Hidden Villages

I: Goodbye Childhood

"One of the first things you'll learn now once you've graduated from the academy is that childhood in Iwagakure ends early on, if it even existed at all."

Kurotsuchi found herself hearing these words from an adult the morning she headed out to the training grounds for lessons rather than the academy building with the other students. She started out earlier than normal as per the instructions of her new teacher yet some of the older students were already out and about.

The students eyeballed her headband which indicated she'd graduated to the level of gennin a bit enviously yet they said nothing. Instead it was the teacher who was with them who spoke up saying those words. Whether the comment was directed towards her she honestly didn't know.

Instead, she continued on her way towards the training grounds where Roshi waited for her. The weather was calm and she sat down on the rock nearby waiting for her first instructions. The monkey-like man watched her carefully as he stood with his arms crossed. He watched the traditional position she took yet also the look on her face. "Is something bothering you."

"I passed by the academy on my way here."

"Are you upset that you aren't participating in classes with your classmates?"

Kurotsuchi thought his question over for a bit. "Not really. It was what one of the sensei who was out with some of the older students said when they passed by."

"What did they say?"

"They said something about childhood ending once one left the academy. However, the said it might not exist in Iwagakure at all."

The jinchuriki nodded his head. "I see why he or she would say that. It's not that way just in our village but is in reality a truth for any of the shinobi villages. Children who become shinobi learn the harsh truths of the world a lot sooner than other children would, but you already knew a lot of this being the granddaughter of the Tsuchikage."

"I guess."

"As such you should already know I am not going to go easy on you." The man continued standing there. The young female swallowed as her mind wondered how this man's training would differ from her grandfather's let alone how the man could possibly be tougher on her. The flame-haired man wiggled his finger, but the indication of the movement became apparent. "Try landing a hit on me. Today's training will end either when you are able to hit me, the sun sets or you outright collapse from exhaustion. We'll of course take a break when the sun rises to it's highest point for lunch."

Kurotsuchi carefully hunkered down before dashing forward and launching a few well-aimed kicks at the man only to find him quite agile. The fact he so easily dodge only motivated her to continue her barrage. Despite being quite agile for her own age, she found herself struggling to keep up with the jinchurichi, yet found herself struggling at making contact.

The young kunoichi felt the muscles of her small body straining, but coming to a point they couldn't move anymore yet she kept up her attempts at making a hit on the man. The sun also slowly rose over the rocky structures of the village.

Her legs finally gave out about an hour before the sun arrived at the high noon time frame. Kurotsuchi's breaths came in pants, but sweat dripped down her small body. Her dark eyes looked around the training ground and saw a few watching the training session. She took a deep breath and grabbed onto Roshi's hand.

"That's a good start."

"I didn't land a hit."

"Most shinobi your age wouldn't have lasted as long, but the aim of this training is to increase your stamina and agility for the techniques I wish to teach you."

"Why am I learning your techniques and not my grandfather's?

One of the man's fiery eyebrows rose up. "Why? That would be a good question. It comes down to the fact my techniques are more in line with your personal fighting style."

She felt her stomach grumble and she looked down. The jinchuriki laughed. "Go and get something to eat."

Kurotsuchi found herself staring at the man until he waved her off. She walked away feeling like her legs were made of rubber. She arrived at the academy and found herself watching the students her age make laps around the playground. The sensei in charge of her age group smiled.

"Are you stopping by to say hello Kurotsuchi-san?"

"Yes." Her eyes fell upon her childhood friends. "Good morning Chikako. Satoko."

She watched as her two friends turned towards her only to both turn hard on their heals and leave. Kurotsuchi's eyes blinked in confusion, wondering why they reacted in such a negative manner. Her former teacher gave her a look of pity. "Don't take it personally. There are bound to be a few who are jealous you got to graduate early."

Her head hung down and she headed back home. She found herself sitting still feeling quite sore with her knees tucked up to her chin when someone sat down next to her. "Whatever is the matter?"

Deidra's voice drew the young kunoichi looked up. "Chikako and Satoko wanted nothing to do with me when I stopped by to say hello. Apparently they're jealous of the fact I graduated early."

He leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. "Well, I can see where they're coming from. I'm honestly a bit jealous of that fact as well."

Kurotsuchi swallowed. "I wasn't expecting to graduate early. Grandfather didn't tell me anything about that. That's not fair."

Deidra tilted his head slightly and looked her in the eye. The look of indifference made her shrink down. "You do realize some think you're getting special treatment from the Tsuchikage because he's your grandfather and they don't think that's fair, right?"

"You don't believe that, do you."

Deidra looked back up at the ceiling. "I've lived under the roof of the Tsuchikage for a long time. He's not the type of person to give anybody special treatment."

"You're still jealous."

"Well, of course. Getting to graduate is pretty amazing, but... Deidra paused before turning back to her and smiling. "The fact I'm jealous doesn't change the fact I'm proud of you."

Kurotsuchi looked away. "That doesn't change the fact my friends don't want anything to do with me."

"Screw them. You don't need friends like that. They make for some of the worst allies." Deidra's hand reached out and patted the top of her head. "Be proud of who you are, but loud about it as well. Not everybody can be."