Hana stretched out comfortably between Naruto and Sasuke. They were both petting her, with her about the size of a large wolf. She rather liked being that size, and after the battle they went to Tazuna's house and got cleaned up. She got bathed by all three of the genin so they could finish faster.
Kakashi had been carried to the house by Hana, but she hadn't been tired. She was, after all, a chakra monster. She had unlimited chakra and that kept her energy levels high.
Naruto was petting down the length of her fluffy fur while Sasuke scratched between her ears. It was calming to be around her when she was calm, and it even reached Sasuke.
Sakura was watching over Kakashi in the corner, not wanting to watch Sasuke fawn over some girl, even though it was an animal. She was about to pull of his mask when he woke up.
Sakura jumped back with a start and blushed a bit. She smiled sweetly and laced her voice with concern. "How are you, sensei?"
He let out a groan and reached a hand to his head. "I always forget how drained I am when I use the sharingan like that…."
Sasuke looked over at him sharply before Hana nosed his hand, wondering why he stopped. He calmed down instantly but asked his question with cool anger. "You mentioned that twice, and used it before. Are you an Uchiha?"
Naruto tilted his head and closed his eyes at that. He poked a finger at his chin and looked thoughtful. "Why would he be an Uchiha, Sasuke? Didn't Itach-"
"Shut up, baka!" Sakura hit Naruto over the head, effectively shutting him up. Sasuke didn't look like he was paying attention to the blond haired dobe, though.
Kakashi sat up with some difficulty. "Well, ah, you see…" he sighed. "It's a long story. But no, I'm not. I'm sorry, Sasuke."
Sasuke was sort of disappointed but didn't show it. He continued his scratching of Hana's head, much to her delight. She even rolled over so that Naruto could rub her belly. She was a sucker for a belly rub. Even as a ninja-demon-thing.
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Dinner came and went. No disruptions until the very end.
"Why do you even try?" he asked. Naruto blinked and asked what he meant. Inari glared at him after hearing his response. "Hero's are a lie! They aren't real! You'll never be a hero!" he had his head down because he had tears going down his face.
Naruto stood up and pointed his chopsticks at the crying boy. "Oi! Shut up, you snot-nosed brat! I'm gonna be the Hokage someday, and you're going to regret those words!"
Inari ran from the room and Tazuna sighed. (He proceeds to tell them the same story about the kid's 'dad.")
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Morning rose early, and Kakashi brought them to a secluded area in the forest. He had crutches and Hana had healed him a bit, but he was still tired. He proceeded to teach them something new.
"We are going to learn tree-climbing!" he let his eye close as he smiled. He didn't see the three scowls on three faces. Hana just looked bored.
"Kaka-sensei, how is that going to help us?" Sakura asked.
"Well, let me show you. Here." He walked over to a thick tree and stepped onto it with one foot, then the other. He made it fairly far up the trunk, then turned upsidedown on a limb.
"Use your chakra to stick to the tree. You have to learn control, and this is a good way to do it. I suggest you use these to mark your places." He threw three kunai down at the kids.
"Oh, and take running starts, since you can't walk up just yet. You'd need perfect focus for that."
Kakashi was suddenly on the ground again, watching as Sasuke picked up his kunai, tensed, then ran at a tree. He made one foot onto the bark before it broke inwards, smashing through because of his chakra force. He lept back and stared at it. Too much chakra makes the bark cave in, and too little and you don't stick to the tree. He realized. He watched as Naruto slammed into the tree, falling down in the process.
He gave a small grin as he started up the tree again, making it a bit farther before having to jump backwards, repelling himself with a kick. Suddenly a kunai flew down and hit the ground with a heavy thud. Kakashi, Sasuke, and Naruto all looked up to see Sakura in a tree, pretty high up. She was sticking out her tongue with a smile and holding onto the tree trunk to stay on balance.
Kakashi let out a short laugh. "Ma, Sakura, you have excellent focus and control. You can watch Tazuna today for being so good with this. Keep going, Sasuke and Naruto. Naruto, you're looking behind."
Sakura left with their sensei and Sasuke and Naruto kept up their rivalry. They made it higher and higher, not making much visible progress. But Sasuke was quickly learning that the tree stayed the same, so once you had a perfect idea of the control, you just had to keep it steady. He made it farther up, and he applied that each time he made a new notch.
Naruto, on the other hand, was trying to figure out what was going on. He had to copy Sasuke, because he didn't know what else to do. He frowned at the other boy's progress and worked at it harder, determined to not be a failure.
Hana watched this all with interest. She already knew how to do such a low-level skill, and could have helped them easily.
But nah, they didn't ask.
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NOTE
Sorry this chapter sucks. I was tired and didn't feel like writing much. (as you can see in the middle with Inari and that story. Dx SORRY YOU CAN LOOK IT UP IF YOU DON'T KNOW IT ;;;
Sorry that the fight scene beforehand sucked too, I needed to show how strong Hana is but I think I messed it up. I think I'm going to go back and edit that later. I need Zabuza attacking more than like. Twice. .;;
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I'll try to do better on the next chapter. ^^;;