Surprisingly, Yappers

[King of Cats]

The early morning was wet with mist from the ever-present Kirigakure fog. Himura was used to it and he didn't mind his fur being a bit moist. It enhanced his hearing, giving him a dedicated sense of power in his homeland. The Tsukino walked down the bustling streets of Kirigakure with his head held high, and his fox ears even higher.

"Tssskrt!" Himura heard the faint rushing of someone's arms trying to catch a parcel. They waved around trying to grab their package, but it couldn't be retrieved. The package hit the ground and broke into a million pieces. If Himura had been quicker, he would have been able to help. He was so slow, though, that he could barely see the package drop in time. He was walking to meet with his Sword, Kozan, and the feeling of inferiority was creeping upon him. It was a normal feeling, Kozan was intimidating. Despite that, Himura liked spending time with him. They didn't usually talk much, not since they first met, but they did get to know each other on the surface It was comforting to have a warrior stand at his side, and Himura was thankful to be accepted by the strongest Sword in the Swordsman.

It wasn't enough to be accepted, however. Himura craved the rush of exerting his power. He wanted to fight for Kiri, but knowing how slow, how weak, he was, Himura felt nothing but dejection.

Walking with a shadow cast over him by his negative self-talk, Himura continued to make his way to Kozan.

As he tried to assuage his downtrodden mood, Himura found himself thinking about his rival.

Even though Kozan was the strongest Sword, Himura had plans for another Sword.

The Tsukino were a proud people who held esteem in the village. They had produced one of the finest shinobi to ever grace the Village Hidden in the Mist, Nishiki. The Basis host was widely known in the village, his exploits as a Host and Sword were widely known to every shinobi in Kirigakure. Or at least, there were rumors. Nishiki was a celebrity to the right person, but Himura wasn't that person.

Himura found Nishiki to be a poor example of his clan, a fake swordsman and an imposter in the village. Himur wanted to see Nishiki dethroned, and more than that, he wanted to be the one to do it. When Kozan told him to forget the Daggers and look toward the swords, Himura instantly thought of the scoundrel fox. He had to get strong enough to defeat the host and take his sword. It was Himura's destiny to ascend to Sword status by defeating Nishiki. There was no other way.

Thinking about his rival with such tenacity, Himura was grinning now. The young genin knew he could do it, with hard work. Himur had already come far after training with Kozan for such a short while. Now, it was time to declare his rival to his sensei. He walked into Kozan's preferred training grounds. That was where they usually met for casual encounters.

[Ace Trainer]

For the early years of Kozan's 'life' he had no reason to train. His master had simply uploaded new data into his body and mind, reshaped his chakra for him, information written into him like a notepad. After the disappearance of his master, the changing over of the new regime, and Kozan's various "promotions" within the two major organizations of Kirigakure, Kozan found that it was much more often that he had to train. He couldn't just...do any more, he was having to learn. For most it would be an exercise in humility, for Kozan it was simply another exercise. Though perhaps it was making him more human. The need for a training grounds was not about testing new skill sets, but in fact actually learning them. The choice of a preferred training ground was foreign it him, but he had 'chosen' one on the basis that it was far on the reaches of the merchant ring, a remote ground surrounded by farm land, with a large grove owned by the Kawazaiwa on the south facing side which mostly hid it from plain view. It was easier for Kozan to train here - especially in jutsu that he would receive scrutiny on if noticed.

When Himura arrived, he'd find Kozan standing in the center of the small area, surrounded by dummies that dotted the edge of the arena. Kozan was moving around what appeared to be a long chain attached to a gauntlet, swinging it masterfully around the arena, landing precision strikes on the various dummies before whipping it back. When his eyes landed on Himura, he'd stop, the chain rolling itself back up into the gauntlet. He'd stand with his arms behind his back, looking at Himura for a moment.

"I have assignments for you.", straight to the point as always.

"Although you are my dagger, I am still the Captain of the Containment Unit in the Head Hunter's Division, making me privy to key information regarding the status of critical assets.", he explained shortly. He'd look Himura up and down for a moment, his large yellow eyes discerning and critical in a way that made people feel even smaller than already when compared against his enormous and imposing stature. "Many shinobi your age and skill level are sent on simple missions doing labor and chores. Are you comfortable being dispatched for combat?", the question was oddly....empathetic.

[King of Cats]

As he walked into the field where Kozan was swinging a chain, Himura couldn't help but think about the first time Kozan drew his sword in front of him. There was something alien about the way he manifested the Truth-Seeker, and truly terrifying about the way it mannuevered through the battle field at Kozan's will. Himura couldn't help but shiver at the remembrance. Kozan was hard at work and to be truthful, his artsmanship ws impeccable. He operated like a cog in the machine when it came to wielding weapons. Himura wondered if he would live long enough to be as skilled as his sensei.

Himura approacheed and Kozan stopped what he was doing, then stood most respectably in front of Himura, the chain gauntlet hidden behind his back. The kitsune bowed deeply and then stood with a shoulder length stance, his fists balled up in front of his groin in a defensive posture. "I am ready, sir.'" Himura kept his eyes focused on Kozan's intimidating gaze. It took all of his willppower to stand bfore the Dread Bannin.

Kozan continued to explain his status as a captain of the Head Hunters Division in Kiri, and how that could affect the foxes training. Himura didn't nod or whince his eyes as Kozan spoke to him, he simply stared into Kozan's eyes and listened. Looking at Kozan was difficult and took every ounce of Himura's courage and self restraint. The familiar fear of Kozan's aura seemed to be laying at the door, waiting to intrude on Himura's day. But it didn't. He listened to his sensei with utter respect and honor.

Responding to Kozan, Himura spoke firmly. "I believe I am ready to prove myself in combat." Himura's pale red eye's looked bravely into Kozan's stark yellow eyes and only a fraction of fear was visible. The healthy amount. What Kozan would be most impressed with, however, was the absolute tenacity that flared in Himura's eyes. He was wildly excited to continue his training.