Chapter 6
The first day of training was brief. Truthfully, it had been more of a meet-and-greet than a lesson. Kazumi's students, it seemed, needed a daily dose of social-emotional learning.
Perhaps Kakashi's methods were appropriate after all.
When the lesson ended, Kazumi and her students knelt in the grass. She liked to close with seiza instead of dismissing them outright; it was necessary, she felt, to reflect on their time together.
"Today was an adjustment period," she said. "I know change can be scary, but I want you to know that this is a safe space."
A crisp gust of wind swept through the trees. It heralded twilight – a time when most families met for dinner. If she kept them much longer, they would be late.
"I would like to end with a one word check-in. For example, I feel tired. Jun?"
"I don't know," Jun replied. "Same, I guess."
"Emiko?" Kazumi prompted.
Emiko, unlike her peers, sat in anza – a cross-legged position. Kazumi didn't press the issue; she knew when to pick her battles. From ripped textbooks to vandalized desks, most of Emiko's offenses had gone unpunished. Kazumi's patience (which garnered extensive criticism) was often mistaken for lenience.
The red-haired girl had always been defiant. She did not – or rather, would not – respect authority. Ichiro and Hanami, her adoptive parents, couldn't reach her either.
It took Emiko several seconds to answer. "Bored," she muttered, picking at a dandelion.
"Bored? Okay. Thank you, Emiko." Kazumi looked to Hiroshi next. "What about you?"
Hiroshi adjusted his glasses. His lenses were foggy due to the chill in the air. "Good. I feel good."
Hiroshi, she knew, did not feel "good." He was trying to save face in front of his classmates. Kazumi could hardly blame him; Jun and Emiko could be little monsters if the mood struck them.
"Alright," Kazumi said. "Mokuso. Close your eyes."
Meditation put the mind at ease. It was necessary to unwind after training; the students needed it as much – if not more – than she did. Kazumi sighed contentedly and listened not to her thoughts – but to the sounds of nature.
Cicadas droned in the long grass that bordered the field. Meadow frogs and grasshoppers trilled in harmony. A crow cawed from its lofty perch, signaling the presence of an owl. Konohagakure came alive at night.
"Open your eyes," she said. Kazumi's voice hovered above a whisper. "Zarei."
She and her students bowed together. To her surprise, Jun and Emiko hadn't left the group. It was a small victory that she would cherish in the weeks to come.
"Gokurousama. Thank you for working hard."
"Doumo arigatou gozaimasu," they replied.
"Hai." Kazumi motioned for her students to stand. "We will meet here tomorrow morning. I'll see you at eight."
The two girls left without a word. Before Hiroshi could catch up, Kazumi fell in step beside him. She sought to repair their relationship.
"I'm sorry that I made you run laps, Hiroshi-kun." she said softly. "I wasn't angry with you. In fact, I wasn't angry at all – just…frustrated."
The boy nodded and slowed his pace. "I get it," he replied. "I think I'd be frustrated too."
"Listen," Kazumi began, "I was afraid that if I allowed you to sit on the sidelines, they'd pick on you. I didn't want them to ruin your first day."
"You did that to protect me?" Hiroshi stopped walking and looked up at her.
"I did," Kazumi said, "but I should have handled it differently. Are we okay?"
"Hm…yeah." He smiled and hoisted his bag over his shoulder. "We're okay."
"I'm glad." She breathed a sigh of relief and gave Hiroshi a high five. His resilience never ceased to amaze her. "Have a safe trip home – and tell your parents a big 'hello' for me. See you tomorrow, Hiroshi-kun."
When the boy sprinted off, Kazumi crossed her arms and began to pace around the schoolyard. She had some time to kill before meeting up with Asuma and Kurenai at Anago. Whether or not Kakashi would show was anyone's guess.
She checked her watch. The time read 4:30 p.m.
"What am I supposed to do until then?" Kazumi thought. She wasn't one to pregame, so it didn't make sense to leave yet.
On her third pass around the yard, Kazumi strayed toward the fence. She unzipped her vest, draped it over a picket, and began to stretch. She had just about settled into a forward fold when she heard voices coming from the Academy.
"Excellent training today, Lee. You'll make a fine ninja yet."
"Hai, Guy-sensei! I will not let you down!"
"I know you won't. You possess the power of youth!"
Of all the people to run into, it had to be Might Guy. Kazumi had no time to grab her things and hide; avoiding Guy and his student wasn't an option. For the moment, all Kazumi could do was ignore them.
Not that it worked. It never worked.
"And speaking of youth," Guy leaned against the fence and gave Kazumi a thumb's up. "Lookin' good!"
"Kazumi-sensei," Rock Lee exclaimed, "It is good to see you! I hope you have been well!"
"Lee!" Guy pulled him aside. "Why don't you give me one more lap around the yard? There's something I need to ask her."
"Understood!" Lee saluted him. "I wish you the best of luck!"
A bead of sweat rolled down Kazumi's cheek. What did he want to ask? Hopefully, it'd be something like, "Who is on your team?" or, "How was your first day?" She reached for her vest, aiming to yank it on before he returned.
Guy meandered toward the fence after he dismissed his student. There was a spring in his step. "I heard that you, Kurenai, and Asuma are going to Anago tonight," he said. "Mind if I tag along?"
"Where did you hear that?"
"The staff lounge," he admitted. Guy hung his head in defeat. "You didn't see me, did you?"
How could she have missed him?! Of all the jonin she knew, he was the only one who wore a green jumpsuit. "No," she said. "But don't take it personally; I was distracted."
"Noted." Guy flashed her a smile. If there was one thing Kazumi admired about Guy, it was his positive attitude.
"To answer your question," she said, zipping her vest, "yes. Of course you can join us. We're meeting up at six." What was she supposed to say, "no?" Guy was a colleague; it wouldn't have been right to exclude him.
"Lee!" he shouted, turning around. "She said 'yes!' Wahoo!"
"I knew she would! You are a catch, Guy-sensei!" The boy's voice reverberated throughout the schoolyard. Kazumi hoped against hope that no one heard the exchange; the last thing she needed was a rumor about their relationship – or lack thereof.
"It's decided," Guy declared. "I'll see you there. Ja ne, Umi!"
The man and his student high-fived when they reunited. Their whoops and hollers reached her ears even after she left the property.
Why me? she thought, of all the men in Konoha, it had to be that one. Her pace increased as she turned onto a dusty street. Kazumi was eager to put as much space between herself and the Academy as possible. I know I should be flattered, but still…
At the very least, Asuma and Kurenai's presence would serve as a buffer. That thought in and of itself comforted her as she headed to Anago.