☆ old friends [cath]

[KEITH]

The travel from Kirigakure to Mizu no Miyako was nice, traveling side by side with Tori, who have been a friend of mind for over a decade. I was a bit surprised by her actions as we left the village, her lacing her arm with mine, causing her to be close to me. It had brought a smile to my face, and I had known that today was going to be fun, or I could only hope that it would, really. I didn't possess the eyes of my father, which could predict the outcome of situations by just looking at him, but I was never afraid to face the things that I didn't know was coming.

I believe that is what helped shape me into the man I am today. Though of the same clan, Tori and I didn't share the same blood, the Fūma clan was originally made up of several clans coming together to create a new clan based upon the beliefs that they had all shared. As I would think about all of these trivial things, we would find ourselves, coming into the view of one of the many towns within Mizu no Miyako, and of course, we had to take a boat there, due to all of the towns being separated by water, but that's what made them naval towns. The man who had controlled the boat had brought us to the dock of Kirisame (lit. Light Rain), and as we would have, the man had given us an umbrella to use.

A light rain had always had covered the town, hence the name. We would see buildings and bright lights all over the town, it would seem as if a festival had been going on today and it was just their luck. From the dock, they would be able to see children running through the streets, towards where the festival would be held, and in the distance, they would see a large ferris wheel, which would have been the largest thing there. “Do you want to go to the festival, Tori-san?” I would look at her with a gentle gaze, despite how angry I was before, I had calmed down by a considerable amount now.

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[catherine]

Tori was surprisingly enjoying walking arm in arm with her friend. It was very different and unlike what she had expected or intended. She'd intended him to get annoyed or flustered, but he hadn't. Kind of disappointing, but the sensation had been pleasant enough so she'd let it go. They crossed towards the village Light Rain via boat and were given an umbrella to shield them from the light rain. She was grateful for that as her attire consisted mostly of white, including the bandages covering her breasts and white + water = bad. She had been considered upgrading her attire with some equipment, but hadn't as of yet. Money was an issue.

"Yeah why not." she replied in answer to his question. A festival sounded interesting to her. As they walked towards it she considered the point. They were walking arm in arm in a festival, hosted by a beautiful town. She wondered if this classed as a date. It was an...interesting...thought. She'd not really thought of him that way. He was the famed 'clan killer' and of the fuma clan she was on of the few to stand by him. Why? Well, she wasn't 100% sure. She just trusted him and was close to him.

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[KEITH]

With Tori's reply, we would make our way toward the festival, still arm in arm as we had walked together. Trivial thoughts had still run through my mind, like, what was she thinking right now? And how did she think about spending this time with me. It might have been better to ask those questions and instead of thinking about it, but I could possibly make a fool of myself if I asked one of the stupid questions that I thought.

Besides, we were friends, and I didn't want to ruin that, but we were here to catch up with each other, so I could ask other questions. “So, what's all that’s changed for you since the last time we hung out? It's been about. . . . Two or three months since then, right? I am sure a lot has.” I had known that it might have possibly been even more than that, but I didn't want to make it seem that bad, but hopefully she had found something to do with her spare time.

I didn't want her to have been doing nothing this entire time but wait for me; I wanted her to be able to do more with herself. As we would approach the entry way into the festival, we would see all of the people running around, laughing and having a good time. It was bright, and the lights had lit up the entire place, making it feel like it wasn't as dark as it was; the dark clouds that made the light rain had darkened the area a bit. It had been one of Kirisame's water festivals, and the main theme of it, besides all of its rides and goes, were the fact that it was about how water contributed greatly to their lifestyle and how they appropriated it.

I had heard of it before, obviously.

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[catherine]

"Life in times of peace is kinda boring for a shinobi or kunoichi." she replied with a shrug. That was how she saw it and he had asked what she had been doing with her life since they last hung out as friends. "And as a genin we bare the brunt the most due to being the ones assigned to boring missions like catch the cat or find these herbs." She thought about the question for a moment one finger held up to her mouth in quite a cute fashion. "Mostly i've been training or trying to cheer up the dull lives of people with jokes."

She was almost certain that he'd of heard of at least some of the mischief she'd got into. Heck, she'd be surprised if the mizukage stopped complaining about her. The thought was quite entertaining. She could imagine it now. The mizukage berating her friend for her actions. She'd heard plenty of speeches telling what an embarassment she must be causing, but she couldn't help it. She got bored easily and training could only stimulate her so much. So she entertained herself with pranks.

"I've been trying to work on some new jutsu to combine by chakra nature with my archery." she said turning the talk to jutsu. Yes, a jutsu to improve her archery and make her all the more deadly and useful. "How about you? Done anything interesting Mr. Big shot second in command guy?"

[KEITH]

As that made their way through the festival, Tori would talk about what she had been up to these past few months. I had known that it would be in my best interest to pay attention to everything she said, didn't want to miss anything she might ask me about later. Though, it wasn't as if it was some sort of choir for me, I wanted to her what she had to say, I had found peace in her voice as she talked. My lips slowly curled up into a smile once she had begun to talk of her pranks, and for sure, I have heard about them from a lot of people.

It was more obvious than ever that she just might be quiet the trouble maker, especially for someone her age, but perhaps that wasn't a bad trait to have for her. Once she would begin her speech about her archery, I couldn't help but chuckle a bit at her, I thought it was really silly for a shinobi to practice something like archery, but it was just me. Then, it was my turn, and I didn't really have much to say. All I have been doing is mostly grunt work for the village, and barely any real missions.

“We're going to have to get you in the next Chūnin exams, I see. But, as for me, I really haven't being doing much besides errands for the Mizukage-sama. Kirigakure is a very powerful village and a large military force, so I have been basically making sure that everything has been running smoothly -- while the Mizukage-sama handled dealings with the Kages of other villages. He has it made. . . . Being able to travel around the world and things of that nature, I envy it.” It was the truth, I was a bit envious of my defective brother, especially since he has two of the seven swords and he has somehow managed to acquire the Yonbi, becoming the host for it.

His power was so far above mine, he was so much stronger, I feel like he has left me far behind in the dark, but I had known that I couldn't give up, I had to become stronger. These last thoughts had made me turn my attention away from her, and my face would have become somewhat serious, I was determined. And then, my fast with be hit by several streams of water, kids had come out of nowhere, hidden behind tables and barrels, firing water at me from some kind of contraption that was made for the festival. The water caused my ivory hair to fall down over my face, hiding my violet hues from view, and I would cease my advancement.

“Ugh. . . . The little brats. Are they working for you, Tori-san?” I would say as I used a hand to run through my hair, flipping it back over my hands and my violet hues setting upon her. My expression had changed from serious to playful, though and as I would like at her, behind her, I would see where the kids had gotten their water weapons from. There was some sort of target game right next to Tori, and it had required the water guns the kids were using to fire at them, it looked fun. “Oh, look at that.” I would say as I pointed a finger at it.

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[catherine]

So it seemed the responsibilities of being a head jonin outweighed the benefits. Still, at least he had things to do other than training, which sounded good to her. The water guns squirted him, but not her, which was fortunate for her. She pouted as he asked if they working for her. Not because she was annoyed at the idea that she'd hire people to pull a joke, but because she was annoyed at the idea that water squirting was something she'd come up with. It was so below her standards. It would have to be something like squirting him with some sort of staining ingredient. That would be more her style. She liked to cause a lasting effect and wetness wasn't good enough.

When she saw the game she smiled broadly. Now that was her sort of game. After paying a little bit to have a go she grabbed one of the water blasters and spun it round her finger. She'd trained with crossbows in the past and this was rather similar. Her left eye slowly closed as she took aim. With precise accuracy, the benefit of her training, she began to blast the targets. She didn't miss a single one. The runner of the stall stared at her. She'd hit every target with ease. The children cheered and all paid to have more goes so the stall owner didn't seem to mind handing over the large stuffed panda that was the prize.

"Carry it for me Yoku-Chan?" she asked batting her eyelashes playfully.

[KEITH]

I would watch as she would head over to the water gun game that I had suggested to her, following right behind her. I wondered how good she had been, for practicing archery for so many years. Of course, I still thought the act of a ninja practicing archery was lame, but it could have still had its many uses to people, like training the eyes. Tori would display as she would eye down her targets before firing, making sure she had the greatest sight possible, so she could shoot precise shots. And with that, she had hit them all.

Not a drop of water was wasted, but I wasn't surprised, she had better been good with her aim. I watched the kids cheer and take more chances at the game, smiling gently as she would receive a stuffed panda and asked me to carry it. Little did she know, I fucking loved pandas, and I surely wouldn't give up the chance to carry hers, placing it upon my shoulders, like a father would his child. Looking around the festival, they had many other games, mostly water based, and the ferris wheel, which was still some ways from where they would stand.

“Nice shooting, but I probably could have done better than you by far.” I said with a smirk upon my face, as if I was trying to get some sort of challenge started up between the two of us. If one would rise, I would simply have to put Tori in her place, if she ever thought she could beat me in anything. “But, is there anything else you would like to try out? Games, food, etc? I know that I want to go to the ferris wheel before we leave.”

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[catherine]

She rolled her eyes. He always thought himself so superior just because of his experience and rank. Accuracy was part of her being, it was something she excelled in. Still, she wouldn't argue too much for now. Perhaps due to speed he might win, but speed wasn't everything.

"Maybe using pistols, but with a bow you'd stand no chance." she replied with a smirk. In answer to his question she would have to think. There was plenty of water based stuff, but she wasn't that bothered. SHe was just happy to be out of the village for a little while without being on a mission. Plus it was fun spending time with her friend.

"I'm not bothered. You pick Yoku-Chan." she said. She was surprised at his joy at carrying the panda, but she was glad she didn't have to carry it. It was quite big.

[KEITH]

It seemed as if she didn't want to give up on her pride in her art of archery, but I would definitely prove her wrong, that even with a bow, I could be better than her. But, she didn't seem to care where we had went next, ultimately, leaving it up to me to pick out the next thing that we would do; now it was like a date. I would take her hand, and run through the festival, looking for something else they could do while they were there. After running for a bit, I would come across a shop which would focus in the art of archery, it was a water balloon popping game, and I would like at her with a smirk.

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[catherine]

So it seemed that he wished to truly challenge her at her own game. Very interesting. It would be odd if she lost and would probably cripple her confidence. That or give her a greater desire to improve. It would be a fifty fifty split. Still, she would not turn down this challenge.

She picked up the bow that was used for this particular game and twirled it about. It was smaller and lighter then her own bow and the arrows were not nearly as well crafted. It would not be as easy as using her own bow. The targets were larger than what she practiced with though so perhaps that would counteract the lousy bow.

To the store owner's surprise rather than nocking a single arrow the bow she nocked three and took aim. A second later all of them were fired and all of them hit bullseyes. This was swiftly followed by two more sets of three and finally she seemed to aim away from the target with a single arrow, but it curved and hit the target dead center.

"Beat that." she said with a grin. She'd used some archery techniques that she used in proper combat to show off a bit. It slowed her down, but it was pretty impressive to see and would be harder for him to beat.

Techniques used:

SPOILER: Click to show

Coriolis
Rank: D, C
Type: Offensive/ Taijutsu
Range: --
Chakra: Mid
Special: Severity of curve is determined by rank used.
D: 10 Degree Curves
C: 30 Degree Curve
B: 50 Degree Curve
A: 70 Degree Curve
S: 90 Degree Curve

Description: By putting the proper spin on an arrow, similar to throwing a curveball, the user can actually cause the the arrow's trajectory to curve in mid-flight. Many an unlucky individual has died with a confused look on their face after having been hit by an arrow that they were sure they had dodged.
Domain: Archery

Shotgun
Rank: D, C
Type: Offensive/ Taijutsu
Range: --
Chakra: Mid
Special: Rank learned determines maximum amount of arrows that can be fired simultaneously. Number of arrows fired simultaneously determines range reduction.
D: 2 Arrows / 10% Range Reduction
C: 3 Arrows / 20% Range Reduction
B: 4 Arrows / 30% Range Reduction
A: 5 Arrows / 40% Range Reduction
S: 6 Arrows / 50% Range Reduction

Description: The technique is one of the hallmarks of the Watcher style, firing more arrows than a normal person would believe is possible. It's been said that with proper mastery of the technique, the user can fire up to six at a time with all the ability they fire a normal one.
Domain:Archery

[KEITH]

“Nice.” I would give her a compliment on her skills, I could see that she had added her own bit of flavor into the mix, only because of her techniques, but nothing overly impressive. If she would have gotten them all within one shot, it would have been really amazing, and something I would really praise her for, but she let me down. I guess I would just have to show her how things are done, especially if she wanted to show off and impress me. I took the bow from her, and retrieved an arrow from the host of the game.

I had looked at the new set of balloons that would have been lined up before me, five in all, and they would all have been within a five meter radius of each other. Each balloon would have been about 3.2 inches away from each other, and I would smirk as I eyed down the center balloon, taking the arrow, and lacing the arrow's head with an explosive note. As I would fire the arrow toward the center balloon, aiming for the dead center, the balloon would pierce into it, and just as it did, I formed a quick, single seal. As the balloon went off, so did the explosive note.

The explosive notes radius would cover the five meters that all of the balloons had been in, causing them all to pop or be destroyed by the explosion of the note. All of my target would have been taken out with one shot, while Tori had used multiple ones. It was obvious who have done better. “Beat it.” I would say smugly, as I turn to look at her with a cheerful smile.

SPOILER: Click to show

1/20 Explosive Notes

Fuubaku Houjin (Exploding Seal Method Formation)
Rank: C
Type: Supplementary.
Range: -
Handseals: 1.
Chakra: -
Special: This ability allows the user detonate his or her explosive notes, opposed to allowing them to be "timed" explosives. Without this technique, the user cannot automatically detonate their tags.
Description: Fuubaku Houjin is a Ninjutsu technique used by shinobi in conjunction with common explosive devices such as exploding notes. With this, the user can choose when their explosives detonate, opposed to being at the mercy of a countdown.
Domain: Universal Ninjutsu.[/spoilers]

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[catherine]

"Using explosive notes isn't part of the game. You cheated Yoku-chan." she said pouting, but grabbed another arrow and took the bow back. This time she took aim once more judging the angle and fired. Using the technique known as coriolis she curved the arrow's trajectory so it moved down the line of balloons popping all five. "That's how it is done without cheating." She grinned and took the prizes from the man.

"Now how about that ferris wheel thingy?" she suggested pointing at it and without waiting began to head over in that direction carrying stuffed animals with her.

[KEITH]

It was nice to see her get upset about what I had done; I knew that she couldn't handle losing to me. Being able to upset her meant that I could possibly make her angry, if I could do that, then I would have true control over her. I couldn't help but laugh at her attempt to one up me, despite her already taking a chance, and having to take another shot to beat me. I let it pass and let her get her prizes; I knew what had really mattered and what was important, after all.

She suggested going to the ferris wheel now, and of course, it's really what I wanted to do since I came here, so I had no objections to it. I would once again take her hand in mind, charging toward the direction of the ferris wheel, where we would have to wait in a short line before we got our chance to go up. I would turn to face her with a smirk upon my face. “So, how do you feel so far about our time together?”

I asked a simple question, wanting to know how she felt and what was on her mind.

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[catherine]

"Its been good." she replied with a smile. It had indeed been nice. It was good being out of the village for a while and it was nice seeing him after such a long time. In truth, he was probably her only real friend at the moment. Sure, she had fellow shinobi to chat to, but they were more colleagues than friends. "Good to get out once in a while and hang with my bud. Even if he does cheat at archery games"

Finally the time came and they walked onto the ferris wheel. An attraction both of them wanted to ride, but more Yokumaru then herself. It was quite a large ferris wheel and remarkably it was all powered by water. Very clever, but in a place like Water Seven it was necessary.

[KEITH]

They stood in line until it had finally been their turn to go onto the large ferris wheel; powered by water, and it needed a lot of it, which only Mizu no Miyako could give it. As their cart door would open, I would allow Tori to enter inside of it first, being the gentleman that I was, before I would scoot over next to her. The constructor would close the door behind me, and the wheel turned, allowing other passengers to get on. The skies were beginning to turn dark and starry, revealing that we had been her for some time.

And I couldn't help but stare off into it, after making some distance between the two of us. That way, we wouldn't be all over each other, I would give Tori her space. My lavender hues had reflected the stare within them, and at that moment, I would recall what she had said about our day. “I'm glad that you enjoyed it, but I didn't cheat.

It wasn't in the rules that I couldn't use an explosive note.” I said, with a bright smile as I had turned to face her. Being with her, had made me happier than I had been in the longest, this feeling was refreshing. I only wished that I could experience this type of feeling more often than I do now.

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