[Warai Ameko]

"Yeah, yeah, I get you… I just don’t much in the way of thinkin’, y’know?” Ameko muttered under her breath, doing her best to hide the blush that tinged her cheeks. But that blush faded as Arashi continued to explain the plan. It made sense, why would the Jounin Hanchou bother dealing with a group of bandits? She could provide tactical support and cover and watch how her student operated. Still, Ameko had never actually engaged in combat. She wasn’t scared… not that she’d admit it, but it was different. Being out in the field, being under observation but not fighting alongside Arashi. It felt as if the training wheels were well and truly off. Her nervousness caused her to shiver uncontrollably before a yip from Kori grounded her, the hyena’s glare cutting through her nerves. She shook her head rapidly, offering a toothy grin to answer Arashi’s. "Yeah, understood,” There was no time for worrying about any of that. This was a chance to prove herself, to show Arashi what Ameko knew she was made of. She’d spoken of her potential, and she had to prove herself, to show she had the might and the will to stand up to the promise she’d been endowed with. "Understood. Understood,” She shot a thumbs up to Arashi, her nervous expression replaced by a cocky sideways grin, "I won’t be dumb, promise. Let’s get this shit done.”

Oonakayama Arashi

[Oonakayama Arashi]

Beyond Gold and Measure TAG. WORDS. xxx NOTES:

Naturally, with any learning experience, Arashi was nervous about allowing Ameko to join in this. In fact, there was a bit of hesitation on her part as well. Still, it seemed that she was managing to push it to the side with the aid of Kori. Though Arashi meant what she said in assuring her that she wasn't going to be alone. With this place being mostly sand, Arashi could just as easily appear to support with little effort. But, this wouldn't always be the case, and there came a time in which everyone had to just take that leap and hope for the best. She had given her enough tools to work with, and the academy had more than saw fit to promote her. In the end, it had to be enough...not to mention that the sight of those hyenas would likely put the two guards on pause and open with no effort at all... "Alright then...lets kick their ass..." With a toothy grin meeting her own, she'd nod before rising back to her feet, Ai still perched on her shoulders as she narrowed her focus on the ruins. She'd need to make sure that this was enough to draw them into the cover of the open ruins. At the very least, keep them seeking shelter and unable to deter further out. It would be relying heavily on the natural impulse of survival, and the need to ensure that their ranks did the same. In performing eight hand seals, the young woman would watch as a wave of sand began to rise up in the distance, creating a field that seemed to float overhead. As the wave splintered, it was easy to hear the commotion starting to stir within the area, the guards seeing this and soon finding themselves being washed over by a rapidly growing storm. The area seemed almost like it were in the middle of a blizzard, leaving it challenging to see or even move. As orders were yelled out to seek cover, Arashi would turn to face Ameko, nodding her head before she herself began to move in with her pack behind her. Intending to keep to her part of the plan, the Jounin would move toward the center as her pack split off to the right. Leaving Nai to guide the others, the large wolf would appear almost like a white blur upon the two shinobi, on the right, tackling them to the ground as Kai and the others did the same to the other, surrounded them swiftly. While it would be hard to see, they'd release their position quickly as the pack growled and snarled at their captured prey. Though it would be a challenge to ignore the noise, the center gate keeper would quickly find his own problems in that of Arashi, who had charged in with a animal like leap, pushing them against the wall as she hooked her legs around them. Reaching out to slam their head against the surface behind them, she'd release her target as they slid to the ground, rising back up before checking their pulse. "What? He'll live..." As Ai whined slightly, she'd then kneel down low as she could see the other seven huddled within the area. Some were using the rustic homes and structures as cover, others were attempting to try and wither the storm itself to keep an eye out for the others. Though the one that seemed to stand at the heart of it was much larger, marked with blood spots that made almost a symbol. These markings were indicators of leadership in some circles, making him the primary target. Still, she waited to engage, her senses still reached out for Ameko and her own efforts on the other side. Her sand storm still in effect as it powered through the area, but giving a very visible sightline to Arashi as she could see her through 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.

Enhanced Smell

Somehow, Arashi has gained an enhanced sense of smell. It appears that she’s been hanging around dogs for too long and has obtained a sense of smell that rivals that of a blood hound. In reality, she has simply discovered that by channeling some chakra to her nose she can enhance the cells within it and gain a super sense of smell that may act as a sensor and tracking technique. She can smell out strangers, steel and various other things. Arashi may retract her chakra from her nose as well to make her sense of smell return to normal. Due in most regards to her heavily enhanced sense of smell, With her continued usage of this ability, she has now become capable of near passively monitoring the exact range of a target and their positioning within 250 meters. (Able to turn "off and on" this enhanced sense at the 'prick' of chakra to her nose)

Hunter's Instinct

With her training from her mother, along with the lessons she learned from her time with the Saeko's Clan, Arashi adapted her tracking ability to a level similar to that of a sensory nin. As such, allowing her much more precision in her ability to find and keep on the heels of individual targets or groups through use of her enhanced sense of smell and ability to identify individuals and objects at long range.

-Jutsu Used-
NAME: Suna no sōzō: Sunaarashi[Sand Creation: Sand Storm]
RANK: A
CHAKRA USAGE: High I Medium Drain
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Fuuton
HANDSEALS: 8
DESCRIPTION:
Summoning a wave of sand, Arashi is capable of splintering it off into a haze like dust. Though in adding the element of fuuton, the dust is allowed spread out, becoming much like a screen. This acts as a cover for not only herself, but those that are within the epicenter of the event. Making it much more difficult for an opponent to attack or even see where their position is at a radius of two miles But the longer it is held upon the field, the more it drains Arashi of chakra.


NAME: Inu no ikari
[Wrath of Dog]

RANK: D

CHAKRA USAGE: Low

CLASSIFICATION: Taijutsu

ELEMENT: N/A

DESCRIPTION:

A technique that is meant to overwhelm a target, Wraith of Dog is a take-down attack that involves the user lunging towards their opponent and striking against them as a means to bring them down to the ground. Using a mixture of swift slashes, they strike at the face in a beat-down fashion, keeping their arm pinned with their knees, while attempting to assert their dominance or cause the target to submit into a defensive position.


-Items Used-
xSand Gourd
-Familiar Used-
x-Stray Pack

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Warai Ameko]

It was the first time that Ameko had seen anything like it, a sandstorm descending upon the ruins as if the God of the Desert itself had arisen in anger. For a moment, she stared, watching darkness and buffeting winds envelop the ruffians and the remnants they had taken as their own. Seeing Arashi glance toward her, Ameko turned her attention back to the jounin hanchou, answering the nod with one of her own. The dogs disappeared to the right, and Arashi moved toward the centre. That left Ameko and the hyenas to take the left. Her first real taste of battle, the first time that she and her bondmates would have to fight other humans. Worry frayed her nerves, but she centred herself, and whistled sharply. Three shapes travelled forth and to the left, allowing the sand to envelop them and obscure their vision. Ameko could not see for the life of her, her senses stolen by her ally’s jutsu. She gripped Yuki as the larger hyena ran alongside her, the animal serving as her guiding light in the dark, whilst Kori ran ahead, his sense of smell the stronger when it came to close quarters. The sound of the buffeting winds and the shouts of the men filled the air, only to be interrupted by a ghastly cackle. Kori’s laughter was like that of a ghost, low, soft and almost foreign to the material plane. The kind of call that made one question whether they’d seen it at all. She noted the position, and answered with a piercing whistle of her own. One that cut through the sound of the sand with far more certainty than the unearthly laughter of the hyena. A simple command, hold. Yuki, for his part, led Ameko toward another shape in the sand. A silhouette of a man being buffeted by the elements. With the darkness of the wind and the ravages of Arashi’s jutsu as cover, they closed in. Ameko whistled again. Drawing the attention of the man, but also giving the order to Kori. Attack. She lunged forward. The technique was still one that was new to her, and she could not claim the same experience or skill as her teacher, but it would work more than well enough. Wrath of the Dog was unleashed, and Ameko launched at the man. Her legs twisted around his torso, knees driving into his shoulders as their bodies collided into the ground with a thud. And then she struck, and struck, and struck. She wasn’t entirely sure what she was doing, but worries about him calling for help saw her modify the technique ever so slightly, her arm forced into the man’s mouth to silence him, his teeth digging into the flesh but achieving little beyond breaking the skin as she reigned damage on his temple with his freehand. The continuous, hammer-like blows would eventually see the strength drain from his body until he was still. But Ameko struck him a few more times for good measure, his breaths shallow but steady, before she was left straddling him, panting, and with adrenaline pumping through her blood. Her eyes were ablaze as she sat, only the soft padding of Kori’s footsteps drawing her attention back. His muzzle was red with blood. No doubt he had done as millenia of instinct had drilled into him, a simple lunge, strong jaws tightening around the throat of his prey, then a crunch. A wild animal unleashed. With the Warai group having achieved their objective, in a way that probably seemed more akin to the assault of a predator than a trained shinobi, Ameko turned her attention back toward the right of village, where Arashi had set off. Her eyes could not make out much through the sand, but she was certain there would be a sign, one that would denote the next part of their attack.

Oonakayama Arashi

[Oonakayama Arashi]

Beyond Gold and Measure TAG. WORDS. xxx NOTES:

With the first part of their plan a success, Arashi would check in to see the state of Ameko's end as she lingered in cover. It was easy to tell her movements next to that of the guards, along with her actions within the sand storm proving that she was capable of disabling them alongside the two hyenas. Which meant, the next phase could begin. While the blinding Sand Storm was difficult to manage for those unable to see or smell their way through it, it did manage to prove itself useful for those that could. Though their targets were somewhat spread out in attempt to find cover. One larger male remained at the heart of it, leading to two others at his back in a small ditch. Likely an opening deeper into the ruins. This left the hidden four that had taken cover close to the buildings, doing their best to try and manage the weather and seek out their now missing companions as they called out to them. This was an easy way to track them, and perhaps even deal with them without drawing attention, if done within succession. With Arashi preparing herself, the young woman would begin to inch toward the first, lowering the storm frequency slightly as to allow for a bit more visibility. As the wind blow lessened, she'd move toward the yelling scavenger, releasing a quick howl as Nai seemed to burst from out of the sand screen to the side, tackling the man to the ground as Arashi moved on ahead to the next. Noting his partner's sudden halt in speech, the second would prepare to make his way out of cover, not seeing the Kunochi as she hung from the side of the structure like a light fixture. Before he'd realize her presence, the Jounin was already upon him, taking them down to the ground before swiftly slamming her elbow against his face. The cry would hopefully be enough of indication for Ameko to move. At best, it would draw the attention of the others enough so that the girl could find an opening to strike. In either case, with the Sand Storm dying down, such coverage would soon be gone...

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.

Enhanced Smell

Somehow, Arashi has gained an enhanced sense of smell. It appears that she’s been hanging around dogs for too long and has obtained a sense of smell that rivals that of a blood hound. In reality, she has simply discovered that by channeling some chakra to her nose she can enhance the cells within it and gain a super sense of smell that may act as a sensor and tracking technique. She can smell out strangers, steel and various other things. Arashi may retract her chakra from her nose as well to make her sense of smell return to normal. Due in most regards to her heavily enhanced sense of smell, With her continued usage of this ability, she has now become capable of near passively monitoring the exact range of a target and their positioning within 250 meters. (Able to turn "off and on" this enhanced sense at the 'prick' of chakra to her nose)

Hunter's Instinct

With her training from her mother, along with the lessons she learned from her time with the Saeko's Clan, Arashi adapted her tracking ability to a level similar to that of a sensory nin. As such, allowing her much more precision in her ability to find and keep on the heels of individual targets or groups through use of her enhanced sense of smell and ability to identify individuals and objects at long range.

-Jutsu Used-
NAME: Suna no sōzō: Sunaarashi[Sand Creation: Sand Storm]
RANK: A
CHAKRA USAGE: High I Medium Drain
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Fuuton
HANDSEALS: 8
DESCRIPTION:
Summoning a wave of sand, Arashi is capable of splintering it off into a haze like dust. Though in adding the element of fuuton, the dust is allowed spread out, becoming much like a screen. This acts as a cover for not only herself, but those that are within the epicenter of the event. Making it much more difficult for an opponent to attack or even see where their position is at a radius of two miles But the longer it is held upon the field, the more it drains Arashi of chakra.

NAME: Kinobori no Waza [Act of Tree Climbing]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low [Continuous]
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
An advanced genin level technique, it serves as a means to both enhance chakra control when mastered as well as a means to change one's advantages on the battlefield. By applying chakra to the soles of the feet, the shinobi gains the ability to walk and stand on vertical surfaces or even upside down.


-Items Used-
xSand Gourd
-Familiar Used-
x-Stray Pack

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Warai Ameko]

The sand lowered somewhat in its intensity, and Ameko was able to make out vague shapes through the mess of copper and brown. Four shapes moved throughout the interior, their voices carrying short distances before being captured by the buffeting winds. Ameko moved into a crouch, inching ever closer to the pair closer to her, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of their downed comrades. A howl cut through the air, and Ameko’s head jerked in its direction. With the reduction in the storm’s intensity, she could vaguely make out a quadrupedal shape erupting from the sand and landing on one of the two further figures. The benefit of moving with Arashi and her pack was knowing that they were present, knowing what to look for, being aware of the existence of the predators. There had been no such luck for the inhabitants of the ruin. The pair closer to Ameko’s side of the field seemed to hear the cry as well, their heads craning to listen and to stare. Their lack of knowledge to their status as prey left them vulnerable. The pack leader had announced the attack, and Ameko and her hyenas moved in unison. Three parts of the same whole, their blood bond allowing their movements to coordinate beyond mundane means. The closer of the two figures was shorter, likely a woman or a rather short man, not that Ameko cared. She jumped toward them, landing with one movement, then striking them at the base of the neck with a palm strike with the next. They gargled as they slumped. Such a noise alerted their companion, but they found themselves leapt upon by the hyenas. Their attack was less controlled than that of their kunoichi partner, jaws closing for the kill without remorse. Simple, bestial thoughts drove them. Kori and Yuki were intelligent, but a hyena was not like a dog, not in truth. They were wild. Untamed. Killers. Ameko stood, her eyes avoiding the scene, and instead flicking around, trying to gather some kind of semblance of where the rest of the enemies may have been. The sand was dying down, but that did not mean she could make out the smaller group toward the ditch. Only Nai and Arashi’s shapes were visible. She frowned at that. Without vision, without sense, she felt stripped bare.

Oonakayama Arashi Jutsu Used SPOILER: Click to show NAME: Hashirihabatobi [Long Jump] RANK: E CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low CLASSIFICATION: Taijutsu ELEMENT: N/A HANDSEALS: 0 REQUIREMENT: Tai or Buki Spec / Alternatively any spec at Genin DESCRIPTION: The ultimate goal of a long jump is naturally the overall distance traveled. Making use of no chakra the user generally needs to rely on momentum they have built up while running before pushing off and positioning their legs forward so as to ensure they get even that little bit extra distance. Naturally the technique trains an individual to not only clear as much distance as possible, but also aids in ensuring that once their feet hit the ground they can quickly steady themselves.

[Oonakayama Arashi]

Beyond Gold and Measure TAG. WORDS. xxx NOTES:

Then there were three.... As the large male still struggled with gaining sight of his people, it appeared that the sounds around him were becoming more apparent to bring warning. Eyes narrowed over the bandana that covered his face, he'd gesture of the two behind him to move out from cover, prompting their numbers to be more apparent. With the Sand Storm finally fading away, and vision returning to the area, the light of the sun would prompt him to use a single hand as shield, only to see the sight of his men. Moment Music Each one that seemed on patrol around their camp...down...and some even bloodily mangled at the throat. With clear sight now returning, they would make out the images within the disappearing haze, revealing Arashi and Nai, soon back by the rest of her pack. What followed as they looked to their left was that of Ameko and her Hyenas, having already finished their kill. As the three stood surrounded by the two females, he'd yell out with a growl as his two companions readied themselves. "THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT!? You got some balls on ya! BOTH OF YAS!?" As Ai seemed to growl upon her shoulder, Arashi would casually place one hand on her hip before gesturing to the side as she glanced over to check on Ameko. Noting that she was fine, she'd signal with her head to watch the other two as she kept her sights on the larger one. "Sorry...didn't realize ya be mad...my bad...shame I don't have anymore fucks to give..." They had their targets cornered in, and their numbers were now far greater than before. It would be trouble for these three if they attempted to attack, but she wasn't so confident in their ability to realize this. "Still maybe ya can help with that...These ruins..." "Ain't nothing to tell ya bitches! Especially dead ones!" Raising her brow, Arashi would release a breath before then placing Ai on the ground as she began to make her approach. "We'll see bout that..." In that moment, it appeared that combat was to continue as the man lashed out in a charge toward the Jounin, leaving his two companions to look at one another before appearing to make a run for 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.

Enhanced Smell

Somehow, Arashi has gained an enhanced sense of smell. It appears that she’s been hanging around dogs for too long and has obtained a sense of smell that rivals that of a blood hound. In reality, she has simply discovered that by channeling some chakra to her nose she can enhance the cells within it and gain a super sense of smell that may act as a sensor and tracking technique. She can smell out strangers, steel and various other things. Arashi may retract her chakra from her nose as well to make her sense of smell return to normal. Due in most regards to her heavily enhanced sense of smell, With her continued usage of this ability, she has now become capable of near passively monitoring the exact range of a target and their positioning within 250 meters. (Able to turn "off and on" this enhanced sense at the 'prick' of chakra to her nose)

Hunter's Instinct

With her training from her mother, along with the lessons she learned from her time with the Saeko's Clan, Arashi adapted her tracking ability to a level similar to that of a sensory nin. As such, allowing her much more precision in her ability to find and keep on the heels of individual targets or groups through use of her enhanced sense of smell and ability to identify individuals and objects at long range.

-Jutsu Used-
.


-Items Used-
xSand Gourd
-Familiar Used-
x-Stray Pack

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Warai Ameko]

The sand abated, leaving three shapes remaining in the distance. The scent of copper filled Ameko’s nose, and she glanced down at the mangled form of the man who her hyenas had attacked. She’d certainly not intended that, but she had not ordered their deaths, she was not culpable for the slaughter. That much she could tell herself without issue. Three groups stood apart in the sand, Arashi and her pack, Ameko and her companions, and the survivors of those who had taken residence in the ruins of the village. The leader of the third group shouted, and Ameko’s head quirked to the side. She listened to his diatribe with disinterest, instead focusing her intention on the jounin hancho. A signal to watch the other two enemies was responded to with a subtle nod, and then a gentle movement of her head so that she could watch them. As Arashi and the largest of the militia traded barbs, Ameko’s attention was on the shaking forms of the two behind him. The tension hit a crescendo, the man lunged forward as if to attack Arashi. That left his offsiders and Ameko, the former took one look at one another, then began to run. Ameko’s face split into a snarl, "Hunt.” A single order, and she too moved forward. Yuki and Kori streamed out ahead of her, their increased speed allowing them to move ahead of their master, before she once again summoned chakra to her legs. Powerful legs carried her forward, giving the appearance of disappearing as she closed the distance with a leap. She had been forced to chase Arashi through the streets, hunting a couple of mooks was not difficult in comparison. She was upon them swiftly, their panicked focus having turned to the hyenas hunting them. Her tackle lacked grace, the genin effectively flinging herself at one of the runners, and taking them both down to the ground with a thud. His comrade cursed and continued to run for a further few paces, before he was set upon by the heavy forms of Yuki and Kori. "Don’t kill,” Ameko managed to bark the order as she forced her weight onto the back of the man she’d tackled. He struggled and yelped, but she was faster in drawing her kunai and holding it to his neck, "Don’t fucking move. Just give me a reason.” Adrenaline fueled her words more than confidence, but he stopped struggling soon thereafter. Snarls and the sounds of snapping jaws, accompanied by yelps of fear and pain, notified Ameko that the other was suitably restrained. Turning her head, Ameko watched Arashi and the last of the men, curiosity piqued. She’d never actually seen the jounin in battle proper.

Oonakayama Arashi Jutsu Used SPOILER: Click to show NAME: Shunpo [Flash Step] RANK: D CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low CLASSIFICATION: Taijutsu ELEMENT: N/A HANDSEALS: 0 DESCRIPTION: The first principle of Senkouken is speed- Being able to act quickly and efficiently. Senkou's core move thus is a technique that allows the user to propel themselves forward by allowing for a sudden push of chakra through their legs and down to eventual strike from their feet onto the ground, propelling themselves at a speed that their movements become a blur. Skilled user's may project themselves at a point where they are no longer seen, and may utilize multiple steps in their attack. Shunpo has been know to be similar to Shuushin since they both hold the same principle of increasing ones physical states to increase speed. This jutsu is only to be primaraly used for handful of steps since its primary use is for close range combat. The longer the distance the more strain on the muscles will occur. If the user uses this jutsu over 5 meters in a single burst it will cause server damage in the leg muscles. [Counts towards Shunshin 4 Times per thread]

[Oonakayama Arashi]

Beyond Gold and Measure TAG. WORDS. xxx NOTES:

Moment Music When faced with a target that clearly outmatched you in size and possible strength, it was often the rule to either outsmart them or evade them and find an opening within their position. The most natural response to anything that was large enough to trample you would be to move out of the way, though Arashi had developed more than a few different methods in which to deal with such odds. More often than not, she'd approach them directly. With chakra applied to her lower limbs, the young woman would slide herself beneath his incoming strike, creating two hand seals with her body appearing on the opposite end of him as he twisted himself around as if to meet her face to face. Though as he did, he'd find her leg already crossing his face, her body positioned with her knee upright as sparks crossed the length of her frame. What came after was a series of rapid strikes from her single extended foot, moving swiftly from different points of the man's frame. As electricity popped with each impact, she'd stop short of aiming for his head as the man's body seemed to fall limb. The sting of each of her strikes, charged with Raiton, had been enough to stun his movements. Which, in the end, was the intention as he struggled to try and compose himself. As his body remained limb, Arashi would lower her leg as she then walked around him with a narrowed expression. Her hand would glow briefly, revealing the curse marks across her palm as he pressed her hand against his back, from there, it would feel as if he had been pushed backward, his body falling to the ground with a thud, the sound of groaning escaping his lungs as he struggled to breath. "How bout now?" Raising her brow, she'd glance over to check on Ameko and her charges yet again, looking to see that they had managed to have success in their own ventures capturing the two runaways. With a smirk across her lips, Arashi would then place one hand on her hip before looking back down toward her opponent. "I'd call that a successful herding..."

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.

Enhanced Smell

Somehow, Arashi has gained an enhanced sense of smell. It appears that she’s been hanging around dogs for too long and has obtained a sense of smell that rivals that of a blood hound. In reality, she has simply discovered that by channeling some chakra to her nose she can enhance the cells within it and gain a super sense of smell that may act as a sensor and tracking technique. She can smell out strangers, steel and various other things. Arashi may retract her chakra from her nose as well to make her sense of smell return to normal. Due in most regards to her heavily enhanced sense of smell, With her continued usage of this ability, she has now become capable of near passively monitoring the exact range of a target and their positioning within 250 meters. (Able to turn "off and on" this enhanced sense at the 'prick' of chakra to her nose)

Ichibi Curse Seal
The only ability Arashi has competent control over, this is the ability to utilize the curse seal marks over Shukaku’s body for her own bidding. Arashi can will the seals to cover her own body and control them to form various seals to preform fuuinjutsu from her own skin. As such, she can summon weapons she has sealed within them and rearrange the seals to be able to perform various fuuinjutsu that she has knowledge of without scrolls by using her own skin. She may also seal items within the curse marks and rearrange them to perform an unrelated technique before reforming them to summon the item at a later date.

Mark of the Beast
Feral Taijutsu techniques created through her influence and time among her Canine companions, Arashi has relied on these skills to get her through the streets and outskirts of Sunagakure for years during her time among them. While capable of keeping her alive among some of the worst people the Desert has to offer, overtime, she had to refine them and her usage of them due to her dependence of her Sand Shield and her lack of real physical contact over the years.

With her growing connection to Shukaku, she has better utilized these abilities in her Chakra mode states and has only recently implemented them in her overall combat strategy as they come in situations. Her training with her mother has also worked toward her developing and using her enhanced strength through her ties to her Tailed beast to better implement these techniques in her combat. This makes her much more versatile.

In this, her strikes are more impactful, though unchanneled like most Taijutsu Specialist. Wild as they are, they remain unpredictable and give a small advantage in their usage as they can come from any direction and at anytime, much like that of an attack Dog. Her endurance and agility are also improved upon taking on a more feral approach and taking much of her evasion to not just experience, but instinct. As the creator of this style, she has the knowledge of what each technique can do, and how to properly throw each attack, making her attacks more likely of success, despite their more than unorthodox approach.

Fuuinjutsu Savant

Within her youth, Arashi had always been a natural when it came to the art of sealing techniques. Trained under one of it's great masters, her skill and understanding of this nearly forgotten artform only grew and has become more seasoned over time. With this knowledge, the shinobi is capable of identifying the nature and abilities of a seal just by looking at it, mapping out their structure, strength, and abilities based on previous experience and her own studies with the craft. This skill also allows for her own seals to become much stronger in their usage, extend their duration people(1 post), able to modify them to suit a specific situation or to quickly implement them in the field.

-Jutsu Used-
.
NAME: Shitamuki inu

[Downward Dog]

RANK: C

CHAKRA USAGE: Medium

CLASSIFICATION: Taijutsu

ELEMENT: Fuuton

DESCRIPTION:

A combination of elemental chakra into a physical aspect. Downward dog uses the intense speed granted by the application of chakra from the user to slip beneath the target and attempt to trip them with the use of Fuuton. In a sweeping motion of the legs, the user attempts to cause the target to fall upon their back and push them away at 5 feet if successful, It is also capable of positioning the user on the opposite side of the target through use of the sliding movement of their strike.

NAME: Raiton: Kaminari Keri no Jutsu [Lightning Release: Thunder Kicks Technique]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Medeium
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Raiton
HANDSEALS: 2
DESCRIPTION:
After pushing Raiton chakra into the user's legs, the legs shall began to generate lightning surrounding, giving an almost appearance as if the users legs were lightning itself, making it so that the user's kicks paralyze wherever they strike on the opponent for a few seconds.

NAME: Oshiishi [Stone Weight]
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Low to Very High
CLASSIFICATION: Fūinjutsu
DESCRIPTION:
An advanced version of Senkin that can be used in an offensive manner. One that requires the user to write the specific seal and weight in kanji upon the object or person of their desire. Weight is variable, anywhere from a few pounds to a ton. When placed on a persons clothes, it is possible for those to crush that person or simply render them immobile. It can also be used as an incarceration technique, if placed on the skin it will not crush but simply render immobile. The seal can be broken with a specific burst of chakra into the seal, much like water and wall walking. Though this naturally requires some knowledge on the art of Fūinjutsu [spec or SA]. The variable weight of the jutsu will increase the cost the greater the variable.

Low (0-500lbs)
Med (500lbs - 1/2 ton)
High (>1/2 ton - 1500 lbs)
Very High (1500lbs - 1 ton)


-Items Used-
xSand Gourd
-Familiar Used-
x-Stray Pack

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Warai Ameko]

Impressed. The singular word summarised the well of emotions that filled Ameko as she watched Arashi take on the leader of the little group of bandits, or militia, or whatever it was they were, with apparent ease. One moment he was rushing toward her, and it was the sole moment where he appeared to have any semblance of control. For Arashi fluttered out of existence, lightning and rapid strikes emanating from her comparatively small form, colliding with different parts of his body in swift succession. What was so awe-inspiring, however, was what wasn’t demonstrated. Ameko knew, she knew, that Arashi was still holding back. The display of raw power and speed she’d just witnessed was far from the summit of the jounin’s powers. One day, she thought idly. One day she would reach that same peak, one day she would become a shinobi who could rival even the great Oonakayama Arashi. The thought filled her with a predatory glee, the thrill of the chase, the desire to achieve strength and to carve her name through force into the annals of history. It would come. One day. It would come. As Arashi walked around the downed man, using some sort of jutsu that Ameko could not pretend to understand, she pressed the kunai against her own opponent’s throat, a trickle of blood fell to the sand below. "Stay still,” She ordered the whimpering form, before whistling harshly. Kori broke off from his brother, taking position around the downed opponent, snapping and forcing him to the ground. Ameko took the opportunity to avail herself of the defeated pair, the kunai returned to her belt with a flourish. Shooting a cocky smirk at Arashi, Ameko placed her hands behind her head, "Mission complete. Not bloody bad, is it?” The genin quirked her head for a moment, before asking seriously, "So, uh… Who are these guys?”

Oonakayama Arashi

[Oonakayama Arashi]

Beyond Gold and Measure TAG. WORDS. xxx NOTES:

"Nope....not at all....Nicely done....still feelin nervous?" With her head tilted, she'd flash a toothy grin as she watched Ameko approach after a bit of time. The security of the ruins had been maintained rather quickly after dismantling the group that had occupied it. What was likely the funniest part was that it was done by two shinobi and their animal companions. Not ordinary companions, but still funny in a sense. Of course, had they been more trained, it was possible such an incursion would have been more difficult. But coverage and careful planning had given them the advantage, and now they had access to the location in full. A simple glance of the surroundings would show that while Ameko's hyena had their end covered, Arashi's pack and done their part as well. Nai was easily a commander in her own right, barking out instructions to the others as Kai would sit himself upon one of the men, slobbering happily as Bai scolded his aloof demeanor. The others were spread out as well in watching the rest of the downed individuals, with even Ai having done his part by watching the front with Jai. In hearing the question of just who these men were, Arashi would look down at the now unconscious man, her expression calm before releasing a breath. "Pretty much what was expected from their behavior....Scavengers...apparently they came across this place a few days ago and decided to make camp after a raid..." It wasn't the most hopeful news... "They had managed to find an old man here...took his wares and basically shuffled him off...Everything they collected is down there..." Pointing toward the inside of the ruins, Arashi would close her eyes with a serious expression. "He said it was just trinkets and supplies...but if I was a bettin girl...which I am...they got somethin from the old man that might be of use...." At best, it might be whatever the previous occupant had found something here to warrant his own stay. It seemed odd for them to have remained here alone and so close to the village. Perhaps he had been here for some time, or at the very least, had come across something that was important enough to stick around. "One way to find out..." That said, Arashi would begin to make her way downward, checking to be sure of possible pitfalls.

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.

Enhanced Smell

Somehow, Arashi has gained an enhanced sense of smell. It appears that she’s been hanging around dogs for too long and has obtained a sense of smell that rivals that of a blood hound. In reality, she has simply discovered that by channeling some chakra to her nose she can enhance the cells within it and gain a super sense of smell that may act as a sensor and tracking technique. She can smell out strangers, steel and various other things. Arashi may retract her chakra from her nose as well to make her sense of smell return to normal. Due in most regards to her heavily enhanced sense of smell, With her continued usage of this ability, she has now become capable of near passively monitoring the exact range of a target and their positioning within 250 meters. (Able to turn "off and on" this enhanced sense at the 'prick' of chakra to her nose)

Ichibi Curse Seal
The only ability Arashi has competent control over, this is the ability to utilize the curse seal marks over Shukaku’s body for her own bidding. Arashi can will the seals to cover her own body and control them to form various seals to preform fuuinjutsu from her own skin. As such, she can summon weapons she has sealed within them and rearrange the seals to be able to perform various fuuinjutsu that she has knowledge of without scrolls by using her own skin. She may also seal items within the curse marks and rearrange them to perform an unrelated technique before reforming them to summon the item at a later date.

Mark of the Beast
Feral Taijutsu techniques created through her influence and time among her Canine companions, Arashi has relied on these skills to get her through the streets and outskirts of Sunagakure for years during her time among them. While capable of keeping her alive among some of the worst people the Desert has to offer, overtime, she had to refine them and her usage of them due to her dependence of her Sand Shield and her lack of real physical contact over the years.

With her growing connection to Shukaku, she has better utilized these abilities in her Chakra mode states and has only recently implemented them in her overall combat strategy as they come in situations. Her training with her mother has also worked toward her developing and using her enhanced strength through her ties to her Tailed beast to better implement these techniques in her combat. This makes her much more versatile.

In this, her strikes are more impactful, though unchanneled like most Taijutsu Specialist. Wild as they are, they remain unpredictable and give a small advantage in their usage as they can come from any direction and at anytime, much like that of an attack Dog. Her endurance and agility are also improved upon taking on a more feral approach and taking much of her evasion to not just experience, but instinct. As the creator of this style, she has the knowledge of what each technique can do, and how to properly throw each attack, making her attacks more likely of success, despite their more than unorthodox approach.

Fuuinjutsu Savant

Within her youth, Arashi had always been a natural when it came to the art of sealing techniques. Trained under one of it's great masters, her skill and understanding of this nearly forgotten artform only grew and has become more seasoned over time. With this knowledge, the shinobi is capable of identifying the nature and abilities of a seal just by looking at it, mapping out their structure, strength, and abilities based on previous experience and her own studies with the craft. This skill also allows for her own seals to become much stronger in their usage, extend their duration people(1 post), able to modify them to suit a specific situation or to quickly implement them in the field.

-Jutsu Used-
.



-Items Used-
xSand Gourd
-Familiar Used-
x-Stray Pack

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Warai Ameko]

"Me? Nervous? Never,” Ameko lied through a smile. It didn’t matter if Arashi bought it or not, what mattered was that she maintained the facade. Ameko approached, outwardly relaxed but evidently still on edge to some degree. In comparison to the feral canine-like movements that she had taken on in combat, her movement was more cat-like, as if constantly ready to pounce. It was an unconscious action, but one born out of nervousness she refused to admit. Their victory, and knowing that the pack and the brothers were serving as prison guard helped to lower that worry somewhat, but she could not help the animalistic fear that seemed to well inside of her whenever faced with proper combat. All she could do was try to channel it. Or ignore it and engage in conversation. That was an equally good, no, better, option. Ameko hissed through her teeth, "Raid? Bandits then… Don’t the daimyo bloody well ever do anything? Feel like there are bandits taking root in forts every second day.” She spat into the sand, before rubbing the back of her head sheepishly, "S’beside the point, though…” She sniffed at the statement as to the old man, she didn’t feel the need to raise the obvious. An elder stripped off his belongings and cast into the desert. Sunagakure wasn’t far away, but it wasn’t as if Ameko had heard of someone stumbling upon the village. It did not bode well for his continued existence. The desert was cruel. Kaze no kuni was cruel. "Reasonable bet,” Ameko glared at the leader of the scavengers, "‘Aint like scum ever tell the truth anyway.” Falling in behind Arashi, Ameko would cast glances back to the hyenas, whistling and clicking her tongue in a wordless order to continue their watch. She doubted that the pack would draw the away from their duty to play, the old wolf had that group under control. Instead, Ameko followed her fellow human down, allowing the more experienced kunoichi to take the lead in ensuring they weren’t about to collapse into a trap. "So…” Ameko ventured, "Why go to all this trouble anyway? Something in particular you need to know?”

Oonakayama Arashi

[Oonakayama Arashi]

Beyond Gold and Measure TAG. WORDS. xxx NOTES:

"Sorta...." Arashi would respond as she continued her descent into the depths of the opening, finding only small bits of light that managed through the cracks along the surface of the walls and the clear age that had slowly starting to melt away the signs of ever having been a place of worship or perhaps a shelter. As she continued to move forward, she'd stop at the bottom, noting the collection of mild trinkets and supplies within the corner, twisting her face a bit as she then began looking at the walls with more interest. "Like I said before...I was hopin that this place might have a record of the previous group that lived here. Often signs of life come with at least some recognition or depiction of the people that owned it. This place is supposed to be one of the villages established by the Oonakayama, so I was betting that with their habit of book-keepin, they'd have some semblance of it here...Course...there was also our new friends topside..." Examining the wall, she'd see the image and symbols drawn etched into the rock, prompting her to continue to speak as she pressed her hand against it. "Scavengers aren't known to stay in one place for too long. A few days after a raid, they'd want to clear out as quickly as possible. Makes little sense to settle up so close to Suna right?" Saying this, she'd raise her brow before then cupping her hand beneath her face as she tilted her head to the side. "Then the old man...I assumed that the blood likely came from their previous raid....the smell of it was old enough to match the time frame in which big dickest mentioned...but the closer we got to this area...the more recent the smell got...meaning they only recently killed someone here...probably the old man..." As her hand rested on her hip, she'd gesture toward the other part of the wall, showing the body of a man that had been carved open at the chest, yet the arms showed signs of torture. "They kept him alive for somethin....and like ya said...scum lie..." Narrowing her eyes, Arashi would then make her way toward the fallen body, kneeling down in front of it as she then looked into their eyes. Clear terror rested on the old man's face, though Arashi was gentle in her touch of closing them completely. His attire was much like any traveling merchant, yet there was clear signs of wealth in his appearance. From the pressed skin around the fingers that likely held rings, to the position of the cut where he was opened, rather than at the middle, it appeared as if it had been scalped at a point to avoid hitting something. "Whatever he was hiding...it was worth the beatin he got to keep it quiet...probably why they hadn't cleared out...they were lookin for somethin too..." Saying this, Arashi would then rise back to her feet, brushing her hair from her face as she then continued to scan the area. "Quiz time....Looking about this area...and judging by the treatment this man got...and what we know of our targets actions in stashing trinkets and supplies....what do wager their hunt was for?" The trinkets themselves were various in value, but most of the pieces appeared far from recent. In fact, they looked old. The supplies were also recent, and less likely to have been horded over time due to the recent movement of the group. The old man, the collection of trinkets, and the recent supply stash.... "Use what ya know...They were moving in a group of twelve...thats twelve people that could act in a group and they had little fear of being caught...or at least...so long as they kept anyone from spillin...The old man had been here already...and wasn't talkin...This place was lost to time...no one has any knowledge of it unless ya really went out lookin...and even then...its not like they had a map..." As she checked the next wall behind the body, she'd feel the texture as being far smoother than the other side, holding it close to her face as she held a calm expression. It's not Auramite...Good...still...somethin was keepin this guy from talkin... Arashi would then cross her arms as she looked around once more. "Lets see if ya can hit the mark twice..."

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.

Enhanced Smell

Somehow, Arashi has gained an enhanced sense of smell. It appears that she’s been hanging around dogs for too long and has obtained a sense of smell that rivals that of a blood hound. In reality, she has simply discovered that by channeling some chakra to her nose she can enhance the cells within it and gain a super sense of smell that may act as a sensor and tracking technique. She can smell out strangers, steel and various other things. Arashi may retract her chakra from her nose as well to make her sense of smell return to normal. Due in most regards to her heavily enhanced sense of smell, With her continued usage of this ability, she has now become capable of near passively monitoring the exact range of a target and their positioning within 250 meters. (Able to turn "off and on" this enhanced sense at the 'prick' of chakra to her nose)

Ichibi Curse Seal
The only ability Arashi has competent control over, this is the ability to utilize the curse seal marks over Shukaku’s body for her own bidding. Arashi can will the seals to cover her own body and control them to form various seals to preform fuuinjutsu from her own skin. As such, she can summon weapons she has sealed within them and rearrange the seals to be able to perform various fuuinjutsu that she has knowledge of without scrolls by using her own skin. She may also seal items within the curse marks and rearrange them to perform an unrelated technique before reforming them to summon the item at a later date.




-Jutsu Used-
.



-Items Used-
xSand Gourd
-Familiar Used-
x-Stray Pack

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Warai Ameko]

Ameko was silent as she listened, the words pouring into her as she considered the meanings behind them. She could not pretend to understand the politics and the history of the Oonakayama, try as she might to wrap her head around what was being relayed to her. Villages and book-keeping, it was almost as if the clan operated as a state in its own right. She supposed that wasn’t abnormal. So many of the clans that had risen to power in Sunagakure, in any of the villages she was aware of, had been powerful entities in their own right before the advent of the ninja village. Yet it still seemed so foreign to her, like a world she could peer at but never quite grasp. But those thoughts were secondary to the more pressing matter, the scent of blood, the tale of the old man. Ameko did not need her mentor’s enhanced senses to taste the iron on the air. It was faint, a remnant of a remnant, but she recognised the scent all the same. Like she had stepped into the butchery at home. And it was butchery that had been inflicted upon the man. Torturous marks carved into his chest, fear left as a ghost upon his visage. Ameko paled somewhat, before grinding her teeth harshly, the sound reverberating in her head. "Fuckers…” She growled the word, the sound forming in the pit of her diaphragm and escaping through her teeth, nostrils flaring as the scent of blood flooded into them. Bestial anger threatened to swallow her, and she had to swallow herself in order to dial it back, force herself to focus on the present. This was a mission. Like any other. She had seen death before. She would see it again. "I-” Ameko shook her head at Arashi’s question, before looking down at her feet, trying to centre her thoughts in the face of the grisly sight, "Sorry, yeah, give me a moment.” A pause. A breath in. And she could think. It did not take long for the realisation to dawn upon her, for the puzzle pieces to click. They had tortured a man in the search of information, they had risked life and limb in doing so, they had scrounged for trinkets that looked aged, worn. "They’re after the same thing you are,” Ameko blurted out, words forming before she could process them, "They want information, they want to know whatever the fuck happened here… But… But they’re scavengers, raiders, organised, sure, but not like a fuckin’ militia or squad or something. It doesn’t make sense why they’d be even looking for something here, something that doesn’t have monetary value…” "... They were being paid. Someone put them up to this, someone was making it worth their while to find the secret of this kami-forsaken ruin.” Ameko’s eyes widened suddenly, "You have to have an idea as to who.”

Oonakayama Arashi

[Oonakayama Arashi]

Beyond Gold and Measure TAG. WORDS. xxx NOTES:

Arashi knew that sensation....that outrage to the brutality of those that would and could inflict such horrors... She'd seen it more times than she could count at this point, but that didn't make it any easier to stomach. There would have been a time when Arashi would have easily rushed out from the ruins and killed the ones responsible and not bat a eye at the consequences that followed. It wouldn't be a challenge at all to pretend that they'd died in a number of ways before being taken in. But Arashi had grown from that girl who was so quick to react and punish the wicked with swift death. The drive was still there, but she had learned to better control such instincts. Ameko was still young and she'd have to do the same...Thankfully...she was off to a great start in focusing on the matter at hand. In listening to her take on the situation, Arashi would remain silent, allowing the girl to focus. She'd take in the details and place them together in what she could make out. Creating what could be a full picture...or at least a partial one... As she finished, Arashi would look at her with her hand placed at her side. Staring at the old man, she'd note the emblem on his chest before then glancing back toward her with a calm expression. "Maybe...." She'd seen that emblem before...recalling it from some time ago. It was only for the briefest of moments...but it was the same kind. While it was possible that this man was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, it was clear that the scavengers had been hired by someone to search this place. More than that, they were also meant to collect anything and everything they could. But that was a mission for another day... "Anyway...Different problem for a different day..." A small smile rested on her face as she then gestured with her hand as the smile faded. "You did amazing out there and I couldn't have been more proud..." She was genuine when she said this, keeping her eyes locked on her as she continued to speak. "What ya felt when ya saw this man....what they did....you keep that feeling....and ya keep using it to ensure things like this don't happen...ya won't always make it in time...but that rage that comes from seeing just how fucked up a person can be...use that when ya work to prevent it from happening to the ones ya can help...its easy to lose sight of what we're supposed to do out here and allow for emotions to run us...but sometimes...rage is good...controlled rage...is unstoppable...."

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.

Enhanced Smell

Somehow, Arashi has gained an enhanced sense of smell. It appears that she’s been hanging around dogs for too long and has obtained a sense of smell that rivals that of a blood hound. In reality, she has simply discovered that by channeling some chakra to her nose she can enhance the cells within it and gain a super sense of smell that may act as a sensor and tracking technique. She can smell out strangers, steel and various other things. Arashi may retract her chakra from her nose as well to make her sense of smell return to normal. Due in most regards to her heavily enhanced sense of smell, With her continued usage of this ability, she has now become capable of near passively monitoring the exact range of a target and their positioning within 250 meters. (Able to turn "off and on" this enhanced sense at the 'prick' of chakra to her nose)

Ichibi Curse Seal
The only ability Arashi has competent control over, this is the ability to utilize the curse seal marks over Shukaku’s body for her own bidding. Arashi can will the seals to cover her own body and control them to form various seals to preform fuuinjutsu from her own skin. As such, she can summon weapons she has sealed within them and rearrange the seals to be able to perform various fuuinjutsu that she has knowledge of without scrolls by using her own skin. She may also seal items within the curse marks and rearrange them to perform an unrelated technique before reforming them to summon the item at a later date.




-Jutsu Used-
.



-Items Used-
xSand Gourd
-Familiar Used-
x-Stray Pack

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Warai Ameko]

Rationalising wasn’t difficult. Life, at the end of the day, was not something that would last forever. Humans were animals like any other, and death would come for them as well. The old man was a stranger, and whilst the brutality of his death made Ameko furious, she held no love nor loyalty for him. He would not need to be avenged by her hand. At least that was what she told herself. She could not silence the want, the need, to put down the wild animals that had done this to him, however. As long as the jackals masquerading as men lived, then her family, her pack, could be in danger. They would need to be sorted. It was the way of the world. Death came for all. The mess of thoughts and emotions that swelled within her prevented Ameko from realising at first that Arashi’s small smile hid unspoken confessions. There were matters that weren’t being shared, there was something about the old man that was familiar. But it was as the woman said, a matter for a different day. Whatever the secret that had died on his lips was, whatever the secrets the ruin held, it had been stained in blood. And blood dripped from Arashi’s advice all the same. It was what Ameko needed to hear, it was what she needed to ground herself. Her emotions, they made sense, they were natural… they were powerful. Her rage, her fury, it could be used. It could be unleashed. "Thanks,” Her voice cracked for a moment, both out of anger and out of genuine embarrassment at being praised, at hearing the young woman was proud of her. "These ‘men’,” The word was acrid on her tongue, "They can’t live after this, not so close to Suna… Whoever the fuck hired them is an enemy of the village, no? That means they’re enemies…” Her words were heated, fiery. She had to protect her own. Arashi had to understand that.

Oonakayama Arashi