Ogo

Final Fantasy X *Still Accepting*

Righty-o. I need to get some sleep at the moment, but I'll work on something later on! ^-^

Final Fantasy X

Yeah, I'd probably be down for this. Kind of a sucker for all things Final Fantasy, so you've kind of hit a bit of a soft spot xD

Naruto: Shinobi reborn

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Training Ground 11

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“Hurry up!”

Whatever excitement the girl have been feeling immediately died the moment the man opened his mouth and began to speak. Whether it be simple training or a full-blown mission, she couldn’t afford to let herself be distracted when on the job. And right now, she was on the job. Silently, she cursed her own naivety. She needed to focus. Only focus.

“Alright, losers. My name is Hideo. Your Sensei. Starting now, you all listen to me and only me! My word goes, got it?”

Kiyoko nodded an affirmative. It went without saying, right? He was the jounin assigned to the squad. He was the squad leader. To disobey his orders...regardless of how Kiyoko felt about the bastard, she wouldn’t dream of doing such.

“And don’t even think I’ll be afraid to give you all a good lesson in pain tolerance if one of you steps out of line.”

The girl gave another short nod. She wasn’t exactly worried about that threat. It was well within his right to do so, and Kiyoko wouldn’t protest should it come to that. In fac-

“Who the hell is this?”

The appearance of unexpected guest pushed Kiyoko on edge. Her grip on her bow tighten, and her fingers twitched slightly. But once she spotted the scroll in the young boy’s hands, she calmed. Just a messenger. Of course he was. What else could he have been? Kiyoko answered his bow with her own, but was a bit confused when the boy did not immediately leave after handing over the scroll. That see-

“Hehe...I like you kid. Fashionably-late. Anyways...apparently this is your third squad member. Jiro Nakahara.”

Third...odd. Kiyoko vaguely remembered the name, but the face didn’t seem too familiar.

“Hello, Nakahara!”

Did Miyazaki know the boy? Kiyoko couldn’t say for sure. She simply nodded to the kid, unknowingly mimicking the giant’s earlier response to him. If nothing else, having another pair of hands on the squad could prove to be useful. Still, despite her attempts at pushing away her thoughts, a small bit of doubt wormed its way into her consciousness. She hadn’t the foggiest clue how either of the two worked. She would wager that Miyazaki, due to his size and general actions, was probably something more along the lines of a close-range specialist. But Nakahara...sure, he was smaller than she was, but she had seen a few his size be quite the scrappers back in the Academy. Bit of an enigma, that one, but she’d find out soon enough.

“Now...like I was saying. I want you all to know that I am a very strict leader, so I don’t want any messing around in this group. I personally want you all to be the best so I can brag to other people about how good of a Sensei I am.”

Kiyoko nodded again. What might have been said as a joke, she had taken to heart as an order. She would remain serious in order to bring honor to her sensei. She had planned on that anyway, but now that it was officially stated, she would double up her efforts.

“As first order of businesses, I am going to put you all through a little prerequisite. I’m really pulling this shit out of my ass, but it goes like this. I stand in this circle. You all try and knock me out with any way you see fit. But…you set foot in this circle, and I’ll break every bone in your body...figuratively speaking though. You’d be useless if your bones were all broken now, wouldn’t you? But seriously, I will attack you though. Hard.”

At Hideo-sensei’s behest, Kiyoko backed away from the circle.

“Whoever manages to push me out will get… 21 ryō. Just a little competition to get you all’s fire going. Welp, I guess you guys can start or whatever."

Kiyoko’s eyes narrowed on Hideo as she unscrewed the cap to her quiver. It fell from it’s position, now dangling freely by a black string. She grabbed an arrow by the nock and was just about to pull it free when another voice spoke up.

Nakahara.

He began to ask sensei a number of questions. Sensible questions. Kiyoko briefly considered launching a shot while the boy spoke, but held off. She was curious about the answers as well. Besides, she suspected that sensei would be expecting something along those lines. It would simply be a waste of an arrow and serve to do little more than piss him off. Which wouldn’t be a problem, but if he were to counterattack at this distance…

Hideo-sensei pretty much responded just as she thought he would. Somewhat sarcastically, with a sprinkle of douchebaggery and a small sliver of actual information. But if he was just testing their teamwork, then Kiyoko was glad she hadn’t acted on her first impulse. Work together, eh? Looks like she’d be getting a feel for her comrade’s abilities sooner rather than later.

“So, uh...group huddle, anyone?”

Kiyoko glanced back at the voice. Miyazaki. A group huddle, huh? A bit silly for her tastes, but...he was on the right track. Still, it wouldn’t do to group up too close to the jounin. She didn’t put it past him to launch some sort of attack with them grouped up, so she’d like to have some room to evade if required. Not to mention the fact that any sort of planning would be completely pointless if he could overhear them. They might as well just put together a presentation and walk him through step by step exactly how they planned to leave him broken and bleeding by the side of the forest.

“Alright. But not here.” Kiyoko responded, looking directly at the snowy-haired giant. She nodded towards the path they took into the clearing. The further away from Hideo-sensei, the better. She started towards it, not quite waiting on Miyazaki’s response, but she suddenly stopped to look back at Nakahara. What was it that sensei had said last? ...pip-squeak.

Fuck.

She hoped against hope that the kid’s height wasn’t a sore spot. The last thing they needed was for the little guy to end up an unconscious sack of meat before they had even begun. She brought up her bow and pulled free an arrow. While she did nock it, she hadn’t yet drew back. She was just being prepared. Preparation, the key to success.

If the kid did lose his cool, she’d at least try a shot. Maybe they’d get lucky and the older man would be way too into beating the shit out of Nakahara to dodge.

What?

A girl can dream, can’t she?

Naruto: Shinobi reborn

Moar party members? :^O

Naruto: Shinobi reborn

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The Academy

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It was a shame. Just when things were looking as if they were about to get mighty saucy between Haru and Sexy-Senpai, a voice cut through the relative silence (well...silent if you ignored the various conversations by impatient Genin, something Kiyoko had gotten pretty damn good at, actually). It was Sensei. Kiyoko rose her gaze back the the woman leading the class.

“Uhhh...Team Takeo: Momo Sakurai, Keita Ryuukaze, and Isami Suzuki! You all are to meet at Training grounds 17!”

Boo.

Kiyoko glanced over to catch a peek at the newest squad. While she may not know much about the people, she was damn fine with names and faces. And while they would all be shinobi of Konohagakure, they were potential rivals. Potential competition. It couldn’t hurt to size up the competition.

…

The Ryuukaze boy seemingly flew past her to the exit. Kiyoko blinked. He seemed...eager. But she could have swore that in the short glance that she got, his face looked quite...red. Probably a fever. Or not, Really, what did she care?

Answer: she didn’t. Thus she went back to the realm of truly terrible discount smut.

Or she would have.

But Sensei spoke up again, catching her completely off guard.

“Team Hideo! Rima Miyazaki and Kiyoko Mizushima. Meet at training ground 11...I guess your squad is a duo. Strange.”

Kiyoko didn’t move for a moment. A duo…? That was...different. Not exactly what she had been expecting to be honest. Surely there had to be some reason? But it didn’t matter. Orders were orders. If they were assigned to work in a smaller team, so be it.

When the short moment of confusion past, Kiyoko directed her thoughts to Rima Miyazaki. He hadn’t made an impression on her before, but now that they’d have to work together...well, Kiyoko quickly decided to examine his actions more closely. The latest, and thus freshest, thing in her mind was his tardiness. Well, perhaps that wasn’t the right word. He wasn’t exactly late for class, but he wasn’t early either. He was one of the last to enter. That wasn’t quite a strike, but it was close.

Tardiness would not be tolerated.

“Hi, Kiyoko!”

The girl’s eyes narrowed. Speak of the devil...she turned to face her partner. ‘Kiyoko?’ A little familiar, no? It wasn’t quite worth a strike on its own, either, but coupled with his near-tardiness from earlier, it brought his tally up to one. So not exactly the best start. Before she could say anything in response, he continued. “Would you like to walk to the training ground together?”

Kiyoko regarded him for a moment, then loosened ever so slightly. “I think that would be for the best...Miyazaki.” she replied in her usual vaguely bored tone. She was worried about his punctuality and he suggested they go together. Thus, she’d be able to guarantee he got there in a timely manner. She wasn’t sure if he was aware of her concern or not, but it was noted nonetheless. His prior tally was removed, resetting the count.

First impression?
Neutral.
Subject shows signs of irresponsibility, yet potentially decent judgement.

…

But truth be told, it didn’t matter how she felt about the guy personally. She was assigned to work with him, so work with him she would. Orders were orders, after all, and who was she to question them?

Kiyoko closed her book and returned the small paperback to the small pouch on the thigh opposite her kunai. She grabbed the black cylinder lying under her seat as she rose to her feet and tied it to her waist. When it was tightly secure, Kiyoko tapped the cap of the cylinder and gave it a small twist. Not enough to uncap it, but enough just to ensure that it wasn’t stuck. Perhaps a bit unnecessary, but a few wasted moments now could be the difference between life and death later. She then grabbed the wooden bow that was also tucked away and pushed her seat in.

With everything set, the shinobi archer cast her cold, dark eyes onto the boy and nodded once more.

“After you.”

-----------------

Training Ground 11

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After a bit of a walk from the academy to the training grounds, during which Kiyoko remained rather quiet, eventually they come into a clearing which looked to be the spot. At least, according to the signs, this was the eleventh training grounds…

It wasn’t much to look at.

The ground obviously wasn’t well maintained. One need only feel the lumpy assortment of grass, weeds, and other unpleasantries to figure that one out. However, as the two newest shinobi entered the grounds, Kiyoki had taken note of the dense foliage surrounding it. Heavy woods...and even a large hill beyond them. Not exactly the place one would want to catch themselves in the case of a combat encounter. But that would be unlikely, what with their being in the heart of Konohagakure territory.

And least, and potentially least, was the rather unsavory looking man waiting by a large dirt circle. He was tall, but not exactly intimating. Just unpleasant. At least, the look on his face was. To be quite honest, he didn’t quite impress Kiyoko much. Certainly no Sexy-Senpai. He was much too lanky for that. And he seemed to have a slight slouch to him.

So...this was Hideo-sensei? It seemed a safe bet. She uh...actually knew nothing about the guy. Having mostly distanced herself from her classmates, Kiyoko hadn’t gotten caught up in all the gossip and chatter. Whether he would be a decent squad leader or not would have to be seen. One thing was certain though. It. Didn’t. Matter.

If she was ordered to work under his command, then work under his command she would.

Orders were orders.

So Kiyoko approached her possible leader, back straight, shoulders back, bow in one hand, the other resting atop the quiver’s cap. Her ever stoic face did not betray the excitement swelling in her chest. There would be time to celebrate graduating later. For now, all of her focus was directed solely upon the man likely to be Hideo-sensei.

She was ready.

Naruto: Shinobi reborn

Oi! People o'the guild! Surely there's one among you that wants to indulge in some ninja goodness!

Naruto: Shinobi reborn

@Jay Kalton
Bwahaha, nothing wrong with a touch of spam.

But yeah, this guy does.

Same name as here, Ogobrogo.
[e-mail] if it helps.
Just look for the mushroom man that's just done arm day.

Naruto: Shinobi reborn

le moom: HUSBAND OUR DAUGHTER IS THE REINCARNATION OF NYAN CAT

@Jay Kalton

I can't even.
I'm done.
My sides are hurt, my laugh box is broken.
Goodbye, everybody.

Naruto: Shinobi reborn

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Kiyoko’s Apartment

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‘Twas the day of assignment, when all through the room
not a creature was stirring, except for Ms. Doom.
Despite her excitement, she sat in her chair
eyeing a clone which was much less than fair.

Disgusted by what she was seeing ahead
and fearful of what would be not left unsaid,
Kiyoko moved up and with just a small tap
she banished the poor clone, her worst handicap.

When out on the balcony arose such a clatter,
the silence this abnormality did shatter.
Her kunai pulled up, to the door she did dash
With no hesitation, the intruder she’d slash.

The moon, she discovered, would aid in her search
for she caught the intruder, up upon a perch.
But danger would not come from that ball of fat,
who looked now more like a rat than like a cat.

“Mrrroww?”

Kiyoko stared at the fluffy feline as it pulled itself forward, stretching. It let out another plea as it jumped from the rail enclosing her little balcony, and trotted over to her feet. The girl sighed as she dropped her guard, returning the kunai to the small pouch tied to the thigh of her right leg. The cat continued to meow, even ramping it up to full on purr status as it rubbed her legs with its head. Kiyoko found herself oddly embarrassed. To get so worked up over a cat...she was tense. Real tense. And why wouldn’t she be? She was quite anxious about this day. Enough so to wake up quite some time before her al-

Beep-beep beep-beep! Beep-beep beep-beep! Beep-beep beep-beep!

Alright enough with that. Kiyoko turned and pushed the door to her apartment open a bit more. The chubby kitty happily trotted inside and crossed the room over to the little section which served as a kitchen. It approached its water bowl and greedily lapped up...but when it turned to its food dish, all hell broke lose. The cat began a pitiful wailing, full of misery and despair. Where was its food? It was STARVING! It was DYING! Oh sweet, merciful Kitty-Gods, whatever did it do to deserve such a terrible fate? Why-

The sound of pellets hitting a plate drew the feline’s attention.

Kiyoko smiled as the cat pounced the food, attacking it as if it hadn’t eaten in days. Disregard the fact that they had just went through this same song and dance not even two hours ago. Oh well. She had a soft spot for the little guy.

Beep-beep beep-beep.

Shit.

Kiyoko turned and crossed the living space, quickly throwing open the door to her bedroom and silencing her alarm clock. For a ninja, she sure did make a helluva ruckus. Hell, most of her mornings were like this. Her neighbors had to hate her. Oh well. She wasn’t going anywhere.

This was her mother’s place, after all.

It was odd. She knew it. She probably should have been living with her aunt, Honoko. She even did for a while. But it didn’t feel right leaving the home. Not yet, at least. Honoko and Kenta understood. They even paid the rent and utilities for her. While Honoko was a shinobi like Kiyoto’s mother and soon to be herself, Kenta was just a businessman. She never really asked what kind of business he was in, but whatever it was, he was reaping the rewards. Money was not an issue for the man.

And yeah, Kiyoko loved her aunt and uncle, and could tell they loved her, but this arrangement worked out better for everyone. Honoko was gone quite often, and Kenta...well he probably a bit happier than he’d let on about being able to just quietly pay to not have to share his home with a snot-nosed brat. Oh well.

“Mrroowww?”

Kiyoko turned to see her chubby companion staring at her from the living room. It apparently wasn’t happy with the amount of food she sat out and was demanding even more tribute. The girl smiled again at the little guy, but he wasn’t getting more.

It was time for a diet.

Kiyoko did return to the living room, but not to more clone practice. She was terrible enough at it, but she had somehow managed to pull a halfway decent one out when it came to the exam. Lucky her. She’d work on it again, sure, but later. Now...now she had to get ready. That meant shower, food, new clothes, and another check to make sure she had everything she needed for the day.

The girl raised her arms and let out a mighty yawn.

And coffee. Late nights and early mornings do not mix well. Go figure.

At least it was finally time. No matter how the day went, she’d only have to deal with it once. Good or bad, this was it.

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The Academy

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Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Was this part of the test?

Tick.

Tock.

To see how long they could endure an agonizing wait?

Tick.

Tock.

Sensei was no help, either. She just seemed wrapped up in her paperwork. Kiyoko couldn’t get a read on her either.

Tick.

Tock.

Sensei moved, causing Kiyoko to shift her gaze from the book she had been reading. Some trashy romance paperback from the checkout aisle in some dime store. It was a guilty pleasure. The cover she had covered in a black mesh coat, obscuring the title and the uh...artwork. Just when Kiyoko thought that Sensei was about to break the wait, to free them from torment, she had just called out a girl for playing with a kunai. And of course, the girl became the center of attention for a brief moments. Anything to break the monotony, eh? It was Momo Sakurai. Not somebody that Kiyoko knew very well. The girl was a bit too...silly for her tastes. But even she had to admit that the girl could be funny at times. Even to a dry fuddy-duddy like herself.

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

It seemed as if some of her classmates might be actively losing their minds. A shame, that. She was having a decent enough time. After all, Haru and Sexy-Senpai were just about to step into the hot air balloon and travel off into the distance where Sexy-Senpai wou-

“Hey guys, how’s it going?”

Kiyoko’s concentration was shaken. She turned her head to see the loud giant in all his glory. Rima Miyazaki. She...really didn’t know much about him either. Or really anybody in the class. She kept to herself and really only spoke if she had to. Huh. She briefly considered if she would do it again, if she had the chance? Or would she have tried to be a bit more like this guy?

Tick.

Tock.

Nope.

Tick.

Tock.

Way too much effort to be that cheery.
And that was effort that could be better spent elsewhere.

Tick.

Like following Sexy-Senpai’s wild adventures.

Tock.

Naruto: Shinobi reborn

@Jay Kalton
Mother of God...
Just...just replace the bio pic.
Go home, everybody, we're done here. This gal's got the job.