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The chunin exams were finally here and the nervousness that filled the new generation was nauseating. The only relief that kept Enashimo trotting to stand where he stood was his own Sensei and the fact that even if they didn’t win a match they’d still pass. His confidence was never that great as he trained as hard as he did, though others could say it differently. He looked forward to watching his teammates and colleagues fight as best as they could but was never wanting to do it himself.
The instructor explained himself and the rules of the matches that’d be given out today, each student weary of their opponent and some even hesitant but just a few were hungry for the competition.
Kurowari scoped his name out, looking for his competitor through all the buzzing sounds of curiosity from the other children. It only took a few seconds for him to realise that he’d be the fifth match of the tournament and facing his own friend: Enashimo. He turned to tell him but could only find him surrounded by his other teammates who seemed to cheer him on to distract him from his hesitant nervousness that dared to make him cry.
“It’s alright Ena. It’s a win-win situation! There’s no need to worry about it.” Tenki reassured
Muchibana stood as he watched, unaware of what exactly to do.
The scene made Kurowari grit his teeth before making his way over to the three in the midst of everyone else leaving for the first match.
“C’mon, Ena.” He nudged his way to view.
“We gotta get upstairs for the first match, there’s no point dwindling on something so minimal.”
“No need to be such a downer about it.” Tenki debated back as she stood herself up, looking at him to observe his nature. Kurowari took no note of this as he took his friend’s arms to pull him towards the stairwells hidden behind the entrances of thick walls. The other two following close behind.
“There you three are!” A familiar voice shouted.
“The first match is just about to begin, you must find your seats, now!”
“Sorry, sensei. We were trying to comfort Ena about his match.” Tenki defended as they made their way to a front row that provided four spots coincidentally.
“What would cause you to be in such a state, Enashimo?”
Instead of speaking, the boy looked over to his side. Kurowari walking next to him, making eye contact as he figured what was happening.
“I don’t want to fight you, Kurowari.. we’re supposed to be friends. Friends don’t fight against the other..”
His gaze fixed to the floor, watching his steps as they passed the rows down to the first, sitting down in their respective places.
“Is that what this is about?” Lee asked.
Enashimo nodded, resenting the rules that were placed.
“Enashimo, fighting isn’t something to be looked down upon between those who are close. It’s a way to understand each other.”
The children’s ears tuned in on the expected wisdom they were about to hear, attentions pulled away from the first match taking place.
“Sparring with a trusted shinobi can strengthen a bond but it can also damage it if there are emotions that are not shown, like resentment or hate.”
“But,” Enashimo paused. “I don’t hate Kurowari.”
“Then you should not worry.” Lee patted his student on the head as he showed a sense of shelter and comfort. It never crossed Enashimo’s mind to ask the boy sitting next to him if he felt the same because he trusted him. Why would he question him? Kurowari has always been promising and kind to Enashimo when the time came. Surely, that was evidence enough. The boy took in Lee’s words and thought to himself how much he cared for his friend. How he wouldn’t want to hurt him and expected the same from the other.
Tenki’s match would come to an end with her being the successor. Her cheering and yelling to her squad above was filled with triumph and laughter that it seemed almost contagious to the teammates nowhere near her. As she ran up the stairs, she met Enashimo on the way down. A saddened look on his face that could be interpreted as worry as he avoided her gaze entirely. She stopped him before he could step an inch further, putting her hands on his shoulders and giving him a statement of support before pulling him into a well needed hug before waving his goodbye as she ascended. Her energy seemingly contagious as it left a smile on his face and a sense of bravery and confidence as Enashimo continued down. Kurowari was already down there and waiting, watching as Enashimo walked forward with his sense of bravery slowly diminishing.
“The rules for this match are exactly like how they were in the preliminaries:” The instructor spoke.
“this match will continue until one of you dies or admits defeat. However, I can and will stop the match whenever I choose.”
The rules made Enashimo’s stomach turn, refusing to give in to the thought of him having to come close to that conclusion. Hoping that if it ever were possible the fight would be discontinued right then and there.
Kurowari stared, his anticipation seemed uncontainable as he waited for the go-ahead to start. As soon as it did there wasn’t a moment waisted before the other spoke.
“I’m not fighting you.”
The stern statement caused a halt in the other’s movements. Not that he could in the first place.
His mind raced before it processed the words spoken, rage fuelling the boy slowly as he thought to himself.
“What are you talking about? You’re waiting until now to say this? What about what your teacher spoke to you about?” Kurowari pleaded
“That was different. I wasn’t standing in front of you with the risk of us hurting the other. Or worse—death.” A pause was kept as the wind was heard for a moment.
“I can’t do that to you.” Enashimo’s gaze reached the floor before being turned to the instructor, prepared for the disappointment that would follow from the crowd.
“I forfei—“
A jab was felt in the darker boy’s stomach, causing a strong hiss to be heard as he fell on his back before beginning to stand back up. The blow threw the crowd in a frenzy as they cheered on and praising the lighter boy on.
“You can’t chicken out and expect me not to do anything! I’ve struck the first blow so now you have to.”
Kurowari prepared himself in his stance, the crowd continuing to cheer and pester.
“I’m not fighting you!” Enashimo yelled before blocking a kick that was aimed at his face. A few more intense blows continued the cycle as the tanned boy backed around, chased into a corner before catching the other’s fists into his own palms.
“Kurowari, stop it!”
“Shut up! Just because you’re stronger now doesn’t mean you should look down on me!”
Enashimo found his thoughts clouded with anger as he pushed back before kicking Kurowari back.
“No one is looking down on you!”
He yelled as he put himself in his own stance. One that resembled his master’s infamous defensive pose, regretting it as soon as he formed himself in it but knew he couldn’t afford to be drawn back into a corner like that again. He was more upset that Kurowari seemed to want to hurt him, his feelings full of sadness and rage consumed the boy as he watched the other make a move.