I walked silently down the streets of the village. I had no idea where I was going and I couldn't be bothered to take out the map. So I wandered the streets, looking out for something interesting to do.

For the first time in ... well forever, I had money. Yes, real live money weighing down my pocket. Granted it was not much but soon I knew I would be needing a purse. The past few missions, despite it being boring, was payment enough. I already set aside the money for the apartment.

I kicked a stone, thinking back on the meagre missions we were given. I was completely and utterly grateful for those missions. I would much prefer to stay inside the village and help around than head outside into the open where I was open. I had grown accustomed to the safety of this village, even if I hadn't grown accustomed to its villagers and even my own comrades.

Even using the word made me anxious. Comrades. I knew what it meant, but I had no clue what it entailed. Was I obligated to them since they were practically my saviours? Or is that a loose term thrown around here. The more I thought about it more I grew confused. And the more I cursed that awful village and its despicable government.

The night was coming down and I weighed on the option of going back home. So what if I was dressed a little better, thanks to Sakura, and had my own set of weapons for protection? Call it instincts or even genes if you like but once the sun was down and the stars came out, my body would crave sleep. Soon I won't even be able to walk straight.

But I fought against it. The nights here in Konoha were just as lively as the mornings. This was the time when everyone was returning from their missions and taking a break before retiring for a new day. I suspect I should be doing that too, you know, so as not to draw attention to myself.

Besides, being as weak as I was I couldn't even handle those simple missions I had been given, without feeling dead tired halfway through. Which was a gross contrast to the boisterous and energetic Naruto. I swear, the boy could run around the world and back and wouldn't break a sweat.

And Sakura. I've only been here a couple weeks and every single thing she has done has irritated me. I usually don't feel much emotion to anything. Yeah, it came with the territory. But her meanness towards Naruto annoyed me and the constant way she drooled over Sasuke bothered me to no end. I said nothing of the sort though. I had only just arrived.

Sasuke was a story I could not tell, because I didn't understand it. He was the most confusing things I have encountered so far. At one point I told myself I shouldn't bother to try and understand, I won't be here long anyway, why bother? But I found myself looking at him from time to time, wondering what was his deal.

It went the other way around with Kakashi. Sometimes when I felt someone's eyes on me it was Kakashi. Other times were just my well placed paranoia. Whenever he looked at me, curiously that is, I could practically hear the words going through his head.

'What was her story' 'Why is she so closed off' 'How come she has no ninja or even physical training whatsoever'

The last one was something I couldn't hide. I would even try to overexert myself, if only to keep up with Naruto, Sasuke or even Sakura. But nothing escaped Kakashi's watchful eyes, I suppose.

Speak of the devil, there he stood standing at a book stand browsing the wares.

I walked by him.

"Yo Lea," he called to me. I turned to him. He waved and smiled at me, putting down the book to head over. I almost groaned. Conversations were not my thing. He should know that by now, judging by the way I only answered him with curt replies when he spoke to me.

"We have a mission tomorrow," he said. I nodded, not sure of what he wanted me to say.

He grew serious all of a sudden. "Actually, there's something I would like to talk to you about. Walk with me." And I fell into step with him. He walked with his hands in his pockets, looking about as if he were just on a casual stroll.

"I'll just get straight to the point," he started. "You are weak. Weaker than Sakura which is pretty weak and isn't good." I blinked at his bluntness. "The chunin exams will be coming up soon and it would make me proud to see all my students past the tests. And you definitely won't pass with how you are now."

"I got the bells," I reminded him.

"Unfortunately for you, you won't be required to get any bells. The chunin exams is a very serious thing. Persons have lost their lives."

What really confused me was why he would assume I would even join this chunin exams. I have been here for, the most, a couple weeks. Were they really this trusting? I stared straight ahead. Then they were fools. Trust only brought about your downfall. But I knew I had to get them to trust me if I wanted to stay here any longer for protection without suspicion and if entering the chunin exams was the way to go then that's where I'm going.

"Okay," I said. "Are you offering to train me?"

Kakashi looked surprised. "Actually no, but I guess I could squeeze you in."

"Thank you." I stopped walking and turned to face him. "We can start tomorrow night."

He nodded at me. He reached his hand out and rustled my hair. I froze at his touch. "Deal. See ya!" He walked one direction and I walked the next.

//

I leaned against the doorframe of the Hokage's office, Sasuke leaning against the other side. My eyes were closed. By my standards it was still way too early for this much noise and so much activity.

"I'm sick of all these lame missions!" Naruto complained loudly. "Why can't we get something more fun?"

We had just handed over the fat lady her cat. Well, they did. I had no intention of going anywhere near the beast.

"You guys are still genin. D ranked missions are just perfect for you," the Hokage reasoned.

Kakashi butt in, and I could easily see him rubbing his head sheepishly, even with my eyes closed. "I'm sorry for this disruption, I-"

"All you do is apologize and give lectures!" Naruto said. "But you know what? I'm not the same loud mouthed trouble maker you guys think I am!"

I opened my eyes at that. He could have fooled me.

The Hokage chuckled into his hand. "Okay, since you want it so badly then fine." Everyone, including the ever glacial Sasuke, perked up. "It's a C ranked mission. I'm sure you can handle that. It's a protection mission of a very important man."

Naruto jumped up, excited. Even Sakura was smiling. "Who is it?" he asked. "A feudal lord? A princess?"

"Calm down and let me introduce him." He leaned forward in his chair. "Hey, will you come in now?"

The door beside me opened and in came an old man. "What's this?" he said. "A bunch of loud brats. Especially the short one." He took a swing from the bottle of sake.

"Hahaha, who's the short one?" Naruto asked and I rolled my eyes. The more they prolonged this, the angrier I got. All I wanted to do was crawl back into my bed and don't come out until the sun was all the way up in the sky.

"You, you baka," I muttered. Sasuke heard me and looked over to me with faint surprise. A smirk pulled at his lips.

"I am the master builder, Tazuna. I expect you all to provide me with protection until I get back home and finish the bridge."

Fear descended into the pit of my stomach. We were leaving the village?

//

"Let's go!" Naruto shouted from before me. I suppressed my agitation.

"What are you so excited about?" Sakura asked.

"I've never been outside the village before," he replied excitedly.

"Then count yourself lucky," I said. They all paused and looked at me. I raised my brow at them. "Are we leaving or are you going to stand there and gape like a bunch of idiots?"

Not waiting on their reply, I began walking. But each step away from the village was like a blow to my self-esteem. I can't do it. I can't go back out there. But if I stopped now it would just ruin the effect I had just created, so I continued walking.

"Who knew you were so mean?" a voice said. I glanced over at Sasuke. He was walking with his head straight ahead, his expression impassive.

"I wasn't being mean."

"You weren't being very nice," he pointed out.

"You're one to talk."

"I have my reasons."

"So do I."

I walked away from him, not wanting to talk to him any longer. Now that they knew I was a bitch, my need for conversation was at zero. I looked up at the sun. Why did it have to be so hot out? It only added to my anxiety. I looked back down, trying to block out the voices behind me.

There was a puddle ahead. Normally I wouldn't notice it but I would be stupid to walk by and not wonder where it had come from, considering the heat today. I turned around and looked at Kakashi. He was looking at the puddle too.

There was something wrong. I just knew it. And Kakashi's nightly training made me more aware of what was around me. Long story short, I wasn't as incapable as I was before.

We continued walking. Then suddenly a voice cried out and I turned to see two ninjas wrapping a chain around Kakashi. He was sliced into pieces. I covered my mouth to hold back my scream.

"One down," one ninja said. They disappeared and appeared behind Naruto. I could see him shaking with fear from the distance. I didn't blame him. I would be too. But I knew I could only depend on Sasuke to help me us out of this, since Kakashi was gone and Sakura and Naruto were useless.

I dashed in between the trees. Sasuke had sprang into action. I pulled two kunai from my pouch and did the only justu I knew.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu," I whispered. My clone shot out before me and jumped in between the two ninjas. I took only one, not really sure how well I would fair. My clone took him head on, mainly blocking than attacking since that was what I could handle. I watched from the trees.

She feinted left and kicked him from the right. He staggered and righted himself, but not before she jumped unto her hand and kicked him in the chin, sending him flying just a few inches away from me. I smiled slightly. Even I had to admit that was kind of impressive, for me that is.

He landed hard on the ground and I moved in for the kill. She hovered over him and when he kicked out at her, making her disappear, I appeared behind him and held the kunai to his throat. "Move and that's it for you."

Then all of a sudden, Kakashi appeared and knocked him out, saving me from having to carry out my threat. There was no way he would have been scared of a twelve year old girl and, had Kakashi not arrived, I would have been dead meat.

I looked over to my teammates. Naruto was frozen to the ground. Sakura had her kunai in her hand and she was standing in front of Tazuna. I suspected she tried to protect him. Her eyes were filled with a mixture of relief and awe as she looked from Sasuke to Kakashi to me.

Sasuke was standing with his hands in his pocket, looking cool and fresh, as if he hadn't broken a sweat. The other enemy ninja was picked up by Kakashi. He looked unconscious.

"Sorry for not helping you earlier, Naruto. I let you get injured. I'll take care of that as soon as I take care of these two."

Naruto looked contrite and utterly embarrassed. I didn't blame him. It was until we had started walking again that I allowed myself to release the pent up fear that was building inside me. I had been completely terrified.