any further, she handed me a basket,

"Dress warm, it's a cold day and we are doing some light traveling" she said as she left my room. After that moment, I chuckled to myself, 'Even if I become the

strongest kunoichi, I will never win an argument over Grandmother' I thought. I scanned my closet for some warm clothing, but frowned, I didn't go buy winter

clothing for situations like these, all I had were my shorts and a small array of tops. I put the sleeves on my jacket so at least something will keep me warm,

and I saw the cloak I wore when I first came to this village, 'in case it gets more cold' I thought as I grabbed it along with the basket and made my way out of

the room.

Grandmother and I traveled through the forest outside of the Konoha Village, "Remember the previous village at the other end of this forest? The one where

the man who gave us a ride dropped us off? Well, he said that village grows many types of tea leaves. He said if I come whenever I wanted to help myself to

some tea." We continued traveling when a thought popped up, "But Grandmother, it's winter. Crops don't usually grow in this season." She only seemed to

hum to my statement, "You'll see." I shrugged my shoulders, 'I guess I'll find out when we reach the village'.

Early noon, we had finally reached the village, I clutched the cloak around me, the wind had turned colder from early and the sun now hid behind some clouds.

I followed Grandmother weaving through the throng of people, it was really crowded at this hour. As I continued to follow her, something bumped into me

causing me to fall back. "Oww." I said through clenched teeth and felt something in front of me. A small body laid on my stomach, between my legs, it seemed

to be shaking and dirty. I angled my head to the side, "Are you alright?" I said, hoping to get a reply from whatever was on me. A pair of hard steel grey eyes

glared at me, "Watch where ya goin!" yelled the young boy, scrambling to his feet, clutching something tightly in his hands while running out of sight. I

watched as the boy disappeared and felt someone grabbed my shoulder, I looked up to see Grandmother and the man I have met before. "Are you alright?"

he said helping me up. "Yes, I'm fine. But who was that child just now? I said, still looking to where the boy disappeared at. I heard a heavy sigh came from

the man, "That boy has been causing trouble ever since his father passed away." I looked at the man, figuring what I heard was true, "his father died?" He

nodded, "Let's continue this at my home where it's warm."

Grandmother and I were sitting in the kind man's home, Tatsu as he introduced himself. His two daughters and wife with baby boy in her arms were sitting by

the fire as we were given a light meal. After we had finished, I looked to Tatsu, "About the boy" I asked. He nodded, "His name is Haru, he and his father lived

in this village, collecting roots and herbs to sell just to get by." "What about his mother?" I asked, staring intently at Tatsu, who heaved another sigh. "She

passed while giving birth to Haru." I fell silent as Tatsu continued, "Not living in the best conditions, his father became sick and bedridden. Haru continued to

look for whatever roots or herbs he could find to sell for his father. But soon enough, his father passed away. Some villagers offered to take care of him, but he

ran away from us. The only time we see him if he's stealing food like today." I thought back, remember he was holding something when he ran, that was most

likely food. 'Poor boy,' I thought, trying to put myself in his situation, I grew more sad thinking how it must have been for him, to be alone and your only family

gone. A silent tear escape from my eye, "Kira," comforted my grandmother. I shook my head, "I'm fine, but I'm going to help him, he doesn't deserve to be

alone" I said as I grabbed my cloak and basket, "I'll be back.". With that I dashed out in the cold.

I searched outside of the village's edge, 'he went in this direction, so I wonder how far he's gone' I thought as I ventured out to a smaller wooded area. I

searched and searched wondering where he is or what I'm doing is foolish. I sighed as I sat on a fallen log with my basket besides me. Will I find him, I

wondered as I took a short rest. "Why are you looking for me?" called an annoyed voice, I glanced above me and saw the boy sitting on a branch. I got up,

looking at him, "How do you know I was looking for you?" I said in mock concern, "Maybe I was looking for something else." He jumped down from the tree,

"Like what?" he said. I placed my hands on my hips, "An apology. That was rude of you earlier to crash into me and leave without saying anything" I said,

staring hard at the boy, "I want an apology Haru." He stepped back, "How do you know my name? And don't treat me like a child!" he exclaimed. I tried to hide

my grin, I step toward him and I ruffled his dark hair, "But why? You are a child." I said as I held his face in my hands. A look of shock came over him as he tried

to free himself, "Knock it off, it's not funny!" he said, struggling. "No." I said, still holding his face. Then I felt his hand smack me across my face, I released him

and he fell back. He had a shock expression as he stared at me. I got up and turned away from him, "I'm sorry Haru, I shouldn't have provoked you so much. I

know your name because I asked one of the villagers and I heard about what happened to you. I'm sorry your father had passed away, you must feel very

lonely and sad that he's gone. I bet you were trying to be brave and not bother anyone. But I'm sure he wouldn't want you to live this way, without someone

to love you and to be alone. No parent wants their child to feel such a way." I turned to Haru, saddness in my eyes and tears about to overflow, "I'm sorry, but

when I think something such as terrible happening to my father, it's barely a glimpse of what you're feeling" I said, "I'm sorry, I'll get out of your way" As I was

about to leave, I felt arms around my waist. I looked over to see Haru's face buried and a muffled cry. I unwrapped his arms and kneeled in front of him, "P-

Papa told me to b-be br-rave..." he cried uncontrollably, "P-Papa said for me t-to b-be a big kid..." I held Haru, "It's okay. It's alright." I cooed, patting his back.

After a while, he had finished crying and became silent. I looked at him, "How old are you Haru?" I asked. He sniffed, "I'm eight years old." He gazed at me

then asked, "What's your name, miss?" I smiled at him, "My name is Kira" He grew quiet for a bit until his stomach growled loudly, his face flushed, I giggled.

"Are you hungry?" I asked. He nodded. "Well if we go to the village, we can go to the villager I was staying with for today, he'll give you something to eat" He

looked unsure, I patted his head, "Are you afraid of the villagers?" I asked. He nodded, "What if they're still mad of all the things I've done?" he said. I smiled,

"I'm sure if you apologized, they would forgive you" I got up and grabbed my basket, and held my hand out to Haru, "I'll be with you. Every step of the way."

He grabbed my hand, a small smile on his face, "Ok,"

I pulled the small open cart behind me as I followed Grandmother through the forest, we were on our way back to Konoha. In the back was a large amount of

budding plants. "So you wanted the small budding tea plants that they had over there Grandmother" I said as following her in the darkening forest, it was

already dusk. "Yes I want to plant a tea garden in the small backyard we have, so I can make my own blend of tea and we don't have to worry about buying

more" I nodded, "Sounds fun." Grandmother carried a wrapped packaged in her basket, "While you were gone, I made a several blends that would last us a

while till we make our own from these little buds" she said as she patted the basket. As we left the forest and the village gates came to view, I smiled looking

back at the cart, "Well, at least we have a new helper" Grandmother laughed, "Yes, we have a new member in our family"

I smiled at a sleeping Haru on the cart, covered in my cloak.

"Yes, our family." I smiled softly to myself as a chilled wind blew, I sneezed.