Keiko breathed deeply as she began to regain consciousness. She mumbled incoherently at first, remnants of the dream she had been having. Finally, she paused mid stretch. This wasn't her bed, it was far too hard to be her bed. It was a floor. Sure enough, she opened her eyes and she was in the middle of an empty room. Almost empty, that is. There was one person with her, he stood in the corner a good distance away. His frame was small, only a child it would seem, but he wore the mask of an Anbu agent. She knew there were many exceptional ninja in Konoha, but a child in the Anbu, even that was unusual.
She surveyed her surroundings and found the room they were in to be of a decent size, very open and minimalistic. The door that acted as the only entrance and exit was metal and sturdy, causing Keiko to wonder if the door was meant to keep someone out, or in. She was about to stand up when she saw the boy raise his hand in a motion to stop. Keiko froze and eyed him. "Why am I here?" She said gathering herself into a more comfortable sitting position.
The boy offered no reply, only silence. She studied him thoroughly over the next several long moments. The power radiating from was astonishing just in the way he carried himself. Though she couldn't see his eyes his gaze upon her sent a chill down her spin though she refused to show it. She thought back to her uncles teachings, 'Your emotions are weapons for the enemy. Do not show fear. To show fear is to admit defeat.'
As the two individuals were locked in a stare down the door to the room opened. She turned her head and looked at the Anbu who entered, followed by the Hokage of all people. His expression was tired and the tense look of his shoulders told her he wished not to be there. Behind him was a man she had never seen before. He was older like the Lord Hokage, perhaps the same age. He had dark hair and had bandages covering one side of his face.
Keiko took notice of one of the Anbu members, he was the one who called her name in front of the school. His silvery hair stood out among the other members but she couldn't make out any other defining feature. As the group entered and came to a half she turned her gaze to the Hokage who regarded her almost apologetically now.
"Danzo, do you really think this necessary?" He said to the Elder.
Danzo seemed to ignore him, "Keiko Takahashi, do you know why you are here?"
The girl kept her face stoic, though inside she was panicking, "I do not."
The Elder regarded her coldly, "We have been watching you for some time now. We have reason to believe you are a spy from another nation."
Keiko's gaze hardened, "What have I done to invoke such an accusation?" Her blue eyes were like ice, a testament to the harsh cold of her homeland.
"The girl is a Chunin. She has been in the village for years without incident." The Hokage reasoned. "She hasn't even left the village in months."
"And for good reason," Danzo said, "Seeking a job at the academy when everyone knows it is only a few years from attending." Keiko saw the Hokage's eyes darken, what Danzo said had clearly upset him. She still did not understand why she was there. What had she done to be treated like a traitor? Her answer came shortly after, "An enemy ninja - no, a samurai - seeking to learn our ways and find a weapon to send our village into ruin once again!"
"That is enough!" The Hokage boomed, his voice reverberating around them. He looked at Keiko, "What do you have to say?" It was clear in the Hokage's tone that he had had enough of this.
Keiko looked at the two men, the faintest bit of shock etched on her face. She stood, a wave of emotion flowing over her. A flow so strong she had trouble keeping the floodgates shut. "I am a Kunoichi of the Hidden Leaf." She began, passion seeping into her voice, "My loyalties are to the Leaf Village, perhaps my superiors would know that if I was given a chance to show my skill. Instead, I am cast aside and overlooked at every opportunity."
"Would you like to show your skill now?" Danzo questioned, almost amused. "You fight with a sword, we could test the bite of your steel. Perhaps, you could prove your worth to the village here today." Keiko felt her shoulders tense at the veiled malice she sensed. Danzo lifted his hand and Keiko watched as the boy from before stepped forward to face her. The two locked gazes and Keiko could feel her stomach do flips of nervous anticipation, she couldn't underestimate him. "Here," Danzo said as one of the other Anbu came forward with her katana, "You may want this."
"Donzo, this is too far. You did not bring her here to fight." The Hokage said eyeing his old rival. Though, perhaps he had meant for this to happen? Donzo worked in ways that not even he was entirely aware of.
Keeping an eye on the boy Anbu agent, Keiko reached out for her weapon. The grip of the hilt felt comforting as she flexed her fingers and pulled her glove up on her arm. Determination was the only emotion she let show on her face. She found herself chanting the same words young Naruto had said to her previously, 'I'll show you!' And she would. The Hokage being there was perfect, she would go all out, no holding back. Keiko needed him to know that she was an asset to the village, a ninja who deserved to be in the field protecting others.
Danzo recognized the look in her eyes, "It would seem she has made up her mind as well. Go on then! Show us what you can do, snake!"
Keiko didn't say a word as she lowered herself into her fighting stance as the boy Anbu took out his blade as well. There was a thick tension in the air as the two looked at one another for several long moments. Then they were gone. Danzo, the Hokage, and the other Anbu watched as the two moved about the room with incredible speed, the sharp sound of metal on metal reverberating around them.
Keiko was more than surprised at the speed and ferocious nature of the boy she was fighting. The way he read her movements and parried each attack, it was almost like he was playing with her before ending it all. Fine. She would let him think that for now. Keiko intentionally staggered her movements, intentionally began to breathe heavier just the slightest bit. Her plan was working it would seem, his guard was still up, but she saw an opening.
Her chakra flared as it took physical form, pale blue light circling around her Katana as she swiped it in an upward stroke across the boys chest. He stepped back just in time but not soon enough to spare his armor. His hand went to his chest, quickly inspecting the damage. He was not cut but he couldn't help but notice how frigid the room had become.
Keiko reacted quickly, crossing her arms over her chest. One hand gripped her glowing sword while the other made a quick sequence of signs. She lurched forward, a torrent of water escaping her mouth just as the boy looked up to see her. The ensuing wave of water hit him in the chest, knocking him back.
Without skipping a beat, Keiko flooded her chakra into her sword before making precise cuts and slashes into the air. With each swing a wave of chakra escaped her blade, flying toward the boy. The Anbu dodged several of them but she had aimed them in a way that made it hard not to get hit. An audible grunt escaped him as one collided with his legs and another grazed his torso. He was stunned, she could tell by his body language. Frost and ice instantly formed where he had been hit, the ice on his legs kept him stationary and Keiko couldn't help a smirk gracing her features.
Overzealous, Keiko rushed forward, body low to the ground carrying her Katana ready to strike. Just as she was about to strike the boy she noticed the ice she had placed on him was gone and her face was hot from the heat as a large wave of fire engulfed the area before her. She swung her katana out in front of her, using the aura as a shield as she flipped backward. The large burst of flames made her lose track of him. She landed on one knee, sword in one hand and the other ready to sign another jutsu.
Keiko looked around for her opponent before she looked up just in the nick of time. The boy attacked her from above. The attack sent her onto her back on the ground with him above her. Their swords strained against one another as once again there was a heavy tension in the air. This time, Keiko's worn appearance was not an act, her breath was labored as she struggled with the enemy sword above her.
"Enough, I would rather we not have too much of a mess to clean up." The Hokage called. He looked at the melting ice and looked back at the kunoichi. Of course he had heard the rumors. Several of the teams he had sent her on reported feeling a bone shattering chill when they were around her. Ice release was an incredibly rare gift, and now he understood why Danzo was so eager to watch them fight. He knew of Danzo'a fascination with certain Kekkei Genkai. The Hokage's eyes narrowed, just what was Danzo planning?
The boy lowered his weapon and stepped away from Keiko and back into line with the other Anbu. Keiko watched him leave before standing and wiping her blade before returning it to its scabbard. She eyed the audience wearily, this was the first time she had openly used ice in front of other shinobi. Keiko had learned years ago that ice release was a rare ability, very few could combine water and wind release in such a way. She figured with the already mounted distrust from the village she would keep the ability to herself. A foreigner with a Kekkei Genkai? She didn't need so many eyes on her.
"Are you pleased?" The Hokage asked Danzo, who stood quietly since the match had begun.
Keiko felt a chill on her spine at the feeling of his gaze upon her. The bloodlust emanating from his eye was intense.
Danzo nodded, "I see you are not entirely useless after all. Perhaps, in the future, we will work closely together."
Keiko was surprised. He had been so angry earlier. The sudden change in mood was one no one was expecting. It was as if all his previous accusations didn't matter. She watched in shock as the old man turned to leave and several of the Anbu left with him leaving the Hokage and four other Anbu with him, including the boy she had just fought.
Hiruzen sighed heavily, taking out his pipe and began to light it. "I do apologize for my colleague. He works in ways even I do not fully understand."
She still looked to where the old man had left, "Yeah, not sure I like him. I'm still not even sure why I am here, Lord Hokage."
Keiko watched as he took a few puffs from his pipe and his shoulders relaxed. "Yes, it is peculiar, isn't it? He insisted you meant to use Naruto as a weapon."
She could not hide the shock from her features this time. "Naruto? How could I use such a small boy as a weapon?" She watched Hiruzen lower his gaze and the Anbu exchange glances. Not a moment later another realization came to her and she gasped, "That ass," she said in a whisper, though they all heard it, "He called Naruto it, as if he wasn't even a person!" she said loudly, her temper threatening to run away with her.
The old man coughed, "Yes, it would seem my assumption was correct, you do not even know what Naruto is."
"Obviously not." Keiko said plainly, a hint of irritation seeping into her voice. She chastised herself inwardly, 'So much for not showing emotion, sorry Uncle.'
The Hokage eyed her, "Does knowing the boy isn't as he seems change how you feel?"
She shook her head, "Honestly, no. All I see is a harmless little kid who has been neglected and turned into an outcast. I want to try and help him, because it seems no one else will."
"Do you not think of how others will see you?"
Keiko laughed, "You know as well as I do, Lord Hokage, that there are few people who trust me as is. So, no, people will see what they want to see."
Hiruzen smiled at her, "It is good to know there are people like you in this village, Keiko." Keiko couldn't help but feel her heart swell with pride., A small piece of recognition, she would take it. The Hokage eyed her, "You may return to your evening, Keiko. I do apologize again for all of this." He motioned to the door and one of the Anbu motioned for her to follow. He would lead her out of the labyrinth of tunnels. Just as she was about to leave the Hokage called out to her, making her stop and turn. He offered her another smile, "Thank you."
Once she was gone and the door was once again shut, one of the Anbu spoke, "This is odd, is it not?" The boy asked.
"Yes," the silver-haired man said, "it would seem Danzo is up to something."
"Indeed." Hiruzen said gravely, "He used her interaction with Naruto as an excuse to bring her here. I am thankful I happened to overhear the conversation, or else I would not have been here." He eyed the still melting ice, "I do believe she may have put a target on her back. The three of you, keep an eye on her in passing. I don't suspect anything to happen anytime soon, but keep a watchful eye on her."
The three nodded, before disappearing. Leaving the Hokage to his thoughts.