Book One The Black Lion Old Version

Red threads

13 days since the shy girl squad victory

Ingrid was training alone in the arena with three practice dummies surrounding her. She visualized being surrounded by enemies and with her wooden spear, she struck the first dummy hard on the shoulder. Moving to her left, she struck at the lower legs, knocking it down, and then elbowed the third dummy. It was only a matter of seconds, but she knocked them all down with ease. It wasn't satisfying; these practice dummies didn't teach her anything, and she was frustrated.

She then heard footsteps behind her and saw that it was Hinata who noticed her agitation.

"Is something bothering you, Ingrid?" asked Hinata, concerned.

Ingrid couldn't show that she was jealous; she had to be supportive."

These practice dummies just aren't doing it for me. I need a real opponent to spar with," Ingrid confessed.

"I agree. It's fine to use practice dummies to refine a technique, but when you need a real-life opponent to practice your skills with, they become useless. I wouldn't mind being your sparring partner, Ingrid San," Hinata said as she walked into the sparring ring.

They had been sparring almost every day; it was their way of communicating their feelings. Fighting against Hinata was like fighting against a mountain; the gentle fist was like no style that she had ever fought against before. It was scary in a way.

No words were shared because none were needed. Hinata got into her stance, and Ingrid got into hers. There was a minute of silence before Ingrid made her first move. She struck at Hinata's right side, and Hinata blocked with her right palm. It looked painful, but not as painful as it would have been if it were a metal lance instead.

Ingrid didn't show any signs that she was in pain. Hinata countered by hitting Ingrid at the chest, causing her to be pushed back. Hinata made her move; she was fast, even faster considering it was their day off. They were more free to use more of their strength due to not having to worry about conserving it. Ingrid dodged left and right, but Hinata was extremely quick with her strikes. The gentle fist was a difficult style to counter with hers.

She wasn't able to counter all of Hinata's blows. She had to eventually strike; if she didn't do a counter-strike, she would lose the battle. The height difference between them gave Ingrid an advantage, but that didn't do any good if she wasn't able to strike.

She did what she always had done in their sparring matches; she waited for an opening, saw one, and took full advantage of it. She struck Hinata hard on the back, but Hinata smiled as she grabbed onto her spear with her right arm and used her Eight Trigrams Air Palm, knocking Ingrid back and causing her to fall to the floor.

"She was on her back she knew she lost there was no way she could find a way to get a victory out of this one they were both sweating the sparring match didn't last long but it felt intense.

"Damn you're strong. It's difficult to keep up," Hinata lied down on her back alongside Ingrid. They both looked at the sky.

"You and Naruto are both difficult to beat. I have to train extra hard if I'm ever going to have a chance to be able to keep up with both of you," Ingrid said but then turned away. She didn't want to talk about the elephant in the room.

"I enjoy the sparring sessions Ingrid San. I feel like I've gotten to know you better. I feel like I understand why Naruto Kun feels the way he does about you. I mean..." Hinata looked like she wanted to say something.

"Do you hate me Ingrid San?" asked Hinata with a pleading look. They both had feelings for the same man. It was difficult, but she couldn't hate her. How could she?