The sun was on its way down, shadows drawn to stretch themselves long across the forest floor. The occasional firefly sparked to life, dancing in lazy circles as the quiet village saw a brief surge of activity. Last minute errands before dinner. Busy work in getting stores ready to be closed down. And of course, rambunctious children being ushered out of the home to get some energy out so they could sit themselves still long enough to down their supper.[break][break]
But today was different. There was tension in the air. A sense of wariness about the town. Even the children weren't oblivious to the fact. Their streets were filled with strangers, armed ones, and with the shift in tone came a sense of malaise that set heavy in the pits of their stomachs. Everyone was subdued. On edge. It was difficult to break that sense of foreboding. Despite being a visitor herself, it was a matter of concern for Nikukyuu. So she stepped forward. She broke the ice herself.[break][break]
With a game of hide and seek.[break][break]
❝ Ready or not! Here I come! ❞
[break]
Yes. Of course there would be awkward looks from her fellow adults. Kyuu's beaming grin spoke nothing but pride, confidence in the anchor of her hands at her hips as her gaze snapped open to survey the surrounding village. Even her Ninken seemed unenthused about her behavior, the quiet hound keeping his eyes elsewhere as a disagreeable huff escaped the leathery wet of his snout.[break][break]
❝ You're really not helping me out on this one, are you, Gin? ❞[break][break]
Her tone rang with amusement as she gave the ninken a lopsided smirk, a lone brow quirking over her eyes as she start forward to begin her search. The dog simply wrinkled his nose at the woman's teasing, the corner of an inky lip peeling from his pointed molars in a sneer.[break][break]
It was no matter of lamentation for the shinobi of the Hidden Cloud. Dressed from head to toe in drab greys and protective flak, the symbol of her nation sat proud about her neck, silver hair wild and unkempt in comparison to the neat press of her attire. Hadn't caught all the details, there.[break][break]
Kyuu was on the hunt, moseying along in a lazy saunter as her gaze drift from one place to another in search. Five of the little ones had agreed to her little game, the prospect of potentially fooling a trained ninja simply too exciting to pass up on. For the moment, some of that tension had been driven away, and Kyuu was intent on fostering the kids' lighthearted spirit.[break][break]
❝ Ah - HAA! ❞[break][break]
She barked the sound out abruptly, eyes wild as she suddenly halt her steps to lean herself over the mouth of the well. Her lips twist themselves up in a feral grin as she stared down into the empty shadows within. And then she froze. Just standing there a moment.[break][break]
The silver-haired of the Inuzuka wasn't offended, though whether it was due to an air-headed nature or a healthy stock of confidence may have been hard to tell. The groan of the door had done nothing to dampen the cheery grin warming her features, and as Makoto offered her mock praise for the Cloud's "trustworthy" nature, Kyuu could only find herself snickering - the glimmer of her eyes set toward the stranger with humor dancing behind their watch.[break][break]
❝ I'd like to think I'm pretty good at both! ❞[break][break]
Kyuu's spirited chirrup was followed by a brief poke of her tongue at the woman, chest puffed up in an immature show of pride. A playful tease for a playful tease, though the younger Inuzuka's proved decidedly lacking in sting. It was a friendly gesture, if a childish one, and her grin drew right back to place as she quickly hid her tongue again once more. Miyako, on the other hand, seemed to be the polar opposite in terms of reaction. Nikukyuu wasn't so vapid as to have it escape her notice.[break][break]
The line of her brows pinched subtle over her eyes as her gaze drift itself for her chunin ally, the wide, sunny grin offered to the unexpected visitors easing to rest in the crooked line of a half-hearted smirk, absolutely not on board with the suggestion of a battle.[break][break]
It seemed the glance was all she had to offer her friend before she simply bent down to lay the towel in her basket, posture lifting right back up as she lift her hands to set to work in bringing down the next towel down from the line.[break][break]
❝ It has to have been... at least twenty years since I last saw these forests. Hard to believe how quickly things can change. I'm happy to be working with the Otogakure. Lord Fourth respects the Hokage. And so do I. ❞[break][break]
Provocation, it seemed, simply would not reach Kyuu. Her voice still held that friendly warmth, and her tone flowed with natural ease as she reminisce. Whether it was the Inuzuka's taunts or her own partner's aggression, she was at ease. Right at home, even. Fingers worked to fold the cloth in their grip smoothly, guiding it into another crisp square before adding it to the basket waiting at her feet.[break][break]
She had work to do, and it was dignified enough for her.
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?
Kyuu's lips bundled themselves up to a purse, a lone, colorless brow arching itself high over the frosty blue of her stare. Why this dark-haired stranger was frowning at her, she couldn't figure, and as she opened her mouth with instruction, Kyuu only found herself further lost on what bug might've bitten the woman to put such a disappointed look on her face.[break][break]
❝ What? ❞[break][break]
A genius reply that could have only been spoken by such an intelligent woman. The Cloud Inuzuka blurt the word out gracelessly, ignorant to the motions of the elder clearly demonstrating proper method from her sliver of shadow nearby. The old woman moved her hands in such a way as to unfurl an invisible cloth, flapping it twice against the wind before chewing at the trembling line of her lips as she fold its intangible shape to an even square.[break][break]
Kyuu cocked her head as she kept her grip to the folded laundry, thoughtful gaze caught toward Makoto. Maybe she'd have pressed for some understanding, if not for the sudden appearance of her fellow chunin beside the lady. The Uchiha's presence, it seemed, changed everything.[break][break]
❝ Miya! ❞[break][break]
Nikukyuu sound the woman's name - or a portion of it, anyway - in an excitable yelp, figurative tail wagging merrily behind her as she shot a hand to the heavens in greeting, teeth displayed in a bright, shining grin.[break][break]
❝ You're going to help out? Seriously? You're such a team player! ❞[break][break]
The elder chunin was practically sparkling with enthusiasm, eye glittering with awe for the arrival of her trustworthy platoon partner. Her gratitude shot off in sparks, popping like fireworks about her brightened features as she leaned forward a bit - aiming to close at least a fraction of the distance between herself and her perfect friend.[break][break]
❝ Miyako's right on the money, ❞ she chimed toward Makoto, lashes fluttering in a friendly wink toward the Kirigakure ninja. Her lifted hand fell as she settled back onto her heels, apparently having popped up onto her toes at some point. Was she even catching these insults being tossed around?[break][break]
❝ Granny asked us to help out! Right, Granny? ❞[break][break]
Kyuu turned the sunny rays of her smile toward the old woman - only to be met with the sound of the door as the Hidden Sound local holed herself up in her house.[break][break]
The forest was unusually quiet for the amount of activity seen beneath its boughs. Birdcalls came few and far between, with only the soft hum of insects to fill what quiet settled between the hush of passing steps. The sun was high, the woods were baking, and with the sound of cloth fluttering against the breeze - a rickety old woman with loose-hanging, wrinkled skin stood in what slight shadow her humble home offered her, eyes toward the grey-garbed figure working to fold up the laundry waiting upon her clothesline.[break][break]
"Ohhh... Nononono. Nono. No."[break][break]
The old woman's voice echoed as brittle as her willow-thin frame as she reached her hands up toward the heavens, heavy eyelids sagged over her eyes as the fine line of her lips bent low in a frown. The bags under her dark beady eyes were puffy and round, mousey white hair tied up in a bun to spare her neck some portion of the late summer's heat. Garbed in the light cloth of a dark yukata void of embellishment, her toes tucked around the plush thong of her geta, she seemed to be in some despair - heavy-lashed gaze toward a silver-haired shinobi bearing the mark of Kumogakure about her throat.[break][break]
❝ No? ❞[break][break]
Kyuu - the grey-haired ninja in question - wasn't incredulous. She was confused. The line of her brows wove itself in a pinch over her eyes as she turned the pale hue of her gaze toward the elder, her own mouth bent to a frown for her lack of understanding.[break][break]
❝ Granny. Didn't you want me to do this for you? ❞[break][break]
Sun beating down atop her head, sweat beaded under the wild ruff of her bangs, the Hidden Cloud shinobi was at a loss. Fingers clamped down around the coarse, woven fiber of an overworked dish rag, working to draw its corners together and fold it into a neat square.[break][break]
She wasn't half-assing this. While the basket waiting at her heel was empty, the swift method in which she'd folded the cloth hint to plenty of experience, and its even line was likely well enough to please even the most anal housewife. Even so, the Otogakure relic was dissatisfied, and as she curled the twigs of her fingers into her palms, she brought down her hands from the sky to rest her fists gentle against her eyes, sighing with a level of dramatics that could only be cultured over countless decades of innumerable disappointments. The moment lingered, and Nikukyuu waited - but after a moment of anguish, the old woman's hands fell, and as she blinked open her eyes, she saw them. Her savior.[break][break]
"You. You you you you you -"[break][break]
The elderly woman reached a bony hand for the figure who had happened upon the scene, gesturing to them for aid. The shift in attention saw Kyuu checking over her shoulder, a curious puzzle in the Cloud shinobi's eyes as she blinked toward the newcomer being invited to help her.
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.
On top of the world... Fingers grasped in the gentle touch of her mother's palm, pale, silvery eyes turned away to one side, gazing between the gaps in the metal rails to peer into the shadows below. The rock that pierced through the darkness rose in magnificent spires, the heavens hovering as a mist about their peaks. It was impossible to see. Beyond the fog. Through the shadows. They were too high up. The more she thought about it, the closer and closer it seemed to the truth. Their troubles were far below. And she was here. Safe and sound. In Kumogakure.
Tiny digits caught between her lips, her round eyes stared on, in wonders over just how high up they might be. Would they reach the sun? Could she capture the stars in her fist?
"What do you think of the view?"
- ◦ -
[ full of energy . desperately loyal . without remorse ]
Kyuu was only a child when her family arrived in Kumogakure, wide-eyed and dizzy from the mountain heights. She was from the Hidden Sound, though she doesn't remember it, born to the descendants of Konoha refugees. But that's ancient history to a woman like Kyuu. As far back as her memory can take her, she's been a part of the Hidden Cloud.
Among the peaks of the mountaintop village, Kyuu is the sun, cheerful and bright. She's a never-ending font of youthful energy, with beaming smiles and the excitable nature of a child, which can be either a blessing or a curse depending on the perception of her company. It seems near nothing can bring the woman down, as even in the face of slights and discouraging odds she's a fiery spirit incapable of any thoughts aside from sheer optimism. Generous, compassionate, and perhaps just a teensy bit proud, she's popular with the children of the village for spending her time playing games and telling stories to the upcoming generation of little ninjas. To her allies, she's a beacon of hope and light - which may come as a surprise to enemies who know her only from the battlefield.
Since the death of her father during the war for the Land of Whirlpools, she's been an exceptionally wicked presence when engaged in battle. Lips peeled back and fangs bared with venom, she's an aggressive, feral combatant with a decided view to tearing her opponents limb from limb. Though not without caution, the woman is decidedly void of mercy, and while she's happy to take a quick kill over unnecessary torture, she isn't above tormenting an enemy that refuses to make it an option for her. When locked in combat, any trace of humanity seems to fade from her, and it isn't until the battle is over that she can find the mind to crack a smirk - win or lose. For those used to her warm, sisterly nature, it can be jarring - though the resulting intimidation factor from her rabid displays is not without its benefits.
As a combatant in the conquest against the Kirigakure, her hands are stained with the blood of a number of Mist shinobi. In view of her skills in leadership and exceptional service during the time of the war, she was entrusted with responsibilities of a chunin.
★
Her respectable rank has done nothing to dissuade friends and family from continuing to use her childhood nickname of "Toebeans," and she doesn't mind in the least.
Proficiencies
Four Legs Technique [Journeyman] An admirable practitioner of the family hijutsu, Kyuu's grasp on the martial style has only become firmer since the conclusion of her first war. Her wiry frame boasts impressive strength thanks to her practiced control of chakra, and through use of her internal energies, she can sharpen her nails and lengthen her fangs for an animalistic approach to combat. The Four Legs jutsu enables her to move at blistering speeds that make her attacks a challenge to predict, and with the aid of her singular ninken, Ginmaru, she can double team an opponent to try and divide their focus. As a decidedly closed-ranged fighter, she greedily snaps her jaws at any weakness provided her, making use of Ginmaru's presence to create further openings for her to tear her enemies down. With a growing knowledge of chakra points, these key intersections of energy are often the targets of her attacks.
↳ Ginmaru is a silver-furred mutt with folded ears and steely black eyes, an austere ninken that is the polar opposite of the master in his command. He is sturdy and tall, bearing few visible scars from previous battles. Though wolf-like in shape, his muscular frame stands a full head taller than that of his feral cousins, the aura to surround him carrying a dangerous weight of authority. Quick on his feet, Ginmaru shows a talent for bukijutsu, often making good use of the tanto kept sheathed in the holster fastened over his shoulder. His grizzly demeanor is unshakeable.
Earth Release [Journeyman] Earth techniques have become one of the kunoichi's specialties. Utilizing the element with a view to mobility and spacing, while capable of creating walls and pillars of hearty stone, most often she uses the art to zip things from one location to another by churning the earth beneath their weight, or abruptly morph the ground to swallow herself or attempt to entrap her opponent under the surface of the earth. While unable to breathe while underground, she can move swiftly through stone or soil to pop up in unexpected locations. Her consistent practice has broadened her range of control, extending her reach to contend with the span of a shuriken's flight.
Shurikenjutsu [Apprentice] "Adequate. And just barely, at that." Nikukyuu hasn't forgotten her instructor's words. Unfortunately, her remembering has done little to help her improve. She throws too hard, without fail, every time, and often comes close to missing her mark. Her shoddy aim leads to a wasteful use of shuriken as she frantically tosses after her initial throw, hoping to knock it back on course. The second the stars come out, she's a safety hazard - though the unpredictable nature of her throws does grant her some small advantage. Her wild brand of shurikenjutsu is difficult to track, making it more useful as a diversion rather than an actual attack. There's oceans' worth of room for improvement, but she's at least managed herself a step above your typical novice.
Stealth [Apprentice] The skill seems to come naturally to the woman, as she moves instinctively to conceal herself in brush and shadow. She blends nicely into a crowd, and has no trouble in looking inconspicuous. She tends to unintentionally drift toward potential hiding places, and often finds her eyes fixed toward possible points of ambush. While she can be slow moving in choosing her steps, by carefully plotting her course she does an effective job of concealing the sound of her footfalls. Rarely, however, does it occur to her to put such effort into covering her tracks.
