[Uzumaki Ataru]

It was late in the day, sometime in the evening well past a normal day of instruction at the academy and once more Ataru found himself alone in an isolated training yard on the grounds of the school. For someone so optimistic, considered to be so utterly carefree and usual propped up in a happy mood he was certainly disciplined. Long after everyone else had gone the young fiery haired boy stayed behind hard at work. Imagining the needle-like senbon of condensed ash shoot through the air piercing past the concealment of forested canopies as well as the time when he was forced out by a miasma of ash and caught out in open ground. Such memories made him shudder and he was determined never to have a repeat of it, drilling himself to an ever increasing harsh standard. It was not only his Sensei who expected much from him, but Ataru himself who would stop at nothing to strive toward greater heights and further the scope of his abilities. All to live up to this set standard and conceived notion of fulfilling their ninja way... 

Moving across the ground with dexterous fluidity, evasive footwork and slight subtle shits in his stance and posture allowed him to move almost akin to a hummingbird. Pulling on a series of strings that sent a harrowing storm of practice shuriken and kunai at him from multiple directions the stinging memory of pain lashed its streak against his body and mind. Weaving between them with precision the boy utilizes his honed agility and performs a series of practiced movements enforced by muscle memory and sharpened senses. Stepping to and fro, after each one slings loose its staggered barrage the youth stands amidst a field of ninja tools in about a four by four feet spanning circle. Golden eyes radiate their steadfast determination as they gaze about the area seemingly satisfied with the performance but even so the student appears as if he is nowhere near done. Collecting it all up, he sets it into a pack with the rest of his things and runs a thumb along the cusp of his chin seemingly in stark thought on what to try out and do next. 

[Hyūga Hitomi]

Hyūga Hitomi

With her duties done for the day, and probably the last of the instructors on site, Hitomi had begun the process of locking the Academy up and then preparing to head home. A scan of the Academy with her Byakugan had her realise that she wasn't the only one still on the grounds though, and she watched as the small figure continued to practice in one of the further training grounds. Frowning slightly, the Hyūga woman finished closing everything up before calmly walking in the direction of the student still training.

She deactivated her doujutsu once she was within normal visual range of him, the Special Jounin taking note of how unusual fluid he was in his movements and actions for his age. He could probably give older Academy students a run for their money truth be told, and if this sort of work ethic was normal for him, she could see why. He was still a student though, and he definitely wasn't supposed to be here right now, unsupervised.

"What are you still doing here Ataru-kun?" she asked, seemingly appearing out of nowhere as she blurred into sight with the use of Shunpo to give him a little bit of a fright. Despite the high speed movment, her robes were unruffled and not a hair was out of place, as was appropriate for a Hyūga of the Main Branch such as herself.

"The Academy grounds closed thirty minutes ago"

Word Count: 240
Tags: Uzumaki Ataru

[Uzumaki Ataru]

His line of thought came broken like a severed line of tension as the visage of a familiar woman formed in front of him out of nowhere, his arms spazzed outward defensively from their previously engaged or resting position and he clutched at his chest in fright at the sudden and imminent surprise born from her arrival. It was as if she had stolen the breath from his lungs and his heart had skipped a beat before seizing up for the barest moment, taking a few gulps of air allows the shock to settle from beating its coursing tempo through his veins the boy's bulging amber eyes begin to settle as he takes notice of who it is. "You scared me, Hitomi sensei!" spoken with a shaky breath, he proceeds to fully calm down afterward returning to a state of even normalcy.

"I know, but I always stay a little afterward either here or somewhere else so I can train more." kicking at the dirt a bit, he seems truly embarrassed or simply a bit frazzled feeling as if he is about to be scolded somehow by the senior Kunochi given her tone. Rubbing at his cheek somewhat in an attempt to settle the emotions inside of himself, the gaze of his eyes downcast toward the ground in preparation of a reprimand of some sort. "I'm not hurting anyone, I just want to be best Shinobi I can, Sensei." His eyes lift from the ground to stare into hers, a mesmerizing amber that appears akin to thin beads of polished gold in the low hanging light shining with a lively sense of resolved determination. It was clear to see he was dedicated to his craft, beyond the scope of normal students and worked tirelessly in striving towards meeting his goal.

[Hyūga Hitomi]

Hyūga Hitomi

The Hyūga simply stared blankly at the declaration of having scared the boy, that was after all the entire point of her doing it. The slightest raise of one perfectly shaped eyebrow would be her only hint to him of this fact, seeing if he could pick up on her currently subdued mannerisms properly. It was always good to test the students after all.

"Be that as it may, the Academy has closed, and you training here does in fact have the potential to hurt someone. You might hurt yourself training without supervision, and even if you don't, I cannot leave while there is a student on the grounds..." she let the sentence trail off, allowing him to pick up on the implications of her words. Technically, simply by remaining on the grounds without permission he was preventing herself or whichever instructor had final duties from going home. 

She couldn't fault him for wanting to improve, but he needed to consider the situation more clearly if he wanted to be a better shinobi.

"I suppose the only thing to do is make sure you finish today properly and send you on your way," the tone of her words hadn't changed a bit, making it seem as though she were still scolding him even as her stance began to shift into something a little more obviously ready to move, trying to hint to him what was coming.

"So then, what exactly are you trying to achieve this evening?"

Word Count: 247
Tags: Uzumaki Ataru

[Uzumaki Ataru]

The thought crosses his mind that what she did was likely done on purpose, as his foot digs at the ground in a bashful manner. Summing up the nerve to look at their instructor, he would raise his head aloft. Peering up from his downcast gaze reflecting amber gold into a set of stormy white. Now that he had a better look at the disapproving Hyuuga it was clear to see that what she did was intentional and she was also upset but to their credit they had a bit of a right to be all things considered.

"I, uh… I can go Sensei." Making a motion toward his backpack by pointing over the shoulder at it meanwhile across their expression they held a pouting face. It was clear to see he was equal parts frustrated and flustered, deciding to speak out rather than remain silent; he wasn't one to take things lying down. "I know my limits, Hitomi Sensei and there's no one around to even hurt!" Folding his arms one over the other, he was as fiery and outspoken as their flame colored hair.

Though as her statement finishes and rounds off, with the implication held in the air of being stuck here with him. The realization plays out within his eyes as they dance back and forth before staring at her with a stoically neutral somewhat deadpan expression. The teachers at the academy didn't usually care or at least they rarely did enough to interfere, he just guessed that his luck ran out and they pulled the short straw in dealing with the strict Hyuuga. Though he understood the responsibility she had in remaining, even if it was kinda irking.

Before he had the chance to begrudgingly get ready to leave some surprising words came forth from her pursed lips that left Ataru staring flatly at them. Shrugging his shoulders somewhat dejectedly before giving voice to a clear response, as a measure of liveliness seemed to come back to them. "I was trying to improve my overall speed, and hone my reflexes."

[Hyūga Hitomi]

Hyūga Hitomi

"Ataru-kun, I am a Medic as well as a teacher, do you have any idea how many people I have heard say they knew their limits right before they did something immensely stupid and hurt themselves?" she asked with a raised eyebrow. Really, shinobi were the same no matter where you went, or how old you were. 

"Speed and reflexes are an important thing to hone, though difficult to do on your own. Perhaps we'll play a little game..." with that said, the Instructor tossed a training kunai towards the Uzumaki, the edges lined with a vibrant chalk, before drawing a number of chalk balls and casually tossing them from one hand to the next without looking at them. "You're going to try and hit me, while dodging these little balls, and if you can mark me once before the end of the hour, I'll let you go. If you can't... you'll be scrubbing the toilets tomorrow during lunch break for being on Academy Grounds outside of hours. How does that sound?"

It sounded unfair of course, he was a student and she was a Tokubetsu Jounin, and a Hyuga to boot, but really she wasn't going to give him an impossible task, just teach him a little lesson on making sure you don't overdo it. 

And to fear medics at least a little, because that was healthy for a shinobi.

Word Count: 231
Tags: Uzumaki Ataru

[Uzumaki Ataru]

He thought for a few moments genuinely mulling it over inside his kid brain, attempting to guesstimate the sheer scope of people that had likely bleated out the same thing as him. Nothing was unique, everything that had been done was once done before. Feelings weren't unique to a single person, nor were the experiences in which such emotions resonated. Inclined to answer given her open ended question, he would offer their response. "Forty two."

As she continued on speaking he expected more of a scolding but instead came faced with something that surprised him. Raising an eyebrow in response to her own words and gesture, offering to train them from the seems of it. "A game, what kind of game?" He spoke with a quizzical inflection within his tone, catching the Kunai as she tossed it towards him.

He balances it well in hand and gazes across its breadth noting the chalk lining the tang. "Uh huh… yes ma'am, Hitomi Sensei" Confused at first, he finally got the plot and even gulped a bit upon hearing the consequences looking at her to gauge whether she was serious and when understanding she indeed was while digesting her laid out rules. "It sounds bad but whatever you say!" He spoke the Shinobi's honest truth, not quite liking the prospect of being faced with such a thing but accepting it nonetheless.

Idly wondering if there was an Academy Protective Services to save him from the wrath of his Hyuuga Sensei. He shook it off and takes on a very determined resolved look, he wouldn't cry and call it unfair. Life was unfair, and so the Uzumaki decided to make do. Taking on a combat stance, feet spaced apart and fluid in form as well as firm in stance but not overly rigid - they were prepared and ready to begin. "Good to go, Hitomi Sensei."

[Hyūga Hitomi]

Hyūga Hitomi

Hitomi's eyebrow twitched slightly at Ataru's smartass response to her rhetorical question, the Hyūga deciding that the young boy needed a little more punishment than what she had originally planned. "Seems you would like to up the difficulty Ataru-kun, so I'm going to add in some friends" she said pleasantly, the smile on her face somehow not at all reassuring.

Flipping through a few handseals, Hitomi brought her hand down to the ground and in a puff of smoke there was suddenly numerous identical small red foxes in front of her, little ANBU masks staring at Ataru curiously. Each fox, no larger than a squirrel, scattered into the grass, seemingly vanishing from view.



"The Bakenokawa will play obstacles, you'll need to watch out for them," Hitomi stated, placing the one visible fox on her shoulder where it perched comfortably, still staring intently at Ataru. With that said, she started the activity off without a word, suddenly tossing one of the chalk balls at the boy, the projectile fast enough for him to dodge (if barely) and aimed at his face so that he could avoid it relatively easily. Center of mass shots were harder to avoid after all.

Really, he wanted to train his agility and reflexes, she was going to make sure he did. Even if it was a little sadistically done.

Word Count: 223
Tags: Uzumaki Ataru

[Uzumaki Ataru]

Uh oh. It seems like the young boy had gone and made her mad with his smart aleck attitude and off the cuff brazen comment. Watching as she weaves a series of hand seals summoning a number of squirrel sized foxes, his concern for their preceding bout shot up a little bit. The smile she gave did little to assuage him in fact proving more eerie than normal given how hadn't seen her smile all too much, wondering in those next moments if she even enjoyed teaching at the Academy.

They were cute and on normal occasions he might try to entice the animals and make friends but now was not the time for such friendly sentiments. As they disappeared into the blades of grass, he frowned a bit still brandishing his Kunai as she proffered a further explanation. Ready and prepared for things to start, as it kicked off without word the boy immediately springs into action. As she flicked the first Chakra ball, he would twist his head to the side proving able to move in a rather deft and fluid manner within these next moments as things amped up.

Having grown accustomed and well used to dodging dozens upon dozens of real-life Shuriken, this activity paled in comparison but remained one he would take incredibly seriously. Seeking to improve and further themselves beyond their current scope, he traveled forward on evasive footing zig zagging irregularly traversing from foot to foot across the grounds attempting to make inroads toward her waiting gait. Slashing out with his blade if he manages to draw close enough while keeping up a keen sense of awareness not only to her actions but the environment particularly the Fox summons secreted away within it.

[Hyūga Hitomi]

Hyūga Hitomi

Ataru might have been used to dodging shuriken, but he obviously hadn't stopped to consider the lesson Hitomi was trying to teach him. She knew he was fast tracked for graduation, and she also knew that his confidence was perhaps too high, so she wanted to impart a sense of caution on him before he left... maybe then he'd come back alive from his missions.

As the first chalk ball whizzed past his head, a second had followed just behind it, in the shadow of the first with just enough spin as to have it arc away from the initial one right into the direction that the Uzumaki was dodging. At the same time, from behind him, one of the tiny foxes leapt out of the grass to swat at the dodged projectile, knocking it back towards Ataru's back even as he ran.

Her hands quickly flashed through a few seals, much too quickly for him to figure what she was doing, though he might catch the brief pause that indicated two separate jutsu were being used. This was followed up by her launching a spread of seven chalk balls at him, the projectiles grouped in such a way as to make dodging incredibly difficult for an academy student. Even one as skilled as the young Uzumaki.

Ataru would find himself leaping forward enough that his sensei appeared to be within reach, the chalk edged kunai lashing at and making contact with Hitomi's robed form... only to pass right through it as he found himself attacking a Bunshin, the real Hitomi a few inches behind her illusory clone to provide it substance and shadow in order to lure him in. With a neutral expression on her features, Hitomi held up a hand containing the crushed remains of a chalk ball, blowing it directly at Ataru's face with a puff of air.

Word Count: 311
Tags: Uzumaki Ataru
Jutsu Used:

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Bunshin no Jutsu [Clone Technique]
RANK: E
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
HANDSEALS: 3
DESCRIPTION:
After performing the necessary hand seals, the user can create a handful of intangible clones to confuse the enemy. They do not contain solid mass, have no shadows and do not interact with the surrounding environment, making them somewhat easy to distinguish from the real person.


PREPARED

NAME: Kawarimi no Jutsu [Body Replacement Technique]
RANK: E
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
HANDSEALS: 5
DESCRIPTION:
After performing the necessary hand seals (one post prior to the technique's use) and locating a nearby object within a 10 meter radius (typically a log or something of similar size to their body.), the user switches places with the said 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.

[Uzumaki Ataru]

He was not only adept at evading storms of shuriken but also the scourge of flames, hails of senbon, the chaos of Mokuton, and what felt like every type of ninja tool under the Sun. His reflexes were honed to such a degree through crucibles of danger and challenge alike, chased down by dogs not only evading their bite but that of infused chakra conductive steel. For one so young, he had been quenched in the fires of perilous hazard. Performed under the semblance of preparation, and in a way Ataru was glad for it because, in moments like these, it helped against the sheer difference in ability such as now and for the hellish experiences that lay on the horizon.

Despite his young age, he was fast-tracked for a reason not only due to an unlikely sense of determination but skill reinforced by a mantra his Sensei drilled into their head. Overconfidence will kill you, and so as he faced down Hitomi he felt fear and a degree of anxiety at fighting them even in a mock setting. Deciding to do his utmost and best, no matter what. As the first ball of Chakra whizzed past, his eyes of gold tracked her form and any that might follow in its shadow or preceding after it. Using the slanted tang of the Kunai trowel to deflect it away, letting it skirt away. A similar tactic had been used against him, the shadow shuriken jutsu accompanied by the likes of wires too.

Narrowing their eyes, slits of luminous light gaze towards dull white watching as she formed a series of seals lightning fast. The jutsu evaded him amongst their blinding speed, leaping forward in between the scatter of Chakra balls. A number either pelted or skirted off the flanks of his form as he sought to close the distance and lash out, he knew it was foolish to do so. A Hyuuga’s strength was in close proximity, founded in their Taijutsu but the order stood and Ataru would follow it. The tang of the blade appeared to pierce through her robed form, but the Uzumaki didn’t believe it - not quite so quickly nor easily.

Looking down at her outstretched hand he sees a pile of chalk dust held within their palm, flipping backward to evade its blowing current. Some of the cloud encroaches upon the edge of his vision even as he closes his eyes shut, letting out an exclaim of pain and surprise there were two parts to his plan now that he was on the backfoot. As he flips back a good distance, he wraps wire through the loop at its pommel tying it off quickly but not before grinding the chalk-slaked blade along another that is kept close to the chest. Creating an impromptu rope dart, he readily uses the original upon their landing, swinging it out in a wide cleaving arc as he reopens their eyes amidst somewhat blurred watery vision.

[Hyūga Hitomi]

Hyūga Hitomi

In his own mind, Ataru was fast, graceful, and strong. In Hitomi's view, he was a precocious child who, admittedly, was a lot better than most, but was still small and oh so fragile in a way that made her worried. So far she hadn't been accelerating anything beyond what he was capable of tracking, but there was a desire to do so just to get the message across. He might be far more skilled than his peers, but for the time being he was just a big fish in a tiny pond, and she couldn't stomach the thought of this small boy dying out there because he was too cocky to realise his own limits.

He was definitely quicker on his feet than the other students his age, the transformation of the weapon she had given him into a rope dart was a clever touch when dealing with an opponent like her. He also didn't start crying when he got chalk in his eyes, which was also a possibility from other students his age, she'd seen it happen.

Darting forward to throw more of the chalk orbs at the young Uzumaki, Hitomi would allow herself to get 'hit' by the swinging arc of the impromptu rope dart, a brief moment where it seemed like she had gotten too confident before a log suddenly appeared in her place, dropping to the ground as chalk balls came from all angles without warning, the Bakenokawa assisting in launching the little projectiles without complaint.

"You're starting to use your brain Ataru-kun, but it's not quite enough yet" she stated calmly, watching him to see what he would do next, "so, show me how you try to win this contest."

Word Count: 286
Tags: Uzumaki Ataru
Jutsu Used:

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Kawarimi no Jutsu [Body Replacement Technique]
RANK: E
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [General]
ELEMENT: None
HANDSEALS: 5
DESCRIPTION:
After performing the necessary hand seals (one post prior to the technique's use) and locating a nearby object within a 10 meter radius (typically a log or something of similar size to their body.), the user switches places with the said 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.

[Uzumaki Ataru]

He knew he was outmatched, that the differences between the two were night and day. Even if she was an instructor and usually stern but kindly, he was an academy student and she was a jonin held in high regard. She wasn't the first person he had fought that outclassed them head and shoulders above. Though he could do with a bit of reminding, especially amidst the throes of their challenge. Quick om his feet and able to think of the move, though his eyes watered Ataru played through the pain blinking rapidly through the watery vision and tears that streaked down his face from the irritating powder.

As she disappears only to be replaced by a log his reddened eyes widen, and as the shower of chalk balls descend upon him. He twirls the rope dart around like a hurricane allowing the vortex of its winding motion to deflect away most of the hail in a blur whilst dodging the rest with some evasive footwork. A few hit home, here and there leaving a thin film of chalk dust smattering his form and as Hitomi ducks low he spins and spins the rope dart before letting it fly towards her in the form of a impromptu bola.

As the improvised weapon makes a beeline towards the Hyuuga within her stationary position, Ataru charges forward with seemingly reckless abandon naught in hand. Though as he closes the distance, perhaps making her leap one way or another in avoidance, a Kunai materializes hidden from within his sleeve come immediately wiped across a veneer of chalk lining the blade with a matted film. Lashing out with the blade in quick succession, seeking to leave some mark upon the woman - no matter how thin. Lashing out with a trained flurry of attacks, what came followed might be more unexpected an open palm strike caked in a film of chalk meant to impart a solid impact. A body shot, any tracing hit, or even a brush of their fingers that could possibly wrought a lasting sign of mock damage upon their agile form.

[Hyūga Hitomi]

Hyūga Hitomi

Whispering a near silent word to the tiny fox that had remained tucked in against her body, Hitomi watched curiously as Ataru made his final charge, whether he knew it or not. Casually sidestepping the faux-bola, she waited for the boy to reach her. His attacks were impressive for his age, and he'd likely dominate against any other student within his age range were this a spar with them, though she seemed to practically glide between them with an impassive expression on her face.

It was only as the palm shot out that she moved differently, crouching down and grabbing both his wrists in an iron grip to stop the boy in his tracks, pale eyes seeming to stare into his very soul as she essentially called an end to the fight.

"Clever Ataru-kun..." she began dryly, glancing from the chalk coated kunai to his palm, neither of them the weapon she had given him, "most students your age would have assumed they had to use the weapon I gave them to make the mark." She hadn't once said that was the case, and it seemed he had picked up on it, a good sign for his continued longevity.

Plucking the kunai from his hand, she slowly let go of his other wrist, a look warning him not to keep trying to hit her. "You're going to graduate soon," she stated simply, a slight frown on her features, "as you are, if you ever encounter someone so much more skilled than you, you should always attempt to flee, no matter the mission. A head on attack, no matter how clever, won't work. You are much more valuable alive than dead Ataru-kun."

To prove her point, she held up the kunai between them, and with fine tuned chakra control, proceeded to crumple it like a tissue between her fingers before dropping the ball of steel on the ground with a pointed thump.

"Still, you did very well," the Hyūga stated with a small smile, holding one hand out for a high five, glancing very deliberately at his chalk coated hand as a hint to what she was offering. A way out of scrubbing toilets and an acknowledgement of his skill.

Word Count: 369
Tags: Uzumaki Ataru
Jutsu Used:

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Chakura Gouriki [Chakra Enhanced Strength]
RANK: A

CHAKRA USAGE: Low

CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu [Medical] / Taijutsu

ELEMENT: N/A

RESTRICTION: High Chakra Control SA; CES Jutsu; Medic or Taijutsu Primary Spec

DESCRIPTION:

This is a technique where the user focuses chakra into their hands and feet using precise chakra control and releases it with pinpoint timing, which greatly enhances their strength. This increased strength gives the user enough strength to easily make gigantic craters or kill opponents with single strikes.

[Uzumaki Ataru]

She was as wily and quick as her foxes and Ataru had to wonder if many other senior ranked Shinobi were on the same level or playing field as Hitomi, she evaded him so effortlessly and the Uzuamki needed to remind themselves that she was an instructor for a reason and to always be mindful of not only a separation of skill but also field of expertise. It was almost like she were a butterfly navigating through a gale of wind, as their hand laden with a Kunai and chalk encrusted palm shot out he felt as both are firmly taken and seized in a strong hold.

"Argh...!" Trying to wriggle out of her hold, it was as hard as iron and equally as difficult to break out. But ever the fiery haired persistent little Honey Badger, he did his damndest to get out until her words came singing forth from pale lips. As she glanced between the two, Ataru remained anchored in-place and at her mercy as she examined both their hands. Listen as she praised him, he looked a tad bit defeated as if think that its all well and good but here he was still caught like a wolf in a trap. "It would probably have been better if I hadn't lost, Hitomi Sensei."

As she plucks the weapon from his hand and let's go of his other wrist, he takes a step back and rubs along the pressured areas in an idle manner. Paying attention to what she had to say and intended to do with the his Kunai, as she said he would graduate soon it came as a bit of a surprise to hear that from her. To know that she had faith in him like that, and even more startling was the sound of crumpling metal as she crushed his ninja tool into a ball. Nodding his head at her words, they spoke true and Ataru knew it this instance only serving as a reminder that in most cases when faced with a superior opponent head and shoulders above you. The best call to make, would be to flee rather than fruitlessly fight and die or worse be captured. "Yes, ma'am."

He took her words to heart and it showed amidst amber eyes, that he carried a great deal of respect for her despite the separation between student and sensei or perhaps even because of it. She had given him one last lesson, and it was one that he wouldn't soon forget. "Thank you for everything, Hitomi Sensei!" Instead of clapping her hands, he reached out for a handshake and as she came to meet it, he would hug her. Clapping a chalk dusted palm along the back of her flak vest, despite everything Ataru was still a kid in some ways despite the aspirations he held and profession pursued. The Uzumai enjoyed it when the adults he revered took an interest in his life and sought to help by training them, and thus it came reflected as the challenge was over. Parting from Hitomi with a goofy looking smile ranging from ear to ear beaming forward, he waved goodbye rather unceremoniously as afternoon had turned to evening.

"Next time, I'll remember not to intrude after hours. Jaa Ne!" (See you later) Picking up his backpack and running off before she could change her mind about the latrines or do anything else, he would remember Hitomi long after their Academy days but for now it was the end of yet another day at school and he was in a hurry to get home especially after such an exciting time.