WS: The Red Mark Showcase Pt. 1.
Author's Note: It was the Image Cover. We all know why you clicked onto the story the moment you saw the picture.
...
They had a training session together every morning. Getting himself ready he would wear a simple black shirt that was sleeveless and grey shorts. He also wore yellow wristbands.
Just before they would begin, he'd look at her with kind eyes and smile brightly.
And of course, they couldn't begin without the music from the boombox. Slapping the small cassette tape into the slot and then with a simple click of a button the music started.
Yura yura to yuganda sora e
Kimi no motto e tonde yuke
The music played as they began to train together.
Cassandra Wu-San brought her hands together flatly and then gave a short forward bow to pay her respect. There was no needs for words in this moment, just letting the music play and Cassandra quietly mirroring his stance.
Zutto soba ni itta kara
Aita sukima ooki sugite
Together they motioned their arms in a silent winding motion before extending the left arm in a quick palm-like strike before together in unison, threw the whole length of their right arm in a punch.
It was in perfect unison. She mirrored his movements. Tightening the muscles in her arm, clenching her hand but remaining true to the fluid motion and natural way, the strike was a brief uppercut.
She and he, they thrusted both arms and flattened their hands into palm strikes that pushed their invisible opponent.
At his side Cassandra took a new stance, one that made her stand on one leg. One arm remained extended while she kicked with her other leg, the one leg keeping her balanced through the motion and without losing the momentum she needed to deliver her next move.
It was the extended arm that folded giving an elbow before returning quickly in another stance that raised both hands. A Kata.
The stance would go to a brief series of kicks. Still balancing herself on one leg, Cassandra motioned exactly as her other half in this session where the kick was quick and struck midway and then high up over her head.
Namaiki na kimi no suna o na henji
Matte dare ga sabishii
Movement was more than a language. It was an expression too. An expression that displayed everything from the emotions they both carried to the amazing skills they shared as fighters. It went hand-in-hand with Cassandra who worked off a blush rising on her cheeks. He smiled at her and nodded, not losing his composure before continuing. She was still not used to the encouragement and the praise he gave her. It was more than she was ever given. She saw clearly from his movement and the kind eyes he gave her. He was applauding her. He was telling her to go on, that she was doing amazing.
Mirarenai machi de naiteru nara
Soba ni inakutemo egao wa todoketai
This time their movements became faster.
Together they parted their usual stance with both legs wide as their arms did too, they turned their head left and then right as if they were surrounded by enemies.
A roundhouse kick flew as their bodies twirled into a reverse roundhouse kick after, Cassandra motioned her arms like his, like a flow of water that did not lose its momentum in speed and power. Cassandra struck hard and true before both ended with a returned fighting stance.
Yura yura to yuganda sora e
Kimi no moto e tonde yuke
Facing each other in this spar, Cassandra saw that beautiful form once again as they proceeded to fight. A series of punches flew from her and with ease he blocked, and to her mistake she put to much into the punch where he locked her arm and motioned his free arm to deliver a chop to her neck. He stopped inches from hitting her before pulling back.
His actions spoke louder than words. Telling her to try again.
Had it been anyone else before she met her companion, Cassandra knew she would have surely been punished with a series of brutal lashes all across the soles of her feet. And that wasn't even getting to battering her face into the ground.
Cassandra did exactly as he wanted because deep in her heart she did not want to disappoint him. This time with a flurry of moves that sent punches, palm strikes and knifehand strikes, her companion mirrored her movements and instead of striking back kept on a defensive that blocked each of her hits.
The song grew and grew just as their movements did. Cassandra felt enthusiastic with every beat. It got to the point where she broke mirroring his movements and began a new series of twirls and kicks that held all the strength she had in those kicks.
Konna ni mo chikaku ni kanjiteru
Futatsu no omoi
And it was over just like the music finishing in the background. Silently, they both brought their hands together the same as before and gave a short bow in respect.
"You did good, Cassandra. Better even!" He praised her, making her blush when he gave her a head pat.
He was taller than her. He was older than her. Looking up from beneath his palm she saw those thin lines adorn his cheeks and that wide toothy grin.
His name was Naruto.
'Naruto' Cassandra thought, repeating the name of her savior over in her head. Silently she reached for the scar on her neck. That alerted him. She worried him for that and that only brought her a small sense of shame.
"T-thank you." Cassandra said weakly.
She only ever spoke a few times in the last year since they've been together. And with each time she did, that meant there was still time for improvement.
He took comfort in that and gave a small sigh of relief. He smiled again, just a little bit more forced but still genuine for her.
"You managed to go through the basics perfectly, Cassandra. Once we're done here, I promise I'll take you to that small ice cream shop to celebrate." Naruto said happily, making her eyes shine.
Cassandra Wu-San nodded her head furiously, she loved chocolate ice cream the most. It was her favorite.
It was still only morning. They'll be busy for the next few hours.
...
This was what inspired me to write this.
I was inspired from watching the 9th Intro Theme Song called "Yura Yura" from the original Naruto series. If anyone hasn't put it together, I used the same movements we see in the video that shows the silhouette of Naruto using Taijutsu. And from the 15th Naruto Shippūden Outro "U Can Do It" which shows Naruto facing against Konohamaru, Neji, TenTen and Rock Lee in Taijutsu. Hence the clothes Naruto wears.
The second thing that inspired me was the story "Harley Quinn's Red Mark" which made me think about the character Red X for a bit and then it just grew where I looked over the comics, animations and even Fan Art.
Naruto is going to be more shinobi-based oriented rather than the usual powerhouse. However, please understand that Naruto is still strong but just doesn't see the point in using his true strength on people weaker than him. And in this case, I already came up with a background on explaining Naruto's origins and any techniques regarding as to how and why. For more questions go to my profile which will explain my intentions.
What sort of connection Naruto has with Cassandra Cain will be explained further in the later chapters.
Look up these characters.
Scarlet Blaze.
Crimson Fist.
Midnight Blade.
Breeze Dancer.
Azure Fang.
There is also another character - which will remain mysterious until the next chapter.
Thank you and please review.