Proud - Book I

Chapter 1

I hope you all enjoy this chapter! I worked hard on it, so if you could give me some feedback that would be great!

I don't own Naruto.
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Chikara

I grin sheepishly at Shikamaru, who was groaning loudly. “How did you forget your backpack?! You just had it!”

I rub the back of my neck. “I just left it by the door while I was using the bathroom! It’ll only be a second, so I’ll meet you at your house okay? If you’re worried about getting yelled at, we don’t have to tell Sasuke.”

Sasuke is a little  over protective. By a little, I mean so far over the line that he doesn't allow me to walk in the Hidden Leaf’s streets alone anymore. He’s always worried about whether I’m going to be alone at some point during the day, or not.

He hesitates for a moment but nods, turning around and continuing to walk towards the Nara compound. I run towards the academy and Mizuki-Sensei was standing there holding the black bag. I had suddenly felt as if I was being watched and it sent shivers down my spine. It was even worse when the sun set over the horizon and the darkness engulfed us quickly. I immediately regretted not just leaving my backpack.

“Good evening Chikara. Try not to leave this anymore okay? Next time, somebody may try to take it.” Mizuki-Sensei smiled.

I nodded and he lightly handed it back. “Now, run along now. You don’t want to keep your friend waiting, do you?”

“Hai. Bye Mizuki-Sensei!” I yell over my shoulder, starting to run to the compound. The horrible feeling got more intense the more I ran.

My legs somehow manage to go faster and the only sounds were those of my feet pounding against the pathways of the Hidden Leaf. A shadow dawned on me and I cower in fear. My hair was gripped painfully as I was thrown into the nearest alley way. I stand up as quickly I could, while darting my eyes around and trying to grasp any information I have. Three silhouettes stood in front of my only exit. My eyes frantically rake the surroundings and I try to calculate another way out.

If I could force chakra to my feet, I hurriedly think I’d be able to get to the roof tops. If I can add some of my chakra to boost my speed, I’d successfully be able to make it to the Nara compound.

There were two impossibly huge faults in that plan.

1, I hadn’t seen how far I actually was to the Nara compound, so if they were Shinobi, they’d catch up to me quickly.

2, My chakra was still slightly depleted from training earlier, so there was no way I could maintain the balance all through out my legs.

Yep.

I’m screwed.

“Where are you going little Uchiha?” One of them say, his voice raspy and deep.

“S-Stay away!” I studder, mentally cursing myself for sounding weak.

“Now,” Another one with a lighter voice starts speaking. “Why would we do that? You know how valuable you are right? The last female Uchiha. We finally got you alone too.”

I try to steady my breathing and I think back to what I’ve learned at the academy. I reach a shaking hand down to my kunai pouch before I swiftly pull one out, get into a fighting position, and throw it at the guy in the middle.

I stifle a gasp as he catches it by the handle with two fingers. They are definitely Shinobi....

“Foolish girl.” The one who spoke first tsks, throwing the knife easily behind him. “A measly kunai knife isn’t going to stop us.”

I quickly move my hands and fingers into six different hand signals. I bring my index and my middle fingers on both hands to my lips. “Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!” I cry, feeling my chakra burn in my lips before it was released into a steady amount of fire.

They jumped back a bit, but because of the light from the fire I clearly saw the look of their faces. One had extremely big muscles and baby blue hair, cut in a rugged design on the sides. He had purple pupiless eyes and a sadistic grin. Another had long brown hair tied into a low ponytail and matching eyes. No emotion was shown on his face. The last one had ocean blue hair and golden eyes that showed remorse. Judging by the bandanas in the various places they had put them, they were from the village Hidden in the Mist.

They all jump out of the way of the jutsu and I ran out of there as fast as I could. I looked over my shoulder and, now that I had adjusted to the light, I saw two of them following me. The man with blue eyes just stayed back, behind them.

A kunai was thrown my direction and I moved out of it’s way. Sadly, I wasn’t fast enough and the kunai grazed my neck. I feel the crimson liquid drip down the onto my shoulders and wince heavily in pain.

Another kunai was thrown my direction and while I was running it happened to catch my Uchiha jacket and pin me into the wall next to me. I struggle as hard as I could against it. The two men walk closer and the impending doom of each step makes me move more frantically.

Eventually, they were inches away from my struggling form. I take a step away from the wall while trying to free myself, but find something under my foot. I glimpse down and notice that it was my kunai from earlier. I dart my head upwards towards the men and I slowly try to reach down and grab the kunai.

The knife suddenly floats into my hand and I look around nervously. The men didn’t seem to notice as they dawn on me.

What...Who did that? I look at the man behind them and I notice his head nod as if reading my thoughts. He suddenly jumps onto the roof of a building and I turn my attention back to the enemies in front of me.

The buff Shinobi suddenly grabs my throat and pins me against the wall. I grip the kunai tightly and plunge it in his arm. He howls in pain before I reach my fingers up to my lips again.

“Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!” I scream, before small birds that were blazing with fire erupt from my lips.

The chakra deprivation was catching up to me quickly and I was struggling to keep my eyes open. While the men defend themselves from my jutsu, I finally yank the kunai from the wall and I start to run off.

My feet hit the ground as fast as I could force them to go. Bruises were obviously forming on my throat where the man’s hand gripped harshly. Before long, I felt myself tumbling through the entrance of the compound.

I see Shikamaru walking my direction and as soon as he see’s it’s me he widens his eyes. I finally trip and he’s there in a second, catching me. His brown eyes immediately fill with worry and I give him the smallest smile I could muster before I my eyes close.