34. Choose Your Weapon!

"Maa, since Naruto bitched so much about it…I'm going to teach you guys some swordwork."

Sakura scowled at Naruto "There are better ways to ask for things you idiot!"

Naruto laughed nervously as she cracked her knuckles threateningly. "Eheh, sorry. But you know we have to bug Kakashi-sensei for any training."

"Well, that is true…"

Kakashi gave her a wounded look that would have been more effective if he wasn't giving it over the cover of a smut novel.

"Such ingratitude. Anyway, kenjutsu is good training even if you don't pursue mastery. It's labour intensive and requires a surprising amount of thought so it'll be particularly good for Naruto."

"Oi!"

Sakura examined the blunted blade carefully "Do we have to do this sensei? I mean, will it be particularly beneficial to me?"

Kakashi smiled smugly "Did I give you a choice?"

"….Naruto's right. You are a bit of a sadist."

Kakashi indicated that they take up one of the blunted blades. "If you ever spend some time in ANBU you should at least have a passing familiarity with swordsmanship at any rate."

Naruto waved the sword, testing the weight, with some measure of glee "Yeah, all the masked guys I've ever seen use swords so I thought I should learn too."

'Once again,' Kakashi sighed 'good idea, bad train of thought.'

Kakashi began guiding the pair of Genin through some basic movements to get used to the weight and movement of the weapon.

"Where's Sasuke-kun?" Sakura wondered "He hasn't shown up yet."

Kakashi corrected her stance and set her to the movements again "He's at the hospital. The medic-nin tell me he's working with the poison and antidote division these days. Still, he should be along in a little while."

Sasuke did turn up about an hour later. His team-mates were dripping with sweat and thoroughly pissed off at Kakashi. (Which is generally proof of a good work out.)

Kakashi waved lazily as his final student approached. He was in perfect position to see what happened and react. Fortunately for the genin.

Immediately after, it hadn't been clear just what Sasuke had seen, thought he'd seen or tried to do. Naruto had waved the sword he was using and pointed at the approaching boy before shouting a challenge.

Sasuke had paused before beginning to leak killing-intent and striking. Kakashi blurred forward and wrestled Sasuke to the ground. Naruto had wheeled back clutching his mangled arm.

Sakura let the weapon slip from her sweaty fingers and stared in horror. Sasuke was flailing frantically in Kakashis' grip and Naruto was hunched over in pain. She couldn't move, couldn't hear and all she could concentrate on was the blood sprayed across the ground.