While the Iwa rabbit may have missed the correction, the Ame's words weren't lost on the she-hound's ears, nor the countdown sounding from the ofurisode's lips. Excitement bubbled under her skin, goosebumps rising along her arms at the sweet promise of competition, and as she stare wild into the eyes of the young boy ahead of her, Hikari gave the word. Begin.[break][break]
❝ I'm giving you five seconds - ❞ Kyuu murmured low, voice rumbling as a whispered growl. ❝ Show me what you can do. ❞[break][break]
The roar of the crowd surrounding them would have made it easy for the words to be drowned out, but Daichi was paying attention. Cheers erupt from all sides, another round of low, guttural woofing sounding out from what portion of the crowd had accepted the Inuzuka as their favorite. Their noisy excitement was almost deafening from their place at the center of the room. Even so, with focus, he was sure not to miss the challenge offered to him.[break][break]
It was open invitation to try any trick in his book. Kyuu was fearless.[break][break]
With her elbow root against the crate, she bide out her time, chakra coursing swift through her body to empower her muscles. The grip of her hand was tight, the points of her claws rest as a threat against his skin. Her eyes held open, unblinking toward his own as she silently start the countdown at the back of her mind. The corner of her smile tight, fangs still bare in her grin, her breathing held steady and slow despite the hunger that burned in her stare.
Kyuu blinked her eyes as they cast themselves toward naught but empty air, some surprise in the curious pucker of her lips. It seemed that at least one of the children was more slippery than she might have given them credit for. In the midst of her brief pause, Ginmaru sound out even more dramatically than before, a lengthy groan escaping his jaws as he part his teeth in a wide-mouthed yawn. His partner couldn't help but fix him with a crooked grin, the grey of her brows arched teasing over her eyes.[break][break]
❝ We'd probably be to the barracks and cuddled into our blankets by now if you'd just help out~ ❞[break][break]
The song in the woman's voice was a friendly one, though it did little to lift the dog's spirits. Ginmaru simply snort, casting his glare to one side as he bow his head, gaze set stubborn elsewhere. Of course, it was hardly enough to break Kyuu's spirits. The Inuzuka cackled merrily, a fond sparkle in her eyes before she turn her gaze off to give the streets another glance. Though it was easy enough for the shinobi to spot the little fingers gripped to the side of a barrel, or catch the excitable giggling to have broken out from around the corner of a nearby building, she turned her focus elsewhere - to the familiar voice to speak up nearby.[break][break]
❝ Netsu! ❞[break][break]
She greet her fellow chunin with a cheery smile, spinning light on her heel to better face the man. The light of her grin sparked like fireworks for her enthusiasm, eyes glittering with excitement at the prospect of her self-imposed task. Easy as the smile seemed to hold, some fatigue managed to slip into her stare as the corners of her grin slipped a bit. She would have liked to drag a few more shinobi into the game, but from the looks of things, it wasn't happening tonight. The words he'd offered to the owner of the eatery hadn't been lost on her.[break][break]
❝ I take it you're not up for fun and games, tonight? ❞
He wasn't dead, and while he'd taken a hit, Kegawa seemed well enough in grasp of his senses to manage a safe landing for himself. Kyuu's assistance wouldn't be necessary here, and as the thought registered, she quickly set her slitted stare toward the rhinoceros to have launched the assault - the narrowed glare of her ninken fixing sharp as he too set his sights on their decided target.[break][break]
After only a beat of stillness, the Inuzuka tore off to close in on her opponent - pupils constricted narrow as she set her jaw, fangs bared in determination. Her clawed fingers kicked ruthless at the dust, she and her hound building speed as they carve a path across the open rock. They were set to meet the beast head on at a blinding speed - but before they could reach their destination, the pair altered course - splitting to branch around the cloud of smoke to erupt before them.[break][break]
They had lost sight of their prey.[break][break]
The growl to rumble from Ginmaru's throat rang thick with venom as he circled round, and as Nikukyuu drift against the rock to do the same, she found the corners of her lips twitching with aggravation for the blinding cloud to stand between herself and the opponent her fangs hungered for.[break][break]
❝ GRAH!!! ❞
[break][break]
The woman's voice rang out with frustration, eyes searching fruitless through the cloud to try and manage some glimpse of the figures inside.[break][break]
Her heart clenched tight within her chest as she steady herself. She was waiting just outside the smoke, and the second that rhinoceros appeared from its amorphous shape, she was sure to be hellbent on launching an assault of her own.[break][break]
Fangs parted, skin twitching with scarcely maintained restraint, Nikukyuu watched and waited for an opening. On the off chance more than one of the beast might emerge from the cloud, she'd already set her mind to which would serve as her target. Whichever one went after Kegawa.
The familiar voice to chime over their conversation saw a flash of excitement in the silver-haired woman's expression. Brows arching high over her gaze, she paused in her work to turn the sun of her grin toward her grouchy elder sibling, showing none of the irritation Korogaru may have meant to insight.[break][break]
❝ BULLSeye, ❞ she sound out smoothly, the sudden hitch of her brows easing as her eyes as her lids fell to rest halfway in a friendly taunt of her own. The line of her smile showed crooked, no hint of shame in the sparkle of her eyes as she watched on toward her sister.[break][break]
❝ Pirate's dead on. ❞ [break][break]
Nikukyuu wasn't here for those kinds of games. This was a mission, and like every other assignment she'd been handed, she was following it through. No cause for complaint would reach the Raikage's ears, so long as his loyal hound had anything to say about it. Determinations aside, her sister had walked herself right into a noose with an entrance like that. From Kyuu's perspective, there was no right answer to her sister's petty jabs, as even if she ignored her it would count as a slight against her character.[break][break]
❝ Papa would definitely be on board. ❞[break][break]
The sagely nature of her nod carried little weight for its childish delivery, the firm nod of her head more comical than decisive. By now the laundry line was nearly cleared, and with little work left to be done, Kyuu bent down to lift the basket waiting at her feet, carrying it in her arm.[break][break]
❝ You just being a tease and wanted to help out? Or did you maybe get lost with all these trees all over the place? ❞[break][break]
Her words roll from her lips as a friendly joke as she offer her sister a gentle smile, her expression soft in some attempt to soothe what nerves she'd stumbled upon them with.[break][break]
With a rattle of leaves, Ginmaru was on the scene, pausing against the brushline to pick up the towel that had been tossed to the disappearing Uchiha. His eyes didn't dare toward Korogaru for a moment, the cold nature of his stare set toward Kyuu as he stalked forward to deliver the crumpled fabric back to her.
It seemed the second she got some height that the threat was right there with them. Kyuu's line of sight shot for the rhinoceros bearing in toward them, and as it raise its horn in ready to plow her brother through - she made the immediate call to beat a hasty retreat. With the shadow of the beast looming over her she shift nimbly in the air, twisting in her place to coil her body so she might meet Ginmaru's paws with her own. With her ninken on the same wavelength, the pair kicked off from one another, aiming to shoot themselves off to either side before the strange beast's weight could drop to trap them beneath its form.[break][break]
The intensity of her frigid stare locked toward Korogaru as she soared, gaze set to fix itself to the woman's own in steely silence before Nomi's approach blocked her line of sight with a wall of dark fur. The chunin's attention shifted for the ground, and as she and her hound caught their footing on the open rock behind the force of the stampede, the pair found themselves falling to catch themselves low against the ground, briefly rattled by the weight of their descent.[break][break]
With the chief of the monsters seemingly occupied, the woman's eyes were skyward, ready to catch whoever might fall. Her eyes were hard, and her expression showed grim. She had no words to offer, even as Kakimaru sound out with a howl.
The teasing reply came with a childish roll of the Inuzuka's frosty blue eyes, the corners of her lips quirked to a humored smirk. The weary weight that drawled her tone hint to her familiarity with the antics of the Mist, fatigue played into her tone rather than some self-righteous sense of judgement. Despite the rivalry between their villages, Kyuu hardly seemed to hold any ill will for their island neighbors.[break][break]
A dreamy sigh escape the woman's lips as Makoto round off her thoughts with a jab toward the Raikage, the foggy silver of her lashes weighing as a low haze over her eyes as another folded square found its way to the basket waiting below. She probably would have ignored the toss toward Miyako's position - if she hadn't have heard it hit the ground. With a blink and purse of her lips, her gaze turned - noting the empty air where the grouchy Uchiha once stood. And, of course, the puddle of fabric now resting on the forest floor just across the way.[break][break]
❝ Meat shield, best friend. What's the difference? ❞[break][break]
A lazy smile found its way to the chunin's lips as she turn the sparkle of her eyes back toward Makoto, a quiet sense of cheer brightening the morbid nature of her joke.[break][break]
❝ I'm just here to bust heads. ❞ [break][break]
The thought seemed to grant further light to her smile, its corners drawn just a bit wider as she pulled another cloth from the line, folding it delicately in her grasp. The task came so naturally to her that she hardly had to watch the movement of her fingers to get the task done.[break][break]
❝ Nikukyuu Inuzuka, ❞ the introduction finally came. The upward tilt of her chin suggest some playful sense of pride, grin perched friendly at her lips as the corners of her eyes pinched with mirth.[break][break]
❝ Don't think we've had the pleasure of clashing before. Or have we? ❞
The little bunny's sense of shame wasn't lost on Kyuu. Whether fortunately or the opposite, the young man's wilting smile and weary acceptance of her assistance wasn't enough to yank her out of her exuberantly cheery mood.[break][break]
❝ Of course you're still fine! ❞ [break][break]
Kyuu chirped happily, apparently oblivious to the Iwa shinobi's discouragement. The hand that had been given to help him up drew back, though its retreat proved short-lived as she was soon reaching her palm to settle atop his head. Those lavender locks needed a good ruffling, and by the good-natured chuckle to rattle off from her fangs, the well-meant gesture was meant to serve as means of encouragement for the kid. Though whether or not she'd have any success in the endeavor was definitely questionable.[break][break]
❝ You're still breathing right? Means you've still got a chance to win next time! ❞ [break][break]
From the look of things, there was absolutely no pulling her out of this excitement. That said, there was a definite shift in energy as her gaze turned toward Daichi. What had shown in her eyes as warmth just a moment ago flickered hot like fire, ambition seared behind her eyes in an open threat toward the genin now preparing for battle. The corners of her smile lift higher, peeling from her sharpened teeth in what near constitute a 'friendly' snarl. Eyes narrowed, posture straighting slow and steady, she moved to claim her seat - hands snapping together briefly to renew the focus of her chakra.[break][break]
The energy seemed to spill off of her in waves, and with the points of her fangs inching just the slightest longer, the nails at the end of her fingers stretched to further taper off as dangerous claws, pupils constricted to ravenous slits.[break][break]
The answer to Daichi's goading was silence, the wolfish curl of her grin held stiffly in place as she loomed in slow over the crate, elbow anchoring to its surface as she lift a hand to splay her fingers in ready. Despite the loose of her shoulders, the way she hunched in suggest she might be ready to leap over the crate and take the boy's throat in her teeth.[break][break]
❝ Whenever you're ready, Rabbit. ❞ [break][break]
Her eyes held locked for Daichi's own, words rumbled and low in a graveled command for the genin to serve as their announcer. Despite her claim to preparedness, her free hand was lifting to ready its fingers in a heavensward point of focus, elbow rooting itself against the crate as she direct the flow of her chakra.[break][break]
The woman's cheer in her tone was gone with her beckoning, tone cut sharp against the air as she swiftly drop to plant a hand to the earth. Taking brief stock of the ground’s humming against her fingertips, she lift her hands to join them in focus, and the flow of her chakra shift. The edges of her lips peeled back as she synchronize her breathing with that of the steely hound to take his place crouched beside her, the Inuzuka's bared ivories extending to pointed fangs as the length of her nails stretched to claws at her fingers. What cheer she'd exhibited only a moment ago seemed to have vanished in the moment the ground split to reveal the beast's army.[break][break]
❝ No need to tell us twice. ❞ [break][break]
Her words sound out as a growl at her brother's direction, and with order to send him skyward? That's exactly what she did.[break][break]
❝ With me! ❞ [break][break]
The call was unnecessary, perhaps meant to brace her brother for impact more than anything. She and the rough-furred mutt at her side were already in perfect harmony, the ninken having already made the leap to stand himself atop her back in preparation for their joint attack. [break][break]
❝ Fang over fang! ❞ [break][break]
With those words, the pair was off.[break][break]
Dust kicked from underclaw, Nikukyuu shot after her brother's ascent like her bullet, and as she launched herself up from the ground in a vortex of stirred rock and violent gales, Ginmaru raced along with her, the two kicking off from each others steps to ascend further and further to the heavens above. Their strikes were aimed with purpose, not to slice at the jonin's heels, but to carry Kegawa’s weight skyward, rocketing to new heights above the chasm's edge.[break][break]
At her brother's call for his seals activation, the whirlwind of their support fell to a hush, Ginmaru finding himself at his partner's shoulder as Nikukyuu set her eyes down toward the chaos below.
[attr="class","encounteredkyuu"]
activated four leg technique, helping get Kegawa Inuzuka in the air
Nope! Definitely not. Kyuu was going to be no help at all, and her big, toothy smile all but promised it as she direct its shining toward Miyako. Was it simple joy that lit her expression? The bright nature of her eyes hint to something else. Pride. Honest praise.[break][break]
❝ You got 'er, Lil' Mi! ❞[break][break]
Her calling the jonin out on her goading quickly earned Nikukyuu's approval, and as the Uchiha set to loosing the tension from her shoulders, the Inuzuka could only sound out with a good-natured laugh. The middle child of the bunch wasn't so easily brought to irritation, and as Makoto deferred the duty of arranging the haphazard fold of her towel with the other finished works, the cheery woman seemed only happy to do so.[break][break]
Kyuu puckered her lips in a distant kiss for Makoto as she accept the towel offered her, plopping it into the basket without ceremony before whisking up her hands to claim one of the garments fluttering soft under the breeze.[break][break]
❝ Too kind~ ❞ she cooed, gaze pinched in a friendly tease as it cast itself sidelong toward the adversary offering her assistance.[break][break]
Despite the swift work of her hands, her eyes were brought to Miyako with ease, curiosity piqued as she offered her insight on the matter.[break][break]
❝ 'f Otogakure falls, all of us mainlanders are in some boiling hot water. Between that threat and the promising new Hokage - only makes sense for us to be here. Don'tcha think? ❞[break][break]
The friendly curl of her smile bent itself crooked as she peeked her gaze toward the unnamed shinobi helping on the line, a mischievous brow perching itself high over the frosty blue of her stare.[break][break]
❝ Funny you'd play dumb! Kirigakure got more nefarious plans in mind?~ ❞ [break][break]
The silver line of her brows bounced playfully over her eyes.
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? ❞
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.
❝ Gettin' too old for this, slowpoke? ❞[break][break]
A teasing grin had snuck its way to the woman's face, the brattish twist of her lips peeled to bare the full of her pearly whites. The shinobi showed no difficulty in darting across the terrain, appearing to pay little attention to what lie ahead as her frost-hued stare remain locked toward the canine sprinting along at her side. The stern browed dog's eyes set decidedly forward, not so much as an ear turned in her direction. Lips sagging at his maw in a doggish frown, he was clearly doing his best to ignore his partner, but given her relentless stare he opt to offer a soft ' WUFF ' of dismissal.[break][break]
Kyuu could only laugh, clearly taking the situation lightly. Finally, her gaze set forward, smile still beamed bright on her features as she slowed her pace to an easy jog, bringing her stride right in alongside the familiar presence of her favorite big brother. Kegawa.[break][break]
❝ Find the kid? ❞[break][break]
The words blurt graceless from her lips as she base her hands at her hips, the curious sparkle of her eye drawn over the terrain before catching sight of the dog trying to drag lil' Kureiru out of harm's way. The sight brought her to blink, gaze sticking toward the leathery boulder that had brought everyone there. Bowing herself forward, hands still anchored at her hips, she stared on in amazement, pursing her lips to sound out with an awed whistle.[break][break]
❝ Damn. You found more than just the little one, huh? ❞[break][break]
Ginmaru settled on his haunches at the woman's side, the line of his lips twitching faintly as a quiet growl resonate in his chest. Hackles raised to bristle about the scruff of his neck and shoulders, his gaze locked itself sharp for the rhinoceros' form, wary of its presence.
Ginmaru sound out with a haggard grunt at his partner's failure, air rumbling noisily from his chest before his dismissal was sealed by a huff from his snout. His head drooped, a lidded stare cast off to one side, and even then - it seemed all Kyuu could do was smile.[break][break]
Broad grin turned toward her grump of a ninken, the silver-haired woman chuckled through her teeth, well humored by the situation. With the well proven to be free of little ones, the chunin right her posture, sandals starting off against the worn path to continue in her search. Was she trying? Not really. This was for the kids, and she was looking to build them up, not crush her spirits. Still, it was hard to ignore the shout that rang out from nearby, and as the shopkeep call out to shoo someone from the premises, Kyuu tilt her head in the voice's direction, lips puckering to a curious pout.[break][break]
Could she believably pass up this opportunity? The chances seemed slim. So she'd take her time, give the kid a chance to scram.[break][break]
Kyuu lift a hand in greeting toward the owner of the cozy little ramen shop, the already sunny grin brightening her expression spanning a bit wider in a show of friendly intent.[break][break]
❝ You having some trouble over there? ❞ [break][break]
Kindly as her tone was, the purpose of her words was that of a warning. The Inuzuka was not unaware of the child's presence. It'd only taken her a moment after finishing the count to surmise the locations of at least of couple of the little ones. But thus far there was only one kid to make themselves a bit too obvious, and the purposefully noisy saunter of the chunin's lazy steps would serve as a caution for the Cloud genin in question.[break][break]
Her sandals came to a halt just near the sign, a smug smile playing crooked at her lips as she regard its colorful pattern with a halflidded stare. Slowly, she leaned herself forward, turning her head to peer behind its shape.[break][break]
❝ Seems like a good spot to hide~ ❞ she mused aloud, words ringing in a careless drawl.
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..."
