The Awakening

[☆ F ☆]

☆

Iwa, six years ago...

The setting sun served as a welcome backdrop to the trio's harmonious existence, and while Kuina was a fan of endlessly work until one's job at hand is done, her long life and the experience gained from living it has taught her it was sin to rob oneself of any moment which allows the enjoyment of the gifts nature had to offer. Though she was still a soldier at heart, she was no longer the hardened female warrior of the past, time softening her disposition in the face of impending death. However, a friendly cackle and tease from behind would soon end the admiration she had for the sun, as her partner was always unforgiving when discovering the Uchiha had broken her own rules. Much like her, Ichi had also learned to loosen up as he reached his older age, enjoying whatever time he had left with the "family" they had created, and even finding time to laugh instead of cry.

The two worked laboriously while their "son" was busy with his studies. They had voluntarily taken time away from the main sect, the three Uchiha making a small vacation for themselves in light of recent struggles, accomplishments and discoveries. After all, they worked hard for their clan, and although their role on their front lines was no more, their consultation skill and education given to the next generation was invaluable. Two experts in their field, one at taking a life, the other at giving one a second chance. And while they proudly lived up to their reputation for the sake of their clan, they wished now for nothing more than peace and quiet.

This small trip was turning out to be an excellent idea.

Kuina knew their child would be done soon, meaning there was no time to dawdle. She had first tasked herself to cleaning their wares through the use of a nearby stream, one of the few that broke through the otherwise dry earth of Tsuchi no Kuni. After setting up their temporary home and washing, dinner proceeded. Ichi has been hunting and chopping wood most of the time, though he had returned to camp with all the resources needed for their feast; now, it was time to clean up. When heckling Kuina no longer amused him, the Uchiha trotted overt to the water, quietly chuckling and mumbling to himself as he maintained a relaxed pace. Their camping grounds were protected by small rocky pillars all around, hiding their existence from plain view while their clones acted as well-hidden look-outs nearby. It was a perfect situation which allowed them to truly relax.

A friendly cry would forced them both to turn in place however, near-instantly ending that which they were currently carrying out - it seemed the boy's studies were over! Smiles instantly found their way onto their tired faces, triggering both to wave in the boys direction, beckoning him to join them. Without hesitation, he bolted from his current position, a fierce dash employed as he raced over to their side. And like them, he too was happy, a huge grin worn as he approached. Smiling to each other before returning their gaze to their son, they enjoyed the moment in silence, all while agreeing on one thought - they could both get used to this.

[ Ichi, Kuina, & the unnamed boy]

MADE BY ♔KOJIHIME

[☆ F ☆]

☆

The Kumaso Uchiha

The Kumaso Uchiha are an ancient sect of the clan unaffiliated with any major organization or nation within the modern shinobi world. Whereas hidden villages have erupted and structures of power have been created over time to establish control in an ever changing, chaotic world, the Kumaso believe they exist to remain "pure", that is, unwavered in spirit or path by anything other than Uchiha clan itself. As such, they do no believe in granting their allegiance to any one hidden village, and have labeled Uchiha clansmen that have done so, past and present, as "tainted". While this does not mean they are lost causes - as the Kumaso take great pride in "cleaning" these clansmen and bringing them back to their "heritage path". Those that oppose their attempts are swiftly neutralized; this is done in a way that preserves the body however, as even in death, and despite their "traitorous" ways, Kumaso believe the tainted ones can still serve a purpose for the clan.

Cleansing boiled itself down to nothing more than the kidnapping and brainwashing of their chosen subject. Then again, after observing and spending time with the Kumaso, one will discover a certain degree of effectiveness within their methods, with positive and stable results. Despite their cult-like ways, they have succeeded in preserving their lost heritage, uncovering many documents and monuments of the clan that were previously thought to be lost over time. Though they are essentially self-appointed historians to their own clan, they do so without sway or personal bias. Where they falter in his the sick mentality of preservation. Free will is not a concept to them, and so, their methods exist to eradicate it.

Kumaso called no country their home, but instead, saw the world as their canvas. Each country had its own subject of Kumaso, which operated to further the goal's within their specific region. Existing outside of recognizable areas such hidden villages or cities, they remained closed off to the public, and are rarely spotted. Pledging allegiance to no one man but rather the clan, the sect is lead by several councils, and all major decisions are performed as a result of votes, those of which have established guidelines the Kumaso founder created for this followers to use as a ways of securing his legacy.

Not all Kumaso were lost. Many joined because the world itself was too cruel or cold for them to handle any longer. Many joined because time was no longer on their side, and if living a quality of life previous unattained required a bit of self-will as a sacrifice, then so be it. Well organized, the Kumaso believe every Uchiha has a role in furthering the clan. While not everyone can be a knife, not everyone has to; as such, the sect has amassed many forms of talent over time. One of their most unique systems involves the creation of a mock family. Uchiha that potentially could have never met before are paid off permanently in their new family. Like the sect, every member of the family has a role to fulfill as well. Fathers and mothers were usually experienced clansmen assigned as teachers. Sons and daughters were the next generation of Kumaso that were being groomed for their life-long goal.

It was a perfect system, despite how insane its components were.

[ ... ]

MADE BY ♔KOJIHIME

[☆ F ☆]

☆

Iwa, six years ago...

The sun's descent was halfway through the mountain range's edge, sinking ever so slowly, leaving the three to enjoy their dinner for a bit longer before darkness took over and a fire was needed. Though low, their chatter was in unison and jovial as casual discussions took place between the family. Ichi and Kuina were already quite full, though the young one was well on his way to a second, and possibly even third serving. As the youth focused more on filling his mouth with food instead of words, the two ex-Jounin would take this opportunity to confer on their next move. They had indeed appealed for a temporary break from work in order to enjoy time spent together, and while it was granted, it was small, and would soon require them spend even more time doing field. Ichi may have a bit more in him to dedicate to the Kumaso, but frankly, Kuina was tired. This would most likely be their best chance to finally escape their clutches, and she knew it.

And so they strolled off from the makeshift dinner table and towards their sleeping quarters, the impending escape plan on the tip of her tongue. If they were to do this, they'd have to move fast, and leave zero traces. This was easier said than done, especially since they traveled with the boy without a name. But they had every intention of bringing him, despite the difficulty in doing so - this was the first time in a long time they all had someone to call family, after all. The discussion was extensive and at times heated, with both sides offering some sort of opposite negative alternative should any of their plans fail to work. It did not dissuade them from adding the final touches, and soon, they knew they'd be ready to go. Dusk would mark their leaving point, and so, with the sun finally dipping across the range, all that was left was to rest. They would need as much energy as they had within their old bones.

It was then that they saw it tear across the sky, the last sign they least wish to see right now - in the increasingly darkness, a sudden burst of light appeared from across a nearby distance, much like fireworks, but without the celebratory element. Not, this was a different kind of show, one that cried for help. It was coincidental to the location of their main camp and the group, and it was also the only flare the sect used in times of an emergency. Several blood curling cries came soon after, and within a minute, billowing black smoke erupted. Something was very wrong, and this was the worst time ever.

They knew what they had to do.

An oath was an oath regardless of how they felt, and while they wished to be free, they did not wish to do it at the expense of their brothers and sisters. Instinctually, they'd have to respond. After a few quiet seconds spent looking into each others eyes, their blood would boil and rage red - it was time for Sharingan to come forth. The last time Ichi and Kuina would see their unnamed boy was then, and although they did not know this yet, a dreadful feeling at the bottom of their stomach acted as an odd premonition they knew better than to ignore. In order to minimize the pain endured, the two took off, a false promise of return granted to their child as they claimed they had to go check on something. Knowing little, the boy nodded with a smile, his mouth full of the feat they had prepared earlier, yet his smile unwavering.

He couldn't wait until they got back so that he could enjoy desert.

[ Ichi, Kuina & the unnamed boy ]

MADE BY ♔KOJIHIME

[☆ F ☆]

☆

Iwa, six years ago...

The hunting party consisted of decorated Chuunin and Jounin from many of the major countries and their hidden village. After all, everyone of these groups have been affected at one point or another by the Kumaso Uchiha. Some have endured their partners being kidnapped during a Kumaso "cleansing", or even killed when they refused to join them. In the end, the Kumaso have systematically over time proven to be a burden, and stand as nothing more than pure terrorism in the eyes of the coalition. Whereas they stood alone before however, enough of these acts has banded these nations together, creating a temporary friendship in the face of a common enemy. Though strong, the Kumaso's numbers were not even close to rival that of a unified front from all the major nations. As such, with careful intel being performed over time, a coalition bent on eradicating the Kumaso was formed.

The coalition sent several hunting parties to disrupt and separate the Kumaso from each across the nations by attacking them from all sides between their known and favored travel paths, and once the sects were successfully isolated, sheer numbers would be sent their way until the Uchiha were no more. It was an effort that would undoubtedly cost many lives, but given how much of a problem the Kumaso currently were to them, and how much of a threat they could be should they continue to be left on their own to grow, attrition was a price the coalition was to pay. And so, as they approached their targets, memories of lost friends flashed before the eyes of the hunters. The motivation and adrenaline they felt was unlike any drug they've ever felt. Now, within minutes, one particular hunting party would descend upon a Kumaso sect currently operating within Tsuchi no Kumi.

It was time for revenge.

[ Unknown Kumaso hunting party ]

MADE BY ♔KOJIHIME

[☆ F ☆]

☆

Iwa, six years ago...

A whole hour passed before the boy with no name began to wonder about his parents. Darkness took over and was ever-present, but he was well versed in enough basic survival tactics to know how to produce an effective and long-lasting fire. Now, as he stood there, still dirty from his feast, frozen in the same spot that he had adopted when he last saw his parents, he finally broke the still trance his gaze held over the fire. He decided he would wait no more, and without further hesitation, shot up and began running towards the direction he had seen his parents take off to. It was quite dark, but he cared not; all that mattered now was discovering why it was taking them so long to come back. The loud and confusing noises that were heard from over the range grew, and now, the smoke was lit up brightly by flames. Why was this so? He was so confused.

The boy with no name was curious however, and so with all his might continued to travel down the general path his parents had taken. Soon he'd reach a point where he no longer knew where he was going, but the sounds heard in the distance gave him hope, and so he continued to approach. It would take him several minutes, but soon, he'd be arriving at a somewhat familiar place - his old camp! Though the darkness prevented him from recognizing the familiarity of his surroundings, the new area he had arrived to was illuminated well enough for him to realize where he stood. This is where he had been taught most of what he knew about chakra, and about healing people. Though he was never able to tap into his clan's powers, he discovered he was good at other things. Now, as he ran back to where he used to call home, the place that once taught him most of what knows now was now in flames.

What was going on? Why were there so many people on the ground? What was all this smoke? The fire? Why were people fighting?

And where were his parents…?

[ The unnamed boy is alone... ]

MADE BY ♔KOJIHIME

[☆ F ☆]

☆

Iwa, six years ago...

A body nearby began to violently spasm, legs and arms kicking and flailing back and forth as a blood curling scream escaped it's mouth. The boy could not tell who it was due to his overwhelming shock affliction, entranced and frozen midst the fiery battlefield. Chaos, violence and death were displayed all around him in different forms, each with different members conflicting, yet all sharing one thing in common - everything he had grown to love was now withering away, covered in blood. There were no winners during this conflict, as both sides were equal in loss, as well as remaining aggression. But none of this mattered - or even registered - for the boy swimming in paralysing disbelief. After a few more screams, he finally was snapped out of his trance; it didn't take long for his tear-ridden eyes to let their sad gaze lock down onto the person in pain.

He was at their side in a heartbeat. Lying supine on the dirt floor, the smoke was so great that not much could be seen all around them, save a few shadows interlocked in mortal combat. Screams, yells and other various sounds of war acted as the only reliable means of identifying what was around them. But to the boy, none of that mattered because someone needed help. Though still in disbelief, the frozen shock melted and allowed him some form of movement. Stuttering and unable to form a complete sentence, he instead attempted to mold his chakra for healing. He knelt beside the body, his hands aglow yet inconsistently so, a glaring sign of  wavering, interrupted chakra flow. His nerves simply were too high strung right now to allow him to gather his power properly.

It was a futile attempt. One second, healing chakra covered both of the boy's appendage like a perfect round green hue, but then the next, his hands returned to their normal state. By the time the boy had finally reached some sort of chakra stability, his patient's trembling body suddenly went still, stiff and cold - it appeared as if they had passed. It took the boy a moment to realize this, mainly because the wounds suffered by the victim was so extensive any form of normal facial or bodily recognition was nearly impossible.

From burns to stab wounds, not much was left of this poor soul. And once the boy realized his patient's grip that once held on tightly to his shirt was no more, he let the glow of chakra slowly leave his hands. With a simple notion, he brushed the appendage off, letting the damaged and deceased hand land on the dry, hot earth with a morbid thud. He was speechless. His eyes went blind due to the tears. His heart plummeted.

Only after a few seconds of crying, when the well of tears was too much to remain in place, he'd gain a moment of unfortunate clarity, his hung head allowing his gaze to focus on the deceased body one last time. Was it wearing…a necklace…? It was. It certainly was.

Odd - it looked just like the same one Ichi had given Kuina on her birthday last summer.

[ RIP Kuina ]

MADE BY ♔KOJIHIME

[☆ F ☆]

☆

Iwa, six years ago...

It would take yet another moment for the tragedy to register, but once the unnamed boy realized just whose body slumped dead in his arms, whatever pain and confusion felt before would pale in comparison to the sudden anguish that took him overnow. A heat in his chest made it seem as if he was going to burst from the inside, and without realizing in, a series of most unnatural screams escaped his mouth. The sound stream was angry, sad, and not of this world, did well to blend in along with the preexisting soundtrack of chaos that had been created as a result of the ambush. If he was of little use before, whatever shred of competency under fire that remained would be completely gone now. As was he. As was his psyche.

Ichi, being the better fighter of the two, had faired much better than his "sister". Though he had not seen the exact moment in which she had been attacked, he was aware it was due to her attempts at saving and healing those already downed by the invaders. Yet despite the pain felt inside, he had little time to mourn, for his life was now well on the line. Gravely injured and with few allies nearby, Ichi fended off many fighters, all while taking hits each time. At this pace, it would be only a matter of time before his next wound suffered would be his last. As he parried, he began to realize that said wound would not have to be physical either, for just as he relocated and prepared to end his current opponent, the sight of their - now his and his alone - "son" entered his periphery.

All he could scream was "NO!".

And in that moment of hesitation, when his attention turned towards the only person that he loved and was still was with breath, the spear of his opponent found a temporary home lodged in his gut. Both parties stood frozen in time once the hit was confirmed. Ichi remained silent, staring at his child in disbelief. Though the unnamed boy had yet to spot what occurred nearby, Ichi had no intention of letting him see; it was hard enough to have his "mother" die in his arms. Quietly though in grew pain, the last of his energy would now be spent counterattacking and forcing the enemy away; there was still a chance the boy could get away. Escape was not fate, unfortunately, for this was nothing than a funeral.

His, to be exact.

[ Death & Rebirth ]

MADE BY ♔KOJIHIME

[☆ F ☆]

☆

Iwa, six years ago...

In his last moments on this earth, Ichi was quite brave, never wavering in his resolve and still being able to place his loved once before him despite suffering such a mortal wound. Though the spear stabbed his gut and caused considerable damage and pain, the elder Uchiha had observed the end of the weapon was strapped to his enemy's wrist as he did his best to fend it off; as his eyes spotted this, he knew this was his only chance. Using whatever strength he had left within his dying body, one hand secured the weapon and keep it lodged within him by gripping the spear just underneath the head, keeping it inside him but not letting the enemy push it any further. The other gripped further down the spear's shaft.; once a firm grip was established, he would briefly squat before jumping back with mighty force, the very ground around his legs shattering from the residual force of his leap. The enemy was caught extremely off guard, a wide-eyed look of sudden surprise worn as his left arm was dislocated and his entire body was vaulted alongside what he hoped would be a soon-to-be dead Uchiha. They flew for several meters in the air, a few seconds that felt like an eternity elapsing in the process.

The best part? As the two parties flew up and back, Ichi's back to the ground as he stared up and hard into his enemy's gaze - which was met and returned with a scowl of his own - he would let loose a shower of poisonous senbon, secondary weapons he kept hidden on his person only for last-minute moments of desperation. The poison was a personal concoction Kuina had made some time ago, her training in herbalism allowing her to use the very plants nature afforded her to kill anything with a pulse. With a combination of paralysis and internal bleeding, Ichi's murderer, though strong, was set to enjoy the very fate he had just the the Uchiha to. Within a few seconds they'd both land hard onto the scorched campgrounds, their bodies evoking loud thuds. Both would drag for a few seconds before finally common to a halt; neither moved much after.

They had moved approximately twenty meters away from the boy, currently writhing in pain at everything that struck him. He had suffered the biggest pain of his young life thus far, and while his chosen path of existence would undoubtedly - and unfortunately - bring him more moments like these, the magnitude of his current loss was simply too much to bear. After indulging in child like sadness and crying, a sudden wildness entered his body. He still weeped and hated his existence for continuing when those which she loved didn't, but now he weeped with fury. He was covered in blood from his interaction with his late "mother", making almost his entire figure emerge a bright crimson. Now, all he could think about was hate. Revenge, and hate. The clouds billowed and smoked all around him still, but now, as the shadows danced, he would prove to his fallen parents that he was not entirely useless - that he was meant for more, and that they has helped him achieve that very usefulness.

He didn't know it yet, but he wasn't just seeing clearly metaphorically - his eyes, they were as bright as the blood the doused him!

[ Sharingan!]

MADE BY ♔KOJIHIME

[☆ F ☆]

☆

Iwa, PRESENT TIME

He chose to end the flashback there, before past paints grew large enough to encroach on his current optimistic streak. It was only natural that entering this area would trigger old memories, so he had did his best to prepare for the mental assault; even then, once he stepped foot on old burial grounds, it was as if he was twelve again.

That same scarlet hue that came forth when his biggest pain was suffered still resided within him to this day, though his inner crimson remained tame as he reminisced. Though he was not sure if this was the exact location of that faithful night six years ago, he had employed his best tracking methods in order to reach a somewhat credible location. Nothing more remained of what once was, his cradle, his birthplace, the first home he'd come to know in his life. Reduced nothing more to rubble and dry, cracked earth, it had withered off, much like his innocence. He was of a handful that had escaped the camp that night, and although the shock poisoned his body for weeks, he was safely transported out and into safety. The next six years were spent wandering, tired and spent, yet learning, groaning, slowly becoming hardened to the painful loss he had suffered. Finally, he had reached the hardness he desired.

Now, it was time find out why anyone would hate the Kumaso Uchiha so much. Because he was once a "child" of the Kumaso, his "parents" had been entrusted to train him in whatever art would best serve the clan. Though he was an Uchiha, he never showed clan jutsu prowess, leaving the child to be labeled as useless or subpar. Still, he had an affinity for medicine, and so he entered training to refine it. Not soon after, that faitfhful incident happened. Now healed and trained, he will use his past knowledge of the Kumaso, combined with current tracking, in order to find them and present them some very important questions. He knew not what he'd do at that point, but he did know they were always roaming and searching for talent. That was a start.

Having stayed out of the radar this entire time while he healed and trained, he had missed a lot of what had gone on in the world. However, he finally felt ready but a few weeks a go, the reason why he only recently decided to surface. The once unnamed boy was now a man, and with a name to boot, coming back to where it all started before preparing himself for his next journey. Though he never received an official name from his "parents", what he had received was their unconditional love, which made him feel important for once in his life. And that was enough. Because their gift was so great, he'd honor it - and them - by wearing a name befitting of the occasion which made him realize this the most - Enfuego.

It means "on fire". And the honor be would be such, that he'd share that very gift of love received from his parents with others. It was the gift of fire, the very thing that delivered them and destroyed everything. It was time to find the Kumaso and ask them  why they did what they did to their own. It was time to track down the sects from each hidden village that attacked the camp and neutralize them, as well as their whole family tree. It was time to make his name known in this new shinobi world. It was time to make the name Uchiha shine in a new light.

It was time to watch the world burn.

[ END - EXIT]

MADE BY ♔KOJIHIME

[Comatose]

+ 85 EXP

+ Stage 1: Sharingan (Remember to purchase it too!)