Training today was one of the worst experiences of my life. For one, Kakashi was late, again. Then, he asked us to show him our skills, and he dared to insult my shuriken throwing. And apparently, my swordsmanship needs work. He was two seconds away from me punching him in the face.
And then, to make it worse, I had to fight Sakura, the pissy princess. Of course I beat her. I mostly used her as a punching bag though. What? I'm a little frustrated right now! At least it wasn-
"Hitomi, you fight Sasuke since you two are tied for wins." Goddamn it.
"I still thin-"
"No, he won fair and square, Naruto." Naruto actually lost pretty badly. But he tried his hardest, and he would fight Sasuke again probably in the next hour. I glared at the raven haired boy, but he was just happy to see me. He was a little mad that I had walked with Naruto.
"Hey, Mimi." I crossed my arms and looked away. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Naruto stiffen, but both me and Sasuke ignored him. After all, I could beat him, I had my secret weapon. I had been waiting to use them, but I wasn't about to waste them on Pinkie.
I got ready, holding a hand at my side.
If I can beat Sasuke, then I can protect Naruto! Maybe I'm getting closer to paying back my debt!
I doubt it. Considering how highly you hold Naruto.
Ugg, I hate you.
"Go!" Sasuke threw a few shuriken and kunai at me, which I easily blocked with my katana. The metals made a soft chime as they made contact, before they fell at my feet. He jumped up and it looked like he was preparing a jutsu.
I removed my sword from its sheathe, allowing the blade to gleam in the sunlight. The reflection shone right in his eyes, making him stop his jutsu. No point in using your chakra when you can't even see your target.
I used a substitution jutsu that I had spent a while trying to learn. I hide in a tree on the opposite side of the clearing. Sasuke landed on his feet, glaring at the dummy. I reached back, pulling out a few senbon.
I had practiced with these since I had become comfortable with shuriken. And I figured out the basics of pressure points, and where to hit when using them. I wasn't a genius, but I knew enough to make a difference.
I aimed at the pressure points in his shoulders, and threw.
That'll stop his jutsus~! I practiced for months, even in my apartment. If there are mysterious holes in the walls, it's because of senbon.
The senbon hit their mark, making his arms drop to his sides limply. Sasuke's eyes widened, and his well-aimed punch toward my clone was thwarted.
He growled angrily, and kicked my sub, making her poof away. His dark eyes wondered around trying to find me.
"You got it, Hitomi!" Naruto yelled encouragingly. I smiled to myself, mentally thanking him.
That was a pretty strong kick… GET HIS LEGS! I threw more needles at his legs' pressure points. I hit where I wanted, but one had missed. It was pointing right toward my location.
Oh well, he's pretty much harmless now. I hit his right leg, so all he could use was his left. I hopped down with a smile. All my training was paying off.
"Getting slow, Suke-Kun." I teased, only a second later to mentally slap myself.
Don't encourage him!
Yes encourage him!
He couldn't do anything, but hobble around with those needles in him. I smiled triumphantly, putting my hands on my hips.
"Did I win?" I asked. Kakashi smiled back, and called us over.
Again, Sakura was mad I hurt Sasuke, but right now, I didn't give a damn. Holding up a hand for me to
high-five, Naruto grinned at me as he ran over.
"Way to go, Hitomi! You sure showed him."
"Shut up, loser!" I snickered, pulling out the senbon. I did want those back. The tips pricked my fingers but I didn't mind. I even noticed Sasuke wince when I pulled them out.
Sasuke slowly regained control of his body. A giggle threatened to escape me when I noticed him flinch.
"Impressed?" I asked the rest of team seven. Naruto gave me a thumbs up, Sensei smiled, and Sakura gave me a look that said, "I'm-impressed-but-I'm-not-going-to-admit-it".
Of course my senbon were useful, I had used them to protect myself on more than one occasion. Usually, I'd use them like daggers and just stab pressure points. They were pretty hard to us in close-combat. I liked them though, they were much more subtle than my katana.
"Where'd you learn that?" Kakashi-sensei asked me.
"I figured it out. Trial and error." He blinked.
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"No. Right, Naruto?" The blonde shuddered.
"R-right…hehe." I laughed, putting my senbon back.
"How's your aim?"
"Missed once. Woulda been over sooner, but y'know. " I stretched my arms, sighing deeply. Sasuke grunted and crossed his arms. Smiling to myself, I looked the other way. An arm wrapped around my shoulders and Naruto pulled me to his side with a fat grin on his face.
"That's my, Mi-chan!" A wave of heat crossed my face, while Naruto smiled at Sasuke, causing there to be a terrible awkwardness in the air.
Oh, lord.
What? This is entertaining as hell!
Sakura looked between us with a confused expression, but I could see the relief in her jade eyes.
Don't worry, I don't want Sasuke.
Yes you do.
I shifted uncomfortably as Sakura's gaze wondered down to the mark on my neck. I avoided her gaze, which seemed to dance with knowing. Kakashi seemed to notice it too, I mean he is a jounin.
Somehow my face felt like it was even hotter. They assumed it was Naruto. I don't know why, but that seemed preferable to them thinking it was Sasuke. I moved slightly closer to Naruto, trying to hide from their gazes, but they followed me.
"Hmpf." Sasuke muttered, crossing his arms. I guess he realized what they were thinking too.
This is gonna be a long day…
/\\\\\\\\
"Are you in position?"
"Tch, maybe."
"Hitomi!"
"Alright! Sheesh… yes."
"Sasuke?"
"Yeah."
"Sakura?"
"Yes, I'm in position, Kakashi-sensei."
"Naruto?"
"Yup."
"THE TARGET MOVED!"
"HITOMI, BE QUIET!"
Oh, right. Sorry." I sat in a tree, on one of the most boring missions I could ever be on. I was just trying to make it more fun. And it's not like I couldn't hear Naruto trying to stifle his laughter, and I think I heard a smirk in Sasuke's "yeah". Maybe I would go shopping later… I did need new nin sandals… and my shirt was getting a little old.
Maybe I could bring Sakura, I mean, we gotta be buddie buddie if I want those test answers. Plus, I did like how she dressed, and since she thought I didn't like Sasuke, she might not be as snippy.
I heard the trees rustle and Naruto shouting. I raised my eye brows and jumped out to find him wrestling with a cat.
"Do we have a positive I.D?" This is so goddamn dumb… it's just a freakin' cat…
It was the right cat at least. I laughed loudly, like a manic as I watched my friend try to escape the cat. Sakura and Sasuke came out a few moments later. Disappointment was etched on their faces, but so was the faint trace of success.
"We did it, guys!" I cheered sarcastically, fist-pumping. I sighed and ripped the cat away from Naruto.
"That's really annoying, y'know." I told him, putting the cat on my shoulder. It purred and I gave it a smile before we started to walk back. Kakashi-sensei didn't look impressed, but then again, who would be?
/\\\\\\
"Sakura!" I called after the pinkette. She turned, an eyebrow raised. I caught up, heaving out a long breath.
"I know this must be cliché, but you wanna go shopping? I could use someone else's opinion and I'm not gonna ask Naruto to come…" She blinked her wide green eyes at me in surprise.
"Sure." Step one, complete.
/\\\\\\
"How 'bout this?" I asked, holding up a blue dressy thing like hers. It had a white wave pattern on the skirt up to the waist on the left. And fishnet shortsy type things. And my black nin sandals would look nice with it.
Sakura weaved her head in a so-so motion, and held up black shorts and a red crop-top. I bit my lip nervously.
"I've got scars on my back…" I murmured. A faint uncomfortable blush crossed her cheeks for a moment and she put it back.
"Okay, how 'bout this?" She held up a dark red tank top with fishnet sleeves, but my scars would be covered. I nodded and went to try it on.
The shorts can down to my mid-thigh, and the sleeves looked really cool. And everything matched, it was perfect. It was worth it to bring Sakura along. I quickly changed back, and came out happily.
"Thanks, Sakura! It looks great." I told her, walking over to pay for it. I noticed a necklace on the way.
It was a small pendant, with a tiger on it. It was in the classic, Japanese art style, with the tiger stalking toward whoever was looking at it. I held it in my hand, watching it glimmer slightly in the light. I grabbed it too, and paid for everything.
"It was no problem." She replied with a smile. I grinned back as we walked out. I put on the necklace, holding it in my hand for a moment before I let it rest on my chest.
"You wanna get something to eat?" I asked her, waiting on the side of the road, watching people walk by. Sakura nodded and she followed me to a café that was across the street.
We settled into a seat, waiting for our waiter/waitress. I glanced out the window, soaking in the pretty blue of the sky. Sakura wasn't so bad, once she's away from Sasuke anyway.
"Hitomi?"
"Hm?"
"What's with you and Naruto?" I flinched, pulling my hands into my lap.
"What d'you mean?" I asked dumbly, pretending not to know. She gave me a look, and I sighed.
"Where do I begin?" I snuggled back into my seat, looking down at my hands.
"Well, I was bullied by Kazuko, Yuki, and who's that other girl? Kaya. And they gave me some… uh… scars. After they did that, Naruto and Iruka-sensei found me and took me to the hospital." I swallowed.
"What's your name?" Iruka asked, carefully balancing me in his arms. I opened my eyes slightly.
"Bitch." I whispered. He blinked his warm brown eyes in shock.
"A little girl shouldn't use that language." I flinched.
"Sorry… b-but that's what… my f-father calls me." I heard Naruto bounce up next to us.
"How about we give you one?" He asked. I widened my half-open eyes, and nodded.
"How about… Maya?" Iruka suggested. I shook my head.
"Kasai?" I shook my head.
"What about… Arai?" I shook my head.
"I think her name should be Hitomi, believe it!" Naruto said with a smile. I weakly smiled back and nodded.
"See that! She's Hitomi from now on!"
I looked up to see Sakura's expression. She looked hurt and worried. I smiled at her sadly.
"I know. Pretty pathetic. But after that, I followed him around for months. That's why I joined the ninja academy. Then I decided I would be the greatest female ninja ever, so that I could pay Naruto back. He gave me a life and a name. I own him everything." For some reason, I felt like I could open up to Sakura.
It was something about her that made me feel at ease. I didn't give her enough credit.
"Wow…" She whispered. Of course she did think Naruto was a screw-up and an idiot, but maybe what he's done for me could change her opinion.
"That's why I'm here now, talking to you. Otherwise, I have no idea where'd I'd be."
Sakura was silent for a moment, but then her gaze trailed back to the mark on my neck.
"What about that?" She asked. I blushed and looked away.
"Did Naruto do that?" My blush intensified.
"N-no! I-it was…" I can't tell her it was Sasuke, she'll kill me…
"Daisuke…" Are you kidding me?
W-what else could I come up with?
You're literally the dumbest person I know… That sounds too much like Sasuke!
I know that! Sakura thought for a moment.
"I don't know any Daisukes…" Thank god she's an idiot.
Tch, I thought you liked her.
"He's not from around the village, he was visiting his… uncle."
"Oh, did you know him from before?"
"Before what?"
"Going to the ninja academy."
"Oh, right right. Yes." I mentally face-palmed, and trying to flag down the waiter who was supposed to bring my tea ten minutes ago.
"I'm glad you're on our team, Hitomi." I choked on the tea I finally got.
"W-what?" I stuttered. I always thought I was only an okay ninja, I wouldn't want me on my team.
"You're a valuable teammate. Even though you don't sit down and focus all the time, you're smart in your own way." I blinked in surprise.
"I just thought you needed to hear that. You're not too far from being the greatest kunoichi."
"Thanks… that means a lot." I said, giving her a small smile.
"You're pretty good yourself. I mean, I can never figure our genjutsus." Okay, you don't think she's that good.
Shut your hole, Riyu.
I think maybe from now on, I could give Sakura a break.
/\\\\\\
We waited in front of the Hokage, as he offered a few missions for us to take. I rocked back and forth on the heels of my feet, quite bored with the current conversation.
"No, no, no! I want a real mission!" Naruto whined, crossing his arms. I scoffed. Iruka-sensei slammed his hands on the table, glaring at my blonde friend. I snickered, listening to them bicker was always funny.
"How about I send you on an escort mission then?" The Third suggested with a smile. I clasped my hands in front of me with Naruto at my side after he finished muttering.
"Who? A princess?"
"Maybe a dignitary?" The Hokage chuckled and asked some of the shinobi to send him in. An older man with a bottle in his hand stumbled in. His lazy eyes dragged over us in a harsh way, that made me want to punch him in the face. He took a long drink out of his bottle and I smirked to myself.
"Excellent." That earned me a smack to the back of the head from Kakashi.
"I am Tazuna, the master bridge builder." He said in a rough voice. I glanced back at the Hokage for reassurance.
This isn't a joke right? He smiled.
"It will be your job to escort him back home, and protect him while he finishes building the bridge." The Hokage explained.
"Is he really a ninja? The little one with the stupid look on his face?" Tazuna asked. I snickered. Even though I was shorter than him, he was obviously talking about Naruto.
"Haha, who's the short one with the stupid look on his… face…" And then he realized Sakura and Sasuke were taller than him.
"I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" Naruto yelled, trying to rush the obviously drunk man. Luckily, Kakashi grabbed his collar in time to stop him.
"Naru-kun, we're not supposed to kill the client." I teased. He glared at me and crossed his arms. I nodded and put my hands on my hips.
"Easy, c'mon guys. LET'S GO!" I ordered, marching past them. Sadly, Kakashi grabbed my collar this time. Which didn't make sense since I didn't have a collar, but I realized he had grabbed my katana and the strap was holding me back.
Man, you really are dumb…
Shut the hell up!
"Okay, now we can go."
"What the hell…"
/\\\\\\
"Mission~ Mission~ We've got a C-rank mission~" I sang, adjusting my katana at the gate of the Hidden Leaf Village.
"What are you excited for?" Sakura asked me and Naruto. We looked around happily, and Naruto replied,
"We've never been out of the village before!" I nodded in agreement, and bounced over to Kakashi-sensei.
"You've been all over haven't you?" I asked him. He gave me a closed-eye smile and nodded, scratching the back of his head.
"Yes, on missions." I gazed at him with admiration before Tazuna cut in.
"Are these kids capable of this?" I crossed my arms, and glared at him, but before I could retort Kakashi answered for us.
"I, a jounin am here to help if anything goes wrong, so nothing will happen to you." He promised.
"I make no promises…" I muttered. I received another slap to the head and I grumbled under my breath, following my other teammates and Tazuna down the dirt road.
"I'm an elite ninja! I'm gonna be hokage one day, believe it!" Naruto barked, pointing a finger at Tazuna as we walked. Tazuna took a long drink and looked at him with a bored expression.
"The Hokage's like the top ninja right? I don't think a guy like you can become one." I bristled and glared at him. I opened my mouth to tell him he was a drunken old fool who needed us to hold his hand to get home or else he would get murdered by someone who wanted to do humanity a favor… but Naruto was already yelling at him.
I looked at Kakashi angrily. He seemed to understand and he shook his head. I grunted and crossed my arms. Kakashi held him back again as Naruto tried to pummel the man and I simply watched. I would get him while he slept.
This is gonna be a long trip…
You're telling me…
I glanced at Sakura and she rolled her eyes and continued to walk. I shrugged and followed her, choosing to ignore the blonde's yelling.
As we walked, I noticed a puddle which I hopped over to. I looked down, admiring my reflection and my new clothes.
I am looking fine.
Keep walking, dumbass.
You suck. I twirled around and brushed my hair back into place. My amber eyes looked gorgeous against the intense blue of the sky that was reflected to.
"Keep moving." Sensei ordered with a stern look. I rolled my eyes and ran after the others.
That was weird…
Yeah… Whatever though… Let's just watch the clouds instead…
