[Nakajima Taro]

Taro wasn't far from the village at all, he'd travelled out to the woods. He knew of a spot pretty rich with what resources survived the cold, it was one of few places animals would and could call home. This wasn't however a home in the sense traditional to Taro. He might of not been outwardly an asshole to everyone, but when it came to animals he wasn't really the most respectful. Especially when it came to wildlife instead of pets, it'd be more accurate to say Taro saw these animals as intruders more than residents.

It'd be for that reason Taro would imagine up the most ridiculous training exercise possible. Start at the site of the first animal he see's Taro would go about attempting to 'tag' all of the animals. Allowing him to potentially work on many things at once; he could test his awareness briefly at the start to see what poor animal begun his game. He'd be able to test his speed by going after the faster animals, as well as explore into his relatively low level of tracking. These combined with this being a race and a number challenge in his head, he'd finally perhaps be working on testing the limits of his reserves.

Honestly the whole occasion was quite silly to consider, as all of these things could be trained and tested in a much better way. It'd be to those that knew Taro, he wasn't doing this with a master plan to get better. He was bored and simply needed something to entertain himself whilst still being some sort of challenge. The first animal he'd spot would be a bird and like his typical self, he'd rocket off at the creature immediately. No poise or willingness to wait out the best strike. In an over exertion though, he'd find himself close enough to the bird. A swoop of his hand and he'd bop the poor clueless creature on it's back, the force enough to crash it into the snow.

Panicking the bird would scramble to it's feet and dust the snow of itself. It'd be looking where it needed to run, but Taro was already dismissing it and going away. Clearly the exact opposite direction would be the best option and skipping off before flight the bird would runaway. It'd not be the only animal startled though and some creature rather well covered would similarly panic. The woods coming alive with branches shifting and sticks cracking in the distance. Taro's burst of Katon drowning out most noise to him, but his eyes caught movement and the chase was on.

In the distance one could even see's tree's now shaking as there'd be an occasional crash among them.

Words. -- Tags. Notes. Grinning with the intensity of a madman.

Template by Kuroya of THQ & GS.

[Imagawa Takumi]

If he could help it, Takumi preferred not to stay in the village. Obviously, in order to remain a functioning part of the Yuki's military force, he needed to be readily available to take orders. But in those moments when he was reasonably sure that nothing would come up, the Imagawa camped out in the wilderness, keeping the company of just a few choice lynxes while simply living off the land. That made it especially noticeable when the peacefulness of the setting was disturbed, drawing out a deep sigh from him. Giving the lynx before him one final pat, Takumi set off to find the source of the cacophony.

It was easy following the tracks and blatant destruction of nature, and it wasn't long before Takumi was within sight of the source: Taro. The Imagawa shouldn't have been surprised, but still he was. Despite his best efforts to keep distance between himself and the Nakajima, it seemed they were always fated to butt heads. He wasn't sure if his teammate had spotted him quite yet, but there was an easy way to get his attention if not. Barely wasting a moment, a trio of shuriken were in Takumi's hand, and a quick flick of the wrist later they were curving through the air. They were aimed for Taro's less important bits, and Takumi made sure to give them an extremly wide arc, giving the Nakajima more than enough chance to both see and evade them. Once he did have Taro's attention, Takumi cut straight to the choice.

"What. Are. You. Doing."

Words with plenty of anger behind them, but still at a reasonable volume. Shouting was never something Takumi resorted too, though this was one of those situations that pushed his self-control.

[Nakajima Taro]

Attempting to give every living creature in this forest a physical scare. The awareness of the burning man was quite high, but sadly a target had been obtained and catching up to these creatures wasn't always easy. Animals had a lot of different tricks up their sleeve to escape predators. So despite there being really no malicious intent behind his actions, they were still capable of reasonably evading many first attempt touches by the Nakajima. This meant he'd note the soon be attack quite late in their stride to get his attention.

There intention wasn't to hit, but Taro was only just lucky enough to notice them as they would be hitting. His body would shimmer before splitting totally into flame, allowing all the shuriken to merely pass through him unhindered by mass. His frame of sorts lifted in his naturally heated state, but it'd after the shuriken pass quickly re-shape into the yukigakure shinobi. Momentum lost in the act he'd find himself falling a moment, before his feet locked to the side of the nearest tree. He'd brace himself almost as if ready to pounce, but then his eyes would lock on his teammate. A playful cackle quietly left his grin, as he'd be yelled at.

"Just playing a little tag with the wildlife, a sort of training exercise meets game deal." Taro wasn't the quiet type so he'd have his immediate answer. Inconsiderate of how the explanation might of sounded to his teammate. It was also easier to be honest than to lie, but he'd consider some of the alternative answers in his mind. An overwhelming effort underlaid the boys conscious to make a joke of things, to keep him satiated and generally 'chipper'. "Why'd you wanna join me in the game talk to me?" Taro added fairly certain that wasn't at all the intent of his teammates words, especially with his partners clear look of disapproval. What didn't Takumi disapprove of Taro though? Heh, always fun to find out though.

Words. -- Tags. Notes. Grinning with the intensity of a madman.

Template by Kuroya of THQ & GS.

[Imagawa Takumi]

Takumi was able to visually confirm that his shuriken had been noticed by Taro, what with the Nakajima turning into flames for a moment and all, as well as quick trio of 'thunks' as the weapons finished their arc in a nearby tree. He looked up at Taro from the ground with an expression that teetered between stoic and irritated. A game of tag with the wildlife? Not inherently a bad idea, but of course adding Taro and his fiery tendencies changed things.

"No." One could almost see the distaste dripping off of that singular syllable. "I want you stop disturbing the peace of these woods. There are other ways to train that do not involve harassing wildlife and nearly burning down a forest."

Unfortunately, Taro and Takumi were both as stubborn as they were confrontational, and the Imagawa knew it. He was silent for another beat before he couldn't help but vocalize the hidden ultimatum.

"Leave or be still. Or I will make you."

His hands balled into fists as his gaze bored into Taro. He already knew that the Nakajima wouldn't back down, but he was counting on it. He had always had a strong rivalry with Taro, but ever since the fiery idiot managed to pass the chuunin exams before him, he was even more determined to find ways to surpass him.

[Nakajima Taro]

A scuffed look of bitter disappointment popped on the more villainous boys face. An immediate reaction to that plain and short response of no, he didn't expect much better from his teammate. It still nonetheless soured the mood of the Nakajima. Good Ol'Takumi having to be a stick in the mud over the safety of these woods. It was far too cold and although the air was dry, it wasn't due to a lack of water. There was no chance in Taro's mind that a serious fire was to start from his own actions. This was all just a front to the first issue of disturbing the peace, a problem Taro was all too familiar with causing.

The force needed behind his fire to propel him caused quite a commotion, but it was still only half the volume of the male producing the flames. He was quick to a roar, but even quicker to a 'wanted' fight. 'Leave or be still.' It'd be backed by a threat to which the initiation of wanted now took foot. "You think you can stop me, heh?!" Taro would remark gaining his grin back, as he'd turn his full body towards Takumi now. His energy less poured into lift and now merely kept him off the ground. As he'd narrow his gaze upon Takumi, his pupils narrowing right before he'd charge.

Raising one foot to aim behind him, he'd propel himself with a burst of fire forward. Simultaneously he'd begin to re-establish his other foot, to place it upon the ground and grip both snow and earth. Yanking himself both physically and kinetically, he'd quickly switch to a running motion and rush his fellow teammate. Taro's right fist raising as to throw a mighty right hook. He'd be throwing a relatively high punch, but aim it somewhat downwards, as though shooting to his Takumi's upper ribs and center mass.

Words. -- Tags. Notes. Grinning with the intensity of a madman.

Template by Kuroya of THQ & GS.

[Imagawa Takumi]

Takumi wasn't able to recognize it himself, but deep down he was secretly glad that Taro hadn't backed off from his challenge. Of course he'd prefer if the fiery idiot didn't wreck the peacefulness of the woods, but he held a deep-seated grudge for his teammate and any opportunity to fight Taro was one Takumi would take. Any opportunity to prove that Taro becoming a chuunin before him was just a fluke.

The Nakajima's charge was an expected one, the two more than familiar with each other's fighting styles. In their spars it was always a dance of distances, how well could Takumi keep himself separated from the taijutsu user and how quickly could Taro close the gap. This time, however, Takumi held his ground, one hand retreiving a folded fuma shuriken from his back with the other swiftly grabbing and launching another trio of shuriken towards Taro. They would be incredibly easy to dodge for the Tai sole, but they'd at least buy at least a few fractions of a second for Takumi to get the fuma shuriken in his hand. The shuriken were also thrown with a significant spin to them, something that Taro would also know meant they would soon be spinning back towards their user.

Still remaining in place, Takumi wielded the folded fuma shuriken as a makeshift melee weapon, bracing himself to block the punch from Taro with the flat portion of the weapon.

SPOILER: Click to show

Gear Used:
6x Shuriken

[Nakajima Taro]

As expect Taro wouldn't be very threatened by the second throw of shuriken. He'd dodge the small projectiles with his limber movements, a single shuriken lightly flaying the edge of his shirt though. He was moving in a manner to lose as little momentum and time as possible. Even if it meant a more riskier approach, he knew time would be of the essence too, as those shuriken would be back. He could dodge the things with ease head-on, but they'd return from his flank if he just went swinging left and right. He'd want to put them back in his peripheral if possible, but he wasn't abandoning his attack.

No he'd risk the minor scratch to strike quicker and to be done with his initial attack quicker. As it'd seem the punch was Taro's planned attack, flames would engulf and seemingly devour the fist out of existence as it was thrown. However, as it'd seem the strike was meeting the fuma shuriken, the Nakajima would return his hand to flesh. It'd be open now and close upon the flat edges of the inner fold to the weapon, at least he'd attempt to make the hold, as he'd fire off a burst of chakra from his foot. Attempting to hastily deliver a sudden knee jab to Takumi's got, he'd help the motion by attempting to pull himself inward using his rival as an anchor.

If this surprise strike failed, he'd instead whip up his foot with the knee jab. As to attempt to deliver a longer reaching, but less impactful kick to the gut. Either action and regardless of if it really managed to connect, the chuunin would then use that performed force to attempt to throw him backwards and to the side. He'd whip his right shoulder back mid retreat his strike, as to assist him in changing his position. An attempt to put Takumi and his returning shuriken within his line of sight. Though at this point his footing would lack much ground and it was clear he was positioned more to retreat than perform another strike. At least another strike seemed unlikely without Taro burning both chakra and body to accomplish it.

Words. -- Tags. Notes. Grinning with the intensity of a madman.

Template by Kuroya of THQ & GS.

[Imagawa Takumi]

The Imagawa grunted as he felt the impact of Taro's hand against his own weapon, a bit taken aback by the discrepancy between his expectation of a punch and the reality of the Nakajima taking hold of the shuriken.

The flash of fire coming from Taro's foot was enough to warn Takumi of the incoming knee jab and he made the split second decision to abandon his fuma shuriken, dodging backwards to avoid being kneed in the gut. He didn't expect a follow-up to the follow-up, however, grunting again as he felt Taro's foot connect with his stomach. The Imagawa just barely managed to stay on his feet by sending chakra into the soles of his feet, preventing him from being knocked to either side: he wanted to keep Taro's back to the now returning trio of shuriken.

However the Nakajima dealt with the projectiles, Takumi's hand would already be shoved together in a single handseal, a shadow clone appearing just to his right just a moment later. The original Takumi reached out to take his clone's remaining fuma shuriken, unfurling it before heaving the massive projectile in Taro's direction. He gave it quite the significant spin, which meant that it too would eventually return to his position, though its speed was greatly reduced because of it. The clone began running the moment it felt the fuma shuriken lifted from its back, taking a more curved path to try and launch a simple attack against Taro.

SPOILER: Click to show

Gear Used:
6x Shuriken

Jutsu Used:
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.

NAME: Kage Bunshin no Jutsu [Shadow Clone Technique]
RANK: B
CHAKRA USAGE: Medium
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
HANDSEALS: 1
DESCRIPTION:
The Kage Bunshin technique evenly distributes your chakra between one or more clones with form and substance.

The clones created by this technique are able to utilize any jutsu the original ninja knows, has all of their special abilities, as well as their kekkei genkai. Typically a clone's equipment doesn't retain any special abilities and the clone itself is dispersed when hit with a single attack or incapacitated, although the clone can also choose to disperse itself or be dispersed by the user.

When the clone finally disperses, any new knowledge it has gained along with it's remaining chakra are passed back to the original ninja and any additional clones.

[Nakajima Taro]

Attempting to get around his rival was proving difficult, but that was the problem with fighting your friends. They knew the expectations of their teammate and could guess the goals of their actions. Withholding the Nakajima from changing angles and persisting to remain a distance away. It'd leave the red eyed male with only one option, he'd have to burn both chakra and body to clear the gap. All out and all in.

Taro would somewhat blindly throw the fuma shuriken he'd received back, as to keep it farther from it's owner. However it'd also hopefully fly into the path of the shuriken heading for his position and back. Even if it hit one it'd of been of some aid to his plan going forward, he'd after all feel far less threatened by regular shuriken. Those unhit and remaining true of predictive aim would lodge into Taro's back with their typical light thud. No full body cremation.

Instead Taro's focus went to performing a task, as he'd slap his hands together in a single seal. He'd cremate his near whole lower half, as to avoid the fuma shuriken attack, but also to launch him up into air. He'd purposely propel himself up and forward towards the clone, as he'd rematerialize immediately most his lower half to quickly perform a weaker scale 'star fall'. However he'd seen the clone made and knew it'd be easily dispersed by this technique if it hit.

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Haini: Nenshō Haretsu Ippo [Cremation: Combustion Bursting Step]

RANK: C-Rank

CHAKRA USAGE: Low [Low to Maintain]

CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu

ELEMENT: Katon

HANDSEALS: 1

REQUIREMENT: Haini no Jutsu & Haini: Nenshō Ippo

DESCRIPTION:
A technique which amplifies the burst of flame from combustion step, this increases the propulsion of the first jutsu. Not only allowing the shinobi to maintain off the ground, but also allowing them to freely rise up higher at a moderate pace. This technique can also boost sideways momentum or greatly boost a downward dive bomb. The chakra cost of this technique stacks with the combustion step.


NAME: Haini: Hoshi Aki [Cremation: Star Fall]

RANK: B-Rank

CHAKRA USAGE: Medium

CLASSIFICATION: Taijutsu

ELEMENT: Katon

HANDSEALS: 0

REQUIREMENT: Haini no Jutsu

DESCRIPTION:
Typically when above the target the user will descend down to strike a point. During the descent the user will have or will suddenly turn their foot into fire with a partial cremation. Bursting the fire upwards to either side of the leg the user will speed up this descent, as the air naturally feeds into the flame at the end of the users leg. Converting the heightened flame back into a foot and dispersing the excess energy into downward motion. This hits with stone shattering force and intensely burns the spot it hits. The potential of this technique increases based on the height of the descent though, so where at a stool height drop would be merely a strong kick, a mile high dive-bomb could create quite the crater. Granted the users body could survive the force themselves.

Words. -- Tags. Notes. Grinning with the intensity of a madman.

Template by Kuroya of THQ & GS.

[Imagawa Takumi]

Takumi noted as Taro dealt with his various projectiles systematically. His lost fuma shuriken was used against the smaller shuriken that were coming back, knocking two of them away and leaving only one of them to hit Taro's back. As expected, Taro also dodged out of the way of his second thrown fuma shuriken, cremating his lower body before launching himself up into the air.

Any hope of Takumi being able to catch the fuma shuriken when it came back was dashed by Taro's quick follow up with his star fall technique, the attack dispersing the shadow clone and its fuma shuriken with it. The Imagawa immediately began attempting to put some more distance between the two of them, reaching into one of his pouches to retrieve yet another trio of shuriken. As he jogged away, he launched them in quick succession, with only one of them headed directly towards his rival and the remaining two instead being flung at a nearby trees. The two headed for the trees weren't meant to embed themselves in the wood, but were flung with small amounts of chakra to ricochet off of the trees and hopefully towards Taro's feet.

"You move around way too much..."

Takumi grumbled some words to himself, a phrase he had mumbled many times in the past when he found himself squaring off against his extremely fast and evasive rival. It was begrudgingly an asset when they were fighting enemies of Yukigakure, but extremely aggravating when it came to their small bouts. As always, beating Taro was a goal that was always just out of reach for Takumi.

SPOILER: Click to show

Gear Used:
9x Shuriken
1x Fuma Shuriken

Jutsu Used:
NAME: Usagi no Baunsu [Bouncing Rabbit]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Bukijutsu
ELEMENT: -
HANDSEALS: 0
DESCRIPTION:
This is a very cunning technique to be used with shuriken. This time, the metal stars are not aimed at the opponent directly, but rather at the ground near them. The stars would ricochet from the ground, or any other hard surface, and towards the opponent. Due to the unpredictable nature of the ricochets, it is very hard to dodge or block them, even for experienced opponents.

[Nakajima Taro]

Taro had a pretty good idea of the technique his teammate was using. Granted if it wasn't what he thought, then he'd assume the diverted shuriken to prevent a dodge. He'd need to make up for burning his reserves in his last attack and both them knew Taro was a bonfire from fine. Forcing himself to run at full pace, he'd cross his arms in front of himself and block the shuriken with the back of his arm. Clenching his muscles to try and prevent it from sticking or at least sticking in to deep.

Through weight training he felt he could catch up and clear the gap between his friend. Hopefully just picking up pace and not letting the forward coming shuriken from slowing him would dodge the other attacks. If not he felt more or less confident in his pace and boots to protect his feet. Determination would certainly drive the grinning maniac forward, as he'd know at the end of this suffering would be his turn. The more he could save up the bigger his redemption slug would be after all. To the Nakajima this was just a part of the fun to being a shinobi.

If able to catch up to Takumi, he'd immediately go for a tackle. Knowing ultimately if he succeeded, he'd have the advantage in pinning his teammate. A surrender would likely follow. If he failed, then as a Nakajima, he could cremate mid-tackle to avoid anything the tackle would open him up to. The beauty of his clan was the ability to attempt these riskier moves.

SPOILER: Click to show

Words. -- Tags. Notes. Grinning with the intensity of a madman.

Template by Kuroya of THQ & GS.

[Imagawa Takumi]

Takumi recognized the situation long before it happened, it was a scenario he had been in many times before. Sure, the opening moves and middle bits were different from fight to fight, but in the end Taro would always be able to close the distance between the two fighters. The Nakajima was more than agile enough to evade the majority of Takumi's ranged attacks, those that he didn't he was confident enough to simply take, and those that he knew would be dangerous he could cremate through. The Imagawa never could fully understand if it was luck, skill, or grit that allowed Taro to defeat him time and time again, but no matter what it was it was always infuriating.

Takumi braced himself as Taro tackled him with a hefty amount of moment, the air huffing out of his longs as the two went to the ground. Anything beyond this was unnecessary and just shameful, and after rolling a few meters in the snow Takumi tapped twice to signal his surrender. When the message was received, the attempted to shove his teammate off of him, angrily grunting and trying to get to his feet.

"Get off of me. Point made. Keep disturbing the tranquility of this land for all I care you oaf."

Whenever Takumi did manage to get onto his feet, he quickly himself off, knocking plenty of snow and earth off of his person after their rough tumble on the ground.

[Nakajima Taro]

The Nakajima was no less proud of his results than normal, but he still was no unrelenting prick. So when his teammate tapped out, it'd trigger a near immediate response from Taro. Bouncing off his downed teammate to his own feet, he'd pop up and down. Still full of adrenaline from the rush, he'd give the air a few celebratory punches. Before he'd shake his whole body in one sort of spring jump, anywhere on him covered in snow or dirt would shift to flame and discard the rubble. He had cuts to heal now though and felt pretty good about the days exercise.

Takumi on the other hand was clearly no shinning beacon of joy. It didn't really click in the Nakajima's thick head how this effected his teammates morale. To him the following attitude was nothing out of the normal. If anything surely the bitter touch to it was because Taro was messing with these sacred woods again. Disrupting the silence. "HA! I got you to talk, that's enough disturbed tranquility for me! I'll leave your precious woods alone." Taro stated as he'd turn himself toward Yukigakure and start walking off.

He'd stop a few steps off and raise a hand to gesture goodbye. "Blast as always Takumi!" He'd say before bringing his hands together and speeding his departure from the scene. [Exit Thread]

SPOILER: Click to show

Words. -- Tags. Notes. Grinning with the intensity of a madman.

Template by Kuroya of THQ & GS.