Difference
HUGE AUTHOR'S NOTE
Well, here's the deal. I've decided to post the rest of the chapters that I was working on for some time. I was going to finish the story and then post the first chapter but I was way to anxious to see how it would do. I found out that my character is a Mary-Sueish girl. Thus, I have decided to edit and make adjustments. So basically I'm going to take down the story in a week or so. This is your LAST chance to read the original. So after a week, you'll be able to read the hopefully IMPROVED version of Difference. The storyline will change a bit and character traits may change as well. I really can't go into detail. The title will also stay the same. So I have to say, thank-you to all that helped me along this journey. I hope that I shall give readers more enjoyment than this story. Well, thank-you so much!
HUGE AUTHOR'S NOTE
"Hey, Sierra, wake up," a confident but small voice replied.
Sierra opened her eyes, trying to adjust to the light shining down upon her.
"Are you okay? You fell asleep near the dock," Orikawa explained, while sitting beside her using a backwards chair and placing his arms at the top of the chair.
"I'm sorry for making you search for me," Sierra said and frowned.
"I suppose this place has too many memories for us, doesn't it?" Orikawa asked and smiled.
Sierra nodded and replied, "Yesterday, the Hokage was speaking to me, wasn't he?"
"The Fourth is very wise, and you should consider his words," Orikawa replied.
"It's just—what happened to my clan. I never wanted them to be…killed. I never even suspected that day either. It's just that I miss everyone so," Sierra said and looked at her toes.
"When I lost my friends during missions, I didn't know what to do. I felt like I lost my dreams, my goals, just everything fell apart. However, I found that I still had great friends back home too. Although they'll never replace the one's you love, they do make you keep on living. I find that my old family and friends wouldn't enjoy seeing me today unhappy and doing nothing just for the sake of them, wouldn't you agree?" Orikawa advised and smiled with utmost sincerity.
For the first time in years, Sierra gave a semi-smile.
"Today, we will be working on how to concentrate chakra," Orikawa instructed.
"What good is that going to do us? It's not like it'll help us be better at making techniques." Derno asked while sitting on the soft grass.
"He does have a point there, sensei. If you can make the techniques, what good is it if you can mold chakra already?" Sierra asked as a student.
"Toro, I believe you have a good understanding of this. Why don't you try and explain?" Orikawa commanded.
"Basically, if you know how to maintain your chakra level better, it may help you allow you to use less stamina. This will be greatly beneficial during wars or long battles," Toro explained.
"Correct," Orikawa complimented and went on with the lesson, "Today, I want you to concentrate chakra on your hands. To see if your chakra level is at a level that is not too strong or not too weak, you must climb the cliff using only your hands. I will demonstrate."
With ease, Orikawa began climbing the fifteen foot cliff using only his hands. Within a minute, he reached the top with ease.
"If you use too much chakra, you will be unable to move and run out of chakra very easily. However, using too little chakra will allow you to fall to the ground. I believe that is enough said," Orikawa ascertained and ushered his subordinates to start.
"I'm slipping!" Derno remarked, sliding back down to the ground.
With similar results, Sierra began falling as well, panting from the force she mustered to climb only a third of the length.
"You two have to find a median between too little and too much chakra," Orikawa instructed, watching his subordinates like an eagle.
"I did it!" Toro yelled from the top.
A sweatdrop appeared from Derno's head, "How—How'd you do that on the first try?"
"Dunno, just felt natural to do something like that," Toro answered.
'Not surprising, seeing as how he's a genjutsu type,' Orikawa thought.
"This sucks…" Sierra mumbled and began trying to climb the cliff again, gaining a few inches this time.
"I'll give both of you these to show you your progress or downfall," Orikawa spoke, handing them two kunais, "I'll treat you Toro for dinner since you're the first to make it to the top. You two will continue the task until you make it to the top. I don't care how long it takes either."
"Orikawa, do you think it's okay to leave those two?" Toro asked, concerned, "I mean, they might as well walk off just because of frustration."
"What you're saying is true, however I place my complete trust in both of them," Orikawa explained, "Those two, although different in many ways, they hate to lose. You should know that best, actually. They won't quit based on their own beliefs."
Toro looked back at the darkened sky and an idea popped up in his head, "Orikawa, do you anything about Derno? I should ask him, but he's always hiding a lot."
"I know a bit about him actually," Orikawa agreed and closed his eyes, "You're right that he should tell you this, but since he's your teammate, it's best for you to know anyways. The Nodin clan is pretty much uses taijutsu as its major fighting style. I'm quite sure that his father taught him everything he knows concerning taijutsu. However, several years ago, a beast arrived in Konoha called the Nine-Tailed Fox—such a powerful beast as well. If I'm not mistaken, several of Derno's family members were killed then including his father. His father left powerful scrolls instructing him on techniques. So, I'm not surprised if Derno has gone to the limit to accomplish many of what those scrolls inform. Derno has experienced little love and can't show it very well. That's why he wants attention so often by speaking so loudly. Underneath the hard exterior lies a person that I hope can become your friend and teammate."
Toro sighed and frowned, "I never thought he went through so much. I suppose he didn't realize that the boy we met at Ichiraku Ramen was the vessel of the Nine-Tailed Fox either, did he?"
"I suppose not," Orikawa replied and asked, "How did you know that you met Naruto as well?"
"It's not that hard to figure out, actually. I heard of him from my parents. They didn't actually tell me, but I usually can hear them talk at night about that 'fateful night.'" Toro explained and looked downwards.
Orikawa searched Toro's eyes and knew what he was thinking, "As for Sierra, I realize you want to know more about her, don't you? Her past is pretty complicated as well, and she never would talk about it to you I suppose. The Uchiha clan was an undisputed elite inhabitant. Their famous technique was the Sharingan as Sierra demonstrated during the mission. Unfortunately, there was an Uchiha who for some reason killed the entire clan. So there are three survivors up to now."
"Three survivors?" Toro questioned.
"The one who killed the entire clan—Itachi, Sierra, and Itachi's brother—Uchiha Sasuke," Orikawa replied.
"Uchiha Sasuke, eh?" Toro retorted and then replied, "Where is Sasuke?"
"Ironically, he's here in Konoha," Orikawa answered simply.
"Does Sierra know he's here or even, well, alive?" Toro asked, apparently intrigued upon the topic.
"Obviously not, otherwise she would have visited him more often," Orikawa replied.
"She does travel outside the village's borders a lot though," Toro replied.
"Well, there have been no reports that she came back to Konoha ever since Itachi's murderous attempts," Orikawa stated, assuring Toro, "Well, I have to go visit a friend that I haven't seen in years. I'll see you later, and tell me when Sierra and Derno are back."
"Sure thing," Toro replied, and then asked out of curiosity, "Who are you going to meet?"
"Aren't you curious today? Well, if you must know," Orikawa sighed and replied, "Hatake Kakashi."
