-Small Beginnings-

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of their characters.

…………………………………………………………………………………………...

Chapter 1 – "Staying Unnoticed".

Sitting in the shade of a tree, the young Genin ninja relaxed after a hard training session. He knew that to improve his skills, rigorous training was necessary…but that didn't mean that he enjoyed it. Sighing inwardly, he closed his eyes as the cool breeze and peaceful surroundings started to make him drowsy.

"Hey! Ichiro!" the boy looked up into a smirking face of a young Kunouichi. "You just gonna lay there all day and starve yourself, or are you coming with me to get something to eat?" That's the problem with this girl, Ichiro thought to himself, She's always trying to involve him. He smirked at this thought, it wasn't that he hated her, he just preferred to be left alone. Raising an eyebrow, Ichiro murmured "…since when do you care so much Nanami?"

This resulted in the young girl frowning back down at him "Still want your precious alone time huh? Fine! See what I care!" Throwing her arms up in frustration, she started to walk off. Ichiro contemplated letting her walk off so he could enjoy some thinking time, but of course his conscience told him otherwise. Sighing to himself again, he got up from his comfortable spot and walked after Nanami. "Ok, I'm up…" Ichiro grumbled as he caught up with the girl.

Nanami looked at him with a grin on her face "I knew you would, guilt tripping you always works!" Ichiro shook his head as the Kunouichi giggled to herself "You're just way too predictable Ichiro". The boy put his hands in his pockets out of habit, deliberately avoiding making any conversation with the girl. The Kunouichi didn't seem to mind the silence as they walked, for her this was another small victory for her.

They had first been put together because of the squads of three that all ninja are assigned to upon becoming Genin rank. Nanami had never really noticed him, he had always been a totally isolated person, not caring for anyone else. By reaching out to him, she felt that it would strengthen their team and help them all. But it had been very slow progress. In the beginning he had barely acknowledged his other squad members existence and keeping to single-word answers as much as possible. Through a lot of hard work on her part to earn his trust and 2 months later, they were now at a point where they could almost have a normal conversation.

It wasn't long before the two ninjas had made their way back to the village and joined the bustling crowds within the streets. Taking in his surroundings, Ichiro turned towards the girl "So...where're we heading?" This sudden outburst of communication almost made the young Kunouichi fall over. After regaining her composure, she started thinking "Well, there's a small place nearby that sells small takeaway meals, or there's that ramen stand a few blocks over…" Ichiro looked around for a bit, taking in the familiar surroundings. Looking back at Nanami, he answered "Anywhere would be fine…" It was starting to set in how really hungry he was after his training session.

The girl smirked at Ichiro "Letting the lady choose? How very gentlemanly of you" At this comment, the male Genin simply grumbled a "Whatever", which elicited a loud laugh from Nanami. "Lighten up Ichiro. C'mon, I'm starving!" The young Kunouichi grabbed his arm and dragged the boy unceremoniously to Nanami's decided destination.

After ten minutes of Ichiro being pulled around, they arrived outside a small restaurant. Smiling broadly, Nanami motioned to the eating establishment "Here we are, lets get something to eat!". Maintaining her broad grin, she walked through the door still dragging Ichiro behind her. "This is gonna be a long evening…" the young ninja sighed to himself.

Three hours later, Ichiro sat completely bored in the restaurant. He had finished his meal ages ago, but the young girl had ordered several other meals and was still eating. How can a someone her size eat that much, its unnatural… Ichiro thought to himself, simply staring at Nanami. Looking up from what seemed like her forth course, she gave Ichiro a puzzled look "What? Is there something on my face?". Quickly avoiding the subject, Ichiro mumbled "I was just lost in thought…When do you think we'll be starting missions again? I mean it's been three months that our Sensei has been gone."

It had been a long time. Apparently, their squad leader, Toshiko Haruguchi had been called away on private business concerning her family to the land of waves. They hadn't been told anything else other than to keep training both individually and as a team until their Sensei returned.

Nanami simply shrugged her answer "She'll be back soon, don't be so concerned." Ichiro sighed as the young Kunouichi returned to her meal. It wasn't that he was worried about Toshiko-Sensei, he knew she could easily take care of herself. He was more concerned about the lack of field training they were receiving. Without missions, he was afraid they were falling further behind the other Genin students. Keeping that in mind he decided to double his training tomorrow, he refused to let his improvements slip because of the current situation. Seeing a familiar look of determination in Ichiro's eyes, Nanami smirked at him. "Decided to step up your game again?" Looking up at the young girl, Ichiro returned a small smile "You know it."

Finally finished with the meals, Nanami stood up from the table and started to walk out smiling to herself "Well it sounds like I'll have to do the same. See you tomorrow for group training!" It was at that point the thought suddenly dawned on Ichiro that Nanami had bailed, leaving him to pick up the bill. His next thought was what he would do when he saw her again.

…………………………………………………………………………………………...

Short Chapter, I know…but this seemed like a good place to leave it. So far this is just a pilot to see how people react to the whole "Original Characters" thing. This chapter was to introduce the two main characters, the next chapter will introduce the rest of Ichiro's squad.

Chapter 2-"Rank D's" will be following soon! Please read and review.