An Unexpected Friend (Book 1 of the Unexpected Series)

Ch. 8 - The One Chapter About the Academy

"It just makes sense," she continued. "I've beaten every girl I've fought so far, so why can't I fight the boys now. They're all just holding me back!"

"This fight will count as a loss if you don't participate," Iruka warned with a stern look. Kokoro crossed her arms and looked away. She wouldn't do it even if her grade depended on it.

"If you lose this fight, your rank in the class will go down," Iruka warned. That made her look at him again. She was ranked as 2nd overall in the class. In 1st place was Sasuke, and in 3rd place was Sakura. The only thing keeping her from being in 3rd was her scores in all the physical aspects of school. Academically, she wasn't dumb, but she definitely wasn't perfect. She always somehow managed to miss a question or two on a test. However, Sakura never missed a question on a test. And since her academic scores were way above everyone else's, her physical scores didn't affect much. Kokoro refused to lose her spot as the top female student in the class. Even though her taijutsu improved, it wasn't enough to impress her dad, and the more she practiced at school, the less she liked to practice at home. Her top spot in class was the only thing she could use to earn his respect and approval. She couldn't lose it.

"Fine," she said before setting herself a few feet away from Sakura. The match was over within a minute. Kokoro had focused so much of her training with her dad on taijutsu that she was ahead of the rest. Sakura had stood no chance. The gray-haired girl looked at her teacher with an "I-told-you-so" face and took her place back in line.

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Dear Gaara,

I was really scared when you and Shukaku did what you did with the sand. I couldn't understand why you would hurt me when I was just trying to be your friend. I want you to know that I haven't stopped sending you letters. I really want Yashamaru to give you these so there aren't any more fights between us, but I don't think he will anytime soon.

I didn't know what to write, so it's been a while since any letters went to Suna. I thought and thought and thought until my head hurt. I came up with just one thing to say, though, out of all those days thinking.

I made a promise to never forget you and to always be your friend, and I won't break that promise. Dad once told me that if something hurts really really bad, then the person who did it must be special. What you did hurt me really really bad, and I know that the misunderstanding between us hurts you really really badly. You're my friend, Gaara, and you always will be.

I'll make you and Shukaku understand as soon as I can.

Kokoro

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"Ice Release: Ice Prison!"

Ice shot up from the ground and encased Kokoro's entire body. The ice was thick enough to be impenetrable and clear enough for her to see through it. She needed time to think before attacking or else she'd surely lose. Fighting her dad did not get any easier as she got older. He was always thinking on his feet, something she had to continue to improve upon. He'd cornered her and she saw no way out, so she encased herself in her jutsu to give her time to think up a plan. Her dad was standing outside the ice crystal. He was observing it, tapping on it and deciding his options. She smirked at him because she knew there was no way he could get through. The only way in was from the bottom and he wouldn't have enough time to figure that out. She had a plan.

Just as she was ready to execute it, a gloved hand pulled from the bottom and sucked her into the ground. Dirt was all that was in her face before air met her face once again. Her dad held her by her ankle upside down with a shit-eating expression on his face.

"No fair," Kokoro grumbled. "I was just about to take you out."

"Better luck next time," Kakashi said with an eye smile. She detected hints of cockiness and narrowed her eyes at him. What kind of dad smiles at his daughter's losses? He pulled her ankle higher and swung her forward so she could backflip into a standing position.

"How'd you know there was a weakness?" she asked while glaring up at him.

"Every jutsu has a weakness. Besides, who helped you perfect it?"

"Whatever," Kokoro said. Kakashi placed a hand on her head and ruffled her silver hair. She was 151 centimeters tall, just shy of five feet, and came up to about his shoulders, which made it easier to mess her hair up. She scowled at him and brushed his hands away.

"Don't touch my hair," she said, "You've already ruined it."

"How so?" Kakashi asked curiously.

"You gave me your old man hair color!" she shouted. "I wanted to have all black hair, but your dumb genes just had to mess everything up!"

Kakashi deadpanned and sighed. He ruffled her hair again and evaded a jab to his side as he walked off.

"My eyes are even gray!" she complained as she followed him.

"You look a lot like your mom," he said unexpectedly. The twelve-year-old Hatake perked up at the mention of her mom. He didn't mention her much, but she was always so curious about her.

"Really?" she asked with big eyes.

"Yeah," he said, "Your face is almost an exact replica of hers."

"Do you think she'd be proud of me?" she asked quietly. She knew that her mom gave her up. She was so sad when she found out. She was still sad when she thought about it, but she'd come to terms with it. At least she had her dad.

"Yeah, I do, Koko. Now, hurry up and get a drink. We're not done training today yet."

"There's more?" she asked tiredly. He chuckled darkly, putting Kokoro immediately on high alert. Nothing good ever came from dark chuckles.

"Your taijutsu still isn't at the level it needs to be. A guest will be joining us very soon to help with that," he said.

"Can't we just stop for today?" Kokoro whined. "I still have to finish my homework."

"Kokoro, you need to train more," Kakashi insisted. "You'll never be able to win against an enemy with that kind of attitude."

Kokoro sighed and finally asked, "Who's joining us?"

"My eternal rival!"

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Dear Gaara,

I graduate from the Academy tomorrow. And I'm top of the class! Well, top of the females at least. Sakura's still got me beat academically, though. Sasuke's got me beat, too, but I don't really care so much anymore. It's not that I don't want to be number one cause I do, but he's been through so much that he at least should get number one, right? I don't know if I wrote to you about it, but the whole Uchiha Clan was massacred about five years ago. When Sasuke came into school after it happened he looked so empty. He looked like how you did when I visited you last time, except he was less angry than you were and more sad.

Anyway, I'm graduating, which means you must be graduating, too, right? We're gonna be pretty busy soon. Hopefully, we get to see each other again. I have so many cool jutsus to show you when we meet up again! Dad says I've really improved over the years! He thinks I should have moved up already, but I don't think I'm that good.

I'm nervous about who I get as teammates. Are you nervous, too? I hope your teammates are nice to you, Gaara, just like I hope mine are nice to me. I'm pretty liked in class. A lot of the girls don't like me, though. They think I'm a show-off. But I don't have to worry about that because there's only one girl per team, usually. The only girl who I can consider a true friend is Hinata. She's really cool to hang out with because she isn't loud and doesn't judge people. I think you'd like her.

Stay safe, Gaara.

Kokoro