[Uzumaki Ataru]

Ataru had gotten up bright and way to early, it would be awhile yet until the dawn of morning reared its head and yet he couldn't sleep. Sneaking out of the house with a crisp green apple and nothing but his ninja wear. Hopping out of the window, onto the dewy grass of the yard before immediately leaping up in the cover of tree canopies. Sighing to himself as he gazed backward at his unlit house before doubling down and leaping forward, moving from branch to branch traversing the expanse of Konoha. Coming to a riverside dockyard attached to an out of the way training field, the Moon was out and its alabaster light shone down across the surface of the water leaving a glistening sheen across its watery breadth. Scratching along the bottom of his chin, he had experience controlling his chakra while learning body flicker channeling it into his legs before leaping forth at blinding speed but this proved an entirely different animal. 

Folding his fingers together and emptying his mind, he would stand at the edge of the dock the moonlight shining against his armored headband as he prepared themselves. Regimenting his breathing, he would feel as chakra courses throughout his system a torrential pour of energy cascading through his legs energizing him. His face scrunches up as he impresses further effort in allowing it to bottom out towards the soles of his feet. Feeling a tingle as it rushes within his calves, passing through the ankles before gathering within his feet. It was difficult to control the gateway of his network so narrowly, feeling as it dissipates and turns over but persisting it keeping it there like filling a cup that steadily pours back out needing constant refilling.

Taking a leap of faith, he jumps off the dock with one foot held forward and amidst the air of expectancy the tension is broken as it actually impacts the surface. It felt weird and excited him incredibly taking one step, two steps, and a final third one before his front foot plunges through the surface causing a domino effect as his eyes widen and the boy falls beneath the water line. A spelunk and subsequent splash echoes out leaving a mark across its surface which quickly ripples out. Holding his breath just in time as they sink into the river channel, he quickly uses his arms and swims their way back up to the surface. Breaking out and taking a gulp of fresh air, as he paddles and swims in place somewhat annoyed at the result. Quickly changing hands from frustration to giving a good long think about what went wrong, and what they could do differently. Shuddering before he could think it through step-by-step the water was freezing but the boy wasn't willing to give up. Swimming towards the dock, he would reach the edge and climb out onto the worn gangway.

Sighing as his wet clothes clung to his person and leftover water sprinkles all over the dock from where he treads a path, taking off his shirt and wringing it out as well as shedding his boots he places them aside hanging them out to dry. Deciding to stick to shorts, it proved a good enough impromptu bathing suit, approaching the edge once again he reflected on chakra theory as well as what he knew from experience. 

[Hibana]

The Pink Blur

It was late or early morning Hibana was not sure of the exact time. All she knew was that she had stayed to late at Raika's and needed to be home before the sun rose if she was going to get any sleep. She had snuck out of the Hyuuga compound, well she knew with their eyes any guard would have seen her, but liked to imagine anyway. However she smirked knowing that they did not bother her being the known partner of a Hyuuga. Her cheeks flushed red as the recent memories of their night ran through her head. It was cold this evening making Hibana happy she had brought her jacket with her. However the choice of short shorts had been a mistake in hindsight. The white tank top underneath was the second mistake she had made tonight. As the wind blew she hurried to zip the jacket all the way up hiding her shorts and headband which she used as a belt. The walk home was not far however for some reason she decided to walk past a nearby river that flowed through the village. The night was beautiful she looked up watching the moon for a moment before wondering if it was really made of cheese. She knew the idea was silly but how funny would it be if it were true she wondered. The wind blew through the trees in small gusts blowing her hair into her face making her stop in her tracks for what seemed like the thousandth time. As she stood there brushing her hair back behind her ears she heard a splash. It was to late for anyone to be swimming she thought as she made her way to the treeline. She stopped behind a medium sized oak peaking around the side in case it was an enemy trying to sneak in. With her right eye covered by the soft silk cloth she leaned out left taking a peak. She saw a young boy treading water in the flowing river. His stark hair made her wonder if he was an Uzumaki before he began to swim to the dock. She was at a loss for words on why he would be out here in this cold weather swimming. When he climbed out fully clothed she almost ran to him to see if he was okay. It was his demeanor and the expression on his face that kept her there. He seemed determined to do something she was not sure about yet. As he began to wring the water from his clothes she decided to figure out this mystery. The beautiful blonde woman walked out from behind the tree calling out to the boy when she was halfway to him as to not just sneak up on him. "Hey there! You okay kid? It's a little cold to be swimming this late... or early... I'm not sure the time." She waved her hand still in the sleeve of her slightly to large jacket. "You need any help?"

Ataru -- 506

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[Uzumaki Ataru]

The boy began to hum to himself, a tune his mother often sang when tending to him and his siblings when they were sick or couldn't quite get to sleep. He found himself reciting it as well amidst the throes of contemplation, singing a melodious hymn that proved beautiful yet haunting. Able to seep down deep within a person's bones just like the cold might on a night such as this, thinking through methods to help him gather chakra and keep it focused down through his legs and stay in place within the soles of their feet. Breathing in and out emitting a deep sigh, he stared across the surface of the rushing water imagining the ripples and torrent from when he fell on only a couple minutes before.

Snapped out from their sense of concentration by a voice, it served to startle the young boy which in turn caused him to square up like something out of a home alone nin film. Both hands out and flat, ready to karate chop at a moment's notice and dance in opposition to whomever called out and sought to approach them. He was never really bothered by the cold weather unlike others, in fact he disliked the heat of Summer more than he did Winter's bite. As shown by how he seems completely unperturbed by the rampant chill permeating their surroundings, even while not fully clothed and exposed to the elements somewhat.

"Who's there?" He says questioningly, his eyes quickly adjusting to the change in light as he peers over in their direction with a sharp amber gaze. He had spent enough time in the dark to have grown accustomed and proceeds to hone in on them, first regarding the silhouette before subsequently picking out details about the woman in question. "Oh, hey! I'm out here training, not taking a swim. Well, not meaning to... I'm Ataru, Ataru Uzumaki and I've been trying to figure out water walking." He runs his pointer finger under their nose across their upper lip and past returning his hand back to his side as he looks upon the young woman with starry eyes radiating a bright yellow hue.

At her offer of help he opens up his mouth and closes it, thinking long and hard about it before responding for a handful of moments. He didn't think he'd get any help at this time at night from anyone really, but best not to look a gift horse in its mouth thus deciding to take up the woman on her offer. "Yeah, sure. Anything you could tell me would really help, thanks!"

[Hibana]

The Pink Blur

The boy was training this early in the morning? She commended his efforts and enthusiasm trying to better himself. It reminded her of herself and her running, going out before dawn to zip through the trees. Her memories of the morning dew on the forest floor being disturbed by her sneakers made her smile. She was also correct on her assumption of the boy being an Uzumaki. The look on his face warmed her soul as he seemed filled with hope and enthusiasm. With his acceptance of her help she strode forward before kneeling down to eye level with him. A serious expression painted her face, her left eye narrow as if glaring at the child. Her lips were pressed together as if she was judging him to be worthy of her tutelage. "You'll be my first ever student so I need to take this seriously.... BUT YOU'RE JUST ADORABLE!!!!" She ran her fingers through his hair shaking it dry as her expression quickly changed to one of pure happiness. Her smile stayed but her uncovered eye went back to a more serious look. She stood turning to face the river knowing no matter what he would be doing this. With or without her and she wanted to help the young boy. She walked to the edge of the dock looking at her reflection in the flowing current. Turning around to face the boy again she took a step back off the dock and onto the water. The moonlight shone behind her siluetting her from behind as she stretched out and arm. "Take my hand then and lets walk on water. Take my hand and at first you will fail, but i will not let you fall."

Uzumaki Ataru -- 287

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[Uzumaki Ataru]

To him today was just like any other, not really understanding how this might be perceived as strange nor out of the ordinary. For Ataru he simply wanted to improve and do better, so it was only natural that he put in the work and dedicate himself to his goals with everything he had. There was no reason to do things half-assed and so he would do everything in his power to reach even greater heights and be the best he could be. A lot of people were looking to him but none more than the Uzumaki themselves, gazing into the mismatched eyes of the women he suspected and quickly came confirmed was a kunoichi. He gave her a beaming smile radiating from ear to ear, he truly was a child raised by the village rather than any one person in particular - a product of many different instructors from all walks of path helping to aid and mold him along his path.

"Cool! I've had a lot of teachers but you're definitely one of the prettiest. Thanks again for helping me, Sensei!" He kinda felt bad, here she was helping him and he didn't have anything to give her in return. Promising to repay the favor as well as simply to do the same for anyone else that might be in need of something similar in the future. His tone came sung forth in a sunny chipper tone, a bundle of jovial goofiness that burned bright despite coming in such a small package proving to be light enough despite it still being dark out. As she rakes a hand through his air he allows the noogie taking it for what it was, as a gesture of playful enjoyment. Glad that she saw the prospect in the same light or found him fun at least, as she takes a step back he needs to stop himself from reaching out to grab her worried that she might fall underneath its surface the same as he did.

Instead looking on patiently as she treads across the surface of the water, seeing is believing as well as proved encouraging to witness firsthand. Taking a shaky breath he steadies themselves out, keeping it calm and regimented even as she offers a hand out to them. Clasping it in his own, he focuses the chakra within his legs and lets it flow throughout him once more taking the plunge as he holds onto her with both hands. Hopping down and able to take a few steps before things begin to falter again with how he controls it, the output outpacing the level in which he was able to pace it. Seemingly about to fall once again after a handful of seconds... "Woah, uh..."

[Hibana]

The Pink Blur

She held the young boys hand in her own as she watched him take a tentative step forward. For being so young he could already take a few steps atop the water. It was a good start and chuckled to herself remembering how hard it had been for her to do this. His control started to falter as he reached out clutching her arm with his other hand. She made good on her word not letting him fall beneath the waters surface. She held his hand and lower arm firmly using all her upper body strength to keep him aloft. "You're pretty good already I'm surprised you can take a few steps. Did you learn this all on your own?" Her smile was genuine and soft as her two different colored eyes looked upon the young boy in admiration. "My father taught me how to walk on water. He told me to not imagine standing atop the moving water. That if you do you'll become to focused as the current shifts beneath you." Her tone was matter of fact as she recited the lesson she had learned all those years ago. "Instead try to imagine the chakra you channel as a platform that you'd stand on. Solid ground in river of motion." She was not sure if she got the lesson across but hoped it helped a little.

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[Uzumaki Ataru]

As he reaches out and holds onto her for dear life, placing his feet atop Hibana's like how a child might with their father when learning how to dance or step around a room having fun. He shakily nods his head whilst clutching onto her, gazing down onto the surface of the rushing water feeling a bit embarrassed about needing to be saved and pressed close to the Kunoichi. Breathing in and breathing out, it was rude not to look at someone when you're not talking to them his mother's words echoed inside of his mind. Steadying his emotions it was silly to feel bad about something like this, she was helping him after all. Lifting his gaze to meet her mismatched portals with one's akin to stars his amber orbs meet her own as they stand atop the water together.

"Mhm, I did. Yeah!" Listening as she spoke, it was what he imagined having a big sister fe;t like. To him it was strange but not in a bad way, Ataru had always been the oldest taking care of his brothers and sisters. Beating up, scaring or scolding the bullies away from his fellow siblings amongst everything else. Listening as she spoke, he paid a rapt sense of attention to their words and its context attempting to get it down pat trying to envision things as she did. Her outside opinion certainly offered a new perspective and outlook in regards on how to approach the jutsu. It also helped to further his understanding on how to get things done. He didn't have the full picture but was offered yet another piece of the puzzle in helping to bring it all together... stepping out from the security that was her body readying to take the leap and give it a shot.

Beginning to flow chakra through his legs collecting it within the bottoms of his feet and this time instead of focusing on the currents shifting beneath his feet and distracting him he imagines a platform before stepping away. Landing somewhat solidly, attempting to keep the picture firmly in mind as he takes a couple tentative steps whilst also regulating the flow of chakra consciously. "I think... I think I've got it!" Seeming to work for a handful of moments, he falters either in affirming the image on maintaining a platform as he steps or in managing their chakra control. "Uh oh, don't got it... Don't got it!" His feet starts sinking into the water and if unaided splashes down into its depths within another splunk echoing outward.

[Hibana]

The Pink Blur

"One mistake is a lesson learned never forget that." She held his arms firm as his feet and ankles plunged beneath the waters surface. "Even the first steps we take as children end in a fall. However the waiting arms of a parent or loved one keeps us motivated." She helped him rise to the surface offering her feet again for balance. "Maintaining focus is just part of the training, remaining calm like the flowing waters around us is the other. The platform you pictured earlier have them move with the current. As if riding a horse or skating on ice you'll need to find balance in your motions." Hibana stretched her arms out leaning back, the tips of her long hair dipping into the water. She used the boy to pull herself back up shaking her damp locks. The laugh that escaped her lips followed by the smile of pure joy illuminated the early morning dusk. Ataru was a cute smart kid and she was surprised by how quickly he was learning. She remembered it taking hours before she could even take a step on her own. She had never had siblings but she decided he would be her new adoptive brother. "No when you step off this time I'm going to step back and you'll need to come to me." Her smile turned into a playful grin teasing the boy.

Uzumaki Ataru --

LAIKA OF THQ