☽ うちはサスケ Uchiha Sasuke ☾ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fantheflame) wrote2013-07-16 08:29 am
fantheflame) wrote2013-07-16 08:29 am
IC Contact / Appointments: Luceti
[For messages, action threads, whatever IC content that don't need their own posts!]
[A little surprise shows in the slight raise of Sasuke's brows. Well then. Between letting it all go like that, and the flip way she describes Zompano, Sasuke's respect for Bulla has just risen a great deal. It's also... well, it's surprising how good the feeling is to have someone openly choosing not to judge him. He'll take that.]
I appreciate that. The sentiment is entirely mutual.
[Taking a moment to shrug a little stiffness out of his shoulders, he glances to the control box for a moment, and then back to Bulla.]
Care to take next choice?
I appreciate that. The sentiment is entirely mutual.
[Taking a moment to shrug a little stiffness out of his shoulders, he glances to the control box for a moment, and then back to Bulla.]
Care to take next choice?
Sure! How about a training program against the cultists? I personally can't think of better targets.
[She wasn't kidding when she said she was holding a grudge against them. She walks over to the controls and starts programming in the scenario.]
How many of them do you want to fight?
[She wasn't kidding when she said she was holding a grudge against them. She walks over to the controls and starts programming in the scenario.]
How many of them do you want to fight?
[In contrast from the deep frown of Bulla's first approach, now, Sasuke's mouth turns up, more on one side than the other. Oh yes. Destroying cultists sounds perfect.]
As many of them as the machine can handle.
As many of them as the machine can handle.
[It's a good thing Itachi can't see him, because Sasuke visibly deflates. His brother's always like this. And Sasuke wants to argue, but right now he feels like that might make things worse. Might make Itachi strain his already overtaxed respiratory system. So he doesn't push.]
...I've got it if you need it, then, okay?
[His voice is small. After a beat, he opts to change the subject, much as it's something he rarely likes to do.]
I'm still sorry though. About you and Law? Whether you want me to apologize for that or not... I want to. I was an ass to you both.
...I've got it if you need it, then, okay?
[His voice is small. After a beat, he opts to change the subject, much as it's something he rarely likes to do.]
I'm still sorry though. About you and Law? Whether you want me to apologize for that or not... I want to. I was an ass to you both.
It's alright.
[Sasuke had been confused. He understood this. It's hard to hold anything against his brother in the first place. Law wasn't likely to hold a grudge over it either.
He smiles a little.]
You don't need to worry about that. Don't let it bother you.
[He has other issues to worry about now, and Itachi wishes so strongly that he didn't have to be one of them.]
[Sasuke had been confused. He understood this. It's hard to hold anything against his brother in the first place. Law wasn't likely to hold a grudge over it either.
He smiles a little.]
You don't need to worry about that. Don't let it bother you.
[He has other issues to worry about now, and Itachi wishes so strongly that he didn't have to be one of them.]
[Bulla looks very amused. That kind of attitude makes her think fondly of home.]
Now I know I picked the perfect targets for practicing against. All right, let me see what the machine will accept.
[She tries to enter in a ridiculously high number, like nine hundred and ninety nine million, and gets an error message. After trying a few different commands, she finally gets it to accept a fairly high amount of cultists, although nowhere near her first try.]
You really like to go all out, huh?
Now I know I picked the perfect targets for practicing against. All right, let me see what the machine will accept.
[She tries to enter in a ridiculously high number, like nine hundred and ninety nine million, and gets an error message. After trying a few different commands, she finally gets it to accept a fairly high amount of cultists, although nowhere near her first try.]
You really like to go all out, huh?
No point in training if you don't treat it like your final fight. You don't get better by indulging in baby steps.
[He gives her a quick glance, Sharingan spinning once, as the simulator revs up and begins to work its holograms into scenery. Just a quick measure of her uncloaked chi - strength, volume - in vague terms. Curious, since she doesn't seem at all put off by the high number herself.]
[He gives her a quick glance, Sharingan spinning once, as the simulator revs up and begins to work its holograms into scenery. Just a quick measure of her uncloaked chi - strength, volume - in vague terms. Curious, since she doesn't seem at all put off by the high number herself.]
I know a few people who'd fully agree with you.
[She has quite a bit of raw energy inside of her. Although she's been able to use it to fly for years, she's only started tapping into it for more combative purposes, and with that, it's grown. The biggest growth spurt, however, came after she was severely injured from the cultists and after her recovery from those injuries.
She's a little apprehensive about fighting this many cultists, but she reminds herself that she's sparred against her father for eight hours and that was months ago. He may have pulled his punches, but the force he was hitting her with was still well into levels that would be regarded as superhuman. She's also done training scenarios almost every day against the cultists since recovering from her injuries...just not this many before. She can do this. She just needs to remind herself of that.
When the cultists start to materialize, she decides she'll just have to make this an exercise in conserving her ki and timing her ki blasts to do as much damage with as little effort as possible.]
[She has quite a bit of raw energy inside of her. Although she's been able to use it to fly for years, she's only started tapping into it for more combative purposes, and with that, it's grown. The biggest growth spurt, however, came after she was severely injured from the cultists and after her recovery from those injuries.
She's a little apprehensive about fighting this many cultists, but she reminds herself that she's sparred against her father for eight hours and that was months ago. He may have pulled his punches, but the force he was hitting her with was still well into levels that would be regarded as superhuman. She's also done training scenarios almost every day against the cultists since recovering from her injuries...just not this many before. She can do this. She just needs to remind herself of that.
When the cultists start to materialize, she decides she'll just have to make this an exercise in conserving her ki and timing her ki blasts to do as much damage with as little effort as possible.]
Then they're doing it right.
[Sasuke's learned plenty over the years about conserving his energy during a fight - at least, during fights against those considerably weaker than him, which cultists are. And with Bulla's reserves - her levels are impressive, if not the world-breaking ones he's seen recently in his own universe - he shouldn't have to worry about her, either.]
[So he starts with just his sword, using no more chakra than what's necessary to improve the speed of his body, cutting through holograms in short order - quick kills at first, testing the program.]
[Then he starts getting nasty.]
[Limbs come off, guts are spilled open, throats are cut but main arteries not severed. Most of it is academic - an anatomy lesson of sorts, seeing how these things tick. Some of it is rage. And since it's all an illusion, he doesn't feel an instant of hesitation or remorse.]
[Sasuke's learned plenty over the years about conserving his energy during a fight - at least, during fights against those considerably weaker than him, which cultists are. And with Bulla's reserves - her levels are impressive, if not the world-breaking ones he's seen recently in his own universe - he shouldn't have to worry about her, either.]
[So he starts with just his sword, using no more chakra than what's necessary to improve the speed of his body, cutting through holograms in short order - quick kills at first, testing the program.]
[Then he starts getting nasty.]
[Limbs come off, guts are spilled open, throats are cut but main arteries not severed. Most of it is academic - an anatomy lesson of sorts, seeing how these things tick. Some of it is rage. And since it's all an illusion, he doesn't feel an instant of hesitation or remorse.]
[Sasuke sighs. It's strange - he can hear that Itachi doesn't need an apology, doesn't see it as something he needs to forgive Sasuke for. But Sasuke feels like it is. Even hearing Itachi say it's alright - Sasuke feels like it's a bigger deal than that. But he can't find words for that to say out loud, not ones that don't sound stupid.]
...Thanks.
[He opts for quiet gratitude instead.]
Do you need help with dinner?
[And small attempts to move on.]
...Thanks.
[He opts for quiet gratitude instead.]
Do you need help with dinner?
[And small attempts to move on.]
[Bulla has no weapon on hand other than her fists. She doesn't need one. Her natural physical strength is all the weapon she needs. The cultists' wings are just as vulnerable as any Luceti resident's and that's what Bulla aims for so she can drop the cultists efficiently. Sometimes, she aims a punch or kick at their throats or other vital places instead.
When some of them begin to swarm her, she makes certain that Sasuke won't be hit before firing off a ki blast that obliterates every cultist in its path before disappating into nothing.
Then she reminds herself to conserve her energy, because there will be plenty more to fight for the rest of this hour. Assuming Sasuke doesn't get to them first.]
When some of them begin to swarm her, she makes certain that Sasuke won't be hit before firing off a ki blast that obliterates every cultist in its path before disappating into nothing.
Then she reminds herself to conserve her energy, because there will be plenty more to fight for the rest of this hour. Assuming Sasuke doesn't get to them first.]
Why the hell would I believe you? It's always you.
[Fuck and how he hates it.]
And everything you tell me is made of shit, like you.
[Fuck and how he hates it.]
And everything you tell me is made of shit, like you.
[Itachi wants to be stubborn and tell his brother that no, he doesn't need the help, but letting the teen tag along to help him cook might at least make him feel as though he can do something. He knows how futile this situation can feel.
So he nods, even though he could still accomplish it on his own.]
I would appreciate it.
So he nods, even though he could still accomplish it on his own.]
I would appreciate it.
[It's been years since Sasuke has hated him, he's almost forgotten the feeling. It's a cold reminder now, and he forces his expression to remain neutral.]
Then will you defeat me here and end it, little brother?
You're not strong enough for that.
Then will you defeat me here and end it, little brother?
You're not strong enough for that.
[Sasuke tenses, rage twisting his features. He knows Itachi is right. He's not even kind of strong enough for this. He knows that to his core. But hearing Itachi say that is another matter entirely, and he growls under his breath. He has to try. He has to try.]
[He takes a guarded step back, clutching the chokutou in both hands. It's too heavy for him. He wishes he had a kunai, or his shuriken pouch. Especially his shuriken pouch. He's good with those.]
[He has to try something. But he wavers.]
What'll you do if I don't?
[Come on, you son of a bitch, give me that push.]
[He takes a guarded step back, clutching the chokutou in both hands. It's too heavy for him. He wishes he had a kunai, or his shuriken pouch. Especially his shuriken pouch. He's good with those.]
[He has to try something. But he wavers.]
What'll you do if I don't?
[Come on, you son of a bitch, give me that push.]
[He doesn't intend to push anything if it can be helped.]
Nothing.
[And it's true enough.]
Things will merely stay as they are.
Nothing.
[And it's true enough.]
Things will merely stay as they are.
[The tip of the chokutou wavers.]
[This isn't right. Sasuke doesn't understand what the hell is going on. Itachi should be insulting him, goading him. The other's passivity... well, that's not exactly surprising in tone and stance, but in words? Something's wrong. Something's fucked. This has to be some kind of trap.]
What game are you playing?
[It's quiet, quieter than anything before. What the hell is going on?]
[This isn't right. Sasuke doesn't understand what the hell is going on. Itachi should be insulting him, goading him. The other's passivity... well, that's not exactly surprising in tone and stance, but in words? Something's wrong. Something's fucked. This has to be some kind of trap.]
What game are you playing?
[It's quiet, quieter than anything before. What the hell is going on?]
[It's childish, and Sasuke knows it even as it happens, but some edge of him perks up a little when Itachi says yes, he can help. It's subtle, in that way that so many of Sasuke's natural inclinations are subtle (between the ones that are loud and pronounced), but there's a half-step of extra speed in his movements as he comes up to Itachi's side again, bumps a gentle elbow against his brother's.]
[He's still not hungry - too queasy with the night's events, as his stomach reminds him - but he can help. He can try to make up for some little bit of his stupidity.]
[He's still not hungry - too queasy with the night's events, as his stomach reminds him - but he can help. He can try to make up for some little bit of his stupidity.]
[Sasuke can feel it when she gathers her energy like that - it's a little hard to miss - so he makes sure his attacks and dodges stay the hell out of her way. And when the blast goes off... well. Reminds him a little of Naruto and Sakura both at once. Interesting.]
[He's also noted, from the corner of his eye, the efficiency of taking off wings as his training partner is doing, and starts to aim a few of his slices that way as well. Also interesting.]
[The program is still generating cultists as they finish them, and without knowing what number Bulla entered it's difficult to gauge how far they've gone through the numbers. That's fine with Sasuke. Just means maybe he should ramp things up.]
[There's a spark, then two, and then lightning crackles up his left arm, blue-white and wild. From there the sword in that hand starts to vibrate and heat, and with his next swings each stroke blows electricity out through each hologram body, the vibrations of the blade cutting through skin like butter. Some cultists crash into others as they fall, spreading the sparks and at least temporarily incapacitating even those he hasn't hit.]
[He's also noted, from the corner of his eye, the efficiency of taking off wings as his training partner is doing, and starts to aim a few of his slices that way as well. Also interesting.]
[The program is still generating cultists as they finish them, and without knowing what number Bulla entered it's difficult to gauge how far they've gone through the numbers. That's fine with Sasuke. Just means maybe he should ramp things up.]
[There's a spark, then two, and then lightning crackles up his left arm, blue-white and wild. From there the sword in that hand starts to vibrate and heat, and with his next swings each stroke blows electricity out through each hologram body, the vibrations of the blade cutting through skin like butter. Some cultists crash into others as they fall, spreading the sparks and at least temporarily incapacitating even those he hasn't hit.]
No games, little brother.
[His gaze remains steady.]
Not this time. Not from me.
[Cryptic is all he can be right now, because he's not the right person to be giving answers about this world, at least not to Sasuke. He'll have to ask someone he's more likely to trust.]
[His gaze remains steady.]
Not this time. Not from me.
[Cryptic is all he can be right now, because he's not the right person to be giving answers about this world, at least not to Sasuke. He'll have to ask someone he's more likely to trust.]
[It's a comfort, that small bit of enthusiasm. For as much as he'd like to insist that he can do this alone, knowing that his brother can still offer that and not fall straight into a funk at this turn of events is good.
It warms his heart a little. Reminds him that they really do need to take care of each other.]
There should be a new block of tofu. Go ahead and get that out for me.
It warms his heart a little. Reminds him that they really do need to take care of each other.]
There should be a new block of tofu. Go ahead and get that out for me.
[I don't believe you.]
[He doesn't say it, but does he really need to?]
[It's not even so much that he doesn't - it's that he can't. He's lived too long with Itachi being the mastermind, the instigator, the bane of his life. If Itachi is here - if Itachi showed himself - there's gotta be a connection. Nothing else makes sense in Sasuke's narrow, jagged world.]
[So he can't just leave. As scared as he is, and as much as he knows that Itachi is faster and stronger and better... he can't just turn away. Can't ever turn his back on the other, know that he's here and nearby and probably watching if Sasuke tries to run. Can't stomach the idea of running.]
[So he sheathes the sword, if a little clumsily with the size of it, jumping back to increase distance as he makes the hand seals for Housenka. Itachi's faster than he is and that's way too dangerous up close with a weapon that's sized wrong for him, but he's good with his fire, shuriken-driven or not. Even if part of him knows there's no way he's good enough.]
[He doesn't say it, but does he really need to?]
[It's not even so much that he doesn't - it's that he can't. He's lived too long with Itachi being the mastermind, the instigator, the bane of his life. If Itachi is here - if Itachi showed himself - there's gotta be a connection. Nothing else makes sense in Sasuke's narrow, jagged world.]
[So he can't just leave. As scared as he is, and as much as he knows that Itachi is faster and stronger and better... he can't just turn away. Can't ever turn his back on the other, know that he's here and nearby and probably watching if Sasuke tries to run. Can't stomach the idea of running.]
[So he sheathes the sword, if a little clumsily with the size of it, jumping back to increase distance as he makes the hand seals for Housenka. Itachi's faster than he is and that's way too dangerous up close with a weapon that's sized wrong for him, but he's good with his fire, shuriken-driven or not. Even if part of him knows there's no way he's good enough.]
[There are no hand signs, just one hand held out, but the the little fireballs will hit a barrier before reaching the other ninja, filling the area with steam. Filial water magic, drawn from the nearby fountain and forming a flat shield in front of him.
When the steam clears, Itachi will be behind him.]
Will you continue to try this here?
[He doesn't want to fight back. There's no excuse for it now. He should be able to avoid his brother's techniques for the most part, though he knows it will only frustrate the younger ninja further.]
When the steam clears, Itachi will be behind him.]
Will you continue to try this here?
[He doesn't want to fight back. There's no excuse for it now. He should be able to avoid his brother's techniques for the most part, though he knows it will only frustrate the younger ninja further.]
[Bulla makes sure to stay far away from those sparks of electrical energy when she catches sight of that lightning out of the corner of her eye. She might not be a genius like her mother and brother, but she's got enough of a grasp of science to know how electricity can affect the body. There's ever so tiny currents going on conducting brain waves, and shocks to the body can temporarily disrupt the neural system enough to cause paralysis. No thank you.
When they get too close, she even takes to the air. Flight is one of the easier ki manipulation skills, and requires far less energy than a blast. As an added bonus, it allows her to move in for attacks from unusual angles, and to swoop in to attack the cultists' wings.
She picks up speed. For exactly one hour, this training scenario is designed to send in more cultists as they're defeated. There's a finite number it can generate, but whether it will hit that point in an hour or not is more the question.
Being telekinetic, some of the stronger cultists are able to take to the air while simultaneously flinging objects at the two teens. Bulla flies in near Sasuke.]
Give me your hand for a second.
When they get too close, she even takes to the air. Flight is one of the easier ki manipulation skills, and requires far less energy than a blast. As an added bonus, it allows her to move in for attacks from unusual angles, and to swoop in to attack the cultists' wings.
She picks up speed. For exactly one hour, this training scenario is designed to send in more cultists as they're defeated. There's a finite number it can generate, but whether it will hit that point in an hour or not is more the question.
Being telekinetic, some of the stronger cultists are able to take to the air while simultaneously flinging objects at the two teens. Bulla flies in near Sasuke.]
Give me your hand for a second.
[ Christmas and Santa are all things that are new to Kakashi, but he figured that as long as he was in this world, there wouldn't be anything wrong with maybe playing along with their holidays. Besides, Christmas sounded like a nice enough holiday. Even if he's a little late with it.
So, here's Kakashi, knocking on Sasuke's door with a festive red and green bag in hand. Inside the bag are a few choice plump tomatoes, and a few instructional scrolls on S-rank fuuin jutsus he'd put together for Sasuke last minute. He's not entirely sure how much knowledge Sasuke has in fuuin jutsu, but he hopes that these particular seals would be of some use to him. ]
So, here's Kakashi, knocking on Sasuke's door with a festive red and green bag in hand. Inside the bag are a few choice plump tomatoes, and a few instructional scrolls on S-rank fuuin jutsus he'd put together for Sasuke last minute. He's not entirely sure how much knowledge Sasuke has in fuuin jutsu, but he hopes that these particular seals would be of some use to him. ]
Edited 2013-12-26 23:21 (UTC)
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