[Oonakayama Arashi]

Paws and Claws TAG. Warai Ameko WORDS. xxx NOTES:

There was little else to do but watch at this point, her eyes scanning the young woman as she corrected and reengaged in the formation of the technique yet again. It was interesting seeing it performed by someone other than herself, but she had seen imitations of similar styles in the past. Not that this was a secret, it was simply something that she had heard and adapted into her own routine. It had started out as something she needed to survive, but it later became just what she did naturally. With a few improvements along the way. Still, to see the girl perform it, it was almost a bit of a clumsy act of swinging her arms and looking like a bear. Yet, as she relaxed, it seemed as if she were releasing the tension from her muscles, becoming far more loose in her movements. A smirk crossed her lips as she watched, nodding her head as while the action wasn't faster, it was more precise. Which was far better than what might have been assumed. It was the point of the whole mini-lesson of the evening so far, leading to her listening to her as she spoke. She had always assumed that she needed to be a hammer against the anvil, but this was something new and it seemed like she had taken a liking to calling it Claws and Jaws. "Heh...I like that...Claws and Jaws...catchy..." Though it wasn't the end, as she appeared to continue as she connected the style to Arashi's history with her pack. Though the question became of why she had to fight in the streets with the pack at all? Her family history didn't include street fights and none in her clan were known for such a thing...at least until her. They certainly weren't known for raising stray dog either. So why did someone who controlled the element in which they lived start looking after strays? "Heh...fair question...guess when ya think about it...it isn't exactly somethin my Clan does...still..." Looking over her shoulder, she'd see the pack as they began engaging with Yuki and Kori, Nai being among them as she nudged Ai toward them as the usually brave pup seemed a bit shy around the strange looking creatures. "Easy answer being they saved my life..." With a smile crossing her lips, she'd then cross her arms as she looked toward the sky. -The Beast Child- "Long answer...those rumors...a lot more of em back then...less grandeur behind em...I was known as the Beast Child, the monster that had devastated and destroyed homes. Killer of children and families and the most evil being in Kaze no Kuni...yet I lived in the village...that doesn't get anyone friends and if anything...only gets people wanting ya dead or punished for what you supposedly did..." Looking at her, she'd then calmly lean against the dummy as she continued. "Being a child, and a stupid one at that...I actually believed em...and during those days...I was scared more than anything of what I was...so I ran...I ran away from home...from a family that I believed turned me into what I am....and lived out here..." It was hard story....even worse when she began to see it play back in her mind. She had been so young...and yet that moment, she had never been more scared in her life...never more angry at how everyone and everything she had trusted and loved turned their backs on her. Betrayed her. The small girl had run away from home the moment they released her from that tower, and in that moment, she was completely alone. She struggled against the cold elements of the night, rain having fallen that evening and she was drenched. "Course...It didn't take long for people to see the demon and basically do what all people do to monsters...." She'd see the items thrown at her, the curses, the blame, the angry faces of those around her who had once seen her as no more than the child of the Kage, now nothing more than a beast who had taken something from them in one way or another. She attempted to find somewhere safe, a place where no one could hurt her. She couldn't...each path seemed to lead her deeper into the Outskirts and into more people that scorned or hated her. "Though when I was alone...finally at least free for the moment...hungry...exhausted...beaten up...she came...." As the small child was huddled in a corner, cowering and tears sliding down her face much like the rain, a large white fluff would drape itself around her. The fur brushing against her face, their warm tongue like a kiss from her mother. It was in that moment that Nai seemed to appear and shelter her. "Nai came to my rescue...cared for me when no one else would or was able when I shut people out...and after that...I basically made it my mission to look out after every stray in the outskirts...as many as I could anyway...these guys..." Laughing a bit,she'd sigh as she noticed Nai seemed to command the packs attention, prompting them to begin moving around her as she watched Ai finally gain some strength to tap his noise against Yuki. "We took care of each other for six years out here...and during all that time...I basically learned how to fight...or at least enough with what I picked up from the Academy. It just sorta stuck..."

SPOILER: Click to show

-S.A Used-
Ultimate Defense

A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike.
-Jutsu Used-



-Items Used-

-Familiar Used-
Stray Pack

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Warai Ameko]

Ameko continued to practice the movement as she listened to Arashi speak. Allowing herself to focus on the information, on the history as presented by the more experienced shinobi allowed for her conscious brain to detach from the movements she was undertaking. Instinct and muscle-memory took over, and with it, each repetition became more fluid. The story was not one that she had expected to hear, although she supposed it did fill in the gaps that the rumours had left. The woman was as feared in Sunagakure as she was abroad, known for running with stray dogs and being a vicious monster. Ameko knew animals well enough to know that while they could be dangerous, they were certainly not monsters. But the image of the feral weapon was not what was before her. Arashi was kind, perhaps someone sharp-tongued, evidently a woman to be feared, but she was no rabid dog.

Ameko did not speak as the tale continued, her only noise being he occasional grunt of acknowledgement. The same could not be said for Yuki. As the pack approached, he vocalised and called, his voice like shrill and manic laughter against the night air. But his expression was soft, and his tongue wagged like any dog. Happily, he allowed himself to be sniffed by those dogs that approached, even the smallest among the in Ai. As the dog tapped his nose to the hyena, the bigger animal responded with a rather rough lick across the back.

Kōri, ever the crank, met each approaching dog with a growl. His own forequarters tensed, as if preparing to pounce and lock his jaws around the neck of the next animal to come near him. As the story came to an end, and Ameko sensed the change in her hyena's tone, she whistled again.

"Down. Heel. Now." The orders came out as barks, and after a few moments of hesitation, a quiet Kōri slinked his way away from where Yuki was socialising with the group led by Nai, and sat himself at Ameko's side.

Roughly, she scratched the top of his head, the way one might a bratty younger sibling.

"They're a good pack," Ameko said simply, "Nai and you both... You've done good. Leading it."

With her practice paused, she allowed herself to look at the dogs, "Most of the local animals, hell the local people, are terrified of these two idiots. Granted, they probably are smart to be. Wild animals are wild animals. But your lot, they know, can sense they're not going to harm them. Hell, if they tried it, I bet Nai wouldn't let anything happen anyway."

Ameko looked at the giant white canine, as it commanded the pack around her, even as she kept an eye on the smallest of their number, before Ameko once again ruffled the fur of her mangy-looking hyena.

"Animals know people. They know the ones to protect, they help us hunt, they help us thrive. Least we can do is pay it back."

Ameko rather swiftly added, "Don't misunderstand, I 'aint some kinda princess-philosopher type, that's just doctrine. What my ol' woman says. What I'm saying is you're a good sort, wouldn't have the dogs if you weren't. People are dumb, they see strength and they fear it. Way I figure it, they were a bunch of jealous pricks and your pack weren't. Simple as can be, and it's their loss for failing to see it."

"Although, I do have to ask. If you were fighting alongside the strays, does that mean you were fighting other strays? Really living as one of the dogs?"

Once he was contented with his rough ear scratches, Kōri padded away from Ameko, away from the other animals and deeper into the alley. He'd socialised enough. Yuki, on the other hand, would take it upon himself to try to further interact with the pack. His cackles ever-ongoing.

[Oonakayama Arashi]

Paws and Claws TAG. Warai Ameko WORDS. xxx NOTES:

It was always good when you found a kindred spirit in something that you were passionate about. Arashi couldn't say for certain if Ameko was in need of one, but she had still offered her the support should she wish to take it. The two of them had managed to hit it off pretty well considering, but it was only because Arashi had been there. Granted, the times had been different, as were the circumstances, but she imagined that if she hadn't allowed herself to fall into those times, she'd probably be a far off different person than she was now. Still, as the question came of if she actually had to fight off other strays, Arashi would blink for a moment as she scratched the back of her head. "Heh heh...Had to teach em who was top bitch somehow...I bit my fair share of ears...human and canine..." Nai would seem to bark as she looked at the young woman, having been there through all of it and most of the pack as well. "Anyway! The point of that story was to explain the Mark of Dog...and I did...Its basically street fighting..." With a bit of refinement sure, but it was indeed how she had managed to get through more than one scrap out here. "As for the people thing....ya right....thats why its important to try and look out for those that do mean somethin....eh? So maybe ya might try hearin em out a bit more next time ya feel like self isolating cause of the jerky ones?" Raising her brow, Arashi would smirk before placing her hands behind her head, tilting her head to the side as she saw Ai and less hostile Hyena hitting it off as the other seemed to be starting to join in a bit more with the others. "Case in point..."

SPOILER: Click to show

-S.A Used-
Ultimate Defense

A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike.
-Jutsu Used-



-Items Used-

-Familiar Used-
Stray Pack

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Warai Ameko]

Bit her fair share of ears. The comment was innocuous but it stuck with Ameko, as she once again resumed her stance. She could talk and practice, the quicker she got the hang of this technique, the quicker she could master it. The path to improvement, the path to strength, was built on continuous practice and challenges. As her hands once again mimicked the claws of a canine, she found her mind wandering. Dogs bit, and whilst vicious, they lacked the raw power of a hyena's bite. Maybe there would be a way to take what she learned from Arashi and adapt it to the particularities of her own familiars. Smirking slightly, Ameko allowed the thought to dissipate. It was a path which she would wander down, but not one that required urgent attention. That which was before her at the moment was more imporatnt. Answering Nai's bark with a nod and a wider smile, Ameko again struck the air before her, eyes flickering between her own movements and the barking and panting of the animals. The movements would be interrupted by the occasional nod or grunt of acknowledgement. The more senior shinobi saw it fit to deliver wisdom in the ways of life, more than just in the ways of combat. Her position and power demanded respect, and whilst Ameko didn't really see much need for politeness, she would be foolish to deny the opportunity to learn from one as experienced as the former street fighter. Sweating, Ameko halted the practice, her eyes focusing on the pack. Yuki was pleased as could be, acting like a pup as he played with the animals. He was a gentle soul, at least outside of battle, and she found that the smile did not fade in spite of herself. "Yeah, there are some good ones..." She answered wistfully. Scratching at the back of her neck, Ameko added, rather defensively, "I get you. Look, I wasn't out here by myself to avoid people. People are fine... for the most part, bit softer than hyenas, but hey, what can you do? I'm not some kinda loner. I just didn't want to deal with questions upon questions." Her eyes glanced back to the lone hyena, his eyes closed. "Besides some are just more content to deal with themselves." She nodded her head toward the animal, "He 'aint a bad git, just doesn't like anyone except for me and his brother. Animals, people, sometimes you just want to be alone." Muttering, she retook the stance, "Besides... So many... They don't get it. Talking about soft shit like rules of engagement and respect for the enemy. You get me, right, you've been in a real fight? A street fight? Dogs don't bow before battle."

[Oonakayama Arashi]

Paws and Claws TAG. Warai Ameko WORDS. xxx NOTES:

"Alright..." There was some valid points in how the girl felt. There were moments in which people weren't exactly the most helpful. In fact, some of them were just distracting. Others just simply couldn't understand or at least didn't want to try, and that made it a challenge at times. Arashi had been there, but unlike Ameko, she had been a loner. One by choice... The girl knew that she couldn't be isolated, but she also didn't want to have to deal with the questions or with the on lookers of her progress. Though the idea of her not wanting to talk about soft things such as rules of engagement or respect for her enemies was nearly hilarious. Still, she had a good head on her shoulders, even if it was still inexperienced. She had gotten the point, and easily reflected on it with the perspective of her companions. Which she clearly adored. In watching her continue to try and adapt to the style she had learned, the young woman would then nod as she could she her form starting to match more and more. It was a process, that much was certain, but she imagined it wouldn't be something she'd struggle with figuring out. Or changing considering her friends beside her. Though the firm belief in the rules of a street fight meaning none of those underlying issues stuck out, prompting her to hold a calm expression as she did understand. Dogs didn't bow, but humans didn't always either. "So I'm guessin ya know the rules of a street fight then?"

SPOILER: Click to show

-S.A Used-
Ultimate Defense

A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike.
-Jutsu Used-



-Items Used-

-Familiar Used-
Stray Pack

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Warai Ameko]

Each movement felt more natural than the last. She may have spend near every waking moment with her animalistic companions, but mimicking the movements of a vicious quadruped was not something that came naturally to her. Despite her clan's heritage, she was still human, without claws, and with teeth that lacked the ability to gnash and tear. It took conscious effort, together with instinct, to imitate the movements. Yet, it was becoming easier. Given time, and days more of practice, and she anticipated being able to use the technique properly in combat.  But the question of combat from the older ninja caused Ameko's cheeks to turn a deep red, in spite of her tan.  She talked a big game, she claimed to understand violence and battle... But she'd never been involved in a true life or death fight. And she'd certainly not been involved in a street fight. Ameko had hunted, sure, as was the way with her clan. But her youth had been spent among the desert sands, tracking wayward antelope. Combat at the academy had taken the form of sparring. Ameko may have been foul-mouthed and a bruiser, but she was green as grass. "Um..." She stuttered, her movements faltering. "Not... really..." The girl finally managed to get out. She could have lied, but what was the point, no doubt she'd be seen right through. Better to own her weakness, right? Even if it caused her to be embarrassed as hell.  Almost immediately, she overcommitted, "But, I'm familiar with how they operate... Shit, that just sounds worse doesn't it?" She baulked, trying to find her footing in the conversation once again. Pivot. Explain. Discuss something she was more confident with. "I grew up hunting, not in the city!" She blurted out. Smooth.

[Oonakayama Arashi]

Paws and Claws TAG. Warai Ameko WORDS. xxx NOTES:

"Uh huh..." A smirk crossed her lips as Ameko seemed to admit that she really didn't have much knowledge of the rules of a street fight, mostly regarding it as having experience of seeing how they operated. With her head tilted to the side, Arashi would watch the girl seem to scramble for a better explanation, leading to a raised brow in hearing her state how she spent much of her time hunting, though not in the city. "Hey..at least ya admitted it..." Arashi would then place one hand on her hip as she nodded with a calm expression. "I learned a bit from hunting also with the Saeko Clan...so ya probably more adept at it than I am...still...the rules are a bit different..." That being said, Arashi would then release a breath as she clicked her tongue. "Guess that means I gotta teach ya then..." Looking off to the side, Arashi would then let one eye look in the girl's direction with a serious expression. "If ya want...I mean..clearly what ya got going is pretty good...but I can see ya doing way better..course...if ya learn from me...it ain't gonna be easy...I expect a lot...because I see a lot...but its up to you..."

SPOILER: Click to show

-S.A Used-
Ultimate Defense

A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike.
-Jutsu Used-



-Items Used-

-Familiar Used-
Stray Pack

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Warai Ameko]

The ease with which the older woman accepted Ameko's embarrassed admission only caused her face to flash a further shade of red, her attention dedicated firmly to her movements, eyes staring firmly at the claw-like shapes she was forming. She felt an idiot, she'd talked a stupidly big game, only to be caught red-handed speaking without the experience to back it up. The comment praising her supposed hunting ability didn't help, she knew that Arashi was pitying her. Hunting wasn't all too difficult, and no doubt a far more experienced and powerful ninja would be able to translate those skills to tracking game. "I don't need your damned pity, alright?" She blurted out, only to then process the rest of what Arashi had said. She'd offered to teach her. Ameko bit her tongue trying to force her mouth shut, to stop herself from talking and saying anything stupider. The chance to learn from the famous shinobi was not something that she could very well turn down, it had the potential to be an incredible opportunity, and she was about to blow it by speaking before she thought. The casual way in which she held herself and used her gifts, the ease in which Arashi spoke of street fights and commanded her pack, every part of her screamed to Arashi of strength. "I-" Ameko said dumbly, "I- You're being serious?" Ceasing the movements, she turned her attention to Arashi, folding her arms and attempting to make herself look larger by raising her chin, "Yes." Was it pity? No. That couldn't be it. Maybe she was soft with her words, but there had to be some truth to what she had said if she was offering the chance to learn. "My answer is yes. Offer accepted. Don't back out, because I won't. I'm not after easy, and I don't care if you believe me on that or not, I'll prove it to you." Holding firm, Ameko stared into the jounin hancho's eyes, "Teach me." But even then she could not shake the question that taunted at the back of her head, one that found itself spoken aloud before she could even process the reasons for its existence, "Why?"

Oonakayama Arashi

[Oonakayama Arashi]

Paws and Claws TAG. Warai Ameko WORDS. xxx NOTES:

Though Ameko was resistant at first, seeming to see such compliments and words of encouragement as pity, the idea of Arashi taking her under her charge had been enough to prompt a bit of a change. The level of uncertainty was still there, almost as if she were fighting with herself in trying to make a decision. Still, after a few moments of collecting herself, Arashi would see the girl attempt to regain some level of composure and accept the offer. In hearing her state how easy wasn't what she was after, she'd claim that she was more than ready to prove that to her. With a toothy grin, Arashi would then nod before then looking toward the pack as she noted Nai's gaze toward her. The old wolf would bark in a tone that gave a command, prompting the others to begin to wrap up what they were doing as Ai would seem less inclined to stop his play before feeling the white wolf's gently bite against his neck. In being lifted up, Nai would bow her head toward Yuki, looking over to their sibling before making her way back toward Arashi alongside the others. "Good...we'll start tomorrow...I wanna see how well ya picked up that technique...remember...loose fingers..." In gesturing this with her hands, she'd then allow her expression to become more serious as she prepared to leave. Bidding goodbye to the Hyenas as well. Yet, just as she began to depart after the group, the question came yet again of just why she was doing this. Stopping, Arashi would then look over her shoulder with her eyes closed. "Because as an expert when it comes to pride...ya never would have asked..." Holding up a hand in farewell, she'd then continue her march back toward the alley. "Sides...the question ya should be askin is...why not you?....Food for thought..." With that, the Jounin Hanchou would seem to disappear with her pack in tow, just as a quickly as she had appeared. It was a lot to take in to be sure, and Arashi hadn't come out here to take on a student. Still, there was clearly something that she saw in the girl. A kindred wild spirit perhaps? Or maybe she just thought that in the end, people just needed a chance...and if she had something to give...she should give it...

SPOILER: Click to show

-S.A Used-
Ultimate Defense

A Skill granted by her continued use and developed relationship with Shukaku over the continued use of his control over sand, Arashi has a stronger connection to the element, allowing her to use it at a much more intensive rate than before. As such, her defenses are much more adapt and capable of taking on stronger attacks and reinforcing itself at faster speed. This adaptation to the sand shield allows for it's reaction time to have increased and make it more challenging for attacks to connect and break through the first layer, while acting still on the natural inclinations of auto-repairing itself for the next strike.
-Jutsu Used-



-Items Used-

-Familiar Used-
Stray Pack

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Warai Ameko]

Ameko was silent as Arashi spoke, allowing the words of the more experienced woman to wash over her. Why not her? It was a fair enough question. No doubt the connection they both had to their animal companions served as the impetus for their meeting, and for the subsequent relationship that seemed to be developing. But that did not make Ameko any less worthy. Blue eyes glanced at Yuki and Kōri in turn, the two siblings as different in demeanour as night was from day. It was all Ameko could do to nod as the woman and her pack disappeared into the night, leaving Ameko in much the same position as she had been when she had been found. Alone with her hyenas, naught but the ramshackle training dummy to keep them company. The brisk desert wind whipped through the alleyway, and Ameko forced herself to move from her dumbstruck position. Flexing her fingers inward and outward, she allowed Arashi's words to settle over her. Loose fingers. She would not allow this opportunity to slip through her fingers, if that meant loosening them in order to grasp at the future with both hands, then that was what she would do. Whatever came from her training sessions with the Jounin Hanchou, she would attack them with the full ferocity that she did all things. Grinning at the still panting Yuki, she nodded, then settled back into her stance. A few more motions, then she would turn into bed. Tomorrow brought new opportunities.

Oonakayama Arashi