"Ow...ow...oww..."
I have just received the beat-down of my life, that will teach me to open my big mouth.

"Are you even trying? We're not even done warming up yet!"
I raised my head, spat out some dirt and glared at the woman from my spot on the ground, dirt sure tastes bad.
She let me get up and waited for me to drop into a fighting stance, she's was toying with me, the thought of that did not sit well.

"I'm just getting started! This is nothing for the future hokage! Believe it!"

I saw her raising a eyebrow "Believe...it...? What kinda stupid catchphrase is that!"

I felt some anger rise within me. "It's not stupid!"

"Hmmmmm." There was a contemplative look on her face.
"How about this, if you can take this mask from me." with that she took her cat mask in her hand. "I ll acknowledge your better than me."

My face lighted up at that. "What? That's all? Your loss, lady!"

Then there was that predatory smirk again, which never bodes well for me.

"There's a catch to it of course, if you can't take it from me in, let's say, thirty minutes, then you will not say your catchphrase for a whole month."

A whole month, I wonder if I actually can do that, it's been part of me for so long, but I guess if I try it won't be too hard.

"Fine! Your on! If I can't get that stupid mask I promise I won't say it for a month!" Her smirk got wider "Alright, ready...set...start!"

With that said she disappeared from my sight, I knew that smirk wouldn't bode well for me...

"Hey, come out! This isn't fair!"

I didn't expect a answer, I was already thinking she'd just ditched me here and stuck me with a promise, which I would nonetheless keep.

"Man...this sucks..." I turned around to leave and return to the village, but a voice from behind me stopped me in my tracks.

"Giving up without even trying? I expected better of you."
Whipping my head around I saw no one there, but then I heard her voice, behind me again and yet again, nothing.
Getting frustrated I started summoning as much chakra as I can, which wasn't much, as my chakra was still acting funny.

"You want to play hide and seek? Fine! Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"

After the smoke cleared there were ten clones in the clearing.

"What? That's all? With all the chakra you were molding, I was half expecting you to fill the forest!"

Eleven heads whipped around to the sound, nothing again.

"Spread out and catch her!" With that the clones spread out in multiple directions trying to find the woman.

We found her multiple times, but each time before we could regroup she disappeared again, nor could we match her in combat, it was a lost battle.
Then it was over, the time limit was reached.

"Fine! You win..." This wasn't my day, first I got brushed off by my sensei, then I got chased for hours by some lady I pissed off and wanted to skin me, now I had to keep my promise of not saying my catchphrase to that same woman.

"Ahh...That was the most fun I had in a while, we should do it again sometimes." The competitive spirit in me just couldn't sit still at that.
"I won't lose next time! Be..." before I could finish my sentence, a hand whacked the back of my head. "Ow...what was that for!"
"Breaking your promise already?"
Oh, right. I was supposed to stop saying that for a month.

"I have to leave now, but be here at nine am tomorrow."

Surprisingly she gave me a small smile, waved and was about to leave.

"Wait! What for?" She turned around, gave me a exasperated look and deadpanned. "You forgot already? Why we were doing this in the first place?"

Taking a moment to ponder I remembered again why we were doing this again, she offered training to me.

"So, you weren't kidding? You'll really train me?"

She just gave me a small smile "You can call me Yugao-sensei." and leapt off into the darkness.

Well, no point staying here I guess, if I want to wake up tomorrow better go to bed now...I had a feeling that she'll do horrible things to me if I'm late or don't show up.

'I wonder what she'll teach me."