Arashi's Training Begins!

Two months had passed since Arashi's release from the hospital. His voice had improved slightly, though still a shadow of its former strength. He could manage basic movements like running, walking, and even occasional playful jumps. But the damage to his chakra network remained a constant burden. His once-impressive control had been shattered, the intricate pathways disrupted and scarred. All that hard work, all those hours of training... it felt like it had been for nothing. 

Shisui, Kakashi, and Itachi, driven by a mix of guilt and brotherly love, had taken it upon themselves to help Arashi regain his strength. They pushed him through grueling training sessions, their encouragement tempered with a careful awareness of his limitations. Arashi, fueled by a stubborn determination to overcome his setbacks, often trained alone, pushing his body to the brink of exhaustion. Naruto and Sasuke, his loyal friends, joined him whenever they could, but their progress was unimpeded, their bodies free from the shackles of his illness. 

Arashi watched them, a bittersweet pang in his chest. 'They have nothing holding them back. My condition gets worse every day because of the Rinnegan.' 

Despite the challenges, he was slowly adjusting to life in the Uchiha compound. The quiet serenity of the clan's grounds offered a stark contrast to the bustling energy of the orphanage, and the presence of his brother and newfound family provided a sense of belonging he had never experienced before.

"Huff... huff... huff..." Arashi's breath came in ragged gasps as he struggled to keep up with Shisui. Today's training regimen was particularly grueling: a long-distance run around the entire Uchiha compound, including the surrounding forest. The lingering effects of his illness, coupled with the physical exertion, were taking their toll. 

"Come on, let's go," Shisui encouraged, his voice brimming with unwavering support. "We're almost there."

"We aren't even halfway, Shisui," Arashi panted, his legs heavy and his lungs burning.

Shisui flashed a reassuring smile. "We won't get to halfway if you keep taking breaks like this," he teased gently. "You're doing great, Arashi. Let's go."

They continued their jog, the forest path stretching endlessly before them. Arashi's body ached with a fatigue he hadn't felt in a long time... a fatigue that reminded him of the fragility of his existence, the constant battle he waged against his own body. 

Ignoring the searing pain that wracked his body, Arashi continued jogging, his determination fueled by a stubborn refusal to yield to his illness. 

After what felt like an eternity, they completed 100 grueling laps around the Uchiha compound. But the ordeal wasn't over. Shisui, perched atop the towering Hokage Monument, gestured towards a massive boulder. "Now," he called out, his voice echoing across the training grounds, "carry that boulder on your back to the top of the monument."

Arashi's eyes widened. The boulder was nearly twice his size! "Come on, you got this!" Shisui shouted encouragingly.

Arashi gritted his teeth and approached the massive rock. He heaved, his muscles straining as he attempted to lift it. A painful cough erupted from his chest, blood splattering onto the ground.

"Cough! Cough!" He stumbled, his vision blurring.

Shisui was instantly by his side. "Hey, you're coughing again," he said, his voice laced with concern.

"I'm fine," Arashi insisted, wiping the blood from his lips.

"You sure?" 

Arashi nodded, his determination unwavering.

Shisui paused, then a mischievous glint appeared in his eyes. "Hey," he said, "once we're done here, I've got a gift for you."

"Really, Big Brother?" Arashi's face lit up, a spark of excitement momentarily overshadowing his pain.

Shisui nodded. "But only if you finish your training, deal?"

"Alright!" Arashi's resolve renewed, he channeled the last remnants of his chakra, pushing through the agonizing protests of his body. With a final, Herculean effort, he lifted the boulder onto his back and began the arduous climb.

"Huff... huff..." Arashi's breath came in ragged gasps as he struggled towards the summit. 'So tired...'

Just as his legs threatened to give way, he stumbled into Shisui's waiting arms. 

"You did well today," Shisui said, his voice filled with pride.

"My gift..." Arashi reminded him, his voice weak but hopeful.

Shisui burst into laughter. "Hahaha!" 

"Hey, what's so funny?" Arashi pouted, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten.

"Oh, it's just that after all that training," Shisui explained, still chuckling, "I was hoping you'd be too tired to remember about your gift."

"Does that mean I'm not getting it?" Arashi's face fell.

Shisui shook his head. "I'll live up to my word," he reassured his brother. "I'll get you that gift after we have some lunch and you take your meds." 

Arashi smiled, relief washing over him. He leaned against Shisui, allowing himself a moment of rest before the next challenge. 

"It isn't always like this," Arashi confided in Shisui. "Big brother is always on a mission or something, but whenever he gets the chance, he wants to train with me. He's the best."

Shisui and Arashi ate lunch at Ichiraku Ramen, the familiar warmth of the broth and noodles a comforting balm after the recent turmoil. Afterward, Arashi took his medication, and they walked back to the Uchiha compound.

"I bought this a few days ago," Shisui said, revealing a long, slender object hidden behind his back. "I wanted to give it to you on your birthday, but I thought it would be better if you earned it."

"You ready?" he asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Come on, show me!" Arashi urged, his curiosity piqued.

"Close your eyes."

"I hope this isn't a joke or something," Arashi grumbled, but he obediently covered his eyes with his hands.

"Well, this is something I've wanted to give you for a while," Shisui said, his voice warm and sincere. "I got mine when I was around your age, and I think it's time you had your own. Open your eyes."

Arashi's eyes flew open, and a gasp escaped his lips. "Woah... is that... mine?" He stared at the gleaming tanto in Shisui's outstretched hand, his face alight with joy.

"Yes, this is yours," Shisui confirmed, handing him the weapon. "Your very own tanto." 

Arashi carefully took the tanto, its weight a comforting presence in his hand. "I'll be training you with it," Shisui continued, "and once you learn how to use ninjutsu again, I'll teach you some techniques you can do with this."

"Thanks a lot, Big Brother!" Arashi exclaimed, throwing his arms around Shisui in a grateful hug.

"No problem," Shisui chuckled, ruffling his hair. "Just don't slack off on your training now."

"I promise I won't." Arashi pulled back, his gaze fixed on the tanto. He swung it experimentally, the blade whistling through the air. 

"It's perfect," he said, a wide smile spreading across his face. "Just like yours."

"The same," Shisui confirmed. "I looked for the same person who made mine and asked them to make another one for you. It cost a little."

"Thanks again, Big Brother."

Shisui smiled, then his expression turned thoughtful. "Someday," he said, "I'm going to shave your hair. It's gotten too long. Sadly, I won't have much to ruffle then, you know."

Arashi shook his head stubbornly. "No way," he protested. "Because then people will... never mind..."

'He wanted to say something just now...' Shisui thought, a flicker of concern crossing his face. 'I wish he could speak to me about how he truly feels.'

"Why don't you go play with Naruto and Sasuke?" Shisui suggested, hoping to lighten the mood.

"I don't feel like playing with them," Arashi replied, his voice quiet. "I want to train with you, Shisui."

"You haven't played with either of them for a week," Shisui reminded him gently. "You keep telling me to tell them you're feeling sick." 

"I just... I just don't enjoy being seen like this, Big Brother," Arashi confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm so weak."

Shisui's heart ached for his brother's vulnerability. "Sigh... You know I can never refuse training with you, Arashi," he said with a gentle smile.

Arashi's face lit up. "Will you train me how to use the tanto? Pleease, Big Brother!"

"Of course," Shisui agreed readily. 

The rest of the day was spent in dedicated practice. Arashi, as always, proved to be a natural, his movements fluid and precise despite his weakened state.

"You're doing well, Arashi," Shisui praised, his eyes filled with pride. "Just remember not to overextend yourself."

"Alright!" Arashi replied, his enthusiasm reignited. 

He continued practicing, the rhythmic swish of the tanto a soothing counterpoint to his inner turmoil. But a familiar voice broke his concentration.

"Heeey! Arashi! You're feeling better already?!"

Arashi turned to see Naruto and Sasuke racing towards them, their youthful energy a stark contrast to the quiet intensity of their training. 

"Naruto?" he asked, a surprised smile spreading across his face.

"Yeah! I'm with Sasuke as well!" Naruto shouted, his voice booming through the compound.

"You idiot! Why do you have to always shout all the time?!" Sasuke grumbled, his irritation evident.

"You're the one who's shouting right now, you know," Naruto retorted, sticking out his tongue.

Sasuke's jaw clenched, but he simply turned away, folding his arms in a huff.

"Shisui," Sasuke asked, his tone more serious now, "will Arashi be coming back to the academy?"

Shisui glanced at Arashi, a silent question in his eyes.

Naruto and Sasuke stared at him expectantly. "Well? When are you coming back?" Naruto asked, his voice filled with hope.

Arashi hesitated, his gaze falling to the ground. "I-I'm not sure," he mumbled, the uncertainty weighing heavily on his heart. 

""Hey! I have an idea," Naruto's voice broke through the awkward silence. "Why don't we train together?" 

"Well, I—" Arashi started to respond, but Shisui cut in.

"I think this is a great idea," Shisui said, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Now you can see how well Arashi has been training, and I can talk to Itachi. He should be back from his mission by now." With a flicker, he vanished, leaving the three boys alone.

"Arashi, come see this new jutsu I learned from Itachi!" Sasuke exclaimed, his excitement bubbling over.

"You learned a new jutsu?" Arashi's curiosity was piqued.

"Yeah," Naruto grumbled, "but he won't shut up about it."

"Admit it, you're just jealous you don't have a new jutsu to show off, Naruto," Sasuke teased.

"What?! That's not true!" Naruto retorted, his cheeks flushing.

"You're so annoying," Sasuke said, rolling his eyes.

"It's not my fault you think too highly of yourself!" Naruto countered, crossing his arms in defiance.

Arashi chuckled, shaking his head at their familiar banter. 'It's time,' he thought, a wave of determination washing over him.

"Hey, do you have a bottle of water?" he asked Naruto.

"Yeah, here you go," Naruto replied, handing him a bottle.

Arashi reached into his pocket, retrieving two white pills and an inhaler. He swallowed the medication and took a deep breath from the inhaler, his expression grim.

"Alright," he said, his voice slightly raspy, "let's have a spar. No ninjutsu, okay?"

Naruto and Sasuke nodded eagerly. 

"Now you're talking," Naruto grinned, his competitive spirit ignited.

Arashi secured his tanto in his satchel and stepped back, ready to face his friends in combat. 

'I can't use chakra,' Arashi realized, his mind racing. 'They've probably learned a lot since we last sparred, so I'll need to be careful, outsmart them. Naruto's good at fighting, and he has great instincts, better than any of us. Sasuke can create tactics just as well as I can, and that's not good for someone like me who already has a disadvantage.' 

A steely determination settled over Arashi's features. He would not let his illness hold him back. He would fight with everything he had left, proving to himself and his friends that he was still a shinobi.

(Edited on: 05/10/24)