The Last Rose (Naruto Fanfic)

The Survival Test

"You actually passed the graduation exam?"

Sora tried to ignore the incredulous tone in Wing's voice as she carefully polished a Katana. It was only a few hours ago that she had met her new sensei on the rooftop of the academy and she was back to work in the Kendo dojo. She didn't know how long they would be doing the training exercise Kakashi had planned for them tomorrow, so she was trying to clean the equipment as best as she could so she could free up the next few days

"I mean, I'm not even a ninja and even I know that your chakra control sucks." Wing was saying and an irk mark appeared on her forehead.

"My chakra control is fine." She retorted, pointing to the Leaf Village headband that hung with her sweater on a chair to the side of the room. "That headband proves it."

Wing chuckled, setting aside his cup of coffee. "Yes, well. I suppose it does." He stood from his chair. "Right. Come on, I'm letting you off early."

She blinked. "Really? Why?'

"What do you mean why? You've just become a Genin! That's an occasion to celebrate, no?"

She eyed him suspiciously. "You're not taking me to a pub again, are you? I'm too young to drink."

He sweatdropped, shrugging on his sweater. "Man, you can hold a grudge. That was one time, Sora. And no, we're not going to a pub. We're going shopping."

"Shopping?" She placed the katana back to it's rack. "I have enough clothes."

Wing rolled his eyes. "Wow, you really don't know anything about being a ninja, do you? Everybody knows that when you become a ninja, you have to have one standard outfit. So that means you need more than one of the same outfit. It has to be practical of course, not too revealing but not too stiff either."

Sora tilted her head. "Why do I have to wear the same outfit everyday?"
"Because that's just how it works, okay?" Wing snapped. "Grab your sweatshirt, we're going shopping."

Sora put down the rag happily, grabbing her sweatshirt. "You're paying."

Wing scoffed. "Of course I'm paying, it's a gift."

And so the two set out to the shopping district of Konoha. Wing dragged her to several stores and he made her try on several outfits, but none of them were to his liking.

"That's too blue." He shook his head. "Clashes with your eyes."

"That's wayyy too short."

"Too baggy."

"You look like you're on your way to a funeral or something."

"Meh, too colorful."

Finally, when Sora walked out of the fitting room for the hundredth room, Wing smiled widely at her, pretending to wipe away a tear.

"This is it! This is the one." He thrust his card at the saleswoman who was assisting them. "Here, take my money. We'll take five of that outfit."

Sora rolled her eyes at Wing's dramatics. She had to admit though, she agreed with him. This outfit was the best one she had tried on by far. It was a golden top with oversized bell-sleeves, tucked into a black skirt that had long slits from either side. She wore black biker shorts underneath it with bandages wrapped around her left thigh for her shuriken and kunai leg holder, with a pair of black fingerless gloves and the standard ninja boots to complete the look. She looked at Wing, feeling oddly touched.

"T-thanks." She said, feeling heat creep up into her cheeks.

Wing yanked her by the arm towards him, crushing her into a hug. "My little employee is all grown up." He blubbered. "I don't know if my heart can take it."