Iruka and I talked for another hour or so about my problems. He may not have a therapist license but he's a damn good listener.
When we were finished, I thanked him and left the office to find a napping Kakashi.
He wasn't obviously napping, his eyes were open and it merely looked as if he were really, really into his book. But his breathing gave him away. Kakashi snores through his nose, albeit quite softly. It's something not everyone notices.
I cough loudly and he snaps awake, giving me an annoyed look and placing his book back into his jacket pocket.
"Ready to go?" he asks while stretching his arms.
"Yeah, sure. By the way, I'm going to need to contact Gai."
Kakashi twitches. "Why?"
"Because I'm going to need to start stepping up my taijutsu training as soon as possible."
"Why do you need to do that?" His voice cracks slightly.
"To enforce my will upon this world!" I strike a pose with a peace sign and grin wildly.
Kakashi chuckles softly and ruffles my hair. "You're adorable."
"Don't patronize me, asshat. I'm serious! I'd feel a lot more useful if I could actually fight."
"And that takes years. From what I've seen you've only been training for a few months. Are you really willing to submit yourself to Gai's...excessive training regimen?"
I nod furiously. "I'm willing to try. What? You don't think I can handle it?"
Kakashi gives me a look. "That's exactly what I'm saying. I don't think you're thinking this all the way through. Putting your body through harsh training isn't what you need. It's not used to being active. You're going to get yourself hurt."
I shrug. "No pain no gain. As long as you supply plenty of ice and sexy back massages, I'm willing to try."
Kakashi looks at me curiously, as if he were weighing his options, his finger tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm..that does sound rather appealing..." he muses. "I still don't like the idea, though. Don't you dare give up after the first day, alright? This better not be another whim of yours."
"I am dead serious." I say firmly.
"Fine. I'll contact him. Be prepared."
I stand up straight and salute. "Yes, sir!"
X
Kakashi wakes me up at 4am the next morning. After ten minutes of prodding on his part, I reluctantly tear myself away from the nice warm cocoon that once held our shared body heat.
"Why did you wake me up at 4 fucking am, Kakashi? I know you're no morning person either." I mumble as I poke at my cereal.
"Well I would have woken any normal shinobi training under Gai at 4:45, but I figured you needed to wake up a bit to muster up the enthusiasm needed for his lessons." Kakashi says with a small smile on his ridiculously handsome face.
I glare at him which makes his grin grow. "Why are you smiling like that?" I ask in annoyance.
"Hm? No reason." Kakashi pulls his mask over his nose and gets up to wash his bowl in the sink.
"Uh huh. You're not plotting anything weird or something, are you?"
Kakashi gives me a look and shrugs. "I'm just curious to find out how all of this pans out. That's all. Hurry up, it's almost time to leave. Don't want to be late!"
I glare at his retreating form as he heads to the bathroom. "Such a hypocrite." I mutter.
X
We arrive at the training grounds a couple of minutes early. Gai was already there stretching in a very extreme manner. I wince inwardly at his movements. I know I'm only like four years younger than him but a man of his age should not be able to bend like that.
When he sees Kakashi and I walking towards him, he speeds towards us in a blink of an eye. I stop walking and freeze up at his sudden proximity and I even stumble a bit, but luckily Kakashi stops me from falling by bracing my back with his hand.
"GOOD MORNING NEW STUDENT!" yells Gai in heavily accented, but enthusiastic English. He grins brightly at me and strikes his infamous "Nice Guy"pose. It's all so extra that it renders me speechless.
("Morning, Gai.") Kakashi greets in a carefully apathetic tone.
This shifts Gai's attention from me to him.
("Eternal Rival! Are you here to join us in our pursuit of a more youthful physique?")
Kakashi shrugs. ("I'm just here as an escort.")
Gai sniffs in disappointment. ("Bah! You should participate! I wish to test my skills against my Eternal Rival once again!")
("Pass. You should focus more on teaching this one today.") Kakashi pats my head, earning a scowl from me.
Gai smiles at me once again and gives me an enthusiastic thumbs up.
("Anyway. I'm about to perform a genjutsu so you two can better understand each other") says Kakashi.
Gai strikes another pose. ("Proceed! I look forward to instructing my new student!")
Kakashi leers at Gai for a second and starts to perform the signs needed for the Translation genjutsu. A puff of smoke appears around Gai and dissipates almost immediately.
Gai blinks in confusion and then turns to me. "Alright, my new student! What is your name?"
"I'm Marie. It's nice to meet you."
"Marie! By the end of this lesson you will be one step closer to your goal!"
"My...goal?" My eyes widen.
Kakashi starts walking over to the bench, his shoulders shaking in thinly concealed laughter.
X
Author's note: I AM SO SORRY YOU GUYS. I just got Mass Effect Andromeda and its taken away my writing bug. In the time I've been away, I've hit over 100 reviews and 75 followers! I'm surprised that I've gotten so many in such short a time. Sorry this chapter is so terrible. My updates will be slower since I'm trying to find a job and I have a new Mass Effect game to play. Eventually I'm probably gonna write a Ryder/Kandros fic because I'm salty that they didn't let us romance him. But I'm gonna focus on this one for now.
Review replies:
Papermoon: It's gonna be a rough ride. The story's a mess. Hopefully I don't disappoint!
Pika: Your spam literally made my Saturday and gave my muse fuel to finish the chapter I was stuck on. Thanks friend.
Also to address your questions:
⁃He doesn't really do social situations..and she was the first name that popped into his head. Poor Sakura
⁃Hate to break it to you, but there will be no glomping of Gaara. Marie's trying to maintain a sense of professionalism. Sorry.
⁃And no...she never did get any cake. She was too distracted by Kabuto's appearance to care. XD
⁃No you're not terrible. Because you're right. Shhhh.
Dark Rose Charm: ahh! Thanks for your reviews! You pushed my review count into the triple digits!!! To answer your question: No, Kakashi wasn't jealous he was pissed at Marie for being so reckless.
Review and enjoy!
