[hider=Ravana Azazel] [center][img]http://txt-dynamic.cdn.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjYwLmMwMDIwYS5VbUYyWVc1aElFRjZZWHBsYkEsLC4w/rudelsberg.regular.png[/img] [img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/e0/af/41/e0af4139a0f3e51d81a5338cecb66487.jpg[/img] [color=ed1c24]"When you have lived long enough, lines blur until colours become a spectrum. Defined sides are concepts to keep infants from toeing the boundaries before a big-bad eats them whole. Alive and screaming for mercy."[/color] [/center] Ravana Azazel (Captain of the Royal Guard) [color=ed1c24][b]Genre[/b][/color]: [Medieval/Medieval Fantasy] [color=ed1c24][u][b]General[/b][/u][/color] [color=ed1c24][b]Name[/b][/color]: Ravana Azazel [color=ed1c24][b]Age[/b][/color]: 438 (appears 27) [color=ed1c24][b]Gender[/b][/color]: Female [color=ed1c24][b]Race[/b][/color]: Vampire Lord (depends on genre) [color=ed1c24][b]Sexuality[/b][/color]: Heterosexual [color=ed1c24][u][b]Appearance[/b][/u][/color] [color=ed1c24][b]Height[/b][/color]: 173cm [color=ed1c24][b]Weight[/b][/color]: 69.2kg [color=ed1c24][b]Eyes[/b][/color]: Half-lidded, dull amber that bleeds into scarlett in accordance to blood-deprivation level. [color=ed1c24][b]Hair[/b][/color]: Ash grey [color=ed1c24][b]Body Modifications[/b][/color]: Normal ear piercings [color=ed1c24][b]Distinguishing Marks[/b][/color]: Blue veins will slowly marr her blemishless skin the longer she is deprived of blood. The first lines begin to appear at the end of the first fortnight. [color=ed1c24][b]Extra equipment[/b][/color]: Scimitar tucked in her belt as well as a sai. [color=ed1c24][b]Abilities[/b][/color]: 1) In Vampire Lord form, she looks the same, except with sharpened teeth, lengthened incisors, glowing eyes and deathly white skin. Large white bat wings grow out of her back and her fingers become claws. 2) Night empowerment: Is stronger at night or on dark places 3) Mist form: When in Vampire Lord form, she can turn into a cloud of mist to replenish stamina used for 15 seconds at a time. She can only use it in ten minute intervals and is invulnerable in this state. However, she cannot attack when in mist form. [color=ed1c24][b]Weakness[/b][/color]: 1) Sunlight is her natural enemy. While it does not burn her, her health, regeneration and stamina are downed by half ehn under direct sunlight. 2) Fire causes her double the damage any other elements can deal out. [color=ed1c24][u][b]Personal[/b][/u][/color] [color=ed1c24][b]Personality[/b][/color]: She is usually contend to go with the flow, preferring to adapt to the situation as she goes along. She has a strange sense of humour and a slightly sadistic attitude. She lives by the rule “Forgive but never forget”. She doesn’t take kindly to those who are slower on the uptake than she is and those who betrayed her. Although she does not hold a grudge, if you crossed her once, it is difficult to get her to trust you or get back in her good graces. She is calm like the ocean, cool under pressure and is rarely fazed. However, when she is angered, her wrath is silent but forceful, like the raging sea. She is rather paranoid and will not hesitate to attack first and ask questions later if she feels threatened. [color=ed1c24][b]History[/b][/color]: (can be tweaked depending on plot, etc) Once a member of the mysterious and feared Ranger force that roamed the lands hunting dark creatures(blood-frenzied vampires, rogue werewolves, feral ghouls, undead, orcs, murder sorcerers, etc.), Ravana split off from her party to clear the small lair of recently-turned vampires. It wasn’t the first time she hunted groups of dark creatures on her own so she thought she would be able to handle it. However, she miscalculated. With her standard issue crossbow, she killed off four and was hunting down the last when she was pinned to the ground. This vampire was different from the typical ones. He appeared human from head to toe, not even a sharpened incisors could be seen when he smiled. She was bewildered and caught off guard, mind still reeling as she was drained of blood. By some luck or will of the Gods, she did not die. Instead, the venom of the unique vampire changed her over the course of five long, excruciating days. The memories after were a blur. She didn’t know how long had passed, coming to her senses only to discover herself crouching over a terrified woman. She dashed off instantly, going as far into the wilderness as she could and isolating herself. However, she did not allow herself to starve. Spending years on animal and the occasional bandit blood, she explored the limits of her newfound power. As soon as she deemed she was strong enough, she left to find her sire, catching him off guard as she snuck into one of his extravagant parties disguised as a blood sacrifice, making sure she would be the first to be chosen and offered to the host during dinner. She set him on fire and stole his short sword, using it to run him through several times as he burned. She revealed her Vampire Lord form, preparing to fight her way through the horde when they fled. Ravana discovered a small chest of her sire’s personal belongings, learning that she was now a creature known as the ‘Vampire Lord’ and the benefits that came with it. Over the centuries, she came across other dark creatures like herself, clinging on to their humanity and refusing to give in to the dark temptation. She gathered them all, offering the castle she got from her sire as a sanctuary and picked up hunting inhuman creatures once more. [/hider] [hider=Iyazen Enlai] [center][img]http://txt-dynamic.cdn.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjk2LmVjMDRkNy5TWGxoZW1WdUlFVnViR0ZwLjAA/rhapsody-black-letter.regular.png[/img] [img]https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d2/6f/8a/d26f8a116e959089ee24a939c55af3c8--ancient-beauty-ancient-china.jpg[/img] [/center] [color=ec008c][b]Genre[/b][/color]: [Medieval Fantasy/Medieval] [color=ec008c][b]Name[/b][/color]: Iyazen Enlai (prefers to be called Zen) [color=ec008c][b]Age[/b][/color]: 23 [color=ec008c][b]Race[/b][/color]: Human [color=ec008c][b]Appearance[/b][/color]: Like her father, Zen has wavy, thick, sandy bown hair, which she keeps long and tied back in a high ponytail with a brown leather strip, the end of her ponytail reaching mid-back but is typically tossed over her right shoulder. She takes after her mother in regards to facial features and structure. She has high cheekbones and an oval face that ends in a sharp and pointed chin, framed by long sidebangs. Her fairly-even-but-jagged fringe stops just below her thin and slightly arched eyebrows, high enough not to get into her eyes when she does vigorous activities, or merely tilts her head down to read. She has a straight nose and thin, firm lips that are faintly pink. Her eyes are steel grey, staring piercingly out from under heavy-lidded eyelids, giving her an apathetic and bored gaze. Standing at 168cm and weighing 59kg, she rarely wears much jewellery, save for the silver Enlai ring upon her left middle thumb and a thick dull metal cuff upon both wrists, which are wrapped in brown leather. Her everyday wardrobe consists of a high-collared one piece dress of dark shades of blue, green or purple with twin waist-high slits. She wears breeches beneath for manoeuvrability. During formal occasions, however, she will wear full gown, together with the necessary accessories. [color=ec008c][b]Personality[/b][/color]: Zen is quiet and thoughtful, preferring to think logically before speaking or acting, a habit that was not hers by nature, but rather, ingrained into her through nurture, seeing as she is was taken in and brought up by her master Yuen Shun, the General of the Kai Empire, and the decisions she is required to make in her position can hardly depend on her following her emotions. She is highly inquisitive, and enjoys learning about the wider world, the histories of each nation through reading any books and scrolls she could get her hands on, pursuing them with an intense figurative hunger. Since she has never been pushed to do anything in her twenty years of life, Zen is usually content to go with the flow of things, preferring to adapt to the situation as they unfold. She also has a strange sense of humour and has one important rule that steamed from her childhood, “Forgive but never forget”, and doesn’t take kindly to those who betray her. Although she does not hold a grudge, if you cross her once, it is difficult to get back in her good graces. While she might be a hard person to offend, she can't stand being belittled, and can get rather competitive, especially if that particular person proves rather challenging. [color=ec008c][b]Backstory[/b][/color]: Born in a small border village of the Eastern Kai Empire, Zen was the daughter of the village chief. Her parents were killed in a raid by their rival nation during her childhood. Being one of the few survivors when General Shun's army arrived to drive the enemy away from the border, she was taken in by the General as another orphan of war. However, her skills with the blade and inquisitive mind coupled with a desire to serve her saviour eventually persuaded Yuen to take her under his wing. Working with other members of his 'trusted', Zen refined her skills as an infiltrator and assassin, gathering intelligence around the country or behind enemy lines for her master to use. She has been at this business for seven years and counting, but this mission she is currently undertaking might prove the most challenging by far. Posing as a personal maid to the daughter of a high-ranking official in one of Kai's bordering nations, Zen is tasked with gathering as much intel as possible about the country's state of affairs as tension between these two kingdoms are steadily rising (due to trying to expand territory, acquire more resources, trying to unite the land under one rule, etc). [/hider] [hider=Hei-Ran Mihn] [center][img] http://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjcyLjliMDRjOC5TR1ZwTFZKaGJpQk5hV2h1LjA,/angel-tears-neue-personal-us.regular.png[/img] [img] http://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjcyLjliMDRjOC5VM1J5YVd0cGJtY2dVMk52Y25CcGIyNCwuMQ,,/milton-two.twobold.png[/img] [h3][color=bc8dbf][i]“Attack swiftly, and without warning. This is the way of the scorpion.”[/i][/color][/h3] [img] https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/b6/52/11/b65211d64398cb0aa5f80de947430faa.jpg [/img] [/center] [color=92278f][b]Name[/b][/color]: Hei-Ran Mihn [color=92278f][b]Alias[/b][/color]: N/A [color=92278f][b]Nickname[/b][/color]: Striking Scorpion [color=92278f][b]Age[/b][/color]: 26 [color=92278f][b]Region of Origin[/b][/color]: North [color=92278f][b]Hometown[/b][/color]: Yuen, a medium-sized fishing village close to the north near a glacier that is creeping closer every year. It houses a population of slightly more than three hundred, with fishermen, skinners and alchemists with a specific skill set. [color=92278f][b]Deity[/b][/color]: She most closely associate with the Phoenix of the South, as per the traditions of the orphanage’s matriarch. [color=92278f][b]Master[/b][/color]: Assassin [center][img] http://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjcyLjlmMDdlZC5SMlZ1WlhKaGJBLCwuMQ,,/lyric-poetry.regular.png[/img][/center] [color=92278f][b]Gender[/b][/color]: Female [color=92278f][b]Race[/b][/color]: Yun [color=92278f][b]Height[/b][/color]: 5’ 4” (164.5cm) [color=92278f][b]Weight[/b][/color]: 126lbs (57kg) [color=92278f][b]Hair[/b][/color]: Black [color=92278f][b]Eyes[/b][/color]: Sea Green [color=92278f][b]Skin[/b][/color]: Lightly tanned blemishless skin over lithe muscles. She has callouses on both palms from handling kunais and tanto. The lower half of her face (from her neck to the bottom of her eyes) is a shade lighter due to the mask covering it. [color=92278f][b]Handedness[/b][/color]: Ambidextrous [color=92278f][b]Scars[/b][/color]: She has several thin, light nicks (virtually non-visible unless you look very closely) littering the back and palm of her hands and fingers from early years of handling razor wires and blades. She has a long, rugged scar running from the top of her left ribs vertically down to her hip. [color=92278f][b]Tattoos[/b][/color]: She has a small black tattoo of a scorpion on her right collarbone. [color=92278f][b]Basic Description[/b][/color]: Hei-Ran has been likened to your classic porcelain doll in terms of facial appearance, slender figure and healthy light-tanned skin. Her black hair and green eyes make her stand out amongst her fairer Sisters, but worked to her advantage when blending in with crowds as it is not an unusual or more unique colour. She keeps her long hair tied back into a tight braid, and secured by a trio of senbon masquerading as hairpins. Long sidebangs frame her face while the rest of it is cut short to reach the top of her eyelids and swept to the side. Arching eyebrows, a delicate jawline, defined cheekbones and straight nose, one would think her a high-born woman of wealth and comfort if they did not look too closely. However, beneath her choice of attire - whether it be her standard grey assassin’s robes, mask and leather greaves or long casual robes when not on the job (very rarely) - lies a well-tone body with lithe muscles and little excess fat. Her skin may look soft and flawless from a distance, but up close, one would be able to see the various scars collected over the years if uncovered by clothes. [center][img] http://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjcyLjlmMDdlZC5VR1Z5YzI5dVlXeHBkSGssLjEAAA,,/lyric-poetry.regular.png[/img][/center] [color=92278f][b]Likes[/b][/color]: Skill competitions amongst her Brothers and Sisters, experimenting and discovering new poisons and antidotes, sweet pastries, pleasantly cold nights, peaceful silence she can mediate in. [color=92278f][b]Dislikes[/b][/color]: Unnecessary killings, harming children, being completely unarmed, mindless destruction and people who oppresses others for whatever reason, jellyfish. [color=92278f][b]Goals[/b][/color]: To redeem the name of the Striking Scorpions after the evil deeds wrought by one of theirs. [color=92278f][b]Fears[/b][/color]: Losing anymore of her Brothers and Sisters to the Dark, either by being converted or killed. [color=92278f][b]Mannerisms[/b][/color]: Hei-Ran has many different aspects to her personality. She is often serious, maintaining a bland expression which can turn into a sharp glare if faced with something – or someone – she dislikes. As someone who does not like to be under the spotlight, she tries to appear bland and unassuming whenever she is out of gear. Her common looks, casual clothes that allows her to fade into the sea of people around her and polite, mild-mannered speech all contribute greatly in making her seem like an ordinary, boring person. But unknown to mere acquaintances, she has a humorous side, often displayed in the form of dry or sarcastic comments, especially when hanging around the few people she fully trusts. People on that list includes her chosen family, a few select childhood friends, and a little old lady running the local bakery. Hei-Ran rarely allows herself to be carefree, loud and active even when in a place she feels safe, such as her home. She is relatively caring in that while she doesn’t believe in sugar-coating the truth no matter how harsh it may be, she will break the news gently if that person is close to her, or is in visible distress, close to breaking down. Hei-Ran is extremely practical, and strives to be a woman of sound moral principles, and would stand by them no matter what it cost her. She can be stubborn and hard-headed when she believes she is right, and refuses to be convinced otherwise unless the opponent manages to bring sound logic into the argument. She refrains from judging people by first impression alone, and usually reserves her opinion until she knows them better. While she might be a hard person to offend, she can't stand being belittled, and can get rather competitive, especially if that particular person proves rather challenging. Her temper is a slow simmering fire, not easily coerced to rearing up and retaliate, but the right trigger works like kerosene, making it explosive and abruptly, but dwindles down quickly. The right trigger? Threatening the young ones in the orphanage. The older ones can take care of themselves, but the younger were her responsibilities. [color=92278f][b]Psychological Condition[/b][/color]: Having grown up and trained to be a hunter of the corrupted, Hei-Ran had been witness to some pretty horrific scenes and skirmishes that still haunts her memories at present. Hence, she is often plagued by bouts of nightmares, waking up in the middle of the night covered in sweat, eyes darting around to look for the enemy. After several years of this happening, she has taken to working herself to exhaustion before falling into a deep, dreamless slumber. This has resulted in her being an insomniac, only catching a few hours rest each day. She is also rather paranoid, worrying so much that enemies would come busting into their home and slaughtering everyone in their sleep. It is not unusual for her to sleep with a tanto clutched in her hand. [color=92278f][b]Superstitions[/b][/color]: Members of the Striking Scorpions believe that losing control of one’s emotions before striking brings bad luck, for the spirit of the victim will latch onto such a strongly expelled emotion expressed through their final hours and continue to linger and influencing the person’s base emotions until their death is avenged. Thus, at an early age, they were taught to present themselves externally, while controlling themselves internally through deep meditation. [color=92278f][b]Social Pressures/Problems[/b][/color]: Although she likes children, and would do anything to protect them, she has never felt comfortable around crying people and so has no clue on how to deal with them. Whenever there is a threat of waterworks starting, she is gone. Her paranoia also makes her nervous when forced to mingle at social events, and when she is nervous, she can’t help but be blunt and let her sarcastic side run loose, resulting in her offending quite a few guests before she leaves. [center][img] http://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjcyLjlmMDdlZC5VbVZzWVhScGIyNXphR2x3Y3csLC4xAAAAAAAA/lyric-poetry.regular.png[/img][/center] [color=92278f][b]Parents[/b][/color]: Orphan (pseudo-mother – Sil-Sung – deceased) [color=92278f][b]Siblings[/b][/color]: The members of the Striking Scorpions and those within the orphanage. [color=92278f][b]Rivals[/b][/color]: Open to rivals. [color=92278f][b]Enemies[/b][/color]: Tae-Jun Kan, the one who was converted to the Dark and slaughtered handfuls of innocent in a bout to prove that he has truly fallen. Sil-Sung was killed trying to stop him and Tae-Jun has disappeared ever since. [center][img] http://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjcyLjlmMDdlZC5WMlZoY0c5dWN3LCwuMQAAAAAAAAA,/lyric-poetry.regular.png[/img][/center] [color=92278f][b]Weapons[/b][/color]: A brace of senbon wrapped around her right forearm bracer, ornamental hairpins in her hair, two tanto strapped horizontally at the small of her back (placed side by side of each other, one facing the left and the other right for easy access), thin ninja wire wrapped around the entire length of her right forearm bracer and a pouch of shuriken strapped to her right thigh. [center][img] http://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjcyLjlmMDdlZC5VMnRwYkd4ei4xAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/lyric-poetry.regular.png[/img][/center] [color=92278f][b]Skills[/b][/color]: [color=92278f]1 Stealth[/color]: She can blend in seamlessly in a place, can be utterly silent if she wished and is able to use corners, covers of darkness and the like to avoid detection if sneaking to a place. [color=92278f]2 Sewing[/color]: As an active combatant, her pseudo-mother made sure she is apt at mending her own clothes, or making new ones for herself in order not to waste money, and ensure no one else has the chance to temper with her clothes. [color=92278f]3 Music Instrument[/color]: In order to improve finger dexterity, Hei-Ran learned to play the pipa (Chinese lute) and has taken a liking to the instrument. She uses it as a form of meditation or to simply unwind for the day. [center][img] http://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjcyLjlmMDdlZC5VRzkzWlhKei4xAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/lyric-poetry.regular.png[/img][/center] [color=92278f][b]Powers[/b][/color]: [color=92278f]1 Wire Trap[/color]: With this technique, ninja wire (a translucent string, both elastic and highly durable) is attached to a shuriken, making it possible to alter its path after having thrown it. She can then have the ability to freely glide the shuriken in any direction with just a single twitch of the finger the end of the wire is wrapped around. When multiple shuriken is employed, she can send them in seemingly random directions and end up with a near-visible web of wires that traps the enemy within, or bind them if they take the wrong step. The web only requires a trigger (cutting a string, removing a shuriken, pulling on or loosening a thread, etc) to cause the other threads to rearrange, making it adaptable to change in combat tactics and situations. [color=92278f]2 Iron Curtain[/color]: Again using the wired shuriken, she can manipulate it to revolve around her instead, creating a 360 degrees curtain to deflect incoming projectiles. [color=92278f]3 Needle Rain[/color]: A sudden barrage of precisely targeted senbon, especially when unleashed in surprise, can be used to incapitate an opponent’s limbs or even paralyse them, making them an easier target. Lethality can be increased if the senbon is dipped in poison, or can save a life if dipped in antidote and delivered precisely into the bloodstream. [color=92278f]4 Trick of the Light[/color]: When out in the open under sunlight, she can reflect/bend light off any reflective surfaces on her person to ‘cast’ minor illusions, usually distorting the opponent’s image of her or disorientating them for a few seconds, enough for them to be distracted. This bending of the light can extend to allies within her sight and/or touch. [color=92278f]5 Scorpion’s Sting[/color]: A length of wire is attached to the hilts of her tanto and a poisoned senbon is attached to the other end, so when she strikes with her blades, the opponent is not aware of the other weapon, and with a move of her wrists, she can flick the senbon around to pierce the back of the neck. [color=92278f]6 Shadow’s Embrace[/color]: When concealed in the shadows, she blends in thoroughly with it, making her virtually impossible to detect. [color=92278f]7 Shrapnel Bomb[/color]: Imbued with ki, her hairpins and shurikens are dormant bombs that can be triggered on command. Although its explosive radius is small – capable of injuring only one or two people – it sprays small, red-hot shrapnel outwards in all direction after the explosion. [color=92278f]8 Dance of the Scorpion[/color]: This kata is a mix of defence and offense that can be used with one or two blades of any length. It relies on speed first and foremost and the firmness of one’s stance when in the defensive position. It has two stances, the strike and the block. Stance One, Strike: The user does not need to settle into any set stance. As long as the blade(s) is positioned low, wrist loose and blade held behind their backs, they can strike out straight towards the opponent from any direction. Like a scorpion’s tail, the user brings the blade up from behind their backs, striking high and precise in one quick forward motion. This move can be done multiple times in quick succession even when their feet is moving. Like a dance, the user twirls and sidesteps around or circling the opponent as they strike. Stance Two, Block: If the opponent manages launch an attack during the time in which the user is about to launch an attack, in the middle of an attack or directly after the strike, this position would allow the user to switch instantly from offensive to defensive if they cannot dodge in time. The user clamps up instantly, firming their muscles and locking their joints in a way that doesn’t allow accidental shift or jarrings when the opponent’s blow hits. The blade(s) is held vertically in a slightly lose grip so minute movements to fully counter the opponent’s strike can be made. [center][img] http://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjcyLjlmMDdlZC5RM1Z5Y21WdWRDQlRkRzl5ZVEsLC4xAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/lyric-poetry.regular.png[/img][/center] [color=92278f][b]Current Story[/b][/color]: The only orphanage in Yuen, Sil-Sung’s house is located at the north-western side of Yuen, a slowly dwindling town thanks to the creeping glacier. In one early morning near the start of the year, she found a Fire Egg sitting innocently at the bottom of her doorstep. With no letter nor any indication of how it turned up here, Sil-Sung took it in like she would any other child who turned up outside her door. A whole day later, the egg hatched, and out came a baby girl, who wasted no time bawling her eyes out. A fortnight went by without Sil-Sung naming the girl, having thought up nothing suitable. It was only when the baby’s face lit up the very first time she took her to her small indoor garden full of blooming flowers and various plants embracing spring that she bestowed upon her the name Hei-Ran, which meant graceful orchid. As orphaned babies were rare around these parts, Sil-Sung indulged herself in taking care of the Yun infant. In the early stages of her childhood, Hei-Ran was already proving to be a serious and reserved child by nature. She preferred to listen in on conversations, adding in her piece when she felt necessary, but otherwise content in letting others talk. In showing affection, however, she was not the least bit reserved. As a couple more orphans arrived, she would more often than not sneak into their room to make sure they were settling in well, or show people affection by placing a quick peck on their cheeks. The first time her abilities manifested was under duress. For Hei-Ran, that is. For everyone else, it was a hilarious incident. It was a prank set up by the older occupants of the orphanage, a payback for the numerous times the younger have annoyed them. At dinner, they struck, throwing all manners of insects on the younger children. Freaked, Hei-Ran screamed as an older boy aimed at her, preparing to drop a spider. However, the spoon she was clutching like a lifeline reflected a short, sharp jab of light from the candles around, momentarily blinding him. He bumped into the table, jostling it and a stunned silence settled, for Jon-Doh was known for his amazing spatial awareness. Mightily embarrassed by her scream and the stares of everyone, Hei-Ran fled, not noticing the look Sil-Sung and a few other exchanged. Curiosity made her think back about the incident a few days later, pushing her to uncover what that really was all about, and if she could recreate that effect again. When she turned seven, Sil-Sung approached her with an offer. A chance to join the vigilante group known as the ‘Striking Scorpions’, who took it upon themselves to protect their town and those close-by from dark ki/chi users. In addition to that, she would learn about the theory of ki/chi in the world, how to harness her abilities, and of course, and later, combat skills best suited for her structure while also allowing her to use her abilities to the fullest. By telling Hei-Ran she was going to be protecting people as well as learning how to harness her abilities, she was sold on the spot, not even bothering to protest when Sil-Sung emphasised she would not be going out of town or considered a full-fledged member until she is sixteen, and even then, only if she manages to pass. The first couple of years were intense, focusing on building up stamina, strength and endurance while maximizing the areas she had advantage in, like flexibility, speed and forming plans on the spot. Together with her five fellow trainees, they steadily advanced through the years, discovering new abilities and modifying their individual gears to suit them. Hei-Ran eventually decided to go down the path of an Assassin, which she feels fully utilises her expertise in wires, senbon, shuriken and the tanto, all of which are suited for striking from the shadows, taking the opponent by surprise or trapping them before they could move. One by one, as each trainee hit sixteen, they disappeared for a week or more, and came back either in triumph or defeat. The day she finally turned sixteen came, and she was tasked with observing a certain village south of theirs to subdue a necromancer. Unbeknownst to her, a more experienced member was shadowing her just in case things went wrong. Hei-Ran managed to get close enough to the plain looking woman, catching her off guard. From the shadows, she threw her shuriken, binding her immobile and struck her down before the woman could break free. Thus, she earned her tattoo and place within the group. The member who had shadowed her introduced himself after as Tae-Jun Kan, a Blades master. He helped her polish her skills with the tanto, and more often than not, they found themselves as a tag team, one going up close while the other supporting at a distance if the enemy proves to be more powerful then one of them can handle. At nineteen, when soloing against demon, she thought it was dead, only to be caught off guard when it moved, slicing her from rib to hip. Fortunately, it was only a flesh wound and damaged nothing vital. However, she now had a constant reminder what happened when you didn’t ensure an enemy was fully dead. For three years, things quietened down a little, and the only drama within the group was the strange behaviour of Tae-Jun. While he was still charming and mischievous like before, there were periods of him losing focus, staring off into the distance for a while, and nothing they did – shaking him, slapping him and the like – worked in breaking him out of it. It didn’t happen during his missions, so they didn’t press, instead keeping an eye on him. Then one night, the town next to Yuen was drenched in a sea of fire, with handfuls of demons cutting a bloody path through. Everyone currently not on duty was dispatched to help. However, Hei-Ran and a few of the other more experienced members were not amongst them, having been misled by Tae-Jun to a secluded spot to be ambushed. Hei-Ran managed to escape, meeting up with two others along the way back to Yuen. But they were too late. By the time they got back, Sil-Sung was dead, the House destroyed and everyone who survived went into hiding. The name of the Striking Scorpions had been tainted by Tae-Jun due to him causing destruction in their name. While some of the stigma was cleared when they made it clear Tae-Jun was a traitor to the group, it didn’t restore their reputation, for they failed to kill the traitor and lots of lives were lost. There was also the thought that if the charismatic Tae-Jun could cover his corruption so thoroughly only the Scorpions suspected but didn’t fully know, then how many other members could be corrupted, or approaching corruption themselves? With confidence in them all but destroyed, the group faded into the shadows, still protecting, but not declaring. Lesser members and lesser drive to continue, they became a pitiful shadow of their former self. Sickened by the death of her mother figure and not being able to bare looking at the pathetic group any longer, Hei-Ran took up Sil-Sung’s family name and vowed to track Tae-Jun down and kill him in revenge. Only when that is done will she turn her attention to restoring the honour of the Scorpions, as it is Sil-Sung and her ancestor’s pride. Two years of hunting his trail has brought her to many places and across the East, West and South. When word of impending trouble in the North reached her ears, she decided to head back to her homeland, a place she had not set foot in for more than a year. [/hider] [hider=Haigara Yoruichi] [center][img]http://txt-dynamic.cdn.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjQ4LmE4YTNhOC5TR0ZwWjJGeVlTQlpiM0oxYVdOb2FRLCwuMA,,/seven-swordsmen-bb.regular.png[/img] [img]https://gematsu.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Gintama-Rumble_10-19-17_007.jpg[/img][/center] [B]NAME[/B]: Haigara Yoruichi (Clan name, First name) [B]AGE[/B]: 27 [B]GENDER[/B]: Female [B]SEXUAL ORIENTATION[/B]: Demisexual [B]ROMANTIC ORIENTATION[/B]: N/A [B]BIRTHDAY[/B]: 06/13/---- [B]BIRTH VILLAGE[/B]: Konohagakure [B]CURRENT VILLAGE[/B]: Konohagakure PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS [B]EYE COLOR[/B]: Lilac [B]HAIR COLOR[/B]: Ash blonde [B]HEIGHT[/B]: 169.1 cm [B]WEIGHT[/B]: 62.7 kg [B]PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION[/B] Yoruichi is an attractive ash-blond woman of average height (169cm) and possesses a lithely-muscled figure. She has a scar running horizontally on the left side of her forehead and another vertically down her left cheek, cutting through the center of her eyelid. Both faintly pink scars intersect near the end of it close to her left temple. Her shoulder length hair is normally tied up at the back of her head into a secure bun, while her parted fringe is done up in a bundle, held by two miniature kunai, both with red thread at the end, on each side. The part of her hair that isn’t tied is left to frame her face, reaching past her chin. The left sidebang is thicker than the right in order to cover the ends of the scars. Yoruichi’s preferred attire is a black battle kimono made from ballistic fibre without a right sleeve and exposing her right leg all the way to the middle of her upper thigh, decorated with dark auburn flowers of the Haigara Clan, held together by a wide red obi from her ribcages down to her waist. Beneath, she wears tight black shorts. On her right arm she sports a detached sleeve that goes from her wrist to her mid-biceps. She also wears fishnet stockings and black kunoichi half-shoes that reach just below the knee. She’s often seen smoking a kiseru (a thin pipe), a trait she shares with a few older members of her clan. When the kiseru is not lit, it will still be in her hands or tucked in her obi. It is a hard blackwood pipe fused with chakra-conductive metal, meaning she can use it as a weapon as well, which is one of the reasons she brings it with her all the time. [B]STRENGTHS[/B]: [u]Physical Strengths[/u]: [u]Ninjutsu[/u]: 10/10 – She has perfect mastery over her bloodline, and as such do not require handseals for them. In addition to that, she has strong affinity with doton and futon jutsu, the lower-ranked ones she can perform without seals as well. Her near-perfect chakra control over a large reserve means she can pull off higher-ranked techniques with the least amount of chakra needed to achieve the same effects. [u]Taijutsu[/u]: 7/10 – Due to her slender physique and short height, she relies more on agility and speed rather than strength. She only knows the clan taijutsu, which relies on short bursts of Haiton to keep the enemy on their toes. However, due to her speed and agility, opponents are hard pressed to catch her unless they are on par or better, allowing her to land more hits before her defence is broken through. [u]Tessenjutsu[/u]: 10/10 – Probably the only close-combat weapon she has a prodigious skill in, to her immense irritation. If hard-pressed, she can wield a blade or staff, but anyone who knows more than the basics can easily beat her, therefore, the only hand-held weapon she keeps on her are her dual tessen. [B]WEAKNESSES[/B] [u]Physical Weaknesses[/u]: [u]Genjutsu[/u]: 3/10 – She can recognise and break illusions, but anything above C-rank takes a lot longer. In addition, she doesn’t have an active enough imagination for a successful B-rank as enemies would know right off the bat that it is a genjutsu, so she doesn’t use anything over a C-rank. [u]Long-range combat[/u]: She mostly specialises in medium to short range combat and doesn’t really do stealthy. She can be silent if she wants to, but more often than not, she fails to suppress her chakra to avoid detection, so she doesn’t bother anymore. Her lack of long-range techniques make her unable to engage anyone who specialises in that area as it will be more difficult for her to close the distance. But when she does, then the difficult part is over. MENTAL CHARACTERISTICS [B]LIKES[/B]: Reading fiction texts, engaging in clan business, people with guts and brains [B]DISLIKES[/B]: Traitors, those who see the world in black and white, commiting the same mistake twice [B]FEARS[/B]: 1)Death by torture 2) Being severely crippled, enough to be forced into early retirement 3) Commit an act bad enough or make a bad decision resulting in multiple, evitable deaths of her fellow Konoha shinobi [B]STRENGTHS[/B]: [u]Mental Strengths[/u]: 1) Able to think on her feet in the heat of battle 2) Works hard to eliminate personal flaws as best she can. Even as Clan Head and jounin, she firmly believes that there’s still things to learn and skills to polish every day. No one’s perfect, after all. 5) Has patience in spades [B]WEAKNESSES[/B]: [u]Mental Weaknesses[/u]: 1) Blunt, straightforward in speech and mannerism. 2) Awkwardness in expressing her feelings aloud: Having been made to grow up fast and with a lack of people to hold normal conversations with, Yoruichi has grown accustomed to keeping her feelings to herself and speak in a distant manner, even to her brother. When she tries to give heartfelt compliments, she becomes tongue-tied and awkward. This has resulted in a strained relationship between Tenma and herself as he believed she sees him as nothing more than another Clan member, but whenever she tries to convince him otherwise, the conversation turned strained. The same applies to her shinobi friends. Although she accepts their invitations to hang out now and then, she is not the greatest conversationalist when it comes to small talks. 3) Has a tendency to over-estimate her opponents and under-estimate herself. This doesn’t usually happen, but when faced with someone she knows outclass her (like an S-Class), she tends to second-guess her actions. [B]PERSONALITY[/B] As someone who gave up everything that means to be a woman in order to protect her Clan during the later period of the War and their wellbeing after, Yoruichi is dead serious at all times, even when making dark jokes or finding herself in a comedic situation. She is usually not very talkative when it comes to small talk and counteracts all kinds of provocations and threats with a relentless offensive physical reaction, especially when it is directed towards family and friends. Any jokes, threats or insults directed to her would be met with a deadpanned stare and dry replies. As a consequence of that character trait, she doesn't hesitate for a moment to give someone a knock on the head with her kiseru, or throw senbon in their direction if the perpetrator is an ally. Yoruichi generally portrays a very tough and ruthless front, believing that showing otherwise in public would result in being taken advantage of. And since she is the Head and thus, representative, of the Clan, her actions will affect those of her people. If she wants other shinobi to respect and trust the Haigara Clan, she cannot show weakness or signs of turning against the Hokage. The only ones who know about and have seen the caring, compassionate woman beneath are her clan and team members. Beyond her harsh and naggy exterior, however, she is kind at heart despite multiple attempts to smother it. When she stumbles into a situation where a comrade needs her help she doesn't hesitate to give it, though her facial expression rarely changes even then, giving no indication of her thoughts or motives. Like most Konoha shinobi, she prizes teamwork highly, having experienced beforehand multiple times what tremendous results having good teammates yield. Having been groomed from a young age to take over her father’s position, Yoruichi grew to be rather intellectual after years of intensive study of clan politics, history, leadership and finance. This led her to become rather refine in speech, choosing her words with care and speaks in a formal tone towards friends and family alike, whether she is complimenting or criticizing them. She carries herself upright, her bearing regal. Every movement seem effortlessly graceful and her steps are light and silent, akin to a feline’s. The typical aura she gives off is hard and no-nonsense. Although the Head of a Clan with a Kekkei Genkai and prone to be treated with respect and faced with status privilege, she sees herself as just another shinobi within the Clan. Sure, she is their de-facto leader, but she is also a kunoichi and she wasn’t about to hide behind others. If they were to go into battle, she would be at the lead. Her status as Head also results in her being rather hard on herself, often wondering in the dead of the night “what if”? Could she have done things differently? Would things have turned for the better if she took the alternative? Nonetheless, in spite of her self-doubts, she stands fast by her decisions, believing it is the best she could have made, and if she proved to be wrong, she would shoulder the consequences without fuss and try to make the most of the situation. She respects good leaders and admires those with courage to stand by their beliefs, no matter if the world is against them. Like many shinobi, Yoruichi views the world not in black and white, but varying shades of grey. She doesn’t believe in true good or evil, only the nature of the person’s motivations behind their actions, and the consequences of their actions. As a result, right and wrong only exist in context to their actions. One can’t be labelled wrong if they were ordered to kill a friend, after all. That was loyalty to their Kage. Execute the guy if you wish, but he cannot be called ‘bad’. A woman of simple tastes, Yoruichi likes to read fiction of any genre in order to wind down or take her mind off matters for a while. She absolutely abhors traitors and betrayal, and doesn’t take kindly to people who commits the same mistake twice, including herself. A different side of Yoruichi can be seen when she comes in contact with alcoholic substances. She has a very low alcohol tolerance, needing only a small amount of strong sake to get drunk. While drunk, she tends to display an extremely giggly nature, laughing at every little thing but not talking in coherent sentences. However, after resting, she weirdly shows no visible signs of a hangover even if she doesn't remember her actions before blacking out. Fighting Style: She prefers to make the first move, usually by combining a wide array of low-chakra cost Haiton and Doton to disorientate her opponent(s) before they can get close. If they manage to escape that barrage, then she will engage them in close-quarter combat with her pair of tessen and Futon and/or Haiton. Her taijutsu is incorporated in her tessenjutsu. SHINOBI CHARACTERISTICS [B]Rank[/B]: Jounin/Clan head [B]AFFILIATION[/B]: Konohagakure Shinobi [B]ACADEMY GRADUATION AGE[/B]: 7 [B]CHUUNIN PROMOTION AGE[/B]: 10 [B]JOUNIN PROMOTION AGE[/B]: 12 [B]SENSEI[/B]: Nara Shikamaru [hr] [B]CHAKRA POOL[/B] (How much chakra do you have, 1 - 10, 1 like Rock Lee, 10 like Naruto.): [b]7/10[/b] [B]CHAKRA CONTROL[/B] (How much control do you have on your chakra?.): [b]10/10[/b] [B]CHAKRA NATURE[/B]: Futon (Wind), Doton(Earth), Yin [B]KEKKEI GENKAI[/B]: Haiton, or Ash Release gives the individual the ability to infused earth or sand with the user’s chakra, turning it into ash for wielding. The amount and range of the created ash depends on the individual’s chakra reserve and control over it, as every minute of maintaining the ash will sap chakra. The maximum range of this ash ever recorded is as far as the person’s eyes can see, for manipulating it requires the user to be able to see where they are sending it. Of course, if one’s sense for chakra is incredible, one would be able to manipulate the ash as far as they can sense. Perfect mastery means it takes her only a second to convert earth/dust/sand into ash and she can manipulate it fast and easily. She can also infuse her other affinities with the ash. Unfortunately for her, she is no sensor, meaning her max range is limited by her vision. [u]Kekkei Genkai related weakness[/u]: When her ash is infused with doton/futon nature or both, the ash is become weak towards ration/katon. [B]WEAPONS[/B]: Dual tessen, senbon, kunai, kiseru (sometimes) [B]CUSTOM JUTSU[/B]: [u]Haiton: Tsunomuchi (Spiked whip: C-rank)[/u] – Ash coils around the individuals’ hands and fingers in the form of spiked whips. It can lash out at the opponent during intervals in close-combat and can coil around the individuals’ hands to form a protective spiked layer. [u]Haiton: Haikagura (Ash cloud: C-rank)[/u] – Creates a cloud of ash that spreads over an area (distance can be controlled), blocking the vision of anyone caught inside. If breathed in, it will build up and clog their throats and lungs, slowly suffocating them. [u]Haiton: Tatsumaki (Ash storm: A-rank)[/u] – Creates a huge hurricane of ash that can be split into two smaller ones. Infused with other affinities like futon, its attack power is much fiercer, with capabilities of tearing skin off flesh. Akin to a sandstorm, it blocks vision further than what’s right before you and makes breathing rather difficult. It is also capable of sweeping individuals up and tossing them around. [u]Haiton: Haihaka (Ash tomb: B-rank)[/u] – It is a slow technique in that it develops layer by layer. Ash flakes begin to stick on the target(s)’s skin, coating it in a thin layer and hardens. If the target fails to get the ash off before it hardens, it will stay attached to their skin until the jutsu stops, the user runs out of chakra or uses another Haiton technique. Once the first layer is on, the second layer forms and hardens, then the third, fourth, fifth, and so on. With every layer, the target’s movements becomes more and more encumbered (think being coated in layers of cement). If the target’s mouth and/or nose is covered by hardened ash, it might suffocate them. The jutsu targets one person at a time whenever it is used, but can be overlapped to a max of three times. While they can use this move consecutively thrice without ending the technique, usage of any other Haiton will break all three at the same time. (Adding Earth nature into this technique merely increases the density and hardness of the solidified ash). [u]Earth Barrier: Tidal Wave – B-rank[/u]: This is a one direction stone barrier the height of 3m made out of three adjacent walls that forms in front of its user and shoots forward in a tidal wave-like movement, crushing all in its path until the chakra behind its creation in depleted. It cannot change direction and will only head in the path its user aims it in. However, its width is changeable according to its user's desires, and the three parts can be separated to head in three different directions if so desired. [u]Earth Spikes – C-rank[/u]: The user unleashes a row of short, sharp earth spikes towards the enemy in a straight line. Depending on chakra input, range can be from 1m to 100m. [u]Rock Spears – C-rank[/u]: The user causes several rock spears to protrude from the ground to skewer the opponent. These spears will even pass through obstacles and lengthen themselves to reach their target. [u]Wind Blade Barrage – B-rank[/u]: Derived from the Lightning Cutter technique, this allows the user to create several small kunai or senbon size blades with the same long-ranged cutting effects to shoot towards the opponent. The range of its cut depends on the amount of chakra the user puts behind it, and each individual wind blade can vary even if they are all created at the same time. As a result, it is unpredicatble and difficult to evade. On the other hand, it requires a lot of concentration to pull the different cutting lengths off and thus, it is only used to fire off small amounts if engaged in close-combat. (Yoruichi’s tessen is made from chakra-conductive metal, meaning she can fire off jutsus using her weapons as a medium.) [u]Coil of Wind – C-rank[/u]: By swiping one or both tessen before her, it creates a strong gust of wind that will blast towards the opponent. By using both tessen and rotating her wrist in a semi-circle, the gust of wind becomes defensive instead of offensive. It creates a wind barrier around her that is able to deflect any projectiles unless it is infused with chakra (or one of the Seven Swords). [b]HISTORY[/b] Before one look at Yoruichi’s past, one must also learn about her ancestors and how their decisions affected the future of their descendants at present. Haigara Fuzen, the Eleventh Head of the Haigara Clan, was always one for fighting against the stiff, unyielding and frankly restricting nature of Iwagakure’s system, both civilians and shinobi. He recognised that the continuous conscription of civilians with a lick of chakra and lack of traders would end up hurting the Village itself, not at all helped by the Tsuchikage’s nearly-obsessive need to one-up the other Major Villages, especially Konohagakure. Being one of the founding clans and thus a member of the Council, he had many a times tried to get his Leader to see reason, but have failed on all accounts. The last straw was the forced enlistment of Kekkei Genkai civilians, amongst them his cousin, someone with terrifyingly good grasp of genjutsu but was too sickly to keep up with others in the Academy, hence his life as a civilian. Needless to say, his cousin didn’t survive his first C-rank mission. Absolutely livid by the blatant throwing away of lives, Fuzen decided to round up his Clan and leave Iwa. To do otherwise would be to break the Clan’s motto of “Family First”. The Clan’s leaving was not abrupt, but more gradual so by the time anyone realised what was going on, they were well on their way to Konoha. The deal Fuzen struck with the Hokage all those weeks back was more to the Sandaime’s favour, nevertheless, the Clan Head had no choice but to accept. He was rather desperate, after all, and his Clan was by no means a big one. They had only seventy-odd members in total, only one-third of which are active shinobi. The children and their mothers were the first to leave, and the last to depart was the jounin-level members. Three years of careful planning and execution, the Haigara Clan eventually settled in Konoha during the ten-year peace (post-Second War and pre-Third War), claiming the southern-most border as their territory. Of course, the shinobi of Konoha were wary of the former-Iwa Clan, especially one who wielded a Kekkei Genkai and were participants of the First and Second Shinobi War against Konoha. The members were met with distrust and alienation, but the Haigara persisted, determined to prove they had burned the bridge between the Clan and Iwa. It took a decade and countless successful missions before they were a grudgingly accepted presence. Of course, their participation in the Third Shinobi War bearing Konoha's hitai-ate helped their integration immensely. By the time the Fourth Shinobi War came around, they were proudly integrated into Konoha’s history. However, now another challenge emerged: the political battle between Clans within the Village. It wasn’t too crucial for Clans like the Haigara, who didn’t bother vying for more power than what they earned, but Council matters were another issue. Born as the second heir in the early years of the Hachidaime’s reign, Yoruichi was a relatively bright child due to ignorance of the wider, realistic world of shinobi life. Her brother, Raizaku, who was six years her senior, took care of her whenever their parents left on missions that took them away from home for days on end. Having spent most of her early childhood around her older brother, it was not at all strange that she would look up to Raizaku as both a role model and her closest confidant. As soon as she reached her fourth birthday, clan tradition meant that she would begin her kunoichi training, starting from simple chakra control lessons and learning to wield Haiton, their clan’s Kekkei Genkai. Now ten years old and officially a genin, Raizaku was busier than before, but he never failed to find time in his schedule at least once or twice a week to help Yoruichi with her training. At this young age, Yoruichi already had a clear aim in life. To become a strong kunoichi, strong enough to stand by her brother’s side and assist him in any way as best she could when he took over their father’s position as Clan Head. Raizaku did not object, knowing that there would be no persuading her otherwise. Instead, he shared whatever little knowledge he had about being a better shinobi with her whenever he could, further deepening the bond of friendship, siblingship and understanding that connected them since her birth. On the days Raizaku left with his team on message runs and other tasks suited for lower ranked shinobi, Yoruichi trained herself to exhaustion, striving to improve faster in order to graduate from the Academy early and be of use. A month and two days after her fifth birthday, Raiga and Yoruichi personally witnessed the arrival of their new baby brother. Father was not present, having been sent on a six-month long mission to Fire Country’s border outpost just weeks ago. Staying in the corner of the room as mother’s screams echoed around the compound, Yoruichi clutched her older brother’s clothes tightly in her fists, staring wide-eyed as the wrinkly, red baby was cleaned and wrapped in a clean strip of linen. Their younger brother was held firmly in the midwife’s clutches, and Yoruichi was thrown into confusion as the other two assistants began yelling. She could only watch, tucked into her brother’s side, as medics poured into the room and her mother’s face steadily lost colour. At the age of five, she did not truly understood that her mother was dying of blood loss. But her brain comprehended that no living person’s skin should be so white, eyes so glassy and body so still. She could feel Raizaku’s arms tighten around her as his own breath trembled and broke. What was meant to be a day of celebration turned into a day of mourning. For five months, the three siblings were found everywhere together. Yoruichi clinging onto Raizaku as the two did their best to take care of their unnamed younger brother while still grieving for their deceased mother. Their father came back one night in the sixth month to a dead wife, a grieving household, a nameless infant and two depressed children. Slightly less than one year later, Yoruichi’s healing heart took another devastating blow. Raizaku’s chuunin team with their jounin leader was acting as a decoy for an important scroll to be directly delivered to the Hokage. Decoy scroll retrieved and on their way back to the Village, the enemy shinobi ambushed them, killing the entire unit, Raizaku included. None of their bodies were recovered. Instead, all their father got was a bloodstained hitai-ate and a letter of condolence, citing the important role Raizaku played in the successful retrieval of an A-rank package. The words were stilted, hollow and meaningless. Yoruichi didn’t cry even as a few tears slipped down her father’s cheeks. Mere waterworks couldn’t express the sorrow drowning her being. The next day, she demanded a meeting with the Elders in order to request their blessing to take Raizaku’s position as the heir. However, having a female as the Clan Head was unprecedented within the Haigara Clan, but Yoruichi was unmoveable in her resolve. As a compromise, she had to give up her ability to bear children, as her main responsibility had to be the well-being of her Clan, first and foremost. Her younger brother Tenma would be responsible for continuing the line instead. Her father, driven by the fear of losing his only daughter and next heir, began training her harshly in the clan’s techniques, pushing her to the very edge when he discovered her aptitude for ninjutsu. While Raizaku was a genius, their father had always held his training back. He was but twelve years of age. In his eyes, his eldest son was not ready to delve further into the more complex and harder techniques. His hesitation most likely cost him his son’s life. No more. Yoruichi might be younger, a girl, and less talented, but he was not going to withhold anything from her. It would kill him if she were to die an evitable death. The result of his decision to impart everything to his daughter meant that training was often harsh and brutal, leaving her bloody and bruised at the end, but she gritted her teeth and endured. Raizaku died for the Village, and he desired to become not just any old Clan Head. He had big dreams of removing the patriarchal view of the Clan and to allow the integration of civilian or shinobi with no bloodlines as potential spouse rather than arrange marriage between other Clan shinobi. Now with him gone, she took it all upon herself. As her father was mostly absent except when it was time to train, she grew closer to the other clan members who took over looking after her and Tenma. Hence, the start of her unwavering devotion towards her clan. At the age of 7, she graduated from the Academy and was put under the command of Nara Shikamaru, former Jounin Commander. With all Clan kids in the squad, Shikamaru-sensei was not hesitant in putting them through trial after trial, gauging their strengths and weaknesses and fixing their flaws. During this period of time and up til the present, the desperation for survival and the sheer amount of close calls throughout her experiences spurred her onwards in skill and abilities, earning her chuunin rank at eleven on the field for successfully covering a retreat. . It was this very skirmish between vindictive Iwa troops and Konoha’s forces that her father fell. The body could not be retrieved as they were too busy fighting for their lives and retreating. Young as she was, she acquired a name on the battlefield due to her constant usage of Haiton (Ash Release). Not big enough to make her known, but enough for her to be listed in Iwa’s Bingo Books as a relatively low-level threat. As a team they grew closer, staying together from genin through to jounin. Unfortunately, due to her position as Clan Head, she was not able to follow her teammates into ANBU. Yoruichi was instigated as the Nineteenth Head of the Haigara Clan and the next four years were filled with clan politics, meetings with advisors and the Elders. At the age of 15, she eventually participated in the jounin test and passed. Now, at the age of twenty-seven, there are talks – whispers – of the revival of an enemy long thought dead and gone. But memories of the devastation this enemy managed to bring upon Konoha have not faded entirely. Yoruichi knows this – have read texts on it – which is why even at peacetimes, she ordered the younger members of her Clan to continue using the wartime training regimen. It was both a matter of Clan pride and preparation for the future. [/hider]