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ABC. Thought
Chapter 4
"Another D rank mission?!"
The moment receiving the request from Hiruzen for their upcoming mission, Naruto yells in frustration.
"Delivery a package to Kazuhiro from the Sunshine village?"
Sakura reads what is written inside the scroll that has Hiruzen given us.
"And this is our objective?"
While I study the package sitting neatly on the table.
It's a medium sized parcel box tied by green ropes. Doesn't look too heavy and I doubt that it's going to contain any high-valued item in there. After all, this is only a D rank mission.
"Indeed. This is a request from Kazuhiro-san, the village leader himself."
As Hiruzen explains the further information to us...
"B-o-r-i-n-g."
Naruto cuts him off with a big yawn.
"Don't be rude!"
In instant, Kakashi hits Naruto's head to fix his annoying attitude.
Unlike those two boys, who are clearly unsatisfied with their mission, I feel lucky to be ordered doing simple task. Because that means no hard work and what's more, not having to fight anyone over anything.
"You knew how we did at the Land of wave, did you? So find us something better to do!"
Naruto voices his reason in hope to change Hiruzen's mind.
"Was Nina there with you?"
In return, he asks him.
"Eh?"
"Let's make this simpler. Has she ever gone to a mission with team 7 yet?"
"Well, no..."
"Ever experienced the importance of team work?"
"Uhm..."
"Exactly. Not everything is always surrounding about how you feel, Naruto. Since Nina only became Genin yesterday. We can't risk sending her into potentially dangerous places. Not until she gets used to the way we, the shinobi of Konohagakure, work on our missions."
Now that Hirzuzen is being too reasonable, Naruto has to accept his D rank mission as ordered.
Therefore Team 7 will be leaving Konoha for delivery mission in two days, following Kakashi's instructions and the reward would be around 20,000 ryo if we succeed.
"Since it's still early. Let's gather at the third training ground for our usual training, shall we?"
As soon as everyone gets out of Hokage's room, Kakashi suggests.
Third training ground? Oh boy, let's just hope that it's not going to be...
Third Training Ground
"A bell test."
Kakashi smiles and show us the bells hanging between his fingers.
God dammit. Out of everything, this is the only test that I want to avoid doing as much as possible.
I should just have made up some lame excuse and ran off when I had the chance to. Instead of mindlessly following everyone here like an idiot.
"But that is for the latter. Now, let's start with a proper introduction between ourselves, shall we?"
Kakashi puts them back into his pocket and offers us doing something else beforehand.
"Mostly for Nina. Since I've already known about you lots."
Watching our puzzled faces, he continues explaining his reasons.
"It's essential for us to learn and understand more about each other. Not with just names and ages..."
Kakashi goes on about how important this activity is to us in order to create bonds between teammates, as much as to build a trusting teamwork.
"For example, I am Hatake Kakashi."
Then he starts it off by introducing himself to us.
"My likes and dislikes are up for you to find out. Dreams for future? Hmm... Not really. I have a lot of hobbies... Here and there..."
Wow, I definitely learnt a lot about him after listening to his ranting. Very detailed self-intro, indeed.
And because I wasn't with them when they first introduced themselves. Kakashi requests everyone to redo it for me to follow.
Therefore Uzumaki Naruto goes first. By expressing his obsession with various type of Ramen and long term wish to become the greatest Hokage in the future. Bonus a tint of the love-hate relationship he shares with Sasuke.
Next is Haruno Sakura, who is fond of sweet, love hanging out with her girl friends and a certain black haired boy. Hate annoying and dumb people. Long term wish is to change her surname from Haruno to Uchiha and helping her husband in resurrecting his almighty clan.
Actually, the last part was my saying since Sakura didn't reveal anything to us except for constant blushing.
Finally is Uchiha Sasuke, an Uchiha clan's rightful heir.
"That's it?"
Asked Naruto but he's ignored by his grumpy teammate.
"Alright, you're the only one left. Nina."
Kakashi urges me to go and the other three shift their attentions to my face. Those piercing, bright round eyes are now starting to make me nervous.
After spending a long moment thinking of what I should say and should not, I decide to go with...
"I'm Nina. Like any other kids, my hobby is watching TV and reading manga. My favorite food are Mochi and Dango, or Sundae. That's all I can tell you about myself."
Then I give Kakashi a *Will that do?* look, but his head tilts to one side. Probably being unsatisfied with my insincere answer. Too bad he isn't allowed, or authorized to force me spilling more.
"Hmm... Any dream for futures?"
"Like going home and reuniting with my people?"
And Sasuke's face grows serious the moment I poke into the sensitive subject that most everyone avoid talking about in front of him.
"A-Anyway, let's get to the main objective of the day, shall we?"
The air around us becomes heavier, until Kakashi breaks the tension with the change of topic.
"Alright, you four shall act as a team and try to take these bells away from me. I will give you two hours to finish the test. Ready?"
The team 7 members look at each other and nod.
"Here I come!"
Naruto jumps head in to distract their teacher with Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, while the rest of the team take cover behind one of the bushes nearby to come up with a plan.
"Good, he hasn't noticed us."
After checking and finds no sight of clone, Sasuke reports the situation to the other two then turns to Nina.
"We will go left, you will go right. And once you're there, wait for my signal."
Once done leaving instructions, both Sasuke and Sakura departs to the left side near Naruto. As Nina quietly makes her way to the right, toward to the empty spot behind where Kakashi is standing.
And as soon as she reaches to the destination, Sasuke gives her a hand signal to countdown from three to one.
"Go!"
Sasuke and Sakura jump into the battle to help Naruto getting a hold of Kakashi at the most unexpected moment. While Nina sneaks behind him to snatch the bells.
However she trips over a small rock lying on the ground and falls before she can reach to Kakashi's pocket. Immediately alerting their teacher about her presence and ruining their whole plan. Much to Sasuke's irritation.
Change of plan, everyone continue seizing Kakashi's limbs in hope that Nina will recover to finish the test. Yet she takes too long to get up and Kakashi has already used Kawamiri no Jutsu to gets out of their grips.
Then he teleports behind Nina and casts Genjutsu on her.
And instead of screaming, crying, or bearing any specific expression to prove that she's hit by a Genjustsu. Nina collapses onto the ground and fall unconscious.
"Huh? What's wrong with her?"
Needless to say everyone in the team is confused.
A concerned Sakura approaches Nina to check on her, from shaking her shoulder to calling her name and even tapping, slapping her cheeks. Nothing worked.
"Kakashi-sensei, I think that Nina-chan fainted."
Sakura reports to her teacher after having failed to wake Nina up.
"Really?"
Kakashi scratches the back of his head awkwardly as he approaches to check on the girl. Shocked to find that she is knocked out cold because of his Genjutsu. Did I somehow overdo it?
"Couldn't even stand a little Genjutsu. Was she made out of glass?"
Meanwhile Sasuke cannot believe how useless his new teammate can be. They knew from the start that she's weak, but this is just a whole new level.
"Perhaps Nina-chan hasn't recovered completely from those injuries."
Naruto thinks that Nina's not prepared for the upcoming battles.
"Training's over everyone. I'm going to take her to the hospital for a proper checkup."
Kakashi speaks to his team and carries Nina into his arms. Heading toward to Konoha's hospital direction with his team members following closely behind.
Hours later.
Nina finally wakes up from her slumber to greet her teammates.
"How are you feeling?"
Naruto's face is the first thing to get into my view, then Sakura, who is standing next to him.
"The doctor said that your body's past injuries had been healed. So the fainting just now was mostly due to shock."
Therefore Kakashi asks me whether that was my first time experience Genjustsu. And upon seeing me nod in response, he sighs.
"You're so weak. What did you do when your loved ones were getting killed by the bandits? Running away, crying and hiding like a total coward?"
Before Kakashi can open his mouth to say something more, Sasuke's jumps into our conversation.
"Sasuke, enough."
He tries to stop Sasuke from going too far with his criticism, but is completely ignored.
"Sitting in one place and wishing for your family to be revived won't do you crap. If you bear no desire to become stronger to get your revenge. Then you'd better off quitting being a shinobi."
"I said that's enough."
It's not until Kakashi raises his voice that Sasuke shuts his mouth. Then he shoots a glare at his teacher before walking toward to the opened window and jumps outside.
That was quite harsh. Even though already knew that Uchiha had never been a happy kid for the whole series, but this was way more than what I'd expected.
If my background story's real as everyone believed and having to hear his lectures while sitting at rock bottom, I would have driven insane. Jumping at him to fight for my rights and even scratching his eyes out if I had to.
But then again, it can also be one of Sasuke's unique ways to express his concern. I seriously don't understand him sometimes.
"What's this guy's deal? He's been acting weird ever since coming back from the Land of Wave, you know."
Naruto's confused by his teammate recently strange behaviors, which he and Sakura have yet to figure out the real reason behind.
"Do you need me to take you home?"
When seeing me attempt to leave, Sakura offers to accompany me.
"It's alright, I'm fine. Sorry for worrying you guys."
And I politely decline, since I've been thinking of wandering around the village to enjoy some fresh air by myself before going home.
"Hey, Do you think that Nina-chan is upset?"
Waiting for Nina to disappear out of sight, Sakura asks Naruto. Yet he stands there in thinking for a couple of minutes before dashing away, much to her confusion.
"H-Hey! Where are you going?!"
While strolling near the training grounds to enjoy the sunset scenery, I spot a similar figure practicing alone by a tree not too far away.
Huh? Isn't that Hinata, Hyuuga's clan heiress and Naruto's future wife?
Short dark blue haired girl in cream-colored hooded-jacket, navy blue pants and a forehead protector around her neck.
Yup, that's definitely her.
And judging from Hinata's dirty attire and skin, it seems that she's been here for quite some time. Probably training for the Chuunin exam which is about to come.
It's going to be a tough fight with Neji, and we're still having Gaara coming along the way...
Subconsciously, I spend a good amount of time watching her. Because Hinata reminds me of the time I had to go through countless of Ryu's ridiculous training sessions in order to become a shinobi.
..
...
It was during a stormy night from two years ago.
"Again."
Despite the loud noises of thunders cracking, heavy rain and wind combined surrounding us. Ryu's voice sounded so clear, calm and strict.
"No! I'm tired! I want to go home and sleep!"
Throwing away the Shuriken in my hand after having failed using it to hit the center of a shooting target on a tree's body for nth times, I remained on the floor fuming. Splashing mud everywhere.
"Please, just stop! I don't want to train anymore!"
While every other kids in the village was enjoying staying at home eating steamy food and cuddling inside their warm blanket, playing games and watching TV.
I had to stay outside in the dark, suffering from coldness, wet, hunger, numb muscles and exhaustion just to re-do Omitsu's old lessons all over and over. It's not fair!
"Unlike you or everybody here, I'm not born to be a shinobi!"
How the heck would you expect me to stay relaxed, aiming and throwing a Shuriken perfectly when I could barely see with all the water and wind coming at my body in every direction?
"You claimed that I would be safe in your village! So what's the point for me to train so hard for?!"
While expecting to be struck by lightnings and die within any seconds out of stupidity because we were now standing under a huge tree during a thunderstorm.
"It was because you couldn't keep your promise and forced me to become a shinobi, wasn't it?!"
Could no longer stand the stressful and punishing training courses, I started crying and blaming him for the false vow he made when he first brought me into this place.
"..."
However Ryu didn't say anything in return, or even trying to back up his statement. Just stood there watching me throwing tantrum until I eventually got tired and stopped.
"Have you calmed down yet?"
"..."
In response, I shifted my head away and ignored his question.
"All of the tedious training I had made you do up to this very moment was only for your own good."
Ryu took off his jacket to cover my body from the heavy rain and patted my head gently.
"So you knew they were ridiculous."
I murmured, wiping the tears mixed with dirt off my eyes to see him clearer.
"Nina, you cannot depend on I and Momiji to protect you forever. There might be one day you have to stand on your own feet and fight for your own life. Without any of us standing by your side."
To me, his reason sounded like a very bad joke. A day, month or even years without Ryu or Momiji? Surely I won't be able to survive long.
"You're speaking as if you know that day would come."
But if I admitted any of it to him then, he would throw more of those *that's one more reason for you to get stronger* or something similar into my face.
"Neither you nor I can be certain about what future may bring. That's why we all need to be prepared for everything. From the best to worst."
At that time, I thought he only said it just to motivate me to continue training. So I didn't take his words too seriously but didn't give up on trying to be a shinobi either.
Because not only there's a huge stubborn part inside of me that didn't want to let him down, but also wanting to show the other kids in the village that I was not a cry baby or a quitter.
...
..
And now I'm all alone inside a made up world and trying to fit in with a bunch of fictional characters whose personality, backgrounds and deep dark secrets are anything but an open book to me.
This must be the worst situation I've ever been in my life.
Getting myself involved with their exciting and long lasting adventures to find out their true purposes in life. While I'm struggling from behind with no idea of what and how, or where to start.
"Nina-chan!"
Just then, Naruto's high-pitched voice echoes behind me. Surprising both I and Hinata to death.
"What the heck are you yelling for? Why are you here?"
Annoyed for being found out hiding behind a tree watching someone else training without their consent, I turn around to find Naruto is standing next to me.
"I got worried so I followed you. And I did call you multiples times already but you didn't answer so..."
He explains his reason, while smiling like an idiot and I sigh.
"N-Naruto k-kun?!"
As always, Hinata flusters whenever seeing him. Though her expression quickly turns from happy to confused once her white eyes land on me.
"I'm Nina, new member of team 7."
Therefore I announce myself as the newcomer of Kakashi's team, instantly shocked Hinata.
"Yeah, stuff happened and now we are a four-man team. Believe it!"
Naruto chimes in.
"U-Uhm, I'm Hyuuga Hinata from team 8. N-Nice to meet you."
Hinata looks stunned for a moment before bringing herself to greet me.
"Likewise."
As soon as our greetings ends, loud grumbles can be heard coming out from both Hinata's and my stomach. Causing us to freeze on our spot due to embarrassment.
While Naruto finds it super hilarious and bursts into laughter.
"H-How about we have dinner at Ichiraku ramen shop? My treat!"
Realizing his mistake when seeing the girl's faces fuming with both anger and shame, Naruto's laughing dies down and he offers us something to eat.
"Your treat? Are you sure that you have enough money for that?"
Seeing me acting suspicious toward to his financial status, Naruto confidently takes out his green frog wallet.
"N-No problem...! B-Believe it!"
However after taking a look into it, Naruto turns to us with a forced smile. He starts sweating all over his face and talking like Hinata.
"Okay, let's get going! I will order a lot for us."
Figured that the wallet is almost empty, I gesture Hinata to follow me to the Ichiraku's shop. Much to his distress.
"E-Eh?! Wait!"
"Don't worry, it's my treat."
When I show him my purse, his eyes shine up like the sun.
Last night when Kakashi came over to my house to deliver food, he had left a small purse that contains allowance for a me to live off a month by myself inside the Ichiraku's ramen package.
And I didn't find out about it until I almost trashed the whole thing away into the dumpster. Jeeze, talk about close call...