SoleAccord Member

So it began. The Copy Ninja retreated from Sakura’s position in a familiar poof, leaving nothing but white smoke and an empty space where he once was previously. From a distance that would be out of the way enough to monitor Sakura without her catching wind of his presence, Kakashi could see just how far she would take todays exercise. Her opening decision had been the use of standard E-rank clones she had learned from the academy. Kakashi had his doubts about its effectiveness – mostly because those clones were not physical and did not have her scent, nor made sound effects that the dogs could pick up on – but it appeared as though the ninken pack were humoring her efforts. Sakura had little experience in dealing with enemies who could track her through multiple senses and this would be good practice for her, as intended. _‘Well, she’s understanding quickly that it won’t be enough.’_ Kakashi thought to himself, keeping watch high above the ground level. With his ninken keeping track of her and even a couple sticking underground, Sakura’s work wasn’t expected to bear immediate fruit. His confidence in Sakura was not lacking, yet part of him did wonder if she’d lose her grip of the situation and call it quits out of frustration. This was going to be one of those times where he would like to be proved wrong with a smile. And he had been. Over an hour had passed since this had all started. Sakura was exceeding all he had expected of her and went over the hour of time he had originally given her. Maneuvering through the trees as her spectator, all of her failures were not immediately discouraging. The kunoichi had tried several different tactics to offer her an advantage over the experienced team of ninken, and some worked better than others. Kakashi saw through the trees and towards the river, saw the beads of sweat forming along her arms and forehead. Her chest was heaving and exhaustion always seemed close enough to take her; he waited and waited for her to ask for a break, but Sakura had never said a word and continued to push herself to her absolute limits. The last time he had seen her working this hard and pushed this far was when she competed against Ino in the Chuunin Exams. Once Sakura was motivated, it had appeared nothing would slow her down. While she may have doubts about her abilities, it was from this perspective that her teacher noted that she was more like Naruto and Sasuke than she realized. At last her run had come to an end. Sakura was caught one last time before she had admitted that it was time for her to take a well-deserved break. Kakashi was not far off from her by the time she had dropped from the tree – the tree he had been in earlier, he noted – and when called out to Kakashi had dropped down from just above her, having been hidden by her flank just several feet away. The need to keep distance had steadily dropped; focusing on her surroundings became more and more difficult for her in the last twenty minutes. He landed softly but just loud enough for her to hear his approach, not intending for her to mistake him for a ninken hound. As Sakura called out for the surrender, all other ninken had appeared from various hiding places, and one from underground. Kakashi looked among them and found that they were all pretty exhausted too from chasing her around for so long. They must have imagined that they’d get her to quit quickly, but Sakura was full of surprises. **“All the signs, hm?”** Kakashi’s eye returned to her now, his hands pocketed casually while he examined her features more closely. The exhaustion was evident across her form, yet from it was excitement Sakura had never known before, enough for her to desire to continue even after so much effort placed into this past hour. Kakashi wanted to tell her that there was no need to rush this, but her resolve was not going to be so easily dismissed. He considered her statement a second time, and believed that perhaps Sakura did have what it takes to achieve that goal. **“That’s quite the claim, Sakura. You’ve done well today, but don’t push yourself too hard or I’ll have to carry you back home.”** The Copy Ninja looked down at his gathered ninken, more specifically Pakkun. **“We’ll be heading out to lunch then, will you all be available for later if Sakura’s still willing to continue?”** **“If she’s really up for another round with us, then it’d be pretty shameful if we backed down.”** Urushi, the white and light-brown furred ninken muttered. Though he appeared a little worn from this exercise with Sakura, he appeared pretty intrigued by her abilities.** “See you soon, kid.”** In a puff of smoke, Urushi had vanished, as did several others, all but Pakkun. The small pug had looked at Sakura in silence. Being the leader of the ninken and the tactician, he had been the one most responsible for the performance of the team throughout various missions and exercises like this. His hand had been dealt against Sakura a dozen times over this hour, but no frustration had brought her to surrender to them. Only after being pushed to her limits did she finally concede for the time being, only to be bold enough to claim that she’ll get every sign once she had eaten. Kakashi may have been right about her, but it was only day one and they still had an opportunity to really see what she was made of. After several seconds of awkward silence, Pakkun smiled at Sakura. **“Sorry, I was just thinking about the future. As your rival in this training, I can’t let you succeed without a fight. Eat well, we’ll be back when you’re ready.”** Just as Urushi and the others did prior, Pakkun had vanished as well. **“I haven’t seen then that worn out in a very long time.”** Kakashi was quick to remark as Pakkun finally left. He didn’t wish to hurt the pride of his ninken, they were likely surprised as he was how long Sakura would be able to keep moving. The team continued on regardless, but some of them looked happy to have an excuse to take a break that didn’t involve asking for one from Pakkun or Kakashi himself. With Sakura happy to get something to eat, Kakashi beckoned her to follow him, and together they set off towards the village. After a small shortcut through the forest of trees that surrounded Konoha and its borders, the duo were soon back on the main road. It would take several minutes before they’d reach Ichiraku’s for a peaceful lunch together. As they traveled, Kakashi couldn’t help but wonder about Sakura’s goal’s for the future. In the past her focus had been solely on Sasuke, yet from what he saw it appeared as if that dream had changed. Well, they had some time, may as well kill some of it. **“Do you mind if I ask you something? It’s all right if you don’t want to answer.”** Kakashi asked, offering her a moment to consider. Sakura had mentioned that she was okay with it, leaving Kakashi to consider how to word it all. **“When Team 7 was first formed, your goals were entirely centered on a certain someone. You’re more motivated than ever, and I think his absence might be part of the reason why you’re able to focus.” **Kakashi paused, hoping he wasn’t crossing any lines. As her teacher he had witnessed the many moments where she had been too centered on Sasuke to even think about anything else, and apparently over the month dedicated to training for the Chuunin Finals she hadn’t put any work into her abilities. Sasuke leaving sparked something in both Naruto and Sakura both, but was it only for Sasuke that she truly desired to become stronger? They wanted him back and it was something he understood perfectly well. His regret was not only convincing Sasuke to abandon the path he was going down, but also being unable to make it in time to stop him himself. **“I don’t want to pretend I understand a healthy feminine mind, but I’d like to know where you see yourself several years from now. Have your goals from before become different, even a little?”** There was nothing wrong with becoming someone’s wife and lover, but her affection for Sasuke had slowed her down compared to others. Leaving her to speak on that as they entered Konoha, Kakashi had given time to consider her response to him, and whether she wanted to continue discussing it was entirely up to her. Arriving at Ichiraku’s, Kakashi allowed Sakura inside first, parting the small curtain and following inside after her. Teuchi and Ayame, the Ichiraku father-daughter team that ran Ichiraku’s, were happy to greet them. Gesturing for Sakura to order her own bowl first, Kakashi took a seat beside her. **“I’ll have a standard miso, Teuchi.”** He mentioned. Teuchi and Ayume gladly began to prepare the meals as requested. Today appeared to be slow, as they were the only ones in at this time, but that was likely to change soon enough. **“Was there anything more you’d like to talk to me about personally, Sakura?” **He asked her.

It's not 'endless teleporting' so I think it will be fine.

Actually Anorgos hasn't posted, I'll give him a couple days...

Guess it's time to ask God to get him out of this situation. And it's going to work, too.

Ace admitted to a fault he may not have been aware of prior to this moment. With Lin he didn’t have to be a leader, she could be a friend he can confide in for advice or just an honest opinion. As the Empire continued to hold the worlds in an iron grasp, the young girl hoped that he would never forget to keep her in his heart and mind. Friends weren’t difficult for Lin to come by, but Ace’s role as a leader figure in this fight may have unfortunate results on his mentality. The pressure of keeping them all safe and making the best use of their abilities seemed like a hard job, and it was one Lin didn’t feel eager to try for herself. Dismissal of the wounded arm because his life had brought him greater scenes of horrors did not change anything for Lin. Ace was worn and needed time, and Lin would say no more as he turned and walked back to bed. For a friend there was saying the right thing, and saying the wrong thing too. There was hope that in her words Ace would find that she was not out to criticize him as a human being, but that she only cared about his heart. The Ace she met in China was a caring boy, and she’d fight to make sure that within himself he kept his good nature and smile. Shizuka had passed by him and come to join her, carrying two brown cups of what Lin assumed to be water. Taking one in hand, Lin took a drink and did not mind its warmth in the slightest. The heat she could endure, but as remarkable as Lin was when it came to handling extreme temperatures she was still as human as anyone else in this room. The refreshing cup of water had emptied in moments, leaving Lin satisfied. A smile had shown itself, the gratitude to Shizuka plain on her face. Bowing her head in thanks to her friend, Lin raised her head back up and had begun to consider her home. It had been quite some time since Shizuka and Ace had been to her home; changes were few, the regime of the Empire was still constrictive but the rebellion was biding its time as best as they could. Restricting her people’s freedom hurt her, and a hand had went to grip her chest tightly as if pain had struck her. Shizuka and Ace could have seen it in her eyes – she missed China, so much that it hurt her. **“It’s …good. Mulan, Shang, Chien-Po, Ling, Yao …they told me to say hello to you and Ace, and to kick a lot of butt while we fought.” **Lin’s lip quivered, but she continued on. **“It’s hard to endure the foreign grip on our home, but as of right now we cannot take reckless risks. A strategy is forming to help free our people with the remnants of the Imperial Army that did not surrender once the Emperor was …”** Lin recalled the horror of his sudden execution and did not want to remember the panic that ensued. Invaders from an outside world who had overwhelmed any opposition the Chinese people had put up, any skirmishes were settled quickly without much favor in the corner of those native to the world. Notable figures who were loyal to the Emperor had to go into hiding, the people she had named were very much willing to fight, but there was one person who had convinced them to bide their time for the good of the people they cared about. **“Han, he’s well.”** Lin’s focus moved to her dear brother, the man who had looked out for her all her life. Shizuka would remember him well enough, and the reason for that brought a smile to her lips. She was beginning to recall better memories now.** “I think he’d want to see you again Shizuka, and Ace too. He still refuses to fight unless he is forced. His conviction will not falter, unless …”** Lin knew what it would take to force Han to take action. He was a good man and someone she could look up to; he loved his people, and he loved her more than anything, yet still he refused to pick up a sword and join in this fight. She couldn’t understand his reasons but knew that her brother was the smartest and bravest man she had ever met – if she brought Shizuka and Ace back home, perhaps he’d fight once he heard what was happening in the outside world. **“Remember that time when I brought up you and I becoming sisters …if you got married with my brother?”** Lin’s eyes sparked with childish joy, her smile was brimming with confidence. The nights they had spent together in China were ones she held dearly in her heart, and she’d never forget how fun it was to tease Shizuka about her crush. **“I was immature back then, and I kind of still am. Regardless, I hope that he’ll see …just how special you are, Shizuka. It’s because of him, you, and Ace that I could continue trying to get stronger. I want to help protect good people, and fight beside my friends for what’s right. When we get back to China, I’m going to tell him how wonderful you are, and maybe finally he’ll let someone in. I want it to be you, Shizuka. He likes you, so I’m sure with enough time he’ll be able to talk to you about things he won’t with me!” ** Lin figured she was just being a kid, but she was a kid who was soon to be a great warrior. Her eyes were moistened with the fond possibilities of the future, and it was a future she hoped she could share with Shizuka and Ace. ~-~ The twitches of Asahina and the grumbles within her throat had not gone unnoticed. Alem could determine quickly that that beast was after something. The Empire had been too tight-knit with the dealings in Agrabah, and never before had something like this run rampant in the streets. As it struggled to bring itself forward, Alem’s eyes wandered to Asahina, fearing for her safety as well as fearing what she might do. She had claws that she found grotesque, yet could probably shred flesh with ease as long as her aggression was properly guided. She was discomforted by her own body, and some kind of impulse was blooming as a result of this monsters presence. If she wasn’t here he would have taken Aseela and tried to guide it out of the city to avoid damage, but a beast and a beast, and it appeared as stupid as it was hideous. Its desire to race towards Asahina would be its undoing. **“It’s after you, hiding will no longer do any good. I could best it in one play, but there is no sense holding you back. It will have the attention of the entire population; should we end this quickly, I may still have time to hide you away, but that window is looking smaller by the second.”** Alem flexed his right hand idly by his side. Sand below them had begun to be attracted to it before revolving around it. At the palm of his hand a hilt had begun to form, followed by an entire blade; his khopesh had been called, the sands Alem had beckoned also encouraged its presence. The summoning was unnatural, but so was whatever desired Asahina so badly. **“We’ll devote ten seconds onto this skirmish, and if we cannot end it quickly enough we will be overwhelmed. Allow me the first move against that beast, it’s no match for us. When I lower my hand, make your move.”** Alem had stepped forward, extending his left hand forward towards the beast. Small grains of sand surrounded Alem and Asahina both, raised off of the ground at numerous heights and gradually expanding outwards to offer better awareness of the area. The grains were disturbed both above ground and within it; Aseela’s huffs of warning served as a secondary notice. There were things in the area that didn’t belong. **“Never mind what I told you about hiding, it's too late. Attack, now.”** Alem muttered. Emitting power from his being and bringing it forth towards the beast that had broken free and charged towards them stupidly, its ‘speed’ was reduced to nothing more than a painfully slow trot that could easily be taken advantage of. His ability to reduce the speed of others dramatically had provided Asahina the perfect advantage for dealing with a mindless beast such as that. Lowering his hand, Alem turned back with his blade drawn to fend off the creatures he felt moving through the very surface of the ground towards him. With what weapon he carried, Alem already knew of the creatures and had encountered them on several occasions outside of Agrabah. The presence of another had not gone unnoticed, and even though he had stopped the fodder that had tried to attack him Alem was not happy to see this man again. Whomever had released that beast had not only placed the people in danger out of their own impatience, but now he had to once again deal with scum because of it. He had underestimated the laziness of the Empire, and his tolerance had run out. He’d act against them now, not just for the people but his own satisfaction as a result of this cruelty. No more chances. Aseela stood firm knowing that the safest place was close beside Alem. **“Walk away.”** Alem warned Salforge. He would not be intimidated, reasoned with, or accepting of anything that would be said. It was because of his comrade’s lazy stupidity that Alem was no longer in a mood to entertain the Empire’s dogs, and that included the man who chose to make idle chat.

You encouraged me to stay on track with the present, so I'm trying hard to do it ^^' I don't dismiss it, but I see it more of a comical day with Kakashi in the mirror and Sakura coming with him for shopping and making him try some things on. I hope that sounds fun, because I want you to enjoy this with me, and I hope that what I said isn't ruining this for you.

Working on a post now - Totally gonna kill some inactive players characters though because it will amuse me and introduce another character.  And sorry for the delay, first week back in college, had to get some shit done.

We're a ways away from big changes, and Kakashi isn't the type of guy to focus on excitement - he seems content with his appearance and it doesn't factor into much of anything for him. Should Sakura ask him about his appearance, he'll consider how to make himself appear 'fresh' ...but I can't see much more than a haircut at the moment. Sorry if that's boring but I don't want to feel pressured to change anything without some IC reasoning.

We will see, it's hard to fix or even adjust what isn't broken or crooked. Kakashi always looked 'right', and I can't imagine him in common clothing outside of formal occasions. If it ever came to a loved one, he'd do his best. Just helps to be dressed for the occasional duel against Gai xP

I think it really put the emphasis on her face and I like the frame. I never really liked what Sakura became as a character, but her design, while basic, was really gorgeous at the right angles.