Konoha Spider

Proving yourself

For the next few days Team 7 and Haku went through the usual process of preparing their gear and equipment while on the training grounds. It hadn't taken the Ice user long to become accustomed to this new method of training. Zabuza had often left him on his own so that he could perfect his skills while he went scouting for other jobs for the pair of them. With Haku doing training with them they were also able to continue working on their nerve cluster style of taijutsu. It also helped the Ice User to hide away from people. It seemed that the various girls throughout the village that were interested in Sasuke had divided themselves and now half of them were still following Sasuke, while the other half though had taken to following Haku around. A few of the undecided though had decided that Peter deserved his own group as well and had taken to following him around as well. Haku had become rather adept at having to slip by unnoticed, and had started wearing his mask more and more as all of the girls seemed to be able to sense when he was about to remove the garment from his face and show up. While Peter's spider sense allowed him to know when he was being followed and was able to side step his followers. These abilities just seemed to spur the girls on even more to learn about the pair of boys.

Kakashi was his usual late self, and the man seemed happy to see them as he gave them their missions. "Hey guys." He greeted with a cheery wave.

"Sensei," the group greeted the Jonnin with annoyance.

Kakashi sighed in disappointment; they were finally learning some self-control it seemed. While he was glad of that, he was also somewhat saddened as well. The reactions of his two students had always been one of the best parts for showing up late for the Jonnin. Haku was his stoic self, while Peter was more likely to make up some joke about his lateness than he was to be annoyed. "Well guys, I have some more D rank missions for us." He said, as he held up some paper slips filled with their mission orders.

"Oh come on sensei, we showed we can take care of ourselves." Naruto complained at the man. "Why do we need to go back to doing the lame stuff?"

"That's true Naruto, but there is usually a waiting period after your first A class mission." Kakashi explained to the group. "You were actually rather lucky that our team was assigned as Haku's escort before his fight. Missions like that are usually regulated to an ANBU team. It was only because it was thought our connection with Haku would make him more agreeable was the only reason we were assigned as we were. For the time being, we have to deal with D rank missions or no missions at all. It is meant as a time of recovery to make sure there are no serious injuries. Besides, you really don't want to be one of those ninja that is constantly being sent out of the village with a new mission. Trust me, it's nowhere near as exciting as it sounds." He warned the blonde in a knowing voice. "It also allows us to work with Haku for a while. So that he can become more familiar with the way things work in Konoha. Besides, that gives us more time to focus on some of your selective training." He pointed out to the trio.

The group nodded reluctantly at that. Kakashi had taken to spending a bit of time with each of his students and seeing what they were learning in their independent studies. Sakura was currently trying her hand at various things at the moment, trying to find something she was good at. Haku was actually rather helpful in that, as he was teaching her better chakra control and weapons seeing as she was already ahead of the others in her control. Peter was spending his time training with sharpening his other senses, while Naruto was working on his taijutsu style to change it into a more refined form of martial arts that wouldn't be so easy to counter.

"Hey Naruto, you never know we might get a chance to try the nerve pinch attacks on that cat." Peter said with a grin.

At this all four teens perked up and nodded their heads appreciably at the thought of taking the cat out with a nerve pinch. Haku had been most annoyed when he had gone after the cat the other day as a solo mission. His superior speed made finding the cat easy, but even he was wary of getting his hands on the furry pest with its razor sharp claws. Despite his superior speed he had been clawed more than a few times by the furred menace.