Chapter 14: Dreams of Blossoming Friendships
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering in delicate beams, with a gentle breeze causing the light and shadows to shift, creating a warm and leisurely atmosphere.
"For our first class, I'd like everyone to introduce themselves by demonstrating their ninjutsu skills," Iruka Umino announced, standing in front of the children, his voice strong and clear.
The kids responded with a mix of surprise and anxiety, some covering their faces with their hands, clearly not thrilled with the idea. They were so young, and most of their time had been spent on play rather than studying ninjutsu in depth.
"Alright then, let's start with a basic technique, the Clone Jutsu," Iruka adjusted, noticing their nervousness. He glanced at his list and continued, "First up, Uchiha Sasuke."
Hearing Sasuke's name, the fangirls in the back immediately erupted in excitement, waving and squealing. Among them, two girls with blonde and pink hair stood out, cheering from the front row.
"Uchiha, from the Uchiha clan!" Yamanaka Ino's green eyes sparkled, clasping her hands in admiration.
"Yes, the elite of the elite!" Haruno Sakura, with a red ribbon in her hair, echoed, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
Wow, so this is the power of fangirls, Nana thought, amazed at their reaction.
If anyone dared to speak ill of Sasuke now, they'd be drowned in spit by these girls. Better not provoke them, she mused.
"Hey, I have nothing to do with them, don't get any ideas," Sasuke, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, directing his comment solely at Nana.
Huh? Nana was puzzled. Was he explaining himself to her? She hadn't even teased him yet, and he was already defending himself.
After speaking, Sasuke coolly walked out of the line with his hands in his pockets, amidst the cheers, and stood before Iruka.
"You always act so smug, it's annoying. At least wait until you succeed before showing off!" Naruto Uzumaki couldn't help but shout, pointing at Sasuke.
Sasuke glanced at Naruto, smirking as if to dismiss him, ready to prove his superiority and impress Nana by showing that Naruto was just a dead last.
"I think so too," suddenly, another Sasuke appeared behind Naruto, arms crossed, leaning coolly against a tree.
"When did he...?" Naruto looked back at the second Sasuke, realizing he hadn't noticed when Sasuke performed the hand signs.
"Very well done," Iruka praised.
"Sasuke-kun!!!" The fangirls screamed even louder, hearts in their eyes.
"Tch, what's so great about that?" Naruto pouted, glancing at Nana. Though she showed no special reaction, she still clapped for Sasuke's success.
Nana-chan... I can't disappoint Nana-chan! Naruto psyched himself up.
"Hmph, you just need to attack the real one!" Unwilling to back down, Naruto charged, aiming his fist at the Sasuke leaning against the tree.
A puff of smoke, and the clone vanished, leaving Naruto's fist to connect with the tree. The momentum carried his head into the trunk as well.
Laughter erupted around him as Naruto clutched his hand in pain, seeing Sasuke standing with his hands on his hips, looking down on him arrogantly.
"Naruto!" Nana quickly rushed over, kneeling to check his injuries.
Fortunately, they were just scrapes. Seriously, Sasuke and Naruto always clashed early on, she sighed.
"Nana-chan..." Naruto stared at her holding his hand, his blue eyes shimmering with tears.
"Next time, don't be so reckless. Protect yourself," Nana sighed, gently admonishing Naruto.
"Okay, I'll do whatever you say, Nana-chan." Naruto nodded obediently, his eyes brightening, forgetting his anger at Sasuke.
"What's that pretty girl to Naruto Uzumaki?"
"They seem close."
The murmurs started again, people whispering and speculating.
"Enough!" Sasuke's voice cut through the chatter, his tone sharp. The crowd fell silent, exchanging puzzled glances.
Sasuke glared at Nana and Naruto's interaction, grumbling before storming back to the classroom.
He walked a few steps, but without hearing Nana call him back, his frustration grew, puffing his cheeks in anger as he quickened his pace.
Nana, what was that about? I'll ask her tonight! he fumed inwardly.
Nana, noticing Sasuke's fury, thought she couldn't call him back in front of everyone, risking fangirl interrogation for days.
The morning's ninjutsu display ended in this playful chaos. The highest scores in the Clone Jutsu demonstration were naturally Uchiha Sasuke and Matsumoto Nana, with their swift hand signs and perfect transformations.
Their display made many children remember the strong, beautiful, and lively Nana, and they eagerly introduced themselves, wanting to befriend her. Nana politely greeted them all.
In the early spring afternoon, the warm sunlight filled the classroom, the atmosphere serene and pleasant.
Most students left for the long lunch break, many going home to eat.
But with the Uchiha clan's distance from the village, Sasuke and Nana stayed to eat their bento.
Sasuke retrieved the cherry blossom bag from the desk, pulling out two bento boxes, one pink and one blue, handing the pink one to Nana. She eagerly took it.
When Fugaku and Mikoto were away, Itachi would cook, his meals always suiting Nana's taste, making her tearfully devour three bowls.
Nana opened her bento, the aroma spreading instantly. Today's meal included her favorite shrimp shumai, her eyes lighting up.
Just as she reached for it with her chopsticks, she noticed an extra shrimp shumai in her bento. She turned to Sasuke, then at his bento, realizing he had given her his piece.
"Why did you give me yours? We each have one," Nana teased, poking Sasuke's arm. He was still sulking but his actions were honest.
"I don't like it, you can have it," Sasuke replied nonchalantly, turning away. He knew she liked it and instinctively gave it to her.
"Alright, I was wrong earlier, not calling you back. Don't be mad!" Nana tried to smooth his hair, apologizing.
Sasuke's face turned red, embarrassed by her closeness and touch.
"I already forgave you. And as the brother, I should be the one patting your head!" Sasuke stammered, protesting her action.
As they laughed and played, a blond figure appeared at the door, holding two rice balls, hesitating to enter.
Nana noticed Naruto, running to pull him in to eat with them.
Sasuke didn't react as strongly as earlier, having accepted Nana's explanation. Though still annoyed by her friendship with the dead last, he couldn't control her social life.
"Your food looks amazing," Naruto admired their bento, clutching his rice balls, a crestfallen look on his face.
"Of course, my brother made it," Sasuke replied, feeling proud.
"Naruto, have some of this," Nana offered him some beef and vegetables, inviting him to taste Itachi's cooking.
Seeing this, Sasuke hesitated before also sharing his meat and vegetables with Naruto.
"Thank you so much!" Naruto's eyes shone with warmth, tearfully hugging them.
"Hey! Dead last, get your dirty hands off Nana!" Sasuke protested, startled by Naruto's embrace, regretting his kindness.
The three small figures laughed and chatted in the classroom, drawing closer not just in distance but in heart, their friendship beginning to blossom under the warm light.