Elemental Insight: Training Topic (Nasa and Coal)

Out in the middle of the forest the finer attributes of the Earth element were easy to spot. Lush greenery grew in abundance in the dark, damp soil all around Konoha. Boulders and rocky outcroppings mixed in among the trees, many standing alongside the river that ran through the northern reaches of the Forest of Death. It was in these infamous woods that Coal had decided best reflected the earth, and so here it was she summoned her distant student. The serene meadow in which Coal stood was the picture of tranquility, and the cool breeze on the air only made the morning more pleasant.

Of course, all of this tranquility was a harsh illusion, one embraced by the mystics and primitives who failed to understood the true scope of Earth’s ‘Virtues’. Coal understood all to well the truths about the element, and thought them over as waiting for Nasamea. It was still morning, though only just. It was only another hour before the sun would be too high to gauge time by, so noon. A little before noon was as specific as she’d been when she arranged the meeting, so she was expecting the girl any moment now. While she waits Coal just hums a happy tune, and enjoys the settings.

Though all around the meadow there were giant animals of all sorts roaming the landscape in search of prey, but few were strong enough to be a real threat to more advanced ninja. There were countless dead snakes and bears in the forest to attest to that fact, but not quite enough for them to have learned their lessons. As is often the case with the giant predators of the wild, few learn limitations based on anything other than size, or calorie content. A pair of snakes marked her path this morning, but the forest had already likely reclaimed the two bodies she had left behind, because the Forest of Death was always hungry.

Relaxed though she was, she kept Nasa on her mind. It had been too rarely that they had spoken, and a complete lack of advice given on her side of things. Really, Coal had been little more than a witness to Nasa’s self made rise in power, and that was something she hoped to correct soon. It’d been impressive how quickly she rose through ranks, especially compared to the rather unimpressive list of accomplishments the previously bookish, and then more previously office bound history of her own. Coal really had little doubt that the girl was meant for some very great things, so had no concern over her presence in such a dangerous forest. She doubted the girl would even run into trouble.

The village known for its warm weather and bright sunshine was lacking a bit in one area as its annual snow fall decided to take its assault. The white powder littered the ground all around and the environment was still a bit to cold for it to melt just yet. The weather had been like this all last week and it seemed to be holding strong this week as well. Nasamea had faith it would melt. She didn't feel like hunting or going on a mission through the cold wet snow anymore. She missed Takigakure at first when the snow came; almost as though she had bit hit with nostalgia. But now that she had adjusted to the weather she missed Konoha more...

Nasamea's planned meeting came today. Due to her not being able to learn the earth element more with Shi, due to family matters, and her inability to seem to crack the rock she had been assigned to; Nasamea needed help. So, she searched for her old sensei that actually treated her like a student. In the past she had a previous sensei named Hiroki but truth be told she felt the lack of support from the other students and thus ignored by her own teacher. It was annoying. That was besides the point. Seeing as how Lady Coal and her planned a meeting to teach her, and if she showed up already, it was proof she actually cared.

Through the Forest of Death the beasts roamed. Their large bodies shook the land around them as the smaller variety crept with the up most stealth. Nasamea was definitely on her toes as she very lightly leapt from tree to tree. She was focusing chakra to her feet and her strong sense of hearing was on overdrive. Her eyes watched like a hungry hawk as she moved about. Even a kunai was placed firmly in hand, she was ready to assault anything that came her way. So far so good though. Maybe she would get lucky.

Of course, just as the thought breached her mind an attack occurred. From the trees above a large bug fell and had it not been for Nasa hearing the branches of the leaves or seeing something suddenly move she would have been surrounded. Nasamea stopped and made a fast dodge to the right as she bugs fell on her branch and began crawling her way. They were the size of the giant burrowing cockroaches which meant they had to be trouble. They were in the Forest of Death after all. Nasamea made a fast motion of hand signs as she moved to a different branch and used a quick phoenix fire attack. The jumbo bugs would be roasted soon enough as Nasamea made her way forward, paying attention to any potential followers or anything that may ambush her. So far so good.... and it appeared nothing else attacked her after thinking it.

From the trees she dropped, her form landing seven meters before Lady Coal as her amber hues gazed up at the familiar face of the woman she once called sensei. Back then, which actually wasn't long ago, she remembered being a young genin in her team with two others known as Mitsu and Yoshimaru. The thought of their first meeting came back as she remembered her overall rudeness and how she hated Yoshimaru. She then recalled the roadrunner and tried not to chuckle. The damned bird would never shut up. Funny how things changed. Sure she still thinks Yoshimaru was annoying to this day but she made a new found friend and alley with the bonus of earning a teacher that would come to her aid even after Nasamea technically left the team.

Nasamea stepped forward a bit to gather herself and bowed to Coal as a formal greeting. Maybe she would think Nasa was acting weird for actually showing some respect but this was the way Nasa truly was. Seeing all that she had gained .. and lost... bowing to her first true sensei felt good.

"Thank you for taking the time to plan this meeting and teacher me... sensei"

As odd word to use.

Nasamea straightened herself back up as she waited for further instructions. Her excitement was now starting to sky rocket as well. She couldn't wait to learn the earth element and hoped they could start right away. Otherwise her anxiety may drive her insane for the time being.

Coal smiles rather brightly after Nasa announces herself. "You've certainly grown. Please, just call me Coal.. or the Fair Lady if you feel you really must flatter me. I would love for you to call me Sensei, but as of yet I wouldn't think I have properly earned that title. Of course, I do hope to change that soon. You wish to learn a new element, an element that is very near, and dear to my heart. It is half of who I am, and of my three elements, the one I use with the most frequency. The earth element is both harmoniously passive, and overly aggressive, and yet it is among the most difficult to conceptualize." Coal continues, clearly diving into the over wordy speaches she's somewhat known for. The bird wasn't the only one who could talk, but one of the few that could ramble on more needlessly. At least, the topic was interesting. "If I am not mistaken you also possess the fire element, which would make us a matched set. Having grown up with them, I can tell you it is a bad mix. Even the elements themselves do not mesh. Heat is easily absorbed into earth, and only the most intense heat has any effect on rocks. When the heat is removed it just cools, remaining as it was. Even when melted, the stone will always return to it's solid state in time."

"When most people think of the elements, they can imagine them. They can see them, and feel them, and understand their movements, but have a very difficult time to visualize earth in movement. Where as most can inhale a great breath, then breath out a cloud of flames, a stream of water, or a great burst of wind, it is much more difficult to see the progress such jutsu would make into Earth. Most would say stones do not flow, and that they are steadfast, and solid. That they just sit there, and be tough to break. These people are only half right. Of course, what I think of the element is mostly irrelevant for now, because it is you who seeks understanding." [/b]Coal finally pauses again, and draws in a bit of a breath. Of course, without hesitation she is off once more.

"To better explain the vast complexities of Earth, I must first understand what you think on the matter. I am sure you have felt an affinity for it, if it is among your elements, and we can never disregard the wisdom of our own intuition. What have you discovered so far? What do you think it is to be made of earth, and how do you think that we as beings of flesh are able to draw close enough to Earth to color our own chakra in its image? What roadblock has been barring you from progressing into this element up until now?"[/b] she asks.. then finally stops talking. Coal remains just as she was, smiling quite happily, and now waiting patiently for an answer. She doesn't seem in any hurry, snow or not. The chill in the air hardly seems to bother her, inspite of the sparse clothing she was wearing. Oddly enough, it was actually quite nice to be in the general area when it was cold, as Lady Coal's own body temperature was constantly burning hot. The snow around her bare feet had long since melted away, though the effect didn't travel far.

Coal tended to be one who rambled. Funny thing was, Nasamea had a history of rambling on about things as well. once she started she rarely stopped until she got every last bit out. If she was interrupted, she would continue again. Nasamea did not interrupt her though, she soaked in every word Coal had to say. The difference between the two of them, besides age and other abilities besides elements, was also she was better at explaining herself using more descriptive words. Nasa admired her for that. Time and time again she searched for new ways to do and generated an idea of what she wished to sound like and here was someone who had achieved that. Nasa hoped she would catch on and possess the same smooth talk as well.

As Coal spoke, Nasamea kept her full attention to her as she kept her hands placed firmly behind her back. She had put the kunai away before she appeared before Coal so no need to worry about fumbling around with that piece of metal. Still though, any odd sounds that appeared threatening or any ambushes wouldn't necessarily get by her either.

"From my understanding the element of earth comes in various forms. At least from the way I have observed people utilizing the element. When water is applied or when mud is created, it moves much like the applied element; smooth and although not necessarily graceful, is still flowing. It can appear hard and sturdy, an appearance of pure strength against the elements for it tends to be something that needs broken down in order to reach the core. Earth is rather... difficult to move unlike the other elements due to its strength. Its not as spontaneous as fire, lightning, and maybe wind and not necessarily as graceful as water; but it is in a whole new category of its own. We cannot necessarily create it without actually taking from the earth itself, like water and wind. Chakra can be applied to cause the earth to shift and earth can be found in almost all hard substances excluding wood, metal, etc. In metal there's hardly any... but that's besides the point."

When it comes to feeling for earth I have had a tad bit of training, another one of my rank came to me to help me learn the element before and asked me to break a rock. I couldn't cause it to budge. I tried molding my chakra into what I depicted as earth and use force against force to break it but I suppose I wasn't necessarily using enough force. I tried molding my chakra into the earth as well but I suppose I am simply not skilled enough yet. This is where I need your help.... Should I continue to try using a strong force like the strength of earth itself? People make it seem so simple..."

She hated asking for help to be honest but she really wished to learn the element. This was why she requested it from a well known earth user. She hit the jackpot when it came to her and Coal's elements being the same. It made her wonder if her third would match Coal's as well.

"My assumption is... to mold the earth and have it do as you will you must become the earth. But I suppose I haven't exactly figured out how to do that yet."

She stopped talking now and waited for a response. Maybe Coal could give her some new ideas and advice on what to do. Nasa's goal, get the basic practices of earth done today. She could practice more later if she had too. This depended on Coal though. Nasa's day was going to spent learning the element no matter what and she hoped Coal wouldn't be to to busy....

Coal grins just slightly at the challenge she'd tried. "Breaking a rock is a problem that stems only more problems, a riddle among my teachers best used to describe futility. If we took a mighty hammer to the mountains themselves, we would do nothing but create more problems for ourself. With each time that we strike the surface, and drive deep fractures into the heart of the stone, the land itself splinters into new rocks. Smaller, perhaps, but rocks none the less. This problem is one that can not be met with pure force, because as you break a rock, you are left with little more.... than two rocks."

"If you break the rock even harder, you create for yourself countless smaller rocks, but the rock will always be there. In its nature it is solid, and steadfast, but only as perceived by the vast flock of humanity who stand upon it daily. With our short lives and weak minds we see the mighty mountains looming in the distance. We assume that surely they have been there forever, and nothing could ever destroy them. Of course, this is incorrect.." Coal says, and finally steps away from the tree. She stands up a little straight, and turns to the side for a moment. After weaving a pair of handseas she takes a small breath, then leans forward. She doesn't breath out any fire or earth, instead a bubbling hot stream of lava leaves her lips, and collects in a thick, glowing hot lump at her feet. Of course Coal takes a small step back as it begins to cool in the air.

"The nature of earth is as complex as the shinobi who seek to learn it. It holds its own secrets tightly, and can guard just about anything better than all of the other elements combined. Among them all, it is the most willing to bend.. to change shape and exist in any shape or form. Even now the two elements of Fire and Earth have existed side by side. They neither feed each other, nor perish on contact. Fire, applied to earth, slowly seeps through the entire thing, engulfing it from all sides. In response, Earth accepts fire's heat, and warms. It expands, softens, and moves as freely as a liquid. There is little force involved, just a kinship between the elements, and a compatibility with almost anything." she says, then falls quiet once more. She continues to smile, having remains as quiet as Nasa had previously been. It was nice to not be interrupted, especially when rattling off wisdom. Lord knows the mind is frail, and can be so easily derailed.. and wisdom is o fleeting. Coal only spoke as she had been instructed, with a base of reason, and a vast catalog of emotion and intuition. If it made sense to her, she figured it would make sense to others, but it was always best to give people a moment to let words sink in. Even now Coal just grins and waits for a response.

Nasamea watched her every move, taking interest in the peculiar matter she had seemed to spit up before her. It appeared to actually be lava. Lava? She could control lava?! As the molten ball of heated rock began to cool it created a small sizzling sound. Nasa watched it for a mere second before Coal caught her attention once more.

When she had finished Nasamea was still processing everything. It were almost as though a blank file had been presented before her and was labeled 'Earth Knowledge'. Then, within that file numerous documents of memory were starting to be stored for later usage. To sum this up, a new chapter in her life had just been introduced and she was ready to continue the story for as many pages as it took until she was easily capable of bending the earth to whatever she desired. Coal was right though. Earth was special in a sense due to its ability to take shape into anything anyone wanted. It could appear as large as a mountain and as tiny as a grain of sand that had been weathered away by water. Dust was accessible as well, which was earth in small particles. New jutsu ideas were started to present themselves to Nasa but first she needed to learn the important factor; the element itself.

Seeing as how breaking the stone only created more, which meant she wasn't actually breaking it at all, Nasamea began to generate an idea of what to do next. The idea wasn't to use force against the rock but to use her chakra in a manner to where she could mold the rock to whatever she preferred. She peered at Coal for a moment then down at the mass of lava still cooling. She morphed fire and earth together. It had to be the secret.

Wishing to give it a try just to see if she were right, Nasamea held a finger up to Coal to say one moment before she took a position before a boulder. She examined its rather round like shape and sighed before she turned to Coal once more.

"Not to break... but to mend... Earth is as malleable as some of the metals it is able to create correct? Then I have an idea..."

Maybe she was being to jumpy but as soon as she finished talking Nasa turned back around and faced the boulder. She made a hand sign to focus as she steadily and slowly drew forth chakra, not wishing to rush things to much, before she turned her attention to a smaller rock instead and crouched beside it. She touched her hand to it and closed her eyes, imaging her chakra becoming one with the solid substance. She then thought of it becoming somewhat like water or more so, imagined it to rearrange itself into something new without actually losing any of itself or its solid form. Was this possible? She wasn't sure. How else were the earth users able to do it though?

Getting a feel for the element in her grasps she tried to think about forming the rock into more of a near perfect round sphere. She at least wanted to make it so it could roll rather than just lay on the ground slumping. She tried to imagine feeling her chakra move into the center of the rock and spread out before she finally sighed and focused for it to form. She thought she felt it begin to turn into a sphere but she couldn't see it. Only Wind's response would tell her if it worked and whether she was actually doing it right. For now though, she was either doing it or appearing to look like a goof ball.

“If you are attempting what I think you are attempting, you are correct in principal, but flawed in application. You are right to try to merge your chakra with the stone, but much more must be done before you can simply alter the shape of a stone with only your chakra, and will. Really, what I showed you was something of a tease. Only those of my bloodline have chakra that is naturally in an elemental state. There was a time when I was in a situation similar to your own, while trying to master the earth element. While you are trying to become the earth, I was born in such a state. For me the challenge was in separating the two elements from each other. Before you can alter the shape of a rock in such subtle and controlled ways, you must first be able to manifest the proper chakra.” Coal says quietly as she steps around slightly behind Nasa. She watches over the girls shoulder as she pumps chakra into the mostly cooled lump. It would take more than some chakra to change the shape of a stone, but coal still spoke encouragingly.

“You are able to use other elemental jutsu, correct? You can spit gouts of flame, or form a massive ball of fire from your chakra. There are steps involved for most shinobi that come naturally, ones they fail to recognize for some time, but facts that are very important when it comes to accessing Elemental jutsu. Like all jutsu, to accomplish anything, you must allow your chakra to completely change in nature. This is a very subtle shift in inner energies, not some flood of flaming power. The chakra inside you doesn’t get any hotter, and it doesn’t burn you, but as the hand seals for a jutsu are formed, the body and mind know to alter their chakra to suit the proper element. For our dominant elements, of course, this is much, much easier. For the elements that are more secondary to us, however, we must actively work to change our chakra from one nature, to another. The same chakra used to tear a great crack out of the earth is not the same sort that is used for the formation of a shadow clone.” She says, and nods just slightly afterwards. “As such, the same energies used for crafting non-elemental jutsu, can not shape the stone. You must first attune yourself to that stone.”

“You have been trying to feel the stone by pushing your own chakra into it, but doing so is difficult. It is better to draw something into yourself if you wish to learn about it. All things in the universe have chakra.. You must see to feel the chakra of earth, then emulate it.”

Feel the stone? That made... sense actually. Nasamea had thought about this with her last small training session but she had to leave before she actually got a chance to do so. Nasamea's attention had been on Wind again when she spoke but after more words of wisdom the murky waters were cleansed and thus a clearer path was presented before her. Nasamea peered back down at the rock before her and decided to work with the larger one instead. Rather than being the size of a basketball her new rock rose to about her waist. She firmly placed her hands on it and sighed.

'Feel the stone... become one with it...'

She remembered what it felt like to use fire for the first time. The spontaneous feeling that formed heat and powered her soul. A flame held the ability for creation and destruction. It can be calm or wild, soft or blazing, warm and yet painful. Fire was a paradox in itself. She understood the flame and its ability while she felt it deep within her core. The best option she believed was feeling and seeing the same with earth. Earth can be formed into practically anything. One could hide beneath the surface, in a rock, and fade through stone based solids like concrete. Earth, no matter what phase it is in, always tends to be hard. Malleable was a way to describe it on her opinion.

Nasamea's eyes were closed as she tried to grasp the feeling of earth within and push the burning force of the flame aside. It was rather tricky but silence all around her, besides the strange noises the Forest always brought, was allowing her to clear her thoughts more. It took her half her genin career to learn what it meant to utilize the flame and she didn't plan for earth to take as long. Besides, the earth element is more stable than fire. So surely it would naturally allow her more control over it... right? It is a recessive element though. At least in her standards until later in the years of her career.

As she sank deeper into her dark abyss, her focus growing, she soon began to feel something different. It were as though a seed were planted inside her and was no beginning to grow and blossom. She felt a new sort of energy deep down that was far different then fire. It felt light yet movable then soon turned partially heavy. Nasamea began to grow a sense of calm as she felt internal strength. She felt tough and powerful, almost as though it would take a great force to take her down. This was more associated with her physically than mentally as fire was. She didn't feel as fierce but still tough all the same. This had to be it. The feeling she had been searching for; her earth affinity.

Nasamea opened her eyes now as the calm expression on her face doubled due to her eyes. She kept both hands firmly on he stone still except rather than feeling as though she was touching a random rock she now felt like this rock became apart of her, or, that she had become a part of it. She turned her attention back to Coal then. Whether she noticed the strength in her eyes and the eased expression on her face or not, her body stance may have given the newfound feeling away. She was standing taller now and was holding her ground in a manner where she meant to be more assertive then aggressive. This was when the fire element can into play. She could feel it taking back over yet the earth feeling stood its ground; almost as though she had double personas now. It was odd but at the same time it felt great; more natural.

She then sighed, "I think I finally feel it.... it's hard to explain exactly... and its somewhat faint... but I can feel it inside much like my fire affinity. It may not be as wild and corrupting, or even as passionate, as fire does but it is a new feeling nonetheless. One I enjoy."

She hoped she just wasn't crazy. She didn't think she was but who knew.

"Mmm, it is certainty hard not too. Of all the elements I think Earth to be the one I enjoy most. It is also the one I make extensive use of in defense of myself and others. Like no other element you can pour it through yourself, and become it." she says, in a remarkably short sentence at last. Coal draws her hand up infront of her and forms a single simple handseal. With only a moment's concentration her entire body changes. A flood of chakra fills her skin, and on the outside she turns slate grey. Her skin turns to stone in the blink of an eye, and coal just grins a little. "You are making great progress, but there is still more to learn. There is always more to be mastered, no matter how far we come along our paths."

"It seems as though your Earth nature is awakening now, but you must master the art of changing your own chakra's nature into Earth. Feeling the earth as you did better helps you understand what it feels like to shift the chakra's nature, but there is one step further you should take, to fully engulf yourself in earth. There is a simple jutsu that almost every earth aligned ninja makes use of, in some form. It involves opening our entire bodies to the earth, so that we may finally become it." she continues, rambling as the stone coating flakes off and her flesh returns. "Doing so requires great concentration at first, but the more you practice it, the more familiar you wil become with the element, and the faster you will master the element. The first step involves gathering up a small amount of chakra. It does not have to be much, just enough to cover your body."

"Gather this chakra where ever you feel is most comfortable. Personally I gather this chakra in the center of my body. You must then change it to earth chakra, by allowing it to take the shape of your second elemental nature. Once you have accomplished that, you disperse all the chakra evenly through out your body, and form three hand seals. Snake, Rat, Dog, then touch the ground and release some of the chakra into it. The result should allow you to sink into the earth as though it were water." she says, then makes the three hand seals herself. She leans down, places her hands against the ground, and the next moment sinks beneath the surface of the world, and vanishes from sight.

Nasamea soaked in all the information and began to feel as though a large boulder had been strapped to her back. She had a lot ahead of her and knowing that she had not even fully mastered her first element yet or her clan stuff made her feel more behind. Heck, she had not even learned how to walk on water yet. She just had to slow down and think of it all as one step at a time. Then she would be able to handle the burden until eventually she would be a master in all three areas of her life and maybe even the next element. So much to learn, so much to do; she was glad she had help.

This new challenge brought forth her will to succeed and learn as much as possible. She began to fall into her focused state once more as she felt for that new feeling only moments ago. It came rather slowly but once it had she tried her best to take control of it. 'Almost like fire,' she thought as she tried harnessing the new elemental ability. The chakra was formed into a ball within her core and soon she took a deep breath and exhaled; centering herself. The chakra began to flow out from her core and spread through her system like water through pipes. It felt strange but still good, much like her fire element. It did not make her warm but instead brought forth a feeling of strength and security.

It continued its flow through her as it slowly spread like syrup, her focus growing more difficult as she tried using her chakra control ability at that point. 'Like regenerating...' she though, considering regeneration was difficult as well. Soon enough the chakra breached through and began to surround her. It wasn't a warm block but a sealed barrier that encouraged her human wall specialty. She then remembered the hand signs as she felt this chakra all around and began to motion snake, rat, and finally dog. With a sigh she then pressed her hand firmly against the moist grass as she felt her new found feeling extend towards it. The sense of similarity between her and the rock before began to return. Except now it was on a much larger scale then a rock. She focused as hard as she could, feeling the chakra extending while she fought to maintain control. Soon enough, her focus paid off.

She slowly began to sink into the ground as a bead of sweat formed while her eyes were closed. It was obvious she tried hard to keep her control on the feeling while keeping her katon affinity from butting in. She sunk down and soon found herself halfway beneath the earth. Her eyes remained closed then as she focused the chakra all around her and tried not to panic. She felt she was doing good but she was starting to push some limits. She at least made it halfway down before she quickly pulled herself out and onto the ground. It felt a lot like water except lacked wetness. There were a few dirt stains on her clothes though.

"That was...weird" she thought before she looked at her clothes.
"Sorry I came up. I can feel more control but at the moment I felt as though I were pushing my limits. Is this a sort of jutsu? I mean.... there were hand signs involved after all."

She was going to take a minor few second break before she attempted it again. At least enough time to regather herself and focus again. She was trying to avoid getting stuck underground at all costs. In fact she was kind of afraid to. She didn't know what would happen if she couldn't manage to get control again. Maybe Coal had a few more good things to say. After all, she had been consistent so far.

"Oh yes, one with many names." she says as she floats back above the surface of the earth once more. She rises straight upwards using the chakra in her feet until she is once more standing upright, fully above the ground. She allows the jutsu to end there, since she wouldn't be needing it further. "Swimming with the Stones, Teraflight, Mole Travel, I mean it all depends on your outlook on life as to what you will end up calling it. But like other jutsu, it is just one of the basic powers of an element that each person will learn to possess on their own terms. I liken it to mole travel, because the name makes more sense to me. I can imagine a mole crawling through the earth, and that's what I do. Moving around underground involves dragging myself through the earth, even if I am part of it myself. The handseals are there to help focus yourself. In doing some of them, our bodies naturally respond by producing chakra, or altering it into an elemental form."

Coal stretches just a little bit. "It really no different than walking on water. Some could even say that is a jutsu, because in the beginning hand signs do make it easier. But waking on water, like most jutsu, is just a natural manifestation of the endless abilities our chakra possesses. By focusing our chakra into our feet, and managing to support our own weight, we can walk on anything from walls to trees to ceilings, but is that really a jutsu? What is and is not a jutsu is up for debate in my mind, however, yes.. in general you could call it a jutsu." she concludes, answering her own question.

"But just because it is a jutsu does not make it any different from walking. It is something we master, something that becomes us, a part of our instincts. All you must do is practice, and in time we can accomplish just about anything. In time hand seals become as simple as waving hello to a familiar friend, and focusing chakra will become as simple as breathing. It only takes time, practice, and never giving up."

Nasamea nodded and let out a sigh of easement. She felt rather productive even though she only performed the basics of one jutsu. She had not completed it but the fact she was even able to muster the control to utilize her second element and begin learning a jutsu was enough for her. Already she began to generate numerous ideas of jutsu and think back on all the jutsu she had seen people use. She believed she remembered Shi using a dust clone and remember seeing a Jounin or something use an Earth wall in the past. The earth could be considered clay while the earth user was the molder. It served as a good offense and better offense; a very well rounded jutsu. When mixed with the fire element as well, even if they were opposites, she believed she could create numerous jutsu. One step at a time though. She needed to remember that.

Although it appeared the two were done, Coal had mentioned something that Nasamea remembered she had yet to learn yet. She thought of it not to long ago so it was ironic that she mentioned it but now that Coal had, this was Nasa's chance to learn the jutsu. She would take time later to practice earth jutsu when they were done here. Nasamea could tell already she would be up all night probably trying to learn as much as she could.

"Thank you for teaching me all about my second element Coal sensei," she said with a bow. It was already a bad habit to NOT call her sensei. Once she mastered her element though and reached a level she could consider herself Coal's comrade though, she would always be Nasa's rightful sensei. It was odd to explain. Nasa then straightened herself and gazed at Coal again.

"There is something else I would like to ask you about though. Of all jutsu to learn there's one thing in particular I should have known by now... especially considering I am a Special Jounin."

Nasamea huffed as she fought back the rising embarrassment.

"Could you possibly teach me how to walk on water?"

Coal smiles and watches, glad to see she seemed to be having a positive effect on the girl's studies. She's spent so much time clustered away behind the dusty shelves of the library, that she was actually quite pleased to find out people could still both tolerate, and understand her. She nods quietly as she listens along to Nasa, growing rather curious towards the end. "You are very welcome, dear, but it is my job to impart my knowledge upon those who will come, when my generation is no longer the elders. I should be thanking lord Hokage for placing you on my squad. It was good placement, you and I seem to share both bright minds, and common elements. I hope I can inspire you to learn even more." she says, nodding as she does.

Still curious she can not help but wonder as the dialog continues, just what Nasamea was going to ask her. She had no idea the girl couldn't walk on water, she just assumed everyone could. She was certainly expecting a much different question than the one that would be asked. Already slightly worn from the lengthy discussion on elemental philosophy, Coal was worried this might lead into a long dissertation on the functioning of the nervous system, the finer details of fire based jutsu, or even an endless explination of what the hell fuuinjutsu was. That was never easy to explain.. Coal was prepared to deliver a standard 'magical words' if asked such a question. Of course, if Coal was lucky, it would be a nice easy question.

"Of course, you may ask me anything at all. It is my job, after all." she says with a little smile.

"I should be thanking lord Hokage for placing you on my squad. It was good placement, you and I seem to share both bright minds, and common elements. I hope I can inspire you to learn even more."

This brought a real smile to Nasa's face. At that moment the facade she had used against Coal and her teammates from the very beginning, as well as humanity itself, began to fade. She felt more easement being in the presence of Coal. Maybe it was her way of saying she was starting to trust Coal more but no matter, she felt like she could let her guard down at least a little around her. Of course, no matter who it was, she would always have hers up at least slightly. She was to cautious to be overly careless.

"Well, water walking is something every ninja is required to know correct? For some reason it isn't taught in the academy anymore and now we have to learn it from someone who is Chunin and up. I mean I am a Chunin, I could learn it myself. But I mean, how hard is it really? Don't you just focus chakra to your feet until you can manage a steady flow and walk on the waters surface? They make it sound more difficult then it seems so I was just double checking....."

It was still embarrassing to talk about. Why couldn't they just teach her when she was in the academy? Maybe they did and she just moved in to late. One would think they would teach her anyway. But whichever, she would just see what Coal had to say about it before she took a visit to the Hot Springs to learn how to do it. Couldn't really be that hard, right? Aside from this, she wasn't sure what else she was here for. For the most part their training session seemed to be done, as mentioned before. However, Nasa wanted to make sure Coal didn't have anything else to inform her before she took off.

"Also, is there anything else about Earth I should know about or do you feel I have the basic idea based on your standards?"

If there was nothing else she would give her a final thanks and goodbye before she left. Nasamea could't wait to train all her jutsu further and maybe even take on a few missions. Never before had she felt so thrilled. She guessed this is what it was like to feel single and independent again....

"More difficult than you think, less difficult than you can imagine. Walking on water is an art as troublesom to perfect as walking on solid ground, just one learned as a much more advanced age. I intend on teaching Mitsuhide a thing or two on the matter in the upcoming days. I've a day trip into the mountains planned, if you would like to join us. We are going to be meeting at the village gates at sunrise, and travling north from there. If you would like to join us, I can assure you you will have a very tiresome day ahead of you. It is not something I will demonstrate as easy, I can assure you. The monastery I grew up in was not surrounded by pristine lakes." Coal smiles and nods. No no, the training she had in mind was much more difficult than walking on water.. almost impossible, even. Still, she gives out no further details for now.

"I think you are coming along splendidly, Nasamea, and at this point need only time for the lessons you have learned to sink in. You are bright, and no doubt will teach yourself all you know in time. I have given you a basic guide to work from, and I have faith that you can fill in the rest from there. There is one thing I would like you to do however. When you have learned your first Earth jutsu, show it to me. I would like to see you finish what you have started, and also see which use you come up with first. There are, of course, as many different possibilities as there are people." she says, and nods just once more. Coal gives a little glance around for the moment, searching out the forest around them for signs of any danger. She hoped there was none, and could spy nothing up front.

"I do hope you will join us for the next lesson, it will be nice to have the full team assembled. Much progress is to be made to fully unlock all of our potentials."

"If you don't mind, I think I just may. Would be nice to see Mitsu again, even though I just saw him ot to long ago. Him and I have fostered a friendship since then", she said before thinking 'and it would be interesting to see how he's grown as well...'

Nasamea soaked in all her words with the same sort of grateful smile. Her ears were now paying a lot of attention to their surroundings now to see if the coast seemed clear before she head off back to the village.

"Thank you once again. I'll see you at the gates. Hopefully by then I could show you a new jutsu. Either way I promise I'll show you"

She turned away and raised a hand to way, "see you then"

With that said she then turned and headed towards the forest once more. She felt very productive now and with Wind's words of advice, her confidence was alight. Maybe now she could get somewhere.