Kamanari had never been in a village so large before. Accustomed to the quite tiny Village Hidden Among the Smoke this was a sprawling Metropolis with more people than she thought possible to live on this Earth. She pulled her skirt down a bit, unsure if the forehead protector she wore on her leg would be welcomed amidst so many different people. She hiked her bag higher onto her shoulder and tried to ignore the delightful scents wafting from the ramen vendors. Having been traveling for so long her stomach rumbled and she quickly lost the battle to abstain from eating. She pulled a tiny gold nugget from her money purse and approached a vendor, hoping it would be sufficient for a meal and directions to the ninja academy.
Kano looked around eagerly. It had been a few years since he'd been to this island, and certainly not since it became the home of the new ninja academy. His eyes nearly popped out of his head when he located the Ramen shop. He could smell it since he walked in, but he'd never dreamed that it would be such an enticing sight! He fished his wallet out of his bag and quickly re-counted his cash. He smiled when he was satisfied that he had enough, and took off at a run to get himself a bowl.
The subtle hint of light gleaming off metal caught
Kamanari's eye and drew her attention from her ramen and chopsticks to the young man's forehead protector. She couldn't place the village symbol but then again she wasn't very experienced in the ways of other clans and tribes. She decided to keep to herself and her ramen.
Oita was walking along the path slowly, ignoring the Ramen shop himself as he made his way slowly along the worn streets. The large pack on his back almost seemed to weigh him down as his feet dragged along the ground; his head was bowed and his thick glasses were slightly steamed with the effort he'd put in today.
Kamanari's eyes drifted from her ramen once more to the individual struggling with his heavy packs. She noticed another forehead protector and weighed the options of asking the ramen vendor where the academy was.
Kano wasted no time in ordering a monstrous bowl of ramen, slapping his money down before the vendor even had time to prepare it. He smiled largely, "You can keep the change!" His smile faded and quite dramatically, a shadow crossed his face, drawing out his eyes in a very creepy fashion, "But only if it is as good as it smells. I won't tip bad ramen."
Hinji stood in the shadows between two stores, watching the goings on at the ramen vendor. Wrapped in his shadow cloak he was nearly invisible, the only noise being made was a slight ruffle of feather from his shadow raven.
Only a few short steps later did it take for
Oita to finally trip over his own feet, roll forward slowly and with a soft squawking noise get flattened beneath his own large pack. His hand scrabbled at the ground, thin arm trying to free himself from the weight of his backpack. The protector jangled on his upper forearm, a shaded square dead in the centre.
Hearing the sudden commotion,
Hinji peaked out of the alley to see what had happened. Seeing the poor person trapped underneath the pack, he left the shadows and hurried over. Using his staff he rolls the pack over and off the individual. "Are you alright?" he asked simply.
Instead of the pack coming fully off,
Oita seemed to cling onto it for dear life so wound up on his back like a turtle instead. He coughed dirt a few times and let out a soft groan "Y-yes... tired... very tired..."
"It is not wise to wear oneself into the dirt."
Hinji said as he helped the man sit up and handed him his water.
Kamanari noticed the commotion in the street but tried to stay focused on her food. She finally summed up her courage to ask the ninja sitting at the ramen booth with her where the academy was. With an accent that stated her first language was far from English she asked "Forgive me for interrupting your meal but I noticed your forehead protector. Would you happen to know the location of the Ninja academy?"
Akane was taking her time through the town. This was probably going to be the only real "break time" she was going to get once she arrived. She was walking alone and seemed content with it. A small shop in the market caught her one eye however. There was a cage hanging form it's roof and in the cage was a golden pheasant. All the other cage's birds were sold during the day. Taking out some money, she handed it to the shop keeper. The shop owner bid her a 'thanks' but Akane ignored him and tossed the cage over to his direction. Keeping the pheasant on her arm, Akane walked off again towards the school. The golden pheasant seemed content on her arm and didn't fly off.
Kano stopped mid-forkful as he was addressed. He slurped the last bit of ramen from his fork before sitting it down. He looked over at her and noticed the protector sitting on her thigh. "Not familiar with that symbol. I'm from the Village in the Volcano." He stuck his hand out in greeting. "The name's Kano, and I'm going to be the best ninja in that school!" His other hand moved to the back of his head and he scratched it sheepishly, "As soon as I find it, that is..."
"Then we are both going the same way."
Kamanari said "I'm not familiar with such large places, would you mind if I followed you? My name is Kamanari of the Village Hidden in the Smoke."
Akane used her free hand and pet the chest of the brightly colored bird. "Come on sweetie." she said, looking for a proper place to release the pheasant.
A boy in a large hat was walking down the street in Akane's direction. His head was down and there was a guitar in his hands. Normal size to an adult the instrument dwarfed the boy and it was obvious he wasn't looking at where he was going. He plucked out a melody as he walked, practicing on playing it faster.
Oita cupped the water, gulped it down greedily and coughed slightly as he sat up; the straps slipped off his shoulders so he wound up sitting on the pack "Yes... of course... but I must train." He straightened his arm band slightly and stared at it as if it was watching him "I still need to find the academy though..." He pushed up his thick glasses, which miraculasly hadn't cracked when he'd fallen over, and glanced up at Hinji "Don't suppose you know the way?"
Glancing up and looking around,
Hinji shook his head. "I am afraid that I am ignorant of its location as well." was his answer. His calm demeanor never changing.
The boy with the guitar continued to walk, unaware of his surroundings. He'd begin singing to himself quietly.
Oita nodded slowly and rubbed his head, eyes closed as he thought; he looked up at Hinji again "I suppose you are partaking in the academy as well? You look young enough to learn along with me."
Hinji raised an inquisitive eyebrow. though it was hidden behind the black cloth that covered his eyes. "And what hints you to that?" he asked
Akane glanced at the boy with the large hat, not thinking much of him. Finding a spot where there was a patch of trees that eventually led into forest, she let the pheasant fly off. Akane watched it leave and went on her merry way towards the school.
"Well I don't see why. I mean, after I'm done eating of course. This is pretty good Ramen, I'll have to remember this place."
Kano said with a grin, he really had a gift for rambling. He took a forkful of ramen and continued to talk despite the food moving through his lips. "So...the village of Smoke, eh? Can't say I've ever been there. You ever hear of my village? We've got salamanders...
beautiful creatures. Always on fire...."
"No I've not been there." Kamanari said, "This is my first time away from home, but our salamanders don't catch on fire."
The undeniable scent of food caused the guitar boy's feet to drift in the direction of the ramen vendor. Only when he reached his stool did the guitar leave his hands, he flipped it around to rest on his back. "I'll have a soda pop and the special." He noticed a pair of forehead protectors in his midst and smiled widely. "Ninjas eh? Me too man, you guys don't know where the school is do you?"
"We were just discussing that." Kamanari said "Sorry we don't but we're intending to find it."
"OH ehh, can I come along? My name is El Mariachi." He held out his hand for Kamanari to shake "Best guitarist in all of the Music Village." He gave a shrug and a chuckle "Well, some day I hope." When his meal came he looked up at the vendor "What no tortilla, no beans?" He pushed the noodles around in his bowl and gave another shrug before upending the bowl and consuming the broth first. "Not bad... could use some jalapenos though."
Hearing people gather behind her, Akane glanced over her shoulder. She noticed the ninja headbands but didn't stop for a second. She didn't know if they were fellow students but wished not to intrude.
"You're roughly five foot nine, so you're old enough to be in the same place I am going, your headband has a new look to it while most older people have scuffed or scraped theirs in battle, your clothes suggest someone who is more fearful of the sun than of attack so you're not going to be put any dangerous missions very soon and your summoning papers" Oita reached up slowly and tapped the dangling paper in front of him "Does not appear to hold anything too advanced, so I am guessing you are going to learn. Am I correct?"
"Your deductions are correct." Hinji replied, "I am going to the Ninja academy." Looking Oita over he posed a question, "You don't look very combat oriented either, What do you do?"
"I am from the village of the Hidden Entrance... I use puppets" Oita explained, straightening his arm band almost automatically "and design them..."
"What kind of salamanders do you have if they are not on fire? They must not be salamanders truly..." Kano deduced after they were interrupted by the mariachi. "I'm Kano. Nice to meet you El. Pretty odd to be carrying 'round a guitar...unless it's attuned to your chakra. Is it your ninja weapon or something?"
"Seems we are more alike then originally thought." Hinji said. "We both have something else do our fighting for us."
El nodded and swallowed down a gulp of ramen with some of his soda. "So long as I can keep these puppy's safe." He said wiggling his fingers. "So what are these?" He asked holding up the chop sticks, he'd been eating with his fingers.
"Yes, indeed" Oita said, standing up and brushing himself off slightly "Though I do have to guide my puppets in every move they make... I have not made one that moves itself yet."
"They're chopsticks. You use them to eat with, me though? I prefer a fork and spoon for most things. It's just easier." Kano explained while pointing tot he jar that had pre-wrapped silverware
Akane was getting bored with walking and this city with all it's cement structures were starting to annoy her. This school had to be getting closer.
El took one of the wrapped packages of flatware and looked at it as if it where impossible to eat with, he shrugged and continued eating with his fingers. A small whining sound could be heard coming from around his feet. "Sorry buddy." He said and dropped a few strands of noodles down to the three legged chihuahua at his feet.
Being a girl and having a soft spot for animals Kamanari responded immediately to the dog "Awwe, what's his name?... and how did he loose his leg?"
El shrugged "Laki and he's been like that since he started following me around. I've been trying to teach him a few ninja techniques but nothing I;ve tried has worked so far."
"We shall have to strive to become better then won't we?" Hinji said. He then examined his surroundings. That's when he noticed other symbols. "I believe we are not the only ones looking for the school."
"No... I suspect there are several people around here who are searching for the school" Oita sighed as he glanced around at everything "But non know where it is..."
Kano sat back after having finished his ramen and scratched his chin. "I don't know about you guys, but the ninja academy in my village, was like in the middle of the village, right next to the Kage's castle actually. So if we go by that, it shouldn't be too difficult a place to find, you think?"
"I think that's a fair idea." Kamanari said and took account of her things in case they decided to depart immediately.
El finished his ramen and soda "Our academy was in the center of town too." He said "I wonder if it's tradition?"
"You'd think their would be signs." Hinji said simply, looking around in case he had missed them.
"This village is too damn big-" Akane muttered, looking around. She took a feather from her hair and lashed it forwards. It poofed and formed a large, seatable feather. Stepping onto it like air, it shot upwards. Maybe from here she could see the damn thing.
"Maybe it's like some sort of test or something." Kano suggested with a shrug as he picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Maybe the academy is only for those worthy enough to find it."
"I suppose this place is too new to have signs, people must be building all the time" Oita said, looking around slowly at the skyline "I suppose we should head to the highest point and look from there?"
"Then let us see if we can't find it." Kamanari said sliding off her stool and taking a look at the street. She noticed more people with forehead protectors. "Are any of you familiar with those symbols?" She asked Kano and El.
"Not me." El said flipping his guitar back around as he stepped out of the ramen shot. His fingers instantly went to the strings, plucking out a random melody.
"The little guy with the big backpack, I've seen that symbol on some puppets back home. Couldn't tell you what the village is called, but I think they've got something to do with the puppets I guess." Kano said with a shrug
Up on her feather, high in the air, Akane spun around, "Hmm..." she stopped when she saw something that looked like the school. "Easy enough." she said before heading in that direction.
"I'm going to take a look." Kamanari said "I'll just be a moment." She took off in a job and using the awnings along the street quite cleverly hopped her way onto the roof of a not quite so tall building but it gave her perspective enough to get a look at the lay of the land. She noticed a girl gliding along on a feather and caught sight of the subtle glint of forehead protector. She hopped down from her perch and rejoined the boys. "I could not see the school but there is a ninja floating on a feather headed north east, towards the center of town. I say we head in that direction and see what we can see." Without really waiting on the boys Kamanari began heading in the direction the girl had been traveling. She didn't mind not being the first to find the academy but she certainly didn't intend to be the last.
Without putting much thought into it El followed Kamanari, she seemed pretty confident that she was on the right track.
Kano bought a box of ramen for the road and then headed out after the two of them. At least they were headed for the school now. If it was a test, then they'd be sure to finish it.
Every so often Kamanari would bounce her way up to the top of a building to check their progress. They where still headed in the right direction but she'd lost sight of the girl.
El's guitar accompanied them, he'd tip his hat to ladies they med on the street and had begun humming trying to figure out lyrics for his newest song. The three legged chihuahua lagged several paces behind them but trotted as quickly as it's little legs could.
"That is a very good idea." Hinji said before notcing the other students moving away."But it seems like some of the others have located it for us." He finished as he made to follow.
Akane flew at the building and lowered to the ground. At the entrance, she hopped off her feather. It poofed into a small, regular one and sat itself in her hair.
Oita looked down at his pack, wrinkling his nose before sighing slightly and hitching it onto his back; he flexed his legs slightly, feeling good that he had recuperated enough to move steadily.
Seeing Oita ready Hinji set off behind the other students at a pace designed not to overwork the heavily weighed down kid.
Kano listened as El strummed his guitar. The tune was rather catchy but the simple fact that it kept repeating was beginning to irk him a little bit. "So what all can you play on that thing?" He asked him curiously, still not having gottten an answer to his earlier question of whether it was a ninja weapon or not
"This tune is an exercise to strengthen my fingers and make me quicker." El said switching from his current tune to show Kano. "If I can play it perfectly it'll put my enemies to sleep." He changed tunes again "I wrote this one for my parents before I left." He seemed a little sad now, thinking about the family he'd left behind weeks ago to try and make it to the school on time.
"I think I see it." Kamanari said from a lamp poll she'd climbed for a better look. "Would it have a wall around it?" She asked down to the others.
Oita nodded to Hinji and kept walking, following the other people who seemed to have found the school already. More than likely they'll be part of the classes he shall participate in.
Figuring it proper to use the door other then fly over, Akane gave the large wooden door a push.
"Probably. Or that's the kage's palace." Kano offered, in his village, the Kage's palace was protected by a massive wall, but then again so was every other important building. One never could be too safe when living in a volcano...
Kamanari came down from the poll "Then we're going the right way." she said and set off at a jog towards the walled structure.
El had taken off his sandal to free it of several debilitating rocks. "Wait up!" he said hopping to put his foot back in his shoe and catchup before they lost sight of her.
A frown formed on Hinji's face as he saw the others in front of him quicken their pace. Knowing the Oita wouldnt be able to keep up and not wanting to lose them he turned to face the raven that sat on his shoulder. Whispering a few words to it it seemed to nod before taking flight and following the kids in front.
However Oita was a bit sturdier than he first seemed, after hauling his pack into the wilderness, training for quite some time and then hauling it here he was tired. He'd had a sit down however, had something to drink and no he was... well still tired, but his legs found it easy enough to start a running jog, his pack jostling with a small wooden clonk every now and then.
"Gah she's fast!" Kano declared as Kamanari took off in a sprint. He slapped El on the back. "Come on then! Let us show her what we're made of!" He grinned devilishly and took off after her. The sweat steamed off his body as he began to run faster, his core temperature rising quickly. The people of his village simply didn't live in the volcano, they were a true part of it.
El finally got his shoe back on and flipped his guitar around to his back to make him more aerodynamic as he set into a sprint to follow Kano and Kamanari. The little dog that followed him seemed to have no trouble in keeping up despite it's use of only three legs.
Kamanari had stopped there where large wooden doors in front of her and nothing to scale up to see if she where in the right spot but she announced to El and Kano "I think this is it."
Noticing the rejuvenated spirit in Oita, Hinji kept the pace. They arrived at the doors a few minutes after the others did.
Seeing no one in the school's courtyard, Akane found a spot of soft ground and sat, folding her hands together. She didn't even see any classmates.
With a slight huff and puff Oita was approaching what he supposed was the school; people were gathering there. His pack was heavy but he was still moving with slight speed.
Kano whistled when he took stock of the size of the school. "Big place. Oh look the doors are open. I guess we're not the first ones here." He shrugged and headed inside. He saw the girl sitting on the grounded and arched an eyebrow. "Who're you?"
"Hm?" Akane turned around and got to her feet. "You're worst nightmare." she said in a threatening voice. She held it there before she smirked, "Not really. I just got here a few minuets ago...waiting for a bell to ring or something."
"Your worst nightmare. Heh...that's great." Kano said not really all that dramatically. He smiled and offered her his hand. "The name's Kano. I'm from the Village Hidden in the Volcano. I take it you're gonna be one of my fellow students?"
"Akane from the Village of Quills. I think so, we look about the same age." she said, shaking his hand. "For I while I was wondering if I was at the right place or not."
Kamanari hoisted up her pack on her shoulder and headed inside, noticing Akane she said "Your the one on the big feather. We followed you, thanks."
"Heh...you saw that? So much for being inconspicuous." Akane smirked, rubbing the back of her head, embarrassed a little.
"It was very interesting." Kamanari said with a smile.
The lyrical sound of a guitar slipped in next to Kano as El noticed there was another girl present "Why hello Senorita." He said tipping his sombraro.
Hinji crossed the threshold of the school and joined the rest of the soon to be students. He turned around to make sure Oita had made it with him.
"I think you are confusing me... my name is Akane." she said to the Hispanic boy.
"Senorita is an affectionate term in my homeland." El said giving her a little bow "Would you like to hear a song?"
"Affectionate?" Akane repeated, wondering if she was just flirted with. She stared at this odd person with her one eye. "I...umm...yes?"
El smiled broadly at the chance to sing for her. His playing wasn't exactly the best in the world but it was apparent that he knew a few tricks. "OhhhOooohh lovely senorita, your feathers so soft to caress, iiiiIIIiiiif you would allow me, juuuuust one passionate kiss." He finished off with a fancy little guitar solo at the end but before he was finished his fingers became tangled and he ended on a sour note.
Akane blushed when she heard the song was about HER. Her eye was wide and her lips were sewn shut, unsure how to react to this sudden shock. "T-thanks..."
El bowed and kissed her hand before fading dramatically back into the crowd of students. Though his sombrero was apparent behind Kano's head.
And just like that- he was gone. Akane clasped her kissed hand and glanced to Kamanari and Kano, as if asking them with her eyes what the heck that was just now. Her face was beat red.
Slowing down as he reached the school, Oita panted softly and hitched his pack up again "Made it..." He looked over at a pair already here, one very obvious in a huge hat... He was a ninja right? They were in the right place right?
"That you did." Hinji said with a small laugh. "Now its time to meet our fellow classmates." He added as he gestured to the crowd of kids before them.
This was place was getting crowded quickly. Akane had no other choice but to move with the group towards the building itself.
"Oh... goody" Oita grumbled as he moved forward slowly towards the amassing group with trepidation eating at his mind edges.
Seeing Akane's puzzled look Kamanari could only offer. "Maybe it's a confounding genjutsu?"
"Yea....THAT'S it." Akane said sarcastically as she was shuffled along. "Weirdest thing ever given to me, that's for sure. And I live with birds."
Once all the students had appeared in the courtyard, there was a loud POOF as too older ninjas appeared. One held a sword scabbard, leaning on it as if it were a cane. His eyes were covered by his forehead protector, bearing a symbol shaped like a crashing wave. His hair was long and vibrant blue, pulled back into a sleek ponytail at the base of his skull. He wore the signature vest of his rank over top a flowing cloak of deep royal blue color.
The other, relatively short in height, with a slightly scrawny build. She looked much younger than one who wore a vest that match the other ninja's. Her bright hair was hidden beneath a white Japanese “Lucky Cat” hat. The vest was settled over top a black and white dress that stops just above her knees. Her ankles and wrists are bound in bandages, while her shoes are black.
"Welcome to the Academy." The man said with a wide smile. "I am Ishiaki Hirameki, of the Village of the Crashing Waves." He motioned to his counter-part, in all sense of the word, according to their hair color and gender at least. "This is Tsuginohi Kerori, of the Village of the Bared Fangs. We'll be your teachers. As the first students to arrive here, the six of you have the honor of being the first two squads. Seeing as you have all been given basic ninja training, there's really no need for you to actually attend this school. What you'll be dealing with is more along the lines of field experience. We'll teach you all that we can while we complete missions for the Coalition." He took a deep breath and wiped his forehead. "Wow, that was a bit longer of a speech that I anticipated. I'm not really much of one for speeches, usually."
Kano was the first to react to this speech. "Wait a minute...did you just say that you're Ishiaki Hirameki???? Dude! You're like the greatest warrior in all the islands!!! You're gonna be our teacher?! That's freakin awesome!" His face shone with all the excitement that his voice carried through his words. He couldn't believe that The Blind Swordsman was going to be their instructor.
Hinji had no idea who these two people were, but from the sound of the other kid's voice at least one of them seemed important.
El was paying attention but due to his fingers having a mind of their own Ishiaki Sensei's speech had light musical accompaniment.
Kamanari had listened intently, wondering which squad she would be placed with.
Oita stopped and blinked, watching as Ishiaki spoke to them... Two teachers and neither of them seemed to be users of puppets... great. He just hoped that he'd learn something from this experience.
"Yes yes, he's the great blind swordsman, and he's better at speeches than he thinks" Tsuginohi said with a grin, patting the tall man hard on the back and grinning "Now, how to split you up?"
Akane practically studied the two teachers, wondering which one was "better" then the other and if so- who she would be stuck with. She couldn't help but glance at the sombrero in the crowd, blushing again.
"Hmmmm....how indeed." Ishiaki replied, turning his head in Tsuginohi's direction. It was clearly in a horrible stare like manner, but seeing as he was 'blind' it was hard to believe that the man was actually staring at her.
"Oh! We could draw straws!" Kano said allowed, hoping to offer some good advice. He looked about quickly. "Anybody got some straws?"
"Complimenting abilities, talents, and skill." Was all Hinji said. Figuring that a good team should be able to cover for each others weaknesses with their own strengths, he just didn't know if the others would see it that way.
"By musical talent." El advised. He knew his suggestion would get shot down but he amused himself with thoughts of a deadly ninja band while everyone else deliberated.
"I agree with the hatted one." Kamanari said offering her two cents since everyone else was also. It also seemed like the best of suggestions so far.
"You....agree with musical talent?" Akane lifted a brow at Kamanari. She shrugged, then again- birds can sing.
"Surely all teams will adapt to cover each others weakness more than just planning ahead in such aspect. If you had an entire team of ninjutsu users they could be powerful, but a varied team could develop to be just as powerful. And how are we meant to split up to cover everyone's weakness' without exposing them to begin with?" Oita said quickly but clearly before shutting up and just standing there.
Tsuginohi's gaze was unyielding and... overwhelmingly cheery, a wide grin on her face as she stared up at Ishiaki; in her mind they were equal, they were BOTH chosen for this and were both going to teach these kids. "Maybe we should just say who'd we most like to chose."
Akane scratched at where the strap of her eye patch rested. She thought this should've been figured out already. Her hand moved and tugged on the feather in her hair. She was getting a little impatient.
"No, the other one." Kamanari told Akane, "About our complimenting abilities."
"Thank goodness." Akane smiled, moving some of her blue and green hair out of her face. "I don't care who I'm with as long as this place is worth it." she chatted.
"How could we have decided who was to team with who, when we didn't even know who was coming and from where?" Ishiaki explained, he scratched his chin in thought. "How about we go with a small introduction at least? So we know what we're dealing with. Anyone here know their elemental natures? If so, we'll try to pair you up according to those. It's alright if you don't know it for sure though. It usually takes a while for ninjas to become aware of what their natures are."
"I'm from the Volcano, Ishiaki-sensei. My nature is obviously fire!" Kano said proudly and cheerfully, puffing his chest out to make himself appear larger, as he was accustomed to doing back home.
"I'm from the Island of Quills. I specialize in air." Akane raised a hand. Her voice was more reserved. She felt that her bird specialties were more secondary to her air techniques.
"My name is Hinji Fumashuro and my nature is shadow. I also specialize in summoning." Was all he said.
"Kaminari Kamuri of the Village hidden among the Smoke. I'm lightning natured and I also summon Ninja Squirrels."
"El Mariachi of the Music Village, sound." El added a little strum of his guitar.
Oita dropped his pack carefully on the floor and stroke the worn fabric slowly with one hand "I am Oita Watanabe and I come from the Village of the Hidden Entrance. I work with puppets, which means I could have any element I want if I can create a puppet with it... Right now I have Earth and Fire."
Akane listened to her fellow classmates. There sure was a wide variety in this group. It would be interesting to see them all in action. She heard wing-beats of a hawk and glanced up, seeing one fly by overhead. This island didn't have as exotic of a selection of birds that her island had, but it was still varied in species.
"Not a bad selection really, wouldn't you say, Tsuginohi?" Ishiaki asked, still rubbing his chin in thought. "Well, how about I take Kaminari, since we're both Lightning natured. You take Kano and I'll take Oita. It wouldn't be very balanced to have two fire users on the same team." He looked over to Hinji and smirked. "I think Hinji's shadows should compliment your light quite well, don't you agree Tsu?"
Kano looked over at Hinji, who apparently was going to be his new teammate. He gave the oddly dressed guy a thumbs up. This was going to be interesting at least.
Hinji nodded his head back towards Kano, his summoning cards swaying gently from the motion. His shadow raven returned to him, landing gently on the tip of his staff and letting out a "caw".
A little taken back that she wasn't in the first few picked, Akane crossed her arms. She was a bit annoyed by the 'gym class' way that the teachers were choosing students. There was always going to be a last one picked and she was sure that person was going to feel horrible.
"Ohhh yey, new people!" Tsuginohi almost squealed as she clapped her hands happily and gazed at her two new students "I'll teach you well... but that means we have to split up the last two..." Tsuginohi began to walk now, first circling the students she'd been given and then heading away. The swaying of the summoning cards as she left meant that Tsu had just swatted them without her hands seeming to move; she seemed to cast Akane a longing glance before going over to El "I'll have you!"
Akane blinked when Tsuginohi skipped over her. Really...REALLY?! What the hell? She was bathed, properly dressed and accurately skilled. "Is there a problem?" she asked quietly.
Tsuginohi turned to Akane, her small slit cat eyes widened to huge sizes as she watched the feather she wore sway slightly in the wind "No reason really..." For a small moment her mind whirred, almost impossibly fast "Just that his powers are mostly sound, mine is light, the other I have received are shadows; together we could produce a very stealthy team. I'll... have to work on the fire user but maybe after I've learned more about his abilities I can produce a team that is able to enter and leave without anyone knowing."
"But if she uses feathers then wouldn't that make her an adequate student for stealth?" Kaminari asked suddenly before she realized she might be out of place. She decided to continue her point "Because feathers are really light..." She didn't know why she was speaking up exactly, she was sort of hoping Akane would end up on their team any way. She didn't want to be the only girl.
El didn't want to argue with his Sensei but if stealth meant that he had to stay quiet and he channeled his chakra threw his guitar then that meant his chakra was useless. He really hoped he didn't screw this up in the long run. He reconciled himself with the fact that ninja's are the limpidity of stealth and that he had some practicing to do, even if it wasn't with his beloved guitar.
"I did not say ENTIRELY stealth, feathers are obvious if they are able to be used as weapons, this young man has a weapon and method which people might over look. While not entirely inconspicuous" Tsu glanced up at the large sombrero "We can work with him. I want hidden, over looked methods of attack as well as stealth. Why hide all day in a bush to exterminate someone when you can just walk in offering a song that they don't know is deadly?"
El looked down when she glanced at his his sombrero, he was a little touchy about his hat and really didn't want people looking at his face. it wasn't because there was anything wrong with it he was just sort of shy. Only his mother could tell you why though.
"It's not a big deal- but thanks." Akane said to Kaminari, walking to their group. Besides, maybe having a blind teacher would be more useful to her, given her circumstances.
"I'm glad your on our team." Kaminari Whispered to Akane "Truthfully, I didn't want to be the only girl."
Kano looked to El and gave a huge thumbs up. He had barely even met the guy earlier, but he could tell they were going to get along. He looked at the other members of his team, and frowned. "Am I gonna have to get a hat too?" He asked to nobody in particular. Hell, even his Sensei had a hat.
"Welcome aboard, Akane." Ishiaki formally greeted her, with a wide smile. He bowed low to each of his students. He hoped that they would excel to the heights he hoped they would in every way and beyond. He wasn't old, but he certainly wasn't getting any younger. Now was the time to start forging legacies, and what better one then magnificent students? He continued to smile at each of his students, then suddenly slapped his scabbard down unto his shoulder. "Alright then. Now that the teams are settled, what say we go and do a little bit of training before our first missions are handed out?"
Akane smiled back to Kaminari, "Yes, I suppose it's for the best then, hm?" She looked at her sensei and smirked, finally they were going to do some of the fun stuff!
Oita picked up his pack with slight difficulty adn grumbled, he should have left his training in the woods... He cast an eye over his new team mates; two girls... Him and two girls. Oh this could get awkward. "Yes sensei."
"took the words right out of my mouth" Tsu said happily as she began to march around in front of her squad, head barely reaching their chests as she moved "And Kano we'll get you a hat later if you want. Right now though I think we should put down some ground rules and do some training. First one for me is: I don't care what you call me when not in front of superiors, but when they are around they insist you call me sensei."
Kano was ever eager to please, just so they could get on with training. He smiled and puffed out his chest, "Yes Sensei."
El reciprocated the thumbs up given to him by Kano.
Kaminiri smiled, glad that Akane, so far didn't seem anything like her older sister. All the other teens in their village where boys so this was a firs for her. At the sound of actual training her heart leapt at the thought of getting to maybe blow something up.
Hinji listened to his little sensei as she spoke. Spending most of the conversation though was lost as he wondered exactly what training they would be undergoing and exactly how old this lady was that was going to be leading them.
Akane took a few steps away from her friend and started stretching. She lifted a foot and outstretched her toes. Akane was completely barefoot though her feet were clean. After stretching, she rose and stood on the front sole of her foot, almost like a ballerina. Her greenish blue hair ruffled in the small gust that circled her. She waited for further instruction.
Ishiaki looked over at Tsu, "So what do you think? We'll go to The Training Field and you guys train in The Training Woods? Seeing as our groups will be rivals, it wouldn't do very well for us to watch each other train."
Kano walked over to Hinji, "So you use shadows and can summon stuff? Like what?" He asked his new comrade curiously. He didn't know very many summoners back home, maybe he could learn what he needed to do to be able to summon the Salamanders from his volcano from his new friend.
"Anything really." Hinji said quitely as to not disturb the senseis. "At my skill level, not a lot, but I have summoned items, weapons, creatures, and monsters. My little helper here was my first summon." He said that last part as if talking fondly about a good friend. He reached up and gently stroked the raven, little whisps of shadow flew off as he did so.
Oita wrinkled his nose at this, the woods were better for him really but... he supposed the field would be ok. He took several large breaths as he lifted his pack up even more and got ready to leave.
"We can chat later lads!" Tsu said happily at Hinji and Kano "We've got training to do, you can learn about each other then. Now... what sort of training to do with you guys? I'll think as we go" With that she took off, going slow enough that her team could follow her towards The Training Woods.
At the sound of there being a Training Woods Kaminari became very excited, but when Sensei Tsu opted for them her little native heart crumbled a bit. Still, she was determined to prove herself woods or no.
"If you would follow me, please." Ishiaki instructed his students as he took off in a high speed ninja run towards the training field
Kano quickly followed after his sensei as she lead them to the training woods
"Yes Sensei" Oita said at once and took off running as fast as he could, which unfortunatley wasn't very fast. He'd had to bring all of his scrolls today, hadn't he?
Stumble!