[Arakawa Kaida]

Arakawa Kaida

Kaida was on the hunt. The red haired kunoichi stalking across the rooftops, tree tops, and sprawling power lines of Takigakure no Sato as she slowly combed through the various shinobi hangout and training grounds for her prey. One Hijikata Saga, the other lizard Sage Apprentice and a boy who would either be her first friend... or a bitter rival. Personally Kaida found herself hoping for the former rather then the latter. The lizards had spoken well of the other genin and Kaida would be lying if her curiosity hadn't been sparked. As sharp venomous green reptilian eyes darted over her surroundings from where the genin had come to perch high atop a tree searching for her blue haired, green eyed, target.

Hopefully he didn't run. she hated it when they ran. Especially given she had taken such care to wear her most concealing long sleeved turtleneck, clothes, pants, and boots, her face carefully hidden beneath her gasmask and the only indication the girl was anything other then a perfectly normal human being the odd shade and shape of her eyes. However, given Saga had chosen to sign the Shōryō Tokage contract the boy hopefully would not be put off by her appearance. With training his eyes might become the same as hers for a time if they managed to master imperfect sage mode together. Perhaps they'd even end up reptilian permanently if he screwed up. The possibilities were endless as grinning wickedly behind her mas Kaida finally narrowed in on her target spotting a shock of rich blue hair as she dropped down from the tree behind the boy.

"Hello are you Hijikata Saga?" Kaida inquired knowing quite well who the boy was, but her Father had told her inquiring was polite. "I am Arakawa Kaida. It appears we will be working together quite closely from here forward. I hope we can grow to rely upon one another." She introduced herself with a short polite bow, never taking those eerie bright reptilian eyes off the boys face her mechanical tone somehow managing to sound practically giddy at the prospect despite the reverb of her mask.

SPOILER: Click to show

Justu Goes Here

悪夢

                           Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: 356| Hijikata Saga

[Hijikata Saga]

"sage enforced friendship". "How can you move forward if you keep on regretting the past?" MY FISH Saga had been standing near a steam, not too far from one of the village's training grounds. He had a bamboo fishing rod on his hand, a little bucket by his side and some bait. The bucket only had two small-sized fish so far, but he was still fishing, which meant he was probably not satisfied with his success so far. Tension on the line, and indication that something was biting it, then, in a sudden pull, the line of the rod would be tensed to its maximum. "Nasty one, uh?! Heh!" he would say, cracking a smirk in the corner of his mouth. The boy and the fish started their intense battle, as he moved the rod from one side to the other, trying to pull the creature from the water, but this one was offering a hell of a fight. "Come on, you stupid fish! Give up already, will ya?!" he complained in a grumpier tone than before. His concentration made him completely oblivious to the girl's approach and when he was about to be able to pull the fish out, her voice spooked the hell out of him. "AAAAH!!" and with the scare, he dropped his fishing rod on the stream, and it was easily dragged away by the fish. The boy sighed in disappointment. "Oh maaaaan... I was so close..." he complained as he shook his head, before suddenly remembering someone had just spoken to him. Turning around rather quickly, his green eyes would meet hers, but he would not recognize that face. In a rather confused expression, he tilted his head to the side, arching one of his brows and scratching his ear with his pinky finger. "Do I know ya?" he asked, and then the girl introduced herself. The girl had pretty eyes, but the mask covered most of her face, so he didn't formed an opinion on her just yet. She seemed polite enough and mentioned something about them working together. "Are we? I'm not in a team, am I? Ryu-sama didn't say anything to me... Oh! Right! I am Saga. You can call me just that, it's fine. Ya cool with Kaida?" he asked, not wanting to be rude to the girl, but it was clear he was a bit of an odd ball. "There is no such a thing as a painless lesson, they just don't exist. Sacrifices are necessary; you can't gain something without losing something..." Training Fishing [Arakawa Kaida] [367 words]

[Arakawa Kaida]

Arakawa Kaida

"I'm fine with being called Kaida," She was quick to agree. It was her name after all and what most of the lizards called her anyway other then a few who called her silly things like 'half-scaled', but they called normal humans 'scale-less' so the girl was fairly certain it was a compliment all things considered. The red head offering out a gloved hand in greeting as she smiles behind her mask eyes crinkling slightly as she tries to mimic how she'd seen other masked shinobi get their emotions and intentions across. Reptiles didn't really smile. Not in the same way as the motion made the muscles in her cheeks aches.

"I have also recently signed the Shōryō Tokage contract so we're comrades in arms," Kaida explains wondering how long she has to keep up the 'I'm a normal person able to emote 100% normally' act in order to encourage this friendship. People were exhausting and her face hurt already from the smiling, but it would be worth it to have a training partner. "Has... Ryu-sama actually taught you anything yet?" She inquires curious. The man wasn't particularly fond of her and for good reason, but she got along well enough with the lizards. If he was not available to teach given the importance of running the village she could now find other avenues to learn.

SPOILER: Click to show

Justu Goes Here

悪夢

                           Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count:226 | Hijikata Saga

[Hijikata Saga]

"sage enforced friendship". "How can you move forward if you keep on regretting the past?" NOT REALLY Saga would respond to her gloved hand with his own gloved hand, shaking it in their own compliment; coming from a civilian background, he was way more casual with his greetings, and didn't do a whole lot of bowing, or anything too fancy unless instructed to do so, unless they bossed him around, in which case he would make a point of not complying. The red-haired would explain she had also signed the Lizard contract, and that they were colleagues now. "I see... Well, welcome to the team, I guess? I don't know if we are an actual team. I'm not supposed to be in a team." he admitted, noticing he was probably talking too much, which embarrassed him. The boy would fold his arms in front of his chest and gaze away as not to show his embarrassment, only for the girl to ask him a follow up question about their master, the actual Lizard Sage. "A lesson in humility? He sent me to the last Chuunin Exams, and told me that if I didn't die, he would help me become strong. So far... I've only did menial tasks, other than train with the Lizards here and there." he shrugged, showing his mild frustration with his lack of instruction. "How about you?" he asked, arching one brow in curiosity. "There is no such a thing as a painless lesson, they just don't exist. Sacrifices are necessary; you can't gain something without losing something..." Training Conversation [Arakawa Kaida] [205 words]

[Arakawa Kaida]

Arakawa Kaida

"Ryu-sama doesn't really like me that much I think." Kaida murmured unable to hold her faked cheer and friendliness in the face of this particular topic. Her voice dropping back down to a calmer, more natural octave that made the metallic twang of her mask a bit worse for wear. "I uh... saw a few of his techniques and tried to copy them. I didn't realize being signed with the contract was a key part of the techniques so I managed to mostly complete it, but... ended up hurting myself pretty badly trying to copy him. That's why..." And she gestures to the fact she's covered from near head to toe from sight.

"I did get to sign the Shoryo Tokage contract though because the lizards like me even if Ryu-sama is a bit... neutral towards my existence." She explains scuffing her foot lightly against the dirt frustrated and shy. "I can... uh... I can show you the little bit I saw, but I only give away information to friends so that would mean you'd have to be mine. That's the deal." Kaida offers. Personally she feels it's a rather fair exchange. She wasn't likely to fuss at him or be squeamish like the other girls when it came to reptiles. In fact she was very pleasant and perhaps if they worked together she and Saga could muddle along a bit further on their own then they could alone.

SPOILER: Click to show

Justu Goes Here

悪夢

                           Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: 239 | Hijikata Saga

[Hijikata Saga]

"sage enforced friendship". "How can you move forward if you keep on regretting the past?" FRIENDS He nodded when she mentioned Ryu not liking her much, it seemed like that was just how things were with their Lord. Then, the red-haired girl started going on about how she tried to copy some of the techniques and because of that she had to cover herself, to hide her injuries. Still, that didn't sit well with Saga. "If you got hurt trying that's okay, it's at least a proof of your courage. I don't think you should hide it. If people complain about it, you should just punch them in the nose." he said, in a slightly annoyed tone, not at the girl, mind you, but at the perspective of people shaming someone to the point they had to hide. Then, she went on to scuff her foot against the dust, looking a bit more shy than before. She offered to show him what she could so, in exchange for his friendship. And while that seemed like a fair exchange, he wasn't quite so sure it would be beneficial for the girl. He gazed away, cheeks flaring in a hue of red as he scratched the back of his head. "I dunno if you would want to be friends with me. I cause problems to everyone. That's why I got suspended... And probably why I was sent to die on the exams in the Land of Water..." he admitted, feeling his stomach twisting as he remembered the death of his brother, which he was directly responsible for. He would then gaze back at her, with the corner of his bright, emerald eyes. "I can promise to do my best, but don't hold it against me if I fuck up... If you are okay with that, then we can be friends..." he wanted a friend, for he had no one. Everyone he cared about had died. But maybe this could be a new beginning of sorts. "There is no such a thing as a painless lesson, they just don't exist. Sacrifices are necessary; you can't gain something without losing something..." Training Conversation [Arakawa Kaida] [301 words]

[Arakawa Kaida]

Arakawa Kaida

Kaida blinks in surprise at his comment, clear inner eyelid sliding closed briefly over her reptilian orbs before her outer eyelids as she rocks back on her heels slightly in surprise. She hadn't really thought of it that way, but.. maybe the boy didn't realize the extent of her scarring. The mental image of her Dad murmuring reassurances that it 'probably wasn't that bad' followed by the look of horror when they removed her bandages. He had been quick to smooth away any fear or surprise but the look in her Father's eyes in that moment has stuck with her.

"Are you... are you sure?" She questions hesitantly, "I know I'm sure about you being my friend." Kaida adds her voice firm and decisive even as her fingers lingered hesitantly on the clasp of her mask uncertain if she should leave it or remove it. Uncertain if the boy would run if he actually saw her face.

"I cause problems too so I don't mind. They called me Akumu in the academy. Most still do." She adds hoping to reassure Saga to some extent and uncertain if she's doing a decent job of it. Telling him her nickname maybe wasn't the best way to engender trust. Not with a nickname like hers.

SPOILER: Click to show

Justu Goes Here

悪夢

                Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: 212| Hijikata Saga

[Hijikata Saga]

"sage enforced friendship". "How can you move forward if you keep on regretting the past?" MONIKERS Saga huffed when she asked if he was sure. "I said what I said. A man doesn't go back on their word!" his tone was quite abrasive, but he didn't do that in a mean way; he would just default to emotions resembling anger or annoyance whenever he felt embarrassed or uncomfortable, and social interactions with fellow shinobi were far beyond his comfort zone. Still, it brought him some solace to hear she was also a troublemaker of some sort, and when she revealed her moniker, which meant 'Nightmare', he looked at her, emerald eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Why do they call you that? Do you make people have nightmares? Is that gen-lusion thing?" he had forgot the proper name for genjutsu, it was clear he was not the sharpest boy in the world, but he was genuinely interested in her story. "Because they call me breath of fire, because... I can breath fire... With ninjutsu, ya know... Pom, paw, puff!" he made the sounds as he just waived hand seals, even though he was not moulding chakra, then placed his right hand by his mouth and blew some air. "Fuuuuu... Fire. Like that." he said with a sagely nod. Then, he leaned his head forward, getting a bit closer to her. "Do you have trouble breathing? Or is that a water breathing mask? You like swimming or something?" and in his own weird way, he was showing he was interested in the lass. "There is no such a thing as a painless lesson, they just don't exist. Sacrifices are necessary; you can't gain something without losing something..." Training Conversation [Arakawa Kaida] [228 words]

[Arakawa Kaida]

Arakawa Kaida

Kaida leaned back slightly surprised to find the older boy suddenly in her space though she had to admit the concept of breathing fire sounded immensely fun. "I'm katon natured too. Maybe we could train that together some." She mused fingers still fidgeting slightly with her gas mask. "And it called genjutsu. I'm a genjutsu specialist yeah. I can do all sorts of things like disappear and freeze you in a box. I'm pretty great." She states proud of her capabilities if she does say so herself as finally she undoes her mask tugging it off to reveal her mutilated face. Half her mouth twisted into a reptilian sneer and scales covering her skin in patches as blinking both inner and outer eyelids she flicks her tongue out at him playfully, the end formed like a lizards.

"And I wear it so I don't scare people, but," And she pauses uncertain quite how to explain the phenomina, "Bad air kinda... it burns my nose and tongue and hurts. So I wear the mask so I don't get overwhelmed. I can't really use it to smell yet. Everything is just... too much." Kaida admits somewhat shyly as deciding to be bold, or just to prevent Saga from running away the girl reached out to grab his wrist tugging him along with her.

"Come on. I know this great training grounds with lots of nature energy. I can show you how to meditate there and maybe we can figure out how to gather nature energy... err... successfully that is." She suggests heading further up stream and into the thicker woods.

SPOILER: Click to show

Justu Goes Here

悪夢

                Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: 268 | Hijikata Saga

[Hijikata Saga]

"sage enforced friendship". "How can you move forward if you keep on regretting the past?" LIKE A DRAGON When Kaida revealed she also had fire as her chakra nature, the boy gave her a large smile, showing his sharp fangs. "Fire is the best! Hehe!" he chuckled in excitement, pausing to listen to her explanation about the illusion techniques and what they were actually called. It seemed she could do quite a lot of different things with that, but to be completely honest? It sounded awfully complicated, so it was not something he was much interested in. Then, as she finished the explanation, she removed her mask, showing the green scales she had. His emerald eyes widened in what could be perceived as shock, but in reality it was awe. "Wow... Those scales..." he said, before cracking a large smirk, almost from ear to ear. "You look like a dragon! That's so freaking cool! Dragons are the best! And they breathe fire as well!" his tone was now unable to hide his excitement. When she said she wore the mast not to scare people, he arched one of his brows, showing a hint of confusion in his eyes. "People are scared of you? Well... Screw them! They are probably idiots. Why do you care?" he said, shrugging and resting both his hands behind his back in a quite laidback posture. He listened to the explanation as to the other use for the mask, and that seemed like a more reasonable cause for wearing it. "I'm sure you will get used to it sooner or later. It's just how things work." he had no way to really know that; call it wishful thinking, maybe. Then, when she mentioned a good training ground nearby, his eyes sparkled with excitement and he nodded to her, quickly following Kaida to wherever it was she was taking him to. "There is no such a thing as a painless lesson, they just don't exist. Sacrifices are necessary; you can't gain something without losing something..." Training Following Kaida [Arakawa Kaida] [283 words]

[Arakawa Kaida]

Arakawa Kaida

She'd never thought of her scars and scales like that. To her they'd always just been a reminder of her failures. A living roadmark of her progress or lack there of as the girl blushed prettily to be compared to something as regal as a dragon, her forks tongue stuck with just the two tines sticking out in her shock as she turned nearly as red as her hair. The genin ducking her head shyly as her grip on his wrist softened to something firm, but not grasping now that she was no longer afraid Saga might run away. "I... you think I'm coolll?" She questions voice lisping slightly on the last word in shock as she fought to get her tongue back in working order.

"I think... I think you're pretty cool too," Kaida murmured her heart warming as she lead him down a small trail through the gradually growing larger trees. The girl tensing a bit as they neared their destination as this particular training area held less then pleasant memories for her as the forest opened up to a clearing. In the center of which was a crystal clear pond and in the middle of that a large flat warm rock in the sunshin. The feeling of natural energy heavy and hanging thick in the air in a way that had first coaxed Kaida to choose this particular spot as the one for her experimentation. Threading chakra to her feet the girl stepped out onto the water leading Saga towards 'her' rock.

"We can meditate here. Maybe learn to better feel the natural energy around us." She suggests as she settles down cross legged on the warm stone. Already practically melting at the steady heat. Her gloved hands oddly cold where she'd held onto her new partner in crime.

SPOILER: Click to show

Justu Goes Here

悪夢

                Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: 302 | Hijikata Saga

[Hijikata Saga]

"sage enforced friendship". "How can you move forward if you keep on regretting the past?" MEDITATION Saga looked almost confused when she asked him if he thought she was cool, so for the first time, he solely nodded his head a few times, and then when she asked it again, he frowned his brows, approaching her face and repeating at a louder tone. "Yes, I think you look cool! Are you hard of hearing or something? I can speak louder if you need!" he said, his tone now just short of a shout. He offered no resistance as she guided him through the area, leading them up to clearing with a pond with clear water in the centre of it, where there was also a large, flat rock. The place seemed pleasant enough, and there was something in the air that was different, maybe that was the natural energy she mentioned before. Saga looked around, clearly pleased with their environment, but his smile faded away when she mentioned meditation. "We need to sit still, eh? That's so boring... But the Lizards told me I should learn to do that properly. Empty my mind or something... That is not even the hard part..." he admitted, scratching his cheek once again. "The hard part is not falling asleep... I kinda end up doing that when I try to meditate so... If you have any pointers... I'm... All ears..." and when he noticed his tone was getting closer to a mumble due to being embarrassed of his request, he widened his eyes, stiffened his posture and repeated loudly. "Teach me how to stay awake in the boring sitting thing!" he asked with a big bow. "There is no such a thing as a painless lesson, they just don't exist. Sacrifices are necessary; you can't gain something without losing something..." Training Clearing [Arakawa Kaida] [250 words]

[Arakawa Kaida]

Arakawa Kaida

Kaida giggled as Saga pondered if she was hard of hearing as he increased his volume, "No no I can hear just fine. I was um... I was surprised. No ones ever called me cool before, but... yeah yeah I am pretty cool." She explains perking up a bit at the boost of confidence from the boy as she grins back at him snaggle toothed and happy as she pats the spot beside her on the rock.

"I'm really good at meditating. It's useful for genjutsu, but... I don't think emptying your mind is the right way of doing it for you." Kaida murmurs expression puzzled, but thoughtful as she raps her gloved fingers lightly on her knee deep in thought.

"Well... we mostly empty our bad so we can extend our senses to better become aware of nature around us. Maybe instead of not thinking you should... listen. Yeah listen to the world around you and feel it. By paying attention to what is around you without seeing with your eyes your thoughts will probably go quiet on their own." The red head murmured nodding to herself. It seemed like a good plan.

"Here... close your eyes and rest your palms against the stone. Tell me what you feel." She questions guiding his hand to the rock till his palm was resting against it's sun warmed surface.

SPOILER: Click to show

Justu Goes Here

悪夢

                Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: 228 | Hijikata Saga

[Hijikata Saga]

"sage enforced friendship". "How can you move forward if you keep on regretting the past?" LIKE FISHING When Kaida said that nobody had called her cool before, he shrugged as if it was no big deal. "People are stupid." a simple statement, but he carried a lot of conviction in his tone; he had his hands full with people being mean to him, so he could see why people would not compliment Kaida, even though her unique looks were something he thought were nice, different, special even. When she said that emptying his mind was not the right way, he looked confused for a moment, and then he cracked a triumphant smirk. "I see... I knew it! I told Nii-chan that there's no way I can empty my mind!" he said, and upon noticing he was being too excited, he blushed and turned away. "I mean, please, go on..." he said, trying to sound more dignified now, but failing miserably. The girl would then suggest that he should try to listen to the world, and try to feel it. He widened his eyes, as if she had spoken something unimaginable before. "So... Kinda like fishing, uh?!" and it all made sense now, and he could barely believe it. It was something incredible, and so simple, he wondered why he was never able to figure it out. Then, when instructed to close his eyes and rest his palm on the stone, he obliged and once his eyelids were closed, he breathe in deeply, and exhaled slowly. He tried to focus on the sounds of the world, the rippling of the water, the rustling of the leaves; focus on the feeling of the wind against his skin, much like he did when he was fishing. And it was working. "There is no such a thing as a painless lesson, they just don't exist. Sacrifices are necessary; you can't gain something without losing something..." Training Learning to meditate [Arakawa Kaida] [267 words]

[Arakawa Kaida]

Arakawa Kaida

Kaida moved as if to reach out before pausing. Glancing towards Saga's closed eyes she slowly tugs off her gloves reaching out a scaled hand to press her palm against the rock close enough to her new friends she could almost feel the heat of his skin. As she too closed her eyes and breathed in deep and slow. "Feel your nails against the rock..." She murmurs voice soft.

"The heat of the sun on the stone," As she allows the radiant warmth to take away the slight chill that always clung to her skin.

"Smell the earth and leaves on the breeze." Kaida whispers her tongue flicking out despite her attempts to stop it to half taste, half smell the air. "And listen to the sounds of the world around you." She murmurs letting herself get lost in nature. Her chakra pulsing and spinning slowly within her to the steady beat of her heart.

"When empty our mind to listen to the world, but sometimes we need to listen to the world to empty our minds." She murmurs that sense of strength and peace that always came from being one with nature settling slowly into her bones as she fell silent. Savoring the harmony.

SPOILER: Click to show

Justu Goes Here

悪夢

                Made by Keen of FBNRP | Word Count: 205 | Hijikata Saga