Swirling Waves

Raika had been ready to use the Spring Chant style to try deflecting and parrying the Arhat Fist's strikes, but it seemed like she wouldn't get the chance to do so just yet. Instead, Raphael changes his style once more, surprising Raika quite a bit when she sees chains wrap themselves around his fists, his feet, then his legs and his arms, and she remembers when he'd trapped her wrist in the chains before; for now they just seemed wrapped around his limbs instead of around her wrist, and so she considers how she'll move in for a strike against this new style she'd never seen before. Although she's a bit perturbed by being called "little Raika", since she's only a couple inches shorter than the clan head himself, she doesn't show it, simply staring at him before starting to move closer.

Before she can get more than a couple steps closer, she's suddenly being wrapped by the chain from his right arm, having seen the form of the chain as it approached her as a blur. Raika quickly spreads her arms as the chains begin to wrap around her, attempting to keep the chains from squeezing her tight using the leverage of her own limbs against her body before she gets tugged closer to him, almost face-to-face now as he thrusts his other fist forwards, with a strike seemingly aimed right at her face. Without waiting to see if it was a feint, she relaxes her arms so that the chain falls around her; now that she's right in front of him, the slack might be too much for him to pull her in with now, and she ducks around the fist to move closer to him while shoving her arm up diagonally, her right forearm moving cross-body to let her claw grab onto him where his neck and shoulder meet. Using this leverage, she drives her knee up while pulling at his upper body to aim a strike directly at the center of his torso, below the ribcage and along the centerline of his body.

Whether her attack worked or not, she would cross her arms, now no longer in the Spring Chant stance, and she winks back at him.

"In time, huh? Perhaps the next time we meet, I will have learned how to make these chains you Uzumaki have as well. And you can teach me the secrets to using them like you have..."

As he pulled Raika towards, him it was as if he could feel something wrong. After the initial grab and pulling of her the chains would disappear from her as his fist moved to fake a punch, however something seemed to click in his mind as the chain disappeared. Was it the look she had in her eye or was it the small twitching of her muscles. He wasn't sure what it was that made him think this, but rather than throwing a punch he would instead activate his Adamantine Sealing Chains Technique. Rapidly six chains formed in a spiral in front of him creating a shield, and lucky they did because no sooner was the shield created between the two of them, Raika attacked. If it had not been for his shield, she probably would have ripped his throat out gaging by where her strike ended up hitting the shield. Had it not been for that small little voice in the back of his head telling him to defend rather than fake the attack, she could have hurt him, whether it would have hurt him a little or a lot, he was glad he didn't take the chance to find out.

Raphael would not have noticed that they were being watched yet, but from where Raika was it was possible, she saw the red-haired woman leaning against the tree watching the both of them. She had been there for a while, arriving shortly after Raphael had finished cleaning the slippery bubbles off of the arena floor. The woman was wearing glasses, a white long sleeve shirt with a black tie, a short black miniskirt with tights and black heeled shoes, her red hair tied tightly into a braid behind her, as her blues eyes stared at the pair of them thorough the spar. If Raika looked towards her at any point, the woman would put her finger up to her mouth as if to tell her. "Shh" As long as Raika did not draw attention to the woman, she would remain posted up by the tree watching them, though if Raika brought attention to her presence she would quickly disappear behind the large tree before Raphael turned around, in fact it was possible she had been there longer given the way she was hidden by the tree. It was clear that she seemed to not want the man to know she was there, at least not yet it would seem.

Inhaling a slow breath as he heard Raika speak of the chains again, a smile returning to his face as the spiral chain shield would unravel and return to him. "You are quite skilled, Raika of the Ryuutei Clan. If you are truly an Uzumaki as you claim, then I have no doubt that you will unlock the secrets of the Chains for yourself." Raphael would be speaking in a much more serious tone than he had for the entire conversation he had with Raika, gone was the arrogant boyish humor and the laid-back attitude, replaced by a firm and authoritative tone that one would expect from the leader of a clan. Yet it would still retain the same friendliness as it had before, showing that there was a serious side of him when there needed to be. "On that day, I would be honored to show you, our way." Raphael would pause nodding respectfully to Raika at these words, before his smile returned to his face and his tone returned to how it was before. "However, I think now would be a good time for a break and get something to drink, what do you say?"

If Raika agreed, Raphael would turn to head towards the clan complex, the red-haired woman nowhere in sight as he began walking. If Raika followed him, as they neared the tree, he would turn to look at her. "So, full disclosure. I snuck out of my office, to enjoy the day. I don't want Hayami to know, so I am going to have to sneak back in through my window, then you can come in the front door and speak to Hayami. She will be the cute Redhead behind the desk, once you introduce yourself, she will show you into my office. We will just pretend like we never met, and she'll never know." Raphael would say with a laugh that had such confidence, as if he knew his plan was foolproof. "So that's the plan, is it?" Raphael would stop both laughing and walking as a look of fear came over his face, "Hayami, I.. I mean... What..." he would fumble with words before looking to Raika, "did you say something?" This of course being his poor attempt at covering up what he had just said to Raika. Whether Raika came to his defense or not of course would not matter, as Raphael turned around he was met with a firm slap across his face.

Hayami, as he had called her would then look over to Raika. "I apologize on behalf of the Uzumaki Clan if dipshit here insulted you in anyway. It is why I like to oversee his meetings with people, especially women." Hayami's voice would sound almost melodious with a warm and gentle tone, as she spoke to Raika before turning back to Raphael. Her voice no longer warm and gentle, "I came into your office, and I could see you out of the window, you are fucking idiot. No wonder the council doesn't trust you to actually make alliances and still oversees your decisions." She would then turn back to Raika with a smile, "Now, I believe the idiot said something about drinks. Please follow me." With that Hayami would begin walking towards the clan complex, as Raphael stood there in a shock as well as embarrassment at the way Hayami just treated him in front of a guest.

---

OoC:

Unique NPC:

Raika blinks in surprise when six rotating chains suddenly appear in front of Raphael, cutting off her attack and causing her hand to slip upwards harmlessly, and she pulls back from him while she uses her left hand to rub at the wrist of her right hand, though there was no visible damage; just some light pain where her wrist had come into contact with the chains. But she feels satisfied that he's willing to teach her to use the chains, as soon as she does figure out how to produce them. Raika notices a redhead watching them from where she's leaning up against a tree, but she's distracted again as Raphael's voice takes on a serious tone for the first time since she's known him. It was almost odd, since she'd only ever seen him with a playful demeanor. Did all Uzumaki display such a mischievous personality? She rather hoped not. Raika listened as he explained that he would be honored to show her the ways of the Uzumaki clan, should she unlock the chains. Raika did manage to catch the scent of the red-headed woman, but when she looks at the tree again, the woman is gone. She decides not to say anything about her.

"Yes, I could really use something to drink right about now."

Raika had to admit that going at it for so long had been physically draining for her, and a rest with some water would be very helpful. And then she blinks when he reveals that he was actually shirking his duty to be outside and relaxing, but now he would have to sneak back in and they would have to go through a whole charade so that he wouldn't get in trouble for trying to get out of doing his duty. She looks up at him as he stops and turns around to ask her if she said something. Raika's eyes are bored and half-lidded, but she stays silent, apparently not willing to potentially gain the ire of the woman that was apparently his assistant. Although, she is somewhat surprised when he gets slapped across the face; if anyone had done that to the Ryuutei clan member, they'd have had their throat removed immediately. Clearly, the Uzumaki clan was very, very different.

Raika nods once at her explanation of her intention to watch over Raphael's interactions with others, particularly women, then allows Hayami to lead her into the clan compound, before looking over her shoulder at Raphael with the same bored expression.

"Are you comin' or what?"

Raphael would let out a sigh at Raika's comment of whether or not he was coming, 'just what I need two bossy women' he would think to himself before rubbing his cheek and beginning to follow her. "Yea, yea. I'm coming." he would mumble as he moved to catch up to the pair. The Uzumaki Complex, sits just beyond the garden. A large three-story building, that served multiple purposes. From Raphael's Office to the council meeting chambers, even a small clinic could be seen though a full wall of glass, that divided it from the lobby with a glass door to access it. There would be other doors to the medical clinic from the outside, as well as Raphael's private lab all within on the first floor. There were possibly others on this floor as well as the floors above, however those four would be easily visible upon entry into the complex. Towards the back of the complex, there would be signs of construction work, as if they were adding onto the complex. Considering the fact that this complex served as a multipurpose facility, most of the Uzumaki's daily work centered around the building. There would be multiple Uzumaki, going about their daily lives. Other than smiles and small head nods as they passed, they would not really acknowledge the trio as they entered the building.

With Hayami in the lead Raphael would follow the two women, past Hayami's desk and through the door behind it into his office. The walls of his office would be lined with a large variety of weaponry, that Raphael had collected over the years. Some would look brand new as through it had never been wielded, while others would bare scars from battle, but all of them held in a way to honor the weapon in the man's eyes. There would be some books, but they would be few and far between compared to the weapons that were on the walls. In the center of the room would set a small dagger that looked as though it was made out of stone and looked very old, it would hold the highest respect to the man in here. Towards the back of the room, in front of a large open window with a clear view of the training area they were just at, would sit a small desk a large book opened on top of it, with two chairs on one side and then a single chair on the other side. As they entered the room, Raphael would speak rather plainly as he approached his desk. "I study war, I try to learn from the best, this is one of the places where I hone my craft. This one." he pointed to the dagger in the center of the room, "It is at least believed to be one of the first Kunai. Though that fact has yet to be proven, I still admire the craftsmanship of it." As he rounded his desk, he would close the window before taking his seat in the chair behind it. Still standing Hayami would turn to Raika, "what can I get you to drink?" After getting Raika's answer, Hayami would take her leave, she didn't bother asking Raphael as she already knew what he wanted. Once Hayami left the room, Raphael would close the book on the desk before looking to Raika. "Well, that could have gone better." he said as he rubbed his cheek and complained about how Hayami slapped him. "Anyways I think we can skip the formalities, what is it exactly that you want to know?"

Raika shrugs when it seems that Raphael had a moment of exasperation in having to deal with the two distinctly different but somehow quite similar women, but he does admit that he's coming after all. The woman mostly ignores the Uzumaki as they pass by, although she has to wonder if they were all near enough to the sparring earlier to have heard or seen her interactions with their own clan head. Most of her attention is focused on making sure she remembers where she's turning and which path to take so she'll be able to retrace her steps when she's ready to go, although she had little doubt that she would be escorted from the compound, just to ensure she didn't stick around to try and steal the clan's secret knowledge; this was still Kirigakure, after all, and no matter how long it's been, the warring clans period was still something to remember.

Raika doesn't look too terribly impressed with the weapons that Raphael had littered his office with; even the ancient stone dagger that had been knapped and worked to the shape that would later be called a kunai held little surprise or excitement for her.

"What strange beings, who choose to create their claws in a simple facsimile of the claws that nature gave predators."

That might have been considered something very wise or insightful, but was more probably prideful, since Raika considered herself one of those predators that nature had provided with claws. She turns her attention to Hayami more fully when she asks what the genin would like to drink.

"I'll have coffee. Black."

In all honesty, she'd never drank anything other than water, sometimes stagnant if that's all she had access to, and sometimes the blood of a kill if it was available, but she highly doubted Hayami would have anything like that and especially wouldn't be willing or prepared to provide such a drink to a guest. Raika mostly ignores Raphael's statement about how his interaction with Hayami could have gone better, and then she shrugs once more when he asks her what it is exactly that she wants to know.

"I'm not so different from anybody else. I want to know what I do not know. We can start in the same place that the Nameless Uzumaki start, with the basics."

Raphael would let out a small chuckle at Raika's comment about nature and claws, "Yes, well not all of us can be so lucky as you, I suppose." He would say with a smile and only mildly condescending tone, which would in turn earn him a glare from Hayami. An inquisitive look would come over Raphael's face as Raika mentioned something about nameless Uzumaki, this was an odd term for him considering the fact that most Uzumaki's were named while still in the womb. He wouldn't say anything about it, with the exception of the inquiring stare, which could easily be simply him trying to assess whether or not to tell her what it is she wants to know. Of course, that decision had already been made out on the training arena. Seeing the fight that she had within her there was no doubt in his mind that she was powerful, and her arrogance still reminded him of every Uzumaki he had met including himself. Even if it was small there was Uzumaki with the woman and depending on how strong that blood was, it was possible that she could one day do what most Uzumaki could not and unlock the clan's secret chains. Raphael would fold his hands in front of himself on the desk, propped up by his elbows so that his hands were level with his mouth as he looked at her for a moment.

"Well, where to begin?" Raphael would pause leaning back in his chair and propping his feet up on the desk, "I already told you about the healing, that is usually the first thing any Uzumaki discovers. You know kids, always hurting themselves while playing. We heal faster than normal and when we have control over our chakra, we are able to focus our advanced healing to make it near instantaneous." He would lift the leg that Raika had scratched up, now only the pant leg had any sign that there had been damage. "But it actually goes much further than that, our blood is so powerful that it can even heal others if they drink it. A pint is usually all it takes to see your comrade back on their feet again, though sometimes more is necessary. Of course, our blood is not infinite and giving it to others severely weakens us for a time afterwards, but when it comes to feeling half dead compared to your friend being dead, for most of us the choice is simple." Raphael would look to Raika to ensure that she was comprehending all of this before he continued further, the last thing he wanted was to have to re-explain something because he spoke to fast, and she didn't understand. Assuming she didn't question, what he had said so far, he would continue. "When the children are young, they are placed within the Uzumaki Academy, in which they learn the things that I am telling you. Of course, their lessons take a lot longer and are a lot more boring." Raphael continued, "and they are a lot more informative as well. Now get your feet of the desk, honestly Raphael how many times have I told you to keep your feet of the desk."

Hayami returned quicker than Raphael had expected, and spoke as if she had heard everything, he had told Raika. He quickly dropped his feet back down to the floor behind his desk. Slightly irritated that she was being so bossy today, though he knew it was because of his guest. She always got like that when other people were around, trying to show she was the real one in charge. Of course, that was fine by him, saved him from doing a lot. Hayami would set a small silver tray on the desk before giving Raika a mug of hot coffee, "black, as requested." she would say with a smile, her voice much softer than when she spoke to Raphael, before looking back to Raphael and placing his glass on the desk in front of him before looking back to Raika. "Most of us specialize in the medical field due to the healing properties of our blood, as well as our desire to help others or at least that is why I do it. Everyone has their own preference of course, if you ask Raphael, it's all about the science and experimentation." Hayami would explain a little more, to which Raphael would simply nod as he downed the drink within his glass and sat it back on the desk. "The Uzumaki are known for our knowledge when it comes to Fuuinjutsu, however there is more to it than one thinks. It's not just our knowledge, it like our healing comes from something within our own chakra. If a non-Uzumaki and an Uzumaki both preformed the same exact Fuuinjutsu, the one performed by the Uzumaki would be stronger." Raphael would chime in, "Yes, Raphael. I was getting to that." Hayami stated in a slightly annoyed tone that brought a smirk to Raphael's face. "Fuuinjutsu, is another ability that we excel in. In fact, it is where the chains that Raphael used in your fight stem from. Of course, not all Uzumaki are able to manifest and manipulate the chains. I for instance cannot while Raphael not only mastered the chains at a young age, but he also took it a step further by creating a fighting style that encompasses it." Hayami would lean against the front of the desk facing Raika, this of course was a lot of information to get through but if she had questions, Hayami could answer them.

Raika shrugs when Raphael describes her as lucky for her claws, but she clearly doesn't feel as though that answer required further remarks. She simply gives him her same bored half-lidded stare when he gives her an inquisitive look at the phrasing of Nameless Uzumaki, but if he was expecting a response or an answer for his unspoken question, it didn't look like he would get one. While Raphael was the Uzumaki clan head, he was able to divulge some of the secrets of the Uzumaki clan, at least to its members and those born into the clan; Raika couldn't divulge anything of the Ryuutei clan to Raphael, both because she was not the Ryuutei clan head and Raphael wasn't a member of the Ryuutei clan, either.

He seems to accept that he won't be receiving an answer for what she'd meant by Nameless, because he continues the conversation anyway, explaining some of the basic things of the Uzumaki clan, including their healing factor that can even extend to others, though only through the consumption of the Uzumaki blood. Raika frowns a bit when it's explained that passing the healing onto someone else results in the Uzumaki member being weakened temporarily, and she wonders if she would ever want to do something like that. It didn't seem practical, at least not in the middle of a fight, but perhaps after a fight while still in the field. She nods when Raphael explains that the Uzumaki children typically learn this information much younger in some form of learning academy, but at a slower pace and in a much more boring way, and she supposes this conversation is much better than that.

Most people would have laughed at Raphael being given a stern talking to from Hayami, but Raika's face is still mostly bored, though she accepts the black coffee, and takes a hard drink of it, ignoring the heat of the coffee as it flows down straight to her stomach. She sets the half-empty mug back on her lap as she turns to look at Hayami directly, speaking only a single word.

"Thanks."

Afterwards, Raika listens to the rest of the conversation between Hayami and Raphael about the chains that she'd seen Raphael use in their fight, but her skepticism might have shown on her face a little; she'd seen fuuinjutsu before, and it certainly had never looked like chains before, great black chains that could grip and then constrict movement, or wrap around one's limbs to increase their striking power. But she realized they had no reason to lie to her, especially as Raphael seemed to consider her an Uzumaki at the moment, if a strange one since she was raised in a different clan.

"Fuuinjutsu, you say? That stuff with writing junk on a special piece of paper with a special ink? You can use that to make chains?"

Now the skepticism was actually spoken, but at least she seemed to think that they did actually believe what they were saying now.

Raphael would actually let out a laugh at Raika's comment about Fuuinjutsu and the chains, to which Hayami would glare at him anf he abruptly stopped. "It's not as sim." Hayami would start but Raphael would stand from the desk causing her to pause as she looked over to him, "it's ok Hayami. I can take this one." he stated as he walked around the desk so that he was standing closer to Raika so that she could see what he was going to show her as he explained. "You are right most Fuuinjutsu require paper and ink, though some can even manipulate their chakra to create the seal that others would have to draw. The Uzumaki however, it's as if the sealing formulas are written into our very DNA. For some this grants us the ability to mold our chakra on the cellular level and forming them into chains." As he said this, he would hold up his palm a small almost translucent swirl pattern appeared on his palm before a chain began to rise from it. The only reason she didn't see this before during the fight was because his clothing hid the patterns on his skin when it came from his back. After a moment the chain would disappear, and Raphael would close his hand and stand back up straight. "This is the secret of the Uzumaki Bloodline, the true power of the clan that very few are actually adept enough to unlock." Raphael would turn to walk back around the desk, completely oblivious to the face that Hayami's face fell slightly when he said that only the actual adept could unlock it. Considering the fact that she already admitted to not being able to make the chains, the reason behind this would be pretty obvious.

As Raphael retook his seat, Hayami would regain her composure as if she wasn't bothered by the man's statement. "Yes, well as Raphael said the truly Adept do not need to worry about the seals or anything like the rest of us. The chains can even be infused into other Fuuin techniques, which is why they are stronger than that of those that do not have the chains." The tone of Hayami's voice would only be slightly changed from how she had been speaking before, not enough for Raphael to notice but if Raika was listening closely enough, she might notice it. Raphael would simply sit in his chair slightly leaned back, looking at Raika as she processed what she had been told. Hayami would stand up from how she was leaning and grab Raphael's empty glass and leave the room without another word. If Raika had any more questions for him, he would answer them, otherwise there would be silence. Hayami would return not long after with a full glass sitting it back in front of Raphael before moving to stand behind him as he sat in the chair, she would also hand him a file as she got around to him. Raphael would open the file for only a few seconds, scanning whatever was on the inside of the file before looking to Raika with a smug smile on his face. The file in question told him what he had already surmised, she had chakra similar to Uzumaki. It was tainted, or rather mutated, but there were enough markers in the woman's chakra signature that her story could be confirmed. "What other questions did you have?"

Raika nods when she's told about how the chains are made, and though she knows almost nothing about Fuuinjutsu, she seems to decide that it's about time she started learning about the ninja skill; after all, it sure seemed to have its uses, now that she knows that this is how the Uzumaki chains are made. She watches the Uzumaki spiral pattern form on Raphael's palm and the chain slowly reveal itself before the demonstration is done, and it's explained a bit further by Hayami. The redhead seems a bit sensitive about the fact that she's unable to also create the chains, but Raika appears unperturbed, other than wondering if she'll have trouble if even a member of the Uzumaki clan is unable to perform the signature ability of the clan, and the clan member that sits at the clan head's right hand no less. But she seems filled with determination to be able to learn all she can for the Uzumaki clan to improve herself.

Her thoughts are interrupted by Hayami returning with Raphael's drink, as well as a file being handed over to the clan head. Raika doesn't try to get up and look at the paperwork inside, but she does seem to notice that he appears somewhat amused by what he's read, and although she considers asking him about what the file says, she doesn't seem interested enough to have to pry into it; she rather assumes that it's something for the clan head only.

"One last question. Am I to assume, since you've told me all of this, that I'm now a member of the Uzumaki clan as well?"

Raphael would let out a laugh at Raika's question, "You have always been a part of the clan have you not, Raika? While not raised in the same manner as our children, you still hold our blood and our power. However, for the sake of saying it. The Uzumaki Clan, fully recognizes you as a member of our clan, you are afforded the same rights as any of the other Uzumaki. This includes a house within the district if you wish, though not required. You are welcome to come and go from the district as you please and you will not be harassed by anyone while here." Raphael would stand from his desk and look to Hayami, who would start walking towards the door without a word. "I look forward to seeing you around, Little Raika. However, there is a matter I must see too if you will excuse me." Raphael would not wait for a response from Raika and simply began walking towards the door of his office, stopping briefly once he reached the door. "Oh Raika, one more thing." He would say as he looked back to her, "I expect another spar with you soon." he would add with a wink before him and Hayami took their leave from the office.

Raphael enjoyed his little spar with Raika, mostly because she was the first one to spar with him with an actual intent to harm him rather than holding back because of who he was. It was a nice experience in his mind to have to actually think about things during a fight, it kept him sharp. He just had to hope that Raika would continue to fight him as she had in their first spar in their future spars, which he had no doubt that there would be future spars. Raika possessed the same determination as all Uzumaki, to get stronger, and that was something the two of them shared. He could help her get stronger, and who knows she might even be able to help him as well.

{Exit Thread}

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18 posts
15 exp per post (10 for 2 people, +5 for Sensei/Student Bonus)

270exp earned.

Raika shrugs when Raphael reminds her that she'd been an Uzumaki all along, but she feels a bit more confident when the clan head spells it out that she's been recognized as a member of the clan. After she's told of all the rights she now holds within the Uzumaki clan, she considers actually moving into the clan compound; the Ryuutei clan barely survives out on the fringes of Kirigakure, with their compound being much smaller and far less funded. She stands up as well when he suggests that he's about to leave for some other business, and then she looks directly into Raphael's eyes when he lets her know that he expects another spar with her soon.

"Count on it, Raphael Uzumaki."

With little more to do in an empty office, she leaves after Raphael, though she's not following him. She simply leaves the Uzumaki compound herself; for now, she wants to go and figure out how exactly to make those Admantine Chains she saw Raphael create.

OOC: Exit Thread