I do not own Naruto
Talk now – normal talk
What now – normal thoughts
Speak – biju, higher being talk
Listen – biju, higher being thoughts
Chapter 14 : Year Three part I
Ah what a nice day to kick start the new academy year. Naruto looked around himself; this was amusingly his third first day. I wonder, shouldn't I get an award for this performance? Failing twice and still coming back for more, he chuckled dryly; maybe they think I'm a glutton for punishment or just that stupid.
He could see a lot more parents with their children this time around then before. Naturally some of them are clan members, the others would want to show just how good and trustworthy they and their children are. He could see his friends Chouji and Yakumo in the crowd, Yakumo with her uncle and Chouji with his parents. Naruto took note that while Chouji resembled his father physically he had more of his mother's face, the woman to his surprise had an eight shaped figure; personally he had expected her to be more on the heavy side.
The surprise that Chouji was a clan heir had been a pleasant if unexpected one, his acting lessons had been the only thing that kept the joyful smile of his face, things would be a lot easier with Chouji's position in the clan. Of course knowing Chouji also brought acquaintances in other clans as well, while the Nara clan heir looked like a slacker, his mind proved he was anything but that.
Naruto had to smack himself he had showed more of his hand during their first meeting then he had intended, he had since corrected that in latter meetings that where far fewer, Shikamaru had some sort of important family matter that kept him occupied for most of the time.
He had only once met the Yamanaka heiress as well though the time was short and he wasn't able to gauge her personality, the little there was at such a young age, in that time. Chouji's father he had later learned had formed a successful team with the current clan heads of the Nara and Yamanaka during the last great shinobi war and were still good friends.
Apparently the three clans had formed teams through out the years, however not all of them proved to be successful; the success of their team seemed to enforce the old belief of how strong they could be together. The families of the three still met on occasions, time in which the three children played together, he believed that the parents were hoping for their children to form a new successful team as well.
Naruto looked through the crowed to spot any other potential classmate, his eyes stopped at the people he considered to be the Aburame clan members, he could see a small boy there however he couldn't see the faces of any clan member because of their high colored shirts which obscured their faces up to their noses and the sunglasses each wore that hid their eyes. They looked to be a quiet bunch that's for sure, I'll try to approach the boy later.
His eyes kept drifting spotting members of the Hyuuga clan, he noted how the people there didn't look like a family and the atmosphere from what he could see was more formal. The girl in the middle of the group looked nervous, more then that actually, though he couldn't quite place it. Is she afraid of something? He spotted the Hyuuga clan member that was in his sister's year not far from the girl. Is she important to the clan? The heiress perhaps? I definitely have to take note of that.
Naruto placed a hand of his mouth and lowered his head to hide his amusement at that he had seen, their in the crowd was a person with pink hair. Oh sister will love this, a person with actual pink hair! He looked at the people with the girl, he assumed that they were her parents; the woman had dark blond hair while the man had pink hair with a very strange hair style. Well both I and sister had some odd haired people in our year, this though is up in my top ten, and pink on top of things. The only time I would ever feel threatened by a person if they were trained by something like a dragon, but what are the chances of that happening?
Another group his eyes rested raised alarm bells in his head, they were a group of four, an older couple, the parents he figured and two boys, one was his own age, while the other looked a few years older. The way that other boy held himself spoke volumes, he reminded Naruto of some of the stronger opponents he had faced in the god realm and he came to a quick conclusion. He's dangerous!
Compared to him the other boy who he assumed was the younger brother looked perfectly harmless. Naruto tilted his head noticing something odd about the boy's hair. Is that a chicken or a duck there? Ha, I don't have the oddest hairstyle in the class any more, Shikamaru you've been replaced.
He could tell by their looks that the four belonged to the Uchiha clan, after seeing the police force members for so long he could recognize certain traits of the that clan, he had made it a point to keep some distance from the clan after hearing Yukimura's words about them.
While the young boy seemed happy and excited to be here the father looked impassive, Naruto could see a myriad of emotions playing on the man's face, pride, joy, anger. As he looked around some people seemed to send odd looks at the Uchiha, the same looks the police forced would get, Naruto still didn't know why exactly that was. His own theory after hearing the way Yukimura spoke about the clan was that the two had history and with the Kyuubi attack on Konoha, some suspected the clan of being involved somehow.
The older brother seemed happy and was talking with his younger sibling, he ignored the odd looks tossed the families way, the last person in the group was what he assumed was the mother, a woman with pale skin, and long black hair dressed in black clothing as the rest of her family. His eyes widened as he noticed that the woman was looking at him and scowling.
What's her problem? A quick glance proved that she really was looking at him, he knew that he should ignore it or act meek and appear hurt by the look however in that moment he didn't care about that, he scowled back her with all the intensity he could muster and felt a warm feeling when the woman flinched back.
He looked back towards his new teachers, if the woman scowled at him again he didn't care, he doubted they would try anything against him in the middle of the academy yard, he may be hated but their clan who was most likely in bad spot trying anything unprovoked against him could be seen as something far worse for them.
His new teachers looked very young compared to the others from his previous cycles, one of them with brown hair and a cut across his face actually appeared enthusiastic for some reason, the both of them had a look of subdued disdain when they looked at him. Naturally, well ok then. He grinned looking at the two and chuckled. I'm actually going to fight back so bring it!
A comforting feeling on his shoulders snapped him back to the moment, it told him that his own family was present as well, he smiled, things could finally start getting more serious now at long last, he did partially regretted it, he wouldn't have nearly as much free time as before. His thieving time had already been cut drastically short and now would inevitably shrink even further, perhaps even eliminated altogether. Well probably not.
Naruto heard how the teachers were calling their future classes to them. Heh so let's see about this first day then, I do have a reputation amongst the academy staff that I have to maintain or build up entirely from scratch with the new teachers. And I do have to make a good impression with my new classmates.
Further away from the academy courtyard s group of children looked towards the mass of first years students from under a tree, one of the boys tugged his dark blue shirt from around his neck. "Wah would you look at that, can you believe we were so young before?"
The girl next to him, Sora, gave him an exasperated look. "That was us last year Tai, we aren't that old."
He grinned at the girl. "You know what I meant; we're second year now and in the hot shot class as well."
She cocked her head to the side. "How do you figure?"
"Well we got placed in the same class as Tenten and I doubt that she would get thrown into some second hand class."
Another boy, Koushiro, shorter then the rest of the group joined the conversation peering up from his book. "She would if someone had a grudge against her or her spot was desired by someone with connections."
"Ah come on no one would do that, were Konoha, you know the good guys."
Tenten rolled her eyes at that, good guys indeed, Tai had been at the orphanage before her and knew the conditions there or at least should have remembered them, both he and his baby sister had been adopted by a shinobi couple and from what she could saw had been in part indoctrinated by them either purposely or as a side effect of living with them. "We are in the best class however that doesn't mean that we will stay here until the end, someone can take our place very easily. Remember the wolf at the top of the mountain isn't as hungry as the one at the bottom; the students in the other class are going to try to get a place here. If we want to stay here we have to earn it, we have to prove that we deserve it."
"How?"
"How else?" She smiled at him. "Back to training."
"Ohh I knew you were going to say that." He slammed a fist right fist into his own left palm "Heh I can't wait for the challenge."
Tenten grinned. "Great you'll be my first and most frequent sparing partner."
The boy palled several shades before a smile crept unto his face. "I….am looking forward to that, I really want to fight."
Good.
Sora rolled her shoulders looking at the group. "Is it wrong that I missed the feeling of hard exercising?"
Koushiro closed his book looking back at them. "Not really I read that because of the reactions that take place in our bodies while exercising it can become a pleasant feeling."
"Come on lets get the others." She looked back to a specific spot in the crowd. Stay safe brother and be careful.
Homura watched as his young protégé left the room and felt pride swell in his chest, even if things were moving now, very slowly however they were moving, he was making progress in pulling Konoha back from the brink of the abyss.
He lifted a stack of papers from his desk and used a small fire jutsu to burn them erasing their existence, for his plans he needed more outside allies, he had made connections during his carrier however most of those people were dead or no longer had any political or social sway. With the passage of time and his duties inside the village it became even harder to make new connections outside the village. Still allies could be found if one looked hard enough, a crisis always helped make new connections, people often got desperate during those times.
Such was the case with the most recent crisis; the story had broken on September seventeen, fisheries inspectors had found that the fish and all products made by the countries largest group were spoiled and declared that they were unfit for human consumption. Given the owners political connections, a lot of products were still shipped before finally taking action. By that time many people had died or were gravely sick, assassination requests had started to flow in by some of the victims as did an envoy from the daimyo to not harm those people.
Hiruzen did a good job of manipulating the daimyo into withdrawing his protection for many of the people involved, even if not all of them were placed on the chopping block. The fools also tried to push their poisoned product down Konoha's throat and hurt its people, and that is something Hiruzen would never allow or forget. He chuckled. Well it is fortunate for me that he didn't have success or I wouldn't have made these new connections after all.
Despite intense national coverage for many weeks, in the end, the crisis ended up being mostly forgotten. While the daimyo's involvement in the mattered was quickly glanced over, the reputation of the surviving owner of the fishery took a large blow costing them both financially and politically.
Those not under the daimyo's protection met tragic accidents quickly enough, while those who did weren't completely safe. If the people couldn't employ Konoha shinobi to kill them they could employ other shinobi, while it would be difficult for them to sneak into the country, it wouldn't be the first time something similar occurred, and it was what he was betting on, his targets were in the perfect position for elimination.
It was a shame he knew, once the countries largest fishery it was now close to collapse with only matches and spit holding it together, hundreds upon hundreds of people would lose their livelihood when that house of cards finally collapsed.
Just another piece of bad news in a very long string, only hearing that Kenjirou is the new heir of the country topped it. And people believed that he was a very sweet child, until the age of twelve, when the boy mutilated a pregnant cat to see the fetuses. Hearing from his father that pregnant cats had kittens in their stomachs, seemed all the reason the boy needed for his actions.
Any of his older brothers would have been a better choice for the title, now we must all prey that the current daimyo lives longer. Homura looked at the map of the land of fire with its many regions. Kenjirou ruled the Kusunoura region bordering the Land of Hot springs and partially the Land of Rice Patties, since coming to power the man had started to lock the region down, keeping Konoha shinobi out of it. While Kenjirou had made friends and allies through out the country not all were willing to bend the knee to him, a few could muster a good claim to the throne as well. More and more it seems that civil war awaits the Land of Fire in the future.
He let out a tired breath as he looked map of country again. Plans must be made for that as well, Hiruzen will ignore the situation claiming it as something Konoha shouldn't involve itself in. Danzo will ignore the issue as he sees the daimyo as nothing more then a puppet with some influence that can be stirred in the right direction. Only Koharu will try to do something to aid the situation, she will attempt to get everyone on an even field to negate as much of the growing influence as she can. There is truly no rest even for us elders, my plan must succeed now more then ever.
Naruto tapped his fingers on the bench looking at his classmates at the moment one single important thought was going through his mind. How am I going to make friends with these people if all I can think of is how easy it would be to rob them? I can see the money in some of their pockets, how easily it would be to snatch it up. This is sister's fault for not letting me rob people, I got all these bottled up instincts just screaming at me. Ah well I can't start robbing them now, I do have a reputation to think of, and I would get the blamed for the thefts regardless.
He looked around the classroom again; his classmates were talking amongst themselves while the teachers were looking over some papers. Yakumo sat besides him along with someone he didn't know, Chouji had ended up sitting next to Shikamaru and the Yamanaka heiress. Sister will probably be busy later on, hmm, he looked towards Yakumo, why not, it couldn't hurt. He leaned towards her and whispered. "Do you want to meet up later tonight?"
She looked at him quizzically then stealing a quick glance at the teachers nodded.
Ah smart girl, she probably thinks I'm whispering to not draw the teacher's attention, she doesn't know the half of it. Oh well it will be good to talk about the first day at the academy, or well third one for me, last year with sister was good, he looked at Yakumo again, she'll probably like having someone to talk about it. Naruto turned his head when he heard one of the teachers cough loudly, the one with a scar across his face looked nervous as he was preparing to speak.
"Now students seeing as how our class will be together for many years its best if we get to know each other better, so we will begin with introductions and a bit about ourselves, your dreams for the future will do fine."
Ah and so it comes to this, well lets see how you handle this situation.
"I will go first to give you an example, my name is Umino Iruka and my dream is to see all of you become Konoha shinobi."
Naruto watched and listened to his classmates, no one of them seemed all that serious about their dreams, the only few who spoke with some amount of conviction were those he believed had shinobi parents, the clan children certainly proved him right.
"My name is Yakumo Kurama and I want to be a well known genjutsu master and help restore my clan." Her voice was crisp and clear being heard in the entire classroom.
Well that's easier said then done; your clan is good at genjutsu though I don't know if they have anything else. I do have a story for you, I wonder if you will be able to actually understand what it is about? Both Yukimura and Sayaka said that I will need friends and servants in the future, I doubt you will become a servant, heck the only reason I didn't put any effort in previous years at the academy was so I can get close to heirs in this academy cycle. Maybe I can teach you something once we start sparring, I'll have to ask the two about just how much I can teach you.
He looked at Yakumo who still had a proud smiled on her face, the girl did seem to exude confidence even for one so young, but there was more, he thought is pride because of her clan. Speaking about the clan, I wonder if it's your desire to restore the clan or your uncle's? You can raise its reputation but restoring it would mean that you would spend a lot of time on your back, how many children could you give birth and when would even start? Trying to unite the two dreams is going to be an uphill battle; of well you'll eventually have to think about this as well.
Yakumo notched slightly with her right arm and made a sign towards the teachers who looked at him annoyed.
Oh it's my turn. He rubbed his head in an embarrassed manner and put on his cheerful and innocent mask again. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki remember it for the future! I want to do two things! One is to become a legendary shinobi." He bumped his fist to his chest at this. "And the other is to found my own clan!" He finished everything off with a large smile and peace first raised towards the class.
The other teacher, the white haired one he knew was called Mizuki raised an eyebrow at him. "Well if we're going by your first impression I'd say you have a very long and bumpy road ahead of you."
While the words sounded the good the man's body language looked wrong to him. Hmm come on let's see the other shoe drop I'm not falling for this one again.
Mizuki let a small smile tug at his lips. "And I'm sure the road will have plenty of potholes that you may not see coming, or just walk right into them because you weren't paying attention."
And there we go! I knew there had to be something; at least he didn't make a big joke about it like Kafu did last time. It looks like the insult flew over most of my classmates heads though. Looking at the other teacher he saw the man nodding his head with a stern expression on his face. Wonderful the two of them are against me; well at least we've got that settled now at the start.
The rest of the class finished up without anything major, he took note of the other class mates who showed potential and especially of the clan heirs. At the Uchiha's statement of wanting to be a great shinobi like his brother most of the girls in his class looked ready squeal in joy of how great he was.
While he couldn't yet be fully certain of Aburame heir, he looked to be on the better side of things, the Yamanaka and Hyuuga heiress disappointed, one looked ready to join in the young Uchiha's fan club while the other looked weak. The Inuzuka boy was apparently the second child of the clan head and while he did appear a bit to brash he made a note to keep on eye on him for the future.
The Uchiha on the other hand, well he was from a clan and the second born of the clan head, however given the way Yukimura spoke about the clan he decided he would keep a distance from the boy.
Well let's see how things go in the following days.
The rest of the academy day passed uneventful and Naruto made his way towards Yakumo's home after nightfall, he got an annoyed look from her when she greeted him. He got of course neglected to tell her the exact hour he would arrive at, even if angry she still allowed him inside her home and the two went to her garden.
Naruto smiled looking at a shadow behind them. Huh so the uncle is spying on us is he? He looked back towards Yakumo. "So what did you think of the first day?"
"It was ok" she shrugged "I expected more from our classmates."
He looked at her with a puzzled expression. "Um more of what?"
"Ambition!" She burst out. "None of them seem to have it, even the Uchiha." she scowled saying the name, "apparently only wants to play second fiddle to his elder brother. And don't get me started on some of the girls in the class!"
Well we have something else in common eh? Still after my last two tries I can't say that I'm to surprised by this. He mussed for a moment of whether he could add chan to her name before deciding against it. "We can't all be like you Yakumo."
She crossed her arms over her chest looking at him. "Hm! yours aren't that bad either."
Not that not they are a lot easier to accomplish then yours that's for sure. "Mah" he rubbed his head. "I think it would have sounded better if this wasn't my third time at the academy."
The girl considered her words briefly before speaking. "You did start very early so its alright if you didn't manage to pass, if everyone else was bigger then you of course you would have had trouble and after what happened the first time when your classmate tried to make you look guilty of theft I cant blame you for quitting back then."
Yeah he tried to make me look guilty of theft and not the other way around, poor bastard haven't seen him around the village anymore. "Thanks" he scratched his head "Ano you don't seem to like our Uchiha classmate."
Yakumo scowled before her features returned to neutral. "My clan and theirs have had a very troubled relationship."
Of course considering they have their copy eyes it wouldn't be any other way. "Huh?" he asked in a puzzled manner.
"My clan is great with genjutsu and the Uchiha's have been trying to steal ours for years, they claimed that because of their eyes their genjutsus are better then ours."
These sound more like her uncle's words then anything else; I can almost see his hand moving her mouth at a time like this. "Ohhh, they sound really bad."
Yakumo nodded her head. "Yes they are, the Hyuuga aren't much better either."
What's this she doesn't like them either? Of course their eyes! "How come?"
"They claimed their precious eyes can see through our genjutsu, cutting through them like a knife through butter. They both rely on their eyes so much it isn't fair, my clan worked hard for their techniques."
True enough, then again your clan had its genjutsu who are said to be stronger then usual and a clan secret.
The girl let out an irate sigh before continuing. "It's like hard work means nothing to them."
Heh, sister will definitely like you.
Yakumo tightened her fists. "Its why I want to become a well know shinobi that uses genjutsu, I want to show people that you don't need some fancy eyes to be good at using genjutsu."
Heh, nice words even if there is more to it then that, by the looks of it her uncle has been pumping her full of information and shaping her like he desires, restoring the clans reputation and its numbers. Even with her high intelligence all the things she's been talking about seems a bit to much for her right now. Still given my experience with manipulative old men, I will definitely help out, if only to derail their plans. Let's try something, blame it on the spur of the moment. He smiled before bursting out in excitement. "That sounds awesome Yaku-chan!" he pulled her close and hugged her, "I'll definitely help you out as well. Oh lets both work together to help our dreams come true."
She accepted the hug, for a moment he wondered if he had crossed a line and she would reject it, considering the recent tragedy she experienced he wouldn't be too surprised.
"Alright then well both do our best." She raised her left hand and stretched out her small finger. "Pinky promise." The girl looked half embarrassed and half completely serious
What the? She actually takes this serious? She still is young. "Ok!" He made a similar gesture with his finger. "It's a promise we'll both fight for our dreams."
Yakumo nodded her head with the most serious look on her face he had ever seen. "Pinky promise! You can't break that."
"Yeah! Pinky promise."
He looked towards the night sky and smiled. "Ah there it is!"
"Huh, what is it?" She looked towards the sky as well.
He pointed at the brightest star in the sky. "There see the evening star, I remembered a story about it that I wanted to tell you while we were at the academy. I came by later so we could see it when I told you the story."
Her eyes lit up on realization. "Oh!"
Naruto cleared his throat. "They say that once."
"Who are they?" She asked tilting her head.
He shrugged. "Um, I don't know it's just how the story goes."
Yakumo crossed her arms. "Well shouldn't you find out?"
"Um it's just that this is how I heard so this is how I'll tell it now, can I continue my story?"
Yakumo nodded her head.
"There was a man and a woman who had a son that they loved him so much they never lost sight of him. One day however it happened that the boy heard about a river that existed, and who ever drinks it's water will never know of old age and will live as long as the earth and the world. The boy felt that it was his fate to reach that river, his parents with pain in their souls and tears in their eyes pleaded with him to forget the thought of leaving and to remain home because he was their only joy in the world."
Alas it was all for nothing as the boy picked up a few fruits and left for the road. He walked and walked for a time and eventually he reached a large oak forest, entering it the boy met a wolf who was trying to cut down the trees with his tail. The wolf looked at the boy and asked him.
Where is your destination young lad?
I seek the river with life giving water. The boy responded.
Stay here in this place of mine and you will live until I cut this forest down with my tail.
The boy refused and kept walking, on high roads and on low roads until finally he reached two young girls that were playing in garden filled with young trees, not even reaching his own head, and beautiful flowers. Not that the girls weren't pretty mind you, they were as cute as two butterflies. Seeing the boy the girls immediately asked.
Where are you going young one?
The boy responded in quick haste. I'm going to a place where I can live as long as the earth and the world.
Stay here young one, with us, and you shall live as long as we do. We will not die until these trees do not grow big, until they are dried, rotten and until the birds have not played in their dust.
The boy didn't stop from his road even this time; he walked onwards and eventually reached the palace of a fairy as beautiful as the sun.
Where are you going young man?
I'm looking for the water of eternal life.
Well, from now on you can think of this as accomplished, you've reached the place, and I know its location and I will it if you promise me to always head my advice and never break them.
The young man agreed and the fairy took him to the magic river, where he drank from its water. At once he felt an eternal spring blossom in his chest, everything felt filled with a life without end.
And when the thrill of first love struck him he became red a rose in front of the fairy. As he was dear to her as well, the decided to marry, their happy knew no bounds, and he didn't even notice how the years passed on by him. The fairy pleaded with him all the time to never dare approach the lake of woe. But it had to happen, during a hunting trip, the bird she shot with an arrow fell in the middle of that water. Forgetting of the promise made, the boy turned man ran to lake and gazed his reflection on its surface as he reached to observe the bird.
His eyes saw on the water the faces of his mother and father that were calling to him with tears in their eyes. From that moment on a terrible longing for his old home started to torment. Nothing could stop him from his decision to leave and travel to see his parents, not ever his wife's words, that told him of how pointless the trip was, because since he had been in that place of theirs, hundreds of years had passed, and their was nothing left of his parents.
The man took a horse packed a few bags for the trip and left, along the way he struggled to recognize the garden with the young girls and forest with the wolf but to no avail for there wasn't even a trace of them left. The man reached the place where the village he was born in should have been though now there was only sand. In a ravine he found a small home there lived on old man of three hundred years. He went to him and asked the old man about his parents.
I think I heard about them from my great great grandparents, that such people they lived around these parts.
What else was the man do to but to head back from when he came? But when he turned his head he stumbled and from behind him Death appeared.
Well, well, my dear boy, I've been searching for a long time for you and now I've finally found you!
The man ran and jumped on his horse and started to ride away as fast as he could with Death right behind him with one jaw to the ground and the other to the sky. When Death was close to catching him the man threw his weapon and shouted. Rust it!
Death rusted the weapon and once more chased after him, when it was near him again the man threw an acorn at it shouting. Raise it! Once raised Death renewed the chase, when it almost reached him the man jumped off the horse and opened the gates of the fairy's palace. The fairy wanting to greet him grabbed him by an arm and Death by a leg.
Death looked at the fairy with hatred. He's mine.
No his mine. The fairy responded. And one it went arguing between the two until the fairy calmed down and proposed something.
Wait! I shall turn him into a golden apple and throw him up high. The one who catches him will the one to whom he shall belonged. Though low and behold what a wonder! The apple thrown never returned to the ground, it reached the heaven and turned into a star. People to this day call it the Evening Star. Then the fairy turned into another golden apple and started to look for him, but she turned into a star as well, the Dawn Star and went looking for the night one. And Death is still waiting for the apple to fall. And that's the history of these two stars.
And that's how the two stars got their names."
Yakumo looked horrified at him. "Um, how could the boy abandon his family like that for some selfish desire? How could death be fooled so easily? What kind of spirit was that woman? How could she hide from death? How did…."
He waved his hands at her. "Ok I get it; there are some holes in there!"
She shook her head anger still clear in her eyes. "A lot of them, I can't believe the boy was so selfish!"
Don't you see the meaning behind it? He tried keeping an exuberant tone. "Well he went after his dream and got it didn't he?"
"He hurt his family while doing it!"
"Yeah, I guess so." To bad you didn't understand the other part of the story. "I heard it a while back and like the part with the journey, the silly wolf and the big end."
"It wasn't that bad I guess." She shrugged at last the anger slowly leaving her eyes.
"See, I should probably head we have a school day tomorrow after all."
"Alright."
After closing the door to her home, Yakumo was surprised to find her uncle behind her with a stern look on his face, she managed to keep most of her surprise in check.
"Yakumo, you are friends with that boy correct?"
"Yes uncle." She nodded curious at to where he was going with the question.
"Has he ever displayed any odd behavior?"
Try as she might she could understand why her uncle had placed an accent on the word. "Odd? like what?"
"Just something different then how he normally acts."
"No, I guess not, why do you ask?"
"Just something I observed." The man closed his eyes before a moment before opening them again. "I want you to write down the story he just told you and put it away somewhere safe then read it again in a few years, once you make genin should be more then enough time."
"Why it was just a story, it didn't mean much?"
He waved a hand dismissing her question. "Perhaps it was just that, this however is not a request but an order from the clan head, understand?"
"Yes uncle." She bowed slightly before leaving the room.
He let out a tired breath watching his niece leaving the room. Perhaps it is just a simple coincidence and I'm reading for to much into it, never the less Yakumo my dear you did not see the other side of that story. The boy had a dream and chased it not giving up until he achieved that dream, resisting temptation along the way and making the sacrifices needed. Yet after obtaining the victory the boy grew careless and lost it, throwing away that dream the boy invited the consequences to fall upon him. In the end he achieved a bitter sweet victory, losing the paradise he had gained.
A coincidence that he told you this story after you both discussed your dreams? It could have been a play on his part to see if you could catch his true meaning. The boy may yet prove dangerous and keeping you near him may not be worth the risk, even with the Yondaime's seal on him who knows if the fox hasn't started to influence him already.
With my mistress dead and my old age advancing it will fall to you to restore the clan, a fate I had hoped to aid you in shouldering as much as I could, given your condition I wanted to lift a part of the burden but now alas we will need to die with our heads held high. It is why I will not forgive such an oversight on your part, you will represent the last of our clan and will be far greater then those that came before you this I promise!
Naruto smiled when he caught a whiff of the smell before entering his apartment, the sight he caught when he opened the door was of sister setting the table, by the look of the food she had finally managed to prepare a recipe Yukimura had shown her that however was difficult to prepare because one the main ingredients were difficult to procure.
Tenten smiled at him. "Right on time."
"Heh, yeah I guess I am; congratulations are in order then?" He looked at the food and licked his own lips.
"Yep, I finally did it, just because you cook most of the food doesn't mean I can't get one right."
"I never said that."
She gave him a small disbelieving look. "Well come on lets eat."
It was only after they had finished dinner that they resumed their conversation.
"So how was the meeting with your little friend?"
"About as expected, I'm a bit sad she wasn't more suspicious about a story I told her, but I did found out that she doesn't like the Hyuuga or Uchiha clans, though by the looks of it, those are her uncle's thoughts more then hers."
"It is what it is" she shook her head, knowing that she had a similar problem with her classmates as well. "so how long until I'll be able to meet her?"
"I'm still not sure; until I can trust her with the Kyuubi you're staying hidden."
She winked at him. "So I'm a bigger secret then him?"
"….yes?"
"Alright, I can see the logic behind that."
"Really?" He asked relieved.
"Why do you think I haven't introduced you to some of my friends?"
He grinned at his sister. "Don't you mean your punching bags?"
"Some of them are getting close to friends level, I think a few see me as such…. I think."
"Uh huh."
"Until I know how they feel about you, you're also staying in the closet."
"That sounds so dirty."
"Under the bed, in the shadows, in the attic, under the bridge, pick one."
"Heh, good food sis."
"See, you're not the only one who can make something like that."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll do the dishes then."
"There's something else I wanted to talk to you about."
"Huh what is it?"
"Well I want my own place."
He dropped the plate from his hands, his heart started beating faster and his face paled. "What you want to leave?"
"No!" she shook her head. "I just want my own room, not now, but eventually. I figured I could move in to one of the apartments next to this one."
He let out a relived breath. "Oh."
She padded him on the head. "Don't worry I'm not going anywhere."
He crossed his arms and looked away. "I wasn't worried or anything."
"Really?"
Naruto could almost taste the sarcasm on his sister's voice. "Well maybe a little bit."
She rolled her eyes at him again.
"Maybe a bit more then a little."
"You know we could put a door around here so we can just enter the other place rather then enter through the hallway, or a window or something."
"Yeah, but the door thing is going to be a hard sell to the Hokage."
"Hmm, yeah, still we can renovate the place a bit now can't we?"
"Not a bad idea."
"I figured we can make some changes to the building, build something up, maybe a blacksmith to make our own weapons. We should fortify the building to a degree at least now that it's yours."
Naruto scratched his head looking around the place. "Well it's not mine until I make chunin and make big changes to it will probably attract the Hokage's attention."
Tenten quirked an eyebrow at him. "Your garden on the roof hasn't done that."
"Uh, well, yeah, but it's just a small garden."
"Small? It takes up most of the roof now!"
"Well, I can lie about how I got some of the needed for it and it is believable, how the heck would I lie about a forge for blacksmithing?"
"Yeah, ok maybe I got a bit ahead of myself."
"I guess we could use some of the money the old owner left behind to get you your own place. I still don't know if the Hokage won't force other people to live here."
"Uh that would be bad, it's a good thing we moved all the stuff we stashed in the building out before the two rolled out their plan."
"Uh huh."
"You really wanted the forge didn't you?"
"Yeah, I wanted to try and make weapons, and armor, especially to experiment with some of the heavy amour."
"Remember what those two said."
"Yes yes, amour... is part of a state of mind... in which you admit the possibility... of being hit.Hey that reminds are you going to try and get the position of dead last in you class?"
Naruto's eyes where as wide as plates filled with bewilderment. "Why on earth would I ever do that?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "To mess with people, it would be fun."
"Well yeah but with the cover I have set it would only make things worse. In general I don't know why anyone would ever want that position, especially if they have skills."
"Cuz they hide their skills like a true ninja?"
"Um maybe but do they continue to do that after the academy? Or do they keep hiding them even after? Heck if they starting showing amazing skills after being declared dead last and graduating as such, it would draw a lot more attention onto themselves. People would ask how the dead last has such amazing skills now all of a sudden, if anything that would put a huge spotlight on the person, I think that could cause them to make a mistake from all the pressure. Not to mention the black eye it would give the academy, sure they do deserve it because they couldn't see the talent that person had however you still ruin any and all relationships there as a result of making them look like fools. Don't burn those bridges just yet if you could still use them in the future. Showing everything of as rookie of the year may not be the best choice either, if you think about it logically, you won't have any hidden aces up your sleeve if you show off everything during the academy. I would be worried about spies as well getting their hands on the information, given Konoha's defenses especially that part. No somewhere near the middle of the pack would be best, that way when I start showing my actual skills, people won't be as surprised and Ill just show bits and pieces."
"Oh geez, calm down, you didn't have to go on a tangent like that, I know this stuff. For me, heh I want people to know and see me coming, I finished as top dog last year and I want to do it as well this year."
"You had Yukimura make copies of the books and read them here in the realm; I don't think that all of your classmates had a few extra months to study, not to mention Katsue teaching us, and these two teaching us as well."
"Way to ruin the mood brother."
"Just point it out that's all."
"I'm still going to be top dog this year as well."
"You know that Hokage is going to be curious on the matter, somehow you're at the top and I'm at the bottom."
"We can blame it on your general suckage at everything."
"Har har, just be careful alright?"
"Of course that don't worry about, I don't think there's much the Hokage can do about it."
"It's just…."
"Don't worry I'll be careful about it, I have to get strong to protect little brother and Konoha, like the heroes of old!"
"I still find that voice creepy."
"Well I find your innocent, naïve mask creepy."
"Touché."
"Well come on we can still make plans for when I make chunin and we can renovate the place, right now we just have to be careful about where we stash our things here in case the old man sends someone to check it out."
"Ok, finish the dishes first though."
"Ahhhh, forgot about them."
Katsue let out a relieved breath as she leaned into her chair; the first day of the academic year was over. And it couldn't have come any sooner. This was it for her the big leagues, she wanted to teach the students how to survive in the real world and prepare them for it and now she would be teaching the class that had the most potential, jounins could very well come from her current class. It was an incredible responsibility that had been hoisted on her shoulders and though she hoped she wrong, she also being used as a piece in a game she could yet wrap her head around.
Well at least we have the plan for the year set up, I'm glad I had Yujiro's help for it.
"Relieved that the first day is done?"
She smiled as the man took a seat at the desk in front of hers, Yujiro Hirai was her fellow teacher for the class, he had short black hair, dark eyes, slim lips an oval shaped face, a strong well defined jaw line and medium build and height. He wore the usual chunin attire save for the fact that he had a bandana tied around his left arm, from what he had learned the man had been a student of headmaster while he still actively taught at the academy. So him and I are pieces used to counter the Hokage's own plans, I wonder if he knows what's going on, he may very well be loyal to the headmaster like Iruka is. "You could say that, now the real hard part begins."
"I'm sure that we will manage somehow."
"Hmm, what did you think of the students?"
"Quite a few of them showed potential."
She didn't know the way she didn't like how he had said the word potential, it seemed there was something more behind it, a hind of lust and eagerness perhaps?
"A couple of them are your old students aren't they?"
"Yes, a few of them, you also helped train a few of the others."
"That I did, personally I think we have a good plan set up for the year, and if anything pops up I'm sure well manage. Personally I'm curious about the Hyuuga boy though."
"Ah yes Neji Hyuuga, I think he's a branch member judging by the cloth he wore around his forehead."
"So you worked with a Hyuuga as well then?"
"A while back yes, I couldn't get to much information about the matter just that the family is split in two."
"Hmm, that's about as much as I know as well, that aside I heard that the boy is very talented, a few called him a prodigy, he excels at taijutsu, something it isn't surprising given his clan."
"I heard talk about it last year but I was so busy with my own class I dismissed the matter, it was the first year after all."
"Now we'll get to see if the rumors are true."
"Fair enough, I noticed that plenty of the other students where from shinobi families."
"Hm, yes a few there are a few from the orphanage and a few orphans from shinobi families."
"Oh?"
"A child of an old classmate that died recently, I've been keeping on eye on the boy every since. Part of the reason I accepted this position was to keep on eye on the kid to make sure he gets to live longer then his folks did."
"Can't say my motives were so different. We have other students as well."
"Yeah, I figured that if I was more rough on them then…."
She nodded her head. "They would live longer once they see field work."
"Yeah…it isn't easy out there."
"No, it really isn't, we lets just to our best to make sure the children are ready for the time they have to step out onto that stage alright?"
"Deal!"
Aburame Shino sat in one of the grounds of his clan meditating, a good control of one's emotions was something vital to his clan, especially in the young members, they were taught from a young age to suppress a part of their emotions and to value logic. The kikaichu at first were sensible to effects of uncontrolled emotions, in the time once they matured the effects were greatly negated, a consequence of their early training was that once they were older most of the clan still repressed their emotions.
This gave the clan a detached and cold image to the people around them, something that put made making friends at the academy much more difficult. Adding to his was the fact that many people were uneasy around his clan because of his clan's ability to host the kikaichu into their own bodies. Indeed the first day at the academy confirmed this as many children were wary of him, even with his clan's warnings of such a thing it had still been difficult when confronted with it.
He had however remarked on three rather curious looks, one was from the Kurama girl who had looked at him with curiosity, the other was from the Inuzuka boy Kiba, the two clans had worked together in the past and bonds existed between them, the last was one of interest from a blond haired boy, Naruto Uzumaki. Perhaps those three are potential friends, two of them have rather ambitious goals, whether they can achieve such things remains to be seen, given their current condition it seems like an uphill battle.
I most likely face a similar one in seeing you every again brother, the research with your kikaichu is progressing very slowly, never the less I wont give up.
"Shino-san."
"Mai-san."
"You are required at the compound, your father wished you to witness a gathering to congratulate Shiki-san."
Usually this occurs when something has happened to a clan member, a promotion or a reprimand. "Is his situation dire?"
"No, he has succeeded on the last mission, given the skills he has displayed and his recent performance he has been awarded the title of special jounin."
A promotion then, one of highest titles a clan member can hold. "Will there be a celebration at the clan house with his teammates?"
"Nothing so grand, though I'm sure your father will explain some of the intricacies of the matter."
So there is some sort of political play.
"His teammates for the mission, Mitarashi-san, has also gained an amount of fame for her skills, perhaps an advancement in rank is not far behind either."
A potential clan friend or ally then. "Very well, let us depart then…."
Naruto rubbed a hand across his forehead as he finished working on his roof top garden even if the cold weather hadn't passed he had made steps to have the ground work prepared. Right now Naruto wanted to be as tired as possibly so he could fall asleep much faster later on. Tonight we can finally return to the god realm, it feels like ages since we've been there.
He looked up to the night sky filled with stars, they looked even more beautiful to him from atop the roof, while he worked on the garden his sister had agreed to wash the dishes and clean up the apartment, considering he had been the one to make dinner no one complained about their own tasks.
Thinking back his first week of the new academy cycle was a lot more similar to that of his first try, both the new teachers seemed more against him then neutral like the ones from his second try.
"Naruto-kun."
Ah speak of the wolf and he shall appear! He looked back and saw his old sensei landing on the roof. "Ah good evening sensei!"
She smiled and ruffled his hair. "Isn't it a bit late for you to be up at this hour?"
"Ahh I just wanted to work on the garden a bit, and it got dark and I stayed to look at the stars!"
"Well, it's alright, just make sure to go to bed soon."
"Ahh, but there's no school tomorrow!"
"Even so, you are still growing and you need your sleep."
"Pfff, alright."
"I…" she hesitated for a moment. "Wanted to speak to you about your first week at the academy; I've been so busy with my new class that I haven't had time to come visit you."
So she still cares. "Ahh it's alright sensei, sister said that you're really busy with her class and stuff."
"Even so, I wanted to ask how things were going for you now, I can't even really train you and your sister anymore because of my work schedule."
"It's alright, I still remember what you taught me from before, and we haven't done much until now."
"Well that's good, if we have any problems you can ask me. So how are your new classmates?"
"Their ok, I actually have friends!"
"Oh, that's great."
"Yeah, I'm hoping to make a lot more."
"You could try making a hundred friends."
"No I want to make real friends who are a hundred times as important."
"Well said, I'm sure you can do it Naruto-kun."
You have no idea.
"And how are your teachers?"
"Um, they remind me a bit of sour mustache face."
"Who?"
"Okafu…the other sensei from when I was in your class sensei."
"Oh, in what way?"
"I don't know, it's just how they act and look at me."
"I see, listen Naruto-kun if you have any problems with them you come see me alright."
"What kind of problems?"
"Any kind."
"Ah don't worry sensei I remember all the stuff you taught me."
"As long as you actually use it this time around."
"Ahh, I have friends this time around, maybe I can actually get on a team with them, I wanna kick butt this time around."
"Well alright, come to think of it, you haven't done a prank recently have you finally..."
She's right I forgot about those. "Thank you sensei I forgot about them I'm going to do a big one to make up for lost time, a really big one for my new senseis!"
Heh, the expression on her face would best be summed up with the words ah shit.
"No Naruto-kun you really don't need to do that, in fact it may be better if you don't do such a thing."
"But I have to sensei!"
"You're not going to stop even if I ask you?"
"Um…"
"I'm too tired to argue, just promise to not get yourself hurt alright?"
"Yes sensei!"
"All right now come I think we both stayed up long enough."
Naruto opened his eyes and pleasantly surprised by the smell of home made bread that filed the air, from outside he could hear the wind howl, it looked like a snow storm was raging. A part of Yukimura and Sayaka's idea of matching the seasons within the godrealm with those from the outside world, the two didn't want him and his sister to experience a disconnect when leaving the god realm. Not that they didn't experience as many types of weather during their training and stays in the godrealm, it was an experience to go sledding while outside it was the middle of summer.
He stretched for a few minutes and remained in bed enjoying the atmosphere of the place if he could he would never leave the place, this was his real home, sadly he knew he couldn't do that and resigned sigh he got out of bed.
After a quick change of cloths he made his way through the house finding his sister in the kitchen the two continued looking through the house for the last members, to their surprise they found them in the living.
Both Yukimura and Sayaka were dressed in dark blue suits and were studying what looked like white spheres that floated around them.
"Ah welcome you two." Sayaka gave the two a smiled and a quick hug.
Yukimura made a gesture with his hand and the spheres floated to the ceiling before smiling at the two. "It's good to have you back." He saw the puzzled looks the two had on. "Something wrong?"
Naruto looked at his sister who nodded. "Well it's just that usually you're around the house to greet us when we arrive. This time though…."
Yukimura rubbed the back of his head laughing. "Ah that would be my fault, while waiting for you I asked Sayaka to help go through some memories and lost track of time."
Tenten looked at Yukimura oddly. "Don't you have avatars for that?"
"We do however it doesn't mean we can't devote more time and energy to the task, it is important after all."
Naruto looked between the two and the spheres. "Did you find anything useful?"
"It depends on what you mean by that. The memories are still disjointed Naruto-kun, bits and pieces from here and there. We've managed to find memories of what happened to several gods and their domains, however given their utter destruction their importance and usefulness has waned."
Tenten looked at one of the spheres trying to guess its size. "What happened to them?"
Naruto saw the embarrassed look on Yukimura's face and pressed the issue. "Well?"
He shuffled his feat for a moment looking at Sayaka who wore an amused look. "I, err, I eat them"
Both Naruto and blinked surprised at what they heard. "What?"
"I did say that I devoured gods, so I eat them after defeating them in battle."
"And their realms?" Naruto asked.
"Seeing how the god was dead, I naturally eat that as well, rather then leave it behind to wither away."
Naruto rolled his eyes at the casual tone Yukimura spoke about eating gods and realms. "Naturally." His tone was as dry as he could make it.
Tenten was still trying to wrap her mind on whole matter. "Wait, their realms, where they like this one?"
"Some." Yukimura nodded. "Others also had their one version of an afterlife included into the godrealm. An example would of this kind of place would Tuonela, or sometimes Manala. The belief for most people was that it was situated underground or at the bottom of a lake, though sometimes it was said to exist on the other side of a dark river. Tuonela was ruled over by the god Tuoni, and his wife, the goddess Tuonetar. It was a dark and lifeless place, where the dead were in a state of eternal sleep, shamans were sometimes able to reach the spirits of their dead ancestors by traveling to Tuonela in a state of trance created by rituals. The shaman had to make his way over the Tuonela river by tricking the ferryman,a small game the gods made to test the shamans. While in Tuonela, the shaman had to be careful not to get caught, the living were not welcomed there. Shamans who were caught could end up decaying in the stomach of a giant pikefish with no hope of returning to normal life. If the shaman died during the trance ritual, it was believed that he had been caught by the guards at Tuonela."
Tenten nodded grasping the situation. "So the two gods also lived there then, and kept their worshipers souls there as well."
"Exactly."
For his part Naruto scratched his head thinking about a particular point of the story. "Why a pikefish?"
"It depends on the area, sometimes it could be represented by something rare or unusual for the people of an area."
Sayaka rolled her eyes. "Or it was because those gods found it amusing to see their believer's reactions to that part."
Yukimura nodded. "Or that, I have a few memories of that as well."
Tenten blinked again at the new information. "The gods sound….unpleasant."
"Yes they were, I remember those two gave me bad indigestion." Yukimura rubbed his stomach. "Still there wasn't any running around or screaming from the soul there, not with them being in sleep like state."
Tenten wasn't sure what she should say to something like that. "Good for you then…"
Naruto rubbed his chin mulling things over. "It sounds interesting are there any others?"
"Plenty if you want to hear about them."
He nodded. "Before that there is something I wanted to ask actually."
"Oh?"
"It's about the girl you asked to look for; I wanted to know if I can teach her a few things."
"Go on?"
"Well I think she has potential for the future, heck making friends with the clan heirs is the main reason why I stayed behind so long."
"And what do you want to teach her exactly?"
"From what I saw I actually wanted to teach her a martial arts style, her clans looks very depended on medium to long ranged combat. I haven't seen her with something extremely different yet so perhaps she hasn't learned it just yet."
"Do you find her worthy?"
"I think she has potential, yes, and this isn't about teaching her every thing, just a few bits and pieces. I figured someone like her would be great at using Jeswandi, if she could find a way to combine it with her genjutsu shed much tougher to take down."
"So you have thought this through then Naruto-kun."
"There's not much I can do at the academy, I already know the stuff their teaching there."
"If you think that you can trust her with the matter then we can allow such a thing, if however she breaks the trust then their will be consequences for the both of you."
"I understand, I'll take things easy."
"Could I train some of my classmates in the future?"
"Only if you think that they have the will for such a thing and the ability to keep their mouths shut."
"Understand we must be careful in how much we reveal our hand, the Kurama clan is down to just two people, the risk of them talking about the origin of the fighting style is much smaller."
"Alright, they are already doing well enough with just sparing and the study group; I'll see what they can do this year."
"It's going to be an interesting one."
Tenten grinned at him. "Yeah, second year for some people."
"Laugh it up sister; I'll be catching up soon enough."
She chuckled. "Sure brother."
"Come with me Naruto-kun I'll teach you some of the basic moves of the style."
Tenten turned towards Yukimura smiling. "So that means I'm with you then?"
"Yes, there something I've been meaning to talk to you especially."
"Huh?" What could this be about?
Naruto watched dispassionately as the his fellow classmates practiced with throwing stars, so far none of them had hit all of the targets, not even the clan children something that was disappointing. His thoughts were interrupted when a myriad of cheers erupted from around him; a quick look showed him that the Uchiha boy was getting ready to practice as well.
Well, let's see if he can do it better then the rest.
The boy weighed the stars in his hands and shuffled them.
Nothing new there, the Aburame boy did the same thing.
"Go Sasuke-kun!"
Well aren't you annoying? Most of the girls in his class were cheering the boy with great fervor. What exactly does he have to make them like him so much? He seems friendly enough I'll give him that. Are their parents encouraging the behavior hoping to get into the clan that way? I suppose they could like him because of his looks, given how young they are it can't be much more.
With a quick hand gesture the boy threw the stars and managed to hit four of the five targets, the best display of the group. The boy snapped his fingers looking both pleased and slightly upset; around him the crowd erupted in cheers again.
I guess its time I make an ass of myself I do have a reputation to maintain. He yelled making an indignant face. "Oi it doesn't matter who they are, I won't forgive anyone who tries to stand out more than me!" He quickly made his way and picked up the stars as well, he ignored the talk around him as he shuffled the stars in his hand. Hmm I defiantly can't him all of them at once, or even four of them, before the Uchiha boy the best score was three of five. Two will have to do for now, those previous years in the academy have to count and all.
A quick move and the stars flew from his hand, two impacted on their target while the other three missed it entirely. Howls of laughter erupted around him concerning his failed attempt. Well at least it was a lot better then most of these people, laugh it up with a flick of the wrist I could have launched them into your foreheads killing the lot of you without even blinking. A glance to the side showed him a supportive looking Chouji and an upset Yakumo.
The Uchiha boy beamed at him. "Ah come on, it was good first try."
He smiled a bit. "I'll kick your ass next time."
"Hah! You'll never beat Sasuke-kun!"
He didn't bother looking back at who shouted that particular phrase.
"Silence" to his credit Iruka seemed to have some control over the students. "It was an acceptable first attempt Uzumaki, better then some of you, given your history more expected."
He shrugged. "Tchh, whatever, I'll just kick ass next time."
That's it pour it on just more fuel for the great change I will experience in this academic cycle after all a sudden change would attract to much attention, best to make it something gradual. Which reminds me that I still have a prank to pull, if I didn't pull one the teachers would suspect that something was wrong.
As he turned towards his two friends he noticed an odd look from Iruka. Oh do we a second Katsue on our hands?
Tenten cracked her neck as she stepped into the sparing ring, the boy in front of her, Yatsuhiro Okuma, didn't look like much of a challenge, even if he was fast becoming one of the better students. He's still miles behind the rest of my group and he hasn't even fought the Hyuuga boy yet.
The two approached the middle of the ring, and she looked closer at her opponent, he had dark purple with spike near the back, a slim build, a round shaped face with a small nose and green eyes.
"Let's do this."
"Yatsuhiro!" Katsue called out placing a hand between them and giving the boy a harsh look. "Before the spar, you have to make the symbol of combat."
The boy flinched back from the look and nodded. "I'm sorry sensei, I'm just excited!"
Katsue looked at him and nodded. "Listen I should have to repeat this, it's your second year already, these shinobi spars are a tradition that's been passed down for generations! I realize there's a lot of etiquette, but it's important, and here at the academy, we're teaching you the basics! First, you always face your opponent and point your fingers like this." She quickly made the Ram sign. "This is the symbol of combat. It represents on half of a seal that might be used to activate a Ninjutsu technique, and means, 'I've come to face you in battle!' When the spar is over, both participants make the symbol of combat and lock their fingers together, to make the symbol of harmony and acknowledge that they are still comrades. This is all part of the proper etiquette for a shinobi spar."
"Hai sensei!"
Katsue looked between the two and nodded after they made the sign.
Yatsuhiro grinned at her as he got into his stance. "Heh so you're the big star huh?"
She cocked an eyebrow at the boy and tilted her head. Is he actually going to taunt me?
"The quiet type huh? No problem, once I beat you down, I'll be number one!"
A small smile spread across her face hearing the words. "Oh? Take me down you say?"
"Yep, I won't go easy on you even if you're a girl! I hope you can put up a good fight before going down!"
Tenten's smile got bigger as she heard her group of friends hiss their breaths.
Her smile now threatened to reach her ears; she looked at the boy through half closed eyes tilting her head back. "Take me down?"
Tai's eyes widened hearing the boy speak. "He's dead meat."
Sora nodded. "Utterly dead. Even Katsue-sensei looks worried."
"Remember what she did to me last year? He's going to get it far worse."
Tenten's smile dropped as she raised her left hand towards her face, fist already tightened. "Start the spar sensei."
Katsue bit her lip for a moment wondering if she shouldn't call the match off, her colleague sent her a puzzled look while the most of the students looked anxious to see the fight, she could see the study group she tutored where just as nervous as she was. No turning back now. She dropped her hand and signaled the spar to commence.
The students thought they blinked and missed, most rubbed their eyes and wondered what had occurred in front of their eyes had moved a few feet from her position and had her right fist outstretched while Yatsuhiro was down on the ground.
Sora muttered under her breath. "Fast, I couldn't even see her."
What did she do? Was that some kind of technique?
Tai shook his head. "No, I don't think so, in fact it's probably the opposite."
"Huh?"
"It was just a simple forward dash."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I looked at her legs and she looked ready to dash the guy, Yatsuhiro wasn't expecting someone to charge at him so quickly."
What was that? Yatsuhiro slowly got up, he could feel that his lips had swollen but weren't broken. Was that really a punch?
Tenten grinned. "Oh, you are a slow one aren't you?"
You?!
"Weren't you going to defeat me?"
"Yeah!" He got up slowly. "It's not over yet!" I could barely see her punch coming and I can't believe how far she was able to reach. I have to get closer to her, keeping a distance is too much here.
A small breath before he charged towards Tenten quickly moving his whole body from right to left.
If I can just wave my head a punch won't land.
Yujiro nodded looking at the boy. That's right keeping moving.
After closing the distance Yatsuhiro threw a punch aimed at Tenten's face, his eyes widened as it missed inches away from her face as she looked on amused, a moment later he felt a pain erupt in his stomach. The air left his lungs. What? A second later saw her left fist before it crashed into his face stumbling him back. He clutched his face feeling the right side go numb. How can she punch like that?
Tenten yawned. "Lets end this, it's gotten boring."
Boring? He let out a ragged breath. "I'll show you boring!" He blinked once before a fist crashed into his face forcing him to take a step back, he never got a chance to get his bearings before another one crashed into his face again from the left side followed by another one from the right side snapping his head to the side and forcing him down to the ground.
"Well I promised sensei to show some restraint after what I did last time, so count yourself lucky."
"I…" His hand clutched the ground as he tried to get up before falling down again.
"Alright the spar is over, Tenten wins."
Tenten grinned at the boy holding her fingers in the ram seal only to have them slapped aside.
Katsue hissed the word out. "Yatsuhiro!"
"No" he shook his head, tears falling down his face "I won't do it."
She let out an exasperated breath. "Yatsuhiro listen…" Katsue's eyes widened when she saw her fellow teacher appear next to the boy and slap him across the back of the head.
"Finish this with honor boy." He spat the words out.
Yatsuhiro gently held out his hand with the fingers in the ram sign and Tenten completed the reconciliation seal.
Well that was one way to end things; at least she showed more restraint this time.
"I'll take him aside and explain a few things about the importance of tradition."
"Very well." It must he hard for him, seeing the boy he cares about getting beaten down so easily, never the less that attitude against an opponent with a reputation would have gotten him killed in a real fight. "Now the next spar will be…"
This chapter was sadly a bit rushed and still needs some work, with the way things are going in real life chapter 15 could take a serious blow as well.
Chapter 14
- The story in this chapter is a translated version of a Romanian tale.
- I initially wanted to change the building a lot however I realized that that would raise many eyebrows in the world I set up so that got scrapped for later.
- Kurys – this part is from wikipedia
- Tounela – this part is from Wikipedia, a Finish belief not something made up. This was actually supposed to be part of a mission later on with a character getting stuck in a place like that, sadly it got cut and I ended up placing the bits and pieces that remained in this chapter.
- Not the best work with the fight scenes
- A fight scene between Neji and Tai got cut from this chapter.
- More scenes with Tenten's study group got cut as well.
- Quotes from :
- Joe Abercrombie - The Heroes, present and accounted for.
- Yozora Mikazuki (Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai)
- Black Star (Soul Eater).
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