The Life of Ki (Naruto Fanfic)

A Test Of Tenacity

Konoha: Four Days Later

The last four days were intense. I've spent nearly every day at the training grounds with my team.

I've worked on chakra control, genjutsu avoidance, and even how to fall from high drops without breaking my legs.

Today, being the last day until the first round of the Chunin Exams, Kakashi told us to rest our bodies. He said nothing about resting our mind, though.

I actually more than love reading! This probably isn't pleasure reading, but I don't mind educational books either.

I'm laying on a park bench with a book blocking out the sun. I have only just managed to convince Naruto to leave me alone for a few hours to study by myself, so I'm only on the first page of this book.

Sadly, this isn't a pleasure book.

The book in my hands is about mastering the art of Taijutsu, and i'm leafing through it trying to find a cool new move that won't take forever to learn.

I've mastered the basics of controlling my body, but I want to learn to move and attack fluidly.

I don't learn very well simply from reading. I need to do something active, too, like attempting the moves myself.

"Ki?" A soft voice says nearby. I peek over my book to see that Kiba is standing over me.

His face is oddly upset, and I wonder what's the matter with him.

My jaw almost drops as a tear falls down Kiba's cheek.

Kiba never cries! What the hell is this?

"Do you mind if I sit?" Kiba asks quietly, motioning to the spot on the bench that my feet are taking up.

I get flustered as I wonder what this could possibly be about. I've kind of been neglecting Kiba these past few days, but we've both been so busy preparing for the Chunin exams!

"Sure, Kiba! What's wrong?" I exclaim as I yank my feet off the bench to make room for him.

"My...my mom won't allow me to take Chunin Exams. She doesn't think I'm ready." Kiba says as he places his face in his hands.

My eyes widen in surprise at this news. Kiba is a pretty stubborn guy. If his mom didn't want him to take the exams... he would fight tooth and nail to get his way.

For her to win the argument, either Kiba didn't try to change her mind, or he and his mom had a HUGE fight. I set down my book and try to think of something that will comfort him.

I wrap an arm around Kiba in a hug. "That's okay!" I say, mustering a sad smile.

"There will always be next year." I console him.

Kiba begins to shake with his sobs as I finish speaking.

Ooo...I may not have said the right thing.

I am so unbelievably uncomfortable. Kiba has never cried like this in front of me. He's cried, sure, but never because he failed something. Kiba is the type to get angry about his failures—not cry.

"I-I don't know what to do." Kiba says in tears.

"If there's anything I can do to make you feel better..." I say awkwardly.

Kiba looks up at me from his hands. His eyes are red with tears, and he wipes his nose obnoxiously. "Ki...will you not participate in the Chunin Exams this year?"

I chuckle nervously.

"Surely you know it'll be easier to convince your mom to let you participate than to convince me to quit." My eyes narrow in confusion as Kiba wipes at his tears.