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The Saiyan girl was actually surprised when her fist had landed on its mark, knocking the metal mask from the Dragon's face. She blinked and seemed to forget her position till she is called trash and kicked off the claw. Sayla gracefully lands on her feet and even slides back a few feet from the kick, "Trash?! I'm not the one looking to eat your kin!" Her defensive argument landed on deaf's ear as Haze was already collecting his mask and leaving the academy. Holding her gut, Sayla followed to the entrance before she last take of the Dragon. She simply turns and walks back to the training area surveying the damage from the fight, while more so a spar. The wreck of the training area had luckily not had any causalities, after all everyone cleared house when she blasted down part of a wall, but she knew that this battle for taking over the world and Dragon snacks would cause much more damage. Since the commotion had died down, a trainer runs into a room and lets out an awful holler followed by a series of expletives. Most these where directed at a single person but more the entire situation, or that is till the trainer spots Sayla then the verbal assualt is turned against the girl. Her eyes don't even meet the man that is yelling at her, but over the mess in the room. She felt better now that her Ki flow didn't feel interrupted. The Saiyan realized that she needed to train more before facing the Dragon again, and in some form that doesn't rely heavily on Ki use. Now that she is almost completely finished with anything that could be taught at the academy, Sayla grabs the clean towel she was given, with training clothes, and cleans her skin of the mix of dust, sweat, and the toxin residue.

Ladon moved throughout the city, the city was really crowded with people and he ran swiftly around all of them, "Why am I late again?" He mumbled to himself. He hated that he was so far away from the academy because he was almost always late. He finally saw the entrance to the academy and he quickly ran in. He ran into the training room and saw his master sitting on a chair with his hands in his lap. "Your late again." He said to Ladon. Ladon scratched his head, "I know, I need to start getting up earlier." His master Geron laughed. "Yeah alot earlier."

"Lets get to work, begin with a warmup." Ladon scowled, "Let me guess I need to do two-hundred pushups?" He asked. Geron put his hands on the hips and said calmly, "Get to it." Ladon had to work quickly and smoothly because he was paying Geron by the minute. He finally got all of the pushups done and he layed down and wiped his brow. "Alright what are we gonna work on now?" Ladon asked. "I was thinking that we work on flying. I know that we havent tried that yet but it's something that you definitely need to learn." After a long conversation about chi manipulation Ladon began practicing hard and had trouble with it. "Think it about it this way Ladon, if you learn how to fly then you'll be able to actually make it on time."


245 words.

Kawari stood at attention, mechanical form making standing ramrod straight no more or less uncomfortable than any other posture. Currently, she was the only one in the room. There was no one else in the immediate vicinity, either. The floors were all wooden, laid by hand, complete with all the imperfections such labor deposited by necessity. This resulted in what was colloquially known as a 'nightingale floor'. Or rather, that the floor would create any of a number of different creaks and groans depending on where someone stepped. Many had taken this series of imperfections and made an art of it. Along with a surprisingly effective, though primitive, security system. All of this meant that if anybody approached, she would hear them long before they entered the room.

The room being somewhat spacious, easily sixty feet long and wide, though the ceiling was only ten feet high, standard depth. There were windows at her back, but they had all been shuttered, permitting none of the midday sun to stream in. Instead the room was dark, the only light being what came in through the crack at the bottom of the door. She was more than capable of seeing in the dark, her array of sensors ensured that. She was an Android, like so many others. This meant that she was another creation of the famous, or perhaps infamous, Red Ribbon Army. And in particular, it's current head of engineering, Gero Jr. He was very similar to his progenitor, in that he was arrogant, refused to change his viewpoint on pretty much anything, and believed in the absolute superiority of his creations. He had yet to 'take the plunge' and convert his own body to the mechanical, but it would likely prove only a matter of time. Once that one special advancement had been perfected, he would likely be the first to undergo the mastered procedure.

None of this mattered to the mechanical being known as Zenwan Kawari. She was just running another memory scan, checking for irregularities or discrepancies. Generally, while that process sorted itself out, her cognitive faculties would tend to wander. Very illogical, but then again, some of the other programming suites that had been installed in other Androids allowed for the same concept. Perhaps it was an attempt by her creators to allow Androids free will or self determination? It was a difficult enough concept to prove, let alone grant. If she did indeed possess the ability to make her own choices, even if they did not make the most sense, then she had yet to encounter such instances.

A moment later, her internal chronometer sent a message to her main processor, informing her of the time. She began to rouse herself from the light sleep mode she had been in fort he past several hours, and began the series of warm-up procedures which would let her follow orders as the day's lessons began. She was currently enrolled in the Academy at West City. She had taken several classes on fighting and tactics before, but she had still desired more knowledge. After plumbing the depths of those other facilities, she had come here. There seemed to be a wider variety of instructors here, perhaps the added opportunities to learn would make the excessively lengthy trip worthwhile. After all, the Red Ribbon Army HQ was quite some distance from anywhere, even here.

Just as her start-up protocols had finished, she heard the sounds of someone approaching. Their footsteps were light and measured, stealthy without trying. They made no effort to hide their presence, but neither did they make any undue noise. It was obvious they had been tried in the art of silent movement, however. They opened the door and flipped the switch, turning on the series of lights overhead, casting stark shadows on the room's inhabitant.

This newcomer was her latest instructor, one Miss Iznevur. Despite her name, she had drummed out of the sniper division of the military, and that had forced her into a separate branch of the military. Special Ops, reconnaissance. It was there that she had learned how to move silently, leaving no tracks behind. It was also where she had learned to fight, a combination of grapples and throws which meant that she could easily dispatch foes many times her size. She had proven that in the first day of lessons by defeating a solid six opponents. All were hulking mounds of muscle, all were more or less well-known for being skilled fighters or warriors. Yet she had defeated them one by one, in a series of single exchanges that didn't even cause her to breathe hard. Her students were obviously impressed, this feat of finesse and precision more than enough to tell them she was a worthy instructor.

However, just because she was worthy, it did not mean she was gentle. Her lessons were tough. It was a rare occasion when one of her training sessions didn't send at least four of her students to the nurse's office to get bandaged up. This grueling regimen caused a few with less drive to quit and withdraw from the ranks, but the rest only seemed to be more determined by this. Even when the training grew harder, moving from unarmed combat to weapons and Ki manipulation. This was where the real training began. After all, the most important part of strengthening oneself was to find one's limits. That meant training for long hours, expending virtually all of their energy until they had nothing elft, and then doing even more. By pushing up against their limits on a regular basis, they expanded those limits. The next day, they would push farther, and so on. It was horribly taxing, many of them barely had the strength to even eat after the day's work. But it was working. They each kept detailed records of their progress, it helped to show just how far they had come since they had first enrolled. The data spoke for itself. Even an Android like Kawari, for whom training was largely meaningless, had noticed her energy output had increased by over forty-five percent.

And now, it was time for another day's training. The instructor greeted her, gruffly if not cordially, and soon the other students came in, automatically lining up alongside her. Once the last student was given the order of one thousand push-ups for being late, the rest of the class was given their orders for the day's first activity. The tardy student had not actually been late, classes were not slated to begin for another twenty minutes. But that was just part of how Miss Iznevur did things. If you were the last one there, then you were late. The first time a student had complained about this 'unfair' treatment, she had illustrated the point, rather graphically. Three of the military's trained guard dogs had been set after the entire class. The slowest, the ones who had arrived last, were obviously caught first. The dogs had done no lasting damage, but the bites and scratches would surely sting or ache for a few days. And thus the point was proven.

The day's first activities were pretty standard. They were each to perform, from memory and flawlessly, the entire routine of seventy-five martial arts katas they had been taught. The instructor would walk among them, with a bamboo cane in one hand. There was no use stating what would happen if she noticed someone doing the wrong movement. She would also occasionally yell out a number, at which point the students were to immediately follow her command and perform the named kata. Once this moderate warm-up activity was finished, they were broken into groups of five, with the fifth being the target, and being forced to fight off the other four students. There was a long series of complicated rules covering everyone's behavior in this exercise. From what moves were allowed, to when it was permissible to use full force.

Kawari found herself elected to target for the first round. She sized up her opponents, recalling what she had previously witnessed about each of them. The first was a tall girl, skilled with the staff but not particularly fast. She had fiery-red hair that matched her temper. The second was a young boy, eager but receiving more than his fair share of 'chastisement' from the instructor. He healed quickly, which was likely how he was attending class today, he had received a very solid strike to the temple just the day before. He had short blond hair, and a meek but honest personality. Third was someone who obviously fought before learning discipline. Ignoring the student dress code, they wore a jean jacket with no sleeves, festooned with several lengths of chain. Their hair was greasy and black, and their personality was grating, to put it politely.Number four was a larger student, body swathed in muscles and fat. Most of the students thought they were slow, both physically and mentally, but she knew what he was capable of for short moments. His hair was brown, and tied back in a tail.

She stood in the center of the other four, slowly rotating in place to try to determine which student would be the one to lead the charge. Between the temper, the eager and the greaser, there was a good chance any of them would. The large, not so much, he would wait until he found the right opportunity. When the first attack finally came, Kawari had only just begun to turn away from them. It was the greaser! He rushed in, fist raised as he ducked low. She calculated his approach, and stepped back just slightly. His fist passed through the space she had just vacated, and she was quick to lash out with her own blow, one hand rising up to knock the greaser's fist high, while the other was thrust forward in a punch aimed squarely at his side.

But it didn't connect, one of the others had already rushed in, and tackled Kawari, taking her to the ground. There were no mats to protect the students from hard falls, so any landing would be more realistic. And painful. She landed on her side, her free hand already planted against the ground to push her up. She pressed against the one who had tackled her, and saw a flash of red her. Temper. She curled up before lashing out in a burst of energy, springing up at the same moment. This managed to break her free from the redhead's grapple, though eager was already rushing in to try to assist. This time Kawari was prepared, and managed to grab eager by the arm before spinning around and sending him barreling right toward greaser. The two collided, tangling up on the floor as they cursed at one another. Or rather, greaser cursed at eager. They would be out of the fight for a few moments, at least. She would have to go on the attack now. She turned to face temper, who was watching her warily, but still looking ready to charge. They rushed to meet each other, both grabbing the other's shoulders as they struggled to pull each other off balance. Kawari managed to stay upright, but as a result, wasn't able to upset temper. Nor was she able to pull away from her when large moved behind her and locked her in a reverse bear hug. The pressure was surprising. Even though she had known he was strong, she had thought her metal form more durable than this.

She continued to struggle, but it was no use. even when temper stepped up in front of her and lashed out with a savage punch to the gut, she couldn't avoid it. While she was made of metal, there was definite give in it, to allow her the full range of mobility as a fighter. That meant that punches like this were quite capable of giving her structural damage. Soon, greaser and eager had rejoined her opponents, and while it was somewhat frowned upon, the four of them collectively beating her was not against the rules. If she wanted to escape while still conscious, she would have to do it under her own power.

She tried to quickly calculate the various factors of her predicament, but the constant barrage of strikes left her senses in a jumble. Finally, she had no choice but to simply follow along with the only plan she had been able to think of in her compromised position. Directing all of her discretionary power to offense, she swung her legs back and forth, before aiming carefully, and swinging them back as hard as she could. The sound of the impact was muffled by the thickness of the leg, but the effect of her heels striking large's knee was immediate. He grunted softly, almost sounding surprised, as his arms lost their power and he released her before slumping to the ground.

Kawari knew she had to act fast or the others would simply continue their assault once they realized what had happened. The next target was eager, who was felled by a snap blow to the chin, knocking his head back before he too hit the floor. Greaser was next, she grabbed his fist before playing a rough game of 'crack the whip'. When she did so, the sound told her she had dislocated his shoulder, he'd be useless for the next few moments, if he was tough enough to even return to the fight. That just left temper. She seemed a bit more nervous now that the fight was even, but she was no coward. She rushed in, and the two met once more. This time Kawari made no move to grab temper's shoulders, letting herself be pulled. Only then did she lash out, sticking a leg under temper and sweeping it to the side, averting her own fall and causing the redhead to stumble.

She was just about to drop her elbow onto the back of temper's neck when the redhead gave the signal that meant she surrendered. Kawari halted in mid-movement, and straightened up, looking around. Her four opponents had been felled, she had won? She saw that their activity had gotten some attention, even the instructor was watching. She sketched a quick bow to her opponents, and then to the instructor, before stepping back, closed fist held by her other hand. Since all the other groups had already finished, it was now normally the time when the instructor would pick apart each of their performances, pointing out mistakes or flaws. But instead, the instructor seemed to pause for a moment before dismissing the class.

As one, the entire class bowed, even those who were laying on the ground in pain. They were trained well, they would not fail to bow to their instructor at the proper times. As the other students filed away, or waited for medical aid to arrive, Kawari made to leave as well. However, the instructor caught her by the shoulder and made a small gesture for her to follow. She did, unsure of what was happening. She hadn't yet seen the instructor keep a student behind after dismissing the class. Had her performance been that poor? Had her failure to stop large from grabbing her been proof enough to grant her expulsion? But it seemed the instructor had no intention of speaking, so she just followed in silence.

They left the building entirely, going off along a small trail that Kawari had never even noticed when she first arrived. It meandered through a dense forest, going far enough that she wasn't even sure if they were still on the Academy's grounds. And still they continued, until finally, they stood in front of a small hut.

As far as huts went, it was pretty well-built. The walls were straight, the windows weren't broken, and the paint looked complete. It looked like there was just one small room inside, unless it was two very small rooms. Kawari started when Miss Iznevur led her inside, unlocking the door and ushering her in ahead of her. Within the hut, there was just the one room, with a basic bed in one corner, a curtained-off area that was almost certainly the facilities, and a desk and chair. There was a small pot over a fireplace in the center of the floor, as well. While inordinately small, the hut seemed to possess everything that was generally required for one person to live in relative comfort.

She stood a bit awkwardly, unsure of just why she had been called to this place. What in the world did the instructor have to say that couldn't be said within the Academy? There were no horrible secrets that others would be listening in secret for, were there? Her confusion must have been obvious, because the instructor told her to calm down, there was no trouble. She still waited another long moment before finally explaining. Obliquely. She started by asking Kawari if she was aware of any differences between herself and the other students. Barring being an Android, of course.

Kawari considered it for a moment, but ultimately could only shake her head. She couldn't think of any real differences, save the biological versus mechanical. The instructor nodded at that, as if that was the answer she had expected. She went on to explain why. She stated that even during the midst of the sparring, during any point in any of the training, Kawari evinced no fighting spirit, no passion for battle. She had worked with Androids before, and they had not been so distant from battle, this was a problem unique to Kawari herself. And yes, it was a problem. After all, if she felt no passion, no drive for battle, she wouldn't be able to draw upon her true strength in the heat of a pitched battle. Ultimately, that would work at odds with her development. Until it was taken care of, there was virtually no point in her studying or training any further. It would only be partially successful.

Kawari was speechless at this revelation, she really was being kicked out of the Academy? Her distress was just as obvious as her earlier concern, because the instructor told her to calm down once more. She wasn't being expelled, she was merely being given time away, to go out and try to discover that spark, that passion for battle. If she did manage to find it, then she was more than welcome to come back and continue her studies. But until then, she should stick to training in solitude, if anything. Only by training alone could she truly hope to discover that spark. It had to be developed from within, if she merely tried to learn it from another fighter, then her own spark would be diminished as a pale imitation.

Kawari was stunned at this, could such a simple problem really have wrought such extreme havoc on her training? It certainly seemed like the instructor was serious, she had never seen the woman laugh or even smile. Besides a savage smile in the midst of battle, that is. She knew arguing would do no good, there was no option available beyond simply bowing and accepting her decree. She thanked her for all that she had already learned, and asked if she might be allowed to gather her possessions before leaving. Permission was granted, and she bowed once more, holding it for a long moment before she let herself out.

As she took the long walk back to the Academy, Kawari's mind was whirling with thoughts swirling around everything she had just been told. There was something there was lacking. Without it, her training would be stunted. If she wished to be strong, she needed to train. Therefore, she had to gain whatever it was she was lacking. That meant that she had to take the instructor's words to heart, and go out and discover her spark, her passion for battle. Passion was a foreign concept to her, but she knew other Androids could be programmed to feel such emotions. She could do this, it had to be possible. She possessed some of the most cutting-edge technology, surely such a feat was well within her repertoire? She felt confident, but that alone wouldn't be enough. Somehow, she would have to discover just how to find that missing part of her. Self-discovery seemed horribly alien to an Android, but she was nothing if not inventive. She would succeed, or be deactivated trying! Nodding, she clenched her fist, assured in her confidence. This was something she could learn, adapt to and make her own. And in so doing, she would become stronger. Then she could return to what seemed the more standard method of training. Learning more techniques, mastering the usage of her Ki and energy amalgamation. She was suited to combat, it was one of her programmed specialties. Discovering a thirst for battle should be second nature to her, perhaps she simply needed more real-world experience? There was no use spending all of her time thinking about it, she needed to actually go out and do something about it. And she would, she would go out and learn this new skill, make it her own and be the better warrior because of it.
(3614 of 2700 words)

"Very good child, although you have a lot more to learn then just swinging a blade at the opponent. There are other more exceptional things that need to be done, then just that sort of abilities." Rogue's master says, as he walks away and out the door. Rogue moved to follow, and in a moment's notice his senses would get the better of him, someone was behind him? Impossible there was no one in the room other then him. By the time he had started to turn around, he felt a blade plunge deep into his back side, barely missing the internal organs as blood gushes outwards and begins to drench the training robes he wore. His eyes were widened with shock, as he slowly managed to fully turn himself around, his master was standing behind him with a blood drenched blade in his left hand, his eyes staring down at Rogue as he drops onto the ground. "Two lessons will be taught to you today.. The first lesson consists of you learning the means to commit what I have just done to you.. The other, is the ability to accurately train your body, in order to better prepare yourself for the ends that will be coming to you from now on. This second task, can only be completed when you have undergone a serious life threatening injury... As you have just received now." The man says, as he casually drops the knife for it to land beside Rogue with a sharp thump as it enters the soft wood of the floor, the blood dripping off of the blade and pooling with the blood that was already there. This explanation was exactly how these wooden floors had become such a cherry red color, despite not being that kind of wood. "Now stand, fight. That is the only way you can learn what you must, and complete your training!" His master said, as he pulls back a few steps and Rogue gradually rose himself to his feet. His body shaking slightly as he attempts to regain his own movement, the blood loss slowly beginning to affect his body, as he staggers to the side and almost falls over. Before he could completely fall over, a simple slap would slide briskly across his face, knocking him back the other direction. Staggering this way now, an open handed punch would smash into his chest, shooting him forwards and across the room before he slams into and through the rice paper walls that made up the doors out of this room. The knife still clutched tightly in his hand. "You must concentrate... Enhance your power, enhance your speed. You need to be stronger and faster then I can defend.. Only then will you be able to strike me in such a manner as I had done to you." His master says, before slowly walking forwards and moving to slam his foot down upon the fallen door that had collapsed onto his pupil after his last attack. Suddenly he staggers as blood drips from his back and onto the already blood stained ground at his feet. A soft chuckle came from his mouth, as he turned around and rose a hand up behind his back, his arm tensing as he yanked the implanted blade from his back and then held it out towards his pupil. "Very good..." He says, Rogue collapsed upon the ground, would slowly raise up and reach for the blade. Though by the time he could grab hold of the handle it was too late, his master grabbed him by the wrist and flung him upwards into the air, thrusting the weapon forwards and impaling him directly into the stomach with the weapon. Since this unnecessary attack was not expected by Rogue, therefore the injury would be a lot worse in the long run. Not even making a sound to reveal that it hurt, although it was quite obvious that it did by the amount of blood that was seeping onto the ground and his clothing. Slowly and painstakingly rising to his feet, Rogue turned his eyes towards his master, just in time to see his master's fist shooting forwards towards his face, this was how training always seemed to be, and it was never a good sight to those that may be watching. Instantly reacting without much thought involved, Rogue's head shot to the side, turning in an instant in order to avoid the punch that was going towards his face, his arms shooting upwards and grabbing hold of his masters arm, and then pushing his other arm upwards and hitting as hard as he could at his master's elbow, a wicked snap sounding out around them as the elbow snapped in an instant under the sudden pressure, contorting at an awkward angle and then hanging limp as if the bone's in the limb had been shattered so completely, as to be non-existent. Turning his head to the side, Rogue turned his body slightly, pushing his hand forwards and slamming pointed fingers into his master's chest, before spinning in a full three hundred and sixty degree spin, slamming his other arm in a karate chop like fashion into the side of his master's upper arm. Pulling back, he then thrusts his hand forwards and snatches the blade from his master's other hand with a swift jab of his fingers into his inner elbow, and then a flick of his other hand to flick the blade up and outwards away from his master. Grabbing the blade out of the air before it even completed a full rotation, the blade soon being thrust forwards and into his master's stomach not one, not twice, but three times in the blink of an eye. Rogue's eyes going almost wild with some sort of feral energy as he swiftly and accurately moves with snake like snapping motions of his body, his foot slamming down on his master's foot, before pushing off into a kick that would actually slam directly into his master's face. The issue was, his master had seen enough, his pupil was doing well and it was time to complete the steps he had taken so far. He had done so well turning his child into a killing machine, it was time to push him outwards for his first task. Using his free hand, he grabs his pupil by the foot, lifting him up into the air, and then chucking him away. Before his pupil could even get far enough away, he was appearing above them and slamming a single open palm into their stomach, knocking them downwards and into the ground with a snapping crack of the wood breaking beneath Rogue, from sheer impact of the strike alone. Blood shooting from his mouth as he gasps to catch his breath, and then lay limp at his master's feet. His master slowly rising to his full height, as he grabs his arm and snaps it back into place, a small flow of Ki forming around him as his injuries appear to begin to regenerate themselves without an issue. This would explain how he had managed to stay alive so long, while training so many countless numbers of ninja. "You have done well... You training is over.. Rest and heal up.. For in three days you will be being sent out on your first mission.. Prepare yourself, the real world will not spare you like I have." His master says with a chuckle, before turning and walking out of the room to leave his pupil lying there, perhaps even bleeding to death by now.

Holding his side a moment as he walks, Rogue slowly withdrew a knife from within his clothing and then within the next moment he was behind his intended target, his blade raising and sliding across their throat in a moment, cutting their neck wide open, as his other hand grabs hold of their hair and rips their head back by their hair in the process. His neck craning forwards, as he whispers quietly into the male's ear. "Che la morte ti dia la pace che cercavi. Requiescat in pace." Rogue says, as he then lays the body down gently upon the ground, his free hand sliding onto their face, and closing their eyes in order for them to finally come to rest. His odd black and white eyes slowly crossing over their body, before looking up and around the area. As usual, no one had seen him take out this target, it was a pity that one of these younger teachers would cross his clan in such a manner. At least he was the one to take them out, and not one of the Shinobi from the other clan's. If they had shown, this sort of thing would have gotten bloody far too quickly. "Up to your old tricks I see, Rogue.." A familiar voice would say from a small distance away. As Rogue's head shot around in order to face the voice, he would come with looking at nothing. Was it a shadow? An illusion of his mind? He could have sword that the voice of Raon had just been heard from the shadow of that large tree.. Impossible, he was dead, it had to be some trick of his mind! Either way Rogue did not plan to allow this upset to startle him any, he would continue forwards to his next target and finish them off as well, after all that was how his clan functioned. There was no meaning to continue with anything other then what was needed for him. Turning and beginning to walk away from the corpse, he raises a rag from his pocket and wipes the knife he had used clean of the blood upon it, before slipping it back into his clothing where it belonged. He had one more assassination contract in this area, and then he could leave and continue on to other locations without needing to worry too much. Since he had done this time and time again, he knew that he could easily finish off this final target before leaving almost as if he had never been here anyway. The most anyone would say, was that some oddly skinned male had come in and beaten the crap out of countless students when they were trying to spar. That was not something he really needed to worry about, they would immediately be unable to find him, seeing as he was something to the lines of a shadow in this day and age. Most shinobi had taken up the more direct approach of Ki control and dominating by force, while he was instructed under his master that the better approach was to fight from the shadows and defeat the opponent as quickly as possible. So with his training in mind, that was exactly how he went about every battle that crossed his path, he was never one to play with his targets.

"Now you know the plan, correct? You must observe your target and plan your attack. Attack when you understand their very movements, and leave without being heard or traced in any way. If you are seen, or someone catches you leaving the area of your kill, and you try to return here.. You will be killed before you make it to the gates, am I understood?" Rogue slowly nodded his head, before he began to turn and walk from the gates. "One more thing, Rogue. You must set their soul to eternal rest once you have killed them. Speak the words; Che la morte ti dia la pace che cercavi. Requiescat in pace. To them, and close their eyes before you leave. Otherwise you will never be considered a true assassin, or even a shinobi for this matter." His master said, with a simple gesture towards Rogue. Rogue nods once again, and then turns and begins walking from his master and passing through the gates. As soon as he moves through the gates he takes off into a run. His target was said to be moving by caravan through the forests to the south, Raon was supposed to be there watching the scene in order to report in to Rogue and let him know what was happening. He was working as the tracker in this set up, he had been following them for the last four days, and Rogue was sure that he wasn't too happy about it. Raon seemed to have an unhealthy need to kill those he was tracking, and since this was not his turn to kill, he was very unhappy about the entire scenario. By the time Rogue had arrived at the Caravan's current camp, Raon was positioned just outside in one of the trees, silently observing the camp and watching their movements and positioning of their guards. In an instant Rogue was beside him, not even a leaf shifting in the tree as he seemed to appear there, his hand even resting upon the trunk of the tree beside him as he peered downwards at the camp that was not too far away. "What's the verdict? Will we be able to finish this tonight, or are we going to need to observe more?" Rogue asks, as he peers downwards and instantly takes note of the guard positions. "There are ten guards who patrol the outskirts of the camp at even intervals, all of them are tired from the days ride and may easily fall asleep, and this wouldn't be a surprise for those within the camp. If you move down now, your target is positioned inside his tent at the far side of the camp. He had gone to sleep about ten minutes ago, but be weary because he had two woman with him.." Raon says, as he chuckles a little to himself and then shifts in his crouch on the branch. "Should you require, I can take out the guards so they wont be bothering you? It would be nice to use my sword once and a while.." Rogue glances at Raon for a moment before shaking his head and moving his hand to pat the male's shoulder. "It's aright, I'll knock the ones I have to out, and if another guard moves to their location they will just think he fell asleep. Then I'll have to deal with the two woman. It seems to me that everything down there is lit by candle light, this will make things easier for me.. You stay here, if something should go wrong, make sure you are not seen. I would not want you to be prevented from entering our gates." Rogue says with a slow nod, as he then vanishes off the branch and would later appear behind the first of the guards, his hand raising and slamming into the back of their head, their head sagging to the side, as his free hand grabs the body and then positions it so it appeared like he was leaning against his spear.

Turning and creeping silently through the camp site, he remained to the shadows, his gaze snapping every which way as he makes sure that nothing would be able to easily sneak up on him as he moved. With his body nearing the tent which contained his target, he heard the soft sounds of two woman amidst the heat of passion, and the sound of a male clearly enjoying himself as well. Shaking his head slowly, he carefully begins to circle the tent, making note of the positioning of the candles before he carefully positioned himself to the correct location. In an instant he was inside the tent, his very appearance causing a decent sized gust that blew out most of the candles, the scared gasps of the woman suddenly becoming the sounds they were making instead of the moans that they previously gave forth. the remaining candle was cut clean off at the wick with the steal blade of his katana. Moving forwards instantly, he brought his free hand forwards, slamming an open palmed back hand into either of the two woman that he could make out from the shadows of the night inside this tent, their soft thumps as their naked bodies struck the ground, would be muffled out by the sudden start of a girlish scream by the target. Moving fluidly, Rogue spun around and thrust the blade of his katana forwards and into his opponent, his entire body seeming to feel the butter like feeling as his sword sunk into the flesh of his opponent, a slight pop sounding before his blade would hit bone and stop. Even though he had struck bone, he knew he had hit his mark, tugging the blade free, the body of his target slumped backwards and onto the ground. Rogue casually walked forwards, kneeling over his target and then moving his hand over their face. "Che la morte ti dia la pace che cercavi. Requiescat in pace..." He says, before rising and exiting the tent in a moment's notice. As soon as he leaves the tent, there was a commotion outside, screaming and other assorted chaotic things were going on, which happened instantly after he left the tent. Was he caught? No, no one was around to have seen him. Then what was it? Soon the sound of laughter in the distance could be heard as Raon came running forth, chasing two woman who had been in the other tents. With a wicked grin across his face he swing his blade forward and cleaved either of their heads off in one mighty slash. His pale face lighting up even greater as he spins around to be looking right at Rogue. "Nice job, now how about you help me finish off the rest of the camp." He says with a grin, before running off again. What had happened? All Raon had to do was stay off and be silent where he was scouting, and this mission would have been over in a matter of seconds. Now he was running about slaughtering everyone. This wasn't the kind of thing that Rogue needed to be swept up in right now, turning his back upon his ally, he quickly ran forth and headed back to his home, in order to bring his master the news of what was going on.

"What? You don't recognize a voice when you hear it?" Whipping around, Rogue's gaze went every which way. Why was he hearing this voice? It was impossible.There was no way to say that this male had been the one to remain alive at this point. He had been a traitor, he had attacked his own Kin and attempted to kill the master. He had died, this had been viewed by the entire clan! Shaking his head slowly, Rogue slowly picked up his pace in order to head out of this place and continue on the path towards his final hit for the evening. Since there was only two people that needed to die in this place, he was sure he would be able to take both of them out on this same day before the suspicious activities were noticed by those who would attempt to stop him. Suddenly his head whipped to the side, his entire body bending backwards as he enters a sort of backflip type move, his hands shifting over his head and pushing off the ground, as multiple kunai whip passed him and implant themselves into the tree to his left. His gaze having already snapped to the right as he follows through with this dodge, and soon has a single knife held in his hand. "What the ********> Rogue says with a slight hiss as he looks back and forth rather swiftly, he had just been attacked, but the attacker hadn't shown themselves yet, that was never a good sign. Before he could really take another step, a katana blade came whizzing by his face, his initial reaction proved to be useful, instead of simply bounding backwards and away from it, he slashed sideways with his knife, feeling a connection point as the blade met the soft flesh of an opposing body. His head instantly turning to that side, he looks upon his opponent. They were an opposing assassin from another clan in his village. And it seemed that they had discovered him here, and planned to kill him, before he could get to their mark, if he hadn't already that was. Shaking his head slightly, he began to take action, a second blade slipping into his other hand, as he went on the offensive, slashing forwards with this second blade while applying pressure to the blade he was just forced to deflect. He didn't have the time to draw his own katana at this point. Spinning into a one hundred and eighty degree rotation he slashes with both blades, aiming for his opponent's stomach and throat. Though they leaned back enough to dodge the throat, they were not so good when it came to the second dodge. Grinning as he moved forwards and continued his attacks upon his new opponent he continued to slash and knick away at his opponent's defenses. They were not prepared for the attacks they were going to get as soon as they started fighting him. They would have done better to know his clan's assassination techniques. Rogue chuckles slightly as his attack lands, a blade sliding right across the male's inner forearm, blood splashing out onto the ground as he continues to attack. The man he was facing bounding backwards in order to get away and access the situation. Flicking his wrist forwards, Rogue sends one of his knives sailing through the air towards the opponent in order to cause them to leap back and lose sight of Rogue in order to dodge the attack. Grinning as soon as they lose sight of each other, Rogue vanishes in a moment, appearing behind his opponent as his second knife slides directly into their back. The Instant Assassination technique allowing this to happen, from the already serious injuries that this male had taken before, this final assault with a mortal stab to the back would be enough to send the male into the spiral that would be his death. With a sinister little smirk, he twists the blade and then slashes with his other hand, a wrist blade shooting from the base of his palm and sliding across his opponent's back in order to cut straight through the flesh and into the spine of his opponent's neck. That would be it for them, it was quite simple to see that this was going to be the final straw for such an opponent. Chuckling, he kicks himself off of this soon to be corpse and does a complete flip in the air before landing on the ground a short distance away. He sighs and turns around heading away before picking up his pace once again. This male he had just killed was not someone that deserved having peace wished upon them, only those that he went after as an assassination contract deserved such a wish. Shaking his head, he picked up to a full speed, before turning a corner and bounding off the tree in order to send himself up and over a wall in an instant, landing upon the other side of the tree without a sound.

"What has happened, where is Raon!?" Rogue's master demanded with his fist slamming against the ground where he sat, Rogue stood in a kneeling position before him, his head bowed at an angle that made it seem he could not kneel any lower, as he spoke. "He.. He seems to have betrayed us, though I cannot be certain. I achieved my silent kill as recommended, and as I left the tent all hell broke loose, he was running around and killing everyone. I fear that the abilities he has learned have gotten the better of him, and he has gone mad.. He may need to be taken care of." Rogue says, as he frowns slightly and looks a little to the side, avoiding the eyes of his master due to pure shame for his friend. "Well then.. If that is the case, you have one more mission to which you will need to do.. Kill Raon.. Otherwise our secrets could end up in enemy hands, or even worse.. We could be fully revealed to the public for what we are." His master says, slowly shaking his head and then lowering it to rest in the fingers of his right hand. "Hurry and go, take care of this quickly." He finally says, before ushering Rogue away. Rogue leaps up instantly, dashing out of the room and heading off to where his first assassination had been. Figuring that Raon had to still be there, or at least close by. Dashing through the forest swiftly, his gaze snapping every which way as he awaits any moment he may catch a glimpse of his new prey, it was a pitty but he knew this was how he needed to get things done. He knew for a fact that it was not too much farther before he would reach the place where all hell had broken loose, and as he leapt from one branch and onto the next, his gaze would fall upon not only the mass of bodies that had been slain, but in fact a burning arena of death, where each body of an entire caravan had been stacked one atop the other at the center. Some headless, some missing their limbs, others with large holes through their chests and stomachs. Pieces scattered about an entire small shack high pile of corpses and blood. Weapons plunged into the pile at random intervals. Atop this pile of corpses sat Raon, his gaze gleaming deadly in the night. "I have been waiting for you, Rogue. I suppose the master has sent you to kill me?" Raon asks, as he adjusts his sitting stance, leaning back against one of the spears to which he had placed behind him as a back rest. His wicked eyes always staring down at Rogue, never letting his gaze waver and never letting it leave Rogue's form. "Yeah.. I've been ordered to kill you.. So just let me go about my business.." It was a failed attempt at trying to make things easy, he knew full well that Raon would strike as soon as the time presented itself to, and he was not going to stand back and let that sort of thing happen to easily. He would need to form some kind of plan, before this battle got too out of hand, and made things far and worse for him. "Well? Come attack then. You see the death I have already caused, do you really think you can do any more damage to me, then what I have already done to all of them?" Raon says, before he begins laughing almost hysterically. It seemed that he indeed had lost his mind, somewhere along the lines in his training. The power of his abilities had become too much for him, and he figured himself invincible or some odd idea such as this. Either way, Rogue would need to bring him down. Raising his hand upwards, he grabs the katana he had strapped across his back, and then leaps forwards. The blade being drawn in a seconds notice, only to come and clash with the blood soaked katana that Raon bore before him.

[4596
Ki Sense - 300
After Image - 600
Rest cashed for Stats and Zeni]

"No, really? It's true, my friend's cousin's sister did it, and it worked!" The young girl glared at her friend, why wouldn't she believe her?

"That's just stupid, why would anyone even think to try it?" The other girl seemed disbelieving, but her confidence was wavering. Her friend took that as a sign to continue, and grabbed her hand before pulling her along behind her. The two marched down the empty hallway, knowing they could get caught and wind up in big trouble. But this was a rite of childhood, they were obligated to try and see it through to the end. The first girl was named Susan, the second Miyuki. Both had happy enough lifestyles, no great tragedy or hardship. They played, they laughed, they occasionally lied to their parents. And now, they dared to seek out the supernatural.

The rumor hard started several months ago, though in truth it had been around for many years before that. Like all good rumors or urban legends, it always came back, to be believed by still more people. Many people knew of this one, it seemed everybody had heard it at some point or other. And now, Susan and Miyuki had heard of it. And, like any other pair of children who believed themselves brave, they were going to try it out!

Once they reached the proper door, they took a look over their shoulder, to make sure a teacher wasn't about to catch them in the act. Miyuki seemed nervous, the quieter of the two was much more worried about getting caught than the more headstrong of the two, Susan. But she let herself be led into that room, the lavatory. They didn't turn the light on, leaving it off was part of the ritual. Miyuki clung tightly to Susan's hand, squeezing it tightly as they moved closer to the mirror. She was really getting nervous now.

"Let's not do this, this is stupid... Let's just go outside and play!" But her plea fell on deaf ears. Susan had gone this far, she wasn't going to stop for anything. "Come on, don't be a scaredy-cat, we're almost there!" She pulled at Miyuki's hand a little more, and managed to drag her in front of the mirror. "Now remember, we both have to say it three times." Miyuki nodded, swallowing convulsively as her nerves began to get more and more frayed. Nonetheless, she managed to speak the name, three times, her own quavering voice just slightly behind Susan's.

"Bloody Mary... Bloody Mary... Bloody Mary... Mary Worth, I killed your baby..." The two stood there, the one eager, the other almost cowering, as they both waited to see what would happen. The silence seemed to grow deeper around them, like monsters were holding their breath before attacking. It seemed colder too, was there a draft? But nothing actually happened.

Miyuki was about to sigh with relief and ask fi they could leave when she saw something in the mirror. A soft sound that could have been a scream slipped past her lips as she saw a pale face appear, looking back at her with dark eyes. Susan hadn't noticed it yet, she had to tell her! But she couldn't speak, her voice was gone! Helpless, she watched as the phantasm shifted it's attention to Susan, the brave girl still hadn't noticed it. How could she not see it?

「Hello...」

That was all it took. The two girls let out a pair of high-pitched shrieks as they saw the face split into a wide grin, and seem to draw even closer to them. They stumbled over themselves as they sped from the lavatory, tearing open the door as they ran pell-mell down the hallway, consequences be damned.

And in their wake, the quiet girl still stood there, looking at herself in the mirror, a malicious little chuckle escaping her lips as she delighted in another wonderful prank. Beatrice couldn't have fun the same way others did. But even so, there were countless ways to amuse herself, if she was willing to do it at the expense of others.
(710 out of ???)

Raxon got into the small room where he was told he was going to train as soon as he entered he noticed other people with their trainers and such "Ah mister Kast over here." Said as strange man who was wearing a simple green outfit and a green hat with a white stripes. He then said. "Alright now today I'm going to teach you how to fly now your no sayain like me but your father was making you an advanced human." Raxon spread his legs and arms and began to try to focus his energy and allow him to fly. "Come on Raxon this aint rocket science you just gotta.....Concentrate hahahahahah." Raxon grunted and strained he was starting to get frustrated for he wasn't getting any way and he in all honest couldn't feel his kai all the much. In a sudden moment of anger Raxon let out a thunderous cry. "RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR."He shouted as his kai began to flow around him he then began to fly off of the ground. After a second of realizing what he was doing he stopped shouting and began to fly like he was a pro. His instructor simply smiled and then said. "This one shows some promise and this is only the begging." Raxon kept flying and flying "Oh my god this is so cool i can't believe i'm flying." RAxon landed right next to his teacher and then began to ask. "So you know me but who are you?" The man simply raised his eyebrow "Who i am is of no importance I'm simply doing my job which is to train you.......now that you know how to fly you need to learn how to fight while in the sky and also any techniques you do will be in the sky...sky fighting will be a must skill when your taking on the big dogs." Raxon bowed his head for he knew what the man was talking about he then began to fluctuate his power letting him go up down and side to side. Although he could fly ok it took a significant toll on his body because it was a new thing for him. After a while Raxon began to feel dizzy for one since he was flying around a small room and two weak since fly was taking such a toll on his kai since this was all new to him.

Total words 404

Coraata awoke from his sleep, he was in the academy where he had stayed the night. He was going to begin his training today. He smiled as he got up from his laying postition into a sitting one. He slid on his newly purchased boots. He stood up and stretched for a second before hearing the door swing open and a man he met the day before stood in its frame. He smiled, "Hello Coraata. Sleep well?"
"Yes Doreiku, I did." He answered.
"Good lets get to your training, we have alot to do," Doreiku said walking out as Coraata followed. Coraata's tail flapped around in the wind up untill he wrapped it around his leg. "We should work on your flying skills first. It is very important to be able to fly in a fight, some times its all the difference."
"Okay then lets get to it."
"You have to be able to focus your energy around you. You must build up your Ki into your center, then force it out around your shape. You push the Ki in the direction you choose to go, whether that be up, down, side to side, up, or down."
"Hmm, I understand." Coraata said crushing his hands into a fist by his side and his elbow at a 90 degree angle. He let out a growl, then a roar, and finally a full force shout. His hair waved around and his tail unwrapped and flew rapidly around in the air, he slowly lifted up off of the ground. His Ki shifted around him and he lefted a couple feet off of the ground and he laughed "This is easy."
"You caught on much faster than my last student," Doreiku said remembering his small time with Majin Bubbles but then turned his focus back to his new student." Now we should work on something just as important. The Ki Blast."
"Sounds fun" He laughed doing a flip then lowered himself to where he was drifting slightly off of the ground, though one of his feet rested on the other legs knee, and he was kind of in a sitting postition. Doreiku held his hand out with his palm up and a ball started to form with a small aura around it. Doreiku swung around and chunked the ball at a target which it made a scourch mark on. "See it is a very basic skill but once it is learned it can be of great help," he explained, "You know that power you force out of you when you fly, force it into your hand in a ball form and force your true power into your Ki ball. Release it your power flows from your body with the force of your energy and emotions." Coraata knodded bringing his hand up and looked at his palm and energy started to force out and a orb formed the blue energy in his palm felt great and with a swing of the arm the ball shot into the wind and it shot into the target scourching it with a small explosion. "Wow it kind of reminds me of something my dad taught me." Coraata laughed.
"What would that be?" Doreiku asked.
"Well I am not going to use it at full strength but I will shoot it at the field over there." Coraata said rising up as Doreiku rose up as well. Coraata extended his fist and he his eyes squinted and an energy ball formed and fired into the desert field in the distance and when the ball made impact a mushroom cloud drifted into the sky. "The Big Bang Attack?" Doreiku said questioning.
"Yeah, my first technique," Coraata said
"That is pretty advanced,"
"Mhm, it took me a long time and it is suppose to be used in extreme situations." Coraata said as they both drifted back down to the ground and Doreiku walked over to a bag that had two sandwitches in them and he handed one to Coraata and they sat down to eat. Coraata soon finished and flew around for a second before Doreiku rose from his chair and said "Okay now we need to teach you to feel Ki, then one how to conseal your power and you can go back to Skull Valley to train with the Saiyans."
"Okay I would like to do it fast so lets try to speed it up." Coraata said popping his fingers.
"You need to, well you remember when you had your Ki around you when flying, you just need to feel it in other people but focus harder because it is in them and sometimes they hide their Ki. I am going to raise and lower my Ki we will not stop untill you can sense it and tell me when it raises and lowers."
"I can do that." Coraata said trying to focus on Doreiku's energy. It was a while later when Coraata started to actually feel the energy changing but it was very faint. Coraata looked more into the center where all this energy came from. He traced it and now could feel the source and the energy completely he felt it rise then fall then rise a bit more then fall he started to say what he felt "Up, up, still up, heh, now down, up, down, down, up, up, down, up, down, up, down,"
Doreiku centered his energy and smiled, "Well it looks like you have it down." Doreiku laughed
"Good, my head started to hurt from all of the focusing."
"You will get use to it over time, its just a matter of over time improvement."
"Okay what do we need to do next?"
"Teach you how to mask, raise, and fully utilize your Ki."
"Oh I heard of it, something like Charge Up."
"It is actually refered to as Power Up."
"Eh, same thing but lets get on with it."
"You need to pulse your energy out and an aura will form that is how you know you are doing it."
"Okay I will get to work," Coraata said focusing his energy to his center then forming it out and his power started to flex as he started to form an aura but it was just wobbly and not near what his goal was. "You have to unleash your inner energy to help you fight," Coraata listened and crushed his fists. His energy started to rise he was now stronger and he could feel it but his goal was not met he felt no aura no true power. He started to roar and blue started to flow out of him and form an aura. The energy around him morphed into a fast moving gas. He could see blue air pass around him and his hair flop around. His tail was swinging rapidly, he could feel the power his tail possesed and as it swung around he pulled the energy from it making his aura more powerful. "Looks like you were able to succeed. I guess that is the conclusion of your training." Doreiku said as the aura still hung around Coraata's body, "Do me a favor when you are done training find Majin Bubbles, my first student the one before you." Coraata smiled and knodded and drifted into the air as he shot off into the direction of Skull Valley

1223
Flight- 300
Ki Sense- 300
Ki Blasts- 400
Power Up- 200

Prologue: A new Journey

There are many warriors who fight for riches and popularity. There are even some that fight just to make a name for themselves across their country. Others fight because the bloodshed afterwards satisfies them the way a rib-eye steak satisfies a hungry animal. They even fight for their freedom or to make it through another day. Warriors like Reiko Seldab train and fight to improve themselves every single day. After his master’s death, he stopped channeling his motivation on training to become better than his Xim Rival, Dimitri and switched his motivation on becoming the best swordsman that there ever was. During the last phases of his training with his master he began to show small signs of his change, but it wasn’t until after Reiko Seldab had to bury his master did he make the transformation of his motivation. With his new goal of becoming the best swordsman of all time, his first test was already issued to him by Selmrof before his death; travel to the West City Academy and speak to Sonya.

West City Academy is considered one of the most prestigious schools to train at. There have been many who wanted to take their performance to the next level and prove to the Academy that they have what it takes; that they can endure anything that academy might throw at them and emerge twice as stronger and twice as faster. Unfortunately, just as West City Academy is bombarded with so many invitations from warriors across the world, West City bombards dozens of warriors across the globe with rejections. Reiko along with a few lucky fighters got extremely lucky and was going to receive training he could not get elsewhere. Reiko had the invitation earlier than a few but Selmrof wanted to keep it hidden; just until Reiko was ready to go to the next level.

Now that Reiko Seldab was aware of the invite from West City Academy, all he had to was figure out how to get there. West City Academy was nowhere near his position and it would be close to impossible to walk there. He needed transportation to get to the Academy. From there he could reach other areas around West City Academy with no difficulty. The rest of the day after he buried his master was spent packing his things and requesting transportation there by sea. By the time that Reiko Seldab had his supplies, it was nighttime. He was wearing his clothes specifically designed for him by Selmrof. One piece of clothing that stood out was his platinum necklace that had the stone his master gave him. It was supposed to have some secret power that would enhance his blade but he hasn’t figured out anything about it yet. Perhaps when Reiko Seldab makes the successful trip to West City Academy, he can find someone who can help him unlock more secrets about the stone besides what he already knows. It was around eleven forty-five when he met with the man near the shore that was going to take him to West City Academy. His name was Jeremy Merej.

Jeremy stood at six feet, which was a bit shorter than Reiko but he made up for it in his weight. He weighed a whopping two hundred ninety five pounds and that was without his armor and clothing! The only parts of muscle Reiko was able to see was his right pectoral muscle area and his right arm. Jeremy had low bodyfat and it looked like his right arm alone could crush an average warrior’s neck. His armor design looked like it was a one of a kind; the platinum haired warrior known as Reiko liked the design a lot but was more impressed with his blade. It was sheathed at the moment but there was something odd about it. The sheath looked like it was barely holding together but the sword’s handle implied that the sheath was just a distraction. In other words, the sword looked like crap on the outside but on the inside it was another story.

“You ready?” Jeremy asked.

Reiko took one last mental image of the land that he grew up on; all of the memories that he had during the Xim academy from being a youngster to graduation. Plus the hotels and cities that he and his friends traveled too during vacation, as well as the home of Selmrof.
Even though he was going to an entire different place, Reiko would always keep his homeland with him and would never forget where he came from; how he got to the West City Academy in the first place.

"Yea let's do it"

Words=776