PENUMBRA [T]

[Deleted]

[/i] It was not a proud reflection.

It was always so quiet, too. Hardly ever did you see anyone out on the streets under light of day, like everyone who lived here had vampire blood, or something. And if you did, they were hardly ever alone. Moving around this place without a pack behind you was -

Oh. Never mind. There was some guy, now, turning the corner ahead of me. He noticed me immediately, but was on the opposite side of the street, and accompanied by nobody. I recognized that skulking posture; it was idiosyncratic of the vermin that crawled around here, and, admittedly, it was the kind of stooping, forward gait that I had naturally adopted, having spent pretty much all my teen years in this god-forsaken shithole.

...Ugh. This place was getting to me already.

I would never have ventured out in these parts without my coat before, but these days, it was largely a forsaken item. I felt vaguely uncomfortable under the dude's stare, with my arms exposed and my outfit nestling against my figure rather tightly, but I gave him just a hint of my trademark snarl and his head swayed from me, and he went on his merry way, passing up the street and out of sight.

I turned my head to watch him go; once gone, I shivered. He hadn't been an especially powerful specimen (I'd judged), but he was another one of these people, one of a hive mind that were just so fucking distinct, that I had been a part of and hardly ever even realized it.

And then I turned back. Memories were beginning to stir.[/ul]

[Deleted]

Kan Hagane (Nerves of Steel)
Rank: "A"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The Brawler at this stage knows no fear. They embrace fear as if it is one of their own. They no longer truly fear what is in front of them or around them for when battle comes they charge forth with all of their might.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Fear is not the option. The user pushes themselves past their limitations as they are not afraid no more. They are not afraid of being broken, of being threatened, of others being threatened. They live for the moment as nothing phases them. The Brawler becomes fearless, their moral does not go down. As soon as a user learns this, nothing can stand in their way of objective. If a person is "S" Class, or "D" Class it does not matter to the Brawler, if they feel that they can win, they will push forward without hesitation. Because of this technique, because of the fact that Brawlers become fearless, the effect of Fearful GenJutsus does not work against those of the Brawler class. Reasons why is because how can you place fear upon the fearless.
Limit: Must know Chouba (Taunt), Must have at least two Hundred Training Points before going into.

[0 | 90]

[/i].

Okay, so not now. But I could almost hear it, like how the sounds of life registered only vaguely when waking. I stared ahead of me, and found that I was regarding a slightly different scene. My weight shifted further to my right; disquiet was evident in my emerald eyes. That sound was real. And I stared forth, it was almost like I was staring back at... myself... what the fuck...

I could hear them behind me, their footsteps hitting the concrete like a stampede of bulls. I swung the corner, my hand catching on the corner of a building of some description or other, I didn't fucking know. Shit! I had time to exclaim internally, gritting my teeth as I teetered dangerously close to falling over in my sprint; ahead of me, one of the pesky fucking streets with rising steps loomed, and I bit down angrily on the knowledge that the bastards behind me with their longer legs would probably gain an even greater advantage, here.

There was so much hatred in her little soul. Those were the eyes of the beast; a cub was it still, but it gauged the world as its prey just the same. Still, it was not hunger that lit that green flame; it was fright. She was so scared; so very scared. Poor, little, stupid, brave Kaoru.

My fucking neck and chest stung when I tried to breathe. I knew if I stopped for an instant, I wouldn't be able to run anymore. I had expended my energy too fucking fast, god damn it, and now I was gonna die, they were gonna kill me, I bet. Just because I'd stolen one of their wallets? FUCK MY LIFE, I'D ALREADY THROWN IT THE FUCK BACK.

Twin fingers daubed at my left eye, but the little tear was years in the past, now. I could see her running up to me; I almost gasped when I remembered how I had fallen.

SHIT, FUCK, OW.

I had actually said that out loud, too. Her voice was different from mine.

I clutched the place where my knee had collided with the step, but I could not clutch the lancing pain within. I was on all fours, now, and I knew they were on my heels. My pounding heart felt like it was going to explode from exertion and just...

Fear, little one.

Yeah, I mean, I was scared. Really scared. Here I was, twelve years old and about to die. NO, FUCK THAT, I DON'T WANT TO DIE. I clawed forth at the pavement and tried to heave myself up, but my leg hated me so much that it hardly moved, it just felt hollow and numb with pain and stress. COME ON, MOVE, DAMN YOU, I'M GOING TO DIE.

I smiled forlornly as I knelt down. It was almost as though I was facing her on the tier of those steps. Were it that I could have embraced her, and told her it was all going to be fine, and then made it so. I would have beaten those fucking bastards into the ground.

Oh god, somebody help me, I can hear the footsteps, they're so close, but I can't even turn around. My head's just lying on my arms, and now I'm really crying.

I felt a hand on my shoulder.[/div][/ul]

[Deleted]

Kan Hagane (Nerves of Steel)
Rank: "A"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The Brawler at this stage knows no fear. They embrace fear as if it is one of their own. They no longer truly fear what is in front of them or around them for when battle comes they charge forth with all of their might.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Fear is not the option. The user pushes themselves past their limitations as they are not afraid no more. They are not afraid of being broken, of being threatened, of others being threatened. They live for the moment as nothing phases them. The Brawler becomes fearless, their moral does not go down. As soon as a user learns this, nothing can stand in their way of objective. If a person is "S" Class, or "D" Class it does not matter to the Brawler, if they feel that they can win, they will push forward without hesitation. Because of this technique, because of the fact that Brawlers become fearless, the effect of Fearful GenJutsus does not work against those of the Brawler class. Reasons why is because how can you place fear upon the fearless.
Limit: Must know Chouba (Taunt), Must have at least two Hundred Training Points before going into.

[0 | 90]
[Post Two]

[/i]

Even now, I could feel that sensation; it was almost foreign to me, now, the idea of fear, but in this spirit realm of memory it struck me just as it had when I had lain there, and felt that grip lock down on my upper arm - it was probably fuck all to me now, a thing easily broken, but when I had been that small, it had felt commanding; unbreakable.

It had also threatened to burst my little heart; cold fingers had gripped at me, chilling my blood and freezing my lungs so that I had to gasp in panic. My adrenaline was running out, now; all I could feel was a thoroughly unpleasant mixture of impending doom and helplessness. The ground - oh, the comfort of solid ground - was pulled away from me, or, more precisely, I was pulled away from it. There was no sensitivity in the way I was turned over with a single hand, made to stare up at those terrifying faces, framed by blazing orange of the setting sun.

I hated this place.
I hated it.

They were so much BIGGER than me, it was so horrifying. How many did they number? I couldn't tell, I had forgotten. The tears that were stinging my eyes made it difficult for me to make out, and the panic clouding my mind made it difficult to focus.

"I'm sorry..." I whispered. One finger traced the concrete where she had fallen down, where she had pleaded. Little, naive, afraid for her life. Was I going to end up like mum? Where they going to stab me? Oh god, I hoped they didn't have knives, or anything, please god no, anything but...

"I gave it back. Don't hurt me." I repeated, quiet and devoid of the hysteria I had been experiencing at the time. I sniffled, and witnessed the scorn in his beady eyes, watched the way he grimaced at me, like he was disgusted by my very existence. Oh god, he was really going to kill me, wasn't he? He didn't care what happened to me; he and his friends were just going to hurt me, going to cut me open and just leave me here.

I had been in Takigakure only a few weeks; I had gotten lost on my way back from the Academy, and even though this place was scary, I had opted to wander it a little further, ignoring the stares I was getting from scrawny, snarling women and rugged-looking dudes that inhabited the place. I wondered how I was going to get home. Where even was I, now? I had never seen this place. Was that guy following me? No, now he was gone. Someone called something at me, but I turned the corner, quickening my pace. They had bumped past me, that big thicket of muscle mass, and though my arm stung where it had been shunted into the bench, I had looked up at their departing backs with a snarl of hatred on my face.

Maybe I can pay somebody to tell me how to get back home.

"I GAVE IT BACK! I WON'T STEAL ANYTHING, I'M SORRY, PLEASE, I CAN'T GET HOME!" I screamed, but his expression hardly changed; if anything, my cries seemed to be irritating him more.

Oh no.

"Fuckin' brat." I heard him say, almost to himself, and inclined his head towards first his buddies, then the wall just up next to me in what was evidently a familiar motion, and they moved immediately to obey him in...

Oh, shit, shit, shit. Obey him in WHAT?![/div][/ul]

[Captain M]

20/90

[Deleted]

Kan Hagane (Nerves of Steel)
Rank: "A"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The Brawler at this stage knows no fear. They embrace fear as if it is one of their own. They no longer truly fear what is in front of them or around them for when battle comes they charge forth with all of their might.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Fear is not the option. The user pushes themselves past their limitations as they are not afraid no more. They are not afraid of being broken, of being threatened, of others being threatened. They live for the moment as nothing phases them. The Brawler becomes fearless, their moral does not go down. As soon as a user learns this, nothing can stand in their way of objective. If a person is "S" Class, or "D" Class it does not matter to the Brawler, if they feel that they can win, they will push forward without hesitation. Because of this technique, because of the fact that Brawlers become fearless, the effect of Fearful GenJutsus does not work against those of the Brawler class. Reasons why is because how can you place fear upon the fearless.
Limit: Must know Chouba (Taunt), Must have at least two Hundred Training Points before going into.

[20 | 90]

[/i]die. But alone, here, now I cared very little for my own life. Inherently, what was it worth? Naught. The only incentive to stay alive, really, was so as not to sadden the few people in the world that actually cared about me, and to stay with them also. My eyes dropped to the pavement. I did not feel particularly cared about at that moment, with the absence of both my sister and the prolonged absence of Isabella. She was avoiding me, I knew it, and it made me feel like shit.

Almost without conscious thought, an enraged fist came up and slammed into the concrete wall. My jaw was clenched so tightly that I was fairly sure my teeth were more likely to break than my hand. Oh, okay. It did hurt though. My hand. But I didn't care. That was the thing - I didn't care. The grime, the dim of the afternoon, the shadows that I knew skulked around, the eyes that could probably see me - of what significance were they? I drew my fist off the wall, and noticed only then that there were, in fact, figures standing off to my left.

I turned my head to look at them. They numbered at least five, skulking, skinny dudes, the kind around here that were more like to draw switchblades than fight with fist and foot. One of them I recognized as the dude from earlier, staring down at me with a wrong-neighborhood look.

I stared right back.

I turned to face them fully, then, my eyes emotionless jade voids. My expression was neutral enough to be apathetic. What had they expected to find? Some weak woman, to abuse, as they would have if I was that little girl from years ago?

That was me no longer. They stood above me, up the concrete steps, but my look assured them that they were the smallest creatures on earth. This was not the sort of standoff that you exited out of passively - I had discovered that, once or twice. But whether as twelve-year old Kaoru would have cowed in fright, fifteen-year old Kaoru would have gritted her teeth and braced herself to run, seventeen-year old Kaoru would have swallowed down the fear that rose in her throat, I stood and embraced the unfeeling void.

They were pathetic. I was powerful. I did not care what happened to me - not today.[/div][/ul]

[Deleted]

Kan Hagane (Nerves of Steel)
Rank: "A"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The Brawler at this stage knows no fear. They embrace fear as if it is one of their own. They no longer truly fear what is in front of them or around them for when battle comes they charge forth with all of their might.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Fear is not the option. The user pushes themselves past their limitations as they are not afraid no more. They are not afraid of being broken, of being threatened, of others being threatened. They live for the moment as nothing phases them. The Brawler becomes fearless, their moral does not go down. As soon as a user learns this, nothing can stand in their way of objective. If a person is "S" Class, or "D" Class it does not matter to the Brawler, if they feel that they can win, they will push forward without hesitation. Because of this technique, because of the fact that Brawlers become fearless, the effect of Fearful GenJutsus does not work against those of the Brawler class. Reasons why is because how can you place fear upon the fearless.
Limit: Must know Chouba (Taunt), Must have at least two Hundred Training Points before going into.

[20 | 90]
[Post Two]

[/i] to lose.

But the best part, I think, was that they had everything. And something also pretty legit was that whether a moment ago they had looked so sure of themselves, with cool little half-smirks, now they were frowning, glancing at one another. Ah yes, the sideways-to-comrade glance. The first true sign of weakness. Are you sure about this? Is he going to run before I do? Oh, I shouldn't have missed this, but I did. It was all I could do to maintain my own neutral expression.

It was rather amusing that my lack of fear was what scared them, and I displayed said assurance openly. There was a flight of steps before me, which I would have to climb to ascend to their level. Casually, I began to move forward. My steps were stalking, and I saw the cluster's uncertainty grow. One took a step back. "O-oi! You stop right there, miss," One of them ordered, managing to sound relatively calm. I did not oblige him.

"Why?" I asked. There was no mercy in my voice, and no hint of his trepidation. I had no mercy for his kind of person. If they weren't murderers or rapists, they were abusive, thick-skulled cowards with no sensitivity or mercy of their own. If ever there was a breed of person not worth sparing, it was them. And in light of my little flashback experience, I could not help but target them with a sense of vengeance. I continued moving up the stairs, more than halfway up. 

The speaker, the group representative, seemed to be the most resolute of them all - as they often were - and though the others seemed to be experiencing that dread that their own kind had inured me to years ago, he had the presence of mind to - predictably - draw a little butterfly knife from a pocket and hold it up defensively, looking as mean as he could. "Cuz if you don't, I'll fuckin' GUT you! Now back off!"

D'awwwww.

The glint of steel should have terrified me - combat entered a whole new realm of finality when that sheen was first observed; when things that could cut were laid out on the playing field. Once, it would have cowed me - I would have halted and reconsidered my position, or at least braced myself for a more violent encounter. But in light of all I had faced before, what did it matter? It was a fucking knife. It added about... another fist length to his reach. So, don't get hit.

And if I did get cut? Well, I would probably bleed. A lot. That is generally what happens.

I ascended to their level. I was taller than most of them, now. The setting sun at my back cast a long shadow. They had given more ground than I think they'd realized - I would have been practically standing nose to nose with them here, but they were now almost five meters away, or thereabouts. I just continued to stare. "Alright, then, missy," Said the leader, again, and the rest seemed to take this as their cue to ready themselves. I saw the sun reflect off at least two more little blades.

It was almost zen, how little it mattered to me. I smiled with a little bemusement.

"Am I supposed to be afraid of you?" I wondered aloud, sounding legitimately curious.[/div][/ul]

[Deleted]

Kan Hagane (Nerves of Steel)
Rank: "A"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The Brawler at this stage knows no fear. They embrace fear as if it is one of their own. They no longer truly fear what is in front of them or around them for when battle comes they charge forth with all of their might.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Fear is not the option. The user pushes themselves past their limitations as they are not afraid no more. They are not afraid of being broken, of being threatened, of others being threatened. They live for the moment as nothing phases them. The Brawler becomes fearless, their moral does not go down. As soon as a user learns this, nothing can stand in their way of objective. If a person is "S" Class, or "D" Class it does not matter to the Brawler, if they feel that they can win, they will push forward without hesitation. Because of this technique, because of the fact that Brawlers become fearless, the effect of Fearful GenJutsus does not work against those of the Brawler class. Reasons why is because how can you place fear upon the fearless.
Limit: Must know Chouba (Taunt), Must have at least two Hundred Training Points before going into.

[20 | 90]
[Post Three]

[/i] a little puzzled. These skinny little bastards? Really? They thought they were intimidating? They thought to inspire dread in me? With what?

Numbers? Did they know who I was? I had faced down gangs twice their number - literally, more than ten at a time, who gave a shit about five - and done it in style. I was a fucking kunoichi of the village - and a Chuunin at that. One of me was worth fifty of them. I would squash them like ants. Their weaponry? Their prissy little knives? Certainly, losing a finger or something would be inconvenient, but though most people would probably have felt threatened by the idea of cold steel being injected into their gut, I just... I dunno. Meh. Come at me, bro. You had better hit fucking vitals. But you won't. I am too fast. So ...gender superiority? Fucking hell, I don't even know. Their case really was pathetic.

My question had sent ripples through them, as was evident. I was the one smirking, now. How the hunted had become the hunter. They could not exactly answer me in the affirmative, because it would only make them look weaker if they needed words. I saw the expression of the leader twist as he wrestled with this dilemma. The generic response was - "Agh, SHUT UP!" - and so there it was. I made a show of looking unamused. "Okay," I responded.

Now, of course, many key differences between them and myself have been listed thus far - but there was one other, very crucial dissimilarity. They were all talk.

I wouldn't even waste a shunshin on these pitiful examples of humanity. And it was far more fun to watch the terror grow in their faces as I simply sprinted at them. It never failed with bullies - run at them before they run at you, and you instantly win. In refusing to be cowed by their assembly, I had won half the battle. That fright that I saw in their eyes - it had been a long time since I had been in that position. Had even had the mind to be in that position. I did not envy these bastards at all.

But they had struck first. Figuratively speaking.

It was that lack of fear that allowed me to move so precisely. And if I wasn't apathetic to my own condition normally, the adrenaline that began pumping through my system dulled me even further to the peril I was throwing myself at - so much so that it didn't even feel like that anymore. I was just fucking around. I wasn't in any danger at all. My fist caught one of the thugs in his stomach, slammed into him with such force that the smacking sound was perfectly audible. He was lifted off his feet, and traveled a good couple of meters before he hit the ground.

By the time I had stood, they had had the presence of mind to back off a couple of paces. I glared around at them with fire in my eyes. "You fucked up," I informed them without humor.[/div][/ul]

[Father 'Suke]

Now, I'm normally not one to like reading first person but yours was really good. Very elegant and the approach was nice. Well done and have a cookie.

+30 TP

[Deleted]

>///> thank you sir /noms cookie c:

Kan Hagane (Nerves of Steel)
Rank: "A"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The Brawler at this stage knows no fear. They embrace fear as if it is one of their own. They no longer truly fear what is in front of them or around them for when battle comes they charge forth with all of their might.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Fear is not the option. The user pushes themselves past their limitations as they are not afraid no more. They are not afraid of being broken, of being threatened, of others being threatened. They live for the moment as nothing phases them. The Brawler becomes fearless, their moral does not go down. As soon as a user learns this, nothing can stand in their way of objective. If a person is "S" Class, or "D" Class it does not matter to the Brawler, if they feel that they can win, they will push forward without hesitation. Because of this technique, because of the fact that Brawlers become fearless, the effect of Fearful GenJutsus does not work against those of the Brawler class. Reasons why is because how can you place fear upon the fearless.
Limit: Must know Chouba (Taunt), Must have at least two Hundred Training Points before going into.

[50 | 90]

[/i] willing to take the challenge - into some big arena, some ginormous playing field, and take them ALL ON AT ONCE. Maybe I would visit the prison, where no doubt some of the delinquents holed up there would recognize me from when I'd been thrown in with them all. I could do the same there - maybe I could get backed by the village, make it some sort of disciplinary exercise. Yeah.

So, to answer my earlier question. No, I didn't hate them. I didn't even particularly resent them. The people that had actually hurt me? Insulted and demeaned me in every possible way? Maybe. But it was more that they were so low, I could only muster the energy to despise them.

When I stood, having split their crowd of five and eliminated one of their number with a single blow, even outnumbered, I knew that I was the predator. The one who had nothing to fear. When I proclaimed that they had fucked up - which was entirely true - I saw them all recoil; flinch. They were prone. I had been afraid for so long that I had taught them to fear instead.

Remember this, I thought, before I moved again. Remember me for all the people you've hurt; for all you've wanted to hurt. Perhaps you will learn.
[/div][/ul]

[Deleted]

Kan Hagane (Nerves of Steel)
Rank: "A"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The Brawler at this stage knows no fear. They embrace fear as if it is one of their own. They no longer truly fear what is in front of them or around them for when battle comes they charge forth with all of their might.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Fear is not the option. The user pushes themselves past their limitations as they are not afraid no more. They are not afraid of being broken, of being threatened, of others being threatened. They live for the moment as nothing phases them. The Brawler becomes fearless, their moral does not go down. As soon as a user learns this, nothing can stand in their way of objective. If a person is "S" Class, or "D" Class it does not matter to the Brawler, if they feel that they can win, they will push forward without hesitation. Because of this technique, because of the fact that Brawlers become fearless, the effect of Fearful GenJutsus does not work against those of the Brawler class. Reasons why is because how can you place fear upon the fearless.
Limit: Must know Chouba (Taunt), Must have at least two Hundred Training Points before going into.

[50 | 90]
[Post Two]

[/i]. I knew they had expected me to just cave in, or thought that their number and weaponry would grant them security, but jesus fuck, had they been so wrong.

I looked him over as my feet carried me to within punching distance of him. Black jacket, greasy black hair, roughly shaven, crooked at the jaw, mean little eyes swollen with fear. Some form of knife rested in his right hand, but I'm pretty sure its existence was not being accounted for by him, and at the moment, it mattered little to me either. Standing tall with his buddies, he had looked the typical menace, all dark-colored but for where the glint of metal weaponry hinted more strongly at maleficent capacity and intention.

But it was then that I thought back to all I had seen in my life. The memory of my mother's death was all drowned in the murky waters of a young mind, but remarkable enough that it could be seen from the surface. It had been a knife that had killed her, too, but she had been the one that had held it. That is, before she had run it across her neck and dropped it to the ground. I remembered just how much she had bled. That was the first time I had truly felt it - that void, that empty feeling of detachment. At the time, I had been so terrified of ending up that way, of dying, but really... why fear for yourself? I don't believe in any sort of afterlife, I don't think. So obviously, you cannot mourn for your own passing.

I remembered how Isabella and I had fled from the swarm of spiders, their collective chatter so loud that it drowned out all other noise. Remembered staring one of the giant ones in the eye after its massive legs smashed me into the treeline; seen its grotesquery up close, felt its gargantuan, hairy limb pressing me against the tree trunk... remembered how Isabella and I had awoken in the dark tunnels, at the mercy of the hive, how I was utterly helpless and could have been killed at any moment...

And still, all I had been able to think about was the condition of Isabella. That was the only thing that could drive me to anxiety...

And she wasn't here right now.

When my fist arced over my shoulder and slammed into the ruffian's face, he descended towards the pavement rather promptly. The sound of his body hitting concrete was almost musical.
[/div][/ul]

[The Roar of the Falls]

+20

[Deleted]

Kan Hagane (Nerves of Steel)
Rank: "A"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The Brawler at this stage knows no fear. They embrace fear as if it is one of their own. They no longer truly fear what is in front of them or around them for when battle comes they charge forth with all of their might.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Fear is not the option. The user pushes themselves past their limitations as they are not afraid no more. They are not afraid of being broken, of being threatened, of others being threatened. They live for the moment as nothing phases them. The Brawler becomes fearless, their moral does not go down. As soon as a user learns this, nothing can stand in their way of objective. If a person is "S" Class, or "D" Class it does not matter to the Brawler, if they feel that they can win, they will push forward without hesitation. Because of this technique, because of the fact that Brawlers become fearless, the effect of Fearful GenJutsus does not work against those of the Brawler class. Reasons why is because how can you place fear upon the fearless.
Limit: Must know Chouba (Taunt), Must have at least two Hundred Training Points before going into.

[70 | 90]

[/i] chance of themselves losing, and they had not the guts to act independently.

I had never had any friends at my back, here. A mildly notorious girl with a penchant for breaking things - inanimate or otherwise - had far more adversaries than admirers. One mob in particular had tried to recruit me, or so it had seemed, but the minions of the ensemble had first been sent to try and bash my face in, so I could prove myself or something. I had had none of it at the time... and even though I hadn't meant to kill the bastard, their leader was now dead.

But that was just it - I had never relied upon anyone. Never needed - or at least, never had - anyone to back me up if things went awry. Just me, myself and I, alone against the horde. That, in itself, was, I think, another aspect of courage. Every time I floored one of these dudes, their confidence wavered. But nobody could claim that advantage on me. I imagined it now; and even though the sight of my allies falling by my side would likely enrage me... it did little to lower my hypothetical morale. There was no feeling of dependence to be had.

That was me. Kaoru Takeuchi, the one-woman army. When it came down to it, I could and would fend for myself.

By now, it was almost all I knew how to do.

I bet various incarnations of 'Just what the fuck is going on' were raging in the minds of the remaining three as I turned to them. Hey, fuck it, scare tactics. Let's go. I shunshined to the leftmost individual, which carried me a step behind him. Again, what the fuck is going on? Heh. At that point, I raised my elbow and sent a reverse hammer-fist into the back of his skull. Not fun to be on the other end of that, I could tell you that much - he, too, was floored in a second. Now standing tall, I turned to face the remaining two.

They took a moment to register exactly where I now stood. At first, I saw fear swell in their eyes, but as the closer one stepped back, he almost knocked into his friend. Braced by the presence of his greasy comrade and a shared glance, their morale seemed to instantly increase. I wondered if I had let two especially close members of this despicable troupe survive. In any case, their mean looks returned, though the mental duress and apprehension was evident through their expressions. 

And in the second court, I stood calm as ever. Unshaken. I merely watched them, my posture ever so slightly lowered to react to any sudden movements they might make - though they had already shown themselves to be so fucking slow, I highly doubted they could catch me off guard.

A pause occurred. By now, they were used to me moving first, I realized. A small smirk appeared on my face. "Come on, then, fellas," I implored. This again screwed with their expectations, and I watched them recoil, only to once against quickly steel themselves.

That's right. Bring it on.[/div][/ul]

[The Roar of the Falls]

+10

[Deleted]

Kan Hagane (Nerves of Steel)
Rank: "A"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: The Brawler at this stage knows no fear. They embrace fear as if it is one of their own. They no longer truly fear what is in front of them or around them for when battle comes they charge forth with all of their might.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: Fear is not the option. The user pushes themselves past their limitations as they are not afraid no more. They are not afraid of being broken, of being threatened, of others being threatened. They live for the moment as nothing phases them. The Brawler becomes fearless, their moral does not go down. As soon as a user learns this, nothing can stand in their way of objective. If a person is "S" Class, or "D" Class it does not matter to the Brawler, if they feel that they can win, they will push forward without hesitation. Because of this technique, because of the fact that Brawlers become fearless, the effect of Fearful GenJutsus does not work against those of the Brawler class. Reasons why is because how can you place fear upon the fearless.
Limit: Must know Chouba (Taunt), Must have at least two Hundred Training Points before going into.

[80 | 90]

[/i]. The gap between their respective charges might have seemed minute to some, but it was an enormous flaw in the eyes of Kaoru Takeuchi. A key point was that their knife-arms were on opposite sides. So if I moved more towards one individual, I would be relatively safe from the other.

It was almost sad. I knew the cloud of panic; how it obscured details, turned the brain to timid mush, or just dumb mush in the heat of combat. They probably didn't see any weaknesses in the way I moved at all. Granted, they could probably hardly see me moving at all to begin with, but we'll give them the benefit of the doubt. As I had mentioned previously - challenged, these bullies were weak. Scaring you was half the battle, but it had been a battle they had lost before it had even started. And now, because my mind remained focused, my instincts acute, I basically had free reign on them.

I pushed off my back foot to gain a surge of speed,  lashing out at the guy on the left, extending my western arm up to distract the bastard - just kind of overkill with the sensory overload I'm delivering here - I would then strike out with my opposite elbow, drawing my previously extended hand inward to cap my right fist, just to guide it and give it a bit more stability. The tip of my elbow came up and smashed him right in the face - never did his blade enter the scene, he couldn't defend himself with it - and now, chin clobbered, he was thoroughly pushed off.

His partner would, by this time, realized that I was no longer standing where I had, but oh no, his knife was so far away from me! He could probably have defended himself with his empty hand, if he was any good, but he wasn't any good, so it was child's play to pivot on my right heel and use my left fist to arc a punch over my shoulder and send him stumbling to the pavement.

Look at them! Dropping like fucking flies. It felt as though no mortal man could defeat me in melee combat. That felt good. It also made these fuckers feel a little underwhelming; a little disappointing, but I would make do. Still recoiling from the chin blow, the second guy had barely a chance to see me returning to his case. I used the same elbow, stepping in and smashing him right in the temple. 

And then there were none.[/div][/ul]

[Father 'Suke]

Well done it is learned.

Here have a cookie.

[Deleted]

Fundo 憤怒 (Rage)
Rank: "B"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A technique that temporarily enhances the user's strength, movement capability, as well as their capability of enduring blunt, and bludgeoning attacks for a brief amount of time depending on how strong the user is in class level.
Special: User grabs their head as they push out their chakra in a blast form, pushing their adrenaline throughout their body as they scream outwards becoming furiously raged.
Drawback: This technique lasts only so many rounds and is capable of performing so many times per day depending on how many times the user knows this technique. The user becomes fatigued greatly for an amount of time depending on the strength of the user, they loose movement capability, strength capability as well as endurance capability against bludgeoning and blunt like attacks. The user is incapable of performing high concentrating Chakra techniques. These Techniques are considered as NinJutsus and GenJutsus, the user is only capable of performing TaiJutsus while in the state of Fundo 憤怒 (Rage). They are incapable of thinking in an intellectual manner because of the understanding of Rage. The user's movement decreases by two movements per round for the remainder of the battle. The user's strength decreases by 25%. The endurance capability of Blunt and Bludgeoning techniques decreases by One rank.
Description: The user becomes a raging fury. Their capability and their power increases somewhat dramatically. Their Strength Increases by 50%, as their movement increases by two movements per round. Their Endurance capability towards Blunt and Bludgeoning like attacks becomes half of one letter below then the true capability of the technique. This technique lasts only as long as three rounds plus the Class Level the user is. This means that if the user is a "C" Class Character which one would have to be in order to learn this technique, it would be five rounds that the technique is capable of lasting. When the user reaches "B" Class the technique is capable of lasting up to six rounds. This technique may only be performed once per battle for every class level the user is starting at "C" Class. This means that when the user becomes "S" Class, they are capable of performing the technique four times per battle. However with that saying the user when first learns this technique is capable of performing this technique once per day. Each time the user learns this technique it increases by one. If a user learns this technique three times they are capable of performing this technique three times per day.
Limit: Must have gained up to Five Hundred Training Points into the Kentoushi - Gladiator style.

[0 | 70]

[/b]

Huh?

Still panting a little, I looked over to where blondie sat beneath his own tree, not looking near as physically fatigued as I felt. His voice was one of concern, as it (irksomely enough) often was, and I knitted my brows before replying to him. "What?" I said, my breathing heavy.

The glade I usually sparred with Akihiko in was currently bathed in sunlight, but the shade of the treeline was offering us some respite. I had come here in the early morning, as arranged. It was now noon; we had traded what would likely end up as a few bruises. The usual story.

The kid had been far too pleased to see my return, and had congratulated me most enthusiastically on my ascension to the rank of Chuunin. Without me needing to tell him that I had, of course. My little ANBU fanboy was still keeping track of my every move, it seemed.

I named him all these condescending things, but he was probably only a couple of years younger than me. He didn't look it, though, and acted it only rarely. Usually upon his face was some grin or other, at varying levels of breeziness and joviality. Which is why it was always ominous to see him look somber.

"Do you recall, when at first we talked, you told me that you wanted to rid yourself of your rage for good, and fight like a professional shinobi?" He inquired. He was paraphrasing, but, "Yeah, sort of," I responded, looking back towards the clearing. "Today, I saw it again. The animal ferocity that you told me you wished to be rid of."

My jaw clenched. My fists curled up where they lay, tearing up grass as I ascended to my feet swiftly, glaring down at him. "Yeah, and what?" I retorted. God, he was always such a little shit. I fucking came here to train against someone of my own caliber, not for fucking therapy sessions. "Fuck off, Akihiko," I added, on one of the rare occasions where I actually used his name. "Stop treating me like a kid. I'll fucking fight you how I want, or I won't come here at all!"

I yelled at him often, but not with such acid; at some point, he had cast his eyes down to the grass. He looked genuinely upset, and it made me feel bad, which was even more frustrating. He was such a child. Ugh, now I had to comfort him. "Hey, I mean..."

"Kaoru."

I clenched my jaw to hear him say my name again, but I let him speak. His glass blue eyes were staring right at me, again. "You are right. I think I know enough of you to judge that you do not fight to do it artfully, or to be recognized as the best, or to ascend to some rank: you do it to protect your friends, and so long as you can manage that, little else matters. Am I correct?"

...

You could never even argue with him when he got like this, either. I grimaced at being so apparently transparent. "...Yeah, I guess." He ascended to his feet, as I had. He was not quite as tall as I was, but he would have stood above the friends he spoke of, at least. "I will not judge you. I never have," He said with emotion. Sappy fucker. "In fact, I admire you for that, and I always have." Even he had the decency to look a little abashed with these words, averting his eyes every once in a while. "Yours is a rare strength, and one that I promised you I would do my best to hone. In whatever fashion you wish.

"I know of fighters such as yourself. They are rare in the shinobi world, but not unheard of. We usually refer to them as Brawler type, and what you experience often is what is known as Berserker rage. A higher - or lower, you could argue - state of being where the individual feels no pain, or fear, and strikes with some inhibition removed that restricts all other fighters."

Yeah, I mean, that sounded about right. My silent stare clearly awaited the point. "If that is how you wish to fight, then that is how you will fight. Though obviously, it is prudent to be able to retain a certain degree of lucidity during said rage, as you have no doubt figured out. Can you manage that?"

I thought about it. The memories were always a little hazy, like I was looking at them through fogged, often red-tinted glass, but... I thought so, yeah. Even through that abyssal fury, through that obscuring cloud of wrath, there were still clear figures in my memory; usually Isabella, more or less the only person I ever fought alongside. Not unusually, she stood out in these recollections. Sadly, she did lose some of her significance when the fires of my anger burned tall, but she always retained some clarity.

Don't hit this person. You love them. Yes, sir, brain, sir. Was that enough, though? What if I lost it even further one day, and descended into a state where my mind no longer cared? It was a terrible thought, but it was unfortunately not an implausible one.

"...To an extent, yeah," I replied cautiously, my mouth twisting at the corners. I never liked his prying questions, or how easily he saw through me.

"Perhaps it is something we can train. Would you like that?"

Oh god, don't ask me if it's something I'd like. That makes it sound so voluntary. "I guess."

He cupped his chin with his hand in thought. "The first issue is obviously getting you into this state of Rage. I imagine it is not easy." Easier than I'd like to admit, I thought with a grimace. "Though perhaps easier than you would like," He said immediately, and I almost hissed that time. He grinned at his little victory. "Perhaps control over its release could also be something we could work on. But for now, I wonder how to summon your anger?"

"You're pretty good at it, most often," I remarked through gritted teeth. He nodded, unashamed. "True. But not good enough."

He mused for an additional moment.

"I could make some remark about your breasts, if that would be sufficient."

OH MY GOD THIS LITTLE CUNT.

"Wrong sort of anger," I warned him dangerously, but he only grinned wider.

"Or is it, I wonder?"

If ever a day comes when I no longer need him, I swear right the fuck now: I'm going to kill him.[/div][/ul]

[Deleted]

Fundo 憤怒 (Rage)
Rank: "B"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A technique that temporarily enhances the user's strength, movement capability, as well as their capability of enduring blunt, and bludgeoning attacks for a brief amount of time depending on how strong the user is in class level.
Special: User grabs their head as they push out their chakra in a blast form, pushing their adrenaline throughout their body as they scream outwards becoming furiously raged.
Drawback: This technique lasts only so many rounds and is capable of performing so many times per day depending on how many times the user knows this technique. The user becomes fatigued greatly for an amount of time depending on the strength of the user, they loose movement capability, strength capability as well as endurance capability against bludgeoning and blunt like attacks. The user is incapable of performing high concentrating Chakra techniques. These Techniques are considered as NinJutsus and GenJutsus, the user is only capable of performing TaiJutsus while in the state of Fundo 憤怒 (Rage). They are incapable of thinking in an intellectual manner because of the understanding of Rage. The user's movement decreases by two movements per round for the remainder of the battle. The user's strength decreases by 25%. The endurance capability of Blunt and Bludgeoning techniques decreases by One rank.
Description: The user becomes a raging fury. Their capability and their power increases somewhat dramatically. Their Strength Increases by 50%, as their movement increases by two movements per round. Their Endurance capability towards Blunt and Bludgeoning like attacks becomes half of one letter below then the true capability of the technique. This technique lasts only as long as three rounds plus the Class Level the user is. This means that if the user is a "C" Class Character which one would have to be in order to learn this technique, it would be five rounds that the technique is capable of lasting. When the user reaches "B" Class the technique is capable of lasting up to six rounds. This technique may only be performed once per battle for every class level the user is starting at "C" Class. This means that when the user becomes "S" Class, they are capable of performing the technique four times per battle. However with that saying the user when first learns this technique is capable of performing this technique once per day. Each time the user learns this technique it increases by one. If a user learns this technique three times they are capable of performing this technique three times per day.
Limit: Must have gained up to Five Hundred Training Points into the Kentoushi - Gladiator style.

[0 | 70]
[Post Two]

[/b]

I will admit, the re-adoption of his sedate mood caught me off guard, and I was ready to receive another speech about something or other. I had my own manner I adopted when receiving those; it was a passive, receptive one, with a half-cocked eyebrow and a focused stare.

"Your boobs are actually huge."

...

I glared at him, seethed at him, self-consciousness triggering, making me acutely aware, but I was not enraged. "Not quite?" The little shit inquired, as though impeccant. "Not quite," I returned icily. He grimaced. "I see. Awkward." He said that, but he didn't look at all apologetic. I was about ready to beat him up for perfectly clearheaded reasons.

"Who do you hate, Kaoru?" He asked then, in a flawless change of subject; the serious tone had returned. Despite my irritation, I frowned. "Hate?" I repeated. I had to think about it, but no immediate figure was summoned to my mind; no subject of loathing, there to trigger the fury of my gladiator self. "I dunno... no-one."

Uncharacteristically, Akihiko looked surprised. "No-one?" He parroted, confused, but not daring enough to be incredulous. "Truly?"

He was making me self-conscious again, like there should be an obvious somebody. I racked my brains again. "Uh..."

My hesitation was too much. "Kaoru, who do you cherish most in the world?" He inquired shamelessly. By the time he had started asking all these personal questions it had already felt too late to be all, you don't know me like that, but I wish I'd caught him earlier. It was a vaguely uncomfortable question to answer, in present company. "Someone," I responded, deliberately obscure. "Some people," I amended, thinking of my sister. He nodded, satisfied.

"Has anyone ever done them wrong?"

Memories flashed before my eyes.

The gang. How they had ambushed Isabella and I. How the ringleader had dared set his goons upon Isabella. How they had exhausted her, coming within an inch of hurting her, or worse. "She has been pushing herself to the absolute limit. I expect she might die soon, if left unaided." How he had charged past me to attack Isabella, how, for the first time in my life, I had wanted, truly wished for a person to DIE...

The forest. The spiders. Her shrill cry. They had swarmed about us, and summoned themselves up from the earth; how the big one had pressed her against that tree trunk with its massive limb, cracking her rib. How they had the DARING to interrogate and DEMAND things of her...

Kohaku. So small; so adorable. How I had been so relieved to find her. But why, why was she missing an eye? Where had it gone? My father. HE had taken it. Gouged it out with a FUCKING FORK. STOLEN KO FROM ME, ALL THOSE YEARS AGO, KILLED MY STEPDAD, DRIVEN MY MOTHER TO SUICIDE, THE REASON, THE REASON I HAD BEEN SO ALONE...

The machines. The blast. The fucking machinist and his contraptions, how they had threatened Isabella, how she had been prepared to take the force of the explosion for me. He had DRIVEN HER to that. Would she be hurt, in the days to come? Would he SUCCEED in that?

And one other...

Loathsome. Detestable. Had left behind everything she should have cared about. I don't think I would ever forgive her. Not so long as I lived. A disgusting brat, beaten, used, twisted, pathetic.

"You! Isabella! Did you bring them here?!" Could never bring herself to trust.

"I'M SO SORRY SIS! I didn't know where he'd taken you, I didn't know where you were, I didn't even know if you were still alive!" ALWAYS MAKING EXCUSES. SO PATHETIC.

Had been so useless. Fought senselessly. Lived senselessly. Had hurt people I cared about, let so many of them slip away...

My jaw was clenched. The vacuous hole in my soul was yawning, hungry and wide. My eyes, heart, mind; they burned.

"They have," I whispered.[/div][/ul]

[The Roar of the Falls]

-Sniff sniff-

+20

[Deleted]

Fundo 憤怒 (Rage)
Rank: "B"
Skill: TaiJutsu
Effect: A technique that temporarily enhances the user's strength, movement capability, as well as their capability of enduring blunt, and bludgeoning attacks for a brief amount of time depending on how strong the user is in class level.
Special: User grabs their head as they push out their chakra in a blast form, pushing their adrenaline throughout their body as they scream outwards becoming furiously raged.
Drawback: This technique lasts only so many rounds and is capable of performing so many times per day depending on how many times the user knows this technique. The user becomes fatigued greatly for an amount of time depending on the strength of the user, they loose movement capability, strength capability as well as endurance capability against bludgeoning and blunt like attacks. The user is incapable of performing high concentrating Chakra techniques. These Techniques are considered as NinJutsus and GenJutsus, the user is only capable of performing TaiJutsus while in the state of Fundo 憤怒 (Rage). They are incapable of thinking in an intellectual manner because of the understanding of Rage. The user's movement decreases by two movements per round for the remainder of the battle. The user's strength decreases by 25%. The endurance capability of Blunt and Bludgeoning techniques decreases by One rank.
Description: The user becomes a raging fury. Their capability and their power increases somewhat dramatically. Their Strength Increases by 50%, as their movement increases by two movements per round. Their Endurance capability towards Blunt and Bludgeoning like attacks becomes half of one letter below then the true capability of the technique. This technique lasts only as long as three rounds plus the Class Level the user is. This means that if the user is a "C" Class Character which one would have to be in order to learn this technique, it would be five rounds that the technique is capable of lasting. When the user reaches "B" Class the technique is capable of lasting up to six rounds. This technique may only be performed once per battle for every class level the user is starting at "C" Class. This means that when the user becomes "S" Class, they are capable of performing the technique four times per battle. However with that saying the user when first learns this technique is capable of performing this technique once per day. Each time the user learns this technique it increases by one. If a user learns this technique three times they are capable of performing this technique three times per day.
Limit: Must have gained up to Five Hundred Training Points into the Kentoushi - Gladiator style.

[20 | 70]

[/b] He responded, grinning and lowering his stance significantly, looking as though he was preparing to take a blow. "GOOD?" I demanded in return, incredulous. He grinned at me in his usual, infuriating fashion. "Excellent," He corrected himself. What was this? This side of him? The fact of all the hurt I endured was neither good nor excellent, it was fucking horrible, and I would have thought he would have agreed.

"What's the matter, Kaoru?" He asked slyly. "Don't tell me you're going to demand sympathy, or something of the sort. I thought you fancied yourself rather storng; yet you imagine your pain to be something unique, or special?" I don't think he quite understood the lines he was crossing right now. The edges of the void-like hole inside myself began to burn brightly, painfully, angrily. "Fuck you..." I breathed, only inspiring greater hatred in myself. I was gaining steam.

"FUCK. YOU," I yelled. It was a mess of shame that I was in, now. I knew what he was saying was probably true, and it hurt. My eyes burned not only with fury, but with the sting of half-formed tears. Had I no friends? He cocked a disappointed eyebrow up at me. He clucked his tongue as he regarded me. "Not only can you not beat me in a fight after all this time, you also can't even handle the reality of the situation. I'm disappointed, Kaoru."

"FUCK YOU!" I roared.

And I had no way of knowing it, but at around that moment, Akihiko thought to himself,

'For you, Kaoru.'

He had given me a lifeline for my half-dead brain. You can't beat me in a fight. I could prove him wrong; could spite him, destroy his perceptions along with him. After all, that is what I had said, hadn't I? That if I could surpass him, I would have no further need of him? I DIDN'T need him, and I knew that now. All that was left was to show it.

Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I charged at him beneath the shady branches, not at all artful or precise, but fast, and with enough intent to frighten the little shit, I could almost guarantee. Akihiko danced to the side, out into the light. I whirled on him, teeth bared like fangs. As I moved swiftly, arcing a fist over my right shoulder to pummel in his face, I thought,

I hate you.

Somehow, he dodged - I couldn't have told you how, couldn't give a shit. All I knew was that my fist didn't hit him, and that he was now off to my right. I whirled on him again in this game of cat and mouse. Gracefully, he stepped aside a third time, even as my battle roar tore through the air along with my fist. The very air seemed to be in agony to receive my blow, but it was not my desired target. Every attack that missed only fueled my anger. Like, why, why wasn't I fast enough? Able to hit him? I knew I could. I was faster; I was stronger. WHY WOULD HE NOT JUST DIE?!

After the sixth merciless swing, each one having been more desperate than the last, something changed. Instead of dodging my fist, he opted to catch it in his palm. Just... held it there. I glared menacingly into his eyes, struggling to push my fist against his, but he merely smiled with a sinister smugness, the like of which I had not seen from him before.

"Weak," He whispered in my face.[/div][/ul]

[Father 'Suke]

+10