Chapter 8

Tenzen awoke from his slumber and looked out his window. It was a beautiful day, and he couldn't be happier. It had been four days since Minato-sensei left on his mission with Kushina and he had been hard at work training with Orochimaru-sama. But, today was his day off, and although he loved training with Minato-sensei and Orochimaru-sama, he was exhausted. Under normal circumstances Orochimaru-sama would never give him the day off, but thanks to a little push from Hokage-sama, Orochimaru-sama gave him the day to do as he pleased. He quickly scrambled out of bed and ran to his bathroom to freshen up. After a nice relaxing shower he made himself a quick breakfast of cereal and ran out the door.

He decided since he wasn't training today he'd get in a little exercise and run to his destination. While running through the streets of Konoha he was trying to figure out what he wanted to do today. But, nothing really came to mind. So he opted to just go to the park and see if anyone else was there.

After running for about five minutes he had arrived at his destination, and as he thought, the park was packed full of kids. Parents were also scattered throughout trying to keep an eye on their child while also talking to other parents doing the same thing. He was saddened briefly by the thought of parents looking out for him. But, quickly pushed those thoughts away, telling himself that he was not going to ruin this day with sadness.

From across the playground he saw his friends Rin and Kurunei, and although they were both in Kakashi's fan club, they were all right. At least, they kept their love for Kakashi as quite as they could. Unlike the other girls who swooned at him at all times, Asuma says that they do it because he acts like he could careless about them. But, that didn't make sense to Tenzen. Why would they like him if all he does is ignore them. Upon approaching the two "secret" Kakashi lovers, he noticed that they were talking to another girl. She had purple hair that was done up into a fan-like ponytail. Upon his approach said girl looked up at him causing the other two to turn around and see Tenzen coming.

"Hey Tenzen. I'm surprised you actually got to come out and play today." Rin said with a sweet smile.

"Hey Rin, who's cat eyes?" the girl with purple hair said. Tenzen was a little surprise when the girl spoke up, mostly because of how loud she was.

"I'm sorry. Anko this is Tenzen. Tenzen this is Anko, we met here a couple days ago. She's a lot of fun." Rin said with a smile still plastered to her face. Tenzen always liked Rin. She was really nice and never treated anybody poorly. She was even nice to Gai when he was being way too loud and obnoxious.

"He's a boy? Looks kinda girly and soft to me." Anko said very boldly. It was true that Tenzen was slightly feminine looking with soft yellow eyes and shoulder length white hair. Both Rin and Kurunei chuckled at the girl's bluntness, but Tenzen was anything but amused.

"I could say the opposite for you." Tenzen said his face void of emotion to show his seriousness. He figured he'd put on his "I couldn't care less about you" face that Kakashi often used.

"What was that pretty boy?" the brown-eyed girl said challenging the boys resolve with menial threats. Tenzen just kept up his illusion of indifference.

"Oh nothing." The white haired boy said turning his attention to his other two friends. "So have you guys seen Asuma or Genma?"

Both girls looked at each other than back to Tenzen and shook their heads no. Damn, he was hoping to find the two here. But, he supposed he could play with these three, even though the girl Anko was annoying.

"Oh well. What are you guys doing?" the Seishin said. He had never played with just the two girls alone. They were usually in a large group, but whatever they were doing was better than nothing.

"We were picking flowers." Kurenei said holding up and arrangement of what looked be weeds. Tenzen let out a long sigh of displeasure. He didn't want to pick flowers, girls did that.

"Heh, I would think a girly boy like you would enjoy flowers." Anko said still mocking the boy for his hair and eyes. Tenzen just gave her a dirty look, which she returned in kind.

"Maybe I should just find Orochimaru-sama and convince him to go train." Tenzen said losing all hope of a great day off. But, he failed to notice Anko's shock at the mention of the legendary sannin.

"You know Orochimaru-sensei?" the surprised girl asked. Tenzen's eyes immediately widen at her adding the sensei to the end of said snake man.

"Who's Orochimaru? Rin asked looking up at Tenzen. Kurenei looked like she wanted to ask the same question.

"Orochimaru-sama is one of the legendary sannin, like Jiraiya." Tenzen answered a little in shock that they didn't know of the man. He was a LEGENDARY sannin after all.

"How do you guys not know who he is?" Anko asked just as shocked as Tenzen that they didn't of him.

"I don't know. My mom doesn't want me learning to be a ninja. So, I don't know about all these people." Rin said lowering her head in embarrassment.

"What?! Why not, being a ninja is so cool. I can't wait to kick bad guy's ass. I'm going to be the strongest ninja in the whole village, that you can count on." Anko said with great enthusiasm. Maybe she should get to know Gai, they can be youthful spirits together and shout to the heavens, or whatever.

"I can't wait either. My dad said that he would start my training next week." Kurenei said excitedly, just maybe not as excited as Anko.

"But hey, you never answered my question. How do you know Orochimaru-sensei?" Anko asked turning her attention back to Tenzen.

"He's been training me since my sensei is away." The white haired boy said. "But, more importantly, why do you call him sensei?"

"Because he's my sensei, at least he will be. I haven't been able to convince him to train me yet." Anko said lowering her face in depression, and then shot her head back up to look into Tenzen's yellow eyes "How did you get him to train YOU?"

"I didn't convince him to train me. He asked to train me, if only until my sensei gets back." The Seishin said with a smug grin on his face. Anko just looked on in shock. Why did he want to train this guy? He doesn't look like anything special.

"Hmph. Don't look so smug I bet I can beat you down in no time flat." The purple haired girl stated. Perhaps this would be a good opportunity to test out how strong he'd become in just these two short weeks.

"Care to back up those words?" Tenzen said keeping the smug grin on his face. Anko just wore a devilish smile. She simply loved a good fight, and maybe if she beat this girly boy down Orochimaru would want to train her.

"Any time." She said licking her lips.

"Fine, but not here follow me." Tenzen said turning his back and walking away from the group of girls. No way was she going to beat him. All Orochimaru had been teaching him was taijutsu, at request from Minato. The day was certainly looking up for Tenzen.

"Come on guys, don't fight." Rin said trying to be peacekeeper. But, Anko quickly got up and followed suit behind Tenzen. "Guys!"

"Come on Rin, this could be interesting." Kurenei said standing up and following the two combatants to their fight.

"Oh not you too Kurenei." The brown hair girl said huffing and puffing as she too got up and followed. The least she could do is make sure the two of them didn't take it too far.

10 minutes later at training ground #6:

"Here we are, this should be just fine." Tenzen said as he came to a stop in the middle of a clearing. He was excited to test out what he was learning, but he also didn't really want to hurt the girl.

"Alright then. Ready to be pummeled girly boy." Anko said cracking her knuckles, then she fell into a fighting stance. Tenzen couldn't help but chuckle lightly on the inside, her stance was horrible, she looked like a street brawler.

"Very well." The white haired boy said falling into the fighting stance Oroshimaru had taught him. This should be over very quickly. In a tree at the side of the clearing two green eyes peered through the bushes at the two kids who were about to fight.

Tenzen and Anko were standing face to face with each other, both in their respective fighting stances. Suddenly, Anko started to run at the boy. Tenzen noticed the huge gap in her defense right way. As she came closer Tenzen readied himself, this was already over. Anko lunged forward ready to strike him with her fist, but Tenzen easily side stepped and countered with a quick palm strike to her stomach. He could every last drop of air leave her body as he pushed his body forward with his strike. Anko was sent skidding backwards, clutching her stomach in pain.

Anko weakly and slowly looked up to meet Tenzen's gaze. Her whole body felt numb from blow. How did he react so quickly? She had never been beaten in a fight, and in one motion this kid defeated her. She kept the boy's gaze for a while longer until he turned his attention to something behind him.

"Having fun Orochimaru-sama?" the yellow-eyed boy said with a small chuckle in his voice. He didn't know why the snake was here, but now he felt a little bad for beating the girl so badly. She seemed to really admire Orochimaru and he just unfortunately ruined her chances a little. Suddenly, before anyone could blink, the snake sannin was standing in front of Tenzen with his arms folded across his chest.

"Tenzen, you know that Minato would discourage you fighting." Orochimaru said his voice showing no emotion. Then a devilish smile crossed his face and he put a hand on the boys shoulder. "But, luckily Minato isn't here."

"Great." Anko said in a soft voice. "Now I'll never be a ninja." The girl slowly rose to her feet and began to walk away slowly.

"Come now child." Orochimaru said a devilish smile on his face. "This fight should not discourage you from being a ninja. The simple fact is Tenzen has had more practice."

Tenzen had never seen this side of Orochimaru. He was almost sympathetic and compassionate. Usually he would have said something like "you are a waste" or "you are pathetic", but for some reason with Anko he was somewhat kind. This kindness didn't escape Anko's notice either. Her head shot up, tears rimming her eyes. It was hard to tell if she was happy or sad. I don't think she knew either. But, she quickly wiped her eyes of tears and regained her resolve.

"I'll practice everyday until I can beat Tenzen, then become the strongest ninja ever." Anko said pumping her fist in the air. Orochimaru walked closer to the girl and put an arm on her shoulder.

"Then allow me to help you with your dream." The snake man said "Come here tomorrow at 6 a.m. and you will train with me and Tenzen."

Anko's face lit up. She finally got what she wanted. Orochimaru-sama was going to be her sensei, and now the title she gave him wont ring so hollow. Tenzen couldn't help but smile a bit. Sure the girl was annoying, and loud. But, he did feel bad after beating her so bad.

"See you tomorrow then Orochimaru-sensei." The purple haired girl said and then looked past the snake to look at Tenzen. "And see you too pretty boy."

Then Anko ran up to the other two girls and they all giggled then ran off to do whatever girls did. Play with dolls? Pick flowers? Plot how to castrate men? Who knew, but at least he was free of their girliness. Well, at least until tomorrow. His attention was soon drawn from his thoughts by Orochimaru turning his attention on the white haired boy.

"Pretty boy?" the sannin asked mocking the young Seishin.

"Why did you decide to train her?" Tenzen asked, ignoring the other question.

"Because she has fire and courage." The dark haired man said with a small smirk across his face.

"Or stupidity and ignorance." Tenzen said. Damn, he was sounding more and more like Orochimaru everyday. Maybe the Sandaime was right to give him a break from the snake sage. But he was soon removed from his thoughts by said sage's laughter.

"Come now Tenzen. You're not so different, challenging the fastest shinobi in history to a race." Orochimaru said with a mocking grin. Tenzen simply turned away and blushed slightly. The man wasn't wrong about that.

"But why her? She so annoying and loud." Tenzen said trying to change the subject back to Anko.
"And so are you. So you two should work well together." The snake said still mocking the young boy.

"Whatever, There is no way I'm that annoying." Tenzen said as he turned his back on the sannin and walking away. He had now decided to give up on the best day ever and just go to Ichiraku's and go home. But, when he arrived at Ichiraku's it was closed. Damnit. This was official the worst day ever.

End Chapter 8

So now Tenzen is stuck the Anko, at least until Minato gets back. Next time I'll spin you a tale of Minato and Kushina in Seishingakure. So y'all come back now, and review. I love being praised.