The Little Things

Chapter 6

 "Alright, everyone. Our next lesson is on the use of shuriken. You may partner up with someone if you wish, but there will be no messing around." Mikuta-sensei spoke up, turning away from the chalkboard. "Today will just be the basics; learning how to throw them, and a bit of target practice." Mikuta-sensei added, panning over the class. The room came alive with eager giggles and whispers. The instructor tapped the board with a chalk piece, regaining the attention from the students. "Now now. Okay, you get only one minute to pick a partner. Once you've got one, we move to the practice court. Go!"

 The kids all rose from their desks and scrambled around the room, finding their friends to pair up with them. Tankina calmly stood up and made her way across the room, over to Sasuke. The two smiled and one another. The class soon settled. Mikuta slightly nodded in approval. "Okay, everyone. Let's go." She said, motioning for them to follow her outside. 

 Half of the kids were already gossiping about shuriken; saying how they were what real ninjas used or bragging about how they've touched one before. They made it onto the practice field outside the academy in short time. The pairs lined up in front of the target posts.

 "Now, before we begin, I'd like to remind everyone that shuriken are not toys. They are weapons and are very dangerous. If so much as one hits you in the wrong spot, it will be fatal." Mikuta warned, holding up the steel weapon. The kids nodded in unison. "Glad we all understand."

 After more instructions, they began to try it out themselves. Most throws only lead the shuriken to hit the posts wrong and clink to the ground. 

 "Have you trained with shuriken before?" Sasuke asked Tankina while she stood in front of the post. She was nailing the targets rather well compared to the rest. The brunette paused at his question.

 "Uh... a little," she shrugged a shoulder.

 "You're really good." He commented. This was still, of course, from the view point of someone the same age. A genin would most likely say she was still rusty.

  "Thank you." She smiled lightly. She threw her last shuriken at the post. She looked over her progress before retrieving them. She held out the handful of steel to Sasuke, "your turn."

 The Uchiha took them and stood in Tankina's previous spot. Tankina stood behind him and watched intently.

 Another student walked behind Tankina and practically shoved her. She stumbled forward, bumping into Sasuke just as he threw a shuriken. It chipped the wood of the post and hit the wall behind it. Tankina grabbed hold of Sasuke, catching herself, but also saving him from staggering forward. She realigned herself and turned to face the culprit.

 "Oh! I'm so sorry!" The girl dragged her words out. She then completely walked past Tankina as if she were invisible, straight to Sasuke. "Are you okay, Sasuke?" The Uchiha stared at her.

 "Yeah, I'm okay..." he mumbled.

 "Oh, good!" She chirped.

 "Hey, you need to watch where you're going." Tankina spoke up, rubbing her shoulder. The girl gave her a sideways glance.

 "How about you watch where you're falling! You could have hurt Sasuke!" She sneered. Tankina's brow furrowed.

 Everyone else in the field stopped and turned their way. "You pushed me on purpose," she stated. 

 "No, I didn't! You're lying!" She exclaimed, pointing a finger at the brunette. Tankina only fumed.

 Please do not start any fights. You go and find an adult for help, she remembered what Kakashi had told her. As much as she wanted to shove the girl right back, Kakashi wouldn't be very happy if he found out.