My Brother's a Jinchūriki!

Chapter Sixty Seven- Assault on the Abe Estate Part One

Natsumi blocked a strike from Yuki's sword, leaping back and sighing slightly as she caught her breath.

The first part of the Exam should be starting in a few hours. I hope Naruto's okay. Written tests aren't his strong suit at all.

"Don't slack off!" Yuki snarled, swinging her blade at Natsumi.

She blinked and rolled to the side, blocking the attack with her Ninjato quickly. "I'm not really in the mood to train now, Yuki. Would you mind if we took a break?"

"A break?" Yuki scoffed and stuck her nose in the air. "That's exactly why you humans are so weak. You're too fragile to train diligently."

"Yuki, I've been training most of the morning." Natsumi stood and held her arms at her side. "I'm tired and sweaty, and I'm getting hungry. How about we call it a day, have a nice, hot bath, and then grab something to eat?"

"Hmph." Yuki sheathed her sword and turned her face away. "I suppose you've earned a short break. As long as you get me something really tasty to eat."

The corners of Natsumi's mouth twitched in a slight smirk as she looked at the cat. "How does barbeque sound?"

"Hm... I suppose that would be acceptable." Yuki flicked her tail back and forth. "Although it's not exactly high-class dining."

"Maybe not, but I can sneak you into Yakiniku a lot easier than a fancy restaurant." She reached out to scratch under Yuki's chin. "And it's not overpriced, so I can buy you more."

Yuki purred for a moment before blinking and swatting away Natsumi's hand with a paw. "Alright, when you put it that way, I'll agree to it." She flicked her tail and hopped onto Natsumi's shoulder. "But first, a bath."

"You're such a strange cat." Natsumi stood slowly, wiping her forehead and her Ninjato vanished to return to her locker. 

----

"Ah, that was refreshing." Yuki purred on Natsumi's shoulder, closing her eyes as she pointed her nose up. "That bath was just what I needed, and now my belly's full, too."

"What now?" Natsumi glanced up at her as she walked.

"I could go for a nap."

"Me too." Natsumi laughed. "How about we head home and sleep?"

"Please." Yuki yawned and rested her head on Natsumi's as she closed her eyes. "I haven't slept in so long."

Natsumi laughed to herself and rolled her eyes. "It's only been three hours since your last nap."

"So?" Yuki flicked her tail in Natsumi's face. "I'm tired."

"Okay, okay." Natsumi swatted the tail out of her face. "I'm going."

She turned a corner and bumped into a person with an 'oof.'

"Oh! I'm sor—" She looked up at the boy and blushed brightly. "I-It's you."

Yuuta blinked and then his lips curved in a slight smirk. "Oh, it's little Red." He released the hand of the girl he'd been walking with and met her eyes. "I haven't seen you around in a while."

"U-Uh..." Natsumi averted her eyes and scratched her cheek. "Well, I've been on missions pretty much back-to-back lately, so..."

"Hmph. That bitch is working you like a dog, is she?" He furrowed his brows and scowled for a moment as he muttered, then smirked again and shrugged. "I thought you were avoiding me."

"W-What?" Natsumi quickly shook her head and bit her lip. "Why would I?"

Actually, I was. Because I can't help myself from thinking he's cute, even though everyone warns me to stay away from him.