Encounter At Dusk {Private/Invite Only}

[korakas]

<sub>{--/70}

The halo sped towards the clone, and Miryoku's clone's eyes awaited movement from her target. Her eyes beamed with red, ready to pick up the slightest movement. Gekkido's clone didn't budge at all though, even though the surging disc was easy to see. It collided with the clone, apparently with a direct hit, and with that, the clone disintegrated into nothingness. The clone stared for a moment, surprised with the result of a hit. It seemed as though the clones weren't capable of taking much for hits before they disappeared. Miryoku knew just throwing a halo wasn't very powerful, which proved a clone's vulnerability.

Suddenly, the clone's eyes revealed chakra surrounding her in the shape of a cube, although it was difficult to detect. Nonetheless, she knew something was up. She could see a couple of the other clones forming handseals with her keen sight. A bright flash went off, filling her 360 vision with a bland white. She closed her eyes, as they were useless for the moment. Next, the flame engulfed the cube of air, and the heat was unbearable.

The clone flapped her wings, and shot out of the flaming cage. She knew that she couldn't do anything to save herself, so the most she would do is speed up her destruction. As she emerged from the air and flames, she burst into a cloud of smoke. The other clone watched the fate of the copy, then glanced at the collection of Gekkido clones who caused the quick end. Miryoku was impressed; Gekkido's clones working together formed a great team. She needed to learn more techniques so she could get all of her clones working together to form a good plan.

The remaining clone smirked a bit, then weaved her hands through four hand seals. Ending on the bird hand seal, she brought her hands away from each other, and curled her fingers slightly. A white coating engulfed them, and they extended a couple of inches. The tips of her fingers now ended in sharp points, resembling dangerous claws. She sprinted forward, heading towards Gekkido's clone that summoned the cube of air. She pulled an arm back, swinging it towards him as she was within arm's reach. A rash move, sure, but this wasn't a serious fight either. Her technique would've been more carefully chosen if her life was at stake.

Miryoku still felt drained, even though she was simply standing there. She would summon more clones, but she figured that would leave an impact on her own condition. For now, she would observe, as she was still learning. She would let her clones do the work for the time being, even though it was simple sparring. She listened as Gekkido's clone questioned her, asking her what she was feeling. To put it in one word, fatigued.

"I feel tired, and I do believe it's because of these clones..."

Miryoku responded, with a sigh. It was bizarre, yet it seemed like a reasonable compromise for creating exact clones of herself. She knew now that there were limits to this technique, and it needed to be used wisely, otherwise, it could end up being the trigger for her own demise.</sub>

[← KIRA →]

+20

[Runeska]

"Ah, really now? Tired?" His facial expression was that of a small grin, a mildly amused one. Tired? No, her head was likely spinning, woozy by now. She'd just split whatever remaining chakra she had in her body by 5. Such a task could cause a migraine for most, if they weren't at their best when they did it. As another of her clones sped in close for an attack, he realized that she had in all essence figured out most of the workings of the technique. However, she was using it all wrong. She was allowing the clone to go off and do whatever while she on the other stayed back and simply watched. She seemed to be more calculated, though it was plain to see who was the clone, and who was the master.



The clone who she had attacked though, would simply read the movement, swiftly backinf out the way of the technique, as if there was no difficulty in doing such. As he would dodge and continue doing so, occasionally using a powerful flick at her wrists to avoid the claws, he would say, "Miryoku, your clones are quiet impressive. However... I can still tell which are real, and which are not. One of The advantages of a shadow clone is that they make it hard to tell which is real. That advantage is lost if the behavior doesn't follow suit, agreed?"


At that point, four seals would be formed, ending on the dragon. whilst the forms were made, he was out of her reach, but at the conclusion, mildly powerful surge of lightning would shoot through his palms, striking her clone in the chest less it move. If it was zapped, the resulting burst would destroy it, where the clone it had attacked would say, "Miryoku, you should perhaps rest a bit, then try again."


The original clone would however, say, "Do not listen to him. Do whatever you are capable of and then push the limit. That is where growth occurs." At that point, the two would glare for a moment, a dissagreement between clone who thought alike? Well, it happened. The four remaining clones left though, wondered if she could tell who the original clone was, or even if she knew she'd been left here with a clone.

[korakas]

<sub>{58/70}

It was expected the Gekkido would avoid her clone's attack; typically she wouldn't be rushing up blindly to strike. It was just too predictable. Of course, the clone would be grim, as Gekkido's clone began to prepare a technique. The clone's eyes caught the formation of hand seals, but the lightning was released, and it struck her chest. The clone cringed, then vanished within a cloud of smoke, as she couldn't handle much. Miryoku wondered if perhaps she should've stepped in. It was too late now though.

Miryoku looked intrigued when Gekkido pointed out that her clones behaved differently than herself. It was true, her clones seemed eager to strike, while she just hung back and preferred not to fight. No wonder he could pick out the real from the fake. It made sense that her clones weren't very effective then; she needed to fight along with them. It was like a team effort, and if someone didn't work as equally as the others, the whole team would crumble.

"I agree, it makes sense."

Miryoku replied, with a quick nod. It was best to listen to Gekkido, since he knew much more about this technique than she did. After all, she had just learned how to summon clones of herself several minutes ago. It was a lot of information to absorb in such a short time, and the Onigami hoped that she could retain it all. She had to remember the important information; clones evenly divided her chakra amongst themselves, a clone could be destroyed with a direct hit, and in order to use them effectively, they all had to behave in the same manner.

Now, the female debated whether to create some more clones to push herself further. One of Gekkido's clones suggested that she took a break, while the other urged her to continue. Her keen vision was starting to fail her; her head spun and she felt exhausted. She was out of clones right now, but she thought that even one clone would cause her to lose too much chakra. However, she didn't like to turn down a challenge. If she could create another clone, she would work with it and try to fool Gekkido's clones so he couldn't tell which one was the fake, and which one was her.

The rest of Gekkido's clones left, and only one remained. Miryoku had no clue whether this Gekkido was the real thing or a clone. He had perfected this technique so well that she could hardly tell the difference. The only lead she had was that this Gekkido seemed to be more interested in training her. When she first made him, he seemed quite peaceful and calm, as if fighting and dealing with techniques wasn't a concern to him. She wouldn't ask though, as she probably wouldn't get an answer. In inability to decide whether this was a clone or not proved the effectiveness of the technique.</sub>

[korakas]

<sub>{--/70}

Miryoku decided to once again try the technique. Sure, it was risky, as her chakra was running low, but she would be able to see what her limits were in a safe environment. She trusted Gekkido, as he trusted her with such a technique. If something bad happened, then the male certainly would help her. The Onigami was adamant though that she would be able to create another perfect clone successfully.

Her hands were brought together, and her fingers formed a cross before her. She closed her eyes, concentrating hard. She felt wind to her left, signifying something had been created. When she opened her eyes though, the world was a blur. In every degree of her vision, all the colours were mashed together like an abstract painting. Her head pounded, and she felt her knees buckle. So, it seems she didn't have enough strength in her to create another clone. Well, she did, but her impaired vision prevented her from seeing the clone.

The clone took on a perfect appearance of Miryoku, but it felt the same exhaustion as the original. She managed to stay upright, while Miryoku fell to her knees. The clone tried to help Miryoku up by grabbing her arm, but she lacked the strength to lift her. Now Miryoku really knew her limits, and what the consequences were.

"I guess... I can't create anymore... For now..."

The female mumbled, before collapsing on the ground. The clone became a cloud of smoke, as she couldn't maintain it. Miryoku really needed to rest now. She felt completely drained, and figured it would be in her interest to train this some more once she regained her energy. Perhaps if she continued to practice, she could maintain more clones for longer. It was something she should ask Gekkido, but right now, she simply laid on the ground, staring at the blurred world another her.</sub>

[Deleted]

Learned.

[Runeska]

At last, it seemed she's got it. Although, it took too much out of her. It seems she'll be fine with some rest, and perhaps a good meal.

"Intriguing. Good Job Miryoku. Rest, then go about your business in a few hours." The Akumu would walk slowly to her position, as the final shadow clone she made had likewise dispersed. He would lift her up, cradling her in his arms and he moved away from the lakes edge and closer to a tree safely away. It was unlikely that with her fatigue, she'd fight or argue. He'd lay her down gently, back against the tree truck, so she could rest semi comfortably. There he he likewise sit near her, giving her the time to rest as needed, with he watching over her to see no harm occured, however long that seemed. He simply stay enjoying the comfort of the twillight, along with the silence and comforting smell of the lake and cherry blossoms.

[korakas]

<sub>Miryoku hardly noticed when Gekkido picked her up; all she felt was a slight increase in elevation. She smiled, pleased that she seemed to get a handle on the technique. Of course, this didn't mean she could summon a massive army of them as she pleased. Something like that would cause some permanent damage. Even now, making only a few clones took the wind out of her. Finally, she rested her eyes, and was easily swept up into a slumber.

She would sleep peacefully as Gekkido leaned her back against the tree, with her head drooped down and her wings at ease. She was knocked out for a few hours, and when she could finally lift her eyes, the world around her had been consumed by twilight. Gekkido was sitting nearby, seemingly waiting. Miryoku stretched her wings a bit, finding that more difficult than usual. She was still exhausted, but at least she could see straight.

"I must have been out for awhile... But anyways, thank you for teaching that to me."

Miryoku finally spoke up, glancing in Gekkido's direction. She felt rather privileged to have gained knowledge to create clones of this caliber, so she felt that even a simple 'thank you' was lacking. Certainly if he required any assistance, she would back him up in any way. Perhaps she could offer medical help if he needed it, once she became more proficient in it, of course.</sub>

[Runeska]

Nothing in this world ever comes for free, though I'll admit, you've done much better than I expected. Your services will of course be called on in the future. I look forward to seeing what fate had in store for.


"Think nothing of it Miryoku. I only ask that you continue in you line of work as a medic and shinobi of this nation. There are sure to be plenty to benefit from your talents someday." But with that, the shadow clone had extended a tad too far past his time. His chakra was spent, so there was nothing keeping him together. Now, he would rise and bow to her, his from extinguishing itself in a poof of smoke, mid bow.


[Exit]

[korakas]

<sub>Miryoku watched as the clone vanished in a puff of smoke, as its chakra had been spent. She sat there in thought for a moment, letting what had all happened be absorbed in her mind. So, it seemed he would call upon her assistance in the future, therefore, she needed to be ready for it. Wobbling as she stood up, she began to walk towards her home. As soon as she got her energy back, she would resume training.

{Exit}</sub>