Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Day 98

Next day I got up early, as I had went to sleep much earlier and also because I remembered that I needed to wash dishes from yesterday night before I could prepare breakfast and lunch for today.

Once I was done with everything, it was time to head out to academy. I had not gone far from my room when suddenly I heard my name being called out

"Satoru san, good morning" it was Nara san.

"Good morning Nara san "was she waiting for me? Surely not, must be coincidence.

"Oh you can call me Kaori, I think we know each other well enough for at least that "she said smiling. I nodded, thinking about yesterday night, I reached inside my bad and took out the novel she said she liked yesterday.

"Here, you said you wanted to read it "I handed the novel to her.

" oh thank you so much Satoru san" she looked really happy , I sighed in relief as I was bit nervous if her comment yesterday was just out of politeness it would have been awkward.

I was happy she had liked it, it will be good if more people read novels, that will increase to popularity and earning to author and thus they will write more novels. Patting myself for a job well done in fighting against evil that was boredom, we silently started walking towards academy.

We walked in silence for a while when Kaori san suddenly spoke again.

"Once again thankyou and sorry for yesterday, I will surely make it up to you"

"You don't need to "I answered,

I was bit curious about what happened with her parents but I was not sure if I should bring it up but before I could ask Kaori San spoke again

"I had a long talk with my parents yesterday and even today morning, it was bit intense but we were able to properly communicate and explain our worries. For now I was able to convince them to let me continue the academy in one condition. "

I looked at her, silently asking what it was.

"I need to graduate top of the class"

Well that was... reasonable.

"Well you are smart, I am sure you can do it "I said, it was not an empty gesture, I genuinely thought so. She was already in top ten.

She didn't say anything but just smiled at me.

We reached academy soon but before I could enter the gate Kaori San stopped me.

"Satoru Kun let's be friends" she said with strange seriousness and determination in her eyes.

I noticed that she called me '- Kun', thinking about it, friends should be able to comfortably speak with each other.

Therefore "Sure "I replied, "Kaori ".

Her eyes widened, feeling anxious I was about to apologize for crossing the line but then she gave me a beautiful smile.

"Yes Satoru Kun let's be friends from now on, we will top the class "somehow I got added in with her aim to graduate top of the class.

I shrugged not caring that much. She was just excited, she would calm down.

But my thoughts changed when suddenly in class she shifted to sit beside me.

"Friends should sit together "she explained

"Don't you have other friends? "

"No "was her immediate response. I thought she was popular. I ignored the stares that the class was giving us and soon Hito sensei came and class officially started.

Once class ended I packed up and headed towards training ground, I was now able to walk twenty steps in water, I was expecting maybe a week or two and I would be able to stand in water without any issue, though mastering it will take more time.

"So Satoru what do you do after class "I jumped up a bit, I had not noticed Kaori walking beside me. She was good at being sneaky.

"I train for a while before heading home to make dinner "I said

"What are you practicing "

"Chakra control"

She tilted her head at that so I decided to explain further

"It like advance version of leaf sticking exercise, I umm ... Saw some Chunin practicing it, when I asked they said this helps to do better at ninjutsu and ...stuff"

I looked at Kaori, her eyes were sparkling, and I think I can guess what she was going to say next.

"Satoru Kun, no Satoru sensei, please help me, I am still struggling with substitution and clone jutsu, please… please "

"Umm... sure"

"Thank you so much"

"You don't need to thank me actually. Can you please help me with taijutsu? "

I was generally doing well in class, theory and ninjutsu were no issue and I was performing above average if not good in these. My skill at kunai and shuriken throwing was average, honestly I did not feel much scope for this subject as ninja generally could move much faster unless they were bound or very close, but that was just my private opinion. I was satisfied with my skill level in these subjects.

But taijutsu was bringing me down and it was not a subject that I can train by myself, I needed to gain experience fighting someone and here I felt like I had just been given golden opportunity.

"I would love to help you, let's go now "

We arrived at training ground and I walked Kaori through tree walking exercise, once she started practicing I gave few pointers and then walked away to practice water walking.

We continued to practice till eight in the night, she wanted to do more but I stopped her

"Let's stop here for now, anything in excess will only harm us and I need to make dinner "

She was finally convinced and we parted ways as I needed to shop for food, we had decided to train each other on alternate days, and tomorrow she would help me with taijutsu.

Soon afterwards I reached home, I washed up and started preparing dinner. Finally done with everything I hit the bed.

Day 99

After we were finished with classes we arrived at training ground.

"Satoru Kun, lets spar "she exclaimed.

I got into stance and when I didn't attack, she rushed at me, a fist was thrown to my right side, I blocked it away, immediately another first followed now on my left side, I blocked this too but it felt off, like there was no power in it.

Suddenly I felt my head being pressed down and a knee hit my gut and I doubled over coughing.

"Sorry Satoru kun, are you ok? "

"Yes… Yes, I am cough... I am fine just give me a second 'I just sat on the ground and soon pain faded away

"Wow you are really good at this, I mean I was expecting it since you rank among top but still... you are strong "Kaori smiled bashfully at that.

I was not kidding I was in middle rank in class and I usually fought with others of similar rank, I had not been good at taijutsu but I have never been defeated within what three moves.

" So Satoru I watched your fights in class too, I noticed, you have your basics down " she paused before continuing "but you fight too defensively, you need to think of attack too"

I nodded at that, thinking over it, I preferred to wait for my opponent to make mistake to attack them but I was getting overwhelmed before fight gets to that point.

We continued practising like that for two hours more, after that Kaori went through all the things that she noticed about our fight and how I could do better.

I was embarrassed at myself when Kaori had to help me stand-up, my whole body was in pain and I had tried and stumbled twice trying to stand and walk.

"I am sorry Satoru kun, perhaps I was too harsh "she apologized

"No… no, this is what I asked for, please don't go easy on me, I need this to improve "I said honestly though my body protested silently with throbbing pain all over.

Somehow I got to room, not having energy to make anything, I ate instant noodles and quickly feel asleep without even washing up. I will do it tomorrow.

A/N: Please visit pat^re^on / johnblack6826 for advanced chapters