Prompt: Epopt (initiate, one instructed in a secret system) | Title: Initiation - 500 words
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1st Rule: You do not talk about the fight club.
People think they know, or at least they speculate. But it's the guessing and the gossiping that makes it all the more mysterious. Makes ninja dressed in black with their faces covered all the more menacing.
Those who are ANBU don't say who they are or what they do while the mask is on.
And those who no longer wear the mask say nothing.
2nd Rule: You DO NOT talk about the fight club.
Sakura expected to be tested. Their standard of excellence is high. Very high. Only the most elite of ninja need apply - and not all make the cut.
Sakura did not expect this.
It's so raw. So basic. So unrefined.
3rd Rule: If someone says "stop" or goes limp, taps out the fight is over.
She had talked to Kakashi, of course. He had done his best to dissuade her, though he trained her all the same.
He hadn't said anything about this, however. But then, now that she knew the rules, she knew that he couldn't have.
4th Rule: Only two to a fight.
No chakra, no jutsus. Only taijutsu, only their bodies and their minds.
Sakura was not afraid.
5th Rule: One fight at a time
There were fights before hers. ANBU Falcon was graceful in his movement, his long, dark hair like sakura petals whirling on the breeze as he viciously beat his opponent.
Sakura would know him anywhere. The pearly white eyes she caught glimpses of through his mask only confirmed her suspicion.
They would never talk of this. That was rule number one.
6th Rule: No shirts, no shoes.
She wrapped her hands with tape. It was all she was allowed other than her chest bindings and black shorts.
She eyed the faceless, nameless man across from her. Felt the rush of adrenalin and anticipation.
She smiled beneath her blank mask. It was more feral than happy.
Kakashi needn't have worried.
7th Rule: Fights will go on as long as they have to.
There was something satisfying about the thump of flesh on flesh. Sakura was a close range fighter, but her chakra made contests uneven. With only her wits and natural strength, she landed hits that didn't immediately destroy, but instead would leave deeply purpled bruises. Broken ribs. Her knuckles slid along sweat-slickened skin.
His fists found purchase on her body, too.
8th Rule: If this is your first night at fight club, you HAVE to fight.
He was faster, stronger. But she was smarter. And she had better stamina. (Thank you, Kakashi.)
It took longer than the other fights, but she finally had him pinned, angle right to snap his neck. He tapped out.
Her body shook with the strain, but she had never felt better.
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A/N: I'm sure many of you know where the rules are from, but for those that don't - they're from the movie "Fight Club." Which is awesome. Because Edward Norton is fantasmic and Brad Pitt is really nice to look at. Also, thanks so much for those of y'all that have been reviewing!