writingrin

Uchiha Reborn

Yura nodded. "Just relax them, let it fly on its own." She stood back and watched. But of course he'd dropped his arm too soon. That was okay. She didn't expect him to absorb what she meant right away. The next time he fired he tried again to remain still and did a little better. Once he was done she let him do the work of collecting the arrows and come back to her. It was always bad to be TOO helpful as teacher, she knew.

But there was nothing wrong with praise, in her opinion.

"That was good. You're starting to understand the movements better, Sasuke. Don't worry, once you practice it a lot you won't have to think about it. Then you can keep your mind on other things like the way your target is about to move, air currents, etc." She waved her hand in the air dismissively. All that was for later.

When he addressed his concerns about firing at her she shrugged.

"Yeah, alright. But it's a fun game. I guess we'll play it when you're older."

She studied him.

"I know your arm is getting sore but go through at least half the arrows again, for practice. You don't have to rush. You can rest your arms in between. Then come back inside and we'll resharpen the arrows. Okay?"

She took a few steps away. "I'm going to clean up your kitchen before I leave. I've got to do some errands today." She started to move again and then turned back to him once she reached the doorway. Her hand rested on the frame. "You can come if you want. When's the last time you left this place, besides going to school?" she asked him, a little concern in her voice.

Return to the 9 Islands

Kuroaki nodded at the youkai girl. As always, it was difficult to imagine her being part of The Great War. She'd experienced all that chaos and destruction, terror and bloodlust, then been taken away and imprisoned believing she would be viciously killed next. And she'd still turned out like this? Well, he didn't know what she went through emotionally when she was alone or with friends.... Shinrai had been through the war too and lost her brother--or so she thought--and actually passed out at one point from being overwhelmed. She seemed lovely and put-together too, to most people. But he had been there for her various breakdowns over the years. So he often wondered about these youkai prisoners, like Shizuka, who seemed so calm. What was really going on inside them? He knew Shizuka to be a pleasant creature, though, in any case. And he was sorry that assisting his people ostracized her from her own.

"Very good," he replied. Then he shrugged slightly. "It was worse than expected but not that bad." Especially since it was shorter than expected as well.

"Are you..." he wondered belatedly if he should even ask, but did anyway. "How are you feeling to be back in Japan?" He was nervous, he supposed. There was every chance that his plan to "save" these youkai would get him and his own people killed somehow. He needed to understand their point of views so he could stay on his toes. Shinrai would want him to trust them, let them stick to their word. They'd made a deal with him after all. But he couldn't be sure they didn't have ulterior motives. At least some of them. He didn't think Shizuka had ulterior motives. But some of what she was feeling might be shared by the others. So he wanted to know in any case.

Uchiha Reborn

Yura nodded. She wasn't going to make any assumptions about him today. She just wanted to see where he was at and help him improve. So let him pick whatever target he was comfortable with. He was likely to do his best that way. She watched him choose and followed him toward the dummies. Then she immediately picked out a couple of problems with his stance that she knew would send the arrow askew before he even fired. However she let him try to work it out first. After all this wasn't a skill he'd perfected and could just pick up again at a moment's notice. Fortunately the second time aground he did better.

Yura nodded, offering him a smile for the first success. But she did have some help to offer. She stepped around him. She moved so that she had his same sight line and then nudged him so that he was perfectly centered. Then she kept adjusting his arms and legs until he had the proper stance. Then she patted him on the shoulder and dropped her hand.

"How's that? Uncomfortable? Good. It won't get better until you're used to it then it'll be as natural as breathing."

Wasn't it great to be a ninja?! She'd grown to love it at least.

"How can I put this?" She looked at the target, then back at him. "Okay. DON'T focus on your aim. Your whole body needs to be positioned right and at the right level of tension or it's going to go awry EVEN when your aim is perfect. So your aim doesn't matter if your delivery is off. Get it?" She quickly looked him over and saw that his arm was beginning to shake. "The tension on your bowstring might be too high right now. But you'll get stronger and work up to it."

"Oh, one more thing. Let go by relaxing your fingers. Keep everything else firm, especially your bow arm." Because again, the stance mattered more than aim. The aim depended on the stance. His fingers could tilt the arrow up or down as he released and/or his bow arm could begin to drop before the arrow finished coming off of it. It was important to realize that.

She took a step back, "Now go for it! Use the rest of them in a row." That would give him several chances to use and remember her tips.

Uchiha Reborn

Yura didn't see any harm in this practice. The worst that could happen would be the bowstring breaking and snapping back on him. When Sasuke popped his head back in Yura got to her feet. Then outside she held out her hand to take it from him and looked it over.

"Looks like it's in good shape."

She examined the arrows next and nodded. There were only a few of them but at least if she did snatch them out of the air they wouldn't get ruined. Yura gave them back.

"Alright, pick a target and do a few practice shots."

She really did intend to make herself the target soon but she wasn't sure she could or should get him to actually fire upon her right away. And besides she could examine his technique far better from here and make adjustments if he'd let her.

Freedom in Qishan

The village was no more.

Teren could barely believe that still.

She remembered seeing it empty as they were all carted away in chains but it was nuts! That village had always been there and they'd survived SO MUCH for so long. She'd always expected the extreme weather or an attack from the nearby villages to be what ended them. Not slavers. Of course she'd always known slavery was a possibility too, but you never think that's going to happen to you!

At least she already knew how to work hard. As a little girl she was in service to the village doing lots of odd jobs. Then she grew up and joined their army helping defend everyone. That was a whole new type of discipline but with it came certain benefits that made it easier. Finally she had a purpose in life and if she died she would die for a purpose--protecting the village.

But in the end she hadn't died protecting it. Others had. And they'd all failed.

At least, so far, she wasn't being physically abused in any way except through forced labor in cruel conditions. Teren didn't think she could live with rape. But this backbreaking labor in the hot sun and dry wind? Even the lack of food and water. It was enough to drive one crazy but she could endure it. And she helped others endure it too.

Today they got a break at lunch time. Apparently slaves were dropping like flies a little too quickly for their master's taste and they were easing up a bit. Teren was almost too tired to care. She had, sneakily, been using her magic to keep a breeze blowing on herself and those near her. They were the least overheated now but she was extra tired from her efforts. Her magic was, for obvious reasons, being supressed by the owners. Just not enough apparently. She'd noticed that right away. But the little bit of magic she did have wasn't going to help her escape. She couldn't whip up enough of a breeze to slice open her bonds or pick up a ring of keys and bring it to her. The air could stir but it was blunt and unwieldy.

Teren sucked down her water fast, stumbled away and collapsed on the ground, struggling not to be sick and loose the precious water. She knew better than to chug water when she was dehydrated and hungry but several times her water had been spilled before she could finish it. She refused to risk it again. Now that she was resting she didn't risk calling up a breeze. But she still begged the universe for a natural one. Heck, even a storm. Bring a storm and end the day's work. Or bury everyone forever. She was so tired she didn't care at the moment.

Uchiha Reborn

As for Yura, she was unimpressed with her cooking and knew most other people would be too. Although at the same time many people appreciated simple fare when they were good and hungry and she was totally capable of doing that much. Eventually she would see to it that Sasuke could cook for himself as well. No rush though.

"Ie ie," Yura replied. It was nothing. But she was happy to be thanked. His little blush was cute too. "Thanks for having me over." She bowed slightly in respect. But she didn't want this to be a formal thing so she suddenly shifted her posture to be more casual and relaxed.

She raised her eyebrows. No school, huh? What should they do today? There were a lot of things Yura would like to have a chance to do on her own. But if she had to put it off one more day it wouldn't matter and she could probably drag Sasuke around for most of the errands if she had to do them and it wasn't safe here. She wished she knew whether it was safe or not. What was she supposed to be protecting him from? That had been part of her mission statement too, not just to become his guardian. Was Itachi coming back or was there something else?

But she was getting sidetracked so she shook the thoughts away.

Yura smirked a little. "That bugged me too," she sympathized. "But being a ninja requires a lot of self-discipline. So little things like doing homework and following minor rules you don't agree with are good practice." She sighed. "It sucks though." Her eyes twinkled at him. Besides his teacher had to have other reasons for the rule. She ate a little more, listening in as the boy finally opened up about something. Boy, he was in a better mood this morning. She only hoped it lasted!

Yura hummed. "There is an art to choosing the right weapon for the right task. Ninja aren't samurai. We don't brute force things... most of the time. We're efficient. And sneaky." She leered at him. "So we have a lot of weapons and tricks." She leaned back. "But everyone has their preferences for certain ones." She reached up to her hair and encountered her headband instead of her comb and frowned. Maybe she should keep wearing that. She felt a little odd without it.

Then she met Sasuke's intent, hopeful gaze. She blinked. "Oh, sure. Are you worried your teacher would object?" Her eyes glinted back at him. She leaned forward and crouched a little which made her seem younger and more excited. "I'll play target if you want and snatch them out of the air. It'll be good practice for me too."

Well maybe that was overstating it a bit. That was more like a chuunin level -game- for her and she'd need very little chakra. But it would still be diverting.

Mining Amusement

Perna glanced at her clothes. She'd read the instructions on the website about what not to wear. So she and Devonnie were in light clothing. But Perna didn't know the meaning of "casual wear," practically. She still looked a little too classy for this place, even if she was toned down.

They all began to sweat the deeper they got. Perna kept a close eye on her daughter in case any of this started to be bad for her health. She wasn't a particularly healthy child.

Perna thought the super heated pool that didn't boil was rather interesting. Although she supposed it wouldn't be much to look at. Next the guide casually dropped in the fact that he was also the owner. She was surprised to hear that. But alright, good for him. As for getting into these springs... Perna wouldn't say "never." Because she'd been on vacations to exotic places and gone to spas and hotsprings before. But this was no spa and she had a jacuzzi and privacy at home.

Perna shuddered at the scar and the visual image of all that blood. Devonnie's eyes went wide with childish morbid interest. Perna was 5'5" and wearing one inch heels so that had her just grazing the roof of the tunnel. She had to lean forward. Devonnie just walked along happily.

Finally they reached the "cooking pool" and witnessed the lumberjack dropping his food in. Perna helped Devonnie with hers and then they dropped two cans in by their strings. Devonnie was very adventerous with her choices. Perna's can was just a backup in case her daughter's concoction was disgusting. While they waited they finished their first water bottle, what was left after partially filling the can that had noodles in it.

Perna's eyes drifted around the cave and the crowd of people.

Uchiha Reborn

Yura grinned at him and nodded. But he didn't take her up on her offer. She hid a sigh of disappointment by turning her face away and transitioned into a cool down for her muscles. When she looked back she noted his little internal war and held her breath. Her motions freezing up. She dropped her arms. Well, that was nice. He WANTED her to eat with him. Even though he'd had to push himself to make the request. But as soon as he asked he rushed away. Yura chuckled to herself and let him go. She put away the sword and finished cooling down. Then she joined him in the kitchen.

She took a seat across from him and began serving herself.

"So," she asked, "do you have school today?" She poured tea for herself next. "What are they teaching you these days?"

She itadakimasued quickly under her breath and dug in. She was definitely hungry too!

Uchiha Reborn

When Yura woke she thought there was something wrong. She didn't waste time pretending to be asleep, she merely shot to her feet, ready to act. But there was not threat. The only thing that was off was that she'd slept late. She was long in the habit of waking at dawn and it was already passed that. She forced herself to relax. She looked outside and saw that it was still pretty early. She looked at Sasuke. He probably wouldn't be waking up for a while yet. He looked peaceful now and that eased her somehow. Silently, she left the room.

She didn't intrude on any of the bedrooms. But she found their restroom and then their kitchen. She was only slightly surprised to see that they had an old style dinner table on the floor and no refridgeration. How had Sasuke been getting along? On fast food? Did he have an income? That was another issue did he or she own the clan's property now or what? Surely a boy hadn't been in charge of it, even if they did. It was probably being held for him. So how indeed had he been surviving all this time? Charity? She sighed. In any case there were no groceries. Just some tea that Sasuke's mother must have had.

Yura went outside, retrieved Sasuke's shoes and notebook, then went to her own home. She showered and changed and then returned with groceries. She whipped up a simple breakfast for the two of them that wouldn't go bad even sitting out. Then she had some tea before going out to train in the Uchiha's back yard.

Her body was incredibly stiff from sleeping sitting up on Sasuke's floor all night. But she warmed up and then stretched out the kinks. She was wearing pants and a plain tucked in t-shirt. It would probably be a while before she started dressing like a ninja again. Her only mission for the time being was Sasuke. So she looked like a civilian, not a ninja. But she did have kunai in an unobtrusive pouch on her belt. The red comb she always worn was set aside. Her short hair and bangs were tied back by a red headband. Her hands were gloved again.

She took her body through languid martial arts moves at first, steadily building up the intensity of the work out. Finally she picked up the sword she'd had waiting on the ground and began another session, practicing sword moves this time. It wasn't much to look at but she clearly knew what she was doing.

She noticed Sasuke come awake and wondered what to do. Eventually she decided to let him find her and when the back door slid open she turned and smiled.

"Good morning!" she called out cheerfully. She didn't stop her movements but was facing him now. "There is some breakfast on the table if you're starving. I can join you in a moment." She performed another move then paused and tilted her head. "Unless you would like to join me?"

Uchiha Reborn

The eyes of two Uchiha met, red from crying. Yura looked at him and saw her own expression mirrored back at her. Instinctively she opened her arms and Sasuke collapsed into them. That felt like the right thing to do. She clutched him tightly and bowed her head over the clan symbol on his back. At first she just held onto him. Then she loosened her grip and began stroking his hair. Not running her fingers through it. Just petting him in a soothing way. Her posture still enfolded him and she'd even adjusted the way she was sitting to support his weight.

She didn't speak for a long time and she didn't tell him to quiet down. She let him get it out. But eventually as she saw how he was exhausting himself, she exerted some chakra to climb to her feet. Then she carried him into his house and went to the only room that was still being occupied. She barely noticed kicking off her shoes again.

She left his books and shoes in the yard and his front door open. But she kicked his bedroom door closed. Then she put him to bed. She hesitated and then slowly placed a kiss on his forehead. Then she quickly drew back. "Good night, Sasuke," she whispered, and drowsily settled on the floor with a soft exhalation.