Who would have thought? I am alive!

I have decided to re-write "Keimei", in the sense that there are lot of little mistakes. So I will be editing things up, nothing that will alter the story! I have been writing a lot the past few years in another fandom (not telling, I like to keep them separated, sorry) and once I finished this chapter, I went back and re-read what I already posted of "Keimei" and after the experience I accumulated, I can only say… holy COW… what a mess *sweatdropp*. I will be working in chapter 25 and the re-writing "Keimei" simultaneously, at the end of each chapter I will put when I edited it, so if there is no warning, no alterations yet 😉 and also adding a better prologue/summary in first chap, plus all the warnings. I will be altering some. Still no lemon/het because I'm still horrible at it.

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CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR: Chuunin Shiken Part 12 – Of Different Reactions and a Different End.

Jiraiya was desperately dodging and running for his life. He would be shouting and trying to reason too but that would literally fall on deaf ears. No that if Keimei was in her right mind she wouldn't be trying to kill him.

In hindsight, it had been a terrible idea no matter what.

"First, I need you to sign this in blood." He presented the Toad Summoning Contract with the usual flourish after one of the toads spat it out.

Keimei only stared at the little show. First, the supposedly legendary ninja summons a toad as big as he was, impressive, but then said toad throws up a scroll that was as big as she was. And now the man expected her to sign something in blood. Yes, she was aware that this was how one signs a Summoning Contract but…

"You are aware that without context and the basic knowledge of Kuchiyose,this situation would be taken very inappropriately by third parties, right?"

"Uh… inappropriate, uh?"

"…if you do that expression one more time, I will scream 'rapist'."

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After Jiraiya's, granted, very amusing, reaction, Keimei was still unsure.

"What is the holdup, kid?"

Keimei ignored his frustration but did explain herself, "Kuchiyose (Summoning) contracts are usually exclusive so if I sign the Toad Contract, chances are that I won't be able to ally myself with other animals."

Jiraiya sighed, "How the hell do you even know this kind of shit?"

"I read." At his deadpan, Keimei stopped herself from rolling her eyes, "I read a lot."

"Yeah… still…"

"Lonely childhood, no friends, low income for toys…I think that paints the context enough."

Jiraiya once again suppressed a wince, "Ok, ok. Look, I get your reasons, but you won't find a better summon than the toads. They are sturdy, reliable, have great teamwork…"

"What about the Snakes and Slugs?" Jiraiya once again deadpanned, this time at her smirk. Cheeky little brat.

"Still," he gritted much to Keimei's amusement, "just because most summons don't like to… share their contractor, doesn't mean that all of them will deny you."

"I read that an appropriate summon is usually found when the user performs the Kuchiyose (Summoning) without a contract, the prospective user then gets Reverse Summoned to the prospective summon's grounds and, depending on the kind, there is some assessment done in order to see the user's… qualities so to speak."

Jiraiya could feel the headache getting closer, "Yes," he gritted out again, "Still, much safer to have a teacher that has the same summon, a… failsafe so to speak."

"Because the Toads are known to practice pseudo-nepotism?" Keimei wished she could use sarcasm, but truth be told, she had no idea.

From what she remembered in history lessons, the Yondaime also could summon Toads. Some kind of loyalty-based nepotism? Or do they put this much weigh on tradition?

The older Nin sighed again. Such a difficult child!

"Not really, but a reference can't hurt besides the fact that at least this way you know what you'll be expecting, right?"

Keimei deadpanned and refrained from pointing out that when the reference was a huge self-proclaimed super pervert that makes a living by selling porn, perhaps it was better to say that they simply stumbled into the Summoning Contract. The blonde had no idea whether it was rude or just deserts.

"So do you plan on telling me what their assessment implies or will you just wait for me to sign and have no way of revoking it to tell me?"

…

Who was this kid?

"Don't you want to earn their respect the right way?"

"… I have two things to say to that, first: Doesn't that defeat your point about "knowing what expects me?" And second: of course not, do I look like a samurai? If there is a cheat, I want it."

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The back and forth went on for so long that Jiraiya insisted on… walking her…? When it began to get dark. Which… no. Aside from Gai and his Genin team, Keimei doubted that the rest of the… everybody knew where she was living and while she didn't want to hide so to speak – there was very little reason after all – she also saw how the information could be used to her advantage.

Turning to the stubborn man, Keimei weighted her options before meeting his gaze, "Why are you insisting on this? You could be teaching me a plethora of other subjects, why this?"

"Ok, kid. Cards on the table?" it seemed that Jiraiya had a lot less tolerance for verbal debate than she did. Too bad, Keimei was entertained. Didn't most Ninjas have diplomatic classes?

"Because they weren't until now?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you are very difficult?"

Jiraiya blinked at her thoughtful expression, "If that's what people are thinking when they make that expression to me, then they thought it but didn't verbalize it."

"… whatever. Cards on the table: one of the toads has been responsible for safeguarding the key to the Kyuubi's seal. So…"

"So another choice that has been taken from me." Keimei smiled ruefully and Jiraiya winced again, "Very well then. Will we begin training tomorrow?"

"Sure, kid." Came the mumbled response.

"You know… you could have just led with the fact that I didn't have a choice. I also didn't have a choice in entering the Chuunin Shiken and I accepted it. So, if it's all the same to you, don't imply that I have a freedom that I don't."

They walked in silence for a few minutes before Jiraiya sighed, "You prefer bluntness… coming and going."

The blonde eyed him from the corner of her eye, "I thought that much was obvious. I understand the need for subterfuge in our profession, Jiraiya-san, but this hardly calls for it."

"Yeah."

The legendary Nin snorted inwardly. It truly was something else. Kushina's bluntness and Minato's non-nonsense attitude combined.

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Keimei arrived to the heavenly sent of grilled fish and steamed vegetables.

"Okaeri (welcome home), Keimei-sama."

"Tadaima (I'm home), Haku. Thanks for cooking dinner."

The meal was a silent affair as per usual. Neither Haku nor Keimei felt the need to fill it. Sometimes the blonde wondered if she should make more of an effort but Keimei never had to share living space with… anyone before, not even back at the orphanage, so she was unsure whether this was normal or not. Whatever the case, it was hardly uncomfortable silence so why change it?

Still, the silence made space for Keimei to think. Usually, that was a good thing. The blonde had way too much to do in a single day and not even dinner stopped her mind from reviewing it. See if and where she could improve.

Normally, physical training took so much out of her that once Keimei got home, she was simply too exhausted not to think about her day without pesky emotions. There was a reason for the expressions, "emotional resources", "emotionally drained" and so on. They were tiring. But today was spent on discussion and debate and argument after argument. And the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

The anger she felt now reminded her of the anger she felt… when she figured out about the Kyuubi, about this compound – what should have been her home – when she was chased out of the orphanage, about the Yondaime, about the lovely little contract she found in her mother's diaries.

Much like in those stances, Keimei knew that she would rage and destroy… everything she put her hands on and call it "training" and then she would try to rationalize and, ultimately, get over it. There was no alternative really and if there is one thing Keimei knew is that if left to fester, anger turned into hatred. And hatred is not a feeling she had the liberty to feel, not when she was a Jinchuuriki.

And yet for now…

"Keimei-sama?" Haku's wary voice reached her and it was only that the blonde realized the impressive amount of KI (Killer Intent) she was radiating.

With a strained half smile, Keimei sent an apologetic look to her friend.

"Haku… I think… I will do something really… ridiculously… dangerous."

The Kekkei Genkai user sucked a sharp breath at his mistress' expression. Until that point, Haku has seen her mildly and very annoyed, peaceful, focused and even happy… but the glint in her eyes… was the same of when Zabuza-san was talking about his dream of overthrowing the Mizukage. A titanic task… considered suicidal by many. Whereas Zabuza-san always looked annoyed but determined, the kind of the determination that inspired an army… Keimei looked… angry.

"Keimei-sama…" Haku paid no mind in the tremble of his voice. He was worried and had no reason to hide it.

But the Genin muscled through with ease. She was so angry that her vision was red and it had nothing to do with the Kyuubi and she was still angry enough to kill…

"Haku… I need you to look for… Hatake Kakashi… and Umino Iruka. Umino Iruka first, he should be here," she gave him the address, "and tell them…"

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Umino Iruka was running until his legs were screaming in protest at the quantity of chakra he was pushing through. Faster than any other time he ever ran, faster than in many missions he went.

Cursing at the shield protecting the majestic compound, Iruka paced in front the gates and almost cursed again when he finally saw Kakashi and Haku in the horizon.

"Forgive me the delay." Haku said briskly and quickly did the necessary hand seals and pulsed his chakra for the seals on the gates to recognize him.

Barely open enough to allow passage, Iruka and Kakashi jumped through the gap. Haku paused a little to control his breathing, keeping up with Hatake Kakashi at top speed was no joke, and closed the gates.

Kakashi and Iruka seemed to know where they were going and Haku found them nervously scouring through the training ground right behind the crops.

"It was here." And the Hyoton (Ice Release) user was pointing right at the spot his mistress disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"What was she thinking!" Umino-san almost shrieked, grabbing his undone hair as if he wanted to rip it out by the roots.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" Hatake-san summoned a large pack of dogs of varying sizes.

"Kakashi… do you know what time is it?" the smallest of the bunch, a small brown… pug, if Haku's memory didn't fail, spoke up once they ascertained that there was no immediate danger, they weren't on a mission and they were even inside Konoha still.

"No time for that." The Jounin took something out of his pocket and extended his hand, "Look for Keimei, she is one of my Genin!"

Haku saw what it was… hair… tied in the end with a white ribbon, blonde hair tied in the end with a white ribbon. Raising an eyebrow, Haku decided to keep any comments to himself… for now.

As the pack of Ninken (Dog Ninjas) started their task, the small pug, Pakkun as he introduced himself, stayed beside his master, "Really… you lost your kid… in-village?"

Scowling but panicking too much to really do much about it, Kakashi snapped back, "I didn't lose her… I… Keimei is usually a lot more responsible than this, what the hell happened." It was more a statement than a question.

They were all collectively ignoring the wails coming from the Chuunin a few yards to the left.

"Hatake-san," Haku watched with interest the way the legendary Nin cringed, "I…"

"What was going on? What happened for this… what happened?"

"Keimei-sama was… came home very distracted… but perhaps distressed is a better word. Then during dinner, she… she was angry, very angry. She told me that she was thinking about doing something very dangerous and that I should warn you and Umino-san."

"But what provoked this!?" Iruka chose that moment to join the conversation.

Haku turned to the brown-haired man, "She wasn't very coherent which is even more unusual. But, she did say something about… her training and "small act of rebellion"… I am just as confused." He stared at the older two helplessly.

"Repeat everything she said and did… word for word." Hatake-san ordered.

"She returned quite a few hours earlier than what I was expecting, usually her training regimen would last until after sunset. She seemed distracted but there was nothing out of the usual. During dinner, she… started to get angry, truly angry, releasing KI in an instinctual way. Then she told me that, "Haku… I think… I will do something really… ridiculously… dangerous." And to find you two."

"Didn't you ask anything else?" Umino-san at least stopped gripping at his head.

"I asked what she was going to do. Keimei-sama said that, "I never did something so ridiculous just because I was feeling slighted, but today's training is just the last drop. I'm owed a small act of rebellion." Keimei-sama then came here to the training grounds and…made the hand seals of the Kuchiyose no Jutsu… and disappeared in a cloud of smoke."

Kakashi ignored how Iruka was wailing… again, "You don't seem… overly concerned."

"My mistress is a very careful individual. Although knowing her for a little less than two months, I have yet to see her truly doing something on a whim. Although this looks like it, I choose to have faith in her."

But the teenager couldn't quite hide his anxiousness.

"Iruka… we need to speak with Hokage-sama… and Jiraiya-sama." For all the man's talk about being a good teacher for Keimei…

Kakashi huffed. Welcome to the club, Jiraiya-sama.

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The Hyoton user tried to still his movements and suppress the enormous urge to squirm in his seat.

After requesting Jiraiya-sama's presence in the room, Umino Iruka and Hatake Kakashi reported to the Sandaime. Haku repeated what happened and it has been silent since then.

"Jiraiya?"

"Yes, sensei?"

"What the fuck?"

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Keimei slowly opened her eyes and was face to face with a whiskered face that was a little too close to comfort.

"Hiya!"

Blue eyes blinked. And blinked again.

Looking around, the blonde Genin was surprised at the elegant décor and traditional sliding doors and wooden floors. Through them, she could see enormous trees expanding until the horizon.

"We were really surprised! It's been many, many years since the last time someone was stup… I mean… someone was matched with our clan."

Eye now twitching a little, Keimei slowly got up from the futon, forcing her… watcher…? Back as well.

"Dad went to inform the Boss. Since you're here and you're not freaking out, you must know that you need to pass a test to see if we will work with you, right?"

"I am aware." That I can't believe the stupidity of what I just did. Keimei thought, now nervously sweating at the predicament she found herself in.

"Good, what's your name?"

"Uzumaki Keimei."

The blonde raised an eyebrow at the now very wide eyes, "Wow… Uzumaki? Ok, then. I'm supposed to stay here but I can bellow for Mom, I guess. Please don't try to escape, ok? I will get lectured and I will turn my back for just one minute to call Mom."

"I will not run… I promise." She added a little belatedly.

Still looking a little unsure, her watcher pranced towards the other, closed, door.

Keimei could only watch as the small white tiger in a green vest raised surprisingly nimble paws to open the shoji doors.

Well… at least they are not toads… that would have been embarrassing.

The Uzumaki grimaced. Being paired with the Toads was a possibility and if she was… she really wouldn't know where to hide her face in risking her life for something that would just be handed to her anyways.

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Edited: 07/31/2019

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New entry (07/31/2019) – The reason I decided not to have Foxes as Keimei's summons is because, as fitting as the animal is for Naruto, the same can't be said for Keimei.

Foxes are, usually taken as: tricksters, full of illusions, cunning and very playful.

But here's the thing: can any of these be applied to Kurama/Kyuubi? Nope to the no. Same thing with Keimei.

Now… can those things be applied to Naruto? Hell, yeah! Which… highly ironic, all things considered *sweatdropps*

If, from what we glimpsed from canon, holds true, then someone with no contract performing the Kuchiyose will be Reverse Summoned to the world/summon best fitted to them.

Tigers: solitary by nature, powerful, decisive. In Chinese culture, tigers are seen as the guardians of children.