Academy Arc: Spotlight

Asuma had decided that Yuina could have the spotlight. He would even encourage it. It wouldn't stop others from having high expectations of him, but the fewer things were about him, the better. Life was significantly more relaxing when he could do the things he wanted at his own pace.

Yuina joined in playing ninja during break? Point out how well she at hiding.

Practicing their katas? Mention how fluid it was.

She didn't give answers during class? Tell everyone she scrawled the right answers in that notebook she always carried around. It was usually true anyway. Though, he wondered if there was a trick to infinite paper or something because there always seemed to be more space to write more.

Single Yuina out during their chakra exercises? Check.

Asuma had even caught Yuina talking to sensei the other day during lunch about things he didn't understand. Well, he didn't need to play that up. He couldn't contain himself. He had gone rushing to Kurenai to tell her all about it and Goro overheard. It was almost funny. The boy complained about Mayumi's gossiping when he gossiped just as much.

He felt bad. Asuma knew the pain of expectations. He didn't feel good about his actions, yet he didn't regret his decisions. Memories of his dad. Memories of his assigned trainer. Memories of his elder brother, Noriaki, who was also in the academy. Asuma was tired. He needed space. Yuina's audacity to appear unfazed was irritatingly comforting. It was probably fine if she wasn't going to make a big deal out of it.

Sure, Kichiro now believed Asuma had a crush on Yuina because of how frequently he spoke of her, but it was a small price to pay even if it was far from the truth.

"This is the seal of confrontation. You will use it before any sparring match. After the match, you'll lock fingers to form the seal of reconciliation together." Sato displayed the seals he expected from his class.

The class watched with rapt attention. Some whispered to their friends. A few looked horrified they would have to fight their friends. Asuma found Yuina in the crowd of students and watched as she blinked, frowned, and whispered something under her breath, before returning to her neutral expression that revealed nothing. Asuma's eyes fluttered in wonder.

Sensei's eyes darted around the group of students as he determined who should be the first to spar. "Let's start with…Hatake Yuina."

Asuma would have preferred she fight later so he could compare her fight with the others. She had at least some sparring experience, considering what he witnessed on the first day of class, but who was going to remember the first match?

"…and Sarutobi Asuma."

And there he had it. Another problem. Asuma was not prepared for the matchup. It wasn't that he couldn't spar. He may have continuously lost to Noriaki, but that was for other reasons. Against Yuina was another matter. Asuma could downplay his abilities to make Yuina look like the better fighter. A close fight would draw attention back to himself and destroy all the effort he had put into his plan. It would be harder than using words though. He thought about the best course of action for the results he wanted.

Asuma and Yuina stood at different ends of the ring, facing each other. They made the Seal of Confrontation to commence the match.

He saw sunlight as he felt a light tap against his chest. Asuma splattered against the ground in a daze. A light tingle gnawed below the elbow of his right arm. The same sensation also existed behind his knee.

"Did you see that?"

"What happened?"

"You think he's okay?"

The light tap had been Yuina's fist. All thoughts vanished into a blank slate as he attempted to process what had happened.

Asuma stared in a daze at the hand Yuina extended down towards him. It took a moment to realize she was trying to help him up. He grabbed her hand and once he was standing. They connected their fingers to form the seal of reconciliation.

Yuina was happy that she reacted quick enough. Her mind fought against her as she had approached the ring. Asuma was a child. What kind of adult attacks a child? But she wasn't an adult, not anymore, and the kids were considered living weapons. She was becoming a living weapon. The information conflicted within her until they stood on opposite sides where she made an executive decision.

She wanted a swift, efficient victory. To reduce the overall physical harm while quickly putting an end to the spar. Sakumo had taught her to never draw things out if it could be prevented. Finish things fast or take the opportunity of the first opening.

"Good job! You were so fast." Hoshi's voice broke her out of her thoughts as she rejoined the class on the sidelines.

"Yeah. How'd you do it?" asked Jun as he peaked around Hoshi as sensei called Aburame Susume and Ibiki Morino to go next.

Curiosity and child wonder. It wasn't the first time she witnessed such expressions, but she would doubt reality for the briefest moment. They were just as talented. There was no reason for curiosity when her classmates were capable of the same. But then why?

It was probably because of Sakumo. He walked with her and Kakashi to and from the academy when he wasn't completing missions. It was no secret that Hoshi idolized the man and had dragged Jun into his excitement. Yuina had known Sakumo was skilled. He had to be given his age. She hadn't known the title of White Fang, even though she had heard some stories from him. She felt she knew Sakumo better than most people, but she felt lost when she first heard about the details he hadn't shared. It wasn't like a kid learning their parent had a whole life outside of them. She knew that. There was still plenty she didn't know. Yuina wanted Sakumo to rely on her more. She wanted to hear more and more about him.

"My endurance isn't great." Yuina thought of her frequent losses to Kakashi. "But I'm good with short distance sprints, so I tried my luck with that. It only worked because it was our first time sparring together. It's worth focusing on a strength of yours when your turn comes around." Yuina had faith that she wouldn't be able to catch someone unprepared next time, now that they knew how she fought. It was why she observed the other matches so intently. She needed to know what to expect from them to adjust her own methodology.

Jun gaped.

"You truly are the White Fang's kid," heaved Nakahara.

That was already established, but Yuina didn't see the connection to the current situation. She knew Hoshi didn't like lectures, but maybe he simply had a poor memory.

It didn't matter. She needed to worry about herself.

She needed to get strong.

Strong enough to fight her classmates was below the baseline. She needed to get stronger. Strong enough to handle whatever the world threw at her. One day, she would come across someone who would want to cause actual harm to her rather than a supportive but cautious group of family and peers. One day, she wouldn't be granted time for preparation. It would simply occur.