"Fall seven times, stand up eight."
[Konoha]
Autumn creeps in slowly through the days as leaves shade and expose their yellow/orange blush.
Life in Konoha is persistent with its need for growth, even with fear is prickling at ones flesh, the will of fire will burn all doubts away.
---
Konoha hospital-
Ino sat in Tsunade's office, her anxious eyes detailing every poster in the walls to keep herself distracted, Lady Tsunade sat in front of her, the older blonde is laser-focused on documents.
Ino admired Tsunade, not just as a kunoichi but for setting the standards of what a Shinobi can be– male or female, the medical division is not exclusive to kunoichi only, Tsunade has implemented more male medical nin to clinic duties. It made Ino's job less stressful and interesting to see how her male counterparts will react to nursing some of the more difficult patients.
"Ino." Tsunade's voice breaks the Yamanaka out of her thoughts.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama?" Ino responds.
The Senju's earth tone eyes were not impressed.
"Anyways...you wanted to transfer units?" Tsunade addresses.
Ino nods, " That's right, I applied to be transferred to the psychiatric ward as I believe my bloodline limit will be more efficient there."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed on Ino like she's evaluating her true intentions. " Your clan's technique is quite fascinating, the ability to take over an enemie's body and even invade their memories is very dangerous, but doesn't it take a toll on your mental health?" Tsunade questions.
"Well... the technique does effect the invasive host even after possessing somebodies body, their mind somewhat fuses with your own. The parts that make them an individual may overlap with my own characteristics such as mannerisms, emotional control and in the case of trauma, they can overwhelm me." Ino confesses.
*Body possession jutsu isn't merely taking over another person's body. The structure of the jutsu is a mutual relationship where the act of invading the host also puts the invasive's own body vulnerable and the manipulation of the new body depends on the invasive's own will and ability to mimic the host's behaviour to keep body functions normal and hopefully expand control.
"Ino." Tsunade's taps her desk, giving her full attention to the young medical nin.
"I would love to transfer you to the psychiatric ward, but I want you to assure me that all patients and yourself will not be mentally scared. "
"You have my word, Lady Tsunade." Ino makes her oath.
"...You start tomorrow, 6 am sharp. " Tsunade announces.
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade. " Ino bows her head.
'Oh–Kami, she said yes' Ino squeals internally.
"You can leave now." Tsunade snorts, already predicting her students thoughts.
"Right!" Ino marches out of the office, shoulders relaxing halfway out.
"Brat." Tsunade huffs.
---
In the outskirts of the village, by a waterfall with mesmerising cerulean dance of droplets, the calming clattering of water eases with the nature's melodies.
Hinata was under a curtain of water tapping at her fragile body, the cold clinging to her skin.
"You're doing good, Princess ~" A soft voice teases.
"This isn't funny Masami. " Hinata shivers, glaring at her fellow Hyuga.
A stunning pale-skinned woman with flowing midnight-hair, delicate facial features and the characteristic pupilless eyes of her clan, even in Anbu gear, she altered it to be distinctive with her clan's traditional attire, a ash-themed kimono covers her anbu gear, the lower part of the kimono, shortened to reach her waist so her mobility isn't restricted.
Masami Hyuga, a member of Anbu Black Ops and Hinata's personal gaurd.
"Let your body relax, don't force the currents to work together, find the neutral direction. " Masami advised.
"What does that even mean!?" Hinata groans, her mesh armor is soaking wet, water blurring her vision as Masami gave her advice.
"The Byakugan's versatility in offense and defence is amazing but when faced against destructive elemental affinities or high speed jutsu's there's a guarantee you'll be defeated brutally. " Masami clarifies. "You already discovered your affinity for water, so attempt to use your 8 trigram rotation with the water." Masami challenges.
Hinata takes in a deep breath, positioning herself for the 8 trigram rotation.
"8 trigrams, 64 palms." Hinata's body does a full 360 rotation, chakra sphere forming around her, the condensed chakra cutting at the stream of water, Hinata tries to mend the water particles to flow with her spherical jutsu but the moment she over extends a finger.
POP
"Aahh!" She screams, loosing her balance on the waters surface, dropping into the waterfall.
Masami scratches the back of her head, "Well...this might take some time."
[ 2 hours later]
Hinata sat against a tree, clutching a towel around her cold skin, pruney fingers a bit sore and shivers coming about spontaneously.
"I hate this." The heiress complains.
Masami kneels next to her, a cup of ginger tea in her hands, presenting the hot drink to her matriarch.
"You shouldn't be so hard on yourself, Princess. The fact you can manipulate two elements at the same time to a certain extent is a milestone on its own." Masami praises.
Hinata's cheeks bloom a faint blush.
"M-Masami... thank you. " She whispers, tugging her towel.
Masami chuckles softly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind Hinata's ear. "Don't worry, Princess, I'm going to be with you throughout all the failures. "
"That's not really encouraging. " Hinata rolls her eyes, a smile tugging her lips.
"As an Anbu, I'm not trained for emotional support. "
Hinata giggles at her excuse, "Let's go home."
---
[Forest of Death]
In the depths of the most dangerous region in the Leaf village, Anko and Tenten are engaging in a serious sparring session.
Bang
Tenten's Karasu-hebi collided with the sole of Anko's foot.
"Tsk, watch the chrome. " Tenten scolds.
"Watch that scythe of yours." Anko smirks.
Pushing against Tenten's staff, she does a flip in mid- air, flashing hand signs, a dozen shuriken flying at Tenten.
Tenten rotates her staff, deflecting all the shuriken.
"Anko–" Her complaint died as Anko's trench coat sleeves, open up, two massive white snakes, slithering towards Tenten.
Tenten grits her teeth, bending her staff to open the 3 sections of the chain connection.
Anchoring the staff by the handle as she twirls it like nunchakus.
Hissss
The twin serpents strike on her flanks, Tenten whips her staff, the scythe dicing the giant reptiles into pieces.
"Fire style, fireball jutsu. " Anko exhales a stream of flames at Tenten.
Tenten reconnect her Karasu-hebi, pushing her chakra down her forearms to increase her hand strength. Thrusting her weapon vertically, she sends a projectile slash at the fire jutsu.
To Anko's shock, her fireball was easily cut in half, the corner of her eye caught Tenten's flicker.
"Crap." She curses.
Tenten flashes behind the Anbu, Karasu-hebi raised above her shoulder, Anko could see Tenten's veins popping to swing the weapon.
Anko smirks despite her predicament, "This is going to hurt."
Craaackkk
Tenten slams her staff at Anko's exposed left side, a thunderous sound travels across the forest, the full brute force sends Anko flying to a giant tree.
Bang
Her body connects violently, blood spilling out of her mouth, right side completely disfigured.
"Anko!" Tenten rushes over to the kunoichi, staff in hand, just incase of a betrayal.
Anko looks up at Tenten, a faint smirk on her face, "Look away, Tenten. "
"What are you–" Tenten's eyes bulge out.
Anko opens her mouth wide, moving her stomach to commence regurgitating.
Tenten looks disturbed as Anko continues to push her body to puke.
"Anko, what are you..."
A hand protrudes out of Anko's mouth,
"Oh–Kami!" Tenten screeches in horror.
Another hand escapes Anko's mouth.
* In short Anko is regurgitating a new body.
Sorry-
---
[Kurenai's apartment]
"Kurenai, are you okay?" A deep voice calls out to her.
The scarlet- eyed beauty looked at her guest, Asuma Sarutobi, a fellow Jonin/sensei, her peer and "old" fling.
"Hmm?" Her inattentive eyes, glanced at him.
"Look, I know we haven't been been close since...his arrival, but we're still friends and as a friend I'm worried about you." He emphasises his concern by resting his hand on her thigh.
"Asuma..."
"I'm here for you. " He squeezes her thigh.
Kurenai scoots closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder, letting the moment be.
[End of chapter]