Vision of Truth I: Cat and Fox (Naruto)

Squad 7

"Let's just say, I loathe it all!
Every little trait, however small
Makes my very flesh begin to crawl
With simple utter loathing
There's a strange exhilaration
In such total detestation
It's so pure! So strong!
Though I do admit it came on fast
Still I do believe that it can last
And I will be loathing
Loathing you
My whole life long!" 

- "What is This Feeling?" from Wicked

Chapter 9: Squad 7

Everything turned out fine after Naruto returned the scroll to the Hokage. My grandfather was also there waiting for me, and he expressed anger that I was with Naruto. He calmed down once Iruka explained that I learned how to produce a lightning shield to protect Naruto. It does not matter anyway. I am a ninja now, and Kotaro can't tell me what to do.

I slept all morning and into the afternoon. Naruto showed up in the evening to make sure I would make it to ramen. No one in my family said anything as I left with him. They were learning. Iruka awaited us at the ramen shop. We enjoyed a nice meal while he explained what it would be like to be ninjas.

"Katsumi," Iruka said at one point, "do you know why you were able to use your shield jutsu last night?"

"No," I said honestly. "I have not been able to create another one." And Kotaro had made me try as soon as I was awake. To say he was disappointed with my results was an understatement.

"Well, what were you thinking when you did it?"

I shrugged. "Not much, honestly. I just knew I had to protect Naruto."

Iruka smiled. "Exactly. Your clan has a long history of using your shields to protect others. It is a great defensive tool when you are a part of a squad."

"That is so cool!" Naruto said with a grin.

I thought about that for a minute. "If that's true, why do the shields open the portal?" I asked. "How is that protecting anyone?"

"That is something you will have to figure out on your own," said Iruka.

Great. I did not even know where to start looking. I made a mental note to look into that later. For now, I had to focus on my present problems. I was finally out of school, and I had to get used to my new life as a ninja. Well, I did have to attend one more day.

Monday morning, I arrived at the academy after everyone else. That nighttime adventure with Naruto really messed up my sleep schedule. I swept my eyes across the classroom, looking for him, and frowned when I saw him standing near where Sasuke sat. That was probably not a wise choice.

"Hi, Sakura!" Naruto said to one of the females who approached. "What's up?"

"Move it!" Sakura said. She pushed him out of the way, causing him to crash onto the floor, and looked at Sasuke. "Good morning Sasuke. Mind if I sit next to you?"

"Back off, Forehead," said Ino, another one of Sasuke's admirers. "I'm sitting next to Sasuke."

I casually walked over to the group of girls that gradually grew and chose to sit in a spot above Sasuke. For his part, he ignored them. I wondered if it was an act or if they truly annoyed him. The way they argued over him certainly annoyed me. Suddenly, Naruto leapt onto the table Sasuke was leaning on, crouched down, and glared at Sasuke, who glared right back at him.  Okay then... Were they werewolves establishing dominance? Maybe it was a ninja thing. A male ninja thing.

"Naruto!" Sakura exclaimed. "Hey, stop glaring at Sasuke!" The rest of the girls started arguing in protest. I would have told Naruto to stop because Sasuke was not worth it, but I did not want it to look like I was agreeing with the fan girls.