Making progress
Kazuki's journal
The two years following my first transformation were the best in my life up to that point. I never really forgave Daichi-sensei for what he did that day, but I'm glad he did. Transforming into a coy fish was only the beginning. That event turned around my abilities and we actually began making some progress. Daichi was amazed by how much my performance had changed during my brief period in the pond. After only a month, I had learned how to transform into almost a dozen animals. Sometimes I think he's almost jealous! For about six months I still needed the hand signs to make it work, but after that we discovered that I was able to transform without them. Daichi couldn't believe I was able to do that in such a short time. Now, two years on, he says I am almost ready for something that normally takes up to a decade to achieve. What it is I have no idea, but I haven't been able to sleep much since he told me; I'm far too excited. As long as it doesn't involve drowning in a fish pond, I'm fine!
Four years ago
Kazuki walked out into the bright sunlight of Daichi's garden. He stretched his arms. The boy looked a lot different than he had done two years ago. For one thing, he looked a lot healthier due to the better diet he was now getting from Daichi. His arms were now no longer the scrawny twigs of the poor homeless child; they were now strengthened by long hours of practice and work. His raggedy black shirt and trousers had long been replaced by brand new clothes from Daichi's own making. He had been given a tight fitting, strapped leather waistcoat and leather trousers. A scarf was wrapped around his neck but Kazuki usually wore it over his nose and mouth when outside Daichi's home because he was uncomfortable with strangers being able to see his face. Kazuki had originally been given these clothes in various shades of green, similar to the patchy robe Daichi usually wore, but he had instantly asked if he had them in black. Surprisingly, he did, handing them over to the contented boy with a look that said: "Emo…" Kazuki had had a growth spurt during his time there as well, now measuring far taller than his master. However, when Kazuki had jokingly pointed out this fact, Daichi had transformed into a huge elephant and chased the terrified boy around the garden. Kazuki never mentioned his height again, but started reading as many books as he could about elephants.
One day, Kazuki was practicing his animal transformation jutsu beside the coy pond while Daichi was reading the book he had been reading since Kazuki had joined him two years ago. About three months earlier, Kazuki had managed to sneak a look at what he was reading. It turned out the book was 'Make-out Tactics.' Kazuki didn't sleep for three days afterwards. Kazuki was happily changing from one animal to the next. He got into the stance and, without a word or a hand sign, a bright blue light shone as Kazuki's form contorted. When the light faded, a small fox stood in his place. Kazuki had not yet got used to animal instinct quite yet. He no longer liked transforming into a cat because he kept licking himself in… places. Even after he had turned back into a human, he coughed up hairballs (which was awkward if it happened to occur during dinner). One night, after becoming a cat, Daichi awoke to find Kazuki with his arm in the coy pond, trying to catch and eat the fish. Daichi made a point of not letting Kazuki out for a few hours after assuming the fox form, in case he attacked some of the farmer's chickens. According to Daichi, Kazuki had above average chakra levels, meaning he could stay in animal form for longer than the average shape-shifter, but his levels were still only high enough to remain like that for around five minutes. Daichi reassured him that in a few years, Kazuki would be able to stay as an animal almost indefinitely. Kazuki liked the sound of that. He often thought about living his later years as a dog, lazing around on someone's front porch, barking at cats and sleeping all through the day. However, he wasn't ready for retirement just yet; he still had a lot to learn. Suddenly, Daichi snapped his book closed.
"It's time." He said bluntly.
The fox cocked its head to one side. "For what?" Asked Kazuki in a muffled fox voice.
"For the next step in your training." Daichi replied.
Kazuki let out an excited yelp and promptly transformed back into a human.
"What are we going to do?" He asked.
"We are going to go somewhere very special," Daichi said, smiling proudly at Kazuki. "And after that, you will be more powerful than ever."
Kazuki grinned, rubbing his stomach. "Got any chicken?"