Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto does.
"Marumi! It's time to meet your new sensei! Are you dressed?" My father came running up the stairs, interupting my reading. I sighed with a roll of the eyes, "Yes, father. I'll be down in just a moment," I informed him, earning an 'Ok!' I groaned out in annoyance, today was the day that I get to meet my new sensei. Why am I getting a sensei, you ask? Simple. My father expects more out of me than what's fair. Since I have special chakra and unique capabilities, my father insisted that I have Konoha's prodigy as my sensei. Can you guess who that is?
Uchiha Itachi.
My father has ties with the Uchiha clan, meaning Itachi's father, so he set up the whole thing with ease. I mean, I like being a kunoichi, but I'm still unsure if I want to be trained under this prodigy. What if he's a cocky bastard? What if he's just in it for the money? What if he's rude and arrogant? A few people have told me that he's arrogant and snobby, like most rich boys. However, I'm not for sure if he is or not, but I'm preparing myself for the worst.
Grumbling, I smoothed out my kimono and took one last look in the mirror before heading downstairs. I smiled to myself, I did look pretty decent. I had a short red kimono on, with black spandex shorts underneath, and a pair of black flats. I examined my raven hair that was halfway pulled up into a bun, the rest hanging over my shoulders slightly. My bangs lazily shifted to one side as I turned my head, but not enough to fully hide my cerulean eyes. I tightened the bun that held in my hair and began to exit my bedroom.
I slowly walked down the stairs, anticipating on whether to just lock myself in my room or not. Well, that wouldn't really work out, considering my father was a stubborn man that would not put up with disrespect and disobidiance. As I finished my way down the stairs, my father beamed at me, quickly pulling me towards a raven-haired teenage boy with matching eyes.
I felt a lump appear in my throat, so I couldn't speak. No one said he was handsome! My cheeks were a light shade of pink as my father introduced me to Uchiha Itachi. His smile was warm along with his hello. I just faintly smiled back and shook my head in response. I knew my father would scold me later over my silent actions. "Please, excuse her! She can be so shy at times," My father came up with some lame excuse so he wouldn't look bad.
"No problem, sir. If I may, I would like to start her training as soon as possible," Itachi stated, making me look at him in curiosity. Why would he want me to train with him all of a sudden? "Of course, Itachi-san! You can train with her anytime!" My father was quick to rush me out of the house with Itachi-sensei. He just wanted to make himself look good, but also wanted to know the process of my training, ASAP.
I rolled my eyes at his ridiculous actions. "Follow me, Marumi," Itachi ordered as he stared at me with those onyx orbs. In one moment, it felt as if we stared at each other for a century. He guided me towards the hidden leaf forest, glancing back at me every now and then. He was very quiet the whole way up there. I was too embarrassed to really say anything, since he made it very awkward.
Once we arrived at our destination, he spoke, "Marumi, what is your definition of a shinobi?" The question caught me off guard, which took some pondering. I blushed slightly as he stared at me intensely, wanting the answer. "Hmm... well, I believe the true definition of a shinobi is not just someone who is assigned to protect their village with their unique capabilities and jutsu. It's deeper than that... a true shinobi isn't someone with strong powers that can wipe out their foes. It's someone who withholds the passion of wanting to take care and protect those who are held dearest to their heart," I explained, my eyes glazing over dreamily.
Silence.
I blushed, "Uhm...am I wrong?" He chuckled, which was something I didn't expect, "You are absolutely right. That's one lesson that I don't have to teach you, which is fascinating." I stared at him with a small smile, "Thanks, I guess." He grunted in reply before pulling out a few kunai, "Shall we get started? I want to see how well your aim is," He explained as he threw three kunai at me. I easily caught the kunai and aimed for the target he set up.
I hit it square the first time, but the second and third times, I didn't quite hit it in the perfect spot. I could tell he knew I was getting frustrated, but he was patient with me, which I much appreciated. Sighing, I grabbed some more kunai that he had laid on the ground and aimed at the target. It almost hit it dead in the center. Fucking almost.
He smirked at me, "Your aim is very good, however, the angle that you throw the kunai at is not. Watch and learn," He explained before placing kunai between each of his fingers on both of his hands and leaping into the air. He shot the kunai at each of the targets he had set up and flipped around a few times, his face held total concentration.
I was mesmerized! How could he hit the targets perfectly? He really is Konoha's prodigy!
I cleared my throat, "Uhm... I don't think I will be able to do that anytime soon," I admitted, feeling completely stumped at his talents. I felt so useless now. Great.
He chuckled, "You will soon enough, Marumi. It's just the concentration that you're having trouble with. What is bothering you?" I rolled my eyes at his question, "If only I knew where to begin," I huffed as I threw myself to the ground and crossed my legs. His warm smile introduced itself again, making me blush slightly.
"Everyone has a story, have you considered writing your's?" He asked as he fiddled around in his backpack and pulled out a shiny red apple. "Do I ever! There's not enough paper in the world... at least, that's how I feel at times. Why are you so concerned, hm?" I looked at him skeptically, wondering why he of all people would want to know what's bothering me.
He smirked, "It is interfering with your concentration. Your concentration has alot to do with your training, and I am your sensei. Also, everyone needs someone to confide in, and it's obvious that you have noone on that list," He explained before diving into his apple, slowly and politely munching on it.
I scoffed, "That's because noone has proven that they're worthy of my trust. My father is a greedy bastard, my mother is dead, and I'm an only child," I began to rant, trying to catch myself before I started.
"I understand the father part. However, I cannot relate to the other two. I am sorry you're having such troubles, maybe when we know each other better, you can tell me more. It's obvious that you don't want to talk about it much right now, which I won't force you to. Why don't we get back to training?" He motioned for me to get up, which I obeyed.
x x x x
Huff, huff, huff...
I panted like an animal! He had me working so hard! I was covered in sweat, dirt, and God knows what else! I could hear him chuckle as he wiped some of the sweat off his own forehead, "I believe that is enough for today, Marumi. You have worked hard," He complimented me, which was replied with a thumbs up and more panting from the ground.
It was true, my exhausted behind was laying on the ground, trying my hardest to catch my breath. He smirked down at me, making me blush slightly. "What?" I narrowed my eyes at his smirk, obviously believing that he was mocking me. He said nothing but held out his hand for me to take, which I hestiantly did.
"I'll walk you home, since it's getting dark," he informed me as he picked up both our little backpacks and carried them on his back. He sure was a gentleman...
"Thanks for walking me home, Itachi-sensei," I thanked him as we arrived at my front door, my father probably listening on the other side. He nodded his head and handed me my little bag, "Anytime. You are a good student. Get some rest and eat well tomorrow morning, we're taking a trip to a village nearby to train. I'll be here around eleven o'clock to pick you up. Good night, Marumi-chan," He put his hand on my arm as he bid his goodbyes to me, making my face a real red now.
I smiled small, "Thank you, sensei. You have a safe walk home and a good night as well," I looked up into those onyx eyes that were so warm. He gave me one more smile before turning to walk towards his home. I couldn't help but smile to myself, he was really sweet! He's totally not what everyone says he is! He's very generous, compassionate, and patient. And he actually has manners! Unlike most boys I see, even if they're rich like Itachi.
I decided to eat some dinner, take a shower, and bid goodnight to my father and give him a brief summary of today before going to bed. Tomorrow would be interesting, I knew that much.
x x x x
I awoke to the sound of my alarm clock before banging the button to shut it up. "Stupid thing," I muttered as I wiped sleep away from my eyes and looked at the time - 8:30 AM. I groaned out and attempted to lift my sore body out of the bed. I decided a good stretch of the muscles was needed, so I did every stretch I knew before taking a quick shower and getting dressed for the day.
I decided to actually wear training clothes today, since last night I didn't know that I would be training so soon. I decided to throw my hair up into a messy bun, the hairs fraying in each direction at the top. I decided to put on a sports bra over my regular bra to keep my boobs from popping out during my training (that would be so embarrassing) and threw on a tank top with a pair of spandex shorts and some shinobi sandals. I tied my headband to my forearm, signaling that I was a Konohagakure shinobi.
Once I finished getting ready (putting on deodorant, and LOTS of it! brushing teeth, putting on some perfume, packing my bag, ect.) I decided to cook me a good breakfast like Itachi advised. Some rice dumplings, a bowl of cereal, and a healthy helping of fruit cocktail. Good breakfast, right? Well, it was better than the piece of toast I quickly fix every morning.
It was only about ten o'clock, so I decided to go to the park and play with the frogs like I usually do every morning. The little frogs were so much fun to watch. They always hop around while croaking, especially when they hop into my lap! They make me giggle and they're actually reallly affectionate, that is, if you treat them right. Everytime I come to the park, they always hop around towards me and hop into my lap.
Smiling at the thought, I quickly made my way to the park, making sure to bring my watch with me so I wouldn't be late and upset Itachi. I would spend forty five minutes with the frogs, then rush home to meet my sensei. It will all work out! I ran to the little fountain that the frogs hung out at, and they all jumped in my lap as if on cue.
I giggled, "Hey, little guys. Did you miss me?" I smiled at the little frogs who croaked happily and rubbed their little heads with my index finger. However, that was ruined when I heard a couple of words that I didn't really like.
"Hey, is that Itachi's new student?" "Yeah! I heard that her father went out of his way to pay Itachi a bunch of money to train his daughter because she sucked so much!" "Oh, my God! How pathetic! How much do you want to bet that he'll try to get his own benefit out of it?"
I grit my teeth, but continued to tune in to these girls conversation, who thought that I couldn't hear anything they said. They were a couple girls around my age, obviously jealous that Itachi was my sensei and not their's. But I continued to listen, "What do you mean get his own benefit?" "Well, he's an attractive boy who has money. He knows it! He'll probably try to get in her pants and then make up some excuse as to why he can't train her anymore when he gets tired of her." "Oh, I see! That totally makes sense. Sucks to be her!"
That was it, I couldn't take it anymore! "Excuse me froggies," I apologized to the small amphibians as I sat them back on the edge of the fountain and marched over to my peers angrily. They yelped out in surprise when I approached them, "If you want to talk shit about people in hushed tones, then do it to where they can't hear you at all! And for your information, what my family does is none of your business! So keep your snotty little noses out of my life! And I'm not that kind of girl, anyway! So take your little preconceptions and shove them up your asses, wenches!" I yelled as I balled my fist and punched both of them in their faces, knocking them down to the ground.
I huffed and bid my goodbyes to the little frogs and made my way back to my house, complete outraged and heated. I reached my front porch and sat outside, waiting for Itachi to show up. I was still angry and I was having a mental battle as to blow him off or not. The reason? Is because those girls are getting to me, sadly.
What if he does want to get in my pants? I mean, I never thought about it... but what if those bitches are right? Is that why he's being such a gentleman? Just so he can get his... fill? Is my father also really paying Itachi large sums of money to be my sensei? I mean, he gets paid by the Hokage to be a sensei in the first place, but still! I guess the only thing I can do is... confront the matter. But, how do I do that? I guess I'll just have to go with my gut feeling, because I'm NOT about to let his bullshit happen!
Soon enough, Itachi appeared in my peripheral vision and approached to my porch. "Good morning, Marumi. Did you rest well?" He greeted me as he stepped onto my porch, casually. I sighed, "Yeah, I guess. I- uhm..." I didn't know how to say it or ask it or whatever! His face fell, and he was serious, "What is it, Marumi?"
"I... I don't know how to ask you this, but I want to know..." I stuttered with a blush. He sat down beside me on the bench and leaned in slightly, making it more awkward. "Then ask. There is nothing you need to hide or be embarrassed about," he reassured, making me sigh in defeat. "Earlier, I was at the park, playing with the little frogs like I do everyday. And these girls were talking bad about me and my family, which I returned them the favor, trust me. But... they said something that kind of got my attention and made me worry," I explained, which earned his most undivided attention.
"Oh? What is it?" He was definately interested, which kind of made me nervous again. I looked at him in the eye, knowing that mine shown earnesty, "They said that the only reason you agreed to be my sensei was because my father was secretly paying you large sums of cash, and that you wanted your...fill," I confessed, feeling very embarrassed at even bringing up such a subject with him.
He grunted in response, but it was a more of a laugh-like grunt. I raised an eyebrow, "What's so funny?" I was getting myself in defense mode, but he started to chuckle, which completely confused me! "Oh, Marumi. Don't be so gullible as to listen to such ignorant statements! Obviously those girls just wanted a fill out of your anger," He advised with a sincere smile, making me blush slightly (because of that pretty smile!) and smile back.
"Yeah, I'm sorry. I guess I was being a little foolish," I admitted, feeling completely stupid, but relieved. He placed a hand on my shoulder, "Don't worry yourself over it. Just because we're shinobi, doesn't mean that we aren't still human. We make mistakes," He said with an earnest smile, making my smile return. "You're right, Itachi-sensei. Thank you for not making me feel like a complete idiot," I giggled, which he chuckled along.
"Come, we must start our field trip to this town. Plus, I have a surprise for you," He stated, making my childish personality show. "A surprise? It's not more muscle-aching laps around the forest is it?" I groaned out, making him chuckle. "No, not this time. You'll see," He smiled as he wrapped his arm around my shoulders in a friendly way, making that famous blush of mine appear again. I haven't blush so much in my life...
x x x x
Once we were done training on the outskirts of the small town, Itachi advised for me to clean up some and hydrate myself on some water. I obliged, drinking a bottle of water and pouring some on me before wiping the sweat and water off with a towel that I packed. Once we were refreshed, he took my hand and led me into town.
I had a feeling this 'surprise' was coming up soon...
