Chapter 13: The Visions

After what felt like the best night sleep, I got out of bed energized and ready for the day. It didn't feel super early but early enough so that I wouldn't be late. I got ready, putting on my outfit for the day. I was about to make my way to the kitchen to eat some breakfast, but I felt bad for having an unfair advantage over the others, so I just grumbled in my hungry state and left for the training grounds.

I walked around smiling to myself at how happy everyone looked. I was thinking of multiple scenarios that might happen today. If I interfere, will it affect the story line? This was the second major decision I had to make and I truly didn't know what to do. I feel like just supporting each of them individually would be enough to make us pass. Finally making up my mind, I entered the training grounds and approached the bridge.

I smiled at each of them and sat down on the ground. "good morning, Elle! Did you come up with a super cool jutsu for me yet?" I looked at Naruto's bright exited grin. He's ripping my heart to shreds. I looked away with guilt, "Sorry Naruto, I didn't think of anything good till now. I'm going to need a bit more time." He huffed and fell to the floor, a cute pout on his face. "Damnit! I was really excited for that jutsu." I sank in my seat feeling guilty. Maybe I can talk to Kurama. I'm pretty sure he's the reason why my chakra isn't working on Naruto. I was snapped out of my thoughts by Naruto and Sakura screaming at Kakashi. I stood up and dusted off my clothes and the rest followed as Kakashi started his explanation.

-time skip-

I was hiding in the trees, trying not to make any noise. Naruto was battling Kakashi and losing miserably. I wanted to help but jumping out there wouldn't do me any good. The only chance Naruto has is if I distract Kakashi. I ran to the farthest edge of the training grounds and started releasing as much chakra as I can without fully depleting my reserves. I hope that's enough to distract him. I bolted from my place to the other edge of the training grounds, hoping to throw him off my tail. I neared the central area again and saw Sakura standing in a clearing a scared look on her face. she has been caught in the genjutsu already. Dammit! I'm too slow! I jumped out of the trees and rushed to her. I placed my arms on her head and gave her some of my chakra, breaking the genjutsu. She looked like she wanted to cry. I hugged her and told her that it was all a genjutsu. She was shocked to say the least but accepted my help. I sent her to look for Naruto and cut him down. Of course I had to tell her that Sasuke told me to tell her that so that she would actually agree to doing it. I'm almost out of chakra. I need to be careful. I felt for Sasuke's chakra and rushed to him, only to see that Kakashi was not there. He's about to drag him into the ground! I jumped out of the tree as fast as I can, pushing Sasuke off of the ground. just as I did so, Kakashi came out of the ground and was about to pull me in when I did the first thing that came to mind. I burst all the chakra I could manage out making a wave of chakra travel through the training grounds. That, along with my amazing acting skills, made Kakashi freeze. I fell to the ground and hugged my knees, pretending to be scared. "Elle calm down, I won't hurt you." Kakashi said comfortingly, coming closer to where I was. I felt him wrap his arms around me and try to reassure me that I was safe. Ha! He fell for it. This is hilarious! I wrapped my arms around him and held onto him tightly while making my body shake. I need one last distraction. I gathered up the rest of the chakra I have, which wasn't much and released it all at once. That made him hold onto me tighter and gave me the perfect chance to grab the bells. I quietly wrapped them up in my sleeve, making sure they didn't make any noise. I heard Sasuke walking over to us. "What's wrong with her?" he asked Kakashi confused. When he came up close enough for me to reach him, I slipped the bells into his hands. his eyes widened for a second before he was able to cover it back up. I heard the bell ring signaling that time was up. Damn. That took way more chakra than I thought it would. I'm almost completely out. At least we have the bel… My thought was cut off as I passed out in Kakashi's arms.

I felt someone laying me on the ground and my eyes snapped open. I sat up and rushed to the river to make sure I looked presentable. "Elle, what's wrong?" Kakashi asked in a concerned voice. I turned around to face him spreading a small smile on my face, "Nothing, just panicked for no reason." I went and sat down with the rest of my team. "Do you need to go to the hospital?" I shook my head furiously not wanting to miss his reaction. "I'm totally fine now. I feel brand new!" He gave me a suspicious look before he looked to the rest of the team. "Ok then, let's get to business." All 3 Genin next to me looked at him seriously, waiting to see if they will make it. "the four of you don't have to worry about going back to the academy… you'll all be dropped out of the system." Sakura and Naruto looked horrified at his statement while me and Sasuke just smirked at each other. "but Kakashi, you said that if we get the bells before the time is up, we don't fail." I said giving him a confused innocent look. "yeah but you didn't…" he put his hand where the bells were supposed to be only to see that they're not there. He looked up at my smirking face. I just shrugged and pointed at Sasuke who was holding the three bells. "when did you…?" his eyes widened in realization, "You were faking it?!" I burst out laughing and nodded enthusiastically. "I knew I could never beat you in a fight so I used my weak point as a strength." He looked at me surprised. "but even when I was fighting Naruto, I felt your…" I nodded grinning at him. "you were distracting me. Then…you're the one who sent Sakura to help Naruto." I nodded at him again. He smirked under his mask and shook his head, "even if you did all of that, you still don't get the point of the test." I shook my head back and walked over to him. I motioned for him to come closer, and he followed. I leaned next to his ear and whispered "those who break the rules are scum but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum." I moved away from him and sat down. He looked at me with wide eyes but I just smiled at him. "you see, I knew the point of this all along, but I also knew that my teammates wouldn't willingly let me help them. I was only left with the option to watch over them from the shadows." I looked at the three Genin. They were looking at me with a mix of awe and admiration, except for Sasuke. He was just smirking. "fine, you pass and I'll give you three another chance. This time without Elle's help. Here eat this but don't feed any to Naruto. We'll start again after lunch." Once he was done with the Genin, he turned to me again. "come with me." oh no…I��m so dumb! Of course, he would be suspicious of me after what I said. What could my excuse be this time?

We stopped in front of a faraway tree. I was squeezing my sleeves, hating every moment of this. he was looking at me with an emotionless expression. "where did you hear that quote?" I looked at the floor, sitting down. Play the victim. That usually gets me out of trouble. I looked at him with hurt eyes. "I can't tell you that." he shook his head, his impatience showing on his features. "Elle, I'm going to need you to be honest here. Where did you here that quote?" I shook my head at him, "You don't understand. You won't believe me even if I tell you." He raised his eyebrow at my statement, "try me." I took a deep breath putting the perfecting touches to my lie. "if I tell you that, I will be exposing myself to danger. You have to promise me that this will stay between us." he nodded at me. "I can't promise you it will stay between us if what you're about to say presents a threat to the village. You might have been my daughter, but if you are a spy, you will be dealt with accordingly." I looked at him shocked. "God no! I'm not a spy. It's just that…" hesitate to make it believable "I um, see things and…hear things." I scratched the back of my head, turning my gaze away from him. "What kinds of things?" I looked up at him. He had a suspicious look on his face. "This is going to make me sound insane! Ufff, I get visions! There, happy? I said it." I blew up in his face. His suspicious look turned into one of shock, not expecting that out of me. "visions?" I nodded. "Sometimes when I'm around certain people, a memory that is not mine would pop into my head. Sometimes it's just a sound but other times it's a full visual." His glare softened a bit but it still held doubt. "prove it." I sighed, "Are you sure you want me to?" he nodded wanting to ease his suspicions. "I was in a crater of some sort. I was surrounded by boulders and there were two other people there." His eye widened at my words. "a girl sitting on the ground and a boy… under the boulder." I looked at him to see him frozen in complete shock. I took a deep breath and continued, "that's the visual I got but as for that sentence, I heard it when you brought me here for our first training session." He looked absolutely shocked at my words. I waited for him to process what I just said. I felt terrible for lying but it was for the best. He seemed to finally regain his composure "How could this expose you to danger?" I looked at the ground. "I don't only see the past." His eyes widened in understanding before he nodded. "your secret is safe with me." I nodded and thanked him sincerely before we made our way back to the Genin.

-time skip-

we all went our separate ways after the test. I headed to the training grounds to train. My taijutsu has improved but not to Genin level yet. I was now able to run about 30 laps around the training grounds. My aim was perfect on unmoving objects and good on moving ones. As for ninjutsu, I haven't been able to learn much other than developing my chakra control which helped me learn how to walk on water.

I did my laps followed by 100 sit-ups and 50 push-ups before I dropped to the floor in exhaustion. I took this as a chance to build up chakra. I built up as much chakra as I can which was only about twice my original reserves. To be able to feed all my team, excluding Naruto, I need it to be 5 times as big as my original reserves. Sadly, I couldn't make any more since someone broke my concentration. "I thought I'd find you here." Shikamaru said walking over to me. "what can I help you with?" I asked smiling. "well, I'm here to apologize. I wanted you to let off some steam so I tried making you fight me. I really had no intention of letting you get hurt." I sat there not knowing what to do. If I tell him I forgive him, I would have nothing stopping me from getting close to him. Just be honest with him! it's not that hard. but then I open myself up for rejection. Gosh, think, think! without noticing, I was slamming my head on the tree I was leaning on repeatedly. "um Elle, the tree is going to break." My eyes widened as I noticed what I was doing. "What has you banging your head on a tree?" I sighed and drooped my shoulders. "listen Shika, you don't want me as your friend. All I ever do is hurt those around me. so if you're here asking for my forgiveness, simple you've got it. Now you can move on with your life without feeling guilty." I stood up and was about to leave when he grabbed my arm. "Troublesome woman, why are you isolating yourself?" I turned around to face him. "I'm not isolating myself; I'm protecting those I care about." he frowned at me, "of what?" of me. I looked down not wanting to answer his question. He let me go and made his way to the exit. "I'll see you tomorrow. If you don't show up, I'll wait here till the morning." With that he left. I was smiling at his receding figure. He didn't reject my friendship. He wants to be my friend. This is his choice. I promise I will do my best to support you as well Shikamaru.