"You, listen to me carefully, and stop laughing." Yang Xing's laughter made Anko very unhappy and angry. She turned to him with a childish huff. "I'm telling you seriously, I'm going to get stronger. I'll be better than you, much, much better."
"I know, I know. Don't get so worked up."
Yang Xing's faint smile did nothing to calm Anko down. It was as if the little brat was looking down on her, and that made her feel awful.
"You don't know anything." Anko stopped walking, her expression serious as she raised her voice. "I told you, I'm serious. And you, you little brat! Hey, why aren't you looking at me? Turn around!"
Seeing that Yang Xing wouldn't look at her, Anko was so angry she nearly jumped up and down. And for some reason, the little boy's face looked a bit red.
"Um, isn't this a little awkward? Also, don't get so worked up. Just walk properly. This is tiring for me." Yang Xing sighed helplessly. He didn't know what else to say.
At his words, Anko got flustered. "Huh? Are you saying I'm heavy?"
"No, that's not what I mean. It's just that certain things are in the way."
"So you are saying I'm heavy!" Anko was nearly about to explode. That was just how she was, and she couldn't stop herself from grabbing Yang Xing by the collar again. "You little brat, explain yourself, or I won't let you off!"
The two of them were pressed together, and with her grabbing him like that, Yang Xing felt even more awkward.
Looking at her serious expression, Yang Xing could only clear his throat. "You really want me to say it?"
When Anko nodded, Yang Xing had no choice but to continue. "All right, but don't hit me. It's just that... your chest is really big. When you get this worked up, it moves around a lot. You know you're leaning against me right now, and as a man, I really..."
"Ah, ahhh! You—you bastard! Just go die!" Anko didn't even let him finish. Her face had already turned bright red, and she swung a punch at him.
"Hey, you asked me to say it." Yang Xing dodged the weak punch. When she still wouldn't let up, he started getting annoyed. "Damn it, stop messing around! I swear, hit me again and I'll really beat you up. I don't hit women, but you need to know when to quit!"
Maybe his voice had been too loud, or perhaps he'd sounded a little angry.
At the very least, little Anko stopped.
But she lowered her head, looking as if she were lost in thought, which left Yang Xing confused.
Given Anko's personality, she shouldn't be about to cry.
Unable to figure out what the girl was thinking, Yang Xing was about to help her walk again.
But before he could support her, Anko lifted her head and smiled. Then she leaned toward him, her little head moving quickly.
Yang Xing froze and stepped back, but the other girl had no killing intent, so he didn't attack.
He only felt her press her head against his.
Their foreheads touched, and Yang Xing froze for a second. The next moment, he felt something soft and moist brush his lips. That light kiss was sweet.
A young girl's lips really were sweet.
"Little brat, that's your reward." Anko smiled, then turned and hurried off. She didn't look like her legs were weak at all, or like she'd been injured.
Only then did Yang Xing realize he'd been tricked—badly. He'd actually been tricked by a girl.
Damn it, that was my first kiss!
Oh no! That was the symbol of my purity!
I've been defiled!
"You lecher! Give me back my first kiss! Give me back my purity!"
Furious, Yang Xing chased after her. He was determined to teach that lecher a lesson. He had to kiss her back at least once. No, just kissing her back would be too simple. He should give that deadly weapon of hers a good squeeze, too.
Of course, his dreams were grand, but reality was harsh.
He hadn't run more than a few steps before they ran into Kakashi, who had been looking for them.
With everyone watching and asking after them, Yang Xing could only abandon his plans and follow them back to the inn.
The rain had stopped by morning. The sunshine and fresh air left everyone feeling invigorated.
"Still, Yang Xing, you two were really lucky. You actually managed to get away after running into Orochimaru." First thing in the morning, Obito was already talking about what had happened the night before. "You have that girl named Anko to thank. I'm telling you, someone like Orochimaru isn't someone you can run away from."
According to the explanation Yang Xing had given the others about the previous night, Orochimaru had left, and they had escaped safely.
Yang Xing didn't mention that he'd badly injured Orochimaru, because nobody would believe him anyway.
Besides, when he'd told them what happened the night before, Anko hadn't contradicted him for once. Though her glare had made him feel rather uneasy, it was nice to keep some details to himself.
Right, he couldn't let Obito find out about the Sharingan.
While Yang Xing was deep in thought, someone knocked at the door.
Knock, knock!
"Coming, coming! Who's here so early? Could it be Rin?" Obito's eyes lit up. Muttering to himself, he hurried over to open the door.
But when he opened it, he saw that it wasn't Rin Nohara. Instead, Anko stood there looking bright and spirited. He looked confused. "Um, what do you need?"
"Out of the way." Anko's temper was clearly hard to change, especially around ordinary people. She shoved Obito aside with one hand and walked in on her own. Ignoring Kakashi's surprised look, she went straight over to Yang Xing, who was still making his bed, and bent toward him. "Hey, come outside with me."
"I'm busy. I've still got..." Yang Xing waved her off, but before he could finish, someone grabbed his hand. Annoyed, he glared at her. "Hey, don't pull me. And don't grab my arm, either. What are you doing, tugging me around like this? Stop it! Kakashi, save me!"
Kakashi: "..."
Obito: "..."
In any case, Anko dragged Yang Xing away by force, leaving the room filled with a strange atmosphere.
Kakashi and Obito looked at each other, both completely baffled.
But the most baffling thing happened only a moment later, when someone appeared at the door just after Yang Xing had left.
Rin Nohara looked around the room as if searching for someone. She seemed hesitant about coming in, which was very much in keeping with her personality.
"Um, Rin, what is it?" "You must be here for me, right? I knew it, you're here for me. Actually, I was just about to come find you, too. Ahahaha."
"Where's Yang Xing?"
As soon as she spoke, Obito froze, standing motionless as if someone had turned him to stone.
Kakashi gave Obito a sympathetic glance, then turned to Rin Nohara, who was still looking around the room. "Well, a girl from another team dragged him away."
"Oh. A girl from another team?" Rin Nohara paused, then seemed to realize who he meant. Her brows furrowed, and she quickly left. "That girl named Anko."
All that remained was Obito, still frozen like stone.
As Rin Nohara left, a cry of anguish rang out from the room.
"I hate him! I hate him! He's the one I hate most! You beast!"
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