Kapitel 10: Chapter 25
I was sitting in a random seat before class, clutching the note from yesterday in my hands. It wasn't like the seats were assigned and I enjoyed the daily change in view. From what I could tell, the formal and archaic language of the challenge indicated that I had 'ensorcelled the virtuous knight' and I was to 'meet upon the hallowed training grounds at day's end' and 'prepare to be vanquished'. At least that's what I thought it was saying according to my dictionary.
I had planned to watch students as they entered to narrow down the list of suspects. Unfortunately, Ino was one of the first to arrive. She took the seat next to me and asked, "Hi, Haru. What have you got there?"
I was about to say "Nothing," and tuck the formal challenge away but the perky blonde girl snatched it immediately and started reading. I simply cradled my forehead in my palm and waited wordlessly.
"Is this...is it true? You're an 'evil sorcerer' who 'ensnares the minds of the pure?'" Ino held her hand in front of her mouth, but was clearly unable to contain her giggling.
I answered confidently, "Definitely. You should watch out, Ino, or else you'll be next." I wiggled my fingers menacingly for dramatic effect, but it only made Ino giggle more. I had to admit, having Ino around had made kunoichi lessons more enjoyable. I knew better than to tell her that she reminded me of Naruto, however.
I stole the note back and refolded it carefully. The paper looked like someone had carelessly torn a section of scroll but the writing had impeccable calligraphy. I slipped it into my coat. Class was about to begin.
Iruka's class was as boring as ever. I already knew the different hand seals and the general uses. I started to evaluate my progress in the various ninja arts, writing in my notebook.
Ninjutsu? Other than the Rasengan, I was probably about average with my classmates, which meant I barely knew anything. My clones and henges were pitiful. My kawarimi was coming along though. Ebisu had drilled the basics into me but he had a lot of things to cover, and I had spent most of my time elsewhere. I had a couple neat tricks I could do with chakra, but few legitimate jutsu.
My genjutsu was strong, according to Kurenai. In the brief time I had with her before the academy, she had taught me dozens of small tricks with genjutsu theory and in return I fed her ideas about information security, hoping that she could develop an anti-genjutsu. I didn't mention that I was reinforcing my chakra with spiritual energy, essentially creating a double-lock. I would basically cast the genjutsu I had developed when I was younger simultaneously with a genjutsu that used 'proper' chakra.
I was pretty happy with my taijutsu. I wasn't going to win any awards but I could probably compete with genin soon. I hadn't had a sparring partner in forever though. Maybe Naruto would be interested. It would be nice to finally test the skills I had been developing every day for the past several years.
On that note, I should consider starting kenjutsu. It would be nice to be able to defend myself against Suigetsu or something. After school, I could pick up a wooden practice sword or something.
And fuinjutsu. I didn't want to break the promise I made to Iruka. As much as I wanted to know what I had accidentally accomplished, the chunin was right about it being dangerous. I'd just have to believe Iruka would come through with a teacher.
"What are you writing?" Ino asked quietly. I suddenly realized that she had been watching the whole time. At least I had bought some pencils yesterday after my conversation with Iruka. But she pointed at some of the English I had been scribbling to myself, literally snaking her finger over my arm and touching the paper directly. "What does this mean?"
I hesitated too long in giving my answer, "I'm just taking notes on what Iruka is saying," and Ino pouted, her mouth curled to one side in clear dissatisfaction.
"Come on, Haru. You can trust me. Explain it to me! I refuse to believe that is just your bad handwriting," the girl whispered, leaning closer to peer at my notebook.
I sighed. "It's code. It really is just my notes on the lecture though," I said with the best smile I could muster.
Ino recoiled suddenly, sitting back in her seat with her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed. "I see." That was the last thing she said to me for the rest of class.
At lunch, our hiding spot on top of the Hokage Mounument had been found and a small mob of girls surrounded Naruto as he alternated between describing how he and 'the old man' had taken down a missing nin who was setting himself up as a crime boss in a village on the outskirts of Land of Fire and taking bites out of the bento I had brought for him. Kiba had brought Shikamaru and Chouji to the party, and together we tried to figure out where Naruto had embellished his story.
Kiba had agreed to help make it clear that I wasn't a girl. It was slow going, however. Frankly, I thought the entire situation was ludicrous. But it was too dangerous to leave the academy rumor mill to its own devices. I was eternally grateful to at least have a few people on my side. Shikamaru had known from the beginning and Chouji had simply shrugged and continued eating. Most of the Naruto fangirls were glad to have one less rival.
The class's female population was evenly split between Naruto and Sasuke. Whereas Naruto innocently reveled in the attention, Sasuke shied away, seemly unsure of what to do when surrounded by so many girls. Naruto had an innate gift for deflecting the advances of girls. He probably wasn't even aware that they were attracted to him. He seemed happy just to have friends. Sasuke was much colder when girls approached him between classes and at lunch but that just seemed to make the girls like him more. I would never understand girls.
At least the anger hadn't appeared in Sasuke's eyes yet.
At kunoichi lessons, Ino had chosen to sit elsewhere. I could see her a couple rows down, talking to a pink haired girl next to her. The girls who sat to either side of me asked me, "Are you really a guy?" I nodded and they asked me, "Why are you in kunoichi lessons?"
"Ask Kurenai," I told them.
I figured I had hurt Ino's feelings earlier. I could be dense sometimes but it was pretty obvious now that Ino thought I didn't trust her. It was true. But only because I didn't trust anyone. How could I? Ebisu said that I needed to trust my comrades but should I? God, it was so complicated.
After school, I went to the Yamanaka's flower shop for the first time in years. I hadn't changed out of my coat but it would have been excessively rude to walk into such a familiar place with my hood drawn. The store was essentially unchanged since I had worked there. Momoka Yamanaka was behind the counter that afternoon.
"Yamanaka-san, I am looking for Ino. If you see her, can you give her this letter?" I requested as I pulled out a sheet of paper that I had carefully removed from my notebook.
"Haru?" she said as she finally recognized me. "It's been so long! Ino's told me so much about you. How are things at the academy? Are you studying hard?" It had been so long since I'd heard that particular mix of sternness and gentleness.
"Things are fine, Yamanaka-san. I'm kind of busy so I would be very grateful if you'd pass this along to her."
"I normally would but I think it would be better if you gave it to her yourself," Momoka said, turning her head toward the door. Ino was standing there, a surprised look on her face. I she had not expected me to be there.
I walked up to the girl. "Ino, I hope this makes up for earlier," I said somberly. I handed her the folded sheet of notebook paper. She looked at me and took it wordlessly. On the paper, I had etched with chakra the words "I am sorry," in both English and Japanese (although they didn't call it that here.) I had written it so that it was obviously a translation of the phrase.
She narrowed her eyes and pouted, "Don't think that this makes everything better. It's a good start though."
"I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yeah."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein