"Oc in Naruto"

Chapter 12

At Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto suddenly perked up with curiosity. "Hey, Aria-chan! I've been meaning to ask - what was that angry cherry tree incident everyone keeps talking about?"Aria's scales flickered with amusement as Kakashi visibly tensed. "Ah, that story...""Oh no," Kakashi muttered, his visible eye closing in resignation."Now this, I have to hear," Sakura leaned forward eagerly. "I've heard rumors but never the full story."Sai looked genuinely curious. "I too would like to understand this reference.""Well," Aria began, her scales shimmering with mischief, "it happened during my early ANBU days with Kakashi-senpai. We were on a routine patrol when he decided to read his Icha Icha while on duty.""That doesn't sound so bad," Naruto interrupted."I'm getting there," Aria continued. "You see, I had foreseen that his distraction would lead to him walking straight into a cherry tree. But instead of warning him, I decided to teach him a lesson about staying alert on duty."Kakashi sighed. "You manipulated time to make me hit every single branch on the way down.""The best part," Aria grinned, "was that I made sure it happened just as a group of visiting dignitaries was passing by. Poor Kakashi-senpai got tangled in the branches, his book went flying, and cherry blossoms rained down everywhere."Naruto burst out laughing. "No way! Kakashi-sensei got beaten up by a tree?""It wasn't just that," Aria's eyes sparkled. "The tree was in full bloom, and I may have timed it so that every time he tried to get free, more petals would fall. The dignitaries thought it was some sort of elaborate performance art."Sakura was trying hard not to laugh. "So that's why people kept requesting the 'dancing ANBU cherry blossom show' for months afterward!""The tree wasn't angry," Kakashi corrected dryly. "Aria was angry about me reading on duty. The tree was just her weapon of choice.""To be fair," Aria defended, "you did start paying more attention during patrols after that.""Only because I was traumatized by cherry trees," Kakashi muttered.Sai tilted his head. "Is this why Kakashi-sensei always takes the long way around the park during spring?"This sent everyone into another round of laughter, while Kakashi buried his face in his hands."I still maintain," Aria concluded, "that it was an excellent lesson in situational awareness.""You just enjoyed watching me fall out of a tree," Kakashi accused."That too," Aria admitted cheerfully. "Though I did make sure you landed safely... eventually.""After I hit every branch," Kakashi reminded her."Details, details," Aria waved dismissively, her scales flickering with continued amusement.Naruto wiped tears of laughter from his eyes. "That's amazing! Got any other stories about Kakashi-sensei?""NO," Kakashi said firmly, just as Aria's scales lit up with delight. "Absolutely not.""Well," Aria began anyway, "there was this one time with a particularly aggressive puddle..."Kakashi quickly ordered another round of ramen, desperately trying to change the subject while his students eagerly leaned in to hear more tales of his misfortunes.

Team 7 sat at Ichiraku, discussing their friend's recent absence."Has anyone seen much of Aria-chan lately?" Naruto asked between slurps of ramen. "She's always busy with something."Sakura nodded with concern. "I've noticed that too. And when we do see her, she seems... different.""Different how?" Kakashi inquired, appearing casual but his visible eye showing interest."Well, during our last training session," Sakura continued, "her taijutsu was incredibly precise. Almost mechanical. And those new jutsu she used...""Yeah!" Naruto exclaimed. "Did you see how fast she moved? It was like WHOOSH! And then BAM! Even Kakashi-sensei had trouble keeping up!"Kakashi hummed thoughtfully. "She has been improving at an unusual rate.""Perhaps she has found new training methods," Sai suggested, his face unreadable.Just then, Aria appeared, her scales flickering subtly. "Sorry I'm late. Had some... training to complete.""Aria-chan!" Naruto brightened. "We were just talking about how strong you've gotten! You gotta teach me some of those moves!"Aria's scales shimmered, but her smile seemed slightly strained. "Maybe another time, Naruto. I've been quite busy lately.""Too busy for friends?" Sakura asked softly."Never," Aria assured her, though her eyes darted briefly to the side. "Just... different responsibilities now.""Must be some intense training," Kakashi remarked carefully. "Your fighting style has changed considerably.""New techniques require new methods," Aria replied vaguely, her scales flickering. "But enough about that. How was your last mission?"As Naruto launched into an animated story, the others exchanged subtle glances. Something was different about their friend, but they couldn't quite put their finger on what – or why.Late one night, Kakashi slipped through Aria's window, concerned about her recent behavior. Before he could react, he found himself pinned against the wall, a kunai at his throat, facing Aria's cold, calculating eyes."Aria," Kakashi said calmly, despite the blade pressing against his skin. "It's just me."Her scales flickered in recognition, but the kunai didn't move. "You shouldn't be here, Kakashi-senpai.""You've been different lately. Stronger, faster, but also... colder." His visible eye studied her carefully. "What's really going on?"Aria's hand trembled slightly, but her grip remained firm. "Leave it alone. Please.""No." Kakashi's voice was gentle but firm. "Not until you tell me what's happening to you."From the shadows, Sai watched silently, knowing exactly what Aria was going through but bound by his own seal to remain quiet.After a long moment, Aria lowered the kunai. Without speaking, she opened her mouth, revealing the curse mark on her tongue.Kakashi's eye widened in recognition. "Root," he whispered. "Danzo... he recruited you?"Aria's scales dulled as she nodded, unable to speak about it directly."How long?"She held up three fingers - months."Is that why..." Kakashi trailed off, understanding dawning in his eye. "The new abilities, the absences, the changes in your fighting style."Another nod."Does anyone else know?"Aria's eyes flickered briefly to the shadows where Sai stood, then back to Kakashi. She shook her head, the message clear - Sai knew, but no one else could."I should have seen it sooner," Kakashi's voice was heavy with regret."Don't," Aria finally spoke. "This path... I chose it. For reasons I can't explain.""Your time perception..." Kakashi realized. "You saw something, didn't you? Something that made this necessary?"Aria's scales flickered - confirmation."Is there anything I can do?"She shook her head, then hesitated. "Just... don't tell the others. Especially not Naruto. He'd try to interfere, and that would make things worse.""I don't like this," Kakashi admitted."You don't have to," Aria's voice was soft but firm. "You just have to trust me."From his hiding spot, Sai watched the exchange with a mixture of sympathy and understanding. He knew the weight of Root's curse mark, the burden of secrets that couldn't be spoken. But he also knew Aria was different - she had chosen this path with full knowledge of what was to come.As Kakashi prepared to leave, he turned back one last time. "Be careful, Aria. Root... it changes people.""Some changes are necessary," she replied, her scales flickering in the darkness. "But don't worry, senpai. I haven't forgotten who I am."After Kakashi left, Sai emerged from the shadows. They exchanged a knowing look - two Root members carrying the weight of unspeakable secrets, but for very different reasons."You could have told him I was here," Sai said quietly."Some knowledge is better left unspoken," Aria replied, her scales shimmering faintly. "You understand that better than most."Sai nodded, and they both returned to their vigilant silence, guardians of secrets that could never be revealed.