OH MY GOSH!
I am so happy about those of you who have read, followed, and favorited my story! I was actually in class when I looked and almost fell out of my chair before having a mini spazz attack. Which also might be why I got concerned looks for the rest of that day… Oh well.
I really want to thank TheHobbitShorty (Hobs) who's a very good friend of mine. Her comment sincerely brightened my day. I also want to thank the guests who commented. Comments are always appreciated and it really makes me feel like my writing is somewhat good. I'm really insecure about that so you guys need to know how awesome that makes me feel. :)
For those of you who have read my HalfBlood story I'm still writing it, but I've just kinda become unsure of what to do. I have a ton of ideas but I don't want to completely jack up the Naruto plot (that's what this one's for, hahaha).
I realized I didn't say this in my first chapters, but I do not in anyway own Naruto *steals Tamaki's corner of gloom* If I did I would change a ton of things. Like Itachi wouldn't die and Jiraiya and Tsunade would be getting together. Sorry if that was a spoiler, but I figured almost everyone knew soooo…. Anyways, I sincerely need to apologize for not updating sooner, but I've been really distracted and got pulled away from my writing. I really wanted to get this updated and so that's why it's not longer. From now on I'll try to reach at least 3,000 words/chap. I hope you all enjoy this and continue to comment, follow, and favorite my story.
Chapter 2.
Over the next couple months Kasai became a fairly common face in the Uchiha compound due to her visits to Ayumo. Naruto was often busy trying to get attention during the day so Kasai usually only saw him at night and occasionally for dinner. After Ayumo had found out how the teachers treated Kasai and her brother he took it upon himself to teach Kasai the things the academy teachers wouldn't. Surprisingly Kasai was able to bring some cheer to the compound and many of the older people began to love the brightness the child seemed to exude. Outside the compound Kasai's cheerfulness was forced, but inside she was able to be herself.
One day a boy was heading to the Uchiha training grounds, his hands stuffed in his pockets and long jet black hair that was tied back in a low ponytail gently blowing in the wind. He wasn't expecting anyone to be in his usual training grounds, so when he saw a little girl that he somewhat knew practicing there he was surprised. An Uchiha that he sometimes saw around the compound was watching her. Kasai had just thrown her last shuriken and turned to see what Ayumo had to say when she caught sight of the boy. She blinked in surprise before scuffing her black standard shinobi sandals on the ground and allowing her red tipped blonde bangs to hide her eyes. Ayumo turned and bowed to the boy. "Itachi-sama, I was unaware you were back from your mission."
"I returned early this morning, Ayumo-san," Itachi responded in his normal emotionless voice.
Ayumo's eyes flicked towards Kasai, knowing she hated when people spoke like that. Sure enough, a frown had made its way onto her face. "Uchiha-san, are you Mikoto-san's son?" Kasai suddenly asked.
Itachi's onyx eyes flickered to the young Uzumaki. When he had left for his mission, his parents had never even spoken of the child much less met her, and now that he had come home they seemed at least a little familiar with each other. He took in the child before him. She was wearing a red, loose tank top, black knee-length shorts, and black standard shinobi sandals. Her hair was still the same, but her eyes seemed to be different. It was as if there was a new sparkle there, one that meant her smiles were real and not fake. "I am," he responded after a moment.
"Mikoto-san would like it more if you smiled," Kasai said with her own smile.
Itachi watched her for a moment before nodding. "Thank you."
Kasai rolled her eyes. "I didn't say it for you to say thank you, I said it so that you would listen. Your mother worries about you. You're still young, Uchiha-san. Let the older people worry about things. Enjoy your life," after speaking her wisdom she sat down with her legs crossed and began to meditate.
For once Itachi's emotionless mask was broken and he blinked owlishly at the child. Ayumo was shaking from silent laughter at the heir's completely stunned face. He always found it amusing when Kasai would say something that would stun other people. Even though she was young she was smart and people underestimated her. She might not be completely book smart, but she was more world wise than many adults. "Kasai, you seem to have kunai and shuriken down. We really need to work on your kata, math, and reading," he said, letting Itachi compose himself.
Kasai immediately started pouting. "Do I have to?" she whined.
"All the other students are capable enough in those areas. Your fighting is quite appalling. Your brother can take a hit, that's why he does so well. You, on the other hand, are a girl and not nearly as sturdy. You're small, even for your age, Kasai. If you don't learn how to hold your own you're going to get seriously hurt," Ayumo explained to the still pouting girl.
She sighed and hung her head. "Fine, can we not do it today though?" she pleaded, looking up and giving him puppy eyes.
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I suppose it can wait until tomorrow. Is there a reason?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Kasai grinned and stood up. "Naru and I are going to Ichiraku's today because Jii jii said he would take us."
"Hokage-sama is?" Ayumo asked surprised.
"Mmhmm," Kasai replied in the affirmative. "Ah, Ayumo-sensei, do you want to join us?"
Itachi who had silently been watching on the side had decided to leave and come back later in the evening. Just as he turned Ayumo called out to him. "Itachi-sama, I am busy today. Would you please go with Kasai-chan?"
Itachi turned and stared at him in bewilderment. "After all," Ayumo began with a sly grin, "would you really allow a cute, little girl who is Sasuke's age to walk around town all on her own?"
Itachi felt his brow twitch before turning and stalking over to the child in question. Kasai shrunk a bit at the imposing figure before her that was giving her a dark glare with his arms crossed over his chest. Something clicked in her brain at that moment and her lips parted in a small "o" of realization. A small smile graced her face and she stood straight. "Shall we go, Itachi-san?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
He nodded and she led the way after saying goodbye to Ayumo. As they exited the Uchiha compound she glanced up at the boy beside her. "So, I guess that's why I haven't seen you recently, Weasel-san."
Itachi almost stumbled at the casual way she said that. He didn't know how she knew it was him. "How did you know?"
"The way you were standing," Kasai said with a grin.
Itachi nodded and sent a brief glance back to the compound as if to make sure no one was watching. "So, what have you been doing at the Uchiha compound?"
"Training with Ayumo-sensei," she stated the obvious without elaborating making Itachi's eyebrow twitch.
"How did you meet Ayumo-san?" he decided to ask.
Kasai glanced at him from the corner of her eye. Normally Itachi Uchiha was quiet and he wasn't one to ask questions or pry. For him to be taking an interest in this something must be going on. "Ayumo-sensei helped me. He was injured and some villagers were being rude so I stepped in. He ended up saving both of us and offered to teach me the things I wasn't learning at the academy. I really like Ayumo-sensei. Actually, I like a lot of the Uchiha's. They're pretty nice. I wish the village would quit being so prejudiced."
"How do you know that word?" Itachi asked wondering how someone her age had a vocabulary like hers.
"I ask," she said like it was obvious.
They arrived at Ichiraku's and stopped across the street. They could just see the white robes of the Hokage and Naruto's blue sandals kicking around. "Ne, Itachi-san," Kasai grabbed his attention.
Itachi looked down to the girl only to see her bangs shadowing her eyes. "Uzumaki-san?"
"Don't do anything stupid. There are always more ways to do things than you think. Things aren't always what they seem. If you need help you can go to people. Don't shoulder the burden by yourself. Things between your family and the village are strained; I've been able to see that since I've been training with Ayumo-sensei. Don't feel so hopeless, and don't argue 'cause I can see it in your eyes. Your mom has been worried about you, Itachi-san. Maybe you should spend a bit more time at home. You're not expected to be perfect and always away on missions. You're still a kid, even if you don't see yourself that way," with that she raised her hand in farewell and hurried across the street.
Itachi heard when Naruto shouted his greeting and heard the Hokage laughing at his self-proclaimed grandchildren. When he returned home he sat in the kitchen talking with his mother while she cooked dinner. When Fugaku came home he was surprised to see his eldest son seemingly relaxed, and his wife happily chatting with him about her day. That night when Itachi went to bed he fell asleep thinking about what Kasai had said.
Life continued normally for Kasai. She went to the academy, often got kicked out of class for no reason, went to train with Ayumo, then spent the evening with Naruto. Things changed when she complained to Ayumo about not understanding any of the kunoichi lessons. He had frowned and got a thoughtful look on his face before telling her he would take care of it.
Once school ended Kasai slowly headed to the compound. She hadn't been kicked out of her last class so she was awkwardly walking right behind Sasuke Uchiha. After a while Sasuke stopped and whirled around. "Why are you following me?" he demanded.
Kasai tensed up, not used to talking to people her age. "I'm not following you, Uchiha-san. My sensei is in the Uchiha compound."
He frowned at her. "That's a lame excuse to be following me."
Kasai's eyes narrowed at his unwavering belief that she was following him. "Uchiha-san, if I were attempting to follow you I would most likely be hiding instead of being in plain view. Normally I'm already at the training grounds with Ayumo-sensei when you leave the academy."
Sasuke felt a bit of doubt that the girl was actually following him. He hadn't really seen her in class. "What's your name?" he asked.
"Kasai Uzumaki," she said, unsurprised of him not knowing her.
Sasuke felt his eye twitch at her surname. "Like that dobe?" he asked.
The blonde tilted her head to the side. "I suppose that's something you could call my twin," with that she started walking again, not paying any attention to his stunned expression.
Kasai reached the Uchiha training grounds and hurriedly bowed to her teacher. "Sorry, I rushed here as soon as class ended."
He chuckled and ruffled her hair. "That's alright, chibi," he said, watching cheerfully as the chibi in question fumed.
"It's not my fault I'm short, you meanie!" she exclaimed.
He just laughed loudly in response while walking towards the training dummies. "Alright, I want you to work on the kata we've been using."
Kasai sighed and nodded. She went over the moves, trying to make them as fluid as they could be for about an hour. "That was good, Kasai-chan," Ayumo said smiling slightly when she flopped to the ground dramatically. "Are you done for today?"
Kasai was catching her breath so she shook her head. "No way. If I wanna get better I have to train. I'm still good for some more."
His smile broadened at his student's determination. "Well, I think I've found the perfect style for you, Kasai. You're small, and while that can be a disadvantage when it comes to strength, it can be an even greater advantage when it comes to speed. We can start working on that if you would like."
Kasai stood up and shook her arms out. "Let's get started."
Ayumo pulled out a brush and ink. "I'm going to place seals on you that will help this along. Seeing as you're too young for weights this is the best option."
She tilted her head to the side in confusion. "What are they?" she asked.
"Resistant seals. They work similarly to weights, but without the damage to your growth. You are not allowed to remove them, only I can adjust them. Once you get used to them I'll increase the resistance. Ready?"
Kasai thought it over briefly, weighing the benefits. "Yes, Ayumo-sensei," she said cheerfully.
He drew the seals on her wrists and ankles carefully. Once he finished she examined them carefully. Kasai stared at them in confusion, unable to decipher them. "What language is that?" she questioned causing Ayumo to chuckle.
"It's not really a language. It's a ninja art. The Fourth Hokage actually mastered it. He was famous for his fuinjutsu," Ayumo explained to his curious pupil.
He watched the way her eyes examined it, saw that spark in her eyes. That was the spark that he had been looking for. That spark that said she wanted this for her. He chuckled softly, realizing he would need to start researching fuinjutsu. "Alright, test it out, brat."
Kasai took a few steps and frowned. "This is weird, sensei. I'm going to get killed in taijutsu."
Ayumo just laughed at his pupil. Both were unaware that a certain old man was watching them in a crystal ball. He chuckled and bit his pipe, happy to see his granddaughter so happy.