It began with a sword, and a woman.

In the early hours of the morning, when the village still slumbers in the embrace of the night's remnants, a solitary figure stands amid the training grounds. Akira Namikaze, with the dawn's first light casting a glow over his slender form, continues to dedicate himself to his art form and his blade. The weapon in his grasp was no ordinary blade; it was a colossal sword, demanding strength and finesse that few possess.

Akira's red hair, usually a cascade of fiery silk down his back, is now tied up in a tight bun, secured with a piece of an old sword handle that he treasures. The air is cool, his breath visible in the quiet of the morning, yet sweat beads on his pale forehead. He's been working on this form with an intensity so few can match. His attire is simple: a button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, allowing for the freedom of movement required by the demanding nature of his training.

His attacks are filled with elegance and grace but topped off with massive power and strength. The blade swings from his body as if it were an extension of his power and will. Akira's frame was large enough to house such a blade, and even though he wasn't as powerful as the Raikage himself, he was dedicated to making himself just like him. He wanted nothing more than to be able to show that even some scum nobody from the orphanage can become something worth respecting.

This training was more than just a routine. It was a ritual. For Akira, the clash of steel and the exertion of each muscle fiber are not merely physical challenges but a means for him to get his fix. The pain he felt was something he sought after; with each strike, the blade's vibration caused the slightest amount of pain, and he loved every second of it. He ached for the progression of his training, he longed for the ability to cause pain to others, that required it be to given to them.

As the sun rose higher, it cast light on the dedication of the training that had been going on in the early hours of the day. He decides to trail off slightly from his training, noticing that his arms are beginning to give out, and he rests against a tree, giving himself just a moment's reprieve before continuing his training again.

The man would lean against the tree, taking in deep breaths. He would feel the pain radiating through his body and he would have his mind race with excitement and pleasure. His eyes would begin to roll to the back of his head as the pleasure filled his body. He would groan lowly, he would release his breath to the world, pulling his eyes to face forward, and his eyes would scan the world around him.

WC: 480

Asuka was an early riser most days, but only because it allowed her to go to sleep earlier in the day. This day was no different, as normal she awoke before the sun rose and began helping her mother and father bake some of the treats that they sold in their cafe. She also took this time to make something special for her friend Akira. Knowing that he favored her mother's signature bear claw recipe, she decided to make that for him. Though she wasn’t as skilled as her mother, she continuously tried to improve her work and was seemingly dedicated to proving herself as a professional chef. After she completed her morning duties and collected two rather large bear claws, a thermos full of whatever warm drink he would normally request, then she would dress appropriately for the weather and begin walking to their meeting spot.

It was a rather cold morning in Kumokagure, and just as usual Asuka was heading towards the training grounds. Not to train of course, but to deliver breakfast to her dear friend Akira. Her thoughts would linger on the fact that she knew he often didn’t eat when she wasn’t forcing him to take care of herself. She often found herself concerned with his health, and trying to accommodate him as much as possible. She wore a rather thick, white, and brown kimono that seemed to have orange flowers embroidered through various points in the fabric. Around her neck was a fuzzy white scarf, and she wore matching fingerless gloves.  Also, a thick band of silky white fabric sinched her waist that tied in an elegant bow behind her. In her left arm, she carried what looked to be a hand-woven basket that was filled with the goodies she brought with her.

Upon entering the training ground Asuka would quickly find where Akira had settled down. He looked exhausted and seemed to have been training for hours without giving himself the proper break. Unfortunately, this was usually for him, Asuka knew one of his main goals in life was to impress the Kage and make a name for himself in Kumo. Though she didn’t share the same exact goal, she could admit that it would be nice to be recognized by the Raikage himself.

For now, she put those thoughts to the side, and quickly made her way to her friend's side as he leaned up against the tree. He looked like he was in pain, but possibly enjoying the rush that training gave him. After all their years of friendship, it was still hard for her to understand his ways so by now she has just learned to deal with what he threw at her.

When she came close to him, she would lower the scarf away from her mouth and hold out the basket she was carrying while smiling at him. She radiated a relaxing aura around her that those close to her would notice. She wished to chastise him for being outside in such weather with hardly any clothes on, though she knew he’d simply tease her or brush off her concern.

”Good morning Akira, how has your training been coming along? Are you hungry? I made some of my mother's bear claws that I know you like. I also packed some tea seeing that it was rather chilly out this morning.”

She spoke sweetly as she addressed him, hoping he’d take her concerns into consideration. Though he often didn’t listen to her, she still wanted to attempt to make his life a bit more comfortable.

WC: 599

As he sat down and reveled in the pain that he was feeling, he saw a very familiar sight. The beautiful and sweet, and all too precious Asuka. He had known of this woman's existence for a long time. There were times that he would think of her fondly. Like a wolf thinks fondly of the deer that he hunts during his nightly activities, when he is with other women, he feels about her from time to time. Something about her brought joy to his otherwise jaded and solemn existence on the planet. Very few could do such a thing.

She would walk with a lamb's approach, which made his mouth salivate. His eyes would close slightly, sizing up his hunt. He could practically feel her blood coursing through her veins. He craved someone like that to hunt, soft and malleable. Deep within, he wanted to protect people, or at least that is what he had convinced himself of. But there was something primal about his desire for her that even he didn't quite understand or realize.

She carried a small pastry and something else looking like tea. This was their routine, one of the few things in his life that brought joy rather than muted feelings. He could smell her as the breeze was blowing right behind her. He licked his lips slightly and shuddered as he let out a groan of delight.

She spoke, and her voice was sweet as she addressed him, he would shift his gaze from that of a hunter, to that of a friend. "Oh, good morning Asuka, sweet darling. My training has been painful, harsh, and gruesome..." He would pause as he looked at his hands, "Just the way it should be." She asked if he was hungry and knew the answer was no. He never really allowed himself to feel hungry; he would ignore the feeling, but when she brought food, he would always accept the food that she brought, as she would feel disappointed if he didn't.

"Oh, of course, you know me. Always hungry." He would smile as he received the pastry and the tea. "You, of course, are a beautiful soul on this mountain, and I love it when you come around. It is quite chilly this morning, which is good as it brings the pain a more severe cut through your nervous system."

He looked up to her as he ate the pastry. "How have you been, my little lamb?" It's a name he called her in kindness. Partly because he looked at her like someone needing protection, which he felt the same for many, but also partly because he couldn't help but feel like a wolf staring down his prey at times.

WC: 457

She sighed as she listened to him speak of pain in an optimistic way. Ever since they were young Akira had always tried to be somewhat of a protector over her, but she was beginning to see he needed one as well. Somebody who would assist him in reaching his goals, but not allow him to push himself past his limit. Though he wasn’t complaining about the exhaustive state he was in, from her studies at the hospital nearby she knew that his body would give out eventually. Maybe if she offered to do some work with him, he’d relax a bit, or he would just push himself harder.

As he ate the pastry and called her his “little lamb” she became flustered. She would quickly pull up her scarf, over her nose in an attempt to hide the blush that now formed on her face. Quickly she’d look around the training area, hoping that nobody had heard him say that. It was a pet name he had called her for many years, one she didn’t hate but was somewhat embarrassed by. She didn’t want people to see her as something that needed to be protected, even though she did need it. As far as her shinobi training, Asuka had been putting it to the side and focusing more on her career as a chef. Maybe if they decided to pick up some work together, he wouldn't see her as such a liability

”I… I’ve been alright. Have spent most of my time at the cafe and helping out my parents. You seem to be enjoying your suffering as usual?” She’d smile at her snark comment, thinking it’d be funny to jab at him slightly. She would await his response, sure he’d tease her in some way back.

However, if he remained silent she’d speak sweetly to him once again ”I was actually wondering if you’d like to do some work with me. I’d like to make some money to buy some better ingredients for a few dishes I’m working on, and who would be better company than yourself?”

She’d look at him like a child asking for a toy at a store, hoping he would agree to do some work with her. She also knew with him around, he’d take charge of most things so she could remain in the background and not worry about interacting with others too much.

WC: 407
Total WC: 966

Her words… god her words. They brushed against his stony exterior with such sweet resolve that caused his inner animal to snap out, trying to bite the very sweetness that radiated from her. She would ask about his suffering and how he was enjoying it. “I am enjoying it, quite honestly. I mean…” he looks to her with a stern and firm look, “I would enjoy other things a bit more. But this… this does just fine for me for now.” He would stand up as he spoke, as he towered over her he would eye her as she continued.

She would ask for him to join her with some work, something he wasn’t opposed to. He liked being with her, he wanted to be more around her, as much as possible. He would place his rather large hand, firmly yet delicately on her shoulder. He leaned forward and got within inches to her face. He could feel her warmth, practically taste her blood on his lips already, he would salivate once again, but not enough to be noticeable, “I would love to do some work on you and you know that. But doing some work with you also sounds fun.” He would pull back and laugh. He grabbed his massive sword and placed it in its holster on his back, forcing joshes the last of the bear claw, and readied himself to follow her.


“Lead the way, my little lamb.”


Exit
WC: 241
TWC: 1178

Claims:

+11 Strength
+1178 towards Awakening Kesuryugan (1178/2000)

Asuka hoped he was going to say how much he hated the pain and agony he pushed himself through but knew that it would never be the case. She wished he would slow down, not for his sake but her own. She hated seeing him hurt and exhausted, she felt the need to care for him more and more as the days went on. Maybe he knew this and liked the attention he received from it, or maybe those thoughts never crossed his mind to begin with. She knew or thought he mostly spoke in jest when teasing her, but sometimes she wondered what his true intentions were. Did he simply like to see her get flustered and frustrated with him?

She would gaze into his dark red eyes and stand stiff as he placed his hand on her shoulder, was he acting like this to mess with her? If so, it was working. Only recently had they become this close. She could admit as a child she found herself scared of him often, but not because of his actions, but because of the way he stared at others. She had to admit, he was a bit off-putting, but she felt secure with him by her side because of his strange ways. However, regardless of her ability to hide her face, most onlookers would see her face nearly bright red as she stared up at him.

A sigh of relief would escape her mouth as he pulled away from her, for the time being, matters were settled. Seeing him grab his equipment, Asuka grabbed the basket she carried here and placed it in her left hand. As they headed out she would wrap her right arm around his left, and maintain speed with him. However, due to her small height, she would need to walk a little faster than usual to keep up with him. She would mostly remain quiet unless he asked her a question, and primarily looked at the ground while they walked, ensuring she didn’t trip over anything.

(EXIT)

WC:341
Total WC: 1307

WC Claims
+10 Chakra
2000/2000 Beloved Presence Previous Training here
401/1000 Bodily Restoration C Rank

Asuka Hyuuga wrote:

(EXIT)

WC:341
Total WC: 1307

WC Claims
+10 Chakra
2000/2000 Beloved Presence Previous Training here
401/1000 Bodily Restoration C Rank

Approved