Chapter 29. Starting in the Root

Chapter 29. Starting in the Root

“It’s time to start your training.” Danzo tells me.

 I nod. It’s time.

Two weeks. I’ve been down in the root training center’s hospital wing for two weeks, allowing my body to rest and heal itself completely.

And now it was time for my training to begin.

Danzo led me to through a complicated number of corridors, and stopped at the far right corner at the end of the last hallway.

“Inside this door will start the beginning of your training. You will not see me again for a while. You must prepare yourself. Failure is not an option.”

“I am prepared.” I said determined, tenaciously.

“Then by all means, enter. I wish you the best of luck, Maki Hatake.”

He disappeared as I opened the door and stepped inside.

It was a small white room that that had no windows. There were two people inside this room already. One of them was bald, big and muscular. He was serious and scary-looking. Well, I wouldn’t let him get the best of me. I walked into the room with my head held high, confidence extracting from me.

I observed the other one, a boy, closer to my age. He was cute enough, with black hair, sort of spiky. Not like sasuke’s duck butt hair, or Naruto’s messy disheveled hair. But an in between, a balance. His icy blue eyes held joy within them, definitely not what I was preparing myself for.

“Are you my teammate?” He asks, jumping up from his meditation position.

“Teammate? I wasn’t aware..”

The other guy cleared his throat. “Yes, This is Daitaro, your new, assigned teammate. I will be your handler, Osamu-senpai. I will be training you and giving you both assignments to complete. Whatever you do gets back to me, so make sure I only hear good things about you two when I’m not with you. And don’t get on my bad side. That’s all I have to say to you two, now show me what you got. Start sparring.”

“Uh, here?” I asked, hesitantly. I did not want to hurt Daitaro-san.

“No dimwit, I want you two to catch the next flight to Africa, and THEN I want you two to start sparring.”

“….”

“….”

“Come on Daitaro, you heard the boss, let’s get to Africa!” I said, pushing Osami’s buttons. Sweet, this was going to be another Kakashi Sensei/Uncle.

Then I remembered. I was here because I had failed in every other option. I needed to get stronger, and joking around wasn’t going to help with that.

I neutralized the joyful expression on my face and turned to Osami, addressing him respectfully.

“I apologize Osami-Senpai, that was uncalled for.”

I got into my begin sparring position and waited for Daitaro to do the same.

His smile that held laughter and amusement turned into confusion at my sudden change of behavior.

Osami-Senpai gave a nod of approval.

Daitaro got into his start position and I threw the first punch.

He ducked, swiftly, his face becoming a little less carefree and a bit more serious.

He kicked and I blocked.

I aimed for a headlock, he slid under quickly and rebounded by capturing me in his own headlock. I underestimated this kid.

I knew better than to struggle in the headlock. It would only cause a tighter hold on my throat. Instead, I paused for a second, before crashing the back of my head into his forehead, stunning him momentarily.

The grip dropped for a second, but that was all I needed.

I clasped his elbows tightly and kicked the back of his kneecap, forcing his body to slump a little, before shifting my weight to flip him over my head and onto the ground.

He groaned and I smirked, turning to Osami.

“How long was that?”

“Less than two minutes.” He replied, not impressed at all.

“Easy.” I muttered.

“Don’t get too cocky. I might just throw something impossible at you.” He said.

I raised an eyebrow. “I dare you too.”

He stepped forward, in a daring manner and like the idiot I am, I took a step forward, challenging him.

Daitaro got up quickly and ran in between us, stopping us in our tracks.

“Daitaro, Stay out of this.” I said.

“Out of my way. I’m going to teach dimwit here, a little lesson.” Osami growled.

Remember when I said this wasn’t going to be another Kakashi?

I lied. Except, this was going to be way worse.

I cracked my knuckles, and Osami pushed Daitaro out of the way. He stumbled and caught himself, but stayed out of our way this time.

Osami moved, and for a big guy, he moved decently.

No, not just decent.

Inhuman.

The hit came before I could see it coming. Pain released into my abdominal area, and I hunched over, groaning.

Another hit, to my face this time, catching my eye.

Daitaro yelled, “Osami-senpai, stop! She gets it!”

“Shut up! Unless you want to learn a lesson today too.” He growls, taking my wrist and bending it unnaturally.

I couldn’t help it. I let out a scream.

Bone had cracked, something was broken. I was sure of it.

“Punishment in Root is entirely different from what you are used to little girl. You insult me, you challenge me, you disobey me, you get off track, you do anything of the above or even remotely close, and you WILL have me to deal with. Do I make myself clear?”

I didn’t respond.

He took my injured wrist and put enormous pressure on it to flip me over.

I refused to cry as i hit the ground.

But I could barely breathe because of the pain.

Fire shot up my hand, my whole arm throbbing.

“Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear.” He asked again, dangerously.

Like before, I didn’t bother to reply. Instead I cradled my hand to my chest, and  pushed myself up to my feet, ignoring the stabbing fire in my wrist.

I gritted my teeth, stubbornly. No way was he-

Daitaro interrupted my thought process. “She understands, you’ve made yourself very clear!” He yelled.

I glare at him. I didn’t need his help. I didn’t need anyone’s help. I signed up for this.

Osami looked at Daitaro, and for a moment, I thought that he was going to transfer his anger from me to him.

I was about to step in when Osami muttered. “Take her to the hospital wing, Daitaro, you know where it is.” He walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

“I didn’t need your help.” I bit out, still clutching my arm tightly.

“CLEARLY, you did. What kind of stunt was that, Maki? That guy’s been in the the root since he was OUR age. Do you have any idea…” He shook his head.

I shrugged my shoulders. “Whatever, can you just take me to the hospital wing? Please” I asked, almost begging.

He nodded. “Come on, this way. But please, don’t try anything like that again.”

“..No promises.”

A/N Helloooo, my neck hurts. Probably because of my HORRIBLE posture as i write this. Don't forget to vote, comment, follow, etc. etc. I don't know why i always update so late 0.o must be some weird bad habit of mine, it just... happens. Thank you to everyone who, despite my horrible timing with chapter updates (Blame chemisty and math *shudders* The horror, yes.) Have still supported me and my book by reading, voting and following. :)

Goodnight!

oh, btw. Hi Gaara119, I'm watching you 0.o

I may or may not be in your closet, under your bed, or any other strange and weird places located near you currently.

Daitaro to the side hehe. (aka eren from attack on titan!!!)

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