Chapter 5: Training Scores

Disclaimer: Do not own Naruto if I would, Naruto and Sasuke would end up together.

Sasuke was not good with a bow and arrow, that was for sure.

He picked up his third arrow and third attempt, having failed especially the first two times. He heard a Career sniggering as they'd walked past him, but chose not to even bother looking and see who it was. He slid his next arrow into place and drew back. He was struggling to hold still, tensing the muscles in his arms and trying to concentrate on the target.

But as he released, Sasuke's hands shook and the arrow flew off past the dummy not even close to hitting it. He sighed in frustration.

"You need to relax."

Sasuke glanced to his right and saw Naruto standing a few feet away, waiting in the line for the Gauntlet obstacle course. "You're too tense," the blonde said quietly, barely looking at him in case he was told off for speaking to him. "Keep your hands relaxed and just let it go."

Sasuke looked down at the bow and decided to do what he said, picking up another arrow and putting it in place. He raised the bow and drew back, then took a deep breath before relaxing his arms. Keeping still, he watched the target carefully, then let go. The arrow shot through the air and the head stuck right in the center of the dummy's abdomen. Sasuke turned to grin at Naruto. "Thanks."

Naruto just smiled back, not saying a word. When it was the blonde's turn to go on the obstacle course, leaping from platform to platform as the trainers on either side swung padded clubs at him and tried to knock him off, Sasuke couldn't help watching. Naruto was very nimble, hopping out of the way of a club aimed for his legs before finishing up. Maybe that came from hunting in the forest. He didn't know.

When it was Ino's turn he watched her too, noting that she was also an expert at jumping and dodging over the course. Clearly District 12, who were usually the duds of the group, seemed quite good this year. He wondered what the public would think of that.

During lunch, Sasuke and Sakura sat with Naruto and Ino again, making small talk. Mostly about the food. Being from the two of the poorest Districts, they'd always had very little.

Then in afternoon training Sasuke worked on more archery, along with hand-to-hand combat, something he figured he might need.

He was exhausted by the end of the day, saying goodbye to Sakura once they reached their floor, walking up into his room and slamming the door shut behind him. An Avox was tidying the bed, and jumped in fright at the sound, looking up.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean- wait! I know you!"

His red-orange eyes meet Sasuke in frightened before he quickly looked away again. He went back to frantically arranging the bed sheets. But Sasuke wasn't going to give up that easily. He was sure he'd seen that face somewhere before. He was positive.

"I do know you!" Sasuke insisted, walking over to him. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Who are you?"

The Avox just stared at him. Sasuke eyed his tan skin, that trademark look of District 11. Somehow, it made him think of that color earth was during summer when they worked in the fields all day, sweat sliding off their backs as their hair stuck flat to their foreheads-

"Oh my God… Dirt Boy?"

Sasuke instantly felt guilty. Dirt Boy had worked hard around the area Sasuke lived pulling equipment around to and from the fields, digging through the dirt with his bare feet all day long. He was always grubby, and so came the nickname Dirt Boy. he'd had it for years. And Sasuke felt bad knowing he'd never bothered to learn his real name, not even when he disappeared last September without any apparent reason.

The Avox nodded reluctantly, obviously terrified he would get into trouble for interacting with a tribute. "You are Dirt Boy. Well… um, what's your real name? If you don't mind me asking…"

Dirt boy obviously did mind, and seemed to think about whether or not he should answer for a few seconds. Then he sighed, holding up his left hand. He traced the shape of a J in the air followed by what Sasuke thought looked like a U. Then G, O….

"Joe? John?"

Dirt Boy shook his head.

"Ok, uh…" Then Sasuke got it. "It's Jugo, isn't it?"

A nod.

"Ok, Jugo." Sasuke glanced over his shoulder, almost expecting to see someone storm in at any moment. He had more questions he wanted to ask. "If you don't mind me asking, what happened to you? Why are you here?"

Jugo looked horrified at the thought of telling him. "You can trust me, you know. I won't say a word."

Jugo frowned thoughtfully for a second looking around the room. He hurried across the room to the dresser, where little convenient items like tissues and washcloths. And a notepad with a pen attached. What use a tribute could make of that, Sasuke didn't know. But he was so glad they had it.

Jugo walked back over, beginning to write. But Sasuke could already see he wasn't very good at it. What would've taken him all of ten seconds to write took him at least thirty, as the pen shook in his hand and he repeatedly scribbled letters out. At last he held the note out to Sasuke, who read it quickly.

'I was a rebel.'

"A rebel?" Sasuke stared at him in shock. "Like, a real rebel? Against the Capitol? And they caught you?"

Jugo nodded.

"Oh. Um… what were you doing, that they caught you?"

Jugo held out his hand for the notepad. Sasuke quickly handed it over again. And waited another few minutes for the uneducated Avox's replay. He eventually got it.

'Getting ready for this year.'

"This year?" Sasuke looked up in surprise. "Like, the Game? You're rebelling in the Games? Is there a tribute helping you, or a Gamemaker? What the hell is this? Is something going to happen?"

Then Sasuke heard voices outside the door. It sounded like Matsrui, and Sasuke's own stylist, Anko. Shit.

Jugo quickly held his hand out for the notepad and Sasuke gave it to him. "C'mon, Jugo." he glanced over his shoulder, hearing the voices getting closer.

Jugo was going as fast as he could but it wasn't fast enough.

"Hurry up, they're almost here!"

Then the door was opening just as Jugo flung the notepad and pen on the floor before leaning down over the bed, picking up a pillow and plumping it firmly.

"Hello, Sasuke." Anko greeted, watching the Avox with wary eyes. "Are you coming to dinner?"

"Of course," Sasuke replied, repeating every curse he knew in his mind as Jugo hurried from the room, taking any possibly important information with him. "I'm just going to change my shirt."

"Alright. Come down when you're ready."

As soon as she was gone, Sasuke dived towards the floor and picked up the notepad and pen, tearing the first page off before putting them both back in their place. Finally he looked at the page, reading what was written there.

'Trust Noha'

That was it. He could see Jugo hadn't finished written, but not enough to tell Sasuke what it was. Damnit! What-or who- the heck was Noha? A Gamemaker?

He just knew that his only way of finding out was to hope Jugo came back and he could talk to him again. Or else try and figure out who 'Noha' was.

But what he really wanted to know was if any of this could help him to survive.

Sasuke spent the morning training working on his survival skills. He figured he'd need them. He was used to being outside, sure but not over really long periods of time like this. He worked outside when the sun was beating down and the water was good. He didn't know what kind of weather he would get here. And yes, maybe Sasuke knew more about edible plants and insects than most people here, but he was more worried about dying of thirst or the cold.

So he worked on building fires, and hammocks, and setting traps for food until lunch arrived. It seemed only a few seconds before it began.

"Zaku Abumi."

Zaku was the first to leave the lunchroom for his private training session. The rest of the tributes sat around the room, twiddling their thumbs and waiting for their turn. The Careers were together again, as were some districts, including Sasuke and Sakura and Naruto and Ino. They waited maybe fifteen or twenty minutes, before the next tribute was called.

"Rin Nohara."

Sasuke's head snapped up, eyes wide as he watched the short brown head girl walk out of the room with a tall and determined stance. Rin Nohara. Noha. Nohara. Slowly the puzzle was starting to piece together in Sasuke's mind. Trust Rin Nohara? But she was a Career, she had to be the last trustworthy person around here!

Maybe Jugo didn't mean Nohara at all. Or maybe there was another Nohara around here. Yes, that had to be it. That was the only thing that made sense-

"Kisame Hoshigaki."

Already? Sasuke looked up as the biggest tribute there walked out of the room. Ok, no more thinking about Noha for now. He had to concentrate on impressing the Gamemakers.

"Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto's head snapped up in surprise. Damn. That was quick.

"Good luck," Ino smiled as he got up.

"Thanks. You too." Naruto took a deep breath and walked inside to the gymnasium. Instantly his eyes fell on the Gamemakers on their raise platform. A couple nodded at him as he walked in. But the rest barely looked. They were all focusing on their food and wine, singing and giggling drunkenly amongst themselves.

Naruto sighed, trusting that they would look once he actually started. He eagerly made his way over to the bows and picked one up. God, he'd been waiting two days to get his hands on these! It felt so good as he held it in his hand, as familiar. So comforting. He took some arrows and got ready to begin.

After hitting each dummy right on target in a matter of seconds, he turned to look up at the Gamemakers. Again, one or two nodded with approval, and the rest didn't look. They were all laughing and eyeing up some large roasted pig that had just been brought in.

Naruto stared at them with eyes, wanting to scream and shout and wreck everything just to get their attention. But he wasn't even sure that would work either. He was frustrated and hurt and angry. They weren't even looking at him. They were more interested in their stupid banquet than what he was doing, and he was supposed to be trying to impress them! How could he do that when they wouldn't even pay attention to him? Those stupid, self-centered, arrogant PRICKS!

Naruto raised the bow, selecting a target in a matter of seconds. A chubby Gamemaker with a massive feathery hat on his head. He looked more like the dead pig than a human being. They were all scheming, ignorant pigs, all of them! He pulled back, exhaling once, slowly. Then he released.

Shrieks of terror were heard as the Gamemakes scrambled out of the way, the chubby one himself frozen in horror as he stared at Naruto with wide eyes. They all turned to look at where his hat was now firmly lodged in the wall, before turning back to Naruto.

Naruto, who was so angry he wasn't thinking rationally, gave a little bow and snarled, "Thanks for your consideration! I really fucking appreciate it." then flinging the bow onto the floor, turned around and stormed off towards the elevator.

Then as soon as he was inside and flying up towards the twelfth floor, he clapped a hand to his mouth, suddenly realized what he'd done. Oh God, he'd shot a Gamemaker's hat! What the hell was he thinking? He wasn't thinking, he'd been completely out of his mind! He had no chance now, none at all!

How could he be so stupid…

When he arrived on his floor, Naruto stormed out, past a gaping Avox and past the living room where he could hear Shizune calling him. He ran into his room, slamming the door shut and locking it firmly, before he finally let the tears out. He fell down onto his bed, sobbing into the pillow, both in rage and just in sorrow. He was such an idiot, and he was going to pay for it. What would they do to him? Execute him? Cut out his tongue and make him an Avox? No, no. They wouldn't do that, they needed a tribute. They'd probably score him a zero for that, he'd get no sponsors and he'd be dead by day 2. Well, he didn't know how he couldn't hope for anything different. He was District 12, and this was what happened to little 'Seam vermin' like him, as Ino's mother put it.

Oh God, Ino! Would they mark her poorly now because of him? Oh shit, he hadn't thought of that. Was Ino going to pay for his mistake too?

Oh God. No. What if they hurt Shino? Or Boruto? Or any of them, what if they punished them for what he did?

He should have apologized, or just laughed like he was only joking! He'd been so disrespectful…

Naruto cried for at least an hour, shaking as his head throbbed painfully. They would probably set starving animals on him in the arena. Or blow him up, or something. He didn't have a chance, not a chance in hell.

"Naruto, sweetie?" Naruto looked up when he heard Shizune's voice. "Are you coming to dinner?"

"I'm coming!" Naruto called horsley, getting to his feet and stumbling towards the bathroom. He got to work on his face, washing it and drying it off so he looked a little more presentable. Then he changed out of his training clothes into a plain outfit, took a deep breath, and left his room. He walked into the dining room and saw, to his dismay, that Iruka and Kurenai were there. He didn't want them to see. Suddenly he felt terrible about letting Iruka down. He looked down and ate his fish soup silently, the salty taste just making him think of all the tears he'd shed.

"So, how did you do?" Jiraiya asked.

Since it was clear Naruto wasn't going to speak, Ino answered first. "I don't know why, but they were so on edge when I went in there. All watching me like hawks. But I threw some heavy stuff around and flung a few knives until they told me I could go. It was ok, I guess."

Jiraiya turned to look at Naruto. "What about you, little kit?"

Naruto gritted his teeth. "I…"

"Yes?"

"I-I shot the Gamesmakers!"

"You WHAT?" Shizune gasped, staring at him in horror.

"Well, I didn't shoot them, I just shot this guy's hat… they were ignoring me and I just lost it, I'm sorry!"

"What did they say?" Kurenai asked.

"I don't know, I left before they could say anything."

"Without being dismissed?" Shizune gasped.

"I dismissed myself," Naruto murmured softly, feeling Ino's hand on his shoulder.

"Well, what's done is done," Jiraiya shrugged.

"What'll happen to me? And my family?"

"Oh nothing," Jiraiya replied dismissively. "See, they can't do much to you or your family that'll actually benefit them without revealing what happened, and that's meant to be secret. It's a waste of time and effort. At the most they'll make your life hell in the arena, which I'm pretty sure they're gonna do already."

"I'll get a bad score?"

"I guess so. But it's only the good scores that matter; nobody pays attention to the average or bad ones."

"Anyway, it could be seen as a clever strategy," Iruka added with an encouraging smile. "I'm sure you remember when the victor a couple of years ago got a three in training. You could be fooling your opponents into thinking you're not a threat. It could work for you."

"Really?" Naruto asked, unable to believe they'd managed to cheer him up.

"Really," Iruka replied with a nod and another smile.

"Hopefully that's how they'll interpret the three they probably got," Ino chuckled. "Well, at least thanks to your recklessness they paid attention to me. Thanks, Naru."

"You're welcome," Naruto said almost numbly. He still couldn't believe it.

"So," Jiraiya smirked. "Tell me. What were their faces like?"

Naruto couldn't help giggling at the memory. "Horrified, mostly. Oh, I remember one of them fell over into a bowl of punch!"

Everyone laughed, and Naruto looked to see Shizune's mouth twitching. "Well, it serves them right. Just because you're the poorest District, they had no right to ignore you!"

Everyone stared at her, Shizune blushing as if she'd said something outrageous. "I'm sorry, but that's what I think!"

Kurenai smiled, holding up her wine glass. "Well, a toast! To Shizune and her fantastic new opinions! They couldn't be more true!"

They were all in high spirits for the rest of the meal, chatting and laughing as they finished off their food. When they were done they gathered in the living room to watch the scores. Suddenly Naurto found himself nervous again. Whether this was seen as a strategy or not, he couldn't help worrying about looking like a fool. Or if the people back in 12 would be disappointed in him. If Shino or Kiba would be disappointed in him. He curled up, kicking his shoes off and hugging his knees, suddenly not wanting to watch anymore.

"Hello, hello!" Claudus Templesmith boomed from the television set. Yamato Flickerman sat beside him wearing a bright blue shirt.

"Ok, Yamato let's move onto the training scores, shall we?"

Yamato Flickerman nodded with an almost blinding smile. "Definitely! As usual, we'll start with District 1. Rin Nohara, her score is…eight!"

And on it went.

"Zaku Abumi, nine! Ami Stone, ten! Oh, and Kisame Hoshigaki, ten!"

"Looks like District 2 have some serious contenders this year, Yamato!"

"Couldn't agree more, Claudius! Alright, on to District 3. Emi King, eight! Hidan Diaz, ten!"

"Konan Flower, seven! Nagato Zevon nine!"

"Tenten Woods, four! Rock Lee, six!"

"Fuki Goss, five! Udon Ise, six!"

"Tayuya Jayde, five! Kaburto Yakushi, six!

"Azami Duncan, four! Konohamaru Sarutobi, seven!"

"Moegi Kazamatsuri seven! Choji Akimichi, six!"

"Karin Fox, four! Suigetsu Hozuki, five!"

"Sakura Haruno, six! Sasuke Uchiha, nine!"

"Wow, that's a good score for District 11!"

"It certainly is! And now, last but not least-"

Naruto was sure millions of people across Panem were laughing right now. Oh God, he could only imagine how much they would laugh when Yamato read out his score. He hid his face in his knees, not wanting to watch.

"Ino Yamanka, eight!"

"Well done," Naruto murmured sadly. "You did great."

"Naruto Uzumaki…"

There was silence. Naruto looked up to see Yamato Flickerman looking at his paper in slight confusion. He couldn't blame him. Then he was shocked to see the presenter's face light up as he shouted, "Eleven!"

Naruto's jaw dropped. "What! How does THAT make sense?" He turned to Jiraiya in bewilderment.

The man shrugged. "I guess they liked your attitude. A life unlived, little kit."

"I might have to use that as my motto from now on," Naruto said softly, staring at the screen as Yamato and Claudius talked about the scores in excited voices. Surely he had a better chance of getting sponsors now more than ever! And Ino did too, he was sure of it.

"Great Job!" Ino was praising, ruffling his hair affectionately. "Bet you weren't expecting that!"

"You've got fire, Naruto," Jiraiya congratulated. "You both do. Good job."

"Kiba, he got eleven!"

"I know, I can see the TV too!"

"ELEVEN!"

"YES, I know, Shino!"

Kiba had to laugh at Shino's excitement. "That's higher than anybody else this year! Higher than the Careers! It's amazing!"

"Hey, what did I tell you? You needed to have faith in him!"

"Oh come on, you couldn't possibly have expected him to do this well!"

"Alright, maybe I didn't. But hey, be proud of him!"

"I am proud," Shino choked, tears suddenly building up in his eyes. "I'm so fucking proud of him right now."

Kiba hugged him tightly ignoring the cheers of his family around them. "Now we just have to tune in tomorrow night for the interviews! Do you think he might be on fire again?"

"Maybe, we'll just have to see!" Shino hobbled over to the door with his cane, grabbing his coat. "I should probably get back and see my family."

"I'll come with you!" Kiba said eagerly, following him. He looked back at his mother. "I'll be back soon, don't worry!"

As they were walking back up the road to Shino's house laughing happily, they linked arms and walked along, Shino finding it a little easier to walk with extra support.

"You know. I should take you to the woods sometime," Kiba suggested. "I'm sure you miss going there when you were a child."

"I do miss it," Shino sighed happily. "Is this an official arrangement, then?"

"It's a date, Shino."

Hope you like the story

Sorry for not writing, not for a while been busy with work and I'm starting to write The Princess Bride Harry Potter version.

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