Chapter 14

She didn't know how much longer she could take this.

It was torture.

Keiko groaned in irritation as she looked down at the paperwork in front of her. Her head rested in her palm while her other hand held a pen. She still had work to catch up on and was catching up slowly but surely. The work was tedious and boring. Just when she was beginning to have trouble fighting off a nap, her attention was grabbed by movement at the window.

She looked over to the window to see Kakashi making his way in, "Yo." He said with a lighthearted salute. He settled on the window in his usual relaxed manner, arms crossing over his chest.

A welcoming smile graced her lips, "Kakashi, how's the new team?"

Kakashi hummed in thought, looking up. "It will be an interesting group, that's for sure."

Keiko stood, stretching her limbs as she walked over to him, crossing her own arms as she leaned a shoulder against the window. "Who all is on your squad? Iruka told me you have Naruto, who are the other two?"

"Sakura Haruno for one," he paused and glanced at Keiko, "Her written exam scores were the best in the class, so she is intelligent."

Keiko nodded, Sakura studied hard for her classes and her grades showed that. She was intrigued at the dynamic the two would have, as Naruto had a crush on Sakura and he did a poor job of hiding it. No doubt he would try to do stupid things in order to gain her attention.

"But," Kakashi sighed, "she's more interested in boys than being a ninja." He turned toward her then, "I do hope you were not like that."

Keiko blinked, "You mean ogling over cute boys?" She shook her head recollecting a conversation she had had with Iruka. "No, I was too busy training. Even if I did, its possible I would have just been ignored as the foreigner." Their eyes met in a moment of silence before she urged him to tell her who the third member was.

"My third Genin, is Sasuke Uchiha." Kakashi looked at Keiko intently, watching for her reaction.

Her smile didn't falter, but her eyes widened slightly and he could see the muscles in her shoulders stiffen. Seeming to regain her composure she responded, "Hmm, I suppose that makes sense. Naruto had the worst scores while Sasuke had the best." Her gaze turned forlorn, "How was he?"

Kakashi looked away out into the room though he could feel her gaze on him. "Dark. I had expected such, considering what happened. He proclaimed he must restore his clan, and that there is someone he must kill."

"Itachi." The name was almost like a curse as it left her lips. Her usual smile was gone and her eyes were cold. She didn't need to say his name, they both knew who Sasuke was referring to.

He nodded, "I'm sure he will get strong, but strong enough to achieve that goal is yet to be seen."

Keiko seemed to be lost in her thoughts as she remembered just how powerful Itachi was. He helped her grow strong, but he had always been so far out of her league. Always playing with her, never truly trying. Even with how far she had come in the last four years she wondered about how wide the gap would be if they were to meet again.

She closed her eyes, "I honestly hope it never comes to that. Revenge won't solve anything."

"Good luck trying to convince him of that."

A half hearted chuckle escaped her lips, "Yes, I've been trying for years. He won't have any of it."

Keiko turned so she was looking out the window as a comfortable silence blanketed over them. She was lost in her own thoughts as they stood in silence. Finding peace in each others presence. Keiko enjoyed that about Kakashi. It was different than Guy. Guy felt the need to fill the emptiness with loud and boisterous claims and talk. Kakashi was just fine with being silent or engaging in small talk. On the occasion that they would have an important discussion his words were purposeful and well thought out. He was precise and intelligent.

Kakashi cast a glance over to Keiko who was watching the sky. He too enjoyed the silence they shared. Keiko allowed him space and didn't smother him. She was respectful and always seemed to know when he needed a break from people to recharge. He thought back to an outing Guy had thrown several months ago. Guy insisted that he stay but Keiko helped him weasel his way out of the situation, recognizing his unease.

"So..." Kakashi began, breaking the silence, "Tomorrow morning is the bell test. Care to join us?"

Keiko's head snapped to meet his gaze, a little surprised. Each Jonin sensei had their own test for their Genin, it was not normal to have another shinobi partake in the test. "Join you?" She questioned.

Kakashi nodded, looking straight ahead of him as one of his hands came to rest on his neck. "I figured, since you are close to both Sasuke and Naruto, you might enjoy seeing them in the field."

She smiled, "Yes, that would be nice. But, I don't think it would be good if they saw I was there." Her presence would surely be a distraction for Naruto. She wasn't entirely sure how Sasuke would respond, but she was sure he would not want her there.

"Who said anything about them seeing you?" He paused, pushing himself off of the window sill and standing with his hands in his pockets. "I offer you a chance to watch, not partake. This test is for them and as their leader it is up to me to decide if they are worthy of being shinobi." He gave her a closed eye smile, "If they pass or fail, it will have nothing to do with you."

Anyone else would have been offended, but Keiko only sighed and nodded in agreement. "I suppose you are right." Looking up at him she smirked, "I do believe that they will surprise you."

"We'll see."

The next morning came quickly. As Keiko readied herself for the day she had a nervous excitement for the three Genin. Having been Kakashi's partner for so long she knew that he would put them through the wringer. Not to mention she knew that Kakashi's standards were far higher than any other Jonin.

She headed out to the training grounds where Kakashi had told her to meet him. Of course, Kakashi had said to meet her there at nine, so she showed up at eleven. Resting against a tree, she didn't have to wait long for him.

Kakashi waved, "Hope I didn't keep you waiting."

Keiko shook her head and gave him an exasperated smile, "Not at all. I know you, I didn't show up until just a bit ago. Can't say the same for your students..."

"You didn't warn them?"

She chuckled, falling into line next to him, "No. They will be getting to know you as well. They will learn just as I did."

Kakashi's eye turned quizzical, "You really believe they will pass."

Keiko nodded, "I do. They won't be perfect, but I think they will surprise you."

He was silent as they walked for several minutes. Finally, he spoke, "You changed your hair."

Keiko blinked and ran a hand through her hair. She had decided to try something new that morning. Brushing it all over one shoulder and tying it with a blue ribbon to keep it in place. There were several shorter locks and her bangs that helped to frame her face. She didn't think it looked too bad, so she was surprised he was bringing it up. Truth be told, she just wasn't feeling up to braiding it all. "Yeah, just for today though," she said, feeling a little self conscious by her haphazard hairdo.

"Shame. It looks nice."

Keiko happened to be walking on his blind side and for that she was thankful. Her eyes were impossibly wide as they bore holes into the side of his head before she forced herself to look away. She didn't know how to respond, so she fell silent. It was the first time he had paid her a compliment like that and it caught her off guard.

'It's just a compliment between friends, nothing more.' Even as she told herself that, she couldn't help the excited flutter of her heart and the warmth that spread across her cheeks. 'It shouldn't matter what he thinks.'

Soon, they were only a little ways away from the three students and Keiko noticed that he had them meet him at the memorial stone. Keiko quickly moved into the trees before they were in view of the students.

Kakashi took note of where she was in the trees before making himself known to his students, "Morning everyone, ready for your first day?"

Sakura and Naruto instantly turned on him, "You're late!" Sasuke only scowled, not saying a word but seeming to agree with his teammates.

The Jonin gave them a closed eye smile, "Well, a black cat crossed my path so I had to take the long way." He saw his joke didn't land, only seeming to make them more upset. 'Keiko would have laughed...' Kakashi coughed, "Well, lets get started."

He walked over to a post and placed a clock on top of it. "Here, it's set for noon." Kakashi walked out in front of the three of them and took out two bells. "Your assignment is very simple, you just have to take these bells from me. That's all there is to it. If you can't get them by noon, you go without lunch. You'll be tied to those posts and you'll watch while I eat my lunch in front of you."

Keiko stood in a tree a ways away from them, listening as Kakashi explained the terms of the test. She had her body pressed against the trunk of the tree as she looked down at them, only her head poking into view. Keiko watched them all, feeling a bit of pride for her students as time passed. At other times... not so much. She was less than impressed by Naruto's naivety, but not the least bit surprised. On the other hand, he showed promise. Keiko could already see clear improvement in Naruto's skill. Sasuke also showed immense promise. Keiko couldn't help but smirk when he nearly got a bell and surprised Kakashi with the fireball jutsu. All in all, she was happy with the two boys individual performance but she knew all three of them were lacking the one thing Kakashi was looking for.

Keiko stayed silent and out of sight when the bell rang and they were rounded up in front of the memorial. She moved closer so she could more easily hear what they were saying. Naruto was the only one tied to the post as Kakashi looked down at his students.

"Uh oh, stomachs growling, huh? That's too bad." He paused, and said what Keiko was expecting, "Oh and about this exercise. Well, I've decided I won't send any of you back to the academy."

While the three Genin all celebrated in their own way, Keiko watched. Eyes narrowing as she anticipated Kakashi's next words.

"Yes. All three of you are being dropped from the program. Permanently." His voice was harsh, cutting their celebrations short and shocking all three of them.

Naruto spoke up, flailing from his binds, "What?! Dropped from the program? That means we'll never become ninja! You said if we can't get a bell we'd be sent back to the academy! You can't just change your mind and kick us out! Why would you do that?!"

Kakashi's response was cutting, "Because you don't think like ninja. You think like little kids, like brats." As if the word itself were the trigger, Sasuke rushed forward in a fit of anger to attack but was swiftly put down by Kakashi. He sat above the boy, holding his arm behind his back and keeping Sasuke's face to the ground with his foot. Kakashi leered down at the boy, "You think it's all about you."

Sakura screamed at him, "Get off of Sasuke! You can't step on him like he's some bug!"

Kakashi turned his gaze to her, "You don't know what it means to be a ninja. You think it's a game, huh? Why do you think we put you on squads, did you consider that for a moment?"

"I don't know what you mean." Sakura said uncertainly from beside Naruto.

The Jonin let more frustration leek into his voice, "It means you don't get what this exercise is about. Not even close."

Naruto looked at the man dumbly, "What it's about?"

"Yes, that's what determines whether you pass of fail. Use your head. Three people on a squad. Why do you think we would do that?"

All three Genin were at a loss for words, unsure of how to answer. Finally, Naruto shouted his opinion in frustration, "How are we supposed to know why you pick three people! We didn't make the rules!"

"It's so basic. Teamwork!"

In one moment all three of them realized their mistake. Keiko watched as Kakashi mercilessly ripped into each one of them and how they failed. It was all true, of course. But, she knew Kakashi, if they had failed completely then he would not be ripping into them so hard. He was trying to make them understand the severity of their error, get it through their heads. She may have disagreed with the method but, she couldn't deny that it was effective.

Keiko was lost in her own thoughts but was taken out of her stupor by Naruto's voice.

"That's it, that's it, that's it! Now I know! I've decided I'm gonna have my name engraved on that stone!"

Keiko gasped, her hand covering her mouth as she grimaced. Naruto had no idea what that stone was. Now it made sense why Kakashi had chosen this place.

"This is a memorial stone, the names of my closest friends are engraved here." There was a heavy tension in the air as the Genin seemed to process everything their sensei had said. Finally, Kakashi broke free from his own thoughts and turned to them. "All right, I'm going to give you one more chance. But, I'm going to make it much harder on you. You'll have three hours to get a bell. Eat lunch now to build up strength. But, Naruto doesn't get any. If anyone tries to feed him, that person will immediately fail." There was another pause before Kakashi fixed them all with an intimidating stare, "I make the rules. You follow them. Got it?"

This was the first time she had heard Kakashi talk so passionately. Keiko watched intently and felt a tingle run down her spine at the tone in Kakashi's voice. It was a weird feeling of... excitement?

Her mind went blank for a moment as she processed her own thoughts. She shook her head, feeling her face flush. What was with her today?

"Enjoying the show?"

Keiko jumped at the sound as she suddenly become all too aware of how close Kakashi was to her. Her body was still pressed against the tree, while Kakashi stood behind her. So close, she could feel his body heat radiating from him. Willing her blush to go away, she turned around to face him and offered a smile. "You're a bit harsh but it's necessary, isn't it?"

Kakashi didn't answer, only nodded and took a step back while he watched her.

She felt incredibly awkward in that moment, being so close to him. Keiko didn't let her smile falter. She knew a smile could hide all kinds of emotions. "I told you they would surprise you."

Kakashi nodded. Indeed they did. Both Naruto and Sasuke knew highly advanced jutsu. And both showed eagerness to grow strong. The fact Sasuke was able to touch one of the bells was impressive enough on its own but Kakashi knew it was because his guard was down. The current gap between Naruto and Sasuke was vast. Going from Naruto who was overly predictable to Sasuke was indeed something. "You did. Now we see if they listen, or not."

Keiko turned her head to peek at the three. Naruto was grumbling to himself while the other two ate their own food. She chuckled, "They sure have come a long way." They certainly were not the small children they were when she met them. Even Sakura, who had improved a lot since she was small, no longer a crybaby.

It was then when Kakashi saw it, Sakura give Naruto a bite of food and he found himself grin under his mask. In a flash and a large explosion of smoke, he made his entrance. He appeared again before the three of them and screamed, "You!"

The students screamed, fearful of what would happen to them for breaking the one rule they were given.

"Pass."

They stopped and stared at him in disbelief. "Huh?" They collectively said.

"You pass." Kakashi said with a closed eye smile as he leaned over them.

Their minds were reeling, "W-what do you mean we pass?" Sakura questioned, not able to wrap her mind around it.

Kakashi stood straighter, taking in the Genin who he know fully accepted as his students. "All the others followed everything I said and fell into every trap. You thought for yourselves. In the ninja world, those who break the rules are scum. That's true. But, those who abandon their friends, are worse than scum."

Keiko watched as the three Genin celebrated their victory but her eyes were fixed on Kakashi. Her mind playing over his words, that phrase he said with such conviction that it was moving to hear. Keiko admired him more than any other ninja in the village. He had gained her respect and was now one of her closest friends, right next to Iruka and Guy.

Something was different as she watched him now though. There was that strange flutter in her chest again as she thought of him, picturing his face. As she watched him she came to a realization, one she didn't think she would be able to admit to anyone. She realized she found him incredibly alluring.

Keiko turned around, her back to the tree and looked up at the clouds. Even though she had never seen his face... But, she didn't need to see his face to know what kind of person he was. His personality was enough, and that's what mattered. He was always willing to hear her out when she needed to talk, and Kakashi almost always offered her some kind of solution. He was compassionate in his own way when he thought it necessary and always put his teammates above the mission. Kakashi was selfless and strong but she never once heard him speak with arrogance. He was honorable, and she greatly respected him.

Keiko leaned her head back against the tree, closing her eyes.

She sighed, "Shit."

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Posted - 6/24/2021