R&R longer note at the end

Ever since they had first met Asuka had wondered how Murakumo was able to fight with such precision despite the hindrance of the mask she wore, at first she had been rather confused by why the girl even had the mask assuming it was part of her shinobi armour it was a visit to Gessen to meet with Yumi she had learned the girls mask was her everyday wear.

Upon speaking with Yumi she had learned the truth of Murakumo's reasons of being extremely shy despite her attractive looks, today however she had a plan she would learn a new skill and hopefully she would earn an interesting surprise by the end of it approaching the Gessen common room as she knocked hearing a voice call her in.

Sliding the door open she walked in with a smile holding a bag behind her back as she stepped in closing the door behind her seeing the dark brown haired girl sat at the main table drawing, she looked up seeing the Hanzō leader approach slowly as she sat down placing her bag down next to her keeping the contents hidden.

"Hey Murakumo, good to see you" Asuka said politely knowing it would just be the two of them being informed by her friend that the rest would be away on a training mission, sneaking a peek at what the girl was drawing as she smiled impressed by how well the other could draw.

"If you're looking for Yumi her and the others are away" the girl explained returning to her drawings as she peered to the silent shinobi sitting with her, it had been the first time she had been alone with anyone but her own team however she couldn't deny her curiosity of what was in the bag as she placed her pen down looking over at the other who continued to smile.

"Yes?" Asuka asked as the other wordlessly pointed to the bag next to Asuka as she looked down smiling "Oh curious about the bag? Well want to see? There is just one condition for it if you would want to except". Murakumo silently looked down as she pondered what the condition could even be, giving it some thought she looked at the Hanzō leader slowly nodding her head in agreement as Asuka smiled reaching for the bag her hands hovering over it.

"The condition is that if I show you what's in the bag" Asuka said with a small smile looking at the girl in front of her "Then you have to show me what's behind the mask". Murakumo shifted a little in her seat as her hand reached up touching the white devil like mask deep in thought, she had always wore her mask no matter what the only people who had seen her face had been her team but to show someone outside of that circle. Could she do it?

XXX

After following the Gessen elite member to the training room Asuka smiled reaching into the bag she had brought with her removing a black skull shaped mask leaving he chin exposed causing Murakumo to look a little confused wondering what exactly was happening, with some help the Hanzō leader had managed to get the mask on feeling it was snug enough as she smiled allowing herself to look around the room trying to adjust to the new sensation.

Despite her now limited vision Asuka felt confident in her plan changing to her shinobi armour she looked to the other who nodded doing the same, her spear clutched in her left hand and her cleaver in the right the two faced each other wanting to know exactly what the other saw and how the other girl managed she had realised it would be easier with some practical experience.

"Okay, just a quick match should help" Asuka said as she saw the other nod "A five-minute time limit for now, next time we can always move it up to ten". Seeing the other nod once more Asuka drew her short swords, the Hanzō leader had always pushed herself to improve never wanting to be left behind by her class mates and fellow shinobi and today would be no different.

XXX

The dark brown haired shinobi laid on her back panting as her swords lay strewn across the floor, she had known this would not be easy but to be bested so easily she had not imagined yet she was not upset with the loss she couldn't help but smile as she reached up removing the mask hearing the foot-steps of her former opponent approach to check on her.

"I'm very impressed Murakumo, I knew this would be hard but you really didn't hold back" Asuka chuckled as she carefully pushed herself into a sitting position as the other kneeled next to her "Thank you, for indulging me I was curious on what it was like and now I know".

"You're welcome" Murakumo said the mask shifting on her face as she smiled "You survived much longer than I expected, of course this should be no surprise as someone of your strength reached the status of leader. I am honoured that you chose me to battle". A small blush played at Asuka's cheeks as she nervously scratched her nose chuckling, she had never been told it was an honour for someone to fight her before but she felt happy that someone felt so highly of her.

Slowly Murakumo shifted feeling a little nervous as Asuka looked on a spot of confusion in her eyes as she wondered what was causing the other to be so nervous, as she sat watching the dark brown haired Gessen elite member raised her hands to the sides of her mask. Hesitating for a moment she let out a slow breath slipping the mask off as she revealed her beautiful features, her olive green eyes looked down for a moment as her face went red feeling embarrassed as she went to put the mask back on she felt two soft hands gently stopping her.

Finding the courage to raise her head she looked up her eyes meeting the soft caring hazel eyes of the Hanzō leader who smiled, slowly inching closer as she lightly pressed her lips to the others as Murakumo slowly froze not resisting the soft sensation allowing herself to kiss back as the two embraced for a few more moments before pulling back.

"You're so pretty, I hope you can gain the confidence to show the world that fact one day" Asuka said smiling.

Once again an unexpected and in my personal opinion under rated character makes a shocking appearance in the ever lovely and shy form of Murakumo, honestly this one was strangely easy to write and the idea just seemed to fit perfectly. Asuka always wanting to improve as a Shinobi concerned about falling behind as others grow stronger she too must grow and what better way to grow than challenging yourself

Of course the well known manga writing, mask wearing shinobi would be the perfect teacher in this new endeavour to be better and of course in true Asuka fashion there is always a hidden agenda behind what she does

So who is next I'm sure your wondering well, you'll find out soon enough and I can reveal that the next few are written and ready to go but I am saving them so that it's not overloading and gives people time to enjoy the story and me time to make any changes should I need to