R&R longer note at the end

Homura panted as she sliced her way through another wave of small Yōma her green eyes scanned the area dodging yet another wave dispatching it as she kept moving, when she had entered the forest for a spot of training she had never expected it to end up like this dodging a few more attacks she pressed forwards her experience told her one thing somewhere hidden in this forest the leader could be found the only question she had was. Where?

The black haired Hanzō first year dodged the attacks of the small Yōma attempting to swarm her kicking and punching at any that got close, fighting off the continued waves Ayame started to wonder if she had made a mistake. Her plan had been to prove herself wanting to be noticed by the elite team, she continued to fight off more waves of Yōma realising she may have bitten off more than she could chew.

Ayame panted as the waves of the lower Yōma began to stop causing the other to feel a moment of reprieve a smile beginning to play at her lips feeling that she had succeeded, however her eyes slowly began to widen as a figure appeared walking towards her the black haired girl took a defensive stance as the figure got closer a smile began to form at her lips.

"Good work, Ayame" the figure spoke softly as it moved closer stopping just short of the other girl her long blonde hair blowing in the light breeze her blue-green eyes sparkling with pride as they looked at the younger girl "You've done an amazing job Ayame, I'm so proud of you. Come let's go back so we can induct you into the elite team". Slowly Katsuragi smiled reaching up as she gently placed her hand on the black haired girls face, Ayame smiled leaning into the touch feeling accepted finally by the shinobi she admired the most.

"Get away from her!" came a voice as Ayame's eyes shot in the direction of the voice as Katsuragi jumped back seeing a flash of silver feeling the heat of strong flames filled the area, landing just at the rookie's side the tanned shinobi turned her attention to the blonde in front of her.

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The blonde looked at the new arrival with a frustrated look on her face as her eyes returned to Ayame with almost a pleading look on her face, Ayame's red eyes darted from the blonde to Homura as she spun on the spot aiming a kick at the tanned girl who quickly dodged glaring at the black haired first year.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Homura asked in anger as the black haired girl glared at her "Wait? You're that first year from Hanzō? What are you even doing here?" Ayame didn't respond as she launched at the other shinobi who blocked her attacks a look of realization on the others face, forcing the other back her eyes darted to the now grinning blonde lowering her guard momentarily as she glared.

"Leave her alone!" Ayame shouted taking the opportunity as she punched out landing a shot on the tanned girl sliding back as she smiled causing the anger to continue to build in the younger girl.

"Hit me all you want but I'm cutting it down" Homura said her eyes locked on the blonde "You're inexperienced so it's obvious you haven't noticed but that's not the girl you know, that's a Yōma so either get your head in the game and help me or stay out of my damn way".

"Really Homura? How hurtful can you be to me?" Ayame turned on the spot hearing another voice her eyes widening in surprise, replacing the blonde was now a dark brown haired girl as realization began to set in a heat from flames passed by her in a flash of silver as the tanned girl collided her swords with the newly appeared Asuka.

"Don't you dare use her appearance" Homura said through gritted teeth "Creature".

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Ayame stood stunned as she watched the tanned shinobi and the fake Asuka clash she knew she had to help but her body wouldn't move, she could not believe how easily she was tricked by a Yōma her inexperience had shown heavily wanting nothing more than to prove herself she had simply let her inexperience show so heavily.

"Fight Ayame!" Homura called out as she forced the fake back glaring "You want to be accepted, show it then. Take this fake out". Ayame snapped out of it as her body began to respond once more the fake Asuka continued to press her attack at the tanned shinobi, her red eyes watching them closely as her mind raced trying to locate an opening before she knew it her body had reacted without her input.

Homura jumped back as the young girl shot forward with a barrage of kicks and punches a smile crossing her lips as she concentrated her strength the fire on her swords beginning to grow, Homura's experience could tell her one thing this must end in one hit she could only hope the inexperienced girl could hold them off long enough.

Keeping the pressure on Ayame continued to push the other back feeling her anger begin to grow watching the Yōma's true nature begin to show as the fake Asuka's hair began to grow lighter slowly changing to the same blonde hair it had used to trick her.

"Enough, you will not trick me any longer" Ayame called out as the creature yelled a blood curdling screech as it charged directly at the rookie shinobi, remembering her training with members of the elite group of Hanzō dropping down she placed her hands on the ground pushing back as the creature lunged at her she pushed off with all her strength kicking it into the air her eyes darting to the other shinobi with a nod.

Smiling Homura charged forwards her blades blazing as she slashed the creature in half its screams of pain rang out through the once silent forest as the parts of the creature burned up like the setting sun from the tanned girls blow who landed with a slight stumble while the ashes of the Yōma began to float on the air She smiled turning around to praise the other girl for her hard work, however before she could celebrate the black haired shinobi pounced pressing her lips against the others for a few moments before she pulled away smiling tears in her eyes.

"Th-thank you" Ayame said with a sad smile "Thank you for saving me".

Little bit of a longer one with this, touching on that inexperience of Ayame, no more training arc with Asuka this time she was taking on the real thing and if it hadn't been for our favourite renegade leader Homura I can only imagine what would have happened to poor Ayame I will say Ayame is a pretty fun and interesting character to write for so maybe later down the line when the writers block keeps away we can see what else I do with her

Anyway hope you all enjoyed and see you in the next one