Charis

I hit the ground hard after finishing a two-mile warm up with Gai. My fist couldn't seem to untangle itself from it's position of clutching my chest through my black tee shirt. That had been absolute torture for me, but Gai didn't show any signs of fatigue. In fact, he was even more vocal now than he'd been before the run.

I rolled onto my back, wheezing for all I was worth. I need an inhaler, a nebulizer, a paper bag at least! I'm pretty sure I'm having an asthma attack. Seemingly in response to my mental statement, my vision swam and became black around the edges.

"Buck up, Charis! We still have to introduce you to taijutsu!" Gai laughed

Easy for you to say, I thought darkly. He's not the one that can't breathe! My vision only got darker and darker as I tried to force oxygen into my lungs. This is bad. This is really bad. This is really, really bad. This is so bad that I can't keep up this monologue.

Big hands pressed firmly to my throat and midsection. I would've pushed the green freak away if I could. He's being a weirdo and I'm dying. Wonderful, just perfectly wonderful. I sighed at how stupid my situation was. Then I froze. I just sighed? That means I can breath at a normal pace! I took another experimental breath, finding this one easier than the last. Gai removed his hands, smiling for all he was worth (as usual).

"Lee used to have the same problem. It wasn't as bad as yours, but it was concerning enough that I went to the hospital and had a doctor teach me how to alleviate chest pressure and the like. It's a simple jutsu."

I sat up slowly, hesitantly returning Gai's smile. "You'll have to teach me that one before our next warm-up." I said, only half joking

Gai laughed. "I will. Now, get up and show me your fighting stance."

My fighting what now? I stood up, contemplating what I should do with my body. I've never fought anyone (not seriously, at least), so I wasn't quite sure what to do. I settled with putting my fists up. People always punch in fights, right? I almost instantly deflated at the worried look Gai was giving me. I'm trying, okay?!

"What's wrong?" I asked, wincing at my own whining tone. "I want to get better quickly so you may as well lay it all on me now."

Gai's megawatt smile faltered. "I could take out both of your legs before you could land a single hit. Have you ever fought anyone before, Charis? Tsunade-sama said that fighting is what landed you in the hospital in the first place, but I'm not too sure."

With a defiant scowl, I widened my stance. "I'm no ninja, but I'm not completely defenseless either." I seethed

"That's the spirit!" Gai laughed. "Fight for what you believe in!"

Wait, what? I almost dropped my fists; what the heck does that have to do with anything? What is he talking about-

I dodged a kick to the head with a panicked hiss. My ankle twisted painfully at the sudden lurch. What is wrong with Gai?! I hadn't been ready! I stumbled away from another kick. My heart hammered frantically in my chest. Gai's trying to kill me! I cried out in pain when his fist connected with my temple. Stars exploded into view, temporarily blinding me.

"I am your enemy." Gai said lightly. "I don't care about gender or age. I will exploit your weaknesses, and I will not wait for you to decide when you're ready."

And then he was on me again, raining down punches and kicks. In my panic, Gai managed to land several more hits. I can't keep up. He's too fast! A particularly gruesome knee to the stomach had me back on the ground, forcing tears and vomit away. Blood fell from my parted lips, a gift courtesy of a punch to the face. This is impossible. How do ninjas put up with this kind of pain all the time? Why would anyone willingly subject themselves to this?

"What are you fighting for, Charis?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" I grunted. spitting out another mouthful of blood.

"It has everything to do with your training. It's imperative to always remember what you're fighting for. It's when you forget that you start to make mistakes. You've been running away from me this entire time instead of trying to attack. It can be hard to fight someone when you don't know why you're fighting in the first place.

"If I were a bandit willing to kill you for your money, would you be able to take me down?"

I didn't reply because I honestly didn't know the answer. Gai sighed.

"What if someone tries to kill you when you leave Konoha? Will you let them? What will happen to your friend, then?"

I'd almost forgotten about that. What if someone actually tries to kill me? I can't die here. Taylor and I have to get back home! My family is probably losing their mind right now. A wave of guilt hit me hard. I looked down. I haven't thought of them even once the entire time I've been here. It's been nearly a month! Oh God, they probably think I got kidnapped.

A new resolve strengthened me. Gai's right; I had lost sight of why I'm fighting, but now I remember. I'm fighting to get back home with my friend. I'm fighting to return to my family. In order to do just that, I have to be willing to push through these obstacles.

I forced myself to my feet. I widened my stance and dropped to a crouch, raising my fists at Gai. I can do this.

Gai and I exchanged grins. Neither one of us were ready to back down, it seemed. "I know what I'm fighting for now; thanks for that." I drawled

I sat in a chair in Kurenai's kitchen, obediently letting her dress my wounds. Thanks to Gai, I had several. Where should I even start? I have a beautifully dark purple bruise on my left temple, a cut cheek, a (severely) bruised stomach...oh yeah, and then there's the multitude of cuts of various sizes all over my arms, torso, and legs. Halfway through our semi-decent sparring match, Gai had put a kunai in my hand. I'd been better with it then I'd originally anticipated, but he had basically tried to make ribbon out of me. Kurenai had all but passed out when I came home covered in blood in bruises wearing shredded clothes.

"I'm so sorry, Charis." Kurenai was saying. "I didn't know he would train you this hard on the first day."

I laughed. "Technically he didn't, because this is my second day with him."

"You know what I mean!" Kurenai huffed, gingerly lifting my hand to wrap my bloodied knuckles. "I mean, it looks like he had you punching through wood!"

That's the thing...I rubbed my neck, looking to the side. "He kind of did."

"What?!"

The doorbell rang. I thanked God for small miracles as I shot up and started for the front door. Kurenai's concern is both heartwarming and terrifying. She's just like my Dad in that sense, I mused. Though, he would've tried to tear Gai limb from limb...

I pulled the door open without bothering to check the peephole. Stupid me, because Kiba freaking Inuzuka stood on the doorstep, staring down at me like I'd pass out again, just like I had only a few days ago! A humiliated blush made its way up my neck. Why is he here? I'm a complete mess! I look like a mummy!

"Is Kurenai-sensei here? My friend, Shikamaru told me to check on her because he had something to do so..."

It took me a minute to realize he was talking to me. The heat in my face became scorching. Of course he's here for her, I reminded her stubbornly. He doesn't even know me.

"She's in the kitchen. Follow me." I murmured.

"What's up with the bandages?" Kiba asked curiously, after a moment of tense silence.

I chuckled nervously. "I was sparring with Gai-sensei."

Kiba snorted a laugh. "Ouch. Why him?"

"He's not so bad." I shrugged. "I kind of like it, training this hard."

Kiba bumped my shoulder as he walked into the kitchen. I almost thought it was an accident, but he smiled at me.

Cue mental implosion.

"Do you want to spar some time? With me?" he added quickly. "I could help you get into the swing of things."

All the blood in my body seemed to rush to my face. Second chance with Kiba, what? "That'd be fun." I said quietly