Konoha's Lost Kunoichi

The Sound Ninja's Heart

"Son of a-!" Kaname swore as I slammed him into the ground, pinning my knee to his chest once again.

He glowered at me, his tired eyes holding the annoyance of the day. I held back a smirk, finally feeling better after the hell he put me through. In all fairness it was all in the name of training.

Learning Blood Release is a real pain in my ass that takes a lot of focus, chakra, and of course, practice. By the end of simple manipulation I was coated in sweat and my muscles were all tense.

So when we switched from hand to hand it was a relief. Although this is the thirteenth match and I finally surpassed him.

For a drunk who does nothing, he's a force of nature to go against.

The first three matches he whipped my ass and that took me, Haru, and Hawaki by surprise. Hell. The first match didn't even last a minute. He's incredibly strong physically and almost as fast as me.

Me!

The only person who can outrun me is Lee without his weights. And it took Kaname less than a minute to put me on my ass.

The second and third matches weren't any better but by the fourth I was starting to get a good idea on this.

At least that's what I thought until Kaname slammed the heel of his palm into my jaw and I nearly bit my tongue. Before I could swear myself, he had flipped us around and held my arm tightly behind me back and I grit my teeth in anger. If I move the bones in my arm will shatter.

God damn it! I thought I had him that time.

"You're strong, but I've been doing this a lot longer than you." He released my arm and stepped away. I sighed, stretching my sore body as I stood.

I wore my usual attire, minus my jacket since I was sparring. Kaname had opted for a pair of dark baggy pants that cinch at the ankles and waist, and a sleeveless turtleneck shirt. His arms are bandaged and his messy locks are tied back out of his face. Different from his normal attire.

Makes it easier for him to throw me onto my ass. "As much as it pains me, I'm going to have to cut this short. We better start preparing before it's too late."

Kaname raised an eyebrow, looking towards the house. "I'm still not getting the point in this."

I rolled my eyes and squatted by our stuff and grabbed two water pouches. I tossed him one and began to chug the other before swiping my lips off the liquid.

Kaname is also chugging his. Much like myself he worked up a sweat. Unlike me though it's not as much.

I stared at him wearily and handed him mine. He could use all the water he can get. I wonder if he's sweating out alcohol.

Without much thought he took mine without a fuss and finished it off. "Of course you don't. Listen, it may seem trivial, but we're doing it. I did it the last couple years doing it for Haru and we're doing it for him too. Now c'mon. Help me set things up." I turned and headed towards the house.

Kaname sighed loudly but his feet trudged behind me nonetheless.

The days have been rather busy as of late. With me struggling on getting a hold of this new thing. Kaname is trying, and it is helpful.

But it seems that the rate of my mind succumbing to the Frenzy is concerning. Even for him.

He's taken to having drinks with me at night after the boys go to bed. I don't particularly like it. Even if my blood processes it easily, the idea of drinking my problems away leaves a sour taste in my mouth.