~Kashin~

Life is a funny thing. We often tend to overestimate somethings we are capable of and underestimate others. The human mind, while great at calculations, is not so great at predicting our own potential.

"First match: Iwabe vs Boruto... begin," Shino-Sensei called.

Our class was once again in the Combat Training Hall, showing off our skills while being graded on our fighting strategies. It was the class I hated the most, I'm always worried I switch over and hurt one of my classmates. Father told me it would be better if I held back, and if they got any good hits in to just take it... the longer I could keep my heart rate down, prevent the adrenaline from kicking in and making my body think it's in a do or die situation... the better. I didn't like the idea of taking punishment either though... god knows I've had enough for a lifetime already... but I guess losing a match on purpose would help keep me in the average skill set group, I wouldn't stand out.

I watched Boruto and Iwabe tussle around a little, their fighting styles were similar to the time they fought when Iwabe threatened Denki, but they were more playful, more... encouraging of each other. Boruto taunted Iwabe, teasing him by asking if he was going to win another fight against him, to which Iwabe scoffed a chuckle. Boruto jumped over him and turned to punch the back of his head but Iwabe grabbed the blonde's arm, flipping him over his shoulder and pinning him to the ground.

"That's it! This match is over..." Shino-Sensei called.

"Don't get overconfident," Iwabe told Bortuo, offering him a hand to help him stand.

"I'll say... when it comes to brute strength no one beats you Iwabe..." Boruto complimented our classmate.

'Debatable... we've never fought,' I think folding my arms and casting my eyes down for a second.

"Next~" Sino-sensei went to call the next pair.

"Fight me next..." I reraised my eyes to see Mitsuki step forward, offering to be the next person to fight Iwabe.

"Nothing I'd like better new kid," Iwabe punched his hands together, cracking his knuckles.

"Well, actually... you are supposed to fight Kashin," Shino-Sensei told our new transfer, turning to call me from the gallery.

'Ok, let's see how this holding back thing works...' I think to myself, pulling the eye patch I'd brought with over my left eye.

"Oh, ok then," Mitsuki turned to me.

"Hey, Kashin what's with the eyepatch?" Boruto tilted his head as he looked at it.

"It's nothing, I'm trying to train my eyes for individual work in case I lose one," I lied, fiddling with my fingers.

"...Good luck then," The young Uzumaki waved as he made his way back to the gallery.

"Ok then, Mitsuki vs Kashin: Begin," Shino-Sensei called.

"Feel free to go all out," I told the blue-haired boy, staring him down with my one eye.

"Are you sure?" He tilted his head.

"Positive..." I nodded.

'This is my chance to see what a Hidden Sound Ninja is capable of...' I think to myself, tensing my body for the fight.

"Then... here I come," Mitsuki mumbled before flickering, disappearing, and reappearing in front of me.

He shoved his right hand toward my head but I blocked the blow with my own strike, staring him down as he pulled back to initiate another attack. I blinked, watching my left eye vision go from black to clear yet black and white... I could see Mitsuki's figure and the blue chakra veins flowing through him. I watched as he pulled both his arms back and aimed one at my chest and the other at my head. I slid my right foot back and arched my back backward, avoiding the head strike while simultaneously grabbing his hand going for my chest. Pulling my right leg back forward I attempted to slide it under his, knock him off his feet only he jumped over the attempts I made.

"You're faster than I thought you'd be," I watched my opponent move swiftly as we delivered and blocked more punches.

"I don't really care either way..." Mitsuki mumbled, aiming another punch for my head.

'That's an odd thing to say,' I scrunch my face in confusion.

"What's it like...? In the Hidden Sound...?" I asked, catching his wrist, twisting it with my arms, and pulling him over my head to slam his body on the ground.

"Quiet, peaceful," Mitsuki answered, landing on both feet and charging me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pushing me backward.

"You'd like it..." He added just as I pulled back and kicked him away.

"You'll have to show me sometime," I step back, readjusting my stance and catching my breath.

This fight was way more effort than the other fights with the academy grade kids, Mitsuki seemed to have a higher skill set.

"Sure..." The blue-haired boy hummed, readjusting his stance as well.

He then ran at me, making multiple fast strikes for my neck. I ducked under his hands, using my forearm to block and grab his, bending it back again and knocking him to the ground. Mitsuki pulled me down with him, placing his feet on my stomach and kicking me over.

"Gah~" I coughed, sitting up a second later, lifting my eyes to see him jump at me.

I scrambled to my feet, standing only to be tackled again. Mitsuki wrapped his arms around my neck in a triangle lock, his smaller body locking mine to the floor.

'This kid moves like a snake...' I bent my arms back so my hands held his, trying to pry them off me.

My heart began racing, flashes of the fights I went through in the research facility flooded my vision. I felt my back spaz and I choked, feeling my short nails rip at the shirt around Mitsuki's arms. He had his arms pinching my windpipe, allowing no air into my lungs. I felt my first tail break through the skin on my back, sliding up my side ready to impale Mitsuki in the stomach for defense.

'That's it... I have to end this here before I hurt him...' I told myself, feeling my body react to the violent action.

"M~mitsuki... I-I give, ok~ I g~give..." I rasped, kicking my legs around.

"I-I can't breathe M~Mitsuki..." I gasped, my body beginning to convulse.

'Not do or die... not do or die, I can't kill him he's a child.' I growled, feeling my next tail form.

"That's enough, Mitsuki get off him!" Shino-Sensei's voice sounded in my ears.

'Stay calm Kashin!... It's~ it's gonna... be... ok,' I repeated to myself, my vision going blurry.

"Mitsuki! Let him go!" Boruto's voice sounded, along with rushed footsteps.

Mitsuki's hold loosened and Shino-Sensei pulled him off me, helping me sit up. I gasped for air and couched multiple times, spazzing as I pulled my tails back and turned over onto my hands and knees, taking in all the air my lungs could.

"Are you alright Kashin?" Shino-Sensei asked placing a hand on my back.

"I- *cough* I think so..." I nodded speedily, wrapping my hand around my neck.

"Why did you stop me? I had almost won the fight," Mitsuki asked Boruto as the young blonde knelt by my side, placing his hand on my shoulder.

"Won!? Mitsuki you almost killed him," Boruto stood, facing our classmate.

"What do you mean? He told me not to hold back," Mitsuki's voice sounded confused.

"It doesn't matter you know, I don't like that kind of fighting... you need to apologize," Boruto added.

"Really?"

"Well then, I don't want you to dislike me..." Mitsuki added.

He then walked up to Shino-Sensei and me, looking down at me. I closed my mouth, trying to calm my panting while looking up at him.

"I may have overdone it... I'm sorry," Mitsuki offered me his hand.

I looked at it skeptically for a second before taking it and standing.

"N-no problem," I nodded, swallowing hard before continuing to breathe.

He gave me a closed-eyed smile. He is definitely a strange kid...

Mitsuki (Snake) vs Kashin (Fox)

(This is kinda what I thought their fight would be like... Mitsuki fights like Nagisa while Kashin uses Karama's moves,)