Learning One Another (Solo Training)

Learning he was the new container of the two tails had been a difficult pill to swallow. However, he could understand why he’d been chosen. A mild tempered person who was unlikely to lose control, and an Uzumaki at that, made him a good choice for hosting a tailed beast. It still made him nervous, though. The tailed beasts weren’t known for trusting humans, though he wanted to try and make friends with the two tails one day. It’d be nice to cooperate with her.

And in order to start that, he’d decided to try and call upon her, and see if he could learn to access a part of her power.

He’d made his way to his team’s usual training ground, bent on meditating to communicate with her. And once he’d made it there, he found a patch of grass, sat down, and closed his eyes as he let himself slip into a meditative state. He emptied his mind of thoughts, attempting to clear the clutter from his mind. He latched onto one thought, however. ”Nibi, hear me. Lend me your strength.”

The one thing Asuka hadn’t expected was for a strange voice to actually answer him back, or for it to happen so quickly.

”You... why do you call upon me, human?”

Asuka was so startled he nearly lost focus. The two tails had actually answered his call... albeit in a rather distrustful manner. But that was to be expected. After all, she was imprisoned in the body of a human with very little chance at escaping until he died. Overall, he understood that tone of distrust, and the less than eager to help words.

“Are you Nibi? Are you the two tails?” Came his response, answering a question with another question. He had to ask, even though if it was anything else in his mind they could say they were anything, really. A stupid question, but one he still felt he had to ask. It didn’t matter that this was his mindspace, right now, all the power belonged to the Nibi.

Eventually, he received his answer.

”And what will you do if I am, little human-san?”

“Ask you to grant me the power to protect my village. Too much has happened in the past 10 years, but I feel as though the worst is yet to come.” He answered, eager and honest, almost startlingly so, in his intent. There were no lies spoken by this human, no matter what the Nibi thought. Every word from him was the truth. His wish was simple: protect his village and the people in it, no matter the cost to himself.

”Why should I trust your words? You are but a human, and humans lie, human-san.” came the response, something that had the young genin raising an eyebrow inside his mindscape. While it was true humans lied, surely the entity sharing his body would be able to sense his intent? Or was it just that her mistrust ran that deep? Either way, it had Asuka curious.

“You share my body. Imprisoned though you are, a powerful creature such as yourself must be able to sense my intent. I mean no harm, truly. I just thought... it’d be nice to protect my village and my people. Stop things like what happened to me. And maybe... make friends with the entity inside of me.” He confessed, meek as he bowed his head slightly. He could see the Nibi’s prison now, and the cat-like bijuu within.

He couldn’t exactly free her, but it did make his heart ache to see it with his own eyes, knowing that his body was a prison to this creature. He didn’t want it to be this way. Unfortunately, the young genin had no say in the matter.

“Friends? That seems like a lie, human-san.” Once again, he’d gotten a suspicious response. Matatabi was a long way from trusting him yet. He could respect her caution, though it would make it more difficult to befriend her. This time, he looked the tailed beast right in the eyes as he spoke, determined to get through to her on some level. “You may not trust me yet, and you don’t have to. I’m not asking you to lend me your power for anything mundane, either. Only in dangerous situations, and only to protect innocent lives. Do not bother to spare my life unless it’d get somebody else killed. But please, at least help me to save my villagers when needed.”

Every word spoken was said with such sincerity and conviction that Matatabi faltered, for a moment. She didn’t trust this human, and she might not ever... but he really seemed to believe what he was saying. Just as he could respect her caution with her host, she could respect his desire to help... though, she would not let it sway her opinion of him yet. He had yet to prove himself through actions.

“Human-san, do you really believe you can protect these people? Would you willingly give your life for them? And most importantly, are you strong enough, to wield my power? If you prove these things, I will grant you my power in times of need. But only in times of need. Prove yourself to me, and I will do this for you.” She finally said, still not willing to trust Asuka.

Asuka couldn’t help but let out a little gasp at Matatabi’s words. Was the Nibi really willing to give him the chance to prove himself? It almost seemed like a dream come true! Face lifting into a wide smile, Asuka was quick to respond. “Do you really mean that, Nibi? I’ll do my best to show you the kind of person I am!” He said, eyes sparkling and his whole demeanour changing to almost that of an excited puppy. Really, the young man was kind of an idiot. But, seeing his happiness was one thing that eased Matatabi just a little. Perhaps he was being sincere, after all...

She’d just have to wait and see, wouldn’t she?

“Thank you for this chance!” The young man shouted, bowing respectfully at the caged bijuu in his mindscape. “You won’t regret it!” He added, standing up and flicking his long silver locks out of his eyes. “For both our sakes, I hope you can prove yourself, human-san” she answered, barely managing to keep the amusement at his reaction out of her voice.