Recently, Katsu's problem with Jun has been increasing. He came to her not asking for math homework though. Instead, he came to her already agitated. It was worse now that the teacher had assigned them partners for a science project.
"Hey, at least write your name on the paper." Katsu raised a brow to her silent partner. "So at least you can get credit for work you didn't do."
Though working with him wasn't the worst. He had barely said a word throughout it. However, Katsu considered this wasn't the worst outcome.
"You know my name, write it yourself." Jun huffed and turned away from her. Katsu frowned. She wasn't bothered much by his attitude. However, Katsu realized she didn't know Jun's full name.
This realization hit her like a rock. Her body froze as her brain began to work. "J-jun-" The words of his name rolled off her mouth strangely. She never had to call out to him before. "I-"
Her words seemed to irritate the already fuming boy as he turned his head around. "Spit it out will you? Or are you just stupid."
Katsu glared at the boy, clenching her hands. Swallowing her pride, she took a deep breath. "I… I don't know your full name…"
This seemed to catch Jun off guard. He stared, gaping like a fish. Katsu's face burned bright red as her defences quickly rose. "Nevermind, i'll just write you your given name-"
"My name's Tanji Jun."
This time it was Katsu's turn to gape.
—
Itachi was different from the other kids. He knew for a very long time. He had risen in levels in the academy before he even finished his first year. Even clan kids normally didn't do this.
He still aced all his classes, being the son of the uchiha clan head. And by all his classes, even the general ones. Itachi didn't have the natural feel for math and science like with his chakra and combat. However, he was labeled a prodigy for a reason. And so he breezed through many of his classes.
He finished his tests before the majority of the class did. Except for one girl. To him, she seemed like every average student of the academy. He certainly passed by her in hallways and she was a face that blended in the crowd during classes.
But when he had his first math test in his new class, he sure didn't expect her hand to place down a test before him. His shock soon faded and quickly exited the conversation, returning to his seat.
Quickly, he identified the girl as top of her classes. Imagine his surprise when he came into ninja lessons, expecting no less. It was easy to beat her in a spar. Almost guiltily so. In two hits, she fell to the floor, completely defenseless. Itachi immediately thought that he could've beaten her as a 4 year old.
He could see the shock in the girl's face as she sat up from the floor. He wanted to help her back up but the other students quickly got in the way.
"Woah! Itachi that was so awesome!"
"He beat her in barely a few seconds…"
"I bet Itachi is super strong!"
Itachi kept his eyes at the girl who glared at her feet. He can feel the hate radiating out of her. A part of Itachi grimaced. He didn't want to make enemies on his first day in his new class. It wasn't long till the teacher halted his thoughts. Taijutsu class wasn't over after all.
"Itachi-San, I'm very impressed with your performance today." His teacher told him. "Though at this point I shouldn't be so surprised, hm? You did skip classes after all."
Itachi nodded politely. He hadn't seen the girl at all during the rest of the class. He assumed she was sparring too or avoiding him.
"I'll assign you a higher leveled partner to match your skills." His teacher looked down on his checklist and scanned for names. "I'll pair you up with Hideki. So I can review your skill level a bit more maybe."
"Sensei, who was the first person I sparred with?" Itachi asked.
His teacher blinked in surprise. The question was quite off topic. "Ah, Katsu-Chan? She's another student here."
Itachi frowned slightly. At least he got her name.
—
Katsu smiled as she proudly placed her math test onto the teacher's empty desk. She was first this time. No close calls either. She officially affirmed her top spot in her math class.
Katsu knew she was being petty about a non-existent role. She walked back to her desk, glancing at Itachi. But math was something she was good at. And god forbid if anyone takes that away from her.
She sat down on her seat, relaxing backward. She smiled as she began doodling on her spare paper.
'Take that Uchiha-San!'
—
Katsu took shelter under the shade of a large tree. School recently ended and she had no desire to head home so soon. So instead of taking her usual route, she walked towards the parks and the training grounds. Many kids came here after school to cool down and play.
Katsu read her math book there, hoping to keep her number one place in her class. And like any other textbook, it was boring. Even if she was good at it. She re-read a few formulas and did a few questions here and there. As she finished a problem and was about to flip the page, a large shout caught her attention.
Peeking up from her book, she found that the children had huddled into a very large group. She can vaguely hear the words 'fight'.
Katsu supposed this wasn't entirely new. Academy kids often got into fights. Especially since sparring was introduced as a positive. And though adults try to discourage fighting, kids her age are always going to mess up. Katsu turned her attention back onto her book. It wasn't worth it getting pushed around in a crowd to see two little kids punch each other.
"You Uchiha think you're better than all of us!" A voice from the crowd shouted out and many of the kids fell silent. Katsu looked up, startled by the voice. "You're all spoiled brats who get through the academy easily because mommy and daddy have power!"
It was definitely him. Katsu stood up from her spot and slowly made her way to the crowd. The close she got, the more difficult it was to push through the crowd of people. As she finally came to a stop at the middle, she grimaced. She was right.
There stood Jun, his hands clenched in anger as he glared at the person across from him. Katsu could tell he was extremely upset. His brows were furrowed and he fidgeted often.
"I'll prove to you. I'll prove to you all that I'm not a nobody!" He hissed, glancing at all the people around him. "Fight me you Uchiha! Fight me and we'll finally see!"
Uchiha? Katsu glanced at the person standing across from Jun. She froze as she saw the familiar hair and clothes. Of course Jun would challenge Uchiha Itachi. Of course he would start a fight with one of the prodigies of their time. Katsu glanced back at Jun nervously.
"Tanji-San. Please move aside. I have to be somewhere." Itachi replied back, his voice emotional as a rock.
Katsu grimaced. Itachi clearly didn't read the room well enough since his words angered Jun even more.
"You're so argh!" Jun growled, "Fine Ill make you notice me!"
Before Jun could ever lunge forward towards the Uchiha, a hand caught his arm and yanked him back. The sudden intrusion caused him to suddenly stumble backwards and onto his ass.
Itachi watched silently as Katsu basically yanked the boy across from him to the floor. Her eyes met with his and it was quiet for a moment.
"Katsu-San." Itachi greeted with a slight nod
Katsu frowned. She still didn't understand how he knew her name. Instead of replying back to him, she turned around towards Jun. "Get back up we're getting out of here."
Jun stared in confusion before replying back. "What no! I was going to-"
Katsu grabbed his arm and pulled him up. Jun stumbled forward a bit before Katsu grabbed his arm tightly and dragged him away. The group of kids backed away from the two as they left.
"Hey! Let me go! What the heck Katsu!" Jun growled as he was dragged away into the town streets. Katsu remained silent as he yelled out to her. Many passing by people stared as the two children loudly made their way across town.
"Katsu let me go!" Jun shouted out.
Katsu knew she couldn't keep hold of him for much longer. Her arms were getting quite tired and so she let him go. They were now in an alley. She turned around to face Jun and he rubbed his wrist.
"What the hell was that for!" He yelled at her, his frustrations now being directed towards her. "You're so annoying!"
Katsu crossed her arms, unfazed by his yelling. "I would like a thank you." She stated simply, glaring at him.
Jun stopped for a moment then got angry again. "A thank you? A thank you?!" He huffed. "I could've totally beaten up that guy and you came in to embarrass me in front of everyone!"
"You were challenging Uchiha Itachi! You know, the prodigy!" She hissed back "if I didn't come to stop you, you'd be dead on the ground and nobody would ever forget that!"
Jun narrowed his eyes. "Are you telling me I'm weaker than that kid! Hes two years younger than both of us!" His hands clenched up. "And why would you care!?"
She glared up at Jun. "It's because I understand." She shoved a binder into his hands. "I'm not a fucking clan kid like the others. I know what it's like not to be appreciated or cared for."
Jun froze, eyes widening. He stared in shock before, pushing Katsu roughly back. "You don't know anything." He stood up straighter and took a step forward towards Katsu. She took a step back. "You're just a lowlife who doesn't even care enough about the academy! How could someone like you understand how much I work for my position in this school!"
Katsu grimaced as she was pushed towards the ground. As she looked up, she found Jun was tearing up. Frustration was still present in his eyes as he wore a frown.
"You know nothing!" He hissed, raising his fist to slam down on her. However before any contact could be made, a flood of light filled the alley.
"Oi brats! Keep it down will ya!"
Jun flinched back as a tall figure towered over the two children.
"Shoo kid! Leave!"
Katsu watched as Jun gave her one last glare before turning around and running. She sighed a breath of relief. She got up and dusted herself off.
"Hey, kid. You alright?"
AN/ We're finally getting right into things! I wonder what's up with Jun? And Itachi seems to know Katsu ;) I'm having fun with these chapters so they're coming out real quick. Enjoy it while it lasts lmao.
