The Girl Behind The Mask

Chapter 28

     When Chiyo opened her eyes she was met with a bright room, she laid there, thinking for a moment. That's right, she had passed out after her round during the chuin exams.

     "You're awake" Midnight's voice spoke from beside her. She looked over to see the large wolf sitting next to her hospital bed.

     "How are you feeling?" the wolf asked.

     "Sore" she said her body still aching,

     "that's to be expected" Midnight commented. She looked at Chiyo like a mother would when her child misbehaved.

     "I feel like you're going to lecture me" she said.

     "Letting your emotions get the better of you like that was reckless, you need more self control" the animal completely ignored her comment. Chiyo sighed knowing Midnight was right, she had been reckless and gotten herself injured. She looked down at her bandaged hand a frustrated frown finding it's way onto her face.

     "I'm sorry" she said softly,

     "she jus-" she stopped in the middle of the her thought.

     "I understand that what she said struck a nerve, but that's what she wanted" Midnight explained.

     "Let's not focus on that, for now you need rest" Chiyo nodded.

     "Once I get better I'm gonna train and be even better when the next round comes along" she said determination in her voice.

     "I'm sure you will" Midnight smiled,

      "Now, you should get some rest" the wolf told her. She nodded laying her head back down on the pillow.
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     Several Kunai flew through the air all landing in the middle of the targets they were thrown towards.

     "Yes!" Chiyo cheered a big smile on her face. Midnight watched the girl celebrate a small smile on her face.

     "Finally, that took a long time" she said catching her breath with a satisfied  smile on her face.

     "Good, no-"
 
    "You're supposed to be training me!" a familiar voice yelled.

     "Is that....Naruto-kun" she asked confused.

    "What could he be yelling about" she mumbled to herself as she pushed through the bushes. Chiyo was surprised to see that Naruto was yelling at an older looking male.

    "Is tha-"

     "Chiyo-chan? What are you doing here" Naruto asked. She jumped a bit in surprise as she smiled at the blond.

     "I was training near by and heard you yelling, I came to see what was going on" she explained. Naruto glared over at the person he had been screaming at. She looked in that direction her eyes going wide in realization.

     "You're Jiriaya" she said her shock turning into confusion.

    "How did you get him to train you" she asked addressing Naruto.

    "He pestered me until I agreed" the man explained. Chiyo nodded her head, quiet.

    "That seems like something he would do" Midnight commented walking up next to Chiyo.

     "So? About the yelling?" the black haired girl asked looking between the two.

     "He was spying on girl's instead of training me?!" Naruto said annoyed. Chiyo crossed her arms sighing,

     "I told you I was doing research" Jiraya tried defending himself.

    "Sure" Chiyo said to herself, she had serious doubts about the man's excuse.

     "Well, since everything seems to be fine Chiyo needs to go back to her training" Midnight said sternly.

     "Bye Naruto-kun" the girl waved as her companion lead her back through the forest.
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     "I wonder how Naruto-kun's training is going" Chiyo said to herself as she ate her ramen.

     "I'm sure he's fine" Midnight responded,

     "Yeah, he probably is" the black haired girl smiled.

     "He really has improved, hasn't he"

     "He still has room for improvement but he's become stronger" Midnight commented.

     "Chiyo-chan?" a voice asked, said girl looked over to see Sakura standing there.

     "Oh, hello Sakura-chan" she greeted the pink haired girl. Sakura sat next to her a small frown on her face,

     "Are you alright" she asked. the female shook her head,

     "It's nothing" she said quietly.

     "You know, if something is wrong i'm here to listen" Chiyo told her. Sakura smiled,

     "It's just.....you, Naruto, and Sasuke are so strong" she said. Chiyo looked at her as she waited for her to finish.

     "I feel like i've fallen behind" Sakura admitted. Chiyo put a hand on her shoulder.

     "I think you're strong, you shouldn't doubt yourself" she said. A small smile appeared on Sakura's face.

     "And if you want I can help you train" she said.

     "Really?" Sakura asked, Chiyo nodded.

     "Yeah, how about we meet up tomorrow" she said.

      "Ok, thanks so much" Sakura hugged her, Chiyo froze but smiled.

      "Of course, we're friends after all" she said. She stood up from her seat paying for her food. She then handed Sakura some money,

     "Here buy yourself some food" she told her.

    "Are you sure" Sakura asked feeling bad for taking money from the girl.

    "I'm sure" Chiyo said putting the money on the counter.

     "I'll see you tomorrow" she waved heading home.