Broken Arrow and The White Lotus

Light footsteps quietly stepped through the training grounds of Kirigakure, a mixed terrain area stuck between three mountains, a simple pair of black standard Kirigakure shoes hushed with each step as the figure stepped through the gates. Shoulder length pure white locks flowed softly with each movement, a young woman who could almost be mistaken for a younger teen quietly walking into the training area. Her body language read easily as someone who wished to keep to themselves, a slight hunch forward, hands in the pockets of her sleeveless white hoodie with the hood up, and her bright azure hues remained on the ground in front of her as she walked--half lidded, nearly in a daze...glossed over with ice. The oceans of blue shades told a tale no one wished to hear--and she for sure wished to forget. Finishing off her simple outfit, which didn't even look to be that of a shinobi, was a simple black skirt, fairly short, but enough to keep her decent as long as a breeze didn't pry too hard.

Haruko Kaguya had only been back in Kirigakure a year since she'd left her ordeal, the young woman having just begun trying her hand at becoming a warrior once again. She needed time to cope...and still hadn't managed to piece herself back together. A subtle sigh slipped past her lips as she glanced up from the ground, finally taking herself out of autopilot it seemed, and looking around. She couldn't see anyone, and felt alone...for now. This is what she wanted, seclusion. She would turn her attention a good ways down range from her, about 100 meters away, where a grouping of trees could make for good targets. She'd slip her hands out of her pockets, one reaching up to swipe her hood back, the other reaching behind herself, to the base of her neck.

Sounds of bone cracking and shifting could be heard by those with sensitive ears, the subtle movements able to be seen rippling in the back of her hoodie, as she shifted and moved her spine. It'd pop out, the first vertebrae of her spine poked through the skin, a moment before the second would pop into view. Her hand grabbed onto this bit of bone jutting from the base of her neck, where it met the spine, squeezing it a bit before giving a solid yank. This pulled out the girl's spine, which would be instantly replaced within her, the length of bone and cartilage arched in a shape akin to a bow, and further molded to solidify this shape, a string of cartilage between the tips of the Bow of Bones, linking them and completing the weapon. She rolled her shoulders, getting a feeling for her new, replacement spine. The young woman lifted her hoodie back over her hair and once more faced down range, holding the bow in a position ready to accept an arrow.

She held her hand out, and another bone extended from her palm, using much less focus to create then the intricate bow. She used her teeth to pull it the rest of the way out of her hand, breaking it off and gripping it between her fingers before lacing it along the thin string of cartilage used as a firing medium. She held the bow down at first, towards the ground...a glance down as she gripped onto the bow's handle for just a moment, it'd been a long time since she'd done this...years even...and it simply reminded her of times she wished to avoid. Taking a deep breath Haruko would shut her eyes, softly sighing it out a bit shakily, before her eyes opened, the daze and gloss from before gone, a cold determination filling the azure orbs. She raised her bow and took aim, eye lined right up with the shaft of the arrow, focusing on the target...a tree in the middle of a grouping of three.

As she drew the bow back, she'd focus herself further, enhancing her strength just a little for the sake of the shot, the Focused Shot expending a hint more of her energy then normal, but giving her arrow a hint of boost in power. She let it loose, a solid frame with no waver when firing, letting the string snap with fury and launch the bone arrow. She remained as if she was still holding it, eye watching it along is path. It flew down range with acceptable speed, nothing to write home about, but accurate enough and strong enough. It crossed the distance pretty quickly, before echoing back the solid 'thud' of it striking the tree, stuck perfectly in the spot she'd aimed for. Slowly she lowered his arm with the bow to her side, raising her head back up some, eyes focusing down range to see she had indeed hit her mark. Even after years...she wasn't rusty.

[150/150. Learned Focused Shot]

---

CP: 124/135

Hone no Yumi ('Bow of Bone')
Focused Shot

Maybe it was her mindset, maybe it was the focus on her shot, maybe it was the concentration on learning the new technique to increase the power of her shot--either way, she hadn't noticed that she was not as alone as she thought. The sound of a bush brushed aside, grass and dead leafs crunching under feet would burn the ear of Haruko. Her gaze lowered, she had wanted to be able to train without others to worry about, or bother her. The azure hues looked to the ground for only a moment, before hearing her name would draw her attention--the girl's line of sight shifting from the ground in front of her to the direction the voice came from.

Haruko would be met with the sight of an older woman, who clearly had a much more 'Shinobi' look about her...bandages, gloves, and most notably--a really big sword. Even not knowing who was standing before her, she instantly recognized the sword...whoever she was, she must've been one of the famed Seven Swordsman of the Mist to have earned the right to wield such an awe inspiring sword. That, or she stole it. But that was unlikely...right?

Either way Haruko would take just a moment to even process what Rei had said, the thoughts of the older woman being one of the known swordsman of the Mist causing a slight delay in registering what was said to her. Her student? Had the village been spying on poor Haruko, and knew she was trying her hand once more at becoming a strong Shinobi? She'd not expressed any interest in it, wishing to be left alone, for the past year. Only recently had she taken to the thought of continuing her training. The flat tone and direct delivery of her words...it almost instantly reminded her of her previous sensei, who while cold and distant, had been overall good to her...before his untimely demise.

Her eyes would go to meet Rei's, although maybe the woman was still focused on Haru's weapon--her bow that clearly was made from her own spine. If not, maybe the two would cross gazes if Rei looked back to Haruko. Either way the younger woman turned, facing Rei fully. "...I'm Haruko, yes. I wasn't aware I was being assigned a Sensei again..." she'd respond, tone flat, distant, although there was a sense of sorrow in the final word. 'Again'...if Rei had heard the rumors of what Haruko went through, this single word would hold much more meaning. Her gaze fell once more, she didn't seem to have much confidence, now looking somewhere near Rei's feet or the distance between them.

"...I'm sorry...i..I probably should know who you are...that sword though..." she looked back up, although it was clear her eyes now focused on the sword upon Rei's back. "...Kubikiribocho...You must be a member of the Seven Swordsman" she'd express her thoery, eyes shifting back up to attempt to look Rei in the eyes once more. There was something about Haru's eyes, they almost lacked soul...glossed over once again as they had been when she entered the grounds--having lost that determination she had when firing her arrow.

---

CP: 124/135

Haruko would watch as the older Kaguya would respond with no words to her mention of the sword...watching as Rei removed Kubikiribocho from her back, and would simply toss the weapon. Blue eyes watched it land between the two woman, right in the middle...almost cast aside, as if it was worthless...Haruko looked on in silence, eyes focused on the sword for only a moment, before returning back to look at Rei. She had said nothing, a silence between the two. It was then that Rei approached Haruko, an icy gaze cast onto Haru from Rei as she took each step closer. Haruko stood in place--the closer they got, the more their height difference would become apparent.

By the time Rei had come to stop in front of Haruko, she had to tilt her head up to look her in the eyes. This was the moment the two's eyes had met, hues of gold and orbs of blue crossing, Haruko holding her silence as she was stared down by the Jounin. She may had said something but Rei would couch down just a bit, maybe enough to make her not so much taller then the short woman. Finally, words was spoken, and almost as confusing to Haruko as having tossed the sword between them earlier. Her words drew a questioned look for a moment, but it was lost as it slowly fell over her what she meant. Seven Swordsman of the Mist, a simple swordsman, it made no difference. If a dream is just a dream...a member of the famed swordsman was just a swordsman--or swordswoman, in this case. What really mattered was the person...Haruko knew this, but due to her absence from the village for years, and seclusion since she returned, she knew nothing of who was who...even if a well known Jounin of the village.

But it was the next question that shifted Haruko's body language, it was only five words...but these words stung nearly as bad as any sword. Inside Haruko's mind the cap on her emotion burst off, and she was scrambling to put the lid back on. She recoiled a bit, sinking back a few inches, and their eyes disconnected--Haruko's gaze averting away, off to the side. The walls went up...the same walls she'd used to keep everyone out for the past year. Truth was...she never told anyone the real truths of what she went through, it left as vague as she had been captured and kept for years...nothing of the beatings, nothing of being used as a half time show for their tournaments...never speaking of what they'd done to her. It took everything she had to try to keep a straight face, and even then it was written all over her features. Pain. Sorrow. Images of a woman tormented by the ordeal she lived through.

Finally, Haruko would speak, but her words were quiet, and she clearly would attempt to avoid the question. "Mm...You already know my name...what is yours?" she would say in an attempt to swerve the question she'd been presented. It'd be clear...Haruko wasn't ready to face that pain again, to open up about it. Not yet. Maybe one day she could...but it'd take someone close to her to be able to. If her face read a story of pain, her hand gripping her bow told one of pent up emotion. It was gripping her bow so tightly her knuckles had turned white, and even was shaking a little.

Haruko was a well of emotion, simply doing everything she could to hold herself together. As such is the life of the broken arrow...a woman who felt alien in her own skin after it'd been tainted. A woman who felt worthless...if Rei could toss such a famed sword from their village aside like any simple worthless tool, then what was Haruko? If something held in such regard could be tossed into the dirt...then she must've been worth less then the dirt. Or at least, this is how she felt. Truth was her life meant more then that...but once broken its hard to be put back together.

---

CP: 124/135

Name: Chakra Strings Technique
Rank: D
Cost: C (Activation) D (Upkeep)
Range: 0m-60m
Element: N/A
Classification: Open
Handseals: N/A
Requirements: Kugutsu Skill
Description: The Chakra Strings Technique allows the user to focus and manipulate their chakra into fine tuned strings that can be used to manipulate objects. Once attached, chakra strings can be used to manipulate any object in accordance to the user's Coordination stat. Obviously the user's ability to successfully manipulate an heavy object will depend on their Strength stat. This generally applies only to objects as opposed to people and puppets which are considered to complex to manipulate via strings alone and thus require a secondary technique for utilization. Chakra strings can be temporarily suppressed to minute stubs on a puppeteers fingers when not in active use (although an upkeep must be paid lest the want to repay the activation cost).
Drawbacks: The strings can be cut by any chakra based or enfused weapon or technique C Rank or greater. Cut strings must be re-activated by the user.

Haruko's gaze moved when Akeruseirei would raise up her arm, a palm extended to her weapon, before closing. It'd seem a chakra string was cast, a link between Rei's hand and her sword--used to retrieve it, the blade pulled to her hand. Haruko flinched when she did, recoiling back just a bit when Rei had reclaimed her weapon in a rather close proximity to Haru, the on-edge Kaguya unsure if she needed to simply not worry about it, or prepare to defend herself. But the blade would be placed tip down, and used it as a crutch or cane, the young Kaguya realizing that for now she posed no ill intent as she looked back to Akeruseirei--just as the woman would reveal her name.

Blue hues now would shift once more, a hand extended out in Haru's direction saw the young woman looking to the hand. She could see scars along her fingers..and really any extended gaze would only reveal more scars. Rei had been through a lot...a warrior who has seen battle...a human who has seen hell. She'd look back up to her, hesitant...but it wasn't too long Rei would be left hanging, Haruko reaching up, hand sliding just over Rei's and her fairly small hand loosely gripping onto her wrist. "...Its nice to meet you, Akeruseirei-sama." she said, azure orbs looking up to, hopefully, meet Rei's golden gaze.

She may had been pained, but there was a kind politeness to the young woman's voice. It was almost always quiet, loud enough to be heard but only when close enough. But there was a gentle undertone, even if laced with suffering. But Haruko had composed herself, she had managed to put the lid on her emotions once more, the woman's distant gaze almost able to look right through someone at times. But after she let go, and her hand returned to her side, her icey ocean gaze moved back to Rei's hand, watching it...looking at the scars.

Rei's was much more visible...while Haruko hid hers. She too was scarred, but mostly about her back. Lashings...stabbings...burns. But Rei...she clearly had been through hell. Battles past...torture...maybe worse. 'Maybe...she might understand how I feel..' crossed the short woman's mind. But she knew it was rude to stare and quickly looked back up at her.

"You...said you was here to meet a new student, and called me by name. So...you're going to be my new sensei, Akeruseirei-sama?" she'd ask...a hint of hope in her otherwise flat tone.

---

CP: 124/135

Haruko was given a much easier to roll off the tongue shortened adaptation of her name to call the tall swordswoman. Akeru-Sensei...maybe this will be a worthwhile endeavor. Already, Haru got the vibe Akeruseirei was stronger then her former Sensei...even if he too was a stoic, to the point, and stern man. Akeru reminded Haruko of her former sensei...but, also not. She was different, much different...she was strong. She knew what real pain was--and this was before what was to be shown next.

Rei caught Haru's azure hues with her pinky, watching it...the girl's eyes widened, if only a little, as she saw the woman manipulate her bones, the unique trait shared between the two, the gift of the Kaguya bloodline...or curse, depending on perspective. The Kaguya witnessed the scarred woman reveal her arm, cutting away the bandages that covered her arm Haruko had been looking at. There was only a brief moment of shock, but it quickly fell into a look of a woman who understood exactly what it was like. Akeru and Haru...they really was very much a reflection of each other. Both white haired beauties of the Kaguya bloodline...both pained, visually and mentally scarred from the paths they have walked so far. Akeru's path just was much longer, a well of experience.

She stared now, if the woman was so bold to show her, she clearly wished to share her experience with Haruko. Her eyes almost looking right past the scars...searching for the stories behind them, but unable to know--only able to feel the familiar sting of life's horrors. Haruko heard Akeruseirei confirm her words from before--she indeed was here to guide the fletchling Kaguya. No one better then someone who shared such blood and suffering. She reached back up, hand slowly inching closer and closer back to Rei's arm, almost as if she just wanted to feel the scar's uneven feeling under her finger...but she stopped, only an inch away, hand recoiling back a few centimeters.

She retracted her hand, and shut her eyes--head tilting down only slightly to let her hair fall over her face more. The young Kaguya used the hand she once was about to feel her sensei's scars to reach up, and pull her hood back, slipping it off from over her pure snow hair. There was zero hint of silver in it...She turned on her heel and faced away from Akeru, back to the woman. Her hand continued to reach over her shoulder, and she gripped the back of her hoodie. With a tug, she'd raise the hoodie, revealing roughly half of her lower back, maybe a bit more--up yo the buttom of her shoulder blades--arguably the worst bit. Her back was a sea of scars and burns, her once beautiful skin forever blemished by the ordeal she went through.

If Akeru would show Haru her scars, she'd return the sentiment. The worst of it seemed to be centered around her shoulder blades. This was half cut off, more of it still under her hoodie--before she dropped it, fixing the hoodie's length. She remained with her eyes shut, honestly an attempt to hold back from letting out any tears, facing away from Akeru. She'd speak, her voice less flat or emotionless then before, now laced with the feelings she kept bottled inside of her

"...Four years ago...I watched my entire team burn alive...all I could do is watch from where I was hiding...cowering...I was weak, useless. I still am...I did nothing but sit there and watch as each of their lives was snuffed out from this world...ashes cast to the wind." she would briefly expain...expressing her pain...a late response to the first question posed to her by Akeru. 'What pains you, my dear?'...Haruko wasn't ready to speak up then, avoiding the truth. But now...it was coming out. She dropped her walls...if only a little, for a woman she now knew understood what it was like to suffer...the curse of their bloodline it seemed.

"The gang of thugs found me...they took me back to their camp...Kept me there for three years...they didn't kill me...I wish they would have" was all the more she'd say, not continuing beyond...not yet. That was still another wall to climb over, not even for Akeru--but for Haru. She couldn't face it...not yet. Not to others. She took in a breath and opened her eyes, turning around quickly to look up at Rei, the icey eyes of the young woman searching for her superior's golden eyes once more, her own filled with determination now, the same life given to them when she had fired her arrow earlier. The warrior blood within her was boiling over...her next few words reflected this determination.

"Help me become a strong shinobi like you...Akeru-Sensei."

---

CP: 124/135

It seemed to have struck somewhere in the armor clad heart of Akeruseirei to see the visual reflection of Haruko's past--and only a glimpse given verbally into what she had witnessed. She'd be told to put her hoodie back down, which she'd already been in the process of by then. After the inexperienced Kaguya turned about to face Akeru, she could see she had looked away, and focused on replacing the famed sword upon her back. The snow haired girl listened to her elder's words carefully, giving the woman her complete attention. Although these words would bring back the glaze to her eyes, the wells of ice deepening as they softened in thought.

But she kept her gaze towards Akeru, their eyes meeting once she finally looked back to the Genin. Her first lesson...one she learned a year ago. She finally averted her gaze, shifting down if only slightly, more or less un-focused on the woman's torso--lost back in her mind. "...Yes. I understand that lesson...I learned it the hard way. I was the only one who got myself out of that cave...I learned that day only I could save myself...and well.." she paused to take in a deep, breath, sighing it out as she simply shut her eyes--a tear sliding down her left cheek. "...I wish to become stronger, so I may do something next time...so no one else I care for meets another grim fate...Not again..." she said, eyes opening to look up at Akeruseirei.

"If you are willing to teach me, I am willing to do everything I can to become strong..." she spoke clearly, still emotion laced in every word she spoke--despite this not being the norm. "I've not been able to train since back when I was fourteen. I only learned the Kaguya's basic Taijutsu style...and developed my own style" she explained, finally raising her right hand, everything so far done with her left. She still her her bow, something she nearly gotten during all this. She lifted it, looking at the bow she'd crafted of her own spine just earlier. She was unaware Akeru had already witnessed this earlier. This was an obvious example of 'her own style'. It was maybe not holy unique, but, still an interesting use of the Kaguya Kekkei Genkai.

"...Are you able to show me more of the clan's abilities?" she asked.

---

CP: 124/135

Name: Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets
Rank: B
Power: B
Activation Cost: 10 (1 for each bullet)
Upkeep Cost: -
Range: 80 m.
Speed: A
Element: -
Skill: Taijutsu
Classification: Kaguya Clan
Requirements: Shikotsumyaku Level 2
Parent Technique: -
Hand Seals: -
Description: The user utilizes the bones at the tips of their fingers as a firing projectile by propelling it with chakra. Unlike a bullet, these continue to push through after impact. Combined with a drilling dynamic increasing its overall penetration force being shown to easily pass through steel armor. The bullet will continue to drill into a target at its velocity until the round is over.
Weaknesses: -

Azure eyes watched as a finger was pointed nearly her way. In a moment, the time to grow the bone, the more experienced Kaguya fired out a bullet of bone from her finger, Haru oddly unflinching in having it launched past her. Where before she recoiled at the woman simply retrieving her weapon, now it seemed she trusted the woman enough to not flinch in such proximity to her firing line. It was never expressed, her face a cold neutral, but a nod hinted to her internal thought of being impressed with it. She thought to try it herself.

The girl turned to the tree, and aimed her finger towards the tree. She was able to produce the bullet itself, fingertip extending, a crack heard as it was replaced...but it would never escape her fingertip, at least not with any power behind it...as best, it just fell off her fingertip...this was a failure to perform the jutsu she'd been shown, only able to produce the bullet...but unable to release it from the body like that. Her gaze dropped, looking to the bullet of bone now laying carelessly on the ground in front of her. Her expression now had shades of disappointment in herself. "...I can't do it..." she said quietly, eyes half lidded as they continued to look at the chunk of bone.

---

CP: 123/135 (-1)

Using KKG to make bone bullet, -1CP

Name: Dance of the Clematis: Vine
Rank: B
Power: B
Activation Cost: 10
Upkeep Cost: -
Range: 25 m.
Speed: -
Element: -
Skill: Taijutsu
Classification: Kaguya Clan
Requirements: Shikotsumyaku Level 1
Parent Technique: -
Hand Seals: -
Description: The user removes their own spine to be used as a whip. Maintaining contact with their spine allows them to stretch and contract its cartilage at ease giving full manipulation having it become a living whip. They may also grow the spines of their spine to effectively impale a constricted target.

The grip strength is equal to one tier below the user's Coordination.

Weaknesses: The user must maintain contact at all times with the whip to manipulate it. Letting go of the whip will make it fall lifeless.

Haruko would finally turn to look back at her new Sensei, the young woman seeing the Jounin once more let the blade she possessed become loose, stuck into the ground upright. Blue eyes witnessed the woman go ahead and remove her shirt, it made Haruko blush a bit but she understood exactly what Rei was doing. She too had torn up clothing during her years of training. Although this revealed something...more scars, unable to even count them, the markings of injuries, torture, animal attacks, bruises and regrown skin. It made her glance away, for only a moment, as she knew...Akeru had suffered a fate akin to her, even worse judging by the worse scarring and spread across other parts of her body. But at this point, neither deserved such a fate...yet this was the hand dealt to them. Maybe this was a sign though...maybe Rei was meant to be her teacher...maybe this was life finally handing her what she needed, the one hope, the one thing to bring her from the depths she was drowning within.

This aside, she still had a band of pink across her face now. Icey hues gazed on through the blush to see her reach for her spine, the sound she was all to familiar with with her own bow technique burning the snow haired Genin's ears, she may have even winced a little--knowing the exact feeling of literally yanking out one's own spine to produce a weapon as Akeru did just this. She feasted her eyes on the whip as it would be cracked against the ground, enough force to severely disturb it.

She looked back from the spinal whip to Akeruseirei as she spoke, slowly nodding afterwords as she listened. She'd take in a breath of the fresh, humid air, a controlled release from her lungs following as she would step over towards the woman, carefully placing the bow she'd made earlier out of her spine leaned against the famed blade. From the right angle...this would be picturesque, the bow of bone, leaned against the giant broadsword. Two tools in harmony. Just as the Student and Teacher now...

Haruko reached up with both hands, on grabbing her hoodie and pulling it away from the base of her neck as her eyes shut. The other was awaiting what she was to produce. Akin to what she would do to form a bow, the woman would shift her spine, weaponizing it within her, and with a string of cracking and creaking, the spine popped out from her skin, stretching up a few inches with a handle. She gave it a grip and pulled it, removing her spine again--replacing it once more with their cursed bloodline. Instead of the shape of a bow, this time it was longer, extended by more flexible yet tough cartilage between each piece--the spine shaped in a way to sharpen sparks along each vertebrae. It was just like her sensei's, the girl opening her eyes too look at what she'd created, eyes staring at it within her hands. She remained staring at it...but while very subtle...almost unnoticeable unless Akeru was paying enough attention to her expression...a small smile tugged the corners of the girl's lips.

[200/200. Learned Dance of the Clematis: Vine]

---

CP: 113/135 (-10)

Dance of the Clematis: Vine

Name: Dance of the Clematis: Flower
Rank: B
Power: B
Activation Cost: -
Upkeep Cost: 5
Range: -
Speed: -
Element: -
Skill: Taijutsu
Classification: Kaguya clan
Requirements: Shikotsumyaku Level 1
Parent Technique: -
Hand Seals: -
Description: This technique is centered around heavy, forceful impacts with a large drill-like structure around the user's arm. The user trades speed for impact strength resulting in a tool which can obliterate almost any defense. If not, the damage dealt to the armor will be tremendous.

Dance of the Clematis: Flower boosts the user's Strength by +2 tiers when impacting objects with the drill.
Weaknesses: This technique lowers the user's Speed by -2 Advantages

Icey hues turned back to her teacher, watching as her whip nearly had a life of its own, curling up as if recoiling away from something dangerous, wrapping and hugging about Akeru's arm, coiled as if a serpent all the way up to the woman's shoulder. This seemed like a nice way to keep the weapon on one's person without holding it directly. Haruku looked back to her own spine whip, and would go ahead and do something similar, although with a bit less control. With a flick she would let the whip wrap about her arm, and tucking it in such a way to be able to stay there on its own.

She directed her attention back to Rei, nodding in response to the woman's words. She had more to teach the young Genin, Haruko observing the stance Rei had taken now. This was without the technique, the form itself without the power, an example of how to do it without actually doing it. She recognized the stance, having seen others do it when she was younger. She'd widen her stance, a foot sliding softly across the ground to do so, as she would do her best to mirror Akeruseirei's stance. "Like this...?" she asked, unsure if she had it right or not. Luckily, if she was off--it wasn't by much at all.

Haruko kept the ocean deep gaze upon Akeruseirei, eyes focused as the woman showed her the next step...the formation of a large drill like structure growing out from her arm, expanding, sharpening into a lethal weapon. She'd seen it once as a kid...growing up around the other Kaguya had its benefits. Although it was at that point she realized, in all her years--she never had seen Akeru in the Kaguya District...she knew effectively all, or at least knew of, her clan mates...but not this woman. She was new to Akeru...although, this was no time to think on it--she was focused on watching every small thing the woman was doing.

She'd feel the ground shake a little when the woman struck it with the massive drill, even if not a full blown strike, she could feel the subtle vibrations under her feet from it, as she continued to watch her Sensei go on--beginning a sort of dance of movements, fluid like water--much like many of the movements used by the Kaguya clan. Hardly anything was about brute power, even if this technique specifically was about the most brutish it got for a Kaguya. But there was something elegant behind it--maybe this was just the woman's expertise--experience being irreplaceable in this world.

Always the one to try, even if it lead to failure such as the poor attempt at using her fingertips are bullets, she'd analyze the structure formed by the woman, and would attempt to mimic it. With a nod, to herself really, Haruko would let her chakra flow into her arm, and start growing the bone structure, shaping it, twisting it, sharpening it into a cone, engulfing her lower arm in the process, this drill structure of marrow now taking over her entire right arm below the elbow, keeping its flexibility. She would actually slowly lean to that side, and stumble just a bit until she got a better, more sturdy footing.

Once she had maintained her balance, she looked at the weapon now forged of her own bones about her arm...it weighed her down, but she could still handle it. Turning about, she'd turn her eyes onto a nearby tree...determination flooded her icey gaze--a cold fire within reflected by the mirrors to her soul, giving them life...giving them a flavor of blood. She charged at the tree, her Warrior's Fury taking over--she was less graceful in her movements and much slower, a snails pace in terms of a fight with her current speed, but there was a primal raw power behind them, before she took a lunging leap--a battlecry echoing--easily the loudest she'd been so far since coming here, as she pushed the drill forward. It hit the tree, and managed to go through it, snapping it like a swig as the small woman landed on the other side of it. The strength she could exert with this was equal to her sensei's natural strength--maybe impressive considering her small size.

The tree fell, as it would the woman glared over her shoulder back to the falling timber, and with a twist of her body and spin upon her heel, she brought this drill once more to strike the tree as it fell, once more breaking it and now even sending a piece of a log tumbling a few meters across the training grounds. Haruko had given Akeru a small glimpse beyond the polite, kind, gentle woman of the hidden mist...a small peak at the pent up fury within, making her much more primal in her movements--in her attitude. It was written in her eyes and movements, easily read like an open book. She was much less fluid then the brush strokes of movements made by Akeru...but ripe with raw power begging to be unleashed. She'd allow the structure to absorb back into her body, taking them back in and returning her arm back to normal, wincing a hint at the strange feeling, before turning back towards Akeruseirei, while not as angered as when she'd glared at the falling tree--the young woman's eyes still held that Warrior's Fury...that bloodlust.

[200/200. Learned Dance of the Clematis: Flower]

---

CP: 103/135 (-10)

Dance of the Clematis: Flower
Warrior's Fury UA: +1 Tier to Strength, -1 Tier to Speed

Haruko would begin stepping back over towards Rei, able to close the distance easily three times faster then she had when shuffling about with the large drill-like structure of the jutsu she'd been taught. Her gaze had fallen as she walked, not looking up at her Sensei, not until she heard her name--the woman's voice sharp across Haruko's ears, causing the timid girl to freeze in place and look back up to Akeruseirei, listening to the question posed. Her expression never changed, but she again verted her eyes--only slightly, a subtle drift off to the side of Rei.

She'd been asked something she did not have an answer to. A simple question, yet one so hard to answer. But Haruko had grown a bit of trust for the woman, and they shared the same blood--other Kaguya knew what happened, only fair if Akeru did too. "I don't know who my parents are...they say I was abandoned at the edge of the Kaguya District's walls before I was even a year old. I...don't know where I come from...just where I've been. Obviously one of my parents must've been of the Kaguya clan...some theorized I also may have Yuki blood in me." she'd explain, a fairly flat and void of emotion tone to her voice--almost as icey as her eyes.

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CP:  103/135

It'd seem the woman more then twice her age had more questions, brought on by the responses Haruko had given. She continued to ask about Haruko's lineage, the feeling of loneliness washing over her as these thoughts crept about her mind. Her eyes wouldn't return to her sensei, but to the ground, as she stepped closer to the woman, within reach--towered over by the much taller woman, Haruko's height stunted by whatever caused her lasting youth. She slowly reached out and would show Akeru rather then say it, the young Kaguya taking the older Kaguya's wrist in her hand. With physical contact, it'd be made clear instantly that Haruko's touch was cold, very cold, the woman literally being cold-blooded.

"...My blood runs cold...its given me a natural resistance to fire." the way she'd say this spoke from experience, which was easily confirmed by the scarring and burns on her back. She'd let go of her sensei's wrist, eyes still down by their feet. "Its not been proven, but some think its due to one of my parents being a Yuki. But I do not have access to Ice..." she'd briefly finish her explanation behind the idea she may had both bloodlines within her, but no ability to access the Ice Release.

She sighed quietly and finally raised her gaze once more, looking up to Akeruseirei--although still she couldn't make direct eye contact. Not right now. "...Most of the clan in the clan district had a hand in raising me, but no one ever adopted me...I've never known what its like to have parents." she'd finish answering her sensei's questions. Although, this would bring a question from Haruko. "...I've met basically every Kaguya in the district...Why have I never met you until now, Akeru-sensei?" she'd ask, wondering why in years spent raised by the clan as a whole--yet never had come across this woman before.

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CP:  103/135

Akeruseirei seemed to not beat about the bush to answer Haruko--the short woman finding her sensei knelling down to eye level with her, the timid girl gaining just a hint of a blush as she looked into her teacher's eyes now--the Kaguya-Yuki hybrid, or mutt, depending on perspective--seeing Rei's smile. Hearing her answer. '...Hozuki? Like....?' before she could even question any further, Haruko was given a less vague explanation.

She'd listen, taking not of the subtle expression changes between her words, not easy to miss was the dragged out breath, but Haruko listened carefully, knowing all to well saying some of this may be difficult to do. Opening up to others...such a hard thing. She had let down her walls a bit for the older Kaguya, and she returned the favor. After the shrug and conclusion to her explanation, Haruko's features softened a little, her eyes less distant, more washed with emotion, even if glazed in ice.

"I...I see." with her words, her gaze dropped again. It was clear the young woman lacked confidence, something she'd need to work on over time. Something...maybe having Akeru as her Sensei will help aid in. The older Kaguya oozed confidence, a stark contrast to Haruko's meek and timid ways. But in some ways...Haruko's reserved nature was understandable, given her life leading up until now. "...Still, a family...it must be nice." she said, words almost a whisper...something hollow to her tone, a missing piece to the puzzle.

"...I honestly haven't had anything to do with the clan...Not since I been back in the village. I live there sure...but I haven't spoken to them besides a hi here and there...and the looks I get..." she paused if only a moment, but no expression shift--no sigh. Just a pause. "...Its like I'm tainted...cursed." she'd say quietly. She'd long felt alienated by the clan, even when she was younger she had grown more distant to them..then her three years away didn't help. None of the clan tried to seek her out...to find her. To save her. Haruko in some ways resented it...but was too kind to ever show it. Since her return, getting her old home back...its all shes had to do with them...locked away for the past year to drown in her thoughts and emotions. This is why she needed to get out...why she needed to become a shinobi.

Still...Family...A thing she longed for, grasped for, but always eluded her.