The Wings of Change

[Surutameni]

Walking along the back alley ways and side streets of the Grand Palais, Surutameni idly kicked at the dirt, rocks, and trashed that littered the streets. He was just wondering about even though the chakra contained within the crystals above his head were dimming as "night" approached. His mind was distracted, Unmei had been acting weirdly lately, and he was unsure as to the reason why. The bird would be gone for more and more time each day, returning usually only to sleep at night. He sighed heavily, feeling incredibly alone like he used to before he had taken the avian creature into his home and life. As he trudged along, the familiar lonesome caw was heard as the black and white bird dove towards his companion.

After a few seconds of his dive, Unmei landed softly and comfortably upon Surutameni's shoulder and looked him dead in the eyes. The bird's attitude was different and his fixed gave was piercing and unwavering. It seemed as though the bird knew something the boy he rested upon did not. Unmei peered into his eyes, and into his very soul it seemed. He cackled and cawed taking flight once more, only to perch several feet ahead upon the hilt of a an ancient sword. The bird turned it's gaze once more to look into the boy's amber eyes. As he did so Suru heard an echo of a voice resounding heavily within his very mind.

</I>

"You are not ready to accept your fate, you have yet to awaken your blade..."​

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The child blinked and shook his head, taking a step back, unsure of what was happening. He took a deep breath to steady his pounding heart, as he did so he could feel an overbearing presence weighing down upon him. He could feel his heart beating, his hands ached for the feel of the weight and grip of a hilt. As he took in these feelings the crow flapped his wings heavily taking himself and the weapon into the air. Suru watched as the weapon and Unmei rose above him, gasping as the blade lurched and broke free of its scabbard, and fell right into the outstretched and waiting hands of Surutameni. Returning to his perch, the bird's talons clicked against the scabbard as he grasped the end of the item and balanced himself there. When he was comfortable, the echoing voice once again reverberated through the boy's head.

"Hmmmmmph, perhaps you are indeed ready..."​

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WC: 412​

<I>(OOC: heehee oh the play on the title... This still feels kind of short. But oh well.)

 

[Toraono Kuro]

​

As if on call an elder gentleman with a bald head and massive muscles stepped from the shadows his hands slightly crusted with blood from the unconscious bodies of bandits and thieves escaped from the Obsidian palace that he had left lying in a ten by ten foot neatly stacked, bound and gagged pile like one would stack wood in a nearby warehouse. The man looked to be in his late fifties but he was obviously a little too fit. He didn't look like he carried any weapons but neither did he look like he needed one. He was four feet tall, and were he not proportionate in build he would have been a dwarf or a midget. He reached out with his left hand and four scabbard were yanked free from the rubble and stone littering the demolished area. He carefully strapped each blade to his waist two on either side before approaching Surutameni. His eyes were the color of newly smelted steel as he looked Surutameni over in three slow decisive steps. "Well it is quite an honor to witness another of the Nobuku bloodline awaken, it has been 48 years since a male Nobuku heir has awakened and even rarer at such a young age, normally it requires puberty and a blood challenge. Needless to say I am quite happy to be the first to greet you and train you Surutameni-ouji-sama. I know you know nothing of your heritage but as you train with me and your Tengu spirited crow Unmei I hope you learn at least as much or more as your elder sister Queen Azame of the Toraono Clan. It has been my kindest assignment to watch you grow up despite all the things that happened to your family, your bloodline remains strong in you. I admit I did not protect you from things I knew could not kill you but I am sure you felt my presence a couple of times in your younger years. Now that you have taken the first step to awaken your royal heritage you must be ready to train like never before. I know you have questions, I have cleared this area for a two hundred yard radius of all undesirables so speak your wishes my lord."<i></i>

 

[Surutameni]

The boy's jaw nearly hit the floor as the muscle-bound figured stepped from the shadows nearby. Surutameni glanced over the man curiously, eyeing the crusted blood and weapons that he had on his person. He stood there in silence as he was looked over, from top to bottom like a piece of merchandise. Unmei cackled in the background as he leapt from the scabbard to fly to the person before them. Suru half-expected the now talking crow to peck the man's toes or bald head, but instead the bird just landed happily upon his shoulders, nodding in his general direction. He took a step back as the man spoke, convinced that he had the wrong person. I don't understand..... His thoughts warred within his mind as he tried to grip what he was being told. I'm nothing special.... I am just a child from the slums. The voices were getting louder the more he though about it. He stumbled and fell as he tripped over the scabbard behind him, the sword still clutched within his hand. His amber eyes darted around the alleyway looking for a way to escape. His mind just could not comprehend the information that was being placed there. My sister is the Queen of the Toraono Clan!? LORD!? Why is he calling me this!? Suru struggled to control his pounding heart as the information just poured through, his breathing was ragged and his chest hurt. With his empty hand he clutched at his jacket and shirt, trying his best to stable himself.

As he regained control over his emotions and thoughts he glared at the man ahead of him, with his best friend and companion perched comfortably on his shoulder, seemingly mocking him.

"I don't understand, why was I never told this or shown?" Suru's voice broke as tears started to pour down his face, "What is going to happen to me now? Will my friends or classmates know? Do I get to see them? " He paused for a moment and wiped the tears away on his sleeve, sniffling all the while. "What training? Am I being taken away!? Did my par--- Did the people who raised me know!?" The thought of his parents passed through his mind and he wondered if they had ever actually wanted him or had been paid off to take him in, they were never home so it made more sense that they had been paid. He was shouting at the man, unhindered, and full of rage, his eyes bright with the fires of his anguish and disbelief. The water works continuing like a rushing waterfall from his eyes. "I still think you have the wrong person."
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WC: 446​

 

[Toraono Kuro]

"I don't understand, why was I never told this or shown?" Suru's voice broke as tears started to pour down his face, "What is going to happen to me now? Will my friends or classmates know? Do I get to see them? " He paused for a moment and wiped the tears away on his sleeve, sniffling all the while. "What training? Am I being taken away!? Did my par--- Did the people who raised me know!?"
"I still think you have the wrong person."

​

Picking up the scabbard and holding it gently he nodded to his response, it was genuine and full of emotion which was a good thing. His eyes briefly shimmered crimson as he began to speak to Surutameni as he yet again took three slow decisive steps to stand next to him. "First off if anyone besides the Queen, myself and the Toraono Clan elders knew you existed, you would be dead just like your biological father. Queen Toraono Nobuku Azame of the Toraono Clan did not tell your adoptive parents whom you were only that they were to raise you as their own and that you were a special survivor. You may notice that you have severe scars on your face and body and you don't remember where they came from or how long you have had them. That is because you were battle-born, when your mother was pregnant with you she was attacked by seventeen master swordsmen whose only intent was to kill you in the womb then her. She stopped all but three blades from piercing her and in accordance you. Your father took on an army of assassins to ensure your survival and now that you have begun to awaken your enemies will realize that a male of Nobuku blood still exists. You must understand inside your blood waiting to be set free are eons of swordsmanship and combat skill, a natural killer instinct as it were. Your sister bless her noble heart took as her own the third strongest being in Wind Country as her betrothed even though he was not of royal blood all so that she could hide your existence and live semi peacefully. Your mother's real name is Kusahara Sansensa of Jemmadan, your father was King Nobuku Benjiro. Now that you have taken the first step to awaken your royal heritage you must train or you will never attain enough strength to survive the enemies coming for your collective soul. Forgive me for not giving you my name first my lord I am Senshi-Sensei Yamamoto trainer of Myrmidons and Battlesmiths. Clear your mind soon because your training is about to begin whether you like it or not Imperial Prince Surutameni."<i></i>

Yamamoto was kind but cruel in his own way because he had to prepare the young master to kill all whom would inevitably come for the power hidden in his collective soul.

 

[Surutameni]

Surutameni sat there on the dirt and grim covered ground, tears still streaming down his face while Senshi-Sensei spoke. the boy's eyes traveled to the ground as well, the thoughts and ideas for the future he once had were jumbled and torn apart. The fact that he alone was the only male heir of a family he knew nothing of still had him confused as to who and what he was supposed to become. As the man before him spoke of them, his hand traveled to his face and let his fingers trace the scars carved into his flesh. He had always been curious about the scars that he carried, never really knowing how or when he got them. The young boy took a breath to steady himself, and held it for a few seconds, feeling his heart beat steadying and growing more consistent. The tears no longer poured from his eyes and he looked back into the steely eyes of the man he was to call his Sensei.
"I..." He paused trying to sort through the thoughts and many questions he still had. "I think I am ready..." Suru wasn't sure if he really and truly was but if what Senshi-Sensei said was indeed true, there was no time to waste fighting with himself about who he was and where he came from. His very soul was at stake as well as the existence of his family and potentially his friends. He needed to train to become strong enough to protect himself as well as those he loved. Sniffling a small amount, he got to his feet and looked at the sword within his hands. It may be ancient, but it was clean and properly tempered, the steel looked strong and healthy, no rust showed upon it. It had been in good hands for the many years that it took for him to find himself.
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WC: 316​

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Senshi Sensei walked backwards three distinct steps but as Surutameni saw it he had actually moved fifteen feet away, his movement and manners were incredibly condensed as he tossed the bone white scabbard to Surutameni, he could see there were faint runes upon it that were just beyond his capability to read but they felt overly familiar as if he could mouth out what the runes said even though in his short lifetime he couldn't recall ever having seen them before. As he waited for Surutameni to center himself Yamamoto began his explanation of the next chain of events. "Young Lord, Sunagakure is in a state of crisis and if I didn't know better I would have thought this elaborate attack was staged just to force you into the open but that is neither here nor there. Battle brings forth your inner soul which is the collected knowledge of thousands of male Nobuku warriors, your sister has access to some of this knowledge but her skill is her own with my training of course. YOU, however innately possess the skill of over 1000 warriors and because of this fact there are many whom would kill you to take that innate knowledge as their own. I once carried five blades two of which were my own. I now carry four blades and two of these belong to your royal blood and when you are ready you will be able to call upon them like you did the first blade I left in your general path so Unmei to taunt you into reaching out for it. Your crow is actually a beacon and a type of guardian messenger, he was once the master bladesmith for the entire Nobuku clan, a Tengu whose life spans almost beyond human history and cognition. He choose upon his defeat to placed inside the Kagekarasu that serves you. He will tell you his name when you are ready for his training but first you must get passed my own. What you hold right now is an ancestral blade it has access to a special elemental chakra and it is a swift blade in its own right. You cannot unlock its true form or power until your learn to look upon its spirit and call upon it by its name. That is where I come in I will teach you to wield your body and in doing so your soul will be able to call out to the royal katanas made for the men of your blood. Just like the one that responded first, they will easily come to your grasp but you must master mind over matter to truly commit to this ability and there are only three ways to do that available to you. So now I must ask you what it is you truly seek... depending on your answer I may have to stand aside and let another be your teacher for your first few lessons."

 

[Surutameni]

Catching the bone colored scabbard within his empty hand, Surutameni sheathed the ancient blade and lengthened his strides to catch up to his new care-taker. The man moved fast, even with his short and deliberate steps, which seemed to be a bit of a contradiction for his short stature. As they walked briskly through the streets, Suru eyed the scabbard and felt an odd connection and familiarity with it. He brushed his hand across the intricate surface and let a small smile creep upon his face. As much as he was unsure about what was going on, it felt good to know that he actually had a family, and that he hadn't just been some bastard child that was tossed to the side to die.

"Why would The Cabal want me? I haven't even seen one of them..." Surutameni's eyes drifted back to Senshi-Sensei as he continued his explanation of what was to come. His life really was going to change, and he would be a totally different person when he was done. Honestly, the boy was looking forward to the newness and excitement of it all. There were a few things he worried about, Tenrousei and what would happen between them and if their friendship would die or if it would be okay in then end. He shifted uneasily as he thought about that, he was going to miss the red haired girl and her dog, but such is life. If he was forbidden he would find a way to cope.

Suru nodded his head as Yamamoto explained the swords and his blood heritage, as well as the souls that he would be able to learn from. He marveled over the blade and was curious as to how long it would take him to unlock the true potential of his weapon, as well as how long it would take for him to acquire more. His interest was peaked and the man ahead of him had his full and undivided attention. The fact that Unmei was actually an ancient Tengu made him pause his steps. He had never expected that he would be watched over so long, and so stealthily. He was young and inexperienced, he knew that much, and figured that that was the reason for him being so oblivious to the circumstances.

So now I must ask you what it is you truly seek... depending on your answer I may have to stand aside and let another be your teacher for your first few lessons."

"What do I seek?" Surutameni paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "If I had to think of something that I would seek, it would be the strength to defend those I love and truly care about." He let the last bit of the breath he had taken out as he stopped and looked at his new found Sensei.
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WC: 479​

(OOC: I hope I interpreted that last bit about what the truly seeking stuff.)

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Yamamoto sighed as he realized strength was the first thing the young prince would seek, not that he couldn't teach him strength but now at his age it was quite painful to use normal training methods. Luckily his psychic abilities allowed him a great deal of levity to produce the effect of strength without exerting himself too much and he knew of two ways to force Surutameni to elevate his physical capabilities in a short time with very simple and direct methods. Especially now that he was carrying "Tenka", that sword was created with metal ore from a meteor called down by Yamamoto's grandfather in a duel with Kusahara Ryuu. It was easily reactive to gravity which Yamamoto had extensive control of and decided was the evilest way to get Surutameni's genetic predisposition towards strength to acclimate. With an evil grin on his face he turned to Surutameni and gestured for him to draw his newfound ancient blade. "Draw your newfound sword and hold it out at arms length, as it gets heavy switch arms but never let the blade touch the ground..."

 

[Surutameni]

Surutameni did as he was told, and unsheathed the blade, holding it straight out at arms length. He marveled at the craftsmanship of the weapon, although it didn't take long for his arm to begin to grow tired, as the muscles began to burn he decided it would be a good idea to swap arms. As he took the blade within his right hand and straightened his arm out, he let the other fall to his side. The muscles burned a little but not enough to cause much pain when he would inevitably have to change back to his left side. His right arm was much stronger, since it was his dominant, but it still did not take long for the muscles therein to grow tired. He went on with this exercise for what seemed like forever. The swapping of arms became more and more frequent to the point that Surutameni was swapping them every minute or two just to relieve the burn that was settling within his muscles. He grimaced every switch, and clenched his jaw to try and power through. His methods were proving to be less and less useful though, as the blade's edge started to slant towards the ground. His expression grew worried as he saw this, he had no idea what Senshi-Sensei was capable of and frankly, he did not want to find out.
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WC: 229​

 

[Toraono Kuro]

As the acid built up in Surutameni's limbs Yamamoto used his control of gravity to lessen the weight. Noticing he didn't have to help him much impressed him as he worked him into the early stages of exhaustion. With a bit of ease Yamamoto invoked gravity to make the blade feel as if it weighed less, before approaching the young prince. "If you don't want the blade to touch the ground simply sheathe your sword and then begin work on drawing your blade from its sheath in one smooth motion after you rest for 10 minutes."<i></i> With three decisive steps Yamamoto was beside Surutameni, then behind him, then in front of him. "You have your father's strength, you must use it, lift heavy items with proper form then rest and eat properly in that order or face defeat when your enemies test your physical strength."<i></i> To demonstrate Yamamoto lifted a large slab of stone with the ease that Surutameni would lift a sushi roll. "You will also discover that you can actually move objects with energy alone as well."<i></i> Yamamoto then levitated the slab he had just lifted by pointing his finger and then set it back down.

 

[Surutameni]

As the weight of the sword in his hand lessened, Surutameni looked to Yamamoto-Sensei with a heightened sense of interest. He knew that the muscular man had some hand in the way that the blade had lightened, but instead of voicing his thoughts he remained quiet and attentive so that he could fully absorb the lesson at hand. Suru stood still as Senshi-Sensei approached him and explained ways to work on training that did not involve him holding the blade for days on end, although that did not seem like a bad idea. He knew he would do just about anything to gain the skills and strength necessary to wield his weapon with the finesse he had only heard rumors about.

"You have your father's strength, you must use it, lift heavy items with proper form then rest and eat properly in that order or face defeat when your enemies test your physical strength."

Surutameni followed the man with his eyes, his amber gaze intent and focused, as he made a swift circle around him. Suru's arms began to grow tired once more and he focused upon the next lesson that he had been given. He slowly sheathed the blade, then swiftly drew it out and held it straight for a brief moment. He repeated the process as he once again watched Yamamoto lift a rock and let it float in the air, using only his chakra energy to hold it there.

The boy's jaw dropped open. He had lost most of his words to the feats being performed in front of his eyes. He vowed he would achieve that strength and more to be able to defend his friends and family from those that would seek his soul through them.
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WC: 291​

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Yamamoto gently set the slab of stone down. With a quick check of his surroundings he cleared the area around them with a quick pulse of kinetic energy which oddly made everything cleaner and neater. With three steady steps he centered himself upon the rectangular slab of stone and after checking the area for any reasonable threats turned back to Surutameni. "I am very impressed that you are able to train so steadily at such a young age. I am afraid that this training will force your body to mature before it's time so I will limit your teachings to the necessities so that you don't literally jump-start then summarily stunt your growth. Your father was seven feet tall and weighed a lean two hundred and eighty pounds. Every inch of that warrior was chiseled for war, he entered the training you are undertaking when he was fifteen so there were no worries about what chakra manipulation and spiritual enhancement would do to his body. I know what it will do to a normal child in emergencies, it will allow them to function at a range five to nine years beyond their physical capacity. The backlash is 30% that it will cause you to regress in size like myself. Not that I regret my height but for thirty five years of my life everyone thought I was fourteen. So be careful about how hard you push yourself when reaching for the spirits within you to call out to the spirit within that blade. I am certain you have questions so feel free to ask."

 

[Surutameni]

Watching the short, muscular man clear the surrounding area without so much as lifting a finger, Surutameni sat down in the center of the area facing towards where he sat. He listened intently as he was told about the training that he would be going through, the risks and potential difficulties of it were numerous and unsettling but it seemed that they were necessary. Suru marveled at the description of his father and wished he had been able to know the man, even though he knew that it was to him and his mother's deaths that he owed his life. It soured his thoughts but instead of letting it get to him he tried to imagine that he would be able to emulate his father.

"How is this all going to help me? I mean..." He paused briefly to think about his wording, "If there's a chance I could injure myself.... Why would this be a good idea?" He was tentative about the possible regression in height, as he was already smaller than most his age, at least in weight. "And wouldn't this allow those who want me dead to find me? What if I'm not ready? What will I do? I wouldn't be able to defend myself... Or even Ten..." Surutameni punched the ground in anger and frustration. He wasn't sure how much this training was going to cut it if he was not prepared for the things to come that could indeed end his life. Sighing, he walked over, sat next to his new-found Sensei , and dropped his head in his hands.

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Yamamoto reached out and grasped Surutameni by the back of the neck. His hands were rough like stone yet somehow gentle, warm, and soothing. He spoke from the heart and not from nostalgia or experience as he gently raised the boys face so he could look the lad in his golden eyes. Just like his father's and it was in that moment Yamamoto knew what he had to do, he had to eliminate any chance of the young man's body rejecting the chou-musha-kessei (Ultra-warrior-serum) instead of just leaving it up to chance and good genetics. He would have to present the young master to the Primal that was used to perfect the serum before his birth. Surutameni would need to meet and receive power from his adult nephew Toraono Kuro. "You will not have a chance to fail young Prince of Steel, before I give you the test of warrior's water I will make sure you are imparted with the power of a devil lord. One nearly as strong as the ancient demons from fairy tales and horror stories. Your blood nephew Toraono Kuro received the same test I am preparing for you when he was eight years old. What it awakened in his spirit was so incredible that now he can do things few other beings in this world can do. He can even pass on some of his power to others so that they are shielded from the damage of the Chou-musha-kessei. We will go to see him at the Academy where he is currently protecting and helping teach. Before we do so you must master some basic sword and hand to hand combat techniques to expand upon later. We will get into those techniques shortly, but first, You must understand that you really are strong, far stronger than you could ever dare dream to be. Raise your head up high and embrace the your royal blood. You have the blood of warriors in you along with their souls and techniques."</COLOR></I><i></i>

Releasing Surutameni's neck Yamamoto looked him over with a kind and sincere smile. The light in the old man's eyes spoke of lifetime's of battle knowledge waiting to be passed on. With a gesture an earth golem rose from the surrounding rocks and gravel.<I><COLOR color="blue">"Now.. slowly... draw your blade and slash down your target in one fluid motion fifty times. We're going to build up your strength inch by inch."

 

[Tenrousei]

She had been in the middle of a deliciously fulfilling nap when a sound reached her ears, tearing her away from the sweet embrace of relaxation. Her red eyes snapped open and she unlaced her fingers from behind her head. She slowly sat up, placing one arm around her knees, which she brought to her chest. With her free hand, she rubbed at the sleep that made her eyes itch at the ducts and let out a sigh of partial annoyance, and partly out of weariness. She longed to slip back into the comfortable enfolds of unconsciousness but the sound of shuffling debris alerted her that she was not alone-- Not that she had been entirely alone in the first place. Xei, the Malinois hound, was no further than an inch or two from her right side. She stifled a yawn and lowered her hand from her face and ran it over the canine's side.

"Xei," she mumbled, "we gotta'a move." The dog huffed in response and reluctantly pushed himself up to all fours. He stretched, rump in the air, and then lowered his hips down to the earth. When he was satisfied with his stretch, he turned and gave the red headed girl a quick lick on the cheek, making her sleepily chuckle as she rose up to her own feet. "No fair, that was a cheap shot," she retorted, grinning lopsidedly.

The sounds of shuffling debris once more reached the pair's ears and they both turned in the direction that the audible disturbances came from. Tenrousei frowned, a little confused. The area had been abandoned, and void of any sort of disturbances before. Maybe someone was cleaning up the destruction, finally, that had been there for some time-- as long as she could recall, at least. She climbed up over a variety of rubble, climbing up to the top of the pile she had taken a nap against. She peered over the top, Xei doing the same. A voice reached her ears just before her gaze fell upon two forms, one massive and the other small.

"You will not have a chance to fail, young Prince of Steel," she thought she heard the voice say. "Before I give you the test of stories." Prince? Stories? Was she hearing right? She turned her head, squeezing her eyes shut as she buried a yawn against her shoulder. She rested her cheek against her bare shoulder for a moment, the talons of sleep sliding around her. Xei grunted, causing her to snap back into consciousness and she turned her gaze to look back down from the top of the pile.

What had once only been two forms, there were now three. A golem, of sorts, rose from the clear patch of earth below and grew upwards.

Once more, she heard a voice speak. "Now, slowly draw your blade and slash down your target in one fluid motion, fifty times. We're going to build up your strength, inch by inch." The voice seemed to match the giant of a man that gestured towards the earthen form. She furrowed her brow, squinting her eyes to see if she could recognize the man, but she could not. She frowned and turned her attention to the smaller one and her footing slipped as she gasped in surprise, a small concrete slab slipping from beneath her foot. She lost her stance on the pile and slid down, shouting a profanity in surprise. She managed to catch her self before she slid all the way back down and covered her mouth with a dirty hand.

She knew that short, scrunchy boy of a child. Surutameni! The voice flooded back into her mind and her eyes widened as she stared at a piece of thick wire that rooted out of the pile, not particularly concentrating on it. Prince? Prince of Steel? Test? What? Questions began to fill her mind, packing it full of multiple different emotions.

The fangs of jealousy bit into her mind as confusion slipped into cloud her judgement. Anger seethed through her, filling her veins with adrenaline. Curiosity made her climb back to the top of the pile and look back down at the three bodies, but her eyes were locked only one the smallest of them. Uncertainty made her hesitant, but her own pride made her rethink turning away. But most of all, exhilarating possibility of being a part of something beyond her lowly stance in life was ... Enthralling.

Delight twisted her lips and made her grin a cattish smile as she reached to her side and unwound the knot that kept her Kunai in place at her hip. She slipped a finger into the triangular loop at the base of the grip and spun it twice before tossing it up. She caught it as it began to descend, and in one quick motion-- she launched the kunai at the back of the earthen Golem.

She jumped up on top of the pile and placed her hands on her hips, grinning from ear to ear. Her wild red hair fell into place behind her as Xei slipped up to stand beside her. "I don't know what all this 'princely' business is, but if Suru is going to get special treatment from you, mister giant. I want in, too."


WC: 885

 

[Surutameni]

Surutameni didn't fight it when Yamamoto-sensei gently grasped his neck and forced him to looking to the man's eyes steely gaze. He saw much wisdom there, as well as promise and hopefulness that the boy would be able to achieve that which he wanted and more, perhaps even surpassing his father in skill. He spoke once more, this time about something and someone who would make it so there was no chance in the world that he would fail, but he needed to practice, to train, to build his strength just enough to go meet his nephew and gain some manner of drink that would allow him to proceed forward. He wondered what sort of man Kuro was, having been able to take the test that he was preparing for two years younger. I bet I can learn a lot from him! I hope he likes me.... The latter thought flashed through his mind in a hurry, Suru was always worried about being accepted, and now that he had actual family, he was highly concerned that his being around may stir up some trouble. At the end of his speech Senshi-sensei smiled at him, and the boy grinned happily right back. He felt safe, and he was glad that he was actually going to be learning things that could provide him the life he wanted. He didn't care that he was royalty, that fact meant very little to him, but the fact that he had family and was traveling down the path of the Shinobi, those two things were all he could have hoped for.

While his happy thoughts passed through his mind, Surutameni watched in awe as the man before him created a earthen golem right before his eyes. "Now.. slowly... draw your blade and slash down your target in one fluid motion fifty times. We're going to build up your strength inch by inch." Heeding the instructions he began to draw the sword, but just as he was about to slash the golem a kunai came whizzing out from the middle of nowhere it seemed.

"I don't know what all this 'princely' business is, but if Suru is going to get special treatment from you, mister giant. I want in, too."

Suru looked in the direction the weapon had come from, and there was Tenrousei, standing on top of a mound of rubble, grinning as she typically was. Xei was there as well, proud as ever. He smirked at the fiery girl, some how he knew she would find a way to be in this, whether he had wanted her to or not. While she stood there, the boy finished the methodical movement and slashed through the golem, or so he thought. Instead, his sword was stuck halfway through the creation. He snorted in frustration and tried to yank the weapon out to no avail.
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WC: 477​

<i></i>

 

[Toraono Kuro]

With his bald head and massive muscles stepped from the shadows, Yamamoto had taken 3 distinct steps until he suddenly stood right behind Tenrousei and her hound. The man looked and smelled like an elder in his late fifties, yet he was obviously far too physically fit. He carried four swords in scabbards of varying sizes although he didn't look like he needed one. He was four feet tall, and were he not somewhat proportionate in build he would have been a dwarf or a midget. Carefully eyeing them a brief moment and judging her chakra level and that of her possessed hound companion to be more than sufficient. He then gestured back to the golem in approval before leaving Tenrousei and Xei's senses for a brief half second as they could only hear 3 distinct steps before he stood next to Surutameni again. It wasn't that Senshi-Sensei Yamamoto Hironosuke was a giant but his chakra, scent, and overall presence made Tenrousei see him as someone three times his current height.

​

After taking a solid breath to relieve his inner tension, Sensei Yamamoto voiced the abrupt and fiercely red haired girl. Red hair was treasured among the Toraono Clan. Tenrousei had no idea she resembled Lady Suzuhime the newly wed wife of Toraono Kuro. "Having noted that your unusual hound has been touched by something demonic I am uncertain that you are capable of understanding spiritual potential. Form your usage of Kunai I am also uncertain that you truly understand the training that is about to occur here. However... I am not above taking on disciples to help speed up the progress of my liege here. Competition is the best way to ensure learning and growth despite what others may tell you. Since you seem capable of using kunai I shall wager that you are capable with other weapons as well. I do not have a sword available to train you with so perhaps you will tell us what you wish to train with while Surutameni begins his training. I will summon another golem after you introduce yourself and pledge your loyalty to the training you have requested."<i></i>

 

[Tenrousei]

That man could move. He had been in one place and within the next, he was behind her. And then, with what sounded like three steps, was gone once more. Tenrousei had frozen in that the moment that she had realized that Yamamoto had moved behind her. She had cautiously looked over her shoulder, only to find that he had returned back to where he had originally stood, no long behind her. His lack of presence behind her had resulted in her head whipping back forward and staring hard at Kuro. Her eyes snapped a shot at Surutameni as he struggled to withdraw his blade from the golem, causing her to feel a sense of smug amusement slip through her.

However, that smug amusment faded as the man with the giant presence spoke to her.

"Having noted that your unusual hound has been touched by something demonic I am uncertain that you are capable of understanding spiritual potential," he said.

The girl narrowed her eyes and shot a look at Xei, who cocked his head in a quizzical, canine way, but his eyes never left the form of Yamamoto. Tenrousei furrowed her brow, returning her gaze towards the man.

"... Speed up the progress of my liege here. Competition is the best..." Competition? She could compete, no questions about that. She grinned, wildly, and laughed at the pointed Yamamoto made about not having a sword. She reached down into the pack that rested against her right hip and withdrew two sets of metallic knuckles with four diamond points rested upon the center of each finger plate.

"I don't need your charity," Tenrousei said, in a matter-of-fact tone as she slipped on each of the knuckles. "I don't know what kind of crap you're spouting, old man. But if you're going to give Surutameni some special treatment, I want in. I don't know what you mean by calling my Xei 'demonic', or by calling Surutamei a 'Prince', or whatever, but anything he can do, I can do better."

With that said, Tenrousei made her way down the pile and rushed towards the golem that Surutameni was struggling with and slipped between him and it. She thrust the palm of her hand upward, using the grip of Furaito to push the blade of Suru's sword upwards, in attempts to push the blade back out of it's cutting pattern and free of it's snag in the golem's body.

Xei, however, remained at the top of the pile. All the while, his eyes never leaving the form of Yamamoto.


WC: 424

 

[Toraono Kuro]

Sharingan Kuro arrived with a flare of black flame having cleared a path to the 'Throne of Bone' he landed beside Yamamoto just as Tenrousei went to aid Surutameni. He noticed the blade Surutameni was using and his heart skipped a beat for a brief moment as he eyed Yamamoto whom nodded ever so lightly to confirm Kuro's suspicions. It seemed 'The Cabal' had forced so many changes but the way they had forced them to occur was completely wrong. So much retribution to come and now a new Steel Prince had come to pass, Kuro's heart felt new seeing that his mother's bloodline would continue without demonic corruption. "I am sorry to interrupt your training of a future heir but Suna has become too dangerous to stay any longer we are evacuating everyone we can find to the Throne of Bone in order to use the ancient passage back to the dojo. It was damaged by Djinn but we have cleared all but one final obstacle and as you can guess it won't take us long to get past that as well. So get your trainees on the move and I will be just behind you to stop anything or anyone that might impede the progress of you and your students. Please go master...”</COLOR><i></i> Yamamoto sensei took Sharingan Kuro’s words to heart and the seriousness of his tone and nodded as he reached out his hands to the children he was training. <COLOR color="blue">“It seems we must adjourn our training session to a more hospitable time and place, if you two will take my hands then we can be off and at the dojo in three leaps.” The golem crumbled allowing Surutameni to pull the blade free as Yamamoto held out his hands for Tenrousei and Surutameni to graspn them. With a knowing and sympathetic grin he eyed the hellhound and smiled knowing he would be able to follow easily.
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