Physical:
Name: Improved Speed
Rank: C
Type: Physical Based
Physical Requirements: N/A
Training Requirements: Starting Characteristic
Description: The first level in the art of speed accessible to those who have undergone intense training in high speed movement. The possessor of this talent has an increased speed of 20% which makes them slightly faster. They can cross distances quicker than others would expect and outrun others with little effort.

Everyone has a story to tell. Victory and failure, comedy and tragedy. Some people go through their entire lives never knowing hardship, never knowing pain. Others go through their life, every moment of joy torn brutally away from them. A conga line of trauma, every moment of happiness brief and fleeting. Some are stronger for it, some are weaker for it. Some manage to die, surrounded by the people they love. Some die slowly bleeding out in a ditch, no more than a broken kunai to mark their grave, and none but a disinterested enemy to watch their passing.

Takeshi Gouka has only just begun to live his life. He can only pray it does not end as it began.


The Beginning


It was a dark and stormy night. Given, it was night time, so naturally it's going to be dark. For that matter, this is the village hidden in CLOUDS, tucked away in the land of LIGHTNING, so the stormy part was probably par for the course as well.

So it was an average Monday night, down at a hospital in the in the Daichu district. The storm ravaged and raged outside, the darkness flickering like a strobe light with each flash, the windows rattling in their panes with each solid boom. While such storms were common, this particular one had a particular, memorable fierceness to it. The wind howled across the building, a mournful, hungry keen, clawing for entrance at every crack and crevice.

All these details were lost on Takeshi Hiro, who was currently in the process of becoming a father. He paced restlessly in the waiting room, taking no notice of the pleasant beige walls, nor noticing the dark, polished wood of the table, copies of various magazines strewn across the top of it. He would occasionally pause to sit in one of the chairs, plush things with red cushions and a solid wood frame, polished to a luxurious sheen. However, these pauses were short, as he would almost immediately bouncing up to continue pacing.

Takeshi Hiro was a hard, well-muscled man, the grey tint to his arms, along with their small number of scars and corded muscles, attesting to his trade as a blacksmith. He had not even taken the time to change out of his work attire when he'd heard the news that his wife, Takeshi Haruka, had gone into labor. As it was, he stood at 6'6", wearing only his apron, pants, work boots, and bandana across his head, concealing his coal black hair. Worry added new creases to his hard, chiseled face. Haruka had always been a small woman, with thin hips, and doctors had always warned that the strain of childbirth might be too much for her.

Hiro sighed, mulling this over. Even knowing the risk, she had still wanted a child. Hiro could never bear to tell Haruka, his precious spring flower, no. And so now he stood, pacing in the waiting room, sick with worry and fear for his wife and soon to be born child. He was broken from his revery when a medic opened the door, a blonde haired thing with a body thin as a reed, holding a clip board in her finely manicured hands.

"Takeshi-san?" She spoke softly. "It's over. Your wife has given birth to a healthy baby boy. You may see her now." She turned to lead the way as Hiro heaved a great sigh of relief, quickly following her down the corridor.

The hall was silent, save for the click of the nurse's shoes, the steady thump of Hiro's boots. The walls were a sterile white, only emphasized by the bright fluorescent lighting. Finally, the stopped in front of a plain, blue wooden door, and the nurse motioned him to go on ahead. He quietly entered.

The room was a stark contrast from the hall, the walls a dark green, reminiscent of pine trees, the dimmed light providing a warm, muted glow. The bed was set against the wall, directly across from a large window, the curtains drawn against the storm, monitors and IVs and devices to the side of it, all clicking and whirring and beeping. What caught Hiro's eyes, however, was the woman in the bed, and the small bundle, wrapped in a blue blanket, cradled so gently in her arms. He stepped up to the bed, silent with awe.

Haruka was a small woman, a full foot and a half under Hiro standing. She had a thin, delicate frame, and porcelain pale skin, unblemished and unmarred. Only a few lines across her delicate face betrayed the strain she had just gone through. Hiro drank that face in. Her raven black hair hung in smooth tresses across her head, tidy despite her ordeal, her eyes, a brilliant blue, blue as the sky in summer after a storm, glancing at him momentarily, crinkling in a grin, before turning back to the small child in her arms. Once Hiro stood next to the bet, she lifted the bundle towards him.

His hands, hands tempered by the heft of a blacksmith's hammer, ever so gently lifted the bundle from her arms, cradling it close. He could see a pale, round face, surrounded by blankets, a dark whorl of hair on his forehead, eyes closed as he slumbered peacefully. Hiro stared in awe, a wide grin cracking his craggy face as he looked to his wife, whispering quietly "He's wonderful."

Haruka smiled tiredly. "Yes, he is. Didn't fuss a bit until the doctor spanked him, and even then, it didn't take long for him to quiet down and sleep again."

Hiro chuckled. "Maybe he'll stay like this once we're home too, eh?" He looked back down at the bundle. "What will we name him?"

Haruka's eyes closed as she spoke. "I'd like to name him Gouka, after my father. It's a good name."

Hiro continued looking down at the babe. "It is, but it is also a warrior's name, Hellfire. It might pressure him to prove himself later in life. What do you think, Haruka...?" Hiro looked up as his wife remained silent, eyes closed. He reached over, gently touching her arm. "... Haruka?"

Noise. An explosion of screeching sound. Monitors beeping wildly, lights flashing, the heart monitor fluctuating wildly. Hiro could barely comprehend as a doctor and several nurses burst into the room, shunting him out of the way, shouting incomprehensible jargon at each other. Hiro did not take in a single word. A single sound. He could only stare at his motionless wife.

Slowly, as if moving through molasses, he looked down at the bundle in his arms, realizing the noise had awakened the babe. He was crying. Almost mechanically, he began rocking the babe in his arms, murmuring tonelessly down to him. "Hush now, Gouka... Hush..."

Outside, the storm continued to rage.


The Formative Years


While growing up without a mother is never easy, no one can say Gouka's childhood was particularly hard. For now. Hiro's smithing skills were sufficient that few ever complained if an order became late due to Hiro taking time for his son. That he got along well with his neighbors, the Ningens, who didn't mind watching Gouka while Hiro worked, also helped. Being that neither Hiro nor Haruka had any living siblings lead to Gouka looking up to Kisuke and Hitomi Ningen as a foster uncle and aunt, respectively. Their own daughter, Tsume, with 4 years on him, would become like an older sister to him.

By the time he was five years old, Gouka was even helping his father with simple forge work; pumping the bellows, loading coal into the fire (with a long handled shovel, of course), keeping the quenching barrels properly full. Hiro never forced him to do any of it, and certainly kept him away from anything terribly dangerous, but nonetheless Gouka enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with his father, and found the work an ample way to pass the time on rainy days.

As Gouka grew and developed, he also found other interests. Amongst his favorites was playing with Tsume, reading his father's books and scrolls on the various types of weapons, and collections of stories detailing the exploits of legendary ninja. He usually had to have Tsume read them to him, being more wordy and less pictury than the weapons books, but he still drank in the magnificent stories and legends, the vivid descriptions of climatic battles; by the time he was six years old, he knew what he wanted to be.

He opened the discussion with his father during dinner one night. It had been a slow day, so Hiro had closed up shop early, returning home and preparing a simple dinner of rice cakes and ramen. As they began eating, Gouka took the time to study his father. He sat calmly at the other side of the table, having changed into a plain grey t-shirt and brown, cotton pajama pants upon his return from work.

While Hiro had held together well, he had still aged considerably in the years since his wife's death. Still five years shy of forty, his once coal black hair, unrestrained by his usual bandana now, had taken a salt-and-pepper look with the flecks of grey in it, his craggy face, darkened by the fire's heat and smoke, with new lines of sorrow etched into his brow; at the same time, his eyes also had the crinkles brought by laughter. Life had been hard since Haruka died, but Gouka's presence had certainly been a healing balm.

As Gouka studied his father over his bowl, so too did Hiro less obviously study his son, wondering what topic he had to brook. He took the time to admire how his son had grown. At four feet tall, in overall appearance, Gouka took after both parents, though leaning more towards his mother.

He had Hiro's hair, the same naturally ruffled locks, though darker in color, closer to his mother's. His face had the same general shape to it as his deceased mother's, though his eyes proved a darker shade of blue. He wore a black t-shirt, a dragon fighting a tiger on the front, and knee-length, blue cargo shorts.

Finally, Gouka spoke to his father. "I want to become a ninja."

Hiro paused in his eating, setting down his chopsticks as he mulled it over. He had expected as much, knowing his son's interests, but he asked anyway; "Why? You start school next year, certainly, but for the first few years, the ninja and civilian academies are merged; you won't learn anything beyond reading, writing, history, and basic math for the first few years. It won't be until later on that the ninja training courses are actually an option."

Gouka looked down at his bowel, deep in thought. "Kaa-san... She named me after her tou-san, who was a ninja himself." He looked up at his father. "I don't know if this is what she would've wanted, but I'd still like to try."

Hiro sighed. "Hardly the best reason to become a ninja," he spoke blandly. "But, at the very least you'll have a few years in the academy to mull it over."

Gouka perked up. "So you'll let me join?"

Hiro shrugged. "I don't see why not. It's years down the line anyway; plenty of time for you to mull it over and decide if it's truly what you want." He pointed a chopstick at his son. "That said, if you can't pull off the grades in the basic subjects, you can just forget about it."

Gouka deflated a bit. He didn't mind the writing, and if he could read he wouldn't need Tsume's help as much, but Tsume had shown him math once. He didn't like it. Numbers shouldn't be allowed to do such things.

Hiro chuckled at the look on his son's face. "But yes, if down the line, if you still feel like being a ninja, you can take the ninja training. Now, let's finish eating and get some sleep."

Gouka bowed his head to his father, regaining some of his former cheer. "Thank you, tou-san."

Hiro nodded, resuming his meal, all the while thinking 'Oh, my blossom... Is this what you would have wanted for our son?'

Only silence answered him.


The Academy


Gouka twitched nervously in his seat, waiting for his father to finish his breakfast. Gouka himself had only managed to stomach a few bites. Today, today he started in the academy.
He was nine years old now, and eligible. He'd kept excellent grades in the basic subjects and his father, true to his word, had signed him up without protest. Today, Gouka would begin his ninja training. With a quiet clatter, Hiro set his bowel in the sink, speaking to his son "Alright, make sure you have everything you need, and we'll go."

Gouka took quick inventory. He was wearing cargo shorts, with a small kunai pouch strapped to his right leg, filled with kunai personally crafted by his father. He had a plain black shirt, unornamented, with sleeves cutting off just below his elbows. His hair was a wild mess on his head, and he wore plain, open-toed sandals. He also had a modest bento slung across his back, extra-full. He gulped nervously. "I'm ready, tou-san."

Hiro allowed himself a small chuckle, slipping into his own sandals as he opened the door to their apartment. In place of his usual blacksmith garb, he wore a plain, charcoal grey yukata, an equally grey sash wrapped around his waist, a dull-white bandana keeping his hair out of his eyes. He walked briskly out the door, Gouka following quickly behind, locking it as they began the trek to the academy.

It was early yet in the morning, the sun only just above the horizon as the pair made their way down the quiet streets. On the trek, Hiro took the time to hash out the details of the day. "Now remember, the Ningens will be picking you up after the academy lets out. I have to leave the village for a while." Gouka rolled his eyes.

"I know, tou-san. You do it every year! Leave the village, travel around meeting other blacksmiths, trading techniques, searching out new clients... Every year! I can hardly forget my now."

Hiro chuckled again, knuckling the top of Gouka's head, despite indignant squawks of protest. "If I didn't pound it into your head the week before, every year, it'd never penetrate your thick skull."

Gouka sulked, rubbing the top of his head. Hiro chuckled again as the academy came into sight. "Now, behave in your classes, and behave for the Ningens. I don't want to come back and find a report from your sensei a mile long, listing your delinquencies." Gouka huffed, but nodded his head.

"Yes, tou-san." Hiro paused, causing his son to stop as well, before knelling before his son, clapping his large, craggy hands to his son's thin shoulders, giving a gentle squeeze as he looked Gouka in the eye.

"Just do your best, and remember I will always be proud of you. Now, a little gift, for the start of your ninja career." Hiro removed his hands from his son's shoulders, Gouka eying him curiously as he reached into his yukata and pulled out a packaged wrapped in waxy paper, placing it into his son's hands. "You can go ahead and open it to admire it, but then it goes in your pouch." Hiro grinned, eyes crinkling. "At least, until you can properly use them."

Gouka carefully pulled apart the package, gasping at what he saw. A twin pair of pronged daggers, obsidian black with a silver gleam on the edges; two sided, split down the middle as if to be two single edged knives back-to-back, the space between a half-inch wide. The blades came down into a plain handle, a malformed hexagon forming the cross-guard, with a hole big enough to slip a finger through in the middle. Overall, the blades were 7 inches long, topping out at 10 including the handles. All in all, they were a fine pair of blades.

Careful to keep the blades out of the way, Gouka launched into his father with a tight hug, eyes shimmering. "Thank you, tou-san."

Hiro smiled, his own eyes slightly glimmering as he returned the hug, patting his son's back. "I couldn't let my son start his ninja career without the finest weapons available. Something better than mere kunai." They broke off the hug, Gouka taking great care to put away the blades in his kunai pouch. The handles stuck out slightly, but he was able to fasten the pouch closed over them, so long as they were stored diagonally.

They continued to the academy, a host of other young students and their parents waited. A chuunin stood at attention before them, wearing the standard uniform, his headband around his forehead. He had a deep tan, and a grizzled appearance, compounded by a wide, gnarled scar across his chin, and the tip of his nose showing clear signs of having been hacked off at some point. His light brown hair was buzzed short, and he had eyes the color of storm clouds. Despite this, he maintained an easy, friendly smile that relaxed the harsh lines of his face into something much more amicable.

Doing a quick head count, the chuunin assured himself all were present, before leading into an introduction. He had a pleasant baritone voice that carried easily across the crowd. "Settle down, settle down. My name is Ishi Goto, and I'll likely be the sensei to some of you for the next several years. Now, let's go over the basics..."

Ishi went on to discuss the general rules of the academy, the general classes they would be taking, and what the usual class schedule was each day, along with general policies such as absence and tardies, detentions, etc. Upon finishing, he gestured the young student to the doors, so they could be sorted and taken to their respective homerooms. There was a brief wait as the students once again made their goodbyes to their parents.

Hiro kneeled down, hugging his son one last time, speaking softly to him. "I'll see you in a month's time. You be good now, and make me proud."

Gouka hugged his father tightly, sniffling slightly as he let go, nodding determinedly. "I will, tou-san." Hiro smiled as he son joined up with the rest of the students, waving as his son went through the door.

Gouka walked backwards through the door, waving to his father all the while, smiling happily as he disappeared around the corner. 'Don't worry tou-san. I'll be the best I can.'

It was the last time Takeshi Gouka ever saw his father again.


The Academy Years


A month came and went without his father ever appearing back in the village. A small Hunter nin squad was sent out, as Takeshi Hiro had had the sense to hire a genin squad and their sensei for protection along his travels. Neither Hiro, the genin team, nor their jounin sensei were ever heard from again, and despite the Hunter squad's best efforts, six months later, a small funeral is held for Takeshi Hiro, attended only by the Ningens, Hiro's apprentices, and a young, grieving Gouka. It was a sunny day when the empty casket was laid into the ground, in stark contrast to the stormy night that saw Takeshi Haruka leave the world. Gouka had only stared on with unfocused, dull gaze as the hole was filled, unaware even of Tsume wrapping him in a tight hug. He had never known his mother. And now he'd lost his father.

Time passed. Wounds closed, if not healed. Gouka began to accept life with the Ningens, who had graciously adopted him. Most especially, his foster sister Tsume helped him through his silent grief. As per his father's will, the forge fell into the care of his eldest, most skilled apprentice, until such a time as Gouka was of age to officially own the shop. Gouka did not envy the apprentice turned blacksmith, Takamura. He was respectably skilled, friendly enough, and besides which, Gouka was too young. Perhaps when he was older, he would transfer ownership of the forge to Takamura officially.

As it was, Gouka grew, losing himself in training and classes, easing the grief. In his spare time, he read mounds of books, often times with his foster-sister Tsume over his shoulder. His single-minded training and studying showed readily in his lithe physique, his high grades, nearly top of the class. One year became two, then three, and by the time Gouka was twelve years old, he was well on his way to becoming a respectable weapons user, always scoring highest in the weapons tests in class. He even made a partial friend, partial enemy in Hanzoku Kirima, the Nibi host, who constantly tried to remove the dour or blank expressions Gouka usually held. It was these attempts to escape the ninjutsu user that lead to his remarkable speed.

At 12 years old, Gouka was soon coming up on his graduation. He showed every indication of coming out in the top ten of his class. For now though, he was simply enjoying a quiet, late dinner of udon and rice with his adoptive family. Kisuke ningen was a bit of an oddity in these parts. He was a fairly average man, somewhat short at 5'7" with onxy black eyes, but with livid, neon orange hair falling in short, wavy locks upon his head. His wife, Hitomi, by contrast, towered over her diminutive husband at 6'3", with raven black hair, but emerald green eyes. Kisuke looked up at the clock, frowning slightly in worry and annoyance. "Tsume is late, again. I swear, she never made such a habit of being late when she wasn't dating." Gouka finished his bowl, downing the broth in a quiet gulp, wiping his face.

"Ne, Kisuke-san, I don't mind going out and looking for Tsume-chan. It's be great practice of my tracking lessons." Gouka grinned devilishly, a Cheshire grin going from ear to ear. "Besides, what kind of little brother would I be if I didn't annoy the living daylight out of Tsume by embarrassing her in front of her date?"

Kisuke and his wife both chuckled, knowing indeed how it peeved their daughter when they sent Gouka after her. He may only have been an academy student, but such training was still sufficient to track down a teenage civilian. It was Hitomi who answered the him. "Alright, Gouka, but try to be quick about it. It's late enough as it is." Gouka grinned again from ear to ear, bowing slightly before putting away his bowl, dashing to his room for his gear, then dashing out the door.

Kisuke chuckled as he observed this, commenting to his wife. "Gouka sure is getting into being a ninja. Even when it's just to pick up groceries, it's still second nature to him to gear up."

Hitomi smiled at her husband, finishing her own bowl and taking it to the sink. "I imagine it's a useful habit for ninja to pick up, so they're always ready for a mission. Gouka will certainly make a fine ninja with it."

It was a standard pouch Gouka kept with him, containing the usual assortment of kunai, his father's blades, a spool of ninja wire, and several low-grade explosive tags. A little over-prepared for an academy student, but Gouka had paid for every cent out of his own pocket. Out the door he ran with it strapped to his leg, over his cargo shorts, sandals clacking. He wore a navy blue shirt, with a snarling tiger fighting an equally ferocious dragon on the front.

His first and immediate stop was the local park. He knew Tsume had a habit of taking her dates in the park; it was a simple, flat area in the side of a small mountain, It had a small playground, a picnic area, and a trail leading up the side of the mountain. Lovely view, great place to rest and have a snack; and plenty of places along the trail to get some "alone time." A quick glance around in the fading twilight quickly proved Gouka to be the only one in the area, so he headed for the trail.

The mountain the trail lead up was fairly modest, certainly compared to the larger crags in Rai, and covered with lower shrubbery and small trees off the trail. Gouka stopped periodically along the trail, listening for voices; or, failing that, heavy breathing. He made sure to move silently, lest his own footsteps betray his presence. As he headed further and further up the trail, running out of hiding spots to check, he suddenly notice a piece of cloth fluttering in the breeze, snagged on a bush. Gouka paused, trying his best to study the cloth in the dim light.

Gouka kneeled down, taking the fluttering piece in his hand. It was a lovely shade of purple, of the sort of silky cotton used for dresses. Gouka dimly recalled Tsume showing off a dress of the exact shade a few days earlier. He paused to ponder the memory.

-Flashback-

Gouka was quietly studying, reading some rather dull, dry text on former and current treaties between the hidden villages, when Tsume burst into his room, shattering the silence. "Gou-chan, look what I got!" Gouka sighed, turning to stare at his adoptive sibling.

At 16 years old, Tsume had grown into a lovely woman, inheriting her father's neon orange hair, if slightly darker, and sea-foam blue eyes. She had a slender, heart shaped face, and a buxom figure that had caught more than a few leers before either Gouka or Kisuke had firmly convinced the offending eyes to leer in a different direction. Kisuke proved the better at the practice, both being an adult, and for managing a peculiar trick that, to a man, the dissuaded leerers would describe as like "Seeing a couple of smouldering coals under a roaring fire." For the moment, Tsume wore a modest white kimono, with a gold-trimmed image of a lily tracing up the side. The purple dress she was showing off did not fit Gouka's definition of modest, and he mentally calculated how many kunai he'd need to brandish to redirect the leers.

Gouka spoke to Tsume in a dry tone, looking over the dress. "If I had to guess, it stops above your knees, and it shows more bust than your tou-san and kaa-san would like to see." Gouka allowed himself a small grimace. "More than I want to see onee-chan flaunting too, for that matter."

Tsume simply pouted at him, reaching over and smacking him on the head. "Baka! I swear, you're nearly as bad as tou-san! Can't you at least appreciate that it's a pretty dress?" She held it against herself, spreading it out. "I got it for my upcoming date."

Gouka shook his head, turning back to his studying as Tsume let herself out the door. 'Yeesh, I wonder what boyfriend she's on now. The weaselly one? ... No, she broke up with him months ago. Maybe it was the one built like a bear... and dumb as one too.' With that, he lost himself once again in the dull, dry book.

-End Flashback-

Gouka was almost certain this shred had come from that same dress. He grabbed the bush it had caught on, pulling it aside to reveal a small, narrow path, obviously very little used, perhaps cleared only recently even, leading through the trees. It was quickly getting dark, so he hurried along while he could still see. The path lead directly up the slope of the mountain, curving around trees when necessary, before terminating in a small clearing, not more than ten feet wide, with a crack in the mountain standing before Gouka. He looked around, but he could see no other way someone could have gone.

Gouka listened. Silence. The crack looked to lead deeper into the mountain, possibly twisting and turning. Such curving, combined with the thick rocks, would likely keep any noise locked safely away in some forgotten cavern. He eyed the opening. Just barely visible in the dim light, it looked big enough for maybe one person to go through. There were dark, slightly wet patches along the opening that he couldn't identify. He risked speaking out. "Tsume-chan? You in there?" Silence answered him.

He stepped slowly towards the opening. Cautiously. Touched one of the spots. He couldn't tell in the dim light, but it didn't feel like water, or moss, or tree sap. He brought a finger to his nose, sniffing. It smelled faintly metallic. Coppery.

Gouka took a deep, fortifying breath. He'd had this feeling before, this sinking pit in his gut. When he'd asked Hiro about his mother, just before Hiro had answered him. When the Hunter-nin had shown up at the Ningen's door after his father had failed to return, and again when six months later, when his sensei arrived with the condolence letter. He slowly reached into his pouch, pulling out one of his father's prized knives.

He considered. He could go get help. ANBU generally patrolled the streets once darkness set in. They could probably help. But then... How long might it take him to attract one's attention, convince them it was an emergency? It was a long way back down the mountain, back to the village.

Gouka firmed his grip on the knife.

He went into the cave.


Four Years Later


Darkness. Shadows flickering. Couldn't see. Stumbling. Rough walls. Can't see. Feel walls. Slick. Sticky. Air thick with the smell of blood. Gorge rising. Keep stumbling forward. Heat. Pain. Agony. Keep moving. Can't see. Can't stop. Can't see. Bile thick in throat, vomits, nothing left to heave up. High pitched keening. Louder. Louder. Screaming. Sounds like screaming. Like she would've if she'd still had-

Gouka bolted awake, slamming his fist down onto the trilling alarm clock besides his bed, breaking it, sending pieces flying everywhere. He panted heavily, covered in a cold sweat, back tensed, stretching the scarred, mottled tissue of his back. Breathe in. Breathe out. Calm. Only a dream. Again. Just like every night for the past four years. Slowly, Gouka began to relax, getting his breathing under control, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

It was dim, early morning, the sun barely peeking over the horizon, the light through his window giving everything a dim haze. Gouka mechanically swept the remains the alarm clock, a cheap, poorly made thing, onto the floor, where it joined the remains of several others. He reach to the other side of his bed, grabbing from a large stack of dozens of more like it, cheap by themselves and even cheaper in bulk, twisting the knob on its plastic casing to wind it up before setting it on the bedside table.

Gouka sighed, turning in his bed, legs dangling over the side as he sat on it. He surveyed the dim, tiny apartment he now called "home." It was more or less a single room, a small cubicle in the corner containing a tiny shower with a toilet and sink shoved up against it, the bed he was in up against the middle of the wall, a small living area with a tiny bookcase filled with tomes transitioning abruptly into a small kitchen area, with room only for a hotplate, a microwave, a sink and a fridge.

Gouka got up, going to a closet crammed into the wall by the bookcase, opening it up. It didn't take him long to assemble an outfit; all he owns are several identical thin, long-sleeved black shirts, several equally identical close-fitting, ankle-length black pants, and a small assortment of gloves, with a single, knee-length black trench-coat. He assembled the outfit onto his bed, hopping into the tiny cubicle for a quick, cold shower, to wash off the sweat. After getting dressed, he puts a pot of water on the hotplate, turning it on while digging around in a cabinet for a cup of ramen. The water boils, he adds it to the cup, and he begins eating before it cools.

Gouka finishes his meal, suiting up with all his equipment, staring out the window with dull eyes.

His name is Takeshi Gouka. He is 16 years old. Recovery has been a long road, but today, he becomes an official genin.

End

It was a quiet little tea-shop. Cozy, even. The interior walls were a dark, rich rosewood, polished to a gleam, patterns of birds and fish painstakingly carved into them. Set at regular intervals were little paper lanterns, discretely hiding their electrical nature as they cast a warm glow around the shop. The tables were small, round things, built for no more than two, though they seated as many couples as they did shogi players. The air had a warm, hazy feel, thick with incense and steam. Such a lovely shop.

'Such a shame most of these people are going to die,' Toshiro thought to himself as he sailed through the wall, wood splintering and cracking like cheap plastic, screams of shock and surprise only just going up as he skidded across a table, tipping it over. He waisted no time, kicking out to send the table flying in the direction he'd just come, wasting no time feeling satisfaction in the shrill shriek it garnered as he scrambled to his feet.

People jerk around towards the shriek, eyes taking in nothing as a whirlwind of blood and gore began to explode from the chest of the people nearest the entry point Toshiro had just made. As far as he knew, the effects of these things were very, very real, but he'd never found anyone else who could see them.

The creature made short work of everyone in it's path, those few survivin screaming in panic as they stampeded for the exit. It came, and Toshiro clashed against it, a blade of shadow appearing in his hands as its gore-encrusted claws sought to disembowel him.

At a stretch, Toshiro would describe the things as like some sort of velociraptor, from the old Jurraisic park movies, if those velociraptors had had claws a good food long that rended stone as easily as they did flesh, and were covered in pale, ash-grey skin all over, stretched tight as if about to burst. The creature had no eyes, only a smooth expanse of skin where the sockets would be, and mere slits for nostrils, but that had never hindered it sofar as Toshiro had seen. It's maw, a gaping black hole lined with even blacker, serrated fangs, snapped within inches of his nose.

Toshiro grimace. "You are one UGLY es oh BEE." He shoved back at it, the shadow blade slicing through its taloned hands. The creature screeched as he jerked the blade up, taking off its head. As quickly as it'd begun, it was over.

Toshiro stepped back, panting heavily, the blade disappearing as if it'd never been. He was alone in the shop now, the customers having fled within seconds. He watched as the corpse lost cohesion, falling apart like fine ash. Even before he'd killed it, there hadn't been a drop of blood from the creature. Toshiro turned and ran. It wouldn't be long before the authorities arrived. Best not to stick around and explain a creatue no one else could see.

He burst out the back door of the shop, only a few yards down from the hole the creature had knocked him through, and bolted in the oposite direction.

Toshiro was old, for someone so young. Haggard faced with creases running from the edge of his lips to alongside his nose, deep bags under his dull green eyes, his hair the color of dried blood, a ragged, greasy mess that he simply swept out of his eyes. His only clothes were a battered brown jacket over a stained white shirt, and ratty jeans stopping just shy of his battered black sneakers.

He couldn't remember how long he'd been running. He wasn't even sure how he'd gained the ability to turn the very shadows into his weapons, blades an atom thick and capable of rending flesh like a hot knife through butter. They were just... There, whenever he needed them.

For as long as he could remember, he'd been running from these things. He was getting tired of it.

Name: Genin Kit
Rank: C
Quantity: 1
Contents: 6 Kunai [6], 10 Shuriken [5], 9 Senbon [3], 10 Makibishi [2], 4 Exploding Notes [4], 3 Exploding Pouches [1], 3 Smoke Pellets [1], 12m String [4], 1 Windmill Shuriken [5], 1 File & Scissor [1].

Name: Wrist-attached Rappeller
Rank: D
Type: Close
Quantity: 2
Description: Simple pulley-device, attached to the wrist, that allows for a coil of wire to be attached. Wires can then be extended and shortened at will, a clip allowing for rappelling from them. Also has an inserted blade, to cut the wires for quick release.

Father's Daggers:
Name: Father's Daggers
Rank: C
Type: Close to Mid (0-10M)
Appearance: A twin set of pronged daggers, obsidian black with a silver polished edges; two sided, split down the middle as if to be two single edged knives back-to-back, the space between a half-inch wide. The blades come down into a plain handle, a malformed hexagon forming the cross-guard, with a hole big enough to slip a finger through in the middle. Each blade stands at ten (10) inches long, three (3) inches being made up by the handle. The handle itself is black as the rest of the metal, wrapped in white bandaging for easier gripping. The daggers are made of respectable quality carbon-steel. The daggers are light enough to be used as throwing weapons, but sturdy enough to be used in close quarters.

Quantity: Two (2)

Storage: Either in standard pouch with kunai, or in holster when kunai pouch is not present.

Special Abilities: None, quality craftsmanship notwithstanding.

Name: Bunshin no Jutsu • Clone Technique
Rank: E
Type: Genjutsu
Range: N/A
Medium: Optical
Element: N/A
Description: This technique creates identical clones of the user. However, they hold no actual substance and will disperse upon impact of an attack or contact with an opponent. They cannot disrupt the area around themselves with their movements; won’t kick up dust, crush grass, etc. They are simply optical illusions used to momentarily fool others.
Chakra Cost: 1CP per 5 clones

Name: Henge no Jutsu • Transformation Technique
Rank: E
Type: Ninjutsu
Range: N/A
Element: N/A
Description: This technique transforms the user’s appearance to that of another object or person. However, it is not a permanent transformation and a mental image of what they are transformed into. Certain aspects of a ninja will not change merely by transformation, these things may include injuries, tool pocket placements etc. The jutsu will dispel should the user be injured. The user does not gain the properties of their transformation (ie. horse like strength), and may only transform into something ranging between 1/2 of their regular size, to 2x their regular size. Thus one cannot transform into large creatures.
Chakra Cost: 1

Name: Kawarimi no Jutsu • Body Replacement Technique
Rank: E
Type: Ninjutsu
Range: 10 meters
Element: N/A
Description: After performing a tiger seal, this technique allows the user to alter places in a speedy manner with another nearby object. This is done mere seconds before an attack lands, thus making the attacker believe his or her attack was a success. Whatever object was used to alter places will receive the brunt of the enemy’s attack instead. The object that the user switches with must be preset somewhere else in the thread, meaning that the object must have received specific mention previously in the thread.
Chakra Cost: 2

Name: Explosive Tag: Activate
Rank: E
Type: Fuuinjutsu
Range: N/A
Element: N/A
Description: This technique allows the user to activate an explosive tag they have planted somewhere. Preferably they should be within close to mid range and visible to the user. You cannot activate another persons explosive tags unless your chakra has been channeled into them beforehand.
Chakra Cost: 1 (per 3 explosive notes)

Name: Kai • Release
Rank: D
Type: Ninjutsu
Range: Close (0m - 5m)
Element: N/A
Description: By stopping the flow of chakra in their body, and then applying an even stronger power to disrupt the flow of the caster's chakra; the user may dispel the effects of a genjutsu. This can also be used on another individual that is stuck in a genjutsu by preforming the necessary hand seal and then touching them, although it consumes half the chakra cost of the Genjutsu.
Chakra Cost: Cost of Genjutsu + 2CP

Name: Nawanuke no Jutsu • Escaping Skill
Rank: E
Type: Ninjutsu
Range: N/A
Element: N/A
Description: This technique allows the user to free themselves should they be tied up. It is extremely basic. Using their physical training, the user will twist and contort their body to loosen their bindings, effectively relieving themselves of the tightness of their bindings and slipping through the restraints. This technique can only be used if the user is of equal or higher rank than their captor.
Chakra Cost: 1

Name: Chozou no Jutsu • Storage Technique
Rank: E
Type: Fuuinjutsu, Supplementary
Range: Close (0m - 5m)
Element: N/A
Description: A simple jutsu that allows a ninja to seal or unseal any item, mostly weapons, from scrolls or from their body. After forming the necessary handsigns, the ninja will seal the item into a scroll etc. Scrolls can also be used as ammunition for other weapons or have other seals inside of them, which expands the number of potential tricks a shinobi can use. The items themselves are unaffected by time. Ninjutsu can also be stored in scrolls, to be released when the scroll is opened, but require another person to cast said Ninjutsu; else it cannot be sealed.
Chakra Cost: 1 to seal; 1 to unseal.

Name: Suimen Hokou no Waza • Act of Water Surface Walking
Rank: D
Type: N/A
Range: N/A
Element: NA
Description: This technique allows the user to balance themselves on water by focusing a constant and steady stream of chakra to the user’s feet or hands. Because of water’s nature, this requires the user to be quick to adjust the amount of chakra they must emit to their feet in order to maintain a constant balance. Users may also walk, run and “skate” across the water when using this technique.
Chakra Cost: 1 (1 per post)

Name: Kinobori no Waza • Act of Tree Climbing
Rank: D
Type: N/A
Range: N/A
Element: N/A
Description: This technique allows the user to balance themselves on trees and vertical walls by focusing a constant and steady stream of chakra to the user’s feet. Gravity can easy be defined if this technique is mastered, allowing people to even stand upside down. If too much chakra is exerted the user will be pushed away; bark breaking and causing the user to then fall. If not enough chakra is exerted the user will lose their footing and fall.
Chakra Cost: 1 (1 per post)

Name: Raikou Senkou Jutsu: Lightning Flash Technique
Rank: D
Type: Ninjutsu
Range: Mid-range (5m-10m)
Element: Raiton
Description: The user gathers chakra into their hands, clapping them together to create a powerful flash and a loud boom, similar to a lightning strike. This technique is effective at blinding and disorientating opponents, though the nature of it completely removes the user's element of stealth, letting enemies pinpoint the users location. Effects last one post, afflicting both user and target. The user avoids being blinded themself by simply closing their eyes on use of the jutsu.
Chakra Cost: 3CP

Name: Lightning Release: Electromagnetic Murder
Rank: C-A
Type: Ninjutsu
Range: Close (0m - 5m), Mid (5m - 10m)
Element: Raiton (Lightning)
Description: This technique allows the user to create a wave of electricity from their hands. The user can vary its power from a small surge to shock an opponent to a powerful stream of lightning capable of ripping through solid rock.
Chakra Cost: C (5), B (10), A (20)

Name: Kangekiha - Inspiration Wave
Rank: C
Type: Ninjutsu
Range: Close (0m - 5m), Mid (5m - 10m)
Element: Raiton (Lightning)
Description: The user will first create a protective wall of water (must be done with a water technique, it is not included with just this technique). They will then form the needed hand seal and emit a bolt of electricity into the water which will increase its defensive effectiveness and stun any targets who attempt to pass through.
Chakra Cost: 6

Name: Kumogakure no Jutsu - Hidden Cloud Technique
Rank: D
Type: Ninjutsu
Range: Close (0 - 5m), Med (5 - 10m)
Element: -
Description: Kumogakure no Jutsu is a ninjutsu technique utilizing no element. A technique that imitates that of the Kirigakure no Jutsu, once the user has performed the required handseals they will be able to call upon a thick and heavy cloud that will appear almost out of nowhere. The cloud will be able to cover a ten metre radius around the user and only the user is able to sense where others lurk within the cloud. Those with doujutsu or chakra sensing techniques are also able to see through this thick cloud but without any aid, then you'll be blind within the cloud. If a C - Rank or above fuuton technique is activated, then the cloud will be blown away.
Chakra Cost: 4

Name: Mangūsusutairu - Mongoose Style
Rank: C
Type: Weapons
Range Close (0-5M)
Element: N/A
Description: Between natural speed and channeling chakra into their limbs, the user strikes quickly with their weapons, darting back and forth out of range. For those of equal rank to the jutsu, the strikes are hard to avoid completely, and it's harder to hit the user back. Above rank will only find it mildly difficult.
Chakra Cost: 6 per attack/evasion

Name: Sairento Kosatsu: Silent Strangulation
Rank: C
Type: Weapons
Range: Close (0-5M)
Element: N/A
Description: The user simply loops a coil of wire around the opponent's neck, choking them off. Ineffective if the opponent is not caught by surprise, or proves stronger than the user, allowing them to jerk the wire off. Dizzies and disorientates enemy for one (1) post if used for two (2) posts, renders unconscious if used for four (4).
Chakra Cost: 6CP, 3 CP per post.

Name: Sekai Isshū - Around the World
Rank: D
Type: Weaponry
Range: Close (0-5M) to Mid (5M-10M) depending on the amount of wire used
Element: N/A
Description: Simply, the user strings a number of small weapons along a wire, usually and/or shuriken, and whirls the wire around them, keeping foes at bay, lest they be lacerated by the flying weapons.
Chakra cost: 4CP, 1CP per post

Name: Mikadzuki no Chōshō - Mockery of the Crescent Moon
Rank: C
Type: Weaponry
Range: Close (0-5M)
Element: N/A
Description: The end result of a genin seeing "Mikadzuki no Mai" and asking themself "Yes, but how can I do that? The jutsu works on the same basic principle as its inspiration, utilizing five (5) standard bunshin instead of tangible clones. The user and clones surround the target, the clones "attacking" in unison to confuse and distract the target. Notable less powerful than its inspiration, only one front of the attack being tangible, and leaves the user open to counter-attack if the target correctly identifies which assault is real.
Chakra cost: 5CP

Name: Raitoningu no Kengen - Lightning Manifestation
Rank: C
Type: Weaponry
Range: Close (0 - 5m), Med (5 - 10m), Far (10m+)
Element: Raiton
Description: Raitoningu no Kengen is a weaponry technique utilizing the lightning element. Using their lightning affinity, the Kumogakure shinobi is able to enhance any weapon they possess and coat it with lightning chakra to give it a more powerful hit. The lightning will be able to numb the area where the weapon strikes and also cause minor burns. Any weapon can be enhanced by this attack, Kunai, Shuriken, Blades or even Arrows. The technique can only be used on weapons though, once the weapon has struck something the lightning will fade away.
Chakra Cost: 6

Name: Ayatsuito no Jutsu - String Reeling Technique
Rank: D
Type: Weaponry
Range: Close (0m - 5m)
Element: N/A
Description: Ayatsuito no Jutsu is a technique utilizing wire. This string can be used in rappeling, or as a method to tie down and restrict the movement of an opponent. The properties of the wire also allows the user to guide fire down it with any number of Katon Jutsu.
Chakra Cost: 4

Name: Kage Shuriken no Jutsu - Shadow Shuriken Technique
Rank: D
Type: Weaponry
Range: Mid (5m - 10m), Far (10+)
Element: N/A
Description: It's an extremely simple technique where two shuriken, like the Fuma Shuriken, are piled one onto another and thrown simultaneously. However, depending on the way it's used, it can prove its absolute efficiency. The trick is to somehow draw the enemy's attention towards the upper shuriken. Then, to deal with the path of the lower shuriken. If the enemy notices both shuriken, the technique ends up losing all of its efficiency.
Chakra Cost: 3

Name: Gyoko Mizu: Congeal Water
Rank: D-B
Type: Ninjutsu
Range: Close (0-5M) to Mid-range (5m-10m)
Element: Suiton
Description: Very simply, the user draws in water from the surrounding air, congealing it into a small pool. Has additional benefit of only drawing out pure water. Chakra usage and the time the technique takes is inversely proportional to how damp the air is. Ie, it will take less chakra and work faster on a foggy day, compared to desert conditions. Useful for purifying suspect water sources.
Chakra Cost:
Rank D(Foggy, rainy, etc): 3CP, 1CP per post (Minimum 1 post)
Rank C(Normal conditions):6CP, 2CP per post (Minimum 2 posts)
Rank B(Desert, or otherwise dry conditions): 12CP, 3CP per post (Minimum 3 posts)

Name: Mizukiri no Yaiba - Sword of Draining
Rank: C
Type: Ninjutsu
Range: Close (0m - 5m)
Element: Suiton (Water)
Description: A jutsu that utilizes water to create a sword. The sword can be wielded in the normal fashion, allowing the ninja to cut and stab like a normal blade. This sword can also go through most fire jutsu of equal rank and below.
Chakra Cost: 8 (2 per post)

Name: Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu - Water Clone Technique
Rank: C
Type: Ninjutsu
Range: N/A
Element: Suiton (Water)
Description: Mizu Bunshin no Jutsu is a Ninjutsu technique that utilizes water to create a Bunshin clone. Unlike a normal Bunshin, the Mizu Bunshin has the ability to interact more with the environment due to it having physical substance. This allows the clone to carry out limited attacks on its target, but none utilizing chakra. The range of the clone is limited however, it can not travel further than 10 meters from the original body. If the Mizu Bunshin is injured, the clone will usually revert back into its natural water state.
Chakra Cost: 7

Name: Water Release: Water Drowning Technique
Rank: C
Type: Ninjutsu
Range: Close (0m - 5m), Mid (5m - 10m)
Element: Suiton (Water)
Description: The ninja first does a string of hand seals, which causes a column of water to rise from a nearby water source. It can be guided to strike a target in a number of angles.
Chakra Cost: 5 (1 per post)