Altered Destiny:
Title subject to change, rating PG13 to be on the safe side.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, I do own the plot of this story (for as far as there is one) and the extra characters I may or may not add.
Response to reviews at the bottom, be sure to read the A/N's.
Chapter 04 – Knowing Me, Knowing You:
The brand-new team ten had decided to take their lunches outside to enjoy them under the cheery sun and the serenelyclean blue sky. The day was peaceful, and they took their time to enjoy it; eating slowly as they watched the fluffy white clouds amble on overhead.
Though Shikamaru was still opposed to having two girls on his team, he knew there was no use complaining. Hinata didn't bother him because she hardly ever spoke. But Naruko¼ she could prove troublesome in the future¼
Little did he know that things were about to become a lot worse¼
Several hours before Iruka's speech...
Mitarashi Anko was currently at home. She had already waved off her younger sister, whom had become quite annoying with her bubbling excitement, going so far as to even run leave home early to meet up with her new sensei. It was decidedly un-Naruko.
Anko would have all the time in the world to have a nice relaxing day though, seeing there were no scheduled missions to perform for a good while.
She lounged against the comfortable leather of a nearly desiccated armchair, stretching as though she were a feline, and released a lazy yawn and smacked her lips loudly¼ The leather felt really good against her net-clothed back. Yep… A nice, year-long nap sounded good right about now¼
...Too bad a polite knock at her front door brought any budding ideas of sleep and dream-molesting a certain Teacher-Chuunin to a screeching halt...
Grumbling slightly about the fact that someone actually had the gall to ruin what could have been a perfect day; Anko ran her fingers through her hair before getting up from the only comfortable armchair that had survived Naruko's moving into the house. Slowly, determined to let the somewhat unwelcome visitor wait for a little while, Anko made her way to the front door, picking up a randomly strewn overcoat in the process.
If it was a male visitor... Well... She didn't need any more blood in her household and possibly blemishing her tanned skin.
When she finally did arrive, she grasped the doorknob and swung it open with enough force to display her agitation.
"What d'ya want punk!" She demanded angrily, not even looking at the intruder who had so ruined her afternoon¼
"Good to see you too." She had heard this voice before. The strong, kind sound of age that carried power. A baritone voice that held a small tinge of amusement. A voice that definitely belonged to the Hokage himself.
"Hokage-sama!" Anko looked down at the smaller man and was taken completely by surprise.Her mouth hung open, she had never even thought herself important enough to warrant a visit from the Hokage. It wasn't everyday that the leader of your village stood at your front door after all!
Remembering her manners, she invited him in. "Please, come in!" She moving out of the way to allow him entry to her home.
"Hello my dear, and thank you." The older man tipped the rim of his triangular hat with his fingers. His smile flashed brightly, and stepped inside.
"Please take a seat in the living-room, I'll be right with you." Anko mentally slapped herself. Even at her present age, this man was still able to make her as nervous as a newly graduated Genin.
After sending him on his way, she hurried towards the kitchen. "Would you like some tea?" She asked.
"If it isn't too much trouble!" He called back, mirth dancing on the tip of his tongue.
Immediately she set out to make some tea. A loud clatter of ceramics and small teaspoons filled the air soon after, followed closely by a desperate cry of steam escaping the narrow nuzzle of a teapot. With slight hesitance, she placed it, the cups, and two small saucers with sugar cubes and tea bags piled on top of them respectively, on a large tray.
She wondered what the old man might want with her. She stopped dead in her tracks as realization hit her...
Mizuki
Iruka had told her that he would not press charges of any kind against her little sister. Had Sandaime maybe changed his mind?
Would she be...
Anko forcefully rid herself of those thoughts and hurried towards the living room, slamming the doors of two lower cabinets shut with her foot, all the while still balancing the tray perfectly. As she entered the room, she saw the Third seated on the large sofa at the far edge of the living room, perfectly at ease with everything around him. The robes he wore slide down his body like malleable silk, his body seemed almost... predatory, as if he could leap into action at any moment. Anko let out a short breath she hadn't known she was holding as the man beamed up towards her, sliding his fingertips over the hat that was placed next to him.
She set the tray on the table that stood in the centre of the living room, pouring his tea and offering it to him –two cubes of sugar, he didn't want to ruin his teeth any more than he already had- before pouring herself some as well.
"So..." She started softly, stirring the contents of her cup with a small teaspoon as she sat herself back into her comfortable armchair. "What did you want to talk to me about, Hokage-sama?" She sipped her tea, savouring its underlying bitterness, and tried not too look too anxious.
"I need you to teach a team of Genin." His voice was flat, clear-cut.
The tea that was still in her mouth quite suddenly found itself spewed out dramatically. The spray still hung in the air as her brown eyes widened to dinner plates. "Wh-what!" She spluttered in surprise and shock.
"There is a team of new graduates that I need you to teach." He smiled benignly, clearly amused at her antics.
"No way!" She protested adamantly, placing her cup on the table just to make sure there wouldn't be any more mishaps. "No way in hell, old man!" All respect had clearly been thrown out the window.
"Now, now, don't be like that, Anko." The wrinkled face of the third beamed at her again. "If I remember correctly, you told me you'd do anything to repay that debt you owed me."
'Damn...' Anko's eyebrow twitched involuntarily as she averted her face and grimaced.
The Third stood up in a ruffling of robes and placed his hat back on his head. Anko didn't pay him any mind. 'Tch... I knew that was gonna come and bite me in the ass someday¼'
"Besides, we're lacking a Jounin-instructor. Yuuhi Kurenai-san wanted to wait another year before taking on the challenge of teaching a team youngsters like Naruko..." He explained, taking off his hat and rubbing his scalp absentmindedly.
An uncomfortable silence followed until he spoke up again.
"Anko..." He started slowly, giving her a meaningful look. "You are the only one who really understands her¼ You are the only one who can control her if..."
"Don't say it!" The woman said resolutely, slicing through the air with her hand as if to literally cut off the man's sentence. "I don't want to hear it! There's no way that will happen." She hesitated for a moment, her angry frown that had appeared dying down to a expressionless look.
The Third stared at her, almost expecting or knowing her answer...
"I'll do it." Her slowly spreading smirk matched his benign smile. "Just don't come crying to me when she kicks your butt and becomes Hokage."
"Oh?" Sarutobi smiled broadly now and couldn't suppress a chuckle. "I'll be looking forward to the day I can finally sit down and rest my weary bones..."
Anko only let out a boisterous laugh, nodding to herself, all the while suppressing her anxious dread...
"Aaargh! Where are they!" Naruko asked for what seemed the hundredth time.
Her classmates glared at her, clearly annoyed.
"I don't know! So stop asking!" Sakura replied hotly, throwing the girl a furious glare that made Naruko even more agitated.
"I wasn't asking you, pinky!" The blonde shot back, pointing a finger toward Sakura as she spoke.
Huffing, Sakura turned around and plunked down onto one of the now numerous empty benches. Inner Sakura must've been plenty pissed...
Naruko was in a similar state. Sans inner personality, of course.
They had been waiting now for a good three hours. Waiting for who-knows what to arrive and introduce themselves, and it was rapidly growing old.
"Pipe down willya?" Over in a far corner, Inuzuka Kiba was seated on the ground, mock-wrestling with his pet –and apparent best friend- Akamaru. The small puppy snapped at his master's fingers playfully. Kiba whisked them past his maw only to have the pup snap at them again. Naruko shot him another of Anko's patented Death Stares before Akamaru barked his assent to the boy's statement.
"..." As always, the Genius of the Uchiha clan, Uchiha Sasuke, sat removed from his classmates. He was the picture perfect bishounen -brooding and angsty, giving wave after wave of "I am better than you, praise me for the littlest thing' while covering the lower half of his face with his interlaced fingers.
Naruko grimaced towards the back of his head. His oddly... Parakeet shaped head... The thought made her stifle a fit of giggles.
At the sound of her laughter, the Bishi-prince turned back to look at her. Naruko offered him a smirk. After whispering something she couldn't hear, he turned back to contemplate his dark, dark soul.
He was probably wasting his time by thinking about the many ways his new team-mates would slow him down, anyways... 'Bastard...'
Naruko's searching look fell onto her new team-mate. The laziest Genin alive, it seemed. He was actually lying on his back on the teacher's desk, for Gods sake!
Nara Shikamaru...
Currently, his eyes were closed. He made no movements save for the rhythmic, almost serene rise and fall of his chest. Every breath, rise. Every release, fall. It became somewhat hypnotic...
In other words: Shikamaru was fast asleep.
Naruko stared at him with a bemused expression before sauntering over to her own best friend; Hinata. Naruko lowered herself onto the bench next to her blue-haired friend and heaved a heavy sigh. "So, Hinata-chan, who do you think will be our new teacher?"
Hinata shook her head gently and folded her hands in her lap. The girl seemed to be nervous, again. "I don't know."
"Hmmm..." The blonde girl tapped her chin, then grinned broadly. "Well, at least we didn't get that chimney-guy!" Hinata looked at her, only to see Naruko smiling a broad, reminiscing smile. " Did you see the look on Ino's face? HAH!"
By 'chimney-guy', Naruko meant one of the teachers that had actually managed to arrive on time. She wasn't completely sure; but, she though it was someone called Sarutobi Asuma.
Her older sister had mentioned that name a few times anyway... 'He can't be that important...'
A small smile curved at the edges of Hinata's lips. "N-Naruko-chan, you shouldn't call p-people names..." She admonished her energetic friend gently.
"Awww, Hinataaaa... But it's fun!" Sapphire eyes still sparkled mischievously through a playful pout.
Even though thoroughly indoctrinated in the ways of proper etiquette and courteous behaviour, Hinata couldn't really refute that. She would never be able to bring herself to being as rash and crude as her friend, but still...
Naruko was obviously keen on adding something to their light banter; but, before she got the chance, something hurtled through an open window, upsetting the teacher's desk as it landed and sending the pony-tailed youth sprawling on the floor.
"Whoo! Haven't done that in a while!" A tangle of messy black hair bobbed up and down as the 'something' patted itself down- sending small puffs of chalk powder drifting lazily into the air. "Ahhh, sure brings back memories though!"
Every set of eyes was glued to the figure, who -by now- was sporting a huge smile. An uncannily familiar one at that¼
"So, where are the brats of team Ten?"
After the shock of someone suddenly throwing herself through an open room had worn off, the annoyance of their new Jounin's lengthy absence still remained with Kiba and Sakura.
Sasuke maintained his stony silence as always, but the slight twitch that had developed near the side of his eye certainly gave away that he was nearing a breaking point.
Growling, Kiba produced something, that at one point, had surely resembled a sturdy length of rope from the inside of his fur-lined jacket. Akamaru, barking happily, needed no further encouragement and immediately latched onto the free end to try and yank it out of his master's hands.
"Nee-chan..." Naruko asked disbelievingly, fiddling with her hitai-ate around her neck. "Are you really our new sensei?"
"Yup, sure am!" Anko laughed and placed her hands on the back of her head, leaning against the air even though she stood upright.
"E-excuse me..." Someone stuttered softly behind them.
After shifting slightly to see who was behind them, Anko's chocolate-brown eyes closed in a happy crinkle. "Ah, you're Hinata, right?"
Not trusting her own voice, the girl nodded fiercely. So fiercely, that the older woman wasn't so sure that Hinata's head was not in danger of snapping right off.
"Yeah, I remember you. I've seen you with Naruko a couple times, she told me a lot about you, you know?"
Chuckling, Naruko watched her friend blush furiously before she decided to help her out. "Hey, nee-chan. What are we going to do?"
Anko thought for a moment, rubbing her chin with her thumb. "Well, let's head to the roof. Dog-boy is making a racket."
Loud growls and bangs followed swiftly to accentuate her statement.
"But uh, where's the third kid?" She asked.
"Oh, he's over there." Naruko informed her, waving her hand at a rather unhappy looking boy. When Shikamaru had come too, he had tried to look invisible behind the frighteningly troublesome Jounin's back.
"Him?" A worried frown creased the woman's brow as she stared at him with a rather dubious expression. "He doesn't look like much..."
Shikamaru tried his best not to flinch noticeably. "I can hear you, you know..." He drawled as he rubbed a rather sore spot left from the fall he had endured earlier.
"Yeah, so?" Anko dead panned.
As he stood up and moved to the door -trying his best to ignore his new teacher, Hinata threw the boy sympathetic looks.
"Okay, you guys go up ahead, I need to talk to your team-mate here." Anko told the two, putting a hand on Naruko's shoulder and effectively pinning her in place.
Somewhat hesitantly, Hinata followed Shikamaru, who had already disappeared through the doorway. When she, too was gone, the Jounin grasped both of the blonde's shoulders.
"Right, Naruko-chan." She began grimly, locking her eyes with the girl's. "I know this is going to be awkward... But when in front of your team-mates, none of this 'nee-chan' business."
"Wha?" Naruko looked puzzled. "Why's that?"
Anko rolled her eyes. "Eh, the old man suggested we'd best go for semblance of discipline. So, when we're with those other two, it's either sensei, or Anko-sensei."
Naruko snorted and a smile started appearing until she noticed that Anko was actually serious. The grim set of her jaw told he she was deathly serious in fact. "But..."
"No 'But's'." Anko took a moment to look at her sisters pouting facade. She ruffled her hair absentmindedly."Sorry kiddo."
"Fine." Naruko said through gritted teeth, obviously thoroughly annoyed.
"Now come on, let's get going." Anko offered- pushing the girl in the small of her back before she took note of the other three students who still remained. "Hey, why are they still waiting?" She asked Naruko in a hushed tone.
"I don't know…" Naruko looked thoughtful for a split seconds. "...Kiba's getting really pissed though." The girl whispered back, covering her mouth with one hand.
And indeed he was. No longer content with playing tug-o-war with his pet; Akamaru, the bestial boy looked positively ready to rip the classroom to shreds.
"Come on, let's get out of here before he gets really wild." Anko suggested as she ushered a snickering Naruko out of the classroom... That is, ushered her out of the classroom just as the girl gave Sakura the evil eye and stuck her tongue out teasingly.
Despite having already gone up to the third floor, it didn't prevent Hinata and Shikamaru from hearing Sakura's frenzied shrieks.
"What's the plan, sensei?" Naruko asked innocuously, even fluttering her eyelashes for added effect as she stood amidst her two team-mates on the roof of the academy.
Anko scowled, she didn't appreciate this bout of sarcasm. But just as quickly as it had come it had disappeared, and the dark-haired Jounin put on a beaming smile. "Right! Check yourselves. All ninja-gear in place?" -Her students nodded- "Your forehead protectors wrapped securely around your¼" -Shikamaru's was tied around his biceps, Hinata's snaked around her neck, as was Naruko's- "…wherever?"
Why did they even bother to call them forehead protectors when so many of the Genin wore them wherever they please?
"Both butt-cheeks still there?" She added with a wink.
If it were possible, a sweat drop the size of a melon would have appeared on the back each of the children's heads.
Not really waiting for an answer, Anko turned around and pumped a fist into the air. "Let's gooooo!" She proclaimed happily. But when she didn't hear the sounds of rushing Shinobi behind her, she stopped dead in her tracks.
"Uhm..." Hinata started, looking thoroughly confused.
"What?" The woman asked, her smile making way for a puzzled expression shot over her shoulder.
"Aren't we supposed to get to know each other better?" Shikamaru finished, one eyebrow threatening to disappear into his hairline.
Naruko was busy trying to stop herself from laughing out loud. Anko would surely kill the male for that.
Shikamaru looked around, lost. He didn't know what was so funny... The timid girl next to him wasn't much help either. All she didwas poke her fingertips against one another uselessly.
"Oh..." Anko's excitement was ebbing away swiftly and she definitely seemed somewhat deflated now."Well, I suppose you're right."
An uncomfortable silence followed, and by this time, Naruko was snorting audibly. Even Hinata couldn't suppress a smile.
Sighing, Shikamaru cradled his forehead with his palm. "Seeing you're our sensei, shouldn't you go first?"
"Well, I suppose you're right." She rubbed her chin and put on a thoughtful pout, apparently mulling over what she might say. After a short pause, her smile returned ten-fold. Naruko knew that smile. It was one of Anko's most deadly.
Anko sat on the railing of the roof, leaning over with her elbows on her knees.
The trio of youngsters took this as a sign to sit down as well, every single one of them turning their attention to their new teacher- even Shikamaru. (albeit somewhat ruefully...)
Taking this as a cue to start, Anko began. "My name is Mitarashi Anko, I like lots of things..." They expected a list of normal, parental things. "Like¼ dango!" Two of the three Genin face-faulted. "...And I love playing pranks." Someone stared at her rather incredulously here, one of the trio suppressed a snort... "I hate snotty little brats who eat my dango..."
"Hey!"
"...and lots of other stuff." They looked at her, expectant. "My dream..." The woman's eyes darkened slightly. That look Naruko had never seen before. She suddenly wanted to know everything she didn't know about her sister. Anko apparently recovered and scratched the back of her head, just underneath her messy ponytail. "...I won't bore you with that!"
'So she's a cruel woman who stuffs herself with dango...?' Shikamaru wondered, and would have been pitying himself if he even considered it worth the effort. Although, that point seemed awfully close now.
Forget watching clouds while lying comfortably on some grassy hill. If things were going to continue much longer, he might have to content himself by balling up into a foetal position and sucking his thumb in some dark corner of the village...
"Okay, you, pineapple-head..." The rather rude nickname shook him out of his gloomy thoughts as his appointed teacher stared at him, motioning for him to start. "...you go next."
Expelling a gargantuan sigh, he ignored the remark about his hairstyle. It wasn't a fashion statement. He just never took the time to brush it out. If his father could look cool and unaffected by the world while wearing such a ponytail, so could he.
Shikamaru resigned himself to at least make the slightest bit of effort. "My name is Nara Shikamaru... I like... stuff." Naruko raised her eyebrow. He caught on and explained. "...It's too damn troublesome to hate things!" He grunted in exasperation and tilted his head back slightly, staring at the sky. "My hobbies... Shougi or Go I guess... And my dream is¼ to retire, have a good wife who serves me drinks, and maybe have a couple of kids... or something..."
Well, at least he did put an effort into it, as insignificant as it may be...
Anko narrowed her eyes at the black-haired boy. 'From the Nara clan, that means he's a lazy twit, a shadow-user and, knowing what his father has told me about him, probably hates women¼ Perfect!'
When the slight glare made way for what could be described as a very devious smile, Shikamaru twitched slightly. "What?"
"Oh, nothing." She replied, pointing at Hinata next. "Okay, you're up."
"Uhm¼ My name is H-hyuga Hinata. I l-like being friends w-with Naruko-chan..." Eyes cast downwards, she blushed furiously as if she had something that might have upset someone. The girl in question though, gave her a playful shove and grinned broadly. "I a-also like to study medicine a-and I like to cook... I d-don't think there's anything I d-dislike..." She paused for a moment as if to steel herself for her upcoming words. "My dream is to become a strong Kunoichi, and to make my father proud of me..." The last few words were almost spoken in a whisper, but with remarkable clarity.
Nodding to herself, Anko thought about the timid girl's words but then smiled warmly at her. 'Obviously she has great potential...There's just something standing in the way...'
"Me next! Me, me, me, me!"
Anko didn't even have to look to know who had spoken those words. "Yes, yes. You're next, Naruko-chan..."
"Alright!" A fist raised in front of her, Naruko began her... rant. "My name is Mitarashi Naruko! I love ramen! And I love hanging out with Hinata-chan, she's cool!"
Next to her, Hinata shrunk into her coat, wishing the ground would gobble her up and make her disappear. Naruko was her best friend, but sometimes she could really embarrass her.
Not taking notice, the blonde girl continued energetically. "I hate cheapskates who don't buy enough ramen for me, and I hate people who underestimate me!" Now it was Shikamaru's turn to raise an eyebrow but he kept his thoughts unnoticed. "...My hobbies are training and playing pranks, hehehe." She grinned broadly, which was mirrored by her sister perfectly. "My dream... Is to become Hokage and protect the ones I love!"
"Heh, good!" Anko clapped her hands together and rubbed them excitedly before jumping onto the railing. "Now that we're all acquainted, it's time for some fun!" The three barely had time to process her words before she shouted another gleeful proclamation. "Follow me!"
Not waiting for an answer, she back-flipped over the five-story high roof, into the milling crowd below.
Shikamaru looked...well, the word could be 'Mortified' but his look of helplessness was priceless...
Shrugging, Naruko placed a hand on the railing and vaulted over it, following her sister.
Hinata let a slow smile grace her features and followed suite.
Releasing another gargantuan sigh, Shikamaru took the stairs...
With some difficulty, they managed to follow their instructor- weaving this way and that through the crowds of Konoha's populace. It wasn't until they were already half-way, that Naruko knew where they were going.
It was the place she and her sister had sparred many a times before. They called it their playground, but other people generally referred to it as training field five. Surrounded by a thick lining of trees, the field was somewhat secluded. But only just secluded enough so that a pair of sparring partners could practice without interruptions.
A completely relaxed Anko greeted the three Genin as they finally arrived. She leaned against a tree and tossed the half-finished stick of dango she was eating on the way there into oblivion.
She assessed them for a moment. They were nervous, that much was clear at least. Shikamaru lagged behind. Hinata was almost out of breath. Naruko looked... Normal.
Anko approached them slowly. "Okay, now that we're here, I want to see what you guys are made of." Instantly, Naruko's features brightened. "...So, a little spar is in order." Anko grinned evilly and produced a pair of kunai, making it appear as if they materialised into her hands out of thin air when in fact, she had speedily snagged them out of her coat pocket."Shikamaru-kun, you're first. Don't hold back now..." The boy looked at her as though she were mad. "I won't…"
Shikamaru eyed the twirling kunai nervously. "She... She's not serious, is she?"
Shaking her head, the blonde girl gave him a mournful look. "She is..."
Hinata just stammered, her fingers poking against one another as usual. "M-maybe you s-should run, Shikamaru-kun..."
At that moment, the boy couldn't help but agree with Hinata's suggestion...
Nearly three hours later, the phrases; beaten, battered and thoroughly exhausted, perfectly summed up the state of the three Genin as they each went their separate ways to their homes. Hinata had sore muscles she didn't even knew existed, Naruko was nursing multiple bruises and shallow cuts, and Shikamaru sported a broken finger.
Their new teacher had informed them to be in front of the academy at seven am sharp the next day. She didn't tell them why, and not even the incessant whining from Naruko had worked.
The girl didn't know why, but it really felt as if she had had to bear the brunt of the -well, she guessed it could classify as brutal- punishment that Anko had inflicted upon them.
It was certainly more exhausting than her usual sparring with the older woman anyway.
But for some reason, she was glad. Naruko didn't want any special favours. Besides, she didn't care too much if it meant getting stronger faster.
As the girl walked home with Anko, somewhat hampered by the massive bruise on her left thigh that flared with pain every time she took a step forwards, she reflected on the day so far.
She doubted if her team could have turned out any better. Hinata, her best friend, and that lazy guy Shikamaru. As long as he didn't annoy her, she was sure they would be able to get on just fine. He was nice enough. But entirely too lazy. Maybe she would have preferred if it had been Shino instead though. Sure the guy was really quiet, and he seemed to have a sort of obsession with what most people would consider 'creepy crawly things', but he seemed alright.
Naruko was really curious about what Shikamaru could do though. He had gotten beaten to a pulp almost immediately, showing only an average talent for Taijutsu, but it seemed like he was holding back somehow. He never used a Ninjutsu, where even Hinata had threatened to use a Kaiten (Naruko remembered the Kaiten. And even if her friend hadn't really mastered it, she remembered it painfully. She had made the mistake of upsetting Hinata's father once.)
Well, she would have to think about it later, for her sister suddenly stopped when they reached one of the many crossroads in Konohagakure.
"What's wrong?" She asked, squinting her eyes due to the glaring sun.
"Listen, Naruko-chan." Anko beckoned her younger sister closer. "I can't go home with you today, I've got another meeting."
The blonde looked crestfallen for a moment, but hid it quickly underneath an understanding smile. "It's okay."
"Thanks, squirt." The dark-haired Jounin leaned downwards and pressed her lips to the girl's forehead lightly. "I'll be home soon though, don't eat dinner without me."
"I won't." A genuine smile framed Naruko's face now as she watched Anko disappear in a blur of movement. 'She won't notice a few dango missing, will she?'
The next morning started normally enough. Normal of course being somewhat relative as far as the Mitarashi household was concerned. A few pieces of furniture were upturned and the glass protecting one of the many pictures that lined the walls had cracked when the frame holding it dropped on the floor. But, at least no-one was hurt...
Anko had left an hour earlier than Naruko, saying she needed to swing by the Academy and pick up some files with information on her new students. That left the girl with a bit of free time before she would head out herself.
Needless to say, she was completely bored out of her mind.
It took an age before the big clock in the living room finally informed her that there were ten minutes left before she would be expected in front of the academy along with Shikamaru and Hinata. And after giving her gear a final quick check, she bolted out of the house and ran as fast as she could towards the academy.
When she arrived, breathless, and still with five minutes to spare, she had managed to knock over at least three carts, make the old mister from the porcelain shop drop a crate full of expensive china with a loud crash, and bump into a cranky lady carrying a box filled with eggs which sent them sailing into the air to rain down on a multitude of people.
Yep, all was normal in Naruko's world.
"Hey."
Naruko nearly jumped out of her skin.
"What the hell do you think you're doing!" She screeched, clutching her chest with her right hand.
"Saying hello." The disinterested tone made it clear that no other explanation would be forthcoming.
Unlike Naruko, Shikamaru had strolled leisurely towards the meeting point. Trying his very best not to put too much effort into it. It had been bad enough with his mother dragging him out of bed and kicking him out almost an hour early after all.
"Hey." The girl grumbled, still slightly miffed about the fact that the boy had managed to sneak up on her like that, even though it hadn't really been his fault.
The remaining minutes passed in silence, broken only by the happy chirping of several birds in nearby trees. When it was seven o'clock, a loud crack and a cloud of smoke heralded the arrival of Anko, broad grin included.
"Gooooodmorning!" She greeted her two students energetically. "You guys ready?"
Shikamaru nodded, albeit nearly imperceptibly. He unconsciously bent his broken-now-healed finger.
Naruko swung her head from side to side, clearly unsure. "Where's Hinata-chan?"
This was indeed a rare occurrence. Normally, it was Hinata who was very punctual. As far as Naruko knew, the Hyuuga had never been tardy for classes or anything else for that matter.
"Ah, here she comes." Anko uttered suddenly, her gaze fixed on a slouched figure getting ever closer.
"Hey!" Naruko yelled, waving a hand wildly above her head.
"I-I'm sorry f-for being late, Mitarashi-sensei..." The girl mumbled once she was close enough to be heard.
"No big deal, you were only a minute late anyway." Anko waved the girl's apology away, and at the same time cringed at the honorific use of her last name. "Call me by my first name, okay? I'm not that old yet..."
"Yes you are." Naruko's grin nearly split her face in two and immediately found herself on the receiving end of a fist on the top of her head.
"Alright, listen up you miserable excuses for ninja!" Anko shouted, all amusement gone from her face as she towered ominously over the three figures in front of her. "Here's the deal!"
Naruko perked up only a little. Living for six years with Mitarashi Anko made her somewhat immune to the woman's intimidation tactics. Shikamaru likewise didn't pay too much attention, for he was sure that the law stated that Jounin instructors were not allowed to truly harm their students.
Pretty sure anyway.
Though the more time he spent with Anko, the more he was becoming increasingly aware that the woman had no real qualms about bending and or breaking some rules. In his case, that could be considered somewhat life-threatening…
Hinata seemed to be the only one visibly affected by the Jounin's words. She was one hair's-breadth away from cowering like a frightened rabbit, and it took all of her willpower not to bolt right there and then.
Consequences be damned.
The three had been taken to a remote location. Somewhere where they had never before. It was certainly a desolate place by the looks it. It was at the edge of the great forest surrounding their village, but the ground they stood upon was dry, cracked and an uninviting beige. Several boulders –their sizes varying as much from the size of a small house to the size of a fist- littered the clearing they found themselves in.
Anko's voice changed tone from rather imperious and overbearing to gleeful and severely sadistic. "I'm going to hunt you down, every single one of you..." She licked her lips, very nearly shivering in delight. "I've set the timer for noon..." Here she waved her hand lazily towards a small wooden clock that was set upon a large log next to her, placed there for some odd reason. "You can avoid me any way you wish. The ones whom I don't manage to capture... pass..."
The Genin stared at her. Their minds all thinking along the lines of; 'Is she for real?'.
"What do you mean?" Naruko demanded angrily.
"It's quite easy really." The older woman shrugged. "If I catch you, I'll tie you to this..." She patted the log affectionately. "...and I'll kick your butt back to the academy for another year."
She waited for a few seconds to let the gravity of her words sink in, and then, right on cue...
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!"
With eyes widened, jaw nearly hitting the ground, Naruko pointed at Anko.
"But... B-but..." The Jounin shifted her attention to a stammering Hinata. "W-we passed the g-graduation exam, d-didn't we?"
"Yup." Anko tucked a few strands of hair behind the back of her ear and smiled sweetly. "But we can't flood our ranks with crappy Shinobi. Only three teams will make it. So that's a fail rate of sixty-six point seven percent."
"Pfft." Shikamaru scoffed, seemingly unaffected by the news. "I knew it couldn't have been that easy." He fidgeted from foot to foot, hands busying themselves with a jutsu in his pockets.
"Whaddayamean easy!" Naruko roared, making the boy wince and temporarily stop his waggling fingers."There wasn't anything easy about it, you asshole!" A flare of red flashed behind her iris...
'Hmm...' Anko wondered, scratching her nose with her thumb. She didn't catch the red. 'Maybe it wasn't a good idea to tell her. She only curses like that when she's really upset...'
"And you!" Naruko focussed on her sister once more, trembling with rage. "What's the goddamned idea!"
Hinata reached out, trying to calm her friend, but the girl shrugged her off. A sense of dread hung in the air. The red was back, tainting the blonde's normally brilliant-blue eyes.
"Oi, calm down now." Anko said in what she hoped was a pacifying manner, waving her hands in front of her.She still hadn't noticed the eye-colour change.
"The trouble... I went through..." The girl was babbling incoherently, lost in the throes of her anger. A minuscule outline of scarlet tainted her aura, but only those bodily close would have noticed.
"I'm not going to go back!"
It was suddenly very hot and compressive in the clearing...
Gasping, Hinata saw the blonde extract two kunai. She would've said stop, but felt compelled to draw out her own kunai. Naruko immediately leapt forwards towards her new sensei, a killing rage intently focussing on one Mitarashi Anko.
Looking back, it had only taken a split second. The blur of clothing and speed. The fraction of a second it took for Anko to disarm her and hook her leg around her neck in an arced kick and bring her to the ground. Naruko suddenly wanted to be stronger, suddenly wanted to rise up and destroy her sibling...
But immediately, the anger faded and Naruko was only squirming on the ground with her face lodged in the dirt. Hinata gasped again as her mind took in all that had happened. Shikamaru merely half-finished his jutsu preparation, leaving the jutsu a hand symbol away from completion.
A deceptively calm Anko was seated on Naruko' back, pinning the girl's arms behind her head with one iron-sealed grip.
"Naruko-chan..." She sounded disappointed. "You haven't failed yet, have you?"
The girl coughed, refusing to look at her sister as she lay on the ground.
"And besides..." Anko ignored her other two shocked students and released Naruko, leaving her to crawl upright slowly. "...I didn't said we could start yet, did I?"
Once the young girl stood between her team-mates –her cheeks aflame despite herself, she continued. "You'll get a twenty minute head start." She started counting down in her mind. "I suggest you make the most of it. I won't go easy on you guys and neither should you go easy on me."
Naruko glared at her, hating the fact that she had been embarrassed in front of her best friend, but the dark-haired woman took it in stride.
"Ready?" She asked. "No?" She questioned after Hinata brought her hand to her trembling lip. "Too bad, the twenty minutes start... Now."
At that signal, Naruko grabbed a hold of the timid girl's large coat. "Let's go."
Nodding, Hinata turned around and vanished along with her friend.
When the two had disappeared, Anko's eyebrow twitched dangerously. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" She demanded venomously.
"I give up..." Shikamaru sighed and stuck his hands in his front pockets, not wanting to put any effort into today's test. "There's no use for me to try and run, I'll just do it again next year."
Anko's eye brow twitched dangerously. "Wrong!" She roared, grabbing the boy by the base of his neck and flinging him across the clearing towards the tree line.
That was not a part of the plan. Anko was supposed to say; "Okay", and turn around. Then he would unleash his family's very own shadow jutsu and bind her.
Damnit
"Run, ya little twerp! Or I'm going to beat the crap out of you!"
Shikamaru needed no further encouragement and slunk into the shadows of the trees...
A/N:
First of all: Loads of thanks to Thrice Crossed Fool, who's been terribly gracious to beta this chapter for me. You people be dears and go read his stories, they're awesome!
Yeah¼ So here is the new chapter. A bit shorter than the previous two as you might have noticed. I received some comments that shorter chapters might be more easily digestible. And it would cut back on the time it takes for me to update. This chapter being a testimony of that. I already had it done about two weeks ago.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. And I especially hope I've been able to give you guys a few laughs as well.
I've gone on a different route as far as the test goes. But hopefully, it'll be just as entertaining –and hopefully more- than the bell-test in the original manga. Oh, and if any of you were wondering? Yes, Konohamaru pops up in the next chapter.
If I can fit him in somewhere that is...
Oh well, that's it for me. On to the review response!
Thrice Crossed Fool: Yes, well I'm glad you found it genius, now you go beta that one as well! Mwhahahahahaha! Thanks for beta-ing man, I really appreciate it.
FenrisLupus Yeah, yeah, it's shorter now. Happy? Thanks for the kind words, as always.
Chedving Thanks for the review! I'll try and catch ya on ICQ more often, but I've been away way too many times lately. Update soon!
Dragon Man 180: All your questions have been answered methinks. Thanks for the review!
Yondaime-samaKazaraYume You have, huh:P
Cobra-100: Hehehe, looking underneath the underneath are we? But hey, there are way more than twenty Shounen-ai stories for every Shoujo-ai though… It's a shame really. Maybe you should write something too, hmmm?
EfrainMan Yes, there will be a big mission before the Chuunin exam. I don't have it clearly outline yet though, but I'm getting there.
shina-lim Don't worry, I'm just really slow with updating. I am not discontinuing anything. ;)
Dapster Laughter is a beautiful thing, I'm glad I was able to provide it. Thanks for the review!
Tombadgerlock Who said Anko didn't give Naruko any special training, hmm:P
ToushinisKing Anko rules!
Dan Inverse, TimeReaper, Kitsune-Itai, Dyroness, Skuld's Sentaro3, Misarashi Tsukamaru, thank you all so much for your reviews, they make my day!
I hope I'll get another batch of reviews, I love reading them. Please let me know what you think of the chapter. Any suggestions and comments are always appreciated!
Preview for the next chapter:
Morino Ibiki was less than pleased. He considered himself a nice guy, he really did, but when they asked him to interrogate a weakling like the traitor Mizuki, he tended to get a little upset.
He had barely applied the thumbscrews and branding irons before the snivelling little twerp broke down into tears and spilled everything, begging for mercy.
Dang it, he had really wanted to test out that knew knife set that Anko had bought for him for his last birthday…
Regardless, the information his impromptu confession had yielded, was very… interesting…