An Unexpected Love (Book 2 of the Unexpected Series)

Ch. 8 - Strength is Not Always Physical

Summary: Kokoro hangs with Juro and spars with Chojuro. Masumi doesn't like her attitude. Also, Kakashi sends a letter?

"You're done already?" Kokoro asked as Junichiro paid for some fish and announced he was finished with shopping. "You still have money left over. There's more than enough to get some more. That can't be enough for you, your dad, and your mom."

"This is all I want to buy," he said as he walked away.

Kokoro caught up to him with a shrug, letting it go as it was none of her business. She wouldn't make the mistake in pressuring her friend despite her unsatiated curiosity. She couldn't betray his trust. They walked together silently before she thought of something to ask him. She didn't think the question was too privy. "Do you go to the Academy?"

"I did. Where do you think I learned so much? I couldn't have learned that by myself."

"So, you already graduated?" Kokoro asked. "Why didn't I see you at the Chunin Exams?"

"You did, or you should have. I don't know how much you were paying attention. I doubt your attention span is bigger than a squirrel's."

"Rude. Not very much though," Kokoro admitted. "It was all so stressful. Did you make it to the qualifying round?"

"I did. You did really good by the way, even during the finals," Junichiro said. His cheeks were a pretty light pink color and his fingers fiddled with the bags in his hands. "I know Enkai is pretty mad about the loss, but you fought hard."

Kokoro stared at him, processing the compliment. "Th-thank you."

"Don't mention it," he said.

"So, did you get promoted to chunin?"

Junichiro gave her a look that said she was the stupidest person in the village. She chuckled nervously and said, "Right, dumb question."

"I heard you made chunin, but you're training with Ao?" he asked nonchalantly.

"Yeah," she sighed. "The Mizukage wants me to learn how to be Kirigakuren genin before she promotes me to chunin. Plus, I have to pass the Chunin Exams all over again!"

"Why are you complaining?"

"Because the Chunin Exams are so stressful and any little thing can happen and make you fail."

"I told you that you did good in the chunin Exams. Do you agree with me?"

"Well, yeah. I gave it my all, and I know if I had been given the opportunity I could have made it all the way to the end."

"Then why does it matter if you have to take the exams again? If you're as good as you say, then it should be no sweat," Junichiro pointed out as he stopped outside a small house. Kokoro stopped and really looked at him. She didn't think he was the encouraging type. He stopped a few steps in front of her and turned in confusion when she wasn't walking beside him. They stared each other down - one in contemplation and the other in uncertainty.

"What?" Junichiro snapped after a moment.

"What?" Kokoro asked.

"Stop staring at me like that, that's what! It's creeping me out!"

"Sorry!" Kokoro apologized as she held her hands up in defense. "You're just actually pretty cool."

"You're just now noticing that?" he asked confidently. Kokoro rolled her eyes and began walking again, hitting the back of his head on her way. He winced in pain and said, "What was that for?"

"For being weird." It was nice having a friend around the village, and now that she had actually talked to him, she felt it was so easy to do so. If only she had tried to make friends with those closer to age first, then she wouldn't have become as downtrodden as she had. Talking with Junichiro was like bickering with a sibling, and he made it so easy. If only everyone in the village was like him.