Why do I have to fight Spader? This is such a drag. I jumped out of range of any attack before I realized something ‘You have no tools!’ Both Choji and Ino paused, noticing the same thing I had. Spader had no kunai pouch around her waist and no shuriken holster strapped to her leg.
‘Then I’ll just have to borrow some.’ I spun around in time to see Spader jumping out of reach of any of my jutsu, my kunai pouch held in hand. Instinctively I clamped a hand to where the small bag was attached just moments ago.
Ino gaped, motioning to where Spader had been one moment and the next then to the ten meters in between both points. ‘But…I…She…’
‘You’ve obviously never seen Spader train.’ Me and Choji couldn’t help but smile, even if just a little.
‘She…She does that all the time?’
‘I never cared to learn my family jutsu, so found something else I could do.’ Ino gasped as Spader pressed her-my-kunai to her neck.
‘If this were a real fight, you’d be dead Ino.’ Asuma called from the sidelines.
‘I wasn’t expecting to have to spar Spader of all peoples!’ Ino defended herself.
‘You can’t know everything. A shinobi must always be ready for a surprise attack.’ Asuma was calmly sitting under a tree. The tree was the perfect lounging spot, the shade made so it wouldn’t be too hot or too cold and it even had an amazing view of the sky. It would be great for stargazing.
‘You’re out of the game Ino.’
‘What!?’ Even I raised an eyebrow at this twist. ‘This isn’t a game! I can’t be out!!’ Ino screamed.
Asuma shook his head. ‘Sorry Ino, this is a little more than your regular sparring match. Come over here and we’ll see how Choji and Shikamaru hold up against little Spader.’ Reluctantly Ino joined Asuma under the perfect tree.
‘Might as well, this’ll be over in minutes.’ She grumbled sitting down.
‘Troublesome.’ I myself mumbled, turning back to facing Spader.
‘Spader?’ Choji was still confused.
‘Choji!’ I snapped to get his attention. Not once did I look at him, so I couldn’t be sure if he was actually paying me any attention. ‘We have an advantage Ino didn’t, we have to use it.’ I kept my eyes completely focused on Spader. Having trained with her while going through the academy I had a pretty good idea of her strengths – and her weaknesses.
Only problem is she would know mine too.
The fight started again. Even with the same knowledge of Spader’s skills that I had, it wasn’t long before Choji was out too.
‘Looks like I’m on my own.’ I sighed, this certainly was-
‘Troublesome eh?’ Spader giggled from where she stood facing me. It was just as cute as it was annoying. ‘Guess this is where we find out which one of us has changed the most since we were kids.’
‘God, how long will this take?’ Ino moaned from her place under the tree. Me and Spader just stood facing each other. The minutes ticked by. I used the time to desperately wrack my brain for the memories of training with Spader, hoping they’d give me an idea on how to overtake her.
Spader, on the other side of the clearing, just watched me. I could feel her deep violet-blue eyes dance over my features as she left me my space to think. Aware that the time she was giving me would only last so long, I dropped into my usual crouch, put my hands together and concentrated.
For the most part, I think I remembered the training sessions. I had a dim view of her jutsu and talents. From that little information I started to put together multiple possible plans.
The seconds slipped through my fingers. My time was up.
Spader blurred and kunai came hurling at me from behind. Instinctively I dodged, even though I knew it was probably a trap. It was.
