I don't own Naruto

Chapter 21

"Aaaarrrggghh," a wordless scream of frustration escapes me and bounces around the clearing. It's been four days since I found Tsunade's notes and the only thing I have accomplished is chakra exhaustion.

Day in and day out I've been practicing the substitution jutsu; my secret training grounds is littered with random logs and sticks. But no matter how many times I try I can't find the 'flow' of the jutsu as the book demands.

And apparently if you stop in the middle of a substitution then you either drain your chakra incredibly fast or you end up trading places with something random, like a thorn dead center the bramble wall of my secret spot. I'm still finding thorns in my hair and I just gave up and threw that shirt away.

Usually my problem with a jutsu is not having enough chakra to sustain it, but the substitution jutsu only takes a very small fraction of my chakra. I can do it dozens of times before I feel the draining effects. The problem this time is finding the right 'path' that follows the chakra 'flow' and allows the jutsu to commence without hand signs.

I just can't seem to get this, maybe…

"Hey, is everything alright over here. I heard a scream." I whirl around towards the unknown voice. A man is standing in the center of my clearing. To say I am surprised is an understatement; I am standing between the man and the only break in the bramble wall that surrounds us. It's like he just appeared.

If the gods decided to send me a savior they sure picked a fine specimen. No one can deny this man's attractiveness. He has short hair that looks like he constantly runs his fingers through and dark eyes that contrast his pale skin. A slight permanent smirk tells me that he knows he looks good yet the way he carries himself is very open. Like he's my best friend and not some random stranger. He has to be around 20, and definitely a ninja if his kunai pouch has anything to say about it.

I must have been quit for too long because he starts to approach with a concerned look on his face. "Hey you alright?" He is now standing in front of me with an arm reached out like he is waiting for me to collapse or something.

I snap out of it and respond, "yeah…I'm fine…how did you…you weren't…just a second ago…" He seems to understand my confusion and dropping his hand he throws his head back and laughs. A few birds startle at the sound and I just wait for an answer.

"Here first let me introduce myself, my name is Shisui."

Shisui…Shisui of the Body Flicker… It all makes sense now; he did appear out of thin air. Seeing the understanding dawn on my face he flickers to the other side of the clearing, then to my left, and returns back in front of me in seconds. All without a single seal…

"Yeah sorry that yell was me getting a little frustrated." I self-consciously play with a lock of my short hair and avert me eyes. It's embarrassing to admit this to a legend such as him.

"I see…What could have possibly upset you to that degree, sweetheart?" Sweetheart?...Um okay then…

"Well I was trying to…well… do what you do I guess, substitute without hand signs." It is like a light turns on inside him and suddenly he is animated beyond belief.

Nearly jumping up and down he proclaims, "Alas I have a fan. Fear not young maiden your hero never forgets the ones who support him. Shall I assist you in your quest to become more like me?"

"Um… well… I actually wasn't trying to copy you… I just…this is the only way I can think of… I'm training for the finals…and…um." He deflates a little when he hears that I'm not just a huge fan and suddenly I feel a little guilty. I feel like I just took away his favorite toy or something.

"Well darn, I was hoping for a devote follower I could convince to do chores. Oh well… I can still give you some pointers if you would like." Did he just say that he was looking for a lackey?

"Some pointers would be great; I'm just not getting the hang of this." Despite his oddness, this could be the break though I really need.

"Coming right up, but where is your sensei?"

"Training one of my teammates for the exam." He furrows a brow at this.

"And where is your other teammate?"

"Training for the exams with some other pervert."

"Ah, I see… I didn't know Jiraiya was in town." He kind of mumbles for a moment, something about badgering someone about a book? If the gods sent me him they were messing with me, he's an airhead. Coming back to the present, he addresses me, "so your entire team made it to the finals? But both you other teammates found teachers and you just decided to train by yourself?"

I give a nod and watch as he seems to contemplate something, rubbing his chin and staring deeply into the middle distance. Jerking his head back to me, he stares deep into my eyes for a long moment. "You know that doing a jutsu with no hand signs takes an extreme amount of chakra control."

"Of course," feeling a little bold and hurting from his slightly chastising tone I add on, "my control is near perfect."

He raises a brow and issues a challenge. "Prove it."

Immediately I spread my senses out to him, "You chakra tastes like spearmint." Why does that seem familiar?

My statement seems to have thrown him off a little but he quickly recovers. "Alright then, if you can taste chakras even when I had my masked then your control isn't the issue, but that's usually the hardest part." He mumbles the last half of his observation.

"Wait your chakra was masked?"

He ignores my question and continues on whatever train of thought he was on. "What about the jutsu do you not get?"

Relieved we are finally to the point I retrieve my notebook from my nearby bag and open it to the page I copied about how to execute a seal-less jutsu. "This right here," I point to the part about the flow. "I can't find the 'flow' of the jutsu."

For a moment all he does is stare, alternating between me and the notebook. Slowly he takes it from my hands and begins to read, flipping pages every few moments. Again he gives me an unreadable look.

Snapping the book closed he points to the cover. "Are these your notes?" His voice has taken on a higher pitch, sounding incredulous.

"Yeah, but I had a little help from a book I found in the library." Again he looks stupefied, has he never heard of research?

"You actually did heavy, in depth research." At my slow nod he continues "and you understand everything in this book?" Again another slow nod. "How old are you?"

"I'm twelve." What is this guy getting at, why so many questions?

"Alright that's it!" His sudden loud statement causes me to jump. "A young flower such as yourself should not be left alone like this, especially one this bright. Your sensei must be an idiot to play favorites like this. Most of the genin that make it to the finals only worry about strength; you on the other hand are taking the smart road. I, personally, will train you."

My mouth gapes open and my eyes widen. What could this crazy man be saying? He really wants to train me?

"Yes I think we should meet right here every day until the finals. You know I found this place years ago with my cousin, but we couldn't practice here because we use too many fire jutsu." He seems to be babbling now, completely ignoring all my efforts to ask what the heck he is doing! "I bet with your control and my teachings we can get you down to one sealed substitutions by the end of the month. Of course it took me, like, half a year. I wonder what else we could work on…"

By this time I have finally had enough, "Just wait a second, don't decide everything on your own like that." My outburst finally got his attention and he has quieted down.

"You don't want to learn from me?" Oh no, not the puppy dog eyes…anything but the puppy dog eyes. Aren't girls the ones who are supposed to use this deadly weapon?

"Well I didn't say that…" I caved.

"Great we can start tomorrow morning at five!" He is back to his happy personality.

"Wait…um…Sir…Are you sure about this; I mean you hardly know me." It's true, we only met a few moments ago and he wants to train me. I know he is Shisui of the body flicker but isn't he moving a little fast?

"Of course I'm sure, if you had been a fan with no talent I wouldn't have bothered, but you showed intelligence and initiative, you shouldn't be ignored." I feel like I could cry, nobody has ever said that to me before.

Don't blow this chance; we are finally being recognized. He can help us get stronger.

"And just call me Shisui, none of that formal junk…um what was your name?"

I laugh and tell him "I'm Sakura, nice to meet you sensei." His mouth turns up into a gigantic, Naruto-style, smile at my words of acceptance.

This could be where my story really starts. A nobody girl and an insane sensei, it could work.

Alright another chapter down. WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO. Thanks for all the reviews you guys are great! Next chapter will probably take a while; it might run away with details of her training. Shall I make Shisui a demon sensei, a philosophical one, or her best friend? The possibilities are endless! I'm having too much fun…

Mylla-chan: Here you go hope you like it

xXSymmetryXx: Thanks so much, and it ought to get really interesting from here on out.

McKazekage: Here he is! The one, the only, Shisui!

Cristina: Thanks I was trying to make her sound as smart as she truly is. I'm going to throw in the reason Itachi didn't see Sakura's mark a little later, but Sasuke covered for Sakura because he is still afraid that she will get caught and experimented on or something. He has a powerful clan to hide behind, she doesn't…Maybe I'll have him explain that to her later.

Princesa Solitaria: Thanks and you were right it is Shisui.

Silverwolfighter00: isn't it though

Devil Danielle Dairies: Thanks that was exactly what I was going for, and I like you suggestion. It might happen

Outcast001: Okay your comment made my day thanks so much. And don't worry I was giggling while writing it…it was actually pretty creepy if anyone was watching me. And there's no don't there's going to be more awkwardness…Naruto will be present so there has to be.

xVentressx: Thanks and while I don't really dislike Ino, she does make a good bad guy…girl…whatever.

Light blossom and dark warrior: Thanks hope you enjoy this one too.

Shadowslove'scookies: Thanks cool pen name.

Crystalthrone: Nope she has an awesome Shisui to teach her

Sakura no polen: I love Shisui too his training ought to be interesting. And there is a reason they haven't found her mark yet.