The sky was red. Sun hung low against the western horizon. In the wood of Otogakure, the shadows cast themselves as a blanket woven over the heights of the trees, thin clouds cut in streaks of blazing orange against the fiery hue of the heavens. Birdsong trickled to quiet, and with the promise of the evening chill overtaking the heat of a lingering summer, the cicada ring out as an orchestra over the quiet village - strangers wandering its earthworn roads. A young man wander from one torchpost to another, lifting the flicker of his lantern to ignite the lamps for the evening.[break][break]
Despite the calm, the air was thick with tension.[break][break]
Locals huddled themselves to one side of the road in order to avoid crossing the unfamiliar shinobi steadily piling in from distant lands. There was the odd chuckle here and there, whispers of chatter murmured against the quiet. The foreigners had their orders. They were to conduct themselves respectably during their stay. And so, respectable they would be.[break][break]
The barracks were much the same. The din of the travelers' discourse was subdued, and with many exhausted from their journey, a fair number of the shinobi were eager to lay down their bedrolls and enjoy what sleep they might find before the first drop of blood met the earth.[break][break]
❝ ANOTHER ONE DOWNNN! ❞
[break]
'Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!' Whoops and hollers echoed alongside guttural roars, the timber walls of the small side room trembling against the ruckus contained within.[break][break]
It was packed, shinobi bunched in like sardines with arms about each others' shoulders and broad grins splayed across their lips. With the rare edgelord tucked in along the walls, arms folded at their chests or rested cooly at their sides, their heads rest bowed as they stood in dark defiance against the excitement rumbling through the crowd. It seemed ninja of all sorts had gathered to this particular room - silencing seals placed on each of the four walls to prevent their partying from leaking into the surrounding rooms.[break][break]
And there, at the center of the concert - stood Nikukyuu, tall and proud - cup of water lift in decisive victory. Foot anchored to the square shape of a small wooden crate, the defeated opponent set across from her fell back in despair, hands clapped over their face.[break][break]
The silver-haired woman's lips split in a broad toothy grin, head bowing itself low as she dipped herself forward to honor the defeated challenger.[break][break]
There was clearly some manner of competition going on here - and though the crowd themselves failed to notice as the door to their celebrating was drawn open, the Inuzuka posing as Captain Morgan atop the crate snapped her eyes to the new presence straight away, excitement shining as stars in her eyes.[break][break]
Her hand lurched up, a finger pointing decisive toward whoever may have stumbled upon the battle.[break][break]
❝ WHO'S NEXT?!! ❞
[break]
The mark of Hidden Cloud strung about the shinobi's neck, eyes locking with her decided opponents while her teeth shone bare in a feral grin. By the cheers of the room - now leaking out thanks to the open door - the gathered shinobi were on her side, and already they were reaching to try and drag the new folk in to spur their festivities onward.[break][break]
Despite their fervor, there wasn't a whiff of alcohol in the air - a silver-furred hound sitting as a silent sentinel alongside the doorframe. He didn't look happy to be there.
The genin was doing his best to stay strong as he navigated the unfamiliar environment of Otogakure. He was so used to the wide plains surrounding Amegakure and those towering metal towers that surrounded him at all sides. He had always assumed that every ninja village was like that, standing at the forefront of technology and development. He knew that they exported a lot of stuff to other places, which he thought would mean they were all the same level. But the people of Sound were all so...scattered. They went through so many tunnels and winding paths to get here, like a bunch of ants that felt the need to have an emergency exit for any situation. It made sense and sounded prudent, but he could also see why his father talked down about other villages. It was kind of sad, really.[break][break]
The trip was coming to an end for the moment, as he found himself standing in front of the barracks he had been assigned to. He held the strap of his bag tightly as he looked down at his missive just to make sure everything was in order. Yup, this was definitely the place. With a deep breath he pushed the door open, bracing himself for the inevitable interactions with his fellow shinobi. Immediately he found himself startled by the uproar that was unleashed the moment the room was opened up to him. Rowdy fighters all shouting and celebrating...something. And that white haired woman seemed to be at the center of it.[break][break]
The boy stepped forward, clearly uneasy as he cautiously scanned the room. Immediately he felt that familiar sensation of not belonging, the knowledge that everyone in the room outclassed him becoming more apparent by the second. But he couldn't let that slow him down, right? His father always said the quickest way to earn respect was to walk up to the biggest guy in the room and speak in a way that commanded respect. And right now, that lady seemed like the closest thing to fitting that description.[break][break]
Daichi's posture quickly adjusted, jaw clenching as he stood up straight and puffed his chest out. He stood tall and proud, fighting against the lump in his throat as he swallowed down his anxieties. He was just as much of a shinobi as all these people, right? He was their equal, and they should treat him as such! And so he did the only logical thing he could think of in that moment. He stepped closer to the wild woman, eyes quickly flicking to the jagged teeth exposed by her grin. The razor sharp claws that tipped her fingers...This was a feral woman to be sure. And it was in that moment he realized something very important.[break][break]
He actually has zero idea what sort of challenge he was accepting. But it was too late now.[break][break]
"I'll ta-" He paused for a moment, his words catching in his throat as his voice started to crack. Fortunately the embarrassment didn't make its way to his features. If anything he only puffed himself up more, tilting his head back and squaring his shoulders as he cleared his throat and tried once more. "I'll take you on. I'm not scared of you." He nodded confidently, silently agreeing with himself in hopes he could trick his brain into bravery. Sure, he didn't know what he was getting in to. But he had to shoot his shot. This was his big chance to prove himself to shinobi across the lands![break][break]
"I, Daishi Konishi, accept your challenge!"[break][break]
...Did he just pronounce his own name wrong? Shit.
The silence seals had done a great job. Perhaps he was just that much horrid of a rabbit? Only when he had arrived at the door and created the slightest crack did he no longer question where he was. This was indeed the place he was meant to arrive at. The sounds bombarded him in waves identifying each and every figure, form, and ant that crawled along the floorboards getting whatever food was dropped among the chaos. His first step was hard to make.
Not fear mind you, rather there was something sticky on the floor!
“N-Not good!” He would frown, lifting his foot ever so slightly as the iron slanted heels were resistant. “Not the best entrance according to the book. Should I-I…write this?”
The young rabbit was a ninja today but, still, he could not help but to think about the story he would write about his first day of coming to a meeting among other shinobi. The words would come to mind as his fingers tapped against the Braille pages of the Icha Icha: Rabbit Tales that had a collection of material that…well…not kid friendly. His fingers held the book in a dainty manner as he folded his arms. His head would fall if only for a moment to think about the note he could add when he got his hands on a quill, some ink, and would dictate his reflections:
“The smell was ripe, the air was charged, and the tension gripped my heart. As I navigated the tension; so dense and foggy – Oh my! Is that a doggy?!”
~Usagi Hikari
His attention span getting the best of him as he broke away from his thoughts. His hearing had been the best in this room with cries and roars that would radiate and show him a lot of forms in this black and white world. Namely the several dogs that were around the area adding to the network of presences other than vigilant or composed shinobi. However, he had to admit, the dog was something that stood out, and fortunately for him his fanaticism about his family and their writings had provided him with a bit of insight.
“In a room full of shinobi, a dog would be a ninken,” His fogged blue eyes would swirl about in thought, “And that means there is a Ninken-user, yes?”
A smile of excitement came to his face! There were many entries in the books that his family wrote, but one of the most prominent was his family’s interaction with dogs. The chasing. The confrontations. All of them exciting…none of them ending well according to the pages! However, just the thought that so early, in his career as a shinobi, that he would get his chance, meant that he could add it to chapter one of his story! Excitement was apparent across his face for all the wrong reasons true to the Usagi nature! The shinobi most likely either giving a glance around them wondering what the story was behind the blind, orchid colored kimono wearing figure who was doing a giddy jig in the middle of the barracks.
Well, they would get to see a part of that story first-hand before it was fresh on the pages!
A figure would cry out from amongst the crowd. The eye of the storm whipping up the room in a whirlwind with a declaration! She seemed to be taking challengers after the most recent fall, and from the sound of her voice, bustling authority and affecting the nearby pooches, the rabbit would be the one to notice as his ears would be sharp enough to know what that meant.
“That is the one!” He would take note.
Within seconds, he would start to dart around the room, pressing through the crowd as if they were curtains blinding his non-existent vision. He would not miss this opportunity to have his horrible chapter added to his adventure! As he opened his mouth, rehearsing in his head the number of lines that would come to mind to solidify this moment, he would finally begin to raise his finger and cry-
"I'll take you on. I'm not scared of you."
Wait…no. What?! That was not him!
Not only did he hear someone accept the challenge she threw out but did so in such a messy manner! It was not worth writing about! A voice cracking indicating he was lying! If the Ninken Commander posing could not tell, Hikari certainly would! Eager and having the spotlight stolen for his grand chapter in his book, the rabbit would go into (what his family affectionately named) full blowfish! His cheeks puffing, blue eyes radiating with a passionate burning that pierced souls, hearts, and not to mention his mother’s spirit when he first refused to be denied dessert!
He would not be denied his book entry!
As he would step forth, heels clacking with a rhythmic tone that was the signature melody of being ticked off, Usagi Hikari would make his way behind the faulty voiced figure. The Ofurisode sleeves whipping out as if a bright colored flag was warranting attention and guiding it to the sight of the feminine figure with lavender locks and a face that was puffy and pouting.
“...And I will take you on as well!”
He would chime. His other hand still on the book as a thought from the pages crossed his mind. He knew how to get his moment back, and he thanked the stars Grandmother had no such thing as decency or limits. With a perverse and smile and a stance that reeked of flirting with danger.
“You are an Inuzuka, right?” He inquired, “I can wait if you would like…I do not want to be dishonorable! Two-on-one may be a bit much for you!~”
There was a lot of dumb things he did: become a shinobi for the prestige and respect of his family, waste his years reading novels, and then this! This was what he was excited about as he would even let out a small chuckle (that could have been close to a giggle) as he stood there melodically swaying in anticipation. The cottontail motif on the back of outfit and his sigil of the blossomed rabbit enough to indicate to the audience that this was probably not going to end well for him.
Still, that did not matter! This moment would be worth writing about…if he made it through the other side of it alive that is!
What a thrill. The hesitation could be damned and tossed aside. As far as Kyuu was concerned, this dark-haired kid had stepped right up to the plate. The room cheered him on for his willing sacrifice, the lonely fist of one of the crowd's more excitable members piercing for the heavens, and with the match decided - the whispers began, the chime of yen clinking from the shadows cast by the bodies cramped within the room. With the sound, the motivation for their excitement became clear. They were here to gamble.[break][break]
Kyuu's grin, which was clearly fanged upon closer inspection, bent itself crooked - the narrowed slits of her stare fixing sharp toward "Daishi" as if he may be the main course. The Inuzuka lift her chin in a show of mock arrogance, but before her lips could move to seal their challenge, another voice piped in - one lighter than the first.[break][break]
The woman's expression lit with humor as the unnamed Hikari proudly stepped forth, silver brows loft high over her stare in unspoken question as her hand retreat to anchor its clawed touch along the side of her hip. A dual challenge, she noted, and not without some goading from the lavender haired stranger.[break][break]
❝ Well haw hawww~ ❞ the Cloud shinobi drawl out in friendly mockery, a welcoming warmth in her teasing tone.[break][break]
She bent her body forward to lean toward the pair still waiting toward the back of the crowd, eyes narrowing as her smile play itself thin and sharp across her lips.[break][break]
❝ Two against one is the Inuzuka special, pup, ❞ Kyuu taunt in return, an innocent flash of her lashes batting over her eyes. ❝ I'd be a shame to the art for going down to my own technique so easily. But the rules have already been laid out. ❞[break][break]
Her words were careless, playful tone lilting over the din as she retract her sandal from the crate supporting its weight. Its sole clapped soft to the wooden panels of the floor, and with her posture upright and a mischievous smirk drawn crooked across her lips, she lift her voice to put forward her offer.[break][break]
❝ The unshakeable Daishi Konishi! ❞
[break]
Her voice boomed with authority, the titter of coin falling to silence as the crowd await the final verdict.[break][break]
❝ Versus - the Ofurisode Beauty! ❞
[break]
With a narrowing of her gaze, her eyes snapped from the dark-haired boy to the fancifully dressed figure demanding center stage.[break][break]
❝ Winner gets the final match of the evening! Place your bets! ❞
[break]
That was all it took to have the shinobi chattering amongst themselves, all eyes toward the sudden appearances of Daichi and Hikari as they measured them up, calculating just who might come out on top. There seemed little room for negotiation, what with the way the Inuzuka hostess held her arms open in welcome, a cocky brow arched over her eyes as she stepped back from the crate. Once again, the coin was in flow.[break][break]
The space around the box was empty - save for a pair of pillows positioned one at each side. The stage for their competition, obviously. But what was the goal here?
This was it. All eye were on him. This was his chance to take a stand and establish himself as a proper badass. Even if he lost to this fanged beast of a woman, surely they would respect his courage. Right? And if he DID manage to win? Oh he'd be the talk of the barracks, that'd be for sure. His confidence and excitement quickly started to build as he calculated the various possibilities that would result from this, realizing that the majority of them were actually quite positive! So long as he didn't do anything stupid or humiliating, surely they wouldn't make fun of him or anything, right?[break][break]
But before the challenge could begin, a new variable was introduced. Daichi jumped a bit as another voice chimed in, eyes widening as he turned to see the source. And what he saw was the last thing he expected. This delicately dressed...rabbit person? With high heels and big puffy cheeks? The genin stared at him in awe, looking the unknown figure over as his mind raced to figure them out. In the heat of the moment he couldn't even tell if he was dealing with a guy or a girl at this point.[break][break]
"W-wait, what? Hang on, that's gotta be against the rules, right? And I was here first so-" Unfortunately his words were in vain, the din of the crowd drowning them out before they could reach the champion's ears. His eyes locked on to the woman as she seemed to have already come to a conclusion on how to handle this. Palms were already starting to sweat as everything he had planned before went flying out the window. Now he wasn't just going up against someone who was clearly stronger than him, he was going up against...Whoever this other person was![break][break]
He couldn't help but wince a bit as she repeated his mispronounced name, a soft his slipping past his clenched teeth as he cursed his own anxieties. Maybe if things went badly he could just pretend going forward that it was just some guy with an eerily similar name? Whatever the case, he had to make the best of his situation for the moment. And so he did what he always did. Puffed his chest out, held his head high and casually shrugged his shoulders. Nothing to be scared of here! Nothing at all."Alright. I guess I could use a bit of a warm up before the main course."[break][break]
Without further hesitation, the 'unbreakable Daishi' quickly examined the situation. A box...with pillows. Nobody in the room seemed like they were injured anything, so it wasn't any sort of duel. Whatever it seemed to be centered around this box with cushions positioned on either side. Judging by the hype of the crowd and the feral looking woman who was champion, he could assume it wasn't a battle of wits. She had a wild look in her eyes...Maybe it was a staring contest? No, a quick glance at her eyes told him they weren't red from dryness, which would have to be the case after multiple matches. Which meant...[break][break]
Yes, this had to be it. By the time he took his position in kneeled down in front of the box, he was confident that he had come to the correct conclusion. He just had to own it. With one last quick glance around the room, the genin slammed his elbow down onto the crate, holding his forearm up and ready to receive his opponent. He clenched his teeth in determination, and definitely not because he just jammed his funnybone in his little opening stunt. "I don't know who you are, Ofurisode, but I'm not about to go down easy. I'm well versed in the secret techniques of arm wrestling." Please please PLEASE tell him that he guessed right on this.
[attr="class","texty"]❝ Two against one is the Inuzuka special, pup, ❞
So he heard!~
Nothing short of a smirk of delight had come to his face! He hit the nail right on the hammer! There was nothing like that smug look one had when they knew they were right with no flaw or argument in their logic! It was like a huge gamble paying off. This entry in his books would go down in the ages! Much like his clan and their stories of how they dealt with Inuzuka with cunning and sly, he was determined to make his own story when it came to this scene! Once again, he was ready to make his entry in his head while the rest of the Inuzuka’s head went to gibberish:
{“Gloriously I stood! In the light my eyes never knew! Ready to write history and-“}
~Hikari Usagi
❝ The unshakeable Daishi Konishi Versus - the Ofurisode Beauty! ❞
{“…What the He-?!”}
~A Very Confused Hikari Usagi
The expression on the rabbit’s face was priceless as he heard the names that were announced. He had to tug at his clothes, remembering what attire he had worn for the day. Yeap! Definitely his Ofurisode clothing that he sluggishly tied with some help. Then there was the name that he heard before a moment ago that made him squinch his eye. “Not Inuzuka…but…Knoishi?” He would mutter to himself before hearing the sound of the young man’s voice from earlier. He spun on his heel in the usual little elegant flare. His eyes were on the young man to show the foggy haze within them. The rabbit’s face showing a petite smile as he would move his hands about showing his swaying sleeves that were like wings.
As he would sit there idle, he would listen to the sound of the figure approaching the strange set-up that was in the middle of the room. The other person would take his position kneeling on the cushion. His elbow coming down with a grit of is teeth. It was a fascinating show, but not one that exactly impressed the rabbit, but confused him. It was especially with the words he would spout next.
“H-huh? S-Secret art? Arm Wrestling?!” His voice piped.
Honestly, he was confused.
He would give the room one more good listen! The sound of money, paper or pieces of metal was apparent, and the stage that was set was one he had not perceived before with his hearing. He had been so engrossed with the roars, the smells, and the combination of the two making certain that there were dogs that he had not noticed at that moment what was around him. They were betting not on combat, but something as trivial as showing brawn through Arm Wrestling?!
As usual…he was in another sticky situation. “If this was a show of strength, I could see how my clan’s style of fighting could work. I-I know some moves, but-“ His face had an awkward smile that complimented his haphazardly wave to the confident shinobi. But there was something that needed to be known. Something that Hikari was about to say, but he stopped as he thought of the name, he was called…
“Ofurisode?!” That was quite a name, but he would still clasp his hands together in a polite manner. His smile upon his face as the foggy blue eyes seemed to gaze right through the young boy. He closed them, walking over to the other cushion. He may had been a competitor, but the rabbits knew grace! So he stepped towards the pillow, slowly kneeled down as if politely about to share a round of tea. He would sit up, his legs his strength, as he would lean towards the boy.
“W-well, to be specific, my name is Hikari Usagi! I am a rabbit, not an Ofurisode!” He would comment. “My apologies! It will not be personal, but I have to defeat you at any cost, a-and-” He would stop. The chakra in his ears saying a thing or two about that recent display. His head was tilting in a wonderous manner when he seen he was in trouble. “A-and…s-should we begin now?” He would say gently touching the surface. His hands seeming to be thorough of the block they were to compete against.
“He must be strong.” The rabbit thought, “He slammed his elbow against this and it did not phase him! He must have done this one hundred times or so!” Hikari would take his time, his mouth opened in the slightest of confusion. He would lift his elbow and sit it apart from the young boy’s readily while opening his fingers.
…but of course…he did not touch his hand. Nor did he reach for it. He sat there. Staring with a smile and his empty blind gaze.
“So…is this how we do this?” He asked, and so that brought that detail that was not known to the boy’s attention.
He did not know how to Arm Wrestle. Typical for a clan that had Leg Day every day!
[newclass=.nbox:hover]background-color:#edb584;width:220px;text-align:right;font-size:12px;font-family:courier;color:#000;transition: linear .4s; text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:3px;[/newclass]
A singular 'CLAP' echoed from the Inuzuka's palms, hands lift up toward the sky as the sound cracked sharp over the muttering of the crowd. "Daishi" had accepted the challenge, and despite the now-named rabbit's initial arguments, they showed themselves agreeable enough to the idea, and with the room in laughter and bickering over which of the pair would triumph, the audience showed themselves all too ready for another show of might.[break][break]
"YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO, RAIN!" "FOR THE HIDDEN STONE! SHOW THAT KID WHAT A REAL NINJA'S MADE OF!" "DON'T SCREW THIS UP DAISHI!"[break][break]
The room was all but rabid in the face of risk and reward, and with the circle of hungry shinobi drawn back to allow the pair proper room for combat, Kyuu offered a smug smirk to the eager faces building up the sidelines. These guys were hilarious.[break][break]
❝ Hikari-chan~❞[break][break]
Another flutter of the woman's silver lashes and her voice chirped out in a sweet little coo, a tease in the crooked line of her fanged smile as she studied the timid bunny with a lidded stare. It was a correction, seeing as Ofurisode had proven to be an inadequate title for the fancy little stranger.[break][break]
The moment of sweetness proved fleeting however. As soon as it was there, it was gone, a wicked eyebrow cocked toward Daichi as the slitted blue of her stare flicked toward the Amegakure shinobi.[break][break]
❝ Glad to see you're quick on the uptake, pup. ❞[break][break]
Her words were paired with an upward nod, body leaned low to level herself near the pair taking their places at the official crate of contest.[break][break]
❝ A quick run of the rules - ❞ the worlds spilled from her lips in a rush as her gaze dart right back toward Hikari, measuring their readiness for the events about to unfold.[break][break]
❝ Chakra? Allowed. Blood? Sure. Broken bones? Probably a bad idea. Weapons and tools? Nope. As for assistance? Don't even think about it. It's every ounce of strength you've got versus everything the opponent can muster to SLAM you down. ❞[break][break]
Body lifting itself upright smoothly, the Inuzuka shift her weight, hands resting to her hips as she cant her head lazy to one side, the wild of her silver locks spilling down over her shoulder.[break][break]
❝ What's most important is that you leave each other in one piece. We've got a battle comin' up here. Ya dig? ❞[break][break]
Her smile stretched proud and wide toward the two, excitement clearly bubbling in her own eyes as the shouts continued to echo around them. No doubt they'd only get louder when the pair met hands.[break][break]
❝ ELBOWS ON THE CRATE. FREE HAND TO YOURSELF. CLASP HANDS - and at my SIGNAL... ❞
[break]
The woman's hand shot toward the sky, and after a moment of silence...[break] It dropped.[break][break]
❝ FIGHT! ❞
[break]
The arm wrestling match was on, and all of the sudden, the room's volume was through the roof.[break][break]
"KILL THEM!" "TAKE HIM OUT!" "FOR THE KAGE!""Please. For the love of all that's holy. My husband is going to kill me if I don't earn that back..."
The Inuzuka's confirmation that he was on the right track came as a great relief to the genin. There was still a bit of internal debate on whether or not he made the right call, but the fact that he made the right call was a load off his mind. It was a cool point in his favor, which made the odds of things going well for him that much higher. So long as he didn't do anything humiliating then he shouldn't have to worry about it too much. Especially when it seemed that his opposition didn't have much idea what was going on either, which definitely put Daichi at a distinct advantage! Now all he had to do was capitalize on it.[break][break]
Eyes shifted over to the chunin as she explained the rules, nodding quickly as the details were laid out. It seemed pretty straight forward, really. Just typical, no frills arm wrestling. Though he had to wonder what she meant by chakra being allowed. Did she mean like...chakra enhanced strength or something? Oh he really hoped not. No matter how frail his oppositions' arms may have looked, he knew better than to judge a book by its cover. As he turned to examine his opponent in preparation for the match, he finally noticed something unusual about them.[break][break]
Their eyes were dull, hazy with a vacant stare. Were they....blind? A hint of pity panged at his heart, but it only lasted for a brief moment. If they were anyplace else he would've worried about going up against a blind person. But if they were here, they must have AT LEAST been a genin. They must have been truly amazing to be entrusted to such a position with such a disability. He took a deep breath, lips curling back into his confident smirk as the stranger spoke up. "You're pretty confident. I like that. Just don't beat yourself up too much when I take you down. Nothin' wrong with losing to a master."[break][break]
His heart raced as Nikukyuu's voice raised, clearly preparing to initiate the bout. His hand moved to snatch Hikari's, elbow remaining firmly rooted in place as he pressed it down into the crate. The time was coming. His first great duel against a fellow shinobi, with eyes from all the great villages eagerly watching to see what would happen next. He could hear vaguely familiar voices from the village shouting words of encouragement, a sensation that nearly brought a tear to the boy's eye. Even if they had no idea who he was, this was exactly what he had been working so hard for. No, he couldn't let them down.[break][break]
Daichi swallowed back his fear, managing to toss a quick wink to the pink haired genin across from him. "Good luck, Usagi." And with that, the fight was on.[break][break]
The moment the signal was given his grip would constrict around Hikari's hand, posture shifting as he pushed against the other's hand with everything he could right out the gate. He fought to put his shoulder into the motion, aiming to put as much weight as possible against his opposition. While Daichi was in good shape, as one would expect from any shinobi, he wasn't exactly the strongest genin in the land. His skills relied more on wit, speed and precision. But he didn't want to think about how possible it was that he was up against someone who physically outclassed him. Right now he was fueled by a determination to prove himself to everyone in the room, no matter what it took.
[attr="class","texty"]Unyielding were the corners of the room and everything in between. The roars of the cloud were a symphony tied it with the pieces of ryo that were spilling from hands flowing with bets. Paper bills were crisp as they joined a symphony of women that the little rabbit knew nothing of singing his voice, and it would have been an excellent entry had he known they were nothing more than a part of the rabble in the background of this story. There was only (and this was funny for a bunny) his prey! The shinobi who stood in his way with his arm cocked and ready, and the Inuzuka who was his main target that he knew he stood no chance against but, damn it all, if he was going to write about the glorious failure that was to come!
A perverse smile came to his face…
Unlike his family name, it was not about something crude! Rather it was that expression he had when it came to him thinking about what he would look like when he was done with this and writing it with a quill and a dab of ink! Would it be him with not a single hair out of place or would he be wearing a new kimono to replace whatever ribbons this one would be left in. Just thinking about it would send a surge of strength rushing to him that he would never expect the moment his cue would come!
“CLASP HANDS - and at my SIGNAL... “
He had never done this before, but the moment that this Daishi character’s hand would move, so would his to join it. The fingers interweaving and clasping. He was not sure why, but something about this felt right! That interlacing? It was something akin to what his kin would talk about! It was like hand holding but less vile and suggestive. The rabbit would then grip and clinch as if he did not want to let go. For a moment, the Inuzuka’s presence did not exist as the rabbit’s face would become fiery with a blush of red and his blue orbs that were glassy would alight with a gleam.
“Oh! Lucky I am!” The rabbit would say, his fingers clutching the grip of his opponent, “Because I suddenly feel…excited for some reason!”
He was not a predator, but the sudden furrow of the brow from the bunny felt otherwise. Was this what it meant to be “competitive?” Curse this boy! He was introducing him to the sweet sin that the clan had warned him about: the nature of being a man! The rabbit’s smile would stretch being anything less than innocent anymore. He would learn forth until the whiff of his favorite lavender scent would flow from him! Only when did the Inuzuka declare for the signal to start-
❝ FIGHT! ❞
It was on!
The rabbit, in truth, did not know of many experiences locking hands and grabbling! For the moment when he would feel the sensation of the tug and push against his, he had to familiarize himself with being forceful! He would clutch the cloth that was his kimono with his other hand as he would forcefully push himself to drive his opponent’s hand to the ground. His blue eyes cutting like daggers as he was struggling. Proof that the Usagi’s weakness was alive in well when it came to knowing physical strength since they knew form, but not force. Still, that did not let the flicker of light leave the rabbit’s foggy eyes as he would listen to the roars around while trying to pin his opponent.
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The start of another round only further Ginmaru's disinterest. The hand posed as gargoyle by the door sound out with a discontented grunt as his forelegs patted gingerly forward, body eased careful to the ground. Chin rested atop his legs, a quiet grumble roll from his frowning muzzle. He was the mirror opposite of the excitable woman now cheering across the room.[break][break]
❝ That's the SPIRIT! ❞
[break]
Daichi's encouragement saw stars shining in the chunin's eyes, admiration bloomed across her features. That the fire lit under Hikari only further spurred her on, clawed fingers curling into her palms as she tucked her fists in near to her body, trembling in place with the energy sure to burst its way out again at any given moment.[break][break]
Kyuu pinched her eyes shut, a foolish move considering her strongest desire was to actually watch the contest unfold, but it was all she could do to keep from belting out.[break][break]
❝ DON'T GIVE UP!!! ❞
[break]
It was futile. The words bark wild from between her fangs as she pumped her fists up to the air.[break][break]
Maybe it was a bit much. She hadn't ventured very far off, still well enough right up against the table to serve as referee (with her eyes closed?) for the pair, and here she was, hollering at the very top of her voice. The unquestionable fire of her spirit was doing plenty to help keep the excitement of the room going, and as shinobi from different villages sound off in cheers and threats toward the competitors, the deafening roar of the room saw the crowd electric with enthusiasm.
Daichi was really hoping this would be a lot easier. Just knock out the soft looking purple haired person and then take on the real challenge. Piece of cake, right? But it this rabbit was no joke. It felt like a real fire had been lit in their belly, giving them the strength they needed to rival his own determination. It was clear that neither one of them were rocking 24 inch pythons, meaning brute force wasn’t going to do either of them any good. No, this was a battle of wills. And maybe a bit of wit if he played his cards right.[break][break]
”You’re pretty good.” The words were hissed out through clenched teeth, his arm already starting to burn as he pushed against the opposition with all his might. He had to do something quick if he was going to outdo them. The shinobi sucked in a deep breath before pushing forward, twisting his wrist in an attempt to gain leverage. If he could get whatever little edge he could, then he just might have a shot at winning.[break][break]
Arm wrestling was nothing new to him, after all. It was a common way he and the boys he grew up with would prove their manliness, or whatever they were fixated on at that age. And while Daichi was never the strongest, he was almost always the smartest. This alone was the only reason he thought he might stand a chance against the clearly stronger woman he initially challenged. But if he couldn’t even beat this Hikari person, he didn’t have much hope of accomplishing that.
A gasp escaped his lips! Flattery?! What trickery! The fiend!
A failure at being a rabbit and a shinobi never heard such compliments before! For that instance, the little rabbit had lost his edge. His gripping hand and elbow slanting to his opponent’s favor just as quickly! It was either newfound strength or just his blunder. No excuse however would change that the rabbit had slipped for a second under the boy’s own will channeled into his physical strength. His teeth clinched and his arm was shaky. His will was resolute, but apparently that was not enough! Out of the two, it was his hand that he written with that was struggling, and he could not help but find some sort of proverbial shame in that.
{“This very hand that recounts this rabbit’s tale…it ended in-”}
[~Hikaru Usagi]
Not even knew what he would write that night! Not that this moment! This moment where his eyes was squinting as he winced feeling the burning sensation. He would pain his way through it like one of his family’s dances or leg exercises! “What was it?” He would think in desperation, “What was it she said that would help me in this moment of desperation?” The rabbit would try to recall the words of the Inuzuka. They were many echoes ago, lost in the sea of sounds that was drowning out his memory as the audible cries might as well been right over his shoulder.
Assistance? No one would come save him.
Blood and broken bones? Uncouth for a Usagi!
Chakra! Chakra? Chakra!
The rabbit’s eyes would soften as if for a moment he would recount something. A cost for this was his focus almost slipping for a literal jiffy. In that instance, the rabbit would remember an important fact: No one knew chakra like him! The only reason he circulated the stuff consistently was that it was the family formula! It was imperative in his abilities! The rabbit’s foggy eyes would close. It was not like he needed them anyway! The chakra that was flowing to his ears became gentle as he began to flow it through his form. The pride of the Usagi? The ability to dance and move, and so Chakra was no stranger to him! Doton was their birth rite, and so using Doton, no matter how trivial his experience was with it, would suffice to get some balance and leverage.
“I have been practicing, but-“
The rabbit would focus on anchoring himself and his form. His body relaxing as if he was preparing to be in one of his graceful forms. With a breath, he would begin to clinch the hand of the young boy. If he were standing on his feet, this would be easy! However, he would have to settle for trying his best to circulate chakra to his knees.
“Too much chakra and I can disturb the surface beneath,” he recalled in thought, “Too little and-“
Well, he would lose. Though, he was okay with gambling! He knew his family would walk against walls and move with elegance unlike any other clan. He knew he would be able to get this like any other Usagi would. The rabbit would circulate his chakra carefully, his balance minimum as he would anchor himself to the best of his ability. Only when he had believe he was balanced, calm, and found his leverage, the rabbit would make one swift motion. One motion that would allow his chakra to stay steady as he shifted his weight from one knee to the next in swoop to throw his opponent in disarray and into the grips of defeat! With one push, he would go for it!
Right knee anchored and-…No! That was wrong!
“Eh?!”
There was suddenly such a shift in his weight that Hikari’s face had shown nothing short of what the crowd could have only described was the equivalent of someone pouring a cascading amount of Ryo into an outhouse just before watching it being washed away with filth! The rabbit’s unanchored left knee would come up with a lift as his weight shifted incorrectly. It was apparent what happened the moment his chakra would distribute improperly and cause a minor indent in the pillow from the pressure. The other knee perfectly anchored for the failure of his arm getting carried under his opponent’s dominating will. With a perfectly still posture, the rabbit’s blunder sent him flipping to the side like a table being flipped with only one set of legs glued to the floor.
“Nyaaaaaa!!!”
A mighty crash would send the rabbit tumbling. Had there not been cries of agony over their wretched gamble and cheers of victory of an easy pay day, others would have seen how painful it was as the rabbit klutzily was tossed to his right shoulder with his leg kicking up. His head took quite the impact, but it was a shock that would note to him what to write later that night.
{“This very hand that recounts this rabbit’s tale…it ended in…utter humiliation!”}
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A shrill whistle pierced through the air - likely to rattle the kids' eardrums for the chunin's close proximity.[break][break]
Kyuu was soaring! Spirits high as a collective roar washed over the room, cheers and cries of agony erupting from the crowd to roll over them in a wave, crashing against the sound-sealed walls with a rumble. The gamblers to have bet their earnings on the Usagi were grinding their teeth, especially smug smiles settling on the faces of the Amegakure ninja to have put their faith in their own. Money was changing hands in noisy slaps of exchange, and with the young 'Ofurisode Beauty' toppled, the surge of energy shift to bickering and demand, though the sound of laughter was not to be missed for the comical manner in which Hikari had landed.[break][break]
❝ DAISHI! WIN!! ❞
[break]
She was late - arms shooting themselves up in the air dramatically as she gathered herself up onto her toes to punch her fists for the heavens.[break][break]
❝ HELL YEAH! You know what that means SUCKER! ❞ [break][break]
The pale hues of her eyes sparked with anticipation as a wide, crazed stare locked itself toward Daichi. The curl of her smile twist in a painfully crooked smirk, the hungry points of her fang-like canines revealed in all their pearly glory.[break][break]
❝ You're the next victim. ❞ [break][break]
Her tone dropped, eerie and low as it graveled within the base of her throat. [break][break]
❝ Kuu kuu kuu... ❞ The chuckle to escape her was equally ominous, the corner of her grin twitching - no doubt strained by the breadth at which it had been forced to hold. Was it all for show? Maybe.[break][break]
Kyuu's hand shot sideward, like a bolt from a cross bow to strike a landing just beside one of Usagi's own. The upward hold of her palm and empty lay of her fingers suggest an offer to help the stranger to their feet, and with her hand given in aid she turned her eyes - flashing Usagi a mad wink.[break][break]
❝ Keep working on that focus and you'll be one hell of a contender. Whaddaya say to playin' ref, Lil' Hikari? ❞
Daichi could feel something was off with his opponent. He could tell that they were up to something, something that could very well spell the end of all this for him. The genin clenched his teeth, face contorting as he tried to put every little drop of strength he had into his arm. He couldn't fail here, not like this! Even if it meant breaking his own arm, he couldn't let himself be made a fool of in front of his fellow shinobi![break][break]
And then, suddenly, he felt his opposition give under the pressure all at once. Daichi instinctively released Hikari's hand as he him crashing down, his concern that he might accidently break his rival's arm immediately overriding everything else. "Oh! Oh shit!" While everyone else was cheering, he was scrambling on the floor to check on the other shinobi. As much as he wanted to win, he really didn't want it to be at the expense of another. Especially not when they all had such an important battle coming up. "Hey, you alright? You didn't crack your head or anything, right?" A hand reached out instinctively to gently brush through the other's hair, feeling their head to make sure there were no lumps or bleeding.[break][break]
Though before he could confirm anything he found his attention being pulled back to the room, as if the outcry of victory had only now reached his ears. Oh right, he still had to fight that crazy lady too, didn't he? It took him a moment to collect himself, pulling his hand away from his former opponent to instead flash a confident smile to the rest of the room. Now that he had his momentum going and a little something to back it all up it was much easier to put on a front for these people. "Don't be too cocky. Or you may end up like poor Hikari over here." He looked down to the hare after that, quickly whispering a quick 'i'm sorry' that he hoped at least they would pick up from amidst the din of the crowd.[break][break]
He felt kinda bad about it, but this was his big moment. A chance to stand up and receive the praise of the crowd. The people he could very well be fighting alongside in the coming days. There was a hint of childish excitement to his smile as he rose to stand tall and absorb the cheers of the crowd. In the back of his mind he knew they were all just caught up in the excitement, but so was he! So what difference did it make if they were awed by his skills or power or simply excited to be there in that moment. It was important to take what little wins one could get. "Alright. Now lemme see what our champ is made of." Daichi flexed his fingers, hiding the fact that his entire right arm was aching from the sheer amount of effort he was putting into that last match. He knew he was screwed, but maybe he could buy time to think of something to give himself an edge.
[attr="class","texty"]A sudden knock on the head was one thing after a terrible chakra concentration effect.
The other was perhaps the shrill cry of that whistle that pierced the air. The rabbit’s head jumbled with a sudden jolt of words, phrases, and not to mention memories. A horrible defeat playing through his mind. A horrible defeat so long ago, a year more than a few minutes from his hand hitting that very surface from his klutzy nature. His head lifting as he could see not a blur, but even a blind person felt nausea, even from the impact of being thrust over in a humiliating manner. His hands would quickly push himself up to be stable, or whatever that was, as he could still feel dizzy from the sudden experience.
“So Light-Headed…”
His thoughts jumbled as he tried to circulate his chakra. Faintly, the sounds around him can be heard, but not pinpointed. A faint image due to him being used to his blindness told him so much. There was a hand, bodies, and the imagery about him. Only after he would fully comprehend his surroundings and the opponent he had and the opponent he was targeting was helping him, did he feel an undeniable shame. His failure in his moment as a clansman creeping upon his heart as he wearily reached out his hand to accept that of the Inuzuka’s.
“W-well…I-I could try,” His voice that usual gentle tone whether he was being confident and full hope or utterly defeated. However, a slightly more dreariness was behind it and that weak smile as he took a hand.
“Again.” His thoughts would screech. “Another failure.”
His thoughts betraying that expression on his face. Even if he knew what he would write that night, it would still not be as satisfying as he desired it to be. After all, all the other rabbits had daring tales and scandalous stories, but his was marked with a defeat! That did not stop him from standing as he would wobble slightly. The support of the woman may had damaged his pride, but it did not completely rob him of the fact that he was still going to write. Embellishing the moment would have been the worst thing a novelist could do after all.
“I-I am just fine!” The rabbit would force his enthuse as much as possible. His underlying pulsation of his chest was rapid and heavy. But he worked through it, “Please! Have your match. It is important to a rabbit know how a chapter ends, Daishi!” True to clan’s words that obsessed about tales and success, the boy wanted to see things through. He would set his foggy eyes on the boy. No doubt was he defeated but refusing to yield to the despair of not having the spotlight in this chapter of the story.
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