Never Let Go [Hiatus]

Part II, Chapter 6- Ways Of An Assassin

Madara's POV

For years, I trained hard, learning the ways of an assassin from Master Kaede. Along with Hide, Gin and Hanami, I underwent harsh and testing training that often had us winding up in bruises, cuts and swollen limbs.

'Kaede, you don't have to be so harsh on the kids. I think they're doing well already,'

'Don't have to be so harsh? Nothing is too harsh! They need to be prepared to face anything when they're on their own. Hanami! Focus! Gin, you too! Your shurikens are not hitting the target!'

I glanced at their target board. Their shurikens were just slightly off the bull's eye. I thought I saw a tear in Hanami's eye as she let out a desperate sob. We have been throwing shurikens for three hours now. It was understandable for one to tire out and lose focus.

'At least let them rest for a while... they've been training for quite some time....' Michiko suggested.

'No. No resting until they can prove to me they deserve it,'

It was like this almost everyday. We had to endure trainings that served to stretch us beyond our limits, to the point where I sometimes thought to be rather abusive. Master Kaede ensured that we trained everyday, irregardless of the weather. Even when we were shifting camps, he had us train along the way or even during the night.

Thud! Kaede struck Hide hard, sending him sprawling across the field. The three of us winced as we watched from the sides, our clothes soaked from the rain and our bodies shivering in cold. Hamami sneezed as Gin rubbed his nose and sniffed. For a while, Hide lay motionless, dark bruises forming on his cheek and arm. His tired body was already full of the same bruises and red swellings. Slowly, he raised his head and got up shakily on fours, looking as if he would collapse any moment. This was perhaps the 50th time in the morning Kaede had sparred with him. Our master strode towards Hide. Stop it! Hide is going to die at this rate! What is Kaede-sama thinking? Furthermore in this weather! I thought of the time when Kaede had once offered tea to warm me up in such mornings. Tsk.

'Stand up.'

Hide made to do as he was told but his right leg gave way and he ended up kneeling on the ground instead.

'I said, STAND UP!' Kaede ordered.

It took Hide a great deal of effort before he wobbled to his feet.

'Now go rest,' Kaede said softly. He offered his arm to Hide for support as they made their way towards us. Kaede eyed us, deciding who to train next.

'Madara, you're next!'

I took in a deep breath and gulped.

There was no escaping from Kaede's torturous trainings as he never seemed to run out of things to teach. Utterly relentless in imparting his skills to his disciples, Kaede had us trained in everything, from taijutsu and ninjutsu, to weapon use in archery, swordfighting, shuriken throwing and the like, and even strategy and planning.

'An assassin must be a master at everything. Your proficiency in both close and distant combat should be a given, and it is definitely nothing to be proud about. Other than possessing strength and stamina, one must also learn how to think and strategize. A strong fighter may outlast someone of a weaker physique, but will never outwit a clever fighter. We can't just barge into enemy territory without a plan. Vast amount of energy and time will have to be invested into knowing your enemy. To know their strengths and weakness, their habits and routine. To know about the floor plan and surroundings of the target area....

This way, one would be able to easily utilize the surroundings to his advantage in times of emergency and escape. But most importantly, one must be a flexible thinker. In fact, the ability for an assassin to process the situation and think on his feet is perhaps the most crucial factor in his survival. Circumstances change. We need to know how to tweak adversities into our favour and adapt the changes into our existing plans. Above all, we need to be prepared. For anything.'

Kaede-sama taught us to read maps that were both rural and urban in nature, and had us practice how to strategize by giving us mock missions with the maps. All the time, he drilled us incessantly in combat, increasing our strength and stamina as he said we should, and at the same time, sharpening our perception, battle sense and fighting instincts.

But through it all, none of us complained. We understood the rationale and importance of the trainings and so, aching with pain and choking on tears, we would shakily get back on our feet. This was the only way to become stronger. This was the only way to ensure our own survival. We have to depend on no one but ourselves.

'Madara! You're open!'

Shit. I instinctively brought my boken in front of me only to have it deflected sharply out of my grasp.

'OW!' The impact caused me to fall roughly onto the grass, my boken flung a few meters away from me. There goes my weapon. I'm screwed. I rubbed my arm, flexing my fingers to get the numbness out of my hands. Kaede sure struck me hard. A shadow fell upon me and I looked up to see my master staring disapprovingly down at me.

'You are making the same mistake again! Be more aware of your surroundings! In such fights, you MUST know where your enemies are at all times!'

Easier said than done. I only have one pair of eyes!

'Do you mean to say something?' Kaede growled.

'It's not fair...It's four against one!' I complained.

Kaede hit my head with the sides of his palm, karate-stye.

'We can't choose our circumstances, can we?'

I groaned. To some extent, he was right. We had to be prepared for anything, like a surprise attack or an ambush. I sighed and got up slowly, my limbs screaming in protest.

'Resume!' Kaede barked. Before I even got to my boken, they were all charging towards me once more.

'M-matte!' Too late.

'And one more thing. Out there, nobody waits for anyone else. Do or die. Got it?'

Ite.... They got my stomach and knees this time.

'Resume!'