Clan Name: Nekomata
Village: Formerly Hidden Grass, Presently apart of hidden leaf.
<History>
The Nekomata clan is a smaller clan from the hidden grass village. This clan utilizes the agility and grace of their animal companions, the cat. Their techniques rely greatly on them having their feline partners.
Their origins come from a small group of ninja, generations ago, fascinated by the larger cat families. They seemed to be particularly captured by the speed and power of the beasts. The clan began studying the graceful creatures obsessively, learning the ins and outs of their hunting strategies, learning from them. The cats showed the basic principals of the ninja, speed, stealth, and finally the kill. Such immersion with the creatures caused the clan's members to evolve as they continued to practice their jutsus learned from the cats. As time and generations passed, the clan soon adopted many of the characteristics from their beloved felines.
They are little known amongst the more powerful and better known clans, but they seek to make a name for themselves and to be seen on par as with their rival, the Inzuka clan. The rivalry dates further back then either clan can recall, but the legend of what began the rivalry was simply as a wolf from the Inzuka clan chased and killed the head of the Nekomata clan's favorite cat. Even without real knowledge of why the two clans clashed as if they were truly cats and dogs, The Nekomata's still seek to overcome their canine rivals.
The clan members display a great number of traits similar to their familiars. Their eyes have the same colors and slits as the cat they are given when they become of age, these eyes also grant their owner night vision, as their cat partners have. They also exhibit many of cat like mannerisms, such as how they clean themselves, often purr and especially their distaste for dogs. Most importantly, they are noted for their tails and ears, though majority of them keep their tails hidden. Also, most younger clan members are easily distracted by fluttering objects or other things they can play with.
<The Hunt>
A Nekomata clansman is given the opportunity to gain recognition among the clan when they graduate from the ninja Academy; this is when they truly connect to their clan and their heritage. One chooses a partner in “Hunt.” The hunt in its most basic form is the ritual binding of a Ninja and their familiar. These hunts consist on 2 ninja and their Cat partners, though Nekomata share a bond with their cat from near birth they are not counted as a true partner among the clan until the Hunt is complete. The hunt lasts for 7 days, where the newly graduated ninjas must “hunt” a previously selected person from the clan. This could be a sensei or any higher ranked ninja of the clan. The objective of the hunt is for the Genin to “Tag” their quarry by sticking them with a special florescent ink (though this was at one point a much more violent ritual.) Once this is complete they return to the village. This hunt is made so that Genin will learn to work with their feline partner as well as their teammate. Those who succeed in the Hunt are granted station as true partners and are considered “of age,” while those who fail are left to wallow in self pity… until they attempt again, though this can be attempted once each year. This ritual Hunt is treated with great respect and steeped in great tradition. It is not uncommon for one to fail and retake it many times.
Some say the hunt was started when, generations ago, the then current leader of the clan sent a team of two Genin to hunt down and spy on a suspected spy in the ranks of the the clan, though the leader was not serious, as he doubted that’s the tow could accomplish the feat, he was frustrated, the two Genin followed these orders and stalked him for seven days and reported the news to the leader that this shinobi was indeed selling secrets of the Nekomata to the highest bidder. The leader was amazed at the abilities of these “children” and accepted them as “adults” and treaded them with great respect from then on. This is the basis of the “Hunt” or so this is the story passed down through the generations.
<The Jealousy - the feuding of the clans>
How it started is not precisely known, all that either clan can remember is animosity towards one another. Whether this is from adapting to the characteristics of their respective animals, the Nekomata and the Izunka have feuded for a near eternal time.
One such tale comes from the Nekomata that at the beginning of the creation of the clan. It is said that the great leader of the clan’s favorite pet cat had disappeared; he had not seen the cat in days. This was a normal occurrence since, well, it is a cat after all but this time, and this time he had an odd feeling about it. It had been six days since he had seen the cat, usually it comes around periodically through the day but this time it had not. He went out looking for the cat. It took him less than ten minutes to sniff out the smell… Blood. He trailed after the smell, though it seemed to be getting farther away rather than closer. He trailed the smell, it seemed to be slowing. He discovered mere minutes later a great shaggy dog, its muzzle covered in blood sleeping in an ally way. Stricken with grief and rage at the beast he killed it. He later found out that this dog belonged to Izunka clan, already at odds with the other clan for minor political reasons he took this as a personal attack on his clan and became so furious with the “Clan of beasts” that he refused to partake in any political meeting with them. Over the yeas this degenerated in to just a pure animosity between the clans.
This is just one of the many rumors and tails of the feud of the clans, no one is sure why, nor does it seem that anyone cares. The feud will continue, likely forever, like that of the cat and the dog.
<Descriptive goodness>
The clan members display a great number of traits similar to their familiars. These traits slowly develop though, after they gain their familiar. Their eyes slowly become more feline, their eyes slowly fade into those of their cat. Their irises slowly stretch into slits like those of the cats as well. Usually this complete change takes a year but there are cases that have only taken a week and some that have taken a few years. Their eyes grant a cat like night vision, being able to see further in the dark than a normal persons.
They also exhibit a lot of cat like mannerisms, such as how they clean themselves. They often purr and especially their distaste for dogs. Most importantly, they are noted for their tails and ears. They are born with these, though it takes many years to develop into a full tail. The tail continues to grow through a Nekos life, albeit it does slow down but it never truly quits. Great respect is cast towards those with the longest tails it shows that they have been through much; they are the venerable old ones of the clan. Though majority of them keep their tails hidden, they do adorn them when young. The ears are also like those of a cat which allow better, more sensitive hearing. All Nekomata are born with retractable “claws” in their fingers. Claws in this case means razor sharp bone shaped like claws that can be extended out of the finger, this is and odd skill because rather than extending them they actually “grow” out of the finger. This is the only bone in the Nekomata body capable of this ability. There is only one documented case of a neko having a mutated bone structure, giving this the ability all the bones in “its” body. This is an ancient story though. No one is sure if there is any truth in it anymore.
The younger clan members are easily distracted by fluttering objects or other things they can play with, a trait they share with their cat partners.
<A Familiar beginning>
Generally a Nekomata gains his or her partner during their early years. This can be as young as 5 but generally around 7. No one, not even the Nekomata themselves truly understand the process, though the Elders speculate. It seems that every Neko child is born with their life already linked to that of their partner. Usually through some event in that person’s early life they will meet their feline familiar. This could be anything from walking down a street to meeting a panther in the forest that saves their life. Cat familiars can be anything from ordinary house cats to wild cats to tigers, though the latter is rarer in these days. It also seems that ones familiar is dependant on their amount of chakra. Again, in legends of the true beginning of the Nekomata it is said that their founder had bound to him two albino tigers, though this is undocumented it has a strong basis of truth.
None since then have ever had two partners. A cat usually has the same demeanor of its partner ninja and for the most part respects them. If a ninja dies, his familiar will mourn the loss of his or her master for seven days, and then wander off into the wilderness. It is possible for the same cat to have a few partners through out its life, though for some reason, the usually stay with the same family. If a ninja’s familiar is to die in the service of its master then the master will do the same as the cat, mourn for seven days, then go on with their life. The respect the dead but do not hold themselves by it. It is not unheard of for a ninja to gain another companion but it is still, very rare.
Neko~Nin Info:
Nekomata ninja are spiritually tied to their animal partner from birth, though it is though their own ability that they must find their linked partner. Nekomata, once finding and gaining the trust of their partner gain the ability to speak with them and all other felines. While to most ninja, an animal companion is simply a ninja tool to be used, the animals employed by the Nekomata clan are more then tools, they are part of themselves, in a sense.
Due to the bond shared by the Nekomata and their felines, only one jutsu need be sacrificed instead of two, to obtain their partner. Elder Nekomata and their companions share much time and experience together in many things. During character creation, Nekomata who have ten years of experience with their partner a lot the same number of stats at the owner, save five. For any less then that amount of time, they lose an additional five.
Nekomata familiars are not separate characters in their own right, but instead they are an addition to the nekomata character, with their own personality.
~|ACADEMY|~
- Cat's Foresight [Neko no Yoken]
The Nekomata clan have a "sixth sense" of impending danger. Given the severity of the oncoming danger to them, the clan members can discern that something is about to happen, not necessarily what or where, just that it will happen. Elder or more intelligent Nekomata can discern their sense more then the younger ones.
| Passive | Nekomata Birthright | Every 3 intelligence adds 1 effective agility. (Only counts toward dodging)
- Dark Sight [Kuro no Joukei]
The eyes of the Nekomata clan are the same eyes as that of their feline companions. They possess the ability to see through darkness far superior to a normal human.
| Passive | Nekomata Birthright
- Cat's Claws [Neko no Tsume]
As natural cats do, Nekomata clan members have claws that retract into their fingertips. The claws are up to three inches in length each. These claws are used in most Nekomata taijutsu.
| Chakra- 1 (To regrow when lost per finger) | Damage- 1/4 strength + 3/4 agility | Nekomata Birthright | Hand attacks only. Counts as weapon, not jutsu.
~|GENIN|~
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Cat Pounce [Neko no Kyuushuu]A basic Nekomata jutsu that uses a very small, yet sudden chakra surge to the legs coupled with strong form to suddenly leap from a crouched position and spring upon their enemies. More chakra can be used for faster movement, and masters could come quite close to detaching an enemy's head with the skill.
| Chakra- 10(Inc5) | Damage- 5+Strength(Inc5) | Genin | Can pay one Inc per rank (Genin=1, Jounin=3, etc.)
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Phantom Claw [Tsume no Maboroshi]Focusing chakra to the tip of the claws, the Nekomata can create an extension to the slash. Additional chakra can extend the chakra claws additionally. The chakra extends each claw 3, 6 or 9 inches.
| Chakra- 10, 20 or,30 (per hand) | Damage- current damage + 5 | Genin; Lasts 5 posts; Must have claws
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Steel Tail [Hagane Bibu]In order to keep their movements fluid, Nekomata need to retain their balance in any situation. Their tail has been thought to be a weakness or a liability, but in reality it helps them retain their balance while fighting, moving or, even remaining still. This jutsu enhances their tail from simply being a counter balance to being a weapon itself, focusing chakra into the taill and stiffening the fur allows it to become an effective weapon.
| Chakra- 10 to activate, 5 to maintain | Damage- Strength | Genin
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Claw Bullet [Tsumetama]By forcing a large amount of chakra into their claws very quickly, the Nekomata clan has the ability to launch those claws out from their fingertips. Through an unknown physiological process, the Nekomata does not feel any pain from the action.
| Chakra- 2 (per claw) | Damage- 5 (per claw) | Advanced Genin | Unusable by partner; must have claws
~|CHUUNIN|~
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Claw Frenzy [Tsume no Gyakujou]By using quick, fluid and constant bursts of chakra, the Nekomata is capable of performing up to six strikes in such a rapid succession that they appear simply as a blur to most ninja. No more then six strikes can be performed at a time do to the strain in the user's muscles. Even six will cause pain to the Nekomata.
| Chakra- 20 | Self Damage- 6 | Damage- Current Slash Damage x 6 strikes | Chuunin | Must have claws
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Cat Cannonball [Neko Kyanonbo-ru]By infusing chakra into the fur of his animal companion, this creates a protective barrier around the animal. The cat, ustilizing even more chakura, launches itself in the intended direction, curing into a ball and creating a mild destructive force.
| Chakra- 30 | Damage- 40 | Protects 20 points of damage during the jutsu | Chuunin | Unusable by partner
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Hunter's stance [Karyuudo Sutancu]The Nekomata can focus chakura into their minds and other senses to heighten their perceptions. This grants them the ability notice shifts in the environment, be it sounds or shifts in sight, acting like a true predator.
| Chakra- 15 to activate, 5 to maintain | Chuunin | Must know Foresight
~|JOUNIN|~
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Catnip [Neko no Shouhen]This genjutsu is preformed by creating a vibration in the vocal chords, creating a purring sound. It causes the target to feel like a kitten after being given catnip. The victims becomes very lazy and euphoric and will render them all unable for combat for a short time, leaving him vulnerable for attack.
| Chakra- 40 | Jounin | Unusable by partner; Lasts 4 posts or until hostile action is taken.
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Hunting ground [Daichi no Kari]The jutsu adapts the user to its current surrounding, creating a primal instinct and intense familiarity with the current surroundings. The user gains stripes or spots that cover his body and blend best in the area, allowing them to blend and conceal themselves better in addition to granting them the ability to utilize their surroundings more advantageously and silently.
| Chakra- 25 per post | Intelligence +2 | Jounin | Must know Hunter's Stance
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Infecting Slash: Bleeding Claw [Kansen Kiritateru; Shuketsu Tsume]This jutsu infuses a strong amount of chakra into the users claw, taking a single, powerful swipe at the enemy. The chakra draws in bacterium that infects the wound made by the slash. The infected wound begins to bleed profusely, draining more health away from the victim of the attack.
| Chakra- 40 | Damage- 1.5x(Attack damage); 5 bleeding damage per turn | Lasts until wound is healed, cannot be healed before 3rd turn | Jounin | Must have claws; Must know Phantom Claw
~|SPECIAL JOUNIN|~
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Infecting Slash: Draining Claw [Kansen Kiritateru; Nagasu Tsume]This jutsu functions much like the Bleeding Claw. Chakra draws in bacteria, but this sort attacks the chakra circulatory system. The wound will bleed out chakra instead of blood, but the effect remains the same.
| Chakra- 50 | Damage- 1.5x(Attack damage) | Chakra Damage- Attack damage; 5 bleeding damage per turn | Lasts until wound is healed, cannot be healed before 3rd turn | Special Jounin | Must know Bleeding Slash
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Cat Fur Suffocation [Neko no Kegawahachissoku]This genjutsu causes the victim to see hundreds and hundreds of cats. With the cats comes a cloud of cat fur, the victim then begins coughing and sneezing uncontrollably, making it difficult for him to breathe.
| Chakra- 45 | Special Jounin | Lasts 5 posts
~|S-RANK|~
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Ultimate Hunter [Kyuukoku Karyuudo]Final level of the hunting ability. The Nekomata gains an even greater sense for their surroundings, even the slightest sounds or minor movement unable to slip by them unnoticed. Their bodies take on complete resemblance to the great cat native to whatever terrain type they currently occupy. Their movement is flawless within the environment around them and their bodies are easily concealed by their environments, even in plain sight they can be difficult to see. Even the users strength is slightly heightened, drawing on the strength of the great predator they imitate.
|Chakra- 80 to activate; 35 to maintain per post | Agility +4 Strength +2 | S-Rank | Must know Hunting Ground
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Strike of the Ninth Life [Dageki Kokonotsu Itonami]The ultimate attack in terms of Nekomata techniques. This attack is a focused burst of energy, channeling pain and rage through the body into a single, focused point, where it would hold until released into an external point. The focused part of the body glows with a red chakra until it strikes another living being, being plant or animal. This attack wears heavy on the nekomata body, draining much of the remaining reserves. Using this technique can greatly risk the life of its user, even once can drain them to the point of death. Any more is certain to kill them. This technique is considered forbidden, because is leaves the lives of both the nekomata and his familiar in peril.
| Chakra- 85; 40 to hold past first turn | Self Damage- 50% of current HP | Damage- Total HP - Current HP = Damage | S-rank, Kinjutsu | Cannot be used more then once per thread; cannot be used by familiar; Must know Infecting Slash; Bleeding Claw and Infecting Slash; Draining Claw
Claw Of The White Tiger
Description:
This is a Nekomata martial art where their obvious characteristics are used to their limits. Training in assessing situations efficiently with hand to hand combat and close range weaponry combat though their selection of weapons are quite short. This style utilizes an assorted amounts of striking, locking, and take down methods to gain the upper hand on opponents. The main appeal of this taijutsu are the beautifully choreographed movements which makes full use of their agility which is number one in their specialties.
Movement:
The pattern of movements were created using four specific formations that hold some significant meaning to the religious aspect of this taijutsu style. The first is the circle meaning eternal life and tranquility , peace. The second is the Star which means many outcomes are a possibility in life. The third is the Zig Zag which means always another way to make sense of a situation. The fourth is the Intercepting Paths the meaning of this is life's design, is hard to make sense of.
Formations:
The Circle:
This is the first formation the Nekomata learn in the earliest stages of the their training. The diagram of this formation are 9 evenly spread circles about a training dummy, this is basically used for striking and throwing to successfully counter their opponents wide and boorish movements. This allows the Nekomata to stay a step ahead and keep his opponent guessing where he or she will strike next.
The Star:
The diagram of this formation are many different circles which obviously mean many possible outcomes of attack and evasion. This formation calls for the most agility, dexterity, and quick reaction of any of the four. Using this pattern the Nekomata makes full use of the legs mostly even though hands are required to fully master this. Fully utilizing kicks, leg locks, and trips and dodging ability a Nekomata can easily overwhelm the opponent and put them in very bad positions.
The Zig Zag:
This is the third and least technical of the four, this formation only requires practice of the movements and superb knowledge of striking, blocks, and throws. In this pattern the Nekomata use this to ensure foot placement and use this as the main movement for killing strikes. Switching their feet to shift weight to desired areas to efficiently attack open areas of the opponent and branch of into other formations.
Intercepting Paths:
This is the last of the formations which calls for mastery off everything prior mentioned. In order to master this the Nekomata must have superb knowledge in all aspects of the Nekomata taijutsu. Using every weapon they have in their arsenal to gain the upper hand. Though this formation specifically teaches the student how to twirl and shift about to make full use of his opponents faults.
Genin:
Claw of the White Tiger [Stage: 1]
This is the first stage where the Nekomata are introduced to the style, this studying is promoted since this is the path to attaining greatness. They each receive text books where they must study and memorize all of the stances , strikes, and other combat techniques. Once they memorize them they receive leg weights which they must wear for the remainder of their training. After they receive the weights they begin training.
| Passive | Adds 1/4 agility to damage | Genin
Claw of the White Tiger [Stage: 2] (The Circle)
This is the second stage after months of training and toning their bodies to be able to handle this formation. They are then escorted to a cave where millions of circular discs with wooden dummies in the center are suspended by wires to the cave ceiling above a bottomless pit. Here is where they Nekomata begin to master full utulization of all they've learned so far. Though the trick is to keep their weight ever shifting between the legs since the disc will plummet to the depths below once too much weight is concentrated into one spot.
| Passive | Agility +2 Strength +1 | Advanced Genin
Chuunin:
Claws of the White Tiger [Stage: 3]
This is the third stage where the Nekomata students will begin an amount of high level leg training. This training includes long hours of trekking, class races, and leg wrestling and games of tag. In this stage the Nekomata's legs become unbelievably strong from such stress and training. Though this builds their resistance to fatigue in the legs for the next formation.
| Passive | Agility +3 | Chuunin
Claws Of the White Tiger [Stage: 4 ] (The Star)
This is the fourth stage and where they begin mastering the second formation, to master this they revisit another cave that seems to have the same lay out except the circular discs are now in star shapes. The Nekomata must master to stay in constant motion and to barely stay stationary using their hands and legs to put themselves in the best position to counter attack.
| Passive | Adds 1/4 agility to damage | Advanced Chuunin
Jounin:
Claws of the White Tiger [Stage: 5]
This is the fifth stage where the Nekomata must reinforce all they've learned by continually fighting against themselves and using everything they've mastered so far. Each day large brawls will be held and those who arise victorious are able to press on to the next level only 5 students are able to press on. The Nekomata who move on have superb speed and grace.
| Passive | Agility +3 Strength +1 | Jounin
Special Jounin:
Claws of the White Tiger [Stage: 6] (The Zig Zag)
This is the sixth stage and the third formation they learn,in this stage their knowledge of foot placement and analyzation of the situation are unrivaled. Keeping their body in constant shifting of weight the Nekomata can take full use of their agility and power since this formation requires the waist so this is their only head on formation which is very formidable.
| Passive | Agility +3 Strength +1 | Special Jounin
S-Rank:
Claws of the White Tiger [Stage: 7] (Intercepting Paths)
This is the final stage and final formation of the Nekomata style this formation doesn't require any diagram because it's more free lance. The Nekomata uses everything he has mastered so far and at this level they are considered equal to their senses. In this stage they must fight their master using spinning motions and every strike , throw, and lock they know.
| Passive | Adds 1/2 agility to damage | S-rank
Agility: 13
Strength: 3
Damage: + agility
