Black Light (Naruto)

Chapter 50

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Hikaru blinked. Then he blinked again. 

Sasuke- armless, right sleeve drooping- was standing in front of him. He was getting taller, strangely, even though they were about 15. 

He went over Sasuke's request as the frosty air stabbed inside of his lungs. 

"Sure." He eventually said, soft and quiet. He winced slightly at the sound of his own voice. He hadn't talked in awhile, considering the people he usually talked too were on missions right now and he was still on mission leave. Thankfully, he only had a month or so left. 

"Let's go now." Sasuke demanded, and Hikaru nodded, following behind the chunin. The cold was starting to hurt his joints, and he often found himself unable to move without a soft wince. He'd have to get a scarf soon, or warmer clothes. 

He headed out with Sasuke towards the training grounds, Sasuke quickly pulling out a tanto. Hikaru followed, pulling out a tanto of his own and sliding into a defensive position. Sasuke, upon seeing he was ready, launched himself at Hikaru. 

There was no telling what was going through the other's head. 

But Hikaru could slightly see the influx of thoughts- war had affected all of them, especially in the fact it had made Sasuke stronger. Not by much, but still stronger, especially in the controlling emotions department. 

It was odd, having to take training a level or so further. Sasuke had gotten skilled with only using one hand. 

There was a look of frusteration on the other's face, onyx eyes narrowed. His sword pivoted, and Hikaru avoided the blow. The sword swung towards him still, and Hikaru blocked it. The shriek of metal rang out, and he vaguely heard Sasuke grunting. 

It was easy. Almost too easy. 

Hikaru had always had trouble with opponents, so why wasn't he having trouble with this one? 

They were just training.

Oh, yeah. Niether of them were going all out. 

Hikaru kept blocking blows as Sasuke grew more and more frusterated, finally snapping. "I'll be defense. You attack."

Hikaru nodded, knowing he was trying to help Sasuke build his skill, but it was still frusterating. Especially in knowing Sasuke was trying to get better, was trying to continue to get better, but it was still harsh. 

So he switched his position and attacked Sasuke, clearly showing his future movements. Sasuke's Sharingan spun into life, and the other blocked his oncoming sword. Sparks flew for a second, and then they were off.

It was filled with anger and frusteration, as well as multiple teaching moments. Hikaru could read Sasuke's style perfectly, but everytime the other seemed to grasp onto his pattern, he changed it up. His style was hard to read for a reason, and Hikaru had only survived this far only because he had been deemed unpredicatable. 

They were dancing in between defence and offence, Sasuke hitting Hikaru with multiple soft blows where Hikaru knew he'd survived. It ended when Hikaru's sword brushed against Sasuke's neck, giving a soft smile to the other. 

He'd always win. Something inside of him ensured it, especially after he'd spent a decade or two just trying to catch up to Sasuke's level. 

But he could see the anger and fury in Sasuke's eyes, and somehow he knew. This timeline's Naruto had already surpassed this Sasuke.