Chapter 8- Teacher

Third Person's POV

Eichiru just finished curing the last of his patients earning a small amount of money when his cute granddaughter went to him, fumbling with her fingers. He doesn't understand her, some days she is a happy-go-lucky kid, the next day she would be a smart witty woman although she's still eight, and sometimes she could also be sarcastic. And this time, she's being shy?! There was a little blush on her cheeks as she tug on his sleeves.

"Hmm?", he asked.

"Jiichan...can you...", Alexa trailed off.

"What is it?", he found her amusing.

"Can you teach me uhmm, medical Ninjutsu?"

Eichiru was shocked, teach her medical Jutsu? She's only eight, yet wanted to learn something only people who aspire to become ninjas wanted to. He crouch down at her level, remembering what happened that day. When he arrived at their home, his niece and his lovely granddaughter were almost killed.

He was thankful that the shinobis helped them or so he thought. If he remained to wait for them and did not go down the village maybe he could have to fend off the rogue ninjas who tried to hurt them. He was a ninja, back in his prime, a good one at that. If he was right he was at least rank A or in some cases S in the bingo book.

He once fought Sarutobi Hiruzen, but unfortunately lost. It was due to his medical knowledge that he came back alive.

He learned from his past mistakes and tried to help other people influence others, but wars did not stop from occurring.

"Ne ne ne, Jiichan..!", Alexa pouted her lips to her dazing grandpa.

"Oh!", Eichiru was brought out of the reminiscence of his past. Smiling at her, he ruffled her soft hair. "Alright, I'll teach you."

"Really?!", Alexa is practically jumping out of joy to which Eichiru only nodded and laughed.

'She has to survive after all...', Eichiru thought to himself.

"But, before we start you have to know what chakra is first."

"Chakra?", Alexa played dumb, she knew everything about chakra. But for now, she has to learn from the basics to fully grasp and utilize them.

"This would take a little bit of time so you have to sit and I'll teach you."

"Okay!", Alexa sat on a stool as she listen carefully to her grandpa.

"Listen chakra is natively present in all lifeforms including humans. It is essential in almost every Jutsu(technique) from simplest to complex. There are various methods to control chakra, the most common is the use of hand seals. By being able to control chakra, it can let the person walk on water, spitfire, create illusions, and many more. Chakra is usually not visible to unaided eyes unless it is extremely concentrated or manifested in great amounts...."

Alexa listened throughout the few minutes of explaining what chakra is. A normal eight-year-old may have a hard time understanding, but she is a 27-year-old woman stuck in a body of a little girl so comprehending it is easy for her.

After explaining everything her Eichiru motioned for Lhexi to follow him outside the house to their favorite tree, the sakura tree.

"Now I will demonstrate to you how to stick a leaf to your forehead using chakra alone."

He placed a fallen green leaf on his forehead remaining in place as he remove his hands.

"Ohhh", Alexa let out a sound of amazement.

"Now you try it too."

Alexa opened her palms as a single leaf softly landed on her hand. Concentrating a small amount of chakra on her forehead as she place the leaf she felt it staying still. Removing her hand she had a little bit of a problem concentrating a stable amount of chakra. She lasted for at least ten minutes before Eichiru flicked her forehead, and removed the leaf.

"That's impressive for your first time.", Eichiru complimented as he slightly narrowed his eyes at the sudden surge of her chakra moments ago before it slowly reverted to the average chakra of the child's.

"Jiichan, teach me more!!", he looks at her passion for learning. He chuckled at her before ruffling her hair. "Don't rush, I will teach you everything I know."

"Hm!", Alexa beamed brightly.

'Is she planning on becoming a kunoichi?'

"This time I'll show you how to climb a tree without using your hands."

'Am I rushing things?'

"Ehhh? You can do that?"

"Yes, now observe."

Eichiru stood facing the trunk of the tree, with both hands joined together he formed the Ram sign letting out the right amount of chakra. He walked on the tree as if he is walking on the ground.

Alexa took note of the almost perfect chakra control of her grandfather, there was almost little to no chakra waste. Eichiru glanced at Alexa telling her to do the same as he walked down.

Alexa did what she saw. She formed the ram sign, letting out the exact amount of chakra needed to stick to the tree. She place one foot, feeling it getting stuck then another, and again until she reached the top of the tree without realizing it.

The old man expected Alexa to fail until the sight before he astonished him. She's standing upside down her black hair swaying to the slight breeze of the wind. He checked her feet and wished he had an ocular power to know how she can control her chakra so well.

'A good chakra control at such a young age.'

His eyes widened in bewilderment before Alexa jump down, landing gracefully in front of him. Eichiru had his mind running with thousand of questions, before deciding.

"Alexa"

Alexa immediately shot her eyes towards her grandpa's strict ones noticing he did not use her nickname.

"Yes.", she replied sternly, he is serious.

"Do you have any plans of becoming a ninja?", his usually sweet and nice tone was gone.

Alexa clenched her fists muttering the word "finally" as she look up at him with a smirk. "Of course."

...........

Sweat trickled down Alexa's forehead as she concentrate the chakra on the fish on the table, trying her best to make it breathe. A week had already passed and she can't see herself improving.

'Damn it...!'

Green continued to glow on her hands as the fish remained still.

"Come on...!"

She gritted her teeth and didn't notice the man behind her. Closing her eyes she breathes in and out as she tries to focus.

"Calm...calm down..."

She opened her eyes once again and channeled chakra to her palms and she felt it. Her chakra connected to that of the fish. She got a little excited and continued the process.

"What are you doing?", she jump in fright and yelp in pain when she accidentally slammed her wrist on the edge of the table.

"Ow! Ow!", she held it tightly with her other hand and finally noticed the man behind her.

"Oh. I'm so sorry. You okay?", she felt the man's big and raspy hand on her wrist and looked up.

Alexa's POV

"Hot damn.", his dark-colored green eyes met mine and my heart raced I thought it was gonna burst out.

"Hm?", he tilted his head slightly and I felt heat rushing on my face.

I tried to formulate words inside my head.

'Calm your tits, woman.'

"You're red. Are you alright?"

"Y-yes!", I stuttered.

He's so hot.

He looks down at my wrist again as he turns it from side to side. I forgot about the pain and just stared at him.

He had really strong big biceps under those sleeves and veins were popping out on his arms.

'Holy shit.'

I bit my lower lip.

My fingers were fidgeting as he rubbed his fingers on my right wrist. His hands were rough and full of callouses, but I like it.

Hell, I love them.

His green hair slightly bounced as he lower his head. I want to touch his hair.

Then I felt a cold wave of breath on my skin that sent shivers down my spine.

He...

He...

He was blowing air on my hand as he try to ease the pain.

'No more!'

'I can't take any more!'

I pulled my hand from his grasp and he understood as he straighten his back and stood tall.

I was half his height and can't help but, feel sad.

'Why did I have to be stuck in a body of an eight-year-old?'

Anyways, this man...

'Who is he?'

He looks like he's around in his early twenties. Or twenty probably.

He smiled and I almost squealed at how dashing and hot he looked.

"You must be Alexa, right?", I blinked my eyes and nodded. He squat down to my height and stared at me. My eyes never left his figure. "You sure do look quite different from the first time I saw you."

"Yes?", he chuckled slightly before taking out his hand.

"Nothing. Never mind that. By the way, my name is Haru.", I shook his hand and I still felt his stare.

I shyly replied. "Nice to meet you..."

He chuckled then looked behind me and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh. I'm learning the mystical palm jutsu..."

He smiled and then I felt his fingers brush my face as he tucks my hair behind my ear.

"I see...", I nodded my head.

His lips.

Wow.

The silence between us was broken when grandpa entered the cabin.

"Oh you're here.", Haru turned around and bowed slightly.

"Yes. So why did you call me here, Takeda-san?", jiichan grinned and went behind me as he place his hands on my shoulders.

"This girl. Can you train her?", he scratches his cheek as he tilts his head.

"B-but, isn't she too young for that?"

I look towards jiichan who just stared at him.

"She'll be fine. She has to start now training to improve her strength."

I just blinked my eyes when Haru sighed and stared at me. "I got it."

"Alright!", jiichan yelled and I smiled.

Haru is going to train me.

Meaning I will see him every day.

I can't wait.

I didn't know what would transpire in the next days after.

"Hah~ Hah~ Hah~", I plop down on my back and look at his body glistening with sweat.

"You lasted longer than I thought.", he complimented me and I covered my eyes with my right arm to shade them from the light.

I tried to regain my breathing for we did it multiple times my body gave in.

"One more round.", he said suddenly and my eyes widened in shock and irritation.

"Please give me some rest...first, Haru-sensei...", I was panting heavily and finally removed my arm as I tried to sit up.

My body aches so much. It was itchy and hot.

"Come on Lhexi.", I rubbed my neck when I felt him coming towards me with such speed I rolled on the ground barely missing the blade that he plunged into the soil.

I immediately stood up and grabbed my sword as I block his next attack.

*CLANG!*

My left knee buckled and his force on my sword expanded. He looked down on me with a nasty grin as I just gritted my teeth.

'This brat...! I'm older than you!'

I glared at him and swiftly twisted my sword and tried to stab him in his stomach as I dodge the sword aimed at my head, its tip barely grazing my skin. Unsurprisingly he was able to move away on time and my sword stayed midair first before I pulled it and jumped away.

I turned and twisted the handle of my sword, a habit I created whenever I think of a strategy. I skid my right foot backward and leaned forward before running towards him as he did also.

Our swords once again clashed as I was overpowered but, I was small so I managed to dodge his attacks I couldn't block. Using my foot, I tried to kick him on his chest which he grabbed then I stabbed the ground below and pushed myself upwards to the side forcing him to let go of my ankle.

I could see his small smile when I was able to block his attack with my sword perpendicular to his.

"It's time to end this.", he stated and grinned when he doubled his speed I could barely keep up.

'Too fast!'

His blade got in contact with my right cheek, slicing through my skin, as blood ooze out. I was lucky it did not stab my eye or I'll go blind. But, the next one was unexpected and I was sure I saw his grinning face contorted to a 180 degree turn when he saw what he did.

The tip of his sword was embedded on the trunk behind me and blood was dripping on the ground for the sword pierced my chest. I felt the familiar metallic taste inside my mouth as I look towards him.

"L-Lhexi!", the worry was visibly etched in his eyes.

I coughed up and he held me by my shoulders and then I took the chance to kick him on the stomach which took him off guard. He fell to the ground and the sword on my chest remained in there as I straddled him on his waist and the tip of my sword was just a millimeter above his forehead.

"You lost, sensei.", he smacked the sword away and he sat as he stop the bleeding from my chest.

"Forget about that! You're bleeding!", I just smiled and held the handle before pulling it out like nothing but air and he was panicking. "Lhexi! What are you--?!"

Before he even finished I cut him off. "Sensei, I'm fine. See?"

I showed him my bandaged chest and I began healing it. He just looked shocked and witnessed how the wound slowly close. It was just centimeters away from my heart.

He sighed in relief and panicked again when blood dripped to his hand from my mouth.

"What about--? I mean...", I widened my mouth and showed him I bit my inner cheek.

He had an angry vein pop on his forehead before ruffling my hair.

"You scared me there..."

He wiped his forehead. "Wow..."

I smiled then as if now I just realized as we stare at each other's eyes, that I was sitting on his lap my bandaged chest revealed. I blushed madly and covered my face as I try to stand up. He blinked his eyes and laughed as he help me get up.

Embarrassed I run away to the riverside as I clutch my clothes tight.

"Lhexi?", I heard him mutter as I run fast.

I looked towards my reflection. I was a blushing mess. My cheeks were puffed red, my ears were red also and my eyes were slightly teary. I rubbed my eyes and washed my face with the water.

In the next few months, we sparred and Haru taught me a lot of techniques before he left. That was when I knew that he wasn't a shinobi but, a platoon leader of the soldiers guarding the daimyo and his family. And he used his vacation to train me instead of resting.

I looked down and fiddled with my fingers as he talk to jiichan.

"Thank you very much, Haru. I'm sorry, because of us you were not able to use your vacation well.", Haru shook his head. "No. Not really. I had fun training Lhexi. Moreover, I'm grateful that she learned a lot from someone like me."

They continued to talk more and I zoned out when I felt a familiar hand on top of my head. I raised my head and saw Haru, squatting to my level. He smiled as he ruffle my hair.

"You're a Kenjutsu genius. You were able to keep up with me in such a short amount of practice. So, I'm sure you're prepared to become a great ninja in the future. Stop looking so sad it's not like I'll die, I'm more than happy if you're doing well.", he smiled at me throughout. "Then I'll go now--Woah!"

I hugged him tight around his neck and inhaled his manly scent as I close my eyes.

"Sensei.", he returned my hug and I felt mom's and grandpa's stare on us.

He pats my back as I continue to mutter his name. "Haru-sensei."

I back away and I felt his hands holding mine.

"Thank you.", I whispered with a smile and he rub my cheek then kissed me on my forehead.

I blushed again and he chuckled before we hugged one last time and he pulled out.

He stood up and waved at us as he bid goodbye then started walking away until I couldn't see his figure anymore. I touched my forehead and smiled.

'Let's meet again next time, sensei.'

I looked at the frame after I finished placing it on top of the shelf. Mom, jiichan, Haru, and I were all smiling in the picture. My gaze turned to the moon.

A year had almost passed since I came here.

I already have Mom, and jiichan with me.

They're more than enough.

'Forget about revenge.'

I took a step towards my bed when I felt a painful tug on my heart. I clutch the right side of my chest and scream.

"AAAHHHRRRGGGHHH!!!"

It hurts.

It felt like it was being squeezed and it's gonna burst any moment now.

Something was crawling on my whole body. It was spreading fast.

And it hurts like hell.

It was like being burned and electrocuted at the same time.

I fell to the floor kneeling as sweat trickled down my face.

My heart.

Was chained.

I heard a couple of heavy footsteps and the door opened.

"Lhexi!", was mom's voice.

I felt a hand on my shoulder.

My eyesight was getting blurry and hazy.

"What's the matter?!", it was jiichan this time.

My body was getting hot, but the pain was still there.

I can't bear it.

I clutch my chest harder as I fell on someone's arms as their voices tune down and I slowly close my eyes.

'Why...?'

I finally closed my eyes as my consciousness faded away....................??? POV

"Brat."..................

Third Person's POV

The girl slept uncomfortably in her mother's arms as she puff cloudy gas on the air. Tears were falling on her sweaty pale face with strange black marks as Matilda squeeze a wet towel and placed it on her forehead.

It was useless.

"Her fever is not going down.", a grave old voice muttered as his niece wipe the tears on her face. "You should rest for now. I'll do the rest."

"It's okay.", Matilda replied and Eichiru only sighed. "I'll do it."

She was tired.

Black eyebags were visible, and her usual tan skin color was fading.

It's been 4 days and the girl showed no sign of waking up. Tears welled on Matilda's eyes again when her daughter once again started gasping for air as black veins continue to pop out on her white skin.

"Lhexi...", she covered her mouth as the little girl was fighting for her life.

Eichiru just watches in pain as he grips tightly on a familiar black book in his right hand behind his back. He stared at the girl for a while before turning around.

A few days later, the girl regained her consciousness, but her eyes held no warmth as she stare at nothing particular. She gripped her chest, where her heart is located as the pain slowly fade away.

Sitting up she was welcomed by an embrace from her mother which she returned and noticed in the corner of her eyes the pair of hazel ones narrowed at her.

"I'm glad...I'm so glad you finally woke up.", Alexa smiled and place her chin on her mother's shoulder.

"Hm. Arigatou Kaasan...", they stayed like that for a little while before the silence was broken by Eichiru.

"Well. Matilda, you can rest now that Lhexi's awake."

This time it was Matilda who fell unconscious on top of the bed with a small smile on her face. Lhexi held her hand and stood up as she cover her mom with a blanket.

"We have to talk, jiichan.", a soft voice said.