Clash 2: The Wolf and the Desertstorm - a collab with Amaterasu

Chapter 26

"Hurry up! We need to get going!" Daro was jumping from one foot to the other as he stood on the doorstep of Hiro's house.

Hiro stuffed another piece of bread in his mouth. "Hm Hmbnt hm fmwhd wtin mwehd."

"Hiroshi Tomoda!" his mother scolded, "don't speak with your mouth full." She narrowed her eyes at her son. "You will finish your breakfast nice and easy. Daro, why don't you take a seat while you wait? Would you like an omelet?"

Daro flinched and his face turned red. "Yes, Tomoda-san, thank you," he mumbled and he silently slid into one of the chairs. There was no arguing with Hiro's mother.
He glanced at Hiro while the woman's back was turned. "Just finish breakfast already," he whispered hurriedly, "sensei is having that spar today with Hisayo-san. We need to make sure we get there on time so she won't do anything reckless."

Hiro quickly swallowed his food. "I forgot about that."

Daro gave him an unimpressed look. "Really? Did the food distract you?"

His friend stuck out his tongue. "It's not my fault you're over-protective."

Daro's face turned red again and he crossed his arms. "I'm not over-protective," he muttered under his breath.

Hiro smirked. "Right. Keep telling yourself that."

"Here you go," Hiro's mother placed a plate in front of Daro.

"Thank you, Tomoda-san," Daro said and he started eating as fast, yet still as well-mannered, as possible. He didn't want the woman to scold him again.
Once he had finished, he shove back his chair. "We need to go. Thank you for the food!" he ran from the table before anyone could stop him, with Hiro in tow.

"Bye mom!" Hiro shouted over his shoulder.

The woman sighed and shook her head. "Boys."

...

Kumiko slid on her shoes and stretched. It was still early, but today was the day Taryn-sensei was going to spar with Hisayo-san. She wouldn't want to miss it.

"Where are you going?" a quiet voice said behind her.

Kumiko turned around to face her cousins. "Sensei is having a sparring match with a friend from Konohagakure. We're going to support her."

"A sparring match?" Izumi questioned, "what is that?"

Kumiko bit her lip. How was she going to explain that to them so they would understand? "It's like ninja training, but with an opponent. They're going to test each other's skills against each other without harming the other seriously."

"Can we come watch?" Emi asked wide-eyed.

"Ah...." Kumiko hesitated. She wasn't sure if that would be a good idea. More so, she wasn't sure how Hisayo-san might react to that. She knew the woman wasn't keen on strangers. And her aunt and uncle would sure be furious when they found out. "I'm not sure... I would have to ask." Part of her wanted them to come. Her cousins had never been interested in hanging out with her before. It would be nice to do something together, even if it was only watching a match.

"That's fine," Izumi said, "I get it if you don't want us there."

"That's not it," Kumiko said hurriedly, "it's just... it might be dangerous and I'm not sure they want an audience."

"Didn't you just say no one was supposed to get hurt?" Izumi asked, "so why is it dangerous?" She crossed her arms and cocked an eyebrow.

Kumiko sighed in defeat. "Fine, come along then. But if sensei sends you away, it's not my fault."