Jigokuen no Taka

by Void'sEclipse

Kakashi Hatake, a man powerful and skilled; a genius or prodigy among his fellow shinobi. When this young man comes upon something found in one of Orochimaru's abandoned labs, something not human, he decides to take her to his home. When told to raise her, turn her into a shinobi, he does as told. But what happens when as they both age, and there's a stirring in his gut?KakashiXOC

7. Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Distractions Thanks To the Captain

"Cross...Cross," my eyes open up to find a single black eye staring down at me. Too close! I startle and jump from my bed. However, I don't land right and end up gracefully on my ass.

I groan at the sudden pain to my poor tail, as I had landed on it, "Damn it Kakashi! What did I tell you about doing that?" Damn him, getting too close for my comfort. I glare at him hostilely. This apartment is the only place where I can actually relax and get a deepish sleep. And he uses it to his advantage to creep up on me like that. "What the hell do you want? Is it my turn to make breakfast or something?" We alternate on who makes what meals every other day. Did I mention that I'm not a morning person? I suck it up during a mission- or use my foul mood to my advantage- but yea. I hate being woken up by anyone other than myself.

Kakashi eye smiles at me with a shake of his head, "Nope!"

"Then what?"

"It's just time for you to get up. Why don't you go and see if Hokage-sama has any missions for you?"

I sigh and shake my head before placing my hands on his chest and pushing him backwards out of the room, "Fine fine! But you have to get out so I can get dressed". I watch as he looks down to my attire to find that I'm in nothing but a short sleeved shirt that's too big for me and some undies.

I also watch as his eye widens and the bridge of his nose is dusted with pink, "S-sorry!" He offers. "I-I figured you had more than just...Just...," he trails off. I blink rapidly as he seems to fall into something every guy his age tends to do...Look me over. I can't help but blush and glare all in one, silently waiting for him to snap out of his boyish ways.

However, he takes too long for my likings, and I snap, "Pervert!"

This seems to do the trick, and his eye meets both of mine. "I- Wait!" I push him harder out of my room. "Come one Cross! You know I didn't mean to look at you like that! H-hey!" Just as I slam the door on him, he questions, "Hey, isn't that my shir-," enter slam of the door here.

"No!" I growl out. Actually, it is. Not that I'd tell him that.

I sigh in slight frustration. No mission today? Why not? I need something to do damn it! I sigh again as I walk out of Hokage Tower, a slight stomp to my foot. "Thanks a lot old man!" I throw my hands into the air. "'It's a beautiful day! A girl your age should be outside having fun with her boyfriend or just her friends'. I don't even have a boyfriend. And I can't find hide nor hair of Yugao or Kuranai. Maybe they're on missions? It'd make sense since I can't find Guy or Asuma. And Iruka is off teaching at the academy". I sigh as I walk down the street in my usual leather attire, hands behind my head casually as I watch the blue sky. Maybe I can just fly the day away.

"Come Itachi! We're gonna be late if you keep on walking so slow!" I hear a young familiar voice, which then grunts as the voice's owner runs into my legs. I look down to see Sasuke staring up at me with an unhappy gaze to his eyes. However, I can tell he remembers last time he saw me when he dissed Naruto and made me angry. "Hey! Look where you're going!" But, like any prideful boy, he ignores the fact that I could kill him in an instant. Not that I would.

I raise a brow but roll my eyes afterwords. I'm not in the mood to play; it's been an annoying morning. "Sorry Sasuke," I tell him before making my way forward.

"Cross?" Itachi speaks up as I begin to pass him. There's a look of confusion on his otherwise calm face. "Are you alright? You seem rather unhappy".

I sigh and look to him, "I'm bored out of my mind, Itachi," I tell him. "First, Kakashi wakes me up for no reason. Then he stares at me because all I ever sleep in is a long shirt and undies. Then I go off to see Hokage-sama to see if I have any missions. Nope. What does he tell me to do instead? 'It's a beautiful day! A girl your age should be outside having fun with her boyfriend or just her friends'. I can't find any of my friends; I refuse to talk to Kakashi until I go home. You're the only friend who doesn't seem to be busy with a mission, but instead you're with Sasuke. I refuse to take you from him let alone try. And finally, I don't even have a boyfriend". All this I end with an annoyed huff.

I watch as the two brothers blink identically dark eyes at me. That is until, "You should come with us to the Academy," Itachi offers. "Iruka decided to do something called 'share your shinobi sibling'. According to Sasuke, those with shinobi roots can bring either a clan member or even a parent or a sibling. Sasuke opted to tag me along, obviously".

I ponder on this for a little while before sighing. I'm not a huge fan of kids but...I would like to see just what Iruka is planning. Maybe finally giving the kiddies a break or something? I don't know. "I guess I'll tag along with you," I shrug out and join them in walking. It doesn't take us long to get there, and soon enough we're in the very room where I last saw Iruka teaching. I see shinobi that I've either worked with or simply seen passing by. Most of them the latter. A few of them I've worked with, like the Inuzuka boy's sister, and the Aburme boy's father. As Sasuke and Itachi go to the former's desk, I look around cluelessly. The only one without a family member is..., "Naruto!" I smile to him. His head picks itself up off the desk as he hears an obviously familiar voice. I don't bother to put on the mask that lays hidden in my left shuriken pouch. I doubt he'll let on to knowing who I am when he sees my leather clad form. He's not as stupid as he looks. I think he just sucks ass at tests and doesn't learn well simply from learning from a book as most of our shinobi do. In all reality, he's probably a kinetic learner. Vibrant blue eyes land on my leather clad form and his eyes widen when he realizes that I'm looking right back at him. He points at himself questioningly, and I beam and nod before making my way towards him. I sit in front of him on his desk. "Is it alright if I play the role of 'sibling' for you?"

"Ummmm...Lady...You're pretty and all but...Who are you?" See? Told you he wouldn't.

I roll my molten golden orbs, "Come now," I tell him, leaning forward and lowering my voice to a whisper. "It's much too loud in here for anyone to hear you when they're paying attention to someone else. I know you know who I am". Come on. Make me right.

He's silent for a moment before I hear his mouth open, "...Falcon...?"

"Bingo," I sing song. "I heard that this nonsense was going on and decided to come along and play the role of sister". I grin to him. Thanks Itachi. You're helping put light into this boy's eyes.

His eyes are wide and hopeful, "You'd do that for me? I thought you hated me since I always caused you and Dog trouble".

I laugh, "No. You make my days entertaining. It's funny to watch full grown Anbu men and women scramble to catch one kid". This makes him beam to me, and I get up before easily vaulting over the desk and sitting down next to him.

"Alright everyone!" I hear Iruka's voice call over all the talking. "If you will all find seats to sit in next to your family members, that would be great!" It takes little to no time for the older shinobi to do as their told, getting the ninja wannabes to do as their told as well. I'm sure that made Iruka's life a whole lot easier. "Alright. So, I'm fairly certain that the children have explained to you what I wanted to do today. It's something a little different, but it encompasses team work and allows family members to bond as I'm sure you don't see your brother or sister or whomever you brought with you today as much as you like. We should be grateful that Hokage-sama has agreed to let this occur, seeing as so many of our active shinobi aren't on missions as they rightly should be. Now. We will be doing multiple things today, each of which I'll explain when we get to them. First thing's first. The one who was brought along to class will come to the front and introduce themselves. Their name, age, rank, and if they so please, what type of ninja skill they specialize in if they do". His eyes roam the class room, "Who would like to go first?"

It is silent and then, "I'll go first, Iruka-san," a man speaks up, standing from a blonde girl's side. His own hair is blonde, however a lighter tint than his daughter's, and his eyes are pupiless and blue-green. His hair itself is has a spiky top layer, while the rest of it is in a long pony tail. Over a long sleeved black shirt and a flack jacket, he wears a red haori as well as black pants and shinobi sandals. His hitai-ate is around its namesake, and his jaw is strong and defined.

Iruka smiles, "Excellent. Thank you". He remains behind his desk, out of the way for the guest to take the floor. Literally.

The blond man makes his way down the large stairs of the room before coming to the level ground that is the front of the room. "My name is Inoichi Yamanaka, I am Ino's father, and head of the Yamanaka clan. Currently, I am thirty eight years old, and I am a Jonin of this village as well as part of Konoha's Torture and Interrogation Force, Intelligence Division. As my profession suggests, I specialize in not using physical means of breaking someone for information, but rather the mental means. I break my way into someone's mind and steal what information they cannot keep from me". That said, he makes his way to his spot next to his daughter.

Next to come down to the front is a man who carries himself in such a way that it seems lazy. He has a short and pointy goatee, and his hair is pulled up into a spiky pony tail while being a dark color like his eyes. His ears are pierced, and the right side of his face sports two scars; both being diagonal and pointing towards the middle of his forehead, one just above his eyebrow on the side of his face and the other on his chin. He wears a short sleeved fishnet shirt under a dark green flack jacket and what looks to be a deer skin jacket. On his hands are hand guards, and his pants are of the usual dark color and long. His words are slow, but not so slow as to droll, just...Placed as though he didn't feel like being here. He sighs, "My name, is Shikaku Nara, I am Shikamaru's old man. I am head of the Nara clan, a deer hearder, and a Jonin Comander. I'll probably be making up all of your teams strategies when you go out on a mission. If I don't, then the mission probably isn't a high enough rank. Right now I'm thirty eight like Inoichi, and over all I'm a strategist. I assure you, I can think of a thousand ways to kill each and every one of you while you're sitting there without me really having to do much". So he's confident in his skills...I like him. I grin.

Next up is a large guy, his body round but not even close to being fat. You can tell by the way he walks that all of that roundness is nothing but muscle. This guy has long, red hair and purple markings on his cheeks, and he seems to constantly keep his eyes closed for some reason. He wears a samurai like outfit which is a black suit completed with armor that has the kanji for 'food' on it. He also wears a rope belt, hand-guards, and instead of a hitai-ate, there is a hachimaki tied around his head. At some point in time, he also wears a pair of silver hooped earrings for whatever reason. As he speaks, his tone of voice is friendly and kind, "It's nice to meet you all. My name is Choza Akimichi, I am the head of the Akimichi clan and the father of a wonderful son- whom you all know as Choji. Like my two good friends Inoichi and Shikaku, I am a young thirty eight, and I'm a Jonin of our home. To put what I specialize in simply, I focus around my clan's own special jutsus and use them to my advantage in any way I can. Thank you for listening to me talk on". Politely the man bows, and he makes his way back to his son, who sits behind Naruto and I. Nice guy. It's always the nice ones you don't wanna piss off the most. Piss them off, and they'll tear you apart.

"It's nice to meet the lot of you!" This man speaks up. "My name is Kizashi Haruno, and I am my lovely little cherry blossom's, Sakura's, father".

There's an embarrassed groan of, "Dad," and I hear a face palm. Heh. Poor girl, having to deal with such a friendly man.

"I may not look it, but I was once a Jonin of this village, and have the luck of living to the age of forty two. Sadly, due to an injury to my knee, I can no longer fight to the fullest of my ability. I used to specialize in Genjutsu". Kizashi is a kind-faced man with blue eyes, and dull-pink hair which is styled into the shape of a cherry blossom. He also has sideburns which flow into his angular mustache and a bit of stubble on his chin. He wears a dark, loose-fitting kimono-shirt which has a green, inner-lining and sleeves which extend beyond his kimono shirt. This is held closed by a simple obi which he wears along with a burgundy colored three quarters length pants, and a pair of simple slippers. He also wears a simple silver necklace with a pink cherry blossom design on it with a single petal being deep red in color. With a grin to us and a chuckle at his daughter's groaning, his struts his way happily back to his spot, ruffling his daughter's hair lovingly before he sits.

Next up is one of the few people I've worked with in my short shinobi career. She casually makes her way down the stairs and takes the front of the room with the air of confidence I knew she would. She's a Chunin, and I've only talked to her about once or twice while not on a mission, but she's a likable woman. Hana has long brown hair which she wears in a ponytail with two locks of hair framing her face and, large, black eyes. She also wears a light shade of lipstick and has the traditional fang-like tattoos of the Inuzuka clan on both of her cheeks, in addition to a tattoo on her upper right arm that resembles a flower. Hana wears a form-fitting variation of the Konoha flak jacket which doesn't have any chest pockets and she keeps the front of her jacket unzipped, exposing her cleavage She also wears a pair of form-fitting shorts cut just above the knee, bandages just below her tattoo and wrist-warmers. Hana noticeably has a softer appearance than the other members of her family, not having extended canines or slit-like eyes, and wild, untamed hair. I think she might have gotten those features from her dad. Or maybe that's simply how some Inuzuka look. "Afternoon all," she speaks, her tone and body language obviously much more clam than compared to what I've heard her mother to be. The way the brother dresses, he takes after his mother. "My name is Hana, I'm eighteen, and if you can't guess what clan I'm from, then that's your own issue. These three ninken are my partners for life, the Himaru Brothers. Though I'm a Chunin, I'm a Medic Nin, so feel free to come to me if you need to be patched up. If any of you find a hurt animal, you can also bring them to my veterinary clinic on the edge of my clan's compound. I'm there most of the time". She travels her way back to her spot, the Himaru Triplets trotting ahead of her and each taking a spot around her chair- one on each side and the third behind her.

Continuing along with the introductions- which are taking a lot longer than I honestly expected them to- a young woman with brown hair to her shoulders, pale lavender and pupiless eyes, and your traditional kimono for a woman walks down the stairs and bows low. "Greetings. I am a Chunin from the Hyuuga clan's branch family, here for Hinata-sama. My name is Sumi, I am twenty years old, and I am proficient in my clan's art. Please take care of Hinata-sama while I am not here. Thank you". Sumi lightly makes her way up the stairs. But in those dainty steps that make her seem shy, I see a strong woman.

The next guy I've only heard stories about in that he's a bit on the creepy side. However, I've yet to see anyone from the Aburme clan who isn't at least a little bit on that weird side. Shibi, like all members of his clan for whatever reason, has his eyes obscured by dark glasses which feature a single tassel hanging down from one-side. He has very spiky short black hair and a moustache. He wears a high collared outfit, while carrying a gourd on his back that is used for holding kikaichu- which are special bugs that also live in his body and act something like ninken do for the Inuzukas. "My name is Shibi Aburne. I am a Jonin and am age thirty nine. I am also Shino's father". That's all he gives us. Not surprising. I've had a good number of missions with at least one Aburme on is and no matter who it is, they're very cautious and don't underestimate a single thing.

Finally, Itachi decides to stand from his spot, causing girls and women alike to let their eyes land on him and begin to spew something about his beauty. There's girls who say, 'He's just as hot as Sasuke-kun!' And there's women who giggle to one another, 'He's going to be a gorgeous man when he's older'. I can practically see the lust dripping from those words. Itachi stands before the class room silently, and doesn't speak for a moment or two. When my eyes meet his own, though, he does talk. "My name is Itachi Uchiha. I am Sasuke's older brother, and I am thirteen years old. Currently, I am an Anbu Captain". Being Itachi, of course he refuses to give out anything other than that. For whatever reason, his eyes won't leave mine as he talks. Maybe he's telling me not to give much away as well? That's probably a good idea.

"Alright everyone, we have one more person to go and then we can begin the fun," Iruka smiles out. "Cross, if you would please finish this off?"

"Sure thing Iruka," I grin out. I stand, and make my way easily down the stairs, my strides even and confident. Once in font of the room, I stand there with my arms casually crossed under my bust, feet shoulder width apart and a smirk on my face. "Nice to meet you all. Some of you I've worked with, some of you I've only heard about. And for you kiddies, I'll give you my name. I'm Cross, and even though it's not on paper, Naruto back there is my kid brother through and through. As of today, I'm seventeen years old, and I'm an Anbu. As for how I fight. Heh. Make it to Anbu and we'll have a spar". I grin, flashing them harmless fangs. I look over to my friend and tilt my head casually, "That good enough for you, Iruka?"

He nods. "Perfect". I make my way casually to Naruto's side again, using his head as an arm rest much to his disliking. "Now, I was going to do a trivia round but...I'm not sure we have enough time for that". The lot of us shake our heads. No one wants to answer trivia questions on a nice day like this. Silly Iruka, being all teacher-y even to us Jonin and Anbu. "Alright. Then we'll head outside to the three legged race". Cool!

As we file out of the room, I find myself next to Itachi, while Sasuke is on his free side, and Naruto is on my own. The little blonde ball of energy couldn't be more excited for something like this. I can't blame him. However, Sasuke decides to be a dick. "So dobe. How come no one ever told you that you were on the good side of an Anbu?"

"Sasuke," Itachi chastises, "That was rude. Apologize immediately". He's obviously unhappy with the over confidence and snobbish behavior from the boy. I've seen this syndrome in many Uchihas and Hyuugas before though. Their Kekkei Genkai are the two most powerful in the village, and two of the most famous in the entire shinobi world. Of course they'd get cocky. I hate it.

"Shut up Sasuke! Just because your brother is blood related to you doesn't make my sister any less awesome!" Naruto growls out from my right, and I can't help but smile at the come back. Sure he should have kept his mouth shut, but still being called awesome is pretty awesome in itself. "Right, Fal- I mean...Cross-chan?"

Oh good, he didn't call me by my title. I don't need that nonsense, "You should have kept your mouth shut too, mister," I scold him lightly, making a frown mar is face and his blue eyes lower unhappily. "But...It's awesome being called awesome, let alone being called your sister, is awesome in and of itself".

Blue eyes light up like a crack of lightning and he beams up to me, "Really?! You really mean that?"

I grin down at him and ruffle his blonde hair, "You betcha kiddo". I really do like this kid. He's such a pure soul. It takes us no time at all to make it to the outside of the Academy, and yet we remain within the walls of the grounds.

"Alright, pair up with your family members, and then tie together your closest legs. We're going to have a three legged race," Iruka instructs as he hands off rope for us to tie our legs together.

"Really? What a drag," the Nara members intone as one, sighing as they do so. Heh. Like father like son I guess.

"Yes, Shikaku-san, Shikamaru, really," Iruka replies simply.

"Hold still Naruto while I do this. Okay?" I tell the blond, and he nods once while I bring our legs nice and close to tie them off. He really is a tiny boy for his age. But, no matter. I'm sure he'll sprout up when he's older. He nods and does as told.

Once everyone is tied as they should be and Iruka has checked all of the ropes, he stands before us. We lot are lined up in front of a simple land mark: the doors of the Academy. "Alright everyone. The name of the game is to go around the Academy three times and be in first place to win. What you win will be told later. No ninjutsu, it's a race so you can't use any handsigns. No genjutsu, on that note, either. You may attack one another, but do not aim to kill nor seriously injure. It's a game, not a life or death situation. No going over the Academy. The more experienced shinobi are just here to be along for the ride. The kids must find a way to win their own way. If the idea is a bad one, say nothing; they need to learn. If all these rules are understood...Then get ready...Set...Go!"

While everyone else takes off, my eyes fall to a panicking Naruto who grabs at his hair and muttering about how he's going to fail and make us both look like losers. Especially in front of Sakura. A crush does he have? Looks like it. "Come now Naruto," I prompt, "Calm down and think. Iruka said no nin or genjutsu. But he never said we couldn't use other tools".

"Yea! But I don't have anything really other than crappy kunai and shuriken! We're already in the back! If we attack anyone we'll be slower!" He pauses before looking me over, "You wouldn't happen to have some cool and fancy ninja gear other than shuriken and kunai would you?"

I raise a brow, "I've got ninja wire, smoke bombs, explosive tags and sticky bombs. But that's it".

Naruto grins. And motions for me to give them to him, which I do. "I've got a plan. We're gonna set traps". Naruto...You sly fox you! 'Atta boy! We hobble our way this way and that, setting up different traps here and there. The first round of traps will be wonderful to see. When we hear foot steps coming, I leap, taking Naruto up with me to the roof of the Academy. We're not going over it, we're just on it. We watch as It's Kiba and Hana at the front, being followed up by Ino and Inoichi surprisingly enough. Just a little closer and...Bam! As soon as a pair of feet trip the ninja wire that Naruto set up, sticky bombs come flying their direction, having been thrown my home made trip sling shots. They hit not their bodies, but the ground and their feet. I watch with amazement as Naruto's trap works wonderfully, trapping not only the Yamanaka pair, but the Inuzuka, Akimichi, and Haruno pairs as well. Naruto smiles me and questions. "Ready?"

"When you are, Captain," I nod out with a beaming grin. His eyes widen and he stares at me for a second. I don't know why calling him Captain would make him so happy but...It did.

"Then let's go!" He points forward.

"Yes sir!" I cheer, and wrap my tail around his torso around his arms and around my upper leg. His arms wrap around my waist, and his free leg wraps around his and my tied ones. This gives us a good amount of stability as I take off and dive towards the ground. With a strong push of my wings, we don't land on the earth's crust, but fly a few feet above it. It takes us no time at all for us to catch up to those who weren't caught by the first trap. That is, Itachi and Sasuke in the front, with Shino and Shibi coming close to them, next up the Hyuuga pair, with finally- amazingly- the Nara pair in the back. As we pass up the Nara par and the Hyuuga pair, that just leaves the Aburme and Uchiha pairs to pass. And we're already on the second round. As I push forward, I feel the tiny bugs of the Aburme clan crawling on my skin, but do nothing. I know for a fact that my chakra well- and Naruto's for the matter- is big enough that it will take the bugs a while before they can really start to drain either of us.

"Deploy smoke bombs!" Naruto commands over the air that whips passed us as we pass up the Aburme pair. I pull multiple smoke bombs from my left shuriken pouch and let them hit the ground, obscuring the path behind us. "Now...Fly like you never flew before Cross-chan!"

"Sir!" I nod out, and grin to myself. "Hold on for dear life, Captain," I tell him. I grin, and bring my wings up and forward as we hover for just a second. Just as we're about to slow down, I push as hard as I can, shooting us forward and kicking up whirl winds of dust and air behind us. I repeat this multiple times before finally we soar passed the finish line and there's a bell rung by Iruka. Hearing this, I flip our bodies over, furl my wings and let us fall into the ground. "Plant your feet...Now Naruto," I tell him as my free hand of talons meet the earth and tear it up, while two pairs of feet plant their balls to help my talons. Seeing as we're not slowing down fast enough for my likings, I unfurl my wings and let them catch the wind, which in the end brings us to a complete stop. When we are stopped, I pull my talons out of the now torn up ground and shake whatever left over dirt is on them.

"Winners of the three legged race are: Naruto and Cross!" Iruka calls out as the others either finally get out of the messy glob that they were caught by the sticky bombs or simply catching up to us.

"Alright!" I cheer, Naruto and I releasing each other while my tail easily cuts through the rope holding us together. I crouch a bit and hold out my clawed hand for a low-five, "Give me five, Captain". His smaller hand slaps mine in enthusiasm.

As we settle, Sakura, now untied from her father and sticky-less, questions, "Umm. Cross-san...? Why do you keep on calling Naruto 'Captain'?"

"Why do you think?" I raise a brow. "Naruto was the team leader. In Anbu terms, that makes him the Captain. If he were already a Captain in Anbu, he'd be Captain and then his his title". I grin down at the little blonde, "Who knows? One day he actually could be your team Captain, or an Anbu Captain".

"Ha!" Ino rudely laughs out, "Yea right!"

"Ino," Inoichi scolds, "Do not underestimate anyone. No matter how weak they seem now. Understood?"

"But daddy! Naruto is the lowest of the low in our class! There's no way he'd get to be to the top!" Ino protests.

I see Inoichi's eyes shoot to my own apologetically as he looks down at the girl, "Young lady. I don't want to hear another word of scorn out of your mouth. Understood?"

"But daddy I-"

"No buts! Am I clear?"

"Yes sir...," the girl grumbles out.

Iruka clears his throat. "Ahem. Well...Anyways...Naruto. As the student to lead your partner into first place, your prize is your pride. Everyone will know of how you trapped them and surpassed them. You did very good. I'm proud of you". I can see the blue eyed boy is just eating this up. As he should. He deserves praise. "Now. Onto the second and final part of today's festivities. Sparring. If all of you will follow me to the sparring ring in the back, I'll explain what's going to happen". It takes us all of three minutes to get there, and soon enough Iruka is standing in the middle of a small- big to the kiddies, sparring ring. "Here we will have one on one matches for those who want to spar. The catch is, there must be one shinobi and one student in the ring during the spar. That means that shinobi cannot spar other shinobi here. And students cannot spar other students for this. Now. Are there any takers?"

"I want to spar Cross," Sasuke demands determinedly. "I'll beat her. Just you watch".

I grin, stepping into the ring after the boy, "Shall I put on a blind fold, Sasuke?"

Sasuke glares at me. You couldn't beat me like that even if you tried! I'm not like the other students! I'm Itachi's little brother! I'm an Uchiha!"

My eyes flash to Itachi, and I see disappointment. His eyes meet my own for a moment, and I raise a brow in questioning. He nods. What's that supposed to- Oh. Well alrighty Itachi. If you wanna see your little brother get beaten up, so be it. I nod myself. "You wanna bet, Uchiha punk?"

Saskuke's fists clench, "Yea! If I win...If I win...You have to admit that the Uchihas are the strongest shinobi here, and you have to be my and Itachi-nii's slave for a whole week!"

I raise a brow but chuckle, "Big stakes here it seems. Alright. I'll take your bet, and up you as well. If I win, you have to be nice to Naruto- no matter what he does- for two whole weeks. That includes helping him if he asks for it". I hear gasps and 'don't take it Sasuke-kun! She's an Anbu!'s from girls all around. I walk forward, "Do we have a deal?" I offer my hand in the form of a shake. He walks forward himself and stares at my taloned hand for a moment before soft, inexperienced, skin touches calloused and battle hardened skin.

"Deal," Sasuke tells me as we shake, "Get a blind fold".

I chuckle, and take my hands to the knot around my neck, seeing as as usual my hitai-ate is around my neck like a choker, "Not needed. I'll just use this". I take it, and purse my lips. This is where the hard part happens. "Anyone care to tie this for me?" I could always sheathe my claws- it's possible, they shorten to the point where their points don't even pass the end of my fingers- but I never like to do so; it doesn't feel right. So, why not have someone tie it for me?

Itachi sighs as no one moves forward for a second, "I will help you," he tells me. He takes the cloth in each of his hands and comes behind me. I hold the protector securely to my eyes as he tightens until he figures it's good. "Put him in his place, but don't maim him," Itachi whispers into my ear as he ties. I nod silently to show him I understand. He then is so kind to lead me to the center of the ring, though it's not like I needed him to.

"Ready?" Iruka questions from the middle of Sasuke and I and a bit to the side. I nod, and I assume Sasuke did the same. "Haijime!"

I stand in my position, still as a tree as I hear Sasuke rush me. I smirk, and bring up my claws to push stray hairs that fell out of my braid, showing tapered ears. I lick my lips and grin widely. This is gonna be too easy. I hear his hand reach out to punch me, only for me to side step and sing song, "Missed me. Missed me. Now you gotta kiss me!~" I dance away from his kick that came with the third sing sang sentence. I lean down and tap my lips with a single claw, "Where's my kiss? I'm waiting~".

I hear him growl, "Kiss my foot!" I can hear his heel leaving the ground and swinging around me so that it can drop down on the top of my head.

However, my right hand catches this left foot, and closes around it. I push him back, making him hop backwards, and then pull him towards me. My other hand comes forward, and I point a pointer talon at where I know his throat to be, "Dead," I tell him. I know for a fact that that claw is inches away from his throat.

"Not yet!" He snarls at me, and uses my hand holding his foot to swing his other foot at my head. I feel his hands touch the ground to keep his balance, and I release his left foot. I back off, and once on two feet again he comes at me with all sorts of combos.

"I see you don't understand the concept of 'dead' in a game like this," I sigh, dancing around his combos. Are we waltzing or something?...Na, feels more like a tango. Therefore, as he kicks at me again, my hand lashes out again and pushes his foot passed my torso and causes him to pant his foot. He's no longer facing me, his breath is close but not close enough for him to be facing me. Therefore, I step forward and lean down. Over his chest I place my right hand. My pinky talon over his stomach, my thumb talon over his liver. My ring talon over his left lung, my middle talon over his heart, and my pointer talon over his right lung. My other hand is holding his jaw. His jaw is small enough that the positioning of my fingers for this common- for me- pin down are curled so that the tips of the claws are actually pointed at the eyes and right ear. My last two fingers are resting on his throat. My tail has weaved its way between us, and now threatens to sever his spine. I can feel his heart thrumming against my right ring and middle fingers, and all the heat has flushed from his body. I speak down into his ear, "You are now dead not one time over, but in total ten times over. Two eyes, two lungs, your ear which leads to your brain, your spine, your stomach, your liver, your throat and finally your heart. Do you understand just how much out of your league I am? Yield".

Sasuke stands there, stock still, for a moment or two before two words stutter from his mouth, "I-I y-yield". And with that, I let him go and back off.

"Cross is the winner!" Iruka shouts out. "Now if you will, make the recollection seal".

"Eh?" I question. I was home schooled so to speak. There was nothing like that.

Iruka looks to me and sweat drops, "Oh right. You...Learned differently," all he knows is that I'm not native to the village, nothing more nor less. "Take your right pointer finger and middle finger and lock them with Sasuke's. Kind of like a handshake but just with your fingers. It's to show that although the fight is over, and there may be some soreness, you both are still allies of the same village".

"Oh," I shrug out before offering my fingers as mentioned. Sasuke hesitates, looking at the claws that threatened to take his life. "They scare you, don't they?" My golden orbs meet his black ones. "Here," I offer with a smile. With a single mental demand, the claws regress into my hand and wrist, moving on their own and making the skin over where they come out of shutter and shiver ans squirm. It takes only seconds for the claws to be short now, their tips not even passing the skin of the points of my fingers. I again offer my fingers as mentioned. This time, he doesn't hesitate, and we shake. I grin to him, and watch as seconds later my claws are back to normal.

"Why did you bring them out again?" Sasuke asks.

"I'm used to having them out. When they're sheathed, my hand feels too light for my likings," I answer. "On another note, you lost the bet. And we made a deal. You have to be nice to Naruto for two whole weeks. Got it?" Sasuke glares in Naruto's direction warily, but nods, sucking up like a good boy. "Good". I nod myself. My eyes now turn to Naruto, who I know is childishly scheming, "A good Captain doesn't plot revenge; it gets them nothing. Nor does a proper Hokage. You mind yourself for two weeks when it comes to Sasuke. Got it?"

"B-But Cross-chan!" Naruto whines, "This is my chance!"

I look down at him sternly, "No, Naruto. You behave yourself. If I hear from either Itachi or Sasuke himself that you didn't listen to me, I'm coming here and we're gonna have a little talk. Got it?" I watch as he gulps. "Got it?" I press again. I get a nod, and nod myself. "Good. Now go back to class. I heard that Iruka says that the fun is over and that it's time to crack down. Do your best kiddo! Do me proud!" The two last things I tell him as he makes his way back to the building.

This leaves me alone with Itachi, who is silent for a moment before speaking up, "You'd make a good mother".

My eyes widen and I blanch, as well as face plant from the sudden statement. I glare down at Itachi as I get up and brush myself off. I growl, pointing a black talon his way, "Shut it. Naruto's the only kid I actually like. All the others I just deal with".

"Even Sasuke?" Itachi questions.

"Even Sasuke," I grunt out.