Rivals Or More? A SasuNaru Story

Chapter 6: Hinata...

A/N: Sorry guys. I am so crappy. I know you will say that since I haven't updated in a freaking month! I know I am bad. And I shouldn't have done this. I don't even know if any of the previous readers are reading this. But I am truly sorry. If --Yuki-- hadn't woken me up I don't think I would have had the courage to continue writing this story since I had such a big gap. (Thank you Yuki:) ) But I will make it up to you. Don't hate me please. Sorry again. I am done ranting and you are really great if you read the whole shit I just spewed here. You can now continue reading :)

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Naruto's POV

I throw a kunai on the target, my aim barely improved since I started. It nicks the end of the tree and falls. I throw another and then another. After throwing six, I see that now my kunai doesn't fall but it sticks at the end. I go to pick them all up and then start again. Yesterday wasn't much better. At the start it had seemed pretty easy but now I see that it is really tough. I admit it.

But I won't give up. If I do, then Sasuke will be far ahead and I will be left in the dust. And also, I don't ever want to be helpless or mocked again. So I keep throwing. With not much better luck. I am currently in the Academy grounds, training for my aim on the trees.

I hear a rustle and spin around, ready to face whoever has come to bully me. I thought this place was empty and no one should be here at this time. So who is it?

"Come out and show yourself and I won't hit you." I say with a somehow calm voice. After waiting for a few moments, I realize the person isn't gonna show himself. Calmness isn't my thing. So forget it. I yell.

"If you don't come out then you will face the fox demon. Believe it!"

I hear a little ruffle and then out pops out a girl? Yeah, she is Hinata from my class. The odd, shy but cute girl. She always turns red when I look at her. I wonder why though?

She looks timid standing there. And then brings her forefingers together, tapping them while she stutters, "Um N-Naruto. I am s-sorry. I didn't w-want to disturb you." She then pauses and turns redder. "I was observing your t-training."

I tilt my head, confused, and my eyes look like Akamaru's right now. "Huh? Why would you want to do that?" I ask. I know that she may be one the very few who never makes fun of me or laughs at me. I even saved her from her own bullies if I don't remember correctly. So she is harmless.

"C-can I join you?" And then looking a bit confident, she adds, "I can help you with close combat training and also guide you on throwing kunai knives."

Feeling happy for the offer and a lot relieved that I have someone to help me I shout out,"Why not? In fact, we start now! Thank you Hinata. You are the best!"

She nods, the colour deepening. Is she sick? Then I dismiss the thought because this is normal for her. She steps forward and we start.

"You need to perfect your fighting skills first so that you aren't helpless even without a weapon. Also, it is always suggested to learn the basics before going to the advanced part." She goes from an awkwardly shy girl to all out instructor mode. And this may be the longest she spoke to me without stuttering. Shaking my head, I try to concentrate and consider what she said. It makes sense, so I nod. Looking composed, she says,"Fight me till you are able to land a hit."

A little surprised at her sudden command, I hesitate a little. But seeing her serious lavender eyes, I do as she says and directly charge her with a battle cry while she gets into a fighting stance. I throw a punch but she deflects it and strikes my chest with her palm. I am thrown away by the force. She has got power, I must say that.