Who Wants to be the Strongest? [Training, Invite Only!]

Kaia's eyelashes fluttered open and a mostly silent yawn escaped the young female. She glanced over to her little bedside table with its dragon designs carved into it and looked at the clock there: it was exactly eight o'clock in the morning. A quick sniff of the air brought the smell of cooking food to her noise and her stomach instantly roared to life. Giggling softly to herself Kaia glanced over to the hammock that hung from the ceiling: Aya was awake, hanging halfway off of the hammock and staring at Kaia. Aya waved upon realizing she was awake and Kaia freed a hand from her blankets and returned the gesture.

Aya let out a soft screeching noise and swung herself down and off of the hammock until the monkeys feet hit the floor. Kaia watched her, wishing as she sometimes did that she could climb and hang around like her best friend, and monkey companion, could. Still, maybe one day she would be that nimble to pull something similar off.

Kaia yawned again softly and reached up, rubbing the sleep and crust out of her eyes. She looked up at the canopy that hung across the top of her bed: it depicted dragons flying through clouds and matched very well to the rest of her bed including the sheets and blanket that she was currently covered up with. She stretched long for a moment and then threw the blanket off of herself and sat up. Her toes wiggled as she sought out her ballet-style slippers. Once her feet found them she slipped her feet into them, saved from feeling the cold floor.

Kaia's stomach gave a growl and she poked herself in the belly before giggling: she had wanted to do some meditation like her parents had taught her, but apparently food needed to come first. She motioned for Aya to follow her as she opened her bedroom door and walked out into the hallway of the underground location that her and her parents were calling home. Aya followed after her, jumping around her as she walked in an excited fashion. ”We're gonna train today, right right?” Aya asked excitedly. Kaia nodded and then pointedly poked herself in the belly before rubbing it. ”Oh oh! Food first! I'm hungry too. I wonder what's for breakfast!” Kaia shrugged at her friends question, figuring they'd find out as they made their way into the eating area.

Word Count for Suiton D Rank to C Rank Training: 415 / 1,000

Kaia yawned and stretched as she slow walked to her bedroom door. Upon reaching it she opened it and stepped back to allow Aya to go first down the hallway. The pair followed their noises into the eating area, both of their stomachs growling almost in unison as they arrived. Kaia looked to see her mother busy heating up some ice balls along with assorted breakfast foods. Kaia clapped her hands together excitedly, something that Aya mimicked, as the two took a seat at the table.

”Good morning, dears. Did you sleep well?”, Ai asked to which Kaia nodded while Aya responded with a verbal yes. Ai put a plate in front of Kaia and then another in front of Aya and the pair ate in relative silence: more focused on quieting their growling bellies then actually trying to talk. Besides, with how little Kaia actually liked to speak, it would have been to hard to hold a conversation with her speaking in sign language and having to stop eating every few seconds to do so.

When the pair were done Kaia took their plates, both hers and Aya's, and rinsed them off rather well. Once they were drying she gave her mother a quick hug and then headed back into her bedroom to get ready: Aya following closely behind her.

Kaia got dressed in one of her jumpers; this one a yellow color with a bright blue short sleeved shirt underneath. Kaia slipped off her sleeping clothes and put on her undershirt and her jumper. Once dressed again she then proceeded to run a brush through her hair until it was free of knots and tangles before putting it back into a ponytail and then tying a yellow ribbon around the ponytail holder to hide it. She looked at herself for a moment in the mirror before smiling and looking to Aya.

She waved for the monkey to follow her as she headed out to the aquarium. It was quite large and quite deep too, which was perfect for Kaia because of how much she loved water, and how much she loved to swim. It made the perfect place for her to meditate, and Aya as well since they shared the same underwater breathing ability.

Kaia walked into the deep water carefully, and Aya followed closely behind...

Word Count for Suiton D Rank to C Rank Training: 398 + 415 = 813 / 1,000

Kaia and Aya walked until both of them were completely submerged in the water. The pair tread just beneath the surface for several seconds, playing around and blowing harmless bubbles at each other, before they both dove down to the bottom. They swam past colorful, but very harmless, fish on their trip down – Aya attempting to chase after one that proved too fast and elusive for her at the moment. Kaia simply giggled silently as she watched, causing several bubbles of air to rise up to the surface.

When Kaia reached the bottom she settled herself down, enjoying the comfort of being this far beneath the water while also adjusting to the normal pressure that came with being so deep. Kaia could see her hair floating around her from her ponytail, and saw several fish moving closer for an inspection, though they never got close enough for her to even try and touch them: not yet anyway.

Aya, after having given up on chasing a particularly colorful fish settled herself down in front of Kaia on the floor of the aquarium, about four feet away. The simian took the same indian style seating position as Kaia; though it took her several seconds to control it so that she didn't end up floating upside down. Kaia simply watched, letting out more silent giggles, though with far less bubbles: her body had already adjusted to breathing water instead of air after all.

Kaia knew she would have to free her mind before she could enter into a proper meditative mind frame like she wanted, but that was easier said then done surrounded by a silly monkey as well as a bunch of fish. Kaia closed her eyes, taking in a deep underwater breath and then exhaling it slowly. She focused on completely freeing her mind, attempting to shut down all other thought processes that didn't involve her goal. As she sat there she felt a fish come in close, nibbling at her left big toe. Kaia giggled and opened her eyes, knowing she would have to start all over again because she lost focus on what she was doing. She wiggled her toes and watched the colorful fish swim away, startled.

Aya was laughing at her, a series of bubbles rising to the surface and Kaia took a moment to stick her tongue out at Aya, who then made a silly face back in return. The pair carried on for a moment longer before Kaia closed her eyes once more in an attempt to truly enter into the meditative mind frame this time around....

Word Count for Suiton D Rank to C Rank Training: 443 + 813 = 1,256 / 1,000
Remaining: 256
Word Count for Suiton C Rank to B Rank Training: 256 / 1,500

With her eyes closed, staring at nothing more then the darkness that was the back of her eyelids, Kaia began the attempt once more to free her mind and clear it completely. It took several minutes, especially because she kept seeing in her minds eye the silly faces that Aya had been making to her moments before. She even giggled once or twice before stopping herself and mentally telling herself to focus, and to try harder to do so when the first attempt at focusing failed. As Kaia attempted to stablize her breathing and enter into the meditative state she found herself wondering how long adults had to practice to make it seem as easy as they did. Kaia had seen her mother meditate before, and it had seemed easy as pie for Ai to do, and yet Kaia was still struggling. Perhaps later she would have to ask for help, or see what method her mother used to accomplish the task quicker then Kaia was.

So, ignoring the fish that were beginning to curiously nibble on her toes – though a smile did slip across her face – she kept focusing on clearing her mind. After several very long minutes she was able to 'look' past the fish that was indeed still exploring her little left foot, and tune it out. Her mind was completely empty and she was able to focus on nothing more then her empty mind and her breathing: this was exactly where she needed to be.

A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied.

A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied.

A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied.

Kaia felt her shoulders relax, while her hair continued to dance around her – the fish swimming in and out of the little hoops and holes that her hair created from the 'natural' current of the aquarium. There were few times in the world where Kaia could be as completely relaxed as she was now, but it made sense for it to be within the confines of the hidden home as Kaia so fondly called it, deep in the watery area her father had created specifically for her own personal enjoyment.

Not wanting to let her thoughts lead her a stray she continued on with her deep breathing exercises, feeling already her mind mentally strengthening in response: but she knew she had a long way to go before she was where she wanted to be.

A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied.

A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied.

Word Count for Suiton C Rank to B Rank Training: 1,286 + 256 = 1,542 / 1,500
Remaining: 42
Word Count for Ninjutsu D Rank to C Rank Training: 42 / 2,000

'Ignore the fishies nibbling on your toes...', Kaia thought to herself as she attempted to concentrate on keeping her breathing even and steady instead of the tickling feeling of the curious fish. Even though her eyes remained closed she could tell that now more then one fish was curiously inspecting her, and there were at least two of them curious about her uncovered toes. The next time she was going to have to wear special underwater shoes or something... anything to keep them from getting to her toes.

Just as she was beginning to feel a fish nibble on her pinky finger of her left hand she forced her mind to keep focused on her breathing and otherwise clear of thought...

A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied.

A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied.

A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied.

A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied.

Suddenly Kaia giggled silently; the over bearing tickling feeling on her toes was entirely too much to ignore. Her eyes flew open and she looked down to find Aya having had joined the fishes in tickling her. She giggled silently again beneath the water and reached out, poking Aya on the nose gently. The monkey stuck her tongue out at her: apparently she was bored with meditation. Kaia signed quickly, asking Aya why she was done already. Aya responded explaining she hadn't been able to get as deep into it as Kaia had been. Kaia then signed back, explaining to Aya exactly how she did it, and how she breathed in and out slowly and evenly and focused on nothing else but that exercise. Aya nodded in understanding before the monkey took her meditation position again; obviously she was prepared to try again.

Kaia smiled, glad her monkey friend was willing to give it another go, before she settled back into her own seated position and closed her eyes again...

Word Count for Ninjutsu D Rank to C Rank Training: 1,369 + 42 = 1,411 / 2,000

Kaia opened up her right eye, peaking at Aya to see if her monkey friend was still focused on meditation: she was. Smiling to herself Kaia closed her eyes again and allowed her mind to free itself once more. It felt easier this time, perhaps because she knew exactly what she needed to do to get herself into a meditation zone – this time with practice instead of just basic knowledge and no actual training. She knew the more she did this the easier it would be, and so with that thought freshly pushed out of her mind she focused on her deep breathing while continuing to feel her hair sway and move around her from the underwater current.

A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied.

A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied.

A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied.

Her mind was completely and utterly blank at this point, and so she took the time to begin focusing on her chakra; the feel if it within her body, the natural way it moved, the natural way it wanted to mold itself. She allowed this focus to fully fill her mind while her deep breathing that would keep her in this meditative mentality continued.

A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied.

A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied.

A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. An even deeper breath in, and a slow exhale out. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A even breath in, an even breath out. A deep breath in, a deep exhale back out. A deep breath, a deep exhale. A deep breath in, a slow exhale out. In and out. In and out. In and out. A deep breath in, a very deep exhale out until her lungs were emptied.

Kaia felt her control over her chakra strengthening: the ability to move it more freely, to mold it and call upon it in specified amounts becoming easier the longer she practiced and meditated on it.

Word Count for Ninjutsu D Rank to C Rank Training: 1,652 + 1,411 = 3,063 / 2,000
Remaining: 1,063
Word Count for Ninjujtsu C Rank to B Rank Training: 1,063 / 3,000