Teach Me [M]

[Hakuturi]

Teach Me, Teach Me! Rank: C
Ninja needed: 1-3
Mission info: The village has re-established itself and the Academy Students are giving their teachers a very hard time. Wow them with stories of war and death and teach them a jutsu or two. The Kage would like this to be a weekly event to keep the moral up.
Special Info: Can be taken indefinitely.

Ah, the academy.

This was the place he had despised so much as a youngster, taking as many classes off as possible and developing his family jutsu rather than caring all that much for his studies. In fact on the day of the graduation exam he almost didn't pass at all, his simple clone jutsu being so poor at the time that it wouldn't have come close to passing as acceptable. Only through the deception of his crystal technique could he succeed that day. Even still he was pegged to lack the ambition to become a 'real' ninja in the world and even had convinced himself that perhaps it just wasn't meant for him to be one. Anyone who knew him at the time would have said the same thing about him..

Yet here he was ready to make a guest appearance as a jounin of the village, a title that precious few were allowed to carry and one that he did wear with pride as the seven years since that graduation day brought many changes to Haku. Maybe there would be a kid like he was back then who would look up to him..wishful thinking.

Placing his right hand on the door knob he entered the classroom, this entrance being the very front which instantly brought attention from the students who had been listening to a lecture about correct shuriken technique. The teacher stopped mid-sentence once Haku closed the door behind him, acknowledging his presence. "Ah, you're early! Alright kids here is your guest speaker here to tell you about life after graduation, Hakuturi Shigure!" half-hearted claps came from a few of the students as Haku made his way to the front of the room observing each and every student individually with a blank look on his face, this was greeted by absolute silence from the students as they stared back at him - most visibly unimpressed so far and quickly losing interest after only 10 seconds of sitting still.

"I see, let me just say you're the most unimpressive group I've laid eyes upon since my own when I was a student." several eyes lit up with one dark haired male in the front immediately clenching his fist at the suggestion that he was weak - so there was one. Moving back to sit on the teacher's desk Haku let out a sigh. "Today, you're all going to learn what it means to be a ninja and perhaps more importantly - what it doesn't mean." soft words escaped his lips looking up at the kids, some possibly his own future pupils if he were so lucky, hopefully his knowledge wasn't to go to waste..

[Hakuturi]

"I was asked to come here to wow you with my travels, to encourage you to become a ninja in order to experience those same things. Instead I will use this opportunity to inform you exactly why becoming a shinobi is so important, but not simply for the thrill of battle or excitement of traveling the world," his tone was stern and his eyes unwavering, a serious attitude sinking into him rather than the lackadaisical one he normally had and the one that he had prepared to ease on the kids before arriving. Thinking about his past brought up this need inside of him.

"When I was the same age as you all I felt that there was no need for ninja..they were the ones who forced this world we live in to be rebuilt after all, the teachings that were given to me in this very room I did not listen to due to my indifference over the whole experience. What we learned here I thought was insignificant and wouldn't help in the future...let me you all, I couldn't have been more incorrect.

You see, here you learn more than just about chakra and history of our village, you also learn perhaps the most valuable thing you ever can - the value of allies and bonds." the dark features of Haku seemed to get even darker as he said the last words, the incident that changed his entire life and led him to pursuing a real life of a shinobi lied beneath those words.

"When you graduate you are immediately introduced into a dangerous world with some people doing anything they can for power be it through death, betrayal, bribery..it is an insane world we live in. Sometimes when out in the world you will be face to face with your darkest fears and there would be no possible way out without at least one person you can depend on..someone who would literally rip their heart out for you if it meant saving you over themselves - even though they know full well that you would be prepared to do the same to protect them."


Alaina.. memories...

---------

the one person after his parents' passing in the war who he could instantly relate to, a girl his own age who had gone through the academy with him. She was different in that she was always on point with her studies and took a great liking to learning everything the teacher had for her. Haku had always found this annoying at the time, never missing an opportunity to attack her for it, the only thing learning from these people would do was turn her into the very same thing the people who ruined the world were - murderers out for only themselves.

One day when skipping class about a week before the graduation test Haku was sat on a swingset just outside of the academy, small crystals forming in the air every few seconds reflecting light towards the building almost like he was aiming them wanting them to do something more. To his surprise another person had arrived next to him to take the second swing next to him, it was her..skipping class? She was in line to win the perfect attendance award as well as top student which would be in jeopardy if caught avoiding class with no reason. "Hakuturi, I have to ask, why do you hate me?" her question was simple and filled with innocence, was this the reason she put her awards in jeopardy?

Taken a bit aback by the question but fully prepared to respond, the boy did so, "You put so much emphasis on the academy and becoming knowledgeable in everything they have to feed to you..to me it is sickening, you along with all of us will simply become the same as the past generation! We are no different if we follow down the same paths they led, and you are the prime example of this system in effect, I wouldn't be surprised if you led an attack as Mizukage just for the increase in power." he spoke with venom, more than he had ever given to a person but it was the angriest he had ever been, everything was coming out that he normally kept hidden behind dry remarks. He looked directly towards her before finishing, "That is why I hate everything about you."

Tears streamed down the girl's face with the finishing of his rant, taking in the message and analysing it not seeing how someone could think so lowly of her when she had been given plaudits for everything in her life up to that point. She was able to compose herself however and respond. "Haku..you must understand that I'm upset at what the past brought as well, my parents were taken by the very same war as yours..but the reason I try so hard is so that one day I can change it all, how the world is run. I know that it is impractical but I also know that it is absolutely impossible without putting my hardest into it and learning every mistake that has been made in the past." the tears dried by now with solidarity returning to her voice. "People talk about you Haku, they say you are simply a bitter, angry, and unmotivated individual..your lack of care being the worst thing to happen to the academy in a long time"

Haku's eyes narrowed and mouth formed a grimace at the accusation before she continued.

"But I wanted to be just like you..for in a way your goals are the same as mine - I understand that you want change as well even if the path you're leading is different. It is why I came here..I want to be there to push you to achieving these things on one condition."

A smile formed to her face before turning to Haku, "You are there to push me as well," Hakuturi's eyes lit up before turning to meet her's..she seemed to understand him perfectly even with so few words, he felt flustered for the first time when talking to her. "I will..forever,"

Unfortunately forever wasn't to last too long..

-----------------------

The memories had brought a smile to the jounin's face, it was such a simple word to say back then forever..and he had meant it with all his heart. His attention back on the students he addressed them once more, "Those dangers I spoke of..you learn that they aren't to be feared..as long as you have someone, something driving you on to protect and someone to protect you."

[Hakuturi]

Several dozen eyes were focused intently on the jounin now, each of the kids now listening to every word as it seemed they could almost feel the emotion that came with them. Haku's own dark eyes returned the stares, not entirely sure that they all would understand his message but if there was even one in this room who could take something positive from it he considered it a success. He had been asked to discuss several topics with them and would promptly move on to the next.

"War..something that could potentially happen very soon in our great village against those of the Leaf. You see war is a complex subject that can rarely be justified with the number of lives lost in each one..however, if we wish to continue living in this world we must fight - fight to protect ourselves and to fight for the people of the village. During life threatening combat you are also able to learn the true nature of many involved. You learn if someone is willing to sell out the village for themselves, if they are willing to sacrifice their friends in exchange for their own lives. The fear of death is enough to drive anyone to the brink of insanity," it was only the memory of Alaina that kept him from reaching that point, in that way perhaps what happened was good for him..well that's how he rationalised it anyway.

"In this world we live in war is something that both divides our villages but also is able to keep us together. The mere threat of such a war is enough to prevent villages from pulling the trigger and attacking another without absolute preparation. Village ties even with what we considered allies in the past can break in a second if weakness is shown or we lose our value in their eyes..makes for an interesting dynamic that never quite goes away." he spoke clearly but was very introspective at this point, delving into his own thoughts and experiences before continuing. "With this you may ask why have war at all? It usually comes down to one thing, power. Power is something that can turn a man into something you'd never think possible..something to truly be feared. Villages adopt this policy and if superiority is threatened the inevitably a power struggle happens, if it can't be worked out through meetings or treaties then combat becomes the only option..or at least the only one that we have discovered after all these years. Many of us do not agree with the policy the higher ups in the Kage's office implement on war as it becomes more about them than simply the safety of the civilians, but if you believe in your village and what it stands for you must be able to cooperate with them even if you don't believe in their dealings.

If you don't.. the chance losing something or someone close to you rises..trust your loved ones, trust your village, but trust for your government should only be given in caution knowing that you are simply one of thousands to them.." anger was far from his demeanor though with what happened it certainly called for it - that bridge had been passed long ago in the form of many sleepless nights however with numbed the pain now each time he thought about it.

One of the kids coughed bringing him back to the moment..still more to do.

[Hakuturi]

"What do you love most..the very question an assailant asked me so long ago and an important question to be honest with yourself about if you intend to fully understand your inner workings..my answer now is easy or at least on the surface, I have loved her ever since that week before graduation - unfortunately if an enemy gets hold of your emotions and inner thoughts they get used against you"

---------------------

"Haku keep up! Lazybones.." Alaina's high energy was contagious for most people but quite frankly it didn't do much for Haku who was content to take everything at his own pace.

This was their last mission required in order to qualify for the chuunin exams, it was simple enough, go to the outskirts of the water country and pick up some documents for the Mizukage. They weren't to open them but that wouldn't be a real problem. He had learned to love these missions that he took with Alaina, they became less missions and more time for them to connect even more. They had learned so much about each other in the past two years both emotionally and in combat, even time outside of missions the two spent nearly all of their time together. Haku thought a lot about this and the realisation that this was probably their last mission together as a genin made it difficult for concentration for him.

The mist-filled forests of Kiri was the location of their travel to the outer rim of the country, Haku had convinced her to slow down to a walking pace for talking, nervousness building up inside of him, "Hey..y'knowwhen we're chuunin things are going to be different, we're going to probably get a genin or two each to look after and it'll be harder to meet and everything. I don't want that even if I know it has to happen for our goals to be met...so." it had been planned out so perfectly in his head but the feeling of butterflies in his stomach was becoming overwhelming. Alaina having known him so well knew exactly where he was going with it, a blush forming on her cheeks and a smile to her face before giddy words came from her mouth, "I understand, and of course I accept! You've become perhaps the most important part of my life sharing it with you in the future would be my dream," Hakuturi's heartbeat rose as she accepted his request even without him needing to complete it for her, she really was perfect for him.

In a rare state of elation he picked her up off the ground and jumped into the trees taking off for the meeting point where the convoy was to give the documents, he carried her much like a husband would carry a wife at a wedding - it wasn't normal for him but he wanted to get the mission finished as fast as possible to start preparing for the chuunin exams and what he pictured as a perfect life afterwards with her.

Waves crashed upon the shore, the vast sea that separated the Water country from the Fire country now the image filling the two's eyes. Placing Alaina back to her feet, the smiles never leaving their faces until this moment, the two looked around for the convoy who seemed to be nowhere in sight. "That's odd..if anything we're the ones who are late, ugh how annoying".

Out of the shadows several figures made their appearance, each of them wearing normal flak jackets with headbands bearing the symbol of the Leaf village, one carried a brown envelope that was sure to be the container for the documents. "Aye! Didn't see you guys, Mizukage said there would only be one but I guess you can never have enough safety huh?" he took several steps towards them before Alaina jumped in front, "No stop! They've led us into a trap!". No, had he been fooled? The Leaf shinobi didn't move from their positions and seemed to almost be one with the thick mist, facial expressions having absolutely nothing behind them. Only now was it apparent what was going on.

Looking in each direction the same image was seen at the same distance, an advanced genjutsu that affected his sight, he assumed Alaina saw the same thing. Luckily for him she was excellent in chakra control and would be able to break them both out of it. A nod towards each other and she formed the handsign for 'Kai'. At the very moment this happened a huge wire sprang from the ground to wrap around her, first her hands and soon becoming her entire body from the neck down causing her to fall over to her side before performing the jutsu, she was bound in place.

Haku knelt down to observe the binding but was cut short by a chilling voice from directly behind him, "You genin are almost too easy, that was no fun at all," the raspy tone sent chills through his spine, there was no time for fear at this point though - only immediate action against their attacker. Taking this small window Haku formed a special handseal which would cause 5 shuriken made of crystal to form directly behind both he and the man standing behind him - he hoped that the lack of warning from the attack would catch the man off guard.

Closing his eyes, Haku released his energy to direct the shuriken directly into the man's head hoping that this would kill him in one blow, a loud sound of the shuriken hitting skin was enough to indicate a successful hit. Upon opening his eyes and turning to look at his victim horror overcame his features. "No.." the man had taken the split second between the eyes closing and the shuriken coming towards him to replace himself with the bound body of Alaina, the crystal shuriken lodged in her abdomen and a large amount of blood spilling to the ground.

"You're quite troublesome, I was simply hired to kill you both quickly and leave no evidence but now I want to make you suffer!" the man stood 5 meters behind Haku's current location, the thirst for blood now palpable. Hired? Did he mean someone in the Mist's own council hired for them to be killed? There was no time to think as thick steel wire came from the ground to bind each of Haku's limbs in place, no movement other than the head for him. No..not now, any time but now!

"Tell me kid, what do you love most? Taking that away and having you live with it forever associating it with my face - it would be so much more fulfilling for me," it was barbaric..what could drive a man to behave this way? Haku had given up struggling against the wires at this point and looked towards the ground, "I love.." before he could finish the man was stood directly over him with a dagger now in his hand. "I'm going to find out it it's your little girlfriend over here first, then answer,". Haku's heart nearly stopped, it couldn't be her, she was the future of this village - the one who would finally make the world right. He was literally speechless at this and frozen in fear with each step the man took towards her, his dagger cocked back and ready to aim for her heart when..

"Gotcha!" five crystal shuriken had directly hit the man's back sending him to the ground with a large thud. Haku sat still speechless looking at Alaina who was stood 20 meters in the distance though now running towards him until it was reduced to a few feet. The shock on his face was enough to get her to talk, "You really should have paid attention in class Haku! It only took an advanced clone jutsu to let it look like I got caught, combine that with a perfectly timed transformation jutsu and add in a replacement technique and it was actually not that hard! Though of course it took pinpoint precision," how..was she able to stay so calm throughout it all, the clone sat behind him poofed into smoke as Alaina bent down to untie him.

The last arm being untangled, a big smile came to the girl's face. "Let's get out of here," Haku found it impossible to move himself, the thoughts of just a minute earlier would be ones that would haunt him forever..what did he love..in this moment of life or death, had he simply convinced himself it was true to keep her alive or was it his true feeling? "I love.." Alaina was confused and kept her eyes on the boy who still stayed in place with his eyes fixed on the ground.

"Haku watch out!" a dagger was headed directly for the back of his neck, the dying man's last action. The sound of blood as it connected made a nice complement to the crashing waves, it was a fatal blow at that range and velocity.

Falling to the ground Alaina's body slowly began to lose its energy, the added effect of using the shunshin to get in the way of the thrown dagger made it an impossible one to survive. "I'm sorry Haku..I couldn't let you die and allow myself to live, I love you more than anything, keep living for both of us," her words were barely audible as air could barely escape through bouts of blood coming up through her throat, but Haku understood each word.

For the next 24 hours the boy stayed in the same place even though the bindings had been cut, he sat staring at the ground with a blank expression, the waves crashing upon the shore eager to claim two new dead bodies. "I love.."

-----------------------------------------

"Myself..." he learned it that day, the man had promised to kill what he loved most and succeeded - that part of Haku's heart gone forever as well as the piece of him in Alaina he could never see again, the only thing that could keep him going was her will to complete their dreams..it was what she died for.

"That..is the worst thing a ninja can learn about themselves and the absolute worst thing I have learned in my years as a shinobi. A tear rolled down his face until gravity took it towards the ground, a small bit of chakra turning it to crystal before it shattered on the floor.

[Hakuturi]

His story finished for now, the feeling inside was that he had said all that he really needed to. That story was really the only important one to him in terms of the topic at hand. Perhaps more lighthearted conversation for the rest of his time here.

"Right, now you want to see some techniques yeah? I'll show you my jutsu." building up a bit of chakra through a handseal he continued speaking, "I'm sure you're familiar or have been taught the types of releases for ninjutsu that follow the basic elements, our own village's specialty of course the water release," a second handseal was made to further gather the chakra, "However, if one is lucky enough they may have the ability to use special ninjutsu that combines these releases together into creations that previously were impossible, of course, chakra control becomes extremely important at this stage." The third handseal completed the short string, the particles in the air beginning to shift behind him until what appeared to be a large snowflake appeared behind him that reflected everything in front, a mirror of crystal.

"My technique consists of creations of crystal..one wouldn't necessarily see it as practical in battle without knowing its strengths but when those strengths are discovered and learned it becomes one of the more deadly ninjutsu in existance." Putting together more handseals he created a clone made of crystal, though it appeared to the naked eye a normal clone. "These creations can be used together for devastating effect much like other ninjutsu, discovering where your own strengths lie is the most important thing you can learn for combat." the clone jumped into the mirror seemingly disappearing from existance bringing a couple of gasps from the kids. Haku felt the job was done and deconstructed the mirror, crystal pieces falling to the floor with the clone nowhere to be seen.

"Find your own individual style, one that matches your interests and have faith that you can use it when you most need it and you can become a great ninja!"

[Hakuturi]

The students had given their full attention throughout Haku's speech which had now come to an end, surprisingly giving a round of applause to show their thanks for his time. The chuunin academy teacher watched in awe as the kids who had just 30 minutes ago been completely lacking care for listening to her lecture were now appreciative of tales of the ninja life, perhaps there was hope in this generation after all.

Turning to Haku extending her hand the teacher showed a big smile in her features, "Thank you very much hopefully you've convinced them to work a bit harder and take their futures more seriously! Please do come back,' the handshake nearly ripped Haku's arm off with the excitement of the teacher making her shake it extremely hard. "Eh I'm sure you have more to teach them than I ever could," when letting go of her hand he moved his left hand to cover his right massaging the pain, a weak smile coming to his face before waving to the kids.

"It was a pleasure, I want all of you stronger than me in five years time!" the jounin then took his leave, his work done for the time being.

[Icarus]

+46