The sun peaking over the small mound which lead into the scorpion's lair made the small entrance much more intimidating then Nyx previously thought that the small cave could pose. She knew what lay below the entrance, a rather vast cave network filled to the brim with scorpions, but even still the small hill that served as the gateway into the pit was never intimidating, or at least Nyx never thought it could be.

The Girl let out a small sigh, as the temperature drop around her. She had come out to the location in order to train, as she could easily recognize once she was around other shinobi that she was honestly nothing much more than the average genin fresh out of the academy, and she needed to train, and to get stronger, and fast, however she doubted that the standard method of training, which was just going to be sitting in the training grounds and endless working on her body along with a bunch of other sweaty genin who all smelled like ass, was going to advance her past most genin, much less be anything appealing. She figured she needed real combat experience, and since she currently didn't have a squad. She figured live animals were her next best option. Knowing of the scorpions lair, and not really of any other place she could think of that would guarantee live animals, she figured that this was by far her best option to get combat experience. Though she supposed having to track down live animals to then fight would be good for Ninja experience as she would need to know how to track things down first. Though It wouldn't really do her any good if all she could was track things down, and not know how to fight it first hand, as such, it was probably better for her to at least get some combat experience under her belt, before she went off to train her tracking skills. That way she wasn't attempting to figure out how to fight things immediately after she finally was able to track something down, and wasted a whole bunch of time, which would inevitably lead to her needing to track something else down, and would lead into a perpetual cycle of her only really sharping her tracking skills and not really her combat skills at all.

Either way, it still had taken her a whole lot longer to get to the scorpion cave then she had hoped it would. She knew this is where she wanted to head this morning, and so had left then, but she hadn't expected it to take most of the day to reach the small cave which housed her prey. She had specifically left when she did so that way it wouldn't, but it appears she either underestimated the distance of the cave, or overestimated her ability to reach the cave in a certain amount of time, and if she knew herself as well as she thought she did, she would have to assume it was the latter. She knew for a fact her overconfidence was a bit too much at times and caused her to fall short in some areas. Though not that it really mattered anyways. She was here now, and she needed to get down to business.  

With that said Nyx let out a long sigh as she calmed herself from her free flowing mind, and looking into the entrance to the cave. Here she was. This wouldn't be easy. these were scorpions. She would be fighting for her life, and if she didn't focus entirely on the fight ahead of her, she wouldn't likely see the light of the next day. With those grim thoughts on her mind, Nyx stepped forwards. The sound of the sand brushing underneath her feet, slowly transferring to the sound of stone under her feet, as she entered the cave.

It didn't take long for Nyx's eyes to get used to the dark. It wasn't dark enough that she couldn't see, there was a dim lighting, Nyx wasn't sure from what, but it was there. However more eerily there was no sounds. No movements. For something meant to be crawling with scorpions this almost unnerved Nyx. However she knew if she got too careful, or got too nerves that also might spell her end. She needed to remain calm and cautious. In preparation for combat, Nyx pulled out a kunai, and twirled it in her hands, as she cold and cal eyes remain focused ahead of her. the soft sound of footsteps echoed through the cave with each step she took. Then. Finally. Something besides her moved.

She heard it before she could see it. It was coming from a small corridor to her left. Her eyes shot that direction just in time for the rather large scorpion to strike. Nyx jumped back just in time to miss the stinger fling towards her direction, she slide as the loud crash boomed through-out the cave, as the stringer struck the wall, breaking off chunks of wall. Nyx was fairly certain she was outmatched here. She definitely should have trained her body a little bit before coming here, however she was here not, and the girl was definitely not going to back to some fucking scorpion. Nyx's eyes narrowed towards her opponent and slight grin took over her face. This would be fun. Nyx twirled the kunai in her hand to hold it in a reverse grip fashion, and began to move forwards towards the scorpion, her steps echoing out through the cave. The scorpions legs scrapped against the floor as it towards to face her as well. The gross looking creatures eyes focuses on her, as it ran towards her. the sounds it's body made as it ran towards her only made the creature more horrifying. Nyx's eyes focused on it's tail. More specifically it's stinger. Nyx had no inclination as to whether or not this specific breed of scorpion was poisonous or not and so she had to make sure at all costs that she didn't get stung by it in the slightest. However what Nyx wasn't ready for was the scorpion doing what was essentially a back-handed swipe at her with it's front claw. Of course because she wasn't ready for it in the slightest, she was promptly slammed into the wall on the left side of the walk way she was in.

Nyx hit the wall with a sickening thud the echo'd through-out the hollow cave. Her lungs lost all there air as she gasped for breath. Just as the girl looked up from being slammed against the wall, she saw it. The stringer of the scorpion headed right for her chest aiming to pierce her straight into the wall behind her. A killing blow. This thing wasn't dumb. Nyx moved as fast as she close to pulls her kunai up to defend herself, but she only managed to deflect the stinger to then cleave down her arm, leaving her with a huge gash. The girl clenched her mouth as the pain shot up through her arm. She wanted desperately to scream. She knew the creature wouldn't understand or take gratification in her pain, it only wanted her dead, but even so she wouldn't give it the satisfaction. Instead as the stinger stuck in the side of the wall after it finished glancing off of her, Nyx dug her kunai in the flesh of the tail, and continued on until the tail snapped and she pinned it to the wall she then twisted her kunai, further damaging the creatures as it almost screeched in pain. A small grin returned to Nyx as the thing howled. Nyx then unceremoniously pulled the kunai out of the and spit on the scorpion before her. The creature shortly after finished reeling back because of the pain and damage dealt to it. and screeched once more. It was angry. The corridor was only about 6 or 7 meters in width, and so it didn't have far to charge, but it charged anyways. Nyx then let out a small 'tch', before taking a step forwards, and using her right foot as an anchor, pushed off the ground into a side roll, raking her kunai down the top end of the scorpion, landing on the back side of the scorpion. however instead of facing her like she expected it to do, the thing simply caught her while landing, smashing into her with the base of it's tail, sending her flying further into the cave, cutting her off from the exit.

Nyx tumbled down the cave, rolling. skidding and sliding, Nyx came to a halt not longer after, her breath knocked out of her once more. If she survived she knew she'd be feeling this tomorrow... but first came surviving. Nyx opened her eyes just in time to see a perfectly uninjured stinger coming straight down on top of her. Nyx Rolled, ending up under the second scorpion to enter the fight. Nyx stopping trying to think and just let her instincts take over, the girl placed her hands on her hands on the ground as she shot her leg up into the under belly of the creature, kicking it up into the air, as it went up Nyx slashed her kunai into it's underbelly, causing blood to fall down around her, and a bit getting on her. Nyx then kept rolling even further into the cave. The first scorpion then proceeded to come further towards her, essentially running over the other scorpion to get to her. Nyx didn't have time to think or consider her options. She charged it, just the same as last time, however instead of barrel rolling over it, and straight into the stinger of the secondary one which was still partially under the first one, Nyx simply stepped on top of the first one as it lunged at her, and pushed off of it's head, plunging it's head down, as the second one's stinger came towards her. As she used the first one as a spring board, Nyx did a barrel roll once more, noticing the stinger coming, the placed her kunai the path of it, angling it down, and essentially forcing it to slam into the body of the other scorpion, killing it as it then slumped down on top of the second one. However, Nyx didn't stop to put it out of it's misery. She was in pain and hurt all over, so once she was past the two blocking her path towards the exit of the cave, she bolted straight towards the exit. She was done here.

---

WC: 1783

Panting was all the could be heard as Nyx ran. She ran and ran and ran, as fast as she could out of that cave. She had won the fight, at least in her mind, with one scorpion pinned, and the other presumably dead, however she didn't want to have to stay in that cave any longer than she needed too. However Nyx was pretty sure she was lost at this point as she couldn't see any light along the path she traveled, which really confused the girl, first because she was she sure she hadn't even gotten that far in the cave, second because she was sure that she hadn't been in the cave that long that the sun should have gone down yet, but not very long after that her worries where stripped away, as was the roof above her head, and in it's place took the stars that lit up the night sky, and the warm air of the open desert. Nyx would have collapsed and taken it in if she wasn't sure that the scorpions in the cave right behind her wouldn't come right out and eat her right then and there.  However the girl did take a moment to catch her breath, and close her eyes for a moment, and as she let out that long breath of air, she felt the world rush around her as though she was moving, and then... nothing.

---

When Nyx opened her eyes next, her heart sunk a little bit. In fact, way more than just a little bit. She felt neigh on defeated. The air around her was still warm, but her vision was blurry and hazy, and the room she was in was dark. But that didn't mean she couldn't see them. The red eyes all around her staring at her. The horrifying clicking sound of the eight-legged creatures that surrounded her entirely. their horrifying stingers looming over her like guillotines ready to claim their victim. At her side Nyx drew her sword. She was scared, but if this is how she was going to die, she was going to go out with a fight. The air around the young kunoichi heated up vibrantly as flames licked all around her. lighting up the room around her, giving her a clear vision of all of the scorpions that surrounded her, though her vision was still foggy. There felt like there was hundreds, or even thousands, but she would give it her all to take each and ever single one of them down. Nyx couldn't quite make out the individuals details of each one, but she knew what they were. The warmth of her own chakra calming her nerves as the girl took her stance, her katana feeling ever so natural in her hands. Then her eyes focused forwards and in the blink of an eye, a burst of speed, and a sudden flash of light, Nyx was gone. Blood spewed from the scorpion that had been ever so unfortunate to be the one in front of her, and the one she targeted first. Her katana making instant work of the creature. However that was only one in what she felt was thousands of them in this equal parts small, and large room. The girl felt like the odds were stacked far beyond against her, but she didn't have time to think about that, as the girl turned and cleanly slashed off the tail of the other scorpion which had rushed her from behind. The next two then came from either side of the Nyx as she once more rushed up the scorpion and jumped into the air. She jumped as high as she could noting this room would allow for such. However as Scorpions began to swarm the ground leaving no clear place to land, the girl began to doubt her decision to go up into the air to avoid the other scorpions. However it was too late to take it back. The girl would have to deal with the situation she put herself in. She twirled around her katana so as to hold it in reverse grip fashion, and then let out a scream as she descended towards the swarm of scorpions on the ground. the girl swung at the last moment, cleaving another stinger off of a different scorpion, however continuing that motion in order to cleave into the scorpion behind that was also aiming to strike at her. the girl then rolled off of the scorpion as she landed on top of it, charging the one directly in front of her, and twirling her katana around once more, and then slashing it a crossed the face. The girl then had to twist her body to the side as the muscles of the creature continue to strike towards the location she had been even though it's brain was no longer functioning. The scorpions stinger slammed into the ground with a large thud, landing merely inches in front of Nyx. However she couldn't waste motions so as she was turning she went to cleave off the tail of another scorpion, however it was already ahead of the curve and pain shot through her shoulder as it left a deep gash in it. She still managed to get the tail, but the damage was done.

Nyx gritted her teeth as she continued. This was a fight to the death. She couldn't stop. She was just lucky it was her left shoulder instead of her right shoulder, the arm she was using to swing her sword. However as she was about to finish her swing she felt another sharp pain. The right side of her stomach burst into a mass of pain as another stinger cut straight through that side of her stomach as she continue to turn. The girl let her momentum continue, allowing her blade to cut through the head of the scorpion that had just stabbed her. However she knew she couldn't keep trading like this, but at the same time she was being overwhelmed with the sheer number of scorpions that were attacking her. Before the girl could think up a strategy she had to twirl her sword to hold it into a reverse grip, then swing as hard and as fast as she could to barely manage to deflect yet another stinger coming her direction. but just as she did so, her right shoulder lurched forwards and ignited in pain as a stinger planted its self square in the backside of her right shoulder. The girl in her falling motion bit her lip and grabbed a kunai from her left thigh, with her left hand and went to stab the scorpion behind her that had just hit her. her kunai stuck in it's face with a satisfying amount of resistance. however the girl quickly had to roll backwards as yet another stinger came directly towards her face, grazing her face and leaving a decent cut just above her cheek.. However just as she finished getting back up, she was slammed into by one of the scorpions with a missing stinger, slamming her into a wall behind her, pain erupted into her back, however the assault wasn't done. just as she could manage to look another stinger- no this wasn't a stinger it was a sword plunging straight towards her chest. The girl tried to bring her sword to save herself, but she could recognize she wouldn't make it, and just as she saw the face of her lone assailant in the empty room, Nyx's eyes snapped open.

---

WC: 1284
Total WC: 3067

"Oh thank god. Your awake!" These were the words Nyx heard as her eyes snapped open and she gasped for breath, abruptly sitting up and looking around the room she was in. The bed underneath her squeaking as she did such. It didn't take but a moment for Nyx to realize that she wasn't actually in danger, she was instead in the Sunagakure hospital, and there was a girl standing next to her bedside that looked quiet worried for her well being. Seeing Nyx sit up in a panic, the reached her hands out and touched Nyx, which even though she had already seen the situation by the time the girl had reacted, actually further calmed Nyx down. "Hey, It's alright, You're safe now." Nyx simply nodded as the girl continued. "Alright then, lay down. I don't want you reopening your wounds."

Nyx did as she was told and proceeded to lay down, letting herself sink into the bed and rest. As she was staring at the girl who was tending to her bedside a thought struck into her head. "Umm, How did I get here?" Nyx asked, curious. "The last thing that I remember, I was in front of the cave mouth of the scorpions den, and then I had an odd dream, then I woke up here." At this statement, the girl before her chuckled. "odd dream indeed, you put up quiet a fight in your sleep." A little bit of embarrassment settled on Nyx's face as she realized what the girl meant and connected the dots. In her mind, she was fighting a hoard of scorpions, In reality she was probably fighting a bunch of doctors attempting to care for her injuries. Nyx looked away, a bit ashamed as the girl continued on. "As for how you got here, I found you!" This bit caught Nyx's attention and surprised here a bit, but before she could say something and ask questions the girl continued on. "You where out in front of the scorpions lair with a few smaller scorpions on you, as well as two gashes, one on your right arm, and one on your left shoulder." As she said those words Nyx was puzzled for a moment, when did she get hit by a second large stinger? Then the realization hit her. As she rolled underneath the second scorpion, she thought she had escaped unscathed from the creature, but as she recalled the situation without the intense adrenaline from the fight, she recalled a bit of pain surfacing in her left shoulder as she rolled away. She hadn't really focused on it much in the fight, because well, her life was on the line. But now that she recalled it, she could definitely remember it happening.

Nyx gave a small nod in appreciation and muttered "Thank you for saving me." towards the girl. Before closing her eyes and letting herself rest there for a bit. "No problem!" The med-nin said rather cheery. "However before you get too comfy in that bed, know that since I've healed your wounds, and cleared the poison from your system, you're actually cleared to leave!" Nyx's eyes opened and looked over towards the girl. "oh?" Nyx said. "Yup!" The girl replied without hesitation. "Though, I recommend taking it a bit easy on the training for the next few days so you don't reopen those wounds, and don't take any missions that are require a lot out of you." Nyx sat up, slowly this time, and giggled a little bit. "I won't. Thank you for saving me. Nyx would actually give a bit of an eye smile to the girl. This was the first time Nyx had really looked at her and took her in. If Nyx was being honest with herself, the girl was rather cute and charming, though maybe the fact that the girl had saved her life was influencing her opinion a bit, but even still The girl's appearance was appealing to say the least. As a little bit of blush surfaced on Nyx's face, she looked down and away, giving a bit of a cough. "So what name does my savior go by?" Nyx asked, more muttering than really speaking. The Medical-ninja tilted her head to the side in a rather adorable fashion and just went "Hmm?" Implying that she either hadn't heard Nyx, or simply wanted to embarress the girl further. Nyx coughed again and looked up at her once more. "I, uhhh, just wanted to know your name." Nyx said giving her an eye smile. "oh!" the girl replied. "Shizumi.. My name's Shizumi." The girl said, returning the eye smile.

Nyx then sat up, making sure to be careful. "Right then, well thanks again Shizumi. Hopefully we'll meet again soon" Nyx said thankfully, before waving to the girl and heading out the door... merely muttering to herself as she exited the sunagakure hospital. "The fuck was that Nyx?" Nyx shook her head. and proceeded back to her house. She would follow the girls advice and take the next few days to rest. Not really wanting to inconvenience Shizumi anymore than she already had. Though, she was almost attempted to reopen her wounds if it meant she got to go back and see the girl again. However she quickly discredited this idea, telling herself that, first, there was no guarantee that Shizumi would be there, second, that the girl may find her act more annoying then cute, and may fail to see the intent behind it. Either way, it would be stupid to intentionally opens one's wounds just to go see a cute girl they met at a hospital. This is what Nyx told herself over the next few days whilst she healed up and prepared to start training again. Though she definitely wanted to see that girl again.. at least someday. Maybe that day wouldn't be within the next week or month, but Nyx knew that someday she could meet up again with Shizumi, and when that day came... Nyx hoped they could at least be friends.

---

WC: 1034
Total WC: 4101
[exit thread]
Training:
Strength to D-rank: -750 words
Speed to D-rank: -750 words
Endurance to D-rank: -750 words
Perception to D-rank: -750 words
Reaction Time to D-1: -1075 words
Total Words used: 4075/4101
Words left over: 26