"This here is the training ground we use to practise our jutsu and spar." In front of them was a circular field with various buildings scattered around what appeared to be multiple arenas. The area was dead silent, even the chirping of the birds was faint, everyone had the same question but not the will to ask it. Where was everyone? It should have been evident but they were just ignorant stupid felt like unwelcome guests and the few people that were still living in the Uchiha clan's home ground had been giving them suppressed stares that proved they had a deep running hatred for their birth country. The atmosphere had been like this the entire time. It was evident without putting it into words. It was simply annoying. They didn't know us and we didn't know them. There was no reason to hate someone you just met but if they wanted to play with fire Andrew would retaliate against them with fire.
"Where is everyone?" Karasu, who was guiding them as the Uchiha clan's representative, glared at Andrew.
"Surely you didn't mean to ask that, my pupil." Karasu had a rough idea of what Andrew was plotting and didn't want the unnecessary trouble. He knew that it would only sour already tenuous relations between these four kids and the clan. They had to prove themselves as trustworthy and separate themselves as allies and not enemies. Yet here he was already throwing this out the window.
"My bad, then how about a duel. To showcase the Uchiha clan's prominent prodigies against us worthless scum who don't even deserve the roofs over our heads or the food on our plates." The aura that was surrounding them seemed to ease a bit as other Uchiha clan elders agreed with this proposition smirking as they did believing there was no way they could lose, yet a burning blaze sweltered within this group as Karasu gave an even deeper glare into Andrew's eyes who were unfazed at first but even he began to question if he had went a step too far. All that sparring against his master meant nothing. As he was now he couldn't handle Karasu's full strength. It was too late now, all he could do was dig in his heels and follow through with his words with the backing of his actions.
"Of course this won't be a simple duel will it? What's the catch?" Karasu caught on quickly and knew he couldn't interfere but he could stop it from going too far.
"If we win, we get respect."
"And if you lose?" The elders chimed in, curious about the young boy's proposition.
"And if we lose you won't have to see our faces again. We'll leave." The two older kids were initially all for the dual but hearing what was on the line they began to have second thoughts. All while Emi was hiding behind the group, quiet the entire time trying to hide herself within the shadows.
"One dual, one on one. Against one of your most prominent prodigies. Do we have a deal?" Andrew reached out his hand towards the elders who exchanged glances before slapping away the hand.
"We agree but we won't ever acknowledge you. So who out of you four will we see fight?" They looked on eagerly to see which kid would get beaten down to a bloody pulp against their respectable clan. The two boys looked at each other before one stepped forward.
"I'm the oldest so I'll fight." His voice was shaky but he still stepped forward. That required confidence but he was in no way the best fighter amongst them. Especially in that state.
"No, I'll do it. Just look at you. I'm afraid you'll fold in less than a minute." Andrew pointed out the kids flaws and looked him up and down before looking the kid in the eyes and giving a disapproving tut. This angered the kid who lashed out against Andrew grabbing him by the collar. Shouting and spitting all over him. In one action Andrew turned the odds and had the kid's arm strained behind his back. The elders looked on with pleasure at the infighting and Karasu didn't even bother himself with the situation anymore. He already planned to referee the actual duel but what happened before then was none of his business.
The older kid looked on in a mix of awe, excitement and shock at what happened to his friend while Emi was frightened by the prospect of a fight. She seemed to be traumatised by the battlefield as had many of the other kids that had been with them. They grew up but never truly got over their fears and experiences. They just had too learn to live with it and push on. At least that's what Andrew thought.
"Now, who's your fighter?" Andrew asked without giving the elders any attention, only looking at them through the side of his eyes with a judging glare, taken as an insult.
""Why do I have to fight?"
"Because… it will be a good learning experience." The elder gave a short pause before answering, coming up with a good reason for him to actually participate. The kid gave no reply and entered the ring. They were using the training grounds that Andrew and the others had been touring an hour ago.
"Let the fight between the Hidden clouds representative Andrew and the Uchiha clan's representative Itachi Uchiha begin." Karasu was the referee and had his arm raised to begin the fight as soon as he finished counting down.
'3'
"So we meet again." Itachi was calm and composed. He was opposed to unnecessary fighting but that wouldn't mean he would hold back.
'2'
"So it seems." Andrew reached for his sheathed sword and hovered around the hilt ready to launch a strike at a moment's notice.
'1'
"This time we will actually get to finish." Andrew smiled at the prospect of a rematch but knew it wouldn't be easy recalling his experience of their other fight.
Itachi gave a faint smile as the duel was about to begin.
"START!" Karasu swung his arm down and the two children rushed towards one another.
Itachi immediately jumped back preparing to let off a jutsu that would encompass most of the battlefield. If Andrew wanted to win he couldn't let this drag on long. It would have to be a short decisive battle. Itachi had numerous tools in his arsenal and was more skilled while Andrew only knew two basic jutsu and how to run fast with lightning which he can't even use in a proper fight.
"Fire style: Fireball jutsu." A great ball of flames was flying towards Andrew who rushed to the very edge as quickly as he could leaving the edges of his clothes to get burnt. He continued his rush until he struck at Itachi's side with his sword.
"Deja vu much?" Andrew asked smirkingly. Through the fake bravado it would be a downhill battle if he couldn't end it here.
He struck aiming for the various vitals such as the neck and heart but it was all blocked by Itachi who followed through with two thrown kunai that Andrew blocked only to have his sword disarmed from him and thrown into hand to hand combat.
Andrew ducked and shifted avoiding the majority of punches blocking the rest he couldn't react to fast enough. All throughout this Itachi hadn't activated his sharingan. Was he taking Andrew lightly or could he really win without going all out?
A fire burned within Andrew who let out a vicious cycle of attacks grazing Itachi and placing him on the back foot with a kick aimed at the bottom of the jaw. Without any time to waste Andrew charged, taking out a kunai and attacking unrelentingly, getting faster and more aggressive with each swing. Itachi once again disarmed Andrew and stunned him before falling back to prepare another jutsu.
"That was unexpected." Itachi spoke bluntly with a hint of surprise in his voice. Andrew didn't reply, he was acting like a vicious animal, claws sharpened and aiming for the final kill. Without any warning Andrew charged, catching Itachi off guard and landing a hit before Itachi threw a kick to his chest that sent him tumbling backwards. Itachi then let off his jutsu.
"Fire style: Fire bombs jutsu." If quality didn't work then he would make up for it with quantity letting off successive fire balls that were smaller in size compared to the fireball but just as dangerous.
The onlookers observed with varying degrees of reactions. The elders were impressed with Itachi's show of skill while the hidden cloud kids couldn't help but feel worried yet also see Andrew get what they feel he deserved all along, a onesided beating. Emi was still holed up at the back of the group flinching at each and every attack whilst muttering something under her breath.
Andrew was in a sorry state, he couldn't fully grasp his mental state as he was merely charging headfirst into hand to hand combat relying on instinct only to be met with the same results of being pushed back.
What the hell am I doing? Andrew once again charged without a plan and engaged in taijutsu combat exchanging blows but ultimately Andrew once again got placed onto the back foot. This would only lead to his defeat. He was suffering from wounds luckily none of which were severe. His mind raced with only one thought. One command. 'Kill'
His mind couldn't cope with the stress his body was put under and he entered a beserk like state. As his condition worsened and the battle dragged on it only got worse. The once quiet voice now rang out in his ears unrelentingly. 'KILL KILL KILL KILL!' There was no end to it. He even started muttering it to himself.
"Kill, kill, kill, kill." His mind was taken over by this one word. It was all he could think about.
The battle momentarily paused as Andrew just stood there arms drooped down along with his head and a hunched back. "Kill, kill, kill." His gaze wasn't human anymore, he lost all sense of reason and could only comprehend one thing. Kill. And the target in his sights? Itachi Uchiha's head.
He forgot all about the fact that this was a spar and his instincts screamed out in pain. Panting Andrew gazed up at his opponent. His fading vision somehow clearly showed his surroundings, and his opponent was even clearer as if he knew what would happen next.
"Dammit why now of all times." Karasu grew worried, and the end of the fight became much more difficult. It was now unclear who would take victory. He readied himself to intervene at any moment.
Andrew shot forward leaving trails of lightning in his stead, Karasu's eyes managed to keep track of his movements while to the kids he seemed like a blue light not being able to follow his movements so instead they looked to Itachi who was still calm and composed.
In a moment Andrews sword was gone leaving only an afterimage of faint blue light. Karasu jumped forward leaving everyone to ponder the end to the fight.
As the scene became clearer there was a shocking sight. Itachi had a sword to his throat and Andrew had a kunai pointed straight at his chest with Karasu behind Andrew, kunai at the ready.
"Calm down. The elders can't see this sight. Not here. Not now."
Andrew couldn't respond, only huffing and puffing as the toll on his body ran deep. His mental state cleared and his vision returned to was about to collapse but was propped up by Karasu.
Was it a draw? No one was certain about what just happened and questions ran through the ranks of the elders as they demanded a rematch. Itach refused to fight again while Andrew physically couldn't. The children were in a mix of joy and annoyance. They saw one of their own go toe to toe with the Uchiha's prodigy child yet they also wanted him to get beaten up a little bit more. They still held a grudge against Andrew who was the outlier of their group of children from the hidden cloud.
Emi rushed forwards to check on Andrew worrying over every little injury. Contrary to her silent and reclusive personality she was worked up and spoke very fast reprimanding Andrew for his actions and the bet. After realising what she was doing she took a step back and apologised lowering her head in despair. Andrew didn't know what to do, he never had any siblings or dealt with the company of others much so he couldn't be certain of what to say that would give him the desired outcome.
"Thank you." Andrew let out his gratefulness for her worrying. He saw her during the fight, she was cheering him on from the background. If it wasn't for his vision he wouldn't have known. Emi looked up in pleasant surprise before running away, hands close to her chest.
"I declare this fight a draw!" Karasu spoke out, there was no decisive winner although it was clear Andrew couldn't continue and Itachi was relatively unscathed. Though technically it was a draw the unanimous victor was clear, Itachi Uchiha. Even so the bet was called off. Much to the displeasure of the elders.
"Was that - " Itachi began to speak, questioning the event that had been unfolding but was quickly interrupted and shut down by Karasu.
"Yes. Yes it was."
"Where did he get it?"
"It's in his blood. That's why I was so insistent on getting him to join our clan. Speak a word of this to anyone and it will be your life."
"Understood." Itachi turned and left his thoughts racing at this new found revelation.
"Andrew, come with me. We'll get your wounds checked up on."