[Kayahara Urikohime]

Ataru took the kick well, in Uriko's opinion, preparing his body to take the shock of the strike such that he would not be hit in the solar plexus, which would have probably concluded the sparring match, or at least that round, if he'd been struck there. Even though he was just an Academy student, Uriko suspected that, given time, he would make a good shinobi, as it was difficult for someone of his level to respond as he did without having spent a lot of time training. Either that, or he was a genius. Whichever the case, it pointed to the same thing: if he continued like this, Ataru would make a good ninja.

Without letting up, the flame haired boy launched a punch with his left hand, quickly followed by another in quick succession. The first punch, while executed well, did not seem to have so much invested in it, judging by the force Uriko felt when she parried it with her right forearm. The second punch was the one to be avoided, but Uriko decided not to. Maybe she was being reckless; the fact was, she was trying to make herself less averse to getting hurt in battle. Of course, this one fight, and with a young child, would not bring her to the level she desired, but at least when you were a novice in receiving damage, it was best not to get hit by someone who hit like a steamroller.

Uriko exhaled and tightened her core muscles just before the second hit landed. It wasn't pleasant. As a matter of fact, the kunoichi felt her legs would wobble if she didn't plant herself firmly to hold out against the strike. So she decided to do the opposite, falling backwards, while reaching to grab Ataru with both hands. Uriko's hope was that he would not be expecting her to attempt to hold him when falling. If she succeeded in grabbing him, she would then try to kick out her right foot, to use it to launch the Academy student over her once her back hit the earth.

---

Uzumaki Ataru

[Uzumaki Ataru]

Ataru hit hard especially given he was still considered a child, twisting his fist and following through with the sway of his body adding momentum and turning into the punch to increase the force in which it struck. His fist was balled correctly and the young boy showed exemplary technique though it was clear he lacked experience yet did not seem keen to falter nor show weakness, taking the steps necessary to put up a good fight. As her leg comes down from her kick the boy launches himself forward seeking to seize the moment and capture her leg mid-retraction grappling onto it; looking to restrain it while she tenses her muscles as his punch lands in her torso. The Uzumaki realized Uriko was taking his hits on the chin likely to challenge herself similarly as he did now, and so he moved to use that against her.

As she falls backward instead of standing firm, his eyes widen as the boy wonders if it's because of her imbalanced wobbly state though the answer comes implicitly as she tethers herself to him with both hands. Choosing not to doubt nor question anymore but act, he heaves her leg while cradled in a leveraged grip and holds onto her for dear life looking to lift them upward and smack her into the ground using both weight and gravity to slam her down with considerable force. As he does the boy watches as she deftly launches her own counterattack swinging a kick into his chest and sending him ass overhead just as she descends at a rapid rate. Thudding onto the ground situated on his back, Ataru rolls over and gives a grunt of pain as he hits the earth. Some of the breath comes knocked out of him, but after a couple of moments, he struggles somewhat but quickly clamors back onto his own two feet.

Kayahara Urikohime

[Kayahara Urikohime]

If anything, Uriko was grateful that her opponent was not an adult. She wasn't sure if she could take blows like that coming from someone her age. There was a part of her that chided her for being that careless. But then again, as far as the kunoichi was concerned, pain resistance was a thing she needed to build, and getting hit by a child was better than getting hit by an adult. She would eventually graduate to being hit by adults, but for now, this was a good foundation on which to build. Even though this was taking advantage of the fact that she had more body mass than Ataru, Uriko noted to herself that she had at least not tried to use her notable advantage in reach against him.

Still, the green haired girl did not feel too enthusiastic taking further blows from Ataru. Fortunately for her, her tricky ploy worked, else she would have been in a suboptimal position if she had failed to grapple him successfully. Also, she wasn't sure she would have tried such a maneuver on a larger opponent, but hey, it was not a bad strategy to fight based on the observed characteristics of your opponent. The throw worked sweetly, and Uriko lifted her legs as though she was going to roll backwards, before pushing into a handstand when her legs were drawn over her body. In the same move, she twisted her hips, pivoting on her two hands so that as her feet came down, she was facing her opponent.

He was a tough one, she would give him that. But the kunoichi noticed that even though he had quickly gotten back on his feet, there seemed to have been some effort expended to do so. "Are you alright, Ataru-kun, or would you want to take a break?" she asked, unwilling to keep sparring if Ataru was in pain.

---

Uzumaki Ataru

[Uzumaki Ataru]

He might've been small but he had more height compared to normal boys his age but that didn't stop his fierce unrelenting nature from shining through, in his mind Uriko was only a tad taller and held a bit more of a filled-out and curvaceous figure. Stopping to think about the level of experience ranging between the two he grimaced slightly while on the ground, as she asks him if he would like to take a break and expressed concern for him. That just made him angry and even more determined causing his blood to boil, a part of him appreciated it but the other parts of himself sought only to hit back and get back into the fight. "I'm not done, let's keep going Uriko sensei!"

Considering it fair play after levying out a word of warning the Uzumaki no longer looks to get up off the ground fully instead channeling his athletic ability anchoring himself upon the cold hard earth and using it as leverage before launching a barely telegraphed sweeping crescent kick skating across the ground directed toward Uriko's shins, looking to swing it back and either catch her at the back of the ankle and dislodge or disorient her footing or cause a modicum of pain by hitting across their lower leg. As the boy carries out the move he proceeds to weave a number of hand seals in preparation for something. As his blow hits or perhaps even misses her entirely, in this moment of distraction where judgment could falter Ataru reveals their bout to be anything but over.

Kayahara Urikohime

[Kayahara Urikohime]

It seemed Ataru was quite unwilling to call it a day; Uriko suspected that part of the reason was because she'd gotten the last blow in. It was a bit easy to tell, going by the intense expression on the boy's face. The green haired kunoichi thought to herself that if this had been a battle between hostiles, she might have tried to see if she could use Ataru's emotions against him. Still, if he allowed himself to be fueled by his frustration, maybe she just would, to show him that it was safer to reveal as little as possible to one's opponent.

A half smile danced on her lips when Ataru called her 'Uriko-sensei'. It was very likely that she would have made some time out to coach the Academy younglings if she had been promoted to Chuunin, even though she was sure that her responsibilities in Konoha's Medical Center would increase with an advancement in rank. Since this was not the case, perhaps her delays would teach her patience, and thus wisdom. For now, though, there was a fight to attend to.

Ataru had chosen to do a sweeping kick as his next attack. A good attack, as far as Uriko was concerned, but kicks came with their own list of disadvantages. As Uriko had been looking at him when Ataru made his attack, she was ready for the kick, and so stepped back with one leg, so as to be just out of the range of his own leg, while raising her other leg, which she snapped sideways at him, aiming a side-kick at the boy's torso. She did notice the handseals he was forming; it seemed he intended to add ninjutsu to the mix.

Whether her kick hit or not, Ataru had called her 'sensei', and she would play the part in order to guide him. "Kicks are good, Ataru-kun; they can put the full weight of your body into an attack. But as the legs are the primary means of human locomotion, executing a kick often means sacrificing some form of mobility. Thus care should be taken what sort of kicks to use, and when to execute them."

---

Uzumaki Ataru

[Uzumaki Ataru]

The simplest techniques are often the best especially when used in a smart way, as he performs the five hand seals required she was correct to assume that he was adding a jutsu into the mix of their sparring session. One of incredible utility that provides a level of adaptability in any given situation and especially in a fight, timing it precisely as soon as she takes a step back and swings toward his exposed midsection with her other foot. Ataru disappears in the blink of an eye one moment there and the next one gone replaced by a round stone, using the substitution jutsu while she was off kilter and in the middle of movement - seeking to both evade and lash out at him in equal measure. While it was true the boy felt a bit frustrated he had long since learned to temper his emotions, faced with bullying and the antics of his younger siblings had matured him allowing him to keep calm and collected even now. 

Switching places to be right behind her as he views the signs of her body language examining it for telltale signals and observing as a subtle shift takes shape in her stance before subsequently veering back, the Uzumaki had thought ahead performing the kick without the intention to strike her initially then and there but instead to catch her in a trap at the very moment she was exposed and vulnerable. Following her decisive act with an instructive lecture that would likely be cut short - she sought to teach Ataru, but perhaps the young yet determined academy student would impart his own lesson. As their swerving leg carries through it hurtles towards her back at immense speed turning into a mid-air spinning roundhouse kick appearing almost like a hurricane in a sense as he twists and contorts their body while following through. Though their technique could use some polish and work, he had the element of surprise and their form wasn't too shabby. Seeking to finally land a decisive blow to finally equal the scales between them...

Kayahara Urikohime

[Kayahara Urikohime]

Even as Uriko spoke the last words of her lecture, she realized with some surprise that the person she was supposed to be lecturing was nowhere to be found, instead leaving in his place nothing but a smooth rock. He had used the Kawarimi no jutsu, and he had used it quite effectively as well. So much for her attempt to lecture. "So much for my epic lecture," the kunoichi thought. It seemed she still needed to learn a few more things before she could take on the position of Chuunin. At least the lesson she was being taught here was, always be on your toes, expecting the unexpected. If one was always mentally prepared, even if taken by surprise, they would be able to react better than one who was not.

It was to be expected that if Ataru had vanished from Uriko's line of sight, then chances were that he was right behind her, planning or executing his next attack. That being the case, Uriko did not know how long she had to react before his attack came, and when it would. It would be best to quickly turn, hoping to catch sight of him, in the hopes that she could see what he was doing quickly enough to attempt to block or dodge. But something made her pause....

Ataru's kick sailed under the kunoichi's raised hand and landed square on Uriko's side, causing her to give a cry of pain, as she moved with the force of the kick. The kunoichi crashed to the ground and did not move, remaining motionless as she lay on her face.

---

Uzumaki Ataru

[Uzumaki Ataru]

His twisting spin spears outward carried out on the wind of pure athleticism before being strategically combined with Kawarimi no jutsu evolving into a full crescent kick conducted within her blind spot, as she turns his attack slips past her guard and smashes into her side with considerable force. Ataru flexed his leg, bracing it with the proper technique watching as it landed inwards striking her midsection the shock from the impact and solid hit sent energy coursing through his leg as he witnessed the breath go out of Uriko and she is sent careening away onto the dirt floor of the training arena. Hearing her cry of pain while watching her fall and go limp makes his blood run cold and the boy feels an immediate sense of regret tugging at the strings of his heart. Landing on the ground with a practiced finish, he gingerly takes a few steps forward toward her motionless form wanting nothing more than to check on her and see that everything is alright. "Uriko sensei... are you alright?!"

Coming to be by her side, his guard remained up but most of all he just wanted to see if she was alright, and if not to help her any way he could. Gently turning her over onto her back to check her status and see the extent of harm she had endured, his mom told him that taking a person's pulse was important when treating them. Taking her hand into his own, he holds onto it firmly with one hand and places two pressed digits against the veins in her forearm. "I'm sorry for what I did. Here, let me help you!" his voice was innocent and wholly sweet, strangely calm and comforting even after inflicting such violence. Perhaps he had gotten too carried away amidst the spar, dashing such thoughts from his mind he chose to focus on the new person in his life. Someone that he was coming to care for and as of now felt a responsibility towards, deciding he would carry her to the hospital if need be...

Kayahara Urikohime

[Kayahara Urikohime]

Ataru was a good kid, expressing worry about his opponent once he realized he had downed her. It was a good trait to have, but at the same time, one which was not particularly of value in the shinobi world. The cutthroats and the sly ones, those were the folk that got ahead. Those who tried to be kind, well, they needed to be extra strong or have luck on their side to be able to make it in a world in which the singular pursuit of strength was celebrated, often at the cost of others. And in places that fostered such 'selfish' competition, perhaps compassion was more of a weakness than a virtue.

Or so it seemed to Urikohime. Even though she was convinced that the Chuunin Exams emphasized this, the kunoichi could not help but imagine that it was still worthwhile to be kind. Which was why a part of her did not feel particularly pleased when she sprung her trap. She allowed Ataru to roll her over, and as he was checking her pulse, he would notice that it was beating strong. And that was when the kunoichi suddenly tried to grab at him with both hands, while at the same time attempting to ensnare his torso with her legs. If she succeeded, she would attempt a roll to get him on his back and beneath her, while she would try to pin his hands to the ground with hers.

A very underhand tactic, but it seemed those were the kinds of things that worked....

---

Uzumaki Ataru

[Uzumaki Ataru]

Doubtful but earnest, Ataru came to be by Uriko's side with concern in his heart but a sense of reservation hung like fresh linen on the line scraping at the forefront of his mind. Like when his younger siblings cried wolf about being hurt when he had never even done anything in the first place or never to the point he found himself accused. Sometimes children blew things out of proportion, though that side of kindness was never lost to the Uzumaki it didn't dull his perception of life as a shinobi nor lift that kernel of doubt. As he notices her pulse beating strong it only expands reaching critical mass at the moment she twitches. Launching herself forward into action springing her trap upon him, the young boy reacts implicitly - his reflexes honed from what felt like countless kunai, shuriken, and worse sent at him in harrowing storms. Seizing her wrist as it goes rigid from its previous slackened state pulling it out to be fully extended and locking her joint by wrenching it backward, grabbing tightly onto her had to restrain it from wrapping around his body leveraging it using his heightened position standing over her.

As she looks to ensnare his torso with her other arm and attempts to pull him close into a further lock with her legs, he steps back out of the reach of her grasp and legs that curl towards him like how a praying mantis claw might drive toward its prey. Breaking his own grip as a means to sidestep back out of the jaws of her feint allowing Uriko to properly recover now and get back on her own two feet as he gains a measure of distance. Breathing out in a cool manner, taking a moment to recover from the spike of adrenaline that surged throughout him for a handful of moments. "You nearly had me, Uriko sensei... and for what its worth you aren't wrong. About kicking, I mean - I really tried to listen and well, only sorta did." still showcasing a bit of concern he speaks honestly and plainly trying to reassure her at the same time seeming a bit bashful in regards to skipping out on her lecture in order to execute his move, the Uzumaki's tone remains calm evening out despite the struggle they had both endured.  "Are you feeling okay, do you need to go to the hospital or was that really just a trick?!"

Kayahara Urikohime

[Kayahara Urikohime]

Uriko's trap did not work. It was, she had to admit, frustrating to see that her (not so carefully) thought out plan had simply failed, due to the vigilance of her opponent. And yet, perhaps there wasn't much of a reason to be displeased, seeing as there was something to be learned by regarding why she had been unsuccessful. Her grandfather often had said that a wad of canine excreta was generally useless, but a wise person could determine a lesson to be learned from it, if they couldn't figure out a use for the worthless item.

As far as lessons went, this had informed Uriko of an important thing to note when interacting with people: whether physically or verbally, wary people are harder to deceive. It seemed really straightforward, and the average person on the street would probably say that the lesson didn't sound very wise. And yet, the acknowledgement of such a relatively simple fact got Uriko hitting on the 'eureka'. In every interaction in which she felt deception might be necessary, it was best to attempt to first determine the alertness of an opponent, and subsequently reduce it, in order to spring an effective trap. In the place of battle, it would perhaps prove more difficult, as adrenaline had a way of making the senses clearer. But in something less blood-racing, like a game, or negotiations, such a lesson could be applied to better effect. Also, in a somewhat related matter, Uriko was beginning to think she might have figured out an interesting way to use her Inyu Shometsu.

Having failed to catch Ataru, Uriko got to her feet quickly, wincing from the pain. The student might have been small, but it was never fun to get kicked in the floating ribs. "Eh, I don't think you lost too much by not listening to the full lecture," the kunoichi replied. "And trick or no, I'm made of sterner stuff--" she winced again, "--or not. But don't worry about me. I became a medic to ensure the preservation of my beauty, as that is the greatest ideal. So, don't worry. I don't need a hospital visit. In any case, my greatest student, I have nothing more to teach you. As a matter of fact, I learned something.... Maybe I should start calling you Ataru-sensei."

---

Uzumaki Ataru

[Uzumaki Ataru]

Frustration was something the boy had felt often as of late, offering a hand meant to help bring her up on their own two feet should she accept. He smiles at her sincerely with a wide beaming grin showcasing there were no hard feelings between them and reflecting that he was grateful for the match-up as she resumes her normal stance. "Thanks for the spar, I really enjoyed it Uriko sensei... it was fun and I learned a lot." The boy was nothing if not polite, revealing his kind side in addition to speaking with a rich tone radiating an unchanging calm confidence. Reverting back to the goofy boy who had drawn her portrait upon the tree only a short while ago though retaining an undertone of seriousness to his demeanor having not fully winded down as of yet.

Vigilance had come easy - to the point it was practically second nature for the young Uzumaki, having to look over one's shoulder for much of his time in Konoha as well as protecting his siblings not to mention the rampant level of stringent training he had subjected himself to as of late. His wits and body as well as the limited jutsu he had at his disposal were the only tools in his arsenal as such he had to rely upon them throughout the day-to-day and get creative with it. So it came that Ataru would naturally need to think on his feet not only quickly but also serve to analyze the situation comprehensively in order to survive through much of what he had endured up until now.

As she winces he bridges the distance a step or two closer, just in case she might lapse and fall. "Are you sure you're alright?!" He speaks with a note of concern seemingly ready to catch her should anything happen. Paying a strong sense of attention to the woman as she speaks, soaking in her speech with a keen ear. "Your ideal is a little bit different from mine, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good goal to have!" Seeming a bit embarrassed at her words of praise, especially at calling him her best student he rubs along the back of his head somewhat bashfully though the smile is still plainly contrasting against the expression held on their face. "Haha, I'm not too sure about that Uriko sensei but thank you... I'm still just an academy student, there's more things I wanna reach towards. You've helped me a lot, I won't forget it." After a few drawn-out moments of silence, Ataru wasn't really sure what to do or say looking like he was ready to offer or simply outright give her a big hug before thinking better of it due to her injury, reaching out a hand for them to shake even after everything he acted properly - as a kid who looked up to many of the people within the village especially those who took the time to help out and even train with him.

Kayahara Urikohime

[Kayahara Urikohime]

Uriko wasn't sure if she had taught Ataru anything, but he seemed quite modest. Even though preference was usually given to ninja abilities based on their utility in war (which was to be expected, seeing as ninja were soldiers after all), at least the boy seemed like he would grow up to be a rather decent person. If he continued being diligent as well (his training being evident from the fact that he was, despite being an Academy student, already a good fighter), he would make a great ninja. "Eh, I'm not sure I'm a good teacher," she stated with a shrug.

Uriko's beauty ideal was a joke. If she had been so interested in being beautiful, she would not have bothered becoming a shinobi. And since she came from Heiwa, chances were that if she had stayed there as opposed to coming back to Konoha, she would probably have been able to find something to do that would have put her looks to good use. "Pfft, I was kidding," the kunoichi chuckled. "I personally think that becoming a ninja simply because one wants to remain good-looking is a waste of time." Ataru was a rather agreeable person; she could see why he wouldn't want to shoot down the apparent expression of what she had termed the 'greatest ideal', though in jest. "And you're my greatest student, because you're my only student. Or the only person that has called me 'sensei'. But as I said, I'm not confident of my teaching skills."

It looked like Ataru wanted to hug her, but he went for a handshake instead, most likely fearing what the hug would do to her hurting side. But her Inyu Shometsu had already mostly taken care of it. So she pulled the Uzumaki into the hug, before pulling back and ruffling his bright red hair. "You'll do great, kid, I'm sure of that," she said with a smile. "See you around sometime."

---

Uzumaki Ataru

[Uzumaki Ataru]

Whether she believed it or not, Ataru had enjoyed their time training together, and as much as the lesson rubbed off on Uriko, so too did it for the young Uzumaki. "You are in my book." the boy says confidently and without any hint of reservation. "Oh... that makes sense!" he says brightly, he hadn't thought too much about it after all who was he to look down upon and cast judgment on someone's goal now realizing she had been kidding he laughed somewhat as it sinks in. Smiling that he was her greatest student because he was her only student, he found it funny and fitting that two such odd people found a sense of comfort and bonded over the fun they had with one another.

A flash of surprise splayed across his face as the handshake came refused, instead opting for a hug the initial shock going away with him hugging her back for a few short moments before they separate. It had been an interesting day and as she bids him farewell, he does the same in return hoping to see her again sometime soon. "Sayonara, see you around Uriko sensei!" he waves before finally making his way off, thinking on how to spend the rest of his day after such a colorful start.