yumiko heard a fit of cough behind her, turning around, she came face to face with an ill man
her face twisted in recognition as she raised an eyebrow in question 'isn't that the man who was killed in the sand invasion arc? what was his name again?-'
her thoughts were cut short after hearing another cough that escaped the sick man and snapped her out of her daze
"welcome yumiko-san I am Hayate Gekko a tokubetsu jōnin of the hidden leaf, you can call me Hayate-sensei" he said calmly while looking at her
she nodded at him forcing a smile as she thought
'why did genma give me a dying sensei...though it's still few years before he die... about two? three years? I lost the count' she sighed in disappointment at the thought.
as if he waited for this moment, Seiza growled at her as he said loudly "hey! don't underestimate our sensei because he look weak! in fact he is one of the most respected and feared tokubetsu jōnin in our village!"
yumiko frowned, narrowing her eyes at him in annoyance
did the disappointment was clear in her face? even if it was, she wasn't disappointed for that reason honestly
she knew that Hayate is strong, very strong, cause she remember when he kicked naruto ass that the wall received a massive crackes because of it
so, that Inuzuka is only making problems by accusing her of being greedy
'did I do something that made him hate me or did it come naturally?'
the said boy was hit hard in the head by Natsuki fist "stop it Seiza! she didn't say anything to yell at her like that!"
"b-but-" she glared at him and said sternly "no buts"
Hayate coughed again to gain their attention, totally unaffected by their talks and still composed as always
he said calmly "I see you're not getting along with each other" he sighed "there is no missions for today as we have a new member. get to know each other more
you are free to do whatever you want as long as you don't cause troubles" he eyed Seiza then turned to Natsuki and yumiko "is that clear?"
the two girls nodded at him obediently while Seiza crossed his arms and looked away stubbornly.
a long pause rang through the training grounds and all were looking at Seiza
the Inuzuka sighed in defeat, giving up against his will then said with clear annoyance "fine!"
Hayate smiled nodding in satisfaction then disappeared in a puff of smoke after bidding goodbye to them
"I am off!" said Seiza as he walked away, arms in his pocket and his dog, sasamaru trailing behind.
Natsuki shook her head then turned to yumiko with a smile in her face "so what do you suggest us to do yumiko-chan?"
yumiko pondered for a moment then answered "how about a taijutsu fight? I am too weak in it, maybe I will progress more if my ass get kicked"
Natsuki stared at her with wide eyes, then cleared her throat after snapping to reality "of course" she nodded
"please don't hold up, I really need this training" the hyuga nodded again hesitantly but didn't say anything
yumiko got ready to be a punch doll, since Natsuki trained her whole life in taijutsu
unlike her, who is more of a ninjutsu type
'am starting to regret telling her to not hold back'
without any exchanged words, Natsuki took a small rock from the ground then said "when the stone touch the ground we will begin"
yumiko simply nods, as she focuses and gets her body ready for the fight when the stone hits the ground
after the said stone crashed in the ground, Natsuki activated her byakugan as they both attack each other at the same time with a fast speed
yumiko tryed throwing a punch in her face
but it was swiftly deflected by Natsuki before she delivering a kick directly at yumiko solar plexus to keep her at bay
'it hurts like a bitch!' yumiko screamed in her head
by now she is used to the pain, because she is a ninja. but this pain is new to her, since those punch and kicks aren't random, rather they are directed to her chakra pathway system.
she grunted then tried again with punching vital places that genma teach it to her with great speed.
Unfortunately for her, with almost perfect dexterity Natsuki dodges and deflects all of her attacks, easily countering with palm strikes
after fighting over fifteen minutes, they both stopped, breathing heavily
yumiko thought horrified 'I can't feel my chakra at all! now I understand why they say to never engage in a taijutsu fight with a Hyuga! I think- no I know she held back, if she didn't I would be a punch doll for real, not like I wasn't a moments ago' she sighed
"I didnt think you would stay up after I closed all of your chakra pathway" Natsuki said stunned "your stamina is unnatural!" she smiled after praising her
yumiko smiled "thank you Natsuki, if you didn't hold back I would be finished in the first five minutes"
with wide eyes, Natsuki opened her month then close it, not finding what to say, then blushed in embarrassment
"sorry yumiko-chan I didn't want to go at full force...and-"
she was cut off by yumiko laughing
"don't worry Natsuki, I am not offended, in fact I am more happy then anything to have a strong teammate" she smiled at her while giving her a thumb up
Natsuki looked at her for a few moments then finally smiled gratefully at her
"how about we have some dango? I am really hungary" Natsuki asked, more comfortable with yumiko now
"sure" yumiko nodded, with a wide smiled