Wolves at play

Tengoku had risen before his sister in the morning. He didn't like to sit still and today it was his turn to run the training session. She had worked with him on his mind the night before and he was learning but the needed to get physically stronger. Out of the two of them he was the one who had practiced the more physical arts as the mental ones just weren't for him. He had spent their short time with the academy learning how to fight with hand as well as sword and though she wasn't as practiced it would be good to go through the work outs he had been ignoring for the last couple of years outside of the forms. He woke up early enough to make them a good hearty breakfast. Eggs and bacon with waffles from what he could find in the surrounding apartments. Just a floor below. He had begun cooking before she woke up likely due to her getting cross faded the night before. Hopefully the smell of bacon and syrup would waken her. He wasn't the brightest tool in the shed but he had a knack for cooking. He could smell when something needed to be flipped or know when the waffle maker was done by the difference in sound. Anything he made usually turned out perfect. Still he would wait for her to come down before pouring her some apple juice and setting to washing the dishes quickly while she got situated.

Once she was sat down he would sit across the table from her and smile before digging into some bacon and eggs before taking a large bite of waffles. He was eating vigorously as the stove and tools here were much easier to use so he had made an abundant amount. During training they always had them eat a large amount before a work out. Still he would slow down once his first plate was done and speak as he loaded another. "I want to go back to the training grounds today. Where we met Haku. Train the body as well as the mind yeah?" He would tap his temple with a slightly syrup soaked finger before going back to eating. His proposal on the table and still wearing the clothes from the night before. So, the food was also a bit of a bribe to get her ready to work out with him. He would smile sheepishly with a mouth full of food before downing his apple juice. Slowing down a little just in case she wanted to take her time eating. He didn't know the term was carb loading but he was aware of it all the same.

Tsukiyo...well, she had slept in. She'd gotten pretty drunk and even high the night before, then spent the whole time she was awake after that helping teach Tengoku countless things. But commotion in the kitchen pulled her from her slumber...The young woman awoke and sat up, stretching, yawning, before slithering out of bed. She almost felt like a queen in such a large bed all to herself. It was the best sleep she'd gotten in a long time, despite being a little hung over.

She'd come down and find a full breakfast had been made. She eye'd the food...Tengoku had usually been the one to make their food when they lived in the woods--but never had he been able to make something like this with their limited means. She was impressed...the woman found herself a seat and was even greeted with a glass of apple juice. She'd give him a nod in thanks and rub her eye, clearly still waking up. She'd begin eating about the same time he did, but she ate slower, more...civilized, classy. She took small bites and kept it clean. Tengoku...he just dug in. This was normal.

Eventually he went for another plate, and spoke to his sister, Tsukiyo looking to him as he did. She shut her eyes, sighing with another nod. "We can do that...sounds like a good idea." she'd say. Tsukiyo would continue eating, only on her first plate, before finally finishing up. She wouldn't go after another like he did. She'd stand and move her plate over to the sink, clearing her dishes she'd used...you know, whoever lived here before's dishes.

Tengoku would smile as she agreed. She didn't seem to have the same heart in it that he did but he was already dipping from his half eaten plate. He would grip his shirt from around the collar and yank it off before he would toss it to the side. He would jog to the other side of the room and grab a white tank top and his headband. Tying it around his temples for a type of sweat band that kept his hair back. He would slip a belt on over his kaki's and his katana into his belt on one side and a clip on speaker he had found earlier in the morning to the other side. He slipped on something with a beat to it. A little bit of a head banger really. Still it was good work out music. He liked it. So despite whatever his sister decided to do Tengoku would begin to limber up. Leaning one hand against the wall at a time and pulling on his ankles behind him one at a time. Stretching out his legs and then leaning down to touch his toes. Finally he would rise up and cross an arm to his chest straight across and hold it there with his other arm. Turning as hard as his hips would allow to the beat of the music before doing the same with the other arm. He would glance to his sister a moment. Physical work out was his expertise after all.

"Limber up sis." He would say lightly before quickly moving upstairs at a jog. Moving around until he found a gym bag. Dumping it out unceremoniously. It smelled like it had never been used anyway. He would move back down the steps and glance to her to see if she was doing as he suggested. Regardless he would find about six water bottles which he would proceed to fill and toss her one. Downing the first one himself and refilling it before locking the caps down and tossing them in the work out bag. Shouldering it as he smiled to her. She likely wouldn't like his next statement as he grinned. "Drink water, the stairs are going to dehydrate." He would wink at her teasingly before turning towards the doors. Already heading for the hell only she had experienced between the two of them but with enthusiasm. He was ready for this.

Tsukiyo was finishing up what she'd dirtied while Tengoku begun stretching. She caught him jogging up and down the stairs even. Clearly he was pumped up. He'd warned her to do the same...she'd do so once they got there, no point yet. Eventually as she would get ready for herself, she'd find him tossing a water bottle to her. She basically dropped it when trying to catch it, quickly fumbling for it on the floor before looking back to Tengoku. She raised an eyebrow...how much had she taught him last night? Honestly, it was nearly like a new person before her eyes.

She sighed and nodded, before returning to the table, downing the rest of the Apple Juice he'd poured earlier--figure use that for now and keep the water bottle for later. She was pretty much ready and by now Tengoku was already heading into the hallway out the main doors. She'd follow soon after. Once in the hall she'd decide if they was going to get stronger, she needed to work on her stamina...the stairs...they was her enemy, but also a ticket for higher stamina. She'd take them..even though she knew full well that she could use the elevator. Maybe later after a day of training. It'd take her a while, but eventually she'd reach the bottom of the stairs...and while it still was a bit much, she was much better off then the first time. Maybe she was already doing better with her stamina. She could even do it again if needed! Either way, she'd continue on, likely with Ten in tow--entering the streets and heading towards the First Training grounds.

The harsh truth was Tengoku had heavily underestimated these stairs. Hopping down them for the first ten floors left him virtually wheezing. His sister would eventually overtake him as he slowed his pace to control his breathing and by the time they got to the bottom she was better off them him. Especially with him carrying five bottles of water and a katana. The music kept his pace up as he gasped for air in his burning lungs. He could feel the sweat soaking into his shirt already as he ran a hand across his face. That was a freaking work out and he already was feeling a hell of a burn. However if he gave up now he was going to regret it. He had to get stronger. He would swallow a mouth full of spit and stand tall as he forced himself to control his breathing. He already felt like sitting down but instead would keep pace with his thankfully much shorter sister. She was in slightly better shape than him for now but she was shorter so their paces matched up nicely. He would find them heading to the training grounds they had fought Haku in and he would smile. Training felt good again.

They crossed the gates directly into the training grounds and he would stop to lean against a tree and catch his breath. Dropping everything there. The bag full of waters, the speaker and the katana. It all felt heavy to him. The speaker started dropping an aggressive beat as it landed and he would straighten up before rolling each shoulder three times. Unlike with Haku the two were not going to throw weapons at one another. Instead they would be doing some light hand to hand after a bit of cardio. Idly he would bend down to grab the first water and chug about half of it. His lips had felt chapped and his throat dry but as soon as he drank. He would cap it and wipe some sweat off his chin. Glancing with silver in his eyes as he looked to his sister. Watching her for a moment. It wasn't like they had never trained together but he always felt like she held back on him. He would drop the water and crack his knuckles before walking out to a clear dirt circle. Obviously for sparring. He would nod to her before placing his right fist into his left hand and bowing his head while keeping eye contact.

"No jutsu, just like old days."

It'd seem despite Ten being so pumped for training, he was already getting winded just going to the place. Tsukiyo even managed to 'beat' him down the stairs, unusual...maybe he should've taken them up the other night, it clearly did wonders for Tsukiyo. But she was slow, short, her legs didn't stretch very far as she walked, and he easily caught up to her. Speed wise...they was basically equal in how their body moves--Ten simply had longer legs for wider strides, making him faster then Tsukiyo by that bit much more--it oddly making a noticeable difference. But for now the Shinku Twins would make their way towards the Training Grounds.

When they got to their destination Tsukiyo was still ok--but Tengoku...he needed a sec. That was fine--he'd stretched before leaving, and now it was Tsukiyo's turn. The woman slipped off the overcoat she'd found the other night, and tightened her headband a little--still hung from her neck. For someone you wouldn't call loyal to a village, especially after what she went through in Konoha, she sure did seem to wear the headband a lot. Frankly it saved their butts when meeting Haku, being almost the only thing that stopped the Hokage from slicing the twins up in this very same forest only a day or so ago. Tsukiyo would bend and flex, stretching herself out. She was rather limber honestly...if not unbalanced, trying to touch her toes had her nearly faceplant into the dirt. That stumble aside, she was ready, finishing up by interlacing her fingers and stretching them out--palms outwards--popping them.

Tengoku, he seemed to be ready, as Tsukiyo looked over to him--he had already been eyeing her. The two's eyes met, and Ten would do a ceremonial bow with his fist to his palm in front of him, usually something you'd do towards a sensei, or a sparring opponent. She was the latter. Tsukiyo narrowed her eyes...she wasn't a traditionalist, and typically didn't bother with such formalities. She'd hear his terms, and let out a deep sigh. "Old days..." 'I'll show you old days bro...'

She'd walk out over into the clearing, an area seemingly left specifically for sparring, marked with a dirt circle. "You know you have the advantage on me physically." she'd state to Tengoku, her widening her stance and pulling her hands up in a defensive pose. She wasn't a taijutsu fighter, hardly in the slightest. Ten was almost not playing fair...but she'd go along with it...for now. Guessing it was 'go time' she'd slowly creep to the side--'circling' Tengoku...awaiting what he'd do first. She already had a very good idea what he'd try...this isn't their first rodeo.

---

CP: 50/50

Effects: None.

Strength: E (0)
Constitution: E (0)
Stamina: D (150)
Speed: E (0)
Coordination: (0)
Intelligence: A (1650)
Perception: E (0)

She looked prepared for him and likely she was. He was physically superior to her in most cases but he had never won a match. Either she did something to mess with his head or he was too predictable. He knew he had habits and since they always sparred together she had figured them out mostly. She would seem to be teasing him with her words but he was serious about this. He wanted to get strong enough. Strong enough to stay are her side. He would take a deep breath as she got into position. She didn't bow back but that was to be expected. He was heavy into the traditional stuff but she was always super progressive. Always ahead of the curve on the culture. He would watch her as she moved into position. How was he going to do this? He knew she was smarter than him. She knew all of his moves and could dominate him if she wanted. He needed to switch this up. To think for once instead of just being all about brawn. He had to use his head as well as conserve his energy here against her. She was clearly more durable than him.

He had to do something out of character for him. Switch it up a bit. If he could break from the norm it would be harder for her to just counter everything he did. She would likely figure out a pattern within ten seconds of him forming a fighting style from his experience with her. He had to concentrate and think.. God this was new to him. But for now he would begin with a light foot method. He would shift so his open hands would sway in front of him as he began to hop in place with one foot flat and the other barely letting his toes touch the ground. He would hop three times before suddenly launching forward and to her right. His foot that had the toes barely touching planted there to launch him directly at her with a sudden change in direction. Kicking dirt up behind his step. His left hand whipped out to strike out with an open hand at her head as usual. But this time his right hand would follow up as he spun his body to try and slam his palm into her side and used the head strike as a feint.

She awaited Tengoku's first move, noting that he was stalling at first--taking time to think about his actions. This was good...being a shinobi meant thinking on your toes and outsmarting your opponent. This is basically the only reason Tsu could beat Ten in a spar. All this would do is inform her to be on her toes for something more off kilter. Finally, her brother took up a stance, hopping a number of times before lunging forth. Her perception...well it sucked--but even being faster then her by a little, she could still keep full track of him. She would read his trajectory, and already shift herself to her left, turning towards her right, pushing back off her feet to gain more distance as he approached her right flank. He quickly shifted directions upon touching down with a planted foot and went to strike Tsu, palm heading for her head.

Tsukiyo was able to fairly easily avoid the head strike--but the woman was caught off guard by his feint. Maybe his attempt to change things up worked, as she was hit by it, wincing. It may not have been a strong nor full power hit...surely he was pulling punches by using an open palm, but still--it kinda hurt. But now she had her chance, sending her own palm strike straight up in an attempt to uppercut his jaw with the strike, the shorter woman nearly always seeing her taller brother's chin could make it an easy target. Meanwhile her other hand went for a gut strike--it'd be a follow up, her own feint with the skyward jab hopefully masking the gut strike.

Tengoku was caught by surprise. Of course she had avoided his initial strike. He knew she would but he hadn't expected to connect with the second. He had always expected her to be fully superior to him in almost every way. For a moment he forgot that they were sparring and hesitated. He had hit her and she seemed like she was in pain. He was usually the one getting hit. His new method had worked and he landed first hit. He had a mixture of emotions. Worry for her was paramount but there was something else just beneath the surface. A sense of pride for finally landing something first. For being the one to get something mixed in. Already he felt like they were improving. Like they could become something more. They weren't ready for a full coordinated actual weapons sparring but maybe eventually? Some wooden kunai and a wooden katana. He had already let himself slip and they had only just begun. Her retaliation was something he never had a chance to do anything about. By the time he saw it coming he was way too far behind to do anything about it. She was focused and he was a fool

The strike connected with his jaw and sent his head back before the gut strike sent him doubling over and stumbling back. His head was spinning for a second but he planted his feet and jumped back out of reach. Hunched over and holding his gut and jaw a moment. It hurt. There was pain as his momentary victory was ripped from him. He took a breath as he straightened out and spit blood to the side. It was his own fault but he was serious now. She wasn't a fragile toy he was playing with. They needed to get stronger. He would turn so his right side would face her as he lowered and spread his stance. Fists closing with his right fist lifted forward and turned sideways towards her just below his chin and his left fist down at his waist with his knuckles facing the ground. He was moving into an actual stance now. His silver eyes matched his flat face now as he waited for her to come to him. A cold breeze stirring his hair as he watched her. Those silver eyes seemed to see any subtle move of her body. He was serious now. Like he should have been before.

It'd seem his feelings quickly let him loose focus, the worry over hurting Tsu--the joy in having landed a first strike--it seemed to distract Tengoku just long enough for her double trouble to connect. He'd got her once, she got him back twice. Once the twin had moved back out of her reach, she'd place a hand on her side where he'd connected his hit, rubbing the now sore spot. But..she'd push through, she had to. They had to get tougher, if that meant getting beat up along the way--then so be it.

It'd seem her strikes though week was fairly effective. Tengoku seemed to be in some pain, even spitting out some blood. She didn't like seeing her brother's blood...it sickened her, if only for caring for her twin. But she remained focused. This was her only real advantage. Her mind worked like very few others, it operated on a whole other spectrum then normal folks. But her brother...his eyes seen everything, any movement she made--he'd see. Only his ability to react to what he sees held Ten back. Overall he was slightly stronger and faster then her. But she had stamina on her side. She didn't skip leg day.

Once more they was at a stand off, but as Tsukiyo looked at Tengoku's features, inspecting the new stance he took...she knew he meant business now. Her early double hit must've knocked the goof out of him, as now he seemed dead serious. She smirked. "Good...now you'll mean it...and don't pull your punches...I don't be able to raise my pain threshold without pain..." she said to Tengoku, meanwhile he'd be able to see her own hands shifting from open palms to closed fists, taking her own stance. Her's differed from his, both hands remained up--one fist outward ready for quick jabs or using as a leverage arm in defense, while the other protected her chin, curled closer to the chest...but primed to fire with more power then the pre-extended arm. She'd inch closer...feet sliding slowly to shift herself closer to Tengoku's position. She did this as much as she could, hoping to close the distance just that little further. Her feet had widened out, toes forward towards Ten in the front, toes to the side ready for a side step in the back--a T formation with her feet.

With a sudden flick of her foot, she'd try a rather dirty tactic--but not unfitting of a ninja--and send a pile of dirt towards his face. It wasn't accurate, but due to the spread, it didn't need to be. His best feature was his eyes...if she could diminish them, she could raise her chances to win. Honestly, its not the first time shes done this in a spar with Ten. It shouldn't surprise him that she did--just when she did might. But not to let this alone be her move, she follow it up, trying to come right behind the flying dirt with a punch, lunging forward and firing out her primed fist, giving about all she had for a chest shot, hoping to knock the wind out of him. Tsukiyo...she fought smart...but not honorable. Frankly...Ten was lucky she hadn't pulled a Jutsu out on him.

Tengoku would watch as she shifted her stance and spoke. She wanted to take this seriously. He hadn't been thinking on the same level as her before. He hadn't considered how hard she wanted to go. The music that was playing ended and now it switched to something harder. More aggressive as a beat as it thumped in his ears. They weren't kids playing in the garden anymore. They where ninja. They were the end all be all of weapons and they would become stronger than Haku. If nothing else they would grow strong together. If she wanted him she would would have him. He focused on his breathing. In through the nose and out through the mouth was a good way to control ones breathing. Concentrate and keep your guard up. The mean old man from the academy seemed to ring in his head. Watch your opponent pup. See how their movements always shifted before an actual attack. The way their footing was positioned, the shift in their shoulders and their eyes. Everyone had a tell about what they intended to do. If you watched for it you could predict it. So he wasn't surprised when the dirt came.

The way her leg flexed before her foot shifted and bent. Gathering power to flick the dirt up. He knew it was coming. Dirt. Dirty fighting. He was already moving forward. The cloud was shot up and hit his chest instead of his face. He knew she was intending to follow it up as she wouldn't waste an opportunity but he didn't intend to wait for it. Hopefully the sudden approach would clash with hers. He saw her forward step as she put her weight into it. Probably not expecting him to abruptly charge into her attack. His forward hand would swirl down to knock her strike to the side as he planted his forward foot next to hers and his hand closest to his chest would slam forward as it spun for more effect to the spot he had landed a blow before. Attempting to drive a straight punch with sure footing into an already sensitive spot since he had seen her rubbing it. With his forward momentum and hers combined. Using the enemies force against them. Of course aside from the shock of it this was all very easy to read. Very straight forward. He was already searching for her counter attack and getting prepared to defend against it. Those silver eyes taking all of her movements into account.

Seeing him step into the dirt she'd flung forwards his face may have caused a little surprise, but not enough to make her loose focus. Ten was able to parry her strike, pushing her punch to the side and making it a non-threat, while creating a threat of his own, a focused punch sent for the same spot as he got her before. This was a good strategy, attacking an already tender area was a good way to worsen the damage--to pile pain on top of pain. Too bad trying a similar move twice on her would be a bad choice.

Having been reading Tengoku's new attempt at a fighting style for a while now during the fight, she was catching onto it. In addition for going for another punch to the same spot on her, she read this like a book. The woman twisted her body, and her arms curled around his arm, almost hugging it--as she'd use her their momentum to shift his trajectory hard, with another twist of the body it'd throw Tengoku straight down and over into a front flip, taking advantage of his foot's proximity to her's to help trip up and leverage him over her leg, throwing the adult Genin square on his back.

Now...she'd change things up. She'd jump back, as quickly as she could while he was down, creating as much distance as she could. She at the same time was charging chakra, no need for hand seals, a specialty of the Genjutst caster. But this took time. A long time. Literally 10 seconds, how long it'd take her to form the hand seals. She maybe got 10 meters between them in the few seconds she had earned with her quick thinking. Now if she could only stall long enough, the woman bringing her hands back up in a defensive pose--this time palm open and forward...it almost looked akin to a Gentle Fist stance. 'He wants it to be like the old days...sorry Ten-Nii...this isn't the old days. We're wolves, not pups...' crossed her mind while charging her chakra.

((Int. Precog used.))

Tengoku was stopped with a throw that landed him with a solid thud on his back. It hurt. Knocking the air out of him even. A solid rush of air escaped his lips with a grunt as dust kicked up. His shirt was dirty now as were his pants. Normally he would have tried to follow up with a grapple to her ankle but when his hand moved up to grip her ankle she was already out of reach. Shit. She wouldn't just gain distance when she had the advantage of him being prone like that unless she was going to try and wreck him again. She did this when she wanted to hold the advantage. He couldn't just lay there and take it. He flipped over quickly and charged after her as hard as he could. Moving from a sprinting starting stance straight for her. Gaining air back into his lungs harshly. If he just tried a direct attack again it was just going to get him thrown. He needed to be prepared for it of course. He could feel his lungs burning, his back and legs were sore. His goal trying to escape him. However he was lengthy and had reach on her.

She was playing dirty and he was losing. He could do the same though. This time when he charged up to her it only took mere precious seconds. He had wasted three just getting up and another five catching up to her. This time when he caught up suddenly his foot would attempt to slam down and pin her toes. His two hands reaching out in an attempt to grip both of her wrists and yank her upper torso down while he brought up a high knee. Here he would attempt to control her ability to escape away from him and her ability to block his knee. A heavy impact aimed at her forehead instead of her face. He wasn't looking to break her nose but certainly to shake her. Confuse her thoughts for a moment with a shock to the brain. Blur them to give him a momentary advantage. Of course if this failed. This hard control tactic. He was doomed to whatever she had been preparing. He wasn't holding back but his martial arts talents rarely mattered against her. Still he would try. He would push himself physically to stay on top of her.

Tsu's eyes narrowed in annoyance when he was so quick to come after her, she had only gotten roughly 10 meters away from Tengoku while he was on his back, and now he'd caught up to her within seconds of recovering. She only had two more seconds to go in charging her Genjutsu. Thinking on her toes she took more leaps back, he was much faster then her running forward then she could skipping backwards, and he'd still close the distance. Maybe Ten had seen this tactic of her's before and knew what she was planning--or maybe he just thought it smart to keep her at close range--where he clearly had the advantage. She'd create just enough distance to make his lunge take that bit longer, and it was ready. Still though, it wouldn't get her out of what she had coming. The woman made sure to bring her hands up, almost as if to block her face, but it was simply a ploy to make sure he saw her hands and the Genjutsu--Demonic Illusion: Descending Hell Technique--would be triggered.

Just a moment later he got ahold of both her wrists, and his foot had pinned hers to prevent any more escape. He'd yank her down, while throwing his knee up. She was helpless in this situation, not even able to look down to see it coming. She took the full force of Ten's knee slamming into her jaw, and it sent her head flying back, much worse then when she'd uppercut him only moments before. Her head snapped back, rather harshly. Maybe Ten was lucky it didn't snap her neck, if he'd been any stronger, that would've been a serious blow. It hurt...it hurt a lot. She maybe had never been hit so hard in her life. She wasn't thinking straight anymore, and as her cheeks fired up a bright red color, she leaned forward with all her might. Her head came swinging forward from the snap back a moment ago, and her forehead aimed straight for his, a full on skull bash coming his way. By now she was gritting her teeth, fangs shown, and blood ran from the corner of her lip.

Tengoku would as expected have no idea he was already done for. He had lost and he didn't even know it. The genjutsu got him full on. He didn't know enough about genjutsu to avoid looking at her or her hands and even if he did he wasn't at a level to fight without his eyes. Still he felt his knee connect and her teeth click from the force of it as it knocked her head back. She was going to be angry after that. The fact that she wasn't utterly disoriented as too bad to be honest. Holding her was hard enough as it was. Since he didn't know he had lost though he was still fighting her. He saw her harmful intent in her eyes and the way her cheeks changed color. She only had two options so it wasn't hard to figure out. Her one free leg or her head. And by the way she looked it was definitely a head blow. However he was used to being in an encounter like this. Leaning his head to the side he would yank her arm the opposite way to crash her headbutt into his shoulder. It hurt still but not nearly as bad.

He was expecting a retaliation so his foot lifted from her toes and he would step forward while pulling her arms into him and lift his foot to kick into the back of her knee. Attempting to drop her down and wrap her arms around her neck as he shifted to step behind her. Twisting his arms over his own head as he turns and crossing her arms so when they wrapped around her neck he could plant a knee in the back of her shoulders for extra leverage. At this point he would of knocked her down to one knee, gotten behind her while still holding her wrists and planted his knee in her back. She could struggle but this was giving him all the advantage leverage. His knee prevented her from throwing him again. He was straining though. She could power her way out of it if she figured out a good angle. Still he would be trying his best. He would mutter through gritted bloody teeth to her. "Yield." As if she ever would. She would find her way out of this somehow. He knew he was going to lose but he never really knew how.

Tsukiyo's last ditch effort was for pennies when she needed dollar signs, the enraged headbutt would slam his shoulder, doing far less damage to Tengoku, while not helping Tsukiyo's situation. Now it was a matter of physical dominance. He had her beat there, and could do nothing as he worked her around, twisting her arms up and getting behind her to put a knee to her back. He basically had her half choking herself with her arms twisted around her neck then yanked over her shoulders. She winced, one eye shut, the other full of fire. Her cheeks remained the same color as her eyes as she grit her teeth. She even growled, what little she could.

She tried, but he had her too wrapped up. It'd take about twenty seconds of her struggling before the energy seemed drained from her, and she went loose, no longer struggling against him. "D-damn...it....f-fine." she barely managed to get out. She shut her one open eye and her cheeks shifted back to blue...was she calming down? More like loosing herself. She couldn't hold on anymore. The knee. The failed headbutt that hurt her more then him. Now her breathing was limited by the hold he had her in. The woman's body fell limp, completely, turning to dead weight as she simply lost consciousness. Tengoku had won. Tsukiyo was beat--she'd had it. Tengoku had came out on top in a scrap with Tsukiyo--something up until now that had eluded him.

Too bad Tsukiyo may still have the last laugh...when she woke up.

She agreed to it and then kind of just dropped limp. Well shit. He let her go quickly of course but in his mind she was playing him. Playing coy while going for a handful of dirt or something. He hadn't realized he had actually choked her out. Perhaps he had taken this too seriously after all. He would finally gasp for breath. Leaning down and planting his hands on his knee's as he panted with sweat running down his face. Dripping off his chin. He was completely worn out now. He just wanted to sit down and break for a bit after only like two minutes of sparring. His body ached and the adrenaline was wearing off. He looked to her a little worried now. Her chest was rising and falling so she was breathing of course. Something was off though. If she was going to come back at him she would have by now. However a heat on his back alerted him to something else. His eyes snapped up and he saw it. Death was screaming down at them. He would forget his exhaustion and grab her under her arms and try and drag her to safety. It wasn't working.

Damn it! It was his idea to spar out here. She was going to die out here with him because of a stupid decision. Maybe this was the invading army? Maybe just someone targeting them? It didn't matter. He didn't have time to clear the blast radius with her. Maybe if he had just run but he wouldn't do that. Instead he shifted and threw himself over her. Trying to take as much of the explosion as he could. Saving her if he could. He wasn't worth anything without her anyway. The impact hit and in his mind he was going to die. He was knocked with a huge amount of force and scorched. He felt too much pain to scream. Instead he toppled over and lost consciousness. Falling to her side with drag marks behind them in the dirt. Her genjutsu having wiped him out completely. He never stood a chance against it. However the fear of losing her did not give him pleasant dreams.

In his mind Tengoku was a little boy again. Sobbing in a corner as the other boys threw rocks at him. Curled up into a little ball as the rocks cracked against him. A trail of blood running down his temple. They teased him and beat him. An adult walked by and saw it but even they didn't do anything. Tengoku couldn't be considered human after all. There should be someone there to save him he thought. There was always someone there to save him. But they never came. The children jeered that she was gone. She left him behind and he was all alone now. A stray dog that no one wanted. He should just lay down and die they said. And he believed them. The child Tengoku in his dream sobbed and he sobbed in his sleep too. Tears streaming down his cheeks as they beat him over and over again and all he could do was cry. No one was coming to save him and he didn't deserve to be saved. He was just a freak. All alone and abandoned. Death was just a wish to a lost little boy.

Tsukiyo had been dropped, Tengoku figured she was playing him. But she wasn't. She just landed and laid there, the only movement being her breathing. It was about then that her Genjutsu caught up to Tengoku. The fireball from the sky sent the young man into a panic, clearly having no idea who had launched such an attack. He tried despirately to pick up Tsukiyo but it was no use, she was dead weight...and she may had been short, but the was a woman of curves--not exactly the lightest she could be. Ten felt as if they was hit by the attack after simply diving over his sister, as if to save her life.

To an outside observer, this would likely be funny to watch him freak out and try to protect her over nothing.

This would attack Ten's mind, and seemingly break it. Despite no real fireball having hit them, he too would loose himself, and slip into a world of forced sleep, falling beside his twin. The two laid there side by side...a short but intense spar leaving both out cold. A breeze passed by, pushing some fresh leafs to fall from the trees near them, floating around the Shinku twins. Despite what lead here, it was almost peaceful. Too bad Tengoku was having what could only be called a nightmare, and a bad one at that. Time went by, minutes passed, it'd been nearly an hour since the end of the spar before one would stir.

Finally...pinkish red hues slowly peeked open, barely at first and in a complete daze. As they begun to focus she felt lost...she didn't really feel like she knew where she was. She could see dirt...grass...and a stray green leaf. Finally it came back to her. The spar, Ten, but the last moment she could remember was growling at him. She pushed herself to sit up, struggling, her arms shaking as she got into a sitting position. She reached up and placed her hand on her head...it hurt, badly. A dried trail of blood came from the edge of the woman's lip, her not even noticing. What she would notice...Ten!

He was sprawled out next to her, and was still out. She pulled herself over, hovering over her Brother as she reached out with a hand. It was going to be placed on his chest to shake him...but she saw the tears and her hand froze. She looked at his face, he'd been crying in his slumber...Tsukiyo's eyes softened, loosing the fiery sharpness they was known for, and took a much more saddened appearance. The girl shifted her hand to rub her thumb over Tengoku's cheeks, wiping up her brother's tears. She moved her hand back, placing it on his chest and rocking her twin--trying to wake him. "Ten...wake up...come on Ten-Nii..." her voice was almost weak, unlike her...

Tengoku would stir as he was rocked slightly and almost gently by his sister. The dreams fading from memory like a fog had washed over them. It wasn't as if he wouldn't remember the dream. It was dragged from painful memories after all. Suffering they had escaped from. The difference was her. She had always rushed in to save him. While they tormented the two of them they had learned to fear her. Her dedication to protecting him could leave her fairly brutal. Her genjutsu was a talent of hers even at a young age. Digging into others minds and bringing forth their fears was a simple thing to her. She had always made anyone who messed with him or her regret it. The scene in his mind had been mostly because he had thought he lost her and without her he didn't think he had the strength to survive in this world. He was a very simple boy after all. Still she spoke as his eyes slowly opened. He felt like they burned slightly. A little puffy from crying. He would slowly sit up and turn his face away. Not liking being seen like this. "I'm fine." He muttered.

It would take him a moment to gather his thoughts. His eyes looking around them a moment as he tried to piece together what was wrong. That explosion..he was fine and there was no sign of any impact anywhere. He would rise to his feet and suddenly feel the pain all over again. His gut, his shoulder, his back and especially his jaw. Ten supposed they had gotten too into it earlier and simply beat the snot out of each other rather than really train. Still why was the area not an impact crater? Why was he fine? Oh bollocks. He glanced to her and frowned. His silver eyes narrowed. It hadn't happened. She had trapped him in one of her talented genjutsu again. She had cheated and knocked him out. He folded his arms and tapped his foot a moment before turning and heading over to the water. Sitting at the tree and taking a bottle. Sipping at it since anything to do with his jaw rather hurt at the moment. It was clear he had figured out it was an illusion she had used on him to defeat him again. He was pouting now. Nightmares forgotten and simply feeling vulnerable. She knew he didn't really have any resistance to her genjutsu.

Luckily for the Wolfy girl, her sibling wouldn't be too hard to wake--unlike her, he'd only passed out due to the stress and vivid emotion felt during a physiological attack. Her...she just straight was beaten down. She would've been harder to wake, luckily it was the other way around. She'd see Tengoku's eyes open slowly after signs of stirring, likely the first image he seen was his sister hovering over him--nearly looking like she was about to cry herself. She watched him sit up from his slumber, turning away and muttering.

She'd remained seated, her eyes shifting to more surprise when he suddenly shot up to his feet. He seemed to be looking around, as if expecting to see something that wasn't there. Its then that the rest of the 'fight' came to her, remembering being basically choked out, and that she'd set a final trap before then. it wouldn't take long though...and it set in what had happened for Tengoku. Tsukiyo looked up as she shifted to sit a little more comfortably, seeing her brother turn to glare at her, folding his arms in protest of her actions. She didn't really respond, just looking up at him as he looked down on her. She'd cheated, and by all means, he'd won the fight. Even if it could be considered a draw, she'd cheated to make that happen.

She watched him turn and go for the bottles of water he'd brought earlier. She would force herself up to her feet, and slowly limped towards Ten and the tree he sat under, pouting. Her leg was a bit tweaked by him having got her in the back of the knee earlier, it left her somewhat dragging it along as she made her way over to him slowly--her hand once more rubbing her side where he got her earlier. She'd remain quiet for now, and slumped to sit beside her brother under the tree--snagging a bottle of water and getting herself a drink of it. Hell...he thought his jaw hurt? He got palmed--she got knee'd. She barely could drink, but managed. After getting a bit of hydration in her, she'd finally speak.

"...Sorry for the Genjutsu. But I had my reasons for it...you said in the beginning ' like old days'...But these are not the old days bro...we're not kids anymore, we're in a world who will kill us without hesitation...I know it was a rough lesson, but I needed to show you...you need to train your mind just as much as your body...physical power is meaningless without the focus to direct it. You seemed to be picking up on it, you fought differently this time then before--I had to re-learn your style before I could figure out how to counter it...but when you're against shinobi that you have no idea what they can do...you gotta be mentally prepared for everything." she'd go on to explain to Ten, head leaned back as she looked up at the clouds while she spoke.

Tengoku would slowly let his gaze settle upon his sister. Watching her a moment. It wasn't like he ever stayed mad at her long. Their relationship was complicated and imperfect but whose wasn't? However that didn't mean there wasn't an abundance of love there. The pack wasn't strong because of numbers or their abilities. It was strong because what defined it was its absolute loyalty. Nothing would allow that to be broken down short of killing them. If someone attempted to do that they would either need to make damn sure the job was finished or always look over their shoulder. Always sleep with one eye open. They would never be allowed to let their guard down again. It was an exhausting life to live. Still she would walk over and sit next to him. Snagging one of the bottles of water he had prepared for her. Rubbing her aches. It was true they had both gotten their licks in. He considered it a draw of course. Even if she had cheated he accepted that he had passed out and if war was coming he couldn't afford to do that. She would settle next to him and he made no protest against it.

She would take her sip and even that seemed to bring a wince of pain to her. Perhaps his attempt to change his style up had been a bit harsh. Guilt washed across his face. She would pause in hydrating and he would listen to her speak. She had an explanation for her actions. His silver eyes would stare at his bottle as he would be careful not to interrupt. She wasn't wrong of course. She never was. The world wasn't as simple a place anymore. He would nod slowly before letting out a sigh. Uncomfortably turning the bottle in his hands before he spoke in return. Not just a word or two but in full sentences. If only because it was her.

"I get that. Or at least I think I do. The thing is I just wanna watch your back. I like the idea of riches and luxury of course but those aren't my real goal. Following where ever you go is. Call me simple minded but if you are happy so am I. So I will get stronger. Strong enough to take down the world at your feet. But I won't be perfect. Neither will you. It will be together as a pack that we handle each others weaknesses. I will work on what I can but we have different talents. Where you have to take a step back I will take a step forward. I figure you will do the same for me sis."

The woman kept his gaze to the sky as Tengoku would respond--honestly it was the most he'd said to her in a long time. She listened, and agreed. The mention of the pack...working together to cover weaknesses...mention of the riches she desired. He brought a smirk to her face, but her eyes shown she did feel loyalty for what she called hers. It seemed some of her work teaching him was paying off, he wasn't the 'simple mind' he claimed to be, not compared to their time in the wild at least. Her smirk moved to a smile as she shut her eyes and her head dropped, hair falling over her face some. She reached up and wiped her lip, taking off the dried blood from earlier. She still could feel the pain. But...the more pain she took in, the more she could take in...it'd build her body up. Little did either know deep inside her was an almost cartoonish level of durability, just itching to be awoken with time and experience.

Tsukiyo...she really wasn't the emotional type. Well, she was, but this usually was taken up by anger, sass, and indifference. She stayed quiet, sans a quiet sigh, the woman simply resting a moment. The Pack's Bond was strong, even if she was almost embaressed to ever show it. Why moments like earlier was rare, look of worry, care, maybe some sorrow in her eyes--this was a once in a blue moon thing. Finally she'd push herself to stand up, opening her eyes. They'd returned to their former self--a nearly unending glare, eyes sharp--focused--and wise...just not as focused as she'd like them to be. She turned to her brother, pinkish red hues looking to meet his if he had looked up.

"...We need to train more...but I been cooking something up the last few weeks and I wanna see if my idea will work...and I need your help Ten-Nii."--she'd been formulating the concept for a new Fuuinjutsu, and wished to see if it worked in reality. But she needed a participant--a partner to work with. It was the entire point of it. And who no better then her brother.

Tengoku would glance to the training grounds. He felt exhausted already just looking at them. Like his body could only be pushed so far. He wanted to go home now. He wanted to curl up in front of the fire on the rug and sleep. He had just woken up so he was a little drowsy and his body felt mentally exhausted more than physically. He was tired of thinking. Tired of putting together puzzles but for now he would remain because his sister didn't seem as tired. He would push himself a little further because his sister could and would. He needed to keep up after all. She would stand up slowly and for a moment he wondered if they might just spend the night out here. This close to the village they didn't need to worry about wild animals and they could always build a fire for warmth. Plenty of wood to break off out here and they had some supplies. But it was just hopeful thinking it would seem. She had a fire to her and so he needed to keep up or fall behind. He wondered what drove her so much more than him. So much more than most.

She spoke about how she had been working on something for a bit now and how in order to do it she needed his help. He would refrain from letting out a groan and instead just hang his head a little. It wasn't a lack of trust that kept him from wanting to do it. He was just tired was all. Still he would place his palm on the tree and use it to push his weary body up off the ground. His legs would shake a little but he steadied himself all the same. He would take a deep breath and nod slowly. Clenching and unclenching his fists to get the blood flowing a little more. He would let his silver eyes find his sisters harsh hues before he would smile to her. He didn't know what the experiment was but he was down to help her as always. It was clear on his face.

Tsukiyo would watch as her brother slowly would get up, almost barely able to do so it seemed. Maybe she had him in one thing--stamina--but not by much. She'd curl her mouth to the side, a little unsure as she watched him slowly come to stand, he really didn't seem to want to go on. Luckily for him, this was not gonna tire him out any more. Simply needing someone to be a willing participant in what she was to try to do. The woman had formed plans for a Fuuinjutsu that, if it worked, would connect them like they never have before...basically literally.

She'd return to the overcoat she'd gotten rid of earlier in favor of not letting it weigh her down or limit her movements for the spar, knelling down and shuffling through its pockets. She retrieved an Ink Brush and Ink Pot. She'd return over to her brother, letting him not have to follow her around and use up more energy. As she returned, she could be seen dipping the brush into the ink pot. The woman first would reach around her own back, to the back of her neck. It took a moment, having to be extremely careful to even do this, her coordination wasn't grand and this almost required it--at least to do it quickly. But she managed, and got a perfect 'X' onto the back of her neck. Now his turn.

She would walk around him, a hand placing on his shoulder to make sure he didn't turn as she stepped behind Ten. As she stood behind him, her eyes narrowed. "You're so tall...help me out a little?" she'd ask, trying to get him to knell down a bit so she could reach. She'd take the ink and marked him as well, an X right above the spinal cord. Luckily it was quicker then when she applied it to herself--being able to actually see what she was doing. She sighed afterwords. He'd be able to stand up fully again now.

"Alright...Tengoku I'm gonna need you to open your mind...let in everything you can, if you block out anything this isn't going to work..Thats all I need you to do...just don't fight it" she said while forming a single hand seal, holding it while she spoke--charging chakra into her palm. "Ready? Here we go." she'd ask and warn him. 'Please work please work please don't fry his brain' was crossing her mind...the only hint of a lack of confidence in if this would work at all.

She took in a deep breath and her hand would press forward, palm pressing against the mark she'd made on the back of Tengoku's neck. Her chakra flowed inside of him, it probably felt weird, as the mark on both their necks lit ablaze with chakra for only a moment before fading back to black. Her hand dropped from the back of Ten's neck...she was real tired now, the chakra used in this draining her. Well, it didn't fry his mind, he was still fine it seemed...but now the real question.

'Did it work?' she asked...but...she didn't. Her mouth never opened, no words was spoken...but had Tengoku done what she asked...he should hear her thoughts right inside his own head as if they was his own. He'd also get the feeling of her slight nervousness about if it worked or not, literally 'feeling' her...well, feelings.

((566 out of 300 wc required; Learned Kokoro no Tsunagari ('Connection of Minds').))

Tengoku would be forced to kneel slightly so she could paint on the back of his neck after he watched her do the same to herself with some more struggle. The fact that she had brought ink with her was a bit of a surprise but he had brought his sword. Each with the tools of their trade. So it made sense after all. The paint on the back of his neck was cold to the touch and almost made him flinch. But she kept him held in place for the two seconds it too. He would resist the urge to touch it as he held in a breath for a moment and then let it out slowly. She mentioned not to resist which of course worried him a little. This experiment of hers required he open himself entirely and leave himself exposed. Like a nerve waiting to be touched. He swallowed a little and focused on letting her in. Focused on trusting her and not resisting. Green chakra flared up on the back of his neck for a moment. Like flames almost before they faded. He would wait a moment as he felt nothing at first. Then it all began.

He was exposed to a flood of emotions. A sense of doubt, want, anger under the surface that was always present.  Concern and curiosity with a final sense of exhilarated want for success. His own emotions would flood back. Concern, fear, confusion and interest. She spoke in his head and he blinked a little. A simple question of if it worked. 'I think so?' he would think with some doubt in his voice. His thoughts pouring through at first. Like a second mind overloading the first until they would figure out how to throttle it back. He would focus on not letting his mind or hers flood his. Only letting through what he wanted to after a few moments of just standing there with his eyes closed. For those moments it would be like sensory overload for both of them. Her perceiving everything around them more than most humans ever could. Colors were more distinct and even a dragon fly a dozen meters away seemed to move in slow motion. He would listen as her mind explained everything in excruciating detail until finally they gained some control over it. A governor on their thoughts really. He would let out a gasp as he got his mind back under control.