~Alai~

The sun was setting behind the trees and Kashi had decided that we had been through enough training for one day. Sasuke sent me one last glare to my retreating back before he himself went home. Kashi who was now standing beside me sighed once we were out of eyesight.

"Kalen is going to kill me..."

"He brought me here!"

"He brought you here to keep you safe, not start fights with an ill-tempered boy."

See, let me explain. I sort of mad Sasuke mad again...

Oops?

'Nah it was fun.'

~Flashback to earlier today~

Kashi had put Sasuke and me in a sparring match as he helped Naruto and Sakura with their speed. It didn't last very long because he still couldn't get past my barrier. To be fair though! I honestly fought with him for a while before just putting up my barrier.

I told him he had to get passed it right?

Well Sasuke seemed to be especially angry today once I was declared winner. So while we watched Kashi's lesson I decided to speak with him.

"Day two and it seems as if you hadn't broken my barrier Sasuke."

He smirked at the challenge and replied. "That barrier will fall, I just need to get stronger..."

"Just fight with your friends Sasuke, it will make you strong enough to beat your brother."

When I mentioned 'friends' Sasuke visibly tensed up and sent a glare my way, eh I was used to it by now. He then turned to look at the ground.

"They're not my friends.."

"That's not what they think."

"They're weak."

"Now you're being silly."

When I called him silly he turned to face me, with one eyebrow arched. He was confused. "...Silly?"

"Yes Silly, they're your friends, your comrades. You just won't see it."

At that moment Sasuke tackled me, his arms were pinning me to the ground beneath us. He was staring directly into my eyes. He was livid.

"Why do you even care!?"

"We're friends right?"

Sasuke's face changed then, it wasn't long but I caught it. His eyes widened and his grip loosened. He was caught off guard by my question. Kashi was watching the whole thing, I noticed that he also saw Sasuke's change in attitude. It was the only reason why he wasn't ripping Sasuke off of me at the moment.

"I have my own reasons for training with you Sasuke, we have a common target. I want you to get stronger. Part of that is what makes us comrades, and from what I've learned about this Ninja society. Comrades are friends."

I tried to use that moment to get Sasuke to make a realization, but when I was finished with my point, he had returned to being completely livid with me. The second I saw that. We heard a voice from above us.

"What's going on here?"

Kashi was standing there looking to Sasuke with a serious look. Sasuke realized that Kashi was standing there and knew that this was over.

"It appears I made him mad again Kashi!" I joked lightly, he shook his head and placed his hand on Sasuke's shoulder. I felt his energy spike a bit, he was sending a warning sign to Sasuke.

"Let her go Sasuke." Sasuke reluctantly got up and settled on giving me death glares while I stood back up. I laughed.

"You know you can't stay mad at me Sasuke! You know you love me!"

I was trying to lighten up the mood but he has no sense of humor, NONE AT ALL...SERIOUSLY!

"As if."

"Alright guys, I think that's enough training for today."

~End Flashback~

So yeah, Sasuke is mad at me. All I did was tell him that he has friends, geez. I know that he understands he has friends, and I think that's why he so mad. He only get's that mad when the obvious truth is pointed out to him.

I was deep in thought about how I could get him to understand that it's ok to have friends when I heard a voice from beside me.

"They're going to be participating in a test soon Alai, you won't be allowed in."

"Or right, I think I remember those. It's like to be a level higher right? You didn't think I'd expect to be in those right?"

"No, but for some reason the others did."

"Others?"

"Gai, Asuma, Kurenai, and Iruka."

"Oh wow! They're the other sensei's? I haven't seen them since I left! But why would they think I should participate. I'm not a ninja."

"Your strong enough to participate in missions with a ninja squad, and you've become part of the teamwork that is Team Seven."

"Well I'm not an actual rank though. So that still makes no sense...KASHI I'M TIRED!"

"Come on, we'll head home."

"We have training tomorrow at 5?"

"That's right."

"Good, so I'll wake you up at four."

"Hm?"

"You heard me, and your going to bed early too, so none of that book."

"I thought I was your guardian..."

"Not when it comes to this, I will get you in the habit of showing up on time!"

~FF to Four am~

When I woke up I grabbed my pillow and crawled off the couch all the way to Kashi's room. Yes I crawled on the floor...why?

Because I just woke up that's why!

I slowly opened Kashi's door, taking out my dagger and pillow. I then stood up and shouted "WAKE UP!" while throwing the pillow at his face. Of course he pretended not to notice as he rolled over. So I chucked my dagger at him, knowing he was awake to catch it. When that happened I ran up and started jumping on his bed.

"WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!" I chanted.

"Can I help you?" Kashi groaned, slightly waking up.

"You thought I was kidding? You know me better than that Kashi." I leaned down next to his ear and screamed. "WAKE UP!"

I stood up and started jumping up and down again while chanting 'Wake up'. After a bit, when he realized I wasn't going to stop, he finally gave in.

"Alright I'm awake, now get out so I can get ready for a shower."

"NO ME FIRST!" I yelled as I booked it to the bathroom, locking the door behind me.

"Why wake me up then?"

"So you can eat then get ready, I'll only be a few so you better be up and functioning when I get out."

I hopped in the shower really quick, did my routine and hopped out. I slipped on my black under armor shorts and my bra so I head outside to the living room for my clothes.

"Kashi?"

"Yes?"

I looked over to my right and saw that Kashi was in the kitchen opening cabinets, he'd actually stayed awake!

"Just checking!"

I turned to my bag and looked for my brush, while I was brushing my hair out I heard something falling to the ground in the kitchen.

"Are you ok Kashi?"

"Why aren't you wearing clothes!"

"It's a bra and shorts, might as well be wearing a bikini. Stop reading those books Kashi."

"You spent too much time in the woods."

"You spend too much time reading that book. You know it's a bad influence on me right? I recommend you stop reading it in front of me."

He then headed to his room quickly to grab his clothes. While he was in the room I grabbed my charms and necklace's off of the sink in the bathroom and returned to the living room so he could take his shower.

I weaved the charms back into the left side of my hair. I touched the six charms gently. Each charm was that of four circles intertwining with each other. They were all held up in place by a deep blue and white colored fabric.

Once my hair was done I put the necklace with Itachi's ring back on, followed by my headband. I thought about how Kalen and Nema were doing.

'I hope they're ok...'

After that I put on the necklace that made it possible for Talon and me to communicate. He was quiet today but that's ok, he usually is. Though we had to talk about Talon giving Sasuke that sight.

By the time Kashi was out of the shower I had already gotten dressed and stolen his book on top of it. Yeah I'm a troublemaker on occasion...

It was when I heard the door open that I was back in the living room putting my weapon pouch on my right thigh and my bow on my right shoulder with it's quiver.

Kashi looked at me when he walked out. "Why wear that?" He knew that my dress was for special occasions.

"I'm a Beckoner, and this is a Beckoner's dress, why should I NOT wear it?"

Kashi shrugged and went to turn into his room. I flinched, almost forgetting I took his book.

"I'm gonna head out first alright? I'll need a head start."

"Hm? Alright.." I heard him mumble from inside the room. I made a run for it at that point, I knew he'd be going right for his book.

I only made it to the street when he poofed in front of me. "Give it back." He said in a serious voice.

"No thank you!" I ducked under his arm and ran for the training grounds.

When I noticed he was catching up I ducked into a populated area, weaving my way through the slow traffic of people in the streets. I jumped through an open window and managed to lose him.

It was easy except the part where I had to explain to the homeowner why I was in his house.

Oops?

When the coast was clear I made a run for the training grounds. He wasn't there yet but Sasuke and Sakura were so I hid in a tree. Sasuke was the only one who caught me running to the tree for safety, he looked up with a questioning look. I only replied with my pointer finger being placed on my lips. Signaling him to keep quiet. He 'Hn'd' and went to sit below me against the tree. In a few minutes Naruto showed up and started taking bets on when Kashi was going to show up.

What Naruto wasn't expecting was Kashi running up seconds later looking around for me frantically.

"Where is 'it'!"

~Sasuke~

I assumed the 'It' Kakashi referred to was Alai, seeing as how she was hiding in the tree above me.

"Uh...'It' Sensei?" Sakura nervously asked, unsure of what just happened. Naruto, being the dope he is replied with. "KAKASHI- SENSEI! YOUR HERE ON TIME!"

Our teacher ignored Naruto and looked at me, he then looked up and knew where she was. He threw a kunai into the tree but I heard her drop down a branch before it could hit her.

Kakashi prepared his Chidori as a warning, making Alai jump down next to me with an arrow drawn. Naruto and Sakura were trying to figure out what was happening, I on the other hand looked to Alai to see that strange outfit she wore to the festival a few days ago.

"I'm serious." Kakashi threatened.

She smirked in return. "And so am I."

"I want it back Alai."

"Promise!"

"Fine deal, now give it back."

"Put down the Chidori and I will."

He let the justsu fade and appeared in front of Alai and me with his hand held out. She knelt down and took his stupid book out of her weapon pouch and placed it in his hand. "Here ya go!"

"ALL THIS OVER THAT STUPID BOOK!?" Naruto yelled from across the field.

"Yes." Kakashi replied calmly as he put it away in his vest. He must have had to promise her not to read it right now.

"Hey! I got him on time again though!" Naruto thought about it for a second and ran up to Alai to give her a high five, which somehow ended up in a hug.

'Tch, stupid dope.'

Kakashi coughed to gain our attention and spoke. "Well now that THAT is settled, I have good news. I have decided to give you guys a simple mission today! You'll have to work on your teamwork."

I glared at Kakashi while Naruto ranted. "You made us come here for THAT!"

"Yup, you'll have to spend the day with each other. On that note have fun!" He sent one glance to Alai before disappearing.

"Hey Sasuke! do you want to go get lunch with me?"

"No."

"But Sasuke-"

"How about you go and train to make yourself more useful. At this point.. Your worse than Naruto."

I shoved my hands in my pockets and walked away. I was going to go train. Naruto then asked if she wanted to train with him and she accepted. When they asked Alai she decline and took off somewhere. I was curious to where she was going at first but I pushed back that thought. I wanted to train on my own.

~?~

I was drawn away from my team by a strange force. I didn't think of what it was, I just let it's curiosity drag me.

It brought me to an abandoned complex, one that contained an overwhelming smell of old blood. Soon my eyes moved to the left when it caught movement. It was a girl who I recognized, she was still contacting spirits and trying to help those who no one else could help. I always found it pathetic but never bothered her about it.

I only watched from a distance until my sand acted on it's own. When her form stopped glowing she started falling to the ground unconscious. It all played in slow motion as my sand slid underneath her. At the same time my sand reached her, a man had also grabbed ahold of her. He wore a strange mask on his face with white hair. He noticed the sand immediately and looked in my direction. As I made my way over to the man and the girl I murmured one word. It was all that mattered.

"Alai."

~Sasuke~

It had been a few hours since everyone split up and I had sensed Naruto's chakra, they got themselves into trouble.

'Looks like I have to save them again.'

I sighed as I made my way over to where Naruto's chakra was spiking. I hid in a tree to observe what was happening and who they were before I would jump in. I wouldn't be stupid like Naruto would be by jumping in without thinking.

Two sand ninja were bothering some little kid and Naruto wasn't having it. Typical.. The girl had blonde hair up in four short pony tails, with a Tessen strapped to her back, she wore a light purple dress with netting underneath. The boy was wearing a all black uniform with paint all over his face, he had some sort of casket on his back.

I picked up a rock when I decided that I could take them and waited for the right moment to peg him. The boy had the kid held up in the air while he squirmed. When I was positive that their attention was drawn by Naruto I smirked and threw the rock at the guy's hand, the force of the rock made him lose his grip on the kid, ignoring Sakura and Naruto I said.

"Your a long way from home and way out of your league."

The two sand ninja turned to face me in the tree, the girl smirked while the boy scowled.

"Great, another guy to piss me off."

He reached back for that casket on his back. "Your going to use crow?" The girl questioned. The purple painted moron was about to answer when someone spoke over him.

"Stop Kankuro."

I looked to my right to catch a boy with a large gourd on his back, he had bright red hair and the word 'Love' written in Kanji on his forehead.

'I hadn't even sensed him! Where'd he come from!?'

What surprised me next was the fact that Alai was sitting next to him swinging her legs back and forth. Kankuro stuttered.

'He's afraid of his own team-mate? I need to know who this is.'

"B-But, they started with me!" He started to make up a lie, but the boy appeared in front of him instantly.

"Stop, or I'll kill you." He said with no emotion at all.

This was what I needed to test my strength, to fight him. If I can beat him, then I might be able to break that stupid barrier of hers.

Kankuro backed up in fear as the other sand boy turned back to the tree. I looked down to him curiously as he stretched out his arms in front of him. I looked over to Alai, who nodded at his signal and dropped down into his arms bridal style. He turned to face his team-mates before putting her down on her own two feet.

"Alai!?" The girl and Naruto asked surprised.

'So she knows them.'

"Hi guys! long time no see yeah?"

"Oh hey baby-girl. We need to catch up some time, you look nice all professional like." Kankuro hit on Alai who laughed as he put his arms around her shoulders. "Hi Kankuro, still a pervert I see. How are you Temari?"

"Same old, where's Kalen and Nema?"

"Around, they're on a lead while I chill here for a bit. Catch up you know?"

I raised an eyebrow, she completely let the fact that she was being hidden from Akatsuki members roll off her back.

'Now that I think of it, Naruto and Sakura don't even know, the only reason I do is because I caught Itachi's ring around Alai's neck.

"We're leaving, I'm sorry for what my team has caused." The boy with the gourd said while walking away. Sakura stopped them with rules about ninja from other villages being in Konoha. The Temari girl explained The Chunin Exams to us, basically Genin from all over the five nations would come to move up to the rank of Chunin.

'Perfect.'

It would be my chance to fight the boy who makes his own team-mates shake with fear. As they turned to leave, Kankuro tried to bring Alai with him, but I jumped down and pulled her behind me. She started to question me when I interrupted.

"Hold on, what's your name?" The girl Temari got excited. "Me?" I shook my head and pointed the red head. "The one with the gourd on his back."

He turned around to face me, "Gaara of the Sand, I am also curious to know your name."

"Sasuke Uchiha." He looked to me another moment before noticing how I had Alai behind me.

"Hey! I bet you want to know my name too!" Naruto shouted, Gaara looked him over before saying. "I could care less." And walking away. This guy was worth my time, his power was unbelievable. I was determined to find him in these Chunin Exams.

"Sasuke?" Alai's small voice was barely heard over Naruto's complaining. I looked over my shoulder and waited for her to continue with whatever she was going to say. "Your kinda hurting my wrist." That's when I looked down and noticed that my hand was wrapped around her wrist tight. I was too busy watching Gaara to notice I still had her held behind me safe.

'Safe? She was already safe, they know her. Why should I care anyway?'

~Alai~

Sasuke had me locked in a tight grip ever since Kankuro was being...well, Kankuro. Although, when he realized what he was doing he quickly dropped my hand like it was burning him and left.

As Naruto sulked and complained about Gaara's statement, I walked after Sasuke. While I was following him, I felt Kashi's power.

"What?" He said when he heard my footsteps.

"We need to talk."

When I told him that I wanted to talk his body stiffened. It was like Sasuke was thinking about something. He then looked to me, and I mean actually looked at me. It was filled with curiosity and for a second, content. It made me smile at the thought of what I'd done. He was showing an emotion other than anger.

'I'm breaking down that wall.'

"We do."

"Glad you agree but-"

~Sasuke~

"Glad you agree but-"

"I have some questions for you first." I had cut her off mid-sentence, I was planning on asking her about the dream from the other night when her face lit up.

'Don't do it.'

"Kashi! Hi!"

'Damnit'

Alai started waving like a crazy person while I scowled, I then placed my hands in my pockets and turned around to face my sensei.

~Kakashi~

When I found my students Naruto and Sakura were arguing and didn't even notice the fact that Alai and Sasuke were slowly making their way apart from the group.

'They're talking.'

With that sand team gone I'd decided to pop up to give Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto their paperwork for the exams. Although when I showed up, Alai was the only one to notice me.

"Kashi! Hi!"

I'd instantly gained attention just then, as Naruto and Sakura turned to yell at me for giving them a boring mission, I looked to Sasuke, he had tensed up when Alai yelled my name. I was curious to know what they were talking about but I doubt I'd find out at the moment.

What really peaked my interest was that when Sasuke turned around to face me, he looked his usual angry self but Alai must have seen something different in his eyes though, because when she noticed how he looked now, her face dropped momentarily before returning to her typical hyperactive personality.

'She's changing him.'

"HEY KAKASHI-SENSEI, ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING!?" Naruto nearly blasted my eardrums out.

"Hm? no I wasn't, but I was looking for you."

As Naruto started shaking from anger at my uncaring tone, Sakura tilted her head to the side before asking. "You were looking for us?"

~Alai~

Kashi pulled out some paperwork and announced to the team. "I'm recommended you for the Chunin Exams, but know that just because I recommended you doesn't mean that you have to do it. It's completely voluntary."

"Wait Sensei, there's only three papers..." Sakura pointed out, this made Sasuke and Naruto look twice at the stack.

"It's for us, your not allowed in Sakura." I joked for a moment before being serious...well, my version of serious.

"Kidding, it's actually me who isn't in the exams."

"Alai, why not!?" Naruto questioned before turning an accusing gaze on Kashi. I explained so he wouldn't start yelling. "I didn't feel it was fair, I mean after all I'm not even actually a ninja. I'd be at a disadvantage."

"But Alai, we can do it together! and I'll protect you through the exams don't you worry about that!"

Sasuke and I flinched at the same time, While his reason was a mystery, mine was clear. I didn't want anymore people getting hurt to protect me. A vow of protection from my old friend was that last thing I wanted.

"Thank you Naruto but remember? I'm only temporary."

Naruto's shoulders slouched for a moment when he thought about how I'm not a permanent member of team seven. I walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder for comfort.

"Don't worry Naruto, I'll be cheering for you!" I gave him, and Sasuke a light hug before Kashi poofed us away to let them think. He had given them the information for where to go at what time if they'd decided to participate.

Kashi decided that it was time for some private training so that I knew how to use a Kunai a little better, but when we got there I couldn't help but comment on his actions previously.

"Your letting Sakura be the decider."

"Hm? What was that?"

"You heard me Kashi, I thought that part of those exams were based on teamwork."

"They are, a squad of three is required to enter the exams. If Naruto and Sasuke knew that though-"

"They would pressure her, hm...good point. AW KASHI! Your such a nice sensei!" I hugged him quickly before he told me that we would be starting training.

I didn't believe Kashi when he said that Kunai's were different from Knives. I'd used a Kunai in the past and aside from the shape, it didn't seem much different. When he made me actually throw them, and actually fight with them though. I could tell the different, my knife was A LOT more sturdy. At one point I even questioned why I should be fighting with them if my knife was better, but he told me that it's incase I don't have my knife with me. He made a point. My knife wasn't from this world, so the chances of me actually finding another one in battle were kind of...low.

"So, what is your progress with Sasuke?" Kashi broke the silence on our way home. I looked over confused. "Huh?"

"You gave him a hug before we left, that kid had no clue what to do, your confusing him."

"I'm supposed to, he's never had a friend before, or at least one that he'll admit to."

"You got him to accept a friend?" He looked genuinely shocked. I shook my head and continued. "Nope but he will! Just you wait!"

Kashi sighed after giving me a look that told me I was crazy and told me that we had to be up in time to meet them in front of the academy. Which means I had to plan a way to get him up tomorrow.

~!~OK here's a new one, hope it's good. At first when I wrote this I had it going a COMPLETELY different way, so I had to change everything around. Meh :3 ANYWAY my boss told me yesterday that I have an official line xD I was dying. He said "Well I know that there is a usual 'Method to your madness' so I figured I'd be better off asking you." "Dave did you just say method to your madness?" "I did, that's your line. So it's the only way to explain any project your working on." Aw I love my Gamestop family 3 First they are trained to not touch my slinky (minus Dave) and now they have learned to accept my craziness with all it's lines! They're amazing.

Speaking of lines, there is a method to my madness people. You will know more soon, SOON MY PRECIOUS. Ok...I'm gonna stop before I start sounding stupid ..

FOLLOW, VOTE, COMMENT 3 love you all and remember the only characters I own are Alai, Nema, and Kalen right now, oh and Talon. :) Everything else is only being used to create the amazingness that is my story :D ~!~ DawnxAingeal