Chapter 2
Hotaru walked to the training grounds only to find no one was there. He frowned. 'That idiot said to come here at 5 a.m sharp. Well guess what, I’m here and no one else is. Joy.' He walked towards a tall oak tree and sat down in the shade. Idly twirling a kunai around his finger he waited. Soon enough, a boisterous redhead came skipping down the path followed by a weary bluenette. “Look who finally arrived.” He spoke without looking up. Akane said nothing. Instead, she collapsed on the soft grass. Ai stared worriedly before sighing as she heard soft snores coming from her sister. She sat down and leaned back on the other side of the tree, closing her eyes. Hotaru stood up and pocketed the kunai before climbing up the tree and sitting on one of the branches, sitting cross legged. He watched and waited for their sensei to come.It wasn’t until an hour later when Kohaku finally appeared, walking towards them carelessly. “Yo! Sorry I’m late. I saw a wh-black cat and had to take the long route.” He gave a two-fingered salute. Hotaru scoffed before jumping down and kicking Akane harshly. Kohaku, seeing this, frowned. 'This will be interesting and not necessarily in a good way.' “Wake up idiot.” Akane woke up startled. “Gah!” She crawled backwards only to bump into Ai and wake her up. “H-Huh?” Ai sighed, “You're late.” Ai addressed Kohaku. Even though she couldn’t see him, she could sense his chakra. He wasn’t exactly trying to conceal it. Kohaku shrugged. “Anyways, on to the mission. What you have to do, is get these two bells” He held up a pair of silver bells tied to a red rope. “If you fail to get one, you will be sent back to the academy.” He adds. “But there’s only two bells!” Akane shouted pointing at them.
“Well, it seems that one of you will be going to the academy for sure. That is, if you can get the bells.” Kohaku replied nonchalantly. Akane glared at Hotaru. 'I refuse to lose the bells to Hotaru! Ai and I will pass! I’ll make sure of it.' She thought with determination. Hotaru glared in return. 'I’d rather not get sent back, but I don’t want to deal with a blind person or an idiot either.' He thought, gaze flickering between the two. Meanwhile, Ai furrowed her brow. 'He’s a jounin, we’re only fresh genin. We don’t stand a chance...unless, we work together. However, there’s only two bells and three of us…' She thought, frowning. “Go!” Kohaku shouted causing Ai to snap out of her thoughts. She was immediately tugged away by Akane. “Come on Ai!” The redhead whispered as they hid in a tree.
Ai wondered where Hotaru was before her eyes widened. 'That’s it!' She stared at Akane, or at least, where she could feel her chakra. “Look Akane...You may not like it, but we have to work together to get the bell. It's the only w-” She was interrupted with Akane. “Work with Hotaru? No way!” The kunoichi pouted. “We have to!” Ai retorted. “Oi! Keep it down, idiots.” A voice spoke above them. Akane looked up. “Huh? Hotaru? How long have you been there?” She shouted only to be shushed. “Long enough idiot.” Ai smiled ─ this was her chance. “Guys! We have to work together!” Hotaru stared at her in disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me. There’s no way I’m going to work with you two imbeciles. For starters, Akane you're an idiot and Ai? You’re blind. I don’t even know how you became a ninja. You’ll only slow me down.” He bluntly stated.
Ai froze at hearing his words. She looked down, eyes beginning to water. Akane growled, clenching her fists. “Now you’ve done it! Insult me all you like, but do not insult my sister!” She shouted. Hotaru scoffed. “I only spoke the truth. You two are weaklings” He replied. “Fire style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!” She shouted forming the rat sign. Hotaru widened his eyes for a split second before smirking. “Water Release: Water Bullet Technique!” He countered forming the tiger hand seal. Ai saw the chakra going towards the two and so ran between the two. “Stop!” She shouted. Before the attacks could collide and thus hit Ai, a voice was heard. “Earth release: Earth-Style Wall!” Two walls of earth, one on either side of the girl, appeared, blocking the attacks. A familiar man jumped down from above. His amber eyes were glaring scoldingly.
“What on earth is going on here?!” He shouted. Seeing as no one answered, he turned to Ai. “They attacked each other as you can see Sensei...” Ai murmured, not wanting the two to get into trouble. Kohaku scoffed. “I’m disappointed in you. This was a relatively simple exercise yet none of you ─ excluding Ai, thought like ninja! You thought like little brats and argued, forgetting about the real purpose! Akane, Hotaru you need to get over your hate of each other. If you do this out on the battleground, you will be killed. Now, normally I would have straight out failed you but since Ai here has figured out the meaning, I will be lenient and give you lot another chance to redeem yourself. You better be thankful to Ai for giving you another chance. Oh and just to warn you, this time it will be different. Ai, you have one minute to give them a clue to the mission without saying it. Understand?” Ai nodded her head.
“Good.” Kohaku body flickered away. Ai turned to the two. “...Hotaru, you probably still think I’m weak and Akane, you’ll probably be crestfallen. I can’t give you the meaning but I will say this. Remember the most important rule of being a shinobi. If that doesn’t ring any bells, look beneath the underneath.” Kohaku suddenly appeared once more. “Time's up. Here is your mission. There is a clearing up ahead. You must free Ai from me. Ai, this will also involve you. Some of my clones will be guarding the area whilst I will traumatize you and attempt to get you to spill the information. In this case, it will be the meaning. This will be a test of your willpower. As you are blind, many will see you as the weakest link. Prove this statement wrong. If either of you two are caught or Ai reveals the information, you will fail.” Kohaku spoke. Ai nodded. “I’m ready.” She replied. “So am I!” Akane piped in. Everyone gave expectant gazes to Hotaru who scoffed. “Hmph. Let’s do this.” His reply was blunt but nonetheless accepted as Kohaku nodded. He grabbed Ai and body flickered away.
In the clearing, Kohaku tied up the female. “I’ll be using Genjutsu. I apologize for doing this but I need to make sure that you’re strong enough.” Ai nodded. “It’s okay. I understand. I’m ready sensei.” Kohaku chuckled. She’s brave, I admit. “Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique.” He muttered forming the rat hand seal. Ai kept quiet as the genjutsu was cast. I refuse to give in. It’s just an illusion. Meanwhile, in the forest before the clearing, a redhead was glowering at a male.
“Hotaru. I don’t want to do this but my sister matters more to me than our petty arguments, so just this once. We need to work together” She stated. “You think I don’t know that? Idiot.” He scoffed. Akane growled quietly. “Then why the hell are you being so difficult? For the sake of Kami, can’t you stop being a damn jerk for one moment?!” She shouted as Hotaru glared. “If you would just listen for a second…” He muttered. Akane stopped. “What?” Hotaru would smirk. “Good. Here’s the plan. I’ll use a water jutsu which will create a thick mist. If they dispel it, use a fire jutsu. Run straight in and free your sister. I’ll hold off the clones. Understood?” Hotaru questioned. Akane nodded. “One problem, what if the plan goes wrong?” Hotaru scoffed. “It won’t and if it does, improvise.” Akane sweatdropped. 'Wow. Thank you for the helpful advice Hotaru.'
.:.Genjutsu.:.
Ai panted heavily, the feeling of being hopeless encasing her whole. She didn’t know her surroundings, and that made her wary. The bluenette stiffened at the sound of slow footsteps. The chakra inside of them had a dark feel to it. “Weak. Pathetic. Useless...” The figure, which she couldn’t tell was a male or female, since it sounded like both, continued to spit out words that revealed her deepest fears. The ground from underneath her suddenly disappeared, leaving her to fall into nothingness.
A voiceless scream exited her lips ─ she couldn’t process which way she was falling. Down? To her left? Ai whimpered as her back collided with the ground harshly, knocking the wind out of her. The same figure from before landed gracefully beside her. She could tell do to the soft landing of their footsteps. Grey eyes widening, Ai stiffly turned her head towards the evildoer, feeling their bony fingers graze against her cheek. “Why do you exist?”
.:.End of Genjutsu.:.
Akane’s eyes widened at seeing her sister’s state. She frowned slightly. 'No, Ai is strong. She’ll get through this.' Hotaru formed the ox handseal. “Ninja art: Hidden Mist Jutsu” He muttered as a thick layer of mist appeared. The clones looked bewildered for a split second. The real Kohaku smirked. 'So this is what they are trying to do. Smart.' The two ninja ran into the clearing silently, heading to Ai. Once there, Akane knelt down and used a small fire jutsu to burn the ropes. “Stop right there.” A voice spoke from behind her. Her eyes widened as she froze. Hotaru saw this and crept up behind the male, stabbing it with a kunai. The ninja dissipated into water.
He whipped around and blocked an incoming punch. He began clashing with the male in a taijutsu battle. Akane continued attempting to free her sister. ' Almost there.. Got it!' The ropes fell down harmlessly. Suddenly she felt the cold metal of a kunai on her neck. “Now, now. The mission isn’t over yet.” A voice whispered. The clones disappeared causing Hotaru to look up with confusion. The fog cleared showing Kohaku standing behind Akane and holding a kunai to her throat. The female struggled and kicked but it was to no avail. Kohaku held on, pressing the kunai down, not enough to form a deep cut, but enough to draw blood. “Stay still.” He hissed before looking back at Hotaru.
“You have two options Hotaru, kill Akane and potentially me in order to complete the mission, or surrender. I will free Akane, however, you will fail. What do you choose?” Hotaru widened his eyes before looking down. 'I don’t particular care for Akane but there has to be another meaning to it. He wouldn’t let Akane die, would he? If I killed Akane, the mission will be complete but Ai will hate me for the rest of my life and potentially everyone else. Plus, she’s amusing. If I free her, the mission will fail…'
'What did Ai say? Look beneath the underneath? The most important rule of being a shinobi?...Teamwork! But what does teamwork have to do with this scenario? I mean, I understand why teamwork was necessary in the previous exercise and this one, but it has nothing to do with this situation, does it?' The male frowned, trying to decode his mission “Hurry up Hotaru, on the battlefield, you won’t have this long to make a decision.” Kohaku called out.
The raven took a step forward. “I…” He trailed off as he shifted his gaze to the sky. He sunk to his knees and bowed his head. “I surrender..” Hotaru muttered almost inaudibly as he dropped the kunai in his hands. Kohaku suddenly burst out laughing. “I’m honestly shocked. I thought you’d kill Akane. Good thing you didn’t, otherwise you’d fail. Hey, want to go to Ichiraku’s? It’s on me.” Akane’s eyes lit up. Ramen wasn’t her favourite food, but it was damn good. “You’re on!” She shouted before slinging Ai over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes and speeding off. Kohaku sweatdropped. “...Fine.” Hotaru muttered before following after them. Kohaku smiled. “I knew they could do it.” He began whistling as he walked off, hands in his pockets.
.:.Omake/Extra.:.
Akane wolfed down her ramen. Ai listened to her with a sweatdrop. “Slow down Akane...” Akane looked up, mouth full of food. “Never!” She shouted before continuing. Kohaku was currently holding a gloomy aura. I would’ve never agreed if I knew that she ate this much! There goes my life's savings! He thought, depressed. Hotaru stared in disgust. “You look like a pig, idiot.” For once, Akane did not respond. She was too busy eating pieces of heaven. Ai sighed and fiddled with her hands, head hanging down. She frowned remembering what she went through in the genjutsu. Suddenly she was filled with determination. 'No, I got through it.'
She smiled. Hotaru stared at her. “Why are you grinning like this idiot over here?” Ai beamed at him, much to his surprise. “I’m happy. We’re finally an actual squad.” Her words were simple but it caused Kohaku to chuckle. “Yeah. You’re a team now.” Hotaru let out a quiet almost inaudible chuckle. Everyone turned to stare. “Do my ears deceive me? Did the stoic Hotaru actually chuckle? The world must be ending!” Akane shouted. Hotaru glared. “Shut up, idiot.” Ai turned to their sensei. “I ship it.” She whispered. Kohaku nodded his head. “So do I.” He whispered back.”What’s their ship name?” Ai asked. Whilst Akane and Hotaru continued their argument, Ai and Kohaku began discussing ship names.
“Oh! Hey Kohaku-sensei, what was the meaning of the second test?” Ai asked, pausing their discussion. “Hm? Oh. Well it was honestly to test you guys. It was testing if Akane and Hotaru could work together since they argued so much. It tested your willpower. It tested if Akane would listen to orders instead of being reckless” Akane let out an offended “Hey!” Kohaku ignored the redhead and continued. “It also tested what Hotaru valued more ─ his comrades, or completing a mission. You see, in the ninja world, those who break the rules and regulations are called trash...However, those who don’t care about their friends are worse than trash.”
Akane’s eyes sparkled. “Sugoi!” Ai sweatdropped at Akane but seemed impressed. Hotaru however, was not. “Did you copy that from somewhere?” Kohaku gave a sheepish chuckle. 'How did he know?!' “A-Anyways...are you finished Akane?” The redhead looked up.”Nope!” How can she eat that much?! Kohaku sighed. Hotaru stood up. “I’m done. Goodbye.” He turned and left. Ai soon followed. “Hey Akane, are you alright to get home on your own?” She received a nod. “Goodbye sensei. Have a nice day, see you later Akane” She walked off. “W-Wait! Don’t just leave me here!” Kohaku shouted. It was too late, Ai was already gone.
~~~
Kohaku stared at the bill in shock. 'Rest in peace wallet. Rest in peace. I’m never doing this again!' He begrudgingly handed over the money.
~~~
Hotaru sighed. 'Akane is such an idiot. I don’t even know why he insisted that…'
~~~
Ai walked down the path leading to their home. 'What would be a good ship name..Ataru? Akaru? Hotane?' “Wait up!” A voice was heard behind her. She paused. “Hm?” Akane ran up next to her. “Okay! Let’s go!” Ai smiled and nodded. The two continued walking.
~~~
A grey haired ninja sighed as he stared at his team. 'I feel bad for Kohaku. He has to deal with Akane. Then again, I have Naruto. Who’s worse?'
~~~
Somewhere an amber eyed ninja sneezed. 'Someone must be thinking about me...'
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