[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 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?"

[bunsofsteel]

Her eyes narrow as she tries to puzzle out his meaning, not letting go of his cheeks or looking away from his eyes. "I... don't know," she answers finally with a small frown. "I'd have rathered we get to know each other before -- well." She coughs, a small flush coloring her cheeks, but she doesn't look away. "You don't mean nothing now."

[youngesthokage]

"But I would have meant nothing to you. I could see it, in your expression." It was a murmur, soft and level. "Just because I might not have always seen it doesn't mean it wasn't there, now does it?"

[bunsofsteel]

"I don't believe in love at first sight, if that's what you're aiming for," she says bluntly, but her voice is soft to match his own. She shifts her hands from his cheeks to drape loosely around his neck, fingers of one hand combing gently through his hair. "I was... well, not completely forced into it, but I wasn't exactly myself then, either. It wasn't fair to either of us."

[youngesthokage]

"There's a difference between love and mattering Tenten." He dropped his hands to his sides. "So no, I don't see anyone seeing a need to seek me out. You didn't either, even for something as simple as a sparring partner."

[bunsofsteel]

Her eyes narrow, and had he not looked and sounded so very pathetic, she'd have yanked his hair in retribution. "Don't be stupid." She leans up and presses a brief, hard kiss to his lips before pulling back. "I didn't want to bother you, that's all."

[youngesthokage]

One of his hands came up, hooking her before she could get too far. "Bother how? What could you possibly be interrupting?" He waved with his other hand, encompassing the entire place. "I don't-" His tone of voice turned hushed as he looked away. "I haven't even tried to speak to anyone else since I got here."

[bunsofsteel]

She doesn't resist his hand, instead closing the distance to press herself flush against him as she looks up, meeting his eyes. "Hokage-sama," she murmurs, leaning up so he can feel her warm breath against his lips. "Uchiha Itachi-sama. Will you train with me tomorrow morning?"

[youngesthokage]

He was looking at her, her closeness really didn't give him the choice to do otherwise without closing his eyes again, which he didn't do. He was guarded though, and his tone was soft and oddly careful. Delicate. "If you like."

[bunsofsteel]

She doesn't retreat or show any sign of letting go as she presses, "And the next day?"

[youngesthokage]

It didn't relent, and he was holding carefully still in her hold. "Whatever you'd like."

[bunsofsteel]

"And the day after that? And next week? Even if someone else from the Hotel shows up, even if you find someone interesting in town?"

[youngesthokage]

Some confusion finally broke through the rest. "I would honor what I had already chosen to do."

[bunsofsteel]

She exhales a brief, almost exasperated sigh through her nose as she finally looks away from his eyes, though it's clear she's pleased by his answers. A hand pulls back from his neck to thump softly against his chest. "You get what I'm asking you, right?"

[youngesthokage]

"I don't intend to make the mistake of presuming." He glanced to her hand, then back to her face.

[bunsofsteel]

Another sigh through her nose, almost a snort, and she presses her nose to his chest. "I'm asking you... to let me stay with you. For as long as physically possible. You get it, right?"

[youngesthokage]

There was another of those long, cautious pauses. "Maybe?"

[bunsofsteel]

This time she looks up, and even though there's no masking the nervousness of rejection, she isn't about to back down. "Itachi. I'm asking you to be my sparring partner. My friend. My l-lover." She scowls at the flush that crosses her face at that word, but presses on, thumping her fist against his chest with every further clarification. "And only me for the last one."

[youngesthokage]

"...In that case if anyone does come around who has maintained their interest, I'm leaving -you- to deal with them." He paused a beat, hesitant. "The only person who I can even imagine trying is a particular Hinata."

[bunsofsteel]

Her lips curl into an almost sadistic smirk. "Oh, I will," she promises, a particular glint in her eye hinting that she would do it with pleasure. She goes still at the mention of the Hyuuga heiress, starting to draw back the slightest bit as she looks at him. "What about you? Would you want me to drive her away from you?"

[youngesthokage]

He hesitated, then flushed, gaze skating away. "While there is something there she is ah... I don't wish to seem shallow."

[bunsofsteel]

Her eyes narrow slightly as she pauses, watching his face with just the slightest amount of suspicion. "What? Just spit it out, Itachi."

[youngesthokage]

He looked back to her, face still pink. "You have a much nicer body than she does and ah... you're far bolder. It's more appealing."