Yes, this next chapter is -much- shorter than the last. But 90 of it is Kiba-thought!
YAY!
Takes place after Naruto beats Kiba in the Chuunin exams.
I don't own Naruto etc.
---
He nudged his nose against my chin, his cries of concern piercing through my ears.
I lost. How? I'm stronger than him. I held back... that must be the reason.
The whining came closer to my ears as I felt his tongue trying to wake me while it slid down my cheek. I lifted my weakened hand and dropped it on Akamaru's neck. "I'm fine, Akamaru."
Am I weak? How did he get so strong?
The sunlight poured in from the white curtained windows. A row of beds lined up on each side of the room and various medical equipment lay scattered about. All the beds around me were empty, leaving the room to ourselves. A few fans were bolted into the ceiling of the room. My clothing was folded on a chair, leaving me with sheets for cover. My vision started to blur. The after-effects of the food pill seemed to have taken effect.
He beat me.
I didn't mind having average grades at the academy. As long as my grades weren't the lowest, I could care less what I ranked. In the deepest depths of the low-ranking, Naruto would always be there - dead last.
The ceiling fan became a strange swirl as my eyes fazed out.
"You're laughing now, but watch me become Hokage!"
It seemed ridiculous then. I joined my class-mates in laughter as the all-time failure shouted such frivolous claims. The students would throw whatever they had in hand at him. Crumpled paper, pencils, and sometimes even food from their lunch. He would just receive the insults standing in solitude. When they were finished, he'd leave the classroom.
The fan transformed into a dark, shifting circle. The walls seemed to move in waves and my body felt heavier. I closed my eyes; the motions were making me feel ill.
I can remember him being alone most the time. He'd normally show up in a public place, staring at the ground or into a crowd of people. From the distance, peers would openly disregard him and parents would scold their children into avoiding him. Eventually, he probably gave up. He abandoned the playgrounds and marketplace, while rarely being seen in the open. The loser had disappeared. It wasn't long after that the pranks started. Buildings would be loaded with graffiti and many of the students would become victim to his practical jokes.
And so he became known as Konoha's worst ninja, and I lost to him.
I grabbed onto the sides of the bed and attempted to pull myself up. My arms struggled to bring my heavy body to an upright position, accompanied by several grunts. After arcing half way into a sitting position, my arms gave away, leaving my body to collapse back onto the bed.
....It's useless. It feels like when we fought. Time and time again he tricked me, outwitted me, even. I clearly had the upper hand in terms of strength and speed. I may not be intelligent, but Naruto isn't exactly known for his mental prowess either.
So what does he have that I don't?
Come to think of it, he's everything I'm not.
Unwise. Temperamental. Inconsiderate.
Unconditionally confident...
I opened my eyes. The blurring seemed to have lessened to an extent. I looked down at Akamaru, who returned a determined gaze. He barked at me, doing his best to encourage me to try harder, but I knew it was pointless. I know my place in this world and he doesn't understand that.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault we lost."
Akamaru looked down with his shoulders rising above his head, expressing the ultimate look of guilt. I scratched the thin layer of fur on the back of his neck, eventually turning it into a massage of his collarbone.
It felt rather odd. After years of looking down on him, he finally stood over me. It's like he's totally different now.
...No. He's exactly the same. He hasn't changed any over the years. He did acquire something, however.
Strength. I didn't hold back.. Not only did he beat me, he's become stronger than me. His newfound power coupled with his confidence has proved that he can become even greater... I can't be done in like this.
Akamaru jumped as I grabbed onto the sides once more. He went around me, and began to push on my back with his head. I pulled myself up, straining to get out of gravity's hold. I curved my legs onto the siding as well, pulling my body upwards, driving myself to the goal.
I sat there, with Akamaru in my lap. Despite our recent defeat, he seemed as happy as he was before. I smiled back at him. "Looks like we still have a long way to go." Akamaru barked in reply, and jumped on the ground. I guess he expects me to be able to walk now.
Strange. When I think of him, I feel like I can do anything. I guess he has that kind of effect on people.
Maybe he wouldn't be such a bad Hokage.
I turned to the ledge of the bed, and set my feet on the ground. Putting all of my weight into my legs, I tried to stand up. After shifting my weight around, I was able to maintain an upright, standing position. I gave a thumbs-up to Akamaru, my teeth baring a smile. The sudden movement of my arm threw me off balance, making me fall forward and landing on my face.
I.....can't move. This is kind of embarrassing.
YAY!
Takes place after Naruto beats Kiba in the Chuunin exams.
I don't own Naruto etc.
---
He nudged his nose against my chin, his cries of concern piercing through my ears.
I lost. How? I'm stronger than him. I held back... that must be the reason.
The whining came closer to my ears as I felt his tongue trying to wake me while it slid down my cheek. I lifted my weakened hand and dropped it on Akamaru's neck. "I'm fine, Akamaru."
Am I weak? How did he get so strong?
The sunlight poured in from the white curtained windows. A row of beds lined up on each side of the room and various medical equipment lay scattered about. All the beds around me were empty, leaving the room to ourselves. A few fans were bolted into the ceiling of the room. My clothing was folded on a chair, leaving me with sheets for cover. My vision started to blur. The after-effects of the food pill seemed to have taken effect.
He beat me.
I didn't mind having average grades at the academy. As long as my grades weren't the lowest, I could care less what I ranked. In the deepest depths of the low-ranking, Naruto would always be there - dead last.
The ceiling fan became a strange swirl as my eyes fazed out.
"You're laughing now, but watch me become Hokage!"
It seemed ridiculous then. I joined my class-mates in laughter as the all-time failure shouted such frivolous claims. The students would throw whatever they had in hand at him. Crumpled paper, pencils, and sometimes even food from their lunch. He would just receive the insults standing in solitude. When they were finished, he'd leave the classroom.
The fan transformed into a dark, shifting circle. The walls seemed to move in waves and my body felt heavier. I closed my eyes; the motions were making me feel ill.
I can remember him being alone most the time. He'd normally show up in a public place, staring at the ground or into a crowd of people. From the distance, peers would openly disregard him and parents would scold their children into avoiding him. Eventually, he probably gave up. He abandoned the playgrounds and marketplace, while rarely being seen in the open. The loser had disappeared. It wasn't long after that the pranks started. Buildings would be loaded with graffiti and many of the students would become victim to his practical jokes.
And so he became known as Konoha's worst ninja, and I lost to him.
I grabbed onto the sides of the bed and attempted to pull myself up. My arms struggled to bring my heavy body to an upright position, accompanied by several grunts. After arcing half way into a sitting position, my arms gave away, leaving my body to collapse back onto the bed.
....It's useless. It feels like when we fought. Time and time again he tricked me, outwitted me, even. I clearly had the upper hand in terms of strength and speed. I may not be intelligent, but Naruto isn't exactly known for his mental prowess either.
So what does he have that I don't?
Come to think of it, he's everything I'm not.
Unwise. Temperamental. Inconsiderate.
Unconditionally confident...
I opened my eyes. The blurring seemed to have lessened to an extent. I looked down at Akamaru, who returned a determined gaze. He barked at me, doing his best to encourage me to try harder, but I knew it was pointless. I know my place in this world and he doesn't understand that.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault we lost."
Akamaru looked down with his shoulders rising above his head, expressing the ultimate look of guilt. I scratched the thin layer of fur on the back of his neck, eventually turning it into a massage of his collarbone.
It felt rather odd. After years of looking down on him, he finally stood over me. It's like he's totally different now.
...No. He's exactly the same. He hasn't changed any over the years. He did acquire something, however.
Strength. I didn't hold back.. Not only did he beat me, he's become stronger than me. His newfound power coupled with his confidence has proved that he can become even greater... I can't be done in like this.
Akamaru jumped as I grabbed onto the sides once more. He went around me, and began to push on my back with his head. I pulled myself up, straining to get out of gravity's hold. I curved my legs onto the siding as well, pulling my body upwards, driving myself to the goal.
I sat there, with Akamaru in my lap. Despite our recent defeat, he seemed as happy as he was before. I smiled back at him. "Looks like we still have a long way to go." Akamaru barked in reply, and jumped on the ground. I guess he expects me to be able to walk now.
Strange. When I think of him, I feel like I can do anything. I guess he has that kind of effect on people.
Maybe he wouldn't be such a bad Hokage.
I turned to the ledge of the bed, and set my feet on the ground. Putting all of my weight into my legs, I tried to stand up. After shifting my weight around, I was able to maintain an upright, standing position. I gave a thumbs-up to Akamaru, my teeth baring a smile. The sudden movement of my arm threw me off balance, making me fall forward and landing on my face.
I.....can't move. This is kind of embarrassing.