Nearly Burning Down the Neighborhood [Private]

Laden with shopping bags, Azami returned to her apartment, struggling to hold everything while getting her key in the door. One bag almost took a tumble, her newfound balance kicking in at the last moment as she shifted to keep it from tilting over. With things back under control, she took a moment to breath a sigh of relief before at last unlocking the door and letting herself inside. She set her bags on the table before walking back to the door. First, she locked the deadbolt, then slipped the chain in place, feeling a measure of false safety return.

Putting her purchases away made everything start to feel right in the world again. Empty cupboards began to look less barren as foodstuffs went onto the shelves. As she finished storing everything, only the empty bags and her books remained on the table. She hung the bags in the closet by the front door and then returned, picking up the Jutsu Encyclopedia as she was on her way past to the couch.

Sitting down with her feet curled up underneath, she thumbed open the tome on her lap. A set of instructions lay just behind the cover. Turn to page thirty-six and review Katon Style: Fire Stream. Technique will be performed tomorrow. "Fire style huh?", she thought as she began thumbing through the pages to thirty-six.

The first thing she noticed on the page was the symbol of her clan, the uchiwa fan with it’s red crescent shape forming the top of the paddle with it’s white handle. Interest immediately piqued, she read on. The Uchiha clan created this technique as a step stone to learning Kaiton Style: Great Fireball. After the eruption of the volcano and scattering of the clans, this technique too became widespread. It is performed using a half tiger seal. The user molds chakra in their chest, breathing it out as fire. Users can expect to create a fiery conflagration up to three meters away with a corresponding width and height of three meters.

“Well, I suppose I won’t be practicing that one before bed.”, she commented to herself as she continued reading about the jutsu. First it explained how to form the half tiger seal, referencing the end of the book where an appendix of hand seals was located. After reading the section and referencing the pictures, she gave it a try with each hand, manipulating her fingers into the shape.

“Well, that’s not so hard… let’s see here. Next it says you mold chakra in the lungs...”, she rambled to herself as the description went on about visualization techniques. Inhale and imagine you are sucking in fire like a fire eater. Feel it warming your chest, then breath out with force, the book advised.

“Yeah, I can totally do that.”, she said, feeling confident as she closed her eyes. Half tiger seal, inhale and imagine drinking in the fire. Feel the warmth. Hot.

“Oh, shit!”, her mind raced as her eyes flew open. Her chest felt hotter and hotter as she scrambled off the couch and dashed across the room towards the balcony. She clawed at the sliding glass door, ripping it open to stumble out onto the balcony. She opened her mouth, finally exhaling. Out roiled a gout of flame at least two meters long, getting abruptly cut off as she began to choke and cough. The mist in the air sizzled as it burnt off violently, vaporizing the tiny airborne droplets.

Azami slumped against the rail of the balcony, the burning feeling subsiding slowly in her chest. “Yeah, you can totally do that one, stupid.”, she thought to herself, cheeks reddening in embarrassment. She could have burned down the whole apartment building. Now she knew why they kept these sorts of scrolls behind lock and key at home.

Home. That was a place she couldn’t go anymore. Feeling weary and suddenly somewhat depressed, she turned to go back inside, climbing into bed to the hope that sleep would take her and her loneliness away.

[Exit]

Claims:

approved big dawg