Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Life of a Ninja ❯ Chapter 7

 

Chapter 7

They reached the front door to the Hokage Tower several minutes later, filing in. The group proceeded to head towards the stairs, until they were stopped by Shizune. The dark-haired assistant eyed them oddly, each in turn. “You kids can't just barge in like this. You have to make a...” She stopped mid-sentence as her large dark eyes fell upon Kaitoshi. “K-Kaitoshi? You're alive? Beg your pardon, I had no idea you had been spared as well. Follow me.” She led the way up the spiraling staircase before them that seemed to stretch on forever. While they climbed, Shizune couldn't help but smile brightly at the long-lost Uchiha. “You sure have grown, Kaitoshi. I remember when you were just this big.” She raised her hand slightly below hip level. Kaitoshi immediately grew red with embarrassment.

However, this state of embarrassment didn't last long as Tsunade's office finally lay before them. Shizune stepped forward and issued a polite knock. No response. She knocked again; more frustrated this time. A loud groan replied from the other side of the door. “Who is it?!” Tsunade demanded in her usual angry tone. Shizune cleared her throat. “My lady, I have some important visitors here to see you.” A loud `clunk' sounded as Tsunade set her bottle of sake down, harder than intended. “Bring `em in!”

Shizune eased the door open and allowed the five Shinobi behind her to enter first. Tsunade's office was basically what one would expect the office of a Kage to be. It was sparsely furnished, dimly lit, and neat and tidy; save for the desk. Said desk was drowning in papers, had a bottle of sake sitting on the upper right corner, and had a disgruntled blonde woman behind it. The woman frowned at the visitors. “What do you want? I don't mean to be rude, but today's been a very stressful day.” Then, her eyes rested upon Kaitoshi; causing them to widen. “Kami-sama, an Uchiha? I don't believe it. So Sasuke wasn't the only survivor?” Kaitoshi shook her head before taking a step forward. “Lady Tsunade, I have come to report of my existence so that I may take up missions once more. Kaitoshi Uchiha.”

Tsunade nodded before her eyes then found Kyra. “Ah, so you're here again too, eh? You haven't been messin' with the trees again, have ya?” Kyra innocently shook her head `no'. Tsunade issued a hearty laugh. “I can tell your lying, missy. Shino's daily report included you, and your little pranks.” (Shino was now Tsunade's personal spy, so he had to report to her everyday.) Kyra turned lobster red instantly, causing Tsunade to grin widely. “Tell you what, since you're such a wonderful artist, I'll allow one to stay as it is. Only one. Other than that, you have to change the others back.” Kyra nodded, an evil grin spreading across her face. She knew exactly which one she was going to keep.

Tsunade then turned her attention to Keyoko. “And who might you be?” Keyoko gave a small smile. “I'm Keyoko Katara of Takigakure. I'll probably be staying in Konoha for a while, if that's okay?” Tsunade gave her an odd stare. “Taki? What're you doing so far from your village? On a mission?” Keyoko shook her head. “No, my village was attacked by Orochimaru and a hundred sound nin a few days ago. They retreated, but managed to kidnap me in the process, since I'm my village's Jinchuruki. I managed to escape, so I decided to come here where I figured I'd be safe.” Tsunade scratched her chin thoughtfully. “Don't you guys get attacked pretty frequently nowadays?” Keyoko nodded. “Well then, why don't you all sign an alliance treaty with us so that we can help?” Tsunade added.

Keyoko sighed. “Lord Shibuki is a fool. He won't sign alliances with any one nation for fear of angering other nations, and thus causing war. However, it's already clear that we are at war with Otogakure. Orochimaru thinks that if he destroys our village, than the other villages will fall; including Konoha. Shibuki won't listen to true reason.” Tsunade heaved a heavy sigh. “Well, the least I can do for now is shelter any Taki citizens now or later if that snake bastard does succeed. This is pretty sudden, but I think I can have Shizune arrange a hotel room for you.” Tsunade made two quick notes on the side before refocusing on her previous paperwork.

“Alright, so now I must change Kaitoshi Uchiha's profile to active one more. And then I must schedule a meeting with Lord Shibuki. Done. So, if that's all you kids need, then I must get back to work.” Her gaze drifted downwards, back to the hated paperwork. The five teens nodded and left with Shizune following behind. Once the door had shut behind her, Tsunade grinned evilly. “Back to work.” She quickly grasped the sake bottle and took a deep swig. `Ah, just me and my sake. Work's bearable now.'

The five nin reached the main floor as Shizune walked over to the table against the wall for some paper and a pen. She quickly scribbled something down before handing the paper to Keyoko. “Here you go, sweetie. Show this to the inn keeper and he should allow you to stay in any room you choose, free of charge.” Keyoko smiled gratefully and bowed. “Thank you so much.” With that said, the group of five filed out the front door and onto the darkening streets. Keyoko then turned to Kaitoshi, her face slightly saddened. “Sorry pal, but I guess I won't be bunking with you anymore. I'm gonna go get a room at the nearest hotel. But your family's manor is really nice.” Kaitoshi smiled. “Thanks. And don't worry about it, you're always welcome whenever. Alright, I think I'm gonna head home for the night. See ya.” She gave Keyoko a quick hug and blew Neji a kiss before turning on her heel and walking away.

Neji and Mitoko also brought up that they need to get home as well, so they were soon gone as well. However, Kyra didn't say anything. Instead, she gave Keyoko a large puppy-eyed stare. “Hey Keyo, would it be okay if I stayed with you? Whenever I come to Konoha, I usually just sleep in the forest. But I trust you, so please?” Keyoko gave a small laugh. “What about Shino? Couldn't you stay there?” Kyra frowned slightly. “Oh no, I couldn't burden the Aburames with my presence. Besides, Shibi's kinda scary. I don't think he likes me.” She whispered the last part, as though Shibi were only feet away. Keyoko laughed again, harder this time. “Oh, alright.” Kyra issued a shriek of joy before tackling her new best friend.

(At the Uchiha manor…)

Kaitoshi finally reached the Uchiha manor and unlocked the front door. She was surprised to find that Sasuke wasn't home. `He's probably still out training. I won't bother him.' She glanced lazily around before suddenly getting an idea. `Hey, I should look for my old sword to train with! I loved that thing. Maybe it's still in the hiding place I put it in seven years ago.' She walked down the hall towards her room. She entered and headed straight for her medium-sized dresser against her bed. With a forceful heave, she pushed it aside and wiggled one of the floorboards that was previously beneath it. It soon came loose and she set it aside.

Her hand slid through the long rectangular hole and came to rest upon a dusty hilt. She took hold of it and pulled out her beloved sword. The blade was black as night and about four feet in length. The hilt was about a foot long and was bound in red and black leather tied together with a glittering silver cord. Near the handle, where the sword met the hilt, was a fox head formed from pure silver with two small crimson jewels for eyes. Her older brother Itachi had hand-crafted it himself, just for her. Although it was her favorite weapon, the thought of her traitorous brother made her sick to her stomach.

She tightened her grip on the handle as she replaced the floorboard, pushing the dresser back into place. #Why do you think he spared you?# Kaitoshi's face grew grim at Kyuubi's sudden question. `That's what I've been wondering ever since that terrible day.' She shuddered slightly. #Well, if he thinks he can come back and finish the job, I'll finish him!# Kyuubi issued a mental snarl. Kaitoshi smiled slightly. `Thanks Kyuubi, that's really sweet of you. But why are you so protective of me? Other Jinchuruki's demons probably don't care much at all for their hosts. At least, Naruto's doesn't.' Kyuubi snorted. #Well, I'm not Naruto's demon, am I?# Kaitoshi giggled as she rose to her feet and placed her sword back into its scabbard. `Of course not, you're far better. I'm gonna go practice my sword-skills for a bit.' She exited her room and headed out the back door.