Chapter 3: First Day Of Class
-Naruto's Apartment Complex, 7:30 A.M.-
Kurotsuchi is seen making her way towards Naruto's apartment building because today was an important day for them both, it was the day when the first years start their experience at the Konoha Ninja Academy! Despite not liking Konoha the young Iwa native was actually a bit excited to learn the basics of being a shinobi even if she was going to be in service to this village.
Several minutes later she makes her way to Naruto's building and ascends up the stairs and makes her way to his door. What was in taped to the door made her giggle. It was a plain white piece of drawing paper that said ''Naruto Uzumaki's ramen domain!'' with a chibi drawing of Naruto sporting his signature grin. Before she knocks the door she thought back to the events of yesterday where they finally received their letters from the academy.
Now that she was in front of his door Kurotsuchi balled her hand into a fist to knock as loud as she could to wake up her blonde friend. She goes to bang on the door but instead of regular knocking she punched the door three times very very hard that the sheer loudness of the banging woke Naruto and sent him flying off of his bed.
''NARUTO WAKE UP!" she roared.
''Holy crap! What is that!?'' Naruto screamed as his blanket falls over his head covering it completely making him panic. ''Ah! It's got me! I can't see! Naruto is then left running around his room hysterically like a chicken without a head. ''Ahhhhhhh!''
Hearing the commotion going on inside Kurotsuchi takes her katana and slides it in between the doorway and the locking mechanism itself. She then tinkers with the mechanism for a second before the door slowly opens a bit. Smirking she then pushes the door open to see her friend moving around his living room and kitchen knocking a lamp over and knocking over his picture frames. His confused rampage would end when he collided face first with the bathroom door knocking him backwards onto the floor.
''Ugh, that hurt..'' Naruto groaned just as the blanket was pulled off of him giving the view of the world back much to his pleasure. ''I...I can see! I-CAN-FIGHT!'' Naruto declared standing on his two feet
''Stop being so loud, hurry up and get dressed because we got class!" Kurotsuchi ordered.
Turning around he spots his best friend tapping her feet, her face sporting a face that was like ''The fuck are you doing?''
''Oh hey Kurotsuchi! Didn't expect you to be here so early! What brings you here?'' Naruto questioned.
''Did you not hear me? I said we have class today! It's the first day of the academy for us!'' Kurotsuchi yelled doing her nose pinch of death on the boy.
''Ow! Well sorry I forgot! Now please let me go!'' Naruto whined. Letting the boy go Naruto ran into his room to get a change of clothes. ''There! All changed so let's get going!" He said before running out only to be stopped by Kurotsuchi who grabs him by his shirt.
''No way I'm letting you go without showering Naruto! Now get in the shower and clean up!'' She ordered.
''What? Why?! We need to get to class!'' He pouted.
''Class doesn't start until nine so you have enough time to shower!''
''What? Then why did you wake me up so early if it starts at that time?!''
''Because you need to learn how to not sleep in cause in the shinobi world when you're out there you won't get to sleep, especially on missions!" Kurotsuchi said in a matter of fact voice.
''Alright then! I'll go shower sheesh!''
30 minutes later...
Kurotsuchi was busy raiding Naruto's fridge while he showered and what she found kept in both the fridge, shelves and yes, even the freezer were over three-hundred cups of microwavable ramen! ''Honestly is this all he ever eats?'' She thought with a sweatdrop. ''This guy needs to eat healthier or his physical capabilities as a shinobi are gonna stink!''
Closing the fridge door she hears Naruto exit out of the bathroom, turning to face the boy she was satisfied with what she saw. Her blonde friend looked squeaky clean! His dried up drool littering the corners of his mouth gone. ''Great job, one of the most important things a shinobi should worry about is his hygiene. So you ready to go? I was even nice enough to pack up your backpack for you.'' She said pointing to the pack on the table.
''Yep! Let's go!'' Naruto said picking up the pack and the two of them head off.
The two of them are seen making their way at the direction of the academy and soon enough they spot the large building coming into view. ''There it is! It's the ninja academy!'' Naruto shouted with glee as he took off running at a fast speed.
''What the? He barely passed his two-mile with me but when there's something that excites him he gets superhuman speed? Looks like I found a way to get him running faster.'' She thought to herself as she looks up.
The sight before her made her snort. She was looking up at the Hokage monument. Stopping for a second she takes the time to look at each individual face. When she got to the third one she scoffed at seeing that old Hiruzen guy up there but the person next to him made her cringe. It was the Fourth Hokage, the man responsible for killing her mother, the one she never got to meet a week after she was born during the Third Shinobi war. ''Bastard..Hope you're rotting in hell murderer.'' She growled before continuing after Naruto.
-Academy Courtyard-
The two of them enter the academy courtyard to find it jam packed with first years. ''Holy crap that's a lot of Konoha brats.'' Kurotsuchi whispered to herself.
Naruto was busy scanning the courtyard for anything that caught his eye and he spotted a swing under a large tree that provided shade. Looking up at the sky he saw the sun shining brightly and the clear skies weren't doing anyone justice hiding the intense rays that were shining down on them. ''Kurotsuchi come on!"' Naruto said grabbing the girl by her hands and literally dragging her. ''Hey! Stop pulling my arm you're gonna rip it off!"
Stopping in front of the swing Naruto sits down on it and innocently swings his legs. ''Push!'' He ordered.
Kurotsuchi was just staring at him all confused, ''You want me to...WHAT!?''
''Push! I've never been pushed on a swing before so push!'' Naruto pleaded.
Kurotsuchi contemplated before nodding. Walking behind the boy she places her palms on his back. ''This will be the only time I push you got it?'' She growled.
''Yeah! Got it! Now push!''
Kurotsuchi complied and gave him one good shove sending him swinging at a good arc that had him about five feet above the ground. ''Yeah! Push harder!'' Naruto demanded.
''Pft, whatever.'' Kurotsuchi said as he swings back to her. Catching him with the palm of her hands she then gives him another shove and this time it had so much force behind it he nearly went sailing through the air. After slowing down Naruto got off the swing safe and sound.
''Woah! I almost went flying there! You are good at shoving Kurotsuchi!" The boy said cheerfully, ''Thanks for pushing me, it was loads of fun!"
''Don't mention it Naruto.''
''Look at the blonde hanging out with his Iwa girlfriend. Damn love-birds.'' A voice spoke out.
Turning to face the person behind the voice they spot a boy who had brown, shoulder-length hair that hung about his face and brown eyes. He was wearing a dark, baggy outfit with a hooded red and black jacket and the most noticeable feature was that he had a senbon in his mouth. Taking a second to hear what the boy had just said it took all of Kurotsuchi's power to hold back from attacking the kid.
''What?! Did you just call us love-birds? We're only friends!'' She shouted in anger.
''Yeah, you heard me girly, I called you and that blonde kid love-birds. Got a problem with that Iwa girl? Go back to your village.'' The boy spat.
''You wanna fight Leaf underling? And I'd rather be an Iwa girl than some Konoha punk with a bad haircut! Let's go!'' Kurotsuchi reached for her katana when Naruto stepped in front of her. ''Hey! Get out of my way Naruto! I'm going to teach this kid a lesson!''
The commotion the two of them were causing caught the attention of the other first years who were now observing the exchange.
''Kurotsuchi, please don't. I don't want you to get in trouble for fighting, so please back off and let it go.'' Naruto spoke softly
''Well, ain't that cute? The blonde kid is trying to save his Iwa girlfriend from getting in trouble for hitting me, it's so romantic.'' The boy snickered.
Kurotsuchi looked at her friend in the eyes and saw that he was telling the truth. He really didn't want her to get in trouble, letting go of the katana's handle she makes a pouty face, ''Hmph, fine then Naruto you win this time.'' She then proceeded to walk back to where the swing was and sat under the tree.
Turning to face the boy Naruto just gives him a glare before walking off.
''Tch, losers.'' The boy said before walking elsewhere.
Naruto walked over to where Kurotsuchi went and sat beside her at the base of the tree. ''Kurotsuchi what were you thinking? Trying to get in trouble the first day and before class even started? Heck, before we even meet our instructors?!''
Looking at the blonde, Kurotsuchi was going to answer before another voice spoke cutting her off. ''Hey you two, don't mind that guy, he's always a wise-cracking jerk.''
Turning to look at the person Kurotsuchi and Naruto were greeted to the sight of the sweetest and friendliest looking girl they have ever seen. She had long, jet black hair that went down all the way to her lower back and she had brown eyes. She was wearing a purple shirt and jean shorts. All in all she was the type of girl everyone would consider the pretty girl type.
''Who are you?'' Kurotsuchi asked wondering why she was invading their personal space.
''Oh, sorry where are my manners? My name is Yukari Nishizumi!'' She introduced in a cheerful tone.
''I'm Naruto Uzumaki!'' The blonde declared.
''Nice to meet you Naruto.'' Yukari giggled before looking at Kurotsuchi.
Kurotsuchi was hesitant to introduce herself, just when she almost got into a fight with a Konoha brat another one comes along and tries to talk to her. Deciding that the girl was harmless she sighed before speaking, ''Kurotsuchi, nice to meet you, so who was that wise-cracking asshole? I want to know his name so I can remember to kick his ass later.'' Kurotsuchi questioned
''Oh, that was Genma Shiranui and don't mind his attitude, just ignore him. So, why are you two sitting here by yourselves? Why don't you come and join the rest of us? The instructors are about to come out and get us.'' The girl said invitingly.
''I just like being alone with my blonde friend over here. I'm not much of the social type.'' Kurotsuchi spoke.
''Not much of a social type but you have the blonde boy as a friend? Seems like you're somewhat social.''
''Shut up!'' Kurotsuchi yelled.
''Oh come on Kurotsuchi! Let's go over and makes some more friends!'' Naruto got up to run over to the group of kids in the middle of the courtyard at an inhumane speed.
Yukari gave Naruto an exasperated look as if he was a psycho, ''Is your friend always like that? Loud and high speed?''
''Oh yeah, and I have to deal with him all the time...ugh.'' Kurotsuchi complained slapping herself in the face as she and Yukari walk after Naruto.
After a half hour of waiting the door to the academy opened and out stepped several instructors that Kurotsuchi assumed were all Chunin rank.
''Alright everyone! Settle down so we can get you your instructors!'' A Chunin with brown hair kept in a ponytail said. Seeing the students settle down he nods in satisfaction. ''Alright then, I am Iruka Umino, all who have me as their instructor form a straight line in front of me while doing so in an orderly fashion.'' He instructed.
However, his instructions fell on deaf ears as all the students who will be under his teaching all stampeded towards him like a bunch of psychotic wildebeests. ''Hey I said st...Agh!'' Iruka screamed in pain as he was trampled over by the students. After his class went into the building the other Chunin ran over to check on his well-being.
''Iruka!"
''Are you okay?''
Iruka was unable to answer, one particular first year had stepped on his throat. ''Ugh...ugh...agh...that girl has a strong foot...ugh...''
-Classroom #250-
We see the entirety of Iruka's class sitting across the room chitchatting their little hearts out. In the back row we see Naruto and Kurotsuchi making small talk away from everyone else.
''So, Naruto I have been dying to ask you something if you don't mind.'' Kurotsuchi asked
''What? I can't hear you!'' Naruto said as the sounds of everyone talking drowned out Kurotsuchi's voice.
''I said I've been dying to ask you something if you don't mind!'' She repeated
''Whaaaat!?'' Naruto said holding his hand next to his ear
''I SAID...never mind.''
''OKAY!''
The door to the classroom opened catching the students by surprise in walked Iruka with a neck brace and crutches. He slowly tings his way towards his desk to face the front of the room, making his way to the desk he somehow tripped and fell over a broken heap. Groaning in pain Iruka's misfortune was providing some great entertainment for Naruto and Kurotsuchi. Taking a few minutes to get back on his two feet Iruka finally manages to get back up and takes a seat behind the desk. Setting his crutches aside he reaches for the clipboard on the desk and proceeds to go over the names of the students in the class.
''Ahem, hello class. I am Iruka Umino and I will be your instructor here for your entire four years here. Right now I will call attendance to see if everyone is here or if we're missing someone. Alright, first up is Shino Aburame.''
''...''
''Absent.''
''!''
''Choji Akimichi.''
''Munch...munch..''
''Absent.''
A few names later..
''Sakura Haruno.''
''Chya!''
After going through a few more names Iruka had called out Kurotsuchi's.
''Kurotsuchi Kamizuru.''
''I'm here.'' The Iwa girl said enthusiastically.
''Sasuke Uchiha.''
''Hn...''
''And now we come to the last student on the roster. Do we have a Naruto Uzumaki here?'' Iruka asked looking at his students.
''I'm here sensei!'' Naruto shouted out with both his hands raised high.
''Ah, there you are. That spiky, blonde hair should help me recognize you.'' Iruka said placing the clipboard on the desk. ''Anyways, once again I am Iruka Umino and I will be your Chunin instructor for your entire four years here. I hope you take the lessons and lectures from me seriously if you wish to become shinobi of the leaf whether you're a native here or an exchange student like Ms. Kamizuru over there.''
Kurotsuchi gave a cocky smirk when she heard that.
''In return I also hope to learn a great deal from each and every one of you. I promise I will do everything in my power to give you a positive learning experience here and I hope you all in return make the best of it. Now, since our first period is the fundamentals of taijutsu let us go over a basics of it shall we?'' Iruka said as he struggles to get up from the desk. With both crutches under each arm he makes his way towards the board and picks up a piece of chalk though not without visible struggle.
''Alright, first lesson in basic taijutsu is..''
Iruka was interrupted when two spitballs were shot at him striking him on the head. Turning around he saw a certain duo snickering their butts off with a straw each of their hands. He turned around to berate them only for the two of them to fling a barrage of spitballs hitting him in various places such as the face, throat, chest. Then a spitball the size of a fist delivered the coup de grace by hitting him in...his balls. ''Yoooooooooouch!'' Iruka cried out in pain as he collapses on his knees whilst clutching his mini-mes a twitching mess.
Period 6..
After a painful day involving things being thrown at him, rude and indecent noises being made when he was giving his lectures Iruka led his classroom out to the sparring field and track where they will do a few sparring matches and races using the basic taijutsu that Iruka had instructed them on.
''Alright you youngsters, last period begins and as you all know we will have a few sparring matches and some PT involved. So everyone find a buddy.'' Iruka instructed.
Yukari wanted to have a three-man group with Naruto and Kurotsuchi but she ended up being chosen by a girl who had pink hair and sounded like a howler monkey. Genma ended up being paired with some guy that had a dog riding on his head that Naruto found to be very obnoxious.
After several minutes all the students had chosen a buddy, nodding Iruka then continued his instructions. ''Alright, you see those tracks there?'' He asked earning nods from the youngsters. ''First I will have you race against your buddy if it behooves you, think of it as a little competition to build some camaraderie.''
Both Naruto and Kurotsuchi's eyes were replaced with bright yellow stars.
''Oh yeah! I get to beat Kurotsuchi now!"
''Hell yeah! I get to whoop Naruto's ass again!"
The two of them were then ordered to take their positions at the starting line.
''Are you two ready?''
Both of them nodded.
''Then on 3...2...1...Begin!"
Naruto and Kurotsuchi took off from the starting position in full on sprints and in the beginning Kurotsuchi had pretty much left Naruto in the dust and it seemed that the race would be in her favor. However, when they hit the middle of the track Kurotsuchi decided to feign fatigue.
''Ugh! The sun's heat is just too much...Not...much...oxygen..too...tired...to...continue..'' She moaned before pretending to faint just as Naruto zoomed past her.
''Aha! You're tired so it looks like I'm going to win this race and finally beat you at something!" Naruto declared, his voice getting quieter as he runs further away.
''Yeah in your dreams blondie.'' Kurotsuchi thought before a smirk plastered her face.
Naruto continued his running and saw the finish line within his grasp. At the finish line he saw his classmates cheering, some for him and some against him.
''Go blonde guy!''
''I hope you trip!''
''...''
''Run for your life!''
''Hn..''
''It would be such a drag if you had to drag yourself to the finish line.''
Hearing the cheering of his classmates Naruto picked up his speed and just when he was two meters away from the finish line...
*Swish*
Kurotsuchi had zoomed right past Naruto with enough speed to send the boy spinning like a top and was sent careening into Iruka knocking the two of them over.
Bringing her sprint to a halt Kurotsuchi raised her hands into the air basking in the silence of victory.
''Woah, how did she move that fast?''
''She's awesome!"
''Yeah right, Sasuke-kun can beat her..''
Turning to face her classmates she spots Naruto laying on the floor, walking over to her friend she bends over and picks him up by his collar. The poor blonde had swirls for eyes. ''Heh, that's what happens when you act so cocky Naruto! You still got a long way to go before you can beat me in a race!'' Kurotsuchi teased.
1 hour later..
After doing their sparring matches and a few more races the final bell rang and Iruka had dismissed his class for the day. Making their way out of the courtyard they then head towards the Ichiraku Ramen stand much to Kurotsuchi's dismay. ''Can we go eat something else Naruto? You realize how unhealthy ramen is?! Let's go to my house so I can cook some good food.'' She said.
Naruto just waved her off, ''I don't care! Ramen is the food of the Gods! So heavenly and tasty!''
''Yeah, sure it's tasty but if you keep eating it your whole life guess what's gonna happen?''
''What?''
Kurotsuchi then grabbed Naruto by his collar, pulling him in close where their faces were inches away. Naruto was taken by surprise and when he looked at his friend he saw that all too familiar evil, scary look in her eyes. It was the look of death.
''You'll die...'' Kurotsuchi whispered in a sinister voice, her eyes a glowing an evil red.
''Oh god...'' Naruto spoke in fear at the frightening sight, ''Fine! You go ahead and cook!'' Naruto pouted.
Releasing the blonde from her grip she then pinches his cheek. ''Good!'' She exclaimed before grabbing him by the nose via her nose pinch of death and drags him through the streets.
-Kurotsuchi's apartment-
After nearly twenty minutes of walking for Kurotsuchi and dragging for Naruto they had arrived at her apartment complex. Heading through the front door Naruto was wondering what she had in store for lunch.
''Hey Kurotsuchi, what are you going to cook for us?'' He wondered.
''You'll see when I finish.'' She said
''I'm sure it's good! I can't wait to taste!''
'''That's a good boy!" Kurotsuchi said before they make their way into her apartment.
Entering her apartment she then heads straight for the kitchen. ''Make yourself at home Naruto, I'll go cook. Oh, and don't be too loud or else you'll regret it because I need to concentrate.'' She teased before taking out several cooking tools and begins cooking for her friend.
Naruto took a seat on the couch and admires how nice her apartment is compared to his. Her place was neat and orderly and he saw several mounted katanas and wakizashis on display in the living room. She had a nice HD T.V., spotting a blockbuster bag set on the table he looks into it and spots several Princess Gale movies in the bag. ''That's awesome, never seen one of these movies before!''
He then turns his attention to a table set at the corner of the room and what he saw sprawled across the table made him curious. He saw several frames that had pictures of Kurotsuchi. Getting up from the couch he makes his way over to the table.
Picking up one of the picture frames he saw a two year old Kurotsuchi being carried by a man who he assumed was her dad. Smiling, he sets it down and picks up another one. This one had a picture of Kurotsuchi in what it appeared to be the type of picture you'd put in a yearbook. He saw a smile on her face that he never saw before and he admits that the smile made her really cute. Her pink eyes in the picture sporting a look of happiness. ''Her eyes make her really pretty.'' Naruto said to himself setting the picture down and picks up the last one, this one was a picture of Kurotsuchi and her dad and a short old guy Naruto assumed was her grandpa. ''I wish I had pictures like this.'' He thought sadly setting the picture down.
Walking towards the kitchen he saw Kurotsuchi preparing what looks like salmon and shrimp and some type of salad, watching her cook he saw that she seemed to know what she was doing and before he could ask when it would be done both of their stomachs growled that one very loud growl that it usually made. Both froze and gave each other a look before laughing.
''So when is it going to be done Kurotsuchi?'' Naruto asked.
''Hey! You can't rush art!" She said.
''But I'm hungryyyyyyyyyy.'' Complained Naruto.
''Then be quiet and go lay on the couch because this will take at least another half hour if not an hour!'' Kurotsuchi ordered with authority.
''Fine!''
Naruto then goes to lay on the couch and as he does he hears the satisfying sound of the fish and shrimp sizzling in a pan. ''Man, I'm so hungry.'' He murmured before he dozed off.
Kurotsuchi places a few more salmon and shrimp tempura in the pan increasing the sizzling noise the oil was giving as it was frying the food. She then walks to the table and takes some uncooked ramen noodles, yeah sure she didn't like that Naruto ate ramen all the damn time but she wanted to try her hands on cooking it and seeing what he would think about it. Reaching into the cabinet she takes out a large pot and fills it up with water before putting it on the stove. Turning on the burner she then leaves the water to boil before heading back to the table.
One hour later...
After over an hour of cooking, slicing and dicing cooking ingredients Kurotsuchi had finally finished making the ramen, her shrimp tempura and her pan-fried salmon she places the plates with the food neatly on the table. She gets up to sit on the counter and eyes her table carefully before nodding in satisfaction. Getting off the counter she then walks over to the couch where Naruto was napping. Spotting her sleeping friend she tries to prod him awake.
''Mmm, I want to eat ramen while riding a pony...'' The blonde said sleepily.
Kurotsuchi almost went into a fit of laughter at hearing that. Seeing her friend only stir in his sleep she then decided to take drastic measures. Walking over behind the couch she places her hands under the it. With an evil smirk she then proceeds to flip the couch over sending Naruto flying off and landing on the floor hard. The force of his landing enough to wake him up almost instantly.
''Ow!'' Naruto cried out.
''Wake up Naruto!'' She screamed in his ear.
''Agh! My ears!''
''Lunch is ready! So come and get it!"
''Lunch? Where?''
''On the table? Where else.'' Kurotsuchi said annoyed as she walks over to take a seat with Naruto following suit.
Naruto had a look of pure glee on his face, all the food seemed so good! Boy he couldn't wait to put all that in his stomach!
''Wow Kurotsuchi you cooked all this?''
''Of course, who else? So if you have nothing else to say dig in!''
''Okay!"
30 minutes later..
After a quite dinner of pan-fried salmon, shrimp tempura and a bit of miso soup Naruto was purely satisfied by such a meal. Kurotsuchi just watched her friend eat enjoy her cooking with a smile. Taking his last bite of fried salmon and yes, even the salad Kurotsuchi prepared he gives out a loud burp signaling his satisfaction.
''Ah, that was really good Kurotsuchi! Thanks!'' He said happily.
''You better not tell anyone that I cooked for you or this will be the last time I do it.'' She pouted crossing her arms.
Hearing that, Naruto had to ask this one question that just popped in his head. ''Now I'm a bit curious Kurotsuchi, why did you cook for me?''
Blushing at the question she tried to pick her words carefully before answering him. ''I've said it already, I care about you Naruto. That's all.'' She said.
''And I appreciate it, I really do. No one has ever cooked for me..'' Naruto said with his trademark grin, ''So Kurotsuchi?''
''What is it?''
''I'm a bit curious about you, we're friends but I barely know anything about you!''
''And there's a lot of things about me that I won't tell you.'' She teased.
''Oh come on! Can I at least ask you some questions?''
''Mmm, I guess, but you can only ask two for now.''
''Great! So let's see...when is your birthday?''
''September 6th, what about yours?
''Oh wow, it's less than a week away! My birthday is...October 10th..'' He answered sadly.
Kurotsuchi didn't miss the hint of sadness in his voice but decided not to question it. ''One more question.''
''Let's see...what is your dream for the future?'' He asked with a smile.
''There's only one answer to that Naruto, I want to be the next Tsuchikage. The most awesome out of all the Kage. I'm gonna take that title away from my gramps!'' Kurotsuchi declared with a smug grin.
''Oh! That's similar to me because I want to be Hokage and the greatest one at that!"
''Bahahahaha! I don't doubt you for a second but mark my words that I will become a Kage before you!''
''Oh yeah? I bet I'll be Hokage before you become Tsuchikage!''
''Pffft, whatever Naruto. Now settle down because right now we're going to have seconds.'' She said getting up to fetch the ramen, placing it in the boiling water inside the large pot from earlier.
''I didn't know you cooked ramen Kurotsuchi.'' Naruto said.
''I don't, but I wanted to try it out and see if you like it. I mean, you loved my pan-fried salmon and shrimp tempura so let's see if you like my ramen.''
After eating some ramen and to Kurotsuchi's relief Naruto found her homemade noodle to be delicious. Checking the clock on her kitchen wall she saw that it was almost five in the evening. So she decided to spend the rest of the day training.
''Say Naruto, how about some training?'' She asked.
''What kind of training?''
''I've already taught you the fundamentals of kunai throwing and how to use your sai so...I think this time I'll teach you a martial art.''
''So cool! A martial art? Which one?''
''You'll have to wait and see when we get to the training field.''
-Third Training Field, 3 hours later-
''Oof!'' Naruto grunted as he was knocked on his ass.
''You got to stop letting your guard down Naruto, otherwise your enemies will take you out.'' Kurotsuchi said in a lecture voice.
''You're just so fast though! No way I can keep up with your speed.''
''Just, get up Naruto. Jujutsu and Taekwondo take hard work to master, remember what I said about you? You have dedication and you work hard all the time. So do the same for these taijutsu styles and you'll be good. I promise.'' She explained helping her friend up. ''Now Naruto, what do you think you can do if an opponent comes charging you either with or without a weapon?''
''Well, I can try to shoulder throw you right?''
''Right, but you can't just reach your hands out and shoulder throw them because you gotta time it right. Now come charging at me like you have a katana.''
Doing what he was told Naruto charges Kurotsuchi like he had a katana in his hands, coming within reach Naruto 'slashes' with his imaginary katana only for Kurotsuchi to grab his wrists before giving it a good twist disarming him had there been a real weapon in hand. She then proceeds to shoulder throw him and places her foot on his throat hard making him tap out.
''I give, I give!'' Naruto cried out.
''Good boy.'' Kurotsuchi said letting him go.
''What else can we do with Jujutsu and Taekwondo?'' Naruto asked dusting himself off.
''Well, we've been doing it for over an hour and you seem to be getting the basics for each down, how about a spar?''
''Okay! This time I'm sure I can beat you!"
''Heh, go ahead and try.''
The two of them then get into position and turn to face each other.
''Ready? First to pin the other down for three seconds wins the spar so I want you to come at me with everything you got. Oh, and don't be soft just because I'm a girl.'' Kurotsuchi said receiving a nod.
''Begin!"
Kurotsuchi lunges forward and goes in for a mach speed punch and to her surprise Naruto managed to dodge it quickly. ''Damn, I didn't expect that, looks like my lessons do make a difference.''
After her first miss she is greeted with a roundhouse kick that she effortlessly blocks it with her forearm but the force of the kick nearly knocks her over. Naruto then follows up with an uppercut only for Kurotsuchi to catch the punch with her free hand she then maneuvers her hand in a way that sends the blonde spinning to the ground.
''Woah!'' Naruto cried out as he lands on the ground with a thud. Kurotsuchi then follows up with a downwards hook kick only for Naruto to catch it. ''Gotcha!''
Naruto then pulls her down onto the ground next to him and goes to straddle her. He then reaches his hands downwards and goes to choke her while applying his weight against her to pin her down. Kurotsuchi was unable to do anything since her arms were pressed against her chest via his legs.
''I win this time!'' Naruto said with glee.
''One!''
''Two!''
''Thr...''
Before Naruto could count three Kurotsuchi managed to summon the strength to kick her leg upwards hitting Naruto in the back of his head.
''Ow!'' Naruto cried out releasing the girl from his clutches. Kurotsuchi then moves her arms from under his legs and quickly shoves his hands out of the way creating an opening where she flips him over and straddles him.
''What the?'' Naruto shouted in surprise as he ends up being pinned. Kurotsuchi then follows through by reaching for his arm and putting him in an arm lock with one of her legs wrapped around his chest effectively pinning him and leaving him at her mercy.
''One!''
''Dang it!''
''Two!''
''I...CAN'T...LOSE!"
''Three!''
Releasing Naruto from her arm lock she jumps into the air basking in her victory. ''Yeah! Kurotsuchi wins!'' She declared in happily.
''Aw man! I thought I had you!'' Naruto complained as he gets up.
''I admit Naruto, you almost had me there but it's going to be a while before you can beat me.''
''And I'll train every day then so I can get better!''
''That's exactly what we're going to do when class is over, train and train until we can't walk anymore!''
''That sounds awesome!''
After that they then went home since it was getting very late. After walking to Kurotsuchi's apartment complex they bid each other goodnight.
-Kurotsuchi's apartment, 1 week time skip-
After a week of boring lectures, messing with Iruka and training after school the two of them have grown quite close. Today was a special day however. It was Kurotsuchi's birthday and she is seen sitting on her couch in the living room. A bored look on her face.
The day went by slow and was very boring for Kurotsuchi, when she went to get Naruto for school she knocked on the door for a good twenty minutes and after getting no answer she then resorted to using her katana she broke into his apartment and found that he wasn't home. She then went to look for him for ten minutes before deciding to head to school without him. After school she went to check his apartment again and he still wasn't there so she just went home for the afternoon.
''I wonder where he went..'' She thought to herself with a frown.
She was sitting in the living room thinking about where her blonde friend went and she was starting to get worried about him. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Getting up she walks to the door and opens it and the sight before her made her eyes go wide. There was Naruto, standing there with several things in his hands.
''H-h-happy b-birthday Kurotsuchi.'' He said shyly as he hands her a bouquet of flowers, a heart-shaped box of chocolate and a small teddy bear with a Konoha headband on it with a birthday card tucked in under it's arm and a balloon with best friends forever on it.
Her eyes widened at the sight, now she knew why Naruto went missing, he went out and bought these for her! ''N-Naruto..'' She tried to speak but the happiness she was feeling was preventing her from doing so.
''Th-this is for you Kurotsuchi. For being my best friend, playing with me, training me and spending time with me every day.'' Naruto explained handing her the gifts.
''I-I don't know what to say Naruto.'' Kurotsuchi said as a blush forms on her face. To say she was flustered was an understatement, sure she had birthdays with her dad and grandpa but she never really liked getting gifts and for Naruto to go out of his way to buy her all these things made her feel happy. The happiest she ever felt in her life.
''Can I..come in?'' Naruto asked receiving a nod from Kurotsuchi.
While Kurotsuchi went to set the gifts down on the table in the living room Naruto went straight for the kitchen and takes of his backpack off and places it on the table. He then takes out a cake and places an '11' candle on it.
Kurotsuchi was marveling over the gifts that Naruto had gotten her. Taking the heart-shaped box she opens it and finds even heart-shaped chocolate in it. Taking one she smiles before taking a bite out of it.
''Kurotsuchi.''
''Yes Naruto?'' She asked turning around.
''Happy birthday!'' He shouted.
''Oh, wow...'' She mumbled. The cake Naruto got was very delicious looking, it had red frosting on it and black sprinkles with the words. ''Happy Birthday Kurotsuchi!'' The frosting that was artistically formed what appeared to be a chibi Kurotsuchi with a smile.
''Come on! Make a wish and blow out the candle!'' Naruto said motioning for her to come over.
Kurotsuchi walks over and takes a seat next to Naruto, closing her eyes she takes a few moments to make her wish and then takes a big breath in. She then blows out the flame on the candle leaving the wick to smoke.
''Yay! So what did you wish for?'' Naruto asked.
''You never tell people what you wish for!'' Kurotsuchi shot back.
''Oh, alright then, let's dig in!'' Naruto handed her a plastic fork and the two of them spent the entire afternoon eating the cake.
''You know, you didn't have to do this for me.''
''I wanted too! You're my friend and I do this for them!''
''Alright then, fine by me.''
After a whole afternoon of eating cake and some quizzing on what she had taught him so far Naruto bid farewell to Kurotsuchi and went home for the night. Kurotsuchi then goes to clean off the table and puts the left overs in the fridge and before she went to bed she saw something that caught her eye, the little teddy bear she got from him had a card on it, walking over to the bear she retrieves the card from it's grasp and looks at it.
From: Naruto
To: Kurotsuchi
Dear Kurotsuchi,
I don't really know what to write here so I just wanted to wish your special day to be full of joy and fun! You are an awesome person and I just wanted to let you know that. Well, I have nothing else to say except I hope you enjoyed spending your birthday with me.
-Your favorite knucklehead, Naruto A.K.A. ''Blondie''
P.S.: The flowers aren't store bought, I picked them from the forest outside the village.
Kurotsuchi smiled and rolled her eyes at the note.
''Thanks Naruto.''