which contains hints about "Guardian" and some general thoughts on writing

[edenfalling]

Wrote about 500 words for NaNo -- yay fight scenes with bandits, and Totally-in-Denial!Talin.

Then I spent a couple hours laying groundwork for "The Guardian in Spite of Herself." Dude, that story is going to be so much fun to write. It's also going to take a lot of research and coordination (the characters are in different places on different missions, which are all somewhat interrelated) but if I can pull it off... whoo. I am taking shameless advantage of the Uchiha massacre and the early years of Akatsuki (they had to build the organization up somehow), and also gleefully mucking around with theories of how exactly the canon backstory fits together and how I can change it with a tweak here or there.

As for canon characters... I'm tossing Kurenai into the story, because I like her. I also really like genjutsu as a concept and she and Yukiko provide very different approaches to illusions. Kurenai is combat-oriented; Yukiko is very much not. There is a woman -- Suzume, I think? -- who does clerical work of some sort in Konoha. If anyone knows about her, please tell me details. Also, any details on Ibiki and Ebisu would be greatly appreciated, as well as the exact date for the founding of Hidden Sound. And maps. If anyone has a good map of the continent, I'd be very grateful.

(I'm going to research myself, of course, but my research consists mostly of rereading the manga to get a sense of the characters in action. If you have access to other sources of character information, please tell me. I reserve the right to blatantly contradict stuff I don't like, but I'd like to know exactly what I'm contradicting.)

Kakashi, Iruka, and Naga will be returning, as well as some new original characters, most notably Fuuma Seichi, a Leaf jounin who specializes in quiet deaths. This contrasts with Kakashi, who seems to have specialized in messier, more public deaths -- it's the difference between a blatant show of power and intimidation and the quiet chill that runs up the back of your neck because someone might be watching you, right behind you, and you'd never be able to tell... *rubs hands gleefully*

Oh, this is going to be such fun! World-building, character development, desperate searches running out of time, little kids getting into the middle of terrible situations, revenge, redemption, information and disinformation, misdirection, the way things do and don't connect... Yeah, it's going to be fun. Heck, I may even experiment with cliffhangers. :-)

I've been looking back over my stories and I haven't used cliffhangers, with the single exception of Naga's backstory. I meant to use one between the announcement of Yukiko and Akaro's fight and the actual scene in the arena, but the pacing didn't work out that way. It's a technique I'm interested in mastering. "Guardian" will also be a way for me to practice split storylines and multiple POV voices, and an experiment in tying multiple plot strands together so they -- hopefully! -- arrive at a conclusion more or less at once. I'm doing that on a lesser scale in my NaNo novel (only two POV characters, though there are many, many plot threads) and it's a definite stretch for me as a writer, something I've only really been learning to do for a year or so.

You have to keep trying new things. What's the point if you don't?

Comments

[alliancesjr.livejournal.com]

(Made my way here from Fanfic.net, big fan of the writing *nodnod*)

There is a woman -- Suzume, I think? -- who does clerical work of some sort in Konoha. If anyone knows about her, please tell me details.

There's a Shizune, but she's Tsunade's friend/aide/confidante. Not sure if that's the same person you're talking about, but I don't recall any other similar-type person.

[valles-uf.livejournal.com]

Shizune is, as far as I've been able to figure out, Sakura's predecessor under Tsunade's instruction. (And, also, incidentally, likely an Unryuu, since Tonton is almost certainly Akamaru's porcine counterpart and we never see anything of the sort in Tsunade's flashbacks) 'Special Assistant to the Godaime' you might say, or just note her down as Tsunade's Girl Friday.

Suzume is the name I've heard attached to the annoying woman with the afro and the thick glasses who was assigned to fill the younger kunoichi's heads with all that flower nonsense.

Why, -no-, I don't approve of their being taught flower arrangement, why do you ask?

Ja, -n

[edenfalling]

Hmm. Was she in the manga, or is she anime-only? I only recall her from fics, but then, there are a number of apparently 'named' characters (Genma, Raidou, etc.) about whom I know diddly-squat, who apparently have fanfiction written about them.

As for flower-arrangement, well, that depends on why they were taught. It could be useful for undercover spying/assassination missions, since kunoichi might often have to imitate geisha or highborn women in order to get close to their targets, but I wouldn't think the girls would need more than a basic proficiency for that. If, however, they were taught because all girls need to know it regardless of how irrelevant it may be to their chosen professions, then yeah, that's irritating.

[valles-uf.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Was she in the manga, or is she anime-only?

If anything, she's -manga- only. I know she showed up in the manga sequence where we were flashing back to Ino and Sakura's early relationship (during their fight in the prelims, I think), but I don't recall seeing her in the anime version.

For the flower thing, I think that the infiltration thing is indeed the reason given for it - but frankly, that's bullshit. Who spends more time alone with the secret documents, after all: the lord's concubine, or the maid who has to dust the room? Who has a better line on the palace gossip chain? Who has a better chance to poison a given cup of tea, the Geisha serving the stuff in plain sight or the cook who gets everything ready beforehand?

In this case, I don't think that what's being -said- by the characters and what's being -assumed- by them are in any way similar - and even if they were, the harm the altered emphasis does to the girls' overall effectiveness and mindset (Ino and Sakura, 'nuf said) is more than that single skill set could possibly be worth.

Ja, -n

[deralte.livejournal.com]

Suzume's in both the manga and anime as the teacher of the flower arrangement class.

I usually check up my naruto info on wikipedia of all places, since people tend to update there rather quickly. It's not complete, but it's the best place to get info on the characters, outside the data books. Naruto geography (and map) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naruto_geography#Hidden_Villages), Naruto characters (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Characters_of_Naruto)

[edenfalling]

Thank you! That map is irritatingly hard to read (the numbered countries do not have a corresponding legend and the colors make the ninja symbols illegible, *grrr*) but useful. I am definitely going to play fast and loose with some of the village/country characteristics -- for one thing, I violently dislike using 'elemental' systems more than I absolutely have to -- but it's good to have a sense of what is where.

Hmm. Perhaps I should go back to "Apartment Manager" and insert a comment somwhere that the three Mist-nin are playful in part because their village tests are much harsher than 'international' standards, even after the fight-to-the-death graduation exams were abolished. So in a way, they simply can't take the chuunin exam all that seriously. *knocks self upside the head for not remembering Zabuza's backstory beforehand*

I shall have to fit some monstrous animals and ridiculously oversized weapons in "Guardian," just to remind everyone that this is the Naruto world. *smiles angelically*

[deralte.livejournal.com]

I tend to just be very general with my Naruto geography. It's not like Kishimoto isn't *g* What I like is that even though Naruto is set in Fire Country and they do prominently use fire techniques, they also use a hell of a lot of other techniques (*cough*because fire never seems to work*cough*) and obviously used to use other techniques a lot more - witness the first two hokages and their specialities of growing trees and water/ice respectively (which is both funny and appropriate for a village set in fire country).

In one of the stories I wrote recently, I pointed out that the Mist nin not only have a harsher system, but that they're considered old fashioned by ninja standards, which was a fun point to make, even if it was a throwaway comment in a humour fic.

Whenever writing Naruto fight scenes, there's always a point where you just have to say, "screw realism" and throw in some giant bunnies and bloodline limits;)

[deralte.livejournal.com]

I was making icons, and I discovered I have another map of Naruto world that might be useful to you, even if it sort of contradicts the other ones (Oops...)

Of course, I can't get it to upload, so I'll just link you to where I found it in the first place - fifth picture down (http://www.naruto-world.com/narutoanimebook.php).

[edenfalling]

No, not Shizune. I know who Shizune is, and there's no reason for her to get involved in my storyline at present. *sigh*

[karit.livejournal.com]

...wow. If that's going to be half as interesting to read as I think it will be, I'm gonna be one happy reader. Really, I can't even imagine how hard it'll be for you to write that. But I think if anyone can do it, you can. I certainly don't know any other authors I'd want writing it. :)

[edenfalling]

I'm starting to think I may split November between NaNo and "Guardian," just so I have a good base to work from in December. If I can get a couple chapters written and outline before I start releasing it, that will give me a big advantage in making sure the story as a whole hangs together.

[askerian]

Shizune is Tsunade's assistant/student. At first glance she appears rather shy and plain, but she's a very good medic nin and she has these neat throwing thingies in her sleeves. I need to find you screencaps. She also gets very very pissed off if someone tries to hurt Tsunade (emotionally at least -- tsunade can fight on her own) She didn't hesitate to stand between Tsunade and Orochimaru and Kabuto. ^^ Once Tsunade is hokage, she spends her time carrying reports and papers and trying to make tsunade work more. XD

If you meant Suzume the teacher, the only things we know is that she's rather a stereotype/caricature of the teacher with frizzy hair and big nerdy glasses. She gave me a bit of a trelawney vibe, if you see what I mean. She's in charge of the flora discovery/flower arrangement class and probably other kinds of kunoichi-only lessons, too.

Map of the five countries!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1003/Asher/map_countries.jpg

About Kurenai and Ibiki... :

Yuuhi Kurenai
Kurenai's the teacher for Hinata's team. Even though she's female, she's the newest addition to the Jounin group. She respects Kakashi a great deal and refers to him as "Kakashi-senpai"

Morino Ibiki
Captain of the Leaf Village interrogation (aka, torture) team, Ibiki is the instructor for the first chunnin exam. Kakashi (as well as many other jounins), consider him a sadist. Kakashi silently pities his students for being under his supervision because of that fact. But Kakashi also acknowledges Ibiki in not only having skills of torturing physically, but also mentally.


Ebisu is a special jounin, not a full jounin. He's an instructor, tutoring selected students. he's Konohamaru's tutor. He despised naruto at first, but he changed his mind after seeing him train and help konohamaru change his attitude. He acts stuffy, and he's proud of his abilities as a teacher. He makes me think of Faith's watcher, what's his name again? Wesley?

As for the founding of Hidden Sound, it wasn't said, but I know where you can get an idea...
http://forums.narutofan.com/showthread.php?t=12409


AKATSUKI!!! EEEEE. *_______________* ohhhh that sounds so awesome. *waits* *waiiiiits*

[valles-uf.livejournal.com]

Ebisu is a special jounin, not a full jounin.

I've heard this relative ranking stated different ways in several different places, but I've never seen a single thing in either anime or manga that'd make me think a special jounin ranked -less- than a normal one. Seems to me that it'd logically be the other way around - that is, a Special is a Jounin who happens to have other skills -beyond- those normally expected of someone of that rank. Is it established in the databooks, somewhere, or...?

Ja, -n
(*curious*)

[edenfalling]

The argument I've heard is that a special jounin is jounin-level in one or two areas, but not really able to match full jounin outside those areas. *shrug* Your idea makes equal sense to me.

[askerian]

hmm, not sure actually, but the idea I got was a little mixed up -- special jounin might be one full jounin that specializes in one thing, or someone who is jounin-level in one area of expertise, like strategy or healing or whatnot, but isn't quite up to normal jounin standards for the rest. I should look for my sources. *google-fu!!*

[askerian]

Tokubetsu Jonin
(Tokubetsu jōnin, 特別上忍, literally "Specialised high ninja") Tokubetsu Jōnin are ninja who, rather than all-around Jōnin training, have chosen to specialise in a single area of the training. They are elite specialists in their areas and are often assigned as subordinates to regular Jōnin when their services are needed.

hmm. that was one of the free encyclopedias thingers. I wonder how reliable they are.

[askerian]

aaaaand list that might be useful

http://www.tokubetsu-jounin.net/tokubetsu.html

[valles-uf.livejournal.com]

*flails* Ahh! Preciousss! -Helps- us! It buuuuuuurrrrnnnnnsssssssss...

*makes face* Meh. And I'd already set the Tokubetsu up as the heads of Konoha's various administrative and field service command divisions... Could maybe still work, as one of the things I'd been working into that was that they were given those posts in part because their unique skills demanded that they stay where they could be found easily if needed - ie, in Konoha... so they wouldn't neccessarily get the same field experience as their line service equivalents.

Hmm.

I need to think about this some more.

Ja, -n

[edenfalling]

OMG TIMELINE. *LOVES YOU*

I'm already ignoring Kakashi's age and I'd move Itachi's birthday back at least a year, because he looks older than 13 when he officially goes bugfuck crazy, but that's very useful stuff.

I made vague references in "Apartment Manager" to there being a decade of peace (barring the Kyuubi), so I want to push the start of Yondaime's tenure as Hokage back a year or two. That makes sense given that I've already made Kakashi older than this timeline would make him. It also works with Naga's backstory, in which I think I said that she was really young (maybe a toddler?) when Orochimaru was run out of Konoha. She's 13 during "Apartment Manager," and Orochimaru split right around when Yondaime was chosen, so a decade makes a lot of sense. 4 years of Yondaime's rule + 6 years since Kyuubi = 10 years until the start of "Apartment Manager," which does happen right around Naruto's 6th birthday. Yay for happy coincidences!

Shizune is mad cool, especially her throwing things. It's like miniature wrist crossbows that shoot needles, except totally not, but... gah. Yeah. She will not be appearing in this story, because she is off trying to keep Tsunade out of trouble.

If Suzume is the irritating teacher, who is this Ayame listed in the timeline? (And I flat-out refuse to believe that Ebisu is older than Kakashi. Fortunately, in my universe, he isn't! Hehehe.)

[valles-uf.livejournal.com]

Ayame wa Ramen-no-Neechan dattebayo! =^_^=

aka, That Chick Who Works At The Ichiraku.

Ja, -n
(who has a brain for trivia)

[askerian]

!! oi, stop replying before me XD *will race you next time!!*

[edenfalling]

Oh, right, ramen girl. Completely useless character, at least in the context I wanted. *sigh*

Correction

[maxhrk.livejournal.com]

athough i should point out that Ayame is being shown on Anime only, not in Manga. I haven't see Ayame in any manga chapter so far. *shrug*

but you can always throw her in just for fun.. heh.

[askerian]

hohohohohoho. I was linked when I asked about stuff for my kakashi/itachi/sasuke ages thinger. It's so useful. *pets it gently*

Ayame is the ramen girl. XD she's the daughter of Ichiraku-san (i forget his first name) (and seeing as all we know is that she's a smiling girl who works at a ramen shop, it's astonoshing the number of kakashi x ayame fics i've seen... wy helo thar thinly-veiled canon-sue...)

[alliancesjr.livejournal.com]

There's just something about a pretty girl who knows how to handle a noodle...

[edenfalling]

*headdesk*

Shizune's needle throwers

[(Anonymous)]

I figured that she just took some standard senbon trap devices and strapped them to her arm - safer that way than trying to dip a needle in whatever poison or knockout drops she might like to use on them, and it means she also has them literally ready to hand if she decides to set them up as traps.

Ton-ton as a nin pig is a conclusion I'd come to also, but I'm half-sold on Valles' notion that Shizune herself is some more or less distant relation to the Uchiha clan, from a branch that developed a different specialty because the Sharingan stopped manifesting in them. Given the conditions required to activate higher levels of the ability, it may be that they were just too mentally stable to have their eyes go red like that...

- ClassicDrogn

Re: Shizune's needle throwers

[edenfalling]

I think all Uchiha tend to be somewhat... overly sensitive? Emotionally reactive? Something like that. They take things harder than other people might, and have obsessive tendencies to some degree. I think the ones who go all stoic and harsh are probably overcompensating, or have just burned out after a while.

But that doesn't necessarily mean mental instability, as such. Just a greater risk of instability, which is exacerbated by their chosen professions. (Killing people for a living is not really a good idea if you want to keep sensitive people from going a bugfuck crazy.)

I'm going with a theory Asuka mentioned once, that the Yuuhi (Kurenai's clan) are an offshoot of the Uchiha, which would explain why Kurenai's eyes are red (and possibly also why she's a genjutsu expert). The Sharingan is already a mutable sort of thing, with it's various stages, so that isn't outside the realm of possibility.

Hmm. I can't remember -- is it canon that the Sharingan is a mutated version of the Byakugan, or is that just a fanon theory?

o.o? I give you fanart?

[gabriel-chaos.livejournal.com]

Re: o.o? I give you fanart?

[(Anonymous)]

That is pretty good fanart. :)

SQUEEE!!!!!

[edenfalling]

...

Yes. That IS Yukiko as a chuunin. Of course she'd use a sky-blue shirt instead of a jacket, now that she has her official Chuunin Vest of Doom. I like the pants too, with the random useful cargo pockets. :-)

*LOVES YOU FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER*

...

Nobody's ever given me fanart before. *hugs picture tightly*

Re: SQUEEE!!!!!

[gabriel-chaos.livejournal.com]

O.o? Glad you like it. ^_______________________^