Hunted or Busted: A Side Story

Dusted 46: Magnetic Storm - Repel to Attract

Something about writing this story between Pyrrha and Naruto is so freeing and calming. Just a goofy little school story between two dorks.

I love it!

((((((((Hunted))))))))

The 1st semester of the 1st year was close to ending. When it was over there would be a short break before school would start again.

Pyrrha believed that she was on a good track to her finals for this term. She could do some studying and touch up on her worst subjects while she felt very confident about the physical aspect of the test.

The semester had proceeded about how she expected. There were a lot of subjects and topics the classes had to cover and it was quite difficult to manage so much by yourself. But being able to manage your time effectively was a skill not just for aspiring Hunters but for them to master as they grew into adults. Pyrrha was sure she wasn't the best at it but she had certainly been more attentive and wise about what needed her focus and what didn't.

Since the start of the semester and after the first performance test, Pyrrha had to quickly get a handle on everything they were presented and taught in their classes. Weapon maintenance. Strategies and tactics in battle. Rudimentary Grimm studies. The standard curriculum for aspiring Huntsmen and Huntresses to follow. Pyrrha did well in all of her classes, although she was sure some individuals scored better or knew more than she could ever hope to.

But everyone seemed to be under the impression that she was on top of everything.

While her academic life was proceeding exceptionally well, Pyrrha could recognize that her social endeavors were lacking. She hadn't made any enemies to the best of her knowledge, but she also hadn't made any friends. Not from lack of trying, but because since her victory in the tournament and admission into Signal, her reputation had continued to grow. And because of that her classmates were more prepared to build a wall between her and themselves.

Pyrrha was starting to think it was going to be a fruitless endeavor to try and make friends at this school.

With a sigh the young redhead made her way into the library, scouring the collection for a tome or two that would help her study for the exams to come. As she searched the stacks she realized that the best books for the subjects they were covering had already been taken. No surprise. She had dawdled for too long and someone had been swifter in checking them out. Then she'd have to check some of the lesser materials out for-

Pyrrha paused when she heard a rhythmic tapping that seemed to grow faster and harder every few seconds. The emerald-eyed warrior looked around in confusion before she started to follow the uneasy tapping. She walked and walked until she found a packed table…

And a sigh of exhaustion slipped out when she saw the source of the sound.

There he was. Naruto Uzumaki.

The most boisterous member of their class.

Ever since he had made that declaration to defeat her and become the best student in the school, Pyrrha had unfortunately found herself constantly being issued challenges by the noisy fox. Every time there was a new course, assignment, or challenge raised for the class, he'd make a point of treating it like a competition with her as the benchmark he had to cross.

It had quickly grown exhausting trying to keep up with his relentless desire to win and prove himself. And most of the time Pyrrha had to do herself a favor and just ignore him. However, it was still a tossup whether he'd recognize that she was trying to ignore him or was just so focused on his task that he didn't bother to realize.

But the fact of the matter is that even if she edged him out in some categories, he was remarkably determined. His showing at the first display of abilities proved that he was capable, and though he was lacking in other aspects at the start of a course it seemed like he was fiercely determined to train, improve, and overcome.

Except in the academic aspects of school life, if the rumors she heard from other students about his abysmal test scores and homework completion were any indications.

But it wasn't Pyrrha's problem. With a careful inhale and a slow breath out, Pyrrha decided not to engage with the living headache creator that was the blond Faunus.

That's right. No engagement. No dialogue. No attention whatsoever. Just walking away to go about her business and-

Despite her internal protests, Pyrrha couldn't ignore the obvious drumming of his feet and the irritable humming he was trying to do under his breath. She didn't think he was doing it on purpose, but it was still distracting. So, with a sigh, Pyrrha made her way back to his table to ask him to stop.

"From this distance, at this angle, with the rifle's level of propulsion and recoil, the bullet should hit the Grimm at…I'm looking at the formula…and I still don't get it." She heard him mumbling to himself as he started to physically glare at his homework, "Damn you, dreaded math. Meet me in the arena and I'd kick your ass."

"Excuse me?"

Naruto blinked in surprise before looking up. Once he realized it was Pyrrha talking to him, he nearly jumped in surprise, "Pyrrha Nikos! When the heck did you get here?!"

"Firstly, shush, we're in a library." Pyrrha put her finger to her lips and shushed him as he quickly looked around and sat back down, "Secondly, I just walked over here a moment ago. You were so absorbed in your homework that you don't realize you're making a lot of noise right now."

"I am?" Naruto asked innocuously as Pyrrha sternly nodded. The blue-eyed fox spared a look down at his work and then around his table before nervously scratching his cheeks, his ears twitching in his hair, "Hehe, oops. Sorry about that."

"It's fine. Just please be a little more conscientious when you're in a shared space." With a nod of understanding Pyrrha was glad to see she'd gotten her point across. Her eyes panned down to the table before she walked away to continue her search.

…

Curses.

"You have the formula for that set a little off." She advised, stepping back over by Naruto's side while he was intensely staring down at the paper. He looked up at her in confusion before looking back down at the paper, "This conversion should be there, not there."

"Seriously?"

"Uh-huh."

"Oh, that explains why I kept getting hung up on it." He fixed it, sparing a look between it and his notes with a sigh, "It's because the freaking teacher was talking so fast I screwed up what to write. Man, I would've been screwed!" Despite it all, a goofy chuckle slipped out of the young Faunus' mouth before he looked up at Pyrrha, "Thanks for the help."

"You're welcome." Pyrrha appreciated his gratitude and gave a small nod, "But these are a lot of books. Are you going to be able to cover everything?"

"Don't know. Just have to do my best to retain however much I can." Naruto looked up and saw Pyrrha looking at one of the books he picked out, "Did you want to read that one?"

"I did, but I can wait until after you're done with it." She politely said. But after she did she spared a look at all the books on the table, "Are you going to be able to read all of these?"

"Probably not," He said honestly, "I'm a slow reader and this is all way over my head."

Pyrrha didn't want to say she expected that but it was hard not to see the writing on the wall, "Well, I'll take a look at it after you return it to the library. Until then-"

"Why not just study with me? You wouldn't have to wait for the book then."

Pyrrha blinked in confusion and looked down at Naruto. The blond seemed to be so focused on his paper that he didn't even look up when he talked to her, "What?"

"There's another seat right there. You can sit there if you want to. Pick up any book and start studying." He finally looked up at her and shrugged as if it was the most casual thing in the world, "Might as well."

Pyrrha…wasn't sure she expected that. With how often he challenged and called her out she had expected a degree of hostility from him at all times. And now he just invited her to sit and study as if it was the most casual thing in the world.

Why had that been so surprising to her?

With a frantic blink of her eyes, Pyrrha came out of her thoughts with a faint mumble, "I-I'd appreciate that."

"Cool." He smiled before turning back to his papers, "Although, I might end up asking you for more help, so take that seat at your peril."

Pyrrha couldn't help but giggle at that as she pulled out the chair, "I'll keep that in mind."

After that, Pyrrha got to studying some of the books she needed to look over while Naruto continued to take notes and revise. From what she could glean it didn't seem like he was the best notes taker since many of the things he had to review were subjects already covered in class. But Pyrrha helped set him right with what was needed and what wasn't. It was a good review for her as well for the exams coming up.

And honestly, not the worst way to spend an afternoon.

((((((((Hunted))))))))

The exam period was finally done, and with it, the first semester had come to a close. Pyrrha was glad to have the exams in the rearview, and now with a few weeks until the next semester at Sanctum started, she could relax. The only problem now was figuring out what she wanted to do during that time.

"Hey!" Pyrrha looked back and saw Naruto rushing toward her. He jumped down the stairs without pause and landed by her with a grin, "We're done with the tests!"

"That we are. How do you think you did?"

"I did that thing you suggested where I write down my answers to review after the test." Pyrrha suddenly found a loose leaflet in front of her face, "Take a look!"

There were a lot of red and x marks over the paper, but not enough for him to fail. But just barely passed the standards of the exam. He had tried and studied so hard but he still only just managed not to fail. She lowered the paper and looked at the blond Faunus, "I-I'm sorry that you almost failed-"

"What are you talking about? I passed!" Naruto proudly announced with a hearty laugh and hands on his hips. Pyrrha blinked in confusion at his exuberant attitude, "That was the first major exam I haven't flunked so far! That's a win!"

"O-Oh!" A cold drop of sweat ran down her cheek, "T-That's a good mindset to have. But maybe try for a higher grade next time?"

"Eh, if I feel like it." He shrugged noncommittally, "I'll just cover my bases with the practical and physical classes next time! And just you wait," He pointed at her challengingly, "I'll take over the top spot from you in no time!"

…

Oh. Right. He still wanted to prove himself better than her. That shouldn't have been a surprise…yet Pyrrha wasn't sure why it was disappointing to hear that. She looked aside reservedly, "R-Right. I'm sure you'll surpass me…any day now." The redhead wanted to hide her disappointment and turned around, "Well if you'll excuse-"

"Hold on!" Naruto slid in front of her and blocked her way, "I don't just want to surpass you. You've gotta keep getting better too and give me a challenge!" He gave her a big bright smile as he did, "You wouldn't be much of a rival if you didn't give it your all."

…

"Rival?" She repeated the word as if it was so foreign and unheard of, "We're rivals?"

"Of course." He pumped his fist, "I'm gonna be the best in this academy! And if I wasn't then the only other choice would have to be you!" As Pyrrha still looked a little stunned, the final bell rang and school was let out. As the cheers of students and their talking started to spread out, Naruto turned to the exit and started heading out, "I'll see you in a few weeks, Pyrrha! Don't get too lazy on me!"

…

That was the first time he called her by just her name.

Pyrrha had been so blindsided she realized she hadn't said goodbye in return. And something about that left her feeling upset.

((((((((Hunted))))))))

Done

You guys remember that one kid you probably never talked to in class, but then you did, got to know them, and they became your best friend?

Pyrrha's going through that right now. She just doesn't realize it yet.

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Thank You and Bye