A/N: I'm grateful for the positive reviews that came within the hour of when this story was uploaded. For those who posted any reviews praising the work I will do everything I can to ensure a pleasant story for you all. To the review that asked whether Naruto will be on Team 10 or not, all I'll say is that his sensei is an OC.
Chapter 2: Getting Acquainted & Some Training
-Third Training Field, around 8 A.M.-
On a bright Saturday morning on the third training field the serene scene on display to be admired by anyone around to take in it's beauty. Then the sounds of nature are interrupted by the sounds of what seems to be like someone training. The camera switches over to the field near the circular wooden targets where we see a one Naruto Uzumaki practices throwing his kunai at said circular targets.
Since before the crack of dawn young Naruto Uzumaki had been up practicing his moves for the upcoming school year at the academy. He was determined to be the best at throwing kunai. Walking over to take the kunai from off the target wood he then walks back to his previous throwing position. Taking one of the kunai he prepares to throw it, with a deep breath he hurls the kunai at the target and the knife embeds a few inches off the bull's-eye.
''Dang! Still not getting close!'' He grunted in frustration.
Taking his second one he takes a whole minute to get his aim good and hurls the kunai. This time the weapon getting an inch closer to the bull's-eye much to his pleasure. ''Yeah!" The blonde exclaimed jumping for joy, Taking his last two kunai knives he hurls them at the same time at the target and both find a mark on the wood though they were spread out farther away from the bull's eye.
Walking over to the target he was about to pull the kunai out before someone jumped out from behind the wooden pole like a jump scare.
''Hey blondie!" A girl shouted appearing as if from nowhere.
''Agh!" Naruto cried out as the surprise greeting made him fall on his butt.
''Whatcha doing?!'' The girl asked in a rather friendly tone that it was almost creepy.
Rubbing his sore butt Naruto looked up and saw someone he was hoping to see again. ''Kurotsuchi!'' The boy said as he jumps up to hug the girl but before he could even come close Kurotsuchi used the hilt of her sword to keep the blonde boy at bay.
''Aw come on!'' Naruto pouted before he gave up, ''Just wanted to hug you!''
''Heh, no one gets to hug me blondie so too bad.'' Kurotsuchi snorted before looking at the target, ''So what are you doing out here alone so early on this lovely Saturday morning? Don't you have friends to play with?'' She questioned.
''Erm, well to be honest, I don't have any friends.'' He answered.
''Then why not go out and make some?'' Kurotsuchi asked as she started to walk away.
''Um well, all the other kids avoid me...or their parents take them away as if to keep them away from me.'' Naruto said with a hint of sadness.
Turning around to look at the boy she saw his head lowered as if in shame. Now sure she helped him yesterday from a psychopathic mob that attacked him but she gave it second thoughts and wanted it to be a one time thing and one time thing only.
''Gah! Why do I feel so caring towards him?!'' She thought frantically.
While she was thinking Naruto's sad facial expressions turned into hope and happiness and he looked up towards Kurotsuchi. ''Hey! Let's be friends!'' He declared earning a face-vault from the girl.
''What!?'' Kurotsuchi asked in shock.
''Yeah! You heard me! Let's be best friends Kurotsuchi!''
Kurotsuchi just stared at the blonde like he was insane. ''Be friends with him? A Konoha brat?!''
Several seconds of silence befalls the two children as the sounds of nature were the only things heard.
''Well?'' Naruto asked breaking the silence.
Kurotsuchi continued to stare at him for a few more minutes before her inner voice spoke.
''Well...to be honest he doesn't seem so bad. I mean, the boys in Iwa are all jerks but this one isn't, I see a lone boy in need of a friend so I guess I can play nice and befriend him. It would help to have a friend here so.''
''Sure.''
''What?''
''I said sure, you want to be friends? I guess I can be your first.'' Kurotsuchi repeated crossing her arms.
Overcame with joy Naruto reached out and enveloped the Iwa exchange student in a really tight embrace. ''Yay!, yay!, yay!'' he shouted in pure joy.
''Hey! Let go that's too tight!" Kurotsuchi ordered.
Dropping the girl Naruto scratched the back of his head nervously, ''Hehe, sorry! I get too excited sometimes that weird expressions come out!'' He chuckled.
''Um, sure whatever you say Naruto.''
Looking back at the wood target she took the kunai off of it and walked off a few feet to make some distance.
''Hey, what are you doing?'' Naruto asked.
''Let me show you how it's done blondie.'' Kurotsuchi said before tossing the first kunai straight at the target without even aiming. The projectile hits dead center on the bull's-eye.
''Wow! No way!'' Naruto exclaimed.
''If you think that's impressive watch this.'' Kurotsuchi then took the three kunai and placed them in between the spaces of her fingers looking like she had claws. She then tosses the three kunai and to Naruto's surprise all three kunai embed dead center of the target forming a pattern with the first one where you could draw a square with a marker if you traced the spaces between the knives.
''Woah! That was cool Kurotsuchi! Show me how to throw like that!" Naruto pleaded.
Placing a finger on her chin she goes into thought for several minutes before giving her answer. ''I guess so, but let me ask you this, why do you want to know how to throw kunai skillfully like me? Are you attending the ninja academy?''
''Yeah! It starts Monday so if you teach me I can be pretty good with kunai throwing and be ahead of the other students.'' Naruto spoke with excitement.
''I guess I can, but on one condition.'' Kurotsuchi said.
''What would that be?''
''You keep this between us, I don't want any Konoha brat but you learning from the best.'' She said sternly.
''My lips are sealed!" Naruto said placing his finger on his mouth and zipping it, ''By the way, why do you say Konoha brat? Aren't you from this village too?''
Kurotsuchi felt like throwing up at that. Her? From Konoha? Yeah right!
''No way! I'm from Iwagakure no Sato, the best of the five great villages and I'm here as an exchange student. So if you're wondering yes, I'm going to the academy too.''
''Great! We can be friends forever then!''
''Heh, if you say so blondie.'' Kurotsuchi snorted.
''Yeah yeah! Now teach me how to throw like you!'' Naruto beckoned.
''Uh uh uh, first I want to see your physical fitness.'' She said wiggling her finger.
''My what? Physical fitness?''
''Yeah, like push-ups, sit-ups and your two-mile run time because if you want to be a shinobi of this village you need to pass the PT test they administer the week before graduation.'' She said in a teacher like voice.
''Oh that's easy! I do those every day!'' He declared confidently.
''Oh really then? Let's see how good your push-ups are. Get into position now!'' She barked with authority.
''Alright alright!'' Naruto shouted in fear he assumes the front leaning rest position.
Bending down so she was sort of eye level with him she began to explain the Konoha ninja academy's PT test, that's if they had one that is.
''Alright blondie...''
''Call me Naruto!'' Naruto interrupted.
''Tch, alright then, Na-ru-to. You understand how the push-ups work right?'' She questioned earning a nod from the blonde, ''Good, because you will be timed for two minutes to see how many push-ups you can do and the required amount you need to do is at least forty-two. Think you got what it takes?''
''Hell yeah! Naruto Uzumaki can do anything!'' The blonde boy shouted full of confidence.
''Oh really? Then BEGIN!'' She screamed out at the top of her lungs.
''Oh god!'' Naruto cried out before he began his push-ups.
''1, 2, 3, 4, 5,..''
1 minute and 50 seconds later.
''Ten seconds!'' Kurotsuchi announced looking at her little watch, ''Five! Four! Three! Two! One! STOP!''
''Ugh! That was so painful..'' Naruto moaned falling face first onto the dirt, ''So...tired...can't...feel...arms..''
''Hahahahahahahahaha, that's pretty funny! You should be proud your arms are that tired because guess what Naruto? You did forty-three push-ups! So you passed the first part of the PT test congratulations!'' Kurotsuchi cheered.
''Wha..? I passed? Oh yeah! Let's get straight to the sit-ups then!" Naruto said as he gets into the starting position of said work-out. ''C'mon! Start timing me!"
''Alright then, I hope you're ready to run because after the sit-ups you're running right away without a break Naruto!'' She cackled evilly.
One hour later.
After a full hour of intense work-outs Naruto was a sweaty exhausted mess as we see the blonde laying on the ground near the river that cut through the middle of the training field catching his breath. ''Huff, huff, that was a fun time! So how did I do Kurotsuchi?'' He asked turning to look at the girl standing tall over him.
''Do you want my honest opinion? To be honest you did pretty good actually. You needed like fifty-three sit-ups at the maximum to pass and you did fifty-five which is pretty good. For the two mile the required passing time is 15:54 at the maximum and you ran a 15:40, you're not bad Naruto.'' Kurotsuchi said patting him on the the forehead.
''Dang right I'm good! I'm a natural at this!
''Oh really? Want to see how I do then?''
''Psh, not as good as me I bet!''
''Oh? Then time me.''
45 minutes later.
To say Naruto was baffled was an understatement. After timing Kurotsuchi in the push-ups, sit-ups and two-mile run respectively Naruto was shocked beyond belief. She performed so good that she made the blonde look like utter crap. ''H-how are you so good at this?!'' The blonde shouted.
''It appears that I'm the natural in all this Naruto, not you you suck!" She giggled sticking her tongue out at him.
''Ugh, you did a total of ninety-five push-ups, one-hundred and two sit-ups and ran a 10:01 for your run...That's...AWESOME!'' Praised the blonde, ''How are you so good?''
''It's simple, just eat your vegetables and practice practice practice!'' She declared proudly.
''What the?! But I hate eating vegetables!''
''Then you won't be good as me.''
''Alright then, I can work hard to be as good as you through training! Believe it!"
''Exactly, I was just joking about the vegetable part, I'm so good at this because I've been training since I learn to walk.'' She said before looking up towards the sun, ''Well, judging by the position of the sun it's now eleven in the morning, I guess we can do some other forms of training if y...''
''No way! I'll just be beaten by you anyway because you're so good at this! You were meant to be a kunoichi!'' Naruto pouted.
''That is true, but if you have the heart and dedication you too can become a shinobi and from what I'm seeing you have those two qualities. I think you'll do fine in the academy.'' Kurotsuchi inquired.
''You think so?''
''Oh yeah, my hunches are always correct.''
Naruto was about to say something until a very, VERY loud growl was heard. Seems that both their stomachs were in dire need of filling. The drawn out growling making it seem that their stomachs were practically begging the words ''Feed me...'', The two of them then face each other and break out laughing as they fall over on their backs.
''Oh that's funny! I've never heard a stomach growl that loud in Iwa! This villages just seems to surprise me!'' Kurotsuchi got out between laughs.
''Hey! It's natural for my hungry stomach to do that! I swear it has a mind of it's own!" Naruto added.
Recovering from her laughter Kurotsuchi sat up before her laughter stops. ''Haha...so what do you say to some lunch blondie hm?''
''I guess.'' Naruto said as he began to sit up, ''How does ramen sound?''
''Nah, I nearly exploded from that little eat off we had and why ramen? Want me to beat you again? I have never seen anyone eat like you and yet I beat you at what I'd guess to be your own game.'' She teased.
''Hey! I was caught off guard and I was sleepy!'' Naruto protested.
''Pffft, whatever blondie. Let's just go get something to eat hm?~'' She said in a sing song voice.
''Lead the way then.''
-Aomori's BBQ & Steak eatery-
''Mmmhmm! This BBQ is soooooooooooooooo delicious huh?'' She giggled in glee.
''I'd much rather eat ramen...'' Naruto mumbled taking a bite of his grilled steak.
''Oh come on! This is wayyyyyy better than ramen! I can eat this all day everyday!''
''And I can do the same with ramen.'' Naruto added.
The two of them were enjoying their meal and after paying they leave and go for a short walk around the village. As they were walking through the streets there was one thing that was occurring that was getting Kurotsuchi upset. A few villagers gave Naruto hateful looks while several of the villagers were whispering several hateful words towards him. However the thing that bugged her the most was how it didn't seem to bother the blonde boy.
''Hey, doesn't that bother you?'' She whispered in his ear.
''I'm used to it, just ignore these losers and they'll go away and be lame somewhere else.'' Naruto replied.
Deciding the drop the issue the two of them then continue their little walk for about a half hour later before stopping in front of a shinobi's weapon and clothing shop. ''Say Naruto, besides the kunai you had earlier do you have anything else?'' She asked inspecting the slowly rusted knives.
''Not really, I've had those two kunai since I was like five so, no I don't have anything else but those.'' He answered.
''Well you're in luck! Since we start the academy on Monday I feel pretty nice today and decided that I will get you some cool equipment.'' Kurotsuchi said in a cheerful tone.
''Wow! You really mean it?''
''Well, yeah I mean, we are friends after all...riiiiiiiight? Or is my generosity not enough for you?" She whimpered with puppy eyes.
''No no! I like your generosity! Come on let's go!'' Naruto said dragging her into the store which was called 'Shinobi Equipment and Wear'
Upon entering the shop Naruto and (Yes, even Kurotsuchi) were amazed at how much weapons and shinobi gear the store was packing for the Konoha ninjas. ''I gotta admit, it's even better than the one in Iwa. They've got everything any ninja would want.'' She thought in awe as Naruto ran off to explore the shelves.
''This is awesome! What should we get? Oh! Can we get that kusarigama? Oh oh! How about those katana? Or maybe even that Daikyu yumi? No! Those naginata and yari look good! Gah! I simply cannot decide!''
Giggling at the boy's silliness Kurotsuchi walks up to a pair of sai and a tanto on display and hands it to him. ''Here, these are simple, yet easy to use weapons but if you become really good with them you'll be the number one buttkicker in all the land.''
''So cool! Oh! That kunai knife set looks really awesome!" Naruto pointed at several kunai displayed on the wall, ''Let's get these too!''
''Whatever you want, but try not to overspend...I'm broke like Kirigakure after the last war.'' She lied.
After buying the sai, tanto, kunai knife set Naruto decided to get something extra which was a pair of child size ANBU cargo pants with a chain hanging off the back pocket. They then walk up to the cashier who was surprisingly instead of some villager who would've strangled Naruto it was a girl with brown hair kept in two buns about their age if not a year older. Noticing the duo walking up to the counter she smiled and greeted them.
''Hi! I'm Tenten, what are you purchasing?'' The cheerful girl asked.
''These!'' Naruto shouted placing all his items on the counter.
''Okay, just let me scan them, get the total price and bag these for you.''
''Thanks!'' Naruto said before walking off to explore the store some more.
While she was scanning the tags on each item Tenten's curiosity got the best of her. She noticed that Kurotsuchi wasn't wearing the standard outfit she knew shinobi in Konoha wore. Kurotsuchi was wearing a red shirt that had a long sleeve on the left side while the right was sleeveless and red shorts that had a lapel over her right side with fishnet tights that screamed foreigner. ''Hey, you're not from Konoha are you?'' She questioned.
''Not really.'' Kurotsuchi answered.
''Well judging by the way you're dressed I presume you're from Earth country right? Iwagakure?''
''Uh, yeah but what's it to you?'' Kurotsuchi asked wondering where Tenten was going with this.
''It's just that..isn't there still bad blood between our villages after the last war? I mean, I'm surprised you even managed to get into the village without incident is all. Why are you here?''
''I'm here because my grandfather, the Tsuchikage sent me here as an exchange student to at least stabilize relations with one another. No more and no less.''
''Oh really? Are you attending the academy when the first years begin on Monday?''
''Pretty much.''
''That's awesome, I'm a year ahead of you guys and I must say the curriculum and instructors are very professional and top of the line. I think you'll love it there!''
''Yeah, I bet.'' Kurotsuchi scoffed before Naruto popped up out of nowhere, ''Hey are you girls done talking yet?!'' He shouted spooking the two girls.
''Naruto! You almost scared me all the way back to Iwa!'' Kurotsuchi growled before grabbing his nose between her index and middle finger and proceeds to squeeze it very hard and pull.
''Ow! I'm sorry I'm sorry! Please let me go!'' Naruto pleaded.
''Do it again and I'll tie you down and gut you like a fish!" Kurotsuchi ordered before releasing the blonde from her nose pinch of death, ''Here's your stuff.'' She said holding the bag of stuff towards him.
Reaching for the bag Naruto takes it from her whilst still rubbing his sore nose. ''Thanks Kuro-chan!''
''What? What did you call me?'' Kurotsuchi asked
''I called you Kuro-chan!''
Reaching her hand out she once again pinches his nose between her index and middle fingers before giving it a twist making the boy fall on his side, her grip remaining strong and the reaction was what she wanted.
''Gah! Ow! Stop that Kuro-cha..Ah!'' Naruto cried out.
''Call me that one more time and I'll swear I'll pull it off your face!'' Kurotsuchi snarled.
''Okay! Let me go now!"
She then releasing her grip in the poor blonde's nose leaving the boy to rub it again. ''So you got your stuff, ready to go now?'' Kurotsuchi asked.
''Yeah, I guess.''
''Alright then, let's get going because we got more training!''
''Aw man!"
The two of them then exit out of the store after bidding farewell to Tenten and go for a little walk. Since it was around four in the evening there was still enough sunlight out for a few more hours of training.
''So Naruto, since I bought you a new kunai set, a tanto and a pair of sai. Oh and those cargo pants too maybe we can go train some more?'' Kurotsuchi said in a sickeningly sweet voice.
''Meh, actually I'm reeeeeeeally tired so I guess I'll...'' Naruto yawned before Kurotsuchi grabbed him by the collar of his button-up.
The look Kurotsuchi gave him was something out of a nightmare. She had her eyes wide open and they were replaced with flowing lava.
''Naruto...if you want to be a good shinobi then you should train...'' Kurotsuchi said in a voice that made Naruto shiver.
''Holy crap that's scary...Fine fine! I'll train! But you gotta promise to teach me something!''
Setting him down Kurotsuchi dusted him off, ''Good boy! And for what you want to learn is it how to improve on throwing your kunai? Because that is why I wanted to take you to train some more. I'm gonna make you a top shot with your projectiles.'' Kurotsuchi said with a confident smirk.
''Oh! Do you mean it? You will teach me?'' Naruto said with hope in his voice.
''Yeah why not?''
The two of them then head to the Shuriken/Kunai throwing field located ten minutes southeast of Konoha.
-Shuriken/Kunai Range-
''Yeah! I did it!" Naruto declared as he jumps for joy. He had successfully hit three consecutive bull's-eye with his kunai.
Removing the kunai from the target Kurotsuchi walked over to him and patted his back, ''Well that's some great throwing blondie, now I got a new challenge for you.''
''What is it?'' Naruto asked.
''Place a kunai knife in between your fingers to you look like you have three claws on each hand.'' Kurotsuchi ordered as she demonstrates by doing the task herself, ''Like this.''
Doing what he was told Naruto placed a kunai in between his fingers.
''Alright, now try to top this!'' She then proceeded to hurl the six kunai, all six hitting the bull's-eye in close proximity to each other, ''Try to do that.'' She said giving the blonde a smirk.
''I can top that. Easy!'' Naruto said as he crosses his arms across his chest. Taking a deep breath he then clumsily flings his kunai at the target only for the projectiles to completely miss the target paper. The kunai flying all over the place landing on the grass. ''What?!'' Naruto screamed.
''Hahahahahahaha! Oh man that was funny!" Kurotsuchi laughed earning a glare from the blonde.
''Hey! Don't laugh!''
Ceasing her laughter Kurotsuchi walked over to retrieve the kunai and walks back towards Naruto. Handing him the kunai she goes to explain the fundamentals that Naruto wasn't implementing to get good throws. ''Here, when you throw kunai whether it's one or even six you need to steady your hand. Go and place six in between your fingers again like earlier.''
Doing what he was told Naruto then looks at Kurotsuchi for more instructions. ''Then what?'' He asked.
''Then take a few breaths and throw when you exhale.'' She explained.
Naruto takes a few deep breaths as instructed before Kurotsuchi continued her explanation, ''Now when you throw it don't just fling it like a madman because the way you did it made you look like a drunk Kumo ninja. You smoothly hurl it with a flick of the wrist and, well I'll let you see for yourself.''
Nodding, Naruto then readies himself for the throw, he takes several deep breaths before deeply exhales, opening his eyes he eyes the target. He then smoothly hurls the kunai and with a flick of his wrists he sends the kunai flying towards the target paper. Watching the knives fly he crosses his fingers with hope and to his surprise all six of the kunai strike the bull's-eye. ''Yeah! I did it! I did it!" He exclaimed jumping for joy.
Smiling that her instructions were successful she pats the happy boy in his back. ''Nice job, looks like you do have a brain and attention span after all.'' She chuckled.
''Thanks Kurotsuchi!'' Naruto said reaching out to hug the girl only for her to place her index and middle finger on his forehead halting his movement. ''Hey! Let me hug you!''
''No way, remember what I said? No one has the right to hug me.'' Kurotsuchi said in a bossy tone.
Pouting cutely, Naruto just turned his head the other direction, ''Fine!''
Smirking at the boy's misery Kurotsuchi draws her katana and his sai. ''Hey, heads up!'' She said tossing the weapons to him.
Looking up he catches the small weapons in each hand. ''Wow, almost caught me by surprise there.''
''Now are you ready to move on to the next part of your training this evening?'' She asked.
''Of course! But, what are we doing now?''
''I'm going to teach you how to fight with sai against an opponent armed with a sword. Sound cool?''
''Heck yeah! Let's fight!'' Naruto said as he charged forward with his sai pointed out.
As he comes close to the girl she uses the hilt of her sword to bat both his arms away leaving him open for attack. ''What the?'' Naruto gasped.
With her target opened for an attack she lunges forward and shoots the hilt of the sword outward striking the blonde boy in the bridge of his nose sending him stumbling backwards clutching said area. ''Ow! That hurt!'' He growled before Kurotsuchi appears behind him and trips him with a low sweep sending him falling on his back. Unsheathing her katana she holds the tip of the blade against his neck grinning in satisfaction. ''You didn't wait for me to say start Naruto.''
Groaning as she helps him up Naruto just pouted, ''Well maybe you should say something before I try to attack you!'' He snarled.
''Maybe you should stop being so impatient and let me give the signal to begin blondie. How about that?'' She retorted.
''Well maybe you should..um..''
''What? Got nothing to say hm?''
''Urm..I got a lot of things to say but I don't know what I should say!''
''Whatever, now let me teach you the basics of wielding the sai.''
1 hour later...
''And that's what the prongs here are for.'' She concluded.
''I see! So sai can be used well in pairs can function as projectiles and are good at disarming opponents?'' Naruto asked receiving a nod in response, ''That's awesome, so I can take on someone with a sword like yours and basically win?''
''If you know what you're doing because if you don't, well, you could die.''
''Oh...well then I won't lose to you then!"
''Feeling up for a little fight? Let's see if my lessons make a difference!"
The two of them jump back to create some space and Kurotsuchi would be the first one to attack first by rushing forward and unsheathes her katana. In response Naruto raises his sai and miraculously catches the blade of the katana in between the prongs of the them. Smirking he then attempts to twist the sai to try and disarm her but before he could do so Kurotsuchi released her grip on the handle letting the blade spin in the air for a split second from Naruto's wrist twist before shoving him away. Reaching for the handle she catches the blade in hand and brings the hilt down onto Naruto's head bonking him. Hard.
''Youch!'' Naruto cried out rubbing the sore forehead of his. Before he could say anything he felt a hand on his chest shove him on his ass. Looking up he saw Kurotsuchi standing before him with a victorious grin plastering her face.
''So you want to keep going? Or are you gonna be a good boy and surrender?'' She questioned.
''Hmph! Fine you win...again!'' He pouted.
''Good.''
Helping him up she helps dust him off before looking at her watch. ''Well it's almost seven now, want to continue training?''
''Sure I guess, but let's not do something physical. I'm already feeling...excited.''
''Excited? You mean exhausted.'' She corrected.
''Yeah, that's the word heh heh.''
Placing a finger on her chin she goes into thought on what they should do next. ''Well I've already helped you learn the fundamentals of throwing kunai correctly and that lesson on how to use sai, plus I pretty much beat you twice. How about I quiz you?''
''Quiz me? On what?'' Naruto gave her a confused look.
''Quiz you on what I taught you today like, again the fundamentals of throwing kunai and maybe on what the parts of sai are called so you can be familiar with them. They'll most likely quiz us on these things in the academy so this would be pretty helpful you know.'' Kurotsuchi explained..
''Alright then, ask away!'' Naruto said with confidence.
''Okay then, what is this part called?'' She asked pointing to the end of the handle.
''Oh, um that's...is it called the tsunamigeisha?'' He snickered.
Placing a hand on his face, she grabs his nose via her index and middle fingers and twists it violently.
''Ow! Alright! It's called the tsukagashira!" He screamed.
Satisfied with his answer she moves on to the next part. ''Alright, what is the most common use of the tsukagashira?''
''To bludgeon an opponent.''
''Good boy!'' She said pinching his cheeks making him groan.
''Now, what is this part called?'' She pointed at the very tip of the weapon.
''That's the saki and it's used for attacking with thrusts.''
''Great! And here I was thinking that you were a dumb blonde! You do pay attention!'' She praised.
After about an hour of quizzing her friend the sun had now set leaving the two of them sitting beside each other with a fire in front of them. Instead of heading home right away they decided to have a mini camp night and enjoy the sounds of the night that nature had to offer. Roasting atop the raging flames were several fish Naruto had caught while some mushroom's boil in a bucket below said fish.
The two of them sit in silence before Naruto decided to break the silence. ''Hey.''
''Yeah?''
''Do you think sitting back and relaxing by a fire while looking up at the stars is fun.?'' He asked.
Smiling at his question, she then thinks for a moment to come up with an answer. ''Well, it's nice I guess. Sometimes I like to think of the stars as like the sun. Heck, to be honest I actually find the amount that appear every night pretty cool and pleasant to look at. The world is huge that it man's existence is pretty insignificant compared to how vast the world is.'' She said.
''True, true, the world is so big!''
Another silence fills the air before Naruto reaches for a fish he caught and hands it to Kurotsuchi, smirking at the boy's hospitality she accepts the fish before taking a bite out of it. ''Wow Naruto, this is pretty good.'' She commented before taking another bite of it.
''Of course it's good! I made it!'' He declared with a puffed chest.
The two of them laughed and enjoyed their fish for the next half hour before Naruto decided to ask one questioned he was dying to ask her. Looking at the girl he sighs deeply.
''Kurotsuchi.''
''What is it?''
''Why did you help me that night?''
''You mean from the angry mob?''
''Yeah.''
Now Kurotsuchi was taken by surprise at the question, how should she answer it? Should she lie? Should she tell him the reason she helped him? Thinking long and hard for a minute she finally found the answer she wanted to give him. The truth. ''Because I didn't want to see you get hurt.''
Gasping at her answer Naruto felt the temperature in his cheeks rise, ''Because you..didn't want me to get hurt?'' He asked.
''Yeah, and because it's only a good deed to help someone in need am I right?'' She answered looking at him.
''But, you didn't even know me if not barely, we just had a ramen eat off and that was it.''
''So? It doesn't matter if I know you or not, I just don't like seeing people get hurt. If I left you who knows what they would've done to you? They could've beaten you, hung you or even gut you alive and I didn't want to see that because you don't deserve any of that crap these villagers give you.'' She said with compassion in her voice. Her guess was right all along, she did see happiness and joy in his eyes but deep down he was hurting.
Staring at the girl with wide-eyes Naruto felt tears trying their hardest to leave his eyes. ''Thank you.'' He said.
''Huh?'' Kurotsuchi asked confused.
''Thank you, for doing what you did, and for caring.'' He repeated, ''I promise when I get stronger I'll return the favor and protect you too!" He declared.
She then looked at him like he was a psycho. ''No way I can protect myself!
''Nope! I promise that I will protect you like you protect me! I never go back on my word!" He said with that grin of his.
''..'' She tried to say something but couldn't find the right words to get out, ''Well, that's real sweet of you Naruto.''
''You're welcome.''
''Huh?''
''You said thank you, I just said you're welcome.''
''Oh, heh heh.''
Looking at the boy and seeing that cheesy foxy grin of his she returned his smile. However, the quite moment was interrupted when both their stomachs groaned and growled so loud that it echoed across the small field. The two of them were left blushing in embarrassment and turned to look at each other. Maintaining their mini staredown for about thirty seconds they then break out into a fit of laughter.
They stayed like that for over a minute before stopping to catch their breaths. Hearing the sizzling of the mushrooms become more noticeable Naruto looked into the bucket to check them to see that they were about done. ''Try those mushrooms I got Kurotsuchi!'' Naruto said catching his breath.
Looking at the bucket containing the mushrooms Kurotsuchi gave them a look before pretending to throw up. ''Ew no! You probably picked the poisonous ones on purpose so you can give them to me huh?'' She said pointing a finger at him accusingly.
Baffled by her answer, Naruto carefully reached a hand into the boiling bucket and pulled out a mushroom. He then leans closer to Kurotsuchi and reaches for her mouth to try and put it in. ''You won't know until you try it! Now eat!'' He ordered.
''No! Get that thing away from me!'' Kurotsuchi giggled as she leans back trying to avoid the fungus.
-Streets of Konoha-
Another two hours would pass before they decided to head home since it was getting rather late now. Dowsing the fire out the two of them are seen walking through the quiet streets and every now and then they would pass by a civilian or shinobi heading home from working the late shifts. They then approach where Kurotsuchi's apartment complex was and stopped at the front entrance.
''So, did you enjoy training today Naruto?'' Kurotsuchi asked.
''Yeah, I totally did! Let's train again sometime!'' Naruto said giving her his trademark grin.
''Maybe, if I feel like training you that is.''
''Oh come on!''
''What? I'm just kidding! Of course we'll train again sometime.'' She chuckled. Looking at Naruto she gives him a smile that she rarely showed anyone, even her father and grandfather. ''Well, I guess this is where we say goodnight.'' She said.
''Yeah, it's really late so I'll see you later.''
''Later.''
The two of them then turn to go their separate ways. Opening the door to her building she heard Naruto call out to her. Turning to face him she saw that he was giving her a certain look.
''Yeah?''
''...''
''I didn't collect poison mushrooms because if I did I would be sick right now!''
''Yes you did.'' Kurotsuchi said.
''No I didn't.'' Naruto shot back.
''Did too.''
''Did not.''
''Did too.''
''Did not.''
''Did too.''
''Did not!''
''Did too!''
''Did not!''
''Did not.''
''Did too!"
''...Wait, I meant...''
''Ha! So you did pick poison ones? I see how it is!'' Kurotsuchi pointed at him accusingly.
''No way! I did not!" Naruto argued.
Giggling at the blonde Kurotsuchi just decided to give in. ''Oh fine, you didn't.''
''See? Told you!''
She then turned to enter her building before...
''Wait...again!'' Naruto shouted.
''Whaaaaaa?!'' Kurotsuchi whined.
''Are we friends?''
Kurotsuchi just snorted at his questioned, however she didn't want to give a sarcastic answer. She already knew what she was going to say. ''Yes, yes we are friends Naruto.''
''Best friends?!''
''Pffft, yeah, Whatever, good night Naruto.'' She snarked before walking into her building.
''Okay, good night.'' Naruto then walked back to his own apartment building.
-Kurotsuchi's apartment-
Unlocking the door to her apartment Kurotsuchi hung her katana from a display on her wall and went into her room. Laying face down she then proceeded to doze off. She now understood why Naruto wanted a friend and it was because no one wanted to be. It hurt her inside that someone could be so lonely like him.
''You know, maybe being his friend isn't so bad after all..'' She thought to herself before sleep took over.
-Naruto's apartment-
Naruto entered his apartment and set aside his bag containing the things Kurotsuchi had bought for him earlier that afternoon, he dashes into his room and dives onto his bed sighing in happiness. He lays on his back looking at the ceiling. A huge smile plastering his face. It wasn't a fake smile either to hide his loneliness and depression, it was a genuine smile displaying his happiness, a feeling he felt for once in his young life. He was happy that he finally had someone he was real friends with. A genuine, real friend. Not a moment too soon he knocked out snoring his little heart out.