Dancing With A Wolf

[Amy]

Kazuma had his hands shoved in his front pockets, his feet crossing over each other as spun in a circle in the middle of the training area he had been directed to wait in. It was one of the open air facilities so he kept his eyes trained on the clouded sky. It was a pleasant enough day outside that contradicted his attitude quite nicely. He had complained the entire morning about being taken away from Sadako for training again but his complaints fell on deaf ears. Both of the older ninja who had delivered the orders and his own friend who was supposed to be loyal to him. It was always excuse after excuse to get them apart for training or missions.

“Oh, you work so well together but you have to hone your skills separately,” Kazuma muttered to himself as he continued to spin, his voice high-pitched and mocking. “It’s just a little weird that you two are always around each other. No one else wants to work with you two.”

Rolling his eyes heavily, Kazuma finally stopped spinning and took a look around the area again. He was supposed to be meeting some jounin named Miu here but he wasn’t given much additional information. Just the time that had passed a couple of minutes ago. Well, he couldn’t risk disappointing Sadako even if Miu never showed up to help him. Since his legs were already warmed up he dropped to the ground and started doing some push-ups, his form lacking in just about every way. It’s not like she would be able to see how well he had done. And if she doubted him he could just make her smell how sweaty his clothes were.

A small smirk formed on his face just in time to look up and see someone approaching him. He didn’t stop doing his push-ups but did find himself fixing his form as subtly and quickly as he could without knowing what drove him to do it. He glanced up several more times, a slightly disappointed curiosity crossing over his features, only speaking when he didn’t have to shout to be heard.

“Gonna take a wild guess you’re not Miu. Imagine being stood up on a first date. She send you to break the bad news?”

[Kao]

Kotaru hated training weaklings. Normally if anyone even mentioned him taking on a student he would levy a look that could only be described as dangerous as newly melted steel. But in recent months he had slowly, slowly begun to come around to the idea. It started with his...protégé. That was what the villagers who knew about Haziwara Youji called him, at least. He had no choice but to allow that particular rumor to take root and grow since a bannin taking someone in from Rock Country under his wing was the easiest way to explain how this new chuunin had suddenly popped up on the military's roster. And being so close to Kotaru guaranteed no one was stupid enough to do any further digging - at least not right away. Unfortunately, it also meant that people thought he was open to taking students.

It wasn't entirely untrue. Akari Kotaru was marginally interested in the strength of the new generation, he supposed. Evidently Tatsuo had blabbed this fact to someone or other. That was the only way the bannin could explain why this jounin woman he had never met before had approached him as he had been heading home from a quick trip to a food stand. He was mid bite on a decadent, steaming takoyaki when the redhead had approached him and quickly - nervously - prattled on about a favor. "...The Tsuchikage said I'd what?"

"H-he said you wouldn't mind training this kid while I went- while I left for an urgent mission." She even handed him a scroll to back up her claim.

Kotaru sighed. If Tatsuo were anyone else, he'd kill him.



It wasn't often someone didn't immediately recognize him. When the kid addressed him so casually Kotaru was first taken aback. Who do you think you're talking to? nearly fell from his tongue but he caught himself at the last moment. The bannin tilted his head, his brow raised, trying to decide if this kid was just a little shit or if he truly didn't know who Kotaru was. The Akari's eyes deliberately raised to the crown of the boy's head and then trailed downward, taking note of everything from any weapons he had on his person down the state of his shoes. His eyes were intense and brutal as always as he responded with, "She had other plans. Someone must really hate you if they sent me instead." The kid was a genin, no doubt, as fresh as a newly birthed fawn that had yet to take its first steps. He could practically smell the kid's newness, still clinging to him like afterbirth. Kotaru raised his hand and gestured for the boy to keep doing his push-ups. "Don't let me stop your warm-up. What's your name kid?"

[Amy]

Kazuma found himself tilting his own head back at the man who stood above him. He knew that the man was replying to him but he was pretty caught up trying to figure out why he looked familiar. It obviously wasn’t any sort of mutual relationship because Kazuma was certain he would remember someone so unique. So it definitely had to be something else. A teacher from school? That was a definite no, all of his teachers had been boring. He had only completed a few missions and none of them had been with any older ninjas so definitely not that either. And since he was here to train it’s not like he could be a shopkeeper or anything like that. It was really bothersome, not being able to remember. Sadako would definitely remember if he was supposed to know who it was. She was always going on about this strong person or that strong person and who she wanted to be li- “Oh, wait.”

He interrupted his own train of thought, raising his head from where it had fallen and looked at the man one more. Kazuma was either ignoring or oblivious to the way he was being looked up and down. Yeah, that was definitely it he decided. “You’re that bannin. Right? Sorry, don't remember your name.” Externally, Kazuma looked very calm for a genin who had not only forgotten one of the village's most important ninjas but also for one who was also talking to him so casually. Internally though, well, he was also pretty calm. It’s not like this man had ever done anything for him personally. But he supposed he should at least introduce himself.

“Name’s Kazuma. No surname. I think the orphanage technically gave us one but we don’t use it and I forgot it too.” Kazuma had kept up with his pushups the entire time he had been thinking and talking. It was weird that this guy was here. Kazuma had never had any reason to believe that anyone other than Sadako believed in him enough to put time or effort into this training. It was strange enough when some random jounin was assigned to help him, but to send a bannin? Kazuma just didn’t think he deserved it, plain and simple. Unfortunately, that wasn’t exactly how he conveyed his feelings.

“I don’t really understand why they would send you though. Don’t you have better things to do?”

[Jinan B]

Incidentally, Ko’ichi had also come to train today, and he was in the zone.

He had been here a while now, moved through his warmup and was now focused on sparring with a former classmate from the academy. Nobu was fine enough, a generalist capable of putting on a showing in most situations, but Ko had closed the distance. Their spar was only a hand-to-hand brawl now, the area where he shined.

A right fist connected directly with his friend’s crossed arms, forcing him back keeping the tempo in the hands of the Kenitsuna. He shifted to the right, connecting a solid kick to Nobu’s abdomen and forcing him back and onto his knees. He thought he saw his friend speak, then, but the words did not reach him. His only focus was on the fight. On putting down the foe. Nobu’s eyes widened; Ko didn’t spare a thought to wonder why.

To his credit, Nobu tried to get back on his feet quickly. Another punch came his way before he could find his stance, cleanly striking him in the face this time. Then, one final snap kick. The sound of the boy’s knee breaking finally pulled Ko out of his focus. Nobu lay on the ground, on the verge of consciousness, his leg struck out at an angle it shouldn’t be capable of.

Shit.

He’d gone too far in this, much too far for what was supposed to be only friendly training. He got down to his knees next to the boy; tried to offer some kind of medical attention; realised he didn’t know at all what he was doing. He must have looked truly helpless, as before he knew it an older shinobi approached the pair and began lending her aid. There wasn’t much to do as she dulled the boy’s pain and offered to bring him to the nearest hospital. As Nobu was carried away from the field, Ko realised what he had said during their battle. "I yield". Much too far.

His plans for the day were in tatters, now that he no longer had a training partner. What's more, he couldn’t help but feel the gaze of some of the other practitioners around him. He felt his neck sink into his shoulders. Making a scene was the last thing he had planned.

TrainingShow

387/600 words
Strength training in Progress

[Kao]

There it was, the look of recognition. But Kotaru's expression and demeanor didn't change. After all, Kotaru wasn't the type to flaunt his renown and infamy within the walls of the village. That was a shield best wielded in front of his enemies. But it still followed him and bathed him in darkness so deep that he was unlikely to ever escape from it. Most people would recoil when they got too close to him and would be overcome with nerves from simply trying to speak with him, but this child was strangely composed. Relaxed.

"Consider it punishment for taking a modicum of interest in the lower ranks. You're right, though. I do have better things to do. So hurry and dazzle me with your middling strengths and talents." He motioned for Kazuma to finish his set, all the while debating what exactly he should do with this kid. Genin were so fragile; any training he had in mind would rip through the boy like wet paper. It would have been be better for them both if Kotaru had picked up a chuunin on his way to the training grounds. He paused thoughtfully and added, still staring at Kazuma unblinkingly, "I didn't bring any sparring weapons, so it looks like we'll have to use our fists."

[Amy]

Shaking his head almost imperceptibly, Kazuma began counting down his last set. He had worked hard to get to the point where he didn’t let the words of others bother him. And he had worked even harder to make sure that if he ever was bothered, no one would be able to tell. It was too much of a weakness and it was the one thing Kazuma never wanted anyone to see him as. Weak. This guy though, for some reason, this guy really just irked him. Mostly, Kazuma decided, it was the way he just kept staring.

Finally on his feet, Kazuma just stared back at him, waiting for him to offer some direction or advice or for him to do whatever he had come there to do. It wasn’t long before his attention was split though, some sort of commotion happening off to the side with some other kids that had been training. One seemed to be getting carried away while the other just kinda stood around. He couldn’t help but think the other kid looked familiar. When the bannin finally decided to speak again though, he had Kazuma’s full attention.

Scratching at his head slightly, Kazuma finally gave the bannin a good look up and down. He didn’t seem all that big, not like some of the other older ninja he had run into before. Kazuma was short though, so it was still a pretty big height difference. And even though the bannin, Akari Kotaru he finally remembered, wasn’t overly muscular it was obvious the man was strong. As expected. All of this concluded into one thought. That Kazuma did not want to fist fight him.

“No, thank you,” he finally replied. “One moment.” Kazuma had finally realized that he recognized the kid over in the other training area from school. He walked slowly over to the edge of the area he and Kotaru were in, careful not to cross the line lest the bannin think he was trying to run away.

“HEY!” He yelled as loud as he could, waiting for Ko to look over at him. “”Ko, come over here!”

After he was sure that Ko was on his way, Kazuma calmly walked back over to where he had been standing before, looking Akari Kotaru back in the eye. “I’d rather you use his fists instead.”

[Jinan B]

The boy’s mind was overwhelming him with its movement. He wondered if he had made a mistake not going with Nobu. Could have made sure things turned out fine, right? But, surely the last thing he’d want right now would be to see him, the bastard who shattered his knee for no good reason. Should he just leave? Go home and rest. He’d need to explain to Kunimichi why he was back so early, though. That was off the table.

But more than anything, the thought dominating his mind was why the hell he hadn’t thought to stop. It had never been a problem before, but now he kept losing himself in the fight. He had gotten lucky before, his opponents had been better than he was, but now that streak had ended. If he didn’t figure it out, how long before he did something stupid like that again? How long before it happened on a mission?

As he stood, in the middle of the field, paralyzed in indecision, he must have looked a sorry sight to any of the other shinobi out training that day. He was lucky, then, when the intervention of one of the other kids called out to him and tore him out of his mind. He looked up, squinting at the boy who had shouted his way. A moment later came recognition. What did Kazuma want with him?

Whatever it was, Ko had no plans to argue. Providence had come through for him; better not to question it.

As he approached his former classmate, he got a chance to properly see the man Kazuma must’ve been training with. It was almost enough to make him stop dead in his tracks. Instinctually, he slowed his pace, straightened his back, and barely avoided running his hand through his hair from the stress of realising he had likely been summoned by Akari Kotaru himself. Of all the people…

His uncle had warned him about Akari Kotaru. Above all others, he embodied the darkest impulses of Iwagakure. Monstrous, dishonourable, a danger even to his own people. He had wished to meet all of Iwa’s heroes once, asked Ken’ichi if it were possible, and rightly been put in his place for the foolish whim. He had sworn never to seek out Akari Kotaru, for his own sake.

He should have gone with Nobu.

Too late for that now. Instead, Ko’ichi presented himself before the monster, barely keeping himself from trembling. He had experience trying to keep up with people far outside his skill level; maybe he wouldn’t entirely shame himself now thanks to that. With that vain hope in his mind, he bowed as Kazume spoke his flippant mind. ”I am at your service, Lord.” Seemingly that service would be to train alongside Kazuma, but he couldn’t be sure. The way his old classmate was talking - so disrespectfully to someone so fearsome - he fully expected them to be met with a rude awakening.

[Kao]

Kotaru scrunched his brow when Kazuma politely but inexplicably turned him down. For a moment irritation marred his features, and he crossed his arms over his chest to force himself to pause and not blow up at a genin. The didn't have the patience for this. But the genin's intentions quickly became clear when he called someone over, another kid who was obviously also in the very beginnings of his shinobi career. Wonderful.

The other genin looked around the same age as Kazuma, though he was quite a bit taller. Besides his height there wasn't anything particularly noteworthy about him. He looked familiar though, and Kotaru wasn't exactly sure where he'd seen the kid before. He didn't make a habit of surrounding himself with genin, so it must have been mildly important if he vaguely remembered his face. As he approached the newcomer slowed, a familiar sort of hesitation that Kotaru had become accustomed to. He watched, gaze steely, as the boy stood before him and did his best to beat back the nerves and fear that clearly plagued him. Kazuma, on the other hand, almost looked bored and unimpressed by the bannin.

"Suit yourself." The man relented by channeling his chakra so quickly that the boys would likely barely have time to register what he was doing. In an instant he was surrounded by half a dozen tiny, floating flames. The man walked around them in a circle while moving farther away from them, and every few steps more of the flames formed. "Let's see your hand-to-hand combat," he , keeping his eyes on them both. The flames he created were scattered unevenly. Some were less than a meter from the adjacent fire wisp, while others had several meters between them. "They won't hurt you," he promised, though the words came out with the kind of monotone delivery that wouldn't be the most reassuring, "but they're uncomfortable to touch and they'll singe your clothes. Show me what you can do without touching them."

JutsuShow

Wisp x20 or so, idk
E-Ranked Ninjutsu
After performing the needed seals, Kotaru creates up to five, wispy teardrop shaped balls of flames five inches in diameters. The flames produce no heat and are incapable of inflicting burns. The balls float within three feet of his position and up to a foot above his height and cannot move outside of this area. The fireballs move with him but are otherwise immobile and once created Kotaru cannot control their movement or position. Due to the low chakra cost of this technique, Kotaru can maintain this for x number of posts where x equals Chakra Pool/2.

[Amy]

Kazuma looked between the small orbs and the bannin several times before shaking his head. A definite improvement to getting thrown around like a sack of rice. A shiver ran up his spine as he turned to Ko, raising his hand in a much calmer greeting. They hadn’t seen each other since the last day of school before graduation and they hadn’t exactly been close friends in school. More like…acquaintances. But then again that was the status Kazuma had with most of his classmates.

“Thanks for coming over,” he whispered, still definitely loud enough for the bannin to overhear him. “Someone else was supposed to show up and then he did instead and…yeah. You’re a lifesaver.” Kazuma didn’t want to waste any more time and risk the bannin stepping in again so he shooed Ko a slight ways away from him and took up his Cobra’s Strike stance. He started moving towards Ko slowly, shifting his weight smoothly.

“What happened to your partner? It looked like he got hurt.”

Kazuma was used to chatting while sparring, he and Sadako did it often. For various reasons but mostly it stemmed from his bad habit of holding his breath while concentrating. For now, he focused on his stance and maintaining a good form while striking out at his friend. It wasn’t the first time they had sparred but he didn’t remember anything specific about Ko’s style.

Because of that Kazuma was careful to move back after every strike he made, attempting to keep some distance between them. It was more difficult than it should have been though because Kazuma kept forgetting about the little fire orbs until he had almost dodged into multiple times already. While they looked small and mostly harmless as the bannin said, Kazuma didn’t entirely trust him.

So instead he continued to focus on managing his strength so that he didn’t get tired first. If he got too tired he would be not only easy to beat, but he was more likely to run into the small orbs also. He wondered what would happen if they failed and ran into them…

((Endurance Training 272/600))

[Jinan B]

Somehow, as if by Grace itself, the infamous Bannin didn’t seem all that interested in putting someone through hell today. Was Kazuma somehow his bastard son, or something? It didn’t make sense at all, at least as far as Ko could figure it, but he wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth. He’d take what he could get - be realistic about these things - and some rigidly structured training seemed a surprising improvement on how he thought the day might’ve gone.

The floating wisps were novel - not the kind of thing his uncle might’ve come up with - and Ko had a sneaking suspicion that this wouldn’t be the kind of test he would excel in. No one had ever accused him of being precise. More like a hammer of uncontrolled power. Maybe more like a toy hammer in a Bannin’s eyes.

The boy rolled his shoulder as he and Kazuma prepared to begin, though the other boy found time to comment first. Not that the story he told made any more sense than his own wild imagination. Say one thing for Akari Kotaru, say he cares; Ko guessed. That didn’t seem quite right.

He shifted his weight as Kazuma began to move in on him, not asking about the debacle he had just been pulled out of. Both of them would be able to see his embarrassment, and he stepped back from Kazuma’s first strike. ”I uh… I broke his leg,” he mumbled. It wasn’t as though the bannin was likely to accept any refusal, so his eyes shifted between the older man and Kazuma. The look in them might’ve said ‘hope it doesn’t happen to you’.

Then, Ko moved in for the fight. Kazuma’s attempts to keep his distance were met by a continuous push forward, as the boy made to parry rather than dodge and kept moving forward. He seemed to have a better deal when it came to the wisps, seeing as he was more following Kazuma’s own trail through them than creating his own. At the same time, he tried to keep his usual principles intact. Tried to vary his speed to keep his opponent off guard, tried to put all possible force behind every blow.

Even with the wind at his back, however, he already found himself barely avoiding the wisps on several occasions. He would blunder pretty soon, he imagined, but it wouldn’t matter if he won their bout first.

TrainingShow

799/600 Words
Strength Training completed

[Amy]

328Ko was doing a good job keeping the distance closed and Kazuma knew he was going to have to change tactics. While he considered the best way to get more attacks in and also while concentrating on not running into the small fire orbs, Kazuma mulled over what Ko had said. That sounded pretty rough, he had never seriously hurt anyone while training before. He had gotten beat up pretty good before but never so injured he had to go to the hospital. And he had also never hurt someone that badly either.

“That sucks,” was his only response as he tried to focus more. He didn’t want to completely embarrass himself in front of the bannin and his classmate. With the way Ko was pushing forward, Kazuma definitely needed to have more forward motion and work some better attacks in. For the moment he was too focused on blocking Ko’s heavy blows that he threw with nearly every step back that Kazuma took. He was definitely stronger than Kazuma was.

In a brief moment of reprieve, he switched to his Tiger’s Hunt stance and rather than striking and keeping distance, he began pushing forward. His center of gravity dropped low as he changed the angle and strength behind his attacks. All while trying to remember not to run into any of Lord Akari’s flaming orbs that were scattered around. He briefly wondered what the point of them was and the possibility crossed his mind that the first one to touch them would lose? He didn’t know if that was something the Lord would do but he kept the possibility tucked in the back of his mind.

For now, he focused more on his attacks and trying to get close enough to land a combination of strikes. After sliding to his left, Ko’s right, to avoid a particularly close orb that was hovering near his elbow, Kazuma was close enough to unleash several fast but mostly un-aimed strikes toward’s Ko’s abdomen with enough power that would hopefully push him backwards.

1st Quarter Training Discount
[[Word Count: 615/600 Endurance Training]]