A C C E P T A N C E

P R O L O G U E : T S U K U Y O M I

In a world of dreams, our deepest wishes are revealed.

The sound of metal scraping against metal resonated through the large training field as the wind picked up, sending dandelions and grass through the air. Sweat formed on my brow as I felt myself sliding backwards over the ground at the sheer amount of power that Suigetsu was using to bear down on me. His enlarged arms continued to swell as he gripped the Executioner's Blade, showing off his increase in chakra. I gritted my teeth and stood my ground, trying to come up with a plan as I forced more nature energy into my muscles. Sasuke's sword felt heavy in my hands as I managed to lift it higher still, gaining a very slight advantage over the mist ninja. He flashed a shocked expression at the exchange of power and I smirked before taking that as my cue.

Suddenly, the Executioner's Blade lodged itself in the ground as I disappeared from the spot. Suigetsu made a startled noise as I speedily reappeared behind him and aimed an attack at his left arm. He spun around towards me then, and I prepared myself for a counter attack as the sword in my hand made contact. Instead of sinking into his flesh though, Sasuke's sword phased right through him as his arm turned to water.

"Suigetsu, you cheater!"

Proud laughter filled my ears as droplets of water rained down over us from my attack. I narrowed my eyes and charged at him, but he used his liquified arm to capture my neck and bring me closer. His arm reformed as he held me in a headlock, spinning me around and rubbing his fist into my hair.

"I prefer the term, opportunist," Suigetsu grinned down at me with his sharp teeth as I forced myself from his grip.

"We agreed on not using ninjutsu," I chastised him, brandishing Sasuke's sword in his face.

"Yeah, yeah," he sent me a closed eye smile. "I'm not really one for rules though."

I huffed with a playful smile and pulled my fist back to punch him right in his smart mouth as he glanced over my shoulder.

"Hey, Sasuke! Come get your girl before she kills me!" He yelled before my fist collided with his now liquified jaw.

As his words died, I wiped my wet hands on my shirt and turned in the other direction. Sasuke walked slowly towards us, shaking his head slightly as he went. His hands were stuffed in the pockets of his black ninja pants and his sword sheath hung empty at his side. Another breeze greeted him as it blew the hair from his eyes, giving me the perfect view of his face. I couldn't contain my smile as he approached, causing all of my anger towards Suigetsu to vanish.

"Hey," he greeted, meeting my eye with a smirk.

"Hi," I replied, feeling my face heat up as he leaned forward to peck my cheek. "What took you so long?"

A sigh escaped his lips as he rolled his eyes. "Itachi kept me late. He was inducted into the Konoha Police Force this morning and wouldn't let me leave until I ate his celebratory brunch."

I scrunched up my nose in response. "But he's not a very good cook, is he?"

"Not even slightly," he frowned.

"Wow, Sasuke. I never thought I'd ever hear you say the word brunch," Suigetsu laughed as he stood beside me.

"How'd the training go?" Sasuke asked, ignoring the previous comment.

I glowered at Suigetsu from the corner of my eye and held Sasuke's sword out for him.

"It was going fine until Suigetsu decided to cheat," I answered as he sheathed his blade.