A Chance Encounter

It was an early morning. The usual time for Dahlia to wake up. It was fairly nice out; with an alluring scent in the air. No doubt the local ramen shop prepping its broth. The people of Konoha were by now either preparing things for the day at home, or already arriving to work. Which meant it was the best time to head to the forest. Around this time there usually were only a few people on the street which meant Dahlia could actually relax while on her way to the forest.

The only thing that really made the young girl take her time with leaving were her own thoughts. The night prior her uncle had informed her that one of her old teammates was about to leave the immediate village today to go on a trip with their new mentor. Her other team mate had already left the village with their mentor a while back. They; how ever, were only a short afternoon walk away in the countryside. So it wasn’t as big of a deal since this trip given this teammate wouldn’t be back for at least a year.

Apparently she had been invited to come by, to say goodbye with some others before they left. Her other teammate had offered the same thing. Despite how often she had pushed them off they still were willing to invite her to say goodbye. It was stupid. Dahlia frowned before she let out a mild grumble. None of them made any sense. Dahlia got up from her bed to brush her hair; only for it to puff back out again. After that she tied it back, then  forced herself up to her feet to leave her tent.

She squinted mildly upon the sun’s rays striking her face.  After a momentary adjustment with her eyes she headed off by rooftop. Soon enough she stopped on the last roof top before the gate of the village. She perched on the edge of the building to look down to the small gathering of people saying their goodbyes to her teammate. The crowd largely consisted of other kids from their class from back at the academy. Her teammates had always gotten along with them… then again the class had all got along with each other, everyone except for her.

For just a moment she contemplated getting closer. She knew though that the only reason that she was currently able to handle her surroundings was currently due to how far away she was from the crowd of people. Her eyes then met with her teammate’s during a chance glance from them. For the split second they locked one of her eyes grew wide while the other mildly squinted. With only one more second she shot her eyes down, and away. This was stupid.

She turned, and left with that last thought. Soon enough she made her way into the forest. The place where she felt at home. The place where everything always made sense. There was no need to socialize, no large crowds of noisy people, nor large confining walls to cut off the flow of fresh lovely scented air. There was just freedom and peace here. That, and the thrill of a hunt. She slowly grew a tooth filled smile as she saw a bunch of deer race through the forest.

She climbed her way up a nearby tree quickly; before leaping from branch to branch following the herd. With each beat of her heart she felt in her chest she listened to the symphony of hoofs strike the ground. Her heart almost felt as though it was a metronome in place to keep the symphony at the correct pace of the song they performed together. It was truly one of her favorite early morning activities to experience.

Not too long into it there was a force that ended the song and replaced it with the sound of panic from the deer. Her eyes shot from the herd to the forest ahead. There was a sound of wolves leaking into their immediate area from not too far away.. The herd quickly turned around to flee from the incoming threat of wolves. Dahlia’s own body stopped at the danger that neared her, while her brows frowned as her eyes grew wider.

She did not want to have to deal with wolves this early in the day. If they were after the deer all she would have to do was get a bit higher in the tree to draw attention away from herself, and let them focus on the deer. However, if they weren’t after the deer she'd have to think of another plan. She knew well that her scent was already marking her location at this point. Hopefully they were after the large herd though. She quickly turned to  climb up the tree to get higher then attempted to stay as still as possible to minimize her sound output.


OOC: As promised Sero le thread

831 Words
Post 1
110 / 110 Chakra Points

Tengoku had set out that morning for a run with his wolves. Kagura had left him with a great deal of thought to process and Kimiko even more. The women of the village seemed to be devastated in one form or another. Even his own sister had seemed to fade into the shadows for whatever she was working on. One had to wonder if the future of the village was dwindling. Two jounin other than himself really stood out and one was retired and the other...Satomi was the safeguard against threats at the moment. The biggest seemingly his own clan. The Uchiha. They held more power and position until recently than the other clans combined. Tengoku had been selected by the last Hokage...another Uchiha, because he had no clan. No bloodline to rely on. He was supposed to put prejudice aside and unite the clans. He was trying with the younger generation but even one of them had made a break for it. The others didn't seem to want to stick with a shinobi career for long. His hope was to unite the Uchiha and the Hyuga and create a new kind of power. But alas it was proving to be borderline impossible.

So he had risen from his bed at wolf manor. Azzie, Matsu and his sister Tsukiyo were already off and about doing whatever they did. He had stripped from his sleepwear and dressed in his usual. Sleeveless yellow and black robes with elbow length gloves missing all but the index and middle fingers. His feet were bare since no branch or rock could pierce his skin. He may as well be wearing boots. His ankles, wrists and upper arms each were adorned with a piece of gold feathered jewelry wrapped around them tightly. While on his left waist were two katana with a wakizashi above them. He didn't use a three sword style but he carried three all the same. His white hair hung loose draping wildly over his shoulders and around his face with his white wolf like ears poking out the top. Feeling well dressed for the day and ready for someone to jump him (Likely the Uchiha) Tengoku would head out to the backyard of the manor. It was there he would cross the training grounds to something that looked like a stable. However instead of horses three pairs of eyes would watch him approach.

From the shadows of the stables three huge dire wolves would emerge. One black, one brown and one white. The white one would step forward. Sniffing the air before sniffing Tengokus hand. It would jump back playfully despite being about the same size as a horse. The other two seeing Tengoku smile would trot forward. He would pat each of their haunches before they would lift their snouts to the air. A cool breeze rolling in. Tengoku would do the same as he lifted his own nose to the air. Catching the scent of deer. Ahh it was a good morning for a hunt. So the wolves would look to him and he would nod. Taking the signal the three wolves would charge into the woods behind the manor. Tengoku himself would smile as amber eyes followed them before he decided to follow. He was considerably faster than they were so when he took off a cloud of dust was left in his wake. Still they would reach the young lady first. However they were tracking deer so they would pay her scent no mind. Charging forward as giant wolves would after their prey and their meal. Each of them ready to eat a buck to themselves.

Tengoku would catch the scent however and emerge from the brush. He would stop running into a walk before pausing in a clearing. Lifting his nose and sniffing a couple of times before those amber eyes glanced upwards. A new scent in his woods? It took only a moment for those amber eyes to find her. Hiding in a tree. She had managed to conceal herself well but not against his heightened senses. His amber eyes would glance towards the girl with the wild hair and eyes before he smiled up to her. His smile was warm as he placed his hands on his hips. Calling out to her.

"Well hello there little bird. Are you making a nest up there? I must admit you are the strangest little bird I have seen in my woods. Come on down here so I don't have to crank my neck talking to you yeah?"

Dahlia’s eyes only grew wider; followed by the further frowning of her brows upon the sight of  the dire wolves’ quick approach. She had not expected to see wolves let alone dire wolves. She felt a bead of sweat roll down the side of her forehead. Her muscles tensed up as well as she did her best to remain completely still. Once they passed she let out a sigh of relief. They weren’t after her. Good. This meant she likely had time to get some distance away from the wolves to a safer location.

She shifted so that she could leap away, but stopped upon a sudden voice cutting through the silence. Dahlia quickly turned back around to cling to the tree branch once more. One of her eyes cranked up its bottom lid while the other eye twitched. Why was there someone else in the forest? How did they so easily notice her?  How- Her eyes shot down to see the man below. She knew well enough from her extensive studies who that was. It was the Hokage.

Alright she would have to be on her best behavior when dealing with the man.

“That’s because I’m not a bird!” She quipped back with a tilt of her head up to expose her neck a bit.

She paired her head angle with a curl of her bottom lip in hopes to present herself as unafraid. The rest of her body however sabotaged her attempt. It’s poster instead signaled the exact opposite. She knew she likely should follow the Hokage’s request to descend the tree, but she also just really didn’t want to go down for many reasons. She didn’t come to the forest to socialize, nor did she feel safe enough to be on the ground just yet. She would just have to elaborate this to him properly. If she did he may understand her reasonings, and leave her be. Simple right?

“No!” She practically barked out.

Ah, yes this was the best way she could have handled his request. She was almost certain that he wouldn’t see it that way though. Most didn’t after all.

OOC:
366 Words
Post 2
110 / 110 Chakra Points

He would crinkle his nose as she said she wasn't a bird. Well yes he knew that. But he was under the impression that hyperboles or metaphors would be wasted here. He would sniff the air once more. This time not just picking up her scent but identifying what he could from it. There was a little bit of the scent of the city. It was recent but faint in comparison. She smelled of nature mostly. The way humans do when they go camping for a couple of weeks. When their scent of sophistication fades and the wild takes over. A feral child out here? Well he supposed it wasn't unheard of. His sister and himself had lived in a cabin for a couple of years after graduating out in the woods after all. But they had regularly used the cabins shower and tools. There was a difference between that and living in the wild. Still she would yell no at his request and he would frown. On one hand he shouldn't infringe on her liberties. She was likely scared and stubborn. Forcing her down was rude and he didn't like the idea of harming her just for his own comfort.

So the question was how to get her down without hurting her? He could go up there but the surprise of him just popping up might knock her out of said tree. If he went slowly she may just attempt a rash escape through the trees. Someone running in fear up high like that could get hurt just as easily. So should he leave her be? She was in his woods though and he was curious....ugh it was a dilemma. The alpha in him however seemed to whisper an idea to him. Some connection to the nature of the wolf. She was defiant and he wasn't a dictator but these were his woods. He had played a game recently called Jenga with some folks from the office. Of course they had become perturbed when he couldn't seem to lose. So he would try it with this tree. He would smile up at her and call out lightheartedly.

"Alright then. Not a bird. I would appreciate your name but as I said...this position is uncomfortable. So if you would just hold tightly to that tree. I would be thankful."

Tengoku would smile warmly before letting out a sigh. His eyes shifting down to the thick tree in front of him. He would take a steadying breath as his right hand settled onto the handle of the wakizashi. To her eyes he wouldn't seem to move. Just stand there for a couple of seconds. In reality he was slashing through the tree like butter at S rank coordination. Still once he finished slashing up the tree he would stand up a little straighter. Now for the tricky part. His hand would leave the wakizashi and he would focus once more. Clenching a fist with his middle knuckle extended Tengoku would flick out his fist at high coordination and strength. As he did a block that had blended in with the tree would snap free and fly out to plop onto the ground nearby. The tree would drop straight down and land perfectly on its trunk. Just a little three foot drop and a perfectly cut stump. He would repeat this process until she was about ten feet further down. Still out of reach but the tree had been lowered. It was still one shove from toppling but it seemed to be holding its structure despite having three huge chunks just smacked out of it. Balance.

"There. Now I won't have to shout or tilt my head so far. My name is Tengoku Shinku, and you are?"

Dahlia’s grip increased in tightness while she looked down at the man. He was being rather silent. As well as not leaving. What was he planning? Before she could wonder much longer he began to speak to her once more. Her eyes squinted then along with her brows frowning further. She scrunched up her nose around the nostrils allowing it to pull at her surrounding upper lip to make 2 clear creases, as well as making her partly open in the process.

Hold onto the tree? What the heck was he going on about now? That and why was he smiling so much? She supposed that he was reacting significantly better than most, but it didn’t stop it from feeling weird. Now the guy was just standing there like a statchue as well! If she didn’t know that he was the Hokage she’d assume something was super sketchy, and or creepy about him.

“Why are you just standing there?! You look-” She started to call down only to let out a startled eek as the block was hit out, and the tree began to work its way down. “Hey! No!”

She shouted out in such a way that you just knew for a fact that if she had hackles; they’d be out and at the ready right about now.

“Stop it!” She shouted on the next block. “Will you knock it off?!”

She kept shouting down at him until it just turned into mindless shouting until the last block had been knocked out to make her at a more appropriate level for the man. She looked down to the tree for a moment to check its stability before she shifted her eyes back to the man. Her eyes grew a bit wide again before she upturned the under inner corners of her eyes at him.

“I don’t like you.” She said flatly, unmoving from her spot.

She stared on for quite some time before she finally decided to give her name.

“Dahlia Fedcon.” She begrudgingly said before ensuring that he really understood how little she cared for his impressive, yet terrifying method to get her down lower.... “Jerk.”

Oh yeah, she understood how to get her feelings across oh so perfectly.

OOC:

Post 3
110 / 110 Chakra Points[/quote]

Tengoku would smile at her reaction. of course it was comical. She was a rebellious teenager and of course much more. He could see the wild in her eyes. Still he had damaged the tree and so he needed to strengthen its core once more. He would ignore her silent protest while she was quiet. Reaching out to touch the tree. He wasn't a sage or a nature release type. But his raiton chakra surged into the wood and singed the bark and outer rim together. Forming a series of burn marks along the edge like a tree got when lightning struck it. It was a poor fix in comparison but it would hold the tree for the time being. Still he would smile as he rested his hand on the tree. Most wouldn't care about the damage to a tree and he wouldn't lose sleep over it.

Still she would give her name finally and finish by calling him a jerk. She hadn't moved from her perch but that was fine with Tengoku. He would nod as if in thought before moving to one of the stumps buried partially into the ground from his abuse of the tree. He would settle into a seat there with his elbows on his knees as he yawned idly. Amber eyes shifting up to the girl before he would nod once more. She saw him as a jerk and he wouldn't dispute that. He could have easily have left her alone in that tree as she wasn't damaging anything or doing anything wrong as far as he could tell. He was simply like a dog with a squirrel in a tree...just a very powerful dog. Still he would choose to respond to her in a calm and measured tone. Not rising to the fight as best he could.

"A pleasure to meet you Dahlia. Thats a very nice name. I am Tengoku Shinku but you may simply call me Ten if you like. As for being a jerk...I can see how that would be your perspective. I got carried away with showing off a little and for that I apologize. Lets try this again. Dahlia, would you please join me?"

His hand would raise to indicate the other stumps scattered around to form a crescent circle of seats. Allowing her to sit with him or across from him as he was on one of the furthest sides. He was amused but calm. Not intending to hurt a genin on purpose. He found that abusive teaching methods passed on that exact mindset. That abuse would lead to growth. So he would humble himself if needed.

Dahlia eyed him as he moved to touch the tree. Her brows frowned while her eyes squinted to look at what he had done to the tree. It was pretty impressive. He had managed to burn the tree without setting the whole thing ablaze. She wouldn’t have thought to use lightning release to do such a thing. She kept an eye on him as he made his way over to a stump to sit. Her own amber eyes locked onto his when he looked over to her to nod. Though much like an animal that still saw itself as a predator to a degree; she kept her eyes trained on him even as he sat.

She lowered her head a bit while scrunching up her shoulders as he stayed polite with her and even complimented her name. He even said he understood her name calling and apologized. She slightly tilted her head to one side while raising one frowned brow to show confusion. No one had even really apologized to her nor seemed to understand at the same time before… no one except the few occasions her family had.

When he asked for her to join him again this time she slowly looked off to the furthest stump from him before letting out a mild huff. She leapt from the branch she was on to another then down to the stump. She turned to face him while she remained perched on the stump watching him carefully as she spoke.

“Fine, but you’re super weird.” She muttered out.

She did like that someone didn’t yell at her for how she acted, but at the same time was just confused at his reaction. She still didn’t outright trust him, but given his apology, and the fact he was the Hokage; someone who was held to great renown and trust amongst all in the village, she felt inclined to at least sit with him and hear what he had to say. He had surprised her once before so it was possible that he might do so again with whatever he may have to say next.

OOC:

Post 4
110 / 110 Chakra Points

Tengoku would smile and watch as she seemed to ponder for a moment before hopping down to a lower branch and then to the furthest stump from him. He noted to be careful of any sudden moves or aggressive gestures. If anything at this point he associated her more with a squirrel than any other animal. Running around in the tree tops and chittering at wolves. Of course this wolf could climb trees but he didn't intend to eat the squirrel. Instead she would mention he was weird and he would smile with amusement in his eyes at that. It was true that he was an oddity in the village. One of a kind with his mutation. Those wolf ears had named him a freak as a child and so being called super weird was not something that would bother him too him. Still he would nod with that smile.

"I have been called worse. However I think that it requires a little weird to run this village. Breaking away from hurtful traditions and setting expectations that others despise. For instance...one that likely affected you directly was the no child soldiers law I passed. The one where you can't take on kill missions until you turn sixteen."

He would take a breath and close his eyes a moment. Just enjoying the cool mountain air with her. Off in the distance the sound of a deer crying out could be heard and he would open one eye and glance over his shoulder. The wolves caught up to the deer it seemed and managed to catch one. They would likely not eat the food provided to them tonight. But hunting their own food occasionally was good for them. Letting them use their instincts instead of attempting to repress it. Nature taking its course.

His attention would turn back to her before he noticed a butterfly descending towards him. Likely seeking a source of warmth. So he held out his hand as the tiny creature with its orange wings matching the autumn leaves would settle on his palm. Fluttering its wings before holding there for a moment as he continue to speak. His eyes focusing on the tiny creature he gently held.

"In this life though we as humans stand out from nature. Breaking from the natural cycle in ways no other creature does. We build cities and have laws that govern us. We take more than we need and there are those who would do harm to take such things. To this butterfly we are strange giants with lifespans spanning generations of its own. Weird is a perspective more than a real rating system. I am sure you yourself felt out of place here and there. At an art exhibit I am sure I would stand out but out here in these woods...I am king. Instead of the social constructs we are expected to adhere to however I am interested in our future instead. Dahlia I feel a need to ask. What dreams are you chasing?"

She squinted at him further at the amusement in his eyes before perching her lips a bit at him.

“You’re weird because of how you socialize, not because of your laws that don’t affect me right now idiot!” She sassed out with a huff.

She’d never say it out loud, but she knew that even if that law wasn’t in place she would have not been permitted to become a Chunin. She still did believe that her knowledge, and capabilities with learning high ranking jutsu was at least close to what was expected as a Chunin. Though she also knew that she was lacking somewhere that made her unable to reach the total highs required to be even considered for such a position.

An issue that she knew wasn’t her age. If it was, the choice of words from her old team leader would have been different when he told her that she needed more training before she could test her skills again to see if she could even rival the skill of that of a Chunin. Honestly she had no full care about the direct law due to not being currently limited by it. If anything it just gave her a time frame of how long she had before she had to be certain of her skills and progress further as a ninja rank wise.

Dahlia’s eyes jerked quickly towards the crying sounds. She shifted instinctively in her spot a bit. Normally such a sound would confirm to her of another predator in the forest. One that was nearby. Given the information she normally would be fleeing to a safer location to avoid confrontations from she and the other predator. Staying in one place idly so close to the ground where she was totally exposed, and easily spotted was not ideal for the young girl.

Her eyes stayed there towards the sounds. They, after all, belonged to the more immediate threat. One that could greatly injure her if she was not careful, and stayed aware of her surroundings. Her brows frowned at his words. She knew how humans could be. It's one of the many things she didn’t usually like about them. She slowly blinked as she looked down when he suggested she likely felt out of place here or there. She shot her eyes back up towards the distant cries once more. Trying to keep her attention on that, and not the words that striked almost too close to home.

“No one is king in the forest. There are no such things out here which is no doubt a good thing. It permits everyone, and thing, its own freedom to exist how they choose to among their packs.” She said with a sneer. “I’m not sure why you need to ask such a thing.”

She stated with a huff before thinking about her goals a bit. Her eyes grew a bit distant as she thought about her father, how he was always there for her family, fighting alongside her uncles to protect them all. Even in his final moments.

“... I’m going to become a great ninja like my father.” She stated almost softly.

She knew he was never an official ninja here. She knew other’s knew it too. It was one of the points other kids mocked her about when she would lash out at them which only ever led to hands benign thrown. But she didn’t care. He didn’t need to be a part of a village to be a ninja. Ninja protected those they loved no matter the cost. You don’t need anything else but your family to do that.

“I just need to get past what’s blocking me to do it.” She said with a little frown.

Even if factually one from an outside view could call her skills far greater than her father’s ever had been, but to the girl and her memories? She easily paled in comparison to the man.



OOC:

Post 5
110 / 110 Chakra Points

Tengoku would listen as he usually did. He had found some time ago that misunderstandings came from a refusal to hear the other side. To be so focused on your own version of the truth as to not be open to others. He would let the girl call him names still. She saw him as an idiot and to change her mind on that may be more effort than was needed. Perhaps he did lack certain social skills. However to him she seemed to lack any. She seemed awfully sure he wouldn't slap the goofy out of her though. An amusing thought that brought an amused smile to his lips. Just his own little inside joke. Still she would look in the direction of the hunt at the sound. He would glance over his shoulder a moment before looking back to her. She was like an animal. Not as in someone saying she was a savage or anything....just her survival instincts stood out. She was concerned about nearby predators and prefered to be up in the trees. It was her go to for safety. Truthfully it was likely one of the safer locations for any prey to flee to so long as they didn't mind the birds.

Still she would tell him there was no king of the forest. His smile would shift to a frown. She thought all creatures were free and equal in nature? The food chain dictated otherwise. The strong survived and the weak were simply food for the strong out here. The Apex predator in the forest was avoided and hardly ever challenged. Except when challenged by some foolish cub. He wondered if she thought her will would be able to hold him at bay....or if she could flee from this place if he didn't allow it. The animals in the forest either cleared a path for him or served him....so if that were the case he must be king of the forest. Should he explain this thought process though? Would she really be open to a debate? He doubted he had the patience for her responses. Likely she would keep pressing at his pride until he lost his temper..... To pick on a genin because of pride was shameful. So he would ignore the comment for now. Though his displeasure at the concept was clear on his face. Still he took a breath and listened a little more.

She would mention her father and he was able to let it go for now. She wanted to be like him it seemed. A great ninja. If that were so Tengoku had likely served with the man at some point. As a tracker nin he had supported some great fighters. Capable men and women who specialized in taking down some powerful opponents. Still she felt blocked and that made sense for younger genin. Fresh graduates had been taught the basics but hadn't been encouraged to grow much until they learned control. Something she seemed to clearly lack.

"Don't fret over my pack. They obey me and our golden rule is not to harm humans except for self defense. You don't attack them they will mind their manners. Besides they will be eating for a while. As for your father...what was his name? I would truly like to know. This blockage your feeling though...its common. I struggled at the academy and the orphanage despite my sisters help for a while. However the basics you have learned about chakra are likely a cornerstone to some impressive stuff. Reach inside and focus. Deep breaths and steady. Calm your mind from all the distractions and really feel your chakra. For now it is raw an untamed but it is yours. Refine it and feel it mold with your katon energy. Its a slow process but in time your refined chakra will be stronger...just like exercising any muscle."

Dahlia noticed his look he had towards her King comment. He could be upset all he liked. Dahlia still refused to humor the idea of there being a King of the forest. Yeah there was predator or prey, but an overall ruler of the forest? The idea was silly to her. That and she really didn’t want to think about how her safe place from all the stupid hierarchy of the human society parts of the world was not protected form such things, but only better at benign suttle with it.

She let out a little ‘tch’ at his don’t mind them comment. Yeah they may be trained, but to her they were still a threat. As was the man before her to some degree. She, after all, still barely knew him past knowing who he was. Her mood lightened a little as the subject turned to her father. She smiled a little thinking back to the man she idolized so much.

“Locus Roe. My parents kept their original last names after they got married.” Her smile faded just lightly as she continued on with a shrug. “You wouldn’t know him. He wasn’t an ‘official ninja’ from a village or anything.”

She smiled a sad smile as she continued on.

“But he was a great ninja. He gave his life to protect those he loved. He spent every day of his life ensuring that we were all safe. Thanks to him all of us still are. After he died we moved here about 9 years ago when I was 5. So he was never a ninja here. He was all self taught, and definitely the coolest guy ever to live ever.” She smiled a bit more. “I wanna be like him. I don’t think I could ever surpass him, but I’d like to think I’m following in his footsteps well enough so far.”

She said all with an actual bright smile that only a child could have when speaking of their hopes and dreams. A look that was a stark difference from her usual look on her face. She blinked when she heard the word Orphanage. She hadn’t really looked much into his past, beyond him becoming the Hokage. She wasn’t expecting to hear that word. She couldn’t really even think of what it might have been like to not have a family. Yeah she avoided hers due to their living situation. But she still had them all. She did listen to his advice on chakra. She after a moment finally asked something she normally couldn’t focus enough to think to ask her old teachers.

“... And what if I do if I can’t focus?” She asked, purposefully not limiting it to just not being able to focus on chakra alone considering when she couldn’t focus, it was on roughly everything but what she needed to focus on.


OOC:

Post 6
110 / 110 Chakra Points[/quote]

He would ignore the sound she made at his don't mind them comment. They were not an immediate issue anyway so he didn't need to delve deeper into it. She was used to being a lone forest creature he assumed so likely she didn't understand pack mentality. Still he would smile softly as she spoke of her father. Her hostile nature seeming to melt away a little finally. He hadn't been an official ninja so it was true that Tengoku had never met him. Or at least not in a professional regard. He admittedly could have passed the man in town and not have known it. There were a lot of people. But that aside Tengoku would listen while Dahlia would talk about her hero. Her father who was self taught and had given his life ensuring they were all safe all the time. Her mentioning that they moved here after he died though brought some sadness to his eyes and a softness to his smile. Such values and love to be passed on were what the village needed. He had truly wished a moment to have been able to meet the man....and regretted yet another life he couldn't save.

"He may not have been an official ninja....but to me its the heart of a person that measures their ninja way. He sounds like a great man. And one to aspire towards. I wish we had more people like that in the village. So much heartbreak has left many people so cold...Some days it feels like I am the only one left who cares for the people...but if you seek to be like your dad...I look forward to seeing you reach your goals....The challenge of becoming like a good man is to become a good person yourself Dahlia. Tell me, Do you care about the village? Or anyone outside of your immediate family?"

It was an honest question but one he felt was important to ask. He wasn't asking harshly but he did want to know. Still her other question about concentration had Tengoku pause in thought...contemplating what it meant for her if she couldn't concentrate. An issue for his method of training for certain. His hand would raise to stroke his chin stubble as he contemplated just how to answer that.

"Well when I lose concentration my chakra races out of control. Usually due to anger...There is a transformation that almost takes over me when I give into it. Like when someone tried to kill my sister...but I have seen what going down the path of rage looks like. I have heard the screams of agony and the lack of mercy. If you build your power on a standpoint of rage over control Dahlia...would you really be able to become your father?"

“He’s the best.” She said with a soft smile after the Hokage had said he sounded like a great man.

The girl could go on for hours, days, heck maybe even years talking about her favorite moments with him. He wasn’t just her goal, nor hero. He was her father. And she loved him for every moment he gave to her. She had more interests similar to her mother’s but her father had always understood her the best even if times they got into shouting matches due to their anger issues. Then came the next question. One that annoyed her a bit. But she didn’t fully stick her nose up to it given her current passive state.

“That’s a dumb question… I care. I don’t like a lot of people. Yeah. But I care. I get angry a lot. And It can’t really connect to others. I don’t get them, and they don’t get me. They make it clear that they don’t. They always have since I moved here…. The city is loud and crowded. More than I’ve ever seen. There’s buildings that feel suffocating and always cluttered…. And walls all over the village that trap everyone inside.” She frowned, narrowing her eyes.

“I can never focus. It’s not like out here. I grew up on the road, living in forests… My family used to sing and dance around the fire, watch the clouds roll by, and the moon rise with the stars. We hunted together, laughed together, and even helped out people along the way if they needed it. While here… I can’t focus, I have to learn everything by myself. I can’t sleep with my family because everything is so suffocating, and I can’t relate to them anymore.” She continued while looking off.

“Everyone had to get jobs just to afford somewhere where all 7 of us can live. Mom and 2 of my uncles leave all the time to do their jobs outside of the village… Mom said it'd be safe here, and better for us kids to interact with other kids. And all she and my other family members do is work to get money just to live. I don’t get it…” She sighed. “So yes. I do care… I just can’t relate to anyone, focus, and get angry because people are rude and stupid. But it’s okay. I know I can be like my father even if I have no direct place where I feel at home. I just have to be able and willing to protect those around me despite that. Just like papa.”

She listened to what happened when he lost concentration and frowned a bit. She got angry all on her own, not due to some transformation. That and she just panics usually when she loses concentration… or alongside losing it. It was hard to tell most times if it was in association with the loss of concentration, or due to it. Hearing that someone had tried to kill his sister kept her frown holding strong but if she was a ninja too it only made sense that life or death sorta thing may pop up. Then the last question came. It was one that made her scrunch up her face, followed by the crossing of her arms.

“We’ll it’s not like I can help it much! It just sorta happens! I try to stay chill but it rarely happens. Either way I figure out how to do what I gotta so it works for now. I’ll figure out a way around it when the time comes.” She said waving him off slightly followed by a huff.



OOC:

Post 7
110 / 110 Chakra Points

Tengoku would listen to the explanation as he collected a small branch off the nearby ground. Its leaves drooping from lack of connection to a nutritional source. As he listened he would hold it out in front of him idly as his golden eyes shifted up to her and then back to the branch from time to time. He would take a breath and focus his chakra. Focusing the raiton out of it and making it pure chakra. Like he did with taijutsu. A senju could likely turn the branch into a whole tree in a matter of seconds but he lacked those talents. Instead he would simply concentrate and the drooping leaves would slowly begin to lift and regain life. After all chakra and ones life source were interconnected so it made sense that by sharing chakra you could revitalize the injured things around you. Still this was the most he could do without access to nature chakra or the senju bloodline. Without Ashitaka around anymore. Still it was enough for a demonstration if she was paying attention to the capabilities of proper chakra control. But he wouldn't push that too hard just yet. She was defiant for the time being.

"Well you could try and break away from traditional values of the village this is true. It can be suffocating I will give you that. However I ask if you care about them for more than just analyzing if your meant to be a shinobi that I can rely on. Your will to be like your father is strong...but when put in a position where you have to put your all or nothing into it....I find those that actively care deeply for their village and the people can get up time and time again....whereas those who do not will give up and retreat for self preservation when the going gets too tough."

Tengoku would let out a sigh before he listened to her defiant tone and reasoning that she would figure out something other than concentration. He would slowly rise to standing before moving to a nearby moss covered boulder. He would look it over before speaking again. "I see. So when the time comes you will just hope you can figure it out. Allow me a demonstration between the differences of uncontrolled chakra and focused chakra." With that he would take a breath with a grunt he would flash his hand out slowly. Chakra wildly flowing through him as a visible blue rush. Slamming into the boulders and taking off a chunk of the front. With that he would speak again. "That is wild chakra. I enhance my strength a little but ultimately its uncontrolled. This is what you can do with focus. With concentration." He would hold up the branch and focus his chakra into it. Enhancing it and focusing an almost golden glow to it. With a forward thrust he would stab the branch forward like a blade. The branch should have broken but instead it would slide into the boulder like a hot knife through butter.

Dahlia kept talking though slowed down her speech a bit as he messed with the branch from the tree. Once again it was impressive but super distracting to the girl as she tried to talk.  She let a small sneeresc look form on her face as she muttered.

“I swear you’re just showing off to mess with me now…” She stated before giving a slight huff.

She listened to his words before she looked off with her arms crossed.

“Whether you think you can rely on me as the leader is irrelevant. I respect what you are to the people but as a shinobi I’m more interested in being there for those who need me. Not just higher ups. If I care that much about standing I would have aimed for a job behind a counter. Not work to be a ninja.” She relaxed her face with a sigh. “I see your point though.”

She spoke with the last line almost softly. It was rare for her to do so when not speaking of things strictly about her family or father, but his point was something that was just as equally important as she supposed. Her dream to be a ninja was pointless if she couldn’t hold the will to keep getting back up to fight. Not just for those she directly called family, but for those who she as a ninja should be protecting. She did care what happened to people, but if she couldn’t bring herself to fight for them the same way she would her family she shouldn’t be a shinobi.

She knew her father would have done everything to protect anyone. Yeah he probably would have snipped at them while doing it, but he would always ensure their safety. It's why one of her uncles had joined their group when he had. Not just because his old traveling companions had left him behind to die; but because their group genuinely cared for him despite him being a stranger in need.

She frowned her brows at his seeming judgement of her plan though watched the demonstration nonetheless. Her brows relaxed for a moment after the demonstration had passed before she forced them back down again. She couldn’t force them down long as she watched what he did. She though easily slipped back into a more upset face. It was hard to tell if this one was more towards his points, or herself.

“Okay, controlling my chakra is important, I get it!.... What am I supposed to do about it? I’m trying to figure it out but nothing is working so far. I’m not giving up! I just…” She relaxed her tone a bit. “I don’t know, okay?”



OOC:

Post 8
110 / 110 Chakra Points

Tengoku would listen to her as he would release the branch. Letting it trail to the ground. He was being particularly destructive in the forest today. He usually was fine letting the forest be and using replaceable training dummies or something a bit more sturdy. Perhaps it was time he stopped showing off as she put it. He would smile sheepishly a little as she pointed it out. She was right of course. He enjoyed showing his capabilities and reinforcing the youths belief in his power. That they believed in him to protect them.

She was not yet sixteen so she wouldn't be expected to take on any dangerous missions which meant she was under his protection within the boundaries of the village. Still she would continue. She wanted to protect more than the VIPs but the general populace. An interesting mindset....but not one for a specific escort duty. If she would leave her charge undefended over someone else than that left the mission vulnerable. So he would need to tailor missions and training when it came to it that suited her desires. To protect a general populace instead of a VIP would suit her fine. Or perhaps even eliminating a threat ahead of time.

She would continue on to tell him how she got that it was important but didn't know what to do about it. Concentration was something difficult to train if it didn't come naturally. Of course that didn't mean he was out of ideas and she was SOL on her own. He would move back to his seat on the stump and settle himself on it with his legs crossed. Speaking to her.

"There is a method I utilize. It will build your stamina and your chakra reserves so there is much to gain. However until you improve your concentration it will be slow going. Sit as I do and hold your hands together as if you are holding water in them. Cup them together and feel your chakra. Feel it flowing through you and feel it flowing out of your hands and into a ball. Refining it as it passes back and forth through your chakra system. Most unrefined chakra is blue and wild. However through refinement it can become pure and potent."

With that Tengoku would take a breath and close his eyes. At first it seemed like nothing was happening. Than golden, nearly transparent wisps would emerge from his hands and begin to pour into a glowing golden ball of chakra. Refined time and time again until it was nearly flawless. Though not nearly as great as some signatures he had seen, Tengoku was working on it.

Dahlia scrunched up her nose a bit at his sheepish smile but let it pass for now since he seemed like he was going to stop showing off for the time being at least. She watched him return to his seat and listened as he finally began to speak again. She raised a brow at his instructions though finally after some time would cross her legs. She turned her eyes from him to her hands as his instructions continued on. She had always heard the flow of chakra as a term and phrase. Though ever since she was young she had only ever been able to visualize it like fire.

Flause Light was tricky to learn due to that, though it wasn’t impossible after she envisioned her fire chakra as something to build up in one solid beam and fire off after trying to think of lightning preparing to fire off like a lightning strike from her mouth. Everything else of course always felt easier with fire. She supposed it was probably due to always thinking back to her father, and how he used his jutsu with fire, and fire alone. Thinking of chakra as anything but a wildfire burning inside someone as their embodiment of rage and passion was-... She blinked before her eyes grew a little sad in realization.

It was probably part of her problem. She slowly cupped her hands together before taking a deep breath. She just had to think of it like water. As a stream in the forest. Not a wildfire…. She looked up to see wisps around the man’s hands as he demonstrated. His chakra was golden… The chakra formed into a ball. A perfect circle. She had never seen anything like it before. She then looked back to her hands and took a deep breath in. ‘Don’t be wild, don’t be wild, don’t be wild’ she chanted to herself in her head as she stared down into her hands. Her chakra flowing into them flowing out like a wildfire of chakra. A sweat droplet rolled down her head as she closed her eyes.

She slowly thought of her arms like channels of water trying to pass from one to the other like the man explained. As if her chakra was water. The peacefulness of the sounds water always made that could always sooth her as a child. The calming times she spent by them as her mother would read to her, or talk to the others about her plans. Her gentle smile paired with the gentle water that flowed with ease. Her chakra needed to flow calmly, like water, but with purpose.

She took a slow breath in, and a gentle one out as the wild chakra slowly tapered down its flames turned into wiggly wisps that slowly contracted down on themselves to form a ball-like shape. Though one that looks like a child had scribbled onto paper. It wasn’t perfect. But certainly an improvement. She opened one eye to see it. Her calm face contorted into one of mild annoyance. Then to one of panicked annoyance when the ball turned back into wild flame due to her losing focus again.

“You stupid ball stop that!” She panic shouted at it which only made it turn into a raging chakra flame which then lead to her brow twitching along with the bottom of her eye.


OOC:

Post 9
110 / 110 Chakra Points

Tengoku would watch quietly a moment as she struggled but managed to produce something akin to a ball of flame. Well of course her focus would be katon. Honestly his sister would have been better suited as a mentor for this. She had katon in her chakra as well. Still he would allow his own ball of chakra energy to fade as he watched. His hands placed palms down over his knees as he watched with amber eyes. She had accused him of showing off and he couldn't argue against it. So he would refrain from showing his own reach over raiton ninjutsu. He didn't need hand signs after all so it was a bit better than most out there. He had understood his raiton chakra and molded it. Refined it and came to terms with it. So he could control it with immense precision. Part of this was due to his focus in his own body. His own capabilities. Still he was on the verge of something else. He could feel a greater power looming within him and waiting to be released. Something calling to him from far deeper into the woods. As others felt power calling out to them.

Still it was good to see she could produce visible chakra and maintain it. A ball of fire seemed simple enough but the longer one held it suspended the more accustomed they became with their own chakra nature. If they lost focus too much it would fade or expand wildly. Still it flickered out of a ball shape into just fire here and there and he smiled. So how to explain fire for her? He contemplated this as she mumbled at it and frustration grew more evident on her features. Including a couple of twitchy bits. Which while it amused him he figured he should step in a little here.

"Consider your chakra with your katon energy like a bonfire. What does fire need to burn? Oxygen and fuel. You are surrounded by oxygen and normally wood or something would be the fuel. In this case it is your chakra. Now with a bonfire if you put in too much fuel it burns out of control. If you spread your fuel too thin it will burn but not very strongly and scattered. Feel how much of your chakra it needs to burn comfortably. The balance you need to hold in order to control the flame. There are those who can break it down into mathematics but for others like us....we feel it. Understand the fire and understand it is you who controls it. It follows your will so long as you understand your own will. Control is within your. You simply have to find it."

Dahlia looked from the ball to Tengoku as he explained further some more advice on how to work her Chakra better. His method of explaining actually made some sense to her. At first she didn’t know why he brought up bonfires but now she understood it a bit more. Far more than the running water thing. The running water aspect did help her a bit however. Just probably not in the intended way it was supposed to. Her chakra was hers to control. That was the part she knew she had to remember.

It wasn't just some outside source of fire she was using for battle, it was still a part of her. Thinking about thow it was an outside source up till now probably had been limiting her alot given the natural disconnect that would have come forth with acting like it wasnt naturally connected to her. She nodded a bit slowly letting the flame ball disappear before she thought of a question she figured she should ask now given she knew chakra types could act differently so controlling them could pose similar issues if trying to control them all in the same way.

“What about Raiton chakra? It’s the other one that I know how to use. I only know one jutsu, False Darkness with it due to some struggles trying to correlate my pre existing skills to the other Chakra type. I managed to figure out how to use it even without hand signs but I also can’t seem to use that kind of my skill set for Katon chakra. I actually ended up learning Focused Amplification for Katon to balance them out skill set wise. I think I may be missing something in Raiton the same way I was missing a concept with Katon.” She asked actually a bit calmly, but with strikingly focused eyes.



OOC:

Post 10
110 / 110 Chakra Points[/quote]

Tengoku would smile and simply rest his hands on his knees for the time being while he observed. He was enjoying helping out someone else even if they were not directly his student. After all each person learned differently. Since that was the case, discovering what worked for others could help him as well. Expanding his own knowledge and practice to make sure he was pushing himself to greater heights. A warrior never considered himself at his optimal point. Never unable to expand further and grow stronger. If he hit a wall he just hadn't discovered the answer yet. He had a fire inside of himself and he saw a fire in this wild girl as well. Aside from her chakra connection to the katon element that is. She had a strong will and that could keep her going far in life. Perhaps even to another level he wasn't too familiar with.

Still she would begin to speak and his eyebrows would raise in surprise before an amused smile rose on to his features. He couldn't help it really but she was the first like him he had met that could manipulate raiton jutsu without seals. It was a pity that she couldn't do it with katon as well but it meant she could do a great deal of surprise attacks. The focused amplification he had trained towards raiton because it was the only element he could use. Still balance could be important for her. She seemed to be born wild so a natural attunement could benefit her greatly. If her raiton element responded automatically to her will...than she would simply need to show her will was stronger than her enemy. Still he would speak up once more. As he was speaking electricity would begin to flow around him. Forming into a long chinese dragon that began to swim through the sky around them. Through trees like a spirit as he did so. He was showing off again but this time his control over raiton without hand signs was evident. Not his physical body.

"Raiton is the only element I am attuned to. It flows through me and brings life to my will. It can be mastered but among all the elements I am sure it is the most aggressive. Respect the lightning within you and will it to obey you. Every movement....every breath and every blink is because your mind sends an electrical signal to your body. Even keeping your heart beating. Be aware of it there on such a level and you can begin to understand it and flex it. If you have already mastered a jutsu without hand signs this is a good building block. But again as with all chakra, refinement can bring you to greater heights. In the end raiton is energy just as chakra is...and can pass through even solids with enough practice."

She paused her explanation seeing his reaction to her explanation before grumbling and continuing. Did he think it was a joke or something? Whatever he thought she just decided to continue on. If he gave her more help, awesome, if not then she could just leave and not deal with someone who wouldn’t assist her. She figured he’d give some form of good advice though. He has done so thus far after all.

Once again she wouldn’t sit in awe of how utterly and perfectly cool the electric dragon flying around them was. No, she would just do her best to not be upset at him doing so because it was an example… not showing off… even if every part of her screamed ‘SHOW OFF!’ Instead she tried to focus on him and his speech… which was insufferably hard with an electric dragon flying around them taunting her to look and pay attention to it and it alone. So at the cost of her eye twitching from annoyance she did her best to listen on.

Despite her annoyance she managed to listen to his words. Her eyes moved finally to not look at the dragon. But the tree it had passed through. It was completely unharmed. Yeah she could shoot out mouth blasts but they always resulted in violent damage. To use lighting with that much control… the dragon had been impressive before and perfectly show offy but now? She found herself in shock at the new level of respect she held for such a simple ability the man had used.

“Thank you….” She said a bit quietly before muttering out finally. “Yah show offy jerkface.”

What? She held out for as long as she could but they agreed on no more showing off!


OOC:

Post 11
110 / 110 Chakra Points

Tengoku would smile as he let the dragon fizzle out like sparks in the sky before his own chakra control of it fully released. He smiled what appeared to be a somewhat lonely smile as he watched it fade. Perhaps he was showing off but truth be told between his training and office work...he didn't get to hang out much. People saw him as a symbol so most of his talks were purely political. People being overly polite and always after something to gain status. Or simply to brag to their friends that they played a round of golf with the hokage. Boy did he hate golf. He never lost at the silly game. All about measured power and precision. Perception playing its role as well. He had learned they didn't like him hitting a hole in one sometimes. For whatever reason these politicians and businessmen were competitive against the shinobi they asked to play with. There were so many reasons it was idiotic but he smiled and played with them anyway. Letting it drag out so he could maintain favor for Konoha. Here at least in the forest he was back home in the mountains and could relax. Even with a brat in front of him.

He would smile about her muttering about him showing off before his amber eyes shifted to the side. A slight rustling in the bush was the only warning as the three gigantic wolves emerged. Blood still on their jowls. Their eyes shifting between Tengoku and the girl a moment. They had finished their meal and were now curious on who their pack leader was conversing with. Tentatively stepping forward with their big ol sniffers in the air. Tengoku would click his teeth. and speak a single command. "Go home." Before they would glance to him. Hesitating a moment before turning with a huff of air from the biggest one. Heading as a pack to go relax in the sun at home. If he wanted to be left with the pup so be it. Still he would take a deep breath a moment before smiling and glancing around for wherever she was if she had fled. Or if she had remained very still. He would chuckle at the antics but remain seated. Never moving before speaking once more. He was enjoying the day off at least. Even is she was a little mean to him.

"You said you could use raiton without hand seals. May I see?"

The moment she heard the rustling her eye’s shot to the sounds, and her pupils dilated. She instinctively moved into a battle stance even as she saw it was just the wolves. She tensed up a bit but focused on them as they left. Once they had gone she finally relaxed a little once again. Her head perked up a little at his question. He wanted to see her use her mentioned skill. She could finally show someone one of her actual skills. It was a bit stressful knowing there would be eyes on her as she did the act but given their scenery it was far less than what it could have been, especially given it was something she had done many times before.

“Sure…” She said with a bit of a shrug hopping down from the log.

She calmed and focused herself pacing away from the man but in a way so he could still see. She took a deep breath in closing her eyes. She felt the wind dance through her hair and across her skin for a moment listening to the trees. She needed to do this right. She couldn’t mess up and make it seem like she had been lying when she wasn’t. That and somewhere deep down inside her… she needed someone to know she was actually competent in at least one of her skills so she could do so on her own.

She built up her chakra pushing out all other distractions before she shifted one foot back. In one sudden and fluent move she leaned forward with a little hunch at the same time she opened her eyes and mouth. A lighting spear shooting out from her mouth quickly and fiercely as she used False Darkness without hand seals. After she finished it she closed her mouth smirking just a little as she stood up straight. She hadn’t messed up under pressure this time.


OOC:

Post 12
100 / 110 Chakra Points

Tengoku would idly watch as she readily agreed to show some of her own power. After all he was yet to actually meet anyone else with the talent like his own. Amber eyes matched his warm smile as she prepared herself. It seemed while she was capable of gathering and forming chakra without hand seals it wasn't a fast process for her just yet. He would activate his chakra sensory and quietly observe how her chakra moved through her. Building with raiton energy from her core and working its way tediously up her chest and finally as she braced herself it moved to her mouth. He was rather grateful she had chosen to fire it off away from him. He would have had to put in some effort to stop it after all. So she was capable of using some more advanced jutsu mostly reserved for chunnin. He would watch as the solid beam of raiton energy would simply push its way forty meters through the woods. Rocks...trees...shrub...all of it was carved away in a perfect circle through all of it. Three trees actually fell down without enough of their stem to support their weight anymore. The trees crashing down and birds scattering.

Tengoku would glance at the sheer damage she had caused over his shoulder and let out a light whistle. Well now that was surprising. He hadn't expected her to power through his forest like that. Electricity crackled and faded in the wake of the blast and he would glance back to her. Studying to see if that was what she had intended a moment before he would smile. Rising to his own feet he would reach into his inner breast pocket of his robes and pull free two small scrolls. They were not extravagant by any means. Simply normal yellow wrapped scrolls about as thick as a kunai handle. He would hold them both in his right hand before attempting to hand them over to her.

"That was an impressive display of Raiton ninjutsu. Clearly you have a mastery over that more so than most your age. Though I would like you to keep one thing in mind. That technique will kill someone. So if you aim it at a person...hold no illusions of their survival. It is not a non lethal technique. That said a ninjutsu expert has the fatal flaw usually of being engaged in close combat. I want you to study these two scrolls to counter that. They are both C rank jutsu but they punish anyone trying to touch you. One is called lightning rod and the other is called young lightning. Practice both of these and work on your chakra like we practiced before."

She paused seeing the trees fall over before her eyes went a bit wide. A small drop of sweat rolling down her forehead. She was so focused on just pushing her performance anxiety down to do the jutsu well that she forgot to avoid the trees….. Those poor poor trees that had done nothing to her.  She looked from them back to him buckling her bottom lip a little looking back off again to avoid eye contact. Her eyes glanced back over to see him holding out two scrolls to her.

She raised a brow but took them after a few moments. When he complimented her she let her face soften a bit. She still wasn't used to comments like that. She didn’t spout off about how obviously her skills towered over some her age, not did she thank him for the comment. She just if anything looked a bit thrown off at being complimented in that sort of fashion. She looked back off again. She knew how strong that move was and what it meant if she fired it off. It's why she aimed it away from him… and why she had yet to use it in a real fight before.

Most to all her jutsus were lethal. After all, if she was fighting someone she needed to prepare for the worst possible outcome…. She then looked at the scrolls. She put one in her mouth to hold while she unraveled the other to look it over. Lighting Rod, a simple touch move to zap some poor sod… Fairly simple with a moderate kick. She supposed she needed some weaker jutsus to not kill every person she ever fights.

She then closed the scroll, swapping it out with the one in her mouth to grip it in her teeth while opening up the other. Young Lighting, similar skill set and concept, but this one centered around the hand.  Simple enough. She closed them up before pausing. Something was odd here… She scrunched up her face pointing to him.

“Wait, why are you just carrying random scrolls around to pass out to children?” She turned to leave. “Man you're weird…”

She started to leave before calling out.

“Thanks.” Never looking back to shout that but she meant it; after all he had helped her quite a bit so far.

[Exit]

OOC:

Post 13
100 / 110 Chakra Points