Training the Inner Gates

Rudi and his master Yusuke were circling each other in the middle of the sparring arena, Yusuke on all fours. The two Inuzukas were snarling at each other, waiting for a chance to strike. Since early in the morning they were engaged in this sparring match; a test of endurance. Ten hours had already passed by without a knock out. 

Yusuke was moving most defensively, careful not to let his flank show an opening to the canine across the way. To say Yusuke was on high alert would be a loss, Yusuke was highly vigilant right now. The Inuzuka dug his claws in the ground and barked at Rudi. "Fight me coward." Yusuke said to his companion in animal tongue. Yusuke was hoping to goad his partner out with verbal taunts. 

The two weren't holding back at all. One good strike from either Inuzuka would end the spar, so the two had been facing off for ten hours with almost no contact. Both combatants were moving ever fluidly, guarding their sides in every step. Rudi's tail was flicking wildly though, the dog seemingly unable to contain his excitement. 

Yusuke planned to strike when he had the perfect chance, and as they repeated their rounds around the arena Yusuke noticed Rudi's tail. Yusuke watched the black dogs shaggy tail swat side to side, and he leapt. With both hands at his front Yusuke leapt forward, slashing where he thought Rudi's tail was. 

It was Rudis time to shine. His feint worked and while Yusuke tried to follow his tail, Rudi juked. With his ninja rolling over top of his back Rudi leapt up onto his back legs and Yusuke flew into the dirt. Rudi reared back down and leapt forward to chomp on his owners meaty wrist.

Yusuke rolled to the side, quicker than Rudi. Yusuke tumbled, and while he did he weaved his hand seals together. "Phoenix Flower Jutsu! Yusuke called and flipped up onto his feet from the ground. He pressed his fingers to his mouth and fired three fireballs at Rudi. 

Rudi saw Yusuke's handseals as he rolled and leapt back in preparation. He had just enough time to see the three fire balls coming at him, the dog leapt into the air and rolled; dodging every Fire ball Rudi still had the edge. Yusuke looked baffled and then started weaving more handseals together but Rudi was already ahead of him. The dog dashed and bit Yusuke by the wrist, ever so gently. Rudi growled through his teeth, "Gotcha Yu."


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Yusuke groaned, Rudi truly hadn't held back. The dog had sunk his teeth deep into the flesh of Yusukes arm, but thankfully he let go without ripping at the tears. As Yusuke got up from where his dog had tackled him into the ground he saw his fire balls explode in the distance. Yu felt a little sore, both literally and figuratively, that he lost. Rudi was sitting where he had bitten his owner, wagging his tail happily. In truth Yusuke couldn't even be mad he lost; after all Rudi's growth was growth for both of them. That being said Rudi was no slouch to begin with. The dog was sharp in battle and courageous. He wasn't afraid to get his fangs dirty. 

Yusuke was no novice either. Rudi had simply outsmarted him. Despite being in total concentration,, he was bested. Yusuke knew this taste of defeat all too well since this wasn't Rudi's first victory, however the deep bite marks were new. Usually Rudi was softer. Yusuke didn't worry much about it, he knew his partner felt the heat to develop their skillset. 

Since re enlisting in active service with Hoshigakure Yusuke had been pushing himself to new limits. The genin wanted to prove his worth outside of the Inuzuka Clans plans for him. If it were up to the elder council Yusuke would have never come this far. 

The duo walked over to the benches, thinking about their journey to stardom.  Yusuke had a first aid kit and wanted to butterfly stitch his wound before continuing. In truth Yusuke had been holding something back. For awhile now he had been studying the Eight Inner Gates and learning how to open them. He wasn't sure he was ready yet, but on the next go around he decided to let loose. 

Yusuke barked to Rudi, telling him his plan. Rudi nodded, a little nervous for once. The dog had yet to see Yusukes progress opening the first gate, but it seemed he had lit the match in Yusukes fuel tank. 

The needle Yusuke used to sew up his wound went in and out, and in no time it was all sewn up. Yu wasn't too worried about it, his body healed up irregularly fast. The pair walked back to the arena.

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Both combatants stood in the middle of the arena. Once again they were going at each other with no restraints, first strike makes the winner. Rudi knew Yusukes plan. The stage was set. 

Rudi kept his tactic from before. His tail swung back and forth, whipping at the air as the dog snarled and glared at Rudi dead in the eyes. If a passerby had seen the dog they might have thought Rudi was feral. 

Meanwhile Yusuke crouched low and raised his hands up, open palm. The black fingernail polish he wore shined in the mid after noon and as hr folded his knees his countenance grew more stern. Yusuke was already begining to remove the natural inhibitors of his body. The first Gate of Opening began swirling inside of Yusukes body. 

The Inuzuka ninja let out a roar and opened the gate. The feeling was unreal as adrenaline and chakra flooded his body bolstering his speed and Strength. Yusuke burst forward with nearly unsealed speed, appearing behind Rudi. The dog jump flipped and faced him in response. 

Yusuke had let Rudolf. It was clear to Yu who the winner was already. With such speed the Inuzuka could easily spear hand his dog, but he knew he didn't need to go to extreme measures like another technique. Yusuke knew he was the winner when he flash stepped yet again behind Rudi, and as the dog flip jumped a second time Yusuke jumped forward. Flying into the air with his foot flying forward Yusuke kicked his dog in the front of his chest. Rudi flew back past the arena bounds, and was driven into the dirt. 

Rudi whimpered and Yusuke ran to his side, releasing the Gate of Opening and tending to his partners bruise. Yusuke had held back a lot, but there was definitely a deep bruise on Rudi's sternum. The pup was whimpering when Yusuke decided to take him to the hospital.

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Rudi was a heavy dog, bit Yusyke was a muscle built man. The genin in training gently picked his partner up and heaved him over his shoulder. The puppy whined in pain, and Yusuke put his free hand on his belly. "Don't worry bud." Yusuke said while he himself tried to stifle his worries. Rudi would certainly be fine once they got to the Inuzuka compound hospital, but that fact didn't help Yusuke's stress. 

Yusuke set off, through the water gardens and toward the market district where the hospital for Inuzuka hounds could be found. Running as fast as he could Yusuke could feel the strain from previously opening the Gate of Opening. Every muscle in his body felt like it was drowning in sand, but he persisted in the name of keeping his dog happy, healthy and safe. Rudi twitched a little with every other step, the bruise on his chest hurting him bad. 

Eventually the duo made it to the emergency room and were in the waiting room. Staff accommodated Yusukes request for a stretcher so Rudi wouldn't be in so much pain, and the waiting began. Fortunately there was no one else being waited on and the doctor quickly saw Rudi. They diagnosed him with a simple bruise and gave the dog a room to rest. They said he had to stay there for three days, but had yet to ask Yusuke how he got the bruise. When Rudi was good and sedated on pain medicine the doctor silently stepped in. 

Had Yusuke not been a trained agent of the Hoshigakure ninja force he would have been surprised but he wasn't. Instead Yusuke just solemnly asked, "How can I help you?" The doctor gestured for Yusuke to sit down and he did so; the doctor sat too, across from Rudi. With cold steel eyes Doctor Yamaguchi began speaking. 

"I'd like to inquire how your partner came under these conditions." Yusuke got nervous, he didn't want to embarrassingly admit he kicked him too hard in training. At the same time Yusuke wasn't a liar and he told the doctor what happened. "I thought your fatigue was related. I don't suggest you use that technique training with Rudi anymore." The dog twitched in his sleep. "He could get seriously hurt. And you too. Save that for real battles. With great power," The doctor paused and took a deep breath in. "Comes great responsibility. What you do makes you the man you are." 

The doctor said his peace and Yusuke remained silent, occasionally glancing over at his partner.

WordCount: 428

Total WordCount: 1,555
(Yusuke)
+15 Speed

Technique Proficiency:
(Past Training=1,503)+372=1,875 (A Rank) Gate of Opening
+750=750/750 (A Rank) Gate of Healing
+433 (A Rank) Gate of Life

Approved