Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, only the Gushikans and a couple others.

Chapter 16~ Frustration

I woke up at 4:30am to quickly get dressed and gulp down a cup of rice. I've done hard training before so I know my stomach can handle whatever this "Sensei" can throw at me.

I arrived at 5 on the dot like my new team mates. We stood in an awkward silence as the minutes passed before Naruto seemed to wake up some more and chatted with me briefly about my costume change.

Sasuke just stood with a concentrated look on his face and ignored us.

We waited and waited and soon the light chatter died as the sun rose higher in the sky.

Now as a Gushikan I had a few things drilled into my brain since a young age.

Never give a tell tale to who is important to the mission to the enemy, never torture someone before you kill them, and finally never be late to an event.

The longer we waited the angrier I got.

When our so called "Sensei" finally arrived Naruto threw a tantrum while Sasuke watched. I just stared kakashi dead in the eye unblinking with my arms crossed.

"Sorry, a black cat crossed my path so I had to take the long way." He said apologetically.

Naruto called him a liar and the guy didn't really deny it.

This is my... Sensei?! What a skeez!

He walked over to a large wooden post and set down a timer and then pulled out a couple of bells.

"Now your assignment is very simple. You just have to take these bells from me. That's all."

I could tell he's smiling under his mask and I grip the handle of Balance while I stare at him.

"If you can't get them by noon you will be tied to a post and go without lunch, and watch as I eat mine."

Naruto looked shell shocked as his stomach growled and Sasuke looked disappointed as well. I couldn't help but smiled and snicker a little at the predicament. I had some food bars.

I started to reach into one of my pouches when Kakashi began to talk again.

"Now there are only two bells because one of you will ultimately be tied to a post, fail, and be sent back to the academy."

A tense silence fell over the three of us.

One of us is going.

I took my hand out of my pouch... 'Maybe it's better if I focus on myself. I need to pass.'

"Well all three of you could flunk too. You may use any weapon against me. If you're not trying to kill me you won't get the bells."

Naruto snorted and grinned while saying, "Seriously Sensei? You couldn't even dodge an eraser."

He deadpanned and continued.

"It's usually the class clown that fails, bottom of the barrel, losers. When I say start you can begin."

I unsheathed my katana and got into position.

Naruto who was still angry from the loser comment glared fiercely at Kakashi and was shaking a bit before he tried to attack him with a kunai. Kakashi flung around him and twisted his arm painfully so his kunai was pointed to his own head.

"I didn't say start, but I'm liking your enthusiasm... Alright begin."

Sasuke instantly disappeared into the trees and I dived into a bush. But not Naruto.

Nope Naruto stood front and center demanding a fair fight.

I think Kakashi was amused by this idea and agreed to a pure taijustu fight but pulled out... Ichi ichi paradise.

'Oh my god he is such a skeez!' I thought. 'What kind of man reads that stuff around 12 year olds!'

Naruto was offended that Kakashi wouldn't give him his full attention and started attacking him to no avail.

My grip tightens on Balence as I watch Kakashi poof behind Naruto. I began to stand up in hopes of stopping him from hurting him when...

"Secret ninja art! A thousand years of death!" And then he poked him... In the butt... And Naruto flew... Into the river.

I had a horrible blush invade my face. 'What a disgusting teacher.'

Moments later though shurikan sped out of the water towards Kakashi and I saw my opening. "Kakashi will catch the shurikan with his free hand!" My conscience screamed.

I smiled to myself, I didn't know if that's what will really happen but might as well.

I sprang from the bush quietly and ran at Kakashi's back making no noise.

Then he caught the shurikan how I predicted and in that moment I was right behind him and thrust my katana at him.

To my amazement he sidestepped it and I hit nothing.

He gave me a glance and tossed the shurikan to the ground. The next few minutes is me going at him and him ducking, jumping, turning, and disappearing from in front of my sword while flipping through books in his page. With every miss I was getting more and more irritated.

While he is distracted with me Naruto's clone grabs him from behind and I roll out of the way while Naruto tries to punch him but instead gets himself.

Chaos proceeded as the Narutos attacked and I watched with a sweat drop. It all ended with Naruto getting stuck in a trap and Kakashi scolding him, then he had the gall to begin scolding me from how long my moves took.

That really made my blood boil.

All the sudden a large burst of shurikan launched into his side while I passively stared.

Naruto freaked but a moment later it turned into a substitution. I could hear Sasuke run away and Kakashi follow him. I quickly released Naruto and after a stiff moment I said I'd see him at noon. Before running off myself.

As much as I want to fight along side Naruto I can't help him get the bells for just the two of us because Sasuke would be sent back. I can't help Sasuke either because I can't help him send Naruto back. It's just better if I work alone.

As I ran through the brush I came just in time to see the end of Sasuke's fight and him be buried before Kakashi left to find a new victim. The moment I decided he left for real I land next to Sasuke and gave him a grin.

"Oi Sasuke how's the weather down there."

"Shut up and help me."

"Oi oi don't lose your head!"

I laughed to myself while Sasuke cussed me out.

"Now what's the magic word? I'm not gonna help if you don't say it."

He groaned angrily.

"Please."

I nodded satisfied and dug him out. The moment he was freed he ran off again.

I began to walk through the forest trying to track Kakashi when I heard him behind me.

I unsheathed Balence and turned around in one move while Kakashi was there. But, he had his hands in a sign and I quickly felt odd. There were cherry blossoms all around. When they let up Naruto was standing there, bloody and beaten.

My heart began to race but I tried to think logically as Naruto cried to me.

"Takara! He's too strong, he's dangerous! Run away!"

I blink and began to giggle almost maniacally.

"Is that so Naruto, he's dangerous?"

Naruto coughed and nodded.

It can't hurt right? I did the symbol to dispel genjustu and moments later the hurt Naruto was gone and I was alone.

"I'm going to run out of time before I even really get to let loose and fight him!" I groaned.

I turned around and had to hold in the raptor shriek that if I hadn't gone through years of training would had emerged. Kakashi is right there.

"A real fight huh? Ok try me."

I took a moment to take off my weights and steadied myself.

"You'll never call me slow again!"

I pushed off at an incredible speed and thrust my sword at him. He didn't even have time to blink!

Unfortunately I missed by two inches.

When he finally realized what happened I was already pulling my arm back to attack again. He moved slightly and I missed again. It was just like last time except one key difference. Kakashi was laughing at me.

"Haha sure you're faster than anyone else but you couldn't hit the ground your accuracy is so horrible, I barely have to move to avoid your attacks!"

It's true, I'm as fast as the wind but no matter how hard I try I can't seem to control myself.

In the distance we heard the ding from the timer and we stopped fighting.

I slowly clip my weights back on and held the disappointment down inside me so that it can fester and grow.

When I looked up Kakashi was still waiting for me.

"How did you know my genjustu was activated? I thought you have no chakra ability. Doesn't that go with sensory too?"

I laugh, "It has nothing to do with the chakra, you just got Naruto all wrong."

He gave me a questioning look.

"Naruto would never tell me to run away, he knows I'm strong and trustworthy. Also he's too dense to ever realize some fights you just can't win some fights."

He hummed and seemed to stop listening so I stopped talking.

We walked back together to the poles... Where Naruto was already tied up on one.

I walked to him and poked his shoulder.

"What did you do?"

"I was just so hungry!" He cried angrily.

I sat down next to Sasuke and Kakashi gave us a smile.

"Don't worry I'm not sending you back to the academy. Not a single one of you."

For a moment our hearts soared and I felt very proud of myself.

"Yup all of you are being dropped from the program."

Silence.

My mouth dried up and I felt a lump in my throat.

"You all just acted like brats."

My face heated up and I looked down in shame. How do I explain this to dad?

I guess Sasuke was angry too, he took off in a blind rage at Kakashi who grabbed and sat on him.

I drew Balence and Kakashi sighed.

"This is what I'm talking about squirts. You think that being a ninja is a game. None of you understand. Why do you think we put you on squads."

I stiffened, I understand now.

Kakashi looked done and gazed harshly at us.

"I mean none of you understood the lesson at all except that brief moment where Takara and Naruto benefited off each other but that wasn't even genuine. Why would we put three people on a squad? Think really think!"

Naruto started to freak out and get angry again while I sighed.

"I understand." Everyone looked to me.

"Teamwork. You basically spelled it out for us earlier. One person will get themselves killed in a mission, two is not diverse enough and four is trackable and slower. Three people is the sweet spot. Fast movement, can stay quiet, and has a host of skills in missions. None of that can work without teamwork though."

He groaned and seemed pissed.

"Now you get it. It's too late but if you all had just worked together you might had been able to get the bells. Well now it's over."

My face turned red and I angrily pointed my sword at Kakashi.

"Whoop de Fing doo! But there were only two bells so someone would had been sent back! The three of us worked so hard to get here that our minds were clouded with only one thought, to get what we always wanted! If we are supposed to be a team then putting us against each other was evil!" I huffed from my outburst and then blushed embarrassed that I raised my voice.

"You were supposed to put the squad first because that's what's important." Kakashi glared at me.

"Naruto! You do everything on your own. Everything, never asking for help when you obviously need it.

Sasuke you thought everyone was so far beneath you that they were worthless. Arrogance.

And you Takara, I admit you helped Sasuke and Naruto but that is because you pity them, while at the same time envy them. You are a mix of unsure emotions that has turned you into a barely skilled ninja who feels like they can't rely on their squad."

I paled lowered my katana shamefully. He's right, all I do is envy people instead of taking action.

"Everyone has their own individual skills but the squad is key. Putting one person above the rest can mean failure or death."

He reaches into his kunai pouch alerting me.

"Like this, Takara kill Naruto or Sasuke dies." He places the kunai to Sasuke's throat and I go tense.

How... How would I save everyone.

"That's what happens on a mission. Everyone's life is on the line." He pulls away and walks to the KIA stone.

"Have you looked at this stone? It has the names of the heroes in this village."

My mind drifted to my moms face and the names of my forefathers. I smiled slightly.

"That's it then! I'll get ingraved on that stone. I won't die like a dog, I want to be a hero."

I froze as the image of my mom turned to her dead body and then the carving ceremony. Not Naruto too.

I slapped a hand over my mouth. I had the sudden need to vomit. As I arched over.

"Huh?! Takara what's wrong?! Are you ok?! Someone release me!" Naruto panicked.

Kakashi was silently watching us before continuing.

"These are special heroes Naruto. Ones who died during missions. My closest friends are written here."

I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment before straightening myself up and gulping the urge to vomit away.

"Takara?"

I looked to Sasuke. He raised his eyebrows at me.

"Sorry, I'm better now."

"Is your mom on it?" Naruto asked quietly.

I laughed lightly nodded. "My mom? My entire family is on that stone except for a select few... I think that's a very sad stone."

Silence.

Kakashi sighed and gave us a look over.

"You know I'm going to give you one last chance. I'll even let you fill up on lunch first but none for Naruto. He broke the rules after all. If I catch you feeding him you'll be expelled. The test will be much harder, so prepare yourself."

The tone changed and for a second Kakashi looked... Intimidating.

"I make the rules. You follow them."

I gulped stared as Kakashi stalked off. Once he was out of sight I glance over to Naruto and Sasuke.

Naruto was boasting he could go weeks without food even though his stomach audibly growled.

Me and Sasuke met eyes. We were thinking the same thing.

"Naruto you need to eat." Sasuke grunted and motioned his food to him.

"No he can have mine." I replied and copied Sasuke's motion.

"I actually ate before I came so I'm not as hungry as you guys."

I looked down embarrassed. "I actually had food bars this entire time too. I was just really nervous, I need to be a ninja. If I fail now... Everything will be for nothing. I'm sorry I should had supported and taken care of you no matter what." I looked up at him and then Sasuke and gave them a sad smile.

Naruto looked surprised but gave me a smile. "It's ok Takara, I understand. I wanted to pass too! I forgive you."

I looked over to Sasuke and he shrugged in an 'it's ok' kind of way.

Naruto smiled but looked to where Kakashi had been.

"What if he catches me eating?"

"I don't sense him near." Sasuke said and I nodded, "Beside we need you strong to fight."

Naruto smiled and then looked down to the food for a moment.

He blushed oddly and stared at the ground.

"I-I can't hold the chopsticks."

Oh he's right

"Ok I'll feed you." I simply replied as I picked up some rice and held it out to him.

He gave me a look but shrugged it off and then bit the food off the sticks.

There was a poof and Kakashi appeared. He leaned over us with rage emanating from him and lighting cracking in the background.

"You broke the rules!"

Naruto stuttered and was pale but yelled, "You said we are a team!"

Sasuke nodded, "Yea and the team comes first, not the individuals."

I grinned, "We are a team, we are one!"

"You guys... Pass."

Silence

"Uh Takara please lower your katana."

"Oh sorry."

Kakashi had startled me so bad I had dropped the food and drew Balence and pointed it at him in a sort of unintentional reaction.

I sheathed the katana.

"I don't understand, we pass?" Naruto asked but was smiling stupidly.

"You broke the rules to keep your comrade fed and ready. Everyone else is too worried about what I think or are too selfish that's why they failed. It's true those who break the rules are scum. But those who betray their friends are worse than scum."

We stared at him and Naruto broke the silence with tears in his eyes. "I did it!"

"Squad seven starts their first mission tomorrow."

"He's kinda cool." Naruto muttered and then looked to me.

I stood up and cut his ropes so he fell.

"Go home guys." Kakashi said smiling.

I turned to Naruto and Sasuke.

"I think this calls for celebration, we are ninjas now!" I'm so happy.

Naruto nodded, "How about dinner at your place, I have to find Iruka and tell him!"

I nodded and turned to Sasuke expecting a response. "I'm good."

"No you'll be there. The guilt of being selfish durning the mission will make you come. That and the rice!" He scowled and left.

I bid Naruto bye and left as well. I need groceries.

I started to walk toward the market when I saw a head of pink hair.

'Oh Sakura.'

She was standing there talking to her two team mates. I know them a little. One is a civilians kid named Kanetsugu Sasaki, he comes from a family that makes pharmaceuticals, dad says their medications are really top notch. He's really quiet and barely speaks. The other team mate is a second generation ninja, a big guy who I remember being very dense and slimy, Jinta Maki.

The three of them were standing in a circle with serious faces.

As I walked by I caught Sakuras eye and waved at her but she just gave me a sad look. She actually had tears pricking up in her eyes making me stop. I stared at her uncomfortably before slowly walking over to them.

"Uh, is there a problem over here?" I asked awkwardly as I crossed my arms.

Jinta turned to me and raised an eyebrow. "None of your business Gushikan."

I shrugged, "Ya it's not, I'm just curious."

Kanetsugu pushed his red velvet hair out of his eyes and shoots me a glance. "We failed, being sent back to the academy."

My mouth dropped.

"You guys are? That's... Wow. You guys were in the top of the class."

"We all failed somewhere the teacher thought was essential." Sakura muttered.

I furrowed my brow and stared at them questioning.

"I don't communicate well with others." Kanetsugu said looking at the ground.

"I take risks that endanger the team." Jinta grunted and cracked his knuckles.

"I-I'm not physically capable." Sakura cried, making me flinch.

"I'm just, weak." Her voice cracked.

"Did you pass Gushikan?"

I nodded. "Ya my team passed."

Jinta snorted, "Naruto of all people passed and I didn't? Well shit."

I smiled at them, "So what are you guys going to do now? Still gonna be a ninja?"

Jinta snorted a yea duh and Kanetsugu nodded silently. Sakura stayed silent and stared at her feet.

"Takara-chan, can I talk to you privately."

Oh that's a surprise.

"Sure, now?"

She nodded, so I grinned at Jinta and Kanetsugu and bid them farewell.

Sakura and I walked down to a tea stand and got something to drink before sitting on a bench.

"My parent are citizens. You know that right? (I nodded) they told me that if I fail that I might as well just quit. That there is no shame in it. That I should just go home and work with my parents."

Dead silence.

I awkwardly drank my tea.

"Uh, is that what you want?"

She looked up to me and then into her tea.

"No, all I've wanted was to be a ninja, ever since I was a little girl. I could had gone to a civilian school but I begged and cried and stomped my feet till my parents sent me to the academy."

I laughed but let her continue.

"Learning everything was easy and I'm good at chakra, ninjustu, genjustu, and book smarts. The physical learning though? Building muscles, fighting, training, I've never been good at it. My Sensei said that if I went into the field today i'd die."

"So you're not gonna give up? Are you?" I stared her down. "All that crying and all nighters for nothing."

She chewed on her lip and stared ahead a nothing in particular.

"What do you think Takara... Do I have potential?"

I snorted.

"Of course! More potential than most people actually. Your raw skill is great, I really envy your chakra control."

I stopped myself from going on. She needs to decide this. Not me.

Her eyes got wide.

"You think I could be a ninja?"

My conscience screamed at me so I just smiled and repeated what it said.

"Sakura if you work hard and find someone you really respect to train you then you can become a sannin."

She stared at me a second longer before downing her tea and standing up. I followed in suit.

"Takara Gushikan." She held out her hand so I took it and shook it.

"I'm going back to the academy despite what even my parents will say, I'm going to train until I'm just as strong as you. Then we will both be ninjas."

I laughed and smiled.

"Man if you get as strong as me and have that amazing chakra then you might as well be a joinin,"

My smile turned sly as I leaned in to whisper, "and be Sasuke's girlfriend."

She blushed and pulled away.

"Ya-ya think?"

I shrugged. "Everyone can appreciate a strong person, and I'll throw in a good word for you when I can."

She squealed and hugged me making me blushed and squirm around.

"No, no physical contact please." I muttered but she just held tighter.

"Takara you are the absolute best! I'm going to make you proud and make Sasuke love me!"

I gently pulled away and awkwardly patted her shoulder.

"Well remember you can't force someone to love you. Try to take it slow. He doesn't respond well to crazy proclamations of love. Let it sink into him first."

She gave me an odd look.

"How do you know so much about Sasuke?"

I froze, how do I know that?

"Uh, childhood friends, preteen rivalry though."

She made an O with her mouth and that seemed to fix her "suspicion".

So I said bye to Sakura and that I wish her good luck.

I had began my walk to the market when I saw the time and groaned. Never mind. I'll do that after I get Usagi from daycare.

I walked across Konoha to the friendly little building.

"Hey, I'm here!" I said as I walked in. As usual Usagi was hanging by the door.

"Oneechan!" He ran full force into my arms.

"Nee nee Usa-chan, how was the day?" He gave me a fake smile.

"It's ok! I'm hungry!"

I frowned and stared him down until he averted his eyes.

"(Sigh) Ok my team is coming for dinner so we need some more food. Dad and I sure eat a lot!"

He giggled and patted my head as we left.

After restocking and the long walk back I flung Usa into a kitchen chair and started to put away the food.

"So what goes on at daycare? What do you do?"

He hummed and drank his milk.

"I look at books, and trace letters."

I frowned.

"But that's what you always say. Have you made friends yet?"

He shrunk in his seat.

"No."

"What about enemies?"

"No." It was more high pitched this time.

"Alright it's about time I teach you how to punch! So you hold your fist like this.."

"No no no! Oneechan! I don't want to fight! I'm good."

I stared at him for a moment.

"... And you never hold your thumb in your fist cuz you can break it when you punch."

He got teary eye and got off the chair, "Taka-Oneechan I don't wanna fight! I hate fighting!"

I raised my eyebrows and sighed.

"Ok you're right. So no punching... Uh kill them with kindness."

He tilted his head in the most adorable way, I don't know where he gets it from, and asked for more info.

"Well that's what mom always said, I was never good at it. It's just be so nice that no one wants to hurt or be mean to you, they would feel guilty. It's also a good way to make friends."

He nodded and smiled, "Ok I'll try that!"

He indicated he's being bullied, new mission, stalk my baby brother until I watch someone be mean to him and then destroy the target that doesn't deserve life.

I smiled innocently and nodded.

He got a serious face and pointed a finger at me. "No, no fights."

How does he read my mind?!

After a while dad came home and I told him step by step what happened.

"Hm we need to work on your accuracy."

"Did you know I still had a final test, and that it would be on teamwork?"

He just smiled and ruffled my hair.

"I know everything."

I pouted an stared him down when there was a knock at the door.

Naruto had arrived, we ate and reminisced for a while. Then I started to pack some rice for Sasuke. Stupid boy actually didn't come.

"Do you remember when we were just kids and you said we would be on the same team?"

He laughed and nodded.

"Well what's next?"

Authors note:

Sorry about DeivantArt, I was just busy preparing for school this week. I'll try to post tomorrow.

Speaking of school... I won't sugar coat it. I suck at updates during school, which starts Monday. I'll try my hardest but please give me some slack. I'm really trying here.

Thank you and have a nice day!

~ToL