04. Something Called Teamwork
"Stupid…frickin…frackin…"
I muttered incoherent obscenities angrily. I could feel the blood rushing to my head, my face was quickly flushing a lovely shade of scarlet and I was suddenly feeling guilty over not getting Naruto down earlier. Kakashi had been kind enough to resheath my daggers for me, but as my hands were tied behind my back, fat load of good it did me. I twisted and turned and tried everything I could think of to no avail. But as I hung there, upside down, my eyes caught a blue blur moving through the clearing. I never thought I'd say this, ever, but relief rushed over me as Sasuke came sprinting into the clearing.
"Sasuke! Sasuke!"
Sasuke stopped, glancing over at the sound of my voice. I watched Sasuke's expressions fight with themselves. He looked like he wanted to smirk and twitch at the same time. I swung back and forth by my ankle, watching him expectantly. Silence passed between us for a solid moment before Sasuke turned away from me and began walking away.
"Hey! Hey get back here! Get me down!" I yelled angrily.
Sasuke did stop and sighed rather loudly before finally coming to my aide. Up-side down I was eye level with the Uchiha.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
As soon as my hands were free, I'd throttle him. "Oh you know, I tie myself up like this when I want to get away. What do you think I'm doing!? Stupid Kakashi-sensei got me with my back turned!"
"Sasuke! Sasuke-kun!" Sakura's voice echoed through the clearing.
You groaned. "Uggggh, you brought her?"
"She's been following me," Sasuke muttered, gritting his teeth together in irritation. I was surprised, albiet a bit pleased to witness this minor emotional display.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura appeared in the clearing, looking around herself. When she spotted Sasuke, her eyes twinkled in delight. "Sasuke-kun! There you are!"
Sakura ran over, latching herself onto Sasuke. He tried to push her off, clearly aggravated, but she was like adhesive. Sakura then, for the first time, noticed me, still dangling about mind you, and quickly getting a headache. Disgust immediately broke out over her face. She let go of Sasuke, staring at him accusingly. "What are you doing with her?"
I snapped. "Get me out of here so I can kill her!"
Sasuke sighed, clearly annoyed with the both of us. Regardless, silently, he pulled out a kunai from the holster on his right thigh and moved closer to me, finally slicing the blade through the rope holding me hostage. Unfortunately, that's where Sasuke's chivalry ended and he stepped backwards, letting me fall into a heap on the ground.
"Ow!" I said pointedly, rubbing at my back and shooting a glare up at Sasuke, where it went unnoticed.
Sasuke was already walking away. Sakura ran after him, stopping a foot or so a way. "Sasuke-kun, where are you going?"
"It's almost noon; I'm going to go get a bell," Sasuke answered without turning around to look at her.
"Can you grab me one too? You know, since you're at it?" I asked, getting to my feet and stretching to the point of popping my joints.
Sakura shot me a glare over her shoulder before returning her attention to Sasuke's back. "But the bell is going to ring soon…maybe you should just give up and try again next year?"
"No…I have to fulfill my goal," Sasuke said, so quietly I almost missed it.
"Yeah, great ambition, Sakura," I rolled my eyes, attempting to follow Sasuke.
"No one asked you, Nakao," Sakura pivoted to glare at me once more.
"And no one wants you, Sakura. It seems we've reached an impasse."
Just then, the sound of Kakashi-sensei's alarm rang through the forest. I cursed along with Sasuke, stamping a foot on the ground. Shit.
I sighed heavily, trying to banish the defeat that clenched at my heart. Head downcast, I followed Sasuke back to the three posts and stumps. Sakura scurried to catch up.
When we arrived back at the rendezvous point, Naruto and Kakashi-sensei were already there. Kakashi-sensei was standing in front of the three posts, waiting for our arrival. Naruto was tied to the middle post, bound tightly by rope. I immediately rolled my eyes, wondering what he'd done this time.
Wandering over, Sasuke took a seat on the grass in front of the post to Kakashi-sensei's right. Sakura took a seat in front of the one on his left. I decided to sit in front of Naruto, cross-legged.
"Well, I've decided that none of you will be sent back to the academy," Kakashi-sensei said casually, one hand in his pocket.
Naruto and Sakura immediately cheered. Sasuke remained silent, keeping his gaze on Kakashi-sensei. I was in the same mindset and narrowed my eyes in suspicion. Kakashi didn't seem like an A-for-effort guy. I took a quick peak at his belt and was assured that three bells remained there.
"No, I think you should just quit being ninja's all together."
Sakura and Naruto fell abruptly silent, Sasuke stiffened and my chest immediately filled with apprehension.
"You four have no idea what it means to be a ninja. You're all just snobby, little kids who think they're playing a game. You don't deserve to be ninja."
I bristled, but stayed seated. Sasuke on the other hand, must have been a little more offended. Sasuke was on his feet in a heartbeat. He took out a kunai and rushed Kakashi.
"Sasuke!" I called after him. What an idiot!
Just like before with Naruto, Kakashi-sensei was too quick. In a matter of a second, Kakashi had Sasuke pinned against the ground as he sat on his back. He had taken Sasuke's kunai and was now holding it against his throat. "Sakura, kill Naruto now or Sasuke dies," Kakashi-sensei ordered.
Sakura gasped. Naruto quickly looked from Sasuke to Sakura, scared she would actually do it. I had the same mindset and shot to my feet, right hand hovering over a dagger handle. I watched Sakura intently until Kakashi-sensei removed the kunai from Sasuke's neck, spun it around his finger and placed it in his weapons pouch.
"That's what happens on a mission. Someone is taken hostage and you have to make a life or death decision; someone will die," Kakashi's tone of voice changed as he continued. He sounded angry. "Why do you think you are put into squads?"
"Is that some kind of trick question?" I asked confused. "We're put into squads so we can go on missions. You don't typically go on missions solo."
"Exactly. And still, none of you figured out the true purpose of this exercise," Kakashi-sensei said.
I scratched my head for second in thought before snapping my fingers. "Oh! You wanted us to work as a team!"
"Now you get it," Kakashi-sensei narrowed his eyes at our group. "It's too late now; but if the four of you had come at me at once, you may have been able to take the bells."
I stamped the ground in aggravation, hands flying to my hips. "Ugh, Sasuke! I told you!"
"Hey, wait a second!" Sakura looked to Kakashi. "But there are only three bells. Even if we had gotten them, we'd have to decide who got them and who didn't. That would lead to group conflict and the squad would break up!"
"I purposely pinned you against each other. I wanted to see if you could put the squad ahead of yourselves. A genin should have a natural feel for teamwork, but you-it never even crossed your mind…" Kakashi-sensei whipped his eye over at Sakura, his tone anything but pleasant. "Sakura! You obsessed about Sasuke who was gone, even though Naruto was right in front of you; you wouldn't lift a finger to help him!"
Looking embarrassed, Sakura glanced at the ground.
"Naruto! You do everything on your own; everything."
Naruto only continued to watch Kakashi-sensei, making noises in the back of his throat.
"And you," Kakashi-sensei pushed Sasuke's face into the ground with his foot, which was atop of his head. "You thought everyone was so far beneath you that they couldn't help you. And when Nakao asked for your help when she was helpless, you almost walked away! And Nakao-"
My body tensed and I cringed, waiting for my lecture.
"-you did more than anyone. You knew from the start that you wouldn't be able to beat me on your own and tried to seek out help. You attempted to recruit Sakura so I imagine you were planning to get to Naruto as well. You were the only one who understood what was required of you, even when it's clear that none of you get along."
My face flushed in embarrassment. I guess I should be pleased that I'd done what was expected; but it didn't feel like a compliment. I did what I knew I needed to do. I thought like a ninja. I was raised to think this way. In fact, it only worried me that my teammates had missed such an common sense assessment.
"Of course you need individual skills, but on a mission, the most important thing is teamwork. Every shinobi knows this. On every mission, your life is on the line," Kakashi-sensei removed himself from Sasuke and started walking away from our group.
My eyes followed Kakashi-sensei. He walked over to a large stone in the center of the clearing. "Have you taken a look at this stone? At the names engraved on it? They are all ninja who are honored as heroes in our village."
"That's it! That's it! I've just decided, I'm going to have my name engraved on that stone!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly.
At that moment, Sasuke got up from the ground and walked back to the group, hands in his pockets. He stood beside me, keeping his gaze focused away.
"They are…a special kind of hero," Kakashi-sensei said carefully, glancing back to Naruto.
"What kind of hero!?" Naruto asked, still just as excited.
Kakashi-sensei was silent for a long moment before answering. "They're all K.I.A."
"Huh? That sounds really cool!" Naruto grinned.
I didn't even look at him; my eyes remained glued to the stone. My mouth went dry and my heart felt heavy in my chest. I knew that stone all too well, and what it stood for. My parents' names were carved into that stone. "It means Killed In Action, Naruto…"
I could sense Sasuke's eyes on me but I ignored him. I knew the tone in my voice had betrayed me. Naruto's mood dampened and he grew silent.
"This is a memorial stone," Kakashi-sensei continued. "The names of my closest friends are engraved here."
I closed my eyes.
"I thought you guys were going to stay around for my birthday!" I pouted. "I'm only going to be eight once you know!"
My mother smiled, her dark brown eyes crinkling upwards as she did so. "Sorry Pumpkin, but we have an important investigation the Hokage wants us to go on."
"Can't he get someone else?" I whined, going so far as to stick out my bottom lip.
"This is a special mission, Nakao," my father said. "We're the only ones who can go."
"I promise, we'll make it up to you when we get home," Mother said, kneeling in front of me.
"You swear?" I asked, with watery eyes.
"I swear."
"Cross your heart and hope to die?"
Mother smiled. "Of course, Pumpkin."
She leaned forward, planting a kiss on my forehead. She got to her feet as my father turned his words to me. "You behave with your brother, alright Kiddo?"
"Okay, Dad," I rolled my eyes.
"We'll be back before you know it."
I slowly opened my eyes as the memory dissipated. Kakashi-sensei still had his back turned, watching the stone. Part of me wondered if he was having memories too. I could still feel Sasuke's burning stare but I was insistent on ignoring him, raising my chin defiantly against the ache in my chest.
"Alright, I'm going to give you one more chance," Kakashi-sensei finally said, turning around to face us. "It's going to be harder this time. You have three hours to get a bell. Eat lunch now to build up strength; but, Naruto doesn't get any."
Naruto made a noise from behind me.
"It's your punishment for breaking the rules and trying to eat by yourself," Kakashi-sensei said, walking towards your group so that he was only standing a few feet away. "And if anyone tries to feed him, that person will immediately fail."
Naruto cried out in anguish.
"I make the rules, you follow them. Got it?" Kakashi threatened.
—
I nibbled on my rice. Kakashi-sensei had given myself, Sasuke and Sakura bento boxes for lunch. Naruto was excluded and remained roped to the pole. I shoved a piece of meat in my mouth before addressing my team.
"Alright, I think we should make a game plan before Kakashi gets back. Sasuke, you-"
I was cut off by the loud rumble of Naruto's stomach. I glanced beside myself to look up at him. Sasuke and Sakura followed suit. Hunger stitched onto Naruto's face as his stomach grumbled loudly again.
"This is no big deal! I can go without eating for days! Weeks!" Naruto insisted defiantly. That was, until his stomach growled loudly again and the hunger pains became evident on his face.
I rolled my eyes and raised an eyebrow. "Coming from the boy whose only joy in life is ramen?"
Sighing I glanced back at my bento box before handing it to Naruto, pushing it against his side. "Here."
"What? But you can't do that. You heard what Sensei said," Sakura said, glancing around herself nervously.
"Kakashi-sensei's gone," Sasuke pointed out. "We need to get those bells as a team. If Naruto's hungry, he'll be weak and ineffective. That hurts the team and jeopardizes the mission."
"Ummm, probably not the wording I would have used but, yes, essentially what Sasuke said. Now here," I pushed the bento box against Naruto's side again.
"But Nakao-" Sakura tried.
"If Nakao doesn't give him her lunch, I'll give him mine. If she fails, we're failing too," Sasuke said, watching the ground.
I blinked, staring at Sasuke in astonishment. Slowly, a smile crept onto my face. Sakura sighed, drawing my attention to her. She held out her box to Naruto.
"Here, just take mine," she said. "I'm on a diet and…I don't need to eat as much as Nakao and Sasuke so just take it."
"Hey!" I shot her a glare. "Did you just call me fat!?"
But no one paid me any mind.
"Th-thanks…" Naruto said. He began to twitch his arms, which were still bound by the rope. "But uh…I can't take it. I can't move my hands; you're gunna have to feed me."
"Huh!?"
I began to laugh hysterically, pointing a mocking finger at Sakura. "Haha! I guess it pays to be fat!"
"Hurry up," Sasuke said, glancing around himself. "He could be back any minute."
"Ugggh! This is one time only, you hear, Naruto!?" Sakura twitched. Nonetheless, she pinched some rice between her chopsticks and went to put it in Naruto's mouth.
Naruto happily ate the rice as Sakura grimaced. Not even a second later, a large blast hit the ground in front of our group. I gasped, turning my upper body to protect my face and in turn, protecting my food. From the debris, Kakashi-sensei appeared, looking angrier than ever.
"You four broke the rules! I hope you're ready for the punishment!" Kakashi-sensei began to form handsigns. As he did so, the skies above turned dark as storm clouds rolled in from nowhere. The ground was trembling beneath us. I placed my bento on the ground behind me and turned back to face Kakashi, kneeling in case I'd have to fight
"But-but-but-but you s-said…" Naruto stuttered in fear.
"Yes?" Kakashi-sensei asked menacingly.
"You said teamwork's the most important thing!" I spoke up, watching Kakashi-sensei fiercely. "You said put the team above yourself! That's what we're doing, isn't it?"
"We're all on this squad and we do this together," Sasuke added.
"Yeah! The four of us are one!" Sakura imputed unnecessarily.
"Yeah! Yeah what they said!" Naruto cried, kicking his legs out.
"The four of you are one? That's your excuse?" Kakashi-sensei leaned in towards us, glaring, hands on his hips.
"That's not an excuse! It's the truth!" I retorted, glaring back just as fiercely but gulping all the same.
"You…pass," Kakashi-sensei suddenly smiled and the clear blue sky broke through once more.
Caught off guard, I blinked and shook my head. "Huh?"
Naruto and Sakura echoed my surprise.
" ," Kakashi-sensei repeated.
"What do you mean? How'd we pass?" Sakura asked, looking as bewildered as I felt.
"You're the first squad who ever succeeded. The others did exactly as I said and fell into every trap. They couldn't think for themselves. A ninja must see through deception. In the ninja world, those who break the rules are scum; but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum."
Sakura grinned happily as Sasuke smirked. Naruto nearly teared-up beside me, watching Kakashi-sensei in admiration. "He's…he's kind of cool."
"Oh please," I rolled my eyes but I smiled as elation flooded the dread from my system.
"The exercise is over, everyone passes. Squad seven starts their first mission tomorrow," Kakashi-sensei announced.
"Yay!" Sakura cheered.
"I did it!" Naruto laughed. "Yes, I'm a ninja!"
"Let's go home," Kakashi-sensei said, turning his back on our team and walking away.
Sakura and Sasuke quickly got up, following him. I turned around, grabbing my bento box. I got to my feet as I called after my sensei. "Hey! Can I keep the food!?"
—
Author's note: If you're enjoying this story, please drop a comment! Lots of love!