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(Y/N) Swung her wooden sword in a rapid circle as she spun, being careful as to control her movements as to slice all the bamboo standing around her. Her breaths seethed between her teeth. If she wasn't careful, she could damage her muscles and her bones without the use of Total Concentration Breathing.
The dirt beneath her deepened as her heel stopped and slid back to her ready position, she looked around.
"Yes!" She cheered, pumping her fist into the air. (Y/N) put her hands to her hips, her head held up high. The bamboo rolled far from the circle of dirt, all of them cut neatly. (Y/N) sheathed her word on her hip, unnecessary lunging all the while.
"Sanemi-Sensei's never impressed with me, but I sure am!" She grinned. Deciding to sneak in a break, (Y/N) runs for the kitchens to fetch some water for herself. She nearly trips on the porch steps, and her shoes hit the wooden wall with a thunk as she kicked them off, but (Y/N) nonetheless walks the hallways gracefully.
She saw the door less kitchen area far in front of her when she heard a familiar grunt from her left.
"Ah, Sensei must be back." She shudders, not looking forward to his scolding when he finds she's been slacking off. It's been longer than normal since he's been home. (Y/N) recalled him usually finishing a mission in 1 or 2 days, maybe he decided for some sight-seeing?
(Y/N) missed him, in a 'I care for you but I can't tell you cuz you might combust if I do' kind of way.
Maybe she could use that as an excuse?
But she was going to get in trouble, no matter the reason.
Might as well try to hug him for the 3rd time this month.
She made her way to the front of the Wind Estate, slightly shaking. He never did her harm (outside of training) but he was always in a worse mood after a mission, she prayed to all the gods in existence as she shuffled.
She turned the corner, a twitchy smile stretching her cheeks. (Y/N) rested a hand on the wall beside her, waiting patiently as her master took off his shoes with his back turned.
"Welcome home, Sensei! You won't believe what I-" Once she looked at him, more specifically his arm, she screamed. Sanemi looked at her with a scowl, reaching with his good hand to try and grab her screaming face. (Y/N) Dodged, spiking his annoyance.
"The hell's up with you?! Stop screaming!"
"WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME? DO YOU NOT FEEL THE BLOOD SOAKING YOUR ARM?"
(Y/N) grabbed his hand as gently as she could. Sanemi tries to pull away, only to wince at the burning pain the shot up his arm. His student looked up at him in worry...and with an 'I told you so' expression as he grunted.
"You're so dumb sometimes! Why didn't you wait for the Kakushi to wrap it up?" He scoffs. but lets his hand be held by yours as you made way to the bathroom.
"Those shitty ninjas are way too slow, also what did you call me?" He grinded his teeth in anger. It was a funny sight, him mumbling like a child as (Y/N) held his hand.
But she held her laughter, continuing to lecture her teacher as she entered the large bathroom belonging to the man. She turned on the large tub, testing for the temperature.
"In that case why didn't you go to Shinobu-san's? Aoi-chan can be quick despite being overworked." She says, while pulling Sanemi's arm to clean the blood off.
He grumbled under his breath.
"I'm sorry, Shisou. You're gonna have to speak up." (Y/N) says in a sweet voice, hiding the snark in it. She held his arm, looking at the big gashes with a furrow in her brow. They became far more visible as the water cleaned off the blood, they were so deep that it looked deadly but thankfully enough, the scars didn't reach bone. He needed stitches, lots of 'em.
(Y/N) stared at the albino, with an expression the scarred man hasn't seen on the girl.
He sighs, using his good hand to rake back his hair.
"They're too busy taking care of the weaklings. I can take care of this shit myself" (Y/N) stopped her movements, the hand she was holding was pruning with how long she was cleaning the blood off. She shook her head in disbelief and slight annoyance. She lets go of his hand to grab a towel to stop the profuse bleeding.
(Y/N) reached for his hand again, looking at him harshly, as if she was silently commanding him. He holds it out, his arm shaking a little. She remained stoic as she wrapped it around tightly, unapologetic when he cursed in pain.
She eyes the three slashes, sighing as she leaned her side against the tub with her arms crossed.
"God Shisou. Why are you so insistent on refusing help? It's stupid you know that? You could die!" (Y/N) spat, wondering if she could drag the man to the Butterfly Estate. Sanemi stood to fetch something in his room as she was thinking, ignoring her questions like he always did.
(Y/N) hears him wince, and part of her wants to just leave him. If he was so determined to be by himself, why bother?
If he still stubbornly trains even though it'll open old wounds, then what reason would she have to stop him? He would end up just like her older brother; Worked despite the warnings, traveled across the villages even if he was sick, carried a sleepy (Y/N) around as his skin continued to pale as the new mornings come.
He would die like him, and she'd be forced on the streets, stealing. He would make her carry their memories forever, making her wonder how he passed after the weeks that he never came home.
Sanemi was strong like he once was. Hell, he's a lot stronger.
But would death really spare him if he faces it on headfirst?
No, he would die. She was sure of that.
It was just time for her to get used to seeing him near it.
And maybe it would be smart for her to expect him to-
Footsteps pause as the door slides open in front of her. (Y/N) looked up, only then realizing she had her knees hugged close to her chest. Sanemi held a basket with his good hand, she noticed the Ohagi it was filled with.
She let out a wet chuckle, oh. She was crying for a long while.
"What's wrong?" He asks, as if the problem wasn't resting right by his side. (Y/N) scoffed, using her arm to dry her cheeks.
"Nothing. What's the occasion?" She sniffled, pointing at the basket. Sanemi blushed, the shade being very subtle on his scarred face. He squatted in front of her, pushing the basket in front of her feet.
"You're right."
"Huh?" He clicked his tongue, scratching the back of his head as he turned to evade her questioning gaze.
"You're right! Don't make me say it again!"
"About...?"
He sighed, deciding to look at her. He put a fist on her head awkwardly. (Y/N) held her face of confusion.
"I'm gonna head to the Butterfly Estate, for this." He gave a tiny nudge to his bandaged arm.
(Y/N) felt her shoulders tense, the tears filled her vision again. Sanemi didn't have time to react when she suddenly lunged at him for a hug, making sure not to touch his injury.
"WAH SHISOU! I WAS WORRIED YOU MIGHT DIE!" She cried, pressing a cheek on his chest. Sanemi tries prying her off, but she wasn't done.
"This won't just be a one time thing right? You'll start taking care of yourself right?" She asked while sobbing, hearing his heartbeat quicken with embarresment.
"You're fucking overreacting! Get the fuck off me!" He put down his fist, hitting her head, hard. (Y/N) Immediately crawled away, cradling her head.
"Gods! You scrambled my brain!"
"What's left of it."
(Y/N) grumbled, standing up with the basket looped over her shoulder. She smiled when her teacher did the same, patting off the dirt on his chest that once covered her cheek with a huff. (Y/N) followed him as they walked towards the Butterfly Estate.
"Did you have to follow me like a puppy?"
"I have to make sure you're a man of your word, Sensei." He turns back to look in front of him, slightly annoyed.
"Don't worry your wimpy ass, your Master won't die from this." (Y/N) smiled, taking another bite of Ohagi as they neared the scent of flowers and medicine.
"Oi, gimme some of that."
"What?! But you gave them to me!"
"I'm your Master! Stop being a little shit!"
"No, you!"
Shinobu scolded them both off that day.