Hi guys! XDD me again. Sorry XD anyways here we have chapter two of this (set pre-series, for now). Crap tastic, I know DX Anyways XDD since we don;t know much about Kirigakure, ...ok, so a fair bit, but I keep hearing different versions of everything XDD Zabuza's rank as a ninja for example. when Kakashi said "A boy that wasn't even a ninja," I had assumed Academy student, based on the way he talked about the exam XD Zabuza, I mean, not Kakashi. Anyways ( I do a huge amount of Speculations in all of my fics, so XD I guess this is pretty AU) I had thought this was how it worked, but I'm probaly wrong XD
Kirigakure has always seemed like a pretty crazy place XD so you never know XD
anyways! XD I apologize for the AUness, and hope you can enjoy it anyways, despite my tremendous lack of writing ability XD
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto
They huddled together, under the high stone ceiling, chilled and afraid. The Kirigakure academy had been dug out of a cliff side, far from the village, it's twisting tunnels blocking the wind and rain that came off the ocean, but the cold still crept in.
A hushed murmur passed between the frightened children. Most of their stories were the same, orphaned or abandoned, picked up on the road somewhere, bare feet and tattered clothes only adding to their sickly, neglected appearance.
The few from shinobi families were calmer, and strayed from the group, having a clearer idea of what was happening. Adults in chunin and jackets paced the corridor distractedly, paying little attention to the new academy students, who numbered exactly one hundred and fifty, and their ages ranged from six to eight, or so.
Soon, the ninja milling about became more constant, and they passed by quickly, muttering to themselves, and more and more stayed. Soon, the talking amongst them stopped, as more footsteps echoed through the tunnel, and a man stepped into view. He stared at the children from behind the wide brimmed had he wore. The children now became silent. Even they recognized Mizukage Sama.
"Hm." He stopped, looking over the group silently for a moment before a visible smirk pulled at his mouth."You're a pathetic looking bunch, aren't you?" The was no answer, and he chuckled again. "Not to worry. We'll soon remedy that..." The Mizukage cleared his throat, before standing up a bit straighter, and began pacing a small circuit in front of the assembled children. His voice, and eyes were singularly amused. "Welcome to the mist's Academy, I suppose. Shinobi, as you all now aspire to become, are invaluable to the village. Do you know why?" When there was no reply, he folded his hands behind his back, and continued.
"Ninja are many things to our village. But above all else, shinobi are the villages main assets. Out strongest weapons. The village's strength is determined by the ninja's strength. Do you understand? Having no alliances with other great shinobi nations, Mizugakure has to use this strength for protection."
He stopped, intrigue in his eyes as a small boy with messy red hair raised his hand. "Sir?" He asked quietly. "Why doesn't our village have any, umm... alliances?"
His smile twitched momentarily, and his voice became harder, when he spoke next. The children in the front could notice his hand clenched. "Because," Came his reply, through gritted teeth. "The other nations do not... approve of our way of doing things. This, dear boy, is because they are feeble minded fools. They coddle, and shield their trainees, sheltering them from the reality in which their kind, ninja of any nation, live. They breed weaklings, to put it simply."
"They call our methods barbaric, and primitive, but they work. And in the end, that, students, is what matters. We have the courage to do what it takes to train real ninjas. Take pride in that."
He stopped, and looked at them gravely. "Please remember what I say next, if nothing else. Take it to heart. It's not about you anymore. As shinobi, you're responsible for this village's future. You are out strength. Do not let us down. Train your hardest. Not for yourselves. Out of duty. That is your only purpose as ninja. Understand?"
Slowly, the bewildered academy students realised that they were expected to nod, and did so hesitantly.
"Excellent!"their Mizukage said, smile returning. "Now, before we go any further, allow me to explain the rules you will have to follow. There are only two." They exchanged a small, hushed murmur of confusion amongst each other, surprised that would be all. Their Kage chuckled, holding up one finger. "Rule number one. You do what we tell you, when we tell you, because we told you too. If someone higher ranking than yourself, which is anybody from genin to myself gives you an order, or request? You do it. Insubordination will not be tolerated in the slightest, and will be punished severely." Silence returned to the class.
"Rule number two. You are not expected to understand this one. Simply to obey it. You will be partnered up, now. These names have been picked at random, and yes, this means that you might get partnered up with a girl, boys, or visa versa. Deal with it. I'll tell you this now. Contrary to popular belief, there are no such thing as cooties."
"They will be your training partner, as well as other responsibilities. If you are sick- sick enough to miss training, a cold is no excuse- or if you're injured, it is your partner's job to tell us, and ensure that you get treated by our medic nin. If you get lost, guess who's obligation it is to find you? Your teachers will have other things to worry about."
"Basically? You're eachother's problem. Not ours. If they're falling behind? You'd better get them up to speed. You'll see what happens if you don't."
"Now. Here's the part that it is imperative for you all to understand. Your partner, and yourself are your only worries. The other pairs are none of your concern. You are completely forbidden from interacting with them in any way. No talking, no asking for advice, or training ideas, and no interfering with their training. If they need assistance, that's their partner's problem. If they both need help? Well... they'd better work it out themselves. Understood?"
The silence lasted, until a jonin pulled out a long slip of paper, and pointed in front of himself. "Pair number one," The children held their breath, as two boy's names were read. The red head who had spoken earlier, and another blond little boy, scurried to the spot to which he pointed, then to the back of the room, as he said something to them in a low voice. Name after name was read, and the next eleven pairs were made in a similar fashion.
"Team thirteen." He said mechanically. "Ume Kotone..." A little girl near the back squeaked, and scrambled to where he pointed, unkempt inky blue pigtails bobbing as she ran. Kotone's eyes were closed in anticipation, as she prayed that the next name would belong to a girl, like herself, despite the confirmation that cooties did not, in fact, exist. "...and Momochi Zabuza."
She made a face. A boy's name.
Drat.
Again, I apologize for the stupidity that is my writing. n.n;;; A big hug to anyone who's actually reading this XD Please review! and Have a nice day :3