Hey all! Sorry for the delay in this new chapter, but my Wi-Fi is currently out unfortunately. I don't know how long it will be out though. Hopefully not much longer. I am using my grandma's Wi-fi right now, just to post this.
Also to your review Dekuton, I know I said Hotaru would be more patient with them, but I thought about it, and I thought if Hotaru did get annoyed with them, and yelled at them, they would more than likely stop fighting over Sasuke, once they saw how upset Hotaru was with them fighting with each other. So I hope that clears everything up!
Anyways, I hope you enjoy this new chapter, and I will get the next chapter up ASAP. So please R&R (:
I was up bright and early the next morning. Not wanting a repeat of rushing yesterday.
Today was the day we would show Kakashi that we were ready to become ninja.
I walked into the kitchen, wondering if I should eat breakfast, and bring Naruto and Sasuke something.
I finally decided that I should, and I should at least bring them something small. Who knew how long we'd have to wait for Kakashi sensei.
I packed some fruit, and some ninja gear. Deciding to bring my spear. I had been working with my chakra thread and was slowly getting better. I had to do a lot of reading for it. It was a lot harder than I expected.
I soon left the house, around 4:40. I decided to walk slowly though. I certainly was not in a hurry.
By the time I got there Naruto and Sasuke were already there.
"Morning."
"Morning Hotaru." Naruto said sleepily.
Sasuke nodded his head to me.
"Are you guys hungry?" I asked, pulling some of the fruit out of my bag. I needed to invest in some sealing scrolls. I could probably ask TenTen for some.
"But Kakashi sensei said not to eat anything."
"Well if he's late again, like he was yesterday, we're going to be here for a long time. Plus fruit is good for you anyways."
"True."
I got myself an apple, and gave the bag to Naruto, who gave it to Sasuke once he got his fruit.
We ate quietly at first, until I got bored.
"Would you guys like to train? It might be a good idea to learn each others strengths, and weaknesses, so we can fight better together." I pointed out.
"Hm, yeah that's a good idea!"
I looked over at Sasuke.
"Sure."
We finished our breakfast and got up.
"Me and Naruto against you, Sasuke?"
"Hell yeah!" Naruto yelled.
Sasuke smirked.
We got into position.
"Naruto, use your clones." I advised.
"Heh, you got it."
Naruto quickly made at least fifteen clones appear. They were all spread out around us.
I got out my spear, and attached chakra thread to it.
"Keep him occupied. I am going to set a trap near the big tree to our left. When I give you the signal, start backing him into it."
"You got it!"
"Okay, now!" I yelled.
Naruto, and all of his clones ran at Sasuke, while I quickly went to the tree, and started setting the trap. I set it as quick as I could and gave the signal to Naruto. I moved out of sight as he started to back Sasuke right into the trap. I anxiously waited. I really hoped it would work. Sasuke started to get closer, but then stopped, and moved away from the trap.
Shit.
Instead, he lured Naruto into it. I seriously hoped it was a clone, but of course it just had to be the real one. I shook my head.
"I know you're near Hotaru." Sasuke said, panting.
I got my spear ready, and threw it right at him, controlling it with my chakra. Sasuke ran around, trying to avoid it. I knew I couldn't keep it up for long though. I still wasn't very good with my chakra thread, and it took a lot of concentration, and chakra just to use it, and I had to have enough chakra left, for when we had to fight against Kakashi sensei. I turned my attention off of Sasuke and onto Naruto, cutting the trap, and setting him free. I then left my hiding spot to join Naruto. I didn't want to use anymore chakra so I focused just on taijutsu.
Naruto made more clones, and I desperately tried to keep up with Sasuke.
I saw one of the Naruto's start to set up another trap. I had to keep Sasuke occupied. More Naruto's started to asist me in fighting Sasuke. Then Sasuke started using that blasted fireball jutsu.
I saw that Naruto finally had the trap set, so me, along with the other Naruto's started backing him into it, leaving no room to escape, if he realized it. The moment he stepped foot into the trap, it went off, and engulfed him into its net. I silently cheered.
"Ahh yeah! We win Hotaru!" Naruto cheered loudly.
Sasuke scoffed, and I cut him loose.
"You're really good at taijutsu Sasuke. And Naruto, that was a really good idea to set another trap." I praised both boys.
"Heh, thanks Hotaru! You were great as well!"
"Yes, you were. How did you make the spear move like that?" Sasuke questioned.
"Oh, I've been working on using chakra thread. I attach tiny threads of chakra to a weapon, and I am able to control where they go. I'm not very good at it yet, so I can't use it for long, and it usually takes a lot of my chakra to do it." I explained.
"That's so cool! You have to teach us!" Naruto yelled, getting excited.
Sasuke nodded his head.
"Well okay, I can try. I have been learning by myself, so it might be good to have others to work on it with."
"Is there anything else you could teach us?" Naruto asked.
"Um, well. Do you guys know how to tree walk?"
Naruto and Sasuke just looked at me. I guess not.
The rest of the time spent waiting on Kakashi sensei, was spent on me trying to teach them how to make the chakra thread. It wasn't going very well. Sasuke was kind of getting a handle on it, but Naruto has having a really tough time.
Finally Kakashi sensei showed up.
"Morning everyone. Ready for your first day?"
Naruto rounded on him. "Hey, you're late!" He yelled, pointing at Kakashi sensei.
"Well a black cat crossed my path, so I had to take the long way."
I rolled my eyes. What a pitiful excuse!
"Well." He said, clearing his throat. "Let's get started." He walked over to a tree stump and put a clock onto it. "Here we go. It's set for noon."
We then heard a little jingle, as Kakashi sensei pulled two small bells out of his pocket, and held them up.
"Your assignment is very simpe. You just have to take these bells from me. That's all there is to it. If you can't get them by noon, you go without lunch."
Naruto and Sasuke's eyes widened. They finally realized why, he told us not to eat breakfast.
"You'll be tied to those posts. And you'll watch while I eat my lunch in front of you."
"Wait a minute. There are three of us, and only two bells." I pointed out.
Kakashi sensei smiled.
"Well that way, at least one of you will end up tied to a post, and ultimately disqualify, for failing to complete the mission. That one goes back to the academy. Then again, all three of you could flunk out too. You can use any weapons, including shuriken. If you're not prepared to kill me, you won't be able to take the bells. When I say start you can begin."
Sasuke, Naruto and I got into postion.
"Get ready. And, start!"
"Naruto, Sasuke, with me!" I yelled, gaining distance away from Kakashi sensei. Naruto and Sasuke followed me.
"Okay, we have to make a plan. There is no way we can touch him without working together. So naruto, I want you to make as many clones as you can. Are you able to make your clones turn into objects?"
"Hm, I don't know, I never tried." He admitted.
I looked to see that Kakashi sensei was gone. Shit, was he listening to us? I tried to sense his chakra, but I wasn't able. Either he was nowhere near us, or he was fully hiding his chakra.
"Try it." I demanded.
He nodded. "Shadow clone Jutsu!" A clone popped up next to him.
"Uh, what should I make it?"
"A shuriken."
He nodded, and focused on his clone, who soon turned into a shuriken.
"I did it!"
"Okay, make 5 more."
He did as I said, and soon there were five more clones disguised as shurikens.
"Okay, now make just regular clones. And Sasuke." I turned to Sasuke. "I want you to come with me. We are both going to take three of the Naruto clone shuriken each." I turned back to Naruto. "I want you and your clones to distract Kakashi sensei. Do whatever you need to. Even the sexy jutsu, if you have to."
Naruto grinned, and nodded his head. I honestly just wanted to see what Kakashi sensei's reaction would be.
"When we feel like you have the upper hand, Sasuke and I are going to throw the clone shuriken, and hopefully, we'll be able to take the bells." I looked at both boys. "Is everything clear?" They both nodded. "Alright then, let's go."
Naruto made more clones, and Sasuke and I left to hide, but still watch Naruto. We hid at the very top of a tree, so the only way Kakashi sensei would be able to see us, is if he looked up.
We watched as Naruto and his clones found him, and they immediately charged.
For every one clone Kakashi sensei popped, 3 more appeared.
Kakashi sensei wasn't really into the fighting though, which made me narrow my eyes. Naruto may have had a bunch of clones, but he was very sloppy, and left a lot of openings for Kakashi sensei to take. Openings which he didn't go for?
My eyes widened. That wasn't the real Kakashi sensei. That was a clone!
At the last second, I grabbed Sasuke, and we both jumped from the tree. Three Shuriken hitting the spot we just were, which left Sasuke and I out in the open.
Kakashi sensei immediately advanced on us. So far the only thing Sasuke and I could do was dodge his attacks. I had to think of a plan, and fast!
I looked at Sasuke, and grabbed the three shuriken. He immediately caught on, and grabbed his as well. We threw them at the same time.
The moment Kakashi sensei went to deflect them, they turned back into Naruto clones. I could see the surprised look on his face, but it soon disappeared. He tried dispelling them, so I quickly got my spear out, and attached chakra thread to it. I threw it right at the bells. Once it snagged them, I turned my spear around, hoping the bells would stay attached to it. I quickly grabbed it, and the chakra thread disappeared.
Kakashi sensei finished the Naruto clones off, and I held up the bells in triumph.
"Alright Hotaru! You got them!" Naruto yelled, running over to us.
"Well, well, very impressive." Kakashi sensei praised. "But you still only have two bells. Who passes, and who fails? Hmm."
I gave Sasuke and Naruto each a bell."
Naruto looked bewildered.
"Hotaru! You deserve a bell, not me! You're the one who got them!" He yelled, trying to give the bell back to me. I swatted his hand away though.
"It was a team effort."
"Yeah, but it was your plan!" He was still yelling, and trying to give me the bell. Sasuke soon joined in.
"He's right. It was your plan, so you deserve a bell."
"No. You guys have dreams to fullfill. You don't need to be going back to the academy. You need to be focusing, on your dream." I aruged. Naruto huffed, and Sasuke sighed.
"But what about you, and your dreams Hotaru?" Naruto asked quietly.
I shrugged my shoulders. "Like I said yesterday, I don't really have a set dream, so I don't really mind."
Naruto clenched his fists, and growled. "I'm not going to let you just quit!" He yelled.
My eyes widened. "Naruto."
"No! This isn't fair! You shouldn't have to go back! I'm not going to let you! You're my teammate now. And teammates watch each others backs!"
All I could do was stand there, and look at him. I had no idea what to say.
"You all pass." Kakashi sensei finally announced, in a cheerfull voice.
Naruto, Sasuke and I rounded on him.
"What?!" Naruto yelled.
"You, pass." Kakashi sensei said, once more.
"But how? There were only two bells? You said only two people could pass?" Naruto continued to yell.
"Yes, I did say that. But from the very begining all three of you worked together. Advised a plan. And had each others backs." He turned to me. "And you. You sacrificed being a ninja, just so your two teammates could succeed in their dreams. You were willing to give everything up."
I tensed up. I knew that this was a possiblity to pass, but I also knew that things could change, and I had to make sure Naruto and Sasuke passed, so they could get stronger.
"I still don't get it." Naruto admitted sheepishly.
Kakashi sensei sighed.
"In the ninja world, those who break the rules are scum. But those who abandon their friends are worse than scum."
Naruto and Sasuke both looked at me.
"The excercise is over. Everyone passes. Squad 7 starts its first mission tommorrow!" He said, sticking his arm out, with his thumb up, looking a little to close like Lee and Gai. I winced. Oh god.
"Yes!" Naruto cheered.
Sasuke, grinned, and I sighed, glad that this was over.
"We did it Hotaru! We're finally ninja!" Naruto yelled, openly crying.
I laughed. "We all did it Naruto. Me, you, and Sasuke."
Sasuke smirked again. "Hn."
"You know what this means though?" I asked them both.
"What? What does it mean?" Naruto asked, while Sasuke just looked curious.
"That we need to go to Ichiraku to celebrate!" I pointed to Sasuke, as he looked like he was trying to make up an excuse not to go. "No excuses! You're going! Even if Naruto and I have to drag you!"
He looked beyond shocked, I even talked to him like that, as Naruto howled with laughter.
I turned to where Kakashi sensei once stood.
"Sensei..." I stopped, once I realized he was no longer there. He escaped. I narrowed my eyes. He won't get so lucky next time!
"Alright, lets go!" I yelled, pushing both boys in front of me. Mostly so Sasuke couldn't escape without being noticed.
I smiled. Today hadn't turned out as bad as I thought it would.
