[Sega]

Iwagakure's civil war was well underway. Revolutionaries and Loyalists had scattered all around the expansive country of Tsuchi no Kuni in order to secure vital parts of the country for their respective sides. In the country's West lied an important river. Several merchants had their goods transported across the river because it was a cheap and speedy way to have them directly moved into the village.

The Akan River was located in a lush valley. Both sides of the river had thick patches of greenery which a skilled shinobi could easily hide in. On the 50 meter wide river, one could see the occasional raft with all sorts of merchandise. The volume of goods had been severely diminished due to the ongoing conflict. Both sides of the valley seemingly had stairs that would lead on to the top of tall plateaus. In comparison to most of Tsuchi no Kuni, the elevation of Akan was certainly lower. On opposite sides of the 50 meter river, Yutakato Keiko and Noihime Yoshiko would find each other and commence in battle.

SPOILER: Click to show

Rules:

Each member has 48 hours to post before being skipped.

If you have some extenuating circumstance that doesn't allow you to post in that time, please inform staff and we may give you a small extension.

If you're skipped your opponent is allowed to make some of their attacks hit and if you're skipped twice in a row, their attacks may be more lethal.

STAFF ADVISES THAT MEMBERS MUST KEEP CIVIL, AND TRY TO HAVE FUN. STAFF WILL DO THEIR BEST TO KEEP THINGS FAIR, AND HOPE THAT MEMBERS CAN RESOLVE THINGS BETWEEN THEMSELVES. IF NOT, STAFF CAN INTERVENE, BUT FIGHTING BEFORE OR AFTER THIS INTERVENTION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN A BATTLE WILL BE SEVERELY LOOKED DOWN UPON AND WILL RESULT IN BOTH PLAYERS BEING BOOTED FROM THE EVENT. PATIENCE, AND UNDERSTANDING ARE THE ONLY THINGS THAT WILL MAKE THIS ALL RUN SMOOTHLY. REMEMBER, STAFF'S WORD OVER A BATTLE IS FINAL.

[Yutakako Keiko]

This wasn’t how Keiko imagined she would be returning home.

Upon hearing the Iwa was moving towards war, that the village was going to split itself in two to try and gain power, Keiko set out for her home. She had once lived in the Land of Earth along side others of the clan of Yutakako. She loved those people but had decided to carve out her name beyond the walls of the clan’s settlement. The world called to her, literally. But now she was back. Keiko had been inwardly urged to protect her family and her clan. To be there for them in a time of war within the very walls she grew up in. Seeing as Iwa wasn’t at war with Taki or with Master Ryu, she didn’t see the issue with immediately leaving the Village of Takigakure. She was needed elsewhere and she would go.

The young girl had been joined by a boy that she barely knew. One that she had taken a single mission with. But he was fierce. He had been briefly mentioned by her adoptive mother about sparring with Ryu. He was of a different clan of the village of Taki. At the slip of a tongue when she mentioned Iwa, he had volunteered and possibly even pushed to accompany/lead her to Iwagakure and join in the fighting. The two left and made it to Iwagakure with little incident. Nature rarely dared defy her and the Yamakira was none too friendly a sight to passerbys.

Keiko had found her clan preparing for war. While some of the members seemed divided and not totally sure on what they would do, the Empress had given her call on what the decision should be. While not all clan members agreed with her, Keiko had decided to follow the way of one member who her parents had always admired. Amaterasu. A skilled but somewhat reckless shinobi. Keiko would choose to fight alongside this woman, as well as alongside her immediate family. Part of the rebellion. She would be given tasks by those that headed the movement. Sometimes small tasks of fetching supplies and other times scouting. This particular day she was sent to a river. This river often had merchandise flowing in its waters. They wanted to make sure this land was not in enemy hands and that they could claim it and keep their supplies and needs fueled by the land.

This is where Keiko found herself. The Akan River was beautiful. She remembered many a times she had traveled away from the clan compound and just say and listened to the gentle breeze and water. Nature was magnificent. As was this place. Even traveling there Keiko had been at peace. The animals sang their sweet melody, the wind caressed her skin, the ground urged her onwards. Life was on her side. In no short amount of time, Keiko would find herself at the river. Grinning brightly, as only the Lizard Princess could, she would run alongside the bank of the river. Heading upstream at an easy and brisk pace. All seemed calm and as it should be, only a few times did she see rafts cross her vision. It was sad… the weakening of her village. But hopefully something new could be reborn.

That’s when she caught sight of another figure. It was hard to mistake such a person, especially for one who had grown up in Iwagakure. Nohime Yoshiko. The child of the current TsuchiKage. It seemed the day was calling for the Princesses to meet. Her smile drawing into a more confident and commanding pleased expression, she would slow her pace and stop along the bank just opposite the Nohime.

"PRINCESS NOHIME. THE LIZARD PRINCESS HAS CLAIMED THIS LAND FOR THE REBELLION!”

The words were almost joyful sounding, though the girl was dead serious. She wasn’t about to let this river be taken by the daughter of her current enemy. This was war! The echoing words would surely reach the Nohime girl, though Keiko made no further movement to attack. Surely Yoshiko would retreat.

[Nohime Yoshiko]

Yoshiko couldn't believe the conflict which broke out in her fathers absence, it was disgusting to see her fellow shinobi turn against her father. It'd been such a short time since the last civil war, so it seemed that these people took after her father who'd lead the last. Maybe it was due justice for the things that'd happened, but Yoshiko couldn't help feeling awful for her father. She didn't even know where he was presently, but now without his presence his people seemed to want him dead. They wanted to destroy the strong nation he attempted to forge, it was sad to be pinned against countrymen, but Yoshiko had been put to those odds before once.

She truly hoped this conflict could end with less death, but her father had acted in away to sweep over a short time. They had his image to follow in, but could this rebellion perform such a sweep? The odds were much more divided now than then, but whose to say that wasn't a good thing. Yoshiko hoped whatever came of this dispute that Iwagakure could recover, but she was a loyalist to the bone. She couldn't understand why others would want to turn on each other, her fathers conflict had made so much more sense to her. Everything this new rebellion seemed to be about was more or less foreign to her. 

She remembered the contributions her clan made, she remembered the great things her immediate family had done. Even the long past had her clan as a support beam to the village, they'd never been a weight upon it before, so she simply couldn't believe that's what they'd become. She never knew her clan to be predominantly greedy or even power hungry, so she didn't quite believe some of the complaints of her adversaries. She believed that there was more just a grudge towards her fathers war mindedness. He had ambitions even in her youth she could see as being to high. None of it excused her thoughts of the rebels.

Actually at the rivers shore, Yoshiko had arrived for a drink and had almost totally missed her adversary across the water. The girl after all was running around more like a child having fun than a shinobi on duty, it amazed Yoshiko even more when she'd been recognized, but the title lizard princess rang absolutely no bells. However Yoshiko had an eye for faces and with a little squinting recognized the figure across the way. "Keiko?" Yoshiko couldn't believe her eyes at first, she hadn't seen the girl in felt like too long, but she'd remember why and grumble under her breath. "Runaway returns just to be a traitor."

"FINE! I CLAIM THE RIVER!" Yoshiko would declare allowed, knowing the asset in this region was the river, but it was an asset to both sides. Maybe the rebels forgot that they were fighting their own, but Yoshiko couldn't think about them in such light. Especially not the girl who'd leave Iwagakure for one of it's allies, but Yoshiko less judged the girl on her decisions to leave and more judged her for returning. Tough times could of been avoided by this one. Yoshiko would untie her head band from her hip, as to pull it to her forehead, then pulling her hair back with the ends of the band. Yoshiko would tie her hair back in a pony tail, before she'd slowly walk onto the river. 

To Yoshiko the river meant more than a tactical advantage in the war, to her it was a show of her stone will and determination. The flow of the current wouldn't sway Yoshiko, as her chakra control was superb, she'd master water walking along time ago. To her this walk would be second nature, it might be one of few advantages she could hold against her opponent. It wouldn't seem like much, but it'd be a means in which Yoshiko might drain her opponents stamina. Personally Yoshiko didn't want to kill Keiko, but, "I hope you're ready for the consequences of this conflict." Yoshiko's words were more to the extent of her own experience.

Yoshiko wouldn't be able to forget the unrest she'd been part, it built her, but it destroyed so many. Even she held a scar or two close to her heart from those days. 

[Yutakako Keiko]

Yoshiko’s first words were lost to the younger girl. She did not know Yoshiko was speaking, the words were not loud enough over the distance or to be over the running water. A grin upon her face, the happy apprentice was chipper. Being outside was pretty great, if she did say so herself. For once, moisture wasn’t sticking to her like she had just jumped in a pond. Takigure got pretty moist. Her nature of keeping her skin covered was less of a problem today! Black fabric clung to her legs and fit closely to her small form, a burnt red tank top with thick ‘sleeves’ was much looser in comparison to her leg coverings, but she needed a red jacket over her arms in order to keep them covered. This was left open, letting the wind carry it easily open if it so chose. Nature had its way of toying with her.

Then came the loud words of the Tsuchi’s daughter. Seems she wouldn’t be retreating today. A quick scoff that still held Keiko’s prideful grin, she could barely believe her ears. Not only was she being silly, claim was already set upon this area by the Lizard Princess! But she was being silliER by not backing down. She was even getting herself all pretty to come and fight her? This was definitely different than Master Ryu. She would definitely be burned to a crisp by now if she had waited this long. Which is why Keiko then took off across the water. Focusing the chakra in her feet, she would dash across the river. The girl’s sheer amount of chakra almost bursting her forward across the waving ripples. A small load on a raft was still a good twenty meters upstream, flowing down, but nowhere getting in the way yet. The water as it should be. The air wisping around now and then. Her opponent just entering the waterfield.

Yoshiko would take time to talk, Keiko would take that time to form hand seals. Quickly approaching the other kunoichi, by the time Keiko was supposed to respond to foolish words, she had set her jutsu in place. Fireballs burst forward from the Katon experiences kunoichi, merely ten in number but each rushing ahead of Keiko to reach Yoshiko. They would be spread out, haphazard in their approach, but provide a tricky situation for the other girl to get clean out of. Keiko released this jutsu fifteen or so meters from Yoshiko. After their release, Keiko would keep her attention on the kunoichi to plan her next move of attack, all while still rushing forward to gain close proximity.

She was already ready for the consequences. Every day, Ryu wanted her to face that which every human eventually did. Death.

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: Housenka no Jutsu [Phoenix Sage Fire Technique]
Rank: C
Chakra Usage: Low
Type: Ninjutsu
Element: Katon
Description: After performing the necessary handseals, the user expels a series of small fireballs, each one about the size of a kunai. This are fired in succession and in such numbers that it makes it difficult to dodge by simple means. They are light in form and so they can even be used to hide shuriken within them without being disturbed.


NAME: Suimen Hokou no Waza [Act of Water Surface Walking]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
A slightly more advanced version of the Tree Climbing Skill, this technique allows a shinobi to walk on water as if it were a solid surface. What makes this so difficult is a very precise amount of chakra ust be applied, as balance is harder to maintain on a not so tangible and even moving surface.

[Nohime Yoshiko]

Yoshiko wouldn't stand idly when Keiko advanced, words could be spoken within one motions. Her hopes had been a slow approach made by her opponent, but instead the red head shot forward like a bullet. Yoshiko wasn't the biggest fan of fighting Iwagakure shinobi, even if they'd gone and left the village. However she'd not let the other girl just gain on her, she had a plan when she stepped out into the river. Her legs kicking off towards Keiko, as Keiko would advance on her. The Nohime quickly shifting with the flow of the river, as she'd let her chakra instead of fighting the current ride it.

The small Jinton specialist moving to the side quickly in swift sliding steps, as she'd break away from engaging Keiko. She partially did it to dodge the katon jutsu that was being fired upon her, but she also intended to keep this battle at the river. Anywhere else seemed pointless to Yoshiko, this spot made a perfect halfway point. She assumed if the two were walked upon, then the increased battle size would also draw more commotion and allies to the scene. At the Katon jutsu's edge Yoshiko would lunge with a hop, striding one foot forward through the katon technique. Her sandal durable enough to survive the blow directly, it catching for a second to singe her sock, however she'd dip that foot a little upon landing to put it out. 

Yoshiko's eyes stayed glued to Keiko, she wouldn't even flinch from the heat of the fire balls storming nearby. She'd not even glance over at the fire's beauty as she'd have her glare focused on Keiko, the smiling princess reaching into her side pouch to pull out two shuriken. Her arm extending and her wrist snapping out to throw one shuriken, the throw timed according to be right after dodging the first volley of fire balls. Once Keiko was closing in on 10 meters Yoshiko would begin to retreat, her body hoping left than right of the streams path, as she'd move and stay as close to the rivers center as possible.

The water would be a touch calmer in the center of the river, it'd be a great place in Yoshiko's mind to struggle with a hot-head like Keiko. Sticking out her tongue, she'd attempt to egg on her opponent, if she could keep Keiko on the offensive, the chakra reserve difference might not matter.

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Suimen Hokou no Waza [Act of Water Surface Walking]

RANK: D

CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low

CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]

ELEMENT: None

DESCRIPTION:

A slightly more advanced version of the Tree Climbing Skill, this technique allows a shinobi to walk on water as if it were a solid surface. What makes this so difficult is a very precise amount of chakra ust be applied, as balance is harder to maintain on a not so tangible and even moving surface. - In use.

[Yutakako Keiko]

The Nohime may have certainly tried to break away from Keiko’s oncoming charge, but the Apprentice of Lizards would just as easily change course. The katon would have already been expressed from her little self, giving her no way to redirect it at the ‘fleeing’ Iwagakure Princess. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t press onward! Yoshiko was the target and hot damn if she was going to let her run away! A fireball sort of did some damage. Kinda. Not really. It caught the girl’s foot but was instantly put out. How awful to stifle the life that was fire. Keiko was mildly disappointed that the fire would carry on farther out the river before fizzling out when landing among either water or dirt. It wouldn’t dampen her spirits for long though. For the Yutakako! For Master Ryu! For her mothers! Onward!

Her attention having been focused on Yoshiko this whole time, it was clear to Keiko that Yoshiko had drawn something from her pouch. By watching the movement of the arm and the flick of the wrist, she knew that something had been thrown and the flick suggested it wasn’t a kunai. While Keiko was not the fastest shinobi in the land, the distance of over ten meters between them and the added bonus of knowing such a projectile was on its way allowed her to successfully dodge the spinning piece of metal. Dodge and continue her race towards the Nohime.

At just under 10 meters, the other girl would begin retreating. Hopping back and forth as if dancing along some imaginary line in the river. Unfortunately or her, zigzagging around and going backwards would slow her pace in comparison to the Yutakako. Gaining distance all the more, Keiko would prepare once again, forming a small series of handsigns and charging up oil within her belly. At 5 meters the oil would leave her mouth and come alive into fire with her chakra, bursting forward in a ball nearing two meters wide of flames. This fireball was to be right down the center of the river, that imaginary line that the Nohime was zigging over. Once the other girl chose which way to avoid the fireball, if she could even get away cleanly, Keiko would charge at her that way and take her head on! The angle would likely prove in her favor!

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: Katon: Endan [Fire Release: Fireball]
Rank: C
Chakra Usage: Low
Type: Ninjutsu
Element: Katon
Description: After doing the necessary hand seals, the user molds a large amount of oil within their gut before spitting it out, simultaneously lighting it aflame with their charka. The result is a giant fireball, fueled by oil, which burns everything engulfed in it. Since it is both fire and oil mixed together, it is even difficult to be put out by water.

NAME: Suimen Hokou no Waza [Act of Water Surface Walking]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
A slightly more advanced version of the Tree Climbing Skill, this technique allows a shinobi to walk on water as if it were a solid surface. What makes this so difficult is a very precise amount of chakra ust be applied, as balance is harder to maintain on a not so tangible and even moving surface.

[Nohime Yoshiko]

Yoshiko felt totally at home with the results of her 'retreat', as she'd only hoped to reach the rivers center. Another Katon would be created a much larger one at a closer range, but this location had the beautiful effect of being a field with complete open direction. Yoshiko wasn't interested in fighting her opponent head on, she'd not trained herself to be a tank or a support. Instead she knew her place was in the middle of the fray and the far. Her goal was to find opportunity and not to look to head her foe on, Yutakako had a pride in personal combat and fair fights. Yoshiko merely had the desire to win and an accumulation of great shinobi arts. The Nohime Clan was after all producers of some of the villages best shinobi.

Yoshiko chose not to dive to the right or left, she also had no plans of out running the fireball. She saw only two options, the first was to fly, but she'd not risk using that technique so early. Which left her with the second option, which was to go underwater. Yoshiko had prepared herself for the second option, so instinctively she'd turn from the growing fire. She wouldn't need to face her enemy head on, as she'd dive forward from the fire and releasing her water walking technique. Her one hand releasing the second shuriken as hard as she could for the fire, as her other would grasp her breathing mask and haste fully apply it.

Assuming the fire and oil could still be passed through, she assumed her shuriken wouldn't be destroyed by the flame. She also hoped the fireball would create cover for both the attack, as well as her escape into the water. Using the undercurrent and fast swimming she'd move away from Keiko further, as well as come to the rivers floor. On her way to the rivers bottom, she'd quickly perform a couple hand signs, as she'd mold her body into the rocks among the rivers floor. She'd look up with the sun on Keiko's back and over the river, Keiko's shadow would be easier to spot than Yoshiko's outfit; her being in a rock like state should render it impossible further.

Hopefully rage would incite, but if not Yoshiko would plot her next moves, her hands re-emerging from her rock state to prep for hand signs. She'd expect the red head to continue as she had aggressively, her hopes was to use this against her. If rage wouldn't reside maybe Yoshiko could get the easy win, her breathing mask would hold her in waiting state for a good minute, but using it's air tank now when the battle just started didn't feel to smart to Yoshiko.

SPOILER: Click to show

Name:Iwagakure - [Rock Hiding Technique]
Rank:D
Type:Ninjutsu
Element:Doton
Requirement:Must be an Iwa Shinobi
Description:
Iwagakure is a Ninjutsu utilzing the Earth Element. This jutsu allows the Iwa nin to change their appearance by blending and merging with the surrounding rock. This allows the ninja to move unseen, which assists in attack and escape.

NAME: Suimen Hokou no Waza [Act of Water Surface Walking]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
A slightly more advanced version of the Tree Climbing Skill, this technique allows a shinobi to walk on water as if it were a solid surface. What makes this so difficult is a very precise amount of chakra ust be applied, as balance is harder to maintain on a not so tangible and even moving surface.

[Yutakako Keiko]

Those precious seconds of waiting had the Yutakako itching to move. She could feel her eyelids wanting to twitch, her fingers ready to make signs, her feet nearly shaking in anticipation to move. Mere moments were turning into centuries for the young apprentice. It all moved in such wonderful slow motion for her, the rushing sounds of the river, the birds calling from afar, a raft still 20 meters out from their running about gliding easily over the waters. Nature and its play pieces were ever so comforting. But it would never distract Keiko, only focus her mind upon the important things and ease her crazed excitement.

The fireball had flown forward at quite the decent speed and large size. It did indeed hide Yoshiko somewhat from her view, enough that she didn’t get a clear picture of what was going on. It worked in Keiko’s favor that she was totally ready for any movement besides her fireball, not to mention the addition of Yoshiko’s sloppy turning throw. The shuriken almost need not be dodged as Keiko barely scooted to her right and let the projectile pass through the air beside and then keep going behind her. Eventually she would hear it plop into the water like the weapon earlier, finding itself some distance away from the fighting kunoichi.

But no fire consumed her opponent.

Keiko knew where Yoshiko had been located, give or take a few steps one way or another, but the fireball still didn’t hit. Scrunching up the left side of her lip in an off balanced expression of both confusion and disappointment that her beautiful flame had not reached more kindling, it only took her a fraction moment more to notice where the spoiled princess had gone. Down. Ever the retreater, Keiko was a bit amazed that this girl kept running away. Not amazed in a good or respect filled way, simply... surprised? It was not the Yutakako way nor was it Master Ryu’s way. Retreat seemed so weak to Keiko. But like HELL was she diving into that water. Did she look like a fish? While she saw a former fellow Iwa shinobi sink farther beneath the rushing water, Keiko took a few hops backwards and began forming some hand signs.

Let the other girl stay beneath the water if she so chose. Her fire wouldn’t work down there and it was no place for the Lizard Apprentice to be. She had no business on a riverbed where some Nohime chick was hiding in rocks and pretending to be some stone. No. She’d wait for her to emerge. Prepare for her own next move. She had to come up sometime

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Suimen Hokou no Waza [Act of Water Surface Walking]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
A slightly more advanced version of the Tree Climbing Skill, this technique allows a shinobi to walk on water as if it were a solid surface. What makes this so difficult is a very precise amount of chakra ust be applied, as balance is harder to maintain on a not so tangible and even moving surface.

[Nohime Yoshiko]

Keiko surprised Yoshiko in that instance, as she'd not turn on the water with fire or frantically look for an escape route. Yoshiko had placed the girl for a hot head, but it appeared she was calmer than Yoshiko Imagined. The Nohime though hadn't acted foolishly, as she'd still have the cover of deception. Slipping through the rocks on the floor of the river, as she'd give up rather quickly on Keiko giving an opening and instead would look to make one herself.

Yoshiko traveled upstream and towards the bank of the river, she traveled to the side where she'd come from originally. Her hopes were not to get surrounded by someone else joining from the opposing bank, if an ally came she'd also be first to hear of it. Yoshiko having traveled through the rocks and not the river would be able to rise on land and without disrupting the flow of water. A kin to a true ninja she'd rise up in Keiko's blind spot without as much of a whisper.

Yoshiko would draw shuriken with both of her hands and immediately toss both for her opponents upper and lower back. She'd aim center and go for the most mass to get a better chance of striking, her body sticking close to the rivers edge, as she'd back away slowly from where she attacked. Her purpose would continue to be baiting maneuvers, Yoshiko didn't know this girl had more chakra than her, but she had faith her control was better. All she had to do was choose her moves wisely and this girl would fight herself, at least that was the plan Yoshiko had formed.

Removing her breathing mask and placing it back in her shinobi pouch, as she'd do so she'd fold an explosion note and remove it in her palm to keep it unseen. Reaching behind herself as if reaching for a hidden item, she'd begin to fold her explosion note. She wasn't amazing at origami, but she'd folded plenty of papers into fake shuriken to play ninja before academy. Relying on that memory she'd begin to fold the explosion note behind herself, it seemed risky even in her head to try such an off handed trick, especially without it being a talent. Her Jinton was out of the question though and she lacked much in offensive jutsu, her shuriken number was dwindling as well.

SPOILER: Click to show

Name:Iwagakure - [Rock Hiding Technique]
Rank:D
Type:Ninjutsu
Element:Doton
Requirement:Must be an Iwa Shinobi
Description:
Iwagakure is a Ninjutsu utilzing the Earth Element. This jutsu allows the Iwa nin to change their appearance by blending and merging with the surrounding rock. This allows the ninja to move unseen, which assists in attack and escape.

[Yutakako Keiko]

The hand signs weren’t rushed. Keiko saw Yoshiko’s form lower farther and farther into the water before vanishing from sight. She had confidence that she would notice when the girl surfaced again, but at the very least would have time to finish these lazy seals and summon her jutsu before the girl could reach the surface from how far she had gone down. Finishing her bits of seals, what was ‘summoned’ was none other than more fire. Blazing hot and beautiful, two forms were made. Similar in appearance, having been the same if it weren’t for the separate bodies of flickering fire. A happy grin upon the Yutakako’s lips, her hands perched in front of her body, she guided her fire creatures across the river.

Yoshiko was nowhere to be found still. That either meant she was going to wait down there and hide, or she was going to find some other sneaky ass trick to get a hit in. The apprentice’s eyes traveled over the waters. Slowly observing the small waves and ripples of the river. Scanning the area downstream of her, she saw no sign of a shinobi. Hidden or unhidden. She took to looking about her, side to side and even glancing over her shoulder. Still pleased in general with life, the girl noticed the craft growing closer to her that had once been so far off. Chuckling to herself, she kept her vision over her shoulder and hopped back a few more times, eventually landing on the raft. Barrels, crates, sacks... various containers littered the craft, but... no one manned it? Either someone had ditched it at the sight of them fighting, they were too afraid of the Iwa conflict, or had exceptional hiding skills!

By this time, the girl that controlled the fire salamanders roaming the river on either side of her would be on the craft, not so slowly drifting away from where she had originally seen Yoshiko dive beneath the waves. By this point, that same kunoichi would have risen from the water and taken her next move. Even if Yoshiko had made noise from rising from the water, Keiko wouldn’t have heard it from the distance nor over the rushing water that surrounded her. However, she did catch a glimpse of the girl. When she rose from the waters she no longer had the bed of the river to keep her in its rocky cover.

Unfortunately for Keiko, she did not notice Yoshiko right away. The shuriken were already on their traveling path by the time the Yutakako noticed the Nohime. On the fortunate side, the shuriken were thrown from quite a distance, over twenty five meters from the current angle, and the moving craft didn’t particularly help a non-buki user’s aim. A shuriken sank into the wooden raft with a dull ‘thunk.’ Another plopped itself into the water into the depths of the rushing waves. After the throw, but before confirmation of missing their targets, Keiko had sent forth both of her salamanders. One had been closer to the Nohime than the other. One having been midway between the center of the river and the far bank, the other about midway between the center of the river and Yoshiko’s bank.

The closer one rushed the Nohime from about a fifteen meter distance, giving her plenty of time to see a flaming lizard waddling cute-like through the air. Keiko was too far away to clearly see what the Nohime was doing with her hands, though she could only assume it was some sort of attack being made ready. When she sent the salamanders after Yoshiko, she also took off. Along the raft and then leaping into the air, she focused chakra to her feet in order to walk on water and continue to race towards Yoshiko along with her lizard friends. Reducing the distance between her and Yoshiko, she watched as the first salamander would close in on the Yoshiko’s position. Drawing ever closer. And readily attempting to cling its firey body to her smaller fleshy one. The second salamander would be quite a few seconds behind, slowing its pace and staying closer to the one who wielded it. Just under the range for the jutsu, around 18 meters, but still running for the Nohime. Couldn’t let her run away, could she? 

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Suimen Hokou no Waza [Act of Water Surface Walking]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
A slightly more advanced version of the Tree Climbing Skill, this technique allows a shinobi to walk on water as if it were a solid surface. What makes this so difficult is a very precise amount of chakra ust be applied, as balance is harder to maintain on a not so tangible and even moving surface.

NAME: Katon: Shōryō Hitokage [Fire Release: Desolate Salamander]
RANK: C-Rank
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium.
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Katon
DESCRIPTION:
The user creates two 2 meter long, 8 inches wide, 6 inches high lizards from flames, and manipulates them as they traverse through the air with decent speed. The salamanders motion makes them seem as if they are walking on the air itself. They can be manipulated to an extent of 20 meters. Their heat can cause 2nd degree burns, and can attach to any individual and explode into a torrent of flames with a range of 5 meters diameter. It can also be detonated remotely.

[Nohime Yoshiko]

Finishing the final folds of her make shift shuriken, she'd place it back with in her shinobi pouch. Her opponent was much craftier than Yoshiko had imagined. She believed this girl capable of spamming fire at her all day, but she'd never seen fire which walked or waddled on it's own. They weren't exactly scurrying across the ground as much as swimming through the air, it made Yoshiko second guess returning to the river. She also didn't want to waste her explosive on one of these creatures. Neither were particularly close, but one was closer than comfort allowed, it'd be commanded to attack Yoshiko.

The group; girl and her fire built pets, would clearly spot and address their attention on Yoshiko. She personally wasn't interested in dying by barbecue, so her adrenaline would pump as she'd exchange the tag in her pouch for four smoke bombs. She'd grasp two within both hands, then whipping her hands out she'd send smoke bombs out between her and the approaching fire demons. The smoke screen enough to save Yoshiko both site and presence of her opponents beasts. It was a long shot, but hopefully those creatures move of Keiko's will and not murderous desire. The move was followed by an adjustment of position, Yoshiko would retreat and back towards the river from behind the smoke.

Yoshiko was a clever person good at avoiding risk, despite her youth she was considered among the advanced and proved it with her chakra control. The adrenaline of running extended to her hands which quickly came together to form the hand signs necessary to survive. She was a well studied ninjutsu artist, but even she had to gulp at the thought of failing her next technique. Yoshiko luckily practiced the new technique in her arsenal well enough, as she'd without fail feel a surge of her own chakra through her body. It was a weightless invigoration to have cast such an amazing gift of her fathers. 

She wouldn't even need to use water walking as she'd float over the water, her movements now capable of happening twice her normal pace. She knew it made her attacks weaker, but she didn't plan to physically brawl a Yutakako. She didn't know or care if this girl could use explosion release, she knew a weight advantage when she saw one. However a speed advantage? Yoshiko would show the speed of chakra control, as she'd weightlessly shift through the cloud of smoke where she last saw Keiko.

In the middle of launching forward she'd quickly draw three shuriken and her shinobi wire, she'd continue her march towards Keiko, as she'd rely on the speed granted by her jutsu to out pace the Salamanders and not confuse them for her enemy. Yoshiko hoped that Keiko would of taken all of Yoshiko's retreats to prove she was nothing but a coward, then hopefully this stunt would be successful, as she'd switch up tactics and seem to head on the offensive. If the Salamanders attempted to meet Yoshiko and were closer to center than their original outlying positions, she'd shoot up and go for the sky. 

If Keiko attempted to keep the course and surround Yoshiko from escaping, than Yoshiko would lunge forward at Keiko, she'd attempt to bait an attack either another katon or the use of her already active one. She'd then lunge away from attacking Keiko, kicking upwards into the sky and shoot herself toward the prevailing winds of the valley. Even if Keiko used a katon or her salamanders attacked, Yoshiko would gain the advantage of their heat pushing air and herself up. 

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Doton: Keijugan no Jutsu [Earth Release: Light-Weight Rock Technique]
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Doton
DESCRIPTION:
After performing the necessary hand seals, the user places their hand on an object or person and makes them, or whatever is inside of the object, several times lighter. This can be used on people, making their movements considerably faster for a period of time but makes their physical attacks that much more weaker. It can also be used to make the user or those they touch fly.

[Yutakako Keiko]

Yoshiko had finished the unknown craft project before Keiko even had time to jump from her water craft. But now she was charging head long for the girl! It was... interesting to have an opponent that didn’t take the direct approach. Maybe annoying was a better word. She did throw a few projectiles at opportune times, but Keiko couldn’t help wonder if the Nohime was going easier on her. That was how it seemed, at least. Backing off. In her own mind, the missing projectiles was from choice and not other factors, the running was now beginning to seem as an insult instead of cowardice. Did she not make a worthy opponent?

With this new possibility running about her mind, Keiko couldn’t help but wonder what else the other girl might be thinking. She was clearly messing around with her hands again, was she going to use her father’s special jutsu? Would she see this legendary release in action? As Keiko continued crossing the watery river to meet Yoshiko, the lizards would follow their directions as well, one going straight for Yoshiko and the other lagging behind as it waddled back and forth ahead but between Keiko’s path and Yoshiko. Then the surprise was revealed! Or at least a surprise to Keiko. Sadly it was not the Nohime special surprise, but smoke. Scrunching up her mouth with a bit of disappointment once again, the smoke made her steps slow for a few moments, the second lizard tailing further behind the first. That first salamander continued its pummeling course onward. It dove into the smoke without a second thought, seeing as it had not choice of thought in the first place, going straight through where the Nohime had once been and another meter or two on past before beginning a circle back around.

At first, Keiko had no way of knowing if the salamander caused any issue. She obviously was hoping to catch Yoshi in her ‘companion’s’ clutches, but she had no way of doing that when she became invisible in the smoke. Next best option was to let the lizard power through and hopefully engulf the girl in some sort of flame... even a sandal. Ha. It was possible she might catch the girl with the salamander, not restrain unfortunately, but maybe singe her on the way by. These thoughts were soon sidetracked by the vision of a young girl she knew all too well by now emerging from the smoke.

And she was coming straight at her?

That was a new one. So far this girl had run at any chance she had gotten, besides that boastful initial march onto the water. Keiko had missed the drawing of projectiles and string, the cloud covering Yoshiko’s form for the handseals and the weaponry. All she found was a girl rushing towards her and... flying? Keiko’s scrunched face now seemed semi-amused with a perked eyebrow to boot. Flying wasn’t something she expected to see. The girl was rushing at her at surprising speed. Something she hadn’t seen her use up until now. Thankfully, her one salamander was between the girls to begin with, even with the slowing pace of both it and Keiko at the sight of the smoke. It would attempt to meet Yoshiko in her oncoming barrage, jumping for her as if to hug her. The first lizard would be circling back from the smoke to provide back-up after it crossed the distance.

And this took Yoshiko up into the air. Keiko could only smirk. So it was all about avoiding again anyway. The salamander that had come from the smoke instantly took to the air, taking the angle required to meet Yoshiko and close in on her from what Keiko could only hope was behind. It would lunge for Yoshiko, hopefully having the essence of surprise. Whatever a large flaming ball of salamander could have for surprise. If it succeeded in clasping to the Nohime, it would most certainly explode. The other would have to recover from its jump. It’s not like she could magically unmanipulate the action she had already directed it. This one also climbed into the air, but at a lesser pace, still giving it a waddling back and forth center between Keiko and Yoshiko.

Flight. Interesting.

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Suimen Hokou no Waza [Act of Water Surface Walking]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
A slightly more advanced version of the Tree Climbing Skill, this technique allows a shinobi to walk on water as if it were a solid surface. What makes this so difficult is a very precise amount of chakra ust be applied, as balance is harder to maintain on a not so tangible and even moving surface.

NAME: Katon: Shōryō Hitokage [Fire Release: Desolate Salamander]
RANK: C-Rank
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium. (Draining at Low level.)
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Katon
DESCRIPTION:
The user creates two 2 meter long, 8 inches wide, 6 inches high lizards from flames, and manipulates them as they traverse through the air with decent speed. The salamanders motion makes them seem as if they are walking on the air itself. They can be manipulated to an extent of 20 meters. Their heat can cause 2nd degree burns, and can attach to any individual and explode into a torrent of flames with a range of 5 meters diameter. It can also be detonated remotely.

[Nohime Yoshiko]

Yoshiko was on a roll she wasn't going to let the lizard princesses pets eat her alive, instead they only fed her motion as their heat literally added lift to her step. The first helped her get an initial kick into the air, the second might of had the best intentions, but redirecting herself down, Yoshiko would pick up pace with gravity's aid. She kicked off air and towards Keiko with a whooshing charge, her body wouldn't be able to land a strong hit on Keiko, but Keiko didn't know that. More importantly if these salamanders were to chase her, they'd fly themselves right back to their caster.

Yoshiko didn't want to take the risk that Keiko's fire didn't burn her, she didn't know or believe that it couldn't, but she had a plan as she'd thrust herself right to Keiko's location. She'd duck in upon reaching her opponent and try to slip around her, by sticking just outside the edge of Keiko's punching reach. Yoshiko's hands would once again begin to nail out hands signs, the wire barely visible between them as one palm held two shuriken and the other only held one. She'd keep them in her hands through the signs, by lightly pressing the blades into her palms.

The Nohime wasn't much effected by the pain if anything it gave her a slight adrenaline rush, as she'd try to sweep around Keiko. She moved like she did to put and then keep the salamanders in sight, as she'd finish her hand signs she'd attempt to quickly punch Keiko. The punch wouldn't be strong, but the hand signs were to ready her chakra. Given her techniques success, she'd use her chakra to bind Keiko. Yoshiko was smart enough to discern that the salamanders weren't alive, so hopefully with their owner bound they'd merely be watching without much ability to act.

Using her brief opening Yoshiko would do her best to go for a quick critical attack, she'd use her hand holding one shuriken and swipe one of the blades of the star across her opponents wrist. She'd swipe in such a manner it'd go down the other girls arm, she was hoping to cause a brief moment of serious bleeding. Blood lose plus the chakra drained from this continue fight, Yoshiko needed this to be a battle of attrition, because she didn't see victory in either range or close distance. However going for this attack would leave her close to opponent as her bind would fall.

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Doton: Keijugan no Jutsu [Earth Release: Light-Weight Rock Technique]
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Doton
DESCRIPTION:
After performing the necessary hand seals, the user places their hand on an object or person and makes them, or whatever is inside of the object, several times lighter. This can be used on people, making their movements considerably faster for a period of time but makes their physical attacks that much more weaker. It can also be used to make the user or those they touch fly.

NAME: Kanashibari no Jutsu [Body Paralysis Technique]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
Kanashibari no Jutsu is an advanced Ninjutsu technique used to temporarily bind an individual or animal by stunning them with one's own chakra. With the person frozen in place, the ninja can either take the opportunity to attack or to retreat.

[Yutakako Keiko]

Each salamander had missed its mark in the hug it wanted to give the Nohime girl. One closer to the water and the other diving for her in the air. What Keiko had not expected to see was another rush. It was as if the other girl kicked off nothing, speeding herself back towards the Yutakako girl. Both girls had the other in their sights. Keiko couldn’t imagine what Yoshiko had in store, but it was of no concern to her. For some reason, the Nohime hadn’t heeded the second lizard that had stayed between the girls upon her lifting into the sky.

It was directly in the way of the incoming Iwa princess. Well, at least she had that going for her. With Yoshi’s speed, it would be unlikely that she could immediately counter or remove herself from the situation that she had put herself in. The salamander between the girls would grab once again for the Nohime, attempting to latch onto the girl’s frame. On the off chance that it didn’t occur, the lizard would still explode once Yoshi got within a meter distance of it. It was pretty much unavoidable seeing as she had done this to herself.

Keiko would still reroute the lizard that was farther in the sky back towards her. Following Yoshiko’s path. She saw no issue in it coming in her direction. If anything, she would have it take out Yoshiko a second time. When the girl would get hit by the exploding fire of the first salamander, the second would rush in to grab her as well, though hesitating to explode just yet. Needless to say, ignoring the lizard between them would put a damper in Yoshiko's original plans.

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Suimen Hokou no Waza [Act of Water Surface Walking]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
A slightly more advanced version of the Tree Climbing Skill, this technique allows a shinobi to walk on water as if it were a solid surface. What makes this so difficult is a very precise amount of chakra ust be applied, as balance is harder to maintain on a not so tangible and even moving surface.

NAME: Katon: Shōryō Hitokage [Fire Release: Desolate Salamander]
RANK: C-Rank
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium. (Draining at Low level.)
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Katon
DESCRIPTION:
The user creates two 2 meter long, 8 inches wide, 6 inches high lizards from flames, and manipulates them as they traverse through the air with decent speed. The salamanders motion makes them seem as if they are walking on the air itself. They can be manipulated to an extent of 20 meters. Their heat can cause 2nd degree burns, and can attach to any individual and explode into a torrent of flames with a range of 5 meters diameter. It can also be detonated remotely.

[Nohime Yoshiko]

Yoshiko felt she'd had a momentary chance, but the lizards had angle on her, so she knew the first was destined to hit her. She'd curl in a ball focusing as much chakra into her light weighted technique as she could concentrate. It'd be roughly double it's normal cost as she'd become even lighter, so light when the first lizard ignited upon her it'd force her away from the second lizard. The explosion of fiery pain completely wrecked Yoshiko's outfit, causing the leather which held her armor to snap her outfit to erode with flame and her skin to sizzle. Where the flame hit directly her flesh would be seriously burned, however everywhere else was also charred with sot as it'd flow around her.

She didn't bathe long in the fire though, as it'd send her flying out like debris, her hands quickly clenched a few hand signs, as she'd prepare the body replacement technique. The second lizard was narrowly evaded, so she assumed she'd merely have enough time to complete the jutsu. Yoshiko plotted how to fight her opponent, but didn't feel she had a decent counter. The maneuverability and destructive power of this girls ninjutsu, it made Yoshiko wish she had something stronger. 

It was odd such a beautiful and peaceful day could be going so badly, she probably should of tried negotiating, but she'd clearly gotten to cocky against someone who looked so similar in stature. Yoshiko though didn't question if this girl was above her rank, she'd merely question if her abilities weren't right for this type of conflict. She'd remind herself that fire's weakness was water, but all this river seemed to provide was way to open a field. A little cover would of been nice against this ranged expert in fiery death.

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Doton: Keijugan no Jutsu [Earth Release: Light-Weight Rock Technique]
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium [x2 to enhance for escape]
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Doton
DESCRIPTION:
After performing the necessary hand seals, the user places their hand on an object or person and makes them, or whatever is inside of the object, several times lighter. This can be used on people, making their movements considerably faster for a period of time but makes their physical attacks that much more weaker. It can also be used to make the user or those they touch fly.

NAME: Kawarimi no Jutsu [Body Replacement Technique] [Prepared]
RANK: E
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
After performing the necessary hand seals (one post prior to the technique's use) and locating a nearby object (typically a log), the user switches places with the object just before an attack lands, creating an optical illusion. During the small interval where they have left their opponent surprised, they may take the time to attack or flee.