Lightning In The Hidden Leaf

13 - What Just Happened?

Calista is holding a hand held mirror once again trying to get a look at the mark on the back of her neck.

"How long has this been there? Who put it there? And more importantly, why? I mean, the boss gave me his blessings... didn't he?"

There is a knock on the door and she puts the mirror down and pulls her shirt back up over her shoulders, propping the collar of the shirt around her neck to conceal the mark.

"Good morning," says Iruka smiling once she opens the door. "Ready?"

"Good morning. What's on the agenda for the day?" she says. She is happy to have a days training to get her mind off the ominous tattoo.

"Ninja training," he says.

"Excellent. It's been so long. I can't wait to have a refresher."

"Alright," he says when they make their way to an open field, "since you're not new to this, that makes my job easier. If I'm over or under explaining something, just let me know. For now, I'm going to lay out these targets." He tosses round pieces of wood with X's carved on them. Some land throughout the fields while others are high in the trees.

"Lady Hokkage wants to know where your area of expertise lies. For long range attacks, timing and accuracy is important. The idea behind this exercise is use a kunai to hit as many targets as you can. Of course, there is also a time limit so that--"

He is interrupted by a gust of wind and several bangs. When he looks, Calista is standing firm, with broken targets scattered around the ground.

"I never even... had the chance to turn on the timer," he says blinking. "Ok. Let's count."

"Wow," he says after a few moments, "You got them all. I guess this must be too easy for you. How did you learn?"

"I was actually one the highest ranked and respected Shinobi of the Hidden Lightening. I loved the work," she says retrieving the Kunai and cleaning it. "But at some point along the way, after I lost my parents and separated from my brother, I lost touch with myself and everything meaningful after that."

He looks at her solemnly as she talks, his eyes tender, wanting to know more about this mysterious woman who seemed to come out of no where.

"That's why I want so desperately to get through my probationary period and become a citizen of this town. I have never in my life seen such a positive sense of community in my life. I think I'm finally ready for it."

She looks at him and then glances down at the ground. Without Calista knowing, she has maintained her playfulness that she used to seduce her clients. This catches Iruka off guard.

"So," she says drawing closer to him with her hands behind her back, "what else do you have planned for me, Sensei?"

He blushes. "Sensei?" he says "But we're the same skill."

"Maybe soon, but not yet. You are the one who's teaching me after all."

He smiles at her playfulness. "Ok, Calista. Now we have to spar. I just got to get my things."

He turns around and is going through his backpack.

His guard is down, so I could easily kill him right now. A dagger right through his back. Then I can take what he has and flee this village. 

She smiles, the playfulness still there but this time, the flirtatiousness  is replaced with something sinister.

She takes out her Kunai and holds it up.

"Hello? Calista? Did you hear a thing I said?"

Iruka's voice pulls her back to the present moment. She blinks slowly as she gathers her bearings and determines what just happened.

"Sorry, what did you say?"

"I said that we are sparing in order to assess your Tai Jitsu. We won't be using weapons," he says nervously looking at her hoisted kunai that's only a few feet from him.

"Sorry. I misunderstood."

"Are you okay?"

"Oh, yes. I just zoned out for a second."

That was weird. What just happened to me?

"Ready?" he says.

She puts her hands up. "Ready."