Growing Pains

XII

Sei knew his limits much better than other kids his age. He knew how much chakra he could spend before he got exhausted, what muscle twitch would send an enemy flying, and, thanks to his sensei and Zabuza-sensei, how to kill a man without weapons. He was one of the shortest genin present, so of course Murphy’s Law would kick in and he would be forced to fight someone twice his size. And a girl, no less. Sei flicked his gaze to his sensei, taking note of the man’s crossed arms. So his goal in this fight was to simply tire her out. He couldn’t use his Kekkei Genkai and chameleon his way to victory. It would be like cheating for one thing, so he simply had to endure and pray his opponent didn’t crush his skull in.

When they were given the go-ahead, Sei wasted no time in getting within his opponent’s defenses. It wasn’t a strike so much as a foray, looking for the kunoichi’s weaknesses. His small size granted him fierce speed, so he turned it to his advantage and sought out her weaknesses and blind spots before he actually struck.

When he saw the kunoichi’s grin, he realized the trap, and darted back before the concealed exploding tag had a chance to take off his face. He spared only a single glance toward his sensei, noted the still-crossed arms, and heaved a silent sigh. It was a test, Sei realized as he dodged a kunai, not only for chuunin but for Yunkage-sama and Sasuke-sensei as well. They wanted to see if he could fight – and win – if his cover was blown and he had no time to chameleon with his surroundings.

All right, fine. If that was how they wanted to play…

Sei darted forward, ducking beneath his opponent’s fist, grabbing it in his own hands and pulling as he slid between the kunoichi’s legs. She yelped as momentum pulled her off her feet and upended her on her back. Sei moved quickly, pulling his chakra thread from his obi and grabbing both his opponent’s wrists. A moment later, she was hogtied and Sei was quietly making his way back to his sensei.

Sasuke quirked an eyebrow at his student and got a bored, sleepy look in return. The jounin only shook his head and sighed, watching Sei’s name appear on the roster for round two. All his genin were crazy, Sasuke decided. Hell, everyone in Silk was fucked up in one way or another. He sighed and let his eyes drift over the gathered genin and senseis, careful not to let his eyes linger on familiar blonde as he let his gaze drift to the board.

Again the names flashed up, a roulette until two names were finally selected. Sasuke heard Umi gasp and watched as a young girl in a very familiar, obscenely orange jacket make her way to the floor. Momogi, Sasuke mused silently, a little miracle child all on her own. She was the oldest child in the odd generation, with the Sabaku twins right behind her, followed by Kinu’s Akashi, Akio, Aoi, and Sasuke’s own nephews.

Sasuke decided there all the gods had sick senses of humour and needed to stay out of mankind’s business.

Momogi had a great legacy to live up to, as first niece to the Kazekage and first granddaughter of the Nara clan. Not only that, but the fact she was wearing one of Naruto’s old jackets also added to what she had to work toward. Sasuke felt Umi come up beside him and tense, and wondered how his volatile kunoichi would react if Momogi failed this round.

Sharingan eyes followed every motion of the dance taking place below him. Momogi was good and when she pulled off Umi’s trick tumble, Sasuke knew she was a quick learner by observation. The Nara girl moved quickly to get within her opponent’s defenses – like Sei had done – and quickly planted two exploding tags on the other nin’s shirt. Too late did the shinobi realize his cargo, and with a well-placed kick, Momogi sent him sprawling backwards. The tags exploded, kicking up dust and rubble.

- Don’t relax, little girl, - Sasuke willed and relaxed in relief as Momogi leapt up into the air, twisting to kick down at her opponent as he surged up through the floor. Her kick spun him head over heels, and another kick forced him into a barrel roll. As they fell, Momogi planted both her feet on his sternum and kicked down, sending herself into a backward flip and her opponent into a mess of rubble. Sasuke canted his head and looked to Umi.

“That was the Lion’s Barrage,”

“Nuh-uh,” Umi said quickly, “that’s the –Lioness– Barrage.”

“Mm,” Sasuke sighed. “I suppose you had nothing at all to do with that.”

“Nope! Not a bit!” Umi replied too gaily. Sasuke shook his head.

“Go congratulate her. But just remember, it’s not over.”

Umi tossed her hair. “You worry too much, sensei.”

Sasuke sighed. Perhaps he did worry too much, but then he wasn’t innocent to the ways of the world anymore. Too many scars covered his body as reminders to failures and victories. He felt a tug on his shirt sleeve and looked down at Kyo.

“What’s wrong?”

“Um, what about… my ability?” Kyo whispered nervously, looking about to cry. Sei took his right hand and held it tight, and Sasuke only placed his hand on the boy’s head.

“I’ll cross my arms over my chest; so long as my arms are like that, you can’t use that ability. If you do, you’ll get punished, understand?”

Kyo nodded slightly. Sasuke sighed and continued, “If I drop my arms, it means defend yourself. Use any means necessary.”

“I don’t wanna kill…”

“You won’t. Orochimaru-sama is here.”

That seemed to relax Kyo much more than any comforting ministrations had. The dark-haired boy nodded, clenched his hand around Sei’s and took a deep breath before he made his way down to the floor, trying not to shake. It was like approaching an unfamiliar animal; other shinobi could sense fear and they would use it to their advantage. Kyo didn’t want to give his opponent the advantage – and then the boy actually saw his opponent.

His opponent looked violent, and Kyo tried not to panic at the death glare he was receiving. He swallowed and ventured a greeting.

“Shut up, snake-bastard,” the other boy spat. “I don’t care what you call yourself now. It doesn’t matter anyway. You die here today.”

Kyo whimpered.