A Leaf in the Breeze (private/Kagura)

Kagura heard the woman talk about the ability to plant one’s foot in her own mouth, and in a random act, began to laugh. Not just a gentle giggle, but a full laugh… enough to the point where she fell backwards and was on the ground for a few moments before getting herself somewhat under control. Finally she rolled around to where she was sitting again back in the same spot, but couldn’t help but continue giggling for a little while, seeming to try to get herself back under control, but having a difficult time with it still. “I’m s-giggle-sorry… I’m not giggle not laughing at you or anything… I have no idea what just came giggle over me…” She took a few moments to get herself under control before taking a large bite of her own food, hoping it would help bring her back to the planet.

“Why can’t I just talk to you normally? Like… everything’s all muddled in my brain today, I swear. It’s like you got into my head somehow… is it the same for you?” The question was out there, a cleverly disguised thing to see if she felt anything for Kagura the same way, but all of it had been quite genuine. Not a single word, giggle or laugh had been fake in any way. It was only after finally getting herself together, and getting another big bite of food, that she processed the information enough to answer the next question.

“Oh no, I knew how to use a sword before, but she’s the reason I know how to use it well. And she’s pretty decent with both those skills too, just happens to enjoy and is skilled with a blade. But you? A Scythe? Why that weapon? I mean… it’s gotta be bigger than you are, if what you told me is true, as far as what you want.” Finally, Kagura had warmed up a little bit, having thrown out the huge question cleverly hidden under the guise of something else to see where she stood.

[13]

Mei watched while Kagura fell over laughing, a bit perplexed. She could be a jokester, but hadn’t thought that her word play was that funny. Either way, it worked to get the brunette out of her funk. The raven-haired Genin was ready to shrug it off and laugh with her when the other Genin asked a strange question.

She opened her mouth to ask if Kagura was feeling unwell when the brunette mentioned that it was related to her.

“Me?” Mei said a little incredulously. What could she have possibly done to get Kagura so out of sorts? It wasn’t the cooking question, the raven haired Genin was pretty sure. If it had been that particular issue, she doubted Kagura would be laughing like that. The only other thing they’d talked about was weaponry and her clan up until this point. Mei was fairly certain that this strange laughing fit and Kagura’s muddled thoughts weren’t related to her curse either.

Meanwhile, Kagura went on to talk about weapons again and ask about her interest in scythes.

“I was a bit distracted while eating, but no I haven’t felt strange today. I suppose I was a little dazed when you turned up the heat when we were sparring back there. You really caught me off guard.”

Internally, Mei wondered if Kagura was sick or simply overtired. Odd behavior aside, the brunette looked fine physically, in fact she seemed to be in a better mood than she had been in the past twenty minutes. Rather than worry about it, Mei decided to let it go.

“I like scythes because they’re badass. It won’t matter that it's taller than me if I train hard enough. If anyone underestimates me, that’s their problem. I’m going to get so fast that all anyone will see is a red blur.” Mei gestured emphatically while explaining her love of scythes. “The idea of being able to spin something like that around with no effort is thrilling.”

[14]
[Exit]

training thread: 30 xp/post (10 + 20 for x rank training ground)
14 posts x 30xp/post = 420 xp

Kagura rolled the information she had just been given around in her mind a little bit.  So she had felt it, but only during the heat of combat, when she had been the most distracted… at least, assuming that the woman’s description matched her own feelings.  It could also very easily be just a thrill from combat, it was hard to say.  She wouldn’t dive further into it, for fear of putting her foot back into her mouth.

Hearing her reason for wanting to use a scythe, and her plans for getting stronger, the brunette would nod, still smiling for a reason she could no longer explain but not fighting it anymore.  “I prioritize speed as well, as I am sure you could tell.  Being able to hit like a falling tree is only good if you can hit someone, and being fast usually overwhelms the person and gives you a chance to land a strong hit.  Also works on dealing with multiple enemies… but that’s where my other speciality comes in handy.  I’m really good with Ninjutsu, and I’m trying to master the Shadow Clone technique.  It’s a little risky, but has a ton of benefits.”

As if to set the example, a Shadow Clone would poof into existence behind Kagura and give her a small wave.  “Because they have physical form, a Shadow Clone can be used to find a weakness or hit an enemy  from a different angle.  They take up half your chakra though… and then halves it again if you make another.  You do get it back when they disperse though.”  She would have to see if Akari could teach her the technique, and as though her very thoughts had summoned the woman into being, Kagura smiled as her Shadow CLone who had been waiting outside the door spotted the woman coming in.  Already the level had been reserved just for them to protect their mutual privacy.  She was sure that Mei would appreciate the discretion.

“It looks like my Sensei has arrived.  She can join us for lunch and we can discuss moving forwards, maybe as a team.”  Looking towards the door, it would open as the clone standing behind her would run over to escort her teacher to where they were sitting.

[14]

(TO BE CONTINUED) [EXIT]