Chapter Fourteen
Learning isn't always fun.
"Alright, kiddo. Let's go over what you know, what you need to improve, what you're currently working on, and what you want to work on in the future." Genma scratches the back of his head, eyes remaining on the little girl - Pink hair. He can't get over that. - who regards him with curiosity. "So, tree walking. When and how did you learn that? I want more than 'from a book,' okay?"
Sakura nods slowly. "I started practicing a few months ago because it's simpler to do that than having to climb a tree every time to collect my kunai. I did learn from a book, but I first had to learn how to build my chakra reserves so I can maintain the flow of chakra at my feet. Meditating is the easiest option to build chakra reserves. I dedicated, and still do, a few hours every other day to meditating but refused to fall behind in other areas. It was, and is, a slow process given my size. After I deemed myself ready. I started practicing with the tree in my backyard. Falling was not a big issue to me because bruises heal. After I managed the first time a few months ago, I continued practicing. I'm much better at it now than I was a couple of months ago."
Genma whistles. "That's impressive, kiddo. Most kids your age, clan relations or not, don't particularly enjoy meditating. They'd much rather be able to do it at once or give up. Now, water walking. When and how?"
"Two months ago," Sakura replies. "Before meeting Hinata-chan, I would practice in the morning at the pond near my home. I stay on the shallow end in case of falling in." She pauses, brushing a stray pink hair out of her face. "I fell in a lot the first couple of days. Not fully, but my sandals would be soaked. Practicing on calmer water, in the shallow part, was the logical choice, however. I do not know how to swim so I am...relunctant to try the deeper parts of the pond."
"How long can you manage?"
"Nine minutes, sir."
He waves her off. "Don't call me 'sir,' alright? I'm not that old. Genma, or Genma-san, is fine."
"Yes, Genma-san."
Genma actually laughs at this. "You're way too uptight for a kid. You need to learn to relax. What we'll be doing is serious, yes, but it can also be fun. You'll be learning all sorts of things while you're with me - however long that is - so be a little happier about that, okay? Relax a bit more. Also, we'll add swimming lessons to the list."
"I will...try, Genma-san."
"Okay." He nods. "Shunshin? Let's talk about that. How and when?"
Sakura hesitates. "I'm still working on it, Genma-san. When I spoke to Inoichi-san, I mentioned managing 16 feet. It's hasn't improved much. I can manage 19 feet now."
"To that tree and back," he points to a tree roughly 20 feet away from them. "Do you best."
The way she falters, the lack of confidence that sweeps across her eyes, concerns him. This kid can do things that the majority of those her age cannot. Who learns techniques like these from a book? Who has this level of dedication as a child from the civilian section?
We'll work on her self-confidence. Genma sighs quietly when she flickers to and from in a matter of seconds. To think she stood before the Board of Clans after bring late and not flinch...
"Why do you think you lack confidence, kid?"
"I feel like...I lose my sense of self, Genma-san. It's silly, but I don't feel right after performing the task. It feels like I leave my own body."
She looks tired already. He watches as she wipes the back of her hand over her temple before straightening. Lack of confidence can tire out the body quicker. She is very young after all.
"That's normal for beginners," Genma replies. "It feels as if you're leaving your body because you're moving fast. Faster than a normal human would. It's okay. We'll work on that."
"You performed the shadow clone jutsu on your first try, right? 10 clones is a lot to produce. On a scale of 1-to-10, how would you rate your chakra reserves? Be honest. This is a very serious question. Shikaku mentioned that you didn't even falter when you were done. Shadow clones take an extensive amount of chakra and, no offense kid, you're tiny. Your chakra reserves shouldn't be big enough to handle 10. I don't even know why you were asked to do perform the jutsu but I don't bother with clan politics."
Sakura brings her entwined hands to her chest and closes her eyes. "Presently? I would place them at an 8, Genma-san."
That's much higher than I expected.
"If you say so, kid. Remember, your improvement will depend on you."
She nods.
"Now, let's talk about hand-to-hand combat. Have you even begun to consider that?"
"A couple of my friends are teaching myself and another friend. I have a few basic defense positions down. I can dodge pretty well. I would like to learn taijutsu."
"Define 'basic defense positions.'"
Sakura drops into a closed defense position. "It is better to show you, I believe." Each position she shifts to - only three different ones, including her first - are closed, protective of her stomach, lungs, and face.
"Those are Academy-learned positions. Your form is correct and, right now, your size will benefit you."
"As you say, Genma-san."
"You're currently working on genjutsu? And you want to perform immunity training? Those are the complete opposite of each other, kiddo. What made you choose them?"
"I want to master genjutsu," Sakura replies, very serious. "Physical conflict can be avoided via genjutsu. Psychologically, it can cause serious damage if need be. As far as I am aware, only the Uchiha specialize in genjutsu, within the village, given their kekkei genkai."
Genma feels himself grin. "That's quite the goal you have there, kiddo. Unfortunately, I'm not a genjutsu expert. I know some higher level things, but I wouldn't call myself a master. Mastering genjutsu will either fall to an Uchiha who is willing to mentor you or to someone else, but I can teach you what I know when we get to that point."
"I would appreciate that, Genma-san."
"And immunity training?"
She nods once. "I would like to cover my bases. I do not want to go die because of something that could have been avoided."
Way too serious.
"Fair enough. Now, tell me this. What other things do you want to learn? I've already set up a basic training regimen, as you are aware, just to get us started but I will adapt it to your concerns and requests."
"That depends, Genma-san."
"Depends on what, kiddo?" He shifts in his standing position.
"On what my chakra affinity is."
Genma blinks at her. She blinks back. "You...don't know what your chakra affinity is yet?! What the f - hell?!" He falters at her unimpressed look. "Why hasn't anyone given you the damn paper?! It should have been done by now." He rolls his eyes skyward. "To think that no one gave you a damn paper. It's such a quick thing too." Genma sighs, calm. "No matter. I will bring them next time."
"Yes, Genma-san."
"Okay. Today, we're going to work taijutsu since you seem pretty interested in that. We'll do this during the period of which you leave the Hyuga compound and before you meet your friends at the Academy. At the end of our meeting today, we'll discuss a possible schedule. How often we'll meet? Do we stick with the current time? So on, so forth. I don't want to take time away from your friends. You're young. You need them. Sound fair?"
Sakura nods.
"Alright. Let's get started, kiddo."
Sakura's muscle burn. They burn so bad, but she doesn't make a sound. When Genma darts for her head again, she drops low to the ground but her momentum was off and she's knocked to the side by his knee. It's not a particularly hard blow, but it is enough to cause her to exhale sharply. She slumps to the ground, chest heaving.
"You're rather fast, but that's all I can say about you right now. I was expected more from you, but it can't be helped that you haven't received proper training."
She closes her eyes as her right leg spazzes before cramping horribly. Her teeth clench together as she sits up, eyes stinging with tears she refuses to let fall.
"You're leg, right?" Genma kneels before her and gently - as gently as he can - moves her leg. Sakura hisses but otherwise doesn't reply. "Don't be stubborn, kiddo. Excessive pride leads to failure. And, in plenty of cases, death." A single tear trail down her face when he presses into the clenched muscle to work away the cramp with steadfast fingers. "This is why we spent time warming up. Your water intake is low as well. When I give you the all clear, you better get up and drink some. I know you have a bottle in your backpack."
"I'm sorry," Sakura whispers as she brushes away the sticky tear.
"Don't apologize, kiddo. Just don't keep pushing yourself when you're in pain. You'll gain nothing from it." She nods. "Good. Now, get up slowly. Grab your water bottle and sip slowly while walking around this entire clearing to cool down. Walk at a relaxed pace. We still have plenty of time if you want to go again so there's no rush."
"Yes, Genma-san."
She officially meets Uchiha Itachi later that day when only she and Sasuke remain at the Academy. Shikamaru and Ino were picked up from school a little bit early for flu shots and Choji was pulled out early for a physical. She learns this from Kiba who briefly stopped by to mention that his family is going hunting tonight and he finally gets to go - "I can't waste this opportunity! Who knows when they'll let me go again?!" - and drags a silent Shino away with him.
A man, introducing himself as Umino Iruka, picks up Naruto. Something about his aura, how calm it is, how soothing it is, keeps Sakura from requesting Naruto to stay. Naruto seems completely at ease with the man so Sakura bids them both a good day. Lee stayed for a bit before excusing himself. Tenten didn't show up, but Lee mentioned in passing that she wasn't in class today.
Neji's father showed up earlier today. His speech was stiff - but polite - when speaking to her and Sasuke. She, like she did with the others, hugs Neji before sending him off after his father. After that, she and Sasuke spend their remaining time together discussing her first time with a mentor.
" - is bad for you, Sakura! You can't ignore cramps. My aniki says it can be a matter of life - "
" - and death. I know. I promise I won't do it again."
"Sasuke."
Sakura watches, somewhat amused, as Sasuke jumps slightly before getting to his feet. She stands in time to see an older boy, Sasuke's brother, lean down to catch Sasuke as he throws himself into his arms. There's something familiar about him that takes Sakura a - self admittedly - moment to put her her finger on it.
The one from the beginning.
"Itachi-nii, this is Sakura." Sasuke wiggles to be put down. "Sakura, this is my brother."
She bows, somewhat informally. "Pleased to meet you, Itachi-san."
"Sakura-san," Itachi greets, smooth voice oddly reassuring. Reassuring of what? Sakura couldn't say. "Thank you for keeping Sasuke company until I arrived."
"Rather," she corrects gently, "it is Sasuke whom I should thank."
"I see." He glances around. "Is no one accompanying you home, Sakura-san?"
"No, Itachi-san. I am capable of walking myself home."
Itachi nods slowly, considering. "It's still somewhat early in the afternoon. Would you like to accompany Sasuke and I to the dango shop?" An easy smile forms on his face when her eyes widen.
"I haven't had dango in some time," and then she's quick to take a step back. "I don't want to take Sasuke's time away from you. He has missed you dearly for a couple of weeks now."
"Sakura," Sasuke mumbles, red claiming his cheeks. "You're not supposed to say that out loud."
"It's alright," Itachi places a hand on Sasuke's head. "Right, Sasuke?"
Sasuke shrugs good-naturedly. "It can be fun." Then he scowls and pivots on his feet. "Will Shisui be there?"
"He may or may not join, Sasuke. Does it matter?"
Kicking at a rock on the ground, Sasuke shakes his head. "Guess not."
Sakura is munching happily on her dango on her way home when someone shoves her to the ground from behind. In a split second decision, she drops her stick of dango and uses the momentum to form a handspring effortlessly, hands braced on the ground, and lands back on her feet. Glancing up, she sees a familiar man.
I didn't sense him. Am I truly out of sorts today? Her eyes narrow. No. I was careless.
"Hello, little girl. Where's the demon?"
Instead of replying, Sakura leans down to pick up her dango - feeling anger at seeing Itachi's treat go to waste - while maintaining eye contact. She sidesteps the man and continues on her way. Home is no longer on her mind. She will not lead these men there and possibly endanger her family.
"I asked you a question!"
"When someone grabs you by the shoulder like I did earlier, try your hardest to swing your elbow back. They have just left their abdomen unguarded." Genma takes her through the steps. "And when they are distracted, your first priority it to place distance between yourself and your opponent. In some cases, it's best to leave altogether. Use their pain, their confusion, to your advantage."
The moment her elbow lands in the gut of the man, the moment he chokes on his own spit, Sakura shunshin's as far away as she is able before taking off like a frightened mouse. She hears cursing from behind her. The only thing on her mind, as she weaves through people, is locating Naruto.
"Shiranui Genma, you say?"
"Yes, sir. He is to be her mentor for an undetermined amount of time. Reports indicate that, earlier today, he was seen teaching the target taijutsu."
A steadfast silence follows. Not a single sound is heard. Not even the sound of someone breathing. The dark room seems empty as if no one were present at all. And then - "I want weekly reports of her progress. Two months. Dismissed."
"Yes, sir."
Chapter Word Count - 2,575
Targeted Word Count - 2,500
Total Word Count - 37306
A few quick things: 36 shadow clones was reduced 10 shadow clones, there will be more interactions between Sakura and friends, there might be a possible appearance of a certain masked shinobi, and I finally finished outlining the entire story. The poll is up on my profile and I would deeply appreciate it if you voted (if you have time, of course). It will close on Nov 30th, 11:59 PM. If you have the time, please review.
~i-just-really-like-sakura