Chapter 4
Chikako walked onto training field 9 the next morning, yawning. She sat down and rubbed her eyes.
"I thought you said you're a morning person." Chikako looked up and saw Seto and Fuuta leaning against a tree. Seto looked a little tired, but Fuuta looked wide awake.
Seto smiled a bit. "What he means to say is good morning. It takes a while to figure out what Fuuta is saying." Chikako smiled and Fuuta rolled his eyes.
"Ah good your all here on time, we won't waste anytime." Fuuta and Seto walked over to the sitting Chikako.
Kei-sensei continued. "I am going to give you a test, and if you fail you go back to the Academy." He smirked.
Chikako's eyes widened, Fuuta uncrossed his arms, and Seto raised both eyebrows. "What?"
"I'm not going to tell you all the details, but I will tell you that I will make 10 copies of myself and you have to find all 10 before lunch. Think of it as hide-and-seek." He smiled as he finished.
Fuuta scoffed. "That's it, we have to play hide-and-seek? That's easy."
Kei-sensei shook his head. "No, because every time you find a clone it gets more difficult. So by the time you get to 10 you'll be using all of your abilities, you also have to tag the clone."
"Sensei, what areas are off limits for you?" Chikako asked
"My clones will only be hiding in the forest. The village is the only place I will not hide." He answered.
"Do we need bring proof back that we found a clone or will you know?" Seto asked.
Kei-sensei smirked. These kids are smart. "Yes you have to find a way to prove you found them, because as you know they can disappear when caught. That's all I'm going to tell you, because we start...Now!" He threw a smoke bomb at their feet. When it cleared he was no longer their.
Fuuta walked forward looking around. "Okay let's split up, we'll find the clones faster that way." Seto nodded.
Fuuta and Seto ran in different directions, but Chikako didn't move. "Wait!" They both stopped and looked at her.
"What? Your wasting time!" Fuuta said annoyed.
Chikako flinched when he yelled, but continued. "We can't split up. It would make more sense if we stay together. Kei-sensei said that by the time we have to find the tenth clone we have to use all of our abilities. If we split up we can only find at least three each, but if we aren't with each other when we have to find the tenth then none of us will be able to find it."
Seto seemed to get what she was saying, but Fuuta didn't. "Why not?"
"Because we have to use all of our abilities. There all some things that one of us isn't as good as the other at, like I'm not as fast as either of you so I won't be able to tag the clone. I'll only be able to find the clone, not catch it. When we work together we can use our strong points and the other two will help with our weak points. Everything is easier with teamwork.
"So we Can't..Split..Up!"
Fuuta was looking at her surprised and Seto was smirking at him, as if telling him something. Fuuta glared at him.
"Fine, we stick together, but I choose the direction we go in, got it?" Fuuta asked, but it was more of a command.
Chikako smiled and ran up to them. "Got it. Now which way?"
From the trees Kei-sensei smiled.
Seven and a half hours later they had found 9 clones. The first couple were easy, they only had to catch it, no jutsus needed. By the fifth one Chikako and Fuuta used different Ninjutsus, while Seto caught it. By the eighth and ninth Seto got rid of the illusions in the area, Chikako used Ninjutsu, and Futta caught it.
"Okay one left and only a half and hour to go. Seto what areas have we not covered?" Fuuta asked.
Seto took out the map they had marked to tell them where they found the clones, it was also the proof that they found them. "The only unmarked area is right here. The clone is most likely there. It will probably be the most difficult to catch, and we have to use our best abilities."
Chikako was panting. "I don't think I can do anymore Justus."
"What?" Fuuta shouted. "You heard what he said this will be the hardest to catch, we barely got the last one. Why can't you do any Jutsus?"
"I used most of my chakra, but I still have most of my strength." She answered.
Seto nodded. "Okay, then I think I have a plan. I'll get rid of any illusions, Fuuta will use Bunshin no Jutsu, surround the clone, and attack him. When there's an opening Chikako will throw me as hard as she can. Okay?"
Fuuta and Chikako nodded. Seto put the map away and lead the way. They ran for what seemed like a long time.
"It's an illusion."Seto muttered. He did a few hand signs and a clearing appeared, as well as Kei-sensei's clone. "Now Fuuta!"
"Bunshin no Jutsu!" Six Fuuta clones appeared and attacked Kei-sensei. Three of Fuuta's clones disappeared when the Kei clone stabbed them.
Soon Seto saw an opening. "Ready Chikako?" He held out his arm. Chikako nodded and grabbed his left arm with both hands and began to spin.
Seto's feet lifted off the ground and she grabbed his left leg, and went faster. Once at an appropriate speed and position Chikako let go, causing Seto to go flying, right at the clones. Three puffs of smoke appeared. When it cleared Fuuta, Seto, and the real Kei-sensei were sitting on the ground.
Seto was holding his head in his hands. Kei stood up. "Congratulations, you pass, and you have Chikako to thank for that."
Seto nodded as Fuuta and Chikako helped him up. "Yes, that was...quite a throw." Kei-sensei chuckled as Chikako blushed and Fuuta smirked.
"No, not only that, but also for getting you all to work together. Because if you didn't, even if you got all the clones separately you would have failed."
"Why? The objective was to get the clones right?" Seto asked and Chikako and Fuuta nodded..
Kei-sensei smirked and shook his head. "No that would be too obvious. The hidden objective and the point of this test was teamwork."
Chikako opened and closed her mouth. "You mean if we didn't work together we all would have failed?"
Kei nodded and Fuuta let go of Seto and crossed his arms. "This was pointless, we could have failed just because we would want to find the clones ourselves." Fuuta didn't want to admit that Chikako, a girl, was the reason that they passed.
"Teamwork is one of the most important things you will need to know about as a ninja, it is far from pointless. Now, seeing as you've found all of the clones earlier than I expected I will let you go for the day. Be here tomorrow at 7:00 for your first mission."
He left in a puff of smoke and the three teammates walked back to the village.
"So do you two want to eat lunch with me? I'll buy." Chikako asked.
Fuuta raised an eyebrow. "You know getting us lunch won't buy our friendship, you have to earn it."
Chikako's smile faded and she looked down. "I think she has earned it Futta. It's because of her we passed."
Fuuta glared. "I would have figured it out eventually."
Seto smirked. "What? After we failed?"
Chikako moved between them. "Guys don't fight. Seto, I'm sure Fuuta would have figured it out without me and Futta you don't have to be my friend, I'm used to not having that many friends." She moved away and smiled at them.
"I'll eat by myself. I'll see you tomorrow Seto, Fuuta." She turned and walked away. Once around the corner she stopped and listened.
"You should apologize Fuuta, she just wanted to eat lunch with us." Seto told him.
Fuuta glared again. "I don't care, girls are weak, and they will only hold us back. She's too sensitive, and her feeling will get in the way. If you want to be her friend, go ahead, but until she proves to me that she's a valuable asset to this team, I don't want to have anything to do with her." Chikako smiled sadly.
I guess I am to sensitive. I will prove myself to them.
Seto nodded. "Fine, but you still shouldn't be so cold toward her, she's trying to be nice."
Fuuta smirked. "I'll act how I want, it might show her that she cant buy my friendship by being nice and getting lucky on her first day."
"What is it that made you hate women so much?" Seto asked.
Fuuta turned and headed to his apartment. "I think you know why."
Women ruin everything, they'll all end up like her.
What did happen to make him hate me? Ckikako wondered before walking away
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Chikako walked into the Ramen shop ans asked Ayame for a bowl of Ramen with beef and vegetables.
"Here you go Chikako, Ramen with beef and vegetables." Ayame placed the bowl in front of her.
She smiled. "Thank you Ayame." She snapped the two chopsticks apart and began to eat.
"Stupid Sasuke, stupid Kakashi-sensei, leaving me tied to that post. One more hour and I would have probably died." Chikako looked over to see Naruto talking to himself. She turned back to her Ramen and continued to eat.
"Hi Chikako." Naruto greeted before ordering his Ramen.
She smiled at him. "Hello Naruto, how was your day?"
He grinned at finished the rest of his Ramen, ordering another. He then began to tell Chikako about the training, how it was because of him the Squad 7 passed. Also how Sasuke got scared and ran away. Of coarse Chikako didn't believe him, but she smiled anyway and nodded.
"Kakashi-sensei said that we can start missions tomorrow." He finished.
"That's great Naruto, Kei-sensei said that we're going to start missions tomorrow too." Chikako said before drinking the broth in the bowl. She set the bowl down and got up giving her money to Ayame.
"I'll see you around Naruto. It was nice talking to you."
Naruto waved. "Bye Chikako."
Chikako walked down the street and decided to find Choji. She checked the Barbecue restaurant, he wasn't there. She began to walk again and passed the Yamanaka flower shop, but saw Ino inside, behind the counter.
She walked inside, the flowers on display were very pretty. "Hello, Ino-chan."
Ino sat up, bored expression leaving her face. "Oh Hi Chikako! What are you doing here, going to buy some flowers?"
Chikako smiled. "No Ino-chan, I'm actually looking for Choji, do you know where he is?"
Ino slouched. "Oh, yeah, he went somewhere after training, probably the Barbecue place or the Ramen shop."
Chikako shook her head. "No, I checked the Barbecue restaurant and I just left the Ramen shop. I don't know where else to look."
Ino shrugged. "Have you tried checking your house?"
Chikako blushed. "I was just about to check there. I'll see you around Ino-chan." She turned to leave.
"You know Chikako I've never noticed, but you don't really look like Choji, except for your hair color." Ino said thoughtfully.
Chikako raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Ino stood up and walked over to Chikako. "Well your probably an inch or two taller and even if you are built big, your not as big as Choji. And your not always eating junkfood like Choji does. Also your cute for a girl your size."
"A girl my..size..?" Chikako asked.
Ino nodded. "Well yeah, most girls watch their figures, but you don't seem to mind being a little fat. But you know Chikako, if you don't start to watch yourself you'll never get a guy to like you."
Chikako knew Ino wasn't being mean. She probably thought it was good advice. She tried to smile, but failed. "Well thanks for the advice Ino. I'll think about what you said. I'm..going to go home now. Bye." She left the shop, walking past everyone not noticing who they were.
A girl your size. Fat. Never get a guy to like you. Chikako wiped a tear from her eye. Was Ino being nice, mean, and trying give advice at the same time? She wiped a couple more tears from her eyes. She was so lost in thought she ran into something hard.
"Ouf!" She looked up from where she landed on the floor and looked up at the standing figure of Shikamaru.
"You should watch where your going Chikako, you-" he stopped when he noticed the tears in her eyes. Crouching down next to her he looked her in the eyes. "What's wrong with you?"
More tears came to Chikako's eyes. Watch where I'm going? What's wrong with me! No, are you alright! He doesn't care at all, he thinks I'm annoying...a bother. Ino's word popped up again. Shikamaru will never know me more than Choji's sister. Chikako's heart clenched. Why does it hurt so much? I should have seen it coming.
Shikamaru was confused, Chikako was just sitting on the ground staring at him with tears in her eyes. "Hey, what's wrong with you?" He repeated. "You sick?"
His voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She blinked and looked at Shikamaru again, before pushing him away, standing up, and running home, not noticing Shikamaru's concerned look. She ran as fast as she could, not caring if she ran into anybody. She ran past Squad 8 and Kurenai-sensei.
"Chikako!" Kiba yelled. She ignored him and kept running. She slowed down to a walk when her sides began to hurt. She wiped more tears from her eyes.
You can't buy my friendship. I don't want anything to do with her. Girls are weak—Fuuta...Cute for a girl your size. Don't mind being fat. Never get a guy to like you staying as you are—Ino...What's wrong with you?--Shikamaru. I'm a bother, not important, nothing. If I wasn't here, would it make a difference?
Making it to her house Chikako ran inside, glad that no one was home, not that she noticed. She ran into her room and fell onto her bed.
Why does it hurt so much. How can liking someone make you feel so good, then so bad? I've heard it all my life, I'm too sensitive. I shouldn't care if the boy I like likes me back, or what he thinks of me. The only thing that should matter is what I think about myself and how to become a better ninja.
She paused before sitting up. She took out her drawing book, she had an idea.
A/N yay! another done.
If you want to see what Chikako, Fuuta, and Seto look like, go to my profile.