The Calm Within (IO/NK)

The ground was moist and soft from the morning dew. Sitting cross legged on the ground wasn’t his idea of fun but he needed to get his anger under control, this sudden pride that builds up has caused issues with his uncle and even his classmates. Hopefully a guided meditation class would help. The five other people that sat around him already had their eyes closed as he joined them. Their instructor seemed like an experienced guide, she had a mat that she was sitting on and wore the appropriate clothing, nice and loose.

“Now, everyone close your eyes.” The instructor said softly. “Let’s begin with easy slow breaths through the nose... three, two, one. And out through your mouth.” The instructors voice began to fall into the back of Chuta’s mind. It was there, but subtle, soft, and warm. It was motherly in manner, it had a tone that seemed to just want to help, and he tried to let it.

“Picture a light at the center of your belly. It flickers to life and grows with each breath.” She said. Chuta felt like he had a darkness there, something a tiny flame couldn’t imagine to defeat. But as he breathed more and watched it grow in size and intensity, watched it move up his spine through the gates, he could feel a relaxation come over him.

Calm.

He remembered reading in his uncle's books. Though the gates were called houses, he wondered if they were the same. The instructor said these gates were up the spine, the book said they were next to it, with two on each side. He thought that they must have been different, maybe another secret of the pendragon clan, houses for the swordmaster to open in combat. Though, with each one he could imagine himself loosing himself in rage, the dragons blood within him was potent, a flicker of it seemed to be able to set him in off. The need to rule over these feelings were intense and seemed to go against his code that was deep inside of him.

“Imagine the light flooding through your chakra centers. Pushing agains the darkness. Breath in the light.” The instructor inhaled, “breath out the darkness.” She exhaled. “Imagine all of the impurities, stress, and illnesses leave your body. And all the love, kindness, and strength enter.” She started again.

Chuta’s legs began to ache as he sat but before he knew it the instructor was wrapping things up. Slowly brining people back to reality saying, “now open your eyes slowly.” They all did, and finished off with a light set of exercises. Simple twists and bringing your arms up and down, moving your feet back and forth. They were supposed to encourage chakra movement. Chuta didn’t really care at that point, as long as he was moving again.

WC: 474
TWC : 474

Once he was moving around again Chuta decided to go for a walk to think. His mind kept wondering about the future. Was his life as a ninja actually going to make a difference in the world? Was he going to live up to be someone important?

Of course you will... a part of him said, There isn't anything you can't do. You will be the most powerful person in the world, and eventually, you will defeat darkness it's self. Chuta chuckled. He must have spent a little too much time sitting cross-legged, he was starting to have visions of grandeur. It must have been the dragon talking, though, it's voice had changed, it was less sadistic. Less angry. Maybe the meditation had helped.

He worked his way around the training ground, the trees were tall and full of life, These things are here for you to protect, every living thing, every innocent thing. The little voice said. The birds perched in it's nest and looked over its younglings. The robin was young itself, or just small, Chuta wasn't sure, but it was a perfect example. He became a ninja to protect those around him. To be the best, though, he has nothing to prove, he will do what he can and accept that other can be better than him.

He made a turn to the east...

WC: 227
TWC: 701

It was a brand new time as Junior was continuing to produce his exam routine as he decided it was time to clean up his mess. With him packing his bags whilst proceeding to leave his house, hugging his uncle. Junior left the house with a pleasant grin on his delicate face. Junior was ready wearing his green grassy suit and small thick sandals. He concluded it was best to head to the training field and practice his exam jutsu so he can develop it better. Junior held his grandfathers conversation, staying tranquil at all costs and appreciating the moment.

Junior with his things arranged and processed he would exist his house heading to the training field. It felt like no other emotion as he loaded his bags in a nearby tree. He was moderate and sparked as he would do three warm-ups, stretching his legs, body and fists. Junior poured up his fists in and out as he would run half a mile. As he completed his warm up, he hit to a nearby tree to take a little breather; he was ready. Junior would not play and was continuing to get the task accomplished, either way. That was Junior.

Chuta walked past the tree a kid was against. He leaned up against it and watch him walk toward the training grounds, it looked like he was stretching and getting ready for some training. Chuta thought he would just watch, but figured he would have if the kid looked in his direction again. By the looks of him he was still an academy student.

If he did look Chuta would wave, "Don't mind me." He would say and continue watching.

WC: 80
TWC: 781

It was those days hard work beats talent. He was going all in, steaming a little. As he would look up at the sky, he would inhale a little. Time was on his side and he was managing well as a student. But he had to act it out promptly so he can get it completed. Someone was passing by who was looking at Junior, it made him work a little harder, but was uneasy to why such an individual would watch him train as he would turn around looking at him, waving him back. "Oh Hi.. how's it going?"

Chuta loved watching others train. Watching the trees, the birds, now a kid to practice. He felt like it was his duty to watch over them all. All of the innocent creatures and people of the world. Not to mention, watching others was one way he learned. Watching their hand seals, their speed, their combat style. It was what a good ninja would do, watch and observe, gather information.

"I'm doing well. What are you practicing?" Chuta would ask. He was relaxed and calm. the dragon inside him seemed to have changed his tone a bit, instead of cocky, it was encouraging. All I needed was a quick meditation? He thought. "Any way I can help?" He finished.

WC: 118
TWC: 899

He looked around and faced towards him whilst saying. "Just a warm up season got a long way to go. My exam is soon and I.. seem to struggle. You mind helping me out buddy?" Junior only wanted support so he can go better as a shinobi. Maybe this guy was someone who can support him for his exams, and he had no problem but to get the job done as always. Junior needed to surround himself with winners those who he can and those who will push him to the next level.

“I don’t mind helping.” Chuta shrugged. “What technique are you working on?” He said. He stoped leaning on the tree and walked over to the kid. He was young compared to Chuta. They really did start them off as children, man it had been a while sense he was active in the village, he wasn’t used to it all, even if most of his classmates in the academy were young. The idea that people would be fighting at their age simply boggled his mind. Chuta wanted to help in anyway.

WC: 90
TWC: 989

Junior answered when he was asked about what tech he was learning. He was actually a genuine nice guy who was going to help him at-least. He nodded as he said. " trying to see if I can learn the clone tech and substitution." he said as he looked at Chuta. he was happy to finally be acknowledged and pleased it gave him an opportunity to train. He took his grandfathers word for a heart as he would always be a calm person willing to learn from others. Junior dedicated his life to the shinobi world and was prepared for whatever what was going to come.

TWC: 500

"The clone technique is simple really, once you understand how to control your chakra, that is." Chuta put his hands in the center of the chest. He focused his chakra to the surface of his body. "First, you build your chakra up and force it onto the surface of your body, that way it is easier to push it out into the space around you." Chuta focused. "Then you picture yourself in your mind, this is what gives your chakra shape and character." He said with his eyes closed. He could see himself perfectly as he was. It was one benefit of wearing similar things everyday. "Then, you push the chakra to the limit, you can almost feel as it is about to burst next to you." He pushed just a little harder and suddenly a puff of smoke appeared next to him, When it cleared a Clone stood there.

"It is very simple once you get the hang of it. Now let me see you try." They both stood there to watch.

100 - 5 = 95 AP remaining.

WC: 173
TWC: 1092