𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄

" 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕 "

As the sun set, Chouka laid on the ground, exhausted. She had been constantly training ever since this morning. Only taking breaks for drinking water and eating a snack. After that, she went right back to training. But Chouka had decided to stop for today. She would've headed home if the sky wasn't so distractly beautiful and the ground unusually comfortable to lay on. To be honest, she would've fallen asleep if her friends hadn't come.

"Big sis!" Before Chouka's consciousness could slip away, a voice pulled her back and her eyes shot open.

Standing above her were the only people around her age she considered her friends. Their nicknames were Shibura and Haino, actual names being Shino and Haru.

Haru Shinobu was a eight year old girl who had light blond hair and baby blue eyes. She saw herself as Chouka's student and always referred to her as "sensei, my lady" or "big sis." Chouka had befriended her about three years ago when she had found Haru crying one day. She cheered her up and from that day on, Haru made a promise she'd swear she would never break.

As for Shino, or Shibura, she had met him in the very same woods she was currently in. It was about a year ago, sometime after Chouka had failed her exam. She was looking for the perfect training spot to practice her Taijutsu, Ninjutsu, and to make sure she had perfect control over her chakra. That's when she ran into Shino and his little insect friends.

It wasn't long after that when Haru and Shino met. The bubbly tomboy and the quiet weird kid had unexpectedly gotten along well. Haru didn't mind Shino's fascination with bugs, just like Chouka. In fact, she was just as interested in them as Shino was.

Shino and Haru were the only kids around Chouka's age that she actually interacted and befriended. And she was quite proud of her friends.

So when she saw her friends standing above her, a smile appeared on her face.

"Hey, guys." Chouka sat up slowly with a yawn. She ignored her aching body.

"Have you eaten?" Shino asked immediately. Chouka shook her head, stretching.

"How about we get some Yakiniku Q! OH, or we can go get some Ichiraku Ramen! I'm up for some right about now." Haru said, deciding to give Chouka a hand. "You up for some ramen, sis? Shino's paying!" She pulled Chouka to her feet, who almost fell.

Shino side-eyed Haru. You couldn't see it, but by the way his eyebrows furrowed you could tell he was glaring at Haru. Who seemed completely oblivious to that fact or she was just ignoring him.

"I am starving. And I do feel up for some ramen right about now. Shibura, you going to pay or do you want to pay half and I pay half because I don't think I can buy us all ramen."

Shino sighed. "Sure. That's fine with me."

"I'll lead the way!" Haru marched towards the direction of Ichiraku Ramen with Shino and Chouka following behind.

"I kinda feel like a third-wheel." Haru said out of nowhere, surprising Shino and Chouka.

The two older kids were having a nice conversation. Haru had been leading the group, listening in unusual silence. It was almost creepy. Though, when she spoke those sudden words out of the blue, Shino and Chouka couldn't help it. Their face flushed red, embarrassed at the immediate thought of them together.

"No. Never. Imagining us in a relationship is weird!" Chouka shook her head, erasing the thought from her mind. "And I can't see myself loving Shino. Not romantically, at least."

"I have to agree. I can't really imagine myself falling in love with Chouka, or anyone in that matter. Love is a complicated subject, to be honest."

"Sorry, big sis and big bro. I just felt a little left out."

"We should be the ones sorry. We didn't mean to leave you out. I won't make that same mistake twice."

"We promise."

Haru beamed in joy. "Alright! You better not break it, or else I'll be really sad."

"Okay, okay."

"We're here."

The group stopped at Shino's words. On their left, there stood Ichiraku Ramen.

"Ramen!" Haru didn't wait for them and ran straight towards Ichiraku Ramen. Shino and Chouka sighed, and followed behind her.

The three of them sat and ordered some ramen. Soon, a conversation had risen. When their food came, Shino listened to Haru attempt to convince Chouka to let her sleepover tonight. It was interesting, to say the least.

"No! That's my final answer, Haru."

"Sis, please!"

"I can't. Haino, I don't want to worry your brother. If you don't come home tonight, he'll be worried. What if he thinks you got kidnapped and I get in trouble? What if he thinks you ran away? He'll be terrified! And even sad! I can't let you stay with me tonight."

"What if I just ask him then?!"

"Then sure. You can come." Haru smiled. "Along with your sisters." Her smile dropped quick.

"What?! Why do you want to bring them?!"

"Haru. First, calm down." Haru huffed, rolling her eyes. Then she actually listened and took a deep breath in and out. "Now, listen to me Haru."

"Fine..."

"If your brother ever thinks something bad is going happen, I'll let you AND your sisters stay with me. But if it's not an emergency, then no."

"Why are you so reluctant on letting me stay with you?!"

"Why are you so desperate on wanting to stay with me?"

Haru quieted. She didn't say a word and neither did Chouka In fact, she continued to eat her ramen like the conversation had never happened. Shino finished his bowl quietly and stood after paying for all their meals.

"I'll be on my way now."

"Okay, sleep well. I'll take Haru home." He nodded, and went on his way

It was quiet between the two girls. Chouka didn't mind the silence. She was used to it. She did live in an apartment all by herself after all. As for Haru, she didn't like the sound of silence. It disturbed her because it always made her feel like something bad was going to happen.

The silence between the two soon was disrupted when three voices came into earshot. Curious, the two girls turned around to b met with three boys. Two, Chouka were familiar with. One, Haru knew very well.

"IT'S YOU!!!" You'd expect Naruto to yell that, right? Nope, that was the little boy beside him. He pointed at Haru.

"What are you doing here, Konohamaru?" Haru replied, mocking his name.

The two kids glared at each other. Kenta didn't remove his glare from Chouka, who didn't make any eye contact with anyone. Meanwhile, Naruto stood confused.

"Wait a minute... You're that girl from yesterday! I've never seen you here before!" Naruto pointed at Chouka. "You and Iruka-sensei were talking about something."

"Uh, hi. We've never properly met have we? Well, I'm Chouka Gushiken. Nice to meet you three."

"You already know who I am. These two idiots are Naruto and Konohamaru. Who's your friend?"

"She's-"

"Haru Shinobu! And the rival of that brat over there, Maru!"

"Y'know, Haru, I think it's time for you to go home. Bye guys, see you tomorrow." With that, Chouka dragged a reluctant Haru home.

"Girls are so weird." Konohamaru said.

"I agree." Naruto nodded.

Kenta sighed with his arms crossed. "You guys are dumb."