Chapter 34:
"So?" I ask with a small smirk as Minami walks back in with the results.
She lets out a loud sigh and begrudgingly hands me the papers. I look down and read carefully and my smirk widens.
"Alright , back to training."
"You'd better be careful with your arm! I don't want to see you back here!" Minami says, "remember, if it were up to me you'd still have to wear your sling."
"Yeah, got it." But I'm only giving her half of my attention. Now that I can go back to training that means I can finally start at the foundation. And that means that badassery is almost within my reach. "Can I go now?"
"Well, I suppose that there isn't anything that I can do to keep you here." I hop off of the examination table and give Minami a small nod.
"Well, I'll see you around."
"I mean it, Erin! Do. Not. Mess. Up. Your. Arm. Again."
I can't help but laugh a little bit as I leave.
~0~
Well, now what?
Now that I can use both arms I have no idea what to do. I guess that I could start training but for what?
I quietly walk along the small river that runs through the village.
Hmm, if I do any taijutsu training I'll have to be careful. There isn't very much that I can do for ninjutsu other than brush up on what I know… Except for, my least favourite one. Hidden in the Mist Jutsu.
Ugh, but I don't want to…
No. I have to force myself to learn that jutsu. It will make me a better shinobi.
But I don't want to…
I let out a small groan and lift my hands above my head. I could work on sealing. But I feel like for the next level I would actually need a mentor. I know how to make sealing scrolls, explosives that vary in size…
What would be next would be large scale sealing.
You know what? I'm just going to work on a little bit of taijutsu, then I'll move onto ninjutsu no matter how much I hate it.
Now to find somewhere to train…
I would go to the Uchiha grounds so that I could be completely alone, but it's too far away and I feel as if it's disrespectful in a way…
I'll just go to the training ground that my team usually meets in.
~0~
I calmly breath in as I get into a ready stance. It's time to work on my forms, I hope that I can remember them after so long.
Alright, white belt.
Underblock, punch-uh-underblock, punch.
Alright now it's just basically repeating that for a while.
I jump when I hear a sharp cawing above me. I drop my hands and look up. A hawk, that's rare.
I ignore it and start to continue but freeze when it swoops down and lands in front of my.
What the-
It screeches and suddenly launches straight in my face. I can't help but yell in surprise and throw my hands forward in a desperate attempt to block. I suddenly feel even more confusion as I feel a weight landing on my right arm.
I slowly open my eyes to see the bird perched on my arm with a complete calm.
I stare in confusion, why is there a hawk sitting on my arm-?
Oh.
I spot a strap on it's leg and recognize it. This is a messenger bird. Actually common in the world of shinobi. But I'm just wondering, why do I have one?
I carefully reach forward and remove the note. It takes me a few seconds since I've never gotten one before and I can't help but flinch when the hawk gives an irritated clicking sound.
The second that I remove the note the bird launches off of my arm. I wasn't ready and my head ended up getting hit twice by its wings.
I rub my head subconsciously as I open my note with my free hand. Oh, it's so great to finally have two hands.
MEET IN UCHIHA COMPOUND
12:00AM
-BOAR
Oh, it's just a reminder. I silently fold the letter and shove it into my pocket. Really, that late at night? But I don't want to get up that early.
Or I just don't go to sleep tonight. That sounds easier, if I want my eight hours of sleep I have to go to bed in about an hour or two. Good luck with that. I may as well just stay awake.
Man, I'm going to regret this decision tomorrow. Good thing that it's the weekend.
Time to get back to work. But wait, shouldn't I avoid exhausting myself before my first day of training?
I could just go home and work on sealing…
I turn around but the second I step forward I hear somebody speak from behind me.
"Quitting so soon, Erin-san?" A voice cheerfully greets me, but I can't help but freeze. "I thought that you only just started training!" I take a few seconds to recognize the voice.
"Gai-sensei." I greet and turn around. The man smiles and give me a thumbs up.
"It's good to know that your arm is completely healed and functional!" I smile awkwardly and give a small nod. But only anxiety floods through me. How long has he been here? Why didn't I sense him? Did he see me receiving the note?
"I uhh…" What is my excuse for leaving after ten minutes of training? "I just realized that I don't want to get too far ahead of my team!" Oh great. The first thing that comes into mind is not the right thing to say. Man, my subconscious mind must be so vain.
Gai raises a hand to his chin and looks down at me skeptically. "That can't be true, from what I've heard from Lee you aren't one to hold back." Shit! What do I say now? Maybe I can just say that I'm not feeling well? And if he doesn't believe me I can make myself throw up. Then he'll definitely believe me! "Oh I know…"
The seal on my tongue flares dangerously.
Nerves flare up and I stiffen. That's it, if he asks for my note I'll take it out and eat it. I absolutely cannot let him know about ROOT. And I don't know what would happen to me if he found out.-
"You have a secret admirer!" What?
"What…?" I feel my face become bright red with embarrassment.
"You just received a love letter! Didn't you Erin-san!?" I take it back. It would have been better if he guessed ROOT. "Tell me! Who is this fine young man?"
"NO!"
Gai stares at me with confusion. "I have never gotten a single love letter! I was leaving because… Because…" What will he believe what will he believe.
Suddenly, I've got it. "Kakashi-sensei isn't here to teach me. And none of my teammates are here to spar with so I'm bored." I say with a small shrug. "I didn't see very much of a point of staying here so I just kind of…" I make an effort to keep my expression bored even though I feel like smirking because of my somewhat decent lie. I watch as Gai's face changes from confusion to enthusiasm.
"If you don't have anybody to teach you…" He says, "then I, Might Gai, must take on that responsibility!" Now I smirk, I completely redirected his attention from my note. I wonder what Boar or Danzo would think. Would they be impressed?
Suddenly the man in green pumps a fist into the air, regaining my attention. "I know! This can be a competition between myself and my eternal rival! Who is the better sensei!?"
Oh no, what have I gotten myself into…
"Tell me, Erin-san! What has Kakashi taught you so far?" My mind scrambles as I try to come up with random ideas.
"Uh-water walking, and four ninjutsu. Each from a different element." That's all that I can think of-oh wait! "Also, all of my team's formations and maneuvers."
Gai simply stares at me. Why is he looking at me like that? It's like I'm some sort of anomaly.
"Are you sure that he hasn't taught you anything else?"
What? I'm pretty sure that Kakashi hasn't taught me anything else. What is this? Some sort of test?
"I-I don't understand your question, Gai-sensei…" The man lets out a large sigh and brushes his straight bangs out of his eyes.
"You really are just like him…"
"What?"
"Kakashi when he was younger." I give him a blank stare since I still don't understand how the conversation became this way. Gai chuckles and looks at the sky as if reminiscing. "Always thinking of the technical things and never the emotional aspects and morals."
I blink, oh, now I understand more clearly. In the past Kakashi must have been colder, but if he was why did he change? And I still don't understand what Gai was asking me in the first place.
"Erin…" He snaps me out of my thoughts and I look up at him. His usual encouraging grin has returned. "Has Kakashi not taught you the youthful values of guts, teamwork, and hard work!?" Erm… What?
That sounds kind of dumb.
I mean, who really cares about those kinds of things. I can get teamwork but hard work and guts? Of course they're important but people can't simply rely on that…
"I suppose that he did teach me those things…" I mutter while I look down, I don't really want him to know that I disagree with his values.
"You don't think that those things are important." I almost jump at Gai's voice again. How does he manage to read me so easily?
Or maybe I'm really easy to read but people pretend not to notice. Gai's just special and always says his thoughts.
"Erin!" This time I actually do jump because the man straight up kneels down and places a hand on my shoulder. It hurts a little bit…
"Kakashi's first test was based on teamwork! It must have taken you hard work and dedication to learn all of those jutsu's that quickly! And, it must have taken a lot of guts to fight such a powerful criminal for your team!" I don't really believe it so I look up into his eyes.
But the look of pure determination and excitement tells me that he means it.
"Now, I know the perfect form of taijutsu for you!" Oh, we're moving on from the subject. Gai stands, "the art of the cobra!"
"The art of the cobra…?" I immediately question. What does he mean by that?
Gai turns to the right, facing away from the three logs of wood which I was practicing right beside. He takes out a scroll and I stare in shock as he flows chakra into it. With a puff of smoke a dummy appears. But it isn't a human dummy. It's one of those hardcore wooden things that I've only seen masters of martial arts practice on in movies.
"You want to be really low on the ground." Gai gets into a stance that I've never seen before, but like he said he is very low to the ground. "Snakes can get past any defence. And the Cobra specifically can use dangerous hits."
I watch as he smoothly moves his arms in an odd way. Oh, I get it. He's trying to be really hard to read. "The art of the Cobra focuses not on being stronger than your enemy, but on being faster, and more dangerous. When somebody uses brute strength, they may do more damage when they hit but they're easier to read and redirect their attacks." I agree. That's what I've been focussing on for my taijutsu so far. Redirecting and using their momentum against them.
"You have to be fast and hit vital points, since you are smaller." All of a sudden Gai steps forward, keeping low, rears up and strikes the dummy several times. But he goes so fast that the only way that I know that he actually hit is was the loud sounds that came from the wood.
Whoa…
"You try now, Erin!" Gai steps back and gives me a thumbs up. Uh…
I slowly step forward, ugh this thing is already taller than me. "So like this?" I sink down low with my legs wide spread for balance.
"Lower!" I sink down a little bit.
"Lower!" I sink down more, this is starting to hurt…
"Lower!" I almost complain but I just grit my teeth.
"Perfect!" My legs are starting to shake because of this stance. My head is about three and a half feet above the ground.
How am I supposed to fight like this?
"With hard work and dedication, you can master this form of combat!" Oh great. Ten out of ten advice. Sensei of the year.
"For now, I just want you to practice stepping forward in that stance and striking! I will meet you here again tomorrow!" The man turns around and I immediately stand back up.
"But Gai-sensei! What about your wooden dummy?"
He pauses and looks back over his shoulder. "Erin, how old are you?"
"Fourt-I mean fifteen."
"Yes, you were fourteen when we first met." He says more quietly I raise a brow. "Then this will be your late birthday present from me! Don't worry, I have three more!"
I actually gape at him. Why would he do that? He didn't have to. There isn't any reason why he should… In fact there isn't any reason why he should be training me in the first place! Of course I've gotten birthday presents from Conner and a few from Paula but nothing compared to this.
"Just promise me one thing, my youthful friend." I look back up to see that he has turned around again
He gives me a huge winning smile. "Become one of the world's strongest kunoichi and someday spar with Lee!"
This time I can't help but give a small grin back. "Thank you Gai-sensei."
He nods and is off with a puff of smoke.
I turn back to the dummy and sink back into my stance.
Alright, no more emotional bullshit. It's time for training.
~0~
I trained for several hours, went home (with my brand new training dummy sealed), made myself dinner, and lazed around as I waited for twelve.
I glance at the clock, 11:30. It's time to go.
I slide smoothly off of my bed and move to the front door. Then I slip on my trench coat and boots. I almost forget my gloves.
Should I leave through my front door? Or just through my window? Well, if anyone just to happened to be wondering where I was at night they could ask my neighbors and they might hear me come out the front door…
Window it is.
I launch forward into the chilly night air, my legs are sore from training today. Whatever.
As I continue I feel my leg muscles loosen and I can focus on my surroundings. It's so quiet in Konoha at night. It seems so peaceful. You'd never know that this place is famous for training powerful shinobi.
It takes me several minutes to reach the entrance of the Uchiha compound. Once I'm there I realize just the smallest problem. Boar didn't specify exactly where in the Uchiha compound to meet.
And now that I'm here…at nighttime…
I'm getting some serious creepy vibes from this place. Of course I like it here during the day but now the only thing that I can think about is that one night, probably just like this one, quiet and peaceful, over one hundred people were literally murdered.
I REALLY don't want to go in there…
Suddenly a shiver moves down my spine and I glance behind me. Nothing but darkness, but I can't shake off this feeling…
"Boar-san?" I ask quietly but just loud enough to probably be heard.
No answer, just silence. Silence, that's bad in a place like this. There should at least be the sounds of insects.
All of my muscles tense against my will, I know that I'm being watched. I draw a small amount of chakra just for me to defend myself if I get a jump scare. But the chakra makes me feel worse.
Whatever is out there is making my chakra go crazy. It burns even more than usual and is being hard to manipulate.
"Who's there?" This time I add some venom to my voice, "I know that you're out there." Huh, I feel like I've felt this presence before…
I jump when I suddenly hear a dark chuckle. It makes my hair stand on end, that voice…
"It's interesting, you just so happen to be one of the few people who can sense me." Oh my god, I'm feeling awful right now. I wasn't expecting to get an answer, I would have felt better if I was just imagining things.
I tree branch catches my attention as something pure black rises out of the bark. I stare at a glowing pair of pupil less yellow eyes and a large, toothy grin. It's even more freaky because it looks as if the eyes and sharp teeth glow in the dark.
The thing chuckles even more. "It's actually amusing how easy it is to get a person terrified as well." I would like to argue but right now I can't move, this is freaking me out too much.
"W-Who are you?" I mentally curse my stutter. Stoic and sarcastic attitude, why have you failed me now…?
"Oh, me?" I can't help it, I hate his voice. "I'm the one who has orchestrated this shinobi world from within the shadows." He pauses and his yellow eyes narrow at me dangerously.
"And I will continue to do that in the future. No power in this world or out of this world can change it. Don't forget."
"Wait, wha-"
He's gone, without a trace. My chakra calms down and that awful feeling disappears.
"Erin." I jump and curse very loudly in English before spinning around.
"Oh my god, Boar!" I look up at the masked man, "how about NOT coming up behind somebody without warning?"
He shrugs, "it's not my fault that you are incapable of sensing me." I grit my teeth, great freaking timing Boar. He's probably the reason why whoever or whatever that thing was disappeared.
"Now, follow me." I let out a sigh before launching after him into the trees.
~0~
The journey is mostly silent, this time I tried harder to keep up with boar. I'm not in the mood for criticism.
I'm busy trying to figure out exactly what that thing was. Also what it wanted. I think that whatever he said was a warning. But why would he feel the need to give me a warning?
'"I'm the one who has orchestrated this shinobi world from within the shadows. And I will continue to do that in the future. No power in this world or out of this world can change it. Don't forget."'
I mentally go over his words several times…
He is the one who has orchestrated the shinobi world… From within the shadows…
How old is he? He didn't seem human so there's no way to know. Maybe he figured out how to stay alive like Orochimaru.
He will continue to manipulate the world as he sees fit and no power, or possibly person in this world or out of this world can change it.
That's the threat. Whoever this is, is feeling threatened by my presence and has felt the need to plant a seed of fear. Well, I won't let who that is control me no matter what. I'm getting the sense that he's one of the main villains.
But, why was his presence effecting my chakra so much? It was almost impossible for me to manipulate my chakra with him around. It also did more damage than usual. Even now some parts of my chest still sting.
"We're here." I blink in surprise, that quickly? I look down but see nothing. But then I notice the awful headache that I hadn't noticed until now.
It only takes me a few seconds to release the genjutsu and then I can see a door.
I follow Boar closely to make sure that I don't lose him. Just like last time, we pass by a few people but we don't speak to them at all. But a few give me a curious stare.
Suddenly Boar turns into a room and I almost keep on walking. As I walk in I notice how dimly lit it is. And a thick mat, probably for sparring, and several dummies.
"With your training, you will follow a pattern. You will have a different mentor and different skill to work on each night. Tonight, you start with taijutsu." Boar gestures forward to a woman who I didn't notice before. "This is your teacher for taijutsu." I almost groan, I've already worked in taijutsu today.
"I'll be seeing you." He gives me a small nod before taking his leave.
I'm left standing awkwardly in a dead silent room. I notice that the woman isn't wearing a mask. She has simple black hair and black eyes. If they weren't all dead I might have mistaken her as an Uchiha.
"...For my training you will learn every form of taijutsu that I Know. including Uchiha, Hyuga, and other clans types of taijutsu. You will also learn how to fight blind, deaf, drunk, and without your sensory abilities."
…
Guys, better watch out we have a badass over here.
"Now, follow me." I quietly do so, she leads me to a closet. She opens it, "this is the outfit that you will wear for my training." I give a small nod and take one off of the rack that seems my size.
"Change in there." She gestures to another door and I quickly move and slide it open.
I close the door behind me, as I change I contemplate what she told me about my training. That is an awful lot to learn. I'm not so sure if I can actually do it.
I finish and luckily there's a mirror for me to look at. The entire outfit is black. A tight black tank top with baggy pants that are similar to what I was already wearing. Hmm, it's showing off my body more.
I lift my arm and look, yeah, you could say that I have a lot of muscle.
I finally exit the room and I notice since I wasn't paying attention that the woman's wearing basically the same outfit as me.
She gestures to the large mat, "we're going to spar to see where you're at for taijutsu." I immediately stiffen, I honestly like sparring that much. I'm worried about hurting somebody else and somebody hurting me. While I was in the academy I could usually use simple takedowns to win without hurting anyone. Here I doubt that it will work like that.
Without a word I move to the opposite side of the mat.
She steps onto the mat and lifts her right hand into the unison sign. I copy.
With the look in her eyes, she's going to take me seriously. I already know that I'm going to lose…
Suddenly I'm on the ground with a foot firmly planted on my back. W-What?
"You have to pay full attention to your opponents. In real life, right now you would either be dead or you would have been captured by the enemy which is worse than being dead." Oh shit.
She moves off and I slowly push myself back to my feet.
"I'm going to attack again." Nerves flare up but this time I move into a defencive stance. She looks my right in the eyes and launches forward, not breaking eye-contact.
I barely manage to dodge a blow which basically puts me on the corner of the mat. Before I can even move I have to duck again.
"Be more aggressive." Her voice deadpans but I barely manage to hear her.
She attempts to strike me again but this time I redirect the blow and aim a sharp uppercut. But I don't know what comes over me but last minute I move my elbow slightly so it doesn't hit her.
She brings back the arm that I just redirected. Pain shoots through my stomach and I'm sent backwards a couple of metres.
I groan and curl into myself as I clutch my stomach. I glance up and see her dark eyes glaring down at me. "Yes, now I know what the problem is. Wait here." Her cold, emotionless voice states calmly before I hear her footsteps disappear.
While I wait I close my eyes briefly. 'Exactly what the hell have I gotten myself into?' I question myself mentally. I can't shake this awful feeling of dread.
I open my eyes and slowly sit up despite my pain. Whatever, it's too late to back out now. And it will all eventually be worth it.
I've stood up by the time she comes back. But this time she has a boy following her. It takes me a second but I recognize him, he's the pale boy from the first time I came here.
"You, stand here." It takes me a second to realize that she isn't talking to me. The boy obediently moves to the middle of the sparring mat. "You, move in front of him." Now I know that she's talking to me. I follow her directions and look at the boy in the eyes. What does she want me to do?
"Hit him." It takes me a second to understand.
"W-What?" I ask, I hope that I misheard her. I'm practically begging that I misheard her.
"Hit. Him." I look back up at the boy, I can't read any emotion for him. But he looks around a couple of years younger than me even if he's taller than me. "Don't hold back."
I'm shocked…
"But-"
"Do it." I hesitate.
"I am your superior and you must follow my orders. My orders are to hit him as hard as you can."
"I-"
"NOW!" She finally snaps at me.
This is against every moral that I have. He doesn't get to fight back. Look at him, he hasn't said one word against this. I don't even like hitting people in general.
I freeze when she shouts right in my ear again.
I have no choice but to comply…
I lift my fist, 'I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry.'
I strike him in the stomach before letting my arm hang limp.
"Did I not tell you not to hold back? Hit him in the face." I feel my face contort slightly in disgust.
I lift my fist again aim, and hit him harder in the face. I drop my arm again.
"Have I told you to stop?"
This time I feel his nose break.
The next one will definitely leave a black eye.
I question if I broke his jaw.
I hit his other eye.
I notice blood on my fist.
I lose track of how many times I hit him. But by then I had numbed myself to the awful feelings.
It's only when he collapses that I stop. I don't hear the woman say something. But I know that she did.
When she's gone I blankly stare at the blood soaked mat.
And a single tear falls into the mess.
~0~
A/N: and the dehumanization begins! Erin had no idea what she was getting herself into! Also sorry if the ending was a little sloppy, I was just kind of desperate to get this chapter out since I'm so late.
I'd bet that the majority of people here can guess who the black figure was! Also, for the art of the cobra just assuring you that I didn't decide to change Erin's summoning. But she will eventually learn "The Art of The Peacock".
Ok guys, who wants to make a stats thing for Erin? I do! Here it is:
Ninjutsu: 3 (she has an affinity for it doesn't know anything super impressive yet.)
Taijutsu: 2.5 (basically the same thing as ninjutsu)
Genjutsu: 1 (you can understand why)
Intelligence: 4
Strength: 1.5 (the majority of people can overpower her)
Speed: 2 (average)
Stamina: 4 (this isn't completely her physical skill because she can go for a long time just using her chakra)
Handseals: 2?
Total: 20
Here's the shippuden one of you want to see it:
Ninjutsu: 5
Taijutsu: 4
Genjutsu: 1.5
Intelligence: 4.5
Strength: 3
Speed: 3.5
Stamina: 4.5
Handseals: 3.5
Total: 28.5 (she gets pretty cool)