Kiyomi's POV

Here we stood, right in front of the shinobi academy. The paint is much more vibrant than I remember as a child.

"Don't tell me you don't remember coming to this place every day as a kid?"

The big red door, how could I forget? I used to dash past Hana and push her against the door on my way in. The determination I had to become stronger than my parents and Lady Tsunade was so strong back then. I wonder if that determination is still inside of me.

Kakashi taps my shoulder, breaking me from my thoughts, and leads me into the academy. The wooden floors still creak, and there are still big classrooms everywhere you turn. I assumed, me growing in height, the building would appear smaller, but it's still huge to me.

"That last room on the left is where they should be waiting for us Kiyomi." My eyes follow the room Kakashi was pointing at and I suddenly freeze.

Kakashi's POV

"Kiyomi?"

"I can't do this Kakashi. I would rather be in confinement! This is a big commitment! I don't even like kids!"

I watch as Lady Kiyomi becomes frantic and starts shaking her head not wanting to enter the room. I couldn't help but laugh at her anxious reaction—this side of Kiyomi I have never seen.

"What's going on here? Don't tell me Princess Kiyomi is scared to take on a challenge?" I tease.

I watch as her mood changes from anxious to annoyed in a matter of seconds. God, she truly is her mother's child. I snap from my thoughts when I feel her banging against my chest.

"How dare you Kakashi? I am Kiyomi Namikaze. I never back down from a challenge!"

"I thought so, but It seemed like you were just crying about not wanting to interact with a couple of genin for a few days." I giggle taking out my book and flipping through the pages.

I might as well catch up on the next chapter while she's trying to regulate her emotions. I look up from my book to see her with a determined smirk on her face. I think I broke her.

"Watch! I bet I can set a better impression than you will! These genin will like me and only listen to me!" I watch as she walks past me and heads straight for the classroom.

Naturally being taller than her I see things at a level she never does. I noticed something weird sitting at the top of the door.

"Kiyomi wait, t-

"No! Don't try to stop me now Kakashi! I'm on a roll! Prepare to lose!"

I watch as she slides the door open with a bright determined smile and I watch as the object I tried to warn her about drops on top of her yellow hair. White powder spews out, and what I quickly recognized, as an eraser lies on the ground in front of us.

"My hair!" Kiyomi screams, attempting to brush away all the chalk that sat on top of her head.

I begin to help her wanting her to calm down. She repeatedly asks me if it's gone and if it is staining her hair. I reassure her that it's just chalk and it will come out. Our interaction ceases when we hear one of the kids begin to laugh and point at us.

"I got her! She totally fell for it!"

So he's Naruto Uzumaki.

"You imbecile! Look what you did to my hair!" I quickly hold Kiyomi back from charging at the kid.

I watch as the female of the group begins to panic running her hands through her hair and begs Naruto to apologize stating that he shouldn't piss her off. She was right, but how would she know that? Maybe she's just a goody two shoes. She proves my point when she begins to apologize on Naruto's behalf and swears she would never do such a thing.

The other kid was just watching from the desk in annoyance at this whole interaction. He's the last survivor of the Uchiha clan. I wonder If Kiyomi has recognized him yet. Sasuke Uchiha.

"Hey!" I shout and release Kiyomi hating that I had to raise my voice to end all the commotion.

Everyone stops and gathers themselves and looks towards me. Even bratty Kiyomi fixed her attire and stood behind me. I quickly take control of the situation at hand.

"My first impression of this group.. you're all a bunch of idiots."

~~

Kiyomi's POV

"Do you see any more chalk?"

Kakashi leans over looking at the top of my hair and tells me it's all out. Thank God. Those little brats already landed on my bad side within five minutes of meeting them.

Here we are, no longer in the classroom. We're sitting on top of the academy's roof staring at each other. The tension was thick because the genin didn't know what to expect after what happened in the classroom. Kakashi gives me one look before he breaks the silence between the genin and us.

"Alright, introduce yourselves. Give Lady Kiyomi and me a reason to like you three." Kakashi starts

Sakura looks confused before she speaks up and asks what is it that we want to hear. Kakashi further explains that they should share their likes, dislikes, hobbies, and dreams for the future. The genin insist that Kakashi sets an example by sharing his introduction first, and he obliges. He gives the most terrible introduction I ever heard. All he allowed the kids to know was his name. That's nonchalant Kakashi for you.

"My name is Naruto Uzumaki! I like ramen, specifically ramen from Ichiraku's shop!"

Uzumaki? That was my mother's maiden name. Most Uzumaki have red hair so why is his hair yellow? That brat Naruto starts his introduction and I can't help but think he's lying. From what Sakura said before, he's an orphan. An orphan of two different clans. I too, come from an Uzumaki, but my father belongs to the Namikaze clan, which is why my hair is not red. Wait, no. My hair is naturally red. This seal keeps my hair yellow. So that means every child who comes from an Uzumaki clan member does have red hair. Does he have a seal placed on him like I do? Ugh, this is too much information that won't matter to me five years from now. The rest of his introduction was interesting. Naruto and I have something in common. We have a lot in common now that I think about it.

"My name is Sakura Haruno!"

Next was Sakura. I can't tell whose introduction was worse hers or Kakashi's. Both introductions lacked substance. It was obvious Sasuke was her everything. I understand. I too, can relate to being under the Uchiha spell. The only difference between Sakura and I was I never made it obvious. Itachi was infatuated with me, and I refused to show him any external emotion even though he had me acting like Sakura internally.

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I hate a lot of things, and I don't particularly like anything. What I have is not a dream because I will make it a reality. I am going to restore my clan and destroy a certain someone."

Well damn. Itachi, you did a number on him. I can already tell he's a walking trauma response. I thought I was bad. At least I'm still optimistic at times. Can't blame Sasuke though. I still don't understand what would make my sweet Itachi kill his whole clan. Itachi was sweet and intelligent there has to be a deeper reason that I can't figure out right now, but I'm eager to know.

"Lady Kiyomi?"

"Huh? Oh! My turn. My Name is Kiyomi Namikaze you may address me as Lady Kiyomi or Kiyomi sensei I l-

"Wait! so your father is the fourth Hokage?"

Naruto interrupts and I watch as Sakura smacks her teeth and tells him to not interrupt me. Before I could respond Sasuke interjects.

"Yeah, you idiot. What do you think that big celebration the other day was about?" Sasuke retorts.

"Hey! I thought there was some grand opening happening in the village. Why are we celebrating anyway? Was it your birthday?"

"Naruto! you don't pay attention to anything we learn in the academy, do you? Lady Kiyomi the daughter of the late fourth Hokage has been missing for the last 12 years." Sakura begins to explain to Naruto.

I look to Kakashi shocked that my disappearance actually was a topic discussed at the shinobi academy. I clear my throat and ask that they hold their questions until the end of my introduction, and they nod allowing me to continue.

"I like anything that involves keeping my appearance up to par. I love the special Kunai my father gifted me as well as the crystal necklace he also gave me. My favorite food is ramen as well. I dislike the color green just as much as I dislike people who talk a lot but their strength doesn't match their mouths. My hobbies are shopping and ninja training. My dream for the future is to defeat my past mentor in battle at least once. Then I can say I'm the strongest kunoichi from the leaf village."

I finish and watch as Naruto and Sakura are staring at me in awe. They both say the word cool at the same time and share a creepy big smile. Sasuke sits next to them with a smirk.

"Good. You're each unique and have your own ideas. We will have our first mission tomorrow."

Mission? What the hell is Kakashi talking about? we just met the kids. The kids are just as confused as I was and begin to question Kakashi.

"A survival exercise."

A survival exercise, we're still testing these genin? Kakashi begins to laugh and explains that they're going to go through a make-it-or-break-it test tomorrow. He begins to share how they must meet up with us tomorrow at five am at the local training spot. I remain silent, and go along with whatever Kakashi was saying. Until, he told them to skip breakfast because they will puke. I giggle to myself as they stare at us in fear.

"Go on now, you're dismissed!" Kakashi sings, waving them goodbye.

Kakashi turns to me and tells me it's time to go home now. I smile at his words but look for Sakura, who was trying her best to zoom downstairs.

"Sakura! Why are you in such a hurry!"

"Naruto! Will you shut up and move out of my way!"

I tell Kakashi I'll be home later there is something I need to take care of. Kakashi looks confused and watches as I tell Sakura to wait for me. I watch as Sakura freezes in her spot and forces a smile toward me.

"Ready when you're Kiyomi sensei!"

~~~

"This is your house, right? You didn't just try to trick me and bring me to your friend's house or something?"

Sakura shyly chuckles and reassures me this is her house.

"I must apologize for my parent's behavior before I open this door Kiyomi sensei." Sakura apologetically bows in front of me.

I quickly pull her from her bowing stance, and urge her to open the door and quit stalling.

I watch as she reaches for the doorknob only for the door to open before she could get a chance to touch it.

"Princess Kiyomi!"

Two figures stand in front of me with huge smiles across their faces. A man with pink spikey hair and a woman with a blonde slicked-back hair stood in front of me.

"Oh, Princess Kiyomi. You must not remember us. It's been so long but we are so happy to welcome you into our home! Please come inside!"

I gasp as the male figure picks me up and carries me into the house. What did I get myself into? Sakura's father I assume, carries me into the living room not letting my feet touch the ground until he found a spot to put me in. Their living room. It was beautiful and spacious.

"Is this comfortable seating for you Princess Kiyomi?"

I nodded, not wanting to have any more physical interaction with this man. I watch as sakura's mother yells at Sakura to prepare tea. As the woman sits next to the male figure in front of me. A brown coffee table sitting in between us.

"You don't need to prepare tea," I respond

"No Princess Kiyomi, It's okay. I insist. It's the least Sakura can do now that we hear you're her sensei!"

"Oh forgive us. My name is Mebuki, Sakura's mother. This is my Husband Kizashi, Sakura's father."

I greet them back and watch as Mebuki rushes Sakura to hurry up with the tea. I couldn't help but feel how tense it was in her home. I know where Sakura gets her aggression from.

"I'm coming, Mom!"

Sakura walks over with a platter of tea for all of us to enjoy. I grab a cup not wanting to be rude. The tea was delicious. I thank Sakura who takes a seat next to me.

"So, Sakura tells us you wanted to meet with us and discuss some things," Kizashi speaks sipping his tea after.

I look from the corner of my eye and watch Sakura embarrassingly look down at her lap. Sitting here for only five minutes, I refuse to bring up my true intentions for being here. If I did, I'm sure Mebuki would take pleasure in scolding Sakura, and Kizashi will passively try to stop her. This is a somewhat familiar concept to me, the father is the nurturer, and the mother is the disciplinary.

"I came to you both to explain how happy I am to be Sakura's sensei, and to compliment how knowledgeable your daughter is!" I say, pulling Sakura in a friendly embrace.

I whisper in Sakura's ear to relax and that I understand her now. I feel Sakura's tense shoulders relax and she smiles. Sakura's parents were too busy jumping for joy at my comment to see me and their daughter's interaction.

"I hate to leave so soon, but I must go home. It was a pleasure meeting you both!" I say finding this interaction no longer bearable.

"Oh no! Princess Kiyomi, the pleasure was ours. Please visit again soon!"

I bow and follow Sakura to the front door. I step outside and release a huge breath that I had been holding in.

"I know. I told you Kiyomi sensei. They're intense."

I chuckle at Sakura's words and just nod. She begins to explain to me how she never feels like she can do anything good in their eyes. This is why she decided to become a Kunoichi she wanted to be something her parents could be proud of. She also explains that her father is not as bad as her mother and I agree.

"I did what I planned to do today to remind you to not judge anyone's situation before your own. Sasuke and Naruto don't have their parents. I know their not the best in your eyes but be grateful for their mere presence. I do anything to hear my parents voice again. I promise to help you become stronger Sakura that way your mom will treat you with more respect okay?"

"Thank you, Kiyomi sensei!" Sakura pulls me into a bear hug.

"Okay! Okay! Remember we have a meeting tomorrow at five am. See you tomorrow!"

"Okay! Five am, tomorrow got it!"

As I walked home, I couldn't help but think to myself, Did I truly value my parents as much as I encouraged Sakura to? I was with my mom majority of the time, so she had no choice but to be the disciplinary, and my father always made time when he could. I regret being so defiant to my mom. I hope she understands I just couldn't help it. I was a kid after all.