I would like to personally thank those of you who replied. This really helps with my enthusiasm in writing this story. Again, I feel the need to tell all you readers to hang in there. The plot reveals itself more fully in these next few chapters and everything will be made clear. Especially the reasons for Kinko's personality, or "lack-of", as some of you might be thinking right now. I must inform you that I am not the best writer, nor do I own Naruto. If I did, well, life would be just fantastic would it not? Also, more canon (from the show) characters will be entering the story and I promise to stay as true to their original personalities as I can.
A Note: This story is not being written for the purpose of "pairing up" any of the characters. There will be a few hints of characters having feelings for each other, but I repeat, no full-blown romance will be included.
A Second Note: I don't swear. So, if that's what you're looking for you will be sadly disappointed. I am aware that some of the characters swear, but this will be replaced with something less coarse. Yes, this can be considered making them "OOC", but there is no promise that these characters will even be written into the story. And if I decide to put them in, well, I'm sorry for choosing not to use the language.
Please enjoy chapter five: And That's That
"Sakura-chan!"
The yell reverberated around the nearly empty clearing, though the caller ignored his noise level, as he normally did.
Both Sakura and Sasuke looked over at the blond ninja as he raced towards them. Neither seemed overjoyed by his arrival. In fact, they both took several steps back.
Moments later it was revealed why: Naruto was going at such a reckless pace that he was unable to properly stop himself. He ended up swinging his arms unfashionably to lose speed, and nearly feel flat on his face in the process. Instead, he staggered to a stop right where his teammates had been standing only moments before.
Not even waiting for his breath to return to a more normal rate, Naruto went into a rushed explanation to where he had been.
"Sorry I'm late, Granny-Tsunade wanted me to do something and I thought it was a mission, but it really wasn't… Anyways, I had to bring this girl to the academy. Boy was she weird, I mean, you wouldn't believe how weird she was. I wonder why that is… And she's a little old to be going to the academy… Wonder what that 'accident' was…"
The onslaught of his voice finally quieted and he looked up thoughtfully, musing on his final question.
Sakura and Sasuke stared at him, having hardly understood a word he said.
"Naruto, what are you talking about," Sakura asked in that scolding voice so commonly used by her.
"Yeah, slow down loser."
This second comment was obviously made by Sasuke, the most sullen of the group. He smiled haughtily at Naruto as the boy scowled in reply, face crunched up and eyes closed.
The kunoichi spoke again.
"Don't worry about being late though, Kakashi-Sensei cancelled the training session."
"What?"
"Yeah. Something came up and a bunch of the Jounin were needed for some reason."
"Weird…"
"Mhmm. And the only reason we're still here is that we had to tell you. So explain why you were late, and this time, say it so we can understand you."
Sasuke sighed irritably and moved his gaze away from his teammates. He was not all that interested in what Naruto had to say.
The spiky-haired ninja took a deep breath and retold the story, ignoring Sasuke completely.
Though as the tale progressed, Sasuke began to inch his eyes in their direction. And though he would never admit it, he was slightly intrigued.
"So this girl… Kinko? She had some sort of accident and has to go to the academy even though she's already a genin?" Sakura was speaking again.
"Yup," was Naruto's reply.
"Wow, I feel sorry for her. But you know, it's sort of strange."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, she's a genin right?"
"Yeah…?"
"So you'd think we'd have seen her around more, especially if she's around our age like you said. I mean, she can't have graduated too long from us."
Naruto nodded throughout this explanation, his eyes closed as usual.
"I see what you mean Sakura-chan."
Silence stretched between the group now.
"Hey, we can go ask her ourselves" Naruto exclaimed suddenly, brightening up considerably
"Oh no, Naruto. You just said she was at the academy. Classes have already started. Do you really want to interrupt Iruka-Sensei?"
"Oh, he won't mind, you worry too much Sakura-chan."
"I think she's right," Sasuke said, speaking up for the first time since Naruto's story began. His voice was deep and rather uncaring, though his black eyes gleamed under his bangs.
Naruto ignored his comment and continued to speak with Sakura.
"Come on, it will only take a couple of minutes and this is the only way we'll find out," he persisted, grinning widely.
The kunoichi glanced over at Sasuke, who had once again removed his gaze from them.
Sakura looked back over at Naruto, and suddenly her green eyes sparked with anger. "No way Naruto. Sasuke and I don't think it's a good idea, and that's that." She moved closer to the boy she had spoken of, though he ignored her movement.
"Fine," Naruto said, looking a bit disappointed, though recovering his happy mood soon after.
"Just don't come to me when you want to know!"
And with that he was gone, jumping into the nearest tree and leaping away; leaving his teammates in silence.