Whoa, I haven't updated this in awhile, it's kind of like me reliever story, when I'm all 'ugh' with my other ones, and I just update this one XD

I do not own Naruto

"Is this really necessary?" I asked, looking from a confident and curious Tenten to an overly cheerful Gai.

"Of course it is! We must express you're hidden skills with the sword!" Gai shouted, with Lee nodding his head furiously.

"Yes, we must!"

What it is we're doing exactly?

Why, sending me to my ultimate death probably.

Well, maybe it's not that bad, but, it still sucks.

Right, so if you all remember last time, I had mentioned I use swords, that there, had piqued the interest of my team, and now, they want to see me fight with a sword.

Fudge. My. Life.

Masuki was happily cheering from the sidelines from her place on Lee's shoulders. Last time's incident had been cleared a bit with finding her mom, and deeply apologizing for accidentally 'kidnapping' her kid.

Now back to the situation at hand, Tenten and I, fighting, whatever goes, just don't kill each other.

"Are you ready?" Tenten asked and I smirked.

"Born ready panda buns."

"Then g-"

"Do you really think she's any good with the sword? Even if she was, Tenten is a weapons master, she'll be easily disadvantaged."

Are. You. Freakin. Kidding. Me.

Of course, Mr. I-Know-Everything just had to go, and interrupt now didn't he?

"Hyuuga, why don't you do the world- no, the universe a favor, and just-"

"Right! Now back to the fight!" Tenetn cut in, smiling sheepishly, though looking a bit peeved that Neji had interrupted.

...I may start to like this girl...

"Go!" Gai shouted and Tenten charged.

I leapt back and pulled out a scroll attached to my leg, pulling it out, I bit my finger and jabbed it onto the paper.

There was a flash of smoke, and a short sword appeared. The hilt was carved into a 'C' fashion, and the blade had a double edge glint, showing Tenten's determined face in the reflection.

Tenten had pulled out a kunai and clashed with my sword. Immediately I felt the feeling of the sword settle in my hands and I knocked her away, and lunged forward.

The sword did a spin, and jabbed towards her abdomen, Tenten easily evaded, and I pulled out my own kunai and clashed with hers. Her eyes narrowed, obviously recognizing that my movements were none to be taken lightly, and in return charged forward.

Metal clang on metal, it had only been a few minutes into the fight, but we were both getting serious, pushing towards the back of our minds that this was just a simple training session.

Tenten kicked the hand that held the sword, and I let the sword fly over my head, my hand still attached, and causing me to back flip onto my hands. Quickly switching to the weight of one hand I lunged the sword to her and I smirked when the blade scraped the side of her shirt.

I felt a sharp pain in my gut, and I reeled back as she sent a kick to my stomach. I grunted at the connection of the hit, but charged forward again, this time pulling out a different scroll, and I bit my finger and slammed it down again.

The short sword disappeared in a puff of smoke, and in its place, two katanas. One, the blade from the hilt to the middle, the other, the top half of another katana. Two halves of different swords.

"Gai-snesei! Isn't holding a sword like that dangerous?" Lee questioned and Gai nodded, a peculiar glint shining in his eyes.

"Yes, it is, but obviously she must be quite used to handling the sword like that."

"What an idiot." Neji remarked, looking coolly at me and Tenten's battle.

I twitched at the remark but ignored it, he wasn't worth my time. Tenten recovered from the little burst of shock, and pulled out a scroll as well. Weapons of all kind appeared before her and my own eyes narrowed.

"This should do you in." she grinned and I did the same.

"Don't count me out so early into the fight." I stated, charging forward.

Let me tell you guys something, dodging hundreds of various weapons flying at you is not easy. And I do not advise that you try it.

I felt nicks appear from different spots all over my body, but I ignored the quick flicks of pain and jabbed the second sword, the one with the top half into the ground. I put both my hands on the sword with the hilt, and brought it down in a horizontal slash.

Tenten ducked her head but her shoulder received a blow, and she leapt backwards into the trees.

I stopped and surveyed my surroundings.

I paused, then ran forward, and threw my sword into a nearby tree; Tenten flew out of said tree and sent a flurry of kunai my way.

I ducked down, and my foot hit the sword I had jabbed into the ground earlier. I took said sword, and charged at Tenten with it.

Her eyes were narrowed but there was faint surprise flickering in them as I put both my hands on the sword, completely ignoring the fact that the open blade was causing my palms to bleed.

Not giving up, Tenten ran forward, another scroll pulled out and a barrage of weapons ready at will.

Both of us seemed to have realized that this final clash would decide the winner and without a second hesitation, we both clashed.

Dust flew up all over the training area, and I staggered backwards, completely out of breath. Tenten was doing the same as me, holding onto her side.

We stared at each other, and the next thing we knew, we both flopped backwards onto our backs, out of breath.

"What a youthful performance indeed!" Gai-sensei cheered, and I rolled my eyes and looked up at the sky.

"Not bad Panda buns."

"Same to you Natsu-chan, I wasn't expecting that." Tenten grinned and I flashed her a small smile back.

"Natsu! That was absolutely amazing! It looked as if you were dancing with those swords! But if I may ask, why two different halves?"

"Huh? Oh, my brother has the other two halves."

They all gave me a look that said, 'Care to explain a little further?' and I rolled my eyes.

I held up the half with a hilt, and showed them the bottom. A single character in gold shone and it gleamed with my brother's name on it.

"I have his bottom half, and he has mine, while I have my top half, and he has his."

"Is there any particular reason why?" Tenten asked, also looking curious.

"Our parents just gave us the swords like that, no biggie."

"As if it would be a big deal, it's just some beat up old sword."

"Care to say that one more time Hyuuga? Go on, I dare you."

"It's just some beat up old sword."

"Okay, I am so kicking your sorry-"

"GUESS WHAT MY YOUTHFUL STUDENTS?" Gai shouted, jumping in and stopping me from attacking the glaring Hyuuga.

"WHAT GAI-SNESEI?" Do I even have to explain who that is?

"We have a mission tomorrow."

"Really?' Lee asked, eyes shining, and I turned around to look at our teacher, my interest also captured.

"We do?"

"Yes! We will be given the honor of protecting, and escorting and Prince and his sister, the princess."

"Great, just what we need," I snorted, "More pain in the arse 'I'm holier than thou' royalty."

"You wouldn't happen to be referring to me now would you?" Neji asked, his eyes narrowing and I turned to face him, a challenging glint in my eye.

"What if I did?"

"We-"

"Hey Natsu-chan?" Masuki asked sweetly, pulling on my pant leg.

I looked down at the little girl and smiled. "Yeah Masuki?"

"Can you walk me home?"

"Sure." I shrugged, and started to walk, following after the little girl.

I raised a lazy hand and waved half-heartedly to my team, and continued after the little girl.

I stared at Matsuki's house with a raised eyebrow. It was a two-story house, painted a creamy white and simple little garden like thing in the front.

It was actually pretty normal.

Then again, what else would I be expecting at a little girl's house?

"Ne Natsu-chan, I thought you were really cool out there." Matsuki said, little stars shining in her eyes, and suddenly, I had a heavy feeling in my gut.

You know the kind that just screams 'HEY! SOMETHING BAD'S GOING TO HAPPEN! I CAN FEEL IT! HEY! LISTEN TO ME! ARE YOU EVEN PAYING ATTENTION? HEY-'

"Natsu-chan, did you hear what I said?" Matsuki asked, cocking her head and I blinked.

"Sorry, can you say that again?"

"...Can you please take me on as your apprentice? Pretty please! Please!" she begged, latching onto my pant leg and taking hold.

I blinked, and then wildly shook my head.

"Oh no, but- I mean, why would you want me to teach you?"

"Because! Your pretty, you're smart, you're amazing! Seeing you fight today with Ten-chan was amazing! Please!"

"But-"

"Please!"

"Why-"

"Please!"

I looked down into her eyes- oh, big mistake, they were the puppy dog eyes, and I CAN'T handle the puppy dog look.

With a sigh, Matsuki let out a squeal, obviously realizing she had won.

"Okay but-"

"Thank you1 Thank you so much Natsu-chan! I promise I'll be the best apprentice ever!"

"...Right."

Matsuki waved to me before disappearing inside her house, and I sighed, rubbing my temples as I made my way home.

I know had an apprentice, and on top of that, I had to protect, and escort, a prince and princess to gosh-knows-where.

Man, my life just gets crazier and crazier now doesn't it?

Oh how I torture my poor Natsu so. XD I like her, she's one of the more close to normal ocs, and just because she's not born with some super cool power/bloodline, doesn't mean she can't be badarse with the sword!

Please review and make me a happy author! And if any of you are interested, check out my other stories!

Marshmellow-

-OUT!