Naruto: The Beast Within

The sun is already dipping behind the horizon, casting long shadows. 

Almost everyone has left now, except for the frustrated grumbling of one Takuma and the utterly relaxed yawning of one Raimu.

Takuma sighs as he wipes the sweat off his forehead. "Alright, floors are finally clean," he mutters, glancing at the now spotless wooden surface.

Raimu, however, is already at the back of the classroom.

His golden eyes are half-lidded as he watches Takuma work.

"You know," Raimu murmurs sleepily, "watching you do all the work is kinda relaxing…"

Takuma snaps his head toward him, fists clenched. "Raimu—get. Up."

Raimu blinks at him. "Mm? I'm providing moral support, though."

Takuma sighs. "Come on, we still need to put the desks back. If we don't finish, we'll be stuck here all night."

Raimu sighs loudly, dragging himself to his feet as if it physically pains him. "Fine, fine. I'll help."

Takuma eyes him suspiciously. "No tricks?"

"Sure," Raimu yawns.

Takuma narrows his eyes before nodding. "Alright. Let's move these desks back to their places."

The two get to work—well, Takuma gets to work. Raimu barely puts in any effort, lazily pushing desks an inch at a time while Takuma struggles to get them all lined up properly.

Then, it happens.

Raimu, in the middle of slowly nudging a desk forward, suddenly tilts it just a bit too far.

CRASH!

The desk tips over, sending books, scrolls, and pencils scattering everywhere.

Takuma freezes. His eye twitches. "Raimu."

Raimu blinks at the fallen desk, then at Takuma. "…Oops?"

Takuma inhales sharply. "You did that on purpose."

"Whoa, whoa," Raimu raises his hands, stepping back. "That's a serious accusation. Can you really prove that?"

Takuma stares at him for a long moment before shaking his head. "You know what? Doesn't matter. You're picking all of that up."

Raimu scratches the back of his head. "Ughhh, but I was just getting into a relaxed rhythm…"

Before Takuma can explode at him again, the classroom door slides open.

A teacher steps in, arms crossed, looking around the half-organized classroom. Their gaze lands on the fallen desk, the scattered mess, and then—on Raimu, who is standing there like a kid caught red-handed.

"Raimu," the teacher says flatly. "Why am I not surprised?"

Raimu blinks. "Huh? Oh, I was just—"

"You're slacking off again, aren't you?"

Raimu sighs dramatically. "Sensei, that hurts. Here I am, working my heart out, and you—"

"Enough." The teacher shakes their head. "Since you clearly aren't taking this seriously, both of you will now clean the hallways as well."

Takuma groans loudly. "Nooo!"

Raimu just shrugs. "Figures."

As they finish setting up the last desks—Takuma glaring, Raimu barely lifting a finger—Takuma finally loses it.

"That's it!" He slams a chair into place and whirls on Raimu. "Raimu, I challenge you to a bet!"

Raimu, who is in the middle of casually leaning against a desk, tilts his head lazily. "Mmm? A bet? What kind?"

"Whoever does the most work wins," Takuma declares. "And the loser has to do whatever the winner wants."

Raimu smirks slightly, eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh? That's dangerous. You sure you want to make that deal?"

"Yes!" Takuma crosses his arms. "Unless you're scared you'll lose."

Raimu chuckles, pushing off the desk. "Alright, alright. I'll play along." He stretches. "But don't cry when I win, okay?"

They clean for another hour, this time with actual effort—well, Takuma puts in effort. Raimu does just enough to make it seem like he's trying.

By the time they finish, Takuma is drenched in sweat, exhausted, and barely standing. Raimu, meanwhile, stretches his arms like he just woke up from a nap.

Takuma glares at him. "Don't act like you did all the work!"

"Hmm, I dunno… I felt very productive."

Takuma growls. "Whatever. I won, and you know it."

Raimu tilts his head. "Mmm. Maybe. What do you want, then?"

Takuma grins. "I want a fight. Tomorrow. In front of the whole school."

Raimu stares at him. Then, slowly, a small smile tugs at his lips. "Oh? That's all?"

"Yeah!" Takuma pumps his fist. "No more running, no more excuses—you and me, real fight, everyone watching!"

Raimu sighs dramatically. "I knew this was gonna happen eventually." He shrugs. "Fine, fine. Let's do it."

As soon as they step outside the academy finally done with their school chores, a small group of classmates who stayed after school immediately swarm them.

Heard you guys got in trouble again!"

"What happened this time?"

Then, one student who overhears Takuma, back in the classroom. "Wait… are you really fighting tomorrow?"

Raimu sighs, pulling his blanket back over his shoulders. "Yeah, yeah." He yawns. "It's happening."

The crowd erupts with excitement.

"You're actually fighting?!"

"This is huge!"

"I'm telling everyone!"

Raimu just sighs as the news spreads like wildfire. Takuma, meanwhile, looks thrilled.

As their classmates scatter, spreading the news, Raimu stretches lazily, already regretting this.