C H A P T E R T W O
BEEP
BEEP
BEEP
BEEP
BEEP
BEEP
BEEP
BEE-
"OKAY, I'M UP, DAMNIT!" Maniko yelled, accidentally throwing his alarm to Jashin knows where. Yawning, the teal haired boy jumped out of bed, slumping towards the shower to get ready for the day.
Once he had finished his normal morning routine, he tied on his headband, now ready to meet up with his team.
Passing Ichiraku Ramen, almost made Maniko give into his intrusive thoughts of eating before his survival test begun. But then he thought back to Kakashi's words..
"Oh, by the way.. Tomorrow, you better skip breakfast or else.. You'll puke."
"Onnn second thought.. I'm not that hungry.." Maniko sweatdropped, walking straight past the Ramen shop.
"Good morning, guys!" Maniko grinned, at his tired looking teammates. Sakura rubbed her eyes occasionally, mumbling an inaudible 'morning' followed by Naurto, who spoke absolute gibberish and moved around as if he were zombie.
'Naruto is definitely not a morning person.. Noted.' Maniko thought, looking over to Sasuke, who didn't seem as bothered about how early it was. He shot the Uchiha a smile.
Though he didn't smile back, Sasuke did give a small yet noticeable nod in return. "It's so early, that it's still dark outside.." Maniko mumbled, moving comfortably to lay down on the grass.
"Maniko, you're going to get your clothes and your hair all dirty, before we even start out exercise!" Sakura scolded.
"But, I'm sooo tired.. Plus, Kakashi Sensei isn't even here yet!" He complained.
After what seemed like a few minutes, Sakura sighed, giving in and joining the tealette on the floor.
Sakura took her chance and hesitantly lifted Maniko's head placing it on her lap, blushing while doing so.
This did not go unnoticed by a certain blonde who grumbled something too quiet to comprehend, and a certain Uchiha who scowled under his breath.
Maniko was now sound asleep as the pink haired girl begun to run her fingers through his hair, a soft smile threatening to appear on her face, though her inner demons were practically screaming right now.
'YES! SCORE! HE'S LAYING ON MY LAP! TAKE THAT NARUTO!'
"Good morning!" Kakashi's voice announced, just when everyone begun getting comfortable. The copy ninja looked at Sakura, then down at Maniko who was deep in a slumber on her lap.
An Irk mark appeared on his head.
"You're late!" Naruto and Sakura yelled, completely forgetting about the sleeping boy who's ears were now ringing.
"GAH!" Maniko yelpled, falling off Sakuras lap as she decided to abruptly stand up to scold Kakashi.
"Ow..." Maniko groaned, still remaining on the floor.
"Well, a black cat crossed my path, you see.." He defended, giving a terrible excuse.
Kakashi soon started a timer. "Okay, it's set for twelve." He spoke, withdrawing three bells from his pocket.
"Today's assignment is to take these bells away from me by noon. Those who can't do it, won't get lunch. They'll be tied to that.. and I'll eat my lunch before your very eyes." He evilly explained, pointing at four huge wooden logs.
As if on cue, everyone's stomach rumbled. Maniko clutched onto his stomach, murmuring something along the lines of 'You traitor..' Though, the floor he laid on did a good job at muffling his words.
"So that's why you told us not to eat breakfast..?!" He cried. Kakashi only nodded, amusement evident behind his mask.
"But, hold on." Sakura started.
"Why are there only three bells?"
"Because at bare minimum, one of you will fail and will return to the Academy. It might be only one person at the very least, or it could be all four of you. You can use your shuriken, considering you won't be able to take the bells unless you come with the intent to kill me." Kakashi explained, sadistically.
"But.. That's dangerous, Sensei!" Sakura argued, Naruto agreeing.
Kakashi had not an ounce of care plastered on his face as he said, "Begin when I give the "ready-go" signal-"
Suddenly Naruto charged at Kakashi with a shuriken he withdrew from his pocket. Within mere seconds, Kakashi had the shuriken aimed at the back of the blond's head.
"Don't be so hasty. I didn't even say start, yet." Kakashi ordered darkly.
Stars formed in Manikos eyes. 'That.. was so cool..' He couldn't help but think to himself.
Sasuke and Sakura backed up while Naruto shivered in fear.
"But, that's fine. At least you came with the intent to kill me.. How can I put this..? I think I'm finally starting to like you guys." Kakashi admitted.
"We're going to start, now. Ready..."
Go!" Kakashi announced as his four students scattered.
Maniko crouched, hiding in a bush that was much more distanced from the starting area. He couldn't help but feel a pair of eyes watching him, that he couldn't shake off.
That was until he heard the loud voice of Naruto, immediately sweatdropping as he peered through the leaves to see what he was doing. 'How very discreet, Naruto..' He thought, sarcastically.
Although Maniko couldn't hear much of Naruto or Kakashi's conversation, he did soon see Kakashi crouched in an odd position, as he formed up hand signs.
"Naruto! Get out of there quick!" Sakura urged, baiting out her own location.
"Too late." Kakashi spoke. "Leaf village secret: Ultimate Taijutsu! One Thousand Years Of Death!" Maniko watched poor Naruto go flying straight into a lake. His fruitless attempts of stifling his laughter, ended up with him eventually bursting out.
"Alright.." Kakashi opened up his smutty book, pausing when he heard laughter sounding from the bushes.
The copy ninja smirked, before disappearing from his spot.
Once Maniko's laughing episode stopped, he opened his eyes, and peered through the bush again, but Kakashi was no where to be seen.
'Oh crap..' He thought, frantically looking around for the grey haired Sensei.
The teal haired boy suddenly felt another body pressed against the back of his, as a low voice spoke into his ear. "Boo."
A shriek escaped from Maniko's mouth as he attempted to reach for his pocketed shuriken, but a stronger pair of hands restricted his.
"You're not so much of a discreet ninja, Maniko." Kakashi whispered, though Maniko could hear the amusement laced in the tone his voice.
"...Is this funny to you?!" Maniko asked.
"Well, I'm definitely enjoying myself." His Sensei chuckled, resting his chin on Maniko's shoulder as a kunai was held in one hand aimed at the boy's neck, and Kakashi's other hand being used to keep hold of Maniko's hands.
Maniko tried his hardest to devise any type of plan, but it was hard to focus when his Sensei was pressing a sharp blade against his neck..
'Think Maniko, think!'
'...I got it!'
"Oh my God! Kakashi Sensei, look! Is that a new Icha Icha Paradise book?!" Maniko fake gasped, pointing his head at a random direction and surprisingly, Kakashi's grip on the boy loosened as his head immediately flickered towards the area.
"Wha- Where?!" Kakashi, asked desperately only to realise it was a decoy. But as soon as he turned around, Maniko was gone.
"..."