[Kawai Niko]

Stacked planks of wood and strategical architectural designs had been several days away in each and every direction. Her nose had been stuck in the latest designs for Hi no Kuni projects over the last couple of weeks, marveling at what each provided and the kind of manpower she needed to dedicate to each. She could spend hours prognosticating the future which lied in store for her dear nation and village; for her, it had just been that fun. Though, when she looked up from her massive blueprints, time and again, she would see a familiar face across the room continuously seeming bored….perhaps even moping.

For Niko, such sights were often met with a shrug, and she would continue along with the task at hand. After all, she hadn’t felt like her duty was to entertain Sada. But the redhead seemed to be mainly idle this weekend…. Usually, if she had not been on missions, she was on an outing with fairly handsome strangers or partaking in some Uzumaki function that was apparently far too posh for bourgeois like Niko. Something had felt a bit off, and the Hokage could not quite put a finger on what it was. Niko had known her current level of concern was also atypical. As of late she had been reassessing her relations with others. Time and again her conscience bothered her regarding things like these. It was damn Naoko-sama’s fault for forcing her to have one.

She would fold design templates and place them on the table beside her as she took a moment to decide her next words. "Pack your bags with equipment that will carry you for a few days. I need to show you something important.”
A bit of additional cajolement would be used to push the Chuunin in the desired direction: she was promised a good time. Or at least it had been what Niko tried to present.

It was needless to say the days had been filled with its fair share of rudeness, and bickering. Despite that, Niko would retort less than she typically would, and swallow more blows than she would have liked. She would lead the way westward and speak nothing of their destination unless asked. The temperate thickets of forestry slowly became a tropical jungle. Humidity would rise significantly, but it had not particularly bothered the blonde, but she would try to be considerate. Every time the sun had sunk beneath the horizon she asked the same question. "Shall we go further, or would you like to set camp?”

When they eventually did choose to settle, the duo was opportune with observing some of the nature around them, the greenery a good bit different than most which usually surrounded them. Palm trees were present as well as some unique flowers Niko only wished she could grow in her garden: Heliconias, Bromeliads, and even a considerably large Corpse Flower. There were equally colorful birds which flew over the jungle canopy, most of whom the woman could not name.

Against the lengthy calm of serene jungle heavy sounds between the tree branches were heard nearby. In the trees above, an ebony coated ape soon appeared, and stood high in the trees and only looked down to observe the women. "Whatever you do, don’t look it in the eyes.” As far as Niko had known, it was the only thing which aggravated this particular kind of beast. Unfortunately, not everything in nature had been rosy. In the very next moment, it rushed them and screeched violently with the occasional bang against its chest as it swiftly descended to the jungle floor.

"What did you do?! I said to not look it in the eye!”, she hadn’t known for sure whether the girl followed her instruction, but a more pressing situation presented itself in the form of a marauding overgrown ape. She would rise to her feet, and drag the slowpoke that was her sister up also. Niko turned to the girl with an eye on their potential game. "Let's not kill him.”

Kawai Sada

[Kawai Sada]

Looking For Perfection
Is The Only Way To Motivate Yourself

So Look My Way

Yea sometimes things sucked. Could Sada have gone somewhere this weekend? Sure. Did she want to? Eh. Even Kurama seemed a little more testy in general. Both of them had become quite sick of people. Time and again being puffed up and petted for their amazing selves only to be spit upon. It was… stupid. Aggravating? Maybe a little. At first it definitely was. That these villagers and even foolish people from other nations believed that it was something they were above. That they were above her. Of course they were far from correct. Her and the kyuubi were the best of this world. The best that this reality could offer. Nothing could withstand their power and beauty. Yet. Somehow. Humanity could just be that stupid.

So they didn’t want to deal with them. Yet that didn’t mean Sada really knew what she felt like doing either. Bothering Niko tended to amuse~ But… it had settled into just hanging around the blonde. Watching her lazily. Flipping through whatever the woman had lying around, probably getting reprimanded, and then ignoring her. Only to watch Niko again. Bored. Definitely bored. But amused? Eh kinda… Whatever. There was something off with the chunin for sure. A sort of apathy that wasn’t typical of her personality. People were just annoying. And this weekend she had just had enough.

So when the new suggestion had been to pack her bags so she could move, one could be assured she shrugged the blonde woman off. Fun though. Niko mentioned fun. Fun was…. something. But the most interesting part was that Niko was offering it. So sure. They’d go.

Packed. Ready. The redhead dressed simply with black shorts, green tank, and simple green jacket over. Fan to her back. Supplies as well. And regular ninja tools she used at her hips and thigh. Habit was hard to break on what she brought, so it wouldn’t take long to be ready. They’d be on their way for whatever Niko had promised.

Definitely would have had their differences, they always did. But it would have been more subtle on both sides. Niko was taking more blows and Sada delivered less. That was the air of apathy, the lack of care in it all. Niko was being tolerated for the interest she presented but… that didn’t mean Sada suddenly wanted to interact with humanity.

With the humidity increasing, Sada would surely strip herself of her jacket. Skin glistening rather than suffocating beneath layers, it would be sealed away along with her provisions in a scroll as to not have to deal with carrying looseends. As far as Niko’s repetitive question would go, day after day the redhead would smirk and reply with the similar "What? Tired already?” And they’d continue farther. Perhaps not always a lot farther, but farther anyway.

Eventually to stop. The two women relaxing in the lovely expanse of the jungle. The redhead leaned back, resting on the ground, with her shoulders and head propped against the ornate fan gifted by her father. A word here or there to the blonde, but mostly silence. Calm and relaxing, perhaps even enjoying the scenery. Niko was, but Sada barely paid the woman mind. She didn’t’ know flowers. But could vaguely appreciate nice nature. It wasn’t better than her, but it tried its best in its natural state.

Then loud and annoying sounds…. Something moved through the trees. Something large. It would be unfortunate that Niko spoke to not look it in the eyes, as it was pretty difficult not to when Sada was already staring straight up into the trees with a big, hairy ape just deciding to swing right into her path. Exhaling with a bit of frustration through her nose, she’d bite back a comment about how it was much too late for that. Or.. .maybe she wouldn’t. Niko berated her and both vessel and kyuubi growled, glare shot to the woman already rising.

"It looked first.”

Snapped back and then Sada grabbed. Dragged to her feet and brought to attention. With a huff she picked up her fan as well. Flicking it open and focused on the creature that still hollered and descended through the trees. Fan drawn back, chakra flaring in her, she’d hear Niko and hesitate. Looking to the woman with a moment of surprise and a bit of bewilderment.

"What?”

But one other roar from the beast near upon them would have Sada wave that fan. A little subdued… but not a sweet gust. Throwing the ape back away from them with futon [Sickle Weasel Technique]. It didn’t remain to cut up the beast, but did throw it away.

"Well what shall we do, woman?”

For even a beast thrown back would not be put down. The jutsu against a massive beast wasn't enough to kill or maim, especially held back. The large animal finding distance, but powerful hands reaching out to grasp a tree. Hold to it and keep from flying back any farther. And when that wind tunnel would subside, the ape would call out once more and launch himself back towards the females.

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Kamaitachi no Jutsu [Sickle Weasel Technique]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu
ELEMENT: Fūton
REQUIREMENTS: Giant Folding Fan / Other
DESCRIPTION:
By freely manipulating the gale brought forth by their Giant Folding Fan, the many air currents collide and create vacuum pockets. The person enveloped by this gale is assaulted by countless invisible blades, carving up their body. Also, the strong wind power will blow away all incoming projectile weapons and will even make the opponent unable to stay on their feet.

Kawai Sada

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Kawai Niko]

Sada’s weakened attack bought the duo time to act. For many shinobi, it might not have been an ample amount of extra time, but for the two of them, it far more than enough. The answer to the question the redhead posed was a simple one, Niko thought. One she believed many ninjas should have been familiar with at this stage in their careers. However, the Hokage also knew the paths all ninjas took varied significantly with the types of exposure they had. "You don’t know?”, she replied straightforwardly for once actually in a non-condescending tone. In her younger years, many missions in the wild had given rise to a reasonable degree of knowledge dealing with these kinds of beasts.

She took a step forward and mused that it was a good teaching opportunity. "Animals are simple creatures. You must know some of the ways they think.” In a fluid motion, the Hokage reached into her back pouch and brought forth two kunai with explosive tags. "One aspect which frightens animals are the superiority of numbers.”, she began as brought the three sharpened knives before her face. "Despite there being two of us, this ape remains unafraid. He must think his strength his greater than our own.”

Purple eyes took note of the beast’s pace and the remaining distance that lay between the women. He indeed was quick and powerful, but like almost all beasts, Niko knew that beneath the fur and muscle lay the instinct of fear that kept him alive and well. "Unfamiliar shocks, noises, and fire are capable of fending off most beasts. A combination of all three is ideal.”, she stated before throwing the knives onto the jungle floor, a good distance ahead of them. When the beast was within a range to fully perceive the treat that lay in store but remain unharmed, Niko detonated the explosives with a hand seal.

The collective effort of the two explosives created a brief bright fire and a plume of smoke. Its sudden force would reverberate through the surrounding area. The duo would also hear some birds began to flap their wings to find refuge elsewhere. As the smoke subsided and the scene ahead of them became more apparent, the two would see the one marauding ape, scurrying away in the opposite direction.

"How else might you have sent him away whilst keeping him unharmed?”

Kawai Sada

[Kawai Sada]

Looking For Perfection
Is The Only Way To Motivate Yourself

So Look My Way

Irritation would be found faintly flickering through the soul of the redheaded woman. Snapping at the Hokage on what exactly they should be doing other than killing a beast? And Sada practically feeling that blonde woman get all proud with that question. A sigh escaping Sada’s lips and fan snapped shut, she had a feeling that whatever was coming next would be rather dull. Perhaps Niko hadn’t spoken with a tone to put her down, but the redhead’s own mind would formulate it as such with the help of a rather sly fox milling about in her mind.

A lesson. On how to scare animals. Slow steps would take her towards the other woman, Niko speaking on the ways of scaring primitive beasts and even the slightest bit of amusement found in that. Similar methods could be used to startle men… even shinobi. Something taking the sense off guard would always send a living being into surprise, the trick was it being enough of a shock to catch sudden attention, especially with hardened shinobi.

The ape was still coming. Rushing closer to them and neither woman giving any ground towards its forward onslaught. Niko still spoke and eyes were ahead confidently, Sada much the same, though glances stolen towards the blonde woman. Why was this a lesson now…. Was she twelve? Perhaps ironically, it was that sort of mindset that she faced the little lesson and speech with and likely not to get any better.

Weapons thrown, explosives set off, and smoke to take to the air. Silence enveloped them in those moments until it would clear, the form of the ape scurrying off and away from them. But rather than be impressed, the redhead would simply look to the other and slap her fan to her back. Was this all really necessary… And from what she was asked, Sada couldn’t help but feel that it was a total waste of time.

"I see no reason to keep the beast unharmed, especially when it takes the same amount of effort to be rid of the probem completely.”

Spoken offhandedly, almost bored. Even waving her hand as if to dismiss it! For she really didn’t understand. It attacked. It was a beast. There were more! And it was a simple creature, hardly human, so why did it matter?

"Don’t we have places to get to, dear Hokage? Or shall you tell me how to preserve plant life without stepping on it next?”

A little bit of poking fun at the woman, but wanting to press on. Protecting beasts was pointless… A thought accompanied by a growl deep within her mind...

Kawai Sada

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Kawai Niko]

The younger woman’s sharp reply induced a momentary sinking feeling in the Hokage’s chest. She had not expected such a blunt admission of the shortage of concern for harming the animal. Sada’s words came off as unduly harsh, but the lackadaisical tone they carried did not seem to particularly disdain or malice for the beast. The duo were kunoichi; Their profession called on them to kill at necessity’s notice. This self-evaluation made Niko smirk slightly and even nod in the affirmative, acknowledging Chuunin’s sentiments. "It certainly would be just as effortless for us to simply vanquish an ape,” she started. At times, beasts from the forest had even posed a threat to civilians, generating employment for amateur shinobi. The lives of individuals, of course, took priority for the ninjas, but in this instance, their lives were definitely far from being compromised.

"There are countless ways in which we benefit from being among forestry, which includes its creatures. These resources and positioning have benefitted Konoha, and much of our country,” the Hokage continued momentarily looking at their green and lush environment before her eyes once more met with Sada’s. "It’s for our own benefit to preserve much of it to maintain our resources and positioning. Obliterating one ape might do nothing, however, continued shinobi killing of creatures would harm the natural arrangement which has made us live so comfortably.”

The blonde simply explained how she saw the broader situation in a way she thought her fellow Kawai would understand – self-interest. There was certainly nothing wrong with seeking one’s own benefit in the eyes of the Jounin; it was just that she believed it would be a waste of time speaking on some of the other virtues she saw, such as the power of restraint and esteem for lesser life forms. After all, she had gotten a sense her statements had begun to bore the redhead…

"Plantlife is precious too!”, her smirk shifted into a soft chuckle. Her amusement came from knowing very well she could indeed lecture the young woman just precisely on that topic. The intricacies of plants and their beautiful blooms deeply fascinated her, and it was evident from her growing home garden. "Maybe if I was not a kunoichi, I would be a botanist,” she joked back. Such a life would indeed have been less exciting, but its scientific nature might have satisfied some of Niko’s intellectual inclinations.

"Yes. It won’t be long before sundown. Let’s make as much progress as we can,” she would concur with Sada as they shifted slightly for the southwestern direction. As the two made their way through the foliage, Niko would spot the silver, metal lining of her partner’s enormous fan and recalled when she wanted to utilize it against their earlier opponent. "Not many choose to fight with a fan Sada,” she began. "How did it come to be your weapon of choice?”

Kawai Sada

[Kawai Sada]

Looking For Perfection
Is The Only Way To Motivate Yourself

So Look My Way

It was obvious the blonde was somewhat passionate about the subject. Preserving the area, surroundings, habitat, and life fed into much more. It was a concept that wasn’t hard to grasp but at the same time, Sada still didn’t find herself agreeing with the thought completely. It wasn’t as if killing that one ape insisted the idea that she would go then and kill more. Nor did her saving that one imply she wouldn’t kill them later. It all seemed incredibly pointless… Unless Niko was going to proclaim among the nation that no apes were to be killed, then the flow would go as it always had!

Bore was right… Niko’s virtuous take on things was something that Sada found no merit in concerning herself with. The offhanded tease given to her companion so that they might keep going was met with a tease back from the blonde. There was a moment where it could have gotten scoffing or shrugged off, but hearing the other woman in good interest and amusement replying back kept a grin to the redhead’s face as well.

"One could always retire, Great Hokage. Perhaps you could lecture the next Hokage on the importance of imported plants and greenhouses.”

They were going to move on though. Little lesson time was done for now. Continuing on their way so they might actually get somewhere before night fell… It didn’t sound like they’d be stopping anywhere extravagant for the night, though Sada would have admitted she didn’t expect such a thing. The question posed though, her weapon?

A smirk to her own lips and hand back to tap at the butt of the fan. "I saw it in a Chunin exam many years ago. It seemed lovely at the time and I decided I would easily be able to use one better than the fighter in the arena.” Which was all true. SHe picked it up because it was beautiful and she decided she would be good at it.

"Why~ You interested?”

A tease the woman’s way once more, but not at all against the idea of teaching her a thing or two in return!

Kawai Sada

MADE BY VEL OF GS