Naruto: Raimu

The sun hasn't even fully risen yet when Raimu feels the blanket yanked off him, his peaceful slumber interrupted by the familiar voice of Kakashi.

"Wake up, Raimu. It's time to train," Kakashi's voice is light, but firm, carrying the kind of tone that makes it clear there's no negotiating.

Raimu groans, curling up in the now-cold bed, pulling the pillow over his head to block out the sound. "Why…?" He muffles, the comfort of sleep pulling him down further. "It's the first day of summer…"

Kakashi, however, isn't having any of it. His smile, hidden behind the ever-present mask, is evident in his voice. "You know we always do this every summer."

Raimu groans again, shifting just enough to peek out from under the pillow, meeting Kakashi's bright eye. "…Every year, huh?" His voice is heavy with the weight of sleep, but there's a slight flicker of acknowledgment in his gaze. He knows Kakashi's right. Summer training has always been a part of their routine. Still, that doesn't mean he has to like it.

Kakashi's smile widens slightly as he waits for Raimu to give in. With a reluctant sigh, Raimu finally sits up, rubbing his eyes, and throws the pillow to the side. "Fine… Fine. I'm up." He stands, stretching his arms and yawning loudly. "But I swear, you owe me sleep later," he mutters, already feeling the lack of rest creeping into his bones.

"Get dressed and meet me outside," Kakashi instructs, already turning to leave the room.

Raimu shuffles to get dressed, the motions automatic despite his grogginess. His usual training clothes—simple black pants, a loose-fitting shirt, and his favorite red scarf—are ready and waiting for him. The sound of Kakashi's footsteps fades as he steps out of the room, and Raimu takes a final moment to gather himself before heading outside.

The Training Begins:

Kakashi is waiting for him in their usual spot just outside the village, a clearing surrounded by trees that offers ample space for training.

The early morning sun casts long shadows on the ground as it rises higher, but the air is still cool, carrying with it the freshness of the day.

Raimu steps into the clearing, stretching once more as his muscles protest from the sudden wakefulness.

Kakashi, standing at the center of the space, is already in his usual casual stance, ready for the day ahead. He doesn't say much at first, only gesturing for Raimu to come closer.

"Alright," Kakashi says, his tone shifting into something more serious, "We're starting with Taijutsu today. The basics. Show me what you've got."

Raimu nods, standing at attention in front of his father. He's trained in Taijutsu for years now, it's something he's gotten used to. He steps back a few paces, bringing his arms up in a loose stance, one foot forward, his body ready to move.

"Start with your footwork," Kakashi instructs, his tone sharp. "Good Taijutsu starts with control of your body. Focus on precision and balance."

Raimu sets his focus, adjusting his stance to match the fluidity Kakashi has taught him. He shifts his weight onto his back foot, then moves forward, his front foot sliding into place in a smooth, controlled step. It's basic, but the motion is clean—something he's done countless times.

Kakashi nods approvingly. "Good. Now, speed it up."

Without hesitation, Raimu begins to move faster, executing quick steps forward and backward in a constant fluid motion.

Each movement is purposeful, his feet barely skimming the ground as he shifts with practiced ease. His eyes stay locked on Kakashi, always calculating his next move, anticipating what his father might ask of him next.

"Stop," Kakashi says, holding his hand up. Raimu freezes mid-motion, his body at full attention.

"Now, change direction," Kakashi orders, and without waiting, he launches himself at Raimu in a blur of motion, moving quickly to close the distance between them.

Raimu's eyes widen for a brief moment before his body reacts instinctively. He pivots on his foot, spinning to the side and avoiding Kakashi's oncoming strike.

Kakashi, not missing a beat, follows with a swift jab aimed at Raimu's ribs, but Raimu uses his momentum, dropping down into a low crouch to evade the attack.

Kakashi pauses, watching with a critical eye. "Good. Now, don't just react. Predict. Move as if you know where the attack will come before it even happens."

Raimu takes a deep breath, refocusing. He shifts his weight back and forth in place, letting his senses open to everything around him.

His mind calms, and he begins to read the subtle movements of Kakashi's stance—the shift of weight, the faint muscle twitch before an attack. He can feel it now, the rhythm of Kakashi's movements, even before they happen.

Kakashi takes a step forward, his movements fast as lightning. Raimu, more in tune with his father's style, doesn't flinch.

He slides backward just in time, dodging a punch aimed at his head. With his foot still in motion, he counters by launching a low kick toward Kakashi's leg.

Kakashi raises an eyebrow but steps back to avoid the strike. "You're getting faster, but you're still relying too much on reflex."

Raimu exhales, slightly frustrated but not defeated. "I get it… focus more on control and predicting moves." He straightens up, squaring off with Kakashi again.

The day passes slowly, each hour filled with more detailed drills, harder exercises, and endless repetition. Kakashi guides Raimu through complex stances, switching up the pace to test his endurance.

They work on arm strikes, emphasizing precision in each hit, from the soft tap of an open palm to the brutal force of a closed fist. Raimu learns how to flow from one technique into the next, the rhythm of combat becoming more natural with each round.

They practice the basic forms, but Kakashi pushes him further, introducing new techniques and combinations.

Raimu starts by defending against a series of low and high punches, moving fluidly between blocks and counterattacks. His movements are swift but controlled, following Kakashi's pacing, staying just one step ahead.

At one point, Kakashi shifts their training into grappling. Raimu learns to control his opponent's body with a series of well-timed moves. Kakashi pushes him into holds, requiring him to slip out of them using nothing but his own body and understanding of balance.

Raimu's muscles begin to burn with the effort, but he doesn't stop. He's learned long ago that pushing through the exhaustion is part of the lesson.

Kakashi demonstrates a technique, his form sharp as he executes a flawless throw, his movements fluid and precise.

Raimu watches closely, then mirrors the move, his foot slipping behind Kakashi's as he moves to throw him. But Kakashi is faster—he evades, spinning out of the grip and landing effortlessly.

"Focus on the moment right before the throw," Kakashi instructs, eyes narrowing. "That's when your control matters most."

They continue on like this for hours, Kakashi tirelessly guiding Raimu through every angle, every strike, every shift in movement. As the sun begins to dip lower in the sky, the air cools, and Raimu's body begins to feel the weight of the day's training.

He's covered in sweat, his muscles sore and aching, but there's a satisfaction in the way his body moves now—more confident, more refined.

Kakashi, ever the diligent teacher, notices the slight droop of Raimu's shoulders. "Alright, that's enough for today. Good work."

Raimu, breathing heavily, nods with a small grin. "You're not making this easy, at all."

Kakashi chuckles softly, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Wouldn't be worth it if it was."

As they gather their things and prepare to leave the clearing, Raimu feels the quiet pride in his chest—he's pushed through the first day of training, but it's only the beginning. A whole summer of challenges and growth lies ahead.

For now, though, he's just glad to sit down and rest.