We were trained to think outside the box. Sgt. George Gomez, Deadliest Warrior

Chapter 6: The Training Continues

"Guys, I'm headin' out." TL said.

"AGAIN, ya mean?" Xem asked.

"Look, I PROMISE that I'll be back sooner this time around." TL said, "I'll only be gone for half an hour. ONE hour, tops." TL climbed out the window and jumped into the forest.

"Wonder what he's doin' all that time…" Rattrap murmured.

"I know what he's up to." Sylar stated.

"Well?" Xem asked.

"I said I know what he's up to." Sylar answered, "I didn't say I'd tell you."

"WHY were you TL's choice for his number two?" Xem asked, flatly.

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TL slid through the trees as he came to a halt at an area just outside the Hyuga compound. He came to a halt as he saw Hanabi sitting under the tree.

"Wonder when TL's gonna get here…" the Hyuga girl wondered out loud.

"TADA!" TL shouted as he lowered himself on his Aura Arm, causing Hanabi to jump a bit, "Say my name and I magically appear!"

"Don't do that." Hanabi ordered, but still looked pleased at the hedgehog's timely appearance.

"That smile on your face says otherwise." TL grinned.

"Are we gonna get onto the second lesson?" Hanabi asked.

"Oh right." TL said, withdrawing his aura arm and landing on all fours. He stood up and asked, "Remember what ya learned yesterday?"

"Well, I chased you a bit and you sang a song by Billy Joel…" Hanabi said, remembering the happenings of yesterday, "Then I knocked you out."

"Thankfully, my skull recovered…" TL murmured before asking, "And how did you knock me out?"

"I did a headbutt." Hanabi answered.

"Was it the first strategy you had?" TL asked.

"No, I considered kicking you in the stomach." Hanabi replied.

"Why didn't you?" TL asked, thanking God in his mind that she didn't kick him.

"Because…you probably knew I'd do that." Hanabi replied, "I had to do something you wouldn't expect and catch you off guard."

"Bingo." TL said, pointing a finger, "You thought outside the box. When a fighter gets that downpat, he…or in this case, she…becomes unpredictable because she can come to conclusions most probably wouldn't expect. THAT is always the first thing we train when it comes to Snake-Style Combat—the Mind. NEXT, we train the lower body."

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"When I wanted you to train me, this isn't what I had in mind…" Hanabi stated as TL tied her hands together.

"I WOULD train ya the way I was trained, but we don't have any whips, poisonous reptiles, or fireworks." TL murmured as he gave the bonds one last tug to make sure they were nice and tight. He walked about a yard in front of Hanabi and readied himself, "Come when you're ready. Your hands are out of commission, so you've gotta use your legs. If you can lay five successful attacks, lesson two is over. Now, COME ON!"

Hanabi bolted over and jumped, aiming to kick the hedgehog in the face, but this time, TL was ready. He grabbed the Hyuga girl's foot and swung his boot into her hip, causing her to stumble to the side.

"Thought you could think outside the box now…" TL stated.

Hanabi stood up, with difficulty considering her hands were tied. She bolted over and brought her foot up. TL grabbed it only for Hanabi to bring her other foot into his stomach.

"Well, that was good…" the Fictorian murmured as he gasped for breath. He pulled out the UFO Blade and brought it across a tree, making a single tally mark, "One down, four to go…"

Forty-five minutes later…

"Only three hits. I'm disappointed." TL stated as Hanabi was laying on the ground, gasping for breath.

"I…can't…do it…" Hanabi gasped.

"What makes ya say that?" TL asked, standing over the Hyuga girl before crouching down to her level.

"You've…got your hands AND feet…I've…only got…my feet…" Hanabi replied.

TL held out his right arm and moved the fur. There were rope burn marks on his wrists. They were healed over, but still stuck out (A/N: I speak from experience about scars.). He had trained that way to the point where the ropes had virtually cut into his wrists.

"Never stopped ME." TL replied. He stood up, clenched his fists, and said, "Let's try again. You have two more hits left."

Hanabi stood up with EXTREME difficulty due to her current situation. She bolted over and TL wheeled around and caught the kick she was trying to throw at him. He shoved her away, causing her to hop slightly in order to keep her balance.

"Come on." TL said, smirking as he beckoned, "Stop TRYING to kick me and kick me already."

Hanabi jumped into the air and brought her left leg down. TL caught it…but Hanabi's other foot came out to catch TL in the stomach. The hedgehog was winded and sent up into the air. He then began to spin as he regained his composure. Hanabi's maneuver caused her to flip and land, perfectly on her feet.

"Nice form." TL said, but then thought 'Hey, where'd THAT come from?!'

Hanabi sped forward and looked ready to catch TL in the face. The hedgehog flung up his arms in a defensive manner, but it soon became obvious that it was a feint. Because Hanabi kept running until she was right behind TL. She brought his foot into his butt and sent him flying into the trees.

"THAT was cheap." TL said as he jumped out of the trees and landed in front of Hanabi, "But still, it was proof that you thought outside the box. You fooled me into thinking that you would attack me, head-on."

"Thanks…I think…" Hanabi replied, still tired. TL drew his UFO Blade and bolted behind Hanabi. A second later, his sword flashed and her ropes were cut.

"Lesson two over." TL stated before jumping into the trees, "Catch ya later, Princess!"

"Princess?" Hanabi simply asked.

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"At least ya showed up BEFORE SUNDOWN THIS TIME!" Rattrap shouted.

"Rattrap, isn't that kinda…harsh?" Xem asked.

"Nah, he's right." TL replied, waving his hand, "And, ya know what? To make up for it, how's 'bout I take ya guys out for ramen?"

"Didn't Tsunade say we should keep a low profile?" Sylar asked.

"Hey, I'm a friend of Konoha." TL said, "I've been here a few years ago and on more occasions since. I think I can just treat my friends to the best noodles in town."

"Well, can't argue with that." Sylar said, "Let's head out."

"Can Rattrap ACTUALLY eat?" Xem asked.

"Hey, I'm half organic, ain't I?" Rattrap asked.

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Hanabi walked into the Hyuga compound after catching her breath. THAT took more out of her than she thought. However, right in front to meet her was…

"Hello, Hanabi." Greeted Hiashi.

"Hello, father." Hanabi replied.

"Where were you all this time?" the head of the clan asked.

"Out." Hanabi replied.

"With that hedgehog?" Hiashi asked. Hanabi froze in place.

CLIFFIES! YAY!