Another Nine-Tails?!

Training

Maru sat in front of Akiko as they both waited for Kabuto to finish his shower. The canine's eyes glinted with curiosity as he tilted his head. "Why do you trust him so much? He's a spy, he could be faking everything."

"You and I both know he's now faking anything. As for why I trust him, I just do."

"Does she?"

"Sometimes."

"What's sometimes?" Kabuto's voice made both of them flinch. They didn't even hear him leave the bathroom. Maru huffed at the boy before leaving the room. "What's wrong with him?"

"You disrupted his interrogation."

"Interrogation?"

"Yeah. He's just being nosey though." She shook her head, smiling slightly. "So, how's training going to work?"

The medic brought her to a large arena. He stood in the middle and held his arms out. "The Sound 4 trained here when they were first created. Back when Kimimaro led them. Now it's a training arena for other potential pawns of our master. We're less likely to be interrupted here compared to other places. Or found by an enemy."

"What is your plan for training me, exactly?"

"In real battle, the enemy will do any and everything at their disposal in order to defeat you. Genjutsu, clones, and even your looks can be used to fool your opponent."

"Like what you did in the exam?"

"Do not act like I was the only one." She pouted at his words. "This, however, is not a real battle. We won't be using jutsu, or weapons. That includes your claws." He removed the weapon's pouch on his right thigh and threw it away from himself. "Think of this as a game. I can only block or block you, not attack you. When I dodge, I can choose whether or not to capture you. Nothing big, just by hugging you or rendering your hands useless. I win if and when that happens. You can attack me however you want though, just no jutsu."

"Do I have to capture you too? Do I get to?"

"No. But you get to, more so immobilize me. You win the round if you manage to pin me down. Or you could land a blow on me to win. Either way is fine. But, I will try to distract you from the main objective when I capture you. Provide distractions"

"So, I have to try and escape before you get the chance."

"Good. So you understand." He was happy with how much she understood.

"How are you going to distract me?"

"Now why would I tell you that? You'd be waiting for some kind of signal that tells you that I'd make a distaction."

"You're no fun." Akiko huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"We're training, Aki. It's not supposed to be fun."

"But you said this was a game. Games are fun."

"No, I said it's like a game. And this 'game', is focused on keeping you alive for another day."

"Fine. I get what I'm supposed to do."

"Are you sure?"

"If I wasn't, I wouldn't be telling you."

"There's no need to be cocky." He gave her a look. "I've explained what we're gonna do, so let's get started."

"What?! No practice?!?" Akiko's eyes widened as her boyfriend got ready to defend himself. She just let out a sigh and got ready to attack. However, before she even moved, both of her wrists were caught in one of his hands while the other rested on the back of her head.

"Caught you," his voice was quiet. He quickly grinned before pecking her lips and releasing her. "I win. Try again."

A growl left her as she rushed at her. Her tactic, at least at the moment, was to attack him head-on. But he saw through her plan. He stepped to the side and watched as she slid across the floor. Her left leg rested under her, her heel resting against her butt. Her right hand touched the floor while her left rested on the upper part of her left thigh.

Kabuto didn't register her leaving the ground before his back made friends with it. It shouldn't have surprised him as much as it did, considering she was the daughter of the Yellow Flash of the Leaf. But she wasn't his daughter by blood. Her speed would be much faster now.

The female Jinchuriki sat on the medic's stomach. Her legs were on each side of him as her arms rested beside his head, keeping her body held up. He took notice of the smirk that was trying to form on her lips. "Well done, vixen." He smirked internally as she snapped out of whatever daze she was in. She quickly hopped off of him and jumped back. "You win. Let's continue." He stood up swiftly.

They trained for 2 hours, Kabuto with more wins than Akiko. He had a bruise beginning to form on his left cheek. But he could tell both Karma and her host were having fun. And they were working together. The beast would give the redhead an idea and she would carry it out.

Akiko fought to keep her grin to herself. She had found the spark that activated her enhanced speed. Now she waited for Kabuto to make his move. The moment he did was the moment she attacked him. His back met one of the walls of the arena, leaving an indent. He wouldn't have been surprised if it left something bruised. A small groan left his throat. "Five wins to you, Aki. Two more, and we can be done for a little while."

"Why not now?"

"Two more and we can be done. And no break." She whined. "I know you have more chakra. Much more." He shook his head at the thought. She might not have been using Karma's chakra, but the beast was definitely helping her. "I'll go easy on you from now on."

"You said that two rounds ago!" She threw her hands up.

"And I have been. I've blocked more than I've captured." He winced when he touched his ribs. That seemed to be a common place to be injured by her.

"You have more battle experience than me."

"That doesn't mean a thing. You and I both know that. Besides, you're faster than me. And your chakra levels are larger." He closed his eyes for a moment. The air around him moved before his breath was knocked out of him. Akiko stood above him.

"You're not the only one who can distract people." She grinned down at him.

He sat up slowly. "That was cheating."

"You said that the enemy would do anything to defeat you." She took a step back, watching as he stood up.

"One more, then we can be done. Well done, Aki." A spark of pride grew in her chest at his praise. She took a step forward to attack him. Pain erupted from her biceps to the tips of her fingers, stopping her in her tracks. A pained yell left her mouth before she collapsed.

Kabuto knelt beside her, turning her over onto her back. His chakra grew in his palms. "Calm down and try to breathe." Each time he wiped the tears off of her face, more replaced them. Red-orange chakra surrounded her, knocking the medic back. He looked at his hands and realized that they had been burned by the chakra. His head snapped up as Akiko screamed.

The chakra around her had formed two tails, her eyes becoming red. "Akiko," he took a step forward but was pushed back again. 'Damn it! I can't get close enough to calm her down..!' He winced in pain before throwing caution to the wind. He pushed through the burning on his face and arms so he was able to reach the younger girl.

Akiko could see her boyfriend trying to get to her. She couldn't stop the pain, no matter how desperately she tried. Whatever was happening to her wasn't Karma. The girl could only scream in pain and writhe around like a trapped animal. She stopped moving without warning, the chakra and tails disappearing. Kabuto lowered his arms, taking in the sight in front of him. Her clothes were singed but she was fine. Her skin showed no cuts or burns. The floor was indented and burned where she laid. He knelt beside her, bringing her to him.

"Aki..?"

"I won." She chuckled before falling unconscious.

"Yeah, you did." He closed his eyes, letting the silence of the room surround him. Two pairs of footsteps coming towards him alerted him to the unwanted company.