Within The Light

Ruthless Genin

Kakashi's POV

"Those kids are ruthless, I'm telling you, Konohamaru." I heard Udon complain to his childhood friend. He made it seem like those Genin were the spawns of demons. He wasn't completely exaggerating. I experienced teaching those brats first-hand.

I leaned against the wall, listening to the reports of the Chunin Exams in one of the many rooms of the Hokage Building.

"What are they on about?" I heard Neji ask next to me.  He crossed his arm, watching the men in front of him.

"Aparently the Inuzuka of the Sand didn't even bother to hear Udon out," I explained, having heard Udon cry about the story. It was quite amusing, maybe because the boy reminded me of one of my rambunctious students.

"No surprise there, have you seen Kiba?" Neji shrugged. Inuzuka's were power houses, filled with pride and stubbornness. It was no news. Still, this child was quite interesting. His loyalty was impeccable and unfaltering.

"Then the child from the Hikayu clan apologized for his teammates behavior...I continued.

"Sounds about right," Neji didn't seem the slightest bit stunned. The clan was very formal, respectful. It was highly predictable.

"Right before calling his question stupid," I added briefly.

"These kids," he sighed, sweatdropping. "Is that not Ruri of the Sand's team?"

Of course, we were both acquainted with Ruri. She was the quiet child of Gaara. We barely ever heard her speak or smile, but her eyes were content. When she was younger, she wouldn't leave his side. There was an evident trust, a bond, that connected the two. One only a child and parent could have, only this one was not tied by blood. She was also an impressive fighter. Strong and unfazed. It was impossible to not wonder if she'd follow in Gaara's footsteps as Kazekage. I had asked her myself, but she was quick to correct me.

"Ruri?" Udon looked over to us. "You mean the third child of that group? She was pretty disoriented."

"Disoriented?" I rose a brow. Now that was truly news. We only ever saw her as self-composed. Still, she's just a child. Even emotionless Sasuke had his moments at her age.

"Yeah, she was caught of gaurd. She still
managed to fight three ninja off and escape, but her body was shaking. It's like she was scared?" Udon explained, more in question about the last part.

"Perhaps the outnumbered battle had shaken her nerves," Neji suggested.

"Maybe, but she looked to be scanning the area when her pursuers were right there," Udon said, not thinking too much on it. "Either way, she didn't hold back. As always, the Sand produces formidable ninja."

"Holding her own against three? Not bad," Neji was impressed.

"And their team bond is quite unique," I marveled. They're quite an unshakable team.

Sora's POV

"She's out cold," I observed, watching Ruri's back rise and fall slowly. It was easy to forget she was just as human as the rest of us. She could become fragile, she could break. It was just that she was also so stubborn, so composed. I started to feel guilty for proposing that she go.

"She needs to rest," Yoshi nodded, looking out of a broken window. "We should have been quicker."

We were currently camping out at one of the abandoned shelters, Kiba had talked about. It was a log cabin in the middle of nowhere. Yoshi stood by the window, keeping first watch.