human
The Chunin Exams... every several months, the exams are held within one of the Great Five Ninja villages so the brightest of the genin can try and earn their opportunity for promotion over to chunin, proving themselves to be intelligent and cunning enough to do so. This time, it would be held in none other than Konoha, the Village Hidden In The Leaves. This year would be interesting as the Sand village would be providing their own experienced team and there were a lot of competent rookies here. The new Ino-Shika-Cho trio for starts, but all eyes laid onto none other than that of Team 7, at least for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Third Hokage stared over at the profile of the team, who completed an A-Rank mission initially classified as C-Rank. He felt a strong sense of pride in them. Initially an escorting mission for a bridge builder, it turned into a bodyguard to protect him from a former shipping magnate/mob boss, including up against a dangerous missing-nin and his accomplice, a wielder of the endangered Ice Style kekkai genkai.
Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, led by Kakashi Hatake. Truly an odd but formidable team. But then again, they did have some outside influence.
And those were the two files, Saurtobi was looking at.
The first was that of Tottekawaru. Perhaps the oddest member of the village after Naruto himself. Found years ago as a child, he kept mainly to himself, but when it was discovered his unique bloodline, that of being able to combine lightning and wind chakras, he would be enrolled in the Academy. Perhaps more surprisingly would be that of the only thing to a friend he had, that of Itachi Uchiha. An... odd pair to say the least. Itachi outshined even Tottekawaru, but he was the only one who could keep up with Itachi and keep on guard. That and Itachi always called Tottekawarusenpai.Of course, things went south when Itachi committed the Uchiha Massacre, slaughtering all of the adults though all of the children had been hidden away. All because of Tottekawaru. In something that surprised everyone, even more than the near-extinction of the prestigious clan were the circumstances. Tottekawaru noted that Itachi had an accomplice or following the orders of someone else, something he got when Tottekawaru ran into Itachi that night.
Their duel was brutal and Tottekawaru lost when someone struck him from behind, nearly crippling him. As such, Tottekawaru was only in auxiliary until he could be healed. As such, the 21-year-old was more or less often in the hospital or in the apartment with that of his ward... Naruto Uzumaki. No one knew why the two clicked, but they did. Tottekawaru took it upon himself to look after the boy and was not phased by the revelation of him being the jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi, but definitely intrigued. He played a role in Team 7's education since Sasuke was also there. Tottekawaru took it upon himself to supplement their education, especially since Naruto was a peculiar student with how he learned.
The other was that of Reika. A skilled shinobi, she joined the ranks of the more eccentric members of the jounin due to her troubled past and her rather childish demeanor. She is a skilled professional and a capable taijutsu and ninjustu user, but her past demons had haunted her, which led to the adoption of an aggressive and dismissive front. However, Sarutobi shows patience for her and in turn, she would occasionally let her guard down with him and did not backsass much with him.
As such, he called them in. He figured Reika would be here first.
gpt
"Oh man, this year is gonna be amazing!" Anko exclaimed, gulping down two dangos at once. "Those brats have no idea what they're going to face!! In case they make it far enough..." She laughed audibly with a notable satanic twist to it. While most of first-time proctors were usually filled with anxiety and tense over ensuring maximum safety of their part of exam, Anko Mitarashi was not the one to overthink. Instead, she was the one to get fired up a bit too easy.
Ibiki exhaled heavily, shaking head in disapproval. A small smile crept upon his scarred face regardless. "Don't get ahead of your self, Anko." She then huffed and crossed arms over her chest, a single dango still on a stick. With a dangerous spark in her eyes, her grin had then reappeared again, bigger than before. "They will not make it alive through my exam. Believe it!" This time the sigh came from everyone in the room. "Casualties happen. But as a proctor you are meant to try and prevent them." Hayate coughed.
Anko pouted after receiving no support and shrugged, dragging the final dango off the stick with her teeth. "Ish teh forusht of deff. Eef dey die, dey die." She then stated, before chewing her treat up. "Well, whatever. They know what they are doing, plus no one can join unless they've been signed up by their team leaders, right? Genins might be ambitious brats with skills that barely progressed from their academy graduation. Jounins, on the other hand, are more trustworthy." Anko then headed to the door as the meeting had been more or less concluded. At this very time Sandaime should be informing team leaders of the exam dates. A particular person had then resurfaced in her mind, and she added before heading out "Not all of them. Some have judgement and attitude worse than genins."
Reika sneezed as someone somewhere had mentioned her. A vein twitched on her forehead as she proceeded climbing the stairs to Hokage's office - there were more than enough of people trash talking her, she just wished they at least had the audacity to do it to her face. The old man Hiruzen wasn't helping much either, not with his attempts to nag her into taking few genins into her care. A new team was the last thing she wanted.
The memories of her last one were still a fresh and occasionally bleeding wound. While solitude guarded her from ever getting hurt again, it also served as a reminder of how she's lost all she thought her life was. Nothing has been the same since: friendships had finished, rumors had started, her confidence had dropped. And no one had ever noticed how her entire world had collapsed - instead they would all demand more.
Her, Junichi and Kuro. That was the only team she could ever think of being in. The three had been close already in academy, and being assigned as a three-man-squad under the mentor who was not a random jounin but Reika's own father had only tightened the ties. For years teamwork had been their forte and the days of careless youth had been filled with vivid memories and audible laughs, until all had turned into ashes.
Three years ago, Junichi, the gentlest and sweetest of the three, fell under suspicion of being a traitor and fled the village right after. Being life-long friends and never seeing a flaw in his behavior, she and Kuro put their everything into catching up to their pal before ANBU did and bring him back to senses. None of them had a slightest doubt Junichi was innocent and simply panicked - oh, how naive had they been to believe it was something they could talk through!
The first scar was landed by the truth. The sweet, caring and soft Junichi she had known all her life was a cold-blooded monster in disguise. The ANBU had found him first, and this was the end of them. Needless to say, he had no interest in letting his so-called friends live either.
The second scar was her lack of skill. Or a painful mistake. Something she was to regret to the day she died. A jutsu to disarm Junichi, in the heat of the moment, turned out to have a bigger impact than any of them had ever imagined. It was an instant kill. He was dead before he knew it.
The third was the consequence. From that day onwards, Kuro wanted nothing to do with her any longer. In his eyes, she was a murderer, someone who surrendered to the easiest solution regardless of whom they were to kill. Her father had difficult time facing her either: as a mentor, he had to praise her for eliminating the enemy and protecting her comrade. As a parent, however, he could barely hide disappointment. The rest of the village took a route of glorifying her as an excellent shinobi right off the pages of a textbook. They put a crown on her head and she wore it, even if she knew damn well behind her back they would condemn how cold-blooded she was. It all happened too fast...Too fast for her to let them all know this was all an accident, a mistake. She was not a good shinobi but a good friend, not the other way around. And now she no longer had anyone to tell it to.
"What's the ruckus?" Reika huffed, pushing the door open as she skipped the greetings. "If that's the same boring plea to babysit some brats, save your breathe. I'm not doing that. So please, let it be something worthy my time."
human
"Reika-san, please drop the act. Under normal circumstances I would not call you in for an assignment such as this, given you insistence, but this is special," Sarutobi told her as he waited for her to take a seat. "Instead, I would like to ask you to serve as a co-jonin leader to Team Seven, headed by Kakashi Hatake," The Third Hokage told her firmly. Kakashi was among the few who could understand what happened to Reika. How he had to kill Rin because she was turned into a quasi-bomb, filled with the Sanbi, the Three-Tailed Turtle. Kakashi was forced to kill her, soon after losing his best friend Obito.
"Kakashi himself managed to pass the team. Consisting of Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki," he further explained to her. There, was his second reasoning. The last Uchiha, the one who had world fall to pieces and of course, Konoha's most unpredictable ninja and jinchuuriki to the Kyuubi no Kitsune, the Nine Tailed Fox. Both who beared strong burdens and the misfortunate girl who had to keep the two together.
"I ask to train all three of them and to protect them, given the unique circumstances. Especially with the suspicious of Tottekawaru," he finalized. Tottekawaru... the one who held the truth about the Uchiha Massacre, the one who was blood-brothered with Naruto, the Plasma wielder and a pretty anti-authorative figure to boot. He himself would also feel her pain, given the fallout between him and Itachi Uchiha.
"The Chunin Exams are coming and I fear something may happen, especially with the inclusion of Naruto and Sasuke and while Sakura comes from more modest backgrounds, she shows remarkable promise and able to assist her comrades in functioning," he explains.
gpt
Reika passed on his request to take a seat and remained on her feet throughout Sandaime's little monologue. The look on her face indicated she was less than impressed, but this once he barely left her an opening. It wasn't difficult to reject taking a team of her own - even if she was forced to, she could easily fail a couple of snotty genins at any given time and once again be free of the tasks. Hiruzen could read her like an open book, therefore he knew trying to achieve Reika's compliance would only result in dreams of academy graduates being crushed, even if they were the most talented of the lot.
"The kyubi brat, the Uchiha brat and...Who was she again?" Reika asked with a tilt of the head to the side, visibly disinterested as she had always been. Most would be thrilled by this set up: working with the infamous Kakashi, getting their hands on the Uchiha and getting a chance to check the kid bearing Kyuubi himself. Reika, on the other hand, wasn't the most. If anything, she saw this entire set up as a nuisance and no kid was special for her, regardless of what everyone seemed to believe.
She crossed arms over her chest, still looking unconvinced and relatively annoyed due to the knowledge this once she couldn't simply reject the order. "Wouldn't it make more sense to put me as a support to some proctor? Or just keep an eye on that Tottekawaru kid instead of Kakashi's brats?" Reika resorted, still putting at least some attempt into shaking this ridiculous request off. If she proved Hiruzen she had a better idea, he might bulge and change his mind.
human
"Under normal conditions, yes, but I would also like for both you and Kakashi to talk to Sasuke," Sarutobi explained. "Sakura Haruno," he reminded her, noting her disinterest. However, he was not one to give up, especially with his more troubled ninjas. As such, he sat up straighter and became more serious.
"Kid? I am 21, Reika," a voice said as Tottekawaru appeared there. Initially, one would not suspect much of him. While he was not husky nor doughy like the Akimichi were, he was still pretty stocky. However, he was still a pretty capable ninja as seen by the chunin vest he had. His picture profile does show some difference. While he is initially pretty tan, almost as much as Asuma-san if not a little more, here he is a fair bit paler than usual, showing that he still has to recover before he can go at full strength. Beyond that, he looked a little different, though in the foreigner sense. However, his black hair and brown eyes also downplayed that and with his glasses, one could underestimate him.
"Hello, Tottekawaru-san. And as for him, he is being tested on being an additional proctor with Anko-san during the Chunin Exams. And it's who in particular I worry about," Saurtobi said before becoming even further serious. "I have heard Orochimaru may try and infilitrate the exams and I fear either Sasuke or Naruto may be his targets," he explains.
"How about we fight then? You win, you take my place as auxillary proctor in the Chunin Exams. I win, you join Team Kakashi," Tottekawaru proposed to her suddenly. From what he got, she was not gonna budge.
gpt
In comparison to him, Reika was kind of tiny. While she had some height to her, her slender built made her appear much smaller than Tottekawaru was. Yet, the difference in size didn't seem to affect her attitude nor big mouth anyhow. Hearing his voice, she turned around to face the man, instantly pushing hands to her hips at his complaint in regards of age.
"Oi. Don't act all mighty, kid. You're a still younger than me." She suggested with a slight brow rise. It was but a three years difference, although Reika made it sound as if there was at least a decade separating them. Hiruzen exhaled heavily at the exchange, pinching his nose bridge, though Reika was swift to change into her combat mode. Although she was more after a verbal fight rather than getting physical. There were certain restrains Reika had based on her past, and Tottekawaru, possibly unknowingly, stepped right on her toes. She huffed, trying to hide her building up discomfort and frustration - a mental trauma from few years prior had made Reika hesitant to fight a comrade ever again, in fear of repeating the same mistake she's once allowed to happen.
"How about Sakamoto shuts up and does what she's bid for a change?" A different suggested rang from behind of them and Anko stepped into the room, not without a signature dango in her hand. Reika's brow twitched at the presence. "I would much rather get married to Gai than have Sakamoto ruining my exam." Anko continued with a grin.
It visibly took Reika everything she had not to snap back and she limited herself to a glare contest with the other woman, before finally sighing. "Tsk, fine. Kakashi and his brats it is, then. I'm sure they have more maturity thansome peoplein here anyways." With another huff, Reika flipped her hair and left the room with her chin held up higher than it would be considered natural.
Anko smirked as she retreated, visibly amused. However, she then recomposed herself, looking back at the Hokage. "Orochimaru? After all this time?" She asked with a frown, slightly riddled with doubt.
human
"That doesn't mean anything. Itachi was younger than me and he'd be able to kick both of our asses," Tottekawaru noted back to Reika, wondering if she would be taking his deal. When he saw her go into combat mode and Tottekawaru got into his stance. He knew about Reika's discomfort, but he was also more than capable of beating her, even in his weakened and recovering state. However, someone came in to pretty much put in an ed to it.
Anko Mitarashi.
Tottekawaru could not help but smile a bit at the proctor. Tottekawaru liked Anko and probably a bit more than platonically. After all, Anko was a dangerously attractive and capable forward woman. Additionally, she was also quick-witted and despite how she can act around others, she can be a bit of a softy. Tottekawary knew why. Anko bore a chip on her shoulder because of what Orochimaru did, though she never was ostracized like Naruto was. Despite this, Tottekawaru could relate to Anko regarding the issue on betrayal.
"Thanks for that, Anko," Tottekawaru told her with a smile on his face.
"Yes. I have reason to believe he may target Sasuke Uchiha for his Sharingan," Sarutobi told her. "As such, we will need to tighten security in for the exams. It is also why I had Reika go to keep an eye on Kakashi and his students... along with the hopes that they may be able to help her," he added. Tottekawaru could not help but smile at that, knowing what Naruto was capable of.
Naruto knew that it was not for a good reason Kakashi-sensei showed up on time. Granted, he had been told in advance by Big Bro Tottekawaru that Kakashi had some big news which is why he decided to actually go a bit earlier. He also told both Sasuke and Sakura this and both seemed to be just as surprised, though Sasuke always hid his emotions better.
"Looks like I'm on time," Kakashi said with his casual tone and even his classic closed eye smile though he noted the suspicious looks on his genins. "I'm guessing all of you suspect not everything is normal, right?" he said, becoming a little more professional.
"Yeah, you're usually never on time, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto pointed out bluntly.
"Well here, it's because the Hokage has assigned... a secondary teacher," Kakashi told them, getting a fair bit of surprise. "The Hokage's reasons are secret, but he did say this was also for her own good," he added.
"What do you mean 'for her own good?' Is something the matter with her?" Sakura Haruno asked. She had taken to try and be more serious with her ninja training, due to Tottekawaru's influence. Her sharp analytical mind and focus on chakra control meant that he more or less assigned her to becoming the team's medic. She also was pressed to try and gather more on informaton.
"We should probably discuss this later, in the event she's nearby," Sasuke noted, with his arms crossed. From what he got from the implication, she was likely someone with a scarred past and that they'd probably should not bring it up. In the same way Tottekawaru helped Naruto and Sakura, he helped Sasuke. He initially only agreed, because well, he was his older brother's senpai, but over time, did appreciate what he taught... even if some of the stuff on emotion was an issue.
gpt
"No biggie." She retorted with a grin, nibbling on a dango as she pulled it off the stick and wolfed down at once. "She needs some growing up to do instead of playing a misunderstood suffering heroine anyways." Anko rolled her eyes at the thought - she was clearly among those who sported scepticism on Reika's decency and 'text book shinobi' reputation.
However, she gave Tottekawaru a warm smile, one of those she had reserved for special occasions. Most of time Anko preferred being outgoing and tomboyish, usually making people experience a tingle of fear in her presence due to infamous hyperactivity and occasional sadistic tendencies. Well, she was indeed prone to making hasty decisions and had a short temper, but all in all she wasn't as hostile as she made herself look to scare the genins shitless. When needed, Anko was fully capable of proving herself as a professional and disciplined Special Jounin.
"Yes... Putting an extra pair eyes on Kakashi's team is a good idea." The kunoichi nodded in agreement. She, after all, was well aware of the true danger Orochimaru harboured. "But you can't help those who don't want to be helped." This was another rather painful lesson she's learned from her former teacher. "Even Kazuhiko had given up on her, and she wasn't just his subordinate - she's his daughter he has always been oh-so-proud of. Must have been quite disappointing to see her true colours."
"I've heard you were to accompany Kakashi from now on." Kazuhiko leaned back against the door frame with arms crossed on his chest. He has always been a man of very few words, with a stern and intense glare long plastered on his face. Despite the age, which had grown strongly noticeable in past three years, he was still firmly built and had the same thick brown mane as his daughter.
"Did someone die and you've suddenly got no one else to talk to?" Reika replied with a scoff. They had barely spoken ever sincethatevent, and the previously strong father-daughter connection they shared was quick to turn into constant disapproval and badly covered blame from his side. Reika wanted to let him know what truly happened from the start, given her father had always been her hero, someone who would always understand and give her the right advice, but the walls Kazuhiko had suddenly put up were too much for her weakened self to overcome. Before long, she stopped trying and took a stance herself. If he no longer needed her, she had no need of him either. To have him actually wait for her outside her house to initiate a conversation was unheard of.
"The hokage has expectations for you. This is your chance to prove you'll be able to live up to them." He ignored her taunt, keeping his voice calm and firm, as it has always been. Reika, on the other hand, was not having any of this. With a snort and a shake of the head she simply walked past him, feeling that all too familiar judgement and disappointed look pierced into her back all the way she remained at his sight. The day was already not meant to be a good one, and a start like this had only strengthened her overall irritation.
"Or you should probably keep your nose out of somebody else's business at all the times, not because you fear they might overhear you gossiping."
A voice from above announced, letting Team 7 known the mystery person had arrived. Reika took a leap off the branch she was sat on, landing on her feet right in front of the genins.
"Lesson 1. If you've got anything to say, say it directly. Nothing pisses me off more than cowards who are only capable to slander someone behind their back. And trust me, this village is filled with snakes."
She then turned her attention to Kakashi, with no less hostility than she had to his pupils. "I understand it's not your job to teach these brats manners, but you could at least try and make sure they keep their snotty beaks out of things that don't concern them."
human
"Well, I understand her issues, but she should not let it embitter her so. Or at least to remain beating herself up about it," Tottekawaru commented, seeing Anko wolf down her dango and he could not help but smile. He enjoyed being around her. Anko is a professional and serious woman, yet she also liked messing with people and could have a temper. Yet, he knew that she has a good heart. And she was as attractive as she was dangerous.
As in very very much.
"Well, I don't think she's beyond. I have my faith that there's at least one person who is willing to help and can probably break through her shell," Tottekawaru smiled, noting about the one who he placed plenty of positive faith in. His soulbrother, Naruto Uzumaki.
"Shall we get going then for a bit of training and giving the rundown of my duties for this?" Tottekawaru asked Anko.
Team 7 turned around to see the young woman land down. Kakashi remained in his usual state of mild aloofness though he did become more interested upon seeing the arrival of Reika. He heard about her. About what she needed to do. Unlike most others, he did not judge her though. After all, he underwent his own tragedy with his comrades so it would not be fair to judge without getting her side of the story.
If she ever would come out of her shell anyway.
"We're not badtalking you. We're wondering what Kakashi-sensei meant in us helping you," Naruto Uzumaki told her in his usual blunt brashness. Sasuke just sighed at his quasi-best friend's comment while Sakura just facepalmed.
"Well, one of the lessons I have taught them was to "look underneath the underneath." As such, I am curious to see what is it that they will try and figure out together," Kakashi told her. "We should all introduce ourselves, though you already know me," Kakashi told her with his usual cool tone.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki! I like ramen and my friend! I dislike assholes! My dream is to become Hokage!" Naruto announced with his usual exhuberence. However, his introduction was different than that of months ago. He referred to his Team as his friends and becoming a little closer.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I have few likes... though I tolerate my comrades," Sasuke said, managing to be a bit more open than expected. "I dislike plenty of things and my ambition is to avenge my clan and built a better tomorrow for them," he explained.
Sakura looked toward her friends and cleared her throat. "My name is Sakura Haruno. I like my friends too. I dislike jerks and perverts. My dream... well, now I wanna help people," Sakura noted. She had changed the most, indicated by her fresh if rough-cutted hair.
They were all wondering what Reika would say.
gpt
"Well, who cares anyways?" Anko threw her arms in the air, now clearly bored of the topic. A stern look on Hiruzen's face indicated he did, and under his glare the proctor gulped. Well, it was a bit of a depressive topic, and Anko preferred surrounding herself with positive things - there's been too much of pain in her life for her to be willing to let it slither in ever again. Plus, she genuinely didn't care. She, like most people in Konoha, had deep respect to Kazuhiko, but his daughter was a very different case. In Anko's eyes, she was just playing a stoic hero once she's been proclaimed as one. A thought Reika was actually in pain rather than showing off had never truly occurred to her, but that was most of people.
To escape the daggers Hokage glared into her, Anko casually stuffed her mouth with another dango and grinned sheepishly. Her energy was enough to loosen the old man up, and Sarutobi exhaled heavily, though not without a smile. She then turned her attention to Tottekawaru. He was a curious character, Anko had to admit - similarly to her, he had the misfortune of being at wrong places in the wrong time, therefore being caught up in events that were barely in his control. Well, he was kinda cute though, she could live with that. And seemed to have a slightly better sense of humour than other proctors who were plainly boring and without a single hint of mischief in them.
"Can be done, but who does tutoring for free nowadays, hmm?" She smirked, then devouring the remaining dango. This one left a small stain at the corner of her lips. "But it's okay, I'm not a devil. I wouldn't charge you money... But a treat to some dango would be very, very appreciated!" She gave him the widest of grins and chuckled, clearly pleased with her own proposal.
Reika nodded as Kakashi's words - aye, she was familiar with him. Especially that little things from his background which, she suspected, was the reason of her being sent here. If Hiruzen thought that was going to affect her anyone, to be stuck with someone who shared similar experiences to her own, he was wrong. She didn't need support or understanding. She just wanted to be left alone. It was better this way.
She listened to the genins introduce themselves with arms crossed over her chest, very similar to the pose her father had taken earlier that day. In fact, the similarities were rather astonishing for she had also managed to adopt his glare of disapproval - receiving it for so long, she found it incredibly easy to mimic. Reika wasn't sure why, but she wanted somebody else to feel that very judgement and knowledge of being simply the worst - and she wanted to be the one to make them feel that. Maybe it was the coping mechanism, or maybe she was indeed just a horrible person.
"A spastic, a hollier-than-thou and a basic teenage girl." She said dismissingly, eyes stopping on each of them as she picked up on the negatives she spotted. It was clear Reika had no interest of getting to know any of them better. But then it was her turn to speak. She sighed heavily. "Reika Sakamoto. I like working alone, I dislike brats like your lot and my dream is to be done with this nonsense as soon as possible."
human
Well, a lot of people. We have to be good toward one another, otherwise we run the risks of more jerks in the world, Tottekawaru answered over to Anko before noting the Hokages glare over to Anko for her comment.
However, the tense atmosphere lightened up thanks to Anko going back toward her dango.
What Tottekawaru did not expect however was Anko pretty much asking for food in exchange for... well, doing her job of informing him of his duties and whatnot as an auxiliary proctor.
All right, guess its a date then, Tottekawaru agreeing to her deal before blushing when he realized what he said. While she is clearly attractive, based on her attire, Diego was not as much. He could be described as average or if being generous, cute in a boyish sort of way. As such, a couple people assumed he was out of her league.
Now, now, make your arrangements another time, Sarutobi told them while chuckling at the exchange. I do suggest you both get a. move on, he informed them.
Team 7 for the most part, were surprisingly unimpressed by the glare nor the insults of their new teacher. Sakura just looked a bit confused, Sasuke looked unimpressed and Naruto looked downright annoyed.
So, youre some cranky lady who thinks shes better than everyone, Naruto snapped back at her as he glared back. He dealt with her sort of attitude since he was a kid and he sure aint gonna back down from anyone.
Great, now that we have gotten to know one another, how about we test what our new team member is capable of? Kakashi told them, causing a fair bit of surprise.
Youre gonna try and fight against my cute little Genin until one side gives, Kakashi said, closing his book before staring then down. Team 7 went to one side and staring at Reika. Im sure you know the rules, Reika. I advise you not underestimate them, he told her.
gpt
"There there, don't go ahead of yourself!" Anko teased, sticking her tongue out at him like a cheeky tomboy she was. It wasn't often someone would even speak of dating in her presence, often being put off by genuine lack of femininity and lady manners, and therefore Anko was unsure how to respond. "As I've mentioned, it's a mere payment for my oh-so-kind help!"
Despite being clearly knocked out of her usual rhythm, she wasn't flustered or anything to indicate this had been more than she would of expected. Shyness just wasn't part of who the loud knucklehead kunoichi was, and Anko had generally only been known to blush in case of huge, huge mess ups, such as her signature dynamic entries being badly timed.
"I mean if you want to call it a date, I will roll with it." She said with a shrug. A free dango was a free dango, no matter what name it wore. Anko didn't mean for it to sound bitchy or entitled, it was just a lame attempt to play it off cool which, despite lack of physical signs, indicated she was slightly thrown off by the proposition.
The proctor then rolled her eyes at the old man's remark, though gave him a curt nod of understanding. "Fine then! Get going you!" She commanded, tugging onto Tottekawaru's sleeve and she left the office, lowkey dragging him along.
"I don't need to think I'm better than few brats - it is a fact." Reika cut the blonde off, narrowing her eyes. The kyuubi brat, loud and obnoxious. The other two had some sense to stay out of it, though their expressions suggested they were not pleased to hear her either.
However, it was Kakashi's words that were finally able to get Reika out of her superior mode. Her eyes widened at his proposal. Did he not read her file beforehand, or was the man simply not alright in his head. Whichever it was, there was no bloody way Reika would submit to this ridiculous request.
"Kakashi... Can I have you for a minute?" She finally asked after a brief pause, her tone nowhere as menacing as it was seconds ago. Without waiting for his approval, Reika grabbed him by the shoulder as she pulled him aside.
"Are you out of your bloody mind???" The kunoichi hissed, looking over her shoulder to confirm the kids were not listening. "You know very damn well what consequences this may carry. Look, you may not give a shit about those brats, but I refuse taking responsibility of what the outcome of this fight might be. So, bite it. I'm not doing this. Got it?"
human
Tottekawaru blushed some more at Anko's teasing, still being charmed and enjoying her presence. Tottekawaru did not know what drew him to Anko. Well, beyond her confidence and her sexy appearance, but he did feel comfortable around her, despite her mildly provactive nature. He did know that she was an intelligent and good person deep down though.
The fact that she was not bothered by the fact he called it a date made him feel a bit better. However, Tottekawaru did note that Anko looked mildly surprised. He wondered if no one actually ever asked her out on a date before. However, he did faithfully follow her to the dango shop for her, all while seeing the Thrid Hokage chuckling at the silly behavior of his ninjas, but also seeing the spark in his eye. Saurtobi hoped that it would lead to something more.
"How are you feeling on becoming a proctor for the Chunin Exams?" Diego asked her once they leave the Tower and were walking around Konoha. He wondered what dango shop he would be going with her. He liked dango since he himself had a sweet tooth much like the seductive snake woman that snagged his heart.
Team 7 looked surprised to see the up until now smug and condescending Reika look utter flipped out at what Kakashi said. Sasuke wondered if she was merely against fighting them or if something was up. The brief pause seemed to have gone for a long while, but she eventually went over and dragged Kakashi out in order to discuss something with him. Kakashi saw her look over her shoulder to see if the Team would be listening.
However, unknown to Reika, Naruto was listening, his jinchuuriki senses heightening his hearing. Before he could say something, Sakura put her hand over his mouth before Sasuke signaled for Naruto to whisper what they were saying, which Naruto did. In fact, they even began walking around to give the impression they were not listening.
"And you do not think I will not be able to stop you?" Kakashi noted to her pointedly. "Nor have you not read the profile of the Team? Our first C-Rank Mission turned into an A-Rank one as the Team survived well against Zabuza the Demon Swordsman and his apprentice, a user of the forgotten Ice Style kekkai genkai," Kakashi told her as he stood there, analytcial and wondering what to make his next move. "If things get carried away, I can stop you... or are you saying that you are stronger than me?" Kakashi could not help but tease a bit before becoming more seriously.
"I understand your own hesitation and guilt, but you cannot let that weigh you down forever," Kakashi said to her, removing his headband and showing her the Sharingan... his sign of his guilt.
gpt
She gave Hokage a backhand wave as they left the office, making the old man exhale heavily, but not without a smile. Despite the amounts of pain Orochimaru had put her through, the consequences of partial memory loss and other hardships Anko had faced throughout her life, not once had she changed being the rascal he would recall her being since she was a child. Similarly to Naruto, she had the talent to push aside negatives and remain as open to people and experiences as ever.
"How I feel about it?" Anko tilted head to the side reacting to his question - no one had really wondered about that before, yet she kind of transmitted her thoughts to anyone regardless. "I'm absolutely damn fired up!!" She suddenly fist pumped, nearly taking a leap forward in excitement. "These brats have N O I D E A what they gonna be up against!" The kunoichi laughed, almost manically. A few odd looks from passers-by who stopped to look at her, however, made her cough and recompose herself.
"Anyway!" She toned her voice down a little, but it was not duller than before. Grinning widely, she then grabbed him by the hand. "If it's a date, then hold my hand, huh? Or you don't know how to do it properly?" She teased the guy without mercy as they walked into her favorite dango-specialized shop.
"I'm not here to compete with you in terms of power." Reika rolled her eyes to express irritation. Of course, she's heard plenty of the infamous Copy Ninja and knew he was considered a genius, but she was not a fragile little flower either. If anything, she liked to believe they were on a similar level, although for someone who had not fought against Sharingan before, it was difficult to judge.
"Look, whatever you say, I'm not changing my stance. I don't know what Sandaime told you or how much you believe the rumors, but I carry no guilt nor regrets." She stated firmly, crossing arms over her chest. "I did what had to be done, what anyone would have done in my situation. I did it to protect the village, to avenge the ANBU he annihilated and to fulfill my duty as a shinobi. There is not a single thing I've done wrong, therefore I don't and never have felt guilty."
Her look was stern and the voice firm, just enough to make it very believable Reika meant everything she said. After all, it was a role people had long assigned her to play, and even if she wanted to snap out of it, it was too late. "I'm not like you, Kakashi." She added, but in a little softer tone. It was a small, insignificant gesture from him, but somehow she felt it was rather intimate - somewhere deep down she even felt and urge giving his face a small stroke as a sign of support, but her casual coldness was much stronger. "I do not regret what I've done. On the contrary. I am proud. While I do appreciate your words, this has never been the case." She then cleared her throat, restoring the firmness of her voice. "Either way, I refuse to fight those brats. End of story."
human
Tottekawaru could not help but laugh over at what Anko said. She cackled at the delight of being able to spook the genin over what awaited in the Forest of Death. "Yeah, though I hope that doesn't us not know what we could be up against. After all, would not be surprising for someone to try something," Tottekawaru noted to her while they were walking. After all, rumors were circulating and security tightening. That's why Tottekawaru was recruited as an auxillary proctor after all.
However, he then blushed once more when he felt her grab his hand. "Well, I've never gone on a date before," he confessed to her with a bit of a shy smile. However, he did not pull her hand away from his. In fact, he gave a gentle squeeze in response. He was pretty confident usually, but some stuff could catch him offguard, including the woman that he was very attracted to.
"How are you feeling? Have you heard some of the rumors about who's getting involved?" Tottekawaru asked her. The big rumor was on the strange new Villlage of the Sound that was sending ninja over for the exams.
Kakashi Hatake stared at Reika with as dry an expression as he could with his analytical look and the fact he was only showing one eye. He knew she was lying. Her behavior in lashing out was heavily evident of it and even when she was trying to convince him, he would not fall for it. After all, why else would she be very resistance against this sort of test in sparring otherwise.
"If that is the case and you are not bothered, then you have no reason to step out of testing your skills against my Team. After all, if you are as confident and self-assured as you say, then you should be comfortable in this. Besides, as your superior officer, you do not have much choice," Kakashi told her, giving her his infamous closed eye smile. After all, if she backed out now, it would just confirm openly that she was lying. "Additionally, you need to showcase how well you can do with my team. After all, who's to say that they won't try and combat you on their own terms?" Kakashi asked her with a rhetorical question.
"Alternately, you can choose to fight me then," Kakashu added to her and wondering what his team was doing though it looks like Sakura was getting them to meditate. Many forget that chakra was physical and spiritual in nature.