Jutsu – bold & italic

Thoughts - italic

Chapter 3: Training Begins

It's now been one week since Jiraiya and Naruto stumbled across the foul mouthed, red haired kunoichi. They didn't know much about her. In fact, they knew almost nothing at all. Apart from her previously being a part of Orochimaru's sound four, her having red hair and an almost revolting foul mouth. Her life and history was a blur to them.

Naruto was perfectly fine with this; he wasn't going to try to push her out of her comfort zone, forcing her to tell them things they really didn't need to know anytime soon. He was sure she would tell him when the time was right.

Although he couldn't help but be curious, as since the second night of which they found the red haired kunoichi. She seemed to have awful nightmares about her past. Tossing and turning in her sleep, mumbling things like "Mom… Dad… Please. Please don't leave me!" and waking up sweating furiously.

Not only that, the one thing that surprised not only Jiraiya and Naruto, but Tayuya the most. Was during the night, she would unconsciously roll towards Naruto's bed, as the two were within close proximity of each other. And latch on to the nearest thing she could reach. This resulted in some very, very awkward mornings between the two.

~oOoOoOo~

The bright morning sun was a beautiful sight. It's intense light, beaming across the gorgeous short wavy grass of which the three shinobi were currently sleeping on. The birds were singing, and there was barely a cloud in a sky. This was the definition of a perfect morning, everything was mellow and peaceful. Until…

"What the fuck?! Not again!" shouted Tayuya waking the toad sage and the blonde genin. "Tayuya-chan, I-". "Don't you fucking 'Tayuya-chan' me!" she interrupted swinging wildly at the boy. This was yet another morning, of which the two had woken up in yet another, very awkward and unconscious tender embrace.

The toad sage and the boy tried many a time to explain to the furious red head, that she was the one that unconsciously in her sleep moved towards Naruto. However, she refused to believe such accusations.

"Look, I didn't do anything I swear! This is my bed after all! You think I dragged you over here while you were asleep?!" he shouted whilst defending himself from the red heads outburst. "How the fuck should I know what you try to do to me while I'm sleeping you creep!" Naruto noticing a slimy sticky substance on his left shoulder; he looks at it closely before realizing what it was.

Tayuya had realized what it was just as he did, and she begun to blush, turning as red as her hair. It was her drool. She was so embarrassed, wanting nothing more than to change the subject of sleeping. Got right up, walked over to her bed, and started getting ready for the day.

Jiraiya just looked in their direction, and just couldn't help but smile. As much as it seemed like the two hated each other, or that Tayuya hated Naruto. This was however, not how it was. He could see it in their eyes, they were friends. They just had a very odd way of showing it. Probably something to do with her upbringing. She mustn't be very used to having someone to care for, let alone having someone care for her. She wasn't sure what a 'friend' really was.

"Well, that wasn't what I was expecting as a wakeup call. But it'll have to do!" smiled the toad sage whilst he begun preparing a quick breakfast for the three. "Hey ero-sennin, so what are we doing today? Are you gonna teach us some really super cool new jutsu?!"

"Hm, not quite, but seeing as Tayuya's legs are basically completely healed, and she can move around just fine on her own. I say we get started on your training." Slowly but surely throughout the week they spent in the very first town they had visited. Tayuya was slowly regaining her strength in both her legs. Although she would never admit it, a lot of it was thanks to Naruto.

~oOoOoOo~

He would notice her trying to stand and walk on her own, only to fall back down to the ground. Thinking no one was around; she would curse and get upset, thinking she was never going to be able to walk again. Wow… She's really trying hard to be able to walk again… I feel kind of bad for her. Watching her struggle like that hurts, I better go help. Without a second thought, he approached the girl. She fell to the ground, whimpering with no sign of making another attempt to stand.

Naruto grabbed her by her hips, and lifted her to her feet. "W-what the fuck are you doing?!" shouted Tayuya in shock, blushing so hard you'd think her head was going to explode. "I'm helping you walk. Here, now try to take a few steps.""I… I-" Saying nothing else she simply nodded and allowed him to help her.

She was able to take about six or seven steps, before her legs buckled and she fell, only to be caught by the boy. "You're doing great! Just a few more steps!"he said smiling his trademark foxy grin.

She was now taking several steps; this was just the confidence boost she needed. What, what is he doing? Why is he helping me, is he just trying to get close to me? No… That's not it, he's not like that. He genuinely wants to help me… she thought to herself.

Tayuya truly wanted to say thank you, but she just couldn't find the words. Naruto noticing this confliction in her facial expression makes the first move. "Don't worry about it Tayuya. Think of it this way, the faster you can walk, the less time I have to spend carrying you around." He said shooting the girl a smile. "Anyways, I think that's enough for today, we can try again tomorrow."He said placing her down on the bed and leaving the room.

"T-thank you…"she mumbled under her breath as he left the room.

~oOoOoOo~

"Yes! We finally get to start training!" shouted Naruto jumping up and down. "What about Tayuya-chan?" he said quickly regretting his choice of words. "What the fuck did I tell you about calling me 'Tayuya-chan'!" shouted the red head in rage. "I-I'm sorry Tayuya! I don't mean to! It just slipped out! I promise!" replied the boy defending himself, quivering in fear of getting her foot up his rear end.

"Hmpth. Better be." Mumbled Tayuya whilst staring the blonde dead in the eyes. Jiraiya couldn't help but laugh at the two's bickering. It was hysterical. "What are you laughing at?!" yelled the both of them, eyes on the man with the intent to kill.

After settling his laughter, he replied "Oh nothing, nothing… Anyways! Tayuya will be training with you and I of course!"

"What, why do I need to train with the both of you?!" replied the girl. "It's true that you were once a part of Orochimaru's elite unit. But that does not make you the perfect shinobi, nowhere near. I'm one hundred percent sure there is going to be a lot for you to improve in." Jiraiya stated

"And from what I'm currently aware of, your main weapon of attack, is that flute of yours. Naruto has relayed to me what he was informed of from that Nara boy, that you can use your flute to project sound based genjutsu, and that you are even able to summon three creatures, and control them with the melody of the flute. If this is true, then that means you're primarily a long-ranged genjutsu style shinobi. Meaning that you will most definitely need training in both taijutsu, and ninjutsu." Explained Jiraiya.

"Yeah… I suppose you're right…" replied the red head.

"Good. Well, I'm already aware of what Naruto can do, but to really be able to see what you can do, and what he will do to counteract your fighting style. You two are going to have to spar with one another whilst I observe." Said the toad sage smiling.

"Now that I'm done with all of the explaining, let's pack up here, and head a little north away from the trees to train." Said Jiraiya gesturing them to get a move on as he moved over to pack away his own stuff.

~oOoOoOo~

"You're going down shithead. Don't start thinking I'm gonna go easy on you." said Tayuya taunting Naruto with her over confident tone of voice.

"Pf. Like I need you to go easy on me anyway! I'm going to win this for sure! Believe it!" replied Naruto in his usual cocky manner.

"Yeah yeah, save it for the fight you two." said Jiraiya rubbing his temples, symbolizing a head ache forming. Man, it's been barely two weeks and these guys are already giving me a head ache… can't imagine the next three years… thought the toad sage.

"Alright, being your first spar. I would usually make it strictly a taijutsu fight. But considering I need to learn Tayuya's abilities. This will be a battle of all three styles. Taijutsu, Ninjutsu and Genjutsu. You can start when you're ready." Explained Jiraiya as he walked backwards giving the two enough room for their fight.

"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" shouted Naruto as he and now ten of his clones, rushed at Tayuya from all angles boxing her in. "Ha! You're mine now!" yelled Naruto as he raced towards the red head, kunai in hand.

Great, nothing better than more Naruto's… She sighed. Hm, that's actually quite a lot of clones. I didn't think this shithead would be able to master a jutsu like this… he's still nothing for me. Thought Tayuya shrugging and picking up her flute; she placed the cold metal against her lips, positioning her fingers. "Demon Flute: Mud of the Underworld!" she shouted before playing a simple, high pitched tune, immediately dispersing all shadow clones after trapping them in a genjutsu that prevents them from moving where they stand. But for some reason, the genjutsu didn't affect the original?

Tayuya shrugged it off. Hm, maybe he was able to escape it somehow… I'll have to try a high levelled genjutsu this time. She thought to herself as she jumped back placing the flute to her lips yet again, then yelling "Demonic Illusion: Chains of Fantasia!"

This once again, had no effect. "What the fuck! My genjutsu has no effect on you? Are you fucking death?" yelled the kunoichi in frustration.

"You're done for!" he yelled as he throw a round house kick at her, of which she only just managed to block in time, knocking her back, but ignoring most of the force behind the kick. She quickly took cover behind a tree.

From the looks of it so far, the only jutsu he really knows, is those damn shadow clones. He's a classic close ranged fighter… she was immediately snapped out of her thoughts as she heard him scream "Rasengan!"Shortly afterwards, the tree she was taking cover behind, was obliterated. She was only just able to avoid being hit by the ball of chakra.

What the fuck was that jutsu? If that shit fucking hit me, who knows how much damage that would have caused. She thought to herself.

"Fine, I'm done playing around shithead. I'm going to end this now!" "Summoning Jutsu!" yelled Tayuya. A puff of smoke appeared, not long after, it evaporated revealing three demonic ogre like creatures.

The first monster was shirtless, bald and had a long goat like beared. Veins were protruding from the top of his head; he had bandages covering his eyes and his mouth was stitched shut. For weapons, he had two long, sharp almost bone like objects strapped to each arm.

The second monster was completely covered in black clothing, with hair covering the entirety of his face. For a weapon, he had a large studded club.

The third monster, he was mysterious. He wore long brown pants, and from the waist up, he was completely bandaged, all the way to his head. His arms and all were confined. How would this one attack? Shoulder barge? None the less, these three monsters were truly something from a nightmare.

"Wh-what are those!?" shouted Naruto trembling with fear. All three of them have their eyes covered and their mouths stitched shut. How are they even going to know what to attack?

"Oh these guys? They're just some friends of mine." Replied Tayuya evilly. "Now then, let me play you a melody of death!" she shouted before once again placing her flute to her lips and playing another melody. The sound of this melody, it had a strong feel of suspense. Of not knowing what was going to happen next. Almost as if you were about to die…

So they're the summons she can control with her melody… They're doki. And it appears that her genjutsu won't affect Naruto. Perhaps having the kyuubi's chakra within him is enough to cause a disturbance in his chakra network; therefore avoiding the genjutsu. Interesting... He's completely immune to genjutsu. Or at least genjutsu projected by sound. Jiraiya thought to himself, rubbing the bottom of his chin.

As soon as she begun to play, the beasts charged straight at Naruto.

He was able to quickly evade them, as it seemed the monsters were indeed quite large, and had brute strength. However they lacked in speed.

Noticing this, Naruto used it to his advantage. He moved in the way of one of the monsters, to shield himself from the view of Tayuya. Whilst hidden, he took that opportunity to create a few shadow clones. "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he yelled before quickly hiding away out of site using the smoke created from the jutsu to help hide himself.

Really? Fucking shadow clones again? She thought to herself before quickly dispersing the shadow clones yet again with another genjutsu. "Demonic Illusion: Tsunami Frenzy!" This genjutsu was not a pleasant one. What the victim saw, was a sudden splash of water erupt from the ground, surrounding them all too quickly. But that was not the bad part, the bad part was these waters were infested with sharks, of which fed off your bones as you floated there helpless in the water. Boy was Naruto lucky he wasn't affected by genjutsu…

Won't he get that those shadow clones won't work on me? No matter the amount, I can finish the fuckers in a second. Her thoughts were quickly interrupted as she was swept off her feet, and a kunai was placed to her throat.

"What! How?!" She screamed, unable to accept that she'd been beaten. "I guess you were too distracted to notice me sneaking up behind you." Smiled Naruto extending his hand to help her up.

"You just got fucking lucky…" She said slapping his hand away and getting up on her own.

"Well, well, well… Wasn't that an exciting fight to watch!" said Jiraiya. Clapping, smiling and walking in their direction. "It seems you know some pretty nasty genjutsu Tayuya. I wouldn't want to get stuck in one of those." He shivers.

"Yeah, but it didn't fucking affect him! What the fuck is up with that?!" she roared staring intently at the two, wanting an answer.

"You see, Naruto has a special ability, think of it as a kekkei genkai." Explained Jiraiya. "Either way, that fight showed me that both of you need to step up your game when it comes to taijutsu. Tayuya, you in particular." She scowled at him for that comment.

Naruto begun to giggle at Tayuya being told she needed to improve. "What's so funny? You're taijutsu needs a lot of work too. Your stance was completely off, and you almost knocked yourself over rather than Tayuya with your first roundhouse kick." Jiraiya explained walking over to get there things. "And you both definitely need a larger variety of ninjutsu. But anyway, that's enough for today. I've got an errand to go run; you two should talk to each other about your little battle. Discuss what could have been done better etc. I won't be too long; I'll be back by dinner."

~oOoOoOo~

It was beginning to get dark; all the animals were all scurrying off to take shelter for the night. Tayuya was lying by a tree practicing her flute as she had been for hours. And Naruto was just down the hill, practicing his taijutsu and on a tree.

After Jiraiya had run off to do some errands, Tayuya didn't particular want to talk about a battle she had lost. She was embarrassed to have lost to Naruto. Eugh, I can't believe I lost to him… But I mean, I guess I have to admit. He's definitely a better fighter then he looks.

"Hey Tayuya-cha-" Naruto paused before he could finish his sentence. Tayuya staring him down, ready to burst with anger. "I… I'm sorry… But, why don't you like it when I call you that?" He asked hoping for an answer giving her his best puppy dog eyes he could. His big blue eyes staring into her soul.

Eugh, why does he have to look at me with those eyes… she thought to herself. "It's just… No one really calls me 'Tayuya-chan'. The last people I remember calling me that…" she bit her lip, holding back her tears. "Were my parents."

Naruto noticing from the expression on her face, that she clearly wasn't going to tell him anymore than that. So he merely nodded, happy that she had at least told him that.

"Well, I was wondering… If you w-wanted to watch the sunset with me? Since I j-just finished my training at all." He said stuttering and twirling his thumbs. Nervous to ask the question.

"Sure. Why not shithead-kun." They both smiled and they sat down to watch the sunset. As much as they hated to admit it; they enjoyed each other's company.