[Sesshoku Akira]

There Is Always A Mask
Never Trust It


Honor. Duty. Family. Ghôsh.

I sense you’re nervous.

Akira was able to hold back further comments on what Etsuko said, those along the lines of ‘no shit, Sherlock’ and the like. While the girl still hadn’t totally recovered from her outburst, her control was coming back into play. Somewhat. There was still anger and fear swirling around madly in her brain, like something had become unlocked and was tearing away at anything it could find. What might have been better was to shoot her bow. But at this time, she was training. She couldn’t afford to stop just because she had gotten a little mad.

Akira would listen to her teacher, the jinchuuriki. What she had to say and her suggestions. Stick to the shore and not walk out as much. The archer would attempt to keep her breathing even, but it was definitely deeper. She was trying to remain calm. Focus on balance. That made sense. But she was! She was trying to balance... But the movement and flow of the water made that more difficult than a solid surface. Akira would listen to what she had said. Moving to the shore after once again having her feet fall into the water. The talk of options and balance distracting her enough to just let her feet rest against the bed of the body of water.

The archer prepared to do what Etsuko had said. Leaning over and focusing chakra in her hands. A more comfortable part of her. That was until Etsuko spoke again. The younger girl’s eyes focusing upon the jinchuuriki, she’d listen. Using her bow. Blankly watching the other woman, Akira tried to think that over. Would it be better or worse that way? With the briefest look of contemplation, she’d take her bow from her back while standing on that shore. Drawing an arrow soon after, she’d bring it to the launching weapon. Steady. Calm. Her mind seemed to settle with merely having the bow in hand. Focusing chakra to her feet instead of into the weapon, she allowed the chakra to course through her, weapon, and feet like she might be preparing for an attack or technique.

Stepping out onto the water, bow and arrow in hand, she would draw back the string with minimum tension. Enough to know that everything was there, but not so much that she was actually prepared to launch. One step, then another, the difference was amazing. Much more focused and steady on her feet. It was a different realm of concentration. Etsuko had been quite right in relating the water walking to her bow. A familiar stance and a very calming one. One that Akira’s life revolved around.

The Jinchuuriki’s concerns would meet her ears. Akira would hear, but wouldn’t divert her attention from straight ahead. For a few moments, she’d continue on with her forward momentum. Little steps forward, but much more steady. Each one holding a strength that hadn’t been present before. Finally, the girl would open her mouth.

"I am not the most steady of shinobi. But this... is where my center is. This is better.”

And then she took off. Holding the bow still, pulling back the string and arrow, Akira would dash to her side. Shooting off that arrow, and then pulling out another. Aiming for a rock just below the waterfall, the first one had already hit. Her feet moved along the water just as if it were land. Though, the genin was sweating, small drops forming along her head as she moved. The concentration of mind and chakra were quickly getting to her with the added effort of weapon.

Sesshoku Akira

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Jun Etsuko]

A FIRE INSIDE Blazing a bright blue and christening great power upon it's Kunoichi "You're not the steadiest yet." Etsuko would reply to the other girls words, it wasn't as if she was failing to stand upon the water. It seemed the bow was a crutch of sorts, but there was nothing wrong with a tool that helped one succeed. Shinobi often carried multiple tools just to do that, Etsuko carried multiple swords and even a cloak of immense weight to 'assist' her. Etsuko would remember her training and the hold she once had on her saber, if it wasn't firm and proper her hands would be hit. This girls grip was flawless, her need for the weapon didn't at all lower Etsuko's opinion of the achievement. Etsuko took on a very stern tone as she'd follow her words with an explanation. "It's fine to admit our flaws, but you need to believe you'll overcome them all. Telling yourself you're not the steadiest is merely excusing failures to come, it should be your goal to be the steadiest and best at everything." Etsuko would reach behind herself and untie one of her swords from her back, withdrawing the weapon from it's place but not it's sheath. She'd hold out the sheathed weapon and point it towards her student. "You're a Takigakure Shinobi after all." Etsuko had been fed a very nationalistic point of view, she was past the point of brainwashing and was merely a consciousness away from being a pure weapon. She did however believe those messages fed and forced upon her were right and good. She herself had risen to a level many didn't expect of her, she could remember her guards whispering. 'Do you see those eyes, her behaviors and attitude? She's going to lose control today.' Words which didn't prosper and a fate that didn't befall her. Water walking was pointless if it couldn't be applied to combat, it was meaningless if there was no comfort in the stand. Akira however seemed to be sweating she smelled of approaching exhaustion, but the amount of time till then was still uncertain to the Jinchuuriki. She wanted to know today her student wouldn't die atop the water's surface, she wanted to see this girl execute maneuvers and effectively fend for herself. She could master walking on water without her bow drawn some other time, it wasn't like she'd be using this jutsu a lot out of battle situations anyways. "Come at me Akira, shoot for me and expect to dodge." Etsuko would announce then wait for her students approach, her stance shifting to a lower one as she'd place both hands upon her swords hilt. Sesshoku Akira , Notes , other cool stuff

credit to nat of adoxography and gangnam style.

[Sesshoku Akira]

There Is Always A Mask
Never Trust It


Honor. Duty. Family. Ghôsh.

You’re not the steadiest yet.

There was no doubt to that statement. Akira greatly wondered if she would ever be able to be considered steady. Her mind traveled too much and too quickly into negative areas. She was consistent, but that made her somewhat unstable when it came to what she was consistent in. Her bow helped her with that too. It was her crutch. The basis of what she was able to do. Akira succeeded because of her reliance on her bow. It only made sense that this carried over now.

It was carried over into her movements and steadying her mind. Shooting her bow, running atop the water. It was clear effort. What normally came to her so easily through her training now had a whole new hill. This walking upon the water was draining every bit of her, physical, emotional, mental... it would weaken what little reserves she had as well. Yet! She was succeeding to a degree. Her confidence and steadiness with her bow had strengthened and that much was obvious to anyone who witnessed her within the past while. Etsuko was speaking, Akira would listen but with a bit of distraction. She kept at her bow. Moving still and sending off another shot towards the waterfall. Etsuko may have had a point. Maybe. But Akira saw it differently. It could have been youth. It could have been pessimism. But Akira didn’t see saying that she was unsteady as an excuse. She saw it as failure, sure, but failure now. While she fully expected failure as she move on in life, she fought against it. Why else had she become a shinobi? Why else would she put herself in a position that made her uncomfortable, tested her limits, threatened her life in more ways than most ninja would know? Akira’s goal was what Etsuko had said. Her mentality just focused so harshly on her shortcomings in the now.

Etsuko then asked something odd of her. Asking a ranged fighter to come at her. And shoot. A very quick and puzzling look would cross the younger kunoichi’s face, but she would listen. Akira should respect her teacher. She had proven to get her through things successfully. So, the quickly tiring girl changed her trajectory. Shifting her positioning, running now at Etsuko instead of more away/at her side, she’d aim the bow. Mostly steady, though with a few flaws. The water would throw her just enough to make the arrow not as accurate as she was normally, but most definitely within ability to hit an unmoving Etsuko. She shot and kept running forward. The arrow would meet the jinchuuriki first with Akira behind, behind a pretty good deal when compared to a shooting arrow. Whatever she was meant to dodge, Akira was attempting to prepare.

Sesshoku Akira

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Jun Etsuko]

A FIRE INSIDE Blazing a bright blue and christening great power upon it's Kunoichi Her new student would quite wisely charge in with her coming attack. The less distance the arrow had to travel the greater the velocity and force it'd likely strike with as well as the more likely it'd reach and hit. However the different levels of skill between these two shinobi were drastic, it was something Etsuko easily showed without her cloak. So waiting for the attack Etsuko would take the strings which tied the sheath to her and instead string it through the hilt of her weapon. Her opposing hand gripping the edge of her cloak, as she'd rip off the white cloak to shield the arrow last second. The arrow had little chance against the half ton cloak, as the fabric would slap and absorb the force of the coming projectile. The weight and durability of the cloak would be enough to hold off the attack, so with the cloak no longer burdening her she'd easily slip from her location. Her body slinking back in a slight jump as she'd vanish kicking off from her location. The water would ping and rise in one spot a short distance to Akira, as Etsuko kicked off a second time with one foot. Her hands twisting the blade in hand to tie the sheath to the hilt, as she'd move to directly behind Akira. Her body hitting the water near the shore as she'd call out to Akira, "Behind!" She'd call out before tossing her sword in sheath at the genin, her toss was if the weapon thrown was a kunai, but the larger projectile seemed unhindered by it's size and traveled just like a kunai of a standard shinobi. The weapon in sheath wouldn't strike any lethal blow, but it was aimed for the center of Akira's back. Etsuko would watch in excited anticipation to know if her one day student would be able to dodge the surprise attack. She held back a good bit of strength in the throw and gave decent distance, the woman's hopes were quite high as she'd rest her hand on the hilt of another sword. If Akira would successfully dodge the attack, then Etsuko would call out proudly. "Alright now try to shoot me again! Give me your best shot and we can call it a day!" Etsuko felt if the girl could fire off a technique of hers while standing where she was, then she'd have all the necessities to walking down. It'd only take days of practice down the line to master the control and chakra usage perfectly. Etsuko wasn't afraid of the girls best, Etsuko was also a master of Bukijutsu she believed in her sword to counter any genin's shot. Maybe a reward would be in hand for such impressive progress. However if Akira weren't to dodge the attack at hand, then Etsuko would feel a sudden string of guilt. She'd not be struck by too powerful an attack. Unlike Akira who cleared range to fire a better shot off, Etsuko pushed herself a farther distance to throw her attack. Hopefully the attack wouldn't knock her off her water feet, but if they did she'd hopefully be able to pull herself back up for one more shot. "Sorry, I thought you'd be able to handle that, do you think you can try shooting off one more arrow?" Etsuko would try to push the girl to make one more stand and shot, it'd hopefully be enough to help enforce what had been learned and prevent discouragement. She'd however not want to push the girl damp and exhausted into more she couldn't handle. Sesshoku Akira , Notes , other cool stuff

credit to nat of adoxography and gangnam style.

[Sesshoku Akira]

There Is Always A Mask
Never Trust It


Honor. Duty. Family. Ghôsh.

Rushing towards her temporary teacher, Akira would have shot off the arrow. Shaky, but accurate enough for this distance. There was much for her to learn about stabilizing herself upon the water. But as of now, she was succeeding enough. While she doubted she matched the skill and experience of the village’s jinchuuriki, she was told to advance. And advance she would.

The arrow was shoved aside like a plaything. A large cloak spiraling around and taking the small projectile with it. Protection. Bah. The woman’s speed had left her to take off her cloak with little time at all and merely discard her weaponry. This was what Maro had spoken of oh so long ago. Archers were at a disadvantage when out of hiding. While one of Akira’s skill range may have had more issue avoiding, it was hard to debate why Etsuko had avoided. That insane speed. One so great that she vanished from Akira in the next moment. Her next step was hesitant, eyes searching for the target she had been told to rush.

Behind!

Mentally startled at the speed of which Etsuko would have relocated herself, the genin attempted to halt herself upon the water. A ‘skidding’ to a stop. Bow still held in hand, even as she whipped her head around to see her teacher, what was more of a nuisance was a weapon careening towards her. A sword. Her mind moving quickly, the girl only knew she had to avoid. The sheath didn’t enter her thoughts right away, but she could utilize her bow. Swinging the weapon with any strength she could muster, Akira would smack at the incoming sword like a baseball and a bat.

It would throw her off just a bit more. Her concentration no longer on shooting her bow but on avoiding something possibly deadly. By then, she realized the sheath, having had her bow slam against the sheathed weapon and throw it off course enough to avoid her body. The spin of the girl to face Etsuko as well as the whipping of her bow against the other weapon would take off her balance. Stumbling a step and then hitting into the water with her side. Sinking at first, then her senses and concentration kicking in. She regained her hold. Got her elbow upon the water as if it were a surface.

A command was given. As Akira moved to stand to her feet, moving as quickly as she could without falling beneath the waters, she’d also grab an arrow from her back. Focusing her chakra within it, prepping herself, she’d continue to feed just small bits into the arrow while placing it against her bow and aiming towards Etsuko. Once again, she’d aim. Not running at her this time, she’d shoot off the arrow for the older kunoichi. Her hand flying back for two more arrows, she’d close her eyes. Activating the arrow that she had shot for Etsuko. It was a small distance away. Enough that Akira would hope to evade another cloak incident. Even if it had been removed. A blinding light would flash through the area upon the activation of her chakra.

Which left the two arrows she had drawn and now had at her bow. Eyes opening quickly once she knew her flash would have taken effect, Akira would find her mark again and shoot. Two arrows at one time. Slightly less accurate and speedy, but upon getting at all close to their mark, Akira would activate them as well. Though these... these would explode.

SPOILER: Click to show

NAME: Sakaeya [Glory Arrow]
RANK: C
CHAKRA USAGE: Low
CLASSIFICATION: Bukijutsu
ELEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
The user charges their arrow with chakra and fires it using their bow. upon command, the arrow will use up the chakra and release a blinding light which is as bright as staring directly into the Sun. Looking at or even near the arrow will cause permanent sight damage if it is gazed upon for more than 30 seconds. The light will last until the arrow is broken or the chakra is used up.


NAME: Bakuya Notto [Exploding Arrow Note]
RANK: D
CHAKRA USAGE: Very Low
CLASSIFICATION: Bukijutsu
ELEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION:
By attached an exploding note to the end of an arrow, the user can fire it using their bow. On command, the note will explode and will deal a good amount of damage, able to typically cause 2nd degree burns and sending splinters form the arrow into the targets body. More exploding notes can be added to increase the damage. The exploding note can also be trigged to explode after a certain amount of time has passed.

[x2 for the tech. Five notes upon each arrow.]

Sesshoku Akira

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Jun Etsuko]

A FIRE INSIDE Blazing a bright blue and christening great power upon it's Kunoichi Excellent the genin had proven adeptness in her last strides of water walking. Her position was in the rougher water and yet she'd stumble lay and return to her feet in only a few moments. A more than successful block and shrug off of Etsuko's attack, if this was a real battle this could very well of meant the lengthening of her life. It only took a couple extra moments of survival for someone else to come and save you. A lesson Etsuko believed in as she specialized in long distance rescues and assassinations. Time was someone's greatest asset and crutch often. Etsuko would smile extremely pleased to see the girl load up an arrow, she'd not even expect the arrow to be bombed. It's explosion was all flash, so despite being blinded she'd instinctively draw her sword to deflect the arrow anyways. She couldn't be sure the blast actually stopped the projectile, but she'd not let her blind situation damper her mood. She'd let her sword go after the deflection, as she'd take a deep breath and exhale. Her hands swiftly coming together to form a powerful jutsu, as she'd hear the release of the second volley. Her wind chakra extended out she'd be able to sense the arrows come into fifteen feet of the kunoichi, but that was more than enough room to quickly take two leaps backwards. Increasing the slight room of error for her to use her jutsu she'd been preparing. Sucking in all the wind nature around her, she'd take in extra air as she'd finish her hand signs and release two wind blades to hit both arrows. She'd launch them so quickly the two appeared to be one tuning-fork shaped blade at first, but as they traveled splitting more to out stretch to both arrows mid flight. Hitting roughly at the point of detonation, they'd both send the corresponding explosions outwards away from Etsuko. Withdrawing her earlier discarded sword near her she'd re-sheathe it, then opening her eyes she'd give the genin a confident smile and thumbs up. Her vision was merely returning still, but she could roughly make out the shape of her one day apprentice. "Very Impressive. Sushi's on me!" Etsuko had promised that move to be the last one, as to better Akira's experience by not beating her into a faint. Akira had proven herself in performing the water walking technique, so it was only fair the girl was rewarded for her proper success. SPOILER: Click to show NAME: Ishiki no Iki [Breath of Awareness] RANK: B-rank CHAKRA USAGE: Medium CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu ELEMENT: Fuuton DESCRIPTION: Typically used in conjunction with a bukijutsu or standard sword attack, this technique has the user release large breath of futon enriched air, the exhale expands a full five yards around the user, it's within that exhale's post the user is able to detect movement within that area without being otherwise able to sense or see the individual. So even without a dojutsu the user can 'spot' an unseeable attack on themselves, as soon as the user inhales they lose this defense, but regain a part of their chakra as long as they remain within that five yard exhale. This technique is typically used before a faint or other quick attack, as an attempt to increase the accuracy of her homing blade's attack. NAME: Fūton: Shinkū Renpa [Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves] RANK: A CHAKRA USAGE: High CLASSIFICATION: Ninjutsu ELEMENT: Fūton DESCRIPTION: As they form the hand seals, the caster of this technique will take a deep breath, holding the air in their chest. They will then knead the Fūton chakras of their body into the air, multiplying it many times over. At the formation of the Dog hand seal, the chakras are tightly woven together. The Jutsu is then released as the caster exhales, directing the Fūton chakras with their head movements. Many, very sharp blades are then produced, combining to form a series of large "X" shapes. This attack is sharp enough and forceful enough to rip clean through a village's gates with momentum to spare. It is also large to match the size of most Kage residencies, known to be the largest buildings in the Shinobi world. Sesshoku Akira , Notes , other cool stuff

credit to nat of adoxography and gangnam style.

[Sesshoku Akira]

There Is Always A Mask
Never Trust It


Honor. Duty. Family. Ghôsh.

The genin was breathing a bit hard and sweat lined her skin. There was a dampness to her from falling into the water and pulling herself back up. Damp from sweat and the body of water she was on. Yet, she continued. She had to. Steadying her breathing and taking her shots, things were going enough according to plan. She wasn’t dead yet. She wasn’t below water. She got all of her shots off. For a negative Nancy, things were going decently well. Even if her mind was still clouded with doubt. She felt steadier, but tired. Her chakra was draining consistently. And while it wasn’t much, flexing it at the start had worked on her reserves.

Following the blinding light, Akira would focus upon the Jinchuuriki. She was still where she had been. Hadn’t moved, hadn’t left. She wasn’t proud enough to smile, there was still plenty the quick woman could do to get out of the way of anything Akira threw at her. But she had her eyes! Hopefully. Downfall of closing her eyes to avoid the flash was that she couldn’t have any idea what Etsuko had done. Had she been blinded as well? Time would tell. Still, she loaded those next arrows and sent them flying. Her teacher had said one more attack. And while Akira didn’t like to give in early, she was starting to feel the tiredness settle in. She wanted to get back to shore as her feet started to feel shaky once again.

Each arrow thrown at the jinchuuriki was expertly removed. First by the sword and thrown away useless. Next by mere air. The handspeed of the kunoichi was unreal, at least to Akira. As well as the quickness of air and the force to throw back her explosions. It was obviously a sign of true skill. A little disappointing to the Sesshoku, but also uplifting at the same time? Maybe someday she could get there. Hopefully. Akira didn’t quite expect the blowback of Etsuko’s jutsu. The arrows Akira had released would explode and be sent back, while the fire might die out some, Etsuko’s jutsu was strong and fierce. The girl’s eyes widened as she realized it would continue. Taking a few steps back as if trying to retreat but ending up flat on her back on the water once again.

Grunting, still holding her weapon, Akira would make her way back to her feet, her hands and torso a bit torn up from the raging futon x’s. She was a bit more sluggish and careful. Her concentration was at wit’s end and her chakra was heading there as well. Coming back to the shoreline and towards her teacher, she’d hear her say about sushi. Smiling a bit, she’d nod. "Can we do a rain check? But when we do maybe we should go see Niguri’s place. He makes great sushi.” A friend of hers she hadn’t seen in a long while. Welll... ‘friend.’ They had some time together, but after that he had sort of vanished from her life. Just like everyone else. Still. He had been nice and his sushi was good. She was just hella tired!

Sesshoku Akira

MADE BY VEL OF GS

[Jun Etsuko]

A FIRE INSIDE Blazing a bright blue and christening great power upon it's Kunoichi Etsuko was a little disappointed she'd been turned down on the Sushi offer. The Jounin didn't really do much and without a reason to do something she simply wouldn't. There was a place for her to lay and think alone, but she found it cute the girl would mention one of her very own students. "Niguri's Sushi is quite amazing, I'm very proud to have such an asset on my team." She'd immediately follow her words with a slight giggle, it was only one laugh and she'd cover her mouth to muffle it out quickly. She wasn't the best at displaying herself and often her habits betrayed her desires for respect. She was akin as if kin to Matabi, but Etsuko didn't have any other parent figures. "If you ever need training help don't be afraid to ask me for it." Etsuko stated with a genuine but still slightly awkward smile, she wasn't the most smiley shinobi and it was easy to notice. Giving the genin a quick bow Etsuko would vanish, the nearby water where her cloak floated would rustle with the sound of the cloaks retrieval. Etsuko would then bound straight up the waterfall and return to the village, unless she'd been asked for any other type of assistance right then. Etsuko wasn't in a rush, but she wasn't the type of person to dilly dally either. Her cell was cold and needed the warmth of her body to feel at all homely. [End thread] SPOILER: Click to show Sesshoku Akira , Notes , other cool stuff

credit to nat of adoxography and gangnam style.