Chapter 2: Applying for Crash Course Ninjutsu 101







Poke.





Poke.



... goway


Poke!


Dammit, it's not morning yet, beat it....


POKE!


OW! YOU LITTLE BRAT!


Ino threw the covers off with an explosion of fury, and tore after her giggling little sister, who started shrieking when Ino grabbed her pillow and threw it at her with a force that put most Jounins to shame.


OUCH! I'm telling mommy!


Meanwhile, Yamanaka Inoshii took his final sip of his tea, glanced at the clock, and sighed.


Welp, that's Ino's and Hachi's morning commotion, best be off to report to Iruka. I might be home tonight, but don't count on it, he told his wife, sitting across from him. I might be going out with Shikata and Chomaru tonight again. See you later, he finished, got up and looked up the stairs.


Be good Ino! You too Hachi!


Dear, be sure to bring back more hotroot, I need to make the soup.


Inoshii replied, and walked out. Meanwhile, Ino succeeded in tossing her little sister out, and slamming the door.


You scratched ME! Hachi yelled. LIKE I CARE! Ino shouted back, and grumpily hit the door several times to show that she meant business, and then leaned back against the door and stared at her messy room. Sleep hasn't overcome her just yet, and her bed beckoned her to slumber with it's soft and comfortable cushions.


Yet she knew that she had important things to do that day. Well, one anyways.


She thought about it. She wasn't quite sure if Shino would indeed agree to tutor her, and didn't quite know why such an absurd idea came across her. He was still, after all, a complete and total creep.


But... She didn't have anything to lose, it couldn't hurt to try, right?



Ino! Breakfast!


No, she didn't, and she grumpily went to her wardrobe to get dressed and went down to breakfast. Hachi was already done, and toting around one of her dolls, and her mother put a bowl of soup on the table.


Ino, today's the first day Hachi goes to the Academy. I'd appreciate it if you take her today. I have to go to the market, her mother said sternly. Ino groaned.


Mom.... fine, I'll take the brat, Ino grumbled and glared at Hachi, who stuck her tongue out at her.


Glad you understand, I understand you have the day off?


Something like that, Ino thought, as she started on her breakfast, downing it quicker than she thought she would. Hey mom, I'm trying to get a personal tutor, would that be alright? Ino asked her mother suddenly, gaining a surprised look from her matron.


No, I see no problem with it, as long as you gain more knowledge. What brought this on?


Nothing, mom, just want to get better...


Her mom smiled warmly. Glad to hear that. I'm sure your father would love to hear that.


Uh huh...


Best be taking Hachi off to school now, have a good time!


... Kay. C'mon Hachi.


Hachi cheered. School will be fun!


Hahahahaha! Ino's laughed out loud in her mind, while physically putting on a smirk. Aren't you in for a surprise?


C'mon... brat.


Mom! Ino just called me a brat!


Ino growled. Just c'mon!



~~~



I dunno. 250 is too small. I wouldn't do it for less than thirteen hundred.


You do know it would be easy for me to report you to the ANBU...


Was that a threat? ... How about 750?


Deal. Any scroll you can grab is yours for whatever you want, but the Scroll of Seals is mine.


The ninja leaned back against the tree, his forehead protector dangling carelessly over his one eye.


Is there a problem?


The two zigzag lines from the headband flashed dully. No. Just can't wait till this thing is over...


Then you are able to steal it?


A low chuckle.


Yeah. No problem. There is no better thief than me.


I don't want anyone killed. Raises suspicions.


I know. I scoped and bagged this poor sap. Got him locked up and everything. All I needed was a blood sample, and... Ketsueki Hengen no Jutsu!


A puff of a smoke, revealing a totally different person, who smiled.


Not even a Hokage can tell me from the real person. I've observed him quite a bit, and I know his personality like my own mother. As soon as I get everything down pat on guard patrols, I'll get you the scroll. You have to keep the original guy fed and drugged.


Ah. Very well. So it's a done deal.





Good. Make sure this doesn't get back to me. I got caught once, and I sure as hell won't go back to that hell hole cell with Ibiki.


Aright. This should take half a year.


That long?


It's that or risk getting caught. What do you prefer?


... Fine. Go.






~~~




Suzume is running a bit late today, Iruka half apologized, rubbing the back of his neck. He looked quite distracted. Ino supposed anyone could be, trying to keep a completely unruly class in line was probably next to hellish. Hachi was squirming in Ino's grasp, every now and then frowning at her, although Ino didn't pay it much mind. Tch, can you keep an eye n Hachi then? Suzume-sensei was supposed to take her for the orientation in the flower fields, Ino asked exasperatedly.


Ah... I suppose so, Iruka looked unhappy with this arrangement, and sighed. One extra person wouldn't hurt I guess.


Thank you, Iruka-sensei! Have fun... heh... Ino growled at Hachi, who gave her a confused look, while Iruka was making a note in his sketchpad, every now and then muttering to himself.


Good riddance, Ino thought, and her shoulders drooped. For some reason, she felt very tired, and she still needed to do one more thing before she can go back home to sleep.


But, where does Shino usually hang out?


Ino thought about that for a moment. She figured it would be best to ask one of his teammates. Hinata was out of the question; anyone outside the Main and Branch house were forbidden to enter unless on official business, and chances were good Hinata was hiding in there. Their sensei... Kurenai, right? Well, Ino had no idea where she lived, or if she even had a house.


So she was left with Shino's obnoxious teammate that reeks of dog urine, Kiba. Ino knew where he lived, as he wasn't too far away from where she lived, unfortunately... She didn't want to see him as much as her own funeral.


So now what? Ino wondered aloud, and gave a rather dark scowl to show her displeasure.


Iruka looked up, and noticed Ino's frightening look. What's wrong?


Iruka-sensei, where does the Aburame family usually go during the day?


Iruka blinked in surprise, not so much as the question, but Ino of all people asked it. Well, I don't know exactly. The Aburame family are solitary people in nature, so I expect in secluded, hard to reach areas. Anyone in particular?


Ino said in the calmest voice she could muster, and Iruka nodded. Mmm, try the river that runs through the village. He's usually on a rock looking at the stream.


Ino asked, incredulous. For sure?


There's a pretty good chance, I think, Iruka said confidently, and gave her a smile.


How did you know?


Ahh... Kurenai-san told me, Iruka looked down and blushed, while scratching the back of his head. When he looked back to see Ino, she was gone.


Hunh... Oh well. What's your name? Iruka asked the smaller girl in front of him.


Hachi! What's yours, scar face?


Kids these days are getting worse, Iruka though sadly.



~~~~



Sounds of rushing water, lapping gently against the rocks were like a metronome to Shino. Deep into meditation, his physical ability declined greatly, but his senses skyrocketed. His skin felt the moisture settling and forming droplets of water. His ears picked up the noise of humming insects, buzzing to and fro on their daily routines, whatever they may be.


Inside of him, the insects became silent and still, perhaps reflected off their masters deep sedated condition, or perhaps they, like Shino himself, were in the same meditation as he, become more integrated in his body, possibly gaining access to more Chakra, or repairing torn and strained ligaments from training.


Shino didn't quite knew what they thought. The insects usually were a reflection off his current mood. If he was lonely, some insects would crawl out to keep him company. If, on the rare occasion it does happen, he becomes angry, the insects as a whole would swarm out of him and only a solid grip of the reins would he be able to control them.


They were a part of him, and yet a different symbiotic entity. He heard that even the Aburame master still does not know just exactly what they were, or how the Aburame even came to be. Records from the 1st Hokage were ruined during the Leaf and Cloud War, and the Aburame head of that time who knew that died.


In short, there was lost history of the Aburame's.


Solitude was an Aburame way of life. Shino had this drilled into him from the beginning, and only recently has he began to slightly question this belief. Not aloud, but to himself, thinking. Meditating. Turning the subject over in his mind. Was it possible to be an effective Aburame and still have close social ties?


Shino felt a disturbance. An insect, a species related to the dragonfly, buzzed past his ear, and informed him of an approaching person. The insects insde of him stirred. Immediately, he gained that they smelled a sweet chakra, and were suddenly hungry. It didn't Shino long to figure out who it was, the same person whom he recommended a particular excellant form of sushi, dragonbacks. He decided to let Ino make the first move.





And with that, shattered the last of his meditation. He shifted his shoulders.





Um... What are you doing?


Shino was sitting on a rock, looking at a river. Thinking most likely a sarcastic reply would lead nowhere, he replied a dull,





A few moments passed by.


Hey, you graduated after Sasuke, right?


Shino turned his toward Ino. Yes, that is correct.


Can you train me?


No amount of training in a life-time could have prevented Shino from becoming surprised at that request. He remained quiet for a few moments, looking for a logical reply. When he found it, he shifted his entire body to look at Ino.


Why me? he asked. No one, not even Kiba asked that sort of thing from him. After all, who wanted to spend time with a freak with bugs living inside him?


Because I need to be stronger. What do you think, because I like being with you? Please.


Such blunt rudeness was refreshing, actually. Most people would be feigning politeness towards him.


Everyone wants to be stronger. What makes you different?





Shino caught her offguard. That was a question he himself asked once, though it was never fully answered. Ino flustered, and became red.





Shino turned his head back towards the water.


Hey, don't look away from me!


Shino did not oblige. Instead, he asked, Why do you want to become strong?


... Ugh!


Ino couldn't believe it. She wanted to say she wanted to be strong to beat Sakura, but how petty did that sound? Shino would rightfully laugh in her face, even though he wouldn't. Maybe if she asked real nicely...


Hey, bugfreak, can't you at least look at me?!


Damnit, she thought furiously, and immediately went into damage control mode. Sorry, I'm just a bit stressed, and... Ino trailed off. Shino just sat there, looking at the stream. Ino sighed. She blew it. She turned to walk away, when Shino said,


Tomorrow in the afternoon. In the park. You can discover your need to be strong during training.


Ino's eyes widened. She opened her mouth to say thank you, but it died on her lips. Shino shifted his body back towards the stream.


If you would be so kind to leave, I must begin meditating again.


Ino nodded, then walked away, leaving Shino alone to think. When she deemed the distance she traveled adequate, she smiled broadly.


HELL YES!






-----------------------------

Hachi = flower pot

Ketsueki Hengen no Jutsu = Blood Transformation Technique


A/N: 0_0 Second chapter is up. Nothing much to say really. Thanks to the reviewers, especially ^_^. Reviews make me warm and fuzzy, and it's nice to see people who can enjoy something new every once in a while. Until next time, this is NT13 signing out!


Next Chapter: Lesson 1 - You Are Weak