A Broken Pathway; [ Kumo | Search ]

As the intensity of the cave in began to consume me, I began to think of only one thing - had all of this been done on purpose??? I knew of the slight natural features surrounding each hidden village, and how they were often used against intruders in order to deter them from further progressing. It'd make sense especially considering our supposed proximity to the hidden village - but why hadn't Sharingan detected anything...? It was already adept at searching for chakra; so why hadn't it seen these tricks!?

Perhaps because there is no trick...

Confusion began to settle in, but before my panic could ride free any further, the experienced side of me grabbed the reigns, figuratively slamming my other self against the wall and reminded it what had gotten them this far. While it was unfathomable that Iwa had certainly laid its web of deceit across this canyon, nothing they put in my way - I concluded - would stop me. I would be the beacon of hope for Kumo, and the shining light for my comrades. In short, I would be the one.

"...keep your cool guys. We've barely entered the lion's den."

Chakra to my feet keeping me glued to the wall, I looked down briefly to make sure the other's were alright, and judging by their still ringing voices in my ear, it seemed their safety was assured - for now. Making sure I was secure, I'd cease any further movement until I heard from the most crucial part of our team - our eyes. Kimi could see better than no one, and thus upon her confirmation we'd move.

"..."

Meanwhile, as the explosion rang, the clone suddenly looked at the general direction of the canyon, a surprised look worn as he continued his bout of silence. The voices in his head would re-assure him of his master's safety, so in order to continue the act, he'd bring his desperation to a near Samurai guard.

"WOW! What was that!?"

Finally, attention! Though he would do well to place the bait, it seemed the Shadow Clone would still struggle with his endgame, finding the Samurai before him a hurdle in his search for Iwa. However, just as the armored warrior returned with an answer, I would resume with my twenty questions. Hopefully, in such a time of sudden surprise, you'd find none. As my clone spoke, each word articulated only served to delay - from what I head over radio...they were ok! Now, just to figure out it next move...

"Is there anyone nearby I can fetch that can help...?"

"Because my travel routes have been recently tarnished, I had to re-arrange everything - oooohhh, what am I gonna do!?

Lies, all lies, but given my genuine delivery, my costume and finances, the events within the canyon would serve as a good buffer to my village finding , my first Shadow Clone resulting in a praise that seemed to assure everything would get done. In the mean time, as my real self struggled to hold on tight, I kept my chakra burning as it kept my hands bandaged to the very walls webbed up like a man of spider. Now, to figure out the next move...

"...aye - sounds like a good idea!"

I would waste no more time. Though I was the most experienced one of the group, Kimi's eyes could be rivaled by few - that is, in terms of searching and stealth finding, no matter how much experience I possessed, in the end, nothing could beat those cursed white eyes. Byakugan - it was why I picked her, as I knew her skill was for the better of the village. Quiet and calm, there was no room for protest. With chakra still at my feet, my hands came together once more, the fingers forming the now familiar Kage Bunshin cross - it was time to end this.

"...lead the way!"

Wasting no time, the Shadow Clone created would employ the same methodology I used to stay afloat - chakra at the feet - following the exact path Kimi's Byakugan laid out for it. It didn't take long for the clone to arrive at his destination, the calm flowing essence that was the river - what now...? Things seemed safe, but they were surrounded everywhere by foreign chakra trails, both human and unknown. In the end, they'd have almost no time for playing - as it should be, considering what ws at stake for such a hunt.

"... where to???"

The clone would catch the subtleties of the guard, saying nothing more than what the soft, truthful smile revealed. However, within this Samurai many clues were attained - that the village was close, that the path was dangerous, either through natural, topographical means, or through other man-made methods; finally, that there was a good chance the village stood exactly where he just looked off to. Though I did not react to his look initially, I would sport Sharingan for a split second, spanning the time the Samurai spent looking away; when his eyes returned, he'd find nothing more than a raven eyed smiling merchant.

"Thank you much, boss..."

Keeping his cool the clone walked away, strolling through the town in order to appear normal for a few moments before searching for a clear enough area his findings could be transmitted back to the team without falling victim to an eavesdropping. In the mean time, the real Uchiha would prepare to move. Sensing the Kage Bunshin alive (no knowledge of his death nor his chakra had yet to return to me), the crimson Jounin of Kumo knew the route was at least somewhat safe - for now. Before speaking, the clone's voice chimed into our secret knowledge; silence reigned as they awaited his report before moving on.

"Sorry for the delay, but you're close..."

"...it's somewhere near the canyon. The tougher the path, the closer you'll be - good luck."

My clones voices, a whisper, concluded the message, and with that, I'd waste no time. Although I knew not about the incoming patrols, Kimi's warning would make me aware eventually, though I had already begun to move on before their arrival could spot me. Ushering the rest to follow, I'd carefully make my way to the higher, flatter path, trying to trek the route of my copy. Quiet, I turned back to Kimi.

"Your eyes are more important than ever now, so stay sharp..."