Verdandi would wake up exhaling a loud gasp and quickly jolting into an upright position. She was breathing hard and sweat was running down her face. She had her eyes wide open and was staring at the depth of her considerably well furnished apartment. While silvery crystals, that seemed to be dangling all around the room, reflected shiny implications of sunlight passing through the barely open window. Verd would catch her breath to eventually calm down a bit. She didn't know what was happening to her. She used to have nightmares before as a child but it had been ages since she last faced any of them. Sliding her legs off the sweaty bed sheets, getting rid of her sweaty clothes she made her way to the shower. Next to her bed was an open letter, on a pile of many that came from her family. The words that could echo from these letters were all sweet and sound in total, best wishes and stories of what was going on at home in the lands of snow.

But the latest one gave away a different feeling. Her father sent notice, that at last, Verdandi's aunt wanted to see her. Despite that daddy deacon had written these lines in a way of certain joy and best wishes, Verd couldn't shake off the feeling of a dark, scary shadow lingering over this event to come. Cracking her neck, she'd open the pipes and let it pour down the hot water on her skin. To lose herself in superstitious thoughts of what person she might be. Supposedly famous. Strong, insanely so. Kind they say. Merciless sometimes but not cruel. Verd started to doubt that her feelings had any fertile ground at all. Maybe she was just a nice lady. Maybe Verd was just scared to finally meet someone that could actually make use of their natural gift. Or maybe she was scared to leave so much of a useless impression that her aunt wouldn't recognize her, accept her. She shut the waterflow and got herself clean and dressed up. Today she'd leave her eye patch at home. There was no reason to hide the blue eye, despite hearing that auntie was wearing one of those patches herself. It made Verd wonder if she too was using it for some genjutsu practice... but shrugged off the thought quickly.

Fixing her hair and combat kimono, sliding her makeshift katana into her belt to leave the house and at last make her way towards the little pond on the training grounds. Verd would arrive many hours before the time she was supposed to meet her aunt. She thought she could eventually train a bit ahead to not give away that much of a pathetic weak feeling. The weather was pretty at least. She didn't like the mist of kiri, having a somewhat sunny day suited her quite nicely.

Verd would spend a few hours at the pond trying her best to get a feel of the water in front of her. Eventually trying to exhale some of her hyoton chakra onto it's surface and freeze it. But her chakra control didn't allow her to do much more then forming a few icicles first, maybe create one of those small spears she had been working on. They were shiny, beautiful and sharp... deadly... was this the nature of their power? Maybe this wasn't so bad after all. It could be a gift. It could help her become the legacy her family was hoping for. To make them proud. To not fail them. Determination started to form on her facial expression. She actually felt motivated now.

As the time drew closer to the moment of truth she decided to save her chakra in case she'd need it today. Putting herself into her basic Kenjutsu stance as she simply repeated the usual combination of motions that her father teached her. Sometimes the images of her dream would pop up in her head again. Leaving her slightly irritated at times but it didn't seem to break her concentration to practice her skills as a young swordsman. Ice princess.

Complementary image of Verdandi's dream:

---

700

'The nights have been getting darker.‘

A crow has been circling the streets at night, like a vulture looking over the city... though the Himitsu incident was yet to happen, there was an air of fear over the criminal underground that had pushed the gangsters, the pirates and the mobsters to the edge of a cliff. 'Merchant Sailors' had almost tripled their security budgets due to the horrific displays that had been appearing publically within the nation of Mizu no Kuni for the past while... and who could blame them? Crime, for once it seemed, wasn't paying. There was a flicker of doubt in the eye of the urban criminal, a paranoia at every sifting shadow as if death were on the horizon, a reaper standing in the corner... no matter how certain they were, there was never a certainty that the three clawed crow was not perched to strike at the eyes of the underworld.

Moving unseen and undetected was key, Yatagarasu had learned of the actions of these individuals for a while, it seemed that there were groups known by the administration within their midst that were allowed to feed information back to their nations. Spies within the nation was not something that Yata could allow to persist. The lesser of two evils, mitigating information as opposed to risking the creation of deeper cells and networks was simply cowardice masquerading as pragmatism... Yata supposed that if new cells buried themselves in the skin of the country like a melanoma, she would simply cut them out again, and again and again until they stopped coming. All criminality had its price, should that price far exceed the worth the likeliness of its occurrence will plummet.

Sure enough the phantasmal being would stand above the compound as the mist rolled across the nation like a blanket, wrapping Yata in secrecy as she would approach the house door turning the handle and with a single push, snapping its lock as she would enter, drawing a saw-toothed dagger.

The morning media was abuzz with a new killing, Ayakashi had released a statement on the nature of it all, feigning ignorance on the dealings on those within the house, the fact her nations' outrage was predicated on not the heinousness of the deed itself, but rather on the perceived guilt or innocence of the person was something else entirely. Few people had managed to see the construct before the village ANBU managed to use their evidence removal technique to evaporate it... But there was still a small crowd, counseling was offered to the witnesses that had cried out in the early hours of the morning... Ayakashi had been on the hunt for this Yatagarasu the last couple of nights also with some of her most trusted hunters, but had turned up nothing... it was as if the killer knew the schedule of the Kage office, which seemed to raise more and more questions that required answers desperately... but she couldn't help but attempt to fathom...

'What kind of monster does this to a person?'

The bodies were twisted but had been positioned in such a way that they would have lived through a long and anguished death. A core body, lacerated as if by a hundred blades creating a hundred mouths before pinning into them with a blade a separate human tongue. Anbu forces were still looking for the bodies of where the tongues came from, though it was an ironic image for one whose crime was acts of espionage... a beast of a hundred mouths whispering the states secrets into the ears of those who'd pay to hear them... but Aya could not longer dwell on the issues of the past, she had things to do today, she was hoping to meet family. Ayakashi's older brother long moved out of the home had a child who had enrolled in the ninja academy some time ago. While she had not seen her brother in an age, their home having broken after the death of their father, she was keen to meet her niece and oversee her training to be an exceptional ninja.

Moving to the training area, Ayakashi knew she was on the later end due to issues surrounding the morning. Though, she had, had the twins write her off for the remainder of the morning and the afternoon as she would move through the village to the training grounds. It had been an age since Ayakashi had come to the wide open fields used by ninja in the country, often choosing to train in the Yuki family compound rather than make the journey out here, she would look as the place had filled with aspiring ninja and teams practicing their routines. Ayakashi would make her way from building top to building top before reaching the village wall, leaping high off the ground and reaching the top of it in a single bound before making a second leap, disappearing above the mist and vanishing from sight of all. A moment would pass in the training grounds as Ayakashi would descend from the sky like a meteor, landing in the open glade as the mist would part for her like the red sea.

Aya would be wearing her casual attire, the Mizukage shroud present as always, its hood lowered as her long ice blue hair would splay out in every direction down to the small of her back and over her shoulders to almost touch the ground. The black shroud with navy wave patterns across it, the kanji for 'MIZUKAGE' printed vertically down her back as she would stand to her full height. The sroud would be clasped together by nothing more than a gold chain as her only attire underneath it would be bandages across her chest and the leg armor of kirigakure. At her back horizontally across her hips was a quiver of arrows as well as the sheathed blade changeling diagonally above them with a folded fuuma shuriken conversely below, acting as a platform for their stability. Two hilts without blades were tethered to clasps at her hips, hanging like ornaments with a mask clipped beside one on the left and though few could see it, the white wire coiled around a wrist tucked a dart into one of her platinum gauntlets.

The entrance of the Mizukage would hardly go unnoticed, silence begot whispers and the tension and intensity of the training of others would increase twofold, as many would seek to impress the domineering woman. And in truth, it worked. A smile broadened across Ayakashi's face as she saw many ninja here operating at much higher levels than she was at their age. Having not even passed the academy until she was nineteen. But sure enough, amongst them was a female ninja that she knew from the description alone, moving towards her, Ayakashi would smile warmly as she would approach, placing a hand to her hip as she did in an attempt to appear casual.

"Hello there, you're...Yuki Verdandi, right?"

Ayakashi would ask in confirmation, hoping that she was correct in her assumption as doubt filled her mind and thoughts and fears of embarrassment began to well up in her chest.

Verdandi was casually doing her Kenjutsu-kata. Enjoying the sun that was casually shining onto her skin from above. Some sweat would form on her forehead after sometime and drop onto the dull blade she was gripping with both hands. a quick eye to the sky allowed her to calculate the potential time. She yet had to buy one of these fancy watches but in technological regards she certainly was more of a conservative scholar. Mostly thanks to the rather secluded living style her parents came from.

During the morning, people would pass by in ANBU outfits. Civilians that walked through the park would chatter about cruel things happening. But Verdandi lived in her own world right now. As much as her subconscious took notice of all the nasty things that must have happened this morning, her mind was still focused on swinging her blade. Ignorance is a bliss they say. Aya would potentially come to feel the utter ignorance of this young woman. Maybe but only maybe it would soothe Aya's mind that was certainly filled with a lot of worries. Seeing someone of her own blood completely undisturbed by the horrific happenings. As if it didn't concern her at all. As if she could just choose to not care about any of these things. A power that was solely bestowed to shinobi of her rank and age.

Verdandi had practice her sole skill with ice, spent a good few hours training her swordsmanship and then rested and relaxed a while to regain some stamina before the big moment. She bought some fruity drink at store only a few trees and rooftops away from the open training compound. Making her way back and using her little knowledge with ice release to freeze her drink a little bit. Making her chuckle as if she was some kind of unrealistically special snowflake that's going to be the super next best prodigy. But a child can dream they say. It's not going to harm anyone.

Verdandi found herself a bench not far off the pond she was supposed to meet her aunt. Lingering in thoughts of her dream she wondered about her relationship with Verd's father. They certainly seemed to get along well. He a medical specialist with no deeper talents in ninjutsu and her being seemingly a unique talent in all kinds of ways. Dandi was sure that daddy must have been jealous quite a lot of his sister. Chuckling to herself as it amused her to fantasize of her parent’s past. Verdandi's mother coming from the royal bloodline of the snow country was yet still a thing unmentioned. The family had long lost its former power, they no longer ruled the country but for some odd reason the people in Yukigakure still seemed to worship mommy's family branch and therefore letting Dandi grew up in the experience of being the snow nations little ice princess. Knowing her father, he must have already told aunt that Dandi was a spoiled brat. "Don't go easy on her" or something like that. Her eyebrows furrowed together in a certain soft outburst of childish anger as she squeezes her fruit beverage together.

Putting the trash into a nearby bin she got back up on her feet and had to deal with the after effects of her own skill. Freezing a drink like this and then drinking it would leave your stomach aching in mercy to the cold that was gushed down into her system. The time was already here. Aya should have arrived by now. Verd scratched her head wondering what she should do but then again... auntie was certainly a busy person. Maybe she couldn't make it today after all. Maybe she could just go home and not worrying about this all for another week or two. Maybe a month? She wouldn't mind... But she was probably just overthinking this all, Aya was going to be a nice lady and not that scary at all like... like...

It was about that moment when her good ol' auntie basically fell from the sky with an impact on the ground that would have left Jounin shaking in respect if they were close. Dandi's jaw dropped and for a moment she was sure that all her worst fears and nightmares were true. Aunt came here to kill her. It was all over. She had a nice life. Goodbye cruel world.

Of course, this was just a silly flick and figment of her mind. Nevertheless, her aunt’s appearance was certainly... different in multiple ways. She was tall. Taller than Dad. How the heck is that possible? The giant lady gave off an intimidating feel at first but her smile was warm. Verdandi's naturally ability of deep-empathy instantly reacted. This was a crucial moment cause Verd very much relied on her ability to read people. Taking a deep breath, she was wandering through the emotions emitted by the giant lady, worries... probably the many things a kage had to deal with. Pride, maybe over her country? Happiness, she didn't seem to be devoid of enjoying herself a bit. Warmth, a deep love that emitted in a maternal instinct so strong but then. Ouch. Verdandi hit a wall. A big one. A huge huge huge wall of locked emotions. Shaking her head, she wondered what that was. Never before in her life she had been blocked in her own readings. But she didn't have time to bother with it. Or she'd end up just standing there awkwardly for an hour or two.

Her eyes wandered over the Mizukage's frame. Her hair was oddly coloured. They were supposed to be white like her fathers. Her eyes showing a similar weird colour scheme. Her face certainly reminded her of granny. Making Verd chuckle for a moment as she couldn't help but compare aunt to gran-gran. Her bandages and shroud making up most of her looks, those weapons behind looked kind of scary. Aunt looked like she was ready for war at any given time like this. It was kind of cool to say at least.

And there was Verdandi. The little ice princess. Today without eyepatch. Standing tall but by far not the size of her aunt. Slim, a little underweight with a battle kimono that Aya would eventually recognize as it was made by Verds mum but certain engravements with silver linings were nothing else but the work of Aya's mom. The white jacket had been folded and left on the bench nearby. Her almost dull blade was clinging in its makeshift leather sheath at the white belt around the green clothing set. Verdandi's dark green dyed hair fell over her shoulders and was tied together in a ponytail as usual. Some strands of hair were white here and there, reminding Aya in a subtle way of the genetic heritage of their family.

Verdandi took a step back, tucked the sides of her leg covering kimono fabrics, bowed with a simple bend, making it last for a second to show the proper respect. And then directly locking her eyes with her aunt. Seemingly unafraid at this point. "Yuki Verdandi, pleased to meet you, Mizukage-sama, or should I say auntie?" she chuckled. Unsure yet how to approach her. "I was told you wanted to see me and help me learn about our bloodline? Since father seems not very talented or gifted in it at all..." she couldn't help but giggle in the slightly mean remark as if it came to deeply pleasure her belittling her super proud dad. Aunt Aya seemed to show similar facial expressions then him. But there was only one way to figure out who she truly was.


1300 / 2000

Verdandi couldn't help but form a sheepish grin on her face seeing her aunt laugh away at her. She didn't seem to be the sadistic or utterly mean kind at least. That's a starter. Manners were certainly not as refined as hers. But then again, for the princess, she had them from her mother’s side. Father never seemed to be bothered too much with it, aside from being forced to behave well by mommy. Verd couldn't help but notice how her aunt and father didn't really look much alike. Of course, she'd catch herself thinking that Aya was much prettier then dad, making her chuckle once more. Dandi's empathy was running wild. She was desperately trying to read Aya. It tends to come naturally to her but for once she was actually curious of what she'd feel. There was certainly something bottle up, contained, restricted and unable to touch. But Dandi could tell it wasn't her aunts childhood memories of fun times and giggles.

Giving it up for the moment to get to the bottom of it she noticed that the small talk part seemed to let her relax a little. Verdandi remained with her determined glare. She wouldn't be caught cowering down or crawling even. There was only so much respect she could show without making herself look like a fool. She was a snow princess after all... and Aya certainly could survive it to not be crawled at for once. Feeling her palm reach out and tap on Verd's head, brushing her slender hand through the mix of white and dark green dyed locks. Dandi couldn't help but squeeze her eyes shut and blush while grinning a joyfully. She loved it to be pampered. Unlike others her age who'd hate to be treated like a kid, Verd didn't mind to act and remain a child for now. She knew that time would force her to grow up soon enough.

"Ayakashi" she muttered after Aya’s proper introduction. She had heard her name many times before but getting to a first name basis even within family was kind of a... weird thing in terms of conservative manners. Making fun of her dad together seemed yet like a very bonding experience. Knowing well that he could take a joke on his costs... or two... or more. "Kenjutsu is my favourite. But father says that my Ninjutsu talents should not be neglected. There is only so much of swordplay he could teach me. It'd be a pleasure to see how you wield a sword, Aya-senpai ~"

Glaring up at her she could notice auntie getting distracted. It didn't go unnoticed by the young ice prodigy that people were looking at them or talking. Considering Verd's multiple attendances to political dinner parties and shows, she wasn't unused to be stared at, but never to this extent. Empathy would react automatically at this point. Aya felt slightly uncomfortable. Verd did not know why. Be it cause of the staring people or her worries on how it'd affect the princess. But Dandi had a remedy for situations like this. As everyone around them seemed so tense and serious, Verd moved in, towards her aunt. Softly slid her palms from her long sleeves as she extended them and would softly hug herself onto the large woman in front of her. She was aware that it's make Aya either uncomfortable or surprised. But the effect of it couldn't be argued with. As the competitive greedy eyes around them seemed satisfied with the more familiar display. Leaving them in doubt that there was anything going to happen that could make them jealous of the young girl.

Disturbed or not by the hug. Verdandi's facial expression remained calm and soothing. Taking her steps back and watching her sensei draw her rather.... unusual weapon. She followed its motions quickly and observantly with her eyes. Trying to calculate its potential reach as well as trying to figure out which corners or edges would be fatal if they hit. Verd slid her sleeves back, drew her sword slowly from its makeshift leathery sheath. Spreading her legs apart, sliding her frame down slowly, putting her stances weight into her knees. Her feet sliding slowly into an offensive standard position.

"Teach me Master, your ways of the sword that is. Show me the difference between you and my father. Show me what true talent looks like.... You can still freeze me afterwards." she gasped with a chuckle, her face remained determined. She had fought and spared with other kiri-nin before. None of them were much stronger than a standard jounin at best. She had seen the difference in powers to her and skilled chuunin even. This wasn't about impressing aunt with strength. She wouldn't. She might appreciate Verd's progress or running speed. But neither of what Verd could show would naturally impress her aunt. Unless. Maybe, Verdandi could add a little spice to the swordplay.

Her first motions were basic. Stepping forward, carefully protecting your body from potential long-range hits by the staff. Swinging the sword casually from all four directions down to aim the blows at the enemy's chest. Verd would complete her Kata without fail or flaw in it. Just as she practiced before Aya had arrived. But lil princess wouldn't be satisfied. Her feet would gradually speed up in motion after the kata was complete. Her arms became less stiff and her motions started to become more fluid. Verdandi performed nothing else then the 'dance of blades' that her mother once teached her. It used to be a purely aesthetic display. Dandi originally learned it to impress the more important guests in their home. Showing off fluid motions under the use of nice reflexes and a very bendable body. It was art and still looked like it. But Verdandi had modified its purpose long since. She wasn't the first to do this. She let the motions inspire her and meld into the kata of Kenjutsu basics. Little twirls turned into motions that would make use of the momentum to powerfully slash at the opponent. The quick motions served as a way to keep your movement going and unpredictable, leaving a lot of space to retreat in defense and charge forth in offense.

The noise of the dull blade of Verd's katana meeting mid-air between them would fill the surroundings. Some of the eyes that previously lost interest in them picked up newly and desired to see what they were doing. Eventually sooner or later Verd's show off would come to an end. Having exhausted both her endurance and creativity for the moment. She could only hope that her aunt would see at least a little potential in the young girl’s unique style. As none of the movements gave away any practical use of Hyouton within the Kenjutsu itself, it was clear that those techniques were not yet attuned to fit each other. To be fair, she didn't even think of making use of her element in her swordplay yet. Something she'd have to learn and eventually fuel her talents into. But it was clear Verd had spent years of her youth into her talents for fluid movements with a speciality towards evasion and being able to avoid incoming attacks while keeping the blade constantly against and on target.


1250 / 3250

It probably wasn't the time to mention that her father’s words were highly motivated by the fact that Verdandi had been accidentally freezing people into frost statues. Usually not to a degree that would cause a problem or harm the frozen person. But still. Deacon had seen this technique before. Even among ice users in their clan it seemed to be of the purest form of latent frost chakra. As much as the princess was different in her nature and relationship to the ice element, as much she seemed to be oh so similar and of the same unique blood as her aunt. Verdandi wouldn't call it prodigy but more so a very primal nature to their element. Yeah, just as auntie was saying. It left their chakra something of wild and emotional range. Even while they hugged Verd couldn't just feel the emotions twirling in turmoil inside her aunt, but also the cold of her nature. There were worlds between them, without doubt. But still Verdandi could feel something familiar in her freezing touch. Making her almost feel warm inside. Maybe the only young girl that would ever feel like this in Aya's arms.

Verdandi's plan however was not futile. The hug had its intended effects. Aya's emotions were strong. So strong Verd could feel down onto them with her empathy. She could linger and experience the beautiful emotions of warmth and love. It didn't seem to be naturally directed towards Verdandi herself. More so it was some sort of instinct. Maybe she naturally felt this way to all young children of Kiri? Who knows. Then again, she seemed to have a specific weak spot when it came to being with someone of the Yuki clan. She probably didn't spend enough time among ice users of late. Her job excluding her from the family must be very stressful.... stressful... stressful?

It hit Verdandi like a glacier falling onto her face. From the whole broadband of emotions that usually lingered like a multi coloured rainbow on her mind. There was not a single ounce of stress to be found in her aunt. That was impossible. Absolutely and completely unnatural. The last human she met who was able to be stress-free was a monk that slept around 18 hours a day. Something was wrong here. But Verdandi's latent ability was still in its child shoes. She was completely unable to dig further and more so she started to feel like auntie was on to her. As if she could feel what Verd was trying to do. Which is impossible. Naturally no one is able to detect Verd's chakra roaming in their minds. How could she possibly even barely show any sign of awareness to this?

Verdandi had to calm down. Her heart beat rose during those latest realizations. This wasn't good. Not the way she'd want to present herself to her aunt. Especially if auntie had senses so keen she could detect things like Verd's empathy. Luckily the fight would be able to distract them from this topic and move on to seemingly more important things. She'd have to linger some other day. In hopes to figure out about all these curious, rare feelings she had within proximity of her auntie.

Verd’s movements were easily dodged and repelled. She wasn't surprised. After all this was what she was supposed to show. Yet still she couldn't help but admire the movements of her superior. They were clean. Quick yet fluid. Not a hair further then needed and always so completely sure, performed without doubt. Acted on basic battle instinct. Something only possible if one had seen serious battle many many times and came close to death in various situations that had separated her from being seriously wounded by a single step into the wrong or right direction. It was beautiful. Verd started to form a smile during her motions. She couldn't help but soak in her brain how Aya was doing this. She wanted this. She wanted to be able to move like this. As if she was facing a new kind of dream to call her own. Verd wasn't necessarily attracted to the motions in their sense for battle or potential ability to defend against enemies. She was purely entertained by their sheer aesthetical display and clean movements. As if auntie was doing her own kind of dance per say.

Verd's speed picked up during the dance of blades. But as beautiful and fluid as it was, Aya had quickly figured its pattern and moved in easy steps to avoid the blade. Verd was yet excited every time she could force her aunt to use the staff and make that wonderful clanky noise of metal hitting each other hard. Until at some point Aya stopped Verd in her motions. Quickly the ice princess would cease any movements. The blade would slide back into its leathery sheath and she'd produce a small little tissue sized towel from her sleeves. Slowly removing the sweat pearls from her forehead and neck. Her endurance wasn't bad at all. She was just going all out on her display of skills for auntie. Catching her breath, the remaining sweat pearls beautifully turned into little snowflakes on her skin until they evaporated into thin air.

Regaining her composure, she listened to the words of her teacher and gained many ideas on how to proceed. Nodding in acceptance to the explanations, Verd was rather the type to try and demonstrate her interpretation of the information’s gathered. She didn't like to contemplate about her skills in theory. Drawing her sword, she returning to make a determined facial expression. Once she was certain auntie was ready for round two. Verd stepped forward and for a second there her movements vanished in the air. A potential flicker of her abilities yet to be unlocked. Her body would instantly clash forward and the beautiful clank of Verd's blade hitting her aunt's staff was riling adrenaline in her veins. Using her dance-like techniques for movement now only. To speed up the motions that were naturally too stiff or paralyzing even. Allowing her to make her motions as fluid as possible while retaining the perception and idea of hitting lethally as advised within the Kata.

The kata itself had about five thousand offensive motions but only a few dozens of them were considered to be offensively lethal in nature. Aiming for the human body's pressure points. The arteries, the large masses of flesh that were most difficult to dodge. Aiming her sword at Aya's chest to force the most possible motion out of her while using a spin to then vertically slice towards her aunt. Verdandi wouldn't be necessarily more successful in ever hitting her but the more she could produce the sound of metal hitting each other the more she became motivated to try harder. Slicing for Aya's legs, feet only to speed forward in an attempt to pierce through her. Only as a diversion to slide her kunai from her sleeve and attack from Aya's blind spot while she was busy looking at the incoming blade.

It seemed to go on for what felt like hours and every time Aya parried an attack, Verd would make sure she didn't do the same motion again. Giving diversity by melding the speed of her dance and the perception and strength of her kata skills. It was still very unrefined and meld by instinct and unconventional style. But it was by all means. Not weak.



1280 / 4530

Verdandi certainly felt a melancholic sadness growing in Aya's core. She wouldn't be able to figure it out as to what the maternal nature of her teacher has brought her to think about. Verd had never felt to be wronged by life. Unlike Aya's past, the princess was living the dream throughout her youth. She certainly heard some nasty stories from her dad but being a medic and sticking to hospital work in Kiri... he rarely had to go on field and was exposed to danger. Thinking of it now. Verdandi was kind of wondering if Aya pulled some strings in her position to allow her little baby brother to have such a secure and low risk job. Did she try to protect him from the same fate that had been troubling her? He certainly didn't seem to ever talk much about their father. Making her think of gran-gran. The kind mother of Aya. Verd had seen her many times. Despite not having the deepest insight on their past she certainly enjoyed staying at her place. Being treated as the princess of snow, Verdandi had received an amount of attention that couldn't be put into words. But while Verdandi's sisters were certainly more of the artistic kind that would entertain the snow folk in traditional ways. Verd was always the one to either do something more battle related. The dance of blades was her favourite as it combined her family's expectations of showing an artistic affinity while it kept her in touch with the weapons she desired so much. Was it bad that Verdandi liked the thrill of combat? Would she someday awaken to a tragedy that would shatter her hopes and emotions the same way as Aya had experienced it?

It didn't matter. At this point not. Cause she couldn't be happier right now. Launching at her teacher with all her speed. Even when she could, barely so, see the hint of Aya moving, she was happy. Cause this walking goddess was facing Verdandi for whom she was. As a warrior. A weak one maybe. A young one with talent but no skills to be a legend yet. A child maybe. But still, a warrior and as much as it made Aya’s maternal instincts sad. It gave pride to the princess. Cause here she wouldn't be pampered for her standing. Would not be measured by the clothes she was wearing, the hairdo she had or the manners she presented. Here she was a warrior ready to face the dirt her aunt was sending her towards. She couldn't see most of her teacher’s movements. Which was kind of sad cause she was deeply curious about how they worked. But she could see the gloved palm that had encased the blade that was supposed to meet with the staff. Verdandi's teeth gripped together. She could see the initial motions of her other arm getting ready. This would hurt. Yes, it would. Oh shi… it will hurt. Before she could even finish her thought the move was already delivered. She didn't really see the arm physically moving. It was past her eyes to follow. Being tugged about with a force yet unknown to Verdandi to the point she would be 'softly' planted to the ground. It still left her breathless. She had to gasp a few times once she found herself back in control of her body. Staring a bit drunk from all the sudden motion to the heavens above.

The sunlight would become fewer and fewer. Mist thickened again and barely allowed any rays to pass through the sky. As if a higher deity was trying to mock her. A ray of sunlight would shine straight on Verd's face while she rested on the ground. During the crashing motion Verd's palm had lost grip of her Katana. Aya had to hand it back over after she pulled her niece back to her feet. Still a bit shaken by the powers that were at work here she took some time to breath properly and find her balance again. Luckily for her, aunt was using the moment to lecture Verd and not expecting her to be ready for more. Verdandi's ears picked up every word. But she couldn't help but think about this being a real fight? If this was a real fight she wouldn't have even tried to face her opponent. Reminding her to make sure to work on the Shunshin technique that will, someday, save her from a battle like this. She didn't have the pride to be unable to run away. Facing someone with a power gap like this was utter suicide in any common situation. Yet being a weak child, she certainly knew how to fight with people slightly stronger then her. So Verd compared this lesson to her fighting Fuyuko or Mokuzai.

Verdandi would knack her neck a few times. Inhaled, shrugged off the defeat previously to this moment and return a stronger grip to her blade. Promising herself to not lose it again even if she was to face this unearthly force again. Her defensive position took on a similar stance then Aya's offense. But she positioned her body as a whole more sideways in order to give her attacker as little to aim for as possible. Her being more on the thinner side would help create a target as small as anyhow possible for the one in offense.

Her stance becoming more weighted. Balanced, more firm. She still could see the staff aiming for the low blow. Which was kind of mean considering that the previous lesson was about Verdandi not taking care of her footing, now she'd be forced to move from the strong stance. For a moment she wondered if auntie was mocking her with this attack. Knowing that a simple parry wouldn't suffice to shield herself from the attack, Verd would horizontally smash her blade into the ground. This way it wasn't just her body's power but Aya's attack also had to deal with a suddenly almost immobile object. Finally, Verdandi would be able to hear the beautiful clanking noise again. But the force of Aya's attack was strong enough to even send the blade of the young student quite a bit back even while paled into the ground. As her attack wasn't necessarily even aimed to hit, the gush of dust intended to follow was a bit weaker than expected but still distracted Verdandi.

To Aya's surprise Verd had already formed finger seals. To be fairly honest, it wasn't because she did see the somersault attack coming. Not at all. If Verd's movement would have relied simply on reaction. She'd have gotten hit straight to the neck and.... well, be probably sent flying once more. Verdandi wanted to fly. But on her own rules this time. As she finished her melding she took advantage of the fact that the staffs gust and force had pushed her, if only very slightly, off the ground. As she exhaled the stream of wind chakra from her lips. Her original plan might have more graceful than to what eventually happened. Due to the gravitational force of Aya's incoming attacks colliding with the sudden burst of wind chakra and the loose footing, Verdandi might have been able to evade the final blows on sheer luck, but it also sent her flying in a rather unconventional way, basically rolling through the air, spinning like a ball and as she finally caught her grip to the ground again she had to use the water walking technique to not completely stumble off her feet and fall back into the dirt like an idiot.

The motion itself might have been sort of impressive but a keen eye as Aya's probably didn't fail to notice that none of it was really planned. But then again. Might it be? With a soft grin Verdandi would suddenly make a pulling motion. As if she had gripped a rope and was in a competition with ten heavy guys on who gets to win the rope pulling prize. Eventually showing that the hilt of Verdandi's blade, which was still stuck in the ground, was connected by an almost invisible white chakra string to Verd’s palm. She did promise to not let go of her blade anymore, didn't she? Pulling on it would slam the string in direction of Aya's body and then force the blade off the already messy dirt hole in the ground. Since Aya’s attack was directed at Verdandi, the blade was positioned in front of Verdandi and the wind chakra had blasted her straight backwards, the blade would, if pulled like this, naturally pass Verdandi's 'enemy' on its way back into its owner’s palm. So the chances of the string hitting the target to cut into it's body or the chances of the blade itself even slicing into the targets flesh while it passes through on it's way to Verdandi... the chances were good.

Of course. Aside from the fact that Aya was probably one of the only humans that could notice the chakra string easily. Aside from her having the speed to intercept Verdandi even before she landed, if wanted. Aside from her having the reaction to basically snatch the blade. Or grab the string and swing Dandi around like a doll. She would have to admit, that the technique given, would scare a genin opponent or even slice an enemy at Verdandi's skill level, creating a wound if lucky. But anyway it was the simple act of a diversion, strategy and combined motion following a strict plan without revealing its actual purpose on the very last.

Depending on, if Aya would catch Verdandi's blade on its path home to her owner, Verd would grasp her Katana or not but certainly remain with her steady footing. Defensive, ready for more if needed. Even ready to face the dirt again. Not willing to bend. EVER.

Chakra 130/150:

1700 / 6230

Verdandi watched her aunt's motions. The fluid way she was evading every attack, or diversion even, was beautiful. As much as one could tell that Verdandi did not understand the finer mechanics of battle, she could certainly appreciate the beauty of perfect motion. In her eyes. This is what she always wanted to achieve while doing her battle dances. This kind of flawless motion that wouldn't waste one hair length of a movement. Something the young princess could yet only dream of.

She could see only blurry motions as she tugged on her chakra string. It did not get interrupted to the point where it'd mean that Aya would have stolen it out from its path. But auntie was, as much as she was nice enough to allow Verdandi's move to complete, also still a bit of a meanie. The way she enchanted the blade on its path towards Verd had been way to blurred to see, despite Dandi not knowing anything about such enchantments. In a blink of an eye she would get a worried feel but it was already too late.

With wide eyes she could only watch how the frostbite would creep itself over her palm. Making it impossible for her to move even a finger anymore. The sword basically stuck to her arm like it was part of her limb now. She was exhausted. The sweat droplets that dripped from her forehead evaporated into the air again but she was visibly at the end of wits and power. Being able to somewhat keep up with her aunt’s plots and motions was certainly a harsh way of training. But auntie came easily at her and let the frostbite slowly cease from Verdandi's palm. Staring down at how it melted under auntie’s touch. Verd would wonder what other moves she had up her sleeves. Maybe someday Verd would be able to see some of those miracles auntie was supposed to be master of.

Dandi was clearly happy that the sparing was over. She would keep it to herself that any further strain would have probably led to her ungracefully dropping to the ground completely out of stamina. Now that they had finished early enough for her to walk normally, while… yet rubbing her hands slightly, she could act like it was nothing at all! Not that she could fool her aunt, but hey. Maybe it’d leave her chuckling. The frostbite to her skin quickly moved away from it’s stinging sensation. The visible burn would remain for a while but auntie gave her promise that it would go away soon. Verd wouldn’t show any weakness now. She had been doing well today. Or at least thought so. She could have made a complete fool of herself! Dad would have been… well… not disappointed but Verd not getting along with auntie? That could be difficult on him.

Verdandi shook her head. It wasn’t the time to think about silly little family matters. She gazed up to her aunt as they slowly made their way to the juice shop. Aya asked her what she had learned today. Verd would put one of her freezy fingers to her lip and think about it. “Mhmm… dad is a slacker….” She started, with a giggle aside “Auntie is bad with ninjutsu!” she said a bit too loud, probably embarrassing her aunt in hopes no one had heard that. “Uhhh but as for real I’d say. I certainly have to work on my technique. It seems to be a good base to learn how to wield the blade but it lacks practical use. They aren’t fit for the battlefield yet. I need to refine my dance of blades and my Kenjutsu kata to fit each other on a more practical approach… prioritize speed and single, well aimed hits over a continuous flow of attacks. Also to not charge for an enemy stronger then myself… aaaand to work on tactics. Strategy, deception, subterfuge! As in real combat it’s more important over who has the better plan rather then who has the most refined technique.” Verd nodded to herself. Then again, this was all easier said then done. To practically apply all these lessons… Verd could feel that months of training would have to pour into this. But this wasn’t the time to shatter her mind over what all would remain for her to come.

Verdandi slurped her juice with great joy and blushed, knowing she was gonna see gran-gran. The old woman always treated Verd like a kid. Knowing she would meet her in company of aunt aya could prove to be embarrassing…. But that was yet another story to come <3

[Exit]

770 / Total wc: 7000

Training: