A Kitsune's Power

Chapter 11

Chapter 11 – Meanwhile In Konoha

Team 8's training

"Yipe!" Kiba said.

Kiba's yelp echoed off the trees as he jerked backwards, his frantic reaction allowing him to evade a Gentle Fist strike by a mere fraction of an inch. Backpedaling rapidly, he dived sideways as another strike scythed through where he had been.

"Enough!" Kurenai said.

Both combatants halted, Hinata merely breathing heavily while Kiba hyperventilated as the adrenaline slowly ebbed from his system.

"That was... quite incredible, Hinata." Kurenai said, walking over to them. "You've really become a lot faster."

"Thank you, sensei." Hinata said quietly. "I knew my Taijutsu needed work, so I... asked someone for help. I don't mean any insult, but you're a Genjutsu specialist, so..."

Kurenai smiled.

"No insult is taken. I know my limitations, as a Genjutsu user, I am best in a team with frontline fighters, or in a recon group like this. Who did you ask for help?"

"My cousin's sensei, Might Guy. He gave me some weights to help build my speed and strength, and Anko Mitarashi taught me exercises to help me become tougher and more flexible." Hinata said.

"It's worked." Kiba panted, managing to lever himself into a sitting position. "Sensei, I think I need weights. If they can do that for Hinata, then I need to get some of that."

Kurenai nodded. "Well, that's all for today, we've done the missions, training and sparring. Meet back here at ten tomorrow. Hinata, wait a moment please."

Kiba nodded and gratefully accepted Shino's proffered hand. The taller Genin pulled him to his feet and, pausing just long enough to scoop up the equally-exhausted Akamaru, started to lead him back to his clan compound. As they left, Hinata turned to face Kurenai.

"Gomen... I didn't mean to suggest that you..." Hinata said.

Kurenai held up her hand to stop the apology.

"I am not angry with you, Hinata. Quite the opposite, in fact. You saw a weakness in yourself and took steps to correct it. And the results have been spectacular. When you started the spars, both Shino and Kiba held back so as to not beat you too badly, now they have to go all-out just to last more than a minute. No, the thing that concerns me is that I saw quite a bit of anger near the end of that spar. Is your family doing something again?" Kurenai said.

Hinata shook her head, a blush coloring her cheeks and Kurenai raised her eyebrow.

"That blush... you're not angry at someone, you're angry for someone, yes?" Kurenai asked.

Hinata's blush deepened and Kurenai bit down on a laugh.

"Someone you want to be close to, hmmm? Perhaps... someone as fast as Rock Lee?" Kurenai asked teasingly.

Hinata's blush seemed to glow as she ducked her head down into the collar of her jacket and Kurenai found herself hard-pushed not to burst out laughing.

"So how long have you had a crush on Might Guy?" Kurenai asked.

"KURENAI-SENSEI!" Hinata exclaimed in horror.

Kurenai could no longer hold it in. Seeing the horrified expression on Hinata's face in response to her joke, she fell sideways, clutching at her ribs as tears of laughter trickled down her cheeks. For what seemed like half an hour, she gasped for breath, each time she started to recover, the look on her student's face sent her into a fresh gale of laughter. Finally she managed to pull herself together and looked up into a pair of pale, angry eyes.