~Kashin~

I watched as Metal dodged and did multiple backflips to get away from Shikadai's shadows. I stayed behind the bush, I was only here to knock Metal out once Shikadai had caught him, as none of the others felt comfortable or had the strength to.

"He's getting close, be ready," I say softly before Metal paused, looking down at the shadow stretch out before him.

"Oh, so close. Shadow Paralysis Jutsu, a ninjutsu where whomever the shadow touches... becomes immobile." Metal spat his knowledge at 'Shikadai'.

"However, your Jutsu appears to have a limit, how do you expect to beat me with such trivial moves," Metal laughed.

"Like this," Inojin said as he jumped in, using his Beast Scroll to send birds to distract Metal long enough for the real Shikadi, the one crouched next to me, to activate his own Shadow Paralysis and catch Metal easily.

"Wha~" Metal struggled but turned and watched Shikadai and myself stand from our hiding spot.

"But then, who's that?" Metal looked over the other Shikadai.

A small proof and 'Shikadai' was now Boruto, standing there with a big grin.

"But, the shadows..." Metal watched the darkness retract.

"Those are my snakes," Inojin added, and the shadows on the ground became less full, grew heads, and you could now see they were painted.

"Nicely done guys," I step out of the bushes and stand next to Shikadai.

Metal looked over all of us before growling and beginning to gather his strength.

"I will never forgive you... FOR TRICKING ME!" Metal yelled.

My eye twitched uncomfortably and I rubbed it to cover it, making sure if it had changed none of my peers saw it. Boruto looked equally as uncomfortable as I was at the moment, and he also looked like he could see a ghost.

"Kashin, you're up," Shikadai groaned as he tried to maintain his hold on Metal.

"Right, sorry," I blinked, pulling my hand from my face and walking up behind Metal.

Quickly straightening my hand I delivered a quick, sharp strike to the back of his neck, watching him stiffen before closing his eyes and falling forward. I stepped forward and caught him before he hit the ground though so he wouldn't have a huge headache tomorrow.

"Do you guys think he's going to be ok?" Boruto asked.

"I hope so," Inojin placed his hand on his hip.

"That plan was really quick thinking Kashin, you came up with it so fast, and added all our strengths into the mix, that's awesome!" Boruto grinned at me.

~"You need to be able to react within seconds! Use other ninjas strengths/weaknesses to your advantage! You need to be stronger! Better!"~ My eyes widened as Boruto's cheerful face was replaced with my mentor's scowling one.

My breathing hitched and I looked down, gripping Metal's unconscious body tighter as I felt my elevated heart rate beat roughly against my rib cage.

"Uhh..." I blinked, swallowing hard before looking back up at Boruto.

"Thanks..." I gave the blonde a smile... a very convincing but difficult smile.

I looked back down at the boy in my grip and watched as he groaned and clenched his eyes.

"Huh? He's waking up..." Shikadai stated.

'I must not have used enough strength in my blow,' I thought to myself before making Metal sit up on his own.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Boruto asked.

"Umm, ok I think, what happened?" Metal scratched his head.

None of us got to answer though as Shikadai did a full-on all fours bow in front of Metal, squeezing his eyes shut tightly.

"I'm sorry Metal," He apologized.

"Huh? No, it is ok," Metal stared at the Nara boy.

"I shouldn't have said all those things to you yesterday... I'm truly sorry. And by the way... when you're not nervous, your powers are truly amazing," Shikadai told our peer.

I looked from Shikadai to Metal, seeing Metal smile softly at his friend before thanking him.

'You guys are so strange...' I exhale and close my eyes, placing my hand on my hip.

"You know, I think you all should train more seriously. Especially you Boruto." Metal lectured us.

"Wha~? Me?" Boruto looked surprised.

"That's putting it lightly..." I mumbled looking at the blonde next to me.

"You guys are mean," Boruto sweatdropped, pouting at the ground.

The Academy bell then sounded behind us and Metal spazzed slightly.

"Ahh, our class is going to start soon! Come on! Let us go!" Metal exclaimed, jumping up and running off towards the buildings.

"Yeah alright..." Boruto mumbled.

"I guess you better start taking class seriously then huh?" I nudge him.

"Yeah yeah..." Boruto sighed.

"Gentlemen! You must hurry!" Metal egged us to run not walk.

"Yeah yeah, we're coming..." Shikadai yawned.

I watched as my three classmates walked after our peer. I clenched my fists tightly, my eyes shut as images flashed through my brain, echoed voices, noises, and screams ringing in my ears.

"Kashin, come on we're gonna be late!" I heard Shikadai called to me.

"Uh~ coming..." I mumble, opening my eyes and making sure none of my beast parts were showing before running after them.

When I got home I skipped dinner and went straight to bed, changing and grabbing my Third Great Shinobi War book to calm my nerves. What happened today was not good.

'That can't happen near the other kids, it can't happen... now.' I fist my hair tightly and shut my eyes.

~"If you need anything... come to me..."~ Lord Naruto's voice sounded in my head.

I jumped out of bed and grabbed my shoes, climbing out my window and jumping from roof to roof and I made my way to the Hokage's office. Today's events played over and over in my head as I rewatched the building, I pulled open the window and looked inside to see Lord Naruto and Shikamaru standing by the door about to leave.

"L-Lord Naruto?" I called alerting the two older males to my presence and turning my gaze to the floor.

"Kashin? What are you doing here?" Lord Naruto began to walk toward me.

"It's very late," Shikamaru added.

This morning played in my head one more time and my eyes began to sting. Slowly I lifted my head to them and both stiffened, Lord Naruto sighing as he seemed to put two and two together.

"I... mmm..." I begin to say but cut off, looking back at the floor as my grip on the window tightened, resulting in little cracks forming.

"Hard day was it?" The Hokage smiled lightly, placing his hand on his hip.

I nodded slowly, feeling my eye fade.

"Why don't you come down from there, and we can talk about it." The Lord beckoned me to him.

I nodded again, jumping down from the window and walking toward him.

"Why don't you head home Shikamaru, I'll stay with Kashin."

"Are you sure?" The advisor asked.

"Yeah," Lord Naruto nodded, placing a hand on my shoulder.