at length [Book 1]

at length

Akiara has not once regretted her choice to abandon Kumogakure seven years ago.
In a way, being out and not entirely attached to any village is somewhat relaxing. She ignores how her own home has money on her head, they want her dead.
At the age of 11, like most, she received her soulmate mark. And immediately knew her soulmate would not be found within Kumogakure.
So at 19, she left.
She was currently within the Land of Waves, but planning on leaving.
Any jobs available didn't really sit with her well, she did suppose she could do work on the bridge if the bridge builder ever managed to get protection for himself so he'd actually get started. She'd never step forward herself to be that protection.
This again, would rely on who the bridge builder got as protection, any Kumo ninja would try to kill her on sight. (Any Chunin or higher anyway, and no Genin would be out here alone.)
Akiara was aware that the bridge builder wasn't even on the island currently - so chances are he would return with an escort.
While he was away, Akiara found herself stopping by his home to check his family, never going near or letting them know she was there - just making sure they lived.
Things were in a bad way in the Land of Waves, and short of killing Gato, there was nothing Akiara could do.

=================

She sees when the bridge builder arrives back on the island, considers trailing after the man and the team of Konoha genin he has. Decides it isn't her business.
Later, she sees their Jounin unconscious from chakra exhaustion, sees the two boys of the team look somewhat reluctant to pick him up.
Before Akiara can help herself she's stepping in, hefting the Jounin onto her shoulder with ease and regarding the Genin with a level gaze, she gestures for them to follow her, 'Tazuna lives this way.'
All three are stunned into silence, Tazuna looks thoughtful, chances are he may have seen her before.
The blond genin is the first to speak, 'Who are you???' he demands, 'Sensei would say we shouldn't trust you.'
'You shouldn't trust me,' she replies, shrugging the shoulder she doesn't have a heavy jounin slung over.
'Where am I putting him? Akiara turns her attention to Tazuna as soon as they arrive at his house, and he's quick to direct her to a bedroom to put the Jounin in, 'your sensei should be fine with some rest,' she informs his team, 'I get the feeling chakra exhaustion isn't new to him.'
If she's correct, this is Hatake Kakashi, Copy Ninja Kakashi. It's really in her best interest to be gone by time he wakes.
But the female Genin looks so pathetically small, has no one taught her about a proper shinobi diet? The girls clearly come from a civilian background. It reminds Akiara somewhat of herself and she can't help but feel her heart ache for the girl.
Growing up training to be a ninja with a civilian family is a different experience to coming from a family of Shinobi.
She sighs, dropping into the chair by the Jounins bed, the three genin stand at the end of the bed, clearly unsure of what to do in the face of someone who isn't an ally but isn't hostile either.
'Hey lady!' yells the blond, apparently having mustered up his confidence again, 'you never told us who you were!'
'Akiara,' she tells him, voice dull, 'and you're genin from Konohagakure.'
'I'm Uz-' the blond goes to yell, but the female smacks the back of his head, hissing, 'Naruto!' in a scolding tone of voice, 'you don't just give out your full name.'
'Heh,' goes the blond, 'I'm Naruto, and I'm going to be Hokage!' he yells now instead.
'Sakura,' the female blushes, the last genin doesn't say anything, and Naruto rolls his eyes.
Akiara regards each of them with a level gaze, 'have you been taught to use chakra to climb trees yet?' she finally asks, deciding she may as well keep them busy.
'Why would we need catra to climb trees? I'm really good at climbing trees,' Naruto informs her, Akiara is quietly pleased he didn't yell this time.
'Come outside,' she sighs, standing.
The unnamed genin looks most reluctant out of the three, but Naruto seems eager, and Sakura is somewhat reluctant, but seemingly curious.
They head to a small area near Tazuna's house, and Akiara is quick to calmly use chakra to walk up the trunk of a tree, she stays perched on a branch as she explains what she's expecting them to do, not faltering when she sees Naruto isn't quite comprehending.
Once Sakura and Sasuke have each gone to a tree, Akiara goes to give Naruto a better explanation, as well as explain what chakra is. How does a genin get to being a genin without knowing what chakra is? wonders Akiara vaguely to herself as she explains.
'You're not from Konoha,' a voice speaks up behind her once she's patted Naruto firmly on the back and pointed him to a tree.
Akiara turns to face Tazuna, quirking an eyebrow at him, 'No,' she agrees, 'is that a problem?'
'My daughter says she's noticed you around a few times,' observes Tazuna, 'taking small jobs here and there.'
'Saving up to leave the island,' Akiara replies, turning back to watch the Genin, she tips her head back when she doesn't immediately see Sakura - the Pinkette has gotten quite far up the tree and waves down at her.
'Good job,' Akiara calls out to her, 'Good chakra controls pretty important for medical jutsu,' she eyes the two boys, 'and you may need it with teammates like yours.'
Sakura beams, apparently still not certain of this stranger, but happy to receive praise all the same.
The one who didn't give his name scowls, but seemingly starts t work a little harder.
'Wow, you're so awesome Sakura-chan!' yells Naruto, beaming up, Akiara sees Sakura roll her eyes.

=================

They're all called in for dinner when it starts to get dark, Akiara politely refuses when she's offered a plate, instead going upstairs to check on the jounin.
She's been sitting there for a few minutes when the jounin starts to stir, he regards her with a somewhat groggy gaze for a moment before forcing himself upright and reaching for a kunei, no doubt having noticed her hitai-ate with the slash through the symbol.
'It's okay,' Akiara tells him automatically, knowing he can't trust her words at all.
This actually seems to alarm him more, his singular uncovered eye going wide, 'you're a rogue ninja,' he blurts, and Akiara goes still.
He notices how still she's gone, 'Let me see your mark,' his voice is raspy.
Akiara regards him with some curiosity and starts unwinding the red cloth that covers both her forearms, presenting the messy scrawl on her inner arm to him.
He draws in a deep breath at the sight, removing a glove and showing the small but tidy text running from his finger onto his knuckle, her first words to him, 'It's okay.'
The pair regard each other, each with uncertain gazes, 'you left your village because of my words,' he guesses, glances at her arm again, 'I'm Hatake Kakashi.'
She inclines her head, 'Akiara, your genin are safe outside.'