Chapter SIX
Of Sparring and Fights
Math Class
January 6
9:34 AM
Stupid Pre-Cal.
I thought quizzes were supposed to be on things taught thoroughly in class? Unless of course, this stuff was covered before I got to Konoha. But then wouldn't that excuse me from taking this quiz? I mean so far, I'm only on number five. While everyone else is probably almost done.
I scribbled a dark line on the graph as instructed and my eyes skip down to the next question,
I hate this...But I was able to jot down a guess before the bell rung. Silently praising it, I slung my bag over my shoulder and walked out the door, meeting Ino and Naruto out in the hallways. He looked hyper as usual while she looked as tired as ever, barely the strength to talk to me.
"Aw, you look terrible!" Naruto commented. Nice…
"Thanks," she replied, her tone coated with sarcasm. "Every girl loves hearing that."
"Ino, you alright?" I asked properly. Really, Naruto. There's a way to talk to girls.
But he was right, she did look terrible; her makeup was barely done, her ordinarily straight and silky hair was frizzed up and her ponytail was replaced with a messy bun on the top of her head. There were clearly beds under her eyes, which were on the verge of shutting as she would collapse onto the floor, asleep.
"I'm fine. Just didn't get any sleep last night." she answered as a groan and a yawn. "I'm surprised I could even get myself dressed this morning." she added, unzipping her sweater...to reveal she had on her uniform top. But her white bra was over it.
My left hand went up to Naruto's eyes, preventing him to see it as we heard wolf whistles, gasps and laughter from the people around us. "Uh, Ino?" She looked down, cursed perceptibly, and clumsily rebuttoned her brown jacket.
"Well, that woke me up..." she looked around, cheeks flushed deep red. I giggled and removed my hand from Naruto's eyes. We turned a corner after a while.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto piped up, probably remembering something. "I will be at the park, training, after school. You have to come."
"But...Naruto-" I tried to protest.
"You promised." he stated, his face getting serious as he turned to me. I sighed deeply, recalling the time when I had partially agreed to go spar with him sometime. Damn- that was Uchiha's fault, if I remember correctly!
"Oh no, Sakura." Ino added, sarcastically and, not to mention, dramatically. "You can't break a promise!" Naruto, knowing she didn't really mean it, rolled his eyes and continued.
"Please?" he begged, his innocent blue eyes staring down my emerald ones. Ugh, he's pretty good at convincing if you ask me.
"Alright," I rolled my eyes.
"Yes! Awesome!!" he yelled, jumping up. Hm, me coming seems like a big deal to him. I wonder what' he's up to...
--
Health Class
January 6
10:54 AM
Much like the science rooms, Kurenai-sensei's room consisted of longer tables with obsidian surfaces and two separate chairs to one table. The seating arrangement was rather comfortable for everyone. That is, everyone excluding me.
I was sitting more on the left side of the room, at the table closest to the door. From there, the seating arrangement was quite recognizable: On the same table beside me was Sasuke, behind our table sat Neji and Tenten. The other table to our right was Naruto and Shikamaru- and following them was Ino and Hinata.
Besides that, I really didn't know anybody else in the room.
Now back to class; we were watching another movie. This time more specifically on the heart. From behind me, I could hear some giggles, a few whispers and a barely audible conversation. Diagonally and to the right, I heard snores and sighs- I'm guessing Shikamaru was sound asleep while Ino and Hinata was mindlessly staring at him and Naruto again.
But I honestly hated where she had put me in that damn seating chart; as usual, next to 'him'.
I know what you're thinking...but he is a pretty big deal- to me at least. Arriving in Konoha, I kind of expected a quiet life. Moving for the millionth (yes, I'm exaggerating) time and losing friends here and there has sort of discouraged my motivation to get close to others- as I previously told Naruto.
As beautiful as these moments are now, they're…evil, when they're gone.
Ino would be a justifiable example. She was a close friend. She was the nicest person to me back in Osaaka, and stood up for me whenever I needed it. But really, my only best friend was from long ago. I shook off the memories as he shifted slightly and slumped into his chair and I tensed up. I'm aware of even the slightest of his movements.
He turned to me, clearly sensing the tension between us. "You okay?"
"Uh...yeah-" I stammered, "I just...this movie's making me fall asleep." I added that last part honestly. I already learned this stuff long ago. But it was supposedly a 'review'.
"Hn," he sneered. "Me too."
As if on cue, the narrator said her last words and the credits started rolling up the screen on black. I sighed and stretched my stiff limbs as I heard people getting up and the chatter getting louder by the second. I saw as Ino eagerly pushed Naruto out of his seat to take a seat beside Shikamaru.
"Hey, Shika-kun!" she cheerfully greeted. He remained unfazed, despite the kun at the end of his name.
"Ino," he replied casually. Way to stay aloof, man. She's getting the wrong ideas! I mean; emotionless reply, no -chan at the end of her name, and not even a simple hi. I would, too, think he hates me. She pouted and carried on (or at least tried) their conversation.
Naruto on the other hand happily took the empty seat beside Hinata for the remainder time of the class period- which was only about five more minutes.
"Hinata-chan!" he smiled at her- causing her cheeks to get awfully red. Aw, how cute! Just his presence makes her all mushy on the inside!
"N-Naruto...kun," she answered politely, stammering. Come on, damn bell! I'm desperate; get me out of here!
RING!
Woot! See, I'm awesome like that. We girls were dismissed first- of course followed by the boys.
"Hey Forehead, wait up!" I heard a call and turned around to see someone running towards my direction. Ino caught up with me after saying goodbyes to Hinata and Tenten.
"Wow, just earlier you looked like you hadn't had sleep in the longest time." I tell her. She nodded her head, unable to argue with that.
"Well, that movie..." she started. "I got my sleep for today." I laughed as we rounded a corner.
Gah, bad idea.
As soon as we enter the next hallway, a blob of red crosses my line of sight; along with three other girls against the lockers. I froze, causing Ino to stop and wait for me as well. Most likely trying to look cooler than her nerdy self, she approached us.
Oh, hell no. Has she not learned anything from the last time I beat the crap out of her?
"Don't worry, Forehead," Ino encouraged. "I got your back on this." she reassured me as I grab her by the arm and attempt to pass by unnoticed.
Fail.
The redhead and wannabes stepped closer to us as soon as we were spotted. Three girls: I've seen this before. When I was younger...But I dismiss the thought after a short, painful flashback. Identical smirks were on our faces as she spoke up first.
"Hm, Pinky." she mocked. Ino cocked an eyebrow.
"Four-eyes," she retorted and I snickered.
"Blondie." her friend spoke up, the offense directed at Ino.
"Fat-ass," I answer.
"Forehead." Really? She wants to go there again?
"Freak," Ino scoffed in return.
"Bitches."
"Whores." Woot! Go Ino!
"Hoe."
"Are we done here?!" Ino intervened. Karin let a low growl slip through her gritted teeth before returning to me.
"I heard you were with Sasuke-kun the other night." she was first to end our cycle of insults. Okay, how the hell did that get around?! I turn to Ino who stared at me wide-eyed. I scowled, but then I remembered he was my ticket to winning when it came to Karin-baka.
"Yes, actually I was." I answered. I had also remembered she had seen us as well. Wonder when she'll bring that up.
Silence.
Even Ino hadn't said anything. She remained quiet like me, waiting for someone from the other side to speak.
"Look," she began her new proposition. "I'll stop bugging you. Just stay away. From. My. Sasuke-kun." Wow. That was worse than pathetic. This argument had also changed. No longer was it just an argument. It was war. She wants to piss me off every day of our high school career, then she'll get something in return.
"Now tell me," I shot back, just to see if I could get her to shut up. "Since when did he become yours?" I inquired having Ino cross her arms as part of my interrogation.
Tsh, not that I cared about chicken-butt or anything. I would stay away from him if she wasn't (or at least trying) threatening me or bluffing blackmail. I mean, He's just so, so- UGH! And I...he is such a...such a...dick wad!
Dick wad? Sweetie, who are you kidding? We both know that's not what you really think.
Are you kidding me...? You're not making me feel any better. I hope you know that.
"Since…we had our first conversation!" she yelled, frustrated. "Now stay away from him!"
"First...conversation?" Ino questioned. "More like you trying to flirt and then him yelling at you." The loser glowered.
"You know, he doesn't exactly appreciate his fan girls." I picked up from there. "It's reasons like this why he completely ignores you."
"I'm not just his fan girl!" she protested, infuriated at my statement.
"Sure," I roll my eyes. "That explains the irregular staring, freaky obsessions, and creepy stalking you do." She picked the wrong girls to pick a fight with.
"Oh my gosh," Ino dramatically added, resting her arm on my shoulder. "Creepy stalking? That's hardcore fangirling right there." I laughed. "As opposed to Sakura here. I actually see it as him flirting with her."
"Shut up!" she retorted, obviously losing this little dispute between us.
"All that incoherent babbling you do..." I deride. "No wonder he hates you." I say adding my fake pout.
My blonde ally nodded in agreement as we watched the three girls stare at us in shock. Probably robbed of patience and comebacks. Well, that's good. As long as it'll get them away from us right now, I'm okay with it. The redhead approached me; teeth gritted, narrowed eyes, vicious countenance. Versus my calm expression; a smirk still growing and raised eyebrow.
But she surprised me...somewhat. It didn't hit me so suddenly, I was expecting her to get violent again. But as soon as she stepped forward, a low growl escaped from her throat as her right hand went up and…
Slapped me.
That bitch! Lemme at her! LET ME AT HER!!
I stayed unmoved, hands balled into fists. My chest moving at a faster speed for my heart and lungs refused to work in unison. Instead, my face (that was turned away due to the impact of the hit) remained relaxed- despite the hard feeling still on my cheek and the idea that it was probably all red by now.
She looked at her hand, satisfied at the payback. But I didn't fight back.
For more than one reason, actually. First off I refused to get in trouble again. And second because after a good five seconds, the next thing I heard was a 'thwack'. The sound of a fist colliding with someone's face. I slowly turned to see Karin in the arms of her friends, out cold. Their expressions were somewhere between completely appalled, and severely pissed.
And much to my surprise, Ino was standing the closest to them. A nasty frown on her innocent face. And her left hand curled into a fist extended in perfect form- showing all the proof needed that it was her who had knocked out the bitch.
"Ino...?!" I blink. She straightened her posture and turned back to me. "I didn't...know you could-"
"Well, you're not the only one who changed all those years." she smiled as another teacher came up to us.
"What-"
"Yes, Anko-sensei. I punched Karin in the face." she admitted straightforwardly. We were all taken by surprise at her immediate confession. "Detention, I know." she sighed and walked away from the scene to have me explain the rest.
--
Park
January 6
5:23 PM
It was a short walk from my house to the park. Apparently, it was just around the corner of Ichiraku's Ramen Bar. After the torturous (I will find a way to get out of that...) bus ride, I had changed into a pair of jogging pants and a sweatshirt.
But now I'm here, and the most unexpected surprise was that so was Sasuke. Now, I'm not blaming Naruto for planning this...as I am blaming myself for not anticipating it. No wonder he practically begged me to come along.
Another surprise was that Hinata was here as well. She knew how to fight too?!
I mean, I can see that now: she's out sparring Naruto right now as Sasuke and I watch from under a tree. She has pretty good reflexes, I'll give her that. How she perfectly evades all Naruto's attacks and then gets on the offensive side: I was astounded at her fighting skills. Almost like a ninja…?!
"The dobe's getting his ass kicked." he snickered. "By a girl."
"Excuse me, but is that a bad thing?" I ask playfully taking my attention away from my book (Yep, still reading Breaking Dawn). I sat beside him on the velvety grass under the protection of a tall tree from the sunlight.
"Sometimes," he says as I shut my half-open book and set it down beside me to watch the rest of the fight. They've been at it for almost ten minutes already; neither of them worn-out just yet. Or so it seemed...
I watched as Naruto threw another head-level kick to miss once again, and Hinata followed up with a fist attack. He swiftly grabbed her hand- shifting their center of gravity and having their weight throw them forward. They had rolled back a few feet at the force of Naruto's throw. They landed a few yards from where they were last; Hinata on the bottom and Naruto atop. Her hands were at her sides- as his left hand supported his own weight, the right hand on...her...ahem...
I couldn't help but laugh heartily.
"N-Na-Naruto-kun." Even from afar I could see both their faces grow darker crimson as if they held their breath for an hour.
"Uh...G-gomen, H-Hinata-chan!" he covered up and hurriedly rose from his previous position, helping her up in the process. They awkwardly strode over to our tree.
"Wow, Naruto. Pretty bold of you to feel up Hinata-san like that." Sasuke nudged at the scarlet-faced boy, triggering my laughter once more. I sniffed as my hilarity died out. Hinata's pale face was still red as ever, and I couldn't help but feel bad for her. She reluctantly sat down in my previous position after I stood up.
Shannaro! Show him we can kick ass!!
She's just adding pressure to this...
From five feet away, I seemed apprehensive opposed to his composed state. Just the thought of fighting him sent an earthquake of shivers down and up my spine. He stood straight, waiting for some sort of verbal permission to begin.
Sakura, just...breath.
I stepped back with just a tad more confidence...and it was on...
I was tired.
Nah, that's not the right word. Perhaps, exhausted. I haven't sparred continuously with someone in such a long time- back then when my dad used to train me was the last time. He hadn't done that in a while after I had gotten older.
I coughed as my back slammed against a tree. But then my instincts screamed at me and I looked up to see him coming at me again. This guy has more stamina when it comes to fighting than Naruto! I move and barely get out of the way.
His foot shattered the tree at the impact and I shuddered and couldn't help but imagine how I'd get up if that had come in contact with my face. Gaining more strength after a while, I pulled out a kunai from the pouch around my waist. I honestly loved weapon fighting...
I waited for an easy opportunity and swung at him once. Then twice. Then for the third time- just missing by a millimeter each time.
"A kunai?" he inquired, and I nodded. "Are you trying to kill me...?!" I snickered insolently and caught him off guard from behind.
"Now why would I do that?" I whispered into his ear before trapping him into and arm lock. "You know, you should never give your back to your opponent." I advise him. Even from behind I could sense a smirk on his face.
"You're flirting with me." he accused, though it could have also been interpreted as a question.
"Hm, not at all." I say shoving the well-purposed kunai back in the small bag. "And you're flirting with me...?" I didn't need an answer; he always was hitting on me anyway.
"That depends, is it working?" his smirk grew wider as he knew I was blushing. I sneered.
"Not at all."
He escaped after a while and picked up our battle. Kicks and punches were exchanged as well as blocks and throws. The occasional trash-talking was also carried out one by one by both of us. The fight was vigorous and fierce; for all out liveliness was put into it.
But it couldn't last forever- and even he knew that.
'Thud'
Yeah, I thought so... it had ended as soon as I exposed an opening and he pinned me to the ground.
LOL, yeah! 'Get Smart' kicked ass! But I don't own it either :P... Okay, I'm guessing you all know what'll happen next. If not, then you'll have to wait XP.
I also feel a bit ripped off...I have like 21 favs & 30 alerts, and yet only get about 6 (7 at the most) reviews per chapter :(. -sniff- But I still love you all xD. And thanks so much to everyone who's been reading/reviewing every chapter so far. You know who you are ;)!
~FilipinaChick