[OPEN] Weapons Exercise

[bunsofsteel]

Just because she was in a strange location didn't mean she was about to take a vacation... Especially not after being beaten so thoroughly by that Neji. The thought still was enough to freeze her blood, the slightest threads of panic starting to set in before her lip firms and she gathers her Chakra in her feet, leaping straight up into the air. For today's training, at least, she'd left the scroll leaning against one of the short wooden posts simulating a human body. Instead, a long katana shimmered in the late afternoon sunlight as she twists in midair, flipping over with a harsh kiai to split the log neatly in two, then turn, weaving her way through another weapon's form, twisting and pivoting as she fought enemies only she could see. Sweat dripped from her brow, the twin buns of her hair disheveled as she panted for breath, unwilling or unable to quit as she keeps pushing herself.

First that Sasuke, then Neji. She kept finding herself forced into situations where she couldn't fight at range. If she were ever going to advance, she needed to get past her current level. They were geniuses, but -- well, if Lee had proven anything, it was that hard work really could beat a genius.

The question would be if she could ever get to that point herself.

Comments

[youngesthokage]

He had... well, he'd made rice, and the cooker was sitting innocently on the otherwise bare counter as he tended to the few dishes in the sink, head dipped in focus. He was going about the entire thing in a thoughtful sort of way.

[bunsofsteel]

Truthfully, she hadn't wanted anything more. Certain that he's sensed her presence so she won't startle him, she pads in quietly behind him and wraps her arms around his waist, leaning up on tiptoes to lightly press her lips to his cheek. "Thank you, Itachi-sama."

[youngesthokage]

He stilled under her touch, nodding once. "You're welcome." There was a beat of silence. "Tenten?"

[bunsofsteel]

"Hm?" She tightens her grip slightly and leans up, trying to catch his gaze. "What is it?"

[youngesthokage]

He set the last dish in the strainer after rinsing it, turning off the water. "If more people from home, your version that is, come to be here... you'll still visit, won't you?"

[bunsofsteel]

"Of course." There's no hesitation at all as her grip tightens around his waist, resting back to press her face between his shoulder blades. "Why wouldn't I?"

[youngesthokage]

"On the first day I saw you, you made it seem that you had no particular plans involving me. I merely wished to clarify that." He reached to collect a towel to dry his hands, gaze focused on what he was doing.

[bunsofsteel]

"That's because--" If anything, her grip tightens further, almost clinging as she murmurs, "There's... nothing forcing you to spend time with me now. No locked doors, no... weird air. You're Uchiha Itachi, Hokage of your village, and I'm just..." Her shoulders lift and fall in a shrug. "Tenten. Besides. Isn't it against the shinobi way to form attachments?" Her voice almost threatens to crack on that last word, but again, her grip tightens hard enough to squeeze.

[youngesthokage]

"Why would I need to be forced to spend time with you? I would think it the other way around, really. After all, the version of me you knew the most about longest was a threat to you, was he not? And none of that lingers in your mind?" He shifted to put the towel back. "Attachments are unavoidable, anyone who thinks otherwise is lying to themselves."

[bunsofsteel]

"I never met the other you." She still doesn't show any signs of moving or relaxing her grip. "I've only heard about him. Really, I know you better than I could ever know any man in the Bingo Book." She snorts quietly. "Besides, you might have noticed I've never been much for clans."

[youngesthokage]

"When would I have had a chance to notice that?" It was a murmur, and he rested his hands on the edge of the sink. "What will happen if more people from the Hotel arrive here that I or you have interacted with?"

[bunsofsteel]

"You never asked." Her grip threatens to tighten again at the mention of the Hotel, but she doesn't, managing to keep her voice calm. "And, as for that... for me, that's just Sasuke. That shouldn't be a problem."

[youngesthokage]

"I... not so much." He dipped his head a bit further. "I was there for months."

[bunsofsteel]

"I know." She still doesn't let go, even though her shoulders fall slightly. "So what's that going to mean for me?"

[youngesthokage]

"I don't understand what you're asking." It was said softly and he spread his fingers against the sink.

[bunsofsteel]

She forces another faint note of amusement into her voice. "Well, you know, there's only so much room in your futon at a time."

[youngesthokage]

He flushed, closing his eyes and turning his head slightly so it was harder for her to look at his face. "I doubt anyone would have any particular desire to take up with me in any case."

[bunsofsteel]

"Heh?" She does move, keeping her arms around his waist as she tries to catch his eye, just staring. "That was a joke, right?"

[youngesthokage]

He gave a little shake of his head, a humorless smile touching his lips briefly before vanishing again.

[bunsofsteel]

"Itachi-sama..." She just shakes her head, moving to brush her fingers over his cheek before leaning up to press a kiss there. "Trust me. I don't think that would be an issue."

[youngesthokage]

He opened his eyes, staring through instead of at anything. "Isn't it?" It was a murmur, and he caught himself, focusing briefly before closing his eyes and bowing his head. "Forgive me I- I'm being foolish."

[bunsofsteel]

"Why?" She continues to move around, releasing his waist to take his cheeks in both of her hands, trying to get him to open his eyes. "What is it?"

[youngesthokage]

He opened his eyes, expression closing as he reached up to gently rest his hands over hers. "It's nothing of import."

[bunsofsteel]

Her lips firm, and she leans up to press her nose to his, keeping her eyes on his closed ones. "If it's bothering you, it's important to me. Spit it out."

[youngesthokage]

There was a long moment of silence as he peered back at her, expression blank. "If I had not caught your attention, I would have meant nothing to you, correct?"