(no subject)
Characters: Hinata and Kisame
Setting: January 25, 18AR - River north of Konoha
Summary: Kisame goes fishing and comes upon Hinata and Eki. Hinata gets her first real lesson in from a water user. (Not finished as yet... but it can be understood they finish the lesson and continue to meet again for more sessions.)
Hinata stared down into the river, her white-eyed reflection shimmered back at her as if forcing her to face her own hesitation. She was incomplete, unsubstantial and only washed away with the flow. She never fought the current, she'd used it in a vain, precious hope that it would lead her to some kind of happiness or understanding. But the current only leads to the very place it was meant to end when first created; it could not lead anywhere expect the sea.
Wasn't that why she was back in Konoha? Back in this city she was born in, still staring up to that house but never moving. It'd been two weeks since she'd come to stay at the orphanage, and yet she had no idea what to do. She could either leave the river again, runaway and hope the next stream she comes to leads somewhere else, but she was so tired of running. She could forget about her old life, everything bad and good that had happened to her and try to create a new life in Konoha. But would a new life be worth the constant fear of being exposed and could she live with herself to just give up on ever finding Gaara again.
But what other choices did she have?
"Hinata, is it safe to have your eyes clear like this? What if someone from town sees you?" Eki asked. He wasn't in solid form, taking a rare chance to indulge feeling out his old home. They had been to the river many times before, but Eki was atually in a type of physical form when he colored Hinata's eyes, so this was his first time merging with the river again.
Hinata finally smiled to the water and nodded. "Don't worry. If anyone comes by I can always say I'm from the manor. It doesn't appear many people can tell Hyuugas apart."
The river's surface bubbled a little, making Hinata's reflection deform and dissipate. "Is something bothering you Hinata?"
"Sort of," she answered with a sigh. "I'm just trying to figure out what to do now. Without Neji's help I'm rather lost at what can be done." Hinata felt like the current had dragged her to shore and now she wasn't sure whether to jump in again or not.
Kisame strolled amiably through the forest, a thin pole with a string wrapped around it balanced on one shoulder. A wicker basket meant to hold his catch, but which was currently holding his bait, was looped over one shoulder to bounce lightly against his hip with each step.
It was a surprisingly warm day for the winter, perfect to get a bit of fishing in. Where he was headed the river was wide and slow, moving just fast enough to not hold any real ice. It was also full of delicious trout which would make a perfect dinner. If he was lucky, he could catch a few eels and convince the cooks to whip up an eel pie. It had been years since he'd last had eel pie.
Stepping carefully around a fallen tree, the pirate paused briefly, head tilting to the side a little as he listened. There were voices up ahead. It sounded like a young woman, and something that had a faint echo to it. Taking a few more careful steps, and tucking his dark cloak more tightly around his body to forestall any further snags and noise, the Akatsuki member concealed himself behind a tree to listen to more of the conversation.
One blue tinged hand gently pushed down the foliage blocking his view of the riverbank. A minor thought was spared to check his suppression shields, just on the off chance that any wards had been set up. Kisame was rewarded with a clear view of a small male? sitting on the bank of the river, talking to himself. Or something else, he commented to himself, remembering the other voice he'd heard.
"Have you thought of just waiting things out here," Eki asked, unsure how to help his distressed master.
"I have, but what about the last three years. I worked so hard to get the power I have, I can't just give everything up."
"But--" Eki was about to try and calm her again when he sensed something nearby. It was magic, the same kind of magic that had drawn him to Hinata in the first place. "Hinata!"
"Eki, please, I can't just forget."
"No, Hinata! Someone is near, in the treeline." Eki collected around Hinata to hide his energy within hers.
Hinata spun around toward the tress, her untinted eyes piercing into the thicket with a precision only a Hyuuga could have. "Who's there? Come out."
Surely he had been hidden better than that. Irritation flashed briefly through the pirate before he noticed the boy's...no, not with that figure, the girl's eyes. Colorless. Eyes as white and flat as any blind man's. Only one family in Konoha had eyes like that. The Hyuuga. There was no shame in being spotted by one of that clan. They were rumored to be able to see through anything on earth with those white eyes.
The Hyuuga were a mixed bag. Some had remained in Konoha, others had taken their leave and joined the rebels. A list of them began to run through Kisame's head, trying to place the name Hyuuga Hinata with some sort of status.
The girl's companion had dropped from Kisame's senses too quickly for him to have gotten a fix on the presence, so he kept his sense alert for the disembodied voice's owner to reappear, and stepped out from behind the tree.
Tilting his head, the sharkman gazed down at the small female, fishing pole and bait box completely visible, as well as the giant Samehada strapped to his back. Giving the girl a friendly nod, he smiled and showed sharp white teeth. "Good afternoon young lady. Fine day to spend at the river, isn't it?"
The closer he got to the girl the more he realized that there were two separate energies surrounding her. Sharp eyes scrutinized the set up as a breeze fluttered the edges of the Akatsuki cloak he wore. "Where did your friend run off to," he asked mildly.
Hinata tried not to tense to much as the odd man's question. She had been speaking aloud, so he must have expected a second person. Nothing she couldn't pass off.
She stood up and took a moment to calm herself enough to analyse the scene. In all her travels she'd never seen anyone who looked so --inhuman-- before. An unnatural blue hue colored his skin and it almost looked like he had actual gills along his face. He wasn't dressed like a noble or high class merchant, but neither did he seem like the kind of person that she'd seen residing in Konoha's slums. Then again, she knew better than anyone that you can never trust appearances.
Pulling her cloak closed, Hinata politely nodded to the man in return. "It is a good day. But you must forgive me, I was talking to myself. I didn't expect anyone to come here, the river is my only companion."
The tall sharkman strolled over to the river's edge and set down his gear. Giving the girl a look over his shoulder, he grasped a fallen tree and drug it closer to the water. Straightening up and dusting off sword-calloused hands, Kisame sat himself down on the log and began to bait his hook before replying. "So then you always talk to yourself in a," he paused for a moment as if searching for the right word. "A, watery for lack of a better word, voice? Literally trying to drown your anger?"
The expression on the pirate's face was one of amused curiosity despite the air he carried of not believing the young woman's excuse. "Why don't you bring yourself, and your two separate energies over here Hyuuga Hinata, and have a seat with me?" One blue-tinged hand patted a space on the log next to him, even as those small sharp eyes speared through with a precise glance of their own. "Maybe we can figure out if you're insane, or just lying to me."
"How do you know that name?" Hinata asked cautiously, taking a step away from the strange man. She had not said her name, and he didn't seem to know who she really was, so even if he recognized her as a Hyuuga, there was no way he should know her first name. It would be dangerous to deny things too long, and the sheer fact he had recognized Eki's energy outside her gave her an idea of his level of magic.
But why did it sound like he had heard Eki? He knew her name and mentioned a watery voice. No one had ever heard Eki before though, only Hinata.... so how?
Kisame continued to look over his shoulder at Hinata. The nervousness painting the girl's delicate features, and the fact that she chose to step away from him made him both laugh and regard her a little more highly. One cloak covered shoulder rose and fell nonchalantly before that sharp gaze turned back out to the slow moving waters. "I know quite a few things. What I don't understand is how you can talk about using what power you have, but at the same time deny your familiar. Is Eki a water sprite?"
The second energy surround the small Hyuuga was far too large to be a mere sprite, but both of them were hiding and Kisame was out of patience for the day. Whatever the familiar was, it would more than likely be insulted by being called a sprite. They were the smallest and weakest magical beings after all. Let the girl wonder just how much of the conversation he'd actually heard.
"Eki," Hinata snapped, making sure the spirit stayed quiet for now, "is none of your concern. But who, pray tell, are you? Are you a magic user?" She was careful to keep her words vague. The fact he had said a water sprite was obviously meant to harass her (or Eki) into revealing more to him. He'd already learned too much from listening to them, in her opinion. Eki's agitated presence moved around her, but obeyed her unspoken command and did not leave her.
Broad shoulders shook gently with laughter that ended in an amused sounding sigh. "Ah, where are my manners? How rude of me. My name is Hoshigaki Kisame," he replied with a small bow, executed after sticking the end of the fishing pole into a knot hole on the log and standing up to face the girl once more.
"Forgive me, m'lady." The darkly crowned head lifted to flash the missing Hyuuga heir a very toothy smile. It had finally clicked in his head to exactly whom he was speaking, just as it should click in her head who she was holding conversation with. Straightening up to his full height, nearly six and a half feet tall, the sharkfaced pirate gave Hinata a small nod. "I've been known to have a few tricks up my sleeve when necessary."
"It's a shame you won't let your sprite out to play. Eki must be terribly delicate to need to cling in such a manner."
Hoshigaki Kisame... The pirate Hoshigaki Kisame? In the harbor towns she'd heard stories about the pirates, and even seen a few wanted posters for Kisame, but she'd always thought they'd been exaggerated. Apparently they were not. But why would such a famous pirate be so far from the water? Hinata didn't know a lot about Akatsuki, but she knew they were made of many different kinds of powerful people, and from the stories she'd heard, Kisame might be a good choice.
But that at least explained why he could sense the now highly aggravated river spirit. Kisame was known for powerful water magic, and if anyone was going to be able to notice Eki, it would be a water user. The look in Kisame's eyes as he bowed to her made Hinata defensive again. It was recognition, something Hinata did not want people to look at her with, especially since not many people actually knew she was alive. Another nail for the pirate being connected to the king.
The longer she hid Eki to a water user, the more he was going to harass Eki into showing himself. It was better to show him under her conditions and not Kisame's. "Eki is more than a sprite, just as you're more than a fisherman, Master Pirate, sir." Hinata held her hand out over the water to tell Eki she wanted him small and contained. The idea that this man could hear Eki was more than unnerving, since that left her with little chance to talk to him without Kisame knowing.
The river water slithered from the surface like a snake being charmed from his slumber and wrapped around Hinata's outstretched arm. As the scales pressed into the small creature's surface, Eki slid up to coil around Hinata's neck. The fanned cobra head snapped toward Kisame with a violent hiss to complete his serpentine body. Eki would let Hinata speak for now, but he would not let this stranger hurt his master.
"Ah hah, touche m'lady," he replied with another of those wide, toothy smiles. Kisame was generally quite content with life and enjoyed smiling. The revulsion and fear that tended to cross observers' faces was deeply satisfying as well. That angular head tilted to the side as the familiar took a solid form. The cobra curling about the girl's neck was hardly large to pose a true threat, but the message was quite clear. Eki was apparently very attached to Hinata.
Leaning closer to the spirit wrapped girl, the pirate peered closely to the watery creature encircling her neck. The thing was hardly a sprite at all, and the fact that a river spirit was willingly serving this human was another fascinating little story altogether. "Well well little spirit, there's no need to carry on like that. I have no intent to harm your master at this moment."
The sharkman continued to eye the duo as he straightened back up. "Where did you manage to pick him up at? It's been quite a while since I've seen a willing spirit servant."
"Aye. I've not seen the like of him anywhere else," Hinata said calmly, though she didn't dare let her guard down in front of this man. It wasn't altogether wise to trust a pirate. At her words, Eki slid around her neck once more to show pride in his own way. "He once lived in this very river, many years ago."
She wanted to be very careful as to how much and what kind of information she gave Kisame, but for now she felt no intent to harm her, nor any falsity when he said so to Eki. She wouldn't trust him, but she would try and keep him on a pleasant(ish) conversation. Hinata couldn't help being a little curious herself, since this was the first water user she'd ever met before.
"And what of you, Master Pirate? We are quite some ways from the sea, and I've not heard tales of you inland."
"Ah, but we both have good reason for keeping our respective identities hidden, now don't we, m'lady," Kisame replied with an ironic little smile, stressing the title ever so slightly. "Come and sit with me for a bit. I won't bite, I promise." Blue lips twitched at stupid little joke as he reseated himself on the log. Reeling in the line once more, the sharkman gave a mournful little sigh at the completely vanished bait. "I suppose that's what I get for not paying attention."
"I'm not surprised Eki is from around here. He smells like this river, like fresh water." He wasn't facing the young Hyuuga, but all senses were alert and trained mostly on her. Kisame was more interested in learning more about the young woman. It had been a long time since he'd spoken to a fellow water magician. Rebaiting the hook, he cast the line out once more and flashed the young woman another smile over one shoulder.
"Perhaps we can exchange stories. It's been quite some time since I spoke to another water user, especially one with a spirit familiar. It would be nice to talk a little shop with you."
The former pirate continued to display his odd personality by carrying on the conversation lightly, as if he weren't a wanted criminal and she wasn't a presumed dead heiress.
He evaded her question expertly, she'd give him that. Not only did he fail to answer he question (or acknowledge it even), but he subtly and without any ill intentions gave her reason not to question any further. That was quality verbal manipulation... he must talk to aristocrats on a regular basis. Another reason not to trust him.
But for all her reasons not to trust him, it wouldn't hurt to hear him out for a while - especially if he wanted to talk magic. A pirate he might be, but he was a damn good one at that and if she could get even a hint or two at how to improve her skills it would be worth the risk.
Against better judgment, and Eki's silent dislike at the idea (as he was squeezing her neck tight enough she could feel his loathing), Hinata took a seat along the riverbank a few feet away from where Kisame sat. She wasn't stupid, for all her curiosity may bring. Eki reluctantly followed suit and rained from her neck to reform as a tiger cub in her lap, his translucent eyes fixated on the mysterious pirate.
"I have never spoken with another water user," she admitted carefully. "This is the first time I've ever seen another."
"So then you had to learn to use your powers on your own, hmm?" If that were the truth, the young woman was proving herself to be more and more Hyuuga by the moment, as well as becoming more interesting. Ambition, a hunger for power and control, all goals that he could respect.
Turning his head to face Hinata, the pirate's sharp eyes took in every detail about the young woman and her familiar. Their bond was obvious, as well as the spirit's power and restless nature. As well as his intense dislike towards Kisame. The sharkman merely grinned at the thought of his influence extending into the unseen world as well. That unblinking gaze shifted back to the slowly moving water, and those lips spread a bit more. He was getting a bite finally!
Quickly reeling in the line, he grabbed hold of the squirming fish in one large hand. Quickly removing the hook, he slammed the creature against the log with a solid thud and tossed the still form into the wicker basket. "That's not an entirely impossible thing to do, but you will pick up a lot of bad habits that way. Things that you'll probably have to completely unlearn if you ever take on a teacher."
"Eki taught me my magic, actually. I learned by mimicking his magic with what I knew of human magic. It was not a simple process, and yes, I probably would need to unlearn most of it should I find a capable teacher." Though considering he was the first water user she had met, that might never actually happen. Though, at this point she was willing to do anything to become stronger... anything.
Kisame nodded along with her words, looking a bit impressed. Learning a spirit's magic was no mean feat, and he said as much.
"That's impressive, translating his magic like that. I do hope that he's bothered to show you some defensive magics, or cloaking skills at the very least. Someone like you would be perfect prey for blood magicians. You know, the people who go around stealing others' magic for their own." The pirate rebaited his hook and tossed the line out into the water. He was starting to get the sense that this young woman was more than a bit desperate for magical help.
They shared the same kind of magic. He figured that it was only a matter of time before she asked, unless Hinata was perfectly content with half-mastered powers. The pirate knew that having anything to do with improving this girl would be perilously close to mutiny, but with enough work, the challenge that this girl could present greatly outweighed any questions of loyalty in Kisame's mind. What was peace without a blessed fight?
Hinata understood exactly how much danger she was in, not only her water magic, but he Hyuuga family magic alone made her a desirable target. She wanted to be careful about how much information she provided about her magical skills, but what she saw in his eyes was interest and... anticipation? Was he waiting for her to ask for help? Indeed, if his reputation was anything to go by she probably couldn't find a more powerful teacher, but why would be willing to train her if he was akin to the king.
"Manipulation was simple to change, but the more complicated the technique the harder it is make it into understandable magic without some kind of human basis. I know some defensive magic, but as for cloaking, Eki often substitutes for my lack of understanding."
"Manipulation is manipulation. Once you know the nature of water and how to move it, those techniques are child's play. Cloaking, shielding, those are basics as well. Then again, a spirit can simply meld into its environment so it really has no need for such spells. You, on the other hand, depending on how one interprets their magic are going to glow like the sun if you don't learn how to contain yourself. Particularly if you're looking to increase your skills."
The statements were said casually, almost offhand, as if spotting and stealing magic was an everyday affair. In the circles that Kisame navigated it was. "Do you make a habit of relying on others to cover for your lack of understanding?"
Hinata quirked an eyebrow at his question, half-amused and half-offended by the offhandedness used to imply her weakness. His wordplay was very well chosen, and the ease with which he spoked impressed her. It had been quite a long time since she'd had an interchange she had to tread so carefully upon.
"There are many ways to conceal oneself, not only with water magic, and I have learned how remain unnoticed on my own very well." Hyuuga magic was all about energy manipulations, and despite her displeasure at using family magic, she was taught and quite capable of hiding herself and her energy. Not to mention that after five years out of the city and protection of the Hyuuga clan, Hinata had learned how to live as nothing more than a shadow in people's memory.
"But as limited as it may appear, I have trained much with my familiar to gain my magic. Pray tell, Master Pirate, how did you learn your magic, that I might understand how to learn it properly, and perhaps from whom."
An amused smile quirked up the corners of Kisame's mouth. He was beginning to like this small nervous girl. She was proving to be rather quick witted, but then again, he shouldn't have expected any less from the former heir of the Hyuuga family. Beyond the white eyes and fair coloring, young Hinata carried every trait of that august family with her from the stony expressions to impressive verbal sparring.
The smile grew a trifle wider as the thought occurred to him that Sir Leader would be having proverbial kittens at this moment if he knew that Kisame was engaging in idle chatter with a woman he'd been hunting after. Not to mention entertaining the idea of teaching her more magic.
In response to the small tug on his line, Kisame reeled in the next fish, adding another to the growing collection. Wiping his hands on a cloth, the pirate folded them casually, before resting elbows on knees and chin on hands and giving the girl a sidelong glance. In all this time the sharkman had blinked not even once.
"Master Pirate. You're an amusing young lady. I was trained by a magician that used to live in the village whered I'd been born," he replied blandly. There was no hesitancy in recounting the past, particularly when it was something that the pirate was proud of. "He was so very fond of all the formal rules regarding the use of magic."
"You take after him in more than magic then?" she asked curiously. Formality was something she understood very well, and Hinata had been more than curious why a pirate was acting so proper without being born to it. It was a very rare trait, indeed.
Hinata combed her fingers through Eki's watery fur as she watched Kisame continue fishing. It was strange, and very uneasy to be speaking so casually with someone who could be connected to the king, but everything Hyuuga in her told her he had no intention of harming her... yet at least. And he was being honest with her, all things considered.
"Formal training was one reason I was able to translate Eki's power into human magic at all. I do understand the basics, even if its execution has been altered."
One dark eyebrow rose as he looked over at the girl, the smile turning into a small, slightly rueful, smirk. "The man couldn't stand the way I spoke prior to his tutoring so amongst all of the magic he forced elocution lessons on me as well. Not that I'm ungrateful in the end, it's served me well." That was the nicely watered down version, but the young Hyuuga had no need to know just how thickheaded he'd been in his youth and how difficult those lessons had been.
Kisame watched as Hinata petted the river spirit, and judging by the way the creature's "eyelids" fluttered it was evidently enjoying the attention. It amused him just how attached the spirit was to the girl, and it made him wonder how she'd won its favor. With a small sigh, the tall man picked up his pole once more and proceeded to rebait the hook, casting out the line once more. The minnow on the end should attract something other than slow sleepy trout this time.
"Proper speech can have a tremendous effect on one's magic," he continued offhandedly. "But enough about me. I feel as though I'm monopolizing the conversation. How did you acquire your spirit's favor so thoroughly? I never knew that they could come so close to purring."
Eki's feline eyes focused on Kisame and whatever purring the pirate had been expecting turned into a deep gurgling growl. Hinata could feel the water inside him vibrating with the effort exercised to create the unnatural sound.
"Proper speech can affect your magic?" Hinata questioned back, ignoring both the query over Eki and her origins and the water spirit's hostilities. It was a valid question as well, since both speech and magic had been ingrained in her, but never with a connection before. "I have not heard that before."
The pirate's head levered backwards and he let loose a broad, mirthful laugh. Spirits and their touchiness! He'd forgotten how much fun it could be to torment them, it had been so long since his last encounter with one. Thoughts of the mermaids who had saved him as youth entered his mind as the laughter died down into pleasant timbered chuckles. It had been a long time since he'd encountered a water creature, let alone a spirit, indeed.
"Such a touchy, prideful little thing he is. I've forgotten just how touchy spirits can be. Oh, you're speech affects a great many things Hinata-chan." Kisame tacked on the diminutive to the young woman's name as though they'd been long time friends rather than newly formed acquaintances. The shark faced man happened to enjoy young people very much, appreciating their wild ways that hadn't yet settled down to complete conformity yet. That, and Hinata was adorable.
Perhaps the diminutive would demonstrate clearly just how much one's mode of speaking affected the environment and those within it.
If she wasn't so wary of Kisame, Hinata would have laughed at him. Everything the pirate did was trying to make her more comfortable, which was highly creepy in itself. But it wasn't dangerous. She still didn't sense any danger from him, and he was quite right about speech. The more he tried to make her feel at ease the more she was willing to entertain the idea of prolonging this chance meeting. If she could learn stronger magic (even if it was from someone who could be an enemy) it would be worth the risk.
"Indeed, speech affects much, Master Pirate. Your teacher taught you well." She hesitated for a moment then added, "Have you yet passed on your knowledge?"
Nor should the young woman suspect any harm from the shark faced man. Kisame had truly come to the river today with no intent other than that of fishing. He needed the break, the peace and quiet. Encountering Hinata had been a pure coincidence. The question quirked up one corner of his mouth, and the pirate shifted his unblinking eyes towards the pale young woman. Perhaps this was the opportunity that he'd been patiently waiting for since this conversation had begun.
"Indeed it does, m'lady, and thank you for that. I do try," the pirate nodded in acknowledgement of the compliment. He bounced the line lightly in the water, expression thoughtful, but eventually replying with another of those pleasant smiles on his strange face. "Water users are few and far between in this country of Fire, m'lady."
Kisame was more than willing to teach the girl, by virtue alone of who she was. The fact that she'd proven intelligent and amusing only added to the conviction. What remained to be learned was just how skillful the young Hyuuga was. That would hopefully turn out to be the highlight of the afternoon. Aside from the fact that he was committing treason by merely sitting here and chatting with the girl. That just added a little spice to the mix.
"So I've found. Nor are they simple to find -- water does not like to be confined." Much like its users. Hinata herself preferred traveling over remaining sedate, even if she did choose to stay somewhere for a long time. Like her, pirates were not often known for remaining still to be caught. Another reason to wonder who gave him cause to remain in Konoha.
But for now Hinata focused on his eyes and expression. It was in this that their real conversation was being held. Idle chatter was inconsequential, they both knew what they were really talking about, and Kisame appeared to be willing.
"By chance, what would one need to obtain your considerable knowledge?"
The pirate appeared to put considerable thought to Hinata's words. Wiggling his fingers on the fishing pole as if he were only adjusting the grip, Kisame pulled a perfect sphere of water from the rushing river about the size of a child's ball. Without any warning or preamble the ball of water hurled itself none too gently straight at Hinata's head. Her reaction to the unprovoked attack would tell him a great deal.
Now they were getting to the real meat of their "discussion."
Her eyes took in everything as they talked, a piece of Hyuuga training that she'd picked up on easily as a child and which had served her well. The twitching of his fingers were noted in the back of her mind, adding to the whole sub-context she created from his actions and expressions. When the water rose from river and rushed at her she wasn't completely surprised by the action, what confused her was the lack of hostility in Kisame. Even now she didn't sense danger -- this was a test.
Hinata's hand snapped up to stop the water ball just inches from her face. To a Hyuuga's eye, the magical energy misted from her hand, merging with the water to bring it under her control. Since he was not showing any real danger in this 'attack,' Hinata chose not to return it with any. With a flick of her wrist the ball launched itself back into the river. Hinata's blank gaze watched beneath the surface, and her fingers twitched ever so slightly as the controlled water fought against the streaming current. Suddenly the ball popped out again, easily floating over to Kisame's basket to drop off a rather nice sized bass.
"It does help with the fishing, though not nearly as fulfilling."
In her lap Eki's fur near boiled as he struggled to leap out of her hold and rip, claw, and otherwise maim the pirate in anyway he could. Hinata's hand was the only thing keeping the water spirit in place, and if there had been any hostility in the attack, not even that would have stayed him.
Laughter erupted from the pirate. Oh, it had only been a minor bit of effort on his part to test the girl's reflexes and she goes and proves herself a cheeky little thing. Kisame was beginning to like the young Hyuuga more and more by the minute. Water was a heavy element, only outweighed by earth, and its inertia was something to combat. Still, she had stopped the ball, even if it was only inches from her face.
"Very nice Hinata-chan."
Ignoring the spirit's very evident anger for the moment, the pirate created several more of the wound water missles sending them flying towards the girl. The ten separate globes were smaller and faster, picking up bone breaking force with the speed they traveled at. Kisame had complete control over the water and wouldn't let more than was necessary strike Hinata, depending on whether she failed to protect herself or not. To demonstrate clearly what she would be dealing with, the sharkman let one globule zing just past her cheek to crack into the bark of a tree behind them. It audibly cracked the wood.
He was also preparing a small containment magic for the spirit, should he choose to interfere. Nothing to harm either one of them, but something to separate them. Kisame wanted to know what Hinata herself was capable of. What Hinata and her familiar could do together would come later.
She gave Eki a tight squeeze to order him still as the second volley flew. This was still merely a test, so Hinata didn't want Eki to help her... or attack the first possible teacher she'd ever met. Not that Kisame seemed to care about the water spirit's intense loathing of him.
It would take both hands to stop the increased number and speed of the incoming water. Magical energy seeped out from more than her hands this time, pushing out from her chest up to find the water. Hinata didn't bother forcing control onto all the 'missles' and instead merely deflected them to the side. She chose three coming directly at her head to steal as her own, letting them follow the path of the magic around her body to slingshot back at Kisame with added momentum than when they came at her.
One dark brow lifted as he finally noticed the actual mechanics of the girl's odd countering technique. Rather than taking control of the water itself, she was using her own energy to maneuver it. That was like trying to steer a cart barehanded when there was already a team of oxen harnessed to it; wasteful and pointless.
He however liked the speed and force with which she returned the volley. The girl would not disappoint when it came to counterattacking, at least not in training exercises. That was where it started though. Train as you would fight: as if your life depended on every move.
Half-turning towards the girl, Kisame raised one hand purely for effect and grinned broadly, letting his teeth gleam in the sunlight. Concentrating on the nature of the water, he sped up its inner motion causing it to heat up rapidly. All three globules vanished into steam. That was far easier than trying to reverse the inertia they carried. Tricks like that, while very impressive, required far too much energy. Just like Hinata's technique.
"You have a very interesting way of manipulating water. Do you always use your energy like that? As a pair of hands?" Genuine curiosity colored Kisame's mild voice. He knew that they Hyuuga excelled in energy manipulation, but he'd never been fortunate enough to see it in action. Until now, that is.
"Yes, that was the only way I knew to translate Eki's magic." Hinata was being more honest than normal in her magic only because she hoped to learn from Kisame. In her lap the agitated water spirit calmed down a little, or at least so his surface didn't boil away.
Hinata's only reference for human magic was her Hyuuga training, energy manipulation. She learned to merge her energy into the water and control it, but it required a great deal of precise concentration at times, and a large amount of stamina. The larger the spell the harder it was for her to maintain the energy level needed to control it, which is why she needed someone to teach her water magic properly.
"I manipulate the energy from my own magic and fuse it into the water, it creates the same effect that Eki's magic does, but can be consuming. Should I learn from a real water user I'm sure I could conserve more energy and produce larger spells."
Kisame nodded quietly, thinking to himself for a moment. "Raise a sphere of water from the river and hold it steady, two feet above the current. That is all."
The tone of his voice held the command of a teacher to a student, and the pirate turned his unblinking gaze onto the young Hyuuga once more. She would hold the water as well as she could while he tried to figure out precisely which point she needed to correct in her manipulation. If she was relying entirely on her own energy to manipulate the water, without feeling the connection to the element itself, they were going to have a great deal more work before them. If not, as he sincerely hoped, then they would only need to focus on her connection. Then larger spells would come much more easily, as well as smaller, finer ones.
Kisame had more than a few of those to teach Hinata as well. He folded long arms across his chest, settling back a bit more on the log, and crossed his ankles, making himself more comfortable for the observation, and lessoning to come. The pirate hadn't said as much out loud, but there was no question that he would teach the girl. Perhaps one day, when her skills were finely honed and sharp, he would face her in real combat.
Hinata nodded and moved her fingers ever so slightly to bring the water up to her. Her connection to water was strong because of her relationship with Eki. She used her magical energy to manipulate it the more intricate the need, but without her ability to feel the water out Hinata would never have been able to imitate Eki's magic as well as she did.
On command a sliver of the river snaked up and curled into a stable, placid ball hovering two feet over the water as instructed. It was a simple matter, and even for Hinata didn't cost too much energy. With that completed, Hinata waited silently for more instructions.
The pirate eyed the river spirit in Hinata's lap, not quite glaring at it. "Stop exerting your influence Spirit. This is something she needs to do on her own." Kisame turned that unblinking gaze onto the girl, observing her work with the energy.
Hinata's control was quite good. Of her own energy, anyway. The spirit's facilitation made the work much easier for Hinata, that was obvious, which was why he told it to leave the young woman be. "Drop the ball Hinata-chan. I want you to pull the water on its own, not by using your 'hands.' Now raise another."
While the girl worked, Kisame reeled in his line knowing that the bait had long since been nibbled cleanly from the hook, and stowed the pole behind his feet. He wanted to concentrate fully on Hinata's work.
Eki hissed at Kisame, flashing an excellent view of his fangs in the process. Since Eki and Hinata meet before she left Konoha, and since Hinata made sure no one in the Hyuuga manor found out Eki existed, it had been essential that his energy appeared inseparable from Hinata's. In a family that could see energy, it was dangerous for Hinata to stand out any more than she did.
Still, Hinata wanted to do as he requested and dropped the water. She set her palms over Eki's back and combed her fingers idly through his fur to calm him down. Using a physical action to guide her magic made it easier for Hinata, but it wasn't completely necessary. Focusing her eyes on the ground in front of her, Hinata felt out the river beside them, filtering out the piece she wanted and lifting it from the current.
Because of her Hyuuga training Hinata tended to either work by sight or by feel. She was used to seeing the energy, hense why she used her hands as a medium. Without the medium she worked by feel alone, explaining why she was looking at the ground now instead of the river.
One eye dark brow rose at the river spirit's hiss, and those blue-tinged lips split into another toothy smile. "You have so much energy little spirit. I'll have to bring my Samehada with me on our next visit so that you two can meet. The Samehada has a taste for energetic types." The tone of Kisame's voice would have left little doubt in anyone's mind that he was subtly threatening the river spirit.
Shaking his dark head, the pirate stood and moved behind Hinata, squatting so that his mouth was level with her ear. "No," he said, speaking softly. "Drop the water. You're still using your energy as hands, that was what I meant. Here now, hold out your arms," he commanded gently, sliding his hands beneath hers, arms going around her small body.
"I want you to concentrate on how this feels. It is a different type of energy than what you are using now. This commands the water itself, rather than using your energy to shape it. Perhaps it would be pertinent to say that it's more like being the river itself, rather than the banks which cradle it."
The pirate's smooth voice ceased as he called the water from the river to Hinata's hands, the feel of the energy commanding it cool and silky like the water itself rather than the warm, pulsing energy of the body.
Hinata's body tensed up at his approach, unsure of what he intended to do and knowing she wouldn't enjoy any of it. Even though her aversion to human contact had relaxed thanks to her time around Naruto and the kids in the orphanage, it was by no means gone. Especially when it came to people she didn't trust - Kisame definitely qualified as not to be trusted.
Her neck twitched when she felt his cold breath against her skin, and Hinata closed her eyes to help maintain her composure. The feel of his hands over her arms, lifting up and holding her hands in his own was like thousands of needles brushing her skin. They scratched and poisoned her skin with his presence, making her body stiffen with fear. Eki turned to face his master and set his paws flat against Hinata's stomach to try and sooth her. Eki's attempt to discourage Kisame's efforts were ignored in hopes of keeping Hinata calm in the face of the pirate's actions (whether they continued or not was Hinata's decision, not his).
The water teasing her fingers just added to the feeling of him surrounding her, only now with magic and not flesh. Beyond her fears and the tension locked in her muscles though, Hinata could feel the difference in their magics. Hers was controlled and contained, his was control - free, simple control. His magic entered the water itself, not manipulating it. When the water touched her skin, caressing the edges of her magic, it was like his own breath blowing against hers. But when two faces are brought so close both people can feel the air between them.
Hinata's magic, the instinctual magic that had called out to Eki when she'd fallen into the river, pressed against his control as the water touched her skin. The fear and hatred of contact focused her magic in a primal way and the more confined she became the harder her magic fought to expel his from the water in her hands.
The tension that immediately suffused the girl's muscles didn't surprise Kisame one bit. What impressed him in fact was that the girl actually sustained physical contact with him, as repulsive as she so obviously found it. That revulsion was something that the pirate was very familiar with, given his rather unique visage.
He could feel Hinata's magic slipping to the fore and beginning to mesh with his own. The further her own magic reached out, the more he pulled his back. What the Hyuuga needed to get a feel for was what actual water magic felt like, to familiarize herself with the "texture" of Water.
It was not unpleasant at all for Kisame to feel Hinata's magic. Her's was fresh and new, and extremely tentative. Luckily for the both of them the girl wasn't a fire user. With hesitation like that they'd both be burnt to a crisp in no time. Water was a much gentler element, until it decided to crush you under its weight or boil you alive from the inside out.
"Very good Hinata-chan," he whispered encouragingly, maintaining the physical contact. The pirate could sense, smell the distress in the girl over it, but he also knew that such vigilance heightening emotions could come in handy. Particularly at a time like this. However it would be a shame if the only way she could access her magic was under duress. That was just one more thing that would have to be tested out then.
"Are you understanding the difference yet?" His own magic guided hers to the essence of the water like fibrous fingers stroking over her aura.
"Yes," Hinata choked out, her body so tense that her jaw was trying to lock in place. She almost felt violated with the way his magic touched her, coaxing her on. The deeper his magic delved around her, the harder her own fought. She wanted to expel him from the water and the only way to do that was to take control of the water herself, not wrap her energy around it to manipulate it, but find the water as an extension of herself.
Hinata gnawed at her lower lip as she resisted the urge to rip out of his grasp and run. She needed his help, no matter what it took. Between her hands the water spiked out, reacting to her desire for release and freedom, but always returning to her, constrained by her need to stay still. For once she wouldn't fail in her training, because Hinata knew she could and would understand her own magic.
"It's a different kind of control. It's will, not manipulation. Purer."
Setting: January 25, 18AR - River north of Konoha
Summary: Kisame goes fishing and comes upon Hinata and Eki. Hinata gets her first real lesson in from a water user. (Not finished as yet... but it can be understood they finish the lesson and continue to meet again for more sessions.)
Hinata stared down into the river, her white-eyed reflection shimmered back at her as if forcing her to face her own hesitation. She was incomplete, unsubstantial and only washed away with the flow. She never fought the current, she'd used it in a vain, precious hope that it would lead her to some kind of happiness or understanding. But the current only leads to the very place it was meant to end when first created; it could not lead anywhere expect the sea.
Wasn't that why she was back in Konoha? Back in this city she was born in, still staring up to that house but never moving. It'd been two weeks since she'd come to stay at the orphanage, and yet she had no idea what to do. She could either leave the river again, runaway and hope the next stream she comes to leads somewhere else, but she was so tired of running. She could forget about her old life, everything bad and good that had happened to her and try to create a new life in Konoha. But would a new life be worth the constant fear of being exposed and could she live with herself to just give up on ever finding Gaara again.
But what other choices did she have?
"Hinata, is it safe to have your eyes clear like this? What if someone from town sees you?" Eki asked. He wasn't in solid form, taking a rare chance to indulge feeling out his old home. They had been to the river many times before, but Eki was atually in a type of physical form when he colored Hinata's eyes, so this was his first time merging with the river again.
Hinata finally smiled to the water and nodded. "Don't worry. If anyone comes by I can always say I'm from the manor. It doesn't appear many people can tell Hyuugas apart."
The river's surface bubbled a little, making Hinata's reflection deform and dissipate. "Is something bothering you Hinata?"
"Sort of," she answered with a sigh. "I'm just trying to figure out what to do now. Without Neji's help I'm rather lost at what can be done." Hinata felt like the current had dragged her to shore and now she wasn't sure whether to jump in again or not.
Kisame strolled amiably through the forest, a thin pole with a string wrapped around it balanced on one shoulder. A wicker basket meant to hold his catch, but which was currently holding his bait, was looped over one shoulder to bounce lightly against his hip with each step.
It was a surprisingly warm day for the winter, perfect to get a bit of fishing in. Where he was headed the river was wide and slow, moving just fast enough to not hold any real ice. It was also full of delicious trout which would make a perfect dinner. If he was lucky, he could catch a few eels and convince the cooks to whip up an eel pie. It had been years since he'd last had eel pie.
Stepping carefully around a fallen tree, the pirate paused briefly, head tilting to the side a little as he listened. There were voices up ahead. It sounded like a young woman, and something that had a faint echo to it. Taking a few more careful steps, and tucking his dark cloak more tightly around his body to forestall any further snags and noise, the Akatsuki member concealed himself behind a tree to listen to more of the conversation.
One blue tinged hand gently pushed down the foliage blocking his view of the riverbank. A minor thought was spared to check his suppression shields, just on the off chance that any wards had been set up. Kisame was rewarded with a clear view of a small male? sitting on the bank of the river, talking to himself. Or something else, he commented to himself, remembering the other voice he'd heard.
"Have you thought of just waiting things out here," Eki asked, unsure how to help his distressed master.
"I have, but what about the last three years. I worked so hard to get the power I have, I can't just give everything up."
"But--" Eki was about to try and calm her again when he sensed something nearby. It was magic, the same kind of magic that had drawn him to Hinata in the first place. "Hinata!"
"Eki, please, I can't just forget."
"No, Hinata! Someone is near, in the treeline." Eki collected around Hinata to hide his energy within hers.
Hinata spun around toward the tress, her untinted eyes piercing into the thicket with a precision only a Hyuuga could have. "Who's there? Come out."
Surely he had been hidden better than that. Irritation flashed briefly through the pirate before he noticed the boy's...no, not with that figure, the girl's eyes. Colorless. Eyes as white and flat as any blind man's. Only one family in Konoha had eyes like that. The Hyuuga. There was no shame in being spotted by one of that clan. They were rumored to be able to see through anything on earth with those white eyes.
The Hyuuga were a mixed bag. Some had remained in Konoha, others had taken their leave and joined the rebels. A list of them began to run through Kisame's head, trying to place the name Hyuuga Hinata with some sort of status.
The girl's companion had dropped from Kisame's senses too quickly for him to have gotten a fix on the presence, so he kept his sense alert for the disembodied voice's owner to reappear, and stepped out from behind the tree.
Tilting his head, the sharkman gazed down at the small female, fishing pole and bait box completely visible, as well as the giant Samehada strapped to his back. Giving the girl a friendly nod, he smiled and showed sharp white teeth. "Good afternoon young lady. Fine day to spend at the river, isn't it?"
The closer he got to the girl the more he realized that there were two separate energies surrounding her. Sharp eyes scrutinized the set up as a breeze fluttered the edges of the Akatsuki cloak he wore. "Where did your friend run off to," he asked mildly.
Hinata tried not to tense to much as the odd man's question. She had been speaking aloud, so he must have expected a second person. Nothing she couldn't pass off.
She stood up and took a moment to calm herself enough to analyse the scene. In all her travels she'd never seen anyone who looked so --inhuman-- before. An unnatural blue hue colored his skin and it almost looked like he had actual gills along his face. He wasn't dressed like a noble or high class merchant, but neither did he seem like the kind of person that she'd seen residing in Konoha's slums. Then again, she knew better than anyone that you can never trust appearances.
Pulling her cloak closed, Hinata politely nodded to the man in return. "It is a good day. But you must forgive me, I was talking to myself. I didn't expect anyone to come here, the river is my only companion."
The tall sharkman strolled over to the river's edge and set down his gear. Giving the girl a look over his shoulder, he grasped a fallen tree and drug it closer to the water. Straightening up and dusting off sword-calloused hands, Kisame sat himself down on the log and began to bait his hook before replying. "So then you always talk to yourself in a," he paused for a moment as if searching for the right word. "A, watery for lack of a better word, voice? Literally trying to drown your anger?"
The expression on the pirate's face was one of amused curiosity despite the air he carried of not believing the young woman's excuse. "Why don't you bring yourself, and your two separate energies over here Hyuuga Hinata, and have a seat with me?" One blue-tinged hand patted a space on the log next to him, even as those small sharp eyes speared through with a precise glance of their own. "Maybe we can figure out if you're insane, or just lying to me."
"How do you know that name?" Hinata asked cautiously, taking a step away from the strange man. She had not said her name, and he didn't seem to know who she really was, so even if he recognized her as a Hyuuga, there was no way he should know her first name. It would be dangerous to deny things too long, and the sheer fact he had recognized Eki's energy outside her gave her an idea of his level of magic.
But why did it sound like he had heard Eki? He knew her name and mentioned a watery voice. No one had ever heard Eki before though, only Hinata.... so how?
Kisame continued to look over his shoulder at Hinata. The nervousness painting the girl's delicate features, and the fact that she chose to step away from him made him both laugh and regard her a little more highly. One cloak covered shoulder rose and fell nonchalantly before that sharp gaze turned back out to the slow moving waters. "I know quite a few things. What I don't understand is how you can talk about using what power you have, but at the same time deny your familiar. Is Eki a water sprite?"
The second energy surround the small Hyuuga was far too large to be a mere sprite, but both of them were hiding and Kisame was out of patience for the day. Whatever the familiar was, it would more than likely be insulted by being called a sprite. They were the smallest and weakest magical beings after all. Let the girl wonder just how much of the conversation he'd actually heard.
"Eki," Hinata snapped, making sure the spirit stayed quiet for now, "is none of your concern. But who, pray tell, are you? Are you a magic user?" She was careful to keep her words vague. The fact he had said a water sprite was obviously meant to harass her (or Eki) into revealing more to him. He'd already learned too much from listening to them, in her opinion. Eki's agitated presence moved around her, but obeyed her unspoken command and did not leave her.
Broad shoulders shook gently with laughter that ended in an amused sounding sigh. "Ah, where are my manners? How rude of me. My name is Hoshigaki Kisame," he replied with a small bow, executed after sticking the end of the fishing pole into a knot hole on the log and standing up to face the girl once more.
"Forgive me, m'lady." The darkly crowned head lifted to flash the missing Hyuuga heir a very toothy smile. It had finally clicked in his head to exactly whom he was speaking, just as it should click in her head who she was holding conversation with. Straightening up to his full height, nearly six and a half feet tall, the sharkfaced pirate gave Hinata a small nod. "I've been known to have a few tricks up my sleeve when necessary."
"It's a shame you won't let your sprite out to play. Eki must be terribly delicate to need to cling in such a manner."
Hoshigaki Kisame... The pirate Hoshigaki Kisame? In the harbor towns she'd heard stories about the pirates, and even seen a few wanted posters for Kisame, but she'd always thought they'd been exaggerated. Apparently they were not. But why would such a famous pirate be so far from the water? Hinata didn't know a lot about Akatsuki, but she knew they were made of many different kinds of powerful people, and from the stories she'd heard, Kisame might be a good choice.
But that at least explained why he could sense the now highly aggravated river spirit. Kisame was known for powerful water magic, and if anyone was going to be able to notice Eki, it would be a water user. The look in Kisame's eyes as he bowed to her made Hinata defensive again. It was recognition, something Hinata did not want people to look at her with, especially since not many people actually knew she was alive. Another nail for the pirate being connected to the king.
The longer she hid Eki to a water user, the more he was going to harass Eki into showing himself. It was better to show him under her conditions and not Kisame's. "Eki is more than a sprite, just as you're more than a fisherman, Master Pirate, sir." Hinata held her hand out over the water to tell Eki she wanted him small and contained. The idea that this man could hear Eki was more than unnerving, since that left her with little chance to talk to him without Kisame knowing.
The river water slithered from the surface like a snake being charmed from his slumber and wrapped around Hinata's outstretched arm. As the scales pressed into the small creature's surface, Eki slid up to coil around Hinata's neck. The fanned cobra head snapped toward Kisame with a violent hiss to complete his serpentine body. Eki would let Hinata speak for now, but he would not let this stranger hurt his master.
"Ah hah, touche m'lady," he replied with another of those wide, toothy smiles. Kisame was generally quite content with life and enjoyed smiling. The revulsion and fear that tended to cross observers' faces was deeply satisfying as well. That angular head tilted to the side as the familiar took a solid form. The cobra curling about the girl's neck was hardly large to pose a true threat, but the message was quite clear. Eki was apparently very attached to Hinata.
Leaning closer to the spirit wrapped girl, the pirate peered closely to the watery creature encircling her neck. The thing was hardly a sprite at all, and the fact that a river spirit was willingly serving this human was another fascinating little story altogether. "Well well little spirit, there's no need to carry on like that. I have no intent to harm your master at this moment."
The sharkman continued to eye the duo as he straightened back up. "Where did you manage to pick him up at? It's been quite a while since I've seen a willing spirit servant."
"Aye. I've not seen the like of him anywhere else," Hinata said calmly, though she didn't dare let her guard down in front of this man. It wasn't altogether wise to trust a pirate. At her words, Eki slid around her neck once more to show pride in his own way. "He once lived in this very river, many years ago."
She wanted to be very careful as to how much and what kind of information she gave Kisame, but for now she felt no intent to harm her, nor any falsity when he said so to Eki. She wouldn't trust him, but she would try and keep him on a pleasant(ish) conversation. Hinata couldn't help being a little curious herself, since this was the first water user she'd ever met before.
"And what of you, Master Pirate? We are quite some ways from the sea, and I've not heard tales of you inland."
"Ah, but we both have good reason for keeping our respective identities hidden, now don't we, m'lady," Kisame replied with an ironic little smile, stressing the title ever so slightly. "Come and sit with me for a bit. I won't bite, I promise." Blue lips twitched at stupid little joke as he reseated himself on the log. Reeling in the line once more, the sharkman gave a mournful little sigh at the completely vanished bait. "I suppose that's what I get for not paying attention."
"I'm not surprised Eki is from around here. He smells like this river, like fresh water." He wasn't facing the young Hyuuga, but all senses were alert and trained mostly on her. Kisame was more interested in learning more about the young woman. It had been a long time since he'd spoken to a fellow water magician. Rebaiting the hook, he cast the line out once more and flashed the young woman another smile over one shoulder.
"Perhaps we can exchange stories. It's been quite some time since I spoke to another water user, especially one with a spirit familiar. It would be nice to talk a little shop with you."
The former pirate continued to display his odd personality by carrying on the conversation lightly, as if he weren't a wanted criminal and she wasn't a presumed dead heiress.
He evaded her question expertly, she'd give him that. Not only did he fail to answer he question (or acknowledge it even), but he subtly and without any ill intentions gave her reason not to question any further. That was quality verbal manipulation... he must talk to aristocrats on a regular basis. Another reason not to trust him.
But for all her reasons not to trust him, it wouldn't hurt to hear him out for a while - especially if he wanted to talk magic. A pirate he might be, but he was a damn good one at that and if she could get even a hint or two at how to improve her skills it would be worth the risk.
Against better judgment, and Eki's silent dislike at the idea (as he was squeezing her neck tight enough she could feel his loathing), Hinata took a seat along the riverbank a few feet away from where Kisame sat. She wasn't stupid, for all her curiosity may bring. Eki reluctantly followed suit and rained from her neck to reform as a tiger cub in her lap, his translucent eyes fixated on the mysterious pirate.
"I have never spoken with another water user," she admitted carefully. "This is the first time I've ever seen another."
"So then you had to learn to use your powers on your own, hmm?" If that were the truth, the young woman was proving herself to be more and more Hyuuga by the moment, as well as becoming more interesting. Ambition, a hunger for power and control, all goals that he could respect.
Turning his head to face Hinata, the pirate's sharp eyes took in every detail about the young woman and her familiar. Their bond was obvious, as well as the spirit's power and restless nature. As well as his intense dislike towards Kisame. The sharkman merely grinned at the thought of his influence extending into the unseen world as well. That unblinking gaze shifted back to the slowly moving water, and those lips spread a bit more. He was getting a bite finally!
Quickly reeling in the line, he grabbed hold of the squirming fish in one large hand. Quickly removing the hook, he slammed the creature against the log with a solid thud and tossed the still form into the wicker basket. "That's not an entirely impossible thing to do, but you will pick up a lot of bad habits that way. Things that you'll probably have to completely unlearn if you ever take on a teacher."
"Eki taught me my magic, actually. I learned by mimicking his magic with what I knew of human magic. It was not a simple process, and yes, I probably would need to unlearn most of it should I find a capable teacher." Though considering he was the first water user she had met, that might never actually happen. Though, at this point she was willing to do anything to become stronger... anything.
Kisame nodded along with her words, looking a bit impressed. Learning a spirit's magic was no mean feat, and he said as much.
"That's impressive, translating his magic like that. I do hope that he's bothered to show you some defensive magics, or cloaking skills at the very least. Someone like you would be perfect prey for blood magicians. You know, the people who go around stealing others' magic for their own." The pirate rebaited his hook and tossed the line out into the water. He was starting to get the sense that this young woman was more than a bit desperate for magical help.
They shared the same kind of magic. He figured that it was only a matter of time before she asked, unless Hinata was perfectly content with half-mastered powers. The pirate knew that having anything to do with improving this girl would be perilously close to mutiny, but with enough work, the challenge that this girl could present greatly outweighed any questions of loyalty in Kisame's mind. What was peace without a blessed fight?
Hinata understood exactly how much danger she was in, not only her water magic, but he Hyuuga family magic alone made her a desirable target. She wanted to be careful about how much information she provided about her magical skills, but what she saw in his eyes was interest and... anticipation? Was he waiting for her to ask for help? Indeed, if his reputation was anything to go by she probably couldn't find a more powerful teacher, but why would be willing to train her if he was akin to the king.
"Manipulation was simple to change, but the more complicated the technique the harder it is make it into understandable magic without some kind of human basis. I know some defensive magic, but as for cloaking, Eki often substitutes for my lack of understanding."
"Manipulation is manipulation. Once you know the nature of water and how to move it, those techniques are child's play. Cloaking, shielding, those are basics as well. Then again, a spirit can simply meld into its environment so it really has no need for such spells. You, on the other hand, depending on how one interprets their magic are going to glow like the sun if you don't learn how to contain yourself. Particularly if you're looking to increase your skills."
The statements were said casually, almost offhand, as if spotting and stealing magic was an everyday affair. In the circles that Kisame navigated it was. "Do you make a habit of relying on others to cover for your lack of understanding?"
Hinata quirked an eyebrow at his question, half-amused and half-offended by the offhandedness used to imply her weakness. His wordplay was very well chosen, and the ease with which he spoked impressed her. It had been quite a long time since she'd had an interchange she had to tread so carefully upon.
"There are many ways to conceal oneself, not only with water magic, and I have learned how remain unnoticed on my own very well." Hyuuga magic was all about energy manipulations, and despite her displeasure at using family magic, she was taught and quite capable of hiding herself and her energy. Not to mention that after five years out of the city and protection of the Hyuuga clan, Hinata had learned how to live as nothing more than a shadow in people's memory.
"But as limited as it may appear, I have trained much with my familiar to gain my magic. Pray tell, Master Pirate, how did you learn your magic, that I might understand how to learn it properly, and perhaps from whom."
An amused smile quirked up the corners of Kisame's mouth. He was beginning to like this small nervous girl. She was proving to be rather quick witted, but then again, he shouldn't have expected any less from the former heir of the Hyuuga family. Beyond the white eyes and fair coloring, young Hinata carried every trait of that august family with her from the stony expressions to impressive verbal sparring.
The smile grew a trifle wider as the thought occurred to him that Sir Leader would be having proverbial kittens at this moment if he knew that Kisame was engaging in idle chatter with a woman he'd been hunting after. Not to mention entertaining the idea of teaching her more magic.
In response to the small tug on his line, Kisame reeled in the next fish, adding another to the growing collection. Wiping his hands on a cloth, the pirate folded them casually, before resting elbows on knees and chin on hands and giving the girl a sidelong glance. In all this time the sharkman had blinked not even once.
"Master Pirate. You're an amusing young lady. I was trained by a magician that used to live in the village whered I'd been born," he replied blandly. There was no hesitancy in recounting the past, particularly when it was something that the pirate was proud of. "He was so very fond of all the formal rules regarding the use of magic."
"You take after him in more than magic then?" she asked curiously. Formality was something she understood very well, and Hinata had been more than curious why a pirate was acting so proper without being born to it. It was a very rare trait, indeed.
Hinata combed her fingers through Eki's watery fur as she watched Kisame continue fishing. It was strange, and very uneasy to be speaking so casually with someone who could be connected to the king, but everything Hyuuga in her told her he had no intention of harming her... yet at least. And he was being honest with her, all things considered.
"Formal training was one reason I was able to translate Eki's power into human magic at all. I do understand the basics, even if its execution has been altered."
One dark eyebrow rose as he looked over at the girl, the smile turning into a small, slightly rueful, smirk. "The man couldn't stand the way I spoke prior to his tutoring so amongst all of the magic he forced elocution lessons on me as well. Not that I'm ungrateful in the end, it's served me well." That was the nicely watered down version, but the young Hyuuga had no need to know just how thickheaded he'd been in his youth and how difficult those lessons had been.
Kisame watched as Hinata petted the river spirit, and judging by the way the creature's "eyelids" fluttered it was evidently enjoying the attention. It amused him just how attached the spirit was to the girl, and it made him wonder how she'd won its favor. With a small sigh, the tall man picked up his pole once more and proceeded to rebait the hook, casting out the line once more. The minnow on the end should attract something other than slow sleepy trout this time.
"Proper speech can have a tremendous effect on one's magic," he continued offhandedly. "But enough about me. I feel as though I'm monopolizing the conversation. How did you acquire your spirit's favor so thoroughly? I never knew that they could come so close to purring."
Eki's feline eyes focused on Kisame and whatever purring the pirate had been expecting turned into a deep gurgling growl. Hinata could feel the water inside him vibrating with the effort exercised to create the unnatural sound.
"Proper speech can affect your magic?" Hinata questioned back, ignoring both the query over Eki and her origins and the water spirit's hostilities. It was a valid question as well, since both speech and magic had been ingrained in her, but never with a connection before. "I have not heard that before."
The pirate's head levered backwards and he let loose a broad, mirthful laugh. Spirits and their touchiness! He'd forgotten how much fun it could be to torment them, it had been so long since his last encounter with one. Thoughts of the mermaids who had saved him as youth entered his mind as the laughter died down into pleasant timbered chuckles. It had been a long time since he'd encountered a water creature, let alone a spirit, indeed.
"Such a touchy, prideful little thing he is. I've forgotten just how touchy spirits can be. Oh, you're speech affects a great many things Hinata-chan." Kisame tacked on the diminutive to the young woman's name as though they'd been long time friends rather than newly formed acquaintances. The shark faced man happened to enjoy young people very much, appreciating their wild ways that hadn't yet settled down to complete conformity yet. That, and Hinata was adorable.
Perhaps the diminutive would demonstrate clearly just how much one's mode of speaking affected the environment and those within it.
If she wasn't so wary of Kisame, Hinata would have laughed at him. Everything the pirate did was trying to make her more comfortable, which was highly creepy in itself. But it wasn't dangerous. She still didn't sense any danger from him, and he was quite right about speech. The more he tried to make her feel at ease the more she was willing to entertain the idea of prolonging this chance meeting. If she could learn stronger magic (even if it was from someone who could be an enemy) it would be worth the risk.
"Indeed, speech affects much, Master Pirate. Your teacher taught you well." She hesitated for a moment then added, "Have you yet passed on your knowledge?"
Nor should the young woman suspect any harm from the shark faced man. Kisame had truly come to the river today with no intent other than that of fishing. He needed the break, the peace and quiet. Encountering Hinata had been a pure coincidence. The question quirked up one corner of his mouth, and the pirate shifted his unblinking eyes towards the pale young woman. Perhaps this was the opportunity that he'd been patiently waiting for since this conversation had begun.
"Indeed it does, m'lady, and thank you for that. I do try," the pirate nodded in acknowledgement of the compliment. He bounced the line lightly in the water, expression thoughtful, but eventually replying with another of those pleasant smiles on his strange face. "Water users are few and far between in this country of Fire, m'lady."
Kisame was more than willing to teach the girl, by virtue alone of who she was. The fact that she'd proven intelligent and amusing only added to the conviction. What remained to be learned was just how skillful the young Hyuuga was. That would hopefully turn out to be the highlight of the afternoon. Aside from the fact that he was committing treason by merely sitting here and chatting with the girl. That just added a little spice to the mix.
"So I've found. Nor are they simple to find -- water does not like to be confined." Much like its users. Hinata herself preferred traveling over remaining sedate, even if she did choose to stay somewhere for a long time. Like her, pirates were not often known for remaining still to be caught. Another reason to wonder who gave him cause to remain in Konoha.
But for now Hinata focused on his eyes and expression. It was in this that their real conversation was being held. Idle chatter was inconsequential, they both knew what they were really talking about, and Kisame appeared to be willing.
"By chance, what would one need to obtain your considerable knowledge?"
The pirate appeared to put considerable thought to Hinata's words. Wiggling his fingers on the fishing pole as if he were only adjusting the grip, Kisame pulled a perfect sphere of water from the rushing river about the size of a child's ball. Without any warning or preamble the ball of water hurled itself none too gently straight at Hinata's head. Her reaction to the unprovoked attack would tell him a great deal.
Now they were getting to the real meat of their "discussion."
Her eyes took in everything as they talked, a piece of Hyuuga training that she'd picked up on easily as a child and which had served her well. The twitching of his fingers were noted in the back of her mind, adding to the whole sub-context she created from his actions and expressions. When the water rose from river and rushed at her she wasn't completely surprised by the action, what confused her was the lack of hostility in Kisame. Even now she didn't sense danger -- this was a test.
Hinata's hand snapped up to stop the water ball just inches from her face. To a Hyuuga's eye, the magical energy misted from her hand, merging with the water to bring it under her control. Since he was not showing any real danger in this 'attack,' Hinata chose not to return it with any. With a flick of her wrist the ball launched itself back into the river. Hinata's blank gaze watched beneath the surface, and her fingers twitched ever so slightly as the controlled water fought against the streaming current. Suddenly the ball popped out again, easily floating over to Kisame's basket to drop off a rather nice sized bass.
"It does help with the fishing, though not nearly as fulfilling."
In her lap Eki's fur near boiled as he struggled to leap out of her hold and rip, claw, and otherwise maim the pirate in anyway he could. Hinata's hand was the only thing keeping the water spirit in place, and if there had been any hostility in the attack, not even that would have stayed him.
Laughter erupted from the pirate. Oh, it had only been a minor bit of effort on his part to test the girl's reflexes and she goes and proves herself a cheeky little thing. Kisame was beginning to like the young Hyuuga more and more by the minute. Water was a heavy element, only outweighed by earth, and its inertia was something to combat. Still, she had stopped the ball, even if it was only inches from her face.
"Very nice Hinata-chan."
Ignoring the spirit's very evident anger for the moment, the pirate created several more of the wound water missles sending them flying towards the girl. The ten separate globes were smaller and faster, picking up bone breaking force with the speed they traveled at. Kisame had complete control over the water and wouldn't let more than was necessary strike Hinata, depending on whether she failed to protect herself or not. To demonstrate clearly what she would be dealing with, the sharkman let one globule zing just past her cheek to crack into the bark of a tree behind them. It audibly cracked the wood.
He was also preparing a small containment magic for the spirit, should he choose to interfere. Nothing to harm either one of them, but something to separate them. Kisame wanted to know what Hinata herself was capable of. What Hinata and her familiar could do together would come later.
She gave Eki a tight squeeze to order him still as the second volley flew. This was still merely a test, so Hinata didn't want Eki to help her... or attack the first possible teacher she'd ever met. Not that Kisame seemed to care about the water spirit's intense loathing of him.
It would take both hands to stop the increased number and speed of the incoming water. Magical energy seeped out from more than her hands this time, pushing out from her chest up to find the water. Hinata didn't bother forcing control onto all the 'missles' and instead merely deflected them to the side. She chose three coming directly at her head to steal as her own, letting them follow the path of the magic around her body to slingshot back at Kisame with added momentum than when they came at her.
One dark brow lifted as he finally noticed the actual mechanics of the girl's odd countering technique. Rather than taking control of the water itself, she was using her own energy to maneuver it. That was like trying to steer a cart barehanded when there was already a team of oxen harnessed to it; wasteful and pointless.
He however liked the speed and force with which she returned the volley. The girl would not disappoint when it came to counterattacking, at least not in training exercises. That was where it started though. Train as you would fight: as if your life depended on every move.
Half-turning towards the girl, Kisame raised one hand purely for effect and grinned broadly, letting his teeth gleam in the sunlight. Concentrating on the nature of the water, he sped up its inner motion causing it to heat up rapidly. All three globules vanished into steam. That was far easier than trying to reverse the inertia they carried. Tricks like that, while very impressive, required far too much energy. Just like Hinata's technique.
"You have a very interesting way of manipulating water. Do you always use your energy like that? As a pair of hands?" Genuine curiosity colored Kisame's mild voice. He knew that they Hyuuga excelled in energy manipulation, but he'd never been fortunate enough to see it in action. Until now, that is.
"Yes, that was the only way I knew to translate Eki's magic." Hinata was being more honest than normal in her magic only because she hoped to learn from Kisame. In her lap the agitated water spirit calmed down a little, or at least so his surface didn't boil away.
Hinata's only reference for human magic was her Hyuuga training, energy manipulation. She learned to merge her energy into the water and control it, but it required a great deal of precise concentration at times, and a large amount of stamina. The larger the spell the harder it was for her to maintain the energy level needed to control it, which is why she needed someone to teach her water magic properly.
"I manipulate the energy from my own magic and fuse it into the water, it creates the same effect that Eki's magic does, but can be consuming. Should I learn from a real water user I'm sure I could conserve more energy and produce larger spells."
Kisame nodded quietly, thinking to himself for a moment. "Raise a sphere of water from the river and hold it steady, two feet above the current. That is all."
The tone of his voice held the command of a teacher to a student, and the pirate turned his unblinking gaze onto the young Hyuuga once more. She would hold the water as well as she could while he tried to figure out precisely which point she needed to correct in her manipulation. If she was relying entirely on her own energy to manipulate the water, without feeling the connection to the element itself, they were going to have a great deal more work before them. If not, as he sincerely hoped, then they would only need to focus on her connection. Then larger spells would come much more easily, as well as smaller, finer ones.
Kisame had more than a few of those to teach Hinata as well. He folded long arms across his chest, settling back a bit more on the log, and crossed his ankles, making himself more comfortable for the observation, and lessoning to come. The pirate hadn't said as much out loud, but there was no question that he would teach the girl. Perhaps one day, when her skills were finely honed and sharp, he would face her in real combat.
Hinata nodded and moved her fingers ever so slightly to bring the water up to her. Her connection to water was strong because of her relationship with Eki. She used her magical energy to manipulate it the more intricate the need, but without her ability to feel the water out Hinata would never have been able to imitate Eki's magic as well as she did.
On command a sliver of the river snaked up and curled into a stable, placid ball hovering two feet over the water as instructed. It was a simple matter, and even for Hinata didn't cost too much energy. With that completed, Hinata waited silently for more instructions.
The pirate eyed the river spirit in Hinata's lap, not quite glaring at it. "Stop exerting your influence Spirit. This is something she needs to do on her own." Kisame turned that unblinking gaze onto the girl, observing her work with the energy.
Hinata's control was quite good. Of her own energy, anyway. The spirit's facilitation made the work much easier for Hinata, that was obvious, which was why he told it to leave the young woman be. "Drop the ball Hinata-chan. I want you to pull the water on its own, not by using your 'hands.' Now raise another."
While the girl worked, Kisame reeled in his line knowing that the bait had long since been nibbled cleanly from the hook, and stowed the pole behind his feet. He wanted to concentrate fully on Hinata's work.
Eki hissed at Kisame, flashing an excellent view of his fangs in the process. Since Eki and Hinata meet before she left Konoha, and since Hinata made sure no one in the Hyuuga manor found out Eki existed, it had been essential that his energy appeared inseparable from Hinata's. In a family that could see energy, it was dangerous for Hinata to stand out any more than she did.
Still, Hinata wanted to do as he requested and dropped the water. She set her palms over Eki's back and combed her fingers idly through his fur to calm him down. Using a physical action to guide her magic made it easier for Hinata, but it wasn't completely necessary. Focusing her eyes on the ground in front of her, Hinata felt out the river beside them, filtering out the piece she wanted and lifting it from the current.
Because of her Hyuuga training Hinata tended to either work by sight or by feel. She was used to seeing the energy, hense why she used her hands as a medium. Without the medium she worked by feel alone, explaining why she was looking at the ground now instead of the river.
One eye dark brow rose at the river spirit's hiss, and those blue-tinged lips split into another toothy smile. "You have so much energy little spirit. I'll have to bring my Samehada with me on our next visit so that you two can meet. The Samehada has a taste for energetic types." The tone of Kisame's voice would have left little doubt in anyone's mind that he was subtly threatening the river spirit.
Shaking his dark head, the pirate stood and moved behind Hinata, squatting so that his mouth was level with her ear. "No," he said, speaking softly. "Drop the water. You're still using your energy as hands, that was what I meant. Here now, hold out your arms," he commanded gently, sliding his hands beneath hers, arms going around her small body.
"I want you to concentrate on how this feels. It is a different type of energy than what you are using now. This commands the water itself, rather than using your energy to shape it. Perhaps it would be pertinent to say that it's more like being the river itself, rather than the banks which cradle it."
The pirate's smooth voice ceased as he called the water from the river to Hinata's hands, the feel of the energy commanding it cool and silky like the water itself rather than the warm, pulsing energy of the body.
Hinata's body tensed up at his approach, unsure of what he intended to do and knowing she wouldn't enjoy any of it. Even though her aversion to human contact had relaxed thanks to her time around Naruto and the kids in the orphanage, it was by no means gone. Especially when it came to people she didn't trust - Kisame definitely qualified as not to be trusted.
Her neck twitched when she felt his cold breath against her skin, and Hinata closed her eyes to help maintain her composure. The feel of his hands over her arms, lifting up and holding her hands in his own was like thousands of needles brushing her skin. They scratched and poisoned her skin with his presence, making her body stiffen with fear. Eki turned to face his master and set his paws flat against Hinata's stomach to try and sooth her. Eki's attempt to discourage Kisame's efforts were ignored in hopes of keeping Hinata calm in the face of the pirate's actions (whether they continued or not was Hinata's decision, not his).
The water teasing her fingers just added to the feeling of him surrounding her, only now with magic and not flesh. Beyond her fears and the tension locked in her muscles though, Hinata could feel the difference in their magics. Hers was controlled and contained, his was control - free, simple control. His magic entered the water itself, not manipulating it. When the water touched her skin, caressing the edges of her magic, it was like his own breath blowing against hers. But when two faces are brought so close both people can feel the air between them.
Hinata's magic, the instinctual magic that had called out to Eki when she'd fallen into the river, pressed against his control as the water touched her skin. The fear and hatred of contact focused her magic in a primal way and the more confined she became the harder her magic fought to expel his from the water in her hands.
The tension that immediately suffused the girl's muscles didn't surprise Kisame one bit. What impressed him in fact was that the girl actually sustained physical contact with him, as repulsive as she so obviously found it. That revulsion was something that the pirate was very familiar with, given his rather unique visage.
He could feel Hinata's magic slipping to the fore and beginning to mesh with his own. The further her own magic reached out, the more he pulled his back. What the Hyuuga needed to get a feel for was what actual water magic felt like, to familiarize herself with the "texture" of Water.
It was not unpleasant at all for Kisame to feel Hinata's magic. Her's was fresh and new, and extremely tentative. Luckily for the both of them the girl wasn't a fire user. With hesitation like that they'd both be burnt to a crisp in no time. Water was a much gentler element, until it decided to crush you under its weight or boil you alive from the inside out.
"Very good Hinata-chan," he whispered encouragingly, maintaining the physical contact. The pirate could sense, smell the distress in the girl over it, but he also knew that such vigilance heightening emotions could come in handy. Particularly at a time like this. However it would be a shame if the only way she could access her magic was under duress. That was just one more thing that would have to be tested out then.
"Are you understanding the difference yet?" His own magic guided hers to the essence of the water like fibrous fingers stroking over her aura.
"Yes," Hinata choked out, her body so tense that her jaw was trying to lock in place. She almost felt violated with the way his magic touched her, coaxing her on. The deeper his magic delved around her, the harder her own fought. She wanted to expel him from the water and the only way to do that was to take control of the water herself, not wrap her energy around it to manipulate it, but find the water as an extension of herself.
Hinata gnawed at her lower lip as she resisted the urge to rip out of his grasp and run. She needed his help, no matter what it took. Between her hands the water spiked out, reacting to her desire for release and freedom, but always returning to her, constrained by her need to stay still. For once she wouldn't fail in her training, because Hinata knew she could and would understand her own magic.
"It's a different kind of control. It's will, not manipulation. Purer."