Chapter 7 - ch.7

----------------About an hour before end of last chapter-----------------------

Sakura woke to find that Hinata was not on the floor mat beside her. 'Must have got up early' she thinks, unaware of what happened last night. She gets dressed, and heads downstairs to eat the breakfast she got from their provisions. She finishes eating, and cleans her dishes, setting them on a dish rack to dry. 'That's strange. There's no dishes drying...'

She leaves the house looking for Grimm. "Grimm-sensei!" she calls out. No response. She looks around the backyard. It's relatively small, bordered by forests. It's grassy and bare. She moves forward tward the trees, planning to search the forest.

"Summoning jutsu!" Sakura hears from behind her. She sees Grimm a few steps behind her, with an adorable kitten in his hand. "It's dangerous to go alone. Here, take this!"

A sweat drops on Sakura's head. "Um, How's a kitten gonna help? Besides, I was looking for you..." She says with a look that says "are you serious...?"

"What, I can't have a snese of humor? Anyway, what were you looking for me for? Training doesn't start for another hour."

"Well, first, Hinata wasn't in my room when I woke, and I don't see her out here." said Sakura, looking around the backyard.

"Oh, she's still in Naru's room."

"Wha... Why did she spend the night in her room!?" Exclaimed Sakura.

"I wonder..." Said Grimm ominously.

Fire lights in Sakura's eyes. "Cha!!! If she did ANYTHING to Hinata...!!!!" Sakura exclaimed, stomping tward the house.

'I better stop her' thinks Grimm with a sigh. "Sakura, you mentioned something else you wanted?"

Sakura stops for a second, and takes a deep breath to calm down. "I was hoping to start training early!" She said with an obviously fake smile.

'Well, at least it distracted her' he thought thankfully. 'Can't have my genin killing each other.' "Since swordtraining is out of the question in a backwoods town like this, I'm gonna teach you to properly communicate with you're sword. Get into a comfortable position, and draw your sword." Sakura does as he says, sitting against a nearby tree, allowing the hilt to rest on the ground, with the flat of her blade resting on her shoulder.

"Now, relax your mind, allow it to slip. Your zanpakuto's spirit will pull you in, and you will find yourself in your mindscape. Afterward, we will train using the trees, since there are no boulders around. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have creeper stuff to do." He started to stroll back to the house.

Sakura stares at him questioningly, but shrugs it off. She closes her eyes, concentrating. Her mind feels like it's being pulled from her; her natural resistance fighting for a second, but she takes a deep breath, and another, until her mind relaxes again, and she enters..

----------------------------Sakura's mindscape--------------------------------

She opens her eyes to find herself in the same situation as last time: the grass is tied around her limbs, and she can barely move. "Oh please, this shit again?" She focuses her chakra, and uses her training, expelling a good portion through her arm as she pulled it up. It came free immediately. She used her free hand to pull the rest off with ease. "Huh, I thinks she's getting weaker!"

"No, you're just stronger!" Sakura turned around to see the long-haired girl again. "

"Oh, it's you..." said Sakura, a little disgruntled.

"Are you okay? What's upsetting you?" the girl asks caringly.

"It's Naru and Hinata. I think something happened last night, but I'm not sure what!"

"What makes you say that?"

"Hinata spent the night in Naru's room! She could have..." but, she couldn't actually think of anything harmful that Naru would do. "I don't know, but still, she's my cousin, and we've become pretty close in the last 2 weeks!"

"I'm sure everything is just fine! I bet they'll be right there when you leave!" assured the girl. "Now, shall we get to business?"

"Business?" Sakura asked quizically. Then she heard the sound of metal scraping metal as the girl unsheathed her sword.

"You're here to train, right? This is the best way to learn technique, because it doesn't exaust the muscles. In here, your strength is your will. Nor can you suffer permanant damage! So, shall we get started?" She gets into fighting position. Sakura does the same, noting that their weapon and stance are the same. "This should be fun!" Said the girl, just before charging.

The girl took a note from Naru, and started with an overhead jump swing. Sakura blocks easily, but is still pushed down, nearly to her knees. 'There's not much weight behind it, but damn, she's strong!' she thinks ans she pushes back with all her might, barely able to stay up.

The girl looks at her, and Sakura sees her eyes have turned red. "This is an impossible match. If I were intent to kill you, you would have died the first stroke!" Sakura's eyes widen with a gasp. The girl's eyes squint, their entire focus on Sakura's stunned face. "You are safe here, but always know when you are outmatched, got it? That's lesson one." The girls entire demeanor has changed from warm and caring to cold and ruthless. "Enough talk, we should continue." She relieves the pressure from Sakura's sword, and swiftly kicks her in the side, throwing her off balance and skidding a few feet.

The girl appeared right behind her, Sakura realising this a moment too late. she gets kicked in the crotch, causing her to double up in pain. "Lesson 2: take advantage of any weakness." She says, standing over Sakura possessivly. Sakura manages to stand back up again, groaning in pain.

"That-that was a cheap shot!"

"Aren't you supposed to be a ninja? Of course it was a cheap shot! ALWAYS relveal and exploit you're opponent's weaknesses. Even if it means fighting dirty. Now, come at me, and do be faster!"

Sakura looks at her and growls in anger, causing the wind to pick up. She charged the girl, swinging from the side, aiming high, then feinting low. the girls blocks with a smirk. Sakura strikes again, same result. No matter how she attacks, she can't seem to land a hit. "Are you really trying? No wonder You never got an important role until shippuden!" This pissed her off to no end, the wind nearly strong enough to pick her up. Then she gets an idea.

Sakura runs a short ways away, into the wind. 'What is she doing?' wondered the girl. Sakura stops a few yards away, then turns. She again charges, the wind boosting her speed. The girl grins. 'I see...' Sakura is aiming staight for her chest, intending to stab her with her sword. The girl doesn't even move, allowing the attack to hit.

The blade barely pierced the skin. In spite of the speed, she only managed to sink it in an inch or so. The girl just chuckles, and grabs the sword by the blade. "Lesson 3. In battles between zanpakuto and their master, you must have enough chakra to even pierce the skin. You're reserves are still too weak!" She then rams Sakura's chest the her own sword hilt, then follows up with a spin kick, sending her several yards away, groaning in pain. "You know, we don't have to-"

"Shut...up..." The girl stops in mid sentence.

She grins again. "If you push yourself too hard-"

"I said shut up! I know I'm not worth you yet! Do you even realise how badly you outpace me!?" She started ranting, venting frustration. "Even Grimm-sensei isn't this fast!" She struggles to her knees. "But, I can't stop, even in this impossible battle." She manages to stand, steady and strong, with a look of determination. "If I can't beat you, I'll never have the strength to protect what I love! So... even if you beat me, even if you abuse me, and especially if you piss me off, I will continue to get back up, and fight!!!" She charges again, repeating her last move.

"I told you, you arn't stro-" She stops when Sakura's sword pierces her straight through. She looks down in amazement at the blade, then back at Sakura, who's eyes shine with an inner fire.

It's Sakura's turn to grin. "How's that!? I'm never gonna be useless like that original. And I'll keep coming back, each time you knock me down."

The girl smiles widely. "Good. That's how you get strong; by pushing yourself past your limits. Call that an extra lesson! Now then.." She grabs Sakura by the shoulder and pushes, moving her and her sword several inches away. "Let's continue..." She kicks her in the collarbone, sending her flying up, still holding her sword. She flips, and lands on her feet. "...Until you are indeed worthy of me!" She charges Sakura again, continuing training. Only 5 minutes have passed since the start.

-------------------------------later, Hinata's mindscape-------------------------

Last time Hinata was here, all the buildings were dilapidated and in ruins. As she observes her surroundings, she sees they are in much better repair, though it looks as though a battle took place. 'It looks much better, but... I think I still need to gain more confidence.' She starts to wander, looking for the man from before. As she wanders, she get's the feeling of being followed, but everytime she turns, she sees nothing new. "I know you're around here somewhere! Come on out!" she called out.

"Just as I expected of a ninja." He said coming out of a pile of straw.

"Sorry I didn't come sooner..." She said shyly, still not quite comfortable around him.

"Don't sweat it. I never really expected you to ask. But, you have been growing very well! All of this.." He gestures the area, refering to all of it. "..It has been getting better. Keep this up, and it will look like a town, again!"

Hinata was flustered at the compliment. "Well, um, I don't really know why I'm here, I was just told to come by Grimm-sensei."

"Well, we can either talk, or..." He pulls his rapier out. "We can train.  Which would you prefer?"

Hinata draws her rapier as well. "Why not both?" She quickly closes the distance, and delivers a series of jabs. He dodges them easily. "Who are you anyway? What's your name?" she asks.

He chuckles. "You know my name, you just don't know it yet." He says, still avoiding her. He snaps his sword into hers, sending it to the side, then starts to twirl it, taking Hinata's sword with it. The spinning makes it hard to hold on, until with a sudden burst of speed, he knocks it away, and points his sword at her throat. "You need to learn technique before hoping to fight me proper. Grab you sword, and try to duplicate what I did." Hinata runs over, wondering why she is even taking instruction from a stranger, and begins practicing a new move.

------------------------------Naru's Mindscape----------------------------------

Naru again appears in a dense forest, and begins to wander, looking for Inuyasha. "Hey, dog-boy! where are you!?"

He appears from a tree above, hanging upside down with his feet. "Hey, who you callin "dog-boy"? I'm centuries older than you!?

"And yet you act like a kid! Why are you in the trees!?" She says with a teasing grin.

"It's faster than walking, alright? So, what'er ya here for?" He said, annoyed.

"To train, I guess. Are there any clearings nearby? I could be difficult to fight  here."

Inuyasha grins, drawing his sword. "I'll make a clearing!" Before Naru can ask him how, he swings his sword, chakra flowing through. "Windscar!" he exclaimes. A giant beam of energy comes out of the blade, leveling a few dozen yards of forest. "That's better.

Naru is staring at him in awe. "How did you do that!? I didn't know our sword could do that!!"

"Not yet, pipsqueak. You're still a bit young." He sais, walking into the newly made clearing.

"Tell me!"

"NO."

"Tell me, Tell me, Tell me, Tell me, Tell me, Tell me, Tell me, Tell me, Tell me, TELL ME!!!" She yells obstinantly.

"Jeez, no need to yell!" responded Inuyasha, his fingers in his ears. "Listen, you little brat, the windscar is an advanced technique. I didn't even know about it for a couple years, and it still took me months to master! You have only just gotten you're sword, and now you want to learn this? You don't have the strength." Inuyasha said dismissivly.

"I've got to try!" Said Naru stubbornly.

"Why!? Why is it so important to learn such a dangerous skill. you could hurt someone you care about if you're not careful!"

"Because.." Naru starts, staring at the ground. "Because, I have to get stronger, no matter what! No one in the village cared for me growing up. I never knew my parents, and no one was my friend. They did all they could to avoid me, ignore me. So, I made a promise to myself. I promised myself.."  She looks up and stares straight at him, her eyes' pupils slit like a cats. "..That I would get strong, so strong that everyone would be forced to aknowledge me. I promised to become hokage! Even if you say it's impossible, even if I have to risk my life, I will become stronger."

Inuyasha's face softened, remembering his childhood, having to fend for himself, hid mother dying when he was young, never knowing his father, and no one accepting him because he was a half-demon. He, too, simply wanted, if not a friend, for someone to recognize him. He puts on a serious look, with a small grin. "Fine. I'll teach ya." Naru's face lights up, her eyes back to normal. "However, you can't use this technique outside here until I say so, got it!?"

"Right!" Naru agrees, saluting him.

"This is a tricky technique. There are 3 levels to it. First, is the basic windscar. You have to find the point in the air where you and another's chakra meet. Then you have to release a ton of chakra into the blade, and swing at the point." He walks a few yards away, and turns to her. "Draw your sword, and hit me with a windscar."

"Right" she says as she draws her sword. She focuses on the air between them,, but sees nothing but, well, air.

"Well? I don't have all day!"

"Sorry!" She says, still not seeing the point. 'Best not to let him wait. Maybe just swing and hope for the best?' she thinks. She takes a swing, only for her blade to get stuck in the ground.

"What was that! Were you even trying!?"

"It's not as easy as you make it look, you know!" She exclaimes, dislodging her sword.

"Well, since you were so insistant, we're gonna keep goin until you get it right!"

'What have I got myself into?' Naru thinks, tears flowing down in selfpity.

--------------------------------noon------------------------------------------------

Everyone exited their mindscapes, and got up to stretch. Sakura looked around for Grimm, who was not there yet, and saw Naru and Hinata. Then remembers this morning. "Naru!!" She stomped over to her, an angry tick on her temple. "What EXACTLY happened between you two last night!!" She grabs Naru by her collar and pulls her so their faces almost touch. "You better have a good answer!!!"

Naru hesitates, looking at Sakura in fear. She gulps, and responds. "We, we, uh had, had..." She attempts to explain.

"It was my fault!!" Hinata interjected. "I was trying to show Naru how to use the shadow clones, and well, one thing led to another..."

"One thing led to another?" asked Sakura.

"Well..." Hinata's face was bright red. "We...fucked..." She whispered.

Sakura's face went red as well. "You, you..." She dropped Naru, and dropped herself, weak at the knees. "So, you made your choice, huh? I guess I didn't have a chance anyway, with my flat chest. i wish you two the best!" She said, tearing up, about to cry.

Naru reaches her arm over her comfortingly. "Sakura, I haven't chosen anyone. We had fun last night, but I see no reason we can't ALL have fun, tonight, maybe?" Sakura wiped her eyes, smiling slightly.

"Okay, but I get to punish you, agreed?"

"Agreed." said Hinata and Naru at the same time.

"If you're done planning your orgy, it's time for lunch." Said Grimm, standing on a limb above them. He's holding a bag in each hand, one of which is bulging quite a bit. He drops down and pulls instant ramen cups out of one,  and sets the others on the ground. "Naru, you like pork, you little cannible, you." He says as he tosses him a cup.

Naru pouts. "Are you calling me a pig?"

"Yep. Chicken for Sakura, beef for Hinata, and extra spicy for me!" He broke the seal and waited for the chemicals to heat it up, the genin following suit. "So, how was training?"

They all drop their heads in failure.

"She's so strong!" noted Sakura

"He too fast!" added Hinata

"He's just mean..." said Naru, trailing off, making the others wonder what exactly happened. The ramen was soon done, and they ate. After lunch, it weas time for jutsu practice.

"Alright, you each have your instruction. Naru, I brought a bag full of water balloons. I doubt you'll need more than one, but better safe than sorry." He turns to leave. "I'll be at the bridge, should something come up." He jumps away, leaving at a high speed.

"Right! time to use that trick you showed me. Hinata!" Exclaimed Naru, ready to train as always. "Shadow clone jutsu!" About 20 other Narus appeared, each grabbing a balloon, starting practice.

"Good luck, Naru!" said hinata and Sakura. Hinata went to a nearby tree, and started her training. "Get into stance, and...2, 4, 8, 16, 32, sixty-" She almost had it, but was moving faster than she was used to, and missed the target, slipping forward and hitting her head. "Damn! Gotta try again!"

Sakura, not too far away, was attempting to create small craters in trees, without smashing them. Easy enough, since trees have more give than rocks, it can actually take more strength to knock one down. she hits with all her might, but only makes a dent the size of her fist. "Man, that should be bigger! Again! Again!" She continues, not making much progress against the tree, in spite of her timing becoming perfect.

------------------------------7 pm----------------------------------

All three girls were wiped out from their training, happy to just rest, laying on the ground, looking at the stars. After a while, Sakura spoke up. "So, who started it last night anyway?"

"Well..."Started Hinata.

This time, Naru came to HER rescue. "Hinata started by kissing me, but I'm the one who got serious." She said with a nervous laugh.

Sakura was on him in a second. "Like this?" Sah asked just before she kissed him, jamming her tongue in Naru's mouth. Naru went wide-eye in surprise, but then reciprocated the gesture. Hinata just sat there, looking incredibly embarrased and a little horny. Sakura realeased Naru, taking a deep breath before scooting back a few paces. "Alright, girls. I'm too fucking turned on to wait for the bed." She says as she takes off her belt and starts undressing. "Both of you are about to recieve your punishment." she says too calmly, with a sadistic glint in her eye.