Guardian Style
Chapter 3: Lectures
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters involved except Guardian F. Fire
"What do you mean you can't fight tomorrow?" Naruto asked.
"I… I don't want anyone getting hurt," Fire explained.
Naruto sat in stunned silence for a minute, before he began to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Fire asked, annoyed.
"Sorry. It's just, Kakashi-sensei was who trained me. He's one of the strongest ninja I know, and I've never seen you draw your sword let alone use it. I don't think you'll have too much trouble with hurting anyone tomorrow," Naruto explained.
Fire was still glaring at him, "You're sure?"
Naruto nodded. After a minute longer of staring Fire finally sighed.
"Alright. I suppose if you all know what you're getting into."
"What's the big deal anyway?" Naruto asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, no offense, but you don't seem all that strong."
Fire sighed again, "I know I don't much look it, and I'm still in training as a Guardian. But believe me when I say I can hold my own."
Naruto raised a disbelieving eyebrow which made Fire sigh again.
"Look, just trust me on this one ok? Let's get some rest, we've got a big day tomorrow."
Naruto nodded before hopping up from his bed and helping Fire unpack his spare. Within a few minutes, the two of them were fast asleep.
The next morning
The pair awoke and made their preparations for the match, and once they were ready Naruto led Fire to the training grounds where the match would take place.
The area was a small forest, with clearings scattered throughout. Naruto sighed as he saw three wooden poles standing in the middle of one clearing.
"That takes me back," he said.
"What?" Fire asked as he stood up from examining a patch of loose dirt.
"Those poles over there," Naruto said as he raised an arm to point them out, "They were my team's first exercise."
"Your team? You never mentioned you were on a team."
"Yeah, team seven. It was me, Sakura, Kakashi-sensei, and… Sasuke."
"You don't sound like a fan of that last guy."
"It's complicated."
"Well, you two are here early," Kakashi called to them.
The pair looked up to see him standing on one of the poles on the far side of the clearing.
"Just getting a lay of the land, I'm not as familiar with this battlefield as you two are," Fire called.
"Not a bad idea," he jumped up then disappeared in a blur, before appearing a few feet away from them.
"Whoa…" Fire said, his eyes wide in surprise.
"I take it you haven't seen many ninja before?" Kakashi asked.
Fire shook his head.
"Well, be prepared for a lot of things like that. We're a crafty bunch."
"Should you be giving your opponents advice a few hours before our match?" Fire asked.
"I'm a teacher. It's my job to make sure my students are equipped to handle whatever situations they find themselves in. Even if that situation is them fighting against me."
Fire tilted his head as he thought about it, "You sound like my master."
"I take it they're teaching you how to use that sword of yours?" Kakashi asked.
"Among other things, but the way you approach things. He's the same way. He's also so assured, so confident. Like he knows he can handle whatever's coming."
"That's what happens when you've been through a lot. You learn and adapt, you get stronger. But never forget, no matter how strong you become, there's always-"
"Someone stronger," Fire finished.
Kakashi nodded, "I take it your master is a fan of that phrase as well?"
He nodded, "He uses it constantly."
Kakashi smiled, his eyes the only part of his face that could show it, "Glad to see I'm not alone in that."
His face returned to its normal, serious look. "I'll leave you to it. Still a few hours before our session is meant to start."
Kakashi yawned, "I think I'll go read my book in that tree over there."
He disappeared again, leaving Fire and Naruto standing in the clearing.
"Book?" Fire asked.
"One of Pervy Sage's 'novels'. I don't get it, I tried to read some of it when I was traveling with him, but it just sounded like a bunch of nonsense to me."
Fire nodded slowly, "I see… And Kakashi-sensei also… reads those books?"
Naruto nodded now, "Yeah. That was something we noticed during our first time sparring with him. He had these two bells on his belt we had to steal from him. The whole time he was reading his book, but he still kicked the crap out of us."
Naruto smiled as he recalled the memory.
"I doubt he'll be reading it this time," Fire said with a grin.
Naruto smiled back, "Nah, we won't give him the chance!"
The two spent the remaining hours going over their strategy and reviewing the last parts of the terrain. As the sun rose to its highest point, Tsunade and Jiraiya arrived at the field.
"Are you two ready?" She asked the boys.
"Yes ma'am!" Both replied.
"Kakashi?" She asked, turning to the other man.
"Just say the word."
"Right. This match will be a simple spar. You two versus Kakashi. The winner will be declared when either side is incapacitated or surrenders. Until then, the match is on with no breaks or timeouts. Am I clear?"
"Yes ma'am!" all three replied.
"Good, then take your starting positions. I'll announce the start of the match. Good luck to all of you."
The trio separated, Naruto and Fire going south while Kakashi went north. As they settled into their starting positions Tsunade and Jiraiya disappeared amongst the trees. After a few minutes of silence, Tsunade nodded.
"Sounds like they're ready."
"Combatants… Start!"
Tsunade's voice echoed through the training ground. Fire drew the sword from his back and looked to Naruto who nodded.
"On your mark," Naruto told him.
Fire nodded, "Just like we discussed."