Chapter 36
"How much longer until we get to Konoha?" I ask.
"Not too long now." Yashamaru replies. The sun had been up for 2 hours already, so it's probably about 8am.
"What do you think these secret documents are?" I ask. He shakes his head.
"That's something we don't think about Ayama. They're secret documents for a reason." He says.
"Yeah.. I know.." I say. I look around at the forest surrounding us.
"Two days of the allocated 9 have passed.. I think Kazekage-sama may have underestimated us a bit, what do you think?" Yashamaru chuckles.
"Heh. Just a tad." I reply. I stretch my arms and swing them around, still feeling full of energy. "Oh! I wonder if Gai-san is around. Yashamaru-sama, can we go visit some people after we get the scroll?"
"Well.. that depends, you gotta be quick if you do. We're supposed to arrive, get the file and go straight back." He says.
"Yeah, I know! But still I reckon we've got plenty of time! 'Cause if we were to go and get the file now, then head straight back, that would be like.. five days!" I say.
".. Oh alright, you've got a point. Let me think this through... if we stay the night, this will be our third day. Tomorrow is the fourth, therefore we'll have three days left..." He mutters to himself. I look at a few birds fly overhead. "It'll be close either way."
"I know, that's why he gave us 9 days." I say, trying to be smart. He rolls his eyes.
"Whatever little smartie." He sniggers. I laugh and turn my head forwards and see the gates.
"Look! We're here already! Hurry up Yashamaru-sama!" I say, running on ahead.
"Hey! Slow down Ayama!" He calls, and chases after me.
We slow down at the gates and look around. "Where was this guy meant to be?" I ask.
"Well, we have to go to the Hokage. You know, let 'em know we're here." Yashamaru replies.
"Right." I look around and in the distance see a large red building. "That's the building!"
"Indeed it is." He laughs.
Once inside we look around and make our way to the Hokage's office. After a knock and someone call 'come in' we enter.
The blonde guy looks up from the paperwork which he didn't look too enthusiastic about. "Suna ninjas?" He asks, sitting up straight.
Yashamaru steps forward and hands something to him. "We're here to collect a file for Kazekage-sama."
"Ah, so you must be Yashamaru." The Hokage says. I walk over too. He looks at me. "And you are..?"
"I'm Ha-.. Hatano Ayama." I reply, not wanting to say it. Yashamaru looks at me weirdly.
"Nice to meet you both. I'm Namikaze Minato." The Hokage says. "As for the file, it should be here somewhere." He says, pulling out the drawer on his desk, then begins looking through some things.
He pulls out one with a note attached to it. "This must be the one. There's a code with it though." He looks at us. "The moon shines bright?"
"The sun shines brighter." Yashamaru replies.
"Ah. Alright, here." He says, holding it out to Yashamaru. Yashamaru takes it and bows to him. I quickly do the same. "So how long are you in Konoha for?" Minato asks.
"Well we were planning on staying here for the night, and leaving early in the morning." Yashamaru answers. Minato nods.
"I see. Well, enjoy your stay in Konoha." He says.
"Thank you." Yashamaru and I say in unison, then leave.
"Ichiraku Ramen, you say?" Yashamaru asks.
"Yup. I went there last time I was here."
"When was that?"
"Last year for my Chuunin Exams." I answer.
"Ah that's right. Well, lets go and get some of this Ichiraku Ramen."
"Yes! It's... um.." I look around. "Around here somewhere.."
"Leaf Hurricane!"
"Front Lotus!"
"WAH! HOW DID YOU LEARN THAT KAKASHI!"
"I take after you Gai!"
I blink, hearing a loud crash in the next street. "What was that?" Yashamaru asks.
"I dunno. Lets go see." I say, then jump over the building and look at all the dust in the air. I squint my eyes trying to see through it, Yashamaru lands beside me. I manage to see two figures having a fist fight. Once the dust cleared, I could recognize that green suit anywhere.
"Heh.."
"What is it?" Yashamaru asks.
"Hey! Gai!" I call. Gai looks in my direction.
"Ayama-chan!" He exclaims. Kakashi hits him while he's distracted, sending him flying. I giggle slightly and jump down beside Kakashi.
"Ayama-san.. It's been a while.." Kakashi says. I nod.
"Sure has.. about a year now?" I mention. Kakashi nods.
"THAT WAS A CHEAP SHOT KAKASHI!" Gai shouts, now standing on his feet. Kakashi chuckles in his throat.
"It's what you get for turning your attention away mid-fight." Kakashi says. Gai growls and runs over.
"Dynamic Entry!"
Kakashi ducks and Gai almost hits me.
"AH!" I jump out of the way just in time. "Hey! Don't attack me! I didn't do anything!... Yet.."
"U-uhh, I'm sorry Ayama-chan." Gai says, scratching the back of his head.
"Heh, it's fine. And you two seem more vibrant than ever." I mention. Gai gives me a thumbs up and shinning smile.
"We are making the most of our youths! We wont be young forever you know!" Gai exclaims. Kakashi frowns.
"We're just training." Kakashi grumbles.
"Exactly! Thus, being youthful!" Gai says, redirecting his nice guy pose to Kakashi.
"Seriously, that's getting old." Kakashi grumbles, folding his arms.
"You're just getting old! Come on Ayama-chan! We should train together!" Gai says.
"Sounds great Gai!" I say, then I look at Yashamaru sitting on the roof of that building. "YASHAMARU-SAMA!" I shout, getting his attention. "CAN I TRAIN WITH GAI FOR A WHILE?"
Yashamaru smiles. "OF COURSE! BUT DON'T BE LONG!" He calls back.
"HAI!" I reply.
"Who's that?" Gai asks.
"Kazekage-sama's brother-in-law." I reply.
"Wow! Really! That is awesome!" Gai says. I smile then playfully punch Gai's arm.
"C'mon, lets go train!" I say. He salutes.
"Alright, you two have fun." Kakashi says.
"We sure will!" Gai says then grabs my wrist. "Onward!" He begins running, dragging me along.
"Hey hey! I can run!" I exclaim, trying to regain my footing.
He runs all the way to the training grounds, dragging me every step of the way.
When he stopped I stood up and brushed myself off.
"All right! What should we train first?"
"We should spar! I haven't fought you since our Chuunin Exams!" I say.
"Good idea! I would very much like to see how much stronger you have become!" He says.
I get my scrolls out. "Well, now's your chance!" I say, jumping backwards a few meters. 'I wonder how much he'll freak out at the sight of Daisasori, I haven't used him in battle yet.'
"Indeed!" He exclaims, getting into stance. I roll the scroll out across the ground and perform the hand sign to bring Daisasori forth from it. With a big puff of smoke he appears. I jump up on it's back and attach my chakra strings all while the smoke was still there.
Once the smoke disappeared, Gai's eyes widen.
"Wh-what is that!"
"My newest piece of art! Daisasori!" I exclaim. "Behold it's wrath!"
Gai gets a cocky expression. "I will still defeat you no matter what!"
"I'm not holding back!" I exclaim.
"Neither will I!" He says, then runs forward. With a flick of two fingers, I raise Daisasori's left claw into the air then bring it down to crush him. Gai was too fast and seemed to easily avoid it. He jumps to land on Daisasori, but like I'd let that happen. I quickly manoeuvre Daisasori backwards so Gai's jump was thrown off. As he was falling I go to hit him again, and this time, I was successful.
Gai went flying into a nearby tree.
"Aw c'mon Gai, I thought you'd put up more of a challenge." I mock. He just stands up and laughs like he wasn't even in pain.
"I guess I underestimated that puppet of yours!" He says. I sweatdrop. 'Underestimated something this big? Seriously?' "Dynamic Entry!"
"Huh!" I look up from my thoughts, seeing a foot two inches from my face. There was no time to react, and it hit, right between the eyes. I went flying backwards off Daisasori and end up hitting a tree. The pain was unbearable, and there was blood everywhere.. 'Did he just break my nose!' I hold my face wincing and cringing in pain. Gai must have realized what he did because he came running straight over.
"Ayama! I'm so sorry!" He cries, kneeling down. I was trying not to cry at this point. He puts a hand on my shoulder, trying to see past both hands covering my face.
"YOU BROKE MY NOSE!" I cry.
"I'll fix it!" He says. My eyes widen.
"No no no no!"
"Come on, I've done it before! I know what to do! Trust me Ayama-chan." He says. I jump to my feet and back away from him.
"No no no i-it's fine!" I stutter. He tilts his head.
"I insist!"
"NO!"
"Why not?"
"... It'll hurt!" I whine.
"I promise, it wont!" He exclaims.
".. Knock me out first!" I whine.
"Bu-"
"Please!"
He became reluctant. "I don't want to hurt you like that!"
"And I don't want you to fix my nose unless I'm unconscious and can't feel anything!" I say. He sighs. "Gai, I trust you."
He looks at me and blinks. I give him an honest expression. He nods. Suddenly he disappears, and I felt something hit my head, and everything went black.