The next morning Sasuke was awake to watch the sunrise with a puzzled look on his face.
He wasn’t sure what would follow when he got up, and how exactly things would turn out. A part of him was anxious; though whether this was in a good way or bad way he couldn’t tell. Was he excited at the prospect of this? Maybe. Clearly she had to be skilled if she had earned the title ‘Master’, and he had seen a little of what she could do in the fight that had taken place. This was what he had come here for—to get trained and to increase his power to its full potential. With what she said, it seemed like she understood just how to deal with that issue, and would cater to his individual needs. Obviously she didn’t train many people; so he had to be glad that this had happened—that he was staying in the dojo. He had to grab this opportunity with both hands while he still could.
But he still remained hesitant. He couldn’t fully believe she was Tatsujin no Kakusareta. She was the same age as him, and hadn’t even come from a ninja village—well, as far as he could tell. It’s not as if he knew much about her. But even so…the idea that she was a master…it wasn’t something he was about to accept instantly, even if he’d seen she was different—even if he’d known it from the start. Not to mention the idea of how the sessions would pan out. Sasuke still hadn’t forgotten their arguments and hostility from when they first met, and the idea that now she was his ‘sensei’—of sorts’—and that he would have to do as she said was not one he particularly liked to entertain. He might have been willing to learn from Tatsujin no Kakusareta, but there was a limit. He hadn’t been planning on showing a huge amount of obedience to ‘him’ when he had thought it was a man, let alone a girl who he’d hated only a couple of days ago!
A part of her, too, was dreading it. She knew the kinds of things he’d be thinking, and how he’d be picking up on everything she did, suspicious of her title and reputation. She’d said before how stubborn he was, and considering she was supposed to be teaching him, there was a certain amount of authority she had over him, and she knew he wouldn’t be willing to accept that. He might have accepted to let her teach him, but as for things such as agreeing that all that she said was right and going only with what she told him…he wouldn’t be as keen to go along with it. Yet still she had shown him the way and she had agreed to teach him. She had been able to sense all those things inside of him, and could feel the potential he had—she knew they connected, and understood his personality and how many similarities they possessed. It made her want to teach him; she wanted to help him achieve his goal…and maybe understand herself in the meantime.
But regardless of their feelings, there was no way out, and as such they both pulled themselves out of bed and began to get ready for the day.
They went about their daily routines, both slower than usual this time. Things had changed so rapidly over the past couple of days, and they both had a lot to think about. But a little while later and Sasuke was ready, taking a deep breath as he prepared for the day ahead. For all he knew she could be pretty harsh towards him considering their previous feelings for each other, and constantly put him down regardless of what he did. She’d started off saying he wasn’t worthy, after all. Though shaking his head, he forced himself to push that all aside—it wouldn’t make things any easier. He didn’t know what would happen, so all he could do was keep going and hope for the best. He only hesitated in these thoughts as he realised that he had no idea where he was supposed to go—she had shown him the way last night, but he hadn’t really memorised the layout of this place—not to mention he hadn’t been given directions or any specific room to go to. Frowning at this new problem, Sasuke growled softly and went to the door, wanting to start straight away if he was to be figuring out where he was supposed to be right now.
Only to find her piercing green eyes staring straight back at him.
Tensing slightly at how she had appeared out of nowhere just like in the forest without a single sound to alert to her presence, Sasuke didn’t speak to begin with, merely nodding towards her in greeting. For a second there passed a moment of silence, both uncomfortable with the situation, before she shook it off. She couldn’t hesitate if she was going to be training him. She had agreed to it—and as such she would continue with that promise. So straightening up, she nodded in return and said quietly,
“Come with me—I can show you the kitchen and you can get something to eat; then I’ll take you to the training area.”
Nodding once more in acceptance, Sasuke followed on behind her, concentrating on the route this time, not liking the idea of having to be led where to go like a lost child. If she thought he needed that much help, then—
“You’ll get used to the place soon—then you can find your own way. But for now…I figured it was best I show you around.”
Freezing at her words and how she always seemed to know exactly what he was thinking, Sasuke still said nothing as they finally reached the kitchen, listening as she pointed out where the different things were before beginning to get his breakfast. Gathering she had already had hers as she merely poured herself some tea and waited, Sasuke brushed it off to eat, and once again things descended into silence. It got to the point where it was almost unbearable—even for them—but still they said nothing. Neither of them knew what to say, when taking into account the things they had said to begin with and what was going on now. Instead they chose to let it be, waiting to see how things unfolded before being able to make any opinions about it all.
But with no distractions and no conversation, it didn’t take long for Sasuke to finish his breakfast, and cleaning everything up, he joined her once more as she turned and led him out of the kitchen, this time towards a different part of the building. He noted the corridors to make sure he knew his way, but narrowed his eyes as he noted a training room a couple of minutes later, wondering why they weren’t going in there. There were a couple more of them, but still, she didn’t halt. Instead she merely kept walking until they reached what appeared to be a dead end on one of the corridors. Starting to consider the idea that she didn’t even know where she was going, Sasuke widened his eyes as she simply reached out and slid the door open, like you would do any other. Having not noticed anything in the slightest, he looked it over again before he stepped through, unable to see the slight smirk on her face.
The door led outside, into a clearing that was evidently to be used for his training. It still gave off that same aura that the other clearing had done, and the deep part of the forest, but in a different way. The ones closest to the clearing were Sakura trees, and they were all in full blossom, before they melded with the other trees that made up the forest. Hearing the sound of running water, Sasuke went forward to see a small spring of water that led onto a stream nearby towards the back of the clearing. There was a stone set just in front of it, stating ‘One who devotes himself to a cause with his whole strength and soul can be a true master. For this reason mastery demands all of a person.’ Staring at the words for a while, Sasuke felt the power in the clearing once more, remembering what she had said to him before: there are other places in this forest that draws on the same power as this area, and it is those that can help with true training. Only now could he see how right she was, and the smirk on her face remained at what she knew he could sense.
But recalling they had some training to do, she called his name to get his attention, and turning round, he found her standing a few metres away from him, staring at him intently. Shaking off what he had been done, Sasuke fully faced her as she stated bluntly,
“I know we didn’t exactly get off to a good start, and there was a lot of hostility and ultimately confusion. But I have decided to train you; and I promise you, Sasuke, I will keep to my word. I will not stop training you now because I don’t like you. I might not take it well, true, but I won’t turn you away—know that, at least.”
Sasuke couldn’t help but smirk and nod in acceptance of that fact, a strange sense of respect building within him. Then shaking it off as he realised what he was doing, not about to respect her when he had no proof, he had to focus back in as she suddenly added with a smirk,
“But now that you do…let’s begin.”