Testing and Training (Training/Invite)

[Kiyoshi]

(much better)

“Phantasmal Swarm, huh? Sounds pretty straight forward,” Kiyoshi mused aloud, never having really touched base with that particular technique before. As he admitted before, he never really had played around with the perceptions on their own, most of his focus having been on the use of his Mateki. Compared to his flute, these other genjutsu were actually quite easy because he didn’t have to focus on tying them in with the sound release as well.

Temporarily the genjutsu master’s focus was broken when the medic was sent in, and he blinked as he looked over the boy. He hadn’t really expected someone so young, but he wasn’t going to say anything about it. “He’s right there,” Kiyoshi said as he gestured towards the bound and struggling prisoner who had the scrapes along his skin, and he dispersed the shadow cats that had done it as well. The boy was kind of cute really, but fortunately for the medic he didn’t go for guys who were that much younger than him. Still he did keep a close eye on the stuttering teen though, mostly out of interest.

As much as Kiyoshi was interested in being able to physically harm someone with a mere illusion, he figured he better stop before the guards grew too upset and kicked them out. Besides, he could always come back and continue training later. “It might help if you study the different lobes of the brain, since genjutsu is meant to fool the senses. At least that’s generally how I do it, alter the neurons that send messages around in the mind to create the illusion I want,” he suggested to Shizuka, actually being somewhat helpful.

[cannotseetheforest]

“Phantasmal Swarm, huh? Sounds pretty straight forward,”

Well, probably compared to what he's used to... Not so much for me, though. Shizuka held back a sigh. Just as she was about to turn her attention back to the jutsu, the door opened.

Shizuka turned to see a tan, white-haired kid, at least a couple years younger than her. He didn't seem to have noticed her yet, directing his faltering “umm what’s wrong? Something about a prisoner-r-r?” at the Chuunin only.

Kiyoshi seemed to expect him, indicating the prisoner and dismissing his shadow creations. "It might help if you study the different lobes of the brain, since genjutsu is meant to fool the senses." Kiyoshi commented, speaking to her again. "At least that’s generally how I do it, alter the neurons that send messages around in the mind to create the illusion I want,”

Huh. That was actually helpful. "I might do that," Shizuka replied. "So far, I've been focusing on simply matching the chakra shaped by the jutsu to the chakra in the target. It would likely make the process shorter if I had a better understanding of the actual mechanics."

That was something to look into later, though. Right now she needed to complete the jutsu she was working on.

I should probably wait until the medic is finished, though. Shizuka leaned back against the wall and crossed her arms, watching the other genin as she waited.

[Falorein]

As the chuunin gestured towards the injuries on the prisoner, Falorein stared it wasn’t really too bad. Nothing worth wasting his chakra on, only now did he realise that there was another within the vicinity. This one was a female, she seemed light on her feet and had a sort of air about her, and naturally he looked at her hands and could see some markings maybe combat wounds? He smiled at her and spoke in a polite and slightly more confident tone
“ Hi, I didn’t even see you” the youth paused only to regain some more confidence along the way he turned his attention to both now and decided to introduce himself “Well, I’m Falorein.” Leaving it to hang in the air, the youth walked over to the prisoner examined his various cuts and wounds made by one of these two. With a simple gesture he tore at his sleeves and began to channel some chakra, fusing it into an adhesive bandage. Without any care to the patients well-being the youth, wrapped up the various scraps and nodded to himself. To any on lookers he would seem rather sloppy in his medical application. Opening his mouth once more the youth would almost explain away his lack of consideration for his patient. He bluntly stated to the prisoner

“ I respect and care for all living things, if I didn’t I wouldn’t even had done that much. However I also respect order and the village I represent. So know whatever you have done, pay for it and once you have paid in full. Only then will I care for you enough to lend you my strength.”

For the first time in his life did he feel cruel, but at the same time he hated those who went against the order of things. Especially those who disobeyed the law, but at the same time he cared for all those living. Being in a prison was vicarious thing for the youth. Turning on the spot, he would realise he wasn’t alone and his confidence would disappear once again. Only to present a deep hue of red on his face.

“That’s about as much as I’m going to do, he will be fine. But maybe a different test subject? And some compassion…” he muttered the last bit rather quietly hoping it may go unheard.

SPOILER: Click to show

Gantai no Jutsu (Bandage Technique)Rank: D
Skill: Ninjutsu
Effect: Creates a bandage out of surrounding materials.
Special: --
Drawback: Requires concentration in order to make larger bandages. Requires some sort of material.
Description: The user focuses chakra into a nearby material, such as sand, grass, or even water, forming it into an adhesive, sterile strip that’s reminiscent of a bandage. Once formed and applied, the makeshift bandage will remain without chakra input.
Limit: Must be a medic.

[Kiyoshi]

“There are books you can pick up on the subject in the library, and studying them can help. Especially when you get to the more complex techniques,” Kiyoshi sighed as he stretched out, taking a little break as well while he watched the young medic tending to the patient. Honestly he was a little confused as to why the other didn’t just use healing hands, but when the boy spoke up he couldn’t help but grin wide. He didn’t interrupt, more amused than anything as he listened in. The genjutsu master had a thing for justice himself, so he could certainly relate to what the younger one was saying.

That blush made Kiyoshi chuckle a little as well, a smirk pulling at his lips when he saw how embarrassed the boy seemed to be from the rambling. “A different one already? We haven’t even done anything too bad yet, compared to what I usually train in here… Falorein, wasn’t it? Are you a shinobi or do you just work as a nurse here? Because if you do intend to work as a shinobi in this village, you can’t let yourself be so soft or else your job will tear you apart,” he sounded so casual despite how serious his message was, one of his elbows on the table and resting his chin in his palm. But even though his posture seemed relaxed as well, there was a glimmer in his eyes, one that made it clear the young teen had caught his attention just as Shizuka had a few minutes ago.

[cannotseetheforest]

“There are books you can pick up on the subject in the library, and studying them can help. Especially when you get to the more complex techniques.” Shizuka made a mental note to look up the section on brain function later, instead of focussing in the jutsu section.

The medic seemed to finally notice her after checking the prisoner, confirmed by his “Hi, I didn’t even see you." Shizuka gave him a polite nod.

Not sure whether that's a comment on my stealth, or on his unobservance. Or both.

The medic introduced himself as Falorein, before moving over to treat the prisoner. Shizuka leaned forward slightly, to get a clearer view of the technique he was using, only to be surprised when the medic did nothing more than turn the ends of his sleeves into a bandage and roughly bind up the scratches. Maybe because he's really barely injured? Could be a pride issue, though he doesn't seem the type. Looks can be deceiving. Shizuka slanted a sideways glance towards the Chuunin who had caused said injuries. Solid illusions didn't need to be tested here. He could have done that anywhere, and he didn't need to send the other cats after the prisoner when the first one had already proved the concept. Like with her earlier, Kiyoshi seemed to just enjoy tormenting him.

The medic spoke, interupting her thoughts. Shizuka's eyes grew almost imperceptably wider as she listened. 'Respect and care for all living things...' He's my age, quieter, a little less idealistic, but... He sounds like Natsuko.

As Kiyoshi spoke, warning Falorein that he was too soft for a ninja, Shizuka silently wrestled with herself. He's a fellow ninja. His turning hard means he'll do better at watching my back. He's not like Natsuko at all, really; he has to be at close to my age, not hers. It's an attitude that's fine for an academy student, but that much compassion will get an active ninja killed.

Shizuka shook her head slightly, and returned her attention to the more immediate issue. "Is that your requirement as a medic, or your personal opinion? I have no intention of testing anything more than those illusions that cannot be learned without subjects." She glanced again at the relaxed Kiyoshi and added "There shouldn't be any more physical damage."

[Falorein]

“A different one already? We haven’t even done anything too bad yet, compared to what I usually train in here… Falorein, wasn’t it? Are you a shinobi or do you just work as a nurse here? Because if you do intend to work as a shinobi in this village, you can’t let yourself be so soft or else your job will tear you apart”

Falorein listened as the words ushered out of the chuunins mouth, it resonated with the teen. As he thought on it , he felt a weird sensation over take him; like earlier he felt dizzy and a sensational anger erupted out of him.He swayed oddly for a moment, unsure whether his faced showed a change in condition.However his insects would react with a buzzing,clicking and movement would begin beneath his cloak.It would vibrate with movement, as the insects responded to a harsh array of emotions that weren't necessarily Falorein's. Fighting the powerful feelings that exploded fourth, the youth would be relieved to see it all pass. Shaking his head, he would respond to the chuunin

'' Compassion shows more strength and control than.''

The medic paused mid sentence dedicated on displaying his case a little a all to familiar voice echoed in his mind, one he recalled long ago.Ignoring it the youth continued with his reply.

''No, I'm not a nurse here. I just not a fan of senseless and unneeded violence.As I said control is something that takes more strength.''

[Kiyoshi]

Watching the young teen closely, Kiyoshi’s interest was perked because the boy actually seemed to be taking the time to think about his comment. For a moment his gaze shifted over to Shizuka when she spoke up, but his attention jumped right back to Falorein when he finally spoke. The genjutsu master’s initial response was to just blink in surprise, a snicker following soon after before he burst out into a loud laughter as he clenched his stomach and doubled over, seemingly unable to control his hysterics.

“Oh… Oh man that’s rich,” he managed to force out those words between bouts of laughter, wiping tears from his eyes and taking deep breaths as he calmed himself down. “So you think I can’t control myself, is that it?” Again he snickered, sighing before he leaned back in his chair with a shit-eating grin plastered across his face. “Out there is where you need to worry about restraint… When you’re actually going against someone, it’s difficult not to get hypnotized by the orchestrated music of the battlefield. But this, boy, this is nothing,” he chuckled lightly again before he calmed down properly, his wide grin turning to a smaller amused smile.

“Besides, as Shizuka said, there won’t be any more physical damage to this man. This isn’t unneeded violence either, think of it more as an investment for Otogakure shinobi to gain strength by practicing on these scum,” Kiyoshi muttered as he gestured over towards the struggling prisoner during that last part, having seemed to return to ‘normal’ for the most part. “Hey, are either of you on a team by any chance, here in the village?” The kimono clad man asked suddenly, the question seeming to have come out of nowhere.

[cannotseetheforest]

"As I said control is something that takes more strength.''

I can't actually argue with that. Though the Chuunin apparently could, after he finally recovered from his laughing fit. Shizuka listened to Kiyoshi, nodding slightly when he mentioned control on the battlefield.

From what he did to me and the prisoner... I suspect he's controling a different set of impulses than I would be. But he's right that everything is different when you're actually fighting.

“Hey, are either of you on a team by any chance, here in the village?”

Shizuka stiffened slightly, all of her attention focusing on the Chuunin. Is he actually - there's only one reason I can think of that he'd ask that. But - me? And the medic? Why us?

Still, there was only one response she could really make. "Not at the moment." She gave him the polite smile that was her standard mask among the other Otogakure shinobi. "Are you offering?" she asked, repeating her words from earlier.

It's entirely possible he just wants people that he can torment on a regular basis. But a Chuunin on a team opens up to many doors for me to just say no, and... He's a genjutsu master who's willing to teach me. I need that kind of instruction.

And if nothing else, he'll keep my instincts for danger sharp.

The medic, on the other hand... Shizuka hesitated a moment, then glanced over to Falorein. "You weren't really contradicting what he said earlier, you know," she said, unable to help herself. "He said being soft will rip you apart in this job. You say it takes more strength than not caring." Her smile turned bitter for a brief moment. "Caring about everyone might take enough strength to rip anyone apart."

And... That's more than I should have said. Damn it, he might be a fellow shinobi, but he is not family, I do not care. Shizuka glanced at Kiyoshi, trying to gauge what the far more dangerous Chuunin had made of her comment.

[Falorein]

Falorein blushed harder as the chuunin burst into a fit of laughter, he felt as though he was stupid for what he had just said. In actual fact he had never been in combat, except that one time with a team he had long forgotten and that outburst, by something else which inhabited his body. He could barely recall that day building the hospital; but it was their.
'


“Hey, are either of you on a team by any chance, here in the village?”

The youth stiffened as the Genjutsu master spoke, could he read his mind? He had literally just been thinking of the team he never actually got to join. He hadn’t applied for another team because of his darker side, but he seemed to have more control now of this other persona. It had grown little by little then with an outburst it took control, Falorein had fled to try and gather himself only to forget moments in his life. But recently he felt the change slowly come back over him; like a headache that was only starting. He wanted to flee again, but the youth realised it would only prolong the problem. He medic decided it wouldn’t hurt to once again join a team and maybe actually stick with it; like had wanted to before. He had always wanted friends.

'' No, I don’t have a team. I kinda wouldn’t mind one though..''

Faloreins demeanour changed as he uttered that last past, a childish grin now dominating his face once more. He looked back and fourth from the pair, clearly less controlled then both of the others. He decided to let the previous thoughts go away, he could have a team now. Just enjoy that while it lasts.

Caring about everyone might take enough strength to rip anyone apart."


Faloreins face changed once more as the female shinobi spoke to him, his eyes watered slightly and his face dropped. A seriousness crept over him as a memory flooded into his mind and filled him with emotion. He was already torn apart; his inability to deal with darker emotions in this world, had lead to that. He sighed and tried to brush it off, still focusing on the aspect of maybe having a team and a couple of friends if that’s what was being suggested.

''Well if you are offering, I would love to join. I mean I dont really know you, but no-one has asked me so.''

[Kiyoshi]

The blonde man couldn’t help but smirk when Shizuka repeated the same question before, clearly amused. “I have plenty that I can offer you,” he blatantly flirted with a wink, snickering soon after because he couldn’t help but entertain himself with his little joke. Kiyoshi really wasn’t planning on doing anything more than teasing the ever-living hell out of her because he was gay, but he wasn’t about to admit that since it’d ruin the fun. The boy on the other hand was cute, especially since a blush was pulled out so easily. However… He was too young, unfortunately.

For a few moments he fell silent as the other two spoke, a brow rising because Shizuka’s words were surprisingly wise. His shit-eating smirk fell to a small smile as he watched out upset it made Falorein as well, and he hummed quietly to himself before speaking up. “Everyone has their own demons, I suppose,” he merely shrugged the whole matter off with those words, figuring it’d be best not to press the subject at the moment.

“Alright, the team’s official then! Just need a cool name to go along with it… Man this will be fun though, I’ve been wanting a team of Genin’s to drag around since I was promoted,” Kiyoshi chuckled as he leaned back in his chair and rested his hands behind his neck as he seriously considered what they could call the little group. His feet moved up to rest on the prisoner’s legs under the table well as he relaxed, not really seeming to give a damn. The genjutsu master also didn’t care that Shizuka didn’t technically agree either, already planning on her joining them regardless of what her answer was.

[cannotseetheforest]

The medic's eyes darkened, and Shizuka held back a wince.

He already knows. I thought, maybe... But that's what happens when you go into this life thinking the world will be a nice place.

Shizuka tried not to follow that thought to its inevitable conclusion. Natsuko's young. She's not a shinobi yet. She has time.

It was less convincing than she wanted it to be.

The chuunin spoke, interrupting her thoughts, and Shizuka blinked. "Everyone has demons"? Well, I suppose he'd know, as a genjutsu master.

“Alright, the team’s official then! Just need a cool name to go along with it… Man this will be fun though, I’ve been wanting a team of Genin’s to drag around since I was promoted,”

"Team Control," Shizuka offered in a dry tone. "Or Team Tousei, if you want to be formal." Two genjutsu users and a medic - "Control" fits, even without that interesting conversation. Though if he's been wanting a team to drag around... He probably does just want people to torment.

...I think I should look into poisons sooner than I'd thought.

Which reminded her. The prisoner was silent, had been silent through the last part of their conversation. He'd even stopped struggling after Kiyoshi had started using him as a foot rest. Frightened rabbit tactics; 'If I freeze, maybe they won't notice me'. Not really going to work with shinobi...

Shizuka stepped forward, away from the wall. "If that issue has been settled... We did come here for a reason other than to aquire a new team." She pointedly flexed her fingers.

[Falorein]

If that issue has been settled... We did come here for a reason other than to aquire a new team."

Falorein smiled as the team name was suggested, he didn’t really object to it. He would agree to anything that was put fourth. Though he liked the formal name, it seemed easier to to accept; if that was the correct word. He was finally on a team, this creepy chuunin and this female genjutsu user were now his comrades. As she pointed towards the prisoner, internal conflict arose in the genin.

He couldn’t let the prisoner be tortured any-more, but at the same time his team mates needed to grow strong. He knew this was the nature of his personality, to kind yet loyal and this caused problems, instantly he would trust those around him and he couldn’t divide his kindness between enemies and friends. With a deep breath the youth would turn, his face seemed a lot more confident now and not to mention rather complacent he was actually rather happy. He turned towards the prisoner and spoke


'' Up until now I have been your defender, but unfortunately. the chuunin or should I say my sensei now? Is right, I need to learn to be a little stronger.''

the youth turned away and spoke to Shizuka and smiled whole heartedly '' try not to go to hard.'' He purposely turned the other way deciding rather not to look at what was about to happen, but rather busied himself on something else.

[Kiyoshi]

0/10

Phantasmal Swarm
Rank: "C" Rank
Skill: GenJutsu
Effect: The target believes that they are suddenly covered by a swarm of thousands of insects.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: ---
Description: The target believes that it is suddenly covered by a swarm of thousands of insects. They then suddenly experience the insects biting and stinging at them and burrowing underneath the skin. Driving them into a sudden state of panic. The target freaks out greatly in pain. This technique lasts only as long as the type of class level they are. When they are of course a "D" class warrior, this technique is only capable of having this technique last for as long as one round. For every class the user is higher then that of "D" it increases by two rounds. The user is capable of performing this technique within a radius of fifteen meters, plus ten meters for ever class level they are higher then that of "D".
Limit: Must know Phantasm Perception of GenJutsu

“You know me too well already,” Kiyoshi snickered when Shizuka suggested that their team should be called ‘control,’ finding it amusing for reasons that neither of them likely knew. “I’m up for Tousei though, sounds cool,” he said as he shifted his weight a little, unintentionally digging his heels harder into the bound prisoner. His smile grew a little when the girl seemed to be eager to get back to training, another devious little idea already forming in his mind. Momentarily he was distracted by Falorein though, and he couldn’t help but sigh as he rubbed the side of his neck idly.

At least it seemed like the boy was trying to take his advice, but only time would tell if it would actually stick or not. “Don’t worry, besides the scratches we’re not even hurting him. He might think this technique hurts though, the one she’s training,” he explained, hoping to quell Falorein’s worries for the time being. “It was Phantasmal Swarm, right?” He turned back to Shizuka when he asked that, but didn’t really wait for an answer.

Kiyoshi could recall the seals she had used during her training, and he copied them now. Honestly he had never really touched base with this technique before, but he had a pretty good idea of what it was from the name alone. The handseals seemed apt for drawing on the phantasm perception, which only made sense considering the name. The first time he formed them he only pushed in a small amount of chakra to find that out, not actually trying to perform the technique yet. A little smirk pulled at his lips though, as he couldn’t help but think that he may be able to pull this off.

Again he repeated the seals, this time focusing his chakra in on the prisoner’s mind. His eyes closed as he concentrated, envisioning the parietal lobe of the man’s brain, knowing that it was the one that dealt with touch and pain and was most commonly used with the phantasm perception. With his pristine chakra control he was able to agitate the neurons there, and the prisoner jerked in the chair as his pained cry was muffled by the gag. He was targeting the area that was on the top and near the center of the brain, but honestly he wasn’t entirely sure how he should manipulate the neurons quite yet to achieve the effect he wanted.

Briefly he studied how his own neuron pattern went as he felt the butterflies crawling across his skin with his chakra, and when he tried the technique again he tried to recreate the same pattern in his victim. However that wasn’t enough, he also added in little jolts to create pain to make it feel as if the bugs were attacking and hurting, but it was sloppy and not exactly. It felt more like random sharp pangs of pain, and the prisoner jolted and struggled as he yelled incoherently into the gag. “Hmm, it takes quite a bit of focus to actually make it feel like bugs, huh?” Kiyoshi mused aloud, looking back towards Shizuka again.

“Concentrate and try to use it on me,” he ordered as he moved to sit up in his chair a little, finally taking his feet off the prisoner. “Genjutsu doesn’t require a whole lot of chakra as Ninjutsu, but your control needs to be incredible to pull it off successfully, especially while in battle,” Kiyoshi started giving her more tips on what she was actually training, now that he was trying to do it himself as well. His progress was much faster than hers, but considering his experience it probably wasn’t a surprise despite how he tried to put up a weak façade.

“I need to know how it feels anyway… Plus you probably wouldn’t mind hitting me with something like this, huh?” The blonde man sounded as chipper as ever despite what he was asking of her, chuckling at the end as he rested his elbow on the table and rested his chin in his palm.

[cannotseetheforest]

The medic at least had his priorities right; team before other shinobi, fellow shinobi before civilians, civilians before foreigners, and everyone before enemies. Which this prisoner was, technically. She didn't respond out loud to his quiet "Try not to go too hard," but gave him a nod.

Shizuka raised her hands to begin practicing the jutsu - but stopped when Kiyoshi spoke up.

“It was Phantasmal Swarm, right?”

Shizuka watched silently as the Chuunin started playing with the jutsu that she had been struggling over. He closed his eyes and... She wasn't sure what he was doing. She would have said that he was working on shaping the chakra, like she did, but it just didn't look right...

Suddenly the prisoner jolted and let out a muffled scream. Did he get it already?

Wait... No, it wasn't right. The prisoner was jerking, but as if he was being hit with a weapon; as if the pain was in one place, not as if he was being stung all over. How is he doing that? If the jutsu wasn't exactly right, it shouldn't... Well, it wouldn't have had any effect, if I was doing it.

“Hmm, it takes quite a bit of focus to actually make it feel like bugs, huh?”

Shizuka blinked, the only sign of surprise to make it past her self-control. Is he directly manipulating the perceptions?

If that was true - no wonder he was better! She was nowhere near that level; she still had to rely on what the handseals were doing to shape the chakra. The little bits of shaping that the handseals didn't do gave her enough trouble, as she had demonstrated with just how long it took her to get the chakra to the target reliably.

I bet that part wouldn't take as much effort, though, if I didn't have to rely on the seals so much. So she needed to look into genjutsu theory. And what had he mentioned earlier, neurology? That might be what he's using now.

The Chuunin sat up, taking his feet and his attention off of the prisoner and looking at her. “Concentrate and try to use it on me,” he ordered. “Genjutsu doesn’t require a whole lot of chakra as Ninjutsu, but your control needs to be incredible to pull it off successfully, especially while in battle.”

Shizuka blinked again, but nodded. "I might need to try several times," she warned him. Not that I mind using this on him...

“I need to know how it feels anyway… Plus you probably wouldn’t mind hitting me with something like this, huh?” the Chuunin said cheerfully, echoing her thoughts.

Well, if it's an order... Technically he is my superior officer.

Shizuka flipped through the handseals and cast the jutsu, chakra 'carrier' only, on Kiyoshi. It took her two tries, this time, before she could get it to settle smoothly. If he was sensitive to chakra, which he probably was, he might feel a light brush against his senses as she practiced the actual delivery of the jutsu. She continued, casting, letting the chakra settle, then releasing, as she thought.

I have the jutsu casting down. Problem is, it's still not actually doing anything. So what do I do next? She couldnt'd do it like the Chuunin had, she knew that. Which meant she needed to figure out... Not an easier way, per se, but one that required less specialised knowledge.

Well, the first few genjutsu she had practiced had contained essentially all of the chakra shaping needed for the actual effect in the handseals. The one she'd practiced earlier, though, with the whispering... I needed to imagine the words, otherwise he didn't hear anything distinct. Maybe I need to imagine the effects?

It made sense, as much as any other idea. I really need to look up Genjutsu theory.

Shizuka stopped casting the jutsu (now merging seamlessly every time) and narrowed her eyes in concentration. A swarm of thousands of insects was what the jutsu was supposed to create in the target's mind. Well, she admittedly had never actually experienced that, so she'd have to rely on her trained imagination.

(Shizuka darted a quick glance towards the healer; she had not missed the commotion earlier, as his 'partners' had reacted to his agitation. Between him and the Kitateha Chuunin... Hopefully, I never will experience that.)

The description of the jutsu had said that the insects seemed to swarm on the target, and then they would start biting. Shizuka took a slow, deep breath and deliberately pulled up the feeling in her mind. The buzzing, tickling, moving light weight of thousands of tiny bodies on every surface- and then pain, first stinging, then sharper as they dug deeper, more and more-

Shizuka held back a flinch through rigid control. Carefully, she shaped handseals, fed in the chakra - and the feeling of insects swarming was... The only way she could think to describe it was as if it was sucked into the jutsu, amplified and contained within the chakra 'net'. It startled her enough that she broke the jutsu, pushing in too much chakra.

I think it worked! Or it would have... One more time.

Shizuka called up the feeling again, focusing as hard as she could on the imagined sensation. She shaped the jutsu again, letting her created feeling flow into the chakra with barely a shiver. She held it, shaped it, then cast it out, gently, let it merge with his chakra system-

Success!

Kiyoshi would feel first a tickling motion, all over, like the brush of the legs of a thousand more insects than just his butterflies. A moment later he would feel and hear the buzzing, like a black fly a thousand times over - then first the sting of insect bites and then a sharper pain as they seemed to burrow beneath his skin, still buzzing -

And that would be about when the jutsu would fail, reaching the limit of Shizuka's control, if he hadn't dispelled it already.

Shizuka let out a near-silent breath, pleased. Not bad, for a genin.

SPOILER: Click to show

Phantasmal Swarm
Rank: "C" Rank
Skill: GenJutsu
Effect: The target believes that they are suddenly covered by a swarm of thousands of insects.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: ---
Description: The target believes that it is suddenly covered by a swarm of thousands of insects. They then suddenly experience the insects biting and stinging at them and burrowing underneath the skin . Driving them into a sudden state of panic. The target freaks out greatly in pain. This technique lasts only as long as the type of class level they are. When they are of course a "D" class warrior, this technique is only capable of having this technique last for as long as one round. For every class the user is higher then that of "D" it increases by two rounds. The user is capable of performing this technique within a radius of fifteen meters, plus ten meters for ever class level they are higher then that of "D".
Limit: Must know Phantasm Perception of GenJutsu

20/30

[Falorein]

Falorein continued at his miserable attempt of keeping his attention away from the other two, however it proved useless as the two were practicing a jutsu and it was genjutsu so he expected to hear some frustration and noises of terror from the prisoner. He wondered;how those around him could so easily inflict terror and pain on others.why was he so weak? Deep down he knew the answer, but he refused to accept it. One day maybe he could be strong like that, but maybe medics were those who could only help. But why then did he have other abilities? As thought began to overtake his focus, the youth heard an echo in his mind.

“It was Phantasmal Swarm, right?”

Falorein felt a pang in his head, his eyes widened slightly and his limbs stiffened. He felt dizzy, the pain became more intense and then almost suddenly he heard it. This alternate will in his own mind, it contended for control of the physical with him. He struggled internally ,it assaulted his mind. Knowing exactly where to strike, he couldn't fight it. As the being forced his own will onto Faloreins, he felt a malice; a hate and blood lust that seemed almost unquenchable. He could feel emotions pouring into his own, so much pain and suffering seemed to emanate from this being. But somehow; this will wasn’t his own, yet all those emotions seemed so familiar. They were his, but how? He couldn’t understand, as this other being began to take hold of the youth. Falorein could feel response from the various bugs that lived within him. He bugs poured out of his sleeves and began to crawl over the youths cloak, making there present know. However unlike the genjutsu, these were his creatures, they were real; the bugs he gave shelter and sustenance in return for complete obedience.

He youth now closer to the wall, he leant forward placing one hand on it; as he did this the insects began to spread outwards onto the wall. He tried to recall them, however he had no control. His mind still being infiltrated, he heard a sinister voice echo in his head ''Remember me? Well, I'm back.'' Falorein wanted to scream yet, he couldn’t he could only listen. ''You remember me don’t you? I'm the Hive, I'm everything you cant be and wouldn’t be. I'm the stronger you.''

He was helpless and could feel almost all his control slipping, once more the voice spoke except it was if many were speaking as if. ''Should we show them our power? Show them what the real deal can do?' As the voice taunted once more, Falorein felt like he had lost and decided to take it all back with one last push of effort. With one last push, it stopped. Gone, so easy?No, falorein was the loser of that encounter; He would be back. The youth opened his eyes and as he did, he realised his bugs had taken a space on the wall and he recalled them wondering whether his team mates had even noticed since they both were training. Sweat covered his face, fatigue etched in every crevice and line. Falorein still stood heaving, retracting his hands once the bugs had returned and turned to face the pair wondering how long he had been lost in his own mind. Maybe they had finished there Jutsu, hopefully not; that way they may not have noticed.

[N A T S U M I]

Kiyoshi: Hmm... +10; Learned.
cannotseetheforest: +8
Sorry cannotseetheforest, didn't see your post

[Kiyoshi]

At first Shizuka’s attempts merely sent shivers down Kiyoshi’s spine, the Chuunin barely able to feel how she was trying to fool his senses with her chakra. He waited patiently as she figured it out, actually getting distracted by Falorein when he spotted all of the bugs spreading out onto the wall. Just as he was about to ask what was wrong he felt her finally getting it right, a cry of surprise and pain escaping him as he suddenly felt the onslaught of thousands of various insects. After his initial yelp he doubled over in his chair, one of his hands clenching tightly at the cloth of his kimono as the other tangled in his own hair and pulled hard.

It’s not real, it’s not real, it’s not real… That was the only thought that kept him from trying to scratch at his own skin and try to dig up the bugs he could feel during those few seconds, and when it finally stopped he remained hunched over for a couple of seconds. “Damn that’s a harsh one,” he chuckled as he leaned back into his chair again, seeming to be normal again besides his breaths coming out a little shaky. Kiyoshi rubbed the spot on his scalp gingerly where he had been pulling his own hair, flinching a little because of how sore it was now.

“It can be helpful to know what your genjutsu do to someone else, exactly. Let’s see, I think it went something like this,” was the only warning he gave while he quickly formed eight seals and cast the technique back on Shizuka, a shit-eating grin across his face once more. He could have prolonged it for half a minute, but he chose to end the technique after only five seconds so she could get a taste of what the illusion was capable of. “Do it again on the prisoner, your control is sloppy,” Kiyoshi ordered as soon as he had dropped the effects of the technique on her, not needing it on himself anymore because he had learned how to replicate the effects already.

“Hmm, how about after this we go on a mission? I’ll tell the warden about you, Shizuka, so it should be easy for you to return here to train again if you ever want to come back alone. Besides, I think it’d be better if we did something that involved the whole team,” he suggested, as at the moment the medic was sort of just an awkward third wheel while he helped Shizuka train.

SPOILER: Click to show

Techs used:

Phantasmal Swarm
Rank: "C" Rank
Skill: GenJutsu
Effect: The target believes that they are suddenly covered by a swarm of thousands of insects.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: ---
Description: The target believes that it is suddenly covered by a swarm of thousands of insects. They then suddenly experience the insects biting and stinging at them and burrowing underneath the skin . Driving them into a sudden state of panic. The target freaks out greatly in pain. This technique lasts only as long as the type of class level they are. When they are of course a "D" class warrior, this technique is only capable of having this technique last for as long as one round. For every class the user is higher then that of "D" it increases by two rounds. The user is capable of performing this technique within a radius of fifteen meters, plus ten meters for ever class level they are higher then that of "D".
Limit: Must know Phantasm Perception of GenJutsu

[cannotseetheforest]

“Damn that’s a harsh one.” The Chuunin straightened slowly, one hand still touching his hair where he'd been clinging to it.

Shizuka watched him, expression outwardly blank. Inside though... Well, a little bit of vindictiveness was hardly inappropriate, considering the circumstances.

It's hardly a proper payback for earlier and it's not going to teach him any sort of lesson, but... I can't deny it makes me feel a little better.

Though she really should have expected it when he looked at her and grinned. “It can be helpful to know what your genjutsu do to someone else, exactly. Let’s see, I think it went something like this.”

Shizuka barely had time to straighten before the technique hit her.

She stumbled backwards, hitting the wall after only half a pace and bracing herself against it. She could just barely deal with the feeling of the bugs just on her - but then the stinging started and a breath hissed out from between her teeth as, like the Chuunin, she doubled over.

Worse than I was imagining it - of course it is, I did notice the technique amplifying, didn't I? Shizuka thought, desperately trying to take her mind off the sharp, stinging, all-over pain that was making her fingernails bite into her palms in a desperate effort on to tear at her skin. She focused on the feeling of the wall at her back, trying to block out any other sensation and only marginally succeeding.

It ended after only a few seconds, leaving Shizuka staring at the floor and trying to regulate her breathing. “Do it again on the prisoner, your control is sloppy,”

Stop. Think. Be rational, not emotional; killing him is neither smart not possible. Shizuka stayed bent over for a long moment, taking a firm grasp of her composure. Finally, she straightened and, without a word, turned toward the prisoner.

Well. Now that I don't need to imagine the feeling, I can concentrate on the chakra flow.

Shizuka flipped through the twelve hand seals - much more slowly than the Chuunin, she noticed to her slight annoyance - and focused. This time, instead of needing to concentrate to call up the feeling she intended to create, she actually had to suppress the sensation she called up. That took only a second, though, after which she let the phantom sensation drain into the chakra, and cast out her net.

The prisoner twitched as the jutsu settled over him, then started to scream behind his gag, thrashing in the chair. He continued for several seconds after the jutsu wore off, before quieting.

Shizuka hid a frown. That took too long. And... As much as I hate to admit it, he had a point about my control.

“Hmm, how about after this we go on a mission?" She heard Kiyoshi say as she stretched out her fingers for another try. "I’ll tell the warden about you, Shizuka, so it should be easy for you to return here to train again if you ever want to come back alone. Besides, I think it’d be better if we did something that involved the whole team.”

Shizuka nodded, not looking away from the prisoner. "After this," she agreed.

Shizuka cast the jutsu again. And again, tweaking the way she moved the chakra a little more each time. The jutsu was being cast quicker and settling more smoothly, practice ingraining the exact control needed into her memory. The sensation she called up in her mind was slowly starting to become at the same time more precise and less overwhelming - to her anyway.

Although having to picture it this clearly, this strongly inside my own mind... Kiyoshi volunteered to experience the jutsu. Maybe all genjutsu users are a little insane.

The prisoner had been screaming without pause for the at least the last five minutes when Shizuka finally got the time needed for the jutsu down to just the time it took to form the hand seals. She stretched her fingers out one last time - dexterity could save a shinobi's life - and turned towards the Chuunin, completely dismissing her practice target.

"Did you have a specific mission in mind? Or are we just going to see what's at the tower, Kiyoshi-sensei?" The title was spoke with a hint more respect than it had been earlier, though there was still a heavy dose of irony in her tone, as well as a completely sensible wariness.

Her wilderness survival skills 'field trip' should last another two days, and Natsuko knows to just go home if I'm not there to meet her... I've pre payed the neighbor for a week's worth of meals and check-ins, so even if it's a long mission, she should be okay. I'll have to leave a message, though.

The prisoner still hadn't stopped screaming. Shizuka glanced over to check on the medic. Somehow, I don't think this is what he meant by 'not too hard'.

SPOILER: Click to show

Phantasmal Swarm
Rank: "C" Rank
Skill: GenJutsu
Effect: The target believes that they are suddenly covered by a swarm of thousands of insects.
Special: "Handseals"
Drawback: ---
Description: The target believes that it is suddenly covered by a swarm of thousands of insects. They then suddenly experience the insects biting and stinging at them and burrowing underneath the skin . Driving them into a sudden state of panic. The target freaks out greatly in pain. This technique lasts only as long as the type of class level they are. When they are of course a "D" class warrior, this technique is only capable of having this technique last for as long as one round. For every class the user is higher then that of "D" it increases by two rounds. The user is capable of performing this technique within a radius of fifteen meters, plus ten meters for ever class level they are higher then that of "D".
Limit: Must know Phantasm Perception of GenJutsu

28/30

[Kiyoshi]

(Falo told me to just skip him on this round of posts)

The obvious pain Shizuka was in sent shivers down Kiyoshi’s spine, yet still he was able to control himself enough to not drag out her suffering. Still some excitement was growing in the sadistic illusion weaver, especially as he watched the prisoner screaming out in pain soon after as well. The smile that pulled at his lips was more serene than anything, seeming at peace with watching the torture unfold. However, as soon as she was finished he gathered his wits about him and stood.

“Alright, good work. I’d say we should meet up at the tower in about an hour; it would give us time to take tie up any loose ends. And I don’t know what sort of mission we’ll be taking, so be prepared for whatever may be available,” he said as he took his leave, not really bothering to say anything else to the other two. It seemed as if Falorein was uneasy about their practice, so he figured this would give the poor medic some time to cool off as well. His two animal companions followed him out of the room and prison, and he went out into the village to take care of a couple odd jobs before it would be time for them to meet at the tower.

[exit]

[Deleted]

Shizuka: +2; Learned.