Frostbitten chapter 06:
A/N: Sorry it's been a while, but I had my uni exams in June and now I am working during the week (and still on weekends too), I have everything planned out and I got a lot of the dialogue done but I just needed to put it in a semi-coherent text. So here it finally is. The next chapter, enjoy!
"Ririko sweetie, it's time to get up" the soft hand of my mother ran through my hair in a comforting manner. I groaned and turned away from her. I didn't feel like getting up, training sessions have been harsher than usual with the sudden decrease in mission intake from my father. It was no secret that what was supposed to be our first C-rank mission had quickly turned into an A-rank due to the encounter with S-class missing nin Zabuza Momochi –and the demon brothers- and the political sensitivity involving Gatou.
My eyes went wide and I sprang up from my bed, narrowly avoiding the senbon that would have hit me otherwise. I clung to the wall, and quickly scurried away, out the partially opened window and hid in one of the trees in the courtyard. I tried to slow down my heartrate and scowled. To be fair mom did give me a warning and tried to wake me up. I couldn't help being tired though, not between team training, missions and clan training –not including my independent fūinjutu studies—
I jumped up as kunai kept being thrown at me, soon the branches thick enough to support my weight were running out and I had to resort to tree climbing. It had become a sort of second nature to send chakra to my feet now. No longer did I need the time to consciously direct it. I was forced to learn this if I didn't want to end up a human pincushion. I jumped from tree to tree and on the roofs of the clan houses, dodging every weapon thrown at me. Forcing myself to run faster, take sharper turns and split second decisions to throw off my father. Every day I was getting just a little bit faster.
Our little game of chase ended with me hanging upside down from a tree. I thought I was doing well, thought I had thrown my dad off with the last turn I made but he had been waiting for me. I sighed and rubbed the spot where the wire had lightly dug into my skin. Not enough to cut but enough to cause a mild discomfort. I did earn a smile and a pat on the head. Making my parents proud made the whole ordeal so much more bearable.
30 minutes and a delightful breakfast later I was out the door and on my way for even more training. Teamwork was always a bit lacking for team 7, Naruto's and Sasuke's personalities just clashed and Sakura was still too focussed on getting Sasuke's attention making Naruto even more jealous… Then there was me, trudging along and desperately trying to act like a mediator. On top of that were were an odd team. 4 genin and one socially awkward jonin teacher, it was pretty much unheard of. Eventually one of us had to go. Things seem to have gotten worse after Wave though. Naruto got more competitive and Sasuke seemed even more self-assured now that he had unlocked his sharingan.
"It's because you push yourself too much." Sakura was supporting some of the blond's weight after he had gotten himself hurt during one of our missions.
"pft. Can't you take care of yourself?" Sasuke always seemed to try and get a rise out of Naruto so I groaned and hung my head. Queue another battle. Sensei awkwardly patted my back and I glanced at him. Distracting myself from Sakura trying to beat up Naruto even further.
"hmm… teamwork seems to be suffering lately."
"Yeah! You're the one ruining our teamwork, Sasuke! Always hogging the spotlight you bastard!"
"That's you, you moron. If you want me to stop making you look bad…" Sasuke turned his head to lock eyes with Naruto's "then just become stronger than me." There was a tense silence only broken my Kakashi-sensei when a messenger hawk flew over.
"Ok, that's it for today. I have to go submit this mission report." I had to keep myself from snorting at that. As if sensei would ever submit his reports on time. I was convinced he just did it to annoy people now.
"Then I'm going home" Sasuke turned around and made his departure.
"Hey Sasuke-kun, wait. How about right now, we work on our teamwork… just the two of us." I bit my lip and frowned. did she really not see the lack of interest?
"you're the same as Naruto." Harsh Sasuke, Harsh. I sympathetically patted her shoulder as she hung her head.
"Sakura-chan, forget Sasuke, let's train together!" I don't think she heard him because there was no reaction. "Ok! I won't lose to Sasuke! Time to train!" A square shaped, box disguised as rock was trying to sneak up on Naruto. Well that's the thing with being ninja's –even though we were only genin—we were not fooled by such things. I don't think even a civilian would be fooled by that disguise though.
"That's the man I view as my rival!" three kids emerged, Naruto seemed to know them so I didn't even question it. instead I focussed my attention on the still dejected looking Sakura.
"Don't worry, I'm sure you will get stronger" Remember when I said I had a socially awkward sensei? Well I wasn't much better. Still I put one arm around her shoulder and gave her what could be categorised as a hug.
"What!? But you said you'd play ninja with us today" that caught my attention.
"Why would a ninja play ninja?" I cocked my head to the side as Sakura and I walked back closer to our other team mate.
"Hey bro, who're these girls?" the kid with the goggled pointed at the two of us, a look of deep concentration on his face. Eventually he got that look of recognition and slyly looked at the blond. "not bad bro. they're your.." he held out his pinky finger. I chuckled as a blush spread across my cheeks. The kid was cute, Sakura however didn't seem to think the same
"wow, you brats are very perceptive…" he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck with a faint blush on his face. I cringed when Sakura's fist connected with his cheek however. Naruto was send tumbling and crashed into the wooden fences
"How dare you!" Sakura was angry, better stay on the side-lines. That girl packed a mean punch the three kids rushed to Naruto's aid. It was quite endearing really. It came as no surprise that the boy with the goggles got the second hit.
Damn it… that ugly huge foreheaded… is that really a girl? At least the other one is nice." I was gently rubbing the growing bumps on their head only to side step an angry Sakura with murder in her eyes. They ran.
Time for damage control. I ran in their general direction, not even having to go far before I came upon the rather disturbing scene of a black clad suna-nin holding up Konohamaru by the front of his shirt. "let's play a little before the boss comes. Konohamaru was trembling slightly. Naruto charged at the suna-nin only to fall over before he even reached the three of them. A puppeteer then?
"oh leaf genin are weak…" should I intervene? It would be bad for things to go on like this.
"Pardon me Shinobi-san but fighting is strictly prohibited in civilian areas and will be dealt with by the Konoha Police Force accordingly." I stepped closer, making sure that my clan symbol was noticeable. A subtle way of demanding a form of respect that was used by all clan people. I took a closer look at the two of them, there were no outward signs of them being a higher ranked shinobi. "It would be a shame if you were to lose your visa over a small accident no?" I gave them a small smile and now stood directly in front of the black clad nin.
"Yeah you fat pig! If you don't let him go I'll make you pay!" I cringed at Naruto's sudden threats. Know when to pick your battles. Foreign ninja were not as easy to deal with as allies.
"Please excuse my team mate, he has no brain to mouth filter." I grimaced as I forced myself to bow.
"hey you're annoying." His attention was focussed on Naruto who was being held back by an annoyed Sakura. "Basically I hate midgets. Especially younger ones that are rude… makes me want to kill them." He held up his fist, ready for an attack and smirked.
"you bastard!"
"well, after this one I'll take care of that other annoying midget!" he pulled back his arm and trust it forward. I didn't think about it, my instinct just forced me to react and I intercepted the hit. Deflecting it. a pebble hit his wrist at an alarming speed. I looked up to one of the trees and there was Sasuke, idly throwing pebble up in the air.
"What are you bastards doing in our village?" Sakura squealed and Konohamaru quickly ran to the side of his friends. I was still standing by the Suna-nin and didn't intend on moving any time soon.
"Ah another guy who pisses me off…" Did Sasuke know what reaction he had on girls with that cool attitude of him? Because even I had a bit of a heart flutter. "Hey punk, get down here! I hate show-offs like you the most." He pulled down the thing that was on his back. Most likely his puppet I thought.
"Hey, are you even going to use Karasu?" His blonde team mate made the motion to stop him from doing anything stupid.
"Kankuro stop it. you're an embarrassment to our village." There hanging upside down from the same tree Sasuke was still perched in was a red headed boy. his voice was deep and gravely for his age, as if he had spent a lot of time screaming. how had I not noticed him. "Losing yourself in a fight, how pathetic. Why do you think we came to konohagakure?"
The black clad teen seemed nervous it made me wonder just how good the red head was. "Listen Gaara, they started it and…"
"Shut up… or I'll kill you." The sudden killer intent that oozed into the air was a bit disorienting but I managed not to show it. I was intrigued because both his other team mates quickly –and nervously—apologised to the boy named Gaara. He too apologised, only it was directed towards us.
He disappeared in a flurry of sand only to reappear in between his two other team mates and me. "it looks like we got here too early but we didn't come here to play around." From up close I noticed a few things. The red of his hair was very similar to the colour of blood, there seemed to hang a coppery scent around him and lastly he had the most peculiar sea-foam coloured eyes.
Sakura finally stepped closer. "judging from your forehead protectors you guys are ninja from sunagakure right? You may be allies with Konoha but it is forbidden for shinobi to enter each other's villages without permission. State your purpose. Depending on it, we may not be able to let you go…" her determination was admirable but it was quite obvious that they had permission to be here.
"Hah talk about clueless… don't you know anything?" the blonde teen held up her visa for us to see. I took a closer look at it. Temari of the sand. "you're right, we are genin from suna. We had come to your village to take the chūnin selection exam." Naruto being the clueless dunce that he is just had to embarrass us by asking what the chūnin exams were. I shook my head at his antics.
Sasuke finally joined us on the ground. "hey you with the gourd, what's your name?" the red headed boy focussed his attention on my black haired team mate.
"Sabaku no Gaara… I'm also interested in your name?" his voice was strangely calm and devoid of any emotion.
"It's Uchiha Sasuke." Then to my utter surprise Gaara turned to me.
"Your name?" I blinked stupidly. No one had ever taken notice of me. Not enough for a foreign ninja to ask for my name at least.
"My name is Mitsuhara Ririko, it's a pleasure to meet you." For good measure I threw in a keirei, a 30 degree bow to show respect. Better not put myself on the 'enemy' list. And my parents had always taught me to be respectful…
"Hey what about me?!" Naruto broke the awkward silence with his enthusiastic need for recognition, the only problem it was shot down instantly. My gaze followed the group of foreign nin as they took their leave. They were… an interesting bunch.
-o-
Training the next morning had taken longer than expected, I was only just learning how to walk on water and would not give up until I was able to keep my balance. This however caused me to be late for our team meeting.
"Sorry I'm late!" Everyone was already there, even Sensei.
"Glad you could join us Ririko… why are you wet?" I sheepishly rubbed the my right arm. "As I was saying. I've nominated you guys for the chūnin selection exam." I blinked in confusion "here are you applications." Nominated for the chūnin exams? Was he out of his mind, what possessed him into thinking we were ready for something like that. "though this is just a nomination. Whether to take the exam is up to each of you. Those who wish to take it should sign those papers and turn them in at room 301 by 4 pm tomorrow. That is all." and in a flurry of leaves sensei had disappeared once again.
I stood there staring dumbly at the small piece of paper that was just handed to me. Naruto was so excited, he was practically vibrating with energy, even Sasuke seemed pleased with this development. Sakura too was staring at her nomination perhaps she was thinking the same thing as I did. "You should join Sakura-san. You'll do great" I told her before running back to the Chomesuke compound.
The next morning there were genin all around the academy building. I was nervous, some of them looked positively intimidating. Then again, I was intimidated fairly easy. Walking in the building I took the lead, wanting to get to the safety of room 301 as fast as possible. I kept walking, ignoring the fight that was happening.
"Ririko? where are you going?" I looked back to see that my team had stopped in their tracks. I looked at the number above the door and scoffed.
"Room 301, up another level." The two guarding the door smirked
"so you noticed…"
"Well… yes, but I'm sure Sakura would have noticed too right?" I send her a small smile. "You're very analytical and you know a lot about genjutsu right?" I grabbed her hand and tried to keep her moving. He confidence seemed to grow at that. I couldn't help but be pleased. At least one of us should be confident in their abilities. I was just faking it, I couldn't leave my team along, no one abandons their team.
"Hmm not bad, but all you did was see through it!" one of the genin attacked Sasuke –who in turn retaliated just as viciously-. The think was, neither their attacks actually hit their targets because the green clad boy that was previously being beaten had intercepted both their kicks. More impressive even, he was so fast I barely saw him.
The boy took notice of Sakura standing at my side, my hand still grasping hers and walked up to her. "My name is Rock Lee. You are Sakura?" there was a slight pause before he gave her the brightest smile I had ever seen. "Let's go out together! I'll protect you till I die!" had that just happened.
"no… way… you're lame." The poor thing was immediately shot down. Well the pink haired girl had eyes for only one male after all.
Finally we continued on our way.
"Hey guy with the dark eyes." Sasuke looked up "Will you fight me right here?"
"a fight right now?" Rock lee jumped down from the little balcony area
"my name is Rock Lee. When you want to learn a person's name you introduce yourself first right?"
To be fair he had a point. "Uchiha Sasuke." At least the boy had manners.
"I want to fight you, I want to test my techniques…" he took a fighting stance. "against the offspring of the genius ninja clan." The determination in his eyes was admirable "plus" then he winked at Sakura – who then cried out in disgust— "you are an angel" he blew kiss after kiss at her. The poor girl. To be honest Rock Lee probably wasn't a bad person… just a bit peculiar.
"Challenging me knowing the Uchiha name… Frankly you're a fool. You're about to learn what this name means, thick brows." Always such a show off Sasuke, and so proud of your family name. I think I zoned out right after Naruto tried to take down the green clad boy. it took him less than 30 seconds to end up with a bruised ego and an even bigger inferiority complex. I definitely zoned out because the next thing I knew there was a talking turtle and a bigger green clad man with a smile that could blind people. Sakura ran to catch the rapidly falling Saskue. When had that happened?
Rock Lee's sensei after punching the poor boy, hugged him and for some reason I could see a sunset and feel the rays of sunlight on my face. That must be a pretty strong genjutsu right?
"Hey you guys, how's Kakashi-sensei doing?" I looked back that the green clad man.
"you know Kakashi?" so informal Sasuke, really.
"Know him?" he chuckled slightly there was a silence and then he appeared right behind us. "people refer to us as 'eternal rivals' 50 wins, 49 loses. I'm stronger than Kakashi." stronger than sensei? Who has his own entry in the bingo book? Why did I feel as if this was purely a one-sided rivalry?
"Sorry about Lee, I swear to this beautiful face it won't happen again." he gave Sasuke the thumbs up. "You guys and Lee should head over to the class room."
Finally we reached the room. with all the distraction it took for ever. "Oh so Sakura and Ririko came too…now we can properly take the exam."
"what do you mean?" Sakura was right in being confused to be fair.
"The truth is that this test can only be taken by teams of three –in this case a team of four—" I doubted that was an actual thing. I stand by my idea that one of us is going to have to go eventually. And if things were going as they were now, it would be me. Sasuke was probably going to get promoted too…
"huh? But you said taking the test was an individual choice. You lied to us?"
"If I told the truth, Naruto or Sasuke would have pressured you both into taking the exam. Even if you didn't want to, if Sasuke asked you Sakura… you would even though it wasn't In your heart. For the Sake of Sasuke… and .. well Naruto too. If the boys asked you Ririko, you would cave because you care about the team too much to abandon them." I rubbed my arm nervously. "So if only Sasuke-kun and Naruto had shown up? The exam would have ended here, they would not get to go any further. But if you came of your own will, you guys are my proud team. Now go!" he gave us that one eyed crinkle smile of his and I could tell that he was proud of us.
