Finding my Truth

Chapter 7: Training Begins

Gasping for air as I collapse onto the ground in front of Kakashi, I look up at him trying to glare but it wasn't effective at all. He gave me an innocent close eyed smile as he put his book down for a moment. "See? That wasn't too hard now was it?" he asked but I could tell he had an amused smirk hidden behind the mask. "I...." I began as I was wheezing for breath, "Hate....you." My voice was rough, scratchy and quiet. My dislike was clear as day and danger emitted off my body in waves.

An Hour Earlier

It's been a few days since I was released and I'm currently training with Iruka-sensei. With an 'umph' I landed on the ground having not been able to dodge a kick. I felt my face heat up in embarrassment because Naruto and the others were sitting on the edge of the training watching us. All I could hear was Naruto's cheers, Sakura's fan girling over Sasuke. Speaking of whom,  I could feel his eyes burning into my back as I sat up growling in frustration.

"Andi, you need to pay attention. Watch me and dodge." Iruka said before lunging at me again. "Would you give me a break!" I shouted jumping back while struggling to maintain my balance. "I wasn't a very active person before coming here!" I growled through narrowed eyes. "Well, we need to fix that. 20 laps around the training ground, unless of course, you don't think you can." Kakashi said innocently from across the field. I heard the smirk in his voice though and he most likely saw my eye twitch. Why did he have to know how to spur me into action just to spite him. Oh right. I told him in the hospital how to get me motivated. Damn it. "I don't like you." I grumbled walking to the edge of the field to start my laps as I heard him add. "If you don't finish in 20 minutes, you have to do another 30 laps." I froze and turned my narrowing eyes to him. "You heard what I said right? Are you trying to kill me?!" I shouted but was spurred to run in fear of another 30 laps.

*10 laps later*

I was dying. My lungs hurt, that spot in between my collar bone and shoulder had that painful icy feeling and I was tired. Why did I sign up for this again? Looking over at the team, I remembered. I'm doing this for them. Strengthening my resolve, I pushed through and finished.

Back to Present

So here I am, collapsed on the ground trying desperately to gasp in air. Kakashi still leaning over me as Naruto jumped over and picked me up giving me a big hug. I'm pretty sure my face was changing to a color it wasn't supposed to.

"You did great Andi! Believe it!" he shouted in my ear as he swung me around. "Can't....breathe......Naru..to." I managed to wheeze out and he quickly let me go before scratching the back of his head. "Sorry." he sheepishly chuckled.

"Well done Andi, there's just one problem. You took 30 minutes to complete the laps." Kakashi said and I felt all the color drain from my face as I pieced together what he was saying. "Damn It!" I shouted to the sky falling back onto the ground with a pout still breathing heavy from the first 20 laps. I should have been more active when I was living with mom and dad.

A pang throbbed in my chest at that thought and my eyes went down cast as I turned on my side and brought an arm over my face to hide the pain I felt in my heart in that moment and my breathing got irregular again as I tried to keep back the tears. If I can't take this pain, my sanity will be in trouble when I take everyone else's pain. I know a way of how to keep myself sane when I feel this pain. Lets hope I don't have to resort to that though.

I felt eyes on me and risked a peek to find Sasuke watching me closely. Shit! I thought before hiding my face again and standing up with my back facing them. Then I started jogging the next set of torturous laps. Half way through, I couldn't breath and my vision was starting to go dim. Can't stop. I've...got....to...get.....stronger. That was my last thought as everything fades and I feel myself fall onto the ground.

As I come to, I feel a gentle rocking and warmth so I nuzzled my head into the warmth and hugged it to myself. I hear a voice and get really confused. Opening my eyes, all I see is orange fabric. "H-Hey! You're finally awake!" I hear the stammering voice of Naruto say. Taking a second to connect the dots, I jolt awake the rest of the way and in the process end up falling off of his back and landing on my butt. "Owww ow ow ow." I muttered and looked up to see Naruto looking at me and scratching the back of his head. "Sorry about that Andi." he said sheepishly before Sakura suddenly hit the back of his head. "You need to be more careful Naruto! You could have really hurt her!" she yelled at him.

"Sakura, I'm fine." I said trying to stand but found that I wasn't able to and ended up falling back when I did. Closing my eyes expecting to the fall on my butt again. I was surprised to find that hands caught my arms and pulled my up to stand on my shaky legs. Looking up to the tilt that my head was back completely, I found a certain Uchiha looking down at my with a smirk. "Can't even stand on your own, how are you going to "take away our pain" as you said so confidently?" he mocked and I instantly felt my face become flushed from it. Growling I pushed him away and almost fell over again steadied myself and sent him a glare.

"Listen Uchiha, despite what you may think about me, I'll prove it to you. I know your pain, I've felt it, lived it all the same as you have. So before you start antagonizing me, remember that." I hissed and turned as I stumbled back towards my apartment. Training starts early for me tomorrow.

"H-Hey! Don't talk to Sasuke like that!" Sakura shouted at me and I stopped before slowly turning. "I suggest you shut up. After his little comment, I'm in no mood to deal with your fangirling." I growled a deep growl that reverberated in my throat like a wolf's. The air got tense and I felt my seal acting up. Abruptly turning away, I left as quickly as I could feeling their shock fade into differing emotions.

Naruto's POV

Why does that stupid Sasuke have to act like he's better than everybody. That really hurt Andi. When she lashed out at Sakura though, that was weird and scary. Her eyes changed. They looked cold, and the anger in them made me tremble. Andi please, don't let that anger take over you.

Sakura's POV

Her comment to Sasuke after he saved her from falling wasn't called for! Though I was too scared to confidently say so when I saw her anger. A teammate shouldn't be scared of another teammate. They should be able to trust them fully and with their lives. I-I don't trust her. Not with my life, not with Sasuke's, not even with Naruto's.

Sasuke's POV

The anger I felt from her gaze was more overwhelming than anything I'd ever felt before and her words cut even deeper. Feeling a slight twinge of regret for mocking her, I watch as she stumbled away on her unsteady legs. She pushed herself past the point of exhaustion right after coming back to this world and being released from the hospital. Even though I'd do the same, it's different when you're watching someone else go through the same struggles you do. I don't know why I care, but the thought of her trying to take the pain from what is to come worries and angers me. I don't need to be protected! But I do want to protect my team, so I will. No matter the cost.

3rd Person POV

Interesting. This will certainly be of value as the Chunin exams draw closer. Tsubasu will want to know about what's going on with her. She is weak, those 14 years in that genjutsu didn't help her any, though doesn't appear to have aged any either. A state of suspended animation perhaps. Either way, I can't fail him this time. I will bring her to him. I just have to find my opportunity.

A figure hidden in a nearby tree thought as a smirk drew at his lips pulling at the red marks on his cheeks, identical to Andi's. He used a teleportation jutsu and left without a trace. Unknown to him though, is Kakashi knew he was there.

After the jutsu, Kakashi looked at the tree and narrowed his visible eye before looking back at the way Andi had stumbled away. We need to be careful. Something is in the works.