New Chapter, Same Kunai

[Jasmy]

There was contradiction about Jasmy Utada that early morning. She held a steady walk, casual and slow, but within her lay a beating mess – preferably her heart and all of its emotions. With solitude as a friend along her journey to the training grounds, the young shinobi stood bare to all her thoughts. Those that were awake and knew her, found it peculiar to see such a vibrant young woman be so quiet and still. But inside, her thoughts collided against one another and anxiety drove through her veins.

Who was her new teacher?

Would it be someone she knew?

How different were the training methods going to be?

Would she like her teacher?

Would the teacher like her back?

Did she forget something that needed to be remembered?

It was silent insanity walking down the dirt road, frowning a little as she forced herself to remain cool under the situation. Grace under pressure, grace under pressure...Just like she maintained that yesterday afternoon when she led Nagashi Mizu to meet Mitsuko-sensei. If she could manage to keep calm like she had when Mitsuko ordered her to digress from where the two men were talking (as though she were a child, she thought bitterly), then things would be alright.

Besides, Jasmy contemplated, she was starting a new chapter in her life! She would miss Mitsuko-sensei but as promised, she'd visit him as often as her new schedule would let her. Dressed in her training attire, she looked down to her bandaged right leg, feeling the strain of the tightness and enjoying it – a silly thing to inspect as she walked to the training grounds but it was to keep her mind from racing at a thousand kilometers per second.

Mitsuko-sensei had not told her who her new teacher would be but merely instructed that she was no longer his pupil...and that he was proud of her. Her mood lightened at the reverie and she faintly smiled, feeling a little bit better now that she had not truly disappointed the person who's opinion had mattered most to her. But even that was going to change a little...Now...she would have two people to make proud of.

Eyes of pale lilac raised themselves from their wandering position and looked up to see a distant figure in the grounds. But even distance could not deteriorate what she already saw and knew.

Jasmy froze, a foot in mid-air and her eyes widened. “.....Mizu-san?” She called out hesitantly, though for sure she knew it was him.

Nagashi Mizu...was her new sensei?!

That only made the nerves bolt within her and something that she had never felt in quite a long time was born inside her: uncertainty. It was the fear of messing up that suddenly took over her, even as she walked towards him and peered curiously at Nagashi. Well, she had to be excited, yes? After asking Mitsuko-sensei about Nagashi Mizu, she changed perspective on the elite ANBU member. He was one of the best, if not THE best. Needless to say, she admired him to immeasurable standards already but just one look at him and she blushed. Just yesterday, she had been acting so childish around the great ninja.

Playing a nervous smile across her lips, Jasmy stood before him and rubbed the back of her neck tenderly to ease the tension inside. “You're...my new sensei?”


(gah, sorry for the crappy post -- my cold is making my brain hrut ;-; )

[Nagashi]

(pfft, tis fine ^_^)

Yesterday

"So, you are the one they call Mitsuko...I've heard you are quite the teacher. Your students have gone far once they have graduated."

Two different colored eyes gazed upon the shinobi sensei which Jasmy has brought Nagashi to only moments ago. The man had asked her to leave the two alone so that they could talk. Nagashi still recalled the look upon Jasmy's face as they parted ways. He had only smiled and nodded to her. The man called Mitsuko seemed to be looking over Nagashi in the same way, as though he were an opponent of sorts, judging and analyzing him before a word was spoken. Finally, he nodded, clearing his throat like an old man.

"They do if they have the potential. There are some who disappoint me from time to time...Now then, Nagashi Mizu, greatest of the ANBU, what can I do for you?"

Nagashi simply smiled. The title was not something he ever bragged about, yet it got around regardless. He was one of the only shinobi in history to have never failed a mission. He was considered the best because he accomplished all goals that were assigned to him, and then some. His efficiency defied logic sometimes, which only made his fame all the more reputable. He nodded back to Mitsuko, giving him his reply.

"I wish to request that you end your teaching with Jasmy. I believe I have another sensei willing to train her further.

Mitsuko scoffed, crossing his arms and looking Nagashi dead in the eye, who did not move a single inch in response, utterly serious in the matter at hand. The sensei spoke again, no amount of amusement in his tone.

"And who would be stupid enough to take her as a pupil? I've tried everything and still she refuses to excel above the others. It's as if she doesn't want to, despite the fact that I know she has incredible potential, perhaps more than most, no all of the students I have taught."

Nagashi raised an eyebrow, thinking briefly about Jasmy, wondering if what her sensei was saying was true. He too had sensed a great aura about her, perhaps related to her family line. She had potential, of that he was certain. The question was, could someone help her unlock it?

"Perhaps she simply does not know that she has it. As for who...well Mitsuko-kun, I believe I will undertake the task of teaching her. Do I have your permission?"

For a moment, Mitsuko was shocked, both at the way he had been addressed and the fact that Nagashi was offering to train Jasmy himself. From what he had heard about him, Nagashi had rarely taken on a student, and those that he had were usually worthy of becoming a Hokage! When he finally recovered, Mitsuko sighed and nodded slowly.

"Well who am I to argue with the top ANBU member? It would be an opportunity she should never miss. I give you my permission to train her...Mizu-san. So it appears the rumors are true...You really are one of the ancient ones...aren't you."

Nagashi gave a soft sigh as well, realizing that he had slipped in his words. He did not like others to know about his near-immortality, preferring it to be passed off as a rumor. However, he needed this man's trust in order to train Jasmy, so he simply looked away and spoke softly, his words neither denying or accepting the statement.

"That is a title I do not like to carry. But I promise you, she will be in good hands. Thank you for your permission Mitsuko. Have her meet me here tommorow at this time...Sayonara..."

With that, his hands moved in rapid motions, calling forth the chakra that surrounded him. Within moments, he had disappeared, leaving nothing behind but a cloud of mist.


Today

Nagashi smiled warmly as Jasmy approached him, calling out his name as she walked towards him. When she reached him, his smile remained upon his lips as she asked her question. When she had finished, he nodded and placed a hand upon her shoulder, his eyes looking right into hers.

"Yes, I am. Welcome Jasmy Utada to the next stage of your life. Your training with me begins here, right now...Are you ready?"

[Jasmy]

The next stage in her young life. Jasmy was ready to move past the phase she had lazily let herself fall into. A shinobi did not let fear take over their decisions and yet she had ignored that nindo and ignored what was necessary of her to do. There now lay a need far more desperate in her than what had always resided there – the want to become better succeeded the rebellion of her family's wishes.

She was going to do what she wanted, not what they had wanted.

Tugging at the corners of her small lips was a smile as her eyes twinkled with small flames of a drive. Was she ready? Jasmy Utada was more than ready – she was thirsty.

Confident that what she had absolutely no idea how intense the tutelage of the greatest ninja would be, Jasmy simply nodded – willing to take on whatever he threw at her. “I'm ready...Nagashi-sensei.” Oh, it had a ring to it!

Now as long as she did not activate that horrendous kekkei genkai, things were alright. Because she would prove to those that had waited to see the creation between lethal and blessed, that she did not need her family's help to succeed. Whatsoever.

But the question should have been addressed towards Nagashi – was he ready to test patience, wit, and mental endurance with the young woman?

[Nagashi]

(lol ok Im gonna time jump a little, just so the two of them can be ready when an invasion happens ^_^)

And so it was that Nagashi Mizu took on a student for the first time in many years. He spent a week testing her basic abilities, trying to determine where her limits lied. He could tell she had a great deal of chakra control, not to mention fairly decent hand-to-hand combat skills. Overall, he could not deny her potential, and he admired the determination she held when training. It would seem that she was quite adamant about proving herself to him, and no matter how hard he pushed her, she would keep on trying until her body would simply give out.

Today marked the second week of their training. Nagashi unfortunately was called away on a mission for a few days before, but he had returned without a scratch. Now, he sat perched atop a tall training post used for practicing taijutsu and other martial arts. His mind was deep in thought, mostly about what he had learned on his recent mission. Apparently, an "ancient evil" had suddenly appeared in the lands of Decimus Nocturne, causing a portion of the land to seem frozen in time. The report also told of how there had been investigators sent there, only to be defeated by this evil. What was most troubling of all was that a name had surfaced...Seraphiel.

I thought the humans destroyed him long ago...How did he survive? Even a Creator is mortal...

This could mean a great deal of trouble for not just Mizukage and the rest of the smaller shinobi villages, but for the entire world. In the old days, beings were much more powerful, and now someone from the past had returned to spread his influence forcefully in the present. He gave a soft sigh. Perhaps this was why he had not perished yet...

"Ah Jasmy...You are late, that's unlike you. Are you ready to start the next phase of our training?"

He opened his eyes and turned to look at his newly arrived student, giving her a warm smile, hiding his troubles rather easily. There was no need to let her become worried about such a thing. She was young, and this was not a matter that could be absorbed so easily by one who did not live in those times.

[Jasmy]

Silently wrapping the bandages around her forearm, Jasmy walked the distance to the training grounds from the burial grounds. She hadn't expected to take so long coming back from the cemetery but she had met people there – people who almost bored her to tears with talk of her family and how grand they were. They had shed more tears in that hour than she had in years accumulated. She was uncaring when it came to her past but never impolite to others, and she so had stayed, listening to the stories and emotions her family had shared with the elders.

But now, as she strolled onto the territory where she had strained muscle and physical boundaries to their limits, Jasmy pondered solemnly. Sometimes, she didn't know whether she visited their graves out of hidden love and respect....or merely out of duty. It was the latter, that was sure. But something else as well...

Shaking her head to rid those thoughts hardly worked and the young woman just kept on walking, lost in thought. Having Nagashi back was supposed to have brightened her entire month (she didn't want to talk about why) but having gone to their tombstones just drained all excitement. Which was good in a way; now she could focus on her training and not on how close she'd get to Nagashi at times.

Holding the end of the bandage with her teeth, she pulled on it to tighten the grip and looked up to meet with her sensei. When the heck did she get there so fast?

Still emotionally dry, Jasmy gave a faint smile though it did never meet her eyes. “Sorry, sensei...” Well at least she didn't have to expand on her tardiness and nodded at his question. Finally done with wrapping the white bands, Jasmy nodded but remained rooted to her stand. “How was the mission, by the way?” Obviously, it went well, seeing how he was in perfect health as how he had left, but she wanted to know...for...reasons....

[Nagashi]

He gave his pupil another smile, leaping off of the training post with blurring speed, landing gracefully in front of her. He was wearing one of his usual face guards today, covering his mouth, yet still allowing perfect speech. As for other clothing, it was a usual ANBU outfit, minus the mask. He did not carry a sword, just the numerous kunai and shurikens in his pockets. A flowing gray scarf fell neatly behind him, the final piece of cloth on him. His multicolored eyes looked casually at Jasmy's bandages. It would seem that she had been training even without him around, quite impressive. Still, he did not want her to push herself too far, especially if they were going to move into the next stage of training.

"It went fine. No problems at all. Still, it is unfortunate that even in these times of peace, we must keep putting down aggressive factions. So, you look ready for our training. Today, we will not be covering the basics, as I told you before I left. Today, I was thinking it might be nice if we had a little sparring match. I want you to hold nothing back. Whatever techniques you may know, use them. This is a test to see what you know and do not know. Now then, shall we?"

Leaping backwards, Nagashi calmly moved into a defensive pose, his eyes upon his student. He knew she might be a bit nervous, as this was to be their first serious sparring match, but he needed to know everything she was capable of if he was to teach her anything new.

"Begin!"

[Jasmy]

Concern sought its way into her mind at his words but it was forcibly pushed out – Nagashi's next phase of training sucking her skin dry of color suddenly. A sparring match!? Already?!

Her eyes slightly widened, pale lilac irises staring into his own pair. Hold nothing back? There was nothing to hold back! A test?! Were he any other man on the planet, the slender figure before him would have smirked and playfully answered, “Gladly,” before opening the flood gates of hell on said person. But here was Nagashi Mizu, the greatest of all ninja, asking her to try and land a hit on him?

Yes, confidence was something she suddenly lacked in herself and it faltered her reactions for a moment as Jasmy blinked owlishly at him. Watching him get in a defensive stance, Jasmy still did not move, shocked to say the least and once that one word left his lips, something in her moved.

It was a drive.

Something like adrenaline and rationality kicked her boggled mind roughly, getting her to respond. Without a sign of accepting the challenge (if one could even call it that), Jasmy disappeared from sight – only to reappear a farther distance from where she had been, still facing Nagashi.

Mentally cursing herself, she began to analyze the situation, hating to be on the offensive but knew that she had no time to complain nor think about it. Damnit! If he would just attack...but she knew he wasn't going to.

Knowing the stakes placed on this spar, Jasmy knew what she had to do, tuning out all useless emotions and focused on proving herself worthy to Nagashi.

She dashed forwards, flickering from sight on and off with speed, seeming to disappear and reappear, closer and closer. Her hands quickly merged, nimble fingers working out seals and when she was but a few feet away from him, from behind her sprouted out three clones, each leaping over her and around her to attack him readily.


((ack, brain fart!!))

[Nagashi]

(ewww lol did it stink? ;D)

He smirked as he watched her come at him. At first, he had almost thought she might try to convince him not to spar, but now, here she was, rushing forth using chakra to speed her movements. He saw the determination in her eyes, a fire that would not be extinguished too easily. Flipping his fingers, a kunai appeared in each of his hands. His eyes watched her as she leapt, preparing to strike, cloning herself as she did. The smirk still on his lips, he decided to keep it simple at first. Nothing fancy, just focusing on countering her attacks.

As his opponents tried to land their strikes, he met each with blurring fast movement, the sparks of clashing kunais soon followed by the puffs of smoke which signified that he had hit his targets. Leaping away, he looked about, not seeing the real Jasmy. He raised an eyebrow, keeping his guard raised as he slowly looked about him. A smile came across his lips, for he knew she was close. A kunai was placed against his throat, and his smile grew.

"Not bad, but you need to attack faster"

The Nagashi that was apparently pressed against the kunai suddenly burst apart in a splash of water, evaporating immediately into mist. Leaning against a nearby tree, Nagashi gave his student a wink, waving to her.

"I hope that was just your warm up, I know you have more to show me"

Perhaps he was being a bit hard on her, but the fact was, if you wanted to learn from the best, then one had to give their best, at all times.

[Jasmy]

((oreo!! XD))

Too easy,she innerly scoffed at herself, knowing that the throat to which her kunai was held against, did not belong to the real opponent. She watched amusingly as the body of water splashed onto her shirt and the ground. Jasmy looked to her side and smirked at him, almost shifting out of her battle ready mentality and into more comfortable disposition. His casualness relaxed her a bit, reminding her that this was just a sparring match.

But then again –-- it was just sparring to Nagashi, it was her “grade” so to speak, on the line.

Eyes gleamed in the light, “I'm merely stretching.”

The wit was nothing more but time for more analysis. He was fast. Very fast. She knew her clones wouldn't hit him, much less breathe past him, but it was all she needed to realize a few things about him.

Escalating her abilities was not going to do anything but wear her out; Jasmy had to give it all at once, if she even wanted to lay a hand on him. And these thoughts merely lasted for a split of second before she flashed out a single shuriken at him, hands forming the seal to the shadow clone jutsu, the weapon dangerously multiplying into a massive swarm of sharp edges, heading straight for him.

Distractions, distractions....

In the moment at which he'd easily move out of harm's way, she'd vanish again. And he would have to look in all directions for her.

[Nagashi]

(nani?? ^__^)

He gave a small chuckle at her response, enjoying himself despite the fact that he was supposed to be serious at this time. He knew they were quite unevenly matched, although he personally was doing his best to limit his own power to make it fair. If she really tried, which he was hoping she would, by the end of this exercise she could actually land a hit or two. After all, it was not her task to win. It was all a test to see what techniques she was capable of. Already she had displayed an impressive kage bushin technique, the clones created having actual substance. Now, he wondered what else lay up her sleeve. Depending on what he determined was her specialty, he could teach her techniques which could be perfectly matched to her own talents, making it easier for her to control and eventually even master.

"You should have done that earlier, now is the time for battle. A real opponent wont give you time to stretch. Now then, continue"

Just as the words left his lips, Jasmy went into action. Nagashi calmly watched the shuriken soar towards him with impressive accuracy. He raised an eyebrow when it suddenly became a large amount of shurikens, all heading right at his location. Hands moving to immediately mold chakra, he solidified the water droplets in the air, creating a massive wall of ice around him. The shurikens dug into the thick frozen water and together, the mass crashed to the ground with a shattering like glass. Nagashi smiled beneath his face mask, looking around and not seeing his student. Again, with just the naked eye, she could not be found. However she did it, her disappearing act could be quite effective against a non-shinobi foe. His red eye focused harder, chakra molding itself inside of the pupil. With it, he could see what a normal eye could not. Chuckling, he followed her chakra trail, until finally, he turned completely around, his arm swinging towards the tree behind him, connecting with a solid object which was not the tree, Jasmy's arm presumably

"Pretty good camouflage. Keep it up, I'm learning much from this..Now then, lets see how good your defense is..."

Leaping backwards, Nagashi gave them a considerable distance apart from one another. His hands moved into rapid succession again, preparing another jutsu. Suddenly, he became three different Nagashi's, each drawing a kunai. Rushing forward, they each went on the offensive, now knowing exactly where she was.

[Jasmy]

Her fist had been readily pumped with chakra to land a powerful hit on the back of his right shoulder when he swiftly turned around and she slightly panicked, frozen as he hit her arm. Grimacing as she merged out of the willow tree's bark and rubbing her arm; that was a little painful.

Well, at least she was entertaining him, Jasmy mused sarcastically. This was probing her determination, poking at her pride and that drive in her only raged now. She was going to hit him even if meant taking the day entire to do so.

A smirk dared to grace her lips as he replicated before her, weapons at the ready. Something about being at the disadvantage of not one, but three Nagashi's made her even more excited about this testing match.

Twirling two kunai around her fingers in one hand, Jasmy did not wait to have him meet her – she eagerly dashed towards the middle of them. As the distance closed in between them, hands suddenly sprouted out from the ground below the Nagashi on her right, grabbing a hold of his ankles. And with no hesitation, said hands pulled him harshly down, drowning him into the dirt up to his neck and the culprit arose from the ground, smiling cutely at her sensei.

And with that, the real Jasmy jumped into another with her clone against the remaining two.

[Nagashi]

The clone that had been dragged down by the earth spell vanished in blast of mist. Meanwhile, the two remaining Nagashis clashed with the two Jasmys. Kunais sparked as they fell against one another, none meeting flesh, real or not. It seemed that neither had the upper hand, a stalemate formed between the four. Suddenly, the two Nagashis leapt backwards, barely avoiding the Jasmys' kunais. Now a good distance away, one suddenly spoke, his eyes fixed upon his pupil.

"Hmph, youve got talent Jasmy, Im impressed. Now, this shall decide it. Good luck..."

As the last of Nagashi's words left his mouth, he began to draw complicated symbols in the air, moving his hands in wide circles. His clone began to mimic him, performing the exact same movements. An immense amount of chakra began to form around the two, numerous water droplets forming and hovering in the air. One by one, they gathered together, until an immense ball of water had formed itself. Moving his fingers close to his chest, Nagashi looked upon Jasmy and nodded, closing his fingers and uttering the attack's name.

"Suiton Daibakufu no Jutsu"

The giant ball suddenly burst, gushing forth an enourmous amount of water. The water began to push forward, moving faster and faster, becoming a tsunami-like wave, massive in height and length. It was rushing right for Jasmy. In any case, the result would not be painless.

I hope you survive it Jasmy...This is my final test...

[Jasmy]

If there was anything she prided herself in, it was definitely speed and hand to hand combat. If one did not keep up or suddenly slowed down, Utada Jasmy would take the mistaken millisecond and execute lethally. She did not wait for one to miscalculate or make it her objective to tire one out; on the contrary, the opponent would have to make sure they did not miscalculate on her movements, for she’d make them work for their limbs and life.

Skimming the kunai close to one Nagashi made her smirk, the small perspiration glistening on the side of her neck worth that proximity. Softly panting, for indeed, she had given it her best at that combat, Jasmy vividly looked towards her sensei, on high alert for anything he’d throw her way.

The sun of high noon shot at her pale eyes, keen orbs squinting past the light to peer and examine what technique he was going to unleash forth. Water was his element and she was expecting something of that sort – but she wasn’t going to put it past him to reign over another style. Sharply dissecting his hand motions and the water molecules gravitating towards him, Jasmy forced herself to realize what jutsu he was forming. What is it, what is it….C’mon…Pushing aside that notion, her mind focused on how to counterattack what she did not know and froze at the sight of such a powerful assail waiting to conquer and win the battle.

MOVE! Instinct shouted at her to do something other than hesitate and stare, sending her lithe fingers in a frenzy as they flew through signs at the speed of that gigantic rush of water. Experience and knowledge told her that now, it was too late to leap out of the way (her pride intercepted that thought) and she was halfway done with the technique her mind threw out to her body.

If it covers the sun….Distance, height, speed…One more hand sign…!

Abruptly, shooting from the ground was a largely thick and tall wall of solidified earth right before Jasmy at the exact moment in which the tsunami arched to drown her in its wake. She pushed herself upon the protruding rock and felt it groan against the power of the water but it remained unmoved. Shocked eyes watched the water swarm past her on both sides and let out a breath, muttering a grateful note to her former master for that technique.

Steady legs walked out from behind the wall, Jasmy gripping a side of it to keep from falling over from shock. Thank the gods he’s on our side…”That…was close.”

[Nagashi]

The Suiton Daibakufu no Jutsu was one of the most powerful water element jutsus to exist. It gathered not only the moisture in the atmosphere, but also from any lifeform in the area. Chakra from the user collects and combines the water into one spot, creating a super-condensed ball of liquid which weighed well over several tons. Once the ball collapses, the water rushes forth with the power of a small tsunami, making it capable of wiping out entire armies. Only a few shinobi in history knew the technique, and the one who created it was none other than Nagashi himself.

He had used it far more times than he wanted to. Many times the landscape was permanently scarred, trees uprooted, forests becoming swampland, etc. There were never any survivors except him and those who were his allies. And now, here he was using it on a girl who was still just a jounin. Why? Why would he do such a thing? It was because he had sensed something in her, a power which was quite exceptional, a power that was sleeping, waiting to be awakened. If he was right, she would awaken that power and deflect the attack. If he was wrong...His eyes suddenly widened as he realized just how much he was gambling. Concentrating, he managed to tone down the attack by diverting the water flow with his chakra. The result was a much weaker version of the actual attack, which pummeled against Jasmy's rock wall, unable to break it.

When the water finally receded, Nagashi stood with his eyes closed. His breathing was heavy. That diversion had cost him most of his chakra. Still, he kept a smile on his lips, for just before his eyes had closed, he'd seen her walk out from the rock wall, unharmed. Catching his breath, he spoke as she approached him, eyes still closed.

"That was the Suiton Daibakufu no Jutsu. Congratulations Jasmy, you have passed. As a reward, I am going to teach you the Suiton Daibakufu no Jutsu..."

[Jasmy]

Slender legs supported her weight by a miracle, for the shock had rendered her unable to willingly move. Lilac irises stared widely at his pale countenance, her body noting the depletion of his chakra; that only added to the distress the finale of their battle set upon her. Suiton Daibakufu no Jutsu....a shift to the right let her watch the slaughter left behind by the technique he would be letting her know.

Biting down on her lower lip, Jasmy turned back to Nagashi and reluctantly placed a warm hand on his forearm. Would it be offending to ask if he was alright? The thought of his title coming before his humanity reminded her of what she always hated and brushed away that worry. "Sensei...? We could um....take a break, you know?"

Rosy cheeks blushed deeper, thanking whoever watched over her for making it seem like she was merely exhausted (which was true) and nothing else.

"I'm a little...umm...tired?" Tired? Perhaps, shocked to the point of paralysis was better -- but in any case, Jasmy used that to hopefully let Nagashi think that she was asking for a pause in their training for her sake and not his own.