Chapter Two
"You got burned and fired on the same day? Hahaha fire.. get it? Fire?" Susumu chuckled. I gave him a blank expression.
"Naruto-kun said the same thing.. I don't get it." I replied.
"Don't be so mean to Setsuki!" Daisuke said in a huff.
"So, what's in store for today?" I asked, talking directly to Komaru-sensei who was still grinning after hearing the story behind my bandages. I pouted.
"It's not funny sensei, I don't have a way to earn money anymore." I whined.
"... What about your uncle? And the missions?" Susumu mentioned.
"LIAR!" We heard. We look over to where Naruto and his squad are. It seems Naruto and Sakura were yelling at Kakashi-sensei. It seems whatever Kakashi-sensei's excuse for being late is, they don't believe him. It was funny though.
I was up at 6am on the next day. I had two hours before I was due to be at the academy, and I must say, I was super excited.
I dressed into my ninja attire, then within a minute I was in the kitchen, only to be disappointed. Uncle Takashi was not up yet, so I didn't get to steal his toast. The sun was only just beginning to rise, to I create a clone to accompany me, because I hate it when the village is empty like this.
Once I got to the training grounds, my clone started up a conversation.
"Hey, you know those three vertical logs?" My clone asked.
"The what now?" I asked. She facepalmed.
"Why on earth am I smarter than you? I'm a clone, I should be dumber." She said. I blinked.
"Dumber?... What's that supposed to mean!" I inquired, feeling upset. She raised an eyebrow.
"You never get angry, what's with that?.. Hmm.. Alright, I'll make you angry." She said, stopping. I stop too and stared at her. "You're fat."
"No I'm not." I replied, rubbing my stomach. "See? It's flat."
"You're ugly." She said. I say nothing, just blink. ".. You're really stupid." I blinked again. "... You're.. you're weak! You're so weak you can't even win against uncle Takashi in a taijutsu spar!" She exclaimed. I sniffled.
"You're so mean." I whined. She facepalmed again.
"You were supposed to be angry." She groaned.
"Yosh! If I can't beat someone like Takashi who isn't even a ninja, I must become stronger!" I exclaimed. She raised an eyebrow. I perform a few handsigns.
"... What are you doing?" She asked.
"I am going to beat you!" I implied, pointing to her with fire in my eyes.
"I'm your clone, our strengths are matched." She mentioned.
"Tornado of Water!" I said, then spat out a few litres of water, using my chakra to form it into a small tornado, I only create a big one when in a real fight. Then I use it to capture my clone, but she just disappeared into a puddle of water, the tornado did the same thing a few seconds after because I stopped focusing. I blinked a few times, then shiver. "Great.. I'm all alone." I muttered, then looked around. I could swear I heard voices. Curiously, I walked around the trees searching for the people these voices belong to.
It wasn't too long before I found those three vertical logs my clone was talking about, but I stopped walking because I saw two Lees. One on the ground doing push ups, and the other standing beside him with his arms folded watching with a smile. For some reason the Lee standing up was wearing a Jonin jacket. I smile, I wasn't alone anymore!
I run over to them. "Lee!" I called. The one doing push ups looks up, and the one standing up looks at me curiously.
"Setsuki-san!" Cheered the Lee doing push ups.
"Who is this?" The Lee standing up asked. I noticed his voice was rather deep. Upon closer inspection, this Lee standing up wasn't Lee at all. He was some old man dressed up like Lee.. maybe Lee was his role model or something.
"Gai-sensei, this is Kuromizu Setsuki, I met her yesterday on my way to training." Lee explained.
"Ah." The other Lee said, then he faced me, extending an arm. I was hesitant. "Well, they call me Maito Gai! Nice to meet you." He said, then grinned, his teeth sparkled. It was fascinating how white his teeth are. I regrettably took his hand and shake it. His grip is firmer than what Lee's is, and with the blisters on my unwrapped hands... I winced a little, but show no signs of pain, not today.
As soon as he let go of my hand, it felt like heaven. I had to put them on something cold now, they felt like they were burning up again. "Yes! Nice to meet you Maito Gai!" I exclaimed, then look around for something cold.
"Hm? I something wrong?" Gai asked. I shake my head.
"Not at all!" I lied. I thought maybe if I keep a conversation up, maybe the pain will leave my mind.
"So what brings you out here this early Setsuki?" Gai asked.
"Well you see, the Chuunin Exams start today, so I wanted to get out here early and prepare." I explained. He smiled and gave me a thumbs up, his teeth sparkle again, it was so intriguing. I wish my teeth could sparkle like that.
"That sounds like a very youthful spirit to me! Whaddaya say Lee?" Gai asked. Lee lifts one of his hands in a thumbs up towards me, and kept doing push ups on one hand.
"Yes Gai-sensei! Very youthful!" He concured. I had a feeling we're all going to get along quite well, even though I've only known this guy for about 5 minutes.
"Say, Setsuki, why don't you train with us for a while?" Gai offered. I smile big.
"Really? I would love to!" I exclaimed, jumping up and down a little. Gai does his nice guy pose again, intriguing me more with those teeth.
"Lee! What are you up to?" Gai asked.
"I am at 987 sensei!" Lee answerd.
"Well hurry it up Lee!" Gai said.
"Yes Gai-sensei!" Lee said, then speeds up his push ups. I watch him, I wish I was that fit.. though I could probably do that if I really tried. "988, 989, 990, 991,992, 993, 994, 995, 996, 997, 998, 999.. 1,000!" Lee then jumps up to his feet, imitating Gai's nice guy pose. Even his teeth sparkle a little.
"Good job Lee!" Gai praised.
"I did it! I did it!" Lee cheered, running around in a small circle. For some reason, the weirdness of this duo seemed interesting to me, after all, they're not as boring as everyone else, the oddness is actually interesting! A smile came across my face.
"Lee." Gai said, trying to get his attention.
"I did it! I really did it!" Lee exclaimed. I could see Gai's patience running low.
"LEE!" He shouted.
"Yes!" Lee replied, finally facing his sensei, his hands clenched in fist of determination. Gai lets out a sigh of relief, unfolded his arms and pointed at me.
"Lee, Setsuki would like to train with us! So I hereby commence a spar!" Gai announced. I felt pumped already! I can't believe I get to spar against someone so cool!
"Yes Gai-sensei!" Lee said, then faced me. I face him. We bowed to each other. He got into a fighting stance, standing up straight, one arm behind his back and the other out in front of him. He gave a fully concentrated look towards me.
My fighting stance was just a mere stand there and look at my opponent.
"Now.. Begin!" Gai said. I'm always one to attack first, so I run at Lee. He didn't move an inch, his eyes stayed completely focused on me. For someone so full a glee a few seconds ago, it doesn't take him long to concentrate.
I jumped into the air, then go down for a drop kick. Lee did not move, so I knew I was going to hit him. I smirked, victory is mine. Then he suddenly disappears, an inch before my foot touched his head. I focus and land on my feet properly so I don't fall over, then the next thing I knew my wrist was being forced back, and so I almost fell backwards but I was caught half way. Lee still had hold of my wrist.
"Gai-sensei her hands are full of blisters, is that fair?" Lee asked. I blink a few times. He was holding me, staring at my hand. I didn't know how to feel, awkward or freaked out.. so I just acted like this was normal.
"What?" Gai asked, then walked over. Lee stood me back up on my feet while Gai looked at my hands. "How did this happen?" He asked, eager to know.
"It's not that bad. Just a minor burn, that's all." I said. Gai started to contemplate and I looked at Lee. "How did you know about it anyway?" I asked.
"Well, I noticed yesterday when we shook hands, you winced, so I thought you were in pain and well.. I do not like fighting injured opponents." Lee answered.
"Hm, I may have some ointment in here somewhere." Gai said, searching through the pockets on his Jonin jacket.
"Oh it's okay, it doesn't hurt or anything." I said. Lee shook his head and put a hand on my shoulder. I looked at him again.
"You need to be in top condition at all times, and with hands like that, it will not be easy fighting." Lee said.
"Here we are!" Gai said, pulling out a small container from one of his pockets. "A bit of this and your hands will be completely healed in no time!" Gai said.
"Wait, Gai-sensei is that your expensive one?" Lee inquired, looking at it.
"Why yes it is Lee." Gai answered.
"Expensive? You don't need to use up your expensive ointment Gai-san, I can go by the pharmacy on the way there." I mentioned.
"No, your hands will not heal in time. Believe me Setsuki, this ointment is the top brand, and your hands need it!" Gai exclaimed, unscrewing the lid.
"Setsuki-san! If Gai-sensei says it is fine, then it is fine!" Lee said, giving me a thumbs up.
"That's right!" Gai says, dipping two fingers in the ointment. I nodded and held my hands out, Gai put the ointment over my blisters, it stung a little, and so I winced, but as I told myself before. I will not show any signs of pain today. "Lee, I suggest you do not burn your hands." Gai said. I thought that was a random thing to say.
"Uhh, yes Gai-sensei!" Lee said. "... Why?"
"Well these blisters are almost as bad as yours." Gai said.
"Yours?" I asked, facing Lee. Lee looks at his bandaged hands.
"From training." Lee answered.
"You got blisters from training?" I asked, astounded. Lee lowered his hands down beside him and nodded.
"But that is only because you push yourself too hard Lee." Gai said. I had to break this tension floating around in the air.
"But that is because I want to prove myself as a shinobi!" Lee exclaimed. Now's my chance. Just as Gai was about to speak, I cut him off.
"I know you're gonna pass the Chuunin Exams Lee-san!" I exclaimed. Lee smiled and gave me a thumbs up, making Gai smile too (and yes his teeth sparkle yet again).
"Thank you Setsuki-san!" Lee said.
"And I strongly agree Lee! Just do not push yourself past your limits and you will be just fine!" Gai announced, giving his nice guy pose to Lee. Lee became teary and faced his sensei.
"Thank you Gai-sensei!" He said. Just then Gai became teary as well. I blinked a few times.
"Lee!"
"Gai-sensei!"
"Lee!" They gave each other a huge hug. I got teary, the sight of the bond between a student and his sensei was so full of happiness. Gai noticed this and smiled at me, tears still rolling down his face. "Setsuki, come here." He said, spreading one of his arms. I stepped over and hug Gai too. Lee put his arm around me as well, so I did the same. "Such a youthful group hug!"
"Yes it is Gai-sensei!" Lee agreed.
"Alright." Gai said, letting us go. We all stand up straight and wipe our faces dry. "Setsuki, I will have Lee bandage your hands, then you may continue the spar." I nodded. Lee saluted Gai.
"Yes Gai-sensei! … But where will I get bandages from?" Lee inquired, scratching his head.
"Lee! Don't do that!" Gai shouted, he grabbed Lee's wrist and pulled it away from his head. Lee had a clueless expression. "Don't mess up your hair." He said. Lee gets watery eyes then bows to Gai.
"I am so sorry Gai-sensei!" He whined. Gai scratched his chin for a moment.
"It's fine Lee.. now.. bandages.. hmm.." Gai said, thinking aloud. I raise my index finger.
"The pharmacy!" I suggested. Gai snapped his fingers.
"Yes! You are smart for thinking of that Setsuki! Lee, go to the pharmacy and buy some bandages!" Gai said. Lee stands up as straight as he could and saluted Gai.
"Yes Gai-sense-"
"Lee, here's some money." I said, holding out some money. Lee blinked a few times, then looked at his sensei for permission. Gai nodded.
"But, do not spend all of it!" Gai said. Lee takes the money from my hand and saluted Gai.. again.
"Yes sir!" Within a blink of the eye, he was gone.
"Lee is one fast kid, he'll be back before you know it." Gai said, he put his hands on his hips and smiled in the direction Lee went.
"Yeah, really fast." I agreed. Gai turned and faced me completely.
"So, Setsuki. Tell me, are you entering the Chuunin Exams as well?" He asked. I turned to him and smiled, nodding.
"Yeah! I'm so excited!" I exclaimed. Gai gave me the nice guy pose, I am envious of his teeth.
"I know you will pass!" Gai said. I smiled.
"Thanks!" I replied. I heard footsteps coming up behind us, and I turned around to see those two from yesterday.
"Ah, good morning Neji, Tenten." Gai said, humbly welcoming them. I smiled, waiting for the "Good morning Gai-sensei!" but it never came. They both just groan in response. I was confused. "Come here you two." Gai said, beckoning them. They looked at me, Tenten smiled and the other girl just gives a look of boredom. "I want you to meet Kuromizu Setsuki. Setsuki, this is Hyuuga Neji, and Tenten." Gai said, pointing to each. I smiled and wave to them. Neji huffed and looked the other way.
"Yes, nice to meet you again Setsuki." Tenten said.
"You two are already acquainted?" Gai asked.
"Yeah, she ran into me yesterday." Tenten answered then laughed. I laughed too. Neji folded his arms.
"Knocked you clean over." I mentioned, we both nodded and laugh.
"Knocked clean over? Tenten! Don't tell me your letting people knock you over! What happened to all that stamina training we went through last week?" Gai questioned. Tenten raised her hands defensively.
"I'm letting people knock me over Gai-sensei, I just.." Tenten stopped to think of how to word her sentence.
"It was my mistake! I was running without looking and she was walking so therefore the person moving faster has a greater impact than the person walking so then.. so then the one with less impact would surely be the one to get knocked over!" I explained, trying to sound smart. Neji rolled his eyes.
"You have a good point there Setsuki. Alright Tenten, you're off the hook this time." Gai said. Neji sweatdropped. Tenten put an arm around my shoulders and smiled at me. I smiled back, she's short yet she wants to make herself appear taller by putting her arm around me.
"Thanks for that. I wasn't in the mood for a big lecture." She whispered. I thought for a moment then give her a thumbs up.
"No problem Tenten!" I said. She lost all her expression.
"Don't tell me..." She muttered.
"Tell you what?" I asked.
"GAI-SENSEIIIII!" Lee called, running up to us. We all turned to him as he stopped and panted, out of breath. We waited a few seconds to let him catch his breath, because it looks like he has something important to say.
"Ah, you're bac-"
"Gai-sensei the Chuunin Exams are going to start in 40 minutes!" Lee exclaimed.
"Well then we better get mov-"
"Setsuki-san, here are your bandages and spare change." Lee said, cutting Gai off again. He handed me my change, I took it and pocketed it. I reached for the bandages he was holding, but he jerked his hand back. "Allow me." He said. I tilted my head to the side.
"Okay."
".. Alright! We'll leave once Lee has applied your bandages." Gai stated.
"Yes Gai-sensei!" Lee sat me down on a rock, I don't know why but he just did, then he held one of my arms and began wrapping it up. I glimpsed at Tenten and Neji, they were staring at us two like we're strange.
Lee wrapped my arms up just like his. "How does that feel?" Lee asked, he took a step back, allowing me to stand up. I moved my arms around a bit.
"Hahah! They're almost better than what Uncle Takashi does!" I said, then laughed. Lee tilted his head.
"Is that a good thing?"
I nodded. "Yes! Very good."
"Well that is good!" Lee responded, giving me a thumbs up.
"Alright! Of we go!" Gai said. Lee saluted.
"Yes Gai-sensei! Come on Setsuki-san!" Lee said, he grabbed my wrist and started running. I ran too, but he was much faster then me.
"Lee! Slow down a bit!" I called.
"Oh, my apologies!" He slowed his pace so we were running beside each other.
"What about Tenten and Neji?" I asked, looking back, seeing their pale faces.
"They will catch up!" Lee exclaimed.
We were on our way to the Chuunin Exams, I couldn't wait.