Disclaimer: Naruto belongs updates Masashi Kishimoto. Touhou Project belongs updating Zune.
Chapter 21: Formidable coach
The final selection of chûnins exams was a highly anticipated event, since the residents of the village were invited to attend, as well as dignitaries from the most distant countries.
The lucky finalists had a month to train in order to give the best of themselves, indispensable condition if we wanted to get the Chunin rank. The benefit would be offered had also better be quality to show its adaptability to different situations, but also to offer a quality show to attract potential customers who would use the shinobi of Konoha and no elsewhere. The prestige and power were intimately linked to wealth, it was a fact that no hiding.
Tenten really hoped to be promoted, as this recognition of his merits would be a source of pride, but is primarily a sweet revenge on life. He had to admit that the brunette had never been very talkative when it came to mention his private life and his comrades had never insisted on it. Neji and Lee were well aware that the subject of the parents was very sensitive, especially when one was private. Tenten hated being trafficked as if it were a fragile little thing to complain and did everything to avoid being regarded with pity. Moreover, she did not really want to shout from the rooftops that his father had died when she was young.
The teenager had first decided to become a kunoichi for financial reasons. Although she had grown up with tales of heroes and warrior princesses, she had not chosen to act for glory, nor sense of honor. Being a kunoichi was a profession that would serve him to earn quick money to help his mother to live. When she was enrolled in the Academy, Tenten saw his art as a source of income, nothing more. If she had chosen to stay in Konoha and not to become a mercenary, it was because she knew she would benefit from some protection to her village, but mostly because it was well aware of the fate of traitors. Tenten had always wanted to help her mother and betray Konoha meant not only death but also dishonor to his family, besides she did not crush the heart of his mother and impose the idea of a premature death.
It was during his schooling at the Academy she had found another reason to consolidate in this vocation.
One of the few memories she had of her sire, besides this big beard and the voice of thunder that seemed to remove any threat, was a small knife he had given her and she kept with her as a portfolio happiness. The bauble was precious in the eyes of the girl, who had always been appreciative of the work in the forges. She found a certain beauty to the metals, their color change, when steel was blushing, before being heated to white and end saw the deep blue for a few seconds. His fascination with the transformation of matter, when someone modeled steel to do what he wanted, had been growing year by year.
Of all the objects made by craftsmen, there was nothing he liked more than weapons. These works of art were brilliant and deadly both beautiful and macabre. This combination of the sublime and fatal was attractive, making her shudder every time she approached a sharp blade.
Tenten remembered perfectly ambition she had chosen, one that guided her and gave meaning to his existence. She lived only to learn to master the more possible types of weapons, aspiring to become master in the handling of each of them. Not content to specialize in one type of weapon, she wanted to surpass the great legendary masters, regardless of the weapon used.
Tenten's current presence in the home of Clan Yakumo was related to the desire to improve in handling the blades of all types. It was a rare privilege, since the matriarch normally do not give audience to the people under his rank, but the insistence of Naruto asked this exceptional favor, had aroused the curiosity of the youkai.
Palace mayohiga was much more luxurious than the complex Yakumo granted to the inside walls of Konoha. The bright living room with warm wood paneling was the place in which Yukari liked to chat with close friends for hours away from the formal throne room where she welcomed the distinguished guests.
At present, Yukari-sama enjoyed an excellent tea in the company of a beautiful woman with light hair, the pale shade of color reminded those of the young Haruno. The two women had talked together, plotting around a blue porcelain service, before finally entering Tenten.
The kunoichi wearing two macaroons and comfortable wearing her skimpy outfits bowed respectfully to the two women, leaving his forehead touching the mahogany parquet, waiting for the two noble not speak to him.
- So simpered Yuyuko with a calm tone, while satisfying politeness which was showing the kunoichi, it is you who aspire to master all the techniques katana?
- In part, Hime-sama, politely replied the warrior in white tunic. I want to master the most possible weapons, to become versatile and able to defeat any fencing master.
- This is a very long and extremely difficult task awaits you, then whispered Yuyuko waving her fan. Not only you should compel you to the rigorous discipline that follows a great master, but you'll have to apply for several weapons, knowing that the slightest mistake can put an end to all these efforts. One hesitation, one misstep and all your work will be for nothing. I hope you're aware that your dream will require an exhausting workout.
Tenten knew it perfectly. Every day she spent several hours to improve his skills, denying any mistakes and repeating the exercises a hundred times not to let the chance to interfere in his movements. Tenten knew as she touched the target, all was well. If she had the misfortune to miss once, there would be a chance to save, since the opposite could then kill her. She knew that every failure could cost him his life and Tenten was not the kind of person to some uncertainty in his life.
- I am fully aware, she said. However, I would not give up. I am ready to make even more efforts, she added quietly. I will succeed, I made a promise and I will not give up.
- This is a good point here, smiled Yuyuko. You deserve to be determined. I'm looking forward to develop your skills in the hands of Youmu. My garden, which is also my bodyguard, is a perfectionist, and if your will is not iron, it will break you. Its degree of tolerance for pranks is about zero percent. I will not lie to you, girl. If you accept the training, you will no doubt better fencer, but in return, you will really suffer morally and physically. Be well aware of what awaits you. Do you always benefit from the lessons of Youmu-san?
Tenten could not refuse. After all this way after all these efforts, it would give up and give in to the easy way out, something she had never done in his life.
- I do not intend to give up, the kunoichi replied through gritted teeth. I made a promise.
Yuyuko laughs coyly, sliding a hand with long nails before her luscious lips, slightly before sipping his tea.
- I see that it resembles the young Naruto, she whispered, turning to Yukari. Are you sure they are not siblings?
- Also can be tempting the idea of having more workers and dedicated members among us, Yukari smirked, Naruto has no biological siblings.
Yukari had learned of the Sandaime Hokage that the blond was not even an hour, when his parents died. Tenten was not his sister and although Yuyuko well knew, since Yukari informed her she was much amused to see the expression that was born on the face of Tenten, torn between embarrassment and a sort of indignation .
- Tenten-chan, the princess smiled, it is time that I present to you your new sensei. Follow me, I pray thee.
Yuyuko thanked her friend for tea, before taking leave. Yukari graciously opened a portal to enable its prestigious invited to return home.
The kunoichi also saluted the mistress of mayohiga before disappearing after Yuyuko. When it crosses the gate, Tenten was in front of a magical show, perfectly unreal. She was on a stone slab overlooking a breathtaking panorama, since it was on top of a huge stone staircase visibly making several thousands of steps which sank to a dark and unfathomable space.
The show is offering the girl was spooky. As darkness unfurled under her feet, the skies were bright, revealing thousands of stars twinkling in the distance of spotted ink sheet of low clouds. This show was like a beautiful night, but the horizon was stained pink clouds, topped with orange. It was as if rubbed dawn at night, harmonious and perfectly painted picture, to show the power of light.
Tenten turned this vision of an afterlife she did not imagine so beautiful, according Yuyuko whose eyes did not seem to tire of these visions.
The kunoichi walked toward the soft morning light, around which stretched vast pastoral fields, lined with rhododendrons that separated isolated cherry trees planted in the eye, the petals fluttered gaily in the air. The black roofs of a castle stood on the horizon, using only reference in this idyllic environment.
Yet despite the enchanting beauty of the place, which puzzled the more the girl, it was the lack of sound. Except for the light breath of the wind rustling in the branches, no other sound was audible. There was not a bird chirping, not least hubbub of a crowd, not the least cry of a seller, not the least clashing between two metal arms. Here, all was peace and silence.
- Where are we ? she asked curiously.
- You're in my area Hakugyokurô calmly replied the princess kimono azure, closed a large dark obi. This is an extremely rare honor for a living. Normally, I offer two choices to mortals visitors who venture into these places: stay here and die, or die and stay here. From the moment you enter or here, your fate is sealed permanently and soul reside here after death.
The expression bewildered that appeared on the face of Tenten smile made the princess.
- Look on the bright side, whispered Yuyuko with a jovial air, at least you will already accustomed to our paradise. Besides, you will not even have to pass the terrible judge Shikieiki Yamaxanadu. You will escape and to hell and all its suffering.
- But Tenten stuttered terrified, I ...
Yuyuko interrupted, pushing a crystal clear laugh, knowing what was going to tell his guest.
- You thought still not a kunoichi like you, a killer with blood on their hands, could hope to escape the flames of Jigoku? You are naive if that's the case.
The warrior, usually so strong and so sure of herself, pale and lost all composure. Suddenly, all her fears about the afterlife found themselves suddenly brought back to the forefront. She not only had a glimpse of what awaited him when his days passed, but in addition, she realized that she had escaped a terrible fate. All this time, she had hoped to enjoy a pleasant eternal rest, while his soul was already cursed since the day she had drawn blood. The idea that she had just escaped from an eternity in hellfire, a fate which was however already booked him for years, made her sick.
Still pale because of this revelation, Tenten tried to look away away from the shiny body and almost translucent Yuyuko. A saving distraction came distract her, taking the form of a blue sphere that swirled around her insistently.
Curious, fencer gently stroked the orb with the tips of his fingers. She hastily withdrew when the glow waved and shuddered away whirling.
- It is not polite to stroke people in public, especially if they are not willing, then Yuyuko said, hiding a smile.
- The ... people? Tenten stuttered, which pins had little more sense in this surreal place.
- This is a soul, explained the princess, a deceased person who has taken this aspect to be more at ease. Fondling a soul is the equivalent of a hot night, so if you really have needs of a nature to satisfy demand so agree before sexually assaulting all passersby. This man was pleasantly surprised, but all the dead are not as tolerant.
Tenten turned scarlet, assimilating multiple overtones and consequences of his actions. She hastily drew up his hands in his pockets, preferring not to touch anything.
During what seemed like an hour, although the sun still could not confirm this impression, Tenten calmly followed Yuyuko floating peacefully above the grassy ground. When they approached the house, Tenten realized that the court was occupied by a young woman wearing a short emerald dress with two katanas hooked to the belt. With the approach of the princess, the girl of short stature turned stiffly, exposing his hard face, surrounded by impeccably cut gray hair and held by a jet-black headband.
- Welcome, Hime-sama, she greeted him with a fanatical devotion. I hope your trip was smooth.
A second or maid saw Tenten cross the threshold of the castle, his eyebrows furrowed for money slightly and his body adopted a defensive posture, ready to fight.
- Who are you ? she asked with the same voice, through which shone a little hardness as she unsheathed their swords. What are your intentions towards Yuyuko-sama?
- Do not be so aggressive, Youmu-chan muttered the princess of her honeyed voice. Tenten is our guest.
- I apologize for my mistake, Yuyuko-sama, Tenten-san replied the young surrounded by a strange translucent soul bowing. My priority is to ensure the safety of our princess and respond to their needs.
In contrast to the jovial and sometimes slight Yuyuko, her babysitter was cold and distant. Youmu remained hopelessly professional, even with his mistress. More rigid than the Princess Warrior was adamant and continued to observe carefully Tenten. Any word moved, any lack of respect or any attack would result in the second by a good fifty centimeters of steel in the flesh of the impertinent.
- Youmu-chan, the princess smiled, I present Tenten, a kunoichi of Konohagakure no sato. Tenten, this is my garden and bodyguard, the person I trust with my life - or more accurately my death - without hesitation. I sometimes forget that my real body is buried under the roots of a cherry tree.
- I am honored by this mark of confidence, Yuyuko-sama replied the guard with a robotic tone.
Youmu greatly enjoyed his princess, but she was still evidence of this chilling composure in public, wishing to show impeccable facade, devoid of unwelcome feelings. Raised in the tough, Spartan knew just what she had and she had always been accustomed to such a high level of demand, she forced herself to an iron discipline, requiring for itself nothing less than perfection.
- Youmu-san, calmly called the princess, abandoning the familiar suffix to show that she had something very serious to say.
The warrior with slightly tinted white hair silver then bowed on one knee, waiting for orders.
- Tenten appreciate arms, went spectral sovereign. It would take many lessons fencing and handling of katana. I want you to fight the shapes of the best you can. You've got twenty-eight days before she has to leave, but I know I can expect the best from you. This is now your top priority, you have complete freedom of action. I just wish she won her future confrontation, I would be disappointed if she failed.
Youmu remained calm, but a shiver ran down his spine. This man was a duel in less than a month and if it loses, the princess would be displeased. If this killer failed, Youmu would not have succeeded a mission entrusted by Yuyuko-sama. It would be a terrible failure, an unforgivable mistake. His last defeat against Hakurei Reimu had already disturbed, then a new defeat would be inexcusably negligent. Youmu could not afford to disappoint the top.
- I'd like you want, Yuyuko-sama. I would form your invited me as you have requested.
- Wonderful, smiled the princess flying. I'll be back this evening for dinner. In the meantime, have fun both.
While most walked away, perky, both swordsman stared for a few moments before Youmu speaks.
- We will start training immediately. Follow me, she ordered her sharply.
The lack of response in the next second, made her draw his katana. With extreme vivacity, the gardener of Hakugyokurô placed his blade near the carotid artery of the kunoichi.
- If I ask you a question, Explicita Youmu separating each word, you immediately answer it. If I give you an order, you will carry it without thinking. Is that clear?
- Yes, Youmu-sensei, said nerve kunoichi.
- Well, the guardian hissed, sheathing his weapon, before driving the young kunoichi to the dojo. Inside, everything was perfectly tidy and cleaned with a maniacal care. The scene looked like any dojo, the walls were covered with hundreds of blades, sticks and various weapons. There was nothing fancy that can remember that we are now was in the area of the dead.
On seeing the training ground Youmu, Tenten had stars in their eyes. She felt her heart leap with joy at the thought of finally fallen on a person sharing the same passion she.
- Before starting the training, said the gardener barely larger than Tenten, I need to see exactly what you are worth. Warning!
The kunoichi had not his swords with her. Unlike the samurai with snowy hair, Tenten preferred to keep the element of surprise. With a gesture, the kunoichi grabbed his parchment, but she did not have time to open the scroll, that Youmu felling the flat of his weapon at hand the warrior with brown hair. Unlike Tenten, Youmu never let down his guard and still had his hand on swords.
Tenten hissed, disdaining the unpleasant feeling that radiated from his right hand, before drawing two kunais. Ready to respond, the kunoichi analyzed its environment in an instant, identifying weapons on display.
The ninja threw his first Kunai instantly countered by Youmu who employed it for the flat of one of his katanas, before pulling back by chaining two somersaults.
Tenten continued his figures, launching its second Kunai between two movements, to slow the course of the planter.
Youmu dodged the Kunai with not driven, taking race is accelerating to catch the second half of lost and prevent the kunoichi to capture the beautiful exposed nodachi.
In a second, caught Youmu Tenten who nevertheless slid his chakra in his legs to gain speed and reflexes. Without hesitation, pushed the kunoichi Youmu a simple kick, rejecting the ground. Two seconds later, Tenten was neutralized, a blade to his throat.
The tapered edge was so close to his body, the warrior hesitated to swallow, for fear of cutting into the skin. She had never been beaten so quickly, no one had such reflexes and the level difference was all the more glaring.
- Never be disarmed professed semi-human, the other core half freely floated around her. Let's see what you can do with a katana, she said, although if I was your enemy, you would never have had the chance to show me your talent.
Tenten obeyed, drawing his favorite weapon, the cutting edge was decorated with a black border forming flowers.
Calmly, she pointed the gun at Youmu, which left her enemy the honor the first time.
Tenten was fast and accurate, with extremely effective blows. His attacks and parades were faultless, targeting the joints and vital points to neutralize his opponents. Tactically, his style combined heterogeneous elements, not always evident to guess before it's too late. The strikes were clean and crisp, Youmu should recognize it and only pure speed allowed to differentiate the two combatants. Like all shinobi, Tenten had reflexes enhanced by a perfect control of chakra that it injected into his muscles, producing small shocks substantially improving its velocity.
Unfortunately Youmu had been a very long drive. She felt instinctively to or had the next shot, his eyes constantly analyzed joint movements of his opponent and she calculated tirelessly next gestures, allowing him to see come the next shot. And thanks to his spiritual nature that allowed him to overcome some genes, Youmu had reflexes that does not calculate in seconds, but in hundredths of seconds.
After a few seconds of analysis, Youmu decided she had seen enough. Having made the decision to stop the fight, she finally went on the offensive. At the first parade, Tenten Youmu freed the blade enjoying a tiny defect visible in the wrist angle of the kunoichi.
Tenten saw with amazement the blur movement of the samurai who ruthlessly countered his defense and placed his blade near the carotid.
Fencer gulped as she had never been quickly defeated.
- Okay, diagnosed the half-human, half-ghost, at least for a mortal. However, we have much work ahead of us. Your movements are slow and your evasions have flaws. First we will start slowly, with a little warm-up. I warn you in advance that if you get hurt, I cared not you. With me, you will harden you more than ever. You're going to hate me even, but unless you be the point of death, I would be intractable. It's understood ?
- Yes, Youmu-sensei replied the kunoichi.
- Perfect, cut her coach. Now you will start with field tours at a run without getting hit.
Tenten had no time to ask what she meant by "without getting hit," the woman with silver hair whipped out one of her spell cards. To have seen Naruto fight in danmaku, Tenten felt a cold sweat curtain running down his forehead. Without missing a beat, she began to run.
- Ghost Sword, murmura la gardienne. Fasting of the Young Gaki !
Youmu projected a slight burst of small rounded arrows towards Tenten. To start gently, she hurled a volley of arrows that do not pierce the flesh, but that would leave still a nice bruise on the tanned skin of the kunoichi.
Tenten knew Youmu ran behind her, she heard the footsteps of the samurai who was chasing the and unsheathed his cards, prompting him to hurry more and more. Despite its good intentions and endurance, Tenten could not look permanently behind it. Some projectiles and touched the Youmu kept telling him to use all his senses and his instinct to feel the attacks before it was hit.
The teenager continued his course, counting even the towers. While his mind was concentrated on using his reflexes, so as not to be further hurt. After long minutes and a hundred rounds of the dojo, Youmu ended what it called warm.
Tenten however, was shaped. She had just started to sweat, his heart rate was not alarming and her breathing was not much higher than at rest. He had said that when it was Gay-Sensei as a teacher, it was not unusual that five hundred rounds of the village on the hands and hundred pumps in ten seconds are qualified overheating.
- You're enduring, congratulated Youmu before catching a cold tone. Now it's time to get serious.
Tenten gulped, thinking that things were worse.
Training continued, harsh and unforgiving. When the first week of exercises ended, Tenten trudged miserably on a futon, bandaging his wounds briefly with bandages soaked with salt water. The throbbing pain of his aching muscles added to burns its oozing sores, but these sufferings did not stop for much the samurai.
The only time Tenten made the mistake of complaining of the twelve hours of training a day reopened his wounds, she was entitled to a marathon in ice water, during which she had to use his sword to counter orbs energy than current Youmu shot him around.
Youmu sensei was an absolutely ruthless, which considered only the pain possible to learn not to repeat twice the same mistake. The short nights of kunoichi were initially hampered by persistent burning sensation caused by salt, but exhaustion had finally got the better of these difficulties.
Tenten improved, but his muscles were painful as they never had been. When not entailed, she ate simple meals and rested, nothing else. The few times Youmu or leaving the dojo, in order to fulfill its basic duties as well as tasks requested by his superior, were divine moments of respite for the kunoichi who could not help but wonder why she had agreed deuce with Naruto.
To be honest, Tenten did not regret that choice. True, she had never been pushed so long in a corner, she had never imagined such harassment which plunged her into an almost permanent daze, but she knew when she had finished, his skills would unmatched.
The last day finally arrived, synonymous with deliverance, but also to start. Tenten seemed relieved to be finally free of the tutelage of Youmu, but she was still a regret at the idea of starting from this majestic place in which she had learned so much.
The kunoichi calmly left the heavenly garden, politely saluting the princess and bowing respectfully before even that which was his sensei this month.
- Spot not to die too fast, said the planter with short hair as a final command. I would be disappointed if that was the case.
- If I die, Tenten smiled, you can always punish me yourself and correct my faults.
The gardener allowed himself a slight smile, purely exceptional basis, before resuming her eternal cold air.
- Do not be so impertinent, my young disciple, then declared Youmu stroking the hilt of his katana. You could regret those words faster than you think.