Charis

I sat down at the training fields. I have no idea why, but I'd just wanted to come here. Kurenai had went to the hospital for an appointment, leaving me by my lonesome. I'd initially wanted to explore Konoha, but the minute I stepped foot out the door I found myself walking here. My stomach clenched uncomfortably every few minutes.

I know I'm worried about Taylor.

I ended up with the better end of the deal, no doubt. Konoha is the most welcoming village in Fire Country. If I ended up here, Taylor probably ended up smack dab in Orochimaru's lair or something crazy. That girl really has the worst of luck.

A smile tugged at my lips. Her foul attitude and sailor mouth tends to get her in trouble more oft than not. I've saved her from teachers on more than one occasion; sometimes it pays to be an innocent-looking forever freshman. If only we could find each other! I can't leave Konoha because of Tsunade. She informed me yesterday that even though my story checks out and yes, I am now a citizen of Konoha, I'm still on technical probation as a precaution. I mean, come on! Me, the girl that isn't even a genin?

That's laughable. My ninja skill literally begins and ends with knowing most of the Narutoverse like the back of my hand. Taylor's the aggressive brawler, not me.

"Akamaru, no!"

That was the only warning I got before a massive white beast was on me. Panic mode kicked in all too quickly. A none-too-intimidating scream escaped me as I flailed under the heavy monster. Oh lord, I'm going to die, I'm going to die, I'm going to-

Someone pulled the white creature off of me. After I calmed my near asthma attack, I finally realized what had just happened. I hadn't been tackled by some regular dog. Oh no; I'd been tackled by Akamaru! That means the person that pulled him off was...I looked up at my 'hero'. He grinned down at me, eyes apologetic.

Cue mental implosion.

Kiba Inuzuka!

"Are you okay? You look dizzy." Kiba said unsurely. "I'm real sorry 'bout my dog. He doesn't usually get so worked up."

Is the forest spinning? It has to be or else it's just me. It can't be me, though, because I'm sitting still. A tan hand met my forehead.

"You're really hot." Kiba mused

Kiba just called me hot. Kiba thinks I'm hot! I can't even see straight right now, I'm so happy. Is this how pre-teens feel when they meet pop idols?

"You're breathing's really shaky. Say something, girl. You're making me nervous."

I'm making him nervous? He must like me! Kiba's right; I do feel pretty hot right now. I think I'll just lay down in the soft grass for a minute...

"Oh my God!" Kiba cried out

...or twenty.


When I came to, I was back at Kurenai's house. The mom-to-be sat on the floor next to the couch I was laying on. She calmly ran a hand through my hair periodically, and if I was being honest, I'd say that it was mildly soothing. What bothered me, though, was that I was on said couch. When in the heck did I get here? The last thing I remember is meeting Kiba Inuzuka, and then...oh God. I passed out while he was talking to me. Thanks, fangirl brain, for making a fool of me.

I groaned audibly, startling Kurenai. "Are you alright, Charis-chan?"

I grimaced. "Just Charis, Yūhi-san. I'm not used to people using honorifics on me."

Kurenai laughed. "Then you have to call me Kurenai. Yūhi-san makes me sound so old."

"Sure thing. Hey, how exactly did I get here?"

"Kiba Inuzuka, a former student of mine carried you here. He said you overheated and lost consciousness on the training field."

I covered my suddenly flaming face with my hands. Kiba carried me here. "Oh God, can I just crawl under a rock now?"

"You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Charis. Truthfully, I was a bit surprised that he knew you lived here."

That actually wasn't so surprising. Word had spread quickly that Kurenai had taken in a teenager. Apparently, my red hair and freckled face doesn't scream japanese. A lot of villagers have actually come to meet me, if only to take in my western features. It's amusing and disturbing at the same time.

"I'm so embarrassed!" I groaned

Kurenai smiled knowingly. "Ah, you're attracted to him."

"I don't wanna talk about it."

"Young love is so refreshing."

"Kurenai!"


I'm not so sure what I was doing at the Academy the next day, but I'm sure I was bound to end up in a weird situation. Kurenai had practically shoved me out of the door this morning. In my half-asleep state, I hadn't bothered to ask questions when she'd told me to come here. Now I find myself sorely wishing I had. Screaming twelve year-olds shoved past me with reckless abandon. I'm embarrassed to say that I was barely two inches taller than them. Darn you, genetics...

I took a seat on Naruto's swing. Why hadn't I stayed in bed? It's far too early.

"IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY!"

My stomach dropped to my toes. OH God, please tell me that Maito Gai is not making his merry way towards me. Please tell me that this is just a sick joke. Please tell me Kurenai did not-

"You must be Charis!"

Crap. All too soon, the green whirlwind was upon me, shaking my hand like he wanted to pull my arm out of the socket. The oneguy I'd wanted to avoid ever meeting is here. How freaking wonderful. I struggled to smile at him.

"Nice to meet you." I lied

Gai smiled. Again. "You know, when Kurenai told me that you'd wanted me to train you, I was skeptical. You're so scrawny for someone your age, but your youth should help you persevere!"

Behind my fake smile, I mentally screamed at Kurenai. Sure, I want to get stronger, but not with this idiot! He'll drive me insane, and if he even suggests that I wear one of those spandex suits I'll lose it. Why couldn't I have trained with Kakashi? Heck, I would've settled with Ebisu!

"Let's start with a lap around the village, Charis!"

My eye twitched involuntarily. "Excuse me, what? I have asthma, Gai-san."

"Call me sensei! And sure you can! We just have to condition your lungs properly and you'll be fine."

"Asthma doesn't work like that."

The overall mood darkened considerably. Gai narrowed his eyes at me, a rather intimidating gesture. "Kurenai informed me that you would eventually like to leave Konoha to find your friend. You are not even genin level; I want to help you be able to defend yourself. Truthfully, the only way Tsunade-sama will let you leave is if you are at least chunin level."

"But-" I started

"I don't mean to offend, Charis, but you are in no position to be picky about who trains you. If it were up to most of the jonin in this village, you'd be in the Academy with children far younger than you, and you wouldn't be able to leave Konoha until after you officially pass the chunin exams. I agreed to help only because I understand your reasons. What I am willing to give to you is an accelerated education."

Though I wanted to be peeved, Gai had a point. I don't have time to waste on the Academy. Gai's a good sensei, but...his workouts are insane. I've seen first hand what Lee had to go through. It's going to take a lot of discipline to not give up or, you know, drop dead.

I nodded morosely. "Will I still have to take the chunin exams?"

"Only if you want the title. Once you are chunin-level in skill, Tsunade-sama will have no qualms letting you go."

I almost snorted. Even Naruto himself is still a genin in title, and the dude's made of awesome. "Let's get running, then."