Dectrum | Training

The training grounds only has a scarce amount of other shinobi training by themselves, mostly academy students. There was only but a pair or two training together which did stuck out. Kunai and shuriken were slung about, kicks and punches burst into the air, and If Kikyo was going to become a genin (and a hard emphasis on "if"), she needed to prove she had the skills of becoming one, if not going beyond the expectancy of what a genin is capable of. The idea of killing someone still gave her a churning sensation in her stomach. However, she couldn't avoid such a requirement to become a ninja and had to deal with it eventually. It was something she had to deal with. In fact, it was one of the main reasons why she was here.

Before she started training, Kikyo stretched to make sure her muscles weren't too tense before she began. Arms were over her head, she leaned over her right side, and pressed her fingers together which made a few popping noises. The stretching process would only last for a couple of seconds before she would return to her idle pose. It was something that became a habit thanks to her mother when she was younger and she never really saw the point in stretching back then. It was nothing more than a waste of time and energy, although recently Kikyo has began to value its use.

Legs were shoulder width apart as she slightly bent her knees. The young girl took a deep breath and harshly exhaled while she took a moment to close her eyes. She already felt her heart pounding against her chest loud enough for her to hear. Kikyo felt herself trembling out of nervousness, but she tried her best to cancel it all out. She was ready, she was prepared to dash off, she wanted to began. The sooner she started, the quicker she could get this over with. All she had to do was to keep calm and just run as far as she could and as long as her body would allow her to.

Kikyo inhaled once more and held it in. Her eyes opened as both fists were clenched tightly. Before she knew it, her legs began to work on their own as she began to dash across the field. Her hair would flow with the wind and the harsh breeze being brushed on her face. Kikyo felt her heart pounding faster than before with each step taken. Her breathing became heavy as her whole body began to tense up. Pain surged all over as she pushed her body's limit, but she showed no signs of stopping. She kept going until her body would go numb, until she couldn't feel the pain any longer. She kept going and going, one foot thrown in front of the other and her muscles began to tense.

Kikyo began to breathe heavily as her running pace also began to slow down. This didn't stop her from moving, but this did made her gave into running. She transitioned to jogging as an attempt to help relieve her body, but the pain still surged around her body since she kept on moving. She wasn't ready to back down just yet. She wanted to see how far her body would allow her to go and wanted to see how far her body's limit to go. By feeling, she was well past the line, but she wanted to keep going. As a shinobi, it was all about pushing to the limit no matter how much it hurts. Even if it felt like she was about to collapse, she didn't let herself down so easily. She didn't know when she was going to stop. In fact, she didn't know when to stop. Stubbornness took over the young girl as she wanted to prove her self worth to, well, herself. Just a little bit further, she'd think to herself. Just a little bit further.

But it was at that moment that Kikyo's body wasn't able to continue. Her jogging form became sloppy as if her whole body flailed around. She made a few heavy stomps while she slowed down with her arms dropped to her sides. Immediately her body was put at halt as she continued to breathe heavily. Her knees were bent and her hands were on them, sweat traveled from the side of her and dripped from her chin. Kikyo couldn't speak properly, let alone try to process what was going on without her body screaming for it to take a rest. Nothing but strains and tension filled her muscles as Kikyo was struggling to stand. With all the weight she put onto her legs while she tried to catch her breath, she was surprised she was still standing.

Eventually and as expected, Kikyo fell onto her knees and pushed herself back to sit on her bottom. She slouched as she was still breathing heavily. Finally, her body gave up on her as she fell backwards. Her heart pounded like it was her last day on this planet. It was as if it could be heard if someone was right next to her. Her face was scrunched up as she tried to cope with the tension that ran all over her body. Eyes were closed shut, hands were curled and clutched into fists, and a heavy sigh was pushed out. Kikyo couldn't even move her arms nor legs. If she tried to do so, she would only be met with more pain.

Kikyo honestly didn't know how far she traveled nor knew how long she was running, but she was proud to know that she didn't give up so early. Truth be told, she would've stopped within ten seconds after she started running. She was surprised she was able to go on, even if her body was begging her to stop. Although the actual sensation would say otherwise, at this point, pain was a reward than great discomfort. Did she enjoy it? Not one bit. Was it worth it? Of course.


[WC: 1,012]

"Hey, you should probably get up. The last thing you want is someone 'accidentally' killing you or mistaking you for being dead." A voice rung into Kikyo's ears as her attention went from trying to ease her body into relief to the voice talking to her. The voice sounded it was feminine, but it had a raspy tone to it. A little harsh, might Kikyo add. Though, the voice did give Kikyo good advice. The last thing she wanted was to be mistaken to be dead; It'd be worse if someone actually turns that into reality. Now that, that there would be a tragedy and honestly a horrible way to go out from this world.

Kikyo tried her best to sit up, but she was only met with pain and discomfort. She made a soft grunt as she tried her best to force her body to listen to her commands. Unfortunately, her body rebelled with pain. "Ah..." She gently sighed as she tried to look over to the person that talked to her. "I'm... a bit worn out, unfortunately. To the point where I literally can't move my body." She mentioned with a nervous giggle. Kikyo tried to move her body to make a point which was also responded with the grunts of pain, also used to make a point.

"Hmm. Guess I'll just sit with you for a bit." The voice responded. The figure stepped over to where Kikyo's head was lying and sat in front of her. There, Kikyo met a young girl who looked around to be within the same age range as the blonde girl, but generally younger. She had shoulder length red hair with dark green eyes to compliment her fair complexion. She had a petite figure with what seems to be just a faded scar resting on her neck. Just seeing the scar from where Kikyo lied sent shivers down her back. Even those shivers caused her body to ache a little more. Her outfit seemed to be simple enough; a white t-shirt with a black star stuck to the center and black shorts with horizontal lines running down the side of her leg sleeves. Her footwear looked like sandals, but with a closer look, they seemed a bit worn out. It looked like Kikyo was in awe as she stared at the young girl; interested, in fact. The young redhead was able to pick up the glance she was receiving and made a face out of not only confusion but a bit of disgust mixed in. "Watch it, I don't roll that way." She warned.

It was then Kikyo's turn to look confused. What did she mean by that? Why did she even say that? "I... don't really under-" To be honest Kikyo was left clueless as she was given a vague and random warning, but then caught onto what was going on. She couldn't help but giggle at the flustered child as she looked at her face. "No worries, you're no where near my type, anyway." She joked. Kikyo always found a way to shed some light in situations where it seems a bit hostile and aggressive. It wasn't to say the girl herself became immediately hostile and aggressive, but it was more or less awkward to know the young girl took it on that route. Why would she think that? Well, that was beyond Kikyo's own knowledge.

The young girl scoffed and rolled her eyes at Kikyo's response. "Well good..." She mumbled as she turned her eyes away from the blonde girl. Kikyo already felt the awkward tension rising between them. She still couldn't get over the fact of how the young girl thought she was looking at her in a different light. It was actually a little funny. Though after the little exchange, the two girls went quiet, waiting for one another to speak up and break the tension. Kikyo expected the redhead to talk since she walked up to the blonde girl and maybe introduce herself. As Kikyo continued to look at the girl, she seemed to be fidgeting around as her eyes were everywhere else but Kikyo. Was she shy? Considering how no one was really breaking the ice, it wasn't a surprise to figure out that she was most likely uncomfortable with the silence more than anything. With that said, Kikyo had no problem breaking the ice.

"It's awfully nice of you to keep me some company while my body is screaming at me for pushing it at its limit." Kikyo joked. She honestly wasn't expecting anyone to check up on her. Given that this village's community can be cold, it was like a miracle rained on her. It was a strange miracle, but she wasn't expecting anything less of it.

The redhead turned her head back to Kikyo, but it was only short before she looked at the ground. "Yeah, I guess. I was just looking out for you is all." She mentioned. A "you're welcome" would've sufficed for the blonde girl, Kikyo actually found that pretty sweet of the other young girl. It brought a warm smile to her face. The redhead on the other hand looked more flustered as she saw Kikyo smiling at her from the corners of her eyes. The redhead went onto sigh as she flickered her eyes back to the blonde  woman. "You know... you don't look like someone fit to be a shinobi." The redhead bluntly spewed out.

Kikyo would be lying if she said she wasn't caught off guard by the redheaded girl's rather forward statement. Wherever did she got that idea from? "Whatever gave you that idea?" She asked. Was it the fact that Kikyo could barely move her body or let alone stop focusing on the pain no matter how hard she tried? Maybe she watched her sprint across the field and probably looked like an idiot. Oh, the embarrassment.

The redhead only shrugged as her response. "I don't know... you just don't look like someone who shouldn't be training is all. Maybe better things... like painting nails or something. Or maybe go into fashion." She replied.

"Assuming that painting nails is actually more exciting than getting out there and progressing to be a stronger shinobi." Kikyo retaliated. She didn't really like the direction this conversation and wasn't going to take it any longer. "Listen dear, I appreciate your concerns and such, but the least you could do is to not look down on my skills just based on what I looked like." This conversation reminded her of her mother and how her parents refused to let her become a shinobi. After learning the hard truth of what it took to become a genin, she wasn't willing to back down and wasn't willing to throw away everything she had done to get to this point.

The redhead didn't seemed bothered by Kikyo's defense. In fact, it looked like she didn't care. "Have it your way." She said as she got up from the ground and walked away. Kikyo could only watch her only company disappear from the lying blonde girl. It wasn't as if it mattered whether or not she had company. Her body was beginning to recover to the point where she was actually able to sit up. Though as she did sit up, she couldn't help but watch the redhead walk off. It was... an odd but interesting encounter to say the least.

It was more or less a one time thing to encounter such a person, well not really, but really if she was given another chance to speak with the girl again, she'd take it.

[WC: 1,273 | TWC: 2,285]

[End]

Approved for 9 stats. Have fun!~