Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, but the Gushikan family and a select few is mine.

Chapter 20~ Responsibilities

When we had arrived at Tazunas house his daughter set us up with a few rooms so that we could rest. Kakashi got one room, and he was still passed out from the chakra exhaustion which is supremely inconvenient since we really don't know what to do. I have had chakra exhaustion before but I was always rushed to the hospital. All I really know what to do is give him fluids but other than that I don't know. Worst of all for some reason Naruto and Sasuke were asking me what to do now.

I sat alone next to Kakashi. I sent Naruto and Sasuke away for a bit by telling them to watch the family that we now had to care for.

"Sigh" what if he doesn't wake up in the next few days, we still have to protect Tazuna, it's our duty.

"Oh Takara."

I stiffened and looked up at Kakashi.

He is awake.

I can't believe how fast he already woke up. Sometimes it would take me days to wake up from chakra exhaustion.

"Sensei, how do you feel."

He laughed.

"You sound angrier than usual. And, I'm fine. I just won't move as well for a couple days." He tried to sit up and give me a pity smile from under his mask.

"No, lay back down before you hurt yourself more."

He gave me a weird look but laid back down.

"Sensei what are we going to do with you in bed rest. Sure Zabuza is taken out but there will be more. We aren't capable of fighting toe to toe with joinin. Chunin is a stretch too."

He chuckled. "Serious as always."

But, then his demeanor changed. He was quiet, he stared off into space.

"Takara, did you find anything strange about that tracker ninja?"

Yea I did! Screamed my conscience.

I ignored it but nodded.

"They used senbon needles. I guess it's a style preference but I thought it was strange."

He nodded back. "And the body?"

I furrowed my brow and though back to it.

"Well according to you his heart had stopped. However… I don't think the tracker ninja followed protocol."

"Why would you say that?" He looked interested.

"Well from what we learned in class they're supposed to destroy the body on the spot but he moved it. Not to mention it be a lot easier for him to have destroyed there since Zabuza weighed a lot more than he did."

The gears in my brain began to spin and my shoulders slumped.

"Oh no."

Kakashi nodded.

"That's right, Zabuza is alive."

I sighed.

"Now what?" I groaned as scratched my head.

"Gather everyone, we need a plan."

"What do you mean he's still alive?" Naruto screamed.

"It's exactly as Kakashi said. The facts don't add up. He'll probably be back on us in a week." I said glancing over to Tazuna who was pale as a sheet.

Naurto was smiling though, and that made me smile. He wants a second chance to get him himself.

"Now what." Sasuke's voice rang

Out.

"I'm going to train you. I may not be able to move myself but that doesn't mean I can let you guys slack off."

We all groan collectively but Naurto is still excited.

"It doesn't matter if he comes back we can do it!" Naruto smiled at us.

"No you can't."

We froze and turned to see a little boy in the door way.

After a moment of silence he ran into Tazunas arms to embrace him lovingly.

I guess this is the grandson he talked about.

His mother instantly began to scold him but Tazuna kinda low key encouraged him.

Oh well.

The boy, Inari, continued to say we'd die so Naruto told him he is a super ninja and will be Hokage so he can't die. He's a hero.

I rolled my eyes.

"Ha there are no real heroes." Inari responded.

Naruto got up, like he was going to hurt the kid so I kicked him in the back of the knee so he fell over and then turned to the kid.

"You're right, we aren't really heroes yet but we are working on it. Besides we can't die."

Inari looked up to me like he didn't believe me. I squatted to his level.

"You see, Naruto and Sasuke have dreams to follow, so they can't die. I have a little brother that I have to protect so I can't die either. We have too much to lose if we did."

His face turned sour. "You're all going to die, and you can't stop it."

He ran upstairs and his mom apologized for him.

Moments later Naruto ran past me and flew upstairs as well.

Hopefully he won't harm the kid.

Surprisingly though, five minutes later he came back down sullen and calm.

We stood in a forest filled with tall trees. It was sunny and cool from the seas breeze that drifted across the entire country.

"All right training starts now. First we will begin with a review of chakra the ninjas basic source of power. Understanding chakra is essential."

"We already know that." Sasuke replied in a snarkish manor.

"Yea I know all the things about cat-tra." Naruto says with a smile.

I face palm.

"Takara, if you would." Kakashi said sounding exhausted.

"Yes sir. Chakra is the elemental life energy a ninja uses in jujitsu. It's a source of all his power." I pause to cross my arms. "Well except me of course. Anyway, chakra has two forms, physical energy, which exists in all the cells in the entire body, all working together, and spiritual energy the primary source of power, which is intensified through training and expertise. They must be drawn out together safely to perform jujitsu. And, hand signs focus the chakra into your preferred jutsu."

Kakashi nodded. "Correct."

"Who cares about these giant explanations that are way too complicated. Let's just learn the jutsu." Naurto exclaimed with Sasuke agreeing.

"Sensei, do I have to be here? I really can't learn much of anything in the way of chakra." I monotonously muttered.

"No no no. First of all you guys are only just barely scratching the surface of chakra you're not experienced enough at it. You need to learn how to control it and balance it. Secondly, Takara you perform justu all the time, like your Akumugan style. Why do you think that works but nothing else does? You just don't believe in yourself, you can do this. You all just need to train until you don't over use your chakra."

"How do we do that?" Sasuke asked.

"You climb a tree."

Silence.

"Only one rule, no hands."

Silence

Kakashi proceeded to slowly walk up a tree on crutches until he was upside down and still scolding us for not getting the point.

"Ok now you guys try."

He gave us kunai to mark how high we get.

I stood back as I watched Naruto instantly fall back from a lack of chakra and Sasuke bounce off from too much.

"Takara you have to try too." Kakashi shouted at me.

I was frustrated, he knows I can't do this, he knows I have barely any chakra. Does he want to see me get hurt!

"Takara your pouting like a child! If you won't even try then maybe the great Gushikan clan isn't so amazing." Kakashi taunted me.

And it worked.

I angrily did the hand sign and pushed my chakra to the bottoms of my feet before running at the tree.

I basically made it up two steps before slipping and falling on my back.

I just laid there festering in anger and staring at the sky.

"Takara, you ok?" Sensei yelled at me.

I sat up and turned to glare at him.

"I can't do it." I said through gritted teeth.

He didn't say anything. He just looked at me with pity.

"If your going to gripe, moan and not do as I say then you can go watch Tazuna. He should be leaving to work on the bridge soon."

I stood up and left with a stomp in my walk.

When I arrived at the house I sat outside waiting for Tazuna to leave. I didn't want to scare anyone with how utterly angry I am.

"Oh, it's you."

I turned my gaze up to Inari. He flinched and took a step back. I scolded myself internally as I forced myself to smile.

"Oh Inari, sorry about that! What's up kid?"

"What's wrong with you?" He asked crossing his arms.

I shrugged and smiled, "Just had a disagreement with my Sensei."

He stared at me for a few more minutes before sitting next to me.

"You're all going to die."

I didn't look at him.

"I can't afford to die."

"You don't have a choice." He was tearing up and wouldn't look at my face.

"I don't know what it was like before I got here but... I won't die. I have a little brother back home that I need to protect. That's all I care about."

A silenced waved over us and we sat like that for a minute.

"Gato had my dad killed, no one is safe."

I looked over to him, he had tears streaming down his face.

"Three years ago, I lost someone. Without them I was very depressed for a while. Even after the memorial I was still really sad. I tried to put on a brave face because my little brother was hurt and at that time I was training be an ninja, but I didn't want to be a ninja anymore. I didn't care about anything. All I wanted was for my little brother to be happy and healthy, that's the thought that clouded my mind. All I cared about was family, though I still trained every day with my dad. In reality my heart wasn't in it because the pain never really goes away. I never forgot her death, I never will, it's something that I will always have to replay in my mind. But, I realized that if I just rolled over and didn't do anything with my life then what would be the point of her dying for me. So I sucked it up and got serious, I will never forget what happened but I can use it to make me stronger instead." I looked over to him and gave him a smile before ruffling his hat/hair.

"If you lose hope, then you're not really living!"

I stood up and stretched.

Tazuna walked out the door and gave me a look.

"I'm your protection for today sir." I bowed.

He grunted ok and then bid Inari goodbye.

The walk to the bridge went fast and I sat on the side to watch them build it.

"Where are the others?" Tazuna grunted as he walked by with a plank.

"Training." I responded while drifting my eyes away.

"So you couldn't handle the training then?" I could tell he was teasing me but...

"Yes, I am currently incapable of learning the lesson Kakashi Sensei is teaching."

He raised his eyebrows in a questioning way but let it slide.

"Can I help at all?" I asked, wanting to get my mind off the lesson.

He shrugged and said I could carry planks to where they are needed.

So I carried planks to those who called out to me, I could carry a bunch at one time so not many trips were needed. I could hear the adults talking about me with awe in their voices and I couldn't help but smile. At least in this type of society I'm still considered amazing.

After the work day I went with Tazuna into town to get food for dinner.

It's bad, there are starving children in the streets, everyone seems broken, and there is barely any products.

I looked at the bare shelves in the store and the lack of patrons. Scary, this is legitimately scary.

I felt someone walk up behind me and his hand brush my hip.

He wants the stuff in my bag.

I grabbed his wrist and twisted it up. I turned around and looked him in the eye.

"There are better ways."

I pushed him away and then went back to Tazunas side as we left the store.

"I see why you're the mature one. Not many people would have that reaction.

I looked around.

"I pity them, they are all just trying to survive."

Another hand grabbed my skirt.

I turned around but was faced with a small child.

"Please?"

She asked holding out her hands.

I breathed out and smiled sadly, "Sure."

I looked into my bag and ruffled around until I found my protein bars.

It won't fill her stomach but one bar had more than enough calories for her.

I pulled one out and gave it to her before I had a thought.

"Oh one more thing! I usually keep some candies for my brother so I think... Here, take two, it will taste much better then that bar but at least the bar is good for you." I rambled a little as I gave them to her.

She looked at the things in her hands and then smiled at me.

"Thank you so very much!" She ran off then. I smiled and turned around only to see three more kids that had witnessed the exchange and wanting food.

I sighed but smiled as I gave them what I could. They all had the same reaction before running off.

"The people have lost hope, so the children suffer. That's why the bridge is so important."

I nodded.

"I understand, I just wish I could help more."

Tazuna nodded back, "It's hard to see, but the best you can do is give them their hope back with the bridge."

When we got back I asked Tazunas daughter if she wanted help making dinner. So I washed the rice, but the mundane activity made me remember my exchange with Kakashi. That look of pity he gave me... I continued to wash with anger until I heard her chuckling. My pissed look turned back to her.

"Oh, I'm not really laughing at you! It's just, sometimes I forget that despite you being ninjas you're still just kids."

I relax my shoulder and sigh.

"Sorry, my Sensei just made me angry."

Her mouth made an O shape but then she just smiled.

"Disagreements happen even in the best team."

I grunted angrily, "He just doesn't understand that I physically can't do everything he wants me to learn!"

She raised an eyebrow, "Whys that?"

I waved off her question, "I just have poor chakra."

"My dad said you can do something with your eyes, it didn't work though."

"That had nothing to do with it, it was just the wrong time to use it."

"So why did it work with your poor chakra?"

I sighed and stared at her.

"I don't know, maybe because I was born with this ability in my blood. I just, can't do anything else. Well maybe a little but not for an extended period of time. I can't afford chakra exhaustion with whatever Kakashi wants to teach me now. I have to stay alert, we're on a mission!"

She gave me a smile, "Maybe you're afraid to try. Because if you try really hard and you still can't learn it, then you're right."

I went quiet. We didn't really talk the rest of the time.

The food was good though, even if Sasuke and Naruto threw it up in the end. My face darkened I hit the two of them over the head.

"Stop wasting food!"

"Gosh Takara, no need to hit us!" Naruto yelled and Sasuke agreed.

"Well apparently I do need to hit you if you're going to waste food like that. So either choke it down stop eating!"

When dinner was finished I started to help clean up and then took my leave. I walked out and began to go to the forest when Naruto showed up by my side.

"Wha-what are you doing here?" I frowned and he just laughed.

"Your going to train right? I want to train with you."

The frown dropped from my face and I turned away.

"I'd prefer to do this on my own."

He hummed a why.

"I'm going to try to tree climb, I really don't want you to see me fall."

He looked surprised, "Takara, are you... Embarrassed?"

My face turned red and I breathed out hastily.

"Of course not!"

He laughed, "Okay, how about this, we will practice on the same tree but opposite sides so that we can't see each other's progress."

I stopped and looked at him. "That is the smartest thing you have ever said to me."

He smiled proudly.

We soon found a large tree and began to practice.

Right away I could tell Naruto made great progress since last time, I didn't hear him fall as quickly. I didn't say anything though.

I made the hand sign and focused my chakra to my feet, they felt warm and tingly.

I ran and began to go up the tree. It was different from last time, maybe because I was really trying. I managed eight steps when my foot wouldn't stick anymore.

I landed a little harshly and I was already out of breath.

But

How am I supposed to get better if I never try again.

I recharged my feet and tried again and again and again and aga- oh wait I think I fainted.

I opened my eyes to the midnight sky. Very pretty.

I sat up and saw Naruto looking at me from behind the tree. He gave me a thumbs up before getting back to it.

One last time. I want to make it 15 steps.

I recharged and then ran.

I woke up up to Naruto shaking me back to reality. That became our lives for the next few days. Shit, I hate chakra training.

Midnight once again. I'm up to 45 steps. All I want is to reach 50 but I'm so tired, also I'm amazed I haven't died yet.

"You ok Taka?" Naruto shouted, he does that every so often.

I coughed but smiled.

"Yes I'm good!"

"Once more." I muttered under my breath and began to run.

I got higher and higher until I realized I passed 45. A couple more steps.

5

4

3

2

1

Blackness

"Takara! Taka! Wake up!"

I fluttered my eyelashes and then squinted into the bright light.

Morning?

I sat up and saw Naruto sitting next to me with... A girl? Whatever.

Not a girl!~sang my conscience...

I stared her down for a second. No conscience is wrong, this is a girl.

"I slept all night Huh? Oh well." I smiled a bit.

Naruto gave me a smile, "Look!" He pointed to my marks.

51

I grinned but it soon filtered away.

"Who are you?" I asked the young girl.

She gave me a calm smile, "No one important. So you two are ninjas? That's a tough job."

My eyes narrowed, she dodged the question.

"Ya we are! We're super tough! The best of the best!"

I sighed but smiled, "Ya we sure are."

She looked a little intrigued. "So do have someone precious?" She began to pick her herbs she was gathering. Naruto began to help but I just watched. It all looks the same to me.

Naruto looked confused at her question but I nodded.

"Yea, my father and my brother. I have to make it home to protect them, no matter what."

Naruto nodded right along. "Ya I have a lot of precious people."

The girl nodded. "Having someone precious will make you grow and get stronger."

She picked up her basket and straightened her outfit.

"You two will be very strong. I can tell. We will meet again someday."

She took a few more steps.

"Also I'm a boy."

What...

How could I not tell!

Naruto and I freaked out.

Sasuke showed up barely a minute later and we all trained. Later I had to go with Tazuna and then helped his daughter with cooking so I couldn't train all day. Which is probably a good thing, I need to make new chakra.

"Takara." I turned to look at Kakashi.

"I'm proud of the progress you've made, good job. This is probably helping your vein problem too."

I nodded and failed to hide my smile.

Later Naruto and Sasuke came in after climbing to the top.

I hid my jealousy but I really was proud of them too.

Authors Note:

It's kinda on time...

Anyways, thanks for the support!

Thank you and have a nice day!

~ToL