The Red Maelstrom

[3] Friends

"How did he take it?"

Kohana gave the Hokage the brightest of smiles. "He was completely happy with it!"

"How about when you told him that you're only adopted?"

Kohana puffed out her cheeks and casually rocked on her heels. "He was a lil' bummed by that but he said that as long as we have the same last name and same parents at some point then it was fine with him!"

The Third chuckled and closed his eyes. A few seconds passed and he did not utter a single word. Kohana couldn't help but giggle. Whatever got him so distracted seems nice enough for him to look that pleased.

"Old Man?"

He blinked slowly before raising his head. "I'm sorry; I was reminiscing."

Kohana failed at holding in a smirk. "You're such an old man..."

Hiruzen shrugged. "I try... now go to the Academy; today is a very special day."

The female Uzumaki looked confused as she stared at the Hokage, her expression blank. "What are you talking about?"

The Hokage sighed and slightly looked away. "And I thought I'm old..." he murmured, apparently catching Kohana's attention. 

"What?"

He shook his head with a smile. "Nothing. It is team placement day." He couldn't help but laugh when Kohana's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets. "Remember to get along with your teammates. Hurry on now."

"Okay... I was going to ask you more about our parents... but...?" Kohana tilted her head and trailed off there, expecting an explanation. Alas, Hiruzen calmly removed his pipe from his lips and said, "Perhaps another time... my apologies." 

Kohana sighed dejectedly. So much for getting more information. She should drop by as many times as she could, but the Third had skirted around the issue for the third time now. When would be  the right time? 

Though, it was not as though the Hokage was going anywhere; Kohana had time. If Hiruzen had other reasons that kept him from telling her the entire truth, then maybe it really is that important for him to keep such a secret until now. She was just a kid; she had to understand that. 

"All right, then," Kohana said with a grin. "I'm off! Wish me luck, Old Man!" And with that, Kohana was gone without so much as a bow in the Hokage's direction. The lack of respect was a natural occurrence, though. If Hiruzen had stopped letting it bother him years ago, then he wouldn't start again now.

"Good morning Sasuke!" Kohana chirped and slipped in her usual spot beside him. Sasuke answered with a nod, and to Kohana's surprise, actually started the conversation.

"I was training last night near the forest and saw you roaming around with Naruto..."

"Fifteen words!" Kohana exclaimed as she clapped.

Sasuke sighed and rolled his eyes. "Whatever. What was that about?

"Oh, Naruto and I were training last night." She paused, looked around for any possible eavesdroppers and whispered conspiratorially: "Just between you and me, Naruto got another chance to take the exam and  I was helping him train. He passed all on his own effort, though!

She leaned away to finally speak at a normal volume. "And I got a little bit tired after that and forgot that today was team placement." She shrugged as if it were no big deal. "I had to be reminded again..."

Sasuke stared at her in mild awe. From afar, his eyes would appear its usual indifferent and aloof look, but from close up, there was a hint of incredulity behind them. Kohana smiled, knowing that he knew she wasn't lying in the slightest. When it came to things unrelated to anything deemed of great importance, Kohana was horrible at remembering. She knew Sasuke actually felt sorry for whoever she was going to be placed with. Being a shinobi also came with remembering even the smallest details because they could be crucial to accomplishing a mission, and with someone like Kohana around—even if she had sharp eyes and a perceptive way of thinking—she might just lead her to-be-team to doom.