19 Chapter Nineteen: Izuna IV
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June 6th, Year 68, Training ground 32
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"Alright! Great job, everyone! That's it for today. Make sure you all get some rest and meet back here at 8 am tomorrow," Minazuki-Sensei concluded our training session with a warm smile.
I couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled. It was still early in the morning, barely 11 am, and we didn't have any missions scheduled for the day. I wondered why our training ended so abruptly.
Was it because of that?
I thought about the significance of today.
Before I could delve into my thoughts, I heard Izumo-san groan in annoyance. It was no secret that he didn't particularly like me. "Seriously, Sensei? It's not even lunchtime yet. Why are you dismissing us?" he complained with a hint of irritation.
To my surprise, it was Inari-san who promptly slapped Izumo-san on the back and scolded him, "How could you forget about Izuna-chan's birthday, you idiot!" Her words were laced with a harsh tone.
Minazuki-Sensei chuckled in response, seemingly amused by the exchange. I watched the scene unfold, feeling a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
Then, with a smile, Minazuki-Sensei reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of newly bought kunai, adorned with a ribbon. He presented them to me as he wished me, "Happy Birthday, Izuna! You've made me proud to be your Sensei. Your progress is remarkable, and I have no doubt that you'll become a Chunin in no time. Please accept this small gift as a token of my appreciation and to celebrate your special day."
I was touched by Minazuki-Sensei's thoughtfulness. He genuinely cared about our growth as ninjas and wanted us to succeed.
Next, Inari-san nudged Izumo-san aside and handed me a small wrapped box. Her smile was wide and infectious. "Happy birthday, Izuna-chan! I saw this ribbon the other day and thought it would suit you perfectly. You don't have to open it now. Take your time and open it later," she said with genuine excitement.
Gratefulness filled my heart as I accepted Inari-san's gift. It meant a lot to me that my teammates remembered and celebrated my birthday.
I couldn't help but feel fortunate to have such supportive and caring individuals by my side.
Finally, Izumo-san awkwardly approached me and handed me a coupon. With an annoyed tone, he said, "Mom told me to give you this coupon. It's a free dinner coupon for you and your family. Happy birthday." Though his delivery seemed forced, I still thanked him politely for the gesture.
"Thank you, everyone. This means a lot to me," I expressed my gratitude, feeling genuinely touched by their gifts and well-wishes.
Minazuki-sensei declared that we were dismissed and encouraged us to enjoy the rest of the day. With those words, he vanished in a flicker. Izumo-san and Inari-san bid their farewells and went their separate ways.
Feeling a bit uncertain about how to spend the rest of my day, I knew that Kuro-kun wouldn't be available since he was dealing with the consequences of his actions at the academy. He had gotten into real trouble for using his clone to attend classes and hiding his true abilities.
But the thought of him graduating early because everyone now knew about his true abilities, and potentially becoming a team with him in the future made me smile with anticipation.
I didn't want to sound ungrateful or dismissive of my current team. I genuinely liked them, and they were kind and supportive.
However, Kuro-kun was… well Kuro-kun.
He was my first friend, my best friend, and I missed the times we used to spend together. Even though we saw each other a few times each week, it wasn't the same as before.
But I was determined. Kuro-kun believed in me and supported my dream of becoming stronger to protect those I cared about. I couldn't do anything to break his trust. So, even though I missed him dearly, I would persevere and patiently wait for the day we could form a team.
The thought brought a gentle smile to my face. In the meantime, there was no reason to waste any time.
I decided to continue training a bit more before heading back home to spend time with Sasuke. I was certain he would be happy if I played with him a little more today.
…
…
Right around noon, I decided to head back home and join my mother and Sasuke for lunch. As I made my way through the trees, I noticed something amusing happening in our backyard. Sasuke was energetically trying to attack a napping Kuro-kun, while his shadows playfully interacted with my brother.
Intrigued, I approached quietly, close enough to listen but not to interrupt. Sasuke's frustration was evident as he shouted, "No, no, no! Why are you here? I won't let you take Nee-chan!" He threw punches and kicks at the shadows in a determined frenzy.
Kuro-kun, still in a state of partial slumber, seemed unbothered by the commotion. I couldn't help but chuckle at the scene unfolding before me. Sasuke's persistence eventually led to exhaustion, and he broke down into tears.
Sensing the distress, Kuro-kun who has extensive experience in handling crying toddlers quickly sat up and looked around, spotting Sasuke in tears. He approached and gently asked, "Hey, hey, what happened, little gremlin? Why are you crying?" He comforted Sasuke with soft words and soothing gestures, lifting him up and rubbing his back.
Gradually, Sasuke's sobs subsided, but he was still visibly upset. He managed to explain between sniffles, "Because Mama said you were here for Nee-chan. She said you were going to take her away. But I want Nee-chan to stay. Please, don't take her away."
My heart ached hearing Sasuke's words, yet I found myself amused by his innocent concern. I wondered what exactly our mother had said to provoke such a reaction. Why did he think I was being taken away?
Kuro-kun, however, seemed to understand the misunderstanding. He chuckled softly and reassured Sasuke, "Look, Sasuke, your Nee-chan and I are best friends, just like you, Shikamaru and Naruto are best friends, right?" Sasuke nodded, wiping away his tears. Kuro-kun continued, "And you wouldn't do anything to hurt Naruto or Shikamaru, would you?"
Sasuke vigorously shook his head, his trust in Naruto evident. It brought a smile to my face, knowing how close Sasuke and Naruto-kun had become, along with Shikamaru-kun.
Laughing softly at Sasuke's response, Kuro-kun's bright smile, reserved for those he loved, filled his face. With tenderness in his eyes, he replied, "Why would I harm your Nee-chan?" Sasuke seemed to grasp the point, and his relief was palpable as he asked, "So you won't take Nee-chan away? Mama said that when Nee-chan is older, she'll leave home and go with you."
Embarrassment washed over me upon hearing Sasuke's words. What in the world was our mother telling him? Even from a distance, I felt my cheeks flush. Kuro-kun and I were best friends, and while we cared for each other, our relationship wasn't like that.
Feeling flustered, I decided not to dwell on it and instead focused on listening to what Kuro-kun would say. He laughed, a genuine and joyful sound that felt like a refreshing breeze in the morning. It was a laugh that touched my heart.
"I can't predict the future, Sasuke," Kuro-kun replied softly, before his voice was filled with conviction as he promised, "But I promise you this: as long as I am here, your Nee-chan won't go anywhere. You will always have your Nee-chan by your side. I swear it!"
His words carried a deeper meaning, one that seemed to imply something beyond our current understanding.
My heart raced as I tried to decipher his intentions. What did he mean by promising to make sure I wouldn't go anywhere? It left me feeling flustered, embarrassed, and a little afraid.
Deciding to observe their conversation further, I remained quiet. Sasuke appeared satisfied with Kuro-kun's reassurance but pouted as he demanded, "Put me down! I'm not a baby!" Kuro-kun chuckled in amusement and teased, "Who was the one crying like a baby just now?"
Sasuke turned away, pouting even more, and muttered, "Not me! Hmph."
Amused by Sasuke's reaction, Kuro-kun continued his playful banter, "Sure, sure. You troublesome Uchiha… You are just like your sister, kid. Not cute at all." His laughter echoed through the backyard much to Sasuke's embarrassment and annoyance.
Kuro then added, "Why don't you go inside and see if lunch is ready, hmm?" As he put Sasuke on the ground.
With his feet back on the ground, Sasuke ran off towards the house, a mix of embarrassment in his steps.
Watching how close Kuro-kun was with Sasuke made me happy. The sight of them together brought a sense of warmth to my heart, knowing that Sasuke had someone like Kuro-kun as an older brother figure to guide him.
Suddenly, I felt Kuro-kun's gaze directly on me, as he sported an amused smirk on his face. I let out a sigh, realizing that he had spotted me observing them from my hiding spot. With a flicker of movement, I appeared next to him, offering a small smile.
"How are you, Kuro-kun?" I greeted him, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me.
Kuro-kun had grown taller in recent years, and I found myself looking up slightly to meet his eyes. He still wore his preferred Jinbei, usually in black, but there was no trace of his clan symbol sewn onto his clothes anymore. His hair had been cut shorter, a change that I personally liked more than his previous wild, untamed locks.
"Just peachy. Your training seemed to have ended early?" he replied, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Yes, Minazuki-Sensei gave us the rest of the day off. And what about you, Kuro-kun? Why aren't you at the academy?" I asked, returning the question.
"Hmm, don't worry, I called in sick," he responded, looking away with a hint of annoyance.
I couldn't help but giggle at his little act of dishonesty. "Oh? So now you're skipping classes with excuses? But then why are you here?" I prodded further.
He let out a sigh, annoyance evident on his face. "I thought this would be the last place they would look for me."
Hearing his answer, disappointment washed over me. I lowered my head, unable to hide my feelings. "I... I see," I muttered softly.
He groaned at my response, muttering something about "troublesome Uchiha." Then, he brought out a bag from a seal on his Jinbei, catching my attention.
Curiosity piqued, I looked at him with anticipation as he handed me the bag. "Well, go on, open it," he requested.
I carefully untied the bag and opened it, revealing a delightful surprise. My eyes widened in amazement as I saw that it was filled with all my favorite sweets. A smile formed on my face, and I couldn't hide my excitement.
I then looked at him in wonder as he flicked my forehead as he said, "Happy Birthday Izuna. may this day be filled with joy, love, and unforgettable moments. May you achieve all your goals." He finished with his special smile.
His words filled my heart with warmth and made my pulse quicken. Overwhelmed by emotions, I felt time slow down as I gazed at his smiling face, wanting to etch every detail into my memory.
I then hugged him abruptly, which seemed to startle him as I said, "Thank you. Thank you for being my friend Kuro-kun."
He let out a deep breath before returning the embrace, allowing me to bask in his warmth. We stayed in each other's arms until we heard Sasuke's voice echoing from the engawa,
"Kuro-niisan, lunch is ready!" before he noticed me there, "Oh, Nee-san is home too! Nee-san!" Sasuke yelled happily as he rushed towards us, and I let Kuro-kun go abruptly to make room for a Sasuke sized missile.
Kuro-kun chuckled and teased Sasuke, saying, "Aww, look at the baby getting happy to see his sister."
Sasuke responded by sticking his tongue out at Kuro-kun, which only made him laugh more. But then Sasuke's gaze shifted towards me, and he exclaimed in astonishment, "Nee-san! Your eyes are like father's. They're red."
The realization struck me, and I turned to Kuro-kun, noticing the clarity in my vision. Kuro-kun smiled once again, saying, "Well, I guess we have two things to celebrate now, don't we? Congrats on awakening your Sharingan, Izuna."
I felt a wave of warmth and happiness wash over me.
Gratitude filled my heart. So, with all the sincerity I could muster, I spoke from the depths of my soul,
"Thank you, Kuro-kun. Thank you for everything." I showed him my happiest smile from the bottom of my heart.
Kuro-kun seemed taken aback by the smile, looking away and muttering, "Troublesome Uchiha..."
But I could see the small smile lingering on his lips.
…
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Welp! Another one bites the dust- wait opens the Sharingan! Kuro might get captured at this rate to help everyone else open their Sharingans… Whether through rage, or friendship. He seems to be able to hit the right spot. Such a troublesome man…
Anyway, Thanks to mama Uchiha, there seems to be some new ideas growing inside the young girl's head, while Kuro's word might have caused a misunderstanding xD Well, how ill this progress? Just stay tuned to find out.
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