Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Team Eight
I groan under the heat of a hot summer day; dragging my feet as I leave the cool grass of the secluded training field for the burning, bustling streets of the village. I may have over done it with the Katon jutsu, but if I could just find a way to manipulate the form the fireball takes then I could form fire rings or something. It could be useful in dual acts…. Anyway, the overuse of the jutsu has left me dehydrated with dry lips and slightly shaking hands from over Chakra use. Not to mention over heated. Probably was not smart to use a fire based jutsu in the middle of summer if the sweat collecting under my forehead protector is anything to go by. Though it is the strongest move I have in my arsenal, so what choice do I have?
Leaving the field behind me, I travel through the awakening streets of Konoha. Not even the start of business hours yet and already I feel like my skin could melt off. And I still have team training later on in the day. Sighing heavily, I pause in my commute to watch a produce vendor open up his stall, and start stacking heads of lettuce. I wonder how he keeps them from wilting in this weather? Speaking of food, my stomach growls as I start for home once more. I need to eat before I have to meet up with Sensei and the boys. Knowing Kiba-sensei, he probably has plans to run us through a not so fun game of 'let my ninken play fetch with my running genin' were the whole goal is to not get caught by the giant ass dog. And then he probably has a bunch of D-ranks lined up as soon as he gets bored of watching us running around as if our lives depended on it. All outside too, no doubt. My sandals scuff against the ground as I walk home without much thought of how I am getting there. I will not bother taking a shower until after training. I will just eat breakfast and make sure my Kunai pouch is fully stocked. Of course, I am not sure if there is any food in my apartment that I have not burnt. I look up skywards in thought; ignoring a man around Naruto's age who glares at me as soon as he sees my head band. I give him a wide hearth. I think there is one thing that I have not burnt. It was that curry dish Hirata sent me home with the last time I ate over at Naruto's and her new apartment, with strict instructions to just eat it cold. Though I cannot seem to recall how long it's been sitting in my fridge. Hmm, should I risk it? Training on an upset stomach does not sound like a good idea. It would probably slow me down. Two children run past me, laughing as the head for the civilian elementary school. The very same one that myself and the gang got expelled from during the war. I still cannot walk past that school without smiling. Well if I do not eat the suspicious curry then I could buy something pre-made. There is a convince shop nearby that sells pretty good bentos. Even if it is not exactly breakfast food. I turn on to the next street where I know the convince store will be just on the end of it. Not pausing I fish out by navy blue wallet from my weapons pouch. It was a gift from Rio on my last birthday, something about being embarrassed about me paying with crumpled, sweaty money pulled from my pockets when we eat out after grueling missions. I honestly do not see why it matters, but I liked his gift none the less. I look down long enough to peek inside. One coin. I sigh, and bow my head in defeat. I can afford some gum. Rent was due yesterday; which pretty much wiped me clean. Ever since I became a genin, an official Shinobi of the hidden leaf, my monthly allowance from Tsunade was revoked, and I had to actually start thinking about paying bills. Before then I had never given much thought to money, other than that Naruto spends way too much of it on ramen. I completely took it for granted, and that was childish of me.
I look up just in time to see a young Chunin jump out of a second-floor window of someone's home, with his vest slightly askew. Must have been a fun night. He lands and straightens into a leisurely walk as he nods in my direction. That's secret ninja code for, 'thanks for noticing how badass I am'. So, he is probably a newly made chunin. Apparently, that sophomoric confidence will wear off in a couple of months. My stomach growls again and I shrug. When in doubt bug your sensei. I turn around, with the convenience store forgotten. The Inuzuka compound is way away from my apartment. But I should be able to get there with time enough to spare, and then I can just walk with Kiba-sensei to meet up with everyone else.
I automatically feel better the moment I leave the public streets on the village, and step onto Inuzuka land. There are more trees here, and wide-open spaces for all the dogs to run around unhindered. Ribbing my sweaty hands on my black leggings, I look around and start to feel like I do when Naruto calls me his little sister. Ever since I became friends with Kouta, the Inuzuka compound has become a safe haven where no one cares that I wear the Uchida crest, or that the village savior lets me clinging to him like static electricity. Here I am just some stray that they feed on occasion. They recognize my scent and are happy to let me wonder their grounds. Some of the members have even started to refer to me as pup or runt, just as they refer to the Inuzuka children. And when Kiba-sensei became the jonin in charge of my team, it just became second nature to spend some of my free time amongst the rough and tumble clan. But today, as early as it is and as hot it is no one is moving up just yet. Even the kennels are quiet, when there is usually a chorus of barks whenever I walk past it. If it's this hot maybe Kiba-sensei will cancel training. Wishful thinking. I walk past many houses before reaching Kiba-sensei's. He moved out of the clan head's house before he took on a genin squad in favor of bachelor living. It was just big enough for him and Akamaru. I do not bother knocking once I am standing in front of his door. But as I turn the door knob I discover that it is locked. Figures. Freeing a bobby pin that I use to keep my bun secure I start to pick the lock. In any other Shinobi residence, this would be a big no no, but the Inuzuka tend to be more relaxed as the dogs tend to be built in security systems. But if your scent is known as a familiar and friendly one then walking in uninvited is not a problem.
As I expect, when I finally get the door open I see Akamaru waiting for me; sitting right in front of the entry way. He probably smelt me the moment I reached Kiba-sensei's front door. When we make eye contact his tail starts to wag. "Hello Akamaru-sensei" I greet, petting the top of his head, and making sure to scratch behind his ears. If Akamaru knows I am here then Kiba-sensei probably does too, and is just choosing to ignore me. Retracting my hand, I slip off my sandals and leave them by the door as I step past Akamaru; glad to give my feet the opportunity to breathe. It will be awful to put them back on when it is time to go to training. "Kiba-sensei" I call out as I head for his kitchen, with Akamaru following. "I am going to raid your fridge". In the three steps it takes me to cross his kitchen to the desired appliance I listen to Kiba-sensei's grumbling of indignation, and smirk. I am a terrible student, no respect at all. Opening the fridge, I close my eyes and bask in the sudden wash of coolness. It really was not smart of me to train the Katon jutsu this morning. When I open my eyes again I have just enough time to see that there is some left-over teriyaki chicken and a whole lot of beer, and even more dog food before the fridge door is pushed shut, just barely missing my nose.
Turning my head only slightly, I see the very irritated and scowling face of my sensei. "Manami!" he growls.
"Kiba-sensei, good morning" I greet in a regular tone of voice. "Why do you have more dog food than people food?"
"Why are you here?" he demands to know, refusing my question.
"I am hungry".
After our first C-ranked mission that involved camping overnight, everyone on my team knows better to suggest that I cook. Something about how even the ration bars I touch end up tasting worse than before. So Kiba-sensei goes straight to, "doesn't Hinata feed you?"
And that is generally a true statement. Ever since she and Naruto started to go out, Hinata's home-cooking has become a stable in Naruto's and my lives. Even when they moved into their own apartment, if I was not there in time for dinner at least thrice a week Hinata would send Naruto to hunt me down and bring me to their home. She also always made sure to send me home with left overs. "With their wedding right around the corner, and Naruto's busy with missions, so she is not cooking a whole lot right now". Also, I just do not feel like I should be bugging her unless Naruto is there.
"Eat out." Kiba-sensei moves on.
I shake my head. "The last couple of missions we did was enough to cover rent, but that is all".
"Akio?"
"I still owe him a lot of money from the last couple times we have eaten together".
"Ryo".
"His sister has banned me from the house after the last time I stayed over for dinner. I was helping her clean up and accidentally broke a good portion of her fine china." I said, smiling when I notice Kiba-sensei's left eye is twitching.
Akamaru leaves his spot in the kitchen where he had been watching us, and padded over to his partner, where he paws at Kiba-sensei's pants and whines; begging for me on my behalf. It only takes Kiba-sensei one look at his best friend before he admits defeat. "fine" he grumbles. "Go sit down".
"Thank you sensei, you are the best." I said moving over to his kitchen table and sliding into one of his two wooden chairs.
This is an old song and dance for us. Kiba-sensei may act tough. And he is. But on the inside, he is also a mother hen. He comes over with the chicken I spied early, a pair of chopsticks, and a glass of water. "here" he said, dropping the food down in front of me before taking the chair across from me. Akamaru settles down under the table, laying his body over my feet. So much for keeping myself cool. I quickly clap my hands together, and thank my sensei for food before digging in. He only gave me his left-over chicken, but that is more than enough. After I had taken a few bites, otherwise known as rapidly stuffing my face, Kiba-sensei said, "drink the water too. You were playing with the Katon jutsu again, weren't you?"
I look up at him, and take the time to swallow before asking, "how did you know?" and then as a second thought, "I wasn't playing. I was training".
"the scorch marks around your mouth gives it away". He says in his impressive Shinobi voice, that he generally uses on admiring underlings. I slowly sip at the water as I watch his face go from over confident to full on teacher mode. "But you shouldn't be training any jutsu above the academy level without someone else present. I'm guessing your hands are shaking because you used too much chakra."
Well, he is not wrong. "But I have been training jutsu alone since…" I trail off, and look down at the table top. I do not think about my life and family before Konoha often, but it is still hard to talk about it. "Since I moved to Konoha".
Kiba-sensei remains firm. "But that was before you were my student. And I'm telling you to not train powerful jutsu alone". He does not blink as he stares me down.
I sigh, "yes sensei". Moments passed in silence I as focus on eating. I wonder when I barged in this morning if I woke him up? It would explain the casual clothes he is wearing, and his serious case of bed head. I am not used to being an early riser. And by that, I mean, Naruto is always up before I am, and bursting with energy. But then I became a member of team eight. Now I am always the first one up when we go on overnight missions. Akamaru coming in second, then Ryo who is used to waking up on his two-year-old nephew's schedule, followed by Kiba-sensei, and then finally Akio. Whom we have to wake up ourselves. Maybe I should try to sleep in more. The boys sure do seem to like it.
After I swallow the last bite of chicken Kiba-sensei asked, "Manami, what are you getting Naruto and Hinata for their wedding?" His tone is concentrated, as if his issue has been weighing heavily on his mind.
I shrug, twirling the chopsticks around in my hand. I really had no idea what to give someone as a wedding gift. It is hard enough getting a present for one person, but now there was the task of getting one present for two people. And Naruto and Hinata are so different in personality too, it was a challenge. But in the end, it came down to one deciding factor; I do not have any money. "I made them a coupon book". I said.
Though by the look on Kiba-sensei's face one would think that I got them something weird, like a block of wood, or a pile of mud. "huh?" he asked.
"yes, look!" I said, reaching in to my weapon's pouch and pulling out a small stack of purple construction paper, bound together by some ninja wire I had taken from Shouhei one day. He is actually the one who gave me the idea. Apparently, it is what he used to give to his parents for their birthdays when he was too young to work.
With an almost suspicious look, Kiba-sensei reaches out and picks up my coupons. Slowly he starts to thumb through them. "one ramen eating buddy coupon?
I nod sagely. "Yes, Naruto loves ramen, but there really is not anyone that will eat with him until he is content. This coupon promises that I will eat with him from start to finish one time. No matter how bad of a stomach ache I get".
"It also means you get to eat for free" Kiba-sensei grumbles. I just shrug. I could not offer to treat Naruto to ramen. I do not have any money. If I did I would not have had to make a coupon book. "Four housework assistance coupons". Kiba-sensei rattles on. Those are for Hinata. As soon as I met her, I quickly learned that she did not like anything being out of place, which is often the case with Naruto's organization skills. So, I thought she would appreciate the help once in a while. "and seven Manami go away coupons." He looks up at me for that one.
I smile sheepishly at him. "I thought as newlyweds they would not want me hanging around all that much. But they really are my most reliable source of food so I cannot afford to leave them alone completely. The coupons are a way to compromise on that issue".
Kiba-sensei stares at me for a good long moment, before huffing and looking away. "Put your dishes in the sink, and lets go. The boys are probably already there". He ordered, standing up to go to his room to change his clothes.
It turns out that Kiba-sensei was sympathetic to the summer heat wave. He would not let us skip out on training, but he decides not to get us assigned to any D-rank missions. Which is both a mercy, and a curse for me. I do not really want to pull weeds or search for a missing pet in this weather, but without completing a mission today it means I have to find someone willing to have me over for dinner tonight.
Instead today's team meeting consisted entirely of learning how to water walk. By a river in one of the train fields, designed exactly for this purpose, Kiba Sensei lounges under a shade of a great oak tree, using Akamaru as a pillow as he supervises us. Otherwise known as napping on the job. The three of us stand shoulder to shoulder with Ryo in the middle. "Who wants to go first?" asked Akio
Ryo shrugs, and yawns. His nephew barraged into his room at six o'clock this morning and pummeled him awake to play. And being the softy that he is, he was not able to say no to the two-year-old. I adjust my headband before responding to my best friend, "how do we even start?" In the background I can hear Kiba-sensei snort in amusement. Well, I am glad we are entertaining him, if he does not want to actually give us any instruction. "I mean", I clarify, "Do we build up our chakra before we step onto the water or is it something we have to do instantaneously?" Because I didn't want to stick my feet to the earth and embarrassingly not being able to even come in contact with the water for my first attempt.
Ryo stretches his arms over his head, and stares down into the water in contemplation. "We stick our feet to the tree when we climb them. At a walk we don't cancel out the chakra in one foot until the other is fully planted, but when we run up trees there is that brief half a second where there is no chakra holding us, and it is our momentum that keeps us moving forward. But I don't think we want to stick to the water". He pauses to lower his arms. "We somehow need to make our feet, or bodies, light enough the stay a float on it, as if we are walking on it." And there is Kiba-sensei laughing in the background again.
I nod as if that makes sense. "Or we need to use our chakra to make the water solid when we step on it". But that does not sound anymore likely. How does chakra interact with water when it is not an elemental base jutsu?
Ryo crocks his head to look at me out of the corner of his eye, with a frown. "Do you mean ice?"
I blush, yeah, I guess solid water is ice. "No" I said shaking my head. "I mean our chakra has to somehow make the water not act like a liquid. To keep in under our feet, and stop us from falling through the surface".
Ryo looks ahead at the river once more. "Maybe there's a book about it at the library".
"Or" draws out Akio, an impatient edge in his tone. "we can just learn through trial and error!" He exclaimed as he rams his shoulder into Ryo; trying to shove him into the stream. But Ryo disappears in a poof of smoke, with a random log that falls to the ground with a thump. Wide eyed, and slacked jaw in surprise, Akio cannot stop himself, as he trips over Ryo's replacement jutsu log and splashes into the river.
A second latter Akio emerges with his once spikey hair framing his face, and spitting water out of his mouth. Now there is many things a best friend could do in these situations. I could ask him if he was okay. I could off him a hand up. I could even try to seek revenge on Akio's behalf. Ryo jumps down from the nearby tree he was hiding in after the replacement jutsu. I could try pushing him in myself. But, I settle for pointing at my best friend and laughing hysterically. "Shut up Manami!" Yells Akio. But I cannot stop. I am laughing so hard that I end up hunched over, clenching my stomach with the arm that is not pointing at Akio.
"So", Ryo starts, smirking. "what did you learn?"
"That my friends are jerks" Akio retorts, but even he has a smile peeking out from under his glare.
We regain our focus after that. Spreading out, and removing our shoes, and weapon pouches (I have to keep my coupon book dry) and kunai holsters. Nothing is more annoying that rusted weaponry. The boys take it a step further by taking off their shirts. Lucky them that they'll have something dry to put on after training is over. But we leave our whistles hanging on chains around our necks. After we passed Kiba-Sensei's graduation test (which involved trying to track him down in a pitch black abandoned warehouse with paper bombs random placed throughout the whole building), he presented us each with a dog whistle on a silver chain. Apparently, the frequency is so high that only ninken and Inuzuka members can hear it. All Inuzuka children are given one with strict instructions to never take if off when they leave the clan compound. We have seen Kouta with a similar one around his neck. When we officially became Kiba-sensei's students we too were instructed to never be without it, and to blow on it if we were ever in danger that we could not get out of. We all obey, treating it as a type of team symbol. But Akio thinks the sentiment is kind of silly; we are full fledged ninja now, so we should not need saving. Ryo likes to use it dry Kouta insane when we spar against team six. I like the sentiment; that this whistle dangling around my neck proves that I belong to this team, like my headband proves that I belong to the village. Both symbols mean a lot more than the crest that I wear on my back.
With sound of Kiba-sensei snoring, and Akamaru panting in the back ground, I close my eyes and start to build chakra to the sole of my feet. It is weird really. After a couple of months running up and down trees, and jumping from branch to branch, I no longer have to think about the chakra I am using to make that possible. I just do it on instinct. So, I wonder why I have to take the trouble to build up my chakra now. But with the feel of it flowing under my feet, I take a cautious step off of the bank. I know when I come into contact with the water because I feel like there is something alive under my foot, and it moves to the left, as the water runs down stream. There is another thought. Would water walking be different walking on the ocean or a lake compared to a river? I apply a little more pressure on my foot. And when my toes remain dry, I entrust my entire weight to the water by walking forward. A second later, I fall through the surface, and my eyes snap open as the water comes up to my knees; cooling my heated skin. What went wrong? To my left Ryo makes it one step further than I did, before losing his balance completely and falling backwards in the river when his chakra control breaks. He ends up sitting in the river, with the water pooling over his lap.
It is Akio who makes it the furthest. But not because his chakra control is better than ours. He decided to try it with a running starting. Taking big strides, he ends up roughly in the middle of river, before sinking. Ryo and I wait for Akio to start the swim back to the river bank before, we exit the water. This is a bigger challenge than I thought it would be.
Exchanging looks amongst the three of us, we nod solemnly and start again. We are team eight. We may succeed, we may fail, but no matter what we will carry each other through to the end. We will not leave this field until each of us make it to the other side of the river. Or until, Kiba-sensei wakes up, and declares training over for the day. Whatever happens first.
However, when the sun reaches the midpoint in the sky, we have a change of heart. Laying on the river back with our pruney feet in the water, and our backs covered in mud, and sweat gleaming on our foreheads; we rest, trying to regain out breathing. Why did I do solo training this morning? What a waste of energy. Akio groans in between pants, "I think there's water permanently stuck in my ear". Ryo grunts in agreement, using his right forearm to block sun from his eyes. I should do the same, as the harsh sunlight is starting to give me a head ache, but I'm too tired to moved. A fact proven by the state of my hair. My once neat and secure bun now is a tangled mass at the back of my head with random strands free and plastered against my wet face. If I wasn't so tired, I won't let my hair get this messy. I hate brushing out knots after it gets all tangled. So, I settle for closing my eyes. Maybe I should just cut my hair. But I am kind of afraid that if I do my hair will stick up in the back like Sasuke's hair does in the photo of him with the old team seven, that Naruto nii-san keeps on his dresser.
In the background, I hear a loud yawn as Kiba-sensei rejoins the land of the living. "What a lazy bunch of runts I have" said Kiba as his shadow and Akamaru's loom over us. I open my eyes a peek to see him stand behind our heads with his arms at akimbo. Akamaru standing to his right, panting, with his tongue out over Akio's head. Akio moans from the warm dog breath on his face and rolls away from the dog sensei sluggishly, "Too hot, so hungry" he complains in a mumble.
Ryo lowers his arm and glares up at the jonin. "we may have figured out how to water on walk by this point if our Sensei actually told us how to do it".
"Or at least stayed awake long enough to tell us what we're doing wrong". I chime in. Laying spread-eagle on the river bank. I'm not sure I can move.
Kiba-Sensei smirks, showing off his pointy canine teeth. "what can I say kiddos, other than that in this exercise you either sink or swim". A moment passes in silence as his words sink in.
Ryo and I groan; such a lame attempt of humor. I might, might have given him a pity laugh if I was not soaked to the bone. "Boo!" Akio calls out, expressing what we are all feeling. But this is just another day with team eight. And I would not have it any other way.