Nil patiently awaited the arrival of one of his family members his grandfather had informed him about, a Raiu Mizuki, if he was correct. The exact relation she was to Nil was still..... uncertain to say the least but Nil was always happy to meet new people, and a family member especially! Nil's small, happy smile dimmed as he remembered what else he had heard about her however. He swallowed thickly, thinking on how she too had experienced loss just as Nil had. That was why, clasped in his small, pale hands in front of him, he held a fruit basket filled to bursting with exotic, flavorful treats he had grown fond of. From imported sweet melon of a bright orange color to more tangy purple-hued grapes to some more locally sourced mandarins, setoka and kabosu.

Nil furtively shuffled from foot to foot, eager beyond words to meet a family member as skill as Mizuki was purported to be. From what he understood she was a kind, and very dutiful, person. He hoped they would get along and, even, be friends as well as family. Nil inhaled sharply as he glanced around the open courtyard his once-instructor had used to train him in the very basics of the Shinobi arts. The plants that sat astride the raised training platform, just outside of the shade the compound's wall cast so they could get proper sunlight, were in full bloom with the seasons. While the sun overhead was blazing brightly in the sky without being oppressively hot just yet. But that would come later Nil was sure of it, the temperature never stayed moderate for long regardless of what season it was changing to.

Nil's attention was suddenly perked, and his inward reverie broken, when he heard the door to the courtyard open. Standing more properly at attention, Nil couldn't help but beam a smile at his cousin, eyes twinkling with eager and friendly intent. Nil didn't move until Mizuki had familiarized herself with her surroundings, but was maybe a bit too eager as he approached her, only reminding himself he wasn't simply giving her a gift when he bowed to her and offered her the fruit basket. His smile falling as he remembered why he had it to begin with and, restraining his voice to something more somber he spoke. "Mizuki-Sensei. It's very nice to meet you. Umm.... thank you so much for coming to train with me. I.. wanted to apologize for your loss." Nil glanced up at the older Raiu, his features flushing in embarrassment at his clumsy greeting and broaching of such a personal topic.

Nil averted his stormy grey blue eyes as his thin arms shook softly while he offered the basket, his nerves getting the better of him a bit before the young Raiu bit his lip and looked up at her. His arms stilling as his tone and expression became more remorseful and, strangely, understanding. "I..... I understand...." was all he could whisper as he set the basket down between them and off to the side a bit. Staying bowed politely to his senior as he motioned vaguely toward the basket, the action causing his over-sized kimono to slip low on one shoulder, causing the excessive bandaging wrapping his midsection to become visible as it constricted Nil's lithe, small form and pale skin. His tone becoming smaller, more flustered, as he stared at the fruit basket to avoid awkwardly gazing at Mizuki."When... When grandfather told me about.... a-about what you had experienced I picked you some fruits I like. I didn't know what you might prefer but... they're sweet and... and nice...they... help. At least they did for me....." One of Nil's hands subconsciously clutched his sternum as he grimaced, returned his gaze to the worked stone ground, and went silent. Sincerely hoping he had not offended Mizuki. While she may have been Nil was not wise enough to be considered a diplomat of any sort.

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Total: 692

Mizuki's kind words were much appreciated by the younger Raiu, his posture relaxing and unwinding notably. Her polite,yet kind, tone did wonders to help him feel more reassured at his gesture of kindness. Even so Nil was...... unprepared for Mizuki to step forward, crouch down before him, and adjust his kimono for him. Even his own mother didn't do that. It felt....personal. His father having gotten him this kimono for him, originally, to begin wearing once Nil became a Jonin. But after he passed Nil had refused to wait, insisting that he be allowed to wear it, as it was something he felt very personally attached to. He almost hadn't realized how attached to the simple garment he had become.

Nil's pale cheeks flushed a bright, if mottled, pink as he blushed. The older Raiu's words making his chest constrict and breathing grow heavier. Her words were very kind, doting even, and he could only nod before she asked him to show her which of the fruits he enjoyed. Naive as he was Nil didn't realize that the question was likely just to change the subject, likely for both their sake. Nil smiled, nodded once more, and moved over to the fruit basket. Nil hummed as he knelt beside the basket, chewing on his lip as he tried to decide what he thought Mizuki would like best.

Nil finally decided on a slice of orange melon from the east, they were sweet and watery, without being too sweet and citrus tasting. Nil then carried the piece of melon over to Mizuki and respectfully offered it to her. Smiling once again. Nil then procured a piece for himself and sat before Mizuki, happily nomming away at the piece of fruit before blinking as Mizuki asked him what he wanted to be trained in. This made Nil swallow thoughtfully, licking his lips as he hummed before biting them, eyes averted at the affectionate suffix as he wiggled in sheepish enjoyment. It took him a moment to think of how to properly word what came to mind, but when it did Nil responded.

"Well, I umm.... really I don't know Mizuki-Sama. My... My previous trainer didn't normally allow me to choose. He simply decided on what fundamental we would be rehearsing that day." Nil finished his piece of fruit and, reaching over to the basket, removed a piece of clothe and wiped his hands clean before offering one to Mizuki. His hands moving down to grasp his crossed ankles as he leaned forward slightly, rocking a bit in an idle motion as he smiled brightly up at her. A sudden eager, if a little mischievous, twinkle lighting up the young Raiu's eyes in a way that almost seemed to make the light blue fissures, shaped like bolts of lightning, shine amidst the normal stormy grey of his eyes. His smile quickly growing to a bright, cherry grin as he asked. " Could.... Could you maybe show me some more about our bloodline ability? I... I don't know much about it. I... really only know one jutsu for it." Nil admitted with no small amount of timidity as he hunched his shoulders, eyes falling sheepishly to the ground as a soft, embarrassed flush once again lit up his normally pale cheeks. His voice coming forth now in a more reserved, less eager tone as his smile vanished into his embarrassed countenance.

"My grandfather has told me about the history of our Clan, but he's too busy to train with me since... since father passed. When... he and mother talk it.... it's obvious he didn't plan to still overseeing the clan for much longer and now....." Nil paused, his tone fading away as he shrugged a tiny, almost hollow shrug. His voice taking on a more and more quiet demeanor. "Now he has to wait for me to grow up. So that I can succeed him." Nil looked up at her, eyes wide and perhaps a bit lost looking to the more experienced woman. Nil suddenly jumped, his flush burning out all the way to the tips of his ears before he shook his head, his voice coming out slightly flustered and squeaky in a way only a boy his age's could. " I-I am sorry Mizuki-sama I didn't.... didn't mean to... be like that. Ummm.... maybe just some more about Storm Release, please?"

Not wanting to be the cause for delaying the training any longer, either verbally or physically, Nil would rise to his feet. His hands held passively at his sides as he began to regulate his breathing, focusing his mind and thoughts on mastering whatever new ability Mizuki felt he was prepared, or was necessary, to learn. A small pang of nervous uncertainty fluttering over his stomach like butterflies made of pure static electricity as Nil became keenly aware of the fact that this was his first time training with someone other than the trainer he had grown up learning from. He hoped that, if nothing else, he didn't disappoint Mizuki.

Word Count: 876
Total: 1,568

Nil was only too happy to share some delicious sweet fruits with his cousin. Her words were calm, and to him, wise. She seemed to be doing her best to console him and he was very appreciative. Giving a small nod of appreciation and understanding as Mizuki mentioned their clan having a near universal affiniity for fine chakra manipulation. For a brief moment, Nil blinked, his brain racking itself to try and remember what Bukijutsu WAS through the delicious haze that was the leftover flavor of the fruit they were snacking on. Only for the young Raiu to blush softly and nod when she mentioned weapons and combat stratagems.

Mizuki caring words of condolensces should not have caught Nil by as much surprise as it did, but, he found himself blinking rapidly. His eyes rising to meet Mizuki's in an odd, not entirely decisive mixture of apprehension, hope and appreciation. Her words making the small Raiu's chest swell slightly with pride and.... excitement? Something like that, anyways. His attention sharpening as Mizuki began to explain what she knew, or was willing to tell him, of their clans advanced elemental release. Nil giving a quiet, breathy gasp as she began to churn the very weather around them, biting his thin, pale lip as his eyes rose to the storm clouds above in an almost answering recognition. Her explanation felt familiar, almost, and Nil could not escape a almost tingling, itching feeling beneath his skin as the Ranton chakra in the air almost seemed to sing to him.

Nil's attention was brought back to the present by the distinct rasp of metal and Nil tensed slightly as Mizuki unsheathed her blade, not for fear of her actually hurting him, that noise simply held within it far too many bad memories. Nil's nails dug softly into his palms and, without all that much thought behind the action, took an almost subconscious step backwards. Nil's attention fixed on the blade whether he wanted it to be or not, and as he watched the Ranton chakra spill out over the finely folded steel Nil paused. Mizuki offer for the younger Raiu to try the technique out for himself earning a slightly deeper, more timid flush from the young boy as he looked down and timidly dug his toe against the fine worked stone they stood upon. His hands lacing sheepishly behind his back as he all but hung his head to hide his cherry stained features. His flustered, still slightly reeling, mind like a misfiring engine as it attempted to dredge up some explanation or reason he could give to Mizuki without sounding..... well... without sounding as pathetic as he thought it made him sound.

Nil took a deep breathe, swallow thickly and bringing his arms back around to clutch at the inner seam of his kimono purely out of nervous habit. Raising his head only to turn it to the side, presenting a fantastically blushing, pale cheek to Mizuki while the sun struck the young Raiu's eyes in just such a way to make their almost cracked, thunder-bolt like appearance shimmer like a thousand raindrops sat in the grey areas of his iris. As if they, as part of he, WERE a storm.... as much a part of the storm as the Raiu themselves or their chakra. Nil then took a shaky breathe, before pursing his lips, and shaking his head. "I-I.... I am sorry Mizuki-sama b-but.... I'm not..... I mean I don't... use.... weapons.  I mean I have one....." Nil produced the specially made kunai he had received for his birthday, and suddenly felt even more embarrassed and sheepish about how silly the little ninja tool likely looked in comparison to the elegant, deadly weapon Mizuki handled so well. Hunkering his shoulders down, NIl glanced off to the side before huffing softly, fiddling with the kunai between his small, pale hands before stowing it away back in the folded sleeves of his kimono. He sincerely did not wish to offend Mizuki, but even still, he didn't know how else to make his request.

"Do.... Do you maybe know any defensive techniques? I haven't been a Shinobi long but I've already been in situations where something like that could be really useful." Nil paused before nodding towards another section of the compound, waiting until Mizuki turned to note the section Nil was drawing her attention toward before he spoke. "Over there, in our compound, a detective arrived who said there had been some sort of evil spirit present. That some cultist had infiltrated our house and that he was there to stop them. I invited him in, as he seemed hired by the family, and as we sat down to discuss things over food......" Nil paused before exhaling slowly and closing his eyes, opening them a moment later to look up at Mizuki. "Well.... those cultists made themselves known and I.... I froze. I had never.... REALLY fought anyone before and I was so scared. They were so close a-and they wanted to kill me and.... and..... I panicked. I don't even remember what jutsu I used..." Nil trailed off, letting his small story hang in the air between them before shuffling his feet. Wondering what Mizuki would think of what he had told her.

Word Count: 912
Total: 2,480