"Midori! We've got to get going, the rain might interrupt our journey to the training." Naruto called, beckoning for her to come.

His heart fluttered as he saw her beautiful smile,"Hi Uzumaki-kun," Ai greeted him. Naruto grinned, 'kun'? Progress.

"Ready?" Naruto said,"I won't go easy on you."

Ai nodded, her eyes glassed with determination,"Of course. Don't back down on me, Uzumaki-kun."

They threw blow after blow at each other, Naruto focusing more on getting as much out of it as he could, while Ai hit precisely to ensure that her fists and feet could do as much damage as possible.

At the final blow, Naruto surprisingly missed,"Wh-"

"Behind you!" Ai shouted, before throwing a hard punch at his jaw, causing Naruto to be sprawled across the floor.

Naruto smiled, putting a hand over his bleeding mouth,"Good. You have potential to be a great ninja."

Ai nearly frowned, potential? She didn't want just potential, she wanted to ensure that she had the strength, and Naruto didn't help to further that thought.

"Y-yeah," Ai forced a weak smile. Naruto furrowed his eyebrows for a second before smiling,"Yeah."

The night was calm and the crickets sung their songs.

________

"Have you found him?" A cloaked man looked at his accomplice.

"No. He's hiding," the accomplice took off his hood, revealing his slick black hair and red eyes,"I just want to get this over with."

The cloaked man narrowed his eyes,"If I'm not mistaken, you failed when he was in Konoha, right?"

"Hmph," the black-haired man furrowed his brows,"Don't test me. The only reason you're here is because he told me to bring you."

"Sure."