As the slab of bedrock reversed its path back up the mountain, the Ishikage addressed his eager class as a whole for the first time. "How does it feel?" he asked, barely raising his voice over the thunderous rumble of the block plowing up the slope.
The newly selected students exchanged furtive glances, not knowing who should answer. The seconds felt like minutes to Doku Hana, who suddenly blurted out in excitement, "I'm tingling all over, sensei."
The Ishikage knitted his brow as he looked at Doku Hana. "Tingling all over? Usually the students report a tingling in their feet. Perhaps we are moving faster than normal. Are the rest of you tingling all over?"
The class answered in unison, "No, sensei!"
"I thought I was growing more powerful, Tenshi," he said with a smirk. "This was to be the first lesson, but I think we've hit a snag. Perhaps we have selected an inferior class this year, Tenshi," he said as he nudged Ishi Tenshi. The Kage continued as he saw the stoic Tenshi was unamused. "On a more serious note, does everyone feel the rumbling causing a tingle in their feet?"
As she answered with the rest of the class, "Yes, sensei!" Doku Hana couldn't help thinking that even though the Kage was very much older than her, he was rather charming. Something about the dispassionate Ishi Tenshi unnerved her, though.
"Knowing your body and the forces within it is the key to practicing Ninpo. Focus on your feet," he said as the massive stone block ground to a halt. "Now that we have stopped moving, imagine that feeling continuing. Imagine the stone beneath your feet vibrating in tune with your feet. As you focus, picture your essence flowing into the stone until you are at one with it," the Kage spoke as he had in the multitude of years past, with a soothing deep voice in hushed tones. The proceeding silence lasted a moment, until the squeal of a boar echoed in the distance. "Now... Jump!"
Without realizing it, the recruits had all closed their eyes. And without a thought, they all attempted to jump at Ishikage's command. They did not move, however, as their feet had become adhered to the stone. They tipped over, opening their eyes in time to see the entire Ishi Arashi clan laughing at their expense.
Smiling, the Kage said, "Very good. You have all learned the first lesson in Chakra manipulation, attraction or adhesion. This is not only used for a good joke, but also to climb sheer surfaces and anchor yourself. The next lesson will be repulsion. Here's an example."
The Kage advanced a short distance up the slope. Directly above the class, there was a continuously streaming cloud of dust concealing a ledge. It extends hundreds of feet in all directions, and as the Ishikage showed by sticking his hand into it, is powerful enough to blow most bodies off of the mountain side to their doom.
"Observe!" Tenshi barked at a few members of the class who were reveling in their situation as he pointed at the Ishikage.
The Kage made the Tiger seal with his hand, and stared intently into the cloud. As he advanced, the dust seemed to part around him. Tenshi motioned at the class to follow, and the rest of the clan closed in behind them. Ascending the short slope and stepping onto the ledge, the source of the cloud came into view.
The mouth of the cave was flanked by two statues, standing about 3 meters. One was standing at attention, it's right side facing the valley with it's arm outstretched. It's palm shot a never ending stream of dust, concealing the entrance. The statue on the other side, also shot out the dust, but its pose differed. The second statue was kneeling on it's left leg with its arms were both extended , the dust cloud emanating from both palms, which were held with the wrists together and fingers cupped.
The students slowed their pace in awe at the beauty and utility of the statues. No one outside the clan had ever laid eyes on these monuments. As they approached, they gaped in wonder at the artistry and strength of them. The details, right down to the seams of their cloaks were flawless. Doku Hana approached closer than the rest of her new found comrades, daring even to touch them. As she ran her fingers across the smooth polished granite, she felt the same vibration in her fingers that she had felt moments earlier in her feet. She tentatively tested her hands, pulling them away ever so slightly. They came free easily, so she examined them further. Doku Hana noticed the garb of the statues matched that of the Kage. Ishi Tenshi was approaching her, saying something she couldn't hear. She stepped back as she started to swoon. She started to ask forgiveness for not hearing Tenshi-sensei, but couldn't speak before her vision and balance began to fail. She faltered, falling into the arms of the Angel of the Clan, his very touch burning her and snapped her back to her senses. She looked into his eyes, as an eerie glow subsided from them.
"Move along Doku Hana," he said with a severe tone. "If I leave you here to dawdle, the Memorial to our founding members would render you unconscious and sweep your limp form into the sky and drop you down the mountain."
A meek, "Yes, sensei," was all she could muster as she followed behind the rest of the group hurriedly.
As she rushed along, she couldn't help but marvel at the precision stonework. The village was mostly adobe, reed, and thatch. This hall was more ornate than anything she'd ever seen besides the entrances to the monasteries on each side of Lotus Mountain. As she advanced, she bumped into Hito, and a puff of dust flew from his clothing. She looked around and realized the Ishikage was addressing the class, and that the ceiling was pouring dust on all of them.
"...a less powerful version of the skill you'll need to enter and exit the fortress. As you saw, each of the Ishi Arashi can repel the chakra of the defensive measures. This will also help you hone your chakra control, as most of the jutsu you learn will consist of releasing your energies. For this lesson, you will simply try to keep the dust from falling onto you. When you have all either succeeded or exhausted yourselves, we will move on for the day."
This was everything to Doku Hana. She closed her eyes, recalled the fluttering feeling, and pictured a bubble surrounding her. She heard the faint footfalls of who she guessed was Tenshi. Then she heard a gasp. As Doku Hana opened her eyes, she saw the Kage staring at her agape just in time to feel her senses start to fail her again. She stopped herself just before losing consciousness, and felt a small layer of dust settle on her hair and shoulders.
"Veeeery impressive," the Ishikage said, "it is a rare gift that a new student succeeds on their first attempt." Turning to the rest of the class, he continued, "Take Doku Hana as an example. She is already far ahead of the rest of you. Hard work is the only way you can hope to keep up." Turning to another ninja, he commanded, "Take her to the next room, perhaps she can focus on regaining her energies while the rest of the class flounders."
"Come with me," the ninja directed Doku Hana. "I will teach you how to meditate for recovery before the rest of the class comes in for taijutsu training."
For what seemed excessively long to Hana, the ninja, who introduced himself as Shiro, guided her through meditation. She didn't feel refreshed, but was assured it would work that night. Eventually, the rest of the class came into the dojo looking just as exhausted, but far dirtier. They were paired off and made to take off their dirty clothes. Chokoku Hito and the rest of the class quickly realized that even as young as he was, he had a man's body. In fact at second review, he was larger than almost all of the ninja in the Clan.
As they were instructed to fight, Hito's partner was visibly intimidated, and Hana's partner had a grudge in his eyes. The clan looked on carefully, intending to examine each pair's skills. Hito's fight was over with his first punch. Hana had a harder time. Her opponent did not like being shown up by a girl, and fought with fury. She did her best to defend herself, but was failing badly. As Hito looked over, he became enraged. Quickly closing the distance between them, he grabbed Hana's opponent by the shoulder and spun him around. As he cocked his fist back the boy fell, revealing Doku Hana standing behind him, holding her hand.
"What do you think you're doing?" Tenshi barked. "The instructions were for single combat! The observation is ruined! Are you of mixed blood? Your distemper-"
"Hold, Tenshi," the Kage said calmly. "The boy was protecting his friend. And what a protector!" Looking him up and down, the Ishikage continued, "But Tenshi has a point. You are quite large, do you have Human blood in you?"
"No, Ishikage-sama," Hito replied.
"Very well," the Kage noted, turning to the rest of the class. "Don't just stand there. Fight! After these evaluations, there are room ans equipment assignments to get through. And tomorrow we will assess you other talents, and assign your sensei," he shouted above the din. Turning to Shiro, he said quietly, "Heal these, and get them to their bunks. We have some early stand-outs."
Most students opened their scrolls as soon as they had some time to themselves. However when she got to her bunk, Hana tried to meditate, but quickly fell asleep exhausted though it was barely noon.
Over the next days, weeks, and months the group honed their skills. Those who showed exceptional accuracy, including Hana, were trained in the Sniper Unit. Those who followed a god or were gifted in spiritual matters studied under Ishi Tenshi. Others, who were gifted in tactics or diplomacy studied under the Ishikage. Chokoku Hito, who showed little promise other than with his fist was placed into extra taijutsu training.
Each night after they would return to their bunks after dinner, the students would all open their Demon Scrolls, trying to unlock their secret. Doku Hana was taken into the Kage's tutelage, and given private lessons. She did not look at her scroll once. She was told after the first night by the others that they contained riddles. Apparently one had to work to even see what jutsu it offered. Hana was told not to worry about it until she had mastered the basics. The Ishikage had told her after their chakra sensing lesson, "If you come across an enemy whose chakra you can't feel, he is powerful. If you come across one who carries no scroll, he is dangerous. If you encounter one with neither perceptible chakra nor a scroll, count yourself lucky you're not dead yet."
So it went on. Eventually the class became skilled, Doku Hana far out pacing them. When the first of the class was able to read their scroll, by examining it in the light of the Red Sun after the Yellow Sun had set, the Ishikage called Doku Hana in for another special lesson. She began to ask about the scroll, but was hushed.
"That is but the first of three steps to unlocking the scroll. This is more important," he said as he dropped an old scroll onto the table in front of Hana, kicking up a puff of dust. "The Ishi Arashi were not the first clan to inhabit this island," he continued. "Some of the old tribe are still here, in fact. Their philosophy was more attuned to nature. I feel we, as Elves, have gotten too far from our roots, and the old tribe's example. So I offer you a gift."
"Arigato, sensei," Doku Hana said hesitantly as she turned the scroll over and unfurled its top. She read the title aloud, "The Techniques of the Poison Flower, Doku Hana..."
The newly selected students exchanged furtive glances, not knowing who should answer. The seconds felt like minutes to Doku Hana, who suddenly blurted out in excitement, "I'm tingling all over, sensei."
The Ishikage knitted his brow as he looked at Doku Hana. "Tingling all over? Usually the students report a tingling in their feet. Perhaps we are moving faster than normal. Are the rest of you tingling all over?"
The class answered in unison, "No, sensei!"
"I thought I was growing more powerful, Tenshi," he said with a smirk. "This was to be the first lesson, but I think we've hit a snag. Perhaps we have selected an inferior class this year, Tenshi," he said as he nudged Ishi Tenshi. The Kage continued as he saw the stoic Tenshi was unamused. "On a more serious note, does everyone feel the rumbling causing a tingle in their feet?"
As she answered with the rest of the class, "Yes, sensei!" Doku Hana couldn't help thinking that even though the Kage was very much older than her, he was rather charming. Something about the dispassionate Ishi Tenshi unnerved her, though.
"Knowing your body and the forces within it is the key to practicing Ninpo. Focus on your feet," he said as the massive stone block ground to a halt. "Now that we have stopped moving, imagine that feeling continuing. Imagine the stone beneath your feet vibrating in tune with your feet. As you focus, picture your essence flowing into the stone until you are at one with it," the Kage spoke as he had in the multitude of years past, with a soothing deep voice in hushed tones. The proceeding silence lasted a moment, until the squeal of a boar echoed in the distance. "Now... Jump!"
Without realizing it, the recruits had all closed their eyes. And without a thought, they all attempted to jump at Ishikage's command. They did not move, however, as their feet had become adhered to the stone. They tipped over, opening their eyes in time to see the entire Ishi Arashi clan laughing at their expense.
Smiling, the Kage said, "Very good. You have all learned the first lesson in Chakra manipulation, attraction or adhesion. This is not only used for a good joke, but also to climb sheer surfaces and anchor yourself. The next lesson will be repulsion. Here's an example."
The Kage advanced a short distance up the slope. Directly above the class, there was a continuously streaming cloud of dust concealing a ledge. It extends hundreds of feet in all directions, and as the Ishikage showed by sticking his hand into it, is powerful enough to blow most bodies off of the mountain side to their doom.
"Observe!" Tenshi barked at a few members of the class who were reveling in their situation as he pointed at the Ishikage.
The Kage made the Tiger seal with his hand, and stared intently into the cloud. As he advanced, the dust seemed to part around him. Tenshi motioned at the class to follow, and the rest of the clan closed in behind them. Ascending the short slope and stepping onto the ledge, the source of the cloud came into view.
The mouth of the cave was flanked by two statues, standing about 3 meters. One was standing at attention, it's right side facing the valley with it's arm outstretched. It's palm shot a never ending stream of dust, concealing the entrance. The statue on the other side, also shot out the dust, but its pose differed. The second statue was kneeling on it's left leg with its arms were both extended , the dust cloud emanating from both palms, which were held with the wrists together and fingers cupped.
The students slowed their pace in awe at the beauty and utility of the statues. No one outside the clan had ever laid eyes on these monuments. As they approached, they gaped in wonder at the artistry and strength of them. The details, right down to the seams of their cloaks were flawless. Doku Hana approached closer than the rest of her new found comrades, daring even to touch them. As she ran her fingers across the smooth polished granite, she felt the same vibration in her fingers that she had felt moments earlier in her feet. She tentatively tested her hands, pulling them away ever so slightly. They came free easily, so she examined them further. Doku Hana noticed the garb of the statues matched that of the Kage. Ishi Tenshi was approaching her, saying something she couldn't hear. She stepped back as she started to swoon. She started to ask forgiveness for not hearing Tenshi-sensei, but couldn't speak before her vision and balance began to fail. She faltered, falling into the arms of the Angel of the Clan, his very touch burning her and snapped her back to her senses. She looked into his eyes, as an eerie glow subsided from them.
"Move along Doku Hana," he said with a severe tone. "If I leave you here to dawdle, the Memorial to our founding members would render you unconscious and sweep your limp form into the sky and drop you down the mountain."
A meek, "Yes, sensei," was all she could muster as she followed behind the rest of the group hurriedly.
As she rushed along, she couldn't help but marvel at the precision stonework. The village was mostly adobe, reed, and thatch. This hall was more ornate than anything she'd ever seen besides the entrances to the monasteries on each side of Lotus Mountain. As she advanced, she bumped into Hito, and a puff of dust flew from his clothing. She looked around and realized the Ishikage was addressing the class, and that the ceiling was pouring dust on all of them.
"...a less powerful version of the skill you'll need to enter and exit the fortress. As you saw, each of the Ishi Arashi can repel the chakra of the defensive measures. This will also help you hone your chakra control, as most of the jutsu you learn will consist of releasing your energies. For this lesson, you will simply try to keep the dust from falling onto you. When you have all either succeeded or exhausted yourselves, we will move on for the day."
This was everything to Doku Hana. She closed her eyes, recalled the fluttering feeling, and pictured a bubble surrounding her. She heard the faint footfalls of who she guessed was Tenshi. Then she heard a gasp. As Doku Hana opened her eyes, she saw the Kage staring at her agape just in time to feel her senses start to fail her again. She stopped herself just before losing consciousness, and felt a small layer of dust settle on her hair and shoulders.
"Veeeery impressive," the Ishikage said, "it is a rare gift that a new student succeeds on their first attempt." Turning to the rest of the class, he continued, "Take Doku Hana as an example. She is already far ahead of the rest of you. Hard work is the only way you can hope to keep up." Turning to another ninja, he commanded, "Take her to the next room, perhaps she can focus on regaining her energies while the rest of the class flounders."
"Come with me," the ninja directed Doku Hana. "I will teach you how to meditate for recovery before the rest of the class comes in for taijutsu training."
For what seemed excessively long to Hana, the ninja, who introduced himself as Shiro, guided her through meditation. She didn't feel refreshed, but was assured it would work that night. Eventually, the rest of the class came into the dojo looking just as exhausted, but far dirtier. They were paired off and made to take off their dirty clothes. Chokoku Hito and the rest of the class quickly realized that even as young as he was, he had a man's body. In fact at second review, he was larger than almost all of the ninja in the Clan.
As they were instructed to fight, Hito's partner was visibly intimidated, and Hana's partner had a grudge in his eyes. The clan looked on carefully, intending to examine each pair's skills. Hito's fight was over with his first punch. Hana had a harder time. Her opponent did not like being shown up by a girl, and fought with fury. She did her best to defend herself, but was failing badly. As Hito looked over, he became enraged. Quickly closing the distance between them, he grabbed Hana's opponent by the shoulder and spun him around. As he cocked his fist back the boy fell, revealing Doku Hana standing behind him, holding her hand.
"What do you think you're doing?" Tenshi barked. "The instructions were for single combat! The observation is ruined! Are you of mixed blood? Your distemper-"
"Hold, Tenshi," the Kage said calmly. "The boy was protecting his friend. And what a protector!" Looking him up and down, the Ishikage continued, "But Tenshi has a point. You are quite large, do you have Human blood in you?"
"No, Ishikage-sama," Hito replied.
"Very well," the Kage noted, turning to the rest of the class. "Don't just stand there. Fight! After these evaluations, there are room ans equipment assignments to get through. And tomorrow we will assess you other talents, and assign your sensei," he shouted above the din. Turning to Shiro, he said quietly, "Heal these, and get them to their bunks. We have some early stand-outs."
Most students opened their scrolls as soon as they had some time to themselves. However when she got to her bunk, Hana tried to meditate, but quickly fell asleep exhausted though it was barely noon.
Over the next days, weeks, and months the group honed their skills. Those who showed exceptional accuracy, including Hana, were trained in the Sniper Unit. Those who followed a god or were gifted in spiritual matters studied under Ishi Tenshi. Others, who were gifted in tactics or diplomacy studied under the Ishikage. Chokoku Hito, who showed little promise other than with his fist was placed into extra taijutsu training.
Each night after they would return to their bunks after dinner, the students would all open their Demon Scrolls, trying to unlock their secret. Doku Hana was taken into the Kage's tutelage, and given private lessons. She did not look at her scroll once. She was told after the first night by the others that they contained riddles. Apparently one had to work to even see what jutsu it offered. Hana was told not to worry about it until she had mastered the basics. The Ishikage had told her after their chakra sensing lesson, "If you come across an enemy whose chakra you can't feel, he is powerful. If you come across one who carries no scroll, he is dangerous. If you encounter one with neither perceptible chakra nor a scroll, count yourself lucky you're not dead yet."
So it went on. Eventually the class became skilled, Doku Hana far out pacing them. When the first of the class was able to read their scroll, by examining it in the light of the Red Sun after the Yellow Sun had set, the Ishikage called Doku Hana in for another special lesson. She began to ask about the scroll, but was hushed.
"That is but the first of three steps to unlocking the scroll. This is more important," he said as he dropped an old scroll onto the table in front of Hana, kicking up a puff of dust. "The Ishi Arashi were not the first clan to inhabit this island," he continued. "Some of the old tribe are still here, in fact. Their philosophy was more attuned to nature. I feel we, as Elves, have gotten too far from our roots, and the old tribe's example. So I offer you a gift."
"Arigato, sensei," Doku Hana said hesitantly as she turned the scroll over and unfurled its top. She read the title aloud, "The Techniques of the Poison Flower, Doku Hana..."
