It had been days since I had been assigned to Kenji-sensei's squad, and so far, all that we had done is a lot of basic training and D rank missions. If we weren't picking weeds out of someone's garden or finding someone's lost possessions, we were practicing our jutsu. Transformation, substitution, clone, you name it. It was to the point, that we were already getting into formation with our hand signs on days we didn't have missions before Kenji-sensei would have the chance to tell us.
"Good." he would say. "Perfecting your skills will help you become better shinobi." Well, after a week of just the basics over and over again, Daisuke finally said what we were all thinking.
"Sensei, we've all already graduated the academy." He said. "We all had pretty decent grades. Heck, 'Toshi was actually almost as good as Sasuke! And Haru and I weren't too bad either! So why is it that we are just doing the same things we did since our academy days? If I want to be part of the ANBU, I need more than this!" Our sensei kept his gaze level with Daisuke's and stayed silent. You could see the dark haired boy begin to uncomfortably under Kenji-sensei's unnerving stare. He stayed like that for a few seconds longer before turning on his heel and started to walk away from us.
"Uh...Kenji-sensei?" Satoshi said in a questioning tone, but our sensei didn't falter in his step. A tree was just a short way away, and it looked like he was about to walk right into it. "Sensei, there's a tree right there..." Still, nothing detered Kenji-sensei from his path, and the tree was growing nearer. I flinched a little as soon as our sensei got close to the tree, but instead of colliding with it, he continued walking right up the trunk. He didn't travel far up it, just enough to make a point. He then turned around and stood rooted to the spot and looked over at the three of us.
"This," He said. "is why I am having you redo the basics. I am determining who has the best chakra control. As it turns out, Satoshi does indeed have the best chakra control. He nearly had the top scores for this, but he is still pretty damn good." Kenji-sensei then began walking down. "Now, Daisuke, you do have fairly good chakra control, but you still need work. Same goes for you, Haruko. You both are nearly tied." Sensei made it to to ground again and started to advance towards us again. "If I absolutely had to choose who was better between the two of you, it'd be Haruko, but only just." Sensei came to a stop in front of us. "By training you all in the basics, it's helping you to refine your control. Have you noticed that performing jutsu has gotten easier? That it doesn't take as much effort as it used to? That's all thanks to having been able to refine your chakra control. Now, we will do a couple more days of basics, and after that, I will teach you how to control your chakra an focusing it on certain areas of your body. It will help you do things like create more intense punches, enhance the senses and much more. For now, though, we will practice climbing trees to start."
"But sensei," I said. "wouldn't it make more sense to give us a challenge?" Our sensei let his gaze drift towards me, and I felt heat rise to my cheeks. I swallowed before continuing on. "You said so yourself, Satoshi has the best chakra control of us all, and Daisuke and I aren't far behind."
"Yes, that is what I said."
"Then why?" I raised my voice a little. "If you already know our skills, then must be able to see that just doing basic drills aren't much of a challenge for us anymore. Shouldn't we get the chance to do something that demands more from us?" Kenji-sensei silently stared at me for a moment as he contemplated my words. It felt strange to just sit quietly under his gaze, but I held my ground and stared right back at him.
"Alright then" he said. "I will make a deal with you." Daisuke made a loud whooping sound of excitement, but Kenji-sensei continued on. "You will all start the next step in your chakra control by learning how to climb up a tree the next time we meet." We all let out sounds of delight.
Finally, I thought. something new.
"However, for the rest of the night, we will continue to review the basics."
It had been quite an interesting rest of our training. After Kenji-sensei told us that for the rest of the day we were to continue with our basic training, Daisuke let out a loud fit of protest.
"Oh, c'mon!" He whined. "I thought we were past that! I wanna start our new training!"
"Cut it out Daisuke." scolded Satoshi. He sounded slightly exasperated at his friend's antics. "Sensei said we would start climbing the tree next time. Just knock it off already."
It had went on for another hour before Kenji-sensei got fed up and sent us on our way. We traveled back into the village and began our search for food.
"Ya know," Satoshi started. "we probably wouldn't have gotten sent home early if you would have just practiced the jutsu like a good boy and waited until next time for the new stuff." Daisuke huffed.
"Whatever, 'Toshi. I know that you're both just as anxious as I am to start new training and be able to become full fledged ninja."
"Yeah, but I doubt that we're going to get that far by pestering our sensei and questioning his methods." I said. Daisuke scoffed again. He came up beside me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
"I get what you're saying Haru," he began. "but you can't tell me you don't wanna learn new jutsu! C'mon Haru, just think of how exciting it would be! Hey, one day we might even be able to create our own jutsu! Lord Fourth had a jutsu all his own that made him into The Leaf's Yellow Flash. Wouldn't it be so cool to make a name like that for ourselves?"
"Well, sure it would be, but I'm still trying to figure out what I want for my future." Satoshi and Daisuke gave me a questioning look. "Well, I mean...you both have a dream. You guys have a goal you are aspiring to reach. Satoshi, you want to become a medical nin, right?"
"Yes, of course I do."
"Right. And Daisuke, you want to be among the ANBU ranks, right?" Daisuke simple nodded. "I don't have those goals. I am still trying to figure that out for myself. I guess in a way, I'm jealous of you both for that."
"Oh?" I hear Daisuke's sly voice near my ear. The smirk he was wearing was evident in his tone. "So you're jealous of us? That's just a short hop away from saying you admire us Haru" He enunciated my name carefully and elongated the 'u' in it. I looked over at him and almost immediately wanted to look away. His face was contorted into the most ridiculous smirk. His eyebrows were raised, and his eyes were narrowed slightly at me. He looked almost wolfish.
"Oh, shut up!" I snipped while brushing him off. "You're such a pain in the butt." I could Daisuke's light laughter as I swatted again at him.
"Haruko?" Satoshi has placed his hand upon my shoulder. "Haruko, do you really mean that?" I stopped to look at my teammate.
"Yeah, kinda."
Satoshi smiled at me. "Don't worry about it. You had said that you would like to be the best kunoichi that you can be. I think that is an admirable aspiration."
The rest of the way through the village, we talked lightly and laughed and joked with each other. I was easily becoming closer with my teammates and enjoying myself. I could tell that Daisuke would be the type to constantly keep me on my toes, and Satoshi would be the type to be a good support system. Both would make fierce friends. We found our way to Ichiraku's Ramen and decided to stop for food. I made myself comfortable with Satoshi and Daisuke both to my left. Aside from two older guys, we were the only ones there. The scents of different broth and meats filled my nose and made my stomach grumble.
"What can I get you three?" said the old man behind the counter, and we all placed our orders. It wasn't long before we had steaming bowls of noodles in front of us to devour. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until the first bite passed my lips. Our conversations and light banter continued on through dinner. Laughter could be heard even after our bowls were empty. A few hours had passed since we had first arrived, and the men who were at the other side of the counter were getting up to leave.
"I guess it's that time." Daisuke suddenly announced as he stretched his arms above his head. "I'm going to head home. I'll see you both later."
"Yes, I should be going as well." Satoshi said and he and his friend both stood to leave. "Haruko, you should probably get home as well. I'm sure you're probably tired."
"Okay, that actually does sound like a good idea. I'll see you next time!"
We all went our separate ways, and that left me alone to my thoughts as I walked back to my house. The cool night air made me shiver slightly, and I rubbed my arms. My skin broke out in goosebumps, and I quickened my pace. Out of boredom, I stared down at my feet and counted my steps. It wasn't like I had anyone to talk to, so it was the only thing I could think of to pass the time. I should have been watching where I was going, but that thought came to me too late as I had already collided with a body.
"Hey, watch it!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bump into you!"
"Oh, Haruko, it's you." It was Kiba. "What are you up to?"
"I was just walking home. How come you're out so late?"
"Akamaru and I were out perfecting some of our jutsu. We have a few tricks up our sleeve being a team." He jabbed his thumb up towards the top of his head, and from under the hood of his jacket, the face of a dog wiggled out into the night air.
"He's really cute."
"Heh, he may be cute, but he's definitely more than just a little pup." A loud grumble erupted from Kiba's stomach, and a light blush played across his cheeks. "Guess I must be hungry. What about you Akamaru?" The dog yipped in agreement, and Kiba rest his gaze on me. "What about you? If you're just finishing up your training, then I bet you must be starving."
"Actually, I already ate. My team and I stopped at Ichiraku's on the way back from being with our sensei."
"Oh, well I guess I'll just see you around then. C'mon Akamaru, let's go get something to eat!" Akamaru jumped out from Kiba's jacket and his paws lightly hit the ground. The small dog turned to face its master and yipped at him before taking off in the direction that Haruko originally came from. The Inuzuka boy soon took off after him. "Later, Haruko!" I didn't say anything, but stood there stupidly waving. Kiba wasn't even looking in my direction. He wasn't going to see me wave. I stood and watched as Kiba an Akamaru went further and further into the village until I couldn't see him anymore. After feeling like a fool for still standing there, I chastised myself and turned back to head home.
I'm such an idiot. I thought.