Tsukisa woke up that morning, sore from all the beatings she had been made to take. For the past 3 months, Sensei (or asshole as she liked to call him), had her running every morning and evening, and beat her up in between. Only running and taijutsu practice. For the past 3 months.

And he expected her to be able to keep up with him. Her, a 5-year-old with no experience whatsoever, with him, a trained shinobi in his late 20s. So it was no surprise when she kept passing out for the first few weeks. Ok, maybe Kushimaru was a little surprised, and not the good kind. But she didn't give up, no she wasn't known for quitting this early in the game. Besides, to stop now would mean death, either by Sensei or by the world itself.

She got up from her futon and stepped into the washroom. The girl that stared at her from the mirror was indeed tall for her age. Her black hair still looked like a rat's nest from the time Sensei had cut it. He said it would get in the way when they had started taijutsu lessons (like he's one to talk, he had a literal mane) and she had no objections.

She would have done it herself too if her hands weren't so small and pudgy, and if she had eyes on the back of her head. She asked him and he chopped it all off with his sword but at a weird angle. Now her hair looked like a jagged version of Hinata's when she was 12 (minus the fringe). She knew it would grow back, but there's a way to cut hair. What he did was just brutal.

She turned her head and took in her facial features. Her already light skin had turned deathly pale from living in the woods hidden in the mist. Her round childish eyes sported ghostly grey irises. In certain light only the pupil would be visible, and she would really look like a ghost. How fitting, she thought. A ghost of her former self.

She quickly got ready for another strenuous day of exercises. Usually Kushimaru would just tell her what to do and leave for his missions. So she wasn't expecting him to be sitting at the table when she got out.

"You have a day off?" she inquired.

"Yeah, we're starting chakra training."

Right, chakra. She forgot all about that with just running and basic taijutsu stances for 3 months.

"Your reserves are so abysmally small I can barely sense it," he commented.

"Gee, thanks."

"Fortunately for you I'm a swordsman, I wouldn't know what to do with extra chakra anyway," he paused for a moment. "No I lied, I would, but you won't because you're not going to learn."

"...Ok," she said after a beat. Because what could anyone say to that. And she was an awkward person by nature. She doesn't do normal conversation, and apparently he can't either.

He turned back to cleaning his sword.

After breakfast, Kushimaru led them to a lake in the woods.

"Here," he said, catching a falling leaf. "Make this stick to your forehead with your chakra."

"How?" Tsukisa asked, taking it. She knew what chakra was, and what it does, but she didn't know exactly how to use it.

"With your chakra."

"Yes, but how? How am I supposed to use my chakra?"

"Just bring it to your forehead," he tried to explain. But that didn't help, and it showed on her face. "It's in your gut dumbass. Just bring the chakra from your gut to your head." He pointed to his stomach and then to his face.

"Ok, then how am I supposed to find it and bring it to my head?"

"You just...bring it," Kushimaru repeated.

"That still doesn't help―"

"What more do you want me to say you brat?!"

"How do I bring it?! What does it even feel like―?!"

"It's warm! Just find the warm in your gut and bring it to your head!" he yelled back.

"...Ok, find the warm." She looked at the leaf in her hands. She went closer to the water and sat down. She tried to feel around in her stomach while holding the leaf. The position reminded her of a certain bald kid that tried to learn fire-bending in one of her favourite shows. Maybe she can recreate the elemental bending thing in this world. Oooh I wonder chakra affinity I haー

"Focus," Kushimaru said, slapping the back of her head.

"Asshole." She sat up straighter and tried again.

-:-

After 2 hours of getting nowhere, she decided she needs to try something else. She was so sure she found her chakra that one time. It was warm and big and she had no trouble bringing it up to her head, only for it to be a burp. And Kushimaru had doubled over in laughter. Shut up! She'd yelled blushing and tried again.

By the second hour, she really did feel her chakra. Though it felt more like she was trying to pick up water with her fingers. It kept slipping through and she then would lose it altogether.

So she got creative. If there's one thing Tsukisa is better at than learning, is knowing how to learn. Sensei said it's warm, she reminded herself. If it's warm inside, then to feel the difference I need to lower the temperature outside, she reasoned and stood up. After walking the short distance to the water, she jumped into the lake

Immediately she felt the biting chill of Kiri waters.

It was quite deep so she could stand submerged with no problem. She quieted her movements and her mind, and allowed the element to claim her. The noises she heard on the surface became muffled whispers as the water stilled around her.

Once the cold started settling in her bones, she turned her thoughts inwards. Before she could reach the warmth she previously grazed, her baby lungs were starting to burn. The strain of holding her breath for so long was too much for her and she went back up for air. This was her first time underwater with a new body after all.

She moved closer to the shore where her body was submersed but her head was not, and tried again. This time, she found her chakra. She was able to focus on it longer and managed to pull at it. After a couple more times, each with a little bit more progress than the last, she started shivering. She walked out of the lake and onto the shore.

Miraculously, Kushimaru had the sense to start a fire, though she suspected it was only because he couldn't have her die.

She sat down opposite him and focused her thoughts inward once again. Now that she's lost a majority of her body heat, she had an easier time finding her chakra. In the trembling cold, it stood out like warm soup in her stomach. When she tried moving it up her body, she felt an odd sense of comfort, a warmth seeping into her cold bones.

This is such a gentle feeling, she caught herself thinking. Too bad it's used to hurt people.

After trying to manipulate it some more, she was finally able to feel the smallest amount of her chakra move to her forehead. She picked up another leaf and slapped it on.

It stayed in place for about 8 seconds before her concentration broke.

Kushimaru scoffed. "Took you long enough."

"But I did it!" she replied excitedly. She finally did something noteworthy in this life! Something to be proud about. It felt like she was correctly diagnosing her first patient all over again.

"Now go climb that tree," he said, pointing at one. And all of her giddiness left as she took in its size. He knew just how to irk her. She scowled at him before she got up and walked over.

It took her about a week to finish her tree-climbing exercise, and then another for the water-walking one. The amount of times she fell in the lake attempting this one would amuse Kushimaru to no end. Like he observed before, she really did have small chakra reserves, painfully so. It took her longer than usual to practice, but of course considering her age, it was remarkable. Prodigious even. One good thing about her chakra though was her quick recovery. It replenished at a faster rate than normal kids her age. Thank gods for little miracles right?

-:-

"Tsukisa," Kushimaru called out one evening. He was at the table again and she was in the kitchen making dinner. She was a decent cook in her old life, which is more than she can say for her sensei. So she made most of their meals.

"Yeah?" Tsukisa asked, walking to him.

"This is chakra paper," he said, giving one to her. "Channel your chakra through it, it'll show you what elemental affinity you have."

"Oooh," she said, taking it.

"It's not really necessary for a swordsman but there's no harm in knowing."

She did as she was told, and the paper crumbled away.

"Hn. Earth," Kushimaru observed.

"That's solid!" she exclaimed.

He just looked exasperated, even with his mask on. "Ok, yeah that was bad," she admitted somewhat sheepishly. She was trying, she really was. But living with a guy who only stares quietly or laughs at her misery was making her desperate to change things up.

"So does this mean you'll teach me cool earth jutsu?"

"No dumbass," he said. "I already told you, you don't have enough chakra for attack-type ninjutsu. Especially not in a battle. And I have wind affinity. We couldn't be more different."

"That's unfortunate." She went to grab a broom and a dust pan.

"Tomorrow you'll start with support-type jutsu used for ambushes and assassinations. Then move onto wires and traps." He continued as she started sweeping the remains of the chakra paper.

"Yes! I finally get to work with weapons!"

"Everything is a weapon to shinobi, not just actual tools."

"True, but then you wouldn't need cool stuff like your sword," Tsukisa argued.

"Oi, Nuibari is one of the Seven Legendary Swords, not just 'coo―'" Before he could finish bragging, the front door suddenly burst open.

"Where's my fuckin' money, you bastard?!" yelled the man at the door.

Even though he was wearing a Kiri hitai-ate, Tsukisa thought he looked more like a pirate than a shinobi, what with the eyepatch and beads in his hair. He looked very angry when he walked in but it was replaced by confusion when he saw her.

"HUH?!" her sensei scoffed. "It was a bet, Jinpachi. And you fuc―"

"Who's the bitch?"

"Don't interrupt me!"

He stared for a second before realization seemingly dawned on him. "Why, if this was your preference, you should've just said so!" Jinpachi threw an arm around Kushimaru's shoulder. "I never would've guessed!"

"OI! Don't jump to your own conclusions!"

Ugh, she was literally five, how can he even joke about that? Unless he wasn't. A thought that made her shudder.

"Uhh," she interrupted, trying to save herself. "I'm Kuriarare Tsukisa, it's a...um nice to meet you," she said with a careful bow. Nice because it wasn't an honour or a pleasure. Actually it wasn't even nice. She didn't like the man already.

"Kuri..a.." Jinpachi repeated, before his eye widened. "Kushimaru, condoms man. Learn to―"

"What the fuck Jinpachi, I'm not her father."

"Eh, but dad, you said you'd take responsibility!" she gasped. He was being a jerk, she wouldn't get such an opportunity again. Like she said, she's desperate to change things up.

Jinpachi doubled over, howling in laughter while Kushimaru seethed at her.

"OI!" her sensei yelled, "Don't you get smart with me!" He brought down his fist on her head hard enough to bruise.

"OW! What the shit man?!" she yelled back. Propping the broom on her person, she reached up to rub the sore area.

"Leave," Kushimaru ordered. She sent him a glower and turned away. Even though she's gonna have a headache, it was so worth it.

She wasn't a masochist, no. She hated pain as much as the next person. But getting a different reaction from him instead of his default ones was a win in her book. Sure, she could've made him this angry by being annoying or not doing her training, but both of those would've ended with her not being his student anymore. And she couldn't have that.

She walked away smiling and let the men continue arguing. After replacing the broom and the pan, she ate dinner in her room. Today was a good day, she thought. I finally got to talk to another person after 3 and a half months of living in Kiri.

-:-

"Suiton: Kirigakure no jutsu," Tsukisa whispered to the woods.

The moisture in the air thickened until a mist too dense to see through covered the area. It damn well better, she thought. After all, she's been practicing this jutsu for the past year. And this is the first time she's fighting seriously with Kushimaru. She can't afford to mess up something this simple.

The goal was just one hit, however weak. He was only supposed to dodge and not block.

She even snuck out last night to rig much of the woods surrounding their house. Although she suspected Kushimaru was aware, the man is ANBU. But she didn't care, as long as he didn't know where or what the traps were. When she woke up this morning, he was gone. She could only assume that the hunt had already started. She had grabbed her supplies and rushed to the woods.

She spent all of the morning tracking his faint trail, which only served to lead her back to where she began. While she was extremely frustrated (because she skipped breakfast), shinobi don't let emotions guide their actions. She stayed calm and reassessed her situation.

He was always a step ahead of her, just beyond her reach of her senses. So just going straight wasn't an option. It's like he knew where she was, but not vice versa. And how is he not falling for anything? Even if he specializes in ambushes, even if he was the one who taught her these things, he can't see through all her traps! Only she ca―

She stopped on the next branch. No, he wouldn't...right? It was so stupid, and he's a jounin, he couldn't possibly do it.

Unless, that's what he wants me to think and dismiss the idea. No, stop it! It's so stupid that he might actually do it. He might actually be following her. That's why his trail in front of her is faint. And he's been watching her maneuver around her traps, that's why he hasn't triggered any. He was right behind her this whole time.

That son of a―no, she shouldn't have expected him to go easy on her.

She turned around and cast the hidden mist jutsu.

Now he knows she's figured it out. And he also knows of all the traps in the trees. It's time to take the fight to the forest floor.

-:-

Kushimaru was wondering how long it would take her to realize. She faced his general direction and cast the hidden mist jutsu. Before the dense fog surrounded him, he caught a glimpse of her landing on the floor. Hmph, finally.

He may not be able to see Tsukisa, or sense her clearly, but he can still hear her, and feel the mist move with her movements (something he hasn't taught her yet).

It was faint, but he listened intently for specific noises, like her clothes rustling, or the weapons in her pouch clinking. She was making her way towards him.

He glanced back the way he came. Sure he could start running again, and she would follow him. But then it would be a matter of speed and stamina, and he would obviously outlast her. This is only training and perhaps one mystery is enough for this exercise. So he faced forward and stayed in the tree. Doesn't mean I'll make it any easier.

"Like a small boat on the ocean,"

Kushimaru heard her voice float from within the mist. What? Is she serious? She's singing in an ambush? But it wasn't any song he's ever heard, and he couldn't make out any words, just random sounds.

"Sending big waves into motion,"

That foolish girl, he thought. She'll pay the price then. And this time when he turned around, he leapt with every intention to lead her around the forest again.

The moment he landed on the other branch, shuriken flew at him. He jumped to a different tree to avoid them when he heard her voice again.

"Like how a single word, can make a heart open,"

Those aren't words, only spoken like were, he tried to reason. And in his moment of distraction, wires surrounded his person and held him to the tree. He didn't try to escape immediately, he stayed to see what she would do.

"I might only have one match,"

Wisely, she didn't jump out at the enemy when he was incapacitated, instead he heard kunai whistle toward him. He quickly performed a kawarimi jutsu and landed nearby. The tree he was tied to splintered as the tags blew up.

"But I can make an explosion," Kushimaru heard her giggle a little.

He was now thoroughly confused and convinced that this was indeed a song, made of words with meanings. Maybe a different language altogether―no, that doesn't matter now. Focus. When he tried to listen for her position again, all he heard were the echoes of her laugh.

"And all those things I didn't say,"

Her voice was resonating with the mist, making it harder to find her 20. Clever girl, he acquiesced.

"Wrecking balls inside my brain,"

And now there was no point in trying to hide. She can't find him and he can't find her. So he moved forward, and realized too late that he stepped on a pressure plate. He quickly flipped back before the following explosion could do any damage to him.

"I'll scream them loud tonight,"

Before he could land, he felt a leg come at him. He used his momentum to turn his body sideways. After he dodged, she was gone again.

"Can you hear my voice?"

More kunai and shuriken came at him from different directions (she likely triggered the traps herself but sent them his way). She was trying to keep him off balance, and not give him time to catch his breath. He jumped to dodge them all fairly easily.

"This time this is my fight song!"

She sang louder and came out with her chokuto this time while he was still dodging. Another barrage came from behind, and she from the side. He couldn't dodge both of them and was forced block instead. He spinned out of the way of the senbons, and grabbed Nuibari in one fluid motion before clashing with her.

"Take back my life song!"

She won. She got her one hit, even if it was blocked. She was able to force his hand, a legendary swordsman.

She smirked and went back into the mist. She wanted to keep going. And Kushimaru smiled a little himself, not that anyone would ever know.

"Prove I'm alright song,"

The mist was starting to thin. She was running out of chakra and couldn't keep it up anymore. Even though she was disadvantaged in every way possible―height, weight, skills, experience, chakra, instinct―she still managed.

"My power's turned on, starting right now I'll be strong,"

More kunai whistled toward him, and he could hear them better without the mist to distort the sound. He took out a kunai of his own and deflected them. They exploded where they landed, sending soil and splinters in the air. There's no need to dodge or hold back now that she's won right?

"I'll play my fight song,"

The fog was thinning, why was she still singing? Dumbass, he thought to himself. He was able to find her general location and sprinted forward. He dodged and triggered traps (which he was able to deflect or outrun) and stared down at her defensive stance.

"And I don't really care if nobody else belieeeeeves,"

The mist resonated hauntingly at the high pitch. He saw her fingers twitch before she dove to the side. From behind her came a fuuma shuriken, alight with flames. He quickly jumped out of the way and followed her.

"'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me!"

Of course he caught up and swiftly knocked her out.

-:-

Her "20" - her location

Chokuto - Japanese straight sword

"Fight Song" by Rachel Platten