1 Meeting an Angel or a Demon? [Ayakashi | Part II] Sat Sep 01, 2018 10:03 am
Verdandi
D-rank
Many weeks passed since the suna reclamation project came to an end. Kiri had returned with loot. Refugees. Verdandi wasn't quite sure if the administration had really reached their goals. After the villages were done looting the sand, there wasn't much left to rule over. But the whole success of the operation… many would until now not see it as a victory. Inabayama happened. So many mist warriors found their end on that day. Maybe Verd was under a wrong impression. Her friends and teachers, Mizuki and Takao both tried to kill each other. She was almost slaughtered twice on the battlefield. Chigetsu had been kidnapped and returned only with grievous wounds. Squad leader maigo and captain Nayoko from the leaf couldn't pin down their enemy. In the end. The forces of rebels had been dealt with. But at what cost? While Verd was getting her second field promotion for merit in battle, Ayakashi was supposedly sent to the medical ward. The sealer having caused her both emotional and physical harm. When Dandi last went to visit her aunt and see if she was… alive or well Aya was in deep slumber for recovery. It was good to see her now again. The wound on her shoulder and arm was just… Verd would shudder as she thought of the image in her head once more. Seeing the demon that would haunt her if she failed her family. Or the angel that would rescue her if she was in dire need. Being harmed to such a degree.
It was selfish to think of Aya as the unbeatable god that would always solve every problem that was a tad too big for Verdandi's own shoulders. Maybe her father was right. Maybe it was time to grow up a little. 'Act your rank' he would say. Hiding in your aunt's shadow when things went dark and hopeless. To rely on her. What if she ever needed someone to rely on? Did she fail her? Was she supposed to be there by her side? She didn't have the power. Not yet. First, she'd have to train the very spoils she unlocked in the land of wind. Being called a Jōnin didn't mean much if you weren't able to prove it with skill and wits. She was still a kid. Father was right. She had to grow up. Had to show that she could become worthy of this in due time. All that was needed. Was some training to refine herself. Some instructions from someone that was not afraid to point out even the smallest flaws in her motions. To punish her for her mistakes instantly. In a wise but not necessarily gentle way. Maybe today would be the same. Would depend on auntie's mood. How did she feel after the whole… operation? She seemed quite distanced for a while. It was time to figure it by asking her in person. There was no sense in constantly speculating over it. Maybe she was just too shy to ask them what's really going on. Would solve some irritations if she did it more often…
Verd mounted her black armor plates tightly to her skin. Barely the thickness of a feather. Allowing it to align well below her casual blue fabrics and the warm white covers for legs and chest and the yet incomplete chakra armor. The raven cloak would suit her well today. It was a day the kiri could be famous for. Mist thickly hung upon the lands. Sun still casually cascades past the grey clouds lingering even at one's feet. There was plenty of moisture in the air. Humid day alas. Verd enjoyed that. Being surrounded by one of her favourite elements in a cooler breeze of the day? Hmm it couldn't get much better for a Yuki Clan unless it'd be snowing. She enjoyed it anyhow. Mounting her family heirloom on her belt. The daikatana sitting tightly in its sheath. ANBU mask was casually sealed away into an item scroll. No need for that one today. But the accessories were put on her. What might look like jewellery were fine chakra enhanced items. Verd yet had to put them to good use. The mechanical mini-crossbow box was neatly tugged to her glove. It seemed like she was all set. Ready for that training Aya had promised her. It was always nice to get some alone time with auntie. Her being a busy bee after all. Leading villages and stuff. Gotta take a break once in a while and have some fun!
In due time. Verdandi would arrive at the training grounds. Avalanche. The by now fully-grown polar bear. Was slowly trotting his immense mass to the pond in the training grounds. Quickly dumping his fluffy butt in the water and starting to take a swim. He too enjoyed the weather being all humid and cold. But a swim in the cool pond was even better. Verd giggled. Watching her mighty pet shoo away any genin or students that were practicing the supernatural walking on the ponds surface. Marking his territory in a growling, grumpy but adorable way. They were scared. They didn't know how harmless he was in most cases. Verd would glare over the training grounds. Many of the young ones training their aim with projectiles. Some testing their martial arts skills out on each other. Others trying out their newest techniques or blades. Verd too had frozen this whole training ground more than once while testing out her Hyōton techniques. The raw potential behind the frost element. Verd was sure she still barely tapped it yet. Having yet to unlock its powerful abilities properly. Maybe something her aunt could help her with? Dandi went through the various projectiles that were available on the training grounds. Picking up some small bolts and tried to somehow get them to work with her mini crossbow. Seemingly having trouble with it at first until she managed to launch one of them off. Surprised at the nasty speed it had.
Last time they had met here. Verd was dreaming of the creature that was either angel or demon. Coming to haunt Verdandi. Dandi remembered that dream again. Back when she faced her as a Genin. Barely able to even see Ayakashi move at all. Armed with a rusty old sword. Verd was sure that she remembered something along the lines of… being lifted of mid-air during her frontal attack on aya and casually planted by her to the ground with a single finger. Something like that. Verd chuckled. She hoped this one wouldn't end quite the same way. Even though it was still sort of possible! Placing herself on a stone to sit on near the pond. Fiddling with her crossbow gearbox. Watching Avalanche casually swim around. It was a good day.
(1150)
It was selfish to think of Aya as the unbeatable god that would always solve every problem that was a tad too big for Verdandi's own shoulders. Maybe her father was right. Maybe it was time to grow up a little. 'Act your rank' he would say. Hiding in your aunt's shadow when things went dark and hopeless. To rely on her. What if she ever needed someone to rely on? Did she fail her? Was she supposed to be there by her side? She didn't have the power. Not yet. First, she'd have to train the very spoils she unlocked in the land of wind. Being called a Jōnin didn't mean much if you weren't able to prove it with skill and wits. She was still a kid. Father was right. She had to grow up. Had to show that she could become worthy of this in due time. All that was needed. Was some training to refine herself. Some instructions from someone that was not afraid to point out even the smallest flaws in her motions. To punish her for her mistakes instantly. In a wise but not necessarily gentle way. Maybe today would be the same. Would depend on auntie's mood. How did she feel after the whole… operation? She seemed quite distanced for a while. It was time to figure it by asking her in person. There was no sense in constantly speculating over it. Maybe she was just too shy to ask them what's really going on. Would solve some irritations if she did it more often…
Verd mounted her black armor plates tightly to her skin. Barely the thickness of a feather. Allowing it to align well below her casual blue fabrics and the warm white covers for legs and chest and the yet incomplete chakra armor. The raven cloak would suit her well today. It was a day the kiri could be famous for. Mist thickly hung upon the lands. Sun still casually cascades past the grey clouds lingering even at one's feet. There was plenty of moisture in the air. Humid day alas. Verd enjoyed that. Being surrounded by one of her favourite elements in a cooler breeze of the day? Hmm it couldn't get much better for a Yuki Clan unless it'd be snowing. She enjoyed it anyhow. Mounting her family heirloom on her belt. The daikatana sitting tightly in its sheath. ANBU mask was casually sealed away into an item scroll. No need for that one today. But the accessories were put on her. What might look like jewellery were fine chakra enhanced items. Verd yet had to put them to good use. The mechanical mini-crossbow box was neatly tugged to her glove. It seemed like she was all set. Ready for that training Aya had promised her. It was always nice to get some alone time with auntie. Her being a busy bee after all. Leading villages and stuff. Gotta take a break once in a while and have some fun!
In due time. Verdandi would arrive at the training grounds. Avalanche. The by now fully-grown polar bear. Was slowly trotting his immense mass to the pond in the training grounds. Quickly dumping his fluffy butt in the water and starting to take a swim. He too enjoyed the weather being all humid and cold. But a swim in the cool pond was even better. Verd giggled. Watching her mighty pet shoo away any genin or students that were practicing the supernatural walking on the ponds surface. Marking his territory in a growling, grumpy but adorable way. They were scared. They didn't know how harmless he was in most cases. Verd would glare over the training grounds. Many of the young ones training their aim with projectiles. Some testing their martial arts skills out on each other. Others trying out their newest techniques or blades. Verd too had frozen this whole training ground more than once while testing out her Hyōton techniques. The raw potential behind the frost element. Verd was sure she still barely tapped it yet. Having yet to unlock its powerful abilities properly. Maybe something her aunt could help her with? Dandi went through the various projectiles that were available on the training grounds. Picking up some small bolts and tried to somehow get them to work with her mini crossbow. Seemingly having trouble with it at first until she managed to launch one of them off. Surprised at the nasty speed it had.
Last time they had met here. Verd was dreaming of the creature that was either angel or demon. Coming to haunt Verdandi. Dandi remembered that dream again. Back when she faced her as a Genin. Barely able to even see Ayakashi move at all. Armed with a rusty old sword. Verd was sure that she remembered something along the lines of… being lifted of mid-air during her frontal attack on aya and casually planted by her to the ground with a single finger. Something like that. Verd chuckled. She hoped this one wouldn't end quite the same way. Even though it was still sort of possible! Placing herself on a stone to sit on near the pond. Fiddling with her crossbow gearbox. Watching Avalanche casually swim around. It was a good day.
(1150)
- Complementary image of Verdandi's memory: