Lilia Hon - Little Alice

[Little Alice]

The start of a promise to somebody who is lost.
Long lost.

The promise that started that reveals the true nature of Lilia Hon wish.

Her will of Fire!

Her black dyed hair slowly moved, due the soft and warm breeze. The usual cheerful glance in her eyes, the smile and attitude were gone. Now they were looking with a sad, almost guilty, expression. Dressed in her kunoichi garb, Lilia looked at the small gravestone in front of her. The name listed was one she knew. A person that had been close with her. Slowly sinking on her knees, Lilia placed the flowers she had in her hand in front of the gravestone. ''Hope you like them... Kichi-kun.'' Lilia said. Nothing but the soft breeze was heard. Closing her eyes as she lowered her head, she felt sad to see the name on the grave stone alone.

Kichiro Nimatsu

He had died during the Hon Estate. But no such thing as a hero's death. No honorable way to go out. No risking his life defending somebody else life in the moment when he left this world. No, he had died because she had been too slow. His death had likely been painful and slow. And worst : she had been on a rampage because she hadn't been able to control her emotions. It had nothing to do with Matatabi forcing his chakra through her. It was all her own doing. Clenching her hands into fists, she didn't want to cry. ''I..I .. I'm sorry, Kichi-kun.'' Wiping the few tears away, Lilia looked up with the same sad expression. She didn't see the grave stone or the last moment of the boy she had fallen in love with. She saw him when they had went to lunch, train and laughed together. The boy that was much weaker than her, but also the one that managed to always make her laugh. The boy that had tried to be brave because of her.

Trying to think of something else, Lilia took some breathes before talking. ''Keiko is pregnant. Did I ever told you that? I think not.... I am going to become a big sister.'' Lilia said on a hushed tone. Looking at the flowers, she continued. ''I am looking a bit forward to it. I'm not sure if they already know if I am getting a little brother or sister. But I like the idea, Kichi-kun. Somebody that I can call a sibling, without fearing them.'' Lilia paused. ''I also never told you about Selia. I'm sorry, I didn't told you a lot. Such as what would have mattered.'' Lilia felt stupid. So many things that she never had told Kichiro. Things that he would have liked to hear. Things he would have loved to talk about. ''Sorry, I wish we had more time.'' She whispered.

Lilia wondered why she was feeling so miserable? Due Hiron's teachings, she had always found it easier to deal with losses and such. Already a person that knew that loss and gain were intertwined, Lilia wondered why she was bothered so much with Kichiro's death. ''I still want to be Hokage one day. Remember when I told you that and you laughed? I've still not forgive you for that.'' She smiled, though a sad smile, but she couldn't help it. ''Remember what you told me? You would support me, but I had to beat you to it. Guess that I kind of did.... Kichi-kun.'' The smile faded away as she sighed. ''I even never got the moment to explain you why I want to become Hokage. Why I want to protect everybody that much.''

It got silent for some time. Lilia sighed as she closed her eyes. The warm breeze on the evening was a welcome one. Lifting her head up, she slowly opened her eyes half. Few clouds passed by. Somehow she got the idea that she could feel a presence. It brought the sad smile again on her face.

''I want to become stronger, not just to become respected. Not to become acknowledged. Not to be the one to have power.'' Lilia started to tell. ''No, I want to become the next Hokage, cause I want to the one that will carry the hope of the people. That they can look up to me and say : ''That is Lilia, she will give us a better tomorrow.'' Lilia briefly looked at the gravestone for a moment. ''Though, yes. I have some personal gains in it. I want to make Hiron and Keiko-chan proud. I want to become an example as much as Uncle Z and Aunt A are. As Hiro-sama and Gramps Jin Jin. As Mister Sakamoto and Crystal-chan. I want to become an example like.... Hiron-chan, was for me. To be the one that will be the beacon of hope. The carrier of the Will of Fire.''

Lilia's right hand went to her chest area as she looked at sky again. ''It's something I want to work and fight for. To reach that... I would love...'' Slowly she started to stop talking as she decided to get up and keep looking a the sky. The silhouette of the moon started to show. It was slowly getting dark. A little smile adored the lips of the girl. ''I'm going to become Hokage. I'm going to show that I'm capable of such a thing. First I'm going to train hard, to become stronger. To be able to show others that I'm not just a little girl that trashes around anymore.'' Looking at the gravestone, Lilia felt a tear rolling over her cheek. ''I will show the world that I'm capable of holding my ground. I'm going to show... you that I'll become Hokage, because I believe in it.. Just as you, Masami-chan, Ken-sensei, Hiro-sama and all the others... do.'' Another sigh escaped her lips after a long moment of silence.

''Though I will need to train. Probably a long time. Not to mention to face what lays in my way. To make sure that I'll be somebody that isn't a danger to anybody. That said... I'm going to show the world what I am.'' Slowly Lilia dropped on one knee in front of the gravestone as she laid her left hand on top of it.

''That I'll become the carrier of the Will of Fire. I'll show them that I am capable of becoming that...

Kichi-kun...

Till next time...

[Little Alice]

Swords and girls?
The teachings of Kensuke Nimatsu!

A collab between Roro-sama and Alice,
With Fiery in the guest role!

Time : Two months in the timeskip.

Lilia receives Kenjutsu training from Kensuke, the kenjutsu expert! Then he also gives her an idea about armor.
Hope you enjoy reading it.

SPOILER: Click to show

Running towards the training field, Lilia hope she wasn't too late. It had been some time ever since things had calmed down, but now that they were, she ran with a smile on her lips. Today's training program was about kenjutsu and she was curious to what her kenjutsu teacher had in mind. Of course, Lilia had planned some surprise for him as well. The white bandaged shark blade made some grunting noise. Lilia giggled as she leapt over a fallen tree. ''Yes, you met Kensuke before. But be nice, Shady.'' Lilia said with a smile.

Soon she arrived at the training field. Slowing down she looked around. Again nobody else was training! What was up with that? Was everybody evading her when she was training? Wasn't it not the fact that Konoha had a huge force? Where did everybody train? Sighing she looked around for Kensuke. Maybe he was too late?

He smiled. It had been quite a while since he had spoken to the little girl in person. He raised an eyebrow as every person training here seemed to leave the moment she arrived. A strange coincidence or just because of the 2-tails? He frowned as he approached her from the bench. It seemed she hadn't noticed him yet. He smiled. Even without jutsu one could feign invisibilty through absolute lack of motion. Many foes'd miss you at a glance. "Hello there!" He greeted her, waving his hand as he came closer. He sensed something strange about her too. The lack of something. And a new something. It probably had to do with the giant bandaged thing on her back.

Turning around, Lilia noticed Kensuke and smiled. Tilting her head to the side, she responded back with a cheerful attitude. ''Hey Ken-senpai! How are you?'' She asked him, walking in his direction. With a smile she hoped he was doing well or at least able to train with her today. At least she wanted to see how far she had improved. Last time she hadn't been able to hold long out against Kensuke in a spar, also because of that she had been troubled that time. Now she had both grown in skills and abilities.

Kensuke grinned at her greeting. "I'm great, thanks. How about you?" He replied, putting down a bag he had been carrying.
''I'm great. Had some training with Keiko and Hiron. Even getting a cool gift from them, will show you it later.'' She replied with a big smile.
He started rummaging through it untill he got what he found, two simple bokuto, wooden training swords. He held one himself, inspecting it, and tossed the other one towards Lilia after another quick inspection. The weapons seemed fine. "Remember. This is a kenjutsu training, and not a sparring match. No jutsu, just the bokuto I just gave you." He said, giving his own a few swings.

Catching the practice sword without much effort, Lilia started to swing with it to get a bit warmed up. Nodding after his instructions, she unsheated the leather band she had attached to her big bandaged sword. ''Guess I can't use you either then, Shady.'' She spoke to the blade as it seemed to fall on the ground. But before it made contact, it made again the typical sound as it slithered away into the shadows of a tree. Looking back at Kensuke, she held the hilt of the bokuto with both hands as she took a common stance. ''Ready, Ken-senpai!''

"Well that's one interesting thing you had on your back! I've never seen anything like it before, what was it?" He asked, surprised by the agility of what he had assumed to be a sword.

Looking back at Samehada, Lilia scratched the back of her head. ''It's my friend Shady. Cheeky boy, but he had a different name... Started with a Sa...Sam....Salami? I'm not sure. Was the weapon of choice of a Swordman... Not sure what that is. You carry a sword, so that means you're a swordman as well, right?'' She asked him.

Ofcourse! How could he not have recognised Samehada! One of the legendary swords wielded by the swordsmen of the Mist! "That's an interesting sword. A real advantage for you in a battle. Yes, I'm a swordsman too, but I use a somewhat ordinary blade. Yours is one of the 7 legendary swords used only by the 7 Swordsmen of the Mist. All lethal kage-level ninja. We can train with that sword after the basics, alright?" He replied, before sitting down and suggesting she did the same. "In any case, some theory first. Don't worry, I'll keep it practical. Kenjutsu is all about muscle memory. Since alternative sword styles outside of the few already commonly known and used throughout the lands, an encounter with someone who'se moves you will not know how to counter will be rare. It'd either be a master swordsman or a foreigner. Point is, there are a few basic guards and strikes, and even though it may not seem that way, everything is based on those. To be able to perform all the basic attacks and guards without even thinking after noticing where your opponent's attack is heading is of utmost importance. If you require no thought to block basic attacks, you can use your full concentration on outwitting your foe and using more advanced attack patterns to confuse him. The faster you can determine where your foe's next attack is heading, and the faster you can prepare for it, the better. If you're fast enough, you can even hit your foe with a counter-attack before he even hit you."

Listening to his words, Lilia often looked at the bokuto as he explained several things about kenjutsu. Trying to pay full attention to what he told her, Lilia scratched her head as she had a question. Looking back in Kensuke's direction she pointed at her own. ''But what do you think is best for me? I mean, I'm fast and agile, but my strength is not that great. Unless Shady provides some enhancing chakra, but still. With a normal blade, I can't really rely on strength. I figured that already out in the hard way.'' She told him. Lilia was however glad that Kensuke also offered to train her with Shady. The amount of times she had used the bandaged sword, she had proven already that she was lethal with it, but still felt like she had to become better with it.

"You don't have to be strong to use a sword, although some strenght is required to use it. If you are fast enough at reading your opponent, you can easily use his own strenght against him or negate the difference in strenght by using the correct guard. Hence why repeating the basic moves is so important, if you can block and parry without thought, you'll survive a lot longer." He said, standing up and taking on a combat stance. "Do you know the basic strikes and guards already? If so, perform them for me. Otherwise, watch closely as I do them, and then repear them after me."

Listening again to Kensuke, Lilia looked with a very serious glance in his direction. Nodding as answer to his question, she raised the bokuto as she took a fighting stance. Swinging the basic strikes with quick and fluid movements, she performed the guards without taking a second as she moved with ease. Sighing after showing them, she giggled. ''I already know the basics! I want to learn the advanced part. I mean, knowing the basics is very important, but what about chakra flow and such? I noticed a great deal of people can use all kind of chakra techniques with their weapons. But all I know is using lightning. How can I do more then infuse my weapons, thus blade, with lightning?'' She asked curiously.

He smiled. She used the most common and most effective kenjutsu style known today to the common swordsman. And she was certainly good enough at the basics to hold out against another average opponent. "Good, I can see nothing really wrong, but you should always keep careful balance when attacking. If you put all your force into a strike you'll cleave his head in half and lose balance, but if you keep some restraint you'll only get halfway through your opponent's head, but he'll be just as dead." He said, showing her the point where she made a tiny mistake. "However, you are right. But I had to be certain you knew the basics well enough. If I would've been too impatient I could've thought you things you wouldn't be able to use during a battle because you wouldn't spot the right opportunity and correct timing to do so." He added. He had empathy with his old sensei who tirelessly stomped the patience and kenjutsu in his head he so direly needed to become a decent shinobi.

Nodding after he gave some tips, Lilia kept them noted inside her head before she actually practised the swings again. After he showed where her mistake had made, she smiled. Now without any flaws she performed the strikes again. It didn't felt anything different, but if Kensuke said it was better this way, she believed him. When he started to explain that he had to be sure with the basics, Lilia simply smiled and nodded. She could understand it completly. However she had a question as she raised her hand, waiting patiently till he would give her time to ask her question.

"As for infusing chakra in your weapon, it is simply storing your own chakra in it after giving an element to it. That is the basic technique. The samurai use pure basic chakra to achieve higher levels of penetration and range, while the Flying Sparrow technique combines the best of both worlds. Lightning chakra adds penetration and can paralyze or otherwise prove anuisance to your foe's nerve system. It's very..." He continued, noticing she had another question. "Yes?"

The whole time Lilia had been listening to his words. It made some sense, as she used the Lightning to enhance the penetration and sharpness of the weapons she infused with lightning. Nodding in agreement as he told about the lightning chakra, she couldn't resist a grin. Many had found out that Lilia used Lightning chakra based attacks with great skill. Lowering her hand as he gave her the chance to ask something, she asked her question. ''But this Flying Sparrow... Is it possible I can mimic that with my lightning chakra? I found it possible to enhance the weapons I use with lightning, but the idea of..'' She paused as she made some gesture with her left hand in the air. ''To expand the range, is that possible?'' Was her question.

"Simply infusing a weapon with chakra adds basic elemental chakra to it to deliver additional effects while attacking. Using the Flying Sparrow technique you actively use the properties of that elemental chakra to enhance the effects caused by a blade already infused with plain and pure chakra. So yes, it is possible. I don't exactly know how it works with lightning chakra though. With wind chakra you create a counter-current around your sword that dramatically adds penetration to your already devastating attacks, while fire chakra uses heat to achieve a similar effect. I heard lightning chakra uses high-frequency vibrations to achieve the same effect with the flying sparrow technique, but I can't explain how that'd work. I think it's similar to your sparkle technique. The more vibrations, the more damage it can cause. I am no physicist but I think it works that way. Does this help?" He explained, putting out of the knowledge passed onto him when he was still a kid, and too young to really use a sword. He had been thought mostly theory back then, and that was a long way back.

Nodding heavily to answer his question, Lilia smiled. She thought about it. The way he described it seemed logical and correct, as Hiron had explained how the lightning chakra worked with weapons. It was however also interesting to hear from Kensuke how it worked with other chakra natures. Maybe Keiko could give her more insight with the fire chakra? After all, while she hadn't enough control over Matatabi, she hadn't forgot the odd fire technique Other Lilia had performed. This gave raise to another question. ''I think that I get it now. But is it possible to use another kind of chakra, like for say. A more advanced chakra nature to enhance a weapon?'' She asked Kensuke, already thinking about the Blue Fire. Though she was sure that she had to deal with Matatabi for that.

"Theoretically yes, but I don't have any experience with advanced chakra natures, nor have ever seen them being used like that. It should be possible, and if you study the physical properties of each nature's chakra and what it embodies I'm sure you can find a way to use it." He said, continuing to think. "It should be possible to for example, using physical properties of ice, leave tiny ice fragments in the wound you just caused, which will make using the struck limb excruciatingly painful and will cause severe loss of blood." He philosophized.

She brought up her left hand to her mouth as she looked at the gras in front of her feet. Now Kensuke had made her really thinking about something. What about if she found a way to combined the two natures together? She had been sure that for example somebody else had done that before. Fire and Lightning. ''What if I manage to mix up fire and lightning? Like Uncle Z's special fire technique? The one that he also combines lightning, to use fire as conductor? I wasn't sure if he was the one doing that, but would such thing be possible?'' She asked him, frowning as she looked again in his direction.

"I don't know, but if there is a way, and if you can find it, sure!" He replied. "I can't immediately see how using fire as a conductor'd be possible though, but that's just studying physics and applying it into practice, I guess." He pondered. There should be endless amounts of possibilities, only limited by the users' creativity and the laws of physics. Truly interesting indeed. "However, for the flying sparrow technique, you'll need to be able to use the samurai's sword technique too; using pure chakra to sharpen and lenghten your attacks. It's a matter of practice, really. Any other questions?"

Thinking more about the information she gained, she could handle it with ease. Most of it was what she already knew, but Kensuke told it in a different way. And it wouldn't hurt to learn it from another way of view. Shaking her head lightly, she couldn't come up with another question. '''Think that I'm out of questions. As for that Flying Sparrow technique, I suspose that high chakra control is demanded? But suspose we need to train my kenjutsu before thinking about that, right?'' She giggled, still managing to ask two questions while saying she didn't had any questions anymore.

"Yes, to use that, you need to have a very good chakra control." He replied. "And yes, let's get started. What do you want, a real scrimmage or would you rather like to try out Samehada against me?" He offered, flashing a smile at her.

With a grin she wanted to already see what he would do against her and Samehada combined, but decided to be more wise. ''First think that we should try without any jutsu or real weapons. We can try to test my skills out with Shady in a bit. I'm ready.'' Taking a fightning stance, she narrowed her eyes. Though she was very fast by nature and not now slowed down by Samehada's weight and lenght, she still was careful. The dojutsu of Kensuke enabled him to predict her movements in a way that the sharingan could do the same.

He grinned and lowered into a combat stance. Unlike her he knew not just one, but three seperate kenjutsu schools, and perfectly. Only a fourth one which he was still learning was somewhat lacking. The first was the common one, the second was the one designed by his ancestor Sgigeru Nimatsu, and the third was a style developped by the Land of Rion specifically designed to defeat the common style. The fourth one, which he was still learning, was a rather unusual and exotic style mainly for confusing his opponents. As a result, mixing or changing between combat styles during a fight was highly effective if execuited correctly, earning his title as a tokubetsu jounin in kenjutsu. "Alright, let's go!" He said, leaping forwards in an attempt to snatch away the initiative. He remained careful though, as he wanted to test her and not overpower her, and he wasn't exactly that eager to run into a well-executed counter-attack either.

Glad that she had been on guard, she noticed how he was about to take off to strike at her first. Raising the bokuto quickly in defence, she tried to block the incoming attack while trying to hold ground. Her eyes were glancing quickly over her senpai, hoping to find a way to seek out a weak point.

He decided to use the common fighting style to test her basic skills, after which he'd subtly change to his village's own fighting style. One that was rarely seen on the battlefiel, and as a result, would classify as exotic since many of the common style's basic guards didn't really work against the falcon style's basic attacks. He would find out if she would be able to detect the change in style and read his movements fast enough to adapt her defense. Ofcourse she had the advantage that he had fought with her before, and she should know how to block these attacks fairly well.

Though she had that advantage, Lilia had still not that very easy. With a combination of deflecting attacks and evasion movements, she realized that she was being pushed too much in defense. The fact he was switching as she noticed changes in way of striking and movement, Lilia grinned. She blocked a strike, though she gritted her teeth a bit as she noticed she the pain on her shoulder. If it had been a real sword, she had a deep cut there now. The pain remembered her to pay more attention. But suddenly she tried to push Kensuke a bit back as she would then make a feint lash with the bokuto, but was actually planning to kick him backwards with a swift motion. If she could force him a bit back then she could get him into defense.

He evaded the kick but was forced backwards nonetheless. The hit he had gotten would've ended the fight if he had used his full force or it it would've been a real sword, breaking or cutting her clavicle. It wasn't a drama that she hadn't blocked it, this was pure kenjutsu. His best field of play, and not really Lilia's favorite style of combat. Nonetheless, she'd be dead in another situation. He parried her next attack and played it a bit more defensively to see how well she could attack him. He would try and see wether she'd repeat attack patterns that'd make her vulnerable, and see that if she did, she did it on purpose to draw him out or by accident. Thanks to his dojutsu he could immediately recognise sucha repeated attack pattern, a tremendous advantage in a real fight. In any case, if she would repeat it, he'd punish her for it to find out if she was using it as a trap or if it was a simple flaw. If she did int on porpuse to mislead him, he would have to be forced to congratulate her teacher. That trick was a very good and unknown one, allowing a technically weaker opponent to defeat a better one with relative ease.

With her leg stretched as he moved away from the attack, Lilia grinned. With a swift movement, she bended the leg as she pushed with her standing one herself in the air. Spinning she lashed out with the bokuto, trying to use the force of the spin to empower the fast strike. Of course, she wouldn't want to lock blades with Kensuke. His advantage of having more strength was something she held in the back of her mind. ''Here we go, Ken-senpai.'' Lilia mumbled as she was about to switch to another style. She had used her own swordplay, but was about to switch to Hiron's. That was more relied on trying to force somebody back by focusing on the weakness of the foes.

He noticed slight differences in how she attacked now. He kept blocking and parrying every attack without a problem, but he did notice that while she was still using the same sword school, there was a significant change in how she attacked, focussing on the guards he had put the least effort into up untill now. Not bad, he thought while changing sword school again, now using a style specifically created to defeat the most common sword school used by most ninja. He wondered how she'd react to this fighting style in which there were multiple counterattacks specifically made to every basic and advanced attack of the common sword school.

With him even blocking the more cunning way of striking, Lilia got frustrated. As he changed in swordplay, Lilia managed to adapt with him. It would likely or at least hopefully surprise him as she now went in to use the movements Kensuke made himself often. It wasn't just for show that she had observed the fighting styles of Hiron, Kensuke, Zakito and many others. At least, those who had trained often with her. Though her swordplay was nowhere at his level, she tried to keep up with him. Though she was already fearing that she would somehow make a mistake soon.

There it was! She was forced into the defense and couldn't really keep up anymore, and started executing the same attacks over and over, as common for a person in trouble. He lowered his pace and allowed her to regain some breath before he took advantage of such a repetitive move to see if she had a counter to it. A true swordsmaster, or someone who had a little cheat such as Kensuke's dojutsu, even though he wasn't short much of being a swordsmaster either, could recognise an attack pattern being reused immediately and counter it mercilessly. A lesser fighter that knew the trick could use that to his advantage and reuse an attack pattern but change a part of it to a confusing or basically random other attack, which could catch the better fighter off-guard as he attempts to counter the attack pattern. That trick is what he hoped to find within Lilia's style now. If she wouldn't, he'd learn it to her. It was a valuable card to have at your disposal.

Trying as hard as she could, she suddenly ducked to evade one of his counter swings. To avoid him to swing the weapon back, she quickly placed her left hand at the arm of Kensuke. Panting she shook her head. Though she had disabled him for a moment to strike back at her, she already knew he would be able to kick her away before she could attack with the bukoto. Taking a step back, she looked frustrated. ''You're mean, senpai. You cheat with your dojutsu. I don't have special eyes. So unfair!'' Though she was simply frustrated she couldn't impress him with her improved tai- and kenjutsu, Lilia pouted.

"I wouldn't exactly call it cheating..." He replied with a wink. "You can use every advantage in a swordfight against a stronger opponent. My dojutsu allows me to read your body language more easily, something that you could learn yourself too. Consider it a part of my training instead of a dojutsu." He said. "There's a lot of dirty tricks to defeat a superior opponent though. Use the terrain around you, and get in too close to really use the swords and then act faster than your opponent does." He continued. "Want me to learn you such tricks?"

As he explained it, Lilia still felt like it was cheating. Sighing she nodded. Though she knew some dirty tricks, it was just that she couldn't perform any of them against Kensuke. His dojutsu was able to see her movements, so moves like throwing sand in his face or such weren't going to be very effective. ''Yes, I would like that.'' She answered him.

"Alright, let's get started then." He said with a concluding gesture. "First of all, there's talking. If you talk to your opponent during a fight, be it a sword-lock, a short clash, or during a battle pause, attacking mid-sentence can catch an opponent off-guard." He said, illustrating what he just meant with a fake charge at Lilia. "Secondly, if you are trying to figure out what your opponent does by looking in his eyes, and he is doing the same, you can suddenly turn your eyes away as if distracted by something else. This can have two effects, he charges you, allowing for a counterattack if he is careless, or he looks towards the position you looked, opening him upo for an attack." He said, frowning and apparently focussing at something behind Lilia, then smiling and nodding at whatever may have been behind her. If she were as dumb to look, she'd find nothing ofcourse. "Other 'dirty' tricks are usually engaging in a sword lock and using a kunai to hurt your opponent, or attacking your opponent's legs during a sword-lock by basically twisting your sword upside down rapidly. Of all body parts the legs are usually unprotected if you're fighting shinobi, and are the easiest place to inflict wounds upon." He explained.

Listening to his advice, Lilia took all kind of mental notes of what he told her. Some of the advice was already known to her, but some was very interesting. Such as the eyes moving away. That was one she would use likely in the future. Thinking she however had a question, regarding the legs. ''Is that why you wear armor? I mean, isn't there not another way to protect the legs from damage?'' She asked him, pondering on that further more herself as she wondered if that was possible. Wearing armor was an option, but Lilia always had used her agility and speed to gain the advantage over her foes. With armor, she would lose some of her speed and agility, not really thus an option for her.

"Aside from dodging or adequately defending yourself you will not be able to protect the unarmoured parts of your body at any time." He answered. "But I wear armour since my entire fighting style depends on getting up close and personal, and accidents tend to happen at that range. Thanks to this my vital organs, face, thighs and shoulders are moderately protected from anything that could go wrong which one cannot exactly foresee. This way I can ignore a half-hearted kunai stab at my belly and continue my own attack to finish my foe, or charge right through a weak area of effect jutsu that would have otherwise put me out of combat. Since most nin tend to evade close range combat I'm also faced with explosives quite a lot, and the armour is a great aid against that too." He explained. "Summed up, it's for my own safety as the close range I usually fight in leaves not enough time to evade all attacks, especially explosions or similar assaults directed towards me." He finished his explanation. "Bonus point, from long range I don't even have to bother deflecting kunai or shuriken." He said with a grin, encouraging her to ask more questions.

Again Kensuke had the right answer for her question as she was glad with the answer, or rather answers. Crossing her arms in front of her chest, she tapped with her right feet at the ground. ''But then I wonder about if there is an armor light enough to do the same as to not slow me down. Do you think that such armor is possible to make? I mean, I wouldn't mind the actually protection, seeing that I also am better at close ranged then long ranged fights.'' She asked him as she wondered about it.

"Ofcourse there is!" He answered, not even needing a moment to think of several alternatives to his comparably heavy mogami ni-mai-do. "The flak jackets used today are types of quilted armour with modern explosion-resistant material. It is designed to be light, unobstructive and strong enough to stop long range weapon and jutsu attacks enough to reduce fatal attacks to dangerous ones and faint attacks entirely. You could use a heavier armour such as a coat-of-plates or kozane armour, basically a flak jacket made from metal plates stiched together that provides additional protection from physical attacks, or a real do like I am using. For you I would advise some sort of sturdier version of the common flak armour with a denser material over it to provide that tiny bit of additional protection against physical attacks." He replied. "It'd weigh only a fraction more, but the difference would be noticable." He hoped his explanations would statisfy Lilia, as using chainmail as armour would be a possibility too, but that was way too noisy for a shinobi, who often had to rely on stealth. That was the reason his do was lined with a dimmed cloth over it, to prevent gleam and loud noises.

Lilia really started to like the idea of using some kind of armor and then she thus asked the next question. ''So where can I buy that kind of armor? I would like to try it. Would you help me to seek it out?'' She asked him, enthoustiac by the idea she could have some kind of armor to help her in close ranged combat. After all, if she had some more protection than she had already, she could focus even more on offensive strenght!

"You can start by visiting the place where you got your flak jacket when you graduated as a chuunin. That's the arsenal, and I'm sure they can help you with all your needs there." He answered with a broad smile. He was glad he could help her with something he had an extensive knowledge about. It made him eager to start teaching other people. He smiled and shrugged as he wondered how long it'd be before he'd find himself chained to a group of three genin. He hoped that that'd wait for a little while longer. He didn't exactly feel ready for that yet.

Laughing a bit, she shook her head. ''I have no idea where that is actually. My first flak jacket was Uncle Z's. The second was one that Hiron brought me. So where is this place?'' She asked him, already trying to figure how it would look like. Maybe it was a place she had already visited in the past? Still, she was now excited to try on a set of armor that wouldn't slow her down too much. ''Besides, how did you became a Specialized Jounin? You never told me that tale, Ken-senpai.'' She told him.

"Well, the arsenal or armoury is pretty close to the hokage's office." He answered before hearing thenext question. So many questions! He smiled at her eagerness for knowledge. "I was promoted after leading a mission myself. I had to do an S-rank mission together with someone I had deemed dead, namely a person named Hon Zakito. I had to lead him and he would see if I was deemed worthy. Ofcourse, because I'm still chuunin-levelled in many fields I'm only made tokubetsu jounin, since my kenjutsu, wind-release and camouflaging skill are at least jounin-levelled. This is also the reason I am allowed to train other people in these fields, as well as being added to special task-forces for specific tasks in missions." He explained. "Very exciting, yet scary too, if I may admit!"

Lilia's eyes twinkled with a light as she thought about inkled with a light as she thought about it. Going on a mission and actually lead a person, such as her uncle? That would be super cool and awesome! She then thought what her fields would be and then asked it Kensuke. ''So, if I could become a tokubetsu jounin, what would my fields be? I mean, what possible fields could I become jounin leveled in to become also tokubestu jounin ranked?'' She asked him, already excited by the idea of how to become just equally ranked as Kensuke.

"Probably lightning-release ninjutsu, if I'd make a guess. But to become a tokubetsu jounin you'd have to be really good at it though. I think concerning you, chances are you'll be a jounin before you'll be a tokujo." He replied. It was quite the complicated case when one would go and look for the exact differences between the ranks.

Shrugging Lilia answered back. ''As long I don't have to train everybody in lightning release. I mean, I want to keep on honing my own skill for some time. Maybe when I'm that old as you, then maybe I would think about passing down some things to somebody else, but for now I'm content enough.'' She told him as she frowned. ''Besides, what about experience? Doesn't that count for something?'' She asked him, with the frown still present.

"Ofcourse, but don't ask me how that works." He said with a grin as he walked back to where he had dropped his rucksack and searched it for some lunch. "How about we call it a day? I sure do think you've gotten enough to keep yourself busy with for a while!" He said while opening a box filled with salmon strips and rice balls. Delicious.

Lilia nodded as she then had another question. Turning back to Kensuke, she looked with a very serious expression. She looked at the bandaged sword of her before returning the green colored eyes back to Kensuke. ''Ken-senpai... Do you think I could train hard enough to become the next Hokage?'' She asked suddenly, clearly very seriously about the question.

"If I would be honest, no." He answered. "I think the idea of appointing the strongest warrior in a village is not the right way to rule it. It is nearly as bad as a hereditary rule. It would be wisest to let the village be ruled by the smartest persons or shinobi. But the way it is now, you can though. While I don't doubt that you're smart, in my opinion simple skill in battle shouldn't be the deciding factor to become a hokage or not. As a result, training to become a hokage doesn't make much sense in my eyes." He replied, trying to explain his ideals while not upsetting her too much.

Lilia looked down to the ground, thinking about his words. She felt a bit disappointed because she had hoped for his faith in her. Maybe a bit of childish trait left still in her, despite her fast maturing over the time? She then clenched her hands into fists. ''So that means I need to become more then the strongest or smartest kunoichi? Then what do you think what makes a Kage a Kage?'' She asked him with the same serious tone.

"A Kage has to be a person who can inspire the people as well as lead it. It has to be someone who makes the new genin want to become strong, and also someone who can make sure that the village thrives and grows even in tumultuous times as we live in now." He answered with a serious tone, before taking a bite of his lunch. Oh, he was so hungry! Not that he hadn't eaten, this morning, but he just was hungry all the time. It was rare to find him not being hungry, or having space for a 'bit more'.

Thinking about it, Lilia smiled then. ''I think I can do that.'' She muttered to herself. She had managed to inpsire somebody else very recently and it was a start, right? ''Okay, but shall we go to that armory? I want to check out which armor could fit me!'' She asked him, eager to head to this place. If she could find something she could improve her defense, which was rather lacking if she had to be honest to herself.

"You could also take mesh armour, now I think of it." He replied, remaining seated. "It's very light and quite good at defending from light blows. Probably the lightest form of armour except a very simple and thin flak jacket. It's easier to hide mesh armour though." He smiled at her impatience. He wouldn't let her rush him into skipping his food. Impossible.

Lilia listened, but was bouncing from one feet to another. She smiled. ''Sound awesome! Come come, Ken-senpai!'' She told Kensuke, wanting to drag him to the place. However, Lilia didn't know where the place was or where she could get mesh armor. It sounded cool. Mesh armor. Samehada slithered back to her. Picking the bandaged sword, she attached the leather strap she was using to keep the sword on her back. Looking in Kensuke's direction, she smiled as she was waiting impatiently for him.

He finished his lunch without making any haste at all. Respectless, one would say, but he found it only natural a man would feed himself appropriately. "Alright, let's go then..." He said with a smile as he set off towards the arsenal. Upon arriving there he nodded at the guard who yawned back, which made him grin. Chuunin had to do guard duty. Tokubetsu jounin didn't. There were other reasons that the pay why he liked his rank.

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Swords and girls? WHUT?
Lilia's kenjutsu trainer.... flirting?!

Part 2!

The part where Lilia and Kensuke are going to the arsenal, where Lilia buys a lot of stuff and Kensuke is trying to be a smooth fellow.
Hope you enjoy reading it.

SPOILER: Click to show

Seeing the arsenal, Lilia tried to act mature, seeing she didn't want to embarrass Kensuke. Looking around, she tried not to stare at people or at the display of weapons and armor. Staying close to Kensuke, she felt her pocket for the check book. A smile appeared on her lips. At least she would have enough money. ''Where do we begin?'' She asked, a bit nervously as she wasn't sure who she could ask or talk to.

"Armours for your size." He responded, stopping in front of a rack filled with all kinds of mesh armour, from a size for kids to one for people taller than kensuke. A few meters further there were similar racks for the older do armours and the recent flak jackets. "There are the other types of armour, and I think you know your own size." He said, pointing at the different racks. Meanwhile, he would wander off towards the sword racks, and perhaps find a wakizashi to complete his daisho, or sword set.

It took some time before she was back. With a mesh armoured vest, bracers and shin pads. Over right shoulder was an extra reinforced mesh armor shoulder pad. Looking at herself, she called to Kensuke, hoping he could help her a bit. She wasn't sure if this was looking fine or even of the right material. Samehada made a grunting sound and Lilia blushed. ''Oh, stop it! Still thanks for the compliment, Shady. I only look great because of you.''

"You figured it out nicely." He replied, looking to how she applied the armour to herself. "But it's best to have some sort of layer undearneath the mesh armour or a strong blow could make them hurt you. However, I heard that with modern mesh armour that risk is next to zero." He told her, checking the lacing and how she had applied it. "I'll lend you some money to pay it. This might be the arsenal, but it won't be free!" He laughed, returning to the sword rack to further inspect a particular blade he had found. Aside from some irregularities on the hilt, it was perfect. And he knew more than enough about swords to know how he should replace a hilt.

Thinking about it what he told her, she nodded. After she had done what he had told her, the mesh armoured vest was now underneath her flak jacket. Pulling out her check book and writing down a check she smiled. The owner smiled and then Lilia walked towards Kensuke. ''Eh? Oh, no! I've enough money. I want to know where I can however inscribe a new kanji. I was thinking about a Fox Kanji. What are you looking at?'' She asked him curiously.

"Swords. I'm looking for a wakizashi to complete my daisho with. A daisho is a samurai's sword pair. A katana and a wakizashi. It brings advantages and disadvantages. For pure kenjutsu, it is great if you're skilled with it, but it'd deny me from making handseals while duel-wielding them. When dual-wielding however I could easily defeat a ninja inexperienced in close range combat in a few moves though." He explained his thoughts. "It'd be situation at best, or something of a hobby." He continued, inspecting the edge very closely. "This particular one has been smithed by a good smith. It has been folded more than any of the other swords here, and the tempering process was flawless. You can see it by the wave-motion between the edge and the flat. It's perfect." He continued, trying to give Lilia an idea of what he was pondering about.

Giggling as she listend to him, Lilia found it a bit funny how he kept talking on about swords. Not even realizing that a girl of his age was paying attention to him. She held a good made chokuto,  but was more examining Kensuke then Lilia. While Lilia paid attention to Kensuke, she tried to signal him wih brief head nods to the girl who was watching him. ''Think that somebody has found also a nice katana?'' Lilia winked as she hoped he would get the hint. Else she would've to be more clear.

"Huhn?" He jumped straight, and noticed the girl. "Uh, hello." He said somewhat awkwardly, noticing her staring at the two of them. Softly Lilia bumped Kensuke a bit toward the other girl. ''Say nice things. Girls like that.'' Lilia advised him, whispering the words. The girl smiled to Kensuke. "Hi." She said.

He frowned at Lilia and shook his head. "Is there something wrong?" He asked her, as she appeared to be holding a straight chokuto. A strange choice of sword, and a rather archaic example of one at that. It was less effective at cutting due to its straight shape, but easier to handle and better for stabbing.
Immediately the eyes of the girl dropped down to her blade and she held it up. "Ah no, nothing is wrong really. I couldn't help overhearing your words. You are quite the expert, aren't you?" She said, still looking at her blade. This earned a reaction from Lilia, who started to think that Kensuke would actually never made a make move. ''He is the best! Trained by nobody else then the Third Hokage, ain't that right, Ken-senpai?'' Lilia smiled in his direction, winking with her left eye, so that the girl wouldn't be able to see that.

"Yeah, whatever. I do know quite a lot about swords though. Can I help you or...?" He asked her, giving her a good look after statisfying his impression of the sword. She was about a head shorter than him, and didn't look remarkably pretty or anything She did have a certain charm to her though.

"Trained by the Hokage, that is amazing... " The girl stuttered. With her left hand she toyed with one of the strands of her short dark hair. "And eh.. no I was just browsing for a sword. I, eh, am a sworduser myself hence why I found it so interesting to hear what you were saying. I wouldn't be able to remember that much about swords though."

He noticed her shyness and it charmed him to a certain extent. He smiled and raised his shoulders. "It isn't such a big deal really, but I'll gladly help you if you want me to." He replied, feeling the tiniest bit shy somewhere. A final remnant of a time where he was shy without a beginning nor end. As she played with her hair he admitted to himself that perhaps she was even more interesting than the sword she was holding there. He had seen so many swords after all.

At the offer the girl smiled. "I'd love that." She twirled the sword around and then with a sudden determination put the item down and extended her hand. "Kaori." She said. "Nice to meet you.

"Kensuke. Nice to meet you too." He replied, shaking her hand. "So, what are you looking for?" He asked, motioning vaguely at the sword racks, without looking away. He smiled as he noticed he was ignoring Lilia for the time being, and hoped she didn't mind. She'd probably only encourage him anyways...

Standing at the sidelines, the girl was keeping sight of the two, but said nothing. Kensuke was getting the hang of it, but she feared he would fail. Not sure why, but she had a feeling he would. Examining some swords, she was laying some on a pile. Of course she was using the advice and knowledge Kensuke had given her, as the pile became larger. Eight swords already. And it was growing.

"E-ehh..." The girl stuttered again before looking at the blade she was holding again. "Well, I am not that good with heavy blades. Light blades is more what I used so I figured this one might do nicely. What do you think?" She held the blade up to Kensuke and smiled slightly before she realized that the other girl was also still around. "But if you have no time then that is fine!" She quickly assured Kensuke. "I mean I kind of interrupted your... shopping spree."

"Oh, I'm sure she won't mind, right, Lilia?" He asked her, giving her a meaningful look. She'd be the last to stop him now, and while he'd find that annoying at any other moment, for now it was actually quite handy. "A faster fighting style? Well, depending if you intend to use predominantly cutting or stabbing attacks, I'd either go for a tachi," He said, grabbing a comparatively very curved sword out of the racks. ", or a wakizashi of you prefer a shorter blade, or I'd go for a chokuto, as you're holding right now." He said. "The tachi is basically a shorter and more curved katana, which is perfect for both quick and devastating cutting blows, while the chokuto would be easier to use and to stab with since it's straight. Of course, both stabs would be equally lethal. Getting a steel pointy thing in your ribs will kill you whether it's a sword or an iron bar." He explained to the girl, trying not to go on a detail spree too much, and having moderate success in his own opinion.

Noticing that the two were talking about her, Lilia looked up, shoving away some strands of hair. Smiling in the girl's direction, she threw a glare in Kensuke's direction. ''Don't mind me. I mean, be my guest.'' She turned around and rolled with her eyes. ''Baka.'' She muttered before telling the shopkeepr she could easily afford his shop if she pleased as she laid another sword on the pile. It were eleven now.

Attentively Kaori listened to Kensuke's words a small smile playing on her lips. He really knew a lot and well... he was pretty cool in general. Soon she had kind of lost track of his words until he finally stopped and she was pulled away from her own little reverie.

"Ah... She said. "Y-yes, okay. I kind of already knew that a chokuto would suit me. I have used it before." She flipped the blade around and poked it playful against Kensuke's chest. "Tell me more about it."

"Uhhh... Well. A chokuto is the oldest real sword we know of, but that doesn't mean it isn't effective. As time passed armour changed and it demanded other types of weapons. However, since armour is barely ever used anymore, any weapon will do. As a straight weapon it'll function a tad less effective as a cutting weapon due to the fact that a larger part of the edge will hit the target, spreading the impact a tad more, however, it's a lot easier to use. It also makes it a lot easier to stab with it, as stabbing with something straight is naturally easier, but I guess you know all of this, right?" He asked somewhat shy because he had started rattling facts which were not really relevant here. "I don't think they'll have many chokuto here, but I'm sure they'll have some high-quality weapons." He continued, hopefully switching to a subject that was more interesting for his fellow kenjutsu practicer.

Still smiling Kaori kept nodding at the Nimatsu's words. Really she was amazed by his knowledge. "I didn't know all of it really. To know that this is the oldest sword we know of makes me kind of proud that I can use it. Maybe you can help me search for a good one. My old one is kind of dead and useless..." She said as she glanced around the shop. Her eyes pauzed for a moment on the pile of swords on Lilia's side and she quickly turned back to Kensuke, unsure what to think of the little girl.

"Sure. Can I see it?" He asked, trying to determine wether it'd be better to get a new one or to execute repairs. Repairs were often cheaper, and a repaired high quality blade was better than a newer one that was rubbish. Especially a perfectly balanced sword was a keeper. No waiting that for easy to repair battle damage. You just had to know how.

Kaori suddenly frowned and shook her head. "It is dead. Don't worry about it. It can't be repaired." She shrugged. "Besides I got money from my dad to buy a new blade. It is to be my brithday present. So I'll take that new one. It wasn't that great anyway, slightly off balance." She said, hoping to distract Kensuke from her old blade.

'Oh, sure." He answered, walking towards a lone rack filled with chokuto. There was a varying grade of quality in there, the most being well-maintained but old nevertheless. Some even being neglected. Several stood out, being highly decorated and clearly well-maintained, and it surprised him to find those here and not inside a museum. He tested every single blade that appealed him after a first quick inspection, and frowned as he continued down the rack. "Most of them don't feel like they should. The point of percussion and balance point are off, and this one's tang has been completely rusted through." He said, holding one of the swords that seemed to be wiggling in its hilt as he swung it.

While she had been reviewing some swords, she had been eavesdropping on Kensuke and Kaori. A little smile went over her lips as Kensuke was doing a good job, until she noticed that he went too much into the subject. Looking up with a disturbed look, she wondered if he had forgotten that the girl had looked at him. Not the swords! Wondering if she should do something about it, Lilia decided to stay on the sidelines. Things could go every direction, right?

Carefully Kaori stalked after Kensuke and followed him from rack to rack and sword to sword. She nodded along with his swords. "Doesn't look so good no." She agreed while looking at the wiggling blade, but she didn't sound so interesting in the blade really. "So... how come I've never seen you before here? I mean we are both swordfighters and we must have went to the Academy at the same year right? Or are you older then you look?" She smiled slightly at him.

"I never went to the academy. I am from the Village of Talons to the West." He replied, oblivious to her avances, and picked a sword from the rack with a very simplistic look. It had no ornamentations or anything. It was simply a blade with a handle and scabbard. Nothing more could be said about it. However, upon inspection of the sword itself, he found out that it was out of all of them, the sword with the best balance and the best quality. "This is the best sword, if you're going to bring it to a fight." He said, holding out the sword to her.

Now that both of them were closer to Lilia, she had been able to hear them een better. Hearing Kensuke answering Kaori's question, Lilia thought about it. He was doing it good, but she found that he was not charming Kaori. Thinking about a way to help out, or at least force Kensuke to give Kaori a compliment, Lilia moved a bit closer and softly yanked Kensuke's shirt. ''Ken-senpai, what about that sword?'' She pointed at the direction behind Kaori, hoping the girl would look into that direction as well. If she would do so, Lilia would pull Kensuke to her height and whisper in his ear. ''You dummy! She is more interested in you!'' Not that Lilia was negative at all, but she was hoping that Kensuke would at least try to shift the conversation more to him and Kaori, instead of swords. Who know what else he would talk about? Crabs?

He frowned and looked at the sword, when suddenly he was dragged down, only to hear the following words in his ear. ''She is more interested in you. She is more interested in you. She is more interested in you.'' Wait what? She totally wasn't?! He'd totally have noticed that! He had a dojutsu with which he could read body language after all! She really just wanted a sword. Right? He frowned as he studied the girl as she looked at the sword. He noticed nothing special. Her body language showed nothing of what Lilia just said. He was about to reply Lilia when Kaori turned around again.

Kaori smiled slightly to Lilia, a twinkling in her eyes as if she had understood perfectly well what the little girl had just said to the Nimatsu. She held the blade in her hand that Lilia had pointed out to her. "I don't think a longsword will suit me.~" She said to Lilia. "But thanks for the help. You are very... kind." She placed the sword back and looked to Kensuke again. "Village of Talons? I hear it is very nice there. I have never seen it though. It explains why you are an excellent swordfighter then. You must be really really well trained."

"Well, it's a tradition to train every person rigorously in kenjutsu where I come from, so it's only normal. Where did you learn it?" He asked, trying to change the subject, still holding the sword he had tried to offer moments ago. Perhaps Lilia was a little bit right. He'd just continue and see what would happen. With his dojutsu he still couldn't see anything really. He could see she was interested, but ofcourse, she needed a sword, right? But why was he holding this sword then? Shouldn't she be looking at it?

But Kaori wasn't looking at the sword at all. "I learned from my dad and my sensei taught me more things. But I could definitaly use some more training. I doubt I could even come close to a true master." Again she smiled to Kensuke. "I mean I don't hail from a clan with a great kenjutsu history. I don't hail from a clan at all. Must be cool, having a clan."

"Well, don't get too enthusiastic about being in a clan. Nowadays it hardly brings any advantages at all." He said, frowning slightly as he thought about how many politics he was involved into right now. It could be fun and nice, being in a clan, but it certainly hadn't been for him. But there was nothing that could change that. "Here, the sword." He said, handing it over to her now he remembered himself of it.

Clearly whatever Kaori was saying was not working. She accepted the blade in silence and gave Kensuke a last look. "I guess that you are busy. I won't hold you anymore then... Thanks for the help..." She said, her eyes dropping to the ground again. Then she turned around and searched for her money. At least she had a blade now, that was something.

There it was. Lilia had been right after all. The moment he had turned a bit sour, thinking of his clan, ending the conversation, she backed off. "Yeah. I'll see you around or something. Hope it helped." He answered, and turned towards Lilia. He had this strange feeling this wouldn't be the last time he'd see her, but dismissed that thought the moment he saw the expression on Lilia's face.

Standing behind Kensuke, she had followed everything, but was surprised. Slightly expecting it however, Lilia held back a sigh. Crossing her arms in front of her chest, she just returned a blank look towards Kensuke. Though she wanted to say that he had screwed it up and not in the good, way, she kept her mouth shut.

"What?" He said, giving her a stern look, before looking at the pile of swords she had gathered. "Will you need all of those?" He asked after recuperating from his surprise.

The question made Lilia nod as she then frowned. ''I do. But that isn't the point. You don't need to distract me. If you don't want to talk about your... mistake, then just say it.'' She told him, but on a friendly tone. Suddenly she patted his shoulder and giggled. ''But don't worry. I'll not tell anybody of what happened just. Not to say that I've never been approached. But as a matter of fact.. I need those amount of swords, cause I have planned something.'' She told them, glancing back at the pile of swords.

"You do know that a sword isn't cheap. Right? A sword is pretty expensive even." He asked her, ignoring her remark about the conversation he just had with Kaori. "I'm not paying you for this." He added, faintly smiling.

Shrugging she took out her check book as she would pay it herself. ''I manage myself, don't worry about it. If you would know how much Hiron has prepared me to take care of myself, you would be surprised I guess.'' She told him as she paid the very high price of the fifteen swords, all of very good quality. Looking at them, she took out a small scroll and giggled. ''Maybe I should pay you for a little drink and be your senpai to help you get better with girls?'' She teased him as she was going to seal some of the swords. Samehada made of scared sound, but Lilia sighed. ''Just that one sword and then three others. No big deal, right?'' She whispered to the bandaged sword, who moved in to devour three swords of his choice.

"Hiron is crazy. You are too. I think I'll pass on your offer." He said, laughing as he noticed Lilia's plan with the swords, and the concerned look from the master of the arsenal. These were all mighty fine swords, and seeing them disappear into a bandaged thing with teeth wasn't funny for the man. "Naturally, you could always offer me a drink. I won't pass on that."

''Hiron-chan isn't crazy. Maybe just a bit overprotective at times.'' She replied, feeling she had to defend Hiron, but not in the ways she was offended. Kensuke had no bad intention with it, she figured. ''And sure. Drinks on me.'' She told him as she had managed to seal the swords with the basic sealing technique away. Rolling up the scroll, she glanced at more fine quality swords. Pondering, she thought out loud. ''Maybe I should buy three more swords?'' She picked up Samehada, who made a kind of objection as Lilia giggled and shook her head. ''I guess fourteen is enough, isn't it?'' Looking back at Kensuke, she waited for him. ''Ready to go?''

"Yeah..." He replied, still baffled by the amount of swords and the price of that. The amount of money she just paid for them, enough rent for a reasonable apartment for at least a year... It was, to be honest, very strange. He hoped the technique or plan she had with them would be worth that much. He walked alongside Lilia, shaking his head softly.

[Little Alice]

Blue Fire and Lightning
Lilia's beacon and new promise!

A collab between Roro-sama and Alice
Time : 4 months in the time skip.

Lilia confronting Matatabi, but it all goes wrong. There is much revelation and Lilia learns quite much about some things. Though, it raises more questions than answers.
Hope you enjoy reading this.

SPOILER: Click to show

Sitting in a meditation sit, she was focusing not on any training. She had been also training for this moment. It was something she knew she had to do. Something that had to be done. Biting on her lower lip, Lilia felt a bit scared, but she wouldn't walk away now. No, this time she would face her fear. Her inner demon.

Walking as the water made the sound, she stood in front of the bars. With her green eyes rather dark, as she looked with a threatening look, she shouted to Matatabi. ''Wake up, Matatabi, we're going to have a talk.'' She shouted, waiting for what the Tailed Beast would do actually. It had been quite some time since she had spoken with the beast, avoiding it. But now she was sure of her goal. And he was in the way of it. Well, not directly, but enough that she viewed him as a threat. As least, not as a real threat, but more like off that he was one that could likely damage Lilia's confidence about it.

"Tell me, Lilia-sama." The large feline said, dropping from above out of the darkness. He'd inspect the little girl thoroughly before settling on his stomach. There was something different. He had been a spectator during that fight, but hadn't wanted to interrupt. He didn't exactly now who he would have to be cheering for either. One of the two Lilia's had 'died'. There were also some other differences in her appearance now he saw her before him like this. She was taller, and some of the childish chubbiness every young person has had been exchanged with ... No bulky muscles, but rather a sinewy look. It was clear that the rigorous training she had done the past few months had been effective. Only one thing irked him a bit. That sword. It liked his chakra too much. He was bound to this mortal husk named Lilia, and would sacrifice some chakra to help her and himself survive for sure, but he wasn't an ordinary chakra-tap for that stupid sword to eat from.

Seeing the gigantic sized creature, Lilia even took a step more in his direction. Clenching her right hand into a fist, she spoke with a calm, but yet serious tone. ''I want to know more about you. You claim you're evil? Right? But still, you have helped me in the fight against the Swordman. Why was that? If you were evil, you could have let me die simply there. You would live again after some time, but I wouldn't.'' Lilia asked him. While she was standing clone to the bars, she held a 'healthy' distance from them.

"Flawless assumption, Lilia-sama. However, if you die, I'll be stuck without a body for a few years. I only had my spirit, my mind left. You do not know how harsh it is to live all alone for years, stuck in your own mind. Unable to even look. Blind and deaf to everything around you. Only your thoughts to interact with. Nevermind even feeling anything. Only your mind. It's worth sticking with you until I can escape in any other way rather than letting myself be sent into insanity." The beast replied as it stared at Lilia intensely, sharing memories of what was once all he could experience. It would certainly cause some effect in the little girl. The sensation of completely nothing but thought was horrifying for sentient creatures that moved a lot like younger humans.

Her eyes widened in fear and shock as she experienced the feeling. It was scary, but then at a level she never had imagined before. Shivers ran down her spine as she felt the cold sweat forming at her forehead, her breathing getting more heavily. Suddenly, she remembered something while she had only her thoughts. Tears were running down from her eyes down to her cheeks as she sobbed. Whipping them away, she looked with a fierce look back. ''You've got more in common with me then I figured.'' She told him bluntly.

The memories of the past had ran through her mind, most unlikely not what Matatabi would've expected. The lonely days of being stuck in the Hon Palace. Katsuro beating her up when she didn't perform the techniques or training that well. The feeling of that she had nothing of her own, except her own mind. It was quite what Matatabi had told her. Even the feeling of that escape wasn't possible. It all made some sense to her. ''I know you likely don't trust me. I don't trust you either and probably this won't change, but you're wrong if you think that I don't know the feeling you described. I-I... I... can relate, let's keep to that.''' She told him with a softer tone, sitting down on her knees as she tried to man herself. Crying in front of Matatabi was something she had tried to avoid or looking scared, but the feeling and memories of the past had shaken her confidence.

"You must've misunderstood, Lilia-sama. You seem to believe that having a bad childhood, without any freedom equals what I have experienced. Even in your position, you still had more freedom than me. You could move your fingers on your own command, you could look or close your eyes whenever you wanted to. Even if someone took over your body you'd still have more freedom. You could still experience what is happening, you could still see and in a way, interact with your environment. I am talking about a complete void. Say a different dimension even, with completely nothing. No needs, no responsibilities, nothing. Only your own train of thoughts. And that is once the pain, the untraceable pain of losing your body is gone." The cat explained, sending her memories of that too. "If you expect me to pity you, you must have misunderstood my message." He concluded, looking at Lilia as she sat there, collapsed.

Closing her eyes as she experienced the next detail, she tried to stand up. A bit clumsy, she managed. Once it was over, she looked now angry at Matatabi. The killing intent of the girl was rising as she spoke back. ''You think that? I envy you, you damn big good for nothing furball.'' She took another step forwards. ''I had floggings for moving the wrong way.'' She took another step forward. ''I was slapped when I looked the wrong way.'' Another step forward was taken. ''I had no freedom, you dumb nasty flaming shit cat! Nothing but pain, isolation and fear!'' She shouted at him angry. This wasn't what she had planned, but she had only one goal now. Now standing between the bars, she scoffed at him. ''You think that you know what pain is? That you know what it's to fear something? I had a time that I wanted to end it all. To be get rid of the pain. To get rid of everything.'' Now she stood at his side, one step passed the bars. ''Now you've misunderstood me. I'm not here to be all friendly and comfy with you. I'm here because I've worked my ass off so that I could be here without any fear. To learn more about you. Cause... Honestly...'' She took a deep breath, before trying to calm down a bit.

''In the end, I had you all this time ever since you got sealed in me. I thought you would be able to understand some of my emotions, seeing you could sense what I could think at times. It's you who have misunderstood everything.'' She told him on a calm tone, but lifted her head up and smiled, as the tears kept running down her cheeks. ''But it's okay... I think that nobody would like to know me perfectly, right?''

"Your ignorance is logical, but you are refusing to see my point. This discussion is futile." The cat said upon standing up and turning around, starting to walk away. From the darkness he kept talking. "You talk of pain, yet you never died, nor had someone's death by yours, you talk of isloation, yet you have never 'lived' for years without a body, you talk of fear, yet you have never lost a part of your identity as it died with you." He continued, his voice echoing through the halls of his personal prison. "I fully understand all of your feelings, and naturally I can relate to them. We are in a way, the same being right now. But compared to what I have experienced, those feelings are puny and neglectible to me. I do not misunderstand you, but you overestimate my compassion with you. There is noone on this world that knows you better than I do, and no living person knows more about me than you do. This discussion is over." He concluded his answer. If she really was going to act all pathetic she could do that. She was rolling in her own sorrow and loss that was nothing compared to what he had seen in his previous 'lives'. If she'd really try to commit suicide however, he would send her a string of memories of a past life to stop her. To let her know there were worse things. It took a great deal of strength and concentration to take over her body, which would be a last solution to stop her from doing so.

Listening to the words, she remained quiet. Then she suddenly started to ran after him, further more in the depth of the darkness. She wouldn't care for what he said. She didn't care for not finding the way back again, but wasn't thinking about suicide. No, she had a goal and would see to the end of it. Her tears kept running over her cheeks, but she wasn't sad. Neither angry. ''You may keep saying I'm nothing more than a small child, that you're more right, but you're wrong! Wrong, hear me!'' She said back as she kept running. Lilia narrowed her eyes as she thought she had seen a flicker of light, but it was her own imagination that played with her. Or maybe it was fear? Still, she wouldn't look back as she kept running and calling out to the Nibi. ''If I'm the one that knows you the best, then don't hide. If you knew me good enough, then you should know that I would be the one that decides if this is over! Damn you!'' She said as she panted lightly. Slowing down, she was unsure where she was. Still refusing to look back, she kept talking back. ''You speak of that I keep having it wrong, but you're the one that is wrong. I will not leave you alone here in darkness, just to be a damn cat that thinks his life has been bad.'' She shook her right fist in front of her. ''You say you know me? Then you're really stupid! I have a new goal and it starts with you. I'm going to help you out of that depression, like it or not! Hear me? I won't leave before that is done.'' She shouted as she sat down, arms crossed in front of her chest.

A dark and amused laughter surrounded her. "Cure me from my depression?" The beast said, before laughing more and harder. "My life has never been that bad. You just think that your tiny life has been so bad! You don't even seem to realise everything could be much, much worse. And until you stop begging for sympathy like that, you won't get anything out of me." Matatabi answered, for once forgetting his politeness. He was thoroughly annoyed now. The girl was just so naive. He couldn't really blame her, but things could be much, much worse. They could. He knew. He had seen it, he had experienced it and he had suffered through it. But it hadn't been his suffering. He had merely shared it with someone. He wasn't depressed at all. He simply disgusted the girl for so much lack of perspective. Perhaps he should teach her, but for now, she had been poking up too many memories he had considered dead.

''Well, if you're so wise and such, enlighten me then. Or are you a little kitten too scared to talk to a even more little girl? Sounds like you're quite the scary cat.'' She sneered back, also quite annoyed. The fact that Matatabi found his life so much more worth of experience and such annoyed her. She didn't look down on him, but he clearly did that on her. He wasn't evil, he was just a selfish, arrogant and what not cat. Anger boiled up as she wanted to beat the crap out of him. But how? She wasn't stupid enough to think she could be a match now for him, but then an idea came in her head. ''I'll give you 10 seconds to talk back or else I'll force you later to spit it out, hear me?'' She told him, on a very calm tone. Hiding her idea away, she was sure that he wouldn't like that. Oh, if he was so damn sure of his wisdom about life, then he would talk now with her instead of being silent.

"You walk into my domain, and threaten me. Do you know what happens if I would kill you in this 'world'? Me neither. I don't know if you'd die for real or not. Perhaps you'd meet your alternate identity. But there is no chance..." He said, pausing dramatically as his voice echoed through his halls. ... no chance..." Another pause. "That you will beat me." The voice said deceptively soft as the giant feline appeared to be looming behind her. With a terrifying roar it swiped its claw at Lilia.

Hearing the cat, Lilia looked up. As she jumped up, she brought up her hands to defend herself from the surprise attack. A pair of hands grabbed her waist as she was brought down. Yelping out of surprise, she saw the claw soaring over her, just missing her by an inch. The two pair of hands grabbed her and pulled her up. ''Really? You're that stupid? Ugh, I thought you would've become smarter than this!'' A familiar voice said. Looking surprised, Other Lilia stood in front of Lilia, glaring at Matatabi. Blinking a few times with her eyes, Lilia wasn't sure what she should say. She had been sure that Other Lilia had been killed off. How was it possible she was still here? Other Lilia glared at Lilia for one second. ''Fight or flee, your choice. And think before you're going to answer.'' Looking back at the beast, the Other Lilia took a fighting stance. ''Hope you improved your speed as well.''

Lilia shook her head as she wasn't sure what to do. Now she was in a place with two creatures and or beings she totally didn't trust. But did she had another choice. With a quick nod, the two started to run to each side. Biting on her lower lip, Lilia tried to think it through. Matatabi wouldn't be able to kill her or else he would kill himself. So that meant that she shouldn't worry about it. Or what if she was wrong about it? Fucking hell, stop thinking that much! Just do what you need to do to bring him down. It's that fucking easy!''

Hearing the voice of Other Lilia, Lilia focused on creating a bigger version of the Running beast as she kept running. Sending the hound towards one of the hind legs, she wanted to do something.

"Fools!" The beast thundered before jumping over the attack, sending both of his tails towards the girls to squash them as he charged a tailed beast bomb. This was it. If she wanted a fight, he'd give her one. If he'd kill her here, what could go wrong? That other Lilia was still alive, right? This was her mind, her spirit. Such a thing couldn't be killed, just subdued. Once the bomb was ready he'd fire it at one of the two Lilia's, and charge at the other, using the darkness all around them and the explosion to surprise her.

This was it? Lilia got afraid as she noticed the big tail as the feeling of a huge amount of chakra gathering. One didn't need to be a sensor to noticed the chakra. Closing her eyes, she tried to outrun the tail. The faces of many friends and relatives flashed in front of her mind as she ran for her life, or at least like her life was depending on it. The other Lilia sighed as she weaved several handseals. A shadow clone appeared and both vanished in a dash. Though they had evaded the tail, the original one rushed towards Lilia to save her again as the shadow clone skidded to a halt. The shadow clone weaved several handseals as it then blew out fire, to protect the real Lilia and the Other Lilia from the explosion. However, the gust blow the clone away as it poofed away.

The real Lilia simply rolled up as the arms of the other Lilia became longer. Squeezing her eyes tight, she noticed something different. Looking up, she noticed that Other Lilia looked different. Her eyes widened as she saw a different person. ''Who are you?'' The female laughed as she glanced at the Nibi. ''Just somebody that has been with you all this time. Watching you growing up.. From within here.'' The woman pointed at Lilia's chest before setting down. The long white hair was still moving from the gust that lowered down. ''Seems that I've the chance to test you out one more time. Are you ready, Lilia-chan?'' Lilia looked up, still confused before she looked at Matatabi. This was just too much, what was happening? Rushing a bit forward, she shook her head.

''Stop...What is going on? Who are you and stop it Matatabi! I.... I'm lost.'' She told, not sure what to do now.

He was genuinely surprised. This other Lilia wasn't Lilia at all. No way she controlled fire release; and well enough to stop a tailed beast bomb in sheer destructive power. "Who are you..." The beast said while retreating into the darkness, prowling around them, charging another tailed beast bomb while she would likely answer him.

Closing her eyes, the woman smiled. ''Just a somebody. They called me Lightning Flash.'' She kept listening to the sounds, using her mastery over Silent Killing. Lilia's eyes widened as she also dropped her mouth open. This was her mother?! How? Why? Then she realized something : SHE HAD KILLED HER MOTHER ONCE?! Turning pale, she was more worried about what to do now. The thought that Matatabi was trying to take them down here, was forgotten as she wasn't even sure what to say anymore. Maybe saying sorry? Lilia doubted that would help. Cutting somebody's head off with lightning wasn't really to be forgiven with a simple : sorry mummy.

''Focus. You've trained and got this far. Not really the time to fret over an angry cat.'' Ilia mumbled to Lilia. Hearing her mother’s voice, Lilia nodded, but was scared. Her mother had been a rather skilled nin, but she was nowhere at her level. ''W-W-What should... I'm scared...'' She confessed. Stay calm... You can't die here, but this is your chance to prove yourself. Remember what you dream and goals are, okay? I also believe in you. Just like all the others do.''

Lilia heard the voice as she then swallowed her fear and readied herself. Though she wasn't even a beginner at Silent Killing, she trusted her mother well enough.

He fired the giant ball of chakra, this time significantly larger than the previous one, at the two of them, before charging in in an attempt to crush or kill both while using his sense of smell to find them during or right after the explosion.

Okay, I need to focus on defense. I can only perform one role. Stay close for now. Lilia heard the voice as her mother started to form several handseals, holding the last one. Rushing towards her, she heard something rushing towards them. Suddenly the tailed beast ball hit a sphere. It shook the ground around Lilia as she fell on her butt and looked at the dark chakra wrapping around the twisting sphere. Ilia remained calm and frowned as she glanced at her daughter. ''Zakito-san never showed you this? Figured as much. Once I release the sphere, you need to run, seeing I need to direct the chakra back at him.'' She told Lilia, who nodded. The whole world seemed to turn dark as the chakra of the tailed beast bomb was absorbed slowly by the Hidden Technique Ilia performed. Suddenly she changed the handseals and took a deep breath. Blowing out a huge flame in the direction of Matatabi, she used the absorbed chakra to strengthen the flame to his own level.

Lilia managed to jump and get out of harm's way, but was shocked. Though she was sure she would be killed, whether it wasn't really being killed or not, she wasn't sure if her lightning would be that destructive as the flame her mother was using. Getting up she noticed Matatabi, as the flame directed where he was. Gathering lightning around her right hand, she rushed towards him, trying to be cautious.

The giant fireball hit him straight on his chest, which sent him flying through his own dimension. He let out a pained roar as he landed outside of view. What was that technique? It absorbed his attack?! That meant he had to be careful. He charged another tailed beast ball and charged in, this time trying to use his tails, paws, claws and teeth to kill any of them, and release his giant bomb from so close they had no chance to dodge or prepare a similar defense.

Hearing Matatabi in pain made Lilia waver. She was still going on with a fast speed towards him, but when she noticed the tailed beast bomb, she noticed how big it was. Slowly stopping, she looked up. Then she narrowed her eyes. ''Bring it-'' She was suddenly grabbed around her waist as a blinding flash rushed forwards. ''Focus your lightning. And don't look back!'' Ilia said to Lilia as she threw Lilia in the air. While Lilia was thrown, Ilia looked at the tailed beast bomb. With Lilia in the air, Ilia was weaving handseals again for another fire jutsu. However, this would be aimed at the front legs of the cat, as the next fire jutsu would likely even burn the tailed beast. Not severely, but enough to make movement rather not that fast. ''Fire Release : Great Destructive Fire!'' Blowing the raging inferno towards the legs, she confronted Matatabi with. He could try to ignore it, but that would mean he would suffer from her attack, not to mention that Lilia wasn't the real danger for him.

Soaring through the air, she noticed Matatabi at her right, but was still scared. Feeling puny now, not when he had said she was puny, she still tried to focus on her technique. Lightning crackled through the air as she threw a Sparkle Ball towards the eye of Matatabi. Of course, her technique wasn't dangerous to him at all, but maybe she could try to help her mother out? If that was her mother, seeing Lilia wasn't even sure about that anymore.

He noticed the giant wave of fire being prepared and quickly jumped over the fire the next time he touched the ground between his charging leaps, firing his tailed beast bomb at the source of the destructive technique. He'd continue his jump and land softly on all fours behind the lady, feeling a stinging pain in his right side where the lightning tech had struck him.

Lilia's eyes grow as she tried to somehow stop, before she was actually taken with Matatabi. The creature was gigantic and the little girl had been soaring near it. As she screamed out of fear, she tried to surround herself with lightning, trying to save herself from the blue fires. She wasn't eager to test out if they were true flames or not. Hoping that she could find a solution to get off his back soon, seeing that she was draining her own chakra, Lilia wasn't sure what to do.

Turning her head over her left shoulder, the woman noticed that Matatabi was focusing himself to take her out first. As he fired his bomb mid-air, she had no other choice but using the Lunar Technique again. As the sphere formed, Ilia knew that she had to do something risky. In the short end she could keep absorbing the bombs, but at the long shot, the Nibi would overwhelm her with the Bijuu chakra. After all, she wasn't a host and though she tried to lose the absorbed chakra as soon as she could, it wasn't going fast enough. Already, she had a light stinging feeling at some spots of her body. Likely the effect of the foreign chakra that she hadn't lost yet. Weaving another set of handseals, she smiled a little. Looking up as the sphere made work of the chakra bomb, lightning flashed and crackled in the air. Making use of every chakra, she formed a big wolf. Lilia... I'm sorry... Just try to stay calm and brave okay? I'm proud of you. And don't forget.'' The roar of the lethal lightning technique sounded through the air. Even though it was bigger than normal, it wasn't that big as the Nibi. Likely by a head smaller. Rushing forward, she directed the wolf to lunge at the cat.

That I love you.

Hearing the words of her mother in her mind, Lilia heard the loud sound of the technique she knew, It was one of the other Hidden, one that Hiron, Hiroshi and Zakito had once used when she had been near. Screaming as she tried to stay on top of the back of the cat, knowing that falling down this height was bad, she didn't want her mother to do what she thought her mother would do. No! Don't do this! We can get away from him and then talk! I've so many questions... Please! Desperate, she tried to send something back with her mind, but to no avail.

He noticed the barrier suck up his bomb again, and this time transform it onto a wolf of lightning. Touching it would be unwise. Even though his fur was made of blue fire, extremely hot, it didn't protect him from lightning at all. Of course, he'd survive, but he'd feel that for quite a while. Instead, he charged another tailed beast bomb and jumped aside to dodge the leaping beast, firing the ball towards the position where the wolf would land, immediately charging another bomb while he charged the lone woman now. He had noticed Lilia had landed on his back, but his fiery fur was kept at bay by her own electric aura for now. He wondered how long she'd keep that up. Most likely she'd be thrown off now he had dodged, but who knew? If she wouldn’t then the explosion of his bomb would likely hit her too, if she had bad luck. Not that he cared anymore.

Seemed that he had evaded her attack, which made Ilia to fall back into defense. The lightning made wolf moved in to protect Ilia as she grunted. It focused into a wall as it tried to block the incoming attack. Being pushed back by the sheer force of the technique, Ilia felt the sweat at her forehead and back. Using everything she had, she managed to bend some lightning around the tailed beast bomb. ''You forgot something! Here!'' She shouted back, wanting to keep his attention at her. The lightning formed and then threw the chakra bomb back. Breathing heavily, Ilia coughed and held her right hand at her mouth. Not looking at her hand, knowing she had spit out some blood, she wouldn't cancel the technique. Again she rushed towards Matatabi, but this time the two claws of the wolf shot forwards, making it harder for the nimble beast to dodge the move.

Lilia tried to move, but was going slowly. Feeling tired, she then was blown off her feet. As Matatabi dodged the attack of her mother, Lilia started to fall down. Cancelling out her lightning she formed a shadow clone. Knowing her chakra level was rather low, she used the transformation jutsu to wait for the right moment as she turned into a shuriken. As the clone crashed almost to the ground, it threw the real Lilia- who was still a shuriken, because of the jutsu. Being thrown away, Lilia transformed back and rolled over the ground. Stopping as she laid on her stomach, she was trying to regain some breath, but had trouble with it. Only able to keep her left eye open, she watched the unfolding scene in front of her.

That electrical wolf thing was fast. Sensations of his fur standing up straight as it charged and warped towards him because of the electricity made him feel uneasy. Especially since it was able to reflect his own bombs! He jumped backwards over the bomb and fired a second, larger one at the giant wolf, just in time. He decided to take the gamble and slashed and bit at the other creature as his bomb came into contact with the charging beast bomb he just fired.

The bomb did managed to weaken the technique, as Ilia felt how some of the lightning around her was casted back in a way that she suffered some cuts. A deep one even at her left shoulder. Blood gushed out as she tried to keep her ground after the bomb’s impact.
Smiling as the Nibi decided to come in close, Ilia planted her feet firmly at the ground. Focusing on closing the trap, the wolf transformed into a net of lightning trap. The lightning would start to ran over the beast as it tried to make contact with the being of lightning. Ilia fell on her right knee, coughing again, but didn't lose focus. Her time was running up. Even while the Thunder Wolf Technique was powered up by the Bijuu chakra, it didn't mean that it took away the pressure on her body. Looking up, she would topple the beast and keep him down, shielding herself with him from the gust of the explosion. Breathing irregulary, she would only be able to keep Matatabi shocked and in place for a very brief moment. Now is your chance!

Lilia had placed her hands over head, as she had seen that the two chakra bombs were clashing against each other. Though the fact she had also been shielded, she wasn't directly behind Matatabi and was thus thrown away by the gust. Rolling backwards to a halt, she managed to get up again. Seeing that the Two Tailed beast was constricted and her mother saying this was her chance, she instantly ran towards Matatabi, focusing the last of her lightning chakra into a Sparkle Technique. As she ran, she remembered the words of Matatabi.

"You talk of pain, yet you never died, nor had someone's death by yours, you talk of isolation, yet you have never 'lived' for years without a body, you talk of fear, yet you have never lost a part of your identity as it died with you."

As she kept rushing, she thought of the words. Slowing down she realized something about them. Looking more worried than scared, she still held the dangerous technique as she kept running. He might have judged me, but who am I to judge him? Did he also asked for this? No he didn't. Who am I to say that he is the one that should listen to me? She thought to herself.

"I fully understand all of your feelings, and naturally I can relate to them. We are in a way, the same being right now.

Slowing down as she would approach the head of the beast, Lilia felt ashamed. The lightning technique of hers faded away as she shook her head. ''This is wrong... I...'' She pauzed as she couldn't look up to the face of Matatabi. She could try to use her Sparkle to domanite him or at least hurt him. Hurt him for not understanding. Or was it that she thought he didn't react like she wanted? Wasn't it not true? He had helped her, but how many times had she lend him a hand? Not to forgotten how many times he had been polite, but she had brushed him off. She thought she understood him now. ''I don't want to hurt you like this...''

The lightning of Ilia's Thunder Wolf Technique vanished as the time for the technique had taken its toll. Ilia slowly vanished as she kept smiling. Knew you had a good heart. You made me proud, even when making this choice. Goodbye Lilia...chan..''

Without her mother, Lilia started to sob again as she was now at his mercy. However she looked up to him, not showing fear or anger. No, she showed empathy . ''I-I... I want to say sorry for everything I've caused you. You're were right. Maybe you do understand me, while I don't understand myself and please.. Let me finish. I won't take long.'' She told him, hoping he would give this chance to say what she wanted to say.

The lightning trap was painful enough to keep him in place, but as soon as it dispersed, he let rolled onto his feet again with a frightening glare aimed at Ilia, who seemed to be collapsing. Good. That'd teach her for trying to subdue a tailed beast on her own. He turned around and found Lilia on her knees, sobbing. He calmed a bit now the fight was over, as Lilia never was a real threat to him anyways. With an audible tone of anger in his voice, he spoke to the girl. "You don't want to hurt me like this, yet you and whoever she was invade the only personal space I have, the only freedom I still have, and strike me with fire and lightning because I 'looked the wrong way'." He told her, sneering at her pathetic excuses. What she said next however made him change his mind on what he was about to do. "Very well. Convince me, Lilia-sama, that I should not kill you at this very moment and take over your body and make you experience true isolation." He said, audibly holding back his anger. All his hairs, the blue flaming tongues, were stuck upright, or raised to a higher pit, burning with an intensity that radiated heat easily reaching beyond Lilia's position, lighting up the area in a eerie blue aura.

Holding the calm tone as she also did noticed the angry undertone, she got a bit worked up again. Again he just kept on looking down at her. Still, she understood him a bit better now. Whipping away the last tears, she rose up again, though feeling tired. ''You said we're the same, but yet you keep looking down at me. How do you expect me then to act? I don't either want to see you unhappy or such. After all, you do know me very well. Or at least can prove that.'' She told him calmly, not showing any fear for his display. The words of her mother that told he couldn't kill her in this state made some sense. The seal wasn't damaged or opened and Lilia was smart enough to figure out that their struggle wouldn't benefit both of them if either would ''win''. Besides, she understood that if she had taken the chance to hurt him good or dominate him, that it wouldn't have made any difference. ''I came here cause I wanted to know you better, but even while I've learnt more about you, you just keep looking down at me. You, the one that says that he knows me well enough. If you do, then you know that I will probably just work my way to get those people down.'' This time her confidence grew as she looked with a stern look back.

''I may have not knowledge how you truly feel as the roles aren't reversed, but I want to see what I can do for you. Not the other way. I hate to make enemies and ever since I know what I want to do, I want to start with you... Mata-sama.'' She bite her lower lip as she had learnt from Hiron to keep her head up, her pride, Lilia slowly made a little bow. ''My ''invasion'' wasn't just, even though I can make up my reasons for it. But I want to add that it was also never my wish to have you isolated in me.'' Again she looked with a calm look at him. The heat was scary, but she was holding it off with her bit of lightning chakra she had left.

Such a little trick was easy for her after the months of hard work and training. ''You let me experience a bit of what it meant to only have your mind. Your memories, but whenever I try to reason with you, you keep looking down at me. How do you think that this will work out? Do you want us to fight like this for the next years? Or should I ignore you? Is that what you want? To be isolated again, but this time with a body?'' She asked him, though angry, but still holding the calm tone.

She was close to collapsing as she was tired, confused and disappointed. ''I understand if you don't want to be friends, but if you want to be here all by yourself, keep in mind that I offered you my help. I already expressed my wish to lend you more freedom, but if you want to keep looking down at me. Then so be it.'' Finishing she became quiet again, clearly confident in her choice. Besides, she had a plan if he would reject her offer. And she meant it that it was only this time. The next time she wouldn't offer her friendship or any form of cooperation. If he had paid any attention to what she had been doing, then he would realize she had been preparing for two goals. One more obvious that had nothing to do with him, but one other that she had kept hidden away and had to do with him. After all, she was going to reach her goals and whatever Matatabi would choose would decide his role in the future.

He was touched by her speech, against his own will. The fiery fur that had been spiky and tall died down, significantly as his voice lost the anger it had been coated with. As far as he had a visible facial expression, it showed a sort of compassion and understanding. Damn her, for hitting him in this way. But he couldn't just leave her out there like this. That would be infeline. "I look down on you because I wish to defend myself from harm. It is out of self-protection that I keep away bonding with you humans, mortal beings. Because as time passes, you die and I am left alone." He said surprisingly soft. "However, it seems a cruel and ironic fate has befallen me, that I keep on liking your sort when I should be hating it." He added, sitting down and gazing upwards, towards the invisible ceiling of his prison. "Now go. I have had enough of this conversation." He said on the same soft tone, while feeling wrecked inside. The memories he and a particular someone now dwelling the skies were too vivid for now. Memories he had grown fond of, but only brought him sadness.

Listening to his reply, Lilia sat down as she thought about it. ''No... I think we need to talk this a bit out. I mean, I can try to get what you mean, but since you're being fair, I want to be fair to.'' She told him. Looking up, she felt a bit of pain in her neck. ''I know how it's to lose somebody. I lost many friends and... Just my... I'm sorry for your loss. Really am.'' She told him, thinking what she should say more. ''Do you wish to hear why I trained this hard? What I want to gain?'' She asked him on a soft tone, like if she didn't even want him to hear the question.

"Girl. Leave me be." The big cat said, turning around as its fur rose again. "I don't want to talk about it, but don't let my previous words intimidate you too much." He said, walking away. He saw, no heard the laugh of the two men as he walked off, amused by his emotions. Ofcourse, both were long dead, but he still thought of them as his best friends. The days they died were still embedded into his memory as if it had only happened yesterday. Fresh pain ran through his veins as he prowled into the darkness he wished to envelop his feelings into.

Lowering her head as she slowly got up, she turned around. Slowly walking away, she thought about what had happened. Not sure if she was heading the good direction, she looked one time over her shoulder. Seeing amidst of the darkness Matatabi, as a blue flame of hope, she smiled at him. ''Hey... Mata-sama. I've a new goal.'' Turning around, she slowly raised her right hand to place it on her heart as she told him it. ''I'll try to find a way that you won't be alone or in this pit of darkness. You've my word on it.'' With that shouted at him, she turned around again as she walked through the darkness. Feeling exhausted, but yet proud of her choices, Lilia thought of what she had experienced. It was still confusing and not really had went like she had planned. But in the end, she had truly learnt something. As she kept walking, she noticed a faint light and smiled. Going to keep that promise... You just watch it, you stubborn cat. She thought as she kept on walking, towards the light.

[Little Alice]

A mission of Lilia Hon.
A hunt for a bone.
Time : 4 months in the timeskip.

SPOILER: Click to show

Lilia was jumping branch to branch. Her face mask was pulled up, but a smirk was behind it. As she kept jumping from branch to branch, she was preparing herself. Being already on the hunt for two days, she was sure she had him pinned down now. There was no escape from her. No escape from the coming battle.

No hope to evade her this time.

With the use of Samehada she could track down his chakra. After all, she had requested a mission like this herself. To proof she had full control over her powers and the Nibi.

As she jumped to another branch, Lilia's eyes were closed. The last time they talked, they had laid the first step for a bond. A cooperation for themselves. It was because of this that she was able to control the first stage better. The initial stage. Though, she was training and trying to get more training. More experience. After all, just sitting around after having her answers wouldn't solve anything. No, she wanted to keep on growing. So that she could be on the same level as the legends. The infamous ones. Those who had become Hokage before her. With a stronger jump, she noticed a man running. Narrowing her eyes, she kept her gaze locked on him. Samehada started to chuckle, or at least Lilia knew it chuckled. Which confirmed :

This was the target they were following!

Without calling out for him to stop or anything else, she continued to follow him at the same speed. For now, the woods around them was something that she could use to keep following him, but not yet battling him. Suddenly her eyes widened as she noticed a few white dots moving towards her at high speed. Spotted? She thought. With pulling out a kunai, with wire attached to it, she threw it towards her left. The kunai wrapped itself around a tree and she managed to change the path of where she was soaring too. With an inch she dodged the white bullets. Landing on a branch, she noticed he looked at her with a frown.

''They have send a child after me? Go home before I've to kill you.'' The man told her. His eyes were looking with a dark look, as Lilia felt some killing intent. Scoffing, she stood up from her crouched stance. Her right hand was laid on her hip as she looked down at him. With a very serious tone she talked to him. ''I'll go home. With your head in a bag. Kanimori Kayuga, by the order of the Yondaime Hokage, I'll defeat you and end your life.''

It became quiet until the man started to laugh. ''Hahahahah! You know who you're talking to? The Bone Dancer! The one that is able to fight more dangerous foes than you even can dream off. I-'' He stopped as his eyes widened. Heh?! What is this feeling?....Killing... Intent? But...She is just a little girl?!''

With her arms crossed, Lilia looked with a calm look down on him. ''I pity you.'' She told him as her killing intent kept growing. Slowly her bright green eyes became darker before she closed them. ''Looks can deceive and in my case... You've made a grim mistake. Kayuga... '' Opening her dark green eyes, her right hand slowly went to the hilt of Samehada.

You're death... is named... Lilia Hon.''

The man quickly jumped backwards, making backflips as he evaded the attack. A large amount of dust and rubble was blown up into the air as Lilia had smashed Samehada with great force into the earth. As the man tried to make space, she rushed out of it, ready to swing the deadly bandaged sword again. ''Feel fear.'' The man flicked his wrist as he made a bone sword. As he raised the bone weapon, he was surprised as he tried to block the incoming attack. With great force, he was smashed backwards, sending rolling over the ground.

With a smack, he smashed against a tree. The big tree wiggled a little bit by the force. Lilia scoffed as she laid her weapon to rest on her right shoulder. ''Where are you now with your big words, eh?'' She told him. The man got slowly up and shook his head violently. Then he sneered at her. ''Don't mess with me!'' He told her as he then performed a jutsu of his own. ''I shall show you the might of my clan! Fear the fierce Kaguya clan!''

While the man was performing his jutsu, preparing his bones, Lilia grinned behind her mask as she readied herself. ''Let's see how well you can dance. Come on, entertain me.'' She called to him. The man started to whirl around, bones erupted from his skin and thus creating a deadly whirlwind. Wondering if they were sharp, Lilia took a defensive stance as the man leaped up. The deadly of whirling bones was close to her, before she jumped to the right. One of the sharp bones grazed her left forearm. Looking surprised at it, Lilia managed to evade the attack. But as soon as the man landed, he pursued her. Shielding herself with holding Samehada between them, she was being pushed back. ''Where are you now with your killing intent, eh? Where are you now with your tough words, EH?''

Bandages flew around as the bones managed to cut them, but the scales were more than a match for the sharp bones. They easily deflected from Samehada and Lilia started to laugh. While keeping the blade between them, Samehada was leeching the man's chakra. The man leaped backwards, as he looked wary at the blade. Most of the bandage was torn of it and it shivered. ''Seems like your chakra isn't that great. Huh, guess that you're not as dangerous as you claim to be.'' She told him with a mocking voice.

This angered her foe, which made several handseals. ''Let's how you will handle this!'' He placed his hands at the ground as bones started to erupt out of the ground. Some were larger than other bones, but they kept growing at a rapid rate. Some trees fell and were destroyed in the process as the man kept up his jutsu. Lilia looked with a surprised look and then laughed. ''Now we're serious! Let's do this!'' She laughed at the man as she swinged her blade, smashing bone after bone. The shark blade was able to rip through each one of them. The leeching effect made the structure of the bones weak, thus meaning the weapon was more than enough capable to smash through it. Lilia narrowed her eyes. She twirled and managed to smash a bone that tried to pierce from the back. Slowly, there a forest of bones was growing! ''I had given you a chance, but you wasted it. It's a shame.'' The man said as he grinned.
''This is...

The... Dance of the Seedling! Fear it well, little girl!''

Lilia slowly vanished in the white forest. The sounds of her struggle faded away as she kept smashing the bones. As the man got up, he sighed. ''Foolish child. Should know to recognize your betters.'' ''I shall and hope you do that too in the afterlife!''

Blood spilled over the ground as the man screamed out of surprise and pain.

The blade sliced him in half. It easily made its way through the body of the man as it was imbued with lightning. With not even blinking, she managed to make it a clean cut. Then as she closed her eyes, the man grunted and with diagonal cut, he fell apart. Sighing, Lilia twirled her sword around before she turned back to look at the forest. A eruption of fierce lightning smashed the bones away. Samehada slithered towards Lilia with a satisfied grunt. ''H-H-How...'' The man looked up to Lilia, but he was slowly dying. His eyes were filled with fear and pain.

''It's simple. I used the tactic of my uncle. Zakito Hon. While you assumed I charged directly at you, when I attacked you first, it was a lightning shadow clone.'' She told him calm as her sword went into the mouth of Samehada. The blade then was picked up as Lilia attached it's unique sheath, holding it to the back of her. ''You see, only a fool would rush without a plan. I used Samehada to make sure the clone would be able to last even longer than normal, as it would get chakra to keep itself alive. You're were outmatched this whole time. By a little girl who used the combination of a shadow clone and the transformation jutsu.'' She pulled out a kunai, lightning crackling in the air as she gathered it around the weapon. ''Now...

Sleep.''

[Little Alice]

Returning from a mission.
Miss Lilia and Mister Sakamoto, with a special guest.

A collab of Mr Nim and Lass Alice.

Summary :
Lilia and Sakamoto return from a mission, one that Lilia wasn't really pleased about. They talk and Lilia hints to something she is going to start. However, some known face to both appear before them.

SPOILER: Click to show

As they jumped from tree branch to tree branch, Lilia glanced to Sakamoto. Frowning, as she spoke to him. ''Hey, Mister Sakamoto. Why were we needed to protect a member of the Daimyo's family?'' She asked him, wondering what he thought of the short mission. It was nothing, but dull. They had to endure the whinning of the arrogant brat. Though Sakamoto had refrained Lilia several times to whack the boy's head, it was still a succes. For such a boring mission.As they jumped from tree branch to tree branch, Lilia glanced to Sakamoto. Frowning, as she spoke to him. ''Hey, Mister Sakamoto. Why were we needed to protect a member of the Daimyo's family?'' She asked him, wondering what he thought of the short mission. It was nothing, but dull. They had to endure the whinning of the arrogant brat. Though Sakamoto had refrained Lilia several times to whack the boy's head, it was still a succes. For such a boring mission.


"The Daimyo's boy needed protection because of something related to national threat. I wasn't listening too carefully when the Daimyo explained why we were needed there, and I see you weren't as well. But, as long as the mission was done, and the boy was left unharmed" Sakamoto gave Lilia an annoyed look "Then our job is done. We should be back in Konoha within an hour or so." He said. Lilia had quite the speed, while not at his and Zakito's level, she did manage to show potential in that area as well.

Scoffing, Lilia spoke back. ''Don't they have a special division for that? I mean, it's just-'' Lilia heard Samehada's warning grunting. Grabbing the hilt of the blade, she warned Sakamoto. ''Seems Shady has caught the smell of a strong source of chakra near us. Though..'' She slowed down as she narrowed her eyes. ''It tastes familiar... Right?'' The bandaged blade shivered as Lilia had asked the question.

Hearing Lilia talking to Samehada seemed a bit odd in his eyes, but when they talked about a familiar source of strong chakra, Sakamoto just figured it was someone from Konoha who was also sent on a mission, or perhaps someone from another village she knew. He was well informed on Lilia's relationship with Kumo's Midori Sato, the eight tails Jinchuuriki, and thought it was great they were getting along "What is it, Lilia-chan?" He asked, wondering who was coming their way and if he knew the person.

The bandaged blade started to grunt, first softly but gained in volume. Lilia frowned as she shook her head. ''Cold blooded woman? Seems that Shady is confused.'' She frowned as she then shrugged and looked to Sakamoto. Then the blade seemed to sigh, before grunting again. Lilia giggled as she then shook her head again. ''No no, Ino-san wouldn't just watch us. Unless... Mister Sakamoto, do you know a kunoichi with the name Ino?'' Lilia asked him, tilting her head to the left as she asked him the question.

Thinking about Lilia's question, Sakamoto closed his eyes and begin thinking back. He thought about all the people he ever met, the many files about people who were presently in Konoha he has seen during his tasks with Meisa in the past, and the people wanted in Konoha, and then it struck him. Opening his eyes, he stopped Lilia on a branch and looked around carefully "Ino Namikaze. She is 27 years old, wanted by Konoha for murdering her own father. She is an expert in Wind style jutsus, and according to the most recent additions, she was also seen with a white panther, and has gained a special new ability which not all people gain. Of course, That last part is I slightly doubt if true, but If that is the person you talk of, then we must be careful. Last time Zakito met her, she was just 12, but had mastered killing intent. Much like you." He said and kept looking around, trying to figure out where the woman could be hiding, if she was really around.

Lilia listened to it and then grinned. ''That sounds like Ino-san. Though she isn't that bad. Ino-san? You there? Mind to come out of hiding? You're working up Shady here.'' She called out. With a calm voice she had called the deadly missing nin that could be around. Cause it wouldn't be that Samehada would be wrong with his sensing skill. ''Hey, calm it down, I already called her out.'' Lilia mumbled to the bandaged sword. Though she trusted Ino, Lilia was listening to their surroundings.

"It's been a while, Lilia. Seems like your friend knows a lot about me, so I assume he is either a Konoha jounin or ANBU." Ino's voice was heard from above the two, and upon looking up she would appear to be standing on a higher up branch on the same tree, with Gimiroti next to her. Sakamoto looked at Ino, and not understanding how Lilia knew Ino and why did she act so naive "Lilia-chan, you understand this woman is a missing-nin from Konoha?" He asked, wondering if the young girl was just playing him for a fool while also keeping himself ready to fight as soon as the woman moved.

Seeing Ino made Lilia smile. She didn't had her face mask pulled up, meaning that Ino could see the smile. However, she heard Sakamoto and he wasn't clearly happy to see Ino. ''I know and he is an ANBU, Ino-san. Heh, Mister Sakamoto, this is Ino-san. Ino-san, this is Mister Sakamoto. How have you been?'' She asked Ino, like if she wasn't a missing nin at all. Though she had seen Sakamoto taking a fighting stance, she wondered more how Ino had been.

Seeing Sakamoto take a fighting stance, Ino did not move an inch, nor did she return a smile to Lilia "I'm fine, Lilia, but right now, seeing as you are with an ANBU from Konoha, I'd go ahead and say I should get away. Until we meet again." She said and turned around, jumping to the side just in time to feel a sharp wind wave coming from next to her. Sakamoto held a couple of kunai with a small scroll tied in between them, allowing him to compress wind chakra and send it in the form of waves. He then jumped up and did so again, only to Ino summon a shadow clone and allow her to dodge the wind wave "You are not going anywhere, missing-nin." He told Ino, making her look at him and the spot Gimiroti stood on. The panther had vanished, indicating he was getting ready. She then stood on a trunk of a different tree and threw three kunai toward Sakamoto before forming the snake seal, which made the kunai go directly at Sakamoto and follow him constantly. He begin jumping between the trees while also starting to form a long series of seals.

A bit disappointed by the reaction of Lilia, the Hon sighed. Before she could react, she noticed Sakamoto attacking Ino. Though she was almost following in attacking Ino, she realized that she couldn't pick sides. Landing on a nearby tree branch, Samehada grunted. ''I can't just pick one. That would be unfair. Besides, both of them have helped me during several times. Hmm.'' She watched the two as she then had an idea. Forming several handseals, she started to concentrate her chakra. Lightning was gathering around her right hand, but she was simply waiting for the right time and till she had the right amount of lightning.

Ino kept making the kunai follow Sakamoto, forcing him to be on constant move, when Sakamoto finished forming his jutsu and shot from his mouth a small ball of compressed wind which went toward Ino. Seeing it coming right in front of her, she quickly jumped up and onto a different tree before the ball suddenly grew in size, swallowing the tree entirely without leaving anything behind. Ino then decided to take out another kunai and formed a wind chakra from it, when she suddenly felt she was connected to the nature around her. Her eyes became cat like, and Gimiroti appeared under all of them, constantly running and having the same eyes and Ino. He managed to make them enter Sage mode, and now the chakra blade Ino made became near invisible. Sakamoto formed an invisible wind chakra blade from his fingers and the two began clashing mid air with it. He appeared to be holding his mouth shut with while also lifting his other arm and beginning to gather chakra onto it. Both of them appeared to be ignoring what Lilia was doing.

There was her chance! Lilia took off as Samehada grunted. Though her speed wasn't that great as usual, she was using her Secret Sword : Moon Shadow Technique to improve it. Narrowing her eyes, she grinned. Approaching the two, Lilia raised her killing intent to almost the maxium. The lightning started to grow as she poured more chakra into her Sparkle Technique. The fact that both were high skilled wind users was one bad thing, but Lilia was more then confident enough to meddle in. Hoping that she could drive both away from each other by passing with the lightning, she hoped that Samehada could keep the wind release jutsu away from her.

Seeing Lilia was suddenly in her way, Ino created a shadow clone to be able to jump above the girl, while Sakamoto simply shot the wind attack he was preparing in his mouth to the ground, allowing him to gain more height and clash with Ino above the young girl. He then created a shadow clone that approached Lilia with his own lighting arm technique, aiming to clash with her Sparkle technique and render it useless. Ino then used the opening to kick Sakamoto against a tree before moving right next to him and throwing him upwards. Using a shadow clone to jump even higher, she then begin gathering wind chakra around her arms, which soon turned into a couple of panther heads, ready to bite at whatever they struck. She also felt Lilia's killing intent, which made Ino use her own Killing Intent to make Sakamoto understand she will not come with him as she begin approaching down toward him.

Samehada seemed to chuckle as it started to leech the chakra out of the clone. Slamming the sparkle into the clone, as Lilia began to feel pissed. Landing on a branch, she made a ''Tsh'' sound. Clearly not amused that the two kept going, Lilia was going to make a choice. Forming two shadow clones, Lilia then sat down on her but. The two shadow clones would fight in her place and hopefully calm the situation down. The shadow clone that was going to target Sakamoto, was traveling over the tree branches. Throwing several shuriken, with wire attached to them, she was hoping to ensnare Sakamoto. The shadow clone that was aiming for Ino, was however throwing four kunai, while heading towards the woman.

The real Lilia scoffed as she crossed her arms. ''Adults...Tsh.'' She mumbled, gaining a grunting response of Samehada. Looking a bit annoyed in his direction, she spoke to her sentient weapon. ''You're not... Oh, shut up. That wasn't even funny.'' She mumbled.

Sakamoto saw the approaching shurikens with the wires, and managed to tear the wire using one his own kunai, but as he turned to face Ino mid air, the woman had sent her two air fists punches at him, bringing him with strong force to the ground, making it break and shatter. Seeing the kunai Lilia's clone sent and how she was approaching her, Ino created two shadow clones mid air, one to get hit by the kunai and the second to begin sending Air bullets toward Lilia. The real Ino sped up toward the ground, aiming to knock out Sakamoto, but was soon surprised to see the latter jumping up, lighting covering his right arm, and she just barely managed to move to a position that allowed her to kick Sakamoto's arm down, forcing him to fall back down while she just barely managed to land on a branch. Sakamoto then shot an air twister toward Ino, and the latter begin moving backwards, and as Sakamoto thought he managed to make Ino be distracted, he was met with a furious panther who began sending air claws toward him and was constantly moving

The shadow clone of Lilia that was after Sakamoto cursed. With him on the ground, the clone started to look how the other clone was doing. The other shadow clone was dodging the air bullets. Without Samehada, the clones were able to move with high speed. Though the air bullets prevented the shadow clone from striking back. With Sakamoto still not back into the fight, the shadow clone that was first after him, targeted the shadow clone of Ino. Throwing two kunai with explosive tags, the shadow clone noticed Sakamoto was back into the fight again. Soon the real Lilia was looking back into the fight.

Making several handseals, the shadow clones of her were charging towards both Sakamoto and Ino again. Lightning Release : Blinding Flash Pillar Technique. With forming the last handseal, the clones were trying to blind them, including the panther.

Seeing Lilia's clone using the Blinding Pillar technique, Sakamoto quickly ran behind one of the tree, allowing him to get cover from the blinding flash. Gimiroti, in the meanwhile, simply kept running in the opposite direction from the flash, not even looking back after he saw Sakamoto run and hide behind a tree. Soon enough Sakamoto was already running up on the tree's trunk, trying to find Ino once again.

Ino, on her end, saw Lilia doing the seals and quickly threw several kunai at the clone. She then moved to the ground and turned her back to the clone as soon as she saw the light it begin to emit. She then looked around and spotted Sakamoto just in time to block another attempt to strike her with his lightning arm. This time, however, she was ready, and with a kunai at her right hand she produced a chakra blade, slicing through Sakamoto's arm. This forced him to walk back a few steps before moving his fingers slightly, injuring Ino's right shoulder. This revealed a small dragon tattoo on her shoulder, which made Sakamoto stop as Ino got ready to attack once more "So, you are with the Dragon Lotus. I always knew they were people who were up to no good." He said and blocked Ino's chakra blade with a kunai "Because dedicating yourself to a village who uses dark methods is so much better." Ino replied with her usual cold tone, and the killing intent was at near maximum, just like Lilia's was just a few moments ago.

This was bad as Lilia noticed that one of her clones was taking out. Really getting annoyed, she stood up. Slowly lifting her right hand into the air, she focused on her technique. Likely both Ino as Sakamoto would notice that not only the killing intent of Lilia was rising to higher levels then usual, but likely the intense feeling of chakra- Bijuu chakra. Her left eye had changed to a yellow color as the iris had became slitted. The shadow clone of Lilia had gained the same as she rushed towards the two. Releasing an amount of lightning chakra, she tried to slam a Sparkle Technique at the ground, near the two. ''And stop now!'' She tried to command the two.

Noticing the clone that was rushing toward them with the Sparkle technique in her hand, Ino was forced backwards by a push from Sakamoto, and then the Senju created a clone who quickly gathered lightning chakra around his arm and rushed toward Lilia's clone, aiming to either stop it or make it strike the Sparkle against it. As Ino watched the two clones coming toward each other, she realised she had seen the technique before "That is one deadly technique." She said, and Sakamoto nodded "You don't have to tell me. I saw Lilia used it before on people, and if the clone managed to strike, she would be able to injure us both badly. But you do realise that I must bring you to Konoha?" He said and turned to look at her, only to notice Ino vanished. Looking up he saw Ino was already preparing another couple of punches from wind chakra, only this time they were aimed at Lilia.

Hearing them, the shadow clone didn't stop. Narrowing her eyes, she made the lightning ball even bigger. Slamming it towards the shadow clone, she had no trouble with overwhelming it. Once that was done, the shadow clone scoffed, though it wasn't given that much chakra. ''I say it one more time.'' She told them. The real Lilia was almost done with her technique. It just needed a little bit of more time. The disc of lightning was making a very scary sound as it kept spinning and growing in size. Lilia was aiming to seperate the two, but wasn't throwing the technique yet.

Seeing the real Lilia was preparing to hit them both with what appeared to be an even deadlier version of her technique, Sakamoto instantly jumped up between the trees. Forcing himself to his max speed using chakra, he managed to reach Ino and stop her from using her Wind Fists technique by grabbing her in mid air "Don't. Lilia will kill us both, and both of us know she is capable." He told her, and as Ino kept looking at Lilia, she noticed with her sage mode the Bijuu chakra that was also being used. She then closed her eyes as Sakamoto brought the two to the branch Lilia was standing on, where Sakamoto let go of Ino.

Ino approached Lilia and kneeled to her "I guess I should've said it was good to see you too, because otherwise you would've never forgiven me." She said gave Lilia a smile as she looked at the young girl with her cat-like sage mode eyes. Sakamoto, still not believing Ino had a connection to a missing-nin, simply kept looking around, in case the panther came back, but it appeared to disappear completely.

The shadow clone vanished as it seemed the two were calming down. Lilia had heard what they had said, with learning what the shadow clone had learn and heard. Throwing the disc towards the middle of the two, it cut down some trees as it kept on going. Lilia sighed as she dismissed the initial chakra cloak, making her left normal again. It meant that the disc wasn't able to be controlled anymore, but it didn't matter. It wouldn't be able to harm Ino or Sakamoto. Rubbing her neck, she watched how the disc kept cutting down trees. ''Oh man, I hope that I haven't cut down a tree with a bird nest in it. That would be one major mistake. Wait, do you two hear that?'' She asked them, with a smile. ''Now we know the sound of a tree falling inside a forest! I never got that joke right, but at least I know the sound now!'' She told them. Lifting her head, she glanced at Ino. ''Hey Ino-san! Here!''

Pulling out something of her left pocket, she threw something small in Ino's direction. It was a lolipop. Grinning she then pulled out the Tiger kunai. ''Never been able to thank you for giving me this.'' She told Ino, hoping that Sakamoto would understand now that Ino was an ally of Lilia. Or at least, kind of.

Ino grabbed the lollipop and instantly placed it in her pouch. She wasn't the type to eat candy, nor recieve gifts from other people, so she gave the lollipop no meaning. Sakamoto, on the other hand, realised Lilia had kept the lollipops he gave her after all this time, and a smile came to his face. He approached the young girl and messed up her hair "I was sure that after a week both of the lollipops would be gone. I guess I was wrong." He said, giving her a wide smile.

Lilia grinned as he messed up her hair and told her waht he had expected. ''Actually, they were. I just bought some and kept them in case I would meet Ino-san again.'' She told Sakamoto. Looking back at Ino and then again at Sakamoto, Lilia looked seriously. ''We could pretend that we never saw Ino-san, right? She isn't a bad person. After all, she had helped during that week.'' She told him, hopping he would agree with her.

Turning to look at Ino, Sakamoto sighed. If Hisoka, Meisa or Zakito would find out he met a missing-nin and allowed her to get away, not to mention after everything he did to get Nakashima, then he would probably lose his job as ANBU instantly. He turned to look at Lilia again "Its not that simple. If anyone ever finds out that I allowed a missing-nin to get away..." He began trying to explain, but found himself incapable of doing so. The fact Ino helped Lilia during that week made him understand that maybe Ino wasn't as bad as he thought she was "Lets just go, Lilia-chan. before I change my mind about this." He said and turned his back on Ino and Lilia, getting ready to leave.

Looking at Ino, Lilia stretched her hand towards the woman. It was clenched into a fist as Lilia winked at Ino. She wouldn't need any words to say against the woman, a simple gesture as this was enough. Besides, there was something else that Lilia wanted to give Ino.

Ino was slightly unsure of what to do. Lilia had her fist toward her, but it didnt look like there was anything physical that Lilia wanted to give her. The woman just stared at the young girl for a few moments before raising her own fist and placed it in front of Lilia's fist, being unsude if there was anything. She would feel a sudden urge of chakra, reflling her own chakra reserve. Lilia nodded as she took a step backwards. With flashing a smile, Lilia then dashed off towards Sakamoto.

''That was very nice of you, Mister Sakamoto. You're clearly one of the first ones that inspired me into making decisions like these ones.'' She told him, smiling towards him. Then he would feel something in his pocket as Lilia whistled.

Already knowing what was in his pocket, Sakamoto placed his hand in his pocket and made a fist around the object before pulling the fist out of the pocket. He slightly shook his head with a smile as they kept moving forward, and he also opened his hand for a moment to show the lollipop he took out from his pocket before closing his fist again "When you will be Hokage, Lilia-chan, you will make decisions like this everyday, and it won't be just because of me. It will be because of everyone you have ever met, and everyone who has even influenced you, one way or the other. And don't you ever forget them, because the moment you do, that's the moment you will be incapable of being the Hokage, or a shinobi." He told her as he opened his hand to reveal that the lollipop he held in his hand has vanished.

Listening to him, she nodded. ''I know, but don't worry. I already learned that to make the right decissions, one sometimes has to ignore their own desire. To become a good leader, one has to sacrifice their own desire for the greater sake of most.'' Jumping to another tree branch, Lilia paused. As she noticed that the lollipop had vanished she smiled. ''Besides, I think I've given my answer to Hisoka-sama already what it's needed to become a Hokage.'' She told him, remembering the conversation she had once with the Yondaime Hokage.

Smiling as he heard what Lilia said, Sakamoto now felt extremely calm. Konoha didn't just have a bright future to look for, but also a great leader, just waiting for her turn to lead them to what would most likely be the best years the village would ever see "All I can say is that I'm glad to hear that." He said and suddenly pretended to pull the lollipop from Lilia's ear. He then placed it back inside his pocket and begin seeing Konoha in the distance.

With seeing his little trick, she laughed. ''And I'm glad that you accepted the lollipop. Wait, did that just came... EEEEEEEEEEWWWW!'' She faked an expression that she was disgusted he had taken the lollipop from out her ear, though he would likely see through it. ''But yeah, I hope that others think of that the same way. I already have been preparing something to gain the trust of more people.'' She told Sakamoto, thinking about what she had been arranging.

[Little Alice]

A mission of Lilia!

Beating up a merchant and dueling against an ANBU.

A collab between Bell and Alice.
Time : 4 months after the start of the timeskip.

Summary :
With her growing progress and attitude, Lilia has been able to go another solo mission. This time she needs to pay a visit to a rival trader that could be a bit of a trouble for some of Konoha's. However, this trader has paid a great deal for protection as well.

SPOILER: Click to show

As she neared the place, Lilia pulled her face mask up. She had been traveling towards the Hotspring country. On the border of the Hotspring and Frost, there was the location of where her target was. It was a C ranked mission and really no big deal, but Lilia was in for some travel and what better excuse then this? All she had to do was to beat up and deliver a message to a rival merchant, from the one that had hired her. Looking at the mansion, Lilia sighed. There were from what she saw barely any guards and likely no nin at all. Calmly walking towards the mansion, out of the cover of the bushes, Lilia scoffed. Two guards noticed her and one called out to the inside. Seemed that they were gathering more people. Lilia grinned behind her mask. Slowly her right hand went to the hilt of Samehada. ''Good, that means it won't be that dull... At all.'' She whispered to herself.

Kamiko had been waiting for a "messenger" and began to get bored. She walked around for abit and watched from the window for awhile, until finally the guards signaled her someone was here. She grabbed her scythe and walked down the stars and outside to confront the person. To her surprize they had sent a girl to send the message. well this sucks, was hoping for something better... she sighed and slammed the hilt of the scythe into the ground "So im guessing they sent you to come pay my friend a visit? Or your lost, and if thats the case i would advise you to turn around now before things go bad" she grossed her arms and stared through the eyes of the mask on the girl.

Seeing a woman with a scythe, Samehada began to shiver. Lilia let go of the hilt as she nodded. ''Not that I would pick this mission if there was anything better. Though what would you do if I told you I was lost? Maybe it's not I that is lost.'' Lilia answered back, with an amused voice. Samehada had confirmed her thoughts of that this was maybe a kunoichi too. Narrowing her eyes, Lilia took a step further. ''Unless you like a bad situation, I suggest you find the nearby town and ask the way... out of here.''

Kamiko laughed and held her stomach and almost fell over from the girls response. She simply shrugged "You to get inside and lock the doors kindly, i will have a talk with out friend here" she closed ehr eyes and opened them to reveal her Sharingan. She wrapped her hand around her scythe and twisted making dirt fly everywhere. She twirled it a bit and held it on her shoulder "You have the wrong mission kid, I really hope you know that" she held her curse mark for the moment Lets test out her first, this will be interesting she smiled towards the girl "May i know the name of the person standing in front of me? Would suck not to know who I killed" she laughed.

Instead of responding back, a huge wave of killing intent started to flood the area. Lowering her head, Lilia narrowed her eyes. ''You've to earn that right to know my name.'' She was deadly serious now, but she wasn't planning on killing the woman. Her mission didn't said anything about killing and noticing that the woman was a Kumogakure nin, Lilia knew better. It were her sharingan that caught Lilia off guard. How was it possible a Kumogakure nin had two sharingan eyes? Instantly she looked at the mid section of Kamiko as Samehada transfered chakra into Lilia, in case Kamiko would've used the sharingan in that second. ''One more time. Step aside or get ready to be knocked out.'' Lilia warned her, readying herself.

Kamiko was amused at the chakra folwing in her. there was something alot mroe stonger she was using This will be more then I thought.... Kamiko snapped and two fire snakes emerged from her hand, they scurried off into the forest Ok now that I have that, im ready... she froze instantly. Something clicked in her mind and Kamiko realized suddenly what the weird chakra flow was. She instantly Raised her guard up and took a stance "You're Lilia Hon, if im not mistaken, that chakra is impossible to miss. Well I guess I really gave to try, its a real shame, im not into killing kids" she moved slightly and the snakes got into postion deep in the forest.

Not reacting differently when the woman had found about her name, Lilia calmly spoke back. ''Not into killing kids? Then let's kick it up a notch. See what you will do then.'' Suddenly the wave killing intent grow. Lilia placed her right hand on the hilt of Samehada. ''Seems that my reputation has grown, but it's a shame that I can't question you about it. Not now.'' She opened her left hand, gathering an amount of lightning at high speed. Sending it forward, it took the shape of a hound, rushing towards Kamiko. Using the Running Beast Technique, Lilia was curious how the woman would evade the lightning technique.

Kamiko held her scythe out and gripped it with one hand and held out her hand. She formed the same amount of chakra and copied her jutsu, before releasing it toward the hound taht was rapidly approaching her. She jumped up and threw the scythe at the ground, quickly landing on the scythe Lightning Release : Electromagentic Murder she channaled the jutsu through the scythe onto the ground and it sent it towards Lilia.

So she could use lightning too? Lilia scoffed as she saw the lightning approaching her. Not moving an inch, it didn't reached Lilia, at all. ''I feel that I should warn you. Your jutsu won't work that easily on me. Last chance. Out of my way. Now!'' Lilia then started to ran towards the mansion, her right hand still at the hilt of Samehada. Already suspecting the woman wouldn't go away, she was wondering how she would need to take her out. Her sharingan would be able to spot the jutsu and ambushed of her easily, though Samehada could neutralize the jutsu of the woman. Maybe I should use that jutsu as next one. She thought as she was closing in.

Kamiko kicked the scythe out of the ground and ran towards the girl. She quickly dug the scythe into the ground and sent ehr self into the air Fire Release: Running Fire Technique she surrounded the girl with fire and quickly changed her handseals Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique the fire ring expanded into for giant balls around Lilia. she landed on her scythe and countinued to charge the girl, knowing that the sword had some sort of absorbing ability.

''You simply don't learn, do you now?'' She said, ignoring the flames. Samehada grunted as the flames around Lilia were consumed. Pulling the sword out, Lilia gritted her teeth. Swinging with the sword, she then started to twirl, eventually spinning around as fast as she could. Waiting for the right moment, Lilia would try to slam the bandaged sword at Kamiko.

Kamiko tried to blocked the attack and slid as she used her scythe to blocked it. She spun the scythe around the sword and quickly moved under the sword. She caught the scythe on the otherside and kicked the sword to make the blade swing wildly in the other direction.

Though Kamiko had succes with kicking the sword away, it wasn't kicked out of Lilia's hand. The hilt started to expand as Lilia grinned behind her mask. Jumping to the other side, she grabbed the hilt with two hands. Now Samehada was about to swing back, with more force. Problem was that Lilia was on the other side of Kamiko, opening her left hand to gather lightning, to punch it if Kamiko was coming near her.

Kamiko quickly saw the problem about to unfolder and flipped upward before the blade bareily missed her head. Kamiko formed abit less chakra in her hand and sent her fist into Lilia's. She was blown back and she was sent backward and landed on her feet sliding back abit. She stood up and took off her shreaded over coat. She resituated herself and stood in another stance "You're not coming near the cilent sorry, but you'll have to try harder then that." she was itching to use her curse mark but decided against it, as she would have to release the shadow clone inside that was holding her chakra at a stable level.

Lilia then giggled as she slammed Samehada against the ground. Leaning on the bandaged sword, she tilted her head to the side. ''You think? Let me ask you this. How well are you with combing lightning release and taijutsu?'' Lilia asked her, still keeping watch of her. However, she was simply using the time to make sure that her plan would work.

Kamiko shrugged and stuck her scythe in the ground "well alot of people say im good, i count myself decent what about you, Ms.Hon?" she held her hand against the handle of the scythe and waited for her to move. She heard a mental hiss and the snakes were ready Lets see what she does first then you guys act... there was another hiss and then the connection went silent. She grabbed her scythe out of the ground and waited for Lilia to make a move.

''I'm not good nor amazing. I'm learning.'' She replied, but suddenly a shadow clone was formed next to Lilia, who had formed the handseal at high speed. ''Let's test out your speed.'' Lilia mocked her as the shadow clone suddenly started to run towards the mansion, clearly targeting it. The real Lilia was focusing on Kamiko and the moment she would move, Lilia would try to prevent the woman from attacking her shadow clone.

Kamiko simply stood still and leaned against the blade and smiled. She snapped at a giant fire snake emerged from the ground. its mouth in gulfed the poor shadow clone, and slid back into its hole "Like I said you should try harder, this will be alot more fun" the snake moved around them and she was still leaning on the scythe.

Seeing the snake, Lilia frowned. The shadow clone was taken down. So fire too? Sighing, Lilia lifted the big bandaged blade up. ''Good enough.'' She told Kamiko. Suddenly she started to charge towards the mansion herself. Though she was wondering how or where the snakes were, she was relying on Samehada on neutralizing them. After all, as long the bandaged sword was near her, she wouldn't have any trouble with the chakra based jutsu of the woman.

Kamiko only sighed and jumped to a near by tree and lifted her hand. She held two fingers out an slashed the air. The snake exploded and created a deep trench "Like i said fight me, and if you beat me, then you can do whatever you want, but until im on my back and im bareily breathing" she jumped down back in front of her, with her back towards the trench and smiled.

Skidding to a stop, Lilia noticed the trench. With Kamiko again in front of her, Lilia scoffed. ''Don't worry, that will happen soon enough if you keep standing in my way.'' She suddenly dropped Samehada, who slithered away. Pulling out a scroll, Lilia unfolded it with both her hands. ''Hope you like to dance!'' She mumbled as she summoned fourteen swords, imbued by lightning into the air. They were about to fall down around Kamiko and Lilia. Making two shadow clones, Lilia caught a blade out of the air. ''Ready to dance?'' She asked Kamiko with a mocking voice. The lightning of the blade were crackling in the air as they were about to fall down.

Kamiko looked at the groun and shook her head. A laugh emerged from her mouth and she simply ripped her mesh shit off, now only having her bandages on her chest and her pants "I really, really, really did not want to use this, but i have to do waht i have to do..." she grabbed the back of her shoulder blade and her arm was engulfed with a flame like tattoo. her Sharingan changed from red to blue and she stood in a defensive stance with her scythe smiling.

''Hhmm, I can easily transform too.'' She told Kamiko. As the swords struck the ground, they were still imbued with lightning. Her shadow clones moved quickly to the sides as Lilia lowered her mask. Revealing a grin as her left eye changed from color. It became yellow as the iris became slitted. The killing intent started to grow to a higher level. ''Be proud though, I don't often use the jutsu that I have developed in the name of Gramps Jin Jin.'' Suddenly she rushed forward, using the Secret Sword : Moon Shadow Technique, to create some after images of herself. Though it was likely that Kamiko would be able to continue to read her movements. Swinging the blade, Lilia was aiming to strike her with a sweep from the left.

Kamiko kicked her scyhte upwards and transfered a huge amount of lightning into her hand. She used two Chidori Sword techniques and she parried the blade. She quickly kicked the sword and jumped upwards. She grabbed her scythe and transfered the lightning into the scythe. She threw the scythe into the ground and expanded the lightning through the floor to get Lilia into the air.

The shadow clones suddenly moved as they threw their swords. The lightning imbued swords were heading towards Kamiko as she had threw her scythe into the air. Lilia, the real one, opened her right hand. Slamming it on the ground, she used Chidori Current to counter the lightning that Kamiko had sent through the ground. Once that was done, Lilia rushed towards Kamiko again, picking up another sword on her way. ''Don't be shy now, hope you can do the waltz.'' She taunted Kamiko.

The curse mark moved to her mid chest and face and she smiled. She formed chidori in her hand and instead of using it to hit her, Kamiko tried something risky and formed another set of handseals Fire Release: Fire Breath. The flame seemed to change from orange to blue and gray as it mixed the two jutsus together and roared towards her. Kamiko quickly grabbed her scythe and began to deflect some incoming hits from the shadow clones that had been very clsoe to hitting her. She filpped backwards and gave abit of distance from them.

Jumping to the right, to avoid getting hit by the fire jutsu, Lilia cursed. She landed and skidded to halt. If she was slower, she would've burnt to ashes. With Kamiko able to deflect the incoming strikes. Lilia frowned. It was likely due that damn sharingan, but she had an idea. The shadow clones moved to the sides again as they waited for Lilia's signal. The real Lilia grinned again as she stormed towards Kamiko. Instead of going to swing the blade, she threw it towards Kamiko. Picking a blade up in her way, she went a bit towards the left of Kamiko. It was clear that she was trying to force Kamiko again in the defence as she would try to go with a sweep while a lightning imbued sword was flying towards her.

Kamiko suddenly realized her plan but it was to late. Instead she ran towards the clones, the curse mark left everything in a flame tattoo except her left arm, and threw her balde in the air. She slid between Lilias legs and caught the scythe. She slashed and hit the first shadow clone and quickly then quickly flipped behind the other shadow clone and cut her in half. She stood infront of Lilia with her scythe pointed towards her "Lets end this now, else you wont liek when i get my full curse mark" she smiled and the Curse mark began to edge mroe onlong her arm.

As Kamiko slides between her legs, Lilia grinned. Suddenly she vanished as she had been using her Secret Sword : Moon Shadow Technique, to create an after image. The real Lilia was heading towards the house. ''Uhu, what ever you say, slow poke!'' However, Lilia was sure she had to go to kick it up a notch if it would continue like this. Her mission was to beat and scare the target. But this woman was making it hard enough for her to reach the mansion. Narrowing her eyes, she used the enhanced boost she gained from the chakra of Matatabi. Problem was that she would be forced to turn around if Kamiko would attack her fast enough.

Kamiko simply made the clone meditating in the house disipate. The Curse mark ingulfed her body and her Sharingan turned black. She smiled and ran to meet Lilia before she met the house. She threw her Scythe at the ground and set lightning traveling on the floor to slow down Lilia. She kept a mental tab on he last snake at her disposal that was waiting for the go to do something Shes pushing my limits here, i dont know what goes beyond this point on my curse mark... her face didnt waver but she was abit worried.

Hearing lightning crackling in the air, Lilia looked over her shoulder. as the lightning was about to reach her, Lilia had turned around. Sliding over the ground with her feet, she flicked her wrists. As the lightning of Kamiko came close, Lilia pressed her handspalms at the ground. Using her Chidori Current, she was able to defend herself from the strong lightning. But it costed her more chakra, as she noticed that this lightning had something odd. It was stronger then regular. Now on her guard, Samehada slithered towards Lilia. He had been watching and waiting to return to his master. As Samehada absorbed the last remains of Kamiko's lightning, Lilia sighed. Taking up the sword, she threw a serious glance in Kamiko's direction.

''So it seems that I can't complete this mission without getting rid of you first. But before I will dedicate my attention back at you again, how is that your lightning isn't that easy to block?'' She asked Kamiko, but already suspected the black markings on Kamiko's body. Though she had some ideas, Lilia wasn't highly knowledge about seals, let alone Cursed Seals.

Kamikos laugh wasnt the same, this one sounded different more sinister. She walked towards her scythe and picked it up "I have no clue what you're are talking about Ms.Hon, im just simply using my lightning style" she smiled and leaned against her scythe. She was buying time for the plan to get into place, but something in the back of her mind made her want to push Lilia to a point that would both harm them both. She tried to push the thought back but it kept screaming and she thought of something "How about I make you a bet, i put this down" she pointed to her scythe "And you put that away and we settle this with one move, i know Hiron-san taught you, so you know chidori. If i lose then you can beat up my cilent, if I win ill take you to the hospital and this whole mess ends there" the plan got into place and she began to center them under her along with a big one around her and ones ready to meet her in the air.

Listening to the woman, Lilia frowned. She shook her head. ''I don't know Chidori. Instead, I've developed my own kind of ''Chidori''. My version is not that much different, but I can throw a lightning ball towards my foes.'' She told Kamiko, telling her about Sparkle. She let Samehada go, but the bandaged shark blade didn't slither away. ''But fine...'' Raising her right hand in front of her face, Lilia smirked. Lightning crackled and flickered around her as she started to gather a big mass of lightning. ''Let's see how good your Chidori is.'' She whispered as she made a bigger Sparkle. With a mocking look, she nodded at Kamiko. ''Show me what you got, before the beat drops.''

She was going to set off the trap but this was better then she had hoped for. Kamiko stuck hery scythe and held out her hand. Black and gray lightning formed in her hand and she smiled. She grabbed her wrist and suddenly the Chidori was set on fire "This is going to be more fun then I planned" she ran full speed at Lilia and got ready to use the trap if that dam sword decided to interfere.

Frowning as she noticed the strange color, Lilia scoffed. Mixing two chakras into one better one was a good idea, only Lilia was more aware of when it were not two chakras that were connected. Though it would have a better impact, it wouldn't be that great. In fact, it would just be two chakras that would strike at the same time, not united in force as it would seem like. Sprinting towards Kamiko, she narrowed her eyes as she focused on the incoming blow. But she wasn't going to play it fair, at all. As she noticed they were both closing in the distance, a smirk grew on Lilia's lips. Letting more chakra of Matatabi flow into her system, she was of utilizing the chakra of Matatabi, but not that much. The sounds of her Sparkle was totally different from a regular one, as a low menacing sound was produced. Thrusting her hand forward, she suddenly smiled.

Kamiko realized the amount of guts the kid had and she signaled the snakes away. A noise in the back of her head rung "Dont act rash Kamiko...", sorry Satoshi but this one is happening wether I like it or not she rushed forward and their hands collided.

The clash of the lightning caused rocks fly up and big cracks in the ground. The fierce lightning started to clash against each other, while Lilia and Kamiko were in the epicentre. As the fierce force of nature, created by both, were trying to overpower each other, it lashed out. Each spot that was strike by the lightning caused more rocks to be pulverised by the techniques raw power. Suddenly an explosion was the conclusion of the two techniques.

Out of the smoke, Lilia was sent flying backwards. Gritting her teeth, she made a backward somersault. Landing on her feet, she kept skidding for some meters before coming to a halt. Samehada quickly slithered towards the Hon. Looking to the smoke, Lilia frowned. She tried to counter it? Lilia thought, surprised somebody had managed actually tried to counter a Sparkle, with some bijuu chakra making it bigger and deadlier. Looking at her right hand, she noticed the black marks. Seemed that Kamiko had countered it indeed, to an extent. Clenching the hand into a fist, Lilia sighed, pondering about something.

The snakes emerged from the ground and formed a ball of harmless flames. Kamiko was blown from the smoke and hit the flames slowing down. She slid on her feet and her breathing was labored. She was hunched over and dangeled her arms"Look after that, you can beat up my employer, actually ill even help you, he's a douche anyway. That last one took alot out of me" her breathing was labored and scratches were all over her face. Her right arm was broken from the impact when the two jutsus hit and she was spent, she was struggling to keep the curse mark at full power.

It became silent as Lilia then sighed. Pushing some strands of black hair back, she turned to walk to Samehada. ''My name is Lilia Hon.'' She told Kamiko as she then picked up the shark blade. Putting the bandaged sword in the special made sheath, she looked back to Kamiko. ''Wasn't that not your first question? My name? Now that you have mine, you should give yours'.'' She calmly said to Kamiko. Though she wanted to end the mission, she had gained some respect for the woman. Enough that she was willing to give finally an answer on Kamiko's question who she was, before she had figured out who Lilia was.

She chuckled and grabbed her arm, before picking up herr scythe and approaching Lilia. She grabbed Lilias hand and shook it "Maybe sometime in the future, but for now you shuold go finish that mission, hes in the left room on the second floor, two guards will be guarding it. It was a pleasure to fight you" Kamiko smiled and then jumped up into the tree and left the mansion and the destroyed front lawn.

Frowning, Lilia had held back when Kamiko had shaken her hand. Lilia disliked to shake hands or any physical touching if it could be prevented. If the woman already hadn't been beaten, Lilia had stabbed her the instant she had came too close. After the woman went away, Lilia turned around. Samehada grunted as Lilia then shook her head. ''No killing, remember. Besides, seems that my name is already getting known.'' For a moment, Lilia looked the way that Kamiko had went. Narrowing her eyes, the girl made a choice then. Turning around she walked towards the mansion. ''Time to get the party started.'' She mumbled as she closed in the distance.

[Little Alice]

The teachings of the Sandaime Hokage,
Zakito's wise advise.

A collab between Gerontis and Alice.
Time : 4 months after the timeskip.

Summary :
Zakito and Lilia training, like they have done regularly during the few months. It's a special training as well a time between Lilia's missions and own personal trainings where she often asks her uncle for advise and wisdom.

SPOILER: Click to show

Sitting in a meditation sit, the eyes of the young Hon were closed. Water flowed down her head towards her cheeks. It kept pouring, cold water. As if she was sitting in a cold shower. But truth was that she was sitting in a spot by a waterfall. To her right and left were shadows clones. One at each side. Both of them held the Dog handseal, moulding their chakra as well keeping it flowing. The real Lilia however held the Tiger handseal. For already a hour, she was sitting there with her shadow clones. Slowly her shadow clones released their handsignal before poofing away. The black haired girl slowly opened her eyes as she released the handsignal. Her chakra was calming down as she looked around her, the beautiful scene in front of her.

''A new record. Well done, Young Wolf.'' A voice sounded. Sitting in a tree branch, Zakito had his hands at the back of his head. Dressed in his usual shinobi atire, he slowly opened his right eye and glanced at his niece. The fact she was able to use shadow clones as well training different chakra moulding meant she had progressed. Quite a lot if he compared her to the start. Then she hadn't been able to use even one shadow clone to improve her chakra control.

Lilia looked up to her uncle, beaming as she heard his words. A new record, that was good. Clenching her right fist, she looked at it. The water of the waterfall kept pouring on her, but as she rose up and walked out of it, on the water, she wasn't soaked. No, steam came off her. Loosing her hand, she looked up to her uncle. The training they had been doing was improving her overall abilities. ''Uncle Z, what is the next step... in the Knowledge of the Wolf?'' She asked him, wondering what was next. They had been practising all kind of things. Even starting to meditate, while combining it with the chakra control training. Something she never had related to meditating.

''Ai ai, calm down, Young Wolf. The path and training you're taking isn't an easy one. Not even for one so talented and skilled as you are.'' The man replied. He closed his right eye again as he took a moment before continue to talk. ''You already managed to learn a lot of things, but one of the important things is that you need to have a goal. Every person has a goal. Either be it small or big, a being has a purpose.'' Zakito told Lilia with his calm tone. In the forest, they wouldn't feel the breeze, but leaves were falling on the water where Lilia was standing. ''Look at those leaves. They had a purpose. Even though being small and looking like they have no use to the big trees they were once part off, the tree would never become this big without the leaves. Even the small things, no matter what their goal is, have a purpose.'' Zakito further explained to Lilia.

Catching a leaf with her left hand, Lilia looked at it. It made some sense, she realized. But she began to think. Even while knowing she could trust her uncle, she had learned to think before accepting something. ''But if everything and everybody has a purpose... How do they find their purpose?'' She asked, staring at the leaf. If a simple leaf could make a tree big, did that mean she, a little girl, could make something as the Leaf big? It was actually a bit funny if she thought it like that.

''Aaah, that is it. You can't expect that you'll just find your purpose. It's easy to see the purpose of some things. Like pancakes. You know it's food, so you can eat it. However,'' Zakito chuckled briefly as he used his favorite food to explain it to her. ''You still need to think for what you will eat it. Desert? Breakfast? Snack? Dinner? Sometimes, one purpose can mean or do more than what most think.'' Zakito further told her.

Though she sighed, she couldn't resist to giggle at the words of her uncle. Her sensei and leader of the clan she was part of. Comparing actually something serious as what they were talking about with pancakes? Yes, sound fitting to what her uncle did. ''So I need to find my purpose in order to master the Knowledge of the Wolf?'' She asked him, cautiously. It was like she was trying to not ask the wrong questions, like she could only ask a limited amount of them.

Zakito stayed quiet for a moment. ''Yes and no. There is no real clear answer to it. While it's easier to see the purpose of the leaf of a tree, it is of course harder with a human being. Even with an animal. We all have our dreams, wishes and goals. But it's never certain what our purpose is in our life. It's simply if you believe in it.'' He told her, opening his right eye again. ''Either if you dream of becoming a great parent, surpassing your parent, dreaming of being the Hokage... Or wanting that everybody you hold dear stays protected... It's your own choice what your purpose is. That is the beauty of it. There is nobody other than yourself who can tell what you are needed to do.'' Zakito told her.

That confused her. If that was true, why did she had to listen to the Hokage? To him or to Hiroshi-sensei? ''That sounds odd, Uncle Z. If that is true, why do we have ranks and listen to the orders of those who uphold the higher ranks? What is the use of it when we decide for our own?'' She asked him, raising her eyebrows.

Zakito chuckled. It was the same question he had asked his father. He could remember he had been annoyed that his older brother had managed to tackle the riddles better than he had done. Until he had managed to find what he thought was the answer. ''Loyalty. Honor and respect. Love. Faith. All these things you will do to help somebody else. When the Hokage orders you to go on a mission, he does it because he has faith in you. I don't have to talk about the fact you've started to complete an impressive amount of missions on your age and rank. But then again, you follow them ,cause you're loyal to him, aren't you? As well loving the village you protect by going on missions.'' Zakito responded. ''And it's simply honor to the bond you have with others to listen to them. Putting again, faith in their knowledge and respect. Isn't it not wiser to follow somebody you respect and have faith in than somebody who just looks powerful?''

Surprised by the answer, Lilia began to think. It was actually the same many had told her already. Didn't Kensuke told her that she would need to get the respect, faith and love of everybody to become Hokage? Wasn't it not that both Hisoka as Zakito were respected, loved and were having the faith of many? It was the reasons why both had and still had the Hokage title. She began to think further about it. People that she loved, respected and had faith in. Sakamoto, Hiroshi, Jinkama, Hiron, Keiko, Aiko, Hisoka, Yumi, her friends and all the others. Releasing the leaf, she realized what the lesson could be. ''You keep too much watch of me, Uncle Z.''

A chuckle escaped the man. ''Or is it that I'm interested in the rise of what I would call the Hope of Konohagakure? You've already achieved quite some things. People talk with respect and high regards about you, Young Wolf. I heard you also managed to beat some jounins... as well gaining the respect of some people, that aren't easy to convince.'' Zakito told her. He thought of what Ino had told him. The way she had told him about what Lilia had done, how she had acted. Zakito had been genuinly surprised when he had heard affection in the voice of Ino.

Feeling flaterred by his words, she looked up to the man who had achieved great things in his life. Clan leader of the Hon's, a war hero, the Sandaime Hokage and the former sensei of Team 6. Lilia wondered what Zakito wasn't capable of doing, as she thought highly of her uncle. ''So that means....'' She became silent, a little smile adoring her lips. ''What is your answer, Uncle Z, if I may ask?'' Lilia asked, staring in his direction.

It became quiet as Zakito made a pondering sound. ''Hmmmmm.'' It became silent once more before the man glanced in her direction. His right and uncovered eye opened again as he spoke to his niece.

''Lilia-chan. True strength and courage comes from the heart. It's on the darkest times, during these moments when one needs to shine. Shining during bright days is also something good, but it's what shows the true face of somebody when they can do it also during the dark moments.''

''I've faith you will reach it, just stay on the path you're taking. Young Wolf.''

The words of Zakito made Lilia a bit surprised. Though Keiko had said she had faith Lilia would be able to become Hokage, she wasn't sure. After all, Kensuke had told her that she wasn't ready yet. But with Zakito saying those words, Lilia's morale was up and high again. She blushed a bit. It was always so great to hear such complimenting words from somebody she respected that much. ''T-Thanks, Uncle Z... That means a lot to me.''

Zakito nodded as he did meant every word he had said. She had talent, skill and the capability to become the next Hokage. But she had a way to go before she would be able to claim the title. Besides, Hisoka wasn't nearing an end or such. The good friend and Yondaime Hokage wasn't just chosen to be the one to warm the seat for the next Hokage. Zakito chuckled briefly as he thought about that. ''But enough for a break. Think you should train more. Better to keep going on like that, right?''

Lilia nodded as she turned around on her heels and walked back to the waterfall. Steam slowly was shown as she formed the several handseals. Two shadow clones appeared next to her as she started her training again. Closing her eyes, she had a grin on her lips. She would again try for trying to break her last and newest record.

From the position on the branch, Zakito looked at the young Hon. He was certain of that his faith was well placed. Letting out a soft sigh, he smiled behind his mask. Though she had broken her record, she had done it already ages ago. The only reason he told it her it last time was to bolster her morale. Wondering if this was the next generation, the man couldn't help but to drift in some memories of the past. This time, happy ones.

[Little Alice]

The training of the Moto Hero!
Lilia's adopted grandfather.

Gramps Jin Jin,
The wise.

A collab between J8cob and Alice.
Time : 4 months after the start of the timeskip.

Summary :
Lilia Hon and Jinkama Moto having a training session. Then they are going to do what they do often when both have the time for it. Not to mention, Lilia talks a bit about the Konoha Guardians as well some future plans of her.

SPOILER: Click to show

Lilia shot up straight, letting out a little scream of fear. Panting, she still could see the scene in front of her. Keiko, Hiron and... So many were dead. Either their bodies were barely able to recognize or..
Placing her hands against the side of her head, Lilia turned pale. Worst of the dream was that she had seen herself. At least, she thought she had seen herself among the slaughter. But the more she thought about, the more it made less sense. Shivering, Lilia couldn't loose the thoughts of her nightmare.

"Hey, are you alright?" Keiko asked from the doorway. The young woman was wearing a red robe, but her belly was still visibly protruding farther than normal. Without waiting for permission to enter, Keiko walked over to Lilia's bed, taking care as she sat down in front of the girl. "Did you have a bad dream?" She further inquired, her eyes visibly grey even in the darkness of the room.

Hearing Keiko's voice made Lilia calm down as she nodded. Still pale, she hugged Keiko as the latter sat down. Being silent for some moments, Lilia then began to slowly tell her dream. How everybody was dead and that she had seen a person like her. ''I didn't eat any candy before I slept. What if it's a vision? I mean, such things happen to some people, don't they?'' Lilia asked Keiko, though she didn't even seemed to be convinced it was a vision. A nightmare was just a nightmare, wasn't it?

The young woman listened silently, before shaking her head to Lilia's idea. "No, no. Those are only stories. People trying to scam other people. All you had was a nightmare," Keiko explained, making sure to keep Lilia away from lingering on it. As she learned, it was best to just move on from bad dreams. Because the longer you reflected on them, the worse they seemed. "It was all just a bad dream. Nothing like that is going to happen. Nothing like that could happen, sweetie." Keiko looked into Lilia's eyes now, to make sure whether or not she was taking her words to heart or not.

Listening to Keiko, Lilia wondered. ''What do you do when you've a bad dream?'' She asked Keiko, also trying to remember what she had on the agenda today. She was sure that she had planned to lunch with somebody, but due the bad dream she had forgotten who again. Turning her attention back to Keiko, Lilia listened to the answer of her adoptive mother.

She had to think about that one for a moment. Of course Keiko has had bad dreams, but she couldn't recall the last time she had a particularly awful one. But she could still remember what she would do afterwards. "Well, when I have a really bad dream, I normally get up and get something to drink. And then I sit down and read a particular book I used to have. But really, any good book would do. Something fantastic, so the next time you sleep, you have something good to dream about," she explained. The book she was referring to was an old novel Akira had, but it was back at the Estate.

Thinking about it, she would need to remember that. Maybe it would work. ''Thanks mom, you're the best.'' Lilia said, planting a kiss on the cheek of Keiko. She got out of her bed, but then still wasn't sure who she would visit today. Turning around, still in her long pajama, Lilia tilted her head to the side. ''I know I had lunch with somebody today, but can't remember who. Do you know it maybe?'' Lilia asked, feeling a bit stupid. Normally, she was very organized and wouldn't forget it when she had made an appointment to meet somebody or even better ; to have lunch.

Keiko thought about it for a second, before making an "ah" and raising a finger. "I believe you were saying that you were going to go and bother my uncle at work," Keiko suggested, not entirely sure if she was correct but retaining confidence. The thought made her smile. Not only that Jinkama and Lilia got along just fine, but that Lilia was even on good enough terms to good and visit him. She felt a bit worried about him, so it was nice that Lilia wanted to spend time with him. "No?" Keiko added, to make it seem like she doubted her own answer.

Then it hit her! It was indeed Jinkama! Lilia shook her head, feeling really stupid for forgetting that. ''No, you're right! I was going to visit Gramps Jin Jin. Oh, but it's not too late for us to have breakfast together, is it?'' She asked Keiko. ''I could make some scrambled eggs, with bacon and warm bread. How does that sound?'' Lilia proposed, not forgetting she had to brush her teeth, shower, get dressed and then not forgetting to bring Jinkama some apple pie. Lilia had convinced Hiron to make some for Jinkama.

As much as Keiko would rather cook breakfast, she never made that protest. As she took the breath to begin protesting, she stood up from the bed. And that action alone was relatively tiring, and made her change her mind. Perhaps letting Lilia make breakfast was the better idea. "No, it isn't too late," Keiko answered, before looking at a clock. "If anything, it's still a bit early." She chuckled a bit with that, before making her way to the door.

Smiling she took Keiko's hand as they went to the kitchen. When Keiko sat down, Lilia already began to make the brekakfast for both of them. For a few moments she was merely whistling, but then decided to ask Keiko something. ''Mum.. If somebody good dies, but one doesn't believe in an afterlife, where do they go then?'' Lilia asked carefully. She wanted to ask something else, but that would be too direct. At least, Lilia figured as much.

It was such a random question. Keiko raised an eyebrow and watched Lilia silently for a moment. Lilia had to be referring to someone, and thus it concerned Keiko. "I'm not sure," she answered, more distracted by the fact the question was asked than by what the right answer is. "Who are you worried about?" Keiko then asked. But she already had an answer of her own in the back of her mind. And she hoped it wouldn't be the same as whatever Lilia would say.

As she was almost finished, Lilia glanced to Keiko. She had realized Jinkama didn't want anybody to spread the rumour he was very ill. Lilia didn't even want to talk about it, but Keiko always had helped her and being honest to her. So it was fair if Lilia would do the same thing. ''I had apple pie with Gramps Jin Jin last time we trained. He told me a secret.'' Lilia mumbled, though it was clear to what she was refering or even if Keiko wasn't aware of Jinkama's condition, then she could link the question to the answer. It was then very easy to conclude what Lilia was refering about.

And so it was true. Keiko let out a sigh, before looking down and rubbing her temple. Exactly what she didn't want to hear. Why did Jin have to go and tell her that anyways? "I see," Keiko finally responded after a moment of silence. Deep down, Keiko didn't really want to talk about this. She didn't even want to think about it. But now it was out there again. The last time she talked about it was with Akira. And it ended with tears by both parties. "Yes, he isn't... well, right now," Keiko spoke again, to keep herself from becoming too quiet.

Putting the plates down, Lilia sat next to Keiko. She at with very tiny bits, as she wanted to keep on talking. ''Can't he get better? I hope that the applie pie will help, but it sounded like he is very very very ill.'' Lilia said, not noticing herself she had fallen back for a moment on one of the childish traits. ''I love Gramps Jin Jin... He told me that he would see me becoming a Hokage, as he would be in my heart...'' Lilia said to Keiko, while looking at her plate with breakfast. Taking another small bite, Lilia asked a question.

''Hey, mum... Are you and Hiron also in my heart?'' She asked with a soft voice. Keiko merely looked at her plate now. She was hungry, but she didn't quite feel like eating at the moment. This whole conversation was making her feel sick. She wanted to tell Lilia that Jinkama would get better. She wanted to tell herself that, too. But she knew it was a lie. But her next question got her attention. Her first instinct was that it made her feel like she could die. But surely Lilia wasn't thinking like that, so Keiko shook it off. "Of course we are, sweetie. We've been there the whole time," she told Lilia. For some reason, saying that made herself feel a bit better, and so she began to eat now too.

''I would like it, you know. Not just to become Hokage or being nominated, but to have everybody wih me. That I can have you all at that moment.'' She told Keiko. Feeling a bit bad, for directing the conversation to where they were now, Lilia quickly added something. ''But you didn't take a little bit of the apple pie, did you now?'' Lilia teased Keiko, giggling a little bit. She still wondered why she wasn't allowed to have some of Hiron's special apple pie. Apple pie was nice and Hiron's cooking skills were amazing. So why was she not allowed to have some?

This made Keiko chuckle a bit. "No, I didn't have any of that damn pie," she responded with a laugh, before finishing her breakfast. It wasn't half bad, but her mind was still occupied by the conversation they had. She looked over at Lilia again, before smiling a bit. "Don't you worry. We'll all be there for you. One way... or another," Keiko told her, reaching across to put a hand on her shoulder. A little extra reassurance.

Putting her right hand on the hand of Keiko, Lilia nodded. She was truly blessed with the family she had. She knew this and would never forget it. Not even when she would be looking at death himself. ''Thanks mum. I feel much better now. Besides, what are you going to do today?'' She asked, wondering what Keiko's plans were for today. Hopefully nothing too exhausting as Lilia had made the agreement with Hiron that they would try to help Keiko more since she would need to have more rest. Lilia already had the feeling that being pregnant wasn't fun at all. She already disliked it when somebody would help her with she could do herself without any real effort. Maybe Keiko disliked it too? Taking a last bite of her breakfast, Lilia took a sip of her water filled glass.

The pregnant woman thought about it for a moment. If she told Lilia what she wanted to do, she'd meet resistance. Realistically, Keiko wasn't going to be doing anything she wants to do for a while. And she knows it. But that won't stop her from trying. "I'm just going to stay home and clean, I guess. Someone has to look after Hiron, anyways," she explained. Though she didn't want to do this, she figured it was what was going to happen anyways.

Frowning as she didn't like it indeed that Keiko would go and clean up, Lilia couldn't think of something Keiko could do without getting bored. And she didn't want Keiko to get bored and the woman knew what was good for her and what not. With her breakfast finished, Lilia kissed Keiko on the cheek. ''Don't exhaust yourself, mum. And thanks for everything.'' With that Lilia was going to get herself readied to visit Jinkama in the Jounin Commander Office soon.

"Oh, don't worry. I won't be exhausting myself over anything," Keiko reassured as Lilia began to leave the room. Though, she continued with more of a mumble. "I'll just make Hiron do everything once I get tired." The young woman let out a bit of a chuckle before standing up from her seat as well to get something to drink. She briefly wondered what Lilia was planning on doing, but let that thought slide. Keiko knew the girl wasn't going to go and get in trouble. But as Keiko sat back down with a glass of water in hand, she couldn't help but wonder what her child would behave like.

A hour later, Lilia was standing in front of the window. Looking at her outfit, she then nodded. Her room was cleaned up and she had a little bag with her. As she walked downstairs, she shouted to Keiko. ''I'm gone to Gramps Jin Jin. See you later, mom!'' Closing the door behind her, Lilia walked calmly towards the Hokage office. With in her new outfit, with the hood pulled up, Lilia wouldn't be recognized by others. She wasn't feeling the need to talk to people she knew or that knew her. Once she had neared the Hokage Office building, she went over to the Jounin Commander office. After she walked to the door, she knocked on it. ''Gramps Jin Jin?'' She asked, wondering if he was even there.

Inside, Jinkama looked up from the paper in front of him. It was a mission request form, but he had already decided he wasn't going to approve the use of two shinobi teams to hunt down a missing cat. The knock at the door was a welcome distraction from a boring document. "Come in," he called out, not bothering to get up to let Lilia in. Though, he never did that anyways. Really, half the people that ever showed up just entered without knocking anyways, so it didn't matter enough to the aging man.

Opening the door, Lilia flashed a warm smile as she pushed the hood down. ''Hey Gramps Jin Jin. How are you today? Working hard?'' She asked him as she closed the door behind her. Walking to his desk, she wanted to glance at the documents, but refrained herself from doing that. After all, it was rude to poke your nose into the business of other people. Walking around the desk, she gave a quick kiss on Jinkama's cheek as she then took out a big lunchbox from the bag. ''I thought you would like some sandwhiches.'' Placing it on the desk, she walked around it again to grab a chair and sit at the other end of the desk.

It was a bit of a surprise that it was Lilia showing up. Jinkama naturally assumed that it would be one of the village's jonin. But it was a pleasant surprise nonetheless. "Hardly working, more like," was his natural response to her statement. The kiss on the cheek also came off as a surprise, as he could recall the typical behavior of youth in his time (and his family's behavior in general) to come to the conclusion that most people aren't that polite. But the offer of food quickly distracted him from his memories. "You thought correctly," Jinkama answered, moving the paper in front of him to the side of his desk to make room for a potential lunch.

Smiling to see he was happy with the surprise, she looked at the bag. Taking a smaller lunchbox as a little box, she spoke back. ''Well, I thought it would be nice for us to lunch together. Almost forgot we had said we would do that today. I've managed to bring you even some apple pie.'' She told Jinkama. As she took out a sandwhich, she glanced at the documents. ''So, have you heard already about my hunt on a Kayuga missing nin?'' She asked him, proud of being able to do missions on her own. After asking the question she took a small bite from the sandwich she was holding.

Jinkama smirked at this. "I have heard about that," he confirmed, leaning back in his seat somewhat. "How many solo missions have you completed, Lilia?" Though, one would think the formal response would be to provide a compliment to this, Jinkama decided he would save that until after his question. He never claimed to be the most polite or the most formal man in Konoha. Just one of the wisest.

Thinking about it, Lilia cleared her mouth before answering back. ''Quite some. I think I've done more missions with some other squads. Not to mention with Team 6. Why you ask, Gramps Jin Jin?'' She asked him. Suspecting he was either surprised or had something to advise her, Lilia was wondering why he had asked that. Taking another bite of her sandwich, her green colored eyes were looking into his direction.

The older man nodded. "Solo missions are usually the best way of demonstrating skill in the field. Not always, but I find them to be accurate measures," Jinkama explained, before smirking a bit. "So good job." He remembered hearing a speech from the First Hokage about how what he said was the exact opposite of true. That the missions as a team showed true worth. But then again, Jinkama and everyone that knew him had always known that he never quite agreed with many of the things the First said. The thought made him chuckle. "I'm starving over here. You gonna hand me my sandwich or is this a sick joke?" Jinkama spoke up, not quite able to suppress his chuckle.

Lilia smiled, but she felt that there was something else. Maybe she hadn't been on enough missions with her team? Handing over a sandwich, she decided to just head over with her idea. ''Gramps Jin Jin, I had been thinking about your words. I've been training and talking with Hisoka and came with my own answer. I'm grateful for your advice and even thought about the jump from being the point of the blade to become the shield.'' Pausing as she didn't want to be sounding too enthoustic, Jinkama would likely still be able to hear the eagerness in her voice. ''I've bought a place where I'm going to start an own group. Called Konoha Guardians and not only do I wish to speak about the future goals I've with them, but also wanted some advice. Like your reputation says, you're one of Konoha's greatest commanders, isn't that right?'' She asked him, still smiling.

"Some can say that," Jinkama agreed with a smirk, accepting the sandwich from Lilia. "No losing battles in the Shinobi World War, no failed missions, and I'm going to let out some ego and say that I've defeated some of the most powerful men in the world. I've made good use of my years." Jinkama chuckled a bit to himself, but quickly recomposed. Now was not the time for boasting about accomplishments. "If you want advice, I've got advice for days."

So it was true. Swallowing the bite, she frowned. ''Not to sound disrespectful, Gramps Jin Jin, but it's hard to believe you never lost. Come on, you must have lost one or two battles once. Maybe when you were a genin?'' She asked him with a giggle after it. Lilia loved actually to hear the stories of the old days. Not that she wanted a war or her life like that, but she found it interesting. It was in a way a time that forged the world like it was now.

Her words made Jinkama chuckle a bit more. "No losses, believe it or not. I've had my ass handed to me a few times, but nothing I wasn't ever able to overcome. I even outmatched my sensei once. Once. But that's always been good enough for me," Jinkama explained further. He could recall training sessions where he essentially "lost," but it wasn't a lie that he's won every actual fight he's been in. "Even when I was a genin, I was fighting jonin. Wasn't a genin very long, for that matter. But personal disputes between me and the First kept me from becoming a jonin for a little while. A responsibility thing. I can't lie about it, I wasn't exactly well behaved in my youth."

'''So just like me, heh?'' She told him, refering that he had been fighting jounins at an early start. Also that he hadn't been long a genin. ''But I had a question or well, several. But you see, I've thought of the jump. I want to bring a group together to form the shield. After all, no matter how strong I will become, I'm just one person. After doing some research, I noticed that Uncle Z started what was called the Hokage Guard, because he was a young Hokage. Likely the youngest in the history.'' She told him, becoming serious but still talking with a very friendly voice. ''That is why I want to achieve becomign the shield with others, seeing that I don't think that it's possible to just become it myself alone. Or do I have it wrong now?'' Lilia asked him, curious for his response.

Jinkama had to think back for a second. It was true that Zakito did form the Hokage Guard rather early in his time as Hokage. "No, you never have to serve the village alone," Jinkama began to explain. "Only one person holds the title at any given time, but the Hokage never works alone." He took another bite from his sandwich, creating a brief pause. "But who you choose to help you does make a difference. Times change, and you'll want people that will stay by your side through it."

''I know and don't worry, I won't just select people on their strength. I might just do the opposite. I might just select them on their weaknesses. After all, people keep saying I need to grow and to learn.'' Lilia told Jinkama, but her nose wrinkled as she told him the last sentence. Likely she felt bothered people kept saying that to her. ''So why shouldn't I show that I'm already capable of leading an own group? Would be even better if the others of the group also grow out to capable nin, all underneath my tutorship.'' She told him, a smile back on her lips again as she hinted to her own plan and goal for the group.

The older man raised an eyebrow for a second, before taking another bite of his sandwich. "That's one way of doing it," he agreed, once his mouth was no longer full. "But perhaps you should word it nicely whenver you explain it to people. You don't want to look conceited, so a bit of clever wording will keep that in check. I'm sure you could get a lesson in clever wording from your uncle, or even your cousin perhaps." Jinkama chuckled a bit, before taking another bite. "It's a good idea though. I'd suggest you go with it."

A smile grew on Lilia's lips. The fact that Jinkama called it a good idea meant she should keep going on with it. Well, it would be a shame if she had already the place and put effort in it and then leave it. ''Oh I know, but sometimes people need a good kick against their ass before they get the message.'' Lilia told him, winking in his direction. Though she wasn't making any reference to anybody. ''I also want to use it as some kind of group that could rival the guard division of the Daimyo. I don't think that the Daimyo nor the Hokage are the important. It's the next Generation that counts more. I want to have the ones that has the strongest will of fire to be part of the group, so that we can grow together and eventually make it a better place for everybody.'' The smile faded away as Lilia became serious again. ''And with everybody, I mean everybody. It's one of the things I want to see changed. No matter how naive that may sound.''

This made Jinkama pause entirely. He looked Lilia straight in the eyes. The girl would see that his irises changed from blue to purple fairly quickly. "That does sound naive," he agreed, before taking a bite from his sandwich. But he quickly continued. "I have spent my life in different eras of this world. I've lived in warfare and chaos, and I've lived in times of relative peace. I've lived in times of great tension. I had always kept a goal in mind: to ensure that the world doesn't envelop itself in total chaos. And believe me, it came close back in the Shinobi World War. I've never exactly strived for a true world peace, because I don't see it happening. But I've always tried my best to prevent the opposite of such from happening. And believe me when I say this..." Jinkama took a pause and leaned forward, still looking Lilia in the eyes. "It is much more difficult than it sounds." With that, he sat up straight again and took one last bite of his sandwich.

Lilia didn't look away or even blinked. She clenched her right fist as then a smirk crept on her lips. ''Who are Dragon Lotus? Why is Uncle Z in it? Why was Ino Namikaze sent after me in his name?'' She only frowned. Lilia had found out about it after Ino had told Lilia that she had been sent after her, by Zakito's orders. Not to mention, she had met the group several times during her time as genin. Her first mission was even to fight two strong members of that organization. ''I get the feeling you and that group share the same goals. Gramps Jin Jin. You know Ino?'' Her tone was very serious suddenly, just like the change of the subject.

Jinkama stared at her blankly for a moment, before scanning the room with his eyes. He could sense that there was nobody unusual in the building, and that nobody was in a position to eavesdrop. "I do know Ino. I met her back when she was about your age," Jinkama answered first, his tone matching Lilia's. "She has been one of our finer operatives, considering she survived the Elders' attempts at killing us off." He took a pause here. Of course he knew the answers to all her questions, but it was a matter of how much she should know, rather than how much she wanted to know. "Zakito has been involved for some years now. I guess you could say he's a senior member of sorts. I recruited him on behalf of my master, as he had died before being able to see the group properly form." Jinkama looked past Lilia a second, out the window. His eyes might be somewhat aged, but his vision was still sublime, and he couldn't detect anyone looking in, even from a great distance.

''Sorry, but I was wondering about so many things and after I started to research about my mother, Hokage Guard and any information I could find over the Bijuu, I started to think more. Eventually, I managed to make a link. And seeing you answered like this means...'' Lilia stopped talking a she realised what it meant that he could talk back like that. It just made it all clear. So Jinkama was also part of this organization. Lilia thought more about and realized she had found and learnt about the goal, if Jinkama was such a high ranked member. ''Gramps Jin Jin... Am I now in trouble for knowing too much?'' She asked him on a hushed tone.

The older man leaned forward a bit. "Do you know too much?" he asked, his voice slightly lower than before but intentionally normal volume. Not exactly waiting for an answer, he sat up straight again. "Dragon Lotus has been around a long time. Longer than you would think. Knowledge is dangerous, so if I were you, I wouldn't investigate any further unless you know what you're getting into," Jinkama continued, opening a drawer in his desk and withdrawing a bottle of gin and a glass. One glass. "Information is always sensitive. You have no idea who you could be hurting by prying." And with that, he poured himself a glass and set the bottle down.

Listening to Jinkama, Lilia bite her lower lip. She didn't want to lie against Jinkama, seeing how much she cared for him and respected. Lowering her head, she spoke to him. ''Just like it would hurt me to be captured by the group, Gramps Jin Jin? As for knowledge.'' She looked up with a rather sad look. Knowledge had made her know that her real father was unknown and her mother was dead or had made some weird seal on her before she died. That she also had been a target for a group that both had Zakito, Ino and Jinkama as members. ''Though I wasn't intending to hurt anybody... But why was it that members of that group are looking after me? I thought... That you had faith in me...''

The older man listened to Lilia silently, taking the occassional sip of his glass. And once she was done speaking, he continued his silence a moment longer. "It isn't an issue of faith that Ino was sent to accompany you," Jinkama began. "We have faith in you as an individual, but you must understand that the world we live in isn't a nice place. You have the Nibi. As cruel as it sounds, you are a military asset. But you know this already. So I'm sure it goes without words exactly why Ino Namikaze accompanied you..." Jinkama took a slight pause, before taking another sip of his gin. After saying it, it did sound particularly cruel. So he continued. "Though, I may be mistaken and there may be an ulterior motive to it. After all, it wasn't me that gave the command. Perhaps Zakito had a different reason than the one I provided. Regardless, I feel an obligation to clear something else up with you."

Jinkama finished his glass now and began to pour himself another. "When the Nibi was sealed within you, it was not our plan to kidnap you. Trust me, if we wanted to, it would've happened. Our plan was to get our hands on the beast itself. Once that was no longer a viable option, we backed off. We had already found that a jinchuriken was less than ideal for our intended purpose, as human beings tend to violently seek their freedom." He set the bottle down again and brought the glass near his face. "So consider this an apology on behalf of Dragon Lotus." And with that, he took a sip.

It was much like she had expected. Still it did hurt a little, that she was viewed like that. But she had accepted, to some degree. ''I can understand that, but it's still wrong to view him like that. He has a name, you know?'' Lilia told Jinkama on a calm tone as she looked up. ''Mata-sama is neither a weapon, nor an asset. He is just like us a person. A living being. Maybe different, but it's wrong to see him like that.'' Placing her hand on her stomach, Lilia faintly smiled. ''He even can understand most of my pain. How it is to be alone when you're growing up in a world that actually hates and despise you. The time I had with Katsuro acting like my father was the nightmare of my life and Mata-sama is able to relate to that. That is why I view him as a person and not as just a mass off chakra that can help me.'' Lilia then stopped as she bite her lower lip.

''But for this Dragon Lotus... Who more that I hold dear are part of this group?'' Lilia asked, already scared for the answer. Still, she wanted to have an answer on the question. This made her to add something to her question. ''I won't tell anybody of the group, seeing both you and Uncle Z are part of it, but is there something else that is close to me that is part of this group? And is there a way I can help to preseve the peace? Cause that was the goal of the group, wasn't it?'' She asked him.

Immediately, Jinkama shook his head. "Our goal isn't to preserve the peace," he clarified, before taking another sip of his gin. "But yes, there are others that you know. One in particular that is quite close to you. In fact, I'm surprised he isn't the reason you're asking around." Jinkama thought a moment whether he should provide names, but figured that he couldn't give Lilia too much information. Jinkama took another pause here for another drink. "I don't think there are any others that are particularly close to you. I believe you've met several of our members though."

Lilia nodded with a serious expression on her face. ''Yes, I have. Even on my first mission. But what will happen now?'' She asked him, still unsure if she would be able to walk away with knowing this much. The fact he said that one was very close to her, made her however widen her eyes. Out of the blue, she let out a name. ''Keiko is..'' She however closed her mouth, cursing herself for blurting that out. What if Keiko was now getting trouble for that? Alice clenched her hands into fist, that were laid on her lap.

Lilia's slip of the tongue only earned a head shake from Jinkama. "Not Keiko, no. She actually vehemently hates Dragon Lotus. Quite the grudge, I have to say. In fact, she probably still hates me somewhat because of it," Jinkama explained, before finishing his glass. With that, he took a deep breath and continued. "But it shouldn't matter regardless. As long as you keep quiet, there won't be problems. It's not that there is a problem with people knowing in general, it's that we don't want certain individuals knowing. And it's best to just keep silent to prevent that. You understand?"

She nodded and then realized who this other person was. It made her think. ''So if he is a member.. Does it mean he is in danger or such?'' She asked, clearly refering to that one person. Lilia wasn't sure why she even asked as she wanted to forget the whole conversation. It was slowly turning her world upside down. She thought she had thought it out all about it, but now she was learning that she was more wrong then ever about it.

"Not in any more danger than any other shinobi," Jinkama answered at first, before taking a pause to stare into Lilia's eyes. "As long as nobody knows about it, understand?" He wanted to ensure that Lilia wouldn't speak of these things. Not just anywhere, but even with Jinkama. Though, it wasn't so much for her own good, keeping quiet would be beneficial to all parties. "You never know who you can truly trust, ya know." And with that, Jinkama ceased staring through Lilia and took a second to close his eyes and sigh.

As she nodded again, Lilia did wanted to talk about. She wanted to learn what was going on, had it enough that she was seeing her beloved ones getting involved in things that could end up hurting them. ''So that means I can't trust you either, Gramps Jin Jin?'' She asked, tilting her head. It almost looked like if she wasn't serious about the question, but the girl was simply taking the advice that he had told her.

Her little joke was amusing. Rather than correct it, Jinkama decided to go with it. "That's right," he joked, chuckling a bit as he did so. "So watch your mouth around me. You never know what I might remember." He contemplated taking another drink, but decided that he's already had enough. At least while in Lilia's presence. Jinkama didn't want the girl to think that he was some sort of alcoholic. "But I'm sure you're used to the concept of secrets, no?" Jinkama continued, trying to change the subject as he began to put away the glass and bottle.

Much to her shame, she was. Lilia sighed as she looked annoyed as she had understand that Jinkama made a joke of it first. Still, she wouldn't continue about it. Seeing that Jinkama wouldn't say anything more, Lilia then decided to switch the conversation to a new subject. ''So, what do you think about a surprise party? For Keiko and my little sibling?'' Lilia asked him, with a big smile as she suggested the plan.

"As far as I can recall, I don't think Keiko has ever been a big fan of surprises," Jinkama responded, "or at least she never liked being surprised." With a chuckle, Jinkama relaxed back into his chair a bit. From what he could tell, the conversation was only going to steer onward to much nicer topics. "But, personally, I'd do it anyways." The older man shot Lilia a grin, and gave her a quick thumbs up.

Smirking too as she nodded, Lilia was already aware that she could count on his help for that. There was only one thing she wasn't sure off. ''I only need to think of a cool gift. Maybe also one for my sister. What do you think?'' Lilia asked. She had thought about a new sword for Keiko, but she already had one. Then about an axe, but she had her sword. Then for some reason she had thought about a crab pet, but that was... strange. Not sure if jewelry would be a good gift, she wanted to come up with someting orignal.

Jinkama thought about it for a second. But it only led to a shrug. "I wish I could help you there. It's always been hit-or-miss with what Keiko wants. Believe me, her sixteenth birthday was a disaster. I don't even want to talk about that one," Jinkama responded, adding a light chuckle at the end. But he recomposed himself quickly. "I'm sure you'll be able to think up something she'll want anyways. I'd go with something homemade if all else fails. Even if she doesn't like it, she'd be less likely to complain if she knows effort was put into it. But that only applies to everyone but me. She'll complain regardless if it's me..."

So she had to think careful of her choice. This made Lilia think. It thus needed to be something Keiko both liked as something she had made herself. Hearing it applied to everybody but him, made Lilia giggle. ''Don't worry Gramps Jin Jin. She loves you though.'' She told him, as she felt needing to say that. Not sure if Keiko would like that, Lilia was sure that Jinkama was one of the person Keiko held close. She only didn't show it... often. ''Oh! I totally forgot to mention I had made something!'' She took out the little scroll as she laid it on the table. With a proud tone in her voice, she spoke as she hoped he would look at it.
''It's something I developed on my own. Not even a lightning technnique!'' She said, beaming as she wondered what his thoughts were on it.

The older man initially raised an eyebrow, almost skeptically, as Lilia placed a scroll on his desk. But when she finished explaining, he opened it himself to examine it's contents. "That's interesting..." he remarked after a moment, making sure to read it entirely before commenting. Once done, he gave the scroll back to Lilia and coughed a few times. "Do you have the requirements to use it to it's full capacity? Four people in tune isn't exactly easy to set up at times," Jinkama asked, bringing his hand to his mouth to cover another cough.

Lilia nodded as she hided the scroll away. She had thought about every aspect and how to neutralize the negatives about the jutsu. ''I did. You see, I've noticed the use of the earphones that is the standard equipment of the Konoha forces. With that, it's way easier to set up stratiegies. Not to mention that if you would ambush a group with this technique, it could have some good... effects.'' A sly smile came on her lips as she explained the jutsu a bit. Or at least how it could be used in a group. ''Though it's all theory. I've yet to test it out of course.'' She admitted. When he coughed a worried expression came on her face, but she restrained herself from asking if he was doing alright.

"Then perhaps it would be best to test it before praising it," Jinkama added, raising an eyebrow. Though the technique looked good, he was aware that it was through trial and tribulation that a successful technique would be mastered. After all, his signature technique took years for him to master. "And I'm going to guess you already have an idea of who you would use to fill in the other three positions. So take the time and practice it some. No shame in messing up a few times." And with that, Jinkama leaned back in his chair a bit, taking a brief glance to the ceiling. "Can't expect something to succeed without knowing what will happen first."

She listened and nodded in agreement. She felt a bit silly, but she was going to be honest with Jinkama. ''I know Gramps Jin. To be honest, I've already tried to use it with Shadow Clones alone, but it didn't worked at all. Not to mention that getting a blast of pure chakra smashed in your stomach or face isn't that.. motivating.'' She told him, revealing she had been struggeling with the jutsu. The memories of developing, perfecting and trying the jutsu weren't ones that Lilia was fond of. The result was nice, but the amount of effort made her think. Looking up, she sighed. ''Gramps Jin Jin. I wanted to ask something else. Hiron-chan always said when one knows their weakness, they can only grow from it. My weakness is mostly wind jutsu users. Seeing that Fire is superior in most cases against wind...Well.'' She blushed a bit as her right hand rubbed her left shoulder. Maybe it a was a bit too much to ask, but only one way to find out about it.

''I want to learn how to use Fire Release Jutsu.'' Lilia said. Knowing he would likely start that mastering a second nature wasn't as easy as a new technique, she bite her lower lip. ''The Tiger handseal is a handsign that is used in most Fire Jutsu, isn't it? I already moulded my chakra with the handseal instead of the Dog when I used the advanced chakra control jutsu. I just need to know and understand the basics.'' Looking with an asking look in her eyes, she hoped he would comply. It was also because she wanted to achieve something else, but that would only be revealed later.

The older man listened silently, and he had quickly seen where Lilia was going with her words. When she asked about the Tiger handseal, he only nodded as he let her finish. "Indeed I can help," Jinkama began, adjusting in his seat to be sitting upright again. "But wouldn't it be better if Keiko helped you instead? She might not be the best at helping people, but I have to admit she is the strongest fire user I've ever met. Surely she can help you better than I can." Though he knew his own words made sense, Jinkama was already predicting that Lilia had a reason to come to him first.

Lowering her head, Lilia knew she had to state the reason why she had asked Jinkama. ''I had promised I wouldn't worry about it... But I want to spent as much time as possible with you... I want...'' While she wanted to finish her sentence, she snobbed. A few tears rolled over her cheeks. Trying to stop crying, Lilia looked the other way, whipping the tears away. ''I-I want...'' Not able to contain the tears anymore, she silently let the tears rolled over cheeks. Feeling ashamed that she was crying in front of Jinkama, she couldn't raise her head to look at him.

Lilia's display caught Jinkama off guard. He had anticipated something more akin to just surprising Keiko after getting the basics. But the older man quickly composed himself. His smile faded to a more concerned expression as he leaned forward, over his desk. "Don't worry about it," Jinkama commanded, his voice surprisingly soft. He stretched his hand out and gently lifted Lilia's chin to force her to look into his eyes. The irises were purple again. "Everyone dies, and I'm just happy I've been blessed to know my time beforehand." He then gave her a smile, though he wasn't exactly sure if his words were even comforting or not.

Still sobbing, Lilia tried to stop crying. Nodding a bit, she whipped the tears away. ''Sorry Gramps Jin... I just find it unfair. You, of all people.. Sorry, I shouldn't waste your time with crying over something...'' She took a moment to regain her composure. ''The reason why I asked this suddenly is because I want to keep something of you with me. As a kind of memento. I indeed could ask Keiko, but.. If I could learn the basics from you and then later ask Keiko to help with the advanced part...'' She wavered, as she was unsure how much Jinkama knew already about it. It was likely no secret to him that the Nibi had an unique kind of fire. ''If I've mastered the Fire chakra nature far enough, I can easier get to obtain the Blue Fire of the Nibi. I want to become the Blue Fire of Konoha, the... symbol of the Will of Fire. But just like you explained me how I should become the Shield. I want... No.'' She faintly smiled. ''I need your help with the first step towards that goal.''

The older man sat upright again once Lilia regained her composure. He could already see that she wasn't exactly fine with his death sentence, but her willingness to drop the subject helped him relax. "Well it's a good thing I can help you with that," Jinkama agreed, putting his hands behind his head and leaning far back in his chair. He cracked a grin before kicking his feet up onto his desk. He looked totally relaxed. "Training starts now, then. Heat me up a cup of water." His sudden change of mood and charisma may have caught Lilia off guard, but Jinkama figured it would cheer her up some.

His words and the way he looked indeed made her smile a bit. However, she was then confused as he told her to warm up a cup of water. Slowly standing up, she wavered. ''One moment then, Gramps Jin.'' Walking out of his office to get the required items, she came however back with three cups, filled with water. Setting two on his desk, she held on in both her hands. Looking with an unsure look at it, she wavered again. ''A-Are you sure? I only have moulded my chakra with the Tiger handseal...Can't you give me more directions?'' She asked him.

Lilia's behavior and method of accomplishing his assignment were just as Jinkama expected. Uncertainty, but not doubt. "It's much like using your lightning chakra. Don't just imagine heating the water... actually do it, and it will happen," Jinkama added, maintaining a light smirk while he spoke. Of course he knew he was being somewhat vague. But he must have something in mind. "Just don't overdo it. You filled them up pretty good so we don't want the water to boil over onto my desk."

It was just too vague, but Lilia wasn't going to back down. If she could master Fire Release, it was one step closer to gain a closer bond with Matatabi. Not to mention, becoming stronger to protect everybody in the future. Closing her eyes, she focused on moulding her chakra. Just like she had done when practising it with holding the Tiger handseal. Feeling that her chakra started to move around, a crack was heard. The cup literally crumbled as lighting crackled through the air and the water falling on the ground. ''Heh? I didn't... Pfff, Gramps Jin Jin, don't you have another tip for me?'' Lilia asked, a bit annoyed now that she was good with Lightning chakra nature. She didn't even wanted Lightning, but Fire.

Her first attempt was a failure. Though, Jinkama was glad the water only got on the floor. He didn't care about that, as there was someone who would clean that up later. "Well, you've gotten so used to using your lightning chakra, I think the difficulty you are having comes from that. Rather than focusing on tapping into fire chakra, focus on blocking your own lightning chakra instead. You'll have to play a bit of a game with yourself on this one. To restrain yourself while at the same time making progress," he explained, bringing his feet down from the desk and sitting upright again. Jinkama picked up one of the cups and handed it to Lilia. "The chakra network is complex. To use different natures, you have to be able to block some parts and tap into others, at the same exact time. The better you are at it, the quicker you can switch between different nature techniques, or perhaps even combining them. Try again."

Listening to Jinkama, Lilia found it a bit complex, but it made sense. In a way. Sighing, she took the cup and bite on her lower lip as she held it with both her hands. Looking at the reflection of the water, she could see her own face. It showed a girl that just cried and tried to focus to learn something new. Something that she would gain from Jinkama. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes again. Focusing on blocking her lightning chakra and trying to tap into the Fire Release chakra nature, the way she had moulded her chakra from a long time ago, Lilia tried to heat up the cup. As she kept focusing, a crack was heard again. This made Lilia produce a sound too. ''Tch,'' She tried to more her best to keep out the lightning chakra nature. Feeling her warms getting a fuzzy and pleasant feeling, she wondered if she doing it alright. Slowly opening her eyes, she noticed that there was only one little crack. But as soon as she opened her eyes, lightning flickered around her right hand. It destroyed the cup as water splashed again on the floor. ''Dammit. It's so hard. Normally I don't have this much trouble learning something new.'' She mumbled, frustrated by the fact she wasn't making fast progress.

"Watch your mouth," Jinkama remarked instinctively. It took him a second to remember that Lilia wasn't his child, and he didn't have control over her vocabulary, prompting a facepalm. "Er, nevermind that. Anyways, this is different than what you're used to. You've been practicing new techniques of a nature you've already mastered. This is basically like starting anew. In fact, I don't know if you can remember what it was like when you first became a shinobi, but this is exactly like that all over again. Just a different nature you're learning is all," he explained, picking up the last cup. He weighed it in his hand for a second, before handing it to Lilia. "Perhaps it would be best to instead of looking forward this time, you should look back to what it was like mastering your lightning nature?" Once the cup was in her hands, Jinkama would release it and lean back in his chair, making sure not to take his eyes off her.

Lilia wondered about the first time she had learn to use Lightning chakra based jutsu. It was probably during the time at the Hon Estate. Underneath Katsuro's tutelage. A shiver went down her spine. Instead somebody else came up in her mind. A much friendlier and honorable person. The one that was patient with her and always ready to help her out. Hiron. Looking at the cup that Jinkama reached out, Lilia slowly took it and nodded. As she focused on what was needed to be done, she kept thinking back of those times. Sure, at first there was nothing like a connection between her and Hiron, but the evening when he opened up to her... That was one she would never forget. One she would always cherish. With her eyes closed and a smile on her lips, she noticed something. A bit of steam rolled in her face, prompting her to open her eyes. It came out of the cup! Surprised, she looked at Jinkama and laughed. ''I did! I-'' Then the water started to keep boiling and Lilia looked worried. ''Stop! Stop! Stop, I said! Hey hey hey hey! Jin Jin! Help!?'' It seemed she wasn't having much control as it wouldn't stop heating the cup. Standing up from her seat, Lilia was unsure what to do.

With a smile, Jinkama leaned forward and removed the cup from Lilia's hands. "Warned you about overdoing it," Jinkama joked, letting out a chuckle as he leaned back in his seat. He brought the cup of boiling water to his face, as if he was going to drink it, before pausing and looking into Lilia's eyes. Once he was sure she was totally shocked, he removed the hot water from his face and nonchalantly dumped the cup onto the floor. "I hope you didn't really think I was going to drink that," he joked again, before setting the empty cup on his desk. "Anyways, that feeling you had right there, that's what fire nature feels like. Remember, just using it is different from controlling it. Practice makes perfect."

She frowned and puffed her cheeks. ''I already knew you wouldn't drink that.'' Though she said that, she was afraid he would. Waving with her hands, in an attempt to cool them down, she wondered about it. ''Still, it's just heating up a cup of water. How can I learn to spit or breath out fire?'' She asked him curiously as she took a seat on her chair again. It wasn't a very exciting prospect to keep heating up bottles, cups and mugs of water. How many would she need to heat up before she would be able to use a simple Fire jutsu? Hundreds? Thousands of mugs?

"Ah, baby steps," Jinkama started, leaning back in his seat and smiling. "We're back to basics here. I know it's been a long time since you've been in this position, but it's the same process. Once you get the molding down, then you get to have fun applying it. That's probably where you'll want Keiko's help most. While I can use fire fluently, she doesn't even need handseals if she's in a pinch. And I swear, I've seen her defeat water techniques with her fire. I wouldn't compare mine to hers at all. But the early stuff is all the same no matter who you go to. Sure, you're heating a cup of water now, but..." Jinkama looked around his desk, before finding a file that he was meaning to get rid of. "Once you can boil a cup of water without overdoing it, you can do me a favor and burn this." Jinkama handed Lilia the file. If she opened it, she would see that it was a few days old and was about supply movements to an outpost. Nothing confidential or important. "Up to the challenge?"

''Yes, Gramps!'' She told him as she took the file. Not that she would open it. If Jinkama was sure that it was okay to burn it, than she wouldn't complain about it. Holding the paper with both her hands, she started to focus again. But she was paying more attention. This time, she managed to keep out the lightning nature chakra. Soon the smell of something burning was noticable in the air. This made Lilia smile, but it was going very slowy as the smell was also very faint. Slowly, she was adding more of the same chakra she was moulding in a different way. Then a little bit of a flame was seen before it started to spread quickly among the paper. Lilia yelped as she almost dropped it. ''Hot hot hot hot hot!'' She kept repeating the word as she hoped Jinkama would intervene now.

The file soon ignited. But it would seem that Lilia still couldn't quite control her own fire yet. At least judging by the fact she was burning herself. Jinkama quickly snatched the file out of Lilia's hands, crushing it in his own grip. This extinguished the flames, and when Jinkama opened his hands, the crumpled file was mostly a charred crisp. Not quite ashes yet, but it's a start. "Not bad. I think you know how to tap into fire now. Just need to work on controlling it. Let's face it, if you can't keep your own fire from hurting you, you don't have enough control yet... And I'm not saying you test your control by setting yourself on fire and testing if it hurts or not. That's a bad idea. Trust me, I'd know. Anyways, fire is a unique nature in the sense that if you don't control it, it will control itself. Your lightning cannot exist without you administering it. But fire will burn on it's own. So you have to be careful. For one... we won't be training indoors anymore," Jinkama explained, dropping the charred file into the trashcan on the side of his desk.

Hearing Jinkama's words, Lilia puffed her cheeks. In way, she had made some progress and then again hadn't. For a moment she wanted to stop using Fire and forget about the plans she had with it. In her opinion, Lightning was much better than Fire. The only problem was that Fire could combat the Wind chakra based jutsu while Lightning couldn't. ''But how can I learn to control the Fire like I can do with Lightning?'' She asked, in an almost whinning manner. Mostly because she was getting annoyed by it, but Lilia did found it frustrating that she wasn't getting much progress as usual. It was just that it never had been much of a hassle with Lightning chakra nature.

"For one, you have to acknowledge that you're opening a whole new book now," Jinkama said, standing up from his seat. "Fire is almost like a living thing. Producing it is as easy as any other nature. But controlling it is arguably more difficult. It takes a certain kind of person to master it. Someone with a fire of their own. Determination. You will get burned a few times, probably a lot more, but if you're willing to see it through, you'll be able to perform some powerful techniques." Jinkama motioned for Lilia to follow as he began to head out the door.

''Opening...A new..book.'' Lilia softly repeated as she thought abut the words. As Jinkama beckoned to follow him, Lilia quickly get out of her chair. Following him, she raised her head to look up to him. ''Gramps Jin Jin....'' Slowly she grabbed his hand and smiled. ''Did you know you're awesome... I won't care if I'll get burned. Cause I shall develop a Fire technique in your honor. Promised!'' She told him as her hand radiated a bit of warmth.

Her words made Jinkama chuckle a bit. "I would be honored if you did that," Jinkama responded with a smile. He led Lilia out of the building, before simply stopping in the street. Though it was relatively busy, as per usual, he felt this would be a good example. "Control is the most important part of mastering a nature, as I'm sure you know. Without control, simply producing it would be dangerous." Jinkama let go of Lilia's hand now, performing a few handseals. Some passerby noticed this and grew curious as to what the Jonin Commander would be doing. "Keiko would be better for this, and I'm a bit rusty for testing my own control. But here goes nothing," he muttered, before flashing Lilia a suspicious grin. Jinkama then put one of his hands to his mouth, looked straight up, and let loose a large ball of flame.

The fireball shot straight into the sky, immediately catching the attention of the crowd. Many stopped and looked up to see what it was. "Remember, I said producing it was the easy part. Control is harder," Jinkama whispered to Lilia, before giving her a wink and walking into the middle of the street. About now, the people surrounding them began to realize the fireball was now coming back down, and some began to panic and run to avoid it's path. The ones who noticed Jinkama fire it in the first place and saw him manuevering under it stayed, however. Jinkama formed another series of handseals, before firing another ball of flame at the first. The two connected a few meters above the buildings. Their impact caused a small explosion, where the fire dissipated into a large ball of smoke that immediately began to drift. "I'm sure Keiko could've doen a better job, but hey, I haven't done it in years so give me a break."

Lilia giggled when he finished his sentence. ''Í would happily give you a break if that means apple pie.'' She joked as she had paid close attention. It made her think of the following question. ''So, you can stop fire with fire? Isn't that not just counterbalancing it? Thought you really meant that you would administer the flames and such, Gramps Jin Jin.'' Lilia said, still staying at the side of Jinkama the whole time. She wanted to say he also did a great job, but that was stating the obivious and with some people laughing and clapping, Lilia felt a bit pride. For a moment she wanted to say that it was her own Gramps that managed to fight fire with fire. ''So what now then?'' She asked him curiously.

"It is counterbalancing. The thing about fire is that it's difficult to simply cease. You see..." Jinkama then leaned in close to Lilia, to whisper to her. "My original plan was to just catch it and cease the flames, but I kinda panicked a little and decided to go with counterbalancing." He then stood back up straight and chuckled nervously a bit. He didn't let his little confession of failure keep himself down though. "That can be demonstrated later or something," he now spoke at normal volume. "Why don't we go eat somewhere? You still have that pie you were talking about?"

''As long as it's on my treat. Think it's my turn to pay now.'' Lilia said with a smile. She really saw no failure in the fact that Jinkama panicked a little. ''You handled it pretty well, Jin Jin-sama. I wouldn't be that confident to even fire a big mass of fire that would have the chance to land in a busy street with civilians....'' She stopped as she noticed that it sounded wrong. Giggling, she decided to not talk about that little detail anymore. ''The usual place?'' She asked him as they kept walking.

Jinkama laughed a bit, but maintained his pace with Lilia. "I've done crazier things," he said first, before taking a moment to recompose himself. As he began to speak again, he was interrupted by a few coughs. The fit was brief, however, and Jinkama was unfazed. "Anyways, the usual place sounds just fine." He gave Lilia another smile, as if to comfort her that his coughs were nothing.

The coughs were something that kept giving Lilia the chills. They were the heralds to Lilia that her time with Jinkama was ending. That soon or later Jinkama wouldn't be around, whether she liked it or not. Trying to ignore them was hard, even with her promise. ''Okay, let's go then!'' She grabbed Jinkama's hand as she picked up the pace. It wouldn't last long before they were at the usual place where they always ate some apple pie. Wondering about it, Lilia thought about the idea to learn it herself. Than she could bake some apple pie for Jinkama. Made by herself! Just when they sat down at a table, Lilia had another question to fire at Jinkama. ''Hey Gramps Jin. You actually never told what you wanted to become when you would become older.'' A smile was on her lips as she was curious to hear his answer.

Jinkama chuckled at Lilia's question as he took his seat. "I never really knew what I wanted to become," he started, taking a moment to get comfortable. "I was forced to become a shinobi by my father. Once that was said and done, I decided my first goal would be to outdo him. Then I decided to outdo my friends. Then my sensei. That one took a while, but it happened one day. I never really had a goal until Katsuko was born. Then I decided to make sure that he could grow up with the best possible life I could give him. Don't think I exactly succeeded, but hey, I did a pretty good job all things considered." Jinkama lost his smile for a moment as he thought about failing his son, but it quickly returned as he made a joke out of it.

Lilia always loved to listen to sthe stories of Jinkama and giggled. Thinking about her own sensei, friends and such, she had beaten most. Or driven them in a pinch. Only a few remained unbeaten, but there was only one she wanted to proof her strenght to. ''I only want to beat one person. To show my worth to him... Not that I will likely get something out of it, but other than becoming Hokage with my own reasons, I wish I had a second goal.'' She told Jinkama as the waiter came to ask what they wanted. Ordering a big piece for them both, Lilia looked at Jinkama as she leaned on the table with her right elbow. Her hand supported her head. ''I know that I maybe have asked several times, but what do you think Gramps Jin Jin? Am I able to reach my goals if you would look at how I am and such?''

She knew that she's asked the question multiple times. This made Jinkama think that she still had doubt. "You certainly have the potential," Jinkama began, leaning back in his seat. Almost like a mimicry of Lilia leaning forward. "You just need the determination. You have the anticipation, but not the confidence. Those are the two things that make determination. Seeing your success and moving toward it. Just stay determined and take the time to ensure success. None of your goals will happen overnight, so be prepared to wait a while and take advantage of the time you have. So in short terms: you can probably reach your goals." Jinkama gave her a bit of a smirk after that, to help boost her mood in case his words weren't enough.

Instead of just taking the words, she thought abotu them. The confidence? She thought about the past. It was true. In some situations, she had failed in that part. Often she had somebody around that helped her to get back on her feet, but what is fhe would end up alone? ''Thanks for your words Gramps Jin Jin.'' She told him, now smiling in his direction. ''Know what? If I'll become Hokage, I shall make a statue in your honor! Will name it : The man that showed the path!'' Lilia said, giggling about the idea that popped inside her mind.

Her words brought another smile to Jinkama's face. "I don't think I deserve any statues," he responded humbly. Of course, he knows he has done some great things for the village. But he couldn't help but think about all the horrible things he's done to other villages. That always kept him humble about his accomplishments. "I just help where I can." Jinkama chuckled a bit with that, before relaxing in his seat a little.

''Something it are the little things that count. Such as eating apple pie with your granddaughter.'' Lilia said with a happy tone. Just as she wanted to say something more, the waiter came with their order. As the waiter walked away, Lilia had a question for him again. ''You know that I want to become Hokage... But what if something happens...Such as losing the motivation..What would you advice me then?'' She asked him.

"I would advise you find what you truly want and to stick with it," Jinkama responded, somewhat quickly after she finished her question. "People change as they grow older and experience more. But as long as you are going after what you truly want, then you're doing the right thing." Jinkama gave Lilia a bit of a smirk as he sat upright and grabbed his fork. "Just stay true to yourself and you'll be doing good."

''Will try, Gramps Jin Jin!'' She told him, just clearing her mouth that had been full of apple pie. It made her wonder in what kind of person would grow up to. Maybe just like Keiko? Or Jinkama? Or maybe she wouldn't change at all? It made her giggle a bit. ''You know... I would want to ask for a spar, but how much time do you have later?'' She asked him, though she wasn't really serious. Spending time with Jinkama was overall fun. If it was either eating apple pie or training.

The older man shook his head. "I have the time, but I'm not feeling good enough for another spar," he explained, before taking a pause to take a bite of his pie. "Trained with Katsuko the other day. Man, that kid needs to learn to hold back... I'm still messed up from that." He chuckled a bit before taking another bite. "I keep forgetting that I'm getting old, ya know. Age just suddenly happens. You wake up one morning and realize you aren't as young as you used to be." Jinkama gave Lilia a smile with that one. He was just joking with her now, but it was true that he still felt exhausted. And he didn't want to be pushing himself, because he knew he'd have to with Lilia.

Puffing her cheeks, she wanted to say that he was not that old. It made her think slightly of the time she had with him. The time left. Deciding not to make that comment, Lilia just nodded. ''I understand. Well, once I'm in the picture, than I'll try to make sure that I can defend everybody. Just like you had done, Gramps Jin!'' She told him with a big smile. Lilia silently just wished she could find a way to make it happen that he would be able to see that as well.

[Little Alice]

The Students of Team 6,
Spending and training together.

A collab between FoxSVK and Alice.
Time : 4 months after the start of the Timeskip.

Summary :
Lilia Hon helping Masami Hyuuga, her team mate of Team 6 and good friend, with some training as well discussing some things. Masami has joined the Konohagakure Guardians just a day, before the start of this collab. As first member of the group.

SPOILER: Click to show

Running through the streets of Konoha towards Azumi, Masami was hoping she is not too late for the training session she requested with Lilia. Her morning exercise took a bit longer than usually, but she felt well prepared thanks to it for the training that was waiting her with Lilia - she was never the one to go easy, and for that, Masami was grateful. There was no sense in training if it did not prepary you for the things that await you outside the training field. Within a few minutes, she was arriving at Azumi - literally sprinting now. Giving a series of quick waves, she finally arrived to the training ground, her hands on her knees to catch her breath a bit, and her eyes searching for Lilia.

''You're a bit late, Masami-chan.'' Lilia's voice was sounded. Looking down from the branch she was sitting on, Lilia was dressed in her kunoichi outfit. Instead of the big bandaged sword, Samehada, she had a normal blade, sheathed in a scabbard at her back. With a swift move, she dropped from out of the tree on the ground. ''How are you today?'' Lilia asked with a smile as she seemed to be in a good mood today.

Masami´s eyes locked at Lilia as she dropped to the ground from the branch she stood on." Yes, yes I know ... I am sorry. I forgot to watch time and my morning training was suddenly an hour longer than usual. Besides that, I am quite well ... how about you, Lilia-chan ? Where´s Shady ?", she asked, looking for the Shark Blade. She grew so sued to it that now when it was missing, she felt a bit puzzled." Oh, and ... thank you for finding time, Lilia-chan. I appreciate it.". She felt necessary to say her thanks, and finally catching her breath, she stood up to her full height, resting her hands on her hip.

Frowning a little bit, Lilia then let out a giggle. ''Shady? Oh, he is snoring. I don't think I need him for this training. Besides, using the same weapon over and over will make my skill with other weapons maybe a bit dull. Not to mention, if I keep using Shady, everybody will eventually learn how I fight with him and thus able to come up with how to counter him.'' Lilia explained, as she then simply nodded for the thanks. ''No need to thank me.''

" I can´t imagine anybody foolish enough who would willingly stand against you and ... well, you know. Go around and talk about it. At least, I would avoid it, Lilia-chan. I think I am getting the grasp of one of the moves that is being taught in the Main House, but I can´t ask any of them for help. Most probably, it is a technique best trained on a clone, because ... well. It seals of thirty two of tenketsu and most victims find it hard to stand for a while being hit by it. That and ... I was hoping I can ask you a thing or two about the limits of Water Release in conjunction with the Gentle Fist.". As she finished, she activated her Byakugan with a quick Ram seal, then gave Lilia a bit of a grin." And it has been ages since we had a spar."

Though Lilia doubted if she already had such a fearsome reputation, she listened to what Masami had to tell her. Slowly, Lilia started to walk a bit forth and back. ''Well, you know that I won't mind to help you.'' Lilia grinned back at Masami, though there was a serious glance in her green eyes. ''I can't use Water Release, though I know how it can be used in some ways. But what would you prefer first? The spar or asking me about the Water Release? Unless you want to combine both into one, if you fancy a challenge.'' Lilia told Masami, waiting for the reply of her friend.

Masami returned the grin again, then asked." I know how to create water from my chakra. The question is - can water be shaped to work like a ... like an extension of my own hand. Let´s say, create needles from my palm and hurl them at my enemies - like shuriken, but it could be done without reaching to the pouch. What do you think, Lilia-chan. Is it possible ?". While waiting for a response, she assumed a basic Gentle Fist stance and looked at Lilia." And I agree with you. How better to learn doing thigns than by doing them ?"

Seeing the stance, Lilia also slowly took a fighting stance. Her right hand went towards the hilt of her blade, while her left formed the Seal of Confrontation. ''In a way, it's possible to use manipulate the water in such a way. I however am not certain if Water Release works the same as it could be with Lightning. If you have such an idea, it would be required to gather some water and then convert it into Water chakra nature. Then simply use Shape Manipulation to form what you had in mind... Though it's all theory.'' Lilia told Masami. First she had some tactics in mind, but those wouldn't work on a Hyuuga. Their eyes could see through most deceptions, what made Lilia thus think of another one.

Nodding her head in agreement, a plan already formulated in her mind. Returning the Seal of Confrontation with a friendly smile, her mind was already focused on her opponent. She had to be extremely careful - Lilia was not your average opponent. Charging in was not an option, not without a diversion of sorts. Dropping the seal and starting to charge - halfway through, she formed the seals for the Water Trumpet - and then it struck her. The water created by this technique is created from her chakra, and thus should be able to be manipulated far more easier. Meanwhile, the water created a distraction - she was waiting for the water to struck first, then she would have to avoid it - against Lilia´s Lightning Release, standing in a body of water was like to ask for a shock.

Lilia noticed that Masami took the first step. Already, the young Hon narrowed her eyes as she focused on what move Masami would take. The time they had spent together made them aware of the both the strong as weak points of each other. The water jutsu wasn't a good idea normally, but Masami didn't wasted time to stand in the water. From that Lilia knew that Masami was on high guard. With a quick dodge roll towards the left, Lilia managed to evade the attack. Her left hand touched the wet ground and instantly, Lilia let Silent Shocking ran through it. It was clear that Masami would be able to evade the shock if she would stay away from the water, but Lilia wanted to test her friend anyways.

Masami was not surprised by her reaction - using one of her Lightning techniques, she smirked. Leaping as much as she could, she was high over the water, out of danger - at least, for the moment. Her Byakugan showed her how Lilia´s lightning natured chakra was spreading through the water except of one place - where Lilia stood. As she approached, she brought one of her leg up, intent on opening with a heavy over head kick. All of her senses were now focused on Lilia, preparing her body for a swift reaction to her next move.

A bit surprised that Masami was considering a move that would bring her close, she placed her suggestions on the Byakugan. If so, than Masami would notice that the chakra system of Lilia swiftly changed. As she barely had lifted her hand from the water and cancelled the Silent Shocking Technique, she was about to use her Chidori Current Technique to try to trap and shock Masami as she was approaching. Her right hand drew out already the silver blade she carried in the sheat on her back. Though she was certain that she could keep Masami at bay with the Current Technique, she was careful. Those with the Byakugan weren't easily fooled or wise to be underestimated.

Cursing inside of her mind, she was preparing to take the shock - there was no way she could change her direction mid-air. Gritting her teeth, she opted for an other approach - instead of delivering the kick, she used Lilia´s back to leap a bit further. The shock was there, unpleasant and it made her movements not as strong as she desired - she still could leap a bit from her back, but her landing was not a smooth one, and it took her way longer to turn then she hoped she will be able.

Stumbling a few steps forward, Lilia quickly turned around. With Masami being slowed down, Lilia wasn't going to waver long. Flicking the wrist of her left hand, the lightning gathered by the Chidori Current started to gather quickly at her left hand. Focusing on the jutsu, she then unleashed the gathered lightning in a lightning hound, that charged towards Masami. Knowing that directing the beast in a zig zag pattern was useless, due Masami's eyes, Lilia simply wanted to keep the pressure on her friend. ''You're doing better than last time.'' Lilia said with a very friendly and bit of a proud voice. Hoping that her friend would keep it up, Lilia was also careful not to exert too much lightning into her techniques to wound Masami.

The hound took her a bit by surprise, but Lilia was a damn strong Kunoichi - there was no doubt in it. All Masami had to was to somehow reach close combat range, where she was confident of standing better chances than at long ranges. Now, she had to focus on dealing with the hound - nodding her head as a way of saying thanks, she looked at it. It was running straight for her, no zig zag pattern as she saw with Hiro-sama or Lilia herself. Doubting it could work for a second time, regardlessly she jumped again - over the hound and she landed midway between Lilia and the hound, continuing the charge, her eyes focused on Lilia.
Smiling a little bit, Lilia spinned her blade as she was briefly wondering on how she should test Masami out now. Lightning was gathering at the blade, lightning up the silver steel. The blade, Silver Lightning, was one of her favourite weapons because of the trait. Readying herself, she was curious to see if she could try to blind Masami briefly with a slash. Running towards her friend as well, Lilia readied the weapon and would lash out as soon she would close in. The blade would leave a trace of some light and right behind that light, Lilia's left hand was ready to shoot forward to grab Masami.

Expecting the slash, but not expecting the blinding effect that came up, Masami was momentarily taken of guard. Acting on instinct, she dropped to her knees into a sliding motion, bending backwards so she would pass underneath the blade, one of her legs extended in a kicking motion, while her right hand come up, with her middle and index fingers together in a jabbing strike intended to somehow disarm Lilia.

The slid forced Lilia to act on that first before she could try to grab Masami. Gritting her teeth, the young Hon, managed to side step to avoid that Masami would get too close to jab her. However, it seemed that Masami had other plans as Lilia noticed that she tried to kick the blade out her hand. Moving her hand, she managed to avoid the kick, but not the jab. Yelping out of suprise, she dropped the weapon as Masami's right hand successfully hit her hand. Quickly, Lilia attempted to grab Masami's leg, that she had used for the kick as also trying to kick her with one of her own legs. The kick was just to drive Masami back in to defense as her hand shot forward to the leg that Masami had used before.

It seemed time was flowing slower for Masami - she saw the kick headed towards her, as well as the hand aiming for her leg. Deciding to take the kick instead of letting her leg by grabbed, she placed her other hand in front of her leg, taking the kick - despite Lilia´s rather small build, it was surprisingly powerful. But at least she managed to withdraw her legs and using the rest of the momentum she had, she got a safe distance - at least for her purposes. Spinning on her heel, she lunged back at Lilia, before she would have any chance of grabbing her sword again. This time, she will definitely force her into close range combat.

The tactical decision of Masami had saved her from being defeated as she had avoided to get grabbed. Taking time to focus on a new tactic, Masami already started her offensive again. Preparing her defensive, Masami was moving a bit too fast for Lilia to cast up the Chidori Current Technique. Even with the talent, skill and experience she had with Lightning Release, she would need a bit more time to use that technique. Instead, Lilia went on the defensive to try to avoid getting hit by Masami's Gentle Fist Strikes.

Masami had Lilia on the defensive, and though she never managed this before, she had to stay careful. She was intent on trying the new move, Lilia or not - after all, her friend was right. But for that, she had to land a hit against her - something that was easier said then done. Going in with a series of quick jabs with her middle and index fingers on both of her hands, she was looking for an opening to begin her offense with. Just a small opening, one attack to land - and she will be ready to continue on it.

With quick dodges and slapping the hands away when she was unable to dodge them, Lilia relied on her fast speed, reflexes and mastery in Taijutsu. Though in defense, she wasn't giving it her all. She wanted Masami to at least have a shot or suprise her. And as she moved to the right to evade a strike, she had underestimated the speed of the jab. Before she realised, she had been hit by her left upper arm. Her right hand formed into a fist as she already readied herself for a counter strike. The pain spread from her arm as she closed her left eye, trying to maintain focus.

Masami almost gasped at surprise, but she regained her composure." This is it ! Eight Trigrams, Thirty Two Palms !". Without any hesitation, she put as much force into the jab as she could, quickly following up by a second, less powerful, but far quicker - first two strikes. She quickly followed by the next two, aiming at tenketsu at her arms. The first four strikes were followed by a quick succesion of another four, making it a total of eight. Quickly doubling this amount, she made it sixteen, and then it happened - she missed the strike that would connect to the last series of sixteen strikes, completing the move.

Feeling the intense pain, Lilia noticed something was odd. Not deciding to wait and give more chance. Lilia hissed as she let the chakra of Matatabi run into her system. It made it able to move her right, though she couldn't feel left. Likely she had suffered too much pain or damage for the moment. Her hand shot forward as it placed over Masami's face. Panting, she spoke to her good friend. ''Think this is far enough, eh?'' Slowly letting the chakra of Matatabi fall back, she felt that it recovered her chakra system. Not as a whole, as she still felt aches, but it was enough to make her keep standing. Slowly removing her hand from Masami's face, Lilia couldn't resist to laugh. Though it hurt. ''Auw.... Aaaah... This doesn't feel nice at all. But good.. job.'' Lilia said to Masami, giving her a smiling thumbs up, before yelping again.

Breathing a bit faster than usually as Lilia´s hand landed, she was expecting to be in grave rouble - only to have none of it happen. The spar was over - and she accomplished something that allowed her to be proud - at least, a tiny bit. Keeping her Byakugan active, she hurried to Lilia´s side." I - I am sorry, Lilia-chan ! I hope I did not go overboard with those strikes - I just practiced the move so much in the last few days that I ... I actualy had to try them on a real opponent, not just a dummy. I am really sorry !" She really did not want to hurt her in something that was only a spar." Also ... Lilia-chan ... that chakra ... was it ... the Two Tails ?" She has seen enough of that chakra to remember it for a lifetime.

''Ppff, don't overreact. It did sting... Heh, but I'm fine.'' She told Masami, hoping to calm down the worried Hyuuga. As Masami asked if that chakra was from the Two Tails, Lilia nodded. She did frown a little. ''Yes, why you ask? Oh, wait you can see that! Almost forgot about that. No worries, I control it to some extent without any risk of losing control.'' Lilia told Masami, hoping to comfort the other a bit. Knowing that most were distrustful of the Bijuu, Lilia could understand that Masami was likely careful if she had seen her using the Nibi's chakra.

Letting out a sigh of relief at her response, she looked up." Good ... good. You know ... I was just ... that chakra. I saw enough of it to remember it for a lifetime. You´re just as sharp as ever, Lilia-chan. I would not want to stand against you in a real combat situation, that´s for sure. I am curious about the date of the coming exams." The Chunin Exams. Her main source of inspiration to train and anxiousness in the last few days and weeks." Anyway ... I am feeling a bit better. Like I am slowly getting prepared to it. Thank you for all your help, Lilia-chan."

Patting Masami's shoulder with her right hand, Lilia smiled. ''That is alright.'' Lilia told Masami. Slowly she gained some feeling back from where Masami had striked before with her Gentle Fist. As her good friend began to talk about the Chuunin Exams, Lilia thought about it. ''I've no idea. And you are. Just a bit more experience and you will surely become Chuunin, Masami-chan. Remember the nick you have gained. Uncle Z may be very friendly, but he isn't a fool. If he gave the nickname you carry, it's for a reason.'' Lilia told Masami, winking at her with her right eye. ''After all, you had me there, didn't you?''

She remembered back to that day." You - you mean ... The Rising Star ? You really - Thank you !" With that, she hugged Lilia as tight as she could. It really meant a lot to her." And thank you, San-Sensei !" Masami was feeling happy as almost all of the time she talked with Lilia or spent time at Azumi with her friends." Thank you so much. For everything. Now, I should let you know ... right ?" She asked, but did not let her go - just loosened her grip.

Lilia sighed, though she looked happy. ''I think so yes. And no need to thank me at all. You've worked hard to earn the praise. Just make sure you keep at it. The moment you become too proud, that is the moment where you've fallen.'' Lilia told Masami. ''Not to mention, that we will likely give you a good ol kick to get you back up, no doubt.'' The young Hon now joked as she nodded to a nearby log. ''Though before the spar, you said something about Water Release, hadn't you?''

Not wanting an ass kicking from either Lilia or Zakito-Sensei, she decided to hold to this piece of advice. But, yes - Water Release ! Releasing Lilia, she took a step backward." Yes, Water Release ! I was thinking - if I have no ranged weapons available, but I have my Water Release and my chakra manipulation, can I - possibly ? Just possibly transef the water into ranged projectiles ? Say like ... needles ? Needles of water ! I believe, if I knead enough chakra into them - or use water created from my own chakra, like the Water Trumpet, I should be able to do - to do that. Well - it is a plausible theory, Lilia-chan?"

As they would walk towards the log to sit on it, Lilia thought hard about it. Her knowledge came from fighting with and against Water Release users. Such as Zakito, Aiko and Hiron, who both could use some devasting combinations. ''I know that Hiron-chan has a Lightning Jutsu. It's called Chidori Senbon. Quite the same as what you're thinking. If I'm correct, you likely could develop such a technique. Though I can't really help with developing it. You need an expert of Water Release. I could say Uncle Z may be a choice, but ever heard of Aiko Cho-Hon?'' She asked, wondering if Masami had heard of Aiko.

Masami listened carefully to every single word Lilia said - she said that the same theory can be aplied to her Water Release, and that was all the encouragement she needed. Litting up like a forest hit by a Fire Release tecnique, she turned to Lilia once again." This is all but theory, but that´s all I could hope to hear, Lilia-chan. If it can be done, I will do my best to do so. But ... I am not sure if Zakito-sensei will have time for it and ... I have never heard of Aiko Cho-Hon. Though, wait ! Mamoru-kun mentioned something about her teaching him. I suppose she is a rather awesome Kunoichi ... right ?"

Awesome? That was a way one could describe Aiko. Her baking was indeed awesome. Lilia smiled as she thought of her aunt. ''Aunt A is very skilled in Water Release. If one can help you, I think she can do that for sure.'' Lilia told Masami. Though Hiron could help, with his Chidor Senbon Jutsu and experience with Water Release, she doubted Hiron would just like to train anybody. That and Aiko was kinder. With training.

Masami´s jaw almost dropped from the information she just learned. It took her a while to get back into focus." So - no way ! Your uncle is the former Third Hokage and ... and your aunt is an undoubtedly awesome Kunoichi - who is currently training Mamoru-kun. You have to be kidding me, Lilia-chan !" Her eyes were glowing with excitement, her smile as wide as rarely seen on her face. Lilia-chan and her family were way, way more awesome then she ever thought it is.

Giggling, Lilia rubbed the back of her head a bit. ''Seems so. I think I've quite the bunch as family and relatives.. Makes me just want to grow stronger so I can be on their level. I mean, they are all so strong and great. I want to be the same, on my own way.'' Lilia said back. Looking at the sun, her smile grew. ''But you could try to ask her. Though keep in mind that she can be a bit strict. Not in a harsh way, but her own.. I can't really explain it. But Aunt A is a very good person.''

Of that Masami had no doubt." Strictness is good. It leads to hard work, which in turn leads to success - at least, in most cases. Anyway, Lilia-chan. Thank you for everything. Now then ... " She was already thinking about who to ask for help, but she decided to let it slip by now. She still had some time before the exams, seeing they are not already announced. Turning to Lilia and finally deactivating her Byakugan, she leaned in a bit closer." How about a cup of tea, Lilia-chan? My treat."

''I think only a fool would refuse such an offer.'' Lilia replied as she nodded and got up. Dusting her clothes, she glanced at Masami. ''And like I said, no need to thank me. I don't mind helping out those who have earned it.'' Lilia told Masami with a smile. ''Besides, you've a way to go before you can really thank somebody. Though starting with treating me on some tea could be a good start.''

Masami could not help but laugh a bit at her response - though she was speaking the truth, as in most cases. Regardless, she felt the need to thank the persons that helped her advance. Not only she is a step closer to mastering the Thirty Two strikes - which is a step to the larger versions, but she can also advance her Water Release. She placed one of her hands on her shoulders as they walked for the cup of tea." Actually, I thank everybody for being here for me to get this far. And now, for you to be my companion on this walk to the tea hose."

After all, Azumi was considered by Masami for a place of a brighter future. And Azumi really was that place. Filled with hope and ambitions.

[Little Alice]

Inviting another member into the ranks!
Mamoru Senju, becoming a member of the Guardians.

A collab between FoxSVK and Alice.
Time : 4 months after the start of the timeskip.

Summary :
Mamoru Senju being invited to join the Konohagakure Guardians. He trains a bit with Lilia as the two also engage in a conversation, before she shows him Azumi, introducing him into the organization. Also some talk with Masami as Lilia offers her something.

SPOILER: Click to show

Walking around the market place, Lilia had her kunoichi garb donned on. With Samehada on her back, she had just been walking around. Nothing really special. Just some walk around as she was looking for a purpose this day. Something she could do. Or maybe somebody to meet and hang a bit around with. Sighing, she shoved her hands into the pocket of her flak jacket. Something that made her actually smile a little bit. The habit of doing that was something she had seen from Zakito and Hiron. Though they always shoved their hands into the pockets of their pants. Maybe it was just some Hon thing? Lilia looked around, but as she wasn't paying much attention, she ended up bumming against somebody. Stumbling backwards, she mumbled sorry very quickly.

Mamoru was walking through the market, eating his third fill of sushi. He just could not get enough of this masterpiece of food, and he always dedicated a certain amount of a mission payment solely for this purpose. Enjoying each and every bite, he walked through the market, looking at different topics at all the time. He saw a couple of ANBU masks and he wanted to buy one, but then he remembered something. He was allowed to keep the traditional shinobi armor from the Hon Siege, though he was not using it that often - it still needed some cleaning, so as he walked around some cleaning kits, he was looking at it instead of before him and stumbled into somebody - they ended up bumping into each other. Mamoru quickly turned and was about to apologize, but then he recognized a similar face. His cheeks immediately gained a few shades of red." L-Lilia-chan, please, I am sorry - my attention was focused and somewhere ... something and I did not notice you. Are - are you alright ? "

First she didn't even recognized the boy in front of her. He did seemed to know her. This resulted her into tilting her head to the left. ''Heh? I'm alright.. Oh!'' She realized who the other person was and giggled very briefly. ''Mamoru, right? I'm sorry too. How are you doing?'' She asked with a friendly tone. Remembering Masami's suggestion to also invite Mamoru into the Konohagakure Guardians came in her mind. But one step at a time, she thought.

The boy was feeling nervous in her presence, but it was not the unpleasant feeling of nervousness. Focusing a bit more to spot tumbling upon his words, he spoke up. " I am just enjoying some free time with ... well, my third fill of sushi. I was also looking for some things to clean up the armor I received from the Hons after the Siege. It is beaten up pretty badly, but I believe I can bring it back to top shape. Not much else besides ... besides that, yes. And ... and you, Lilia-chan ? How are you doing ? Would you ... would you mind a treat of ramen ? Tea ? Sushi ? "  he asked before realizing what he just asked.

Thinking about the offer, she then shrugged. ''I could use some tea. Why not. And glad to see you're still doing well.'' She answered him. A slight giggle escaped her lips as she thought back to Hideki's obsession with sushi. Seemed that sushi was become quite loved these days. ''As for me, I've been training quite a lot these past times. Been on several missions and what not. Nothing really special, I think.'' She told him, with a warm smile.

Mamoru did not do as many missions as he hoped he could do, but the number was sufficient to keep him satisfied." You are always working so hard, Lilia-chan. It amazes me ... you are certainly a great source of inspiration to any of us. Especially after the .. the Siege, you know." As they walked through the marked towards Mamoru´s favorite tea house, where they quickly received their order with Mamoru paying for it. As they continued walking, Mamoru spoke up again." What are your plans for the future, Lilia-chan ? I mean ... I believe you always had your plans but now that we survived, we can - we can actually start chasing them for real, right ? All thanks to great comrades such as you, Hiroshi-Sama, or the Hyuuga girl ... Masami, right ? How is she doing ? It was quite few days since I last seen her. Also, Hiroshi-sama is also fine, right ?" he asked, beign aware that he asked way too much questions at once. Still, he was glad he got the chance to talk with Lilia.

Lilia laughed briefly as he told her that she always was working so hard. A light blush appeared on her cheeks as he told her that she was also a source of inspiration. It was always nice to hear that, even when she doubted it herself. ''Thank you for your kind words, Mamoru.'' His next quesiton about her future made Lilia think. It made her smile again as she winked in his direction. ''I always am planning and plotting, Mamoru. Nothing about that has changed. As for Masami-chan and Hiro-sama, they are fine. I've been training with Masami lately and also have done some couple of missions with the team.'' She answered him. Glancing in his direction, she nodded towards him. ''What about you? Any plans for the future yourself?''

Mamoru only nodded, looking up at the sky." I ... I do, Lilia-chan. I would like to attain the rank of Chuunin, so I want to train really, really as much as I can in order to be up to the task of being a Chuunin. Also ... I ... I want to get stronger so I want to protect the others better. You know, in the future ... the future that we helped to secure. Also ... if possible, I would like to be a great shinobi, just like the First Hokage was. So I can protect those close to me as good as I can. So, I would plan on training, training, training ... I hope it will be enough, Lilia-chan." he replied, thinking some more before continuing. He really wanted to grow as strong as possible before the upcoming exams. All he hoped is that he will not have to fight Masami, as she will too participate in the exams. He voiced his concerns." Lilia-chan, I am afraid I might end up facing Masami-chan in the upcoming exams. I ... I have no idea what will I do should that happen. Is ... is that alright, Lilia-chan ?" he asked, then he thought about something crazy, and asked it before he could stop himself." Could you help me, Lilia-chan ? You are awesomely strong ... and awesomely busy, I believe. Sorry for bothering you with that ... " he asked, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Hearing he was planning to reach the rank of chuunin made her think. Wondering where she would be the next Exam, she continued to listen to his answer. As he told his concern of facing Masami, Lilia thought about it. It simply made her shrug as she replied to him back about it. ''That is something that could happen. Though you could end up against somebody else. Doubt that there would be so few that you will end up against Masami.'' She told him, then starting to think about his request. Though she wouldn't mind to help him, she could try to see if he was real Guardian material. Though she had seen what he was capable at the Hon Siege, she wanted to be sure. After all, she had been a bit disappointed in the Kogane girl. Not that she would expect the same kind of behavior from Mamoru. ''I could, but need to see how good you are. A little spar would be the best idea. After all, I do have an idea. Just a small one.'' She told him, with a smile.

Mamoru was looking a bit saddened, but as she responded, he brightened up. There was still a chance - and a little spar could never hurt, especially against Lilia. From what Mamoru saw at the Hon siege, she was really a top Chuunin, Though a part of him secretely doubted she will remain one for long. He was keeping his fingers crossed for her most of the time, but he was not forgeting about himself either. " I ... I really appreciate that, Lilia-chan. A little spar - well, it never hurt anybody. And I need to keep myself in shape, or eating that many sushi ... well, it will not end well. I am up to the spar idea. Do you have any place we can go or shall we take a Leaf one ? In the morning, most of them were free. So, which one, Lilia-chan ?"  he asked, starting to feel a certain degree of excitement building inside of him. He was going to spar against a really, really strong person - an opportunity to learn many things.

Already knowing a field, she nodded. ''I know a certain place we could go. It's just an empty grass field. Nothing really special, so far I know.'' She told him with a cheerful tone. Samehada made a soft grunting sound, making Lilia sigh. ''No, I won't use you.'' She told the bandaged blade, who seemed disappointed. He made a more sad kind of sound. So far it was capable of doing that. Lilia returned her attention back at Mamoru. ''But think we could drink some tea after the spar? I know a very suitable place for that. If you want to let me chose the place too.'' She told him with a smile. Already happy she had found a purpose for today, Lilia was wondering how good Mamoru had got. So far she could remember, he was a good kenjutsu user. So she would use another sword instead of Samehada.

Mamoru cheered at her response." It is all up to you, Lilia-chan. I trust you have just the perfect place in mind - and the tea sounds nice. More healthier than sushi, that is. I leave the place to you." he replied and followed her, certainly heading for their destination. Mamoru was looking forward to the spar, despite knowing that he was at a slight disadvantage - his Earth Release was weak against Lilia´s Lightning Release, so he had to realy mainly on his kenjutsu skills. Taking the note, he noticed that thanks to their pace, they were leaving the market place, slowly approaching Lilia´s choice of a sparring field - Mamoru was curious about it." You spar often like this, Lilia-chan ? I ... I would like to spar more often with others, as I see it as a good way to improve my abilities, and in turn, help others improve theirs. Just asking cause ... you know ... you are really, really strong. I almost refused the spar but ... I remembered that if I want to walk forward, I can´t take steps back. Thank you, Lilia-chan."

Blinking a few times, Lilia then giggled. ''No problem. I hope I can teach a thing or two. And I do often spar like this.'' She answered him. ''It's something that indeed can help you. Even when you're defeated. After all, if you can learn from it, you can consider it a victory. At least, that is how I see it.'' She told him. They were nearing the field she mentioned as she already thought about something. It was indeed rather quiet as she couldn't notice anybody. They were either the first ones or nobody had decided to pick this field. Which wasn't bad actually. Once they were there, Lilia took out Samehada. Wielding the blade, she carefully placed it on the ground. The bandages at the location of the mouth, unraveled the mouth. The sharp teeth were revealing a rather grim grin. As the mouth of the shark blade opened, a hilt slowly appeared. Picking the hilt, Lilia pulled what seemed a silver blade out of the mouth of Samehada. Patting the bandaged sword, she glanced at Mamoru. ''Do you need a sword too?'' She asked, also joking a bit as she always found it funny to store one of her blades in Samehada. Who was actually a blade.
Mamoru watched the scene she picked with a smile on his face - certainly a perfect place for a little spar. He nodded at Lilia´s words concerning defeat and the ability to learn from it and decided to try his best and follow them - after all, there was so much truth in them. As they picked up their positions, Lilia placed Samehada on the ground and pulled another sword - at this point, Mamoru realized that Lilia just took out a sword from another, living sword. Looking quite dumbfounded, he remembered that he decided that he would need a blade as well, if to fight on equal terms. He nodded at Lilia´s question and a few seconds later, another one was coming out from Samehada - Mamoru looked, frowning a bit at the sounds the blade made. It was funny and terrifying at the same time - but he picked himself up just in time to catch the blade. The blade was a solid work - it felt just right in his hand. Not as good as his Fang, but it would do. And the fact that he was not wearing the armor he was during the Siege meant he could exploit some of the acrobatic sword skills he learned. Facing Lilia, he made the Seal of Confrontation, as per rules of shinobi sparring.
Samehada slithered away as Lilia made the Seal of Confrontation. She knew that he wouldn't have the weight of the armor, he wore once, thus he would be faster. As the thought came up in her mind to pull off her jacket, she decided against it. First she would test him a bit out. Spinning the blade with her right hand, Lilia opened her left hand. Lightning crackled through the air as she was gathering lightning. Not too much, but enough to make a hound of lightning running towards him. It would just be to test how fast he could move.
Mamoru readied the blade and as soon as they dropped the seal, Lilia was attacking. Recognizing the Lightning Beast Running, he ran from his place, straight against it. Trying to outrun this technique used by a Hon was nonsense and he knew it - he saw firsthanded of what were they capable. No, instead, as Mamoru was closing it, he raised his sword above his head and in the next motion, he slammed it into the ground. Just as that happened, he bounced from his feet as hard as he could, performing a spin in the air - his momentum helped him to pull the blade from the ground. While his movements were not that swift as he hoped they will be, he managed to somehow avoid the hound, despite feeling it being too close. He landed on his feet, a bit awkwardly and charged Lilia, blade at his right side. As he was close enough, he opened with a wide upward slash - knowing that it would not enough, she needed to see her responses as well.
Not surprised he was able to counter the weakened version of the Running Beast Technique, Lilia smirked. As he closed in the distance, she stopped spinning the blade. With a quick movement to her left, she dodged his slash. ''That is it.'' She mumbled with a smirk. Quickly, she tried to grab the wrist of his sword hand as she also directed the tip of her blade towards his stomach. Her movement already were implying she was intending to grab and then attack him, as she would try to hold him close by.
Mamoru was not surprised by her dodging his attack, and he was prepared for a possible counter. Avoiding the tip of the blade by few centimeters, he lit his hand to be caught and the moment that happened, he let go with his left hand of the hilt and reached for Lilia´s hand that was grasping the thrusted blade, trying to grab her wrist as well. It all depended on her movements now - should he succeed, he would try and use his weight in his own favor. If not, well - he will have to dodge as swiftly as he can.
Her eyes glanced at her wrist. He had grabbed her wrist. That would be his first mistake. Without a warning, she channelled lightning chakra through her arm. The Silent Shocking technique would zap him. And she wasn't holding back, thus giving him a nasty shock. If he would attempt to go away, she already tried to grab him again as holding her blade ready to fend off any attack.
Mamoru had completely forgotten about her Lightning Affinity, and now, he was paying the price for it - whatever Lilia used on him was damn effective, and he had to rely on his sheer willpower alone to prevent himself from fainting. Then, as much as Lilia´s technique struck him, an idea struck him as well. Gathering what strength he could, he freed his sword hand and he pressed the tip of his sword into the earth - hoping to ground himself and prevent the technique from having any effect on him. His plan worked, even if only partially - he was fully in control of his body with little to no impairment from Lilia. Using his second hand, he pulled as strong as he could, hoping to throw her off balance and break her jutsu.
As he pulled her, she smirked. She simply went along, but was about bring up her knee. Aiming at his stomach, she would try to inflict some damage with that move. But it wouldn't help him to dissolve the jutsu that was easy for Lilia to handle. Her green eyes kept watch of what he would attempt next, but she had confidence that as long she was close by and had contact, that she could keep the pressure on him.
Deciding on taking the hit to the stomach, Mamoru tried to prepare himself - but the current from Lilia was still too strong for him, and her knee landed in his stomach, causing a brunt pain in the area. Then, as her leg was still in the air, Mamoru tried something new - he shifted his weight towards Lilia, hoping that while standing only on one leg he could throw them off balance and make them fall.
With the blow landing in his stomach, Lilia was about to kick him back, but was then surprised. His next move to shift his weight towards Lilia, made her stumble. Trying to keep standing on her leg, she noticed that it wasn't going to work. Tighten her grip on him, she attempted to try to keep standing, as to place her other feet at the ground.
Knowing this was his best chance and noting that he surprised Lilia, he swung into action. Though the position being very awkward, he shifted even more of his weight onto Lilia, and now determined on falling over, he raised one of his leg as well, trying to prevent her feet from touching the ground and regaining solid footing. With his other leg, he pushed himself more onto Lilia, withdrawing the blade from the soil - Lilia´s jutsu was immedately taking full effect once again, but if this would not free him, than nothing he can do with his abilities will help him.
They were falling backwards, something that she didn't want. Seeing that she would be the first to hit the ground, Lilia narrowed her eyes. Releasing him, she quickly pressed her hand against his chest. It was an attempt to push him back, though she wasn't sure if she was in time for that. The current was only gone for a moment, when she had released him, but it would continue if she managed to press her palm against his chest. Releasing her sword, she even tried to make her other hand free to try not to fall.
Mamoru felt the shocking gone, even if only for an instant. With full control of his body and over the now falling Lilia, his main concern was to avoid her hand, to prevent the jutsu from hitting him again. This time, he reacted faster and reached out for her extended hand, careful not to touch her palm - instead, he grabbed her wrist and did his best effort to make sure by the time they will reach the ground, he would be out of any way for her palm to touch him.
Yelping, as soon as she made contact, she was laying on her back. But with her other leg, the one she had been standing on, Lilia brought it up. It was more of a reflex than an actuall attempt to land a blow below the belt. Her free hand gathered some lightning, making it clear she was trying to shock him this time with a more dangerous lightning technique.
Awkward as it was, he landed with a loud thumping noise on Lilia. For a brief part of a second, he looked at her,m into her green eyes and felt something strange to pick up inside of him. Whatever it was, he noticed a more dangerously looking lightning surge gathering in her hand. Not willing to take another hit, he used his hands to awkwardly push himself away from her and stand up as quickly as he could. Now, in safe distance, he once again stood a chance, no matter how small.
With a swift roll backwards, she stood already on her feet. The lightning crackled through the air. Now that they were at some distance again, Lilia was pondering on another approach. She was still going very easy on him, seeing his rank. But she wouldn't really go that easy. After all, she knew that Mamoru was one of the few genins that had been able to fight next at her side during the Siege of the Hon Estate. Pulling out a kunai, she smiled. ''Let's kick it up a notch, shall we?'' She called out to him as she aimed the kunai at his right shoulder. With a swift throw, the kunai was thrown towards his shoulder. Right after that, she formed lightning at her right hand, readying her next move.
Mamoru steeled himself once again, grabbing the sword tightly in his hands. He only grinned at her statement of kicking it up - he was all in. As the kunai hurled at him approached, he managed to deflect it with his sword. Deciding for something crazy, he charged Lilia once again. Midway his charge, he noticed the lightning forming around her hand. This time, he would be sure to avoid it, as getting another hit by it would certainly leave an opening - an opening that Lilia will ruthlessly exploit, as he know her.
Though she wouldn't let him notice it, she was surprised by his charge. Her tactic was to attack him from mid range, trying to place pressure on him and force him into defense. But the fact he charged at her didn't mean that he would really surprise it. It lasted a split second. As he closed in the distance, she formed the lightning into what she could try to surprise him. Seeing she was in a stationary position, the technique she was about to use would reach out longer than while she would move. Rising up her right hand in a sweep, the lightning lashed out. The Piercing Sparkle, would however not cut him down if it would hit. Only shock as she had no intention of wounding him. In the least case she would be able to drive him backwards.
Mamoru was a bit surprised at the medium ranged attack, but it suited his purpose well. A small grin appeared on his face. He took note of the Lightning technique approaching him, but he continued to charge, then at the last possible second, he finaly revealed his true intention - his charge changed into a sliding tackle, droping under Lilia´s jutsu. Despite trying to time his slide as precisely as he could, the electricity still touched his hair, sending an unpleasant feeling through his body. Gritting his teeth, he withstood it as his momentum was slowly carrying hm towards Lilia, and when he was close enough and his momentum all but disappear, he swung at her legs.
Her eyes narrowed, in delight. His slide managed him to evade her technique in a nice fashion. While she could try to lash out, she noticed his intention to attack her legs. Flicking her right wrist, the lightning faded away as she quickly leaned forward as he approached her. The moment he swung his blade, her legs were just in the air. With a quick move, she had made a handstand just as he passed her. A smirk was seen on her face as she gracefully landed on her feet again. Turning around, she tilted her head a bit. ''That was good.'' Her left hand slowly travelled to the pouch, attempting to grab some shuriken as she gave him the compliment.
Hissing as she managed to dodge the attack, but at the same time feeling flattered by her compliment, he only nodded, not willing to break his focus by speaking. As he stopped, he noted Lilia was reaching toward one of her pouches - a bad sign for Mamoru. But at the same time, he noticed the lack of any Lightning surrounding Lilia, which meant he could use his favored jutsu - or he could try. Deciding to take the risk, he stood up as quickly as he could and charger him again. Part of Mamoru was calling his action as insane, but he had no other choice now. Mid-charge, he took a small leap to better cross the distance, and hopefully avoid Lilia´s coming attack. Raising his blade above his head with both of his hands, he poured his Earth Natured chakra into it, increasing its weight, and intending to bring it down.
A charge again? She wondered what he was planning. But due his speed, she knew better than to risk the chance to throw some shuriken now. It could leave her open for a strike. As he took the small leap, she readied herself. Just a moment, she was thinking about blocking it as the blade would likely travel down towards her. But instead, her left eye's color started to change. A sudden boost to her speed would enable her dodge, as she would side step and then jump backwards. Skidding to a halt, she kept watch of Mamoru, preparing for any new attack as her left eye turned to normal again.
Cursing as she was no longer at one place, he brought down his sword regardless - only if to show he was not that vulnerable. The blade hit the ground hard, as he poured all his strength into this attack. At first, a few fissures appeared, but then the blade sank into the earth and power of the impact craeted a small crater around Mamoru. Dirt was thrown all around the crater and Mamoru placed his eyes upon Lilia. Whatever that speed boost was, he could not land an attack like that. Burrowing the tip of the blade into the Earth, he clasped both of his hands, gathering a large amount of chakra. When he was satisfied, he formed the necessary seals for his Shifting Sands technique and slammed his palms to the earth. It took about two seconds - two seconds that seemed like eternity for the soil beneath Lilia´s feet to start turning into quicksand.
The sight of the little crater made Lilia aware of that Masami had chosen well. Mamoru was indeed good material for the Konoha Guardians. His skill and abilities were more than enough already. Just as she opened her mouth, she noticed he was going to continue. The moment she was wondering what his jutsu would do, she looked at the ground. It had shifted into quicksand. Staying calm, she looked back at Mamoru. ''Impressive for a genin, Mamoru-kun.'' Lilia told him with a calm tone. Knowing that moving fast or trying to resist would only improve the sinking speed of the sand, she had something else in mind. But with only a smile, her hands were brought to each other. Slowly, she started to form the handseals. ''Let's wrap it up, shall we?'' She asked him, in a rather playful tone and manner. However, there was a serious glance in her eyes as she kept close watch of his movements.

Smiling at her compliment, Mamoru nodded. He kept the Jutsu active for a few more seconds, while his gaze was locked at Lilia - he was acknowledged by her, and that meant very, very much for him. " You are right, Lilia-chan. Time to wrap it up ! " he responded, knowing fully that his next attack will have to be an all-or-nothing attack. He had to act while his technique had any effect on her, so in one swift motion, he started to run towards her while grabbing the borrowed sword. Despite knowing how predictable his next move was, he had no other choice - it was his most effective move. Imbuing his sword with as much Earth chakra as he could, an idea struck him - instead of swinging the blade, he hurled it, aimed slightly at Lilia´s feet - and he himself would try and rely on Taijutsu.

The sudden change of Mamoru's action made Lilia decide to end the handseal streak. That moment she finished, the blade was about the hit her feet. But as it hit her feet, she poofed away in smoke. A log fell on the quick sand. ''I guess that is enough for now.'' Lilia's voice sounded from above. She sat on a branch and looked with a very serious glance at Mamoru. She had used the Body Replacement Technique just in time. The serious expression shifted with a more cheeky one as she tilted her head a little. ''You did a good job. Let's take a little break, okay?'' She offered him, while her feet dangled in the air.

The blade burrowed itself into the the quicksand, and a second later, a log fell upon it. Mamoru stood as he heard the voice of Lilia talking to him, and he turned, allowing himself a smile - together with a blush he could not control." T-thank you, Lilia-chan. I tried my best. A little break sounds nice." he replied as he made his way to the tree upon which she was sitting. Using the Tree Walking skill, he ran up on it, and he was sitting next to Lilia in a matter of seconds." You are awesome in combat, you know that, Lilia-chan ?"

Waiting till he was sitting next to her, she wanted to say something, but he was faster. The compliment made her scoff a little bit. ''Thanks for your kind words, Mamoru. But I'm far from awesome.'' She told him, meaning it. Looking at the distance, a growling sound was heard from below. Samehada had gathered the swords again and didn't seem to be happy that he couldn't climb that easily. Or maybe he didn't want to? Lilia didn't react to it. ''Hey, Mamoru. What do you think of the Will of Fire?'' Lilia asked him, with a soft tone. Her gaze was still directed at where the town center of Konohagakure was. Several high buildings were visible from their current position.
Mamoru was a bit surprised at the question, and took his time before replying. Noticing that Lilia was looking over the distant Konohagakure, he shifted his look as well - and saw the one thing he desperately wanted to protect. The village, the people in the village, his closest, most cherished ones." The Will of Fire is ... hard to describe. It is something that drives me forward when my strength is failing. It is something that allows me to do my best when I am ... when I am trying to protect the ones that I held the most dear. It is something ... something that burns inside of my chest. I felt it at the siege of the Hon estate ... despite my own strength failing at times, I was able to stand and fight ... the Will of Fire, that is. It is the fire burning in my heart, Lilia-chan ... the fire that drives me to protect the ones I cherish ... with you one of them." he admitted, his cheeks darkening, but his look as strong as ever.

Keeping her gaze towards the high buildings, she thought that she could see the Hokage Office. ''Is that so?'' She asked, with a softer tone. With a raised eyebrow, she turned her gaze at him. ''So in other words, there is nothing more you would want than to keep Konoha safe? Even if that also would mean the life of yourself?'' She asked him, her tone soft but very serious. There was a little twinkle in her bright green eyes. But now there was no smile or any other cheerful expression on her face as she asked him the questions.

Looking deep inside her green eyes, Mamoru nodded." Nothing, Lilia-chan. One member of the Senju Clan was the Hokage ... we all know that. Now, I don´t know that much about him. I know he loved and cherished the village. I hold the village and it´s inhabitants at my heart. If the sacrifice of my life is what is needed to protect them ... " he said, looking at the village for a while, then back into Lilia´s green eyes." ... then by all means, I will keep Konoha safe with my life on the line. Yes, Lilia-chan. I will keep Konoha safe, even if it means my life." he added, his face determined, his voice strong.

A little smile erupted on her lips, but the twinkle didn't changed. It didn't became less or more. Instead, her serious tone changed to a more harsh one. ''And what if it would me? You said that you want to protect me, but if you had to chose. Which would it be? Konoha or me?'' Lilia asked. The question was nothing more than unfair. It would drive him in a position that nobody should be in if he really had to make a decision. But it was vital for her to know what he would chose. For the Konohagakure Guardians. Not that she already had made up her mind by now.

Taking a deep breath at the last question, he took his time to react. The question was a difficult one to answer - he was not sure that he will be able to do so. Regardless, he gathered his thoughts and answered. " I would protect both you and the village, Lilia-chan." he replied, then chuckled." Like I could do that. I might not be able to do that, after all ... I am only one person. I would protect you, Lilia-chan." he replied, looking into her eyes once again." I would protect you, Lilia-chan. Because ... because I know you will protect the Village, no matter what." he finally replied, not aware that his answer might give away too much.

Surprised by his answer, she hadn't expect that twist. Thinking about it, she wondered if she would be able to answer that tough question like that. No, she wouldn't likely. It made her giggle a bit and then laugh. ''Very good answer. And here I was, thinking that I would need to explain that the question was mean. Seems you did well. I've been asking you these questions, testing you out because I'd something to ask you. Or well, invitation is more of the term.'' The little smile grew as she winked at him. ''But I can't ask it. Need to show it. Willing to follow me?'' She ended her sentence with the question, as she let herself drop to the ground. There Samehada slithered instantly towards her, making soft grunting sounds. ''Are you coming?''

Listening to her explanation, he wondered if she felt from the words how much he admired her. Smiling as she mentioned the invitation, he almost spurted out a bunch of questions at once, but once she asked to follow him, he only nodded and leaped down from the branch as well, quickly walked towards her." Of course I am coming, Lilia-chan. If you want to show something, I bet it will be awesome. But what was that invitation you mentioned, Lilia-chan ? What is it you want to show me ?" he asked, his patience failing him as questions escaped his lips.

Picking up the shark blade, she placed it on the special made sheath. With the big weapon in place, Lilia glanced at Mamoru. Not able to help, but she giggled at his impatience. ''It's something awesome, at least I hope it is. And I told you, I can't really place it in words now. You need to see it before I can ask it.'' Was her answer. The location of Azumi, the headquarters of the Konoha Guardians, wasn't too far from where they were. It thus didn't took them long before they were able to see the big building and the several smaller attached buildings. Placing her left hand on her hip, she nodded to the place. ''That place is called Azumi. Meaning, Safe Residence. It's the quarters of a group I lead. Come, I'll give you a small tour.'' She grabbed his hand as she walked towards the building.

Nodding to her replies, he quickly followed her. Each step felt like an eternity for him, he wanted to see what Lilia was thinking about. As they spotted the large building and the ones around it, he turned to Lilia, who readily explained the truth concerning Azumi - or Safe Residence. The building looked magnificent, but there was more to it." A group - wait. A group you lead ? What is that group, Lilia-chaaa ... " he asked, but his words dispersed at his surprise when she grabbed his hand and walked them towards the building. He was looking at it, eyes filled with awe, a smile spreading on his lips.

As she had gave him a tour around the place, they ended up in the lounge. So far, Lilia hadn't seen any of the current Guardians yet. Maybe they were on a mission with their teams, training or such? ''That is about it. Oh, I have yet to explain what the group is about, don't I?''' She asked, giggling a bit. Releasing his hand, she nodded at the loung, continue to walk further. As she took a place at a table, she began to explain a bit. ''The goal is simple. The group exist of capable nin, that want to protect Konohgakure and her interests. Of course, the main purpose is to grow stronger so we can achieve that goal. It's simple as that. Azumi provides us the location to gather, train with each other and plan even missions together. Seeing your performances and what you have showed, I want to give you a place among the group.'' She leaned back in the couch she was sitting in. A smile grew on her lips. ''Once you're a member, it does however mean that I'm your superior. Can you handle that?'' She asked him, rather on a less serious manner and more in a playful way.

Mamoru followed the steps of Lilia with his mouth hanging in awe from the place she created. The place was fantastic, it had everything a Shinobi could desire - from training grounds to rooms to a lounge. Perfect for both as a base for future missions and the place to rest after a mission. Once they reached the lounge, they sit down and Mamoru listened eagerly to her explanation, one of the rare times he had been unable to say anything. The organization was something that would both help Mamoru to make his dream reality, and both as a guide on the path.Nodding at every word, he replied once Lilia finished." Of ... Of course I ... wow. I don´t know how to say it. I would be more than glad to join ... to join the Guardians, Lilia-chan. I ... I would be honored to serve by your side. Or ... with you as my superior." he replied finally, his cheeks blushing a bit.

Just as he replied, the door opened into the lounge and Masami walked in, just finishing her training exercise. As she spotted both Lilia and Mamoru, a wide smile appeared on her lips and she jumped from excitement." So ... so glad to see you both again !" she spoke up.

Glad to hear that Mamoru would join, Lilia wanted to say something, but noticed Masami. She seemed to be glad to see them both. With a smile, she nodded. ''You too. Was afraid I would've introduced Mamoru into the group all by myself. But he has accepted our offer and seen what Azumi is. How are you, Masami?'' Lilia asked, wondering a bit where she came from. Her eyes briefly glanced at Mamoru, wondering what his thoughts were as well.

Mamoru smiled at Masami, glad to see her for the first time since the Hon siege. She made her way towards them, wiping her face from sweat." I am doing well, Lilia-chan. What about the two of you? I just finished my training session - I tried some new moves in the Gentle Fist - they were harder to master, but I think I am getting the grasp of them. So ! Is Mamoru joining our ranks as well ?" she asked, her happines as clean as the sun on the sky." Y-yes, Masami. I am joining the Guardians ... as I always wanted to protect." he replied, now his look jumping from Lilia to Masami.

Sitting still in the couch, she only giggled, listening to both. The happines that Masami showed clearly was something Lilia enjoyed. Then again, she wondered what the others would think. But it would be revealed in time what the others would think and say. ''I'm doing fine. Just recruited another member. You know how that goes.'' She joked, acting like it was daily thing. But she realized for a moment that the numbers were growing. ''But what are you two going to do now? Oh!'' She turned her attention to Mamoru. ''I forgot to mention. That the you may pick a room that is free. Keep in mind that while you can decide to live here, to act like you always are. Decent and such, okay?'' She spoke with a friendly tone, not wanting to make it sound like a warning.

Mamoru nodded immediately. The idea of moving into Azumi was appealing to him - truth be told, he wanted nothing more than to immediately gather his belongings and move there at once." That goes without saying, Lilia-chan. The Guardians must always be an example to the others, I believe. We must set that example. As for ... for me, Lilia-chan, I think I will go and find a room, then go for my things. I thank you for your invitation. See you later, Lilia-chan, Masami-chan." he replied, bowing to both of them as he walked towards the quarters. Masami followed him with a smile, then turned to Lilia." I can´t wait to see him in action. I think he will do just fine. What about you, Lilia-chan ?"

''See you later, Mamoru. If I don't see you soon, take care.'' Lilia said. When Masami told her that she couldn't wait until she would see him in action, Lilia smiled. ''I think he'll be a good asset for the group. As for me, I've to prepare some plans. The group is growing steadily now.'' Turning her head, she looked through the window. The view was really pleasant and calming. ''Soon, I think it would be wise to organise the group better. I think that I can lead as it is now, but more able people to help me would be nice. That said, I was thinking about making some as.. how to formulate it.'' Turning her head to look at Masami, her green eyes showed a very serious glance. ''Kind of lieutenants idea. What do you think?''

Masami raised her eyebrow at Lilia´s suggestion - it was a sound one. Once the group will expand, not even Lilia alone will be able to manage it alone. Not entirely." I think your idea is sound, Lilia-chan. In time, the group will be far too big for you alone to direct things. But I am afraid that for those lieutenants, we would need people with experience - I was thinking about, for example ... Hiroshi-sama or ... or San-Sensei. I am sure they would ... well, not sure if they would or could join, but they could provide some valuable tips. That´s just my suggestion though." was her reply, as she awaited her friends response.

Nodding as she agreed to a certain level. People like Hiroshi and Zakito would indeed give a boost to the leadership of the group. ''I agree, but the problem is that 'we' need to show we can do the same. Hiro-sama and Uncle Z are really inspiring people, but what would people think if they saw them as leaders? I'm not out for glory or fame. Not at all. But the problem would be that they could place us in their shadow. Maybe not their intention, but we need to show that we're just as capable as them.'' There was a twinkle in Lilia's eyes as her voice became more passionate. ''After all, experience can be gained. We can learn from error and faults. That is why I want to offer you such a position. I think that you've what it takes to help me with leading the group. I've some other people in mind, but want to be careful. Our group has yet to make a name for itself, so we can't use any big error.'' Lilia explained, deciding to see what Masami's reaction was. She already had a hunch of what would go through her friends mind, but Lilia meant it. She viewed Masami as a trustworthy and capable person. Experience was something she could gain in the process.

Masami´s eyes went wide with surprise at her suggestion." You - you jest, Lilia-chan ? How could I, with no real experience in leadership take such an important rule ? I agree with you on Hiroshi-sama or your uncle, but ... but me ? Would the others trust me ? Will they follow my lead into action ? Will they ... " was where her words ended. Not that she did not want to say more, but she realized how bad her reaction was - her friend trusted her, and that was enough for Masami. Steeling herself and taking a deep breath, she looked at Lilia once again." Excuse me, Lilia-chan. I ... I over reacted. It is just something I never done before. If you trust me, then I will do my best as ... as your lieutenant. I am honored by your offer, Lilia-chan ... and I will do my best not to disappoint you. That much I can promise." she replied, her cheeks cleanly blushing.

Lilia looked briefly outside before looking back at Masami. Winking at her friend and team member, Lilia responded.

''I know Masami-chan. It already means a lot to me. It really does.''