Find Yourself
Chapter 25 – With Ease
(This is sneak peak number two, another look towards the next generation. I am most of the way through my next real chapter. It will be up within the next week and a half. I am getting enthused for this fic again. My review replies from last chapter will also be on the next chapter)
The wind blew lightly through the training grounds, swaying the tall, limber trees in its wake, the leaves and branches rustling, humming softly as the frail rain came flowing leisurely down. The sun still hadn't risen yet, it was much too early. Faint sounds of the awakening wildlife could be heard by her alert, sharply trained ears. Taking a deep breath she suppressed a shudder as another breeze blew by, brining the moist, morning chill along with it. She had her eyes closed softly, her body relaxed in a practiced fighters stance.
For her it was just another typical morning meditation. Her skin, some of which was exposed was already covered in tingling Goosebumps. A fierce shiver made its way up her spine as she changed to another stance. She kept all of her senses alert and her breathing even. With her eyes still closed she focused on the sounds of the falling rain, and the feeling of it as it collided with her constricted skin, and drenched her clothing, streaming down her toned body in cold pools before falling, and crashing unto the ground. Her bare feet up to her knees were splattered with mud. Her face was in no better condition, but none of it was of care to her. She breathed in the fresh morning air, inhaling its cleansing saltiness, a feeling of contentment coming over her as she changed her stance again. She moved with such remarkable ease, it was awe-inspiring.
She took in all the sounds of the near forest, the birds calling, animals pacing through the sluggish forest flooring. She focused more and more until she began to hear an abnormal disturbance. She smirked inwardly. She could tell immediately that someone was coming, and it could only be one person. He was moving slowly, doing all he could to make himself undetectable. She was slightly disappointed that he thought so lowly of her as to think that she would not notice his approach. She heard him continue to make his way closer, just stopping a couple of meters short of the forest wall that was facing her back. She made no outward notion that she knew that he was there, but she could tell that he didn't think that she had detected his presents. She changed her stance again, gradually raising her outstretched arms over her head, rotating outwards from her waist, and arching backwards towards the ground. Her exposed stomach stung as it was submitted to the unforgiving moist chill. Her clothing was sticking sloppily to her form in bunches, slightly exposing her through the now partially see-through material, while her loose, soaked, long hair stuck somewhat to her face and neck in thick clumps, while the rest hung downwards, water flowing continuously through the strands and falling to the ground like a never-ending stream.
She continued to move gracefully between her stances while he watched her every move, not wanting to disturb her during her in her training. She turned again so that now she was facing the forest wall. She could feel the rising sun on her skin and could see the brightening world through her still closed eyes. She raised her arms over her head again, arching her back to the sky. She could feel his aura intensifying as he continued to regard her. It made her feel slightly rattled that she could get such a reaction from him, but it gave her an unneeded boost of pride nonetheless.
'Now would be a good time.' she thought lightly. "Do you enjoy watching me so?" she asked smoothly. She couldn't help but feel empowered when she sensed his form tensing up. She pulled her upper body back from the arch and at last opened her large, pitch black eyes that looked so much like her fathers. The rain was just now clearing up, though her still soaked clothing left very little to the imagination as he came out from the shaded forest into the brightening grounds.
"How long have you known?" he questioned as he continued to advance on her.
"Since the start."
He smirked, nodding in faint approval. "You're improving." he said in mild praise.
She retuned the smirk. "So why did you try to hide yourself?" she asked as she began tying her long blackish blue hair up in a ponytail using a bracelet from her wrist.
He shrugged indifferently as he came to stand at her side. "You looked so peaceful." He looked down at her knowingly. "It was shocking. I just could not allow myself to interrupt such a rare occurrence… but I still could not tear myself away…."
She scoffed at him without conviction. "What are you talking about? I can so be calm, mellow and peaceful if I want to be!" she protested, placing her hand emphatically on her hips.
"Evidently, but I would not have thought it possible unless I had witnessed it firsthand."
She suppressed the urge to snort. "You know, I think I deserve a little more credit. Just because I normally love everything to be in a constant state of panic doesn't mean that I don't like unwinding from time to time."
He nodded in offhanded understanding as he brought an arm back, and bending his knees.
"Spar?"
He nodded again. "I want to make sure that you are back to your old self before we greet the new arrivals from the neighboring countries. You do not want to give them the wrong impression now do you, oh the great Uchiha Katana."
She scowled at him. "You won't be disappointed Uzumaki Arashi." she bit back. "The arriving kunoichi won't even stand a chance. I am looking forward to destroying their egos."
"As I am looking forward to destroying yours."
She growled low in her throat, bringing her body into a fighting stance. "Not if I have anything to do with it."
He smirked provokingly at her.
"Why you!" she exclaimed before charging head on towards him.
He dodged her effortlessly but wasted no time before going on the offensive.
The fight had now begun between the two most skilled young ninja in all of Konoha.
The Hyuuga compound was bustling, just as it always was these days. The large main complex held the families of Hinata, the Hyuuga Family Leader, as well as her sister Hanabi and her cousin Neji, in addition to each of their spouses and many descendants.
Today was to be the long awaited arrival of a kunoichi team that had sent to Konoha from the neighbouring shinobi nations. It was said to be composed of the most skilled kunoichi between the ages of fourteen and fifteen from the Lightening, Earth and Water countries. They were coming to Konoha to train, to be trained, to spar and to fight with the legendary young ninja of both Suna and Konoha, particularly the kunoichi Uchiha Katana, Sarutobi Kasumi, Yashamaru of the Sand and Hyuuga Saetsu. Everyone affected by the arrival was on edge.
"Neji-ojisan!"
Neji withheld the uncharacteristic urge to sigh and turned to face his niece, Hanabi's daughter. "Yes?"
"Ojisan, do you know where Arashi-nii-san is? We have been looking everywhere for him." asked Kasumi in her soft, level voice.
He stood up from his position sitting on the steps leading down from the house to the sparing grounds and made his way beside her. "He should be here." he said looking thoughtful. His posture was perfect, head held high, his silver all seeing eyes were sharp and alert, just as they always were.
"Saetsu-nee-san and I have looked everywhere for him."
Neji frowned slightly. "I gave the team the day off. If he is not here than I do not know where he is."
Kasumi looked a little disappointed. "Oh…okay, thanks anyway Ojisan."
He nodded towards her before turning around and making his way back into the household.
"Any luck?" asked Saetsu once she had come up beside Kasumi.
"None."
"Chichue didn't know?"
"Nope…" she mumbled rolling her eyes.
"Any ideas??"
Kasumi shook her head before plopping down on the steps that Neji had been sitting on a moment earlier.
"This is ridiculous…" sighed Saetsu as she came to sit beside the younger girl. "Arashi was told that he was to be the main trainer of the arriving kunoichi and now when the day comes he runs off."
"Yeah I know eh..." she said slumping over and resting her head in her hands. "Hey wait a second."
"What is it?"
"You wouldn't think that he would have gone to visit Katana do you?"
Saetsu looked scandalized. "Why would he visit her?" she asked rudely.
Kasumi couldn't help but smirk. "You know, she is not that bad once you get to know her."
"I don't want to get to know her."
She bit down on the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. "Do you want to find Arashi-nee-san or not?" she asked jumping up. "Come on."
"No."
"Come on!" she exclaimed grabbing onto her arm, pulling her to a stance. "I know where she goes every morning. Follow me." Kasumi instantly took off at a blinding speed, Saetsu groaned loudly before following at a less than enthusiastic pace.
Translations (honorifics):
Nii-san – older brother
Nii-chan – younger brother
Nee-san – older sister
Nee-chan – younger sister
Ojisan – uncle
Obasan – aunt
Chichue – father
Okasan – mother
Overview
part 1 - Katana Uchiha (daughter of Sasuke and Sakura) and Arashi Uzumaki (son of Naruto and Hinata)
part 2 – Kasumi Sarutobi (daughter of Konohamaru and Hanabi), Saetsu Hyuuga (daughter of Neji and Tenten) and Neji Hyuuga
thanks for reading,
Much love,
temariXshikamaruluva