Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
"Speaking"
Thinking
Flashback
Chapter 4
"I'm ready, Sakura-san."
Hinata was filled with anxiety. A few minutes passed and Sakura was still silent. She said, feeling braver, "Sakura-san, I want you to train me. As what my father ordered you to do."
--Lubdub— Hinata was breathing hard, inhaling sharply.
--Lubdub— She was feeling faint. The weather seemed to get more humid.
--Lubdub— She started sweating, droplets sliding down her forehead.
--Lubdub— Inhale…exhale…inhale…exhale…
Moments later, Sakura smirked. She said, "Fine,I…"
She said, "Fine, I…" pausing, she continued, "I will train you."
Hinata sighed in relief. She visibly relaxed. "But I will not tolerate any trouble or complaining. Do I make myself clear?"
"Hai! Sakura-chan," Hinata said swiftly.
Sakura smirked, a little darker this time, "As of now Hinata, you will call me Sakura-sensei, got it?"
Hinata nodded. Sakura straightened up and opened the door, going straight to the Hyuga training grounds with Hinata behind her.
Sakura sat down and crossed her legs in the middle of the training grounds. "Attack me."
Hinata was thinking of a tactic. Readying her kunai, she charged at Sakura who was still on the ground.
She drew closer, but suddenly found her movements frozen.
…
…
…
"Boo."
Sakura's voice startled her. She panicked and looked down at her feet. She saw roots latching themselves around her legs.
Wrong move…Sakura thought while kicking Hinata's back which made the girl trip and land on the ground, sending debris flying everywhere.
Placing her leg down, Sakura lazily gazed at the nin laying on the ground.
Hinata pulled herself together; straightening up, she cleared her head and faced Sakura only to find herself narrowly blocking an incoming punch…crack. That was definitely not a good sign.
They exchanged blows, blocking and hitting. Hinata was gritting her teeth. This fight was getting nowhere. Freeing herself from their onslaught, she ran to the surrounding trees to get some ground.
Checking back on Sakura, she only found the last remains of smoke.
Deciding how to attack, Hinata created bunshins and spread them out.
Hinata extended her vision using the Byakugan. Veins pulsed from her temples as she looked left, right and up to the large trees, evading several shuriken heading her way just in time. Her eyes widened when Sakura appeared and all her bunshins puffed, destroyed.
"Try harder."
Using chakra and channeling it to her fingers, they fought. Swiping her hand to Sakura's neck, she missed. In turn, Sakura punched her stomach. Staggering a bit, Hinata charged again.
It bothered her that Sakura was not even using the Byakugan, maybe she didn't have it? But still she was able to use the gentle fist style in combat. Hinata was clearly distracted by her thoughts and as if reading her mind, Sakura aimed and blocked several points in Hinata's arms.
She grunted in pain. Now Hinata tried to concentrate on closing Sakura's chakra points, but Sakura matched her movements, blow by blow as if anticipating her moves.
They were both lost in the battle. Sweat was making its way down Hinata's forehead but it did not hinder her vision with the Byakugan. She was getting tired and frustrated because Sakura's face was not showing any discomfort. It was plain as steel.
Spinning 360 degrees, Hinata stopped Sakura's movements making her back flip a few times.
Sakura made hand signs and blew a huge ember of flames straight at Hinata, who spinned and blocked the flames.
They stopped as the mist from the fire jutsu resided. Pumping chakra to her legs, Hinata charged. She was serious and determined to win the battle to show that she was worthy enough, that she was not weak and that she was ready for what was in store for her.
In a flash of light, Hinata hit a good blow to Sakura's side, which made her lose her footing. Hinata instantly grabbed a kunai and pointed it at Sakura's neck.
Heavily breathing, she said, "I win."
"You did." Sakura stood up and dusted her clothing. She told Hinata to gather the stray weapons but heard no response.
She faced her student, blinked and looked down. Sakura slumped her shoulders and heaved a heavy sigh. Picking up her weapons as well as Hinata's, she carried the drained kunoichi at her back.
…she'd better not make this a habit… How wrong she was…
The next morning, right after a light breakfast, they started with warm ups. "We have exactly three months until the tournament begins. On the first month starting today, we will work on your stamina and speed. I know you are easily drained and you don't have that much muscle in your arms and legs. You won't last long during battle or training if you are in that shape. I want you to run fifty times around Konoha, everyday before we start the actual training."
Hinata started sweating and twiddling her fingers. She gulped but she remembered her goal and with determination she sprinted following Sakura's lead. They repeatedly circled the whole Konoha.
They passed people who were wondering what the two kunoichi were up to. Hinata was very tired. Her breathing was irregular and her muscles were tense. She looked at Sakura, who was running effortlessly while she was already pumping chakra to her feet just to keep on going. Sakura, noticing her student's glaring stare, ran slower so that Hinata could catch up.
Ino and Tenten were browsing through stalls looking at trinkets and knickknacks.
"Tenten, look at that! It'll go nicely with your hair." Ino said excitedly.
"Ino, I have nothing to wear that with and what's the use anyway." Tenten said, trying to balance the bags she was carrying.
Ino was looking at her, mischief hidden in those sapphire blue eyes. "Well, you could always go and ask Neji for a dinner date. That would be nice."
After hearing the blond, Tenten almost tripped. She was glowing bright red. "NO!! I'm not interested in him!!" she shrieked.
"Oh no, don't think you're gonna get away with this so easily. When he's there, you always sigh dreamily and I see your eyes shine when he talks to you." Ino rebutted.
Tenten lowered her head, unable to look at the boisterous blond who was clearly smug about her knowledge. She sighed. There was no use in hiding it. She was just worried that the loudmouth would tell her secret. Ino was the gossip queen after all. She didn't want Neji to stray away from her if he would ever find out. She would rather keep it a secret than losing him and the odds of rejection were high. She didn't belong to any high class family. Heck, she didn't even know her last name!
Both kunoichi were distracted by the approaching figures. They recognized the runners, Sakura and Hinata. They were beginning to worry, seeing Hinata sweating buckets and out of breath, so they approached Sakura.
Sakura stopped but signaled Hinata to continue. Waiting for Ino and Tenten to come to her, she mentally counted how many more laps they needed to finish since it was getting dark.
"Sakura, what are you doing to Hinata!? She could get hurt in that condition!" Ino shouted, getting angry at Sakura's lack of response. Tenten grabbed Sakura's collar and shook Sakura in the air. "What the hell are you doing to Hinata? Are you trying to kill her or something!?"
Sakura twisted Tenten's hands, effectively releasing her out of the brunette's grip. Fixing her clothes, she seemed oblivious to the glares she received. "I'm training Hinata," she intoned calmly.
Tenten was skeptical. She observed Sakura and she didn't find anything out of the ordinary. "Hinata doesn't need training from someone like you! She has us to help her and we don't work her to death." Tenten said rudely.
Ino agreed with Tenten but she was a little afraid of Sakura. She had this look. It was so emotionless that it was scary. She was very silent during the party. They had to coax her into talking with them and even now she seemed to be uncaring. It gave her the impression of... Ino just could not understand her.
"Don't question my abilities." Sakura murmured darkly.
"Oh! You think you're so good with all your acting. Do you think that it fools anyone? No!"
Sakura was very irritated. Her anger was boiling and her hands were itching to strangle Tenten. She composed herself by breathing deeply but the trash talking was still getting to her. She settled on gripping her katana, which was conveniently dangling around her waist.
On the other end, Ino was close to biting her fingernails. Tenten was still not finished with her bitching and Sakura was losing her cool. Ino was worried about what Sakura might do to her friend.
Tenten was having the time of her life. She was enjoying the way Sakura was twitching. She laughed inwardly, Sakura's face was getting red but she was still trying to control her anger. Tenten was not finished; she had a lot of things to say! Look at that pink hair! Now, who has pink hair? Sakura also had freaky green eyes. She was thoroughly relishing her victory. Sakura didn't say anything, so she continued her taunting.
"You're nothing, pathetic! You should leave this place. No one wants you here. You ran out of the village didn't you? You're just here because you're hiding and asking protection from the Hyuga clan. That's so low." Tenten finished her sentence; malice and hatred clear in her last words.
Tenten suddenly lost her composure. Tenten's mouth dropped, down to the ground. She was glowing beet red. Sakura raised an eyebrow, wondering what happened to her until Tenten managed to utter, "N-N-Neji."
She was so embarrassed. She hoped he hadn't heard what she said but fate was not on her side. The Hyuga genius was heavily glaring at her. He was about to talk when Sakura held his arm, eyeing him not to interfere.
"Tenten, what compelled you to hate me, I don't care, but never accuse me of being a coward or a traitor don't compared me to low life scum. You have no idea what I've went through, your shallow ideology shows your no fit to be a kunoichi, let alone a ninja of Leaf."
Was it because of Tenten's rage or embarrassment, she didn't know but Tenten was reaching for a kunai but before she could stab Sakura's back, Neji deflected her weapon with his own. Then, he pointed the kunai's edge several centimeters away from Tenten's face.
She gulped… hard.
…
…
…
"Tenten, what happened?" He asked her; confusion, anger and pity reflected in his white eyes. When Tenten said nothing, Neji withdrew his weapon, disappointment clearly seen in his features.
Her worst nightmare was happening at that very moment. When, He turned his back on her. The way he looked at her, she couldn't bear it. He was walking away from her with her, with another. Tenten could do nothing but fall to the ground, choking back sobs as Ino held the defeated woman.
Sakura quickened her pace; Neji was catching up to her.
"What do you want?" She stopped but didn't face Neji. She didn't want to look at him.
"Answers," he said quietly but firmly.
"You should ask her, not me." Sakura answered bitterly with sarcasm.
"Sakura…" he said warningly but still she didn't listen.
"Why can't you leave me alone!?" Then she ran…
He didn't answer. He let her walk away but next time it wouldn't be so easy. He knew why she ran; that was the only way to keep herself safe from pain, the pain of losing her friends and family. She didn't want any emotional attachments, no bonds no nothing… just herself.
He looked up to the darkening sky. The hues of pink and orange painted the heavens.
You will be free…
Catching up to Hinata who was close to fainting, Sakura stopped her.
Hinata collapsed to the grassy field, thoroughly exhausted. Sakura examined her pupil and landed on the ground next to her. She closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. Opening them again, Sakura felt Hinata's inquiring gaze directed to her.
Softly humming, she ignored Hinata, preferring to stare up to the sky. She found it more interesting than being asked questions she couldn't answer and Hinata, seeing her teacher's lack of attention, decided to follow her gaze upward just in time to see the sunset.
They lay there, enjoying the natural beauty of nature that people seemed to take for granted these days. As the humid breeze caressed their flustered skin, Sakura whispered just enough for Hinata to hear, "Someday, you'll make a great clan leader."
Hinata snorted in a very unladylike way. "You're the only one who thinks that I'm capable. Even my own father lost faith in me," she sighed.
Sakura laughed, "Well, if you're a waste of time I wouldn't have accepted Hiashi-sama's request of training you. Remember this, he didn't order me Hinata, but asked. He might sound commanding but there was a condition. He said, 'If you see no potential, please inform me.' " Sakura imitated the stiff clan lord's voice.
…
…
Hinata was giggling.
"He gave you another chance. You should be thankful."
Hinata was about to protest but Sakura beat her to it. "Maybe having children made him lighten up," she joked.
"Sakura-sa…sensei"
"Hmm?"
"Arigatou." Hinata saw the crease in Sakura's eye and she was able to crack a shy smile while Sakura tousled her hair.
The older kunoichi smirked, her teasing mood present, "What's with that episode you had yesterday?"
Hinata only blushed. Sakura grinned at her subordinate's reaction but suddenly became serious, "Humans all have emotions. It's the matter of suppressing them that makes us things some people label as monsters, tools, killing machines. Hinata, man has done many unimaginable things, use that control only when you need it because you won't feel what you've lost, regret will drown you in self pity." Sakura knew what happened yesterday. She wasn't pleased that Hinata came to that conclusion or acted that way.
"Come, let's finish up." And with that they ran.
They finished before dinner and Hinata could not feel her legs. Sakura had to keep her stable as they walked back to the compound.
Neji found both kunoichi staggering to reach the gates. He walked to them and picked up Hinata who was fast asleep and leaning on Sakura.
"How'd it go?" he asked Sakura, who was silently walking by his side. He did not like her silence but decided now was not the time to push her.
"Fine…" he heard her say. He was a little smug because he had gotten some words out of her mouth.
Reaching his destination he said, "Good night."
"Night," she waved, not facing him anymore, heading to her room for much needed sleep.
So there…chap 4. That was my first written fight scene! Huray…I hope you like it cuz it was really hard. Any way I'm sorry for the very long update.
Thank you very much for reviewing and hope that you review again!!
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Hope! Readers will also review…I'm asking if this chapter's reviews might reach 15. Hopefully!!
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